A round 1.5 million Britons are being told to temporarily isolate themselves to avoid the risk of coronavirus spreading, in the latest government measures.

If you live with others and any one of you develops a persistent cough or high temperature, everyone in your household must self-isolate for 14 days.

For those who live alone and show even mild symptoms of Covid-19, the Government advice to fight the disease says you must self-isolate for seven days. 

If youre waiting for the results of tests for coronavirus infection, you might be also be told to stay home and self-isolate rather than being admitted to hospital.

If you have symptoms you must stay at hoem for seven days / Jeremy Selwyn

If youre waiting for the results of tests for coronavirus infection, you might be also be told to stay home and self-isolate rather than being admitted to hospital.

If youve travelled to a coronavirus hotspot (parts of Asia and Italy) or been in close contact with someone infected, dont go straight to the GP or hospital. You only need to call 111 if your symptoms worsen after staying at home for seven days.

The Government has told employers to provide sick pay to people with Covid-19 symptoms who are told to self-isolate. For people told to self-isolate who dont have symptoms, an automatic legal right to sick pay is currently under review, but in the meantime you can claim universal credit or employment and support allowance.

So what does it actually mean to self-isolate?

When self-isolating, you or the person you are caring for should stay at home, except for getting medical care. Take time off work or education, and avoid public areas. Do not use public transport or taxis until you are told that it is safe to do so.

Stay in a well-ventilated room with a window thats separate from anyone else in your home. Keep the door closed.

Use a separate bathroom from everyone else in your home if you can. If you have to share a bathroom, try to use it last each day, and then clean it thoroughly yourself. Use separate body and hand towels from the rest of your household. Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds each time, and use hand sanitiser.

Make sure any rubbish is put in two tied bin bags to keep it secure. Don't throw the bags away until you receive negative test results. If you test positive for coronavirus, you will be told what to do with your waste.

If you live in shared accommodation such as university halls, you should only come out of your room when you have to, wearing a facemask if you have been issued one. If you share a kitchen, dont use it while others are present if you can and take your meals back to your room to eat.

The idea behind families or groups self-isolating if they live together, is that they will contain the infection within the household.

How will I be able to get food and supplies?

You can ask someone to bring you groceries, medication or other shopping, or you can order food and supplies to be delivered to you. Either way, make sure that they are left outside your home for you to collect.

Dont share dishes, glasses, cups or eating utensils with anyone else in your home when you have used them. After using any of these, wash them thoroughly with soap and water or use a dishwasher, and dry with a separate tea towel.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

How long does self-isolation last?

From the first day you show mild flu-like symptoms of Covid-19, self-isolation for seven days.

If you share accommodation with others and one shows symptoms, it lasts 14 days. It is likely that the whole house or flat will become infected during this time, so each member must self-isolate for a seven day period if they show symptoms, regardless of where they are in the 14-day quarantine.

If youve been to a Category 1 area (parts of China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy), or youve had contact with someone known to have had Covid-19, even if you have no symptoms and receive a negative test result, self-isolation automatically lasts 14 days.

If youve been to a Category 2 country or area, you should self-isolate even after a negative test results until either your symptoms have gone or you are back in the UK for 14 days, whichever is sooner.
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Gandhinagar, March 6 : The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta will train the Rapid Response Teams (RRT) of Gujarat and other states for the preparedness against the global threat of the deadly coronavirus infection.

The RRT of Gujarat is in Delhi since Friday for the training and all the district teams are also being imparted the training through video conferencing. Till date not a single positive case of coronavirus has been detected in Gujarat.

"A total of 18056 passengers from affected countries have been screened and 1,078 suspected passengers were quarantined not only for 14 days but thereafter we have constantly followed up for further more 14 days through telephone. Even before the centre issued an advisory, Gujarat had thermal scanners screening at Surat and Ahmedabad airports. A total of 38 suspected cases were sent to the laboratory where 37 have been found negative while 1 sample result is being awaited. Not a single case of COVID-19 has been found positive so far in the state," said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Gujarat.

"Right now our RRTs are in Delhi receiving the training from the experts like WHO, CDC Atlanta. Apart from that, the district RRTs are also getting the same training through ZOOM video conferencing facility against the virus infection," added Ravi.

"From Gujarat there are six such RRTs who are in Delhi right now representing six zones into which the state is divided. The training by the WHO, CDC is being imparted to all the RRTs of the country right now in Delhi," said Ravi.

"Passengers from a total of 145 flights from abroad have been screened at the Ahmedabad airport. A cumulative total of 16,478 passengers have been screened so far. The self declaration is being made mandatory. Besides that, we are advising all the passengers having co-morbid conditions like hypertension, cardiac, TB, cancer, asthma and also elderly patients to stay quarantined for 14 days in their homes. We have also provisioned so that all such co-morbid patients are followed up through telephones," added Ravi.

"Besides airports, a total of 1,454 crew and passengers from 24 ships have also been screened at seaports. Chief Secretary Anil Mukim held a video conference where are all the district collectors have been made responsible to have their districts availed with isolation wards, beds, and ventilators." Besides Ahmedabad Civil Hospital is being made into a base hospital with 29 isolation wards and ventilators. Surat city has also been readied with quarantine facility at the city's Community Health Center (CHC).

"Besides civil hospital, we are also having quarantine facility being set up at Army cantonment and also at the Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. The entire state is right now prepared and ready with a total of 576 isolation beds and 204 ventilators," said Ravi.

"Earlier the coronavirus suspect samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune, but now the BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad has been facilitated with the laboratory set-up. Besides that, preparations are underway to set up similar facility at Jamnagar. The central government's approval for setting up more labs at Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara is also awaited," she Ravi.

"Apart from the government hospitals, all the district collectors are instructed to advise all the private hospitals in the area which are linked with government through Ma Vatsalya and Ayushman Bharat schemes, to create isolation wards, beds and ventilators so that the facilities are more than adequate. However, we strictly advise the citizens to approach government health institutes in case of symptomatic ailments," she said.

The state government has set up a helpline number 104 for simple ailments like fever.

"The citizens can also contact the 104 helpline if there are any symptoms. Our officials are ready to help and even visit the patients at their homes if required," said Ravi.

"The state has also 61 different medical colleges for the possible COVID-19 invasion. More than 3700 Indian Medical Council doctors have been contacted. We need not panic. In our country even the positively tested cases have been handled very well," added Ravi.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
(Natural News) The Chinese government is all about censorship, and this time, they are being effective at silencing coronavirus critics in the United States. As Chinese tech companies have gone global, so has Chinas ability to censor information outside of the mainland.

(Article by Mac Slavo republished from SHTFPlan.com)

China is well-known for Communism and the censorship of non-government approved ideas. When those who think they have power over the thoughts and ideas of others begin to silence, you know oppression is clearly a reality.

VICE News spoke to dozens of WeChat users in the U.S. and Canada, as well as some users in the U.K., France, Spain, Australia, Germany, and Malaysia, who reported identical problems with their accounts as they tried to share information with their family and friends in China.

The restrictions will prevent international users from sending any information to contacts in China. In some cases, they have also had their accounts suspended or blocked completely and accused of spreading malicious rumors. In many cases, the censorship means their only communication link to people inside China has been cut off completely, according to a report by VICE News.

Coronavirus Cover-Up Begins: China Threatens Social Media Users with Seven Years in Prison for Reporting Pandemic News that Doesnt Parrot Official Stories

If someone attempts to get information that is not approved by the Chinese government to people living under the tyranny there, they will likely be silenced, if not punished.

WeChat is a unit of Tencent, one of Chinas largest tech companies, which also happens to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Now users in the U.S. are calling for Congress to intervene to preserve their freedom of speech, however, free speech is all but dead in the U.S. too. And the politicians claiming authority over the rest of us are unlikely to do much if anything about it.

Tencent is the evil helper of a totalitarian government that suppresses freedom of speech and democracy, one WeChat user who lives in Philadelphia and wanted to remain anonymous due to fears of retribution, told VICE News. They delete or block your posts if they think it promotes democracy and challenges the government. It violates my civil rights as a U.S. citizen. I came to the U.S. for freedom. I thought I escaped from the threat of the Communist Party. But Im wrong, I still live in terror because Tencent is monitoring my WeChat and may report me to the Chinese authorities.

Things arent much better in the U.S. where companies like Facebook, Google, and YouTube delete or censor information that isnt government-approved. In fact, the World Health Organization and Google have been working together to censor coronavirus information.

Tencent did not respond to specific questions about its censorship of international users but sent an emailed statement saying it was committed to providing a secure and open platform for all its users.

This article contains affiliate links.

Read more at: SHTFPlan.com




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Before marrying Prince Harry and getting the royal status, Meghan Markle is known for her portrayal of the character Rachel Elizabeth Zane in the legal-inspired TV series "Suits."

Rachel Zane is a paralegal who desperately works at Pearson Hardman for six years. She is friends with Mike Ross and eventually developed a romantic feeling for him.

Meghan's portrayal of the role is so remarkable that it helped her rose to fame and be known as a Hollywood actress. Upon marrying Prince Harry in May 2018, the 38-year-old actress had to give up her acting career to attend to royal duties that come with her title.

Now that the Duchess of Sussex is counting down days until she officially cut ties with the royal family, there are many speculations that her character on "Suits" will be back -- as she is also reportedly aiming to go back to her acting career.

Million-Dollar Offer

Despite the left and right speculations that Meghan will relive her character as Rachel Zane, the Duchess has not been officially asked to join the crew once again. It was first rumored that Meghan was offered $1 million per second to appear on the TV series again. However, she did not respond to the television gig.

But just recently, Meghan and the show received a public offer from a beauty brand who is willing to pay a whopping five million dollars to have her back on the show.

The offer came from the German-based beauty brand called "Biotulin," which offers an organic Botox produce that promises to reduce signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles in just an hour.

In a Twitter post, the brand addressed NBC Universal -- the company handling Suits -- to made the million-dollar offer in exchange for Meghan's appearance on the show together with their brand.

"Att. Steve Burke: We are again offering you 5 million $ for a 5 sec. appearance of Meghan Markle with our biological Botox gel BIOTULIN in your TV series 'Suits,'" the brand wrote.

"Pls. check our offer with her agent," they added.



Pls. check our offer with her agent.@NBCUniversal #stephenbburke @nbc @nbcnews Att. Steve Burke: We are again offering you 5 million $ for a 5 sec. appearance of Meghan Markle with our biological Botox gel BIOTULIN in your TV series Suits.Pls. check our offer with her agent. #biotulin  Biotulin (@Biotulin) March 2, 2020

The beauty giant said that the actress-turned-royal is an avid user of their products. However, some fans argue that it would be impossible for Meghan to return to the said legal drama series as the finale episode aired last September 2019.

"Suits" creator Aaron Korsh also said that the show refused to ask Meghan to appear on the final episode in respect of her newfound life.

Meghan Marvel

Earlier this week, rumors sparked that Meghan is asking her agent to help her land a superhero role in blockbuster films.

A source told the Daily Mail that Meghan's former agent, Nick Collins is busy scouting possible acting gigs and is particularly looking into securing a superhero role for the Duchess.

"He has said she wants her return to acting to be part of an ensemble cast in something like a superhero film," the insider said. "He's actively seeking such a movie for her. He's saying she is available and open to the best offers.
Pedestrians, wearing masks amid the rise in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease, wait at a crossing at a shopping district in Daegu, South Korea, March 4, 2020. Photo by Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon.

While many Vietnamese are flying home from Daegu, a Covid-19 epicenter, some have decided to stay back to save money or avoid spreading the virus.

Quoc Anh was out of job for half a month but instead of returning home like many of his countrymen, he decided to remain in the South Korean city.

Living in a small room near an industrial park he no longer works at his auto parts factory since it closed due to the epidemic.

"After the epidemic broke out in South Korea, my factory's partners suspended orders, forcing it to shut down and let all workers be off from work without pay," he says.

"It is still unclear when I could get back to work, and I am looking for a temporary job."

Now, he goes to the market once a week to buy food and other essentials and quickly returns home for fear of contracting the infection since South Korea has become the worst-hit country outside China.

In the three years since he moved to South Korea he has been sending most of his salary to support his parents and wife since the cost of living in a suburb of Daegu is not too high.

The sudden outbreak of the disease and loss of work has meant he has had to borrow money from friends.

His family in Thai Binh in northern Vietnam call him every day and tell him to return home, but he has decided against it.

Daegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea with 2.5 million people, is currently one of the global Covid-29 hotspots. Schools are closed and the spring semester has been postponed, the usually crowded malls are deserted and festivals and other public events have been canceled.

Anh explains: "I didnt return home because I have decided to come here to work to improve my family's economic situation. The disease is scary but we should not be confused; it is necessary to know how to remain safe."

Every day he receives messages from local health officials instructing him how to keep safe. He quarantines himself at home, wears face masks and avoids crowded areas. He no longer goes to church.

Sixty percent of Covid-19 cases in South Korea are linked to Shincheonji, a shadowy religious group.

Anh says: "Life in the suburbs of Daegu is normal with just a minor disturbance. Shops, supermarkets are still open for people to shop though the number of customers has decreased significantly. Prices of goods do not fluctuate much, except for face masks becoming scarce."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam said around 200,000 Vietnamese nationals live in South Korea, 8,285 in Daegu City and 18,502 in North Gyeongsang Province.

Also choosing to stay back in Daegu but luckier than his compatriot, Tran Xu still goes to work since his company remains open.

"My company encourages workers to complete orders," Xu says.

"South Korean workers also say they are more afraid of starvation than dying due to the epidemic."

Xu, who has been in the country for nine years, has stocked 20 kg of rice, eight kg of pork, four ducks and three cabbage plants, enough for a month, so that he does not have to leave home.

"I'm young, so I want to stay and challenge myself during this hard time and wait for the disease to end."

Thousands of Vietnamese in South Korea have started flying home, overloading quarantine facilities in major cities like Hanoi, Saigon and Da Nang. Many of them are students.

Unlike many of her friends, Nguyen Nhung, a university student in Daegu, decided to stay back for personal reasons.

When the epidemic broke out the 21-year-old was working part-time at a food shop for bus drivers, but last week, when the number of infection cases surged, she quit her job to ensure safety.

She has isolated herself at home in the hope that by the end of March she can return to school. She orders food and drinks and pays money online, and the delivery persons leave them outside her door. She also avoids her Korean friends.

Kieu Trang, 30, who is married to a South Korean man and has two children, says her family in Vietnam has been calling her repeatedly and asking them to come to Vietnam.

Kieu Trang and her son in Daegu, South Korea. Photo courtesy of Kieu Trang.

Trang does not want to return to Vietnam though.

"I fear being exposed to pathogens at the airport and putting further pressure on Covid-19 prevention efforts in Vietnam. If I am infected with the virus, I can spread it to my relatives and the community in Vietnam," she says.

She continues to go to work at a company near home. Her eight-year-old son should have begun first grade this week, but schools are closed. Her husband has had to take a break from his freelance job to reduce the risk of infection and help take care of the children.

"I think the best solution for people living in the epidemic epicenter is to limit going out, avoid crowds, wear face masks, practice hygiene, eat well and leave mental comfortable, "Trang said.

Nguyen Thi Toan, an expert at the Multicultural Family Center in Daegu, said since the outbreak of the epidemic, many Vietnamese women married locally have sought advice about the disease.

"Most of them have no intention of going to Vietnam to avoid the epidemic.

"South Korea is trying its best to control the disease. It depends on each individual's sense of prevention. I think there is no need to be overly concerned and that people should rely on their own measures," Toan said.
"Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as...
NEW YORK, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of International Womens Day, Seatrade Cruise Global  the cruise industrys leading annual business-to-business event  is pleased to announce its acclaimed Professional Women in Cruising Brunch will return to the Miami Beach Convention Center on 23 April 2020. Bringing together some of the industrys most influential female thought leaders, this years panel will be dissecting and discussing the framework of disaster recovery including first-response, logistics, sustainability and philanthropy.

Professional Women in Cruising Brunch 2020: Relief, Rebuild, RecoverHow the Cruise Industry Reacts to Natural Disasters

Thursday 23 April | 11 AM  1 PM

- Sponsored Uplift

Moderator: Anna Silva, Acting Assistant Director of Operations, Port Everglades Department

Panelists:

 CAPT JoAnn Burdian, Sector Miami Commander, USCOTP

 Katherine Forbes-Smith, Managing Director, Bahamas Disaster Recovery Authority

 Amanda Martin, Director of Communications, Mission Resolve

 Rick Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA

 Lisa Schillig, Director of Port and Terminal Operations, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line

From womens leadership, to disaster recovery infrastructure, as well as philanthropic work in welfare and sustainability  our Professional Women in Cruising Brunch shines the spotlight on how the industry is making a meaningful, positive global impact and applauds individuals who are leading these invaluable initiatives, says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise.

Hosted in partnership with the Womens International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), the event will benefit Seatrade Cruise Globals longtime non-profit partner, Mercy Ships , which employs hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to poverty-stricken communities in the developing world.

Through the ongoing support of this group of inspiring women, Mercy Ships is able to empower, train and provide resources for other women in the most impoverished nations in the world to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact, says Russ Holmes, Director of Corporate Development of Mercy Ships. These contributions open doors for women such as Dr. Odry Agbessi, the first female plastic surgeon in her home country of Benin, who completed a mentorship program with Mercy Ships and now mentors other surgeons throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and often returns to the Africa Mercy as a training volunteer.

Sustainability and social impact remain at the forefront for Seatrade Cruise Global, with the conference continuously expanding related programming. This year, the Safety & Sustainability Theater returns with the latest on cyber, port and tour security systems, biometrics, monitoring and life-saving technologies. New for 2020, as part of the recently launched Seatrade Cruise Expeditions, the Expedition Cruising & Sustainability conference track will explore industry-wide environmental advancements including sustainability technologies and innovations onboard and onshore. Session topics will include the evolving expedition marketplace, eco-conscious cruising and sustainable tourism.

Other annual philanthropic efforts at Seatrade Cruise Global includes the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) signature fundraising event on 22 April, which gathers FCCAs key stakeholders to network and forge partnerships with leading cruise line executives. Proceeds from the event fund the FCCA Foundations efforts to support humanitarian causes in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Since its inception, the Foundation has benefited tens of thousands by contributing to charities, hospitals, disaster relief and annual projects for youth and education in those regions.

Seatrade Cruise Global 2020 will offer a myriad of opportunities for those interested in womens programming and sustainability  see below:

Safety & Sustainability Theater | Monday 20 April Tuesday 21 April

The latest on cyber, port and tour security systems, biometrics, monitoring and life-saving technologies.

Designing Women Panel | Wednesday 22 April

Moderator: Catherine Martin , Editor, Starboard Magazine

Panelists:

 Francesca Bucci, President, BG Studio

 Anne Mari Gulikstad, CEO, YSA Design

 Paris M Swann, AVP, Architectural Design, Celebrity Cruises, Newbuilding & Innovation Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Professional Women in Cruising Brunch | Thursday 23 April

See details above.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 18:56 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068da7c3 1 National travel-ban,coronavirus,COVID-19,South-Korea,flight,outbreak Free

The Transportation Ministry said on Friday that flights to and from South Korea are still operating despite the East Asian country being an epicenter of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak outside of China.

The government announced on Thursday that Indonesia would temporarily restrict entry for people with a history of travel from the coronavirus-hit countries of Iran, Italy and South Korea in the wake of a significant surge of COVID-19 cases.

The ministrys air transportation director general, Novie Riyanto, said that the ban was only applicable to tourists from the three countries and not on the flights themselves.

We only prohibit tourists, but there are no restrictions on flights since they also carry cargo, he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Novie said the ban only applies to arrivals from certain cities in the countries. He also said the restriction of entry to or transit through Indonesia applies to all migrants or travelers who have been in one of the three countries in the 14 days before their arrival here.

Read also: COVID-19: Indonesia expands travel restrictions

As of Friday, South Korea confirmed a total of 6,284 coronavirus cases, giving it the most in the world outside of China. It also reported seven more deaths, bringing that total to 42.

Meanwhile, Korean Air announced on Thursday that it would suspend all flights between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, and Incheon International Airport from Thursday to April 25 because of the virus outbreak.

Previously, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the temporary ban would come into effect on Sunday.

Read also: Commentary: We should thank COVID-19 Case 1 instead of breaching her privacy

She said that travelers from Iran, Italy and South Korea who are coming from places outside of those countries would need to provide valid health certificates by the health authorities and failing to do so would result in them being denied entry to or transit through Indonesia.

This is not the first travel restriction that Indonesia has imposed. The country already implemented a travel ban on visitors coming from China. The decision was made after Beijing imposed a lockdown on the city of Wuhan, the original epicenter of the outbreak.

The government has been stepping up efforts to contain the virus after President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday that two Indonesians had been tested positive for it. (eyc)
A lab-coated technician leans over a bioreactor at an Iranian pharmaceutical plant producing cancer drugs -- a tall order since equipment imports fell victim to US sanctions.

A huge corridor bathed in artificial light and smelling of disinfectant leads to the bioreactor room at the Actoverco factory, to which AFP was given rare access.

Six hundred people run production lines at the facility in an industrial district of Karaj, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Tehran.

Technicians wear scrubs, face masks, gloves and surgical caps as they work.

In the bioreactor, cells are multiplied then transferred to tanks for use as cultures to produce medication.

"Much of the equipment that we are using either in production or in laboratory, they are considered as dual-use and they are sanctioned," said plant manager Reza Mostofi.

"We have many issues at the moment. Because of the sanctions, usually we can't either transfer the money or the supplier is not willing to sell the machinery that we need."



As the new coronavirus spreads in Iran, many people have struggled to find medicine -- an issue linked to sanctions reinstated by the United States in 2018 after it withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal.

In retaliation, the Islamic republic has gradually reduced its commitments to the deal since May 2019.

On paper, humanitarian items are exempt from US sanctions, but in reality banks tend to decline transactions involving Iran to avoid being exposed to potential litigation.

"The equipment that we are using, the spare parts and everything, now we have a big issue for repairing the spare parts that are needed," said Mostofi.

For the past six months, he said, the plant has been unable to produce a drug that is essential for treating leukaemia.

"For some time we have not been able to import the ingredients of this material, so our line... is now stopped," said the English-speaking manager.

The company hopes to produce the active ingredient itself, with a "very big" bioreactor, but it faces almost insurmountable difficulties because of the sanctions.

Iran's health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour voiced concern about the situation.

"Regarding cancer patients, we had no problem because we are producing the medicine ourselves... (but) our companies want to renew, rebuild and replace their industrial equipment," he told AFP.

According to him, there are 500,000 cancer patients in Iran, and it is the second biggest cause of death in the country, claiming 30,000 lives a year.

Actoverco, part of a family business established 40 years ago, also produces the drug interferon beta-1a, used to treat multiple sclerosis.

"We cannot provide the patients as much as we want," said the company director.

"I hope there would (be) a political solution for this because at the end of the day these are people who are suffering" because of medicine shortages. He also voiced concern about the new coronavirus.

"Maybe next year there would be a vaccine available (in) some places, but it might not be available here," he said.

"This winter we had shortages of vaccines" for flu.

With the sanctions, "work has become more and more difficult, you feel it every day", said medical physicist Maryam Yaftian.

The 30-year-old works at Roshana, a private clinic that opened in Tehran three years ago and is equipped with modern facilities.

She points to the difficulty of obtaining supplies including medicine and spare parts for two radiotherapy machines bought from an American company prior to the sanctions.

For troubleshooting, staff at the clinic hold video conferences with Iranian technicians based abroad.

The sanctions have also caused prices to skyrocket for the clinic which is absorbing some of the increase on behalf of its patients, said its director Touraj Norouzi.

In one room, mother of two Seyedeh Hosseini is receiving chemotherapy.

Thanks to financial help from her brothers and father, she feels "lucky" to have been able to undergo treatment for bowel cancer with chemo drugs and an imported infusion pump.

Many patients or their relatives seek chemo treatment abroad as they do not trust the quality of local products.

The director of a Tehran pharmacy, Shahrzad Shahbani, said she had sought treatment abroad at all costs for her mother, who ultimately lost her battle with cancer.

Nevertheless, she said, "If I had a chemo patient right now, I would not advise them to take local drugs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
W ith European flights often costing less than a one-way ticket to Manchester Piccadilly, cutting down on your air miles can seem like a thankless task. Sure it is better for the environment, but your wallet will suffer.

But with mounting concerns over the carbon footprint of commercial flights, people are increasingly swearing off short-haul flights  or airplanes altogether.

After Greta Thunberg famously decided to sail to the US rather than fly, many decided to follow suit, with the hashtag #stayontheground charting Instagram users eco-friendly travel methods. Whilst Thunbergs voyage from Plymouth to New York took 15 days, there are much shorter alternatives for your 2020 summer holiday  and all are just a train ticket away.

Ghent, Belgium  2 hours, 52 minutes

Canal plus: the waterways of Ghent / Getty Images/Westend61

Looking for a beer-filled, cobble-lined getaway? Head to Ghent. A university town nestled between Bruges and Brussels, Ghent is just under 3 hours away from London via Eurostar. Board a connecting train at Brussels, or stop off there for a day or two for a true tour of Belgium. If youre heading there in summer and want a low-carbon beach holiday, pay a visit to the nearby beach at the beautiful Ostend. Who said Belgium was just chocolate?

Marseille, Southern France  6 hours, 34 minutes

View over Marseille

Its the longest journey on this list  but the Mediterranean coast that will greet you on arrival is well worth the wait. Hop aboard a train from London to Paris, then switch to a 3.5 hour train down to the Cote dAzur.

Marseille is a perfect clash of charming antiquity and vibrant modernity, with new galleries, hotels and restaurants popping up constantly. Spend your days lounging by the sea and snacking on Bouillabaisse, and head inside their famous theatres and opera houses once youve drained your bottle of factor 50.

Utrecht, the Netherlands  4 hours, 47 minutes

Utrecht waterways

Eurostar has recently launched their non-stop service to Amsterdam  but we advise heading a little further afield to beat the tourist crowds. Whilst summertime canal walks are hard to resist, Utrecht is the ideal November destination for music lovers, when it hosts its annual musical boundary-crossing Le Guess Who? festival. Go for the music, stay for the abundant offering of beer, food and good vibes.

Deauville, Northern France  5 hours, 57 minutes

The famous casino in Deauville

Right on the other side of France is Deauville, a picture-perfect seaside town in Normandy. Whilst the sea might be a little icier than Marseilles, its nicknamed the queen of Norman beaches for a reason.

As the closest seaside resort to Paris, Deauville has attracted high society since the 1800s, and still boasts a racecourse, casinos, villas and plenty of five star establishments. If youre on a budget, no fear  these days, Deauville caters to all.

Cologne, Germany  4 hours, 17 minutes

The famous skyline of Cologne
As Americans remain riveted to the coronavirus and the nauseating vicissitudes of the Democrats' battle to choose a presidential nominee  a choice now apparently winnowed down to the Marxist or the moron  this writer's thoughts once again are drawn to events in Europe. The situation now unfolding day by day on the Greek-Turkish border may at first seem of minor concern to America, but in fact it's a critical part of the overall struggle by patriots on both sides of the Atlantic to preserve Western civilization.

The same forces working here to dissolve American civilization through mass migration and deliberately inculcated cultural self-loathing are busy in Europe pursuing the same goal by identical means. And the same traditional, patriotic segment of the population, guilty of the crime of loving one's civilization and wanting to preserve it, resists cultural dissolution in both Europe and America. The commonality of the struggle is striking.

European patriots face worse odds. Their governments are more ruthless in condemning patriotism and love of country (who knew that those feelings make one a Nazi?), and Europeans' history of submission to authority, and consequent ingrained passivity, makes them less inclined to risk social condemnation to save themselves.

Consider the events unfolding on Europe's eastern border with Islam:

Over the last week to ten days, the Islamist 21st-century Sultan on the Bosporus, Recep Erdogan, has abrogated Turkey's 2016 agreement with the European Union, under which the Turks committed to preventing a repetition of the 2015 mass migration of Muslim migrants into Western Europe. During the 2015 fiasco, welcomed by German chancellor Angela Merkel, at least one million "refugees" (read: "economic migrants") from the Middle East and elsewhere streamed into Germany (hence into all of Europe), following a route that crossed Turkey, the Greek-Turkish border, the Balkans, and Austria. By today, the number of Muslim newcomers in Germany has metastasized, through "family reunification" and continuing migration, to at least two million, with all the vast increases in criminality and sexual assaults, widespread overt loathing of European culture and traditions, and massive social welfare costs, all of which any even a casual student of Islamic history would have predicted.

In return for Turkey's supposed commitment to prevent a recurrence of the 2015 catastrophe, the E.U.'s appeasement junkies, "led" by Merkel, agreed to provide vast monetary support to the Turkish Islamist regime and diplomatic support to Turkey's military efforts in Syria and elsewhere. This was a fool's bargain for Europe from the beginning, as it granted Erdogan permanent leverage to extort both massive financial contributions to his regime from Western Europe and a mandatory diplomatic cheering section for his expansionist military adventures in the Middle East, especially in Syria.

As usual, enfeebled European elites, having neither the requisite cultural pride nor the military means to defend their fragile borders with Islam, saw little choice: pay off the Turks or endure another invasion by millions of young Muslim men from all over the Middle East and elsewhere  masquerading as "refugees" from the Syrian war and dishonestly assisted in their masquerade by Western Europe's leftist-dominated mainstream media.

Last Saturday, the futility of a purchased peace with Islamist governments was once again revealed with striking clarity: Recep Erdogan explicitly canceled the 2016 agreement and announced that his government would no longer halt or hinder the estimated 3.5 million non-Turkish Muslims already living in Turkey, and the hundreds of thousands more migrants who will now enter Turkey across its eastern border, in their westward movement across Turkey into Europe via Greece.

Little more than a week after Erdogan's announcement, scenes of chaos and violence just short of war are unfolding on the Greek-Turkish border. In the ancient Greek province of Thrace, where Turkey's European-side province is separated from Greece by the River Evros, Greek soldiers and police, behind fences and barbed wire, face off against would-be border-crossers numbering, depending on source, anywhere from 13,000 to 30,000 to 75,000. The numbers of would-be invaders and the amount of violence increase daily.



YouTube screen grabs.

German-language alternative websites report that the mobs at the Greek border have not had to engage in all that much "trekking" across Turkey, that unmarked buses headed west  as many 56 per hour  depart from migrant camps in eastern Turkey, and that Erdogan's state railroad assists with transporting the invaders to the Greek-E.U.-Turkish border.

Clearly, this second 21st-century Muslim invasion of Europe is Turkey's child.

Erdogan's motives are not merely to rid Turkey of the burden of feeding and housing a large population of non-Turkish migrant Muslims, nor fully explained by his disappointment at the level of financial and diplomatic support he's succeeded in extorting from Europe since 2016.

Merkel's feeble and naive reaction to the 2015 invasion, and the Willkommenskultur ("welcoming culture") she demanded of the German people (and got from a small but influential part of it), has laid bare the moral confusion, psychological weakness, and atrocious leadership of Germany and Europe. In consequence, Erdogan, an Islamist to the core, sees his chance for historical Muslim greatness.

After the amazing governmental capitulation and public passivity in Germany during 2015, Erdogan is smart enough to perceive that now is his chance to dramatically advance through migration what Kara Mustafa failed to achieve in 1683 through direct military invasion: the gradual but relentless Islamization of Europe.

Rocks have been hurled at Greek police and border soldiers by the would-be border-crossers, and the defenders of Greece at times have responded with tear gas. Based on reports coming out of the border area today, as well as photographs and videos viewable at various European and German-language websites, the invading mob looks remarkably similar to the one that strode unhindered into the heart of Europe in 2015: overwhelmingly young, single and male, with a rare smattering of women and small children for window dressing.

As in 2015, the wildly pro-migrant German mainstream press and television "reporters" seek out the few women and children and feature them in tear-drenched reports and oh, so cute kiddie photos, thereby grossly misrepresenting who the migrants are for the dependably ill informed, gullible, fearful, and guilt-ridden German public.

It's not only Greeks living west of the River Evros in Thrace who are directly in the path of this new wave of invaders. Several Greek Aegean islands, particularly the once beautiful Lesbos, Samos, and Chios, all substantially closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece, have been the destination of numerous migrant-filled boats since the Erdogan decree. As many as 1,300 new migrants are said to have landed on Lesbos since the Erdogan diktat. These boats and their occupants are often aided by northern European workers for pro-mass migrant "NGOs," many based in Germany, staffed by Germans and supported by George Soros.

The situation on Lesbos is particularly acute, as some 20,000 Muslim "refugees" were already being held there in camps before the Erdogan "let them pass" order to the Turkish army. They had already long been making life miserable for the local Greek villagers and farmers, sallying forth from the camps daily to beg, commit crimes, and inflict damage on local property-owners. One Lesbos farmer reported that scores of his decades-old olive trees had been cut down for firewood by the not particularly grateful migrants.

Although as yet receiving no help from timid E.U. leadership, the Greeks, on Europe's front line with Islam, as they were 500 years ago, are showing much more mettle and will for civilizational survival than their infinitely richer and more powerful Teutonic northern neighbor. The Greeks, who would be woefully outmatched in any military confrontation with Turkey, have announced that they are defending, and will continue to defend, their border, which, they point out, is the E.U.'s international border, too.

Various E.U. pooh-bahs arrived in Greece on Wednesday, March 4, chief among them famously incompetent former German defense minister and Merkel protege Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen, having totally neglected Germany's defense obligations for years, failed up and is now is "E.U. commission president," whatever that is. On arriving in Greece, Von der Leyen mouthed the usual platitudes about supporting Greece's efforts to defend its and the E.U.'s borders but arrived with no real military aid and, in the next breath, counterfactually claimed that Turkey is not the enemy of the E.U. If organizing and promoting an invasion of Europe doesn't make a country an enemy of the E.U., one wonders if anything would.

Meanwhile, at home in Germany, far from besieged Greek border troops and Lesbos farmers trying to protect their olive trees, the usual suspects are again beating the drums of the Merkel-created "Willkommenskultur." The Green Party, once again, is urging that all comers be enthusiastically taken in. German Greens, never known for rational thought, are apparently unaware of the gross contradiction between their claim that Germany is already grossly overpopulated, on the one hand, and belief that there is no limit to the number of unassimilable third-world immigrants Germany should take in, on the other.

In 2015, Merkel made the first Willkommenskultur slogan famous: "Wir schaffen das," ("We can do it!"), referring to Germany's alleged ability to care for and assimilate millions of overwhelmingly young male, European cultureloathing, crime-prone, sexual assaultprone Muslim immigrants.

A new slogan is now making the rounds at German Greens rallies: "Wir haben Platz!" ("We have room!").

What German Greens and other migration enthusiasts  largely drawn from the wealthier classes  actually mean is that "other people" have "Platz." Last year, in a famously upscale Hamburg neighborhood riddled with wealthy Green virtue-signaling voters, residents turned out in droves to explain why their neighborhood was singularly unsuitable as a Muslim migrant home. "Wir haben Platz" would more honestly be rendered, "Du hast Platz, ich nicht" (You have room, I don't.")

Erdogan's effort to gain financial and military advantage for Turkey, and at the same time to advance his deeply held Islamist goal of being remembered as one who nobly advanced Islam's dream of conquering Europe, are easy to understand. Who can blame him for pursuing his country's interests and his religion's age-old goal?

The question is, since the 2015 inundation of Germany and Europe by Muslim economic migrants, have the Europeans  their self-loathing, naive governments and their passive peoples  learned anything at all about the fundamental incompatibility of Islam and the West? Have the massive increases in crime, sexual attacks, and acts of terror, along with the obvious refusal of great majorities of newly "European" Muslims to integrate with a culture they despise, taught them anything at all?

How the latest attempted Islamic invasion of Europe plays out on the Greek-Turkish border will go a long way to answering those questions.
An uncrewed test flight of Starliner, a Boeing spacecraft designed to carry NASA astronauts, could have ended in disaster in December because of lapses that allowed software errors to slip through undetected and unfixed before the spacecraft launched, according to a review by NASA and Boeing that was announced on Friday.

The review team made 61 recommendations for fixes and improvements. Some recommendations were specific, such as changes to the software testing procedures. Others addressed possible blind spots in how the program was managed.

Top NASA and Boeing officials said they welcomed the reports findings.

Instead of building and operating its own spacecraft to take astronauts to space as it has in the past, NASA has hired two private companies  Boeing and SpaceX  to provide transportation to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX appears to be on track to launch its first mission with astronauts aboard its capsule, Crew Dragon, in the coming months.

Boeings December test flight was to have been the last major milestone before NASA agreed to putting its astronauts aboard. Now, the space agency may require Boeing to repeat Starliners uncrewed flight.
Last night, Janhvi brought in her 23rd birthday with her family at brother Arjun Kapoors home. The Dhadak actress is extremely close to her father Boney Kapoor, sisters Khushi and Anshula and brother Arjun. While Janhvi must be excited to celebrate her special day today, she spoke about how much she misses her mother Sridevi specially on her birthday.





During a conversation with a leading daily, Janhvi revealed that her mother would make her feel extremely pampered on her birthday and she really misses it. The young diva said, Be it the conversations on the couch or the cake cutting, mom would make me feel pampered. Dad does it every day even now." A few days back, to mark Sridevis second death anniversary, Janhvi Kapoor was off to Chennai with father Boney Kapoor for a special prayer meet. The actress even shared even an emotional post from the prayer meet and captioned it saying, "Wish u were here."





View this post on Instagram Wish u were here A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor) on Mar 4, 2020 at 2:02am PST

Janhvi Kapoor is gearing up for the release of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl in which shell play Indias first air force pilot Gunjan Saxena. Well, we cant wait to see the talented girl on the big screen again.
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A judge who found a man guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault in an attack on two B.C. high school students says there is no evidence that Gabriel Klein's mental health affected his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A judge who found a man guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault in an attack on two B.C. high school students says there is no evidence that Gabriel Klein's mental health affected his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions.

Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes of the B.C. Supreme Court said Klein had no reason to harm the two girls at Abbotsford Secondary School on Nov. 1, 2016, and that his conduct was "incomprehensible."

This photo from the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team's Twitter feed shows Gabriel Klein taken just hours prior to the Abbotsford Senior Secondary attack. A judge who found a man guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault in an attack on two B.C. high school students says there is no evidence that Gabriel Klein's mental health affected his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Twitter-@HomicideTeam

"His mental state at the time of the attack can have extremely little weight," she said in delivering her verdict on Friday.

Defence lawyer Martin Peters had argued in December that Klein, who was 21 at the time of the attack, did not have the intent to kill 13-year-old Letisha Reimer when he walked into the school's rotunda.

He urged Holmes to find his client guilty of manslaughter.

Peters argued there was reasonable doubt related to the murder charge because his client exhibited odd behaviour and mental distress beforehand, suggesting he did not intentionally plan to kill anyone.

He said in his closing arguments the Crown proved its case in the assault against the girl whose name is under a publication ban, and Klein should be found guilty on that charge.

Reimer died after being stabbed 14 times and her friend, who was also stabbed, suffered serious injuries.

Surveillance videos played during the trial showed Klein stealing alcohol from a liquor store and a hunting knife from a sporting goods store hours before the attack. Peters said his client committed the thefts because he wanted to get drunk and use the weapon to stab a police officer in hopes of triggering a suicide-by-cop scenario.

Holmes said Klein "adroitly stole bottles of rum from the liquor stole" and the knife, asking store clerks where the items were located and going directly to them. When he walked into the rotunda, he had the knife out of the packaging and under his clothing, the judge said.

She said Klein quickly moved to attack Reimer after her friend escaped.

There is "abundant" evidence showing Klein acted with "purpose and foresight" in the lead up to the attack, Holmes said.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a forensic psychiatric hospital in June 2017 and has been receiving treatment but was deemed mentally fit to stand trial.

Klein's diagnosis of schizophrenia is "unchallenged," said Holmes.

Sentencing has been scheduled for two days, starting June 1, when victim impact statements will be heard by the court. The sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with the earliest chance of parole set at 10 years.

Crown attorney Rob Macgowan said in his closing argument that Klein faked symptoms of a mental disorder after his arrest in order to be found not criminally responsible of the crimes and even told a psychiatrist who assessed him at a hospital that his lawyer would use that as a defence.

Holmes said there was no evidence that the strange behaviour and sounds exhibited by Klein in the hours before the attack indicated a mental condition, but that doesn't mean they were "deliberately feigned."

Dave Teixeira, a spokesman for Reimer's family, said the family was relieved by the verdict.

"This is just one more step in the journey," he said outside court.

He read a statement from Ellie Reimer about the loss of her daughter, which said: "The people who are serving the sentence are those of us who no longer have Letisha in our lives."

Peters said his client will "have a life sentence, no matter what," but Holmes will look at a Gladue report to address the number of years Klein has to serve before he is eligible for parole. The report reviews the circumstances of Klein's upbringing and Metis heritage, Peters said.

Klein was born in Winnipeg and had a "troubled upbringing" with his parents separating when he was a young teenager, he said, adding that his client moved to Alberta and grew up in Red Deer and Edmonton.

Klein will be sent to the regional assessment centre when he is sentenced and his mental health will be evaluated, Peters said.

"I'm hoping that he obtains a disposition which keeps him in a psychiatric facility," he said.

"He is schizophrenic. A mental health facility will be a far better setting for him."

He said Klein is remorseful.

"It's an extraordinary thing to kill someone and to have to live with that," Peters said.

"And he does live with it every day."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
Healthcare assistive robots have computerized reasoning by nature since they entertain themselves with collaborations with patients that incites subjective, social parts of patients. Healthcare assistive robots have a lot of usefulness inferable from their mistake free qualities and have ended up being helpful in deciding a few tasks in healthcare focuses and clinics, for example, reviewing patients exercises and method of analysis.

Healthcare robots are fit to decide the passionate and also physical condition of patients and with the progressing R&D exercises toward this path, this field is increasing much consideration because of enhancement in technology.

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As indicated by the National Institute on Aging, the geriatric population worldwide is required to develop from 524 million out of 2010 to roughly 1.5 billion of every 2050. The geriatric populace, i.e. individuals matured 65 and more seasoned, is on an ascent all inclusive because of the improvements in healthcare prompting increment in life span. With these patterns of worldwide maturing insights, eldercare has increased exceptional significance as of late.

North America, boosted by the U.S. government, currently commands the worldwide healthcare assistive robot market and is required to remain the most lucrative region over the forthcoming years. Japan is another profoundly beneficial market, supported by high level of geriatric populace and adoptability of new innovation.

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Key vendors operating in the global healthcare assistive robot market are KUKA Robot Group, Hansen Medical, Honda Motor, and Cyberdyne, among several others.

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At least 27 people were killed in an attack on a political rally in Kabul on Friday, officials said, in the deadliest assault in Afghanistan since the US signed a withdrawal deal with the Taliban.

The attack highlights the glaring lack of security in the heavily fortified Afghan capital just 14 months ahead of the scheduled withdrawal of all foreign forces under an agreement signed on February 29 by the US and the Taliban.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said women and children were among the dead with an additional 29 wounded, adding that 'special forces units are carrying out clearance operations against the attackers'.

'The figures will change,' he said.

A wounded man clasping his abdomen on a stretcher is helped by locals and a doctor

The man writhes in pain on the stretcher as locals help medical personnel lift him into an ambulance

Nizamuddin Jalil, a health ministry official, gave a slightly higher toll, saying 29 people had been killed and 30 others wounded.

The Taliban immediately denied responsibility for the assault, which occurred at the commemoration ceremony for Abdul Ali Mazari - a politician from the Hazara ethnic group, most of whom are Shiite.

An ISIS group-claimed attack on the same ceremony last year saw a barrage of mortar fire kill at least 11 people.

Rahimi had earlier said that gunfire had erupted from a construction site near the ceremony in the city's west, which is largely Shiite.

Photos on social media showed several dead bodies being collected after the attack.

British soldiers inspect an ambulance, assisted by NATO-led Resolute Support Mission forces

The checks on vehicles continue near the site of the massacre in Kabul, Afghanistan

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the massacre, calling it a 'crime against humanity'.

The ceremony was attended by many of the country's political elite, including Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.

The interior ministry later confirmed to reporters that 'all the high-ranking officials were safely evacuated from the scene'.

'We left the ceremony following the gunfire, and a number of people were wounded, but I do not have any reports of martyred people for now,' Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq told Tolo News.

Afghan security personnel set up road blocks, but allow emergency services to pass through

Afghan security forces watch the road near the site of the attack with a gun-mounted van

The incident comes less than a week after the US and Taliban signed a deal that would pave the way for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months.

The US withdrawal hinges to a great extent on the Taliban being able to control jihadist forces such as the ISIS group.

If such groups remain, so too does the American military.

Since the much-trumpeted deal signing, fighting has continued to rage across Afghanistan, casting a pall over hopes the agreement would lead to a reduction in violence and talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

British soldiers arrive at the site of the Kabul massacre to lend support with NATO-led RSM

A military dog, used for searching for suspicious items and people, is directed by a British soldier

ISIS, which follows a radical Sunni interpretation of Islam, first became active in Afghanistan in 2015 and for years held territory in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

It has claimed responsibility for a string of horrific bombings, including several in Kabul targeting the city's Shiite community.

In recent months the group has been hit by mounting setbacks after being hunted for years by US and Afghan forces along with multiple Taliban offensives targeting their fighters.

Still, ISIS remains in Afghanistan, notably in eastern Kunar province near the Pakistan border, which also neighbours Nangarhar, as well as in Kabul.
As panicky depositors rushed to withdraw money from Yes Bank whose control was seized by the RBI in a dramatic late-night move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday assured depositors that their money is safe and said the central bank was working for an early resolution of the crisis.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday evening capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 for the next one month and imposed strict limits on operations at the country's fourth-largest private lender that faced "regular outflow of liquidity" after an effort to raise new capital failed.

"I am in continuous interaction with the RBI. The RBI is fully seized of the matter and has assured they will give a quick resolution," Sitharaman said here.

She said no depositor will lose his or her money and insisted that the immediate priority is to ensure Yes Bank customers are able to withdraw money within the stipulated cap.

"I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe," she said. "I am constantly in contact with the RBI and the steps that are taken are taken in the interest of depositors, banks and economy. We are fully seized of the development."



She was talking to reporters after meeting State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar. On Thursday, the SBI board gave its "in-principle" approval to exploring investment opportunities in Yes Bank.

"So I repeat, the depositors can be assured that their money is safe," she said.

Soon after the RBI takeover, depositors thronged Yes Bank ATMs to withdraw money and police had to be deployed in some places to control the crowds.

Yes Bank has 1,000 branches across the country.

Refusing to elaborate on her meeting with the SBI chairman, the minister said that "was on a completely different matter".

"RBI governor has given me assurance that there will be an appropriate resolution soon. No depositor will lose (money)," she said. "Reserve Bank has taken cognizance of the problem."



The central bank, she said, has gone through the "process over and over again to find out an amicable solution".

"And that has been over the last couple of months. So it is not as if they have come in suddenly now. We have been monitoring the situation," she said adding the RBI has appointed an administrator who previously was with the SBI.

"Both the RBI and the government are looking at this with all the details before them, not just today. I have personally monitored the situation over the last couple of months with the RBI. Therefore we have taken a course which will be in everybody's interest," she added.

Yes Bank had been seeking new capital since last year to bolster its ratios and quell questions about its stability due to its exposure to the non-banking finance industry entangled in a prolonged crunch in the local credit market.

The SBI chairman said the resolution to the Yes Bank crisis will come "very shortly".

"This is not a sectoral problem. It is a bank-specific problem," he said. "The RBI will take all steps to ensure financial stability."



On SBI picking up a stake in Yes Bank, he said the lender already has an in-principle approval for doing so.

"If SBI has to pick up a stake in Yes Bank, we have an in-principle approval for that," he said.

Commenting on the crisis at Yes Bank, Alka Anbarasu, Vice President Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions, Moody's Investors Service, said: "RBI's moratorium on Yes Bank is credit negative as it affects timely repayment of bank depositors and creditors."



"While Moody's expects Indian authorities will take steps to prevent the weakness in the bank's viability from significantly impacting its depositors and senior creditors, the lack of a coordinated and timely action highlights continued uncertainty around bank resolutions in India," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A few years ago I was in the US, having breakfast in your typical American diner. The waitress got chatting. She'd noted my accent. She was Irish too, she told me proudly.

Now anyone who knows anything about Irish America will know that "Irish" over there is a fairly elastic description. It can denote somebody born and raised in Kerry.

Equally it can refer to someone whose second cousin once removed knew a girl whose granny got a postcard from a neighbour who'd been to Galway in the 1950s.

Maybe I'm being a bit unkind. But the waitress fell into the second category.

The waiting job was a part-time one she told me. She also worked in an office and another "Irish" girl there (this one actually came from Dublin) had been spreading misinformation about Irish culture.

Such as?

The other girl had been telling her American co-workers that Irish people in Ireland don't actually wear green all day every day.

You don't seriously believe that they do, I asked the waitress. There was a moment of icy silence. She slammed down my plate, turned on her heel and that was the end of that cultural exchange.

I was thinking of her this week as I watched coverage of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge on official tour of the Republic in her 40-shades-of-green wardrobe.

There was the evening gown as plasticky green as AstroTurf, the day dress in a shade of what could best be described as pool table baize, the forest green coat, the green polka dot dress, the green clutch bag, the green suede shoes and then, to top it all, the shamrock pendant.

The thinking behind this presumably is that Kate is paying tribute to her hosts by saluting the national colour.

But is it not just a wee bit over the top? And, worse, patronising?

The Republic of Ireland is a sophisticated, modern nation. Kate and William were there this week representing the British Government and the British people, cementing ties between the UK and the South, recognising an often difficult, shared past but looking forward, post-contentious-Brexit, to a future of friendship and neighbourly exchange.

Isn't it time then to move on from this twee Emerald Isle stuff where every official visit is coated (in this case literally) in green and the pulling of a pint of Guinness is the compulsory photocall (other brewers must be green with envy)?

It's the message that's important, not the colour...

Which brings us to this week's latest row about nothing in Northern Ireland.

The MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society has felt forced to apologise for a tweet in which they had encouraged supporters to join in a fundraising walk in September with the words: "Let's turn the streets of Belfast orange."

Orange is the MS Society's brand colour. It was an utterly innocuous and inoffensive remark.

But this is Northern Ireland and there's always somebody to take offence.

In this instance the offendees (I'm assuming there was more than one) complained that this could be interpreted as an endorsement of Orange Order marches.

No, it couldn't. It was absolutely clear that the MS Society was referring to its own fundraiser. Trying to suggest otherwise is just twisted.

What makes this all the more shameful is that what this came down to a handful of saddos trying to score sectarian points at the expense of a charity which does such invaluable work for people right across the community.

"It was an honest mistake," tweeted some people patronisingly. No, it wasn't. Because it wasn't a mistake in the first place. There was no need for an apology.

It's offensive that a charity was placed in such an awkward position that they felt they had to.

Green, orange. All of us understand the symbolism, the potency of those colours in our history.

But they are just colours.

We could all do with toning their significance down a bit.

Making America Geriatric Again

What we can now take for granted in the upcoming US presidential election... the winner will be an oul' boy. Elizabeth Warren, the female frontrunner for the Democratic torch, announced this week that she was throwing in the towel. Shock statistic - if Bill Clinton, who now looks like his own grandfather, were to run for the Democratic nomination he'd be the youngest man in the race. Making America Geriatric Again?

You cant mask the facts on virus

Coronavirus has become the new Brexit. The information bombardment is endless. Wash your hands (right) to a chorus of Happy Birthday. Self-isolate, stockpile food, don't shake hands and stay more than seven feet (or is it metres?) away from anyone with a bad cough. Oh, and don't bother about wearing a mask. They don't make a difference, apparently. Which would be why all those doctors in news reports are wearing them...

Bringing Dame Hilary to book for hinting Sussexes critics are racist

Call Me Harry was back in Blighty again this week  here to perform his last few duties as a senior royal before he returns to North America to begin his new life as a high-earning rent-a-duke.

Who knows how well this will turn out for him  either hell make a mint or hes destined to become the Harry Who of Hollywood.

Meghans been back again this week too.

According to writer Dame Hilary Mantel there has been a racial element to recent criticism of Meghan.

Ms Mantel has a new book to sell, the final epic in her brilliant trilogy on the life of Henry VIIIs spad Thomas Cromwell.

Last time she had a book coming out Ms Mantel made headlines too with comments about the Duchess of Cambridge. A pattern there? Is there a book promotion element to her comments?

My issue with Harry and Meghan has nothing to do with race or class. Its their eco hypocrisy. And their obvious intent to turn their royal status into a money-maker.

The word royal, their Instagram account has pompously informed us, does not belong to the Queen or the monarchy.

Indeed. Because actually it belongs to the people. Without the support of the people (ie the taxpayers) the monarchy is doomed and royal means nothing.

The Queen rightly recognises that royal cant then be a brand to flog to the highest bidder.

Youre either in or youre out.

Thomas Cromwell could have told them that.
South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear spray antiseptic solution against the novel coronavirus in Gangnam district in Seoul, South Korea, on March 6, 2020. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

South Korea Protests Japans Quarantine Plan as Infections in South Korea Rise to Over 6,500

South Korea reported hundreds of new cases of the novel coronavirus on March 6. The country also lodged a protest with Japan over the latters new quarantine measures.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on Friday reported 309 new cases over the past 16 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 6,593, local media Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea has seen a dramatic rise in infection cases since Feb. 20 when its total confirmed cases stood at 104. The country now has the largest number of confirmed cases outside of China.

On Thursday, Japan announced that it will suspend some visas already issued to visitors from China and South Korea, and put visitors from the two countries, as well as those from Hong Kong and Macau, at designated quarantine facilities for 14 days.

Japans Cabinet approved the visa cancellation on Friday and it will go into effect on March 9 until the end of the month, according to local outlet NHK. Additionally, visitors from South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macao, who are exempt from the visa requirements for short-term stays of up to 90 days, will now be required to obtain travel documents starting on Monday.

The 14-day quarantine measure will also take effect beginning on March 9 until March 31. In addition, flights from China and South Korea will be directed to two Japanese airportsNarita airport near Tokyo and Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture.

Since the end of February, Japan has imposed an entry ban against travelers who have been to Daegu or Cheongdo County, both in the North Gyeongsang province, within the last 14 days before arriving in Japan.

Daegu, home to about 2.5 million people and located about 186 miles southeast of the capital Seoul, is the epicenter of the outbreak in South Korea, accounting for more than half of all known cases in South Korea.

Many of those cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province are connected to Shincheonji Church. A 61-year-old female follower who tested positive for the virus on Feb. 18 is believed to have spread the disease to other members.

South Korea has strongly protested against Japans decision. On Friday, South Koreas Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned the Japanese ambassador to South Korea Koji Tomita to lodge a protest over the new entry restrictions against Korean travelers, according to Yonhap.

Also on Friday, South Koreas Presidential Office expressed strong regret over Japans entry restrictions and added that it is considering taking necessary steps that may include steps under the principle of reciprocity, according to Yonhap.

Other virus-affected areas include capital Seoul with 105 confirmed cases, the coastal city of Busan with 95 cases, Gyeonggi province with 120 cases, South Chungcheong province with 90 cases, and South Gyeongsang province with 77 cases.

There are now at least 42 deaths in connection with the virus and 108 have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.

More than half of the deaths have been seniors11 people in their 60s, 14 people in their 70s, and 10 people who were 80 years old or older.

Just over 60 percent of confirmed cases have been female patients. In terms of age distribution, people in their 20s account for the highest percentage of those infected, at almost 30 percent of all cases.

People in their 50s account for around 20 percent of all cases, followed by people in their 40s at around 14 percent.
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police, which is investigating the recent riots in northeast Delhi, on Friday (March 6, 2020) suggested that rioters from bordering Western districts of Uttar Pradesh were involved in the communal violence in the national capital which took place in February.

During an inter-state police meet, which was attended by top officials of Delhi Police and Uttar Pradesh, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials suggested that miscreants from western UP districts like Meerut, Ghaziabad and Baghpat created mayhem in northeast Delhi and then fled back home.

The investigators have gathered inputs suggesting that guns and goons from UP's Meerut, Ghaziabad and Baghpat might have been involved in the recent Delhi violence.

During the inter-state police meet, which was held at the office of the DCP, Northeast, the strategy to identify rioters who took part in Delhi violence was discussed at length.

The crucial inter-state meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner Alok Kumar, DCP Northeast Ved Prakash Surya, IG (Meerut) Praveen Kumar, SSP Ghaziabad and other top police officials.

During the meeting, Delhi Police urged the Uttar Pradesh Police to cooperate in the ongoing probe and asked for providing the video footage of the CCTVs installed on Meerut-Ghaziabad border, which it claimed will help in identifying the rioters.

After the meeting, Joint Commissioner Alok Kumar said that a large number of rioters have been identified and arrests will be made soon.

It may be noted that the Delhi Police had recently transferred the case to the Crime Branch and formed two Special Investigation Teams (SITs).

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the government is initiating several measures to help the violence-affected in north-east Delhi to rebuild their lives.

"Rs 5 lakh compensation will be given to the people whose houses were completely burnt- Rs 4 lakh for the structure and Rs 1 lakh for their belongings. Similarly, Rs 2.5 lakhs in compensation will be provided to people whose houses were suffered substantially burnt - Rs 2 lakhs for the structure and Rs 50,000 for the belongings," Sisodia said while addressing a press conference here.

He emphasised that the government wants to ensure that people are able to resume their lives as soon as possible."We wish to complete the verification process as soon as possible so compensation can be given to the victims. We have received 1700 forms, we are sorting them out. And the process will be completed soon," he said.

"I would like to convey to the people, SDMs will be on the ground tomorrow and day after tomorrow for the verification process. Police will also be present, so I would request people who lost their houses that they must get it done," he added.

He also said that steps were being taken to instil a sense of confidence in people as people were afraid of even stepping out after the violence.

"We organised a parent-teacher meet in schools recently. It was meant to help people come out of the mental trauma they have been through. And the attendance rate of parents was 55%, they shared their experiences and fears with the teachers," he said.

"Schools affected in violence that have up to 1000 student enrollment will be given Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance and schools with more than 1000 students enrollment will be given Rs 10 lakhs in compensation," he added.

At least 47 people were killed and around 200 sustained serious injuries in the recent violence that affected north-east Delhi.
NEW SOUTH WALES: 61

January 25

Three men aged 43, 53, and 35 who had recently travelled to China contracted the disease.

Two flew in from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen, south China.

They were treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital.

January 27

A 21-year-old woman is identified as the fourth person to test positive for the illness in NSW.

The woman, a student at UNSW, flew into Sydney International Airport on flight MU749 on January 23 and presented to the emergency department 24 hours later after developing flu-like symptoms.

March 1

A man in his 40s is confirmed as the fifth coronavirus case in the state and a woman in her 50s as the sixth. Both returned to Sydney from Iran.

March 2

The 41-year-old sister of a man who had returned from Iran with the disease was one of three confirmed cases. The second locally-acquired case was a 53-year-old male health worker who hadn't travelled for many months.

The other new case is a 31-year-old man who flew into Sydney on Saturday from Iran and developed symptoms 24 hours later.

March 3

Six more cases are confirmed in NSW. They included a 39-year-old man who had flown in from Iran and a 53-year-old man who arrived from Singapore last Friday.

It also included two women aged in their 60s who arrived in Sydney from South Korea and Japan respectively.

A man in his 30s who returned from Malaysia to Sydney on Malindo Air flight OD171 on March 1 was also one of the six.

A 50-year-old carer was the final of the day's six people diagnosed with coronavirus. The woman is a carer at a nursing home in Macquarie Park in Sydney's north. She had not been overseas and contracted the virus in Australia.

March 4

A 95-year-old woman died at a Sydney hospital on Wednesday night after developing a respiratory illness from the coronavirus, bringing the death toll to two.

A Macquarie University lecturer tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday after returning from Iran.

A further six cases confirmed on Wednesday evening. They included an 82-year-old aged care resident from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge, where the 95-year-old woman was staying.

The new cases include a female doctor who works at Liverpool hospital, a female patient from the Northern Beaches, a male from Cronulla, a woman who returned from the Phillippines and a woman in her 70s.

March 5

A health care worker, who attended the same conference as the doctor from Ryde Hospital, also tests positive.

A boy from Epping Boys High School is diagnosed with COVID-19 forcing the school to temporarily close.

A Goulburn resident who had recently returned from Singapore and travelled on to Darwin was also diagnosed with the virus.

A fourth resident, aged 94, from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in Macquarie Park was also diagnosed.

March 6

Two more workers at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care centre are diagnosed with coronavirus.

A 24-year-old female and 21-year-old male have now been confirmed as cases at the facility.

An 18-year-old female has also been diagnosed.

March 7

Six new cases are diagnosed. This includes a man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s, who are a close contact of a previously confirmed case.

Also included was a man in his 40s and a woman in her 40s, both family members of a previously confirmed case.

A man in his 20s, also a close contact of a previously confirmed case, was also included.

A man in his 70s, who returned from Italy and who exhibited symptoms a day after returning. NSW Health is contacting flight passengers on flight number QR908 which left Doha on 1 March.

A second male in his 40s, who is a known close contact of a previously confirmed case, is being tested. He travelled on two domestic flights on 28 February while symptomatic but before he had been identified as a close contact.

Another man in his 60s who recently returned from Italy and a second man in his 40s who is a known close contact of a previously confirmed case, were confirmed late Saturday.

NSW Health says the man in his 40s travelled on two domestic flights on 28 February while symptomatic.

March 8

A female care worker in her 30s at Ryde Hospital is among new cases in New South Wales. She had been in contact with a case in Macquarie Park aged care facility which had already been confirmed.

Another woman, in her 50s, was the other person confirmed to have caught the disease. She had also been in contact with a previous case.

An 82-year-old man, who contracted the coronavirus from an infected aged care worker at BaptistCare's Dorothy Henderson Lodge in his Sydney, died on Sunday.

A man in his 70s was diagnosed after presenting to Sydney's St Vincent Hospital on Friday. He hadn't recently travelled overseas and the source of his infection is not known.

A man in his 40s who recently travelled overseas was confirmed on Sunday night as NSW's 40th case. No other details about the case are available.

March 9

St Patricks Marist College in Sydney's north west is forced to close after two students in grade 10, one boy and one girl, are diagnosed with coronavirus.

Both fathers of the year 10 students, aged in their 50s have also tested positive, including a third member of the ADF.

The father of the male St Patricks Marist College student is diagnosed with coronavirus. He is also the third Australian Defence Force member to test positive.

A grade 7 student at Willoughby Girls High School was another confirmed case on March 9. The girl's mother, who is Iranian, was also diagnosed.

Woman aged in her 30s was diagnosed on Monday having recently returned from the Philippines. NSW Health is establishing her travel movements and identifying any contacts who may require self-isolation.

March 10

Cases confirmed on Tuesday March 10 include a woman in her 20s who had contact with a previously confirmed case at Ryde Hospital and a woman in her 40s who recently returned from South Korea.

NSW Health is separately working to establish how three others were infected: two women in their 30s and 40s and a man in his 70s.

Two other cases are related to the outbreak at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge nursing home in Macquarie Park.

Another case was confirmed.

A man in his 70s, a woman in her 30s and a woman in her 40s test positive, as well as three other people.

VICTORIA: 21

January 25

A Chinese national aged in his 50s becomes the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Australia.

The man flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19.

He was quarantined at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east.

January 29

A Victorian man in his 60s is diagnosed with the coronavirus.

He became unwell on January 23 - two days after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The man was confirmed as positive on January 29 and was subsequently seen by doctors at the Monash Medical Centre.

January 30

A woman in her 40s is found to have coronavirus.

She was visiting from China and mostly spent time with her family.

She is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

February 1

A woman in her 20s in Melbourne is found to have the virus.

February 22

Two passengers taken off the Diamond Princess cruise ship test positive.

February 25

Another passenger taken off the cruise ship tests positive.

March 1

Victorian man confirmed to have coronavirus after the 78-year-old was evacuated to Melbourne from a Darwin quarantine centre.

It is confirmed a Victorian woman in her 30s has tested positive for coronavirus after flying from Malaysia to Melbourne via Indonesia.

March 4

Victorian man in his 30s confirmed to have coronavirus after returning from Iran. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the man was 'almost symptom-free' after self-isolating

March 7

A doctor working at a clinic in Toorak, Melbourne has been confirmed to have coronavirus and is now in isolation at home after returning from a trip to the US.

The doctor came into contact with around 70 patients who have been told to self isolate.

March 8

A woman who arrived in the state from Indonesia has tested positive

March 9

Authorities confirmed on Monday two new cases in returned travellers from the United States.

A third case was diagnosed on Monday in a passenger who recently returned from Iran.

One of the cases is a woman in her 50s who returned from Tehran via Kuala Lumpar on MH0149, arriving on March 6, and is in hospital in isolation being treated for pneumonia.

March 10

A man in his 70s who returned to Melbourne from Singapore on March 6 at 12.15am on flight EK404 was confirmed to be carrying the disease.

A Victorian man in his 20s who recently returned from Hong Kong was diagnosed.

A teacher from Carey Baptist Grammer was diagnosed. The school will closed until next week while students are tested

March 11

A male teacher at Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah college was diagnosed with coronavirus after arriving in Australia on a flight from Los Angeles on March 6.

QUEENSLAND: 19

January 29

Queensland confirms its first case after a 44-year-old Chinese national was diagnosed with the virus. He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital.

January 30

A 42-year-old Chinese woman who was travelling in the same Wuhan tour group as the 44-year-old man tests positive. She is in Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition.

February 4

An eight-year-old boy was diagnosed with coronavirus. He is also from the tour group where the other Queensland cases came from.

February 5

A 37-year-old man, who was a member of a group of nine Chinese tourists in quarantine on the Gold Coast, also tested positive.

February 6

A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed with coronavirus from the same travel group that flew to Queensland from Melbourne on January 27.

February 21

Two Queensland women, aged 54 and 55, tested positive for COVID-19 and will be flown to Brisbane for further treatment.

A 57-year-old woman from Queensland also tested positive for the virus.

February 28

A 63-year-old woman was confirmed to have the virus after returning to the Gold Coast from Iran.

March 3

A 20-year-old man from China was confirmed as the tenth person to be infected by the coronavirus in Queensland. The man had travelled to Dubai for at least 14 days before entering Australia, via Brisbane on February 23.

March 4

A 26-year-old man from Logan in Brisbane is diagnosed with coronavirus. He arrived back in Australia from Iran.

March 5

An 81-year-old man who had returned to Brisbane from Thailand and a 29-year-old woman who had come via Singapore from London are diagnosed with coronavirus.

March 6

A 28-year-old man in Brisbane was diagnosed after returning from Iran.

March 8

A 38-year-old woman is confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus after returning to Australia from London via Dubai.

March 10

A 42-year-old female is n the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition. She is the partner of the 38-year-old woman, who travelled from London through Dubai.

A 46-year-old female from Brisbane, who recently travelled to Austria and France, is confirmed to have contracted the illness.

A 22-year-old male from Brisbane is in a stable condition in The Prince Charles Hospital. He recently travelled to Spain, Italy and France.

March 11

A student at the University of Queensland was diagnosed with coronavirus.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 7

February 1

A Chinese couple in their 60s who arrived in Adelaide from Wuhan to visit relatives are confirmed to have coronavirus.

A 24-year-old woman from South Australia was transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital.

March 4

Mother, 40, is diagnosed after flying to Australia from Iran via Kuala Lumpur.

Another 24-year-old woman, not related to the previous woman, was in a stable condition in Adelaide hospital after falling ill following overseas travel.

March 5

The eight-month-old child of the 40-year-woman, diagnosed on March 4, is also diagnosed with coronavirus.

Renowned Australian music composer Brett Dean, 58, who travelled to SA on March 3 from Taiwan also tests positive. He's receiving treatment in an Adelaide hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 6

February 21

A 78-year-old man from Western Australia was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. On February 28, he was taken into intensive care in a 'serious' condition and later died. His wife was also diagnosed with coronavirus.

March 1

The elderly man died in the early hours of the morning from the virus at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

March 5

A woman in Perth is diagnosed with the virus after flying into the city from the UK, via Dubai

March 8

A Perth woman, aged in her 70s, was confirmed as WAs fourth coronavirus diagnosis. She had been in Cuba in recent weeks had flown from London to Perth on a direct flight on March 5.

The woman was tested for COVID-19 on Friday but didnt wait for the results before attending a the West Australian Symphony Orchestras Absolute Beethoven concert on Saturday night.

March 9

A West Australian woman in her 60s contracted coronavirus from her husband after he returned from Iran, making her the state's first person-to-person transmission of COVID-19.

TASMANIA: 2

March 2

The man who travelled from Iran to Australia on Saturday tested positive for COVID-19.

March 7

A man in his 20s was diagnosed with coronavirus after returning to Tasmania from Nepal on February 26 and experiencing cold-like symptoms the next day.

He is in the Royal Hobart Hospital in a satisfactory condition.

NORTHERN TERRITORY: 1

March 4

A tourist in Darwin has tested positive for coronavirus in what is the first confirmed case in the Northern Territory.

NT Health confirmed the 52-year-old man as the first case of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday evening.

The man recently arrived in Darwin via Sydney and has had limited contact with the local community, NT Health said in a statement.
But many of the people who cause problems are likely the ones who could benefit from a long-term city partnership with a mental health service provider.
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Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said he has asked police to enhance the security of Congress leaders and former ministers UT Khader and Tanveer Sait.

"Threat perception has been there for some time now, all the more after the attack on Tanveer Sait. Their (Congress MLAs UT Khader and Tanveer Sait) security is necessary. I have intimidated them. I have asked police to enhance their security," Bommai told ANI.

"After the assault on Tanveer Sait, the police told me that there were some intelligence reports and asked to me to take proper security. They have given one police man for the name's sake," Khader said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Storyful

Birds swarmed over a Texas parking lot on January 8, perching on the cars in a scene worthy of Alfred Hitchcock.The unnerving sight was captured by Kenna Mitchell outside the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco.The footage shows birds perched atop parked cars, while others circle above in the foggy evening sky.We went to Stonebriar Mall just after dusk and the entrance by the Cheesecake Factory was overrun with thousands of birds, she told Storyful.These grackles were perched on cars, in the trees, and swarms were everywhere you looked. Other people in the lot were just amazed at the sheer number of birds, Mitchell said.Very loud and very gross, but still quite a site to see! Definitely in need of a car wash now! she added. Credit: Kenna Mitchell via Storyful
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What if you get stuck on the highway in a storm? Here are some tips
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: A Port Authority Police spokesperson clarified that Quinnen Williams did not have ammunition on him when he was arrested with a non-permitted handgun Thursday night at LaGuardia Airport. So Williams cant be charged with unlawfully possessing a loaded gun. The spokesperson also clarified that the weapon was in Williams checked bag when he arrived at the Delta check-in counter. So it was not in his carry-on bag. Williams was arrested because he does not have a New York permit for the gun, though he has an Alabama permit.

In New York, which has strict gun laws, carrying even an unloaded, non-permitted handgun is a serious offense.

According to the website of Martin D. Kane, a Queens-based defense attorney who is not representing Williams: In New York, even the possession of an unloaded operable handgun is a felony charge. Possession of a loaded handgun in New York has a minimum sentence of 3.5 years in prison.

So while Williams wont have to deal with the latter scenario, he still has a significant legal situation on his hands.

UPDATE, 11:05 a.m.: Quinnen Williams lawyer issued the following statement Friday, via Williams agent:

Statement from Quinnen Williams's attorney, Alex Spiro:



Mr. Williams respects and follows the law. There was allegedly a technical issue with the manner in which the lawfully owned firearm was stored - and we expect the matter to be resolved shortly.  Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) March 6, 2020

More details emerged Friday in the wake of Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams being arrested for unlawful possession of a handgun at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday night.

Though Williams Glock 19 pistol was not loaded, he had ammunition on him, according to a Port Authority Police spokesperson. So under New York state law, Williams could be charged with carrying a loaded handgun, even though it wasnt technically loaded.

And heres why that matters: Possession of a loaded handgun in New York carries a minimum sentence of 3.5 years in state prison.

Thats precisely the charge that sent former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress to prison, in the wake of his 2008 accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Manhattan nightclub. Burress wound up serving 20 months of his plea-bargained, two-year sentence.

Williams was arrested at the Delta check-in counter, where people typically go to check a bag before a flight. It is unclear whether the gun was in Williams checked bag or carry-on bag. A Delta spokesperson declined to comment on the incident.

Williams lawyer did not return messages seeking clarification on his statement.

Williams, 22, was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon. He has a permit for the pistol in Alabama, his home state. But he does not have a New York permit, which is why he was arrested. The incident happened around 9:15 p.m.

When the Delta employee at the check-in counter learned Williams was in possession of a gun, the employee called Port Authority Police to determine if Williams had a New York permit.

After being arrested, Williams was processed and released. He is due to appear March 25 in Queens County Criminal Court, for his arraignment.

The degree of Williams criminal possession of a weapon charge wont be determined until a criminal complaint is written, which will be closer to that arraignment date, when he is scheduled to be formally charged.

According to New York state law, possessing a non-permitted, loaded handgun  even with no ammo inside the gun  could be considered second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Its a Class C felony.

Still, the circumstances of Williams arrest at LaGuardia are not unusual, according to the Port Authority police spokesperson. Out-of-state airport travelers sometimes arent familiar with New Yorks gun laws and dont realize they need a New York permit, in addition to a permit from their home state.

NFL analyst Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater.
MIDDLETOWN  State and local officials joined volunteers and members of the community who gathered Monday to mark National Read Across America Day at Macdonough Elementary School.

The observance is also known as Dr. Seuss Day and National Read Aloud Day.
Georgia closed an investigation into its governor's accusation that Democrats had hacked state voter registration systems, concluding there was no evidence to support the charge.

Catch up fast: Two days before the polls opened in the 2018 Georgia governor's race, Brian Kemp  then Georgia's secretary of state, in charge of overseeing the election  made his explosive charge.

Kemp was also the Republican candidate for governor in the election he was overseeing. He went on to beat Democrat Stacey Abrams by a slim margin of a little over 1%.

Why it matters: Now, 16 months later, a state attorney's general investigation reports there was zero evidence for Kemp's charges, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Democrats say the accusation was a lie intended to suppress votes. Kemp's office continues to refer to the incident as a "failed cyber intrusion."

One face-plant thing: The investigation reported that there was indeed an attempt at breaking into the state's election systems  by the Department of Homeland Security, which was asked to perform such tests by Kemp's office.

Go deeper: GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn blocks three election security bills
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The short-term plan to protect the park and its pavilion, he said, is beach nourishment, which is bringing sand in to replace whats been lost to the lake. Park officials are working with the U.S. Army Corps of engineers on an agreement to bring sand to the park when the nearby Port of Indiana is dredged.
Former President Bill Clinton, recalling the sex scandal that led to his impeachment in 1998, says in a new documentary series that his extramarital affair with Monica S. Lewinsky was a way of managing my anxieties.

The four-part documentary series, Hillary, which was released on Friday on Hulu, focuses on Hillary Clintons life, her marriage to Mr. Clinton and her unsuccessful campaign for president in 2016.

In the series, Mr. Clinton, 73, is asked by the director, Nanette Burstein, why he engaged in an affair with Ms. Lewinsky, then a White House intern, and whether he weighed the risks.

Nobody sits down and thinks, I think Ill take a really irresponsible risk, Mr. Clinton says. Its bad for my family, bad for my country, bad for the people who work with me.
Noida airport in depth: India to get first net zero emission airport

RWAs in Noida cancel Holi events in wake of coronavirus scare

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Noida, Mar 06: Public gatherings to celebrate Holi are being cancelled across Noida and Greater Noida amid coronavirus scare in the region, resident welfare associations (RWAs) said.

The Associations have cancelled scheduled programmes, joint lunches and celebration events like rain dance that was expected to be attended by thousands across Noida, Greater Noida and Greater Noida (West), alias Noida Extension.

"We have cancelled Kavi Sammelan (poetic symposium) and Holi Milan (Holi gathering) programmes scheduled for March 7. This has been done based on recommendations from health care experts who have suggested that mass gatherings should be avoided," said K K Jain, general secretary of the Federation of Noida RWAs (FONRWA).

Jain said 110 RWAs are attached with the FONRWA at present and around 5,000 people were expected to attend the programme.

Rajeev Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Association (NOFAA), said they too have cancelled major Holi celebration programmes as people got more worried about the coronavirus.

Coronavirus scare: Like PM Modi, why you should avoid celebrating holi

"Earlier it was a wait and watch situation but eventually we had to cancel events. We had planned rain dance, water-filled rubber pools for exciting celebration of the festival. There was also a joint lunch planned for our members but all that stands cancelled now," Singh told PTI.

He said the NOFAA has 71 apartment owners association as its members and each society has an average of 200-250 flats.

"On a conservative estimate, we have over 50,000 people that are members of the NOFAA and we were expecting a huge gathering. But people are increasingly growing worried about the coronavirus outbreak and we have respected their feelings and decided not to hold these events," Singh added.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

In Greater Noida (West), the Noida Extension Flat Owners Welfare Association (NEFOWA) announced the cancellation of a mass gathering it had planned to celebrate Holi.

"As a responsible association, we have decided to cancel the events for which we worked hard. But since it is not advisable for people to gather at one place due to the coronavirus, we have decided to cancel it as of now," said Abhishek Kumar of NEFOWA, which has around 50,000 members.

So far nobody has tested positive for the COVID 19 in Noida but samples of at least 55 people were sent for examination till Wednesday. These samples included three children and three adults who had come in contact with an infected man based in Delhi who has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Mathura Iskcon temple prohibits entry of foreign pilgrims ahead of Holi

The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration on Thursday also clarified that no orders were issued for closing down schools and appealed to the people to not panic.

A man from neighbouring Ghaziabad with a recent travel history to Iran has also tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of such cases in the country to 30 as the government on Thursday asked states to form rapid response teams at district, block and village levels.

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Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 8:00 [IST]
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Sen. Bernie Sanders in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont underperformed on Super Tuesday, and got crushed by former Vice President Joe Biden in several voting contests on March 10.

Biden now has a huge lead in delegates, and looks to be well on his way to winning the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Candidates need 1,991 pledged delegates to win the 2020 nomination. As of Wednesday morning, Biden has 776 and Sanders has 636.

March 17 could really be a make-or-break day for Sanders. On that day, 577 delegates will be at stake in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio.

If Biden sweeps these states, there will most likely be increasing pressure for Sanders to drop out.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont woke up on Super Tuesday as the frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, expected to clean up in numerous Super Tuesday contests across the US. But he went to bed behind former Vice President Joe Biden in the delegate count, with grave questions about his path to the nomination.

A week later, the Vermont senator got crushed by Biden in a series of voting contests  including in Michigan, where Sanders won a stunning, narrow victory over Hillary Clinton four years ago. With most of the vote in on Wednesday morning, Biden had a whopping 17% lead over Sanders in Michigan, where 125 delegates were on the table.

Sanders' last stand in the 2020 race could come March 17, when several delegate-rich, diverse states vote. If he doesn't win big in those states  Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio  then it will be difficult for the self-declared democratic socialist to best Biden.

If Biden sweeps these states, there could be strong pressure for Sanders to drop out of the race. This would be true for any candidate, but especially for Sanders given he continues to face criticism for not dropping out earlier in 2016  and Democrats want to ensure that the party is unified against President Donald Trump.

Story continues

Winning the Democratic nomination for president is all about obtaining pledged delegates sent to the Democratic National Convention. When people vote in primaries, they're actually voting to send delegates to the presidential-nominating convention in Milwaukee in July. Delegates are allocated proportionally per the outcome of the voting contests, but candidates have to earn 15% of the vote at either the state level or in a specific congressional or state legislative district to win any delegates.

Sanders won a solid victory in California on Super Tuesday, which had the most pledged delegates up for grabs (415). But Biden wiped the floor with the other candidates, including Sanders, in a slew of other contests  particularly in Southern states like Alabama and Arkansas.

Biden now has a sizable lead in pledged delegates (736), with Sanders trailing (636), according to Decision Desk HQ.

The current breakdown of delegates does not mean Biden has clinched the Democratic nomination. Candidates need 1,991 pledged delegates to win (it's a simple majority out of 3,979 total pledged delegates), and there are still dozens of voting contests left across the country.

On March 17, which happens to be St. Patrick's Day, there are 577 delegates on the table in four Democratic primaries (nearly 15% of all pledged delegates sent to the Democratic National Convention):

Arizona: 67 pledged delegates

Florida: 219 pledged delegates

Illinois: 155 pledged delegates

Ohio: 136 pledged delegates

The race is increasingly shaping up to be a showdown between Sanders and Biden. Several candidates have dropped out in recent days, including the billionaire Mike Bloomberg, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii has not dropped out yet, but she doesn't have a realistic path to the nomination. The race is down to Biden versus Sanders.

Biden has a double-digit lead over Sanders in every single state voting on March 17, according to FiveThirtyEight's average of polling:

Arizona: Biden 51.6%; Sanders 30.7%

Florida: Biden 59.3%; Sanders 22.2%

Illinois: Biden 53.6%; Sanders 30.0%

Ohio: Biden 54%; Sanders 34.8%

In short, the evidence suggests that the March 17 primaries could be disastrous for Sanders, and unless he pulls off a miracle the Vermont senator is poised to be dominated across the board. If the polling is correct, Sanders could be out of the race in the very near future, which would make Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Read the original article on Business Insider
This is a developing story.

NEW YORK (JTA)More than 50 Jewish community centers in 23 states have received emailed bomb threats since Saturday.

None of the threats have been found to be credible, though local law enforcement agencies have been notified. Officials do not know who sent the threats. They targeted Jewish community centers in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas and elsewhere throughout the country.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has learned from officials familiar with the threats that most of the JCCs affected received identical emails containing bomb threats. None of the emails, however, named the specific institutions in question or contained anti-Semitic language.

Our goal has beenand we seem to be succeedingto go about our day with as much normalcy as possible, said Martina Hull, interim executive director of the Sidney Albert Albany JCC in New York, which received a threat Sunday morning. There was an indication of a threat and the Albany JCC was not mentioned specifically within that, but it was enough to raise awareness.

The spate of threats recalls successive waves of bomb threats made against JCCs and other Jewish institutions in 2017, many of which led to building evacuations. Most of the threats came from a 19-year-old American-Israeli citizen, Michael Kadar. Last year, Kadar was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Kadar also made hundreds of bomb threats to hospitals, airlines, schools and Jewish institutions in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Britain.

Yesterday, there were some similarities, Hull said regarding the threats received by her JCC in 2017 and this year. But it wasnt anything that got me riled.

The JCC Association of North America, the umbrella group for the centers, said in a statement that it was working with the Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions, in response to the threats.

Having faced similar threats in 2017, our JCCs have protocols in place to respond to such scenarios, the JCC Associations president, Doron Krakow, said in a statement. We are grateful for the immediate and ongoing response from law enforcement across the country.

According to Albany Police Department spokesman Steve Smith, the Albany JCC was evacuated for a couple of hours while officers did a sweep of the building. Smith said the JCC received a generic email that mentioned a bomb. Police will be present at the building for the near future when parents drop off and pick up their children.

The Levin Jewish Community Center in Durham, North Carolina, also received a bomb threat.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited the Albany JCC, which is in New Yorks state capital, to show support.

When you threaten a JCC, these are, its not just an anti-Semitic attack. You have children who go to the JCC. You have gym facilities here. So, you are really threatening children, he said. It is one of the most heinous things you can do. And again, it is fear and it is terror. That is all it isterror.
Chickens feed from a row of feed bins at C&A Farms in Fairmont, North Carolina on June 10, 2014. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

China Tariff Exemptions Boost US Poultry Shipments

CHICAGOU.S. chicken products are entering China without retaliatory tariffs after Beijing made poultry eligible for exemptions to the extra duties, shippers and an industry group said on Mar. 5.

The additional tariff relief may help China follow through on pledges to significantly increase purchases of American agricultural goods as part of an initial trade deal signed in January. U.S. chicken company Tyson Foods Inc. said it had already seen chicken shipments rise as a result.

China said last month it would grant exemptions on retaliatory duties to 696 U.S. goods as part of efforts to ease the trade war between the worlds two largest economies.

U.S. poultry was not eligible for exemptions until this week, said Jim Sumner, president of the trade group USA Poultry and Egg Export Council. China-based importers have applied for and received exemptions from the 30 percent retaliatory duty, which Beijing recently reduced from 35 percent, he said.

We now have product getting in without any retaliatory tariffs, Sumner said.

Beijing lifted a nearly five-year ban on imports of U.S. poultry meat in November, a move the U.S. Trade Representative said at the time would lead to more than $1 billion in annual shipments to China.

We are now on a level playing field with the other poultry suppliers to China, Sumner said. They knew that it was not in their best interest to have this duty, which could have impeded imports.

Tyson Foods said it was encouraged by Chinas decision to provide tariff exemptions on chicken.

Many of our customers in China have already qualified, boosting our chicken shipments there, Tyson Foods said in an email.

Sanderson Farms Inc. said last week that since the ban was lifted, it had shipped to China or received customer orders in China for about 18 million pounds of chicken products. That included 137 loads of dark meat and 283 loads of chicken feet, Chief Executive Joe Sanderson said on an earnings call.

Global meat and poultry suppliers are competing for sales to China, where an outbreak of the fatal pig disease African swine fever has shrunk the hog herd by more than 40 percent and raised the need for imports.

An outbreak of the H5N6 bird flu has been reported on Feb. 10 in Sichuan Province and is separate from the coronavirus outbreak that has prompted lockdowns in other parts of the country. 1,840 of 2,497 birds died on the farm, and the remainder of the birds were culled to prevent the spread of the virus.

Chinas Hunan Province reported an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, which also left thousands of birds dead or culled, on a farm. The countrys ministry of agriculture said on Feb. 2 that 18,000 chickens were culled in Shaoyang.

Logistics problems linked to the outbreak of coronavirus in China have eased after temporarily disrupting meat shipments.

By Tom Polansek. The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
Saint-Etienne reached their first French Cup final in 38 years with a dramatic 2-1 win over title holders Stade Rennais on Thursday thanks to a stoppage-time strike from midfielder Ryad Boudebouz.

The home side had fallen behind after M'Baye Niang converted a penalty in the 33rd minute but Timothee Kolodziejczak drew Saint-Etienne level shortly before half-time with a header.

The match looked set for extra-time but Algeria international Boudebouz sparked wild scenes among the home fans with a thumping drive into the far bottom corner in the fourth minute of added time.

Saint-Etienne, who are languishing two points above the relegation zone in Ligue 1, won the last of their six French Cup titles in 1977. The last time they reached a final was back in 1982, when they lost to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout.

The two teams will meet again in this year's final after PSG trounced Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 on Wednesday in the other semi-final.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
North Chinas Tianjin and the city of Anyang in Central Chinas Henan province both reported two new cases of the highly transmissible omicron variant over the weekend. Both cities have launched new rounds of mass testing and designated more Covid-19 risk areas to control the spread of the virus

Jan 10, 2022 06:18 PM
The deforestation discourse in Wilpattu dates back to 2009, where the contiguous Northern Sanctuary was under destruction due to the development of certain housing schemes for internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the thirty-year civil war.





by Piyumani Ranasinghe





In the past few weeks, it was quite alarming to see the level of surprise exhibited by the citizens of Sri Lanka in respect of an exchange that took place between a public officer and a politician, whilst she was performing her lawful and official duties following an incident of deforestation in the Gampaha district. This is not only an example of Sri Lankas tragic political reality but also signals at the lack of confidence placed on public institutions as well as the rule of law by the general public. The implications of a socio-political culture of this nature does not bear a positive future to the current conundrum in Wilpattu.













The Wilpattu wrangle embodying various ethno-political and administrative interests have opened the world's eyes to the mayhem of a world heritage. Despite being one of the oldest and largest national parks within the island, governed under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), Wilpattu is far from being recognized for its historical, cultural or environmental value due to the large number of controversies surrounding its extensive grasslands and thorny shrub forest.





A Distorted Reality





Wipattu is not just a national park. It is a forest complex with nine adjacent forest reserves including Kallaru; Periyakuriyatti Kulam; Vilanththimulam; Wilpattu North Sanctuary; Thabbova; Veppal; Mavillu, Periyamarippu; and Veerakkuli Cholai  Eluwankulam Forest Reserve. Thus, it espouses a single flourishing ecosystem, which is running the risk of being wiped out from the lives of the generations to come, if the extensive ecological destruction is to continue.





The key reason as to why Wilpattu is deciphered as a distorted reality is because the debate now takes an ethno-religious disposition more than ever before, concealing graver issues pertaining to the severities of the environmental degradation within the largest national park of Sri Lanka. This distorted reality has even more dire implications on institutional accountability in terms of administrative authorities, who unlike in the incident in Gampaha have miserably failed to perform their official duties mandated by the law. The most unfortunate result of such a distorted reality is the continuing struggle to convince the issues underlying Wilpattu as an environmental catastrophe.





The Illegal Road Development





The deforestation discourse in Wilpattu dates back to 2009, where the contiguous Northern Sanctuary was under destruction due to the development of certain housing schemes for internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the thirty-year civil war. The debate gained more public attention when the road B379 was built right through the national park opening up a solid pathway for human hands to encroach the forest and disrupt the prolific eco-system as a whole. In the years 2011 and 2012, Kallaru continued to be encroached by human habitats while the area of Vilaththikulam in the Musalai Divisional Secretarys Division in Mannar District has been threatened by rapid deforestation since 2015.





Interestingly, the survey department maps of 1984 does not show any main roads or minor roads within the national park. The only road marking found within the park were gravel roads and jeep tracks. Thus, the issue underlying the illegal road development dates back to the two roads that were previously used by Sri Lankan armed forces when Wilpattu was used as a battlefield during the war. It is these roads that became public roads in 2008.





In 2010, the Supreme Court granted an interim order halting all and any further development activities within Wilpattu. However, the impact of an illegal construction within a pristine eco-sensitive environment was possibly irreversible. Whilst at the outset it looks like there are enough and more laws to halt deforestation; poaching, illegal sand mining as well as fishing has led to a number of enforcement related practical problems.





It goes without saying that the ready availability of a road positioned right across a resource rich natural reserve not only enables illegal activities, but also welcomes more complex issues, which often takes political forms. The vehicles travelling through the road is an outright disturbance to nature and wildlife, even leading up to severe cases of collisions and road accidents in some instances. It should be noted that the road that bisects the park is often flooded during the rainy season and becomes practically unsuitable for travel for at least 3 to 4 months of the year. Hence, after each rainy season a period of 2 to 3 months is usually taken up for repairs. Thus, usually the road is closed for almost half of the year and vehicles tend to seek alternative routes. This is an additional environmental cost due to the constant and continuous disruptions caused to the natural environment of Wilpattu.





Continuing Chaos and the Role of the Citizenry





Against this backdrop, it is vital to be reminded of the substantive legal duties and obligations on the part of the administrative authorities in conserving the natural wilderness of Sri Lanka. For example, the FFPO in its 2009 amendment, specifically stipulates that no construction project can be carried out without officially obtaining prior written approval, whether by a private party or the state (S. 9). In addition, sections 3 and 6 underpins the illegality underlying the construction of a road through a National Park and also stipulates that it is illegal for anyone to use such a construction due to restricted access. In addition to the legal framework provided by the FFPO, the Forest Ordinance, the National Environmental (Protection) Act, the Soil Conservation Act, the Felling of Trees (Control) Act, the Land Development Ordinance, the Crown Land Ordinance and the Land Settlement Ordinance have also vested substantive legal responsibilities on administrative bodies. Further, in the judgement of Bulankulama v. Min. of Industrial Development (Eppawala case) S.C. Application No. 884/99, a famous fundamental rights application, the State was considered the lawful Trustee of all natural resources within the island.





However, despite the black letter law, the failure of the administrative bodies have resulted in the recourse to the judiciary as a last resort of redress. Thus, the case against the illegal construction carried out in Wilpattu is still ongoing. However, in terms of the future of the national park and its conservation, it is not only the judiciary that has a role to play. There are a number of social responsibilities entrusted in the public, especially in terms of protecting natural resources. From understating the issue in 2010 to reassessing the issue in 2020, it is clear that despite the decade that has passed by, Wilpattu has continued to blur into the deceptive realities of the Sri Lankan socio-political landscape. However, it should also be borne in mind that Sri Lanka has to fulfill its commitment in terms of achieving the 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, where the 15th goal is none other than the conservation of territorial eco systems, including forest networks. Then the responsibility of preserving an ecosystem such as that of Wilpattu turns into a broader responsibility falling over the entire nation rather than one individual or an administrative body.





Lastly, it should be understood that public interest litigation is a two-way street. It requires continuous and material support from the citizenry from recognizing and acknowledging the issue of political and administrative failure, to dialogue and activism in ensuring that authorities are held duly accountable.




TRUMBULL  Workers are picking up the pace as Amazon prepares to open a new 110,000-square-foot warehouse at 7120 Main St.

On March 6, trucks and excavators were working on the site, and the portion of the property on Main Street had been fenced off with signs declaring the site an active construction zone with hard hats and safety glasses required.

The company bought the property Jan. 22 for a reported $7.5 million. The company also is investing an additional $11 million on the property, according to Economic and Community Development Director Rina Bakalar. The new warehouse is expected to employ about 150 people.

According to the town Building Department, Amazon has received permits to do electrical work and carry out interior renovations on the building. Workers and construction equipment have been visible at the site since February.

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro said the warehouse could open as soon as July.

The timetable is obviously still tentative to get open, but thats the plan, Tesoro said. Hiring is scheduled to begin in June, with information sessions for prospective employees starting in April, Tesoro said.

The warehouse will be used as a local distribution center, Bakalar said.

Its what they call the Final Mile, the last leg of delivery, she said.

The center, like a similar but larger facility being built in Stratford, will be a delivery hub for a 60-mile radius. The company has been leasing and buying property throughout Connecticut for the past few months, increasing its local network and contributing to an already thriving industrial real estate market, according to experts.

In addition to the warehouse jobs, Bakalar said there also will be entrepreneurial opportunities for delivery drivers through Amazon Flex. According to the company, Amazon Flex is a service where private individuals in their own vehicles make deliveries for the company. Similar to Uber, Amazon Flex drivers can set their own hours and receive an average of $18 to $25 per hour depending on location, tips and other factors.

Tesoro said she was hopeful that the negative impact to local residents would be minimal.

Their deliveries will be between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., so it shouldnt disrupt traffic around the area or the school buses coming out of the Spring Hill Road bus depot less than a half mile away, she said.

The property has been vacant for more than a decade. The Reads Department Store chain, which at one time included locations in Bridgeport, Danbury and the Trumbull mall, had operated the warehouse for years before the company shut down in 1993. Oxford Health Plans used the warehouse for office space for a number of years.

The $7.5 million sale had been in the works since early 2019, according to Tesoro. The development will boost the towns Grand List, but it is not clear by how much.

The site, across the street from the Trumbull Nature and Arts Center, is accessible from Route 25 and Spring Hill Road. There is a traffic light at the Spring Hill Road intersection and another about a tenth of a mile south at Tashua Road. Road improvements to Spring Hill Road already are in the works.

My staff and I are working closely with town officials including the Police Commission, Amazon and their representatives, the Greater Bridgeport Transit District and others to ensure we are ready for the traffic increase, Tesoro said. We want to make sure our economic growth is well planned, safe and provides maximum benefit to Trumbull.

Bakalar said the warehouse will operate three shifts, so the employees arrivals and departures would be staggered throughout the day. She has met with officials at the Office of State Traffic Administration to discuss the best way to avoid traffic congestion at shift changes, she said.

Were working as a team to get ahead of the changes, she said. The site has been vacant for a decade, so people arent used to anyone coming or going from there.

Town officials also have been working with the GBTA in an effort to increase bus service in the Route 25 corridor, Bakalar said.

Because this will be a regional work force, we wanted the workers to be able to take the bus and get off right at the site, Bakalar said. She added that Route 25, which is home to numerous businesses, shopping centers, nursing homes and other large employers, already had a need for more public transit.

Tesoro said the distribution center would have additional benefits beyond Grand List growth, including a spin-off financial impact on other businesses in the area.
Police appeal for help locating two teenagers missing from Pen Y Cae who may be in Liverpool

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 6th, 2020

North Wales Police have launched an appeal for help locating two teenagers who have been reported missing from the Pen Y Cae area of Wrexham.

Tegan Richards,14 and Armani Roberts, 13, were last seen yesterday, Thursday March 5 around 9.30pm.

Armani is believed to be wearing a burgundy puffa jacket.

Police say they may be in Liverpool.

If you know their whereabouts or have seen them information can be passed to North Wales Police direct via the web live chat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx or by phoning 101.
As COVID-19 cases spike, the test kits needed to help stem the spread of the disease remain in short supply, with healthcare workers across the state reporting widespread failings in the federal government's response to the growing crisis.

Federal officials said nearly 1 million tests were expected to be available by the end of this week. But in California, one of the country's hardest-hit regions with 60 cases, the total testing capacity is limited to only 7,400 through the weekend, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The inability to test widely and swiftly for the novel coronavirus has impeded the country's ability to beat back the spread of the virus, experts say.

Without testing, public health officials don't know where the virus is spreading and where to target efforts to contain it. Twelve Americans have been killed so far by the disease.

The shortage of test kits is creating chaos for doctors and nurses as their triage efforts are complicated by testing restrictions and shortfalls.

"Last night I had a patient with clear coronavirus symptoms, but the health department didn't think he should be tested," said an emergency room doctor in Downey who spoke on condition of anonymity. "I went from that patient into the next room, where I had an 80-year-old, immune-compromised, diabetic patient. If I'm taking coronavirus in there, it's mild for me, but it's deadly for her."

California has only tested 516 people for COVID-19 to date, far below what is probably needed in a state where Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency this week due to the outbreak. Though there are no known instances of community spread of the virus in California, the number of people who have been exposed to the virus appears to be growing daily.

About 1,250 Californians who were possibly exposed to COVID-19 on a cruise ship need to be tested for the virus. There are more than 9,000 people in California who have recently returned from countries experiencing severe outbreaks. Then there are others who may have been exposed within the community, and are now worried about infecting their families.

Renee Schwartz, a 60-year-old North Hills resident, said she was told by her doctors that her sinus infection and breathing problems could probably be COVID-19. But staff at multiple Los Angeles-area hospitals this week told her they don't test for the virus.

"I said 'Who does testing? And they said, 'No idea,'" Schwartz said.

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday lifted some guidelines so anyone with symptoms can be tested by their physician, local officials can't take advantage of the looser restrictions because of the lack of test kits. In an advisory to physicians later that day, L.A. public health officials said that they would only be testing people with severe symptoms or with milder illness and a travel history to impacted areas.

In a letter sent to medical staff at one Downey hospital and viewed by The Times, an infection control coordinator instructed doctors to discharge patients with mild coronavirus symptoms, asking them to self-isolate at home. In the long run, that tactic will make the total number of coronavirus cases virtually unknowable  at least until retrospective testing is available.

"Myself and my colleagues have been working in the trenches in the ER, and we can't get people tested," said another doctor who works at a hospital in Downey. Both declined to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

The doctor said another suspected coronavirus patient was a transplant nurse, whose job is to work with immune-deficient patients. "I said, 'Come on! Please! We need to test her!'"

Amid the shortage, some healthcare workers also cast doubt on federal officials' stringent approach to testing. One California nurse who was exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient has symptoms and is in quarantine, but has not yet been tested for the virus by the CDC.

"They said they would not test me because, if I were wearing the recommended protective equipment, then I wouldn't have the coronavirus. What kind of science-based answer is that?" the nurse, who asked to remain anonymous, said in a statement read by the National Nurses United's union president Deborah Burger in a news conference in Oakland on Thursday.

"I'm a registered nurse and I need to know if I'm positive before going back to care for patients," the nurse added. "Delaying this test puts the whole community at risk."

The CDC has not released information on how many Americans have been tested for COVID-19. The data was updated regularly on the agency's website until this week when the figures were removed.

In a call with reporters on Tuesday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier evaded a question about whether the narrow testing criteria early in the outbreak was linked to the limited availability in tests and potentially hindered the nation's response to the outbreak. She also would not name the cause of flaws in the early test kits, saying the investigation is ongoing.

"What we really need to focus on is where we are today," she said. " We need to be focused on what we're doing today to identify patients who are ill, make sure that they're getting appropriately treated and tested and make sure that we're protecting our communities."

It is unclear if those steps are being taken quickly enough as local health departments strain to keep up as the outbreak swells.

In Los Angeles County, a 34-year-old woman has been self-quarantining for two days after her doctor told her he suspected her high fever and pneumonia were caused by the novel virus. She has been waiting to hear from the public health department for next steps.

"I haven't been contacted, I haven't been tested," she said. "I'm not being treated and I'm still exposing people by staying here at home. I live with family  they have jobs, they have schools."

"I'm sick with something obviously," she said.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:



___

(c)2020 the Los Angeles Times

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
UPDATE: 2nd presumptive positive coronavirus patient out of hospital.

New Jersey officials on Thursday announced the states second presumptive positive case of the coronavirus.

Acting Gov. Sheila Oliver and state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli made the announcement at an afternoon press conference, but did not immediately provide more details on the latest case. Samples were being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation of the test results.

The second case, an Englewood resident who was treated at Englewood Health, has no known connection to the states first reported case, also in Bergen County, according to officials.

In a statement Thursday, the hospital said that patient was treated and released.

The patient has been released and is currently self-quarantined, Englewood Healths statement said. Proper protocols provided by the CDC were followed.

Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes said the patients family wanted to maintain their privacy. City officials were working with the state and CDC to investigate the persons travel and try to determine how they became infected. He described the family as strong people." Wildes said he was in contact with Gov. Murphy about the matter.

On Wednesday officials announced the states first case, a 32-year-old Fort Lee man was hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center suffering from coronavirus symptoms. The man later tested positive for presumptive COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus infection.

In an email late Wednesday to hospital staffers, Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Physician Dr. Daniel W. Varga said the man is resting comfortably and doing well.

Varga confirmed the patient is in isolation, has been placed on restrictions with regard to visitation and that the hospital is complying with all CDC guidelines.

Also Wednesday, Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse released a statement saying local residents are not at high risk.

We want residents to know that we are working with the hospital and all involved parties, and we have no reason to believe that anyone in Hackensack it is at higher risk than anyone else in New Jersey or the country, Labrosse said.

We are encouraging residents to take appropriate measures to limit any potential spread of the coronavirus by washing their hands frequently and taking other common sense measures, the mayor said.

Persichilli said any positive case of novel coronavirus is concerning but added most New Jersey residents are at very low risk of contracting the virus.

A spokeswoman for Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck said Thursday a patient being examined Wednesday at the facility tested negative for the coronavirus.

Our patient, the person under investigation, has tested negative for coronavirus, said hospital spokeswoman Jessica Griffin.

Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials warned Monday that the virus was likely to spread to the state. At the news conference Thursday, officials said 13 people in New Jersey have been tested for the illness, with 11 coming back as negative and eight others under investigation.

There are more than 93,000 cases worldwide and more than 3,100 deaths from COVID-19, mostly in China. The virus has infected more than 120 people in the U.S. and killed 11.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Matt Arco contributed to this story.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
San Antonio leaders and institutions are veering between watchful caution and cheerful optimism in the face of the potential spread of the coronavirus, depending on whether theyre dealing with students, shoppers, partyers or societys neediest.

Plans for the citywide celebration of Fiesta in April are still going full speed ahead, organizers said Thursday. And the mayor visited North Star Mall to demonstrate confidence in the cleanup prompted days earlier, when a person newly released from federal quarantine stopped by the food court there and later tested positive for the virus.

The food bank, meanwhile, is preparing for the worst, and North East Independent School District said Thursday it had prepared responses to numerous scenarios if any confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, were to affect a school or other facility.

NEISD officials cancelled two international trips and suspended all such travel for its students out of concern for outbreaks overseas. The disease has killed 11 people in the United States and thousands abroad, and in recent weeks also prompted area colleges and universities to bring back students studying in China, Italy, South Korea and Iran.

Lunch at North Star

Mayor Ron Nirenberg wrote on his social media accounts that hed had a great lunch at North Star Mall. He posted a photo of the meal, and others showing him strolling past shops with a broad smile and outside in front of the shopping centers famous cowboy boots.

A customer who later tested positive for coronavirus had eaten there Saturday evening during a two-hour shopping visit. The woman had been evacuated to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland from Wuhan, China, released from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease after twice testing negative for the virus, then returned to isolation 12 hours later. She had no close contact with anyone at North Star, health officials said.

The mall was closed Monday for a deep cleaning after the propertys management learned of the potential exposure. Nirenberg and other local officials had tried to keep other evacuees from being released without further assurances that they were free of infection, but they were allowed to leave Lackland on Tuesday.

I can tell its going to be a busy Spring Break at the mall, Nirenberg wrote.

Trips canceled

Last weeks decision to cancel foreign travel was not made lightly, but we will not risk students and staff becoming ill or being quarantined or stranded in a country due to circumstances out of our control, NEISD assistant superintendents Donna Newman and Rudy Jimenez said in a letter to parents.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio area schools prep for coronavirus with hand sanitizer, more frequent cleaning and notes to parents

A group of 36 students and seven adults from MacArthur High School had been scheduled to leave Thursday to attend the American Celebration of Music in Austria. Students and their families will be able to go on their own if they want, district spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor said.

Six students from Churchill High School and two students from MacArthur also had planed a trip to Costa Rica during spring break next week as part of the districts environmental systems program.

Fiesta is on

Amy Shaw, the executive director of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, sent a memo to participating organizations emphasizing that the 10-day event is going forward as planned.

We have assurances from the City of San Antonio that it is fully committed to Fiesta 2020 proceeding as scheduled, and they expect our communitys favorite festival to go off without a hitch, Shaw wrote.

The organizers are scheduling additional surface wipe-downs and providing hand sanitizer dispensers, according to the memo. Fiestas kickoff date is April 16.

Food Bank

The San Antonio Food Bank on Thursday launched a month-long coronavirus preparedness and prevention campaign that aims to reach about 300,000 low-income households with kits that provide a 14-day supply of food and cleaning agents.

The packages include nonperishable items such as rice, beans, pasta and canned meats, as well as fruits, diapers and pet food. They also contain hand sanitizer and cleaning disinfectant. Theyll be delivered via targeted mobile distributions throughout southwest Texas. Some will go to food pantries and senior centers.

Individuals can request a kit by visiting the food bank. Information is at www.safoodbank.org or by calling 210-337-FOOD. The food bank is asking the public to help the effort by donating money  $5 can fill an entire kit  at its website or by volunteering in special shifts at its warehouse at 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway.

Ashley McBride covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Ashley.McBride@express-news.net | Twitter: @Ashleynmcb
New Delhi, March 6 : The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Karnataka High Court judgement which granted bail to 21 people affiliated to Popular Front of India (PFI) who were allegedly part of a mob which targeted police officers and attempted to set ablaze a police station during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Mangaluru in December 2019.

The Karnataka High Court through a judgement on February 17 granted conditional bail to these people noting that there was a deliberate attempt to cover up police excesses by implicating innocent persons. The Karnataka government had moved the Supreme Court challenging the order.

The incident took place on December 19 after police opened fire at a crowd protesting against CAA. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant stayed the High Court judgement and issued notice to the accused.

According to the state government, nearly 1,500-2,000 protesters indulged in violence near North Police Station Mangaluru. "Coming to the police station and causing damage to police vehicles and private vehicles parked in the premises of the police station.... In spite of the prohibitory order, the accused persons gathered with deadly weapons like petrol bomb, clubs etc., and caused the damage to the property...", said the government in its petition.

In the violence, 54 police persons were injured and two people died in police firing while dispersing protesters.

The High Court single-judge bench had noted that in an offence involving a large number of people, the identity and participation of each accused must be fixed with reasonable certainty. In the present cases, the identity appears to have been fixed on the basis of their affiliation to PFI and they being members of the Muslim community.

"Though it is stated that the involvement of the petitioners is captured in CCTV footage and photographs, no such material is produced before the court showing the presence of any of the petitioners at the spot, armed with deadly weapons," said the High Court.

The state government contesting this order said that the High Court did not consider the clear evidence produced by the prosecution by way of photographs, and mobile tower locations of each of the accused.

"The accused were properly identified in the said photographs and names of the accused found in the photograph were also detected in the photographs. In spite of the same, the High Court has observed that there is no material produced by the prosecution with regard to identity of accused persons", said the state government. The accused had moved the High Court after their bail plea was rejected by a sessions court in Dakshina Kannada.
Dulquer Salmaan, the charming actor is all set to play a police officer role for the first time, in the upcoming cop drama directed by Rosshan Andrrews. Earlier, it was reported that the movie, which marks Dulquer's first collaboration with the popular filmmaker will start rolling in April 2020. However, the latest reports suggest that the project has been postponed now.

As per the latest updates, the Dulquer Salmaan-Rosshan Andrrews project is now postponed to May 2020 due to the busy schedule of the leading man. If the reports are to be believed, Kerala's capital city Thiruvananthapuram will be the main location of the project.

The untitled project, which is said to be a different take on the life of a police officer, is scripted by the National award-winning scenarist duo Bobby-Sanjay. Dulquer Salmaan, the leading man of the project is teaming up with the renowned scriptwriters for the first time in his career.

It is the first full-fledged cop role for Dulquer, who is best known for his boy-next-door characters. The actor has earlier made a brief appearance as a police officer in Lal Jose's Vikramadithyan. Expectations are riding high on the untitled project, as Rosshan Andrrews and Bobby-Sanjay team's last cop drama Mumbai Police was a critical and commercial success.

Mumbai Police, which featured Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role had broken all the pre-existing stereotypes of cop dramas in Malayalam cinema. The cine-goers and industry members, who are totally excited about Dulquer Salmaan's first collaboration with Rosshan Andrrews and Bobby-Sanjay team are confident that the magic will be recreated.

As per the reports, the makers are yet to finalise the female lead and rest of the star cast of the project, which is bankrolled by Dulquer Salmaan's home banner Wayfarer Films. The untitled project is expected to have an official announcement, very soon.
Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati has turned down an invitation from the BBC to attend an awards function for Indian sportswomen, citing the British broadcaster's 'one-sided' reporting on the Delhi violence.

IMAGE: A man carrying a child walks past security forces in a riot-affected area in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Vempati had been invited for the BBC's Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony due to be held in New Delhi on March 8.

'I must respectfully decline the invitation in view of the recent coverage of the BBC of certain incidents of violence in Delhi,' Vempati said in his letter to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Director General Tony Hall.

'As a fellow public broadcaster of global repute, it is dismaying that the BBC has filed such a singularly one-sided version of the incidents of violence in Delhi which rather than help break the cycle of violence has only contributed to further vitiating the atmosphere while insinuating the brave men and women in uniform who are charged with the onerous responsibility of maintaining law and order,' he wrote in the letter dated March 4.

In the said report certain visuals have been shown of the Delhi Police without context to insinuate communal behaviour, he added.

Unfortunately, nowhere in the entire report have the BBC journalists mentioned the murderous assault on the men in uniform by a mob which resulted in the death of a head constable in the line of duty and also resulted in the fatal injuries received by a deputy commissioner of police in uniform, the Prasar Bharati CEO said.

The report was also 'damningly silent' on the murder of an Intelligence Bureau official.

'BBC and Prasar Bharati must respect the sovereignty of the nations we primarily serve even as we collaborate beyond borders on multilateral fora for the greater global good,' Vempati said.

'I hope the BBC would review its editorial views on reports of this nature in line with this spirit,' he said.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with several other Congress MPs protested outside the parliament premises on Friday (March 6, 2020) against the suspension of seven Congress MP from Lok Sabha. The Congress MPs were seen shouting 'Delhi ko Insaaf Do' slogan and wore black bands as a symbol of protest.

Slogans of 'Stop oppressing opposition' were also raised during the protest. The Congress leader also demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and blamed him for the Delhi violence incident while protesting outside the parliament.

Earlier on Thursday (March 5, 2020), seven Congress MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha by Speaker Om Birla for alleged misconduct and creating ruckus in Parliament on. The seven suspended Congress MPs names include Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, R Unnithan, Manickam Tagore, Benny Behnan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

The action was taken by the Lok Sabha Speaker as the Congress-led Opposition members continued to protest and raised vociferous sloganeering against the Centre over the recent Delhi violence for the fourth day today.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am and Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm following uproar by the opposition. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu appealed to the members to come out with a meaningful solution than just shouting slogans. Naidu said, ''I appeal to all including the Govt & Opposition to discuss among themselves to come to some sort of meaningful solution to see that the House functions effectively.''

Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Kodikunnil Suresh were also given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha on Friday.

The protest inside the parliament began after opposition parties demanded an immediate discussion on Delhi violence Parliamentary affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said it can be taken up on March 11 in the Lower House and on March 12 in Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was not present during the day and the proceedings were chaired by presiding officers.

Both Houses have been witnessing disruptions over Delhi violence issue since the second leg of the Budget session which began on March 2.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  March 6, 2020  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Moderna, Inc. MRNA, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. INO, Vir Biotechnology, Inc. VIR and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ALNY.

Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog:

House Okays $8 Billion in Funds to Combat Coronavirus: 3 Winners

The House of Representatives passed a bill for allotment of funds in an emergency pool earlier this week, which is to be used to counter the damaging effects of the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have on the domestic economy.

Let us analyze which stocks are expected to benefit from this emergency stash.

House Allocates $8 Billion to Emergency Funds

On Mar 4, the House passed a legislation that allocates more than $8 billion to emergency funds to battle against the spread of coronavirus. The bill won by a voting ratio of 415-2. Republican lawmakers Ken Buck of Colorado and Andy Biggs of Arizona were the only members who voted unfavorably.

The emergency funds aim to provide more than $3 billion for vaccine research and $2.2 billion for efforts in prevention and preparedness. Medical tests and vaccine research to combat the pandemic are urgent tasks right now, which many biotechnology firms in the country are working on actively.

Companies, such as Moderna, Inc., Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. are currently in the process of developing the much-needed vaccines.

The congressional spending proposal is considerably higher than the $2.5 billion that the White House had proposed in late February. The bill also authorizes about $500 million to allow Medicare providers to offer telehealth services, which would benefit elderly patients to receive care in the comforts of their homes.

Story continues

The bill is now headed to the Senate for approval. Should it be passed effectively, it will then make its way to President Donald Trumps desk, who is expected to give a green signal. Trump had earlier indicated at a news conference that he would spend whatever is appropriate to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

After all, death toll in the United States climbed to 11 and minimum 138 are infected. Of the 11, 10 deaths were confirmed from Washington while one was registered in California. Globally, the pandemic claimed more than 3,100 lives.

3 Stocks in Focus

We have, therefore, handpicked three vital stocks that are actively developing vaccines to address the novel coronavirus. One may take a closer look at these.

Moderna is a clinical stage biotechnology company. Last week, the company said that its first batch of vaccine against the COVID-19 disease, called mRNA-1273, was ready for the government to test on humans.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Modernas current-year earnings has moved 5% north in the past 60 days. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, have risen 40.5% against the industrys decline of 2.6% on a year-to-date basis. (Read more)

Moderna carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals on Mar 4 announced an accelerated timeline to develop its DNA vaccine INO-4800 to battle COVID-19. Inovio's President & CEO Dr. J. Joseph Kim mentioned this accelerated timeline at the U.S. Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the White House on Mar 2.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals carries a Zacks Rank #3. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, have risen 143.2% against the industrys decline of 2.6% on a year-to-date basis.

Vir Biotechnology is a clinical-stage immunology company. The firm, along with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced on Mar 4 that the two companies would expand their continuing collaboration to make an attempt to develop RNA interference treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

Vir Biotechnology carries a Zacks Rank #3. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, have risen 257% against the industrys decline of 2.7% on a year-to-date basi

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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Jury selection is expected to begin Friday in the capital murder trial of a San Antonio man accused of killing a 20-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department more than 3 years ago.

Otis Tyrone McKane, 34, is charged with killing Detective Benjamin Marconi, 50. On Nov. 20, 2016, the officer was working an overtime shift on patrol when he pulled over a motorist in front of Public Safety Headquarters shortly before noon. As Marconi sat in his patrol vehicle, a man approached him from behind and shot him twice in the head, killing him.

Security camera video captured McKane at police headquarters the day Marconi was shot. The next day, McKane was spotted on video again, this time entering the Bexar County Courthouse to get married.

McKane was arrested about 28 hours after Marconis death. He told authorities he was upset about a child custody battle and lashed out at the first officer he saw, according to reports.

Former Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas Nico LaHood announced in January 2018 that he would pursue the death penalty against McKane, but was voted out of office that November.

Five months after he took office, Bexar County District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales said he also would seek the death penalty against McKane.

This decision was made after much debate about the options available to me, and I believe that the cold and calculating nature of the defendants conduct in this case deserves the death penalty, Gonzales said.

State District Judge Ron Rangel, who is presiding over the case in the 379th state District Court, signed a scheduling order in January, setting the trial for April 27.

Most jury selections take about a day. However, when the state seeks the death penalty, the process can take a few weeks for both prosecutors and defense to choose a panel of 12 jurors and two alternates who would be willing to send a defendant to death row, said Judge Sid Harle, who oversees the 4th Administrative Judicial Region, which covers 22 counties.

This will be the first death penalty case Bexar County jurors will hear involving the slaying of a police officer.

In 2016, Mark Anthony Gonzalez was convicted of killing Bexar County Sheriffs Sgt. Kenneth Vann. The BCSO veteran was shot more than 25 times while he was stopped at a traffic ligfht at Rigsby Avenue and Loop 410 on the East Side around 2 a.m., May 28, 2011. The barrage of bullets nearly decapitated Vann, who died at the scene.

On Friday, questionnaires will be distributed to prospective jurors, with individual jury selection beginning March 16.

In Texas, a person who kills a peace officer faces either death or life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the states penal code.

Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable Wayne Thompson has a message for animal abusers: If you have animals that you abuse, we will come after you, and you will be arrested and prosecuted for those crimes.

On Feb. 28, the Fort Bend County Constables Office Precinct 3 and the Houston Humane Societys Animal Cruelty Task Force seized 227 animals from a residence at the 2000 block of Saddlehorn Trail in Katy. This cruelty case is the largest of its kind in the county to date. The case is still ongoing, but according to Thompson, the suspect in the case appears to have been an animal hoarder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Animal Cruelty Task Force seizes more than 200 animals from Katy home

On March 3, representatives from the constables office, district attorneys office, judges office and multiple animal welfare groups hosted a press conference to discuss the seizure and updates in the case.

According to Dr. Tony Malone, medical director of the Houston Humane Society, the animals consisted of ferrets, rats, dogs, cats, turtles, fish and birds. Some of the animals were deceased on scene, and some others died in transit from the property. The surviving animals are currently being treated by the Houston Humane Society.

MORNING REPORT: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox

The constables office animal cruelty task force is a nascent addition to law enforcement in Fort Bend County. The first full time cruelty investigator position was filled Oct. 1, 2019. According to Thompson, his office has the only law enforcement animal cruelty task force in the county.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George coordinated with the constables office to make sure law enforcement officers were able to move quickly to rescue the animals, which were in various states of health. George was part of the collaborative effort to initiate the task force, Thompson said.

The investigation began as a noise complaint from a neighbor. The responding officer stated that the homeowner was cooperative, but the officer noticed many ill or injured animals on the property and a strong smell of urine and feces. George quickly signed off on a warrant, and the task force returned the next day to remove the animals.

If you are abusing animals, we are going to catch you, and we are going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law, George said.

Rene Vazquez, director of Fort Bend Animal Services added that before the task force was established, his organization had no way of handling cruelty cases.

Were there for the animals, so were there trying to help them, but we had no animal cruelty officer for Fort Bend at the time, Vazquez said. Now when we receive (cruelty) calls, we pass them off to the constables office, so its been a partnership.

Charges against the homeowner have not yet been filed because the animals are still being assessed. According to Thompson, the homeowner is also undergoing a psychological evaluation. The homeowner, who is described as a white female over the age of 60, has been cooperative with authorities.

Assistant District Attorney Sherry Robinson explained that any charges against the homeowner will be based on the final assessment of the animals and will take into account the owners mental state. Depending on the conditions of the animals and (the owners) state of mind, as far as whether she was intentionally abusing these animals  will be the determination of whether its a felony or misdemeanor, she said.

Dr. Carolyn Bender is the primary staff veterinarian at Houston Humane Society assigned to the case. Bender stated that all the animals are currently being treated, but the results of the investigation will determine the fate of the animals. If the owner surrenders her ownership of the animals willingly or if her ownership is legally revoked, the animals will be evaluated for the potential for adoption, and the Houston Humane Society will attempt to rehome them. Animals that are too sick or are unsuitable for adoption will be humanely euthanized, according to Michelle Turner from the Fort Bend County Attorneys Office. There is also a possibility that the animals could be returned to their owner.

In the meantime, the Houston Humane Society is in need of food and monetary donations to care for the animals. Bender estimated that the costs for the animals in the seizure will be more than $100,000. To donate to the Houston Humane Society to help the animals in the seizure, visit www.houstonhumane.org.

To report animal cruelty, contact the Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force at (832) 927- PAWS.

claire.goodman@chron.com
A 13-member contingent of tourists from Iran has been quarantined at a hotel in Jaipur on suspicion of coronavirus. They have been asked not to leave till all necessary medical tests have been completed, an official said. The tourists had reached tourists on Thursday night.

They have been quarantined at their hotel rooms, Amritsar Civil Surgeon Prabhdeep Kaur told PTI.

"We are conducting a proper medical examination, she said adding that they have been asked to not leave the hotel till their medical examination gets over as a precautionary measure. If any of them are found symptomatic (for coronavirus), then samples will be taken," said Kaur.

Earlier in the week on Wednesday, 15 Italian Tourists had been tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi's ITBP quarantine facility. The Italian Nationals were in India touring Rajasthan when two among them were tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The authorities had then sent the entire group of 21 Italian tourists for testing to Delhi. Later, 15 among them were tested positive.

The total number of confirmed cases in India has jumped up to 31 after a new case was confirmed in Delhi on Friday.

It is reported that Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had reviewed the state's preparedness to tackle COVID-19. He has directed the health department to keep a close look at the situation.

Iran is one of the worst-hit countries with 107 already dead because of the coronavirus outbreak. Over 3,500 have already been tested positive for coronavirus in Iran. Internationally, over 98,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed thus far with 80,000 of them being in China. The virus till now has claimed 3,387 lives from across the world.

The number of cases have been receding in China but have been increasing in other countries such as Italy, Iran, and India.

Also Read: Coronavirus in India: Number of confirmed cases reaches 31

Also Read: Coronavirus may cut global economic growth by up to 0.4%: Asia Development Bank
Over two years after suspension from BRD Medical College here following the death of children over alleged shortage of oxygen cylinders, the then principal and a professor joined duty even as a department inquiry is pending against them.

Dr Rajiv Mishra and Dr Satish Kumar returned to work on Thursday after a government order revoked their suspension, the current college principal Dr Ganesh Kumar said on Friday.

Dr Mishra has been posted as faculty in the pathology department and Dr Satish Kumar as faculty in the anaesthesia department.

Though they have joined the medical college, a departmental inquiry against them will continue, the principal said.

Speaking to PTI, Dr Mishra's son Dr Purak Mishra said, "I'm very happy that justice prevailed and after 2.5 years of struggle, my father has been reinstated at BRD Medical College. Both my father and Dr Satish Kumar joined on Thursday."



The doctors were jailed after an FIR was registered against nine accused including Dr Mishra and Dr Satish Kumar on August 23, 2017.

Around 30 children died at the college on August 10 and 11, 2017, reportedly due to shortage of liquid oxygen.

Dr Mishra was the principal of the college at that time and charged with Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Supreme Court had granted him bail on July 3, 2018.

Dr Satish Kumar, stock in-charge and head of anaesthesia department, was booked under Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 466 (forgery of record), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) and 471 (using as genuine a forged record) of IPC and certain provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Allahabad High Court had granted him bail in May 2018.

The suspension of Dr Kafeel Khan, who was a lecturer in the paediatrics department of the college at the time, is yet to be revoked.

He is presently in jail under charges of the stringent National Security Act for alleged hate speech during an anti-citizenship law protest.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry returned to the UK for the first time since Megxit this week, but notably missing from the family reunion was their nine-month-old son Archie who remained in Canada.

And now a source has told Us Weekly that the Queen is concerned she will miss out on seeing her youngest great-grandson grow up as the couple build a new life in Canada.

The monarch, 93, is said to be 'heartbroken' at the thought of not seeing baby Archie regularly, sources told and fears they won't have a 'relationship' as he grows up.

'She's trying to stay optimistic about this situation and would never stoop to casting any aspersions on Meghan's character  even after everything that's happened' the source said.

The Queen is worried she won't see her great-grandson Archie grow-up, with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry set to raise their nine-month-old son in Canada. Pictured the Queen and Prince Philip meeting Archie at Windsor Castle with the Sussexes and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland

They added that the monarch would 'love to have a relationship', with Archie but fears that it will never happen.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexes resigned as senior royals in January in a move to become financially independent from the Queen.

They are currently living in a 10million mansion on Vancouver Island.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London last night, resigned as senior royals in January in a move to become financially independent from the Queen

Harry and Meghan are currently in the UK as they made their first official public appearance in Britain following the Megxit crisis and preparations to step down as senior royals last night.

But they have left baby Archie at home.

The extra security cost of keeping nine-month-old Archie in Canada without his parents this week could be 50,000.

The Duchess beamed and giggled while attending the event in Mansion House in London this evening alongside the Duke

Harry and Meghan took Archie on their royal tour of South Africa last year, but have left him behind in Canada for this trip

It is also likely to prove a huge disappointment to the Queen and senior royals, who havent seen him for months.

Archie is seventh in line to the throne, but has not spent any meaningful time with his grandparents or cousins, according to one royal insider.

Harry and Meghan will fly back to Canada after the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9, and their Buckingham Palace office will close on April 1.

Royal fans on social media were wowed by Meghan's appearance, with many praising her for her outfit choice and beautiful makeup.

The mother-of-one carried a navy blue 1,742 Stella McCartney clutch bag and finished her outfit with her pair of navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps.

She wowed followers as she stepped out in the turquoise gown for the Endeavour Awards tonight

Royal fans praised the Duchess, who donned a Victoria Beckham dress for the occasion, as 'glowing' at the evening event

She swept her hair back into a stylish pony-tail, revealing a set of gold hoop earrings.

The Duchess swapped her usual low key make-up for a stunning glamorous look on Thursday, bold dark eyeshadow, highlighter and a metallic lipstick.

The royal is known for her love of designer brands, and rarely wears the same outfits twice, selecting new outfits from favourite designers such as Givenchy and Victoria Beckham on almost every appearance.

The couple helped to celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties.

The engagement will be the first in three joint engagements the couple will undertake in this week, before they officially step down as senior royals.
The MTA is cleaning trains, but some people still dont feel safe. Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images

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As of Friday morning, there have been more than 371,559 cases of the coronavirus in New York, including nearly 205,834 in New York City. More than 29,438 people with COVID-19 have died in the state, including people with probable, but not confirmed, cases of the virus.

Nationwide, over 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories. More than 101,635 Americans have lost their lives to the virus. COVID-19 has killed more than 361,249 worldwide  and far more in the U.S. than in any other country. Roughly one out of every eight people killed by the disease in the world lived in the tri-state area.

Below is what we know about the reported cases and consequences in New York thus far.

As of Wednesday night, health officials have confirmed at least:

371,559 total cases in New York State , including probable cases. (Nearly 1.7 million people have been tested in the state.)

29,438 deaths from the coronavirus in the state, including probable cases.

205,854 cases in New York City, leading to at least 20,895 deaths, including probable cases.

157,815 cases in New Jersey, with 11,401 deaths.

41,559 cases in Connecticut, with 3,826 deaths.

The above counts are of both laboratory-tested and confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as probable cases  but they dont necessarily represent the actual number of people who have, or have had, the coronavirus in the region.

Friday, May 29

De Blasio says New Yorkers must get creative about their own transportation

Asked at his Friday-morning press conference to address the concerns of New Yorkers who dont feel safe on the subway, Mayor de Blasio essentially shrugged. Theres not always a chance to help people all the time in terms of their transportation needs, he said. He emphasized the need to make subways and buses as clean as possible, with maximum service levels, social distancing, and limits on ridership to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Still, he said, I really want to push back on the notion that we can solve everything all the time. As for what New Yorkers who rely on the MTA should do, de Blasio said, People are going to have to improvise, and I believe they will.

Thursday, May 28

City Council pushes for more outdoor dining

Members of the New York City Council Thursday will introduce legislation to expand options for bars and restaurants to serve food outdoor. The legislation calls on the Department of Transportation to identify outdoor space that could used for dining and for the Department of Health to develop guidelines. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson wrote on Twitter that this bill will simply and streamline the typically expensive and complicated process of getting permits for outdoor seating. Our restaurants need this, he wrote. Im confident that we can creatively use our street space to get them back up and running.

Wednesday, May 27

De Blasio vows to crack down on bar-heavy neighborhoods

On Wednesday, Mayor de Blasio stated that the city  which does not have official guidelines for restaurant and bar owners guiding them through reopening  would begin to enforce a take out  dont hang out policy in nine bar-heavy neighborhoods: the Upper East Side, Hells Kitchen, the East Village, the West Village, the Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Long Island City, Astoria, and City Island.

Tuesday, May 26

The NYSE trading floor is open once again

Governor Cuomo rang the bell to open the trading floor on the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, the first time in over two months the floor has been open. The typically chaotic atmosphere was more subdued Tuesday under a new set of rules meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Anyone entering the building must undergo a temperature check, wear a mask, maintain six feet of distance, and not ride public transit. The trading floor, which had been closed on March 23, opened at 25 percent capacity Tuesday.

Watch New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ring the opening bell at the @NYSE, as the historic trading floor partially reopens today. https://t.co/LWY3T1Eyky pic.twitter.com/Oam42dXwcg  CNBC (@CNBC) May 26, 2020

Monday, May 25

Families of government workers who died fighting virus to receive benefits

Governor Cuomo said Monday that the families of state and city workers who died fighting the coronavirus outbreak will receive line-of-duty benefits. Cuomo listed transit workers, emergency medical workers, police officers, and firefighters among those whose families would see the payout. The benefits include both the covering of funeral costs and 66 percent of the persons salary. I want to make sure we repay them  and not just by saying thank you and running nice television commercials, Cuomo said Monday.

Sunday, May 24

Professional sports teams can open their training camps

New Yorks professional sports teams can open their training camps, Governor Cuomo announced Sunday, provided the teams follow social-distancing protocols. Teams will still need to get the go-ahead from their respective leagues, however.

NYC remains paused, but Long Island and Mid-Hudson will reopen midweek

The Mid-Hudson region will likely begin phase one of the New York Forward reopening plan on Tuesday, and Long Island will begin Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced Sunday. Both regions are expected to have met the criteria to join the other seven regions of the state that are already reopening.

That means that as of Thursday, New York City will be the only region of the state still under lockdown, and it is still not clear exactly when the city will be able to begin reopening  though it should be in the first or second week of June.

Saturday, May 23

Rat aggression and cannibalism is on the rise

The lack of restaurant trash has affected the ecosystem that relies on discarded food, according to the CDC. The Washington Post explains:

Amid stay-home restrictions set across the country to battle the spread of the novel coronavirus, many restaurants and cafes are closed or limited to takeout and delivery, and with the reduced sales, the restaurants trash bins are no longer overflowing with scrumptious leftovers hordes of rodents subsisted on. Finding slimmer pickings, critters have become more aggressive, prompting the CDC to issue guidance on how to deter them.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been increased reports of rat cannibalism and infanticide in New York, as well as more rat complaints in residential areas  including in Chicago  as humans produce more food waste at home. Roving rat armies, including one caught on camera scavenging New Orleans empty streets, are concerning to the CDC, which says rodents can carry disease.

Less than 100 deaths for the first time in nearly two months

Its hardly welcome news, but the daily New York death toll from the coronavirus has dropped below 100 for the first time since March 24. Only 84 people lost their lives to COVID-19 on Friday, including 62 people in hospitals and another 22 in nursing homes. (Update: The number went back up over 100 on Saturday, to 105, but the daily death toll has still been consistently trending downward.)

Friday, May 22

Small nonessential gatherings are back

Small gatherings of up to ten socially distanced people are once again allowed in New York, Governor Cuomo announced on Friday night. The surprise move came after the New York Civil Liberties Union sued the state, arguing that Cuomos earlier order, which allowed groups of up to ten people to attend religious services and celebrations to mark Memorial Day, infringed on New Yorkers First Amendment rights by limiting who could gather. In response, Cuomo signed a new order allowing anyone to gather in groups of that size for any reason statewide.

A new NYC no-no: hanging out outside restaurants

Mayor de Blasio said Friday that the NYPD will begin an effort this weekend to crack down on people gathering outside bars and restaurants. Last weekend, pictures circulated of large groups eating and drinking outside establishments that are currently only allowed to serve takeout. To discourage that this weekend, the city will hang posters as a part of its new Take Out  Dont Hang Out campaign. De Blasio said the NYPD will have a stronger presence in areas where crowds congregated last weekend.

With a warm Memorial Day Weekend ahead of us, we urge you to support your local restaurants by getting take out, but remember -- take out, don't hang out! Enjoy your food and drinks from the safety of your home! pic.twitter.com/7RltJpu7ux  NYCSmallBusiness (@NYC_SBS) May 22, 2020

Thursday, May 21

Nearly one in four New Yorkers are food insecure

Mayor de Blasio stated on Thursday that close to a quarter of the citys residents faced trouble getting enough food: We think that number is two million or more, he said, noting that the number is close to double the pre-pandemic rate. To combat the crisis, the city continues to expand its food-distribution systems and will provide $420 for every family with a child in public school to pay for food while schools are closed. Payments are expected to begin in early June.

People are starting to take the train again

The MTA released a raft of statistics Wednesday about how New Yorkers are getting around as the coronavirus outbreak slows. Subway ridership is up to around 600,000 trips a day from a low of 400,000 in April. Bus ridership is up as well with roughly 700,000 trips taken each day. Both are still down significantly from their pre-pandemic levels.

The relative popularity of buses  in normal times, the subways draw three times as many riders  has public-transit advocacy groups calling for expanded service above ground. Our thought is that, as the pandemic ends, people will feel more comfortable getting on a bus than the subway because its not underground, Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein told the New York Post. We believe a service increase is the route to easing crowding, which is the most important way to make sure riders are safe.

A man sits on the recently reopened boardwalk at Long Beach, just east of New York City. Photo: Getty Images

Wednesday, May 20

NYC residents not welcome at Long Island beaches

Leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties plan to ban New York City residents from their beaches in response to Mayor de Blasios decision to keep the citys beaches closed over Memorial Day weekend. Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello told reporters that he fears Nassau County becoming inundated with visitors from NYC. Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park are state-run and will remain open to everyone, but visitors to resident-restricted beaches can expect to show ID when entering to prove theyre not banned.

Tuesday, May 19

New York introduces pilot program allowing visitors to return to some hospitals

Visitors have been effectively forbidden from hospitals across the state since March 18, meaning that many thousands of coronavirus victims were not able to say goodbye in person to their families and loved ones. But on Tuesday, Governor Cuomo announced a pilot program beginning May 26 which will allow visitors to return to 16 hospitals in New York, including nine in New York City. Visitors must wear PPE and will be subject to temperature checks.

Brooklyn yeshiva shutdown after holding classes

The NYPD shutdown a Brooklyn yeshiva that had around 100 students in classes Monday morning. Police received a tip Monday that the school, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was operating after neighbors called about seeing children playing on the roof without masks. No summonses were issued, but NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told NY1 it would have been appropriate if they had been. If a summons had been issued yesterday, I would have been fine with it, he said. We empower our local precinct commanders to make decisions based on the facts, and I think he accomplished what the mission was, to make sure that people are socially distancing.

Monday, May 18

Black and Latino New Yorkers are dying at almost twice the rate of whites

On Monday, the NYC Department of Health released data showing that death rates for black and Latino New Yorkers were around 200 people per 100,000, while death rates for white and Asian New Yorkers were around 100 people per 100,000. We are watching, in real time, racial disparities and the pandemic of poverty, Michael Blake, an assemblyman representing a district in the Bronx, told the New York Times.

De Blasio says beach fences are ready

While New York state beaches will open for Memorial Day weekend, NYC beaches will remain closed and Mayor de Blasio has threatened to fence them off if people dont abide by the rules. The fencing, which would cut off entry points to the beaches, will be put in position starting today, he said. I dont want to implement it unless we need to, de Blasio said, but we have to have it ready. Walking on the beach is allowed, the mayor said, but no swimming, no lifeguards, no parties, no barbecues, no sports.

Sunday, May 17

Western New York and the Capital Region near criteria to begin reopening

Two more New York regions, Western New York and the Capital Region, will be able to enter phase one of reopening as soon as they adequately expand their contact-tracing capabilities, Governor Cuomo said on Sunday. When that happens  possibly as early as this week  a total of seven upstate regions will be in the process of reopening.

Saturday, May 16

ProPublica report details coronavirus-response failures by Cuomo and de Blasio

The intrastate cold war between Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio hampered New Yorks response to the pandemic and likely exacerbated the death toll from the coronavirus in the city and state, according to a ProPublica investigation published on Saturday. The report contrasts how leaders in New York and California have handled the crisis and identifies several critical ways Cuomo and de Blasio mismanaged the response in New York.

One of those major problems was the often petty rivalry between the two leaders, which continued despite the pandemic and led to confusion and a lack of coordination and information sharing. While New Yorks formal pandemic response plan underscores the need for seamless communication between state and local officials, the state Health Department broke off routine sharing of information and strategy with its city counterpart in February, just as the size of the menace was becoming clearer, according to both a city official and a city employee, ProPublica explains.

Per the report, both Cuomo and de Blasio dragged their feet, did not follow the right expert guidance, delivered both incorrect and mixed messages in response to the growing threat, and resisted measures that would have likely saved lives. (Spokespeople for both the governor and mayor pushed back on the core claims and criticisms in the report.)

Regarding de Blasios response, ProPublica summarized what was effectively a pandemic-failure diary kept by an alarmed city official:

The official noted that the New York City Health Department is a revered institution, with an international reputation for its size, resources and expertise. Discouraged and angry that its talent and commitment were being blunted, the official noted how the departments commissioner had been humiliated by de Blasio in a formal meeting, reduced to tears. Both she and her top deputies, the official wrote, later spent too much of their time at the side of a mayor making public health policy on the fly.

Taken together, the officials contemporaneous notes, later shared with ProPublica, read like a disturbing diary of what the official came to see as a slow motion leadership disaster.

Regarding Cuomos delay in shutting down the state:

ProPublica spoke with a half a dozen epidemiologists who said the events in New Rochelle could have been an opportunity for Cuomo to have acted more boldly and broadly. Instead of treating the threat as isolated to Westchester County, Cuomo could have seen a sign of wider infection in tightly packed New York City that hadnt been detected because of inadequate testing.

What made anyone in New York think it wasnt going to get hit, and hit hard? asked Rupak Shivakoti, an epidemiologist at Columbia. When youre dealing with a pandemics exponential growth in the number of infections, he said, even a week makes a huge difference.

The report also notes how the state had not followed its own 2006 pandemic preparation plan with regard to PPE stockpiles and the ability to quickly expand hospital capacity  and that the plan itself was inadequate since it mostly made predictions about what would happen rather than set out proposals for what to do about it.

The ProPublica investigation is not the first (nor the last) to examine what New York officials could have  or should have  done differently, but it adds to a growing pile of evidence indicating that city and state leaders will have a lot to answer for when this is all over.

Next up in reopening: tristate beaches, elective surgeries in a total of 49 counties, and racetracks for remote viewing

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware are coordinating the reopening of their state beaches on May 22 in time for Memorial Day weekend, and city and county beaches can reopen too, if local officials agree. Beach capacity must be limited to 50 percent, and group-contact activities like sports will be prohibited.

New York City beaches are to remain closed for the foreseeable future, though it does not appear that those closures are being enforced.

Meanwhile in New Jersey, chartered boat services will be allowed to reopen on Sunday. And on Tuesday, cash tollbooths will return to action on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway for the first time since March 24.

On June 1, New York racetracks will be allowed to reopen  without fans  Governor Cuomo announced Saturday.

And two more counties  Westchester and Suffolk  are allowing health-care facilities to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care, which means elective surgeries are now back in 49 of the states 62 counties.

Bronx surfer arrested in Hawaii for breaking mandatory quarantine (after posting the pictures to prove it on Instagram)

A New Yorker who violated Hawaiis mandatory 14-day quarantine for all visitors was arrested on Friday, per Gothamist:

The man, identified as Tarique Peters, 23, posted photos of himself catching some sun and hitting the beach this past week. The state attorney general, Clare Connors, said the man wasted no time leaving his hotel room the day he arrived, using public transportation to get around.

Peters was arrested and jailed on Friday. A judge set bail for Peters at $4,000. Investigators also found a local Hawaii resident, a man, with Peters; charges against him are pending.

Connors thanked local spotters for noticing Peters (an Instagram post from May 4th showed him in New York City, in Bryant Park). Hotel staffers were also credited for telling investigators they noticed Peters leaving his hotel room several times.

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Friday night at the movies in Warwick

A few New York drive-in movie theaters opened on Friday, including the Warwick Drive-In, which reduced its capacity by half (to 300 cars) and reportedly drew desperate moviegoers from out of town, per the Times Herald-Record:

Not even the threat of a thunderstorm passing through during the shows seemed to discourage the steady line of cars coming in off Warwick Turnpike.

Either way, were staying, said Glenn Zanetti of Newton, New Jersey, who came with his wife Tracy and their daughter Ava, 12, and 21-month-old son Lorenzo 

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put brand-new Hollywood releases on hold for now, the Warwick Drive-In assembled a mix of recent releases to appeal to a variety of ages and interests and fill their three screens: Bad Boys for Life and Jumanji: The Next Level, Trolls World Tour and Sonic the Hedgehog, and Bloodshot and The Invisible Man.

Friday, May 15

Five New York regions open up today

Half of the states ten regions will be allowed to loosen restrictions on some businesses Friday after achieving the seven benchmarks Governor Cuomo required to reopen. The regions are Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Souther Tier, North Country, and Mohawk Valley Regions. One Friday, Cuomo laid out regulations for business owners and individuals when venturing out this weekend.

Five regions in upstate New York will begin to reopen today. Here's what businesses and customers need to know: pic.twitter.com/JCd1WKgSEl  Luis Ferre-Sadurni (@luisferre) May 15, 2020

Thursday, May 14

A disconcerting choice to lead the citys pandemic response

The New York Times reports that in March, the head of NYCs public hospitals, Dr. Mitchell Katz, opposed closing the city, claiming that there is no proof that closures will help stop the spread. Despite the error, Mayor de Blasio has handed Katz the opportunity to oversee contact tracing, including the assembly and management of a staff of 2,500 who will track the contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases.

100 NYC children have COVID-19-related syndrome

New York City now has 100 children with the mysterious COVID-19-related inflammatory syndrome that has killed three children in the state. On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo said the syndrome has shown up in 15 states and five European countries. The illness, which is brought on by a hyper-response from the immune system, causes inflammation in blood vessels and affects a childs heart. Of the 100 NYC cases, 55 involved children who tested positive for the coronavirus or antibodies. Mayor de Blasio said Wednesday the city will launch an advertising campaign to alert parents of the symptoms. We have to rapidly inform families all over the city, he said.

Wednesday, May 13

NYC records longest stretch without pedestrian death since 1983

For the first time since New York City began tracking pedestrian fatalities in 1983, 58 days have passed without a vehicle killing someone on foot in the city. The stretch extends one week longer than the citys time in lockdown, which has lasted 51 days so far. NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg told the City Council that there are still concerns about dangerous drivers, though. Unfortunately, some drivers are taking advantage of our empty streets to speed recklessly, and we know we can never let up our vigilance, Trottenberg said.

Tuesday, May 12

Another report of a delay caused by de Blasio

Despite the City Health Departments experience with contact tracing, last week Mayor de Blasio made the decision to hand over the robust effort to determine who has been exposed to coronavirus patients to the citys Health + Hospitals system. According to one Health Department official who spoke with Politico, the new oversight of the program has resulted in a weeklong delay in which no one has been hired, costing the city time as contact tracing remains a vital piece of New Yorks plan to reopen.

CDC says NYC death toll likely higher than official count

The 52 days between March 11 and May 2 saw 32,107 deaths in New York City, which is 24,172 more than the seasonal expected baseline, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The tally of excess deaths is much higher than the official COVID-19 death toll in the city during that period, which is 18,879, including 13,831 deaths of people confirmed to have had COVID-19 and 5,048 probable deaths. That leave 5,293 excess deaths not accounted for. The CDC report notes that these deaths might have been directly or indirectly attributable to the pandemic.

Monday, May 11

De Blasio: Lockdown likely to continue to June

While some areas of New York may begin to reopen nonessential businesses this weekend, New York City is not one of them. Mayor de Blasio said Monday that the city is not ready and its lockdown will likely continue into next month. June is when were going to potentially be able to make some real changes if we continue our progress, he said. He pointed to the numbers of hospitalizations and ICU admissions along with positive test rates as the daily indicators that need to continue to move downward if the citys businesses are to reopen.

Sunday, May 10

Cuomo announces new rules to protect people in nursing homes

With nursing home patients and workers making up a third of all U.S. coronavirus deaths, Governor Cuomo announced new protections for people in nursing homes. The rule is very simple, Cuomo said on Sunday. If a nursing home cannot provide care for a person and provide the appropriate level of care for any reason, they must transfer the person out of the facility. About 100,000 New Yorkers live in long-term facilities, and for those homes that cannot find a transfer destination, the Department of Health will relocate the patients to excess-capacity hospital beds in places like the Javits Center. All nursing-home workers must now be tested for the virus twice a week.

More than 5 percent of New York nursing-home residents have been killed by COVID-19

Per the New York Post:

As of the start of Sunday, there were 2,598 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the facilities statewide, the DOH said. There also were 2,646 fatal presumed coronavirus cases in New York nursing homes, in which the deceased werent officially tested but displayed telltale symptoms of the contagion. Both figures total 5,244 deaths, or nearly 5.2 percent of the states nursing-home population of 101,518.

And that percentage doesnt even include the nursing-home residents who were transferred to other facilities, such as hospitals, and died from COVID-19.

Amid criticism of aggressive enforcement and racial profiling, NYC will more than double number of social-distancing ambassadors

A total of 2,600 people will be employed by the city to help take a communicative, encouraging approach to getting New Yorkers to obey the social-distancing rules, Mayor de Blasio announced Sunday. The city originally had 1,000 workers in the role.

Statistics have shown that at least 80 percent of the social-distancing-related summonses given by the NYPD through early last week have gone to people of color.

Saturday, May 9

Three children have now died from a rare and mysterious coronavirus-linked illness

Three of the at least 73 children in the state who have been struck with a mysterious COVID-19-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome have died, Governor Cuomo announced on Saturday, and other possible related deaths are still being investigated. (He confirmed the first death  a 5-year-old New York City boy being treated at Mount Sinai Childrens Hospital  on Friday.)

The illness, which resembles Kawasaki disease and toxic-shock syndrome, is very rare among kids who have had the coronavirus infection and can lead to symptoms including a prolonged fever, severe abdominal pain, rash, red eyes and lips, and a swollen tongue. Most of the children who have developed the syndrome have been toddlers or elementary age.

New York is making the terrifying illness a top priority, Cuomo said, announcing that the CDC has asked the state to develop a national criteria for diagnosing and treating the syndrome. The state is also conducting genetic research on the illness in partnership with the New York Genome Center and Rockefeller University.

NYC churches will be used as testing sites in low-income/minority communities

In an effort to expand the availability of coronavirus testing to communities of color in New York City, the state is partnering with Northwell Health to set up 24 temporary COVID-19 testing sites at churches in minority-majority communities across the city, Governor Cuomo announced Saturday. The test sites will open over the next two weeks.

This post has been repeatedly updated to include new information and remove older stories.

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A 57-year-old Massachusetts man who has been convicted of child rape was found to be a sexually dangerous person and has been committed to a treatment facility, officials said Friday.

George Mackie, whose last known address was in Groton, was previously convicted of two counts of rape of a child in Clinton, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. The Sex Offender Registry Board indicates Mackie was convicted in 2009.

This week, a Worcester Superior Court jury found Mackie to be a sexually dangerous person, Earlys office wrote in a statement.

A qualified examiner testified that Mackie suffered from pedophilia and was likely to re-offend. The examiner recommended that Mackie be confined to a secure facility, according to the statement.

Judge Susan E. Sullivan committed Mackie to one day to life at the Massachusetts Treatment Center at Bridgewater.

The treatment center is a medium-security facility that separately houses criminally sentenced male inmates who have been identified as sex offenders and those who have been civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person.

Mackie has the right to appeal for his release from the center if there is a change in his evaluation, the district attorneys office said.

____________

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Related Content:
A 23-year-old Indian with a student visa in the US has pleaded guilty to sexual enticement of a minor girl, prosecutors have said.

Sachin Aji Bhaskar faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He pleaded guilty before Senior US District Judge William M Skretny to sexual enticement of a minor.

The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of USD 250,000 or both, US Attorney James P Kennedy said.

Prosecutors alleged that Bhaskar communicated by text and email with an 11-year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Through those communications, Bhaskar enticed the victim to engage in a sexual activity with him in August, 2018, they said.

The sentencing in the case is scheduled for June 17.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two people with the coronavirus in Pennsylvania are being self-quarantined at home, making it sound voluntary. Still, they received legal quarantine notices, meaning they break the law if they leave.

The seeming contradiction comes down to this: the state is trusting them to do whats best for their own health and the health of others, state officials said Friday.

Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said the state is following quarantine recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Im not aware of any states that are putting guards outside peoples homes, she said.

Gov. Tom Wolf said he trusts them to understand the need to take care of their own health while also separating themselves from other people so they dont spread the coronavirus.

However, a guard would be put outside their home if they violated the quarantine, Wolf said.

Nurses are calling them twice a day to make sure their condition hasnt worsened to the point they need additional medical or hospital care, and to make sure they have food and supplies. The state will help them if they have an urgent need outside their home, a spokeswoman said. The quarantine will end when theyve been without symptoms for 14 days.

The state is tracing others who may have been in contact with the two who tested positive, and its likely some of them will be quarantined, state officials said Friday.
By Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin

MOSCOW, March 4 (Reuters) - Two veteran managers from global trading house Glencore's energy desk in Moscow have left with around a dozen other staff to focus on their own start-up, four industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Vladimir Scherbak and Svetlana Astakhova quit the firm after decades of service during which they oversaw the trading of hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil from Russia's top producer Rosneft and others.

Scherbak and Astakhova will head up a new firm called Alliance Industry Group, the sources said. Glencore, which holds a minority stake in Rosneft, declined to comment.

Part of Glencore's energy team based in Moscow is staying with the group, Reuters sources said. The trading firm's grain and metal business in Russia was also unaffected by the move.

A source at a Russian oil company which is working with Glencore said the energy desk changes are unlikely to affect the trading house's business in Russia, the world's second biggest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.

"We rarely work with Glencore in Moscow. All business issues are managed by their London office with whom we normally communicate," the source said.

STAYING AT THE SAME ADDRESS

The sources did not say why Scherbak and Astakhova had decided to leave, but one said the departure was by 'mutual consent' with Glencore.

According to the SPARK Interfax companies database, Scherbak and Astakhova co-own Alliance Industry Group with a third stakeholder, Anton Ostaltsev. It is registered in Moscow at the same address as Glencore's Moscow office on Novinsky boulevard.

Ostaltsev is the group's chief executive, the SPARK data showed. Astakhova and Ostaltsev each hold a 25% stake in the group, which was established last November, while Scherbak holds the remaining 50%.

The source said the Alliance Industry Group plans to focus on equipment supply as well as energy resources trading in Russia. Russia, and Rosneft in particular, are limited in foreign energy equipment supplies after western sanctions.

Story continues

Alliance Industry Group has three units, Alliance Projects, Alliance Gas Processing and Severoproekt-Service, according to SPARK Interfax.

Severoproekt-service is "an integrated engineering company that operates and provides maintenance for power plants based on GE Jenbacher gas engines and Cummins diesel generators", its website said.

It is the only company in the group with contact details. Neither Alliance Industry Group nor any of its subsidiaries were available for a comment.

Scherbak, who has been working with Glencore in Moscow since 1998, sits on the boards of a number of oil companies from Russian tycoon Mikhail Gutseriyev's Safmar group, according to public data.

Glencore is a long-standing partner of Russneft, whose oil and oil products it trades and in which it holds a minority stake.

Scherbak remains a Russneft board member from Glencore, Russneft said in reply to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin; additional reporting by Ludmila Zaramenskikh in MOSCOW and Dmitry Zhdannikov in LONDON; Editing by Katya Golubkova and Jan Harvey)
Germany teacher who had cannibalism fantasies is sentenced to life in prison

Israel's military and other security services undergo largest rearmament in years

Spain PM calls for a debate to consider COVID-19 endemic disease

Flyone Armenia and Pegasus receive permission for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights

Pope condemns "baseless" ideological misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines

Arab foreign ministers to visit Beijing

Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road

Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart

Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues

Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities

US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million

European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction

Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey

WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain

In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor

Indian Defense Minister tests positive for COVID-19

US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already

NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22

Pashinyan appoints Hayk Mkrtchyan as Deputy Governor of Kotayk province

Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills nine children

Pashinyan: One of key priorities of Armenia presidency at CSTO is strengthening of crisis response mechanisms

Internet cut off in Kazakhstan

Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights

Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan

Turkey defense minister meets with their envoy in process of normalization of Armenia relations

Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations

Dollar continues going up in Armenia

New attempt by migrants in Belarus to storm Poland border

Skat Airlines resumes Yerevan-Aktau and Aktau-Yerevan flights

New Covid-related restrictions to be introduced in Armenia

Karabakh police: Firefighters also targeted by Azerbaijan shooting (PHOTOS)

Artsakh Defense Army has not fired on Azerbaijan positions

Azerbaijani military are protesting amid military awards deprivation

Azerbaijanis open fire in Nagorno-Karabakh

Karabakh MFA: Events in Kazakhstan are result of actions planned by Turkey

Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief

Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles

Artsakh emergency service: Search for soldiers remains continued during holidays

Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack

Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine

Putin: Peacekeeping contingent to stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period

Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan v. premier Pashinyan lawsuit court session is closed

Azerbaijan commandos conduct military exercises

Part of the Great Wall of China collapsed due to earthquake

Armenia MP: Turkey, Azerbaijans regional calculations have mixed up

Copper prices decline

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan v. PM Pashinyan lawsuit trial resumes

Gold is getting cheaper

EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis

126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Fire in residential building in New York leaves 19 people killed

National Center for Infectious Diseases Yerevan branch employees protesting outside center

Karabakh President: Radical Pan-Turkic circles are actively involved in process in Kazakhstan

Oil is getting more expensive

Mars helicopter Ingenuity preparing for difficult 19th flight

Interior ministry: About 8,000 people detained in Kazakhstan

Earthquake hits Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone

Researchers create substitute for egg whites from fungus

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Post-COVID-19 antibodies may attack healthy cells, scientists say

Pope says he was praying for Kazakhstan

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Peskov: CSTO session does not plan to sign documents yet

Criminal cases launched after bomb threat in Armenian, Belarus embassies in Moscow

Norwegian military surrender panties before demobilization

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Russian defense minister says information war is on all fronts

Several strategic objects in Kazakhstan transferred to CSTO contingent under protection

David Minasyan elected head of Armenia's Parakar community

Bloomberg: US is considering issue of limiting supply of high-tech products to Russia

Armenia reports 142 COVID-19 new cases

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White House speaks on Blinken statement on Russian peacekeeping troops

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Kazakhstan talks stabilization of situation in all regions of country

Azerbaijanis demand Armenian soldier change his faith by taking away his cross, Ombudsman says

Armenian painter Mher Mansurian dies in France

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NATO chief announces Russia forces continued buildup in Ukraine

Armenian militarys transfer to Kazakhstan is completed

Azerbaijan opens fire on military positions near Armenia village

Unidentified persons report threat of explosion at Armenia, Belarus embassies in Moscow

Putin confers with Pashinyan, Lukashenko on situation in Kazakhstan

Zakharova: OSCE has not provided real assistance to reporters who were attacked in Kazakhstan

Lukashenko, Putin discuss situation in CSTO member countries

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US diplomats do not leave Kazakhstans Almaty yet

1 more person dies of coronavirus in Karabakh

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195 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

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BMW introduces concept vehicle that can change colors
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un delivering a statement in Pyongyan at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 21, 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Kim Jong Un Expresses Condolences Over Coronavirus Outbreak in South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent South Korean President Moon Jae-in a personal letter expressing his condolences over the coronavirus outbreak, which has so far infected over 6,000 and killed 42 in the country, Seoul officials said March 5.

The letter, which arrived Wednesday, marked Kims first public exchange with his counterpart in more than four months. It wasnt immediately clear if Kim sent the letter to improve strained ties with South Korea amid a deadlock in broader nuclear diplomacy with the United States.

Kim in his letter expressed concern over Moons health and extended a message of comfort to the South Korean people amid the escalating novel coronavirus outbreak in South Korea.

The Korea Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention confirmed an additional 196 cases on Friday, and seven more deaths from the virus.

Chairman Kim wished to console our citizens who are fighting the coronavirus, Yoon Do-han, Moons senior press secretary, told reporters on Thursday.

He said he believes we will win, and hoped the health of southern compatriots will be protected.

The North Korean leader in his letter also shared candid thoughts and positions regarding the two Koreas, and expressed frustration that there wasnt much he could do to help South Korea at this moment, Yoon said.

Kim underlined his unwavering friendship and trust toward President Moon and said that he will continue to quietly send his best wishes for President Moon to overcome the outbreak, Yoon said.

Moon sent a letter back to Kim thanking him, Yoon added.

North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un (L) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (R) with South Korean President Moon Jae-in (2nd L) and his wife Kim Jung-sook (2nd R) during a visit to Samjiyon guesthouse in Samjiyon, North Korea, on Sept. 20, 2018. (Pyeongyang Press Corps/Pool/Getty Images)

Moon and Kim built personal ties in 2018 when they met three times and reached a series of agreements aimed at boosting exchanges and lowering military animosity. Moon, a liberal who espouses a negotiated settlement of the North Korean nuclear crisis, also facilitated Kims first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018.

But relations between the Koreas suffered a setback after a second summit between Kim and Trump in Vietnam in early 2019 ended without any deal on North Koreas nuclear program.

Some experts say North Korea is likely to reach out again to South Korea to receive help in reviving its troubled economy, since the United States has said it wont ease sanctions on the North unless it takes significant steps toward denuclearization.

Kim also sent a letter to Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month extending his condolences about the coronavirus in China, in which he expressed the conviction that the party, government and people of China would surely emerge victorious in the campaign to combat the disease, under Xis guidance, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. However, experts have become increasingly concerned that Pyongyang is covering-up cases and deaths.

According to reports, North Korea this week placed at least 7,000 people under quarantine in an attempt to prevent coronavirus spread in the country.

It has also put in place high-intensity measures that the countrys state media says are to prevent coronavirus infections.

These measures include a ban on foreign tourists, reinforced border checks, and the suspension of most air and rail travel within and out of the country. State media KCNA also said that a month-long quarantine period had been imposed on people showing symptoms of the virus.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the Reserve Bank of India has been monitoring crisis-ridden Yes Bank since 2017 and noticed governance issues, weak compliance and wrong asset classification. She said the government has asked RBI to look into what went wrong and fix individual responsibilities.

Sitharaman's comments came a day after the RBI put Yes Bank under a moratorium and capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 until April 3. She said the Anil Ambani Group, Essel, ILFS, DHFL and Vodafone were among the stressed corporates to which the Yes Bank had exposure.

In the RBI's 'Scheme of Reconstruction' for the crisis-ridden bank unveiled earlier in the day, it said the Yes Bank's capital stands altered at Rs 5,000 crore and a strategic investor bank will bring in 49% equity. However, the RBI said the strategic investor bank cannot reduce its holding in Yes Bank below 26% before three years.

The RBI has said that the State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank, as per Sitharaman. "The RBI sought change in Yes Bank management after finding risky credit decision," she said.

Since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions, said Sitharaman, adding that on finding risky credit decisions, the RBI advised change in management.

These decisions were taken in the interest of the bank's health and a new CEO was appointed in September 2018 and cleaning up of bank started, she said, adding that investigative agencies had also found irregularities. She said the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals.

The government, she said, wants the RBI to ensure that due process of law is followed with a sense of urgency.

The restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days, said Sitharaman, adding that SBI has expressed willingness to invest in the bank. The finance minister also said that employment and salary of Yes Bank employees has been assured for one year.

(With inputs from PTI)
FILE PHOTO: Traders buy bales of Australian wool at an auction in Yennora

By Jonathan Barrett

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Wool buyers in Australia, the world's dominant exporter, have shrugged off growing concerns over the impact of the coronavirus on garment-makers in China and Italy to send prices slightly higher in the first auctions since a sharp escalation in the global epidemic.

Traders, frustrated by a near two-week long closure due to a cyber attack that shuttered auctions across the country, sent the benchmark price hiefor merino wool up by three Australian cents to A$15.84 ($10.49) per kg when trading restarted on Wednesday, auction results showed. Auctions are usually held each Wednesday and Thursday.

Bidding proved particularly strong for fine clothing-quality wool, which underpinned a higher-than-average A$47.8 million ($31.66 million) in turnover across the country's three main auction sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

It was the first opportunity for brokers since Feb. 20 to offload bales at auction, the country's primary method of wool sales.

"Everyone was pretty active," said Andrew Blanch, managing director of Italian textile maker-owned New England Wool.

"There was good general competition from Europe and from China," said Blanch, who attended the Sydney auction.

Australia controls 90% of global fine-wool exports, where prices are largely driven by Chinese wool mills and Italian garment makers. The two countries purchase the majority of Australia's A$3 billion-plus ($2.2 billion) in annual wool exports.

Traders told Reuters it was unclear heading into Wednesday's auction how the virus would impact on demand from the major export markets after the industry was forced into a hiatus because of a cyber attack.

A spokesman for the wool industry's software provider Talman told Reuters no data was lost in the cyber attack and that the systems were being reset. The spokesman declined to provide further details about the software outage.

During the outage, Italy emerged as Europe's worst hit country, with the coronavirus claiming more than 100 deaths. Italy has now closed all schools and universities.

Story continues

The total accumulated number of cases in mainland China now numbers 80,409, according to the country's National Health Commission.

Wool auctions are scheduled to proceed across Australia on Thursday, which is one of the week's biggest selling days.

($1 = 1.5097 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Jonathan Barrett in Sydney; editing by Jane Wardell)
: Elections to mandal and zilla



parishad territorial constituencies in Andhra Pradesh will be conducted in two phases on March 21 and 24 while municipalities and municipal corporations will go to polls on March 27.

The State Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for the elections.

Formal notification for the first phase of polls would be issued on Saturday and the last date for filing nominations would be March 11.

For the second phase election on March 24, the notification would be issued on the March 10.

For the municipal elections slated for March 27, the notification would be issued on March 13.

Counting of votes in rural and urban local bodies would be taken up on March 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Much was made of the two Delhis on view last month  the Delhi of ceremonial welcomes and grand state banquets during the Trump visit, and the Delhi of mob violence taking place in poor neighbourhoods less than an hours drive away. The visitors have gone but the contrast holds.

The well-ordered and affluent parts of the city remain largely sealed off from what is still unfolding in areas that are, ironically, closer than ever before, because of the nearly 60-km-long Pink Line of the Delhi Metro. Its the mental journey, requiring sustained empathy, that is ...
BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to support Iran in containing novel coronavirus while the international community should work with Iran to safeguard global public health security, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday.

Zhao's remarks at a press briefing came as Iran's President Hassan Rouhani reportedly said the United States should lift a ban from medicines if it really wants to help Iran fight the coronavirus outbreak.

The spokesperson stressed that, at this crucial moment, continued unilateral sanctions on Iran go against the spirit of humanity and would only deteriorate the situation.

The Chinese side urged relevant parties to immediately lift sanctions on Iran and avoid interference with the efforts made by Iran and the international community in containing the epidemic, Zhao said.

Having paid close attention to the situation in Iran, China sent anti-epidemic materials including testing kits, as well as a team of voluntary experts, to Iran, Zhao said.

China hopes the international community will strengthen cooperation with Iran in epidemic prevention and jointly safeguard the world public health security, he added.

The experts from China's Red Cross Society, who arrived in Iran on Feb. 29, have been working conscientiously there to share anti-epidemic experience, and conduct in-depth exchanges with Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Red Crescent Society and the country's other departments on epidemic prevention and control, Zhao said.

The Iranian side has expressed gratitude and the World Health Organization has voiced high appreciation to China, he added.

As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Iran have always supported and helped each other in times of difficulties and stood firmly together, Zhao said, stressing that China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity and in accordance with Iran's needs.
In February, it was announced that Osbourne was cancelling his 2020 North American "No More Tours 2" tour "to allow him to continue to recover from various health issues he has faced over the past year."
NEW DELHI - India is bracing for a potential explosion of coronavirus cases as authorities rush to trace, test and quarantine contacts of 31 people confirmed to have the disease.

It is screening international travellers at 30 airports and has already tested more than 3,500 samples. The Indian army is preparing at least five large-scale quarantine centres.

For weeks, India watched as cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, multiplied in neighbouring China and other countries as its own caseload remained static  three students evacuated from Wuhan, the disease epicenter, who were quarantined and returned to health in the southern state of Kerala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government said last week that community transmission is now taking place. India has shut schools, stopped exporting key pharmaceutical ingredients and urged state governments to cancel public festivities for Holi, the Hindu springtime holiday in which people douse each other with colored water and paint.

Modi cancelled travel plans to Brussels for an India-EU summit amid a rising caseload in Belgium, and tweeted that he would not attend any Holi festivities.

Experts fear these precautions wont be enough for Indias beleaguered, under-funded and under-staffed health system to stave off an epidemic. Here are their foremost concerns:

___

TOO FEW LABS, NOT ENOUGH HOSPITALS

As the virus spread globally, India began bolstering its ability to test and detect the virus. While the National Institute of Virology at Pune remains the main testing facility, the government has identified 35 additional labs for testing.

But concerns remain over Indias overstretched health infrastructure  a single state-run hospital for every 55,591 people on average and a single hospital bed for every 1,844 people. India needs about 10 times more doctors to meet the norms prescribed by the World Health Organization, a shortfall of at least 500,000 doctors.

Experts fear that an epidemic would cause other routine health care functions to suffer.

Everything will become about COVID-19. And other routine services like immunization or taking care of maternal mortality would be affected, said Anant Bhan, a global health and policy expert.

___

HEALTH CARE INEQUALITY

Indias health performance, an index that includes access to primary care, maternal mortality rates and child health, runs the spectrum, with some states outperforming others by almost 2.5 times, according to the government-run think-tank NITI Aayog.

The best performer was Kerala, the small state that found and treated Indias first three cases. The worst was Uttar Pradesh, a state with roughly the population of Brazil that has detected at least six cases. Kerala has a doctor for approximately every 6,000 people, while Uttar Pradesh has one for every 18,000 people. The inequalities are further pronounced between urban and rural areas, with the bulk of the available beds concentrated in Indias cities.

India spent an average of $62.72 per person on health care in 2016, according to WHO, compared to Chinas $398.33.

Inequalities could make prevention even harder. In places with limited access to clean water, washing hands to prevent the spread of the virus is difficult, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, a microbiologist who heads Indias Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.

Retired virologist and pediatrician Dr T. Jacob John said these inequalities arent just a reflection of not spending enough on health care, but also of not knowing where to spend.

The last time a needs-based survey was done for Indias health care was in 1946, he said, adding that the countrys health management system is very inadequate for Indias existing problems, let alone new ones.

___

QUARANTINE MILLIONS

Indias health minister told Parliament that the need of the hour is to contain viral clusters, to prevent and break chains of transmission. But in India, with a population of 1.4 billion, that is far from easy.

Take the city of Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal, where six Italian tourists tested positive for the virus. Apart from the 40,000 tourists who visit the monument each day, the city has a population of more than 4 million, with nearly 3,000 people crammed into every square mile. Following WHO advice, the Indian government has told people keep a distance of at least six feet from others.

But anywhere youve a dense population, all the issues of social distancing become challenging, Kang said.

___

SHORT ON MEDICINES

With the virus lockdown in China resulting in shortages in India, the government halted the export of 13 key drug ingredients and the medicines made from them on Tuesday.

Although India is the worlds primary supplier of generic drugs, it relies on China for nearly 70% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients it uses for making medicines.

India has said it has enough stocks, but the governments minister for chemicals and fertilizers told Parliament that there remains an apprehension that supplies of ingredients from China would be disrupted if the epidemic continues.

___

LONG-TERM RESPONSE

On Thursday, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan met the management of Indias top private hospitals to ask them to work with the government in dealing with the outbreak, and urged them to prepare a pool of beds.

Kang said Indias current approach, which is focused on travellers, might restrict some cases. But eventually, it will have to expand testing to limit the spread of the disease within the country, Kang said. The question, she said, is whether authorities want to do that now, or at the height of an epidemic.

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Kate Middletons importance to the royal family will be on full display as Prince Harry and Meghan Markles exit becomes official. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set for one last public appearance on behalf of the crown, and sources say Queen Elizabeth is relying heavily on Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, to ensure everything goes smoothly. With all the drama Megxit has drummed up so far, Kate definitely has her hands full on this one.

Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth | Oli Scarff  WPA Pool / Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare for a big transition

Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been lying low in Canada for the past two months as they iron out the final details of their departure. Harry flew back home at the end of February and Meghan recently joined him in the UK to perform their last duties as members of the royal family.

To that end, Harry and Meghan are scheduled to join the rest of the royal family for the Commonwealth Day service next week. All of the senior members of the monarchy will be in attendance, including Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth.

According to Express, royal expert Angela Mollard recently discussed the upcoming event and how it represents a transition phase for the royals.

This is his final royal event before they live more permanently in Canada, Mollard shared. This was the transition phase that the Queen talked about and then of course after April the new sort of way of being comes into play.

Mollard added that she hopes the Cambridges and the Sussexes are friendly towards each other at the service. If not, she believes it would be absolutely disastrous for the royal family.

The royals step up their game

With Harry and Meghan stepping away from the spotlight, other royals have been picking up the slack. Charles and William have both taken on more responsibility in recent months, as has Kate.

In fact, Mollard argued that Kate Middletons role in the royal family will be very important in the months and years to come. Not only will she be appearing more often at public engagements, but she will also be preparing for the day when William takes the throne.

Kate is pivotal in this, Mollard stated. I think this is what is really interesting. She recently went solo at a NATO reception at Buckingham Palace while William was in the Middle East. She greeted world leaders and she represented the country alongside the Queen.

Fans can expect to see more from Kate Middleton in the coming months, especially after Harry and Meghans exit becomes finalized on March 31. After that, the Sussexes are expected to retire to North America, where they will be spending the majority of their time.

But before that happens, the couple is set for one last appearance with Harrys family  and Queen Elizabeth is relying on Kate to ensure nothing goes awry.

Kate Middleton will be instrumental in upcoming events

Harry and Meghans involvement at the Commonwealth Day service could go either way for the royals. If things go well, then it could offer an easier transition for the couple and potentially open the door for their return down the road.

But if things go bad, then it will reflect poorly on the monarchy, which is why Queen Elizabeth wants to ensure they put on a united front at the event.

With that in mind, Mollard revealed that Queen Elizabeth will be relying heavily on Kate Middleton to help balance things out.

I think their PR teams respectively will want to put on a united front, Mollard explained. I think Kate in these situations always looks like the great family pacifier, she is always smiling and laughing. She will be instrumental in what happens on that day.

Queen Elizabeth putting her trust in Kate, who has been an ideal daughter-in-law, is not a big surprise given how close they have become in recent years. During a recent appearance at the theater, for example, Kate paid tribute to Her Majesty by wearing her diamond chandelier earrings.

How do Kate Middleton and Prince William really feel about Megxit?

While the royal family prepares for their next big event, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express that William and Kate are very unhappy with how Harry and Meghan have handled Megxit.

A few weeks ago, the Sussexes released a statement on their website confirming some of the details regarding their exit. This includes how they will no longer use their royal titles, a move that effectively ends their charitable foundation, Sussex Royal.

The statement included some subtle jabs at the royals and how they handled the negotiations, which Prince William and Kate Middleton did not appreciate.

The fact that the Sussexes behaved as they did was a severe blow to the monarchy, Fitzwilliams said. William and Kate, together with George and his siblings, are the future of the monarchy. They will not have appreciated the way the Sussexes have so flagrantly disrespected the Queen and shown such open disregard for the institution.

Harry and Meghan have not commented on the reports surrounding their final round of public engagements or their reunion with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton. Following the Commonwealth Day service, they are expected to return to Canada to reunite with their son, Archie Harrison.
Technavio has been monitoring the bicycle market and it is poised to grow by USD 10.5 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005288/en/

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

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. GUANGDONG TANDEM INDUSTRIES Co. Ltd., Insera Sena. PT., Merida Industry Co. Ltd., Tandem Group Plc and Trek Bicycle Corp. are some of the major market participants. The environmental economic benefits of bicycles will offer immense growth opportunities. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Environmental economic benefits of bicycles has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market.

Bicycle Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Bicycle Market is segmented as below:

Product

On-road and Track Bicycles

Off-road Bicycles

X-road and Hybrid Bicycles

Propulsion

Manual Bicycles

Motor-assisted Bicycles

End-Users

Adults

Children

Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

Geographic Segmentation

APAC

Europe

MEA

North America

South America

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Bicycle Market 2020-2024: Scope

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

Bicycle Market Size

Bicycle Market Trends

Bicycle Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies increase in demand for titanium-based bicycles as one of the prime reasons driving the bicycle market growth during the next few years.

Bicycle Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the bicycle market, including some of the vendors such as GUANGDONG TANDEM INDUSTRIES Co. Ltd., Insera Sena. PT., Merida Industry Co. Ltd., Tandem Group Plc and Trek Bicycle Corp. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the bicycle market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Bicycle Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist bicycle market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the bicycle market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the bicycle market

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

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of bicycle market vendors

Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

Value Chain Analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market Outlook

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

Market segmentation by distribution channel

Comparison by distribution channel

Offline Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Online Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by distribution channel

PART 07: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

Market segmentation by product

Comparison by product

On-road and track bicycles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Off-road bicycles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

X-road and hybrid bicycles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by product

PART 08: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 09: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USER

Market segmentation by end-user

Comparison by end-user

Adults Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Children Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by end-user

PART 10: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PROPULSION

Market segmentation by propulsion

Comparison by propulsion

Manual bicycles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Motor-assisted bicycles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by propulsion

PART 11: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 12: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 13: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 14: MARKET TRENDS

Increasing popularity of bicycle rental services

Increase in demand for titanium-based bicycles

Emergence of foldable bicycles

PART 15: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 16: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Accell Group NV

Atlas Cycles (Haryana) Ltd.

Derby Cycle Holding GmbH

Dorel Industries Inc.

Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

GUANGDONG TANDEM INDUSTRIES Co. Ltd.

Insera Sena. PT.

Merida Industry Co. Ltd.

Tandem Group Plc

Trek Bicycle Corp.

PART 17: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 18: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

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

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New Delhi, March 6 : The Union Ministry of Health and family Welfare on Friday said that the contacts trail of Bhutan's first COVID-19 case has been traced and required follow up has been initiated as per protocol.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering announced on Friday that the first positive coronavirus case was confirmed in the country and the patient was a US tourist who arrived in Bhutan via Guwahati, Assam.

"We would like to inform the public that one positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at 11 p.m. on March 5, and the result was validated at 12.30 a.m. on March 6," Tshering said on Twitter and Facebook.

The 76-year-old patient arrived in Bhutan on Monday.

According to Bhutan's health ministry, the patient was on a tour of India from February 21 to March 1. He started his travel from Washington on February 18.

He was travelling with his partner, who is aged 59, and there were 10 passengers on board at the time he arrived in Bhutan, of which eight were Indian nationals.

He was checked at the airport but found negative against all symptoms.

However, on reaching Thimphu, he visited a hospital at 3 p.m. and complained of bloaty abdomen (dyspeptic symptoms) and nausea. The patient suffered from chronic hypertension.

After spending a night in Thimphu, he travelled to Punakha with his partner and made several stops. He then returned to Thimphu on Thursday where he again visited the hospital and he was found to have a fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath, the Health Ministry said.

He was kept under observation at the flu clinic (designated as COVID-19 hospital) and samples were collected and sent to the Royal Center for Disease Control (RCDC), the Prime Minister said.

"On confirmation, he has been isolated in the COVID-19 hopital. Considering his age and underlying conditions, the patient is on oxygen support." "Following the confirmation over 90 contacts have been traced. Health officials and other relevant agencies are in the process of carrying out primary disease management and contact tracing," the Prime Minister added.

Schools and institutions in three districts of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha where the patient visited have been closed for three weeks.

In India there are at least 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including previous three from Kerala who have now recovered. The Indian government has mandated universal screening of all passengers entering India from all parts of the world. As of Friday, a total of 6.5 lakh passengers were screened at 30 Indian airports.

India's Health Ministry said "The government of India started taking measures including screening much before than the World Health Organisation termed the outbreak as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hours before a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Turkey, a center for the displaced people of Syria was hit by an airstrike, killing 16 reports Zaman Al Wasl.

An overnight Russian airstrike on a center for the displaced in northern Idleb province has killed 16 people, including women and children, a rescue agency said Thursday.

The White Helmets said 16 civilians were killed and 18 others injured in the attack on the town of Maarat Misrin.

The deadly strike on displaced Syrian came hours before a summit between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Idleb, after a surge in tensions between their countries over fighting in the province between Russian-backed regime forces and opposition fighters allied to Turkey.

Turkey has sent thousands of troops into the area to support Syrian fighters holed up there, but hasnt been able to stop the Russian-backed Syrian regime offensive to retake the province.

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.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian has signed into law the smoking ban bill.

In particular, the law bans smoking in indoor public spaces, including in all restaurants.

When I was signing the [bills], as President and as a citizen, I was pondering whether it is necessary for a law to exist in order to realize the damage which smoking inflicts to health, family, the environment, Sarkissian said after signing the bill into law. Do the strict legal terming of the law really have greater impact than the calls and advices we hear from parents, friends, the stories about health hazards from smoking we read nearly every day?

Sarkissian also quoted Socrates  When a man cares for his own health, he wont find a doctor who will be more useful for his health than himself.

Its never late to quit, and this shouldnt require the need of any governmental body. I dont think that an area which first of all requires sober thinking needs a legislative regulation. Certainly, the law draws some boundaries which should be adhered to, he added.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
China will exempt firms from on-site environmental checks if they are involved in the production of materials used in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic or have low emissions levels, the countrys environment ministry announced.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued guidelines aimed at helping the fight against the coronavirus while at the same time supporting the resumption of economic operations, it said in a notice on Thursday.

It will draw up positive lists of firms and projects that will be given support to resume production, including those involved in agriculture, food and drink production, public infrastructure maintenance and fuel supplies.

The ministry will also set up a monitoring system tailored to the requirements of individual regions and the needs of enterprises to resume work, it said.

It said it will also exempt some new projects urgently needed to fight against the virus from environmental impact assessment procedures, which are normally required to gain approval.

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(ANSAmed) - ZAGREB, MARCH 6 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Friday said Italy deserves respect and support amid the coronavirus emergency.



Speaking at the end of a foreign affairs council in Zagreb, the minister said: ''At a European level there is great concern because coronavirus is not just the theme of a single country but will have an international impact, both on a healthcare and economic level''.



''What I have stressed to European countries is that Italy deserves respect and maximum support''.



''We will not accept any discrimination against Italians'', Di Maio said.



''It is very important that Italy's experience on how we are dealing with the coronavirus emergency can be treasured by other European countries'', Di Maio said during his speech, according to sources. (ANSAmed)
The Retail Summit, an annual gathering of retail professionals designed to showcase inspiring brands and explore the latest trends in the market in Dubai, has been postponed to November due to the current issues surrounding the coronavirus.



The event, which was scheduled to be held at the Atlantis in Dubai from March 10 to 11, will now be held from November 10 to 11.



"Over the past few weeks, we have been monitoring the global coronavirus (Covid-19) situation closely and assessing whether The Retail Summit 2020 should take place. Particularly as it affects the majority of our participants who are unable to travel due to restrictions," said the event organisers in a statement.



Until yesterday evening, we were confident that the situation would not impact our ability to deliver the event and bring together the international retail community.



While the UAE remains safe to travel and continues to adhere to and implement the highest levels of medical measures and hygiene protocols, we feel that the delivery of a world-class international event will be inevitably impacted by such travel restrictions, it stated.



With this in mind, and following close consultation with our event partners, key stakeholders and hosts, we have taken the decision to postpone The Retail Summit 2020, said the statement.



"By opting to defer the event to a later date, we believe that we will be in a better position to deliver The Retail Summit 2020 at full capacity offering our event partners and participants the value and international exposure they have come to expect from us," it stated.



The new dates will also align the Summit with Expo 2020 Dubai, offering an enhanced experience for all attendees, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 01:11:19|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, campaigning as a progressive Democrat, said Thursday that she is dropping out of 2020 U.S. presidential race.

"I want you to hear it straight from me: today, I'm suspending our campaign for president," Warren said in a call to her campaign staff Thursday morning.

The announcement came two days after Democratic primary's "Super Tuesday," in which Warren won no states.

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden won 10 of 14 states voting on Tuesday. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont finished second by wining the other four.

Warren is expected to speak to reporters later in the day. It remains unclear whom she will endorse.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who ended her presidential campaign shortly before Super Tuesday to support Biden, on Thursday called Warren "an inspiration to women across the country."

"I look forward to continuing to work with her in the Senate and beyond," tweeted Klobuchar.

A 70-year-old former Harvard University law professor, Warren announced her White House bid in February 2019 and once led in some national polls. Enditem
Estate agency chiefs at Lisney and Sherry FitzGerald said there has been limited to no fallout so far from the coronavirus outbreak on Irish residential and commercial property sales.

Lisney chairman James Nugent said that there had been no sign of a fall-off in enquiries as a result of Covid-19 cases for Irish house sales although the restrictions on travel by overseas companies had led to some cancellations by investors flying into Ireland linked to commercial property deals.
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallisters second flip-flop on the carbon tax  offset by a surprise announcement Thursday he will also cut the PST  has nothing to do with reducing emissions and everything to do with wounded pride.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallisters second flip-flop on the carbon tax  offset by a surprise announcement Thursday he will also cut the PST  has nothing to do with reducing emissions and everything to do with wounded pride.

For the second time in more than two years, Pallister has changed his mind on the carbon tax. The premier initially proposed a flat $25-per-tonne tax in 2017  claiming if the province didnt, the federal government would impose its own levy.

Its an argument that never made any sense, since Ottawa said from the beginning it would "backstop" the carbon tax (starting at $20/tonne in 2019 and rising incrementally to $50/tonne in 2022) in any province that didnt meet the threshold. There was no wiggle room.

Pallister cancelled his proposed tax in October 2018, after a backlash within the provincial Tory party (and from the public). His new position was to move ahead with the province's so-called green plan without a carbon levy.

"We say 'yes' to a made-in-Manitoba green plan without a carbon tax," he said at the time.

He then had another change of heart, claiming earlier this year he was "negotiating" with the feds for some type of "made-in-Manitoba" carbon tax that would be less than Ottawas impending $50/tonne rate.

The federal government gave no indication it was prepared to accommodate his demands (nor that there were any serious negotiations on the matter). As expected, Ottawa rejected a lower levy.

On Thursday, Pallister flip-flopped again  and the $25/tonne tax was back on the table (with a July 1 start date).

Instead of offsetting the new carbon levy with an income tax cut, as was proposed in the 2018 Manitoba budget, he now plans to couple it with a PST cut. Theres been no explanation why an income tax offset was a good idea in 2018 but not in 2020, demonstrating what little analytical work has gone into the new plan.

Premier Brian Pallister and his cabinet were all smiles during Thursday's announcement. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

The provincial sales tax cut is expected to save taxpayers some $325 million annually; Pallister says the $25/tonne carbon tax will cost Manitobans $285 million.

In 2018, the province claimed the same tax at the same rate would cost $248 million. Its unclear why that number has increased 15 per cent in just two years; emissions have not increased that much during that period.

For its part, the federal government will now have to decide whether to go ahead with its scheduled increase to $30/tonne in April  or perhaps reduce it to $5/tonne in July, so that together with Pallisters new tax, it adds up to $30/tonne this year. If so, Ottawa could then increase its tax by $10/tonne next year, and another $10/tonne in 2022, to make good on its pledge to backstop to $50/tonne by 2022.

Manitoba could have two carbon taxes.

How all this will figure into the federal governments carbon tax rebates this year is anybodys guess. Its a mess.

The worst part of all is Pallisters carbon tax (and Ottawas backstop) will do virtually nothing to reduce emissions, as it is too low to change peoples consumption behaviour.

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On Thursday, Pallister continued to peddle the false notion his "green plan" will have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions: "Our plan will reduce emissions, and we have the science to back it up, by twice as much as the Ottawa backstop plan we have been told we should follow."

In fact, there is no science to back that stance up. The province has never shown how a $25/tonne carbon tax will reduce emissions by one megatonne over a five-year period, as its government claims.

None of this is about reducing emissions. This is about Pallister trying to score some cheap political points against the federal government.

Hes fumbled the ball so many times on the carbon tax, hes now looking for a political solution to a series of bad decisions. Hes going to create a new tax and cut another. Hes going to rob Peter to pay Paul to make himself feel better.

This is bad public policy. Its done on the fly, and has no clear objectives. This is Premier Brian Pallister at his worst.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
A University of Saskatchewan research team and collaborating scientists from across the country have been awarded almost $1 million over two years to develop animal models and test vaccine candidates for effectiveness and safety against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

The project led by USask's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) is part of a federal $26.7-million rapid research funding initiative aimed at contributing to global efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

"It's fantastic that the funders have fast-tracked this process to help worldwide efforts against this new virus," said Dr. Volker Gerdts, project co-applicant and director of VIDO-InterVac.

"VIDO-InterVac's containment level 3 facility was built specifically to develop solutions to global emerging infectious disease threats such as SARS-CoV-2."

The 12-member team led by Darryl Falzarano of VIDO-InterVac includes scientists from VIDO-InterVac, Dalhousie University, the National Microbiology Laboratory, the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, and the University of Manitoba.

"VIDO-InterVac has developed several coronavirus vaccines for animals, but there are still no commercial coronavirus vaccines for humans," said Falzarano. "This collaboration enables us to test multiple species for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection simultaneously and use the most suitable model to expedite vaccine development."

Animal models enable scientists to understand how a virus causes disease and is transmitted, as well as to evaluate vaccines, antiviral medications, and drugs to protect animals and humans.

"The global race is on to find out which is the best animal model for replicating the disease observed in humans. Is it mice, hamsters, or ferrets? Whichever model works best is the one we're going to use. Once the model is developed, we will then be able to test our vaccine candidates for effectiveness," said Gerdts.

"We will make the models available to other investigators who have leading candidate vaccines, antiviral drugs and immunity-boosting therapies."

The researchers hope to better understand key issues including transmission between animals, impact of age on disease, and susceptibility of common agricultural animals such as chickens, turkeys and pigs.

"Our predictions suggest that both chickens and pigs would theoretically be susceptible to the virus," said Falzarano. "We need to know: can they be infected? If so, do they become diseased, and do they shed virus?"

At a minimum, he expects the project will result in identifying animal models that replicate aspects of the disease in humans. The ferret model was a valuable model for SARS-CoV research and is the gold standard for respiratory infection modelling. SARS-CoV-2 has almost 80 per cent similarity to SARS-CoV.

"We are now making a vaccine at VIDO-InterVac and once the animal model is available, we will be able to test the vaccine candidate because we have the virus and have been able to isolate and grow it," said Falzarano.

"Our ultimate goal beyond this project is to develop a pan-coronavirus vaccine that provides protection against multiple coronaviruses."

Other VIDO-InterVac scientists involved in the project include Dr. Vladi Karniychuk, Qiang Liu, and Sylvia van den Hurk.

With one of the most advanced containment level 3 facilities in the world and an interdisciplinary scientific team, VIDO-InterVac is ideally positioned to lead the project, Falzarano said. VIDO-InterVac is well recognized for developing animal models for human diseases including models for MERS-CoV, Zika, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pertussis.

To help improve Canada's response and emergency preparedness to emerging threats such as SARS-CoV-2, VIDO-InterVac is building a pilot-scale vaccine manufacturing facility.

"Having a manufacturing facility would enable us to make a large amount of clinical-grade vaccine for early testing for human trials and animal models. This would help significantly reduce the response time in developing a vaccine during these emergent situations," said Falzarano.

###

Federal funding for the 47 projects across Canada is through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Genome Canada (GC).

To learn more about coronavirus research at VIDO-InterVac, watch a short video: https://youtu.be/4jl_GfrsPxY
India becomes largest tourism source market for Abu Dhabi

Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

That tourism from India accounts for a large portion of foreign visitors to the United Arab Emirates is a well-known fact. The UAE is in fact home to the highest number of Indians abroad with 3.42 million Indians - one-fourth of all Indians abroad.

So it comes as no surprise that the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that India is the largest source market of tourism for Abu Dhabi with visitors from the country touching 4,49,574 in 2019. This marks an 8.2% increase from the year before a 60% increase from 2015.

The Jubail Island Mangroves in Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

In order to bolster the ties between the tourism industries in Abu Dhabi and India, the DCT Abu Dhabi held a series of meetings with key tour operators in Delhi and Mumbai recently.

We are here to demonstrate that DCT Abu Dhabi remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborating closely with the Indian travel trade as we aim to grow the number of visitors to Abu Dhabi even further in 2020. India remains Abu Dhabis top source market due to our nations strong cultural and political ties and our common values, and factors like easy connectivity and a plethora of attractions that caters to every type of traveler  from families, couples, incentive groups to weddings, said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.

India is the largest source market of tourism for Abu Dhabi with visitors from the country touching 4,49,574 in 2019. Photo courtesy: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

Tourism in Abu Dhabi has seen a significant growth in 2019, with the emirate welcoming a record 11.35 million visitors through the year, a 10% increase from 2018, and Indians were a significant part of this footfall.

India has long been a priority for DCT Abu Dhabi, and the Indian market will certainly play a prime role in shaping our strategy for the future as well. There will be consistent marketing investment in India, spanning from a trade roadshow in the second half of 2020, trade partnerships to digital and social marketing presence, all in the hopes to position Abu Dhabi as the go-to destination for Indian travelers throughout the year, said Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi boasts of a range of tourist activities and places to visit including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr Al Watan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
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Patrick Henry, former Entropic CEO and founding CEO of GroGuru, brings his decades of entrepreneurial experience to the prestigious THRiVE AgTech accelerator program.LA JOLLA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Patrick Henry, former Entropic CEO, and CEO of GroGuru, brings his decades of entrepreneurial experience to the prestigious AgTech accelerator program. GroGuru has been selected as one of 13 companies as part of the THRiVE VI Accelerator Cohort. SVG Ventures-THRIVE is the leading AgriFood innovation ecosystem, comprised of top agriculture, food & technology corporations, universities, and investors. With a community of over 2,500 startups from 90 countries, the THRIVE platform invests, accelerates and creates unparalleled access for entrepreneurs to scale globally to solve the biggest challenges facing the food and agriculture industries."With an acceptance rate of less than 3 percent, admission to the award-winning THRIVE Accelerator Program is fiercely competitive. This latest cohort saw a total applicant pool of over 560 startups from seventy countries," said John Hartnett, CEO and Founder SVG Ventures-THRIVE. "GroGuru's strategic irrigation management solution has garnered tremendous interest from a number of our corporate partner companies, and we see a significant market need for the GroGuru solution." "GroGuru is thrilled to be part of the THRiVE VI Accelerator Cohort," said Patrick Henry, president and CEO of GroGuru. "Admission to this program gives GroGuru unprecedented access to key customers and potential strategic partners in the agriculture space. We are also excited to learn from the other cohort members and the THRIVE team. As a bonus, John Hartnett and his team have built a very special relationship with Forbes, that will give GroGuru tremendous exposure in the AgTech space, including presenting at the Forbes AgTech Conference in Salinas, CA later this year." The 13 Finalists, 4 from the United States, 3 from Canada, 3 from Australia and one each from Portugal, India and Chile, will kick off their 4-month Accelerator Program with a one week immersive Seed Camp in Salinas and Silicon Valley this week. Startups will get the opportunity to meet with many of SVG-THRIVE's Corporate Partners, tour Driscoll Berries, Taylor Farms and Yamaha Motor Ventures and attend workshops and networking events. The Accelerator Program culminates with a pitch at the renowned Forbes Agtech Summit in Salinas in June and the winner is awarded up to $200k in follow on investment and the opportunity to present at Forbes 30 under 30.About GroGuruGroGuru is a privately held company based in San Diego, CA that provides precision soil and irrigation monitoring systems to the commercial agriculture industry. GroGuru is focused on enabling farmers to increase crop yields while optimally use water, energy and other scarce resources in a sustainable way. GroGuru sells an innovative hardware-enabled subscription-based solution to farmers that enables optimal irrigation. GroGuru's patented 100 percent wireless underground system (WUGS) enables a permanent installation of soil sensors, even in annual field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and sorghum, that have a destructive harvest. GroGuru's WUGS-based systems can be buried below the till depth and communicate through several feet of soil wirelessly, thus eliminating the need for the sensors to be annually installed and removed for seeding and harvesting, respectively, for these annual crops. GroGuru is a portfolio company at the EvoNexus technology incubator, the premier technology incubator in Southern California. You can find GroGuru online at www.groguru.com About SVG Ventures-THRIVE Innovation PlatformSVG Ventures-THRIVE is the leading AgriFood innovation ecosystem, comprised of top agriculture, food & technology corporations, universities, and investors. With a community of over 2,500 startups from 90 countries, the THRIVE platform invests, accelerates and creates unparalleled access for entrepreneurs to scale globally to solve the biggest challenges facing the food and agriculture industries. THRIVE's corporate innovation program is focused on connecting their corporate partners with emerging technologies and startups that will make the most significant impact in their organizations. AgFunder recognizes SVG Ventures-THRIVE as the "Most Valuable AgriFood Platform in the World." For more information, please visit www.thriveagrifood.com Contact Info:Name: Amanda HenryEmail: Send EmailOrganization: GroGuruAddress: 4250 Executive Square Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037, United StatesPhone: +1-858-761-2169Website: https://www.groguru.com/ SOURCE: GroGuru
According to an epidemiological investigation, all citizens have visited the Republic of Italy in the last two weeks

In Russia, six new cases of coronavirus were spotted, TASS reports.

It is known that five patients are located in Moscow, one - in Nizhny Novgorod. All of them have been visiting Italy for the past two weeks.

"In the last 24 hours, six cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in Russian citizens - one case in Nizhny Novgorod, five cases in Moscow. According to an epidemiological investigation, all citizens have visited the Republic of Italy in the last two weeks," the message says.

As we reported earlier, as of March 2, there were three cases of coronavirus recorded in Belarus.

These cases are reported to have a high degree of confidence. The results will be sent to one of the laboratories to confirm.

Among the infected there is a resident of Vitebsk, he has a normal temperature, and his condition is satisfactory. Two more patients are also in a normal state without temperature in Minsk.

Speaking on Ukraine, as of March 6, nine people are suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.
A Vietnamese man returning home from South Korea passed away shortly after his arrival at an airport in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Wednesday, with doctors later confirming that he tested negative for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The patient has been identified as L.V.D., 65, a resident of Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta.

D. was in South Korea with his wife to visit their child.

The couples return flight landed at Can Tho International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, carrying 385 passengers.

Shortly after their arrival, D. became disoriented and fainted. Authorities had him admitted to the Can Tho Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Hospital for emergency treatment.

He was being treated in the quarantine area of the infirmary when he passed away on Thursday morning.

According to doctors, D. suffered septic shock due to pneumonia, acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and type-2 diabetes.

Cao Minh Chu, director of the hospital, confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the patient tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

Current government regulations require that all passengers arriving in Vietnam from South Korea be quarantined for 14 days.

Approximately 1,700 people are now being housed in quarantine areas throughout the Mekong Delta, including Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, and Tien Giang.

COVID-19 has killed 3,386 people and infected over 98,100 around the world since it first hit the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

The number of confirmed cases in South Korea  the largest cluster of infections outside of China  has exceeded 6,200 as of Friday morning. The country has reported 42 deaths caused by the COVID-19.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese.

All of them have fully recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

The country has reported no new cases since February 13.

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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.
An adviser to Iran's foreign minister who was involved in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, state media said today.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, an aide of Mohammad Javad Zarif, died late on Thursday according to official news agency IRNA which called him 'a veteran and revolutionary diplomat'.

It comes as Iran warned it may use 'force' to limit travel between cities, as the death toll reached 124 with 4,747 cases of coronavirus reported across the Islamic republic.

In 1979, Sheikholeslam was one of the Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 people hostage in a 444-day crisis, a year after the toppling of the American-backed shah.

A former ambassador to Syria, he also served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997.

He becomes the sixth politician or government official to be killed by the virus which has spread from Iran across the Middle East.

Hossein Sheikholeslam (pictured), an aide of Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, has become the latest senior official to die from coronavirus

The virus has already killed Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a member of the Expediency Council which advises supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Other officials who died of coronavirus include MP Mohammad Ali Ramezani and Mojtaba Pourkhanali, an agriculture ministry official, both from Gilan, one of the country's worst-hit provinces.

The others were Ahmad Toyserkani, an adviser to the judiciary chief, Hadi Khosroshahi, a former envoy to the Vatican and Mojtaba Fazeli, a secretary to a senior cleric.

Tehran MP Fatemeh Rahbar is currently in a coma after being infected, according to ISNA news agency.

A host of other officials have been infected and are under quarantine, including vice-president Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known in the West as 'Screaming Mary' for her role as a spokeswoman during the hostage crisis.

Deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi was also infected last month, just a day after he had played down the outbreak in a sweaty appearance at a press conference.

Grand ayatollah Musa Shobairi Zanjani, who is considered one of the country's highest religious authorities, is also a virus patient.

In 1979 Hossein Sheikholeslam was one of the Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 people hostage in a 444-day crisis (pictured)

Iran today confirmed coronavirus has killed 124 people amid 4,747 cases across the Islamic republic.

Authorities have also warned they may use 'force' to limit travel between cities.

Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour offered the figures at a televised news conference, acknowledging that the virus is now in all of Iran's 31 provinces.

The treat to use force may be in place to stop people from using closed schools and universities as an excuse to go to the Caspian Sea and other tourist destinations.

Images showed long lines of traffic as people tried to reach the Caspian coast from Tehran on Friday - despite authorities earlier telling people to remain in their cities.

The country announced on Thursday it would put checkpoints in place to limit travel between major cities, hoping to stem the spread of the virus.

Iran has closed schools and universities, suspended major cultural and sporting events and reduced working hours across the country to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus, which has spread to all of its 31 provinces.

Health minister Saeed Namaki said yesterday that classrooms would remain closed until the end of the Persian year on March 19, which is followed by national holidays into April.

'People should not consider this as an opportunity to go travelling,' the minister said. 'They should stay home and take our warnings seriously.

'This virus is highly contagious. It is a serious matter, do not joke about it.'

Iranian health workers disinfect the streets of the capital city Tehran yesterday with Iran battling the largest outbreak in the region

The clerical regime has been criticised for its failure to shut down the holy city of Qom after Iran's first cases were reported there.

The city attracts Shi'ite pilgrims from across the Middle East and travellers linked to Iran have been blamed for spreading the virus around the region.

Several countries have since closed borders or imposed travel bans to guard against virus patients from Iran.

Iran has also been battling shortages of medical supplies including masks and testing kits, a problem exacerbated by US sanctions.

The country has also cancelled Friday prayers in major cities including Tehran.

Health minister Namaki said Iran had begun a national plan to combat coronavirus which will start in the handful of locations most affected by the disease and expand to other parts of the country, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Families would be contacted by telephone to help identify possible cases and health teams will disinfect public spaces, he said, listing the provinces of Qom, Gilan and Isfahan as the locations where the plan would begin.

On Sunday, Namaki had said that 300,000 teams, including members of the Basij militia, would be sent out to perform door-to-door coronavirus screening.

The plan sparked criticism from Iranians online about the possibility of the teams spreading, rather than stopping, infections.

The latest plan announced on Thursday did not mention door-to-door screening.

More than 4,990 cases of the virus, which causes the illness COVID-19, have been confirmed across the Middle East. Iran and Italy have the world's highest death tolls outside of China.

In Tehran, firefighters sprayed disinfectant on a length of Tehran's famous Valiasr Avenue.

'It would be great if they did it every day,' grocery store owner Reza Razaienejad said after the firefighters sprayed outside his shop. 'It should not be just a one-time thing and should be done frequently, especially in places like here where movement and traffic happens a lot.'
Four dead as domestic dispute turns ugly

THAILAND: Four people were killed after a man shot his ex-wifes parents and his five-year-old daughter before killing himself over a custody dispute in Samut Sakhon on Wednesday (Mar 4) evening, police said yesterday (Mar 5).

crimedeathmurdersuicideviolence

By Bangkok Post

Friday 6 March 2020, 09:31AM

Police arrive at the scene of the shooting. Photo: Samut Sakhon Charity Foundation Facebook page.

Tim Suksawang, 74, was shot 11 times while his wife, 71-year-old Kanchanee Suksawang was shot twice, both with a 9-millimetre calibre gun.

When officers arrived around 11pm, the victims relatives pointed out that their five-year-old granddaughter was missing. They found bloodstains on the floor which lead to a neighbours warehouse about 300 metres away.

Officers suspected the gunman, Thanapat Limchuen, took the five-year-old girl into the warehouse with him. They surrounded the warehouse and a few minutes later heard several gunshots. They stormed in, only to find Thanapat and the girl dead.

The girl had gunshot wounds to her abdomen and left leg. Police suspected Thanapat committed suicide after realising he had accidentally shot his own daughter as he killed his former in-laws.

Police found Thanapat had been in a custody dispute with his ex-wife and had been asking her parents to let his daughter live with him, but they refused.

Before fleeing, the gunman also tried to enter his ex-wifes bedroom, where her 12-year-old daughter, her brother and his wife were also hiding. They were not hurt, police said.
BELIEVE Circle City High School, a new college and career-focused charter school in Indianapolis, will host an open house at 5 p.m. March 10 at the school, 2540 N. Capitol Ave. During the event, parents and prospective students can learn more about the school, founded by Kimberly Neal-Brannum.

Neal-Brannum founded a school in Chicago a decade ago, and while many students went on to college, many struggled to make a liveable wage. The school model will allow students to explore community, colleges and careers every Friday, and students will graduate BELIEVE with either an associate degree or a certification to work.

Im a first generation college graduate, and college was the income gap closer for me, Neal said. In our community, we have to start closing that income gap.

BELIEVE Circle City High School will open Aug. 10.
Two popular Malayalam news channels, Asianet News and Media One, have been barred for 48 hours by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Friday for their coverage of Delhi riots.

Both the channels have been blacked out since 7.30 pm after they were taken off air. Both ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress have spoken out against what they called gagging of the media. Interestingly, BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar owns Asianet and Mediaone by a group affiliated to Jammat-e-Islami.

The I&B Ministry has issued a six-page order separately explaining the action against them. The order alleged that their coverage of Delhi riots was provocative, could have incited violence, and highly critical of the RSS and the Delhi Police. It also said they have showed visuals claiming that police sided with a particular community and showed people who supported the Citizenship Amendment Act in bad light.

When contacted a senior editor of Asianet News said the group will react later. It was least expected. The management will give an explanation later, he said. Media One also refused to comment. Both ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress have criticised the move saying it was never heard of in the recent past.

Decision to halt the telecast of two news channels is unconstitutional and against the freedom of the press. All democratic minds should unite to raise their voice against the fascist decision, said state Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. These two channels were punished for telling the truth. PM Modis real character has been exposed yet again, said CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
The United States Marine Corps is no joke. Touted to be the largest Marine Corps in the whole wide world, it takes more than just sweat, blood, grit and tears to make it there.

While the US Marine Corps recruit training itself is a 13-week-long gruelling and soul-crushing regimen, it only marks a recruits formal entry into the Marine Corps service.

 Reuters

Post that, recruits have to undergo other forms of localised training overtime such as the infamous US Marine Corps Jungle Warfare and Cobra Gold Training.

What Is The US Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training

The US Marines jungle warfare training is conducted in a 17,500-acre dense tropical forest in Okinawa, Japan. The training centre is called Camp Gonsalves, and it is known for its unforgiving curriculum and training tactics that no trainee ever forgets.

 Reuters

The training aims to prepare Marines for any obstacle they might face in the wild during warfare. This training is done in severe terrains sharpen their jungle surviving skills and improve their techniques.

What Is Cobra Gold

 Reuters

As if that was not enough, the Cobra Gold jungle survival training is in a different league altogether. It is known to be the largest multilateral military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, wherein armed forces of its seven members or allies (Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United States) undergo annual military training in Thailand.

Now that you know how crazy the US Marine Corps can get with their training, here are 6 wild tactics that they use in their jungle warfare and survival training regimen:

 Reuters

1. To get to the US Marine jungle warfare training campsite located in the middle of nowhere, the Marines have to walk miles on foot and even survive through some terrain rope suspension techniques.

 Reuters

2. The six-day jungle warfare training involves the Marines rappelling off the side of steep cliffs and across dangerous slopes, crossing gorges using improvised cable bridge, navigating unsteady terrains, patrolling in the wild, rope management and surviving jungle booby traps.

 Reuters

3. The Cobra Gold training, on the other hand, exposes the Marines to amphibious assault, crisis evacuation, first-hand landmine destruction techniques, crucial jungle survival skills, and living off wild plants and animals besides other exercises.

 Reuters

4. Under the Cobra Gold curriculum, the Marines are taught how to find water sources in the wilderness, start fires, identify edible and non-edible vegetation, as well as find hydrating vines besides coming face to face with dangerous wild animals, insects and surviving them.

5. One of the most outstanding yet overwhelming aspects of the Cobra Gold training is said to be the exercises undertaken to learn jungle survival skills, which involve tasks like identifying and neutralizing venomous snakes, learning ways of finding wild creatures, hunting, skinning and eating them for survival, identifying edible wild fruits and alternate sources of water.

 Reuters

6. However, the most interesting part of the drill that has intrigued the masses for years now, are the wild tactics which use cobra blood to hydrate, live scorpions and lizards as sources of energy besides also feeding on komodo dragons, squirrels, monkeys, spiders and other wild creatures to sustain themselves in the heart of the wilderness.

Crazy, eh?
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australia faces an unprecedented threat from espionage and foreign interference but bans on such covert meddling are paying dividends, an Australian spymaster said.

Security Intelligence Organization Director-General Mike Burgess did not identify the countries behind the threats to Australia.

The level of threat we face from foreign espionage and activities is currently unprecedented, Burgess said in a speech late Monday that was his first annual threat assessment.

Minor party Sen. Rex Patrick called on the Australian government to call out China, Australias biggest trading partner, as a major source of the interference.

One thing that is missing from the dialogue is calling out the state actor involved, Patrick said Tuesday.

Its almost certain that in a number of foreign interference circumstances that it is China and we should be calling them out, as the Canadians do, as the U.S. does and the Czechs do, he added.

But Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who is responsible for Burgess secret service, said the threat was multi-pronged.

Were not just talking about China. Were talking about Russia, were talking about Iran and were talking about others, Dutton told Sky News television.

Chinas has long denied any foreign interference.

Burgess said the foreign interference in Australia was unprecedented because of its scale, breadth and ambition.

Almost every sector was at risk including government, media and universities.

Weve seen visiting scientists and academics ingratiating themselves into university life with the aim of conducting clandestine intelligence collection, Burgess said. This strikes at the very heart of our notions of free and fair academic exchange.

Australia angered China in 2018 by enacting sweeping national security legislation that banned covert foreign interference in domestic politics and made industrial espionage for a foreign power a crime.

Individuals lobbying for foreign governments now have to be listed on a public register in a step toward making foreign influence on Australian politics more transparent.

Story continues

Burgess said the legislation is already bringing dividends and is likely to grow in importance for us.

The Counter Foreign Interference Task Force, established last year to protect universities from foreign meddling, would become a vital element of our strategy to defeat this threat, Burgess said.

The task force also includes a research and intellectual property working group to protect academic freedom and intellectual property. It also safeguards universities against deception and undue influence.

A foreign collaboration working group ensures that collaborations with foreign entities are transparent and dont harm Australias interests.
Riyadh, March 6 : Saudi Arabia on Thursday warned its citizens against travelling to Iran and asked those who went there in February to contact the health ministry amid the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The warning was made after five novel coronavirus cases, four of them Saudi citizens who returned from Iran, have been registered in the kingdom, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The cases arrived via Bahrain or Kuwait without disclosing the fact that they had travelled to Iran to the Saudi authorities.

A statement published by the Saudi Press Agency urged on Thursday citizens who are currently in Iran to immediately report their travel to Iran upon arrival in the kingdom.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Airplanes sit on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on January 31, 2020 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images

The impact the coronavirus crisis is having on airlines is reminiscent of 9/11's effect on the industry, according to one analyst. Daniel Roeska, senior analyst for European transportation at Bernstein Research, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Friday that the way the outbreak was weighing on airlines had "a 9/11 feel because the demand-induced shock is not really related to economics." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned on Thursday that airlines could lose up to $113 billion in 2020 because of the coronavirus crisis. "The hope, of course, is that can reverse once we get greater clarity on the western countries what coronavirus actually will do," Roeska said. "This demand shock is very difficult on the airlines because there's really nothing you can do  you cannot lower prices to stimulate demand at this point in time. So what airlines will do is drastically reduce schedules, start cost restructuring measures and then of course you're looking at who is levered in what way."

He added most large airlines would not need rescuing in the near future, but the likelihood of that happening increased the longer the coronavirus outbreak dragged on. "For low cost airlines most of the tickets are non-refundable, so as long as those airlines don't agree to hand tickets back, actually the revenues for the next two or three months will not be catastrophic," he said. Larger legacy airlines were "diminishing by the minute," he warned, but would be bolstered by their financial strength, while the leverage of state-owned flight operators didn't look good. "If demand drops out but they need to continue paying staff, those airlines will need to start looking for financing pretty soon," he said. Roeska's take on the airline industry echoed comments made by SouthWest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly, who told CNBC on Thursday the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak "has a 9/11-like feel." "9/11 wasn't an economically driven issue for travel. It was more fear, quite frankly, and I think that that's really what's manifested this time," he said.
Will the courts take cognisance of the CAA being only one link in a chain of three? The proverbial jury, of course, is still out.

Edmund Burke, notable parliamentarian and philosopher, has said It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice tells me I ought to do. If you are unfamiliar with Burke, you might hazard a guess that he belonged to some ancient era. The laws that legislative bodies worldwide enact today seem to be tailored to ensure that lawyers can defend them plausibly enough to pass judicial muster, their true purpose plain for all to see but couched in language that cannot be struck down.

Ten days from now, Harish Salve will take silk in the United Kingdom, after the January announcement of his being appointed Queens Counsel. Salve needs no introduction in India, and his views on law, particularly constitutional matters, are keenly absorbed.

Viewed purely from a legal standpoint, his article, "CAA is Necessary", delineates with exactitude the various legislations, from 1946, 1955, 1983, 2003 and 2016, that come into play when analysing the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA).

When it comes to the arguments he makes to dismiss objections to the CAA, Salve chooses to ignore humanity. Perhaps he is right to do so  he might merely be pointing out the legal thickets the anti-CAA petitioners will have to wade through.

However, it sounds from the title of the article (and from previous statements too) that he believes we cannot do without the CAA in its present form. If true, it is a position that can be contested.

Salve makes three substantive points in the article. He asserts that If a law deals equally with members of a defined class (emphasis mine), it is not open to the charge of denial of equal protection on the ground that it has no application to other persons.

This is an interesting point. Can a law be contested because it apples to an irrationally defined class? Are there legal limits to how the government can phrase inclusions such that those it excludes turn out to be from one religion alone?

He also addresses what he calls the loudest argument  the supposed intention of the government to throw all Muslims out of India. He believes the argument to lack merit as There is no law, rule or notification (emphasis ours) published  or even a draft circulated  that would suggest that the government has any such intent. The Prime Minister has denied (emphasis ours) it.

Salve makes two distinct claims here. The first is misconstrued. No one asserts that the intention is to throw all Muslims out of India. The contention is that laws and procedures combine to strip citizenship from and disenfranchise undocumented Muslim residents in the country, whether born here or migrated from elsewhere, while simultaneously letting undocumented residents of six other faiths retain citizenship and voting rights even if they migrated from elsewhere. This intention is a little easier to infer than the one Salve posits.

The second claim is harder to contest. Would the court constrain the petitioners to laws, rules or notifications to establish the governments intention? Would a prime ministerial denial be sufficient grounds to reject the petitioners claim? Would a home ministers public statement, not to speak of the legendary chronological narrative, be negated by a prime ministers denial? We will know soon enough.

The third point questions how the amendment, "designed to confer the benefit on an identified class of persons, and which identification is based on a rational (emphasis ours) criterion, can be condemned as being discriminatory on the ground that the legislation could have created a wider class, arrived at by applying a broader criterion for identifying the class of those who would benefit by the legislation."

While the sharpest legal acumen, like Salves, will weigh in on this when the hearings begin, we do think that the rationality of the criteria is questionable. We can ignore the second half of his argument: we do not plead for a wider class of persons to be benefited by the CAA.

Our principal arguments (and, we suspect, those of the overwhelming majority of those objecting to the CAA) are:

The criteria currently applied by the CAA are not rational by any definition of the word. The discriminatory effect of the CAA manifests only when other, publicly declared and/or notified, actions of the government are viewed in concert with it.

The government might, in court, present new justifications for rationality but the ones it has advanced so far are woefully inadequate. To the best of our ability, we have summarized the governments explanations below:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan have a state religion. India has a land border with these three countries. People of the six faiths are minorities and persecuted in these countries. Undocumented people of these faiths from these countries fled persecution to India. Muslims by definition are not persecuted in these countries as state religion is Islam. The Indian National Congress divided the country on the basis of religion.

The first four are statements of fact but fail as rational criteria because each one is an incomplete list of qualifying entities, and when put together, they effectively constitute a targeted exclusion. The last two are falsehoods. The last one has been rebutted effectively in Parliament and outside it, and in any case will be laughed out of court.

The Act defines its class of illegal immigrant beneficiaries based on 4 criteria:

They should be from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. They should be Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Hindu, Parsi or Sikh. They should have fled from their country due to religious persecution or fear of it. They should have entered India before 31 December, 2014.

Several questions arise:

1. Why are Afghanistan, Bangladesh & Pakistan the countries the Act applies to?

a. Because they are neighbours? Why exclude Bhutan, China, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka? Virtually all are accused of systemic religious persecution too.

b. Because we share land borders? Why exclude Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Nepal? Why include Afghanistan, when the 66 mile land border has never been a de facto border since October 1947, due to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir?

c. Because they were involved in Partition? Why include Afghanistan? It was never part of British India and was a sovereign nation since 1919. Why exclude Myanmar? It was part of British India until 1937.

d. Because they have state religions? Why exclude Bhutan and Sri Lanka which have state or foremost religions, or the Chinese State that persecutes believers irrespective of religious affiliation?

2. Why does the amendment benefit Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Christian & Parsi undocumented immigrants who fled religious persecution?

a. If the aim is to aid refugees persecuted for religious beliefs, Ahmadis, Hazaras, Shias, Sufis, Rohingya Sunnis, Chinese and Tibetan Buddhists, Uyghur Muslims, Bhutanese Hindus and Buddhists, Chinese, Bhutanese & Burmese Christians are also persecuted, with the first four being persecuted in the very three countries specified by the amendment.

b. If the aim is to aid refugees whose religions emerged in India, why include Christianity (apart from a cynical bid to mute criticism by the West) and the Parsi faith? Why exclude Bhutanese Lhotsampa (Hindus, Buddhists and Animists), Sri Lankan Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists from its ambit?

c. People of six faiths from three countries are not the only undocumented refugees to have entered India. However, the government repeatedly claims that it does not have related statistics. Why does the government not transparently inform us how many benefit from the amendment and how many are excluded?

d. Incidentally, if the aim is to legalise refugees who fled persecution from only three countries, people are persecuted there for other reasons: atheism, blasphemy, gender, political views, sects, sexual orientation

3. Why is this Amendment of the Citizenship Act required now?

a. India has previously offered refuge and citizenship on humanitarian grounds without a law that uses religious criteria to include or exclude beneficiaries.

b. If persecution of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs in Islamic countries is the genuine reason, why impose a cut-off date of 31 December, 2014 when the government simultaneously claims on-going persecution?

4. How will the government separate refugees fleeing religious persecution from undocumented migrants when implementing this amendment?

a. Since the amendment is solely for those persecuted for their religion who fled from three countries, how will the government determine if each applicant was persecuted or not?

b. Why do the reported draft CAA rules omit any need to prove religious persecution? Instead, applicants will merely have to show an official Indian document issued before 2014 that states their religion as one among the six faiths in the CAA.

c. What prompted the home minister to tell Parliament that this Act benefits lakhs and crores of people, when the Intelligence Bureau director testified that only 31,313 illegal immigrants will benefit?

It is hard to avoid the conclusion many have reached. The Act is meant to exclude Muslims from gaining citizenship if they are undocumented. That is why these three countries were chosen and others not included  it provided the fig-leaf of Islam as state religion.

That is why minorities like Ahmadis, Hazaras, Shias and Sufis are conflated into a homogenous Muslim denomination. Narendra Modi, for example, is now mum about the Ahmadis who he campaigned so heavily for when he was chief minister of Gujarat. The beneficiary count mentioned by Shah that runs into lakhs and crores only makes sense in the context of undocumented non-Muslims avoiding exclusion in the NRC via the CAA. In a country where, according to the UNICEF, even as late as 2016, 20 percent of all new births were undocumented, millions of people will indeed have trouble providing the right documents.

The next step, the National Population Register, obtains data about all residents. The new questions introduced in the 2020 NPR when compared to the exercise conducted in 2010 relate to the birthplace and birth dates of parents of individuals, etc. The answers provide no information of value unless used to categorise some citizens as doubtful.

The third is the National Register of Citizens through which undocumented Muslims would be filtered (using the CAA as the sieve), disenfranchised and incarcerated. A denial by the prime minister or even back-tracking by the home minister notwithstanding, the 2018-19 Annual Report of the home ministry clearly declares (Chapter 15; Page 262) that the NPR is the first step towards the creation of the National Register of Indian Citizens.

Will the courts take cognisance of the CAA being only one link in a chain of three? The proverbial jury, of course, is still out. The arguments Salve outlines, and more, will no doubt be presented; here is hoping that we hear legal arguments and the courts conclusions soon.
UPDATE: N.J. private high school closes after fears students were exposed to coronavirus at N.Y. event

New Jersey advised all public schools to plan for building closures during a potential coronavirus outbreak and announced the state will count home instruction days toward the required 180-day school year if districts are ordered to close by state or local health officials.

The state informed superintendents in a memo sent Thursday evening, saying home instruction can include online learning or other means developed by the district to meet the needs of its students.

Every district must create a plan for providing equitable instruction, including appropriate special education services, according to the memo. Those plans must be submitted to the county superintendent.

The guidance allows schools to keep students at home without having to schedule makeup days at the end of the school year. But it raises a litany of logistical questions as schools must now plan for days, and possibly weeks, of home instruction unlike anything most have done before.

We would be in uncharted territory, said Steve Baker, spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association, the states largest teachers union.

Its unclear how many schools are equipped to provide a remote education. Not all students have an internet connection at home and not all schools have enough devices to send home.

State lawmakers had pressed the state Department of Education to give schools guidance, saying they worried schools would remain open out of fear they wouldnt be able meet the minimum 180-day school year.

If we have the ability to limit the risk to both our children and their teachers while continuing their education, thats something that would be smart to do," said Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union.

New Jersey already allows home or online instruction in special circumstances, including when individual students have temporary or chronic health conditions, according to the state. However, those rules were not created to apply to the closure of entire school districts.

Some schools have also experimented with online learning days for bad weather, but the state doesnt count them toward the mandatory 180-day school year unless teachers are in school and facilities are physically open.

Baker called home instruction for entire districts far from ideal" but said it is in students best interest to keep learning.

The NJEA is worried, however, that students without internet access wont get an equitable experience learning from home, Baker said.

We urge districts and the New Jersey Department of Education to do everything in their power to ensure that no students are denied their right to public education because they are unable to access the internet, he said.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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As COVID-19 spreads around the globe and starts to multiply in the United States, fear around the pneumonia-like virus that originated in China is spreading more rapidly than the virus itself.

Public health departments around the Bay Area are advising the public to not panic and remain calm. Yet a handful of school closures and murmurs of more, plus talk of residential lockdowns and food shortages, are leading people to think their lives may dramatically change in coming weeks. Nobody seems to know exactly how.

Why don't we know more about COVID-19? Why don't we have a clearer picture of what might unfold?

The reason for the uncertainty is the newness of this virus, experts agree.

"Its brand new," said Dr. John Swartzberg, a clinical professor in UC Berkeley's Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology Division."It hasnt existed before. The virus appeared to enter human beings in late November or early December. Were talking about something weve had less than three months exposure to."

Dr. Maria Raven, chief of emergency medicine at UCSF, gave similar reasons.

"Were not exactly sure how infectious it is, how easily it spreads and how serious it is, because were relying on the limited data from China," Raven said. "The majority of the infections have been in China. Its hard to base our expectations on that, because of the way they tested and who they tested and because a large majority of the male population smokes. Its hard to extrapolate from one location to another area."

The virus has been identified in more than 80,000 people in China since it was first discovered in the port city of Wuhan early last year. By contrast, the United States has about 215 patients who have tested positive as of Thursday, making for a limited pool of cases for researchers to study.

"Here in the United States, we havent been testing widely," said Raven. "The testing has been limited to those who are very sick."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially limited testing to people with serious signs of disease who had a travel history or known contact with an infected patient. Testing was also highly restricted by the availability of testing kits. In a Feb. 27 press conference, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state had received only 200 kits, a number he called "simply inadequate." The rules have since been revised and more test kits are being distributed, but they're still in short supply.

"The restrictions are being let up a little," said Raven. "In California, the California Department of Public Health is now the arbiter of testing and not the CDC. Its a little less restrictive. They have limited kits. Next week at UCSF, were going to get our own testing kits. Stanford already has their own."

As cases and testing increase, more data will become available and experts will have a better idea on the future of coronavirus. Here are some of the questions they're looking to answer:

What's the rate of spread?

It's still unclear how easily the virus spreads, but the World Health Organization believes that it spreads easily  more easily than the flu and more easily than SARS and MERS, two other known coronaviruses that cause severe disease.

According to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, each infected person would infect about two other people, said Raven.

"This means it's pretty infectious," she said. "Basically you want it below one person to have it contained. That usually happens when you have a vaccine."

Dr. Jan Carette, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford, adds the spread has been difficult to pin down, because in so many infected patients, the disease seems to be mild.

"For SARS, in all patients it usually led to severe disease, so it was easy to identify these people," Carette said. "The symptoms were obvious. It was easy to quarantine them. For COVID-19, it seems the symptoms luckily arent as severe as SARS and that can be a blessing or a curse, because infected people arent going to the doctor. They aren't being infected. People mistake it for a common cold. Its hard to tell."

What's the mortality rate?

The mortality rate is the percentage of deaths that occur among infected patients, and it's used to determine the severity of a virus. Scientists cant tell yet how deadly the new virus thats spreading around the globe really is, and the mortality rate has been a moving target.

WHO announced Tuesday that based on the current numbers, the global mortality rate for the disease caused by a new coronavirus was 3.4%. It is more fatal than the common flu, which kills less 1% of those infected.

The figure was a bit of a surprise, since a study from the Chinese Center for Disease Control, looking at 44,000 patients who tested positive, estimated the death rate was 2.3%.

"While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity; that means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO.

U.S. health officials said they expect a far lower death rate for the virus than WHO's current estimate, saying it does not account for mild cases that go uncounted. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir, citing a model that included mild cases, said the United States could expect a death rate somewhere between 0.1%  like seasonal flu  and 1%.

Death rates in outbreaks are likely to skew higher early on as health officials focus on finding severe and fatal cases, missing most milder cases. WHO says the majority of people with the new coronavirus experience only mild symptoms and do not require any treatment.

How is it transmitted?

"Even how its transmitted is a little uncertain," said Raven. "The World Health Organization says you can only be infected by droplets, where as the CDC says it could be airborne."

Raven is referring to WHO's stance on spread that says the disease spreads from person-to-person through small droplets expelled from the nose or mouth of an infected person who coughs or exhales. WHO's recommendation is to stay at least three feet away from an infected person.

The CDC says COVID-19 can be transmitted through droplets and close contact, but also between people who are within about six feet of one another.

Raven said the virus is definitely spreading through the Bay Area, and this is apparent in the number of people testing positive who haven't traveled to a destination with an outbreak or had contact with a person known to be infected. She said as more testing becomes available, more cases will be reported.

"There could be people walking around with it, but we just dont know," she said.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

It is unclear, but WHO said preliminary data reveal COVID-19 seems to behave like other coronaviruses.

"Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days," according to a statement from WHO. "This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment)."

How long will the virus continue to infect populations? How long will it last?

It's not uncommon for a virus to die off naturally, and with well-studied viruses that repeatedly appear in populations, researchers generally know how they will behave.

"Every year, we see flu come in around December and then dribble off in April," said John Swartzberg, a clinical professor at UC Berkeley's Infectious Disease & Vaccinology Division. "With COVID-19, we have no idea what its going to do."

Swartzberg noted the 1918 Spanish flu was an exception as it began in spring and then died off over the summer before exploding in fall. It killed between 50 million and 100 million people around the globe from 1918 to 1920.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:


During the 1950s, tourists would sometimes make their way to downtown Las Vegas to watch the bloom of an atomic mushroom cloud 75 miles away. Casinos held early-morning viewing parties for and named cocktails after the nuclear bomb that had, by some estimates, ended the lives of 150,000 people in two blinding instants just 10 years prior. One hundred atomic bombs were set off in the atmosphere above the Nevada Test Site that decade; the wind would carry the fallout east, into St. George, Utah, where cancer rates spiked. Eventually, atmospheric tests ceased, but another 921 detonations occurred underground in the decades that followed.

By the mid 80s, the tests began to attract a different audience. Thousands of protesters made their way to Nevada, calling on the government to abandon nuclear weapons and embrace peace. The largest of these actions came in spring 1988, when thousands of people attempted to reclaim the site, among them, the San Francisco writer, historian and activist Rebecca Solnit.

It was here, in this place of convergence, that many threads came together for Solnit. She often says, The Nevada Test Site taught me to write.

In the years since, Solnit has written a great many things: a long list of books (about western landscapes, the art of wandering and the violence women face), genre-refuting memoirs, numerous essayistic newspaper articles, cutting and astute commentary. She has been called, in various headlines, a philosopher queen and the voice of the resistance (a term she does not claim for herself). There are awards and fellowships, too  a Guggenheim and another from the National Endowment for the Arts  just to name two.

And now shes written something else, a memoir called Recollections of My Nonexistence, on sale Tuesday. The book is, ostensibly, about Solnits formative years in San Francisco, about her first light-filled apartment in Western Addition and the life she made there. But, as with most of her writing, Solnit starts there and wanders (with purpose) in dozens of directions, one of which is, briefly, the Nuclear Test Site.

Portrait on the right by Trent Davis Bailey

On a recent winter evening, Solnit poured black tea from a white kettle into two white cups resting on her white table. Shed insisted on making proper tea if it was to be black tea. She did not want to just teabag it. Solnits San Francisco home is full of light and full of white. It is also full of books, organized by color. She says its been some time since shes let a stranger, a journalist, into her home. She likes to keep it private.

Solnit is direct and self-assured. Her eyes  the color of blue ice, the oldest sort of ice, the kind found in glaciers  are hard to look away from and they seem to look deep into you. Her hair, once blond through and through  a point of tension, shes written, with her mother  has taken on some gray. She speaks quickly but calmly and with a perceptible rhythm.

The Nevada Test Site was just such a rich complex experience, she said. It felt like a place of convergence. You had Buddhist monks from Japan, nuclear physicists and atomic veterans and down-winder Mormons. You had the Western Shoshone whose land it was. You had all these extraordinary communities coming together. You know, youre in a very specific, concrete, profoundly tangible place of the deep, dry desert, but a place that was about global geopolitics and the fate of the world.

The problem was, how do you capture something like that in writing? Solnit had graduated from journalism school at UC Berkeley, where she learned to commit journalism. Shed also had practice in art criticism and essay writing. The trick, she realized, was to merge the three  the research tools of journalism, the interpretative capacity of criticism and her own lyrical voice  just as the nuclear site had brought so many disparate narratives together in one great and dusty expanse. These three separate things are only separate according to some rules I can forget about for the rest of my life.

Jon Winet

More information on Rebecca Solnit Events Rebecca Solnit in conversation with Andrew Sean Greer: 7 p.m. March 16. $20. ($38.50 with book.) Internet Archive, 300 Funston Ave., S.F. www.booksmith.com/event/SOLNIT

Rebecca Solnit in conversation with Brit Marling: 7:30 p.m. May 11. $29. Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., S.F. www.cityarts.net Book "Recollections of My Nonexistence: A Memoir" By Rebecca Solnit, Viking, (256 pages, $26) See More Collapse

Rebecca Solnit weaves as much as she writes. Her writing is steeped in patterns and connections. Virginia Woolf, the Zapatista uprising, Nelson Mandela will all unite to offer lessons on hope. Maybe the best example, though, are the Invisible City atlases she creates (one for San Francisco, one for New Orleans and one for New York), which pair maps and essays. In these books, her mind is mapped out visually. On one image of San Francisco, a collection of queer public spaces is shown alongside Monarch butterfly habitats. On another, the citys lost industries of the 1960s along with the still surviving 6 a.m. bars.

Often, reading Solnits work can feel like floating down a river with no map. There are detours and oxbows, points of confluence, broad deltas that lead in many directions, sometimes over waterfalls, and then to the ocean.

Im the kid in  do you remember the movie The Sixth Sense? she asks. Do you remember hes like, I see dead people? I always felt like I see patterns.

The threads for these patterns come partly from an unfathomably wide set of interests, but they also derive from the simple act of living. There is a way that if you write nonfiction, your entire life is a research expedition and everything is potentially material, Solnit says. Not in the sense of exploiting people when they confide in you, but of constantly discovering and discovering patterns and meanings and connections and possibilities and finding unexpected subjects.

In this sense, Solnit is almost always writing, she says. Some days, thats a footnote. Some days its revision and subtraction. Thats writing. Thinking is writing. I actually lay in bed for a while and thought about the book Im working on now before I got up. So theres, you know, there are so many things that are writing.

Sometimes, she says, not writing is its own sort of writing. You let the well recharge. You let the fields lie fallow. Sometimes you go away, because you get stuck at a certain point or you just kind of burn out in a small way. Going and doing something completely different is also an important part of writing.

Mark Klett

The plan, Solnit wrote in an email, was to meet at the monument at the eastern tip of the Panhandle around 5 p.m., dusk-ish. Shed agreed to lead an informal tour around the neighborhood that was, in 1980, her introduction to the city, the one she thanks in Recollections of My Nonexistence for an education in urbanism.

Solnit points out the ghosts of Laundromats and corner stores that often get called liquor stores, but are a lot more than that to the neighborhoods they serve. She waves at the Patty Hearst kidnap house and at what was once an AIDS hospice.

Would she consider herself a nostalgic person?

She thinks for a moment. Im deeply attached to the past. But nostalgia is sometimes too naive. I think nostalgia is often a really simplified everything-was-better-MAGA (Make America Great Again) kinda thing.

She trails off, lost for moment. Sorry, looking at my apartment for the first time in a while. Do you see the brown thing across the street? ... They painted the building again. Thats the best paint job that place has had since 1980. First it was peach, then it was gray with red and blue trim, a palette that reminded me of mens pajamas. And then it was a color I called seasick green.

Its a very simple paint job and not a particularly lovely one  gray on the bottom floor and a washed-out brown for the top two. But it was never about the paint job, it was about the luminous home that came thanks to James V. Young, the building manager whom she always just called Mr. Young. He let her apply for the spot under her mothers name, took a chance and gave her  a young, ignorant, poor and almost friendless woman  a home. Thats the garage Mr. Young hung out in. The one with the No parking

But back to nostalgia. I do think some things were generally much better. Im nostalgic for a quality of time and presence. (Later shell add this: Im nostalgic for people who know where the hell they are.)

Jon Winet

Theres evidence that Solnit has sought to live a determinedly interesting life, one full of adventures to all parts of the globe and some deeply remote places, one that is open to most any experience as it greets her.

Geography always comes up when talking about Solnit, road trips here and there and back again. Catherine Harris, one longtime friend Solnit writes about meeting in Recollections of My Nonexistence, remembers a trip from San Francisco to Santa Fe. It was part research, part fun. (The film Thelma and Louise had just come out.) At one point they found themselves at the Grand Canyon. They had hoped to make it down to the base, but it wasnt possible so instead they went for a shorter hike. I remember popping up out of this canyon and being kind of farther than we should have been from the road, Harris says. We didnt have water, and we had to keep going, and I had this sensation in me of, Wow. I wish we were were better prepared. There was just such a calm acceptance from Rebecca of like Oh well, well be fine.

She just knows how to make a way through this world and how to make sense of it and how to make it beautiful. Because then, you know, in the retelling of it, it becomes these adventures.

These moments come up a lot. Stella Lochman, another friend and the research assistant for Solnits series of atlases, remembers a time when Solnit seemed to still everything around them. She and Solnit and a couple others had driven to Sacramento right after the 2016 election, a last-ditch protest against the impending presidency of Donald Trump. That was the last  what, at the moment, seemed like the last bit of hope. On the way back, Solnit had them stop the car to take a walk in a delta. We jsut looked at the birds and were just with each other and had this moment that was outside of time and space that I think is perfectly Rebecca.

(Its also worth noting that Solnit, many years ago, gave Lochman a sort of permission to remain in San Francisco. She didnt have to move to New York to be somebody. She really changed my life.  No one had ever told me that before. No one had ever told me San Francisco was enough.)

Other friends remember gifts of kumquats and having known her for just a short time before they were already in a car with her, off on some research trip  maybe to the desert or to Detroit or to New Orleans, post-Katrina.

Photograph on the right by Catherine Harris /

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.

Solnit has given away much of herself in her writing. Shes written about a cruel father and cold mother, whom she would later take care of as Alzheimers erased all the stories her mother held.

In Recollections of My Nonexistence, she writes about her escape from that life and her search for a new one, made up of punks and queers in San Francisco and beyond. The gay men and lesbians around me encouraged me to imagine that gender is whatever you want it to be, and that the rules were breakable she writes, and that the price to pay for breaking them was generally worth it and then some.

Femnism and the violence and erasure women endure have often been central to Solnits writing. A great many people probably know her as the author of Men Explain Things to Me. She continues on that path in this new memoir. She includes a frontispiece, an image of a small desk, a dainty Victorian piece of furniture, as she describes it, upon which shes written millions of words. (It still exists in her home, and it, too, is white.) The desk, with dowled legs, knobby ornaments and drawer pulls like tassels or teardrops once belonged to a friend who was almost stabbed to death by an ex-boyfriend a year before gifting it to Solnit. Someone tried to silence her, she writes. Then she gave me a platform for my voice.

To this and other stories, she adds her own experiences of being followed at night, or getting mugged and being disbelieved. But even as she writes about her life, theres a sense that shes not writing about herself so much as in service of a greater story. I am a person whos probably luckier than  I know Im luckier than a lot of people. I got published. I didnt get raped. I didnt get murdered, she says. But, then, if this is lucky, there is no such thing. Even my extremely mild version of it allows me to bear witness to the forces that want to exterminate (women), she says. As she writes in her book, It gets you even if it doesnt get you.

Its a shattering truth, and yet, somehow, Solnit has not abandoned her politics of hope.

During the second Bush administration, a little more than a month after the United States went to war with Iraq, Solnit wrote a treatise, of sorts, on hope. Her point was that not knowing the future gives us cause for hope. She quotes from Virginia Woolfs journal: The future is dark, which is on the whole, the best thing the future could be.

Dark, Solnit clarified, means inscrutable, not terrible.

The second Bush administration seems like a faraway place now. At the time, Solnit says, he seemed like the worst president ever, and now he seems like an incredibly law-abiding, disciplined, articulate person, none of which he was, but, you know, were grading on a curve. Still, in many things, but especially the state of the world, Solnit tries to take a very, very long view. What data do you take in? she asks. Feminism is so much more dynamic and exciting than it was my entire adult life until 2013. And theres been so much progress in actually addressing racism, transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, etc.

Its that bizarre experience of looking at these things that are extraordinarily horrible with a certain amount of elation because were finally naming them and doing something about them.

Jon Winet

In Recollections of My Nonexistence Solnit writes briefly about a church not two blocks from her old home in Western Addition. The New Strangers Home Baptist church, a three-story Victorian building with two cross-topped turrets like grain silos on either side of the building. She writes about wondering what a new stranger might be whenever shed pass by.

The church is still there, and on the evening of our walk, she came to be in front of it once again. There was music coming from inside, and so, without any hesitation, she walked up the steps. The man at the door nodded. Welcome. Welcome.

Thank you. Thank you. God bless you, Solnit said. We just wanted to look for a second.

The group inside, mostly young people, sang in Spanish to a sort of soft-rock backing track.

I used to live here for a long, long time, Solnit told the man as she left.

Back on the sidewalk, walking again. That is not something I expected, Solnit said. Its still the New Strangers Home.

For a moment, in the quiet, there was a very clear sense that perhaps shed found another connection, another thread to follow somewhere far away.

Correction: This story previously misstated the direction wind carried the fallout from the Nevada Test Site. It went east, into St. George, Utah.

Ryan Kost is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkost@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @RyanKost
As the Democratic primary entered its final phase this week, leaving Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders vying for the nomination, the two sparred Thursday night over Social Security, trading barbs on Twitter and setting up the contours of the remaining months of the campaign.

This isn't the first time the former vice president and the Vermont senator have gone at it over this issue - they feuded over Biden's record on the entitlement program back in January. But the stakes are higher now that it's a two-man race. (Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is still in, but has not amassed enough support to be considered a serious contender.)

The late-night back-and-forth began with Biden commenting on a video of President Donald Trump at a Fox News-hosted town hall in which the president says he'll cut social safety net programs in his next term.

"Here's the deal, folks: social security is on the ballot this year, and the choice couldn't be clearer: I'll protect and expand it. Donald Trump will cut it and take it away," Biden tweeted.

Shortly thereafter, Sanders chimed in.

"Here's the deal: Joe Biden has repeatedly advocated for cuts to Social Security. I've fought my whole career to protect and expand it," he wrote.

"Get real, Bernie. The only person who's going to cut Social Security if he's elected is Donald Trump. Maybe you should spend your time attacking him," Biden shot back.

"Get real, Joe. One of us has a history of not only fighting cuts to Social Security but working to expand benefits. And that's why we are the campaign best positioned to defeat Donald Trump," Sanders responded.

Sanders and his supporters have slammed Biden over past comments on Social Security - an issue of utmost importance to the most reliable voting bloc: those over 65 years old - highlighting a video that has been deemed misleading by some fact-checkers. In the video from 2018, Biden is seen commending former House speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for his proposed cuts to Social Security. But Biden says he was being facetious and later in the speech he talks about the need to keep Social Security intact.

There were times over Biden's senatorial career when he supported policies to lower the deficit or balance the budget that could have frozen spending on Social Security.

But his aides point to many occasions when Biden voted to preserve Social Security. He was also a staunch defender of the program as vice president. Though one year President Barack Obama proposed using a different calculation for cost-of-living increases in Social Security that would have resulted in cuts, which Sanders successfully fought to block.

Sanders told reporters Wednesday that he did not want to run a campaign of personal insults, but would focus his attacks on Biden on the issues. He re-released a TV ad he ran in January that hits Biden on Social Security with audio of the then-Delaware senator in 1995 discussing freezing spending for entitlement programs.

"Well, we've got some bad news for them," Sanders says in the spot. "We are not going to cut Social Security. We're going to expand benefits."
The US welcomes the agreement reached by the Russian and Turkish leaders regarding the situation in the Syrian province of Idlib, the representative of the US State Department told TASS.

He expressed hope that this will help de-escalate the extremely dangerous situation and alleviate the grave humanitarian crisis.

The US is looking forward to discussing the details of developments with its NATO ally, Turkey, which is seeking a lasting ceasefire, he said adding that it is extremely important now what actions will be taken in the war zone by Syrian President Bashar Assad and those who support him.

The only way to resolve this conflict is to establish a ceasefire throughout the country and a political solution through talks according to the UN Security Council resolution 2254, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syrias Idlib province at the talks in Moscow on Thursday. According to the agreements, the hostilities in Idlib should be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6. Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrols of the area along the MH4 highway on March 15, where a security corridor will be set up. Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syrias sovereignty and agreed to continue the fight against terrorism.
The Trump administration may take targeted steps to stimulate the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus outbreak that is likely to temporarily drag down some sectors, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday.

Kudlow, speaking in a round of television interviews, said it was too early to determine the magnitude of any slowdown but that the nation's overall economy remained fundamentally strong and was not headed for a recession.

U.S. officials were concerned about people who may have to stay home because of the outbreak and lose wages, as well as about small business and airlines, among others, he said.

White House officials told the Washington Post the measures could include tax deferrals for the worst-affected sectors, particularly airlines and cruise ship owners, and the travel industry generally.

Airlines have warned about cratering demand, particularly on lucrative international routes, have cut flights and are preparing for more falls in demand.

South West Airlines, which is almost entirely focused on domestic passengers, also warned this week that it has seen demand fall.

And cruise lines have seen bookings collapse. Norwegian Cruise Lines has seen its share price drop by almost 50 per cent in a week.

Larry Kudlow said Friday that the Trump administration may take steps to stimulate the American economy amid coronavirus fears

President Trump's administration is looking at ways the economy could be stimulated as the markets wobble thanks to the coronavirus outbreak

Airlines bosses were at the White House Wednesday and cruise executives are expected next week.

'We're looking for targeted measures that will do the most good in a short period of time,' Kudlow told Bloomberg News.

'We're not looking at big, expensive, macro cash rebates - helicopter money from the sky that never works,' he added on Fox Business Network, saying any help would be directed to 'those areas that have been hit the worst.'

'We are not looking at giving everybody $1,000,' he added.

U.S. and global markets have slid for the past two weeks as the spread of coronavirus outside of China has raised investors' fear of the outbreak's impact as the number of cases neared 100,000 worldwide. In the United States, the death toll from the respiratory illness rose to 14.

The U.S. market slide alone had wiped out nearly $4 trillion of value through Thursday.

Kudlow said the administration needed more information first before it could act and that more details could come next week.

'We don't want to act prematurely,' he told Fox.

Problems: A flight attendant from Denver with Frontier Airlines posted this photo of an empty plane on Wednesday. The airline industry is warning it expects severe drops in demand

President Trump could act via an executive order, or he could also turn again to Congress, which this week approved an $8.3 billion bill aimed at efforts to boost the U.S. response to the outbreak, including money for drug and vaccine development as well as the public health efforts.

Trump signed the measure into law earlier on Friday.

He said the administration was not inclined to enact a temporary payroll tax cut, or lowering tariffs on imports, which some experts have said could ease global supply chain problems.

Kudlow again reiterated that long-term investors should buy stocks now amid the global dip in prices.

Last week, Kudlow said that administration had 'contained' any financial damage due to coronavirus.

'I won't say airtight, but pretty close to airtight,' the Trump adviser said on CNBC. 'We have done a good job in the United States.'
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: As part of its crackdown against the anti-CAA protesters who had allegedly indulged in violence, arson and vandalism during the stir against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on December 19-20, the district administration has put up hoardings with the photos and addresses of 53 protesters at prominent crossings across the city.

Prominent among those who feature on the hoardings are Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas, retired IPS SR Darapuri and Congress leader Sadaf Jafar, all of whom were named as accused in the violence, arson and vandalism that rocked the state capital on December 19-20 resulting in the loss of one life.

While interacting with media persons, Lucknow district magistrate Abhishek Prakash claimed that the hoardings had the names and addresses of people identified by the district administration for indulging in violent activities during the protests. Around 100 such hoardings will be put up at several places, he said adding that recovery notices had also been served on them. If they dont pay for the damage, then their properties will be confiscated, he maintained.

As per sources, the Lucknow district administration has assessed the damage to public property owing to vandalism and arson during the protests at Rs 1.55 crore. Ten people from Thakurganj and six from Qaiserbagh area have been served recovery notices of over Rs 69 lakh so far.

Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas and Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiqs son Sibtain Noori are among the 16 who have been served notices. Meanwhile, reacting to the step taken by the Lucknow district administration, retired IPS officer and activist SR Darapuri, whose picture figures among the 53 protesters on the hoardings, dubbed the exercise undemocratic here on Friday.

Claiming that he would file a defamation case against the administration, Darapuri said he had not received any notice so far. He added that he would challenge it in the High Court and also file a writ petition. Our crime has not been proven yet in the court and not even the charge sheet has been filed in this case. We will go for appeal against this step, he said.
A Russian delegation at the weekly meetings of the OSCE Permanent Council constantly declares compliance with OSCE principles, but the facts indicate the opposite.

Charge dAffaires of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Harry Kamian said this at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, March 5, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Each week we witness a stark contrast in this council between Russias rhetoric claiming adherence to OSCE principles and the facts on the ground," he said.

Russias attempts to mislead do not hide the truth about the Russia-fomented conflict in eastern Ukraine, the abuses in Russia-occupied Crimea, Russias militarization of the Black Sea, its cyberattacks against Georgia, nor do they hide its mistreatment of peaceful religious and ethnic minorities at home and abroad, and its failure to conduct a credible investigation into the assassination of Russian politician and democracy defender Boris Nemtsov.

Kamian emphasized that the Russian governments ongoing aggression against Ukraine undermined European security as a whole. "It is time for Moscow to end the bloodshed in Ukraine, and fulfill its Helsinki commitments," he said.

ish




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Mama Diamond Platnumz is done with her young husband judging from the comment she recently left under her post.Word making rounds on social media is that the lady parted ways with her husband following the Tanasha Donna and Diamond Platnumz drama.According to reports Uncle Shamte was not pleased with how Mama Dangote and her son were treating the poor Kenyan lady; and after opting to intervene Mama Dangote did not take this lightly!The two love birds are currently not in speaking terms and from the look of things, mama Diamond is not bothered by this! Uncle Shamte on the other hand remains inactive on social media and has refused to address the rumors on social media.Uncle Shamte and mama Dangote unfollow each otherAnyway thanks to a post seen on Mama Dangote page we now understand that the couple is indeed no longer together.Mama Diamond confirmed this while responding to a fan who asked about Uncle Shamtes whereabouts!To which Bi Sandra responded saying;This comes about a year after Mama Diamond and Uncle Shamte walked down the aisle!The two are legally married despite many branding mama Dangote as a husband snatcher!Fans on social media claim that the 52 year old grandma stole Uncle Shamte from Iffah; a lady who had been dating Shamte and even had a baby together!If indeed the relationship is over, then I bet Iffahs son can now enjoy his dads love for once!
It is a truth universally acknowledged that somewhere a new novel, biography, play, series or film inspired by Jane Austen (1775-1817) must be in want of readers and viewers. Thanks to the PBS Masterpiece series Sanditon and Autumn de Wildes new film, Emma, Austen is again proving a hot screen commodity. Yet the author best known for Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Sense and Sensibility (1811) has had her share of troubles, too. She might also be said to prompt fables and fabrication, lore and lies, and misconceptions and mendacity. Some myths about her have circulated for more than a century.
Passengers wear face masks to protect against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) after arriving at the LAX airport in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 5, 2020. (MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Customs Officers Referred 63,000 Travelers to CDC for Enhanced Health Screening in February

WASHINGTONCustoms and Border Protection (CBP) said it has referred more than 63,000 travelers for enhanced health screenings from Feb. 2 to March 4 amid the coronavirus spread.

The travelersmostly citizens of the United States, China, Canada, Vietnam, and Indiawere referred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further screening, according to CBP.

The majority were air passengers, with an additional 766 land travelers and 113 sea travelers also screened.

If CBP observes individuals with symptoms of COVID-19, we will continue to work with the CDC to determine if a traveler is a possible public health risk by referring them to CDC for enhanced health screening, a CBP spokesperson said in an email.

In addition, CBP will continue to refer for enhanced health screening any traveler who has been anywhere in mainland China or Iran within 14 days of the travelers attempted entry to the United States.

CBP processes more than 1 million travelers at ports of entry each day.

This isnt our first rodeo, CBP acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said on March 5. So whether its Ebola, SARSweve even had challenges with tuberculosisinfectious diseases is something really that CBP deals with on an ongoing basis.

Morgan said his agency is working with CDC and other officials every day to monitor the situation and his agency is prepared for any scenario. He said he will close the southern border if CDC and medical experts deem it necessary.

So far, non-U.S. citizens traveling from China or Iran are ineligible to enter the United States, according to CDC guidelines.

American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their families who have been in China or Iran in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States, but will be redirected to one of 11 airports to undergo health screening, the CDC states on its website. Depending on their health and travel history, they will have some level of restrictions on their movements for 14 days from the time they left China or Iran.

The State Department also has issued travel advisories for Italy and South Korea, suggesting travelers reconsider traveling to those countries.

As of March 6, the CDC confirmed that 11 people have died from coronavirus in the United States, with a further 164 cases in 19 states.

The CDC recommends that people avoid close contact with others who are sick, stay at home if ill, and practice good hygiene.

On March 6, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion emergency funding bill to deal with the coronavirus response.

So were signing the $8.3 billion. I asked for $2.5 [million] and I got 8.3 [million], and Ill take it, Trump said at the signing.
Maguindanao (CNN Philippines, March 6) - Four soldiers died while 11 others were injured in a series of government troops' clashes in Maguindanao with militants from the ISIS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the military said Friday.

A military statement said the bodies of five BIFF members were recovered but authorities are verifying reports that up to 14 extremists were killed in the combat operations launched in Ampatuan town's Brgy. Salman on March 2.

Troops pounded the BIFF position in Brgy. Salman using using air and artillery assets. Clashes also broke out in the municipality of Hoffner and Ampatuan, all in Maguindanao, it added.

Security forces were able to enter the terror groups encampments, where they recovered assorted firearms, ammunitions, improvised bombs, and war materiel, the statement said.
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The Kano State Government on Friday said it has arrested and repatriated over 1,500 Almajiris back to their states and countries of origin, following a ban on street begging in the state.

The spokesperson of Hisbah, (the states moral police) Lawan Fagge, told PREMIUM TIMES that those arrested were repatriated to their states which includes: Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Borno and Yobe states.

Mr Fagge said others are from Kano, Adamawa and neighboring countries of Chad and Niger Republic, adding that following the ban, some parents voluntarily withdrew their children from the streets.

Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, announced the ban on street begging by children popularly referred to as Almajiris.

The official said Katsina has the highest numbers of the repatriated almajiris while Jigawa State has the least.

Among the arrested almajiris, about 70 per cent are children from the ages of seven and twelve, the official said.

He added that there are also old aged women who sees begging as a business, as even when their families provided all their needed necessities, they insisted on going out to beg.

According to the official, those in that category are over 400. We counselled them and handed them over to their families here in Kano, while others are repatriated back to their states, the official said.

Those arrested children from Kano were classified. Those who can read and write the Holy Quran were identified awaiting further directives from his excellency the governor, said Mr Fagge.

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The official, however, acknowledged that the banning of the streets begging in the state is still facing a challenge because they are still currently debating other almajiris teachers who are against the ban.

The governments decision to ban the children from street begging is meant to safeguard their future and make the society a better place for all, the spokesperson said.

The government said the effort was to fully consolidate the free and compulsory primary and Secondary Schools education in the state.

Also, the decision was meant to integrate the Almajiri System into the policy and address the lingering problem of street begging.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will hold campaign rallies in Grand Rapids and Detroit on Monday, the day before the Democratic presidential primary election.

The Biden campaign issued a schedule listing a campaign stop in Grand Rapids and a get out the vote event in Detroit, but said details on times and places will follow.

Biden also will be in Grosse Pointe Farms for a campaign fundraiser.

Southfield attorney Barry Goodman told MLive that he is hosting a fundraiser for Biden on Monday with former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Goodman, a Biden donor and member of the Democratic National Committee, said theres been a lot of people energized by the large potential that Biden will earn the Democratic presidential nomination.

Michigan is among states participating in the next round of voting on March 10. Biden won most of the states up for grabs on Super Tuesday earlier this week, setting the stage for a competitive showdown with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in Michigan, a state Sanders won in 2016.

Sanders is planning two rallies, one on March 6 in Detroit and another on March 8 in Grand Rapids, before voting begins next Tuesday.
Three protesters were injured in a tussle with police over removing a makeshift shed at Mumbai Bagh in Morland Road on Friday morning, alleged the women who have been protesting at the spot for the past 40 days.

According to an eyewitness, a shed was built over the protest spot and some constables tried to remove it.

When the protesters resisted, it led to a tiff and three women were injured. Around 20 women were present at the spot when the incident took place.

Around 300 to 500 people had gathered at the Nagpada station at 3pm, demanding action against the constables, said Abinash Kumar, deputy commissioner of police, zone 3. They also demanded suspension of senior police inspector, Nagpada police station, Shalini Sharma.

We have assured the protestors and their representatives that action will be taken against erring policemen, added Kumar.

Guddi, one of the protesters, said the three women had to be taken to a local hospital.

Just because we had put up a cloth to cover the area, some police in civil clothes came, took it out and started beating us. They said we cannot put this up, said Guddi.

Ali Bhojani, a volunteer at the protest site, said the behaviour by the officials was inhumane and alleged that some of these women were molested by the male constables.

How can male constables attack women in the middle of the night when female constables werent even around? Some of these women were left unconscious and when we asked for an ambulance to be called, they didnt even hear our pleas, said Bhojani.

A huge police bandobast was deployed at the Nagpada junction to maintain law and order.

Additional commissioner of police, south and central region along with four zonal deputy commissioners of police and senior police inspectors of the central and south region were also at the spot.

The people were moved out of the junction at about 7pm.

The women at Mumbai Bagh have been protesting on the lines of Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) since January 26.
(CNN)  Concerns are growing in Japan that the number of coronavirus cases could be higher than reported, with experts questioning the country's approach to testing as infection rates continue to climb.

Japan has come under immense international scrutiny for its handling of the outbreak  specifically over its quarantine of the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama Bay.

In neighboring South Korea, infections have surged dramatically, with more than 6,000 confirmed cases after the government tested tens of thousands of people as part of a mass screening drive. But although the Japanese government says it has the capacity to carry out 3,800 tests a day, only 8,111 tests had been conducted as of March 4, according to the country's Health Ministry.

On Wednesday, Japan recorded 33 new cases of Covid-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, its highest one-day increase since the outbreak began, according to numbers released by the Health Ministry. The overall total now stands at 1,023, of which 706 are from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

But Japan's coronavirus figures are likely already much higher than reported, with the infection rate suspected to be just the "tip of the iceberg," according to Masahiro Kami, the executive director of Japan's Medical Governance Research Institute, a non-profit group.

Kami says for every one patient tested, there are many more who remain undiagnosed. But as most of these people are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms they don't go to a clinic to get checked out.

Guidelines from the Health Ministry say people should get tested if they have cold-like symptoms, a fever of 37.5 Celsius, or experience extreme tiredness or breathing problems for four days or more. In the meantime, they should self-quarantine.

Senior citizens or people with preexisting medical conditions that put them at higher risk should seek testing if they exhibit symptoms for two or more days, according to the guidelines.

The advice was given to prevent people from inundating clinics and hospitals. But it has done little to soothe public anxiety or curb the spread of the virus.

Inadequate testing scheme

In Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, the governor has declared a state of emergency. The popular tourist spot has been particularly hard hit, accounting for more than a quarter of all non-cruise ship related cases in the country.

But while the official number of people infected with coronavirus in Hokkaido may now be in the 80s, the actual number is likely to be ten times higher, said Hiroshi Nishiura, an epidemiologist at Hokkaido university. Nishiura, who is assisting the government in creating statistical models to help predict the spread of the virus, said the estimated figure is consistent with what he had seen in the Chinese city of Wuhan  the epicenter of the outbreak.

Japan's Health Ministry, however, has so far refuted Nishiura's estimates. It suggested Japan is likely to have around 3,000 coronavirus cases in total. "We understand there are people we have not detected," the ministry said in a statement provided to CNN.

The ministry added it was aware "many people want to take the test" and that it would "expand the target range" to include people showing "mild symptoms."

Irrespective of the total figure, it is likely the coronavirus infection rate will rise as more people are tested, said Kenji Shibuya director of the Institute for Population Health at King's College London, and a former chief of health policy at the World Health Organization.

In order to ease public anxiety, tests in Japan should become more widely available, with priority given to senior citizens, who are most at risk, said Shibuya.

Though Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he is considering the possibility of declaring a nationwide state of emergency that would grant more powers to local authorities to enforce a ban on public gatherings and encourage people to stay at home, Shibuya suggested the government should focus on preparing contingency plans in the event of a larger outbreak.

According to Shibuya, it is important to treat those who are critically ill and protect those most at risk, as even asymptomatic people can pass the virus on to others.

Kami, of Japan's Medical Governance Research Institute, corroborated that view, noting that the most important thing is to prevent infections in old people in nursing homes, hospitals and houses.

"If senior citizens are infected they become seriously ill and their mortality rate (with the coronavirus) is more than 10%," said Kami.

'Biggest threat is panic, not the virus itself'

The coronavirus has spread from China, to more than 75 countries and regions, killing more than 3,200 people and infecting more than 95,000 people globally.

And as the outbreak casts a shadow over the economy and Tokyo's preparations to host the Summer Olympics, Abe has stressed that the next couple of weeks will be crucial in the battle to contain its spread.

Japan has already started to take a number of precautions to overcome and prevent the spread of the virus.

Many large-scale public gatherings and sporting events have been scaled down or canceled. Japanese companies have also adopted the practice of encouraging their employees to work from home to prevent exposing them to the virus on congested public transport and in offices.

But critics have accused Abe of prioritizing the Olympics and bilateral ties over national security, particularly as Japan did not shut down its borders during the early stages of the outbreak.

"The Japanese government has taken relative soft stance when it comes to blocking the flow of people from China to Japan compared to some other countries," said Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University.

Nakano said this angered both Abe's supporters and opponents.

Last week, a decision by most schools to shut down also sparked criticism, with many parents unsure of how they would cope in a country where nannies and domestic helpers are uncommon.

As anxiety grew, many rushed out to stock up on goods such as toilet and tissue paper after an online rumor alleged that most of Japan's supplies came from China, where factories were shutting down.

And with masks and hand sanitizer already in short supply, Shibuya said that panic poses a bigger threat than the virus itself.

"In the end, Covid-19 is a mild cold for the majority of people, the biggest fear is not the virus itself but the panic, which is happening unfortunately," said Shibuya.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Japan's coronavirus infection rate could be 'tip of the iceberg' as experts call for more testing"
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FREDERICTON - Some New Brunswick students who spent last week in Italy will be getting an extended March break  as ordered by the education minister.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FREDERICTON - Some New Brunswick students who spent last week in Italy will be getting an extended March break  as ordered by the education minister.

Dominic Cardy says he has no power to decide where people spend their holidays, but he feels the trip to Italy by students from Sussex was ill-advised.

He says any students, teachers or volunteers who have travelled to countries listed at a level-two or level-three risk for the novel coronavirus in travel advisories by the Government of Canada, must stay away from New Brunswick schools for a period of two weeks.

Cardy says anyone who believes they've had contact with someone with the virus should err on the side of caution and also stay away from the schools.

New Brunswick has yet to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, but Cardy says officials know it's not a case of if it will arrive, but when.

The minister says his goal is to delay the arrival of the coronavirus in New Brunswick schools.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
A total of 29,607 people are under observation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for novel coronavirus as on March 5, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

He also said 654 people were brought from Wuhan in China on February 1 and 2, and kept in quarantine at Army Camp in Haryana's Manesar and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Camp at Chhawla in Delhi for 14 days.

These evacuees were tested twice and reported negative for COVID-19 and were discharged on February 17 and 18, Vardhan told the House, responding to a query raised by Rahul Gandhi along with two other MPs.

On February 27, a total of 112 people, which included 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals, were evacuated from Wuhan and kept in mandatory 14-day quarantine at the Army Camp in Manesar, the health minister said.

Besides, 124 people, which included 119 Indians and five foreign nationals, have been evacuated from Japan and kept in mandatory 14-day quarantine at the ITBP camp in Chhawla).

"All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID-19," Vardhan said.

He further said the government had mounted a relief assistance flight to Wuhan on February 26 with an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which carried over 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment for Chinese healthcare professionals.

Assistance to Iran has also been provided by sending a scientist to establish a diagnostic laboratory and test COVID 19 samples in Tehran. Further, a few samples from the Maldives have also been tested in India, he said in a written reply.

In view of the evolving situation, directions have been issued for screening all international passengers. Initially, universal screening was taken up for all passengers coming via direct flights from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore.

As on March 4, a total of 6,241 flights have been screened covering 6,11,167 passengers, he said.

Specialist doctors were sent to all airports to ensure effective screening and arrangement for isolation in attached hospitals. Besides this, screening has been initiated at border crossings, he said.

Vardhan said all regular and e-visas issued to Italian, Iranian, South Korean and Japanese nationals on or before March 3 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.

Regular and e-visa issued to Chinese nationals on or before February 5 were suspended earlier and shall remain in force, he said.

The Union health minister said regular and e-Visas issued to all other foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after February 1 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.

Elaborating on actions initiated to prevent entry of the virus and to contain its spread, the Union health minister said a Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted under his chairmanship, which has held four meetings so far.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been geared up to track and follow up passengers coming from affected countries, he said.

The government have made arrangements for testing of samples at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and 14 other Viral Research and Diagnostics Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in different parts of the country, Vardhan said.

Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A bid by the Calgary-owned Enmax to purchase an electrical utility in the United States hit a roadblock Thursday when a state regulator rejected its proposal.

In March 2019, Emera Inc. signed a deal to sell its operations in Maine to Enmax in a deal valued at $1.8 billion in Canadian dollars, including debt.

But a 2-1 decision issued Thursday by Maine's Public Utilities Commission rejected that deal, with members of that commission voicing concerns about Enmax's decision to take on debt to pay for the takeover.

The commission is also worried about Emera's ability to pay for system upgrades if Enmax doesn't have the cash to help out in that regard.

Philip Bartlett, one of the members of the commission, raised concerns about Standard and Poor dropping Enmax's rating by one level last fall, from triple B+ to triple B due to concerns about the utility's debt.

"Due to the proposed transaction, Standard & Poor's has downgraded ENMAX's credit rating and added a negative outlook," Bartlett said. "The likely result is that ENMAX will have difficulty accessing capital markets for additional debt for the next several years to provide any capital infusion to Emera Maine.

"Emera Maine will largely be on its own and able to invest only what it can to finance itself."

Helen Wesley, CFO of Enmax, said today's deliberation was just another step in the regulatory approval process, of which there have been many.

"The reaction, or the outcome from today, was very much within the range of expected outcomes for Enmax," Wesley said. "We are working very collaboratively and quickly with the commission to respond to their requests for some changes to the stipulations."

Wesley called the process "fairly typical" and said Enmax was very comfortable they would be able to address the commission's concerns in a matter of "weeks, and not months."

"After the deliberation this morning we quickly regrouped with commission staff and we're working on revising the stipulation so that we can get it back in their hands in very short order," Wesley said. "I suspect we'll be in good shape within a few days to resubmit something."

Emera Maine, a regulated electric transmission and distribution company, is headquartered in Bangor, Maine, serving 159,000 customers in the northern and eastern part of the state.
Passengers on a cruise ship stranded off the coast of San Francisco were confined to their cabins Thursday as tests were conducted to determine if any of the nearly 3,500 guests and crew had contracted the new coronavirus.

Authorities said the Grand Princess, which had been scheduled to dock on Wednesday, would remain at sea until the test results of those who had shown symptoms of the virus are known.

The California National Guard said it had flown test kits to the ship Thursday morning and the findings were expected to be announced early Friday.

Carolyn Wright, a passenger, told AFP that the captain announced Thursday evening that there were "no confirmed cases of coronavirus" and that final results would be released the following day.

Health officials sounded the alarm after two passengers who had been on board during a previous voyage between San Francisco and Mexico later fell ill and one of them died.

Several other passengers who had remained on the vessel for its next voyage to Hawaii also developed flu-like symptoms during that trip.

Officials said there were 2,383 passengers and 1,100 crew on board the ship.

Wright said there was no panic on board and people seemed to be taking the setback in stride.

"I can't get over how the is sensationalising our ship," said the 63-year-old professional photographer from New Mexico who was travelling with a friend.

"There were two cases on the previous cruise and they act like everybody on board has the plague."



She said passengers had been free to roam about the ship but on Thursday were told after lunch to remain in their cabins.

"I think it's all closing the barn after the horse has left," Wright said via text messages.

"I'm not really worried. If you look at the odds, our risk is pretty low."



She said the passengers -- most of them between 60 and 90 years old -- were in good spirits "although that may change if we are stuck in our cabins for too long.""Everyone was calm and content up until now," she said.

"But room service isn't answering and people are going to get upset quickly without food or liquor."



Health officials said it was unclear when or where the ship would be allowed to dock.

Various agencies "are working to determine if COVID-19 is present on the ship," Mary Ellen Carroll, the head of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, told reporters, referring to the formal name of the virus.

She said 35 people had shown flu-like symptoms during the 15-day cruise, but many have already recovered.

Carroll said once test results are back, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California state officials will determine the most appropriate location for the ship to berth.

"The location needs to provide for the safety of the surrounding community, as well as the passengers and crew," she said.

"The CDC and the state are considering a number of locations, including San Francisco."



California Governor Gavin Newsom said authorities were trying to contact some of the 2,500 passengers who were on board the previous voyage.

The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the Diamond Princess -- the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month from which more than 700 people tested positive and six died.

Worldwide, more than 3,000 people have died from the fast-spreading virus that has infected more than 100,000 people in some 85 countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'Unanimous' ICC gives go-ahead to probe Afghanistan alleged war crimes

5 March 2020 - Prosecutors have been given the green light to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan - and beyond its borders  linked to Afghan, Taliban and US troops, the International Criminal Court said on Thursday.

The decision, reached unanimously on appeal by judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, overturns an earlier decision vetoing an inquiry, on the grounds that it "would not be in the interests of justice".

"The Appeals Chamber found that the Prosecutor is authorised to investigatethe crimes alleged to have been committed on the territory of Afghanistan since 1 May 2003," the ICC said in a statement, "as well as other alleged crimes that have a nexus to the armed conflict in Afghanistan and are sufficiently linked to the situation in Afghanistan and were committed on the territory of other States Parties."

Investigation appeal first made in 2017

The probe will be led by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who made the request to to the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber in November 2017.

At the time, her Office cited grave crimes "and the absence of relevant national proceedings against those who appear to be most responsible for the most serious crimes".

The ICC Prosecutor's request covered alleged abuses committed in Afghanistan since 1 May 2003, as well as other alleged crimes since 1 July 2002, which were committed by States Parties to the Rome Statute  the 1998 international agreement that led to the formation of the court.

Afghan, Taliban and U.S. forces in spotlight

USpecifically, Ms. Bensouda will be seeking to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes by the Taliban and their affiliated Haqqani Network; war crimes by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and in particular, members of the National Directorate for Security (NDS) and the Afghan National Police (ANP).

The ICC Prosecutor is also set to probe alleged war crimes by U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan and by members of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in "secret detention facilities" in Afghanistan "and on the territory of other States Parties to the Rome Statute, principally in the period of 2003-2004".

In an earlier statement, Ms. Bensouda's Office said that "that there are no substantial reasons to believe that the opening of an investigation would not serve the interests of justice, taking into account the gravity of the crimes and the interests of victims".

The Prosecutor maintained that her Office's sole objective was to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity "independently, impartially and objectively".

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has issued a statement calling the court's decision "a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body", adding that it "is all the more reckless" as it came just days after the signing of a "historic peace deal" between Washington and the Taliban.

"This is yet another reminder of what happens when multilateral bodies lack oversight and responsible leadership, and become instead a vehicle for political vendettas. The ICC has today stumbled into a sorry affirmation of every denunciation made by its harshest critics over the past three decades", he stated.

Court can issue summons to 'no matter who'

For the purposes of its investigation, the ICC Prosecutor can request that the court's judges issue summons to appear or arrest warrants "no matter who the perpetrator", for alleged atrocity crimes committed in connection with the Situation in Afghanistan, her Office said.

In addition to Afghanistan, the ICC Prosecutor's Office has been conducting investigations in Burundi, Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic, Kenya, Libya, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Georgia.

Preliminary examinations have also begun into the registered vessels of Comoros, Greece and Cambodia; as well as into Colombia, Gabon, Guinea, Iraq/UK, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Nigeria and Ukraine.

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TORONTO, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organizational leaders are counting on digital transformation to move their businesses forward. Astute CIOs and technology executives understand the necessity to leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to identify and execute on new business models and drive speed to market.



A pioneering mindset and a set of bold leadership skills are needed to guide technology-led innovation for successful business outcomes and revenue growth. These are among the chief topics that will be discussed at HMG Strategys upcoming 2020 Toronto CIO Executive Leadership Summit .

The HMG Strategy Toronto CIO summit is featured as one of the top technology conferences to attend in 2020 in a guide published online by CIO magazine . The June 3, all-day event will begin at 7:30 a.m. EST at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto Click here to learn more and reserve your seat today.

Our executive leadership summits are unique in the industry, designed by and for CIOs, CISOs and technology executives, said Hunter Muller, HMG Strategys President and CEO. The premier technology leaders in their industries share their most incisive strategies for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and how to partner effectively with the CEO and the Board. Join us and learn from the best on what it takes to win.

HMG Strategys Toronto CIO Summit will feature an executive briefing on Putting AI to Work by Bhavin Shah, CEO of Moveworks. Shah will speak about the strategies with which top CIOs are already leveraging AI and the benefits theyre generating in workforce productivity enabled by natural language recognition.

HMG Strategy will also recognize regional recipients of the HMG Strategy 2020 Global Technology Executives Who Matter awards who have demonstrated unparalleled leadership in areas such as Innovation, Business Transformation, Digital Disruption and Talent Development.

Additional agenda items for the 2020 Toronto CIO summit will include:

A panel of executives who will share use cases for advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, data analytics and the Internet of Things that can accelerate speed to market and sharpen their companies competitive edge

A panel of forward-thinking technology executives who will share their recommendations for crafting their personal brands, along with the career ascent opportunities this enables

A panel of top-tier technology executives who will share the leadership skills needed to foster a culture of innovation and deliver successful business outcomes

An executive briefing on the future of enterprise communications presented by Harry Moseley, Global CIO at Zoom

An executive briefing presented by a Lenovo executive

An executive briefing delivered by a UiPath executive

An executive briefing shared by a RingCentral executive

The Presenting Partners for HMG Strategys 2020 Toronto CIO Executive Leadership Summit will be Lenovo, Moveworks, RingCentral, UiPath and Zoom. Info-Tech Research Group will support both as a Gold Partner and as the Preferred Research Partner. Strategic Partners will include Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry and Spencer Stuart. The Alliance Partners will be Amplify Partners, Glynn Capital, Greylock Partners, Lightspeed Ventures and Sequoia. The Toronto Chapter for the Society for Information Management (SIM) will support as the Association Partner.

Highlights and key thought leadership points from briefings, tech-talks, and exclusive interviews are available live online during HMG Strategys Executive Leadership Summits. Follow HMG Strategy on LinkedIn for real-time updates from their 30+ regional events in North America and Europe.

Engage in our world-class thought leadership platformreserve your seat at Torontos premier IT executive networking event by visiting HMG Strategys site, here .

About HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the world's largest independent and most trusted provider of executive networking events and thought leadership to support the 360-degree needs of technology leaders. Our regional CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, newsletters, authored books, and Digital Resource Center deliver proprietary research on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent.

The HMG Strategy global network consists of over 400,000 senior IT executives, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust to HMG Strategys unique business model, click here .

Tom Hoffman

203-221-2702

TomHoffman@hmgstrategy.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/662dd629-769d-4fdb-8eae-e4604319d910
T wo British Airways baggage handlers based at Heathrow have tested positive for Covid-19.

The airline confirmed the two cases of Covid-19 among its staff members in a statement.

A spokesman for the airline said: Public Health England has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The colleagues have been isolated and are recovering at home.

Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures 1 /61 Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures A man wearing a protective mask travels on the underground tube Reuters A woman wearing a protective face mask Jeremy Selwyn A man and woman wearing protective face masks on a bus PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A woman shopper wears a protective mask as she walks down an aisle in a supermarket in London AFP via Getty Images A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London AP A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A woman wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street in London PA A woman wearing a mask walks by the Emirates Stadium Action Images via Reuters A man is seen wearing a protective face mask at Waterloo station Reuters A woman wears a surgical mask as she walks through Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport Reuters A fan in the stands wears a mask during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridg PA A man wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A person wears a mask in a display of street style outside the BFC Show Space show in London PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A commuter on the tube wearing a face mask Jeremy Selwyn A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridge Getty Images People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A man wearing a face mask walks past an entrance sign for Bank underground train station AP The coronavirus outbreak will unlikely lead to a Tube ban PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A woman wearing a face mask on the London Underground. PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A man wears a mask as he takes a photograph in China Town AP A man in a hazmat suit and face mask cleans the Ritchie Street Health Centre, Islington PA A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man arrives at Euston Underground wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn St Pancras Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Selwyn Staff in suits at St Thomas's Hospital today Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man wears a face mask as he stands near an electronic arrivals board at Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images A man wears a face mask as he walks along the Thames embankment AFP via Getty Images A woman wearing a protective face mask is seen on London Bridg Reuters

Baggage handlers work in teams and are responsible for loading, unloading and transporting luggage at airports, and do not generally have any interaction with passengers.

A statement from Heathrow said: The welfare of our passengers and colleagues is our top priority. A dedicated Public Health England team is operating at Heathrow to respond to any incidents at the airport, and we are working closely with them to ensure our colleagues are following their latest guidance in its entirety to protect themselves and our passengers. In line with Public Health Englands advice, we have enhanced thorough cleaning processes, increased the availability and provision of hand sanitisers for our colleagues and continue to advise anyone working or travelling through the airport to follow the Governments advice to maintain good hand hygiene.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

British Airways has offered unpaid leave to their employees amid a drop in passenger demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

They are one of a number of airlines to do so.

It has cancelled hundreds of flights on routes to New York as well as short-haul destinations across Europe.
China honors commitment to global anti-coronavirus cooperation: FM spokesperson

Global Times

Source:Xinhua Published: 2020/3/5 8:12:00

China honored its commitment to international cooperation in the fight against novel coronavirus in an open, transparent and responsible manner, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday.

Zhao said China had been closely following the development of the COVID-19 epidemic around the world, with the determination to boost international cooperation, and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Foreign Ministry and the National Health Commission jointly held a video conference on Tuesday with health experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan and the secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Peking University First Hospital shared with the attendees China's experience in the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.

They had in-depth discussions on prevention and control measures, diagnosis, screening and laboratory testing, and agreed on enhancing information exchange and coordinated actions, Zhao said.

Earlier, China and the European Union also held two video conferences on the prevention and control of COVID-19.



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State and national Democrats are suing the state of Texas to prevent the Secretary of State from implementing the law that ended straight-ticket voting.

The practice allows voters to select all candidates of the political party of their choice; the Republican-controlled state Legislature in 2017 passed House Bill 25 discontinuing the practice after September 2020 despite opposition from most Democrats.

In the suit filed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Texas Democratic Party in U.S. District Court in Laredo on Thursday, plaintiffs argue that the law unconstitutionally burdens Texans right to vote and associate, and that it discriminates against minorities. They say eliminating straight-ticket voting will cause voters to take more time filling out their ballots, creating longer lines, and will disproportionately affect minority communities.

The end of straight-ticket voting was yet another Republican attempt to suppress the vote, alter the electorate, and take away power from the rising Texas majority, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said. In minority-majority districts, lines to vote have already proven to be hours long. Ending straight-ticket voting has only made those lines longer and hurt candidates up and down the ballot.

For subscribers: Democrats sue Texas over mobile voting ban

At the time, bill author former state Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, said the bill was intended to bring Texas in line with other states and to help voters choose the best candidates. In 2020, seven states allow straight-ticket voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

This lawsuit is just an example of the fear of Democrats for November, Simmons said in a Facebook post on Thursday. Stay tuned and dont fear. 42 other states already dont allow one punch voting.

In 2018, in the 48 most populous Texas counties, which amount to 86 percent of the states population, over two-thirds of voters, or 5.6 million, used straight-ticket voting, according to the lawsuit. The practice was used primarily by minority voters; in the five Harris County precincts with the largest percentage of African-American and Hispanic populations, 80 percent of voters used it compared to about two-thirds countywide.

Sam Pohl, spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas, said the purpose of the bill was to ensure that all Texas voters look at each candidate and individually choose those who represent them.

Our priority is and must be to defend and protect the full impact of each voters choices in each election, Pohl said. It is unfortunate that Democrat elected officials are proving both their inability to manage even basic voting processes, and a total lack of faith in their voters ability and willingness to make individual choices.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Without straight ticket voting, the lawsuit claims, Texas voters, especially those of lower educational attainment, are likely to experience voter fatigue and stop filling out their ballots before filling out every down-ballot race, of which there can be many in big counties in one of the nations largest states.

The lawsuit points to the problems voters experienced on Super Tuesday in Texas when some waited hours  even without straight-ticket voting as a factor. It looks forward the 2020 general election, which is expected to yield very high turnout judging by the participation in recent years, and claims the ban on straight-ticket voting will prove a recipe for disaster.

Texas is the center of our battlefield, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos said, and we will not stop taking on the obstacles Republicans put in place to shrink the electorate as they attempt to cling to power.
Ghanaian students at the University of Dundee are preparing to party as they mark their homelands Independence Day.

The countrys vibrant flavours, fashions, and sounds will come to life on campus when members of the Universitys Ghanaian Society host a cultural evening to mark the occasion.

An open invitation has been extended to the celebration at DUSA on Saturday 7 March, which will feature cuisine and music from some of the countrys most popular artists, as well as a fashion show.

The societys Belinda Adupong said that marking such an important holiday in Scotland was hugely symbolic for its members.

To us, Independence Day is an opportunity to commemorate our country and our culture, she said.

It is time for everyone to come together and celebrate our roots. As the majority of our members are international students, the society provides a home from home while we study here at Dundee.

By celebrating our Independence Day, we hope to give our members and fellow students a taste of what will be taking place in Ghana. The event is open to everyone and is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Ghana, our foods, our fashion, and our music, all while having lots of fun.

The University of Dundee Ghanaian Society was launched in 2018 to bring together Ghanas growing student population in Dundee.

The University already enjoys a strong relationship with the country, with dozens of students currently studying in what is known as Scotlands sunniest city. Dundee has become a popular destination for Ghanaian students, offering high-quality courses relating to the oil and gas sector, as well as business and law.

Independence Day is one of Ghanas biggest annual events, with major celebrations taking place throughout the nation.

The Ghanaian Society cultural evening takes place at DUSA from 5-8pm on Saturday 7 March. Admission is free.
We all have loved ones who we care immensely for. Advocating public safety is the very core of what Kokomo24/7 stands for. It's our duty to provide communities with the means to deal with this issue head-on, says Daniel J. Lee, CEO, and founder of Kokomo Solutions.

COVID19Tracker is a cloud-based safety solution in mobile apps and web portals with case management, communication, and collaboration features. Designed to help provide situational awareness, report, track, and manage Coronavirus cases within schools, communities, healthcare systems and workplaces across the nation, COVID19Tracker is comprised of 3 cloud solutions powered by commercially available software, Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud.

Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud is a Software-as-a-Service product that ensures safe environments for schools, communities, and workplaces through an easy-to-use, intuitive set of safety applications designed to give communities, local governments, schools, and health administrators the proactive insight and capability to manage coronavirus cases.

At the heart of Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud is a proprietary A.I. Engine that gives administrators analytical data to help determine the probability of reported cases for proactive intervention. Incident Management System (Kokomo24/7 - IMS) provides a proactive approach to respond to and recover from incidents in a repeatable methodology. With the Anonymous Reporting System (Kokomo24/7 - ARS), communities, students, parents, and employees can submit health and safety concerns from a mobile app or website portal. These reports will be triaged by an A.I.-based TruScore scoring system. The data in TruScore is designed to help manage false positives and more precisely identify at-risk individuals and incidents. Kokomo24/7 Emergency Operations Center (Kokomo24/7 - EOC) provides emergency operation centers and safety officials with instant situational awareness so emergencies are thoroughly coordinated and managed with informed decisions. Additionally, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) module provides communications across schools, local governments and emergency responders, and full resource management (HR, EQ, and Financial).

We all have loved ones who we care immensely for. Advocating public safety is the very core of what Kokomo24/7 stands for. It's our duty to provide communities with the means to deal with this issue head-on, says Daniel J. Lee, CEO, and founder of Kokomo Solutions. Our goal is to expand our footprint in the public to help other communities across the country embrace the benefits of cloud technology for improved health and safety.

COVID247.org provides a deeper dive into Kokomo Solutions reasons behind the importance of launching the COVID19Tracker. With the ever-increasing numbers of the Coronavirus around the world and more medical crises like it to come in the future, regarding the limited resources within communities, schools, and workplaces, Kokomo Solutions sees the usefulness behind their technology. Our solutions can be implemented in a matter of a few days because our Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud is a cloud-based and agile. No hardware, an intuitive user interface, and a seamless setup. Thats how Kokomo Solutions was able to launch COVID19Tracker as soon as it learned the first case of death from the virus in Washington state.

Kokomo Solutions has deployed the Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud at the second-largest school district in America. This school district uses Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud to provide their district resources, and entire communities with scalable safety solutions that offer security to compliance standards supported with the latest technologies built on the most reliable cloud provider, Amazon Web Services.

About Kokomo24/7

With deep public safety experience, Kokomo Solutions, Inc. is the company behind a cloud-based safety platform that helps educators reduce unsafe student incidents to ensure higher quality learning environments? The Kokomo24/7 Safety Cloud platform consists of three modular and easy-to-deploy, intuitive safety solutions designed to help reduce disruptive and harmful events in communities and schools. Incident Management (IMS), Anonymous Reporting (ARS) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) comprise the platform to bring to community and school district leaders unprecedented visibility to the safety and well-being of their citizens and students. For more information on Kokomo Solutions, please visit http://www.kokomo247.com.
The agency is likely to recommend that people who can consistently wear N95 or KN95 masks, rather than cloth masks, should do so.

Coming Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET
Kenya's Economy Hit by Coronavirus Despite No Confirmed Infections

By Ruud Elmendorp March 05, 2020

Kenya is feeling the economic effects of the coronavirus, despite having no infections, as imports from China fall because of travel bans for people and goods.

Airlines are incurring losses, and small traders in Kenya said they fear their stocks will soon run out, putting them out of business.

There is little activity these days at a container terminal in the Kenyan port of Mombasa.

The coronavirus outbreak has brought shipments from China to a halt. Kenya's small traders depend on manufactured goods from China that are normally unloaded at this port.

Samuel Karanja heads the 50,000-member Importers and Small Traders Association of Kenya.

Sizable price increases

"We're going to see a hike of the price of some commodities, two or three times than what we are paying for," Karanja said. "The reason we go to China is because of the cost, the value for our money. So, you can have several goods for the same price, not compromising the quality but at very good rates. We are not going to find this anywhere in the world."

Karanja said consumer goods such as electronics, clothing and cosmetics are the first to feel the pinch.

While Kenyan traders scramble for other suppliers, the coronavirus keeps spreading and having an impact.

Winnie Gathoni, owner of a small cosmetics shop in Nairobi, is counting the last lipstick tubes from China she still has for sale.

"Maybe in about two months or so, we will basically close down, yes," Gathoni said.

It's a similar situation at a Nairobi electronics store. Abu Bakr Kareem, a father of three, says his stock of Chinese-made phones is almost sold out.

"If the virus goes on the way it is now, people are going to be affected well," Kareem said. "Also, my family, other families."

Vital to economy

Kareem's shop is among the thousands of small businesses that authorities say provide more than 80% of Kenya's employment.

Yet, the coronavirus outbreak has created a boom for one business in Kenya  shops selling face masks. Stephen Mbugwa manages the Nairobi Safety Shop.

"In the last two weeks we have dispatched hundreds of thousands," Mbugwa said. "The most common demanded one is the drip plie. This drip plie is the one that almost everyone is looking for."

Since even these face masks are made in China, they too will run out.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Ministry of Health is preparing for a coronavirus outbreak, says ministry official Rashid Aman.

"We have a very active emergency operation center at our department of surveillance and response that responds to any suspected cases or other alerts," Aman said.

As Kenya prepares for a possible outbreak, the country's traders can only hope that the virus is contained soon so that imports from China can resume and they can get back to business as usual.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A federal magistrate on Friday excoriated the government for refusing to turn over its investigative file in the death of a Virginia man shot by U.S. Park Police.

The files are sought by the family of Bijan Ghaisar, who died in 2017 after he was shot by Park Police officers multiple times at the conclusion of a stop-and-go chase on the George Washington Parkway.

Ghaisars family is suing the government and the officers who shot Ghaisar in federal court in Alexandria.

At a hearing Friday, U.S. Magistrate Ivan Davis said the government had no right to withhold the file from the Ghaisar familys lawyers. He ordered the government to turn over the entire file by next Friday.

Government lawyers said they have been delayed in turning over the file because the material in the file is sensitive and voluminous.

Judge Davis, though, was unsympathetic.

Youre required to produce, period, Davis said. You do not decide unilaterally for yourself whether material should be turned over.

Ghaisars family has been frustrated by the slow pace of the federal investigation and what they see as stonewalling to cover up an illegal shooting. Several members of Congress, including Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., Sen. Tim KaIne, D-Va., and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, have also found fault with the governments handling of the investigation.

The U.S. Attorney in Washington decided in November  roughly two years after the shooting  that it would not seek criminal charges against the two officers, Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya.

After the Justice Department declined prosecution, Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano announced that he is reviewing whether he can file state charges.

After the hearing, Ghasars family said they appreciated the judges ruling.

It was just a little glimmer of justice, some hope for answers, said Bijans mother, Kelly Ghaisar.

Tom Connolly, the Ghaisar familys lawyer, said he is eager to review the file and see what it contains, if anything, to justify the governments decision not to prosecute.

While the FBI said little about the case in the two years it was under investigation, details about the shooting emerged in January 2018 when Fairfax County Police, which played a supporting role in the chase, released dashcam video of what occurred in an effort to promote transparency.

The four-minute nighttime video shows a chase beginning on the parkway a few miles (kilometres) south of the nations capital, then turning into a residential neighbourhood. It shows the car driven by Ghaisar stopping twice during the chase, and officers approaching the car with guns drawn. In both cases, Ghaisar drives off.

At the third and final stop, officers with guns drawn approach the car at the driver-side door. When the car starts to move again, five gunshots are heard. The car starts to drift into a ditch, and two more sets of two gunshots are heard.

The chase began after authorities say Ghaisar left the scene of an accident in which he had been rear-ended.
When the Winter Aconites burst into full bloom during the unnaturally warm weather last week, the blossoms attracted nary a pollinator. The first and, thus far, only insect to take the plunge was a glistening, metallic Blow Fly tentatively identified as a member of the genus Lucilia.
The states chief elections officer has lashed out at the series of Election Day mishaps in Los Angeles County, demanding that local officials mail ballots to each of the countys 5.5 million voters for the November election.Im beyond frustrated and disappointed in what I saw on Tuesday, and Im committed to making sure it doesnt happen again, Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. Clearly, voters deserve better.L.A. Countys rollout of its long-awaited voting system  including new ballot-marking machines and regional vote centers used in lieu of neighborhood polling places  was marred by reports of broken devices and wait times of three hours or longer. Many of the voters standing in long lines were angry that they had no other way to cast a ballot in the statewide presidential primary. Los Angeles County was given special treatment under a 2016 state election law, allowing officials to close polling places without mailing a ballot to every voter.That provision will expire in 2024. But for Tuesdays election, it meant that as many as 2 million Angelenos were forced to find one of the vote centers, of which there were far fewer than polling places used in the 2018 election.L.A. County appealed to the Legislature for special treatment and they got it, said Padilla, a former state senator and president of the L.A. City Council.Perhaps no California county had more at stake in the statewide primary this year than Los Angeles, home to more voters than anywhere else in the state, and whose officials attempted to implement the new law while also rolling out a new $300 million system for marking and counting ballots. Images of voters standing in long lines deep into the night on Tuesday were seen across the nation, and voters complained on social media and by calling the states election hotline.Democratic state Sen. Ben Allen of Santa Monica, author of the 2016 law to move counties away from traditional elections and toward a model that combines absentee ballots with full-service centers for those who want to vote in person, said he will introduce legislation next week that would require L.A. County to open more vote centers in November or mail all registered voters a ballot.I regret not having pushed harder on L.A. County last time around, Allen said of the negotiations over his law, the Voters Choice Act. And Im trying to fix things with this bill.For those voters who received ballots, the process didnt always go smoothly, either. About 17,000 ballots arrived late to voters in areas including Lancaster, Sunland-Tujunga and other pockets of the county, said L.A. County Registrar/Recorder spokesman Mike Sanchez. He said the vendor hired by the county told the elections division last week that it had failed to send some vote-by-mail ballots that should have been mailed by early February. After realizing the error, the vendor sent the ballots by first-class mail on Feb. 26.The exact number of ballots cast in L.A. County remains unknown, either through the mail or at one of the 978 vote centers. Fewer than 500,000 of the ballots cast in person on Election Day had been tallied as of Thursday afternoon. While many of the vote centers were open 10 days before Election Day, relatively few L.A. voters cast ballots during that time  a lackluster response that foreshadowed the rush of people on Election Day.The states Voters Choice Act, so far adopted by 15 of Californias 58 counties, counts on voters changing their behavior in one of two ways: voting early, or voting by mail. Its a choice that was available to every voter in every county but Los Angeles.At the time of the laws passage, county officials argued that they didnt have the capacity to mail everyone a ballot. The special provision was not included in the first drafts of the legislation, Senate Bill 450, but was added without fanfare during the legislative process.They said it wasnt logistically feasible, Allen said of the discussions. They said it was too expensive.Padilla, who was the new laws most vocal champion and raised no concerns in 2016 about exempting L.A. from mailing everyone a ballot, insisted Thursday that it was not his decision.It was a mistake for the Legislature to give L.A. County special treatment, he said.Dean Logan, L.A. Countys registrar of voters, said in a written statement Thursday that Padillas call to mail everyone a ballot would not be easy.The logistics and capacity for election administration in Los Angeles County are complex and demanding, Logan wrote. Significant efforts were made  and must be made going forward  to ensure greater access, functionality and reliability in the voting model. Expansion of vote by mail should be explored to determine its viability in the short timeframe ahead of the November election, but more is required.On Wednesday, L.A. County supervisors signaled that they would ask for an investigation into the root causes of the problems, though some supervisors believed a key factor was that so many voters waited to cast ballots until Election Day. Others have pointed out the variety of changes made to the voting experience at the same time  some failed to perform as expected, including tablet devices used to check a voters registration upon arrival at a vote center that were often slow or unable to make an online connection. Richard L. Hasen , an election law professor at the University of California, Irvine, said that the novelty of the new voting machines and check-in tablets made enhanced training important. And he said an influx of younger, more technologically savvy election workers would help.The technology has gone from fourth-grade technology to graduate school-level technology, he said. You need younger people who are more comfortable with the technology. There should be a big push for that.
Tehran has rejected reports about the deportation of Indians from Iran amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"The Iranian embassy while rejecting some false reports about the deportation of Indian citizens from Iran due to possible coronavirus infection, ensures that Indians have always been respected and warmly welcomed by Iranian people and the government and such reports are nothing than baseless allegations," Iranian Embassy in Delhi said on Friday.

Further, it added that the first Iranian flight carrying sample swabs of stranded Indian citizens will leave Tehran IKIA Airport hopefully early morning on March 7 to New Delhi and in return, it will bring back Iranian nationals to their homeland.

Stating that Iran also responded positively to cooperate with India in testing its citizens stuck in the country before their evacuation, the official statement said: "Accordingly the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi facilitated and issued expeditiously the visa for the visit of 6 experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health of India to Tehran and took the necessary steps to fulfill their mission."

"Both countries will continue their close contacts to ensure finding necessary remedies to alleviate the sufferings of all the stranded nationals including tourists, students, and businessmen in the current critical situation which requires globally coordinated actions," read the statement.

It also added that the Indian citizens with no symptoms of the virus will be transferred to India and those whose medical test results are positive will be hospitalized in one of the advanced special medical centers designated by the Ministry of Health of Iran.

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections globally has surpassed 101,000, with more than 3,400 deaths and 55,800 recoveries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lawyer Bernard Ahiafor the Akatsi South Member of Parliament (MP), has predicted that President Nana Addo and the NPP will record few votes in the Volta Region and across the country on December 7.

He complained bitterly that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, led by President Nana Addo, had virtually turned his back on the Volta Region in terms of development.

The Akatsi South Legislator insisted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments abysmal performance showing in the Volta and other Regions, would lead to the ruling political party losing a lot of seats in both the presidential and parliamentary polls come 7th December.

Mr. Ahiafor said all developmental projects that the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by ex-President Mahama started in the Volta and most of the Regions to give the Constituencies a facelift and improve the lives of the people, had been abandoned intentionally by President Nana Addo.

He particularly mentioned the abandoned Hospital, Road, Electrification, Water and Educational infrastructure projects in the Akatsi South constituency that the NDC left behind, which had virtually become a white elephant under the NPP.

In a statement signed by the member of parliament to mark the 63rd independence day anniversary, the prolific lawyer and the member of Parliament have said, they have completed 63 years as a nation at a very difficult and Unbearable juncture and he call on Ghanaians to vote out the NPP government for the betterment of Ghana.

He indicated that voting them out must be Communal labour for everyone to attend for the beauty of the community.

He seized the opportunity to wish all his Constituents, chiefs and all stakeholders of Akatsi District Happy Independence Day Anniversary.

READ HIS FULL STATEMENT BELOW.

For Immediate release

6th March, 2020

HON. BERNARD AHIAFOR MP FOR AKATSI SOUTH SETS THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON THE 63RD INDEPENDENCE DAY OF GHANA

Ghana had independence in 6th March, 1957 which is exactly 63 years ago.

The battle for our independence was fought by very patriotic and selflessness group of persons led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Today, you and I are beneficiaries of that toil of our progenitors.

I cease this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciations to our Chiefs, Queen mothers, farmers, traders, teachers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, students, security service personnel, the media etc, for your outstanding contributions to the Peace and Development of Akatsi South constituency and Ghana as a whole.

Your toils and sacrifices cannot be in doubt, as we celebrate this important occasion today.

As a member of Parliament and proud son of the land, I did and still doing everything within my strength to see Akatsi South get to the promised land.

As we count our successes today, it is also important to identify our shortfalls as a nation to help us move forward.

Our constituency began to experience highly estimated rate of development in terms of roads, health facilities, potable water, sanitation, education, electricity etc until we had a change of government but not of governance.

All these important projects were halted and abandoned.

Our District hospital which is almost completed has been abandoned, the road networks(Akatsi Tuime - Ave Dakpa, Akatsi - Dagbamate - Avenorpeme, Akatsi - Xavi - Suipe - Bayive) all abandoned.

Meanwhile, these projects directly affect the living standard of our people of Akatsi South and beyond.

It is necessary that I draw the attention of the government to these projects which started in His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the NDC's government and have been abandoned for no clear reasons.

I again wish to alert the Akufo Addo led government of the fact that, Akatsi South is still waiting for the factory they promised, the one million Dollar per constituency per year, the dams, the senior High School etc.

We the People of Akatsi South are not to be deluded.

The insecurity in the country is beyond our understanding now.

Especially, in the recent gruesome murder of the Assembly man in Sogakorpe. This is not the country His Excellency John Dramani Mahama handed over to President Akufo Addo.

And we can not be celebrating while our brothers and sisters are being murdered on daily basis.

I therefore call on all citizens of Ghana and Akatsi South in particular to use today's occasion to analyze the economic hardship, fuel price hikes, insecurity, corruption, etc and vote accordingly in the upcoming December 7th, 2020 polls.

Long Live Ghana!

Long Live Akatsi South!!

God Bless us all!!!

Signed

Hon. Bernard Ahiafor (MP)

Akatsi South
CHICAGO - A federal grand jury has indicted a former Chicago deputy aviation commissioner on a bribery charge for allegedly paying a former state senator at least $5,000 to support a road project.

The indictment returned Thursday accuses William A. Helm of bribing former state Sen. Martin Sandoval in 2018 on behalf of an unidentified construction company.

The company recruited Helm and his consulting company to help win Illinois Department of Transportation approval for the suburban Chicago project, the indictment said. Sandoval chaired the Senate Transportation Committee.

Sandoval in January pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in a separate case and agreed to co-operate with prosecutors.

Helm at one time held a high-level position with the Department of Transportation.

Online court records do not show an attorney for Helm who might comment on the case.
Donald Trump took to Twitter to mock the former Mayor of New York City: Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Donald Trump has continued his Twitter feud with Michael Bloomberg by posting a Spaceballs-themed video mocking the former Mayor of New York City.

In the video, Mr Trump's head is superimposed on to the character Lone Starr, while Mr Bloomberg's head is placed on to the character Dark Helmet from the 1987 comedy.

Mr Trump captioned the Tweet "Mini Mike, youre easy!" referencing his nickname for the 78-year-old and is in response to Mr Bloomberg's Star Wars themed clip on Wednesday.

In the video captioned "See you soon, Donald." the characters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader spar, with the latter acting as Mr Bloomberg claiming "You can't win Darth. If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."

The current thread started after Mr Bloomberg dropped out of the race on Wednesday to be the Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election, prompting Mr Trump to mock him in a tweet.

"Mini Mike Bloomberg just "quit" the race for President. I could have told him long ago that he didn't have what it takes, and he would have saved himself a billion dollars, the real cost. Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joe's campaign, hoping to save face. It won't work!" tweeted the 73-year-old.

Mr Bloomberg endorsed current frontrunner Joe Biden after a humiliating campaign, only picking up 59 delegates despite spending more than $500 million on his campaign.

Mini Mike Bloomberg just quit the race for President. I could have told him long ago that he didnt have what it takes, and he would have saved himself a billion dollars, the real cost. Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joes campaign, hoping to save face. It wont work!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2020

The billionaire dropped out after disappointing results on Super Tuesday and made it clear that beating Mr Trump is his main goal.

"I've always believed that defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After yesterday's vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden," said the 78-year-old.

At the time of writing, Mr Bloomberg is yet to respond.
New research has found that music therapy sessions have a positive effect on the neurorehabilitation of acute stroke patients, as well as their mood.

The study - the first large-scale investigation into the feasibility of delivering these exercises - was led by Dr Alex Street, of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and was carried out on a 26-bed stroke and rehabilitation unit at Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge.

In total, 177 patients took part in 675 Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) sessions over a two-year period. The researchers investigated its success among patients, their relatives, and health professionals, and the results are published in the journal Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.

Music therapy is understood to help stroke patients through mood regulation, improved concentration, and promoting changes in the brain to improve function, known as neural reorganisation. Physical benefits include better arm function and gait.

Lots of repetition, or 'massed practice', is central to neurorehabilitation. In addition to playing physical instruments (keyboard, drums and hand-held percussion), iPads featuring touchscreen instruments were used in the trial to help patients with hand rehabilitation, through improving finger dexterity, and cognitive training.

NMT sessions were run alongside existing stroke rehabilitation treatment, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and clinical psychology.

Of the 139 patients, relatives and hospital staff who completed questionnaires, the average response was that NMT was "helpful" or "very helpful". And of the 52 patients who completed mood scale questionnaires, there was a reduction in "sad" and an increase in "happy" responses immediately following a session.

Speech and language therapists observed a positive impact on patient arousal and engagement, and reported that it may help patients overcome low mood and fatigue - both common following stroke - and therefore be beneficial for their rehabilitation.

Following the success of the trial, the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Addenbrooke's hospital are developing a proposal to establish a permanent NMT post on the stroke ward, funded by the NHS.

Dr Alex Street, Senior Research Fellow within the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: "Our study found that Neurologic Music Therapy was received enthusiastically by patients, their relatives, and staff.

"The fact 675 sessions were carried out in two years is in itself an indication of the success of the treatment. It shows that staff are referring patients because they understand the mechanisms of the exercises and can see how it can benefit their patients. It also shows that patients are willing to do the exercises, with each one participating in an average of five sessions.

"Staff felt that using music and instruments allowed patients to achieve a high amount of repetition to help achieve their goals. They felt that the exercises appear less clinical, because the patients are playing music with the music therapist, and they are receiving immediate feedback from the exercises, through the sounds they create. Further research is necessary to establish potential effects of music therapy on recovery rate and length of hospital stay."

###
Meredith Cohn | The Baltimore Sun

Maryland health officials have confirmed the states first three cases of coronavirus, the respiratory disease that has sickened about 100,000 across the globe and killed more than 3,000.

The states Public Health Laboratory in Baltimore has confirmed the first three positive cases of novel coronavirus in Maryland," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement.

The patients, who contracted the virus while traveling overseas, are in good condition, he said. "We have been actively preparing for this situation over the last several weeks across all levels of government. I encourage all Marylanders not to panic, but to take this seriously and to stay informed as we continue to provide updates.

Officials had been warning that cases were likely in the state and have been actively preparing and monitoring.

Also this week, Hogan has sought millions in extra funds and the first local gathering was canceled.

Thirty one people had been tested in the state as of Thursday morning, with 17 already reported to be negative. The rest were pending, according to the state Department of Health, which is now doing tests in its own East Baltimore lab rather than sending samples to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

That has allowed for results in a day compared with two to three days.

Nationally, more than 220 people have been infected with COVID-19 and 12 people have died, almost all Washington state.

Hogan has sought additional funding to prepare and manage coronavirus. He asked the General Assembly to add $10 million to the fiscal 2020 budget in legislation that was introduced Thursday.

The measure included $250,000 for communication; $5.75 million for contractual services; $3.5 million for supplies and materials; and $500,000 grants, subsidies and contributions. Further details were not provided. The money would be available immediately upon passage.

Hogan also requested permission to tap the states $50 million rainy day fund to pay for the coronavirus response, if needed.

Lawmakers moved swiftly on the request, holding a public hearing Thursday and voting session that last less than 10 minutes in the Senates Budget and Taxation Committee and unanimously approving the bill.

Under the provision, a General Assembly committee could review the governors plans before the money is spent, and the governor also would be required to send a report to the legislature after the fact as well.

Its just to allow some flexibility so we can be prepared, said David Brinkley, Hogans budget secretary.

Fran Phillips, the states deputy health secretary, told senators the states level of testing, monitoring and communication is simply not sustainable without additional resources.

In Baltimore, a City Council panel held a hearing to review the measures taken to prepare for an outbreak.

"Were here today to not scare the public, said Brandon Scott, council president.

But wed be remiss if we didnt talk about preparedness," he said. "This is simply about making sure we are prepared for something that is very serious.

Representatives from the health department, emergency management office, emergency services agencies and schools outlines efforts to ensure that there is a system in place if there are a lot of cases here.

The council wanted assurance that medical centers are being prepped to screen patients, emergency responders are prepared to take people to any city hospital and the hospitals able to accept, isolate and care for the infected and there are sufficient supplies on hand that includes personal protective equipment for medical workers.

Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, city health commissioner, said planning and coordination among all the agencies continues and for now the most important effort involves messaging. That means alerting the public to call their health care provider, rather than going to the emergency room, if they are concerned they have been exposed to the coronavirus and have symptoms such as fever, coughing or shortness of breath.

The testing criteria has recently been expanded somewhat to people who have not traveled or come in contact with someone infected but is hospitalized with serious symptoms not otherwise explained. Dzirasa said the criteria continues to evolve as more people become infected across the country.

The messaging also is aimed at businesses, who officials want to plan for telecommuting and allowing workers to stay home when they are sick.

Generally, Dzirasa also emphasized that the public needs to take steps to protect themselves and the vulnerable people in the community, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, by washing hands, covering coughs and staying home when sick  the same measures that protect people from the flu, which is widespread now.

Were ramping up messaging, Dzirasa said. There is no vaccine and we want to slow the spreading of the illness and make sure were directing resources where they are needed.

Already, health officials advised a private all-girls Jewish school in Baltimore to send three students home on Wednesday because they may have come in indirect contact with someone in New York who tested positive for COVID-19 in Westchester County, N.Y.

Leaders of Bnos Yisroel school in the Cross Country neighborhood notified parents by email about the contact, made during a gathering in New York. The school contacted city and state health agencies, which advised the school to send the girls home and disinfect the school as a precaution.

The girls will be monitored and wont return to school until they are cleared by health officials, though the school remains open.

Also in Baltimore, the Women of the World (WOW) Festival has been canceled amid growing concerns and uncertainty about the coronavirus. The event was expected to bring more than 1,000 people from around the country to the city this weekend.

The festival, which had been scheduled to take place Saturday at the Columbus Center in the Inner Harbor, is part of a global movement that celebrates women and girls as a force for positive change, its website says.

Organizers said they were putting safety first. Though there are no cases in Maryland, the state is not far from other large metropolitan areas, including New York communities where there are cases.

T. Rowe Price also said Thursday that it has postponed an institutional client event scheduled for the end of March in New York.The event is expected to be rescheduled, and in the meantime, the Baltimore-based investment management firm plans to increase use of webinars and conference calls to continue serving clients.

Baltimore Sun reporters Colin Campbell, Lorraine Mirabella, McKenna Oxenden, Pam Wood contributed to this article.
Police have opened fire on three suspected carjackers in a dramatic standoff in central Melbourne.

Footage has emerged of the moment armed officers in protective gear cornered a blue Holden on Little Oxford St in Collingwood on Friday.

The three male passengers were accused of stealing a man's car at knifepoint on Palmer Street, in nearby Fitzroy, earlier in the morning.

Scroll down for video

Police opened fire on three suspected carjackers in a dramatic standoff in inner Melbourne on Friday

A team of up to four police officers caught up to the suspected stolen vehicle, surrounding it with their unmarked police cars, before exiting and and firing a number of shots on the suspects.

The three males were arrested for aggravated carjacking and are currently in custody.

The 20-year-old male victim was treated by paramedics after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Japanese ambassador to South Korea Koji Tomita (L) arrives at the foreign ministry in Seoul. AFP Photo

Seoul: Seoul threatened to retaliate Friday over what it called Tokyo's "irrational" plan to quarantine arrivals from South Korea over the coronavirus outbreak, turning the scientific issue into a diplomatic row.

The two countries have close economic ties and are both major US allies, democracies and market economies faced with a rising China and nuclear-armed North Korea.

But their relationship continues to be heavily affected by Japan's colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945 -- a dispute that escalated into a trade and security row last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday announced that foreign arrivals who have recently been in China or South Korea would be required to spend 14 days in quarantine.

South Korea has reported more than 6,000 coronavirus cases -- the highest total outside China -- and around 60 countries and regions have imposed travel bans or quarantine on arrivals from the world's 12th-largest economy.

But it has taken particular issue with Japan's restrictions, with the presidential office expressing "strong regrets" and criticising Tokyo's outbreak control campaign as "opaque and passive", in contrast to its own "scientific and transparent" efforts.

South Korea's National Security Council agreed to consider "necessary measures based on the principle of reciprocity", the presidential Blue House said in a statement, adding Japan had made its "irrational decision without prior consultations".

Seoul's foreign ministry summoned the ambassador to protest.

It also accused Tokyo of ulterior motives, saying in a statement: "We can't help but question whether Japan has other motives than containing the outbreak."

The country's total reported infections -- the largest figure outside China, where the virus first emerged -- rose to 6,284 on Friday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

It announced seven more deaths, taking the toll to 42.

Japan has reported 360 confirmed cases and six deaths from the illness, and a handful of countries have blocked arrivals from it or imposed restrictions.

Around 40 countries and regions have banned entry to foreigners who have recently been in the South, while more than 20 require quarantine, as do several parts of China.

Seoul has not protested to Beijing over those decisions, despite facing domestic criticism itself for not banning all arrivals from China, rather than only those from Hubei, the province at the centre of the epidemic.

Japan's quarantine announcement was already affecting "thousands of South Koreans", said Park Chul-hyun, a media columnist based in Tokyo.

He cancelled a three-day trip to Seoul for fear of having to go into quarantine on his return and criticised the measure as a "pure performance" ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
UTICA, N.Y. -- The Utica Municipal Housing Authority is sponsoring a free workshop for people looking for information on starting a small business.

The Building Blocks for Starting a Business will be held on Monday, March 9, at the Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St., from 6  7:30 p.m.

Dr. Pat Laino, executive director of the Business Training Institute, and Donna Rebisz, director of the Womens Business Center of New York State, will speak at the event.

Laino will talk about initial planning stages and how to find customers for a business.

Rebisz will discuss how entrepreneurs can become certified women-owned or minority-owned businesses and the benefits that come with those designations.

Housing Authority staff and AmeriCorps members will also attend the event and be available to answer questions.

The workshop is open to the public and a light dinner will be served.

For more information, call 315-735-5246, ext. 25.
One of the six pillars of the Chester County Historic Courthouse on North High Street will shine in blue light on January nights beginning Tuesday evening in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Regional Transit Authorities across Massachusetts are ramping up their cleaning schedule and, in some cases, switching to stronger cleaning products to prevent residents from contracting the coronavirus while riding public transit.

The global coronavirus outbreak, with the number of diagnoses charging towards 100,000 worldwide, has raised questions about how the states public transit systems are preparing against possible spread of the illness. Massachusetts health officials announced the states second presumptive positive case on Thursday.

The states 15 RTAs transport millions of Massachusetts residents a year - separate from the commuter rail lines, T service and buses operated by the MBTA.

The Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority, the states largest RTA, is increasing how often they sanitize their vehicles, said spokeswoman Brandy Pelletier. The PVTA serves roughly 9 million passengers a year on its roughly 186 buses and 132 vans.

Crews are sanitizing vans coming into the Northampton and Amherst garages daily, including handrails, fare boxes, the driver compartment and other frequently touched surfaces. The Springfield garage is sanitizing as many vehicles as possible as they come into service every night, Pelletier said.

The PVTA also started posting notices about prevention measures at major transfer points, shelters and buses.

We are working proactively to address current concerns regarding the coronavirus," she said in a statement. "We are engaging with riders and employees across our system to ensure we are prepared to deal with the concerns of passengers and staff,

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority continues to clean its buses every night, but had crews start disinfecting handheld areas this week, said Meaghan Lyver, the WRTA spokeswoman.

Were following the current [Federal Transit Administration] advisories regarding the situation, and we are prepared to handle any chances, Lyver said in a statement.

The Montachusett Area Regional Transit, which serves Northern Worcester and Western Middlesex Counties, started cleaning buses twice a day during the last week of February, said Bruno Fisher, the deputy administrator.

Its better to get out in front of it, Fisher said. We figure it was better to be safe than sorry.

The MRTA also started using stronger cleaning products to sanitize seats, fare boxes, fixtures and other commonly touched surfaces, Fisher said.

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority is cleaning and disinfecting buses more often, said Tom Cahir, the administrator. Crews are disinfecting the Hyannis Transportation Center lobby area doors, benches and bathrooms twice a day.

Customers who have been in contact with the virus are encouraged to stay at home and use medical transportation for medical emergencies, Cahir said in a statement.

RTA officials plan to join a call with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services on Friday to discuss the response on public transit, Fisher said.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Wednesday that personnel will disinfect T and Commuter Rail equipment every four hours. The MBTA planned complete disinfections of busses, subways and para-transit vehicles, but officials said supply-chain issues prevented them from starting that immediately.

The MBTA averaged 1.18 million trips on an average weekday, according to the MBTAs figures from November, the latest month available on the agencys website.

Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook orTwitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364.

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2020) - MedXtractor Corp. (CSE: MXT) ("MXT" or the "Corporation") announces it has entered into a distribution agreement (the "Agreement") with Purpl Scientific Inc., https://www.purplscientific.com/ a manufacturer of low-cost cannabis testing devices. The Agreement is non-exclusive and may be cancelled by either party at any time. Medxtractor is free to sell the test devices via its website to customers anywhere in the world.

Mr. Jim Durward, CEO, states, "We are always looking for products that target the craft grower horizontal and that compliment our existing offerings. Purpl's test device, with it's low-cost MSRP (US$1495) and high accuracy fits right into our targeted horizontal and we believe it will be a valuable product for our extractor customers."

ABOUT MEDXTRACTOR CORP.:

The Corporation is a Calgary-based company that manufactures award-winning, patented, proprietary craft-scale carbon dioxide-based extractors that are used to extract essential oils and compounds from a variety of botanical materials. Growing demand is from the premium craft medical cannabis market as these growers respond to the shift toward high-purity oils and concentrates as the base for a multitude of products such as vapes, dabs, edibles, lotions, sprays, and suppositories. The ongoing worldwide cannabis legalization movement is expected to further increase demand for extracts and the Corporation has installations in multiple countries worldwide. The Corporation owns the US patent, and the Canadian Patent application, on its CO2-based extraction process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

MEDXTRACTOR CORP.

James M. Durward, President and CEO

Telephone: (403) 689-3901

Email: jimd@medxtractor.com

Website: www.medxtractor.com

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Story continues

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53146
The U.N. secretary-general said Friday that 25 years after action was demanded at a landmark conference in Beijing, progress on womens rights has stalled and even been reversed.

Some countries have rolled back laws that protect women from violence; others are reducing civic space; still others are pursuing economic and immigration policies that indirectly discriminate against women, Antonio Guterres warned at a commemoration ahead of International Womens Day, which is Sunday.

Guterres told a General Assembly hall full of diplomats, activists, women and girls that bias against gender equality is growing in some countries.

We must push back against the pushback, he said. We cannot give way; we refuse to lose the ground we have won.

In a new report, the U.N. said men still overwhelmingly hold elected positions, make more money, and have access to better jobs and education.

Societal obstacles

In addition, women in many parts of the world are still trying to overcome societal obstacles, including child marriage, illiteracy, domestic violence and lack of access to family planning. Rural and indigenous women face even more hurdles, in addition to discrimination and deeper poverty.

The secretary-general was joined by several trailblazing women, including the worlds youngest female prime minister, Sanna Marin of Finland. She is 34 and heads a coalition government in which women lead all five parties.

Finland has been at the forefront pursuing gender equality for decades, including being the first state to grant women full political rights  both to vote and to run for office.

Change does not happen overnight, Marin said. We had to harness the resources of the whole society because we simply could not disregard half of the population.

She said family-friendly policies such as paid parental leave, publicly funded child care and even free school lunches played a significant role in advancing gender equality. She noted that many of these policies were introduced by female legislators.

I argue that the best way to get gender transformative policies is to have more women in high-level decision-making positions, she said.

'We have touched a nerve'

Veteran activist and author Charlotte Bunch said there was a clear reason for the backlash against gains women have made.

Because we have touched a nerve; we have touched the possibility of profound social change, she said.

Many feminists are focused on the pushback against womens reproductive and sexual rights, especially in some Western countries, including the United States.

It is a backlash that understands controlling our bodies is fundamental to taking our own power to be a part of those changes, she said.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee of Liberia urged governments to move beyond the rhetoric of womens rights and take real action that will lead to change.

Our rights should not just be important during election season; they should be important at all times, Gbowee said.
WASHINGTON  Every year for two decades, congressional lawmakers have joined the pilgrimage to Selma, Alabama, to walk where Rep. John Lewis and other civil rights activists walked to cross the bridge they crossed in their fight for the right to vote.

For some like Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Selma and is the lead sponsor of a voting rights bill, its a reminder of the powerful change that ordinary Americans can make.

Its also a chance, she said, for her colleagues to walk in the footsteps of the foot soldiers."

On Friday, Sewell will help lead a bipartisan group of dozens of members of Congress to her home state to commemorate the 55th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday.'' Hundreds of peaceful protestors, led in part by Lewis, were crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. They were met on the bridge by a wall of police. The protesters were tear gassed and beaten. Lewis' skull was fractured.

The televised brutality was a turning point in the civil rights movement.

Rep. John Lewis, civil rights icon, diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer

The three-day trip, sponsored by the nonpartisan The Faith and Politics Institute, has long been led by Lewis. Organizers are hopeful that Lewis, who announced in December that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, will attend.

All I know is that if theres a way for him to do it that he will, said Sewell, who considers Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia, a mentor. His presence is always felt whether hes there or not.

Separately, another group hosted a program last weekend to also commemorate the anniversary. The event attracted national attention and drew Democratic presidential candidates ahead of Super Tuesday. But it was a surprise visit by Lewis that took the show.

"We must go out and vote like we never ever voted before,'' he told the crowd.

Sewell, the lone African American in Alabamas congressional delegation, said the pilgrimage comes at a critical time as lawmakers and civil rights groups fight against adding more barriers to voting.

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She said Lewis presence last weekend was a renewed charge that we have to vote in every election  Our vote is our voice.

Rep. John Lewis signs paperwork March 2, 2020 to qualify for reelection in Atlanta. Georgia's political season kicks into high gear Monday as qualifying for state and federal offices begins.

Nearly 45 members of Congress, mostly Democrats, are scheduled to join this weekend's trip. Many are newcomers and part of the most diverse Congress ever.

We look at this as a crossroads year, said Joan Mooney, president and CEO of The Faith and Politics Institute. Every year that we go its an emphasis on the next generation of people. We find hope in the history of the southern freedom movements and we also find faith in our future. 

Alabama Republican Rep. Martha Roby, a co-host, said the pilgrimage spurs discussions about the civil rights movements impact not only in Alabama, but across the country. "We must remember and reflect on the history behind us in order to strive for a better tomorrow for all, she said.

This years trip also marks the 60th anniversary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee of which Lewis is a founding member. SNCC played a key role in registering blacks to vote in the segregated South.

Beyond visits to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the historic 16 St. Baptist Church, the group will also visit the new Equal Justice Initiatives Memorial for Peace and Justice. Lawmakers will also attend a showing of a play about civil rights veteran Ruby Bridges, who is also expected to be on the trip, and another about the bombing at the 16th St. Baptist church by the Ku Klux Klan that killed four girls in 1963.

Another new stop is at the federal courthouse where then U.S. District Judge Frank Johnson issued orders allowing protestors, including Lewis, to continue a march across the bridge. Judge Myron Thompson, who is black and succeeded Johnson in 1980, plans to retire.

What poetic justice, said Sewell.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California is slated to give the keynote address Sunday at Brown Chapel AME Church.

But the highlight of the trip, said organizers, will be the walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The hope is that members of Congress and other local officials see and understand the long arc of history, said Mooney.

We are all in this together and at a time when divisions are high, when people are finding differences in one another we hope that the members of Congress and others with us see how much common ground we stand on together, she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Voting rights: Congress members visit Selma to remember Bloody Sunday
Red Cross personnel prepare for the transport of a Coronavirus patient during a simulation, in Rome, Friday, March 6, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country has prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP
Illustrated London News

Britain was once among the most enthusiastic of slave-trading nations. But just over 200 years ago, the country dramatically changed course and used its naval dominance against the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people, one of the worst historical crimes against humanity.

After the Abolition Act of 1807 made British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade illegal, the country switched rapidly to an extensive commitment to enforce its abolition. For the next 60 years, the Royal Navys West Africa Squadron worked to suppress the human traffic between West Africa and the plantations of the Americas, as Britain exerted increasing diplomatic and coercive pressure on nations continuing the slave trade such as Spain, Portugal, France and Brazil.

At its peak in the 1840s and 1850s, British operations off the West African coast involved up to 36 vessels and more than 4,000 men, costing an estimated half of all naval spending  amounting to between 1% and 2% of British government expenditure.

In all, nearly 200,000 African men, women and children were released by the navy. Its a huge number of people, but represents only a relatively small share of the estimated 3.2 million who were taken from West Africa as slaves between 1808 and 1863. Nevertheless, the work of the West Africa squadron was the first chapter in a long history of British naval campaigns against international slavery, including in the Indian Ocean from the 1860s, and in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf in the 1920s and 1930s.

Witnessing slavery first hand

My new book Envoys of Abolition looks at the personal experiences of British sailors serving in West Africa, including their relationships with the African people they met while intercepting and detaining slave vessels at sea, and while spreading the British anti-slavery message on shore. Alongside their official duties of law enforcement, chase and capture, sailors experiences of anti-slave trade service included their roles as negotiators, guardians, humanitarians and liberators.

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Conditions of this service were extraordinary, and the naval personnel involved need to be recognised as more than just sailors performing a job. Their stories uncover notions of duty and a sense of moral and religious imperative to end the slave trade, but also raise questions of racial identity and the meaning of freedom.

A snapshot of the human interactions at the heart of slave trade suppression is the prize voyage, where intercepted slave vessels were transported to Admiralty Courts, usually in the British colony of Sierra Leone. The terrible conditions for those captive aboard slave vessels on the infamous Middle Passage across the Atlantic meant dysentery, fever, small-pox and eye diseases were common, compounded by over-crowding and poor ventilation below deck. These conditions were not easily alleviated if the ships were taken under the control of the Royal Navy.

In a letter written home from Sierra Leone in 1863, naval officer James Bowly described how on one captured vessel only around 200 of the 540 original captives survived the passage to Sierra Leone:

They were in the most dreadful condition that human beings could be in  I should never have believed that anything could have been so horrible  some of them mere walking skeletons.

Diseases were easily transmitted to sailors, and the squadron suffered significantly higher mortality rates than other naval stations in this period. As one officer noted: I dread sending away an officer and men in such a floating pest house!

Witnessing the distressing realities of the slave trade was for many a transformative experience. Commodore John Hayes, a hugely experienced officer, witnessed cases too horrible & disgusting to be described. His compassion for the enslaved led him to plead, in his correspondence with his seniors: Gracious God! Is this unparalleled cruelty to last for ever?

Sir George Collier, appointed as the first leader of the squadron in 1818, believed the dreadful realities of transatlantic slavery roused active benevolence and philanthropic feelings in his fellow crewmembers. However, the conditions of the prize voyage could also contribute to tensions between sailors and recaptured Africans.

BBC/A+E

In the hands of new conquerors

Regrettably, few African testimonies survive, although its possible to create an idea of the conditions of captivity that led former slave Mahommah G. Baquaqua to declare: my wretchedness I cannot describe.

Were recaptured Africans even aware of a favourable change in their circumstances? Born in present-day Nigeria, Samuel Ajayi Crowther was released from a Portuguese slave vessel in 1822 and went on to have a remarkable career as a respected missionary and, later, the first African Anglican bishop. Crowthers first-hand account reveals the distrust inherent in these initial encounters with the Royal Navy. We found ourselves in the hands of new conquerors, he wrote, whom we at first very much dreaded.

Naval officers were tasked with maintaining order and discipline on prize vessels as on any other ship. Tensions were exacerbated by language barriers, as Africans enslaved from diverse communities invariably spoke different languages. Racial prejudices of the time also played a part.

Some naval men were prepared to assert control in ways reminiscent of those used by the trade they were attempting to suppress. When an African man on his prize vessel was accused of stealing a 4lb piece of beef, Lieutenant Philip de Sausmarez tied the man in the rigging with the piece of beef suspended above him, and made the slaves process around him as an example.

While Britains abolitionist campaign was presented to the rest of the world as a shining example of the countrys benevolence, the reality revealed in the accounts from the front line is more nuanced. The granting of liberty (or more accurately, British perceptions of liberty) to captive Africans was riddled with ambiguities.

This continued after recaptured Africans were resettled in British territories, where, rather than being repatriated, they became part of the wider British anti-slavery campaign to end slave trading within Africa by civilising the continent via Christian education and European commerce. We should also remember that until the Emancipation Act of 1833, many Britons still owned slaves in the Caribbean.

The British commitment to anti-slavery operations in this period is rightfully commended. The insight offered by the personal experiences of British sailors from the West African coast, however, serves to remind us of the complexities of British abolitionism in this period.

Mary Wills is the author of:

Envoys of abolition: British Naval Officers and the Campaign Against the Slave Trade in West Africa.

Liverpool University Press provides funding as a content partner of The Conversation UK

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Mary Wills has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
INDIANAPOLIS (WLFI)  The Indiana State Department of Health announced Friday the state has its first case of coronavirus. According to an ISDH press release, the individual is a Marion County resident with a recent history of travel to Boston.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has issued a public health emergency.

With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks, Gov. Holcomb said. The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.

State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said the adult patient has been in quarantine since arriving back in Indianapolis and that the risk to the general public is low. The CDC is working to identify and notify air travelers who were on the individuals flight from Boston.

The Tippecanoe County Health Department issued a public health alert Wednesday, saying there was no need to panic, but to be prepared. Health officials said there have been people tested for the coronavirus in the county. As of Wednesday, they said the number is in the single digits.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels said no students have been infected, however, one faculty member was in quarantine Thursday afternoon.

West Lafayette Community School Corporation said a parent of a student at the Jr./Sr. High School was being quarantined.

This story will be updated.
Emma Langford admitted charges of being drunk on an aircraft, behaving in a threatening manner towards aircraft crew and criminal damage. (SWNS)

A mother who attacked three flight attendants after being denied alcohol on her way to a drying out clinic in South Africa has been given a suspended sentence.

Emma Langford had to be handcuffed and strapped to her seat after the confrontation, which a court heard started when she was denied the Bloody Mary cocktail.

Langford, of Old Basing, Hampshire, had been in a difficult time after the breakdown of her marriage, the court heard.

She has admitted three charges of assault, one count of criminal damage, one of being drunk on an aircraft and threatening, abusive, insulting and disorderly manner towards cabin crew.

Judge Nicholas Wood sentenced Langford to a total of 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.

He said: There is no escape route at 30,000 feet.

Ive no doubt whatsoever there were passengers on that plane that were fearful of their lives over what you might do.

He also told her to pay 1,000 compensation to three victims and 1,000 in costs.

The 47-year-old mother-of-two was flying from Heathrow to Cape Town with her son on British Airways to check herself into an alcohol rehabilitation centre, Isleworth Crown Court was told during a hearing in January.

Half an hour after take-off, Langford told cabin crew she was thirsty and demanded a large amount of alcohol, but after being given water she returned to abuse staff.

The court heard she asked if they could afford her 8,000 seats and called two female stewards fat before punching two members of the crew.

Emma Langford leaves Isleworth Crown Court in West London in January. (Paul Davey/SWNS)

She later shoved a third staff member and threw a tray of plates and glasses to the floor, with one of the shards cutting a crew members leg.

Prosecuting, Douglas Adams said: They restrained her and gave her a violation notice to which she said blah, blah, blah.

She was later carried out using the approved techniques but she struggled and the staff were helped by an off duty police officer.

A crew member told the court in a statement: She called me chubby and fat arse. It was massively offensive and hurt my confidence. I felt humiliated in front of the whole cabin.

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Guy Wyatt, defending, said: Its striking that she was travelling to (South Africa) to book herself into residential rehabilitation.

She knew she needed it, she made enquiries and had been told that this particular clinic was best and was on her way.

She was going through a difficult time because of a few things. The consequences of the breakdown of her marriage, anxieties of whether the children would be living with her or not.

Those anxieties got the better of her and she crashed catastrophically into heavy drinking  something that she had done before.

He told the court Langford had been in rehab and stayed sober since her release.

The last hearing was adjourned until today so the judge could see the results of a bracelet that monitors her blood alcohol levels through sweat.
NEW YORK (JTA)A delegation of members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations visited Saudi Arabia last week, a first for the umbrella body for U.S. Jews, and a move believed to be the first official visit to the kingdom by an American Jewish organization since 1993.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has learned that the visit from Monday to Thursday included meetings with senior Saudi officials as well as with Mohammed al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League who recently led a delegation to Auschwitz. Al-Issa is seen as close to the Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince.

The focus of the talks between the Conference constituents and Saudi officials was on countering terrorism and those fomenting instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and Israel share a mutual concern about Irans activity in the region and fears that Iran is developing a nuclear weapons program.

Why it matters

The Presidents Conference is an umbrella body for major U.S. Jewish organizations, created in the 1950s to present a unified Jewish voice on issues of foreign policy. It has been riven in recent years over differences on criticizing Israels settlement policy, and on how closely to work with the Trump administration.

Its not known which component organizations were represented in Riyadh, but the Conferences professional leadershipexecutive vice president Malcolm Hoenlein and CEO William Daroff are known to have been present, as well as current lay chairman Arthur Stark.

A number of organizations chose not to attend, but most notably no Reform movement group was on board.

The visit signals what could be an increasing warmness between some mainstream U.S. Jewish groups and Saudi Arabia.

The latter has come under fire in recent years for cracking down on dissidents. Saudi agents in 2018 brutally murdered Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Saudi national who had become critical of the regime, when he was visiting Istanbul.

But Saudi Arabia has also forged closer informal ties with Israel in recent years.

In 1993, the American Jewish Congress sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia, as the Oslo peace process was getting underway.

How it happened

Its unlikely that the visit took place without the blessings and encouragement of the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is close to bin Salman. Kushner is seeking traction for the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan he unveiled last month, which has been greeted with skepticism by most of the international community.

Netanyahu also favors the plan, and is seeking to raise his profile as a world player ahead of elections in Israel next monththe countrys third in less than a year.
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Bright, bold, powerful women are driving our industry to the extent that we shouldnt celebrate their impact on a single day each year. In fact, Im hoping we wont even be talking about a gender gap in real estate soon.

Realty ONE Group International, one of the countrys fastest growing franchisors, is celebrating International Womens Day this Sunday, March 8, but the company has its own mission to forge a more gender-equal world in real estate and beyond.

It shouldnt be something that trends one week on social media or is talked about every now and again, said Vinnie Tracey, President of Realty ONE Group. Bright, bold, powerful women are driving our industry to the extent that we shouldnt celebrate their impact on a single day each year. In fact, Im hoping we wont even be talking about a gender gap in real estate soon.

According to the Center for American Progress, only seven percent of top executives in Fortune 100 companies are women. And while 63% of REALTORS are female according to the National Association of REALTORS, only 12% are in President, CEO, Executive Director or similar roles.

In contrast, Realty ONE Groups employee mix is 67% female to 33% male, with 56% of women in leadership roles*.

Womens International Day is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate progress but to also recognize how much more work we have to do to make our workplaces equal and accepting of all people, said Margaret Kelly, a former real estate CEO who was recently named to the Realty ONE Groups Advisory Board.

Until women in leadership roles becomes the norm, we have to go out of our way to make sure theyre showcased for their talents and promoted for their comparable skills and experience, said Tara Johnson.

Johnson was one of the first females appointed to an executive role with Realty ONE Group. She's been with the company nearly ten years and serves as the President of CORE Partners Group for Realty ONE Group. More recently, Realty ONE Group promoted seasoned industry veteran Kathy Baker to Vice President of Learning and Cory Vasquez, who was hired as VP of Corporate Communications in 2018, was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer late last year.

Realty ONE Group recently donated $11,111 to the Beverly Carter Foundation during the National Association of REALTORS Convention to help raise awareness for the Foundation and create new tools for agent safety. For Realty ONE Groups CEO and Founder, Kuba Jewgieniew, and the executive team, the focus is not only on REALTOR safety but on recognizing who Beverly Carter was and her immense contributions to her local real estate community.

Its so rewarding to see more women dominating their housing markets and all-out killing it, doing whatever they choose to do, said Jillian Batchelor, one of Realty ONE Groups top-producing real estate professionals who serves on her local REALTOR Board. The only discussion we should be having about women is how to get out of their way, she said.

Batchelor was part of a Womens Leadership Luncheon hosted at the companys annual ONE Summit in Las Vegas this past February. That event also featured all-women keynote speakers including Taya Kyle, Eileen Collins and Pamela Meyer.

Realty ONE Group International now has more than 12,000 real estate professionals in over 270 locations in 41 states, Washington D.C. and Canada. The company has grown faster in the past 12 months than in the first 12 years.

*Includes Realty ONE Group, CORE Partner Groups and Affiliated Services.

About Realty ONE Group International

Founded in 2005, Realty ONE Group is an industry disruptor, radically changing the face of real estate franchising with its unique business model, fun coolture, technology infrastructure and superior support for its real estate professionals. The company has rapidly evolved to include more than 12,000 real estate professionals in over 270 offices across 41 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and Canada. Realty ONE Group ranks in the top one percent in the nation by REAL Trends, has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 5 Real Estate Franchise and has been on Inc. 500s list of the Fastest-Growing Companies for seven consecutive years. Realty ONE Group is surging ahead, opening doors, not only for its clients but for real estate professionals and franchise owners. To learn more, visit http://www.RealtyONEGroup.com
Tel Aviv, Mar 5(UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday emerged as the front runner to become Israel's prime minister for a record fifth time, even as his right wing coalition fell just short of a clear majority.

His Likud Party led coalition has got 58 seats, just two short 61 in the 120 member Israeli Knesset.

With 99 per cent of the votes counted by Thursday it became clear that the third election in Israel within a year failed to break the political deadlock that has plagued the country. Netanyahu reacted angrily to the result conceding that he did not have the parliamentary majority to form a new government right away

.

"This is what the nation decided," he said. "The public gave me more votes than any other candidate for prime minister in the nation's history."

The exit polls right after the elections had given Netanyahu and his nationalist-religious allies a clear majority and Netanyahu had thanked his supporters for the "great victory". But by Wednesday things did not look very good for the right wing coalition.

Netanyahu's Likud Party is still the biggest party in parliament with 36 seats, three ahead of Benny Gantz'a Blue and White party which has 33 seats.

The Joint List, an umbrella group of Arab-led parties, finished third with 15 seats, an all-time high for Palestinian-majority electoral alliance.



While the Arab parties have never been part of any Israeli coalition, they have supported policies from the outside, something they could do again if they can resolve their differences with Gantz whom they have described as being the other side of the same coin as Netanyahu..

Gantz however ruled out a partnership with the Joint List, making it unlikely he can cobble together a coalition either, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

With corruption charges intensifying against him Netanyahu was desperate for a strong showing in advance of his trial, scheduled to start on March 17.

Netanyahu was indicted last year on fraud, bribery and breach of trust charges in three separate corruption cases. He denies any wrongdoing, blaming the liberal media and the justice system for trying to depose him.

Israel's president will soon begin consultations with the elected parties, who will then recommend to him their preferred selection to lead the government.

Typically, the candidate with the most recommendations is asked to form a government. As leader of the largest party in parliament Netanyahu is likely to be asked to form the government, even though it is unclear how will he cobble up a working majority.

According to political commentators the most straightforward way out of the deadlock would be a power-sharing deal between Gantz and Netanyahu, whose parties together control a parliamentary majority. But Gantz has ruled out a partnership as long as Netanyahu heads Likud.

Netanyahu, on the other hand, insists on being prime minister of any unity government.

If neither candidate can form a government within the allotted time, Israel will be facing an unprecedented fourth election in a year.

UNI XC ACL1331
WASHINGTON -- They might argue on the debate stage, but when theyre not all trying to be president, they console.

When Sen. Cory Booker dropped out of the presidential race in January, workers at the New Jersey Democrats Senate office in Washington, D.C., received arguably the best consolation prize: food.

Boxes of donuts from Dunkin arrived, a gift from staffers in Elizabeth Warrens Senate office. The Massachusetts Democrat was still in the race.

Were proud to continue fighting alongside you in the Senate, read the note included with the glaze-covered dough.

So on Thursday, when it came time for Warren to bow out, the gesture was returned. Her team received another kind of dough-y deliciousness: pizza. The ooey-gooey goodness that is cheese and red sauce (and what appears to be peppers and onions, among other toppings were OK with) was sent to Warrens office from Bookers.

Thank you for thinking of us & thank you for being in the fight with us, Warrens digital director Lauren Miller tweeted.

Sen. Amy Klobuchars team also got in on the sympathy food exchange Thursday, sending the Warren team some potica, a sweet delicacy in Minnesota.

And with that, it was back to business as usual. Booker, Warren and Klobuchar -- who dropped out Monday -- are no longer presidential candidates and senators. Theyre just senators. Will another Senate office be getting some pity pizza of its own before long? That remains to be seen.

-- CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved

Visit CQ Roll Call at www.rollcall.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The family of a girl who was killed by a doctor after she threatened to expose him as a pervert who preyed on young girls have been rocked by another tragedy.

Amber-Rose Rush was just 16 when she was murdered by 32-year-old Venod Skantha, who crept into her bedroom to kill her.

She had threatened to expose the much older man for offering to pay teenage girls for sex.

Four months after the teenager's tragic death, her devastated mother Lisa-Ann Mills died in a suspected suicide.

Skantha was jailed for 19 years on Friday.

Speaking to the NZ Herald ahead of the sentencing, Amber-Rose's stepfather Brendon MacNee said the killer doctor should spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Scroll down for video

Amber-Rose Rush (left) with mother Lisa-Ann Mills (right). Horrifically, her mother found Amber-Rose dead in her bed, covered in blood on the morning of February 3, 2018

'As a doctor, he took an oath to save lives - not to take them away. I never want him out of jail,' he said.

Amber-Rose bled to death after Skantha stabbed her six times in the neck on February 2, 2018.

Lisa-Ann was the one who discovered her daughter's blood-soaked body.

Skantha, an alcoholic who preyed on young teens, was found guilty of murder and four charges of threatening to kill in the High Court of Dunedin on November 27 last year.

Dunedin junior doctor Venod Skantha plied teenagers with alcohol and tried to prey on teenage girls. He killed Amber-Rose Rush when she threatened to expose him to the police and to his bosses at Dunedin Hospital

Mr MacNee said Skantha was responsible for both the death of his beloved step-daughter and that of his soul-mate of 13 years, Lisa-Ann.

'The Bible says "an eye for an eye". I can't close my eyes at night, all I see are their dead bodies - the nightmares are horrific,' he said.

He said Lisa-Ann never recovered from the moment they found Amber-Rose dead in her bed at their home in Corstorphine in southwest Dunedin.

She became a totally different person and would just stare into space.

Brendon MacNee (right) with Lisa-Ann Mills (left) whom he described as his soul-mate for 13 years. Tragically Lisa-Ann Mills died four months after the killing in a suspected suicide

'Lisa-Ann screamed - I will never forget that scream. Lisa-Ann also died that day but it took four months for her body to catch up. Her soul went with that scream,' he told the NZ Herald.

Mr MacNee told of his distress as he tried to do CPR to revive his step-daughter, but she was cold.

The jury had previously heard how Skantha killed Amber-Rose to protect his medical career.

On the evening of February 2, Skantha messaged Amber-Rose about a payment on his credit card.

Amber-Rose Rush was described as a 'hero' by her family for standing up to the much-older doctor for abusing young teens while other people stood by and said nothing

She immediately questioned him about molesting teenagers, offering them money for sex and plying them with alcohol, then posted a screenshot of the conversation on Instagram.

Minutes before her death, Amber-Rose confirmed she was going to expose Skantha by taking her complaints to both his employers at Dunedin Hospital and the police.

The junior doctor had already been on a final warning from work for serious misconduct, turning up to a meeting drunk and treating a patient while off duty.

He had narrowly avoided dismissal by lying that his mother had died.

The jury heard how once the conversation with Amber-Rose had finished, he took a knife and picked up a 16-year-old friend who drove him to Amber's house.

After stabbing her in the neck, the Crown's key witness said he left the house carrying the bloody knife and Amber-Rose's phone which he tried to smash on the pavement.

In the days after he murdered Amber-Rose, Skantha went to the house to visit the grieving family, taking them flowers and a card.

He even fished for information by speculating with them over who the killer could be.

Venod Skantha breaking down a door to howls of laughter. The playboy doctor lived an alcohol-fuelled lifestyle that had him on his final warning at Dunedin Hospital where he worked

Venod Skantha in a file photo

On Facebook, Mr MacNee called his step-daughter a 'true hero' for speaking up about the doctor's sexual abuse of under-age girls while others stood by and said nothing.

He also launched a petition calling on Parliament to ensure that a life sentence means no parole possible for those convicted of murder and serious sexual violation.

As of February 2 he had more than 1000 signatures including from people in the UK and Australia.

Distressingly he got stonewalled by several politicians unwilling to sign off the petition so it could be submitted to the NZ House of Representatives, he said on Facebook.

Mr MacNee said Skantha should be in jail until he dies - he doesn't want to see out of jail in 17 years when he had lost everything.

Amber-Rose Rush was only 16 when she was brutally murdered. On the eve of sentencing her family have said they want her killer to spend the rest of his life in jail

Amber-Rose's birth father Shane Rush also wants Skantha to spend the rest of his life in prison.

'I understand how the world is, there is famine, there is disease, there are wars and I understand the cycle of life - but murder is something you cannot explain,' he told the NZ Herald.

'If you take someone's life you forfeit your own.'

Speaking outside court after the guilty verdict, Mr Rush told of how Skantha had devastated their family.

'The taking of Amber-Rose's life has affected our family in every way,' he said.

'Two family members are now gone and everyone else somehow has to find a way to move on.'

For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
In many services in Judaism, the religious text of the Torah is carried around the room while people in the congregation may kiss their prayer book and then touch it to the Torah. The Council stated that it would be appropriate for those in service to point at the Torah from a distance and not make direct contact with the scroll.
Experts recommend informing yourself about coronavirus before talking to children. (Getty Images)

As fear surrounding the coronavirus outbreak seems to have ramped up a notch, parents are increasingly facing questions from concerned children, who have been picking up bits of (mis)information from their classmates, the Internet and the people they follow on TikTok.

From wondering if they are going to get the virus themselves, to fearing their grandparents could die from it, and possibly hoping school might be closed for the rest of the year, as the virus continues to spread parents are increasingly wondering how to best keep little ones updated without sending them into a complete panic.

While the risk of young people being seriously affected by the virus seems to be low, playground rumours and doom-laced news snippets can quickly spark concern.

Read more: Should we be concerned by the second straight of coronavirus?

Stories of deaths, supermarkets running out of food and school closures, can heap on the sense of alarm.

So how do parents talk to little ones about the coronavirus and its potential impacts? Yahoo UK consulted with experts about how to approach the topic and what not to say.

Dont try to shield it from them

While its tempting to hide the true details about the coronavirus with inquisitive young kids, Dr Zoi Nikiforidou, a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool Hope University, warns you could end up harming their development and understanding in the long run.

You might be tempted to try and skirt around the issue, telling them, 'Oh, you don't need to know about that' in order to safeguard their feelings and worries, she says.

But you're making judgements about what they may or may not need to know which could actually be detrimental to their cognitive development and appreciation of what is risky or not.

Read more: Coronavirus could spread in faeces and urine

Dr Nikiforidou believes children shouldn't be kept in a 'bubble' - and you shouldn't underestimate their powers of reason and understanding, either.

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She explains: Like it or not, Coronavirus conversations will be going on around your children and by not addressing it you're creating a breeding ground for fear and misunderstanding.

Children may have picked up wrong information about coronavirus from their friends or the Internet. (Getty Images)

Keep calm and measured

According to Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic it is important to model a non-panicked response and give information in a matter-of-fact way.

She suggests parents begin by saying that viruses have always been around and that this is not something to be scared of.

A lot of people every year suffer from the flu, and whilst its important to take precautions (e.g. wash hands regularly), this isnt something that is likely to harm them, she says.

Inform yourself first

It might sounds obvious, but it is important for parents to inform themselves about coronavirus before they even think about discussing it with their children.

The aim of any conversation about the coronavirus with a child is to help them feel empowered and educated  in an age-appropriate manner  to help allay concerns, explains Burton Paul, healthcare specialist and author of an invaluable book called Is It Serious? How to search for health information on the Internet.

Read more: Coronavirus death rate higher than previously thought, WHO says

He recommends that parents spend time researching the coronavirus (educating and empowering themselves) by referring to the most reliable and trusted resources first.

Even in the playground, there is talk about the coronavirus, children are expressing fears that they or a family member will get the virus, and at this stage, he explains.

One of the most dangerous things that could happen, is that parents pass on misinformation to their children without realising - and there is a lot of it about.

Dr Nikiforidou agrees that parents should turn to reliable sources for information.

Visit the Government's Public Health England and NHS information pages and get yourself acquainted with the official, research-based advice - not just the sensational content you might stumble upon on social media, she says.

Ask them what they know

Finding out what your child has already learned about the coronavirus can give you a steer on where to take the conversation and what misconceptions you might have to correct.

Your child might only be five or six years old. But he or she will pick-up pieces of information vicariously, whether it's snippets of things they hear on the radio, in the car, or through news segments overheard from the TV or from discussions with peers at school, Dr Nikiforidou explains.

They might not mention anything to you. But internally they may be trying to process this new information which could also be making them fearful.

Keep it simple

When discussing the subject it is important to use simple language and allow children to ask lots of questions to show they're being listened to.

Try not to convey any stress or anxiety on your part. But also don't feel bad about sharing your concerns and worries either, Dr Nikiforidou explains.

Try to use positive language instead of language that scares and is absolute.

Read more: Could the coronavirus spread on public transport

Dr Nikiforidou also suggests involving children in the discussion, and maybe even the analysis to a certain point.

At least bring them into the picture and make them feel like their question is valuable and has merit, she adds.

Parents may be tempted to gloss over the subject but it is important to discuss coronavirus with children. (Getty Images)

Judge whether to discuss the death aspect

According to Dr Elena Touroni how much you tell them about the death toll depends on the age of the child and their own individual nature.

It's hard for younger children to understand nuances so I would refrain from mentioning death, she says.

Likewise, if a child is older and prone to anxiety, it's important not to instil any further sense of fear.

If you do decide to tell them, she recommends qualifying it with the fact that it's only likely to end in fatality if a person is already unwell or has a weakened immune system.

Teach them the hygiene basics

This way youre talking to a child about things he or she can control, such as binning their tissues and washing their hands properly, rather than those they cannot.

Follow the rules of washing hands and encourage that at home, and especially in public places, Burton Paul says.

It can help to explain to children about how it is spread and what the symptoms are, but try to encourage them to feel safe and secure, while educated and informed.

The main piece of advice, though, is to teach them how to properly and regularly wash their hands.
A rising number of churches across the United States are making changes in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including a decision by numerous Catholic dioceses to suspend the serving of wine during Communion.

Thus far, theres been no indication of any widespread cancellations of worship services. However, Jamie Aten, a psychologist who is executive director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, said it would be wise for faith leaders to start preparing for that eventuality.

Some faith communities already stream services or communicate with each other over social media, Aten noted. Though there arent any perfect solutions and such discussions can be difficult to have, its better to have them now and not later.

Among the Catholic bishops ordering changes was Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle, whose region is the worst hit in the U.S. The Washington state health department has confirmed more than 30 cases of the coronavirus in the Seattle area, and at least 10 deaths.

In a letter to parish leaders, Etienne said wine should not be distributed during Communion until further notice, and church-goers should receive the Communion wafer in their hand, not on their tongue.

The archbishop urged Catholics to stay home from Mass if they are sick; to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing; and to avoid hand-to-hand contact during moments in the church service when churchgoers traditionally shake hands with those near them in the pews.

Many other dioceses around the U.S. are taking similar steps  even in areas such as Pittsburgh, where no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. Among the many dioceses and archdioceses making the changes were those in Atlanta; Boston; Joliet, Illinois; San Antonio; and Newark and Paterson, New Jersey.

In Chicago, the Catholic archdiocese not only suspended the serving of Communion wine from a chalice but also ordered priests, deacons and other personnel to wash their hands before Mass and use an alcohol-based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Communion.

Assure the faithful that if they are sick or are experiencing symptoms of sickness, they are not obliged to attend Mass, and even that out of charity they ought not to attend, the archdiocese told its priests.

Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was among the bishops ordering that the Communion wafer be placed in the recipients hand, not on the tongue, for the time being.

How we receive, while very personal to the individual communicant, is not crucial, Wester wrote on the diocese website. Receiving Communion in the hand is every bit as respectful as receiving on the tongue.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has shared with its member bishops some suggested steps that could be taken in response to the outbreak, but it has left it up to individual bishops to decide if and how to implement those steps. Some dioceses said they would leave some decisions to the discretion of their parish priests.

The virus outbreak was prompting changes in many other faiths as well  in the U.S. and around the world.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday banned its citizens and other residents of the kingdom from performing the pilgrimage in Mecca, while Iran canceled Friday prayers in major cities.

Several imams in the U.S. advised Muslim worshipers that it is religiously permissible to pray at home rather than attend Friday group prayers, which generally are considered obligatory for adult men.

After the prayers, Muslim congregants typically greet one another with hugs, handshakes and cheek kisses. Now, some mosque leaders are halting the custom of shaking the imams hand after prayer and are advising worshipers to find alternative greetings.

For the time being, it may be worth avoiding touch and switching to a hand on the heart, a respectful nod, and a warm smile, Omar Ricci, spokesman of the Islamic Center of Southern California, wrote in an email to congregants.

Concerns about the virus have prompted two leading pastors of Life.Church, which claims tens of thousands of followers at locations in 10 states, to voluntarily place themselves in quarantine at their homes in the Oklahoma City area.

In a video for the church community, Pastor Craig Groeschel said he and Bobby Gruenewald took the precautionary step after learning that one of their fellow participants at a conference in Germany had tested positive for the virus.

Groeschel said he and Gruenewald had no symptoms, and added, The good news is, I have lots of time to pray.

Sally Hiller, a Virginia-based deaconess with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, wrote to regional colleagues with detailed suggestions for worship services.

Consider putting smaller bottles of hand sanitizer in each pew, she wrote. As you greet one another or exchange greetings during the sharing of peace, consider a simple head bow, a wave, or a fist bump.

In the event the outbreak worsens, Hiller said churches should ensure that a communication system is in place that could spread the word if services are canceled or church-run schools are shut down. In the event of school closures, she said, plans should be in place to offer online classes.

If you are going to use e-learning, develop procedures and practice it before you launch into it, Hiller wrote. Communicate with your families  often.
By WestKyStar & McConnell Staff Mar. 05, 2020 | 01:04 PM | KENTUCKY

The Departments initial change in eligibility for the Rural Low-Income Schools (RLIS) program -- which was implemented without notice to Congress and after funding for Fiscal Year 2020 was already appropriated -- would have reduced the amount of federal funding Kentucky schools receive through the program.





In the letter, the Senators objected to a change in how the Department determines which rural schools are eligible for funding through the RLIS program. RLIS is one of two programs funded by the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), which helps rural schools overcome the increased expenses often caused by geographic isolation.





Geography should be a class in school, not a barrier to Kentucky students educational opportunities, said Senator McConnell. Im proud to continue advocating for rural Kentucky schools to help them overcome many of the unique challenges they face. As the only congressional leader not from New York or California, I see it as my responsibility to look out for Middle America and most especially Kentucky. With a bipartisan group of Senators, I urged the Trump administration to continue giving rural students every opportunity to learn and grow and to maintain the funding eligibility that many rural schools have come to rely on. I am pleased Secretary DeVos listened to our concerns, and I look forward to continue to work with her to ensure members of our Commonwealths next generation reach their full potential.





Since 2002, rural schools across the nation have relied on these additional flexible funds to purchase supplies and make technology upgrades; expand curricular offerings, such as in reading, physical education, music, and art; provide distance learning opportunities; fund transportation; and support professional development activities. Without any chance to prepare, this abrupt change in RLIS eligibility will force many rural schools districts to forgo essential activities and services, the Senators wrote. The Departments decision has created a funding cliff for hundreds of rural, low-income schools that are already balancing tight budgetsREAP helps deliver an equitable and enriching education to thousands of students living in rural America. We strongly encourage you to rescind this new interpretation and to work with Congress to serve students in rural communities.



U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined 21 of his Senate colleagues in writing U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to express concern with a sudden decision by the Department that would have jeopardized funding eligibility for more than 800 rural, low-income schools, including some in Kentucky. Following the release of the letter, Secretary DeVos announced the Department will reverse course and maintain this critical funding for the rural schools for another year.
OLD BRIDGE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE American:BDR) announced today that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at the company's headquarters located at One Jake Brown Road, Old Bridge, New Jersey. This is a change from the May 28, 2020 date the company announced previously. Please note that only owners of record of the common stock of the company at the close of business on April 15, 2020 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

About Blonder Tongue

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. is the oldest designer and manufacturer of cable television video transmission technology in the USA. The majority of our products continue to be designed and built in our state-of-the-art New Jersey facility for over 50 years. The company offers U.S. based engineering and manufacturing excellence with an industry reputation for delivering ultra-high reliability products. As a leader in cable television system design, the company provides service operators and systems integrators with comprehensive solutions for the management and distribution of digital video, IPTV and high-speed data services, as well as RF broadband distribution over fiber, IP, and Coax networks for homes and businesses. Additional information on the company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information set forth above includes "forward-looking" statements and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in Blonder Tongue's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. (See Item 1: Business, Item 1A: Risk Factors, Item 3: Legal Proceedings and Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "target," "intend," "plan," "seek," "estimate," "endeavor," "should," "could," "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections for our future financial performance, our anticipated growth trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. Blonder Tongue undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Blonder Tongue's actual results may differ from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in Blonder Tongue's "forward-looking" statements.

Contacts:

Eric Skolnik

Chief Financial Officer

eskolnik@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

Ted Grauch

Chief Executive Officer

tgrauch@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

SOURCE: Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579461/Blonder-Tongue-Announces-Change-to-the-Date-of-its-2020-Annual-Meeting-of-Stockholders
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Dakar, Senegal  Fri, March 6, 2020 08:50 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068ae84e 2 World UN,employee,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak Free

A British United Nations employee is one of the four people who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Senegal, the organization said Thursday, confirming it was the UN's first case worldwide.

Senegal announced two new cases on Wednesday, one of which was a 33-year-old English woman who returned from a trip to London to the capital Dakar on Feb. 24.

The UN said on Thursday that the woman was one of its employees.

"The emergency protocol was activated, and the patient is in a hospital in the capital," the UN said in a statement.

"In line with confidentiality requirements with respect to the patient's condition, no further information will be given.

"An investigation by epidemiologists from the ministry of health is currently under way to test people recently in contact with the patient."

A UN spokeswoman in Dakar confirmed to AFP that the woman was the organizations first employee worldwide to test positive to the deadly virus.

The other case announced on Wednesday was a 68-year-old French woman whose husband had previously tested positive.

The West African country's first two cases were reported earlier in the week.

All four patients are in stable condition, the health ministry said Thursday.

Senegal was the second sub-Saharan nation to register an infection, after Nigeria. South Africa became the third on Thursday.

Experts have expressed concern over the continent's vulnerability to outbreaks of contagious diseases.
On February 27, the lawmaker wrote on Facebook about his meeting with Reitzer, but later deleted the post.

Ukrainian MP from the Opposition Platform  For Life faction Oleh Voloshin has been isolated after allegedly meeting in France with member of the National Assembly of France Jean-Luc Reitzer who is now in intensive care over the novel coronavirus.

On February 27, the lawmaker wrote on Facebook about his meeting with Reitzer, but later deleted the post. However, the journalists made a snapshot of that entry, Ukraine's European Pravda news outlet reported.

MP Viktoriya Siumar (European Solidarity) said her colleague, Voloshin, was put in isolation only after Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov and NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov had personally intervened.

Speaking in a comment for Reuters, Voloshyn said he would stay home until next week.

"Just stay home. There are no symptoms at all. But according to WHO [World Health Organization] recommendations, I'll stay home until next Thursday," he told Reuters in a message.

On Thursday, the French parliamentarian, 68, was hospitalized with suspected coronavirus. He tested positive. Last time, Reitzer was present at the February 25 parliamentary meeting, but has not attended parliament this week.

Read alsoZelensky calls on Ukrainians to engage in domestic tourism amid coronavirus outbreak

People who have contacted the lawmaker are already being identified in France.

According to local media, a man could become infected at a gospel meeting attended by over 2,500 people.

UNIAN memo. The Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan late in December 2019.

The causative agent of the disease was a new type of coronavirus, COVID-19. The virus is transmitted from person to person, with the incubation period lasting at least two weeks.

On January 30, the World Health Organization declared an international emergency over the spread of the novel coronavirus from China.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 04:08:44|Editor: yhy

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Almost-empty shelves are seen at a supermarket in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, Paris, France, on March 5, 2020. France has confirmed 423 cases of coronavirus infection and seven patients had died of the virus, Health General Director Jerome Salomon said on Thursday evening. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

PARIS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- France has confirmed 423 cases of coronavirus infection and seven patients had died of the virus, Health General Director Jerome Salomon said on Thursday evening.

The cases of infection was 138 more in one day. Most of the people who died from the virus are of elder age. Twenty-three patients are currently in intensive care, said Salomon at a daily briefing of the virus outbreak.

All regions of metropolitan France are now affected by the coronavirus, as well as two overseas regions, Guadeloupe and Guyana, which have detected 3 and 5 cases respectively, he added.

The number of cases has been relatively stable for one month, from 2 to 12 between Jan. 24 and Feb. 24, before increasing sharply in recent days, as illustrated by the curve in the map of coronavirus updated by the Health Ministry.

Salomon stressed that France remains at stage 2 of its epidemic plan and the health authorities' objective is to slow down the spread of the virus and push off the transition to stage 3 as long as possible.

France has been at "stage 2" or the "pre-epidemic level" since Feb. 28. Stage 2 means an epidemiological mosaic with different situations at regional level. Stage 3 is "epidemic" officially declared with the virus widely spreading across the whole county.

French officials and health experts have been raising public awareness that an official epidemic is just a matter of time.

"There is a moment when, we all know (...) an epidemic is inexorable anyway," said President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday afternoon when opening a meeting at the Elysee Palace on the coronavirus with some 30 specialists, according to a video broadcast by the presidency.

Jean-Francois Delfraissy, President of the country's National Consultative Ethics Committee for health and life sciences, sent the same message when interviewed after the attending the meeting.

"We are all convinced that we will reach stage 3 in France. We are trying to save time because it helps to define the areas most affected and it allows us to better prepare for stage 3," said the head of France's highly respected structure that coordinates research on health crises.

"Let's say we are in the order of a few days to one or two weeks maximum (to reach stage 3)", he said, adding that the coronavirus crisis "is a form of crash test" for the country's health system.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has on countless occasions proven that he can be very romantic when it comes to his better half former First Lady, Lordina Mahama.

As Ghana celebrates her 63rd year of Independence from the colonial masters, it also marks the birth Lordina Manama.

Taking to his Social media page, Mr Mahama posted a picture of her and captioned it My World indicating that she is the air he breathes.

See his post below;

---Ghbase.com
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Vice-President Mike Pence decided silence was the way to go.

Soon after President Donald Trump asked him to lead the U.S. governments response to the coronavirus outbreak, Pence was on the phone with Washingtons Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, whose state is at the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S.

Inslee told Pence that it would be best if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth on the mounting public health crisis  and broadcast his prickly advice on Twitter.

But when the vice-presidenttravelled to Washington state Thursday, Pence opted not to punch back at Inslee  to the dismay of Trump. Instead, Pence heaped compliments on the governor for helping federal and state officials collaborate in a seamless way.

As the virus continues to spread through U.S. communities and ravage the stock market, Trump and Pence have been a study in contrasts in their public response.

Trump grumbles that Democrats and the news media are needlessly fueling panic and has a ready retort for any critic. Pence, for his part, walks a fine line  doling out frequent praise for the bosss performance, taking pains to avoid contradicting Trumps questionable public health pronouncements and trying to foster bipartisan co-operation for a whole of America approach to containing the virus.

Its a huge moment for Pence  arguably the biggest since Trump picked him to be his vice-presidential candidate.

If he can help Trump contain the outbreak and steady the stock market, it could have an immense impact not just on public health and the economy, but on the presidents reelection bid, and in the process elevate his own standing for a potential 2024 run. A botched response, too, could have enormous implications for Trump and Pence politically and for the spread of the virus.

Pence has scaled back  but not ended  his political travel to deal with the virus. But Trump aides believe the vice-presidents task force role gives the president more leeway to maintain his own political travel during a crucial part of the election year, when hes trying to take advantage of divisions in the Democratic field to boost his campaign in November.

Trump continues to play down concerns about the virus, advising Americans to be calm and that it will go away. He also frequently takes credit for saving lives by acting early on to restrict travel to the U.S. from China.

Pence avoids publicly contradicting Trump but speaks more soberly about the impact as members of his coronavirus team caution that the virus could continue to spread in the U.S. before health officials are able to develop vaccines and therapies.

Pences tight spot  wedged between the medical experts and the president  was fully evident Friday.

Trump, during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, told reporters he had told Pence not to be complimentary of Inslee and called the governor a snake. The president also pivoted from talk about a perfect test for the new coronavirus to his perfect phone call with Ukraines president last summer that spurred his impeachment.

We have a lot of problems with the governor, the governor of Washington, Trump said of Inslee. So Mike may be happy with, him but Im not.

Pence, at a later White House briefing, had to fend off reporters questions about whether Trumps comments about Inslee and impeachment reflected a lack of seriousness about combating the virus.

He delivered a straight-faced defence: I promise you, President Trump has no higher priority than the health and safety of the American people.

After the latest salvo by Trump, Inslee snapped back on Twitter that he wished Trump and Pence could get on the same page.

A day earlier the vice-president also defended Trumps rejection of the World Health Organizations 3.4% mortality rate estimate for those who contract the coronavirus. Pence said Trumps doubts were valid.

I think the presidents point was the world is still discovering the scope of the coronavirus, because many people who contract the coronavirus have no symptoms, Pence said. I support the presidents judgment that were going to continue to learn more about this.

Since taking over as the virus point person, Pence has filled his schedule with meetings with top officials from nursing homes, medical labs, airlines and other industries to discuss the way forward.

On Thursday, he scrapped plans for a fundraiser in Wisconsin and a campaign rally in Minnesota to focus his travels instead on the virus. He set off on a grueling a 17-hour trip in which he visited the suburban Minneapolis headquarters of 3M, which manufactures surgical and healthcare masks, before flying to Washington state to meet with Inslee and state emergency response leaders.

His long hours have even caught the eye of Trump, who can be stingy with praise for subordinates.

Mike Pence is working 20 hours a day or more on this, Trump said Thursday.

But some Democrats remain skeptical that Pence is the right person for the task.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts were among those who questioned the wisdom of picking Pence. They noted that as governor of Indiana, Pence faced criticism for being slow to authorize a needle exchange program in the southern part of the state when it saw a surge of people infected with HIV in 2015.

But Pence also appears to be winning over some Democrats.

During Pences 3M visit, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said the vice-president had shown a collaborative mindset in the early going that indicated he understood that governors and state public health officials were at the tip of the spear in battling the virus.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., was among Democrats who questioned picking Pence because of his track record. But this week, after a House briefing by Pences team, Cicilline said, Its clear to me that the administration is beginning to understand the gravity of this epidemic and this public health crisis.

The first coronavirus case hit American shores in late January, a moment of peak partisanship as Trumps impeachment trial edged to a close. As Republican and Democratic lawmakers began working on a spending bill for the coronavirus outbreak, mistrust of Trump among Democrats was still running high.

As a result, some even small gestures by Pence have taken Democrats by surprise. After Pence and his team of experts had finished briefing Republican senators at their regular weekly luncheon earlier this week, they trooped over to the Democrats lunch to give a presentation and take questions.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, said its the first time I can remember that Pence had come to the weekly Democratic luncheon.

The Capitol is well-trod ground for Pence, who served in the House for a dozen years during the Bush and Obama administrations.

Senators of both parties who met with him described his style in the coronavirus talks as credible and in control. He got high marks for ceding the microphone to the public health experts in his entourage.

During the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, former President Barack Obama faced some criticism from public health officials for being slow to respond initially. But the criticism eventually turned to praise as Obama nudged Congress to make a $5.4 billion emergency appropriation and sent 3,000 U.S. troops to West Africa to help with the international response.

Now Trump, with Pences help, is looking for the same kind of turnaround.

Did we stumble out of the blocks? observed Donna Shalala, a Florida Democrat who served as health and human services secretary during the Clinton administration. We always stumble out of the blocks.

___

Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar in Washington contributed reporting.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mostly sunny and bitterly cold. It will feel like it's in the single digits and low teens..

Tonight

Partly cloudy and extremely cold. Wind chills around or below 0 degrees.
Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Federal investigators found a loaded gun that had been smuggled into the jail where Jeffrey Epstein killed himself last summer, following a weeklong lockdown that turned up other contraband and led to a criminal probe into guard misconduct, the federal Bureau of Prisons told the Associated Press.

The handgun was located Thursday by Bureau of Prisons officers inside a housing unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, prison officials said. It marked a massive breach of protocol and raised serious questions about the security practices in place at the Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for more than 175,000 federal inmates, and specifically at the jail, which had been billed as one of the most secure in America. Officials have not said how the gun had been smuggled inside the jail.
(Natural News) A nursing home located in a Seattle suburb is now at the center of an investigation after four of its residents died from the dreaded coronavirus. In a report by the U.S. Sun, six people  including the four from the nursing home  have already died in Washington state from the new disease.

Families of the patients have described the situation surrounding the nursing home  identified as Life Care Center of Kirkland  as sort of like a movie about an epidemic in a little town, and they dont know how to handle the situation.

The family members, speaking to CBS News, expressed their concern that while their loved ones are currently being isolated in their rooms and their temperatures monitored daily, those who are showing symptoms will not be tested or hospitalized until they become critically ill. Carmen Gray, whose mother Susan Haley is under quarantine at the nursing home, said that she had asked to get her mother tested for the virus but that the center told her that her mother did not meet the criteria at this time.

Theyre being held hostage in a petri dish, she said.

As of this writing, more than 50 individuals, including 27 residents and 25 workers, have fallen ill at the center. It is still not sure if they are infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The deaths are all counted as part of at least 18 coronavirus cases that have been reported in the Washington area. According to researchers, the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks.

Washington is one of the states with the most cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus: At least four cases were confirmed in Snohomish County, including one death, while 14 cases were confirmed in King County, with five deaths.

Dow Constantine, King County executive, said the county will purchase a local motel and convert it into a quarantine area, adding that the authorities are expecting the new facility to be done by the end of the week.

King County Public Health Officer Jeff Duchin, meanwhile, said that while they expect the number of cases to increase in the coming days and weeks, it will be a very fluid, fast-moving situation, as they will aggressively respond to the outbreak.

Tom Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said authorities must take steps to ensure the safety and health of Americans who are currently living in nursing homes and similar facilities.

One thing that is clear is that nursing homes and hospitals are potentially at greater risk, and we are really going to have to think hard about what can be done to protect them, Frieden said.

Life Care, in a statement posted on its website, says they have not been provided testing kits, and that they are currently relying on local hospitals, as well as the local and state health departments and the CDC to confirm potential coronavirus cases.

As a way to address the spread of the coronavirus, local officials have recommended residents of Seattle and surrounding communities who are aged 60 and above  as well as those who have underlying health conditions  to remain in their homes. In addition, authorities have recommended that community groups cancel events that would bring together more than 10 people, as they could possibly further spread the coronavirus.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has since called for caution but not panic over the spread of the coronavirus, urging the public to take precautions such as washing hands and limited physical contact. (Related: WHO calling for URGENT production of medical supplies, says current stocks rapidly depleting.)

As of press time, the CDC pegs the total number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. at 80, with total deaths pegged at nine.

Sources include:

The-Sun.com

CBSNews.com

LCCA.com

NYTimes.com

CDC.gov
health-trends 3-Point Analysis | How to keep calm and protect yourself against coronavirus Moneycontrol's Sakshi Batra does a 3-Point Analysis of the various ways to protect oneself and stay safe from the coronavirus infection.
- Additional reporting by Eoin English

Minister for Health Simon Harris said that the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus must be stopped.

Mr Harris was speaking in Brussels at an emergency meeting with other European health ministers.

Enroute to Brussels to meet @EU_Health Commissioner @SKyriakidesEU & European Health Ministers on the #coronavirus #Covid19. It is so important the EU works together on this global challenge. Thank you to all health care staff & public health experts leading our response here  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 6, 2020

There, they discussed the effect of the coronavirus on health services and listened to reports from the World Health Organisation, the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Control.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Harris said: "Public communications is an important focus in our response. Europe must act together to stop the spread of misinformation about this virus."

"Those who spread such lies are increasing the stigma attached to this virus. They are endangering lives and they are stopping us from doing our jobs. Our public health doctors should lead our response to this matter."

Met with EU Health Commissioner @SKyriakidesEU & EU Internal Markets Commissioner @ThierryBreton this morning at EU Health Ministers Meeting where we are discussing the European response to #Covid19 #coronavirus. So important we work together on what is a global challenge pic.twitter.com/qUIijiTXQW  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 6, 2020

Minister Harris said that "Ireland remains in the containment phase," and said that "while countries are in different situations, it is vital we work together."

We are better protected if we work together on this. We need rational, coherent decision- making based on science and public health.

"It is clear this virus is going to have an impact for a prolonged period of time. It is essential we plan ahead, protect our healthcare workers and do our best to provide accurate, evidence based and timely information to our people."

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said mass public gatherings such as St Patricks Day parades

Read More:

Speaking following a stakeholder meeting with health officials on Friday, he said: We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled but this of course will be kept under review.

Last night the number of coronavirus cases in Ireland increased dramatically including a community transmission for the first time.

The case involves Cork University Hospital and the HSE has set up a dedicated team to trace everyone who came into contact with the patient.

Up to 60 healthcare workers at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been asked to self-isolate, visitor restrictions have been introduced at two major hospitals and all nursing homes nationwide have banned visitors.
The government of Togo on Friday confirmed its first case of coronavirus as a 42-year-old female resident of Lome, the countrys capital.

This was made known in a statement by the Togolese government, saying that the woman had visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey in late February and early March.

Read Also: Cameroon Confirms First Case Of Coronavirus

This was after Cameroon confirmed its first case of the virus earlier on Friday, with Togo making it the ninth African country to report a confirmed case.
Amazon, Facebook, Google and the rest of the US tech giants can breath a little bit easier today. Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren has dropped out of the race to be the Democratic party's presidential nominee, leaving just Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden as plausible candidates to be on the ballot come November.

Warren drew significant attention over the past year by saying that many of the biggest tech companies in the world would be under close scrutiny if she were to become president. Specifically, she pledged to break up Amazon, Facebook and Google and accused them of using their power to unfairly influence the market and absorb their competition. She's also taken issue with Facebook's lack of responsibility for the content people post to its services, mocking the company for its ad policies that let politicians run campaigns that contained false information. She also had plans to significantly expand rural broadband access and to do her best to restore net neutrality.

With a formerly wide field essentially down to two candidates, it's worth looking at what consumers of technology (as well as the tech industry as a whole) have to lose or gain under Biden or Sanders, should one of them become president in 2021. If you've followed their political leanings, you won't be surprised to know that Sanders' thoughts on big tech align much more closely with Warren than they do with Biden.

Sanders is a proponent of major antitrust reform, regardless of the industry. "I think we need vigorous antitrust legislation in this country because you are seeing -- you name the area, whether it's pharmaceuticals, whether it is Wall Street, whether it is high tech -- fewer and fewer gigantic corporations owning those sectors," he said at a Washington Post live event earlier this year. He specifically cited Amazon as a company moving rapidly towards becoming a monopoly and criticized Facebook for the "incredible power" it has over both politics and the economy in the US.

Story continues

Sanders made similar remarks in an extensive, unedited interview with the New York Times editorial board in January, making it clear his focus was around increased enforcement of antitrust laws, regardless of industry. "I'll be the first to admit it, but we have been derelict in that we have antitrust legislation that has not been enforced by Republican or Democratic administrations, and I intend to do that," Sanders said. "And it is not just the big tech companies."

Biden, on the other hand, hasn't been as clear or forceful about how he'd deal with the tech giants should he become president. One thing is clear, though: He's no fan of Facebook. In his interview with the Times editorial board, he slammed the company and CEO Mark Zuckerberg for ducking what he sees as its responsibility for the content posted to Facebook's platform. Biden has more personal skin in this game -- Facebook has rejected requests to remove a Trump ad making false claims about Biden and his son.

Biden pointed specifically to Facebook in comments on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), something that's considered a cornerstone of the modern internet. It protects companies like Facebook from being sued for content posted on its services because of a status as a distributor rather than a publisher -- protection that a journalistic endeavor does not enjoy. Overhauling or revoking Section 230 would have a huge effect not just on Facebook, but on Google, Twitter and likely dozens of other internet companies as well.

"[Zuckerberg] knows better. And you know, from my perspective, I've been in the view that not only should we be worrying about the concentration of power, we should be worried about the lack of privacy and them being exempt, which [The Times are] not exempt," Biden said to the Times. "[Section 230] should be revoked because [Facebook] is not merely an internet company. It is propagating falsehoods they know to be false, and we should be setting standards not unlike the Europeans are doing relative to privacy."

As for breaking up Facebook or other tech giants, Biden is less committed than Sanders or Warren. He told the Associated Press in May of 2019 that breaking up some of the tech companies was "something we should take a really hard look at," but that it's "premature" to say what the right tactics were. At the same time, he said that Warren "has a very strong case to be made" for the break-up she proposed. That said, we're not holding our breath for Biden to adopt any of Warren's plans now that she's out of the race -- let's not forget that Biden was VP as part of President Obama's administration, one that was quite friendly to Silicon Valley.
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Brent was on track for its biggest daily percentage loss since 2009 and WTI for its steepest since 2015.

Oil prices tanked more than 8% on Friday to their lowest levels since mid-2017 after Reuters reported that Russia balked steep production cuts proposed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to stabilize prices.

OPEC's plans for deep and prolonged output cuts were derailed as non-OPEC producer Russia refused to support the move, arguing it was too early to predict the impact of a coronavirus outbreak on global energy demand, sources told Reuters.

Read alsoUkrnafta boosts crude oil output by almost 5% in 2019

The number of people infected with the virus worldwide surpassed 100,000 and the economic damage intensified, with business districts beginning to empty and stock markets tumbling.

OPEC and Russia's failure to secure a deal sent the price of benchmark crude into a tailspin.

Brent futures fell $4.32, or 8.6%, to $45.67 a barrel by 11:03 a.m. EST (1603 GMT), lowest price since June 2017. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $3.82, or 8.3%, to $42.08. At one point, U.S. crude fell as low as $41.85 a barrel, lowest since August 2016.

Brent was on track for its biggest daily percentage loss since 2009 and WTI for its steepest since 2015.

"If this results in OPEC not going through with their own proposed 1 million bpd cuts in Q2, the result ... could be devastating. Brent could swiftly drop 15% to the low $40s and WTI to the high $30s in this scenario," said Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy.

One Middle East source said OPEC had no intention of pursuing deeper cuts without Russia.

OPEC was pushing for an additional 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of cuts until the end of 2020.

"The deal is dead," one OPEC source said.

In a statement, OPEC+ said oil producers will continue consultations to stabilize the oil market. The statement, however, made no mention of any production cuts.
WASHINGTON - United States President Donald Trump will meet Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, trade and other economic issues, the White House said Friday.

Bolsonaro took office at the start of last year with promises to rejuvenate Latin Americas biggest economy. But political turbulence hampered the governments reform agenda, tight fiscal policy constrained domestic demand and a debt crisis in neighbouring Argentina sapped exports.

President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss opportunities to build a more prosperous, secure and democratic world, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. As leaders of the hemispheres two largest economies, they will also discuss opportunities for restoring democracy in Venezuela, bringing peace to the Middle East, implementing pro-growth trade policies and investing in infrastructure.

The U.S. government is backing Brazils bid to join the 36-country Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, providing a foreign policy boost for Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro also is dealing with the political crisis in neighbouring Venezuela.

The Trump administration has been the most important ally for Venezuelas opposition since Juan Guaido leaped to the centre of Venezuelas tumultuous political landscape more than a year ago and vowed to force Nicolas Maduro from power and restore democracy. But Guaidos popularity faded after several months and a failed military uprising.
Facebook has shut its London offices after a member of staff was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The social network confirmed it had told staff to work from home today after the employee tested positive for Covid-19.

The company said the employee was normally based in Singapore but had visited the company's offices in Fitzrovia, central London for several days last month.

A spokesman for the social network said: 'An employee based in our Singapore office who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 visited our London offices 24-26 February 2020.

'We are therefore closing our London offices until Monday for deep cleaning and employees are working from home until then.'

The company said the employee was normally based in Singapore but had visited the company's offices in Fitzrovia, central London (pictured) for several days last month

There are now 90 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain, after three more were confirmed in Scotland this morning

It comes as staff members across London's financial district have been sent home as the coronavirus continues to rock the industry with one company banning its workers from using the tube to get into the office.

Over 1,200 staff members at US group S&P Global Platts were sent home yesterday afternoon after it was discovered a visitor to the Canary Wharf site had been diagnosed with Covid-19.

It comes as HSBC also told 100 staff members not to come in after one of its workers tested positively for the disease.

With many finance workers based in Canary Wharf, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now said that all companies need to have contingency plans in place.

Over 1,200 staff members at US group S&P Global Platts (office building, left) were sent home, as were staff members from the 10th floor of HSBC (right)

Greg Coffey (pictured above) is alleged to have told staff members at his Knightsbridge office to get a taxi to work

According to the Telegraph, hedge fund manager Greg Coffey also told workers he would pay for their taxis to and from the office in a bid to stop them catching the virus.

Mr Coffrey, formerly dubbed the 'Wizard of Oz' from his days at the hedge fund GLG Partners reportedly told staff at his Kirkoswald Capital firm to not take the tube to the office in Knightsbridge and to instead get taxis into work.

S&P employees in Canary Wharf were told yesterday to work from home until further notice.

In a company statement a spokesperson said: 'Platts has a robust business continuity plan to ensure there are no disruptions to our MOC (market-on-close) price assessment process and the essential commodity market intelligence our customers rely on across news and analytics'.

The site is home to 1,200 employees, and the 20 Canada Square address is also shared with the trading operation of oil and gas giant BP.

A spokesperson said they were monitoring the situation and it is believed that staff are still today working in the office building.

Yesterday HSBC evacuated part of its Canary Wharf HQ after a worker tested positive for the virus.

The firm cleared the 10th floor for cleaning and advised staff not to come to work after an employee self-isolated after contracting the disease.

The remaining floors of its Canada Square office building remained open.

JP Morgan also said it would be sending some of its London staff to back up sites.

JP Morgan has offices Canary Wharf as well as a base in Blackfriars, where the firm's asset management arm is based.

Britain has so far registered 116 cases and reported its first death from the coronavirus on Thursday.

MailOnline has contacted Kirkoswald Capital.
LINCOLN  Several Nebraska inmates have gotten longer prison stays after officials discovered a mistake in calculating the loss of good time for misconduct behind bars.

The miscalculations affected 187 inmates, and ranged from missing the addition of 15 days to 180 days of extra prison time, officials with the Department of Corrections said Thursday.

Forty-five of those inmates were released early without being penalized for their disciplinary problems, officials said. Of those, two committed new crimes, but both were minor  one was charged with trespassing and another with contributing to the delinquency of a minor/minor in possession of alcohol, the department said.

Forty-five individuals got out earlier than they would have if the sanctions had been properly entered, said State Corrections Director Scott Frakes. We have taken appropriate steps to assure that this does not occur going forward.
OTTAWA - The RCMP is helping Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of Flight PS752, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Champagne says the RCMP is assisting Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of flight PS752. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - The RCMP is helping Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of Flight PS752, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says.

The Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down by the Iranian military in January. The crash outside Tehran killed all 176 passengers and crew, including 55 Canadians and dozens more people who were headed to Canada.

After initially denying any responsibility, Iranian authorities arrested several people and promised to hold them to account. Iran says the plane was misidentified by an air-defence battery shortly after Iran itself launched missiles at western forces in neighbouring Iraq.

Ukraine nonetheless launched its own criminal investigation and speaking in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Friday during a tour of eastern Europe, Champagne said the RCMP has sent an officer to help Ukrainian police to ensure justice for the victims.

"We always said from the beginning that we wanted to bring closure, accountability, transparency and justice and this is the justice part of it, where we wanted to do everything we can to support because obviously this was a Ukrainian airline flight," he said.

"So we're supporting Ukraine in their criminal investigation of those that would be responsible."

Champagne also said he pressed Ukraine's president and foreign affairs minister  Dmytro Kuleba, who succeeded Vadym Prystaiko in a shuffle this week  for the airline to quickly compensate families of those Canadians who were killed.

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"What I've been pushing for is potential advance payment to the families and we're going to keep following up on that because, as you know under the Montreal and Warsaw conventions (on international air travel), this is a statutory payment that needs to be done by the airlines," he said.

Champagne was expected to meet with the head of the carrier, Yevhenii Dykhne, during his visit to Ukraine. But the minister, who has previously spoken to Dykhne by telephone, said a scheduling conflict scuttled the planned meeting.

In the meantime, he said Canadian authorities are working with the airline and the London law firm hired by Ukraine International Airlines' insurer to identify next of kin so compensation can start flowing as soon as possible.

"Certainly what I've agreed with my new counterpart, the new foreign minister of Ukraine, is to continue to push Ukrainian airlines," Champagne said. "There's obviously legal questions around that because this is a payment from the insurance companies of the airlines to individuals."

Canada and other countries that lost citizens in the plane crash have also been pushing a separate effort to get the Iranian government to compensate the victims' families.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
(JTA)After weeks of skirting questions about whether he would attend the annual conference held by AIPAC, Bernie Sanders has declared his intentions: No, he wont go, and not because his schedule wont allow it.

In a two-tweet statement, Sanders said he would skip the conferencea traditional cant-miss for presidential candidatesbecause he is concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.

As president, I will support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and do everything possible to bring peace and security to the region, he tweeted Sunday.

His tweets, posted a day after Sanders scored a decisive victory in the Nevada caucuses, added fuel to a simmering debate over whether a Sanders administration would be good for Israel. The candidate, an Independent senator from Vermont, spent time on a kibbutz in Israel as a young adult and has released campaign ads emphasizing his Jewish identity. But he has also criticized Israels political leadership and taken on surrogates who support boycotting Israel.

AIPACthe American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which has supported a two-state solution and U.S. aid to Palestiniansresponded with a statement calling Sanders comments truly shameful. The organization noted that Sanders has never attended an AIPAC conference, which it said draws more than 18,000 people.

By engaging in such an odious attack on this mainstream, bipartisan American political event, Senator Sanders is insulting his very own colleagues and the millions of Americans who stand with Israel, the statement said.

The dustup raises questions about whether AIPACs relevance in Democratic circles is waning and underscores the groups struggle to maintain its bipartisan brand.

J Street, a liberal group that has sought to position itself as an alternative to AIPAC, had no trouble attracting Democratic candidates to its conference in October. Five presidential hopefuls, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Pete Buttigieg, then the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, spoke in person. Five others, notably former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, delivered video messages.

A major topic at the conference was whether the United States should consider withholding aid to press Israel to make policy changesa question that itself marked a turning point in the Democratic conversation about Israel. Of those in attendance, Sanders offered the most robust support for pressuring Israel, while Buttigieg and Warren also backed using the assistance as a means to pressure Israel, although in more restrained terms. Biden and Klobuchar said leveraging the aid would be counterproductive.

While J Street has seen itself become a draw for presidential candidates, AIPAC has become an increasing source of controversy within some Democratic circles.

In 2015, AIPAC ran a full-throated and public campaign against the Obama administrations Iran nuclear deal. By contrast, its differences with the Trump administrationover President Donald Trumps retreat from a two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and his defunding of assistance to the Palestinians and of dialogue programshave been expressed behind the scenes, if at all.

Still, AIPAC has sought to strengthen its bipartisan bona fides. In addition to continuing to host Democratic politicians, its policy conferences in recent years have emphasized outreach to progressives, including by hiring staff dedicated to making inroads on the left. But such efforts have been complicated both by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus enthusiastic embrace of Trump and the increasing influence of far-left activist groups and Democratic lawmakers who are highly critical of Israel.

Left-wing activist groups have been pressuring Democratic presidential candidates to boycott the conference, which begins March 1a tough date for candidates pushing for votes in the 14 primaries scheduled for March 3.

Initially there were signs that Sanders would skip the conference, but cite his unwillingness to leave the campaign trail on the eve of Super Tuesday. But instead Sanders ultimately framed his decision as a rebuke of AIPAC, echoing comments he made last year.

In other situations, Sanders has demonstrated a willingness to accept a platform from those with whom he strongly disagrees. In 2015, during his previous run for president, he accepted an invitation to speak at Liberty University, an evangelical Christian institution that opposes abortion rights, gay marriage and other positions favored by Sanders. In explaining his decision to speak at the university, Sanders said through a spokesperson that it was important to reach out to others who look at the world differently.

Sanders has displayed a similar openness when dealing with pro-Palestinian figures. Despite his stated support for Israel and opposition to the BDS movement, Sanders deploys campaign surrogates who support the campaign to delegitimize Israel through divestment, sanctions and boycotts.

Warren seemed to take a similar step earlier this month, when in response to a question at a campaign event earlier this month in Derry, New Hampshire, she indicated that she would skip the AIPAC conference. The Jewish anti-occupation group IfNotNow said that the questioner, identified as Sarah OConnor, was acting on its behalf. Warren did not push back against OConnors questionable assertion that AIPAC was forging an unholy alliance with Islamopohobes and anti-Semites and white nationalists and insistence that no Democrat should legitimize that kind of bigotry by attending their annual policy conference.

Meanwhile, also in New Hampshire, Biden rejected pressure from an IfNotNow activist to boycott the AIPAC conference. Over the years, Biden has positioned himself as a friend of AIPAC and regularly attended its annual conference. As vice president, he spoke to the gathering and received standing ovations despite tensions between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government.

In contrast, in recent weeks Sandersand some Democratshave found themselves under attack from AIPAC or its allies.

The Democratic Majority for Israel, a year-old group founded by longtime Democratic strategist Mark Mellman, ran a six-figure ad campaign in Iowa last month that questioned Sanders health and his ability to defeat Trump in November, The Associated Press reported. The ads also ran in Nevada ahead of its Feb. 22 caucuses.

Mellman and others involved in the group are regulars at the AIPAC conference. But Mellman has said the group operates independently of AIPAC. And AIPAC reportedly distanced itself from the ads by Mellmans group, telling AP that it had nothing to do with them.

But earlier this month, AIPAC found itself in the middle of a separate controversy involving ads targeting some Democrats. AIPAC apologized and removed at least two Facebook ads that slammed radical Democrats in Congress, and altered a petition that said Israels harshest critics in Congress pose a threat maybe more sinister than ISIS and other terror groups.

The AIPAC apology was not entirely unqualified. The ads, it said, alluded to a genuine concern of many pro-Israel Democrats about a small but growing group, in and out of Congress, that is deliberately working to erode the bipartisan consensus on this issue and undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship.

An AIPAC spokesman also provided JTA with an older AIPAC ad targeting Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, for holding up aid to Israel in 2018. That ad also was sharply worded. Paul, it said, wants to abandon our Israeli allies. But it did not identify his party, call Paul a radical, accuse him of anti-Semitism or compare him to terrorists.
[March 06, 2020] Wasatch Wins Two 2020 Lipper Fund Awards

Wasatch Global Investors announced today that it has received two 2020 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. "We are honored to receive these awards for outstanding fund performance," said Eric Bergeson, President of Wasatch Global Investors. "This recognition highlights the strength of our collaborative process and our team." The following Wasatch Funds received awards: Wasatch Ultra Growth Fund (NASDAQ:WAMCX)

Best Fund Over Past 5 Years, Small-Cap Growth Wasatch Global Opportunities Fund (NASDAQ: WIGOX)

Best Fund Over Past 3 Years, Global Small-/Mid-Cap "The Refinitiv Lipper Awards celebrate exceptinal investment management," said Robert Jenkins (News - Alert), Head of Research. "We at Refinitiv congratulate the 2020 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award winners for delivering outstanding performance to their investors and wish Wasatch Global Investors continued success."



About Wasatch Global Investors Wasatch Global Investors is an independent, 100% employee-owned investment manager founded in 1975 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Named after the nearby Wasatch Mountain Range, the firm brings unparalleled experience to U.S. and international micro-, small- and mid-cap investing with a culture that emphasizes collaboration, excellence and intellectual curiosity. Wasatch had $21.3 billion in assets under management as of January 31, 2020. Wasatch Global Investors is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Important Disclosure The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although Refinitiv Lipper makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Refinitiv Lipper. Risks Mutual fund investing involves risks and loss of principal is possible. Investing in small or micro cap funds will be more volatile and loss of principal could be greater than investing in large cap or more diversified funds. Investing in foreign securities, especially in emerging markets, entails special risks such as currency fluctuations and political uncertainties, which are described in more detail in the prospectus. The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, containing this and other information, visit wasatchglobal.com or call (800) 551-1700. Please read it carefully before investing. Wasatch Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ADI). Eric Bergeson and Matson Lehtinen are registered representatives of ADI. ADI is not affiliated with Wasatch Global Investors.  2020 Wasatch Global Investors. All Rights Reserved. WAS005174 Exp: 12/31/2020 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005004/en/

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Writing at The Federalist, Kaeley Triller Haver remembered sitting in the legislature as the state of Washington legalized commercial surrogacy. While surrogacy has long been legal in the U.S., commercial surrogacy has not. In fact, its banned in most countries because of the potential for human exploitation.

Haver was struck by the lack of safeguards in the legislation: no background checks for would-be parents, no limits on the number of children they could order, no minimum compensation for surrogate mothers, and no barriers against pedophiles or human traffickers who might exploit the kids created. Incredibly, the rights of the children themselves werent even a part of that 2018 discussion.

This month, New York is following suit, considering two similar bills that would legalize commercial surrogacy in that state. Like in Washington, the push in New York is being made with heartstrings rhetoric and celebrity endorsement, Haver writes, but again, almost no restrictions to prevent opening floodgates for the exploitation and commodification of womens bodies, and the buying and selling of humans.

An untold part of this story, by the way, is that among those pushing hardest for commercial surrogacy are gay couples. According to an informal study commissioned by the Chicago Tribune in 2016, ten to twenty percent of donor eggs in fertility clinics went to gay men ordering babies through surrogacy. The overall number that represents was, at the time, skyrocketing, having increased by fifty percent in just five years.

Now keep in mind that, if ten to twenty percent sounds like a low number, self-identified gay people make up only about three percent of the population. By the way, the sponsors of both bills currently before the New York State Assembly, just like the sponsor of the bill that became law in Washington state, are openly gay.

In New York, LGBT activists are mostly rooting for the less restrictive of the two bills on the table, insisting that any safeguards on commercial baby-making would unfairly harm LGBTQ families. The safeguards these activists oppose are the same as those applied to adoptive families: home studies, waiting periods, and protections for birth mothers.

According to a joint letter by several LGBT rights groups, such evaluations would be unthinkable for parents who planned to have children through sexual intercourse. Therefore, I suppose their logic goes, restrictive measures should also be unthinkable for couples unable to have procreative intercourse and instead wish to buy someones eggs and rent someones womb in order to gestate a baby they will call their own.

What were seeing here is the logical conclusion of the ideology that brought us same-sex marriage. Gay unions were sold to the world with the slogan, love is love. Of course, the only way that heterosexual love is the same as homosexual love is to make all the biological aspects of love irrelevant to the conversation in the first place, which is just another way of saying biological sex (i.e. that we are male and female) and procreation are both irrelevant to marriage.

Now, so many of those who have intentionally chosen sterile unions and argued that procreation is irrelevant to those unions, are now demanding children. They are demanding procreation without sex, and theyre demanding it as a right.

The only way to claim a right to what is impossible (same-sex couples cannot conceive children) is through a transactional workaround with women whose wombs they wish to rent.

In other words, the sponsors of these bills want the reproductive abilities of mothers, divorced from the mothers, themselves. They want the wombs, but not the women.

Of course, those who suffer in this cynical economic exchange, like in each and every chapter of the sexual revolution so far, are women and children. As Haver points out, surrogate mothers or gestational carriers as theyre called, are at risk of permanent sterility or other serious health consequences from ovarian hyperstimulation.

The children whose rights are not even considered will grow up, and as weve seen from other situations, theyll want to know who they are and where they come from. Many understandably condemn how they were conceived, bought, and sold like products.

The European Parliament has denounced surrogacy as an act of violence against women, and countries like India whose citizens stand to profit from renting wombs to rich Westerners have recognized the built-in exploitation and outlawed the practice.

Yet if activists and legislators get their way, New York will soon welcome commercial surrogacy. By doing so, theyll be endorsing the idea that families, including children, are commodities to be bought and sold. But its always the women and children, especially the most vulnerable ones, who will pay the highest price.

Originally posted at breakpoint.org


Salman Khan is currently busy shooting for his next release Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. The Prabhudheva film is all set to hit the screens this Eid. The actor is currently shooting for some high-octane action scenes for the same. Radhe also had a lot of scenes to be shot in Thailand. However, it looks like the team of the film will have to wait for a while to shoot its next schedule.







Reports suggest that the films shoot in Thailand has been cancelled due the outbreak of coronavirus. As per reports, Thailand health officials have reported one fatality out of the 47 coronavirus positive patients. Just to be on the safe side, the team of Radhe decided not to move to Thailand for action sequences and zero in on another location.

Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai released some posters last week, where Salman Khan is seen doing some kick ass action. The actor will be seen with Disha Patani. The film also stars Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff. Radhe will clash at the box-office with the Akshay Kumar starrer Laxxmi Bomb, which also releases on Eid. A Salman and Akshay box-office clash is not new. Since both the superstars have a huge following, the producers and the actors are not worried about the clash, as both the movies are expected to do huge business.




People say "dress to impress," but Kim Kardashian ultimately failed to make her fans fall in love with her recent viral outfit.

The Kardashian sisters Kim and Kourtney attended this year's Paris Fashion Week in France. Of course, their attendance always needed some "proof," so the eldest sister posted a snap of one of their outfits in the prestigious event.

On Wednesday, Kourtney shared with her 87.7 million Instagram followers a picture of her and the KKW Beauty mogul alongside the caption, "you be chocolate, and I'll be caramel."

The sisters sported somewhat matching skin-tight looks -- with Kourtney showcasing a dark brown attire and Kim flaunting the lighter version of the outfit but with more details compared to Kourtney's.

Also, Kim's attire looked like a mock-neck bodysuit with a robe-style latex blazer matched with latex gloves.

Although they are known to dominate the fashion industry and even established their own beauty empire, Kim still became the center of criticisms for her awful look.

One fan pointed out that the 39-year-old media personality overdid surgeries/implants and exclaimed, "Goodness gracious! Kim Kim Kim why? Wish you could've realized how beautiful your natural body was."

Another fan wrote, "Trying to protect yourself from the coronavirus outfit lmfaoooo."

"Kourtney looks fine but look at Kim HAHAHHA," another Instagram user commented.

What surprised fans even more was the fact that the almost-gold Balmain look of Kim was just one of her three Paris Fashion Week latex outfits.

Too Much Fashion?

Aside from her latex getups, Kim also received backlash for another cultural appropriation act during the same prestigious event.

The SKIMS founder attended the Yeezy Season 8 show, where she got accused of appropriating black culture after debuting a braids hairdo.

Another stylish choice aused her to be lambasted online.

One Twitter user said, "Bruh why do you keep doing this? You think she'd learn. Put your hair up in a high pony and go to the fashion show like everyone else."

Last week, people also called her out for cultural appropriation and blackfishing after she revealed that she uses her KKW Beauty products to darken her "too pale" hands.

Kim's Outfits Are Show-Stealers?

Kim also previously sported a latex Thierry Mugler dress during last year's MET Gala, and she received the same amount of denunciations from people -- including her husband, Kanye West.

Kim's Met Gala dress was notably designed to display a wet-look, but Kanye deemed it to be "too sexy" in his eyes.

Their argument got heated more during one episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, during which West confessed that he was already over the days when he wanted his wife to look good for others. It was the reason why he thought her Gala outfit was too sexy, and it was too much for him.

According to People Magazine, she spent hours trying her show-stealer dress before the MET Gala, so she definitely did not like it when someone -- and worse, her husband -- did not appreciate it despite spending eight months in preparing it.
Former Barclays investment banker Rich Ricci is to lead broker Panmure Gordon

Former Barclays boss Bob Diamond has hired his ex-sidekick Rich Ricci to lead broker Panmure Gordon.

Diamond and Ricci, along with Jerry del Missier, were known as the 'three musketeers' who built up Barclays' investment bank and briefly led the lender in the aftermath of the financial crisis. But the trio suffered a dramatic fall after Diamond was branded the 'unacceptable face of banking' by then-business secretary Lord Mandelson in 2010.

Diamond bought a stake in Panmure, a small and mid-cap companies broker, two years ago after being fired from Barclays in 2012. Panmure announced yesterday that its chief executive Ian Axe, another former colleague of Diamond's at Barclays, would step down immediately to make way for Ricci.

This was part of a wider shake-up also involving the acquisition of broker Whitman Howard.

The boss of a rival brokerage, upon hearing of Ricci's appointment, said: 'Bloody hell. That's remarkable. Panmure Gordon has been throwing money at the smaller companies space, which is not historically Bob Diamond or Rich Ricci's realm. So I'm not sure what the plan is.'

Ricci, 56, who cut a flamboyant figure with his trilby hats and loud three-piece suits, became synonymous with the cut-throat 'casino banking' culture.

The American racehorse enthusiast earned 40million in 2010, and in 2013 sold 5.7m shares he received as soon as they became available, bagging 17.6million.

Details of the windfall emerged on the day of another austerity Budget, earning him the headline in the Independent: 'Who's the fat cat in the hat?' But rather than flinching, he named one of his racehorses Fatcatinahat.

He still owns horses with his wife Susannah, and will run several at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

Del Missier is founder and chief investment officer of Copper Street Capital in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
JC Kosher's old location is shuttered, and a mural depicting a bridge over a heart was painted over the doors.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (JTA)-Two months after his wife was murdered in the attack on this city's only kosher grocery store, owner Moshe Ferencz was back behind the counter this week.

The store, which has partially reopened in a new location, still doesn't have regular hours. But the reopening signals an important moment for Jersey City's small but growing community of Orthodox Jews.

"Everyone was shocked beyond belief," said Chesky Deutsch, a member of the local Hasidic community who acts as an informal spokesman, describing the atmosphere following the shooting. "For the first few weeks there was a little paralysis. They lost a friend, the kids were under trauma, the grocery was not open. But now life goes on."

JC Kosher, which caters to the 100 or so Hasidic families who have moved to the Greenville neighborhood here in recent years, was the site of a shooting on Dec. 10. The two assailants killed a police officer nearby before riding in a van to the store, where they killed Leah Mindel Ferencz, who ran the store with her husband. They also shot dead Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, an employee, and Moshe Deutsch, a customer.

The attackers, who were not from the neighborhood, also died in a shootout with police that lasted for hours. Police discovered a powerful bomb in the shooters' van and believe they targeted the store in an anti-Semitic attack. JC Kosher was adjacent to a yeshiva for the neighborhood's Jewish children.

Now the market is beginning to reopen two blocks from its original location on the same side of the same street, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It's not fully stocked and caters only to kosher-keeping customers based on necessity. Deutsch said it will be open fully in the coming weeks.

On Monday, the store was bright and clean while still a work in progress. The shelves were stocked with food-with canned goods on one aisle, refrigerated products such as hummus in another and bags of pretzels piled in another display-but open boxes, a ladder and unassembled racks also dotted the space.

Deutsch said that Ferencz had been planning to relocate anyway, squeezed by his original store's tight quarters. Because he would have needed to do a full renovation after the shooting, he decided it was time to move to a new space, Deutsch said.

(Ferencz, who is grieving his wife, asked not to be interviewed or photographed.)

"It's such a necessity for people over here," Deutsch said. "They can't wait until it's fully, fully stocked. So what he did is he opens it and he's still unpacking it."

The original location has been closed since the shooting, its shuttered doors now covered by a mural of a bridge over a heart and three roses. An artist who goes by True Heart Art on Instagram painted the mural shortly after the shooting and titled it "Bridging Worlds."

Ben Sales Some of JC Kosher's shelves are fully stocked with staples in its new location two blocks from the original store.

At the base of the closed doors are a row of cut-out five-pointed stars featuring a smiley face, an American flag, a heart, a peace sign and an inspirational quote from Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster in the "Harry Potter" series.

While the store was closed, this city's Hasidic community received twice weekly free deliveries from Peppermint, a kosher grocery store in the upstate New York Hasidic town of Kiryas Joel, more than an hour's drive away. People also would trek to Brooklyn and other Jewish neighborhoods for food.

Deutsch is happy to have a local grocery and community hub open again.

"You're used to a lifestyle of buying every day, every few days," he said. "It's not like we live in a desert, but we're spoiled in that way. All of us are used to having our basic necessities handy, close by."
Women protesting against the CAA and NRC at 'Mumbai Bagh' in Nagpada area of south Mumbai accused the police of manhandling them.

Mumbai: Women protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) at 'Mumbai Bagh' in Nagpada area of south Mumbai accused the police of manhandling them.

The protesters claimed that the police had objected to a temporary shade put up by them at the protest site. The police, however, denied the allegation.

Hundreds of women have been sitting in protest at Morland road in Nagpada since 26 January against the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens.

The incident took place in the early hours of Friday when some protesters put up a tarpaulin shade to protect themselves from the sun, a protester said.

The police personnel, who were deployed at the site, took objection and tried removing the shade, following which a heated argument ensued and some protesters were manhandled, she alleged.

The police, however, denied the allegation, saying they had examined the video footages from the site and the incident has not been confirmed as yet.

Following the incident, residents of Nagpada and Madanpura gathered at 'Mumbai Bagh' and demanded action against the concerned police officials.

A delegation of protesters also met additional commissioner of police (Central Region) Viresh Prabhu and senior police officials seeking action against the concerned police personnel.
Lewis said the Stella shortlisting had been incredibly important. Wild Dingo sold world English-language rights (except the ANZ region) to Europa Editions, publisher of Elena Ferrante, and Italian rights, while the Booker listing had an immediate impact, bringing interest from publishers in Iceland, France and Egypt. We wouldnt have been able to cover our costs without the Stella, Lewis admitted.

Azar is writing another book, to be published by the University of Queensland Press. I have no problem with that, Lewis said. She relishes having introduced Azar to the world, and is now looking forward to celebrating Wild Dingos 10th birthday. She will publish 16 books this year  not bad for someone who thought The Rugmaker was a one-off.

London angst

Following the postponement of the Bologna Childrens Book Fair and the cancellation of next weeks Leipzig Book Fair because of the threat of coronavirus there existed huge uncertainty over the London Book Fair that was due to begin on March 10. Amazon, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Hachette said they wouldn't be sending anyone to London, which made things tricky for the organisers. Hachette and Pan Macmillan even said they wouldn't send staff based in the British capital, and HarperCollins swiftly said it was considering the same action. Scottish publisher Canongate pulled out, Italian publisher Grupo Mauri Spagnol did likewise, as did Britains largest agency, Curtis Brown.

Earlier in the week Penguin Random House Australia publishing director Justin Ractliffe said he was still intending to go, despite the uncertainty. He said it would still be worth it. I have a whole week of PRH publishers and agents meetings arranged. I had an incredibly full schedule organised and even without the Americans the ROI is still worth it. But with the situation deteriorating, he too pulled out. Then LBF organisers made the inevitable decision to cancel the fair.
The U.S. ambassador to Thailand praised the two nations longtime alliance to maintain military strength in the Indo-Pacific, as the annual 10-day Cobra Gold Exercise closed on Friday.

Thailand and the U.S. co-hosted 27 countries for 39th version of Cobra Gold, which drew nearly 10,000 troops. It combined a mix of combat training and humanitarian missions.

Our relationship with the Thai military is really incredibly strong. Cobra Gold today demonstrates unwavering commitment to both the U.S.-Thai alliance and also the Indo-Pacific, American Ambassador Michael G. DeSombre told reporters after the closing ceremony.

Cobra Gold  will keep us stronger in that regard as we keep bringing more people over here and dedicating more resources, he said.

DeSombre joined Thai and other officials, including Thai Army Chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong, for the closing ceremony at a tactical firing range in northern Sukhothai province, about 450 km (281 miles) from Bangkok.

The U.S. sent about 5,500 troops to participate in the training exercises.

Before Cobra Gold could even begin, Thai officials had implemented measures to protect troops participating in the exercise from being infected with the new coronavirus by screening participants for fevers. Officials said none of the troops tested positive for the virus, and no cases were reported during the entire program.

COVID-19, which originated in China, has spread throughout the world including the United States and host country Thailand, where 47 cases had been reported as of Thursday. Through March 5, the World Health Organization recorded at least 95,000 cases and 3,200 deaths in at least 85 countries.
Diplomats and foreign observers have questioned preliminary results of Guyanas presidential election and urged incumbent David Granger not to claim victory as the opposition alleged fraud, setting up a showdown in the South American nation.

Meanwhile, Guyanese police surrounded the countrys election commission on Friday, Reuters news agency reported, adding that the commission has not yet declared a winner.

The former British colony voted on Monday to choose who will oversee an oil boom that promises to be transformative for the poor country, thanks to recent crude discoveries off its coast.

Following the preliminary results, opposition leaders denounced thievery, and diplomats from the United States, the European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom said results released by the election commission for one of the countrys regions were not credible.

This is an embarrassment that this emerging oil giant has to be sitting here at this table now and speaking on the brink of a dictatorship, said Kian Jabour of opposition party A New and United Guyana.

A disputed election could derail the countrys plans to use its newfound oil wealth to spur economic development. It would heighten long-simmering ethnic tensions between the countrys Afro-Guyanese and those of Indian descent, who have grown suspicious that the other is seeking to control oil revenue.

Region Four

Opposition leaders said the election commission altered results from an area called Region Four, the most populous electoral district, to give Granger, the sitting president, of the APNU-AFC coalition, a wide margin over Irfaan Ali of the opposition PPP party.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo said the commissions results for Region Four did not match the sum of votes tallied in the statements of poll  the official documents that reflect voting results at each individual polling station.

Based on our observation of todays [elections commission] proceedings at their Region 4 office, and the fact that the full count was not completed, we question the credibility of the Region 4 results, the heads of the four diplomatic missions said in a joint statement.

No winner proclaimed

The electoral commission has not yet proclaimed a winner in the race, but Granger gave celebratory statements to a rally of supporters on Thursday.

We are here to serve you for the next five years, he said. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. When the sun rises  the president is sworn in again.

Supporters of presidential candidate David Granger, of the APNU+AFC alliance, cheer and wave flags [Luis Acosta/AFP]

The Region Four results were also questioned by the Commonwealth Observer Group, made up mostly of former British colonies, as well as the Carter Center, founded by former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife, which in 1992 helped Guyana hold a free election after decades of rigged votes.

Critics had for days complained of unnecessary delays and what they called stalling tactics, including the unexpected hospitalisation of a key election official.

Oil expected to change country

Guyana, which has a population of less than 800,000, is expected to become a major oil producer in the coming years as several companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp, tap into eight billion barrels of oil and gas off the countrys coast.

However, the countrys politics have remained largely divided along ethnic lines since Guyanas 1966 independence from the UK.

Grangers APNU-AFC coalition is largely made up of black Guyanese descended from African slaves while the PPP mostly represents descendants of Indian labourers who arrived in the 19th century to work on sugar plantations.

The APNU-AFC has promised to use oil wealth to finance cash transfers to citizens, in addition to investing in infrastructure and diversification of the economy.

The PPP has criticised Granger for not insisting that Exxon give a greater percentage of oil revenue to the state.
Just when high hygiene standards are most needed during this coronavirus outbreak, workers belonging to three companies responsible for cleaning Malaga university went on strike this week.

The unions are calling for equal conditions to those given to the university's own workers.
[March 06, 2020] PAR Technology Corporation Announces Date for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE:PAR) today announced the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona, New York 13478 on Thursday, June 4, 2020. ABOUT PAR TECHNOLOGY PAR Technology Corporation (PAR) is a customer success-driven, global restaurant/retail technology company with over 100,000 restaurants in more than 110 countries using its point of sale hardware and software. PAR's Brink integration ecosystem enables quick service, fast casual, table service, and cloud restaurants to improve their operational efficiency by combining its cloud-based POS software with the world's leading restaurant technology platforms. PAR, through its Government segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ("ISR") solutions and mission systems support to the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies. PAR Technology Corporation's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PAR. For more information, visit www.partech.com or connect with PAR on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/parpointofsale or Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/Par_tech.



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Photo: The Canadian Press

An aviation expert says the novel coronavirus is having a "severe impact" on global air travel, with implications for Canadian airlines and aerospace companies.

National Bank analyst Cameron Doerksen says the spread of the virus represents a "clear threat" to the sustainability of the industry's current cycle.

The broader economic slowdown triggered by the virus "would likely hurt demand" for new business jets, Bombardier Inc.'s main source of income after selling it sold its rail business to French train giant Alstom SA last month.

Doerksen says Chorus Aviation Inc.'s regional flight service for Air Canada will remain insulated from the headwinds, but its global plane-leasing business is at risk.

Disruption could also reach flight simulator maker CAE Inc. if carriers impose a pilot hiring freeze, park planes and hold off on new deliveries. Aircraft landing gear manufacturer Heroux-Devtek Inc. will also feel the pinch if Boeing Co. lowers production for the 777X wide-body jetliner.

The International Air Transport Association trade group forecasts that global passenger revenue could decline by US$113 billion or 13.5 per cent this year due to COVID-19, which has caused at least 3,400 deaths and spread to more than 80 countries as governments ramp up containment measures.
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Research at Washington State University has linked chronic depression with increased health problems for moms and children in poor rural communities, revealing the need for better treatment based on teamwork and trust.

Using data from the ongoing, multi-state Rural Families Speak project, a team led by Yoshie Sano, associate professor in WSU's Department of Human Development, examined the experiences of 23 mothers with clinical depression across three years.

The findings, recently published in the Journal of Family Social Work, revealed that mothers who were constantly depressed experienced more health problems, distrusted doctors and had a worse outlook on their lives, compared with moms whose symptoms improved. The mothers' depression also affected those closest to them.

"Mothers are one of the main supports of the family," said Sano, the lead author on the paper. "They're raising children, paying bills, and organizing events. When they're depressed, the entire family is impacted."

More than one in five adults deal with depression, a mood disorder that causes persistent sadness, exhaustion and loss of interest, affecting relationships, work, and emotional and physical health. Women are twice as likely to have depression as men, and people in poverty are three times more likely to experience it.

"Depression affects everything--employability, parenting, how we deal with daily life," said Sano. "Mental health is the core of a productive life."

As part of her research into family relationships through Rural Families Speak, Sano kept encountering mothers from rural, low-income families who were dealing with depression.

While much prior research has found how depression affects childhood development, she sought to understand the broader context of maternal depression.

Both groups of moms, those who were depressed but improving as well as those who had chronic depression, had similar struggles in dealing with their children's health. But chronically depressed moms faced greater challenges in dealing with their children's emotional and behavioral issues, which were often compounded by a lack of childcare options, employment, concerns for delinquent behaviors and day-to-day behavioral management issues.

"We found that children's health--particularly their emotional and behavioral health--is one of the most challenging contributors to maternal depression," Sano said. "Depression doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in a family, community, and cultural context."

Policy makers often focus on physical health as a direct obstacle to self-sufficiency for low-income families, said Sano.

"But especially for moms, mental health is the major obstacle," she said. "There's a huge stigma around mental health, especially in rural areas. Women try to deal with it alone."

The scientists found that chronically depressed mothers expressed strong distrust of health-care professionals and their prescribed treatments.

"It's critical for mothers to find at least one provider with whom they can build a trusting relationship--someone who knows their overall health histories, understands their family histories, and listens to their concerns," Sano said.

For rural communities with limited care providers, Sano underlined the importance of coordination between doctors, mental health professionals and social workers as well as the need to incorporate mental health screening into existing support systems, such as schools and public assistance.

"We hope our results will inspire new conversations among health care providers, and raise awareness that this is a hidden but deep problem for low-income mothers," she said. "Once people recognize this issue, the stigma attached to mental health will decrease."

###

Sano collaborated on this work with WSU colleague Cory Bolkan and Sheila Mammen of University of Massachusetts. This research was supported in part by grants from the USDA, Co-op Research and Extension Services and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Irans death toll from coronavirus infections jumped on Friday to 124, as 17 died over the past 24 hours and more than 1,000 were additionally diagnosed with the disease, a health ministry spokesman said in Tehran.

The number of infections rose to 4,747, he said.

Iran had reported 3,513 infections on Thursday.
BOISE  U.S. authorities are asking Yellowstone National Park tourists to review their vacation photos to see if they can spot any clues about two missing children whose mother has been brought back to Idaho to face charges.

Lori Vallow was arrested in Hawaii last month and charged with felony child abandonment. Her 7-year-old son, Joshua JJ Vallow, was last seen Sept. 23 and his big sister, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, was last seen Sept. 8  the same day the family went on a day trip through the popular park.

Police in the small town of Rexburg, where the children were last known to be living, have said they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger. They also say Vallow, 46, and her husband, Chad Daybell, have repeatedly lied about the childrens whereabouts.

The bizarre case spans several states, includes investigations into three mysterious deaths and touches on rumors of Vallows and Daybells apocalyptic religious beliefs.

Vallows estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother Alex Cox in Phoenix last July. Cox, who said the shooting was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December.

In August, Vallow moved from Arizona to Idaho, where Daybell lived with his wife, Tammy Daybell. She died in October. Her obituary said the death was from natural causes, but law enforcement became suspicious when Chad Daybell married Vallow just two weeks after Tammys death.

Tammy Daybells remains have been exhumed, but the autopsy report has not yet been released. Toxicology results on Cox also are not public yet.

Law enforcement escorted Vallow back to Idaho on Thursday and shes due in court Friday. Vallows attorneys, Brian Webb and Edwina Elcox of Eagle, could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Rexburg Police Department and the FBI are asking anyone who visited Yellowstone on Sept. 8 to share any photos or videos of their trip with law enforcement.

Investigators are particularly looking for anything that may show Vallow, her brother, Cox, the children or a silver 2017 Ford F-150 pickup with Arizona license plate CPQUINT, which the group was driving in Yellowstone, according to an FBI statement.

Law enforcement is seeking photos and video which may have captured images of these persons and the vehicle, or images of crowds and other park visitors where these individuals may be present, the statement said.

Photos and video can be uploaded at FBI.gov/Rexburg.

Investigators are preparing in case of a break in the case: The FBI brought a mobile command unit to Rexburg on Monday. The command center, which is similar to large recreational vehicle outfitted with crime processing equipment, is providing logistical support to local authorities.

Rexburg police first questioned Vallow and Daybell about the missing kids in late November, but when detectives returned the next day, the couple had left town. They asked Hawaii authorities for help finding them.

Vallow reportedly believes she is a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christs second coming in July 2020, according to divorce documents that Charles Vallow filed before his death.

She and Daybell were both involved in an Idaho-based group that promotes preparing for the biblical end times.







February crime report

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According to the president, the authorities of the country are already solving the issue of the development of the structural approach to the popularization of the Ukrainian industry

Open source

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the government should develop a program of supports of the Ukrainian industries as 112 Ukraine reported.

Zelensky noted that the authorities of the country are already solving the issue of the development of the structural approach to the popularization of the Ukrainian industry.

I will consult with the prime minister of Ukraine to do at least the things I was talking about yesterday, vice minister of Ukraine on industry and trade and we will establish the ministry. Now, it seems to me that we are on the right way. We need such ministry, we need to develop a program of the supports of the Ukrainian industry, Zelensky said.

As we reported before, on March 4 the Verkhovna Rada has accepted the resignation of Oleksiy Honcharuk from the post of Prime Minister and his government. 353 MPs voted "for" the corresponding draft resolution No. 3158.

Later, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appointed Denys Shmyhal as the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Also, Newly-appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal and members of his government have taken the oath. The PM read out the text of the oath at the Verkhovna Rada after the support of the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers by the majority of votes.
Ahead of the clash against Manchester City in Premier League, Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Friday said that The Red Devils will do its best to make the encounter a classic one.

"Let's hope it is a 4-3 like we've seen before. There have been many classics and we'll do what we can to make it a classic," goal.com quoted Solskjaer as saying.

Manchester City have been in terrific form as they have clinched Carabao Cup defeating Aston Villa in the final. Earlier, Man City defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at their home ground in the UEFA Champions League's round of 16 match.

Solskjaer said that playing against Manchester City is going to be tough as they are in good form.

"They'll feel confident, they've hit form, they're playing well. They've just been at the Bernabeu, winning there [against Real Madrid] as well, and they won the Carabao Cup final [against Aston Villa]," he added.

Manchester United will lock horns with Manchester City on March 8 in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
My first experience with the small, but rapidly growing movement to eliminate handshaking was in a chiropractic office in Singapore two weeks ago. "Are you shaking hands? Some people aren't these days," the chiro said, extending his hand before awkwardly retracting it. I did  to break the oddness of the moment  but I did not, actually, want to. I'd started feeling wary about the gesture since coronavirus cases had begun to slowly tick up in Singapore in mid-February.

A new etiquette emerges

Within a week, the hands-free trend was in full effect. Job candidates declared they weren't shaking hands with interviewers in our office. People discussed the subject at parties and at work, signaling their stances with palms planted firmly in their pockets or behind their backs.

To combat the financial loss that may be incurred when clients cancel, legal experts stress the importance of clearly defined cancellation and rescheduling policies in business owners' contracts. MangoStar_Studio

When handshakes did take place, the greeting was strangely limp and lifeless  two people engaging in an act that neither really welcomed. Suddenly no one knew how to casually say hello anymore. Especially if you're someone who travels frequently, meeting new people from new places, it feels important to offer some sort of physical gesture. And what's the etiquette for turning down a handshake anyway?

Anomaly or new norm?

Contactless greetings are gaining traction everywhere from parliament houses to sporting events and morning talk shows. France's Health Minister, Olivier Veran, advised against shaking hands as well as cheek-to-cheek kissing, known in France as "faire la bise" (literally "to do the kiss").

The French are being asked to refrain from "faire la bise," the traditional cheek-to-cheek greeting in France. Yellow Dog Productions

In a widely-viewed video, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's outstretched hand was rejected by Horst Seehofer, the country's interior minister; the two laughed as she pivoted to a chummy double-handed wave. Chances are good that once the threat of coronavirus settles, handshaking will continue as usual. But perhaps it's time to reconsider the tradition  one we know leads to illness and disease transmission.

Handshakes: Then and now

With origins dating back to ancient Greece, handshaking is believed to have originated to prove participants were not holding weapons (the shaking may have been a way to loosen daggers hidden inside clothing.) A funeral stone in Berlin's Pergamom museum from 5th century B.C. shows two soldiers clasping hands. Even then, handshakes were likely a formalization of a pact between two parties. Homer references handshakes in both "The Odyssey" and "The Iliad," usually as a display of trust.

Vintage engraving showing the meeting of Edmund Ironside and Canute on the Banks of the Severn, estimated 1016. duncan1890

The handshake as a daily greeting is much more recent. Written guidelines from the 1800s explained the art of the handshake, a subject still popular today. In the 19th century, germ theory replaced smells, demons, astrology and a vengeful God as the dominant theory behind microorganism transmission. German physician Robert Koch discovered that specific germs caused specific diseases, and French microbiologist Louis Pasteur disproved the idea of spontaneous generation  meaning, germs must be passed from one source to another. They don't just appear magically on their own. The Hungarian physician, Ignaz Semmelweis is credited with discovering the links between hands  and handwashing  and infection rates, after he observed maternal mortality rates were lower for women treated by midwives rather than physicians, the latter of whom often tended to patients after performing autopsies. Still, handwashing in general wasn't widely practiced until the 1980s. Today, the average person shakes hands 15,000 times in their lifetime.

Handshake alternatives: The ways cultures say hello

In many parts of Europe and the Middle East, people kiss (once, twice or even three times) when they meet and depart. In New Zealand, the native Maoris tap noses and foreheads together. Tibetans stick out their tongues at one another. "Saffas who know each other well tend to kiss each other on the lips, which everyone else thinks is super weird," said Alex Westcott Campbell, using the colloquial term for South Africans like herself.

The Japanese bow to greet one another and as a sign of respect, as evidenced here by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on November 11, 2016. TORU YAMANAKA

The Japanese bow with hands at their sides, while Thais and Cambodians nod with their hands held in a prayer-like pose. In India, people greet one another with "namaste," a pose made popular around the world through the practice of yoga. Yet, many of those cultures shake hands too.

Is it time for a new global greeting?

Calls to drop the handshake aren't new. In 2012, Chicago-based physician Alex Lickerman posited the issue in an article published in Psychology Today. Calling handshaking "a modern-day health hazard," he noted that most diseases transferred through handshakes are tolerable but that "if most, or even a few, of the viruses that handshaking spreads were fatal  contact-handshakes would undoubtedly disappear overnight." Similarly, Dr. Mark Sklansky, chief of pediatric cardiology at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, and two other authors recommended waving, bowing or namaste greetings instead of handshaking in hospital settings in a 2014 editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Baseball players have been forearm smashing and fist-bumping for years. Richard Rodriguez

Florida pathologist James Robb, who has studied coronaviruses since the 1970s, wrote a now-viral letter in February. His No. 1 rule: "NO HANDSHAKING!" Notably, he wrote that "these are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza season." So it's no surprise that in the wake of the coronavirus, new greetings are emerging, from awkward elbow bumps and contactless high fives to the foot-based "Wuhan shake." But not everyone agrees. Some  including Boris Johnson  prefer to employ diligent handwashing instead. Other arguments in favor of handshakes include custom, global acceptance and the importance of human touch and physical connection. Tossing out a time-honored tradition now could be construed as an overreaction in a time when we need collective calm.

Is there a middle ground?

A study in 2014 found that fist bumps transmitted 90% fewer bacteria than a handshake. "It seems that the handshake is worse than the fist bump for transferring bacteria because the surface area of contact is much larger, handshakes last longer ... and the firmer the handshake, the greater the transfer," said Dr. Dave Whitworth, a microbiologist at Aberystwyth University and one of the researchers behind the study. Cruisers on small vessels have adopted a version of the bump, known as the "cruise tap" that uses just two knuckles.

President Barack Obama does a fist bump with Ethan Gibbs, the son of then Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, outside the White House on April 19, 2009. Aude Guerrucci/AFP
When ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess warned that neo-Nazis have emerged as one of Australias most challenging security threats, many Australians would have experienced a collective chill. It is hard to believe that in liberal-democratic, multicultural Australia, where many of our grandparents fought against Nazism during WWII, this abhorrent ideology is gaining local support, while its adherents seek to terrorise their self-declared enemies.

ASIO Director-General of Security Mike Burgess. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

According to Burgess, small cells of right-wing extremists were regularly gathering to salute Nazi flags, inspect weapons and spread their hateful ideology.

We have been increasingly seeing the deadly effects of right-wing terrorism around the world. In Germany, in February a gunman killed nine people in two racially motivated shootings at shisha bars in Hanau, while in October a right-wing gunman attempted to break into a German synagogue and then killed two people. Closer to home in March last year there was the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand by an Australian, who killed 51 people in two mosques. While in the US there was the attack on the Pittsburgh synagogue in October 2018 by a right-wing extremist that killed 11 people, and the August 2019 El Paso shooting in a Texas Walmart that killed 22 people.

Burgess also warned that violent Islamic extremism, such as Islamic State and al-Qaeda, remained ASIOs top concern, with the number of terrorism leads doubling since last year. While they are separate, ideologies of hatred, Nazism and violent Islamist extremism have similarities: they are hostile to democracy, human rights and the intrinsic value of life, and they promote hatred of certain ethnic groups, especially Jews.
The uncertainty and worry that has permeated the region for days turned to reality Friday when officials announced the first positive cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and separate concerns about potential exposure in Bucks County prompted a school district there to close five schools.

Two adults in Delaware and Wayne Counties were quarantined at their homes and were in good physical condition after testing positive for the virus Friday morning, said Pennsylvanias secretary of health, Rachel Levine. Both patients had recently traveled, one out of state and one overseas.

In Cherry Hill, a man in his 60s has been hospitalized with the illness since Tuesday and was stable, Camden County officials disclosed.

Gov. Tom Wolf issued an emergency disaster declaration as Pennsylvania became at least the 20th state to report cases of the fast-spreading illness, based on tracking by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of confirmed cases on Friday surpassed 250 nationwide and 100,000 globally.

Through Friday night, no one in Philadelphia had tested positive for the virus, city health officials said.

 READ MORE: Live updates on coronavirus in the Philly region

The Central Bucks School District became the first around Philadelphia to cancel classes, shutting five schools after determining that a person from out of state, who is now known to have coronavirus, attended a recent private gathering at a residence with students and staff from the five schools. It was unclear how long the schools would remain closed, although test results Friday evening showed none of the people who came in contact with the infected patient had contracted the virus, county spokesperson Larry King said.

Officials across the region on Friday sought to encourage calm among residents, yet declined to release details about where the patients live, how old they are, or how they had contracted the illness, citing patient confidentiality. Pressed by reporters, Delaware County officials said state officials instructed them not to release more information.

They have their reasons for holding back that information. I dont know exactly what they are, but again, rest assured that if they feel a certain individual or group is at risk, they will reach out to them and make them aware, said George Avetian, senior medical adviser for the county.

Still, details emerged.

Following an afternoon phone call with county officials, State Rep. Greg Vitali (D., Delaware-Montgomery) said they told him the Delaware County patient was a woman who had recently returned from Boston, where a handful of coronavirus cases have been linked to a recent conference. His account was confirmed by another person on the call.

The patient was treated at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, and her physician was also under quarantine, emergency services officials said on the call, according to Vitali.

The person moved throughout Delaware County, county emergency services head Timothy Boyce told reporters. Its fair to say they moved about Delaware County to seek medical treatment and returned home.

But sources said only state officials know exactly where the woman lives or had traveled within Delaware County, and that county officials planned to press Harrisburg to disclose that information. Vitali said his office is also working to learn more.

In Camden County, officials were also unable or unwilling to provide details about the local patient with the virus, who is at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. Whenever we get more information we will share it, County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said at a late afternoon news conference. What I shared is what we know.

In states including Virginia and Florida and Texas, governors or state officials have also cited confidentiality in declining to release the details about the infected patients, including where they live or may have contracted the illness. But in some states, including Washington, which has the most cases, details about patient location have seeped out, and New York has been forthcoming, down to identifying the law firm where one patient works, his hometown, and the hospital where he is being treated.

The announcement of Pennsylvanias first coronavirus cases came several weeks into emergency preparations for a potential outbreak of the illness, which is characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The worst outbreaks in the United States to date are on the West Coast, but this week, cases emerged in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

On Friday afternoon, New Jersey was advising its public schools to plan for closures. The University of Washington canceled in-person classes in the Seattle area. New York state confirmed 22 more cases. President Donald Trump arrived in Atlanta to visit the CDC.

Wolfs emergency disaster declaration directed up to $20 million in unused appropriated funds to combat the virus in Pennsylvania. State officials are having multiple daily briefings with federal officials, working with every level of government in the commonwealth, and running a command center in Harrisburg, he said.

Right now, the emphasis of the plan is mitigation  tactics to keep the virus from spreading widely, he said. "I want to emphasize we all should remain calm here.

Delaware County officials said they learned of their local case at 9:30 a.m. Friday, when Wolf made his public announcement. The county does not have a health department, but officials said this week that they had a very strong plan in place to respond to any cases or an outbreak.

The county has distributed masks to first responders, and janitorial staff have been directed to increase sanitation inside county buildings, officials said Friday. The Department of Intercommunity Health, Department of Emergency Services, the County Council, and a medical countermeasure team are coordinating the response, and the county set up a page on its website where information on coronavirus can be found.

Wolf told Pennsylvanians to wash their hands, cover their coughs, stay home if sick, and get information from the state website. He urged employers to provide sick time and telecommuting opportunities for workers.

We expect more cases to be confirmed in the upcoming days and weeks, said Levine, Wolfs Health Department secretary. And we want everyone to take action to help prevent the spread.

Staff writers Ellie Rushing, Anna Orso, Ellie Silverman, Michaelle Bond, Frank Kummer, and Oona Goodin-Smith contributed to this article.
Enforcement Directorate has raided residence of YES Bank founder Rana Kapoor on Friday night in connection to a money laundering case. The agency has also issued a lookout notice against the veteran banker to keep him from leaving the country.

Reports suggest that Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths are present at Kapoor's home in Samudra Mahal at Mumbai. ED officials are reportedly recording Kapoor's statement in connection with DHFL scam, where the company siphoned off Rs 13,000 crore via 79 shell companies. YES Bank had extended massive loans to DHFL, which later turned bad, adding to the banks losses, reports said.

Action against Kapoor came shortly after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) presented a reconstruction scheme for YES Bank. The private sector lender has been placed under moratorium by the government on recommendations from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) till April 3. The government has limited withdrawals to Rs 50,000 for a month, superseded YES Bank board and appointed Prashant Kumar, former Deputy Managing Director and CFO of State Bank of India (SBI), as administrator in its place. The action came due to deteriorating financial position, governance issues, false fundraising assurances, non-serious investors and outflow of liquidity.

ALSO READ:Yes Bank crisis: 'I have no clue, have not been involved for 13 months,' says Rana Kapoor

ALSO READ:How the Yes Bank crisis unfolded - A timeline

Earlier on Friday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during a media interaction that she has asked RBI to identify the individuals responsible for troubles at YES Bank. "I have asked the RBI to go into assessing what caused these difficulties for YES Bank. And also, clearly identify the role played by various individuals in creating the problems and not so comprehensively addressing the problem," she said.

Without naming Kapoor, Sitharaman said, "Since 2004, when YES Bank was founded, it has been under the same management. After RBI's scrutiny and identifying the culture of weak compliance, poor governance, and very risky credit-issuing habits, in September 2018 they clearly said that the leader has to change. They did not allow further continuation of chief executive's term after September 2018. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018, as a result."

ALSO READ:YES Bank said 'Yes' to all bad boys of Indian banking

ALSO READ:Yes Bank LIVE Updates: RBI, SBI, govt breathe life into dying lender
I am convinced that I have done my very best, mistakes would have been made and I want to see the one person who will say he has never made mistakes. But if there are mistakes of the head, we have the capacity to correct mistakes of the head. But I know I have not set out to make the mistakes of the heart. It is just that by the reason of the position that I occupy, it is not quite appropriate for me to join at this hour in explaining who is responsible for the losses that people point out and they want to heap on my head.
Judge Reggie Walton said Barr could not be trusted and cited inconsistencies between his statements about the report when it was secret and its actual contents that turned out to be more damaging to President Donald Trump. Walton said Barrs lack of candor called into question Attorney General Barrs credibility and, in turn, the departments assurances to the court.
(Natural News) China was the perfect playground for a lab-created virus to break containment. Sequencing of the virus shows that it was a manipulated strain, pieced together with virulent properties from SARS, MERS, and HIV. It doesnt matter what the authorities say about its origin, whether it came from bats or the illegal animal markets in China; all the confusion and pandemonium began in China and has set the stage for authoritarians and sociopaths to deceive and take advantage of people throughout the world. China has at least a hundred million people in some form of lock down and Chinese citizens and healthcare workers are being censored or persecuted for speaking out about whats happening.

The virus has become a tool, an opportunity for authoritarians to seek control

Before Chinese authorities declared an outbreak, the country was experiencing widespread upheaval, with revolutionaries challenging the communist authorities in the city streets. The Chinese government needed a reason to clear the streets, to take complete control over the people with fear and force. China was fertile ground for an outbreak, for an oppressive government to take over, to round people up, but were all told to blame the virus

Heavily-polluted Chinese cities provide the perfect cover for the coronavirus narrative. Physicists from the University of California, Berkeley, calculated that 1.6 million people in China die each year from heart, lung and stroke problems caused by Chinas heavily polluted air. This level of pollution has set the stage for wide scale weakness of heart, lung, and immune system health. China is fertile ground for an outbreak, as viruses can readily take advantage of immune-compromised populations. But were told to just blame the virus

Wuhan, the city where the outbreak was first declared, had previously unleashed 5G wireless technology one month before people began falling sick with flu-like illnesses. Wuhan, on its way to becoming a smart city, was one of the first cities to test out its new grid of millimeter wave microwave radiation. 5G has been banned in some cities because it can cause flu-like illnesses and has been documented as a source of chromosomal breaks in DNA, oxidative damage to cells, and much more. Wuhan was fertile ground for respiratory viruses to take advantage of the population, because many unknowing people were having their innate immune cells oxidized by an influx of wireless radiation. But were told to just blame the virus

How long will the pandemonium of this virus continue and will the panic equally apply to other viruses in the future?

How long will the pandemonium continue? Does anyone care that diagnostic tests are worthless for accurately defining coronavirus cases? Does anyone realize how easily case numbers can be inflated, driving hysteria through the news and into a community? Does anyone care that milder cases can be left out of the data, raising the death rate?

How many people die annually from complications with the flu, pneumonia and sepsis? How many people around the world are suffering from vaccine-derived polio? What about typhus and hepatitis spreading in California? Why do children suffer from acute flaccid myelitis and RSV? In the future, will every fever and respiratory virus be treated with such authoritarian force and hysteria? Why are we supposed to fear this virus, more than all the others? Its all about control.

The World Health Organization, praising China for its pandemic response, has inadvertently pressured governments around the world to take advantage of the pandemonium, to exert force and control. In America, the news media has broadcast nonstop fear, coaxing the federal government to respond in heroic fashion.

Trying to keep the markets from plummeting, the Trump administration has enacted the strictest quarantine measures in American history; its all a charade of protection because the immune-compromised American population are sitting ducks anyway. The Trump Administration is falling in line and giving the CDC over $8 billion to come up with a vaccine and to pump out new antiviral drugs that will inevitably resemble dangerous and ineffective Tamiflu. By the time the vaccine comes around, the number of coronavirus cases will inevitably have trickled down, like all historical incidences of infectious disease, but the vaccine will be heralded for saving humanity (like polio vaccines were).

As the media tells us all to be afraid of a virus, governments and pharmaceutical companies are taking this as a great opportunity, an opportunity to control people, mentally and physically, and to exploit our faith, as everyone looks to them for the answers. The world need not fear a new novel coronavirus. The world should be wary of the loss of liberty and mobility that may result from this pandemonium: mandatory vaccine laws enacted by a fully-funded WHO and a paramilitary CDC. We should fear the invention of National IDs, drivers licenses and/or passports that require everyone to submit to vaccines. We should be repulsed by the potential for roadside checkpoints and airports that could require vaccine administration and further testing of peoples body fluids. We should be wary that authoritarians will put cities and public events on lock down or how the military could be used to round people up or quarantine individuals over a fever. Because of the hysteria and pandemonium, we are slowly losing the freedom to congregate and the ability to travel abroad.

These extreme measures will further convince people that the virus is dangerous, that we all need to secure order, but this authoritarian approach and its effects do not confirm that the virus is the problem or that those in charge are of goodwill. The virus is an opportunity, a tool for sociopaths and authoritarians to exert mass control.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

WakingTimes.com

TheGuardian.com

TheGuardian.com

NaturalNews.com
By Akbar Mammadov

An Azerbaijani border guard has been killed in Armenian cease-fire violation in the border Gazakh district, the State Border Service said in a statement on March 5.

Orkhan Pashzade (24) was shot by an Armenian sniper at 19:00 on March 5, nearby the Qushci Ayrim village of the Gazakh district bordering Armenia.

He was immediately placed in the diagnostic center of the Gazakh district, however died from the injury he had sustained.

The State Border Service said that the Armenian military-political authority is responsible for the murder of the military serviceman of the State Border Service guarding internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, adding that necessary measures are taken regarding the accident.

The soldier was buried in his Cafarkhanli village in the Jalilabad district.

It should be noted that another Azerbaijani border guard Alamshah Valiyev was killed in another Armenian sabotage attack in Qazax districts Ayrimli village on February 24. The Armenian diversion group had used grenade launchers and other large-calibre weapons from the Armenian units located near the Koti village in Noyabmeryan district to carry out the attack. The Azerbaijani border service publicized the weaponry and food stuff left out from the Armenian sabotage group in the border point where the attack had taken place.

One saboteur was killed and another was wounded during the operation to stop the diversion.

Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans 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
Six appeal: Milena Mondini de Focatiis is set to take the helm at insurance group Admiral

The FTSE 100 is set to gain a sixth female chief executive as insurance group Admiral appoints a new boss.

The firm said its co-founder David Stevens would step down in 12 months time to make way for Milena Mondini de Focatiis, currently head of UK and European insurance at the firm. Mondini, 42, joined in 2008 after founding Italian insurance firm Conte in 2008.

Her appointment marks the end of an era  Stevens, 58, who helped launch Admiral in 1991, has been group chief executive since 2016.

The succession plans at the top of Admiral came as its profit before tax hit a record high of 522.6million for 2019, driven by strong performance in the UK insurance arm and price comparison site Confused.

Its full-year dividend jumped 11 per cent to 140p, and shares climbed 2.6 per cent, or 57p, to 2238p.
A new bill proposed by a Republican Missouri state lawmaker aims to create a review board that would check materials in the states public libraries for nudity, sexuality, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse. Librarians found to be lending out any such offending books to kids could face stiff fines, or even jail time.

The bill, House Bill 2044, was authored by Missouri Assembly member Ben Baker, who told the Neosho Daily Newsa newspaper in his home districtthat he was inspired to come up with the legislation after hearing about the Drag Queen Story Hour event at a library in Houston, Texas.

My intention is to protect our children from objectionable materials and events that are being allowed in some libraries, Baker said. There is an agenda by certain groups to introduce children to inappropriate adult themes using the vehicle of the tax-funded library to do so and I think we need to address it.

But the bill itself does not directly address Drag Queen Story Hour events. But in an interview with The New York Times, Baker cited such young adult fiction works as Alice on Her Way and Rainbow Boys as the type of material that would be weeded out by the provisions of the bill.

Rainbow Boys is a coming-of-age story about three gay teenage boys, while Alice on Her Way is the 17th installment in the 25-book Alice McKinley series chronicling the adolescence of the title character from sixth grade through college.

In 2003 the Alice series surpassed Harry Potter on the American Library Association list of most challenged books for sexual content and offensive language.

Under the bill authored by Baker, librarians who lend out such books to children could be fined up to $500or even face a year behind bars.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, told the Times that her organization was dismayed and unhappy to see a bill that would essentially put librarians in jail for sharing materials that are constitutionally protected and age appropriate except in the eyes of five people.

Photo by State Library of New South Wales / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain
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Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 07:40 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068aa9d2 1 Entertainment tara-basro,body-positivity,Kominfo,Johnny-G-Plate,ITE-Law Free

A revealing photo Tara Basro posted of herself on Twitter does not violate the ethic codes enshrined in Law No. 11/2008 on electronic information and transactions, Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate said on Thursday.

Previously, the Communications and Information Ministry had accused the actress and model of violating Article 27 of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law for uploading a black-and-white topless picture on Twitter. Tara has since deleted the post.

The picture, which was uploaded as part of a body positivity campaign, depicted Tara covering parts of her topless body with her hands and was captioned Worthy of Love.

Having seen the [picture] myself, the content indeed counts as nudity, said the ministrys spokesperson, Ferdinand Setu, on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

However, Johnny issued a conflicting statement on the matter.

Who says it violates the ITE Law? It doesnt. One should look at it carefully, and evaluate it to see if its a form of art or not. If thats the case, then nothing is wrong with it, since its art, Johnny said on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.

The minister said he had seen the picture and did not see how it could be considered a violation of the ITE Law.

Johnny said he believed Ferdinand only said the picture could potentially have violated the ITE Law.

There is no difference. If the spokesman said Tara violated the law, thats his fault. But he didnt say that, Johnny said.

In addition to posting the picture of her body on Twitter, Tara also uploaded another black-and-white picture of herself in her underwear on her official Instagram account, @tarabasro.

What Ive always heard from people [for a long time] is how ugly they think their bodies look. I eventually became used to criticizing and making fun [of my body]. If only we choose to grow accustomed to seeing the good in ourselves, to be grateful for what we have and make the best out of it instead of focusing on what we dont have, she wrote in the caption.

Following the ministry spokesman's statement, Tara received a wave of support from netizens inspired by her movement.

Some also posted pictures of their bodies, and expressed gratitude toward Tara for starting the movement.

This was the first time I was brave enough to show my teeth in a picture. Okay, Im loving myself now! Instagram user @fhitriiindah wrote in her Instagram story, which was reuploaded by Tara to her account.

Huge calves, huge legs, and leg hair. I have started to not care about it, what matters is Im happy, another user, @wulanssrr, also wrote in her Instagram story. This story was later reuploaded to Taras account.

Some users expressed their love for their bodies through other forms such as interpretative dance and essays.

Another user, @euodiamichele, expressed her gratitude for the movement for giving her the courage to share her experiences of her newfound love for her body.

It took me 24 years to finally be comfortable enough to wear a bikini out in public. Despite all the things people said, I feel good in it, so Im not sorry, because I know Im worthy of love. Thank you @tarabasro, because of you Ive gained the courage to post this on social media, Euodia said in her Instagram story. (dpk)
Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Clearwater, Florida for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 13 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Clearwater, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Clearwater with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Clearwater. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Clearwater, Florida please visit

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-clearwater-fl/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Clearwater, Florida (in alphabetical order)

Addiction Recovery Care of Tampa (ARC)

13719 North Nebraska Ave. # 101

Tampa, FL 33613

813-978-1300

ACTS Pinellas Domiciliary Co Occurring Residential Treatment

4612 North 56th St.

Tampa, FL 33610

813-246-4899

Alternatives in Behavioral Health

1301 Seminole Blvd. Suite 169

Largo, FL 33770 US

727-584-6055

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches

7859 Lake Worth Rd.

Lake Worth, FL 33467

888-432-2467

Footprints Beachside Recovery

151 107th Ave. #13

Treasure Island, FL 33706

877-250-3935

Gulf Breeze Recovery

350 Pensacola Beach Blvd

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561.

855-400-6190

Narconon Suncoast

1390 Sunset Point Rd.

Clearwater, FL 33755

727-474-0706

Operation PAR, Inc.

6655 66th St. North

Pinellas Park FL 33781

727-545-7584

Park Place Behavioral Health Care

206 Park Place Blvd.

Kissimmee, FL 34741

407-846-0023

Stepping Stone Center for Recovery

1815 Corporate Square Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32216

904-530-5559

Transformations By The Gulf

7217 Gulf Blvd. #2

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

866-335-2962

Wellness Resource Center

7940 North Federal Hwy.

Boca Raton, FL 33487

888-625-3950

WestCare Florida Outpatient

1802 North Belcher Rd.

Clearwater FL 33765

305-573-3784

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.orgs team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.


Military spouses can struggle to find and maintain employment and face severe restrictions on their social lives because of their partners' working patterns.

New research from Lancaster University and the University of Manchester, published in the European Journal of Marketing, studied the wives of British Army personnel.

Dr Helen Bruce and Dr Emma Banister found a husband's occupation placed constraints on both partners, and created challenges in particular for the wives when it came to gaining and retaining full-time employment, accessing often basic amenities, and enjoying social and leisure pursuits - which might include participating in choirs, the subject of the forthcoming Military Wives movie. To help them cope, they can come together to create communities with other wives and partners in similar situations.

As a result of their spouses' regular relocation through work, partners are often unable to find permanent employment and pursue their own career goals, and it is difficult for them to enjoy their leisure time due to factors such as a lack of childcare options or established family or social networks.

Lead author Dr Bruce, of Lancaster University Management School, said: "Frequent relocation of their husbands due to work hinders career development and disrupts social and familial networks. Such issues can lead to difficulties for wives and partners in achieving their immediate and long-term goals, thus having a detrimental impact on their overall wellbeing.

"Where work schedules are unpredictable and change at short notice, issues are intensified - the booking of holidays a long time in advance, for example, can become near-impossible.

"Partners can be forced to leave jobs when husbands are relocated, limiting household income as it can become difficult for them to find other employment - some employers may be reluctant to bring in workers if there is no guarantee of how long they will be able to remain in post. If work is available, there are often constraints on what types of employment it encompasses, with careers often sacrificed."

Dr Bruce and Dr Banister interviewed army wives in focus groups and individually, gaining insight into how marrying partners in roles where there can be regular disruption to living circumstances, or changes in work patterns, can impact them. There are more than 100,000 spouses and partners in the British Armed Forces who face regular relocation as their spouses are required to move to meet the needs of the service. Among them, approximately three-quarters have children, while around two-thirds of army families live in Service Family Accommodation - located close to the serving person's place of work but in often-inconvenient places for the purposes of employment outside the Armed Forces, for access to leisure and social activities, and far from retail facilities.

Women with children often find themselves away from traditional support networks of family, leaving them to take on childcare duties by themselves. This, in turns, impacts on employment potential for the mothers.

Dr Bruce added: "The wives and partners we spoke to described how hard it can be for them to participate in social and leisure activities, with the lack of support when it comes to childcare and the short notice with which their husbands' work schedules can change making it extremely difficult to make plans either as a couple or individually. This can lead to the wives feeling a sense of social isolation.

"Both partners in any relationship have important roles to play at home with their families, yet some jobs allow for little flexibility for workers, for instance, to be available at certain times to take care of their children."

The researchers found wives and partners often come together to help each other cope with the situations they find themselves in, developing collective as well as individual coping strategies and support both practically and emotionally.

Support is based on common experiences and challenges, but these communities can fall apart when members are relocated due to changes in their husbands' work, meaning they are vulnerable to being temporary in nature.

Dr Banister, of Alliance Manchester Business School, said: "These groups comprise people who have shared experiences, but who have their own individual strategies for coping with the issues they encounter. The benefits of the groups include their knowledge building and exchange, learning from experience, and the ability to collaborate in problem-solving.

"The camaraderie and emotional support from these groups are meaningful sources of coping. The community support is empathetic and offers solutions to daily challenges such as transporting children to school, going shopping miles from home and finding childcare to allow for nights out."

However, wives and partners whose lifestyles differ from those of other community members - be it through working full-time, having children of a different age, or living in different areas - can find they are excluded from the support networks.

"Our data suggests that wives and partners in employment were less likely to be involved in these communities, relying solely on independent coping, as were those who were older, had married later in life, or had older, more self-sufficient, children," added Dr Banister.

The researchers believe overarching changes can be made to help wives and partners affected by their husbands' work.

"For the army wives we spoke to, a reduction in the unpredictability of their husbands' role - for example, in terms of working schedules and relocation, could lessen the impact on them," said Dr Bruce. "However, the overall purpose of the UK Armed Forces, and their need to respond quickly to a range of events, provides a significant challenge to such changes.

"Options to help this group would include providing low-cost transport and childcare options to support wives and partners in their employment and social activities."

###
THE Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Sharon Donnery, delivered the keynote speech last night at the launch of a global report on gender equality that says she "was overlooked for promotion".

The Gender Balance Index 2020 report examines the lack of women in senior roles at central banks. It singles out Ireland's appointment of Gabriel Makhlouf as Governor rather than Ms Donnery as an example of a central bank missing a chance "to highlight the need for diversity".

"In Ireland, Sharon Donnery, deputy governor of the country's central bank, was overlooked for promotion to the top post upon Governor Philip Lane's move to the ECB. Instead, the role went to Gabriel Makhlouf," said the report from the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum think tank.

"I did not have dreams of being a leader the day I joined the Central Bank. I didn't see women in top leadership roles," Ms Donnery said via videolink to the report launch at the French ambassador's residence in London.

She declined to comment on whether she agreed with the report or to say if she believes she was treated unfairly or discriminated against.

Mr Makhlouf's selection was the responsibility of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.

The Department of Finance last night defended what it called "a comprehensive, open and international process" to select Mr Makhlouf.

"There was a high level of interest in the competition. A rigorous short-listing of applicants by the interview panel produced five candidates (three male and two female), who were chosen to undergo psychometric testing followed by a final competitive interview.

"Mr. Makhlouf was the recommendation of the independent interview panel," the Department said.

The Central Bank said it was "proud of the diversity at all levels in the organisation".

"We actively promote diversity within the Central Bank and the firms we regulate. Diverse views around the table, when we are making policy decisions, reduces group-think and increases challenge and debate," it said.

It said 40pc of its senior leadership committee and 46pc of its division heads are women.

The Gender Balance Index report analyses women's participation in top roles at 44 central banks. The Central Bank of Ireland does not make its top 20 list.

Ms Donnery has been deputy governor since March 2016 and served as acting governor between Prof Lane's departure and Mr Makhlouf's arrival.

In 2018 she lost out in another competition to become the head of Europe's new banking regulator, the Single Supervisory Mechanism, to Andrea Enria, the man who had led Italy's European Banking Authority.

Ms Donnery joined the Central Bank in 1996 as an economist and previously lectured in economics at Maynooth University.
SYLVAN BEACH, N.Y. -- Former Syracuse police officer Chester Thompson, who recently cost city taxpayers $500,000 for having sex on the job doesnt yet want to plead guilty in a witness tampering case, according to Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Singe.

Instead, Thompson will appear in Sylvan Beach Village Court for a hearing on May 7, Singe said. The hearing, called a Huntley Hearing, will determine whether statements Thompson made to police after the alleged witness tampering were voluntary, she said.

Thompson, 51, of Bridgeport, is accused of confronting one of his victims, Maleatra Montanez, as their children rode the Antique Teacup amusement ride this summer in Sylvan Beach. At the time, Thompson was still facing a $7 million federal lawsuit from Montanez, who accused Thompson of using his badge and gun to intimidate her into sex in 2016.

Montanez accused Thompson of trying to get her to drop the lawsuit during the Sylvan Beach encounter. She also accused him of violating a judges order barring Thompson from having contact with her.

Thompson allegedly told Montanez: Do you think its a coincidence Im here? Ive seen you before. Ive been close to you before. This whole thing has ruined my life.

Later, Thompson added: You dont have to go to court, you can tell your lawyer to stop all of this," according to Montanezs civil lawyer, Ed Sivin, of New York City.

Thompsons employer, the city of Syracuse, settled the lawsuit with Montanez in September for $500,000, plus thousands more in attorneys fees.

Chester Thompson, accused of criminal contempt and witness tampering, ducks behind an umbrella while leaving Sylvan Beach Town Court. In the foreground is his lawyer, Michael Spano.

After the Sylvan Beach encounter, Thompson was charged with two counts of witness tampering and criminal contempt, all misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in jail.

Thompson appeared once in Sylvan Beach Village Court in early October, when lawyers discussed the charges for the first time.

On Thursday night, Thompson and his lawyer, Michael Spano, were scheduled to appear in the court again. Thompson and Spano went into a back room in the courthouse multiple times and Spano left the room to talk to Singe at least once.

Spano and Thompson left court at about 4:50 p.m., 50 minutes after court was due to begin.

Often during a Huntley hearing, lawyers argue that a statement obtained by police was made against the defendants will or because of pressure, tricks, threats or physical abuse by the officer. Lawyers also may argue that the defendant was not properly read his Miranda Rights.

If Thompson were to be convicted in a trial, the conviction would be added to the misdemeanor of official misconduct that Thompson pleaded guilty to in connection with him having sex with two women while he was working as a Syracuse police officer.

Thompson turned himself in to police in June 2019 following the teacup ride encounter. He has remained free as the case progresses.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.

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Oil slid nearly 1% today as worries about global oil demand and economic growth slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak were heightened by concern over non-OPEC crude producers not yet having agreed to cut output further to support prices.



Brent crude fell 48 cents, or 0.96%, to $49.51 per barrel by 0337 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 38 cents, or 0.83%, at $45.52 per barrel, CNBC reported.



The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday pushed for crude output by OPEC and associated producers  a group known as OPEC+  to be cut by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in total until the end of 2020. The call came ahead of an OPEC+ meeting scheduled for Friday in Vienna.



Non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 bpd to the overall extra cut, OPEC ministers said. But Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of OPEC+, said they had not yet agreed to the deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016.

A leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund, a lecturer at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Igor Yushkov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Russia contributed to the decline in prices. "It is still unclear whether Russia is committing to an additional oil output cuts or not. The OPEC deal has a huge problem - a lack of trust. When someone refuses to fulfill their quotas, there is a big risk that others will no longer fulfill their as well. And the deal will fall apart quickly if Russia refuses to fulfill it," he explained.

Also, the fact that an additional cut in oil output by 1.5 million barrels per day will last only until the summer also affects the mood of traders. "In principle, this is logical, and Russia could agree to such a compromise. The trouble is that the market reacts negatively to such an idea, perceiving the new agreement as insignificant if production remains at the same levels in the long run," Igor Yushkov pointed out.
A lawmakers push to require employers to offer workers paid sick leave sees the outbreak of the coronavirus as the perfect example  why this proposed law needs to be on the books in Pennsylvania.

At a time when the Centers for Disease Control are calling on employers to actively encourage employees to stay home if they show COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath which can hang on for as long as two weeks) until they are free of them for at least 24 hours, workers without paid sick leave may find themselves in a dilemma.

They say dont go to work. Dont be where you can be in contact with anyone. So before you even know if you have the coronavirus, you are in a situation where you are going to lose money, lose pay and put yourself in financial jeopardy, said Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia.

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced there were two presumed positive cases of the virus reported in Pennsylvania. Those individuals, as well as anyone they have been in close contact, are legally bound to be quarantined for 14 days to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The governor encouraged people to stay home and urged employers to allow workers to take sick time. In Kentucky where three people are being monitored for the coronavirus, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was reported as making a similar plea. He called on employers that currently do not offer paid sick leave to consider it at least for the next several months, saying its a better option than having to shut down their business.

Hughes is sponsoring legislation that would take that one step further. He is seeking to mandate that employers provide workers who they employ for at least 30 days with one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. He introduced the legislation last year but said this outbreak is a perfect example of why its necessary.

Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, said the outbreak of coronavirus that now has two presumed positive cases showing up in Pennsylvania is a perfect example of why a paid sick leave law is necessary in Pennsylvania. The two people who show signs of the virus are required to be quarantined for 14 days as will those with whom they had close contact.Pennsylvania Senate Democratic C

Not everyone agrees that such a mandate on employers is necessary, at least not at this time.

We have to be careful about putting in constraints in terms of dictating how employers best think they can manage a workforce, said Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Theres a lot of issues here. Im not saying we have all the answers. I think all of us are trying to figure out how this thing might progress. Nobody knows at this point.

Pennsylvania is among 38 states that do not require employers to provide paid sick leave. Only 12 states and the District of Columbia, do have such laws on the books.

That is troubling to organizations that represent hundreds of thousands of educators, custodial staff, hospitality and travel industry workers, and to others across the country who are concerned about those who dont have paid sick leave.

We strongly believe that whatever monies Congress allocates toward virus response must take into account workers time and must include paid sick leave, said UNITE HERE President D. Taylor. Not everyone can afford to take time off when theyre sick.

American Federation of Teachers and UNITE HERE are calling on the federal government to enact a national policy on paid sick time. On Friday, U.S. House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation mandating all employers to let workers accrue seven days of paid sick leave and immediately provide 14 additional days when there is a public health emergency, according to a story in The Hill.

For the majority of people in America who live paycheck to paycheck, a day without work means a day without pay, so its well past time for a national paid sick leave law to protect them, said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

As of Sunday, Pittsburgh residents who work in the city will have the peace of mind of knowing that paid sick days are now the law there.

A city ordinance, upheld by the state Supreme Court, requires employees to be provided with paid sick leave. This local law mandates that firms with 15 or more workers to allow employees to accrue up to 40 hours of sick leave per year. Businesses with fewer than 15 employees must allow their workers to accrue up to 24 hours of paid leave annually.

In Philadelphia, an ordinance requires employers with fewer than 10 employees who work at least 40 weeks in a calendar year must be provided a minimum of one hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked in the city.

As for those who dont have paid leave time in the rest of the state, Hughes said, if those individuals get sick, they are making hard decisions whether to come to work or stay at home.

Employers too could find themselves in a difficult spot even if they offer paid leave time to their employees, said Barr of the PA Chamber.

Lets say a situation happens in the fall and weve already used up four weeks of paid sick leave, do we give them two more in that case because they got sick? This is a problem, he said.

He also thought it was worth noting that since the coronavirus seems to hit older people much worse, enacting a paid sick leave law doesnt seem necessary.

People 70 and up are probably not in the workplace, he said. "I am not minimizing any of the concerns. Keep that in mind. I think we do have to manage this. I dont know the answer is to come up with a new government mandate though.

Hughes couldnt disagree more.

The more serious effects of this disease are on people with underlying condition and unfortunately that is often the case with elderly folks, he said. More and more older individuals are staying in the workforce and staying longer in the workforce because they need the income. But whether they are old or not, why cant we be empathetic to people who are sick?

* This story was updated to include a reference to a story published in The Hill about federal lawmakers introducing legislation mandating paid sick leave.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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Residents of a neighborhood in The Woodlands will have to wait several months, but by June 30 should get some relief from what they claim is incessant industrial noises from an HVAC/Chiller yard associated with the Innospec Oilfield Services facility on Technology Forest Boulevard.

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, The Woodlands Township Development Standards Committee approved an agreement with Innospec officials that would require the oilfield testing and services firm to build walls and fencing around multiple elements of the firms massive HVAC/Chiller yard equipment as well as install a range of sound dampening devices and other technology that will reduce noise from the building.

Related: Residents ask Woodlands Development Standards Committee for help with machinery noise

The decision came after Chris Cunningham, a spokesperson for more than a dozen residents whose properties are adjacent to the facility, told the five members of the DSC present that the mediation effort between residents and the company that was recommended in January had resulted in no agreement on how to proceed. Cunningham said he and other residents met with the legal counsel and representatives from Innospec during a Feb. 24 mediation session that lasted more than eight hours.

Innospecthey dont see themselves as violating the covenants, Cunningham said. At the end of the (mediation) day, they came back with an agreement. We could not sign it. It did not do anything for (residents). It was just a release. They are kicking the can down the road. They dont want to acknowledge the covenants.

The noise issue began in the fall of 2018, and a long list of residents had complained to the DSC over several meetings from late 2018 through January 2020. The residents said once the new HVAC equipment and the chiller yard was up and running, the noise emanating from the facility was able to be heard inside their homes and had ruined their quality of lives. One woman said her children were fearful of going to sleep at night due to the noise, while another resident said if he knew his home would abut an industrial petrochemical complex, he would have never purchased it.

During a previous meeting of the DSC, an attorney hired to represent Innospec denied that the facility was making loud noise and said company officials had tested the decibel levels and the sounds were lower than legally required.

Related: Woodlands residents, Innospec officials to mediate noise issue

At the time of Cunninghams comments to the DSC members on Wednesday, the Innospec attorney  George Gibson  was not present. Following Cunninghams statement, the DSC went into a closed session with their attorney, Bret L. Strong, and after about 20 minutes, returned. Gibson arrived at some point during the closed session and sat quietly to the side of a group of irritated residents.

Gibson then stood up, and told DSC members that Innospec had agreed to a solution to the issue with the township. He said the company would abide by the decision to install various walls and fences to obscure machinery, equipment and exhaust chimneys as well as to put a series of sound dampening devices in place. The company will put out bids for the construction and work no later that March 20; the company will award a contract for the repairs no later than April 6; and all construction on the changes must be completed by June 30 under the deal.

DSC Member Arthur Bredehoft said he would like to have an immediate review of the work during the first meeting of the DSC in July to review the construction and ensure it was completed as agreed to. Otherwise, he said the DSC should consider action if the conditions are not met.

Demolition of 3 Lexicon buildings OKd

In other DSC action, the committee tenatively approved the demolition of the three large buildings at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc., located at 4000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. The complex is part of the LEX-GEN Woodlands LP firm and formerly housed laboratories where mice were tested during development of various drugs. The buildings, which are now empty, sit at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ressearch Forest Drive and Technology Forest Boulevard. The company plans to redevelop the site into a new complex. There is no timeline for the demolition to begin.

jeff.forward@chron.com
[March 05, 2020] Summit Breaks Ground on New Headquarters in Downtown Lakeland

Summit, the people who know workers' comp, broke ground on its new 135,000-square-foot, Class A office building in Lakeland, Florida, which will serve as its new headquarters. The approximately 100 in attendance included Summit co-founders, C.C. "Doc" Dockery and Thomas Petcoff, as well as former Summit presidents, William Bull and Rick Hodges, Summit's current leadership team and members of the building project team. In addition, City of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, City Manager Tony Delgado, city commissioners and other various city officials were present. Summit officially closed on the property at 117 North Massachusetts Ave. on March 3, and construction will begin later in the month. The completion of the new building is tentatively scheduled for fall 2021. Mayor Bill Mutz cites the arrival of Summit employees as a catalyst for other downtown businesses. City Manager Tony Delgado adds, "This is a transformational development project, the likes of which we haven't seen in decades." "With a long-standing commitment to the City of Lakeland, we are excited about the opportunity to create a legacy in the Downtown Lakeland community," says Carol Sipe, Summit President and CEO. "We believe this project will create significant economic benefits for Downtown Lakeland, helping to make it even more successful and vibrant than it already is, and are confident that our new building will create a welcoming and engaging workplace for our employees. This isn't just a new office for Summit. This is our new home." Summit is a member of Great American Insurance Group, and a leading provider of workers' compensation in the southeastern United States. Summit, which was founed in Lakeland in the late 1970s, has approximately 750 employees, nearly 500 of whom will be located in the new facility.



About Summit Based in Lakeland, Florida, Summit Consulting LLC (Summit) is a leading provider of workers' compensation insurance coverage in the southeastern United States and is a member of Great American Insurance Group. Summit manages the day-to-day operations of five workers' compensation insurance companies that include its two affiliates, Bridgefield Employers Insurance Company and Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Company, and three non-affiliates, BusinessFirst Insurance Company, RetailFirst Insurance Company and Retailers Casualty Insurance Company. Summit provides its comprehensive workers' compensation insurance services to businesses in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Summit has offices in Lakeland, Florida, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Gainesville, Georgia. For more information, visit www.summitholdings.com.

About Great American Insurance Group Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the operations of Great American Insurance Group are engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialty commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed and indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions, broker-dealer, registered investment advisor and education markets. Great American Insurance Company has received an "A" (Excellent) or higher rating from the A.M. Best Company for more than 110 years (most recent rating evaluation of "A+" (Superior) affirmed September 11, 2019). The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), also based in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFG's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005904/en/

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Celebrated Australian composer Brett Dean has been diagnosed with coronavirus. The 58-year-old was due to conduct an Adelaide Festival performance over the weekend. He recently travelled to Australia from Taiwan and arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday via a flight from Brisbane. He tested positive to COVID-19 on Thursday. Australian composer Brett Dean at the Sydney Opera House. Credit:Domino Postiglione Three people have been asked to voluntarily quarantine themselves in the wake of the diagnosis. None of those who have been asked to self-isolate are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, according to Adelaide Festival. The festival's executive director, Rob Brookman, said he is working closely with authorities to limit the virus. The health and safety of the public, our artists and our staff [is] of paramount importance to the Adelaide Festival and we are following the advice provided to us by SA Health and instituting appropriate measures meticulously, he said. We are obviously very concerned for the health of Brett who is receiving the best of care and we hope that he has a swift and full recovery.

Dean is receiving treatment at the The Royal Adelaide Hospital and has been placed under quarantine. The composer's agents said they, along with his publisher, have taken the necessary steps to inform everyone who has worked with him over the last 14 days. Loading Our thoughts are with Brett at this difficult time and we wish him well in his recovery, the company said in a statement. Adelaide Festival says this weekend's The Sound of History concert will still go ahead, with composer Richard Mills the fill-in conductor. A festival spokeswoman stressed that Dean had not been in rehearsals with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra this week. Dean, who was born in Brisbane, is a celebrated viola player and recognised as one of Australia's best contemporary composers. He is the composer in residence at the Orchestre National de Lyon in France, as well as Germany's Dresden Philharmonic and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. He has received a UNESCO award and is also credited with helping to save the Australian National Academy of Music.
Amaravati, March 6 : Though Andhra Pradesh is yet report any positive coronavirus case, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday decided to allocate Rs 200 crore to meet any exigency.

He also decided to allocate Rs 60 crore for setting up special wards in Vijayawada and Anantapur for the purpose.

At a meeting with top officials, the Chief Minister reviewed the measures being taken to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus.

Officials said that people coming from other countries are being thoroughly screened at the airports. All those returning from abroad are being asked to be under observation for 14 days.

The officials said that 20 out of the 24 suspected cases in the state have turned negative, while the details of the remaining four are awaited.

The virus can be prevented by special care on hygiene and personal care. It has been found that only 5 per cent of the positive cases turn critical, more so when a person is already suffering from some ailment, officials said.

At least 6,927 persons, who arrived from abroad, were screened at Visakhapatnam airport till March 5. This apart, 790 persons who landed in Visakhapatnam port, 469 in Krishnapatnam port and 60 persons at the Gannavaram airport have been screened. Doctors are being trained to handle the screening tests, officials said.

They also said that 351 beds have been kept ready, while 47 ventilators, 12,444 personal protective equipment and 1.10 lakh masks have been acquired to meet any exigency. Similarly, orders have been placed to acquire 12,000 personal protective equipment and 50,000 masks. Isolation wards are being arranged away from all the major hospitals.

Super-specialty hospitals in Vijayawada and Ananthapur have been asked to handle coronavirus cases. Ambulances have been kept ready to carry suspected coronavirus cases to the hospitals and the vehicles would be completely sterilised once a patient is dropped at the hospital.

The Chief Minister cautioned the officials not to create panic among the people, but to inform them about the precautions needed to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus, and to set up a call centre to immediately take up preventive measures. He also directed the officials to involve village secretariats in creating awareness among the people about the virus.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Health Minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas said that raids were being conducted on medical stores for selling masks at a higher price. Cases have been registered against a couple of medical stores.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NSW has 26 confirmed coronavirus cases - four with no known source - as health authorities warn the virus cannot be contained and is spreading. The one-day closure of Epping Boys was to give health authorities time to identify anyone the boy has been in contact with while potentially infectious. Parents wait outside Epping Boys High School to collect their sons returning from Year 9 camp. Credit:Wolter Peeters. The only students at the school on Friday were a group of year nine boys bussed back from a camping trip in the afternoon. The boys' parents waited outside school grounds to collect them. Overnight, NSW Health was tracing the close contacts of the 16-year-old student and found his mother is an employee at Ryde Hospital, less than four kilometres away from the school in Sydney's north-west.

His mother has been tested for the virus and is awaiting results. She was in contact with a 53-year-old doctor at the hospital, who was the first case of person-to-person transmission in Australia. The woman has shown no symptoms, but her son is mild to moderately unwell. Parents and staff wait outside Epping Boys High School for a group of year nine boys to return from camp on Friday. Credit:Wolter Peeters When asked to confirm the boy contracted the virus from his mother, Dr Chant said "it is always important going into these investigations that we take a very scientific approach to exclude other avenues". A total of 61 staff from Ryde Hospital have been sent home to self-isolate and 56 patients have been identified as close or casual contacts with the doctor. Earlier this week NSW Health discovered the doctor had attended the same medical seminar as the trainee doctor at Liverpool who also later tested positive.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the decision to close the school temporarily was made in very difficult circumstances. Loading He said it was possible other students could have caught the virus "but I am hoping against hope that is not the case", he said. "We expect over the weekend there will be a detailed examination of where the student has been since he contracted the virus and with whom he has been in contact," he said. Epping Boys High is less than two kilometres away from Macquarie University's Banksia and Gumnut childcare centre that cares for 17 children who were tested for coronavirus on Thursday evening after they visited a nursing home where four residents and an assistant nurse were diagnosed with COVID-19.

All tests for those children were negative. The BaptistCare Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility, the site of the small coronavirus outbreak and which is in lockdown, is also located a few blocks from Epping Boys. Two staff and four residents have tested positive for coronavirus, including a 94-year-old woman who died on Wednesday morning. A 16-year-old Epping Boys High School student is believed to have contracted coronavirus from his mother, who worked at Ryde Hospital with a doctor diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week. Credit:Rhett Wyman Some staff at the lodge have decided not to come into work. NSW Health has sent additional staff and BaptistCare has called in employees from other organisations.

Dr Chant said NSW Health was immediately establishing contact with all new cases and their families, as well as their close contacts, and advising them to self-isolate for 14 days, monitor their health and be tested for COVID-19 should they become unwell. Loading She said the policies would change as the virus became more prevalent, and flagged potentially shortening the two-week isolation period. Ms Berejiklian said there would be an escalation in the number of cases, and the government would face challenges. She stressed the importance of the community taking the recommended precautions and staying calm. "Many people who contract the virus won't need hospital care, they will actually be able to stay at home ... we don't want people to feel that this is something to be scared of," she said.
Medical Worker from Shanghai Appeals for International Attention to Chinas Coronavirus Crisis

Location: The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles

Amid the global novel coronavirus outbreak, a medical worker from Shanghai disclosed the real situation inside Chinese hospitals. He was speaking at a rally in Los Angeles in support of medical professionals inside China.

The Los Angeles Visual Artists Guild organized a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. The protest was in support of two nurses who published a letter in the Lancet medical journal on Feb. 24 to appeal for international assistance in Chinas fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

They said medical workers at Wuhan hospitals were overwhelmed by long working hours and extreme conditions. The article sparked discussions on Chinas Twitter-like social media platform Weibo but was deleted by the afternoon.

The Chinese regime has strictly controlled news and online information about the virus, cracking down on criticism of the authorities handling of the outbreak.

After the incident, one of the nurses workplace, a hospital in Guangdong province, sent a notice to all hospital departments requiring all staff to register their names before submitting any papers to publications.

Yao Jia (pseudonym), a medical worker from Shanghai, stepped up to give a short speech in support of the two nurses.

Hello, everyone. I am from Shanghai. I am a medical worker. Frontline doctors like me, from local doctors in Wuhan to those who came from the outside, all wore protective suits that were of inferior quality. I dont know how come the Wuhan government claimed that there was no shortage of medical resources, and supplies were abundant. Even the amount of face masks that the Mayor of Wuhan mentioned, if you do a calculation, you will know that on average, three Wuhan citizens have to share one mask based on his figures. Therefore, I believe we should call for international attention to the real situation in Wuhan so that people there could be granted basic human rights. Thanks!

During an interview with Voice Of America, Yao expressed several times his sorrow and sadness. He pointed out that it usually was difficult for many patients to have access to professional treatment from experts or authoritative doctors. Only those with special networking connections inside the hospital could expect those services. Especially now, when all hospitals in Wuhan have to face a large number of coronavirus patients. I sadly realized that this was magnified and made clearer and more obvious by the coronavirus outbreak this time, he said.

To further illustrate his point, Yao said his former medical school classmates, currently in Wuhan, said many patients sent to the most qualified hospitals each carried a label specifying that this person is so-and-sos friend/family member. At the same time, many other infected people are denied treatment.
 Close US Surgeon General celebrates Donald Trump's health amid coronavirus outbreak

Donald Trump has spent his Monday attacking former President Barack Obama and the fake news media for its coverage of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, claiming the stock markets morning plunge was the result of negative news coverage.

After spending a weekend golfing with Washington Nationals players, the president lambasted Barack Obamas administration and compared the coronavirus to the common flu. US health officials began to warn that older Americans and people who are sick may be at risk of contracting the illness, as at least 30 states confirmed cases of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the stock market took a major hit on Monday morning as fears of a potential global pandemic continued to grow, causing trading to be temporarily halted for the first time since 1997.

Coronavirus fears and a crash in oil prices sent a shudder through financial markets on Monday, with stocks plummeting so fast on Wall Street that they triggered the first automatic halt in trading in over two decades.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 7.8 percent, and European markets entered a bear market, registering their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown, as the damage mounted from the crisis that has closed factories, schools and stores and led to travel bans and unprecedented quarantines.

Recommended Stock market has worst day since 2008 meltdown

"The market has had a crisis of confidence," said Willie Delwiche, investment strategist at Baird.

The market slide came as Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million people in the north - a quarter of the population - with masked police officers and soldiers checking travellers' documents. The turmoil is expected to push Italy into recession and weigh on the European economy.

In the US, a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days arrived at the port of Oakland as officials prepared to start taking passengers to military bases for quarantine or get them back to their home countries.

The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard - 21 infected with the virus.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

The escalating crisis combined with an intertwined development - plummeting oil prices - to drag down the market. The price of oil sank nearly 20% after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signalled it will ramp up its own output.

While low oil prices can translate into cheaper fuel, they wreak havoc on energy companies and countries that count on petroleum revenue, including the number one producer, the US.

Additional reporting by Associated Press. Read The Independent's live updates as they came in below:

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WASHINGTONA federal judge in the District of Columbia sharply criticized U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Thursday for a lack of candour, questioning the truthfulness of the countrys top law enforcement official in his handling of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller III.

District Court Judge Reggie Walton, overseeing a lawsuit brought by EPIC, a watchdog group, and BuzzFeed News, said he saw serious discrepancies between Barrs public statements last year about Muellers findings and the public, partially redacted version of that report.

Because of those discrepancies, Walton ruled, the judge would review by himself an unredacted version of the Mueller report to see if the Justice Departments redactions were appropriate.

In the courts view, Attorney General Barrs representation that the Mueller report would be subject only to those redactions required by law or by compelling law enforcement, national security or personal privacy interests cannot be credited without the courts independent verification in light of Attorney General Barrs conduct and misleading public statements about the findings in the Mueller report, Walton wrote.

Muellers lengthy, two-part report detailed the findings of his investigation into whether anyone on the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election, and whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct that investigation.

A spokeswoman for Barr declined to comment on the judges ruling.

Waltons decision is another indication of the growing concern among federal judges in Washington about politicization at the Justice Department.

Last month, another federal judge in the same courthouse, Amy Berman Jackson, sentenced Trumps longtime friend Roger Stone to more than three years in prison, following an internal fight between Barr, his deputies and career prosecutors over what sentence to recommend in that case.

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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Feb. 6, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Rep. Matt Gaetz Defends Wearing Gas Mask, Says Congress at Risk for Coronavirus

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wore a gas mask Wednesday as he voted on a bill that would dedicate billions of dollars to combating the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States.

Gaetz posted a photo of himself on Twitter wearing the mask while he was looking at a document.

Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote. pic.twitter.com/wjJ4YY4VZz  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 4, 2020

The Florida Republican defended the move to wear the headgear, telling TMZ that members of Congress are human petri dishes.

We fly through the dirtiest airports, we touch everyone we meet, so if anyones gonna get coronavirus, its totally gonna be Congress, he said in muffled tones to the news outlet. TMZ showed a video of him walking to a congressional office building while wearing a suit and the mask.

We shake hands, we kiss babies, we touch everybodys cell phone when we take a little selfie with them so, we should be ready, Gaetz remarked.

When he was asked about where he obtained the gas mask, Gaetz didnt elaborate.

I gotta keep that confidentialTop secret. You dont wanna know what underground lair I pulled this from. Its not made in China though, he told TMZ. He also said he does not expect President Donald Trump to follow suit and wear a mask.

Gaetzs home state of Florida declared a public health emergency earlier this week after several COVID-19 cases were confirmed.

A man in a face mask rides the subway in Manhattan, New York City, after further cases of coronavirus were confirmed in New York on March 5, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Northwest Floridians should take proactive steps to minimize susceptibility by avoiding contact with anyone who is sick, washing their hands regularly, not touching their face, and staying home when sick with any type of illness, Gaetz wrote on Twitter on Thursday. My office is in close communication with the White House and Governor DeSantiss administration to ensure the residents of Northwest Florida are prepared to address coronavirus, he continued.

The House and Senate have both passed a more than $8 billion spending package to curb the spread of the virus. Both chambers passed the measures in widely bipartisan votes.

The bill is now expected to be signed by President Donald Trump by the end of the week.

The move comes as Washington Department of Health Secretary John Wiesman said Thursday that there are 70 COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the state, with the bulk of them occurring in King County, representing a sharp uptick in patients as compared to the previous day.
Kim Kardashian West is showing off a new addition to her shoe collection: Kentucky Fried Chicken Crocs.

On Thursday, Kim, 39, revealed the platform-styled clogs  which are adorned with fried drumstick-shaped Jibbitz charms  on her Instagram Stories.

I woke up this morning to a delivery from Kentucky Fried Chicken and they are Kentucky Fried Chicken Crocs, Kim explained while showing off the shoes, which were placed inside a massive glass box.

The shoe appears to be a design mimicking the fast-food chains signature takeout box as the top of the croc was a fried chicken patter while the platform is white and features the brands famous red stripes.

They are introducing new Beyond Meat chicken, so they now will be having meatless chicken, Kim said in the video.

I always eat vegan when Im home. I went out and had KFC recently and it was amazing, but I dont really eat meat all the time, Kim shared.

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

This is amazing that they are partnering with Beyond Meat to have meatless chicken, Kim said of the Los Angeles-based company that produces plant-based meat substitutes.

As for the Crocs, Kim admitted shes a fan.

Arent these amazing? she added of the shoe.

RELATED: Kim Kardashian Reveals Unusual McDonalds Order in New Super Bowl Commercial

Last month, Kim and her husband Kanye West showed off their love for KFC when they enjoyed a few drumsticks while in Paris before visiting the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion house.

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

Kim shared a video of their fast-food experience on Instagram, along with several photos, captioning the post simply, JPG & KFC.

In the video, the parents of four navigated the French menu to self-order before walking up to the counter.

Kanye, 42, pointed to a chicken drumstick option, before Kim added, Wait, fries!

Kim Kardashian/Instagram Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

KFC announced their collaboration with Crocs also in February.

Story continues

RELATED: Kim Kardashian Reveals Her Top 5 Fast Food MealsSee What Made the List

Not only do the shoes come with KFC drumstick-shaped Jibbitz charms to accessorize with  the removable charms are even chicken-scented.

The classic clogs will be available for purchase in unisex sizes later this spring and will set customers back $59.99.
The Supreme Court has commuted the death sentence awarded to a man accused of abducting and killing three minor siblings in February 2011 in Ratnapur town of Chhattisgarh.

A bench headed by Justice U U Lalit said it was the apex court's opinion that the offence committed by the convict was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance and as per the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the death penalty is not warranted and the same be converted to life imprisonment.

"The Judgment and Order passed by Trial Court and confirmed by the High Court convicting the accused for the offences punishable under Sections 302 (murder) and 364 (abduction) of Indian Penal Code is hereby confirmed. However, the death sentence imposed by the Trial Court, confirmed by the High Court, is converted into life imprisonment," the bench said.

The court said the accused was emotionally disturbed due to the elopement of his wife with the uncle of the deceased and that his children were suffering in the absence of their mother with them.

"The accused was so much disturbed and troubled is also born out from the deposition of one of the witnesses that on mobile the accused told how Shivlal (complainant) is feeling without his children," the bench said.

The apex court also noted that there are no criminal antecedents of the convict and at the time of commission of the offence the accused was 28 years of age and his conduct in prison is reported to be good.

The bench, also comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah, also took into account that the convict belongs to a poor family and is the only son of his parents and that he has got an aged mother who is taking care of his two daughters.

The convict, Manoj Suryavanshi, was sentenced to death by a local court here for abducting and killing three minor siblings in February 2011 in Ratnapur town of the district.

According to police, Suryavanshi had kidnapped his neighbour Shivlal Dhivar's children Vijay (8), Ajay (6) and Sakshi (4) on February 11, 2011 when they were returning from school.

The accused took them to a nearby field where he killed them by hitting them with stones. He was arrested the next day.

According to the prosecution, the accused committed the crime to take revenge against Shivlal's brother Shivnath.

Suryavanshi believed that his wife had eloped with Shivnath.

The apex court said it is true that the court must respond to the cry of society and settle what would be the deterrent punishment for an abominable crime.

"It is also equally true that a larger number of criminals go unpunished thereby increasing criminals in the society and law losing its deterrent effect. It is also true that the peculiar circumstances of a given case often results in miscarriage of justice and makes the justice delivery system a suspect; in the ultimate analysis, the society suffers and a criminal get encouraged," the bench said.

It said that sometimes it is stated that only rights of criminals are kept in mind, the victims are forgotten.

The bench said that while imposing the rarest of rare punishment, i.e. death penalty, the court must balance the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the crime and it would depend upon particular and peculiar facts and circumstances of each case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi



may visit Ahmedabad to inaugurate a new hospital building on March 22, a senior doctor of the facility said on Friday.

The prime minister will commission an 800-bed facility of the U N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre (UNMICRC), popularly known as UN Mehta Heart Hospital, on March 22, said its Director Dr RK Patel.

The existing 450-bed facility is a grant-in-aid autonomous institute- cum-hospital promoted by the Gujarat government as a public trust, providing cardiac care to the poor, and is situated on the campus of the civil hospital here.

"Now, a new 800-bed hospital has been built near the present building. After its inauguration by the PM on March 22, the strength of the hospital will be over 1,200 beds," another official of the UNMICRC said.

Modi was in Gujarat on February 24 during US President Donald Trump's visit to the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Microsoft this week opened a private preview of its all-cloud Universal Print service to customers running Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education.

Those customers also require an available Azure Active Directory (AAD) tenant, to which the personal computers accessing the cloud printing preview must be joined.

Elsewhere, Microsoft described Universal Print as "a Microsoft 365 subscription-based service;" it was unclear whether that meant only customers licensing Microsoft 365 - the subscription bundling Windows 10, Office 365 and a host of management and security tools - would be eligible for the preview, the final when it debuts or both.

From other support documents, Microsoft implied that Universal Print will require a license, which hint that it will be an add-on expense.

"Universal Print moves key Windows Server print functionality to the Microsoft 365 cloud, so organizations no longer need on-premises print servers and do not need to install printer drivers on devices," Kristin Carr, group program manager, print and networking services, wrote in a March 2 post to a company blog.

Like other vendors' cloud print services, Universal Print allows printing without direct device-to-printer links - thus enabling printing from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets - without printer servers to manage printer access and handle department billing, and centralizes printing so that swaths of users can share more sophisticated printers.

Ironically, Microsoft has kicked off its cloud printing service just as Google is winding down its several-year-old effort. Google's "Cloud Print," which debuted in 2010 and never left beta status, will cease operation at the end of this year.

"Beginning January 1, 2021, devices across all operating systems will not be able to print using Cloud Print," Google said in an enterprise support document.

One of the barriers to cloud-based printing is that printer makers must support the functionality of each variation. That typically has meant a lag between the introduction of, say, Google's Cloud Print and Apple's AirPrint, and the appearance of supportive hardware. Microsoft's Universal Print will fight the same headwind.

"You will get the best cloud experience with printers that natively support Universal Print," said Carr. "We are working with our partner ecosystem to bring you the latest printers with native support." She mentioned Canon as one such partner.

In lieu of native support, administrators must install a proxy, dubbed Universal Print connector. The connector install can be downloaded from the link on this support page.

To register for the Universal Print preview, company IT administrators should complete and submit this form.
Technavio has been monitoring the medical image analysis software market and it is poised to grow by USD 1.38 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 8% 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. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005719/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. International Business Machines Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, Mirada Medical Ltd. and Siemens AG are some of the major market participants. Although the advances in the medical imaging field will offer immense growth opportunities, growing concerns regarding data privacy and security will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Advances in the medical imaging field has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, growing concerns regarding data privacy and security might hamper market growth.

Medical Image Analysis Software Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Medical Image Analysis Software Market is segmented as below:

Type

Standalone

Integrated

Geographic Segmentation

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=IRTNTR40361

Medical Image Analysis Software Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our medical image analysis software market report covers the following areas:

Medical Image Analysis Software Market Size

Medical Image Analysis Software Market Trends

Medical Image Analysis Software Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies growing applications of computer-aided diagnosis as one of the prime reasons driving the medical image analysis software market growth during the next few years.

Medical Image Analysis Software Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the medical image analysis software market, including some of the vendors such as International Business Machines Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, Mirada Medical Ltd. and Siemens AG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the medical image analysis software market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Medical Image Analysis Software Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist medical image analysis software market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the medical image analysis software market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the medical image analysis software market

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

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of medical image analysis software market vendors

Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market outlook

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE

Market segmentation by type

Comparison by type

Standalone Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Integrated Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by type

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Growing applications of computer-aided diagnosis

Use of artificial intelligence in medical imaging field

Growing popularity of cloud-based image analysis solutions

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Agfa-Gevaert NV

AnalyzeDirect Inc.

AQUILAB SAS

Carestream Health Inc.

Esaote Spa

General Electric Co.

International Business Machines Corp.

Koninklijke Philips NV

Mirada Medical Ltd.

Siemens AG

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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/20200305005719/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/
Voters rejected progressive Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren because "she's a mean person" and "people don't like her," Donald Trump said Friday, a day after she ended her presidential bid.

In off-the-cuff remarks to reporters at the White House before he signed a massive coronavirus emergency funding bill into law, the president also took a few hard jabs at former Vice President Joe Biden, who now is the clear Democratic frontrunner to face him in November.

"I think a lack of talent was her problem. She had a tremendous lack of talent. She was a good debater," he said, noting her attacks on former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who also dropped out the race this week.

A spokeswoman in Ms Warren's Senate office had yet to respond to a request for comment.

Unlike Ms Warren, Mr Bloomberg quickly endorsed Mr Biden and said he would give his cash-strapped campaign a monetary boost.

Ms Warren, during a Thursday press conference in her driveway, said she would need "some space" and time before possibly endorsing Mr Biden or Mr Sanders, with whom she is much more ideologically in line.

Because her endorsement could be a final determining factor in who wins the 2020 Democratic nomination, Mr Trump appeared eager to ding her further.

"But people don't like her. She's a very mean person," he claimed. "People don't want that. They like a president like me, who's not mean."

Only millions of Americans and even more around the world think he is just that. Mr Trump frequently tries to turn allegations or accusations made against him on those who lobbed them his way or other political foes.

Though he laid off Mr Sanders - the president laid into the new frontrunner.

He contended that Mr Biden is proposing larger tax hikes than the further-left Mr Sanders, and would, if elected, be an anchor on the American economy.

"He's got people further left-wing than Bernie has," Mr Trump said of Biden advisers that could get administration jobs. "It wouldn't be good for Wall Street. ... And he's open about it: Joe Biden, his tax increases are staggering."

But the former vice president has described his domestic policy ideas -- including taxes -- as less expensive than those put forward by Mr Sanders.

"It doesn't cost $35 trillion over 10 years," he said at a fundraiser in February, according to a pool report from a journalist in the room. "Bernie's a good guy and he used to say, 'It's going to require a significant increase in middle class taxes.' When asked how much it was going to cost, he said: 'Who knows? We'll all find out.'"

But that didn't stop the president say this on Friday, after touting another strong jobs report, as he pivoted towards Mr Biden: "He'll destroy everything that has been built."
Two individuals whose images were captured by surveillance cameras are being sought by Palmer Township police in connection with an alleged scheme that allowed them to make large purchases with stolen credit card numbers.

Township police said Thursday afternoon in a news release that the men were using a credit card skimmer to steal credit card numbers.

The discreet, illegal devices can be hidden in ATMs or gas pumps, gathering information from a swiped cards magnetic stripe, putting cardholders at risk of scams or identity theft.

The men allegedly used the numbers to make large purchases at retail stores. The release did not specify when the purchases were made or where, or how much was charged to the numbers.

On a recent visit to an undisclosed retail store in Allentown, the men were seen fleeing in a black sedan, believed to be a Mercedes-Benz with a Pennsylvania registration of LGV0164.

Palmer Township police ask anyone with information regarding their identity to contact them at 610-253-5844.

Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Ian Goodfellow says people adopting changes in their behaviour can help combat the virus

A Northern Ireland-born virologist who was on the front line of the fightback against the Ebola virus has been drafted in by the UK Government to help battle the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Ian Goodfellow (47), from Londonderry, is a Professor of Virology at the University of Cambridge.

His team set up and ran Sierra Leone's first diagnostic laboratories during the 2014 outbreak which killed 11,000 people, and he is now lending his expertise to a government panel on how to best beat the new virus sweeping the world.

He said he is hopeful that ongoing clinical trials taking place now will lead to medication to curb the virus, but added we can all play our part in slowing coronavirus down.

"At this point I think that it is really important that people don't panic," he said.

"But I do think we need to take the messages that are being pushed out by the Government seriously. This all involves changing behaviour and planning ahead in case the cases ramp up.

"Subtle changes in behaviour can have a major impact on the transmission of this disease. Hand washing is a big, big thing. People get a bit bored of hearing it, but it is so important, particularly for this type of virus.

"Shaking hands is a very good way of transmitting the virus from one person to another. And also I think we need to be very aware what we are doing with our hands, so that we are not touching our faces.

"And something that I think is not so much discussed is having a sense of social responsibility. Most of us who get the coronavirus will be perfectly fine, we are going to recover and there will be no long lasting effects.

"The more we slow down the outbreak, we can protect the people in the population who are very vulnerable, such as people who are asthmatic, have underlying respiratory problems, the elderly.

"The more things we can collectively do, the less likely these viruses are going to breach these susceptible people."

Prof Goodfellow said while the unknown can cause the most fear, we can take control by changing our behaviours.

"It is most likely that there are going to be more deaths," he added. "But if we act now, we are still at a point in the epidemic where we can make changes in our behaviour and we prepare for this, we can really have a major impact on controlling the outbreak.

"At this point it is not about panic, it's about taking a sensible approach.

"A really important message to get out there is that if people think they are sick, if they think they have coronavirus, that they do not go to work, they do not go to hospital, they follow the NHS hotline instructions."

Prof Goodfellow added that Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are in a good place with an integrated health system open to all.

"Northern Ireland is just as much at risk as the rest of the UK," he said.

"And that is probably because of international movements, there are a lot of people moving back and forward. But I think that it is fair to say that of all the nations that have been affected, the UK would be one of the best prepared in many ways.

"There are certain things that are already in place. We have an integrated healthcare system. We have very good diagnostics scattered throughout Northern Ireland, the UK and indeed every part of Ireland."

Prof Goodfellow said he was "cautiously optimistic" about developing a drug to combat coronavirus.

"But even if we do find a drug, and when we do, the best thing that we can do is really change our behaviour in a way that minimises the spread of the virus," he said.

"Because some of these drugs may take a while to become available. We may not have access to them, there might not be enough of them. The more we can do now to protect the vulnerable people in our population the better."
I am going out on a limb and endorsing South San Antonio school board member Connie Prados candidacy for the Alamo Colleges District board of trustees.

No, I have not gone off the deep end. I am doing this in the publics interest.

In case youve been in a coma for the past two decades, Prados well-publicized shenanigans  micromanaging the hiring of staff and the meager tax dollars of this impoverished district  have drawn the attention of the Texas Education Agency more than once. She has brought a new meaning to the phrase dysfunctional school district.

I dont live in her district, so I cant vote for her. My endorsement does not necessarily mean she will get the Express-News Editorial Boards endorsement. I am only one vote among four on the board.

However, I think her election to the Alamo Colleges board would be in the best interest of the South San Antonio Independent School District and its almost 9,000 students.

Prado, 71, has been on the South San board for 22 years. Her tenure predates my time on the Editorial Board. She is probably the single person I have written about the most during my four-decade newspaper career.

Its difficult to imagine a South San board without her. My only concern is that if she vacates her seat, the position will be filled by her husband, former San Antonio City Councilman Raul Prado.

Raul Prado, as many will remember, was caught up in a public corruption scandal in 2002 that involved officials at City Hall, the Alamo Colleges and some local school districts. He was sentenced to four years in prison on a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery as part of a plea bargain.

Court records show that while a councilman in 1998, Prado allegedly solicited a $10,000 bribe from an engineering firm seeking work on the redevelopment project at the former Kelly AFB. A year later he asked for $25,000 from the same contractor, who was working on a South San Antonio ISD project.

Can convicted felons hold office? An opinion issued last May by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton states that restoration of a felons qualifications to vote does not carry over to holding public office under the election code.

But state attorney generals opinions are nonbinding, and this one would not prohibit Raul Prado from filing and then launching a legal skirmish for the right to serve on the school board. The South San ISDs legal counsel, Ken OHanlon, has developed a close working relationship with Connie Prado the last several years, and he is likely the one the district would turn to for advice on the legitimacy of Raul Prados candidacy.

I cant see OHanlon declining to participate in a good legal battle on something like this at taxpayers expense.

Raul Prado would not be the first felon who has filed for office in San Antonio. Last spring, there was a City Council candidate who had spent seven years behind bars for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, and a state representative candidate who spent six months in prison on a felony drug conviction. There was never an issue of them taking office. They both lost their election bids.

My endorsement of Connie Prado begs the question of whether she is the best-qualified candidate in this crowded race. Of course she is not. She has gained a reputation for micromanaging, for showing little interest in forging consensus on the board and for downright pettiness  campaigning against a much-needed school bond package when her funding proposals did not make the final cut.

I am looking at Connie Prados college board candidacy as an opportunity to remove her from the toxic environment she has created at South San and place her in a setting where her penchant for wreaking havoc can be minimized. The Alamo Colleges district has a strong leader in Chancellor Mike Flores. Board trustees are prohibited from contact with vendors and only have a say in the hiring of the chancellor and internal auditor. Everything else is handled administratively.

More important, I think she might have a difficult time finding allies among her fellow trustees to build a power base and gain a board majority.

At least one trustee has taken a position against her candidacy.

Roberto Zarate, a retired public school principal who replaced a trustee who ended up in prison for his participation in the public corruption scandal almost two decades ago, said he does not want her on the board.

She is a disrupter, he said. Having her on the board would be a nightmare.

Hes absolutely right. I still think we need to get her out of South San at all costs.

gpadilla@express-news.net
OAKLAND (BCN)

Police are asking the public's help in searching for a 38-year-old man who has been reported missing by his family.

Marcus Allen Tyler is described as African American, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes.

Tyler goes by the nickname of "Sharky" and is known to frequent East Oakland.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen him to contact the Oakland Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641.

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.
Carla Perez-Gallardo and Hannah Black, the chef-owners of Lil Debs Oasis in Hudson, have been named semifinalists for Best Chef: New York State by the James Beard Foundation. Of the 20 semifinalists for the state, they are among only four nominees outside of New York City, and theyre in heady company, alongside chefs from Aquavit, Momofuku Ko, Atomix and Empellon. I believe this is the only Beard semifinalist nomination this year for a Capital Region restaurant.

Located at 747 Columbia St., Lil Debs is open 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
Advocacy groups are urging U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to help ease student loan debt for those with severe disabilities.

According to NPR, two letters were sent to DeVos earlier this week. One letter was signed by more than 30 advocacy groups and it said the U.S. Department of Education has made the application process difficult, so most borrowers don't get the help they need, the news agency reports.

The second letter was from advocates in seven states and Washington, D.C. It also requested the Department of Education dismiss loans from borrowers who are eligible and have a permanent disability.

According to the Department of Education, the Higher Education Act "allows for loan forgiveness for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled" in regard to federal student loans.

The Federal Student Aid office, which falls under the Department of Education, explains, "A total and permanent disability discharge relieves you from having to repay a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program loan, a Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan and/or a Federal Perkins Loan or to complete a TEACH Grant service obligation."

A report from NPR shows that between March 2016 and September 2019, 28% of eligible student loan borrowers with disabilities, as identified by the Department of Education, had their federal loans forgiven or are on pace to have them erased.

According to the Federal Student Aid office, eligible borrowers with a permanent disability must apply for the help.

"To qualify for a TPD discharge, you must complete and submit a TPD discharge application, along with documentation showing that you meet our requirements for being considered totally and permanently disabled, to Nelnet, the servicer that assists the U.S. Department of Education with the TPD discharge process," the website states.

The letters sent to DeVos call the application process "unnecessary," NPR reports.

The news agency says there were 555,000 borrowers identified as eligible to have their loans erased between March 2016 and September 2019. Many were notified, but less than half, 200,000, successfully applied to have their loans dismissed.



"The application process is standing in the way of critical relief for hundreds of thousands of eligible borrowers, thwarting the intent of Congress that their student loan debt be discharged," one letter signed by advocacy groups reads.

Both letters sent to DeVos offered a solution to dismiss federal student loans of all eligible borrowers that meet "Medical Improvement Not Expected" standards.

The Education Department Press Secretary Angela Morabito made the following statement to NPR: "The Department's current implementing regulations require it to receive an application before completing a civilian discharge, but we are interested in providing automatic discharge to these borrowers and believe the FUTURE Act makes this a possibility  but will require the department to undergo negotiated rulemaking."
OTTAWA - The federal cabinet has approved an agreement that will see Canada pay nearly $240 million in compensation to the Mohawks of Akwesasne to settle a land claim.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Mohawk Warrior flag flies in front of the Canadian border crossing station as they block the Seaway Bridge in the Mohawk community of Akwesasne on Cornwall Island, Ont., Monday, June 1, 2009. Federal cabinet has approved an agreement that will see Canada pay $240 million in compensation to the Mohawks of Akwesasne to settle a 132-year-old land claim. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

OTTAWA - The federal cabinet has approved an agreement that will see Canada pay nearly $240 million in compensation to the Mohawks of Akwesasne to settle a land claim.

The agreement is the result of decades of negotiations between the Mohawks of Akwesasne and the federal government over an 8,000-hectare parcel of land in the most westerly portion of southern Quebec, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.

The territory is known in the province as Dundee, but is recognized by local Indigenous residents by its traditional name of Tsikaristisere.

In 1981, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne filed a claim asking for the land to be returned , asserting that an alleged surrender of the land in 1888 was invalid because they never intended to surrender it.

The Mohawks have long maintained they intended to gradually reclaim the land rather than permanently hand it over to the federal government.

In 2015, the federal government offered a global settlement of just under $240 million in compensation and offered to give the community the right to have up to 18,282 acres of land added to the Akwesasne reserve, if the First Nation buys parcels on the open market.

A referendum was held in December 2018 among Mohawks of Akwesasne to decide whether to accept the offer and 80 per cent of those who participated voted in favour.

On Feb. 29, cabinet authorized Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett to sign the settlement agreement on behalf of the government of Canada.

Through the settlement agreement with Ottawa, once they receive the money, the Mohawks of Akwesasne effectively renounce their claim to disputed land and confirm that the 1888 surrender was valid.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2020.
The State of Israel on March 2, 2020 had its third parliamentary election for the Knesset in under a year. Like the two previous occasions, it failed to end with a party or party group gaining an overall majority and thus able to form a government, either on its own or in a coalition.

The existing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at first claimed victory, but his coalition won only a plurality, 58 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, four short of an overall majority. Consultations have now begun to determine how a new government can be formed and who is to lead it as prime minister.

Though Netanyahu did not fully succeed, he must be seen as a remarkable politician, one who failed to win three elections in outright fashion in a single year, who has been indicted on three counts  fraud, breach of trust, and bribery  and is facing trial on March 17, 2020, but who has survived. Indeed, he has denied any criminal activity and has responded with talk of a "witch hunt" by police and the media against him. Though Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, appointed by Netanyahu, recommended in February 2019 that Netanyahu be indicted, it did not seem to change minds of voters, since he led in public opinion polls after that. The filing of allegations of corruption apparently did not change views of citizens, clearly not sufficiently to make people vote for parties other than the coalition led by Netanyahu. This is all the more significant since the election campaign was focused not so much on ideological differences between the main parties, since the main opposition accepted many similar views, but on the personality and alleged misdeeds of Netanyahu.

In the March 2020 election, almost 30 parties ran candidates. The turnout was 71% of the 6.4 million eligible voters for the Knesset, which has 120 mandates, each representing 34,600 votes. Voting is for parties, not individuals. Only the parties getting 3.25% of the total vote can get seats in the Knesset.

The results are as follows:

Likud: 36 seats, 29.26% of the vote, led by 70-year-old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Blue and White: 33 seats, 26.38%, led by 60-year-old Benny Gantz, former Israel Army chief; The Joint List (Arab): 15 seats, 13.04%, led by Ayman Odeh; Shas: 9 seats, 7.75%, led by Arye Deri; Ultra-Orthodox UJT (United Torah Judaism): 7 seats, 6.15%, led by Moshe Gafni; Yisrael Beyenu: 7 seats, 5.89%, led by secular nationalist Avigdor Lieberman; Labor-Gesher-Meretz: 7 seats, 5.73%, led by Amir Peretz; and far right Yamina, led by Naftali Bennett: 6 seats and 5.02%.

Two political blocs dominated. The Right-Religious bloc (Likud, Shas, UTJ, Yamina), a combination of a secular, Likud, and Ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties, and embracing both Ashkenazi Jews descending from Europe, and those coming from North Africa or the Middle East, received 58 seats. The Center-Left bloc (Blue and White, Labor-Gesher-Meretz) got 39.

Netanyahu, the longest serving prime minister in Israel's history, campaigned on a few major issues: imposing sovereignty in the West Bank, Judea and Samaria, peace with Arab states, eliminating the threat from Iran, safeguarding the defense alliance with the U.S. Bibi reinvented himself as Joe Biden did in South Carolina. Bibi appealed to Arabs, spoke of repeal of the law to demolish houses that require permits. He suggested direct flights to Saudi Arabia, though Israel does not have official diplomatic relations with the country. He outlined plans to build more than 6,000 housing units in east Jerusalem and another 3,500 units in an area just outside east Jerusalem.

Benny Gantz did not differ much on key issues, including occupation of the territories, and supported as does Bibi the proposed Trump peace proposal. However, he ran on concepts of personal honesty and integrity, declaring that Bibi was evading trial and was responsible for spreading malicious rumors, such as the charge that Iranian intelligence had infiltrated Gantz's personal cell phone when he was head of the military.

Most challenging for the Israeli establishment is the increasing political success of Arabs. The Arab Joint List, formed in January 2015, has attempted to be and has gained support as the spokesmen for the Israeli Arab minority.

Arabs have been voting in higher numbers. Their turnout in 2020 was 64.6%, compared with the general national turnout of 71%, only 6 points' difference. In April 2019, it was 49.2%, while the general poll was 68.5%, and in September 2019, it was 59% compared with the 69.8% general turnout. A number of factors are significant. One is that over 88% of Arabs voted for the Joint List, which got 15 seats in March 2020, the highest number it has ever obtained. In the past, about a quarter of Arabs voted for Zionist parties such as Blue and White, Meretz, or Labor. Another is that it was noticeable that Bibi was more cautious during the campaign in lowering the level of incitement against Arabs, and even quoting the Koran, though this stance was not really successful and had overtones of patronizing.

The Arab campaign was active, including messages from loudspeakers in mosques, usually used for calls to prayer, and arrangements for transport to convey Arabs living in the Negev desert and the Bedouin villages in the south. They used social media in the call to vote. The Arab campaign focused on women and young people.

Arab leaders concentrated on two main issues: civil issues  welfare, education, housing, and ending the occupation  and increasing the role of the Arab minority in Israeli society. Recent demonstrations by Arab leaders have focused on the neglect by police of violence against Arabs.

Interestingly, in March, there was an increase in the number of Jewish voters who voted for the Joint List which ran campaigns in Hebrew and Russian to attract Jewish voters, those who claim to oppose Israeli occupation. Evidently, the Israeli political system must take greater account of the growing political strength of the Arab minority.

What options are available in the convoluted Israel political system? Forming a minority government by Likud, supported by its 58 votes, seems improbable. But so does an attempt to form a coalition, and it would seem absurd to call for yet another election, the fourth in little more than a year. Differences abound. The Arab Joint List will not support any government that contains Avigdor Lieberman, former ally of Netanyahu, and leader of a small nationalist group and so-called kingmaker. Likud will not support a coalition with a party not in its far-right religious group. Opposition leader Benny Gantz may hope to form a minority government, but his tactic to pass a law preventing an individual member of the Knesset from forming a government seems petty if not undemocratic. It is unlikely that President Reuven Rivlin can invite Netanyahu to form a government since he is facing a felony prosecution.

Perhaps the solution is suggested by the White Queen to Alice: "The rule is jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never today." If Joe Biden can manage a dramatic turnaround in just three days, perhaps Israel can do likewise in the near future. And worse for Israel may be yet: the worst is not so long as the country can say, "This is the worst."
Food production business from Dromod is this years winner of the Co Leitrim Enterprise Award for 2020, Local Enterprise Office Leitrim has announced.

Dromod Boxty took the top prize of 2,000 and will now represent Local Enterprise Office Leitrim at the 22nd National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin next May.

Dromod Boxty have been producing high quality artisan products for 30 years and manufacture a range of boxty, potato bread and pancake products, from their base in Dromod.

Other winners at the Co Leitrim Enterprise Awards held at The Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon included;

- The Food Hub which has contributed hugely to food enterprise development locally and nationally and is recognised as a Irelands leading food incubator won second prize;

- Blakes Always Organic who manufacture a range of premium organic food products including organic milk kefir and roast organic coffee from their premises in Drumshanbo won third prize.

Dromod Boxty will now be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the 40,000 prize fund as national judging gets underway in April. Categories this year include Best Export Business, Future Focus and Innovation, in addition to eight regional awards.

The Co Leitrim Enterprise Awards took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events. There were over 300 events taking place across the country, run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices from March 2- 6.

Speaking during Local Enterprise Week, Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Leitrim said: For the last two decades, the National Enterprise Awards have celebrated homegrown success stories from every corner of Ireland, putting their achievements into the national spotlight. And at the 2020 National Enterprise Awards, we are delighted to be represented by Dromod Boxty, yet another homegrown success story and we wish them continued success with their future plans.

Four other local businesses were also shortlisted as Finalists included;

- 12 Quail Farm Soap Studio, Fenagh who manufacture a range of handmade soap, using a range of ingredients including donkeys' milk.

- Bandit Films T/A Aliceway Ltd which is the development and production vehicle for the films and tv programmes of Irish film maker Johnny Gogan.

- Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre was set up in 1990 as a community workspace with units for rent and provide units, office space and training room hire.

- Zenoz is a high end product development company based in Carrick-on -Shannon.

Among the special guests at the ceremony were Lar Power, Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Cathaoirleach Enda Mc Gloin, elected representatives and Joan Mullen from Enterprise Ireland.

Other high-profile events that took place during the week included Student Enterprise County Final, Women in Business Networking Event and Search Engine Optimisation clinic.

Local Enterprise Week is organised every year by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities and the Government of Ireland.

Pictured above: Winners and finalists of County Final of National Enterprise Awards  Oz Ibrahmi, Zenoz; Cianan Redmond, 12 Quail Farm Soap Studio; Aine and Timmy Faughnan, Dromod Boxty; Cathaoirleach Enda McGloin on behalf of The Food Hub, John Brennan, Blakes Always Organic and Sean Wynne, Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre. Missing from image Johnny Gogan, Bandit Films T/A Aliceway Productions
By PTI

LONDON: Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th-century ruler of the Sikh Empire in India, has beaten competition from around the world to be named the "Greatest Leader of All Time" in a poll conducted by BBC World Histories Magazine.

Over 5,000 readers voted in the poll.

Polling more than 38 per cent of the vote, Singh was praised for creating a new tolerant empire.

In second place, with 25 per cent of the vote, is African independence fighter Amilcar Cabral, who united more than 1 million Guineans to free themselves from Portuguese occupation and in turn propelled many other colonised African countries to rise and fight for independence.

Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill is at number three with 7 per cent of the vote for his quick decision and sharp political manoeuvring that kept Britain in the war.

Further down the list, American President Abraham Lincoln is at four and British monarch Elizabeth I is the highest-ranked female leader at five.

The nominations were sought from global historians, including Matthew Lockwood, Rana Mitter, Margaret MacMillan and Gus Casely-Hayford, who selected their 'Greatest Leader' -- someone who exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity.

The resulting top 20 included some of the most celebrated leaders in history across the globe from the UK, the US, to Asia and Africa, including the likes of Mughal Emperor Akbar, French military leader Joan of Arc and Russian Empress Catherine the Great, with the list topped by Ranjit Singh.

"Though perhaps not as familiar as some of the other names on the list, Ranjit Singh's overwhelming success in our poll suggests that the qualities of his leadership continue to inspire people around the world in the 21st century," said Matt Elton, Editor of BBC World History Magazine.

"And, at a time of global political tensions, it's telling that Singh's rule is interpreted as representing ideals of tolerance, freedom and cooperation," he said.

Described as the 'Lion of Punjab', Singh's rise to power came after a period of economic and political uncertainty.

The magazine notes that by the early decades of the 19th century, he had modernised the Sikh Khalsa army, embraced western innovations without abandoning local forms and institutions, unified the fractious misls or states, stabilised the frontier with Afghanistan, and reached a mutually beneficial detente with the British East India Company.

Singh, however, was more than a mere conqueror.

While the Indian subcontinent was riven with imperial competition, religious strife and wars of conquest, Singh was, almost uniquely, a unifier -- a force for stability, prosperity and tolerance -- it notes.

Singh's name was nominated by Lockwood, who is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama, as a modernising and uniting force, whose reign 'marked a golden age for Punjab and north-west India'.

"This golden age would not survive him. After his death in 1839, Ranjit Singh's empire of toleration unravelled. The British invaded, the Sikh empire collapsed and instability returned to the region," says Lockwood.

"Though certainly an imperialist, Ranjit Singh represented a different, more enlightened, more inclusive model of state-building, and a much-needed path towards unity and toleration. We could still benefit from his example," he adds.
In an unusual police case, Bravo, a grey colour African parrot has been found by Nagpur Police after it went missing on March 3.

Bravo's owner, Vinod Mahore had filed a complaint at the Mankapur police station on the morning of March 4 as they couldn't find their pet the whole night.

The family filed a complaint after the police officials told them they can file a complaint for missing pet birds and animals.

Police circulated the photo of Bravo on social media platforms to which they got information from a boy who had seen the parrot near a particular building.

Police and the owners immediately reached that building and the parrot re-united with the owners after they called its name.

Vazeer Shaikh, the Inspector of the Mankapur Police station said, "Vinod Mahore, the owner of the grey colour African parrot had come to us to know how to file a complaint for a missing pet bird to which I said that you can file a complaint for the same."

Sheikh added, "We started finding the parrot near the building where it was last seen, the owner was also with us, and the parrot returned after the owner called its name. This African parrot costs between Rs 50,000-1,00,000."
A group of seven Italian tourists were screened here in their hotel rooms in the Sadar tehsil of the district as part of the precautions being taken to check the spread of coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer O P Tiwari, who subjected the seven Italian tourists to tests soon after the district administration was informed about their arrival, said they were not found having any symptoms of the dreaded disease.

Dr Tiwari said the seven had arrived here on Thursday evening as tourists and the hotel manager informed District Magistrate Sushil Kumar Patel about their arrival.

"The DM asked me to conduct their proper check-up in the hotel itself but no symptoms of the virus was found," he said, adding they were given masks.

The hotel staff too were instructed on various precautions needed to be taken, he added.

The group returned to Varanasi on Friday afternoon, he said, adding the Italians have also been asked to undergo medical check-ups regularly.

Reports from Balrampur said a round-the-clock vigil is being maintained on the open Indo-Nepal border with senior official paying surprise visits to checkposts.

Officials are also visiting rural areas to apprise the people of necessary precautions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nirbhayas killers to hang: Wait, there are two minor legal hurdles left

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: An ordeal is set to end on March 20, 5.30 am, if the hanging of Nirbhaya's killers goes through.

A Delhi court fixed a fresh date for the hanging after the mercy petition filed by Pawan was rejected by the President of India on Wednesday. It is mandatory to give a death row convict 14 days time, once a mercy petition is rejected. Incidentally this is for the fourth time that a date has been set for the hanging since January.

The convicts have used to their advantage a law that says that in a crime involving more than one convict, the hanging should take place together. This is because they have been convicted by a common order for a common offence.

Nirbhaya convicts to be hanged on Mar 20 at 5.30 am

For a death row convict, there are several options available. Once the trial court orders a death sentence, it is mandatory that this order is confirmed by the jurisdictional High Court. Once the HC upholds the death sentence, the convicts have the option of filing an appeal before the Supreme Court. If the SC rejects their plea, then they can move the top court again in the form of a review petition. Once the review petition is rejected, they can prefer a curative petition.

After the curative plea, they have the right to file a mercy petition before the President of India. The mercy plea is decided after taking into account the recommendation of the Union Home Ministry. There is however no rule that bounds the President to act in accordance with the recommendation of the Home Ministry.

The convicts after the rejection of a mercy petition also have the option to challenge in the form of a writ before the Supreme Court. In the Nirbhaya case, both Mukesh and Vinay have exercised the option to file a writ in the Supreme Court.

Mukesh had filed the review petition on December 6 2017, following which he preferred a curative plea on January 9 2020. His mercy petition was rejected on January 17 2020, while his writ against the mercy plea was dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 29 2020.

Vinay on the other hand filed his review plea on July 9 2018 and subsequently a curative petition on January 14 2020. His mercy plea was rejected on January 2 2020 and his writ rejected on February 14 2020.

Now both Pawan and Akshay have not yet exercised their option to file writ petitions before the Supreme Court against the rejection of their mercy petition.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

Pawan had filed a review on December 15 2017 and his curative plea on February 29 2020. His mercy petition was rejected on March 2 2020.

Explained: The mockery of justice in the Nirbhaya case

Akshay on the other hand filed his review on December 10 2019 and the curative plea on January 28 2020. His mercy petition was rejected on February 5 2020.

It needs to be seen when Pawan and Akshay will file these writ petitions against the rejection of their mercy petitions. If they decide not to file it, then the hanging will take place as scheduled. In case they file it before the date of the scheduled hanging, there is a very good chance that the SC will reject it almost immediately. It may be recalled that while hearing the writs filed by Mukesh and Vinay, the Supreme Court had rejected it within a day.
This is the dramatic moment two New Jersey cops pulled a man from a truck moments before it exploded into a fire ball.

Trooper Robert Tarleton was conducting an unrelated traffic stop on Monday afternoon on the northbound Interstate 287 in Bridgewater Township when he heard the truck hit a guardrail and become engulfed in flames.

Tarleton drove to the scene of the crash, where State Police Lt. Edward Ryer, who was headed home from work, was trying to rescue the driver.

Trooper Robert Tarleton was conducting an unrelated traffic stop on Monday afternoon on the northbound Interstate 287 in Bridgewater Township when he heard the truck hit a guardrail and become engulfed in flames. Here he is pulling the man out of the vehicle

Tarleton drove to the scene of the crash (pictured), where State Police Lt. Edward Ryer, who was headed home from work, was trying to rescue the driver

A police body camera video showed the two troopers worked together to drag the trucker from the cab to safety seconds before it exploded.

The driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Morristown Medical Center for evaluation. His name has not been released.

'You're good!' Tarleton can be heard telling the driver. 'Get out of here!'

'Truck's on fire, driver's inside,' he frantically told a dispatcher.

A police body camera video showed the two troopers worked together to drag the trucker from the cab to safety seconds before it exploded

'You're good!' Tarleton can be heard telling the driver (left). 'Get out of here!' The fire can be seen in the background

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

State police praised the troopers for their courageous actions in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

'Their quick and decisive actions are a credit to the division and exemplify our core values of honor, duty, fidelity,' the law enforcement agency wrote.

State police said: 'Tarleton immediately returned the driver's credentials and ran back to his troop car to request for fire and emergency medical services personnel to respond to the crash.'

One person who said they saw the dramatic explosion believes the troopers saved the truck driver's life.
(Newser)  Steam rises from Yellowstone's hydrothermal features as 17-year-old Tylee Ryan hugs her 7-year-old brother, Joshua "JJ" Vallow. The photo taken Sept. 8, 2019, the last day Tylee was seen, was released Thursday by the FBI along with another photo showing JJ at the park with mom Lori Vallow. The agency is asking anyone who visited Yellowstone on Sept. 8 to share "photos and video which may have captured images of these persons and [their] vehicle, or images of crowds and other park visitors where these individuals may be present" as it continues to investigate the disappearances of Tylee and JJ, who was last seen at school in Rexburg, Idaho, on Sept. 23, per ABC News.

story continues below

Vallow and the children traveled to the park with Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, in a 2017 Ford F-150 with the Arizona license plate CPQUINT. Cox died in December, though authorities have not released a cause of death. He'd shot and killed Vallow's former husband, Charles Vallow, last year in what he claimed was self-defense, per Fox News. Lori Vallow married Chad Daybell in October and had been living with him in Hawaii since December. The 46-year-old was arrested after failing to comply with a court order to produce the children. She was extradited from Hawaii to Idaho to face charges including felony child abandonment and solicitation to commit a crime and is due in Madison County Court on Friday. (Daybell claims the kids are safe.)
As far as political action committees go, Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania isnt going to shatter any fund-raising records. The group, based in the Philadelphia suburbs, raised about $17,000 last year.

And while it may not hold as much sway as Jim Clyburn does in South Carolina, the group says the presidential race is so important that its breaking its own rule prohibiting endorsements in a primary.

We think in order to defeat Trump, we need to solidify and unify, said Jill Zipin, the PACs chairwoman. We consider ourselves liberal. We consider ourselves progressive. But we dont consider ourselves revolutionary. We believe that Vice President Biden best reflects Jewish values.

She said the PAC wanted its donors, 9,800 Facebook followers, and email list of 1,500 people to know of our support.

Zipin and others founded an earlier iteration of the group in 2008 to counter a Republican Jewish groups attack ads against Barack Obama. It later became a political action committee.

Powered by mostly small-dollar contributions, the group places ads in Jewish media and in newspapers like The Inquirer, the Morning Call in Allentown, and the Centre Daily Times in State College. Its events draw members of Congress and prominent Democrats like former Gov. Ed Rendell.

We take the small-dollar donations and leverage them in a very big way, Zipin said.

Kind of like Bernie Sanders.

Clout caption contest  Mike & Mike

With Mike Bloombergs exit from the Democratic presidential race, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutters time as national campaign cochairperson has come to an end. That got us thinking about this photo from Clout colleague Julia Terruso, of Nutter pondering the visage of his candidate while out on the trail this week in San Francisco.

Give it a gander and then shoot your best captions to clout@inquirer.com. Well peruse the entries and publish any that strike our fancy.

For inspiration, you can see Nutter introduce Bloomberg as a great leader, a great man, a great person when Bloomberg delivered a speech Wednesday about the end of his campaign. And yes, Nutter dropped the mic on stage. Its a thing he does. Dont ask us to explain it.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 16:57:22|Editor: xuxin

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Jean-Francois Delfraissy, President of the country's National Consultative Ethics Committee for health and life sciences, leaves after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on March 5, 2020. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday afternoon held a meeting at the Elysee Palace on the coronavirus with some 30 specialists. (Jack Chan/Handout via Xinhua)
Amid concerns that coronavirus could keep voters from turning out for the 15 March local elections, the people making mayoral sashes are still gearing up for business. Also, a look at sexual violence and working for gender parity in French cinema, after a tumultuous Cesar award ceremony. And a little-known incident between France and Japan in the 19th century that both countries might like to put behind them, given their current good relations.

The spread of coronavirus in France is overshadowing campaigns for the upcoming local elections, the first round of which are to be held on 15 March. But regardless of turnout, one industry is hard at work: the sash-makers who provide mayors with the blue, white and red striped ribbons they drape diagonally across their chests. We visit Baqueville, one of the few remaining companies that still make sashes in France, to talk about the symbolism of the sash, and how this year's election might lead to a lot of business, as a third of mayors are not standing for re-election. (Listen @)

The French cinema industry lit a tinder box at the recent Cesar awards (France's equivalent of the Oscars) when it awarded Roman Polanski, wanted for rape charge in the U.S., with best director. Opinion in deeply divided over the decision, but one thing is sure: the film industry is very male-dominated. The 50/50 collective is pushing for more parity and measures to counter sexual harassment on film shoots. We talk to the group's co-founder, independent film producer Sandrine Brauer, about what needs to change, why she welcomes actor Adele Haenel's decision to walk out of the Cesars, but fears a backlash. (Listen @)

The story of the Sakai incident of 1868, involving French sailors, Japanese Samurai and Hara-kiri, told to us by Gary Girod, host of the French History Podcast. (Listen @)

Spotlight on France is a podcast from Radio France International. Find us on iTunes (link here), Google podcasts (link here), or your favourite podcast app.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020

More than 60 civil society groups under the Womens Movement against Violence Alliance (Gerak Perempuan) plan to take to the streets on the International Womens Day on Sunday to demand the government to stop its systematic violence against women including transgender women.

The groups believe violence against women has rooted from the patriarchal values embedded through the government, the legislative, the cultural, religion and even educational institutions.

Violence is not only promoted but rather executed by the state, Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) chair Asfinawati said in a press conference Thursday.

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Southfield, MI, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) (the Company), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates or has an interest in manufactured housing and recreational vehicle communities, today announced the dates for its first quarter 2020 earnings release and conference call.

The Company will release its first quarter operating results on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, after markets close. A conference call to discuss these results will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. ET.

To Participate in the Conference Call:

Dial in at least 5 minutes prior to start time.

U.S. and Canada: 877-407-9039

International: 201-689-8470

The conference call will also be available live on Sun Communities website www.suncommunities.com .

Conference Call Replay:

U.S. and Canada: 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671

Passcode: 13699860

The replay will be accessible through May 7, 2020.

About Sun Communities, Inc.

Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) is a REIT that currently owns and operates or has an interest in a portfolio of 422 communities comprising over 141,000 developed sites as of December 31, 2019.

For Further Information at the Company:

Karen J. Dearing
Chemical exfoliants work to shed dead skin by ungluing the bonds between skin cells to promote cell turnover. I like a chemical exfoliant because it can be very effective without causing any harm to the skin or redness, Darden said. The skin becomes more prone to redness with age, she said, and mechanical exfoliants can further aggravate existing concerns. But should you really toss out that facial scrub? If walnut shells sound scary, there are a variety of products that have exfoliating ingredients such as jojoba beads, rice powder and oat flour that are considered less abrasive. Mechanical exfoliants such as St. Ives apricot scrub arent the only exfoliating products that can cause a negative skin reaction. A highly concentrated chemical exfoliant or being too aggressive with a wash cloth can be irritating for some skin types. Regardless of preference, be mindful of exfoliating too often or rubbing a mechanical exfoliant in too vigorously as it can cause irritation or redness.
Isla Fisher is returning to series television with a starring role in dark comedy series Guilty Party for CBS All Access.

In the half-hour series, Fisher plays Beth Baker, a discredited journalist desperate to salvage her career by latching on to the story of a young mother sentenced to life in prison for maiming and murdering her husband, crimes she claims she didnt commit. In trying to uncover the truth, Beth finds herself in over her head as she contends with Colorado gun-smugglers, clickbait culture, the doldrums of marriage and her own tarnished past.

Fisher will also serve as executive producer in addition to starring, with fellow Aussie Trent ODonnell to direct and co-executive produce.

Guilty Party is a genre-bending show that tackles contemporary issues  the prison system, the death of print journalism and pervasive gun culture, to name a few  but has, at its core, smart, funny, ambitious and deeply complicated female characters, said writer Rebecca Addelman. Its been an absolute joy to write and create alongside fabulous studio, network and producing partners, and my hope is that it gives audiences a fresh take on the genre.

The role will mark the first regular television role for Fisher since Home and Away. She also has a role in Godmothered, an original live-action movie for Disney+.

An Australian broadcaster is yet to be confirmed, but it would most likely head to 10 All Access.

Source: Variety
Toronto police say they are still looking for suspects after a 14-year-old boy was found dishevelled but safe in Brampton late Thursday night and is now home with his parents.

The 14-year-old North York boy, the subject of a late-night Amber Alert, was abducted as retribution for his stepbrothers $4-million unpaid drug debt, police said Thursday.

We are going to be aggressively investigating this, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders said while addressing the media at Toronto Police headquarters Friday morning.

The police said they currently dont have any suspects, but hope the investigation will lead to the suspects being found.

I want people apprehended, Saunders said.

Saunders said the boy is safe with his family at home after being found at a barn near Wanless Drive and Heritage Road in Brampton and is doing well now.

I will tell you that he will probably be the most watched young man in the city of Toronto right now, so youd be more than a fool to try to apprehend him or cause any harm to his family, Saunders said.

The chief said public support and the media were instrumental in locating the 14-year-old.

The Star is no longer naming the boy to protect his privacy as he has been found safe.

The grade nine student at Newtonbrook Secondary School was last seen a short distance from his home near Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue at about 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Police were notified he was missing hours later, and an Amber Alert was issued around midnight.

Police allege the boys stepbrother owes a large debt in relation to a multi-kilo cocaine ring and has since fled the GTA.

They said the missing boy has no connection to the criminal lifestyle.

The alleged drug deal was in the summer of 2019 and it was in the area of a hundred kilos.

There was an initial police response around 8:30 a.m. when an unknown trouble call came in that was investigated by 31 Division. The boys parents called police around 5:30 p.m.

Investigators have not yet said if any arrests were made in the case.

Four staff members at a North York high school were put on home assignment after the boys parents werent notified for at least nine hours after he failed to show up at school.

TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird confirmed an automatic call to notify the boys parents that he had not shown up for school was sent at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday.

Board policy requires classroom teachers to report attendance promptly each period, Bird said. At Newtonbrook, this information is relayed to parents in attendance calls are sent twice daily, once around 11 a.m. and again around 6 p.m.

Weve now confirmed that attendance information was not entered by the 11 a.m. cut-off, and, as a result, this information was shifted to the second call, he said.

Were looking to confirm the details right now, but what is clear is that the attendance information was not entered as it should have been.

Several police officers could be seen outside the boys house early Thursday morning and were canvassing the neighbourhood, including on horseback.

In 2017, at least 90 people were arrested for their alleged connection to a drug trafficking gang called the Driftwood Crips, known to frequent the Jane and Driftwood area.

Arrests led to the seizure of 193 fentanyl patches, with a street value of $38,000, and 194 fentanyl pills, valued at about $15,000. Almost 500 charges were laid including drug trafficking, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, and firearm offences.

With files from Star staff

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Top travel firms are relaxing their strict booking conditions on luxury breaks as reservations continue to nose-dive amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

Cruise holiday giant Royal Caribbean has decided to allow guests to cancel their stays up to two days before their ships are due to set sail and receive a full credit, which they can use to book another holiday by the end of next year.

Luxury holiday firm Kuoni has also tweaked its booking conditions, allowing customers for exclusive destinations including the Maldives, Bali and Sri Lanka to switch their trip dates up to seven days before departure.

It comes as at least six passengers died after contracting coronavirus on the Diamond Princess, and governments worldwide have moved to shut flight connections with countries most affected by the outbreak.

Cruise holiday giant Royal Caribbean has said it will allow guests to cancel their stays up to two days before their ships are due to set sail

Royal Caribbean Group's CEO Richard Fain said that their previous policy added extra stress

Royal Caribbean Group's policy change applies to any trips booked with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea that are due to set sail by July 31.

The group's chief executive Richard Fain said: 'Our previous policy set earlier deadlines for guests to cancel their cruises, and that added unnecessary stress.'

It is expected to put pressure on other cruise companies to also switch their booking policies.

Kuoni has also set up what it calls the Kuoni Flex initiative, to allow customers to switch holiday dates, which is available from today until March 16 for holidays as late as February 2021.

Kuoni said it has negotiated flexible booking terms with key hotel partners and airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines or SriLankan Airlines.

Luxury travel firm Kuoni has made changes to its policies for exclusive breaks

Kuoni's former chief executive Hans Lerch pictured in a file photo from May 2001

Chief executive Derek Jones said: 'This is something completely new, offering much more flexibility than usual with terms and booking conditions which we know will inject a boost of confidence for anyone planning a holiday, honeymoon or special occasion trip.

'At the moment we're seeing people who are really keen to plan and have a holiday in the diary to look forward to, but there is a lot of nervousness around coronavirus and how it might play out which means people are hesitant to make any firm plans.'

Kuoni has also beefed up its customer service team to help consumers who want to discuss their travel options.

Online travel firm Holiday Pirates conducted a poll of 4,000 of its users which suggested that more than a third (34 per cent) are worried about catching the coronavirus while travelling.

It also indicated that 72 per cent think that they will be able to travel as usual this summer, and 65 per cent have not cancelled or rescheduled their booked trips.
Greensboro, N.C.

Student-body President Kahlil Robertson joined more than 50 of his classmates from Walter Hines Page High School as they poured off a big yellow bus on the Friday before Super Tuesday and formed a line for early voting here at the Bur-Mil Club polling station.

Candidates had been regularly coming to speak at Kahlils church for months, and he considered himself relatively well informed on his top issuesgun control, the affordability of health care, and higher educationbut he was still nervous filling in his paper ballot.

After all, hed never done it before.

Kahlil was among more than 170 Page High studentsand more than 850 students from 28 schools districtwideto vote for the first time as part of new civics education field trips in Guilford County Schools. The field trips, which included class discussion and instruction on the voting process, raised students participation in the Super Tuesday primary and student interest in the 2020 presidential primary elections here, but they also sparked concerns in the larger community that the districts efforts to help students vote could instead influence their choices in partisan ways.

For Kahlil, the field trip helped.

It really boosted my confidence knowing that my classmates were with me, too, he said. It really helps students become more aware of what theyre about to get themselves into, in the real world.

Guilford Countys program offers one model for schools and districts under increasing pressure to help students better launch into adult civic responsibilities, after decades in which traditional civics education has done little to make voting a habit later on in life and inspire other civic behaviors.

See Also: Q&A: How Schools Can Be More Effective at Growing Young Voters

In the last decade, 23 states have changed their rules for voting preregistration for those younger than 18, school education and registration supports for young voters, or both, according to state websites and a new audit by Tufts Universitys Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE. In the past three years alone, nine statesDelaware, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washingtontweaked registration rules to allow earlier preregistration for first-time voters. And last year, Georgia became the first state to require school boards to draft policies to excuse students who missed school to register or vote.

Those efforts are intended to help close the voting gap between younger and older voters, which reached more than 30 percentage points in the last presidential election, but a dizzying variety of voting and education rules among states can make it difficult for education leaders to know how best to support their students.

I met them at the door when they came back this morning, and they were showing me their [I voted] stickers almost like a badge of honor. It was exciting to see their smiles, said Page Principal Erik Naglee. I think long term, creating students that are going to be lifelong voters is the biggest thing for me.

Identifying Challenges

Among voter age groups, 18- to 24-year-olds continue to have the lowest voting rates, and their low engagement has historically been chalked up to a lack of interest in civic engagement or laziness.

Laura Brill, the founder and director of the Civics Center, a nonprofit that helps schools with civics education and youth-voting activities, argued that rather than being uninterested, most high school students are never invited to directly engage in the voting process, and many civics or social studies courses dont include practical instruction.

Something we see is more than 60 percent of people said they were never asked to register to vote, Brill said. Its pretty eye-opening.

Many people learn to vote and become politically active in college, according to Evette Alexander, the director of learning and impact strategy for the Knight Foundation. That lack of attention may help to explain why a new nationwide study by the foundation found voting rates tend to go up as voters acquire more education; only 14 percent of those with only a high school degree voted; that rate doubled for those with even a little college, and rose to 35 percent for college graduates.

Young nonvoters are not necessarily chronic nonvoters, Alexander found, but some students who arent introduced to voting in high school never get a grounding in how it works.

The Knight Foundation found both 18- to 24-year-olds and nonvoters of all ages said they found it more difficult to sort bias from facts in news and felt less certain that they had enough information to make a voting decision. In fact, young people were less likely that nonvoters of all ages to say they had not registered to vote because they didnt care. But they were nearly twice as likely to say they hadnt registered because it was too complicated.

Rather than apathy or a lack of media literacy, research suggests, the biggest barriers to young people voting are simple logistics: They dont know how to navigate the registration and voting process, and they lack confidence in their media literacy around campaigns.

All those were problems for Mya Daniel of James B. Dudley High School, who also voted with her classmates Feb. 28. She had no transportation and could not have made it for early voting without help, she said, but the field trip also gave her more experience and confidence with the process.

Mya said her parents never took her with them when they voted and considered it inappropriate to discuss their own voting decisions with her.

I would watch shows where they replicated how people voted, but honestly, I was confused about how the whole process worked, she said. I expected it to be much harder, really complicated, and I dont know why.

Mya said she felt empowered by voting and the research she did ahead of it, looking for national candidates stances on two of the issues she cared most about, support for agriculture and preventing police brutality.

I like being able to have control over what goes on in the community because theres a lot of messed-up stuff going on and I like being able to pick someone who I think would change the community, Mya said.

State preregistration for first-time voters is one of the most effective ways to increase youth turnout, but schools must play a key role in this, said John Holbein, an assistant professor of public policy and education at the University of Virginia and a co-author of the new book Making Young Voters: Converting Civic Attitudes Into Civic Action.

Holbein and his colleagues have found voting-age teenagers are more likely to need help registering to vote. For example, Thessalia Merivaki, an assistant professor in American politics at Mississippi State University, found that election officials in Florida were more likely to reject young peoples voter-registration forms for technical mistakes, particularly as registration deadlines loomed for elections.

Weve found that preregistration is the most effective when schools do get involved with giving young people the opportunity to engage in that [voting] process, presenting in class about the importance of voting and registering to vote, demonstrating a practical process of filling out voter-registration forms, ... and then encouraging them to learn about contemporary political issues, Holbein said. And it really works.

Schools Roles in Engaging Young Voters State laws vary in the roles carved out for schools in getting students ready to vote. Most states, for example, allow underage students to volunteer at the polls. Number of States Most Common Activities 45 Minor students can volunteer as poll workers 25 Voter registration drives in school 22 District explicitly required/encouraged to help students register 7 District allowed to support students in registering 6 Schools provide explicit education on voting process 5 Schools are official voter registration sites 5 Schools hold mock elections 1 Schools excuse absences for students to register or vote

In Greensboro, Superintendent Sharon Contreras said the state requires each high school to keep voter-registration materials on hand, have voter coordinators on campus, and seek to register students to vote. The field trips started this year, partly in response to a new civic-literacy law that specifically requires voter instruction. The excursions are voluntary; any student who would be 18 by the general election can opt in.

Justin Scarbro, an Advanced Placement government teacher at Page High, said the new civics education program has made him rethink his own practice. Of 130 students in five classes, he found, students knew virtually nothing about voting before he started preparing for the field trips.

Even until, like, two days ago, there was confusion that you could go vote in the primary at 17. Just knowing when you can registerthey dont know that, or, you know, how easy registering is, he said. They dont know a lot of things that seem like simple knowledge, but for whatever reason, the access to it has just not been provided on a grand scale. And thats my fault because Ive been teaching government for 10 years, so Im as guilty as anybody for not being better at my job.

The process also spurred conversations about other voting barriers students face. After helping one student look up his polling place, Scarbro noticed it was miles farther from the students house than Scarbro had to travel to his own polling place.

The distance to his polling place seemed abnormally long, Scarbro said. I wondered if that were the case for more kids who came from low-income situations. I thought about that and I was, like, if it werent for this [trip], he would have to get creative about how he got to the polls.

Avoiding Community Conflict

But incorporating voting opportunities into schools can create a minefield.

Greensboros program has sparked heated dissent from community members, including Linda Wellborn, the school boards vice chairwoman, who argued that the field trips would cause chaos in the learning environment.

In a long post that launched a 300-comment flame war on Facebook, Wellborn voiced concern that the field trips included any voting-eligible student, not just those in social studies or civics classes, and that the excursions would be a waste of time and loss of learning if students forgot the documents they needed to register. She also worried that students could be pressured to vote for particular candidates at the polls, saying: This has been haphazardly put together in a hurry, and I have to ask what is the aim of this effortis it really civics, or is there some other purpose?

Dozens of other commenters argued over similar concerns, often with more colorful language.

Jonathan Permar, the districts social studies lead and the voting coordinator for the project, said the civics field trips have been in the works for months and followed the same approval and parent-permission processes as all the districts field trips. The program included all eligible students because some may have already taken civics, he said, so you cant make it a course-specific trip; otherwise, you risk disenfranchising a large number of students in the district. The district worked with principals to incorporate the program into other senior-level courses, such as English, as well as social studies.

Having eligible U.S. citizens who happen to be high school students vote, its neither unethical nor is it illegal, said Superintendent Contreras.

One thing that saddens me, to be quite frank, is that, on one hand, were very negative about our young people, about our high school students, about college students, the students that fall in that 18- to 21-age rangethat theyre apathetic, they dont participatebut when we eliminate the very barriers that have been identified that keep them from voting, suddenly theres this pushback, she said.

Our board has a mission that says we are preparing students for citizenship. You dont prepare them for citizenship just by having them sit and learn about the Whigs and the Tories and history from 200 years ago, Contreras added. You encourage them to actively participate, and thats what were doing. Thats what a democracy is.

Guilford County is not alone in facing the tension that can bubble up in response to school voter-registration efforts.

Since 1985, Texas has required all of its more than 2,800 high schools to provide voter-registration cards to eligible students twice a year, but as of last year, only 34 percent of 232 counties with public high schools that enroll at least 20 seniors had done so, according to the Texas Civil Rights Project, which monitors compliance with the law. Thats a 20 percentage-point increase from 2017, but Stephanie Gomez, the high school campaign coordinator for the group, said she thinks the number of districts helping students register could have been higher.

Texas districts, like those in many other states, face confusing rules about who is responsible and how schools can support and prepare students. The confusion in Texas stems in part from a nonbinding opinion issued in 2018 by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. It said school districts could not transport students to polls absent an educational purpose. The opinion followed concerns that educators would try to influence students choices.

Its not that principals or school districts are trying to be negligent or that they are actively not trying to uphold this part of the law, Gomez said. But, she added, theres a lot of fear that doing anything more than just handing the student a card for registering is a partisan stance.

About the Citizen Z Project U.S. public education is rooted in the belief by early American leaders that the most important knowledge to impart to young people is what it means to be a citizen. If America is experiencing a civic crisis, as many say it is, schools may well be failing at that job. This article is part of an ongoing effort by Education Week to understand the role of education in preparing the next generation of citizens. See other stories in the Citizen Z series here. Do you have a great idea for teaching students about civics? Share it with us.

In Greensboro, students brought little awareness of the adult fight over their field trips but they did bring a wide array of their own political leanings and issues of concern to the early-voting polls.

Alejandro Ibrahim of Page High said he regularly discusses news and politics with his parents and leads a 60-student group dedicated to getting more of his classmates to register.

Joey Hennen was doing his homework the night before the Page field trip, looking up candidates and their positions, he said. Joey pointed to North Carolinas recent move to increase the age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21 as one local debate that needed teenagers input. But he and classmate Pierce Hudson said they are more likely to gauge national candidates by their stances on abortion and gun restrictions.

Across town, where the students from James B. Dudley High School cast their ballots in a college building of the same name, Nashon Wilhite had one straightforward political concern this cycle: jobs.

The minimum wage affects a lot of people around our age, Nashon said.

Looking Ahead

The 18- and 19-year-old voter turnout across 42 states hit historic high numbers for the 2018 midterms. More than 28 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 voted that yearmore than double the 13 percent who voted in the 2014 midterms. That increase was driven in part by the 23 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds voting in the wave of student activism that followed high-profile school shootings, including the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., according to a separate study by CIRCLE.

In the nine states with Super Tuesday primaries that had reliable preliminary turnout data, CIRCLE found the youngest voters turned out at higher rates than in similar competitive primaries in 2004 or 2012. Six states had a larger share of young people voting than in prior years, but North Carolinas youth turnout and voting share was flat.

Educators hope to sustain that civic engagement with programs like Guilford Countys, to give students more practical and hands-on instruction on voting and the elections process.

CIRCLE estimated that young voters have a high potential to affect competitive gubernatorial and congressional races in swing states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, among others. Political watchers likewise think teenagers and 20-somethings could tip the balance in the 2020 presidential electionsif they vote.

Dudley students and teachers consider voter education a part of the schools historic legacy of student engagement; Dudley was the first black high school in the state, and it was central to the first high-school-led sit-in during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Before the civil rights [movement], we [black people] had the right but we didnt have the opportunity to vote, Summers said. Now that we have the opportunity to vote, ... every vote counts, even the kids votes. Everybody has their own opinions, but for your opinions to be heard and make a change, you have to come in and vote.
Tobolskis chief of staff, Patrick Doherty, was indicted last month on federal charges alleging he conspired to pay bribes to a relative of an Oak Lawn trustee in 2017 to get lucrative red-light cameras installed there on behalf of a clouted company called SafeSpeed LLC. Doherty has pleaded not guilty.
New Delhi, March 6 : The unseasonal rains and hailstorms in various parts of the country, especially in north India, will cause damage to rabi crops like wheat, mustard and gram, warn agricultural scientists.

Speaking to IANS, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), Karnal, said unseasonal rain and strong wind will affect the crop yields as the wheat which is standing will fall.

As of now, the reports of damage to wheat has been reported from Haryana but since the crop is ready for the harvest, so wherever there will be a hailstorm, the crop will fall on the field and get damaged, said Singh.

Jagraj Dandi, Joint Director, Haryana Government, told IANS that the mustard crop is likely to be damaged more as compared to wheat. Reports of spoilage of wheat and mustard in many districts including Mahendragarh, Rewari and Rohtak is being reported.

On data of damage of crops, he said no data can be given as of now, it can only be assessed after a damage survey (girdawari) is done.

Farmers's organisations in Haryana have demanded that the government compensate the farmers for the damage of their crops due to rain and hailstorm by getting the survey done.

According to the scientists, gram and mustard will be damaged more than wheat.

The western disturbance caused unseasonal rains and hailstorms in various parts of the country including north India. According to Skymet, heavy rains and snowfall occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh while heavy rains along with hailstorms were reported in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.

Moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms were also reported in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal while some parts of Chhattisgarh and Bihar also received rains.
This is the first part of a series on the evolution of war and warfare across decades. Over the course of these articles, the relationship between technology and war will be put under the magnifying glass

Editor's note: This is the first part of a series on the evolution of war and warfare across decades. Over the course of these articles, the relationship between technology, politics and war will be put under the magnifying glass.

The United States went to war against Iraq in 1991 prepared for the worst. Fearful of massive American casualties in the face of Saddam Hussein's battle-hardened and numerically impressive army, the Pentagon ordered around 16,000 body bags. But the Iraqi army proved to be hapless in front of a barrage of American precision-strike missiles, stealth bombers, sensors and especially battle units networked through a constellation of satellites.

For one Pentagon defence-policy wonk this experience proved a hunch he had mulling with a small group of colleagues since the late 1980s, that a revolution in warfare aided by new technologies working in tandem was on its way. As Saddam's forces crumbled, Andrew Marshall, long-time head of Pentagons internal think-tank, was validated.

The Yoda  as Marshall was affectionately called by his followers, after the sage-like Star Wars character  was not the only one to notice how different the Gulf War was from previous military engagements the world over. Two years later, in 1993, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army changed its strategy for the third time in its history, gearing up to wars that would be fought over a limited geography using high technology. But the source of Marshall and his acolytes' theory was a Soviet school of thinking since the 1970s that posits that new weapons-technologies configured in novel ways stood to alter the character of war permanently.

Revolutions in Military Affairs: Blending man and machine

When such configurations are backed by appropriate changes elsewhere in defence planning, a "revolution in military affairs" (RMA) will follow  this has been an overwhelming belief of many defence strategists since the early 1990s. As Andrew Krepinevich, a long-time colleague and biographer of Marshalls put it in an 1994 article, an RMA "occurs when the application of new technologies into a significant number of military systems combines with innovative operational concepts and organisational adaptation in a way that fundamentally alters the character and conduct of conflict."

Note that this formulation is different from saying that tech alone brings about fundamental changes in thinking about war, a point of departure also from the materialist Soviet thinking that inspired it. And history bears this out, beginning with extensive and creative use of artillery and firearms in the European wars of the 16th Century  such as the ones that lead to the rise of England as a preeminent European power under Elizabeth I and the concomitant fall of imperial Spain.

As historian Max Boot in his classic book on historical RMAs put it, the terrifying success of the German blitzkrieg during the Second World War was not due to technology and numerical superiority of forces compared to the Allies. Rather, Boot writes, the Germans "figured out how to make best use of the technology of the day; the Allies did not."

Indeed, academic political-science research has found very little evidence that military technology alone determines whether one side emerges as victor in war, or that technologies that aid offensive action  such as armoured vehicle-launched bridges  will naturally lead the possessor to belligerence. In fact, combat outcomes have often been shaped seriously by defensive military technologies such as the ability to decipher the enemys secret communications.

For example, the ability of the British (largely due to the efforts of the mathematician Alan Turing) to break the German Enigma encryption system during the Second World War, helped turn the tide of the naval war. We must also keep in mind that new technologies must support the political objectives behind warfighting. No amount of high-tech wizardry will help a country if it is unclear about political goals it seeks to meet through war. The recent American experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan bear witness to this.

However, it is also true that in war overwhelming technological superiority helps in compensating for relative weakness  or a break-even  in numbers. And every so often  Boot could only find four 'true' RMAs between 1588 and 2005  a technology stands to overturn how wars are to be conceived altogether in turns of who fights what and why. Weapons equipped with artificial intelligence  even in the narrow sense of computers that learn on their own from data (machine learning)  may be the most significant one of all.

A kit for the Once and Future War

In 2018, then US secretary of defence Jim Mattis noted that AI may bring about such a revolution in warfare that the old premise  that the fundamental nature of war, of a conflict fundamentally shaped by humans  may itself be invalid. (In principle, fully automated AI weapons could wage war on their own, selecting and taking down targets without any human intervention.) Such weapons may also end up meeting the political objectives that the aggressor seeks impossible.

Imagine the practice (art?) of strategic bombing, the use of airpower to pulverise an opponent's military, industrial or even civilian base. While it rose during the Second World War  a fight to finish in a "total war"  in practice such campaigns are a form of bargaining where their tempo is controlled  and targets either spared or destroyed  depending on whether the enemy is meeting your demands or not. This was, on and off, the American strategy during the Vietnam War. (It is altogether a different question that the strategy failed miserably despite the US dropping twice as many bombs on Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as was used in the entire Second World War.)

But now imagine that AI weapons are fielded in a war where they are programmed to seek out and destroy ever enemy target. Bargaining would be impossible in this case, the destruction of the enemy near total. As every half-decent hostage-taker knows, the trick always lies in her ability to keep the hostage alive or even treat him well, depending on whether the hostage-taker's demands are being met. Fully autonomous weapons make for terrible hostage-takers.

AI is only a part of the contemporary apprehension about disruptive military changes on the horizon. Over the past couple of decades, other technological disruptions such as advanced sensors, quantum communications, hyper-fast weapons, synthetic biology, and undersea- and space-based systems have the potential to radically change the future of warfare even if the final arbiter of life and death remains human. In the recent years, the United States has sought to systematically integrate these technologies into its defence planning first through the so-called 'Third Offset Strategy' and then through the 'Multi-Domain Battle' concept.

Beijing, through its 'Make in China 2025' and civil-military 'fusion' programmes (where the lines between corporate and academic R&D, and military demands are blurred), seeks to blunt the United States' conventional military superiority using innovative asymmetric means. Russia continues to leverage its significant science and technology base to develop weapons that threatens regional  and perhaps global  stability. Others like Israel and Australia also aspire to make disruptive technologies as a part of their defence toolkits. The Indian military over the last couple of years has also started talking the talk, even if we dont know whether it would ever walk the walk given the state of its modernisation budget.

In some cases, the barrier to entry into the emerging military tech game has become significantly lower, and the technologies themselves comparatively inexpensive, when measured up against weapons we traditionally associate with military might: large tank divisions and squadrons of advanced fighter jets or aircraft carriers. This in turn stands to favour cash-strapped militaries such as India's.

For example, machine learning technology (the "head" of autonomous weapons) is becoming rapidly available, often through open-source software. Even terrorists  not the wealthiest of combatants  have managed to leverage (relatively-new) technology in the recent past; the Islamic State's crude drones (a pain in the neck for US forces) come to mind.

In other cases, disruptive tech capable of serious lethality is both small and nimble, like swarms of tiny drones capable of acting autonomously and in concert. While images of military technology also conjure grey metallic electro-mechanical behemoths  think of the 2011 film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows set in pre-First World War Europe where the villain, Professor Moriarty, is an emerging mil-tech entrepreneur  the fact of the matter is that the ones truly at the cutting edge, such as satellites based on quantum communications like the Chinese "Micius" which became functional in 2017, are for the most parts "invisible" to the human eye (and cameras of photojournalists), their inner workings mysterious enough to remind us of magic.

Tech, meet Demand

The rise of these technologies has coincided with an expanding spectrum of military threats countries face, often from the same adversary. Modern militaries must now deal with an environment where the line between peace and war is blurred (just ask the Indian Army). But their technology kits should also be such that a (supposedly) antiquated military objective, of good old territorial conquest like what Russia pulled off in Ukraine in 2014, can be furthered with the latest in AI-based disinformation tools. To put it differently, there is a real risk now that 19th Century international politics will be pursued using 21st Century military means.

But no matter how wide the threat spectrum is  and how multi-dimensional the battlespace  the coming technological revolutions around how future wars will be fought will augment attributes militaries throughout history have realised as essential. They are: Intelligence, the ability to see as much of the battlespace as possible; autonomy, the ability of weapons to work with minimal supervision; stealth, the ability to attack, defend, or communicate in secret; speed, the ability to disrupt the enemy's response; augmentation, the ability to endow soldiers capabilities to withstand the rigours of battle; and finally, and most importantly, emergence, the ability to put together a bouquet of new weapons systems in such a way that their net battlefield effect is much larger than the sum of its parts.

This Firstpost series each week will explore one of these attributes and the cutting-edge technologies on the horizon that will support them. A final article will revisit what these enhanced attributes mean for the character  or even nature  of war and strategy in this century.

Read the second part of the series here: Machine-learning set to usher in a whole new era of intelligent warfare
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices tanked more than 8% on Friday to their lowest levels since mid-2017 after Reuters reported that Russia balked at OPECs proposed steep production cuts to stabilize prices.

OPECs plans for deep and prolonged output cuts were derailed as non-OPEC producer Russia refused to support the move, arguing it was too early to predict the impact of a coronavirus outbreak on global energy demand, sources told Reuters.

The number of people infected with the virus worldwide surpassed 100,000 and the economic damage intensified, with business districts beginning to empty and stock markets tumbling.

OPEC and Russias failure to secure a deal sent the price of benchmark crude into a tailspin.

Brent futures fell $4.32, or 8.6%, to $45.67 a barrel by 11:03 a.m. EST (1603 GMT), lowest price since June 2017. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $3.82, or 8.3%, to $42.08. At one point, U.S. crude fell as low as $41.85 a barrel, lowest since August 2016.

Brent was on track for its biggest daily percentage loss since 2009 and WTI for its steepest since 2015.

If this results in OPEC not going through with their own proposed 1 million bpd cuts in Q2, the result ... could be devastating. Brent could swiftly drop 15% to the low $40s and WTI to the high $30s in this scenario, said Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy.

One Middle East source said OPEC had no intention of pursuing deeper cuts without Russia.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was pushing for an additional 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of cuts until the end of 2020.

The deal is dead, one OPEC source said.

In a statement, OPEC+ said oil producers will continue consultations to stabilize the oil market. The statement, however, made no mention of any production cuts.

Non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 bpd to the overall extra cut, OPEC ministers said. The new deal would have meant OPEC+ production curbs amounting to a total of 3.6 million bpd, or about 3.6% of global supply.

Even with the deeper cut, Goldman Sachs said the OPEC+ deal would not have prevented a global oil market surplus in the second quarter. The bank maintained its Brent price forecast at $45 a barrel in April.
Caught unawares by the tariff announcement on Twitter, Bolsonaro seemed confused and flustered when reporters in Brazil asked him what had happened. He said he was sure that a call to Trump would fix matters. It may have worked, although Trump has not definitively removed the threat. Bolsonaro wrote on Facebook in late December that Trump had agreed not to go forward with the trade penalties, but the episode led to criticism in Brazil that Bolsonaros coziness with Trump had backfired.
Islamabad, March 6 : Pakistans sixth coronavirus (COVID-19) case was reported in Karachi, according to the Sindh health department.

In a statement on Thursday, the Department said the 69-year-old patient has a travel historyto Iran and had returned to Pakistan on February 25, reports Dawn news.

"He was being monitored by the health department and was tested today (Thursday) when the symptoms showed up. Now, we have three cases of coronavirus in Sindh," said Meeran Yousuf, the media coordinator to the health minister.

The patient had been admitted to the isolation ward of a government hospital and his family quarantine' at home, he said, adding that a health official would monitor the health of the family periodically.

The three other coronavirus patients were reported from Gilgit-Baltistan.

Meanwhile, more than 1,400 trucks loaded with goods were currently stranded at the Taftan border crossing after Pakistan temporarily closed its border with Iran over concerns of coronavirus, Dawn news said in the report.

Pakistan closed its border with Iran on February 23 amid rising number of coronavirus cases and associated deaths. Balochistan, which shares 959 km border with Iran, has already declared emergency in the province to contain the virus.

Informed sources told Dawn new that Tehran has requested Islamabad to allow trucks to enter into the country.

"We are considering finding out ways for the clearance of goods," the source said while adding the final decision is expected in the next couple of days.

The trucks stranded at the border were loaded with petroleum products especially liquefied petroleum gas, scrap and chemicals.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
By Akbar Mammadov

Head of Nagorno-Karabakh's Azerbaijani community Tural Ganjaliyev has said that the existence of Armenian troops in Azerbaijans occupied territories is the only impediment to the peace between the two nations.

I restate that the only impediment to the peaceful coexistence of the two communities is the presence of Armenian troops in Azerbaijan's territories, Ganjaliyev said.

Ganjaliyev made the remarks while commenting on the panic within the Armenian political circles over Turkish Foreign Minister Movlut Cavusoglus March 2 meeting in Ankara with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that mediates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During the meeting held on March 2, Cavushoghlu urged the resolution of the conflict within Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

As the elected representative of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, I state that Turkey is one of the members of the OSCE Minsk Group. Therefore it is not surprising that the Turkish foreign minister held a meeting with the co-chairs. At the same time, Turkey is interested in the solution of the existing conflicts as a country contributing to the security and progress both at the international and regional levels, Ganjaliyev said.

In fact, the panic arising within the Armenian political circles after the above mentioned meeting, shows that they are not interested in solving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and seek to maintain their policy of invasion. The non-constructive position of aggressive Armenias political circles is directed against the resolution of the conflict, termination of Armenian occupation and achieving peace in the region," Ganjaliyev stressed.

The head of the Community said that return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their occupied lands and the withdrawal of Armenian troops is prerequisite to the peaceful coexistence of Karabakh's Azerbaijani and Armenian coomunities.

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.

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Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
South Carolina Rapper Blacc Zacc Drops Debut Album Carolina Narco Robyn Mowatt Robyn Mowatt is a staff writer at Okayplayer where she

With Carolina Narco, the South Carolina rapper reintroduces himself to his fans and provides an opportunity for new listeners to get familiar with his sound.

Amidst all of the music releases that arrived recently , Blacc Zaccs debut album Carolina Narco is a surefire standout. Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina the rapper lays down memorable bars over bass-heavy beats on his latest project. Features on the 11-track release include DaBaby, Moneybagg Yo, Stunna 4 Vegas and Yo Gotti.

Last year, Blacc Zacc rolled out Trappin Like Zacc, while in 2018 he unveiled Blacc Frost, these were both mixtapes. Hes been rapping since he was 13 years old, but he took his unique stage name in 2010 which was when he released his first mixtape 1st Round Draft Pick. With his latest album, he reintroduces himself to fans and music lovers alike. Trappin Like Zacc featured appearances by Stunna 4 Vegas, LightSkinKeisha, and Key Glock.

On Carolina Narco he impressively showcases his lyrical capabilities, his rhymes pair well with the production done by Young Kio, OG Parker, Romano, and others. Tracks like Coccy and All Day are tracks that well keep going back to for months to come. The former has a beat thats heavy-hitting, combined with Blacc Zaccs vocals the cut is an undeniable great song that needs to be added to your summer cookout playout.

All Day is a melodic song equipped with a laid back beat, its another favorite of ours from the album. So is Bang, on this track the chemistry between the two southern rappers is quite apparent. DaBaby who has roots in North Carolina delivers biting bars that farewell alongside Zaccs memorable chorus.

In total, Carolina Narco is an example of Andre 3000s classic quote the south got something to say from his acceptance speech at The Source Awards in 1995. This new release continues Blacc Zaccs journey within the hip-hop industry.

Stream Carolina Narco below.

Following Carolina Narco, Blacc Zacc dropped Carolina Narco The Movie, a short film. The visual features the rapper and his crew on a fictional journey reminiscent of Starzs series Power as its filled with betrayal, jealousy, envy and new beginnings. When speaking of the film, he shared: I wanted to create this film because nobodys been dropping movies with their projects lately.

This article was originally published on March 6, 2020, it was updated on March 27.
Thai Nguyen National Hospital (Photo: dantri.com.vn)



Previously, implementing the guidelines and direction of the Ministry of Health, the Ho Chi Minh city Pasteur Institute and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology had working sessions at Thai Nguyen National Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital to conduct assessment of Covid-19 testing capacity.



After checking, evaluating and discussing, the experts agreed that the two hospitals are eligible to perform diagnostic tests of Covid-19. In terms of resources, these hospitals have sufficient staff to meet the qualifications, capacity, and experience to perform the Covid-19 test. In addition, the two hospitals also provide a source of chemical products to diagnose Covid-19.

The Ministry of Health affirmed that Vietnam had enough capacity and chemical products to test Covid-19. The testing accuracy is similar to that of other countries, Real-time RT-PCR (antigen test) should be highly sensitive and specific.

Vietnam currently has three standard testing units recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and agreed to transfer technology and methods of testing sample implementation, including: Ho Chi Minh city Pasteur Institute, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

After that, these units have transferred technology and professional training for laboratories in many provinces and cities. These laboratories have sufficient machines, equipment and human resources, and meet standards recognized by WHO. These laboratories have the capacity to give out reliable results.

So far, Vietnam currently has about 30 units capable of carrying out the Covid-19 test./.
Almost lost in the intense coverage and analysis of the Super Tuesday results, and the remarkable relaunch of Joe Biden as an ark of moderation for the traditional liberal Democrats, is the subtle initiative taken by Michael Bloomberg in his town-hall meeting hosted by Fox News on Monday night. It was by far the most impressive political appearance Bloomberg has made since he announced his campaign for the nomination, at least of those that received national coverage. More important, he finally, and too late, struck upon a possible route to victory in Milwaukee, and even in November. He was affable and informed, did not indicate that he thought all America was obsessed by or even particularly interested in the foibles of New York City, and had many occasions to demonstrate his knowledge of government administration with illustrative experiences as New Yorks mayor. He was amused by what he called Donalds schtick when invited to comment on the presidents disparagements of him. But he unveiled a new lane for the Democrats  when questioned about his attitude to various administration policies and to its strong economic performance, he responded that there were many Trump policies he agreed with, but he did not agree with the way Trump executed the role of president.

What he was effectively saying was that with Bloomberg, you could have what you like in Trumps record, but not have the full burden of the presidents uproarious and disruptive personality. He specifically promised not to tweet. This may seem like a trite and unpromising formula, and since he has withdrawn from the race, it is an academic matter anyway. The other Democrats, Biden no more than Sanders, have not faced up to the indisputable accomplishments that are the basis of Trumps reelection campaign. The country is enjoying full employment and the lowest range of income-earners is advancing more quickly in relative terms than the highest, which is the beginning of a reduction in the sinister aspects of the income gap. Sanders and Biden are still hammering the ancient Democratic pinata that Trumps tax-cuts were for the benefit of the billionaires, (Sanders cant complain anymore about the millionaires because he is one of them.) The administrations tax changes reduced the taxes of 83 percent of taxpayers. Illegal immigration has been reduced by 80 percent, relieving downward pressure on the rewards of relatively unskilled labor.

Story continues

Bloomberg moved too late to change his pitch from the lofty condescending dismissal of the president that he first revealed at his national coming out as a Democrat at their 2016 convention. And in his first two debates, Bloomberg reflexively referred to Trump as a disaster, the password for any Democratic political exchange, and said that his reason for running was to evict Trump  again, the catchment for all Democrats, most of whom cant explain their objections to the president in any terms except what they find to be his undignified personal mannerisms and supposedly deficient ethics. Bloomberg, on the eve of Super Tuesday, was effectively standing on a Republican platform but proposing to replace the Republican president; he was really running as an independent when it was too late for anyone but the orthodox standard-bearers of both parties. Bloomberg has not gone to the barricades on immigration, and although he claimed to have a sanctuary city, he hadnt stressed that and might have been able to get clear of Trumps attacks on the issue by finessing it and agreeing with the construction of a genuine southern border, as long as it was humanely operated, and with a few other manifestations of comparative gentleness. He had no objection to the tax structure but would support higher taxes on the rich to reduce the deficit. (It would not make much difference to the deficit. but election promises are rarely very rigorously analyzed; its all optics and atmospherics.) He repeated the same rather hackneyed formula as he left the race on Wednesday.

On the Middle East, Bloomberg embraced the two-state solution, which can certainly be implied as supporting much of the Trump plan, though he was less tolerant of recent Israeli settlements. On Afghanistan, he agreed with Trumps cease-fire arrangement but was a bit skeptical. Apart from climate matters, where Bloomberg has gulped down the alarmist Kool-Aid by the keg, his answer to almost everything is an implicit agreement with the administration, but a little more humane, more sympathetic, more gradual, more equitable on taxes, but nothing to frighten the middle class; by all means a Western Alliance in which the allies pull their weight, but all with a more comradely tenor and tone. Though he did not specifically say this, he was offering Trump policies without the rough edges, the more gentlemanly and dignified of the New York billionaires, and the one without any ethical baggage. The questions from the moderators of the Fox occasion and those present did not get too far into the vagaries of Trumps career, but Bloomberg was able to say that if he was elected, he would sell his business and give almost all the proceeds to his foundation, and he won applause for his references to the conflicts of interest Trump faced and his reticence about showing his tax returns. Bloomberg said that he pays the full tax rate, uses what he needs to pay his bills, and gives the balance to his foundation. These were legitimate and advantageous distinctions to make.

While normally this kind of approach is wide open to ridicule by the other side, and Trump is formidable at the dismissal of adversaries (and not only over spurious questions of personal appearance and the rest of his schtick), the whole concept of implicitly conceding Trumps strong points but promising to improve them, and devoting the main argument to substituting a more gentlemanly and serious personality for the rambunctious and sometimes outrageous personality of the incumbent, has a certain allure. And Michael Bloomberg, as builder of a splendid company, a great philanthropic benefactor, and a three-term, generally well-regarded mayor of the nations largest city, could make that argument much more successfully than Sanders and Biden. They are still trying to misrepresent and dispute Trumps achievements and dish out the same old liberal pap (Biden), or invite the blind terror of the sensible majority with Marxist nonsense (Sanders).

It is all too late. The Democratic race evolved quickly from a multi-candidate scrum to a three-man race, and it is now a two-man race, but with Bloomberg endorsing Biden, it is really a one-man race, and Biden has almost as little chance of defeating Trump as Sanders had. But instead of Trump taking 65 percent of the vote, as he would have done against Sanders, he may be held to between 55 and 60 percent against the less delirious and fanatical Biden. The Democratic elders flexed their muscles impressively and assisted Joe Biden in one of the greatest comebacks since Lazarus. Bloomberg should not be embarrassed at a slim return on an immense investment ($600 million or more); he presumably extracted the State Department as the price of his withdrawal, the same post he was expecting from Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, had either of them been elected. And as his means are practically unlimited, the money he has spent in a losing cause is not relevant. He didnt make a bad showing, considering his late entry (just three months ago).

The only fly in the Democratic ointment is that in closing ranks to keep their party out of Marxist hands, they have excluded the only one of the candidates who had any chance of defeating Donald Trump, and the only one who had devised a strategy that could conceivably do that. Biden will preserve the party and lose honorably, where Sanders would lead it to virtual temporary extinction. Bloomberg is not only the only Democratic survivor who had even a small chance to win, he is the only one who would be a competent president. As it is, Bloomberg will be to the position of secretary of state what Henry Clay and William Jennings Bryan were to the presidency: they tried three times unsuccessfully (but Clay and Bryan were both secretaries of state). Bloomberg might have got the job he coveted if he hadnt attacked Trump in the first place.

More from National Review
With her golden retriever, Bailey, in tow, Elizabeth Warren held a news conference on Thursday in front of her house in Cambridge, Mass., announcing her exit from the presidential race.

Lisa Lerer grapples with addressing the role of gender in Warrens downfall

As Warren exited the race on Thursday, she named the elephant in the room: sexism.

Gender in this race, you know, that is the trap question for every woman, she told reporters. If you say, Yeah, there was sexism in this race, everyone says, Whiner! And if you say, No, there was no sexism, about a bazillion women think, What planet do you live on? I promise you this: I will have a lot more to say on that subject later on.

Lisa Lerer, your evening newsletter host, wrote an incisive article examining why, half a century after the womens liberation movement, the United States still cant manage to elect a female commander in chief. She has shared with us a few of her own candid thoughts on the matter. First, read Lisas note below. Then read the article in full.
"The Liberal Invasion of Red State America"

By Kristin B. Tate

Regnery. 232 pp. $28.99

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If you live in a growing red-state city, you may have noticed a few changes to your town recently. Maybe a pour-over coffee bar or a farm-to-table restaurant with $13 appetizers opened in your neighborhood.Perhaps there's now a boutique fitness studio offering Pilates.

These outposts of coastal cosmopolitanism are often set up by and for newcomers to boomtowns across the South and interior West, such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas and Denver. Kristin B. Tate, a conservative columnist for the Hill, explores the trend in her book "The Liberal Invasion of Red State America."

You might expect Tate, who favors free enterprise, to applaud the pioneering spirit of these ex-New Yorkers and Californians, but instead she is sounding an alarm. These blue-state refugees, she warns, are fleeing the failures of liberal policies but paradoxically bringing oppressive big government with them. "They often vote for the same blue state policies that caused them to move in the first place," she writes.

Tate asserts that a low quality of life and high cost of living in Democratic-controlled states push residents to low-tax states that have historically leaned Republican. But the subsequent political changes brought on by the new arrivals have jolted places such as Virginia and Colorado, and now threaten North Carolina and even rock-ribbed Texas. "The upper-middle-class scolds who import failed policies of their former homes," she writes, are "coming for second-tier cities in traditionally conservative states with their condescending view of your lifestyle: expect the Cultural Revolution in Denver, Phoenix, and even Dallas next."

In our politically polarized country, where liberals and conservatives increasingly prefer politically homogenous communities, any large-scale migration is a social, economic and political development that merits deep examination. Unfortunately, Tate reduces the complex subject to a simple message for conservative readers: Be afraid.

Tate's focus broadens from the South and West to population migration generally across the country. Her reporting consists of visits to friends and family in Denver; Knoxville, Tenn.; Fairfax County, Va.; and New Hampshire - where she grew up and, she fears, migrants from Massachusetts threaten its native character. She puts a lot of implausibly precise facts and figures in the mouths of her always earnest-sounding conversation partners. When Tate wonders if many Hispanics are moving to New Hampshire, her friend Rachel informs her, "There's been a 23.1 percent increase in the Hispanic population . . . over the last eight years." When Tate goes in search of Ye Olde Yankee Market in Lebanon, N.H., she discovers that a bodega called Las Americas Deli Grocery has replaced it, prompting her to worry further about Hispanic migration. "Hispanic neighbors are welcome additions to the cities and towns of New Hampshire, but as voters they can make a difference in electoral outcomes," she writes. "It's a demographic that almost always votes Democratic, regardless of what part of the nation they live in."

Tate aims to alarm conservative readers by suggesting that a takeover of government by migrant liberals is imminent in red states. "What happens as residents in historically red regions start realizing their state is slipping from their grasp?" she writes. "What happens when their 'social betters' in positions of power realize that their authority is now nearly unchecked?"

The book is irritatingly sloppy: An entire section containing speculation on the outcome of the 2018 elections wasn't updated to reflect the results. In one instance, Tate claims that migrants lean "even bluer" than young New Hampshirites - and then she cites data showing the opposite, thus undermining her claim that newcomers are to blame for the Granite State's growing liberalism. "As you might suspect, the younger voters tend to vote blue," she writes. "But the migrants vote even bluer. Research has shown that 45 percent of young voters and 42 percent of migrant voters are likely to identify as Democrats."

If the specifics of her case are problematic, more significant is a serious weakness in the book's premise: Tate believes people are fleeing New York City and the state, for instance, because of its political governance. "Increasing costs and worsening conditions under Sandinista-supporting New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, together with restrictive policies strangling corporate growth in the rest of the state, make the state a demographic disaster," she writes. "Americans just don't want to live in the blue states governed by Democrats anymore."

In truth, it's the cost of housing in or near New York City, Boston, Washington, San Francisco and Los Angeles that's driving people away. There, demand exceeds supply, creating exorbitant prices. The housing market indicates that people want to live in these areas, but many middle-class families cannot afford the space they desire.

If life in New York is so awful, why does it cost so much to live there? You'd never know from reading this book that New York City's crime is at historic lows, high school graduation rates are up, and polls show that most New Yorkers would like to stay there but cannot afford it. It's inconvenient for Tate that the city is still growing, while rural, Republican-leaning Upstate New York is economically stagnant and losing residents. Tate tries to explain by arguing that decades of Democratic-dominated state government are the cause of Upstate's problems. But until last year, for all but three years since World War II, the New York Senate was controlled by Republicans. And any serious examination of the root of Upstate's problems, such as deindustrialization, shows they are the same as those throughout the Rust Belt.

The real policy failure in high-demand urban areas is that they don't produce enough housing to keep pace with demand. If they did, fewer residents of these progressive bastions would be moving to Tennessee and Georgia; some economists project that the migration patterns could actually reverse. The most significant factor restricting the supply of housing and driving up prices is suburban-sprawl zoning that allows only single-family homes, surrounded by empty space and parking. Typically, as seen in a controversial proposal to legalize two-family homes throughout Virginia, it is liberals from cities and inner-ring suburbs who advocate for more housing, and conservatives who favor restricting development to only single-family homes, perhaps because their supporters tend to live in lower-density exurbs and rural areas. So Tate writes around the core issue, inveighing against progressive-minded local building regulations that demand energy efficiency and drive up the cost of construction, while ignoring rules that limit how much housing can be built and that typically are more responsible for increasing housing prices.

Tate overlooks another trend: that the urban areas in red states that are growing fastest, such as Knoxville, Tucson and North Carolina's Research Triangle, are already liberal, especially compared with their surroundings. It is precisely their crunchy cosmopolitan culture that attracts newcomers from the coasts. But a reader of "The Liberal Invasion of Red State America" would think that hipsters in skinny jeans are drawn to Austin because they like Texas's low taxes and skimpy environmental regulation rather than the music scene and Mexican food.

Tate's reporting would have benefited from interviews with experts, especially in growing industries such as tech.If high taxes and excessive regulations are choking off growth in blue states, why is venture capital so heavily clustered in or near Seattle, San Francisco, New York and Boston? Tate even cites Northern Virginia, an economically dynamic magnet for highly educated workers and upwardly mobile immigrants, as proof that liberals have ruined a former red state because, she writes, "demographic shifts have turned Virginia from a conservative Southern state into an increasingly left-leaning territory for Democrats." Yet, despite Democrats' supposed tendency to ruin blue states with taxes and regulations, the area won the competition for Amazon's second headquarters.

Is it possible that the public goods and amenities offered by liberal urban areas - such as museums, mass transit, ethnic diversity and educated workforces - are more important to high-paying companies (and the employees they must recruit) than tax rates? Tate implies that Arlington, Va., offered inducements larger than those from red-state cities. It did not. Amazon wanted to be in an urban hub. (The company's founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post.)

It's too bad that Tate's analysis is so ideologically blinkered, because a more open-minded exploration of America's demographic shifts and their political implications would be a worthy endeavor. But for conservative pundits, the easiest profit is made from drumming up fear among older white readers - and that's all Tate's book is likely to accomplish.

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Adler is a senior editor at City & State NY, a magazine covering New York politics and policy.
Documents relating to the mysterious death of a Swedish woman in Scotland have recently emerged as being 'classified as secret', sparking fresh conspiracy theories.

Annie Borjesson was discovered face down and fully clothed on Prestwick Beach, close to Glasgow Prestwick Airport on 4 December, 2005.

She was 30 at the time.

Her bag, passport, and wallet were discovered next to her.

Annie Borjesson in a Scotland hat. She had moved there a year before she died to study English

Borjesson had moved to Edinburgh to study English in 2004.

It is understood she had travelled to Prestwick airport the day before she died with the intention to fly back to Sweden.

Scottish and Swedish authorities have both said her death was likely by drowning by suicide, though Borjesson's family do not believe this version of events.

Thought to be Borjesson at Prestwick airport the afternoon before she was found on the beach

Her death sparked a wave conspiracy theories in the years that followed.

One theory that emerged was around alleged CIA rendition flights through Prestwick airport, used for 'extralegal transfer of prisoners' between countries, according to Fox News.

No evidence has emerged to support this theory.

Now, documents part of a year-long investigation into her death between the Swedish foreign ministry and Scottish authorities have emerged.

The files appeared as part of a six-part podcast called 'What happened to Annie', by Sky News.

Happier times: A young Borjesson with flowing red hair smiles while sitting for a photo

The files appear heavily redacted, according to the podcast, because Borjesson's death is considered 'classified as secret' by the Swedish foreign ministry.

Its reason for redacting details surrounding Borjesson's death in Scotland are 'that the information concerns Sweden's relations with a foreign state and a foreign authority'.

It goes on to say that disclosure of the information 'will damage Sweden's international relations or, in other ways harm national interests'.

Another document, filed the day after her death, appears to indicate the Swedish Embassy detailing how Scottish authorities had suspected Borjesson's suicide.

This despite no post-mortem exam conducted on Borjesson's body, according to Fox News.

Borjesson's mother, Guje Borjesson, on Prestwick Beach holding a photo of her daughter

Borjesson's mother, Guje Borjesson, told Sky News she was 'troubled' by Sweden's decision to shroud her daughter's death in secrecy.

She plans to appeal to Swedish authorities for the full release of all files relating to her daughter's death.

She is also pursuing the release of post-mortem photographs.

The Scottish Crown Office has so far refused to release the photographs, according to Fox News.

Borjesson's mother said there is a 'public interest' in finding out what happened to her daughter.

'We are still motivated to get Annie an inquest,' she added.
Founded in 1904, Elkem is one of the world's leading suppliers of silicon-based advanced materials with operations throughout the value chain from quartz to specialty silicones, as well as attractive market positions in specialty ferrosilicon alloys and carbon materials. Elkem is a publicly listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker code: ELK) and is headquartered in Oslo. The company has more than 6,370 employees with 29 production sites and an extensive network of sales offices worldwide. In 2019 Elkem had revenues of NOK 22.7 billion. To learn more, please visit www.elkem.com

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Workers in an Iranian morgue wear protective suits and masks as they walk among dozens of black bags containing dead bodies line up on the morgue's floor.

Footage from inside Qom's Behesht-e Masoumeh morgue in Iran was uploaded by CNN showed the dead on to floor while being sorted if who were infected by coronavirus and those who aren't.

One huge problem that Iran is currently facing after it got one of the worst coronavirus hits outside China is that, under Islamic tradition, corpses are usually washed with soap and water before burial. But due to the outbreak that has infected 3,500 Iranians and killed at least 107, precautions are placed by medical authorities preventing the observation of the Islamic tradition in burial.

Instead of soap and water, the bodies of those who died from COVID-19 or have been confirmed with coronavirus infection at the time of their deaths are being treated with calcium oxide which will prevent them from contaminating the soil once they are buried.

According to Ali Ramezani, director of the Behesht-e Masoumeh morgue, they are still testing some of the bodies for the viruses which usually takes time which in turn causes a delay in the burials and leading for the bodies to pile up in the morgue.

He further added that they are dealing with the handling of coronavirus victims and those who were not infected with the virus as the burial instructions are different. Also, he noted that some families prefer that the bodies stay in the morgue for one to two days until the results for the coronavirus tests come out.

Read also: Putin Claims Rumors About Coronavirus in Russia are Fabricated Abroad

Moreover, Ramezani said that when the results for the bodies are negative, there is no need for them to be processed under the guideline set for COVID-19 victims and that the family of the deceased can bury the body wherever they want it buried.

The backlog of bodies in the morgue follows the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the country. Since Wednesday, there have been 591 new cases according to Kianush Jahanpour, spokesman of the Iranian Health Ministry last Thursday. He also noted that people are already recovering from the virus and at least 739 have already left the hospital after making full recovery.

Furthermore, it was announced by the health ministry that all 31 provinces of Iran have been infected by the virus. Iran's capital Tehran has the highest recorded number of cases which has reached 1,523. The country also has one of the highest death tolls outside mainland China.

Earlier this week, Iran has already banned Friday prayers in all centers of all provinces for the second consecutive week in efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak. Schools and universities have been on lockdown, and the country has also canceled sporting events.

As of the moment, current data on the novel coronavirus shows that the virus has infected more than 97,000 people globally and has killed at least 3,300.

Related article: Saudi Arabia Bans Citizens From Taking Mecca Pilgrimage Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

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Ireland's gross domestic product grew by 5.5% in 2019, likely making it the EU's fastest-growing economy again, although it was lower than the 6.3% predicted by the finance department as it braces for the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

GDP, which in recent years has become an incredibly volatile way of measuring Ireland's open economy, expanded by 1.8% on a quarterly basis from October to December, data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed on Friday.

Greater Brexit clarity convinced Ireland to nudge up its GDP growth forecasts for 2019, 2020 and 2021 in January but Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said this week that Ireland's highly integrated economy will inevitably be impacted by the expected global slowdown related to coronavirus.

Donohoe said it was too early to predict the extent to which growth would be impacted but that weaker global growth will affect the country's short-term outlook. The economy is forecast to grow by 3.9% this year.

"Early indications suggest solid growth in the first quarter this year," Donohoe said in a statement on Friday, pointing to strong data on employment, tax collection, retail sales and from purchasing managers' indexes.

"Of course, we are now heading into a precarious trading environment as a result of the spread of coronavirus. While primarily a public health and well-being issue, the economic impacts have the potential to be significant."

Ireland has so far reported 13 coronavirus cases, including the first community transmission of the virus on Thursday.

The country's two largest banks, Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland, said on Friday that they would seek to support businesses affected by coronavirus, including offering emergency working capital and payment flexibility.

The volitile nature of Irish GDP is due to the large cluster of multinational companies operating in the country, and the relevance of the headline figure has, as such, diminished over the past years.

While such distortions have inflated growth to 8.2% in 2018 and 8.1% in 2017, a range of other more stable data points to very strong growth in the real economy throughout the period.

Unemployment has fallen to 4.8% from a peak of 16% in 2012, when the country was midway through an international bailout following an economic crash a decade ago.

The statistics office has phased in new measures which strip out some of the distorting globalized activities. One such measure, modified domestic demand, expanded by 3% last year. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Loading The estimated start of a trial of Moderna's vaccine is March 19, according to a government website. That would make it the first coronavirus vaccine to be studied in people. Vaccine developers have said it will take about 12 to 18 months to design and test new vaccinations. Moderna's approach is considered to be among the fastest-moving in the business. The economic impact of the virus also grew along with the number of infected people. Stocks plunged on Friday, investors rushed to the safety of government bonds, and oil prices nose-dived as financial markets were gripped by another wave of worry over the spreading virus. The S&P 500 fell for the tenth time in the past 12 sessions as the virus crippled supply chains and prompted a sharp cut to global economic growth forecasts for 2020.

Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival fell 2 per cent each after a report the Trump administration was considering ways to discourage US travellers from taking cruises. The head of the UN's food agency, the World Food Program, warned of the potential for "absolute devastation" as the outbreak's effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East. India scrambled to stave off an epidemic that could overwhelm its under-funded and under-staffed health care system, with not nearly enough labs or hospitals for its 1.3 billion people. Yet even as COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, reached new territory, it was retreating in China, where it first emerged late last year, and slowing in South Korea, another major centre.

More than half of those who contracted the virus have now recovered, and US health officials said they expect a far lower death rate than the World Health Organisation's international estimate of 3.4 per cent - a high rate that doesn't account for mild cases that go uncounted. Loading The fear and the crackdowns that swept through China are now shifting westward, as workers in Europe and the US stay home, authorities vigorously sanitise public places and consumers flock to stores for household staples. "The Western world is now following some of China's playbook," said Chris Beauchamp, a market analyst at the financial firm IG. The spectacle of a cruise ship ordered to stay at sea off the California coast over virus fears replicated ones weeks ago on the other side of the globe in which hundreds of people were infected on a ship even during a quarantine. Thailand on Friday blocked a separate cruise ship from docking, worried that it carried dozens of passengers from Italy, the centre of Europe's epidemic, which has 148 virus deaths. No one on that ship was known to be infected.

The Grand Princess cruise ship has been quarantined off the California coast. Credit:AP In the US the number of cases passed 230 people scattered across 18 states. President Donald Trump initially cancelled a trip to the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta, due to unfounded fears that someone there had contracted the coronavirus, but the visit was soon rescheduled for Friday afternoon. Trump also signed a $US8.3 billion ($12.5 billion) bill for vaccines, tests, potential treatments, and to help state and local governments. "Be calm. It [the coronavirus] will go away," Trump said. "We have very low numbers compared to major countries throughout the world. Our numbers are lower than just about anybody. "It's an unforeseen problem ... It came out of nowhere. We're taking care of it."

China reported 143 new cases on Friday, the same as a day earlier and about one-third of what the country was seeing a week ago. Just a month ago, China was reporting several thousand new cases a day. The problem has now flipped, with the outbreak moving to Europe - where Italy, Germany and France had the most cases - and beyond. South Korea reported 505 additional cases on Friday, down from a high of 851 on Tuesday. The new virus has spread to about 90 countries. The Netherlands reported its first virus death on Friday while Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Cameroon announced their first infections. Even Vatican City was hit, with the tiny city-state confirming its first case on Friday but not saying who was infected. The Vatican has insisted that 83-year-old Pope Francis, who has been sick, only has a cold. The new coronavirus is known to affect the elderly more than other groups. And in the United States, officials in Washington state are so concerned about having space to care for the sick they were expected to close a $US4 million deal on Friday to take over a roadside motel. The plan to turn the 84-room EconoLodge into a quarantine facility was not sitting well with everyone, including the police chief.

A Coast Guard helicopter delivering virus testing kits to the Grand Princess cruise ship. Credit:Michele Smith via AP To the south, cruise passengers awaited test results aboard the Grand Princess ship. The vessel, with 3500 aboard, was ordered to stay at sea after a traveller from its previous voyage died of the coronavirus and at least four others were infected. Loading The cruise line said samples were collected from 45 passengers and crew members and results were expected later on Friday. The Grand Princess is operated by the same line as the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at a Japanese port last month. More than 700 people on board were infected.
Coronavirus testing capacity in Connecticut will grow significantly in the coming days with two private labs initiating testing, a move that is likely to help identify positive cases in the state.

By Monday, two companies  LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics  will be processing coronavirus tests in their Connecticut laboratories, the companies said Thursday. The state public health lab in Rocky Hill is currently the sole testing provider in the state.

That means possibly dozens or hundreds of tests a day will be processed in Connecticut, up from a maximum of about 20.

Connecticut has one confirmed case of COVID-19. On Friday night, officials said a New York nurse working at Danbury and Norwalk hospitals has tested positive for the virus.

At Friday nights news conference in Danbury, Renee Coleman-Mitchell, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, said 42 possible cases of coronavirus have been tested at the state lab in Rocky Hill. All have come back negative. Another 11 samples are in the queue to be considered, she said.

Like most states around the country, testing has been limited in Connecticut by what critics say was a slow rollout of test kits by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February. As the epidemic spreads in the U.S. and the CDC permits more people to be tested, state officials, including Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticuts congressional delegation, have sounded the alarm that they cant keep up with growing demands for tests.

At this time, our state  home to 3.5 million people  only has sufficient diagnostic kits to test just over 500 individuals, and as the state moves to expand its capacity to test specimens beyond the state laboratory in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, to private sector laboratories and the states hospitals, it is critical that access to diagnostic testing kits becomes a reality, the states five members of Congress wrote to the CDC Friday.

The Trump administration announced Friday night more tests would be widely available soon.

Vice President Mike Pence said between Monday and Thursday, federal officials distributed over 900,000 tests across the country. On Friday, another 200,000 tests will be shipped, Pence said. By the end of next week, 4 million tests will be shipped to state and local public health authorities, he said at a White House press briefing.

President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion coronavirus emergency bill Friday that will flood federal, state and local health officials with money to pay for virus containment and mitigation efforts, medical supplies, vaccine development and more. Its unclear how much  or how soon  this funding could affect the availability of test kits.

RELATED: Whats in the $8.3 billion coronavirus bill?

Private sector testing  recently given a thumbs up from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  is now stepping in to help fill the gap.

LabCorp announced it started coronavirus testing in Connecticut at 6 p.m. on Thursday, said state epidemiologist Matthew Cartter. Quest Diagnostics said it would begin testing on Monday. Both labs require a medical providers order for the tests.

This is really necessary, said Cartter. These are high volume laboratories that can handle thousands of specimens in a day.

Within the next two weeks, acute care hospitals in Connecticut will be able to conduct the tests, the governors office said.

Lamont wrote to the director of the CDC Thursday to request more coronavirus testing kits be made available to the state. The state has received one kit with a capacity of 500 to 600 tests but Department of Public Health officials expect more soon.

The states public health laboratory in Rocky Hill has the ability to process 15 to 20 coronavirus specimens per day, Coleman-Mitchell said Thursday night. She and Cartter celebrated the news of the private sector testing on a telephone town hall with New Haven-area residents and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3.

The new testing by LapCorps and Quest will be the primary way that people who are outpatients will get a coronavirus test, Cartter said.

Testing involves getting essentially a throat swab done, Cartter said. But that will not be done at the Quest labs where you go to get your blood drawn. It can only be done at a place where there is adequate protections for getting that throat swab from somebody.

Until Thursday, coronavirus tests in Connecticut were reserved only for sick people in hospitals. We are prioritizing this testing for patients that are hospitalized with symptoms so that our acute care hospitals can care for them, Coleman-Mitchell said.

RELATED: Hospitals gear up with coronavirus triage centers

Quest and LabCorps are now able to run tests because the FDA recently changed its rules allowing companies that develop coronavirus tests to use them on patients.

Also, the CDC this week loosened its guidelines on who should receive a COVID-19 test. Now, a doctor can decide that a patient has symptoms, he or she can be tested.

While on the surface, this approach seems reasonable, the resources available to meet this new demand are simply not adequate to ensure people most at risk get tested, Lamont wrote in his letter to the CDC.

The Trump administration promised this week that 1 million coronavirus tests would be conducted by Friday night. But on Thursday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar acknowledged the real capacity would probably be about half that number by Friday night.

Azar told reporters Thursday that a private manufacturer, Iowa-based Integrated DNA Technologies, expects to ship more coronavirus kits to U.S. laboratories by week's end  an added capacity to test roughly 400,000 people.

But Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that national need for testing is far, far greater.

We're going to need millions and millions and millions of tests, he said on CNN Thursday night.

Officials have said the administration was slow to distribute tests and some of the early tests that were sent to states were faulty and provided inconclusive results.

On Tuesday, House Democrats informed the CDC in a letter they are launching an investigation into the CDCs testing efforts.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
The Jigawa State House of Assembly on Friday suspended the member representing Gumel constituency, Sani Isyaku, (APC) indefinitely for alleged thuggery.

He was specifically accused of conniving with thugs to attack the convoy of the state governor.

PREMIUM TIMES could not get the lawmaker to react as his known telephone number was not connecting as at the time the report was filed.

The speaker of the house, Idris Garba, announced the suspension during plenary on Thursday. He said the action was an unanimous decision reached by all members of the house.

The speaker said the suspended lawmaker allegedly connived with some politicians and political thugs, and distracted the convoy of the state governor Muhammad Badaru while in Hadejia local government area.

The speaker said the (alleged) action of the lawmaker violated the laws of the house and that of the state and the constitution of Nigeria.

Mr Isyaku is suspended over his said act of involvement in a misconduct which is unfortunate for him as a lawmaker.

He is to surrender all government properties attached to him and he is no more a chairman of the committee he is handling as from today, the speaker said.

The house also constituted a committee to investigate the financial expenditure of the suspended member Sani Isyaku while he was a majority leader.

Meanwhile, an opposition politician, Umar Danjani, has condemned the action.

He said the decision of the house to investigate the suspended member is a betrayal of trust and this shouldnt have come when the interest of one person is affected.

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The action of the lawmakers showed that they are rubber stamp legislators executing the bidding of the state governor, not of those that elected them, he said.

Meanwhile, during the plenary the house also confirmed the appointment of Musa Abubakar as the substantive clerk of the house following the approval from the state assembly service commission.

The house also confirmed the appointment of Ismail Ibrahim as chairman of the local government service commission.
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is challenging the Manitoba government to balance its budget this year.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is challenging the Manitoba government to balance its budget this year.

As the city prepares to unveil its own balanced preliminary 2020-2023 budget on Friday, the mayor said he believes the province should also be able to avoid any deficit.

"In light of significant additional transfers from the federal government to the provincial government, Im asking them to balance their budget this year, like we are doing for four years going forward. As a taxpayer and as someone who leads a council of the largest municipal government in Manitoba, we want to see the (province balance its) books," said Bowman.

Government of Canada finance documents show the Manitoba government will receive $4.576 billion in major federal transfers in 2020-2021, up from $4.258 billion this year.

The mayor also challenged the province to impose a debt ceiling upon itself and give Winnipeg advance notice of the citys provincial funding for 2021, 2022 and 2023, the final years of the citys multi-year budget.

The mayor said the province has provided notice of its operating support for the city in 2020.

"Regardless of what the amount is, knowing in advance will allow us to better plan and have greater certainty on our end," said Bowman.

On Tuesday, the province said it expects to end the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, with a deficit of $325 million. Manitoba is set to unveil its preliminary budget to detail the 2020/21 year on March 11.

In an interview, Manitoba Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires did not directly answer if its possible for the province to balance its budget this year, or if it would add a debt ceiling.

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"I know that the mayor  has a budget that is, in his own words, challenging, so I would recommend that the mayor focus on his task at hand," said Squires.

The minister stressed her government is making significant progress on reducing its deficit. Manitoba has promised to balance its books before the next provincial election, which is expected in 2023.

Meanwhile, Squires said a one-point provincial sales tax reduction made last July and another one-point PST cut announced Thursday will each save the city about $2.5 million per year.

"We are committed to balancing the budget  Were also committed to making life more affordable here in Manitoba (by) reducing taxes," she said.

When asked about the mayors call for more financial commitments from the province up to 2023, Squires said her government has shared plenty of financial data with the city in recent weeks.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
Growing up as a young man, I have always been a privilege to be on the frontline for 6th March. I remember vividly in 1996 when I was in primary 4 my first independence 6th March experience is still fresh in my memory. I had a white shoe and a nice 'Tea and Bread uniform. I was stood behind to the leader of my school boys parade. I hardly sleep at night, because the excitement and euphoria surrounding the opportunity to be part of a team to match were great. I wake up down and engaged in personal rehearsal.

We were taught of patriotic songs and had weeks of intensive training to commemorate the Match pass on the independence day- 6th March. It has become a yearly ritual until I completed Senior High school. It was always full of joy and enthusiasm to be part of these occasions. My elder Sister and Father of blessed memory always make it to the Bawku Community center to Watch us Match in commemoration of Ghanas independence day.

Haven studied History and Government as academic enterprise as well as reading more on Ghana and Africa related politics, my in-depth understanding of Ghanas road Map to independence; attainment and postcolonial dynamics was very sound. Ghana was often heralds in the news as the first sub- Saharan African country to attained independence. Until recently, Ghana was being adjudged the beacon of African democracy.

Sadly, the strong socio-economic foundation that has been laid by our founding President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was short-lived as a result of CIA backed coup d' etat. While others have failed to acknowledge him as afore barrier in the struggle to Ghana's independence, the majority still credit Nkkrumah significant contributed and support the view that Nkrumah is synonymous to Ghana.

As a Youngman who is in his 30s, and did not live in the era of independence, I may not have the real feel of the era. However, a cursory assessment of events and current trend suggest that; our country Ghana is in a state of backwardness. The educated elites who have struggled to attained independence have another group that took power through their hands. Moreso since the return of constitutional rule a new set of elites emerged as the political class. The 21st century political and elite class in Ghana has become self-centered and the spirit of nationalism and patriotism is lost. The elite inherits political offices and loots the national coffers. What is more grieving has been that the custodian of our culture and customs have equally become more corrupt than we can imagine? After, 63 years of so-called political independence, Ghana has still not had the bargaining power in terms of the world economic order; because serious value addition has not been added to our raw materials.

It is a shame that we have abundant vast land, water resources and the only 'good' use of these natural resources is to franchise for mining without thinking of environmental consequences. In terms of education, the elite engineers and administrators cannot even comprehend practically what has been taught in the four corners of the class. One may wonder what would have happened if the informal class were not so good in practical works.

The future of Ghana looks gloomy as the only educated get the disappropriate share of the national cake and the politicians become Tin gods and hijacked the system for their selfish gains. We cannot have a better country if young people go to school the only option is to belong to the political community. It is a day of shame to celebrate independence when our moral integrity is been control and directed by western powers. Our leaders are not strongly fighting the new evil 'gaysm' and the irony is why the white managed to convince as that polygamy is evil and gaysm is modernity and acceptable? The elite class has failed us and the future of Ghanas youth is in danger. Of what use is knowledge gain if Ghanaian elites acquire academic skills and yet the country is in the state of retrogression.

Ethnocentrism, religious sentiments, greed, selfish desires, corruption, poverty, malnutrition, insecurity and the rising cost of living has become Ghana's identity. What is there to celebrate? Are we celebrating government officials flying and touring Europe while the ordinary Ghanaian cannot even get sandals to walk on? Are we celebrating mothers dying of maternal health as we lack adequate gynecologist? Are we celebrating young girls in Wa West District that are victims of sexual exploitation and becoming teenage mothers? Are we celebrating political actors for looting and building mansion?

With rising youth unemployment, poverty and institutional bottlenecks, I think commemorating independence (freedom) that is a mirage is not worth celebrating. Ghana's independence has become an avenue for some group of the elite to cash in if not why will we continue to celebrate 'nothing' when suffering and frustration is the order of the day. Ghana might just learn some lessons from Tanzania president John Joseph Pombe Magufuli for diverting the budget allocation for independence celebrations to resource the nation's hospital with beds.

It is time for the Ghanaian youth to begin to hold the elite and political class responsible and accountable. The government must strive to ensure that the true state and meaning of independence is appreciated. We must re-instill the spirit of patriotism and nation-building and unite with a common course to free Ghana from elite capture. We can only achieve this if the Ghanaian youth arise for mother Ghana.

May Allah save mother Ghana!!!

Happy 63rd Anniversary!!!

Author; Tahiru Lukman

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0209154057 / 0551018778

Position; Youth Activist, Devt Consultant & Pan- African Writer
A resident of Uttam Nagar in west Delhi has tested positive for novel coronavirus, taking the number of infected people in the country to 31.

One more Covid-19 case in Delhi (resident of Uttam Nagar) has been confirmed, taking the total number of positive cases in the country to 31. The patient has a travel history from Thailand and Malaysia, Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), Union Health Ministry, said on Friday.

Authorities have widened the number of people under watch for the illness to close to 30,000, ramping up containment efforts that also included an order for all primary schools in the national capital to be closed for the rest of the month.

The country now has 28 active patients - three patients in Kerala recovered last month - and authorities are now looking for more people who may have been in close contact with them.

The contact-tracing operation is crucial to avert a wider community transmission. in addition to Covid-19 cases related to travel, some cases of community transmission have also been observed, it has been decided to involve district collectors and States have been asked to form rapid response teams as the district, block and village levels, the Union health ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

All confirmed patients are stable, including the three from Kerala who are now discharged and disease-free, the ministry statement added.

On Friday, the Sensex plummeted over 1,400 points in opening session led by massive selloff in global stocks as volatility peaked amid concerns over coronavirus outbreak.

Also watch: Coronavirus: 28 positive cases in India; PM Modi to skip Holi Milan events

The number of people sickened by the rapidly spreading virus was close to 97,000 on Thursday evening, with over 3,300 of these believed to have succumbed to the consequent illness. The pathogen, similar to the Sars virus that spread in 2002-2003, leads to cough, fever and, in serious cases, respiratory distress that can turn fatal.

The virus started spreading in China in late December, but is now recording an exponential spike outside of the country. Iran, South Korea and Italy are among the nations where the outbreak is now most serious.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 02:44:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WUHAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Substantial achievements have been made since the outbreak of the COVID-19 as China has stepped up efforts to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials said Friday.

Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, has renovated and built 86 designated hospitals and 16 temporary hospitals, with a total of more than 60,000 beds, said Ding Xiangyang, deputy secretary-general of the State Council, at a press conference in Wuhan.

He said no one has contracted the virus among the over 40,000 medical workers who were sent to aid Hubei from across China.

At present, the production of medical materials has been rapidly improved by resuming production and increasing capacity, said Wang Jiangping, vice minister of industry and information technology.

The daily production capacity of protective clothing has increased to 500,000 suits from the initial less than 20,000 suits, while that of regular masks has risen to 100 million units.

As of March 5, the daily supply of nucleic acid test kits had reached 341,600, and the kits in stock can fully meet the testing needs of Hubei Province and other parts of the country, Wang said.

Although the rapidly rising trend of infection has been contained in Wuhan, the city as well as the province of Hubei sill face a daunting task of epidemic prevention and control, Ding added.
Advertisement

A pair of designer trainers have sparked a wave of controversy after the shoe design was said to bear an uncanny resemblance to Adolf Hitler.

The toe and tongue of the Puma 'Storm Adrenaline' shoes, which retail for 75 in the UK or $44.99 in the US, have been likened to the slicked hairdo and moustache of the Nazi dictator.

It's a coincidence that has created a surge of interest on social media, with one user declaring the shoes are an 'eight out of 10 on the Hitler scale'.

Some even felt the shoes' name evoked that of the Nazi paramilitary wing, the Sturmabteilung, whose name translates as Storm Detachment.

The toe and tongue of the Puma 'Storm Adrenaline' shoes (left), which retail for 75, have been likened to the hairdo and moustache of the Nazi dictator (right)

It's a coincidence that has created a surge of interest on social media, with one user declaring the shoes are an 'eight out of 10 on the Hitler scale' (Pictured: A composite image of Hitler's face on the trainers)

Scroll down for more things that look like Hitler

One customer said the comparison, which was first uncovered in Russia, came as a surprise and added they have since sold on their shoes.

'That's a good one,' he said. 'I never noticed. I used the shoe twice and never realised it until now. I have gotten rid of it. I've already sold it.'

A Brazilian customer warned the comparison was 'not positive' for Puma's brand, adding they would like the company to speak out about the issue.

'In Brazil we like and we buy Puma, and as customers we would like you guys to say something,' they wrote.

Another joked the shoes may have been designed that way as a 'publicity stunt'.

'They do look somewhat similar. Publicity stunt maybe,' they said.

But others disagreed with the comparison, writing on Twitter: 'Adolf Hitler shoes? I did not see it directly. I think it's a bit far-fetched. Good I have Adidas, not Puma.'

The shoe design has also been said to resemble writer Edgar Allen Poe and Russian dramatist Nikolai Gogol.

And here are some other things that look like Hitler

This is far from the first time the image of Hitler has been uncovered in an unexpected place.

A house in Swansea, Wales went viral in 2011 after a youth worker compared the shape of the roof and placement of the windows to the Nazi leader.

The slanting roof is said to resemble the Fuhrer's slicked down, side-parted hair while the front door lintel conjures up his moustache.

A house in Swansea, Wales (left) went viral in 2011 after a youth worker compared the shape of the roof and placement of the windows to the Nazi leader (right)

Dozens of cats dubbed 'Kitlers' - who have markings reminiscent of Hitler's moustache - have also been spotted in the past

Another cat, Baz, made a full recovery after he was beaten to the brink of death because he looks like Adolf Hitler

Stuart Boyd, from Salford, looked like Adolf Hitler in his passport photograph after an unfortunate blunder with the printing

Others claim to have found Hitler's likeness in a photograph of a kettle on a JCPenney billboard in southern California

The kettle, which was featured on the billboard, had a handle reminiscent of the dictator's slicked hairstyle and moustache

A cherry tomato (right) and a gold fish with a black marking above its mouth (left) have also been compared to the Nazi leader

A stink bug with black markings on its back which resemble Adolf Hitler's face was found in Kluang, Malaysia in 2011

The house's likeness was first discovered by youth worker Charlie Dickenson, 22, whose picture of the house was shared then across the globe.

Local residents joke that you can find the property - which was converted into two flats - by 'taking the Third Reich'.

Others claim to have found Hitler's likeness on a JCPenney billboard in southern California, a cherry tomato and dozens of cats dubbed 'Kitlers' who have markings reminiscent of his moustache.

Puma has been contacted for comment.
Prosecutors told both her and Miller that they were not targets of the inquiry, Johnsen said. They both willingly participated in brief interviews with investigators" and later appeared before a grand jury to "provide information and documents relevant to the governments investigation, Johnsens statement read.
The city of San Francisco has confirmed two cases of novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday.

Both patients, who tested positive Wednesday, do not have a history of travel to a location with confirmed cases and also have no known contact with any confirmed patients.

The first patient is a man in his 90s, and he's been hospitalized and is in serious condition. The second patient is a woman in her 40s. She's been hospitalized and is in fair condition.

The San Francisco Unified School District announced Thursday that it will close Lowell High School after district officials learned that a student's relative was being treated for novel coronavirus.

District officials chose to close the school on Eucalyptus Drive "out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and well-being of our community" after learning of the student's relation to a coronavirus patient.

The student left Lowell High at lunchtime and, while not suspected of having the virus, is now in self-quarantine.

The district plans to release an update on the high school's status before Monday. Students who receive district transportation to and from school will remain on their regular schedule and will be dropped off at their regular time and schedule.

Santa Clara County on Thursday announced six new cases of the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVIC-19, and the county Public Health Department is advising that people postpone or cancel mass gatherings and large community events.

The new cases bring the county's total to 20 who have tested positive for novel coronavirus in Santa Clara County.

The rise in cases has prompted the county to issue new guidance measures that businesses are encouraged to take to minimize close contact with large numbers of people.

The county Public Health Department advises that employers should suspend nonessential employee travel, minimize large in-person meetings and conferences, consider telecommuting options for appropriate employees, and not require a doctor's note for employees that are sick since doctor's offices may be busy and unable to immediately provide documentation.

The county is recommending postponing or canceling large gatherings in general, but is not recommending closing schools unless specific facts and circumstances warrant it.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services said Thursday that a second county resident who was on the Grand Princess cruise ship from San Francisco to Mexico is presumed positive for the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

The first confirmed presumed positive case was announced Monday. Both presumed positive county residents are in isolation rooms at a local hospital, according to the Department of Health Services.

The Department of Health Services received a list of 78 Sonoma County residents who were on the Grand Princess cruise between Feb. 11-21, DHS spokesman Rohish Lal said.

Twenty-five of the 78 people took the shuttle back to Sonoma County and two of them tested positive for the virus. The Department of Health Services is contacting the shuttle passengers to make them aware of the positive cases, Lal said.

The cruise passengers' 14-day window of risk from the virus exposure will end Friday evening, and if the passengers have not exhibited symptoms by then, they will be considered not a risk from the exposure on the cruise, Lal said.

Two Bay Area schools have announced that they are closed for the rest of the week due to concerns that staff members may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

San Jose's Action Day Primary Plus announced in a letter to parents Thursday that its Moorpark campus would close until Monday out of caution after a teacher at the school tested positive for the virus.

The teacher has not been at work since Feb. 26 and continues to receive medical care, according to a spokeswoman for the school.

The Oakland Unified School District's superintendent's office also announced Wednesday that Aspire Monarch Academy will close Thursday and Friday to determine the risk factor of a teacher who may have been exposed to the virus.

The exposure has yet to be confirmed but the school "elected to take a conservative approach," according to the district.

A group of state legislators on Thursday called on Verity Health Systems to reverse its decision to close Seton Medical Center in Daly City, arguing that the closure will make it harder for nearby residents to get to a hospital.

State Sens. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and Assemblymembers Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, and Kevin Mullin, D-San Mateo, released a joint statement about the hospital's possible closure, which could come as soon as next week.

In addition to requesting that Verity Health Systems change its decision about the hospital's fate, the legislators argued the company did not follow state law that requires 90-day notice when closing an emergency room.

Both San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju and District Attorney Chesa Boudin on Thursday condemned the recent arrest of a man by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside of the Hall of Justice.

According to the Public Defender's Office, the ICE agents arrested the man on the courthouse steps at 850 Bryant St. just as he was about to enter the building for a hearing.

Because the agents didn't present a judicial warrant, Raju says the ICE agents violated state law.

On Feb. 18, ICE agents arrested two immigrants outside of Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa. The Tuesday arrest in San Francisco is the first type of immigration enforcement to happen outside of a San Francisco courthouse.

Saying that it was the right project in the wrong place, Walnut Creek City Council members in the wee hours of Wednesday rejected plans for an Amy's Drive-Thru vegetarian restaurant, more than two years after it was first proposed.

At issue specifically was the restaurant's drive-up window, and the traffic some believe it would create near the intersection of North Main Street and Second Avenue, on the city's north end. It's an area many residents say is already a traffic problem, thanks in part to another restaurant drive-through window.

The city's Planning Commission on Jan. 23 voted 4-3 to deny Amy's application for a conditional use permit for drive-up service at the planned 3,773-square-foot restaurant. Tuesday night's City Council hearing was to hear an appeal of that denial.

Dozens of residents from the neighborhood near North Main and Second told the council Tuesday night that not only would cars lining up for the drive-through further clog North Main, but that the stream of cars emptying out onto Second Street would also present a safety hazard.

Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in Crockett Thursday at the C&H Sugar factory off of Interstate Highway 80.

The fire started around 9 a.m. Thursday on a conveyor belt that runs from the ground floor to the seventh floor of the building. The Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department had the fire contained and under control just before noon.

Firefighters are still investigating the fire's cause. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

Efforts to fight the fire delayed Capitol Corridor trains between Richmond and Martinez by about 45 minutes, according to Amtrak.

The Maui Police Department on Thursday arrested a woman on suspicion of abducting her 9-year-old son, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

A public transit driver recognized Autumn Stone, 38, and the boy from alerts as they boarded a bus around 9 a.m. and called authorities, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia said.

On Feb. 20, a judge granted an emergency custody order prohibiting Stone from contact with the boy and granting the father full custody, Valencia said.

Sheriff's detectives learned on Wednesday that Stone bought two plane tickets to Maui at Oakland International Airport. The plane departed around 7 a.m. and arrived in Maui at 10:18 a.m. Detectives then obtained a warrant for Stone's arrest, Valencia said.

Information about Stone and the boy was broadcast over news and media outlets, leading to the location of Stone, Valencia said. The boy is safe and unharmed and in the custody of child welfare services.

Menlo Park entrepreneur Josh Becker and Los Altos engineer Alex Glew will compete in a November runoff election to determine state Sen. Jerry Hill's successor representing the Senate's 13th District.

Glew, the race's lone Republican, pulled in 21 percent of the primary's vote, enough to lead a crowded field of mostly Democrats in the jungle primary. Becker, a Democrat, sat just 226 votes and one-tenth of a percentage point behind Glew as of Thursday, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

A handful of other Democrats -- including Redwood City Vice Mayor Shelly Masur, former Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, Millbrae City Councilwoman Annie Oliva and Burlingame City Councilwoman Michael Brownrigg -- each garnered between 11 and 16 percent of the vote.

Becker has received endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Kamala Harris and Hill, who is unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

The district includes most of San Mateo County and a section of northern Santa Clara County. Hill has represented the district since 2012.

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.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Thursdays episode of Greys Anatomy.

Alex Karev has found his happily ever after.

During Thursdays episode of Greys Anatomy, fans finally got answers as to why Justin Chambers beloved character left Grey Sloan Memorial, his wife Jo (Camilla Luddington), and his home hes known for 16 seasons.

In four different letters to wife Jo, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), Alex explained  amid flashbacks from across the past 16 seasons  the reason for his sudden departure: Hes moved to Kansas to be with his ex-wife, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), and their 5-year-old twins.

First in his letter to Meredith, Alex thanked his person for everything shes done for him and revealed why he decided not to return home.

Mer, this is not the way I wanted to do this, but you know me, Karev said in the letter. Any chance to take the easy way out. You know as well as I do, youd yell or give me guilt or crap or whatever you do that seems to always set me straight. You were always the one to set me straight. When that didnt work youd flop in my bed and say the one perfect thing that would make sense. The thing is, I cant come back. I cant face you. I deserve the guilt and to be called an ass. I dont want to be set straight. I dont want you to say the right thing. Because the one perfect thing isnt in Seattle. Not anymore. I swear its not about you or work or Jo, its about me. I left and Im with Izzie.

Alex then explained that he had called Izzie during Merediths insurance fraud trial to not only get a letter in support of Grey but to hear her voice.

Scott Garfield/Walt Disney Television via Getty

She said, Yeah I have kids. Twins. It turns out theyre my kids, Mer. Izzie and my kids.

Izzie battled Stage 4 metastatic melanoma in season 5. During her chemotherapy, she and Alex made embryos and got married. However, after her tumor was successfully removed in season 6, Izzie left Seattle while Karev stayed behind.

Story continues

Karev went on to explain that Izzie had used the embryos they created.

Theres even more in his letter to Jo.

You deserve more than a letter, said Karev. This right here, this cowardness, its officially the worst thing Ive ever done. Its about me, its not about you. You deserve so much better than this. I love you, Jo. I love that you are brilliant and brave and no matter what you go through you never let it hold you back. It makes you stronger, kinder. You made me kinder. You love me for exactly for who I was and I loved you. I love you. Maybe its not fair to say that but its true. But this is also true. Im in love with Izzie.

Eric McCandless/Walt Disney Television via Getty

He added, I imagined this whole life for her where she was happy and had a bunch of kids. I never imagined me in that picture but suddenly I am  There was a part of me that always wondered, always wanted to know, always felt like we left thing unresolved  I reached out to her and we started talking and it scared the crap out of me.

Shes here in Kansas on a farm in this incredible place in the middle of nowhere, he said. Izzie had my kids and I know you get what that really means. You of all people know why I cant just leave now. I have a chance to make this family whole. I need to give these kids the family you and I never had.

I wish getting everything I always wanted didnt have to hurt you in the process, he said. But I cant lie to you and I cant come home. Im not coming home, Jo. I cant face you. I cant look you in the eye because I wouldnt be able to walk away  Thank you for taking care of me when I needed it.

Alex, then, told Jo he had signed divorce papers and left her his share in Grey Sloan Memorial.

You deserve everything good in this life, he told Jo. I hope you find somebody so much better than me. Thank you Im sorry.

And Bailey was just as shocked as everyone else.

You were mean and impatient and knew everything and liked everyone else but me, even when you pretended you didnt, Karev said in his letter to Bailey. Or you were convinced they had it, that something that would make them great some day. Hell, you named your kid after OMalley and Mer named her kid after you and you, you just seemed like all my other teachers before you who took one look at me, decided I was garbage and that was all Id ever be. But heres the thing, unlike everyone else, you let me grow the hell up. You gave me crap when I deserved it. you pushed my buttons and my limits when I needed it. Yeah its a teaching hospital and all that. But you did more than that. And you know it.

ABC/Getty Greys Anatomy

He added, And sure itd be pretty great if I just stayed there forever and repaid you for everything you did for me, but you and I both know I cant. I never could. You helped me grow the hell up and you took a bullet out of my stomach. You protected Jo from herself and if I started the whole list of everything I learned from you, I would never stop writing. Just know this, it took me a long time to say it, but Im a good Peds surgeon. Im an OK guy. Im still trying. But Im a really good damn surgeon  I know who I am. I became the guy you trusted at the hospital to keep your secrets and now, Im a surgeon. A friend. A father of two incredible kids with Izzie Stevens  I love you Dr. Bailey.

In a statement to PEOPLE, showrunner Krista Vernoff said it was nearly impossible to say goodbye to Karev.

It is nearly impossible to say goodbye to Alex Karev, said Vernoff. That is as true for me and for all of the writers at Greys Anatomy as it is for the fans. We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers nuanced portrayal of him. For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev. We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends. We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world.

Kelsey McNeal/ABC Dr. Alex Karev

Last month, ABC confirmed to PEOPLE that Chambers, 49, was not returning to the franchise.

Theres no good time to say goodbye to a show and character thats defined so much of my life for the past 15 years, Chambers said in a statement to PEOPLE. For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time.

He added, As I move on from Greys Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family, Shonda Rimes, original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride.

RELATED: How Greys Addressed Dr. Alex Karevs Absence in Midseason Premiere After Justin Chambers Exit

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Justin Chambers

While the actor told Page Six hes taking it one day at a time, he has an idea of his next career move.

Producing documentaries, thats what Im most interested in right now, Chambers told the outlet. Greys has been very supportive of me and Im very grateful and its been a great ride.

Greys Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
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On February 27, 2020, I attended a White House Roundtable discussion that included other black influencers and leaders. The meeting concluded in prayer, which I was honored to lead.

Following this rare opportunity came the black leftists ad hominem attacks to bully or dictate black thought in America and dampen support for the president. This is a hard task on both scores and they now know it. This president has demonstrably changed the lives of all Americans with record low unemployment created by 6.7 million new jobs so far. President Trump resuscitated our HBCUs by approving multi-year funding of $250 million per year. Prior presidents made our black college presidents grovel for funding each year. Under the First Step Acts prison reform, more than 3,000 prisoners were released; 91% were black. The act reduces recidivism and gives judges more discretion in mandatory minimum sentencing, among other things.

President Trump also established Opportunity Zones designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities throughout the country. Black communities are being revitalized. He deserves our thanks and our prayers.

Our prayers seemed to have an effect on black leftists who, with the sycophantic media, used a photo of the faithful attendees praying for President Trump along with such words and phrases as White House negroes (Chris Redd), Uncle Toms (Keith Boykin), Massa, We Gonna Pray Fo You Massa (Spike Lee), and unqualified (Leo Terrell). These attacks will no longer go unanswered. This racist and bigoted ridicule has no place in the mainstream media. Moreover, this episode is a direct attack on Christians who would dare pray for the president. Why else would the media pair the photo of the faithful in prayer with such terms as White House Negro? Are there no decency standards anymore?

Seventy-nine percent of blacks in America are Christians. Black Christians understand the importance of prayer. The Bible exhorts [that] supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be madefor all who are in authority. (1 Tim. 2:1-4). Prayer is a key element in black life.

SNLs Chris Redd in his attempt at humor said, Look at these White House negroes. Who are you all praying to? The ghost of blackface past?" This is a mockery and attacks all Christians.

Praying for the president is an honor and a biblical model that demands respect. Prayer must remain a safe zone for people of all faiths and these black leftists dont get to determine who gets prayer. God did so already.

In their most recent ad hominem attacks, they emphasize our color over our Christian faith. Somehow, if you are a black conservative, you lose your Black Card and become a target of the Black Gestapo. In doing so, they attempt to rob us all of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s dream where we should be judged by the content of our character and not by the color of our skin.

Here is a little secret: I cannot be bullied by the Black Gestapo. Rather, I pity them. These black leftists embrace the racist values of the Democrat Party that promote the murder of black babies in the womb (20 million since 1973), support generational welfare, are glad to keep fathers out of the home while 73 percent of our little boys and girls are raised by single mothers, destroy biblical marriage with homosexual marriage, and plot to destroy the next generation by teaching gender fluidity to our children in Kindergarten. These are all existential threats to humanity gladly carried forward by black leftists like a cancer. Black conservatives want no part of that ungodly agenda and stand against it along with hundreds of millions of Christians in the U.S.

Black leftists are failing at keeping blacks tethered to the Jim Crow-like Democratic Party Play Book and we are fleeing the plantation daily, growing freer by the day.

Each person praying for the president in this memorable moment possesses the inherent right to freely express their Christian faith. No mad black leftist can scare that away. And so, in the words of the inimitable Bernie Mac, I aint afraid of you
THUMB REGION -- The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released a public safety advisory to all licensed federal firearm dealers in the state of Michigan on Tuesday notifying them of a new mandate.

Regardless of whether or not a person holds a concealed pistol license, they will be subject to undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System, just as the same as anyone else during their next firearms purchase.

This action rescinds policy in an open letter sent out by the ATF on March 24, 2006 to all Michigan Federal Firearms License holders, stating that firearm purchasers in possession of a CPL issued on or after Nov. 22, 2005 could be exempt from undergoing background checks.

"The state of Michigan was issuing CPLs to people with (domestic violence) and habitual marijuana offenders," Randy's Hunting Center employee Mike Brown said. "It takes two minutes to run a background check. It doesn't affect us too badly."

The new advisory states that Michigan CPLs were being issued to applicants who were actually prohibited, due to misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence and habitual marijuana offenses.

Local CPL holder and instructor Brandon Wilson expressed concern over gun rights pertaining to new ATF rules.

"The majority percentage of law abiding (citizens) are the ones that lose here," Wilson said. "CPL holders have already been through extensive background checks. Local governments should be fined and sued by victims. Another step in infringing on the Second Amendment."

According to ATF Public Information Officer Ronnie Daul, the government agency worked with the Michigan State Police and the Michigan's Attorney General's Office to address growing concerns, following an FBI NICS audit. It revealed non-compliance with the background check requirement in 2017. Another NICS audit conducted in May and June of 2019 found that the state police had failed to determine if CPL applicants were prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms. Further, the ATF was notified that CPLs were issued to applicants who were likely prohibited due to misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and that CPLs were and habitual marijuana users.

The new mandate requiring FFL holders to conduct NICS checks on all purchasers is the ATF's response.

The public advisory issued by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can be found at www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/public-advisory-all-michigan-ffls-03-03-20/download.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  A man allegedly part of a group trying to pass fake checks in the Midwest was caught in Lafayette. Prosecutors filed charges Wednesday.

On Feb. 26, police were called to the Regions Bank on South Creasy Lane after a teller said they caught a man trying to pass a fraudulent check. The teller showed the officer a $5,990 check from the Cypress Family Medical Center in Florida, an Ohio driver's licence and credit card, all made out to Ricardo Plumas.

Police spoke with the man who said he was Plumas. Court documents said he later admitted the items were fake and identified himself as Jose Antonio Asia, 50 of Tampa Bay, Florida.

A few miles away, another teller at the Regions Bank on Union Street reported the same man cashed a check there. Prosecutors said the $4,980 check from the Cypress Family Medical Center passed. Staff at a third Regions Bank, located on South Street, told police fraudulent checks written from the same account were presented by other people at different branches.

Asia told police he was given the false ID and checks by someone who "had a way for Asia to make money." Asia claimed he left Florida and had been traveling with a group, cashing the checks at several banks in Indiana and Kentucky. Asia said the people would drop him off near the banks and he would try to cash the checks, according to court documents. He said he was paid by the people if he was successful and only knew them based off their nicknames.

Asia admitted to going to three Regions banks in Lafayette on Feb. 26. Court documents said he was unsuccessful at the first, successful at the second and caught by police at the third.

The owners of Cypress Family Medical Center in Florida were called by police and said none of the checks were authorized. They also said the phone number on the checks was wrong.

Prosecutors said Asia was also wanted on a warrant for burglary in Illinois. He was also arrested in California in 2019 for burglary and fraudulent check offenses, according to court documents.

Asia is facing eight charges including conspiracy to commit fraud on a financial institution, fraud on a financial institution, two counts of forgery, theft, attempted theft, counterfeiting, and false government identification.

As of Friday morning, he was listed in the Tippecanoe County Jail.
On March 5, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a month-long moratorium on YES Bank. It has restricted the withdrawals that customers can make from their YES Bank accounts to Rs 50,000 until April 3, 2020.

This moratorium means that a customer can withdraw a maximum of Rs 50,000 in this period from his/her savings or current or any other deposit accounts. If you have more than one deposit account with YES Bank, then the moratorium will apply cumulatively on all your accounts. Theres a small relief in cases of emergencies. The RBI has said that you could withdraw a higher amount of up to Rs 5 lakh for medical emergencies, payment towards higher education or for marriage.

The moratorium comes in the wake of deteriorating financials of the bank. Till the RBI figures out a restructuring plan (the State Bank of India said in an exchange filing on March 5 that its board is exploring an investment in the Bank), depositors of the bank will face some difficulties in accessing their funds. The RBI, however, has reassured the depositors that a solution will soon be worked out and that there is no reason to panic.

So, what do you do if you have an account with Yes Bank? Or, have equated monthly installments (EMI), SIP investments, insurance premiums or utility bills to pay, the funds for which must go out of your Yes bank account? Or, if you receive your salary, redemption or dividend proceeds in the same account? Read on to get a clearer picture.

Inform your lender, employer and fund house

If you are repaying a loan to some other bank or non-banking finance company (NBFC), immediately inform your lender about the development. Your EMIs wont stop even in such cases. But, typically, your lender can give you some leeway in terms of extending your deadlines for a couple of months. If you are hard-pressed for funds, or in case a chunk of your savings lie in Yes Bank, you may have to withdraw from your investments to tide over the crisis temporarily. Harshvardhan Roongta, Principal Financial Planner at Roongta Securities says, During the moratorium period your YES Bank account will not be debited. So, immediately register fresh ECS mandates with a different bank account for such payments to be cleared. Have a chat with your lender.

In case you have a loan repayment to be made to YES Bank itself  from your salary account with Yes Bank  then the bank will debit your bank account first towards the EMI liabilities. The remaining amount will then be available to you for withdrawals, subject to the overall cap imposed. However, if the amount in your YES Bank account is insufficient, then you are liable to pay the balance to the bank.

If you have linked your Yes Bank accounts to pay for your systematic investment plans (SIPs) in MFs, or to receive redemption or dividend proceeds from mutual funds, then may be in a fix. But help is at hand. Many fund houses have come forward on social media and said that they will help customers to change their bank mandates speedily to ensure investors flow of money is not much disturbed. Radhika Gupta, chief executive officer of Edelweiss Asset Management and Nilesh Shah, managing director of Kotak Mahindra AMC gave out email addresses on twitter last night for investors to get in touch with, in case they have accounts with Yes Bank. Expect other fund houses too to offer similar measures. But you need to get in touch with them soon, especially if you had initiated a redemption request in the last 72 hours.

Zerodha, one of Indias largest brokerages, has also assured its customers that it will not deposit redemption requests into customers Yes Bank accounts even if they had been initiated recently. This is a good and proactive step that such fund houses and brokerages have taken and comes as a relief. But investors must get in touch with their fund houses and brokerages soon to get their other bank accounts registered.

Meanwhile, the registrar and transfer agents (RTAs) of mutual fund houses will screen the database of investors for YES Bank account holders and pay-out wont be released for them till customers link a fresh account or the Central Government lifts its restrictions.

Asset management companies (AMCs) will request investors having YES Bank accounts to link any other bank to credit the redemption amount and to continue investments in mutual fund schemes, says Roongta.

Being the last month of the financial year, several investors might be planning to invest for tax-saving purposes. Roongta says, If you have been investing in Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) for more than three years, then redeem from existing ELSS schemes and re-invest the amount in ELSS to claim tax benefit for this financial year. This redemption and re-investment should be done only after updating other bank account details with RTAs and mutual fund houses.

Inform your employer and get your salary account changed to another bank to ensure you get your salary on time. Talk to your employer if your salary account is with Yes Bank.

Will my deposit be insured?

The deposits with all banks are guaranteed under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) to the tune of Rs 5 lakh, including interest, if your bank fails.. However, this insurance kicks in only if your bank fails. This is not the case with Yes Bank, as the RBI has superseded the banks board and has initiated a restructuring plan. Kalpesh Ashar, founder, Full Circle Financial Planners and Advisors says, These measures by the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India are precautionary actions to safeguard customers savings with the bank.

Dont panic

Just because the Central Government has imposed restrictions on withdrawals from YES Bank, there is no need to panic. The moratorium has been imposed for a month and theres enough indication that a solution will be worked out in the interim. The Central Government and RBI wont let the bank go into bankruptcy. They are planning to merge with another bank, says Ashar.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 17:07:51|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) said on Friday that some U.S. politicians' comments on the HKSAR government's legal action against Jimmy Lai and several others are attempting to sow trouble in Hong Kong.

In a recent statement, some lawmakers of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs accused the HKSAR government's legal action against Jimmy Lai, widely known as one of the "black hands" behind Hong Kong's months-long unrest, and others who had tried to mess up Hong Kong, of being "politically motivated."

The spokesperson of the commissioner's office on Friday condemned and firmly opposed the accusation, saying that it is exactly these politicians' absurd comments that are politically motivated, which have distorted the truth in an attempt to sow trouble in Hong Kong and China at large.

The spokesperson pointed out that no one is above the law in Hong Kong, an SAR governed by the rule of law. There is solid evidence that Jimmy Lai and the others have long been engaged in anti-China activities and attempted to mess up Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong police took the legal action against them in strict accordance to the law.

But some U.S. politicians have tried to shift the blame, painting the suspects as "Hong Kongers who are exercising their rights to free assembly and free speech" while accusing the police of "the politically motivated use of Hong Kong's legal system," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the U.S. side has also threatened with the so-called "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019," which has only further revealed their disregard for the rule of law and endorsement of the wrongdoers.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China, and its affairs are completely China's internal affairs. The political motivated attempts of some U.S. politicians to mess up Hong Kong and China as a whole are doomed to fail.
The delay to the release of the latest James Bond film has knocked Cineworld and Aston Martin.

The 25th film in the 007 franchise was to be released on April 2 in the UK  but this has been pushed back to November 12 over coronavirus fears.

Cineworld shares fell as Peel Hunt analysts said the delay would pile more pressure on the chain, which is expecting fewer customers during the outbreak.

Aston Martin was banking on some respite this year after a torrid period of trading  it suffered annual losses of over 100m last year

They cut the rating on Cineworld stock from 'buy' to 'hold'.

Michael Hewson, analyst at CMC Markets, said: 'This could be the company's Achilles heel this year.

'If your punters stay in and watch Netflix because of lingering contagion concerns, you have a problem.'

The delay also dealt another blow to struggling luxury car maker Aston Martin which has four cars appearing in No Time to Die and was hoping for a boost in sales on the back of it.

Aston was banking on some respite this year after a torrid period of trading  it suffered annual losses of over 100million last year.

Cineworld shares dived 13 per cent, or 18.2p, to 121.5p, while Aston was flat at 297.5p.
The EU-Turkey pact that has since 2016 limited migration to Europe is "dead", the Greek PM has said, accusing Ankara of "assisting" an ongoing surge of thousands of migrants on the border.

"Right now, let's be honest, the agreement is dead," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told CNN on Friday.

"And it's dead because Turkey has decided to completely violate the agreement, because of what happened in Syria," he added.

Thousands of migrants have gathered at the border since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that his country would no longer stop them from trying to leave.

The announcement came after dozens of Turkish troops were killed in an air strike in Syria.

Since then, Greek forces say they have prevented nearly 39,000 people from crossing the border. Turkey claims the real number is more than three times higher.

Turkey agreed in 2016 to stop letting migrants leave in exchange for six billion euros -- but Ankara says other parts of the EU deal including improved visa and trade rules were never fulfilled.

Mitsotakis said Turkey was doing "the exact opposite" of its obligation to hold back asylum-seekers.

"They have systematically assisted, both at land and at sea, people in their effort to cross into Greece," he said.

Mitsotakis acknowledged that Turkey was hosting nearly four million refugees from Syria but insisted that "Europe is not going to be blackmailed over this problem by Turkey."



"We are not the ones escalating this conflict... we have every right... to protect our sovereign borders," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In 2019, in response to a single criminal act, faced with intense media pressure, resulting in political pressure, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (BATFE) moved to ban bump stocks. They did so, claiming bump stocks were machine guns, contrary to numerous findings they had made over the last several decades.

The new regulation was challenged in the courts. The first case to be appealed to the Supreme Court was filed in the District of Columbia. On 2 March, 2020, the Supreme Court denied a writ of certiorari, the legal term to say they declined to hear the case. The Supreme Court declines to hear most cases. Very often, justices do not comment when writs of certiorari are denied.

The doctrine the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia used to uphold the regulation is called the Chevron doctrine. It essentially says bureaucracies may interpret vague laws to make specific regulations.

Justice Gorsuch, the first justice appointed by President Trump, felt compelled to write a brief statement explaining why the Supreme Court did not grant certiorari. Here is his statement in its entirety. From supremecourt.gov: .....
Bhopal March 7 : Chief Minister Kamal Nath cancelled all his outstation engagements on Friday to focus on troubleshooting as his government and party weathered the crisis caused by the poaching drama played out over the past three days.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has met Kamal Nath to take stock of the situation. Party sources said the two leaders sought to evolve a strategy to deal with the resentment among party legislators.

Senior Congress leader Jyotiradtya Scindia has been indifferent to the happenings for some time now. However, he issued a statement saying the party would deal with the situation without any problem.

Kamal Nath summoned all the MLAs to Bhopal and instructed them not to leave the capital till further notice. A cabinet meeting was also held at the Chief Minister's residence. BSP MLA Rambai was also present in the meeting.

Insiders said the possible expansion of the ministry was also discussed. Rambai, who has been suspended by her party, could be included in the ministry, sources said.

Kamal Nath said the Congress and its workers believe in politics of principles and service. Its leaders are not for sale, he said.

The BJP has also responded to the situation by holding a meeting in Delhi at the residence of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday evening. Some BJP leaders dubbed it as a revival of the Operation Lotus that was all but abandoned as a failure. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Narottam Mishra, Prahlad Patel, Dharmendra Pradhan and Gopal Bhargava attended the meeting.

In another development, BJP MLA from Vijayaraghavgarh Sanjay Pathak who was spotted emerging from the Chief Minister's residence on Thursday around midnight. "I may be assassinated politically. I am in BJP and will remain there," said Pathak, who was in Congress earlier.

Of the four MLAs missing since Wednesday, three belonging to the Congress are expected to reach Bhopal by Saturday morning.

Here is a recap of the three-day drama that kept the state in the national focus over alleged horse trading attempts by the BJP leaders.

March 3: Digvijaya Singh tweets to accuse BJP of horse trading and said that 10 Congress MLAs were taken to Delhi. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh reached Delhi in the evening. The Congress claimed late in the night that the BJP held six Congress, two BSP and an independent MLA hostage at the ITC Maratha Hotel in Gurgaon. Ministers Jeetu Patwari and Jayawardhan Singh were sent to Delhi from Bhopal.

March 4: Rajesh Shukla (Bablu) of SP, Sanjeev Singh Kushwaha of BSP, Aindal Singh Kansana of Congress, Ranveer Jatav, Kamlesh Jatav and Ram Bai (expelled from BSP) reached Bhopal. Bisahulal , Hardeep Singh Dung, Raghuraj Kansana and Independent Surendra Singh Shera remained missing and were subsequently traced in Bengaluru.

March 5: Congress MLA Hardeep Singh Dung sends his resignation to the Speaker. The son of another missing Congress MLA, Bisahulal Singh, lodged a report of his disappearance at TT Nagar police station in Bhopal. The Congress denied having received the resignation. It was later described as a statement listing his grievances.

March 6: Kamal Nath presides over a cabinet meeting, summons all MLAs to Bhopal. Meeting of BJP leaders continues at Tomar's house in Delhi.

Rambai from Patharia seat of Damoh has long expressed his desire for the post of minister from public forums.

Surendra Singh Shera, who was missing for three days, spoke to Kamal Nath on Friday. CM's media officer Syed Zafar confirmed it. He said Shera would arrive on Saturday while Shera said he went to Bangalore for daughter's treatment.

Another independent MLA, Pradeep Jaiswal, said, "I have a 20-year relationship with Chief Minister Kamal Nath. I will stand by him at every difficult moment." How they stack up:

A look at Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Total Seats: 230

Current strength: 228

Number of House except Assembly Speaker: 227 (Two seats vacant due to the demise of BJP and Congress MLAs)

Majority figure: 114

Congress will become dependent on allies if Dung's resignation is accepted.

Party position Congress 112

BJP 107

BSP 02 *

SP 01

Independents 04

* BSP MLA Rambai suspended from party
Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Shani Cooper has presented a stone imported from Jerusalem to President Akufo-Addo for the laying of the foundation of the National Cathedral.

The stone was presented to President Akufo-Addo at the sod-cutting ceremony of the Ghana National Cathedral on Thursday, 5 March 2020.

Work on the construction of the National Cathedral is expected to begin on Ghanas Independence Day.

According to Ambassador Cooper, Christians consider Jerusalem as the most sacred land in the world, hence the stone also symbolises the land allocated for the construction of the National Cathedrals sacredness.

She also indicated that ties between Ghana and Israel will be strengthened with the involvement of Israel in the construction of the National Cathedral.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo, has said the proposed National Cathedral which is to be built in the heart of the city of Accra will be one of the iconic structures on the African continent.

Addressing attendees of the ceremony at the construction site of the Cathedral to lay the foundation stone for the commencement of construction works, President Akufo-Addo said he is determined to lead the efforts aimed at ensuring the completion of the project in fulfillment of his pledge to God to build same should he win the 2016 general elections.

"As I indicated on 6th March 2017, upon completion, the National Cathedral is certainly going to be one of the iconic structures of the African Continent" President Akufo-Addo noted.

---classfmonline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released two coronavirus patients from a San Antonio hospital, less than a week after it discharged a patient who still had the virus in her system.

One of patients was released Thursday night, the other on Friday morning, said Carol Williams, a CDC spokeswoman. Due to patient confidentiality, Williams said she could not specify whether the patients were evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or were among those brought from Wuhan, China.

Nor could she disclose details about one other person who she said was released Thursday evening from extended quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

All three people went to San Antonio International Airport, she said.

After the quarantines of 127 Diamond Princess evacuees were lifted Tuesday, seven people had remained in a hotel on the base for further isolation, due to their close contact with a person later confirmed to have the new virus.

On ExpressNews.com: Diamond Princess evacuees finally head home, despite local officials efforts to extend their coronavirus quarantine

On Feb. 29, the CDC released an evacuee from Wuhan who had appeared recovered from the virus and met existing criteria for release, including two negative tests. After she left the hospital, a third test came back showing weakly positive results for the virus.

During the 12 hours the woman was out of the hospital, she checked into a Holiday Inn Express and visited North Park Mall before she was taken back early Sunday to the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, which is treating coronavirus patients in isolation rooms.

Local officials expressed concern and frustration over the situation, and even attempted to extend the quarantine of the Diamond Princess evacuees.

The CDC has since adjusted its criteria for releasing people who had been infected with the virus. Now, the agencys guidelines for medically clearing such patients is the resolution of fever and other symptoms, along with consecutive negative test results from paired swabs of the nose and throat, collected at least 24 hours apart.

The two patients who left the hospital Thursday and Friday were discharged in accordance with CDC interim guidance regarding disposition of hospitalized patients, in close coordination with state and local health departments, Williams said in a statement.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio, Bexar County in battle with the CDC over evacuees

There have been reports of other seemingly recovered coronavirus patients alternating between positive and negative tests for the virus. It is not yet clear whether those patients are still contagious, but San Antonio health officials are monitoring some local residents who had close contact with the Wuhan evacuee for signs of the virus.

Eleven people remain hospitalized with the virus, COVID-19, in San Antonio. All were either evacuated from the Diamond Princess or from Wuhan.

San Antonio officials have not yet identified any cases of coronavirus in the community.

Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan received US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy, the ministry told Armenpress.

During the meeting Minister Badasyan thanked the Ambassador for the US support to Armenias reforms and stated that everything will be done as a result of close cooperation to deepen the mutual partnership.

The Minister once again reaffirmed that the fight against corruption is one of the priorities of the Armenian government and in this context attached importance to the necessity of close cooperation between the Armenian and US law enforcement agencies.

The US Ambassador thanked for the meeting and touched upon the US governments support to Armenia in implementing the ambitious agenda of police reforms, forming anti-corruption institutions, as well as fighting against human trafficking.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
The U.S. Department of Education has reversed course and decided not to change how it distributes money to rural schools , following concerns publicized by several U.S. senators that hundreds of schools could lose out as a result of the change.

As we reported in mid-February, the Rural Education Achievement Program is at the center of the story . Previously, the Education Department had based its funding for this program on the share of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals. This year, the department instead decided to rely on U.S. Census Bureau data for families in poverty as the basis for REAP funding. But that switch ran counter to what some advocates wanted, and the change prompted a Feb. 14 letter to the department from Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, telling the department that more than 100 schools in her state would lose out on $1.2 million.

A department spokeswoman said in response to that letter that it was reviewing Collins concerns

Collins and 20 other senators then increased the pressure on the Education Department in a March 4 letter, in which Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed strong opposition to the REAP funding switch . In the letter, they complained about the decision as well as the agencys decision not to notify Congress and schools about its decision to use a new methodology.

That same day, according to a statement from Collins and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., the department announced it would no longer use the census-based methodology for distributing REAP funding.

We are pleased that the Department listened to the bipartisan opposition to this misguided change, Collins and Hassan said in their statement. Had it not, more than 800 rural, low-income schools could have lost crucial funding and been forced to forgo essential activities and services, such as technology upgrades and expanded class offerings for reading, physical education, art, music, and distance learning.

Image: SharonWills/Getty

Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa .
[March 06, 2020] Kobiton Closes Debt Financing Round with Silicon Valley Bank Amidst Continued Strong Growth

ATLANTA, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kobiton today announced its new relationship and debt facility with Silicon Valley Bank. The new relationship provides additional access to growth capital further fueling Kobiton's already significant growth. Since launch, Kobiton has experienced exponential year-over-year growth in its first two years with equally aggressive growth goals for 2020. The recent addition of several large enterprise customers, including one of the largest Telecom companies in North America and one of the leading ride-sharing companies globally, further fuels the momentum while proving the demand. Kobiton's mobile app testing platform improves the quality and speed to market of mobile apps, resulting in better user experiences and improved app store ratings, by offering manual and automated testing on real devices, in the cloud or on-premise. "Over 55,000 users experiencing the Kobiton platform, and a resulting 450% increase in our monthly recurring revenue since January of 2019 proves a widespread demand for organizations to differentiate themselves on the mobile experience," said Kobiton CEO Kevin Lee. "The continued trust being placed in the Kobiton platform by leading mobile-first enterprises provs the robustness and scalability of Kobiton."



Kobiton is also tackling one of the most pressing challenges companies are facing in mobile testing today - the ability to perform mobile test automation at scale. Kobiton is transforming mobile test automation by leveraging its vast experience in real-device testing and adding AI-powered scriptless test automation technology to its platform. "Companies are under increasing pressure to release faster with better test coverage, so adopting automation testing is imperative," said Lee. "However, test automation on mobile devices is significantly more challenging than web test automation, and companies are struggling to adopt mobile automation at scale. Kobiton's Intelligent Test Automation capability, offered as part of the Kobiton platform, is the industry's first platform that brings truly scriptless test automation to mobile devices."

In a recent industry survey conducted by Kobiton, almost 40% of companies surveyed indicated that they perform app updates on a weekly basis, and over 75% stated that it takes between 5-24 hours to code a single test case, underscoring the need to find more efficient and effective ways of embracing mobile test automation. About Kobiton Kobiton is a powerful mobile device cloud that allows companies to manage the devices they own and access real public cloud devices for efficient, comprehensive test coverage. Simple to use, easy to access from anywhere, and highly flexible, Kobiton minimizes costs while increasing productivity, so businesses can get apps to market sooner. The mobile device cloud platform offers centralized testing history and insights to improve collaboration across teams; access to the most in-demand mobile devices to supplement existing inventory; significant cost savings; and easy integration with preferred IDEs and development tools. Media Contact:

Drew Williams

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

404-268-1473

kobiton.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kobiton-closes-debt-financing-round-with-silicon-valley-bank-amidst-continued-strong-growth-301016452.html SOURCE Kobiton

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Trump administration over their mixed messages regarding coronvirus testing.

In a press conference on Friday, Cuomo cited the contradictory statements issued by the federal health agency and Vice President Mike Pence.

'I don't understand CDC's instructions, they say anyone can get tested if they want...but Pence says we don't have enough tests,' Cuomo told reporters.

'How can you bring in more people into the pipeline than you can address at the end of the pipeline?' he said.

'That is not only bad government and poor planning, it will increase the fear.'

It comes just hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, a top official at the NIH, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted the CDC and Trump administration for sending mixed messages about coronavirus testing in press conference on Friday (pictured)

The CDC says one can get test but the US has admitted it doesn't have the testing capacity. Cuomo said this will incite fear among the general public because people will not understand why they can't get tested. Pictured: Cuomo (right) speaks at a press conference on Friday alongside Dr Howard Zucker(keft), Commissioner of Health for New York State

Cuomo argued that people will be fearful because they won't understand why doctors don't have the capacity to test them.

'Their position is absurd and nonsensical,' the governor said.

'I think the anxiety and the fear is a bigger problem than the virus.'

Cuomo also lamented that CDC and FDA were slow in approving New York's use of private labs as well as giving New York State's Wadsworth Lab And NYC's Public-Health Lab permission to test for the virus.

His comments came hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the goal in the next few weeks to have more than a million tests ready but that he couldn't guarantee it.

It echoed comments made by Vice President Mike Pence at a press conference on Thursday admitted that there is a shortage of test kits, which currently cannot meet demand.

'I can't guarantee that, that's an issue that would have to go through the FDA and the companies to see if that's available,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'So I cannot promise it but that's what the goal is - within the next couple of weeks - to get the million plus [out].'

Dr Anthony Fauci (pictured), a top official at the National Institutes of Health, says he's not happy about the shortage of coronavirus testing kits

He told TODAY show hosts that he can't promise that one million kits will be available soon. Pictured: Dr Fauci speaks with Craig Melvin (left) and Kristin Welker (center)

Delays with testing after the CDC sent out a first batch of faulty kits and had narrow criteria regarding who can be tested. Pictured: CDC laboratory kits for coronavirus

In the US, there are more than 270 cases and 14 deaths, all but one in Washington state

A North Carolina company claims it's created a 15-minute test for the virus, but the CDC and FDA have not approved it

Medical professionals blast the CDC for not testing them for coronavirus after working with sick patients

A California man said his aunt was told she could visit shops in her community after his uncle tested positive for the virus

The CDC has been taking so long to test because there is a three-step process

It has also come under fire for not approving outside test kits quickly enough

Trump is set to visit CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Friday after initially canceling the trip

Passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship are waiting for their test results after they were dropped off by helicopter on Thursday

In the US, there are more than 270 cases and 15 deaths, all but one in Washington

It is believed one of the chemicals used in the test did not work properly, resulting in the test needing to be remanufactured.

Another issue was that the CDC initially set narrow criteria on who could be tested.

At first, only those with a travel history to China - where the outbreak emerged - or those who had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient were tested.

That changed after the first patient of 'unknown diagnosis' was confirmed in California, believed to be of so-called community spread.

'There were certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting tests out, some technical issues that slowed down the process,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

Worldwide, there are more than 101,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,400 people have died

'The Vice President was absolutely correct. There has been a delay and we didn't have enough right now but, hopefully, in the near future hopefully we will.'

The CDC and other health officials have come under fire for how slowly Americans are being tested.

'I'm not happy about the lack of the appropriate number of test kits - that's for sure - but other areas of the response, I think, are going well,' Dr Fauci said.

Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar explained on Thursday the three steps that stand in the way to broader, faster testing.

He said that even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself developed a test, it had to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before distributing it.

That request was submitted February 3 and approved February 4. The CDC didn't start shipping its first batch of tests until February 6.

Dr Fauci said he's also frustrated at the lack of screenings at US airports.

In a press conference on Monday evening, Pence said there will be 100 percent screening at all airports with direct flights from Italy and South Korea over the next 12 hours.

However, Vice News producer Julia Lindau said she did not undergo any health screenings or additional questioning after landing at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York from Italy on Thursday night.

'I just landed at JFK after reporting on #coronavirus in Milan and Lombardy - the epicenter of Italy's outbreak - for @vicenews,' she tweeted.

'I walked right through US customs. They didn't ask me where in Italy I went or if I came into contact with sick people. They didn't ask me anything.'

Meanwhile, several people say they've returned from coronavirus hotpots, such as Italy and China, without being screened such as this Vice News producer (above)

At a press conference on Monday evening, Pence said there will be 100 percent screening at all airports with direct flights from Italy and South Korea over the next 12 hours. Pictured: Pence speaking to the media on Thursday

TODAY host Craig Melvin asked Dr Fauci if it was right for Lindau to be able to walk through US Customs and Border Protection without questioning.

'I don't know what happened there, but that does not that sound that's the way it should have been,' Dr Fauci replied.

'The way you are describing it, that should not have happened. The flights that come in from northern Italy need to get screened. '

Even though Dr Fauci says that any flight coming from the five 'hotspot' countries - China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea should be tested, he does not believe Americans need to be undergoing 'social distancing.'

Social distancing is a hygiene practice by which means people avoid unnecessary contact or being in close proximity with other people.

It's being practiced in Washington, where there are 75 confirmed cases and 13 of the 14 US deaths have occurred.

'In Seattle, I think that the governor and the health authorities made the right choice in beginning a mitigation strategy, which is social distancing,' Dr Fauci said.

'We're not there yet as a nation.'

On Friday morning, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion measure to combat the coronavirus outbreak (pictured)

However, Trump canceled - and then 'uncanceled' - a trip to CDC headquarters in Atlanta amid growing scandal over the lack of testing kits. Pictured: Trump shows the signed bill alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar

Hours later, President Donald Trump signed an emergency bill on Friday, committing $8.3billion to US efforts to fight coronavirus, and decided to visit CDC headquarters in Atlanta after all.

About $3billion will be allocated towards vaccine research, about $2.2billion will go towards prevention efforts and $1billion will go towards purchasing medical supplies.

The bill passed in the Senate yesterday 96-1 in a rare sign of bipartisanship.

Confusion was abound Friday morning after a trip to the CDC was canceled, and then reappeared on the president's itinerary.

Trump told reporters that the reason the trip has been scrapped was because someone at the Atlanta lab was being tested for the virus.

However, after the person tested negative, a flight to Atlanta and a visit to the CDC in was once again listed on the president's official schedule.

CDC COMES UNDER FIRE FOR LACK OF TESTING AND DELAY IN APPROVING KITS

Less than week after the CDC shipped its first batch of kits, several state labs said the diagnostic was returning 'inconclusive results.'

This forced the federal health agency to remanufacture components of the kit.

Ever since the CDC started to address this issue, delays have continued.

On Monday, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn promised one million kits would me made available.

But figures from the Association of Public Health Laboratories show that likely no more than 100,000 people would be tested by week's end.

Both Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Vice President Pence said the government currently does not have enough kits to keep up with demand

FDA Dr Stephen Hahn (pictured) told reporters on Monday that close to one million people would be tested by the end of the week, but figures indicate it's likely closer to 100,000

HHS Secretary Azar (pictured, Tuesday) said that with both federal and outside tests, about 400,000 people will be able to be screened

Within days of shipping its tests, several states reported that the CDC's diagnostic was returning 'inconclusive' results. The agency was forced to re-make one of the test components are reissue kits.

On Saturday, the FDA gave approval for other states, companies and research institutions to make their own coronavirus tests to expedite increase the number of people who can be tested.

CDC's own manufacturer, IDT, is ramping up production, and Azar thinks that they'll distribute enough kits to test about 75,000 people for the virus.

With the addition of outside tests, Azar estimated that enough tests will be sent out to screen about 400,000 people - because two of the nearly one million tests to be shipped have to be used to test each patient under current guidelines.

He thinks that will happen by the end of the weekend.

But even then, it could be 'a week, a week-and-a-half, two weeks' before they are 'up and running.'

US COMPANY SAYS IT CAN TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS IN JUST 15 MINUTES, BUT CDC AND FDA HAVE NOT APPROVED IT

A North Carolina-based company says its 15-minute blood test is already being used by China, Italy and Japan to test for coronavirus but not in America because CDC and FDA officials have not approved it.

BioMedonics claims its test can screen for the virus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field.

A blood sample is collected, inserted into the reader, a buffer is combined, and results come back very quickly, the company claims.

BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field

It can be read similarly to a pregnancy test, with one line for a negative test, two signifying it's positive for either early or late antibodies, and three when the sample is positive for both

One line means negative while two lines spread out mean the sample contains antibodies that the body starts making shortly after infection.

Two lines close together mean the person is positive for later-stage antibodies, and three lines mean the patient is positive for both types of antibodies.

The CDC and FDA have not specified why the rapid test isn't being used and did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS BLAST CDC OVER LACK OF TESTING FOR DOCTORS AND NURSE

CALIFORNIA NURSE BLASTS CDC FOR LACK OF TESTING

Medical professionals have blasted the CDC over the lack of testing for healthcare workers at the frontline of the outbreak.

One California nurse said they fell ill after caring for a patient but that federal health officials believed they wouldn't contract the virus due to their protective clothing while treating the patient.

And a California doctor at another hospital said they're worried about transferring the virus to immuncompromised patients.

The CDC has previously stated that people with underlying health conditions are twice as likely to develop serious outcomes as healthy people.

The nurse who fell ill is an employee of Kaiser Permanente in the northern part of the state and currently in quarantine.

'As a nurse, I'm very concerned that not enough is being done to stop the spread of the coronavirus,' they wrote in a statement released via the National Nurses United and California Nurses Association unions on Thursday.

'I know because I am currently sick and in quarantine after caring for a patient who tested positive.'

The nurse said he or she volunteered to care for the patient and, within a few days, began experiencing symptoms themselves of coughing and a fever.

They were put in a 14-day quarantine, and the nurse' doctor as well as a public country health officer called the CDC to ask for testing, but the agency allegedly refused.

An unidentified California nurse who is contracted coronavirus from a patient and is currently in quarantine has blasted the lack of testing for medical professionals. Pictured: Bonnie Castillo, executive director of National Nurses United, speaks during a news conference at the National Nurses United offices, March 5

The nurse said that she volunteered to be on the care team of the patient and she experience symptoms with a few days. Pictured: Medical personnel prepare to test travelers on the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California for the coronavirus, March 5

The nurse said his or her doctor asked for testing, but the CDC allegedly declined, saying that if the nurse was wearing protective gear properly, he or she wouldn't have gotten sick. Pictured: Passengers wear face masks at Los Angeles International Airport, March 5

The nurse then claimed that she had to wait for testing because her symptoms were not as severe as others that needed testing.

'This is not the ticket dispenser at the deli counter; it's a public health emergency!' the nurse wrote.

'I am a registered nurse and I need to know if I am positive before going back to care for patients.'

'Delaying this test puts the whole community at risk. I have the backing of my union. Nurses aren't going to stand by and let this testing delay continue; we are going to stand together to make sure we can protect our patients - by being protected ourselves.'

In statement to The Hill, a CDC spokesperson said the agency was aware of the nurse's case but couldn't comment on it.

The shortage of test kits is making it difficult for healthcare workers who need to treat several groups of patients.

'Last night I had a patient with clear coronavirus symptoms, but the health department didn't think he should be tested,' an emergency room doctor in Downey told The Los Angeles Times.

'I went from that patient into the next room, where I had an 80-year-old, immune-compromised, diabetic patient. If I'm taking coronavirus in there, it's mild for me, but it's deadly for her.'

Another doctor in Downey said he begged officials to test a suspected patient, who is a transplant nurse that works with at-risk people.

'I said: "Come on! Please! We need to test her!"' the doctor told the Times.

CALIFORNIA MAN LASHES OUT AT HEALTH OFFICIALS FOR NOT TESTING HIS AUNT AFTER HIS UNCLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS

A California man lashed out at his local health department for not testing his aunt for coroanvirus after his uncle was diagnosed with the disease.

Scott Bell, from Los Angeles, tweeted on Thursday that his uncle, from Venice Beach, was recently skiing in the Italian Alps with six friends.

Four of them, including Bell's uncle were diagnosed with COVID-19. Bell said his uncle, who didn't have any of the typical symptoms, immediately called his local health department.

Scott Bell, from Los Angeles, California, tweeted that his

After testing positive, Bell said his aunt was told to wear a mask, stay 10 feet away from his uncle, but that she was free to go about her daily activities.

According to Bell, she visited the grocery store and a hair salon.

'Believe me, I'm upset to hear that she did this,' he wrote.

'The crazier part is that they have not tested her, and will not, and again - advised her she is free to move at-will. This is how our health dept. is leading this effort.'

Bell later updated that his aunt was ordered into animated quarantine.

PASSENGERS ON THE GRAND PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THEIR CORONAVIRUS TESTS

Passengers and crew on a giant cruise ship being held off the coast of San Francisco were waiting on the results of tests to determine if any of the 3,500 people on board have the new coronavirus.

The California National Guard flew in test kits to the Grand Princess on Thursday, and the findings were expected to be announced early Friday.

Princess Cruises said in a statement samples had been taken from 45 people, a mix of guests and team members - and all passengers had been confined to their quarters pending the outcome.

The ship is being prevented from docking while the results are due.

'We have big news on the ship,' President Donald Trump told reporters at a morning briefing where he signed into law $8.3billion in emergency funding that was set aside by Congress to fight the disease.

'I just spoke to the governor of California Gavin Newsom, we just had a good conversation. We're working on the ship together,' he added.

Passengers and crew on the Grand Princess cruise ship (pictured) being held off the coast of San Francisco were waiting on the results of coronavirus tests

The California National Guard flew in test kits to the Grand Princess on Thursday (pictured), and the findings were expected to be announced early Friday

Samples have been taken from 45 people, a mix of guests and crew members - and all passengers had been confined to their quarters. Pictured: A National Guard helicopter delivering virus testing kits lowers crew down to the Grand Princess cruise ship, March 5

Health officials sounded the alarm after two passengers who had been on board during a previous voyage between San Francisco and Mexico later fell ill and one of them died.

Several other passengers who had remained on the vessel for its next voyage to Hawaii also developed flu-like symptoms during that trip.

Princess Cruises said there were 3,533 people onboard, including 2,422 passengers and 1,111 crew. In total, they represent 54 nationalities.

Carolyn Wright, a passenger, told AFP there was no panic on board and people seemed to be taking the setback in their stride.

'I can't get over how the news is sensationalizing our ship,' said the 63-year-old professional photographer from New Mexico who was traveling with a friend.

'There were two cases on the previous cruise and they act like everybody on board has the plague.'

Ellen Carroll, the head of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, said that once test results are back, the CDC and California state officials will determine the most appropriate location for the ship to berth.

OREGON SAYS IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO TEST 80 KITS BUT IS ONLY TESTING 20

Oregon health officials have been testing 10 to 20 coronvirus kits per day, on average, but say they have the capacity to test 80.

That means that the state laboratory is testing at between 12.5 to 25 percent capacity.

According to Willamette Week, 48 residents have been tested by the Oregon Health Authority, and 13 results are sill pending.

Healthcare workers are frustrated that they can't test as many people as they are able to and are wondering when kits will arrive from Washington, DC.

'We know people are scared,' Dr Dean Sidelinger, health officer and epidemiologist at the Oregon Health Authority, said at a press conference on Thursday.

'We know that there is transmission in the community.'
Theres been a surprising amount of litigation over political parody accounts on Twitter, from a lawsuit against Peoria, IL mayor Jim Ardis in 2014 (after Ardis dispatched local police to raid a house where the man operating the account lived) that led to a $125,000 settlement from the city to federal congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA) suing the @DevinCow account last year. And while there have been plenty of parody accounts that have popped up in sports, they havent led to as much litigation. Theres at least one prominent case of that now, though, with former NASCAR CEO and chairman Brian France (who took an indefinite leave from those roles after being arrested for DWI and oxycodone possession in August 2018, then was officially replaced by uncle Jim France on an interim basis in September 2018 and on a full-time basis in February 2019) suing the Drunken Brian France parody Twitter account (which was created in February 2014, long before Frances DWI case). Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal has more on that:

Former @NASCAR CEO Brian France has filed a lawsuit in Connecticut against the person behind the parody Twitter account @DrunkBrianF, per a copy of the complaint reviewed by @SBJSBD.  The complaint accuses the person of falsely impersonating France and causing damage to him. pic.twitter.com/UuEtwtiZMZ  Adam Stern (@A_S12) March 5, 2020

Meanwhile, the account itself had some notable responses:

Oh and how does that Go Fund Me stuff work?  Drunken Brian France (@DrunkBrianF) March 5, 2020

It will be interesting to see where this goes. In the @NunesCow case, Twitter filed a motion to dismiss in January, but they were specifically listed as a defendant in that case; its unclear if the France lawsuit includes them or not. Even if theyre not explicitly named as a defendant, though, it would seem hard for France (seen above ahead of the Ford Ecoboost 400 in 2016) to find whoever operates @DrunkBrianF without cooperation from Twitter (either voluntary or court-mandated). And so far, action against parody Twitter accounts hasnt worked out all that well, and its notable that public figures like France tend to face a higher standard (actual malice, as laid down in NY Times v. Sullivan and Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts) for defamation cases. So well see how this works out for him. But its certainly a notable action, and it has some other parody account operators apparently worried.

*chuckles* Im in danger https://t.co/juTNgkgJOC  Stephen A. Smith Burner (@SASBurnerAcct) March 5, 2020

[Adam Stern on Twitter]
Porgy and Bess lives in the American ear with all the familiarity of a far-off train whistle. Everyone knows the sound when they hear it  Summertime, for instance. But it takes an encounter with the entire work to get its full genius. And then Porgy and Bess fills you with nothing less than awe.

Audiences this weekend are able to hear, if not the entire opera, a great deal more than the usual stray song or two. With an excellent cast and chorus, the Philadelphia Orchestra Thursday night wove scenes from Porgy and Bess into a cohesive and thrilling half-evening (to be repeated Saturday night).

The concert was led by Marin Alsop, who told the Verizon Hall crowd that the program followed an American melting pot theme.

The first half had the Morgan State University Choir conducted by director Eric Conway in a glowing setting by Nolan Williams Jr. of the spiritual Done Made My Vow to the Lord.

Escaramuza, inspired by music of Andean Peru, was the curtain raiser. The springy, dance-like work, a decade old, is by the orchestras new composer in residence, Gabriela Lena Frank, and the piece bodes well for this formidable musical personality as her influence here begins.

Jessie Montgomerys Coincident Dances, from 2017, aimed to capture the multicultural fabric of New York City, and indeed the piece passed before us like an audio postcard. Principal double bassist Harold Robinson started with a solo, bouncy woodwinds happened by, and then four percussionists took over. It was exhilarating music, racing and gathering energy the way Sibelius can, until the winds ended like a flock of birds moving into the distance.

The melting pot moved to Catfish Row  Charleston, S.C.  for Porgy and Bess, presented here in selected scenes and performed concert-style (no sets, no costumes, or even choreographed movement). It was fascinating to once again hear this piece, with George Gershwins music and a libretto by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward; it was haunting as ever, but perhaps more so today as our cultural lens continues to evolve.

These performances of Gershwin are being recorded for the Pentatone label (the release date has not been set), and the hour or so of music is an assemblage of great strengths. The familiar songs are here (Summertime, I Got Plenty of Nothin) and, as Bess, soprano Angel Blue has got it all. Her voice is rich and powerful and full of subtle expressive devices.

Baritone Lester Lynch and bass-baritone Kevin Short were both exceptionally strong. Tenor Chauncey Packer had the role of Sportin Life, putting him at an advantageous starting point for charisma. But he also heightened the part with some vivid and nuanced acts of vocalism.

It would be hard to overstate the emotional boost the Morgan State voices brought to this performance. Angel Blue was wonderful in Summertime, but the hushed women of the chorus lifted it to another level.

Whats most striking about this packaging of highlights is being able to hear the music with all its connective tissue and in a larger context. In that scene where Bess is telling Porgy that she cant resist the powers of Crown and must go off with him, the orchestra darts in and out with commentary  a tender flute, poignant violins.

Gershwin is such a supreme melodist, its almost easy to overlook what he does with the orchestra. Alsop underlines it, expressively so. This recording should be the whole package.

Additional performance: Saturday at 8 p.m. in Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets are $10-$174. 215-893-1999, philorch.org.
A drama teacher has been found guilty of having an 'exploitative' sexual relationship with an underage teenage girl.

Kim Connor, 46, began teaching the girl at at an independent Salford stage school when the pupil was just nine years old.

Later, when the girl was a teenager, Connor groomed the girl by taking her to restaurants and top London shows and even going on holiday together.

The youngster was said to have been 'in thrall' to Connor. The victim's parents considered Connor to like 'a big sister' to their daughter.

The youngster was said to have been 'in thrall' to Kim Connor, 46, pictured, who began teaching her at stage school when she was aged just nine.

The teacher, who was 29 at the time her pupil was 14, would take her shopping and when the girl was 'about 16', took her on holiday to Portugal.

Connor is alleged to have told the girl that if anyone questioned them in public, she should tell people that she was 21.

She also told her victim that they could not show 'overt signs of affection'.

The teacher also insisted that she hid if they spotted any other pupils or their parent when they were out together.

When the girl's parents were busy visiting a terminally-ill relative at a hospice, they allowed her to spend the night at Connor's house.

But instead of just offering her a place to stay in a time of need, her attentions progressed to kissing the schoolgirl 'open-mouthed' and touching her intimately over her clothing, the jury was told.

They began sharing a bed, the court heard, and one night Connor opened a safe in her wardrobe which contained sex toys, encouraging them to use them on one another.

'I adored her, I idolised her,' the former pupil told the jury. 'She made me feel special because I thought she had chosen me.'

The accuser  who cannot be named for legal reasons  says she was inspired to reveal the abuse which allegedly happened 15 years ago by the #MeToo movement.

Minshull Street Crown Court, pictured, heard Kim Connor, 46, groomed the girl, who was aged 14 at the time in 2004

Prosecutor Darren Preston told Minshull Street Crown Court. '[Ms Connnor] knew full well what she was doing was wrong.'

He added that schoolgirl was 'in thrall' to her and 'besotted.'

The prosecution said: '[The girl] thought they were partners, that they were in a relationship,' he added.

But he said in reality Connor had 'exploited' the 'vulnerability' of a young girl.

The defence had claimed, however, that the victim was motivated by jealousy after Connor was appointed principal of another stage school, and the relationship did not start until after the girl turned 18.

The girl told the court that the teacher first kissed her on the lips while they were sitting together on the floor in 2004, when she was 14 and Connor was aged 29.

'She leant over me and kissed me, and I kissed her back. I remember thinking 'I've just kissed my teacher'.'

The ex-pupil said Connor became increasingly 'tactile' as she turned 15, stroking her when they greeted one another.

'I was quite bewildered,' she said. 'I went along with it because I had a lot of trust in Kim.'

She said Connor would take her to shows including Cabaret in London during half-term, staying in hotels.

But after starting university she began to realise the relationship 'wasn't right', she said.

She said she ended the relationship after learning Connor was secretly having fertility treatment, saying 'she wanted me to raise children with her'.

'The first 15 years of my life were ruined by Kim Connor,' she said.

'I had to have counselling for depression and anxiety.'

When she was arrested, Connor admitted the pair had been in a sexual relationship but insisted it had not begun until the girl turned 18.

A jury found Connor guilty of three offences of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust; and a further three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust.

They also found her not guilty of three offences of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust; and a further three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust.

Connor will be sentenced on April 17.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya on Saturday. However, he will not participate in 'Aarti' programme in view of coronavirus.

"Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya tomorrow but will not participate in 'Aarti' programme on the banks of Sarayu River due to coronavirus," Raut told media here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
06.03.2020 LISTEN

The Government of Ghana has begun the free National Health Insurance registration of all school children under Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).

The initiative according to the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Freda Prempeh is to provide free quality healthcare for the school children.

Speaking at the 5th Africa Day of the School Feeding Programme held at Nkonsia in the Wenchi Municipality, the Deputy Minister said the NHIS registration will cover all the about three million Ghanaian children benefiting from the feeding programme.

The celebration was under the theme: "One Meal, Many Benefits" and was attended by Chiefs, opinion and religious leaders, Ministers of state, parents and school children.

Mrs. Freda Prempeh praised President NanaAddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Government for reviving the NHIS and injecting more capital in it.

She said the NHIS was virtually collapsed under the previous government due to huge indebtedness resulting in non-payment of claims to service providers.

Mrs. Freda Prempeh also a Member of Parliament and Aspirant for Tano North Constituency lauded Nana Addo for resourcing the scheme and making it more attractive and accessible again.

A team of officials from the Bono Regional NHIA Secretariat led by Mr. George Oppong Dankwa registered all the children present at the 5th Africa Day of the School Feeding celebration onto the NHIS. They were issued with instant NHIA cards.

Mr. Oppong Dankwa lauded the ruling Government for procuring new vehicles for NHIS operations across the country.

He revealed that the Government has also provided new high speed registration machines all NHIA offices for the issuance of instant registration cards.

Mr. Oppong Dankwa said the Government has also introduced mobile renewal of NHIS system to ensure effective card renewal.

The Paramount Queen Mother of Wenchi Traditional Area, Nana Atoaa Sraman Gyedua III who was also the Chairperson for the occasion lauded the School Feeding Programme concept.

She said that, the programme has benefited several hundreds of deprived children in her traditional area and thus prayed for its sustainability and expansion.

Nana Hemaa Sraman Gyedua III who sees education as the single most important legacy for her people, appealed passionately to the Minister for Gender and the National Coordinator of GSFP to add 10 more schools in the Wenchi Municipality to the feeding programme.

In reaction to the appeal by the Queen Mother, the National Coordinator of GSFP, Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah assured of forwarding her request to the appropriate authority for consideration.

She also appealed to the communities to produce more local foods for supply to the caterers and also improve the local economy.

The Management of GSFP presented hundreds of plastic bowls, metal spoons, biscuits and fruit drinks to all the children who participated in the celebration.

The 5th Africa Day of School Feeding celebration was supported by the World Food Programme.
A missing 14-year-old Toronto boy allegedly abducted as retribution for his stepbrother's $4million cocaine debt has been found safe, authorities said.

Shammah Jolayemi was discovered in a rural barn in Ontario, about 18 miles from he was originally taken by his stepbrother's rivals.

In a tweet, Toronto Police Operations confirmed Jolayemi's safety and said he was getting medical attention.

'The Toronto Police have located Shammah Jolayemi, age 14. He is safe and being taken for a medical checkup,' they wrote.

Shammah Jolayemi (pictured) was discovered unharmed by authorities in Ontario after he was reported missing on Wednesday

The Toronto Police Operations said Jolayemi received medical attention after he was found on Thursday

Authorities said that Jolayemi was walking to school in the Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue area when several men forced him into a Jeep around 8.25am.

CBC News reports that witnesses could hear the boy yelling 'Help me! Help me!' as he was shoved into the vehicle.

It was previously revealed that Jolayemi's stepbrother owed a massive debt related to a 'multi-kilo' cocaine heist from summer 2019. The brother has fled the Greater Toronto Area.

Pictured: Jolayemi was found in a barn in Ontario, Canada, but authorities on Thursday

Jolayemi, who later became the focus of an Amber Alert, has no connection to the criminal lifestyle.

The Amber Alert was not issued until several hours after his disappearance and fingers are being pointed at the boy's school.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) said Jolayemi's family wasn't told by school officials that their son didn't arrive that morning.

Four teachers at Newtonbrook Secondary School have been placed on 'home assignment' because attendance information wasn't submitted before an 11am deadline, a spokesperson.

Newtonbrook Secondary School didn't contact the Jolayemis' until 6pm that evening.

Authorities said Jolayemi was forced into a Jeep (pictured) by several men while walking to school Wednesday morning

Authorities were then lambasted by social media users who said it took more than six hours for them to initiate an Amber Alert to people's phones.

Stephen Warner, spokesperson for Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, told CBC News that Amber Alerts were issued only if the victim is believed to be in danger and confirmed to be under 18-years-old.

A description of either the child, abductor and vehicle is also a factor, as well as people must believe that broadcasting the alert will help in finding the child.

Authorities described the two men who allegedly abducted Jolayemi as black, each around six-feet-tall and 140 pounds, between the ages of 18 and 22 and wearing dark jackets.

The Jeep used to kidnap Jolaymeni was found burned out Thursday on the side of the road in Ontario.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MY NONEXISTENCE

By Rebecca Solnit

At dinner one evening in 2008, Rebecca Solnit joked to a friend about writing an essay called Men Explain Things to Me. The friend, who was staying with Solnit in flight from an awful soon-to-be ex, told her that such an essay was definitely worth writing  younger women needed it. So in one sitting early the next morning, Solnit did so, describing her encounter with a man who explained her own book to her at a party, and the silencing of women by men in general. The essay, which surprised her by going viral, poured out with ease or rather tumbled out seemingly of its own accord, Solnit writes in her new memoir, Recollections of My Nonexistence. When this happens it means that the thoughts have long been gestating and writing is only a birth of what was already taking form out of sight.

While Men Explain Things to Me introduced her work to a broader audience, Solnit has long been known for a particular style of prose that refracts history, politics, personal experience and criticism through a poetic lens. Her more than 20 books feature wide-ranging yet incisive reflections on time, memory, art, mythology and the American West. For Solnit fans, her new memoir is a glimpse of all that was taking form out of sight, providing a key to understanding much of her work to date. Yet simply as a coming-of-age narrative, it also has much to offer someone new to her writing. Recollections of My Nonexistence is an un-self-centered book that often reverses the figure-ground relationship, portraying the emergence of a writer and her voice from a particular cultural moment and set of fortuitous influences.

Solnit begins with the tiny studio apartment she moved into in the Western Addition neighborhood in San Francisco at the age of 19, in the early 1980s. Much of the book is a loving portrait of the city during that less expensive era when eccentricity had many footholds. She recalls conversations with long-established neighbors in the same memorable detail she does that particular casting about of youth. Her discoveries of place and self are, in fact, inseparable. After removing the peeling wallpaper in her apartment (I felt the vivid presence of the people who had lived there before me) and noting her kitchens second, deep laundry sink (women had washed clothes by hand in it), she has a recurring dream in which the apartment opens up into another room: In some way it was me and I was it, and so these discoveries were, of course, other parts of myself.
Vizrt Group Leverages IP-Based Adaptive and Software-Defined Visual Storytelling To Support Customers and Partners During Challenging Times

VizrTV and NewTekTV set to launch, serving customer needs digitally

Bergen, Norway and San Antonio, TX( )

The Vizrt Group, parent company of the Vizrt, NewTek and NDI brands, today announced the launch of VizrTV (www.vizr.tv) and NewTekTV (www.newtek.tv). These two digital-first communications platforms are designed to deliver key product awareness, innovation, and support messages to help customers and partners better adapt to changing market environments. The new online channels will be operational for CABSAT in Dubai and NAB 2020 in Las Vegas and will be available for viewers around the world who may not attend in person due to COVID-19.

CABSAT attendees will find Vizrt at Booth C3-10 from 31st March  2nd April. At NAB 2020, attendees can visit Vizrt at booth #SL4516, NewTek at booth #SL4511, and NDI at booth #SL4711 from 19th  22nd April.

Vizrt Group is a globally scaled company that operates locally. The new digital-first platforms will enable the Groups three brands to communicate their key product innovation messages by utilizing the power and flexibility of IP-based, software-defined visual storytelling (#SDVS) on a global basis.

For the tradeshows, the group will be exercising its local teams from Vizrt, NewTek and NDI who will be ready to welcome any customers in attendance, to discuss how software-defined visual storytelling tools and solutions can help them enhance their live content production capabilities.

Our customers play a vital role in keeping their audiences informed during these dynamic and rapidly changing times, said Michael Hallen, CEO of the Vizrt Group. Because we are leading the industry with adaptive and software-defined visual storytelling products, we are uniquely positioned to use VizrTV and NewTekTV to deliver our message, using our own tools in a very tailored way, to a screen that is convenient to our customers.

Vizrt Groups primary concern is for the health of its people, be they customers, partners, colleagues, or family. As such, Vizrt Group is actively monitoring local and global health authority advice and guidelines, and these will be rigorously followed. As the public health situation continues to develop, Vizrt Group is committed to supporting our customers and partners as they adapt, and IP-based software-defined visual storytelling is our primary communication platform. This will be supported with locally focused tradeshow and exhibition participation.
SCRANTON, Pa.  President Donald Trump defended the administrations response to the coronavirus and his confrontational style of name-calling political opponents as he fielded questions Thursday from select members of the public in his first TV town hall of the 2020 election cycle.

Trump, who regularly calls his top Democratic presidential opponents Sleepy Joe and Crazy Bernie, was asked whether he could deliver his message without the controversial rhetoric. When they hit us, we have to hit back. I really feel that, Trump said in response to the first of two questions about civility. You cant turn your cheek.

Fox News, the presidents favorite network, hosted the live event in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a rare instance where the president answered questions from the public.

The first question, from an undecided voter, was about the administrations response to the virus. The number of the cases in the U.S. stood at about 200 on Thursday, including 12 deaths  11 in Washington state and one in California.

Everybody has to be calm. Its all going to work out, Trump said, sounding defensive at times as a pair of Fox News journalists pressed him on the issue. We hope it doesnt last too long.

It was Trumps first 2020 visit to Pennsylvania, a battleground state he won by about 44,000 votes in 2016. He did particularly well in northeastern Pennsylvania, where Scranton and Wilkes-Barre have long anchored a strong Democratic presence.

The state is home turf to former Vice President Joe Biden, who spent his first 10 years in Scranton before his family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. An electric billboard proclaimed Scranton is Joe Biden country.

Bidens prospects of winning the Democratic presidential nomination surged in the past week after he won South Carolina and then 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday. Asked about the Democratic race, the Republican Trump said several times that he was mentally prepared to take on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

I was ready  and now I have a whole different deal, Trump said at the event, which was scheduled before Bidens resurgence. Trump chose Scranton as the setting.

He blamed Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the Democratic race Thursday, for hurting Sanders chances by not folding her campaign sooner.

Tickets to the town hall were distributed through the Eventbrite website and Fox confirmed questions were selected from people who submitted them via the website. The audience seemed overwhelmingly supportive of Trump, greeting the president with thunderous applause and USA, USA chants.

One female questioner told Trump it was truly an honor to have him in Scranton. Just dont tell my husband, she said. Another woman said shes been on the Trump train since he announced his candidacy in June 2015. A male Democrat who crossed over to vote for Trump in 2016 shook his head no when one of the moderators asked whether Democrats could win back his vote.

Democrats werent content to cede the stage. A political action committee supporting Democratic candidates planned to run a new ad on Fox News just before and after the town hall in targeted Pennsylvania markets and in Washington featuring a Pennsylvania veteran who voted for Trump in 2016 but no longer supports him. Its part of American Bridge PACs latest $10 million wave of ads in key swing states aimed at cutting into Trumps margins with white, working-class voters.

During the town hall, Trump fielded other questions about immigration, health care, federal regulations and more. Asked if he cared about the national debt, which has grown under his tenure despite a chugging economy, Trump said he would focus on the issue in a second term and would like to refinance the debt. He shifted blamed to Democratic President Barack Obama.

Trump said he last spoke with his predecessor at the Washington funeral of former President George H.W. Bush. I sat next to him and I said Hello, and then I said Goodbye,' Trump said, as the audience laughed at his tone. I didnt like the job he did.

Told that he cant reduce the debt without cutting entitlement programs, like Social Security, Trump said, We will be cutting. It was not immediately clear whether he was referring to the mandatory spending programs, discretionary federal spending or both.

But White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham sought to clarify when one report said he was seeking to cut entitlements. Fake news  POTUS was taking about cutting deficits, NOT entitlements, Grisham tweeted.

During a lightning round, Trump, a self-proclaimed germaphobe, said hes gotten over his aversion to hand-shaking, even during the age of the coronavirus.

You cant be a politician and not shake hands, the president said. The bottom line is I shake anybodys hand now. Im proud of it. He also said he misses being able to walk down the street.

Trump regularly watches Fox News but has been critical of its polling from late February that showed him losing to the five leading Democratic candidates at that point. Worst Polls, just like in 2016 when they were so far off the mark, are the @FoxNews Polls, Trump tweeted.

___

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 11:49:53|Editor: Lu Hui

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THIMPHU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering announced on Friday morning that one positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the country.

"We would like to inform the public that one positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at 11:00 p.m. local time on March 5, and the result was validated at 12:30 a.m. local time on March 6," the prime minister said.

The patient is a 76-year old tourist from the United States who arrived in the country on Monday. He come to Bhutan through Guwahati, India.

According to the Health Ministry of Bhutan, the patient was touring India from Feb. 21 to March 1. He started his travel from Washington D.C. on Feb. 18.

The Patient was travelling with his partner, who is aged 59, and there were 10 passengers on board at the time he arrived in Bhutan, of which eight were Indian nationals.

His health declaration was assessed at the airport but found negative against all conditions. However, on reaching Thimphu, he visited the hospital at 3:00 p.m. local time and complained of bloaty abdomen (dyspeptic symptoms) and nausea. The patient suffered from chronic hypertension.

After spending a night in Thimphu, he traveled to Punakha with his partner and made several stops. He then returned to Thimphu on Thursday where he again visited the hospital and he was found to have fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath, the Health Ministry said.

He was kept under observation at the flu clinic (designated as COVID-19 hospital) and samples were collected and sent to the Royal Center for Disease Control (RCDC), the Prime Minister said. "On confirmation, he has been isolated in the COVID-19 hospital. Considering his age and underlying conditions, the patient is on oxygen support."

"Following the confirmation over 90 contacts have been traced. Health officials and other relevant agencies are in the process of carrying out primary disease management and contact tracing," the prime minister said.

Contact tracings were launched as per the patient's itinerary. It included people he associated with at all the points and stops along the way, he said.

The schools and institutions in three districts of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha where the patient visited were announced to remain closed for three weeks.
(Editors Note: Dr. Wayne Shearer, 95, is a retired optometrist and retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve now living in Hixson. In his early 90s, he decided to sit down and write from memory and a few records he still possesses his recollections of going through Army Air Corps pilot training at several bases in the United States during World War II. A lifelong writer, he wanted to pen them as he remembered them happening at the time. He also recreates now-lost letters as best as he recalls writing them and references newspaper articles he collected at the time and still possesses. This is the 34th in a series of regular excerpts from his as yet unpublished book, Under This Arch.)

* * * * *

Setting: Eagle Pass, Texas, Army Air Field and the skies above it.

July 26, 1944:

Our new officer uniforms have arrived and the anticipation of the graduation day and wearing them seems to be in slow motion towards that goal, which appears more possible each day.

I completed, several days ago, my final solo cross-country flight and was fortunate to have left early in the morning. Those that left later in the day had some unusual weather. Jack was flying at high altitude (12,000 feet) in an AT-6. As he climbed to altitude looking at his navigation chart marking a triangular course from Eagle Pass (north northeast) to Abilene, from Abilene (south southeast) to Austin, and from Austin (south southwest) returning to Eagle Pass. He felt oriented in the leg to Abilene but flew and flew, not being able to contact the radio range at Abilene. Since he was past his E.T.A. (estimated time of arrival), he decided the range signal was out, so he turned south southeast. He got to Austin so fast, even though, thinking he recognized it from the air, he convinced himself he was lost. He quickly made a decision that he was at Austin, even though something was wrong.

When he left Eagle Pass, he had plotted on his navigation forms to allow for only four to five miles per hour wind from the west. He turned south southwest for the final leg as on the NAV form. He flew some more, and nothing seemed correct. He got a little panicky in that empty bright blue afternoon sky without another airplane in sight. He started looking for an airfield.

Before long he found a split beam beacon and by then his total time was up. He descended but couldnt contact the tower, because he didnt know where he was. Upon seeing AT-6s in the air and not recognizing the area, he did know he was at some Single Engine Advanced Flying School. He got in the pattern with the other AT-6s and, instead of landing, he flew down the runway and wiggled his wings. Well, he got a green light and landed at Victoria Army Air Field, Texas.

He was one shook-up cadet. An officer climbed upon the wing, telling him where hed landed and that he was in the middle of a formation take-off and landing exercise. Eagle Pass A.A.F. operations were called and they said they would be over in the morning to bring him back.

Jack arrived this morning. Our weather officer explained that Jack and others who took off later in the day flew into a quick-moving weather change at upper-level altitude of faster winds than was forecast, shifting the plane farther east than plotted. He was not the only cadet from our base lost. Others were scattered around! Good training resulted in no casualties and no airplanes crashed. Here on the base the winds picked up at ground level with numerous dust devils and tumbleweeds blowing everywhere that afternoon. Glad I got ahead of it.

The Eagle Pass News Guide in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday, July 27, 1944, said: PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT GATHERED HIS PACIFIC COMMANDERS AT PEARL HARBOR FOR 2-DAY CONFERENCE. General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz are in attendance. Each has presented a different strategy to the president, who will make the decision as to which strategy to use.

Another headline from that days paper: OBJECTIVE OF OPERATION COBRA MET. When the U.S. 4th Armored Division took Coutances, the first objective of Operation Cobra has been met.

The Georgia Legionnaire in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1944, stated: HOW THE G.I. BILL PASSED. From Washington, D.C., American Legion headquarters it was announced that the Legion achieved its greatest legislative victory for veterans of World War II on June 10 when the fourteen conferees of both houses of the 78th Congress reached unanimous agreement on the G.I. Bill of Rights. High drama entered the climax of the legislative fight for the bill when Representative John S. Gibson of Douglas, Georgia, raced 850 miles by relays of fast cars and a plane in 7 hours and 22 minutes, reaching Washington in time to cast his vote in person to break a deadlock which threatened the actual death of this legislation.

Letter home:

July 27, 1944

Dear Mother and Dad,

Thanks for sending the Georgia Legionnaire monthly newspaper to me. It was very interesting how the racing trip by the congressman from Douglas broke the deadlock, which then brought about the important G.I. Bills passage. That will mean so much to so many of us to pay our way to college when the war is over. Dad, you and your fellow Legionnaires did a great job to help the future of us World War II veterans.

Having received our officers uniforms, joyfully; but most of us are not completely sure that well graduate and get to wear them. Were all walking with a swagger or slight swagger, remindful of the swagger of the two cadets from Stuttgart Army Air Field Twin Engine Advanced Flying School, who spent the night at our Primary Flying School.

Ive completed most of my requirements. I graduate in a week. Id like for you to be here and pin my pilots wings on, but I understand the long drive and gas-rationing situation. Bring Norma up to date.

Your loving son, Wayne

July 29, 1944:

Today was our last Saturday inspection as aviation cadets, since next Saturday well be officers and gentlemen. It was a non-inspection, as our tach officers engaged in good-humored horseplay. No one received any new gigs and all previous gigs were removed.

Our training has not been easy, nor was it intended to be: mostly, Hell-on-Wheels. It has been a long, rigorous training from April 1943 to August 1944 to earn my pilots Silver Wings. Most of us cadets are still teen-agers. We have endured training hardships, and all the dangers of flying we have faced. This has been to prepare us for future combat as weve been taught to fly the Army Air Corps way. This has been a great adventure!

The New Orleans Item on Wednesday, August 2, 1944, announced: TURKS BREAK TIES AS GERMANS WARN. Berlin broadcasts picked up in London said Turkey broke off diplomatic and economic relations with Germany today in an action which must be regarded as a prelude to war.

Other headlines from that days paper: ROBOTS KILL 4,735. Prime Minister Churchill said today from London that flying robot bombs killed 4,735 persons in Britain, 14,000 injured and 17,000 homes destroyed.

TINIAN ISLAND FALLS TO YANKS. Tinian Island has been conquered, enemy resistance is disintegrating on Guam, said a broadcast credited to Tokyo today.

August 4, 1944:

Today (Friday) is the great day weve toiled toward and it has arrived. It is difficult imagining myself being an officer, but that day is today. Ive gotten accustomed to looking at any man with wings on his chest and rank on his uniform as a deity to be in awe of. Am I qualified to join their ranks? My training says I am.

As we got dressed in our new officer uniforms, we all have been grinning from ear to ear without let-up today. In a proper ceremony, we were commissioned 2nd lieutenants and flight officers. A fellow ex-cadet pinned on my blouse the coveted silver wings.

I am a new blue bar Flight Officer and now will complete the 10 hours training course in the P-40 here. As I left the ceremony, I was happy to give a $1 bill and return the salute of the first enlisted man I saw!

* * * * *

To see the previous entry in this series, read here.

https://www.chattanoogan.com/ 2020/2/14/404089/Wayne- Shearers-World-War-II-Memoir. aspx

* * * * *

Dr. Shearer can be contacted at docshearer@epbfi.com
Delhi shuts all primary schools amidst COVID-19 scare

All primary schools in the national capital and neighbouring Noida have been ordered closed while the centre announced that the India-EU summit, which was supposed to be held this month, has been rescheduled in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Delhi government has directed immediate closure of all primary schools (government aided/ private/MCD/NDMC) till 31 March as a precautionary measure to prevent the possibility of spread of COVID-19 amongst school children, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said today.

Meanwhile, one more confirmed case of coronavirus was reported in the country, in Ghaziabad, taking the total number in the country to 30. The person had travelled to Iran, accordingto a PTI report.

Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in his statement in the Parliament said that India had initiated required preparedness and action from 17 January, before WHOs advisory.

A Paytm employee in Gurgaon has tested positive for novel coronavirus, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. In light of this, the company's Gurugram and Noida offices will remain shut for at least two days.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has formed two rapid response teams for screening of residents who had visited coronavirus-affected countries after 15 January and has already screened 56 houses.

"Two rapid response teams consisting of doctor, paramedical staff and public health specialist have been formed for awareness generation and screening of persons who visited coronavirus-affected countries after 15 January belonging to NDMC area," a senior official of NDMC''s Health Department said.

The Maharashtra government on Thursday launched a dedicated helpline number 020-26127394-for any queries over the coronavirus outbreak in the state, reported ANI.

In a press conference on Thursday, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said that people need to be cautious during next 10 to 15 day and urged people to avoid crowded spaces.

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh on Thursday said 175 people have been tested so far for coronavirus in the state with 157 of them showing no sign of the infection, reported PTI.

"The situation is under control. As many as 820 isolation beds have been prepared at various hospitals. Seven medical colleges have been alerted, he added.

Of the remaining 18 tested, six are from Agra and one from Ghaziabad, he said, referring to the seven cases which have tested positive.

The reports of the remaining 11 are yet to be received from National Institute of Virology in Pune, he added

The National Institute of Communicable Disesaes in South Africa on Thursday released a statement, which said that a suspected case of coronavirus has tested positive.

"The patient is 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March," the statement said.

The department of health has confirmed the first case of #covid19 coronavirus in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/J9wnEYQnNd

The Karnataka government has advised city-based companies to allow their employees to work from home if they have flu-like symptoms.

"Those employees having flu like symptoms may be allowed to work from home with advice of standard hand hygiene and cough etiquette," the Health Department said in its advisory.

The advisory asked people to avoid non-essential travel to COVID-19 affected countries and refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan.

"Employees other than those restricted countries arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Maccau, Veitnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE and Qatar must undergo medical screening at airport entry," the advisory read.

The fourteen Italians, who tested positive for coronavirus, have been shifted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram from an ITBP quarantine centre, reports PTI.

The hospital issued a statement on Thursday, 5 March, morning, saying these patients are housed on a completely separate floor, which has been quarantined and has no contact with the rest of the hospital.

There is a dedicated medical team wearing protective gear looking after these patients. All items used on the floor are isolated to that floor. The isolated floor will completely contain the disease even with these asymptomatic persons.

Meanwhile, a UN Report on the trade impact of the coronavirus epidemic for India estimated it to be about 348 million dollars and the country figures among the top 15 economies most affected as slowdown of manufacturing in China disrupts world trade, according to a UN report.

Estimates published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Wednesday, 4 March, said that the slowdown of manufacturing in China due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is disrupting world trade and could result in a 50 billion dollar decrease in exports across global value chains.

He said people should keep track of updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and stay home if they are sick.
Zelensky gave a deadline of a year from December's first summit with Putin to find a breakthrough.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, believes he can negotiate a deal with Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, but has threatened to walk away from talks after a year if there is no progress with his Russian counterpart.

"Time is ticking," he told the Guardian in a rare interview, to be published in full on Saturday. "The government can spend one year on the entire agreement. Then it should be implemented. Any longer is prohibited."

Read alsoZelensky expects next prisoner swap with Russia in March

Zelensky gave a deadline of a year from December's first summit with Putin to find a breakthrough. "I won't give my five years, which were given to me by the Ukrainian people, to work on Minsk for five years. I won't do it," he said, adding there were "two or three plans" of what to do after walking away from talks, but declining to elaborate.

He said the peace negotiations were a distraction from his domestic agenda, which has been hampered by political infighting that culminated in his decision this week to oust the prime minister.
MOUNT HOREB, Wis., March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duluth Holdings Inc. (dba, Duluth Trading Company) (Duluth Trading) (DLTH), a lifestyle brand of mens and womens casual wear, workwear and accessories, today announced the grand opening of its 62nd store in Short Pump, Virginia. The store is located at 12260 West Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23233.

We are excited to open our second Virginia-based store in Short Pump, said Steve Schlecht, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Duluth Trading. Located in the Richmond metro area, Short Pump has become a vibrant shopping destination in the Southeast. We look forward to welcoming our local brand fans and visitors to experience firsthand our innovative and problem-solving apparel for both men and women in our newest Duluth Trading store.

The store hosted several events to celebrate the grand opening on Thursday, March 5th. At 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time, there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony with Duluth Trading management and local dignitaries on hand to do the honors. At 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, there were Lumberjack Shows to welcome our customers.

About Duluth Trading

Duluth Trading is a rapidly growing lifestyle brand for the Modern, Self-Reliant American. Based in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, we offer high quality, solution-based casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women who lead a hands-on lifestyle and who value a job well-done. We provide our customers an engaging and entertaining experience. Our marketing incorporates humor and storytelling that conveys the uniqueness of our products in a distinctive, fun way, and our products are sold exclusively through our content-rich website, catalogs, and store like no other retail locations. We are committed to outstanding customer service backed by our No Bull Guarantee  if its not right, well fix it. Visit our website at www.duluthtrading.com .

Investor and Media Contact:

Donni Case (310) 622-8224

Margaret Boyce (310) 622-8247

Duluth@finprofiles.com




Try energy from heat

Re: To address flaring, raise fees on industry, Another View, Feb. 27:

Gunnar Schade suggests that wasteful flaring of natural gas can be addressed by raising fees on the natural gas industry. Sorry, Professor Schade, more fees will not reduce flaring; it will only make harvested natural gas more costly.

Theres a better solution. Like railroads and steamships a century and a half ago, tremendous power can be generated in isolated locations from water, a boiler, a fuel source and the mechanics to transfer heat into energy.

The single flare 40 miles north of Amarillo, visible from 30 miles away, and many others like it across the country could produce enough electricity to make windmills look like childs play. Tremendous amounts of steam energy from boiled water can turn powerful turbines producing great amounts of electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The delivery system, i.e., high voltage electric lines, are already on-site at the wellhead.

Industry producers can turn flaring into a profit, not a penalty. And, as a fringe benefit, steam vented into the atmosphere is recycled as pure, clean rain.

Norman A. Carpenter

On ExpressNews.com: Commentary: To address flaring, raise fees on industry

The real hoax here

President Donald Trump says climate change is a hoax, Russian interference was a hoax, the impeachment was a hoax, and Democrats are using coronavirus as a new hoax.

The only thing thats a hoax is this presidency and its ability to deal with factual evidence.

Jorge de la Garza

Cleaning to death?

Well, our overzealous ways of personal hygiene, our obsessive attention to cleanliness, and the elimination of body germs and bacteria have finally caught up with us.

The coronavirus is exploiting our underused and weakened immune systems. Are we cleaning ourselves to death?

Bill Holland
Democratic presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. shake hands Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, after a Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by ABC at Texas Southern University in Houston.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

With two septuagenarians battling for the nomination and a fervent ideological battle boiling within the Democratic Party, the eventual nominee's vice-presidential pick could have an impact on the general election, according to political scientists and operatives.

Given the diversity of the Democratic Party and its coalition, women and people of color should make up the bulk of both Biden's and Sanders' shortlists, political scientists and operatives told Insider.

The candidate's ideology, regional appeal, and experience will also come into play.

Some pundits and strategists have begun speculating about who the two frontrunners will consider for the job.

One Biden-aligned operative said he'd be "surprised" if Biden's pick wasn't Sen. Kamala Harris.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With Super Tuesday setting the inescapable delegate math into motion, the Democrats will almost certainly have a septuagenarian white man leading the ticket in November to take on President Donald Trump.

But the other half of that ticket is pretty wide open.

Political scientists and Democratic operatives told Insider that both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont would be smart to look for a younger running mate, preferably a woman or a person of color  or both.

Both candidates have already suggested their future running mates would be women and younger than they are. In December, Biden told a New Hampshire voter he could think of "seven women off the top of my head" who could be his running mate.

Related: How Networks Treat the Democratic Debates Like Reality TV

Beyond the candidate's identity, their ideology and regional strength will also come into play, and the nominee's goal will be a running mate who offers both balance and broad appeal.

Biden has also said he would pick a running mate who could shoulder significant responsibility and act as almost like an equal partner in the White House.

Story continues

"Look, the only thing I know a lot about is the vice presidency," Biden said in response to a question about who he would pick for a running mate during a December town hall in Peterborough, New Hampshire. "The responsibility of the president is so immense that no one woman or man can handle the job by themselves. They have to be able to delegate, delegate significant responsibilities  not a joke. And the president did that with me."

Biden said he had enough influence as Obama's vice president that "I could hire and fire. I could pick people throughout the cabinet. I could do exactly as if I were the president, for real."

That codependency, he said, should trump concerns about the running mate complementing the nominee tactically for the general election.

Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO) (left) and Val Demings (D-FL) (right), two of the Democratic impeachment managers from the House of Representatives, head back to the Senate floor during the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on January 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Rep. Val Demings, right.

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Youth, energy, and diversity

Given the diversity of the Democratic Party and its coalition, women and people of color should make up the bulk of both Biden's and Sanders' shortlists, the professors and operatives said.

Ian Russell, a former deputy director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the vice-presidential pick should help energize black and Latino voters as well as college-educated suburban women who came out in force for Democratic House candidates in 2018. And they should be a model for the party going forward.

"It's got to be somebody that the Democratic Party can see its future in," he said.

Russell pointed to Florida Rep. Val Demings, a former Orlando police chief who endorsed Biden on Thursday, as a strong candidate for the former vice president. Another Democratic strategist said either Demings or New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham would make good running mates for Biden. And Axios reported last year that Biden was considering former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams as his pick.

A Democratic operative working to elect Biden predicted the candidate would choose Sen. Kamala Harris of California, who dropped out of the 2020 race in December, as his running mate. Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general of her home state, ran on a more progressive platform than Biden but shied away from some of the progressive left's boldest proposals. Harris is considering endorsing Biden, according to The New York Times.

"I'd be surprised if it wasn't Kamala Harris," he told Insider. "I actually think [she] is pretty pragmatic. I think Kamala Harris is closer to Joe Biden's form of politics than she ever was to the stuff she was trying to do on the campaign."

Though Harris was critical of Biden's record on race during the primary, the former vice president praised her when she dropped out of the race.

"Sen. Harris has the capacity to be anything she wants to be," Biden said in December. "I talked to her yesterday. She's solid. She can be the president one day herself. She can be the vice president. She can go on to be a Supreme Court justice."

The operative said Sanders may have a harder time finding a running mate who will have broad appeal and be willing to be branded a democratic socialist. Some have suggested former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, a national cochair of Sanders' campaign, or Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, a progressive with a strong track record of wins in a swing state.

"He doesn't want to seem as if he's selling out his people. There is an appearance piece of this, so it's gotta be someone who's going to pass the smell test with his supporters," he said.

Basil Smikle, the former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, largely agreed.

"For Biden, I imagine black voters who were critical to his resurgence will be looking for an African American running mate," Smikle told Insider. "For Sanders, I think someone that fits his policy profile but may assuage concerns among 'establishment' Dems is possible, though few may fit the model."

But the two Democratic frontrunners find their strongest support in very different segments of the Democratic electorate. While Sanders has a significant lead over Biden among young voters and Latino voters, the former vice president is much more popular than his competitor among older and suburban voters.

bernie nina turner

Sen. Bernie Sanders with Nina Turner, his campaign's national cochair.

Sara D. Davis/Getty

Both candidates will also likely look for a running mate who appeals to the groups they're weak with.

"Vice President Biden needs someone who can help him connect with the youth that Sen. Sanders has energized throughout this campaign," Josh Klemons, a Wisconsin Democratic strategist, told Insider. "Sen. Sanders needs someone who can either help him continue making inroads with communities of color or assuage moderates and conservative democrats that he isn't an ideologue looking to change everything they know about the country."

Historically, the vice-presidential pick doesn't make or break the general election, but there is a danger of picking a running mate who hurts the nominee's chances.

"The percentage of people who said they wouldn't support John McCain in 2008 increased markedly in the immediate aftermath of Sarah Palin's first televised interview," Dan Hopkins, a political-science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told Insider of the former GOP nominee's choice.

"If they haven't already, I hope that the Biden campaign will start vetting because the most important thing is to do no harm," Russell said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:19:33|Editor: huaxia

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Palestinian policemen keep guard outside Angel Hotel in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, March 6, 2020. A state of emergency took effect on Friday in Palestine amid fears of the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Str/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, March 6 (Xinhua) -- A state of emergency took effect on Friday in Palestine amid fears of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared on Thursday a state of emergency in Palestine for one month as a precautionary measure.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health also announced on Thursday a series of precautionary measures in the West Bank after seven cases of COVID-19 were detected.

The traffic volume saw a sharp decline all over the West Bank after the Palestinian Authority (PA) declared that the universities and educational centers are closed.

In Bethlehem, measures were especially strict because the seven cases were from the city.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Ishtaye said on Thursday that "the various ministries' employees remain on duty until new instructions are declared," adding "doctors and medical teams will remain on duty in all medical establishments to protect our people from the spread of the virus."

He also said that the Palestinian government is studying the possibility of closing all crossing points between Palestine and the entire world "if it is needed."

He called on the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem to avoid mass gatherings and called on the private medical sector to back the governmental medical sector adding that the government will prevent vendors from exploiting the situation and elevating prices.

Ishtaye also called for canceling tourists' reservations in Palestinian hotels and closing all tourism zones and religious sites as well as canceling conferences and workshops.

"All these measures come into effect on Friday in parallel with deploying security forces all over the Palestinian territories," said Ishtaye, adding "the PA will pay for all its employees and servants during the time of emergency."

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Melhem, spokesman of the Palestinian government, said that the samples of the suspected cases were transferred to Israeli laboratories for double-check.

Melhem called on the Palestinians not to panic and not to believe in rumors, emphasizing that the government will work round the clock to help the public.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has been adopted by the European Parliament and is now awaiting approval from the European Council and Vietnams National Assembly.

Do Thanh Huyen, assistant manager of business intelligence at consultancy firm Dezan Shira & Associates

Do Thanh Huyen, assistant manager of business intelligence at consultancy firm Dezan Shira & Associates, looks into the issues Vietnamese enterprises may face once the EVFTA comes into force.

February 12 marked a milestone in bilateral economic relations between the EU and Vietnam when the European Parliament ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with 401 votes in favour. Finally, after eight years of negotiations, the EVFTA is closing in on implementation. The Vietnamese National Assembly has tabled this agreement for discussion and could ratify the agreement in May. The EVFTA will cut almost 99 per cent of customs duties between the EU and Vietnam, opening up many opportunities but also inevitable obstacles that Vietnam must overcome.

The EU has always been a high-potential and significant market for Vietnamese products. Data from Vietnam Customs showed that the countrys 2019 exports to the EU valued $41.7 billion, equivalent to exports to China.

Once the EVFTA is ratified, local entrepreneurs will face challenges due to stricter guidelines prescribed by the agreement on rules of origin, product quality standards, and requirements for labour and working conditions. Vietnamese enterprises not only have to confront higher competitiveness in domestic market but they are also exposed to risk of trade remedies levied by EU countries when their products penetrate the EU market.

Agro-aqua products

Vietnam is a country that thrives on agriculture with a multitude of products affirming their position in the EU market. After the EVFTA enters into force, EU custom duties on Vietnamese products like coffee, natural honey, and fresh fruit and vegetables will be completely eliminated. Tariffs on other key products such as rice, fish, and sugar will be reduced gradually and ultimately removed in the next three to seven years.

However, Vietnams agricultural and seafood exports have been facing certain difficulties amid global economic integration and trade liberalisation. The EU is a fastidious market where the annual average income is $36,000, three times higher than that of Chinas. EU authorities set high standards for product quality and requirements on food safety, labelling, and the environment.

To be entitled for EVFTA benefits, Vietnamese businesses shall conform to EU standards. Furthermore, sanitary and phytosanitary measures as non-tariff barriers are also covered in the agreement.

In order to be eligible for imports in the EU, Vietnamese goods must follow such strict requirements, particularly on food safety. Food safety and traceability are likely the most challenging barrier for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic goods in foreign markets.

In such a context, the EVFTA urges Vietnamese businesses, especially small- and medium-sized ones, to advance their technology, apply higher standards to their processing lines, and cut the use of restricted substances and antibiotics for production.

Textiles and garments

Labour-intensive industries have become Vietnams comparative advantage. As reported by the General Statistics Office in 2019, Vietnams exports of textiles and garments ranked third globally with a value of $32.6 billion, only after China and India. Meanwhile, the EU is the second-largest market for Vietnamese apparels, which makes these products among the most beneficial groups when the EVFTA comes into force. Nevertheless, it is important for manufacturers of this product group to be proactive in sourcing materials to meet the yarn forward rules of origin. In essence, this means that all items in a garment from the yarn stage must be made in the EU, Vietnam, or South Korea  the only mutual FTA partner of both EVFTAs parties. According to Vinatex, around 14 per cent of Vietnams garment inputs in 2019 were imported from South Korea.

The rule is intended to ensure that the trade benefits of the EVFTA only apply to signatory countries rather than outside players.

These origin rules could have a serious impact for countries like Vietnam. The country is currently a key global garment manufacturing hub. However, fabrics are mostly sourced from China. Overall, around 85 per cent of Vietnamese textile and garment companies have outsourcing contracts with foreign partners. Vietnam should place top priority on the development its own local fabric industry to be eligible for EVFTA benefits.

Domestic groups across various sectors will be affected by new EVFTA requirements

Pharmaceuticals

Vietnams pharmaceutical market remains attractive to EU investors. Once the EVFTA comes into effect, approximately half of EU pharmaceutical imports will be duty-free immediately, with the rest exempted after seven years.

While Vietnams pharmaceutical market has significantly developed, it still only meets 52 per cent of market demand, contributed mostly by generic drugs. The new FTA will further open the market allowing local consumers to find Made in EU pharmaceutical products on store shelves, and at a competitive price. Vietnamese manufacturers might struggle to maintain their market share without constant innovation and improvements in their product lines, as it is likely that local consumers will perceive Made in EU pharmaceuticals as higher quality products.

Automobiles

As the domestic automobile industry remains in its infancy, Vietnams commitment in the EVFTA is a roadmap of gradual reduction of custom duties on EU automobiles in 10 years so that local carmakers can strengthen their positions. Nevertheless, it is doubtful that the Vietnamese automotive industry will sufficiently develop to embrace the challenge from EU products.

Notable carmakers such as VinFast, THACO, and Huyndai Thanh Cong have been selling at lower prices to compete with EU-made products. However, the main challenge for local players will be the development of an appropriate supporting industry. Currently, there are roughly 250 Vietnamese companies operating in the field of automotive component manufacturing.

The uneven production of automobiles by Vietnamese enterprises also prevents the local automotive industry from receiving the EVFTAs tariff preferences when it gets access to the EU market. As per the agreement, the value limit of non-originating materials for vehicle and vehicle parts are specified at 45 and 50 per cent, respectively.

Thus, Vietnam will have to promote its own supporting industries for automobiles or import components from EU member states in order to take advantage of the EVFTA.

Other products

In general, all Vietnamese products exported to EU member states are also exposed to the risk of their trade remedies. When a tariff is no longer an effective barrier, foreign markets tend to resort to anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, or safeguard measures to protect their industries and their consumers. It is important to note that the EU is such a market which prefers to implement such measures. Indeed, anti-dumping duty has been levied on several of Vietnams key commodities such as steel, basa fish, or shrimp, by major markets such as the US, Canada, India, the EU, and several other FTA partners.

Trading of services and investment

Vietnam commits to opening the market for business, environmental, and logistic services, as well as banking, insurance, and sea freight services by EU member states. Therefore in upcoming years, Vietnamese service providers are likely to encounter EU competitors and find it harder to assert their positions in the domestic market.

Currently, EU investors are active in 18 economic sectors and in 52 out of 63 provinces in Vietnam. Investment has been the most prominent in manufacturing, electricity, and real estate. Incentives under the EVFTA granted for EU investors may create challenges for local manufacturers of food and beverages, fertilisers, tyres, pottery, plastic products, and construction materials. This is likely when there is a gap in capacity and product quality between domestic and foreign-invested companies.

In addition, the EVFTA also triggers another challenge for Vietnamese companies in terms of international labour standards. According to a recently-published Oxfam study on Vietnamese garment workers wages and living conditions, the national average minimum wage in Vietnam is $143.70, which is around 37 per cent of the Asia Floor Wage and 64 per cent of the Global Living Wage Coalition benchmark.

Workers wages are being kept quite low so manufacturers can reduce prices for international buyers, who always seek the cheapest option. As Vietnamese labour is progressing towards international standards to enter the EVFTA, local enterprises have no choice but to bear the increased labour cost, which requires them to seek for other ways to maintain their competitiveness.

Conclusion

The agreement is predicted to come into force in July or August this year. We strongly recommend that Vietnamese companies thoroughly understand the commitments of both parties in the EVFTA and be prepared to embrace upcoming challenges.

In such a context, being proactive is crucial for enterprises to maintain their performance and expand their business. The EVFTA presents a chance for Vietnamese businesses to improve themselves to be able to compete with EU enterprises and develop a sustainable production base. VIR

EVFTA, EVIPA offer prospect of high quality FDI to Vietnam The recent ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the European Parliament is expected to create a change in the flow of FDI from the EU into Vietnam.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Ti Chee Liang, chairman of Ecotech Tra Vinh Renewables JSC

Why did it take more than a year for the company to begin the project construction? Are there any reasons behind the delay?

The project received its investment license in August 2018. We have started the investment process according to Vietnamese law immediately after receiving approval for the projects investment proposal. We hired Power Engineering Consulting JSC No.3 (PECC3) and the Institute of Energy to prepare the feasibility study and basic design on two lots  V1.5 and V1.6 with capacities of 48MW and 30MW  that have been approved for inclusion in the Master Plan by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in 2015.

The company then proceeded to secure the interconnection agreement with Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and other technical agreements. Despite these efforts, project implementation was slightly delayed for a number of reasons.

First, by their nature, wind projects are much more complicated to implement than solar projects. We need to carefully study the wind and maritime conditions near the shore and other geotechnical conditions for the project.

Second, the power purchase agreement (PPA) is written in Vietnamese without an English version. It took a great deal of effort to convince international lenders to accept this format.

Third, wind and renewable projects are not eligible for guarantees by the Vietnamese government and there are other risks factors such as curtailment risks, which are non-existent in a BOT power project. Lenders needs to be convinced to accept these risks.

Fourth, as this is a green project, we need to prepare additional project documentation to meet international environmental standards, especially when it comes to environmental and social impact assessment. Now we have these documentations ready to have the project fully moving forward.

Last but not least, the global wind market is an investment hotbed with escalating demand for reputable wind turbine suppliers. Wind turbine suppliers like Siemens Gamesa and other suppliers have their manufacturing at full capacity and they are only keen to provide turbines to reputable developers in whom they have confidence to execute and complete the projects. We were able to lock down a commitment from Siemens Gamesa to supply wind turbine generators (WTGs) in a short time.

The delays, however, were mitigated and shortened by active support from the Vietnamese government and relevant ministries. It is always difficult for any developer to implement a project as a plethora of laws and regulations must be followed. We are fortunate that the Vietnamese authorities are always prepared to discuss and review our challenges and provide assistance wherever possible.

In fact, in Vietnam and in Tra Vinh, the MoIT, the provincial Peoples Committee, and EVN are always looking to support developers with win-win solutions to ensure that developers can implement their projects on time. The MoIT and EVNs proactive support allowed the basic design approved in June 2019 and the PPA signed in September 2019.

The strong support from Tra Vinh authorities ensured a smooth and efficient resettlement process. We have secured cleared area for the construction of the main plant and substation in order to hold the ground-breaking ceremony today. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks to the MoIT, the Tra Vinh Peoples Committee, EVN, and all relevant authorities for their strong support during the projects development.

You once mentioned that the feed-in tariff (FiT) of 7.8 US cents is not viable for the project. Now the tariffs of 9.8 US cents for offshore and 8.5 US cents for on-shore plants are valid until November 2021. What is plan for Hiep Thanh to be in operation?

Hiep Thanh Wind Power Project is scheduled to come on stream in the first half of 2021

We are very pleased that we will have the first turbines running in early 2021 and will manage to complete the construction of the plant by mid-2021. Ecotech Tra Vinh will achieve commercial operations quite some time ahead of the mentioned deadline for these tariffs. We are proud to also announce that we will be the first developer to execute a wind power plant in Tra Vinh.

The new tariff of 9.8 US cents was extremely important to make the project bankable. However, the tariff is just one of the numerous factors that lenders use to evaluate a project. Other factors include issues like the developers reputation and ability to execute projects, the terms of the PPA, the quality of the equipment, and whether the project meets international standards on environmental and social impact. As mentioned above, we have looked at all of these issues and resolved them when necessary  we are confident to achieve commercial operations before November 2021.

Our lender is a Green Fund. The green fund lender is well versed in green energy development and its complications. The lenders proactive approach to lending, compared to traditional banks, deep understanding of the risk profile of a wind power plant, and the extremely efficient work ethic of CIO and ST International made it possible to quickly resolve the above issues.

During the project preparation and development stage, what are the main obstacles and concerns from the investors?

We are fortunate that we have experience from Duyen Hai 2 to leverage once we start construction after breaking ground on the project. There are certain areas that are critical in the construction stage. There is no well-established investment scheme for nearshore projects that investors and authorities can consider. One example is the lack of regulations on the maritime agreement to lease the surface.

We are still having discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the leasing contract, discussing whether we need to rent only the footprint of the wind turbines or the complete area that would signify a significant cost increase.

Nearshore wind projects also do not enjoy the rent and tax concessions that are available to onshore projects. We do hope that the government will come out with favourable regulations to promote nearshore projects. It will be good not only for our project but also all other nearshore projects.

There is strong interest from investors in wind projects in Vietnam. Are you willing to invest further in other wind projects?

Wind is green and it is the predominant energy source for future generations. Wind power plants may be less efficient than baseload plants but the difference will narrow with improvements in technology standards. But more importantly, green energy is good for the planet and we must prioritise this form of energy production.

By extending a loan to Hiep Thanh wind project, international lenders are endorsing the fact that wind projects in Vietnam are on par with the stringent environmental and social standards of the west.

If our partner in the project - Singapores Janakuasa Pte LTD - is given more opportunities to do wind projects in Vietnam, we will proceed without a second thought. As we have stated, power projects can be executed in Vietnam successfully. Completing power projects in Vietnam on scheduled COD, as stated in the PPA, is also achievable. The simple reason is that Vietnamese authorities are willing to discuss with developers their challenges and issues and assist whenever possible to achieve win-win solutions. Janakuasa has two power projects attesting to this to any other foreign investors who are keen to invest in Vietnam.

By funding this project through international lenders, Janakuasa has demonstrated that Vietnams power plants can meet very stringent social and environmental standards equal to those of Europe. This is an important show that Vietnam can compete with the best to promote green energy. Janakuasa is proud and honoured to play a part to deliver this message.

What advice would you recommend to other investors in wind power development?

Firstly, the investor must understand the regulatory framework of Vietnams power industry and assist in explaining this regulatory framework to international lenders. For example, a PPA written only in Vietnamese can be bankable. Bankability lies not in the language used but the risks defined in the PPA. International lenders understand risks, but first, the developers need to understand it by themselves first.

Secondly, the developer should conduct a preliminary study on wind and maritime conditions and shall install a wind mast before the submission of the feasibility study. These gives the developer a gut fee of the viability of the project in a particular location.

Thirdly, there should be careful consideration and study of interconnection issues. The selection of the wind turbine that meets the project and financing requirements are also important.

Fourthly, select Janakuasa as the partner.

You are also working on the Duyen Hai 2 project. What is the status of the construction work at this project?

Duyen Hai 2 power project is in full tilt to reach completion

We are pleased to inform that the Duyen Hai 2 project proceeds in a timely manner. We have of course faced many challenges during construction but the support from the MoIT, EVN, MoNRE, and Tra Vinh Peoples Committee has had a significant impact on our ability to overcome construction problems and give us the confidence to meet our deadlines.

We can confirm that we will meet the scheduled commercial operation date for the first turbine unit as defined in the PPA in June 2021. We are striving to be between three to six months ahead of schedule and expect the project to be plugged into the Vietnamese grid in the first quarter of 2021. The current coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), however, is now a great challenge to our construction schedule.

Do you have any concerns of the negative public opinion of coal power? How transparent is the supervision at the site to ensure smooth operation from the get go?

We are always mindful of the public perception of coal-fired plants and its negative impact. It is important to look at everything in the right context. Coal-fired plants are a necessity for a high-growth country like Vietnam. Many of the base load power plants are coal-fired and they ensure stability for the grid and ensure no outages to the many manufacturing plants located in Vietnam.

The challenge, therefore, is to sustain stable energy production to meet growth, yet still comply with strict environmental standards. This explains why Janakuasa has decided to build a supercritical power plant in Duyen Hai 2. This technology does cost much more than a subcritical plant but it has greater efficiency and far lower emissions.

What does this project mean for Janakuasa?

Janakuasa has engaged in these two projects to generate revenue and profit. This, however, is not the only priority  equally important are putting the Duyen Hai 2 and Hiep Thanh wind projects into operation to benefit Vietnams economic development.

The benefits are diverse. For instance, these two plants create new employment in Tra Vinh, generate tax revenue to the local budget, provide new impetus to economic growth, and attract new investors to set up new industries in Tra Vinh.

More importantly, by extending a loan to the Hiep Thanh wind project, international lenders are endorsing the fact that wind projects in Vietnam are on par with the stringent environmental and social standards of the west. To me, this is the real benefit for Vietnam and its economy. This means that in implementing a project in Vietnam, we can complete with the best in western economies.
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Tunisian Parliament on Thursday rejected the basic bill on the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, after the text failed to obtain the required number of votes
Explained: How Delhi is picking up the pieces after the violence

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: A week after the communal violence in northeast Delhi, the residents are slowly picking up the pieces as the government's relief and rehabilitation measures have kicked in amid tight vigil by security forces.

The police have been conducting flag marches and holding meetings with the locals in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad where the violence, that sparked from protests over the amended Citizenship Act, was the most intense.

In Mustafabad, an Eidgah has been turned into a relief camp, and the locals too have opened their homes for those seeking shelter. Many families have sought refuge at the relief camps in Mustafabad and Shri Ram Colony, with others preferring their relative's house.

Explained: How police is fighting rumours in riot hit Delhi

Students are appearing for board exams that was postponed in the riot-affected. The police and paramilitary personnel are maintaining a tight vigil outside the centres. However, government schools in the area will remain closed till March 7.

Some people are visiting their burnt out homes to assess the damage. Many of those who fled during the violence are still fearful about returning and say they would wait for a week more before deciding anything.

The Delhi Police has registered 436 FIRs and arrested or detained 1,427 people in connection with the communal violence that claimed 42 lives and left over 200 injured. an officer had said on Tuesday, adding 45 cases were registered under the Arms Act.

Explained: The Delhi violence and how life is limping back to normalcy

The situation in the riot-affected areas was under control and the police control room (PCR) have not received calls regarding rioting in the past six days, the force said.

On Tuesday, Mohammed Shahrukh, who was seen confronting an unarmed police personnel during violence at Maujpur last week, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said.

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Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 8:17 [IST]
DURING a press briefing last Wednesday on the coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump claimed the U.S. is totally prepared to respond to a disease that is spreading to new countries seemingly every day.

Thats a bold assertion that will be tested immediately, and it may come back to haunt the administration.

Indeed, the first significant challenge came shortly after the presidents briefing as the Centers for Disease Control disclosed Americas first infection not tied to travel in China or another known case.

If theres one such case, there are likely to be more.

Against that backdrop, the presidents instinct to downplay the threat (even if the experts with him were more sobering) and his willingness to exchange potshots with political rivals such as Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are especially troublesome.

He at least acknowledged at the briefing that the risk of the virus could escalate, which is an improvement, and his decision to put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the response may make things less chaotic.

But modestly improved rhetoric and a new virus czar are a pretty long way off from total preparation.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], Mar 6 (ANI): Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said he has asked police to enhance the security of Congress leaders and former ministers UT Khader and Tanveer Sait.



"Threat perception has been there for some time now, all the more after the attack on Tanveer Sait. Their (Congress MLAs UT Khader and Tanveer Sait) security is necessary. I have intimidated them. I have asked police to enhance their security," Bommai told ANI.

"After the assault on Tanveer Sait, the police told me that there were some intelligence reports and asked to me to take proper security. They have given one police man for the name's sake," Khader said. (ANI)
Dhankhar said that the basic human rights of people are being compromised to an "unacceptable degree" under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's governance.

"I had sought this meeting. The initiative was mine. The purpose of the meeting was to share my perception as regards critical, worrisome and disturbing issues of governance in the state of West Bengal. Also, to apprise the Home Minister of the various areas that call for attention of the central government in the interest of the people of West Bengal," Dhankhar told media here.

"The Union Home Minister was kind enough to grant time for this meeting immediately after I sought it. I met him for more than half an hour at his Parliament House office... The Union Home Minister was enormously updated about state of affairs in West Bengal. Before adverting to issues of West Bengal, I congratulated the Union Home Minister for having taken initiative in doing a great service to the nation virtually effecting completion of the unfinished work of Sardar Patel by undoing Article 370 from the Indian Constitution," he added.

Dhankhar said that in seven months, he has seen "worrisome issues of law and order, highly disturbing and antithetical to democratic governance."

"I have seen several such instances where law and order in the state was graduating to a level of internal disturbance. I have been to various parts of the state and getting reports regularly from various quarters over the seven months of serious political victimisation by the police authorities, involvement of innocent people in false criminal cases only on account of political considerations. The basic human rights of the people being compromised to an unacceptable degree," Dhankhar said.

"On February 7, I addressed the state Assembly and the address of the Governor was blacked out. Unprecedented situation. The state has been afflicted with rare violence over last several years... I apprised the Union Home Minister that I have taken steps by having an interaction with the state Election Commissioner and cautioned him that he should take a non-partisan approach. He must not be a rubber stamp of the ruling party and must consider all stakeholders concern and ensure free and peaceful polls," he added.

Dhankhar said that he also indicated that there has been "misuse of public funds for propagating political agenda of the ruling party."

"This is unacceptable. No government can use public funds expect for the welfare of the people in accordance with law," he said.

Before meeting the Union Home Minister, Dhankar met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

When asked whether kinds of serious concerns he raised with the Home Minister is leading towards President's Rule in the state before elections, Dhankhar said, "I don't think you must jump to such conclusions. The purpose is not to go to any level. the purpose is to bring about constructive change so that the situation in the state does not slide.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lincoln police say they arrested a 38-year-old parole absconder Thursday afternoon after spotting him in a hotel parking lot near the airport.

Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said when police patrolling the area saw Travis Nyhoff, who they knew was wanted for not following conditions of his parole, near the Luxury Inn & Suites, Nyhoff ran through the hotel, up to the second floor, then down the fire escape to his pickup.

Bonkiewicz said when officers surrounded his Ford F-150, Nyhoff refused to get out. He said officers had to break a window of his pickup to get him out.

They arrested him on suspicion of obstructing police and on the parole violation. He had gone to prison in 2011 for possessing a stolen firearm, assaulting an officer and burglary charges.

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The traditional way to introduce young people to the study of philosophy is to break the link between form and function. For those who have not yet read any Descartes, or merely got round to watching The Matrix, few things can be more certain to instil an immediate sense of baffled wonderment into a curious mind than to ask, for example, if you sit on a table and eat your dinner off a chair, which is the chair and which is the table?

Alas, such questions are rarely pondered over in the kind of schools that Boris Johnson did not go to, but the prime ministers commitment to levelling up the country should not be doubted, and so it should not be ruled out that his promised bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland is not actually intended to be a bridge, but merely a national thought experiment.

It is mere weeks since the bridge that cannot be built was dredged up again, and reinflicted on the public conscience. We now learn that the Scottish secretary Alister Jack, thinks the bridge should, in fact, be a tunnel.

A tunnel would be cheaper, apparently, and more weatherproof.

What difference does it make? We can call it a bridge, we can call it a tunnel, we can call it a strawberry blancmange and it remains the same. It will never convey people from one side of it to the other.

The bridge that is impossible to build, the one that Boris Johnson dared us to believe could be built if we just believed in it, has now been ruled out on weather grounds. There are, it turns out, very high winds in the Irish Sea, that would require the bridge to be closed for up to 100 days a year.

Of course, you might be tempted to point out that high winds cannot possibly make the slightest bit of difference to a bridge that cannot be built, for the simple fact that it cannot be built.

It is like saying that you cannot build a cold fusion reactor at the top of a mountain because there would be nowhere for the staff to park. The point is that you cant build a cold fusion reactor in the first place.

But that is to miss the point entirely. There is no bridge. There is no spoon. There is only what Boris Johnson wants you to believe. The bridge is not to be crossed, it is just to be believed in.

There is also no point raising the fact there are an estimated 1 million tons of Second World War munitions resting on the seabed where the bridge that cannot be built is meant to be built. A million tons of bombs dont matter. Nothing real can harm the bridge that cannot be built. There is no bridge. There are no munitions. There is no danger. There was no war.

The Scottish secretary has told a committee of the Scottish parliament that he has raised the prospect of a tunnel, instead of a bridge. The tunnel would, he said, be a cheaper alternative. This is shortsighted. The bridge is free. It is made of nothing more than the shapeless air that comes out of Boris Johnsons mouth. It cannot be costed because it cannot be built.

That the bridge should have become a tunnel shows, more than anything, a lack of imagination. Why not a teleporter? Why not a floating castle on a cloud? Why not carry people from Scotland to Northern Ireland on the back of that weird dragon from The NeverEnding Story?

It doesnt matter what it is, what form it takes. What matters is that we discuss it, and in so doing, some of us will be persuaded to believe that Boris Johnson dares to dream bigger dreams than lesser mortals, and hopefully not work out that it is very obviously complete b*****ks.

On the day the bridge became a tunnel but stayed the same, the UKs Brexit negotiating team also made clear its intention to pull out of the European Convention of Human Rights, pioneering, rights-guaranteeing legislation that this country was instrumental in drafting, back before it chose a new course, becoming instead an international pariah and a domestic basket case.

But these matters are complex, and it is best not to worry about them. Not when there is an unbuildable bridge to hope for  an unfalsifiable dream, a pie in the sky, a subterranean flight of fantasy. Best take the blue pill and see how deep the imaginary tunnel goes.
E erie aerial images of the world's busiest destinations have revealed the impact of coronavirus across the planet.

The before and after pictures, released by space technology company Maxar, show usually packed spaces from Mecca to Tiananmen Square now deserted.

Desolate public squares, barren motorways and vacant holy sites can be seen from above, a stark reminder of the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus has so far killed 3,387 people, having surpassed the 774 killed by the 2002 SARS outbreak within weeks.

The Colorado-based firm released one photograph showing a small number of pilgrims circling the Kaaba at Mecca's Grand Mosque.

The black building at the centre of the mosque is visited by millions every year, with worshippers travelling from every corner of the world.

Photograph taken on March 5, 2020 shows the white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba, inside Mecca's Grand Mosque, empty of worshippers / AFP via Getty Images

The holy site, located in the Saudi Arabian desert, was officially closed on Thursday in a historic moment after the country's leaders suspended the year-round "umrah" pilgrimage in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

Officials have begun an emergency deep-clean of the area.

One of Iran's most sacred places was also snapped almost empty. The streets and square around the Harat Masumeh Shrine in Qom appear vacant from above.

In Wuhan, China, the city at the centre of the outbreak, highways normally packed with traffic are bare.

Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which is usually bustling with people, is shown unoccupied with only a few cars passing nearby.

Tokyo's Disneyland has closed its doors amid the outbreak and the iconic Space Mountain ride previously surrounded with thrillseekers now looks abandoned.

The UK has now had 116 cases, 97 of those remain ill, while a woman in her 70s became the first person in the UK to die after catching the deadly illness.

A child in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus, according to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
By PTI

SAN FRANCISCO: Passengers on a cruise ship stranded off the coast of San Francisco were confined to their cabins Thursday as tests were conducted to determine if any of the nearly 3,500 guests and crew had contracted the new coronavirus.

Authorities said the Grand Princess, which had been scheduled to dock on Wednesday, would remain at sea until the test results of those who had shown symptoms of the virus are known.

The California National Guard said it had flown test kits to the ship Thursday morning and the findings were expected to be announced early Friday.

Carolyn Wright, a passenger, told AFP that the captain announced Thursday evening that there were "no confirmed cases of coronavirus" and that final results would be released the following day.

Health officials sounded the alarm after two passengers who had been on board during a previous voyage between San Francisco and Mexico later fell ill and one of them died.

Several other passengers who had remained on the vessel for its next voyage to Hawaii also developed flu-like symptoms during that trip.

Officials said there were 2,383 passengers and 1,100 crew on board the ship.

Wright said there was no panic on board and people seemed to be taking the setback in stride.

"I can't get over how the news is sensationalising our ship," said the 63-year-old professional photographer from New Mexico who was travelling with a friend.

"There were two cases on the previous cruise and they act like everybody on board has the plague."

She said passengers had been free to roam about the ship but on Thursday were told after lunch to remain in their cabins.

"I think it's all closing the barn after the horse has left," Wright said via text messages.

"I'm not really worried. If you look at the odds, our risk is pretty low."

She said the passengers -- most of them between 60 and 90 years old -- were in good spirits "although that may change if we are stuck in our cabins for too long."

"Everyone was calm and content up until now," she said.

"But room service isn't answering and people are going to get upset quickly without food or liquor."

Health officials said it was unclear when or where the ship would be allowed to dock.

Various agencies "are working to determine if COVID-19 is present on the ship," Mary Ellen Carroll, the head of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, told reporters, referring to the formal name of the virus.

She said 35 people had shown flu-like symptoms during the 15-day cruise, but many have already recovered.

Carroll said once test results are back, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California state officials will determine the most appropriate location for the ship to berth.

"The location needs to provide for the safety of the surrounding community, as well as the passengers and crew," she said.

"The CDC and the state are considering a number of locations, including San Francisco."

California Governor Gavin Newsom said authorities were trying to contact some of the 2,500 passengers who were on board the previous voyage.

The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the Diamond Princess -- the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month from which more than 700 people tested positive and six died.

Worldwide, more than 3,000 people have died from the fast-spreading virus that has infected more than 100,000 people in some 85 countries.






The coronavirus that delivers the illness known as COVID-19 is affecting all parts of the automotive industry. For Toyota specifically, the outbreak has caused concern about the manufacturing and supply chain in Japan, and it's also put a spotlight on a dealership in Washington state. An employee at Toyota of Kirkland, in Seattle's Eastside suburbs, tested positive for the virus this week, according to the Kirkland Reporter. The dealership is closed until Monday, March 9, for cleaning.

Toyota of Kirkland is only 2.5 miles from the Life Care Center nursing home, where 10 residents have died from the virus and many more are ill.

ToK took to Facebook to address the issue. In the post, the dealership said it learned on the evening of March 3 that one of its employees had tested positive for the virus. It did not specify, however, any details about how long the employee has had the virus, how often the employee has been at work, or what role this person had at the dealership. For some reason, the dealership remained open for at least another day, according to Automotive News, a decision that prompted plenty of upset comments from customers on social media.

Toyota of Kirkland alerted its employees on the morning of Wednesday, March 4, and got in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for guidelines on how to handle the situation. In addition to closing shop until Monday, the dealership will be deep-cleaned and disinfected. The janitorial services are adding nightly cleaning, and food and beverage services in the waiting areas have been cut off. Furthermore, the valet drivers and technicians will now use a new set of gloves for every customer vehicle, and gloves will be available to anybody.

Toyota of Kirkland has also asked any employees with virus-like symptoms to self-quarantine and remain so for at least 14 days. For more information about the coronavirus and how to handle the outbreak, visit CDC.gov.
California declares emergency over coronavirus as death toll rises in US

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 7:09 AM

California has declared a state of emergency after the first US death from the coronavirus outside of Washington state that brought the total number of fatalities to eleven nationwide.

California governor Gavin Newsom announced the emergency on Wednesday, saying "the state is working around the clock to keep our communities safe, healthy and informed."

The decision was made after health officials reported the death of a 70-year old man from the infection in Placer County, near Sacramento.

He fell ill with the virus on a cruise ship voyage between San Francisco and Mexico last month.

Officials are now trying to locate hundreds of other people, who disembarked from the Grand Princess ship in San Francisco.

The same vessel, bound for Hawaii from San Francisco with 2,500 passengers plus crew, is now held off the California coast after eleven passengers and 10 crew members started showing symptoms of the virus infection on Wednesday.

The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month, on which more than 700 people on board tested positive, AFP said.

The ship's return from its current voyage was being delayed to allow "ample timing" for testing of "a number of passengers and crew members that have developed symptoms," Newsom told a press conference.

"The ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers," he added.

More than 130 people have been infected across the US, with the virus detected in more than a dozen states.

As of Wednesday, there have been 53 positive cases of the infection in California, including seven in Los Angeles county and 11 in Santa Clara county, the heart of Silicon Valley. One case was also reported in Berkeley on Tuesday.

Officials in Los Angeles declared a local emergency and a public health emergency in response to the outbreak.

The number of confirmed cases in New York state also rose to 11.

Washington state, which reported a 10th coronavirus death, represents the biggest concentration of cases in the United States from a virus that has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide, mostly in China, where the epidemic originated in December.

Washington state medical staff reported fear and anger among people, who were told they could not be tested for the coronavirus due to limited capacity, Reuters said.

"We have had patients presenting here, angry that they cannot be tested for COVID-19, yelling, cussing, throwing their dirty mask at us and even spitting their secretions on the floor and walls on their way out," a nurse practitioner, who works at an urgent care clinic in the Seattle suburb of Monroe, wrote on Facebook.

Testing was delayed after a first round of kits sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) failed and it took weeks for replacements to arrive in states, Reuters added.

Seattle-area health officials urged the people to stay home and away from social gatherings and public places.

A growing number of US companies have allowed their employees to work from home as much as possible amid the nation's largest outbreak.

On Wednesday Microsoft Corp asked its employees in the Seattle region near its headquarters and in the San Francisco Bay Area to work from home if possible.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Republicans and Democrats reached a deal over a roughly $8 billion emergency funding bill to fight the rapidly spreading virus. The Senate is due to vote on the funding on Thursday.



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Some 20 persons arrested in the Volta Region at the military training ground of a secessionist group  Homeland Study Group Foundation  have been discharged by an Accra Circuit Court, as the prosecution dropped all charges against them on Wednesday.

The accused persons comprising 19 males and a female were released after investigators concluded that the suspects were 'victims of circumstances' because they had no idea they were being recruited into the guerilla army of the secessionist group.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Apiorsornu, who urged the court to discharge them, said further investigations showed that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the accused persons.

The court presided over by Ellen Offei Aryeh subsequently struck out the charges as withdrawn and consequently discharged the accused persons.

The Suspects

The suspects include Justine Abotsi Kpuia, a pupil teacher; Joshua Lawoe, motor rider; Patrick Doe-Dzogbeta, repairer; Solomon Normeshie, unemployed; Moses Dakpenese, driver; Raymond Amemo, glass works; Justice Kumahor, steel bender; Christian Agbeko, unemployed; Emmanuel Tannor, salesman; William Ahiamadi, electrician and Michael Dakpenese, motor rider.

The rest are Enos Agbanyo, mason; Francis Sakyi, mason; Kwami Asorgna, unemployed; Divine Bedzrah, unemployed; Samuel Key Suglo, fisher; Vincent Abotsi, fisher; Kofi Atsu, teacher; Etse Borlor, mason, and Julius Sah, lotto agent.

They were arrested on the dawn of February 17, 2020 by a combined team of officers of the Ghana Army and police officers in a 2 a.m. dawn raid on the training ground.

They are said to have been recruited by the secessionist group led by 80-year-old Charles Kokuvi Kudzordj (aka Papavi) into what they call the Guerilla Army, and were undergoing training when they were arrested.

One Suspect

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Anthony Dormekpo, has been remanded by the court as the prosecution has charged him with two counts of to attend meeting of a prohibited organization and to participate in campaign of a prohibited organization.

The accused, according to the prosecution, is a member of the prohibited group who recruited the other 20 individuals under the guise of protocol enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces, while others were recruited to work on a farm allegedly owned by a 'white man'.

Registration Fees

The individuals were said to have paid between GH400 and GH800 as registration fees.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer, George Asameni, begged the court to grant him bail pending trial.

The prosecutor had told the court that they were still investigating the matter and needed the accused person to be remanded pending the conclusion of the investigations.

But Mr. Asameni told the court that there is no absolute rule that states that when someone is granted bail the police cannot conduct their investigations.

This, he said, was a ploy by the prosecution to keep the accused person incarcerated.

Chief Inspector Apiorsornu opposed the application for bail, saying some of the accused persons were still at large and when granted bail, Dormekpo would interfere with investigations.

The judge then said that given the nature of the accusation, she would remand the accused person till the next court date for investigation to continue.

The case was adjourned to March 19, 2020.

---Daily Guide
The first person in the world to be born following IVF treatment, Louise Brown, says that when people heard her history they were surprised that she "didn't have two heads" and was "normal".

Louise, who was born in the UK on 25 July 1978, addressed a conference in Malaga on Thursday to explain what it has meant to be the first baby ever conceived by this technique. Speaking to SUR afterwards, she said that in the beginning people couldn't understand that she was a normal person.

"When I was born in 1978 it was considered a sin for a man to masturbate, but if we think about it, how else did my father give his sperm to fertilise the egg. The church was against - apparently there was a meeting and the message that came out was that perhaps I wouldn't have a soul, but my parents took no notice of that," she explained.

Although she is in favour of this fertility treatment and believes people should have confidence in the doctors, she also says everyone has the right to their own opinion and that "nobody is right or wrong".

Louise explained that she feels it is her job to make people realise that there's nothing wrong with undergoing this procedure which - in her opinion, she stressed - doesn't just create a child, but creates a family.

The birth of the first 'test tube baby' filled the front pages of newspapers all over the world and one of the scientists behind it, physiologist Robert Edwards, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2010.

When Louise was born, her parents travelled with her to demonstrate to the world that the procedure was safe and that she was a normal baby, although a few years later they stopped making those trips because, she explained, they wanted her to be a daughter, not a "superstar".

She now lives in Bristol with her husband and two children, who were conceived naturally, and has begun to explain to them why their mother is featured in their school textbooks.

Hers was the first successful case of assisted reproduction after more than 100 attempts. Since then, millions of babies have come into the world thanks to the same procedure.

This makes Louise Brown a landmark in the recent history of medicine, a situation which she takes completely in her stride.
At Texas Southern University, the historically black college with 10,000 enrolled students where Mr. Rogers had to wait, there were only six poll workers and 10 voting machines. Only five were allocated to Democratic voters, and some of the aging machines broke down for part of the night. Exhausted voters, The Posts Elise Viebeck reported, resorted to sitting on the ground as the lines stalled. In California, many voters, particularly in Los Angeles, encountered long waits because of the glitches that accompanied the first major deployment of a new $300 million voting system. One voter likened the situation to the infamous traffic gridlock on Californias 405 freeway.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 00:17:30|Editor: yhy

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ADDIS ABABA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Eritrean government on Thursday disclosed that it has successfully contained a new desert locust invasion that swarmed in excess of 400-hectares-of-land in the country's Northern Red Sea region.

"A new desert locust invasion that appeared on Feb. 21, and covered around 400 hectares of land in the Northern Red Sea Region was put under control, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture experts, the military in the area and regional administration staff," the Eritrean Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) disclosed in a statement issued Thursday.

Amid the Eritrean government's ongoing measures to contend the adverse impacts of the desert locust outbreak that wreaked havoc across the Horn of Africa threatening food security, the MoA also revealed that the Red Sea nation has treated more than 57,000 hectares of land that was infested with desert locusts as of the beginning of March.

According to the ministry, a new mature adult locust swarm that appeared in the same region on Feb. 29 and covered around 200 hectares of land has been also put under control as of March 3 with the use of four sprayer-mounted vehicles.

As part of the Eritrean government's concerted efforts to contained the desert locust invasion, the country has dispatched about 11,078 farmers and military personnel as well as 110 experts, it was noted.

The ministry, which noted that the latest operations against the desert locust infestation are part of the ongoing locust control measures that started back in July 2019, also affirmed the readiness of experts to control possible desert locust swarms that might come in the near future.

According to the latest figures from the Eritrean Migratory Pests Control Unit, more than 57,000 hectares of land that was infested with the desert locust swarms has been treated as of Feb. 29 across Eritrean regions, which include the country's Northern Red Sea, Southern Red Sea, as well as the Debub regions.

"Even though with very limited resources, extraordinary commitment of the government, experts, the military and the general public has saved Eritrea's crops and rangelands," an Eritrean Ministry of Agriculture statement read.

The desert locust, which is considered as the most dangerous of the nearly one dozen species of locusts, is a major food security peril in desert areas across 20 countries, stretching from west Africa all the way to India, covering nearly 16 million square kilometers, according to the United Nations. Enditem
EU countries on Friday gave a cautious welcome to a Russian-Turkish ceasefire in Syria as a sign of goodwill but urged the warring parties to allow in more humanitarian aid.

Foreign ministers from the 27 EU states are meeting for talks in Zagreb on the crisis in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, where Ankara is battling Moscow-backed government forces.

A ceasefire came into force at midnight aiming to halt intense fighting that has sparked a humanitarian crisis and raised fears of Turkish and Russian armies clashing -- and it appears to be holding.

"For sure I am pleased for the ceasefire, the ceasefire is good At least it's goodwill -- let's see how it works," Josep Borrell said as he arrived for talks.

Nearly a million civilians have fled their homes due to the fighting in Idlib, with the United Nations describing it as the worst humanitarian emergency since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

"It is important now to concentrate on humanitarian aid and I would welcome if Russia would respect the concept of humanitarian aid corridors to be widened," Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.

Ireland's Simon Coveney said there was "relief" among EU countries at of the ceasefire.

"But there's still an extraordinary humanitarian challenge that I think we all face in terms of the sheer numbers of refugees that had been displaced because of the conflict there," Coveney added.

Some EU countries, notably the Netherlands, have called for a no-fly zone over Idlib to stop the regime bombing civilian targets.

"EU countries are willing to provide humanitarian aid to Idlib. The challenge is to get aid into the area and that's where the ceasefire might help. A no-fly zone might help even more," Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said.

But the EU has no power to implement or enforce such a measure and officials are privately sceptical.

"We all know this would need UN mandate, would you get that?" a senior EU official said, alluding to Russia's right of veto at the UN Security Council.

"A no-fly zone always sounds nice but needs to be militarily enforced. Who would do that?"



Intense fighting has killed dozens of Turkish soldiers in Idlib in recent weeks, as Ankara launched a direct offensive against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces for the first time.

The escalating crisis prompted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to open Turkey's border with Greece to refugees and migrants.

Turkey has demanded the European Union's support for its actions in Syria and some in the bloc have accused Erdogan of using migrants as "blackmail".

As well as the Idlib crisis, the foreign ministers will also discuss how best to handle Ankara after a week of increasingly tense exchanges and dramatic scenes on the Turkish-Greek border.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Toronto tourism suffered a major loss from the coronavirus outbreak Friday after organizers announced the huge Collision tech conference scheduled for June is going online-only.

In tweets and a blog post organizers of the international event, which last year drew more than 25,000 people and more than 1,000 start-ups to downtown Toronto, said Collision 2020 will still happen, but online.

For now, given the evolving nature of COVID-19, we think gathering tens of thousands of people from almost every country in the world in one place this June would be irresponsible. Toronto has not suffered a significant COVID-19 outbreak, and at Collision we want to ensure that remains the case.

This is a second major Toronto event lost to fears over the global coronavirus outbreak after Ottawa-based e-commerce company Shopify last week cancelled its annual Unite conference.

Collision cancelling the physical gathering is a $70-million blow to Torontos tourism and convention economy, Andrew Weir of Tourism Toronto said Friday.

Its one of the largest events in Toronto and it means a lot, not only to the visitor economy but also the local tech community, Weir said in an interview.

However, more than 1,000 meetings are still booked for the city in 2020, each bringing more than 1,000 visitors set to collectively spend $880 million here, Weir said.

After the Shopify and Collision cancellations, no other convention organizers have signalled plans to make any changes, he said, adding that some events will certainly see fewer visitors from epidemic-hit regions including China.

Around the world, other countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East have already put a stop to large gatherings amid more serious local outbreaks.

Ontario has so far seen 24 confirmed cases of the respiratory disease, all of which have been linked to travel or contact with a known infected person.

More than 100,000 people have been infected globally, with nearly 3,400 deaths.

On Thursday evening, British Columbia confirmed Canadas first case of suspected community transmission.

In a statement, Mayor John Tory, who has repeatedly heralded Toronto landing Collision over global tech hubs such as San Francisco as a sign of the citys success, expressed disappointment in the announcement.

He called it a tremendously difficult decision  as many other conferences around the world have had to do as COVID-19 has spread and many businesses limit global travel.

I have spoken personally with Collision founder and CEO Paddy Musgrave and told him we are committed to working with Collision to help host Collision from Home  the online conference that will be taking place this year.

And I will be working with Collision, City staff and Exhibition Place to make sure Year Two of Collision in Toronto in 2021 will be a fantastic event.

Collision moved from the U.S. to Toronto last year. It took place at Exhibition Place over three days in May, with talks from tech CEOs, celebrities and politicians including Tory and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Collision organizers said the online-only event will be re-branded as Collision from Home. All attendees will get full transfers of their tickets, or can request a full refund.

David Rider is the Stars City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering city hall and municipal politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus worldwide, Mata Amritanandamayi Math on Friday asked devotees to not visit the Amritapuri Ashram here as a preventive measure.

"We are sorry to inform you that due to the extremely heightened restrictions specified to the Mata Amritanandamayi Math as preventative measures by the Health Department -- including mandatory quarantines, daily health checks, and other protocols -- currently, the Ashram cannot allow anyone to enter Amritapuri Ashram," read a notice issued on its website today.

"This includes Indian nationals as well as foreign-passport-holders (including OCI-holders). This policy is irrespective of any amount of time the individual may have been within the nation of India," the notice read.

Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as Amma, the spiritual leader based in Amritanandamayi Math usually blesses her devotees by embracing them.

The country's total number of positive cases of coronavirus touched 31 today.

The novel coranavirus,COVID-19 has so far killed more than 3200 people globally.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four Madhya Pradesh lawmakers owing allegiance to the Congress were yet to return to the state on Thursday evening after travelling to Bangalore  and the purported resignation letter of one of them went viral on social media  as their absence stirred unease in the party over its prospects in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Six MLAs, who the Congress claimed had been poached by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and held captive in a Gurugram hotel, returned to Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday evening. Congress leaders claimed that the remaining four were staying at a hotel in Bengaluru and would return by Thursday evening, but none had done so and remained incommunicado

The four MLAs who were yet to return include Bisahulal Singh, Hardeep Singh Dung and Raghuraj Kansana, all Congress legislators, and Surendra Singh Shera, an independent. The three Congress lawmakers stayed incommunicado on Thursday.

A resignation letter purportedly written by Dung and written to assembly speaker NP Prajapati and chief minister Kamal Nath surfaced on social media, Dung said no development projects had been executed in his constituency like irrigation projects and roads, and alleged corruption in the government. Nath said:I cannot comment on the news of his resignation till I speak to him in person. Prajapati said he will not take cognizance of any letter that isnt submitted to him in person. Only when he (Dung) meets me in person will I will take action as per the rules, he said.

Watch | Madhya Pradesh Congress alleges BJP of confining MLAs at Gurugram hotel

Madhya&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="lazy hl_"&gt;Pradesh&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="lazy hl_"&gt;Congress&lt;/span&gt; alleges &lt;span class="lazy hl_"&gt;BJP&lt;/span&gt; of confining 8 MLAs at Gurugram &lt;span class="lazy hl_"&gt;hotel&lt;/span&gt;" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen&gt;

When contacted, independent MLA Shera said he was in Bengaluru for the medical treatment of his daughter and denied that he was part of any plan by the BJP, which the Congress says is trying to destabilise the government of chief minister Kamal Nath .

I came to Bengaluru with my family as I have to consult some doctors for treatment of my daughter. I will be returning after a couple of days. I am with the Kamal Nath government right from day one. However, ministers dont listen to me and Chief Minister Kamal Nath didnt make me a minister despite his assurances, he said.

The absence of the four legislators has worried the Congress because of the prospect of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, with three seats in the Upper House up for grabs from Madhya Pradesh. The elections are due on March 26. The three seats that fall vacant on April 2 include those of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Prabhat Jha and Satyanarayan Jatia of the BJP.

What causes worry to our party at this juncture is not the absence of the MLAs but the partys prospects during elections to Rajya Sabhas three seats, a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. If the BJP manages to engineer cross-voting, the Congress will not lose a seat but the state government will face the stigma of being in a minority.

The Congress, for the record, said it had nothing to fret about. MP Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said: Our chief ministerm Kamal Nath ,is in touch with the MLAs who are yet to return. There is no threat to the government and also the partys prospects in Rajya Sabha election. BJPs conspiracy has already been exposed.

Two seats are vacant in the 230-member state assembly. The Congress has 114 MLAs against the BJPs 107. The House also has four independents, two Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and one Samajwadi Party P MLAs. As it has the support of all the non-BJP legislators, the Congress should easily win two of the three seats in normal circumstances,but its math would go wrong in case of cross-voting or in the absence of its supporters.

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh has alleged that former minister Bhupendra Singh took Rambai Singh Parihar of the BSP to Gurugram in a chartered flight. He said two MP ministers, Jaivardhan Singh and Jitu Patwari, were on Wednesday prevented from entering the Gurugram resort where the MLAs were being put up, but had managed to bring Parihar back.

In New Delhi, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad said: The atmosphere created by the BJP in the country (is of) targeting and breaking opposition party leaders with threats of raids etc and forcing them to join or ally with the BJP so they can form government. This fever to destabilise state governments rises when Rajya Sabha elections are due.

The two BSP legislators who returned on Wednesday evening said they had gone out of Bhopal on their own.

BSP MLA Sanjeev Kushwah said: Who can poach us? From whom did they rescue us? They must make it clear or apologise for their statements.

His colleague Parihar said: How can anyone take me anywhere...The fact is my air ticket was booked eight days back by my daughter. Its wrong to say that BJPs Bhupendra Singh took me there (Gurugram).

State BJP spokesperson Rahul Kothari said: Nothing could be more ridiculous than the fact that whereas the Congress and other MLAs continue to deny the BJPs role in any horse trading, the Congress leaders continue to blame the BJP. The fact is the entire episode is a result of bitter infighting in the Congress...
State legislation announced Friday aims to confront Californias homeless crisis by allocating $2 billion per year for services, temporary housing assistance and construction of affordable housing  a budget request its sponsors say is among the biggest in state history.

Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, introduced AB3300, which would create a framework of ongoing funds that could come from the states general fund to be allocated to homelessness.

This is a historic investment, Wicks said. This is a landmark budget ask, but we think it reflects the needs that the communities are facing. It is one of the biggest budget requests in the history of California.

More than 151,000 people are homeless in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently dedicated his entire State of the State address to the issue and has proposed spending $750 million to start a new fund for homeless assistance  but the new bill would go further.

The problem is acute in the Bay Area, where an estimated 35,000 people are homeless. In the East Bay, where Fridays proposal originated, the homeless population has soared, with thousands of people living in tent encampments and their vehicles. In Alameda County, homelessness increased by about 42% in two years  Oakland had a 47% increase, and Berkeley had about an 11% increase over that same time.

The breakdown of funds in AB3300 includes 55% to counties for rental and housing assistance, 40% to cities to provide emergency shelters and temporary and permanent housing, and 5% to nonprofit housing developers for capital development.

In California, we often say that we are proud to be first, we are proud to lead, Bonta said. Not when it comes to homelessness and housing affordability. We are not doing enough, we need to do more, we need to do better.

Californias general fund is estimated to be about $153 billion. Revenues are still being counted and should be finalized by May. The budget will be voted on in the summer.

In January, Newsom signed an executive order that would create a fund to pay rent and build affordable housing for homeless people, and he proposed starting it with a major expenditure of taxpayer money.

Bonta applauded Newsoms commitment, but said cities and counties need the promise of ongoing funds to be able to really address the crisis.

This year, the governor has proposed $750 million, another one-time ask, Bonta said. Those are outstanding. That is what we should be doing, and we need to do more.

The governors office declined to specifically comment on the bill. A spokeswoman for Newsoms office said, The governor will evaluate bills on their own merit if they reach his desk.

Bonta announced the bill, alongside Wicks, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin, at the Dorothy Day House in Berkeley, a drop-in center for the homeless.

Arreguin noted that the center wouldnt have opened in 2019 if it hadnt been for the states HEAP, Homeless Emergency Aid Program, funds.

We desperately need this money on the ground, to support programs like this, to provide emergency shelter, to provide exits to permanent housing, Arreguin said.

Candice Edwards, a homeless woman at the center, said she relies on the drop-in center  where she can do laundry, sleep or get food.

Every day, I dont know where Im going to lay my head, she said. Im grateful that this place is here.

Shawn Johnson, 46, a homeless man, who listened to the news conference with Bonta and Wicks, said the money could help fund badly needed public bathrooms.

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.

Where am I going to go? Johnson said. There is no access.

In January 2019, Newsom expressed concerns over a potential recession in the future. His budget set aside $13.6 billion for building budgetary resiliency.

Given the amount in the general fund, Bonta said he thinks that would be the best route to fund AB3300, but all options are on table.

I do know the governor is worried about ongoing commitments especially with the specter of a recession around the corner, Bonta said Friday. We need to have that discussion.

Bonta said he would be open to other revenue sources, but $2 billion is what we think we need.

Under the proposal, local jurisdictions must set aside 10% of the funds they are given for homeless people under 25. Another 25% of the funds must be used for adults older than 50, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, the chronically homeless and formerly incarcerated people.

If passed, AB3300 gives the state four years to commit the funding and five years to spend it. Cities and counties that receive funds must annually report how the money is spent, the number of people it helped and the recipients demographics. The report must also include how many people moved into permanent housing and how many went through the coordinated entry system.

This is not just a crisis, this is a systems failure, and if we do not make an ongoing sustained effort to correct the housing insecurity that is plaguing all of California ... we have failed in our duty as public servants, Schaaf said.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
All five members - Mark McKinney, Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Scott Thompson, and Kevin McDonald - of the legendary Canadian sketch-comedy group The Kids in the Hall are reuniting for an eight-episode revival on Amazon Prime.

17-time Emmy winner Lorne Michaels is also back as executive producer for the iconic troupe's series after overseeing their original five seasons (1988-1994) on CBC Television and HBO.

'Even after 30 years, The Kids in the Hall has retained its brilliance and originality,' the 75-year-old SNL creator said Thursday in a statement.

Yes! All five members - Mark McKinney, Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Scott Thompson, and Kevin McDonald - of the legendary Canadian sketch-comedy group The Kids in the Hall are reuniting for an eight-episode revival on Amazon Prime

'We are happy to be bringing back all of the original Kids for the new series.'

The three-time Emmy nominees formed KITH at Toronto nightclub Rivoli in 1984 and some of their more memorable characters include Buddy Cole, Chicken Lady, Headcrusher, and the Kathies.

The fab five's irreverent sense of humor and hilarious offbeat sketches - Simon and Hecubus, Girl Drink Drunk, My Pen, and Dr. Seuss Bible - kept audiences laughing on several national stage tours.

The sketch show spawned a 1996 cult classic movie Brain Candy (which led to their bitter, four-year hiatus) as well as a 2010 who-done-it miniseries Death Comes to Town for CBC Television.

Head crusher: 17-time Emmy winner Lorne Michaels is also back as executive producer for the iconic troupe's series after overseeing their original five seasons (1988-1994) on CBC Television and HBO

The 75-year-old SNL creator said Thursday in a statement: 'Even after 30 years, The Kids in the Hall has retained its brilliance and originality. We are happy to be bringing back all of the original Kids for the new series'

Mark McKinney is by far the most successful member thanks to his series regular role as clueless Cloud 9 manager Glenn Sturgis in NBC comedy Superstore, now in its fifth season.

'Yup. We pretty much still look like this,' McKinney, 60, wrote of the revival.

'Back at it. Grab an axe.'

Dave Foley - who famously voiced Flik in Pixar movie A Bug's Life - last guest-starred as Prinicipal Reed in the January 17 episode of ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat.

Ta-da! The three-time Emmy nominees formed KITH at Toronto nightclub Rivoli in 1984 and some of their more memorable characters include Buddy Cole (pictured), Chicken Lady, Headcrusher, and the Kathies

Evil! The fab five's irreverent sense of humor and hilarious offbeat sketches - Simon and Hecubus (pictured), Girl Drink Drunk, My Pen, and Dr. Seuss Bible - kept audiences laughing on several national stage tours

Spin-offs: It spawned a 1996 cult classic movie Brain Candy (which led to their bitter, four-year hiatus) as well as a 2010 who-done-it miniseries Death Comes to Town for CBC Television

'Well no way out of it now!' Dave, 57, tweeted on Thursday.

'In fact, we are already busy writing our uniquely horrible brand of sketch comedy. Back with my old a cappella group!'

Bruce McCulloch's most recent gig was directing CBC Television's eight-episode sketch comedy series TallBoyz last year.

'And I hear hell did NOT freeze over. Global warming,' Bruce, 58, tweeted on Thursday.

'Yup. We pretty much still look like this': Mark McKinney (L) is by far the most successful member thanks to his role as clueless Cloud 9 manager Glenn Sturgis in NBC's Superstore

'We are already busy writing!' Dave Foley - who voiced Flik in Pixar movie A Bug's Life - last guest-starred as Prinicipal Reed in the January 17 episode of ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat

'And I hear hell did NOT freeze over': Bruce McCulloch's most recent gig was directing CBC Television's eight-episode sketch comedy series TallBoyz last year

'Now where did I put my [Spanx]?' Scott Thompson has been hard at work on his Kickstarter-funded documentary Mouth Congress with former KITH writer Paul Bellini

'The 30 Helens are down to 17 but we will proceed anyway...'

Scott Thompson has been hard at work on his Kickstarter-funded documentary Mouth Congress with former KITH writer Paul Bellini.

'Now where did I put my [Spanx]?' Scott, 60, tweeted on Thursday.

Kevin McDonald - who's not on social media - was last seen guest-starring as Russell Langham in the February 24 episode of CTV Drama Channel's Carter.
The unsurprising news that Senator Elizabeth Warren is dropping out of the 2020 presidential race invites a lot of questions. How did Warren, flush with cash from a wildly successful grassroots-fundraising operation and atop all the national polls in mid October, fail to translate that lead into actual votes? Why didnt her string of successful debate performances make a difference? And most importantly, why is her very like-minded socialist colleague, Senator Bernie Sanders, still standing while shes finished?

Unlike others whove failed in their bid for the nomination this cycle  Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, Cory Booker  Warren was not undone by a lack of funds, campaign infrastructure, social-media following, or work ethic. She had all of those things, plus a campaign team stocked with high-level talent from past Clinton and Obama campaigns, yet she lost anyway.

And in the end, she has no one to blame but herself.

It is telling that voters rarely question the authenticity or sincerity of the three people still standing in the race for the White House  Sanders, former vice president Joe Biden, and President Trump. Many people loathe what Trump says or does, but they still see him as someone who acts on his own sincere impulses. Sanderss conviction is so sincere that hes been able to treat his fifty years of advocating revolutionary socialism as a selling point, rather than an obstacle to be overcome. And Biden, whose resurgence over the past week was one of the most shocking turnarounds in recent political history, may be discounted by conservatives and progressives alike, but hes certainly not regarded as a phony.

In my book making the ideological case against a Warren presidency, I accepted at face value that she is a real progressive. Whatever that term means, I am not convinced that Elizabeth Warren is not it. Her advocacy for extreme, thoughtless environmental policies strikes me as both misguided and sincere. Her disdain for our nations financial institutions has been fervent and consistent for over a decade. Her wide array of spending initiatives and socially radical proposals  Medicare for All, universal pre-K, free college, and student-loan forgiveness  were backed by policy papers, PowerPoint presentations, and town-hall lectures. She is wrong on every one of those issues, but there is no evidence that people rejected her candidacy because of her positions. Indeed, Sanderss platform includes many of the same positions as well as ones even more extreme, and it hasnt been fatal to his campaign so far.

Story continues

Warren fell apart not because of her agenda but because her utter dishonesty about her personal life eroded her credibility as policy wonk. Her decision to double-down when called on lying about her Native American ancestry, her debunked allegation that shed been fired from a school job for being pregnant, and her false claims that her kids had never attended private schools all shattered her persona as a thought leader and ideologue. Her personal opportunism, as well, made it easier to argue that her platform was opportunistic. So when voters got to pick between Sanderss socialism and Warrens, the choice became very easy.

Warrens embarrassing performance in her home-state primary  third place, behind Biden and Sanders  suggested that the public airing of her iniquities had even taken its toll with her own constituents. The relative popularity of Medicare for All and the Green New Deal in select far-left enclaves of Massachusetts did not boost her, despite her convictions on those issues and her reasonably articulate (if economically and logically lackluster) advocacy for them. Warren was able to rise to the top of the field, even when it had more talented candidates still in it, with her entire policy portfolio on the table. But once she became the most visible candidate, her penchant for lying about herself became impossible to ignore.

So here we are. Warren will stick around in the public square longer, no doubt, anxious to see which Democratic candidate will give her the most in exchange for an endorsement. She maintains a small, enthusiastic base of supporters, and as we saw on the debate stage throughout the race, she doesnt fear the attack-dog role. Her backing still holds value for Biden and Sanders. But her dishonesty has cost her a chance to be president, and that should be a lesson to all who would seek the same office.

More from National Review
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 6

Trend:

Management Union of Medical Territorial Units in Azerbaijan made recommendations to people traveling to countries where coronavirus (COVID - 19) has spread, Trend reports referring to management union on Mar. 6.

The symptoms of coronavirus infection are cough, fever, nausea, shortness of breath. Monitoring the health status of people who have visited countries where cases of coronavirus are officially recorded, covers a period of 14 days after returning from these countries. During this period, do not leave your home if possible, carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, and wash your hands with soap and water often. In case of signs of illness, immediately call the emergency numbers 104 (in Baku) or 113 (in the regions) and pass medical examination, said the statement.

Azerbaijan remains one of the countries, least affected by the rapidly spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The country's official structures are applying necessary measures to prevent any possible exposure of coronavirus. Azerbaijan has also imported necessary medical equipment to carry out coronavirus tests.

Member of the Operational Headquarters created under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers in connection with coronavirus Yagut Garayeva said on March 5 that at least 500 people have been quarantined in the country.

Until now, no deaths from the disease have been recorded in the country.

Azerbaijan's official structures have also set up quarantine centers in the country's districts, which would allow to react faster to the possible outbreak due to joint borders. Azerbaijan shares border with Iran, where coronavirus is currently spreading rapidly.
Amid the ongoing political drama over the alleged poaching attempt to destablise the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, a state minister on Friday said the ruling dispensation will face a crisis if it "neglects and disrespects" senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The statement of Labour Minister Mahendra Singh Sisodiya, a staunch supporter of Scindia, comes at a time when the Kamal Nath government is faced with an alleged poaching bid ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled later this month.

"BJP is doing this politics of pressure. But I would definitely say that Kamal Nath ji's government will face a crisis only when it neglects and disrespects our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. Black clouds will certainly descend on the Madhya Pradesh government then," Sisodiya said in a video statement sent from Guna, about 180 kms from the state capital.

Scindia had lost last year's Lok Sabha elections from Guna constituency, considered the pocket borough of his family.

Since then, Scindia's supporters have been demanding that he be appointed as the state Congress chief. They have also been urging the party leadership to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha, as three seats of the Upper House of Parliament from the state are going to be vacated in April this year.

One of these seats is currently represented by party veteran Digvijaya Singh, while two others by the BJP.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections is scheduled on March 26.

Scindia has often taken on the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, a move considered as a result of friction within the state unit.

He had last month threatened to take to the streets if the Madhya Pradesh government led by his party failed to meet the demands of protesting guest teachers. Chief Minister Kamal Nath had later virtually dared him to do so.

On March 3, in a late-night political drama in the state, the Congress claimed that the opposition BJP took eight MLAs to a hotel in Haryana as part of a conspiracy to topple the Kamal Nath-led government.

On March 5 morning, the Congress held a press conference in New Delhi, in which it claimed that the BJP "abducted 14 MLAs" to bring down its government in Madhya Pradesh.

However, the BJP attributed the entire political drama to the internal bickering of the Congress, saying that the saffron party has nothing to do with this.
Nigerian police have rescued 13 people, including a child and six pregnant women, from an illegal clinic in southwestern Ogun state, a spokesman said Friday.

The women, aged between 20 and 25, told police the owner hired men to impregnate them and then sell the newborns for profit in what has been dubbed a "baby factory".

The "factories" are usually small illegal facilities parading as private medical clinics that house pregnant women and offer their babies for sale.

In some cases, young women have been held against their will and raped before their babies are sold on the black market.

"The operation was carried out on February 28 after an inmate of the home located around Mowe escaped and tipped off the police," police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told AFP.

"We also arrested the owner of the home and two men who are suspected of being hired to impregnate the women," he said.

Oyeyemi said the women told the police that the home's owner usually hired men to sleep with them to make babies. "They told us that the babies would then be taken from them and sold to patrons," he said.

"The suspects are in custody and they will be charged to court at the end of our investigation," he said.

Police raids on illegal maternity units have been relatively common in Nigeria, especially in the south.

Security services say other cases have seen women with unplanned pregnancies pressured into giving birth in the facilities.

Baby boys are typically sold for 500,000 naira ($1,400, 1,250 euros) while girls fetch 300,000 naira, police have said in previous cases.

Last week, 24 babies and four pregnant mothers were rescued in the southern city of Port Harcourt.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Though still in its infancy, the drone delivery business is set to take off in the coming years. Spurred by everything from environmental concerns to the desire to avoid congested roads, companies are developing, testing, and beginning to implement a wide array of drone delivery systems.

A number of practicalities need to be worked out before drone delivery becomes an everyday occurrence  including regulations and drone technology itself  but its likely only a matter of time.

Drone delivery has the potential to radically improve the way we live by making the things we need in a hurry available in just minutes, said Alexa Dennett, a spokesperson for Wing.

As a faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly method of delivery, we believe drones will be commonplace in the near future, she told TechNewsWorld.

Wing, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, already has started making limited drone deliveries in three markets: Helsinki; Canberra, Australia; and Christiansburg, Virginia.

Wing is not the only player in the market. UPS subsidiaryUPS Flight Forward recently received full Part 135 certification from the FAA. UC San Diego Health, in collaboration with UPS and Matternet, soon will pilot a program to deliver medical supplies and documents to several of its facilities.

Zipline has been delivering medical supplies to remote locations in Rwanda for several years. Flytrex is testing food delivery in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Amazon Prime Air continues to develop its own drone delivery system.

The Benefits of Going Drone

Delivery by drone promises a variety of benefits, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing delivery speed, making deliveries more accessible, and spurring local economic opportunities.

We believe that delivering goods by drones is faster, safer, more affordable, efficient and environmentally sustainable, compared to todays car and truck delivery systems, said Wings Dennett. Drone deliveries offer the potential to improve the way our cities operate by reducing road congestion and creating new economic opportunities for local businesses.

Used instead of cars and trucks, drones could reduce greenhouse emissions drastically  by up to 99 percent, according to an AlphaBeta study commissioned by Wing.

Wing and Virginia Tech partnered to research the potential impacts of drone delivery. So far, this research suggests that in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg metropolitan area, drones possibly could take 3,385 cars off the road, save 40.2 tons of C02 each year, and save customers time worth US$46.6 million annually.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

There are three primary benefits of drone delivery, noted Guy Bloch, CEO of Bringg.

It will drastically reduce the environmental impact that large trucks from warehouses or even smaller delivery vehicles produce, he told TechNewsWorld. The cost  at least for ultra- fast deliveries  will be far lower, as retailers wont have to worry about filling an entire vehicle.

Another advantage is speed, Bloch said. It will allow retailers to more dependably provide fast deliveries.

The Sky Ahead

It wont be all smooth sailing  or flying  however. Drone delivery becoming commonplace relies on working out regulations as well as solving a variety of other technological, economic and cultural issues.

Ensuring public and airway safety is a primary concern, and the industry is working closely with the FAA and other regulatory organizations to develop safe standards and practices.

The whole development of the commercial drone industry revolves around safety, said Mike Hertzendorf, CEO of NUAIR.

The United States has one of the most  if not the most  heavily trafficked airspaces in the world, he told TechNewsWorld.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry needs to do everything we can to make sure people in the air and on the ground remain safe, Hertzendorf added.

Given all that must be done, its not likely that drone delivery will become commonplace in the near future  particularly in cities, where air traffic is much higher than in rural areas.

I believe we are still a ways away from routine drone deliveries in highly populated areas, said Hertzendorf.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The current regulation around drones from the FAA is called Part 107. A couple of the main regulations in Part 107 is the restriction of flying your drone farther than you can see it, and it prohibits flights over people. So again, all based around safety, he explained.

NUAIR is a key industry leader helping to develop the standards and help define regulations to expand on Part 107, which will lead to advanced commercial drone operations like food, package and medical deliveries, Hertzendorf said.

Industry groups like NUAIR are working with the FAA as it develops regulations to protect peoples safety, but the process likely will take some time.

We are actively figuring out what regulations need to be in place to make sure those in the air and on the ground remain safe during routine drone operations, said Hertzendorf.

The technology is there for these advanced drone operations. We just need to figure out and implement the appropriate performance requirements, rules and regulations that and the other multitude of issues, like flying beyond visual line of sight, weather impact on drones, and the different weather patterns inside city limits versus rural areas, he continued. Needless to say, there are many issues that need to be addressed before well see the sky filled with drones.

In short, regular drone delivery of packages to doorsteps  as appealing as it may be  probably will not happen any time soon.

There is a great deal of speculation regarding drone-based package delivery, said Henry Fletcher, a drone specialist a Cambridge Consultants.

Forecasts predict anything from limited, premium deliveries and indirect contact with consumers to drone-based small parcel delivery becoming ubiquitous, enabled by cost reductions over conventional delivery from high levels of automation and lightweight last-mile transit, he told TechNewsWorld.

The technology exists and is very capable, but as a whole, the industry needs to prove its safety credentials in a highly regulated area, Fletcher pointed out. This can only happen at a limited pace and will inevitably suffer setbacks along the way.

The Future of Drones

Even when drones become more commonplace, they likely will not replace other methods of transport and delivery. Rather, theyll be part of a mix of delivery methods, and the methods used in any given case will depend on the goods being delivered, location, distance, weight, and a variety of other factors.

Delivery via drone will just be another economical tool for the delivery of certain products, much like there are still products being delivered via barges across the ocean or being hauled across the country via train, explained NUAIRs Hertzendorf.

The advent of the airplane did not replace these delivery methods, he noted. The ability for any of these vehicles, including drones, to deliver a product relies on many of the same issues and limitations  what is it, where is it going, and whats the most economical and logical way to get it there. I do not see routine deliveries via drones totally replacing current shipping methods. Theyre just another potential option for faster, more efficient deliveries of certain products.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Two Award-winning St. Maarten Women speak at Inspiring Ladies of the Caribbean in Curacao

Philipsburg, St.Maarten  On International Womens Day (March 8), two dynamic women from St. Maarten will be speaking at the very first Inspiring Ladies of the Caribbean Convention. This convention brings together nine (9) speakers from St. Kitts, Suriname, Dominica/England, St. Lucia and St. Maarten.

Kenty Lichtenberg is a Marketer & Branding Strategist with more than 15 years in the industry. In 2016, she became St. Maartens First Plus-Size Blogger by founding www.keraikreativestyle.com, a platform that she uses to educate and advocate for women and men of all sizes and ethnic groups for Beauty should have no standards. Within her first 6 months, she was the first and only internationally recognized by the Curvy Fashionista from the Caribbean. Curvy Fashionista is one of the most famous plus-size bloggers in the US.

During her journey as a Blogger, she has been able to connect both regionally and internationally being nominated and recently awarded as one of the most dynamic and consistent bloggers By Size Overrated Magazine (Plus Size magazine), Virginia / Hampton based Faschic Magazine, Plus Mag Magazine, Luxe Kurves Magazine (oh which she is also a content contributor for Fashion & Lifestyle) & She Caribbean just to name a few. She has been endorsed by brands like Loreal Paris, Olay, Pantene, Venus, Aussie Hair, Inglot, Trash By Ronchie (Arubas plus size designer and Fashion Icon), Ts Closet, Venus, Secret, Crest, Black UP Cosmetics Caribbean, etc. In 2017 she was granted the Liebster Bloggers Award, in 2019 Kerai Kreative Style was named one of the top 30 Beauty Bloggers to follow.

Blogging was always a long term vision for me, which is why I focused on ensuring and acquiring the support of events like Hats & Heels Anguilla, Aruba Curvy Weekend, Network and branding Mixers, collaborations both locally and internationally with womens organizations that continue to contribute to the uplifting of each other both in business and career-wise. This trip would not have been possible for me without the continued support of our business community and partners like Fun Miles, Aussie Hair, Print Express, Produce Wealth Revolution (PWR) Agency and Irresistible Desserts in Curacao.

Ife Badejo is an entrepreneur and speaker who is an advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation development. Ife, as she is affectionately known as, is also considered to be the Caribbeans #1 Business Connector, often hosting events to connect entrepreneurs and businesses. To date, she has brought together more than 2000 entrepreneurs and professionals through various branded experiences to help business relationships. Some of her notable awards are World Changer Award from G.I.F.T.E.D Foundation (2017) and ICN Woman of Global Solutions by I Change Nations (2018) for her commitment to entrepreneurship development as a means to find innovative solutions with significant social impact. Ife has also been recognized as one of the top 25 Geniuses to Watch by Gigare Lifestyle Magazine and has been a judge for an international start-up competition in 2019. Most recently, Ife was invited to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit which was hosted by the governments of the Netherlands and US last year in the Hague.

Ifes commitment to business development also includes working with corporate teams to increase performance, better take initiatives, and leverage opportunities to set them apart in the market. She frequently travels to other islands to work with teams and empower entrepreneurs with effective strategies to take their businesses to the next level. Locally, Ife spearheads projects to support entrepreneurship training.

While in Curacao for the convention, the ladies are collaborating with local entrepreneurs and conduct Kerais Kreative Style Signature Meet & Mingle Mixer. An intimate space where women will come together to empower and share their various journeys in life. There will be media coverage, sightseeing and of course the primary reason for their simultaneous visit: the convention, for which an invitation is extended to women Curacao and neighboring islands.

Both ladies would like to wish all women and the men that help to support them, a Happy International Womens Day.
When Melissa Kayser first attended Marcia Langtons class at the University of Melbourne in

the early 2000s, she had no appreciation of the revelatory  and healing  powers of a good history lesson. As I sat in Marcias lectures each week, I couldnt believe Id grown up in this country and essentially knew nothing about the history and cultures of the First Nations, Kayser recalls.

So when Kayser became a publisher at Hardie Grant in Melbourne, she and her managing director, Astrid Browne, tossed around ideas for an accessible book that would not only tell the story of First Nations land, history and culture, but encourage people to explore it themselves, settling on a travel guide. Kayser approached Langton, one of Australias pre-eminent voices on issues related to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, to bring the project together.

Marcia Langton has adapted her bestselling travel guide to Indigenous sites to fill a knowledge gap for high-school students. Credit:Arsineh Houspian

Many books about First Australians have been written by non-Indigenous people, so thats what makes a book by Marcia so valuable, observes the 37-year-old Kayser.

Langton, a foundation chair in Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, commissioned two Aboriginal research assistants, both postgraduate students there, to identify Australias most important Indigenous art galleries, tourism businesses, Aboriginal-managed national parks and food experiences.
'A clear pattern is emerging in that most of those who we met are saying that their IDs have been burnt or stolen.'

'I clearly sense a pattern here.'

'It's not a very normal occurrence to happen during the riots.'

IMAGE: A shopkeeper sorts through the charred remains of a vandalised and burnt shop at Khajuri Khas, northeast Delhi. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo

"This is altogether a different pattern in the way the rioters seem to have targetted people in Delhi," says Tanvi, a Delhi-based lawyer, who along with similar-minded lawyer colleagues have used social media extensively to crowd-source help in providing legal aid to those who need it urgently in the aftermath of the Delhi riots.

When Tanvi (@abouttanvi) tweeted seeking volunteers to reach out to Delhi's riot victims, she was overwhelmed with the response.

Now, not only is she and Citizens Collective for Peace helping the riot-affected file FIRs and compensation forms at the sub-divisional magistrate's office, but have also provided volunteers to the SDM to cope with the pressure.

"Muslim shops in non-Muslim areas have been selectively burnt down even as other shops around these burnt ones have not suffered any damage," Tanvi tells Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore.

How did this idea of legal aid camps come up? And why did you think of reaching out to people on Twitter?

One of our lawyer colleague, Mishika Singh, is running a campaign 'lawyers for detainees' since December to provide legal aid to all those who have been arrested during the anti-CAA, anti-NRC protests in Delhi.

On similar lines we have started this legal aid camp for the riot-affected of northeast Delhi. We are a group of lawyers, about a hundred people, running legal aid camps for the past one week. It is a collective idea.

The riot-affected people of Delhi, because of whatever happened to them, require immediate attention and relief.

Initially, there was confusion if the (Delhi) government will set up camps and now that they (the camps) have come up in Delhi, our priority is to provide legal aid to those who are finding it difficult to file complaints or need help with relief and rehabilitation.

Since we needed volunteers who could coordinate with the riot-affected people and law enforcing agencies, we came up with a three-page announcement explaining the work we were doing and the kind of volunteers we needed.

We realised there is a need to get the compensation forms filled and submitted to the SDM's office and then there is a need to register individual cases of property damage, human loss and relief and rehabilitation.

Since an individual cannot possibly to do all this alone, we decided to collaborate with other similar-minded individuals and groups.

We were looking forward to meet lawyers, non-lawyers, professionals, general public so that they can reach to the camps and contribute in their capacity as volunteers.

We can now get the complaints written and dispatch the complaints to different entities of different areas. That's how it all started.

IMAGE: Lawyers and volunteers help riot-affected people at a legal aid camp in Mustafabad. Photograph: Tanvi

What is the response? How many people have volunteered?

I can't keep any count right now because I am receiving calls for everything. Random picking up (arrests/detentions) of people from different areas is going on.

There were 18, 19 detentions in Jagatpuri thana of Khureji area. Four of us lawyers went to the thana and we got them out; there was a minor too among those detainees.

It all started from there. And then we realised that we need more people who could help these people with all the legal hassles they are going through after their homes and lives have been shattered.

So we thought of making this a collaborative effort.

How many riot-affected people have approached you after you started this initiative?

Till yesterday (March 4) evening, the count was almost 500.

The two leading camps running in the Mustafabad area are the Al-Isla school in Chaman Park and Indra Vihar. We are helping them with filing the FIRs. A few complaints have been dispatched to the respective police stations, a few forms of compensation have been dispatched to the SDM office.

Now we are also collaborating with the SDM's office because they asked us if we could pitch in so we have send our volunteers there too. This will help in proper coordination between the riot-affected people on the ground and the SDM's office.

I got around 1,500 responses (from volunteers after the announcement on social media) which was unbelievable.

IMAGE: A legal and medical camp set up in one of the affected areas of Delhi. Photograph: Tanvi

Would the 500 riot-affected people be only Hindus, Muslims or a mix of both?

I have written around seven to 10 complaints until now including the ones at the two camps and individually. None among these was Hindu.

What kind of damage to their homes and lives have these people suffered?

A majority of them have suffered huge property losses as their homes were burnt and more specifically a clear pattern is emerging in that most of those who we met and are helping in our legal aid camps are saying that their IDs have been burnt or stolen.

This is altogether a different pattern in the way the rioters seem to have targetted these people in Delhi.

Out of the 10 families we have met till now only two said they have their proofs and IDs safe.

I clearly sense a pattern here in that it looks like IDs of these people have been deliberately targetted. It's not a very normal occurrence to happen during the riots.

The other thing, and this has happened before, is that Muslim shops in non-Muslim areas too have been selectively burnt down even as other shops around these burnt ones have not suffered any damage.

Are you going to set up legal aid camps for Hindu families who have also suffered in the riots?

Right now we haven't, but soon we plan to help all riot-affected people.

What kind of challenges are you facing right now in helping the riot affected? Is the police being cooperative while filing FIRs?

No, actually.

There was this one person whose complaint we were trying to get registered and he told us that he has been visiting the local police thana since February 26.

The other day he came to seek our help and his complaint was only registered when a few of us lawyers accompanied him to the police station.

There is an urgent need to accompany the riot affected whose complaints have not yet been registered at local police stations.

It's not about Muslims. I can't say that only one community is being treated this way, but then the police is not too keen in registering their complaints or lodging FIRs.

There is pressure on the police when lawyers accompany these people to register their complaints.

What kind of horror stories do you come across when these riot-affected people talk to you?

Right now, the most moving horror story is that they have lost everything.

Those who had houses have lost them in the arson. Their rations, clothing, money, all has been either burnt or stolen.

There was this one family which had prepared for their brother's wedding. They lost their clothes, IDs, books, everything.

There are these 35 families from Khajuri area who are surviving with the clothes they were wearing that day (when their houses were burnt down).

Four days later they are still wearing the same clothes; taking shelter at anybody's house who welcomes them or staying at relief camps.

They had to escape the rioters and they ran out of their homes with just their clothes on and took refuge in random Muslim houses.

Now that the rioting has subsided, do these people feel safe to return to their houses?

No, they are not; they are not.

A mother from one family had gone yesterday to see if she could salvage something from her house. When she came back, she had her hands and face covered with soot deposited from hours of sifting through what was left of her house or her belongings.

Many women share similar stories.

If we talk about neighbours and neighbourhoods then there is nothing much left about these things.

As of now, they all are hoping for tensions to cool down further before going back to their homes. Till then they say they would rather stay at some other place.

Many people have moved to Old Delhi because there is nothing left of their houses to go back to.
A paraprofessional at a Berks County high school was charged Thursday, accused of having indecent contact with a student and sending him nude photos, the county district attorney announced.

Krista Stump, 34, of Orwigsburg is charged with institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and indecent assault, according to the DAs office.

In February, the county detectives received a referral from Childline that a school staff member had inappropriate physical contact with a 15-year-old boy at Hamburg Area High School, according to the DAs office.

Stump had been employed at the school, located at 701 Windsor Street, Hamberg, since November 2019, according to the DAs office.

The student told investigators that Stump, who he called one of his teachers, had come onto him in a classroom, according to the DAs office. He said Stump also asked him to add her on his Snapchat account, which he agreed to do.

Stump then began sending messages to the boy, including weird and sexual messages, according to the DAs office. She eventually sent nude images of herself, the boy told investigators.

The student said this went on for about two or three weeks.

Investigators learned Stump had indecent contact with the student while they were alone in the classroom, according to the DAs office.

Stump surrendered to detectives at her arraignment, according to the DAs office. Online court dockets show she was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9.

Read more on PennLive:
" " A smart home device -- like Amazon's Echo, pictured here -- can't call the cops. But that could soon change. Joby Sessions/T3 Magazine via Getty Images

Police in New Mexico said they recently received a life-saving 911 call from an unexpected source  a smart home device.

According to ABC News, an armed man, threatening to kill his girlfriend, asked, "Did you call the sheriffs?" A nearby voice-activated device (Amazon's Echo, which has a virtual assistant named Alexa) mistook the question as a command and called 911, prompting a concerned dispatcher to send over the cops. The girlfriend and her daughter escaped physically unharmed and the man was arrested after an hours-long standoff with police.

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"The unexpected use of this new technology to contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life," said Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III, in a statement to ABC News.

Later reports disputed the role the smart home devices played in the scenario. Amazon says that currently its home device Alexa can't call numbers like 911 because there is no mobile phone network attached to it, as there would be, for instance to the iPhone's Siri. Alexa could call another Alexa-powered device, assuming the other device is in the caller's contact list but that didn't happen here. Google Home can't call 911 either.

While the specifics of this recent incident still aren't clear (the police report said the victim could be heard on the phone saying "Alexa, call 911" which doesn't make a lot of sense since she was already on the phone to law enforcement), it's possible that in the near future, smart home devices will be able to interpret ambient conversations and maybe take action. Later iterations of these devices may be able to call 911 if they detected signs of an emergency (cries of "Help me, I'm hurt!" or "The house is on fire!") or even a crime in progress, for instance overhearing a gunman say, "Put your hands up!"

Privacy Concerns

Smart home devices are always "listening" for voice commands, even recording and storing snippets of audio to improve their search algorithms and artificial intelligence. If police had access to these recordings  both on the device and in the cloud  that could provide critical evidence for investigators.

In a high-profile case, Arkansas police investigating a 2015 murder tried to compel Amazon to turn over cloud-based recordings from an Echo recovered from the defendant's home, but the company fought back, citing First Amendment protections. The case highlights the ongoing struggle between efforts by law enforcement to ensure public safety and constitutional protections against unreasonable surveillance, search and seizure.

Natasha Duarte is a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy & Technology, a nonprofit that advocates for digital rights and privacy. She says that the home is where Americans have the greatest expectation of privacy.

"I don't think that having a smart home device should be seen as changing that expectation," Duarte says. "It's a complex space that we're entering where we have these recordings being made in the place where people expect to have the most privacy."

But as the artificial intelligence capabilities of smart home technology improve, it's easy to imagine a device that goes beyond basic voice commands and acts on its own to "serve and protect."

James Baker is a 40-year veteran of the Vermont State Police who's now director of advocacy for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. His organization believes in balancing privacy concerns with providing public safety, but also thinks that technology should be used more proactively to safeguard citizens. And that includes future smart devices that would call the police in an emergency.

"From our viewpoint, anything that passes constitutional muster that provides public safety to citizens would be a good thing," Baker says. "I expect the knee-jerk reaction to that would be, 'Oh my God, that's violating people's privacy.'"

Not necessarily, says Duarte at the Center for Democracy & Technology. There are already some smart devices on the market, like voice-activated panic detectors for the elderly, that contact emergency dispatchers when triggered by pre-selected voice commands. These "wake words," says Duarte, provide an important privacy protection.

The bigger privacy and safety concerns come when we let the machine make decisions for itself. Duarte cites the relatively low success rates of the predictive policing tool COMPAS, which uses big data analysis to predict whether an individual with a criminal record will commit another crime within two years. A ProPublica study found the system was wrong 40 percent of the time.

"Considering that machines are not very good at actually predicting crime yet, you increase the risk of false positives," says Duarte. "So, you increase the risk of law enforcement being called or having access to information when there was no criminal activity. And, of course, that's a privacy issue."

For Baker, who ran the Vermont State Police and its police academy, the defense of privacy can stand in the way of critical police work. His organization is particularly concerned with strong encryption on smartphones and apps that allow criminals and terrorists to easily "go dark." Even when police have a lawful warrant from a judge to search a device, they often can't get access without a password. Companies like Apple and Google have refused to build in backdoors for law enforcement.

Baker believes that if a smart home device could help solve a crime or prevent a tragedy, we should use it.

"These devices can hear what's going on in the house and the technology allows 911 to pinpoint where the device is and get police resources there. That's public safety," Baker says. "That's saving people's lives."

Now That's Interesting Allowing smart home devices to call 911 goes beyond just connecting a caller to the cops. A Federal Communications Commission spokesman told Wired that devices that make 911 calls must be able to receive calls so the police can call back. They must also be able to route these 911 calls to the right call centers. It's likely these issues will be resolved sooner rather than later.
Russia is seeking to persuade more people to live in its energy-rich Arctic regions as part of a 15-year strategy plan signed by President Vladimir Putin.



The Kremlin plan, titled Foundations Of State Policy In The Arctic To 2035, promises payouts to people relocating to the area and infrastructure development in the environmentally vulnerable territory.



It says the main goals are to boost the local population's quality of life and speed economic development with improved infrastructure and technology.



The region has long been an economically depressed part of the country, hit with high jobless rates and poverty levels, leading to the departure of many residents over the past 20 years.



The plan calls for the development of scientific and engineering solutions to "prevent infrastructure damage from global climate change" that occurs in northern latitudes.



The Arctic region has gained the attention of nations in and around the region for its strategic military position and energy resources.



Last September, U.S. Defense Department officials met with representatives of eight Nordic and Baltic nations to discuss Arctic security and cooperation the great powers eye the regions natural resources and water routes.



China released an Arctic policy in 2018 highlighting its interest in the region despite having no boundaries with it. The Arctic represents a shorter route from Asia to Europe, which the Chinese have called a "Polar Silk Road."

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax
Climate protesters who blockaded BP's headquarters were reprimanded for taking selfies in the dock at magistrates court by the judge presiding their case.

The demonstrators, who are largely 'volunteer workers,' crowded into the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, and then proceeded to take out their phones and start snapping pictures.

Security staff admonished the protestors and the court clerk ordered them to turn off their phones as district Judge Alexander Jacobs shook his head in disbelief.

Judge Alexander Jacobs reminded the protestors that: 'Taking pictures in a criminal court is an offence.'

The protestors pictured smiling for a group photograph outside Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday after they were arrested for blocking entrances to BP's head office in London

Taking photographs in a court is an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

The 20 demonstrators were part of a mass protest which began at 3am when they arrived in three trucks packed with 50 large wooden structures and placed five large steel containers outside the building in St James's Square on 5 February.

The Greenpeace protest coincided with the appointment of BP's new chief executive who was due to start his first day.

Michelle Louise Anderson, 38, Clara Elisabeth Andree, 29, Lucy Bridgewater, 38, Vivienne Hadlow, 36, Susan Harnett, 70, Christopher James Hyde, 52, Parascevou Sier, 60, and Mads Wulff, 53, admitted to wrongfully and without legal authority abstaining a person from doing their business.

Clement Barbet, 30, Thomas Andre Bonduelle, 56, Kim Harrison 36, Jane Christine Hayes, 60, Camilla Malin Eveline Lennerthson, 31, Vidar Melkevik, 42, Ian Mills, 54, Alain Pierre Perdrizet, 61, Alain Pierre Perdrizet, 61, Parascevou Sier, 60, Douglas Frederick Skinner, 66, and Elizabeth Stanton, 57, all admitted the same charge in a later hearing.

Simon Maughan prosecuting said: 'This isn't a case of a couple of protestors standing outside a door with some placards.

'This is a very serious case that has affected a great number of people on that morning.

Mr Maughan said a text was sent out to BP staff alerting them of the demonstration and advising them to stay at home, but some members of staff did not receive the text and were prevented by protesters from entering the building.

The demonstrators took part in a mass protest arriving at BP's head offices with 50 large wooden structures and placed large steel container in front of the building to obstruct entry

'At 6:22am a text was sent out to all BP staff informing them that protesters were blocking the entrances,' he said.

'Some staff members attempted to gain access but were sent home and were unable to carry out their work on the site and were subsequently sent home,' he said.

Mr Maughan said the demonstration had a financial impact on the company and harmed its reputation.

He explained how some protesters locked themselves to oil barrels outside the entrance plastered with the BP logo.

'Ms Bridgewater was linked to barrel outside the entrance, her right arm was concealed in a barrel.

'Mr Wulff was chained to a bin near BP property.

'Ms Harrison was blocking a fire escape of the building.

'Several others were blocking entry to the building.

'This went on all morning and until just up to the afternoon, it gives you a flavour of the duration of this.

A protestor is seen being carried away from the scene by police

'It has caused BP severe damage to its reputation as well as financial loss.

Milke Schwanz defending said: 'All of these defendants do voluntary work except for a few.

'Ms Harnett is 70 years old. She is retired, she has three grandchildren. She is honest and has a high regard for the law.

'Ms Anderson is 38, she had a BA honours in Environmental Studies.

'This is a matter Greanpeace have been campaigning on for decades.

'There is not just a conscious motive but these actions are well-founded and recognised by others.'

Addressing the group, Judge Jacobs said: 'This was a well planned, coordinated operation.

'The action was organised to coincide with the start of work of the new BP CEO.

'Your action caused disruption to BP.

'It did not bring the company to a halt. But there was a loss I am told of 7,200 working hours.

'Your specific intention was to protest but not to cause any violence. The protest, while disruptive, was peaceful.

Judge Jacob said he was satisfied there was no impact on others' health and safety.

'In my judgement the harm was low. While 7,200 hours to the company is a loss, there is no other evidence of impact on others.

'You are all intelligent, honest and decent members of society. It is not in dispute that your motives were genuine.

Judge Jacobs discharged the activists and abstained from making them pay back any compensation to BP.

Sier, of Longland Road East Sussex and Mills, of Moorlands, Wiltshire were fined a total of 217 due to recent convictions of similar nature.

The others were all fined a total of 106.
After a long time, Motorola is finally ready to get back into the flagship smartphone game. And for this it's been working on the device that will be called Edge+. It's headed to Verizon in the US (but is expected to be sold unlocked elsewhere), and today CAD-based renders of it have surfaced.

Thus, we can glance at the design of the Edge+ for the first time, from all possible angles. The first thing that stands out is the waterfall display, with edges that curve a lot into the frame - we're assuming this is where Motorola got the inspiration for the phone's name.

There's also a tiny punch-hole for a selfie cam in the top left of the screen, and a fingerprint sensor under the display. On the back we have three main cameras, alongside a dual-LED flash array and a couple more sensors. The LED ring around the Moto logo is probably going to serve as a notification light.

The Edge+ has a 3.5mm headphone jack up top, while the SIM card tray, USB-C port, and speaker grille are at the bottom. The power button on the right edge is textured, while the volume rocker is on the same side above it.

According to previous leaks, the Motorola Edge+ will have a 6.67" FHD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate, and the Snapdragon 865 SoC at the core, which means 5G support is a given. This will be paired with 8 or 12GB of RAM depending on which specific variant you choose.

The phone will run "stock" or "stock-like" Android 10, and a 5,170 mAh battery should ensure good longevity. It might have been announced last month had MWC not been cancelled. There's currently no new unveiling date in sight, but it shouldn't be a very long wait. We'll keep you posted.

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Michael Oluronbi, a self-styled prophet and evangelical pastor who was convicted of multiple rapes of members of his congregatio Photo credit: West Midlands Police/PA Wire

A "feared" evangelical pastor who used his trusted position to abuse children and adults over 20 years has been jailed for 34 years after his conviction for multiple rapes of members of his congregation.

Self-styled prophet Michael Oluronbi, originally from Nigeria, was found guilty of the offences against six women and a man in January, actions described by a judge as "one of the worst cases of sexual abuse of multiple children to come before the courts".

Some of his offences were carried out after he convinced victims, five of whom attended his church, to take part in "spiritual bathing", which he claimed would "cleanse" them of evil spirits.

During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury heard that some of his young female victims became pregnant multiple times but were taken to abortion clinics by qualified pharmacist Oluronbi, to cover up what was happening.

He was convicted of 15 counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault - as his sentencing hearing heard there were at least 88 separate occasions on which he raped his victims.

Judge Sarah Buckingham said the real purpose of the "spiritual baths" was to "fulfil your insatiable sexual appetite".

The 60-year-old's wife Juliana was jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of three counts of aiding and abetting rape after helping arrange some of the terminations.

Both defendants will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Sentencing "arrogant" Oluronbi on Friday, Judge Buckingham said: "You claimed that God was instructing you to conduct holy baths.

"Its real purpose was to fulfil your insatiable sexual appetite.

"The children feared you and this enable you to continue your grip.

"Your offending has had an extreme and severe impact on all of your complainants.

"Any attempt to suggest otherwise would be without foundation.

"You abused your position of trust - they trusted you like God."

The judge continued: "You did this because you are an arrogant, selfish and vain man.

"In my judgment, your offending must be one of the worst cases of sexual abuse of multiple children to come before the courts."

The religious leader was brought to justice after one of his victims, now an adult, came forward.

When eventually confronted about his offences, Oluronbi said "the devil made me do it".

In statements read to the court by the prosecution, one of the victims said the defendant's actions made her "question if my life was worth living".

During the trial, jurors heard Oluronbi was linked to a Christian church in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, whose roots were in Nigeria.

He set up on his own splinter group for about 40 adults and children, separate to the church and located at another address, where he began a practice of "spiritual bathing".

The offences took place in Birmingham and London.

Phil Bradley QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "The Crown's case is that Mr Oluronbi used what he called 'spiritual work' as a subterfuge for that sexual abuse.

"The main tactic he employed was to claim that God had instructed him to administer 'holy baths' to some of his congregation in order to 'cleanse' them and protect them from evil influences.

"That activity began when his victims were children.

"There can be no doubt that its real purpose was to serve his sexual gratification."

He added that for some of the female victims the offending "progressed to repeated rapes, on many occasions leading to unwanted pregnancies and terminations".

"You will learn that this man, who was revered and feared by his victims, kept a vice-like grip on many of them and continued to abuse them well into adulthood," Mr Bradley said.

Oluronbi's victims described him as "controlling" and "almost like a king".

The offending happened over a period of 20 years, at various locations, going back to the 1980s.

Oluronbi was arrested at Birmingham Airport in May last year, while trying to leave the country for Nigeria with some of his ceremonial belongings and a sum of cash.

Police are unable to say whether he was trying to flee justice, but pointed out he had recently been confronted about the abuse by one of his victims.

For his victims, the ordeal has taken a "massive" physical and mental toll, detectives said.

Describing Oluronbi as "intelligent", Detective Superintendent Nick Walton of West Midlands Police said the pastor "laughed" in court on several occasions while giving evidence in his own defence.

Mr Walton said Oluronbi had been working as a pastor until his arrest in May 2018.

Police also believe there could be more victims and have urged anyone with information to get in touch.
Hundreds of thousands of Australians could be infected with the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 under the scenario the federal government is planning for, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison offering to share the estimated $1 billion health cost with the states.

The funding, which would go to public hospitals as well as aged care, child care centres and additional protective masks, is equivalent to about 200,000 acute hospitalisations.

"I hope it is not that much," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

Hundreds of thousands could be infected with the coronavirus in Australia. Credit:AP

"It could be more, but we at least have to enter into these arrangements having some sense of the scale of what we're dealing with here."
Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray has instructed the chief secretary to ensure government funds are deposited only in nationalised banks and not private lenders, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Friday.

Pawar, also the finance minister, made the remarks in Thackeray's presence after the former presented the state's budget for 2020-21 in the assembly.

"The CM has instructed the chief secretary and other secretaries to deposit government funds in nationalised banks, particularly ones protected by the Centre," Pawar told reporters outside state legislature building complex here.

Pawar's statements came in the backdrop of controversy over the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank, a private lender, allegedly by the previous BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis's wife Amruta holds a senior post in Axis Bank.

The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, sought Fadnavis's response to a petition questioning the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank.

A senior official had stated last year that salary accounts of police personnel were with UTI Bank -- later renamed as Axis Bank -- since 2005, much before Fadnavis became chief minister in 2014.
NEW DELHI: The government on Friday (March 06, 2020) all departments and ministries to discontinue their biometric attendance system till March 31 in wake of the spread of coronavirus, which has so far claimed over 3,000 deaths worldwide.

All Ministries/Departments are requested to exempt their employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhaar-based Biometric Attendance System till 31 March 2020. However, all employees are required to mark their attendance in the register, the government order said.

The Union Health Ministry also urged the people to avoid mass gathering till coronavirus spread is contained.

The Health Ministry directed all state governments to guide the organisers on precautions if any mass gathering is organised.

The number of coronavirus cases detected in the country is 31.

"Experts across the World have advised reducing mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus disease. In view of the above, it is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed until the disease spread is contained," the Health Ministry said in a statement issued on March 05.

"In case any such mass gatherings are organised, States may take necessary action to guide the Organisers on precautions to be taken as per the risk communication material already sent so as to avoid any Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and Influenza-Like Illness (ILls) including Covid-19," it added.

On Thursday, the Delhi government also asked all government and public sector undertakings to discontinue their biometric attendance system in wake of the spread of coronavirus in the national capital.

After the directive, several government institutions and organisations started registering attendance manually. A large number of government organisations had switched to the biometric attendance system a few years ago to ensure transparency in the procedure and avoid fudging of attendance records by employees.

But as the coronavirus affects the respiratory system, efforts are being made to reduce the change of its spread.
The doctors stated that if a patient with coronavirus has a disorder of consciousness then the doctors should consider the possibility of neurovirological infections

Open source

The Chinese doctors discovered that the coronavirus may harm the central nervous system as Xinhua reported.

Thus, the doctors succeeded to cure the patient with the virus in spinal fluid.

A 56-year-old patient was diagnosed with Covid-19 on January 24. However, after the repeated longevity treatment his state did not get better but deteriorated. Later, he had the symptoms tied with the decrease of the level of consciousness; however, the computer tomography of the head did not show any pathology.

Only after holding of the sequencing of genes in the samples of his spinal fluid, the presence of the coronavirus of the new type was confirmed. The patient with Covid-19 was diagnosed with viral encephalitis  the inflammation of the brain.

After the successful treatment of encephalitis, the man was discharged from the hospital on February 25.

The personal doctor of this patient said that if a patient with coronavirus has a disorder of consciousness then the doctors should consider the possibility of neurovirological infections.

As we reported, the Health Ministry of Brazil confirmed the presence of coronavirus in the organism of a 13-year-old girl who recently returned from Italy and Portugal. It is reported that a child had no symptoms of the disease. The decision to hold the test for coronavirus was tied with her travel to one of the countries with a high risk of infection.
Magaly Chocano's future went up in flames on a beautiful sunny day last Friday.

That's how the owner of Sweb Development described the fire that stripped her Southtown office to a smoldering husk.

In a letter shared with mySA.com, Chocano thanked the San Antonio community for its support.

READ MORE: 'Were ready for business on Monday': Owner of Southtown office lost in fire speaks out

She noted that the business "never skipped a beat" and opened Monday morning in donated office space.

"I am not alone. We are not alone," Chocano wrote.

Read the full letter from Chocano below:

THANK YOU San Antonio!

A week ago today I woke up like every morning at 5:30am - I went to the gym and I started my Friday at an 8:30am board meeting at the Witte Museum. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was happy it was the end of a long week.

Nothing would have prepared me for what happened next - I received a phone call on my way out of the meeting. Magaly, the building is on FIRE!. I couldnt register the information - I kept on saying; What do you mean?. I then asked if everyone was safe and told him I was on my way.

I never imagined that the building is on fire actually meant it was completely engulfed in flames and a total devastating loss. I got there with difficulty, as all streets were closed, and there it was: my beautiful building, one that we had bought and remodeled with so much hard work, love and attention; my dream, my future was up in flames.

I had only heard myself wail once before, at the death of my friend Katie Pell, I guess in a way this was also a death. I couldnt stop. And I kept on asking myself What am I supposed to learn from this? -

I desperately went looking for my team. I found them. We hugged and cried - and then I took them out for a drink - yes, we went day drinking.

The fire totally destroyed the building and everything inside. We had to begin from nothing. What was my next step? I was lost and heartbroken but immediately I understood my job as a leader - under all circumstances, whatever I did in that moment was what would determine the fate of my business and my team.

This story really starts here - that was just for context. At 11:30am I receive a text message from Randy Smith - he and his team offered us a place to call home and office out of for as long as we needed. He asked how many people we were and what floor would we prefer and that parking was on him! Wait?! What?! I couldnt believe the generosity, the love, the understanding, that taking our new office space off the table, opened me up to figure out a million other things. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

And that was just the beginning - the hundreds of calls, texts, messages that day were unbelievable from dear friends to city officials, from restaurants to exercise studios. Everyone wanted to help!

And that is where it hit me - that original question of: What am I supposed to learn? Here it is:

- There is nothing in this world that matters more than love and community.

- San Antonio hands down has the most loving community of all.

- Generosity comes in many different ways.

- Tragedy always comes with rebirth and new opportunities.

- Always give back, in whatever ways you can, its important.

- I am not alone. We are not alone.

This is just to say - I am overwhelmed with gratitude. You have taken me and my team in your arms and lifted us in this incredible moment of hardship.

Please know that your generosity is impacting not only my life personally but the lives of 16 other families.

The depth of your gifts and your love - the depth of your generosity is as deep as the depth of my gratitude. Sweb will rise stronger than ever. This is the story we must tell people that think San Antonio isnt a place for them where else would you get this much love?! Nowhere else!

Sweb was back to work at 8:30am on Monday and never skipped a beat. Come visit us at our new home and let us know how we can be of service to you!

Love,

Magaly and the Sweb Team
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Onshore Oil & Gas Pipeline Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global onshore oil and gas pipeline market is expected to register a CAGR of more than 5.7% during the forecast period of 2020-2025.



According to International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for oil is expected to rise by around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on average every year till 2025, from 97 million bpd in 2018.



In a bid to meet the rising consumption of oil and gas, the pipeline capacities are being expanded and new pipeline projects are being commissioned. However, the global shift towards renewable sources for electricity generation poses as a huge threat for the oil and gas demand, which is likely to be a major challenge for the growth of onshore oil & gas pipelines installation in the coming years.



The onshore oil and gas pipeline market is fragmented. Some of the key players in this market include Tenaris, Essar Group, Jindal SAW, Europipe, and TMK Group.



Key Highlights



The availability of abundant natural gas reserves, the lower cost in comparison to other fossil fuel types, among others, is expected to supplement the demand for natural gas from multiple end-use sectors, including power generation, during the forecast period. This, in turn, is expected to boost the onshore gas pipeline market in the coming years.

Russia and Pakistan have agreed to build a new gas carrying pipeline worth USD 2 billion. Further, India and Russia have also signed a deal worth USD 40 billion on natural gas exports to India. Russia being a significant exporter is paving the way for pipeline industry to grow more and also presents an opportunity for the market players during the forecast period.

Growing oil & gas demand in Asia-Pacific holds immense potential for the onshore oil & gas pipeline market and is the fastest growing market. China and India have been largest consumers of oil & gas in the Asia-Pacific region, and pipeline network is growing at a significant pace in both of these countries.

Story continues

Major Market Trends



Natural Gas Pipeline to Dominate the Market

The global demand for natural gas is expected to increase by 1.6%, y-o-y, for the next five years, with consumption reaching almost 4,250 billion cubic meter (bcm) by 2025, up from 3,850 bcm in 2018. Therefore, the natural gas pipeline network is expected to grow in parallel to the increase in natural gas demand.

By 2030, owing to factors, such as environmental benefits and quest for energy security in regions, such as Asia-Pacific, the consumption of natural gas is expected to witness the fastest growth among all fuel types, which, in turn, is expected to drive the onshore pipeline market.

With exports of 104.8 billion cubic meters in 2018, Qatar continued to be the largest LNG exporter, a position it has now held for over a decade. The LNG trade is expected to witness a significant increase across the globe, resulting in increased demand for natural gas onshore pipeline network as well.

Therefore, focus on cleaner fuel, technology developments making it possible for coal-bed methane cost-efficient farming has been among the driving factor in demand for the onshore pipeline infrastructure.

Asia-Pacific to Expect a Significant Growth in the Forecast Period

The energy consumption in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow by 48% over the next three decades. This has led the onshore oil & gas pipeline market to be the fastest growing amongst other regions.

With China's five-year plans for the period of 2016 - 2020, the government's plans to increase the proportion of natural gas in the energy consumption mix to about 10% by 2020, from about 5.9% as estimated in the year 2015, through enhanced domestic exploration and production activities.

China is expected to strengthen its gas pipeline network, to boost the clean fuel's share in the country's energy mix, during the forecast period. As per the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the country's oil & gas pipeline network is expected to reach 240,000 km by 2025, with natural gas pipelines reaching 123,000 kilometers.

India is also modifying its gas pipeline infrastructure to meet the growing demand. According to Petroleum and Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the natural gas pipeline infrastructure is expected to grow to about 28000 kms, in length during the forecast years.

Therefore, the increasing demand and new pipeline infrastructure in Asia-Pacific are some of the major factors that are driving the onshore oil and gas pipeline market growth.

Key Topics Covered



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope of the Study

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Study Assumptions



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET OVERVIEW

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Market Size and Demand Forecast, in USD billion, till 2025

4.3 Installed Pipeline Historic Capacity and Forecast in Kilometers, till 2025

4.4 Inter-Regional Pipeline Import Capacity in BSCM, till 2025

4.5 Inter-Regional Pipeline Export Capacity in BSCM, till 2025

4.6 Investment in Pipelines, LNG Liquefaction, and LNG Receiving Terminals in USD billion, 2016-2027

4.7 Brent Crude Oil and Henry Hub Spot Prices Forecast, till 2025

4.8 Recent Trends and Developments

4.9 Government Policies and Regulations

4.10 Onshore CAPEX Forecast in USD billion, till 2025

4.11 Market Dynamics

4.11.1 Drivers

4.11.2 Restraints

4.12 Investment Analysis

4.13 Supply Chain Analysis

4.14 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis

4.14.1 Threat of New Entrants

4.14.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

4.14.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.14.4 Threat of Substitute Products

4.14.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry



5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 Type

5.1.1 Oil Pipeline

5.1.2 Gas Pipeline

5.2 Geography

5.2.1 North America

5.2.2 Europe

5.2.3 Asia-Pacific

5.2.4 South America

5.2.5 Middle-East and Africa



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Essar Group

6.1.2 Jindal SAW Ltd.

6.1.3 Tenaris S.A.

6.1.4 Europipe GmbH

6.1.5 CPW America Co.

6.1.6 TMK Group

6.1.7 Baosteel Co. Ltd.

6.1.8 TransCanada Corporation

6.1.9 WorleyParsons Limited

6.1.10 Mastec Inc.



7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wjmyqm

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.



CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

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It has been a month since the government of Ghana affirmed that the newly passed RTI is operational. Adizatu Moro Maiga of the Media Foundation for West Africa's Media and Good Governance programme raises red flags on deficits in the implementation and functionality of the RTI law.

On March 25, 2019, Parliament passed the monumental Right To Information (RTI) law in Ghana. In the space of one month, the President assented to it, making Ghana the tenth in West Africa to have passed the law. Thereafter, the Government delayed its implementation to January 2020, so that it could address all infrastructural and financial requirements necessary to make the law functional. It is now February 2020, and one is left to wonder whether the enthusiasm and political will that characterised the RTI law's passage is still being maintained by the government. Against this backdrop, this article examines five critical issues that need to be addressed if the RTI law is to be functional in Ghana. Drawing from the examination of these issues, five important recommendations are proffered for the attentions of the government.

Training of Information Officers and other stakeholders

On Sunday, February 9, 2020, Ghana's Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, informed journalists during a press conference in Kumasi that his Ministry, being the lead implementer of the RTI law in Ghana, has put in measures to kick-start the operationalization of the RTI law. According to the Minister, he has given directives to all chief directors at the various public institutions to appoint information officers that will be responsible for receiving and processing information applications. He also said that his outfit has shared with the various public institutions an information request form that could be used to request for information under the RTI law.

The Minister's directives are laudable as Information Officers are key focal point that serves as interface between the citizens requesting for information and the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government require to provide timely necessary information on government's businesses to the population. It is therefore important for the MDAs to comply with the Minister's directive with the appointment of Information Officers in earnest without further delay.

While these steps by the Minister are commendable, they do not automatically translate to the seamless functionality of the RTI law. For the RTI law to be effective and functional, particularly as it relates to the interface between MDAs and citizens, there ought to be adequate capacity building and training of Information Officers and other relevant stakeholders. Undoubtedly, information officers are central contacts on the RTI architecture. Beyond receiving and processing information requests and applications, information officers also serve as resources which other officials can lean on when they seek clarifications regarding the RTI law. Thus, the capacity building and training should include other technical officials such as those at records and the various departments to understand and appreciate the RTI processes and procedural encumbrances as well as the relevance of information disclosure for good governance and accountability in service delivery.

However, despite the critical role played by Information Officers and other relevant stakeholders in the information disclosure ecosystem, they have still not been equipped with adequate capacity to take up the work. Up until now, they have not received the requisite orientation and training that they ought to have had before assuming their role as information officers and other technical staff on the RTI operationalization. It is unfortunate that after several months following the passage of the RTI law in Ghana, critical issues such as orienting and training information officers and other key stakeholders on the Access to Information law is still an issue of discussion.

Nationwide Public Education and Sensitization on the RTI Law

An informed citizenry, is an empowered one. The RTI law gives citizens the power to know about governance processes and contribute to and influence government plans, actions, policy directions and interventions. The only way citizens can take part in this process effectively is when they are educated or sensitized on the RTI law. The public education and sensitization campaign on the RTI law will advance the understanding of the public and equip them with the necessary knowledge on how to exercise their rights contemplated under the RTI law. This includes their rights and obligations under the law, the processes to request information, the duration for information processing, information exemptions and the steps to take when information is denied among others. But so far there has not been any nationwide educational campaign on the RTI law. The roadmap designed for the implementation is of the RTI law is now outdated. There is no communication on the government's next line of action. It is also not clear what strategy government has for the nationwide education and whether there are specific tailor-made programmes to cater for the disadvantaged and minority in society.

Robust Records Management System at Public Institutions

The response of public servants to information requests in most public institutions is one that ranges from proactively providing the information, to blaming poor implementation on technical constraints, such as poor record management system. Record management especially, when good, is a pre-requisite to access information. Keeping a well-structured records system does not only improve quality of public administration and prevent information manipulation and destruction but also, ease the process for information request and accessibility.

Despite the importance of keeping a good records system in institutions, most public offices are not equipped to do so. They are not well-resourced to store, manage and easily retrieve information requested by the public. A challenge that has become the norm over the years and has been promoting corrupt practices such as payment of bribes to expedite information disclosure and to issue administrative documents. The RTI law, if it is to be functional, will largely depend on the proactiveness of public institutions to have good and efficient record management systems. Setting up the RTI Secretariat

The RTI Secretariat is made up of the RTI Commission, headed by the RTI Commissioner. Setting up the RTI Commission is pivotal in the RTI ecosystem to coordinate and support the functionality of the RTI law. Amidst the many duties, the Commission is responsible for, is promoting the right to information law by carrying out sustained advocacy including collaborations with other public institutions. The Commission is also supposed to assess implementation plans submitted by public institutions for community-level engagements. Because of these early interventions, the RTI Commission must be a priority.

Release of Budgetary Allocation

Funding is perhaps the most important issue to be addressed in order to ensure proper functioning of the RTI law in Ghana. Indeed without the necessary financial resources, the Ministry of Information, the other public institutions as well as the general public will not operationalize, utilize and access, respectively, the RTI law. Training of information officers and other stakeholders, establishment of the RTI Commission, resourcing and constituting the Commission, making available the functional record management system as well as rolling out the educational campaigns cannot be achieved if the funding is not released for the functionality of the RTI law.

Against the foregoing, and in order to ensure that the Government of Ghana is still mindful of the RTI law's efficacy, the following recommendations need to be taken into consideration:
Jeremy Christian is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27 for the fatal stabbings of two men and the serious wounding of a third man on a crowded MAX train in May 2017.

Christian could be sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of release, known as true life. Or he could be sentenced to life in prison with a 30-year minimum. Oregons new first-degree murder law, passed as Senate Bill 1013 last summer, gives Multnomah County Cheryl Albrecht both options.

Christians defense attorneys, however, are arguing that the new law, is unconstitutional and as a result leaves the judge with only the second option -- sentencing Christian to life with a 30-year minimum. The defense and the prosecution could debate that during another hearing, which hasnt been scheduled yet.

But even if the judge agrees with the defense attorneys, prosecutors could argue that the judge can sentence Christian to consecutive sentences -- 30-year minimum terms for each murder, plus another 7 1/2 years for attempted first-degree murder and possibly more time for the other crimes Christian was found guilty of. That could amount to at least 67 1/2 years in prison -- meaning Christian, who was 35 at the time of the killings, would be more than 100 years old before he could be considered for release from prison.

After 15 days of trial on Feb. 21, jurors found Christian guilty of 12 crimes, including first-degree murder for the deaths of Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Best, 53, attempted first-degree murder for the serious wounding of Micah Fletcher, then 21, and hate crimes against two teenage girls, one who was wearing a hijab, on a crowded MAX train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center in Northeast Portland on May 26, 2017.

-- Aimee Green

agreen@oregonian.com

o_aimee

Keep up with key trial events and takeaways by signing up for The Oregonian/OregonLives Jeremy Christian trial newsletter at oregonlive.com/newsletters.

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Quinn's Director Kevin Lunney and First Minster Arlene Foster at the launch of the new Strategic Business Insights Partnership between Quinn Industrial Holdings and St. Aidan's High School in Derrylin on Friday. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney has made his first public appearance since his abduction and torture last year.

Mr Lunney (50) was abducted from near his home in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh on September 17 and taken away in a horse box by a gang of up to six men.

The father-of-six had his leg broken, was slashed with a Stanley knife and doused in bleach during a two-and-a-half hour ordeal.

He had the letters QIH cut into his chest and was dumped by the side of a remote road in Co Cavan.

The incident was one of the most serious in a years-long campaign of intimidation of staff and targeting of businesses previously owned by ex-billionaire Sean Quinn.

Mr Lunney attended the launch of QIH's Business Insights Partnership with St Aidan's High School in Derrylin on Friday.

The five-year partnership will involve the creation of a business insights hub for students and sponsorship of St Aidan's Business Department.

Expand Close Quinn Director Kevin Lunney, Pat McTeggart (Principal) , First Minister Arlene Foster , Education Minister Peter Weir and Pat Rooney (St Aidan's) at the launch of the new Strategic Business Insights Partnership between Quinn Industrial Holdings and St. Aidan's High School in Derrylin. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker / Facebook

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Whatsapp Quinn Director Kevin Lunney, Pat McTeggart (Principal) , First Minister Arlene Foster , Education Minister Peter Weir and Pat Rooney (St Aidan's) at the launch of the new Strategic Business Insights Partnership between Quinn Industrial Holdings and St. Aidan's High School in Derrylin. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

First Minister Arlene Foster and Education Minister Peter Weir also attended the event.

QIH chief executive Liam McCaffrey said the initiative recognises the "important interdependency" between schools, business and the wider community.

"Through our schools programmes our apprenticeship, graduate, post-graduate KTP and supported chartership programmes we have seen at first hand the huge benefits of life-long learning and continuing education, to our business and to the local economy," he said.

"We are delighted that St. Aidans have come on board with us and we are committed to working with them to developing sustainable early-stage careers-paths for our future leaders.

Pat McTeggart, Principal of St Aidan's, said the partnership will be an "exciting adventure" that will be beneficial for both students and staff.

Expand Close Quinn's Director Kevin Lunney at the launch of the new Strategic Business Insights Partnership between Quinn Industrial Holdings and St. AidanOs High School in Derrylin. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker / Facebook

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Whatsapp Quinn's Director Kevin Lunney at the launch of the new Strategic Business Insights Partnership between Quinn Industrial Holdings and St. AidanOs High School in Derrylin. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

"Sometimes the delivery of new business concepts in a classroom environment can lack the necessary practical and real-life references and examples that are necessary for students to gain a proper understanding of the topic," he said.

"Working closely with a wide range of people from all disciplines in Quinns and the site visits has brought the whole subject to life and we are extremely lucky to have this opportunity on our doorstep.

Earlier this week, three people were arrested in connection with Kevin Lunney's abduction and torture, however they were later released without charge.
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Linkedin Crispian Balmer (Reuters) Rome, Italy  Fri, March 6, 2020 09:01 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068ae8ba 2 Art & Culture Raphael,coronavirus,rome,Italy,arts Free

An exhibition commemorating the 500th anniversary of the death of Renaissance artist Raphael opens in Rome this week but the show risks being overshadowed by the coronavirus outbreak sweeping Italy.

The Scuderie del Quirinale gallery has sold almost 70,000 tickets in online sales even before the doors open to the public, a record for such an exhibition here, but the government battle to halt the infection could yet wreck the event.

Among the measures that ministers are considering are banning public gatherings and ordering people to maintain a distance of at least one meter from one another - impossible to imagine in the confined space of a major art show.

"We are just keeping our fingers crossed and praying it can go ahead as planned," said a senior official at the Scuderie as workers put the finishing touches to the exhibition, which is due to open on Thursday and run until June 2.

More than 2,500 people in Italy have come down with coronavirus in less than two weeks and at least 79 people have died.

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, known in the English-speaking world as Raphael, was born in 1483 and died just 37 years later after a sudden illness in Rome. He was one of the most celebrated artists of his age.

The exhibition covers not just his famed paintings, but also his involvement in archaeology, architecture and poetry, as well as prints, sculpture and tapestry.

Read also: Blockbuster Rome show marks 500 years since Raphael's death

The curators have managed to bring together 204 works of art, including 120 by Raphael himself and other pieces that give an insight into the times he lived - a period now known as the High Renaissance, an enlightened age marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity.

Raphael's masterpieces are found today in museums around the world, and many of them, including Madrid's Prado, London's National Gallery and the Washington National Gallery of Art, have sent their priceless art work to Rome.

"I am sure we will never see again such a concentration of works by Raphael together in one venue as we do here," said Eike Schmidt, the director of Florence's Uffizi museum which itself offered up nine paintings and 40 drawings.

Showing the passions that Raphael's work engenders, the entire scientific committee at the Uffizi resigned last month to protest at Schmidt's decision to loan one of its paintings to the Scuderie in defiance of their recommendation.

The committee said the portrait of Pope Leo X was core to the identity of their collection and should never be let out of Florence. Schmidt overruled them, deciding that such an iconic painting deserved to return to the city it was created in.

Marzia Faietti, who curated the show, spent three years trying to persuade other museums to give up their treasures.

"We got more than we thought we would get. I am so grateful. It just shows the friendships in place between Italy and all these other galleries," Faietti told Reuters. "This is the only time and the only place where you can get to see them all."

Topics : Raphael coronavirus rome Italy arts
U.S. Army artillery experts said Friday they hope to demonstrate a working version of the sophisticated autoloader being designed for the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) by the end of this year.

On Friday, Army leaders attended the latest demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, for the ERCA, which launched a rocket-assisted 155mm round and an Excalibur precision-guided round out to 65 kilometers -- about twice as far as traditional 155mm artillery.

Army leaders are confident they will field the ERCA's systems to a battalion in 2023. That will include a M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) howitzer chassis mounted with a 58-caliber length gun tube that fires the new XM1113 rocket-assisted projectile.

"This provides a significantly longer-range capability, so it enables commanders to attack and fight differently," Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Joseph Martin told defense reporters during a telephonic round-table discussion after the demonstration.

Related: Auto-Loader May Be a Challenge for Army's New Self-Propelled Cannon

"Our adversaries are artillery-centered formations ... so we are never going to have the same number of cannons as they do, but what we will have is overmatch in terms of range, accuracy and lethality," he said.

Army modernization officials hope to take ERCA to the next level by installing a new autoloader being developed during the second phase of the program.

"The autoloader will give us the ability to fire at a rate of six-to-10 rounds per minute and deliver that volume of fire to create the effect of mass in large-scale ground combat," said Brig. Gen. John Rafferty Jr., director of the Long Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team at Army Futures Command. "In the year and a half that I have been doing this job, it has matured significantly."

The autoloader is currently being developed in a laboratory setting at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, but Army officials plan to demonstrate the working system in December.

"It will demonstrate its ability to take the XM113 off the ready rack in the howitzer, load it into the breech, go grab a supercharged propellent, put that behind it ... and allow the crew to fire the howitzer," Rafferty said. "The other thing it's got to do, is it has to fuse it and then set the fuse. Right now, it takes two cannoneers and a sergeant watching them to do that, so it is not a simple machine."

If all goes well, the Army plans to demonstrate the autoloader in the howitzer in 2021, Rafferty said.

For the first phase of the ERCA program, BAE Systems is contracted to build the 18 ERCA systems that will be fielded in 2023, he added.

The Army plans to hold an industry day for ERCA's second phase -- which will include the autoloader -- in the next three-to-four months in preparation for a separate competition, Rafferty said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Read More: The Marines and Army Are Developing Longer-Range Rockets. Congress Wants Details
Terahertz radiation technique opens a new door for studying atomic behavior

Researchers from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have made a promising new advance for the lab's high-speed "electron camera" that could allow them to "film" tiny, ultrafast motions of protons and electrons in chemical reactions that have never been seen before. Such "movies" could eventually help scientists design more efficient chemical processes, invent next-generation materials with new properties, develop drugs to fight disease and more.

The new technique takes advantage of a form of light called terahertz radiation, instead of the usual radio-frequency radiation, to manipulate the beams of electrons the instrument uses. This lets researchers control how fast the camera takes snapshots and, at the same time, reduces a pesky effect called timing jitter, which prevents researchers from accurately recording the timeline of how atoms or molecules change.

The method could also lead to smaller particle accelerators: Because the wavelengths of terahertz radiation are about a hundred times smaller than those of radio waves, instruments using terahertz radiation could be more compact.

The researchers published the findings in Physical Review Letters on February 4.

A Speedy Camera

SLAC's "electron camera," or ultrafast electron diffraction (MeV-UED) instrument, uses high-energy beams of electrons traveling near the speed of light to take a series of snapshots - essentially a movie - of action between and within molecules. This has been used, for example, to shoot a movie of how a ring-shaped molecule breaks when exposed to light and to study atom-level processes in melting tungsten that could inform nuclear reactor designs.

The technique works by shooting bunches of electrons at a target object and recording how electrons scatter when they interact with the target's atoms. The electron bunches define the shutter speed of the electron camera. The shorter the bunches, the faster the motions they can capture in a crisp image.

"It's as if the target is frozen in time for a moment," says SLAC's Emma Snively, who spearheaded the new study.

For that reason, scientists want to make all the electrons in a bunch hit a target as close to simultaneously as possible. They do this by giving the electrons at the back a little boost in energy, to help them catch up to the ones in the lead.

So far, researchers have used radio waves to deliver this energy. But the new technique developed by the SLAC team at the MeV-UED facility uses light at terahertz frequencies instead.

Why terahertz?

A key advantage of using terahertz radiation lies in how the experiment shortens the electron bunches. In the MeV-UED facility, scientists shoot a laser at a copper electrode to knock off electrons and create beams of electron bunches. And until recently, they typically used radio waves to make these bunches shorter.

However, the radio waves also boost each electron bunch to a slightly different energy, so individual bunches vary in how quickly they reach their target. This timing variance is called jitter, and it reduces researchers' abilities to study fast processes and accurately timestamp how a target changes with time.

The terahertz method gets around this by splitting the laser beam into two. One beam hits the copper electrode and creates electron bunches as before, and the other generates the terahertz radiation pulses for shortening the electron bunches. Since they were produced by the same laser beam, electron bunches and terahertz pulses are now synchronized with each other, reducing the timing jitter between bunches.

Down to the femtosecond

A key innovation for this work, the researchers say, was creating a particle accelerator cavity, called the compressor. This carefully machined hunk of metal is small enough to sit in the palm of a hand. Inside the device, terahertz pulses shorten electron bunches and give them a targeted and effective push.

As a result, the team could compress electron bunches so they last just a few tens of femtoseconds, or quadrillionths of a second. That's not as much compression as conventional radio-frequency methods can achieve now, but the researchers say the ability to simultaneously lower jitter makes the terahertz method promising. The smaller compressors made possible by the terahertz method would also mean lower cost compared to radio-frequency technology.

"Typical radio-frequency compression schemes produce shorter bunches but very high jitter," says Mohamed Othman, another SLAC researcher on the team. "If you produce a compressed bunch and also reduce the jitter, then you'll be able to catch very fast processes that we've never been able to observe before."

Eventually, the team says, the goal is to compress electron bunches down to about a femtosecond. Scientists could then observe the incredibly fast timescales of atomic behavior in fundamental chemical reactions like hydrogen bonds breaking and individual protons transferring between atoms, for example, that aren't fully understood.

"At the same time that we are investigating the physics of how these electron beams interact with these intense terahertz waves, we're also really building a tool that other scientists can use immediately to explore materials and molecules in a way that wasn't possible before," says SLAC's Emilio Nanni, who led the project with Renkai Li, another SLAC researcher. "I think that's one of the most rewarding aspects of this research."

This project was funded by DOE's Office of Science. The MeV-UED instrument is part of SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source, a DOE Office of Science user facility.

SLAC is a vibrant multiprogram laboratory that explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. With research spanning particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, materials, chemistry, bio- and energy sciences and scientific computing, we help solve real-world problems and advance the interests of the nation.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

###

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Bengaluru: Thirteen people, including five women and two children, were killed and five critically injured in a road accident in Karnataka early Friday, police said.

The mishap occurred when an SUV collided with a car that had crashed against a road divider at Amruthur near Kunigal in Tumakuru district, police added.

Twelve of them died on the spot and a child succumbed in a hospital, police said adding they included a four-member family -- man, wife and their two children.

Four critically-injured persons were hospitalised.

Among the dead, 10 were from Tamil Nadu and three from Bengaluru. All of them were pilgrims.

"Thirteen persons (ten in the SUV and three in the car) have died. The incident occurred past midnight. A car crashed against the road divider and another car collided with it," Tumakuru Superintendent of Police (SP) K Vamsi Krishna told PTI.

"While the people in the SUV were returning from thetemple town of Dhramasthala (in Dakshina Kannada district), the four people in the car were on the way to Dharmasthala," Vamsi Krishna said.

Police personnel had to struggle to pull the bodies out from the mangled vehicles.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, condoling the deaths, said the 10 victims, hailing from Chikkanappalli village in Krishnagiri district were returning home when the mishap occurred after a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala.

Five women, three men and two children were killed in the accident.

Palaniswami said he has ordered authorities to send a team of officials including police officers to Karnataka to help identify and hand over the bodies to kin of the victims and facilitate quality treatment to the injured.

"I have ordered a solatium of Rs one lakh to the families of each of the dead and Rs 50,000 to grievously injured from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund," he said in a statement.
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after signing a $7.8 billion emergency coronavirus spending bill in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, March 6, 2020. The amount of money provided in the legislation far exceeds Trumps original request -- $1.25 billion in new funds and another $1.25 billion from other government social and health programs. Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Friday defended Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar as he faces mounting criticism for his response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

"It is FAKE NEWS that @HHSGov @SecAzar is 'sidelined' from the great job he is doing on the CoronaVirus Task Force," Trump tweeted Friday. "He has the total confidence of the @VP and myself, and is doing a fantastic job, as the numbers would indicate!"

Trump tweet

The president's remarks come after several news outlets reported that Azar had been kept from attending a press briefing addressing the virus. Azar had been on the front lines of the response from the U.S. for weeks, appearing in front of reporters and issuing updates on the status of the virus in the country, until this moment.

Trump's Friday tweet in defense of Azar appears to include a caveat, however. The phrase "as the numbers would indicate" suggests that if contamination and death totals were to increase, as they have been since the virus was discovered, Azar would no longer be doing "a fantastic job."

The president tweeted the remarks after he addressed reporters at the White House, with Azar at his side. Trump on Friday signed a multibillion-dollar spending package to combat the spread of the coronavirus. He also canceled and then remade plans to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta on Friday.

The coronavirus, which first originated in China in December, has spread to dozens of countries and has killed at least 3,383 people so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The president has repeatedly stressed that the coronavirus is under control in the United States, but health officials have signaled an entirely different message as they continue issuing stronger guidance for travelers and U.S. citizens.

There are more than 100,000 confirmed cases worldwide, and at least 14 deaths in the United States, according to official tallies.

The novel strain of coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, has roiled markets and led governments to take drastic actions as it rapidly spreads across the globe.

 CNBC's Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.
REDDING, Calif. - Amid growing concerns of the coronavirus, health officials in Shasta County are advising the public to be on alert.

What we dont want people to do is overreact or underreact, said Tim Mapes, a community education specialist with Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.

We think it's something that the public should be aware of.

Just like any disease, the coronavirus can have its own set of complications.

We do know that this virus, as well as the regular flu, can have serious complications, said Mapes.

Numbers from the California Department of Public Health Reveal, in 2019 there have been close to 450 flu-related deaths and 125 outbreaks. The CDPH reports, there are 53 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and one confirmed death in California.

Im not afraid of it, but I do think we're going to see more of it, said EC Chambers, a resident of Lake California. I do like the precautions that are being taken and I think its going to save lives in the end.

Im a little nervous but I think if we keep an eye out on washing our hands and not touching our faces then well be okay, said Redding resident Heather Schmidt.

Action News Now spoke to several people in Redding who feel the disease is being made too big of a deal.

I think it's a little over-exaggerated right now, said Rocky Hamblock of Redding. Everybody gets the flu and we always have deaths from the flu, I think they're making it a bigger deal than it is.

But officials still recommending staying home to prevent the spread of any other sickness.

If you're sick, no matter what is, try to stay home from work, said Mapes. Keep your kids home from school if you can.
SHANGHAI, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSmart International Education Group Limited (NYSE: ONE) ("OneSmart" or the "Company"), a leading premium K-12 education company in China, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Yimi Education Technology Inc., its affiliated companies and VIE ("Yimi") to acquire certain technologies and business as part of Company's continuing efforts to enhance the quality and customer experience on OneSmart Online, the online platform of the Company.

Yimi is a leading Chinese premium one-on-one online tutoring company. In its last five years of operation, Yimi's technology and development has centered around big data analytics and artificial intelligence ("AI") with a goal to drive interactive smart learning and teaching to a whole new level.

As a part of OneSmart's online strategic development plan, the Company held a minority stake in Yimi prior to the proposed transaction. Over the past five years, the Company and Yimi have been cooperating in several business areas including co-testing an online-merge-offline ("OMO") business model since the beginning of 2019, which has proven its viability and profitability. OneSmart Online is currently rolling out its own OMO model in more than 10 cities of China.

Mr. Steve Zhang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OneSmart, commented, "Working closely with Yimi highlights the importance of technology and premium online services as we continue to take share in the industry. The acquisition of Yimi's cutting-edge technologies and products add a key component to our premium online services and will help further improve the customer experience and the quality of our online services. We believe that demand in the one-on-one online education sector will continue to accelerate, and this acquisition helps lay a solid foundation for our own OMO business roll-out."

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. OneSmart may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about OneSmart's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: OneSmart's goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to penetrate premium K-12 after-school education services market; diversify and enrich our education offerings; enhance the development and management of our teacher team and teaching materials; competition in our industry in China; its ability to maintain and expand online education presence; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry; and its ability to protect our students' information and adequately address privacy concerns. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and OneSmart does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About OneSmart

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Shanghai, OneSmart International Education Group Limited is a leading premium K-12 education company in China. Since commencement of our business, our vision is to build the most trusted "Third Classroom" outside of home and school and our mission is to bring out the utmost learning power in each student by cultivating his or her study motivation, capability and perseverance, and enable our students to pursue their life-long success. Our company culture is centered on the core values of customer focus, execution, innovation and teamwork.

The Company has built a comprehensive premium K-12 education platform that encompasses OneSmart VIP business (Premium K-12 1-on-1 training services), HappyMath (Premium math education programs), and FasTrack English (Premium English education programs). We also offer our comprehensive online classes through OneSmart Online, our premium online education services platform. As of November 30, 2019, OneSmart operates a nationwide network of 430 learning centers across 35 cities in China.

For more information on OneSmart, please visit http://www.onesmart.investorroom.com.

For more information, please contact:

OneSmart

Ms. Rebecca Shen

Phone: +86-21-5255-9339 ext. 8139

Email: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Christian Arnell

Phone: +86-10-5900-1548

Email: [email protected]

In the United States

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE OneSmart International Education Group Limited

Related Links

http://www.onesmart.investorroom.com


ALBANY  Confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in New York have once again doubled, with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo reporting the case count had climbed to 44 as of late Friday afternoon.

The new cases, all concentrated in or around New York City, were announced at two separate news conferences Friday. A majority of the cases are likely connected to a 50-year-old New Rochelle man, Cuomo said, who appears to have contracted the novel coronavirus and then unwittingly passed it on to friends, family, people at his synagogue and others on his way to a New York City hospital for treatment.

Those people, in turn, may have unwittingly passed it to others.

"He attended functions at the temple," Cuomo said. "He attended a bat mitzvah. There were a large number of people and we are being very exhaustive in the testing follow up."

It's the second day in a row that New York's cases have doubled.

The state's first and only known case connected to travel to a high-risk country was reported Sunday in a New York City health care worker who had recently returned from Iran. On Tuesday, Cuomo announced the New Rochelle man, who commutes into Manhattan for his job as an attorney, had come down with the virus following no known contacts with an infected person, indicating community spread may have well been underway.

The tally rose from there. On Wednesday, it was 11. On Thursday, it was 22. On Friday, the 44 confirmed cases included 34 in Westchester County, four in New York City, four in Nassau County and two in Rockland County.

Five people were being treated in hospitals as of noon Friday, and were showing improvement, Cuomo said. The others are quarantined at home.

New Yorkers should expect to see cases continue to climb, Cuomo said.

"I've said every day the number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus will keep going up," he said. "And as we expand our testing capacity we will only see that number continue to rise. We want to keep testing and finding more people who are testing positive because that's how you contain the outbreak  find the person who got infected, quarantine them and reduce the infection rate."

At least three of the new cases reported early Friday are connected to New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, where the New Rochelle man went for initial treatment. Three are members of the man's synagogue, Young Israel of New Rochelle. Two are Rockland County residents who worked a bat mitzvah at the synagogue. Two are friends. One is a New York City individual, also connected to the New Rochelle attorney.

Cases announced later in the day include people who range in age from 7 years old to 82 years old.

Cuomo said 4,000 people statewide are under precautionary quarantine, including 2,700 in New York City and 1,000 in Westchester County. Precautionary quarantine is advised when a person is not showing symptoms but has recently returned from a high-risk country or has had "proximate but not direct" contact with a person who's tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.

Forty-four people, meanwhile, are under mandatory quarantine. This means they've either tested positive for COVID-19, been within six feet of someone who's tested positive for COVID-19, or returned from a high-risk country and are now experiencing symptoms. Cuomo said a mandatory quarantine may also be issued if a local health provider or health department believes it should be.

The governor again cautioned New Yorkers against undue anxiety and fear. Roughly 80 percent of all cases will self-resolve, he said.

"I'm not urging calm," he said. "I'm urging reality. I'm urging a factual response as opposed to an emotional response. I'm urging that people understand the information and not the hype. We have more people in this country dying from the flu than we have dying from coronavirus."

New York is trying to ramp up testing as it works to contain the virus. Cuomo said the state currently has capacity to test 500 samples a day, but is working to ramp up to 1,000.

He blasted the federal government for its response so far, saying it waited too long to grant testing authority to states and private labs, and is now sending mixed messages to the public about who can be tested.

Vice President Mike Pence, who has been tasked with managing the U.S. response, said earlier this week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be lifting almost all criteria for COVID-19 testing, allowing anyone to get tested so long as a doctor approves. The CDC, however, said it doesn't have capacity for that much testing.

"You cannot square those two statements," Cuomo said. "Their position is absurd and nonsensical."

Cases by area Westchester County: 34

New York City: 4

Nassau County: 4

Rockland County: 2 See More Collapse

He also said a $35 million federal allocation to New York is insufficient for handling the crisis. The money will come as part of the $8.3 billion emergency aid package Congress pushed through on Thursday to tackle coronavirus across the U.S.

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

The governor has been providing daily updates on the state's COVID-19 outbreak, sometimes briefing media several times a day. He was unable Friday to say how much New York state has spent on the coronavirus emergency so far or how that figure will be calculated, noting that much of the expenses will be at the local level.

New York's 44 confirmed cases are third nationally in quantity to Washington's 75 cases and California's 66, according to the CDC and data from state and local health departments.

Cuomo also said Friday that he has directed State Police to look into reports of medical equipment and masks being stolen from hospitals after hearing "wild stories" about thefts from hospital administrators. He suspects the supplies are being sold on eBay, he said.

"If you are doing that you will be caught because the devices can be tracked back," he said. "So that is fair warning. Stop stealing. Stop exploiting the scam."

He's also asked the state Attorney General's office to investigate the price-gouging of medical supplies and disinfectants that appears to be occurring worldwide.

Also on Friday, Cuomo announced travel insurance companies and travel agents will offer New York residents and businesses the ability to purchase coverage when making travel plans that would allow them to cancel a trip for any reason, including for reasons related to COVID-19.

Six global and national insurance companies have agreed to offer "cancel for any reason" coverage to travelers, including: Allianz, Nationwide, Starr Indemnity, Berkshire, Crum & Forster, and Zurich.

"We want New Yorkers to go about their daily lives, including planning vacations and other travel, and this action will allow them to do that at a time when there is still uncertainty about the future geographic impact of coronavirus," Cuomo said.

Read our latest Capital Region coronavirus coverage below:

Schalmont students under quarantine after household travel to high-risk area

Capital Region schools lack infrastructure for remote learning in case of outbreak

RPI cautions spring-breakers against cruises, travel abroad

Lake George resorts worry coronavirus will disrupt summer hiring

New York investigators ordered to transport coronavirus samples

SEFCU lets hundreds work at home for COVID-19 preparedness testing
Plot

As a kid, Ronnie (Tiger Shroff) is quite protective of his elder sibling Vikram (Riteish Deshmukh) and comes to his rescue whenever the latter finds himself in a tricky situation. Staying true to the promise given to their father on death bed, Ronnie continues his 'dare-you-hit-my-brother' act even when he grows up.

Every time Vikram gets into a minor scruff, Ronnie comes to his rescue to beat the baddies to pulp and mouth his punchline, "Mujhpe aati toh main chhod deta hoon mere bhai pe aati toh main fod deta hoon."

Continuing their family's tradition of serving the police force, Vikram dons the khaki uniform. With the help of Ronnie's brawn and brain, he soon becomes the most decorated cop in Agra.

However, things take a dangerous turn when Vikram goes on an assignment to Syria and ends up getting kidnapped by a militant group that rules that nation.

It's time for our 'Baaghi' Ronnie to unleash his one-man army and wage a war to bring back his brother safely home.

Direction

One of the reasons why Baaghi 3 suffers is the writing that barely makes sense at times. The low-brow humour doesn't help either. In the second half, Tiger as Ronnie and Shraddha as Sia penetrate into the enemy's territory as if it's a child's play. Ahmed Khan's weak direction leads to some blunders.

As far as the spotlight is on Tiger Shroff, things are bright. But a little more solid writing for the rest of the cast would have yielded a far better end-product.

Performances

After the stupendous success of War, Tiger Shroff further cements his position of an action star with Baaghi 3. From hanging off a helicopter, dodging bullets with a metal shield to performing aerobic stunts on cars piled up on each other, the lad is the proverbial man of steel. When it comes to action, the actor gets it right from the first frame till the last.

Shraddha Kapoor's Sia barely gets any scope to perform. Riteish Deshmukh as the dim-witted brother suffers from an incoherent role. Ankita Lokhande doesn't have any moment where she shines. Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma's character arc hardly makes sense.

Technical Aspects

Speaking about the action, the makers have definitely upgraded the Baaghi franchise and one must say, Tiger's hard work and dedication clearly reflects here. Rameshwar S Bhagat's editing scissors needed to be a little more sharper. Sandhana Krishnan Ravichandra's cinematography blends well with the tone of this Tiger Shroff-starrer.

Music

'Bhankas', which is a wedding song, is pleasing to the eyes. Disha Patani's sizzling dance moves in 'Do You Love Me' adds some glitz amidst all 'maar-dhaad'.

Verdict

As the end credits roll, the lead pair set their hair loose on 'Dus Bahane 2.0' on the big screen. Except for Tiger Shroff's jaw-dropping action avatar, Baaghi 3 barely gives you any reason to 'get ready' for this film.

We give 2.5 stars out of 5 for Tiger Shroff-Shraddha Kapoor's Baaghi 3.
New Delhi, March 6 : The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked the states and union territories to reduce mass gatherings in order to avoid spread of novel coronavirus.

In a memorandum, released by the Health Ministry in response to query from states, it said that "experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus disease. In this view, it is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed till the disease spread is contained." The memorandum was released on Thursday.

The ministry further stated that in case any such mass gatherings were organised, "the states may take necessary action to guide the organisers on precautions to be taken as per the risk communication material already sent so as to avoid any Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and influenza like illness (ILIs) including COVID-19".

At least 31 confirmed cases have been reported so far from India, of which the previous three patients from Kerala have recovered. The patients include Italians and Indian nationals.

The first COVID-19 outbreak was reported in China's Wuhan City in December last year. Since then it has spread to more than 60 countries including Italy, Iran and South Korea.

The flu like disease has symptoms of pneumonia and shortness of breath.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
After much debate and heated reactions from Nigerians, the Senate on Thursday, March 5, approved President Muhammadu Buhari's $22.7 billion loan request.

Though many Nigerians had opposed the loan request, the Nation reports that the federal government in a report to the Senate explained the purpose for which the loan is earmarked for.

The federal government in a report to the Senate explained the purpose for which the $22.7bn loan is earmarked for

Source: Depositphotos

The projects earmarked for the loan are seen below:

1. Education Sector: Education Sector Reform Programme renamed Batter Eduation Service Delivery for All  $500,000,000

2. Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs: East-West Road Project  $800,000,000

3. Information and Culture Ministry: NTA Digitization Project  $500,000,000

4. Mines and Steel Sector: Development of the Mining Industry Project  $150,000,000

5. Federal Capital Territory: Greater Abuja Water Project  $381,095,037 and Abuja Mass Rail Project  $1,252,293,005

6. Transportation Sector: Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project (Ibadan=Kano Segment Double Track)  $5,530,000,000

7. Agriculture, Transformation Agenda Support Project $200,000,000 (Nationwide)

8. Staple Crops Processing Zone Projects $500,000,000 (Nationwide)

9. Institutional-Strengthening and implementation of policy reforms $33,750,000 (Domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing)

10. Emergency Road Rehabilitation and maintenance $434,700,000 (Federal Ministry of Transportation)

11. Development Finance Project $450,000,000 (Federal Ministry of Finance)

12. Lake Chad Basin Commission $13,000,000 (Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon Libya and Central African Republic)

13. Ministry of Health: Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement (REDISSE) Project in West Africa  $90,000,000.

14. Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development: Social inclusion and welfare advancement project now (National Social Safety Net Project) $800,000,000

15. Katsina State: Health System Projects $110,000,000

16. North East Nigeria Integrated Social Protection, Basic Health, Education, Nutrition Services and Livelihood Restoration Project  $100,000,000

17. Rural water supply and sanitation  $150,000,000 (Taraba, Borno,Yobe and Gombe)

18. Power Sector: Nigeria Electricity Transmission and Access Project, Power Transmission Project, TCN overall Transmission system enhancement project, vocational training in the power sector and Mambila Hydro Electricity Power Project $5,614,000,000

19. Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy: National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructural Backbone by Galaxy Backbone (Phase II)  $328,108,731

20. Railway Modernization Coastal Railway Project (Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Sea Port Segment  $3,474,000,000.

Meanwhile, Lauretta Onochie, a social media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has described senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as enemies of progress.

Onochie made the comment on her Twitter page reaction to media reports that PDP senators opposed the loan approval.

A video of minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe having a back and forth on the issue with Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has since gone viral on social media.

Buhari's government has been criticised severally by economic experts for taking excessive loans.

Onochie who described the PDP senators as retrogressives, mocked them for failing to stop the Senate leadership from approving the loan.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!

Laolu Akande Speaks on How Presidency is Tackling Economy | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
JERSEYVILLE  Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of Roger W. Carroll accused of murder in the 2010 disappearance and death of Bonnie Woodward.

Circuit Judge Eric Pistorius will preside over the trial in Jersey County.

In April 2018, Carroll, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealing a homicide in Jersey County. The charges were later amended to include a third first degree murder and an aggravated kidnapping charge.

The lead prosecutor at the trial is former Madison County Assistant States Attorney Jennifer Mudge, now a special prosecutor with the Illinois Appellate Prosecutors Office. Other prosecutores will include Jersey County States Attorney Ben Goetten and Madison County Assistant States Attorney Crystal Uhe.

Goetten has previously said two weeks have been set aside for the trial.

On Friday, Uhe and Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons briefly discussed the case at the Madison County Boards Judiciary Committee meeting. Uhe said jury selection could take two days, but she plans to be ready to make her opening argument and present witnesses on Monday, if requested.

Uhe said the potential jury pool is several times larger than normal because the case has been highly publicized and Carrolls family is well-known in the area. She said prosecutors plan to have a layperson and one or two law enforcement witnesses testify the first day of the actual trial, with police and forensic witnesses planned on Wednesday and one out-of-state expert witness scheduled to testify Thursday.

Woodward was last seen June 25, 2010, near her vehicle in the parking lot of the Eunice Smith Nursing Home in Alton  now named Alton Memorial Rehabilitation & Therapy  where she worked for 27 years. In April 2018, investigators said multiple witnesses stated they saw Woodward near her car talking to a white man described as being in his 40s; several reportedly saw her leave with the man.

The charges against Carroll were the result of new evidence discovered after a March 2018 domestic incident when Carroll was found on his property in what investigators said was an attempted suicide.

Part of the initial investigation centered on the disappearance of Woodwards stepdaughter, Heather Woodward, then 17. In 2018, investigators said Carroll had used Heather Woodward as bait.

Investigators said the teen moved out of the Woodward home on June 10, 2010. She eventually walked into the East Alton Public Library and told people there that police were looking for her.

Investigators said Carroll kidnapped Bonnie Woodward with the help of his son, Nathan, 16 at the time. Investigators said that, after Roger Carroll allegedly killed her, the father-son duo tended a fire for more than a week trying to destroy the body.

Nathan Carroll testified before a grand jury and received full immunity, in part because he was a juvenile and was dragged into the incident, Gibbons said in 2018.
A woman may spend thousands of dollars on menstrual products over her reproductive lifetime. With periods a fact of life for half of the population, should pads and tampons be free?

Many lawmakers in Scotland think so. The country is set to become the first in the world to offer period products free to women with a bill that just became closer to becoming law. The Scottish Parliament backed the measure in a 112-0 vote last week, with one abstention.

The government estimates the effort would cost $31 million per year. Scotland already makes period products available for free in schools and colleges.

Rally Outside Parliament To Support Free Provision Of Period Products In Scotland (Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images)

The new bill, introduced by lawmaker Monica Lennon, must go through two more stages before its passed.

Menstruation is normal. Free universal access to tampons, pads and reusable options should be normal, too. Period dignity for all is not radical or extreme, but is simply the right thing to do, Lennon said during a debate of the bill.

Women would get pads and tampons for free through a government "period products scheme." That might mean a voucher or some other method "reasonably easy for applicants to follow" yet to be worked out, according to the bill.

The goal is to end period poverty, or the inability to afford or easily find pads and tampons. One in five women in the U.K. will struggle to access period products at some point in her life, Lennon noted.

In the U.S., a recent study found period products are a basic necessity that many low-income women lack. Almost two-thirds were unable to afford pads and tampons during the previous year, and about one-fifth experienced this problem every month.

American OB-GYNs praised the effort in Scotland, but were skeptical a similar bill would be successful in the U.S.

I think its a fantastic idea, Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Florida, told TODAY.

Giving sanitary products could be a gateway for people to have more access to healthcare. If they bleed heavily, for example, and need more products than usual, that could open the conversation to possibly seeking help.

Story continues

Health & Wellness

Its lovely that theyre doing that, said Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

(But) before we talk about free products in the U.S., we need to address the fact that there are still states where theyre taxed. Forget free. Women are paying a luxury tax for menstrual products.

More than 30 states still impose sales tax on pads and tampons even though other necessities  including groceries and prescription medications  are exempt from those taxes.

Tax Free. Period.  a movement to end the tampon tax  calls it a form of discrimination.

There are many American women who cant afford period products, among other necessities, Streicher said. Still, she estimated the chance of a bill similar to the one in Scotland passing in the U.S. was zero.
DENVER  Gov. Jared Polis said Thursday that two people have tested positive for coronovirus in Colorado, marking the states first cases in the global outbreak.

The governor announced both cases during a news conference. The first is a man in his 30s who was visiting from out of state when he checked into a hospital in Frisco, where many of Colorados ski resorts are located, because of a possible respiratory illness.

Polis said he did not have any details about the second case but that the two arent connected.

Coloradans get sick every day, and I dont want anyone to panic over this, Polis said. We have been preparing for this moment.

The man in the first case had traveled to Italy the month before but did not show any symptoms when he flew to Colorado on Feb. 29, Polis said. The mans traveling companion in Italy also tested positive for the virus in another state.

The outbreak that began in China also has hit hard in Italy, where there have been 148 deaths caused by the COVID-19 virus as of Thursday.

In Colorado, the man stayed in a condominium with his fiancee and two friends, Polis said. All three have been quarantined.

Four workers who cared for the man at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco were being monitored, said Peter Banko, president and CEO of Centura Health.

Health officials dont believe that he exposed any other travelers, Polis said. Summit County and state health officials were investigating to see if anyone else was in close contact with the man.

Hes recovering in isolation in Jefferson County outside of Denver and is feeling well, the governor said. He will likely be in isolation for two to three weeks.

The number of U.S. cases has grown rapidly as more labs started testing and guidelines for eligibility were expanded. There are now more than 200 cases across 17 states, with 12 U.S. deaths.

Colorado was relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct tests, but the state health department says it can now test up to 160 samples a day at its laboratory with results expected within 24 hours.

The state also is testing specimens from patients who have symptoms and have either been in contact with someone else confirmed to have the virus or have traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high.

The more we can test, the quicker we can identify, the higher the likelihood of successful containment is. Its really that simple, Polis said.
The morning started with the personal bad news that dad's condition went

downhill and the general bad news of the spread of the coronavirus. With teary

eyes from allergy, I sneezed a good deal before heading out for Mission Peak.

Today was cooler and less windy than Saturday. I started ascending from the

Ohlone side at 8:50am, reached the summit at 10:00am, arrived at the Sandy Wool

lake at 11:15am, took a rest, came back on the peak at 1:08pm, took a rest, and

it was aroud 2:10pm when I got back in the car.

This was the first time I visited the Milpitas side of the Bay Ridge. Descending

south-ward from MP, I ran on the hard-packed dirt road with welcoming grass

patches in the middle which cushioned my landing. The white cattle on this side

seemed a different breed from the black ones seen around MP. For a large part of

the trail, I found I was surrounded by friendly reddish yellow flowers scattered

on the green hills. Upon asking, I was told they were California wild poppies.

They looked familiar and I later remembered they were exactly the type in a

friend's WXC logo.

This segment was desolate compared with the Fremont-side trails and I met only

one lone gray-haired 60-ish hiker to the Monument Peak, the summit to the south

of and even higher than MP. Ed Levin park looked vast, verdant, and peaceful

from above and as I moved closer, more people showed up, mostly couples and

families.

It was delightful to meet Daisy, a cute west highland white terrier in a bright

red collar. She turned around and paced me for about 10 yards among the callings

of her friends before I stopped and she was scooped up. I found the restroom and

water fountain beside the lake, took a rest, and finished the food in my

pockets before heading back on the trail.

I thought I had enough water but the 16-oz squeeze bottle ran out soon after the

middle of the climb. I met the hiker again who complimented me on running in Xeros

(The Xero sandals were going mainstream as I found that REI was carrying Z-Trails now).

He had a replaced knee and only came up once a week these days. After saying

goodbye, I regretted that I had not asked for water and food. By that time, I

had sweated out too much salt. I started to feel thirsty and weak and had to

walk more.

The legs and feet were still OK when I re-surfaced on Mission Peak, in a blue

jacket, faded blue Levi's jeans, and black sandals. Nothing special. It felt

good to be anonymous. I'd rather look like a hiker trying to run a few steps

than a runner armed with a whole gamut of ultra-running gear walking. The last

descent constantly reminded me of practicing good landing techniques and I kept

at it as if in meditation.

Finally, after over 5hrs of trail running, the lessons were

- drink, and

- eat.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  Big business groups have called on the Senate to pass a bill reducing corporate income taxes, saying this could attract investments at a time when global trade is slumped due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ten business chambers issued a joint statement on Thursday to call for the approval of Senate Bill 1357 or the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA). The groups said they are looking forward to ending investor uncertainty as the measure remains hanging for years now.

The CITIRA bill, which is the second tax package after the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, will trim the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 20 percent over 10 years, while gradually removing tax breaks for investors. This is expected to make the country a more competitive investment destination versus its neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam.

The Senate bill reduces the tariff to 28 percent beginning 2021, and down one percentage point every succeeding year until it hits 20 percent by 2029. However, there's a caveat: rate reductions beyond 2025 may be suspended by the President if the government exceeds its annual budget deficit due to lower revenue collection.

READ: PEZA chief changes heart, now favors CITIRA bill

The Anvil Business Club, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, and the UP School Of Economics Alumni Association signed the appeal to lawmakers just days before Congress goes on break.

The groups prefer the Senate version, saying the scheduled tax rate reductions in the first five years would "reduce uncertainty" among players. The seven-year transition would also prevent dislocation and give time for companies to adjust operations.

"This structure of the CITIRA under SB 1357 will help create an enabling environment for Filipino businesses, generate quality jobs, and spur growth that is felt throughout the entire archipelago," the groups said. "It is also timely. The current disruptions in supply chains bring opportunities for the Philippines to attract foreign direct investments."

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also said it backs the group's call for the passage of the bill.

We support the lowering of CIT from 30% to 20% and the modernization or rationalization of the countrys fiscal incentives regime that will ensure big and small businesses compete on a level playing field, said Benedicto Yujucio, PCCI president.

If enacted into law, the CITIRA could help turn the country into a "global manufacturing hub," the organization said in a separate statement.

The global outbreak has constricted supply chains, with electronics firms hit hardest as shipments of raw materials from China dwindle amid flight cancellations.

The groups said the bill must be passed at the soonest possible time to end market jitters.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda, who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, earlier said he is willing to adopt the Senate version of CITIRA.

READ: Bill cutting corporate taxes clears House
A 35-year-old Bangladeshi national



was arrested for illegal stay from Budhwar Peth area of Maharashtra's Pune city, police said on Friday.

Jamal alias Shakib Suleman Mulla has allegedly been living in Pune illegally and owned a 'paan' shop in Budhwar Peth area, an official from the special branch of Pune police said.

On interrogation, Mulla revealed that he is a Bangladeshi national and had entered India illegally 16 years ago, the official said.

While the accused did not possess a valid passport or visa, a fake Aadhar card and PAN card were recovered from his possession, the official said.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport (Entry Into India) Rules, 1950 at Faras Khana police station.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Family owned restaurants Ruk Thai and Curry Planet were forced to close their doors in Janurary.

Neighbouring business Bladed N Faded Barber Shop on Chadwick Road was the target of two separate fires on December 31 and January 27. The second fire destroyed the shop and the neighbouring businesses.

Now, community members are eager to help the restaurants owners find their feet and reopen as soon as possible. A Givealittle page has been created in response.

Curry Planet owner Sanjay Dogra says words cant describe how the fires have impacted his familys life.

We were operating a good family business, we had lots of our regular customers that were happy with our food and our service.

Its very hard to find the right words for how it is for us now, we have lost everything.

Sanjay and his wife Sonia took over from the previous restaurant owners in May last year.

He says before the fires, the family had sufficient savings and a well-planned future. Now it feels like we have gone back three years.

Sonia has always worked night shifts as a packer at Service Foods, but she says the restaurant was their first source of income.

If you have a good business you can buy everything  your daily needs, pay your rent  but I cant see that for us now.

Sanjay has been searching for a job since the restaurant closed but hasnt had much luck. He does have income insurance.

Since the fire, I am trying to find a job but I cant. I dont know what to do - I cant just stay home.

Paul and Somjit Mahem had been serving up Thai cuisine from their Greerton restaurant for the past eight years.

Their 31-year-old son Art Mahem says the fire has taken a huge financial and emotional toll on the family. They have no income insurance.

The thick smoke that smothered the insides of the buildings damaged thousands of dollars worth of goods, says Art.

Every single food item in the chiller was covered in smoke. It was nearly $5000 worth of supply and we had to throw it all in the bin.

The smoke damage covers everything  it gets in every glass, plate and bowl. We have spent the last few weeks taking everything out of the building and cleaning it to see if it can still be used.

Art says the fire has hit his parents the hardest, as they were planning to retire within the next ten years.

In nine more years, they are going to be retired. Now if we have to start from zero again, thats going to hit them quite hard.

We had eight years without any problem, and now everything is just gone.

Paying bills, relocating the restaurant and finding a new job are just some of the things Art is currently trying to juggle. Everything is just so hard at the moment  I dont know where to start.

Building landlord Del Roberts says the fire-damaged restaurants will need to be rebuilt from the ground up.

This could take between 6-8 months to get started, but he says theres a high chance it could be even longer.

Life has been tough for Sanjay and Sonia Dogra since multiple fires forced them to shut up shop at their family owned Greerton restaurant Curry Planet.

Unfortunately these wonderful people have lost their livelihood  I feel awful about that, he says.

They will have to relocate.

Sanjay and Art are searching for locations in the Greerton community to reopen their restaurants.

But both men are feeling the pressure, saying right now it seems near impossible to find a suitable premises.

We are trying to find another location on Chadwick Road, but we are stuck. We cannot find anything, Sanjay says. We dont want to move from here  we love this location.

Art is eager to also remain within Greerton. However, he says in an ideal world they wouldnt be leaving 200 Chadwick Road.

If this didnt happen we would be here another 15 years.

He estimates that opening a new restaurant will cost the family more than $100,000.

Its going to be a long process and cost us a lot of money. Our customers have been telling us we need to keep the business in Greerton because they love our food and dont want to go anywhere else, he laughs.

The Givealittle page was initiated by Greerton business Crockford Real Estate and Greerton Lotto Shop.

Greerton Village is at a loss without these authentic and popular restaurants. Any donations no matter how big or small will be a huge blessing, the page states.

As of Thursday morning, the Givealittle had already racked up more than $1000 in donations.

Sanjay says he couldnt be more appreciative of the outpouring of support.

People are nice over here. Thanks so much to the great people in Greerton and Tauranga.

To donate to the cause, visit the Givealittle.
Supplier News

6 March 2020

Two armed robbers were arrested for stealing toilet paper in Hong Kong, Europe just experienced its hottest winter on record and the sight of people riding buses with plastic storage boxes on their heads is becoming the new normal. It's easy to feel like we're in uncharted territory without hearing it from the head of the WHO. With the state of the world in flux, how can we continue to find joy?

1. Remember there's a lot to be positive about

Without diminishing the gravity of international crises and the need for urgent action to tackle them, it helps to be aware that it's not all doom and gloom. International wars are at an all-time low, along with child mortality. A little restaurant in Cape Town just won the Guinness Book of World Records world title for 'most varieties of milkshake.'

And when times are hard, people come together. Whether its volunteers banding together to knit mittens for koalas harmed in the Australian wildifres or Wuhan's citizens singing songs from their apartment windows to boost morale during quarantine, hard times can bring out the best in us and encourage integrity and community.

2. Follow reputable sources, and have the occasional news fast

Like many people's relatives, my mother has a talent for disseminating videos from dubious sources. Viral fakes include the passing of celebrities and politicians who are alive and well and badly photo-shopped species that don't exist. Unless black lions are a thing. If it's on the internet it must be true, right?

We can't always be sure of what's real and we're more aware of news stories, particularly harrowing ones, thanks to social media. As author Ta-Nehisi Coates says, "The violence is not new; it's the cameras that are new." Instead of guzzling from the tap of tweets, follow a few trustworthy news outlets, unfollow social media accounts that cause you stress, and access health and travel advice from official sources such as WHO, International SOS, and IATA.

3. Book within your policy and stay connected

This one is fairly obvious. With daily changes to international travel likely to continue for the foreseeable, it's critical that travelers book within their company's policy. Stay connected by downloading an app from your travel management company like MyCWT and follow guidance from your workplace.
New Delhi, March 6 : The Delhi government on Friday announced the closure of all the Anganwadi centres across the national capital till March 31 amid coronavirus outbreak.

The notification by the Department of Women and Child Development was issued as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus among young children and pregnant/lactating mothers.

The decision to close all the 10,740 Anganwadi centres (AWCs) was taken in the light of the current public health scenario, Minister of Women and Child Development Department Rajendra Pal Gautam said.

"It is a precautionary measure to avoid the spreading of coronavirus. Children due to their tender age are more susceptible to infection which is why it is best that all AWCs remain closed till March 31. It is also best advised that in such a scenario pregnant/lactating mothers should not be exposed to any environment where there can be even the slightest possibility of this virus spreading," Gautam said.

He said the Delhi Government is taking all possible precautionary measures to control corona virus from spreading.

The announcement came a day after the Delhi Education Department closed all primary schools across Delhi till March 31.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have perfectly illustrated the power of a photograph.

On Thursday night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended their first joint, public engagement since announcing they are to step down as senior members of the Royal Family on 31 March.

The pair attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London, co-ordinating in blue ensembles.

Read more: Meghan Markle's Vogue cover inspires Forces for Change event

But it wasnt just their sartorial prowess that won over fans: a photo showing Harry shielding Meghan from the rain under an large umbrella quickly became a talking point on social media.

Fans couldn't get enough of this stunning image of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (Getty Images)

Meghan beamed as she returned to the UK for her first public appearance since announcing the couple were stepping down from royal duties. (Getty Images)

The image has been praised online. (Getty Images)

From the colour pop of Meghans Victoria Beckham form-fitting, turquoise dress to the sweet gaze they shared, the picture seemed to be sprinkled with a little bit of magic.

The couple may have had a little trepidation about the reception they might receive from the British public, following the fall-out of their bombshell announcement, but they neednt have worried.

Dozens of well wishers had braved the bad weather to catch a glimpse of the couple, and cries of we love you Harry and Meghan rang out (with just a single boo), which caused a beaming duchess to turn and wave.

The couple looked relaxed and happy. (Getty Images)

And the love continued online, with people heading to social media to fawn over the iconic photograph.

On Twitter, fans have 'liked' and 'retweeted' the photographs hundreds of times, comparing the snapshot to earlier snaps of the couple sharing an umbrella.

Read more: Will losing Sussex Royal impact Harry and Meghan's brand power?

Omfg Im shook. Harry and Meghan didnt have to go offfff like this.

Look at them, whew! pic.twitter.com/sfE3lTLIq5  Hanii (@HaniLee1) March 5, 2020

We have a winner. Harry and Meghan look magical in this pic. pic.twitter.com/LfBL2FZSHl  Vash (@VeeFraz) March 5, 2020

when i grow up i want to be meghan markle and have the type of love that she and harry have pic.twitter.com/X8YvqQyHgt  jacey  (@LOVEONT0UR) March 5, 2020

I am here for this level of happiness! Oh my goodness. . Harry and Meghan, I wish you an amazing life full of moments like this. pic.twitter.com/JrHnv3nlxa  Aly Brendan (@AlyBrendan) March 5, 2020

Meghan and Harry this evening. Nothing but respect for MY royal family.  pic.twitter.com/RSTHga5CHP  Callum (@CallumDash_) March 5, 2020

Hang it in the Lourve. Meghan and Harry showing everyone what healthy boundaries will do for you. pic.twitter.com/ixyvpPwCIS  Shea Simmons (@heysheashea) March 5, 2020

Read more: The 360: Does it matter if Meghan and Harry are gone for good?

Story continues

Next week, Harry and Meghan will carry out what is expected to be their last official appearance alongside other senior royals including the Queen, Harry's father, Prince Charles, his brother Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at the annual Commonwealth Service at London's Westminster Abbey.

Its thought Harry and Meghans son, Archie, isnt in the UK with the couple.
N ot many people consider Belgrade for a weekend. Yet in many ways its the ideal place for a short break  easy to get to, with plenty to see and a buzzy centre that forms a perfect backdrop for shopping, dining and sightseeing. Its highly affordable and likely to remain so for a while, at least until the Serbs realise their dream of joining the EU.

Explore

To properly understand Belgrade go to Kalemegdan  a sprawling park and citadel at the top of the citys main street. The view from its ramparts is truly one of the great views of the world, and you can spend a happy morning ambling around the park, picking up a trinket or two from the Yugoslav years  Yugo-nostalgia is big in Serbia.

One of Belgrade's bohemian quarters / Shutterstock / e2dan

Work your way back down Knez Mihailova Street, a grand pedestrianised street that is home to the best shopping, also making time to pop into Serbias National Museum (narodnimuzej.rs) on nearby Trg Republike  open again after years of renovation and worth a visit for just that (plus its free on Sundays). On the other side of the centre, in Vracar, youll find the Hram or Temple of St Sava, a vast structure, planned since the late 19th century to remember the Serbs patron saint, whose remains were burnt on this spot in Ottoman times. It was begun in the Thirties yet untouched until the rise of Serb nationalism in the Eighties. Peek inside to see the huge dome and concrete shell  which in time will be covered by the worlds largest mosaic  and the (finished) crypt.

Visit the Tesla Museum (nikolateslamuseum.org) nearby, dedicated to genius inventor Nikola Tesla, who developed the theory of alternating current as well as giving Elon Musk a name for his electric car company (which in part funds the museum). Dont miss the flower-filled mausoleum of communist ruler Marshal Tito, in the posh residential area of Dedinje, still visited by those who view the Yugoslav years as the best in the countrys recent history. The period is documented in the museum in the grounds, where the ruins of Titos villa are still visible through the trees. It was destroyed by Nato bombs in 1999 during the Kosovo war. The ruins, like many others in Belgrade, have been deliberately left as a reminder.

The rooftop at Mama Shelter / Mama Shelter

Eat and Drink

Just off Knez Mihailova, Restaurant Manufaktura (restoran-manufaktura.rs/en) specialises in Serbian produce and serves kebabs, salads and fabulous sharing platters stacked with delicious cheeses, smoked meats, sausage and stuffed vegetables. It has a shop attached if you want to take something home. Youll find delicious Serbian food at trendy Ambar (ambarrestaurant.com), on the waterfront below Kalemegdan  one of the capitals coolest areas to hang out by night. Try the kajmak (a sort of creamy cottage cheese) while taking in views of the wide and gentle Danube.

Ceger (kafeceger.com), right opposite the Hram in Vracar, has everything from coffee and cocktails to decent burgers, pasta and steaks and theres a nice outside terrace. Finally the river island of Ada Ciganlija  known simply as Ada  shows the lighter side of the city, a special place where Belgraders come to swim, eat and dance. Visit on a summer weekend and youll have to fight for a table at the many bars and restaurants.

Stay

The City Savoy (hotelcitysavoy.com) is comfortable, mid-priced and in the centre (double rooms from about 80 a night), or try Mama Shelter (mamashelter.com), a new boutique hotel that occupies the top floor of a shopping mall and has a huge rooftop terrace (doubles from around 80 a night). The art nouveau Moskva (hotelmoskva.rs), is the grande dame of Belgrade hotels, with a cafe, spa and pool, and a frisson of Cold War atmosphere (doubles from about 100 a night).

Details
NORTH BRANFORD  The Branford Community Dining Rooms satellite program in North Branford, which provides homebound meal services, celebrated its recent move to St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Middletown Avenue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Because the church also houses the towns food pantry, the new location makes sense, as the two programs can collaborate, sharing referrals and resources, said Judy Barron, executive director of the Community Dining Room.

The Branford-based organization launched the North Branford meals program about 10 years ago, said Carol Sabia, who coordinates the satellite program and has served as a volunteer since its inception.

Until this year, the program, which brings about 60 meals each week to some 30 individuals, used North Branford Congregational Church as its workspace, Barron said.

Were really grateful for what they gave us when we were there, but it was time to move and grow, Barron said.

Moving to St. Andrews also made sense because most of the programs participants live in the Northford section of town, where the church is located, Barron said. Whats more, the Stanley T. Williams Community Center, which completes program assessments, is just a couple of doors down.

Were now surrounded by our resources, she said.

The North Branford satellite program is smaller than its parent organization, which serves about 4,500 meals per month, according to Tony Pinto, co-chairman of the board of directors.

But those involved hope to grow the program.

We know theres more than 30 people out there that need the program, Barron said, adding that a possible expansion could include a soup kitchen.

Sabia, who is 85, said many elderly residents are reluctant to ask for help. She encouraged them to have faith in the competency of the program coordinators, who keep their clients confidential.

Its only to help you, not to hinder you, not to make you feel embarrassed, she said.

Sabia is happy the program has found a new home.

Nancy Nan Monde, the churchs senior warden, got the vestrys approval to house the program. Its just a perfect fit, she said, adding that people are very excited.

The group of volunteers and other officials who attended Wednesdays ceremony seemed lighthearted, chatting amongst themselves over coffee and cookies.

They laughed and took photos as Town Manager Mike Paulhus took a pair of scissors to the red ribbon tied to the churchs porch, celebrating the programs next chapter.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9350
YouTube has reportedly discovered a modicum of success in its goal to bring an end to conspiracy theories perpetuated via recommendations on its streaming platform. Thats based on a recent study conducted by researchers at Berkley. The researchers reviewed 8-million recommendations covering a 15-month period.

In particular, YouTube has been taking a harder stance on videos across two categories. Those are conspiracy theories that claim 9/11 was a US government-sponsored inside job and flat earth conspiracies.

Between June and December of last year, the study found that the percentage of conspiracy theory recommendations dropped first by 50 percent before dropping by 70 percent. The latter figure represents the largest drop in the study.

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Although there was some fluctuation in the overall results over time, the researchers say recommendations of that content is down. Specifically, its 40-percent less common now than when the study started. Thats with consideration for additional factors, such as the popularity of the source video.

YouTubes crackdown is ongoing

YouTube has cracked down on various content over the years, from music to pranks or challenges it deems dangerous. The above-mentioned crackdown on conspiracy theories is among the more ambitious of the companys efforts. But that has specifically tackled the types of conspiracies outlined above, and others that might garner bad publicity.

The platform still has plenty of other issues that need to be dealt with. For instance, while conspiracies surrounding flat earth, 9/11, or false flag attacks are diminishing, others remain untouched. The study-related reports indicate other conspiracy theories regarding aliens building pyramids and climate change denial are still going strong.

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YouTubes work here is obviously far from done if it hopes to address every conspiracy theory or other factually incorrect assertions.

There is still plenty of wiggle room on these results

Setting aside conspiracy theories that are still alive and well via YouTube recommendations, the company may actually not be doing quite as well as the figures suggest either. To begin with, the methodology of the study leaves plenty of room for error.

The researchers gauged whether or not a conspiracy theory exists in recommendations for YouTube using an algorithm. That is based on the videos description, comments, and transcripts. So the accuracy is largely dependent on how well the algorithm recognized the contextual meaning of terms and words used.

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The study also didnt utilize the YouTube platform in a way that allowed for personalized recommendations. Namely, they didnt sign in. When users are signed into YouTube, the recommendations are often based on what theyve already watched. So, in cases where conspiracy theories are already watched by a user on a regular basis, those may or may not still surface without any reduction at all.

Its not immediately clear how different the studys results would be, with consideration for those extra factors.

It may be that the Google-owned companys take on conspiracy theories is working as well for personalized recommendations as users that arent logged in. It may also be the case that those arent addressed by YouTubes efforts. Conversely, it may be that the way conspiracy theories were categorized leaves too much room for interpretation.
Trophy-holders Esperance of Tunisia exited the CAF Champions League Friday despite a 1-0 quarter-final second leg win over Zamalek of Egypt through an early Billel Bensaha penalty. Zamalek took a 3-1 lead into the return match and qualified 3-2 on aggregate to meet Raja Casablanca of Morocco or TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semi-finals during May. Raja hold a 2-0 aggregate advantage over Mazembe ahead of the second leg in southern Congolese city Lubumbashi Saturday. Two unanswered goals would have taken Esperance through on away goals and they could not have wished for a better start near Tunis with Algerian Bensaha giving them a fifth-minute lead. The winger held his nerve in the 60,000-seat Stade Olympique de Rades on the outskirts of the Tunisian capital to plant the ball into the middle of the goal as Mohamed Abou Gabal dived to his left. A scuffle broke out immediately after the goal with Abou Gabal holding on to the ball while several Esperance players sought to take it from him and speed up the restart. It was but one of many unpleasant incidents in a clash of two north Africans giants, who have won the Champions League nine times between them. Five Zamalek and three Esperance players received yellow cards and 56 fouls were committed, resulting in a stop-start match with little rhythm. Despite the boost of the early goal, Esperance were unable to score again against a Zamalek rearguard in which Mahmoud 'El Wensh' Hamdy starred. With Esperance failing after winning the 2018 and 2019 finals, Tunisian hopes of keeping the trophy in the country rest with Etoile Sahel from Mediterranean resort Sousse. Etoile host Wydad Casablanca of Morocco Saturday in Rades because their ground is being renovated and trail 2-0 from the first leg. In the other quarter-final, record eight-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt hold a 2-0 advantage over Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa with the sides meeting again Saturday near Pretoria. Remarkably, left-backs were the first-leg scorers for Wydad and Ahly with Mohamed Nahiri and Ali Maaloul respectively bagging braces.
Editor's Note: This story has been rewritten to correct multiple errors throughout caused by a reference to old information. The shift was due to a court ruling, not a crossings surge; and the CBP commissioner is Mark Morgan, not Kevin McAleenan.

The military has shifted 160 Army troops already deployed to the southern border region to entry points at San Ysidro, California, and El Paso, Texas, following a court ruling on asylum seekers, the Pentagon announced Friday.

The additional troops will be used to put up temporary barriers and also provide force protection for Customs and Border Protection agents, a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement.

The 160 troops are from the 687th Engineer Construction Company and the 519th Military Police Battalion, both based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, the statement said.

The shift of 160 soldiers, from among more than 3,500 active duty troops deployed to the border region, followed a Feb. 28 ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that blocked migrants seeking asylum from being sent back to Mexico to await court hearings on their claims.

The ruling, which went against the Trump administration's policy of returning migrants to their country of origin, was in effect for only a few hours. The 9th Circuit later issued an emergency stay on its ruling at the request of the government, in a case that could be headed to the Supreme Court.

In the interim, however, hundreds of migrants gathered at border entry points in hopes of being allowed into the U.S.

A decision by the Supreme Court on whether to hear the government's appeal of the 9thCircuit ruling is expected this week.

On Twitter Friday, acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan thanked the military for sending the troops to San Ysidro and El Paso.

"We will not allow unruly groups of people to rush the border, disrupt trade and travel, or endanger the safety of our personnel and the public," Morgan said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Read more: Top Marine Explains Why He's Banning Confederate Flags on Bases
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It was meant to be a routine flight. The passengers should have stepped safely off the plane and into the embrace of family and friends. It was never thought possible that a war on the ground beneath an aircraft could reach 33,000 feet into the air. It never turned out that way. Instead, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was blown out of the sky over eastern Ukraine, triggering a long battle for justice that enters a new phase on March 9 when four people face a court in Amsterdam over their alleged role in the deadly attack. Who is on trial? What will prosecutors say happened? What is Russia's response to the legal action? Officers at the MH17 crash site in Ukraine. Credit:AP What happened that day? Flight MH17 was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014. The plane had 283 passengers and 15 crew members. The aircraft was flying over eastern Ukraine when, at 1.20pm and just seconds after the pilots had verbally communicated with air traffic control operators, it disappeared. No distress messages were received. Everything had been normal in the three hours since takeoff.

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Minutes later, wreckage, luggage and bodies fell to the ground in six main crash sites located in and around the village of Hrabove. It is widely accepted that a missile had exploded above the cockpit, detonating with such force that the front of the plane tore away. The rest of the Boeing 777-200 broke up midair and everyone on board was killed, including 38 Australian citizens and residents. Loading Should the plane have even been flying there? An armed conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists had broken out in the highly contested eastern Ukraine region in April 2014. What started as a ground battle eventually spread to the skies, with Ukrainian helicopters, transport aeroplanes and fighters shot down at various points. On July 14, Ukrainian authorities banned commercial planes from flying in the area at or below 32,000 feet. MH17 was flying at 33,000 feet when it was hit by the missile. Dutch safety investigators later concluded that the airspace over the war zone should have been closed as a precaution. Malaysia Airlines has also been criticised for not being aware of the risk however almost all airlines that used that particular route continued to do so despite the worsening situation on the ground. On the day of the crash alone, 160 planes flew over the eastern part of Ukraine. Australian Federal Police officers and their Dutch counterparts collect human remains from the MH17 crash site. Credit:Kate Geraghty

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What is the court case about? Suspicion almost instantly fell towards the Russian-backed separatists. A joint investigation led by the Netherlands but with lots of help from Australian officials  including Australian Federal Police officers  was formed and quickly ruled out mechanical malfunction or a meteor strike. After forensic analysis of the crash site and exhaustive review of classified intelligence and telephone intercepts, the Joint Investigation Team concluded that a Buk launcher belonging to the Russian army had been sent over the border into Ukraine and was used to shoot down MH17 before being sent back over the border, minus one missile. Given that finding, Dutch prosecutors are now seeking the convictions of four people over their roles in bringing down the plane. From left, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov, Leonid Kharchenko. Credit:AP Who is being tried? Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin, a former colonel of the Russian Federal Security Service. On the day MH17 was shot down, Girkin was Minister of Defence and commander of the army of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Prosecutors say that as the highest military officer in the area, he maintained regular contact with the Russian Federation.

Sergey Nikolayevich Dubinsky, a former military officer of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service. Dubinsky was one of Girkins deputies and also head of the intelligence service of the DPR.

Oleg Yuldashevich Pulatov, a former military officer of the Russian Spetznaz-GRU, a special unit of the Russian military intelligence service. Pulatov was deputy head of the intelligence service of the DPR and one of the deputies of Dubinsky.

Leonid Volodymyrovych Kharchenko, the only Ukrainian suspect. He has no military background but prosecutors say he received his orders directly from Dubinsky and in July 2014 was commander of a combat unit in the Donetsk region. Prosecutors allege the four co-operated to obtain and deploy the missile launcher at the firing location with the aim of shooting down an aircraft. It is not known whether any of them actually pushed the launch button.

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What specific crimes are they charged with? Causing the crash, resulting in the deaths of all on board, punishable under Article 168 of the Dutch Criminal Code

The murder of the 298 people on MH17, punishable under Article 289 of the Dutch Criminal Code. What are the maximum sentences? Under the Dutch code, murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Destroying an aircraft carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if it results in the "death of a person". Will the four be in the dock? No. This trial will be unique in that the four won't be present in the court. Given extradition laws in Russia and Ukraine do not allow extradition of nationals, their extradition was not requested because it would have never been granted. However, Dutch laws allow the four to be tried in absentia. If they are convicted, it is doubtful whether any prison sentence could be effected in Russia or Ukraine. International arrest warrants have been issued for Girkin, Dubinsky, Pulatov and Kharchenko but it is highly unlikely they would ever travel given the risk of arrest. A screenshot of a computerised video obtained from the Joint Investigation Team of the launch of a 9M38 BUK missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over Ukraine on July 17, 2014. Credit:AAP/JIT

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Where is the trial and how long will it take? Nearly two-thirds of the victims were Dutch so the Netherlands took a leading role in the investigation and the prosecution. As a result, the trial will be held in the Dutch legal system with hearings at the Schiphol Judicial Complex, just to the south of Amsterdam and right next door to the runway where MH17 took off in 2014. Three judges will hear the trial and there are a couple on reserve as well just in case they are needed. The first phase of the trial will last for two weeks but Dutch officials say it could run well into early 2021. An Australian and Dutch flag hang on the wall next to maps showing the flight path of MH17 in the National Police of the Netherlands criminal investigation building in 2015. Credit:Kate Geraghty What sort of evidence will be presented? Prosecutors plan to use highly technical analysis to convince the judges of at least three key things: that the plane was definitely shot down, that it was shot down by the Russian missile, and that the four suspects had a direct role in obtaining the weapon with the intent of using it to shoot down aircraft. Thousands of documents and filed will be presented over the course of the trial as well as witness statements from families of the victims. The Australian government has set aside $50 million to help pay for the prosecution and help families who want to be at the hearings. Australian Federal Police officers involved in the joint investigation and the recovery operation could be called to give evidence. Relatives of the victims will also have the right to address the court. An international media contingent of about 500 reporters is expected.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 23:22:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAPE TOWN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Friday urged South Africans to guard against misinformation and fake news about coronavirus.

The high level of misinformation on social media and fake news about coronavirus, officially named as COVID-19, might lead to unnecessary public panic, the minister said at a press briefing in Hilton, outside Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal Province where the country's first coronavirus-infected person was detected.

"We must stop spreading fake news that either ridicules the efforts of the health worker or that frighten people or send stories around,"Mkhize said.

On Thursday, Mkhize announced the first case of Covid-19.

The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. The couple, part of a 10-people group, arrived back in South Africa on March 1. The man consulted a private general practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough. The patient has been self-isolating since March 3.

Mkhize told reporters on Friday that the single coronavirus case in South Africa was handled perfectly in terms of the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization.

Those who were in close proximity to the man on the flight that came from Italy via Dubai to King Shaka International Airport in Durban will also be tested, Mkhize said.

The minister said some people were spreading fake news through WhatsApp about coronavirus also being confirmed in other parts of the country.

"All of those kinds of things are not helping South Africa. Only one case in SA has been confirmed, "he said.

"Media is bombarding us with queries about fake cases. I will be the one who will know first. I request you desist from fake news," he said.

The government has heightened surveillance to safeguard the country against the virus, said Mkhize.

No country can ever stop coronavirus from reaching its shores, he said.

"But we are dealing with an emergency here. We don't need to squabble about the weaknesses of our health system," Mkhize said.

He urged South Africans to get united in fighting the disease.
Becca Ersek, of North Wilmington and Cameron Powell, of University City, adjust a sign outside of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil-refinery complex in Philadelphia, Pa., on Monday, February 3, 2020. Philly Thrive organized a 10-hour occupation at the refinery, that denounces reopening the refinery as an oil-processing facility. Read more

After the shutdown of the South Philly refinery site, it was workers vs. climate activists. My colleague Juliana Feliciano Reyes explores why and whether that was the only possible outcome. And it feels like coronavirus is everywhere, but its not actually killing 3.4% of patients as one estimate said.

We also have reactions from Elizabeth Warren supporters on her leaving the presidential race, more on SEPTA Regional Rail schedule changes, and a look inside an apartment building on the edge of Fishtown that powers itself. Oh, and youll lose an hour this weekend when daylight saving time comes back.

 Lauren Aguirre (@laurencaguirre, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Hundreds of union workers lost their good-paying jobs when the East Coasts largest oil refinery abruptly shut down after an explosion last summer. If the workers want to stay in the industry, theyll likely have to leave Philly. Some in the union see climate activists as hypocrites because they claimed to support the workers, but cheered when the refinery closed.

This is a longstanding struggle in the climate justice movement: jobs vs. the environment. But experts say this is a troubling  and false  choice; that if climate activists and labor worked together, better solutions could emerge. Heres a look at what happened in Philly, and how the city can learn from other places where things played out differently.

In February, Chinese researchers said 2.3% of people infected with coronavirus had died in their country. This week, World Health Organization officials put the rate at 3.4%. But the real rate is likely lower. With better testing, well get better numbers in the future.

This is an evolving situation, and it can be stressful. But here are a few things to check out:

Remember, you can follow our coverage, including live updates, at inquirer.com/coronavirus.

What you need to know today

[Winning Pennsylvania will go a long way toward winning the White House. And we have a new weekly email newsletter covering how Pennsylvania is shaping the 2020 election. Sign up here, and dont forget to share it.]

Through your eyes | #OurPhilly

Ive been appreciating the art in the city recently and this photo is stunning. Thanks for sharing these artists work, @amyjani!

Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!

Thats interesting

Opinions

When SEPTA charges a fee to transfer, thats an unfair burden for all whose homes arent on the same route as their job, family, school, grocery store, doctors office, or place of worship. Instead of enabling riders to use SEPTA as a true network, we have a fragmented system where countless riders stay on longer bus trips because they cant afford the transfer fee.  write Philly residents Dena Ferrara Driscoll and Daniel Trubman on why SEPTA transfer fees should be eliminated. They are also both involved in 5th Square, a statewide PAC focused on issues around land use, mobility, and the built environment.

What were reading

Studies have shown that representation in schools matters, and just 5% of Philly schools are named after women. Billy Penn breaks down the stats.

Philadelphias homeless and emergency shelters are uniquely at risk from coronavirus due to the close quarters. WHYY looks at how shelters are responding.

Dispatches From Elsewhere, Jason Segels new show thats set in Philly, premiered on AMC last week. Philadelphia Magazine talked with the shows location scout about how they picked where to film in the city.

Your Daily Dose of | Architecture

A new apartment building on the Kensington-Fishtown border looks a little different. Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron describes it as a cross between a D-volt battery and the Death Star. Thats because the four-story building is covered with solar panels. The panels are designed to produce enough electricity for the 28 apartments inside and still have power left over to send back to the grid. Saffron explores whether this kind of design is the future of eco-friendly architecture.
Kuwait has lifted the restrictions that required Indians to produce a mandatory medical certificate to be allowed entry into the country. The restriction was imposed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Kuwait has revoked its order that requires medical certificates for Indians travelling to the country.

Meanwhile, Jazeera Airways continues to take additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its passengers. The airline presently connects five Indian cities in India - Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Kochi - to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.

Earlier this week, the Kuwaiti government had imposed restrictions on the entry of passengers from 10 countries including India. It mandatorily required passengers to undergo a complete medical examination with a PCR test to obtain a certificate from the health centers approved by the Kuwait Embassy to confirm that they are free from coronavirus before entering the Gulf country.

Announcing additional intensive cleaning activities by Jazeera Airways its CEO, Rohit Ramachandran, said, "The health and safety of our passengers and crew are the priority for Jazeera Airways. In view of the coronavirus outbreak, we have introduced an enhanced anti-viral cleaning regime throughout Terminal 5 and on all our aircraft."

It has also introduced a new aircraft disinfection program which involves spraying the cabins every day. In addition, every two weeks aircraft will be fumigated by using high-pressure disinfection sprays on the seats and throughout the cabin.

"Disinfectant chemicals we use are both internationally approved and safe for our passengers," said Ramachandran.

"The air filters in the onboard filtration systems will also be replaced frequently, removing dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other irritating particles. Constant airflow also ensures that the cabin air is refreshed every 90 minutes throughout the flight," he said.

"The crew members have been equipped with personal protective medical face masks and gloves. All washrooms are also equipped with anti-bacterial hand sanitizer pumps to help passengers keep free from germs," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hanelle Culpepper has been roped in to direct the reboot pilot of "Kung Fu" for The CW.

Culpepper, who will also serve as the executive producer on the project, recently made headline when she was roped in to direct the first three episodes of "Star Trek: Picard" at CBS All Access.

She made a history by becoming the first female director to launch a new "Star Trek" series in 53 years.

"I am very excited to join the fantastic team of Christina Kim, Martin Gero, Berlanti, and Warner Bros. to bring Kung Fu' to a new generation. An authentic and honest portrayal of a Chinese American family is rare in mainstream media so I am honoured to be able to introduce the Shen family and shoot some thrilling action sequences as well.

"I think many people, myself included, can relate to our heroine's journey of self-discovery and finding her purpose," Culpepper said in a statement to Variety.

The show is inspired by the original series created by Ed Spielman.

In the re-imagination, a quarter-life crisis causes a young Chinese-American woman to drop out of college and go on a life-altering journey to an isolated monastery in China.

She returns to find her hometown overrun with crime and corruption, and decides to use her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community and bring criminals to justice.

The new "Kung Fu" features Olivia Liang in the lead alongside Tzi Ma and Kheng Hua Tan.

Christina M Kim will write and executive produce the show.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ruling JD(U) in Bihar on Friday charged the RJD with "organisational fraud" after Lalu Prasad's party named among its key office-bearers a former Rajya Sabha member who had joined Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party a few months back.

JD(U) MLC and state minister for information and public relations department Neeraj Kumar mocked the opposition party for naming Kumkum Rai, an ex-MP, as one of its national secretaries.

"Lalu's stint in power was marked by rampant kidnappings for ransom. Tejashwi Yadav is touring the state on a bus purchased through an irregular transaction. Now they seem to have taken things to another level by claiming as their own Rai, who is a former MP and a professor at Patna University, and had joined JD(U) in August 2019," Kumar told reporters outside the assembly.

"This is 'saangathanik jaalsaazi' (organizational fraud) which has no precedent or parallel in politics," he exclaimed.

The RJD had come out with its new national executive, approved by its jailed national president, on Thursday.

The party's principal national general secretary Qamar Alam had told the media, while sharing the list of office- bearers, that it was "approved" by Prasad who is in Ranchi, serving sentences in fodder scam cases.

With egg on its face, the party hurriedly came out with a statement that Rai's name found its way into the list because of an oversight and the same has been replaced with that of Yaduvansh Kumar.

"Most names in the current national executive have been retained from the previous one formed in 2018. In the process of copying the names, the mistake might have taken place," Alam told journalists when asked about the slipup.

Altogether six national secretaries were named in the list, including Arwal MLA Ravindra Singh.

Yaduvansh Kumar is an MLA representing Supaul and also formerly headed the RJD's district unit. Known to be temperamental, he had thrown a fit last year when Jan Adhikar Party founder Pappu Yadav entered the fray from Madhepura where Sharad Yadav was contesting on an RJD ticket.

Yaduvansh Kumar had retaliated by fielding a rebel candidate against Supaul MP Ranjita Ranjan who happens to be Pappu Yadav's wife. The move had left the Congress fuming and the RJD its old ally embarrassed.

Last month, his appearance at Kanhaiya Kumar's rally against CAA-NPR-NRC is said to have raised many eyebrows as Tejashwi Yadav - the RJD's chief ministerial candidate and Lalu Prasad's heir apparent - is said to be wary of the popularity of the CPI's rising star.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hyderabad, March 6 : There was no mention of CAA, NRC or NPR in Telangana governor's address to the joint sitting of both houses of the state legislature on Friday but Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao assured the opposition that a resolution will be passed on the issue.

Though the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government has taken a stand against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), there was no reference to the same in Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan's address to joint sitting of Assembly and Council on the first day of the budget session.

Contrary to expectations that the Governor's speech will contain comments against CAA and National Population Register (NPR), it was silent on the issue.

Ever since the Chief Minister drove to Raj Bhavan to personally handover the speech copy to the governor two days ago, there were reports that it contains comments about CAA and NPR.

There were even speculations if the governor will read the text as it is or follow his Telangana counterpart Arif Mohammed Khan, who added a para on his own to express his opinion on CAA.

However, during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting following the governor's address, Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao said the Assembly would discuss and pass a resolution on CAA, NPR and NRC.

At the meeting chaired by Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded that the resolution be passed not just against CAA but also against NPR and NRC.

State minister Prashanth Reddy told the media after the BAC meeting that the chief minister said the House would discuss and pass a resolution.

AIMIM legislator Ahmed Pasha Quadri told reporters outside the Assembly that the TRS government should stay the NPR as done by Kerala.

"There is unease among people as NPR is scheduled to begin from April 1. The government should stay the process," he said.

Another AIMIM MLA Ahmed Balala said NPR should be stayed as it would all the poor irrespective of their religions or castes.

Meanwhile, the BAC decided that the budget session will last till March 20. The budget will be presented on March 8.
Simon Bridges

National Party Leader

simonbridges.co.nz

I recently held a public meeting on gangs with Nationals Justice spokesperson Mark Mitchell.

Given the LA style gang warfare weve seen in Tauranga recently, it was important for the community to come together in response to the increasing number of gang related incidents.

I outlined what a National Government would do to crack down on gangs. Weve put forward a number of proposals, like banning gang patches in public places and a taskforce similar to Strike Force Raptor in New South Wales, aimed at harassing and disrupting gangs every day.

A Mongrel Mob PR person also attended arguing that the Mob isnt a violent group.

If thats the case, then why is it that the methamphetamine numbers are rising through

the roof?

If the Mob arent violent, then why wont they hand in their illegal weapons?

Why are we seeing gang membership continue to climb?

The Government needs to be supporting our communities.

Police Minister Stuart Nash is satisfied with the response so far, but if anything the violence is only escalating.

National doesnt want to see the presence of gangs continue to spread like a cancer.

We will be releasing a gang action plan this year with more policies focused on getting rid

of gangs.

Unlike Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First, National will put the safety of our communities first. Gangs do nothing but peddle misery and intimidate New Zealanders, its time we put a stop to them.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on



Friday gave its approval to constitute a trust under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Kamal Nath for the project of constructing 'Ram Van Gaman Path', a route taken by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile.

The decision to form the trust was taken by the cabinet at its meeting chaired by the chief minister, state Public Relations Minister P C Sharma told reporters.

The 'Ram Van Gaman Path' project seeks to retrace the route believed to have been taken by Lord Ram on his way to the exile. It is proposed to be constructed from Chitrakoot to Amarkantak.

State chief secretary will be its member, the minister said.

The trust will also have other members. However, their umber was not specified.

The cabinet also gave its nod for the purchase of 1,320 MW power on the basis of competitive bidding process from M/s Adani Power at the rate of Rs 4.79 per unit for the year 2026-27 as per the long-term power purchase guidelines, the minister informed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Mobile man was arrested in Florida during an undercover operation for sexually soliciting minors.

Dominique Gray, 28, was arrested in connection with an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office undercover operation targeting individuals seeking sexual encounters with children.

Gray and the investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl exchanged multiple texts with Gray also sending graphic images of himself in efforts to have sex with her, according to detectives.

A warrant was sent out on Grays email address as well as a review of his cell phone messages. He was charged with obscene communication to a minor via computer, using a computer to solicit a child and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, according to jail records.

Grays criminal history in Mobile County includes a second degree assault charge in August of 2018.
Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado.

@RepKenBuck/Twitter

Republican Rep. Ken Buck dared Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke to "come and take" an inoperable AR-15 rifle mounted on his wall in Washington D.C.

The rifle, which has a American flag paint scheme, appears to be the same one Buck held in a 2015 photo.

Buck's rifle is "completely inoperable," a spokesperson told Insider, adding that there's a "trigger lock on it, and the firing pin has been removed."

"Rep. Buck likes to call it his patriotic paperweight," the spokesperson said.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A Republican lawmaker from Colorado dared former Vice President Joe Biden and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke to "come and take" an inoperable AR-15 mounted on the wall of an office in Washington DC.

"I have a message for Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke. If you want to take everyone's AR-15s in America, why don't you swing by my office in Washington, DC, and start with this one," Rep. Ken Buck said while standing next to the non-functioning weapon.

"Come and take it," Buck added.

Buck, a strong 2nd Amendment supporter, appeared to refer to recent statements by Democrats suggesting they would enact legislation to regulate firearm ownership. In September 2019, O'Rourke, then a Democratic presidential candidate, said in a tweet, "Hell yes, we're gonna take your AR-15."

O'Rourke's tweet caught the attention of Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain, who replied, "My AR-15 is ready for you Robert Francis," using O'Rourke's middle name.

O'Rourke called Cain's response a "death threat."

Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 6, 2020

It would be illegal for a member of the general public to have a functioning AR-15 on Capitol grounds.

Lawmakers, however, "may maintain firearms within the confines of their office," a US Capitol Police spokeswoman told The Washington Post in 2015, when Buck tweeted a photo with the AR-15.

Story continues

Buck's rifle is "completely inoperable," a spokesperson for the lawmaker told Insider, adding that there's a "trigger lock on it, and the firing pin has been removed."

"Rep. Buck likes to call it his patriotic paperweight," the spokesperson said in an email.

Buck's inoperable rifle, which has a distinct American flag paint scheme, appears to be the same one the congressman held in that 2015 photo. Buck said at the time that it was a gift from a business and that he received permission from numerous law-enforcement agencies to have it on Capitol Hill.

"Putting a trigger lock on an inoperable gun is like putting a chastity belt on a eunuch," Buck said. "The only dangerous thing about that gun is if someone took it off the wall and hit somebody else over the head with it."

Democratic Rep. Judy Chu of California chastised Buck for his video and also described it as a "threat to shoot politicians he disagrees with."

"These kinds of threats are dangerous and unacceptable," Chu said in a tweet Friday. "We should know better. We promised to be better."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Vietnam's Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, and Lam Dong have been named among the top five locations nationwide which are far off the beaten track and suitable for those travelling on a budget, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The SCMP article states that the nation has long been a popular destination due to its cheap prices, epic landscapes, and variety of delicious cuisine. It goes on to suggest five cities to visit in the country during 2020.

Ninh Binh province can be considered a version of Ha Long Bay on land due to the locality being home to the same karst structures alongside its many rivers which are surrounded by lush green farmlands.

Whilst the majority of people flock to Sapa in order to trek along the rice paddies situated in the mountains, Quang Binh province offers guests the chance to go exploring in many of its lesser-known caves which are found in the karst mountains near the small town of Phong Nha.

Paradise Cave, the longest dry cave in Asia, can be visited for just US$12. The price gives guests access to the boardwalk that extends for a total of three km. For those looking to explore further, there is a small trekking tour that takes visitors seven km in for US$99.

When it comes to a town rich in multicultural history, Hoi An in Da Lat province is one of nations best destinations. However, for those looking to avoid the masses, Da Lat should be considered as an alternative. Located high up in the Central Highlands, it is notable for being surrounded by tumbling waterfalls and pagodas. It was originally founded by the French in the late 19th century as a place to escape the heat.

The Linh Phuoc Pagoda is completely made up of porcelain pieces and can be found on the outskirts of town alongside a pastel Buddhist monument.

While Quy Nhon predominantly remains a fishing town, it is an emerging beach destination that features new resorts being built. For now the area remains a quiet option, with the seaside town being home to cheap and delicious seafood, along with a beach that is perfect for eating and relaxing.

For those looking for a cultural break in Vietnam, Hanoi is not the only option available. Indeed, guests can get a closer look at Vietnamese history in Hue, the ancient capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. It was this city that was the seat of the Nguyen Emperors who ruled from Hue for almost 150 years.

SCMP/VOV

Con Dao named among most beautiful island destinations for winter travel Prestigious magazine Vogue Paris has named Con Dao island in Vung Tau province among the nine most beautiful secret islands which travelers should visit this winter.
Oregon has awarded state grants to help build 351 affordable rental housing units in four Portland projects, state housing officials said.

Another 84 units will be funded in Tigard, Dallas, Toledo, Medford, Klamath Falls and La Grande, Oregon Housing and Community Services officials announced Wednesday.

The $16 million in grants will be combined with state and federal tax credits and other state and private housing funds to allow creation of the 435 subsidized apartments and tiny houses.

The largest project receiving funding is Portlands RiverPlace 2 in the South Waterfront neighborhood, which will have 178 units. Planners say there will be 164 units devoted to renters who earn an income at 60% area median income, up to $52,740 for a family of four, and 12 units for 30% area median income, or $26,370 for a family of four.

The complex is projected to cost nearly $76 million to construct, and the state will provide about $1.7 million of that. The apartments are expected to be completed in January 2022.

Other Portland housing projects on the list are:

-115th and Division Street Apartments, with 138 units ranging from studio to three-bedrooms apartments also expected to open January 2022. All the units are expected to serve renters with incomes at 30% and 60% area median income. The project is projected to cost $39 million, with most of the money coming from a federal tax credit program for affordable housing. Oregon will contribute about $1.4 million.

-Portsmouth Commons, a project by the Portsmouth Union Church to construct 20 units on their property at 4775 North Lombard Street primarily to serve homeless veterans. The complex will have 12 two-bedroom units and one-bedroom housing for the rest. All but four of the units will be for renters with incomes at 30% area median income. The other four will be at 60%. The apartments are expected to open in 2021. The veterans housing complex is projected to cost $3.3 million, since the land is being contributed at no cost. Oregon will cover almost $2.4 million.

-The Douglas Fir Apartments at 6485 S.W. 128th Avenue, a $3.4 million project expected to have 15 units that serve veterans, Native Americans and low-income renters who are homeless or diagnosed with severe mental illness. The building is expected to be completed by May 2021. The state will provide tax credits to generate $1.5 million and a $1.2 million grant.

The other funded projects include retaining and rehabbing the 26-unit Village at Washington Square in Tigard and building Steward Avenue Apartments with 16 units in Medford and a 13-unit complex for homeless veterans in Dallas.

-- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
An Economist-YouGov poll conducted Sunday through Tuesday found that a 41 percent plurality of Americans thought Trumps policies were not taking the risks seriously enough; another 34 percent said his policy was appropriate, and 4 percent said he was overreacting to the actual risks associated with the virus. The poll found that 68 percent of Americans were either somewhat or very concerned about a coronavirus epidemic in the United States, up slightly from 62 percent in February.
Melanie Wahlberg of Lake Forest, Calif., will give a lecture "Never Alone - How spiritual ideas work in us" at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 612 McCallie Ave.

It will be Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m.

Officials said, "What: In the middle of difficult circumstances, it would be so reassuring to feel supported in our efforts for progress, instead of feeling alone. In this talk, Melanie Wahlberg discusses what she's found helpful in her practice of Christian Science healing: that God loves us deeply, is an active presence of good in our lives, and provides fresh ideas about our spiritual nature that wipe away fear and reveal inspired solutions.

"After finishing a doctorate in mathematics, Melanie became a college professor. She found that teaching was less about telling students something than facilitating the students discoveries of new concepts. When students came to her office for help with calculus, they often found themselves talking about the joy and excitement of growing spirituality. After just two years at the college, she resigned from her position and began accepting calls as a Christian Science practitioner, advertising her practice in The Christian Science Journal in 2004.

"Melanie likes to see lives transformed by the healing ideas of Christian Science, where we ourselves are helped and, at the same time, find we can help others. Whether the spiritual ideas apply to health issues, school, social lives, or sports, her three teenagers push her to 'keep it real.' 

There is free childcare and free parking.

Livestreaming will be on chaChurch.com/events





Contact: Nancy Harrison, 423-280-7582
The union government on Friday evening started the process of redrawing the Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. In 2002, the last delimitation was conducted across India but these states were left out due to various reasons.

A law ministry notification said that former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed as the chairperson of the Delimitation Commission. In 2002, retd. Justice Kuldeep Singh acted as the chairman. Election commissioner Sushil Chandra and state election commissioners of J&K and the four states will be the ex officio members, the notificaiton said.

The Commission will delimit the constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the provisions the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, and of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland in accordance with the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2002, the notification said.

The delimitation in J&K comes nine months after the Article 370 was scrapped and the state was divided into two union territories. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 which was cleared in Parliament in August 2019, mentioned new delimitation to redraw the constituencies of J&K according to section 62 of the Act.

In the four states of North East India, delimitation could not be carried out along with other Indian states due to prevailing security reasons. But now, the government thinks the situation has changed.

The notification of the law ministry said that it appears that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise have ceased to exist and that the delimitation of the constituencies as envisaged under the Delimitation Act, 2002 could be carried out now. Out of the four NE states where delimitation would be undertaken, three are ruled by the BJPAssam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Nagaland is ruled by NDPP, a local outfit.

A Congress leader added, we will keep a close watch on the exercise because it comes amid prevailing situation arising out of CAA in the North east and J&K was locked down for a long time after the abrogation of Article 370. Such exercise needs caution as security issues are involved.
A 23-year-old secondary school student in Bebeji Local Government Area, Kano State, has been handed a 14-year jail sentence for raping a 10-year-old girl.

Ayuba Musa committed the said offense on April 19, 2017, after luring the minor to his apartment at Ruwan Kaya Quarters in Tiga Village.

Recounting how the incident occurred, the rape victim disclosed that Ayuba took her to his room, turned on a television set, asked her to fondle him before removing her underpants and penetrating her.

READ ALSO  Police Arrest Mount Zion Ministries Pastor For Allegedly Raping A Minor

She revealed that the pain she felt was unbearable, that she had to open up to her mother upon being questioned at home.

Ayuba was convicted by a court sitting at Audu Bako Secretariat in the state capital, which held that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and also proved that he committed the offense.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of various issues of "serious concern touching upon the governance" in the state.

Dhankhar met Shah at the latter's office at the Parliament complex here, an official said.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the governor, who was appointed to the Constitutional post over seven months ago.

"I had myself sought this meeting. I had sought this meeting under the background that over the (past) seven months I have been able to appreciate the situation on the ground with respect to the critical issues of governance.

"I have availed this opportunity to apprise the Union home minister of various issues of serious concern touching upon the governance in the state. I discussed with him a variety of issues," Dhankar told reporters here.

This was his first meeting with Shah after assuming charge as governor.

It comes within a week of Shah's visit to Kolkata. At a rally in the city, the Union minister had expressed "anguish" over the law and order situation in West Bengal.

Dhankhar has been engaged in a bitter acrimony with the West Bengal government over a host of issues since assuming charge in July last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Inside Hook

The Chinese tech company behind popular gay dating app Grindr is set to sell its 98.5 percent stake in the app to a company called San Vicente Acquisition LLC, Reuters reported.

The $608.5 million sale follows an order from a United States government panel requiring Beijing Kunlun Tech to sell the dating app by June 30 in response to concerns over how the Beijing-based web gaming company was handling user data for Grindr.
AKRON, Ohio -- Summit Countys METRO RTA has scheduled a series of public outreach and listening sessions so riders and community members can provide their ideas and input as the public transit agency develops a 10-year strategic plan.

Valerie Shea, METROs director of planning and strategic development, said the strategic plan will outline the organizations goals and an action plan for achieving them over the next decade.

METRO will listen to feedback at two public open houses this month: at the Robert K. Pfaff Transit center on March 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and at the Akron-Summit Main Library on March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

People can also visit one of METROs Buses and Brews gatherings, which will have food and drinks available for purchase:

March 10 from 4-7 p.m. at Ignite Brewing Company in Barberton

March 11 from 7-10 a.m. at Corner Cup Coffeehouse in Stow

March 11 from 5-8 p.m. at Rush Hour Grille in Twinsburg

March 13 from 7-9 a.m. at Georges Donuts in Twinsburg

March 14 from 8-10 a.m. at Open Door Coffee Company in Hudson

March 16 from 4-7 p.m. at The Town Tavern in Green

March 19 from 8-11 a.m. at Compass Coffee in Akron

March 19 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at R. Shea Brewing in Merriman Valley

March 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Nervous Dog Coffee Bar in Wallhaven

March 23 from 4-7 p.m. at Missing Falls Brewery in Akron

March 25 from 9-11 a.m. at Kave Coffee Bar in Barberton

March 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Asterisk Coffee Bar in Cuyahoga Falls

Anyone who cannot attend an event is invited to provide feedback at akronmetro.metroquest.com.

"This is an important time for our community to come together and provide feedback about their public transportation service at one of our outreach events, said METRO Executive Director Dawn Distler. The Strategic Plan will be a road map that guides us to the next level of service and mobility options METRO will provide for the communities we serve, helping everyone reach that next level of success.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Opinion Article

6 March 2020

External events can and do have a major impact on hotel operations and while sometimes it can be hard to predict what might come next, there are some strategies hoteliers can employ to ensure the business continues as well as possible.

COVID-19 has already rocked the hospitality industry  with hotel cancellations and even closures. Hilton took the extraordinary step of closing some 150 hotels across China.

"It's a black-swan event the hotel industry hopes to avoid. Worry and uncertainty over the virus's short-term and full-year impact on travel permeated Q4 earnings calls, especially for companies with high exposure in Asia. Hotel and flight cancellations were and are widespread across the continent, with both brands and OTAs allowing free cancellations to select destinations," David Eisen, Director of Hotel Intelligence & Customer Solutions, HotStats, told us at the end of February.

Markets in APAC are the worst hit. China hotels are taking the full brunt of the outbreak, which is understandable as, of the 80,000 cases of coronavirus globally, more than 77,000 are in China. Based on Duetto's data, which is a limited sample size, hotels in China saw a 29% increase in cancellations in January 2020 compared to figures from the same time last year. The same sample of hotels in China also saw a decline in pace, with rooms booked in January for stays in February, March and April down more than 75%.

Hong Kong, a global financial hub, which was already dealing with protests over an extradition bill, saw its profit per room drop 74.2% year-on-year in January, according to HotStats. For full-year 2019, Hong Kong's GOPPAR was down 34.2%.

Shanghai was similarly impacted, with total revenue down 22.5% YOY and profit dropping 48.1% year-on-year in January.

Meanwhile, Bangkok saw a 1.1% year-on-year decline in total revenue in January and a 2.3% drop in profit. Tokyo saw larger declines with profit down 3.7% year-on-year.

"People are making travel decisions based on other factors. Rate is on page two, but on page one is, 'Is it safe?' And is the location that I'm going to safe? And how do I get there? Do I have to fly through a major airport? Travelers will put safety first," says Jan D. Freitag, SVP, Lodging Insights - STR.

"The virus' impact on domestic travel has been smaller, but containing it, and stamping out its spread quickly, is all the hotel industry can hope for to erase what likely will be a difficult Q1, at the least," adds HotStats' Eisen.

Adjusting your Revenue Strategy

These are extraordinary circumstances. The hotel industry has dealt with similar; the SARS outbreak in 2003 and Avian Flu in 2009 spring to mind. While we can look back at the historical data for these events, COVID-19 presents a different challenge, not least because the Chinese outbound market has become much stronger and more lucrative.

In 2003, SARS led to a 28% decline in Chinese travelers visiting the US. That was off an average of 200,000 visitors a year. Today, there are close to three million Chinese travelers visiting the US - that's a very different scenario, and a much bigger impact if we follow the SARS trajectory.

Here are our recommendations:

Forecast short-term. Our Customer Success team in APAC has recommended to our clients in China and Hong Kong to run on a short-term forecast. What this means is that Duetto will only take into account a few weeks of data and use this to forecast just a few weeks ahead. This enables revenue teams to focus on the exceptional events unfolding. We are also advising our customers in the region to narrow their forecasts through the end of Q2.

Our Customer Success team in APAC has recommended to our clients in China and Hong Kong to run on a short-term forecast. What this means is that Duetto will only take into account a few weeks of data and use this to forecast just a few weeks ahead. This enables revenue teams to focus on the exceptional events unfolding. We are also advising our customers in the region to narrow their forecasts through the end of Q2. Hold rate. Demand in the region is just not there because of the coronavirus outbreak. Whether you are charging $400 or $100, people will not travel if they feel they are at risk.

Demand in the region is just not there because of the coronavirus outbreak. Whether you are charging $400 or $100, people will not travel if they feel they are at risk. Invest in human capital. While occupancies are low, hotels can use this time to invest in other areas of the business. Use the downtime to cross / re-train staff or get your revenue teams talking to other departments and showing them how everyone can have an impact on the bottom line. This can even be done remotely via conference calls.

While occupancies are low, hotels can use this time to invest in other areas of the business. Use the downtime to cross / re-train staff or get your revenue teams talking to other departments and showing them how everyone can have an impact on the bottom line. This can even be done remotely via conference calls. Invest in property. If you were considering a rooms refresh or a bigger renovation, now might be the time to get this started.

If you were considering a rooms refresh or a bigger renovation, now might be the time to get this started. Consider your tech stack. Invest in your systems and technology so that you are ready for the upswing when it does arrive. Use this time to understand what your technology can do for your business.

And while recovery may seem hard to predict right now, hotels still need to be prepared. People will continue to travel, but the patterns of that travel behavior may change. Booking windows may be shorter, travelers may stay closer to home. Hotels who take these changes into account, who stay firm on rate and who spend their time getting to know their new customer demographic will be the ones who reap the revenue rewards.
GUANGZHOU, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Days after Chinese company Xinbao shipped out a batch of OEM products including coffee machines and ice makers in February, it receives a thanks letter from General Electric Company (GE), praising its on-time delivery.

As one of the world's largest suppliers of household appliances, Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co., Ltd in Foshan, southern China's Guangdong province, occupies a 10 percent share in the global market, while its star product, coffee machines, could hit 40 percent in the global market. Its early resumption weighs a lot in the global supply of household suppliance.

As global market shows a sign of worry that China-made products may not be able to meet global demand amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese government and local companies are stepping up efforts to perish this thought.

"Many overseas clients are anxious, and they have been contacting us frequently to get information on resumption of production," said Ray Zeng, chairman of the company.

Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus this year, millions of Chinese workers returning to their hometowns have to extend the weeklong Spring Festival holiday, and many factories and businesses did not restart until Feb. 10 or even later.

"Collecting staff's information, sending charter buses to take employees back to work and seeking help from other suppliers, we are doing what we can to fulfill clients' orders despite the virus," Zeng said.

The company's honest move won not only a letter of thanks from its American business partners but also brought it more orders.

"We have received more overseas orders in the following two months compared with last year, and the new orders are scheduled to be fulfilled in May," said Zeng. "We are now managing to restore our capacity and recoup losses in February."

Xinbao is just an epitome of China's move to deal with severe challenges posed by the deadly virus and maintain the stability of the global supply chain.

China is implementing targeted policies and taking solid actions to ensure epidemic prevention while resuming production to meet global supply.

Galanz Enterprises Co., Ltd, another Foshan-based company, a major microwave producer, has promised to never delay or call off delivery amid the epidemic.

"No matter how difficult it is, the delivery has to be conducted because we shall be responsible for all the clients," said Liang Zhaoxian, the chairman of Galanz.

To honor its promise, the company resumed production on Feb. 10 after taking a series of unprecedented strict prevention measures including temperature checks at least twice a day and washing hands six times a day.

According to the chairman, to further deal with the shortage of line workers, the company has mobilized more than 160 managerial staff to work on the production line.

"For the time being, the production efficiency has increased by 30 percent compared to the early start of the resumption, and daily capacity is expected to go back to normal soon," said Li Feng, vice chairman of the company, who also serves as stand-by line staff amid the epidemic.

Apart from being honest and efficient, Chinese companies have also been highly flexible and adaptive when facing the crisis.

As the world's largest producer of plastic air-conditioner vane, Foshan-based Guangdong Sunwill Precision Plastic Co., Ltd export about 30 million sets every year, accounting for one-third of the global share.

According to Mo Qiyan, the chairman of the company, after the suspension of the branch company in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, the company has relocated production materials and accessories to other offices to ensure production and delivery.

"Instead of increasing the ex-factory price due to the epidemic, we finished our deliveries without considering the loss," Mo said. "What surprised us is that we actually received more global orders this year."

For Mo, the virus is not just a threat or a crisis, but also a test to China's supply chain and Chinese companies' ability to survive the risk.

Mo said that the shortage of labor amid the epidemic activates more Chinese enterprises to focus on further industry upgrading.

Mo's company has now invested more than 40 million yuan (about 5.72 million U.S. dollars) in automation equipment, and the workforce is expected to drop by 1,000 without reducing the capacity.

"As more Chinese companies improve intelligent manufacturing, we will strengthen the ability to withstand the risks," Mo said.
The March 4 The World article Warren, Sanders want a wealth tax. Swiss suggest their model for America noted that Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) could look to Switzerland as a model for a wealth tax they want to impose. Such an approach could be used to guarantee that Warren Buffett pays at least the same tax rate as his secretary and that Amazon pays income taxes. A wealth tax, however, is unnecessary to achieve these goals. [Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Post.]
A 24-year-old man, Daniel Chukwudiebele Okocha, who allegedly stabbed his lover, Nkechi Vivian Agwor, to death, over a suspicion that she was cheating on him, has been arrested in his hideout in Lagos.

The incident occurred last Sunday at the live-in-lovers apartment in Egbeda. Trouble began when the suspect refused to allow the deceased, Nkechi, aged 20, to go to church last Sunday.

When the deceased insisted, a quarrel ensued, which degenerated into a fight during which Daniel allegedly stabbed her with a knife in the neck and fled. When he was arrested, he admitted culpability.

READ ALSO  Police Arrest Pastor Over Disappearance Of Man In Lagos

The police officer said: Daniel has confessed to the murder. He told us that he killed his lover because he was suspecting that she was cheating on him.

He told us that on the fateful day, Nkechi had told him that she was going to church, but he warned her to sit down at home as he suspected that she was having an appointment with another man who attends the same church with her.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size You've probably never heard of Rupert Read, the philosophy academic with a collection of colourful waistcoats working in the small British city of Norwich. He's the environmentalist who last month leaked an explosive report by JP Morgan that warned "life as we know it is threatened". The report, Risky Business: The climate and the macroeconomy, was written by the investment bank's chief economist David Mackie and colleague Jessica Murray. It warned, in no uncertain terms, that burning fossil fuels is warming the planet on a trajectory that will cause famine, displacement, mass species extinction and economic collapse. "Something will have to change at some point if the human race is going to survive," the report said. Although JPMorgan's brand is water-marked on each of the report's 22 pages, the $US350 billion ($530 billion) banking behemoth initially distanced itself from its findings. Yet only a few days later at its annual investor day in New York City on February 25, it promised to stop financing coal mining, coal power and Arctic oil and gas drilling. It would also offer $US200 billion ($302 billion) to support clean energy and other sustainable projects. As the world distances itself from the fossil fuel industry, Australia is stuck in a hard place. Credit:Photo illustration: Jamie Brown The pledge put the bank on a par with its peer Goldman Sachs, which in December became the first large US bank to rule out future financing of oil drilling in the Arctic and new thermal coal mines. Then in January, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager said it would no longer actively invest in companies that generate more than 25 per cent of revenue from thermal coal. As the world distances itself from the fossil fuel industry, Australia is stuck in a hard place. Oil and thermal coal account for about 80 per cent of our electricity generation and resources make up about one fifth of the ASX/200. Coal and iron ore remain two of the nation's biggest export earners. This week, the $168 billion government-run Future Fund ruled out divesting from thermal coal. And the portfolio manager of the country's largest retirement savings fund, AustralianSuper, said there was no immediate plan to go fossil-fuel free. "The point is, it's easy if you're in New York. But it's Australia's second-biggest export so it's not a decision we can make lightly," senior portfolio manager Shaun Manuell told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald this week.

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As the global fossil fuel divestment push gathers momentum, Australia's financial sector is being forced to re-evaluate its support for fossil fuels. But for an economy heavily dependant on resource extraction, this is no easy feat. 'Call it what it is' While many major Australian companies are boasting of green futures and a willingness to do good by the environment the situation in the investment is more nuanced. The Age and Herald continue to expose underlying investments by major super funds that fail to live up to their green promises. A similar dynamic is playing out in the US. Critics argue JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs can still fund major emitters  those involved in fracking, tar sands and liquefied gas terminals under their policies. And they can still do deals with the biggest coal-mining companies and provide loans to oil and gas projects outside the Arctic, where the bulk of the resources lie. BlackRock's thermal coal exclusion applies to less than a third of its total assets and the revenue cap means it can still invest in major coal-producing companies, including Glencore and BHP. The chief executive of $US3.8 billion ($5.5 billion) sustainable asset management group Trillium Matthew Patsky, speaking from Boston, says the announcements sent a message to the community: "We're paying attention, we hear what you're saying and we're going to talk about it now" but fell short of committing to significant change. "Some of this is unfortunately just that. It's marketing, public relations. You have to call it what it is," Patsky says.

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Nonetheless, the concessions made by the financial giants has emboldened environmental activists to ramp-up pressure and refocused the discussion around the future of fossil fuel investing. "The last few weeks have proven that this will be a crucial year to end the age of fossil fuels," environmental activist group 350's website says. Carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion contribute about 78 per cent of total greenhouse case emissions, according to the IPCC's most recent report, and there is overwhelming agreement within the scientific community that without additional effort to reduce these emissions, the world was bracing for irreversible change. The Paris climate agreement recognises that governments around the world must commit to keep the vast majority of fossil fuels in the ground. Back home, the effects of climate change were brought into sharp focus after the unprecedented fire season that burnt an area the size of South Korea, roughly 12.2 million hectares, and killed 34 people and more than 1 billion animals. Big four predicament The big four banks have climate action policies and have thrown their support behind the Paris climate agreement's commitment to limit global emissions. The banks have unilaterally pledged to reduce financing of thermal coal projects within the decade and have varying ambitions around financing new fossil fuel projects. Westpac, National Australia Bank, ANZ and Commonwealth Bank declined interviews to explain finer details of these policies. Research by shareholder activist group Market Forces, obtained exclusively by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, claims the banks are breaking their own climate policies by lending to projects that expand the use of fossil fuels.

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An analysis of company records, financial databases and public disclosures found the big four loaned more than $7 billion to expansionary fossil fuel projects between 2016 and 2019 and a further $6.8 billion to companies with business practices that contradict the Paris goals to reduce warming within the century by 2 degrees. Julien Vincent and Will van de Pol lead Market Forces that has provided research to show the big four are funnelling billions into expanding fossil fuel production. Credit:Jason South In September, CBA financed an American gas pipeline designed to transport up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day through Texas. According to scientific journal Nature, little or no carbon-emitting infrastructure can be commissioned to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals. "This is significant for CBA," Market Forces executive director Julien Vincent says. "There are supposed to be compliance mechanisms and people held to account if their policies are not followed." In a statement, CBA said it could not comment on individual customers, but its environmental and social policy had evolved "very significantly" over the last three years. The underpinning principle of our policy is to support a transition to net zero emissions, and to do that as quickly and efficiently as possible in the context of working with our customers," the CBA spokesman said. "As part of that transition approach, we regard gas, for example, as a transition fuel which enables substitution away from coal-fired power. That is a step towards lower net emissions and then ultimately to zero net emissions.

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Similarly, NAB's climate policy prevents it from financing new thermal coal projects. But in October 2018, after NAB pledged it would no longer finance new thermal coal mining projects, the bank co-financed a $720 million deal with Coronado Global Resources which owns Queensland's Curragh coal mine, a largely coking coal plant coal used for steel making  that recently agreed to continue supplying Stanwell power station with thermal coal until 2038. In September last year, Market Forces claimed NAB committed to co-finance an additional $US200 million to fund the expansion of the Curragh mine. In a statement, NAB said it could not comment on specific customers but said it was working to limit thermal coal exposure. "We are capping thermal coal mining exposures at current levels and reducing thermal coal mining financing by 50% by 2028 and intended to be effectively zero by 2035, apart from residual performance guarantees to rehabilitate existing coal assets." Westpac and ANZ loaned a combined $258 million to ASX listed energy giant Woodside in October for development of the Burrup Hub in WA, which according to its website could process more gas than the entire volume extracted from the North West Shelf since startup in 1984. ANZ said it will continue to reduce its thermal coal exposure over time but this "has not been in a straight line". The spokesman said the overall exposure had reduced by 50 per cent since the Paris Agreement and pointed to its work in funding green projects. "We have been working closely with a number of our customers in recent years to assist them with their plans to transition to a lower carbon economy." Lending to the thermal coal industry is at its lowest point in four years, Market Forces found, but Vincent says the trend is partly due to the increasing use of non-disclosure agreements around financing fossil fuel projects. Last March, Queensland's thermal coal company New Hope secured $900 million from Australian banks to expand its New Ackland thermal coal operation, but the company's chief executive declined to identify the lenders. This happened around the same time energy finance project Project Finance International reported potential lenders to Western Australia's Bluewaters coal-fired power stated were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

Trend:

The Armenian media disseminated information that the Azerbaijani side allegedly carried out sabotage in the direction of the Gazakh district of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on March 6, as a result of which the Armenian soldier was wounded, Trend reports referring to the State Border Service of Azerbaijan.

The State Border Service of Azerbaijan's statement said the information about the sabotage by military personnel on the border was false.

On the morning of March 6, the Azerbaijani border guards in the direction of the Jafarli village of the Gazakh district were subjected to intensive shelling from large-caliber guns and sniper rifles by units of the Armenian Armed Forces located near the villages of Sevkar and Syrygyuyug of Ijevan region of Armenia.The enemys provocation was suppressed by return fire, as a result of which shelling from the combat positions of the Armenian Armed Forces at the border-fighting points of Azerbaijan was suppressed, said the statement.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Government plans for a 'green housing revolution' are unworkable, developers have warned.

Ministers want tough standards to slash the carbon footprint of new homes from 2025, with 'stepping stone' measures before then.

The shake-up will see developers banned from connecting properties to the gas grid and encouraged to roll out air-source heat pumps, solar panels and better insulation.

Eco homes: Ministers want to see developers banned from connecting properties to the gas grid and encouraged to roll out air-source heat pumps, solar panels and better insulation

But housing bosses believe a deadline for the first changes this year is unrealistic because the UK lacks the workforce and enough heat pumps.

Pete Redfern, the boss of Taylor Wimpey, said firms have been told to prepare for an October deadline. 'We just don't think that's workable  there's just not the supply chain.

'Having a much longer run-in period we'd actually grab. Sometimes doing things better but taking a bit longer is the right result.'

Industry group the Home Builders Federation (HBF) also branded the proposals 'unrealistic' and urged a delay.

The Government has vowed to cut the UK's carbon footprint to 'net zero' by 2050, with home emissions key.

Ministers have promised a 'future homes standard' in 2025, slashing emissions from new homes by 75 per cent to 80 per cent.

'Stepping stone' measures will be introduced earlier, with an official consultation proposing 'mid to late' 2020. The hope is that these will cut new home emissions by 31 per cent.

A less ambitious, second option would cut them by 20 per cent.

Developers say the preferred option would probably require them to stop using gas heating systems and use air-source heat pumps instead.

But the HBF said the annual output of these pumps is just 38,000, against 250,000 homes built in 2019.

It also says there are only around 900 registered heat pump engineers.

The industry group favours the less ambitious option and for an 18-24 month 'transition' period. This would delay the 31 per cent targets until 2023.

A Government spokesman said: 'We have set an ambitious but achievable target.'
Schock served four terms in Congress before resigning in 2015.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In a letter shared on social media and his website, former Republican congressman Aaron Schock came out as gay on Thursday.

The news failed to excite members of the LGBTQ+ community, given Schock's long and well-documented record of supporting discriminatory policies as an Illinois lawmaker.

In particular, many took issue with Schock's failure to apologize for the role he played in limiting rights for queer Americans during his four terms in office.

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Former Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois came out as gay via a lengthy letter shared to Instagram and his website on Thursday, to very little surprise or fanfare from the LGBTQ+ community. But the polarizing news still generated a flood of reactions on social media.

"I am gay," Schock wrote in the announcement. "For those who know me and for many who only know of me, this will come as no surprise," Schock said in a very lengthy Instagram post about his decision to open up about his sexuality to the public. "For the past year, I have been working through a list of people who I felt should finally hear the news directly from me before I made a public statement. I wanted my mother, my father, my sisters, my brother, and my closest friends to hear it from me first."

"The fact that I am gay is just one of those things in my life in need of explicit affirmation, to remove any doubt and to finally validate who I am as a person," he continued. "In many ways I regret the time wasted in not having done so sooner."

Elected to Congress in 2008 at 27, Schock served four terms before resigning in March 2015 after being accused of improperly spending campaign and taxpayer dollars, as well as questionable dealings with donors. He was later indicted in 2016 by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and theft, until prosecutors reached an agreement in 2019 and the charges were dropped. Schock claims he has since repaid and reimbursed all parties involved.

Story continues

Schock's sexuality has been a topic of speculation for years, despite his repeated support of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as a lawmaker. Memorably, he voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and against the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Now, queer and marginalized communities are finding it difficult to embrace him.

In his letter, Schock noted that if he were in Congress today, he would "support L.G.B.T.Q. rights in every way" he could. But many took issue with Schock's failure to apologize for making life more difficult for queer Americans over the course of his political career.

Wrath of Chaka Khan #BlueWave2020 (@ta2t2o) March 5, 2020

Schock noted in the letter that "fellow gays active in politics" warned him about "what to expect from the LGBTQ public." And indeed, few on Twitter found it easy to empathize with what Schock called "a tough and lonely career ordeal."

Some offered slightly more empathetic takes, acknowledging how difficult coming out can be under the best circumstances, much less as a GOP wunderkind who was raised in a religious household in the rural Midwest.

That said, Schock's remorse, though seemingly sincere, may not be enough to rehabilitate his public image.

"This journey has taught me a valuable lesson," his letter concludes. "Whether you are gay or straight, it's never too late to be authentic and true to yourself."

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Mark Wahlberg says he will never hide relationship with God, reveals he shares faith with peers

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Actor Mark Wahlberg recently sat down for an interview with Today and shared the details behind his prayer life and why he is so outspoken about his faith.

While promoting his new Netflix movie, Spenser Confidential, the Hollywood star got candid about his daily prayer life and devotional practices with NBC host Harry Smith. Wahlberg is a devout Catholic who has a strict daily routine that always kicks off with prayer.

That's the most important thing. I take a day off, I take two days a week off from the gym now. I don't take a day off from getting on my hands and my knees and reading my prayer book and my daily devotionals and, first of all, expressing the gratitude that I have for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me, Wahlberg told Today on Monday about his spiritual discipline.

And then, of course, asking for the strength and guidance to be able to use the talents and gifts that God's given me to help others and inspire and know what right is and to do so ... to be the best husband I can be, best father I can be, he added.

When describing how much time he puts into his prayer life, Wahlberg shared that it depends on how long his prayer list is.

I meet people along the way, and I add people to my prayers. If I see somebody in public eye, or that I read in the newspaper somebody that's struggling, somebody that has a child that's having a health issue, stuff like that, I add them to my prayers, and I usually ended up keeping them in my prayers, he explained. So it's now 20 minutes of praying, actual praying, and then my reading and stuff like that.

The Boston native opened up about which passages in the Bible really impact him. He highlighted the content Jesus taught in Matthew 13.

The idea of being good soil and bearing good fruit, where it's sprinkled, how it's used, how you absorb that information. Do you really retain that information? Wahlberg said. Yeah. Those are the more powerful things.

Having faith in God is what informs the actors everyday life, he told Smith. The father of four said it helps him reflect on how fortunate and blessed he is and encourages him to be a positive member of the community and Church.

Although he does not believe in imposing his beliefs on others, he did say that he has several people in Hollywood that he shares his faith with.

Look, I will not hide the fact that I love the Lord and I want to be committed to serving the Lord, but I also don't jam it down anybody's throat. But it's better to never have known God than to deny God. I mean, that's not a good look. That's not a good look, Wahlberg noted.

That being said, there are people that I'm close to that I will send devotionals to and try to encourage them.

The popular Wahlberg brother had revealed to The Christian Post in a past interview that prayer is the way I love to start my day, finish my day."

"I've been very blessed and very fortunate. And it's because of the focus that I put on my faith and on my family that have allowed me to accomplish so many things.
UPDATE (March 6, 6 p.m.): Two more cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Fort Bend County, health officials said.

The patients, two women in their 60s, were exposed to the virus as part of a trip to Egypt, the same trip that all of the other area people diagnosed with the pneumonia-like disease made in February. The women are self-quarantined at home, one with mild symptoms and the other no longer symptomatic.

Earlier, the Houston health department reported another case of the new coronavirus. The patient, also a woman between 60 and 70, was exposed to the virus in Egypt. She is hospitalized in stable condition.

The number of Houston-area residents infected now stands at 8.

UPDATE (March 6, 12:33 p.m.): Officials are reporting a second case of the new coronavirus in the city of Houston, the sixth in the Houston area.

Local health officials Thursday confirmed four more cases of the new coronavirus, all in Harris County, as the feared disease began taking hold in the Houston area.

The new cases involved four people in their 60s who were exposed to the virus during a trip to Egypt last month also taken by a Fort Bend man in his 70s whose case was confirmed Wednesday by a Houston laboratory. The five people contracted the virus independently of each other and developed respiratory symptoms after returning to Texas.

We expect to see more cases in coming days as we receive test results back, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Were very much in the containment phase.

At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Sylvester Turner urged people to minimize foreign travel, the common denominator in the cases. He said that this would be an excellent time for people to engage in staycations, especially with spring break coming up.

WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus hits Harris County, Fort Bend and the Houston area. Here's everything we know so far.

Hidalgo stressed that there is no evidence here yet of any community spread of the pneumonia-like disease, known as COVID-19. The virus that causes it, which originated in China, now has infected nearly 100,000 people and killed more than 3,300 people in at least 81 countries, including the U.S., where the number of cases has spiked significantly this week.

Four of the Houston-area patients remain hospitalized in stable condition and the fifth is self-quarantined at home with mild symptoms, according to health officials. The officials would not disclose when they developed symptoms  the period during which the disease becomes contagious  but said it was after they returned to Houston from Egypt in late February.

The new cases include a Rice employee, a woman, whose subsequent contact with 14 university faculty, staff and doctoral students currently has them in self-quarantine away from campus. The other three new cases are men whose local, post-symptom contacts are in the process of being traced by local health officials.

More Information Editor's note: This guide is intended to ensure our readers are provided the most useful information concerning COVID-19 What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure, health officials said. They include: Fever Cough Difficulty breathing How do I avoid contracting the virus? The CDC says that the risk of getting coronavirus is low in the U.S. People should: Avoid touching their faces Avoid close contact with sick people Stay home when sick Frequently wash hands Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces with household cleaning supplies Wear a face mask only if they show symptoms of coronavirus If I think I actually have contracted coronavirus where do I go? Harris County Public Health Director Dr. Umair Shah said the first thing to do is to self-quarantine. He said not to show up in an emergency department, a hospital or a clinic. Contact the facility ahead of time so they know you may be sick. Inform them of your symptoms and any recent travel to affected countries or exposure to people who have traveled to places on the CDC's restricted travel list. Medical experts recommend calling your doctor only if you have traveled to an area with coronavirus outbreak or been in contact with someone who recently had traveled there within the last two weeks. How to reach the Fort Bend County where the first nonimported case in Texas was reported on Wednesday? To reach the Fort Bend County phone bank with questions, members of the public can call 281-633-7795 and physicians can call 281-344-6118. It will operate from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. See More Collapse

CORONAVIRUS IN HOUSTON: Expert says you should prepare like it's a hurricane

The four individuals include three living in unincorporated areas of Harris County and one in the city of Houston.

We are doing everything we can to find who else was exposed to these individuals, said Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health. We are aware and have been investigating individuals who went on the trip to Egypt.

The five people who contracted the coronavirus all took the trip as personal travel. Egypt currently is not on the Center for Disease Control and Preventions restricted travel list.

Though he advised against foreign travel, Turner encouraged residents to go about their daily business, not become paralyzed by fear. Earlier in the day, in a show of support for Asiatown businesses that have reported declining sales and fewer patrons because of coronavirus concerns, Turner gathered a team of city leaders for a lunch meeting at Ocean Palace.

At the restaurant, Turner took out his personal bottle of sanitizer and shared it with colleagues before they dug into dim sum.

In the U.S., there have been more than 200 COVID-19 cases, up from 15 last week, in 19 states. Fourteen deaths have been linked to the virus, all but one in the Seattle area, an ominous trend according to one Houston expert.

'REALLY UNFORTUNATE': Austin mayor cancels SXSW festival over coronavirus concerns

Houston has a lot in common with Seattle, Peter Hotez, founding dean of the Baylor College of Medicine National School of Tropical Medicine, said in a telephone inteview from Washington, where he testified on the threat Thursday before a House committee. Were an international hub, with a diverse population, and our economies depend on that. We should expect more cases here.

Dr. David Persse, the health authority for the city of Houston, asked health professionals to refrain from requesting testing without a legitimate reason to believe the patient has contracted the disease. He noted that local authorities have a limited ability to process tests.

Houstons public health lab gained a single test kit to analyze samples on Wednesday, allowing the city to conduct its own tests instead of sending samples to the CDC in Atlanta. The kit has the capacity to test 700 specimens suspected of carrying the disease, enough for about 250 to 400 patients.

The lab presumptively confirmed the presence of the coronavirus in the Fort Bend man and two of the three men in Harris County. The CDC must still make final confirmation of those cases. The CDC confirmed the case involving the Rice employee and one of the other men in Harris County.

Local health departments expect to receive more resources to test the coronavirus and counter its spread thanks to an $8.3 billion emergency aid measure approved by the Senate Thursday and expected to be signed by President Donald Trump. Most of the bipartisan package will go to such agencies.

'ONLY A MATTER OF TIME': Coronavirus case marks milestone for region

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that six labs in the state  Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock and Fort Worth are the others  are now able to test for the virus. The states lab response network will be fully online by the end of the month.

Persse expressed optimism for Houstons ability to respond to any coronavirus outbreak here, noting its advantage of having gone through similar drills with hurricanes and flooding that have stressed our health care system.

Though the disease can be fatal, health officials emphasize that more than 80 percent of people who have contracted the COVID-19 virus worldwide have experienced only mild to moderate symptoms and fully recover. The officials urged residents to take sensible measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19: washing hands, avoiding touching your face, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your mouth when you sneeze or ocugh, and disinfecting surfaces often.

Dylan McGuinness, Taylor Goldstein, Gwendolyn Wu and Lisa Gray contributed to this report.

todd.ackerman@chron.com

julian.gill@chron.com
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
The East New Orleans and Algiers Regional Libraries are hosting JOB1 Career Solutions to offer help for those looking for employment or skills training.

Staff will be on hand to connect job seekers to resources and opportunities on Tuesdays at Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive, and on Wednesdays at East New Orleans Regional, 5641 Read Blvd., through the end of June.

Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and will cover areas including resume assistance, job leads, assessments, self-paced job readiness, labor market assistance, computer and HiSET preparation courses, financial literacy workshops and supportive service applications. This program is presented in partnership with the JOB1 Office of Workforce Development and the City of New Orleans Office of Youth and Families.

'THE INVISIBLE CLASS': The documentary The Invisible Class will be screened at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 1611 Caffin Ave. A panel discussion led by local homelessness experts and service providers will follow.

From the people in the streets, to root causes, "The Invisible Class" explores homelessness in America. After a decade in the making, it was released independently in 2019 by creator Josh Hayes. Hayes, of California, is organizing a national homeless education campaign through community screenings, employee training and educational outreach.

Panelists at the library will include representatives from the New Orleans Police Department's homeless unit, homeless prevention service organizations and a formerly homeless person.

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

Attendees will learn what resources are available in the community, how to help someone from becoming homeless, and how to respond in a compassionate way to people experiencing homelessness, particularly within the Lower 9th Ward.

HOUSING PROGRAM: Activist, scholar and author Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor will discuss her new work, Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership, at the Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, as part of the librarys All About Housing program series.

The series runs through May and will feature topics ranging from how to buy a home and renters rights to being a landlord. For details and program dates, visit nolalibrary.org/events and enter "All About Housing" in the events search bar.

PAINT PARTY: An after-hours teen paint party will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, at the East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd. The two-hour-long party will give teens an opportunity to create their own masterpiece and work on projects to display in the library. All supplies will be provided, and pizza will be served.

WOMEN IN ART: In celebration of Women's History Month, Judith Bonner, senior curator and curator of art for The Historic New Orleans Collection, will discuss the history of women artists in New Orleans from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, at the Nix Library, 1401 S. Carrollton Ave.

THEATER FOR ADULTS: A workshop for adults interested in theater will be presented by multidisciplinary artist LaVonna Varnado at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd. Participants will learn an eclectic mix of theater techniques in order to increase their creative thinking.
Could not say no to Pulwama terrorists, they were armed and dangerous

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: The family of a 23 year old lady, arrested in connection with the Pulwama attack said that they could not deny entry to the terrorists as they were armed.

Days after making a crucial breakthrough in the Pulwama attack case, the National Investigation Agency has arrested a father daughter duo.

The NIA has identified the lady as Ishna Jan, 23. The NIA alleges that the house that belongs to her father Tariq Ahmed Shah was used by the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar.

Accused Insha Jan, facilitated the terrorists at their home and provided food and other logistics during their stay on more than 15 occasions for 2-4 days each time, in their house during the year 2018-2019.

Ishna Jan, the 23 year old lady who provided food and logistics to Pulwama bomber

Initial interrogation has revealed that Insha Jan was in constant touch with Mohd. Umar Farooq, Pakistani IED maker and was in communication with him over telephone and other social media applications.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

Tariq Ahmed Shah facilitated all the terrorists at his house for sheltering and for planning of the heinous attack on the CRPF convoy.

His house was also used by the above mentioned terrorists for preparing and recording of video of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which was released by Jaish-e-Mohammad soon after the Pulwama attack.

Tariq's wife, Naseema said that the terrorists visited their home, but they were unable to say no as they were armed. I requested them to leave, but they refused, she also said. Once my husband even fled from home.

The terrorists, who were armed however said that they would stay only one night.

This development comes in the backdrop of the NIA last week arrested an Over Ground Worker (OWG) identified as a Shakir Bashir Magrey, a resident of Kakapora, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.

Bashir a furniture shop owner is accused of providing shelter to the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar.

He is also accused of providing logistics to the bomber. The Pulwama attack had claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans.

It was in the year 2018 that Bashir was introduced to Dar by a Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Umar Farooq. During his interrogation, he said that on numerous occasions he had collected arms, ammunition and cash and delivered it to those involved in the Pulwama attack.

He also said that he had harboured Dar and Farooq in his house from 2018 onwards until the attack that took place in February 2019. He assisted them in the preparation of the Improvised Explosive Devices, he also revealed.

His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019, and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it.

Father-daughter duo arrested by NIA in connection with Pulwama attack

Further, he was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED in it in early February,2019.

During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained by NIA to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic examination of the tiny remnants of the car, which were seized from the spot during extended searches. This has been corroborated by accused Shakir Bashir Magrey.

The explosives used in the attack were determined to be Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro- Glycerin and RDX through forensic investigation. Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father.

Other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be Muddasir Ahmad Khan, (JeM's Divisional Commander of South Kashmir killed in an operation by security forces on 11-03-2019) Pakistani terrorists viz. Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, (both killed on 29-03-2019) the owner of the car viz. Sajjad Ahmad Bhat r/o Marhama, Anantnag (killed on 16-06-2019) and Qari Yassir, JeM's Commander for Kashmir (killed on 25-01-2020).
We invest in training to ensure that our employees are continuously improving their skills and staying up to date with advances in their industries and changes in legislation. Our training also helps us to ensure the wellbeing of our staff, so that our employees are happy to work for us. This enables us to retain leading experts while benefiting from enhanced productivity.

Our investment in training has impacts far beyond our company. We have a network of offices and laboratories that extends around the world, and our employees carry their training with them wherever they go. They can use the skills they have learned to make positive contributions to society in countries around the globe. Our training also provides employees with the resources to pursue new career opportunities, adding value to society through their increased employability.

We estimate that our investment in training and development programs, which represented almost 2.7 million workforce hours in 2017, has had an impact on society of more than CHF 188 million.

How We Measure the Value to Society of Our Training

The value to society from training is derived from the benefits gained by the individuals who complete it. Using existing research studies to determine Social Return on Investment (SROI), we calculate the benefits of training that our employees accrue due to enhanced employment activities and increased earnings. The quantified impacts, in monetary terms, are calculated using total investment in training and development multiplied by the SROI.

Using Training to Embed a Culture of Integrity

Integrity is essential to SGS. Therefore, we provide integrity training for all of of our employees. This training begins during the onboarding process and continues throughout an employee's time at SGS. All new hires must learn about the SGS Code of Integrity and complete an e-learning module on integrity within three months of joining.

Afterward, they are required to attend Annual Integrity Training (AIT), which covers all aspects of our Code of Integrity, including human rights, bribery, corruption, non-discrimination, employee relations and safety. This training is available both online and in the classroom, ensuring that all employees have the opportunity to complete it. 91,500 employees, 94% of our workforce, attended the AIT in 2018. Each year, the content of our AIT is refreshed, using case studies drawn from issues that arise in the business.

Quarterly Integrity Talks complement the AIT. During these talks, supervisors and their teams discuss important integrity issues that are covered in the Code of Integrity and are related to their work in the field. 74 countries participated in 2018.

About SGS

As the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 94,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. SGS Group is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 15:42:45|Editor: xuxin

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WARSAW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- "We will spare no effort to complete the project without delay," said Lin Tao in Szczecin, a port in northwestern Poland, where Chinese workers are making the final preparations for the ground-breaking of a dock building and dredging project.

The deep water harbor project between China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) and the leading Polish chemical company Grupa Azoty is part of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a halt of flights from China and visa approvals for Chinese travelers, but Lin, director of the CHEC Polish branch said the project is going well with minimal impact from the novel coronavirus.

"The problem was that some Chinese staff couldn't come by February as scheduled, and we recruited local workers," he said.

Pointing to the face masks and disinfectants at office, Lin told Xinhua that they have also taken prevention measures including a 14-day self-quarantining after arrival from areas hit hard by the novel coronavirus.

For Pinggao Group, the Chinese company currently undertaking five projects for Poland's electricity grid operator, working from home is a must to stem possible infections of COVID-19.

Of the five projects, two are categorized as European Union (EU) major projects set to be delivered in June. "In order to deliver the projects on time, our managing team has made work arrangements and coordinated assignments remotely from China using WeChat and email," said Li Xiao, general manager of Pinggao's Polish branch.

Effective virus prevention is a priority. Pinggao has made a contingency plan, including "checking the temperature of our employees regularly ... At the same time, we keep local staff well-informed about the virus to ensure there are no imported cases through our company," Li said.

For the Peljesac Bridge at Mali Ston Bay in Croatia, some 500 construction workers were deployed at the site in order to keep up with the schedule, according to Lu Shengwei, local representative for China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

In addition, a Chinese cargo ship carrying huge steel box girders arrived on Feb. 29 after a month-long voyage, barely in time for the EU-funded project to be completed as planned.

The ship's 22 crew members had unexpected health checks at the ports of Singapore and the Suez Canal, and they sailed into the Croatian waters just one day before a COVID-19 case was confirmed in the Balkan country.

Having prepared itself for a worst-case scenario, the CRBC is determined to complete the project without delay. For example, to get enough building materials, the Chinese contractor has expanded purchases locally and in other countries.

In Stanari, a small town in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a Chinese-built thermal power plant is operating with five members of the Chinese operation and maintenance team returning on Feb. 5 from the Chinese New Year holidays.

Mayor Dusan Panic has expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the power plant and his confidence in China.

"No virus can disrupt the friendly relations between the two nations, and I also hope that China Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) will continue to be present in BiH and Stanari," Panic told Xinhua.

"If I'm needed in China, I would go immediately to show there is no need for fear and panic," he said.

According to Katarina Zakic, research fellow at Serbia's Institute of International Politics and Economics, the projects managed by Chinese companies in his country have not been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

"I don't think there will be problems ... Zijin Mining in Bor and Hesteel Serbia factory in Smederevo are working regularly. We are still in the first stages of building the tire factory in Zrenjanin by company Shandong Linglong," he said.

(by Xinhua reporters Zhang Zhang, Chen Xu in Warsaw, Gao Lei in Zagreb, Zhang Xiuzhi in Sarajevo and Shi Zhongyu in Belgrade)
In view of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and the stipulation from the Spanish Healthcare Ministry that Spanish healthcare workers should not attend national or international conferences, the organizers of the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-12) have taken the decision to postpone the conference, which was due to start on Wednesday 18 March in Barcelona, Spain.

It will now take place from 30 September to 2 October 2020 at the same venue in Barcelona.

The EBCC-12 organizing committee have told participants and the wider breast cancer community that they feel a responsibility towards the 2,500 healthcare workers expected to attend EBCC-12 and their primary concern is for the health and welfare of all participants and staff, as well as the wider community.

They also believe that it is their collective responsibility to do what they can to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading further and to reduce the numbers of people travelling between countries at the present time.

This is the only truly multidisciplinary conference in Europe that involves all the major players in breast cancer, facilitating essential interaction and communication between scientists, clinicians and patient representatives. The organizers hope you will be able to attend in September and look forward to seeing all their many friends and colleagues then.

The organizing committee is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide further updates when necessary.
Burma Lawsuit Against Yangon Water Bus to Move Ahead, Fuel Bills Still Unpaid

Yangon Water Bus vessels in operation in 2019. / Thet Tun Naing / The Irrawaddy

YANGONPetro & Trans Group of Companies has said it will still sue Tint Tint Myanmar Co., the operator of the Yangon Water Bus service, despite the operators efforts to pay back over 77 million kyats (US$55,700) of unpaid bills for fuel purchases.

In a statement released Thursday, Tint Tint Myanmar Co. said the operator went to the office of Petro & Trans Co to pay the bills in cash but the fuel company could not show the original invoices so the operator did not pay the bills.

Petro & Trans has said it is likely to bring legal proceedings against Tint Tint Myanmar Co. next week.

Between Sept. 4 and Dec. 9, 2018, Tint Tint Myanmar Co. reportedly bought over 77 million kyats worth of fuel for its water buses on credit. Company chairwoman Daw Tint Tint Lwin reportedly signed an agreement that her company would pay the amount in full by Aug. 15, 2019, but according to Petro & Trans lawyer U Than Tun, the company did not.

Petro & Trans announced in state-run newspapers on Feb. 15 that it would take legal action against Tint Tint Myanmar Co. The operator then told Petro & Trans it would pay the bills in full on Tuesday, later adding that they would make the payments in instalments.

But according to U Than Tun, Tint the operators announcement came three days after a deadline set by Petro & Trans and the company never agreed to the operators terms.

We dont want to be paid that way. We want the payment in full, said U Than Tun. They have given promises time and again to pay the bills. They want to give it in five or six installments.

The Yangon Water Bus service was launched on Oct. 7, 2017 in order to ease traffic congestion in the commercial capital offer a more modern, comfortable alternative to the citys regular ferry service. It began operating between Botahtaung and Insein townships and later added weekly river cruises and boat tours to its services.

In September last year, the operator announced a temporary suspension of its operations, reportedly in order to improve its services and introduce a card payment system. It has not made any further announcement since then.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

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Hong Kong: 225 residents home safely

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government safely brought home 225 Hong Kong residents stranded in Hubei Province on another two chartered flights.

The two flights carried 179 Hong Kong residents evacuated from Wuhan, and 46 citizens in other parts of Hubei who have an urgent need to return to Hong Kong.

Upon arrival in Hong Kong they were taken to the quarantine centre in Chun Yeung Estate to undergo 14 days of quarantine observation. They will also be tested for the COVID-19 virus.

With the return of 244 Hong Kong residents by two chartered flights on March 4, the Hong Kong SAR Government has brought back a total of 469 Hong Kong residents stranded in Hubei in the operation.

The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Hubei provincial government to discuss matters relating to bringing back Hong Kong residents in other parts of the province according to the principles of arranging it by batches and giving priority to urgent cases.

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Value investing is always a very popular strategy, and for good reason. After all, who doesnt want to find stocks that have low PEs, solid outlooks, and decent dividends?

Fortunately for investors looking for this combination, we have identified a strong candidate which may be an impressive value; Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao CBD.

Companhia Brasileira in Focus

CBD may be an interesting play thanks to its forward PE of 12.2, its P/S ratio of 0.3, and its decent dividend yield of 1.2%. These factors suggest that Companhia Brasileira is a pretty good value pick, as investors have to pay a relatively low level for each dollar of earnings, and that CBD has decent revenue metrics to back up its earnings.

Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao PS Ratio (TTM)

Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao PS Ratio (TTM)

Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao ps-ratio-ttm | Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao Quote

But before you think that Companhia Brasileira is just a pure value play, it is important to note that it has been seeing solid activity on the earnings estimate front as well. For current year earnings, the consensus has gone up by 3.9% in the past 60 days, thanks to one upward revision in the past two months compared to none lower.

This estimate strength is actually enough to push CBD to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting it is poised to outperform. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

So really, Companhia Brasileira is looking great from a number of angles thanks to its PE below 20, a P/S ratio below one, and a strong Zacks Rank, meaning that this company could be a great choice for value investors at this time.

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South Korea's premier has criticized Japan's 14-day quarantine on all visitors from South Korea due to its viral outbreak, demanding that Tokyo immediately withdraw the ''excessive and irrational measures.''



South Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun made the comments during a government meeting about quarantine strategies Friday and said Seoul will pursue unspecified countermeasures.



Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Japan will quarantine all visitors from China and South Korea for 14 days before they are allowed an entry permit. They will be sent to a government facility for the quarantine and will not be allowed to use public transportation.













Japan and South Korea spent most of 2019 feuding over trade and wartime history issues.



South Korea on Friday reported 196 more cases of infection with the new coronavirus, raising its total to 6,284. It's the second-highest total behind China, which has more than 80,000. (AP)
He began with Debussys Prelude a LApres-midi dun Faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), the episodic and elusive classic that Thomas Mann described in The Magic Mountain as depravity with the best of consciences. Based on a Mallarme poem, the music opens with the unhurried ease of a summer day, with added sultriness on Thursday from the Philharmonics principal flutist, Robert Langevin.

If the orchestra played at first with a strained delicacy, it was because Mr. Langrees style  a tendency toward relaxed tempos, an insistence on the power of softness  isnt a natural fit for the Philharmonics hard edge. As the concert progressed, though, the musicians settled into something like a compromise: steeliness in a plush coating. Debussys three Nocturnes, for example, had a mistiness in Nuages, yet forceful euphoria in Fetes and, with the Womens Chorus from the Juilliard School, a glistening eeriness in Sirenes.

Isabel Leonard, a Metropolitan Opera regular and an elegantly toned mezzo-soprano, joined for Ravels Sheherazade, a Debussy-tinged setting of three poems expressing wanderlust and longing. She treated each as a monodrama, with its own story and protagonist; in the final section, LIndifferent, her alluringly rounded musical phrases embodied the narrators yearning, swept up in the thrall of mysterious desire.

The program took a Russian turn for its conclusion, Scriabins Le Poeme de lExtase (Poem of Ecstasy). At times reminiscent of the blissed-out love duet from Wagners Tristan und Isolde, it is almost parodically cosmic, more openly burning than the earlier works by Debussy and Ravel.

As with those pieces, Mr. Langree could have led a more brisk reading. But his approach  lush, flowing, feeling  revealed its payoff in a spectacular finale that deployed the orchestras full sound, with an added organ and bells. It was clear that, in the long arc of this impressively cohesive program, his soft-spokenness had been building toward a climax of deafening grandeur.

New York Philharmonic

This program repeats Saturday and Tuesday at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center; nyphil.org.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 00:01:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HONG KONG, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Starting from March 8, all passengers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport from other places will need to submit their health declaration forms.

The Department of Health of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government issued a statement on Friday night, saying that from Sunday, health declaration forms will be expanded to all arrival flights.

To reduce the use of paper, the Department of Health will help passengers to submit online forms.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health also suggests that residents may consider deferring any unnecessary outbound trips.
New Delhi, March 6 : Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday adjourned the House till March 11 following continuous disruptions by opposition members who demanded a discussion on the Delhi violence in February.

This is the fifth day in row when the Upper House of Parliament could not transact any business due to the opposition uproar.

The opposition has upped the ante despite the fact that discussion on the issue will be held after Holi on March 10.

As the House proceedings began earlier in the day, Naidu read out a statement to mark the International Women's Day on March 8, wherein he lauded women's role in all spheres of life. He said that he chose to make the remarks on Friday since March 8 was a holiday.

The Chairman also observed that the media should have highlighted a statement on coronavirus by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the House on Thursday since it was an issue of public concern. He said that "unfortunately a section of the media did not focus on it".

He thereafter initiated the Zero Hour, following which opposition members stood up near their seat and raised slogans in support of their demand.

Naidu asked BJP member Kailash Soni to speak, after which opposition lawmakers from the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Trinamool Congress trooped near the Chairman's podium and began raising slogans.

Warning some of the agitating members who stood near his seat, Naidu said that if they did not return to their seats, he would name them.

However, he warning was ignored by opposition members who kept on sloganeering. The Chairman then adjourned the House till 11 am on March 11.

On Thursday also, Naidu adjourned the House following opposition demand for an immediate discussion on the Delhi riots. After appealing to the members to stop sloganeering, Naidu said: "This is Parliament, not a bazaar."
The public is invited to join eight New Mexico high school students at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe, as they compete to become state champion in the 2020 Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest.

New Mexico finalists are Simran Grover of Arrowhead Park Medical Academy in Las Cruces; Dustin Poling of Clayton High School; Analisa Ibarra of La Cueva High School in Albuquerque; Gabriel Boston-Friedman of New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe; Zoe Sloan Callan of Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque; Maysie Kilgore of Public Academy for Performing Arts in Albuquerque; Lizzett Solis of Rio Grande Preparatory Institute in Las Cruces; and Lily Sanborn of Taos High School.

The state champion will receive $200, plus $500 for their school library for the purchase of poetry books, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National Finals in April. The National Champion receives $20,000 in prizes.

Since the competition began 15 years ago, more than 13,000 high school students have participated, organizers said in a news release. This year, 894 students and 20 teachers took part at the classroom level across New Mexico.

The Poetry Out Loud program seeks to promote poetry in the classroom and community, organizers said. Performers will be judged on physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of dramatization, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.

The New Mexico Museum of Art is at 107 W. Palace Ave. in Santa Fe For more information on this free event, contact Phyllis Kennedy, New Mexico Arts, at (505) 476-0520 or (800) 879-4278 (statewide), or email phyllis.kennedy@state.nm.us.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
The U.S. military and its warfighting command centers in the Pentagon are prepared to continue operations even if there is a local outbreak of the new coronavirus, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday, as the department began finalizing its response plans.

Although only one soldier and a handful of family members and Defense Department civilians have so far tested positive for the virus, tens of thousands of troops are in countries and regions that have been hardest hit, including South Korea and portions of Europe.

The nation's more than 2.1 million active duty, Guard and Reserve forces are spread all around the globe. And they are one of the nation's last lines of defense against any outside threats or disasters during an outbreak, as well as a force that could be used as a last-resort to maintain order or enforce quarantines within the U.S. in the case of a pandemic.

Our national military command center has the capability to go for weeks at a time if they have to be locked down inside the building if we have some type of outbreak, Esper told reporters during a Pentagon press conference. He said the Pentagon is finalizing plans to prevent the spread of the virus across the force and military installations and also mitigate it in the event of any outbreak.

Already on Thursday, workers were wiping down doorknobs at the Mark Center, a major Defense Department complex in northern Virginia, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff had set up a 24-hour operations center inside the Pentagon to track the virus and any impact on the military.

Esper said that U.S. Forces Korea, where the solder and his wife and child tested positive, has set up a good model for other military commands to follow.

Army Gen. Robert Abrams, top commander of U.S. forces in Korea, has implemented restrictions on off-base travel  to include non-essential social events and eat-in seated dining"  and allowed non-essential civilian workers and contractors to stay home. Abrams has also kept up a constant barrage of information to the troops, ranging from simple hygiene procedures to updates and even photos on Twitter of his visits with personnel affected by the virus.

Abrams, with his #IKILLthevirus mantra, has also done his own inspection of the local commissary to make sure the shelves were stocked and workers were wiping down displays and adhering to hygiene procedures.

Esper said the Pentagon is reviewing a number of measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including travel restrictions. He said he will get recommendations next week and hopes to begin putting some measures into effect by the end of next week. He did not provide details.

Already a number of military exercises have been curtailed or cancelled, travel has been restricted in some regions of Asia and Europe and some Navy ships in Europe have instituted a two-week quarantine period between port visits.

On Thursday, medical research professionals from the Army provided new details about their efforts to help develop better, more rapid testing as well as a longer-term vaccine for the virus, which has killed 12 people and infected more than 200 in the U.S.

Working with other federal agencies and private health companies, they said Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is looking at how to adapt existing vaccines, but echoed other U.S. experts who've said a vaccine for the public is 12 to 18 months away. A quick-response field test for the virus will also not be available any time soon, they said.

Army researchers said they got a sample of the virus from of the the patients who tested positive in Washington. They are using that to develop a vaccine as well as other countermeasures, such as drugs to boost immunity. Already, they said, they are doing some vaccine testing on mice.

The Pentagon has been unable, however, to provide a variety of details, including how many service members have been tested for the virus and how many test kits are available, amid lingering questions about whether military commands and bases currently have enough of those kits.
The protein sequences of the new coronavirus are anywhere from around 75% to 99% identical to the SARS virus. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Scientists around the globe have been scrambling to decode the new coronavirus and figure out how exactly it infects humans in order to develop antiviral drugs or a vaccine, both urgently needed.

One of the approaches is to investigate the striking similarity between the virus that causes Covid-19, officially known as SARS-CoV-2, and its coronavirus cousin  SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In 2002 and 2003, an outbreak of SARS killed more than 700 people globally, most of whom lived in Hong Kong or on the Chinese mainland.

Researchers are also hoping to determine whether experimental SARS treatments that had been developed but later shelved after that outbreak was contained could also help treat Covid-19.

Mapping the virus

After Chinese scientists shared the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a global database, experts at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the University of Texas at Austin began delving into the make-up of the new coronavirus. The result of their work was published on the journal Sciences website on Feb. 20.

They identified the structure of an important protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. The information will aid in the design of candidate vaccines and the development of treatments for Covid-19, the NIAID said in a press release.

Seen in a 3D map, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is spherical and has mushroom-shaped proteins called spikes protruding from its surface, giving the virus a crown-like appearance.

The spikes can rearrange themselves to bind with human cells, allowing the virus to infect them. The researchers believe infections can be prevented or slowed if this process is disrupted.

The researchers confirmed that the original spikes stabilized in their pre-fusion conformation are more likely to preserve targets for infection-blocking antibodies induced by a vaccine, the NIAID said.

The new data supports the NIAIDs approach to create a gene-based vaccine for Covid-19, which will also be useful in approaches to create other vaccines, including protein-based vaccines, as well as other nucleic acid or vector-based delivery approaches, it said.

NIAID and biotechnology company Moderna Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are developing a messenger RNA vaccine, which directs the bodys cells to elicit an immune response.

Although the new research confirmed a structural similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and the original SARS-CoV, the paper also showed that some antibodies developed to target SARS-CoV do not bind to the new coronavirus, indicating antibodies that recognize SARS-CoV will not necessarily be effective in preventing or treating Covid-19.

Recent reports show that the two respiratory viruses bind to the same receptor on the host cell, but SARS-CoV-2 binds more easily than SARS-CoV, which could potentially explain why SARS-CoV-2 appears to spread more efficiently between humans, according to the press release.

Jason McLellan, an author of the paper and an associate professor of molecular biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin, told Caixin in an email that these 3D maps of the proteins structure are being used by researchers around the world.

Some are using the structures to perform virtual drug screenings, identifying compounds that bind with the spike and prevent it from entering human cells, while others are using the structures to computationally design novel proteins and antibodies that bind to the spike and block its function, McLellan said. Finally, we and others are using the structures to engineer variants of the spike that are more stable and can be produced to very high levels, which will facilitate vaccine development, he said.

Identifying the receptor

Zhou Qiang, a researcher at Westlake University in Hangzhou, East Chinas Zhejiang province and his team dove deep into research on a membrane protein, called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which some suggest is the cellular receptor for the new coronavirus.

Like other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 uses the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the surface spike glycoprotein (S protein) to engage ACE2, according to a paper Zhous team posted on Feb. 19 on bioRxiv, a website where scientists can share early research that hasnt been peer reviewed.

The team determined the structure of the full-length human ACE2 bound to the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2, which will be helpful for understanding how the virus attacks its target, according to Zhang Linqi, director of the Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Daniel Lucey, a senior scholar with the ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, told Caixin that Covid-19 might become the first pandemic coronavirus pneumonia. There are four other coronaviruses that do not cause pneumonia or lower lung infections, but rather upper respiratory infections or colds, Lucey said.

What if SARS research had not been shelved

Karla Satchell, professor of microbiology-immunology at Northwestern University in the U.S., said that the protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2 are anywhere from around 75% to 99% identical to SARS. But even one or two or three small changes can really dramatically affect the function of a protein. More certainly can affect how well a drug or a vaccine might work, she said.

Satchells work started from translating the virus digital model into DNA and proteins in test tubes on which experiments could be conducted. Instead of using the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus, which could put researchers at risk of exposure, the professors team has employed synthetic methods to produce the viruss DNA.

After her team got a DNA sequence, she said, they put the sequence into a bacterium that can be grown in the laboratory and produce the protein. And that process is what were really interested in.

Satchell said the protein constitutes the structure of the virus and drives the virus to duplicate itself.

The professor said that although the key protein is already known, it could take six to nine months from successful testing to clinical trials to develop effective antibodies against the virus.

Satchell added that the earlier SARS research should not have been shelved. There had been potential to develop a vaccine or antiviral drugs from that work, but it never came to fruition, she said. If that research had been carried out, then it would have been easier to address Covid-19 challenges now.

Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 6, 2020) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (the "Company" or "Aires") is pleased to announce a collaborative agreement with Green Space Worldwide Inc., ("Green Space") a performance marketing firm, signed March 6, 2020.

Green Space will market Aires' product bundles across various digital channels, leveraging their internal media buying teams, Rolodex of celebrity influencers, and strategic partners. Green Space's unrivalled technology suite includes automated creative and deployment workflows, predictive key metrics, and extensive data-backed advertising funnels that are designed to drive sales and higher conversion.

"As we get closer to completing our new online global sales platform, which is on time and on budget, our focus will shift to sales and marketing efforts to drive revenue around the globe as high as possible. Further, as we are nearing completion of our online infrastructure build, this agreement with Green Space is one of many collaborative agreements that Aires will pursue in order for the Company to achieve maximum sales for its products globally" commented Dimitry Serov, President and CEO.

"Our philosophy is that direct to consumer brands should scale their advertising campaigns around concrete data and have a system to effectively buy digital media that converts to sales and customers, not clicks and impressions. We believe Aires' focus on global consumer EMF protection represents an explosive new market segment for health and wellness ready to be captured. We look forward to a long, growth-oriented partnership with the global leaders of this industry and aligning our success with the growth of Aires' online sales" said George Aizpurua, CEO of Green Space.

Currently Aires has sold products in 27 different countries.

Aires will pay Green Space a fixed cost per acquisition to be determined for every customer that purchases Aires products through their purpose-built advertising funnels, along with a monthly retainer of USD$10,000 for ongoing development, optimization, and campaign management. Green Space's aim is to deliver sustainable customer acquisition and develop new digital sales channels for Aires. Building new channels, scaling profitable campaigns, and automating key growth processes will allow Aires to grow revenues and profits while having a predictable and fixed cost per acquisition.

About Green Space

Green Space Worldwide Inc. is a performance marketing agency which combines consumer psychology, data monetization, and media buying to achieve sustainable customer acquisition across various digital sales channels. Green Space utilizes a complete technology suite including predictive metrics, data-backed advertising funnels, real-time sales tracking, and internal media buying teams allowing brands to scale their online campaigns with a predictive, and fixed, cost per acquisition. This means that direct to consumer brands can now de-risk their e-commerce strategy with predictive key metrics, customized sales funnels backed by conversion data, and open new sales channels, all without any additional advertising spend required.

Contact:

Waj Arshad, VP, Corporate Development

Email: waj@greenspaceworldwide.com

About American Aires Inc.

American Aires is an Ontario based technology company that is focused on the research, development and implementation of innovative technology solutions to allow consumers to safely engage with electronic products of the 21st century. The Company is currently engaged in the business of production, distribution and sales of products intended to protect persons from the harmful effects of electromagnetic emissions, which is produced from electronic devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, tablets and electric cars to name a few. The Company has developed a technology that restructures and transforms electromagnetic field haze into a more biologically-compatible form to reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation. The Company's current principal products are the Shield Pro, Aires Defender Pro and Aires Guardian.

For more information please visit: www.airestech.com

On behalf of the board of directors

Dimitry Serov, President & Chief Executive Officer

Email: dimitry@airestech.com

Phone: (905) 482-4667

Investor Relations:

Samina Deen, Head of Partnerships

Email: samina@airestech.com

Phone: (416) 320-1634

wifi@airestech.com

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not intended for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53232
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked the transmission of Malayalam TV channels Asianet News and Media One for 48 hours for improper reporting of Delhi riots.

The Ministry prohibited the transmission or re-transmission of the two channels for 48 hours on any platform throughout the country. The action came into effect from Friday 7.30 pm and will be in effect till 7.30 pm on Sunday, March 8.

The action is for violating the provisions of the Cable Television Networks Rules which prohibits "airing attacks on religions or communities, promoting communal attitudes" and "inciting violence, against law and order maintenance and promoting anti-national attitudes", the order said.

ALSO READ | Delhi riots death toll rises to 53; police maintain number stands at 44

Among the reasons cited by the Information and Broadcasting ministry in banning Media One was this: Channels reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS.

The ministry had on February 25 issued a warning to channels against airing contents that incite violence or promote anti-national attitudes. On February 28, show cause notices were served on the channels. The channels later submitted their explanations.

The ministry's final notice to Asianet News, issued on Friday, said: "While reporting such critical incident, the channel should have taken utmost care and should have reported it in a balanced way. Such reporting could enhance the communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile."

The notice to Media One said: "Such reporting could enhance the communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile. The Ministry has time and again issued advisories to all News Channels to comply by the provisions of the rules. Due care and responsibility is expected while reporting news based on such incidents."

CPI condemns

CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran has termed the ban as an attack on media freedom. This is a continuation of the various steps taken by the Modi government against media freedom, he said in a statement issued here.
SAN BRUNO (BCN)

The San Bruno Senior Center has been temporarily closed after a potential novel coronavirus exposure at the facility, city officials and the San Mateo County Health Department announced Thursday.

According to the city, three passengers of a Grand Princess Cruise Ship docked off the San Francisco coast due to multiple coronavirus cases visited the senior center in recent weeks to assist the facility's lunch program.

One passenger of the ship, a Placer County resident who is not known to have visited the senior center, has since died from the virus.

The three people were aboard the cruise ship from Feb. 11 to Feb. 21.

None of the individuals are confirmed to have contracted the virus but county health officials advised them to self-quarantine out of caution. One reported low-level cold symptoms Wednesday that have since subsided. The other two have not reported any symptoms of the illness.

The senior center is tentatively scheduled to reopen March 10, barring confirmation of the virus' presence. City officials said they are not aware of any confirmed coronavirus cases within San Bruno at this time.

Public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise residents to take multiple precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, including avoiding close contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, cleaning surfaces and objects that are touched frequently and washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Residents can contact the San Mateo County coronavirus public call center at (650) 363-4422 with non-medical questions about the virus. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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.
[March 06, 2020] Intellinetics, Inc. Completes Equity and Debt Financing and Acquires Graphic Sciences, Inc. [Correction]

Financing Restructures Balance Sheet and Provides Platform for Future Growth COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following press release corrects a typographical error in the prior press release. The following correctly states that reverse stock split will be effective for stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 12, 2020, rather than March 12, 2010. Intellinetics, Inc. , (OTCQB: INLX) a cloud-based document solutions provider, announced it has closed an equity and debt private placement financing and raised a total of $5.5 million. From the amount raised in the financing, $3.5 million was used for the initial purchase price of Graphic Sciences, Inc., a company that specializes in document scanning and digital conversion services. Located in Madison Heights, MI. Graphic Sciences had $6.7 million in revenues (unaudited) in its most recent fiscal year, ended September 30, 2019. Simultaneous with the raise, the Company restructured its balance sheet by converting all of its $4.7 million in existing convertible notes into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.08 per share. Further, the stockholders, by written consent of a majority in interest and pursuant to action by the Board of Directors of the Company, have approved a 1-for-50 reverse stock split, which will be effective as of 5:00 p.m., Nevada time, on March 12, 2020, for stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 12, 2020. The Company implemented the debt conversion and reverse split to improve the liquidity and marketability of the Company's common stock, and to provide better ability to respond to potential future opportunities to raise capital and make acquisitions , based upon and subject to future developments in the business and affairs of the Company, and the future status of the capital markets and the economy. The purchase of Graphic Sciences complements Intellinetics document management products and services to highly regulated, risk- and compliance-intensive markets. The IntelliCloud solution suite can now be expanded to include Graphic Sciences document scanning and microfilm services while Graphic Science customers benefit from theoption to gain anywhere, anytime access to their digitized documents via the IntelliCloud Document Management Platform.



We believe that the acquisition of Graphics Sciences will be accretive and lays the groundwork for future growth opportunities, which is part of our ongoing company strategy, stated James F. DeSocio , President & CEO of Intellinetics. We are enthusiastic about the continued strong support of our investor community, and I firmly believe that the synergies and cross-selling opportunities with Graphic Sciences set us on a momentum path for strong organic and inorganic growth. We now have a platform that is more attractive to current and future customers and partners. About Intellinetics, Inc.

Intellinetics, Inc., located in Columbus, Ohio, is a cloud-based content services software provider. Its IntelliCloud suite of solutions serve a mission-critical role for organizations in highly regulated, risk and compliance-intensive markets in Healthcare, K-12, Public Safety, Public Sector, Risk Management, Financial Services and beyond. IntelliCloud solutions make content secure, compliant, and process-ready to drive innovation, efficiencies and growth. For additional information, please visit www.intellinetics.com .

About Graphic Sciences, Inc.

Located in Madison Heights, Michigan, Graphic Sciences, Inc. has been helping organizations become paperless for over 33 years. Through its Image Technology Group and production scanning department, hundreds of millions of images have been converted from paper to digital, paper to microfilm, and microfiche to microfilm for business and federal, county, and municipal governments. Graphic Sciences also provides its clients with long-term paper and microfilm storage and retrieval options. Cautionary Statement Regarding Intellinetics, Inc.

Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding future momentum and growth paths and strategies; synergies and cross-selling opportunities with Graphic Sciences; the ability of the Company to improve the liquidity and marketability of its common stock; the ability of the Company to respond to potential future opportunities to raise capital and make acquisitions; the attractiveness of the Companys platform to future business and new revenues associated with any subsidiary, product, industry, market, initiative, or service; execution of Intellinetics business plan, strategy, direction and focus; and other intentions, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or strategies regarding future growth and other future events are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks associated with acquisitions generally and of Graphic Sciences specifically; the ability of Graphic Sciences to perform as expected by management; the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the products markets, variations in Intellinetics cash flow or adequacy of capital resources, market acceptance risks, the success of Intellinetics channel partners, technical development risks, and other risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed from time to time in its reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in Intellinetics most recent annual report on Form 10-K as well as subsequently filed reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Intellinetics cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Intellinetics disclaims any obligation and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release. Expanded and historical information is made available to the public by Intellinetics on its website at www.intellinetics.com or at www.sec.gov . CONTACT:

Joe Spain, CFO

Intellinetics, Inc.

614.921.8170

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Belarus is pushing for stronger energy ties with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as it moves away from dependence on Russia to help meet its energy demands amidst a recent disagreement with Moscow over the price for crude oil, Caspian News writes in the article Belarus Takes Interest In Azerbaijani & Kazakhstani Oil As Dispute With Russia Drags On. Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhey Rumas said Tuesday his government is looking to buy Azerbaijani crude through a long term contract, according to a statement published to the official website of the countrys prime minister.

We are planning to process this oil at the Mozyr oil refinery using the Odessa-Brody-Mozyr oil pipeline, Rumas said at the meeting with Rovnag Abdullayev, who heads Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR. I believe that such cooperation will be of interest for SOCAR as well, he added.

Earlier this year, Belaruss Belneftekhim has agreed on oil delivery with SOCAR. According to the document, Azerbaijan will supply Belarus with a total of 170,000 tons of crude oil.

A first tanker carrying 85,000 tons of Azerbaijani oil is expected to leave from Ceyhan seaport in Turkey on March 5 or 6. It will head to Ukraines city of Odessa and further to Belarus via the Odessa-Brody pipeline, according to Ibrahim Ahmadov, deputy head of the public relations and events department at SOCAR. The second tanker carrying another 85,000 tons of Azeri Light crude oil is expected to arrive in Odessa on March 20.

Belarus and Russia have been locked in a row over oil supply since January 1, after they failed to agree on terms for 2020. As a result, Minsk  traditionally a close Moscow ally  was prompted to search for oil everywhere, including in Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Baltic countries.

It is not a secret that Belarus is working on diversifying oil supplies, [because] previously we purchased oil from the Russian Federation. [...] Of course, without alternative oil supplies today we cannot talk about Belaruss energy security, said Prime Minister Rumas. This is why we are looking for reliable partners with whom we can conclude long-term contracts. As practice shows, SOCAR can just be such a reliable partner.

Azerbaijan had previously sold oil to Belarus, after pricing disputes with Russia in 2011 forces Minsk to look elsewhere. After subsequent deals with Venezuela fell through, due to the high cost of transportation, officials in Minsk turned to Baku, which supplied oil until agreements with Russia were back on.

At the same time, Belarus does not exclude oil supplies from Russia, according to the high-ranking official. We are not going to completely exclude the supply of Russian oil at this stage, but are simply obliged to diversify them to a certain level, Rumas explained.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is not the only Caspian country Belarus turned to in order to purchase crude oil. In late January, President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the government to negotiate with Kazakhstan an agreement on oil supplies.

Kazakhstan is ranked the worlds ninth-largest crude oil exporter and holds three percent of the worlds total oil reserves, placing it in the number 11 globally and making it the third-largest oil producer in the Caspian region, after Russia and Iran.

But officials in Nur-Sultan take time to agree. The countrys minister of trade and integration, Kairat Torebayev said Monday Kazakhstan was ready to sell oil to Belarus at a price that includes export duties in the amount of $60 per tonne of crude oil.

Once an agreement between our countries will be signed, Belarus will also have to use this export duty so that there are no oil flows from Kazakhstan to the European Union through its territory, he said, according to a report by Sputnik Belarus.

In case Belarus will not pay the export duty Kazakhstans budget will lost about $200 million. We hope that our Belarusian counterparts will be able to properly administer this issue and guarantee that there will be no re-export, and the goods to be produced at the Belarusian refineries will be consumed domestically, Torebayev added.
Here is the headline on a story the New York Times published Thursday night about Bernie Sanders and the Soviet Union.

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You know the context here. Sanders prospective general-election opponent, Donald Trump, was privately pursuing a real estate project in Moscow during the 2016 campaign cycle while publicly speaking in flattering terms about Russian President Vladimir Putin. His top advisers attended a meeting that was pitched to them as an expression of the Russian governments support for the campaign, and he benefited from the Russian hack and release of Democratic emails while advocating for Russia-friendly policy positions on NATO and Ukraine. His campaign manager shared internal data with a Soviet-born business partner who was later described by the Department of Justice as having active ties to Russian intelligence, and his national security adviser resigned after lying to the FBI about efforts to deescalate tensions with Russia over sanctions during the presidential transition. Eventually Trump was impeached in part for pressuring Ukraines new president to announce an investigation into whether Ukraine had framed Russia for the hack of the Democratic emails.

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In sum, the incumbent president of the United States has been used as a tool by the Russian government. And now, theres evidence that maybe Bernie Sanders has too??? Thats the gist.

The Times piece describes itself as an exclusive look at documents that depict the Soviet effort to exploit Mr. Sanderss antiwar agenda for their own propaganda purposes. It goes on:

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The New York Times examined 89 pages of letters, telegrams and internal Soviet government documents revealing in far greater detail the extent of Mr. Sanderss personal effort to establish ties between his city and a country many Americans then still considered an enemy despite the reforms being initiated at the time under Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the Soviet general secretary.

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Crazy! Bernie Sanders, as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, tried to betray the United States! Wow! Really?

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Ah, no:

Nothing in the documents suggests that Mr. Sanders was the only local American official targeted for propaganda, or even that he was particularly receptive to it, though they do describe him as a socialist.

And what year was this taking place?

At the time of Mr. Sanderss announcement in 1987 that Burlington would seek a Soviet sister city, several dozen other American cities already had such a relationship or had applied for one.

A sister-city program in 1987! Well into the period of U.S.-USSR detente initiated by  ah  lets see here  Republican President Ronald Reagan?

And what was Sanders antiwar agenda, anyway?

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Mr. Sanders reached out to the Soviet Union via an organization based in Virginia, requesting a sister-city partnership with the Cold War adversary in an effort to end the threat of nuclear annihilation.

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Bernie Sanders was against nuclear annihilation? Quite a scandal we have on our handsa mayor participating in the kind of cultural exchange, encouraged by an anti-Communist Republican president, that helped end the Cold War!

The pieces justification for its headline and lead is that internal documents show that the Soviets intended to use these friendly visitsin general, theres nothing in the piece suggesting Sanders was treated any differently than anyone else in the U.S. who participatedto spread the idea that Gorbachev also wanted to reduce the threat of nuclear war.

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In a letter to Moscow seeking approval for travel to the United States, Yaroslavl officials pledged that they would talk about the peace-loving foreign policy of the Soviet Union and the changes being implemented by Mr. Gorbachev. They attached a seven-point plan for information-propaganda work on their visit to Burlington, with specific talking points for each of the delegations three members.

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Gorbachev did, in fact, want to prevent nuclear war and liberalize the Soviet government, as evidenced by the fact that this is exactly what he succeeded in doinga project that, again, was directly beneficial to United States interests at the time, as delineated by the U.S. president.

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Participating in Ronald Reagans successful effort to avoid nuclear waris that the same as using the power of the presidency to reward and encourage personal favors from a leader like Putin who pursues the destruction of democratic and human rights regimes through theft, bribery, extrajudicial and ethno-nationalist violence, and disinformation? Is the candidate who joined in the national project of deescalating tensions with a country many Americans then still considered the enemy (by taking a visiting delegation on a pilgrimage to the ice cream maker Ben & Jerrys, among other things) basically on the same footing as the president who profited politically from covert operations against his own country? No, but the Times institutionally doesnt believe that things like proportion or context are its job to worry about, so now the rest of us have to deal with it, possibly for the next eight months or eight years.

For more analysis of the Democratic race, listen to this weeks Political Gabfest.
Greg Kelly, a former close colleague of Carlos Ghosn, said he was "shocked" at the flight from Japan of the ex-Nissan boss and worries it could hamper his own battle against financial misconduct charges. The softly-spoken American, 63, gave a rare interview to AFP as he awaits trial in Tokyo, confiding his surprise at Ghosn's sudden escape to Lebanon and his fears that he will not receive a fair hearing. "I was completely surprised. I had no idea that would happen," Kelly said. "I was shocked." Like Ghosn, Kelly stands accused of conspiring to conceal from shareholders tens of millions of dollars in pay the former chief executive was promised after his retirement. Kelly faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted. "And now he's not here. So, it really makes it to me seem quite difficult to really have a trial now that's going to be fair," he said. "If the leading witness isn't there, how do you really try this case in a logical way?" Often presented as a "right-hand man" or close adviser to Ghosn, Kelly said the two men were not personally close. "I didn't even know he got married," he said of Ghosn's lavish wedding at the Palace of Versailles in 2016 that later attracted criticism. "I met with Carlos Ghosn only twice a month. In terms of a personal relationship, that didn't occur. It was business issues," stressed Kelly, whose discreet style contrasts somewhat with his more brash former boss. - 'Very, very painful' - Kelly and Ghosn both arrived in Tokyo on the same fateful day in November 2018 and were arrested by Japanese authorities. They say Nissan lured them to the country on the pretext of an important board meeting. Kelly was released on bail on Christmas Day after more than a month isolated in a detention centre -- especially uncomfortable as he was due to return to the United States for treatment on his back. "Really, it was painful. Very, very painful," Kelly said, adding that he had tried to explain to wardens that he could not sit on the floor as required. "I'm not the type of person that's going to bang on the door and yell and scream or anything like that." Since his release, he has undergone surgery in Japan that seems to have worked, although he said he still suffers from numbness in his feet, arms and legs. To keep fit and relieve stress, he has taken to jogging a popular five-kilometre (three-mile) route around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, near the modest apartment he shares with his wife Donna. - 'Lonely existence' - Like Ghosn, Kelly strenuously denies any wrongdoing. "I didn't do anything criminally wrong in Japan," he stresses, adding that the departure of Ghosn -- who faces more charges than Kelly -- might open a door to a resolution within the firm. "For me, this could be resolved within Nissan. If it's an error about reporting something that was never agreed and never paid...," he said, tailing off and adding: "But you know, I'm caught in the system right now so..." He still does not know when his trial will begin, despite another pre-trial session on Friday. Kelly defers questions about the details of his planned defence to his lawyers. He spends most of his day going through mountains of electronic documents furnished by the Japanese prosecutors. The couple say they miss their children and grandchildren in the United States but also their own friends at Nissan, whom they are banned from contacting while the case is ongoing. It is, says Kelly, a "lonely existence." Photos of their loved ones adorn the walls of their Tokyo apartment but they have not set down roots there. "This is not called home. This is called the apartment. You never say you're 'going home'. You say you're 'going back to the apartment'," said Donna Kelly. She spends her days learning Japanese to sustain the student visa that allows her to stay with her husband. "You can't miss school and you have to get the grades," she said. Despite his predicament Kelly refuses to hold a grudge against Nissan, the company for which he worked "seven days a week" for nearly 30 years. The Ghosn saga has battered trust in the firm and its most recent results showed a more than 87-percent plunge in net profit for the nine months to December. "This thing that I'm caught up in, that doesn't make me want Nissan to do badly," Kelly said. "I want Nissan to do well."
Trinity College Dublin has placed a blanket ban on students and staff returning from a high risk coronavirus region from entering the campus for 14 days.

The restriction goes beyond official HSE advice that if a person returning from one of these region is feeling well they should operate as normal.

Under HSE protocols, only people with certain symptoms who have returned from such regions are required to take certain steps in their own interests and that of the general population.

The high risk areas are as defined by the HSE: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Iran, Japan or the Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna or Piedmont regions in Italy.

Trinitys ban follows the confirmed case of coronavirus at the university, which led to the closure of part of the campus today as a precautionary measure. It is being cleaned and will reopen on Monday.

Arrangements for working and studying remotely for those people affected will be made as appropriate, the college advised in a letter to staff and students today.

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The ban will have particular implications for staff and students living in college or college accommodation, and they will be communicated with separately, the letter states.

Trinity has a Covid-19 Working Group, which has been operating for some weeks and its Major Emergency Management Team has met in recent days.

The letter stated that decisions are being taken to reduce the risks from the virus.

All staff and students at the university have been told to minimise work-related travel overseas as much as possible, and work-related travel to high-risk areas is prohibited until further notice.

The letter advises that the situation could change over the coming days and everybody should check emails regularly over the weekend as well as the latest official advice from the HSE and other statutory bodies.
The Alabama Senate today passed a bill that would make it a crime for doctors to prescribe opposite sex hormones or drugs that block puberty from people under age 19 who identify as transgender.

The bill by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, was approved by a committee last week after a public hearing that included testimony from doctors and people with first-hand experiences who took positions both for and against the bill.

Shelnutt said today most children with gender dysphoria eventually adjust and that giving them medications that could have permanent effects amounts to child abuse. Shelnutts bill is called the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act.

The Senate passed the bill today by a vote of 22-3. It moves to the House of Representatives.

I just dont think and others dont think that kids should be given experimental drugs or surgeries that could have irreversible consequences for the rest of their life, Shelnutt said. Kids are not fully developed until later in life. I think we can all agree that kids arent capable of making certain decisions until certain ages. And so, we want to just stop these procedures from happening in Alabama.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, questioned whether lawmakers should place restrictions on decisions that should be between parents and their children.

Figures said advocates for the bill havent presented enough factual information about why they think its needed, such as how many children in Alabama would be affected.

You should at least have the facts and figures to back up what youre trying to do," she said.

Shelnutt said he didnt know how many minors had received transgender medications in Alabama but said he knows its happening.

It doesnt matter if its only 20 that its happened to. Ones too many, Shelnutt said.

The bill would make it a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to prescribe, dispense, administer, or otherwise supply opposite sex hormones or puberty-blocking medications to minors. It would also prohibit surgeries that change a minors anatomy for gender reassignment.

Shelnutt said he wasnt aware of any such surgeries on minors in Alabama.

Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, proposed an amendment to say that pharmacists would not be criminally liable for filling prescriptions for transgender medications for minors. The Senate voted it down 21-6. Beasley is a pharmacist.

A House committee has also approved a bill similar to Shelnutts after a public hearing. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said today he did not know when that bill, sponsored by Rep. Wes Allen, R-Troy, would come to the House floor for a vote.

The Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for people who identify as LGBTQ, opposes the bills, saying they are discriminatory and promote misinformation thats harmful to young people who are transgender.

Allen has said gender dysphoria is a mental disorder and should be treated as such, rather than with medications that make physical changes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement in 2018 saying that transgender identity is not a mental disorder and that medications to suppress puberty and cross-sex hormones can be part of an broad-based gender-affirmative care model.

The Eagle Forum of Alabama, a conservative advocacy group, supports the House and Senate bills to protect children from what it says are misguided medical practices.

The Yellowhammer Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income women who are seeking abortions in Alabama with transportation and other services, issued a statement criticizing the Senate for passing the bill.

We call on the House to treat trans children and their families with more empathy than the state senate and reject this bill as the harmful, divisive legislation it is, policy director Mia Raven said.
By PTI

CHENNAI: Thirteen people, including five women and two children, were killed and five critically injured in a road accident in Karnataka early Friday, police said.

The mishap occurred when an SUV collided with a car that had crashed against a road divider at Amruthur near Kunigal in Tumakuru district, police added.

Twelve of them died on the spot and a childsuccumbed in a hospital, police said adding they included a four-member family -- man, wife and their two children.

Four critically-injured persons were hospitalised. Among the dead, 10 were from Tamil Nadu and three from Bengaluru.

All of them were pilgrims.

"Thirteen persons (ten in the SUV and three in the car) have died. The incident occurred past midnight. A car crashed against the road divider and another car collided with it," Tumakuru Superintendent of Police (SP) K Vamsi Krishna told PTI.

"While the people in the SUV were returning from thetemple town of Dhramasthala (in Dakshina Kannada district), the four people in the car were on the way to Dharmasthala," Vamsi Krishna said.

Police personnel had to struggle to pull the bodies out from the mangled vehicles.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, condoling the deaths, said the 10 victims, hailing from Chikkanappalli village in Krishnagiri district were returning home when the mishap occurred after a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala.

Five women, three men and two children were killed in the accident.

Palaniswami said he has ordered authorities to send a team of officials including police officers to Karnataka to help identify and hand over the bodies to kin of the victims and facilitate quality treatment to the injured.

"I have ordered a solatium of Rs one lakh to the families of each of the dead and Rs 50,000 to grievously injured from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund," he said in a statement.
In an unprecedented act, TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien on Friday gave a 10-minute speech, not in the House, but from a corridor of the Parliament building, in protest against, what he called, the government's reluctance to discuss the Delhi violence.

Before beginning his speech, O'Brien, who is leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, said that opposition parties have given notices five days in a row to discuss the issue, but these have not been accepted.

He alleged that the government is stalling work in both the Houses.

"I have been ready with the speech on behalf of the TMC. Mr Chairman sir what can I do, the government is stalling Parliament. Today on Friday, I need to make my speech and I am making it not in the chamber downstairs but on the first floor. We have to look at different ways to have our voices heard. So here I am," he said.

O'Brien also uploaded a video of his speech on social media.

Speaking about different stories of pain and loss during the violence in northeast Delhi in which 53 people have lost their lives, O'Brien said despite all these, the government was unwilling to discuss the issue.

"The home minister hasn't visited affected areas...The violence started from inciting slogans. We all know the people who did it. What gives them the guts to utter these slogans? It is the prime minister, the home minister. It is almost as if they have sanctioned these slogans. These slogans spread bigotry and hate.

"All Modi and Shah do is plan elections. There is enough evidence in the public domain to suggest that after these kind of riots and genocide only one political party gains... They have stalled Parliament because they don't want to answer hard questions," he alleged.

Comparing the Delhi violence with the genocide in Nazi Germany, O' Brien said, "Genocide is a process, even at Nazi time it didn't start with gas chambers. It started with slogans spreading hate and bigotry. Then genocide happened."



He also said that the last time a notice of an opposition member to discuss issues was accepted was in November 2016.

"What does an opposition member do in desperate times like this? I am not going to wait. I hope this speech goes out to the young people of India. I want to ask where is the prime minister. It took him 69 hours after the genocide to respond, that too on Twitter. We are making a laughing stock of ourselves," he said.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has announced that he would hand over his social media handles to women on Women's Day, the TMC leader suggested that he give it to mothers who have lost children in the Delhi violence and women who have lost their husbands.

"A little bit of democracy is still left in the country that although I cannot speak inside Parliament, I can do so here. Delhi needs urgent healing. Trinamool will not be silenced," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In an unprecedented act, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien on Friday gave a 10-minute speech, not in the House but from a corridor of the Parliament building, in protest against, what he called, the government's reluctance to discuss the Delhi violence.

Before beginning his speech, O'Brien, who is leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, said that opposition parties have given notices five days in a row to discuss the issue, but these have not been accepted.

He alleged that the government is stalling work in both the Houses.

"I have been ready with the speech on behalf of the TMC. Mr Chairman sir, what can I do, the government is stalling Parliament. Today on Friday, I need to make my speech and I am making it not in the chamber downstairs but on the first floor. We have to look at different ways to have our voices heard. So here I am," he said.

O'Brien also uploaded a video of his speech on social media.

Speaking about different stories of pain and loss during the violence in northeast Delhi in which 53 people have lost their lives, O'Brien said despite all these, the government was unwilling to discuss the issue.

"The home minister hasn't visited affected areas... The violence started from inciting slogans. We all know the people who did it. What gives them the guts to utter these slogans? It is the prime minister, the home minister. It is almost as if they have sanctioned these slogans. These slogans spread bigotry and hate.

"All Modi and Shah do is plan elections. There is enough evidence in the public domain to suggest that after these kind of riots and genocide only one political party gains... They have stalled Parliament because they don't want to answer hard questions," he alleged.

Comparing the Delhi violence with the genocide in Nazi Germany, O' Brien said, "Genocide is a process, even at Nazi time it didn't start with gas chambers. It started with slogans spreading hate and bigotry. Then genocide happened."

He also said that the last time a notice of an opposition member to discuss issues was accepted was in November 2016.

"What does an opposition member do in desperate times like this? I am not going to wait. I hope this speech goes out to the young people of India. I want to ask where is the prime minister. It took him 69 hours after the genocide to respond, that too on Twitter. We are making a laughing stock of ourselves," he said.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has announced that he would hand over his social media handles to women on Women's Day, the TMC leader suggested that he give it to mothers who have lost children in the Delhi violence and women who have lost their husbands.

"A little bit of democracy is still left in the country that although I cannot speak inside Parliament, I can do so here. Delhi needs urgent healing. Trinamool will not be silenced," he said.
A Sinn Fein company used to buy a constituency office for Pearse Doherty and Padraig Mac Lochlainn is listed to be struck off the companies register.

Donegal Office Services paid 180,000 without borrowing for the building in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, in 2016. However, it has not filed accounts for the last two years. The company has two directors who are both reportedly Donegal-based Sinn Fein supporters.

The company's solicitor said the failure to file financial records was an "oversight" on his behalf. Cathal McCosker said he believed the financial documentation had been filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) when it had not.

"It is nothing to do with the people in the centre, it's to do with me personally," he said

"I had all the information but I had it marked in my system that I had everything filed with the CRO but it subsequently turned out I hadn't," he added.

The last company accounts filed in 2018 show the firm's net assets to be worth 155,000.

Expand Close Padraig Mac Lochlainn. Photo: Tom Burke / Facebook

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The building was bought from McNamee Construction in 2016 and renamed the Bobby Sands/Eddie Fullerton Republican Centre.

At the opening of the office, Mr Doherty and Mr Mac Lochlainn thanked fundraisers from home and abroad who contributed towards the funding of the project.

Speaking to Highland Radio about the opening of the office, Mr MacLochlainn said: "We've worked at this for a long, long time, not just Donegal people here but also abroad in Australia and America."

He later told the 'Sunday Times': "Fundraising did not include direct donations from anyone, either here or abroad."

Mr Mac Lochlainn said raffle tickets were sold to supporters who emigrated during the austerity years when they returned home.

He declares a 1,000 donation from Donegal Office Services since moving into the building as the reduced rent he receives is a benefit in kind.

The directors of Donegal Office Services are local Sinn Fein supporters Noel Deasley and Gerard Duffy.
CAIRO  Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal said Feb. 18 he will no longer allow the imprisonment of businessmen who commit economic violations, as this affects investment in the country. He said deterrent fines based on parliaments new approach, which is to abolish prison sentences for financial wrongdoers, should replace such a sentence.

This came during parliaments discussion of amendments to customs, restructuring, bankruptcy and social security laws.

Observers believe the Egyptian parliaments decision to abolish prison sentences for financial wrongdoers comes as a continuation of the economic reforms that have been carried out. They believe that not only is this the right step toward encouraging investment and increasing job opportunities but also a message of reassurance to businessmen and investors both at home and abroad.

Mohamed al-Badrawi, a member of parliaments economic commission, said such decisions raise Egypts competitiveness index, positively affect the national economy, attract more foreign investments and encourage local industry.

He pointed out that the approved amendments are in line with international laws and legislations, and parliament is seeking to actively implement amendments in order to achieve the desired goals, the most important of which is to increase production and attract investment.

Badrawi believes the state is serious about creating an appropriate climate for investment in Egypt, overcoming obstacles and providing all incentives to investors and businessmen in order to increase production and job opportunities and improve the standard of living for citizens.

Rashad Abdo, head of the Egyptian Forum for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor this is a good decision and a step in the right direction to support foreign and domestic investment, which will greatly benefit the national economy, but financial sanctions should be respected.

Abdo pointed out that this trend adopted by the Egyptian parliament falls within the framework of the political leaderships desire to eliminate sanctions imposed on investors and businessmen.

He said the Egyptian parliament has conveyed a message of reassurance to investors and businessmen in order to attract investments and benefit from this positive environment.

Abdo said the state is serious about supporting investment, and parliaments direction comes in continuation of the Central Banks initiative to abolish sanctions imposed on troubled producers and manufacturers.

The government and the Central Bank of Egypt launched Dec. 12 an initiative ending in late 2020 to exonerate companies with a debt not exceeding 10 million Egyptian pounds from arrears of interests in a bid to stimulate the economic sectors, boost production and subsequently improve the gross national product.

Under the initiative, defaulting clients who settle 50% of the debt principal before the end of December 2020 would have their names removed from the blacklists of both the bank and the Egyptian Credit Bureau I-Score.

Mohamed el-Morshedy, chairman of the chamber of textile industries in the Federation of Egyptian Industries, told Al-Monitor parliament is rectifying previous wrongs because it is unacceptable to imprison businessmen and investors for administrative violations. He said replacing those sanctions with fines is a positive step in the right direction.

According to Morshedy, the decision to make the Ministry of Investment affiliated with the prime minister on Dec. 22 as part of a limited ministerial reshuffle shows the state seriously desires to increase investment and remove obstacles facing businessmen and investors.

At the Investment for Africa Forum, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi admitted Nov. 23 that the government failed to convince investors to stay in Egypt.

We have been trying for years to convince global companies to invest with us in industries such as the automotive industry or in products that we might work on, in vain. This is despite the fact we said we will be providing everything, he said.

Morshedy said the environment has become more favorable than ever for investments and businesses due to the states efforts to overcome barriers and hurdles facing investors and businessmen, and this will significantly improve the national economy and create more jobs.

Faraj Amer, chairman of the Egyptian parliament's Industry Committee, said the previous environment pushed away investors and businessmen. The wrongs are currently being corrected and steps are being taken in favor of the national economy, he added.

Amer indicated he had repeatedly called for replacing freedom-depriving punishments with fines because they do not exist in any other country in the world. This is what actually happened and this right decision will reap good fruits in the future, he added.

He said the state is determined to ensure a favorable environment for foreign and domestic investments in order to reap the benefits of economic reforms and create more jobs.
Car tyres could be doing more damage to our health than the fumes from exhaust pipes, according to the results from a new test.

Measurements found that 5.8 grams per kilometre of harmful particles are emitted by tyres as they wear when a car is being driven.

That compares to 4.5 milligrams per kilometer produced from exhaust pipes of the latest vehicles on sale today - meaning harmful tyre outputs are higher by a factor of over 1,000.

Worse than exhaust emissions: New tests have revealed the dangerous level of particulate matter pollution produced by car tyres during driving

Assessments were conducted by UK-based experts Emissions Analytics, which specialises in calculating the pollution produced by cars in real-world driving.

The type of emissions tyres have been found to produce is harmful particulate matter that is almost impossible to see with the naked eye.

It's made up of microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - also known as PM2.5 - pose the greatest risk to our health.

Exposure can affect both the lungs and heart, with numerous scientific studies linking them to a variety of problems.

This includes premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function and wider respiratory symptoms.

To understand the volume being produced, Emissions Analytics performed some initial wear tests using a popular family hatchback running on brand new - correctly inflated - tyres.

Alarmingly, the results showed that particulate matter created from the impact of rubber against tarmac was, in some cases, over 1,000 times higher than what comes out from the exhaust of a new vehicle.

It warned that this could have been even higher if the car had tyres which were under inflated, or the road surfaces used for the test were rougher, or the tyres used were from a budget range  all of which are likely scenarios in the real world.

Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - also known as PM2.5 - pose the greatest risk to our health, including premature death in people with heart or lung disease and heart attacks

Measurements found that 5.8 grams per km of harmful particles are emitted by tyres when a car is being driven. That compares to 4.5 milligrams per km from exhausts

Richard Lofthouse, senior researcher at the vehicle testing group, said: 'It's time to consider not just what comes out of a car's exhaust pipe but particle pollution from tyre and brake wear.

'Our initial tests reveal that there can be a shocking amount of particle pollution from tyres  1,000 times worse than emissions from a car's exhaust.'

Currently, vehicle tyre wear pollution is completely unregulated - unlike exhaust emissions which have been rapidly reduced by car makers thanks to the pressure placed on them by European emissions standards.

New cars now emit very little in the way of exhaust particulate matter (partly thanks to diesel particulate filters) but there is growing concern about the 'non-exhaust emissions' (NEE) released into the air from brake wear, tyre wear and road surface wear.

'What is even more frightening is that while exhaust emissions have been tightly regulated for many years, tyre wear is totally unregulated  and with the increasing growth in sales of heavier SUVs and battery-powered electric cars, non-exhaust emissions are a very serious problem,' Lofthouse added.

Emissions Analytics blamed the overlooked impact of tyre pollution on 'frankly out of date regulations still preoccupied with exhaust emissions'

Emissions Analytics specialises in testing vehicle emissions using hi-tech equipment that can be connected to cars to measure pollution during real-world driving

NEEs are currently believed to constitute the majority of primary particulate matter from road transport.

In a report released last year, the Government's Air Quality Expert Group recommended that NEE are immediately recognised as a source of ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter, even for vehicles with zero exhaust emissions of particles  such as electric cars.

Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics added: 'The challenge to the industry and regulators is an almost complete black hole of consumer information, undone by frankly out of date regulations still preoccupied with exhaust emissions.

'In the short term, fitting higher quality tyres is one way to reduce these NEEs and to always have tyres inflated to the correct level.'

Molden went on to say that responsibility also lies with the car industry to find ways to reduce vehicle weight to lessen the impact of tyre wear and the resulting emissions.

'What is without doubt on the horizon is much-needed regulation to combat this problem,' he added.

'Whether that leads to specific types of low emission, harder wearing tyres is not for us to say  but change has to come.'

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes blasted Emissions Analytics' research as sensationalist and irresponsible.

Criticising the report, he said: 'Making sensationalist claims based on testing of a single vehicle is not credible and, quite frankly, irresponsible.

'Emissions from safety-critical brakes, tyres and road surfaces are very difficult to measure, and a challenge already taken seriously by the sector, governments and a UN global group, which are working together to better understand, and agree, how to test them in a scientific way.

'Further, there is no evidence to suggest that electric vehicles have a propensity to emit more non-exhaust particulates than any other  in fact, their regenerative braking systems mean wear is significantly reduced.'

Earlier this week, Goodyear unveiled a concept car tyre that is capable of regenerating its own tread.

The reCharge tyre has a biodegradable tread that can regenerate thanks to a special liquid compound made from a biological material and reinforced with fibres inspired by spider silk - one of the toughest natural materials in the world.

Drivers will be able to 'recharge' their tyres by inserting a capsule containing this liquid compound it into the centre of the wheel.
Liverpool's Takumi Minamino is itching to leave lasting impressions during club's matches and is feeling 'very hungry' to contribute to the club.

"In the last three months there have been areas which I'm quite happy about. But personally I would love to contribute more to goals and assists - I'm feeling very hungry about that," the club's official website quoted Minamino as saying.

Minamino joined the club at the start of the year from Austrian outfit Salzburg and has made six appearances for Liverpool since then.

The 25-year-old admitted that he only has 'limited chances' and will have to make the best use of the given opportunities.

"I think I'm still [learning] to fully understand the team, but I still hate to wait. In order to make an instant impact and make a contribution to the team, I'm doing my best every day," he said.

"I only have limited chances but when the manager needs me, I have to show the results of the manager's expectations," Minamino added.

Liverpool top the Premier League table with 79 points and will take on Bournemouth in their next encounter on March 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Today, Dataiku, one of the world's leading Enterprise AI and machine learning platforms, announced the lineup for its 2020 EGG Conferences, with events planned in eight cities worldwide. EGG, The Human-Centered AI Conference, is a series of one-day gatherings focused on issues at the forefront of data science, machine learning, and AI, exploring real-life Enterprise AI use cases and how to create organizational change with scalable AI systems that enhance  not replace  humans.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005748/en/

A previous EGG Conference (Photo: Business Wire)

Since 2017, EGG has attracted more than 5,000 data leaders at the worlds first conference focused not just on what AI can do, but, practically, how companies can get there. As human-centered AI as a concept continues to gain traction globally, the conference is expanding to new and exciting hubs for AI: Montreal, Frankfurt and Sydney. These three new events complement the existing roster of EGG events in New York City, San Francisco, Paris, Amsterdam and London.

EGG 2020 will bring together a wide variety of global data leaders, from data team managers to CIOs, CDOs, and more, with sessions around overcoming both organizational and technical challenges on the path to Enterprise AI. Attendees will leave EGG with concrete next steps for shaping the future of AI in their own organizations.

Each event will feature hand-selected speakers who have been through the organizational and technical change associated with AI transformation before and who demonstrate a desire to share their insights and learnings with their peers. These international EGGs will bring a global outlook to the discussion while also shedding light on concerns for human-centered AI developments at the regional level. Each conference also allows AI leaders to get global perspectives in a local setting in a year that has already seen a number of global community events and conferences postponed during a health crisis.

With EGG, Dataiku is building a global network of engaged industry leaders that will be shaping the future of Enterprise AI worldwide, said Dataiku CEO Florian Douetteau. Since the beginning  both of the EGG Conference and of Dataiku as a company  our goal has been to connect people. Hosting EGG in three new cities is just another way that we facilitate collaboration for the greater good of the data community.

Since its inception, EGG has garnered a global reputation as a conference that brings together thought leaders and those at the forefront of AI. Past speakers have included leaders from Mercedes-Benz, University of Oxford, BBC News, Disney Parks & Resorts, Morgan Stanley, and WIRED, with participation from brands like AWS, Pivotal, Looker and PwC.

For the past two years, EGG attendees have also participated in an AI survey. The results from the November 2019 EGG event surveys in San Francisco, Paris, and Amsterdam were released last week, showing differences in how non-managers and data executives think AI will impact their work as well as steps their organizations are taking toward better data quality and more responsible AI. Get a copy of the AI Impact Survey results.

The 2020 EGG Series includes:

New York City - June 11

London - June 23

Montreal - Sept. 24

Sydney - Oct. 12

San Francisco - Oct. 21

Paris - Nov. 3

Amsterdam - Nov. 10

Frankfurt - Nov. 24

Registration is already open for select EGGs (including London and New York City), and exciting, industry-leading speakers will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

About Dataiku

Dataiku is the centralized data platform that democratizes the use of data science, machine learning, and AI in the enterprise. With Dataiku, businesses are uniquely empowered to move along their data journey from data preparation to analytics at scale to Enterprise AI. By providing a common ground for data experts and explorers, a repository of best practices, shortcuts to machine learning and AI deployment/management, and a centralized, controlled environment, Dataiku is the catalyst for data-powered companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005748/en/
Welfare: Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy has called for a fund that would cover workers forced to stop work because of Covid-19. Photo: REUTERS

Employers' group Ibec has written to the Government calling for a fund to be established to ensure people have a basic income immediately if they are forced to stay away from work as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy addressed the letter to acting Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty. It said workers forced out of employment should receive an emergency payment for two weeks, equivalent to jobseekers' allowance of 203 a week.

The special welfare payments should be payable "from the first day of employment stoppage, waiving the qualifying period", he said.

It "would help individuals to get through these exceptional events and minimise the risk of people coming into work and spreading the virus if they have been exposed".

Ensuring a basic income for people who can't work because they are in quarantine is in line with World Health Organisation guidance, Mr McCoy said.

The letter warns the Covid-19 outbreak could close many firms and reduce workers' hours because of "the possibility of widespread illness and other disruption among the workforce in Ireland".

His letter argues "the escalating spread" of the virus could "result in organisations having to close for a period of time or reduce the working hours of employees, due to loss of business or to reduce contact between employees".

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection declined to comment.

The outbreak is already causing widespread disruption to workplaces.

Yesterday the Central Bank of Ireland confirmed an employee was being tested for coronavirus.

"The staff member has been in contact with the HSE and is currently in self-isolation, in line with HSE advice.

Staff are working as normal, it said.

The Central Bank had already warned all regulated firms here - including the main banks and insurance houses - to ensure they had appropriate contingency plans in place to be able to deal with major operational events.

Meanwhile, retailer Penneys is the latest major employer to shut its offices in a bid to test how well it can cope if all staff work from their homes.

Penneys shops across Ireland will operate as normal today, but around 1,000 staff at the fashion chain's headquarters in Dublin will work from home to test operational readiness should coronavirus cause further disruption.

The company stressed it has not had any cases of the illness amongst employees.
Regardless of what happened on Thursday, March 5, Greys Anatomy fans knew they would have a hard time watching Alex Karevs (Justin Chambers) last episode. But when the final goodbye aired on ABC, viewers were even more overwhelmed than expected. Ultimately, most people were disappointed with how Alex left. That said, it seems the Greys Anatomy team was aware of how the fandom would react to Alexs departure. After Leave a Light On made its debut, showrunner Krista Vernoff issued a statement that truly captured the essence of the episode  there is no good way to say goodbye.

[Spoiler alert: Greys Anatomy Season 16, Episode 16.]

How was Alex Karev written out of Greys Anatomy?

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey on Greys Anatomy | Eric McCandless/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

On Jan. 10, Chambers released a statement announcing his departure from Greys Anatomy after 16 seasons.

Theres no good time to say goodbye to a show and character thats defined so much of my life for the past 15 years, Chambers said, per Deadline. And then Chambers statement ruminated throughout Alexs last episode on Greys Anatomy.

Chambers hasnt appeared in a new episode since the 350th special in November 2019. So the writers excused his characters absence, noting Alex was in Iowa to take care of his mom. But even so, the 49-year-olds voice made a cameo in the March 5 episode.

In Leave a Light On, Alex sent letters to Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), and Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.). And each letter was narrated by Chambers.

In the letters, everyone discovered Alexs true fate. Apparently, the peds surgeon reconnected with Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) after contacting her for Merediths hearing in the 350th episode. During their conversation, Alex learned Izzie had kids. And get this  theyre his kids. Remember the couple had frozen embryos from when Izzie had metastatic melanoma.

Eventually, one thing led to another and Alex chose to stay with Izzie and raise their family together in Kansas. Thus, leaving everyone  including his person, Meredith, and wife, Jo  behind. Im finally exactly where I should be, Alex said.

Then at the end of the Greys Anatomy episode, Merediths narration loomed over the remaining characters as they continued living on. Theres really no good way to say goodbye, she said.

Greys Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff on Alex Karevs last episode on March 5

Following Leave a Light On, Vernoff addressed the Alexs last episode on Greys Anatomy. The showrunner thanked Chambers for his portrayal and what Alex has done for fans across the globe in the 15 years onscreen. Vernoff also touched on how difficult it was to let the character go.

It is nearly impossible to say goodbye to Alex Karev, Vernoff wrote on Twitter. That is as true for me and for all of the writers at Greys Anatomy as it is for the fans. We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers nuanced portrayal of him.

She continued: For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev. We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends. We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world.

Its difficult to imagine how Greys Anatomy continues without Alex. As Vernoff  and the March 5 episode  told us, there wasnt really a good way to say goodbye, given the situation. So for now, well look towards the remaining characters to help us move forward.

When speaking with Variety before Leave a Light On aired on ABC, Vernoff explained how Alexs departure will affect Jo. And from the sounds of it, Jo will still remain strong. However, it might take some time.

Jo went through so much pain and so much grief just last season that I wanted to be careful, Vernoff said. And so its a bit of a mystery [whats going on with Alex], so that we dont watch Jo in the same place that we watched her in last season. We did it as carefully as we could. But it takes a while to get there.

Read more: Greys Anatomy: Is Richard Webber Leaving? Fans Are Worried About the Characters Future
By Paul Carrel and Jan Schwartz

BERLIN/HAMBURG (Reuters) - The coronavirus is exposing the export-orientated German economy's vulnerability to disruptions in global trade that will likely keep the industrial sector mired in recession this year, business association BDI said on Thursday.

Industry in Europe's largest economy had already contracted for six quarters in a row before the outbreak of the coronavirus early this year, weighed down by global trade conflicts and Brexit uncertainty.

The coronavirus is adding another problem - a scarcity of containers in which businesses can export their goods due to a plunge in the number departing China in late January and early February, which would usually arrive in Germany about now.

"This year, the industrial sector is likely to remain in recession, which will stretch to the longest since reunification (in 1990)," the BDI industry group wrote in a quarterly report.

"With the production slumps in China and the quarantine measures taken by individual countries, it is becoming clear how vulnerable the export-oriented and internationally organised German economy is," the BDI added.

Abudi Zein, chief executive of ClipperData, which tracks shipping flows, told the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that container ship visits to Chinese ports plunged in late January and early February, when the virus spread in China.

This has resulted in a reduction in available containers.

"The centrality of China to the movement of goods around the world explains this - if Chinese ports are not loading or discharging containers, there is no reason to stop at the port where the shipment is supposed to go to or come from," Zein said.

In Germany, the Port of Hamburg will not have figures on the impact of the coronavirus on trade and container availability until the end of the first quarter, a spokesman said.

He added, however: "We can imagine that in some areas there are temporary bottlenecks."

Story continues

Wolfgang Schaefer, chief financial officer of German car supplier Continental, said the company had around 100 people dedicated to maintaining supply chains but could face difficulties if a Chinese supplier stopped producing.

Under such a scenario, Continental would have a 4-6 week buffer as ships carrying parts would already be on their way.

"But when the last container arrives, the problem starts," said Schaefer, adding that Continental would then try to source parts from other regions and import them by air or road.

Some Continental parts sent from China to Europe and the United States were already being transported via other routes, including by air - a much more costly option.

"Things which are normally transported by ship need to travel by air for a couple of weeks," Continental Chief Executive Elmar Degenhart said in a conference call to discuss full-year earnings.

"It will take a couple of weeks for things to normalize."

Earlier on Thursday, the VDMA engineering association said that after a "surprisingly good start" to the year it expected supply chain disruptions due to the virus, which it said would have a significant impact on bookings in the coming months.

"We have to expect disruptions along the supply chain from China to Germany," VDMA's chief economist Ralph Wiechers said.

(Additional reporting by Rene Wagner, Edward Taylor, Stephanie Ulmer-Nebehay and Jan Schwartz; Editing by Michelle Martin and Jan Harvey)
The National Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has asked the Allahabad bench of the to decide within 10 days on the liquidation of Kanpur-based textile manufacturer Lakshmi Cotsyn.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Bansi Lal Bhat and Shreesha Merla observed that plea for liquidation of Lakshmi Cotsyn is pending before the National Tribunal (NCLT) on the pretext of one or the other miscellaneous application being filed in the matter.

"Such conduct on the part of different characters cannot be permitted to thwart the course of insolvency resolution proceedings under I&B Code," it said.

"Having regard to the object of the statute and to protect the interests of all stakeholders, we request the Learned Adjudicating Authority (NCLT) to take up the liquidation application for disposal at the earliest and make all possible endeavours to pass appropriate orders thereon within 10 days," said the order dated March 3.

The direction came on a plea filed by a member of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) of the company.

It had submitted that liquidation application before has been pending for more than a year now.

In June 2018, had directed to initiate insolvency proceedings against the firm on a plea filed by a consortium of about 10 lenders, led by Central Bank of India.

As a suitable buyers could not be found, the CoC of Lakshmi Cotsyn had approved liquidation of the company with 94.75 per cent votes.

Following this, the resolution professional of the textile firm had filed an application before NCLT for liquidation.
President Donald Trump launched a vicious attack on his predecessor Barack Obama during his Fox News town hall on Thursday night, saying he didn't like the job the former president did and they've only spoken once since he took office.

Trump said his November 10, 2016 with Obama in the Oval Office was 'essentially' their only meeting.

'Enough for me,' he noted.

He also said the last time he spoke to Obama was at former President George H.W. Bush's funeral on December 5, 2018, at Washington National Cathedral.

I was at the funeral of President Bush, sat next to him, I said "hello." And then I said "Goodbye." That's about it. No, I didn't like the job he did,' the president added.

President Donald Trump launched a vicious attack on his predecessor Barack Obama during his Fox News town hall

President-elect Trump and President Obama in the Oval Office on November 10, 2016

President Donald Trump shakes hands with former President Barack Obama during the State Funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral i on Dec. 5, 2018

President Trump started off his first town hall meeting of the election year by defending his administrations response to the Coronavirus and again blaming President Barack Obama for the lack of testing kits, a claim that has been debunked.

I don't blame anybody, he said when asked why he blamed Obama. I want to get everybody to understand they made some decisions which were not good decisions. We inherited decisions they made and that's fine. We undid some of the regulations that made it very difficult.

Trump, who has occupied the White House for three years, tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

And Vice President Mike Pence admitted on Thursday the administration will not be able to follow meet its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

'We don't have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward,' Pence said during a visit to a 3M Company plant in Minnesota Thursday afternoon.

President Trump greets attendees at a Fox News town hall in Scranton, Pa

President Donald Trump speaks during a FOX News Channel Town Hall, co-moderated by FNC's chief political anchor Bret Baier of Special Report and The Story anchor Martha MacCallum

Trump, at his town hall, argued the United States has a low number of cases and deaths compared to the rest of the world.

Right now -- it's a lot of people but it's still 11 people versus tremendous numbers of thousands of people that have died all over the world. We have 11. We have 149 cases as of this moment, it's 129, I just see right now it's 100,000 cases around the world, he said.

And he pointed out the White House was working on other issues too.

Were thinking about a lot of other things too, trade and millions of other things, he said of his administration.

It's going to all work out, everybody has to be calm, it's going to work out, he added.

President Trump repeated his criticism of Elizabeth Warren staying in the presidential race through Super Tuesday. Warren exited the contest on Thursday. Trump argued Bernie Sanders would have done better in Tuesdays 15 contests if she was not in the contest.

If she's a true progressive which probably she is, she should have dropped out three days ago. It would've been a whole different race, he said. Bernie Sanders would have won five, six, seven states. Would have won Minnesota, would have won at least another two or three states. When you look at it, she did him no favors, that was not a good friendship.

He added: She didn't even have to endorse him, if she just dropped out of the race without an endorsement, he would've won a tremendous number of states that he lost, he lost states by not very much and she got enough votes that it would've made a big difference. I think he would be leading by a lot right now had she not been in the race.

He said he was prepared to run against Bernie Sanders this fall.

I was all set for Bernie because I thought it was going to happen. We get ready for things, mentally I'm all set for Bernie, the communist, I had everything down. I was all set, he said.

He argued the Vermont senator would be the tougher candidate because of his strong base of supporters.

I think in a certain way, Bernie would be tougher because he's got a base. It's a smaller base than my base, he said. I was all set for Bernie. I don't think I'm running against Bernie. I think it's going to be very hard for him to come back, he said.

President Trump repeated his criticism of Elizabeth Warren staying in the Democratic race through Super Tuesday, saying it hurt Bernie Sanders

President Trump also said he was prepared to run against Bernie Sanders in the general election

But Trump conceded he was probably going to face Joe Biden in November

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, seen with David Urban, who ran Trump's Pennsylvania campaign in 2016, at the president's town hall Thursday night

He also blasted Democrats for their impeachment inquiry saying: It was a fake impeachment. The line earned him enormous applause from the crowd.

Trump also attacked Joe Biden, who was born in the Scranton, the site of Thursdays town hall, and slammed Hunter Bidens work on the board of Ukrainian gas company and with a Chinese investment firm.

During the first commercial break, the crowd yelled four more years, four more years and one person yelled to Trump: Thank you Mr. President.

The president also shrugged off a question on whether or not the country is divided and politics is too vitriol.

I think the country is far more united than people think and ultimately what is uniting the country's success. We are having more success than we have ever had, he said.

Before the town hall started, White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, a Philadelphia Eagles fan with strong ties to the state, was given a round of applause when she walked into the hall with David Urban, who ran Trumps Pennsylvania campaign during the 2016 election.

Thanks for taking care of our president, Kellyanne, one person yelled.

Conway took several selfies with people before taking her seat. The hall was filled with about 600 people.

Protesters lined the streets ahead of the Scranton Cultural Center to yell at the presidents motorcade. They waved miniature baby Trump blimp balloons and held up signs that read Trump is Putins puppet, Dump Trump, and Weld 2020, in reference to former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who is also running for the Republican presidential nomination.

A large billboard with a photo of Joe Biden, reading Scranton is Biden Country, also greeted the president.

Trump's campaign picked the Scranton location for his Thursday night town hall - taking the presidential battle to Joe Biden's home town as the former vice president surged to the lead for the Democratic nomination.

Fox News confirmed to DailyMail.com that it was Trump's team that picked the city for the town hall and that the location is always the candidate's choice whether that person is a Democratic contender or Republican one.

Pennsylvania helped hand Trump the presidency in 2016 and he needs it in his column again this November.

President Trump's campaign picked the Scranton location for his Thursday night town hall

Scranton is Joe Biden's home town and Trump heads there as Biden surged to the front of the Democratic primary race

Trump was the first Republican candidate for president to carry Pennsylvania since George H. W. Bush in 1988. He won the state by just 44,000 votes.

'Theres not a very likely path to the presidency without Pennsylvania,' a source close to the Trump campaign told DailyMail.com.

Thursday's town hall is the first such event of Trump's re-election campaign. And while Trump has publicly stated he's indifferent to whom he faces in November, many Republicans see Biden as the strongest challenger to the president thanks to both men's appeal to the blue-collar voters who make up the industrial MidWest.

Biden has not yet held a town hall with Fox News and his front runner status grew stronger on Thursday after Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the Democratic race although she has declined to endorse a candidate yet.

And the former vice president is investing heavily in Pennsylvania, headquartering his campaign in Philadelphia, and he held his the first rally of his presidential campaign in Scranton last year.

'I think the one thing the president doesn't want to do, from the very beginning, is face me. Because I will beat him  period. Period. He's done everything in his power, he's even risked his presidency, because he doesn't want to face me,' Biden told NBC's 'Today Show' on Thursday morning.

'Have you ever, ever seen a sitting president get so involved in a Democratic primary and focus so much attention on not wanting a single person  me  to become the nominee. The president does not want me to be the nominee,' he added.

But the source close to the Trump campaign argued Sanders' has his strengths too as the person took a knock at one of Biden's strengths - his service with Barack Obama.

The enthusiasm of the Bernie Sanders voters is much more frightening than the establishment of Joe Biden, the source said. Joe Biden is running on a third term as Barack Obama.

For Thursday night's town hall, audience members submitted the questions ahead of time and a Fox News team picks the ones asked, the network confirmed, with no input from the White House or the Trump campaign.

Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the event at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The town hall comes less than 24 hours after the president called into Fox News Wednesday night to talk to Sean Hannity about a variety of topics, including his administration's handling of the Coronavirus outbreak and the 2020 presidential field.

Trump used the interview to rehash some of his favorite attack lines on the former vice president, including criticism of Hunter Biden's work in the Ukraine.

The president and his allies allege Biden, as vice president, pushed the Ukrainian government's removal of a prosecutor to help a gas company that had Hunter on its board. Biden said he was following recommendations of both the Obama White House and international governments - all of whom were concerned the prosecutor in question was not doing enough to fight corruption.

Neither Biden has been charged with any wrong doing.

On Wednesday, Trump accused the Democratic Party of engaging in a coverup for Biden.

'Its not a campaign issue for the Democrats. They dont want to bring it up. They were obviously told you cant bring that up,' he told Fox News.

But he vowed to keep the issue front and center.

'That will be a major issue in the campaign. I will bring that up all the time, because I dont see any way out. I dont see any way for them, I dont see how they can answer those questions,' he said.

The president also has been a repeated commentator and handicapper of the Democratic field.

He's accused the party of trying to deny Bernie Sanders the nomination, reviving anger from the 2016 contest when Sanders supporters were furious that party worked to ensure Hillary Clinton was the nominee.

Many Democratic officials worry Sanders's progressive policy positions would turn off blue-collar voters in the general election.

'Well, I think there's no question the establishment - the Democrat establishment - is trying to take it away from Bernie Sanders. There's no question about that in my mind,' Trump said Tuesday outside the White House as voters from 14 states and American Samoa head to the polls for Super Tuesday.

President Trump's town hall comes 24 hours after he called into Sean Hannity's Fox News program, where he vowed to keep criticizing Joe and Hunter Biden

President Trump accused the Democratic Party of engaging in a coverup for Joe and Hunter Biden

Biden sweep most of the contests on Super Tuesday and emerged with front runner status even though Sanders won the night's biggest prize - California.

The former vice president also solidified his support among his formal rivals, gaining endorsements from Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke and Mike Bloomberg.

Trump on Tuesday shrugged off a question about which Democratic contender he'd prefer to see across from him on the debate stage this fall.

'Whoever it is, I don't care, I really don't care,' he said.
Updated March 9, 9:45 a.m. with comment from the Houston Health Department.

Updated March 6, 5:30 p.m. with comment and additional information from the restaurants owners.

Jennis Noodle House, a Houston-based Vietnamese restaurant chain, announced on Instagram that any customers coming in who appear to be sick and/or coughing/sneezing will be asked to leave.

There are now 12 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the Houston area. Businesses have been weighing their options for how to protect both customers and their staff, as the city responds to the emergency.

The new policy at Jennis Noodle House applies to each of the chains four locations.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus hits Houston: Everything we know as city tackles new cases in Harris County, Fort Bend

Co-owner Jenni Tran-Weaver says it was not an easy decision, but that they needed to keep their staff employed and are trying to find the best way to do this and not be a place where [the virus] can be passed on.

We are sensitive to the fact that its allergy season, says co-owner Scott Weaver, Jennis husband, referring to some of the responses the restaurant has received on social media. We are also concerned about the unknown of the coronavirus and we are trying to be realistic.

Jenni Tran-Weaver

The Instagram post also added that the restaurant may close to on-premise diners and only accept takeout and delivery orders. The couple confirmed this, saying they are monitoring the news closely and that all locations are subject to close. It could be Monday, it could be Tuesday, says Tran-Weaver.

She adds that the restaurant will need to establish protocol for safe deliveries before they take this step, among other considerations.

We want to keep our staff healthy, but we realize people will be locked in their homes and might want some food to make them feel better, says Weaver.

They will be posting further updates on their social media pages in the days to come.

The Houston Health Departments current directive to businesses is to make sure they have an adequate supply of hand soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant; conduct environmental cleanings; and put up signs to remind people to have good hygiene habits.

Businesses will make the decisions they feel necessary to protect the health and well-being of staff and customers, says Scott Packard, chief communications and public affairs officer at the Health Department.

emma.balter@chron.com
The air in the tires is a little low, and the paint a bit chipped, but the lights are on at the transport-truck-turned-mobile-chapel whenever a trucker needs some guidance.

For two decades, the 1976 W-Model Ford transport truck has been tucked away behind the Irving Big Stop in Salisbury, 23 kilometres west of Moncton.

There's no steeple, but open the doors and you'll be greeted by the man celebrating his 20th year as the chaplain of the church on wheels.

"It becomes a real haven in a lot of ways for truckers who are away from home to be able to have a place where they can come in, and our goal is to provide a sense of hope and peace and quiet in the midst of the storms of life," Paul Leger, a former trucker himself for 30 years prior.

Shane Fowler/CBC News

There was a time when the chapel would often hit the roads throughout the Maritimes. But under Leger's leadership, it's been sticking to its parking spot.

Truckers now come to it, instead of it coming to them.

Inside the transport truck, several chairs are organized as pews. There is a small office for Leger, as well as an area for sleeping. There is electricity but no running water.

The old truck seems tiny compared to the hundreds of modern-day tractor-trailers that pass by it each day.

A service takes place every Sunday at 3 p.m., but church starts whenever someone walks through the door.

"I've had drivers and others come in different times of the day, different times of the week," said Leger.

"A driver from Georgia actually came in on a Tuesday evening around 7 o'clock and he said, 'What time is church?' and I said 'You're right on time, it's starting right now. So, whenever someone comes in, we'll have church."

Shane Fowler/CBC News

Since going from behind the steering wheel to behind the pulpit, Leger has watched the industry change dramatically.

But he the issues that can haunt drivers have remained the same over the years.

"Human trafficking, that happens all around us," said Leger. "There's also  availability of drugs and so on. But on top of that, [they're] dealing with the loneliness and being away from home. It really magnifies the other things quite a bit."

Story continues

Leger said deep isolation for long-haul truckers can lead to extreme loneliness and struggles that come with "getting into your own head."

"Your mind can just run rampant with things that are just troubling you," Leger said. "And by the time you get to a place of realizing it, you've really gone down the path that sometimes can be very difficult."

Shane Fowler/CBC News

Leger said that over the years he's helped truckers desperately missing their families. And these days, families are likely to be farther away than just a few provinces over.

Many truck drivers are coming to Canada from across the globe.

Leger said he's recently been able to help a trucker from Jamaica.

"The first time he came in here, he was really struggling and we just prayed, talked about it, and and prayed that his family would be able to come here," said Leger.

Shane Fowler/CBC News

"Now they are there living in Nova Scotia, and he is just so thankful for that. So there's a lot of real-life issues that the drivers face."

The non-denominational Transport for Christ chapel is part of TFC Global, a ministry that got its start in Canada in 1951. The organization has expanded to the United States and South America.

Leger doubted the chapel, which operates mostly on donations, will be hitting the open road again anytime soon.

But he's content to keep the doors open in the same parking spot for another 20 years.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday hit back at senior Congress leader P Chidambaram for his jibe over crisis-hit Yes Bank's loan book swelling five times under BJP rule, saying "self-appointed competent doctors" created more problems in handling crisis at three banks during the UPA regime.

She blamed Chidambaram for the crisis at Global Trust Bank in July 2004 and the problems at IDBI which had to merge with on-the-verge of collapsing United Western Bank in 2006.

The Congress-led UPA had come to power in May 2004 and Chidambaram was the finance minister.

Addressing a press conference after the RBI superseded the board of Yes Bank and placed withdrawal restrictions, she said the crisis-hit lender's exposure to stressed corporates dates before 2014.

"The exposure of Yes Bank to some of the very stressed corporates has been before 2014. These are public domain names and I am not violating any customer privacy Anil Ambani (Group), Essel Group, DHFL, IL&FS (and) Vodafone are some of the very stressed corporate to whom Yes Bank has been exposed," she said.

Sitharaman said she is revealing these names as the opposition parties were "very keen to point fingers".

"I am not here to continue carrying the stories of legacy. Yes, the Indian banking system has had severe challenges thanks to the way in which the government which existed between 2004-14 had handled the matter. I have reasons to put the blame on them," she said.

Sitharaman went on to question Chidambaram's handling of the crisis at two banks under the UPA-1 rule.

"So-called self-appointed competent doctors" were in charge when United Western Bank was "almost on the verge of collapse in 2006 and was forcefully merged with IDBI," she said. "Today if I have problems restoring good health of IDBI, I am giving you good examples of how self-appointed competent doctors had handled UWB merger with IDBI."

IDBI, she said, went down because of UWB. "That was the treatment offered by those who speak today."

"We have ensured that the interest of customers is kept safe, we are doing that. Their solution for UWB has resulted in IDBI also losing" its base, she said adding Global Trust Bank was merged with OBC and Ganesh Bank of Kurudher was merged with a private bank.

"Easy merge it and wash your hands off," she said. "In all three you merged and washed your hands off."

The former finance minister Chidambaram had in a series of tweets questioning the crisis at Yes Bank and asked why should state-owned State Bank of India (SBI) invest in the beleaguered lender.

When overall bank credit between 2014 and 2019 grew by about 10 per cent, Yes Bank's loan book grew by about 35 per cent, he said. "Who knows, FM may blame the UPA for the miraculous jump between 2014 and 2019 !!!"

FM is a short form of finance minister.

"I understand FM has made a statement blaming the UPA. That's normal for a government living in ignorance. Does the FM know the numbers that I have tweeted? If she does, will she please explain how the loan book jumped in five years from Rs 55,633 crore to Rs 2,41,499 crore?"

In another tweet, Chidambaram said, "SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned."

Sitharaman said she has repeatedly said that she will not allow any institution to fall off a cliff.

"I do remember I said in the context of non-banking finance companies and we have been a daily basis monitoring the banking and shadow banking institutions," she said.

Questioning Chidambaram's handling of banks, she asked action against how many people were taken by the UPA to task for the problems at banks.

"And here you see them quickly jump to say 'oh no no you don't know what you are doing? You don't know how you are handling the economic affairs'," she said. "We are ensuring the customers' interest is intact, we are ensuring that depositors are assured and money is safe. You forcefully merge it off, let go off offenders and now ask questions uncomfortable for yourself."

Stating that she has no problem answering questions on the handling of the economy, the minister said her government's approach so ensures institutions don't collapse and that they are kept in good health and interest of customers and depositors are kept safe.

"We assure all the depositors that their money is safe. We shall ensure that speedily this will be resolved and restructuring will happen in the interest of depositors and economy," she added.
The late Paul Kelly, former CEO of Console charity and his wife Patricia Kelly Photo: John Dardis

THE wife of late Console founder Paul Kelly is to stand trial accused of fraudulent trading and concealing crime proceeds of the suicide prevention charity.

Former chief executive Kelly took his own life on February 9, the night before he was to be charged with financial irregularities at Console.

His wife Patricia Kelly (58), a former director of Console, was brought before Judge Victor Blake at Dublin District Court.

She faces two counts of fraudulent trading by Console Suicide Bereavement, between December 2006 and July 2016. These offences were contrary to the 1963 and 2014 Companies Acts.

Expand Close The late Paul Kelly, former CEO of Console charity and his wife Patricia Kelly Photo: John Dardis / Facebook

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The third charge was for money laundering, in which it was alleged that from September 2010 until July 2016 she concealed or disguised the true nature, location, movement or ownership of properties of Console, which were proceeds of criminal conduct.

It follows an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) in conjunction with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE).

The probe commenced following the 2016 RTE Investigates documentary programme  Broken Trust  about the charity, which has gone into liquidation.

Ms Kelly, now on social welfare, was ordered to appear again on April 17 next to be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial to a higher court.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by GNECB Detective Glenn MacKessy.

He told the court Ms Kelly was met by appointment at just after 12.30pm today at the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin.

She was charged, cautioned and handed copies of the charge sheets, he said, adding that Ms Kelly, made no reply.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment, in the Circuit Court.

There was no objection to bail in her own bond of 200 subject to several conditions being imposed.

Detective MacKessy asked the judge to include in the order terms compelling her to sign on three times a week at a Garda station, and to be contactable by mobile phone at all times.

Dressed in a navy winter coat and black trousers, Ms Kelly sat shaking at the side of the courtroom. Her solicitor James MacGuill described his client as nervous and told Judge Blake she will be contesting the charges.

Mr MacGuill objected to the signing on requirement and the need for her to carry a mobile phone.

He called those two terms onerous.

The solicitor said this case followed a prolonged investigation and it was likely that there would be a prolonged period before her trial proceeds.

Detective MacKessy agreed with the solicitor that the prosecution stemmed from an RTE broadcast in 2016 when the ODCE became involved.

Mr MacGuill argued that in the years since then, his client, knowing she was under investigation, had not tried to evade justice, and she was not a flight risk.

Her passport has expired and she would undertake not to apply for a new one, he said. There were two previous attempts to charge her, the court heard.

The solicitor said the last time Ms Kellys husband died by suicide the night before he was to be charged.

Before that she had to attend hospital with him, he added.

Mr MacGuill pointed out she still resided at the same address.

The High Court has frozen her assets and she did not have a car, the solicitor said.

In relation to the request to be contactable by mobile phone at all times, the solicitor submitted the worry was that the phone could lose its charge.

Ms Kelly was by nature a nervous person and she could find her self in breach of bail, Mr MacGuill argued.

It would be at least a year before the trial was reached, he also said.

Judge Victor Blake held she would have to sign on once a week at Naas Garda station, every Monday. Ms Kelly spoke once during the hearing to say no when asked if she preferred any day in particular.

The judge noted her passport expired in 2016 and he ordered her not to apply for a new one or other travel documents, and to remain in the jurisdiction for the duration of the proceedings.

He told her to provide a mobile phone number, but following the defence solicitors arguments on this point, he said gardai were not to barrage her with unnecessary calls, and they were to be restricted to once a week.

She must continue to reside at her address and have no contact with witnesses or any of the charitys employees or directors, except her son Tim Kelly.

The fraud detective asked for a six-week adjournment for the DPP to complete a book of evidence.

A statement of her means was handed in to court as part of an application for legal aid. The solicitor said she was now entirely reliant on social welfare as a result of the High Court freezing order.

Deferring a decision on this request, Judge Blake noted that parts of the application form were not filled out.

He said that issue could be dealt with at Ms Kellys next hearing at the district court.
PHOENIX  The U.S. government says it is sending 160 military police and engineers to two official border crossings to deal with asylum seekers in case a federal appeals court strikes down one of the Trump administrations key policies.

Senior Customs and Border Protection officials said Friday that active duty personnel will be in place by Saturday at ports of entry in El Paso and San Diego, where a large caravan attempted to cross the border in 2018, resulting in chaos and the closure of the San Ysidro port, the nations busiest land crossing. Officials say 80 service members will be sent to that port and another 80 to the El Paso one.

The deployment is in response to a crowd of asylum-seekers that gathered at an El Paso crossing last Friday after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily struck down the program known as Remain in Mexico, which forces asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases wind through court in the U.S. Officials shut down that border crossing for several hours that evening before the court reversed itself.

On Wednesday, the court again made a decision on the case, this time blocking the program in Arizona and California, the two border states under its authority. About 60,000 asylum-seekers have been returned to Mexico while awaiting their immigration hearings in the U.S. Its unclear why the government is sending military police to El Paso, which isnt subject to the current injunction blocking the program. When asked about that, a senior official said military members can be moved to different ports of entry in response to shifting needs.

Critics call the program inhumane and dangerous, forcing vulnerable people to wait in high-crime Mexican border cities where they are often subjected to violence, extortion and kidnapping.

But Remain in Mexico, which the government calls the Migrant Protection Protocols, has been one of the most successful tools in the administrations battle to stem the large number of asylum seekers looking for refuge in the U.S.

The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court, which has consistently ruled in the administrations favor on immigration policies, to intervene and wants the policy to stay in effect until next week to give the high court time to decide.

In the meantime, authorities say theyre preparing for more large groups of asylum seekers in case the appeals court strikes down the policy. Seeking asylum at ports of entry is legal, but the government has gone to great lengths to prevent migrants from doing so, including a metering policy that requires asylum-seekers to wait on an unofficial list for months before they are even allowed to walk up to a U.S. agent and seek protection.

CBP officials who provided the information on Friday gave few details about what exactly the military police will be doing, but did say military police wont be conducting immigration enforcement.

In a statement, the Department of Defense said military members will place temporary barriers to restrict access through ports of entry and provide protection for CBP personnel. The service members will come from the 687th Engineer Construction Company and the 519th Military Police Battalion at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

CBP says the deployment is scheduled to last two weeks but could be extended if necessary.

There are approximately 5,000 troops already at the border, about half of them members of the National Guard. The defense department has also reallocated nearly $10 billion to construction of the border wall, although there are pending legal challenges.

Since Remain in Mexico began a year ago, officials have increasingly hardened the El Paso Paso Del Norte bridge. Rolls of razor wire and forklifts with concrete barriers have been a regular fixture on the bridge for months, drawing the ire of local business leaders who say it turns off Mexican shoppers and visitors who keep the El Paso economy afloat.

___

Associated Press reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed from El Paso.
Chennai, March 6 : With its automatic teller machines (ATM) not operational and withdrawals from other bank ATMs blocked, account holders of Yes Bank are waiting at the branches with tense faces here.

The branch officials though explaining with patience to the customers that the non performing assets (NPA) has put the Yes Bank in financial difficulties, the response is one of anguish, disbilief and pain.

"It is no more Yes Bank. It is No Bank," said a customer at the Raja Annamalaipuram Branch on Friday.

Inside the branch, customers were waiting with tokens for their turn to withdraw money and those who came in the evening were asked to come on Saturday for withdrawing money.

"It was a shock for me when a friend of mine woke me up in the afternoon and told me about the Yes Bank issue. I have a Savings Bank Account with the bank and have to withdraw cash to pay for my child's schoolfees," G.S.Balaji, an Electronics Engineer told IANS.

"I will be moving all my deposits to Indian Bank. I have accounts with two other private banks," he added.

Another person on condition of anonymity told IANS that his employer has account only with Yes Bank and how they are going to manage with a withdrawal ceiling of Rs 50,000 till April is not known.

"I have one account with Yes Bank opened long back. I do my banking with State Bank of India (SBI). I came here to check about the status. Soon I will close this account and transfer the balance to SBI," another account holder of Yes Bank told IANS preferring anonymity.

According to another bank customer, he has faith in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the central government.

A branch official told IANS that customers have to come to the branch to withdraw money as ATMs are not functional.
Media Specialist, Oslo

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Country: Norway

City: Oslo, Norway

Office: UNDP Oslo Governance Centre

Closing date: Wednesday, 18 March 2020

Media Specialist - Oslo 3

Location : Homebased

Application Deadline : 18-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Apr-2020

Duration of Initial Contract : 20 days

Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 April - 1 September 2020

Background

UNDPs approach to PVE aims to address two related trends: the rise of violent extremism, and the governance of increasingly diverse and multi-cultural societies. At the heart of UNDPs approach is a belief that better governance in diversity will lead to societies better prepared to deal with violent extremism as outlined in UNDPs strategy on Preventing Violent Extremism through Inclusive Development and the Promotion of Tolerance and Respect for Diversity.

The UNDP OGC has co-hosted along with the Norwegian MFA two global meetings on PVE bringing together practitioners, decision-makers and academics from around the world to discuss the challenges, opportunities and unique roles played by development actors in efforts to address the root causes of violent extremism. The meetings helped to establish the OGC as the global focal point within UNDP to shape, monitor, gather, organise, disseminate and advise on research and knowledge generation relating to the PVE field.

The third global meeting will take place 27-28 August 2020, at a venue in the center of Oslo. It will focus on promoting the stories of those affected by violent extremism from different contexts across the world. These local stories will be told through interviews with journalists and intertwined through proceedings will be TED style talks by people who have had success at promoting similar stories through popular media channels. The intended outcome of the event is to highlight how assumptions and knowledge on how we consider preventing violent extremism should come from the ground.

In this context OGC is looking for an International IC to support OGCs work on this portfolio to identify and liaise with speakers and journalists who will participate in the Oslo 3 conference.

The IC will be home based and work under the overall guidance of the Research Advisor at UNDPs Oslo Governance Centre. One trip to Oslo from 25 -30 August 2020 will be required and must be part of the financial offer.

The consultant will be paid in two lump sums; upon completion of output A , 10 days, and the remaining 10 days upon completion of the consultancy.

Application Procedure

The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Submission of technical proposal. That will include providing application via UNDP Job-shop ( jobs.undp.org )

Interested candidates should provide the following documents and information:

Uploading a CV/P11 and a statement of interest indicating all past experience for similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability which also includes a brief description (not more than 300 - 500 words) of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;

A sample of a social media campaign plan/ package led by the applicant;

Online links to samples of digital multimedia content developed by the applicant, i.e. videos;

Online links to samples of written work by the applicant.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposals: Applicants are required to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 Please fill in section A I and III on p.

The total sum of I and III should be divided by 20 days to get the all-inclusive daily fee to be filled in on p. 1, e)

The proposals should be sent via email to oslo.governance.centre@undp.org with the following subject heading: Financial Proposal Media Specialist Oslo 3 by the application deadline. Proposals received after the deadline may be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive professional daily fee, and include a detailed breakdown of the cost. The term all-inclusive implies that all costs (professional fees, assignment related travel expenses, communications, tax, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.

Criteria for selection: Only those candidates who meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the consultancy. The shortlisted candidates will be scored based on a review of their functional competencies and other criteria as described above. The candidates with the highest scores may also be invited for interviews.

Combined scoring method: where the qualifications and competencies will be weighted a max of 70% and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Method: cumulative analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals.

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive / compliant / acceptable; and

Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weight: 70 points (70% of total obtainable scores): Only those candidates who meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the technical evaluation. The technical evaluation will include a desk review, and may also include interviews with shortlisted candidates.

The technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done on the basis of a review of the following:

Experience working with the media and journalists (20 p)

On the ground knowledge of violent extremism in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Balkans and Asia (20 p)

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (15 p)

Experience in conducting interviews with people affected by extremism (15 p)

Financial criteria weight: 30 (30% of total obtainable scores).

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the technical part will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum): The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal: =price of the lowest priced proposal: z = price of the proposal being evaluated: The award of contract will be made to the individual consultant who receives the highest combined score out of the weighted technical and financial criteria as specified above.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS_INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (IC) http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Research Advisor at the Oslo Governance Centre, the IC will be responsible for the following:

Act as the primary focal point for the identification, narrative development and briefings with speakers (ensuring a global and gender balance) and journalists for the Oslo 3 conference.

Tags inclusive development middle east violent extremism

Support the finalization of an agenda for Oslo

Prepare and participate in Oslo 3 as an interviewer and speaker.

The consultant is expected to work towards the following work plan.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete

(days)

Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required

Identification of speakers and journalists

10

1 May 2020

Research Advisor, Oslo Governance Centre

Finalization of agenda for Oslo 3

2

1 June 2020

Research Advisor, Oslo Governance Centre

Prepare, participate and conduct interviews at Oslo 3

8

30 August 2020

Research Advisor, Oslo Governance Centre

Competencies

Masters level degree in a field related to the scope of the assignment;

At least 10 years experience working with journalists and in the media;

On the ground experience and understanding violent extremism across the world;

Proven ability to communicate on the issue of violent extremism with journalists and young audiences.

Required Skills and Experience

Excellent verbal communications skills;

Ability to complete tasks independently and take initiative, but also work well as part of a team;

Ability to perform tasks in a timely manner, under pressure, and to tight deadlines;

Previous relevant experience with UNDP or the broader UN system would be an asset;

Fluency in written and spoken English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 6

Trend:

Iran - Iraq border crossing will be closed for a week due to disinfection work, Trend reports via the Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

The Iraqi Border Crossing Department announced about the closure of the border on March 8-15 to the Iranian side.

The statement said all of Iran's borders including Khosravi, Soumar, Mehran, Chazabeh and Shalamcheh will not operate during the week.

Iranian and Iraqi officials continue to deliberate with border officials for keeping the borders open.

Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 3,500 people have been infected, 107 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 730 have reportedly recovered from the disease.

The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.

Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights.

The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
Businessman Denis O'Brien and two companies controlled by him are seeking to be given documents used in a court application by the Director of Corporate Enforcement to have inspectors appointed to investigate matters at Independent News & Media.

Today, Michael Cush SC, for Mr O'Brien, Island Capital and Blaydon Ltd, told High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly his clients have been assisting the inspectors' investigation and a procedural point had been reached where they required to see the documents.

It may appear "surprising" his side has not seen the documents, counsel said. His side had informed the inspectors of the intended application for the documents and the inspectors had said they had no role in that regard.

In the circumstances, he wanted leave to serve short notice on INM and the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) of an application to be provided with the ODCE's grounding affidavit in the application for inspectors, plus replying affidavits.

Mr Justice Kelly, noting several other parties have secured access to the documents, granted liberty for short service of the application and returned the matter to next Wednesday.

Former INM CEO Gavin O'Reilly and Karl Brophy, former INM director of corporate affairs, are among a number of parties who previously secured access to the documents. Both men later obtained permission to use the materials for their contemplated proceedings against INM and possibly others arising from the alleged data breach.

In September 2018, Mr Justice Kelly appointed two inspectors - barrister Sean Gillane SC, who specialises in criminal law, and Richard Fleck, a UK-based solicitor and corporate governance expert - to investigate the conduct of affairs at INM.

Their first report was provided to the judge in April 2019.

ODCE Ian Drennan applied for inspectors in spring 2018 following his offices year-long investigation into matters raised in protected disclosures made in 2016 and 2017 by former INM CEO Robert Pitt and INM's Chief Financial Officer Ryan Preston.

Arising from that investigation, the ODCE raised concerns about issues, including an alleged data breach at INM in 2014, involving data being exported from the jurisdiction and interrogated by third parties.

The then INM Chairman Leslie Buckley, who stepped down in March 2018, has said that was done as a cost-cutting exercise called Operation Quantum.

In September 2018, Mr Justice Kelly ruled the ODCE had provided evidence that "well justified" inspectors being appointed.

He was satisfied many questions remain to be answered about disquieting issues raised by the ODCE, including the alleged removal from INM, and interrogation, of the data of 19 persons, including journalists, former INM employees and executives and two senior counsel for the Moriarty Tribunal.

The judge was also concerned about the circumstances concerning the proposed acquisition by INM of Newstalk Radio from a company of Mr O'Brien, then INM's largest shareholder, and the proposed payment by INM of a 1m 'success fee' to another company of Mr O'Brien's.

While neither of those payments proceeded, they were "certainly suggestive of an unlawful purpose directed to the benefit of Mr O'Brien directly or indirectly and the detriment of the company," he said.

The appointment of inspectors' was in the public interest in the context of the regulation of public companies, the nature of INM's business and the importance of a free press, he held.
With the country bracing itself to meet the coronavirus threat, many states have approached Kerala which effectively treated the first three patients of the country and contained the secondary infection.

A team from Telangana comprising doctors and health officials reached the state on Friday to study the states monitoring and surveillance system. Two other states-- Odisha and Madhya Pradesh-- will also send their teams to the state soon, a senior health ministry official said.

Team members later met state health minister K K Shailaja and visited some hospitals and attended regular review meetings at the state capital. During the discussion, state health officials explained the health protocol, surveillance and contact raising methods to them.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has already asked all states to follow the Kerala model in tackling the virus. Union cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba has also lauded the states efforts in containing the virus.

The first three cases of coronavirus in the country were reported in the state and all three, students who had returned from China, were discharged after being fully cured. Effective isolation, monitoring mechanism and strict adherence to guidelines floated during the Nipah virus outbreak two years ago helped the state to tide over the crisis.

We are happy to share our experience and strategy with other states. Though there is some let up in the situation we are maintaining strict alert. We are holding review meetings every day and video conferences with all district medical officers, said Shailaja adding it was too early for the state to lower guard. She said the state was ready to extend any help to other states in tackling the situation.

Kerala was in battle-mode after the detection of the first case on January 30. At least 200 isolation wards were ready in a few days and experts imparted training to health workers for barrier nursing. The states preparedness was lauded by all and that really helped contain the secondary infection.

Meanwhile Kerala Mata Amritanandamai has stopped giving darshan to devotees, mutt officials said. Foreigners form a big part of teeming devotees and the state health ministry has advised the mutt to put in place some restrictions. Usually the Amma, as Amritanandamai is known, hugs devotees and blesses them.

The health ministry advisory came in the light of some incidents in South Korea. There are reports from Seoul that a big religious gathering spiked the infection in the country. After China, South Korea and Iran are the worst affected now, statistics show.
06.03.2020 LISTEN

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research is currently investigating a suspected case of the deadly COVID-19 in Ghana.

The case involves a Ghanaian woman based abroad who returned to the country for a medical procedure.

Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie who confirmed the development to Citi News said the suspected patient reported to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday afternoon.

This is the second time the teaching Hospital is recording a suspected case of the deadly disease. The first one which involved two Chinese nationals tested negative after examination and testing by the Noguchi Medical Research Institute.

Dr. Badu Sarkodie told Citi News the Noguchi Medical Research Institute is expected to complete the tests on the latest case by close of day.

Yesterday, information reached us in the evening that there is a suspected case in Korle Bu and tests have been taken to know exactly what it is. Indeed, it is suspected to be COVID-`19 and samples have been taken and sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute and I have been informed they are actively working on it so we are waiting for the report. This person is a Ghanaian citizen who was living outside the country and has come to the country for a medical procedure. Coronavirus: 33 suspected cases all test negative  GHS boss

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) had earlier said 33 suspected cases of Coronavirus in Ghana had all tested negative.

Dr. Patrick Aboagye however stated on the Point of View on Monday that one case, however, is still being tested.

So far we've tested about 33 cases. All have proved negative. One case is being tested All the tests were done here [in Ghana]. The tests are 100 percent sure. We have the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) For now, the two are enough, he had said.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have announced various measures to prevent the virus and contain it should there be a reported case.

At the Airport, people arriving in the country are made to fill a declaration form that is used to determine their risk factors in terms of exposure to areas that have recorded cases of coronavirus.

Patrick Aboagye indicated that follow-up checks are made on all such contacts to ascertain whether or not they will show symptoms of the disease.

Coronavirus in Africa

The first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was recorded on 14th February 2020 in Egypt.

Senegal and Nigeria have both confirmed one case each.

So far more than 90,000 cases have been confirmed while about 3,110 others have died from the novel coronavirus. Maintain personal hygiene

Meanwhile, the government has urged the public to maintain good personal hygiene to ensure that an outbreak of the disease is prevented.

The common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.

People are also urged to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

---citinewsroom
In another cheating case during the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, a 21-year-old MBA student was arrested by the Narpoli police in Bhiwandi for attempting the exam as a dummy student.

The dummy candidate Sagar Laxmirajan Vijaya Katla was appearing for exam on behalf of Jagganath Shankar Mulya, 27. Another man Charan Desvani, 28 was involved in the plan with the duo. The police have booked all three for cheating, while Katla has been arrested.

Katla was paid 500 for writing the first paper on March 3, while he was also promised the same amount for Fridays paper along with a job in Bengaluru by Mulya. All three are residents of Bhiwandi.The incident came to light after an examiner Sambhaji Sawant, 51, was inspecting the examination room during the Hindi paper in Podar English Medium School, Dhamankar Naka, at around 11am.

A police officer informed, The examiner asked for Katlas hall ticket and suspected that photo on the hall ticket was tampered with. On questioning, Katla confessed to the crime.

Mulya had failed his SSC examination in 2010 and was re-attempting it.

Maloji Shinde, senior police inspector of Narpoli said, We have arrested the accused Katla under IPC sections 416, 419 and 31. Officials at the Mumbai divisional board confirmed the incident. We have asked the school to register an FIR. Further investigations would follow, said Sandeep Sangave, secretary, Mumbai divisional board.

This is the second cheating case this year, wherein a dummy student was caught in Shahpur.

(Inputs by Ankita Bhatkhande)
Dallas City Hall

Hollenbeck Police Station, Los Angeles

Las Vegas City Hall

Tulsa City Hall

Boston City Hall

Thompson Center, Chicago

Clark County Government Center

Caltrans Headquarters, Los Angeles

The mission of the Washington, D.C.-based National Civic Art Society is to promote public art and architecture worthy of our great republic. To that end, they have drafted a proposed executive order entitled Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again. Citing the perceived failures of modern civic architecture, the group espouses a return to the tradition of classical design, drawing on the ancient Greeks and Romans for inspiration in government architecture. Whether or not the order is signed by President Trump, it would only apply to federal buildings, leaving the states and localities free to embrace modernism or stick to the classics.Trump wont be the first president to weigh in on the built environment. Another president from another time used his influence to affect architectural tastes in the early days of the republic.Founding Father Thomas Jefferson and Frenchman Charles-Louis Clerisseau designed the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, the first Roman Revival building in America. Considered a perfect example of classical architecture, they took inspiration from the Maison Carree, a Roman temple in France. With his devotion to Roman principles of design, Jefferson pointedly rejected the Georgian architecture favored by the British.Completed in 1800, Virginias new capitol influenced civic architecture in America for years to come. The later addition of two wings, a staircase and an underground visitors center have ensured the buildings continued usefulness for more than two centuries. Whether or not the following sample of modern government buildings will last as long remains to be seen.After the assassination of President Kennedy, Dallas became known as the city of hate, a label then-mayor Erik Jonsson was determined to abolish. A new, forward-looking city hall was expected to play a major role in the citys reinvention and modernist architect I.M. Pei was tasked with designing a symbol worthy of the new Dallas. Construction began in 1972 and it was six years before municipal workers settled in.Built of buff-colored concrete, the inverted pyramid juts out over an adjoining plaza at a 34-degree angle. Three massive pillars seem to support the structure, but in fact they were added only because Mayor Jonsson worried the original design would scare people, looking as if it could topple over. Despite initial controversy over its cost and avant garde appearance, Peis angular concrete and glass behemoth is generally recognized as a successful design. Five years ago, the Texas Society of Architects recognized the building for having stood the test of time by retaining its central form, character, and overall architectural integrity.If not for the word POLICE prominently displayed on the front of the Hollenbeck Police Station in Los Angeles, the building could easily be mistaken for a museum of modern art. In use since 2009, the eye-catching structure is one of several of the citys police stations designed at the time to be less imposing and more welcoming to its neighbors. Soft colors and second-floor patios run contrary to the historical notion of what a police station ought to look like. But the front facade is what really sets this station apart from others. Providing a level of literal and figurative transparency, an undulating wall of frosted glass panels are suspended across the entire front of the building. They are not bulletproof, but the glass curtain wall behind them is.The Las Vegas City Hall marries the gambling meccas unrestrained exuberance with a commitment to sustainability. The LEED-certified, glassy seven-story structure, built in 2012, features an array of 33 solar trees along its front with additional solar panels on the roof. Solar farms and the nearby Hoover Dam provide 100 percent renewable energy to city hall as well as every other government building, park, streetlight and traffic signal within city limits. Annual energy costs for the eight-year-old building are $500,000 less than they were for the old city hall.Goals for the new city hall went beyond sustainability. The buildings design serves as inspiration to all who visit and work within its walls. Common among many examples of modern government architecture, generous use of exterior glass is intended to invoke the concept of open government. Inside, colors and materials evoke local landscapes and reference the Indian Springs Preserve, the desert citys original source of water. A revitalized downtown is taking shape around a city hall as unique as the city it governs.Fans of art deco architecture know that Tulsa, Okla., is home to numerous examples of the style made popular in the decades before World War II. Built when the city was awash in oil money, the art deco structures celebrate the promise of the machine age with sleek geometric patterns and a vertical emphasis. A modern style for a modern age.But Tulsas current city hall comes from another modern age, a time when tech was the big play. Having outgrown the previous city hall, the city in 2007 relocated its government offices a few blocks away into One Technology Center, a modernist 15-story glass tower purchased from a bankrupt broadband provider. The move allowed the consolidation of services and employees while significantly reducing energy costs. Since city employees fill less than half the buildings floor space, the rest of the tower is leased, providing a source of revenue and providing future flexibility as needs change.With its glass curtain walls and shiny metal columns at ground level, One Technology Center looks a lot more luxurious but less imposing than a typical government building. The previous mid-century modern city hall, more tolerated than loved for its design, is now a hotel. That buildings neo-classic predecessor has been repurposed as office space. A lease-to-own option for tenants of the new city hall will make it easier for the citys offices to move again should a better option present itself.Boston City Hall may be the most unloved public building in America. Reviled even before construction was complete in 1968, the brutalist structure has endured despite repeatedly being named worlds ugliest building, and worst building in the city." Long-time beloved Mayor Tom Menino wanted to tear it down, sell the land to developers and construct a new city hall two miles away. He didnt follow through only because of greater needs in a time of tight money.Generally panned by the public, professional critics and architects have been more forgiving, heaping praise on what others liken to a giant concrete harmonica. A 1976 poll of architects declared it one of the 10 most important buildings in America. But the consensus of opinion among regular users of the building is that the dank, dark monstrosity is difficult to navigate and just plain unpleasant to be in. The brutalist behemoths demise seems almost inevitable.Chicago, birthplace of the skyscraper, is home to some of the most beautiful and important architecture in the country. Architecture tours of the city, either on foot, by bus or boat, are a popular activity all year. Because the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed nearly all of downtown, the citys buildings are known more for their innovation and creativity than their age. Examples of design from different decades exist comfortably side by side throughout the center city. With at least one exception, the unloved Thompson Center, home to the offices of state employees.Looking like a well-worn spaceship on the outside, its half dome shape was intended to reference the dome of the state capitol. Inside, office workers look out over a 13-story glass atrium, again, meant to invoke thoughts of open and transparent government. The atrium is still impressive but because the originally intended insulated glass proved too costly, ordinary single-pane panels were installed, which turned the interior into a giant greenhouse. Years of deferred maintenance by a state strapped for cash did not help matters. There was even talk of selling the place, but it never went anywhere. Until now.Recently, a firm was chosen to find a buyer for the property. The governor has pledged to put the proceeds of a sale toward the states underfunded pension system. It remains to be seen whether the next owner will repair or replace the 35-year-old postmodern building.Drawing inspiration from the surrounding Nevada desert landscape, the Clark County Government Center sits on nearly 40 landscaped acres of land within the boundaries of Las Vegas. Since its opening in 1995, the red sandstone complex has been popular with residents and visitors who take advantage of the several community gathering places inside the building and out. The centers architects purposefully eschewed classic design elements in favor of open and accessible spaces that connect people with their government. With its soaring, 100-foot-high ceiling, the County Room and Rotunda is the Centers focal point, its design mimicking rock formations at the nearby Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon parks. Blue and tan shades of granite on the floor represent a desert pool and sand.The futuristic Caltrans District 7 Headquarters Building houses 2,500 employees of the California and Los Angeles departments of transportation. The award-winning LEED-certified building has the usual array of energy-saving features including controversial elevators that dont stop on every floor to encourage the use of stairs. The hulking, glistening 13-story metallic structure appears to have no windows. They are hidden behind 2,000 shades that move with the sun, letting in light but not heat.The modernist building occupies an entire block across the street from the iconic Los Angeles City Hall. Both buildings, vastly dissimilar in appearance but stars in their own right, are favorite movie backdrops. The city doesnt charge a fee to film them, beyond permit costs and paid mandatory supervising personnel. Not immune from criticism, the industrial-looking Caltrans headquarters has been likened to a deathstar and giant file cabinet. Thom Mayne, the buildings architect, thinks criticism of his design means he is doing something right. "There is no choice for a modern architect other than building a modern building, he told the Los Angeles Downtown News in 2004. You can't make a traditional building,"
DALLAS and HOUSTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that seven attorneys across the firm's Dallas and Houston offices have been named by Super Lawyers as Texas Rising Stars for 2020 for their work in a wide range of practice areas.

"It is an honor for our Texas attorneys to be recognized by Super Lawyers as among the top up-and-coming attorneys in the nation," said Bradley Houston Office Managing Partner Ian P. Faria.

Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles said, "As we continue to grow our teams in Texas, we are proud of these Rising Stars honors and other accolades that demonstrate the high level of legal talent we have assembled across diverse practice areas."

Bradley attorneys honored by Texas Rising Stars for 2020 include:

Dallas

Houston

Rising Stars honorees  who must be 40 years old or younger or in practice no more than 10 years  are selected by Super Lawyers through independent research, peer nominations and an evaluation by a blue-ribbon advisory board. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in Texas are honored each year. Distributed to attorneys and ABA-accredited law school libraries, the Texas Rising Stars lists also are published in Texas Super Lawyers Magazine  Rising Stars and Texas Monthly magazine. Super Lawyers is published by Thomson Reuters.

About Bradley

Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm's nearly 550 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Social Media: @bradleylegal, @SuperLawyers, #legalnews, #legalawards, #lawyers

SOURCE Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Related Links

https://www.bradley.com


Lucknow, March 6 : The efforts of the Yogi Adityanath government seem to be paying off and investors' interest in setting up projects in Uttar Pradesh under the India Investment Grid (IIG) has increased by 18.6 per cent while a 51 per cent increase has taken place in the monitoring of projects in the state.

UP Industrial Development Minister Satish Mahana told IANS that UP is also continuously attracting global investors. This will provide employment to around 30,000 youth in Uttar Pradesh, he added.

He said that IIG is an initiative of the Centre. It showcases investment opportunities available in 25 sectors in all the states and union territories of the country on one platform. This system also has the facility to find various investment opportunities.

Uttar Pradesh has a national share of over 13 per cent with the most investment-worthy projects at IIGs and these projects have been promoted by more than 32 government and private promoters.

Mahana said that these projects of UP are running in 68 districts out of total 75 districts of the state.

The top 5 countries that seek investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh include the United States, Canada, Japan, Indonesia and China. Uttar Pradesh, the country's third-largest economy, contributes about 8 per cent to the national GDP. The government is taking concrete steps to implement 'Ease of Doing Business' reforms for the facility of investors.

The minister said that the result of the successful implementation of the reforms recommended by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DIPP), Government of India, Uttar Pradesh is now the 'Achiever State' in the ranking of states and had succeeded in achieving the 12th rank in the year 2018.

Mahana said that to further accelerate this pace of industrialization in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is preparing to organize 'UP Global Investors Summit-2020'.

He said the overall economic and social development of the state is expected through promoting environment which is friendly for investment and industries, and by propagating available natural and human resources and investment-oriented policies on the world stage.
Is it really over? So soon?

Russias unwillingness to go along with Saudi Arabias emergency supply cut fuels speculation the whole OPEC+ thing is done. I dont agree. OPEC+ has always been largely a marketing and political tool. Formally ditching it now would merely make obvious the underlying truth: OPEC+ wouldnt exist in the first place unless OPEC on its own had lost credibility. If we are left with an arrangement mixing co-dependency with disagreement and frustration  well, weve all observed marriages like that, havent we? (Not yours and mine, obviously.)

Whats more, Russia is right.

Its now been more than three years since the first supposedly six-month OPEC+ supply cut began. Saudi Arabia, OPECs de facto leader, had previously tried flushing the oil market in hopes of squeezing out rival U.S. and Russian barrels. When that didnt work, it co-opted Russia into a plan to trade market share for higher prices. The results have been  to put it kindly  ambiguous.

OPECs market share has slumped to its lowest level so far this century, and Saudi Arabias is back to levels last seen almost a decade ago. Russian production, meanwhile, has flattened rather than dropped. That is positive in one sense, as that countrys oil majors would otherwise probably be raising output by several hundred thousand barrels a day each year. However, U.S. producers, given succor by OPEC+ and the support lent to oil futures, have gamely jumped into the gap.

As of late Friday morning in New York, Brent crude oil was trading below $46 a barrel  close to where it was the day before the OPEC+ agreement was first struck in November 2016. In other words, the group has traded market share in return for  well, maybe not nothing, but not a whole lot of something either.

OPECs problem is that the ability to actually manage oil production rests in the hands of just a few members, chiefly Saudi Arabia and a couple of its neighbors on the Arabian peninsula. As I wrote here, much of the groups apparent restraint these past few years is really just impotence dressed up as abstinence. Deflating production costs elsewhere, as exemplified by (but not confined to) the shale boom, have reduced the economic rents available to OPECs under-diversified economies. Meanwhile, even as the coronavirus crisis savages near-term oil demand, challenges to long-term demand are building.

Russias position inflicts more pain immediately but also comports more with reality. The lack of flexibility in many OPEC economies  and, by extension, their oil production  makes their supply cuts a blunt tool in a more dynamic and competitive market. A demand shock like the current one is just the most extreme demonstration of this.

In a world where Russia and the U.S. now produce more oil than all of OPECs members outside of Saudi Arabia, the groups ability to manage prices looks more questionable than ever. Moreover, if they want to monetize more of their giant oil reserves as demand growth looks set to taper off, they must encourage demand for as long as possible with lower prices.

The other reason to raise production and let prices fall is the vulnerability of the shale producers. When Saudi Arabia tried to flood the market last time, it ran into the problem of U.S. capital markets. Just as the social costs of OPEC economies add to the breakeven oil price they need, American producers effectively enjoyed a discount on theirs, in the form of equity and bond investors willing to absorb the losses generated by sub-economic projects.

All that has changed. The energy high-yield bond market now carries a spread of about 1,000 basis points, which is where triple-C bonds in general were trading just two weeks ago. And even mighty Exxon Mobil Corp., sticking doggedly with its giant spending budget, has lost almost $100 billion in market cap so far this year and now yields more than 7%.

A year or so of lower oil prices would give a big nudge to the rationalization Americas exploration and production sector has needed for a while, taking U.S. barrels out of the market  and also, importantly, many of the most irrational producers. In doing so, it could ultimately raise the oil cost curve and might also, once the sheer avoidance phase of the coronavirus emergency has passed, spur demand.

Rather than this weeks disagreement leading to a formal break, Saudi Arabia and the other OPEC haves should take Moscows cue and recognize they cannot cut their way out of a pandemic-inspired crash. Instead, they should be looking to what comes after, when they will still want to influence oil prices and will need Russias help to do so. If that means the end of OPEC as an effective standalone organization, well, the creation of OPEC+ signaled that very same thing anyway.

ldenning1@bloomberg.net

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy, mining and commodities. He previously was editor of the Wall Street Journal's Heard on the Street column and wrote for the Financial Times' Lex column. He was also an investment banker.
ROADRUNNERS YOU

SHOULD KNOW



MARCH 6, 2020  Emma Faye Rudkin 18 has been legally deaf since she was 4 years old, yet she hears the cries of deaf children, she says, and has worked diligently for five years alongside a team of women to be the voice of as many deaf adolescents as possible.

I didnt know a lot of concepts and words until I was 11, Rudkin said. I had close friends, but for a long time I felt like no one understood me. I spent the majority of my childhood wanting to be included, thinking that no one understood my world.

I want to open the eyes of the community regarding the issues and the struggles that deaf people encounter.

According to Rudkin, who received her bachelors degree communication from UTSA, children who are deaf frequently are not given access to the resources and tools they need to communicate with others. In the United States alone, for example, only 20 states require private health insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids.

I want to open the eyes of the community regarding the issues and the struggles that deaf people encounter, Rudkin said. Her organization, Aid the Silent, has been opening eyes and breaking through barriers since its inception in 2015.

Rudkin was 18 years old when she founded the nonprofit to provide hearing aids and resources to ten children a year. Now the organizations staff consists of six women who in 2019 worked with 229 deaf and hard-of-hearing children and teenagers to arrange resources such as classroom equipment, hearing aids, summer camps, American sign language lessons and speech therapy.

Aid the Silent was also able to provide 16 grants for teachers of the deaf across San Antonio and surrounding areas to equip their classrooms with missing curriculum and provide full accessibility for entire field trips as well as fund continued education conferences specializing in deaf education.

 Learn more about the work of Aid the Silent.

I walked around our offices, which are bursting at the seams with interns and our team members and watched in amazement as filming was taking place to share stories about some of our greatest supporters of Aid the Silent at our upcoming annual gala. I sat on my office floor in tears to count a total number of deaf and hard-of-hearing children we directly impacted in 2019, said Rudkin.

This is a miracle we are living out, a part of a grander rescue operation for deaf children. It is truly beyond my wildest dreams for my 18-year-old self, terrified and young to start Aid the Silent. Heres the message: Do what is scary, do what no else is doing, say yes, show up, be faithful. Be 18 and terrified and say yes to the God-size dream.
Kabul, March 6 : Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Friday escaped a shooting attack that took place shortly after he spoke at a public event here, police said.

"A meeting was ongoing in Mosala-e-Shahid Mazari which was commemorating the death anniversary of jihadi leader Abdul Ali Mazari. The Assembly was dispersed after a shooting attack took place," Xinhua news agency quoted a state media report as saying.

Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council Karim Khalili was delivering a speech when the shooting occurred at around 11.20 a.m., according to the report.

Most of the politicians and government officials, including Abdullah, Khalili and former President Hamid Karzai, left the area safely, according to the report.

"The shooting attack was launched by gunmen from an underconstruted building near the targeted site in Dashti Barchi neighbourhood, Police District 6 of the city," Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman of the Interior Ministry, told Tolo News.

The Crisis Response Unit (CRU) of Afghan National Police arrived at the site following the shooting while sporadic gunfire was continuing, the report noted.

An investigation was underway for the attack which has not been claimed by any group so far.
The coronavirus outbreak is turning one luxury treat reserved for special occasions into a meal bargain hunters can afford.

U.S. lobster prices have plummeted to the lowest in at least four years after the spread of the virus halted charter flights to Asia at a time when sales usually boom for Chinese New Year celebrations.

The fallout has left thousands of pounds of unsold lobster flooding North American markets and squeezing U.S. businesses that were already hurting from lost sales due to Chinas tariffs from its trade war with Washington.

This is like a fatal blow, said Stephanie Nadeau, owner of Arundel, Maine-based The Lobster Co., which saw orders to Hong Kong shrivel from about 1,000 boxes a week to a total of 120 boxes  each carrying 33 pounds  since late January. Im about to lay off most of my employees.

The U.S. used to be the main supplier of live lobster to China as exporters tapped into surging demand from the Asian nations growing middle class. Buyers turned to relatively cheaper supply from Canada after Beijing placed retaliatory tariffs on American crustaceans in 2018.

Canada typically sent about nine charter flights a week, with a total of 1.5 million pounds of the shellfish, from Nova Scotia to South Korea and mainland China for everything from restaurants and markets to business meetings and weddings.

But as restrictions were placed on the borders of Asian nations including China to contain the spread of the virus, Canadian product began flooding the U.S. market. That pushed prices lower, said Liz Cuozzo, seafood market reporter at research company Urner Barry, which has been tracking food prices since 1858.

Prices for New England halves  a whole lobster weighing 1.5 pounds  have tumbled 17 per cent since Jan. 20 and are currently at $8.10 (U.S.), the lowest for the period since at least 2016, she said. They typically rise this time of year as supplies are tighter before the main fishing season begins. Last year, they cost $10.70, with the 10-year-average at $9.85.

Demand for live Canadian lobster has dwindled to five per cent of normal volumes since the Chinese New Year when restaurants started cancelling reservations and people stayed home, said Stewart Lamont, managing director of Tangier Lobster Company in Nova Scotia.

Companies are storing inventory, directing products to other markets in Europe, North America and the Middle East, and sending more lobster tails and frozen lobster to be processed, he said.

Its not just the U.S. and Canada that are affected. Australia counts China as the main destination for its rock lobster exports and its seafood industry will likely see a significant short-term impact, the nations agriculture ministry said in a report. New Zealand said itll allow a limited release of rock lobster back into the wild after Chinese buyers cancelled orders.

Theres a risk that other markets may shut down as the virus spreads, and uncertainty swirls over how many smaller merchants or mom-and-pop restaurants in China may be out of business and not return to buy following the outbreak, said Mark Barlow, owner of Island Seafood in Eliot, Maine.

The Lobster Co.s Nadeau saw her inventory lose 40 per cent of its value as shore prices dipped from $10 (Canadian) to $6, and was forced to sell 50,000 pounds at a loss. She is laying off eight people from her staff of 14. My customers got creamed and I got creamed, she said.

Read more about:
Six people of a family were rushed to hospital in a suspected case of food poisoning after eating peas rice at home in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said.

The family, who reside in Mundet village under Adersh Mandi police station limits of the district, complained of vomiting and loose motions after consuming the food at home on Thursday.

All six of them were admitted to a nearby hospital, police further said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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President Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday night he's got a "hunch" the coronavirus death rate is "way under 1 percent," not the "false" 3.4 percent rate from the World Health Organization. Thursday's Late Show dramatized why hunches are no way to make medical policy.

The coronavirus "is all anybody's talking about," Stephen Colbert said at The Late Show. "You could say America has coronavirus fever  but you should not, that would be in poor taste." As of Thursday there were "210 confirmed cases in 18 states with double-digit fatalities, so last night, Donald Trump went on Fox News to lie about everything," he said. "Science is not based on hunches. That's why 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' is more successful than his rival 'Phil Munch, Man of Hunch.'"

"We really would have been better off with a monkey president," Jimmy Kimmel sighed on Kimmel Live. "Who cares what the immunologists say, Donald Trump has a hunch. Here's the thing: If you're president of the United States, you don't go with hunches. You have the world's greatest scientists at your disposal, you go with them."

In his chat with Hannity, Trump "even floated the idea that people with the coronavirus could go into work," Kimmel said. "See, for him, going to work means sitting around watching nine hours of Fox News in his underpants, so he doesn't understand what that means. All he cares about is money. He's worried about the stock market before the election, so his plan is to pretend the virus away."

"Trump's been trying to pretend the problem doesn't exist because he knows he'll get blamed for it, and he knows that because if he weren't president right now, he'd definitely be blaming whoever was president," Seth Meyers said at Late Night. "In fact, yesterday, he even lied and blamed a past president for the current lack of testing." It's dumb to "blame Obama for something that didn't exist when he left office," he added. "And it won't surprise you to learn that this lie was immediately debunked  even the White House couldn't explain it."

Story continues

"This is the kind of public health crisis that tests the competence and honesty of our president, and obviously Trump is completely unequipped on both counts," Meyers said. "We need truth, transparency, and testing, and we're not going to get it from Donald Trump." At least that's his hunch.

More stories from theweek.com

China's coronavirus recovery is 'all fake,' whistleblowers and residents claim

Is coronavirus really a black swan event?

Former FDA chief urges government to incentivize localities to shut down their economies amid coronavirus spread


A Victorian high school has asked 16 students and their families to self-isolate at home as it awaits the coronavirus test results of two Indonesians on an exchange visit.

Shepparton's Goulburn Valley Grammar School is hosting 13 teenage exchange students from Indonesia and two staff.

Students from twelve families are in self-isolation after two Indonesian exchange students developed coughs and were tested for coronavirus. Credit:Virginia Star

On Thursday evening the school discovered the group had travelled to Melbourne on February 29 on a Singapore Airlines flight carrying a 40-year-old Tasmanian man who was later diagnosed with coronavirus.

Goulburn Valley Grammar principal Mark Torriero informed parents of the situation in a letter on Thursday evening.
Interestingly, India had objected to the establishment of a UNHCHR when it was proposed by the US at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights in July 1993 and the whole proposal was remitted to the General Assembly in New York because India and others said that the whole issue should be examined in detail, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, who had led the Indian delegation for negotiating the terms of the HCHR.

IMAGE: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Photograph: Denis Balibouse / Reuters.

Alarmed by a report that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) sought to intervene as amicus curiae to assist the Supreme Court in adjudicating the constitutional validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) saying while it has a worthy and commendable objective, it appears to discriminate against persecuted Muslim communities, I tweeted the following on March 4, 2020:

The decision by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to be a party to (the adjudication of) the Supreme Court in India is in blatant violation of the UN Charter and the mandate of the HC. I led the Indian delegation to the consultations to create the office and such a possibility was not (even) imagined (at the time of the framing of the relevant resolution of the General Assembly in 1993).

Within a day, it attracted 681 Likes, 356 retweets and 28 comments, most of them supporting my view and even suggesting that India should take action against the UN by protesting, expelling the staff of the HCHR from India and even stopping payment of our financial contribution to the UN.

It was pointed out that this might be a conspiracy as such a move had never been made by the UN under any circumstances.

Many expressed their anger and frustration that the UN was violating the fundamental provision of the UN Charter that it shall not intervene in the internal affairs of states.

Interestingly, India had objected to the establishment of a UNHCHR when it was proposed by the US at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights in July 1993 and the whole proposal was remitted to the General Assembly in New York because India and others said that the whole issue should be examined in detail.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action stated:

The World Conference on Human Rights recommends to the General Assembly that when examining the report of the Conference at its forty-eighth session, it begin, as a matter of priority, consideration of the question of the establishment of a High Commissioner for Human Rights for the promotion and protection of all human rights.

The US moved very quickly to convene an Intergovernmental Committee for negotiating the terms of the HCHR and persuaded India to accept the proposal on an assurance that it would be only a symbolic gesture and the HCHR will have no wide powers to intervene in member States.

The committee was headed by the ambassador of Equador, Jose Ayala Lasso, who was promised the post if he succeeded in getting it established.

I led the Indian delegation to the negotiations on the understanding that the HCHR will be only a figurehead with no mandate beyond the Human Rights Council and that he will work under the supervision of member States.

The essence of the mandate finally agreed was that the HCHR will engage in a dialogue with all governments in the implementation of his/her mandate with a view to securing respect for all human rights; to enhance international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights; and to coordinate the human rights promotion and protection activities throughout the United Nations system.

Jose Ayala Lasso, a sophisticated and perfect diplomat, kept his activities within his mandate and proved helpful to the member States. We invited him to visit Jammu and Kashmir and he complimented India for handling the difficult issue of cross border terrorism without the law and order authorities violating the human rights of innocent civilians.

Some of the subsequent high commissioners were human rights activists, who gradually changed the nature of the post and started acting on their own in criticising member States and issuing diktats.

The present HCHR, Michelle Bachelet, assumed her functions as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018. Ms Bachelet was president of Chile on two occasions (2006 - 2010 and 2014 - 2018). She was the first female president of Chile. She served as health minister (2000 - 2002) as well as Chiles and Latin Americas first female defence minister (2002 - 2004). She was also active in NGO movements in Chile and she brought to the post a political flavour.

This explains her activism, exceeding all standards set for the UN in protecting and promoting human rights.

The UN has a good record in protecting and promoting human rights by way of defining human rights, standardising the methods to deal with human rights, education of countries on the legal aspects and, in extreme cases, punish countries who are engaged in massive and systematic violation of human rights in accordance with the established procedures of the Human Rights Council. But this is the first time that the HCHR seeks to intervene in the legal proceedings of a member State.

Human rights have been politicised right from the beginning. During the Cold War, the socialist countries were targeted, but the UN could not penetrate the Iron Curtain. After the Cold War, some of the former socialists became champions of human rights and countries like China, Iran, Cuba Libya and others became targets. But the more powerful among them escaped censure by defeating the related resolutions while countries like Iran and Libya had to face sanctions.

It is true that some dilution of the non-intervention principle has taken place in certain circumstances.

India was the first country to propose sanctions against South Africa for apartheid and oppression of the coloured people. Our argument was that apartheid was permanent aggression against the citizens of South Africa.

Most western countries objected on the ground that it was an internal matter of South Africa, but later an arms embargo and other sanctions were imposed by the UN, leading to the end of apartheid.

Soon after the end of the Cold War, the then secretary general of the UN, Boutros Ghali, proposed in his Agenda for Peace that the time of primacy of national sovereignty was over and that the United Nations should devise a method to take action in the interest of humanity as a whole. But this was rejected by the General Assembly and it was affirmed that sovereign equality should remain the main pillar of the United Nations.

More recently, a concept of humanitarian intervention was developed in cases where any government is unable to meet the basic needs of its own people. But this was considered as violation of the sovereignty of the State concerned.

In 2005, world leaders unanimously affirmed the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), a set of principles designed to protect civilians from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and to provide norms to guide answers to these questions. This was incorporated in a General Assembly resolution in 2005, but R2P is not legally binding and it is considered an exception rather than the rule.

Even while taking into account these tendencies for intrusive action against massive and systematic human rights violations, when the countries concerned are not able to tackle emergencies, the action that HRHC proposed to take in India is illegal and violation of the norms established for the behaviour of UN officials.

The Government of India has already rejected any intervention on the part of the HRHC, but any action should be resisted legally and politically.
A man who dumped the body of a woman who had fatally overdosed in his pickup truck on the side of a Southampton road on Halloween night in 2018 was convicted at trial Thursday, authorities said.

A jury found Daniel Waterfield, 54, of Lawnside guilty of desecrating human remains for leaving the body of Kerri Ann Stetser, 36, of Paulsboro on a berm on Purgatory Road near the roads intersection with Route 70, according to a statement from the Burlington County Prosecutors Office.

Stetsers body was found by a passerby and when New Jersey State Police troopers and EMS arrived, she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified by her fingerprints as she was not carrying any identification, the office said.

Police said they were able to determine that Stetser overdosed in Waterfields vehicle hours earlier and that Waterfield then contacted Amanda Seth, 36, of Camden who brought her vehicle to help get rid of Stetsers body.

Investigators found Waterfield and Seth in Camden the next day, on Nov. 1, and arrested them without incident, police said at the time.

Waterfield was lodged at the Burlington County Jail following his arrest but Seth was released before an upcoming court appearance for which she later failed to show and remains a fugitive, over a year later, authorities said.

Waterfield is in the Burlington County Jail pending his sentencing, scheduled for April 24.

Whatever problems Kerri Ann Stetser faced in her life, such as her addiction, she was a person with a family who loved her and whom she loved, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said in a statement.

She deserved some measure of dignity in her death even if her passing presented an inconvenience to the defendant. No human being deserves to be discarded on the side of the road like Kerri was, and we are gratified that the jurys verdict offers justice for her and her family," the prosecutor said.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Police have issued a warning after a phishing scam relating to coronavirus emerged. (Picture: Getty)

Police have issued a warning after a phishing scam relating to coronavirus emerged.

North Yorkshire Police posted the warning on its Fraud Awareness Facebook page, along with a screenshot of the scam.

The message comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) also issued its own warning that cyber criminals are using phishing scams to take advantage of fears caused by the virus.

The scam, made to look as if it was sent from the government, claims that a new tax refund programme has been set up in cooperation with National Insurance and National Health Services and the person receiving the email is due a refund.

It also includes a link for the potential victim to click on in order to access their tax refund.

Sharing the scam with the title: Scam Awareness, police said: We knew it would happen soon, here is one of the first phishing emails linked to the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

If you recieve [sic] anything like this, report it and delete it.

Read more: French MP in intensive care after contracting coronavirus

Read more: Coronavirus: UK likely to see an epidemic, health chief warns

It also added the advice: Do not click any links. There is NO refund. Do not part with any information.

The force added: The person receiving this email correctly identified it as a scam and posted it for awareness.

Earlier this week, the WHO said cyber criminals were disguising themselves as health officials to steal money and sensitive information amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The global health agency said it was aware of a number of suspicious email messages attempting to take advantage of the coronavirus outbreak and urged anyone contacted by a person or organisation that appears to be from WHO should verify if they are authentic before responding.
MUMBAI: Enforcement Directorate on Friday (March 6, 2020) conducted raids at Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor's Mumbai residence hours after the government and the RBI assured the banks depositors that their money was safe and there was no need to panic.

According to sources, the raid is being carried out at Kapoor's Samudra Mahal residence in the western metropolis. The action is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is aimed at collecting more evidence.

The ED is probing Kapoor's role in connection with the disbursal of a loan to a corporate entity and the alleged kickbacks that were reportedly received in his wife's accounts. Some other alleged irregularities are also under the agency's scanner, sources claimed.

A case against Kapoor under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has already been registered. A Look Out Notice has been issued against Rana Kapoor to prevent him from leaving the country.

The ED action came hours after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took control of troubled private sector lender Yes Bank due to a serious deterioration in its financial position, the Narendra Modi government on Friday (March 6, 2020) assured thousands of the bank's depositors that their money is safe and there was no need to panic.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has asked the Reserve Bank of India to look into factors that led to the present financial crisis in the Yes Bank and assign individual responsibilities.

Yes Bank has been under watch since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis, the FM said.

"Since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions," she added.

The bank took many risky credit decisions, and the RBI had advised a change in its management, Sitharaman said adding such decisions were taken in the interest of the bank`s health.

A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 and cleaning up of bank started and the investigative agencies too found irregularities, she said. Sitharaman said the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals. The Finance Minister also said that employment and salary of Yes Bank employees has been assured for one year.

The restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days, she said adding that the State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.

Meanwhile, the RBI also announced a draft scheme for the revival of Yes Bank and said that India`s biggest lender State Bank of India has expressed its willingness to make investments in Yes Bank and participate in its reconstruction scheme.
We know a lot of you went to the Tool concert at Spark Arena on Friday, as did we. Turns out, a lad that has tested positive for coronavirus was there too, and he may of been infectious at the time.

He was standing in the GA standing area.

Jamie Ensor of Newshub reports:

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says all people in the GA standing area should be aware of the COVId-19 symptoms. They are causal contacts, rather than close contacts.

He believes the risk is very low for all other people who attended the concert.

The man is at home in isolation alongside his wife. They returned from northern Italy last week. The woman had a return trip to Palmerston North and visited two medical centres - one being Westgate Medical Centre.

Dr Bloomfield said anyone who may have attended a medical centre and is considered to be at risk will be contacted by officials.

There have been 212 negative tests and four positive tests. Several are currently underway. One is the father of the person confirmed to have coronavirus on Thursday. The father, who recently returned from Iran, is believed to have given the illness to the man in his 40s. Even if the test comes back as negative, the father will still be considered a "probable case".

"There have also been questions around naming other places of interest linked to cases, such as employers. We would name these places if a wider public health risk was determined. In the cases to date, employers are being advised directly by local public health officials over the appropriate actions they may need to take," said Dr Bloomfield.

"The Ministries of Health and Education continue their support for students and schools linked to confirmed cases. All students identified as close contacts of confirmed cases are at home in isolation. They have no symptoms.We do not believe there is currently any risk to students or staff in any of the schools."
It is business as usual at Unichem Fifteenth Avenue  customers are greeted with a friendly smile, the pharmacists fill prescriptions, soft music plays in the background. Its hard to believe they were recently robbed at gunpoint.

The owner Hassan and manager Peter, who dont want their last names published, spoke to SunLive to raise awareness about what to do in this situation.

Around 5.10pm on Monday, February 24, a man entered the pharmacy, demanding prescription drugs at gunpoint.

There were a couple of customers in the shop and everything looked look normal, says pharmacist and rest home operations manager Peter.

I came out thinking that I was checking a prescription and then one of the customers, he a raised a gun and pointed it at me and demanded benzodiazepines and opiates and it was quite a scary experience.

At first the offender handed a note over to one of our staff members, explaining that he had a gun and that we had 60 seconds to give him benzos and opiates.

The staff member initially thought it was a prescription and started typing it on the computer, before he realised how serious it was.

I was actually in the side room checking prescriptions at the time. So I wasn't actually in the dispensary and the staff member that took the note came to me and he said that said that there was a serious situation happening and he needed my assistance.

Peter says he acted instinctually and managed to stay calm when he saw the gun.

I was quite traumatised but I managed to somehow, just instinctually, keep calm in the situation.

Over the years, I've had the mantra repeated to me several times just to keep calm and give them what they want. So that's exactly what I did.

I don't think I was so much fearful for my own life, but the thought that immediately came to my head was the future of my family.

The offender took the drugs and left in vehicle without firing any shots.

Peter says the owner Hassan, three other staff and the customer in the pharmacy at the time are all heroes.

They were all calm as well. The other customer that was here she was actually really helpful. After the gentleman left in the car, she managed to get the license plate number. One of the other staff members called the police.

I've been 20 years in the [pharmacy] business, and this is a first for me it's been quite tough.

Hassan says they have increased security measures since the incident and recommends other pharmacies do the same.

We have heightened our security measures in the pharmacy. We've installed panic buttons throughout the pharmacy. For any other business owner, pharmacy or pharmacist, if you are ever in a situation [like this], just make sure your security's there, make sure your cameras are working. Just, be calm and do what they want you to do.

The panic buttons installed link directly to police and they have heightened security measures with their security company as well.

He says even though the experience is shocking he hopes other pharmacy owners can learn something from their experience especially because drug related crimes in Tauranga have gone up.

Police confirmed they received a report of a robbery at a retail outlet on the intersection of Burrows Street and Fifteenth Avenue about 5.10pm on February 24.

The alleged offender fled in a vehicle. They were located in Bethlehem by police and were taken to hospital due to a medical event, a police spokesperson says.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with aggravated robbery and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court again on March 19.
Now that the epidemic has spread to many more countries such as Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the US, the difficulties that all businesses will have to cope with have become much more complex and worrisome.

Exports under stress

Vietnam is one of the biggest cashew exporting countries in the world, supplying major markets in Europe, the US and China. Therefore, when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out in China, the cashew industry was directly affected.

According to Mr. Pham Van Cong, Chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association, China consumes large quantities of cashews and almonds. Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, import of almonds has plummeted, and almond prices have fallen drastically. This also affected cashew exports to China. Now that the epidemic is more widespread, the impact will be even greater on the entire cashew export industry in Vietnam.

The seafood industry has also suffered from the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic. There are no specific assessments, but according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), some seafood export contracts to South Korea are stagnating. Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of VASEP, said that the seafood industry usually produces as per order from each country or each importer, so when imports are suspended we must stop production, but we also cannot transfer that product to another market.

When Covid-19 epidemic broke out in China, many enterprises were still not too worried, but now that South Korea, Europe and the US are also affected with the epidemic, the situation has become extremely worrisome. While tackling with the ongoing spread of the epidemic there are also post-concerns, because when the epidemic is controlled, countries that compete in seafood products with Vietnam such as India, Thailand and Indonesia will boost their exports and the price competition will become more intense.

With processing of products facing extreme stress and difficulties, fresh export products such as fruits are facing a crisis situation. Mr. Vo Quang Huy, Director of Huy Long An Co. Ltd., a company specializing in export of bananas, said that orders to China have not been many and now the company is worried because Japan, which is the main export market for the Huy Long An Company, is reeling under the Covid-19 epidemic.

If orders become stagnant, it is difficult for cold fruits to be transferred to the export market because of many factors such as technical requirements and export regulations. Domestic consumption of high-standards of export products is also limited, so it is not easy for businesses to turn around.

Businesses hope epidemic ends soon

Businesses never use the word hope in making any business plan for their companies, especially export enterprises who have to deal very seriously with realistic situations on the ground. Yet the word hope has now penetrated the dictionary of most businesses who hope that the epidemic passes soon, because if the epidemic spreads even further and for a longer duration, the impact will be very serious and global demand will drop sharply.

In particular, industries that depend on import of raw materials and components from countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea will feel the stress the most. Last week, at a meeting to assess the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on manufacturing industries in the country, the Ministry of Industry and Trade pointed out the risks to many businesses that will stop operating due to shortage of raw materials.

For most electronic enterprises, there are only enough electronic components for production till the middle or end of March. In 2019, Vietnam imported about USD 40 bn of electronic components from South Korea and China, amounting to 42% and 34%, respectively.

The textile industry too will face a severe shortage of raw materials. According to Mr. Pham Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery and Knitting (AGTEK), most enterprises only have enough raw material for production until the end of March. Hence if there is no input then output cannot be assured, and many businesses will face the double risk of reduced demand as well as a sharp drop in export price.

Currently, enterprises dealing in electronics have enough stock of components till the middle of March, while textile enterprises only have enough stock until early March, so it is likely that these enterprises may be forced to stop production soon.

-Mr. Truong Thanh Hoai, Director of Department of Industries, Ministry of Industry and Trade.

If enterprises can find temporary sources for replenishing raw material stocks in the short term, they will also find it difficult to compete. Mr. Hong believes that at this time, businesses can only hope that the epidemic will soon be under control in the world, and the Government will offer timely policies to support enterprises. Though enterprises themselves also have some solutions, they may not all be feasible.

Solutions to support businesses were also discussed in the meeting of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, where policies to extend the repayment period of short-term loans for production and business activities of enterprises were discussed.

Also on the agenda were policies on tax exemption; reduction and early VAT refund; allowing late payment of tax or not imposing penalties for late payment of tax for businesses that have not paid taxes due to the epidemic; support for enterprises to pay social insurance premiums for laborers in case of suspended production due to the epidemic; consider refunding of security deposit to ensure implementation of projects or those not yet in operation due to the epidemic.

These support measures must be implemented soon, and we should not let enterprises weaken before we have to rush to support them afterwards.

In this difficult scenario, many export enterprises or other businesses will still find opportunities to do business. Talking with Saigon Investment, Mr. Le Duy Toan, Director of Duy Anh Food Company, said that their company was receiving orders from foreign partners for their brand of vermicelli, dry noodles and rice paper.

Such ready to eat and dry processed foods are proving to be convenient foods during the current epidemic, and the Duy Anh Food Company expects to increase their exports far more than in previous years. In particular, the South Korean market used to be very stringent in conducting food quality checks, but now the regulations have become much more simpler.

Translated by Francis

Thanh Lam
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A group of advocates held a rally in support of three Staten Island men recently taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a report from Northjersey.com.

About 25 activists held signs and shouted, stop oppression, end the ICE contracts and shame in front of the Bergen County Jail, where the three men are currently held, according to the report.

Two of the three men were detained at the end of January during two recent raids in the South and East shores that had immigrant activists questioning the agencys tactics after relatives of the detained allege the officers were vague about which law-enforcement branch they represented, the Advance previously reported.

Three officers knocked on the door of Michel Avendano Palacioss Grant City home at about 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 28, initially identifying themselves only as police and telling his mother they were conducting an investigation, without being specific, according to his family.

The officers did not present badges or a warrant signed by a judge; they only wore vests that said police, his mother, Maria, said.

At around 6 a.m. on Jan. 29, four people showed up at Eved Sanchezs home in Tottenville, said his wife Edith.

Three men and a woman were behind the door, all in plainclothes, with three of them wearing a vest that only said police, according to the wife.

"We want to make the public aware of all these different things happening in our jail and to fight for justice for these three men who represent so many people in our jail,'' Carinne Murphy, of Fair Lawn, told Northjersey.com.

An ICE source previously told the Advance the officers identified themselves as ICE officers in both cases.
National Expert on Climate Change in Iraq, Home Base

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Country: Home-based

Closing date: Sunday, 8 March 2020

National Expert on Climate Change in Iraq

Location : Home Base

Application Deadline : 08-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category : Climate & Disaster Resilience

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : Arabic English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 27-Feb-2020

Duration of Initial Contract : 150 Working Days

Expected Duration of Assignment : 9 months and 15 days

Background

In the face of climate change impacts, Iraq encounters a host of complex and difficult challenges on a range of issues including water security, land degradation, desertification, loss of vegetation and biodiversity, salinity etc. which poses a significant hindrance to Iraqs ability to become a resilient nation. However, despite these challenges, the Government of Iraq has remained committed to the cause of climate change and has laid down an economy-wide plan to cut GHG emission by around 14% from the business as usual scenario over the period from 2020 until 2035. This scenario was suggested by Iraq in its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the Paris agreement in 2015.

According to the UNFCCC decision 1/CP21 each Party of the UNFCCC shall communicate a nationally determined contribution every five years. Despite that Iraq still not ratifying the agreement (singed in Dec 2016) the country is still committed and keen to ratify the agreement. Thus, Iraq decided to coordinate with the UNDP to develop its NDC and submitted officially before UNFCCC COP26 that will be held in the UK in December 2020. The accomplishment of the NDC document will lay the foundation for Iraq to kick-start and make concrete steps toward meeting the need for climate financing in an effective and coordinated way.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP Project Manager will directly supervise the work of the Service Provider/Contractor to whom the Service Provider will be directly responsible for reporting to, seeking approval from, and obtaining a certificate of acceptance of output. The service provider will be expected to liaise/interact/collaborate/meet with all relevant government institutions, relevant authorities, local branches of Association, Governorate councils, academic institutions, and civil society organizations (as determined by UNDP).

UNDP Project Manager will supervise, evaluate and manage the work of the service provider and make any necessary contractual decisions, while other authorities and entities identified above will only have a consultative role.

All reports and documents provided to UNDP Iraq will be in English and Arabic, to facilitate review and feedback by UNDP Iraq.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to the UNs values and ethical standards;

Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Treats all people fairly and with impartiality.

Functional Competencies:

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;

Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;

Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Tags arabic language biodiversity climate change climate finance land degradation project manager water security

Self-reliant and able to work as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful.

Professionalism:

Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments; observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing:

Identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation:

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be clients and seeks to see things from clients point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Meets time line for delivery of product or services to client.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.

Technological awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University degree (Graduate degree preferred, e.g. PhD) in environmental science, climate change, or similar/equivalent.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of relevant professional experience (ideally, including policy making and high-level coordination) and a good understanding of the current situation in Iraq.

Climate finance (e.g. CDM, NAMA, and GCF) knowledge and experience is desirable.

Prior experience of working in Iraq especially on NAMA, INC, GCF, and INDC is highly desirable.

Language: Fluency in English and Arabic languages both written and oral.

The detailed terms of reference and the Letter of Confirming Interest and Availability are uploaded in documents section, furthermore is available in the following link : https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fprocurement-notices.undp.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Caryan.saber%40undp.org%7Cd8332a72249148676ee008d710d7c311%7Cb3e5db5e2944483799f57488ace54319%7C0%7C0%7C636996391179703145&sdata=zHY2xlc%2B4K8bW8sUuZaC9mgZkYZwb5OfygwfzZyFHAI%3D&reserved=0

Please note you can upload only one document in the online application, therefore combine the CV and the Letter of Confirmation and Availability as one pdf before uploading.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
[March 05, 2020] Competitive benefits provided by regional players are undeniable

MONTREAL, March 5, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry this afternoon released his plan to reduce wireless prices and promote competition. Videotron is pleased to see that the Canadian government has again recognized the vital importance of facilities-based regional players in the mobility market and welcomes the government's decision to set aside spectrum for them in the upcoming auction. Since Videotron's entered the mobile market in 2010, prices have dropped more sharply in Quebec than anywhere else in the country. According to the Competition Bureau, prices are 35% to 40% lower where there is a strong fourth player. In November 2019, the Bureau concluded that regional facilities-based competitors such as Videotron are increasingly disrupting the wireless services landscape in Canada. Videotron is in favour of measures that allow the emergence and growth of strong fourth facilities-based players in the mobile market. Videotron welcomes the federal government's intention to set aside spectrum for regional players in the upcoming auction planned for ater this year, a recognition of the importance of maintaining a facilities-based competitive model that delivers sustainable gains for Canadian consumers. As long as the government makes it possible for facilities-based regional players to compete, Videotron will continue offering consumers a network that meets their expectations and stimulating innovation in its service area.



Quote "Having a strong fourth facilities-based regional player is what's best for consumers. Videotron's presence in Quebec is a good example. We are proud of the world-class network we have built out over the past 10 years to support real and lasting competition, and we will continue innovating in order to offer Quebecers the best prices, services and products on the market."

- Jean-Francois Pruneau, President and CEO of Videotron About Videotron

Videotron (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its Helix home entertainment and management platform. As of September 30, 2019, Videotron was serving 1,545,200 cable and IP television customers, and 443,500 subscribers to its Club illico over-the-top video service. Videotron is also the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,724,300 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2019. As of the same date, Videotron had 1,288,700 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,052,700 Quebec households and organizations. Videotron has been recognized as one of Canada's top 100 employers and one of Montreal's top employers. SOURCE Videotron

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More than 3300 hectares of bushland including potential koala habitat will be added to Mount Walsh National Park outside Maryborough, Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said on Friday.

That now makes Queenslands national park estate roughly the size of Tasmania, Ms Enoch said.

The state government confirmed it bought seven freehold parcels of land allowing 3392 hectares to be added to Mount Walsh National Park.

More than 3300 hectares will be added to Mt Walsh National Park, west of Maryborough.

"The Mount Walsh area contains a high number of rare native plant species, and the new area presents potential habitat for numerous vulnerable species including the koala," Ms Enoch said.
NASA is giving the world its best view of Mars yet.

The space agency recently released its highest-resolution panorama images of the Red Planets surface, snapped by NASAs Curiosity rover over the Thanksgiving break, between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 2019.

More than 1,000 photos, including an incredible 1.8-billion-pixel image, and a video were taken on Mars over the course of four days, showing the desolate and rocky area that the rover explored, NASA announced in a press release.

While many on our team were at home enjoying turkey, Curiosity produced this feast for the eyes, Ashwin Vasavada, Curiositys project scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which leads the Curiosity rover mission, said in the release.

This is the first time during the mission weve dedicated our operations to a stereo 360-degree panorama, Vasavada added.

Mars

RELATED: NASA Announces Name for New Mars Rover That Was Suggested by Virginia Seventh Grader

NASA said it was able to capture these stunning panorama images, which can be zoomed in, using the rovers telephoto lens on its Mast Camera, or Mastcam.

To include the rovers deck and robotic arm in one of the lower-resolution shots, the space agency said it used a medium-angle lens with a nearly 650-million-pixel panorama.

The panoramas also feature a clear view of Glen Torridon, a region on the side of Mars Mount Sharp that rises about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the base of Gale Crater, which the Curiosity rover has been climbing since 2014, according to NASA.

RELATED: NASA Is Hiring New Astronauts  Heres How You Can Apply for a Trip to the Moon

Scientists spent more than six and a half hours over the four days to capture the pre-programmed images.

They also limited the photography time between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. local Mars time each day to ensure consistent lighting, according to the release.

The new snapshots come seven years after NASAs Curiosity captured a 1.3-billion-pixel panorama using Mastcam and its black-and-white Navigation Cameras, or Navcams, in 2013, NASA said.

Story continues

RELATED VIDEO: Close-Up Footage Shows Moment NASA Rocket Explodes After Takeoff

Close-Up Footage Shows Moment NASA Rocket Explodes After Takeoff

Close-Up Footage Shows Moment NASA Rocket Explodes After Takeoff

The rover initially landed inside Mars Gale Crater in August 2012, according to Space.com.

During that $2.5 billion mission  in which the Curiosity was determining whether Mars atmosphere could allow for microbial life to survive  the rover found evidence that Gale once hosted a continual lake-and-stream system that was habitable, the outlet reported.
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SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Starbucks Corp. issued a warning on second-quarter earnings and also trimmed its forecast for China reflecting the business disruption related to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. In its second major market, where COVID-19 outbreak was first reported, the coffee chain has temporarily paused development of new stores, and some store openings planned for 2020 will likely be deferred to 2021.



Globally, Starbucks business operations in Japan, South Korea and Italy have also been impacted by store closures and reduced customer traffic.



Regarding its business in the U.S., the company said the positive momentum in U.S. retail business over the past several quarters has continued into the second quarter.



The company said, 'To date, there are no perceptible signs of COVID-19 impact on our U.S. business, which accounted for approximately 65 percent of total consolidated revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.'



More than half of Starbucks stores in China were temporarily closed as of January 28, while other stores worked for reduced operating hours. In early February, China reported peak closures of approximately 80 percent of Starbucks stores due to virus-related unplanned store closures, and planned closures in observance of the Chinese New Year holiday.



At present, more than 90 percent of stores in China are open but operating under elevated safety protocols. The company expects to open about 95 percent stores in the country by the end of the second quarter.



For the second quarter, the company now expects COVID-19 in China to have an adverse impact to Starbucks' reported and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $0.15 to $0.18. This reflects lost sales, and continued expenses related to partner wages and benefits, store operations and additional costs.



The virus has reduced about $400 million to $430 million in revenues in China in the quarter compared to prior expectations. In its first quarter ended December 29, the company had recorded $745 million in sales in China.



Further, the company now expects comparable store sales in China to be down approximately 50 percent in the second quarter compared to the prior year. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, China comparable store sales growth was expected to be approximately 3 percent in the quarter, in line with first-quarter results.



In the month of February, Starbucks China's comparable store sales were down 78 percent. However, the company said it is seeing early signs of a recovery with sequential improvements in weekly sales.



In the last fiscal week of February, relative to the prior week, average daily transactions per store improved 6 percent and total weekly gross sales in China grew 80 percent, reflecting the reopening of stores. In that last week, Starbucks China's mobile orders accounted for approximately 80 percent of sales mix.



The company added, 'While the current situation in China continues to be dynamic, we believe that the financial impacts of COVID-19 are temporary, and we remain confident in the strength of the Starbucks brand and the long-term profitability and growth potential of our business in China.'



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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ITHACA, N.Y. -- No bombs were found after a bomb threat was called into an Ithaca restaurant Thursday, according to Ithaca police.

Officers were called to Texas Roadhouse, located at 721 S. Meadow St. to investigate a reported bomb threat, police said. A man called the restaurant several times about a bomb being inside the restaurant, according to police.

Everyone was evacuated from the restaurant as police investigated the reports. The Ithaca Police Departments and Cornell Police Departments K9 units searched the restaurant, police said.

No bomb was found, police said.

Police are continuing to investigate the threat and ask that anyone with information call the Ithaca Police Department at 607-272-3245.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.

Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
The Japanese government said on Thursday it will start curbing the entry of visitor from Korea to stem the spread of coronavirus in the island country. Japanese health officials will subject all visitors from Korea to a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival. Despite a boycott of Japanese products here, the neighboring country is still the most popular tourist destination for Koreans. And now it has joined the growing list of countries that are virtually closing their doors to visitors from Korea. It is hard to accept what Japan is doing after it fumbled its own initial attempt to contain the virus due to fears of jeopardizing this year's Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but Korea can hardly complain if Japan seeks to contain a further spread of the virus. Australia has also imposed a ban on visitors from Korea that will remain in place until March 14. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha earlier dismissed such measures as "crude" and claimed they stemmed from "their lack of quarantine capabilities." But can she say the same about advanced countries that are now banning the entry of Koreans?

It is the sovereign right of each country to impose quarantine, but such drastic measures could have been avoided if the Korean government had taken proper pre-emptive measures. But the government made the situation worse by burying its head in the sand. Israel and Mauritius first turned back travelers from Korea and did not even bother to warn Korea in advance, holding Korean citizens virtual prisoners on arrival. A day after Kang complained to the vice premier of Vietnam about the entry ban, the Southeast Asian country simply refused to let a plane from Korea land. In Japan's case, the government was completely blindsided until it was announced on the news.

Almost 100 countries have now either banned or restricted or bolstered screening of Korean visitors. That is half the world. Just two months ago, Koreans were able to enter 189 countries visa-free. The U.S. could join the list of such countries any time. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier said his government is closely watching the spread of the epidemic in Korea and other countries and vowed to make a decision at the right time. If Koreans are barred from the U.S., which forms the cornerstone of its security and trade, the damage will be unfathomable. As the Korean government sat on its hands for fear of irking China and left its doors wide open, it turned its own citizens into global pariahs.


Last November, Taylor Swift posted a call for help on her Tumblr page. Dont know what else to do, she wrote, then detailed a dispute between her and two men: Scott Borchetta, the founder of Big Machine Label Group, and Scooter Braun, a talent manager. Borchetta and Braun, Swift said, controlled her master recordings, and they were preventing her from performing back-catalogue hits at the American Music Awards. Near the end of her note, Swift appealed to her fans: This is where Im asking for your help. Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this.

The language of Swifts message was benign; still, it unleashed the feverish collective will of her millions of followers and fans, who flooded social-media accounts belonging to Borchetta and Braun. The episode made clear that Swift, like many popular artists, holds a powerful trump card: a massive, loyal social-media following that will advocate on her behalf.

ICYMI: Can music journalism transcend its access problem?

Last year, several music journalists found themselves facing off with similarly devout and massive social-media followings, after an artist responded publicly to a published story or album review. Some fans inundated inboxes and social-media profiles with spam and abusive messages. Others went over the journalists to their editors and pleaded that they be fired.

In April, Rawiya Kameir reviewed Lizzos Grammy-nominated album Cuz I Love You for Pitchfork. In the review, which gave the album a numerical rating of 6.5 out of 10 points, Kameir offered praise and criticism in turn. In response, Lizzo tweeted, PEOPLE WHO REVIEW ALBUMS AND DONT MAKE MUSIC THEMSELVES SHOULD BE UNEMPLOYED. (The tweet was later deleted.) In a Reddit thread committed to discussing the review, one Lizzo stan wrote: To everybody agreeing with/defending this review: youre first on the list when it comes time for the guillotine. Others chimed in with similar allusions to violence.

In September, when Ann Powers, a music critic for NPR, tweeted a link to a lengthy critical essay she had written about Lana Del Reys latest album, Norman Fucking Rockwell!, Del Rey replied, I dont even related to one observation you made about the music. She added: So dont call yourself a fan like you did in the article. Stans joined the thread, copying Powers on tweets that called critics professional assholes and, in one case, simply said, End her. In an essay for Slate, Powers said she was OK through the ordeal, but shared a slew of other instances of targeted abuse following publication of her work.

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In November, Amanda Palmer, a solo artist and former Dresden Dolls vocalist, accused Laura Snapes, the Guardians deputy music editor, of blacklisting her from the publication. Snapes responded by detailing what she termed a bizarre campaign of unsettling behavior, which included a request for comment from a journalist who Palmer had hired, and who asked Snapes to respond to Palmers characterization of her as most definitely not a fan.

THE RELATIONSHIP between musicians and the culture critics who write about them has long been coolly resentful, if not openly adversarial.

But the relationship has fundamentally changed in the age of social media. Previously, such dust-ups werent as visible; now, they play out in an arena whose artist-loyal audiences can reach into the millions, and, as Snapes says, may confront a writer who lacks the manpower to respond. No music critic has got 100,000 followers, Snapes says.

The cultural currency and power of music criticism and journalism have been reduced, too. Unlike the era in which Christgau penned a literal Consumer Guide, fans no longer rely on critics recommendations for what albums to buy; streaming services make nearly everything available for a monthly fee. Flanked by fans who dont rely on the music press to access or learn about their icons, famous artists can hold their relationships with financially-challenged music publications hostage on condition of favorable coveragecoverage that most publications in an click-driven economy cant afford to pass up.

In real terms, these dynamics punish dialogue, nuance, and even careful dissent, inching us towards a hegemonic monoculture and away from a rich, plural understanding of artists and the writers who engage with their work. Discussions of artistic merit are pushed toward a binary choice: love it or hate it.

Either youre a stan or youre a hater, says Lindsay Zoladz, a music critic. In reality, most of our responses to music fall in some grey area in between. In 2012, Zoladz reviewed Lana Del Reys debut album, Born To Die, for Pitchfork, which assigned the record a rating of 5.5 out of 10. Though she then wrote favorably about Norman Fucking Rockwell! for The Ringer, she still receives emails from Del Rey fans who take issue with her previous review.

Music writers, says Kameir, are considered by the public to be an extension of an artists publicity machine. Theres a fundamental problem with toxic positivity, wherein anything that isnt hyperbolical praise is considered malicious or hateful, she says. Fans, Snapes notes, are happy if they agree with us, but if they dont, theyre the first people to be like, Music criticism? What? This is a job?

That sentiment can be weaponized by the music industry. These multinational corporations have basically convinced fans that theyre fighting for the little guy, says Snapes, when actually theyre just defending the ultimate corporate interests. In a December essay for Medium, writer Alex Pappademas interpreted the 2010s as a decade during which our culture industries encouraged and capitalized on fans as a volunteer army of PR freelancers for the biggest media companies in the world.

[F]unctionally its a mass movement rising up to defend a Goliath against the impertinence of a David, Pappademas wrote.

The impact of a fan backlash depends in part on job security and institutional support, Snapes says. If anything got really hairy online, I can get [The Guardians team] to help me, she says. Ive definitely heard some freelance writers, and especially women who do not want to deal with a heightened level of irritation online, saying that they will not write such visible negative reviews because its not worth the trouble that comes with it.

A number of freelance writers contacted for this story said that they worry over whether sharing their honest assessments is worth the potential social-media backlash. Id listen to mediocre work and wonder, Is [reviewing it] worth drummer of said band finding an old photo of me with a swoopy haircut from 2009 to put me on blast? Connor Atkinson, a freelance writer and copy editor with the Toronto Star, says. Jack Hamilton, a freelance writer and an assistant professor of American Studies and Media Studies at the University of Virginia, says he just deletes abusive emails; still, he adds, Its not like it completely rolls off you.

Every writer interviewed for this story agreed on the validity and importance of dialogue between artists and music critics. Kameir cites the friendship that developed between Jay-Z and writer/director dream hampton after the rapper called hampton about a negative review she wrote. The two agreed to disagree, and eventually became collaborators. Maybe thats a best case scenario: conversation, says Kameir.

PREVIOUSLY: As classical music faces a changing world, so do its critics

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Luke Ottenhof is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. His work has been published by The Guardian, Globe and Mail, Pitchfork, and CBC.
Business technology companies that have signed onto the Guided Tour have found success in their 'customerized' plan.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 6, 2020) - Having the right plan in place has helped business technology companies that have joined Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour. By connecting with an Earned Media Advantage Strategist (EMAS) to review their media and marketing hindrances and mishaps, as well as the companies' goals, Newswire's strategists were able to take the information and create comprehensive media and marketing communications plans to be used on-demand. This strategy has helped business technology companies reduce their time to market and gain the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased website traffic, greater return on media and marketing spend and increased sales.

Thanks to Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour, Business Technology Companies Found the Right Strategy



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6522/53222_img1.png

"We truly believe that having the right plan in place is the beginning of a great strategy to help any business technology company exceed their potential sales or marketing goals," said Charlie Terenzio, Director of Earned Media Strategy. "Our strategists are committed to helping each business technology customer prosper, hence why they take the time to learn their company inside and out to create a 12-month plan that includes strategic PR campaigns to accelerate their go-to-market strategies."

There is a quick turn around in the business technology space. With new discoveries and inventions, it is important for every business tech company to be on their toes. As part of the Guided Tour, business technology companies rely on their strategist to notify them of any upcoming trends and where their company stands in the space. The information collected by the strategist can be integrated into current or future campaigns, giving added value.

"Covering all aspects of potential possibilities is what our strategists are trained to do," said Terenzio. "Business technology companies are able to focus on other matters while our strategists focus on accelerating their media and marketing objectives."

The Guided Tour helps businesses address the challenges related to their media and marketing efforts by providing the ability to leverage a dedicated Earned Media Advantage Strategist at Newswire to develop and implement a 'customerized' plan to meet their business objectives. Through the Guided Tour program, customers can experience Newswire's high-tech, high-touch service and industry-leading support throughout the journey for the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased website traffic, greater return on media and marketing communications spend, and increased sales.

By providing a fully integrated media and marketing communications strategy to deliver results, customers can have the right plan that is implemented via the right message and sent out at the right time to the right people. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Newswire continues to excel in the industry with its best-in-class platform and customer service by providing businesses a cost-effective media and marketing solution to support their sales and marketing efforts.

Discover How the Earned Media Advantage is Transforming Business today and learn how you can generate greater value and ROI across all of your PR campaigns.

About Newswire

Newswire delivers press release and multimedia distribution software and services (SaaS) that empower the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media and marketing communications spend and the competitive edge. With over a decade of experience, Newswire continues to provide its customers with the ability to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time through the right medium.

To learn about and experience Newswire, visit http://www.newswire.com.

Contact Information

Charlie Terenzio

Director of Earned Media Strategy

Newswire

Office: 813-480-3766

Email: charlie@newswire.com

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Thanks to Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour, Business Technology Companies Found the Right Strategy

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53222
KIEV, March 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament passed a no-confidence vote in Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka on Thursday, the latest move in a reshuffle that saw the prime minister and most of his cabinet ousted this week.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's party has suggested one of their lawmakers, Serhii Ionushas, as Ryaboshapka's replacement. The president was a comic actor before entering politics, and Ionushas was a lawyer whose company did work for Zelenskiy's production studio. (Reporting by Matthias Williams and Natalia Zinets; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Technavio has been monitoring the metallurgical coal market and it is poised to grow by USD 14.91 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 2% 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. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005284/en/

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

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Coronado Global Resources Inc., Glencore Plc, Teck Resources Ltd. and Vale SA are some of the major market participants. Although the increasing demand for steel will offer immense growth opportunities, slowing investments in the coal industry will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Increasing demand for steel has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, slowing investments in the coal industry might hamper market growth

Metallurgical Coal Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Metallurgical Coal Market is segmented as below:

Application

Steelmaking

Non-steelmaking

Geographic Segmentation

Americas

APAC

EMEA

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=IRTNTR40815

Metallurgical Coal Market 2020-2024: Scope

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

Metallurgical Coal Market Size

Metallurgical Coal Market Trends

Metallurgical Coal Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies advances in the mining industry as one of the prime reasons driving the metallurgical coal market growth during the next few years.

Metallurgical Coal Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the metallurgical coal market, including some of the vendors such as China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Coronado Global Resources Inc., Glencore Plc, Teck Resources Ltd. and Vale SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the metallurgical coal market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Metallurgical Coal Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist metallurgical coal market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the metallurgical coal market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the metallurgical coal market

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

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of metallurgical coal market vendors

Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market outlook

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

Market segmentation by application

Comparison by application

Steelmaking Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Non-steelmaking Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by application

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Americas Market size and forecast 2019-2024

EMEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Increase in number of smart city projects

Advances in mining industry

Steel production through electrolysis

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Anglo American Plc

Arch Coal Inc.

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd.

BHP

China Coal Energy Co. Ltd.

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.

Coronado Global Resources, Inc.

Glencore Plc

Teck Resources Ltd.

Vale SA

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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/20200306005284/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/
A helicopter wrapped in Trump 2020 advertising has trolled a campaign rally for Bernie Sanders in Phoenix, Arizona.

Supporters of President Donald Trump flew the helicopter over the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Thursday as rally goers shouted at and flipped off the aircraft, reported Newsweek.

The stunt was claimed by The Trump Chopper, a pro-Trump campaign run by two private individuals, Scott Urschel and Scott Glover.

The duo do not appear to have any connection to the official Trump campaign. On their website, Mr Urschel and Mr Glover said they fly the helicopter to get the message out for our president.

Mr Sanders rally in Phoenix comes shortly after the US presidential primary elections, Super Tuesday, that saw the Vermont senator receive fewer delegates than his rival Joe Biden.

In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Show all 5 1 /5 In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane, triumphant at hearing of Nevada Caucus win. in San Antonio Texas on 22 February 2020 Reuters In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie Sanders embraces his wife Jane at rally in San Antonio Texas on 22 February 2020 REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie support raises sign and a thumbs-up to the news of Senator Sanders' win REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie supporter cheer at the news of Sanders' win REUTERS

He sought to reignite support for his campaign and vowed to continue fighting to secure the Democratic Partys nomination in his speech.

To supporters of Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the race on Thursday, Mr Sanders had an invitation: Tonight, we invite Senator Warrens supporters into our campaign.

He praised Ms Warren as a good friend and congratulated her for leading a strong, issue-oriented campaign.

With Ms Warren gone, Mr Sanders and Mr Biden remain the only two major Democratic candidates left in the race for presidential nomination.

Recommended Trump mocks Warren after she drops out

Joe Biden is a decent guy and I know that if I win the nomination, hell be there for me, said Mr Sanders. And if he wins, Ill be there for him. Our differences are minimal compared to the differences we have with Trump.

He also described Mr Biden as an old friend.

After the Phoenix rally, Mr Sanders cancelled a rally in Jackson, Mississippi, changing his plans to travel to Michigan instead on Friday.
Malvern, Pennsylvania (USA), March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the exclusive provider of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, will be attending the BAPCO Annual Conference & Exhibition 2020 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, England. The event, which focuses on critical communications for public safety, takes place on March 10th and 11th with Rajant in Booth E33. Building on the success of Rajants CCTV network projects for two UK Royal Weddings and Royal Ascot, Rajant will feature their newly expanded line of BreadCrumb nodes, uniquely positioned to support first responders at what is promoted as the largest public safety event in the UK. BAPCO brings together the latest innovations and leading-edge technology solutions under one roof.

At BAPCO 2020, Rajant will showcase its full portfolio of Kinetic Mesh technologies with an emphasis on two products introduced in 2019, which have strong public safety and security applications. Rajants ES1 BreadCrumb is ideal for use cases on light-duty vehicles, which do not require extreme environmental hardening, typically used by safe cities and corporate perimeter patrol. The DX2 is Rajants pocket-sized BreadCrumb for lightweight, autonomous robots and drone swarms. The small footprint and very low payload weight make DX2 extremely mobile and adaptive for security department and law enforcement use.

Delivering additional CCTV systems, which could then be monitored by police and security services, was a top priority for Thames Valley Police when Rajant was the wireless network provider selected for the UK high profile events. According to Rajants Vice President of Sales for EMEA, Chris Mason, Ease of deployment, built-in security, seamless connection to Police systems, and minimized interference were key selection criteria. As to the opportunities for first responders with Rajants latest ES1 and DX2, Rajant Kinetic Mesh networks are helping organizations increase productivity, improve safety and cut costs in a wide array of industries. When it comes to public safety, Rajant solutions support many diverse applications, including monitoring and managing vehicle and equipment health, assets, video surveillance, vehicle speeds and locations, first responder communications, convoy communications, and border crossings.

Visitors to Rajants booth can meet with Chris Mason. He will be available both days to share the instrumental role Rajants mobile, wireless mesh technology plays in enabling large amounts of mission-critical video data to be delivered with high throughput and low latency across the network, giving first responders and all public safety officials the visibility needed to protect better the communities they serve.

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About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the exclusive provider of private wireless networks powered by the patented Kinetic Mesh network, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 55 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture. Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania with additional facilities and offices in Arizona, Kentucky, and Alabama. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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BANGKOK  The global march of the new virus triggered a vigorous appeal Thursday from the World Health Organization for governments to pull out all the stops to slow the epidemic, as it drained color from Indias spring festivities, closed Bethlehems Nativity Church and blocked Italians from visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes.

As China, after many arduous weeks, appeared to be winning its epic, costly battle against the new virus, the fight was revving up in newly affected areas of the globe, unleashing disruptions that profoundly impacted billions of people.

The U.N. health agency urged all countries to push this virus back, a call to action reinforced by figures showing there are now about 17 times as many new infections outside China as in it. To date, the virus has infected nearly 98,000 people and killed over 3,300.

This is not a drill. This is not the time for giving up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing in Geneva. Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans.

As Chinese manufacturers gradually reopened their factories, anti-virus barriers went up elsewhere.

In Italy, the epicenter of Europes outbreak, workers in latex gloves pinned closed notices on school gates, enforcing a 10-day shutdown of the education system. Italys sports-mad fans are also barred from stadiums until April 3.

Italys death toll climbed Thursday to 148, and its confirmed cases to 3,858.

Iran, which has registered 107 virus deaths, also closed schools and universities and introduced checkpoints to limit travel between major cities. Iranians were urged to reduce their use of paper money.

Virus fears also canceled New Delhis joyful Indian celebration of Holi, in which Hindu revelers celebrate the arrival of spring with bursts of color, including bright powders smeared on faces.

South Africa confirmed its first case Thursday, becoming the seventh African nation to report infections. Britain and Switzerland reported their first coronavirus deaths.

Palestinian officials closed the storied Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem indefinitely, weeks ahead of the busy Easter holiday.

Matt Sedensky and John Leicester are Associated Press writers.
C oronavirus scammers have stolen almost 1 million pounds from unsuspecting members of the public.

Action Fraud, the UKs fraud and cyber reporting centre, says they expect the number of ploys taking advantage of Covid-19 fears will go up.

More than 100,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with the disease, and upwards of 3,000 have died.

A statement from Action Fraud said that 800,000 had been taken by scammers in 21 cases.

Ten of these cases relate to websites fraudulently saying they were selling masks.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

In one example, a business owner paid more than 15,000 for a bulk shipment of face covers that never arrived.

Other scams that have been reported include fraudsters offering cheap travel tickets because of the worldwide outbreak and not delivering items with the coronavirus blamed as the reason.

In some cases, criminals are pretending to be from Chinese banks, and telling those who bank through China that they need to transfer money as Covid-19 is causing problems.

Another common tactic appears to be scammers sending emails that look like they are from the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and providing information about people with the coronavirus in the targets area.

But when the victim clicks on a link it turns out to be ransomware.

Action Fraud suggests: Dont click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.
The recent Iowa caucus debacle could serve as a primer on Americas not-quite-representative system of government. The malfunctioning app. The reporting delays and inconsistencies. The delegates determined by coin tosses and names in hats, the confusing first and second alignments, the discrepancy between who got the most delegates and who got the most votes, the built-in barriers to access created by having to stand in a gym for hours at a specific time of a specific day. Is this really the best we can do?

But if Iowa is an extreme example, it is by no means an anomaly, as Elizabeth Rusch demonstrates for young readers in her fascinating YOU CALL THIS DEMOCRACY? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 253 pp., $9.99; ages 12 and up). The books objective is simple: to enumerate all the ways that our more perfect Union falls short of its stated ideals.

Does our democracy live up to the principle of one person, one vote? Rusch asks. Is political power equally accessible to all citizens? No and no. So how can we make our democracy more democratic?

Like many well-executed books written for smart teenagers, You Call This Democracy? is enlightening for adults as well. With the help of eye-popping infographics, Rusch shows how our government disenfranchises segments of the population.
Turkmenistan expressed support to Moroccos efforts to find a lasting political solution to the Sahara on the basis of the autonomy initiative within the framework of its territorial integrity.

The autonomy plan is the only solution to the conflict over the Sahara, Turkmen foreign minister Rachid Meredov said Thursday following talks with speaker of the House of Representatives.

Turkmenistans position is in line with the UN Charter providing for respect of member states territorial integrity, he said, adding that his country backs the UN process to peacefully settle the regional dispute over the Sahara.

His visit to Rabat was an occasion to highlight the longstanding ties between his country and Morocco, he said, noting that the North African kingdom was among the first nations to support Turkmenistans independence quest.

Meredov met several officials in Morocco including his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita in Rabat and Minister of Finance Mohamed Benchaaboun.
Steven Farwell

Northbrook, Ill.



To the Editor:

I think Emily Eakins essay can be summed up this way:

A reader, she married him.

Carlos Alcala

Sacramento

Black History Month

To the Editor:

As much as I agree with Varian Johnson, in his essay about children reading books during Black History Month (Feb. 16), that fiction can often be a better way for readers to see themselves in history, I feel the need to stress the central importance of nonfiction in any conversation concerning Black History Month. Carter G. Woodson, the African-American writer and historian who founded Negro History Week (which later became Black History Month), believed in raising high the standard of the truth. His organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, even provided materials for the classroom: The Negro History Bulletin featured stories and biographies of black people.

Now, I will admit, the magazine mightve been a tad bit, um, dry, particularly for its intended audience  younger readers. Thankfully, today we have a wider range of narrative nonfiction books to offer children during Black History Month. These true stories use engaging voices, captivating plots and attractive illustrations. They offer history that is informational and fact-based, and yet inviting to young readers.

Books that deal with the struggles and injustices black people have endured can be challenging. Many are sad and painful to read. But they can also be inspirational. When done right, they can serve as examples of black strength and resilience and resourcefulness and talent and beauty.

As a child growing up in the 70s, I would have found it helpful to have books like Lesa Cline-Ransomes Before She Was Harriet and Ashley Bryans Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life. These books allow young readers to get to know historical figures as people, as human beings  who thought and dreamed and loved and aspired, just as they do today. With books like these, maybe I would have felt proud instead of ashamed when the topic of slavery came up in school.

I want to emphasize, I am not knocking fiction. After growing up pretty much a nonreader, I became a reader in my early 20s because of Richard Wright novels. But when speaking specifically about the Black History Month celebration created by Carter G. Woodson, I think he would lean toward the real.
Acting Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, national chair of the National Liberal Party (PNL), said on Thursday evening on a television show that Prime Minister-designate Florin Citu is an esteemed man who is giving a signal of stability to investors, markets, the financial and the economic systems.

"It is not by chance that the nominee is a former finance minister who in three months and a half got clear, obvious results: a budget revision, a law on the national budget, under some extremely difficult conditions (...) So, it was a decision that took into account the state of the play, to give a very clear signal that the prime minister's choice is a minister of finance, who is an esteemed man, a man who gives out a clear signal of stability to investors, to markets, to everything that the financial and banking system means, to organisations, the stock exchange and other organisations, so as to give a clear out a signal of stability and of preserving the same orientation of the economic policies," Orban told Romania TV private broadcaster.

He also said that the decision to nominate Florin Citu to the position of prime minister was agreed upon with President Klaus Iohannis.

Orban was asked whether Prime Minister-designate Citu has chosen him to be deputy prime minister in his cabinet, and he said that he did not receive such a proposal and added that "the PNL national leader can only be prime minister."

Asked about an announcement on Thursday by Pro Romania leader Victor Ponta, referring to the fact that if PNL vote in favour of the Citu government in an open vote, then they will have the votes of Pro Romania as well, Orban said that Ponta's statements "change from one day to the next." AGERPRES
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Non-Ionic Surfactants Market Overview

Non-Ionic Surfactants are surface active wetting agents that helps to reduce water surface tension. These surfactants offer superior wetting & detergency, emulsification, rinseability, low toxicity, and good handling properties. Some of the most commonly used non-ionic surfactants includes ethoxylated alcohol & alky-phenols, fatty acid esters, and glycerol esters among others. The product finds application in cleaning, food additives, cosmetics & personal care products, coatings, and pharmaceuticals among others.

The global non-ionic surfactants market is driven by rising demand for detergents form industries and households. The product is being increasingly used for hand dish washing, laundry, and hard surface cleaners owing to good wetting and detergency properties. Surging demand for cosmetics & personal care products across the regions is augmenting the market growth.

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in the non-ionic surfactants market in 2017 and is expected to grow at significant rate during the review period. Growing industrialization and urbanization coupled with changing lifestyles and rising disposable income is another important factor driving the market growth in this region. Furthermore, rapidly growing cosmetics & personal care industry as a result of increasing demand for the cosmetics from the working population for personal grooming and appearance is fuelling the demand.

Furthermore, in the developed nations, the product consumption is growing in pharmaceutical industry owing to rising geriatric population coupled with high per capita income. Increasing R&D investment in pharmaceutical industry is stimulating the product demand in these regions further.

Segmentation:

The Global Non-Ionic Surfactants Market Share is segmented on the basis of type, application, end users, and region.

Based on the type, the market is segmented into alcohol ethoxylates, fatty alkanolamides, amine derivatives, glycerol derivatives, and others.

Based on application, market is segmented into cleaners, emulsion, additives, and others. On the other hand, based on end user, the market is segmented into food & beverages, paint & coatings, oilfield, textiles, personal care, household, and others.

Based on region, this market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Non-Ionic Surfactants Market- Competitive Landscape

The global Non-Ionic Surfactants is at nascent stage and is expected to witness considerable growth owing to rapidly expanding industrial base in the Asia Pacific region during the review period. Some of the growing trends notices among the market players includes new product invention, capacity expansion and acquisitions. For instance, BASF SE will expand its alkyl polyglucosides (APG) production capacity at sites in China, U.S., Ohio, and JInshan. This will help the company to meet the customer demands for surfactants with different specifications in the Asia Pacific region.

Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:

Feb 9, 2018- BASF SE will expand its alkyl polyglucosides (APG) production capacity along with two production improvement projects at sites in China, U.S., Ohio, and JInshan. The capacity expansion at Jinshan site has been started in order to meet the need for surfactants in personal and home care applications in the Asia Pacific region.

July 31, 2017- Croda International Plc, a specialty chemical company acquired Enza Biotech having technology for making non-ionic sugar-based surfactants from carbohydrates.

March 24, 2017- Evonik launched next generation Grind Aid non-ionic surfactant under the brand name Carbowet GA-200 with low-zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). This product will help to comply with the regulations set by the environmental protection agency to reduce VOC emissions.

December 08, 2015 - Croda International Inc, announced nearly USD 140 million investment in North America to produce 100% sustainable non-ionic surfactants form bio-ethanol.

Regional Analysis:

Geographically, Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Non-Ionic Surfactants Market growth. Increasing per capita income of the growing middle class especially in household, and personal care industry is reason to drive the non-ionic surfactants market in this region. Upgraded lifestyle, increasing cost of living and rising population have fostered the adoption of surfactants in various industries, such as personal care, soaps & detergents, and pharmaceutical industry; therefore, boosting the growth of the this industry. North America holds the second position for non-ionic surfactants market and is another profitable market in terms of value and volume after APAC. UK, Canada, and United Mexican States led the demand for non-ionic surfactants in this region.

View Full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/non-ionic-surfactants-market-3837





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Rachel Hamiltons hobbies include baking, riding horses, studying Spanish and avoiding hospitals.

Hamilton was a senior in high school when she started having symptoms in late 2018. She was finishing her fall semester taking dual credit classes at Montana State University Billings when she started feeling a pain in her back and had difficulty breathing.

When a chiropractor didn't help, she started visiting hospitals. Doctors first believed she had pneumonia until a blood clot in her lung required treatment. They even considered parasites and amoebas as her symptoms and pain persisted.

Finally, doctors found a bleeding tumor in her liver. Hamilton was taken to the Hunstman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, where doctors diagnosed her with liver cancer in January 2019.

But Hamilton wasnt devastated about her diagnosis. Her familys support and her Christian faith helped her be at peace with whatever came next.

I was just very relieved because it was a long time of not knowing what was wrong, Hamilton said. I was really relieved to have the answer.

Liver cancer is commonly linked to cirrhosis, or the scarring of the liver due to long periods of disease and damage. While Hamilton had no symptoms of that, she was treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which helps the body recognize the tumor as foreign. Eventually the cancer spread to her lungs.

The formation of liver cancer in a young person is so rare, the chances of it happening are one in a million.

Its incredibly rare for young adults to have liver cancer, especially someone with no risk factors, said Dr. Patrick Cobb, medical director at St. Vincent Healthcare Cancer Centers of Montana. So this is not the typical liver cancer that you usually think of, so no one was considering this as a possibility.

After Hamilton underwent weeks of treatments, Dr. Glynn Gilcrease III at the Hunstman Cancer Institute called Cobb. Nothing else could be done, he said. Hospice care was the next step.

Hamilton arrived at the St. Vincent Healthcare Cancer Centers of Montana in Billings in February, which specializes in medical oncology, radiation therapy and more. She was brought inside in a wheelchair. At the time she weighed only 94 pounds.

She began taking high levels of narcotics through a pump to treat her pain.

As you can imagine, getting a call like that for a 19-year-old, its pretty striking, Cobb said.

Even though the chances werent promising, Gilcrease III suggested one more possible treatment option. DNA sequencing looks at a tumors genetic code to find abnormalities that could be targeted with medication. It's no guarantee, and it works only for certain types of cancers, Cobb said.

The same June day when Hamilton entered hospice care, Cobb received a call from Gilcrease III. He had discovered an abnormality called ALK in the tumor's DNA, and Gilcrease III wanted to start Hamilton on a drug called Crizotinib. The abnormality is rare, Cobb said; he's seen it in only one of the dozens of patients hes treated. Its commonly found in those who have lung cancer.

In the most basic terms, the pill targets the abnormality and keeps the cancers DNA from making a protein that causes the cancer, Cobb said. The pill is taken once a day and isnt as toxic as other forms of therapy.

After the prescription was approved, Hamilton took the medication for about a month, visiting the Huntsman Cancer Institute every few weeks. She returned to the St. Vincent cancer center in August a totally different person.

Her skin was pink, she had gained weight and she was walking on her own.

When that happened, it was a good day, Cobb said. It was one of those where it reminds you of why you go into this (profession).

The Human Genome Project, which worked to sequence the human genome from 1990 to 2003, was a catalyst to contributing to this new treatment, Cobb said.

St. Vincent Healthcare is partnering with Strata Oncology, a company that offers free DNA sequencing for cancer patients. Pharmaceutical companies pair drugs with certain DNA abnormalities to treat the cancer.

Because Hamiltons cancer spread to her lungs, she will continue to take the medicine even after symptoms subside. There isnt a blueprint for her treatment, Cobb said. The plan is to keep her on the medication as long as her body can tolerate it.

Even though the disease might be gone on a scan, its possible theres still disease left behind, Cobb said.

When asked about the most difficult part of being sick with cancer, Hamilton struggled with the fact she was getting better.

Having support from family and friends made coming to terms with death easier, she said.

"Your priorities just really shift," Hamilton said. "So once you start getting better, it's like, oh shoot. I need to start worrying about my grades again and be a responsible adult."

As she continues to heal, Hamilton doesnt plan to waste any time. She is majoring in Spanish at Montana State University Billings, and accepted a law fellowship to Spain this summer with a goal to work in immigration law. She coaches volleyball, likes to bake, and regularly rides her horse, Dutch.

Being sick has taught her a lot about life and what it means to have a support system.

"As far as perspective, it's shown me that prayer is very powerful," Hamilton said. "I'm very lucky to have had so much support."

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Between 1 million to 3 million serious infections, including diarrheal diseases and antibiotic-resistant staph infections, occur every year in these facilities, according to the C.D.C. These infections kill as many as 380,000 people each year.

Visit frequently, if you are allowed

When you spend time at your loved ones home, look to see that basic protocols, like frequent hand washing and sanitation, are being followed. If something isnt being met, be gentle yet firm when talking to an administrator, or even take your needs and concerns to the facilitys director of nursing.

Family members should monitor their loved ones to make sure that if they do come down with the virus, that theyre being cared for, that theyre being hydrated, said Dr. David Dosa, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at Brown University, where he studies disaster preparedness. That theyre being treated like somebody should if they have a viral illness.

With your loved one, be sure to ask questions about what they ate for lunch, whether they had juice or tea, what activities they have done during the day. Even if they have cognitive issues, you will probably receive an honest response.

Have a plan

Check with the facility to learn what their plans are if an outbreak occurs, and ask what they are doing to ensure they have enough medical and safety supplies in the event of an outbreak.

To protect their residents and staff, nursing homes may turn away visitors and quarantine residents in the event of a coronavirus outbreak.

If you cannot enter, speak with an administrator or the director of nursing in a respectful and succinct way.
The Jubilee Offshore Field Manager in-charge of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, Bruce Tait, says challenges with the FPSOs turret bearing have been resolved.

He said the issue was fixed with an industry groundbreaking innovation, placing it in a safe location after the damaged bearing was replaced.

The Jubilee Offshore Field Manager who was speaking to Citi News as he led a tour of journalists on the operations of the Kwame Nkrumah FPSO said the FPSO is currently producing 92,200 barrels of oil per day without any offloading difficulties as was encountered when the turret bearing was faulty.

Turret Bearing

The challenges with the turret have been completely resolved. With the installation of the calm buoy, it is expected that production and offtake will be smooth. It is indeed an industry ground-breaking innovation to be able to remediate the turret and create an efficient offloading system concurrently alongside productionThis has propelled the FPSO to currently produce at 96,200 barrels per day, while re-injecting and flaring more than 30 percent of gas produced, due to the less raw gas requirements by the Atuabo Gas Processing plant.

The fabricated Buoy Turret Loading (BTL), which forms part of the Oil Offloading system (OOSys), arrived in Ghana on 3rd January 2020 to be retrofitted on the Jubilee FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to reduce the overall offloading costs.

The construction and installation of the BTL were supported by Belmet 7, a Ghanaian company in Takoradi, which finalized fabrications for the suction piles, oil offloading lines hang off-platform, and pigging module, for installation on the Jubilee FPSO.

Touching on Local Content, the Jubilee Offshore Field Manager of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, Bruce Tait, said a lot of successes have been chocked in that regard.

Bruce Tait-Manager, Jubilee Offhshore Field FPSO Kwame Nkrumah

Together with all the other vessels in the field, the Jubilee operations has a 1,050 personnel in the field. A significant proportion of these people are Ghanaians, meaning this operation contributes significantly to local content.

The Offshore visit to the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah at the Jubilee Field was to conclude a three-part Tullow funded training program in the fundamentals of oil and gas for the selected journalists to help improve their reporting on the Petroleum industry.

The journalists who included, Marie Aziz Tunde of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Citi TV's Akwasi Agyei Annim and Daryl Kwaw of Joy News had also secured the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training, BOSIET certification, which allowed them to travel to the FPSO.

The Senior Communications and Investor Relations Advisor at Tullow, Anani Yao Kuwornu, who supervised the visiting journalists said the first-hand experience given to the journalists would be beneficial to the Petroleum Industry and the journalists.

We know that you read about it, you hear about it but it is a different thing when you see it. So for example, we talk about turret all the time but when you see the quantum of metals that constitute the turret and the complexity of the engineering behind it, it gives you a better sense of it. So we felt that it would crystalize everything that you have learnt and hopefully when you now report, people would believe you more because of what you have seen.

---citinewsroom
If oil fails to quickly recover from a recent collapse that saw prices plummet 30 percent Monday morning, thousands of Houston jobs are in danger and the prospects are raised of a second industry downturn in five years.

Brent crude fell nearly 23 percent to $34.89 while West Texas Intermediate crude fell 9.7 percent to $31.57 as of about 8 a.m. Monday, the biggest same-day loss since the first Gulf War in January 1991.

The crash, which started when a global glut was made worse by the economic effects of the new coronavirus, capped Friday when OPEC and its allies failed to reach a deal with Russia to cut production during meetings in Vienna.

Crude prices plummeted on the news, with the U.S. benchmark closing down 9 percent at $41.28 per barrel  a price not seen since April 2016, while the international benchmark, Brent, also settled 9 percent lower at $45.86. Many U.S. companies, especially those in Texas, need crude prices at about $50 to break even, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Monday's plunge was the largest same-day loss since the first Gulf War in January 1991.

If the price of West Texas Intermediate rests at $40 per barrel for two or more quarters, the Houston area could shed about 14,000 oil and gas jobs, said Bill Gilmer, an economist with the University of Houston. Job losses in the industry, which employs more than 265,000 in the region, could rise to 19,000 when including layoffs already caused by the price of crude stuck between $50 and $60 for almost all of last year.

Oil employment moves very slowly in Houston, Gilmer said. For the whole process to work out, it takes four, five or even six quarters.

NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here

Though there is almost no oil drilling in the Houston area, the region employs the technical experts, office workers and equipment manufacturers. Metal shops, fabricators and equipment manufacturers will be the sector to watch, Gilmer said.

Thats where jobs will be lost first, he added.

The U.S. benchmark has fallen 35 percent since its high this year of $63.27 on Jan. 6, a week after the new coronavirus was identified. Prices will continue to fall until production is reduced, said Bob McNally, president of Maryland consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group, in a statement. The depth of the oil bust from 2014 to 2016 saw prices drop to about $26 per barrel before OPEC cut production and restored market balance.

Without that signal that whistled investors back, prices wouldve kept falling, McNally said.

Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox

Production needs to be cut by about 2 million barrels per day to stabilize prices, Norwegian energy research firm Rystad Energy estimates. But where those cuts will come from remains up in the air.

The 14 OPEC countries sought to cut production by 1.5 million barrels a day, with nonmember allies such as Russia absorbing 500,000 barrels of that cut. Russia, however, refused, and OPEC officials adjourned their meeting Friday.

In the meantime, U.S. oil production has grown to more than 13 million barrels per day, with the Permian Basin in West Texas and eastern New Mexico pumping out about 4.8 million barrels each day, according to the Energy Department. Irving-based Exxon Mobils discovery off the coast of Guyana is expected to add 750,000 barrels per day starting in 2025.

OPECs failure to cut production combined with slumping global demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak is a double whammy for the industry, said Ann-Louise Hittle, of energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. But the effects could be more pronounced for the U.S. shale industry, which had already squeezed 2020 drilling and completion budgets, she said.

A sustained bout of low oil prices will further reduce cash flow and investment into the U.S. oil patch, causing further hits to Lower 48 production growth later this year, Hittle said in a statement. It takes at least six to nine months for reductions in spending to lead to lower oil production in the U.S. Lower 48.

More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com

While the industry braces for several weeks of $40 oil or lower, it appears confident to be able to shake short-term effects of the coronavirus. Nearly 35 percent of industry investors expect the coronavirus to peak in the U.S. in May, and a majority believes Chinas economy will be back to normal by summer, according to a survey by New York investment banking advisory firm Evercore.

Ups and downs are part of the oil and natural gas business, and companies have proven themselves nimble and innovative in challenging times, Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples said. We have to remember that not five years ago, oil prices were half what they are today, and free-market principles, science-based regulations and ingenuity helped Texas operators weather the downturn.

During the 2014 to 2016 downturn, the industry tightened spending, adopted cost-cutting technology to reduce expenses and increased automation. This time around, the industry may seek to lean on artificial intelligence and other digital technologies to improve efficiencies and lower costs at drilling and production sites.

American oil and gas provides our allies with safe and clean energy, while protecting our national security interests, American Exploration & Production Council CEO Anne Bradbury said. Sound regulations and policies that enable U.S. independent producers to continue leading the world in energy development are needed to ensure that our allies do not need to rely on Russian-produced energy and that our country retains the energy independence we sought for decades.

sergio.chapa@chron.com

twitter.com/sergiochapa
The Supreme Court Friday directed the Bombay High Court registry to find a suitable house in Mumbai for socialite Poonam Jaidev Shroff, engaged in a bitter matrimonial dispute with her industrialist husband Jaidev Shroff.

The top court, which had asked the woman to search for a house of her "choice" in Mumbai's Bandra-Palli Hill area, was informed by her counsel Shyam Divan that instead of being asked to look for a house, she be given monthly rent of Rs 30 lakh by her estranged husband.

"We do not want to devote much time on this issue," the bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said, adding that it has already heard the matter on six occasions.

"The Registrar of the Bombay High Court is directed to engage an architect from the panel of architects maintained by the High Court of Bombay and locate an appropriate house for appropriate accommodation of for residence of the respondent (the woman)," the bench said, adding that the rented house should be equivalent to her husband's house in Pali Hill area of Mumbai.

The bench asked the Registrar to file a report within two months from today and made clear that the rent shall be paid by her husband as agreed earlier.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan for the woman said that the house should be searched preferably in Bandra-Pali Hill area of suburb of Mumbai.

On February 26, the bench had asked Poonam to search for a house of her "choice" in Mumbai in a week's time or it will direct the Bombay High Court registry to do the needful which will be binding on her.

It had said that the woman can live in a house of her choice till final disposal of their divorce plea by a family court at Bandra.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, representing the husband, had said that his client was willing to pay the rent and would not like to pay cash in lieu of the rent.

The bench had earlier ordered that "Poonam Jaidev Shroff will locate rented premises of her choice which shall be equivalent to the residence...Pali Hill, Bandra... for her residence...

"A M Singhvi, counsel appearing for appellant Jaidev Rajnikant Shroff, states that the appellant will pay the rent for the said premises. It is understood that this arrangement will at the moment continue till the disposal of the pending divorce petition."



Prior to this, the Bombay High court had permitted the woman to enter their "shared household", a bungalow at tony Pali Hill in Bandra.

Singhvi had said that Shroff, the husband, had lodged an FIR against his wife for allegedly trying to administer drugs through orange juice with the help of a 'Bengali Baba' and even the charge sheet has been filed in that case.

The other side vehemently denied the allegations.

Singhvi had said he had offered Rs 90 crore towards full and final settlement of the divorce dispute, but it was not agreed upon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A blind man failed the US citizenship test after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) failed to provide the reading portion in braille.

Lucio Delgado moved to the US from Mexico in 2014 and learnt English by listening to the radio.

Mr Delgado asked for braille in his application and got a vision test to confirm he is legally blind, but when he started the test realised it had not been provided to him.

The 23-year-old, who is a legal permanent resident in the US spelled all the English words accurately in the civics portion when he took the test on 21 May.

However, when he got to the reading section Mr Delgado was informed that braille was not available, but that they had large print.

Im like, I dont read large print, he told CBS News. Im totally blind.

He was told that he would be able to come back for a second interview, but that his eye test from the optometrist would not suffice and that he needed to visit an ophthalmologist.

He doesnt have health insurance and cant afford to pay for the specialist service, according to the Washington Post.

Mr Delgado received the letter in February from USCIS confirming he had failed the test.

He was obviously not surprised with the result, but was still shocked braille wasnt provided to him.

Recommended How Braille is still helping blind people read and learn

He told the Washington Post: I really wasnt expecting not to be provided that very basic accommodation,

It was quite a shocker, honestly.

USCIS told the Washington Post that the test started to be offered in braille in November 2019, six months after Mr Delgado had taken his.

USCIS has policies in place to ensure accommodations are provided for people with disabilities when requested, and we make every effort to ensure that these policies are followed at all time.
Photo: Antonio Perez/Getty Images

R. Kelly faces new legal troubles in Chicago, as authorities have  very recently seized over 100 electronic devices belonging to the disgraced R&B artist from a storage unit in suburban Chicago. Rolling Stone reports that on Thursday R. Kelly returned to court and pleaded not guilty to a revised 13 counts of federal charges against him, which now include allegations from a new accuser referred to as Minor 6. Due to the discovery of the hidden electronics, which include over 100 cell phones, iPads, and hard drives, Kellys Chicago federal sex-abuse trial has been postponed from April 27 to October 13 to allow prosecutors time to thoroughly search the devices.

R. Kellys lawyer, Steve Greenberg, is not worried about the seizure of electronics. We expect that theyre not going to find anything incriminating, Greenberg told reporters. Whether or not the electronics contribute to the growing number of charges levied against Kelly, prosector Angel Krull suggested that there may be yet another victim ready to press charges against Kelly. Kelly is currently in federal custody in Chicago and is set to stand trial for separate charges of racketeering, sexual abuse, and bribery in Brooklyn on July 7.
Iran on Friday announced a surge in coronavirus cases and 17 more deaths including an advisor to the foreign minister, raising the total number of people killed to 124.

The Islamic republic is battling the world's deadliest outbreak of the disease outside China where it originated.

Iran has confirmed 1,234 new cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of infections to 4,747, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a conference.

The new cases "are probably those who had been infected with the virus two weeks ago and... just came to us with symptoms," he added.

Several politicians or government officials are among those who have been killed by the disease in Iran.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, an adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis, died from the virus late Thursday, state agency IRNA reported.

A former ambassador to Syria, he also served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997.

Sheikholeslam was also one of the students involved in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, when they stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage.

This prompted Washington to sever diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980.

The hostages were freed in January 1981, after 444 days in captivity Iran has tested more than 15,980 people for novel coronavirus since it emerged in the country, Jahanpour said.

"The number of those who have recovered from the disease has reached more than 913," he added.

Iran has been scrambling to contain the rapid spread of coronavirus which has infected people in all 31 of its provinces.

Jahanpour said Tehran has 1,413 confirmed cases so far, which is the highest among all provinces and makes it an "epicentre" for the virus.

He bemoaned the "heavy traffic in the north of the country" as Iranians flock to popular tourist spots "despite numerous warnings and all the threats this poses."



"Please, do not travel to northern provinces . . . by doing this you are gifting the virus to your family and friends," Jahanpour said.

The country has closed schools and universities until early April in a bid to contain the virus, but according to the official, the long holidays ahead appear to have prompted people to travel north.

Iran has not officially quarantined any province, but it has tried to limit domestic movement and set up checkpoints across the country.

It stepped up restrictions on Friday as the police announced all people travelling to Mazandaran and Gilan -- other than residents of those provinces returning from elsewhere -- will be turned back.

Gilan is one of the country's worst-hit provinces.

Six of those who died from the virus are politicians or government officials.

Before his death, Sheikholeslam was advisor to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Other officials who have died of coronavirus include lawmaker Mohammad Ali Ramezani and Mojtaba Pourkhanali, an agriculture ministry official, both from Gilan.

The others were Ahmad Toyserkani, an adviser to the judiciary chief, Hadi Khosroshahi, a former envoy to the Vatican, and Mojtaba Fazeli, a secretary to a senior cleric.

Tehran lawmaker Fatemeh Rahbar is in a coma after being infected, according to the ISNA agency.

A host of other officials have been infected and are under quarantine, including vice-president Masoumeh Ebtekar, deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi and grand ayatollah Musa Shobairi Zanjani, who is considered one of Iran's highest religious authorities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chennai, March 7 : Ninety seven year old K. Anbazhagan, General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) died on Saturday at about 1 a.m. after prolonged illness, said party President M.K. Stalin.

In a statement issued here Stalin said Anbazhagan was a close friend of late party President M. Karunanidhi and served as the party's General Secretary for 43 years.

Anbazhagan was appointed to the party General Secretary post in 1977.

He was admitted to Apollo Hospitals due to age related ailments on Feb 24 and his condition turned critical later.

Anbazhagan was elected to Tamil Nadu Assembly nine times and had been the Finance Minister in the DMK government.

He had also served as the Minister for Social Welfare, Education before becoming the Finance Minister.

He was a Member of Lok Sabha 1967-1971 and was also a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council which was abolished later.

In 1984, Anbazhagan had resigned as he member of Tamil Nadu Assembly in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Condoling Anbazhagan's death Stalin cancelled all party activities and the party flag will fly at half mast during the mourning period as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

Anbazhagan's body was taken to his residence from Apollo Hospital for public homage.

For the past one year Anbazhagan was taking rest at his home due to his old age and was not attending public functions.

Affectionately called as 'Perasiriyar' or Professor, Anbazhagan was born as Ramaiah in Tiruvarur District (then Thanjavur District) on 19.12.1922 and later changed his name.

Anbazhagan was a post-graduate in Tamil literature from Annamalai University.
Supermoon for Washington, Oregon Coast: Major Fireballs Seen

Published 03/05/2020 at 1:28 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  That full moon in March? Let's super size it! (Above: full moon casts a glow at Hug Point near Cannon Beach).

Get ready for an extra large moon in March, visible all over the Pacific Northwest, including the Washington coast and the Oregon coast. Meanwhile, a bright meteor flared over Oregon Wednesday night and officials are looking to find out more.

According to Jim Todd of Portlands OMSI, its a supermoon this week and it will be the first of three in 2020. This one coming up on March 8 and 9 will be the second closest of the year.

Supermoons are not rare, Todd said. At least two, or perhaps a half dozen, occur each year. So, this phenomenon is not unusual or unheard of.

If the weather holds up, the beaches of Oregon and Washington will be particularly spectacular to view this as theres little to no light interference. However, since the moon rises in the east and then sets in the west after morning light, the one thing that will be missing is the astounding sight of the moon straight out to sea, where it can cast a spellbinding glow and reflection.

Some areas to check out on the Washington coast include the beaches of the Olympic National Park region, where those enormous rocky spires can cast fascinating and gigantic shadows. Similar sights could be found on the southern Oregon coast around Bandon's Face Rock and Wizard Hat Rock. High vantage points along the Oregon coast like those at Cape Foulweather or Andersons Viewpoint near Oceanside will yield awe-inspiring sights with reflections in the ocean happening at different angles.

Todd said from the Portland point of view, the moon will officially become full on March 9 at 10:47 a.m., but this is during daylight and it will be below the horizon. However, from both ends of Pacific Northwest beaches it will appear full on March 8 and 9. Todd said this supermoon wil be at its perigee (closest to Earth) ar 10:33 p.m. on March 9, at a distance of 222,081 miles.

Come Monday, sunset around the northern Oregon coast and Portland will be about 7:09 p.m., but times will differ slightly on the southern Oregon coast and into the Washington coast. It will rise directly from the east at 7:22 p.m. that day and will be due south at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday - a good time to look for lunar reflections on the ocean. It then sets in the west well after dawn. At 10:33 p.m. youll be able to witness it at its closest to this planet.

OTHER TIMES / EXAMPLES Bandon, Oregon March 9: Moonrise at 7:15 p.m.; setting at 7:36 a.m. -- Olympia Washington, March 9: Moonrise at 7:21 p.m.; setting at 8:02 a.m.

A full moon occurs in the middle of the lunar cycle of 29.5 days, and is recognizable by its near perfect spherical shape, Todd said. Technically speaking, the full moon only lasts for about a second. This difference cannot be seen with the naked eye. Without a telescope, it is difficult to distinguish between a moon that is 100% illuminated and a moon that is 99% illuminated. While the Moon may only be 100% full for about one minute, it looks full for about three days.

The moon orbits around us in an ellipse that brings it closer at times and the farther away. Its called an apogee when its at its farthest point from Earth, which is on average nearly 253,000 miles away. The closest point to Earth is called the perigee, which is an average distance of about 225,744 miles, Todd said.



On average, the distance from Earth to the moon is about 238,855 miles, Todd said. During every 27-day orbit around Earth, the moon reaches both its apogee and perigee.

During a supermoon it will appear 14 percent to 30 percent brighter than the typical full moon. Todd said that generally a supermoon is the term used for a full moon 90 percent or close to perigee.

Fireball Update: Numerous fireballs were seen Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, in inland Oregon and Washington and some on the coastlines of both states.

These updates from Jim Todd of OMSI:

"Bright fireball visible from Western Oregon and Southwest Washington, occurred on Wednesday, March 4 around 7:15 pm due southeast. According to the log, there were even earlier sightings reported between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Reports indicted fireball appeared moving eastward, lasted 2 to 3 seconds, and fairly bright. This is typical of a small fireball.

Then another fireball appeared around 12:50 am on Thursday, March 5th due westward, visible from Oregon coast and Tacoma, Washington. Reports indicated fireball appeared moving westward, lasted 2 to 3 seconds, and fairly bright. This is typical of a small fireball.

Weather then was partly cloudy over the valley. Reports like these are valuable to help determine reports of the fireball or meteor, and perhaps meteorite fragments if any. I have not received any direct reports from last night. Encourage anyone who saw the fireball to report it onto the AMS Fireball Log below. Anyone with Ring Nest, security cameras or dash cam are encouraged to send video clips.

The group and other astronomy agencies are asking the help of the public to look at dashcam or security video if you see anything. See https://www.amsmeteors.org/ . Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map - Virtual Tour

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Thursday issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Direct Tax 'Vivad Se Vishwas' scheme to provide clarity about the various provisions contained in the scheme.

'Vivad Se Vishwas' scheme was announced during the Union Budget, 2020 to provide for dispute resolution in respect of pending litigation.

Pursuant to the Budget announcement, the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020 (hereinafter called Vivad se Vishwas) was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, and passed by it on March 4.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, after the introduction of Vivad se Vishwas in Lok Sabha, several queries have been received from the stakeholders seeking clarifications in respect of various provisions contained in the Scheme.

After considering various queries received from stakeholders, has clarified the same in the form of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

The FAQs contain clarifications on scope and eligibility, calculation of disputed tax, procedure related to payment of disputed tax and consequential benefits to the declarant. These FAQs are available on the official website of the Department at: https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/communications/circular/circular_no_7_2020.pdf.

"It is reiterated that these clarifications are, however, subject to approval and passing of Vivad se Vishwas by the Parliament and receiving the assent of the President of India," read the press release.

"The objective of Vivad se Vishwas is to inter alia reduce pending litigation, generate timely revenue for the Government and benefit taxpayers by providing them peace of mind, certainty and savings on account of time and resources that would otherwise be spent on the long-drawn and vexatious litigation process," it read.

.
James Francois is charged with the murder of Edward Lavia.

June 8, 2020 is slated for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the stabbing death one week ago, of 46-year-old Edward Lavia of Petit Bordel.





The date was set at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday when James Francois, 51-year-old farmer of Petit Bordel, made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, charged with Lavias murder.





Francois had made an appearance at the Kingstown Magistrates Court the previous day, as the Serious Offences Court was not sitting, but Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett transferred the matter.





Lavia was stabbed in the side of his neck with a piece of broken bottle following an altercation at Petit Borden around 4:45 p.m. on Friday, February 28.





Francois was not required to plea to the indictable charge and was remanded.





The Prosecution is expected to call about ten witnesses.





Lavias death followed on the heels of the murder of Henry Parsons, 54-year-old former employee of the Diamond Wood Lumber business at Diamond, and resident of Long Piece, North Union. He was chopped in the back of his right leg around 10:45 p.m. February 21, at Long Piece. He died on the spot, and an autopsy revealed he succumbed to loss of blood.





Frankie Joseph, 42-year-old farmer of Long Piece, has been charged with the murder. His PI is slated for June 9, 2020.





Up to press time, three murders were recorded for the year, the first being the shooting death of 44-year-old Cuban nurse Arianna Taylor-Israel, who was gunned down shortly after 3 p.m. January 30, on the compound of the St. Martins Secondary School where she had gone to pick up her son, a student of that school.





Ariannas husband Mitchell Mitch Israel, a former public servant, has been charged with the murder. His PI is slated for May 18.





Joseph and Israel remain in custody awaiting their Preliminary Inquiries.




Nathaniel Karns, representing BRPC, leads a presentation on short-term rentals at Wednesday's Community Development Committee meeting.

North Adams to Draft Short Term Rental Regulations

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The city will begin the process of crafting short-term rental regulations with the goal of having something before City Council this summer.

The Community Development Committee held a public information session with the Community Development Office and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday to go over some possible elements of a policy to regulate online rentals like AirBnB.

"This is the beginning of the process and we are not looking to prohibit or penalize short-term rentals in the city," committee member Jason LaForest said. "So please don't think we are out to get you. We just want to make sure everyone is safe and it works for the city and the property owners."

Nathaniel Karns, representing BRPC, led the presentation. He said local planning agencies are early in the process of deliberating regulations and although they have looked at other communities' rules, in they have yet to put anything to paper.

The state has so far only instituted a taxation process and the only requirement to hold liability insurance. It has not set any rules on inspections or permitting, leaving those policies to be hashed out by municipalities.

"Really this is an exercise in balancing various interests since we haven't really reached any solid place. We just started this discussion," he said.

Karns said a quick scan of Airbnb yielded 62 rentable units but he ventured to guess there were more unlisted or on separate platforms.

"Short-term rentals are here and they probably have always been here to some limited extent," he said. "I would not be surprised if a couple of houses in town have been listed for rent for years. With the internet age ... we are seeing a real expansion of this and ... most of them are probably operating outside of the law."

He said recently passed state regulations are essentially a taxing law and only refer to current state building, fire, and health codes. He said these properties are taxed around 6 percent through the online platforms but a community, which has already adopted the lodging tax, can bring in up to another 3 percent as a separate community impact fee.

He said this takes council and mayoral approval and no less than 30 percent of revenue must go toward affordable housing and infrastructure.

Karns said in any regulation it is important to define different units. He gave some loose definitions and examples.

Owner occupied: the owner of the property lives in the same unit.

Owner adjacent: the owner owns a property with multiple apartments in which they live in one.

Owner present: The owner lives in the property most of the time but rents it out when they are away.

Absentee investor: The property owner does not live on the premise or even in the same community.

Building Inspector William Meranti said, from a zoning perspective, short-term rentals cause him a lot of concern.

"In my world this is as black and white as my work gets and my work is kind of grey," he said.

He said some of the arrangements can fit into pre-existing conditions. The city can work with owner occupied, owner adjacent, and even owner present rentals with some stipulations, however, investment properties where the owner is away from the property create zoning complications.

He said the key word is transient -- which means renting for less than 30 days, which although it works in most of the scenarios, does not when the owner or a manager is not present. According to zoning, these properties would be considered motels/hotels, which are zoned R-1.

These short-term rental properties are most definitely not built to hotel code or regulated to hotel code and really cannot exist in neighborhoods.

"They are not allowed in the majority of zones in our city because ... you have people coming in staying in apartments or houses they aren't familiar with and the building is not to code," Meranti said.

Karns said the city does have options and could look at zoning to determine where these properties can exist. He said most of those online seem to be clustered around Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

If the city were to implement its own registration system, it could limit the amount of rentals in certain zones. The city could also limit the times during which these units are rented. He said they could operate seasonally.

"So when Wilco is in town, Fresh Grass, or MCLA graduation and there aren't enough hotel rooms maybe you loosen up for a short period of time," he said. "To allow more people to stay here and spend some money in the city."

Karns said regular inspections could be built into a policy as well as the ability for the city to revoke permits or disallow permits for properties with outstanding violations or bills.

On the health code front, there are also problems. For instance, the moment a renter uses a pool or Jacuzzi, they become "semi-public," which triggers a host of health codes. This also goes for meals prepared by anyone other than the renter.

Karns ran through more known issues such as parking, garbage collection, and the possibility of residential units becoming party houses or event spaces.

"You get used to the family next door and all of their quirks and aggravations that they may cause you," he said. "Now every few days or weeks, there is a totally new set of people there."

Karns saw enforcement as an issue especially with absent property owners. Not only do the renters need a contact person but so does the city and neighborhood. The city would need to set up some sort of mechanism to handle complaints.

He thought it would also be hard to keep an active list of all properties with 20 to 30 percent turnover of units going in and out.

"You have a real churn rate there so even keeping track of who and how many can be an issue," he said.

One larger overarching issue Karns mentioned was loss of housing stock. He said there is always a fear that investment properties could eat away at affordable housing stock or housing stock in general.

City Councilor Keith Bona, who attended the meeting, said this brought up a recent conversation about gentrification and noted that he has noticed a demand for some of his own rental units with limited affordable quality housing in North Adams.

"There are some out there but they aren't all great," he said. "What I think is happening is the good ones are turning into short-term rentals so that could be a concern."

Karns said there are ways to handle this and the city could limit or prohibit the conversion of existing housing or longer-term rentals into short-term rental space. Also the city could require ownership for a certain amount of time.

"If someone is making a transition and they have lived in their house for 25 years maybe they are allowed to move on with their life," he said. "This is a way they can capture some money while they do that."

He did acknowledge that there is a real plus to these properties becoming short-term rentals and noted they are often heavily invested in and improved. He said this also can be written into a regulation so property owners are forced to make improvements to housing stock in the city.

City Councilor Lisa Blackmer, who also attended, said she was hesitant to create too many regulations and felt the real concern was protecting neighborhoods and maintaining proper public health standards.

"I want to be cognizant of neighborhoods ... and people should be allowed to rent out for a little extra income," she said. "I don't want to overregulate anyone."

The committee opened up the floor and attendees, who were mostly short-term rental property owners aired some of their own concerns.

It was stated that the Airbnb platform itself has very high standards and not only can property owners rate guests but guests rate them. Property owners have to put a lot of care into properties to become "super hosts."

There was a general consensus that short-term rentals were good for the city and really did improve housing stock. It was felt that outside investment saved a lot of properties that in many cases would just sit and deteriorate.

There was also a concern about disallowing absentee investor properties. Some guaranteed there would be no investment if investors could not get some return.

There were specific concerns about language used at the meeting such as "illegal use" or "absentee owner/manager" and the committee was asked to be careful when drafting definitions.

The committee was asked about next steps specifically if data would be used to inform a policy.

Zachery Feury of Community Development said the city is currently reviewing possible organizations or software that could guide the city through a data dive. It was also noted that feedback from short term rental property owners would be critical during the process.

Karns said they would like to meet with the Planning Board in April and have a hearing or proposal ready for May.

He said they hope the Planning Board can make a recommendation to the City Council in May or June with a City Council vote in June or July and a second vote in July or August.
P olice have charged six men accused of squatting in a disused nursery next to a London primary school with abstracting electricity and aggravated trespass.

A group of men were removed by police from the building, owned by Rotherhithe Primary School, in south London on Thursday night.

The building looks directly onto the primary school's playground.

Jack Fayer, whose two stepsons attend the school, said that after the school sent parents a letter about the squatters he went to confront the men

He continued: "I took it upon myself to go speak to the guys. I told them 'you being here is worrying!'

Mr Fayer said that his stepsons were "very scared" about the presence of the men near their school. He said the children didn't go to school while the men were in the abandoned nursery.

He added that one of his stepsons is being tested for autism, and the squatters being near the school made the boy very anxious.

Rotherhithe Primary School confirmed that a group of men had been removed but declined to comment further.

Southwark Council said it was grateful to the police and would work with them to bring the men to justice.

Councillor Jasmine Ali, the council cabinet member for children, schools and adult care, added: Several trespassers illegally broke into Rotherhithe Primary School causing criminal damage and distress to children, parents and teachers.

"For safeguarding reasons the trespassers were arrested and removed. They will be prosecuted.

The school has written to parents, and met with them, to reiterate that there are robust measures in place, including secure access to school buildings."
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a reconstructing scheme for the revival of Yes Bank that was put under restrictions by the apex bank on Thursday night. The apex bank said that State Bank of India has expressed interest to invest in the troubled bank and participate in the reconstruction scheme. It said that the investor bank or SBI will invest in the equity of Yes Bank to the extent that it holds 49 per cent shareholding post the infusion.

"The Authorised Capital shall stand altered to Rs 50,00,00,00,000 (Rupees five thousand crore only) and number of equity shares will stand altered to 24,00,00,00,000 (two thousand four hundred crore only) of Rs 2 (Rupees Two only) each aggregating to Rs 48,00,00,00,000 (Rupees four thousand eight hundred crore only)," stated the RBI.

This implies that the new value of Yes Bank will be Rs 24,000 crore and SBI-led consortium will have to invest at least Rs 11,760 crore to own 49 per cent stake.

The apex bank said that SBI's investment will be done at a price not less than Rs 10 (Rupees ten only). "The Investor bank shall not reduce its holding below 26% before completion of three years from the date of infusion of the capital," it said.

Also read: Will RBI increase Yes Bank withdrawal limit to above Rs 50,000?

NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The RBI said that a new board will be constituted and the office of the Administrator appointed by the RBI will stand vacated. SBI will have two nominee directors on the board of Yes Bank and the RBI might appoint Additional Directors. The board members will remain in office for a period of one year or till an alternate board is constituted by Yes Bank.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EMPLOYEES?

The RBI said that the employees will continue their services with the same salary and terms as are already applicable for at least a year. "Board of Directors of the Reconstructed Bank will however, have the freedom to discontinue the services of the Key Managerial Personnel (KMPs) at any point of time after following the due procedure," said the RBI.

YES BANK BRANCHES

The RBI stated that all the offices and branches of Yes Bank will continue to function in the same manner and place as they are currently operating. It might look into opening new offices and branches or closing down existing offices and branches, in accordance with the extant policy.

Also read: YES Bank Crisis Live Updates: RBI announces restructure plan, Sitharaman seeks report, SBI expresses interest

Also read: Yes Bank crisis: 'I have no clue, have not been involved for 13 months,' says Rana Kapoor
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A group representing doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador is asking the province to make family medicine more attractive in order to fill the high number of vacant residency positions.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A group representing doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador is asking the province to make family medicine more attractive in order to fill the high number of vacant residency positions.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association said Friday that 13 of 35 family medicine residency spots remain vacant after the first round of a program that matches students with medical schools."This is certainly a disappointing year," association president Charlene Fitzgerald said in a news release.

Vacancies are at their highest level since 2014, with all 13 of the unfilled positions located outside the eastern region of the province. Fitzgerald said Newfoundland and Labrador is already short family doctors and the results of the matching program signal the problem is getting worse.

The association released a report last November identifying a need for 243 additional family physicians over the next 10 years. It also commissioned a poll last year indicating one in five people in the province doesn't have a family doctor.

Fitzgerald said the province should develop team-based and virtual care practices to make the jobs more appealing."Patients cannot wait any longer," she said. "The government must begin to act now."A report last fall by Nova Scotia firm, Health Intelligence Inc., identified the potential to recruit 30 doctors per year from graduates of Memorial University's faculty of medicine. The province is currently only recruiting eight or nine of them to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Medical association executive director Robert Thompson said at the time of the report's release that medical residents are being recruited to work in other provinces that have more attractive working conditions.Thompson said Newfoundland and Labrador is not competitive and suggested the province create more bursaries, signing bonuses and mentorship opportunities to attract talent.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
In the past six calamitous months, the face mask has become a powerful symbol. In the Hong Kong riots, the mask became a symbol of distrust in government and the technological advances that authoritarian regimes are using to police their populations. During the Australian bushfires, the mask came to symbolise the threat of climate change and environmental devastation. And now, with COVID-19, the mask symbolises the scourge of global pandemics and pathogens. In each of these cases, the mask represents symptoms of a deeply troubled world, the things that imperil all of us as human beings.

COVID-19 and its potential to proliferate into a global pandemic, is not quite an alien invasion  but you would think all the countries of the world would be in solidarity and collaborating in a united effort to find solutions. Disturbingly, however, much of what we have seen so far is point-scoring and recrimination.

A man wearing a mask near Seattle, where several cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. The mask has become a powerful symbol of a troubled world. Credit:AP

It reminds me of a group exercise I did at an executive program with the World Economic Forum where our class was presented with a doomsday scenario  a nuclear bomb was going to destroy the world in 30 minutes unless we could find a solution. We were divided into five teams and each team was given team colours, banners, war cries and distinct identities: things to tribalise us, whereas finding a solution required the teams to work together. Needless to say, we spent the entire time bickering, the clock ran down and everyone died.

Chinas response to the viruss early outbreak in Wuhan was hampered by autocratic officialdom: a lack of transparency, the imperative to control information and to maintain a veneer of "order and calm". The Chinese scientific community were alive to the very real threat of the virus in mid-December. But as is often the case, it was knowledge without power and politics trumped science and commonsense. We in Australia have seen a similar dynamic play out in our debate on climate change.
The failure of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to reach an agreement has farmers in Sudan worried as they rely on the dam for irrigation.

The failure to reach an agreement on the Nile River dam is worrying farmers in Sudan who rely on the reservoir for irrigation.

Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt were expected to reach a deal at recent talks in Washington, DC, but Ethiopia boycotted the meeting, accusing the United States of bias.

Farmers are concerned that the slower flow of water could affect their livelihoods.

Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan reports.
WASHINGTON - Lack of talent. Unlikable. Mean.

President Donald Trump insisted Friday that sexism wasnt to blame for the end of Elizabeth Warrens Democratic presidential campaign, even as he showered her with insults that are often deployed against women.

Speaking to reporters as he signed an emergency $8.3 billion funding package to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak, Trump was asked whether he thought sexism had anything to do with Warrens departure from the Democratic presidential race on Thursday.

No, I think lack of talent was her problem. She has a tremendous lack of talent, Trump responded. The president commended her debate performances, saying she was a good debater who had destroyed the candidacy of former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg like it was nothing.

But people dont like her, he went on to say. Shes a very mean person. ... People dont want that. They like a person like me, thats not mean.

Its the kind of criticism often directed at female politicians, like when former President Barack Obama condescendingly called his then-rival Hillary Clinton likable enough during the 2008 Democratic primary campaign.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the race Thursday after a disappointing showing in early-state voting, including failing to win a single Super Tuesday state.







Trump, of course, has a long history of making unkind comments himself. While he has defended himself as an equal-opportunity insulter, he has used especially harsh rhetoric against women, going after their physical appearances, comparing them to animals and seeming to dwell on their criticism of him.

After moderator Megyn Kelly confronted Trump during the first Republican debate of the 2016 cycle with a list of demeaning comments he had made about women, Trump later said of her: You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.

Warren has not blamed sexism for her failed candidacy, but on Thursday suggested that her road may have been harder than that of the male candidates in the race.

If you say, Yeah, there was sexism in this race, everyone says, Whiner! she said. And if you say, No, there was no sexism, about a bazillion women think, What planet do you live on?

Warren ended her campaign after a disappointing showing in early-state voting, including failing to win a single Super Tuesday state. Trumps campaign had once seen her as a potentially formidable challenger, and Trump went after her early, derisively labeling her Pocahontas over her claims of Native American heritage.

___

Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game.
New Delhi, March 6 : Indian Army is establishing quarantine facilities across the country for 1,500 people after the Centre asked it to activate these facilities at earliest.

Seeing the number of cases detected across India, the Army have identified locations like Jaisalmer, Suratgarh, Secundrabad, Chennai and Kolkata for these quarantine centres.

Also in consonance with various advisories issued by the Centre, the Army Headquarters has issued detailed instructions with respect to preparations and emergency response in tackling Covid-19.

The latest advisory include detailed instructions for action at various military stations, army formations and service hospitals.

"Local military authorities will exercise suitable control to avoid/postpone all non- essential mass gathering like festivals, welfare activities and public gatherings till situation improves," it said.

Regular health information education and counselling activities will be carried out at all military stations, it said, adding that military hospitals will establish isolation wards and have separate OPDs for screening of symptomatic cases to prevent avoidable transmission.

Service hospitals will work in synergy with local civil medical authorities and designated ICMR labs, the advisory said.

The army also directed service personnel to be encouraged to utilise shopping complex facilities within the cantonment/military stations and avoid visits to crowded areas like movie halls/shopping malls etc.

It has also issued direction to avoid non-essential foreign travel.
BEIJING, March 6 (Reuters) - Authorities will ease restrictions in Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak which is still in lockdown, when situation improves, a senior government official said on Friday.

Ding Xiangyang, Vice Secretary General at the State Council, told a media briefing in Wuhan that winter had passed and the day everyone was looking forward to would not be far away.

(Reporting by Stella Qiu and Brenda Goh; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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Number of U.S. COVID-19 cases tops 200 with at least 12 deaths -- media databases

NEW YORK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases from some 20 U.S. states has topped 200 with at least 12 deaths by Thursday evening, according to the databases set up by several major U.S. media outlets.

The numbers updated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 4 p.m. on Thursday show a total of 148 confirmed COVID-19 cases and a death toll of 10.

"With more and more testing done at states, these numbers (persons under investigation) would not be representative of the testing being done nationally...states are reporting results quickly and in the event of a discrepancy between CDC and state case counts, the state case counts should always be considered more up to date," said the CDC.

States are scrambling to get approval from the federal government to conduct tests locally so as to speed diagnosis. In the state of Texas, Houston's public health lab on Wednesday gained a single test kit to analyze samples, and reported on Thursday two more confirmed cases in Harris County.

These are the second and third cases in Greater Houston Area as well as in Texas. The two cases, a man and a woman, are travel-related and have shown no evidence of community spread, Harris County Public Health Department said in a release.

The test kit has the capacity to test 700 specimens suspected of carrying the virus, enough for about 200 to 400 patients, health officials said.

Also on Thursday, Illinois authorities reported the fifth COVID-19 patient in the Midwestern state. Governor J.B. Pritzker told a press conference that the patient is a man in his 20s who was probably infected during a recent travel to Italy.

The patient has been hospitalized in isolation and is reportedly in stable condition.

"The state of Illinois is working around the clock to contain COVID-19 and educate the public," said the governor, adding that the risk of COVID-19 to the general public in Illinois "remains low."

"But we encourage the public to be vigilant and take extra care with the normal precautions you should take during flu season," said Pritzker.

In Los Angeles, a medical screener who worked at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for checking passenger's health situation, has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting more tests for other workers.

The local NBC news channel reported Thursday that the patient was described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a medical screener who "wore all the correct protective equipment and took necessary protections on the job."

The DHS noted that they did not know if this case was a result from community spread or through their work as a medical screener, saying "there have been no positive COVID-19 detections reported from the LAX screened travelers. "

In the state of New York, the number of confirmed cases doubled that of the previous day, reaching 22. Eight of the new cases are in Westchester County and all related to the state's second case reported on Tuesday, who is an attorney living in Westchester County and working in Manhattan.

During a press conference on Thursday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that the newly added COVID-19 cases have shown more evidence of community spread.

"What we do know is when you have a community spread dynamic, you have to assume it could be anywhere in the city. So we're going to work on an assumption of intense vigilance," said the mayor.

He called on all New Yorkers who returned from a country or a region where there is a COVID-19 outbreak to isolate themselves for 14 days as a precaution.

Currently in New York City, over 2,700 people are in home isolation and self-quarantine, city health officials have said.

On Thursday evening, the state of Maryland declared a state of emergency as three Montgomery County residents tested positive for COVID-19.

State officials said the patients, a couple in their 70s and a woman in her 50s, contracted the virus while traveling abroad. They are in good condition and are isolated in their homes.

These cases could be the closest so far to Washington, D.C., which has not reported any cases yet.
Health official: 'Regardless of variant, the protective measures are the same'

local
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the total confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rise in New York, Staten Island health officials and politicians are assessing the boroughs ability to handle a widespread community outbreak of the virus.

We know that our two hospitals are primed to do all they can to meet whatever local needs arise, said Borough President James Oddo. Congressman Max Rose and I have coordinated regular dialogue among officials from RUMC, SIUH, along with city, state and federal officials for a Staten Island specific focus within the broader city, state, and federal efforts, he said.

At the roundtable of federal, state, and local health officials I hosted with BP Oddo, our local hospitals let us know that they have trained for this and are confident in their ability to handle a surge in patients, said Rose. They have protocols in place where if all ER beds are taken they have other beds at the ready and if all ER staff are busy, they have a plan to pull staff from other departments.

*** CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK **

"I will continue to work to keep our community informed and prepared ahead of any local cases of this virus, Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said.

The extent of the burden Staten Islands hospitals can handle, however, is somewhat limited.

ALMOST ALWAYS FULL

Dr. Theodore Maniatis, who is responsible for all medical affairs, quality management, patient safety issues and standards of care at the Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) system, said the Ocean Breeze and Princes Bay facilities are almost always full, complicating the amount of space that would be available in a severe outbreak.

I would say if we needed 10 extra beds that wouldnt be a problem, Maniatis said. If we needed 100 we would be very hard pressed to handle that much.

In the event of serious community spread that requires hospitalization of multiple individuals, Maniatis said the two Staten Island sites have the ability to transfer patients quickly to potentially allocate infected individuals to the less-crowded option.

Additionally, patients could be moved to one of our other Northwell facilities (outside of Staten Island) if theyre not getting hit hard with the virus.

To free up further beds, the hospital could decrease elective work  which includes elective surgical procedures. We dont like to cancel people, Maniatis said, but in an emergency thats what we would do and have done.

A hospital employee with knowledge of the intake of SIUHs Ocean Breeze campus, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid reprisal, echoed Maniatis sentiments, but expressed significant concern at the facilitys ability to free up beds.

We call it a code black when theres no beds available, the employee said. This happens very frequently, especially during flu season."

The employee said the wait for beds could last hours," adding the hospital is understaffed against the increasing workload caused by coronavirus concerns.

QUARANTINING

While most coronavirus patients do not need to be hospitalized, serious cases  especially those with individuals with underlying respiratory illness  could cause the need for quarantining.

Quarantining patients within the SIUH system is possible, according to Maniatis, but the exact amount of rooms available for coronavirus quarantining would be affected by those who require to be quarantined for other illnesses.

Coronavirus is not the only reason people need to be quarantined, he said.

At Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) in West Brighton, the hospital is also capable of isolating patients who require hospitalization.

We are closely monitoring all patients and visitors and isolation rooms are available, should the need arise, said RUMC spokesman Alexander Lutz. "RUMC also has adequate supplies on hand, including N95 masks, and appropriate staff protection procedures are in place.

The public can rest assured that our hospital and outpatient sites are fully prepared and our procedures are in full compliance with CDC recommendations, he said.

HOSPITAL PROCEDURES REFINED FOR CORONAVIRUS

Previous viral outbreaks are guiding Staten Island hospitals efforts to handle the coronavirus.

Planning for outbreaks in the past, Ebola and H1N1 to name a few, has kept our medical professionals well versed in what we need to do to ensure the safety of our patents, visitors and staff, Lutz said of RUMCs preparedness.

We will also continue to be in lock step with the CDC, as well as our partners at the state and city levels about preparations should a novel coronavirus case be confirmed on Staten Island, he said.

It remains important to point out that no cases have been identified in the borough to date," he said on Thursday.

On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Staten Island hospitals would get whatever needed to combat a potential outbreak.

While Ebola did not affect the borough, H1N1 hit the Island in 2009. The CDC estimated there were 60.8 million cases (range: 43.3-89.3 million), 274,304 hospitalizations (range: 195,086-402,719), and 12,469 deaths (range: 8868-18,306) in the United States due to the (H1N1)pdm09 virus.

GLOBAL FIGURES

The World Health Organization said there are over 98,000 confirmed cases globally. There have been 13 deaths in Washington State. One death has been reported in California, the states health department said Wednesday.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, recently announced the new coronavirus fatality rate, which increased from the previous estimate of around 2%.

Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died, he said. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.

That total includes individuals with pre-existing respiratory illnesses, and the death rate does not include mild cases that were not detected because they did not seek medical attention.

Still, the potential deadliness of the virus has caused hospitals to refine protocol for dealing with a possible influx of patients.

We have very sophisticated plans, said Maniatis, adding there are hundreds of pages of documents to handle this.

SIUH campuses on the borough, and Northwell Health as a larger health system, have used responses to outbreaks like SARS and MERS  two other coronaviruses that were recognized in 2003 and 2012 respectively  as a framework to approach the latest pandemic.

Theyve been refined for this particular epidemic, Maniatis said.

AGENCIES PREPARING ACROSS THE ISLAND

The MTAs mass transit divisions  New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North  have significantly ramped up the frequency and intensity of their sanitizing efforts, using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants, the Advance previously reported.

Additionally, frequently-touched station surfaces like turnstiles, handrails and MetroCard vending machines will be disinfected daily, with the agencys full fleet of trains, cars and buses undergoing full sanitization every 72 hours.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), responsible for maintaining and operating the Staten Island Ferry, is also stepping up its cleaning efforts in an attempt to curtail the spread of the potentially deadly illness.

The DOT will maintain its around-the-clock cleaning of the St. George and Whitehall ferry terminals, with preparations being made to provide supplemental cleaning on the boats throughout the day, according to the agency.

Schools across New York State will soon receive new special cleaning protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Many will use bleach, which is a good protocol in the flu season anyway, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. So, if people smell  it smells like bleach  when you get on a bus or when a child goes to school, its not bad cologne or perfume. It is bleach.

While New York City schools are taking precautions when it comes to the novel coronavirus, there are no plans to close schools, according to a coronavirus update sent to families and published on the New York City Department of Education (DOE) website on March 2.

Closing schools is an extreme measure that can be disruptive to day-to-day life, and the decision to implement will be at the direction of public health experts, according to the update.

RELATED LINKS:

Coronavirus: New cleaning protocols set for schools across New York

MTA to fully disinfect subways, buses every 72 hours to combat coronavirus

Cuomo orders insurance companies to waive cost sharing for coronavirus testing

Coronavirus preparation on Staten Island: What you can do

Student safety: Heres how NYC schools are working to combat coronavirus

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[March 06, 2020] Myon Burrell's Attorney at Meshbesher & Spence Releases Statement Following Amy Klobuchar's Request for Independent Investigation

This statement is being issued by Dan Guerrero of Meshbesher & Spence to highlight key facts in support of Myon Burrell's claim of innocence (District Court File No. 20CR02-098798), to applaud Senator Amy Klobuchar for her recent call for an independent investigation, and to rebut the statement of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office dated February 24, 2020. On November 22, 2002, eleven-year-old Tyesha Edwards was killed in a senseless tragedy after she was struck by a stray bullet in a dispute between two young men alleged to be associated with rival gangs. Myon Burrell played no role in that tragedy, yet he was wrongfully convicted of murder and is currently serving a life sentence. Myon has now spent over seventeen years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Contrary to the County Attorney's insinuations, this case has nothing to do with politics, including Senator Klobuchar's recent presidential bid. Myon's case is about one thing and one thing only: freeing an innocent man. The County's Attorney's Office insists in its press release that it is focused on the facts, yet it has failed entirely to rebut the facts set forth in the Associated Press (News - Alert) story that shed new light on Myon's case on February 1, 2020. The facts reveal a very different account than the one that the County Attorney's Office presents in its press release. Indeed, while Myon was convicted by a jury in his first trial, at least two of those jury members have voiced reservations about the correctness of their verdict. Senator Klobuchar, who was the Hennepin County Attorney when Myon was initially charged and convicted, has rightly called for a reexamination of all the evidence in Myon's case, both old and new, and has now said "justice requires an independent investigation", which we commend because the evidence, both old and new, overwhelmingly demonstrates Myon Burrell's innocence. Myon Provided Police an Alibi the Day of His Arrest, But the Police Failed to Investigate. The County Attorney's Office misstates the record of Myon's alibi defense. In fact, Myon told detectives in the first interview after his arrest that he was not involved in Tyesha Edwards' murder and that he was at Cup Foods at the time she was killed. Indeed, Myon provided the name of an acquaintance who spoke with him outside Cup Foods and encouraged the police to secure the surveillance video from Cup Foods to confirm that he was there. Yet, for reasons unknown, the police failed either to follow up concerning this alibi witness or to obtain the potentially exculpatory surveillance footage. Instead of focusing on its own investigative errors, the County Attorney's Office points to Myon's statement during that initial interview that he had been with his mother in Bemidji on the day in question. That statement, which Myon promptly corrected, was made in the context of a lengthy interview in which the police denied thirteen requests by a sixteen-year-old, terrified boy to have his mother present. Those abusive interrogation techniques led in part to Myon's first conviction being overturned on appeal. In any event, the alibi that Myon presented in that first meeting is the alibi he is still advancing to this day. Three women have separately confirmed that they saw Myon outside the Cup Foods that day, including the woman who Myon mentioned to the police. Myon's current defense team has supplied the County Attorney's Office with affidavits from each of these three women. Based on these statements, Myon could not have been at the site of the shooting when it occurred. <>The Testimony of the Intended Target (News - Alert) Used to Convict Myon Has Been Discredited.



The County Attorney's Office points to the testimony of the intended target of the shooting as central to what it wrongly describes as a strong case against Myon. In fact, the testimony of that witness, Timothy Oliver, was implausible at the time it was offered at Myon's first trial and has since then been wholly discredited. Oliver's testimony was always questionable at best since his eyewitness identification of the shooter relied an implausible set of facts. Specifically, Oliver testified that he visually identified Myon when, after being shot at several times, he exposed himself and walked toward the shooter unarmed. Common sense dictates that anyone in that situation would have sought shelter, not walked toward the shooter. Unfortunately, Myon's trial attorney failed to seriously cross-examine Oliver on this implausible story.

Further, we now know from two of Oliver's close friends who were present during the shooting that Oliver lied in naming Myon when, in fact, Oliver never saw the shooter. One of the friends, Anthony Collins, signed a statement saying that he saw Oliver laying on the ground such that he could not see who was shooting. Collins also stated that Oliver was armed at the time and thus would have shot back had he seen the shooter. The other friend, Antoine Williams, signed a statement saying that Oliver told him immediately after the shooting that he did not see the shooter. Williams also said that he was prepared to testify for the defense at Myon's second trial until one of the lead homicide detectives pressured him to reverse course shortly before he was set to testify. The State Relied on Unreliable Jailhouse Informants to Convict Myon. As another alleged point in favor of the case against Myon, the County Attorney's Office points to the testimony of an informant who claimed that Myon confessed to him while they were in jail together. In fact, jailhouse informants are notoriously unreliable witnesses since they have strong incentives to lie in order to get more favorable treatment in their own cases. In Myon's case, the state used a string of jailhouse informants, almost all of whom were rival gang members, several of whom were serial informants, and one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and admitted to hearing voices. Not surprisingly, two of these witnesses have told investigators that they lied at trial, with one of them indicating that the police fed him the details of a statement against Burrell. Myon's Co-Defendants Have Consistently Stated that Myon Was Not Involved. The County Attorney's Office wrongly claims that Myon's co-defendants, Ike Tyson and Hans Williams, initially told police that Myon was in the car with them during the incident and that Myon was the shooter. In fact, neither man initially placed Myon in the car with them or stated that he was the shooter. It was only after being repeatedly told Myon's name by police that one of them said he even saw Myon that day. While Tyson was eventually pressured into naming Myon in connection with his own guilty plea, Williams has never stated that Myon was involved. Notably, in connection with their own plea agreements, both Tyson and Williams were prohibited from testifying in Myon's trial such that Myon could not call as witnesses the two people with the most direct knowledge of what happened that day. They did, however, both testify at Myon's second trial that Myon had no involvement whatsoever. Indeed Tyson has since that time consistently held that he was the actual shooter and that Myon was not there, even though it meant Tyson taking personal responsibility for the actual killing and even though testifying against the government could have put his own plea agreement at risk. Tyson's claim to be the shooter is particularly compelling since he has offered specific details about the shooting that only the actual shooter would know. Law Enforcement Used Improper Investigative Tactics. The County Attorney's Office misleadingly seeks to defend the law enforcement's practice in this case of offering cash to witnesses who would name Myon. While the County Attorney's Office points to the common practice of offering rewards through Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest or conviction of a criminal, that is decidedly not what happened in this case. Instead, just three days after Tyesha's murder, the lead detective is seen on video offering an individual $500 for Myon's name (and only Myon's name) even after that person repeatedly stated that he did not know anything. That practice bears no resemblance to a Crime Stoppers reward and reflects an early effort to build a case specifically against Myon instead of dispassionately pursuing the truth. Finally, the County Attorney's Office is right to draw attention to the concerns of Tyesha's family. That family has suffered a horrible loss, and Myon's claim of innocence in no way should detract from that fact. To the contrary, Myon's wrongful conviction itself only compounds the injury suffered because the state has never charged or convicted one of the three people involved in this horrible incident. Notably, Tyesha's step-father, who lived with Tyesha when she was killed, has expressed a willingness to review the case and recently said that if Myon is innocent, he should not be incarcerated. We hope and expect the County Attorney's Office will review Myon's case in a neutral and unbiased way to determine the truth. Only in discovering the truth will justice be served for both Tyesha and Myon. About Meshbesher & Spence Founded by Ronald I. Meshbesher in 1961, Meshbesher & Spence has been representing individuals and families in crisis for over 50 years. Practice areas of specialization include personal injury, mass torts and criminal defense. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the firm operates locations throughout Minnesota, including Rochester, St. Cloud, Oakdale and Roseville. Learn more at meshbesher.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005516/en/

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An attack on a political rally in Kabul on Friday left at least 18 people wounded, an official said, in what appeared to be the first violence to hit the capital since the US signed a withdrawal deal with the Taliban.

The Taliban immediately denied responsibility for the assault, which occurred at the commemoration ceremony for Abdul Ali Mazari -- a politician from the Hazara ethnic group, most of whom are Shiite.

An Islamic State group-claimed attack on the same ceremony last year saw a barrage of mortar fire kill at least 11 people.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said gunfire had erupted from a construction site near the ceremony in the city's west, which is largely Shiite.

At least 18 people had been wounded so far, he added.

"Soon after the attack, police forces and police special forces units rushed to the scene," Rahimi told a local station, noting that sporadic gunfire was ongoing.

Photos on social media showed at least two bodies, but there was no official word on a death toll.

"We left the ceremony following the gunfire, and a number of people were wounded, but I do not have any reports of martyred people for now," Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq told Tolo

The ceremony was attended by many of the country's political elite, including Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.

The interior ministry later confirmed to reporters that "all the high-ranking officials were safely evacuated from the scene".

The incident comes less than a week after the US and Taliban signed a deal that would pave the way for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months.

However, fighting has continued to rage across the country, casting a pall over hopes that the agreement would lead to a reduction in violence.

IS, which follows the Sunni branch of Islam, first became active in Afghanistan in 2015 and for years held territory in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

It has claimed responsibility for a string of horrific bombings, including several in Kabul targeting the city's Shiite community.

In recent months the group has been hit by mounting setbacks after being hunted for years by US and Afghan forces along with multiple Taliban offensives targeting their fighters.

Still, IS remains in Afghanistan, notably in eastern Kunar province near the Pakistan border, which also neighbours Nangarhar, as well as in Kabul.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Myanmar police officers escort the convicted Rohingya to a police van following their sentencing at a courthouse in Minhla township, central Myanmar's Magway region, March 6, 2020.

A court in central Myanmars Magway region on Friday sentenced 15 Rohingya Muslims to a maximum of two years in prison each for attempting to leave the country illegally, an immigration official said.

Authorities in Minhla township arrested the 15 adults and one child for traveling without official proof of identity or travel documents on Feb. 14.

Eight men and seven women were sentenced at the township courthouse under Section 6(3) of Myanmars Immigration Act and immediately transferred to Thayet Prison, while the six-year-old was sent to the Magway Childcare Center run by the regions social welfare department.

Their sentence came fast because they traveled without any proof of identity or travel documents, said Minhla township immigration officer Aung Pyi Soe who testified at the hearings. We didnt need much evidence to convict them.

Because of restrictions on their freedom of movement, the Rohingya cannot freely travel inside or outside Myanmar without first obtaining official permission. Those who decide to travel illegally usually do not take identification cards with them, which all Myanmar residents must carry.

More than 200 Rohingya have been charged under the same act during the past three years, Aung Pyi Soe added.

About 70 other Rohingya adults who also tried to illegally flee Myanmar but were arrested on Feb. 20-21 appeared Friday at a courthouse in Yangon regions Hlegu township amid their ongoing trial.

The group consists of 67 adults and three children under 10 years of age. They are on trial for violating Myanmars nationality statutes for traveling illegally and without documentation.

Four witnesses, including the head of Hlegu's Myoma Police Station, testified Friday.

The Immigration Department filed a case against them under the Immigration Act, said Maung Maung Oo, head of the police Station. We were with immigration officers when we arrested these Rohingya. Thats why I am here as a witness.

Authorities apprehended the Rohingya, who hail from Rakhines Kyautphyu, Sittwe, Minbya, and Buthidaung townships, as they were heading to Malaysia with the help of human traffickers.

One of those charged said the group left to escape travel restrictions imposed on them and to find work.

We cannot travel and dont have jobs in Rakhine, said the Rohingya who did not provide a name. We find it difficult to survive. Thats why we fled from our homes.

Seduced by traffickers

Attorney Thazin Myat Myat Win, who is defending the Rohingya, said that traffickers told the members of the group that they would help them get jobs in Malaysia.

They were seduced by traffickers because they lack job opportunities, he said, adding that some had to pay the traffickers 1 million kyats (U.S. $674) each, while others paid 3 million kyats (U.S. $2,000).

Some kids said that the traffickers told those who couldnt pay them before leaving that they could pay them after they got jobs in Malaysia, Thazin Myat Myat Win said.

Rohingya activist Thar Aye said the Rohingya did not deserve to be sentenced.

Although they dont have proof of identity to travel in the country, the sure thing is they are not foreigners, he said. Instead of giving them jail sentences, authorities should send them back to their places of origin.

Thousands of Rohingya have tried to leave Myanmar in the last several years to escape institutionalized persecution, grinding poverty, and insecurity in Rakhine state.

They have paid human traffickers hundreds  or even thousands  of dollars each to transport them to other Muslim-friendly nations in Southeast Asia where they hoped to have a better life.

Myanmar authorities have apprehended more than 2,200 Rohingya Muslims as they attempted to illegally leave the country by sea since 2015, according to a list of detainees obtained from a naval officer by RFAs Myanmar Service in February.

Nearly 1,500 Rohingya were detained in 2015, more than 500 were picked up in 2018, and roughly 250 have been apprehended so far in 2019, according to the list provided by the officer, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to give information to the media.

The figures do not include Rohingya who fled by land from two brutal military-led crackdowns in northern Rakhine state in 2016 and 2017.

During the first round of violence, about 90,000 Muslims left and headed across the border and into Bangladesh, while the second more brutal clampdown forced more than 740,000 out of their villages and into Myanmar's neighboring country.

Of the estimated 600,000 Rohingya still living in Rakhine state, about 120,000 reside in internally displaced persons camps where they were sent to live following communal violence with ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in 2012.

Those living in refugee camps in Bangladesh have refused to return to Myanmar despite a repatriation agreement signed in November 2017 that lets approved Muslims voluntarily return to Rakhine state. They fear reprisals of targeted violence and continued repression and discrimination if they return.

Funds for Rohingya crisis

Myanmar, which has denied that its soldiers committed widespread atrocities against the Rohingya, now faces legal action on genocide-related charges at three courts  the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court, and an Argentine court.

The ICJ in January ordered the country to protect the Rohingya from further harm and genocidal acts and to refrain from destroying evidence of alleged crimes that could be used in later hearings.

On Tuesday, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration, and other NGOs issued an appeal for U.S. $877 million in humanitarian assistance for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The funds will be used to respond to the needs of approximately 855,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and over 444,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in the communities generously hosting them, the UNHCR said in a statement.

The Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis will help provide food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, health care, protection, education, and site management, it said.

In response to the call, the U.S. State Department on the same day announced more than U.S. $59 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and for internally displaced Rohingya and members of other affected communities in Myanmar.

The U.S. has now contributed a total of nearly U.S. $820 million in humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya crisis since the August 2017 crackdown. Of this funding, almost U.S. $693 million has been earmarked for programs inside Bangladesh.

We continue to call on Burma to create the conditions that would allow for voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable returns, based on the informed consent of those who have been forcibly displaced, the U.S. statement said.

We also call on the government of Burma to ensure unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to all people requiring assistance, it said.

Reported by Myint Zaw Oo and Kyaw Lwin Oo for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Helicopters delivered coronavirus test kits to a cruise ship off the California shore on Thursday, March 5. The ship was quarantined off the coast after it was confirmed a previous passenger died from the virus.

California National Guard delivered the test kits on Thursday morning to the ship carrying an estimated 3,500 people.

A Californian man who had been the ships previous voyage to Mexico died from coronavirus and had underlying health conditions, according to CNN.

Princess Cruises said passengers who had been on that voyage and those with influenza-like symptoms on the current voyage to Hawaii would be tested.

Cruise passenger Jim Lange shot video of one of the helicopters arriving.

As frustrating as it is, Princess has done an outstanding job in a difficult situation, Lange told Storyful.

Captain is updating the ship every three or four hours. He includes the timing of the testing in progress, safety/prevention requirements and efforts, the detailed plan of cabin isolation, meals etc. Obviously, there are many unknowns but trying to prevent any surprises.

The Centre for Disease Control reported 99 cases of coronavirus in 13 states across the United States on March 5. Credit: Jim Lange via Storyful
Three Supreme Court appointed Amici Curiae (friends of court) placed before the top court on Thursday, Draft Rules of Criminal Practice, 2020, outlining measures aimed to address shortcomings in the trial of criminal cases and to bring about uniformity across the country in criminal probes and trials.

The measures suggested in the draft rules include steps to ensure independence of public prosecutors by appointing separate legal advisors to advise the investigators during the probe, and standard practices for recording evidence and writing judgments.

The three Amici Curiae, senior counsels R Basant and Siddharth Luthra and advocate K Parameshwar were appointed by the top court in November 2017 and February 2018 to assist the court after it noticed certain inadequacies in the procedure followed during the criminal trials across the country while hearing a criminal case. The court registered a suo motu case and took up the matter with a view to issuing guidelines regarding such deficiencies in criminal trials.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde on Thursday directed that he copy of the draft rules be supplied to all states and union territories.
United States President Donald Trump criticised the administration of former US President Barack Obama at a coronavirus briefing with the airline chief executives officers on March 5. Over criticism mounting on Trump administration for its testing of citizens as it battles the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the US President said that the last administration made a decision on medical tests that turned out to be very detrimental to present situation. However, again applauding his own leadership, Trump said that his administration overwrote the previous decision in order to make testing more accurate and rapid fashion.

Lol, you've been in charge for 3 years. You own this dumpster fire.



Trump: "The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what were doing, and we undid that decision a few days ago..."#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/pbl4Ncw1F5  Minh Ngo (@minhtngo) March 4, 2020

Read - 'Liar': Donald Trump Said He Has Not 'touched His Face In Weeks', Photo Proves Otherwise

In the gathering, Trump had joked about how he has not touched his face in weeks and said I miss it, however, an image has emerged which proves otherwise. While the comments were made on March 3, the image showing the US President resting his face on his hand is apparently from March 2.

With the increasing panic in the US of the deadly coronavirus which has infected 226 people and claimed at least 13 lives in the country, Trump had earlier advised to avoid touching face and to become a 'germophobe' like him. Since the image of Trump touching his face is making rounds on the internet, netizens are also calling him a liar.

Trump on Tuesday - I havent touched my face in weeks. Been weeks. I miss it.



Trump on Monday  True story pic.twitter.com/BacvvfSqMr  Danny Ocean (@The_UnSilent_) March 4, 2020

Read - Donald Trump Admits Coronavirus Outbreak 'certainly Might Impact' US Economy

Virus outbreak may 'certainly' impact economy

After applauding his own administration for handling the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the United States President Donald Trump has confessed on March 5 that certainly might have an impact on the country's economy. While appearing at his first town hall meeting of the 2020 election season, an event conducted by an international broadcaster before an audience in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Trump has said that the fatal virus can hurt the economy, but later added that he likes that American people are now spending money in the country.

As the total confirmed cases of coronavirus reach at least 226 in the United States with 13 deaths, Trump claims that it's all going to work out. While urging people to remain calm, the US President claimed that his administration has plans for every single possibility. However, Trump also hoped that the epidemic doesn't last too long. COVID-19 has now spread to over 70 countries and also taken a toll on the stock market while raising fears of an economic dip as Trump campaigns for a second term in the office.

Read - Donald Trump Says haven't Touched My Face In Weeks Amid Coronavirus Dread

Read - Donald Trump Calls Mike Bloomberg 'unsanitary' For Licking Fingers, Deletes Tweet Later


A federal judge Thursday found a jurys award of $93.6 million in damages against the International Longshore and Warehouse Union unwarranted and reduced the figure to slightly over $19 million.

The former operator of the Port of Portlands container terminal, ICTSI Oregon, can either accept the lower amount or seek a new trial solely to determine the appropriate damages, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon ruled in a 53-page decision.

The judge gave ICTSI Oregon two weeks to inform the court of its decision.

"The Court is left with the definite and firm conviction that the evidence does not support a damage award of $93.6 million,'' Simon wrote. "The Court also finds that an award of $19,061,248 is the maximum amount sustainable by the proof.''

The federal jury in November found the union sabotaged shipping traffic and caused productivity to plummet through years of labor slowdowns and stoppages. The unions workers were pressuring ICTSI Oregon to give them the dockside jobs plugging in, unplugging and monitoring refrigerated containers, taking the so-called reefer jobs away from an electricians union.

The Philippine-owned ICTSI Oregon, which signed a 25-year lease in 2010 to operate Terminal 6, left the port in March 2017, idled by the labor strife it says the national longshore union and the local chapter encouraged. The company argued at trial that the union engaged in unlawful labor practices over nearly five years and caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to its business.

Elvis Ganda, ICTSI Oregons president and chief executive officer, said the company doesnt agree with the damages reduction. "We are now considering all options in our continuing efforts to hold the ILWU accountable and obtain justice,'' Ganda said in a statement.

Last month, the longshore workers union had urged Simon to either throw out a jurys verdict awarding $93.6 million or drastically reduce it to $3.9 million.

Dan Jackson, attorney for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and its Local 8 chapter, argued that the excessive and unreasonable sum would bankrupt the union. He also argued the award was based on serious flaws in the damage calculations offered by an expert that was hired by ICTSI Oregon.

The union contends the companys expert, Jay Sickler, started his calculations for proposed damages with high prices and shipping volume and then failed to account for a likely decrease in ongoing sales resulting from the inflated prices.

The judge was convinced Sicklers testimony was problematic.

Simon wrote that the unions concerns about Sicklers calculations "cast significant doubt on the reliability of his testimony supporting lost profits.''

"Without Mr. Sicklers testimony on lost profits, the jurys verdict is against the clear weight of the evidence,'' Simon wrote.

Instead, the judge found there was evidence supporting lost profits from June 2012 through March 31, 2017, of $11,450,000, plus the value of the volume of the ships that had to bypass Terminal 6 due to the labor dispute, which the unions expert put at $7,611,248.

Attorney Jeffrey S. Eden, representing ICTSI, had defended Sicklers testimony, arguing that it was reasonable to raise prices and increase volumes as part of the damage calculations because of the competitive advantage that Terminal 6 had compared to ports in Seattle and Tacoma.

Eden also argued that the union expert on damages, Douglas Kidder, isnt familiar with the container shipping industry nor Portlands Terminal 6.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.

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Iran's former ambassador to Syria, Hossein Sheikholeslam, died of novel coronavirus on March 5, Iran's state news agency reported. Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reportedly announced on Thursday that the total number of deaths from the novel coronavirus climbed to 107, up from 92 on Wednesday. The total number of confirmed cases stands at 3,513 up from 2,922, as per the reports.

READ: MEA Says Iran Embassy Provided No Notification Of 'untraceable' 496 Tourists In India

Schools closed for a month

Health Minister of Iran, Saeed Namaki reportedly said that the schools and universities across the country will remain closed for a month until March 20 ie the Persian New Year. Namaki purportedly made the statement at a televised news conference amid the growing fears of coronavirus outbreak. In addition, he urged the public to lessen the use of paper money as it is a medium through which the novel coronavirus can spread. He added that the authorities will begin manning checkpoints to restrict travel between major cities in the country.

READ: COVID-19:Special Flight Services To Begin Between Iran & India To Evacuate Stranded People

15 new deaths confirmed

He reportedly added that people should stay in their vehicles at fuel stations and allow attendants to fill their gas tanks to avoid the spread of the virus. Health Ministry of Iran has confirmed 15 new deaths from the novel coronavirus on March 4, the most fatalities of any country outside of China, where the epidemic originated. Iran reportedly said that there are total 107 deaths from COVID-19 and 591 new cases have been reported. Iraj Harirchi, deputy health minister of Iran has also tested positive for the virus.

READ: Iran Shuts Schools, Universities For A Month Over Coronavirus Fear

According to the reports, it is suspected that the Iran government covered up many cases and the deaths are higher than officially reported. The majority of cases in Iran have been linked to Qom, which is believed to be the epicentre of the virus in Iran. An official from Qom claimed Monday that 50 people had died in the city; Tehran quickly rejected the figure and denied hiding anything, as per reports.

READ: Iran Rejects US Aid To Tackle Coronavirus, Lashes Out On 'vicious' Sanctions
Sebastian Scheiner/Pool via Reuters

JERUSALEMAn elated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu roared, This is the biggest victory of my life!but that was Monday.

By Thursday, his voice hoarse, a tired Netanyahu growled, We wont let them steal the election! In the words of Netanyahus centrist rival and Israels probable next prime minister, Benny Gantz, Someone here celebrated too early.

Even Netanyahus Dirty Tricks Couldnt Quite Win Him a Majority

Then came a remarkable cascade of bad news for Netanyahu, Israels longest serving prime minister, and its first to be indicted while in office.

Avigdor Lieberman, his onetime defense minister and now a fearsome nemesis, announced his support for a law proposed by Gantz, a former army chief of staff, which would bar an indicted legislator from being appointed to form the government.

Such a law would eliminate any route to immediate political survival for Netanyahu, whose trial in three separate cases of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust is scheduled to open in Jerusalem District Court on March 17.

In an almost never seen instance of Israeli multi-partisanship that Israeli media call the anti-Bibi coalition, this law enjoys the support of 62 members of the 120-member Knesset, from the majority-Arab Joint List through the left-wing Labor Party, and now, unto Lieberman, a hardline secular right-winger.

Further, Lieberman, who holds seven potentially king-making Knesset seats, announced that he would recommend Israels President Reuven Rivlin choose Gantz to form the next government.

It is the third election in under a year in which Netanyahuand Gantzhave failed to secure an operating majority of the Knesset, but for Netanyahu the stakes are higher.

Alon Pinkas, Israels former consul general in New York and adviser to former prime minister Ehud Barak, noted in an interview with The Daily Beast, that, For the third time in one year, Netanyahu pushed for an election with one goal in mind: getting a 61-seat majority to grant him an immunity from prosecution over three severe indictments he is facing. For the third time he failed.

Story continues

Netanyahu could not form a government in April 2019, September 2019 and he cannot and will not form a government following the March 2020 election, said Pinkas. Cut the electorate however you want, in all three instances a [slim] majority sent a resounding no to his anti-democratic, anti-legal, its-all-about-me message.

And Netanyahu was about to receive another blow.

Late Thursday, Moshe Yaalon, another former army chief of staff and the most hardline rightist in the Gantz centrist coalition, agreed to support a minority government led by Gantz, with the support of the Joint List, the Arab-majority party that leaped from 13 Knesset seats to 15 even as Netanyahu intensified his attack on Arab citizens, who form 21 percent of Israels population.

Gantz is joining forces with terror supporters! Netanyahu declared in a meeting of his coalition members. Gantz's move undermines the foundations of Israeli democracy and subverts the will of the voter. Well stand strong against it.

Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh, 45, a Haifa attorney and one of the election's biggest winners, replied, Netanyahu wouldn't recognize what democracy is.

Pack your things, Bibi, Odeh tweeted. You're going home."

As the situation unfolded Thursday night, Netanyahu asked his attorney general to immediately open a criminal investigation into alleged Lieberman electoral shenanigans a decade ago. Lieberman responded with a press release: seven laughing/crying emojis and not a single word.

By dawn on Friday, an increasingly cornered Netanyahu was accusing Supreme Court Justice Neal Hendel, who chairs Israels electoral commission, the body responsible for counting the votes, of criminal malfeasance. Netanyahu promised to petition the supreme court to investigate Hendels political affiliations.

The commission condemned any implication of impropriety, and Gantz posted that counting all the votes, including those of citizens under quarantine due to fears of the coronavirus, is the basis of a democratic country, and one must respect the results and the voters choiceand no less the work of the Electoral Commission.

Former Chief of Staff Yaalon noted darkly that Netanyahu is refusing to respect the results of the election. His incitement could lead to a political assassination.

Acknowledging Netanyahus cult following of around 20 or 30 seats that thinks hes a god-send and indispensable national treasure, Pinkas said, a majority thinks perhaps its time to go.

How did this happen?

Relying on exit polls, Mondays Netanyahu believed that counting his own partys votes and those of his coalition partners, he had secured 60 out of the Israeli parliaments 120 seats, and would find a way to squeak by on a narrow majority.

One route appeared to be poaching wavering opposition legislators. In a television interview on Tuesday, Netanyahu spokesman Yonatan Orich foresaw that the establishment of a government is a matter of a few days.

Weve already spoken with four to six opposition Knesset members, he said. But the targeted legislators each denied any chance of their possible defection. Nonsense. It wont happen, tweeted Omer Yankelevich, a young rising star in Gantzs Blue and White, whom Netanyahus Likud party threatened to blackmail by releasing videos of her that were of a personal nature.

As Netanyahu increasingly catered in recent years to the demands of religious-right-wing coalition partners who squeezed him for funding and favorable policies in exchange for their support, his base has shrunk from a once loose, big-tent alliance of conservative voters to a smaller clique of true believers.

The Nation-State Law, which he passed in July 2018 to satisfy the ultra-right-wingers in his cabinet, may have lost him the election.

The law has no practical effect, but by declaring that only Jews in Israel have the right to exercise national self-determination, and by downgrading Arabic from an official language to one with an undefined special status, Netanyahu alienated the last traditional rule-of-law Likud voters while kicking out of the tent conservative Arabs and the Druze, a minority group that traditionally supported the Likud.

Druze voters who once gave the party over 90 percent of their ballots have switched en masse to Gantz, whose first campaign promise was to amend the law. Fewer than 10 percent of Druze votes went to Netanyahu on Monday.

The Druze vote should be seen as a protest against the Likud and against the right, who betrayed them with the Nation-State Law, said Amal Asad, a retired Israeli army general and leader of the protest movement against the law told The Daily Beast. With the cameras rolling, the Blue and White leadership promised us they would fix it. That is what the Druze voted for.

Meanwhile, votes were being counted. Over two and a half days, the Likuds coalition slipped from an high of 60 seats to 59 to 58, where it hovered for a day before the pollsters disbelieving eyes.

Odeh said his party gained 20,000 new ballots from leftwing Jewish voters "disgusted by the right-wing establishment.

A generation of Israelis has known no other prime minister than Netanyahu, who has been in office for close to 12 years. As Israels political arena appeared to veer close to the danger zone, Gantz felt he had to reassure Israelis that there will be no civil war.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCQB: AGNPF) (the "Company" or "Algernon") a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company is pleased to announce that it is exploring the potential of using NP-120 (Ifenprodil) as a novel treatment for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. A recent independent study found that Ifenprodil significantly reduced acute lung injury (ALI) and improved survivability in an animal study with H5N1 infected mice. H5N1 is the most lethal form of influenza known to date with an over 50% mortality rate.



Based on this study, published by the American Society of Microbiology in mSystems in the December 2019 issue, the Company believes that Ifenprodil has the potential to be a front-line treatment for the most severe cases of coronavirus, and may also reduce morbidity in patients. Coronavirus currently has an overall predicted mortality rate of approximately 4%. Management's belief that Ifenprodil is a possible treatment for COVID-19 is based on historic animal studies and not on human trials.

Despite the overall mortality rate of 4% based on current data, coronavirus-infected patients experience sometimes profound pulmonary complications including lung infiltrates, opacification, and risk of adult respiratory distress syndrome. Beyond systemic steroid therapy, clinicians have few agents with which to treat these patients and Ifenprodil may offer a new and efficacious treatment option that limits inflammatory infiltrates and the resulting fibrotic responses, as suggested in its earlier animal model studies.

Ifenprodil H5N1 Animal Study Background:

A genome wide RNAi interference approach to identify genes that aid in the recovery of cell viability after H5N1 infection, lead to the identification of the NMDA receptor antagonist Ifenprodil, which when tested in an animal model of H5N1 infection showed:

Markedly decreased leukocyte infiltration and lung injury scores in effected lungs

Significantly ameliorated edema infected mouse lung tissue

Significantly improved the survival of H5N1 infected mice by 40%

Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6906739/

The company believes these findings could be relevant for reducing the lung-associated complications of coronavirus infection.

Algernon is preparing to apply for ethics approval in Australia for Ifenprodil, for its planned phase 2 clinical trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough.

"The Company has begun a process to review the potential of Ifenprodil as a novel treatment option for coronavirus", said Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. "Ifenprodil is a known, and approved safe drug that has been on the market in Japan for over 20 years and could be repurposed quickly to help in the treatment of the disease."

Algernon has filed new intellectual property rights for NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

About NP-120 (Ifenprodil)

NP-120 (Ifenprodil) is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NDMA) receptor glutamate receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (Glu2NB). Ifenprodil also exhibits agonist activity for the Sigma-1 receptor, a chaperone protein up-regulated during endoplasmic reticulum stress. Although the anti-fibrotic activity of Ifenprodil in IPF is not known, recent studies have suggested a link between both receptors and pathways associated with fibrosis.

NP-120 (Ifenprodil - brand name Cerocal) was initially developed by Sanofi in the 1990s in the French and Japanese markets for the treatment of circulatory disorders. The drug is genericized and sold in Japan.

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company focused on advancing its lead compounds for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic cough.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau

CEO

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

604.398.4175 ext 701

info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com

investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com

www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
Robotic disinfectant sprayer for preventing the novel coronavirus climbs steps in Luoyang, Henan, on February 22, 2020.

China Daily via Reuters

The coronavirus outbreak that originated in China has killed 3,300 people worldwide and infected more than 97,000, according to recent totals.

The virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 86 other countries, while most cases are concentrated in China.

As the outbreak spreads, robots are being used to disinfect, take temperatures, and even prepare food.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

In China, robots are being used to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, by taking on cleaning and food preparation jobs that are considered dangerous for humans.

The worldwide death toll of the coronavirus disease that originated in Wuhan, China, is now more than 3,300, and the virus has infected more than 97,000 people. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared it a global health emergency. The virus has disrupted travel worldwide, leading to flight cancellations, quarantines, and other breakdowns in movement.

It's now on every continent except Antarctica, and the CDC has said that there are likely to be more US cases in the near future.

Take a look at some of the clever ways robots are used across China to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

In Wuhan, where the outbreak started, a robot spraying disinfectant moves through a residential area of the city.

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China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Volunteers refill the robot with disinfectant on March 3.

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China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Workers on scooters control the robot.

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REUTERS

A patrol robot in a Shenyang, China, hospital checks temperatures and disinfects people and spaces.

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Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

These robots are used at hospitals to cut down on demands on medical staff.

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Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Hangzhou, China, is yet another city using robots to disinfect large areas.

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Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Story continues

They're controlled via remote control, and can be seen getting refilled here.

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Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Hangzhou's disinfecting robots look notably different from those in Wuhan and Shenyang, almost resembling tanks.

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Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Another robot disinfectant in Luoyang is remote-controlled and able to climb stairs.

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REUTERS

This hand sanitizer-dispensing robot was photographed in Shanghai on March 4.

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REUTERS

Robots are being used for more than just disinfecting areas with coronavirus. A hospital in Ezhou has incorporated a robot chef into its kitchen.

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Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images

The robot can reportedly produce 100 pots of rice per hour.

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Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images

The robot operates without human supervision, which minimizes the number of people in the hospital exposed to the virus.

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Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images

Sharing food presents an opportunity to spread the virus, so some cities have been incorporating robots in food service and preparation.

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Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

This robot delivered food to diners in Hangzhou.

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Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Read the original article on Business Insider
The website of the Maharashtra



police's CID was apparently hacked on Friday with a message warning the "Indian police and Modi government" against "hurting" Muslims being displayed.

However, state Criminal Investigation Department chief Atulchandra Kulkarni claimed that it was not a hacking, but part of a "test and trial" of the refurbished website to check its security features.

"Our data is safe, secure and there is no question of the data on the website getting compromised," Additional Director General of Police Kulkarni said.

The hacked web page displayed in bold font the words "Government of Imam Mahdi" against the picture of a man riding a horse and holding a flag.

The message below referred to the recent riots in Delhi and claimed that most of its victims were Muslim.

"We are warning you Indian police and Modi Government, stop hurting people of Muslims...Imam mahdi is coming soon," it added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A MAN who was observed carrying a Samurai sword while walking in a Limerick village has received a suspended prison sentence.

Kenneth Liston, 29, of Upper Direen, Athea pleaded guilty, at Newcastle West Court, to possession of the weapon at Main Street, Glin on June 3, 2019.

Inspector Andrew Lacey said gardai were alerted at around 5.30pm and that Mr Liston was located a short time later in a fast food restaurant in the village.

He said the defendant, who was with another male, was observed carrying the sword under his arm and that he hid it under a parked vehicle before the arrival of gardai.

Mr Liston, who was intoxicated when encountered by gardai, made admissions and was arrested and taken to Newcastle West garda station.

Solicitor Michael ODonnell said his client, who has 38 previous convictions, did not produce or brandish the Samurai sword which, he added, was never taken out of its protective sleeve.

Mr ODonnell told Judge Mary Larkin the sword had been in the garage of his clients home for a number of years and that he had it on the night as he had agreed to sell it to some Polish fella for 200.

When he saw the gardai he tried to hide it under a car, he was walking down the street. He was not brandishing it or anything like that, he said.

Seeking leniency on behalf of his client, the solicitor submitted a latter from Mr Listons GP saying he suffers from a number of ongoing health issues.

While accepting Mr ODonnells submissions, Insp Lacey said the concern of gardai was that he was intoxicated and that anything could have happened.

Read also: Man arrested by Limerick gardai over PhoneWatch scam

Judge Larkin agreed saying it is not acceptable to walk around with a blade of sharply pointed implement given the potential consequences had it been used.

She imposed a one month prison sentence, which she suspended for two years.

I want to encourage him not to reoffend. He is to take direction from the Probation Service, she said.

Separately, Mr Liston was fined 250 for urinating in a cell at Newcastle West garda station following his arrest.

The 29-year-old was also fined and disqualified from driving for four years in relation to a separate Road Traffic offence on April 20, 2019.
First dog coronavirus suspect confirmed in Hong Kong

Global Times

By Wang Qi Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/5 15:34:55

A virologist has suggested that dogs might get a different strain of coronavirus than human beings, after the world's first case of a pet dog testing positive was reported in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region authorities on Wednesday said that the dog, which had small numbers of coronavirus detected in its oral and nasal cavity samples at the end of February, tested positive again in the latest checkup.

The dog has not shown any symptoms and is now under quarantine and observation at an animal holding facility near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port. Authorities said they will return the dog to its owner until the following tests show consecutive negative results.

Yang Zhanqiu, a virologist at Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Thursday that the positive result does not necessarily mean the dog has been infected with the same coronavirus as human beings.

According to Yang, it is not normal to see viral transmission between dogs and human, so the positive test result might have been caused by another kind of homologous dog coronavirus, especially when the precision of the current nucleic acid test kit is still being improved and it is unable to only detect COVID-19.

Furthermore, Yang noted that it was also possible that the test result was due to environmental contamination of the dog's mouth and nose, as its owner was already infected.

An employee with a test-kit company in China, surnamed Li, told Global Times that the method used in Hong Kong involves testing the dog's secretions. If the virus was found in its secretions, that only means the dog is carrying the virus. But if the virus doesn't get into the blood, or if it can't attack the dog, the pet won't get sick.

The dog is not currently showing any symptoms.

However, a Wuhan-based frontline expert who requested anonymity warned that the possibility of pets becoming infected with COVID-19 or becoming a source of infection to people cannot be completely ruled out.

Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday strongly recommended that mammalian pets of coronavirus patients and their close contacts should be quarantined and undergo a checkup with the health authority.

The authority also stressed that there was no evidence suggesting pets could spread coronavirus or get ill from it, and reminded owners not to abandon their pets.

A Beijing-based animal specialist, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Thursday that the cases are not representative of a wide range, and more cases and data need to be analyzed.

Experts from Hong Kong institutes and the World Organization for Animal Health previously agreed that the dog had a low level infection, and had very likely been infected by humans, Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said in an official statement.

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OSCODA, MI  Michigan health authorities plan to begin retesting private wells around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base for toxic PFAS chemicals this month.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said it will be retesting about 500 wells around the Oscoda area starting next week in an effort to see how contamination levels in local drinking water supplies have changed over time.

The testing is being paid for by the state.

The last time most local private wells were tested for PFAS was several years ago during off-base groundwater investigations by the Department of Environmental Quality, (now the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE).

The chemicals have polluted local lakes, rivers, drinking water and wildlife around the former air base, which closed in 1993. The contaminants were in firefighting foam used on base and for mutual aid response at local structure fires over the years.

The new testing will include homes along Van Etten Lake, in the Colbath Road neighborhood and around the high school where foam was used on a 1987 forest fire and 1995 bus garage fire.

These are homes where the wells were tested as part of the investigation or they were offered a filter as a precautionary measure, said DHHS spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin.

Meanwhile, the Air Force said last week it plans to nearly double the amount of money spent thus far to investigate the spread of PFAS contaminants. The Air Force will put $13.5 million toward the pollution issue at Wurtsmith after spending about $14.2 million to date. The Air Force has estimated total cleanup at the base would cost about $251 million.

State regulators found PFAS at Wurtsmith in 2010. Attention began to escalate in 2016 when the health department advised people drinking local groundwater to find an alternative supply.

Fish consumption advisories for local lakes, wetlands and the Au Sable River near the base began in 2012. In 2019, the state advised people to avoid touching toxic surface water foam.

The health department says the retesting is not directly related to a planned effort to assess the contamination exposure of local residents. Sutfin said DHHS is putting together an Oscoda assessment team that includes a toxicologist, health educator and epidemiologist.

A project timeline wasnt available, but Sutfin said the state is planning to host a community meeting in April.

Oscoda residents have pushed the state to study local health impacts from the contamination and the Air Force to speed up its contamination investigation.

Michigan and the Air Force have been in formal dispute talks since late 2017 over the pace of cleanup in Oscoda.

Wurtsmith was the first site in Michigan identified with PFAS contamination. Since then, the state has found 82 sites where the individual compounds PFOS and PFOA have been found above 70-parts-per-trillion in groundwater.

At least trace levels of the chemicals have been found in public drinking water serving 1.9 million people. The Whitmer Administration is finalizing new enforceable standards for several PFAS compounds in public drinking water that are expected to take effect this spring.

Related stories:

Michigan veterans face uphill battle proving toxic exposure

Quit horsing around, Oscoda residents tell Air Force

Oscoda residents upset after 9 years with no cleanup plan
KIRKLAND, Wash.  In the days before the Life Care Center nursing home became ground zero for coronavirus deaths in the U.S., there were few signs it was girding against an illness spreading rapidly around the world.

Visitors came in as they always did, sometimes without signing in. Staffers had only recently begun wearing face masks, but the frail residents and those who came to see them were not asked to do so. And organized events went on as planned, including a purple-and-gold-festooned Mardi Gras party last week, where dozens of residents and visitors packed into a common room, passed plates of sausage, rice and king cake, and sang as a Dixieland band played When the Saints Go Marching In.

We were all eating, drinking, singing and clapping to the music, said Pat McCauley, who was there visiting a friend. In hindsight, it was a real germ-fest.

That was just three days before last Saturdays announcement that a Life Care health care worker in her 40s and a resident in her 70s had been diagnosed with the new virus. The news would be followed over the next few days by the first resident deaths: two men in their 70s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s.

Of the 14 deaths across the nation as of Friday, at least nine have been linked to the Seattle-area nursing home.

As disease detectives try to solve the mystery of how exactly the coronavirus got inside Life Care, they are also questioning whether the 190-bed home that had been fined before over its handling of infections was as vigilant as it could have been in protecting its vulnerable patients against an outbreak that had already killed thousands in China and around the world.

A team of federal and state regulators planned to visit Life Care on Saturday, a move that could lead to sanctions, including a possible takeover of its management. The team will look at the homes practices, including infection control.

In an outbreak like this, its not business as usual, so business as usual is not going to be OK, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. There needs to be some sort of mobilization within the facility for enhanced adherence to procedures. Infection control and visitors logging in. These things need to be translated out across the country.

Life Care did not respond to questions from The Associated Press that were sent to an email address set up for news media inquiries. In the week since the outbreak began, the center has issued statements saying it grieves with the families who have lost loved ones. It has also noted that visits have been halted, staffers are being screened and residents with any kind of respiratory illness have been placed in isolation.

Several family members and friends who visited residents at Life Care over the past few weeks told the AP they didnt notice any unusual precautions, and none said they were asked about their health or if they had visited China or any other countries struck by the virus.

Pat and Bob McCauley, who visited a friend eight times in two weeks before the outbreak, said they noticed some staff members wearing face masks during a visit on Wednesday, Feb. 26, that included the Mardi Gras party but didnt think much of it. They went to a common room with a half-dozen tables and began singing along with their friend as residents in wheelchairs bunched together to get clear view of the banjo, bass and washboard players.

As it became more crowded, we helped move patients into seats, move wheelchairs into places between tables, holding doors, adjusting tables and chairs to accommodate wheelchairs, said Pat McCauley. We had very close contact with numerous patients.

Two days later, when the couple arrived for another visit, they realized the reason for the masks. A staff member told them at the door that they would have to wear ones themselves because a respiratory virus had spread.

They turned around and went home.

Lori Spencer, whose 81-year-old mother is at Life Care, said she also noticed the masks on a visit that same Wednesday, and how packed the place was.

The hallways were crowded with people. The place was buzzing, she said. All the doors to the rooms were open, and I could see there were multiple people in there. I kept thinking how people were on top of each other.

Spencer said that firefighters had just visited the place too, and there were student nurses as well.

A union representative for the Kirkland firefighters said Thursday that all firefighters tested so far have come back negative for the coronavirus, but they want more testing.

Were cooking together and eating together, said Evan Hurley. Trying to actually trace this all back to whos been exposed is difficult.

Betsy McCaughey, chair of the nonprofit Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, said that by the day the Mardi Gras party was held, the nursing home should have been doing more to protect its residents.

All these nursing facilities hold parties, she said. The issue is: Were attendees asked ahead of time, How are you feeling?  Have you traveled to one of the coronavirus hot spots? Has someone in your family traveled to a hot spot? Is there any illness in your family?'

McCaughey estimates 380,000 nursing homes residents die each year of infections, about half of them preventable. She said federal regulators are largely to blame for not holding nursing homes to the same standards as hospitals. While residents of nursing homes may need more social interaction than hospital patients, they shouldnt have to sacrifice their lives for it, she said.

Exactly how the virus made its way into the nursing home remains a mystery. One theory is that someone who became infected overseas brought it to Washington state and passed it on to others. Ordinarily in nursing homes, bedridden patients have the virus brought to them by visitors or staff members who are sick.

While Life Care generally has a good rating with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, state inspectors last April found infection-control deficiencies following two flu outbreaks that affected 17 residents and staff. Life Care was fined $67,000. A follow-up inspection found that it had corrected the problems.

As of Friday, 69 residents remained at Life Care after 15 were taken to the hospital within the past 24 hours. King County Executive Dow Constantine said the state has offered to help families set up home care if they want to move their loved ones out.

Dr. Stephen C. Morris, a University of Washington School of Medicine public health specialist who was sent into the nursing home to evaluate patients Thursday, said that in the midst of this crisis, the staff there needed help. They need nurses who are better trained. They need doctors who are better trained, he said.

Family members said that since the nursing home has been locked down, they have agonized over leaving their loved ones inside and have resorted to communicating with them by tablet computers, cellphones and signs held up at the windows.

Patricia Herrick, whose 89-year-old mother died on Thursday, said it was difficult to know that her mother was caught in the epicenter of the outbreak, in a room so nearby but completely inaccessible.

Knowing that she was in an environment that is dangerous and not being able to help  it was awful, she said. She said she wants her mother tested to see if she died of the virus.

Herrick said she noticed some staffers were wearing masks three days before the Mardi Gras party visit, but she didnt think much of it. She also said she walked right in that day without signing the visitors log. But she thinks the problem lies not with the staff of Life Care but with government health officials.

Even state level, the department of health should have dictated what these facilities should do: No parties. Anyone with respiratory problems goes into isolation, Herrick said. This is a wake-up call. There are holes in our system.

__

Condon reported from New York. AP photographer Ted Warren in Kirkland contribted to this report.
Local authorities in Bin Dinh province on February 18 approved the construction of an industrial zone (IZ). The industrial zone will be known as the Becamex Binh Dinh Industrial Zone Project

The project will be based in Qui Nhon city, with a total capital of more than US$143 million (3,333 trillion VND) with around US$21 million (500 billion VND) contributed capital from investors.

The IZ will be spread out over 1,000 hectares in Canh Vinh commune and will be constructed within 10 years.

Vietnams IZs are locations that are earmarked by the government for the production of industrial goods and services. Typically, IZs complement certain activities  such as production, export or high-tech  and have incentives for businesses that set up there.

Binh Dinh is located in the Central Region and is surrounded by Quang Ngai province to the north, Gia Lai province to the east and Phu Yen province to the south. As the provinces around major economic centers such as Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City to the south became more expensive and crowded, economic growth is likely to flow into the Central Region.

The government remains committed to developing the Central Region to further propel Vietnams economy as it expands.

Binh Dinhs strong business environment

Binh Dinh ranks 20th out of 63 provinces and cities in Provincial Competitive Index (PCI) 2018. It scored a 64.04. The PCI looks at several criteria including informal costs, administrative procedures, and infrastructure related to the business environment of Vietnam. It looks at reforms made by provincial and city governments that promote the private sector.

Binh Dinh particularly ranked well for the streamlining of administrative procedures for investment, land, and construction. The province is also home to Qui Nhon  a tourist, coastal city known for its relaxed atmosphere and pristine beaches.

Binh Dinh industries

Existing industries in the province include agriculture, forestry and fishery product processing, furniture, consumer goods, construction materials, mineral processing as well as exports of garment and footwear.

Most recently, FICO corporation will invest in two wind farms in Binh Dinh to prevent grid overload issues. The two wind warms are expected to commence operation in September 2021.

FDI in Binh Dinh

In the first half of 2019, the province had 78 FDI projects with a total capital of US$724.3 million with tourism seeing annual growth of over 20 percent in the past three years.

Investors from Canada, South Korea, Japan, and China to name a few have invested in projects in the province.

The government has encouraged investment in the tourism industry such as hotels and also supporting industries related to wood processing, textiles, and garments.

Future growth

Most recently a delegation went to the US to seek ways to boost trade and investment ties with US businesses and Binh Dinh.

In addition, Binh Dinh authorities have launched a portal for foreign investors showing step-by-step procedures for setting up a business in the province. The portal provides up-to-date and comprehensive information on overall guidance when setting up in Binh Dinh.

Binh Dinh consists of 37 small-scale IZs out of which 19 are operational.

The upcoming IZ, will help boost Binh Dinhs profile in the international market and further help propel investment as manufacturers look to diversify their operations from the northern and southern areas of Vietnam. Binh Dinh is therefore placed well for future growth.
A theatre nurse, an 18-year-old woman and two more aged care workers are among the growing number of Sydneysiders to test positive for coronavirus as it spreads across the city.

With new cases popping up from Sydneys northern beaches to Cronulla, Liverpool and Canterbury, and a cluster of nine cases in the north, Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the worst is yet to come.

On Friday NSW Health reported three new cases: an 18-year-old woman who lived with another recent case in Sydneys west, and two more staff members at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge Aged Care Facility near Macquarie University - a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man.

On Friday Premier Berejklian foreshadowed "an escalation" in the contagion as the state's total number of confirmed cases climbed to 28.
Russian, Turkish Leaders Agree To Cease-Fire In Syria's Idlib Region

By RFE/RL March 05, 2020

Turkey and Russia say they have agreed to a cease-fire for the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, as Ankara and Moscow sought to ease tensions over a flare-up in violence in Syria.

The agreement was announced on March 5 following about six hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Moscow.

The sides said the agreement involves a cease-fire that must be enforced starting at midnight along the existing battle lines.

The deal also envisages setting up a 12-kilometer-wide security corridor along the M4 highway. The corridor is to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting March 15.

The meeting came amid tensions in Idlib, Syria's last rebel stronghold, in recent weeks as Turkey launched an offensive against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russia.

A previous cease-fire deal for Idlib quickly fell apart, with Moscow and Ankara accusing each other of failing to adhere to that agreement.

After his meeting with Erdogan in Moscow, Putin expressed hope that the new agreement will "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population."

Erdogan said Turkey "reserves the right to retaliate with all its strength against any attack" by Syrian government forces.

Hours before the cease-fire was due to take effect, Turkey's Defense Ministry announced that two Turkish soldiers died and three others were wounded after Syrian government forces opened fire in Idlib.

Turkish forces "immediately" retaliated against Syrian government targets, the statement said.

On February 27, Ankara reported the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike blamed on Syria. That led to retaliation and, on March 1, Turkey killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes and shot down two government warplanes.

Turkey and Russia -- which back opposing sides in the conflict -- have avoided direct confrontation so far, but the latest incidents have led many observers to express concerns that NATO member Turkey and Russia could become embroiled in an armed conflict.

Erdogan last week demanded that Europe support Turkish efforts in Syria while he prompted a new immigrant crisis by opening Turkey's border with Greece to refugees and migrants.

Ankara wants Assad's forces -- which have launched an assault on Idlib to pull back behind lines agreed under a 2018 deal brokered with Moscow.

Erdogan in late February told Putin that Russia should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces alone.

But Moscow, which has backed Assad with crucial air support in the past five years, has said the Syrian government should be able to assert full control over the country, which has been torn apart by civil war since 2011.

Separately, Reuters said an analysis of flight data and its correspondents' monitoring of shipping in the Bosphorus Strait in northwestern Turkey indicate that Russia started to increase naval and airborne deliveries to Syria on February 28 -- a day after the Turkish soldiers were killed in the Idlib air strike.

Reuters said the Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Washington has expressed strong support for Turkey in the latest flare-up.

Following the February attack on Turkish soldiers, the United States said that "we stand by our NATO ally Turkey" and demanded that Syria and Russia end their "despicable" offensive in Idlib.

"We are looking at options on how we can best support Turkey in this crisis," a State Department spokeswoman said at the time.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Interfax, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-erdogan -moscow-meeting-syria-idlib -crisis/30469530.html

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

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Research will enable better predictions of the impact of climate change on surface water temperatures and ecology

A groundbreaking study will enable scientists to better predict future warming of the world's lakes due to climate change, and the potential threat to cold-water species such as salmon and trout.

Pioneering research led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has devised the first system that classifies lakes globally, placing each of them in one of nine 'thermal regions' (see map).

Lakes are grouped depending on their seasonal patterns of surface water temperatures, with the coldest thermal region including lakes in Alaska, Canada, northern Russia and China, and the warmest covering lakes in equatorial South America, Africa, India and south-east Asia.

By incorporating climate change models, the scientists predict that by the year 2100, for the most extreme climate change scenario, average lake temperature will be around 4 degrees Celsius warmer and that 66 per cent of lakes globally will be classified in a warmer thermal region than they are now.

The study - carried out by UKCEH, the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow, Reading and Stirling, plus the Dundalk Institute of Technology - was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

Professor Stephen Maberly of UKCEH, lead author of the study, explains: "Thanks to cutting-edge analysis using satellite images of more than 700 lakes, taken twice a month over 16 years, we produced the first global lake temperature classification scheme. By combining this with a lake model and climate change scenarios we were able to identify that northern lakes, such as those in the UK, will be particularly sensitive to climate change."

Even relatively small changes in temperature can have a significant negative impact on aquatic wildlife, affecting the speed at which organisms grow and feed, and when they reproduce. As species do not react in the same way, prey and predators have increasingly different breeding and feeding cycles, reducing the amount of potential food available.

Warming also increases the risk of harmful algal blooms, which can have a negative impact on aquatic plants and fish.

Professor Maberly says: "Cold-water fish species in particular can be stressed by warmer temperatures. The potential negative impact on salmonids such as salmon, trout and Arctic charr, for example, is concerning because they play a central ecological role within food webs and also have great economic importance."

The research is aimed at scientists interested in freshwater ecology, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and biogeochemical cycles.

Professor Andrew Tyler of the University of Stirling, who led the overall project, GloboLakes, says: "This is an example of pioneering UK-led research that has delivered the capability to monitor our inland waters at the global scale from satellite based platforms.

"This is not only yielding new insights into the impacts of climate change, but also the evidence base from which to better manage these ecologically sensitive environments and mitigate against the effects of change."

An app to classify lakes into the nine thermal regions is available in the R programming language at GitHub - https://github.com/ruth-odonnell/LakeThermalRegions/

###

NOTES TO EDITORS

Paper information

Stephen C. Maberly, Ruth A. O'Donnell, R. Iestyn Woolway, Mark E. J. Cutler, Mengyi Gong, Ian D. Jones, Christopher J. Merchant, Claire A. Miller, Eirini Politi, E. Marian Scott, Stephen J. Thackeray, Andrew N. Tyler. 2020. Global lake thermal regions shift under climate change. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15108-z

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Zero tolerance disciplinary policies in some of our public schools are creating a school-to-prison pipeline.

It needs to be shut off.

The disturbing findings of a recently released report from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition show how harsh disciplinary policies that offer little or no flexibility disproportionately affect students of color and those with disabilities. Often times, such harsh discipline places these students on a path that leads to the juvenile justice system and then adult prison.

The numbers are stark. Researchers found that while black students comprised 13 percent of the student population in Texas public schools during the 2017-2018 school year, they represented 33 percent of all out-of-school suspensions and 25 percent of all in-school suspensions.

Students with disabilities had similar outcomes. While they represented only 10 percent of the student population in the 2017-18 school year, they received 20 percent of the out-of-school suspensions and 16 percent of the in-school suspension. Students with disabilities also accounted for 17 percent of the referrals to alternative education programs.

The 2017-2018 statistics also show there were 63,874 Texas children in pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade who were suspended and thrown out of school. Another 144,432 elementary school students were given in-school suspensions.

This is just not right. Heavy-handed disciplinary measures such as expulsions and suspensions appear, in many instances, to be counterproductive, compounding academic and behavior challenges. Children who face harsh discipline in early grades have a more difficult time later in their academic careers, they often repeat a grade, are more likely to drop out and face incarceration later in life. No one wins.

This is not just a Texas problem. U.S. Department of Education data quoted in the study show although black preschoolers make up only 18 percent of enrollment in the country they received 48 percent of out-of-school suspensions. Black male students, who comprise approximately 8 percent of the entire student population, are also disproportionately reflected in the numbers. They received 25 percent of the out-of-school suspensions. Nationally, Latinx males represented 13 percent of the student population but received 15 percent of the suspensions.

It is not too surprising researchers found no evidence that suspensions and expulsion are an effective method of changing students behavior in schools.

Alarm bells about this have been ringing for years. One of the much-touted alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline is the use of restorative justice programs, which seek to address the root causes of bad behavior and involve more mediation, rather than punishment. But moving to this model has been painfully slow.

Some schools in San Antonio, including campuses in the North East and San Antonio independent school districts, have seen big changes as a result of such programs. But restorative justice programs require buy-in from the administration and a commitment from staff and student leaders. For many school districts, which are already trying to do more with less, there are simply not enough resources to implement such policy changes. The consequences are as stark as a child eventually ending up in prison as an adult, rather than in college.

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition recommends the Texas Education Agency provide restorative justice training for school districts. Five years ago the agency funded a grant in 2015 that provided such training to the states 10 education centers. The coalition is also asking state lawmakers to provide school districts funding to hire restorative justice coordinators.

We support those recommendations.

Five years ago, UCLAs Center for Civil Rights Remedies issued a report that found students of color and those with disabilities in San Antonio middle and high schools were disciplined with off-campus suspensions at higher rates. An analysis by the Express-News of the data in that 2015 report showed the local school districts with the highest out-of-school suspension rates for middle and high school students tended to have lower-income enrollment with larger percentages of students of color.

Apparently, not much has changed.

Taking children out of the classroom and placing them on a prison track is failed policy. We know there is a better way, state and local districts just need to embrace it.
Focus is back on the death penalty in the US after Nathaniel Woods was controversially executed in Alabama on Thursday night.

Mr Woods was convicted in 2005 of the shooting of three police officers, but his co-defendant Kerry Spencer later claimed he was not involved in the shooting.

In a letter from death row where he is also held, Mr Spencer wrote that Mr Woods is "100% innocent" and asked for the execution to be stopped.

Celebrities joined Mr Spencer in trying to halt the execution, with Martin Luther King III and reality star Kim Kardashian-West tweeting their support for Mr Woods.

Kardashian-West urged her followers to contact the state governor and called the execution tragic.

Below is all you need to know about the death penalty in the US.

Which states still have the death penalty?

25 states, including, Kansas, Indiana, Virginia and Texas still have the death penalty, with the law in force in areas all over the country.

Four others, Colorado, Pennsylvania, California and neighbouring state Oregon have Governor imposed moratorium, which is a suspension of a law until deemed worthy again.

Do they all use lethal injection?

Lethal injection is the primary method of execution in all states that have the option of the death penalty.

Secondary methods are available in 16 states, including South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

The most widely used secondary method is electrocution, followed by lethal gas.

In New Hampshire and Washington, hanging is a secondary method, with a firing squad available in Utah.

Recommended Kim Kardashian calls for pardon of man facing execution on death row

Is there any likelihood they'll stop any time soon?

33 states have either abolished or have not used the death penalty in the last 10 years.

Of the 25 states still with the law, 18 haven't executed anyone in the past five years and 12 haven't in the last 10.

Since 2007, nine states have abolished the death penalty, but four of those have Governor imposed moratorium.

In 2015 Nebraska abolished the death penalty, but reversed the decision a year later.

Texas has had the most executions since 1976 with 569, followed by Virginia on 112 and Oklahoma on 111.

There were nine executions in Texas in 2019 and the state has executed the most people every year since 2002.

More states are moving towards abolishing the death penalty, but as Nebraska's reversal and Texas' continued use shows the US is still a long way off abolishing it everywhere.
Two police officers in Georgia chose to resign last month instead of being terminated following their arrests last month for allegedly selling accident reports to third parties for profit.

Nikko McClinton and Ronald Anderson, both nine-year veterans of the DeKalb County Police Department, were arrested Jan. 30 after authorities learned they were selling crash reports, agency spokeswoman Michaela Vincent told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Both men were charged with computer theft and violating their oath of office, Vincent said in a previous news release. McClinton also faces one count of bribery. jail records show.

The criminal investigation was launched after another DeKalb police officer learned of the alleged scheme and alerted investigators, authorities said. Both men were placed on administrative leave with pay until their resignations, which the department announced Feb. 14 on Twitter.

The DeKalb County Police Department will not tolerate officer misconduct and will take proper action to safeguard the privacy of our citizens and enforce the law, DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said in a statement.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia Law Enforcement
The test kit to diagnose Covid-19 infection that Vietnam has licensed for commercial production. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Ngoc.

The Ministry of Health has licensed commercial production of test kits that help diagnose the novel coronavirus infection in just one hour.

It was developed jointly by the Vietnam Military Medical University and tech firm Viet A Corporation.

It is based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a technique that combines reverse transcription of RNA into DNA and amplification of specific DNA targets using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The kit can detect the new coronavirus in specimens of droplets obtained from the respiratory tract and blood samples.

Do Quyet, director of the university, said all tests done by the university and Viet A Corporation found the kit meeting World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards.

The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology tested the kit independently using five different devices for various disease/virus samples and found that the results were accurate in every instance, he said.

The institute, Vietnams leading preventive medicine and disease prevention agency, has recommended the use of the kit to detect the new coronavirus.

The National Council for Science and Technology Policy, which advises the government on science and technology policies, inspected the kit on Tuesday and recommended that the ministry should approve it. The ministry did so on Wednesday.

Phan Quoc Viet, CEO of Viet A, said his company could make 10,000 kits a day, and triple the capacity if needed.

Authorities said this capacity would enable Vietnam to not only meet domestic demand but also export.

China, the U.S., Japan, Germany, South Korea and now Vietnam are the only countries to make test kits for the new coronavirus.

As of Friday morning Vietnam has 68 people in quarantine for observation of suspected infection. More than 14,000 people are being monitored.

There have been no new cases reported since February 13, while all 16 infected people have been discharged from hospital, including two Chinese nationals and a Vietnamese-American.

People who return to Vietnam from stricken areas or have had direct contact with returnees from stricken areas and show Covid-19 symptoms are quarantined.

The global Covid-19 death toll climbed to 3,385 as of Friday morning, more than 3,000 in China, followed by Italy (148), Iran (108), South Korea (40), the U.S. (12), and Japan (12, including six on a cruise ship).
WASHINGTON (AP)  Kim Kardashian West visited the White House on Wednesday along with three women who had their sentences commuted by President Donald Trump last month, allowing them early release from federal prison.

Kardashian West tweeted that she and the women planned to discuss more change that our justice system desperately needs!

The three women  Tynice Nichole Hall, Crystal Munoz and Judith Negron  were nonviolent federal offenders serving long sentences. All had their cases championed by Alice Johnson, a Tennessee grandmother convicted on felony drug and money laundering charges in 1996. Johnson was released from prison in June 2018 after Kardashian West asked Trump to grant her clemency.

RELATED: Odessan receives clemency after 12 years in prison

Johnson said the president had asked her for a list of other women who deserved clemency. Johnson, Hall and Munoz had all had commutation requests denied by then-President Barack Obama.

Obama undertook an unprecedented effort to reduce the sentences of nonviolent federal drug offenders during his presidency, releasing 1,715 prisoners, more than any other president in history.

Obama repeatedly called on Congress to pass a broader criminal justice fix, but Republican lawmakers resisted. Trump was able to get more Republicans in the Senate to vote for a criminal justice bill that gave judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and boosted prisoner rehabilitation efforts. Trump has been citing the bill in his efforts to win support from more African American voters.

Ivanka Trump tweeted a photo of herself and husband Jared Kushner with the women during Wednesdays visit, saying these 3 mothers were granted clemency by @realDonaldTrump last month and are already using their second chance to pay it forward!
Melbourne-based Australian health, wellness and natural skincare brand Swisse announced its launch into the Indian market.

Discerning Indian consumers will now have access to high-quality vitamins, supplements and skincare products from one of Australia's largest vitamins, minerals and health supplements (VMHS) and skincare brands.

Internationally recognised for its quest to supply the highest quality nutrient-rich products, backed by science and world-class manufacturing standards, Swisse products help millions of people around the world make the most from life every day.

Swisse was founded by Kevin Ring and opened its first stores in Melbourne, Australia, in 1969, where its headquarters are still based. Swisse's expansion into the Indian market comes one year after it won both the prestigious Victorian Governor's Export Award for e-commerce and the Australian Export Award for e-commerce.

Swisse's launch into the Indian market has been supported by tailored assistance from the State Government of Victoria (Australia) through Global Victoria, and the Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices in India.

Indian consumers are showing an increasing inclination towards natural and organic products in the beauty and wellness sector, and Australia is renowned for many such brands. Swisse is following a digital strategy in India focusing on the millennial population. India has the world's largest millennial population, with 60 per cent under the age of 35.

Initially, around 30 of Swisse's most popular products, such as Swisse Liver Detox, Swisse Magnesium and Swisse Hair Skin Nails liquid, as well as targeted multivitamins for men and women, will be launched in India. Plans are afoot to also launch the healthy beauty range, including Swisse Manuka Honey Cleanser, Swisse Blood Orange Facial Serum and Swisse Collagen+ with peptides and vitamins C and E.

The launch in India coincides with Swisse's 50-year anniversary. The brand was unveiled at a special event led by Bollywood star Nushrat Bharucha. Other VIPs in attendance included Swisse Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Nick Mann; Chief Strategy and Operation Officer Akash Bedi from H & H Group (Swisse's parent company); the CEO of Global Victoria Gonul Serbest and Victoria's Commissioner for South Asia Michelle Wade. Popular Australian and global Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth, of 'Thor' and 'The Avengers' fame and known nature lover, also sent in a special video message on the occasion.

"We are absolutely delighted to share our range of premium vitamins, herbal and mineral products, including beauty supplements and natural skincare, with Indian consumers. Swisse sources the most nutrient-rich ingredients available world-wide, such as blood oranges from the foot of Mt Etna in Sicily and cranberries from Cape Cod, and have an unwavering commitment to quality, safety and effectiveness," said Nick Mann, MD - Swisse Australia and New Zealand, while speaking about the launch.

"It's a pleasure to launch one of Australia's largest brands in vitamins, minerals and health supplements in India. Swisse is based in the Australian state of Victoria and is a major contributor to the state's highly successful exports in medical, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products," said Gonul Serbest, CEO, Global Victoria.

"The Victorian government has proudly supported Swisse on its export journey and today's launch is another outcome of our fantastic collaboration with this great Victorian company. Congratulations to Nick Mann, the Swisse team and their partners in India who have been instrumental in introducing Swisse to India," added Serbest.

"Swisse focuses on the Power of Nature, Science, and Innovation - we choose the most nutrient-rich ingredients worldwide, and use advanced formulations based on scientific and traditional evidence to ensure our products are high-quality, safe and effective. We know that India has been pioneers in and cherishes individual health and wellness," said Akash Bedi, the H & H Group's Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, commenting on the launch.

"Swisse aims to support Indian consumers in their aspirations to lead healthier and happier lives, particularly the younger generation who are striving for success in our competitive and fast-paced world," added Bedi.

"I am constantly filming and on-the-go in Bollywood. It's so important to cultivate positive energy, stay healthy, happy and take good care of myself. That's why, in recent years, I have embarked on what is possibly the most important quest of my personal life - the quest for physical fitness and good health. This journey led me to embrace pilates and adopt a healthy lifestyle, and I'm a firm believer that health is the only true wealth. Fitness is the new rich. Health is the new cool," said Bharucha, while unveiling the products.

Swisse has a wide range of products, many using vegetarian formulations targeted to support specific health functions, as well as products using local Ayurvedic ingredients, such as Indian turmeric.

The brand is particularly known for its vitamins, herbal and mineral supplements that are targeted to age, gender and particular health benefit, and innovative beauty supplements.

This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior police officer has said it is important to "keep perspective" in the coronavirus outbreak after Chief Constable Simon Byrne suggested those unwilling to self-isolate could be detained.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said the PSNI is in discussions with Government officials on what measures may be necessary to tackle an outbreak in Northern Ireland.

It comes after Chief Constable Simon Byrne called for powers of detention available to police in England and Wales to be extended to Northern Ireland.

It is important to make preparations but it also important to maintain perspective in the face of this challenge," Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said on Friday in an attempt to clarify the Chief Constable's comments.

Read More

"While we are not anticipating a worst-case scenario, we are preparing for it, as the community would want us to do.

"Any action undertaken by police in response to Covid-19 will be in line with our legal responsibilities and will be used to protect life and keep our communities safe.

As of Friday afternoon 163 people had tested possible for the virus in the UK, three in Northern Ireland, with two deaths linked to the disease.

In total 186 people have been tested in Northern Ireland, with 183 negatives.

Emergency powers proposed by the Prime Minister would allow police to "compulsorily detain affected people" who are unwilling to quarantine themselves to stop them spreading the virus.

While we are not anticipating a worst-case scenario, we are preparing for it Police

"We don't yet have that power so we're in a dialogue with the Department of Justice to see if that can be replicated here in case we need to use it," the Chief Constable told a Policing Board meeting on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson added: "We are working with our partners across Government to support the response to Covid-19 Coronavirus. This is a rapidly developing situation and we continue to take a lead from the Government and our Public Health partners.

Read More

In answering a number of questions on Covid-19 at the Policing Board yesterday, the Chief Constable talked about powers available to police officers in England and Wales that could be used if required to support public health agencies reduce the spread of Covid-19.

"Similar powers are currently not available in Northern Ireland. Discussions are ongoing with the Government officials in relation to what may be required of policing in Northern Ireland."

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Former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the powers may be necessary as there will be some people "who heed sensible advice and some who will not".

He cited the example of someone suspected of having coronavirus attempting to force their way into a hospital to see an ill relative who has the virus.

"Police need the powers to help health professionals in those sorts of circumstances," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show.

"It has to be done in the context of yes the rights of that individual, but also in terms of the rights of other people who could be intensely vulnerable and could be infected by this individual and maybe even get to the point where in a very few cases where they could get very ill or die. "

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UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie said that his party supported the PSNI having the same powers as police in the rest of the UK.

This would relate to a situation whereby a person suspected of having coronavirus refused to follow the instructions of the Public Health Agency. This is a matter of public safety," the Upper Bann MLA said.

We cannot have these powers in one part of the United Kingdom and not another. Indeed I would be very surprised if the Irish Republic is not thinking along very similar lines.
There are growing concerns in the Irish dairy sector over the potential disruption to international trade as governments around the world impose measures to contain the coronavirus.

Over 90pc of Irish dairy produce is exported, with exports to China accounting for 7pc of Irish dairy production by volume.

Dairy industry sources say they need more information from China on the spread and containment of the disease before they can predict how it will affect dairy exports.

"We need more data to come out of Chinese market and ascertain the impact it will have now that the virus is in Europe," a dairy industry source told the Farming Independent.

"But we do already know that there will be significant impact on Chinese consumption patterns this year."

The restaurant and food service trade in China have been severely impacted, with many catering companies reported to have closed their doors and many shopping centres remaining closed.

Shipments to and from China have been disrupted, with cold storage facilities in some ports at capacity.

The internal movement of goods in the country also remains restricted.
When you visit Turkey you are certain to notice that the men always seem to have a string of beads in their hands.

They come in different lengths and colours, some are plain and simple in design and some more lavish and expensive looking. The one thing they have in common is they appear to be an extension of the hand of those who hold them. But what are they?

Tesbih  Islamic prayer beads.

Many religions including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Sikhism have traditions of prayer beads, from mala for Buddhists to rosaries for Catholics.

In Islam, the Tesbih, Tasbih or Misbaha are used to mark repetitions of prayers or other ritual recitations.

Muslims generally use tesbih with 99 beads, which symbolize the 99 names of Allah, while Buddhists mala has 108 beads.

A tesbih with 99 beads, which symbolize the 99 names of Allah

The Tasbih of Fatima is a prayer offered as a gift by the Prophet Muhammad to his daughter Fatima, which is recited as follows: 34 times Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest), 33 times Al-hamdu lilah (Praise be to God), and 33 times Subhan Allah (Glory be to God). This prayer is recited after the daily 5 ritual prayers.

Muslims place their finger and thumb over each bead as they count. If they are using a smaller, nowadays more common, tesbih with 33 beads, they are counted three times over.

Companions that relieve stress

Tesbih, also known as worry beads, are also often used to relieve stress. The way you let the beads slip through your fingers has a rhythmic yet calming effect.

Its quite usual to see groups of Turkish men sitting around talking and slipping their tesbih through their fingers. Photograph courtesy of Batman Cagdas

Materials used to make prayer beads vary. They can be crafted from wood, bone, amber, gold, silver or many kinds of precious stones.

According to craftsmen, amber, which is fossilized tree resin, is one of the preferred materials as some believe it has healing properties and people warm to its orange color and soft surface.

Amber resin tesbih

If users want to relieve stress, it is recommended to use a tesbih made of ebony. Beads made of agarwood are also popular because of its pleasant aroma.

Ebony tesbih prayer beads are recommended for relieving stress. (Pinterest)

How Tesbih are made

Tesbih beads are made using a small lathe, simple but capable of the extremely fine adjustments required for such tiny objects. These lathes are generally made by the craftsmen themselves.

Each piece of the chosen material is first pierced and then cut into the desired shape: spherical, pyriform, oval, flattened spheres, or faceted.

Oval faceted ruby tesbih. Photograph courtesy of SwanCollection

For a 99-bead tesbih the craftsmen makes 110-120 beads, and then chooses those that match best, saving the remainder for making 33-bead tesbihs.

Drilling the holes through them is one of the most difficult parts, the finer the hole, the more skill being required.

Then he makes the other parts: the nisane, a disc which marks each 33 beads, the pul, a tiny bead marking the seventh position, the imame, which is a long piece marking the beginning of the string, and the tepelik at the extremity of the imame.

A small socket is gouged in the imame to conceal the knot of the string. All these pieces must also match.

Although the best tesbih have beads of equal size, some have beads graduated in size, threaded from largest to smallest. In the past they were always strung on silk thread, but today nylon thread dyed to the correct colour is sometimes used instead.

Turkish man making tesbih prayer beads (Pinterest)

Finally the beads may be fitted with bands, engraved with inscriptions, and otherwise decorated, before being strung together, and a tassel attached.

To complete one hand-made tesbih takes at least three days. It may take months to finish some models.

Tesbih craftsmen will tell you that during this process, their psychology or mood is crucial. The thing that makes them special is their makers love and the importance that they put into them.

As the process demands so much patience, the number of craftsmen is less compared to 50 years ago, but many continue to maintain the business preferring the handcrafted tesbih to the cheap plastic versions on sale.

Perhaps surprisingly, some of the most precious tesbihs are the simplest, the least eye catching as the tesbih is not supposed to be used as jewellery but rather as a life companion.

If youre looking for a meaningful gift for a loved one, why not treat them to a hand crafted tesbih.

Sources: Wikipedia/aa.com.tr/Turkish Cultural Foundation
A former policeman who detectives have described as a 'sexual predator' has faced a Perth court charged with more than 100 offences, including drugging and raping women he met online.

Former senior constable Adrian Trevor Moore, 50, faced Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with 108 offences including 66 counts of rape - almost half of which were allegedly in circumstances of aggravation.

Police said he met at least eight women through well-known online dating apps and stupefied his victims before sexually assaulting them between 2010 and 2018.

He is also charged with violent offences including aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm.

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Former senior constable Adrian Trevor Moore, 50, faced Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with 108 offences including 66 counts of rape

Moore resigned from the WA Police Force in 2018 after a previous investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit.

Acting Inspector Simone Van Der Sluys told reporters she firmly believed Moore may have used his position to pressure and intimidate the women, aged in their mid-to-late-40s, which was why the alleged offending had not come to light sooner.

Insp Van Der Sluys described Moore as a sexual predator, and said she was appalled and distressed at his abhorrent offending.

'We have recordings that will support some of the evidence, however there are potentially many more victims out there that have not reported to police,' she said.

'I don't think this investigation is anywhere near finishing.'

Insp Van Der Sluys said police were speaking with other complainants but many victims had been very reluctant to come forward.

Police said Moore met at least eight women through well-known online dating apps and stupefied his victims before sexually assaulting them between 2010 and 2018

Moore resigned from the WA Police Force in 2018 after a previous investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit

'I think they were embarrassed. I think there's a lot of dynamics that exist here for victims of a sex crime and also to add to that, him being a police officer,' she said.

'I want to stress and assure any women out there who are grappling with that decision, any information they supply to police, it is their decision if they want to go to court.'

She urged any other women with information about Moore's alleged offending to contact police.

Moore, once a nominee for WA Police Officer of the Year and now a boilermaker, was remanded in custody.

Defence counsel Mark Andrews said bail would be sought at his client's next court appearance on March 26.

Mr Andrews said he was confident Moore would be kept in protective custody given his former career.
Principal Chief Commissioner of



Income Tax, Pune, Anuradha Bhatia, on Friday expressed her displeasure over the shortfall in tax collection in Thane division.

Taking a review of the tax collection in Thane, she said the target set for this division was Rs 5,300 crore, while the collection was only Rs 2,400 crore.

"Even now, there is a shortfall around Rs 3,000 crore," she said.

Bhatia was addressing tax consultants and representatives of different associations at the launch of the 'Vivad se Vishwas' scheme here.

The scheme, which is aimed at resolving cases related to income tax, was announced during the 2020-21 budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"The Pune charge (division), which includes, Satara, Kolhapur, Pune, etc, is doing very well. But Thane and Nashik are far from satisfactory. The collection of the Thane charge is going in the negative," she said.

"In Thane, 81,563 people have not not yet filed their returns. It is a huge number...They could be individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)," she added.

Bhatia said there were around 8 lakh societies, NGOs and trusts registered with the co-operative department in the state, of which only 10,000 have filed their returns.

"This is dismal," she said.

She also observed that a large number of assessees were not paying the taxes in the correct manner.

Bhatia called upon the taxpayers and those present at the gathering to help her department achieve the target.

"I need your help. I need each one you present here, all the associations, to help me in this," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Twenty years ago, Abhijit Das, the founder of Men Engage Alliance, attended a meeting on domestic violence. From the sidelines of the kitchen where he was working, Das noticed about 100 men had accompanied the 3,500-odd women and were listening keenly, but had no opportunity to participate. Apart from encouraging women, or accompanying them to meetings, what could these men do?

And so began a conversation with the men. They could help with the housework, take care of the children, fetch water. These were small but significant tasks that upended the idea of what is womens work and what is her place in society.

That was the beginning of a campaign, Chuppi Todo, Hinsa Roko (break the silence, stop the violence) where men resolved to: One, not commit violence; two, speak up when they see violence, and three, support women who have faced violence.

People scoffed. Why on earth would men give up their privilege? What was in it for them?

Plenty, as it turns out. Das has spent the intervening years  he now heads the Centre for Health and Social Justice  expanding not only on how toxic ideas of masculinity demean men, but also how supportive relationships between husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters, enrich their own lives.

Gender equality cannot be seen as a continuing contest but as a collaboration that leads to relationships of mutual autonomy and interdependence, says Das.

The struggle for gender equality has, understandably, focused on women  their health, their empowerment, their education. But, says Nishtha Satyam who heads United Nations Women in India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, We missed the most critical pillar of change  men.

You cannot expect sustainable change without involving men. If the primary barrier for women is men, then one of the most important allies also has to be men. Who are we converting if we are talking only to ourselves? Satyam asks.

Fortunately, India has male role models who are ready to support daughters in defiance of social norms; men like Mahavir Singh Phogat, the father of sisters Geeta and Babita, and men like Badrinath Singh, then an airport loader who sold his land so that he could finance the education of his daughter  the 23-year-old who was tragically gang-raped and killed in 2012.

We are not there yet. But women are slowly dismantling barriers to their progress. The Supreme Court ruling granting parity in the armed forces to assume permanent commissions is one such instance.

If men and women are to work as equal partners, then we need new rules of engagement, ones that understand the centrality of mutual respect and consent. We need male allies to acknowledge the potential of girls and women. And we need men who recognise that housework is equally a mans job.

Perhaps this International Womens Day, it would not be out of place to celebrate not just the women who break barriers but also the men who help them clear the hurdles.

Namita Bhandare writes on gender

The views expressed are personal

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France and Germany asked the European Commission to stop the exports of supplies to other member states, largely to create safe stockpiles for whenever epidemics emerge within their own borders. But Italy, in the throes of Europes biggest outbreak, has cried foul, pointing out that it participated in an E.U.-wide coronavirus aid package to China but was receiving little from Brussels during its own time of need.
LITCHFIELD  Papermoon Performing Arts teacher Samantha Lovetere said she learned at a very young age that dancing was a way to express herself.

Now Lovetere will be able to share her love of dance as ballroom classes make their return to Papermoon March 6 with her at the helm.

Lovetere was recently added to the team at Papermoon, a dance studio located in the Litchfield Commons that is owned and operated by Danielle Eichman.

Dance has always been for me just the best thing in my life, its creative, its a way of expression, its just always been something that I knew I wanted to do, said Eichman.

The studio has several classes of varying styles, from ballet, to jazz, to tap, as well as classes for adults, children, advanced, and beginners. They also hold private sessions for those learning to dance for a wedding or other event.

The addition of ballroom to Papermoon Performing Arts curriculum after a two-year hiatus comes with the addition of Lovetere as the new teacher on the roster.

Lovetere said she began dancing at the age of 3, and teaching at the age of 13.

I was a kind of a shy kid, so it was a way I could express myself without having to talk or be kind of loud, Lovetere said.

It was just kind of something I always knew I wanted to do, particularly the teaching aspect, because its always so amazing to see people grow from the beginning of a year to the end of a year with guidance, she said.

Ballroom dance is a collection of styles, including salsa, swing, waltz, and more. Classes will be offered in month-long sessions and participants can sign-up as individuals or couples.

I am so excited to bring ballroom and social dance to the community, said Eichman. Ballroom has so many benefits both physically and socially and it gets you up and moving and having fun. I even jump into class as often as I can.

The adult class ranges are for ages 25 to 65, and single people are welcome.

A lot of people see dancing with the stars and think, oh Id love to do that, but I have no one to go with, my husband wont go with me, or theyre a single person and thats totally fine. We can do everything we can do with a couple, with a single person, Lovetere said.

Tap, Jazz, and ballet, in addition to being Papermoons most popular classes, are considered their foundations. This is because the techniques students learn from these three styles can be applied to most any other dance style they learn later.

For anyone who thinks they want to learn to dance but dont know which style is for them, the studio has group classes that sample each style and give students a new art to work with in each class.

The ballroom class will be similar to the sampler class, as ballroom itself contains a wide array of styles.

Lovetere described what to expect from a typical class: Start slow, warm up the body, review material from the last class. Then translate what was learned the previous week into the new ballroom style to be worked on the current class.

Say they did a salsa the week before. So, wed say OK, we learned how to turn in salsa, lets learn how to turn in rumba this week, Lovetere said.

The end of the class, she said, is all about repetition. You want to leave feeling confidant with what youve just learned, said Lovetere.

Both Eichman and Lovetere noted the health benefits of dance, both physically and mentally.

Theres studies that learning choreography actually makes new connections in the brain, so you learn this choreography and youre actually making new pathways for your electrical impulses in your brain, according to Eichman. So, youre literally training your brain on how to remember.

For physical benefits, they cited tap as a great lower body workout, Jazz for flexibility, and ballet as a workout for the whole body.

I think anybody thats been dancing for a long time you ask them whats the best part, its that you leave feeling good about yourself and that you did something that you love to do, said Eichman.

Classes will begin on March 6 and meet every Friday. Tuition is $50 per person, per session. For information, visit https://www.papermoonperformingarts.com/ and click the ballroom link, or call (203) 707-8428.
Greg Brandon has been appointed executive director of the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLTX). His appointment is effective March 9, 2020.

Brandon succeeds Don Meyer, who has served as interim executive director of SLTX since October 2019. Meyer stepped in to lead the office temporarily while a nationwide search was conducted to hire a permanent executive director, and he will remain on through the transition period.

For the past 18 years, Brandon has worked for Valero Energy Corporation in San Antonio, Texas. Most recently, he served as director of Property Insurance & Risk Control Engineering since 2007. In this position, he was responsible for management and procurement of global commercial and captive insurance products, directing risk engineering programs, and coordinating annual review and analysis of company claims data.

Prior to this role, he was Process Safety, Emergency Response, & Security Manager for Valero Memphis Refinery and Senior Risk Control Engineer for Valero in San Antonio.

Brandon has been involved with the San Antonio Chapter of the Risk Insurance Management Society (RIMS) for several years and has served as Treasurer (2009), Secretary (2010), Vice President (2011), President (2012), and Director (2013-2016) of the organization. He was a member of the 2010 Chamber of Commerce delegation that successfully achieved nomination to host the 2018 national RIMS conference in San Antonio.

Additionally, he is a past member of the National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers and National Fire Protection Association.

Source: SLTX

Topics Texas Excess Surplus
Ways to make an ever-popular New Year's resolution a reality

Getting started on a healthy program can be easy with some professional help.
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A police officer is seen at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy in Tunis, Tunisia on March 6, 2020. (Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters)

Explosion Outside US Embassy in Tunisia Kills Policeman, Wounds Several Others

TUNISTwo terrorists on a motorbike blew themselves up outside the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia on Friday, wounding five police officers, authorities said, in the countrys most serious attack in months.

The explosion took place near the embassys main gate, where a Reuters journalist saw a scorched, damaged motorbike and a damaged police vehicle lying amid debris as police gathered around and a helicopter whirled overhead.

The Interior Ministry said two terrorists were killed carrying out the attack and five police officers were injured, while a civilian suffered minor injuries. State news agency TAP reported that one policeman was killed.

We heard a very powerful explosion  we saw the remains of the terrorist lying on the ground after he went on the motorbike toward the police, said Amira, a shopkeeper.

Sirens could be heard on the major highway linking the Lac district, where the embassy is located, with Tunis and suburbs in the north.

The U.S. Embassy urged people to avoid the area in a statement on Facebook.

Roads around security installations were closed in some parts of the capital, and some international institutions were put on lockdown or evacuated.

Photographs of the blast site posted on social media showed debris strewn around the area of a security checkpoint that controls access to the embassy and damaged vehicles.

People gather at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy in Tunis, Tunisia on March 6, 2020. (Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters)

Last summer, the ISIS terrorist group said it was behind terrorist blasts that struck the capital over the course of a week, including one near the French Embassy that killed a policeman.

Tunisias critical tourism sector is highly vulnerable to terrorist incidents and was devastated after two major attacks in 2015 which killed scores of visitors at a beach resort and a popular museum.

Diplomats who have worked with Tunisia on its security capacity say it has grown more effective in preventing and responding to terrorist attacks in recent years.

By Tarek Amara

NTD staff contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. disclosed the first known cases of coronavirus infection among its employees Thursday, joining fellow tech giants Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc. in revealing the disease in their ranks.

Microsoft said two employees, one working out of its main Redmond, Washington campus and a second, a remote LinkedIn worker, have contracted Covid-19. Both have been quarantined, a company representative said.

We are working closely with local public health authorities to provide the necessary support for our colleagues and their co-workers, a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement.

One of the pair worked on Microsofts main campus and came into close contact with a small number of fellow staffers, who have been notified about the situation. Microsoft has determined that the second worker didnt have any contact with people either at Microsoft or its unit LinkedIn.

Microsoft had asked workers who can to do their jobs from home through March 25, and that guidance remains unchanged based on the new cases.

Separately, Google told its Bay Area employees that they can work from home because of the virus, according to a person familiar with the matter. The voluntary policy covers headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., as well as campuses in Sunnyvale and San Francisco. Just this week, Google called off its flagship conference, a May event called I/O, that brings together thousands of people from around the world who partner with or build apps and websites for Googles digital services.

(Updates with Googles new work from home policy in final paragraph)

--With assistance from Alistair Barr.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dina Bass in Seattle at dbass2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Edwin Chan at echan273@bloomberg.net, Vlad Savov, Colum Murphy

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.
At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on the East Side, Juanita Mancilla turned to dip her fingers into the holy water only to find the receptacle empty at Thursdays 9 a.m. Mass.

During the sign of peace  when Catholics usually turn to each other and shake hands  Carol White gave a friendly wave to Sister Lucero Romero, who sat a short distance away on the same pew.

The break in tradition stemmed from the Archdiocese of San Antonios new guidelines to help protect clergy and churchgoers from the novel coronavirus creeping slowly across the country.

Such precautions are among the ways clergy members are reassuring their congregations.

I dont think people should be afraid to come to church, said Father Kevin Fausz, a priest at three Catholic churches and a licensed registered nurse. I dont think we should quit living and quit going out and being around people.

Just like with the flu, he said, People who might be feeling ill (should) also be prudent and do what they need to do to take care of their health and not jeopardize the health of others.

San Antonio and Bexar County officials declared a public health emergency earlier this week after learning a patient who had been quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was mistakenly released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before a test showed she still had the virus in her system.

She left a hospital, checked into a San Antonio hotel and visited North Star Mall before she was placed back into isolation.

So far, there has been no community spread of the illness in San Antonio.

On ExpressNews.com: Follow continuous coronavirus coverage and a tracker map showing every case in Texas and the U.S.

Despite the publics concerns, Fausz said he hasnt noticed any decline in attendance at Sunday Mass or daily Mass at any of his three parishes  Holy Redeemer, St. Michael and Our Lady of Perpetual Help  or at Our Lady of the Lake University, where he serves as chaplain.

The archdiocese recommended earlier this week that churches make minor changes to traditional practices during Mass as a precaution, such as removing holy water from receptacles, temporarily halting the serving of wine during Holy Communion and placing the Eucharist in peoples hands instead of their mouths.

While Catholics usually shake hands during the sign of peace and sometimes join hands while saying the Lords Prayer, the archdiocese urged them to avoid physical contact.

Other Catholic dioceses in Texas and across the country also have adopted these temporary measures, local archdiocese officials said.

Fausz said he now invites people to offer each other a gesture of peace, but nobody tries to shake hands.

People are kind of turning and kind of bowing toward each other, a slight head nod, to acknowledge the other persons presence. And they smile, he said.

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas released recommendations Wednesday for its churches to consider adjusting some traditional practices, such as encouraging worshippers to drink from the chalice during the Eucharist instead of dipping the bread into the wine.

Proper safeguards call for the chalice to be turned slightly as each person steps forward. Church members also simply may acknowledge the cup with a bow rather than drinking from it.

On ExpressNews.com: Officials confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Harris County

Another recommendation: Episcopal churches should invite worshippers who are uncomfortable shaking hands or hugging to instead wave, smile, bow or make a peace sign during the passing of the peace.

The situation does not currently warrant canceling worship services or closing church schools, the diocese stated. However, clergy and lay leaders should actively collaborate with local health departments regarding how and when such decisions might be made.

Bishop David Reed said he hasnt received any reports of declining attendance at churches in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas since news of the coronavirus broke.

He said local clergy members are in the best position to decide what steps are necessary after consulting with their leadership and their congregation.

We dont want people to be panicked or fearful, Reed said. We want them to be reasonable. I think our recommendations are mostly about just taking care of basic good practices.

Peggye Williams Mills, 81, who regularly attends St. Paul United Methodist Church east of downtown, said public fears of the coronavirus wont keep her from going to services. She underwent a liver transplant 22 years ago and always has to be watchful of situations that could affect her suppressed immune system.

On ExpressNews.com: Coronavirus is sending shivers through participants in San Antonio conventions

If Im going to avoid crowds, church would be the last one I would give up, Mills said Thursday, noting she was speaking for herself and not her church. I believe that my faith will carry me through  Ive been in a lot of situations that could put me at risk. But somehow or another, I have survived.

This is not the first pandemic crisis we have been through. We went to extraordinary measures when there was H1N1.  When we buy into these panics, it makes me doubt whether our faith is as strong as we claim it is.

Community Bible Church, one of the largest nondenominational churches in San Antonio, also has taken precautions. In a message posted on the churchs website, lead pastor Ed Newton said the church has added hand sanitation stations throughout its facilities and will deep clean buildings daily.

The church has also temporarily discontinued its traditional practice of holding hands at the close of services until the threat of the virus goes away.

Church members expressed support for those changes on the churchs Facebook page and thanked Newton for being proactive.

Peggy OHare reports on the census, demographics and occasionally crime and general assignments in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare
Kabul, March 6 : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah will hold parallel swearing in ceremonies on March 9, their offices have confirmed.

The development was confirmed on Thursday by the Presidential Palace as well as Abdullah's office, reports TOLO News.

In a statement, the Palace said Ghani's swearing in ceremony was scheduled to take place earlier but was delayed because of the coronavirus.

"Committees are tasked and working on the list of guests. Guests will be from home and abroad," said Latif Mahmood, deputy spokesman for the Presidential Palace.

Meanwhile, Abdullah's office said: "The elders of the country will participate. We also invited our international colleagues and they will also participate at the ceremony of the inclusive government." Based on the election law, the swearing-in ceremony for the president must be held within 30 days of the election announcement.

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced Ghani the winner of the September 28, 2019 election, but Abdullah rejected theresult and claimed victory and vowed to form a "inclusive government".

But while speaking to TOLO News on Thursday, Abdullah said that a delegation from President Ghani's side and a group from his own team held a meeting to find a common solution to the election standoff.
MIAMI  Maria de Jesus Jaime Zamudio, also known as Marichuy, died a week after falling from the fifth floor of the building in Mexico City she lived in, in the night between Jan. 15 and 16, 2016. Her mother, Yesenia Zamudio, has never believed the fall was an accident or a suicide attempt, as the local authorities suggested at the time of the tragedy. For the past four years she has insisted that her daughter was murdered.

In September 2019, Marichuys case was reclassified as a femicide. That makes her yet another woman among the thousands regularly killed in Mexico as a result of gender-related violence. Nothing is being done about this sad state of affairs. The attackers, for the most part, remain free.

What I know now, from the experts analyses and investigations, is that Mary was a victim of gender-based violence. She was assaulted, Yesenia told me about her daughters death during an interview. She fell. No one helped her. Then, they left her to bleed out. Marichuy, who was only 19, died in a Mexico City hospital from the multiple fractures sustained as she tried to escape her aggressors. Her family maintains that one of Marichuys college professors and three classmates assaulted her in her apartment after a night out, but so far no arrests have been made related to her case.

Yesenia recently gained some notoriety thanks to a video that went viral on social media. So, what if I set things on fire, wreak havoc and raise hell in this city? Whats the problem with that? she says in the video. They killed my daughter! Im a mother whose daughter was killed! And yes, Im an empowered, feminist mother, and I have had enough. I have every right to burn down and destroy whatever I want, and Im not going to ask for anyones permission. Because before they murdered my daughter, they murdered many, many others.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP and SCOPA chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa called on broadcasters and mobile operators to deliver regular updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Following the first confirmed case of COVID-19 coronavirus in South Africa, a Parliamentary assembly was held to address the countrys readiness to combat the virus.

Speaking during the session, Hlengwa said that Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C must deliver daily updates to South Africans on the virus.

Government needs to be transparent and ensure that information is publicly accessible to help educate citizens on the risks and necessary precautionary measures as well as actively avoid panic and misinformation, Hlengwa said.

The lack of reliable information can also give rise to baseless rumours and fake news.

Daily updates

He alluded to measures implemented in Singapore, where the government sends out daily updates on confirmed coronavirus cases, patient discharge locations, and where new clusters of confirmed cases are appearing.

Government should look into launching public awareness campaigns. These have proven to be effective in some Asian countries, teaching people how to keep good hygiene as well as best practices.

There are practical things that need to be done now. The SABC, eNCA and Newzroom Afrika should ensure that they are giving information free of charge on a daily basis to their viewers, particularly during primetime news, Hlengwa said.

We are calling on MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, and Cell C to give out daily reminders to our people to make sure that they are well-informed.

Hlengwa also called on private hospitals to give full assistance to health care centres around the country.

A public-private partnership of efforts in this regard is very important, he said.

First South African case

The South African Department of Health confirmed yesterday that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive in South Africa.

This morning, Thursday March 5, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive, said the department.

The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife.

The department said that after being diagnosed with COVID-19 on 3 March, the patient has been self-isolating to reduce the spread of the virus.
GEORGETOWN (March 6, 2020)  The international observer missions from the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and The Carter Center issue the following statement:

The tabulation of results for the election in Region 4 was interrupted and remains incomplete. The law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region 4 remains incomplete.

The transparent tabulation of results for Region 4 must be resumed in order to proceed to the establishment of national results.

A calm and conducive environment must be provided by the police. We urge all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct signed by them.

The Guyana Elections Commission, including the chairperson, the commissioners, the chief election officer, the returning officer and deputy returning officers in Region 4, must be available and committed to establish the results for Region 4 in accordance with the law.

Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared.
that still is TERRIFYING

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he has the worst veneers in hollywood

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i love hot ones but that is gonna be the only one i do NOT watch omg

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Why oh why would you do this show when you have Crohns disease?! Youre begging for a flair up, my dude



He comes across as fairly likable here imo, maybe its all the crying lol

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lmao we had the same thoughts

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mte I don't understand why he's doing this to himself

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lmao oh jesus bb, i'm so tired and not thinking, and kinda hungry, I went: why would eating wings be a problem? i've got a bunch of stomach problems and i can eat wings. not every day. have i had a problem with wings? *10 seconds of deep thinking* oh fuck the hot sauce!



lmao.



yeah omg I could never. he's an idiot. he's going to be in pain shitting himself to death.



all to use it as a bit.

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Lol mte j was like duuuude

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He could just go away and they'd stop

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I mean he didn't lie, nobody know who he was until they started dating.



Edited at 2020-03-06 03:23 am (UTC)

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Yet another reason to be disappointed in Ariana Grande.

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That still. My eyes.

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the youtube guys knew exactly what they were doing lmao

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Its really annoying because I live in Staten Island and they come there now cause like Ariana Grande made me all famous and stuff, so its all her fault, he said. It is! She sent the wolves on me...She made me and created me, or whatever they say.



He is right that Ariana made him famous. She went above and beyond with letting his manchester jokes slide, saying he has a big dick, and the entire PR-nature of that relationship. Then the drama when they broke up.



Had it been a regular relationship no one would've cared.



But are paparazzi really following him and waiting outside his home? Are we sure it's not a case of him calling them because other than dating very pretty woman...Pete is really lowkey. Like no other PR stunts other than that and his SNL stuff.



Edited at 2020-03-06 02:38 am (UTC)

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i feel like surely he knew what he was getting himself in for when he started dating someone so famous and well known, especially during that period after manchester. i'm not justifying what the paps do at all bc they're mostly scumbags, but damn his surprise about this all is just hard to believe

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he's got a weird enough face that i think he could be good in a horror movie. i say this with complete sincerity, not as a joke.

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Yean look at chu chu, Boy, I invented chu

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the fact that ari straight named a song "pete davidson"...the clownery

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it's gonna look a million times worse when we look back on 2010s relationships... say, in 2034

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tis a cute song tho

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Its such a cute song too lol

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On par with with JLos Dear Ben 

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it wasn't even named that at first too!!! she changed the name of that track to "pete" last minute, and THEN to "pete davidson" when they broke up. the embarrassment.

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Some article on Jezebel said he had white male privilege in the relationship. I don't think the author knows Arianna is white, too 

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LOL. "Woke" white people are the worst. They turn a corner and end up right back on ignorance and stupidity lane. And the term privilege is just so overused these days, context matters.

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So true. Buzzfeed recently had an article titled "we're queering sex tourism" like it was a really popular, progressive thing. The author seemed to think that sex tourism is fucking a lot of people in a variety of countries, when in reality it's more about creepy western men buying women and kids who they know no one will look for and using them as borderline sex slaves they can enact violent fantasies on that often result in severe iniury or death.



But now the queers are doing it too so yaaay progress, I guess. Someone on Buzzfeed also chastised the public for not respecting R. Kelly's "consensual" daddy roleplay with the girls he was abusing. Woke culture is a trip.

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the amount of public that actually thinks Ariana is brown is so disconcerting.

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Being with Ariana got him on their radar, but him being a huge mess is why they've stuck around after their relationship ended.





In conclusion, fuck off.

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exactly

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Ukraine's new finance minister meets with IMF representative (Photo)

16:00, 06.03.20 740

The minister suggested organizing a meeting of the Ukrainian government with the IMF in Washington in the near future to discuss further cooperation.
Kolkata, March 6 : West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, apprising him of various 'critical and worrisome facets' of governance in the state and later alleged that "law and order" in Bengal "was graduating to a level of internal disturbance".

After meeting Shah at his office in the Parliament complex, Dhankar said it was a 'productive' meeting.

"Had more than half an hour productive meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his Parliament House. Apprised the Union Minister about my perspective on various critical and worrisome facets of governance in the State of West Bengal," he wrote on his Twitter handle.

Later, he lashed out against the Mamata Banerjee government referring to "a very sorry state of affairs - a spectacle that does not further cause of democracy".

"I've seen several circumstances where law and order in the state was graduating to a level of internal disturbance. I have been to various parts of the state, and getting reports regularly from various quarters, all these seven months of serious political victimisation by the police authorities," he said, virtually escalating the confrontation with the Banerjee regime.

Dhankhar also alleged that "innocent people" were being implicated in "false criminal cases" only on account of "political considerations".

"The basic human rights of people is being compromised," he said after the meeting, that came ahead of the state-wide civic polls scheduled to be held next month.

Dhankhar, who had summoned the State Election Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Das later last month, said he also apprised Shah about his interaction with the poll panel chief.

"I apprised the union home minister that I have take steps by having an interaction with the State Election Commissioner and cautioned him that he should take a non-partisan approach." The governor said the commissioner must not be a 'rubber stamp' of the ruling party or the government of the day.

"He must consider all stakeholders' concerns and ensure free and peaceful polls," he said.

In this context, Dhankhar claimed the panchayat polls in 2013 and 2018 "were really very critical and deficiencies were very painful".

"Violence and intimidation resulted in withdrawal of candidatures then. Democratic fabric at that point of time was tarnished," he added.

The state's ruling Trinamool Congress refused to attach much importance to the meeting and Dhankhar's subsequent explosive comments, but called him "pracharpal" (crazy for publicity).

"I have nothing to say. He is pracharpal, I am not. Everyday he has to tweet, hold press conferences. He has only repeated all his old comments. I He has no work, other than a constant effort to be in the limelight.

"As far as I am concerned, it is not the right time to respond to his comments. This is the time to build the nation," said Trinamool secretary general Partha Chatterjee.
HCM City should invest in digital innovation and transformation in the healthcare sector to improve service quality by making healthcare delivery more efficient and more accessible, experts have said.

Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City put a patient into a computerised tomography scanner. The city has invested extensively in smart healthcare development.

Digital innovations such as blockchain, cloud-based computing, virtual health, artificial intelligence and robotics, digital reality, and the Internet of Medical Things are key to improving healthcare services, according to a Deloitte Global report titled 2019 Global Healthcare Outlook: Shaping the Future.

The report, released recently, said digital technologies could help solve todays problems and build a sustainable foundation for affordable, accessible, high-quality healthcare.

Global healthcare spending is expected to rise at an annual rate of 5.4 per cent in 2018-22, a surge from 2.9 per cent in the previous five years, it said.

Ageing and growing populations, greater prevalence of chronic diseases, and exponential advances in innovative, but costly, digital technologies continue to grow healthcare demand and expenditures.

But adopting many of these innovations requires capabilities that fall beyond the traditional purview of healthcare organisations.

It is vital to build eco-systems that embrace non-traditional players and sources of knowledge outside their own four walls, experts said.

Recently HCM City has invested extensively in smart healthcare development, focusing on a healthcare big data platform and the use of IT in hospital management and expertise management.

Tang Chi Thuong, deputy director of the city Department of Health, said hospitals are required to create electronic medical records of international standard for patients.

Each citizen would have a single national patient identifier, he told a workshop on smart healthcare in the city recently.

The Thu Duc District Hospital was the first medical centre in the city to get approval from the Ministry of Health to create electronic medical records, he said.

Many hospitals are set to follow suit.

Since 2016, the department has been calling for the use of IT in hospital administration.

A lot of specialised software has been developed for managing medical workers, patient health records, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and health warehouses.

Many hospitals have adopted artificial intelligence to enhance their treatment quality, including robot-assisted surgery by Binh Dan Hospital and 115 People's Hospital.

Experts said in a smart hospital the software is fully inter-connected to actively support technical and professional activities and improve medical examination and treatment and hospital management.

The city recently set up the Medical Operations Centre under the Department of Health to use artificial intelligence for both operation and management.

The centre aims to spot diseases and epidemics at an early stage, and connect medical experts in Vietnam and abroad.

It also aims to improve medical services quality across the city by letting patients choose the service and doctor from home.

Nguyen Tan Binh, head of the city Department of Health, said the smart health operation centre would connect and gather data from relevant agencies, hospitals and other health facilities, and enable analysis, forecast and surveillance of diseases.

It would also help hospitals and health facilities improve their quality, he added.

The centre will link up with doctors at hospitals throughout the country besides more than 100 hospitals in 12 other countries to help improve the quality of Vietnamese doctors.

It will also integrate systems for patient satisfaction surveys, analyses of traditional and social media, connecting with the 115 emergency centre, and telemedicine.

It will help make warnings and find solutions to aid the public against the coronavirus epidemic.

It will instantly update and display occupancy rates at the citys 47 hospitals, show the addresses of people who have contracted the new coronavirus and report on the number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases in the country and globally.

The city has installed cameras at 48 hospitals and connected them with the centre for health department officials to monitor emergency aid rooms. More will be installed in future.

Speaking at a recent meeting, Nguyen Thien Nhan, secretary of the city Party Committee, said on top of its own 13 million residents, the city also receives lots of patients from other cities and provinces, causing a serious overload on its hospitals.

There is great pressure on healthcare due to the fact its population is increasing by more than 180,000 a year, he said.

The city needs to invest in human resources and infrastructure and make the best of IT to improve its healthcare services, he said.

A number of other countries around the world are also facing the problem of cost pressures on the health sector due to the increasing life expectancy of people and rising costs of medical examination and treatment, he noted.

Experts said there is plenty of opportunities to improve the healthcare sector, but concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders are needed to turn it into reality.  VNS

HCM City fosters development of smart healthcare HCM City has invested extensively in smart healthcare development, with a focus on healthcare big data platform and the use of information technology in hospital management and expertise management.
Mike Pence mocked for praying with coronavirus task force at White House

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Vice President Mike Pence received a new round of criticism this week from some on the political left after the White House released a picture of the vice president praying with the coronavirus task force in his West Wing office.

The White House Flickr account posted a photo taken on Feb. 26 showing Pence praying with members of the White House Coronavirus Taskforce in his White House office. The photo shows Pence in a circle with others bowing their heads in prayer.

The gathering occurred as Pence was assigned by President Trump to spearhead the U.S. federal governments response to the global outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

As of Wednesday, coronavirus has claimed the lives of at least nine Americans and there are at least 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Additionally, experts have warned that the coronavirus outbreak could potentially be described as a pandemic.

After the taskforce prayer photo began circulating on social media, it didnt take long for some on the political left to mock the prayer or take offense to it.

Hemant Mehta, who writes for Patheos.coms Friendly Atheist blog, wrote that its not a joke when people say these Republicans are trying to stop a virus with prayer.

What else did anyone expect? Mehta asked. Science? Reason? Something sensible? Of course not. If this virus truly becomes a pandemic, were at the mercy of people delusional enough to think their pleas to God will fix the problem. The same God who presumably created the virus, at least in their minds, will somehow make sure it hurts only a handful of Americans  and a ton of Chinese people.

Dr. Angela Rassmussen, a virologist at Columbia University, also criticized the prayer.

I have yet to attend a scientific meeting that begins in prayer, she wrote.

Thomas Chatterton Williams, a contributing writer with the New York Times Magazine, shared the photo on Twitter and commented that we are so screwed.

Theyre treating this disease with the seriousness and urgency they bring to gun violence, Williams wrote in a tweet. While some are taking solace in the thought that this administration  which disbanded the CDC pandemic team in 2018  performatively prays for the camera, this is a chilling window into their actual epidemiological unpreparedness and incompetence.

The Associated Press reported last week that claims the CDC was ill prepared is not accurate. "For starters, Trump hasnt succeeded in cutting the budget. The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arent suffering from budget cuts that never took effect."

Williams response drew the ire of some Christians, including Tennessee pastor Steve Gaines, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The wisdom they will tap into is far greater than anything man can comprehend, Gaines wrote in a tweet of his own. May God raise up more politicians who, like @Mike_Pence, will admit their limitations, humble themselves, and cry out to God in prayer for help.

Cathy Young, a contributing writer for the libertarian magazine Reason, pushed back against liberals who objected to the prayer. Young suggested some critics might be holding a double standard.

Yeah, I'm sure that if they held a Muslim prayer session you people would be totally cool with that, she wrote in response to Williams.

Robert P. George, a Catholic conservative Princeton University law professor, argued on Twitter that Williams comment illustrates the profound division in our culture.

It's obvious to some of us that one of the things you do in a crisis is pray, George wrote. It's obvious to others that praying is (worse than) foolish.

Jonathan Merritt, a contributing writer for The Atlantic who writes about religion, criticized those attacking Pence for the prayer.

Criticize Mike Pence all you want for being inept in his strategy to dealing with this. But mocking him for praying  like 79 [percent] of Americans have done in the past 3 months  is why so many regular Americans despise wine-and-cheese liberals, Merritt wrote.

Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham and the head of Samaritans Purse evangelical humanitarian charity, called the photo touching and powerful.

Lets join them in asking God for His wisdom, direction, & help in the response to this virus, Graham tweeted.

Being tasked with leading the U.S. coronavirus response is a heavy responsibility for the vice president, who has on many occasions been mocked by the left-leaning figures for his faith.

If he does this well, he comes out of this as a very big national figure, former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told Politico. If he does this badly, he comes out as a dramatically diminished figure. He knows that. His team knows that.

Pence said during a press conference Monday that experts have assured that the risk to the American people of the coronavirus remains low.

This president has said we're ready for anything. But this is an all-hands-on-deck effort, Pence said.
More than a billion Android devices could be hacked, experts have warned.

The devices  many of which are in active use and have been bought relatively recently  are no longer support by security updates and so do not receive patches for bugs and other issues, new research has warned.

It means that people using the phones could be hit by bugs that are distributed widely and can be exploited by hackers relatively easily.

A report by consumer group Which? found that about 40% of Android users were running older versions of the software, which no longer receives security updates from Google.

Android is the world's most popular mobile operating system and as a result, Which? says there are potentially millions of smartphone users at risk of data theft and other cyber attacks.

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According to 2019 figures from Google, there are more than 2.5 billion active Android devices in the world.

Older versions of mobile operating systems, generally those more than two years old, often have security updates from developers stopped - with firms such as Google encouraging users to instead update to a newer version of the operating system in order to best secure their device from modern cyber threats.

Google and Apple, the makers of the world's two most popular mobile operating systems, Android and iOS, release new versions of their software annually, followed by smaller, periodical updates for several years after to fix any further issues found within them.

Recommended Huawei will stick with Android for new smartphones

According to the Which? report, older phones tested from manufacturers including Motorola, Samsung, Sony and LG were found to have vulnerabilities.

Which? said anyone using an Android phone released in 2012 or earlier, including popular devices at the time such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Sony Xperia S, should be "especially concerned".

It also encouraged anyone running a version of Android older than 7.0 Nougat, which was first released in 2016, to try to update their software as this version is now no longer supported by Google.

However, if a device cannot be updated it is likely to need to be replaced.

Which? computing editor Kate Bevan argued that consumers should be able to rely on longer periods of support for their mobile devices.

"It's very concerning that expensive Android devices have such a short shelf life before they lose security support, leaving millions of users at risk of serious consequences if they fall victim to hackers," she said.

"Google and phone manufacturers need to be upfront about security updates, with clear information about how long they will last and what customers should do when they run out.

"The Government must also push ahead with planned legislation to ensure manufacturers are far more transparent about security updates for smart devices and their impact on consumers."

The Government has previously announced plans for new laws which will force manufacturers to improve the security standards of internet-connected gadgets, including giving a minimum length of time for which the device will receive security updates.

In response to the report, a Google spokesman said: "We're dedicated to improving security for Android devices every day.

"We provide security updates with bug fixes and other protections every month, and continually work with hardware and carrier partners to ensure that Android users have a fast, safe experience with their devices."

The Which? research said that generally speaking, the older the device, the greater the risk of it being vulnerable to hackers.

However, previous studies have indicated that smartphone owners in Europe and the US are holding on to their devices for longer, with smaller steps in innovation each year and the rising price of smartphones cited as key reasons for not upgrading more regularly.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Latest News CoreLogic data shows new listings on the rise in early 2022 First data of the year suggests supply is already entering back into the market, cooling hot property market

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Last month, the ACCC issued a warning that the proposed acquisition of Connective by Australian Finance Group (AFG) could impact market competition in Australia.

AFG and Connective operate in an already concentrated market, and not many other mortgage aggregators offer a similar level or type of service. Additionally, potential entrants or small players may be deterred from expanding by various barriers, including compliance costs, said ACCC chair Rod Sims.

Together, AFG and Connective would create the largest mortgage aggregator in Australia by a significant margin, accounting for almost 40% of all mortgage brokers operating in Australia.

However, Connective executive director Mark Haron, feels the concerns are misplaced.

ACCC has a very robust process, and we are respectful of that. But we firmly believe there will be no substantial lessening of competition from Connectives merger with AFG, he said.

Our commitment to our brokers wont change; our values remain the same. We are committed to supporting our brokers and advocating on their behalf.

According to Haron, the merged businesses not only offer consumers greater choice and brings greater competition to the market, but positions both groups to better weather the series of legislative changes down the pipe.

At a time when the industry continues to evolve to meet changing consumer demands, increased digital alternatives and regulatory scrutiny, with higher expectation and customer standards, the merger puts us in a good position to adapt to these changes, he said.

Both Connective and AFG have built their businesses on providing exceptional service to brokers, and it is critical that we continue to not only provide great service but to improve our service to retain brokers and recruit brokers into the future.

We have built our business on providing choice and flexibility for brokers, which ultimately benefits the customer. With a merged group, we will create a more comprehensive distribution channel and broader diversification of lenders and products.

Mortgage brokers and lenders can expect a greater investment in technology and compliance to keep up with the changing nature of the industry, all resulting in better outcomes for brokers, which flow through to borrowers.

More on this story in Issue 17.04 of Australian Broker  out Monday, 9 March
Cases of coronavirus in India rose to 31 on Friday after another man from Delhi tested positive for the flu-like disease which has claimed over 3,000 lives across the world.

Cases of coronavirus in India rose to 31 on Friday after another man from Delhi tested positive for the flu-like disease which has claimed over 3,000 lives across the world. Till Thursday, there were 30 positive cases domestically, including 16 tourists from Italy and their Indian guide. The latest case is Delhis third patient.

"The man has a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia. He is stable and being monitored. The total number of confirmed cases in India now stands at 31," a health ministry official said.

Seven family members of the man have been quarantined at their residence in west Delhi.

Among the 31 positive cases in the country include a 45-year-old man from Delhi's Mayur Vihar and six of his relatives from Agra whom he had recently visited. Another is a Paytm employee who works in Gurgaon and lives in west Delhi. They are all being treated at the Safdarjung hospital.

A middle-aged man from Ghaziabad, who tested positive for the virus, is being treated at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital. A 24-year-old man from Hyderabad, who has also tested positive for coronavirus, has been isolated.

The total figure of positive cases includes the first three reported from Kerala last month. All the three persons have been discharged following recovery.

On Friday, a number of events related to Holi and Women's Day were cancelled, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) asked universities to avoid large gatherings as precautionary measures against coronavirus.

The UGC directed universities to avoid any large gathering in view of the coronavirus outbreak and advised that students and staff members with travel history to the virus-affected countries be quarantined at home for 14 days.

Regarding Womens Day celebrations, the Gujarat government decided to postpone all events scheduled to be held on 8 March, as a precautionary measure, even though no confirmed case of coronavirus has been detected in the state so far, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the popular daily retreat ceremony between India and Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab will be held without public attendance from Saturday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) said it will continue performing the ceremonial duty of lowering the flag and other drills.

All Central Government employees have been exempted from marking attendance through Aadhaar-based biometric system as a preventive measure till 31 March.

Instead, they will be marking their attendance manually in the attendance register, according to a personnel ministry order.

Central armed police forces like the CRPF and the BSF have also decided to call off official events to celebrate Holi in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Harsh Vardhan holds review meeting with state, UT officials

During the day, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan held a meeting to review preparedness for COVID-19 management, through video conference with health ministers, chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, Central ministers and representatives from the related organisations, and stressed on the need for ensuring that testing and quarantine facilities, isolation wards, and labs are kept in active readiness.

He asked the states and Union territories to start an information education and communication campaign to remove misconceptions about the respiratory ailment.

Vardhan informed Lok Sabha that a total of 29,607 people are under observation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for novel coronavirus as on 5 March.

The government also said it is in discussions with Iranian authorities to bring stranded Indians back home even as a ferry flight, carrying around 300 swabs of Indians suspected to have coronavirus infection, from Tehran is set to arrive in the National Capital on Friday.

The plane, to be operated by Iran's Mahan Air, will not have any passengers and Iranians in India will be taken back in its return journey.

Aviation watchdog DGCA issued an order saying aviation personnel will be examined for cold, fever and other symptoms before they are subject to breath analyser tests. The latest instructions would be in force till 13 March.

In a latest advisory, the government said all international passengers irrespective of their nationality are mandated to undergo universal medical screening at airports.

Adequate screening measures have also been put in place and nine more airports have been added to the existing 21, bringing the total number to 30 airports where screening of passengers is being carried out.

With rumours doing the rounds that coronavirus spreads through non-vegetarian food like eggs, chicken, mutton, and seafood, Union Fisheries, Dairy and Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh asked people not to pay attention to them.

He said even the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as well as the Indian food safety regulator FSSAI have said there was no scientific evidence to prove transmission of coronavirus from animals to humans.

Delhi govt shuts anganwadis, tells schools to stop morning assemblies

The Delhi government has directed schools in the national capital to suspend morning assembly as a precautionary measure. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has also advised schools to withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders.

The primary classes of all schools in the National Capital have been closed till 31 March, but students of secondary classes and staff are required to attend school.

Anganwadis in Delhi have also been closed in view of the coronavirus scare, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

Awards functions, fashion week postponed

The 21st edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, which was scheduled to be held from 27 to 29 March at Indore and Bhopal, has been postponed in light of the coronavirus scare, organisers said.

Fresh dates and plan for hosting IIFA in the state will be announced at the earliest, an official said.

Lotus Makeup India Fashion Week, set to take place from 11 to 15 March in Delhi, was also postponed.

13 Italians kept in isolation in Punjab, Sonia tells Congress CMs to ensure precautions

In Punjab, 13 Italian tourists were kept in isolation overnight at their hotel in Amritsar by the health department to check for coronavirus symptoms.

However, they showed no symptoms of the virus in the medical check-up done on Friday and were allowed to leave for Delhi.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said no positive case of coronavirus has been reported in Punjab so far. He also said that the Punjab government has notified coronavirus as "epidemic".

Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote to the chief ministers of all states ruled by the party, instructing them to put in place effective response measures to deal with the spread of coronavirus and lend all possible support to public healthcare responders.

In Mizoram, at least 41 people who recently returned from abroad have been put under home isolation as a precautionary measure and 14,868 people have been screened for coronavirus, state Health Secretary H Lalengmawia said. He said that 41 people who recently returned from China, Singapore, Macau, Dubai, the US, Seychelles and Hongkong did not show any symptoms of novel coronavirus.

'This is not a drill', says WHO; Iran toll rises to 124

The global march of the new virus triggered a vigorous appeal from the World Health Organisation for governments to pull out all the stops to slow the epidemic, as it drained colour from India's spring festivals, closed Bethlehem's Nativity Church and blocked Italians from visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes.

As China, after arduous weeks, appeared to be winning its epic, costly battle against the coronavirus, the fight was revving up in newly affected areas of the globe, unleashing disruptions that profoundly impacted billions of people.

The UN health agency urged all countries to push this virus back, a call to action reinforced by dramatic surges in new cases. The virus has infected 98,000 people and killed over 3,300.

This is not a drill. This is not the time for giving up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva.

Iran said Friday the new coronavirus has killed 124 people amid 4,747 confirmed cases in the Islamic Republic as authorities warned they may use force to limit travel between cities.

Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour offered the figures at a televised news conference. He did not elaborate on the threat to use force, though he acknowledged the virus now was in all of Iran's 31 provinces.

The threat may be to stop people from using the closed schools and universities as an excuse to go to the Caspian Sea and other Iranian vacation spots. Semiofficial news agencies in Iran posted images of long lines of traffic of people trying to reach the Caspian coast from Tehran on Friday despite authorities earlier telling people to remain in their cities.

Iran on Thursday announced it would put checkpoints in place to limit travel between major cities, hoping to stem the spread of the virus.

With inputs from agencies
Delhis deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday took charge of the governments damage assessment survey of riot-hit localties in north-east Delhi and ordered a restart of the exercise in the light of data inaccuracies.

The communal violence that tore through north-east Delhi last week has left at least 53 dead, more than 400 injured and hundreds of houses and business enterprises burnt. The damage assessment survey is aimed at guaging the scale of violence in terms of loss to private and public property.

The deputy chief minister has roped in an expert on disaster management and another on child psychology in the ongoing relief exercise, and set up a central control room to monitor relief operation real-time at the district magistrates office in Nand Nagri.

On Friday, the deputy chief minister also announced a two-day mega drive for release of compensation to victims of the violence. The drive will be headed by six senior IAS officers, Sisodia said.

He further said that the government has so far received around 1,700 compensation forms and released ex-gratia compensation of more than Rs 88.50 lakh, after verification.

Abhinandita Mathur, advisor to the deputy chief minister and the person currently heading the control room for relief operation, said that the verification drive related to the compensation exercise will start with 1,000-odd violence displaced people who have currently taken shelter at a relief camp in Mustafabad Eidgah.

The relief operation will be followed by rehabilitation operation, said Kaushik, a former core group member with the National Disaster Management Authority, who is now part of Sisodias team. Kaushik has worked in rescue, relief and rehabilitation drives pertaining to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004, Kedarnath cloudburst in 2013 and Nepal earthquake in 2015.

The team also comprises Ranjana Prasad, a member of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Prasad is specifically dealing with the traumatised children.

DAMAGE RE-ASSESSMENT

The damage assessment exercise has to be taken up again because of inaccuracies in the interim reports filed so far. In the survey so far, each damaged building, irrespective of structure, was counted as one unit in most localities. However, the government wanted every floor in every building to be counted as one unit, said a senior officer, who is part of the exercise.

Another officer said, North-east Delhi has the highest population per square kilometer and each floor of most buildings is shared by multiple families and business entrepreneurs. The least that the government could do for an accurate assessment of damages caused by the violence was to count each floor as one unit.

The damage assessment exercise is being carried out by 18 teams led by subdivisional magistrates (SDM), who report to district magistrate (north-east Delhi) Shashi Kaushal.

An interim damage assessment report filed by Kaushals office on March 2, said at least 122 houses, 322 shops and 301 vehicles were gutted or completely damaged during the violence last week. HT had on March 3 reported that the numbers were likely to go up.

The next such interim report was submitted to Sisodia on Thursday. The report, which HT has seen, recorded that 169 houses and 339 shops were gutted or completely damaged.

Now, the numbers are likely to go further up. But it will be a much more nuanced and accurate survey, said Mathur.

On Thursday, the Delhi government had expanded the ambit of its compensation scheme, bringing it in line with the damage assessment exercise. Now for compensation too, each floor of a building will be considered as one unit. If a floor is shared by multiple occupants, the financial aid has to be shared by them.

(ends)
Bhubaneswar, March 6 : The opposition parties and servitors of Jagannath Temple in Odisha on Friday came down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik-led state government for parking over Rs 592 crore belonging to Temple in the crisis-hit Yes Bank.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed the cash-strapped bank under Central government's moratorium owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the bank.

As per the RBI directive, depositors cannot withdraw more than Rs 50,000 from their bank accounts for a month starting March 5.

The decision has now led to uncertainty over temple deposits. The term deposit was to mature this month.

Senior servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra said keeping such a huge amount in a private bank was a mistake. He also demanded action against the person responsible for parking such a huge amount in the bank.

"Those who deposited Jagannath Temple funds in Yes Bank without knowledge of the temple managing committee must have received huge kickbacks.

"It is unfortunate especially at a time when several private banks are getting bankrupt," said Jagannath Sena convenor Priyadarsan Patnaik.

Senior Congress leader Suresh Routray said the state government should clarify as to why it had decided to keep the temple funds in a private bank instead of a nationalised bank.

"We will not tolerate such mis-utilisation of the property of Lord Jagannath. We will stage a state-wide agitation if the state government fails to take any step for the recovery of the temple funds at the earliest," said the Congress leader.

Allaying all concerns, Odisha Law Minister Pratap Jena said the money is with the bank as fixed deposits and not in a savings account.

"It had been decided in the Temple managing committee that the money will be transferred to a nationalised bank once the deposits mature later this month," he said.
tech2 News Staff

NASA has announced the name of its fifth rover  Mars 2020  that will be going to the red planet in July this year

*drum roll, please*

It's going to be called 'Perseverance'.

A seventh-grade student, Alexander Mather, from Virginia, is the lucky child whose submission got picked from 28,000 entries.

In his submission essay, he wrote, We are a species of explorers, and we will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere. We, not as a nation but as humans, will not give up. The human race will always persevere into the future.

Around 4,700 people ranging from educators, professionals and space enthusiasts from around the country volunteered to review the submissions and help narrow the list down to 155 semi-finalists, and then nine finalists. The public then got the chance to take a dig at choosing a name. For five days, people all over the US voted 770,000 times for the name they liked.

Perseverance is the latest in a long line of Red Planet rovers to be named by school-age children, from Sojourner in 1997 to the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which landed on Mars in 2004, to Curiosity, which has been exploring Mars since 2012. In each case, the name was selected following a nationwide contest. The finalists also spoke to a team of expert panelists that included Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division; NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins; rover driver Nick Wiltsie at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California; and Clara Ma, who, as a sixth-grade student in 2009, named Curiosity.

It was a long journey for little Alex who submitted his 'Name the rover' essay back in 2019.

He will now get a chance to travel with his family to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to witness the rover begin its journey when it launches, and will always be associated with this mission.

But NASA has not forgotten the other finalists. They get to have their name stenciled on the rover that will go to Mars.

"They came so far, and their expressive submissions helped make this naming contest the biggest and best in NASA history," said Glaze in a statement. "So, we decided to send them a little farther  314 million miles farther. All 155 semifinalists proposed rover names and essays have been stenciled onto a silicon chip with lines of text smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair and will be flown to Mars aboard the rover.

Perseverance currently is undergoing final assembly and checkout at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Its targeted to land on Mars Jezero Crater on 18 February 2021.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. For the first time since 1967 the police of Israel fined a young man for spitting at an Armenian clergyman in Jerusalem, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Koryun Baghdasaryan said on Facebook.

We are pleased to inform that for the first time since 1967 the police of Israel made a decision to fine a law-abiding citizen for spitting at an Armenian clergyman. The incident took place a year ago. A Jewish young man, when he saw the Armenian clergymen in Old City of Jerusalem, spat several times at one of them. The man was immediately surrendered to the police accompanying the procession, and then the clergyman applied to the police over the case. After questioning and receiving eyewitness reports, on March 5 the police officially notified the Armenian clergyman in a letter that they made a decision to fine that Jewish man 1500 Shekels [over 205,000 AMD or 435 USD], Koryun Baghdasaryan said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Have you ever danced your heart out on Livin La Vida Loca in a closed room all alone? Or have you sung Hero at almost every Karaoke party you have gone to during your childhood? If yes, you're in for a treat, because Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin have announced that they are teaming up for a tour together.

Instagram

Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin have announced that they are teaming up for their first-ever arena tour of North America.

The two of the Latin Music's biggest stars will kick-start their tour on Sep 5 with a gig in Phoenix and will hit venues all over North America through the end of October.

etonline.com

The performances has been lined up for Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Miami and many more locations before the tour wraps up on Oct 30 in Atlanta.

Colombian pop star Sebastian Yatra will join Iglesias and Martin as the tour's special guest and solo opening act.

Ricky Martin, who is best known for hit tracks including Cup of Life and Mara, is set to release his new album titled Movimiento later this year. Enrique Iglesias has given popular hits like Bailamos, Rhythm Divine and Escape.


[Read more on the Supreme Courts decision on President Trump and DACA.]

WASHINGTON  Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, is trying to revive a broad overhaul of the nations immigration system, anticipating that a looming Supreme Court ruling on an Obama-era program that protects young, undocumented immigrants could give the nettlesome issue new life.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Kushner met with Republican senators at the White House on Thursday to discuss a range of immigration issues, including construction of the presidents long-desired border wall, crossings at the border, potential immigration legislation and the case before the Supreme Court. That case could decide the fate of immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, then protected by President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

White House aides have also briefed Senate Republican leaders and business groups in recent weeks.

The proposal is nearly identical to one that Mr. Kushner tried to push last year, with little open support from business leaders and none from Democrats.

It would decrease the number of family-based immigration visas and increase employment-based visas, according to people briefed on the plan. The White House has insisted it would streamline the process and make it easier for H-1B high-skilled worker visas to be obtained. But some activists say that it would most likely toughen the standards for applying for asylum, and that a new application process would make securing H-1B visas more difficult, not easier.
On March 3, 2020, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered preliminary injunction orders against Kenneth D. Courtright, III and the company he founded and led as Chairman, Todays Growth Consultant Inc. (TGC), which currently operates under a Court-appointed receiver. The SEC previously charged Courtright and TGC with operating an alleged Ponzi-like scheme that raised at least $75 million from more than 500 investors throughout the United States and abroad in connection with the offer and sale of investment contracts called Consulting Performance Agreements.

The SEC's complaint, filed on December 27, 2019, alleges that, from at least 2017 through December 2019, TGC and Courtright operated a Ponzi-like scheme. In exchange for an investor's "upfront fee," TGC claimed that it would either buy or build a website for the investor, and develop, market, and maintain the website. As alleged, TGC falsely promised that it would use investors' funds exclusively for expenses related to the investor's website. In reality, as alleged, the sales were conducted through unregistered securities offerings, and TGC used new investors' funds to pay investor returns and Courtright's personal expenses.

The Court's order enjoins Courtright and TGC, which also operated under the name "The Income Store," from violations of the antifraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws. It prohibits Courtright from offering or otherwise engaging in securities transactions. It also extends the asset freeze and other emergency measures originally ordered by the Court thereby preserving what assets existed when the case was filed. The receiver will continue to marshall and preserve TGC's assets.

The SEC's litigation is being handled by Suzanne J. Romajas and Michael J. Brennan, with assistance from Patrick L. Feeney, and supervised by Stephan Schlegelmilch. The SEC's investigation is continuing.
A Belgian man has recovered his 200,000-euro watch which was swiped from his wrist by a 28-year-old Spanish national in Puerto Banus.

He chased after the thief and, during a struggle, the thief fell to the ground, knocking himself unconscious.

The tourist, 36, assisted the man after retrieving his watch from the his pockets.

An ambulance was called and the thief was taken to hospital.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Here are some stocks that are in the news today:

M&M: February production down 56 percent to 25,643 units, sales down 43 percent to 30,083 units YoY.

Dr Reddy's Lab - USFDA issues Form 483 with 3 observations for API manufacturing plant at Miryalaguda, Telangana

Cyient appoints Karthikeyan Natarajan as President, COO

JSW Steel: Moody's has changed the outlook on the company's ratings to stable from positive; affirmed Ba2 ratings.

Yes Bank: SBI, LIC likely to pick up 24.5 percent stake each in the bank - CNBC-TV18 sources.

Yes Bank decided not to exercise call option for redemption of bonds due on March 5

Will continue to evaluate redemption or buyback of bonds

Pidilite: Company incorporates JV to carry on construction business using C-Techos Wall Tech.

Lupin: Company launched generic Vimovo tablets in the USA.

Sagar Cement - Cement production for February 2020 is down 7.9 percent at 2,07,860 MT and sales down 2.5 percent at 2,12,002 MT, YoY

ITD Cementation - CARE has reviewed the credit rating and removed the credit rating from 'credit watch with developing implications'' and ''Stable'' outlook reinstated to long term ratings

Force Motors February 2020 production stood at 1864 units, sales at 2000 units and exports at 117 units

Music Broadcast redeemed last outstanding NCDs of Rs 50 crores to become almost debt free

HCC default in loans stand at Rs 622.26 crore

Sudarshan Chemical clarified that all plants are fully compliant with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Ester Industries to expand its BOPET Film capacity

Syndicate Bank: Board approved share swap ratio for the merger with Canara Bank.

Union Bank: Board approved share exchange ratio for the merger with Andhra Bank & Corporation Bank. Approved share swap ratio at 325 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Andhra Bank and at 330 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Corporation Bank.

PNB: Board approved share exchange ratio for the merger with OBC and United Bank.

JSW Steel: ICRA revised the long-term credit rating of the company to AA-.

JSW Energy: Promoters created a pledge on 1.25 crore shares (0.75 percent equity) from February 27 to March 3.

Board meetings

The respective boards of Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Marico, Power Grid, A.k. Capital Services, Alphageo (India), Elgi Equipments, Great Eastern Shipping Company, Havells India, Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals, Kirloskar Oil Engines and Nocil will meet on March 6 to consider and approve interim dividends.

Bulk deals
The Income Tax Department has summoned senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel in connection with a tax evasion probe linked to monetary transactions of the party, officials said on Friday.

They said Patel has been sent a fresh notice to appear in person in his capacity as the treasurer of the Congress.

There was no immediate reaction from Patel to the fresh summons.

Patel, also a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat, had informed the department that he was unwell when the first summons were sent to him for appearance in February.

He is now supposed to appear before the department early next month.

The officials said the department wants to question Patel and understand the income, donations and expenses of the Congress and confront him with documents, related to the party's purported funding, seized after searches last year at various locations in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

It suspects irregularities in these transactions and has also has grilled about a dozen Congress office-bearers in the past.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which makes policy for the Income Tax (I-T) Department, had said in a statement in November last year that the raids were conducted at 42 locations including in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Erode to unearth a large tax evasion nexus in the first week of that month.

The searches were on a group of people issuing bogus bills and conducting alleged hawala transactions, it had said.

These raids are said to be linked to probe in this case.

Raids conducted by the taxman at 52 locations in Madhya Pradesh, including at the premises of Chief Minister Kamal Nath's aides, last year have also led to the recovery of certain "documents and evidence" which form the basis of this case.

The CBDT had said the I-T department had detected a "widespread and well-organised" hawala racket of about Rs 281 crore during raids against the close aides of Nath, who is also the president of the party unit in Madhya Pradesh, and others.

It said I-T sleuths had recovered Rs 14.6 crore of "unaccounted" cash and seized diaries and computer files of suspect payments made between people in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photo: Josh Beasley/Flickr

Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Nashville. Nashville tornado struck Old Tennessee State Prison, where 'The Green Mile,' 'Walk the Line' were filmed Read the full story on Fox News. Black Rifle Coffee County hosts charity drive to support relief efforts after Nashville tornado Read the full story on www.manchestertimes.com. Falafel shop owner opens pop-up kitchen to help tornado victims in Nashville Read the full story on ABC News. Official: Nashville voters turned out in tornados aftermath Read the full story on Boston Herald. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

The powerful tornado that roared through the cover of darkness as it bore down on the Nashville area early Tuesday left extensive damage at an abandoned prison notable for moments on the silver screen.

In the wake of deadly tornadoes that hit Nashville last Tuesday, Black Rifle Coffee is hosting a charity drive at its Manchester, TN coffee shop.

The aftermath of Monday's devastating tornadoes in Tennessee left a Nashville community reeling, but amid the terror and confusion, many are coming together to help in the recovery.
Prince William loves Europe  hes spent the past few days trying to sample one of its finest products properly. The Duke of Cambridge complained that hes only managed a few sips of Guinness during his trip to Ireland before officials remove his pint glass. Boris Johnson will know the feeling. Just when he things he can taste an ambitious free trade deal, those pesky bureaucrats whisk it away again. Whatever hes been drinking, Michel Barnier appears in quarrelsome mood. The EUs chief negotiator has warned the PM there are serious differences blocking a post-Brexit agreement. Im Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independents daily Inside Politics briefing.

Inside the bubble

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick on what to look out for today:
Despite the revolution brought on by the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action twenty-five years ago, now is "no time for complacency," cautioned UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet.

Bachelet was speaking at a High Level panel at the Human Rights Council in Geneva to look back at the progress achieved in the past 25 years in reaching equal rights for women.

She pointed out that, among other developments, over 140 countries now guarantee gender parity in their constitutions and ten more have enacted laws on sexual harassment. Further, the percentage of women in paid jobs has increased and countries have significantly more data on violence against women.

However, Bachelet cautioned, the risks of setbacks are growing. "We are seeing the resurgence of narratives against gender equality based on centuries-long discrimination," she said. "We must resist all challenges to hard-won affirmation of what we know: that women's rights are human rights  in their universality and indivisibility, and for all women, in their full and free diversity," she added.

The Beijing Conference as a standards creator

As a young Nepalese journalist attending the forth conference on women in 1995, Bandana Rana, now Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), was overcome then with what she described as "the euphoria and power of a collective movement" that changed her life. She felt a strong urge to defend the women and girls who are exploited and discriminated against, and never looked back.

"The ground-breaking Beijing Platform for Action has been a strong guiding framework throughout my journey as an advocate for gender equality and peace, and 25 years later remains even more relevant to protect human rights and gender equality," Rana Said.

CEDAW, with its constructive dialogue and its recommendations can help countries measure their progress, and through that mechanism she witnesses the interconnectedness of Beijing commitments and changes that take place on the ground, Rana pointed out.

"With its legislative framework the CEDAW Committee is helping Member States in building their accountability to a world free from violence, stigma and stereotype; where there are no child marriages; where there is equal pay for equal work; and a world that establishes lasting peace and security of all," she said.

"We need to create effective institutions and allocate adequate resources for women to realize their rights. We need to listen to the voices of women and young girls. The different needs of women, in the public as well as the private sphere, must be addressed," she added.

The struggle for women's equality fought on "a battlefield"

Magalys Arocha Dominguez, Expert on Human Rights and Gender Equality, described the Beijing Conference and its agreements as "a battlefield."

"Several issues were hostages of the most backward and reactionary forces: economic resources, sexual and reproductive rights, armed conflicts. The concept of gender, sexual and family diversity, among others, was strongly debated, under pressure and threats," Arocha Dominguez said.

Twenty-five years on, in Geneva, Arocha Dominguez called for more strategies and action to eliminate harmful practices and male supremacy, and the sexist stereotypes that are the basis of all discrimination and violence against women and distinctions made among women themselves.

"Women's equality cannot be achieved in isolation; it requires structural changes within societies," she added.

Today, more girls are in school than ever before and the gender gap in school enrolment is closing, pointed out Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN-Women. Fewer women, she added, are dying in childbirth because more are able to access maternity care. She regretted, however, the lack of substantive equality for women in particular on the economic front; the persistence of violence against women and girls; and the ecological breakdown that have put women at the forefront of environmental movements.

Mlambo-Ngcuka announced that she is hoping that the Generation Equality Forum, to be hosted later this year in Mexico and France, would bring six Action Coalitions that would deliver concrete, game-changing results for women and girls over the next five years.

6 March 2020
A post-primary school teacher should not have been put into a less advantageous pension scheme by the Department of Education following its introduction eight years ago under emergency measures to deal with the financial crisis, the High Court has ruled.

Enda ORourke worked since 2007 as a technical subjects teacher in the fee paying Wesley College in Ballinteer, Dublin.

From 2007 to 2016, he was paid directly by the college and was employed as a substitute teacher, providing special needs education, teaching supervision, general supervision as well as substitution duties

In 2016, he was designated a part-time teacher which was an incremental post of one years duration.

Teachers pay had been reduced under the 2013 Financial Measures in the Public Interest Act.

Industrial unrest followed and led to the Haddington Road agreement which made Mr ORourkes supervision and substitution work no longer optional and unpaid.

Unless they were eligible to opt out, all teachers had to participate and Mr ORouke was not eligible. He continued to provide supervision/substitution for 57 weeks between October 2013 and November 2014.

He was already enrolled in the 2009 Secondary, Community and Comprehensive School Teachers Pension Scheme.

But a new law was passed in 2012 - the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 - which closed that 2009 pension scheme.

All new entrants were put into what was called the Single Pension Scheme which was less advantageous than the 2009 scheme.

After he was officially designated a regular part-time teacher in 2016, his payslip now had him on the new 2012 pension scheme.

He protested and was told that because he had a break in his employment for more than 26 weeks, on his return to employment he had to be entered, as part of the legislation, into the new 2012 single pensions scheme.

The break referred to was the 57 weeks in 2013/14 when he continued to provide supervision/substitution but for which he was not paid and which was well in excess of 26 weeks.

He brought judicial review proceedings arguing he never resigned, retired, or ceased to serve as a teacher in Wesley College. He maintained he was wrongfully removed from the old pension scheme.

The Department of Education and Skills argued, among other things, that the 57 week period of not being paid amounted to ceasing to serve in a public body.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan, in a judgment published this week, said Wesley was a public body as it qualified as being wholly or partly funded by the State.

Mr ORourkes property rights are protected by the Constitution. The judge said the Supreme Court has found where there are implications in legislation for those rights, they must be expressed with reasonable clarity.

To accept the Departments argument that Mr ORouke ceases to serve meant offending that principle by saying he had ceased to serve as a pensionable public servant. The court was being asked to read words into the 2012 single pension scheme legislation which were not there.

In the judges view this was not permissible as the court would in effect be rewriting part of the legislation.

He found Mr ORouke did not cease to serve in public body, there was no break in his service and he was wrongfully removed from the more advantageous 2009 Pension Scheme.
Saudi Arabias oil giant Aramco usually tells customers on the 5th of each month how much they will pay for Saudi crude oil for the following month. But this month the 5th is not just any ordinary dateapart from the coronavirus outbreak, Saudi Aramco should take into account the OPEC+ decision about deeper cuts in Q2and this decision will come on the 6th.

So Aramco, which in ten years has never missed publishing its official selling prices (OSPs) for the following month on the 5th of each month, has postponed the pricing announcement from Thursday to Saturday, sources familiar with the plans told Bloomberg on Thursday.

In pricing its oil, Saudi Arabia takes into account the availability of its oil and the overall demand on the markets in various regionsand the availability metric is unquantifiable as of Thursday.

OPEC proposed on Thursday that the OPEC+ coalition, which includes the non-OPEC partners led by Russia, deepen the production cuts by 1.5 million bpd in Q2. Such a deal hinges on Russias approval, and Russiaas usualis not giving away anything ahead of the very day of the full meeting of the OPEC and non-OPEC producers, which is set for Friday.

Saudi Aramco, the state-owned firm of OPECs largest producer, is thus waiting for the official decision for cuts (or no cuts) in order to set its official selling prices for April.

Last month, Saudi Arabia reacted to the depressed demand in Asia due to the coronavirus by slashing its official selling prices (OSPs) to the region for March.

According to a Reuters poll of six refiners, Aramco is expected to further slash its OSP for its flagship Arab Light grade bound for Asia for April by US$2.04 a barrel on average, which would be the deepest cut in Saudi pricing in more than eight yearssince early 2012, as per Refinitiv Eikon data.

A second consecutive cut in prices for Asia suggests that demand has slumped in the key oil growth market due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Last week, Saudi Arabia was said to be cutting its crude exports to China by at least 500,000 bpd in March because of a slump in refinery demand amid the outbreak.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
When Roy Wood Jr. walked into a classroom on the second floor of Booker T. Washington Elementary school, he came prepared to speak to local news crews. Wood had a message: Put your money where your mouth is.

The comedian, who grew up in Birmingham, has been working behind the scenes to help raise awareness about Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR), a local organization that provides weekly reading tutoring to second graders, and Reading Royale, the programs annual fundraiser. This year, the casino-themed benefit is on Saturday, March 7, at Cahaba Brewing.

In town recently from New York, Wood made time in his schedule to visit the organizations site at Washington Elementary.

When were talking about education, it all starts with literacy, said Wood. And if you have a good foundation and a good backbone when it comes to literacy, then the world is your oyster. So, its beautiful to be here and see it all in person."

The Birmingham chapter of STAIR started in 2000 with 12 students and 25 volunteers. Now in its 20th year, the program has 250 students and 500 volunteers at 14 schools around the city. On Feb. 25, STAIR opened its newest site at Sun Valley Elementary, with 12 students and 25 volunteers. Executive director Liz Edwards says the program wants to grow even more to meet its high demand.

We have several schools on our waiting list, said Edwards. "Its just a matter of identifying tutors that want to serve and raising funds to be able to support the program.

We did invite Roy here, Edwards told AL.com. We had a board member who knew Roy and they reached out to him and said the next time youre in town, wed really like you to come see this program. 

Wood heard about STAIR in 2019 and wanted to learn more, so he coordinated a time to visit one of the programs sites.

He spent the first part of his visit greeting and chatting with Washington staff. Next, he met with a small group of reporters. Behind him, second graders sat at tables, quietly reading with their tutors.

Sporting a grey suit and tie  the attire he wears as correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah  the good-natured comedian was ready to give a few statements on the significance of reading and literacy. He wanted to make sure he got his wording exactly right, even stopping and restarting a few takes as he spoke to the cameras.

When asked, Roy, why is reading and literacy so important to you? his talent for weaving social commentary with humor started to take over.

Reading and literacy is important because I also am a person that needed tutoring in those categories. Especially math, Wood said, laughing. Once we got into math, then it was all out of hand.

Chuckling, he paused to think and rephrase  Hold on, let me say that one more time.

A STAIR of Birmingham tutor sits with a student. The literacy program started in Birmingham in 2000. (Shauna Stuart for AL.com)

People familiar with Wood know hes serious about giving back to his hometown. Hes a product of the Birmingham city school system an alum of Central Park Elementary, Center Street Middle School and Ramsay High School.

I intend to donate money to STAIR of Birmingham and I encourage everyone else in the city of Birmingham to do the same, said Wood, directing people to the organizations website. Make sure these children are supported. Make sure that they get the one on one literacy training that they need so that they can take your job one day, Wood added.

The team with STAIR Birmingham stood nearby, smiling.

Wood has openly embraced being an ambassador to Alabama. In an effort to bring more film and TV jobs to Birmingham, Wood shot the pilot to his sitcom, Jefferson County Probation, in the city. He used Alabama-based casting agencies to help find extras. A few members of the films production crew, including the lead production assistant, were Alabama residents.

John Myatt (left) Deborah Witcher (center) the director and assistant director of STAIR Birmingham's Booker T. Washington site, pose with Roy Wood. Jr. (right)

Wood hopes to recreate a similar scenario when he returns to Birmingham to reshoot parts of the pilot in the spring.

Ive always been looking for opportunities in Birmingham to give back. And its always cool to be able to give back in a larger capacity in regards to film and television. But, when you really look at the way were assisted in this community, its one on one. Its bit by bit. Its person by person, Wood told AL.com later that afternoon.

Making a difference in the city doesnt always have to be a large scale-production, Wood explained, saying small donations of money and time to local programs are equally as helpful.

Now in its 20th year, STAIR of Birmingham has 250 students and 500 volunteers at 14 schools around the city. (Shauna Stuart for AL.com)

Were at Booker T. Washington. Im a graduate of Center Street Middle School. R.I.P. Center Street, said Wood using a little humor to pay homage to the school that closed in 2013. But Center Street is not far away from here. So, to be able to be back in the same neighborhood that you came up and to try to give back, not just through money, but through your time  thats very important to me.

Also, said Wood, making a quick quip, I have to come back to Birmingham often because my mama got chores for me.

Wood cracked a couple more jokes as he took a tour of the site and greeted students with Booker T. Washingtons STAIR site director John Myatt (I want to see whats going on. Also, Im going to check out the snacks.) The men met for the first time that afternoon, but they spoke like old friends.

When I started at STAIR, we were busing the children from this school to Westminster Presbyterian Church down there on Sixth Avenue, Myatt told AL.com.  We did that for my first three years. And then, they stopped the busing and started having the program here at the school.

Myatt started volunteering with STAIR in 2012 after retiring as the operations manager for FedEx.

A friend asked me to come and check the program out to see if I would enjoy it, and did. I love working with the kids and Ive realized the need. Because they need it so much, said Myatt. "So I volunteered for both days, until they decided to make me site director.

STAIR Booker T. Washington site director John Myatt , STAIR site director Liz Edwards and comedian Roy Wood Jr. pose for a photo during a site visit in February. (Shauna Stuart for AL.com)

Edwards says STAIR has a really good return rate with volunteers, who love being engaged with students and come back year after year.

STAIR has attracted the attention of celebrities and politicians from Alabama, from meteorologist James Spann to members of Birminghams city council and school board, who have visited program sites. Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin paid STAIR a visit last year. In 2018, U.S. Sen Doug Jones came to read to students at Oliver Elementary School in Woodlawn, making good on a promise to visit after the children tweeted him an invite.

Edwards says STAIR organizers love when people come to see the program in action to see the difference it makes in a childs life.

Our shirts that the kids (wear) say Read Better Dream Bigger. And Doug Jones and Roy are both products of what can happen when you do that. So, we love talking to the kids about what their future might be able to hold, said Edwards. They love having guests and visitors and showing off what theyve been able to accomplish when they work hard and do their best.

STAIR of Birmingham executive director Liz Edwards says the program has a really good return rate with volunteers, who love interacting with students. (Shauna Stuart for AL.com)

STAIR organizers will continue to talk with city schools about expanding their services and next year, says Edwards, the program will start working with first graders. The goal: to help students become stronger readers by engaging them earlier.

Once they get to fourth grade, they are expected to read to learn and no longer be learning to read, said Edwards. So we feel like its important to start serving first graders and really close the gap for students who may not be reading as well as they like to be.

DETAILS:

STAIR of Birmingham will hold its annual fundraiser, Reading Royale, on March 7th at Cahaba Brewing from 7-11PM. Tickets are $40 and include 2 beverages, food, and casino chips. Tickets can be purchased at stairbirmingham.org/readingroyale.
Diseases often pile on, coinfecting people, animals and other organisms that are already fighting an infection. In one of the first studies of its kind, bioscientists from Rice University and the University of Michigan have shown that interactions between pathogens in individual hosts can predict the severity of multipathogen epidemics.

In lab experiments, scientists explored how the timing of bacterial and fungal infections in individual zooplankton impacted the severity of bacterial and fungal epidemics in zooplankton populations. The study, published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, showed that the order of infections in individual hosts can change the course of an epidemic.

"It's well known that the way parasites and pathogens interact within hosts can alter disease transmission, but the question has been, 'What information do you need to gather about those interactions to be able to predict the severity of an epidemic?'" said corresponding author Patrick Clay, a University of Michigan postdoctoral associate who conducted the research during his Ph.D. studies at Rice.

"What we showed is that you need to understand how infection order alters within-host interactions to be able to predict the severity of epidemics," he said. "We particularly need this information to predict how changes in the timing of an epidemic relative to co-occurring epidemics alters epidemic severity."

The research does not apply to the coronavirus.

"This applies to situations where multiple epidemics are simultaneously occurring and where the co-occurring pathogens interact within hosts," said study co-author Volker Rudolf, Clay's Ph.D. adviser at Rice. "There is no data to suggest that this is the case for COVID-2019."

But coinfections are common in humans and wildlife populations, and because they are difficult to study, much is still unknown about how they alter epidemic dynamics, Rudolf said.

Disease biology and epidemiology have historically focused on one-on-one interactions: one pathogen, one hos. However, scientists increasingly recognize that diseases don't exist in a vacuum. In reality, a diverse community of parasites and pathogens are out there, and they interact with each other. This study emphasizes a more holistic, almost community type of approach to studying infectious diseases." Volker Rudolf, professor of biosciences at Rice University

The study combined experiments with epidemiology models and computer simulations.

The zooplankton species used in the experiments, Daphnia dentifera, is a small crustacean that's both abundant and ecologically important in lakes across the U.S. Midwest. Zooplankton are also transparent, and Clay used a microscope to detect and monitor the growth of fungal and bacterial spores inside the animals. By altering the order of infection in test populations and examining thousands of individuals, he was able to document crucial differences in the way the pathogens interacted inside hosts.

"The order in which pathogens infect the host determines how they interact in the host, and this interaction ultimately determines how epidemics play out in the entire host population," he said.

Clay created epidemiological models that predicted the dynamics of fungal and bacterial epidemics in zooplankton populations that had one or both infections, when either the fungal or bacterial epidemic came before the other. He also spent months monitoring how epidemics progressed over many generations of infected and coinfected zooplankton populations.

By comparing data from experimental epidemics and computer simulations, Clay and Rudolf were able to determine what information was crucial to reliably predict how diseases would spread in coinfected populations.

"When we used models that ignored interactions between pathogens within coinfected hosts completely, the predictions were terrible," Rudolf said. "The models improved somewhat once we accounted for interactions between coinfecting pathogens, but it was still completely off on what proportion of individuals got infected. Only when we also specifically accounted for how the order of pathogen infections altered interactions within a host were we able to accurately predict epidemics, including how long an epidemic lasts and the proportion of hosts the pathogens infected."

Clay said the work is important because climate change will alter the timing of seasonal epidemics in many species, and understanding the impact of timing on epidemics will be crucial for ecologists. And his coinfection model could be useful for studying the severity of overlapping epidemics in other species.

"The model does not have anything in it that is specific to zooplankton," he said. "It uses parameters like the rate at which hosts are dying, the rate at which new hosts are being born, the rate at which the disease is transmitted, and you can measure those for any disease."

But the crucial metrics from his experiments, the data describing how order of infection altered within-host interactions between pathogens, are often either unknown or uncollected. And Clay hopes that will change.

"I hope this will influence people to look at what happens when you alter the order of infection in coinfected hosts," he said. "Because we've shown that that information is vital for predicting epidemics, and if people start gathering that information now they will be more prepared to predict the severity of future epidemics."
PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-06 20:15:49

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Full-Length Video Coverage Archives Now Available: AOL & Revolution's Steve Case, Greencroft's Alan Patricof, Yahoo's Julia La Roche, Aurora Capital's Gerald Parsky and fireside chat at The Greenwich Economic Forum live from Greenwich, ConnecticutNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Equities News announces the release of Steve Case, Founder of AOL and Revolution, Alan Patricof, Founder of Greycroft, Julia La Roche, Correspondent for Yahoo Finance and Gerald Parsky, Founder of Aurora Capital, discussing Venture Capital in panel video archives live from Greenwich Economic Forum.See full-length video archive coverage of this dynamic session with top venture capital leaders. The Greenwich Economic Forum is a global alternative investment industry conference that convenes some of the brightest minds in global finance for discussions on global trade, capital markets and, investing - representing more than $17 trillion AUM.Highlights2018 saw over $254B invested into 18,000 startups globally via venture capital financingAurora Capital Group Manages over $2B in private equity capitalIn 2018, 52% of Global VC investments were in U.S. alone, totaling $130.9 billionGreycroft has two funds: Greycroft venture, a $256M venture fund and Greycroft II a $256M Growth-stage fundWatch full-Length video: See Full-length CoverageEvent DetailsEvent: Greenwich Economic ForumGuests: Steve Case, Alan Patricof, Gerald Parsky and Julia La RocheRelease Dates: Mar 6, 2020Location: Greenwich, ConnecticutNetwork: Equities NewsShow: Traders Network ShowTranscript: Alan Patricof, Julia La Roche, Gerald Parsky, Steve Case Archive & TranscriptExecutive Producer: Matt BirdYouTube Archive: Click HereGEF2019: Equities News Portal PageAbout Greenwich Economic ForumThe Greenwich Economic Forum is an elite international gathering of leaders in global finance.Founded in 2018 by Wall Street veterans Bruce McGuire and Jim Aiello, GEF convenes some of the brightest minds in global finance, business, media and Government for discussion and debate on the defining issues of our times. Topics on the agenda of the Forum include central bank policy, global markets & asset allocation, international trade policy, ESG investing, and the bilateral relationship between the US and China.Greenwich is famous as the "hedge fund capital of the world" and many of the leading hedge fund and private equity firms are represented at the Forum. While a finance conference at its core, GEF strives to promote diversity of connectivity and thought and we welcome cultural influencers to join the discussion.About Traders Network ShowThe Traders Network Show (an Equities News original program) is a not-for-profit business news program covering full-length economic development and impact events around the Greenwich; Greenwich Economic Forum, OECD, EU Parliament, Vatican, U.S. Department of Commerce, United Nations and more.Hosted by Matt Bird and David Nelson, the Traders Network Show interviews the front-page titans, government officials, CEO's, influencers and power executives making headlines today on how economic development and impact strategy is shaping our emerging growth economies.Follow: www.tradersnetworkshow.com | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | InstagramAbout Equities News | Equities.com Equities News ( www.equities.com) is a digital news agency - a leading producer, aggregator, and provider of full-length video and editorial coverage of financial, economic development, policy, sustainability, and impact events worldwide. The Equities News network reaches more than 40 million households with its original content syndicated across all four major news networks and dozens of financial and business portals, magazines, and newspapers. Equities News operates five news bureaus: New York, Los Angeles, Vatican City, Baku, and Brussels. Equities provides turn-key hosted and monetized business news solutions for publishers worldwide.For more information: Equities.com | Instagram |Facebook | LinkedIn*Equities News are proud supporters of the UN SDGs and Humanity 2.0CONTACTS:Business & Strategic Partnerships Contact:Matt BirdPresidentEquities News | Equities.com C: +1 646.401.4499E: matt@ equities.com Matt Bird's LinkedInMedia Contact:Nicole LiddyCommunication CoordinatorEquities News | Equities.com C: +1 848.702.4173E: nicole.liddy@equities.com SOURCE: Equities News
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins earlier this week honoured two Maynooth University scientists, Assistant Prof Joanne Masterson and Assistant Prof Eoin McNamee, at a special ceremony in Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin.

Dr Masterson and Dr McNamee, who are married to each other, started out as science undergraduates in Maynooth University over twenty years ago, specialising in the field of biology and inflammatory disease. On Monday, 2 March they were among ten recipients of the SFI President of Ireland Future Researchers Award.

The SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Programme recruits and retains outstanding and emerging early career research leaders with exceptional accomplishments in scientific and engineering domains.

Dr Joanne Masterson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, where she leads the Allergy, Inflammation and Remodelling Research (AIRR) laboratory. She received an award of 1,572,600 for her research on the rapidly emerging allergic disease, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, which is a chronic clinicopathologic allergic gastrointestinal disorder, and an increasing clinical problem.

Although immense efforts have been invested in understanding the clinical course and natural history of this emerging disease, to date there is a paucity of therapeutic modalities and no cure. Her research is entitled, Transcriptional Mechanisms Controlling Epithelial Cell Fate Determination during Allergic Esophageal Inflammation in Eosinophilic Oesophagitis.

Dr Eoin McNamee is an Assistant Professor and the Principle Investigator of the Mucosal Immunology Research Lab in the Department of Biology and the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute. He received an award of 1,488,046 for his research on MicroRNA control of Mucosal Inflammation, which is linked to Crohns disease & Ulcerative Colitis.

The inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD; namely Crohns disease & Ulcerative Colitis) affects 2.5 million people in Europe (up to 40,000 in Ireland), with limited treatment options and no cure.

Dr Joanne Masterson said: Receiving this prestigious SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Award has allowed me to move the research programme that I had established at the University of Colorado School of Medicine back to Ireland, and recruit an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers to work together on our state-of-the-art, globally competitive research.

This will place Ireland at the forefront of global research into the development of Eosinophilic Oesophagitis and will support the scientific talent of tomorrow in this challenging area of rapidly emerging allergic diseases. It is even more exciting that I get to share this day with my husband Eoin McNamee who is also receiving his own Future Research Leader Award today. These awards allow us to continue our scientific journeys together, that began over 20 years ago as curious and determined undergraduate science students at Maynooth University.

On receiving the award, Dr Eoin McNamee said: "I am delighted to receive the SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders award which will allow me to establish a cutting-edge research program at Maynooth University.

This substantial funding will enable me to recruit an interdisciplinary team of scientists to explore the underlying causes of inflammatory bowel diseases and to test novel therapeutic approaches."



Maynooth University Vice-President for Research and Innovation, Prof Ray ONeill, congratulated Dr Masterson and Dr McNamee on their awards: Dr Masterson and Dr McNamee are two outstanding scientists, and I warmly congratulate them on these awards. Their successes speak volumes about the importance and strength of life sciences research at Maynooth.

Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland said:

Science Foundation Irelands overarching aim is to contribute to the betterment of our society and economy through the transformative research we support. The SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Award recognises outstanding new research leadership and talent. I am delighted to see the ten awardees choosing to come to Ireland to continue their work and congratulate them on their achievements.



We are dedicated to supporting research leaders with ideas to drive innovation and assist Ireland and the world in meeting the many challenges we face, from climate change, supporting healthy ageing and understanding the universe, she concluded.
DUBLIN, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "France - FY 2020 Defense Budget Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand and an analysis of industry leading companies.

The report offers detailed analysis of the French defense market with forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the market, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.



In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:

The French defense market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the French defense industry during 2020-2024, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country's expenditure and modernization patterns.

Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget with respect to procurement, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and others expenditure.

Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country's imports and exports over the last five years.

Market opportunities: details of the top defense investment opportunities over the next 10 years.

Vendor landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the vendor landscape of the French defense market.

Key Highlights



The French total defense budget includes acquisition, operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses and other defense funds. The Armed Forces' total budget has increased from US$46.5 billion in 2016 to US$53.9 billion in 2020, featuring a 3% CAGR over the historic period.

in 2016 to in 2020, featuring a 3% CAGR over the historic period. The budget for FY2020 shows a decline when applied to the US$ exchange rate, but the French government actually boasts its third consecutive year of increase, following President Macron's commitment to bolster the French defense apparatus.

Facing a multiplicity of threats, including jihadist activity in Sahel and the return to great power competition against Russia and China , France's strategy is aiming at ensuring the country's sovereignty and global position militarily. On this background, the government intends to close the gap with its 2% of GDP defense budget commitment before 2025.

and , strategy is aiming at ensuring the country's sovereignty and global position militarily. On this background, the government intends to close the gap with its 2% of GDP defense budget commitment before 2025. For the second year of the current Military Planning Law ( Loi de programmation militaire, LPM) 2019-2025, the French government pledged an annual EUR1.7 billion increase in the defense budget until 2022, and then EUR3 billion until 2025.

programmation militaire, LPM) 2019-2025, the French government pledged an annual increase in the defense budget until 2022, and then until 2025. 2020 will see an increase from US$51.5 billion to US$53.9 billion , reflecting the governmental objective of EUR1.7 billion . Interestingly, most of this increase will go to the acquisition budget, bolstering the French armed forces procurement and RDT&E efforts.

to , reflecting the governmental objective of . Interestingly, most of this increase will go to the acquisition budget, bolstering the French armed forces procurement and RDT&E efforts. The acquisition share in the total FY2020 defense budget will climb to 27.3%, from 24.5% in FY2019, for an absolute value of US$14.7 billion . This increase represents a growth of 17%, unseen during the historic period.

Reasons to Buy

This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the French defense market trends for the coming five years.

The market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast period.

Companies Mentioned



Dassault Aviation S.A.

Naval Group

Nexter Group

Safran S.A.

Thales S.A.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ozn6b0

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]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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Admission24 - Indias leading online education hub today announced the launch of its new mobile app in order to make this admission time far simpler and more exciting for students as well as parents. Encouraging the idea of quality education across nooks and corners of the country, the mobile app has been designed to create extensive awareness on every significant factor that helps students to set up the right foundation of their promising career.

User-friendly in nature the app is available on both Android and iOS, which lets users search key insights on the nations best educational institutions, from kindergarten to universities. One of its interesting features is its Comparison Tool that provides an opportunity to students or parents evaluating and assessing all potential study avenues available such as colleges, schools, vocational courses, etc. for them to have the best-desired start of their career.

The app also offers post-admission convenience to parents and students. For instance, it further helps students prepare for higher studies, where the students can easily access sample papers from previous years and gain various insights on important entrance exams, segregated extensively course-wise.

The app is one of the most convenient sources of engagement for parents with schools. Now, parents can avail all the services of educational institutions such as paying fees, accessing online study materials for their kids, along with live tracking feature where they can monitor and manage the performance of their kids by getting a real-time update on Home Works, Assignments, etc. Moreover, with its LIVE CHAT feature, the app helps schools to easily track the inquiries and sort the queries of parents and students, pertaining to different aspects in no time.

Speaking on the launch Abhinav Sekhri, CEO & Founder, Admission24 says. We are very excited to launch the 1st app that is all set to transform the education sector in India. The Indian education space is burgeoning with a wide range of leading and emerging educational institutions. However, scouting relevant information and functional details about each one of these still continue to be an uphill task for students and their parents. Admission24 would like to put an end to this shortcoming with an all-round app that is designed to be a one-stop destination for all information on education."

To stay prepared for the future of education, the sector in India needs a major upheaval today. And we are glad that Admission24 aims to be ushering the access of quality education, simplified and made available for the masses with seamless digital technology., he further added

Admission24s new app is thus a platform that has the best of interests for both students and institutions in the plan. With its launch announced, a quick adoption by users and steady growth expected next, the Indian education industry has a lot to benefit from this platform.
SCRANTON, Pa.  President Donald Trump defended his administrations response to the new coronavirus and his confrontational style of name-calling political opponents as he fielded questions from the public Thursday in his first TV town hall of the 2020 election cycle.

Trump, who regularly calls his top Democratic opponents Sleepy Joe" and Crazy Bernie," was asked whether he could deliver his message without the controversial rhetoric. When they hit us, we have to hit back. I really feel that," Trump said, giving no indication he was about to change his habits.

Trumps favorite network, Fox News, hosted the live event in Scranton.

The first question came from an undecided voter who asked about the administration's response to the new virus. The number of cases in the U.S. stood at about 200 on Thursday, including 12 deaths  11 in Washington state and one in California.

Everybody has to be calm. Its all going to work out," Trump said. We hope it doesnt last too long.

It's Trump's first visit this year to Pennsylvania, a battleground state he won by about 44,000 votes in 2016. He did particularly well in northeastern Pennsylvania, where Scranton and Wilkes-Barre have long anchored a strong Democratic presence.

Thats home turf to former Vice President Joe Biden, who spent his first 10 years in Scranton before his family moved to Wilmington, Del. An electric billboard reminded Trump of that as his motorcade sped into the city. Scranton is Joe Biden country, the board said.

Biden's prospects of winning the Democratic nomination have surged in the past week since he won South Carolina and then 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday. I was all set to take on Bernie. I was ready, Trump said.

The town hall was scheduled before Biden's resurgence. Tickets were distributed through the Eventbrite website, and Fox confirmed questions were selected from people who submitted them via the website. Trump chose the city for the town hall.

Democrats weren't content to cede the stage. A political action committee that supports Democratic candidates planned to run a new ad on Fox News just before and after the town hall in targeted Pennsylvania markets and in Washington featuring a Pennsylvania veteran who voted for Trump in 2016 but no longer supports him. Its part of American Bridge PACs latest $10 million wave of ads in key swing states aimed at cutting into Trumps margins with white, working-class voters.

Trump was also asked about the nation's soaring debt and annual deficits, now set to exceed $1 trillion despite a growing economy. Asked if deficit reduction would be a focus of his second term, Trump replied, Oh, absolutely" and We will be cutting."

He was also asked about his interactions with former President Barack Obama. He said he last talked to his predecessor at the funeral of President George H.W. Bush. I sat next to him, and then I said goodbye" as the friendly audience laughed. I didn't like the job he did."

Trump regularly watches Fox News but has been critical of its polling, including one from late February that showed him losing to the five leading Democratic candidates. Worst Polls, just like in 2016 when they were so far off the mark, are the @FoxNews Polls, Trump tweeted.

Trump did an interview Wednesday with Fox's Sean Hannity. The president described the network as our Fox News" before complaining, They put people on that I think are inappropriate and say very, very false things and people dont challenge them."

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this article from Washington.
Emergency medicine consultant Dr Fergal Hickey has said that having coronavirus patients in an emergency department is similar to bringing a drum of petrol to a house fire.

It comes as 60 staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been asked to self-isolate after a case of the coronavirus at the hospital.

Another hospital in Cork, Mercy University Hospital, has followed a move by CUH to restrict visitors over the Covid-19 outbreak.

The hospital said: This decision will be reviewed on a daily basis and regular updates will be provided.

Visiting is restricted to patients who are critically ill or who have specific care needs. Only one visitor per patient is allowable at one time except in exceptional cases.

"Children are not allowed to visit excepting exceptional cases and visitors are are only allowed in during the approved visiting times."

Nursing Homes Ireland has also confirmed that visiting restrictions are now in place in nursing homes nationwide. No non-essential visiting, children or groups will be allowed.

The NHI said: "All visitors are asked to contact prior to attending. Visitors should only seek to attend in urgent circumstances and the management reserve the right to impose full restrictions where necessary."

Public health authorities are also working rapidly to identify contacts of patients who are being treated for coronavirus in University Hospital Limerick.

Trinity College Dublin last night told staff and students it has been informed of a positive case of Covid-19 on its campus.

A national helpline has been set up for people concerned about coronavirus. The number is 1850 24 1850.

The case in CUH was one of seven new confirmed cases in the Republic announced yesterday, bringing the total number of cases here to 13.

CUH has cancelled outpatient appointments today, but dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and infusions will proceed as planned.

Last night they said most of those affected had already been contacted.

CUH switchboard is receiving a high volume of calls we need to keep phone lines open as much as possible. Outpatient appointments today are cancelled. Patients will be contacted if there are further cancellations. CUH can also be contact via the contact form on the CUH website.  Cork University Hosp (@CUH_Cork) March 6, 2020

Dr Hickey told RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show that it is worrying to consider the impact of the virus on emergency departments where, at the best of times, there is not enough space.

It is completely inappropriate for a patient who is feeling unwell to turn up at emergency departments wanting to be tested.

That is dangerous and unhelpful, these people are getting in the way, he added.

Commenting on the case at CUH, Dr Hickey said he understood that the patient had presented with pneumonia and had been in the emergency department for an extended period of time before they were diagnosed.

All the staff and other patients who were in the emergency department during that time were all potentially at risk.

Were going to have to worry about the impact on emergency departments, where, at the best of times there is not enough space.

With regard to the reported 60 staff at CUH who have been instructed to self isolate because they came in contact with the patient, Dr Hickey pointed out that they were specialist staff and it would be difficult to find replacement staff.

These are specialist clinicians, they have an expertise that you cannot just get from somewhere else. It would be like putting someone into an operating theatre and expecting them to know what to do.

Dr Hickey said that information and advice so far from the HSE and National Public Health Emergency Team was perfect and the process of consideration and treatment algorithms were of the highest order.

However, Dr Hickey warned that any changes will pose a major challenge as hospitals do not have the capacity to isolate from the front door and with many patients it will not be obvious that they do not have the virus until tested.

He said he did not want to mix coronavirus patients with vulnerable patients.

At UHL, four patients have been put into isolation bays and are being monitored by staff who must wear gowns, gloves, and eye goggles, as part of protocols to help prevent further spread of the virus.

A joint statement released by the UL Hospitals Group, HSE MidWest Community Healthcare, and HSE Public Health MidWest, which did not identify the four patients with Covid-19, confirmed that the Emergency Department at UHL was closed off last Wednesday to allow for a deep clean, and patients were diverted to other hospitals.

The ED was closed to allow for a deep clean after the patients tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

A joint statement released this morning read: UL Hospitals Group and HSE MidWest Community Healthcare can confirm they are working closely with public health colleagues in tracing contacts of four confirmed cases of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). These patients are currently isolated in hospital and receiving appropriate care.

The cases were confirmed on March 4th and public health are now working rapidly to identify any contacts this small cluster may have had in the days prior to this positive result.

This work will be completed as quickly as possible.

Public health colleagues are in the process of informing the relevant contacts and advising on any relevant follow-up actions that may be necessary to protect their own health, that of their families and the community at large.

The contacts include patients who attended Zone A (minor injuries) of the Emergency Department in UHL between the hours of 10am and 2pm on Wednesday last, February 26.

These patients are being contacted directly.

Patients in any other area of the Emergency Department or the wider hospital are not considered to be contacts.

Useful information The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

Patients who attended a small number of other health services are also being contacted by public health in line with procedure.

We can confirm that the Emergency Department was put off call for a three-hour period on Wednesday night to facilitate a precautionary deep clean of affected areas. Patients arriving by ambulance were diverted to Galway University Hospitals during this interval in line with established national protocols.

Staff who were in close contact with one of the confirmed cases have been advised not to report for duty and to follow the guidance of public health and occupational health colleagues.

Staff at UL Hospitals Group and in HSE Community Healthcare have been preparing for positive cases of COVID-19 for a number of weeks now and are closely following the plans established by the HSE and the Department of Health and in line with the WHO and ECDC guidance.

The mid west health authorities added: We remain in the containment phase in relation to COVID -19 and as long as this remains the case, it is important that members of the public follow the most up-to-date advice from the HSE.

General advice and information on COVID-19 for members of the public is available on www.hse.ie\coronavirus and the vast majority of people in the MidWest can access all the relevant information here.

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick is operating as normal today.

- Additional reporting by David Raleigh
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday he would not run in Octobers election, ending months of speculation over whether he would seek a third term.

Octobers presidential election looms as a major challenge for the West African country after its 2010 vote ended in violence between political rivals that killed 3,000 people.

I would like to solemnly announce that I will not be a candidate in the October 31, 2020 presidential election and I will transfer power to the younger generation, Ouattara said in a speech to Congress.

Ouattara, first elected in 2010 and then re-elected in 2015, had kept Ivorians guessing over his political future, saying last year that he could run again if his traditional rivals were candidates.

Ouattara in 2011 ousted the then-president, Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to step down after losing elections in a standoff that triggered violent street clashes.

The constitution allows only two presidential terms, but Ouattara, 78, had claimed he would be able to stand due to a constitutional change in 2016  a claim vehemently denied by the countrys opposition.

In January he announced unspecified modifications to the constitution, leading to two months of rumours of a possible power grab, or a presidential age restriction in a theorised bid to sideline opposition leaders.

However the constitutional revision revealed Thursday detailed only minor legal adjustments.

 I gave my best 

Ouattaras announcement to Congress, which followed a 30-minute state of the nation address, was met with thunderous applause from lawmakers as well hundreds of students invited to attend the speech.

Thank you! Thank you! the students chanted.

In his speech, Ouattara sought to project the image of a steady hand during turbulent times who helped make Ivory Coast the top economic performer in West Africa.

The US-trained economist, known as Ado after his initials, said he inherited a country in tatters and brought peace and security.

He said that 80 percent of the population now has drinking water, compared to 55 percent when he took office in 2011.

I certainly did not succeed in everything, but the results are there I gave my best, he said, also pointing to the many roads, bridges, schools and hospitals built during his tenure.

Post-graduate student Daouda Bakayoko said he is happy that (Ouattara) is giving way to the younger generation.

He is a man of his word. I am proud of my president even if I am not one of his supporters, Bakayoko said in the capital Yamoussoukro.

The opposition also welcomed the presidents announcement.

It is a good decision which allows President Ouattara to end his political career with his head held high, said Pascal Affi Nguessan, who served as prime minister under Gbagbo.

Since the death of founding president Houphouet Boigny in 1993, Ivory Coasts politics has been dominated three men: Henri Konan Bedie, who was president from 1993-1999, Gbagbo, president from 1993-1999, and Ouattara.

Bedie, who will be 86 during the October election, has not ruled out running.

After Ouattaras announcement, an MP from Bedies Ivorian Democratic Party (PDCI), Veronique Aka, said the president had freed everyone.

You have to know when to let go, she said.

Gbagbo will be 74 for the vote, but whether or not he will be able to run likely rests in the hands of the International Criminal Court.

He was arrested in 2011 over the violence that followed his refusal to step down, but was cleared of crimes against humanity last year.

Currently staying in Belgium under strict conditions ahead of a prosecution appeal, Gbagbo has requested his unconditional release but the court has yet to rule.

 Echo across Africa 

The political climate has been tense in the run-up to this years vote, following municipal and regional elections in 2018 that were marked by violence and fraud allegations.

Former prime minister Guillaume Soro, a longtime Ouattara ally who has fallen out of favour, is currently the only person to have declared as a presidential candidate.

But Soro has been accused of plotting an anti-government uprising  a claim he denies  and is living in France under threat of an arrest warrant at home.

Deputy government spokesman Mamadou Toure said the presidents decision was also a lesson for the entire Ivorian political class: you must know when to walk away.

It is a message that will echo across the African continent.
Since news of the coronavirus outbreak emerged, in contrast to the sell-off in the broader market, companies associated with the COVID-19 space have seen valuations significantly increase.

This week, the baton was handed over to Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO). Shares of the infectious disease warrior have shot up nearly 130% this week, following the announcement of development timelines for its COVID-19 vaccine (INO-4800) using its DNA vaccine platform.

Inovios COVID-19 vaccine, INO-4800, was developed in just 3 hours once the COVID-19 sequence was deposited in data banks for public access. This, according to Maxims Jason McCarthy, is testament to the companys ability to react speedily and efficiently to an emergency situation.

Inovio is a regular recipient of grants for the development of infectious disease vaccines. CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), awarded Inovio a $9 million grant in February to advance development of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is on top of previous grants Inovio has received do develop candidates against arenavirus Lassa Fever and coronavirus Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The company was also called upon to develop a vaccine for the 2016 Zika outbreak. The work was supported with up to $56 million in grants from CEPI.

As of now, preclinical studies for the vaccine are ongoing, in tandem with immune responses generated in animal models. The human trial designs are being finalized, with 3000 human trial doses prepared for clinical studies in the US, South Korea, and China. Human trials will begin in April on 30 healthy volunteers in the US, China and South Korea shortly after. By the fall, the trial results will be published and by the end of the year, 1 million doses of INO-4800 COVID-19 DNA vaccines should be ready for additional trials or emergency use.

While McCarthy notes that Inovio may have the best vaccine option for COVID-19, the stocks recent surge has left the analysts price target in the dust. McCarthys Buy rating is accompanied by a $6 price target, which from current levels, indicates downside of nearly 40%. (To watch McCarthys track record, click here)

Story continues

Subsequently, H.C. Wainwright's Ram Selvaraju reaffirmed his "buy" rating on Inovio shares. The analyst's $13 price target implies a surge of 32% from Today's close. It's also the highest Inovio price target on Wall Street.

Selvaraju opined, "We find it impressive that Inovio first designed INO-4800 on January 10, within three hours of receiving the viral genetic sequence, and managed to complete preclinical studies and manufacture 3,000 human trial doses in roughly three months [...] we believe INO-4800 could be ready for a Phase 2 trial and available for emergency use by the end of 2020. Inovios DNA-based medicines do not need cold chain logistics, can be stored at room temperature for one year, and at 37C for one week. The companys proprietary injection device is battery-operated and highly portable. Therefore, INO-4800 could be easily transported and deployed anywhere around the globe, in our view."

Overall, TipRanks analysis of 7 analyst ratings shows a consensus Strong Buy rating. However, the average price target among these analysts stands at $9.43, which is about 4% lower than its current value. This is most likely a result of this week's quick surge and analysts inability to turnaround new price targets so quickly. (See Inovio stock analysis on TipRanks)
Police in Glenpool, Oklahoma, told Fox23.com news that they found more than they expected during a recent traffic stop.

The officers told the news station that they had pulled over a car for speeding on Sunday, March 1. The passenger, they said, had a baby squirrel in her bag along with a dropper of baby formula.

They also found almost a pound of meth, scales and baggies in the car.

Police said the woman told them her son had found the animal while working as a tree trimmer.

She was charged by the Oklahoma Game Warden for possessing wildlife during a closed season. She would not have been charged had she called the appropriate authorities immediately.

Police find meth and baby squirrel in womans purse during traffic stop https://t.co/lq6JnK6wqW  FOX23 (@FOX23) March 6, 2020

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"Stop, Look and Listen," a 16mm silent film comedy originally released in the United States in January of 1926, has been discovered in February of 2020, by Japanese film archivist, Toshihiko Sasayama, aged 39. The film, dating back to the Golden Age of Silent Films, and long thought to be lost, was directed by the famous American silent film actor, Larry Semon (1889-1928), who also starred in the film, together with Oliver Hardy (1892-1957).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005091/en/

An action scene, atop a moving train, in "Stop, Look and Listen" (Photo: Business Wire)

Although only the last ten minutes of the originally sixty-minute-long film were discovered, according to specialist, this is a valuable discovery for the history of silent films.

Commentary from Steve Massa, Author and Film Historian

Look up "silent movie clown" in the dictionary and you're liable to see Larry Semon's picture. The heavy white make-up on his horse face that made him look like a slapstick version of Nosferatu, the wind-up toy movements, the clodhopper shoes, bowler hat, and chest-high balloon trousers all of the above merged together in the character of a happy dumbbell caught up in a whirlwind of chaos. As a director the plots of his films were just excuses to set his gags in motion, and his fondness for explosions, chases, crashes, and spectacular falls from high places created in his best films a mad, surreal world.

Coming from a background of appearing onstage as a child, and working as a newspaper cartoonist as a young adult, Semon made his film debut in 1914 as a writer and director. It wasn't long before he was starring as well, and by the early 1920s thanks to shorts such as "The Bell Hop" (1921) and "The Sawmill" (1922) he was one of the Kings of Silent Comedy. When Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd moved into feature films Larry decided that he should too.

From 1924 to 1927 Semon headlined in five slapstick features. "Stop, Look and Listen" (1926) was the fourth and next to last. Long unseen and considered lost, this surviving final reel shows the comic expertly re-working the train finale from his 1922 short "The Show" for the big climax. Chases with autos, motorcycles, trains, and sometimes airplanes were one of his specialties, and this sequence in particular is very well-directed and plotted. The recovered footage of "Stop, Look and Listen" is also an addition to the existing filmography of Oliver Hardy, who is making the last of his many appearances with Semon as well as being an assistant director.

Sad to say, none of Semon's features did well at the boxoffice, and by 1927 he was bankrupt and scrambling to regain his audience. His last film was the 1928 short "A Simple Sap," and he died later that year of pneumonia and nervous exhaustion just shy of forty years old. Steve Massa

Events Leading to the Discovery and What Will Happen Next

The film was found among a cache of black and white films acquired by Mr. Sasayama from an antiques dealer in Aichi Prefecture. It was presumed to be a silent film comedy, and Mr. Sasayama asked a Japanese classic film researcher of his acquaintance, Ms. Junko Iio, to examine it. Subsequently, Mr. Sasayama enlisted the help of Steve Massa, an American silent film historian, which was when the title of the film was made known. Mr. Sasayama noted that although the film had undergone intense deterioration, he had never dreamed that it might be a lost silent film. He hopes that it can be used for future research.

The discovered film will be shown within the British Silent Film Festival Symposium, to be held in London, in April of 2020. The first viewing in Japan will be at the Kobe Classic Comedy Film Festival, to be held in January of 2021.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005091/en/

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After more than a year of disputes among community and district leaders, the Clarke County School District Board of Education now faces a massive test with implications for the districts reputation and students: the accreditation agency is coming.

Accreditation agency Cognia, formerly AdvancED and Measured Progress, will investigate potential standard violations filed against members of the board by outgoing Superintendent Demond Means on Jan. 26-28.
The hospital system where an intensive care doctor was accused of ordering excessive painkiller doses for dozens of patients who died will be fined $400,000 for violating Ohio pharmacy law under a settlement announced on March 4.

The Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System also agreed to pay more than $77,000 for the costs of the state Board of Pharmacys investigation involving Mount Carmel West hospital, which has since closed, and William Husel, the fired doctor now charged with murder in 25 patient deaths over several years.

Husel has pleaded not guilty. He argues he was caring for dying patients, not trying to kill them.

Mount Carmel was accused of violations related to policies and procedures for dispensing drugs, including instances where controls on automated dispensers were overridden to fulfill Husels orders. An operational license that has since been transferred from Mount Carmel West to the systems newer hospital in Grove City is being put under probation for three years, and the hospitals compliance with the pharmacy boards rules and regulations must be reviewed by a consulting pharmacist or pharmacy organization, according to the settlement.

A statement from Mount Carmel said it appreciated the boards efforts to reach the settlement and help ensure such events never happen again. The statement noted that the hospital system has made changes, such as setting maximum doses for pain medication in its electronic medical record and permitting overrides on automated dispensers only in emergencies.

Two pharmacists who were cited for verifying large doses of the powerful painkiller fentanyl were fined $2,000 and $1,000, respectively, under their own settlements with the board. Those agreements also require the pharmacists, Gregory White and Nathan Kochheiser, to take additional training in palliative care and pain management.

A message seeking comment was left for their attorney.

A third pharmacist was cited for supervisory failures in instances where nurses overrode controls on automated dispensers in non-emergencies to access drugs ordered by Husel, but the board said that case was dismissed.

Mount Carmel wouldnt confirm whether it still employs any of those pharmacists. It has previously said it fired 23 nurses, pharmacists and managers after its internal investigation and referred more to their respective state boards for review.

Twenty-five nurses still face administrative hearings and potential disciplinary action.

Though the drugs were administered by others, Husel is the lone employee being criminally prosecuted. He was charged only in cases involving at least 500 micrograms of fentanyl because prosecutors said doses that large pointed to an intent to end lives.

Husel has sued Mount Carmel for defamation, as have 10 of his former colleagues, some of whom also alleged wrongful termination.

Mount Carmel has stood by the findings of its internal investigation and its subsequent responses.

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Noughts + Crosses

Rating:

Villages By The Sea

Rating:

Every generation remakes Romeo And Juliet in its own image.

In the Fifties there was West Side Story, with its fabulous music and whirling petticoats, set against a backdrop of gang violence in New York.

The Nineties gave us Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic, rich and poor thrown together in a world of doomed extravagance.

Now the classic story is told again with black vs white, in Noughts + Crosses (BBC1)  a tale of love across the divide in a dystopian, apartheid Britain.

If this is meant to be a parable with the colours reversed, then it is a dishonest one, and a hypocritical one too  running the risk of stirring up the very prejudices it pretends to condemn

Theres nothing uplifting or aspirational about this version. Its full of recriminations, resentment, guilt and prejudice. How very 21st century.

The forbidden romance at the heart of Noughts + Crosses is still appealing.

Masali Baduza plays 17-year-old Sephy Hadley, the spoilt daughter of a hardline Home Secretary who indulges her every whim, just as he cracks down on the mutinous unrest among Britains white underclass.

Jack Rowan plays Callum, the son of the Hadley familys white housekeeper (Helen Baxendale, always excellent). Callum and Sephy played together as children. Now their eyes meet at a party (hes a servant, shes swanning round in a gorgeous gown) and instantly they fall in love.

But in this version of Britain, renamed Albion, all the wealth and power lies in the hands of the black ruling class.

Theres nothing uplifting or aspirational about this version. Its full of recriminations, resentment, guilt and prejudice. How very 21st century

Callum risks a beating or worst just for speaking to a girl like Sephy. Meanwhile, his best friend was beaten into a coma by black police in paramilitary uniforms for the crime of answering back.

Shakespeares original Romeo And Juliet is a violent play, of course, with brawls and stabbings between the enemy clans.

But theres a deeply unpleasant undercurrent to Noughts + Crosses, an implication that the brutal racism of the drama somehow reflects real-world racism pervading Britain.

If this is meant to be a parable with the colours reversed, then it is a dishonest one, and a hypocritical one too  running the risk of stirring up the very prejudices it pretends to condemn.

Thankfully, some parts of our real Britain are as far removed from that nightmare as could ever be imagined.

One such place is Clovelly, where life is barely different from how it was in the 1800s.

But in this version of Britain, renamed Albion, all the wealth and power lies in the hands of the black ruling class. Callum risks a beating or worst just for speaking to a girl like Sephy

This cascade of half-timbered houses on the steep shore of north Devon was visited by historian Ben Robinson in the first of his excursions along the coastline, Villages By The Sea (BBC2).

There has been a harbour wall here for 700 years, protecting little boats like the picarooner sailed by local fisherman Stephen.

He comes from generations of fisher folk and still manoeuvres his vessel with a single oar at the stern, almost like a punting pole. The boat has no engine.

Young mother Ellie can watch him set out to sea each morning from her kitchen door, which opens on to the harbourside.

Once, the cottage was home to Crazy Kate who, according to local legend, went mad after she stood in that doorway during a storm and watched powerless as her husbands boat was sunk.

Years later, still consumed by grief, the poor woman put on her wedding dress and waded into the waves, to be with the man she loved.

This promises to be a smashing little series: part history, part inspiration for your holidays, and filled with facts that make you say: I didnt know that.

For instance, since lorries (like all motor vehicles) are banned from Clovellys cobbled streets, the tenants move their furniture by hand-drawn sleds when they swap houses.

I didnt know that.

Aerial ace of the night: Former racing driver Yve Mann flew a Spitfire on Warbird Workshop (Yesterday channel), as a salute to her late husband Peter, an RAF pilot.

Lets have some fun, she whooped, before tackling a victory roll. Attagirl!
A retired cop who used an illegal inside track to promote his stolen car recovery business cant escape an obligation to pay more than $653,000 in restitution for his crimes, a federal appeals court panel has ruled.

In that decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit rejected former Officer Vincent Gates claim that a federal judge overcharged him by around $630,000.

Gates, 72, a 30-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police, received his restitution order, plus a 40-month prison sentence and a $15,000 fine last year after a jury convicted him on charges of honest services fraud, mail fraud and lying to the FBI.

Judge Thomas L. Ambro noted in the circuit courts opinion that Gates was found guilty of bribing a detective to sidestep the citys rules for processing recovered vehicles.

Those rules require that police release recovered vehicles to their owners only after a detective physically identifies the vehicles. The requirement often causes delays in removing the cars from the police database so they can be restored to the owners, Ambro wrote.

To speed things up, and to impress his rental car agency customers with the alacrity of his turnarounds, Gates paid Detective Patrick Pelosi, who handed vehicle recoveries for southwest Philadelphia, $300 to $400 a month to ignore the rules and quickly arrange for stolen rental agency cars to be returned without any required inspections, prosecutors said. They said Gates paid Pelosi about $25,0000 over the seven years they ran the scam.

Ambro rejected Gates argument that his convictions should be overturned because the evidence was insufficient to support them. The bar is very high to overturn a jurys verdict, the judge wrote.

Moreover, the evidence showed that Gates kept secret these payment (to Pelosi) and acknowledged that what he was doing dont fly, Ambro wrote. From this a rational juror could conclude that Gates knowingly devised or participated in a scheme and intended to defraud the public of its intangible right to honest government services.

The mail fraud conviction is solid because Gates sent the bribes to Pelosi through the mail, Ambro found, and ample evidence supports Gates conviction for lying to the FBI as well.

Gates failed to convince the circuit judges that his restitution should only by $21,750, the amount of revenue he claimed to have received by bribing Pelosi to speed up the return of cars recovered in southwest Philly. He insisted the $653,319 he was ordered to repay improperly includes the entire income from all his recoveries in the city and its environs. Prosecutors had sought a $704,785 restitution figure.

Ambro concluded the $653,319 imposed by U.S. Eastern District Judge Wendy Beetlestone is justified. The evidence, including testimony from an Avis security manager, showed the rapidity of vehicle returns Gates was able to provide via illegal measures was a selling point for his rental car customers in and beyond southwest Philly, the circuit judge found. He noted, too, that Pelosi helped Gates recover stolen cars that were found outside Pelosis bailiwick.
Forward-looking: After years of living in its rivals shadow, AMD has been challenging Intel in the CPU space since the arrival of its Zen architecture, and it looks like that trend is going to continue. Team Red has just revealed its latest processor roadmaps, showing the release of Zen 3 and the 5nm Zen 4 EPYC Genoa chips.

The consumer and enterprise CPU roadmaps were unveiled at AMDs Financial Analyst Day. In the former category, the graph only goes as far as Zen 3. The fourth-generation Ryzen chips will arrive at the end of this year, but AMD says that the full range of consumer products, which includes desktop CPUs, should all be available by the end of 2021.

The enterprise product roadmap extends further into the future than the consumer version, a result of a longer product cycle and the financial investment long-term maps bring from customers. AMD also hinted that it didnt want to reveal too much of its future plans for the competitive consumer CPU market.

AMD confirmed that EPYC Romes successor, EPYC Milan, will arrive late in 2020. The Zen 3-based CPUs will be built on the 7nm process, but it will be a more advanced version of the 7nm process AMD uses in its current products.

Looking further ahead, AMD revealed it would have its Zen 4 EPYC Genoa processors available by the end of 2022. These use the 5nm process node, which will likely also be used for the Zen 4-based consumer CPUs when they arrive.

With Intels upcoming Comet Lake desktop CPUs based on a refined version of the 14-nanometer process its been using since Skylake, Chipzilla is struggling to catch up with its rival, which is eroding Team Blues market share all the time.
BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (JKS) said, for fiscal 2019, the company now expects total solar module shipments to be in the range of 14.3 GW to 14.4 GW, updated from prior guidance range of 14.0 GW to 14.2 GW. For the fourth-quarter, the company now expects: total solar module shipments to be in the range of 4.5 GW to 4.6 GW, exceeding previous guidance range of 4.2 GW to 4.4 GW. Total revenues are expected to be in the range of $1.35 billion to $1.38 billion, exceeding prior guidance range of $1.17 billion to $1.23 billion. For fiscal 2020, JinkoSolar reiterated its outlook for total solar module shipments in the range of 18.0 GW to 20.0 GW, an approximately 35% year-over-year increase. 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.
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Southeast Missouri State University is monitoring the public health issue surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19). To help protect the University community and prevent the spread of this virus to our campus, we are providing the information and updates at semo.edu/coronavirus The safety and security of our campus community is our highest priority. When an emergency or criminal event occurs that poses a threat to the campus community, Southeast is prepared to inform and alert the campus community for their personal safety.The SE Alerts emergency notification system includes multiple communication tools that can be deployed by the University during emergencies to alert the entire campus community, or certain portions of the community and regional campuses, to events, dangerous situations or threats that impact the safety of students, faculty and staff.All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to verify their contact information to receive notifications via text message, email and/or phone. By providing this information, you are ensuring the most current and correct information is on file for use when Southeast deploys its SE Alerts emergency notification system.
SpaceX has announced a landmark partnership with another company to send three space tourists to the ISS in the second half of 2021.

Elon Musk's firm has signed a deal with Axiom Space, which is building a privately-owned successor to the ISS, to transport the tourists along with a commander on one of its Crew Dragon capsules.

Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini described the future collaboration as a 'watershed moment in the march toward universal and routine access to space.'

He did not reveal a price tag but experts believe to cover the cost of the launch it would likely be tens of millions of dollars each.

Previously, Axiom confirmed that a seat on the trip will cost $55 million and revealed the firm has already secured one of the passengers.

Scroll down for video

Elon Musk's company has signed a deal with Axiom Space to transport the tourists along with a commander on one of its Crew Dragon capsules. Each ticket is likely to cost tens of millions of dollars (file photo)

Mr Suffredini said: 'This history-making flight will represent a watershed moment in the march toward universal and routine access to space,.

'This will be just the first of many missions to ISS to be completely crewed and managed by Axiom Space  a first for a commercial entity.

'Procuring the transportation marks significant progress toward that goal, and we're glad to be working with SpaceX in this effort.'

The cost of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch is around $60 million and the additional price of building a new capsule would cause the total cost soar above $100 million.

Each ticket is therefore likely to cost tens of millions of dollars.

Axiom said in a statement that it plans to offer professional and private astronaut flights to ISS at a rate of up to two per year.

It is also constructing its own privately funded space station.

SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwel saidof the partnership: 'Since 2012, SpaceX has been delivering cargo to the International Space Station in partnership with NASA and later this year, we will fly NASA astronauts for the first time.

'Now, thanks to Axiom and their support from NASA, privately crewed missions will have unprecedented access to the space station, furthering the commercialisation of space and helping usher in a new era of human exploration.'

Eight space tourists have so far gone to the ISS on Russian Soyuz rockets with the company Space Adventures.

The first was Dennis Tito, who paid $20 million for an eight-hour stay on the ISS back in 2001. The last to go was Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, in 2009.

Last month, SpaceX announced a partnership with Space Adventures to send four tourists deeper into orbit than any private citizen before them.

This mission is also projected for late 2021 at the earliest, but more likely 2022 when inevitable delays occur.

Other companies involved in the space tourism race include the firms owned by Musk's fellow billionaires, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos's.

Their companies, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, respectively, are also making strides to commercialise space

The two are developing vessels to send tourists just beyond the border of space, up to 62 miles (100 kilometres) above the surface of Earth.

Tickets for Virgin started at $250,000 when they first went on sale in the mid-2000s.

SpaceX's offering is far more ambitious and powered by the same reusable Falcon 9 rocket that puts satellites into space and sends astronauts to the ISS.

At the same time, Boeing is also developing a crew capsule called Starliner, also with the intention of transporting US astronauts to the ISS.

Like SpaceX, Boeing envisages sending tourists into space, but the program's development is hampered by major glitches that resulted in the early termination of an uncrewed test flight in December.

Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini described the future collaboration as a 'watershed moment in the march toward universal and routine access to space.' He did not reveal a price tag but experts believe to cover the cost of the launch it would likely be tens of millions of dollars
Are you panic buying yet? I was tempted to stick another nine-pack of loo rolls in my supermarket trolley yesterday but resisted the impulse.

Why? Because I want to be British about this. I want to be sensible and responsible. I want to do the right thing by society. Im not vulnerable, I dont have dependants or pets and I believe in the Gloria Gaynor mantra that when it comes to not bulk buying dry goods  I will survive.

Obviously, I want to have my cake and eat it, but in an orderly, controlled fashion.

Yes, I want my tins of just-in-case baked beans, I want my siege-proof couscous. But mostly I want to not behave like a lunatic on the eve of Armageddon.

When it comes to public spirit, a plague such as coronavirus brings out the best in people and also the worst. One of my colleagues has bought four tins of Spam (2.20 each), never having bought the stuff before in her entire life, writes JAN MOIR (stock image)

And if thats the case, I hope I will be spending my last hours uncorking the best champagne and telling the people I love how much I really love them.

Not bulldozing down aisle six in my emergency wellies and surgical mask, elbowing frail pensioners out of the way to get at the last tub of Pot Noodle.

We have been here before, with the panic buying due to the Big Freeze in February 2018, followed by the panic buying of Weetabix and Elastoplast due to the fear of blocked ports and a no-deal Brexit in December last year. Yet we have learned nothing.

The problem with panic buying is that it only creates the shortages that everyone is so worried about in the first place. We all know this. We are not stupid. Yet out there, in the frenetic wilds of the tinned goods section and the bottled water gondolas, all reason is cast to the wind. It is every man and woman for themselves.

Are you panic buying yet? I was tempted to stick another nine-pack of loo rolls in my supermarket trolley yesterday but resisted the impulse, writes JAN MOIR. Pictured: Empty shelves in London

At the huge Tesco superstore in West London on Thursday morning, I note that the shelves have already been stripped bare of hand sanitiser and that there has been a run on dried pasta and long-life milk.

Staff are continually restocking the loo roll and paper tissue sections, while several customers doggedly cram multipacks of Kleenex and Cushelle Ultra Quilted into their trollies. Please! Isnt the time for sensible rationing now, not later?

A shop assistant tells me that there is another delivery tonight of what polite society calls toilet tissue and then, after that, stocks are exhausted for the immediate future. It is squeaky bum time for West London, in more ways than one.

Despite the tragic death of one person in Britain from coronavirus yesterday, we are very far from crisis point in this country. However  and very sadly  more deaths will almost certainly come. We must not underestimate that a great number of the elderly and those with underlying health issues feel vulnerable and are terribly worried about the situation. They deserve our support and understanding.

Things are so bad that Boris Johnson went on This Morning with Phil and Holly this week, making a point of shaking their hands to prove such contact was not a health problem. Idiot, writes JAN MOIR

That is one reason why I am so furious with chortling Prince William this week, chuntering on during his official visit to Ireland about how the threat of coronavirus contamination was exaggerated, hur hur.

Obviously, it is fine for William and Kate, swaddled in privilege behind the antiseptic ramparts of their big houses and inherited wealth. In the real world, for the old and the vulnerable huddled on public transport and dependent on visits to surgeries and hospitals, the threat seems very real.

Meanwhile, my 85-year-old mother has a freezer full of enough soup and stews and chopped vegetables to withstand a siege, but she is still worried that coronavirus is coming for her and her friends.

However, her generation dont seem to be the ones clearing supermarket shelves like locusts or forming daybreak queues outside branches of Boots to stock up on emergency wet wipes and zinc pastilles. That is because Mum could feed a family of five on a lamb bone and a turnip for four days, and indeed did exactly that for much of my childhood.

Her World War II generation knew how to survive by making the best of a bad situation  but those days have long gone. Whatever happened to being stoic, to make do and mend, to going without, to bucking up and knuckling down?

In the year 2020, in the land of plenty, should there really be frantic supermarket queues for six-packs of bottled water? Why, if only households in the UK had ready access to a supply of free, fresh, clean water then surely we would be fine? Pray for this miracle, wont you?

I am so furious with chortling Prince William this week, chuntering on during his official visit to Ireland about how the threat of coronavirus contamination was exaggerated, hur hur, writes JAN MOIR. Pictured: William and Kate in Ireland yesterday

Things are so bad that Boris Johnson went on This Morning with Phil and Holly this week, making a point of shaking their hands to prove such contact was not a health problem. Idiot! We will be fine, said the PM, channelling the giggling Prince William, so long as everyone washes their hands.

But that is the entire problem  they dont. I am always appalled at the number of women who dont wash their hands in public toilets and nothing dissuades me that men are not exactly the same.

Its the sad truth that we cannot rely on our selfish fellow citizens to maintain the hygiene standards we might hold for ourselves, so forget about collective responsibility in the supermarket or elsewhere. That is why we are in this situation in the first place.

When it comes to public spirit, a plague such as coronavirus brings out the best in people and also the worst. One of my colleagues has bought four tins of Spam (2.20 each), never having bought the stuff before in her entire life. I know.

She is in for a pork shock. Meanwhile, a chum who lives alone has just spent 500 on a stockpile shop in a wanton act of self-comfort. Panic buying helps people feel that they are in control of a bad situation but, ultimately, it makes it worse for everyone else.

Id like to say lets all pull together, lets keep Spam and carry one  but fear it is too late already. Far too late.

This aint feminism, Nicole!

Nicole Scherzinger has been defending the provocative costumes she and her Pussycat Dolls wear on stage, writes JAN MOIR

Nicole Scherzinger has been defending the provocative costumes she and her Pussycat Dolls wear on stage. It takes courage to be that vulnerable, she says.

Oh God. What rot. Nicole, listen to me. Be a fantastically powerful woman in your G-string and cobweb top. Wear your bustier and bikini bottoms with pride. Strut your stuff in the way that we all love you for.

But please dont insult us by turning your costume choices into an act of empowered valour rather than what they are  a clever, cold-eyed commercial enterprise. We all know what we see and understand  which is that you are called the Pussycat Dolls, not the Blue Stocking Society.

Many of us are tiring of the claim that posing nearly naked on stage or social media is a feminist act.

Women who sexualise themselves thus are still pandering to the male gaze, however much they try to (un)dress it up. But please, dont pretend to be victims, too. If you are going to be a Pussycat, be proud of it.

Bake Off Nancy has the germ of a brilliant idea The Blitz spirit may be in short supply, but not in Nancy Birtwhistles kitchen, writes JAN MOIR The Blitz spirit may be in short supply, but not in Nancy Birtwhistles kitchen. You might remember Nancy, who won the Great British Bake Off in 2014. A grandmother of eight, fabulous Nancy has her own website and Twitter feed full of excellent, old-fashioned remedies for everything from how to de-bobble a sweater to cleaning tarnished silver with just baking powder, tinfoil and hot water. I am her devoted servant. If she says clean your oven with soda crystals and elbow grease, I do it. This week, Nancy showed her fans how to make their own hand sanitiser  now this is a germ repellent I can believe in. The recipe is simple and foolproof  40ml aloe vera gel, 60ml surgical spirit and 3-4 drops lemon or any other essential oil. Nancys only tip is to add the spirit gradually, so the mixture does not split. I made mine with eucalyptus oil  and it was perfect. Thank you Nancy! Advertisement

Shame the snoterati

Is it time for a new cough etiquette in public spaces? Yes.

On the train from Sheffield to London last week, I noted one man in our carriage was wearing a surgical mask. Unfortunately, he was not the man sitting opposite me, who sneezed without covering his mouth. I fumed inwardly as usual  but what is now the correct response to this?

The traditional British reaction  a repressed inner tut  is no longer sufficient. I always have tissues with me, and from henceforth will hand them out to the blameworthy and the snoterati. The time has gone for suffering in silence. It is out with the virucidal sprays, sluicing down communal surfaces, calling the guard and cough-shaming these brutes in front of everyone.

Before it was just disgusting bad manners. Now it could be a matter of life and death.

Winning the Lottery is a real trauma

The former boyfriend of 148 million Lotto winner Gillian Bayford told The Sun how she bought luxury cars as if they were toys, writes JAN MOIR

Once more Lotto winners prove that winning a fortune can actually have a detrimental effect on your life.

The former boyfriend of 148 million Lotto winner Gillian Bayford told The Sun how she bought luxury cars as if they were toys, controlled him by threatening to take away everything she had gifted him and lost all sense of the value of money.

Their relationship ended, despite the riches and the fact that he gave her a Robbie Williams blanket when they first met  what a guy!

Winning was a mixed blessing, she said after they split.

Meanwhile, Sally Cloke and her partner Richard won 1 million on the Lotto in 2015 and bought a lovely house  but they never lost sight of themselves and who they really were. Carer Sally has returned to nursing Alzheimers patients on night shifts, while Richard has gone back to his job as a carpenter.

Keeping it real means that you can survive the trauma  there is no other word for it  of sudden riches.

The month of March is a particularly low point for the complexion. Winter, central heating, wine, men. All these things take their toll. In addition to this I have Celtic sensitive skin, prone to rosacea and eczema; forever frangible and fragile.

Last week my face looked like a barked shin, like shredded parchment, like a pile of grated parsnip. This week? Oh a veritable miracle of dewy loveliness. This is thanks to the cheap-as-chips, but wonderful, Aveeno Baby range  4 for a 150ml tube of Baby Daily Care Lotion at Tesco and other supermarkets.

Can I just say that this cream is marvellous if your skin is troubled, dry or in need of some winter care?

I cant recommend this enough. Early days yet, but I am hooked.
Senge H Sering, President of Gilgit Baltistan Studies told the Council during his intervention, "The people of Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan continue to face torture, sedition and terrorism charges and life-imprisonment for opposing onslaught on their resources and cultural identity. Locals are losing battle against worst demographic engineering due to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor that encourages illegal settlements of Pakistanis and Chinese".He added, "China-led genocide is enabling fast depletion of flora and fauna with impending environmental catastrophe. Further, a permanent resource-use ban on locals is enabling Chinese companies to enjoy an advantage to exploit indigenous mineral wealth".Senge said that people of Gilgit Baltistan who are constitutional citizens of India as part of the Union Territory of Ladakh are under constant threat of terrorism perpetrated by the Pakistani military.He said, "Locals trying to protect natural resources in a peaceful manner are threatened with abductions, genocide and economic blockade as happened recently when pro-Taliban Pakistani citizens called for the massacre of Shias and Ismailies of Gilgit Baltistan travelling through their districts"."Seventy years ago, United Nations Security Council asked India to station troops in Jammu Kashmir to protect life, honour, and assets of locals. Today, as a native of Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir, I request India to resume constitutional responsibility and acquire control over Gilgit Baltistan to save us from the brutal colonial reign of Pakistan", Senge told the Human Rights Council.Muhammad Sajjad Raja, President of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (UK) told the Council that his NGO is concerned with the fact that the people of Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan experience gross violation of their basic human rights as guaranteed by article 20 of the Declaration of Human Rights and as reinforced by Article 21 of ICCPR.He said, "In Pakistani occupied areas people continue being subjected to arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions and enforced disappearances by authorities"."In Kashmir Valley, Human Rights violations were unheard of before 1990 until Pakistan started sending in her armed militants who plunged Kashmir into a living hell; any human rights violations there stem from Pakistani infiltration," said Sajjad Raja.The political activist from PoK said, "We are gravely concerned that the world has never paid any attention to the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the people of Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan living under Pakistani occupation where people have no constitutional rights to demand for other rights. Instead, laws such as the National Action Plan, ATA and Schedule 4 are used ruthlessly to stop people from taking part in any peaceful assembly". (ANI)
Fears are growing for the jobs of thousands of UK workers who provided baggage handling and other services for Flybe following the airline's collapse.

Thousands of employees at ground handling firm Swissport, based at regional airports across the UK, are anxiously waiting for news.

Workers include baggage handlers, check-in staff and engineers.

Some engineers were told late on Wednesday that they were being laid off, sources said.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: "The collapse of Flybe is a tragedy for the company's loyal workforce.

"A domino effect now puts 1,400 jobs in the wider supply chain at immediate risk and threatens the future of vital regional airports."

Brian Strutton, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), said: "Some 2,000 staff members have woken up to the loss of their jobs, and many thousands more airport and other workers in the supply chain will also be deeply concerned.

"I believe there is a good economic case for a strong regional UK airline. Flybe operated routes which were not only economically and regionally vital, but also profitable.

"We will be exploring with the administrators which parts of Flybe can be rescued or sold as a going concern in the hope that as many jobs as possible can be saved."

The GMB said thousands of Swissport baggage handling jobs are at risk at Birmingham, East Midlands, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester airports following the collapse.

Ms Houghton said: "The Government needs to urgently step in with a rescue plan for our regional airports to minimise damage and protect livelihoods. This means doing the right thing now and not prevaricating behind state aid rules nonsense that can be dealt with in due course. The UK economy and workforce must come first."

The GMB warned that up to eight regional airports face closure in the wake of the Flybe collapse, directly employing at least 1,000 workers in total.

The airports, including Anglesey, Southampton, Belfast, Exeter, Newquay, Wick and Jersey, are deemed at risk because more than 50% of their scheduled departures in 2019 were Flybe aircraft, said the union.

On Thursday, the Government defended its decision not to save Flybe from collapse, and said it "stands ready" to support the failed airlines' passengers and staff.

Transport Minister Kelly Tolhurst said the Government had been "working tirelessly" to help the business stay flying, but the spread of Covid-19 has hampered these efforts.

In a statement, she told MPs: "Unfortunately, in a competitive market, companies do fail and it is not the role of Government to prop them up." She added: "We have been working tirelessly to explore multiple options with Flybe's shareholders to find a solution.

"Flybe outlined that problems with their business had been compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus which in the last few days had resulted in a significant impact on demand.

"The directors, therefore, decided it was not viable to keep Flybe operating."

Ms Tolhurst said there is "sufficient capacity" with other airlines to help passengers stranded abroad return home.

She told MPs: "Given the time of the year, the nature of Flybe's business and fleet, and the routes it flies - sufficient alternative transport routes should be available either with other airlines or by road and rail.

"The number of passengers abroad is small and it is further reduced as a result of coronavirus. For those passengers who are abroad, there is sufficient capacity on commercial airlines to return to the UK.

"The Civil Aviation Authority and the Secretary of State are encouraging these airlines to offer rescue fares and this is already happening."
Eric Taylor, 19, left; and Malik Winding, 20 are facing charges after a car crash and police chase in the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive on March 5, 2020. Winding was charged with felony receiving, possessing or selling a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor battery for a head-butt. Winding, of the 1200 block of West 80th Street, was also issued three citations for disregarding a green arrow, yield right of way on a left turn and failure to report an accident, police said. Taylor, of the 1000 block of West 70th Street, was charged with felony carjacking for the Dec. 21, 2019, attack in the 6700 block of South Stony Island Avenue and trespassing to a vehicle; obstructing identification; resisting or obstructing a peace officer; and reckless conduct from the March 5, 2020 incident, all of which are misdemeanors. Taylor was also wanted on three warrants. (Chicago Police Department)
Uber and Lyft have seen an uptick in business, as people afraid of using public transportation rely more on hailing rides. Its unclear, however, how much guidance the two companies are offering their armies of contract workers on how to stay safe. Uber has asked drivers to wash their hands, while Lyft pointed drivers to the recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Airbnb told hosts and guests affected by the coronavirus outbreak that they could cancel reservations without incurring a charge. So did TaskRabbit.

Business has boomed for companies that offer services to help people conduct meetings online, such as Zoom and BlueJeans.

Google announced that it was giving G Suite customers free access to the suites advanced features. These include the ability to hold virtual meetings with hundreds of participants, or stream live events to tens of thousands of people. Microsoft also announced that it was offering six-month free trials of Teams, a product to help employees video chat with one another.

Tackling misinformation

Social media companies began an aggressive response to misinformation related to the coronavirus.

Facebooks chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, outlined what his company was doing in a long post. He said Facebook was working closely with government groups like the World Health Organization. Any search for coronavirus on Facebook immediately directs people to the W.H.O. or local health authorities. Facebook has also pledged to give the W.H.O. unlimited free ads to share information about the coronavirus.

In addition, Facebook is removing misinformation about the coronavirus from its platform and Instagram, which it owns.

YouTube is also linking to the W.H.O. on the top of search results for the coronavirus. While videos spreading conspiracy theories on the coronavirus could still be found, they did not appear in the first page of search results for YouTube.
A longtime Chicago political operative was indicted Thursday on federal bribery charges alleging he paid off then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval on behalf of a suburban construction company for the senators support on a state road project.

William Helm, the onetime deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation who went on to a high-level position with the Illinois Department of Transportation, was charged in a two-page indictment with a single count of bribery.

An arraignment date has not been set.

According to the indictment, Helm was retained in 2018 by a construction company that was seeking IDOT approval for a signalization and road construction project in East Dundee.

At the time, Sandoval was the head of the influential Senate Transportation Committee.

The indictment alleged Helm paid bribes of at least $5,000 to Sandoval between July and November 2018 in exchange for the senators influence in helping the project gain IDOT approval.

The company was referred to in the indictment only as Company A. Helms consulting company also was not identified, but records show he owns WAH Consulting LLC, which has a principal address in Schaumburg.

There was no attorney listed for Helm on the public docket as of Thursday evening.

Helm was the latest person to be charged in a sprawling political corruption investigation that first came to light when the FBI raided Sandovals office in Springfield in September.

Helms name was among a whos who of Illinois power players named in the warrant, which included asphalt and casino magnates, red-light camera operators transportation and utility executives and a handful of other elected officials.

Helm was also listed in a September search warrant served on village hall in southwest suburban McCook, where Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski is mayor.

Tobolskis chief of staff, Patrick Doherty, was indicted last month on federal charges alleging he conspired to pay bribes to a relative of an Oak Lawn trustee in 2017 to get lucrative red-light cameras installed there on behalf of a clouted company called SafeSpeed LLC. Doherty has pleaded not guilty.

A November Tribune report listed Helm as among clouted political players tied to SafeSpeed as sales agents collecting cuts of cash from tickets paid.

Sandoval, meanwhile, pleaded guilty in January to bribery and tax charges. He admitted to taking $20,000 in campaign contributions -- and later $70,000 cash from a SafeSpeed co-owner who was secretly working with agents -- to act as the companys protector in the Illinois Senate.

Helm was a longtime 47th Ward operative who left IDOT earlier this decade after he was disciplined and departed his job with the airport after he was accused in a pending lawsuit of pressuring airport truck drivers to do political work. Hes denied the allegation.

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European stock markets including the FTSE 100 sank further this afternoon as traders feared that the coronavirus crisis could plunge Britain into recession.

London's benchmark index of major firms fell 74billion today - 243 points or 3.62 per cent to 6,463 points - after Britain recorded its first death from the infection and two British Airways baggage handlers at London Heathrow Airport tested positive.

The falls follow a 110-point drop yesterday, which ended a three-day bounceback among UK equities as officials said Britain is edging towards a widescale outbreak.

It also comes a day after top investment bank Goldman Sachs warned that coronavirus could push the UK to the brink of recession in the coming months.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 3.6 per cent to 11,515 points and the Paris CAC 40 dropped 3.7 per cent to 5,160, compared with yesterday's closing levels.

Shares on Wall Street in New York were set to slide again as well, with Dow futures down 2.1 per cent and those for the S&P 500 falling 2.4 per cent.

TODAY: London's FTSE 100 of major companies lost 243 points or 3.62 per cent to 6,463 today

Meanwhile Milan's major stock index the FTSE-Mib went down 3.1 per cent to 20,890 points as Italy continues to face the biggest outbreak in Europe so far.

In Asia, Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks also tanked as the coronavirus crisis overshadows government and central bank moves to limit the economic impact.

The fall for the FTSE 100 erased the index's gains from earlier this week, with export-heavy companies now having lost more than 175million in value since the epidemic sparked a worldwide rout last week.

The FTSE 100's market capitalisation this afternoon was 1,955,478,875,392, having opened at 2,029,768,398,790. This means it has lost 74,289,523,398 today.

Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said: 'With no signs of the outbreak slowing down... investors remain gripped with a near unshakeable panic, the week's various central bank rate cuts only serving to reinforce the seriousness of the situation.'

THIS WEEK: The FTSE fell again this afternoon, wiping out the gains it had seen so far this week

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, added that investors are fretting about the possibility of a global recession caused by coronavirus.

He said: 'Non-stop news headlines about the spread of coronavirus has caused investors to be very concerned about a global recession.

'This tension is likely to remain front and centre until we get some evidence that the virus can be contained.'

Hotel and travel stocks were once again among the worst hit in the latest leg of the coronavirus sell-off, with Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels and Premier Inn group Whitbread both down 6 per cent on London's FTSE 100.

PAST FORTNIGHT: The FTSE has plunged since the virus sparked a worldwide rout last week

Tour operator Tui was 5 per cent lower, with cruise ship giant Carnival tumbling 6% as demand for bookings slumps amid a wave of cancellations from worried holidaymakers.

Carnival's woes were compounded by news of another cruise liner, the Grand Princess, being stranded off San Francisco.

Airlines have also been badly impacted, with the collapse of Flybe raising fears that other vulnerable players may go bust in the fallout from coronavirus.

In London, British Airways owner International Airlines Group and low-cost rival easyJet both saw shares drop 5 per cent.

A data panel shows the results of Spanish index Ibex 35 at the stock market in Madrid today

Blue chip oil giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell were also suffering share losses - falling nearly 4 per cent each - as the cost of crude extended recent declines, with Brent down another 4 per cent at just under $48 a barrel.

Officials in Britain said a woman in her 70s with underlying health problems had succumbed to the virus yesterday, while the number of infections jumped to 163.

Markets have endured roller coaster ups and downs for weeks amid uncertainty over how much damage the outbreak of the virus will do to the global economy.

'At this point no one can really explain why the markets behave the way they do, and what may be next. The only thing we can say is this high volatility is bad,' said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

A pedestrian walks past a board displaying a share price of the Tokyo Stock Exchange today

A woman walks by an electronic screen with the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong yesterday

'Bulk holiday cancellations and a significant drop in all-purpose travels added to anxiety of disrupted supply chains and rumours that China may be lying about the resumption of activity explain why the issue goes beyond governments' and central bankers' control this time.'

Analysts at Top investment bank Goldman Sachs have warned coronavirus could push the UK to the brink of recession in the coming months.

They say the outbreak will cause a 'substantial' near-term hit to economic growth, decimating the tourism industry and slashing leisure spending as Britons stay indoors.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street yesterday

It will cause a headache for new Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is due to present his first Budget next week.

But analyst Sven Jari Stehn said: 'The Budget may now focus more on measures to safeguard public health than a broad-based expansion of spending.'

Goldman Sachs expects the economy to be flat in the first three months of 2020 and to contract by 0.2 per cent between April and June.
President Donald Trump shows off a bipartisan $8 billion funding bill he signed at the White House to combat the coronavirus outbreak on March 6, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump Signs $8.3 Billion Coronavirus Bill

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a more than $8 billion spending bill to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, injecting funding into developing a vaccine and other prevention measures.

The $8.3 billion aid package was agreed to earlier this week by Senate and House appropriations managers before it was overwhelmingly passed in the two chambers of Congress along bipartisan lines. Trump, meanwhile, told reporters last week that he would be willing to sign a larger coronavirus spending package after the White House proposed an approximately $2.5 billion plan of its own.

In situations like this, I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people, and in crafting this package none was, said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) in a statement to media outlets. Its an aggressive plan, a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction.

Amid a deeply divided Congress just weeks after the end of a Senate impeachment trial of Trump, the quick action underscored just how seriously the government is taking the COVID-19 threat. Dozens of new cases and more than 10 deaths have been confirmed in recent daysnamely in hard-hit Washington stateas health officials have warned that the outbreak may morph into a pandemic.

No state has been more hard hit than the state of Washington, said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in a statement. Whats clear in this supplemental is that we need more resources for testing. Cantwell said her state would receive $11.5 million in funding to assist the Washington Department of Health to curb the COVID-19 spread.

A woman wears a medical mask at Grand Central Station in New York City on March 5, 2020. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

There are residents of Washington who might feel sick and arent getting tested but the public, she said, should understand they want to make sure that every lab, commercial and academic, in the United States, is getting prepared to help us in the advent of the spread of this virus.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in the House, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in the Senate opposed the measure.

I dont think theyre panicking, Trump remarked during the bill signing. Itll go away. In the Diplomatic Reception Room on Friday, Trump said that he still would like to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta soon.

A man in a face mask rides the subway in Manhattan, New York City, after further cases of coronavirus were confirmed in New York on March 5, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Vice President Mike Pence announced Thursday that Trump was expected to sign an $8.3 billion spending bill as he met with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

The efforts by federal health officials and Congress members, according to Pence, marks the best of D.C. coming together, putting the health and wellbeing of the American people first and making nearly $8 billion available not only to federal agencies but to state and local efforts as we confront coronavirus.

The COVID-19 outbreak originated in Wuhan, located in Chinas Hubei Province, infecting tens of thousands of people in the country and abroad. Some experts and world leaders have accused the Chinese Communist Party of covering up the full extent of the outbreak in the country, while adding that the regime is censoring dissidents who report on the regimes measures.
Will always be with you to fight injustice: Rahul Gandhi to media

'No Yes Bank,' says Rahul, accuses govt of 'destroying' economy

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 06: "No Yes Bank," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday, taking a dig at the BJP-led government over the moratorium placed on Yes Bank, and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "ideas" had destroyed the country's economy.

"No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India's economy," the former Congress chief said in a tweet.

Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium on Thursday, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping deposit withdrawals at the bank at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

Yes Bank depositors rush to ATMs but most unable to withdraw cash

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

The bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment during the period.

For the next month, Yes Bank will be led by RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, a former chief financial officer of the State Bank of India (SBI).

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 12:50 [IST]
By Paul Edwards



March 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Natural disasters come barreling out of nowhere, unforeseen. Before they occur, cataclysms and catastrophic events of the physical world--tidal wave, earthquake, wildfire, eruption--are inconceivable. They blindside us utterly. Human caused calamities are quite another matter.



When Augustus Caesar, at the height of his imperial power, sent three crack legions--unmatched fighting units--into tribal wildland across the Rhine on a routine disciplinary action he never imagined they would march into Teutoberg Forest and never come out, slaughtered to the last man.



He didnt. But he could have. Because most tremendous shocks and dislocations in human society occur only after an accumulating series of predictive and prefiguring indicators, a data set that, properly assessed, points toward an inevitable outcome. The run-up is obvious in hindsight.



The Democratic Party apparatus, from its governing elite down through all its controlled and managed bureaus and affiliates, is vitally absorbed now in the effort to terminate the flourishing Presidential candidacy of Bernie Sanders. It believes its engaged in a mortal effort to prevent a democratic socialist from betraying its governing ethos and subverting its creed. It is.



The tools it uses to achieve its end--the smarmy commentary and acid innuendo, the sly denigration and biased sniping, the techno manipulation and sleazy assaults on his character, sanity and goals--are the desperate tactics of a political elite that believes its fighting for its life. It is.



What its ruling clique cant understand is that the mortal threat it faces is not Bernie and his politics. Its the fatal reality of what it has become.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

Factional contradictions within a party are all manageable to a point. The charade of trampled, abandoned principles, cynical dissembling of intent, and cosmetic masking of policies as what they are not, can continue as long as key constituencies are mollified and rewarded. When they cant be, when all pretense that they are is an open sick joke, when the yawning gap between its rhetoric and its reality is baldly, flamingly clear and all spoils accrue to a single, voracious controlling faction, the writing is on the wall.



The fact of Bernie brings the reality of the Democratic Party today into plain view and exposes, as an open casket does, the grisly horror within it.



The last fifty years have seen the appalling descent of the Party from one which could--when forced--take halting steps to benefit The People, to the money-hustling brothel it is now. It was rare, but from public force plays came Social Security, Medicare, and the Civil Rights and Wilderness Acts. Those coerced deliveries of popular social good gave some color to its claim to be the Party of the People. There has been none for fifty years.



The Vietnam debacle did us irreparable harm in many ways but one most prominent was that, with the total U.S. takeover by the corporate oligopoly and the War Machine, Democrats who ran opposing them were pulverized. The answer to that in the minds of the Dem politburo and Bill Clinton was to move all in after money and just bullshit the proles because, hey, they have to stay with us anyway. Were nicer than those other pricks.



It made perfect sense to the corporate mind. Cater to the massive bucks of Wall Street and the War Machine, befuddle the dim, sappy, declining middle class with pleasant, polite, high-minded blather, and cut the poor, ill, elderly, and immiserated dead. They have no money to give. They dont matter.



Between the glib, ingratiating, snakeoil poster boys for faux progressivism, Clinton and Obama, the transition was made. The Party became the toy of the Big Kahuna donors of the Oligarchy while its traditional electoral base--ordinary, working people--like tipsy, seduced debutantes, surrendered and embraced the two Prom Kings it adoringly permitted to fuck them.



But America finally got a belly full of it, and the inevitable reckoning came: enter Trump and his coven of inverts, sociopaths, and kookball Christer warlocks. And into that resulting chaos rode Bernie, the Knight of Flaming Social Equity, wielding his magic sword, Medicare For All.



Where does this face-off go? First, there is the dingbat Slough of Despond of our half-assed primary maze for Bernie to negotiate, with one of two results: he gets a clear majority of delegates or he doesnt. If he does, hes nominated. If not, he gets brokered out at the convention and that ends his threat... but not their problem. That just moves it closer to endgame.



Because Bernies damage to the big bosses is already done. In the 16 race, his treacherous sabotage by the Party machine in favor of Hillary was revealed for the world to see. By that, and in denigrating him and his ideas, intensifying now many fold, he has consistently shown them up for what they are: a second-string party of Big Money, of the .0001%, of the War Machine, banking/finance thieves and pirates, and the Vampire Squid of remorseless Capitalist exploitation that has sucked the economic life out of The People, raped and fouled our world, and sold our childrens futures. That exposure cant be eradicated, regardless of what happens to Bernie.



The Democratic Party has ingeniously arranged two ways to fail, one odds on, the other a real long shot, but either will destroy it in its current form.



If the combine of reactionary nonentities who bombed, with Mike Millions, and vindictive team mole Warren, deny Bernie his majority, then the Party will nominate its flaccid, fatuous Nowhere Man who will be joyfully flogged by Trump, beaten like the vacuous drum he is. In that event, the Party dies of permanent 1% donor withdrawal and mass youth abandonment.



If, spectacularly, Bernie somehow fights through the blazing broadsides of his Party to nomination, he will thrash Trump against the open opposition of his own power elite. When elected, the Party, with its traditional voter base energized but completely alienated from the official apparatus, will be riven and dismembered, which will mean formation of a real progressive party.



Contrary to popular belief, parties do die. The Federalists did. The Whigs did. And the Democrats have every confidence they can do it, too. And they should. A more sleazy, cynical betrayal of a mass voting body has perhaps not been seen since the Reichstag Fire.



When the nation demanded a party dedicated to the health, prosperity and welfare of a yearning citizenry, what it got was vile betrayal and cowardly abandonment by Democrats, who sold every iota of concern for Americans for the money of a grasping, visionless, suicidal Capitalist oligarchy.



So... as The Bard put it, Now blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark, for the storm is up, and all is on the hazard.

Paul Edwards is a writer and film-maker in Montana. He can be reached at: hgmnude@bresnan.net
A DRAINAGE company has been found not guilty of criminal charges brought following an investigation into the contamination of a private well at a GAA club which resulted in more than 60 people developing gastroenteritis.

Clare Drains Environmental Limited was prosecuted under the provisions of the Waste Management Act arising from an incident which was alleged to have occurred at Croagh/Kilfinny GAA grounds on June 28, 2019.

The company was accused of failing to report the incident, in accordance with the terms of its permit and with holding, transporting, recovering or disposing of waste in a manner that caused or was likely to cause environmental pollution.

Opening the case at Newcastle West District Court, solicitor Will Leahy, representing Limerick City and County Council, said the company had been contracted by Irish Water to de-sludge a waste water treatment plant which is located near the GAA club.

The work, he said, was carried out a day before an inter-county camogie tournament which was hosted by Croagh/Kilfinny Camogie Club.

Judge Mary Larkin was told 62 women became unwell after they drank water at the clubhouse during the tournament and that a number of investigations were carried out.

Mr Leahy said while the alleged offence had been identified as a result of the local authoritys investigation, the case before the court was not that Clare Drains had caused the private well to be polluted or contaminated.

Giving evidence during a lengthy hearing, senior executive engineer Gerard Doherty, said he became aware that there was a drinking water issue on July 1 and that samples taken from the private well at the GAA club confirmed it had been contaminated.

Having conducted initial inquiries, Mr Doherty said he formed the opinion that an incident had occurred in the car park of the GAA club which warranted further investigation.

As part of that investigation, Mr Doherty contacted the defendant company and requested a full report in relation to the works which were carried out the day before the camogie tournament.

He also spoke to a number a club representatives after it was alleged there had been a spillage as waste material was being transferred between two of the defendant companys trucks.

This was strenuously denied by solicitor Daragh Hassett who said it was his clients case that no spillage occurred and that there was no incident to report.

Mr Doherty told the court he conducted a site visit at Croagh/Kilfinny GAA Club on July 5, 2019. He said he observed what appeared to be dry organic matter in ruts near the cap of the well which feeds the clubhouse.

While this supported the complaints which had been received, he accepted that samples of the material were not taken and that no analysis was carried out.

In his evidence, club member Peter Richardson said he was cutting the grass on June 28 when he observed two trucks in the car park of the GAA club.

He told Mr Leahy that at around 11.30am he saw a brown spray coming from the smaller of the two trucks and a man running towards it.

He said the incident occurred near the well and that he noticed, a number of hours later, that the area was still wet.

Being questioned by Mr Hassett, Mr Richardson agreed he was not overly concerned by what he saw and he said he did not take any photographs as he does not own a smartphone.

Mr Hassett put it to the witness that he was incorrect and that what he saw was water spray associated with the washing down of the vehicles.

Chemist Mary Burke, who prepared a report for the defendant company, told the court that she carried out a site inspection on July 4, 2019.

She said she got down on her hands and knees to examine the area where the spillage was alleged to have occurred.

She said she found nothing untoward and that there was no evidence of a major sewage spillage having occurred.

I didnt find any evidence to back up allegations of a sewage spillage, she said.

Ms Burke said there were also significant discrepancies in the amounts of ammonia found in the samples taken from the well at Croagh/Kilfinny GAA club and those taken from the sludge which had been removed from the waste water treatment plant on the day of the alleged incident.

The samples from the well do not correlate with the sludge taken from the waste water treatment plant, she said.

In his evidence, Ciaran Browne  an operative with Clare Drains  told the court that he was supervising the operation to remove the sludge from the waste water treatment plant.

He said three trucks were deployed and that the method-statement had been supplied to both Irish Water and Limerick City and County Council in advance.

Almost 80,000 litres of waste was taken from the plant and transported to the Bunlicky treatment plant on the Dock Road.

Mr Browne confirmed that 30,000 litres of waste was transferred between two of trucks in the car park of the GAA club but that there was no incident.

He said there are procedures in place to ensure spillages do not occur and that the only spray on the day would have been associated with the washing down of the pipes and trucks which, he said, is done using a power hose and water from a hydrant.

Judge Larkin noted the defendant company has been in business for more than 18 years and that it has no previous convictions.

Dismissing the charges, she said there was a direct conflict and that the evidence before her did not meet the required test.

Therefore, she said she was not satisfied that an incident had occurred, as alleged.

She refused an application from Mr Hassett for his costs.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association will offer the Official 2020 White House Easter Eggs and other Easter items for sale beginning next Thursday, March 12. The limited-edition eggs will be given to children attending the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 13, 2020, and will be available to the public for purchase while supplies last.

The Association is the exclusive retailer of the wooden American-made eggs and is honored to donate more than 26,000 to the White House for this year's annual Easter Egg Roll, as they have done in previous years.

The Official 2020 White House Easter Eggs

The 2020 Official White House Easter Eggs feature the White House North Portico on the front and President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's signatures on the back. The eggs come in four spring colors: blue, green, pink, and yellow. The special edition metallic gold egg features the presidential seal.

Individual eggs in blue, green, pink, and yellow retail for $8.50 each; the metallic gold egg retails for $14.95. The full set of five eggs retails for $34.95.

To receive a notification when the eggs are released, click here.

Eggs will be available for purchase online at whitehousehistory.org.

Additionally, the Association will sell the eggs near the exit of the Easter Egg Roll on April 13, located near the Ellipse Visitor Center (closest intersection 15th and Pennsylvania Ave.).

Other NEW Easter Items!

The White House Historical Association is also pleased to offer an assortment of new items in its 2020 Easter Collection at whitehousehistory.org and at its retail locations beginning March 12. Items in this collection include:

Natural Easter Basket

Confetti Bunny Plush

2020 Anna Weatherly Easter Egg

Easter Egg Roll Ornament

Bonnets and Baskets Tote

Lenox 10 piece Easter Ornament Set

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About The White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion's legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association's mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the White House Historical Association has contributed more than $50 million in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about The White House Historical Association, please visit www.whitehousehistory.org.

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Nuclear physicists at the University of York are putting forward a new candidate for dark matter  a particle they recently discovered called the d-star hexaquark.

Up to 80% of the Universe could be dark matter, but despite many decades of study, its physical origin has remained an enigma. While it cannot be seen directly, scientists know it exists because of its interaction via gravity with visible matter like stars and planets. Dark matter is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect or emit light.

Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics  A new possibility for light-quark dark matter

Bose-Einstein condensate

The particle is composed of six quarks  the fundamental particles that usually combine in trios to make up protons and neutrons. Importantly, the six quarks in a d-star result in a boson particle, which means that when many d-stars are present they can combine together in very different ways to the protons and neutrons.

The research group at York suggests that in the conditions shortly after the Big Bang, many d-star hexaquarks could have grouped together as the universe cooled and expanded to form the fifth state of matter  Bose-Einstein condensate.

Dr MIkhail Bashkanov and Professor Daniel Watts from the department of physics at the University of York recently published the first assessment of the viability of this new dark matter candidate.

Cosmos

Professor Daniel Watts from the department of physics at the University of York said: The origin of dark matter in the universe is one of the biggest questions in science and one that, until now, has drawn a blank.

Our first calculations indicate that condensates of d-stars are a feasible new candidate for dark matter and this new possibility seems worthy of further, more detailed investigation.

Co-author of the paper, Dr Mikhail Bashkanov from the Department of Physics at the University of York said: The next step to establish this new dark matter candidate will be to obtain a better understanding of how the d-stars interact  when do they attract and when do they repel each other. We are leading new measurements to create d-stars inside an atomic nucleus and see if their properties are different to when they are in free space. 

The researchers will now collaborate with scientists in Germany and the US to test their theory of dark matter and search for d-star hexaquarks in the cosmos.

Abstract

Despite many decades of study the physical origin of dark matter (DM) in the Universe remains elusive. In this letter we calculate the properties of a completely new DM candidateBoseEinstein condensates formed from a recently discovered bosonic particle in the light-quark sector, the hexaquark. In this first study, we show stable BoseEinstein condensates could form in the primordial early universe, with a production rate sufficiently large that they are a plausible new candidate for DM. Some possible astronomical signatures of such DM are also presented.

SOURCES- University of York, Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics

Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
Two plays that take inspiration from mass violence are onstage in Toronto: Us/Them, about the 2004 elementary school siege in Beslan, Russia, that killed 334 people, and The Events, about the 2011 attack in Norway that killed 77.

Both plays were written in the mid-2010s, a time when mass shootings and acts of terror were potent but perhaps less commonplace than they are today.

Belgian playwright Carly Wijs began writing Us/Them 10 years after the school siege, inspired by a documentary about the children who survived and her own sons reaction to the 2013 Westgate mall shooting in Nairobi, Kenya.

Scottish playwright David Greig, meanwhile, could almost see Norway from across the North Sea when the attacks occurred, shattering his perception of a nation he considered to be a socially democratic success story, according to The Events director Alan Dilworth.

Both plays focus on the aftermath of the acts rather than the horror.

Wijs was commissioned by a childrens theatre company to write a play for young audiences, so she focused on the way children break down unthinkable events into bite-sized observations and facts.

They have this very distant way of talking about it. They cant grasp what the effect of this would be on the rest of their life, Wijs told the Star.

Us/Them takes on the tone of a school presentation, with a male and female actor recounting the siege from a childs perspective using props and physical movement.

I needed a different language, Wijs said. There were going to be horrible moments, but it was meant for children so we need to move around that. I thought, When it becomes too horrifying well just use movements to explain.

Although it may seem shocking to write a childrens show about a terrorist attack that killed more than 180 kids, Wijs said European attitudes are vastly different from North American ones about whats an appropriate topic.

I dont think there is a subject that you cannot talk about, but I do think you need to find the right tone, she said.

I think for children a divorce is much more traumatizing; being bullied at school is much more traumatizing than looking at stuff thats really beyond your realm of thought. Terrorism, freedom fighters, politics. Thats the reason why I thought, Oh, yes, we can discuss this with children.

Still, as Us/Them has toured the world since its premiere in 2014, the approaches and responses to the show have differed according to the location. A Hungarian production geared it toward adults and used fake blood. A sold-out performance in Paris the day after the Bataclan shooting saw only 20 children and five adults show up out of a potential audience of 350. And after two trips to the United States, Wijs thought, This doesnt work here.

Greigs The Events takes a more epic scope.

Borrowing from the Greek tragedies, the play features a priest named Claire trying to recalibrate her faith, her community and her idea of humanity after the attacks by Anders Breivik. A male actor plays a series of parts (her therapist, a journalist, the attacker), supported by a local choir every night.

The Events enacts what happens to a society after an inexplicable tragedy instead of focusing on the events themselves.

It has the weight and scope of Greek tragedy, said Dilworth, who has directed several Greek plays or adaptations at Soulpepper Theatre. I am drawn to the meanings that are made in Greek tragedy in terms of community implications. Its often a dialogue about the idea of democracy or meeting together. How do we live together? We see people who are more extreme, classically heroic. We get to watch how that plays out. And it also teaches us how to listen.

Greigs play has a very powerful antagonist and a very powerful protagonist in the piece, and theyre both far from ideal human beings, Dilworth said. But theyre both, in some way, maybe in a horrifically admirable way, really determined in their pursuit.

The extremes of human nature  both good and evil  have long been the subject of drama, of course, going back to the Greeks that The Events references. And we can expect theatre to continue to bring us to those dark places from the safety of our seats.

Theres something about, Oh, you cant do that that makes me want to do it, Wijs said. Because I do think, whether thats childrens theatre or adult theatre, I find whats important is being with people in one room, thinking about one subject. All of you together, the people onstage, the people in the audience, you are breathing the same breath.

Us/Them is at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St., until March 15 as part of the off-Mirvish series. See mirvish.com for information. The Events is presented by Necessary Angel Theatre Company at Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., until March 15. See necessaryangel.com for information.
THIS week saw a momentous step towards solving a mystery that has haunted Irish society for over 20 years.

Gardai are submitting an investigation file to the DPP recommending that an individual should be charged with the abduction and murder of student Deirdre Jacob.

The majority of the population are intuitively aware of the case of the 18-year-old student teacher who vanished while walking outside Newbridge in July 1998.

Deirdre Jacob was the seventh and last name added to a group known as Irelands Missing Women, each of whom vanished without trace in the Leinster area between 1993 and 1998, sparking fears that they may have fallen foul of a serial killer.

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It would be fair to say that the name of Larry Murphy, who served ten years for the abduction, multiple rape and attempted murder of a young woman, has also haunted Irish society for decades.

Unlike any other dangerous sexual predator  with the exception of Graham Dwyer who is safely locked up - he has gained an unprecedented level of notoriety and the moniker, the Beast of Baltinglass.

Ever since Murphy was released from prison ten years ago he has remained the most identifiable and feared sex offender in Irish history.

Two years later, I traced him to Amsterdam as part of an investigation for the Irish Independent.

On one occasion while we were actually following Murphy on a street in Amsterdam, I received a number of calls from Ireland reporting yet another cluster of sightings in villages and towns in Leitrim and Longford.

The sightings have also forced gardai to issue numerous reassurances to the public that he was not in the country.

The truth is that Murphy is determined that he will never come back to live in Ireland.

Yet he has never offered any kind of explanation or indeed taken the opportunity of telling his side of the story through the media.

So why is Larry Murphy believed to be a serial killer, even though he has never been charged with murder, despite being the subject of one of the longest murder investigations in Irish history?

Down the years the experienced detectives who worked on numerous cold case reviews of the Deirdre Jacob case consistently identified Murphy as the prime suspect.

The last confirmed sighting of Deirdre was of her walking alone in the direction of her rural home at Roseberry, about 1.5km outside Newbridge, at 3pm on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 28, 1998.

Within the next 30 minutes or so she had vanished.

Gardai always believed that the most likely scenario for the disappearance was that she had been abducted by a random, opportunist killer.

But the trail went cold until February 2000.

Then a quietly-spoken family man from the village of Baltinglass in Co Wicklow entered the frame after the terrifying abduction, rape and attempted murder of a young woman.

Shortly after 8pm on the evening of February 11, Murphy pounced on his victim in a public car park in Carlow town. Everything about Murphys behaviour and methodology displayed the classic hallmarks of a serial killer.

He first punched the woman, fracturing her nose, before bundling her into her own car.

Murphy then drove to a spot where he had left his own car out of sight, which illustrated that the attack was premeditated and planned.

He forced his victim to strip, tied her hands with her bra and then bundled her into his car before driving 10 miles north of Carlow town where he pulled onto a dirt track.

Murphy gagged and raped his victim. Then he forced her into the boot and drove into the mountainous terrain of the Glen of Imaal, stopping on an isolated woodland track in an area which he knew intimately from his hobby as a hunter.

By then it was around 10 pm.

Here Murphy raped his victim twice more and attempted to suffocate her by placing a plastic bag over her head.

Murphys victim began a frantic effort to get away from her would-be killer and as she tried to get out of the car he slammed the door on her legs.

He had no reason to worry about the commotion: it was a cold winters night in the middle of nowhere .

Then by chance, two local men, Ken Jones and Trevor Moody, who were out hunting in the remote wilderness, heard the screams which they first thought were those of an injured wild animal. They decided to investigate further.

But Murphy got into his vehicle and drove off at speed leaving his terrified victim behind.

The woman, who was naked and seriously injured, became entangled in rusted barbed wire. Fortunately the two heroes recognised Murphy and his car and the next morning he was arrested.

If fate had not intervened, Murphys victim would probably have been number eight on the list of Irelands Missing Women. Murphy never offered any explanation to either gardaior his family for his horrific crime that night.

And when it came to court he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity - thus preventing any further public scrutiny.

Experts in the field of criminal psychology agree that Murphys actions that night were classic examples of a serial killer. He stalked his randomly selected victim before making his move when she was most vulnerable and unlikely to get attention.

The most sinister aspect of the incident is that he brought his victim to the wilderness of the Glen of Imaal, an area he was intimately acquainted with and where the chances of being discovered were practically non-existent.

This is what criminal profilers refer to as a killing field: a location where the killer feels comfortable, secure and in control.

Within hours of his arrest Murphy became a person of interest to the gardai in connection with the previous disappearances, especially that of Deirdre Jacob.

The next chapter in this story rests with the DPP.

But after 22 years there is no body, no proof of death and no forensics which means that the prosecution will have to climb the evidential equivalent of Mount Everest.
U.S. lawmakers reach deal on emergency funding to combat COVID-19 as concern grows

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:04, March 05, 2020

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. lawmakers reached a deal on Wednesday to provide 7.8 billion U.S. dollars in emergency funding to combat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), amid growing public concern and pressure on Washington and health authorities.

The bill, negotiated by leaders from both Senate and House appropriations panels, passed the lower chamber Wednesday afternoon and is expected to clear the upper chamber later this week, as the nation is reporting more deaths and confirmed cases.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican, called the situation a "crisis."

"This should not be about politics; this is about doing our job to protect the American people from a potential pandemic," he said in a statement.

Agreeing with Shelby's assessment, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy took a shot at the White House.

The Vermont Democrat said in a statement that the bill is vastly different from the President Donald Trump administration's proposal, which he called a "poorly thought out proposal."

"Where President Trump's proposal would rob Peter to pay Paul, stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from funds meant to contain an Ebola outbreak and programs the American people rely on ... our agreement provides 7.8 billion dollars in new, emergency funding to address this public health threat," he added.

According to Leahy's statement, the package includes 3 billion dollars for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; and more than 2 billion dollars to help governments at all levels prevent, prepare and respond to the crisis.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the death toll in the United States from COVID-19 has risen to 11, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials.

A total of 129 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the United States as of Tuesday afternoon, including 49 cases involving persons repatriated from other nations.

Though U.S. health authorities said they have taken aggressive actions and maintained "aggressive transparency," their responses to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the nation have met with scrutiny and criticism.

The first suspected U.S. case of a patient getting COVID-19 through "community spread" was left undiagnosed for days as the CDC initially set strict criteria for novel coronavirus testing, according to reporting by the National Public Radio.

The CDC developed a testing tool in early February, but it had only done 459 tests by the end of month, causing concerns of inadequate testing. In March, the CDC ceased to update the number of its virus tests.

Besides, the first batch of the CDC's testing kits turned out to be defective, as some of them contained a faulty reagent, thus producing inconclusive results. The CDC admitted recently that the testing reagent might be contaminated. The Trump administration has ordered an independent investigation into it.

At a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn pledged that about 1 million tests would be able to be performed by the end of this week.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who's leading the White House Coronavirus Task Force, told a Tuesday briefing that the nation can have 2,500 kits out before the end of this week, which represents about 1.5 million tests.

Public and private labs in the United States, however, said that they're unable to realize the promises that quickly, The New York Times reported.

"I have people in my state who may have been exposed. They cannot get answers about where to go, and health officials are telling us that they fear that this virus has been circulating for weeks undetected," Senator Patty Murray of Washington said at Tuesday's hearing.

U.S. health authorities were also scrutinized as they quarantined COVID-19 patients.

The Department of Health and Human Services started a probe after a whistleblower said some federal workers were ill-trained and not given proper protective gears when they worked with American evacuees repatriated from overseas, according to ABC News.

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New Delhi, March 6 : Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi has written to the Chief Ministers of the states ruled by the party listing out measures to be taken to deal with the coronavirus scare.

Sonia Gandhi has written to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (Kamal Nath), Chhattisgarh (Bhupesh Baghel), Rajasthan (Ashok Gehlot), Punjab (Captain Amarinder Singh) and Pudicherry (V. Narayansammy).

In her letter, the Congress chief said, "It is critical for the state government to put in place effective response and preparedness measures. The capacity of public healthcare facilities must be augmented to respond to any potential outbreak.

"Increased disease surveillance and strengthening the testing facilities could help early detection and containment," she said.

"The state government must lend all possible support to public health care responders to carry out their duty effectively," said Sonia Gandhi.

She also pointed out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned of severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially for frontline health workers, and had estimated that manufacturers must increase production by 40 per cent to meet the requirements.

"I urge the state government to ensure an adequate supply of PPE, especially in public healthcare facilities, and initiate effective measures to prevent hoarding and black-marketing," she said.

"It is equally important to strengthen the intensive care facilities to meet any potential contingency." Sonia Gandhi said protocols for contact identification must be put in place by the states and quarantine facilities must be set up urgently.

The Congress chief also asked the states to consider awareness campaigns, helplines, advisories to avoid public gatherings in view of the deadly disease.

The deadly coronavirus outbreak has claimed over 3,345 lives across the world.

India has stepped up its fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus and has kept its 31 confirmed patients in isolation.

The COVID-19 outbreak has rattled economies around the world and has raised fears among investors.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Earlier, Shmyhal said Crimea is Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens live there, and the water supply to them should not be blocked.

Newly-appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says his earlier statement on a possibility of resumption of fresh water supplies to Crimea has been pulled out of context.

"Panel show format is not the best one for discussing complex issues. For example, the issue of water supply to Crimea," Smyhal wrote on Facebook overnight Friday, March 6, amid backlash in social networks following his statement, picked up by most major news outlets in Ukraine, approving resumption of water supplies to Crimea for humanitarian purposes.

"Once again, I'd like to emphasize that the government doesn't forget about Ukrainians living in the territory of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea. We want to help these people. We want them to feel that we care about them. In fact, for technical reasons, it's impossible to divide water flowing to people and water flowing to military bases," the newly appointed prime minister noted.

"This message was lost in the noise of the studio," he added.

Ukraine's position "remains unchanged", the Cabinet chief said, "we would like to supply water to our citizens, but we can't and don't have technical opportunity to do so until the peninsula is deoccupied and returned to Ukraine."

Read alsoLeading party faction chief apologizes over "freshwater for Crimea" statement

Speaking at a panel show Thursday night, Shmyhal said the issue of supplying water to occupied Crimea "is not a matter of trade with the occupying state, it is not a matter of a certain business  it is a matter of humanitarian responsibility before people who live in Crimea."

Shmyhal emphasized that "the lack of water there will lead to a humanitarian disaster."

Earlier, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, said "we can't supply water" to Crimea while the peninsula is occupied by the Russian Federation.
The United States House committee investigating the Boeing 737 Max blasted U.S. regulators and the Boeing Co. for a series of design and safety blunders involving the jet thats been grounded for almost a year after two fatal crashes.

The 737 Maxs design and development was marred by technical design failures, lack of transparency with both regulators and customers, and efforts to obfuscate information about the operation of the aircraft, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said Friday in a summary of preliminary findings from its nearly yearlong probe of the jet.

Investigators said the Federal Aviation Administrations certification of the plane was grossly insufficient and called for reforms to the oversight of new plane designs that would put more emphasis on safety-critical designs and give the agency more direct responsibility.

Developing a transport category commercial aircraft that is compliant with FAA regulations but fundamentally flawed and unsafe highlights an aviation oversight system in desperate need of repair, the committee wrote.

The release, while preliminary, marks the first time the House panel has summarized what it has found after almost one year of hearings, interviews with officials, and a review of about 600,000 pages of documents.

Our committee has been able to bring into focus the multiple factors that allowed an unairworthy airplane to be put into service, leading to the tragic and avoidable deaths of 346 people, Rep. Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat and chair of the committee, said in a statement.

The 737 Max crashes prompted the longest grounding of a jetliner in decades, tarnished the aircraft manufacturing giants image, and led to financial stress at airlines around the world stuck with hundreds of planes that cant currently fly.

Boeing shares were little changed at $260 at 1:25 p.m. in New York.

Boeing cooperated extensively with the committee for the past year and is reviewing the report, the company said in a statement.

As the March 10 anniversary of the ET302 accident approaches, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families that lost loved ones in these accidents, Boeing said.

The FAA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The majority of findings in the report have been released previously at the committees meetings, in documents it has made public, or by other panels that have reviewed the plane.

They cite now well-known failures to adequately assess in development how pilots would react when a malfunction started repeatedly driving down the planes nose, particularly after a system on the plane was made more expansive, and pressures on Boeing to speed work on the plane.

But the House report was accompanied by hundreds of documents that hadnt been revealed before. Some of them shed new light on the controversy over the Max.

In January 2019  after a Lion Air 737 Max had crashed but before the March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines accident  Boeing wrote to the FAA saying it continued to believe that the safety system that led to the crashes didnt need to be disclosed to pilots in flight manuals.

However, because the feature  Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System or MCAS  was known to have been involved in the Lion Air crash, airline customers were asking for additional information about it. Bowing to the carriers, Boeing wrote that it would include the lowest level of training on MCAS.

The FAA wrote back to Boeing on March 1, just nine days before the second accident, to say that the companys proposal may not meet the agencys requirements and it would conduct additional testing.

New details also emerged about Boeings decision to ship the planes without a working cockpit alert to monitor a sensor critical to the crashes. The so-called angle-of-attack sensor alert didnt work on 80 per cent of Max jets and its absence was cited as a factor in the Lion Air crash by Indonesian investigators.

Boeing had prepared a Fleet Team Digest to inform its customers about the faulty alert, the report said, suggesting some in the company thought it should be disclosed. But the company never sent it, according to the committee.

In addition, Boeing in 2012 slashed thousands of work-hours spent on elements of the 737 Max program as a cost-cutting move, the committee said.

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Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi



on Friday said the Madras High Court order upholding her selection process for State Election Commissioner (SEC) has cleared the way for local body polls after 10 years in the Union Territory.

"It is time to celebrate the return of democracy at the grass root level in Puducherry," she said hailing the high court judgement delivered on Thursday.

In a setback to the Congress government in Puducherry, the Madras High Court had dismissed a PIL filed by Local Administration Minister A Namassivayam against formulation of a selection process for appointment of the SEC by Bedi.

The matter relates to the appointment of Balakrishannan as the SEC by the Puducherry Council of Ministers on May 25, 2018 for conduct of local body polls based on an assembly resolution.

The Lt Governor did not approve the appointment and in December last year quashed it as 'null and void ab initio' and formulated the scheme for filling the post and gave a newspaper advertisement calling for applications.

Challenging this, Namassivayam moved the high court through a public interest litigation seeking to declare the LG's order as arbitrary and ultra vires of the Constitution.

The court held that the scheme adopted by the Administrator cannot be faulted with as it had been formulated after getting concurrence from the Union Home Ministry.

In her whatsapp message to the media, Bedi said the court verdict "clears the way for local body elections in Puducherry after a gap of ten years," during which there was no participation by grass root level stakeholders.

"Now the way is cleared for holding the polls, thanks to collective determination recognising the compelling need for the people of Puducherry," she said.

The former IPS officer further said, "the implementation of the judgement in letter and spirit will give active grass root social reformers a chance to serve more."



The High court order enables appointment of independent Election Commissioner to oversee local body elections and the officer would be chosen by Chief Secretary with two independent members from the Centre -one each from Union Home and Panchayat Raj ministries, she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(CNN)  Global airlines stand to lose $113 billion in sales if the coronavirus continues to spread, according to the International Air Transport Association.

The losses would be similar to those experienced by the aviation industry during the global financial crisis of 2008, IATA warned as it dramatically increased its estimate of the damage caused by the outbreak. It said airlines could lose 19% of their business if the virus isn't contained soon.

Just two weeks ago, IATA had been expecting lost sales in the range of $30 billion.

"The turn of events as a result of [the coronavirus] is almost without precedent. In little over two months, the industry's prospects in much of the world have taken a dramatic turn for the worse," Alexandre de Juniac, the CEO of the industry group, said in a statement. "It is unclear how the virus will develop, but ... this is a crisis."

Airlines in Europe and Asia would bear the brunt of the pain, according to IATA. Carriers in Asia Pacific could lose out on sales worth $58 billion.

If the virus is contained soon, and economies around the world recovery quickly, total industry losses could be limited to $63 billion, he added.

There are already more than 94,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus worldwide, and nearly 3,300 deaths, mostly in China. South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran also already suffering major outbreaks.

Travel restrictions and a lack of demand from customers have encouraged dozen of major airlines to cancel flights to and from mainland China because of the coronavirus. Transatlantic flights, as well as capacity on routes within Europe and the United States, have also been curtailed.

Struggling UK carrier Flybe collapsed earlier Thursday as the slump in demand killed off hopes of a government-backed rescue. Scottish airline Loganair said it would take over 16 of Flybe's routes over the coming months.

Smaller Asian carriers under pressure

Analysts say Flybe is unlikely to be the last casualty.

Josef Pospisil, managing director at Fitch Ratings, said that most big airlines have strong enough balance sheets to weather the shock to demand caused by coronavirus. But smaller carriers, especially those based in Asia, are more vulnerable.

"There probably will be some small players, regional players, that may be hit really hard," he told CNN Business.

Weak airlines that aren't able to secure backing from investors or governments could suffer the same fate as Flybe or become takeover targets, especially in Europe, where industry consolidation is underway.

The possibility of other airlines seeking bankruptcy protection or going out of business will depend on a number of factors, including the length of the outbreak, the cash position of various airlines and how quickly passenger demand returns once the crisis has passed, said Alexandre de Juniac, director general of the International Air Transport Association, the global industry's trade group.

"It's difficult at this stage to say [whether there will be more bankruptcies]," de Juniac told CNN. "If the duration is comparable to past outbreaks of SARS or the H1N1, and it's four to five months, the industry should overcome [the crisis], perhaps with some casualties. If it lasts longer, it will be more difficult for a larger number of airlines."

He said the industry has already asked some governments for relief from fees and charges airlines pay. And he raised the possibility of direct government bailouts for airlines, similar to what took place in the United States after the 9/11 attacks.

"If the outbreak lasts, we will probably need some government assistance in some parts of the world, especially where the airlines are weaker financially, and we will ask for help," he said.

The crisis has hit the US industry hard in just the last week, said Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, in an interview on CNBC.

"It has a 9/11 feel," he said, adding that customers "don't want to fly for the obvious reason."

That view was echoed by other industry executives at an aviation summit Thursday sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce.

American Airlines, the world's largest airline, is canceling international flights because of the sharp drop in demand, said American CEO Doug Parker.

There are dramatically fewer people flying this week than last week according to Nick Calio, CEO of Airlines for American, the US industry's trade group.

Investors have punished airlines stocks in recent weeks. United Airlines stock is down 32% so far this year, for example, and shares in Germany's Lufthansa are down 29% over the same period.

Lufthansa said Thursday it has canceled 7,100 European flights for March, mostly within Germany or on routes to Italy, accounting for about 25% of its total capacity. Earlier this week, Lufthansa said it would ground 150 of its 770 aircraft.

Pospisil said it's still too early to work out how specific airlines will be affected. So far, the pain has followed the virus. Airlines with lots of flights to countries heavily affected by the outbreak are suffering the most.

"Nobody really knows how bad it's going to get," Pospisil said of the virus' spread. "I don't know, and the airlines don't know either."

Rob North, Chris Isidore and Greg Wallace contributed to this article. It was first published on CNN.com, "'This is a crisis.' Airlines face $113 billion hit from the coronavirus."
The Daily Beast

Fox News White House correspondent and perpetual nemesis of Jen Psaki thought he had Joe Bidens press secretary cornered on Monday when he asked her why the president is still referring to COVID-19 as a pandemic of the unvaccinated when so many people are getting breakthrough infections. He was wrong.I understand that the science says that vaccines prevent death, Doocy began, before undercutting that basic truth. But Im triple-vaxxed, still got COVID. Youre triple-vaxxed, still got COVI
Distorted and misleading

A federal judge on Thursday sharply criticized Attorney General William P. Barrs handling of the report by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, saying that Mr. Barr put forward a distorted and misleading account of its findings and lacked credibility on the topic.

Mr. Barr could not be trusted, Judge Reggie B. Walton said, citing inconsistencies between the attorney generals statements about the report when it was secret and its actual contents that turned out to be more damaging to President Trump.

The judge ordered the Justice Department to privately show him the portions of the report that were censored in the publicly released version so he could independently verify the justifications for those redactions. (New York Times)

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FBI appeals for photos as mother of missing children returns to Idaho (CNN)

Hundreds of BYU students protest over Honor Code for a second day (Salt Lake Tribune)

Texas ice cream licker gets 30 days for in-store stunt captured on viral video (NBC News)

World news

Uneasy calm in Syrias Idlib as Russia-Turkey ceasefire takes effect (Reuters)

Pompeo denounces probe of possible U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan (Politico)

Trump insists Taliban wants to make a deal after surge in violence in Afghanistan (The Hill)

North Koreas Kim sends get well soon wishes for Souths coronavirus battle (Reuters)

Israels Netanyahu falls short of parliamentary majority (Associated Press)

Gender study finds 90% of people are biased against women (BBC)

Serious differences between the UK and the EU in post-Brexit talks, top official says (CNBC)

Archive of secret Iranian nuclear documents draws fresh scrutiny as Tehran stockpiles enriched uranium (Washington Post)

Easter Island: Anger after truck crashes into sacred statue (BBC)

Brazil lashed by heavy rains, leaving at least 32 dead (CNN)
SEATTLE  Just after dawn on Thursday morning, a Microsoft shuttle bus idled at its regular stop in North Seattle  but no passengers were there to board.

The day went on like that: Coffee shop sales were way down. Schools were closed in one suburban area. The downtown was oddly quiet. Traffic was a breeze.

People were hunkering down.

A new reality has set in for the Seattle area, the first region in the United States where the authorities have issued sweeping recommendations that people stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.

It is a weird feeling, being ground zero of this thing, said Anastasia Scrimgeour, a driver for Lyft and Uber who said her income had dropped by half since a week ago, when a wave of reports of coronavirus cases began in the area. Everyone is scared of Seattle now.
AnTuTu is the most popular benchmark in China that calculates the synthetic performance of the CPU, GPU, memory and user interface. Today it published its monthly Top 10 chart for flagships and midrangers.

The best performing flagship is the Asus ROG Phone II with 12 GB RAM and 512 gigs of storage, while the top midranger is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with an Helio G90T chipset.

The platform revealed that because of the impressive hardware and software, Asus gaming device retained the top spot. However, there arent any Snapdragon 865 smartphones - AnTuTu said there isnt enough data for the new smartphones, so we should expect to see changes next month with some new players from Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, nubia, Samsung, etc.

Currently, the most powerful smartphone at AnTuTu is Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (12/256 GB) with 559,781, followed by the Galaxy S20+ with 553,735 in their Snapdragon 865 versions. The Exynos 990 variants tested scored lower.

The score of the Redmi Note 8 Pro remained unchanged during the past four weeks. It is followed by the Galaxy A71 with Snapdragon 730 which yields the best result for CPU among midrangers.

Source
Imagine purchasing products from your local grocer, only to find out that those products are comprised of critically endangered species! That's what a team from the University of Hong Kong, Division of Ecology and Biodiversity has recently discovered on Hong Kong supermarket shelves. A team led by Dr David Baker from the University's Conservation Forensics laboratory, has recently published the results from an investigation into European eel products on sale in Hong Kong supermarkets.

The study, published in Science Advances, found that nearly 50% of retail eel products, ranging from fillets to snack items from grocers and convenience stores, contained a critically endangered species of fish. According to the IUCN, The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is at risk of extinction. For this reason, trade in European eels and their food product derivatives is subject to international regulation under the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). CITES is meant to ensure that permits are required for their import and export in an effort to regulate trade and foster conservation.

Eel, extremely popular in East Asia and particularly Japan, has traditionally been fished from East Asian populations of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica). However, overexploitation due to growing demand from Mainland China and a combination of threats ranging from rising ocean temperatures, parasites, and dammed rivers have led to dramatic declines in eel populations. This is true not only for European and Japanese species, but also for their American and Indo-Pacific relatives.

To satisfy demand for eel in East Asia, juvenile eels (known as glass eels) are caught while swimming upstream in their native range spanning Europe and North Africa, and smuggled to Asia to be raised to maturity. To date, captive breeding of eels has not been economically viable; wild-caught glass eels are thus used to "seed" eel farms. In recent years the illegal trade has been highlighted by a number of high-profile investigations and increasing prosecutions.

"The illegal export of glass eels from Europe to Asia has now been recognised as one of the world's greatest wildlife crimes and Europol has estimated the scale of over 300 million eels (2018 data) annually. The next step is to investigate the global consumer markets to identify where these trafficked eels are eventually consumed. The numbers from Hong Kong are very alarming and reflect the huge amounts of European eels that are being farmed in Asia. It is now up to individual countries to investigate the scale of European eels entering their national food chains illegally." -Florian Stein, Sustainable Eel Group

The international trade in glass eels is incredibly lucrative. One kilogram of glass eels can contain up to 3,500 individuals and has been recorded selling for over HKD$50,000 on the black market. This highly profitable trade has attracted the attention of international criminal syndicates, who smuggle glass eels in suitcases from Europe to Asia for resale. In their juvenile stages, eels are extremely difficult to identify to the species level. The two most common cousins of the endangered European eel (the Japanese and American eel) are not listed in CITES, therefore no permit is required for their trade. Because of the challenges in visual identification, endangered European eels can be laundered along with their legally traded relatives.

Already, the existence of Europe-Asia smuggling routes has been documented, but the ultimate destination of the smuggled eels remained elusive. Originally conceived as an undergraduate project looking at seafood mislabeling, the investigation into European eel took off when students noticed a surprising amount of European eel present in supermarket products.

"The eel project is the most exciting thing I have done during my undergraduate study in HKU. I once thought research was only for postgraduates and professors, but it turns out I, even as a student, was able to do meaningful research that actually made an impact in illegal trading. This has made me more determined to continue work in environmental fields." -Haze Chung, Year 4 Undergraduate Researcher

The study covered a wide range of Hong Kong supermarkets and convenience stores across all districts. Surprisingly, almost 50% of the eel products surveyed were determined to be European eel. The results from this study suggested that large scale smuggling networks trafficking European eels are interwoven with local supplier chains, resulting in endangered species ending up on supermarket shelves, totally unbeknownst to consumers.
A months-long investigation into the suspected embezzlement of donated funds from the Green River Fire Department Foundation culminated Monday with the arrests of the department's chief Mike Nomis, 50, and his wife, Stephanie Nomis, 46.

Court documents were not available as of press time. Additionally, city representatives and the GRFD declined to comment on the situation.

In November of last year, sheriff's detectives served search warrants to obtain bank records associated with the foundation. Additional search warrants at Green River City Hall and the GRFD for corresponding and related...
Sweetwater County is prepared to combat the Corona virus according to the Sweetwater County Emergency Management.

Sweetwater County Emergency Management is in contact with the State Response Coordination Center (SRCC), as well as Sweetwater County Public Health and others as we monitor the situation, said Judy Roderick, Sweetwater County Emergency Management Coordinator.

We are advising individuals to use the same preventative measures as they would with other viruses: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; stay...
A London art dealer has been criticised after telling a Vietnamese artist to stay away from an event over "anxiety" due to the coronavirus.

Raquelle Azran, director of the Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Art gallery, told artist An Nguyen not to come to the gallery's stand at London's Affordable Art Fair because "coronavirus is causing anxiety everywhere, and fairly or not, Asians are being seen as carriers of the virus".

Her comments have received widespread criticism online.

Observer and International New York Times columnist Kenan Malik said the comment was "despicable".

Meanwhile the British embassy in Vietnam said in a statement: "We are really sorry this happened. The views reported are not those of the organisers of the event or of the UK Government.

"We hope as many people as possible in the UK go to the art fair and get the chance to meet all the curators and artists who have put together this great show." 

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy 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Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. 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Ms Azran has since apologised.

She told Buzzfeed News: I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my actions. They were insensitive and in hindsight reflected poor judgement for me to cancel An Nguyen joining my stand as an assistant.

I will no longer be exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair next week. I shall continue, as I have over the past two decades, to encourage and exhibit Vietnamese artists and help them achieve the recognition they deserve.

This incident follows a spate of recorded incidents targetting people of east Asian origin amid growing fears over the coronavirus.

This week a teachers' union wrote to education minister Gavin Williamson to warn that people of colour are being subjected to "abuse, prejudice, xenophobia and racism" because of the virus.

And a 23-year-old student from Singapore was attacked on Oxford Street in central London by a group of men who reportedly shouted "I don't want your coronavirus in my country".

The British government promised 46 million to tackle the virus on Friday.
Regarding How worried should parents be? (Page 1, Business, March 5): I read Mallory Moenchs article on the coronavirus today. Instead of the title, How worried should parents be? I would have used, How prepared should parents be? Worry solves nothing. Preparation may help provide solutions to protect against COVID-19.

Christina Stockton, Moss Beach

Dont blame media

Regarding Sanders faces challenges to expand appeal (Page One, March 5): Heres a question for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders: If you dont want your campaign to degenerate into a Trump-type effort, then why are you blaming the corporate media for your poor performance in the Super Tuesday primaries? Americans have had to listen to President Trump repeatedly bash the media as purveyors of fake news for over three years now.

Frankly, I would rather hear more constructive policy ideas instead of more destructive attacks on journalists and our free press during this 2020 election year. Wouldnt you, too?

Vivian Wexford, San Francisco

Fix the election system

Concerning A vote for better-run elections (Editorial, March 5): The Chronicle calls for the next president to fix the goofy system that will elevate him or her to the nations highest office, and points out the dysfunction in the basic machinery of our democracy during the Super Tuesday primaries. But how will the next president accomplish this task if his last name is Trump?

From irrationally pulling our nation out of the Paris climate accord to poorly responding to the growing coronavirus threat, this 45th president is the very personification of the word dysfunctional. The only pathway toward future election system reforms is by the selection of a 46th president in November.

Hector Maldonado, Pinole

Honor female suffrage

In celebration of the arrival of Golden Gate Parks five new bison, as described in 5 park newbies are quarter-ton bison (March 5), heres a suggestion for their names (which would also celebrate the centennial anniversary of female suffrage in the U.S. and those who fought for it): Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Carrie Chapman Catt and Lucy Stone. They would be fine successors to the original Golden Gate Park bison, who (as the wonderful Chronicle writer Steve Rubenstein mentioned) was named Sarah Bernhardt.

Astrid Kupferberg, San Francisco

Double dose of articles

Regarding 5 park newbies are quarter-ton bison (March 5) and After roughly 45 million meals, St. Anthonys still going strong (March 5): Two Steve Rubenstein articles in one day? What a treat! Hes one of the reasons we still pay for the paper newspaper to be delivered. Thanks for sharing his writing with us, and please help him get out a book of his columns; my husband and I cant be the only fans who would buy it.

Kirsten Schwartz, Albany

Bidens the best hope

Regarding Strange turnaround (Letters, March 5) and DNC should wake up (Letters, March 5): Former Vice President Joe Biden gives us the most realistic chance to oust President Trump for several reasons. Biden is a good, honest, decent, empathetic man. Trump has none of those qualities. Biden has experience, competence and the respect of leaders around the world. Trump lacks all those qualities. Biden may have lost a step, but hes still hundreds of steps ahead of Trump in every important measure. Hes a man people can trust and feel good about voting for. He has turned out key Democratic constituencies  suburban women, black voters and people over 50. Its now a two-man race between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has great ideas that are either too expensive or have no chance to pass. Many moderates wont vote for him. Trump wants Sanders to get the nomination, because he knows hell beat him. Yet, hes obviously afraid of Biden. Our democracy is at stake here. Biden is our best hope for ending the hate, restoring our values and stopping the slide to authoritarianism.

Gary Cavalli, Danville

Money has limits

Multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg once seemed confident that spending over $500 million of his personal fortune on campaign staffing and ads would win over enough voters to make him the Democratic presidential nominee. But to no avail  he has ended his campaign and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. Why might Bloomberg suddenly be singing a different tune about what a half-billion dollars can buy?

Perhaps hes been schooled by The Beatles, who crooned wise counsel about the limits of moneys power in Cant Buy Me Love, their 1964 hit: I dont care too much for money/Money cant buy me love/Cant buy me love, everybody tells me so/Cant buy me love, oh, no, no, no, no. Lesson learned, Bloomberg?

Dennis Alston, Atwater

Governors overreaction

I can hardly believe that after just one confirmed coronavirus-related death in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. Talk about overreacting! But likewise, there have been runs on food at Rainbow Grocery, Costco, Whole Foods and other places, due apparently to peoples fear of some kind of imminent catastrophe.

What in the world would happen if we had a true pandemic of the sort that hit Western Europe (the bubonic plague, a.k.a. the Black Death) in the 14th century, which in some places decimated probably 60% of the population? Or the influenza pandemic of 1918 that killed more than a half million in the U.S. and a hundred times that number worldwide? I cannot begin to imagine the collective hysteria that would ensue. People would kill each other for a slice of stale bread and not even give it a second thought.

Michael Biehl, San Francisco

Reform the primaries

Im wondering what the hurdle would be to hold all presidential primaries and caucuses either the same day, or over the same week, but in this case, with no results presented until all results are calculated.

Then there would be no voter remorse about voting for someone that drops out. It will also remove some of the horse race aspects of what we have now, not to mention it would remove the importance of two of some of the least diverse states in the country. Did I mention that Iowa and New Hampshire do not represent the diversity that is the U.S. and have no business being the basis upon which we make presidential choices?

Martin Evans, Hercules

Ridiculous irony

Regarding Public Works staff feels scandals impact (March 4): Well, this is a ridiculous irony that I have seen several times before: A top-level manager commits criminal behavior, so the ground-level staff get ethics training. Supervisor Matt Haney comments, The real problem has clearly been a culture of corruption at the top, and a bloated Department of Public Works that has little to no accountability or transparency.

Im not opposed to ethics training; it should be a basic part of orientation and repeated at intervals. However, for city officials to claim that retraining people who havent done anything wrong is a meaningful response is ludicrous. This is a department that needs radical reform at the top, not some online training at the bottom.
Seventeen people were displaced Thursday after a fire ripped through three homes, according to the York City Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

The fire, which was first reported around 8 a.m., was in the 600 block of South Pershing Avenue and 200 block of Kurtz Avenue, according to the department.

When crews arrived, there was heavy fire and smoke showing from the first two floors of 608 South Pershing Avenue, and smoke coming from the third floor of 610, the department said. Investigators believe the fire started on the first floor of 608 South Pershing Avenue.

BREAKING: Two apartments and a home are on fire on South Pershing Ave in York City. Neighbors tell me everyone made it out safely. Waiting on word from Chief. @WGAL pic.twitter.com/XfO91ml5Q4  Shannon Murphy (@ShannonWGAL) March 5, 2020

Crews found 24-year-old Brandon Eaton in a second-floor bedroom of 608 Pershing, the department said. A friend told local news outlets that he had gone back inside the home to rescue pets.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Brandon Eaton who passed away today in the fire at 608 S Pershing Ave.  York City Fire (@YorkCityFire) March 5, 2020

The fire was confined to the three properties but displaced 17 people, including 13 adults and four children, the department said. The American Red Cross was called in to assist those families.

One woman was treated at the scene for unspecified injuries, the department said but was not transported to the hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is under investigation by the York City Fire Department, Pennsylvania State Police, York City Police Department and the York City detectives.

The fire was the second fire at one of the units in the last 24 hours, the department said.

Around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, crews were dispatched to 610 South Pershing Avenue for a small fire on the second floor rear porch, the department reported. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but there were reports of fireworks in the area the time of the fire.

The fire department is confident that the two fires were not related.

Read more on PennLive:
President Donald Trump has boasted hes a champion for all women.

I have great respect for women. Nobody has more respect for women than I do, Mr Trump said after the Access Hollywood tape was released in 2016 saying he wanted to grab them by the p****.

His mantra of having great respect for women has been repeated throughout his nearly four-year presidency, but the policies enacted by the Trump administration tell a different story.

With International Womens Day on 8 March, The Independent has rounded up five things Mr Trump and his administration has done to roll back womens rights.

Cutting international funding for womens rights and reproductive health

Within the first 100 days of Mr Trump in office, his administration gutted funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides family planning and reproductive services to more than 150 countries globally.

The administration refused to provide funding under the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, which blocks US aid to any organisation the US president determines is involved in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Funding was blocked for the UNFPA in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

To date, there has been no evidence to show the UNFPA supports coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Also, the fund does not promote abortion in its family planning services or provide abortion services.

Instead, the UNFPA works to expand access to contraception to women around the world. It also works to combat maternal mortality, obstetric fistula, female genital mutilation, and HIV/AIDS.

Funding from the US in 2016 alone, which was $69m (53m), helped UNFPA provide 800,000 women worldwide with contraception and prevent 100,000 unsafe abortions.

Blocking laws that promote equal pay in the workplace

The Trump administration is currently working to repeal an executive order made by President Barack Obama that forces large companies of 100 employees or more to report the wages they pay their employees.

Under the executive order, these companies have to submit data to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission every year that shows their workers income based on race and gender. Companies already keep this data, but they have to disclose the information under the rule so the gender income gap can be accurately recorded.

In 2017, Mr Trump quietly reversed the ruling made by the former president and blocked income data collection for companies. The reasoning? The administration believed it was unnecessarily burdensome on the companies.

Organisations like the National Womens Law Centre sued the administration, and a federal judge decided in March 2019 the Trump administration broke the law when it stopped income data collection. His administration has since appealed the ruling and it is waiting to be decided by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

Inability to appoint women to his administration

Mr Trump might have great respect for women, but he doesnt show it with his appointees.

Only three women hold cabinet positions in the Trump administration of the 23 spots available, making it the lowest number of females holding appointments in the White House at the same time since George H W Bushs presidency.

The Trump administration also quietly disbanded the White House Council on Women and Girls in 2017. The council was created by Mr Obama to ensure each of the agencies theyre charged with looks into the needs of women and girls when policies are drafted.

Former White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks said at the time the administration was looking at how different agencies could be made to be additive, not redundant to the White House. Nothing relating to gender inequality has since replaced the agency after it was disbanded.

Censored important words and terminology from government agencies

The White House has asked different governmental agencies to change its verbiage and information relating to womens health.

During the first year of Mr Trumps presidency, he asked the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to omit forbidden words  which included foetus, evidence-based, transgender, and diversity  from the agencys budget.

The US Department of State also stripped its annual human rights report from featuring any mentions of reproductive or sexual rights.

Other governmental agencies and websites followed in suit by removing similar mentions on their own page, like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) deleting lesbian and bisexual womens resources from its womens health website. The HHS also removed mentions of contraception, abortion, and sex education from its documents.

Dismantling reproductive health services available for women

Mr Trump made it clear when running for president that he would nominate a Supreme Court justice who would help overturn Roe v Wade, a ruling protecting a pregnant womans right to have an abortion with few governmental restrictions.

His nomination last year of Justice Brett Kavanaugh gives the conservatives a five-to-four majority on the bench, allowing the possibility for the ruling to eventually be overturned.

But the president has also been a consistent proponent against organisations like Planned Parenthood because it supports pro-choice. Even though Planned Parenthoods funding goes largely towards services outside of providing abortions, the administration has blocked money for the organisation.

Significant changes were also made to the federal Title X family planning program. Federal funds will no longer towards family planning providers that offer abortion services.

The regulations also prohibit these Title X clinics from referring pregnant women to alternative locations for abortion services. Title X clinics are also no longer legally required to provide counselling that includes information about prenatal care, delivery, adoption and abortion.
Police officers at the scene of the incident in Reno, Nevada

An Irishwoman has been found dead alongside her two children and husband in the US in what local police suspect is a murder-suicide.

The bodies were discovered at the family home in Reno, Nevada, shortly after 11am local time - 7pm Irish time - on Wednesday.

The woman is believed to be from Co Kerry.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

Reno Police said it discovered four bodies at a property in south Reno when officers called after it was reported that a body had been spotted outside.

A spokesman for Reno Police Department said: "Subsequent investigation revealed three other deceased subjects within the residence that are believed to be members of the same family who reside there. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community."

Local police said detectives were treating the case as a murder-suicide.

The bodies were removed and are being examined by the local pathologist's office.

Sergeant John Silver told the Reno Gazette Journal that police did not know what led up to the incident.

"We didn't have previous calls or anything like that," he said.

"We're still at the beginning stages. We need to determine exactly what happened. We're going to have to go through this whole house to make sure we cover all the bases and make sure our initial thoughts are accurate."

Condolence

The two juveniles who died were students at Damonte Ranch High School.

Earlier this year, three students at the same school died in separate incidents.

Dozens of people from the local community gathered with signs of support and condolence at the school yesterday morning.

"We wanted to let the kids know we were out here for them," resident Kirsten Childers said.

"It has been such a hard year for everyone here at Damonte."

As students arrived at the school just before 8am, parents and local residents shouted: "You are loved."

In a statement regarding the deaths, principal Darvel Bell said: "We can rely on each other during this tragic time."
WASHINGTON  Republicans are wielding the power of their Senate majority to intensify an election-year investigation of Hunter Bidens work for a Ukrainian energy firm, putting new scrutiny on the son of Joe Biden as the former vice president re-emerges as President Trumps chief rival for the presidency.

In elevating questions about the younger Bidens work in Ukraine, Senate Republicans are effectively picking up where the president left off last year when he pressed the countrys leaders to investigate the Bidens, an effort that led to his impeachment in the House on charges that he abused his power by seeking foreign help in the 2020 election. It is part of a broader attempt by his allies on Capitol Hill to breathe fresh life into politically charged inquiries into issues that have preoccupied Trump.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, plans to hold a vote next week despite Democratic objections to issue a rare Senate subpoena to Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian official who worked for Burisma, the energy firm. Johnson told reporters Wednesday that he would release an interim report this spring summarizing what Republicans had learned from months of quiet queries.

For now, Republicans insist Burisma is a matter of long-standing interest unrelated to Joe Bidens presidential candidacy, and no evidence has emerged to suggest that either Biden acted improperly. But Johnson acknowledged that his investigation could affect the election and said that was as it should be.

These are questions that Joe Biden has never adequately answered, Johnson told reporters in the Capitol, a day after Bidens remarkable Super Tuesday turnabout. And if I were a Democrat primary voter, Id want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote.

Some Republicans have privately voiced discomfort about the effort. On Thursday, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told reporters that there was no question that looking into Burisma and Hunter appears political. He said he was not yet sure if he would support the subpoena.

Romney was the only member of his party who voted at the Senate impeachment trial to convict Trump of abuse of power and remove him from office.

People are tired of these kind of political investigations, and would hope that if there is something of significance that needs to be evaluated, it would be done by perhaps the FBI and some other agency that is not as political as a committee of our body, he said.

But Trump has embraced the effort, using his megaphone to try to create a shroud of innuendo and doubt about an increasingly viable opponent. On Wednesday, he circulated on Twitter a report about Johnsons investigation and later told Sean Hannity of Fox News that portraying the Bidens as corrupt would be a central theme of his bid for reelection.

That will be a major issue in the campaign, Trump said in the interview. I will bring that up all the time.

Democrats say Senate Republicans are knowingly raising a false flag for an operation designed to legitimize claims by Trump and some in the conservative news media.

What is actually new here? said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, one of the Democrats trying to counter the inquiry. There is no evidence to date that has implicated Vice President Biden in wrongdoing of any kind, and we base that on our review of hundreds of documents.

Those leading the inquiries insist their focus on Burisma is not politically driven, noting that it dates to 2017, before it was clear that Biden would be a presidential candidate.

We are proceeding with the investigation whether Biden is in or out, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Finance Committee, who co-signed numerous requests with Johnson. This investigation is about conflicts of interest, not political candidates.

Nicholas Fandos is a New York Times writer.
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Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020

For Chinese artists Wu Lu and July Yang the stage is a safe haven where they can express their creativity and emotions, even with masks covering their faces.

Wu Lu danced along to the rhythm of a bamboo flute played by July, with both donning light blue masks on their faces while performing over the weekend for a local theater group in Yogjakarta.

They performed the participatory show Tourists Like Us: Satu, Dua, Tiga (Tourists Like Us: One, Two, Three) in which they invited five members of the audience on stage. There sat various decorations like a table, chairs, a lamp, a broom, a box of tissues, a thermometer, electric mosquito repellent and a backpack.

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Help India!

Yusuf Ansari, twocircles.net

A week after grim stories are being uncovered from hospitals, mortuaries, and police stations, it seems there is no end to misery for Muslims affected by the northeast Delhi riots. Muslim families who are already shaken by the worst communal violence in decades in the Capital have more to suffer as ground reports from the areas affected by violence suggest Hindu landlords and shopkeepers do not want to rent or sell the property to Muslims in these localities. Residents from the Muslim community of Shiv Vihar, Bhagirathi Vihar and Khajuri Khas who are now returning to their homes say that they are being outright denied from renting owning residential spaces by the areas Hindu housekeepers and owners. What is worse is, the local police are refusing to register such complaints.

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One such case is from Shiv Vihar that was torched and attacked by rioters on the night of February 24. During this rampage, rioters not only burnt down houses belonging to Muslims, but also looted their shops. Whereas, the houses and shops owned by Hindus were safe from any damage or theft except for the portions that were rented to Muslims in these property holdings. Initially, the residents from Shiv Vihar whose houses were burnt had taken refuge in Mustafabad. They then moved inside the transit camps built within the Eidgah.

Such well planned and schematic manner of violence only in Muslims pockets brings has more to it than what meets the eye. Muslims have lost their lives and property but they now face deeper social isolation once they engage in rebuilding and rehabilitation. Added to this is the trauma they carry of the scenes and images they carry from the riots that will haunt them forever. The residents whose houses have been burnt down, do not want to go back to these localities because their trust in their neighbors and police are not completely shattered. Those who lived in rented houses owned by Hindus, tried to return but were instantly refused. The only one thing they were allowed for was to take back their belongings  the little of what remained from being burnt or desecrated. When they tried to approach police regarding this social isolation, the police took no interest in filing any report or taking any action for the same. Devastated, they returned to the relief camps.

My landlord has asked me to leave this place now, said Imran, who stays in a rented flat in Lane 12 of Shiv Vihar with his family. Imrans parents own a house in Lane 6 while his brother stays in Lane 10 with his family. Both the brothers narrated how the house owned by their parents in Lane 6 was first looted, then burnt by the rioters last week. Both Imran and his brother, for the fear of more boycott, have not returned to their rented houses in Shiv Vihar yet, but their Hindu landlords have sent them the message through someone to evacuate the flats as early as possible.

Social worker Sheeba Aslam Fahmi said a Muslim woman had called her seeking help. She told Sheeba on the phone that she was calling from Lakshman Enclave, around Madina Masjid in Shiv Vihar Phase 2. She informed Sheeba that many Muslims like her, from Phase 2 and Phase 6 in Shiv Vihar are unable to return to their homes because of this discriminatory distinction on the basis of faith. She further added that police has been of no help except that they have allowed the Muslims residents from these areas to collect their belongings, that too, only from houses that are originally owned by Hindus. Houses that were owned by Muslims landlords are either tattered or are now occupied by Hindus. Muslims who owned property in Shiv Vihar, when returned to reclaim them, were turned away by the Hindu locals saying they will not be allowed to reside in the vicinity anymore. All of this has happened in broad daylight in the presence of police.

This is the same for all the riot-hit areas in Delhi. Either the Muslim properties have been burnt, or they are being openly threatened by Hindu locals to not return to their homes. Some victims have also complained that flats and shops owned by Muslims in these areas where nothing has happened are now being marked and emptied one by one.

Budhwar ko jab mai apne dukaan par pahuncha toh maalik ne dukaan kholne tak nahi di mujhe (When I returned to my shop on Wednesday, the shop owner didnt let me open the shop), said Yameen from Bhagirathi Vihar who worked in a shop owned by a Hindu, in the same locality. He further informed that rioters, on seeing a Muslim, had entered the shop and looted it on February 25 during the massive violence. He added that the Hindu owner did not let him take his belongings kept inside the shop and when Yameen went to lodge a complaint at a police station, the police refused from filing any FIR.

In the Chowk Bazar at the Red Signal of Khajuri Khas stands a flourishing trading building housing about 20 to 25 shops, offices and flats for rent. At the ground floor of this building, the only shop by a Muslim was Salim Ahmeds. Salim dealt in a battery business but now his shop is the only one that is badly charred due to burns. Broken and burnt metals and pieces of batteries equipment could be seen lying on the floor laced with ashes. One burnt shop of a Muslim surrounded by safe shops of Hindus at this Chowk Bazar did not surprise anymore.

The first floor at one such business quarter in Mustafabad houses a property dealing office of the local leader, Asghar Ansari. The hoarding outside his shop is missing. Maybe that is why the office was safe from the targeted wrath of the rioters. However, the owner of this property has warned Asghar to vacate the premises soon, due to pressure from locals.

This increasing socio-economic isolation of Muslims after the targeted violence is like a death blow to the minority community. While the government is yet to respond with relief and compensatory measures, various social organizations are reaching out with food, clothing, and medicines other than a shelter for the victims. For now, the major concerns each day for the displaced Muslims is breakfast and lunch, but how long will this cycle continue? In the transit tents and relief camps, life is being supported somehow but how will those who have lost everything, get back to normalcy? Will, there be continued support from the government and social organizations or will the lack of support become another blow to their miseries?
By Azernews





By Akbar Mammadov

An Azerbaijani border guard has been killed in Armenian cease-fire violation in the border Gazakh district, the State Border Service said in a statement on March 5.

Orkhan Pashzade (24) was shot by an Armenian sniper at 19:00 on March 5, nearby the Qushci Ayrim village of the Gazakh district bordering Armenia.

He was immediately placed in the diagnostic center of the Gazakh district, however died from the injury he had sustained.

The State Border Service said that the Armenian military-political authority is responsible for the murder of the military serviceman of the State Border Service guarding internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, adding that necessary measures are taken regarding the accident.

The soldier was buried in his Cafarkhanli village in the Jalilabad district.

It should be noted that another Azerbaijani border guard Alamshah Valiyev was killed in another Armenian sabotage attack in Qazax districts Ayrimli village on February 24. The Armenian diversion group had used grenade launchers and other large-calibre weapons from the Armenian units located near the Koti village in Noyabmeryan district to carry out the attack. The Azerbaijani border service publicized the weaponry and food stuff left out from the Armenian sabotage group in the border point where the attack had taken place.

One saboteur was killed and another was wounded during the operation to stop the diversion.

Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans 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.
People work at the Kalimbi cassiterite artisanal mining site north of Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on March 30, 2017. (Griff Tapper/AFP via Getty Images)

US Senators Introduce Legislation To Monitor Chinas Overseas Mineral Investments

Two U.S. senators on March 5 introduced legislation drawing attention to Chinas plans to dominate rare earth supplies in other countries through its One Belt, One Road foreign policy initiative.

Rare earths are a group of minerals used to manufacture a range of consumer products and military technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, satellites, missiles, and semiconductor chips that power all electronic products.

Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) proposed legislation that would require the director of national intelligence to submit a congressional report, at least once annually, assessing the extent of Chinas mineral investments through its One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative.

The U.S. must monitor Chinas mineral investments to prevent mineral assets in developing countries from becoming beholden to the Chinese government and to thwart any efforts to weaponize those mineral investments against us, Romney said, according to a press release.

Beijing rolled out OBOR in 2013, with the objective of increasing geopolitical influence by building up trade routes linking China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Through OBOR, the Chinese regime has been accused by critics of putting developing countries into a debt trap by offering unsustainable loans, while exploiting their natural resources like timber, crude oil, and minerals to drive the Chinese economy.

A part of the report would include an assessment of whether Chinas efforts to acquire minerals through OBOR counter or interfere with the goals of the Energy Resouce Governance Initiative by the U.S. State Department.

The State Departments initiative aims at promoting sound mining sector governance while engaging with other countries.

The proposed legislation is an amendment to the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a bipartisan Senate bill introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) last week, intending to modernize the U.S. energy laws.

Not only will this legislation bolster U.S. national security by ensuring the Administration is monitoring Chinese investments in vital resources and keeping Congress informed, but it will also protect American industries and help Nevadas growing critical mineral operations access information relevant to industry market competition, Cortez Masto said in the press release.

Rare Earths

China produces over 70 percent of the worlds rare earths, as the result of its cheap labor, lax environmental regulations, and rich depositsabout 35 percent of the worlds rare earth deposits are in China.

The United States is heavily dependent on China for its rare-earth needs, buying about 80 percent of its mineral imports from China from 2014 to 2017.

Despite its own rich rare-earth deposits, China lacks three key minerals inside its border: cobalt, lithium, and platinum-group metals, according to a 2019 report by Foreign Policy.

Lithium is a critical element used to manufacture batteries to power smartphones and electric vehicles. According to Foreign Policy, in 2017 China had stakes in 61 percent of lithium production in Australia, 67 percent in Chile, as well as having stakes mining projects in Argentina and Bolivia.

In terms of cobalt, which is used to manufacture products such as electric vehicles and satellites, China, as of 2017, influenced over 52 percent of cobalt production in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the report said. In 2017, Amnesty International raised concerns that Congolese children were being exploited to mine cobalt, which ended up at a Chinese processing company.
Thus, in the course of the Arab Spring of 2011, NATO and its allies, especially Israel and the Gulf States, decided to try again. To this end, politically and economically motivated protests in Syria were used and were quickly escalated into an armed conflict.

In fact, already since the 1940s the US has repeatedly attempted to install a pro-Western government in Syria, such as in 1949, 1956, 1957, after 1980 and after 2003, but without success so far. This makes Syria  since the fall of Libya  the last Mediterranean country independent of NATO.

Instead, the Syria war is a war of conquest and regime change , which developed into a geopolitical proxy war between NATO states on one side  especially the US, Great Britain and France  and Russia, Iran, and China on the other side.

But the Syria war is also not a pipeline war, as some critics suspected, because the allegedly competing gas pipeline projects never existed to begin with, as even the Syrian president confirmed .

Nor is the Syria war a religious war, for Syria was and still is one of the most secular countries in the region, and the Syrian army  like its direct opponents  is itself mainly composed of Sunnis.

Contrary to the depiction in Western media, the Syria war is not a civil war. This is because the initiators, financiers and a large part of the anti-government fighters come from abroad .

As of 2014, therefore, additional but negatively portrayed Islamist militias (terrorists) were covertly established in Syria and Iraq via NATO partners Turkey and Jordan, secretly supplied with weapons and vehicles and indirectly financed by oil exports via the Turkish Ceyhan terminal.

Hence from 2013 onwards, various poison gas attacks were staged in order to be able to deploy the NATO air force as part of a humanitarian intervention similar to the earlier wars against Libya and Yugoslavia. But this did not succeed either, mainly because Russia and China blocked a UN mandate.

NATOs original strategy of 2011 was based on the Afghanistan war of the 1980s and aimed at conquering Syria mainly through positively portrayed Islamist militias (so-called rebels). This did not succeed, however, because the militias lacked an air force and anti-aircraft missiles.

Media-effective atrocity propaganda and mysterious terrorist attacks in Europe and the US then offered the opportunity to intervene in Syria using the NATO air force even without a UN mandate  ostensibly to fight the terrorists, but in reality still to conquer Syria and topple its government.

This plan failed again, however, as Russia also used the presence of the terrorists in autumn 2015 as a justification for direct military intervention and was now able to attack both the terrorists and parts of NATOs rebels while simultaneously securing the Syrian airspace to a large extent.

By the end of 2016, the Syrian army thus succeeded in recapturing the city of Aleppo.

From 2016 onwards, NATO therefore switched back to positively portrayed but now Kurdish-led militias (the SDF) in order to still have unassailable ground forces available and to conquer the Syrian territory held by the previously established terrorists before Syria and Russia could do so themselves.

This led to a kind of race to conquer cities such as Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor in 2017 and to a temporary division of Syria along the Euphrates river into a (largely) Syrian-controlled West and a Kurdish (or rather American) controlled East (see map above).

This move, however, brought NATO into conflict with its key member Turkey, because Turkey did not accept a Kurdish-controlled territory on its southern border. As a result, the NATO alliance became increasingly divided from 2018 onwards.

Turkey now fought the Kurds in northern Syria and at the same time supported the remaining Islamists in the north-western province of Idlib against the Syrian army, while the Americans eventually withdrew to the eastern Syrian oil fields in order to retain a political bargaining chip.

While Turkey supported Islamists in northern Syria, Israel more or less covertly supplied Islamists in southern Syria and at the same time fought Iranian and Lebanese (Hezbollah) units with air strikes, but ultimately without success: the militias in southern Syria had to surrender in 2018.

Ultimately, some NATO members tried to use a confrontation between the Turkish and Syrian armies in the province of Idlib as a last option to escalate the war. In addition to the situation in Idlib, the issues of the occupied territories in the north and east of Syria remain to be resolved, too.

Russia, for its part, has tried to draw Turkey out of the NATO alliance and onto its own side as far as possible. Modern Turkey, however, is pursuing a rather far-reaching geopolitical strategy of its own, which is also increasingly clashing with Russian interests in the Middle East and Central Asia.

As part of this geopolitical strategy, Turkey in 2015 and 2020 even used the so-called weapon of mass migration, which may serve to destabilize both Syria (so-called strategic depopulation) and Europe, as well as to extort financial, political or military support from the European Union.

What role did the Western media play in this war?

The task of NATO-compliant media was to portray the war against Syria as a civil war, the Islamist rebels positively, the Islamist terrorists and the Syrian government negatively, the alleged poison gas attacks credibly and the NATO intervention consequently as legitimate.

An important tool for this media strategy were the numerous Western-sponsored media centres, activist groups, Twitter girls, human rights observatories and the like, which provided Western news agencies and media with the desired images and information.

Since 2019, NATO-compliant media moreover had to conceal or discredit various leaks and whistleblowers that began to prove the covert Western arms deliveries to the Islamist rebels and terrorists as well as the staged poison gas attacks.

But if even the terrorists in Syria were demonstrably established and equipped by NATO states, what role then did the mysterious caliph of terror Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi play? He possibly played a similar role as his direct predecessor, Omar al-Baghdadi  who was a phantom.

Thanks to new communication technologies and on-site sources, the Syria war was also the first war about which independent media could report almost in real-time and thus for the first time significantly influenced the public perception of events  a potentially historic change.

" Source "
Bangkok

The global march of the new virus triggered a vigorous appeal Thursday from the World Health Organization for governments to pull out "all the stops" to slow the epidemic, as it drained color from India's spring festivities, closed Bethlehem's Nativity Church and blocked Italians from visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes.

As China, after many arduous weeks, appeared to be winning its epic, costly battle against the new virus, the fight was revving up in newly affected areas of the globe, unleashing disruptions that profoundly impacted billions of people.

The U.N. health agency urged all countries to "push this virus back," a call to action reinforced by figures showing about 17 times as many new infections outside China as in it. The virus has infected nearly 98,000 people and killed over 3,300.

"This is not a drill. This is not the time for giving up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva. "Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans."

As Chinese manufacturers gradually reopened their factories, anti-virus barriers went up elsewhere.

In Italy, the epicenter of Europe's outbreak, workers in latex gloves pinned "closed" notices on school gates, enforcing a 10-day shutdown of the education system. Italy's sports-mad fans are also barred from stadiums until April 3.

A government decree that took effect Thursday urged the country's famously demonstrative citizens to stay at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart from each other, placed restrictions on visiting nursing homes and urged the elderly not to go outside unless absolutely necessary.

That directive appeared to be widely ignored, as school closures nationwide left many Italian children in the care of their grandparents. Parks in Rome overflowed with young and old, undercutting government efforts to shield older Italians from the virus that hits the elderly harder than others. Italy has the world's oldest population after Japan.

"It's an absolute paradox!" said Mauro Benedetti, a 73-year-old retiree called upon to watch his grandson. "They tell us to stay home. How can we help our kids and grandkids at the same time?"

"Grandparents are now at risk," he said.

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

Italy's death toll climbed Thursday to 148, and its confirmed cases to 3,858.

Iran, which has registered 107 virus deaths, also closed schools and universities and introduced checkpoints to limit travel between major cities. Iranian state TV also reported that Hossein Sheikholeslam, a 68-year-old diplomat who was an adviser to Iran's foreign minister, had died of the virus.

Amid the string of bad news, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged state television to offer "happier" programs to entertain those stuck at home.

Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran, said the United States offered humanitarian assistance to help Iran deal with its outbreak but "the regime rejected the offer." He said the offer would stand.

Off the coast of California, a cruise ship carrying about 3,500 people was ordered to stay put until passengers and crew could be tested because a traveler from its previous voyage died and another three were infected. A helicopter delivered test kits to the ship, which has people aboard with flu-like symptoms  lowering the kits by rope to the 951-foot Grand Princess.
In recent months, Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) has signed long-term renewable energy contracts with a Virginia university and an entire county. The company also entered into a new deal to supply Amazon.com and won approval from state regulators to test new types of battery storage.

It's time to look at how revenue for contracted renewable energy is figuring into the company's overall financial picture.

Powering a university and an entire county

Earlier this year, Dominion entered a power purchase agreement (PPA) with William & Mary, a university in Williamburg, Virginia. The William & Mary agreement will extend for 20 years and will enable the university to source nearly 50% of its power consumption from renewable energy. The university chose the PPA option since it found it too difficult to build on-site solar of any substantive size on campus.

In Arlington County, Virginia, Dominion agreed to provide power from a solar farm in the southern part of the state to help the county surpass its goal of sourcing at least 50% of its power from renewables by 2022. The solar facility is expected to power all county buildings, streetlights, traffic signals, water pumping, and wastewater treatment. "This is a groundbreaking partnership for the county," said the county board chairwoman, Libby Garvey . "It will take us a long way toward our goal of 100% use of renewable sources for all electricity used in government operations by 2025." Arlington County is believed to be first locality in Virginia to sign a large PPA for off-site solar with an investor-owned utility, and it is potentially a trend that could take hold elsewhere. Dominion's efforts in this space are important for a utility looking to maintain profitability over the long term because customers are increasingly gaining access to supply options that are outside the traditional utility "service territory" model. Under a virtual PPA structure, for example, a customer can sign a deal for power credits from a project outside the area where the customer operates. The company can still claim it uses 100% renewable power but is freed from the constraints of a local utility's renewable offerings.

Signing multiple deals with Facebook

Dominion and Facebook said earlier this year they are expanding a joint effort to increase renewable energy generation by constructing a new solar facility in Greensville County, Virginia.

The 100 MW Sadler project is expected to become operational by the end of 2020. The agreement between the companies is structured so Dominion Energy will build, own, and operate the solar facility, and Facebook will purchase the environmental attributes generated. These are tradeable, market-based instruments that represent the rights to one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity generation.

The solar plant will be the eighth Dominion project that will support Facebook's operations in Virginia and South Carolina.

Dominion's deals with Amazon are important because they create a renewable energy buying template that can be expected to be used by other corporations. This is particularly true as more and more companies commit to using 100% renewables. To date, a total of 226 companies have joined Re100, a corporate leadership initiative that aims to bring together businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.

Testing batteries

In early February, Dominion received approval from the State Corporation Commission to move forward with four battery storage pilot projects in Virginia. The company expects the projects to improve its grid reliability and pave the way for storage technology it will need to support a plan to achieve net zero carbon and methane emissions by 2050.

The four utility-scale battery storage projects totaling 16 megawatts are the largest of their kind in Virginia and will use lithium-ion batteries, like those found in electric vehicles. Dominion said it hopes to better understand how the technology can be integrated into new applications that will benefit customers.

Dominion said on its Q4 earnings conference call that its efforts to modernize, strengthen, and improve the sustainability of its grid represent a "customer-focused approach" that benefits shareholders by enabling the company to meet and affirm financial guidance, including a 16th consecutive quarter of meeting or exceeding its guidance midpoint. Adding batteries to its fleet will also be essential as the company adds other renewables since they can serve to maintain grid reliability and provide power during periods of peak demand.

Will renewables move the needle?

Dominion Energy has been aggressively pursuing renewable energy projects for the past several years. Its investments in renewables have not yet had a major impact on earnings to date, but should represent a bigger piece of the picture in the coming years. And despite the company's significant holdings in fossil fuels and nuclear generation, the company's efforts in contracting with a university, a city, and a major technology corporation demonstrate an anticipation of customer needs and may reward investors through an expanding book of long-term contracts.

With a market capitalization greater than $70 billion, the company's contracted generation segment represented only 5% of its overall business at year end. But as the company works on reducing its reliance on coal over time for its utility customers, this percentage should be expected to increase, particularly as the company has demonstrated efforts to enter specialized sales agreements to meet the needs of large commercial and industrial buyers.

The company underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year and over the last decade, and gross margin lags the industry median of 78.8%, coming in at just under 50% at year end. But the company has a dividend yield at just over 4.8% and a diverse portfolio of nuclear, gas-fired, and liquefied natural gas assets, so investors would be wise to keep an eye on Dominion. Its considerable efforts to prepare for increased customer demand for renewable power increases resource risk if the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine as projected. But placing more modern plants and batteries on the grid also has the potential for increased operational efficiency that could translate into cost savings and increased profitability, therefore increasing the probability of a stable and growing dividend.
A Pennsylvania man awaits sentencing after pleading guilty Thursday to charges that he bought and sold guns and gun parts that had been stolen from a federal disposal facility.

Richard Adam Schreiber, 38, of Everett, pleaded guilty to five federal counts related to the thefts by a contract security guard at the National Firearms and Ammunition Destruction Branch in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

His attorney, Dan Kiss, said in an email that Schreiber has accepted responsibility for his actions in this matter by his plea today.

The former guard, Christopher Lee Yates, is serving a lengthy federal sentence. Yates told investigators he would arrive at work early and take guns, gun parts and ammunition that had been seized during criminal investigations or were retired by federal agencies, authorities said.

The investigation began when a firearm was seized in Philadelphia with conflicting serial numbers, including one linked to the federal firearms destruction facility.

Prosecutors said agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized 101 firearms, 1,352 slides and 123,000 rounds of ammunition from Schreiber. They also recovered 28 firearms, including three machine guns, from people who bought them from Schreiber.

Schreiber remains free on bond and will be sentenced in August in federal court in Johnstown.

(Pic Credit: Pixabay)
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a racially aggravated assault following the UKs coronavirus outbreak.

A student from Singapore said he was attacked by a group of men who told him: I dont want your coronavirus in my country on Oxford Street, London, on 24 February.

Jonathan Mok, a 23-year-old student, said he was punched, kicked and sustained facial injuries in the attack after he heard shouts of coronavirus.

In his account of the assault, Mr Mok described how, as he turned to face the group, one of the men said: Dont you dare look at me, before launching an attack.

The student said: All of a sudden, the first punch was swung at my face and took me by surprise. When I was still shocked by the first hit, the guy delivered the second sucker punch.

By then, a few passers-by had stopped and one of them tried to reason with them that four on one was not fair.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

The attackers friend tried to swing a kick at me as I was explaining to the passer-by that I hadnt done anything at all.

I tried to react in self-defence but couldnt do anything substantial because I was still recovering from a broken finger in my master hand.

The guy who tried to kick me then said: I dont want your coronavirus in my country, before swinging another sucker punch at me, which resulted in my face exploding with blood (from my nose), where the blood was splattered all across the pavement.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Wednesday and a 15-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday, police said, both on suspicion of racially aggravated assault.

The Metropolitan Police said the first male had been released under investigation, while the second had been released on bail until later this month.

This attack left the victim shaken and hurt. Theres no room on our streets for this kind of violent behaviour and we are committed to finding the perpetrators, Detective Sergeant Emma Kirby said in a statement.

I am keen to speak to anyone who has information about this assault.

I would like to identify and speak to the males pictured who may be able to help me with our enquiries.

Recommended Police release images of men wanted over racist coronavirus attack

The number of confirmed UK cases of coronavirus surged to 116 on Thursday  more than double the total 48 hours earlier  as Downing Street warned it was highly likely the virus would spread in a significant way soon.

Health chiefs said people diagnosed with coronavirus who show only very minimal symptoms should self-isolate at home rather than in hospital, while new advice was issued to travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Italy that they should self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

The virus, which was first identified in China, has spread around the world and infected nearly 100,000 people, with more than 3,000 deaths reported.

Enquiries into the Oxford Street assault will continue, the Met Police has said.

Any witnesses have been asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 7522/24FEB.

Alternatively, anyone with information on the attack can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Additional reporting by PA
Ronan Farrow, the author of the best-selling non-fiction book Catch and Kill, has suggested he will sever ties with his publisher, Hachette Book Group.

The news comes after it was announced that one of Hachettes divisions was planning to publish an autobiography by Farrows father, film director Woody Allen.

Farrow is a journalist who has been praised for his in-depth reporting on sexual assault and abuse. Allen was accused of molesting Farrows adopted sister, Dylan Farrow, when she was a child. He has always denied the allegations.

In an email obtained by The New York Times, Farrow called the decision a betrayal.

Your policy of editorial independence among your imprints does not relieve you of your moral and professional obligations as the leader of a company being asked to assist in efforts by abusive men to whitewash their crimes," wrote Farrow in an email to Michael Pietsch, Hachettes chief executive.

Obviously I cant in good conscience work with you any more, he continued. Imagine this were your sister.

Staff at Hachette in the US staged a walkout in its New York offices on Thursday to protest the companys involvement with the book, which Dylan Farrow has commended.

Hachette UK is not publishing or distributing Allens memoir.
New Delhi, March 6 : The Civil Aviation Ministry will ask private airlines to give cancellation fee relief to passengers in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

National carrier Air India has already waived off cancellation fees.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the government will give suitable recommendations to private airlines for providing relief in cancellation and refunds.

"I am very happy to tell you that Air India has already waived cancellation charges. You know, Air India, is a little more subject to our persuasion. All the others are private sector carriers. All I can tell you that we will be making suitable recommendations to the private sector carriers," Puri said here at a press conference.

The spread of deadly coronavirus has severely affected the travel and tourism sector with people cancelling their trips in the wake of rising fear. While flights on South East Asian routes connecting cities such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Seoul have seen sharp fall in passenger load, other international flights have also started witnessing poor bookings.

An airline executive said that flights to Gulf and Middle East have seen cancellations as well as 10-15 per cent dip in advance bookings.

"The overall network is affected. Gradually, it is affecting every sector. Domestic routes have seen least severe impact," he said.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac on March 5 said that the turn of events as a result of COVID-19 is almost without precedent.

"In a little over two months, the industry's prospects in much of the world have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. It is unclear how the virus will develop, but whether we see the impact contained to a few markets and a $63 billion revenue loss, or a broader impact leading to a $113 billion loss of revenue, this is a crisis," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Highlights:

Completion of project-wide mapping and sampling program

Program included 4494 soil samples, 1240 rock chip samples and mapping of 60 breccias

Rock chip samples from one of the high priority exploration targets included 79 g/t gold, 385 g/t silver and 7.7 % copper.

Drill program to commence targeting both expansion of initial breccia drilled in 2019 and new discoveries.

Energold Drilling has been contracted to conduct the upcoming drilling program at the Project, located in the mining-friendly state of San Juan, Argentina.

Two diamond drill rigs will be utilized to drill a total of 4000m at the Project, with drilling expected to commence in late March. Approximately 2000m will be drilled at the San Francisco de Los Andes breccia pipe ("SFdLA") testing for extensions to high-grade gold-silver-copper mineralisation encountered in 2019. The remaining 2000m will test several mineralised breccia pipes identified during the recently completed mapping program.

Turmalina's initial drill program at the SFdLA breccia pipe in 2019 intersected high-grade gold-silver mineralization in multiple holes (i.e. 36.95m @ 6.31 g/t Au, 122 g/t Ag & 0.88% Cu for 8.7 g/t AuEq; see Turmalina News Release dated December 9, 2019 for details). This 2019 campaign tested the top 150m of the breccia pipe, with mineralisation remaining open at depth and along strike (Figure 1). The planned drill holes will test below existing intersections to a depth of ~400m below surface, as well as target along-strike extensions to the breccia evident in surface mapping and sampling.

Over the last four months the Company has conducted an aggressive mapping and sampling program in order to prioritize the large number of other breccias on the Project (Figure 2). With approximately 1240 rock chip and 4494 soil samples taken to date this program has identified and sampled 60 breccia occurrences. Of these, twelve breccia pipes have undergone detailed follow-up studies based on anomalous assay results that included maximum rock chip assay results of 79 g/t gold, 385 g/t silver and 7.7 % copper (Figures 3 & 4). Four of these pipes are scheduled to be drill tested to a depth of 150m in the upcoming drilling program (Figure 6).

Dr. Rohan Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer, states:

"Turmalina is looking forward to commencing Phase 2 drilling at San Francisco. While our drilling in 2019 returned multiple holes with high grades it is important to note that we only drill tested the top 150m of the SFdLA breccia pipe. We look forward to extending drilling beneath and along-strike from the 2019 drill holes  drill holes that indicated the pipe dimensions were increasing with depth. Furthermore our recently completed field program has identified multiple mineralised breccia pipes in the adjacent area, with rock chip assay results of up to 79 g/t gold at one of the high-priority targets. With our recent raising of $9.7M we now have a strong balance sheet to support the exploration and development of our projects."

About the San Francisco Project, San Juan, Argentina

The 3404 ha San Francisco project is located in San Juan, Argentina. The project area contains more than 60 tourmaline breccia occurrences, several of which have supported small-scale mining. The Company is focused on mapping and sampling the breccias, and drill testing prioritised targets.

About the Turmalina Project, Piura, Peru

Turmalina has entered into an agreement to explore the Turmalina copper-gold molybdenum project located in Piura, Peru (the 'Turmalina Project'). The Turmalina Project hosts a cluster of undrilled tourmaline breccias that were historically mined for copper, gold and molybdenum. The Company is currently engaged in the permitting process and will commence exploration on completion of permitting and the filing of a 43-101 report.

Work Program

The field program at San Francisco extended geological mapping, portable XRF analysis and geochemical sampling (rock chips and soils) over the entire Project area. High-priority breccia targets defined by this first-pass sampling are subject to detailed mapping and channel sampling prior to the selection of drill targets for the March 2020 drill program. The company is also consolidating our regional holdings as San Francisco is located within an 80 km long gold-copper mineralised belt.

At the Turmalina Project in Peru, the Company is conducting social studies and applying for all required permits prior to commencing exploration.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the San Francisco and Turmalina projects has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Rohan Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer, MAIG, who serves as the Qualified Person (QP) under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

On Behalf of the Company,

Dr. Rohan Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +976 9999 6994

Website: turmalinametals.com

Address: #488 - 1090 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V7.

Statements

About Turmalina Metals and the San Francisco Project: Turmalina Metals is a TSXV-listed exploration company focused on developing our portfolio of high grade gold-copper-silver-molybdenum projects in South America. Our focus is on tourmaline breccias, a deposit style overlooked by many explorers. Turmalina Metals is led by a team responsible for multiple gold-copper molybdenum discoveries who are highly experienced in this deposit style. Our projects are characterised by open high-grade mineralisation on established mining licenses that present compelling drill targets. The principle project held by Turmalina is the San Francisco project in San Juan, Argentina. For further information on the San Francisco Project, refer to the technical report entitled "NI43-101 Technical Report San Francisco Copper Gold Project, San Juan Province, Argentina" dated November 17, 2019 under the Corporation's profile at www.sedar.com.

Forward Looking Statement: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks (including those risk factors identified in the Corporation's prospectus dated November 21, 2019) and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

SOURCE Turmalina Metals Corp.
The hiring trends in Luxembourg do not match the positions unemployed workers seem to look for.

Once a month, National Employment Agency ADEM publishes the 10 jobs and profiles that are most popular among employers in Luxembourg. The hiring trends do not always seem to match the positions that the unemployed look for in the Grand Duchy, Minister of Labour and Employment Dan Kerch explained in his reply to a parliamentary question by MPs Georges Engel and Mars Di Bartolomeo.

In 2019, employers mainly had job vacancies in accounting (1,501 positions), IT development (1,459 positions), and audit services (1,156 positions). Job seekers, however, mainly searched for available positions in the cleaning industry (3,599 applications), secretariat (2,166), and administration (1,806).

Dan Kersch explained that a high number of available positions is not always synonymous with a shortage of employees. A high number of applicants similarly does not necessarily mean that the jobs in question are without prospects, or that the jobseekers will have great difficulty in securing an available position, Kersch added.

ADEM is offering training and language courses to rebalance supply and demand of Luxembourg's job market, and to eliminate language barriers. In 2019, the "WordsAWork" project was for example launched to offer tailored French lessons to prospective employees in specific sectors. These training courses currently cover the construction, trade, catering and cleaning sectors.
It is a scene of appalling dereliction  an abandoned road thats been used as an illegal rubbish dump for years.

The thoroughfare just off the A48 in Coedkernew, Newport, is littered with old tyres, household appliances and large pieces of wood.

The area is teeming with so much fly-tipped waste that it can be seen from hundreds of feet high, spoiling the beautiful green landscape which surrounds it.

But the Government is now promising to clamp down on such squalid sites with a 9million war on fly-tipping set to be announced at next weeks Budget.

The abandoned tyres, sofas and appliances have been left on a thoroughfare off the A48 in Coedkernew, Newport

The Daily Mail has signed up half a million volunteers to its Great Spring Clean campaign

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil plans for a mobile phone app that will allow people who spot dumped rubbish to report it at the touch of a button.

The Budget on Wednesday will also include funding for a new digital database to track waste in an effort to crack down on unscrupulous firms. And Mr Sunak last night also came out in support of the Great British Spring Clean, backed by the Daily Mail.

He said: Fly-tippers are a blight on communities up and down the country, and their selfish actions can ruin parts of our towns and countryside.

I know its something that Daily Mail readers feel strongly about  thats why we are committed to doing everything we can to crack down on these unscrupulous individuals.

A 2million fund will be used to develop a mobile app so that people can easily report fly-tipping in their area.

Members of the public will be able to submit photographs of rubbish dumped illegally on the street, in alleyways or on any private or public land.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured outside Downing Street, will promise 9million to help with cleaning up after fly-tippers

The technology will enable local authorities to identify hot spots and better crack down on fly-tipping crooks. It will also help experts at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs build evidence on what deters people from fly-tipping and could result in installing more CCTV in blighted areas.

The Chancellor will announce 7.2million to fund a digital waste database to replace the outdated paper-based system still used by many disposal companies to track their waste.

By providing a nationwide digital system, it will be easier to track the movement of waste from households and businesses to its end destination.

The Government has already introduced new financial penalties to crack down on fly-tipping. Local authorities and the Environment Agency now have the power to issue penalties of up to 400 to householders who fail to pass their waste to a licensed carrier and whose waste is then found fly-tipped.
Three single documentaries pitched this week at the Australian International Documentary Festival have been funded by SBS for its Australia Uncovered showcase.

Mint Pictures / Jumping Dog Productions The Bowraville Murders (working title) has received a full commissioning budget while development funding goes to Northern Pictures A Strong Female Lead and Princess Pictures Why Do People Hate Jews?

Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries at SBS, said: Single documentaries are an effective way of exploring the reality of Australia today, through often untold stories from a diversity of voices. They remain an important part of SBSs documentary offering and wed like to thank all of the teams for their submissions and participation.

We were thrilled with the calibre of the shortlisted pitches presented at AIDC. The three selected projects all promise to tackle big issues in Australia with innovation, showcasing the ambition and quality of this new strand.

All three will broadcast in 2021.

The Bowraville Murders (working title)

The Bowraville Murders investigates one of Australias most prominent unsolved serial murder cases  the murder of three Aboriginal children and a thirty-year battle for justice.

Production Company: Mint Pictures & Jumping Dog Productions

Key Creatives: Allan Clarke (Director), Dan Goldberg & Stefan Moore (Producers and Co-writers), Susan Lambert & Adam Kay (Executive Producers), Mark Middis (Editor)

A Strong Female Lead

Using archival footage, A Strong Female Lead explores the gender politics during the term of Australias first and still only female prime minister, examining the response and tone of media commentators, the Australian public and within parliament itself.

Production Company: Northern Pictures

Key Creatives: Tosca Looby (Director), Karina Holden (Producer)

Why Do People Hate Jews?

John Safran learns what drives racism, through true crime stories.

Production Company: Princess Pictures

Key Creatives: John Safran (Creator/writer/presenter), Laura Waters & Mike Cowap (Executive Producers)

In addition to the selected projects, Documentary Australia Foundation will separately provide development funding for Marhaba Films Life After Juvie. In the ongoing commentary surrounding youth offending, where seven out of 10 young people return to prison after release, this documentary hears directly from the offenders to present a fresh perspective on the issue.
The Navy is suspending a much-criticized program that charges military housing residents for going over a predetermined utility usage allotment. However, officials said, they plan to bring back a version of the program in the future.

The Navy's Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) will end at the end of the current or next utility billing cycle, a spokeswoman for Navy Installations Command said via email Friday.

The move comes after several days of confusion. The service received a letter Feb. 25 from Peter Potochney, acting assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, directing it to suspend the program, a move ordered in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

The nearly 10-year-old program is designed to encourage military families living in base housing run by private companies to conserve energy. The private housing company creates a normal usage baseline by averaging similar houses' electricity use and then billing families that use more than 10% over the baseline -- while giving a rebate to those falling more than 10% below that baseline.

However, the program has come under fire for inaccurate monitoring, resulting in anecdotal reports of unearned overcharges and other inequities.

On Feb. 26, Navy Housing announced in a Facebook post, "The Department of the Navy is directing that Navy privatized housing project companies continue live billing of the resident energy conservation program (RECP) until we receive guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense on how to execute an orderly suspension of the RECP."

Navy Housing updated this announcement at 3 p.m. Thursday, saying the program has been suspended according to the billing cycle timeline laid out in Potochneys letter.

Related: SecDef Signs Tenant Bill of Rights for Military Families

However, the spokeswoman emphasized the suspension is not indefinite.

"The RECP suspension is temporary, and the Department of Navy intends to reinstitute the program at individual installations upon certification from the Secretary of Defense that 100 percent of that installation's PPV housing units are individually and accurately metered to measure energy usage of the housing unit," she wrote.

The NDAA provision allows for resumption of the program after the SecDef certifies that 100 percent of units are accurately metered.

The Army announced last year that it was suspending its own utility billing program. The announcement followed a March hearing on problems with privatized housing.

The Air Force's RECP program began in 2017 and about half of the 63 projects run by private housing companies have implemented it so far, officials said in an email Friday. But on Jan. 31, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Installations Director Robert Moriarty directed the private housing companies to suspend the program "as soon as practical" in the next billing cycle.

"We will look at reinstating the program once we review each project and can adequately assure residents that the program is sound and fair, Moriarty said in a statement.

Marine Corps spouse and former journalist Kathleen Foley said that, while Congress directed the services to end RECP programs, lawmakers were not specific and did not give an end date.

"While timelines were written that certain aspects had to be solved within a certain time of the law taking effect, the law never explicitly stated when it had to begin," Foley said in an email. "Overall, this vagueness and seemingly disconnected communication causes confusion for the people it impacts the most: the residents."

Foley has dealt with RECP as a resident since the programs inception in 2011 at Camp Pendleton, California, and now at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

While the program's goal is to encourage energy conservation, Foley said implementation of RECP has not been fair.

"RECP disproportionately impacts lower ranking and enlisted personnel with families more than anyone," she said. "Each home is compared with 'like homes' rather than 'like households.'"

Foley said this means a family of seven living in a four-bedroom duplex is expected to use the same energy as any other family living in a four-bedroom duplex, even if it's a family of two.

She said her family of six paid $139 in fees last month while her neighbors, a family of three living in a duplex exactly like hers, received a $50 refund.

"As a resident in military housing, one has almost no control of where they live, little to no control over maintenance, no control over whether things that draw massive amounts of energy are energy efficient," she said. "The perk to giving up one's entire [Basic Allowance for Housing] is that things like this are supposed to be covered and taken care of."

Compound that with what she found when reporting and living at Camp Pendleton. She said base houses are not meant to be individually metered. Street lights and sprinkler systems were often tied into a house's wiring, while some houses were sharing circuits, drastically increasing a house's electricity usage, she found.

"It isn't JUST about whether houses are individually metered, whether they are hooked up to street lights, or whether they are accurately being read," she continued. "All of that is important, but it's also about whether the program itself is designed to benefit the service members, or the third-party companies that contract with housing to bill the residents."

The CNIC spokeswoman said base residents can expect to receive one or more bill statements that may include rebates or charges before RECP is suspended. However, the Navy and private housing companies have not set a timeline for when these will be delivered or the bills due.

Statements will still be sent once the program is suspended, but only to show individual usage and rebates or bills families would have received under RECP, the spokeswoman said.

-- Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at dorothy.mills-gregg@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DMillsGregg.

Read More: Top Marine Explains Why He's Banning Confederate Flags on Bases
The Archdiocese of New Orleans recently dropped one priest from a list of clergymen facing credible claims of molesting children and replaced him with another priest from the same religious order who had the same last name.

Officials with the archdiocese and the religious order, the Salesians of Don Bosco, this week chalked up the correction to a case of mistaken identity.

Both priests are dead.

'Sinister forces at work': 8 Salesians accused of abuse at Hope Haven and Madonna Manor campus The grand Spanish Colonial Revival buildings of Madonna Manor and Hope Haven that stand on opposite sides of Barataria Boulevard in Marrero ar

The Salesian priest now named in the list is Joseph Sokol, who was born in 1908 and died in 1970. The priest who was removed is Alfred Sokol (no relation to Joseph), who died in 2004 at age 93, after spending much of his career at New Jerseys prestigious Don Bosco Prep.

At the center of the confusion was Marreros Hope Haven orphanage, the site of numerous abuse cases involving priests, nuns and other staffers for which the archdiocese, as well as other entities, paid more than $5 million to settle claims in 2009.

An obituary for Alfred Sokol said he put in a tour of duty there; the archdiocese says Joseph Sokol did as well. And one of the abuse cases included in the 2009 settlements involved a Father Sokol, said the Rev. Steve Ryan, who supervises Salesian priests in a region which includes the New Orleans area.

A Salesian known as Father Sokol was on the roster of accused abusive priests and deacons that New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond published in November 2018, responding to calls for transparency about the Catholic Churchs ongoing child sex abuse scandal.

However, further research revealed the wrong priest was listed, and Alfred Sokol was replaced by Joseph Sokol on Feb. 14, Ryan said.

+2 Retired New Orleans priest likened in court docs to notorious Boston clerical abuser A trove of still-hidden church documents show a retired New Orleans priest was a serial pedophile who abused children for decades and was ne

At the same time, the estimated timeframe of abuse was pushed back from the 1960s and 1970s to the 1940s, and the allegation received date switched from 2006 to 2010.

The change wasnt announced in a public statement. The archdiocese acknowledged the revision in a brief note dated Feb. 14 on the clergy list.

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

Neither Ryan nor an archdiocesan spokeswoman explained how the list came to include Alfred Sokol, who Ryan said has never been credibly accused  anywhere.

However, Ryan said the order determined Alfred Sokol wasnt at the school during the years associated with the abuse claim but that Joseph Sokol was. He added that whoever was running the office at the time attributed the abuse to the wrong Sokol.

Archdiocesan spokeswoman Sarah McDonald said the Salesians recently called the archdioceses attention to the mistake.

The archdioceses initial list contained the names of 57 clergymen, eight of whom belonged to the Salesians. Several names have been added since 2018, though no additional Salesians.

Anniversary of credibly accused clergy list in New Orleans brings lawsuits, calls for investigations When the Archdiocese of New Orleans published a list one year ago of priests and deacons who had been credibly accused of molesting children, 

Besides their involvement in running Hope Haven and the adjacent, equally troubled Madonna Manor orphanage, the Salesians are also known locally for founding two other Marrero institutions: Archbishop Shaw High School and Immaculate Conception School.

MORE COVERAGE:

+11 List of clergy sex abusers in New Orleans archdiocese leaves gaps, questions for survivors The list of alleged clergy sex abusers that New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond released on Friday has foisted difficult questions on local 
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.

CALGARY, Alberta and LONDON, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INTERBIT LTD. (TSX Venture: IBIT) (the Company) announces that it has increased by 15% the maximum amount of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement) (see the Companys February 18, 2020 press release), such that the proposed Private Placement shall now consist of a minimum of 6,666,666 common shares and a maximum of 11,500,000 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.15 per share for minimum gross proceeds of CAD$1,000,000 and maximum gross proceeds of CAD$1,725,000.

The Companys decision to increase the size of the proposed Private Placement was as a result of the interest shown in this proposed financing and its position that it should consider all opportunities for funding given the current uncertainty and volatility in the markets.

The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used in connection with continued operations of the Company, payment of outstanding debts, examining what financial and strategic alternatives may be available to the Company and towards general and administrative expenses.

Any securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing of the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV).

The Company may pay a commission or finder's fee to eligible parties in connection with the Private Placement, subject to the approval of the TSXV and compliance with applicable securities laws.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Company owns proprietary technologies and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.

For further information please contact:

Brian Hinchcliffe, CEO

Phone: +1-914-815-2773

Email: investor@interbit.io

Website: www.interbit.io

This press release is not an offer of the Companys securities for sale in the United States. The Companys securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and applicable U.S. state securities laws. The Company will not make any public offering of its securities in the United States. The Companys securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include, the completion of the proposed Private Placement, the anticipated use of proceeds, the results of the strategic review being undertaken by the Company, the timing, development, launch and success of the Companys technologies and products (including, without limitation, successful development and commercialization of the InterbitTM platform), timing of receipt of feedback in respect of patent application examinations, successful receipt of patents in connection with the Companys patent applications, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, the development of competitive technologies, the marketplace acceptance of the Companys technologies and products, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018 available at www.sedar.com , many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
(TNS)  The Chattanooga utility that started the first Gig Internet service in the Western Hemisphere using its fiber-optic network is now using that same fiber backbone to pioneer a new method of cybersecurity that could literally be a quantum leap ahead of any other utility in North America.EPB (formerly the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga) on Thursday hosted top researchers in quantum physics from both the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in a test of a new type of cybersecurity control network regarded as far safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks than any existing controls. The new CEDS (Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems) system uses quantum technology to encrypt messages sent along EPB's smart grid and was tested along a 21-kilometer route on Thursday."This is probably the most advanced quantum network in the country, especially considering that this is in a real utility environment," said Nicholas Peters, group leader for the Quantum Science Research Group at ORNL who first came to EPB four years ago as part of EPB's Engineer Scholars program. "If something is secure without regard to computing (like with quantum technology) you don't have to worry about advances in computer power breaking your algorithm and compromising security."Cybersecurity is a top priority of the U.S. Department of Energy, which is funding the research to help guard against hackers threatening to mess with America's power grid. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy created the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response with a $28 million annual budget to research technologies that help prevent, detect and mitigate cyberattacks, with an emphasis on communication and cloud-based operations. At the Tennessee Valley Authority , a team of 60 cybersecurity experts in downtown Chattanooga monitor more than 1 billion potential cyberthreats every day.The power grid uses encrypted messages to dispatch and control the flow of electricity, but more sophisticated computers and hackers are increasingly able to break the mathematical codes behind such encryption, DOE officials said. The quantum technology uses the laws of physics to encode messages in ways that can immediately detect any hack.On Thursday, researchers brought to EPB's distribution facility a variety of lasers, electronics and detectors to direct infrared light down some of EPB's unused optical fiber to show how three different quantum encryption systems could be used on an electric grid infrastructure. During the test, the researchers sent and received a series of numbers known as a key using the quantum key distribution, or QKD, protocol, which virtually guarantees that nobody can tamper or alter the messages.The sender beams single infrared photons oriented in different directionspolarizationsand a receiver measures those orientations. In quantum mechanics, if you measure a photon's polarization, you instantly alter it from one state to another and any hack attempt is immediately known."We're sending single photons, or particles of light, on which we encode quantum information," said Dr. Raymond Newell, a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. "By measuring and extracting that information, we're able to generate secure data, like passwords for the system. They are not based upon mathematical complexity like most encryptions, but rather the underlying laws of physics."The ORNL researchers were attracted to EPB both because of its citywide fiber-optic network and the utility's willingness to share in research efforts, including its Engineers Scholars program."It's amazing that EPB lets us come here and disrupt their lives doing these demonstration projects," Peters said.Steve Morrison, director information security for EPB, said the city-owned utility has been working with DOE on quantum security for more than three years as part of its research efforts to be a leader in the industry."We have a real field test bed for these new technologies because of our smart grid," Morrison said. "We've learned a lot from these tests nd we continue to refine these technologies in ways that will help us have a safer, more reliable grid and really continue to position Chattanooga to be a leader."The quantum approach still has technical problems on a real grid operating with transformers, switches and thousands of miles of wires. Photons can now only be sent about 100 miles or so on fiber-optic cable before their quantum properties change, so long-distance transmission connections still face some challenges.But Duncan Earl, a former ORNL researcher who is now president and chief technical officer for Qubitekk in San Diego, which built much of the equipment tested Thursday, said quantum technology ultimately offers the opportunity for far safer and faster computing and encryption."We were able to secure better funding is San Diego, but it is nice to bring this technology back home and EPB is an incredible, progressive utility to work with on these projects," Earl said. "I can't even imagine working with any other utility."
On Wednesday, officials at Mainland Regional High School barred anyone who has traveled to countries affected by the disease, or are experience symptoms from their campus and events for two weeks.

We were getting concerns expressed from the community and we wanted to be responsive with our messaging to assuage fears and concerns, Chief School Administrator Mark C. Marrone said. And we wanted our community to know we are actively monitoring the situation and looking to support, protect the safety and welfare of our students.

A private school in Bergen County closed Friday due to concerns over COVID-19, officials said.

In a tweet Friday morning, Gov. Phil Murphy said that the school, which he did not identify, "has closed out of an abundance of caution," adding that the risk to public health remains low.

And, five schools in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, were closed Friday over fears of the diease.

Central Bucks School District officials were told Thursday night that individuals within the district were exposed to a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, according to a post on the districts Facebook page.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday accused the CBI of trying to "subvert" the course of justice in the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents by deciding to file a review petition against a Supreme Court decision. Last month, the apex court had dismissed a CBI plea challenging a 2019 Punjab and Haryana High Court order in which it had refused to interfere with the Punjab government's decision to take back all sacrilege cases from the central probe agency.

Following the order, Singh had announced in the state assembly that a special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police would take over the probe into the incidents of desecration of religious texts and police firing.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intimated the special judicial magistrate, Mohali of its intent to file the review petition in the Supreme Court against its February 20 order by which the apex court had dismissed the central agency's special leave petitions, a government statement said here.

Taking strong exception to this, the chief minister alleged that the central agency is doing this at the behest of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), part of the NDA government.

Not only is the CBI's decision to move a review petition a "blatant attempt to delay" the investigation further, it is a "clear endorsement of the Akali involvement" in the incident which had shaken Punjab in 2015, Singh said in the statement.

With this, the Akalis have clearly proven their "involvement in the entire ugly affair", he added.

The SAD, however, dubbed the CM's accusations as bundle of lies and asked him to request the chief justice of India to depute a sitting judge to probe the sacrilege incidents, if Singh was really serious about delivering justice.

SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the CM cannot cover his own government's failure in giving justice in the sacrilege case with baseless and mischievous statements.

Expressing his faith in the judiciary, the CM, however, said he is confident the courts will give the much-needed closure and justice to the victims in the case.

Singh said the CBI has "failed" to make any headway in its investigation for years -- a fact duly noted and recorded by the court during hearings in the matter.

The "entire drama" of filing a closure report, refusing to give its copy to the state government and then taking a U-turn after nearly two months, was "enacted" by the CBI on directions of the Akalis, who did not want the truth to come out, he alleged.

By using such "cheap tactics", the Akalis might be able to buy some more time but they cannot evade justice forever, he added.

The previous SAD-BJP government had handed over three sacrilege cases -- theft of a 'bir' (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib from a Burj Jawahar Singh Wala gurdwara on June 1, 2015; putting up of hand-written sacrilegious posters in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala on September 25, 2015; and torn pages of the holy book being found at Bargari on October 12, 2015 in Faridkot -- to the CBI.

The Punjab assembly, however, had passed a resolution in 2018, handing over the probe to the Punjab Police SIT in sacrilege incidents at Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala villages and police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura in Faridkot.

Two persons, who were part of the anti-sacrilege protests, were killed in the police firing at Behbal Kalan in 2015.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BEIRUT  For the first time in three months, Omar Zaqzaq says he and his family slept through the entire night, without an airstrike or artillery shell jolting them out of bed.

Idlibs skies were completely free of Russian and Syrian government warplanes Friday as a cease-fire deal took hold in Syrias northwestern province, the last rebel stronghold.

The truce, brokered by Turkey and Russia, halted a terrifying three-month air and ground campaign that killed hundreds and sent 1 million people fleeing toward the Turkish border.

But there is no joy among residents of the province or for the hundreds of thousands of displaced people who say they wont be returning to their homes anytime soon.

The truce is only a chance for the two sides to catch their breath said Zaqzaq, who lives in the rebel-held town of Binnish, along with his wife, 5-year-old daughter Maria and 3-year-old son Akef. Its a very fragile truce and I dont think it will last long.

The agreement, announced Thursday after a six-hour meeting between the Turkish and Russian presidents in Moscow, essentially froze the conflict lines in Idlib. It does not force Syrian President Bashar Assads forces to roll back significant military gains made in Russian-backed offensive for the past three months  a key Turkish demand prior to the talks.

That effectively rules out the possibility of hundreds of thousands of displaced people returning to their homes, now under Assads control.

If we wanted to live under their mercy (Russia and Syrian government) we would have stayed there, said Alaa Turki Hammam, a 25-year-old who fled his home near Marat al-Numan and is now at a camp west of the mountainous town of Haranabush near the Turkish border.

Now, after this meeting, we have lost even one percent hope that we would return to our homes, he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan each back opposing sides in the conflict and have become the main power brokers in the war-torn country.

The deal announced in Moscow is the latest of many cease-fire agreements for Idlib in recent years. All have ended up unraveling after few months, triggering new government offensives that captured more territory from the opposition. Government forces now control much of Syria after evicting rebels from other parts of country.

The cease-fire deal appears to achieve Moscows key goal of allowing the Syrian government to keep control of the north-south highway known as the M5. Syrian forces captured its last segments in the latest offensive.

The deal sets up a security corridor along the M4, a key east-west highway in Idlib. According to the accord, published in Syrian pro-government media, Russian and Turkish troops are supposed to begin joint patrols on the M4 on March 15.

The deal lacked specifics or a known mechanism to enforce the truce, saying that details related to the security corridor along the M4 will be worked out by Russian and Turkish officials within a week.

Under a Russia-Turkey agreement reached in the summer of 2018, the two highways were supposed to be opened before the end of that year. But rejection of the deal by al-Qaida-linked militants in Idlib kept the two vital roads closed.

Turkey, a strong backer of the rebels, has intervened in the war four times to carve out zones of influence. It has sent thousands of troops to Idlib, leading to direct clashes in which 60 Turkish soldiers and scores of Syrian forces were killed in the past month.

On Friday, Erdogan said there would be no question of change regarding Turkeys 12 observation posts inside Idlib, some of which now fall within Syrian government-controlled territory. The posts are manned by Turkish troops and are in place as part of the 2018 agreement with Russia. Erdogans remarks were made on his flight back from Moscow and were carried by the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Despite the disappointment and skepticism, the cease-fire brought relief to a weary and displaced population traumatized by years of conflict and weeks of relentless bombardment amid freezing weather.

Warplanes that used to terrorize children at night and commit massacres are not flying overhead now, said Salwa Abdul-Rahman, a citizen journalist who spoke by phone to The Associated Press from Idlibs provincial capital, which bears the same name.

Abdul-Rahman, however, said many residents who were displaced in the past three months are angry because they were hoping to return to their homes that are now under government control. She added that people who are now living in tents discovered they cannot return.

This matter concerns us, Syrians, but it seems we dont have a say in this. They are playing chess with us, she said of the Russia-Turkey agreement.

The European Unions top diplomats met Friday in Croatia to discuss what to do about Syria. Upon arrival, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the cease-fire as good news.

Lets see how it works, that is the precondition in order to increase humanitarian help for the people in Idlib, Borrell said.

The provice is home to thousands of al-Qaida-linked militants, many of whom reject a political solution for Syrias nine-year conflict, which has killed more than 400,000 people. The province also is home to about 3 million people, many of whom fled from other parts of Syria.

Assad has vowed to regain control of all parts of the country lost in the war.

Zaqzaq, the father of two in Binnish, said the truce gave legitimacy to the advances by Syrian forces in the past weeks and that, bit by bit, they will take back more chunks of Idlib after claiming cease-fire violations.

This happened in Daraa, Ghouta, Rastan and now now it is biting off new areas under the pretext that the cease-fire was violated. They will then negotiate a truce from the (next) area they reach, he said.

___

Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed.
At least one security agent was killed and five others were wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up on Friday near the US embassy in the Tunisian capital.

The local authorities said the attackers, who were both on a motorcycle, died in the blast, which took place near the US embassys main gate.

Last summer, ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attack that rocked the Tunisian capital. In 2012, the American embassy, located in the outskirts of Tunis, was attacked by crowds angered by an anti-Muslim film produced in the US.

Dozens of people have been killed in attacks by jihadists in Tunisia, notably in 2015 when the Bardo Museum outside the capital and a luxury beach hotel were attacked.

After the 2015 successive terror attacks, travel agencies had pulled out and foreign governments advised their citizens against travelling to the North African country, dealing a hard blow to Tunisias economy.

There are fears that Friday suicide-bombing might affect again the Tunisian tourism sector which employs nearly half a million people.
(Newser)  Another TV commercial is the subject of unintended controversy, but this one has nothing do with exercise bikes. Instead, the Target commercial features the African-American owner of the Honey Pot, which sells feminine hygiene products, as she talks about her business and its potential to inspire. Coverage:

The ad: Watch it here. In it, CEO Beatrice Dixon says this: "The reason why it's so important for The Honey Pot to do well is so the next black girl that comes up with a great ideashe can have a better opportunity," per USA Today.

Watch it here. In it, CEO Beatrice Dixon says this: "The reason why it's so important for The Honey Pot to do well is so the next black girl that comes up with a great ideashe can have a better opportunity," per USA Today. The backlash: The ad, up since early February (Black History Month), suddenly went viral on social media last weekend, reports CNN. Critics deluged rating sites with poor reviews and accused Dixon of being racist. "Black girls are empowered using this product... I guess whites girls arent. Ill be letting Target know about this racist company," went one typical review, per BuzzFeed.

story continues below

Page down: The review site Trustpilot got so many slams it now has a note saying the Honey Pot page is temporarily suspended. Because so many flooded in (including with racial slurs), "we cannot guarantee that reviews provide a genuine representation of the company."

The review site Trustpilot got so many slams it now has a note saying the Honey Pot page is temporarily suspended. Because so many flooded in (including with racial slurs), "we cannot guarantee that reviews provide a genuine representation of the company." Backlash to the backlash: Dixon tells BuzzFeed that sales have jumped significantly (they were up as much as 50% Monday) amid the controversy, apparently the result of supporters rushing to help. "It was really beautiful to see so many people supporting us, you know, and lifting us up and speaking words of encouragement," she tells CNN. Her product is for all women, she points out.

Dixon tells BuzzFeed that sales have jumped significantly (they were up as much as 50% Monday) amid the controversy, apparently the result of supporters rushing to help. "It was really beautiful to see so many people supporting us, you know, and lifting us up and speaking words of encouragement," she tells CNN. Her product is for all women, she points out. Bigger point: Dixon hopes the issue highlights the fact that black female entrepreneurs face huge challenges, such as receiving only a small fraction of venture capital funding. "It wasn't me being racist," she says of the ad. "It was me understanding the responsibility that we have to take as a black-owned business in America in 2020."

Dixon hopes the issue highlights the fact that black female entrepreneurs face huge challenges, such as receiving only a small fraction of venture capital funding. "It wasn't me being racist," she says of the ad. "It was me understanding the responsibility that we have to take as a black-owned business in America in 2020." In defense: In Essence, Tonya A. Christian applauds the ad, and she says anyone who talks in favor of "equity and equal representation" should do the same. She agrees that black female entrepreneurs "face overwhelming challenges," with clear evidence that it's tougher for them to get loans. "The fact that Dixon was able to take a dream, literally, and turn that into a company that has products gracing the shelves of Target, Walmart, Walgreens, you name it, makes her a shining example of what little Black girls can one day be."

In Essence, Tonya A. Christian applauds the ad, and she says anyone who talks in favor of "equity and equal representation" should do the same. She agrees that black female entrepreneurs "face overwhelming challenges," with clear evidence that it's tougher for them to get loans. "The fact that Dixon was able to take a dream, literally, and turn that into a company that has products gracing the shelves of Target, Walmart, Walgreens, you name it, makes her a shining example of what little Black girls can one day be." A 'paradox': Hood Feminism author Mikki Kendall sees a "colorblind paradox" at play in the Chicago Tribune. "I cant tell you how many feminine hygiene product commercials exist that never show a single face thats darker than a paper bag, Kendall tells columnist Heidi Stevens. White women are the default in advertising, "to such a degree that a black business owner wanting to serve as a role model and a success story for black girls feels, to some, like an affront, like somethings being taken from them." It's not. It's "simply being offered to even more people ... in addition to them."

(Read more Target stories.)
Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Chico, California for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 10 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Chico, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Chico with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Chico. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Chico, California please visit

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-chico-ca/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Chico, California (in alphabetical order)

A Step Up

1410 Guerneville Road, Suite 14

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

707-575-0979

Above It All Treatment Center

28200 Highway 189, Suite J-100

Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

877-978-3312

AEGIS Chico

7246 Remmet Avenue

Canoga Park, California 91303

818-206-0360

Bayside Marin

718 4th Street

San Rafael, CA 94901

877-918-4854

Beacon House

468 Pine Avenue

Pacific Grove, CA 93950

866-422-3597

Diamond House Detox

8624 Diamond Oak Way

Elk Grove, CA 95624

800-205-6107

Hope Canyon

2821 Lange Avenue

San Diego, CA 92122

619-343-2395

Lake Hughes Recovery

48745 3 Points Road

Lake Hughes, CA 93532

866-402-8801

Skyway House

392 Connors Court, Suite C

Chico, CA. 95926

530-898-8326

Stepping Stones Perinatal

109 Parmac Road, Suite 2

Chico, CA 95926

530-879-3363

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.orgs team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.
Some of Australia's top fashion labels are reeling after Myer slashed the prices of their new stock as part of a move to radically reduce its struggling designer arm.

At its results presentation on Thursday, chief executive John King said the womenswear business had been "disappointing", as he revealed a 36.5 per cent plunge in the department store's half-yearly profits.

Myer is deleting several brands from its roster as it tries to fix its fashion business. Credit:Getty Images

But Myer and Mr King's goal to turn around its flailing fashion business by spring by investing more in accessories and affordable brands includes an aggressive deletion strategy for designer labels, with discounts of 70 per cent being offered at its flagship stores this weekend.

It also reverses a strategy implemented just six months ago to pump 40 new contemporary brands into the flagship stores in Sydney and Melbourne, including internationals such as Rotate and Australian resort brand Hansen & Gretel.
After the car turned onto Springfield, Thomas pulled out a large, shiny gun and fired three shots through the open window toward Garfeed and two others, prosecutors said. Two of the witnesses with Garfeed fled as the shots rang out. One of them returned to the scene and found Garfeed barely breathing and bleeding from the head, authorities said.
An Atlanta community is mourning the loss of a young woman after she was involved in what officials are referring to as a very freak accidental death.

Keisha Edwards sadly passed away on Wednesday evening after a utility pole came crashing down while she was standing on the side of the road following a car accident, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan confirms to PEOPLE.

The 26-year-old Columbus resident was driving on the 5300 block of Woodruff Farm Road with a male friend when their vehicle was involved in the crash, which they both survived without suffering any injuries, according to Bryan.

After safely exiting their car, the pair headed out to survey the damage, but were involved in another incident  this time, involving an elderly woman who drove her car up a nearby telephone guyed wire, Bryan says.

That crash then caused a utility pole on the other side of the road to snap in half  right where Keisha, her friend, and another driver who stopped to help them were standing, ultimately leading to the fatal collision.

When the pole broke it became a pendulum, swung and hit the three people, killing Keisha, Bryan tells PEOPLE. This is a very freak accidental death.

Keisha Edwards

RELATED: Connecticut College Gymnast Dies 2 Days After Suffering Injury in Freak Accident While Training

Columbus Police Lt. Lance Deaton echoed his sentiments, noting how the series of tragic events were truly a perfect storm.

Basically, it was a one-car accident  car vs. pole  and everything you would want to happen happened, Deaton said, according to CBS affiliate WBRL. All the right things. They appeared to be okay, someone stopped to help.

Deaton added that Edwards friend suffered a broken leg from the utility pole incident, while the person who stopped to helped had a broken foot. He also told the outlet that the accident remains under investigation.

At this time, the elderly womans identity has not been released. It is currently unclear what caused her to drive her car into the utility pole and whether she will face charges for her alleged role in Edwards death.

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Keisha Edwards

Bryan tells PEOPLE that Edwards body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab in Decatur on Thursday morning to determine a cause of death.

Her autopsy is scheduled for Friday, though Bryan notes results likely wont be available for several weeks due to toxicology reports.

A spokesperson for the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office and the Columbus Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

RELATED VIDEO: Washington Lawyer Killed in Freak Ski Accident: He Was the Backbone of Our Family, Says Son

Washington Lawyer Killed in Freak Ski Accident: 'He Was the Backbone of Our Family,' Says Son

A son is mourning the loss of his 58-year-old father, who was killed in a freak ski accident at Oregons Mount Hood Meadows on Thursday

Following the tragic news, several of Edwards loved ones paid tribute to her on social media and expressed their disbelief over the freak accident.

Rest In Peace my partner Keisha Edwards. Man I just did your hair. We just had a conversation about life, wrote one user. My partner and crime in high school. Lord you gained a real one .

2020 has been filled with so many hardships and losses  Rest well, Keisha Edwards , added someone else.

My  just goes out to her family especially her mama , posted another person. Keisha Edwards you will truly be missed love. Your spirit, your silliness, your energy, your 4 ft tall self   Please Lord be a fence around this family .
Universally, rain is considered a major blessing of nature. In rural Africa, where farming is a major pre-occupation, the coming of rain brings joy to the farmers. However, like other natural blessings, rain could become a problem when it is in excess and with horrendous effects.

The previous year was particularly bad news for the world in terms of the volume of rains experienced and its attendant consequences. For instance, millions of people were displaced by deadly floods resulting from torrential rains in China, Australia, Japan, United States of America, Indonesia and Brazil. In Australia, in particular, torrential rainfall brought the whole nation to its knees with major flooding, damaging winds and dangerous surf and severe thunderstorms.

All of these experiences are largely traceable to global warming-induced climate change which is posing major threats to lives, food security and businesses globally. In Nigeria, in view of its topography, Lagos also had its fair share of distressing rains. Last year, the heavens opened up in an unusual fashion, leaving in its trail pains and heartaches. In view of its peculiar topography, like other such coastal cities, the rainy season is usually challenging for Lagos residents.

A critical feature of Lagos landscape is that it is essentially made up of low lying terrain up to 0.4 percent below the sea level. This is logically the source of huge drainage challenges for the State. If this is added to the volume of rain that was experienced last year, it would be realized that there is possibly no way there would not be flash flooding in Lagos. Understanding this scenario is quite crucial to our overall perception of Lagos flooding concern.

Understanding the threat of global warming- deforestation, greenhouse gasses emission- and its damaging effects on the world is equally essential. It is as a result of this that the Lagos State government has been in the fore-front of combating the challenge in the country. It has held several international global warming conferences, in addition to making several advocacy campaigns on the subject in recent time.

Being a natural occurrence, flooding often time defies scientific solutions. While upgrading environmental infrastructure is important, engineering fixes alone will not suffice. According to renowned Ecologists, Donald Hey and Nancy Philippi, despite the massive construction of levees throughout the upper Mississippi Basin during the 20th century, annual average flood damage during that time more than doubled. Consequently, what is needed across the globe is a comprehensive plan to add ecological infrastructure to complement engineering infrastructure -specifically to expand wetlands and re-activate floodplains so as to mitigate future flood risks.

In Nigeria, we dont appreciate preparedness and prevention of disaster but wait for problem before taking action despite our weak infrastructural development. Tackling natural occurrences such as climate change and flooding is a collective responsibility that must involve every segment of the society. Therefore, as we await the rains this year, we must all be ready to embrace positive attitude to the environment.

In Lagos, for instance, certain negative practices easily aid flooding. This include turning canals, streams and drainages into refuse dumping sites. It is so bad that while it is raining, people come out to toss their refuse into the flowing water body. This is wrong and must be discontinued.

Lagos residents, especially, need to be more affirmative concerning proper waste disposal, compliance with building regulations, embracing alternative energy use, paying necessary attention to sanitation issues and not building structures on drainage channels, flood plains and on water pathways. Also, those living in flood prone areas as identified by the government must seek alternative accommodation before the rains. Indeed, all human induced activities that aid flooding must be stopped.

With the prediction by experts that the world would witness more rains this year, we all must be ready to play our part to avert devastating consequences. The federal government, through its relevant agencies, should collaborate with States that have peculiar flooding challenges to determine areas of assistance. This must be done as a regular preventive measure, and not after the havoc has been done.

As always, the Lagos State government is committed to a cleaner environment and quality public health. It is demonstrating this through the implementation of community based solid waste management, flood control, vegetal control and high standard of home and personal hygiene, sanitation, control of environment pollution (air, water and noise), beautification and advertisement control. Consequently, the State governments approach to tackling the issue of flooding is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. It includes dredging, massive construction and expansion of drainage channels, desilting and excavation of silts to dumpsites, regular repair, clearing and cleaning of drainages, canals and collector drains across the state.

Being a natural occurrence, no known scientific device is capable of stopping rain. It is, however, possible to mitigate its adverse effects, if we all resolve to do the right things. The struggle between man and nature has for long been a protracted one. The airplanes, the Panama Canal, the European tunnel, the Pyramid of Egypt among others remain clear testimonies of the indefatigable depth of human capacity for survival against the threat of nature.

Therefore, to mitigate the effects of the rains this year, we must all work together as one and do the needful. Together we can make our society a safer and better place to live.

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja
Pedro Sanchez's fledgling coalition made a step in the right direction last week, managing to secure parliamentary approval for key fiscal plans. In a vote on 27 February, 168 members of congress voted for and 150 voted against the measures, which propose to substantially reduce Spain's budget deficit and public debt by 2023. Although better than nothing, these are likely to be the least controversial pieces of legislation that the PSOE-Podemos government will attempt to ratify: broadly speaking, all of Spain's main parties agree on the need to reduce Spain's budget deficit and its public debt over the coming years. The big debates are yet to come and will concern other issues.

Unlike the deficit and debt-reduction goals, other planks of the government's economic policy - such as increased taxes on higher earners and reversals of Mariano Rajoy's 2012 labour reforms - won't have such an easy time when presented to parliament. These politically charged issues will face opposition from the right wing bloc composed of Ciudadanos, the Popular Party (PP) and Vox, all of which argue that tax hikes would harm consumption and competitiveness. These parties will also oppose a budget containing increased public spending - precisely what the PSOE-Podemos alliance has promised in order to improve the lot of average Spanish households.

Sanchez's minority government faces an even tougher task in passing a bill it approved this week, which classifies all non-consensual sex as rape. The draft legislation would change the current law, according to which rape is defined by violence or the threat of violence, and, if passed, would make Spain one of the most progressive countries in the EU when it comes to women's rights. But the congressional support of right wing parties, especially the reactionary forces of the PP and Vox, is unlikely.

Sanchez is also considering changing the law in order to reduce the punishment for sedition, one of the crimes for which nine leading Catalan separatists received excessive prison sentences last October. Such a proposal - discussion of which is necessary, at the very least - would not only face opposition from the Spanish right, but also from within the prime minister's own party. Emiliano Garcia-Page, Socialist President of Castilla-La Mancha, recently said that to "water down the crime of sedition" would be tantamount to inviting it to "happen every weekend" (which probably doesn't even qualify as overstatement for the most vehement anti-secessionists).

So far, Spain's new government has been sheltering behind its defences, passing legislation by royal decree and, most recently, by a narrowly clinched vote. Given that it sits on just 155 seats in the 350-seat congress - 21 short of a majority - such progress is laudable; but it has yet to reach the front line of debate, where everything from tax raises to reforming criminal law will be battled out in parliament.
NEW YORK (JTA)-Fans of mainstream Jewish music may find Nissim Black's latest single "Mothaland Bounce" jarring and alien, but they're just not listening with an ear to the rhythm of Jewish history.

Set against the aural backdrop of an African basso profundo beat, and framed by scenes of gritty urban blight, the popular African-American-Israeli Hasidic artist boldly intones his rap-staccato credo in a manner that's hard to square with his woolen tzitzit, long Polish bekishe and towering shtreimel.

"Mothaland Bounce" is definitely a bold departure for Black, who has made a name for himself in the Orthodox music scene with his deeply spiritual tracks like "Fly Away"(2017), "King of the World" (2019) and a glorious duet with Gad Elbaz ("Hashem Melech 2.0," 2016). These popular songs, while borrowing from the hip-hop styling of his youth, seem safely kosher in comparison to his newest work. On first encounter, "Mothaland Bounce" sounds dangerously subversive, an angry cri de cour from the other, poverty-stricken side of the Crown Heights divide:

"My momma told me that I READ good

Been on my straight and narrow

but my history is THE 'hood

Thank G-d today that WE could

Buy a box of Cheerios or Kix

I can even buy Trix

I'm no longer on WIC

EBT card ripped."

The social media reaction from his fans in the Orthodox world is overwhelmingly positive. But here and there, a note of dissatisfaction-and disbelief-emerges.

One ellipses-filled comment on the original video left by Shmuel Simcha called the video "very conflicting... mixed signals... very in your face to white jews affirming he is not really comfortable with them... his skin is camouflage in the synagogue... yeah right... he is a major star in the Jewish world. no one begrudges his skin color... the "white" Jews are putting him in times square rapping at Jewish concerts. he seems very unsettled here, and dissatisfied. this is a highly unlikeable work, and very in your face to the Jewish community that has embraced him."

Such objectors have it all wrong. Far from a departure, "Mothaland Bounce" may be Black's most authentically Jewish work ever, part of a long tradition of cultural syncretism that goes back 2,500 years to the rivers of the first Babylonian exile, if not earlier.

Even the title is an expression of the quintessential Jewish experience. "Bounce," the young people tell me, is slang for "leave suddenly, escape," and in some contexts, "expel" (think "bouncer" at the door of a nightclub).

Who knows more about "bouncing" from adoptive "mother lands" than the Jews? We've been bouncing for a very, very long time. On the upside, we've picked up a lot of valuable cultural influences along the way.

For example, when the Baghdadi Hebrew poet Dunash ibn Labrat arrived in Cordoba, Spain, in the 10th century, he brought with him a remarkable artistic innovation: By adding Arabic-style meter to Hebrew, he was able to craft a dramatic new style and inject staid, static Hebrew poetry with an unsettling new vibe.

Traditionalists, led by the aged Menachem ben Saruk, were scandalized by Dunash's adaptation of foreign, goyishe meter, and riots broke out on the streets of Cordoba. (Ah, to live in a time when Jews literally came to blows over poetry!) It took several centuries for the dispute to resolve, but Jews voted with their tongues-Dunash ibn Labrat's Arabic style was enthusiastically absorbed into the art of the greatest Sephardic poets, from ibn Gabirol to Yehuda Ha-Levi. We are still singing ibn Labrat's ethereal, Arabic-inflected "D'ror Yikra" around our Shabbat tables a thousand years after his passing.

Nissim Black is simply the Dunash ibn Labrat of our age. Like his bold predecessors, he cross-fertilizes Jewish culture and revitalizes it, keeping it fresh and relevant for the new generation, regardless of what those old-timers who knew Egyptian servitude might think of the innovations.

"Mothaland Bounce" is not just an example, but a celebration of Jewish cultural syncretism. In the video, three groups of dancers collide on screen: Beskirted African warriors move with disciplined, synchronized power and grace, hearkening back to Nissim's distant heritage. They nearly come to blows with exuberant yet threatening African-American street dancers, who were torn away from the majesty of their ancestral cultures by the brutalities of slavery, displacement and persecution, but retain the explosive creative energy of African-American spirit.

On the cusp of a violent encounter, the thesis and antithesis of the Black experience is mediated, surprisingly, by an incongruous group of African-American Hasidim, complete with white knee socks and furry headgear. After halting the impending street battle by physically inserting himself between the African and African-American combatants, a Hasid casually demonstrates the signature dance move of the song-a gentle, rhythmic sideways tug of the right elbow and simultaneous "bounce" from the knees-that brings all the dancers into dynamic harmony-and signals the possibility of peaceful coexistence among Africans, African-Americans and the Hasidim.

The plot of the music video is modeled on the formation of Black's own complex identity as an African-American Hasid.

"What brought peace for me was Judaism," he related in a recent interview with Emily Burack in Alma. "So the Hasidic guy, he comes to break up the two things, and he brings shalom. It was all very telling of who I was."

Black is certainly aware of racism in the Jewish world. His painful experience of institutional bias in Israel in 2018 prompted a visit to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, considered by many to be the most revered rabbi in the world. Rav Kanievsky took Black's hand in his own and explained as white attendants anxiously crowded in to hear his faint, elderly voice: Black's complexion was not a "hisaron," or deficiency, Rabbi Kanievsky said. To the contrary, his African identity was actually his "maylah"-his great advantage.

With "Mothaland Bounce," Black has transformed Rav Kanievsky's statement into an imperative, acknowledging the liminality of his identity in the Hasidic world while refusing to submerge his ancestral heritage in a sea of Ashkenazim:

"In the synagogue

Camouflaged

But I can't wipe the skin off

I'm proud of it

It's loud a bit

But I'm not trying to criss-cross."

Black affirms his Jewishness-and indeed, my Jewishness as well-by recognizing the diverse strands of history that make up the quilt of our personal identities. As he observed in an interview with Mordechai ben Avraham, Black compares his experience to that of Sephardim, who celebrate their Iberian roots even half a millennium after they were expelled from the peninsula. If they can be both Sephardic and Jewish-indeed, Sephardic, American and Jewish-then why would it be strange for Nissim Black to be African, African-American and Jewish as well? As he expressed it when asked about his adoption of traditional Hasidic clothing, "this is the way I hip-hop."

"Mothaland Bounce" ends on a note of heroic belligerence, even defiance. Black is aware of the dangers associated with identifying as a Jew, yet for him there is no choice. Judaism "brings shalom," he observed, despite what the haters might say:

"I just wanted you to be aware

Signing off as Mr. Black

Hitler's worst nightmare.

Yeah."

The surface reading of this powerful lyric, celebrating Black's tripartite identity as African, American and Jewish, was highlighted by a German-language reviewer in the Weiner Zeitung (Hitlers schlimmster Alptraum, Feb. 18).

A deeper reading, however, suggests that the sleep of anti-Semites might be disturbed more by Black's irrepressible joie de vivre, spiritual depth and undeniably Jewish creativity.

Hitler's worst nightmare, indeed.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
Retail giant Target Australia are selling a pair of black denim jeans that claim to sculpt your body - and they're priced at only $49.

Through 'tummy trimming construction', the affordable staple jeans are designed to hold and shape your body when worn.

Budget style blogger Tina Abeysekara, from Sydney, posted a sequenced of Instagram videos and images wearing the fashionable skinny jeans, demonstrating how the pants 'suck it all in'.

Budget style blogger Tina Abeysekara, from Sydney (pictured above), posted a sequenced of Instagram stories wearing the stylish skinny jeans, demonstrating how the pants 'suck it all in'

Ideal for a business casual work environment, Tina paired the black jeans with a maroon cowl neck cami and a grey checkered jacket, both also from Target

Ideal for a business casual work environment, Tina paired the black jeans with a maroon cowl neck cami and a grey checkered jacket, both also from Target.

'I made everyone try these jeans and all seven bought them!' Tina said and rated the jeans ten out of ten.

The product combines style and comfort, creating a versatile look for an array of weekday and weekend occasions.

Through 'tummy trimming construction' the affordable staple jeans are designed to hold and shape your body when worn

Part of the Shape Your Body Skinny line, the budget product sits above the waist and is made from a combination of cotton, polyester and elastane.

According to the product description, the skinny leg silhouette is created and fitted through the thigh, knee and ankle.

Tina also mentioned she bought the jeans in a size ten and the product is true to size.

Late last month she shared a photo to her 99,000 Instagram followers and many praised the chic look.

Love the entire outfit! one wrote online, another added: Tina my bank account needs to have words with you! I need this jacket, those jeans and the shoes.

How can you find a good bargain in a cheap store? * Sign up to the store's newsletters, so you know when they're going to have their sales and events. * Invest in classic colour palettes which will always look more expensive. * Be prepared that something might look better in the flesh than it did online. * Pay attention to shop layouts. Often, when stores change the floor plan, it can indicate a sale is coming. * Remember in places like Kmart and Target that the good stuff is going to be at the front. 50 - 60 per cent of their stock they keep all year around. * Know your body shape, the size you are in each store and what sorts of styles suit you. This will save you time and money. Advertisement




Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:18:14|Editor: yhy

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SEOUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's presidential Blue House on Friday expressed strong regret over Japan's entry restriction on people from South Korea amid the spread of the COVID-19.

Chung Eui-yong, top national security adviser for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, convened a National Security Council (NSC) meeting earlier in the day, according to the Blue House.

The statement, unveiled after the meeting, said NSC members expressed strong regret over the measures taken by the Japanese government towards the South Korean people.

Japan said on Thursday that people arriving from South Korea will be quarantined for up to two weeks at designated facilities over concern about the COVID-19 spread.

South Korea's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 6,284 on Friday, with the death toll reaching 43.

Despite the call from the main opposition United Future Party, the South Korean government has refused to impose entry restrictions on people from countries affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, including Japan.

The Blue House statement said Japan lost its faith from the international community because of its ambiguous and passive quarantine efforts, while South Korea sternly controlled and managed the COVID-19 outbreak through the scientific and transparent quarantine system that is highly evaluated by the rest of the world.

It noted that the Japanese government's unreasonable actions, taken without first consulting with the South Korean government, were not understandable, adding that Seoul would review corresponding measures under the principle of reciprocity.
Ex-TOWIE star Chloe Lewis shared a heartwarming snap alongside her four-month-old son Beau and her partner Danny Flasher from their Mauritius trip on Instagram on Thursday evening.

In the sweet post, the reality star, 28, gushed she 'loves her little team so much' after revealing her baby son suffered an allergic reaction to sun cream earlier in the week.

Mother-of-one Chloe looked sensational in a black maxi dress as she cosied up to her loved ones for a scenic dinner date during their refreshing holiday.

'My little team': Ex-TOWIE star Chloe Lewis shared a heartwarming snap alongside her four-month-old son Beau and her partner Danny Flasher from their Mauritius trip on Thursday

Adding a touch of glamour to her evening look, the former model boosted her frame in a pair of clear block heels, while her boyfriend of three years sported a grey striped suit with white trainers.

On Monday, the honey-blonde beauty revealed her her little boy's skin had flared up with a nasty rash.

In a lengthy post, Chloe warned other mums to be 'super cautious' when choosing which creams they should use to protect their babies from the sun, as she shared a snap of beau just before his allergic reaction.

Unwind: The reality star, 28, has been updated her social media followers on their refreshing break over the past week

Parenthood challenges: On Monday, the honey-blonde beauty revealed her her little boy's skin had flared up with a nasty rash as he suffered an allergic reaction to sun cream

She wrote: 'My Beau blue eyes, so excited to see you grow but at the same time want you to stay small forever.

'This was the last picture of him before he had an allergic reaction to sun cream (I feel like the worst mumma ever)

'Be super cautious of what your putting on your baby's skin it's so important, lesson learnt, now just trying to get my baby better lots of cuddles ' [sic]

The TV star jetted to the island to relax with unwind with her family, after they welcomed their son together in October.

Chloe recently spoke about her pregnancy in a Q&A, revealing she gained 1.5stone in weight.

The media personality admitted she was 'surprised' at her low weight gain and also shared she fell pregnant just a month into her family planning journey.

Chloe - who exercised while pregnant - detailed: 'I weighed myself towards the end, I was about 1 1/2 stone heavier. I really thought I was going to blow up pregnant but really surprised myself.'

Important: The model warned other mothers to be 'super cautious' when choosing products to put on their baby's skin, before confessing she feels like the 'worst mumma ever'

Proud parents: Chloe welcomed her son Beau with boyfriend of two years Danny in October (pictured last year)

When asked whether she planned to start a family, the media personality said she 'felt the time was right' as she was content in her relationship with Danny Flasher.

She added: 'Yes we planned & fell the first month but everyone is different. I don't know if you ever feel the time is right.

'I just was very happy in my relationship & knew it was right & I've always wanted to be a mumma.

'Plus I had lots of practise with my sisters babies, the only difference is I got to give them back.' [sic]

'I was surprised as I thought I'd blow up!' In January, Chloe revealed she gained 1.5 stone in weight while carrying Beau (pictured in July)

Before and after: New mum Chloe - who exercised while pregnant - revealed: 'I weighed myself towards the end, I was about 1 1/2 stone heavier (pictured right two weeks after giving birth)
Microsoft on Thursday committed to paying normal hourly wages to non-employees providing services to Microsoft workers, like bus drivers and cafeteria workers, who might otherwise receive less pay while many of the company's employees spend the next few weeks working from home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus.

The announcement highlights one of many factors that go into the equation of how the virus will affect businesses, particularly those that are keeping employees away from their offices.

On Wednesday Microsoft said employees in Washington's Puget Sound  the home of its headquarters  and California's Bay Area who can work from home should do so through March 25. Other companies have issued similar directives; on Wednesday San Francisco-based Salesforce encouraged all of its employees in the Washington cities of Seattle, Kirkland and Bellevue to work from home in March.

"We recognize the hardship that lost work can mean for hourly employees," Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, wrote in a blog post on Thursday. "As a result, we've decided that Microsoft will continue to pay all our vendor hourly service providers their regular pay during this period of reduced service needs. This is independent of whether their full services are needed. This will ensure that, in Puget Sound for example, the 4,500 hourly employees who work in our facilities will continue to receive their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced."

Microsoft said last week that it didn't expect to reach its quarterly revenue target for the business segment that includes Windows because of coronavirus impact.

Follow CNBC's live blog on the coronavirus here.

WATCH: Microsoft was prudent to warn about coronavirus impact, analyst says
Members of the Mohawk community leave their blockade next to Canadian Pacific Railway tracks on March 5, 2020 in Kahnawake, Que. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

Blockade on CP Rail Tracks in Kahnawake Comes Down After More Than Three Weeks

KAHNAWAKE, Que.A blockade in the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake that halted rail traffic south of Montreal for more than three weeks came to a peaceful end on Thursday as activists voluntarily dismantled their camp next to Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.

Dozens of Mohawk community members sang and played drums as they walked behind a convoy of trucks and tractors flying Mohawk flags, which carried pallets, firewood and other supplies to a new location at the foot of a bridge leading to Montreal.

Traffic stretched for at least a kilometre in either direction as the procession temporarily stopped in the middle of the highway for a brief press conference.

Our decision is to relocate our fire to the green space in Kahnawake, away from the railway tracks, Roxann Whitebean told reporters. We want the fire to be visible for every commuter that crosses the Mercier Bridge to show that we are here to stay for as long as the Wetsuweten need us to.

The Kahnawake blockade was the last major rail disruption remaining from a wave of solidarity protests that sprung up across the country last month in support of Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs in northern British Columbia. The movement arose after the RCMP moved into Wetsuweten territory on Feb. 6 to enforce an injunction against a blockade erected by pipeline opponents.

Later Thursday, protesters in the Mikmaq community of Listuguj removed a blockade of a rail line operated by the Chemin de fer de la Gaspesie. The blockade, about 525 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, had been in place since Feb 10.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault wrote on Twitter that he was satisfied the two blockades had finally been lifted.

The negative effects that the blockades have had, primarily on public transport users and on the economy, are deplorable, he wrote. Solutions need to be found so this doesnt happen again.

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake praised the dedication of the protesters and said the action was a sincere and peaceful expression of support for the hereditary chiefs in B.C.

I think everybodyall sidesare happy that this has happened. It took a while, but people have to realize that our processes arent always as fast as others, said Joe Delaronde, a spokesman for the council. Whats done is done, the solidarity remains, but the tracks are open and everyone is happy about that.

A statement from the Mohawk longhouse, distributed by the protesters, called the removal of the blockade a gesture of good faith as the Wetsuweten people consider a draft agreement reached Sunday between their hereditary chiefs and senior Canadian officials.

We want to allow the Wetsuweten to take the necessary time within their own community to make decisions, added Whitebean, whose Mohawk name is Karonhiarokwas. Let this be a strong message and demonstration of good faith to all of Canada. We prefer a peaceful resolution and demand that Indigenous peoples rights be respected.

However, she warned that the Mohawks were prepared to take further action in the future if the situation is not resolved satisfactorily.

Depending on how Canada moves forward, we are ready to react, and we will ensure our rights and lands will no longer be violated, she said.

We will not back down until these standards are met.

Commuter and freight traffic along the line has been stopped since early February, forcing transit users to shuttle back and forth to Montreal by bus. CP Rail obtained a court injunction on Feb. 25 to end the blockade, but local Peacekeepers said they would not enforce it and provincial police made no effort to enter the community.

Legault sparked an angry response from the protesters and elected officials in Kahnawake last week when he said the reason provincial police were reluctant to intervene was because of the presence of assault rifles in the community.

On Thursday morning, there were signs the blockade was drawing to an end. Pickup trucks, some pulling flatbed trailers, could be seen driving along the access road to the camp, which was guarded by concrete barriers, piles of rubble and a structure built of poles where Mohawk community members stood watch day and night.

A spokeswoman for Exo, the commuter rail operator, said service will not resume until CP Rail has authorized use of the track.
U.S. Rejects Top Court's 'Reckless' Decision To Back Afghan War Crimes Probe

By RFE/RL March 05, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denounced as "reckless" a ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan could go ahead.

"This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body," Pompeo said on March 5 following the ICC judges' decision to overturn on appeal a previous decision to block the probe into crimes allegedly committed by the Taliban, Afghan security forces, and the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

The ruling by the ICC's Appeals Chamber in The Hague came days after the United States and the Taliban signed a deal aimed at putting an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

"It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal on Afghanistan -- the best chance for peace in a generation," Pompeo said in his statement.

He said the United States, which is not a party to the ICC, will take "all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade, so-called court."

Afghanistan is a signatory of the ICC but officials have expressed opposition to the investigation.

Human rights groups welcomed the Appeals Chamber's decision, with Amnesty International saying: "This is an historic moment where the International Criminal Court has reversed a terrible mistake and decided to stand by the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides to the conflict in Afghanistan."

In November 2017, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges to initiate an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since May 2003.

But in April 2019, an ICC pretrial chamber rejected the inquiry as not being in the "interests of justice" because it would likely fail due to lack of cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed this ruling, which was condemned by victims and rights groups, calling it "a major international victoryfor the rule of law."

Judge Piotr Hofmanski, president of the ICC's Appeals Chamber, said in rendering the March 5 judgment that the pretrial chamber "erred in deciding that investigation into the situation in Afghanistan in this stage would not serve the interest of justice."

The Appeals Chamber "considers it appropriate to amend the appeal decision to the effect that the prosecutor is authorized to commence an investigation," Hofmanski said.

After the announcement, Solomon Sacco of Amnesty International said the ICC "represents the first true hope of justice for the victims of conflict, who have been shamefully ignored for years."

Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: "Afghans who are skeptical about whether the U.S.-Taliban agreement and planned intra-Afghan peace talks can deliver a better future, now have reason to believe that justice might not be squandered in the process."

Washington has said it would revoke or deny visas to ICC staff seeking to investigate the allegations of abuses.

The United States is among dozens of countries that have not ratified the Rome treaty that established the ICC in 2002.

U.S. forces and other foreign troops intervened in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and overthrew the Taliban government.

There are roughly 13,000 U.S. troops in the country, as well as European forces participating in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

More than 32,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict, according to the United Nations.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/international- court-allows-afghanistan-war-crimes-probe- after-nixing-ruling/30470040.html

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

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Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has praised tent cities housing migrants detained at the border, calling the conditions "quite nice" and saying he would like to build similar facilities for the nation's homeless population.

Speaking to Axios on HBOs Jonathan Swan, Mr Carson described the tent cities as having air conditioning and heating, saying: A lot of the people who have been detained there have been put into sprung structures and tent cities that are actually quite nice.

If we can do that for, you know, people who are being detained at the border, he said, why cant we do it for our own people?

Mr Swan asked whether such an equivalent to the tent cities on the border existed in the US for homeless people, to which Mr Carson responded: No, they need to be built.

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security requested the US military build six tent cities near the US-Mexico border to house an estimated 7,500 migrants detained in federal custody.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement oversees conditions for migrants detained at the US-Mexico border, as the Trump administration continues to build new shelters in the region for undocumented immigrants while implementing hard-line policies against illegal border crossings.

Customs and Border Protection explained the need for new shelters amid an influx of migrants last year, saying in a statement at the time: The humanitarian and border security crisis on our south-west border has stretched our resources and processing facilities to the breaking point.

John Sanders, a senior official at CBP, said the temporary facilities will support our efforts to process, care for and transfer the unprecedented number of families and unaccompanied children crossing the border each day.

Conditions for migrants at the nations southern border have received extensive criticism under the Trump administration, with reports alleging both physical and verbal abuse against immigrants detained in facilities throughout the region.

Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Show all 24 1 /24 Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Hundreds of Central Americans from a new migrant caravan tried to enter Mexico by force by crossing the river that divides the country from Guatemala, prompting the National Guard to fire tear gas AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Central American migrants at the international bridge that connects Tecum Uman, Guatemala, with Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Central American migrants - mostly Hondurans, travelling on caravan to the US - run after crossing the Suichate River, the natural border between , Guatemala, with Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Members of the police try to stop people crossing the Suchiate River EPA Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico A member of Mexico's National Guard detains a migrant Reuters Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico A member of the Mexican National Guard holds a migrant girl Reuters Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico A migran holds a Honduran flag as he cross the Suchiate river Reuters Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico A migrant reacts in Frontera Hidalgo, Mexico Reuters Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico EPA Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico The arrival of Honduran migrants to the border between Guatemala and Mexico EPA Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Migrants pray as they gather near the border Reuters Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico A Central American migrant and his baby travelling on caravan to the US AFP via Getty Central American migrant caravan tries to enter Mexico Hundreds of people try to cross the bridge that allows the passage to Mexico EPA

Migrants rights groups have slammed the construction of tent cities, including the Hope Border Institute in El Paso, Texas which called the tents a Band-Aid solution last year.

The federal government has waited too long and this is not a solution, but unfortunately it might be necessary to accommodate everyone thats coming, Dylan Corbett, executive director of the immigration advocacy group, told The Guardian. We have to make sure this is not a place where human rights are violated, as weve seen that in these makeshift facilities.
Trump disputes WHO on coronavirus death rate, cites his 'hunch'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 3:31 PM

US President Donald Trump has disputed a new report from the World Health Organization that 3.4 percent of people who contract the coronavirus die from it, citing only his "hunch."

Asked about the WHO's coronavirus fatality rate findings during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Trump said he thinks the true death rate is a "fraction of 1 percent."

"Now, this is just my hunch ... based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this, because a lot of people will have this, and it's very mild," Trump added.

The director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Tuesday that the global death rate from coronavirus stands at 3.4 percent, an increase from previous estimate of 2 percent.

Critics said the US president should not use his speculation to make a scientific analysis.

"There's really no excuse for the president to be spreading this kind of misinformation to downplay a deadly disease," tweeted the Democratic National Committee's "War Room."

The number 3.4 percent is based on the current data, and experts do believe the number could change.

As of Wednesday, the global death toll from the coronavirus neared 3,300, with over 95,000 confirmed cases around the world.

Tensions over how to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus have escalated in the United States as the country's death toll continues to climb and members of Congress criticized the government's ability to increase testing fast enough to deal with the crisis.

The US death toll from coronavirus infections rose to 11 on Wednesday, 10 in Washington state and one in California, as new cases emerged around New York City and Los Angeles.

However, due to a shortage of coronavirus testing kits in the US, a significant amount of people have not been tested for the virus.

The Trump administration is facing growing pressure to demonstrate that it is ramping up efforts to combat the spreading coronavirus. US Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that any American can now be tested for the virus if a doctor deems it necessary.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill expressed skepticism about claims from US health officials that testing for the virus would be extensively available by the end of the week. "I'm hearing from health professionals that's unrealistic," Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington state said at a Senate hearing.

The coronavirus chaos has sent shoppers across the country into panic-buying mode, with nonperishable foods, disinfectants, bottled water and toilet paper flying off store shelves.

Social media users shared images of long lines, crowded stores, signs warning of low or nonexistent inventories, and empty shelves at supermarkets and big-box stores across the US as Americans were stocking up on food, water and medicines amid rising coronavirus death toll.

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State-owned NBFC firm Power Finance Corporation (PFC) on Friday said it has signed an agreement with the Mizoram government to construct a 100-bed hospital in the Mamit district of the northeastern state.

Power Finance Corporation, under the administrative control of the power ministry, is the largest non-banking financial company (NBFC) in the power sector.

"PFC today (Friday) inked a memorandum of agreement with the health department of the Mizoram government for construction of a 100-bed hospital at Mamit. The project's cost is Rs 18 crore," PFC said in a statement.

The hospital would provide medical care to the people living in Mamit, villages that come under the district and to those living in villages of bordering states.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Elizabeth Warren ended her US presidential campaign yesterday, bowing to the reality that the race for the Democratic nomination has become a two-way battle between former vice-president Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

Ms Warren, a liberal senator who won plaudits for her command of policy details, finished well behind the two front-runners on Tuesday in 14 states, including her home state of Massachusetts, leaving her path to the nomination virtually non-existent.

It was not clear whether Ms Warren, who still commands a loyal base of supporters, would endorse either of her rivals, which could offer either a significant boost.

She had tried to position herself between the moderate Mr Biden and the progressive Mr Sanders, though she was more ideologically aligned with the latter.

Her relationship with Mr Sanders may have been strained in January, when she accused him of calling her a "liar" on national television after he denied telling her in 2018 that a woman could not beat Republican President Donald Trump.

Ms Warren's departure ensures that what had once been the most diverse field of candidates in US history will now be waged between two white men nearing 80 years of age.

Mr Biden and Mr Sanders have stepped up attacks on each other following Mr Biden's unexpectedly strong performance on Super Tuesday earlier this week, a trend that continued yesterday.

The back-and-forth between the two contenders signalled a bruising battle to come as the race turns next to six states stretching from Mississippi to Washington state, which vote next Tuesday.

Mr Sanders blamed the "establishment" and corporate interests for his losses in 10 of the 14 states that voted on Tuesday, a charge Mr Biden called "ridiculous".

"You got beaten by overwhelming support I have from the African-American community, Bernie," Mr Biden said. "You got beaten because of suburban women, Bernie. You got beaten because of the middle-class, hardworking folks out there, Bernie."
Kremlin Critic Navalny's Group Fined For Failing To Register As Foreign Agent

March 05, 2020

A Russian court has fined opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) for failing to register as a foreign agent under a controversial Russian law.

Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on March 5 that the Simonov district court in Moscow ordered FBK to pay a 500,000 ruble (more than $7,500) fine.

Navalny, 43, has been one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics for the better part of a decade, enduring multiple incarcerations, a barred attempt to run for president, and a hamstrung bid for the Moscow mayor's post.

Russia passed the original "foreign agent" law -- which requires all nongovernmental organizations receiving foreign funding to register -- in 2012 following a major wave of anti-government protests.

The Justice Ministry labelled FBK a foreign agent in October. The FBK has refused to register as a foreign agent, saying it has never received financial support from foreign entities.

Last year, the "foreign agent" law was amended to brand reporters who work for organizations officially listed as foreign agents as foreign agents themselves.

Since October, the FBK has unsuccessfully tried to appeal the decision of being branded a foreign agent. Navalny has said that the move was another way to impose pressure on his organization.

On March 3, Navalny and FBK chief Ivan Zhdanov said their bank accounts were emptied and all their payment cards and those of relatives were blocked in what they described as a move to discredit and disgrace them.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-critic-navalny-s- group-fined-for-failing-to-register -as-foreign-agent/30470309.html

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

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Minister of Defense of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.

The development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia in various fields, including in a military one was hailed at the meeting.

The sides emphasized the importance of key energy projects the two countries are jointly involved in. The significance of the successful realization of the Southern Gas Corridor was also underlined at the meeting.

The sides noted that the economic cooperation and investment making between Azerbaijan and Georgia contribute to the development of bilateral relations.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Mining giant Adani says its central Queensland coal mine is still going ahead despite the Indian government signalling it would stop all thermal coal imports within four years.

India's coal and mines minister Pralhad Joshi last month said the country would stop importing thermal coal 2023-24, local media reported.

Adani's port and power facilities in Mundra. Credit:Cameron Laird

Mr Joshi made the announcement during a two-day forum about the future of the coal industry and how state-run Coal India would ramp up domestic coal production to phase out imports, Indias Economic Times reported.

"All these ideas will be deliberated, studied and examined for their feasibility in detail and based on that, they shall be implemented," a government statement said.
Vietnams nuclear engineering is used in traditional fields but also in organic agricultural development, farm produce origin tracing, and others.

Nuclear engineering is also used to treat water and soil pollution, according to Tran Chi Thanh, head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute.

Vinatom's experts in Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province





Radiation technology is used in producing organic fertilizer and TE fertilizer that can help farmers solve many problems, such as making the best use of by-products from aquaculture and seafood processing activities, avoid pollution to the environment and restrict the uncontrolled use of inorganic fertilizers, thus improving the quality of products.



Vinatom met the representatives of the Mo Duc district Peoples Committee in Quang Ngai province, the locality wanting to develop organic agriculture models, but still cannot do this because the soil quality is depleted and aquatic farming ponds are polluted with livestock feed.

Radiation technology is used in producing organic fertilizer and TE fertilizer that can help farmers solve many problems, such as making the best use of by-products from aquaculture and seafood processing activities, avoid pollution to the environment and restrict the uncontrolled use of inorganic fertilizers, thus improving the quality of products.

In November 2019, Vinatom and the districts local authorities agreed on the implementation of the first phase of the cooperation project with three experiment models  using TE fertilizer and oligochitosan for asparagus and aloe vera; using rare earth organic complex substance to improve the growth and disease resistance capability of aquatic products; and applying solutions to treat water pollution in aquaculture.

If succeeding, the two parties will implement the second phase, the foundation for building product supply chains and cooperation links between Mo Duc and the enterprises in the province and other localities.



In 2000, Vinatom established the Research and Development Center for Radiation Technology (Vinagamma) which became one of the first units in Vietnam that provided fruit radiation service.



This led to the establishment of a new sector which satisfies the requirements of many fields. Vinatom plays a very important role in Vietnams achievement of exporting 41.3 billion worth of farm, seafood and forestry products today, said Nguyen Cong Tac, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology.



In its development path, Vinatom has been exploring new directions.

It is not easy to exploit the new features of the reactor as well as other devices for research and application. How to exploit the neutron source that produces Cherenkov blue radiation rays at the core of the reactor and convert it into practical products and use is a constant question.



Vinatom put the horizontal neutron channel No 1 of the Da Lat Nuclear Reactor into operation to ensure neutron storage. Da Lat Reactor has four horizontal channels and this is the first time the No 1 channel has been exploited. In the past, it could not be done because there was no spectrometer to exploit the thermal neutron stream.

Kim Chi

As coal and water sources decline, Vietnam thinks of nuclear power again Solar power is booming in Vietnam, but the output is not high enough to satisfy domestic demand.
You are here: Business

China's retail sales have picked up amid efforts to contain the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and strengthened consumer demand, an official said Thursday.

Average daily sales of 1,000 retail companies monitored by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) climbed 5.6 percent in late February from mid-February, the first increase since late January, MOC official Wang Bin told a press conference.

Auto sales jumped 14.8 percent from mid-February, while telecommunications gadgets and home appliances edged up 11.7 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively.

Effective epidemic prevention and control measures, work resumption on a larger scale, along with pent-up demand being released, have helped push up retail sales, according to Wang.

Market sales will continue to improve once the epidemic is contained, said Wang.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

The negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU are underway, Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas said in Baku at the event dedicated to International Women's Day - March 8, Trend reports on March 6.

This year cooperation envisages two main issues - within the Eastern Partnership and negotiations, which continue under a new agreement with the Azerbaijani government, head of the EU Delegation added.

The agreement will be able to change the attitude and approach to the "Eastern Partnership" program and will allow switching to a new format of cooperation, Jankauskas said.

Jankauskas also emphasized that one of the priority issues in the EU is gender equality and women's rights.

"We pay special attention to gender issues in all projects that we implement in Azerbaijan," he said.

Reminding that last year, the EU implemented the Maiden Tower. To be a Woman project in Azerbaijan, Jankauskas stressed that this project focuses on women's rights.

The head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan also stressed the importance of Azerbaijan joining the Istanbul Convention, expressing the EUs readiness to support Azerbaijan.

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (also known as the Istanbul Convention) is an international agreement of the Council of Europe against violence against women and domestic violence.

The Convention is open for signature since May 11, 2011 in Istanbul. It has been signed by 46 countries and the EU.

Turkey became the first country which ratified the Convention on March 12, 2012, followed by 33 more countries from 2013 through 2019.
Elon Musk attends the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, east China, on January 7, 2019.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Friday that people are overreacting about the deadly COVID-19, while health officials across the world prepare for a possible pandemic.

"The coronavirus panic is dumb," Musk said on Twitter to his more than 31 million followers. Musk does not have a background in medicine or virology.

TWEET

The novel coronavirus has spread rapidly across Northern California, where the electric-car maker is headquartered. California, which has 66 confirmed cases, reported its first death from the virus on Wednesday. Across the United States, at least 245 people have been infected and at least 14 people have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon have all confirmed at least one employee or contractor has tested positive for the virus in the state of Washington, the state that's seen the largest amount of cases. That's led a handful of companies, including Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Google and Microsoft, to update their remote work policies.

A Tesla spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the company's policies if an outbreak at the firm occurs.

Tesla has acknowledged that the coronavirus outbreak may have a material adverse impact on its business. Musk has lost about $6.74 billion in a broader market sell-off over the last two weeks on coronavirus fears.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
NEW DELHI  India is bracing for a potential explosion of coronavirus cases as authorities rush to trace, test and quarantine contacts of 31 people confirmed to have the disease.

It is screening international travelers at 30 airports and has already tested more than 3,500 samples. The Indian army is preparing at least five large-scale quarantine centers.

For weeks, India watched as cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, multiplied in neighboring China and other countries as its own caseload remained static  three students evacuated from Wuhan, the disease epicenter, who were quarantined and returned to health in the southern state of Kerala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government said last week that community transmission is now taking place. India has shut schools, stopped exporting key pharmaceutical ingredients and urged state governments to cancel public festivities for Holi, the Hindu springtime holiday in which people douse each other with colored water and paint.

Modi canceled travel plans to Brussels for an India-EU summit amid a rising caseload in Belgium, and tweeted that he would not attend any Holi festivities.

Experts fear these precautions wont be enough for Indias beleaguered, under-funded and under-staffed health system to stave off an epidemic. Here are their foremost concerns:

___

TOO FEW LABS, NOT ENOUGH HOSPITALS

As the virus spread globally, India began bolstering its ability to test and detect the virus. While the National Institute of Virology at Pune remains the main testing facility, the government has identified 35 additional labs for testing.

But concerns remain over Indias overstretched health infrastructure  a single state-run hospital for every 55,591 people on average and a single hospital bed for every 1,844 people. India needs about 10 times more doctors to meet the norms prescribed by the World Health Organization, a shortfall of at least 500,000 doctors.

Experts fear that an epidemic would cause other routine health care functions to suffer.

Everything will become about COVID-19. And other routine services like immunization or taking care of maternal mortality would be affected, said Anant Bhan, a global health and policy expert.

___

HEALTH CARE INEQUALITY

Indias health performance, an index that includes access to primary care, maternal mortality rates and child health, runs the spectrum, with some states outperforming others by almost 2.5 times, according to the government-run think tank NITI Aayog.

The best performer was Kerala, the small state that found and treated Indias first three cases. The worst was Uttar Pradesh, a state with roughly the population of Brazil that has detected at least six cases. Kerala has a doctor for approximately every 6,000 people, while Uttar Pradesh has one for every 18,000 people. The inequalities are further pronounced between urban and rural areas, with the bulk of the available beds concentrated in Indias cities.

India spent an average of $62.72 per person on health care in 2016, according to WHO, compared to Chinas $398.33.

Inequalities could make prevention even harder. In places with limited access to clean water, washing hands to prevent the spread of the virus is difficult, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, a microbiologist who heads Indias Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.

Retired virologist and pediatrician Dr T. Jacob John said these inequalities arent just a reflection of not spending enough on health care, but also of not knowing where to spend.

The last time a needs-based survey was done for Indias health care was in 1946, he said, adding that the countrys health management system is very inadequate for Indias existing problems, let alone new ones.

___

QUARANTINE MILLIONS

Indias health minister told Parliament that the need of the hour is to contain viral clusters, to prevent and break chains of transmission. But in India, with a population of 1.4 billion, that is far from easy.

Take the city of Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal, where six Italian tourists tested positive for the virus. Apart from the 40,000 tourists who visit the monument each day, the city has a population of more than 4 million, with nearly 3,000 people crammed into every square mile. Following WHO advice, the Indian government has told people keep a distance of at least six feet from others.

But anywhere youve a dense population, all the issues of social distancing become challenging, Kang said.

___

SHORT ON MEDICINES

With the virus lockdown in China resulting in shortages in India, the government halted the export of 13 key drug ingredients and the medicines made from them on Tuesday.

Although India is the worlds primary supplier of generic drugs, it relies on China for nearly 70% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients it uses for making medicines.

India has said it has enough stocks, but the governments minister for chemicals and fertilizers told Parliament that there remains an apprehension that supplies of ingredients from China would be disrupted if the epidemic continues.

___

LONG-TERM RESPONSE

On Thursday, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan met the management of Indias top private hospitals to ask them to work with the government in dealing with the outbreak, and urged them to prepare a pool of beds.

Kang said Indias current approach, which is focused on travelers, might restrict some cases. But eventually, it will have to expand testing to limit the spread of the disease within the country, Kang said. The question, she said, is whether authorities want to do that now, or at the height of an epidemic.

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released two coronavirus patients from a San Antonio hospital, less than a week after it erroneously discharged a patient who still had the virus in her system.

One of the patients was released Thursday night, the other on Friday morning, said Carol Williams, a CDC spokeswoman. Due to patient confidentiality, Williams said she could not specify whether the patients were evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or were among those brought from Wuhan, China.

Nor could she disclose details about one other person who she said was released Thursday evening from extended quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

READ ALSO: Everything we know about the coronavirus in San Antonio

All three people were accompanied to San Antonio International Airport, she said.

After the quarantines of 127 Diamond Princess evacuees were lifted Tuesday, seven people had remained in a hotel on the base for further isolation, due to their close contact with a person later confirmed to have the new virus.

On Saturday afternoon, the CDC released an evacuee from Wuhan who had appeared recovered from the virus and had tested negative twice, only to test weakly positive again after she left the hospital. The woman visited a hotel and a mall before being hastily returned early Sunday to the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, which is treating coronavirus patients in isolation rooms.

As San Antonio and federal officials expressed concern and frustration over the mistake, and even attempted to extend the quarantine of the Diamond Princess evacuees, the CDC adjusted its criteria for releasing people who had been infected with the virus.

RELATED: Yelp San Antonio cancels Fiesta medal event amid coronavirus concerns

Currently, the agencys guidelines for medically clearing such patients is the resolution of fever and other symptoms, along with consecutive negative test results from paired swabs of the nose and throat, collected at least 24 hours apart.

These patients were discharged in accordance with CDC interim guidance regarding disposition of hospitalized patients, in close coordination with state and local health departments, Williams said in a statement.

There have been reports of other seemingly recovered coronavirus patients alternating between positive and negative tests for the virus. It is not clear if those patients are still contagious, but San Antonio health officials are monitoring some people who had close contact with the Wuhan evacuee for signs of the virus.

Eleven people remain hospitalized with the virus, COVID-19, in San Antonio. All were either evacuated from the Diamond Princess or from Wuhan.

San Antonio officials have not yet identified any cases of coronavirus in the community.

Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:51:39|Editor: huaxia

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BERLIN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- In 2019, China was Germany's most important trading partner in term of revenues for four years in a row, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced on Friday.

Goods worth 205.7 billion euros (232.1 billion U.S. dollars) were traded between China and Germany, according to provisional results by Destatis.

China was followed as Germany's most important trading partner by the Netherlands as a major supplier of oil, gas and other mineral oil products with a trade turnover of 190.4 billion euros. The United States ranked the third with 190.1 billion euros, according to Destatis.

"China is very important regarding imports of both producer and consumer goods" for Germany, Destatis noted.

China's importance for German imports was growing during the last decades. In 1980, China ranked only 35th among the most important importing countries.

"One of the decisive advantages of trade is that specialization effects can be utilized," Christian Rusche, economist at the German Economic Institute (IW) told Xinhua on Friday. "When states produce what they do best and then trade it, both the quantity and quality of the goods produced can be increased."

Germany mainly exported machinery, car and car parts as well as chemical products to China. On the other hand, China exported mainly electronic goods such as smartphones, network equipment and textiles to Germany, according to IW.

"Both countries have benefited from each other, as the economic development of recent years has shown," Rusche added.

According to Destatis, goods worth 109.7 billion euros were imported from China in 2019, an increase of 3.4 percent compared to the previous year.
The West Coast Dungeness crab fishery doesn't just support the most valuable annual harvest of seafood on the West Coast. It's a fishery that just keeps on giving.

Fishermen from California to Washington caught almost all the available legal-size male Dungeness crab each year in the last few decades. However, the crab population has either remained stable or continued to increase, according to the first thorough population estimate of the West Coast Dungeness stocks.

"The catches and abundance in Central California especially are increasing, which is pretty remarkable to see year after year," said Kate Richerson, a research scientist at NOAA Fisheries' Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. Richerson is the lead author of the new study published in the journal Fisheries Research. "There's reason to be optimistic that this fishery will continue to be one of the most productive and on the West Coast."

Other recent research has suggested that the West Coast's signature shellfish could suffer in the future from ocean acidification and other effects related to climate change. That remains a concern, Richerson said, but the study did not detect obvious signs of population-level impacts yet.

Fishing Regulation Success

The secret to the success of the Dungeness crab fishery may be the way fishing regulations protect the crab populations' reproductive potential. Male Dungeness crabs mature and begin reproducing one to two years before they can be caught, so crabs can reproduce even with heavy fishing pressure. Female Dungeness crab can store sperm for more than a year, allowing them to reproduce even in the absence of numerous males. Fishermen must also return females to the water, further protecting the reproductive capacity of the population.

"The management system that is used for Dungeness crab seems to be a perfect fit for their life history because it allows the population to reproduce and grow even with the intensive harvest," Richerson said.

Natural Variability

Crab numbers and reproduction rates do vary from year to year, mostly because of ocean conditions. That also may have contributed to the increasing numbers in Central California. They have risen over the last two decades and now average nearly five times abundance estimates from 1970 to 2000.

Central California crab numbers have increased enough that they are now closer to the size of populations in Northern California, coastal Washington, and Oregon. Those populations do not show the same growth trends as those in Central California, but remain stable overall.

However, a previous increase in the Central California landings from the 1930s to the late 1950s was followed by a dramatic crash about 1960. Catches remained low until the 1980s and then rebounded. Researchers believe those fluctuations likely reflected changing ocean conditions, and could happen again.

"If this is true, the recent increase in Central California crab abundance may be reversed when the system again shifts to a period of later spring transitions," the scientists wrote. "This is likely to have a large impact on the fishery, as well as other interlinked fisheries in the area."

###
India has strongly condemned the terror attack at an event in Afghanistan capital Kabul that killed at least 32 people and injured dozens.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the international community must unite in the fight against terrorism and hold the perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to account.

A number of political leaders were present on Friday at the event, organised to commemorate Shaheed Mazari, who was a leader of Afghanistan's ethnic Hazaras community.

"India strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack at the event commemorating Shaheed Mazari in Kabul today, where a number of senior political leaders were present," the MEA said.

"We express heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and the injured and to the Government and people of Afghanistan," it said.

The terror attack came days after the Taliban and the US inked a landmark peace deal, which provides for withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers of the Special Response Team unit, patrol on the Paso del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas in 2016. The U.S. government says it's sending 160 military police and engineers to two official border crossings to deal with asylum seekers in case a federal appeals court strikes down one of the Trump administration's key policies. Read more

PHOENIX  The U.S. government says it is sending 160 military police and engineers to two official border crossings to deal with asylum seekers in case a federal appeals court strikes down one of the Trump administrations key policies.

Senior Customs and Border Protection officials said Friday that active duty personnel will be in place by Saturday at ports of entry in El Paso and San Diego. They'll also send aviation support.

The deployment is in response to a crowd of asylum-seekers that gathered at an El Paso crossing last Friday after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily struck down the program known as Remain in Mexico," which forces asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases wind through court in the U.S. Officials shut down that border crossing for several hours that evening before the court reversed itself.

On Wednesday, the court again made a decision on the case, this time blocking the program in Arizona and California, the two border states under its authority. About 60,000 asylum-seekers have have been returned to Mexico while awaiting their immigration hearings in the U.S. It's unclear why the government is sending military police to El Paso, which isn't subject to the current injunction blocking the program. When asked about that, a senior official said military members can be moved to different ports of entry in response to shifting needs.

Critics call the program inhumane and dangerous, forcing vulnerable people to wait in high-crime Mexican border cities where they are often subjected to violence, extortion and kidnapping.

But Remain in Mexico, which the government calls the Migrant Protection Protocols, has been one of the most successful tools in the administration's battle to stem the large number of asylum seekers looking for refuge in the U.S.

The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court, which has consistently ruled in the administration's favor on immigration policies, to intervene and wants the policy to stay in effect until next week to give the high court time to decide.

In the meantime, authorities say they're preparing for more large groups of asylum seekers in case the appeals court strikes down the policy. Seeking asylum at ports of entry is legal, but the government has gone to great lengths to prevent migrants from doing so, including a metering" policy that requires asylum-seekers to wait on an unofficial list for months before they are even allowed to walk up to a U.S. agent and seek protection.

CBP officials who provided the information on Friday provided few details about what exactly the military police will be doing, but did say military police won't be conducting immigration enforcement.

In a statement, the Department of Defense said military members will place temporary barriers to restrict access through ports of entry and provide protection for CBP personnel. The service members will come from the 687th Engineer Construction Company and the 519th Military Police Battalion at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

CBP says the deployment is scheduled to last two weeks but could be extended if necessary. The deployed soldiers will come from Ft. Polk, Louisiana.

The Trump administration has used the National Guard at the border before, although they're not allowed to participate directly in law enforcement activities like arrests.

Since Remain in Mexico began a year ago, officials have increasingly hardened the El Paso Paso Del Norte bridge. Rolls of razor wire and forklifts with concrete barriers have been a regular fixture on the bridge for months, drawing the ire of local business leaders who say it turns off Mexican shoppers and visitors who keep the El Paso economy afloat.

Associated Press reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed from El Paso.
A man in his 80s has become the second person tested positive for coronavirus in the UK to die.

NHS England confirmed on Friday evening that a patient who died in Milton Keynes had been infected with Covid-19.

A statement on behalf of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "Sadly, we can confirm that a man in his early 80s being cared for at Milton Keynes University Hospital has died.

The man, who had underlying health conditions, tested positive for coronavirus shortly before his death on Thursday, March 5.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

"His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at what is undoubtedly a difficult and distressing time."

Efforts are being made to isolate those who had contact with the victim.

The hospital continues to work with Public Health England to isolate any patients or staff who had contact with the patient," the statement added.

All services and appointments at the hospital are running normally. The Trust is following established guidelines to minimise the risk of the virus spreading."

Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures 1 /61 Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures A man wearing a protective mask travels on the underground tube Reuters A woman wearing a protective face mask Jeremy Selwyn A man and woman wearing protective face masks on a bus PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A woman shopper wears a protective mask as she walks down an aisle in a supermarket in London AFP via Getty Images A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London AP A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A woman wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street in London PA A woman wearing a mask walks by the Emirates Stadium Action Images via Reuters A man is seen wearing a protective face mask at Waterloo station Reuters A woman wears a surgical mask as she walks through Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport Reuters A fan in the stands wears a mask during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridg PA A man wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A person wears a mask in a display of street style outside the BFC Show Space show in London PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A commuter on the tube wearing a face mask Jeremy Selwyn A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridge Getty Images People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A man wearing a face mask walks past an entrance sign for Bank underground train station AP The coronavirus outbreak will unlikely lead to a Tube ban PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A woman wearing a face mask on the London Underground. PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A man wears a mask as he takes a photograph in China Town AP A man in a hazmat suit and face mask cleans the Ritchie Street Health Centre, Islington PA A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man arrives at Euston Underground wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn St Pancras Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Selwyn Staff in suits at St Thomas's Hospital today Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man wears a face mask as he stands near an electronic arrivals board at Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images A man wears a face mask as he walks along the Thames embankment AFP via Getty Images A woman wearing a protective face mask is seen on London Bridg Reuters

Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier said he was saddened to hear of the fatality.

Speaking to ITV on Friday, he said: I am very sorry to hear of the news of a second death here in the UK of somebody with coronavirus.

Again, somebody who was older and had underlying health conditions. But my condolences go out to his family and to his loved ones.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty also offered condolences to the family.

He said: I am very sorry to report a second patient in England who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died.

I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.

The patient, who was being treated at the Milton Keynes University Hospital, was an older patient who had underlying health conditions. Contact tracing is already underway.

It follows the first death of a patient infected with Covid-19 in the UK yesterday.

PM Pledges Extra 46m For Coronavirus Vaccine Research

The victim, reported to be a woman in her 70s, died while at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Last week a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die from the virus.

Speaking of the outbreak, Professor Whitty has said half of all coronavirus cases in the UK are most likely to occur in just a three-week period.

While he said 95 per cent of them will happen over a nine-week period.

Epidemic expert Dr Richard Hatchett, who leads the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, spoke of the virus being the "most frightening" he had ever encountered.

He told Channel 4: "I think the most concerning thing about this virus is the combination of infectiousness and the ability to cause severe disease or death.'

"And we have not since 1918 - the Spanish flu - seen a virus that combined those two qualities in the same way.

"What we're seeing is a virus many many times more lethal than flu and a population that is completely vulnerable to it and we're seeing its ability to explode

"There's nothing to stop that expansion from continuing unless societies move aggressively

"We need to modify our behaviour. We need to all think about our responsibility to each other. We need to act collectively in a cooperative manner."

More than 100,000 people have been infected worldwide, while there have been more than 3,000 deaths.
Noida: A middle-aged woman was found dead inside her apartment in Greater Noida, following which the police on Friday arrested a male friend she met via a video-sharing app, officials said.

The woman lived in Bisrakh area and was found dead Thursday night when her son returned from work around 8 pm but found the door locked from inside, they said.

After ringing the doorbell several times, he somehow managed to get inside the flat and found his mother's body with a disfigured face after which he alerted the police, a senior officer said.

"The accused has been arrested within six hours after he was identified in a CCTV footage which captured him leaving the flat last night, while during investigation the police also found leads from the social media accounts of the deceased and the accused which led to his arrest," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Noida, Harish Chander, said.

The officer said accused Raghav Kumar, in his late 20s, is a resident of Peeragarhi in Delhi and the two had known each other for over two years, bonding over video-sharing apps.

"The two were active on these apps and would share each other's videos and eventually grew close to each other so much that Raghav frequently visited her home," Chander said.

"Yesterday, an altercation broke out between them over money after which he killed her then locked her inside the home, taking away her mobile phone and house keys also," the DCP told reporters.

The accused was tracked down within six hours with the help of CCTV footage and evidence gathered through the social media accounts of the victim as well as the suspect, he added.

An FIR has been registered against Raghav under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) at the Bisrakh police station and further proceedings are underway, he said.
March 6, 2020 Dear Colleagues, As you may know, last night Gov. Larry Hogan delivered the unwelcome but not unexpected As you may know, last night Gov. Larry Hogan delivered the unwelcome but not unexpected news that Maryland has experienced its first cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Three Maryland residents from Montgomery County apparently contracted the disease while traveling together overseas. Fortunately, all three are reported to have only mild symptoms, and their conditions are improving.



The University has instituted guidelines for travel that ensure the safety of



But just as the health and well-being of the people we serve depends on a collaborative team effort, so too does the health and well-being of our community. So as we face this situation together, I ask you to join me in taking a few fundamental steps:



Stay informed. The University's University policies and guidelines

Links to resources for students, faculty, and staff

CDC and World Health Organization information

Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 symptoms, spread, and treatment Exercise good physical hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Avoid touching your face, nose, and ears.

Cough or sneeze into a tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue. Rewash your hands.

Clean and disinfect commonly used areas. Stay home if you are sick. If you have a fever, cough, sore throat and/or difficulty breathing, consult a medical professional or If you have a fever, cough, sore throat and/or difficulty breathing, consult a medical professional or UMaryland Immediate Care here on our campus. Please avoid contact with others until you have been evaluated by a health care provider. In his statement to the media the governor acknowledged the concerns we all have but urged Marylanders to "go to work or go to school tomorrow just as they normally would." Here at UMB, you can be assured that we are working diligently with our colleagues at the University of Maryland Medical System, the Maryland Department of Health, and other state and local agencies to protect the health of our community and of those we serve. And we are implementing measures in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to protect against infection.The University has instituted guidelines for travel that ensure the safety of students faculty, and staff who are traveling, as well as the safety of our community when those travelers return. We have implemented clinical, field placement, and internship guidelines to protect students, physicians, patients, and those in our communities. And we are making preparations throughout the University to identify and overcome a host of other issues that may arise as a result of this ongoing health concern.But just as the health and well-being of the people we serve depends on a collaborative team effort, so too does the health and well-being of our community. So as we face this situation together, I ask you to join me in taking a few fundamental steps:The University's COVID-19 website provides access to: Undoubtedly, in the coming days there will be more such cases of this illness, but we must not let fear and anxiety cause us to lose sight of the critical work that we do. Marylanders rely on UMB for our vital service to the community, our life-saving research, and our work to educate and prepare the next generation of health, law, and social service professionals.

The most important thing we can all do now is to remain calm, compassionate, and civil. Never forget, we do our best work when we work together. This situation is rapidly changing and our advice will evolve, so stay tuned for future messages. Sincerely, Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS Interim President
[March 06, 2020] Government Selects SAP to work on the Next Generation Human Resources and Pay Solution Pilot

OTTAWA, March 6, 2020 /CNW/ - Every public servant deserves to be paid accurately and on time. That is why the government is working on creating a long-term, sustainable, and efficient human resources and pay solution that meets the diverse needs of federal employees across Canada. Today, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government, announced that SAP has been selected to work with the government on a pilot to test the real complexities of the government's HR and pay requirements. This follows a rigorous evaluation process involving three qualified vendors undertaken over the past several months. SAP will work with the Government of Canada on a pilot to test a potential HR and pay solution against the real complexities of the government's HR and pay requirements. All three vendors  SAP, Ceridian and Workday  remain part of the qualified list of suppliers for future HR and pay work with the government. Public servants, as well as bargaining agents, have been involved throughout the process and the government is committed to continuing to work with them in the next stages of the project. Long-term work to stabilize the Phoenix Pay System will continue with Public Services and Procurement Canada. Quote "Canada's hard-working employees should be paid accurately and on time. Today's announcement is an important milestone towards building an efficient next generation solution that is better aligned with the complexity of the federal government's HR and pay structure. I am focused on moving this forward while taking the time to get it right." - The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government "This marks a significant step towards building an HR and pay solution that works. Our members have been called on to support building a new solution hat serves their needs, and I am pleased to see that there's a light at the end of the tunnel."



- Debi Daviau, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada "Building on the progress that has already been made, our focus remains on eliminating the backlog and stabilizing the Phoenix pay system, even as the Government takes significant steps towards finding a future solution. Stabilizing the current pay system and ensuring that employees are supported throughout the process are essential requirements for a smooth and successful transition to any new pay system."

- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement "Team SAP looks forward to continuing to work with public servants, unions and employees on a modern, digital solution one that will meet the needs of the Federal Public Service and its employees." - Andy Canham, President of SAP Canada Associated Links Next Generation Human Resources and Pay

Government continues to invest in Next Generation human resources and pay solution and pilot projects

Government of Canada qualifies 3 vendors to advance Next Generation solution

qualifies 3 vendors to advance Next Generation solution Minister of Digital Government Mandate Letter Stay connected Twitter: @DigitalCDN

Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourGovernmentatWork/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbs-sct/ SOURCE Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
KYIV, Ukraine - The sudden resurgence of former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is the worst possible news for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine dominated U.S. politics in the fall and early winter, as the House impeached and the Senate tried and ultimately acquitted President Trump over his attempts to push Zelensky to open an investigation into the Biden family. Once impeachment ended - and Biden's political fortunes appeared to fade - Washington mostly seemed to lose interest in what was happening here.

But now that Biden looks like he may take on Trump in the general election, Ukraine will surely return to the spotlight. And Zelensky is in terrible political shape to handle the pressure.

Zelensky's team, largely built on political newbies such as himself - Zelensky was a comic actor before becoming president last year - includes many professionals, just not with much experience in politics. The result is a lack of state management, which is pushing the country closer to political collapse and, with that, into the arms of foreign and domestic powers. Zelensky's populist rhetoric, which served as an easy ticket into office, is losing its value by the day as he fails to live up to his promises.

There are good reasons Zelensky is in political trouble. During the presidential campaign, his team promised to jail influential kleptocrats right after his election; that never happened. Zelensky also said that he would not be influenced by his former business partner, oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. But U.S. officials said during Trump's impeachment hearings last year that Kolomoisky's influence was one of the biggest problems facing Zelensky's administration. Zelensky also recently made some unpopular decisions, such as advocating for rushed liberalization of the land market and agreeing to a controversial prisoner swap with Russia in December.

Zelensky's dependence on being popular is most dangerous when it comes to foreign policy with Russia. Russia's war against Ukraine looms over almost every aspect in Ukrainian politics. The war, which has taken more than 13,000 lives, has also solidified Ukraine's national identity, serving as a unifying factor that strongly contributed to Ukraine's reorientation westward politically, economically and culturally since 2014. It also aligned Ukraine's foreign policy with the country's allies, which have implemented sanctions against Russia.

But Ukrainians have become weary of the war, which is why Zelensky promised last year to bring it to a quick end, and which is why he swiftly agreed to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the so-called Normandy Four summit in Paris in December. Zelensky's naively straightforward approach to dealing with Russia has given the Kremlin some easy victories as it scored a favorable gas deal and gained more control in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Those running the political show in Ukraine under the Zelensky brand are far from unified in their goals. A recent editorial in Ukraine's leading news agency, Ukrayinska Pravda, argued that Zelensky's team in Kyiv is dissipating from a unified centralized body into separate political fiefdoms that are loyal to different political players and ideals. The picture of disloyalty is much worse for Zelensky outside the capital, the editorial argued.

As Zelensky struggles to manage his team, he pushed a major government shake-up this week. The new team mainly consists of political veterans who lobby for the interests of Ukrainian oligarchs and tycoons, many of whom served under the presidency of disgraced Viktor Yanukovych. The new appointees are exactly the opposite of what Zelensky's presidential campaign stood for.

Meanwhile, even as Ukraine's domestic politics get more chaotic, Washington is about to start poking around in Kyiv again.

Republicans are already preparing to dig for dirt on Biden by investigating Burisma, the Ukrainian natural gas company that put Biden's son Hunter on its board of directors during the Obama administration. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is getting ready to subpoena a witness named Andrii Telizhenko, who worked for Blue Star Strategies, which represented Burisma in the United States. A month earlier, two other GOP senators, Charles Grassley of Iowa and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, also initiated investigations into Hunter Biden.

The pressure on Ukraine once U.S. politics again zeros in on the country will be intense.

Zelensky's team could appoint strong technocrats who will be unbiased in their decision-making and do what is best for their country no matter what happens. But this outcome is unlikely.

So instead, Ukraine's politicians should prepare well for when the country lands in the international media spotlight once more. U.S. partisan battles will undoubtedly overflow into Ukraine's domestic political matters, as U.S. politicians look for any links they can hang on to that will help with their own political agendas. Ukrainian politicians can either use this as an opportunity for the benefit of their country or let it dig their country into a deeper hole.

The old-time politicians who have been reinstalled in Ukraine's government should put together a strategy on going public in case Ukraine is pressured once again by the Trump administration. Considering that Trump has already come under scrutiny, Ukraine could use any additional pressure as diplomatic leverage for its security against Russia.

This also means that Ukraine's civil society and international independent media should keep Ukraine's state institutions under a magnifying glass during the next few months to hold Ukrainian officials accountable.

Likewise, ample responsibility lies on the shoulders of U.S. civil servants, who should follow the steps of their former colleagues - former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, the National Security Council's former Russia expert Fiona Hill and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman - to raise the alarm if they are being pressured into activity that undermines their loyalty to the United States at the expense of vested political interests.

Zelensky should also consider the outcome if Biden does actually win the U.S. presidential election. Will he be able to win over the favor of a Democratic president after unsuccessfully doing favors for Trump? But that problem is months away. The more pressing ones are already here.

- - -

Timtchenko is a freelance writer and a former business editor and reporter for the Kyiv Post.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that the anti-gangland operation in Drogheda is "a long campaign of attrition."

Mr Harris said: "We want to see that operation break down these gangs and have further success in bringing individuals to justice."
As far as comparisons go, shes more Fifty Shades Of Grey than literary great. But when it comes to shifting her books, Mrs Hinch shows levels of Shakespearean genius.

The cleaning influencer with 3.2 million Instagram followers is releasing her third book, The Little Book Of Lists, next month.

It has received twice as many orders as double Booker winner Hilary Mantels latest offering, and her last two books brought in 5 million combined. But why on earth are so many spellbound by a woman telling them how to clean their sinks? ANTONIA HOYLE finds out

The cleaning influencer with 3.2 million Instagram followers, Sophie Hinchcliffe (pictured), is releasing her third book, The Little Book Of Lists, next month

BECOMING A SUPER-CLEANER HELPED TAME HER ANXIETY

Ironically, Mrs Hinch  real name Sophie Hinchliffe  wasnt a tidy child. My mum was like, Do your pyjamas live on the floor? she said.

She was nervous, though, and would fret about getting to lessons on time or having a PE kit on the right day. By her early 20s, having got a sales role with a job-search company, she discovered cleaning helped quell her anxiety. I began to notice it helped if I kept busy. If I was mopping or vacuuming, then it kept my mind occupied and I wasnt sitting there thinking too deeply, she said.

She soon quit her corporate job to train as a hairdresser, and has said, Deep down, Im still a hairdresser, despite her newfound fame.

MILLIONS OF SOLDIERS IN THE LOYAL HINCH ARMY

In July 2016, Hinchliffe bought a 307,000 home in Maldon, Essex, with husband Jamie, and started posting her interior design photos on Instagram. The following March, worried about boring friends and family, she created a separate account, and made friends with lifestyle Instagrammers to build her following. Her Instagram videos showing how she cleaned the house on a budget, with power-ballad soundtracks, became her trademark.

Her enthusiasm for 1 Zoflora disinfectant, coupled with her Barbie-blonde looks and spotless home, gained her fans who couldnt fork out for products other Instagrammers were plugging. She added a touch of glamour and a modern twist to a dull area, says Andrew Bloch, founder of Frank PR, which aligns influencers with brands. She made the mass market feel aspirational.

Her enthusiasm for 1 Zoflora disinfectant, coupled with her Barbie-blonde looks and spotless home, gained her fans who couldnt fork out for products other Instagrammers were plugging

Signed to Gleam Futures, the social media agency that has lifestyle influencer Zoella, one of the UKs biggest YouTube stars, on its books, she had amassed one million followers by September 2018. She calls her fans the Hinch Army. Of course, every army needs its lieutenants. Im sure shes doing her posts herself, says Bloch. But undoubtedly theres a team helping her behind the scenes.

PERFECT HOUSEWIFE POSE . . . AND A DUSTER CALLED DAVE

Hinchliffe cleverly set up her Instagram account under the name @mrshinchhome, even though she was Sophie Barker at the time.

She didnt marry Jamie Hinchliffe, who she met aged 23, when he was her sales line manager, until August 2018. Perhaps realising a married moniker would make her more appealing to domesticated followers, Hinchliffe  now mum to eight-month-old Ronnie  won fans over further by naming her cleaning utensils, including Vera the mop, Dave the duster and Stewart the scrubber.

She didnt marry Jamie Hinchliffe, who she met aged 23, when he was her sales line manager, until August 2018. Perhaps realising a married moniker would make her more appealing to domesticated followers, Hinchliffe  now mum to eight-month-old Ronnie  won fans over further by naming her cleaning utensils, including Vera the mop, Dave the duster and Stewart the scrubber

Her kitchen sink storage is described as Narnia, her shopping trips are Hinch hauls, she never tires of telling us she loves a barg (bargain)  and everything she touches turns to gold.

Even Her Dog Has 165,000 Followers He might have been her boss when they met seven years ago, but Hinchliffes husband Jamie, 41, is happy to let her be the breadwinner now, as he helps care for their baby, Ronnie. Jamie is currently on a career break, and can return at any time within a certain time period, his wife said recently. But hes absolutely loving having time at home with us, and Im so blessed he gets to spend so much time with Ronnie because hes growing so quickly. The couple married at Gosfield Hall in Essex in August 2018, with Hinchliffe in a strapless Madam Burco gown. Jamie is referred to in glowing terms on his wifes Instagram feed, and it was he who announced Ronnies birth from her account last June. He also has his own account, @mrhinchhome, with an impressive 454,000 followers, on which he describes himself as Mrs Hinchs number one fan. Not to be outdone, the couples idolised cocker spaniel Henry has an Instagram account too (@henryhinch), with 165,000 followers. He appears wearing silly hats and gallivanting while respecting house rules. He knows not to walk over the rug. He walks around it; hes been hinched, says Hinchliffe. Baby Ronnie does not have an Instagram account  yet. Advertisement

Singing the praises of her 2.50 cleaning cloth Minky led to a 10,000 per cent rise in sales. Posting a picture of a 10 bamboo bath rack from Dunelm prompted it to sell out, and her endorsement of floral-scented disinfectant Zoflora led to staff doubling production at their Huddersfield factory.

BUSINESS BRAINS BEHIND THE BEAUTY

Last month, Hinchliffe applied to trademark her online name, Mrs Hinch, which would allow her to put her own name on items from cleaning products to clothes  and earn her yet more money. Hinchliffe said last April: Its not like Instagram has made me a millionaire. But thats almost certainly not the case now, says Bloch, who believes without a doubt that Hinchliffe has made her first million. Could she be a multi-millionaire? I would think its not unrealistic to say shes on her way, he says.

I get the impression shes very commercially astute. Bringing out her own products, shes got total control over how they are marketed.

EMBARRASSING INVESTIGATION

Rather than using Hinchliffes earnings to splash out on a bigger house, the couple have extended their new-build in Maldon, near where Hinchliffe grew up. Their renovation project has also provided ample opportunity for freebies.

In the living room, these include two Loch Leven sofas from DFS  one four-seater costs 1,799  while a gifted Barker and Stonehouse dining table (a similar version sells for 859) takes pride of place in the dining room. Mirrors, wallpaper and chairs are donated, as is her Amtico Spacia Parquet flooring, which sells for 42 per square metre in John Lewis. Even the mirrored tissue box cover in the master bedroom was free.

In the living room, these include two Loch Leven sofas from DFS  one four-seater costs 1,799  while a gifted Barker and Stonehouse dining table (a similar version sells for 859) takes pride of place in the dining room

Although every freebie appears carefully flagged on social media, last year the Advertising Standards Authority investigated Hinchliffe over concerns she had plugged Procter & Gambles Flash and Febreze without declaring she had been paid to do so.

Afterwards it said that the contact with Hinchliffe resulted in her labelling certain posts as ads, meaning we can infer that she now understands the need to disclose where there is a commercial relationship in place.

A Beauty That Belies A Battle With Her Weight Five foot ten, with carefully contoured cheekbones and immaculate nails (her manicurist Tracy-Lous Instagram following has swelled to 80,000), Hinchliffe has all the prerequisites to be a photogenic social media star. Hard to believe, then, that aged 20 (left) she was mousy and twice the size. After putting on 8st she borrowed 6,000 aged 21 to get a gastric band. She later had an operation to remove excess skin from her arms, which left one arm so infected she risked losing it. Im still not 100 per cent confident with my body but Im getting there, she has said. Advertisement

Hinchcliffe says: I take the responsibility that comes with having a large social media following very seriously. Being authentic and transparent is important In fact, Im overly cautious when it comes to these guidelines and will continue to be.

BALANCING THE BOOKS

Hinchliffes debut book, Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul, prompted an 11-way auction, won by Michael Joseph, part of Penguin Random House. It reportedly resulted in a six-figure deal for its author.

Upon its release last April, it became the second fastest-selling non-fiction book ever, selling more than 160,000 copies in a week.

The follow-up, Mrs Hinch: The Activity Journal  packed with over 100 activities to help you relax and plan your hinching  topped Amazons bestseller list two months before it went on sale in October.

Hinchliffes third effort, The Little Book Of Lists, which she describes as a book filled with just lists to help boost your productivity, has been pre-ordered two times more than Hilary Mantels new novel, The Mirror And The Light was.

THE FAMOUS BEST FRIEND

One concession to a showbiz lifestyle lies in Hinchliffes new friendship with fellow Essex girl Stacey Solomon. The reality TV star invited herself round for a cuppa after messaging Hinchliffe upon hearing that the pressures of fame had put her in a dark place.

Last September, Hinchliffe wrote of that meeting: We sat down, we ate junk food, fed our babies and talked. She said she will be forever grateful to Stacey for helping her face this public eye again.

Of course, the friendship has boosted both their profiles. Solomon, who, like Hinchliffe, has suffered from anxiety, has three million Instagram followers and a baby son named Rex. She now also posts tidying tips, including pictures of her neat drawers and colour-coded crisp packets.

But in response to accusations that she has copied Hinchliffe, Solomon posted a picture of the pair hugging, with the caption: When they try to pit you against each other but theres no gaps here for your cruel wedges.

One concession to a showbiz lifestyle lies in Hinchliffes (right) new friendship with fellow Essex girl Stacey Solomon (left)

KEEPING IT REAL ON THE HIGH STREET

Adored for the fact that she treats her followers like friends, Hinchliffe seems genuinely humbled by her success. Her clothes  at least those she wears in public  are from the High Street, and she once posted a picture of herself in an 8 dress from Boohoo.

I think people believe I walk around in Louboutins, but the truth is, I dont own a pair, she says. People are like, Mrs Hinch, you should be walking around with a Louis Vuitton handbag, but I love my New Look.

Her management firm, Gleam Futures, somewhat incongruously claims Hinchliffe is so authentic she didnt know what an influencer was before she became one. She insists, I was so happy before Instagram. I dont want my life to change.

Granted, she honeymooned in the Maldives . . . but she claims not to know what a film premiere is, and says the boring life is the best life. Is she for real? Andrew Bloch thinks so. As a consumer you have to believe the influencer is genuine, he says. You dont look at her feed and feel shes sold out. Quite what shes going to do with those millions is another matter.
Microsoft, Amazon, Ford Motor, CNN, Citigroup and Twitter have put employees through work-from-home drills, dusted off emergency-response plans and ordered increasingly stringent safety measures to protect their workers

San Francisco: At Facebook on Thursday, the questions from spooked employees came thick and fast.

The evening before, the social network had disclosed that the coronavirus had been diagnosed in a contractor in its Seattle office and had said all employees in that city should work from home until 31 March.

Other Facebook employees, some of whom had recently traveled for work, soon began asking their managers and one another: Who was the contractor? Had that person been near them? And what did that mean for their work?

That same alarm has now spread through other companies around the world, despite escalating efforts by many of the firms to deal with disruptions from the coronavirus outbreak that started in China. .

Even so, the coronavirus has moved faster than their preparations. Amazon said this week that two employees in Europe, who had been in Milan, were infected with the virus and that one employee at its Seattle headquarters had also tested positive for it. HSBC said on Thursday that the coronavirus had been diagnosed in an employee at its global headquarters in London. And AT&T said a retail employee at one of its stores in San Diego had tested positive.

The challenges faced by workplaces have become a new front in the battle over the coronavirus, which has spawned more than 90,000 cases and caused more than 3,000 deaths around the world. While factories in China had already been closed by the outbreak and are now just ramping back up, global white-collar companies have rarely grappled with this scale of disruption  or the level of fear that has gripped workers.

No one has a playbook for this, said Dan Levin, who runs a small company outside Chicago, Cain Millwork, which makes furniture and wall panelling. He said he was planning to have some of his office employees work from home.

Many corporate memos, including those from HSBC and Facebook, now mention deep cleaning of office spaces and self-quarantining. Face-to-face job interviews have been all but banned by some firms, in favor of interviews conducted by teleconference.

At Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, near a cluster of coronavirus cases, employees swapped stories this week about the outbreak in internal chat rooms. In one online conversation on Wednesday, which The New York Times reviewed, a Microsoft employee wrote of a rumour that someone at headquarters had been infected.

Could it be true? he wrote. FWIW, he noted, the corporate emails telling employees to work from home dont mention that NO Microsoft employees had been infected.

Frank Shaw, Microsofts chief spokesman, said the company was not aware of any verified cases in its workforce. He said Microsoft had tried to communicate clearly to its employees that we are using the advice being given from local officials and public health officials.

Inside Amazon, while some workers emailed each other about whether masks provide effective protection, many were scrambling to deal with business problems caused by the virus, according to four employees who were not authorised to speak publicly. Those included whether Amazon will have enough products to offer for Prime Day, its summer sale event, or have enough drivers to handle a surge in online grocery orders as the virus spreads.

The depth of employee anxiety has forced senior executives to take calming measures. Uber sent out a memo to staff on Wednesday saying it had formed an internal task force to handle its response to the virus, according to a copy viewed by The Times.

The ride-hailing company urged employees to have empathy for one another, to make data-driven decisions and to restrict all nonessential travel until April. Uber added that it was working with an epidemiology consultant for further guidance.

Much of this situation is new  not only for Uber, but for the world, Andrew MacDonald, a senior vice president at Uber, wrote in the memo. We wont get everything right from the start.

At its headquarters in Mountain View, California, Google also increased the amount of hand sanitiser available to employees, putting it in conference rooms and kitchen areas.

Other companies have tightened their travel restrictions. Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase have said senior managers must approve international business trips. Walmart said on Thursday that employees could travel internationally only for business-critical trips and that it was limiting their travel to conferences and trade shows in the United States. And at CNN, the chief executive officer has begun personally vetting all intercontinental travel.

How companies have altered their response to the coronavirus over time has been evident with Twitter. On Sunday, the San Francisco social media company said it was suspending all nonessential travel for employees. A day later, it encouraged all of its employees  it has just over 5,000  to work from home if they were able to.

Then on Thursday, Jack Dorsey, Twitters chief executive, appeared at a financial conference in San Francisco and said he was rethinking a plan he had formulated to work remotely from Africa for three to six months this year.

Everything happening in the world, particularly with coronavirus, I have to reconsider whats going on and what that means for me and for our company, said Dorsey, who is also facing a challenge from activist investors.

The measures that companies are taking in response to the virus may shift workplace behavior over the long term. Telecommuting, which has been in and out of favor for decades, may become more ingrained. The use of digital tools for remote collaboration may also rise.

Yet in the near term, having workers stay home could be devastating for some smaller businesses. Robert Luft, who runs a company in Cincinnati that installs technology in health care facilities and distribution centers, said an outbreak that prevented his technicians from showing up to work would put his business in a precarious situation.

If its unsafe for people to have them on site, that definitely impacts my business, Luft said. Unfortunately there isnt any type of contingency plan.

At Facebook, the company has been working on contingency plans for the impact of the coronavirus since January. Executives have tried to walk the line of hewing closely to advice from public health officials while trying not to cause a panic among employees, two Facebook employees said.

The social network quickly canceled its participation in a half-dozen events  from its annual F8 developer conference to its presence at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas  and has worked to use its products to help health experts study the spread of the virus. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks chief executive, said in a post this week the company was giving unlimited free Facebook ads to the World Health Organisation to distribute information to users.

When one of its contractors was found to have the virus on Wednesday, Facebook shut down two of its four offices in the Seattle area  in Bellevue and Redmond  for a deep cleaning, according to two employees.

An Amazon employee who was later found to have the virus had also separately visited one of Facebooks Seattle offices last month, prompting fresh concerns among employees. Facebook said it carried out targeted deep cleaning and enhanced sanitation measures at the office building that the Amazon employee had visited.

The company has also tried to keep its 44,000 employees sticking to business as usual. On Wednesday, it held a training session for managers on how to supervise teams of remote workers, the two employees said. And the social network was staying on course with a weekly question-and-answer session led by Zuckerberg on Thursday, which would be live streamed from Facebooks Silicon Valley headquarters.

Mike Isaac, David Yaffe-Bellany and Karen Weise c.2020 The New York Times Company
At least 11 people were killed and 22 others wounded when a five-storey residential complex collapsed in Pakistan's port city of Karachi on Thursday, leaving additional victims trapped in the rubble. The building had initially been constructed as a four-storey complex, but another floor was added about a year ago, in violation of construction rules, officials said. "The dead included seven women and three children," Qarar Abbasi, police surgeon at the government-run Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, told AFP. Two houses adjoining the building also collapsed. Sama Kausar, a senior health official, confirmed the death toll and told AFP that several people were trapped inside the rubble, with rescuers struggling to reach them. A building inspector said the sewage system appeared to have triggered the collapse, but a full technical enquiry would be conducted. Roof and building collapses are common across Pakistan mainly because of poor safety standards and shoddy construction materials in the South Asian country of 200 million.
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High winds delayed planned maintenance for an AT&T tower in Jacksonville, which has caused scattered loss of wireless service for portions of the area.

Some mobile service quality, including texting, has been affected.
Highlights Japan has objected to suspension of visas for its nationals by India Japan feels the action by Indian authorities is disproportionate India has suspended visas, e-visas, visas on arrivals for citizens of Japan, South Korea, Italy and China

Japan has expressed concern at visa restrictions imposed by India on its nationals in view of the Coronavirus outbreak, prompting people familiar with developments in New Delhi to say that there is no political reason behind the move.

The Japanese side, in a demarche or formal diplomatic representation submitted in New Delhi on Wednesday, is understood to have informed the external affairs ministry that the suspension of regular visas, e-visas and visa on arrival facility would especially hamper the operations of Japanese firms in India.

The Japanese side contended that Indias decision to lump it with other countries subject to visa restrictions  China, South Korea, Iran and Italy  was not balanced as these nations have recorded far more cases of infections and deaths.

It is also understood to have argued the restrictions would affect the work of Japanese managers in decision-making roles and experts and engineers working on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project.

The people familiar with developments in New Delhi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Tokyos response as an over-reaction and said there were no political reasons behind Indias visa restrictions.

The decision was made purely on health grounds by Indias health ministry so that infections dont spread over a larger area in the country. Other countries too have done the same thing, said a person.

Others can complain but we are dealing with an epidemic. Japan, too, has taken steps to protect its citizens and didnt allow those on board the cruise chip Diamond Princess to disembark and be treated in hospitals on the shore, the person added.

The people noted there was no visa ban on nationals of other countries, though procedures had been put in place to ensure all visa applicants can be properly screened.

The Indian embassy in Tokyo also tweeted on Friday: Please rest assured that essential travels, including for business and employment, are being facilitated by @IndianEmbTokyo and @IndianConsOsaka, through a revised visa process available on our website.

On March 3, India had announced that all visas and e-visas issued to citizens of Japan, South Korea, Italy and China before that date had been suspended. The visa on arrival facility for Japanese and South Korean nationals was suspended on February 28.

The Japanese side, which is focused on ensuring there is no disruption of economic activities, had pointed out that the total number of infections in Japan as of March 3 was 268 and the number of deaths was six, compared to 80,304 and 2,946 for China, 4,812 and 28 for South Korea, and 2,036 and 52 for Italy.
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspirotec Inc., a Chicago based company, has developed a highly sensitive patented technology for testing and measuring biological agents in the air including fine particle molds and allergens to address allergies and asthma healthcare concerns. The company announced today that their currently available commercial air sampling device (AirAnswers) has the capability to detect viruses in the air and potentially Covid 19.

"Considering the uncertainties about how the Covid 19 is transmitted, it would be essential for national security to be able to directly track the virus itself and how it is spreading prior to people actually getting sick. We will then be able to anticipate and prevent public exposure to the virus," said Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Julian Gordon.

Inspirotec has previously shown feasibility for the detection of airborne viruses in collaboration with US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), the United States' principal research and developmental resource for non-medical chemical and biological defense. Inspirotec has reached-out to Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIH, Dr. Rick Bright of BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority), Dr. Andre Kalil of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Dr. Robert Redfield of the CDC.

"We are prepared to enter into an initial study to test and validate our technology today against Covid-19. We believe our proprietary device can contribute to public health against this global crisis," said President & CEO, Tom Brya.

About Inspirotec., Inc.

Inspirotec., Inc. is the only company providing airborne allergen detection either through physicians, industrial hygienists, indoor air quality professionals, home resale, or direct to consumer. https://airanswers.com

Inspirotec's vision is to improve health and happiness by finding allergy and mold solutions in transforming the home environment critical to our wellbeing. Our mission is to deliver the most personalized prevention and management solutions for allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions.

Inspirotec has an extensive portfolio of patents* as well as publications in the peer-reviewed literature.

*US patents 8,038,944, 9,216,421, 9,360,402, 9,481,904, 9,618,431 as well as patents and application world-wide.

Contact

Tom Brya

President & CEO Inspirotec, Inc.

866-539-4253, ext. 805

[email protected]

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Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the government is initiating several measures to help the violence-affected in north-east Delhi to rebuild their lives.

"Rs 5 lakh compensation will be given to the people whose houses were completely burnt- Rs 4 lakh for the structure and Rs 1 lakh for their belongings. Similarly, Rs 2.5 lakhs in compensation will be provided to people whose houses were suffered substantially burnt - Rs 2 lakhs for the structure and Rs 50,000 for the belongings," Sisodia said while addressing a press conference here.

He emphasised that the government wants to ensure that people are able to resume their lives as soon as possible.

"We wish to complete the verification process as soon as possible so compensation can be given to the victims. We have received 1700 forms, we are sorting them out. And the process will be completed soon," he said.

"I would like to convey to the people, SDMs will be on the ground tomorrow and day after tomorrow for the verification process. Police will also be present, so I would request people who lost their houses that they must get it done," he added.

He also said that steps were being taken to instil a sense of confidence in people as people were afraid of even stepping out after the violence.

"We organised a parent-teacher meet in schools recently. It was meant to help people come out of the mental trauma they have been through. And the attendance rate of parents was 55%, they shared their experiences and fears with the teachers," he said.

"Schools affected in violence that have up to 1000 student enrollment will be given Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance and schools with more than 1000 students enrollment will be given Rs 10 lakhs in compensation," he added.

At least 53 people were killed and around 200 sustained serious injuries in the recent violence that affected north-east Delhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - Migration, combating terrorism and population growth at the centre of trade were the focus of a meeting on Friday between a delegation of Danish parliamentarians visiting Niger and their local counterparts
The recent ruling of the Court of Appeal that the Airports NPS [National Planning Statement] was unlawful for failing to take account of the Paris Agreement exposes the cracks in the governments approach to strategic decision-making

So reads the crowd-funding page for the Good Law Projects latest venture, which aims, in their own words, to force the Government to reverse the structural bias in the planning system in favour of fossil fuels and against renewables.

This sort of thing wont do anything to dissuade those who think the Heathrow ruling represents another example of the judiciary overreaching themselves and getting involved in politics  which in turn makes it more important to understand what happened in that judgment.

Picking through rulings like this is a challenge for non-lawyers (one reason the judicialisation of politics, when it does occur, is so democratically problematic), and planning law can be fiendishly complex. But this post, by David Hart QC on the UK Human Rights Blog, is an excellent introduction to what happened in this case.

The prominent role of the Paris Agreement has led some to believe that the ruling represents an attempt to give effect to a treaty without it being directly implemented in domestic law via statute. This impression is likely bolstered by reading the original High Court judgment, which noted (para 606) that:

It is well-established that English law is a dualist legal system under which international law or an international treaty has legal force at the domestic level only after it has been implemented by a national statute  Therefore, none of them having been incorporated, any obligation imposed on the UK Government by the Paris Agreement has no effect in domestic law.

The above is true, and directly imposing obligations on the Government from the Paris Agreement would be a severe breach of the proper role of the courts. But thats not what happened. The real culprit, as far as a humble non-lawyer such as me can tell, is an entirely domestic bit of legislation: the Planning Act 2008.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal found the Government in breach of its obligations under two parts of that Act, s.5(8) and s.10(3), which can be found here and here. Section 5(8) reads:

The reasons must (in particular) include an explanation of how the policy set out in the statement takes account of Government policy relating to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

And Section 10(3) reads:

For the purposes of subsection (2) the Secretary of State must (in particular) have regard to the desirability of

(a) mitigating, and adapting to, climate change;

(b) achieving good design.

Basically the Government has a duty, under the Planning Act, to explain how it is accounting for its own climate change policy.

The difference between the two rulings arises over whether or not the Paris Agreement is government policy. The High Court decided it was not, presumably due to it not being put on a specific statutory footing (which would unquestionably bring it within the legal nexus that frames government policy), whilst the Court of Appeal decided it met the threshold, having been ratified as well as being endorsed in the Commons, to qualify under the terms of an existing statute, the Planning Act.

(Its important to note that it does not appear that even the Court of Appeals interpretation would actually oblige the Government to adopt or eschew any given policy when it comes to Heathrow, merely to ensure that they had dotted every i and crossed every t whilst reaching the decision.)

Of course, it might suit the Prime Minister to allow a judicial bogeyman to cover a very handy excuse to abandon a Heathrow scheme to which he was personally opposed. But even without misrepresenting it, this case illustrates that there is more than one way for high-minded politicians in previous parliaments to set snares for their successors.

What tripped the Government today was not the imposition of abstract yet legally-binding end goals (although that may come), but the enforcement of vague but legally-binding procedural rules. Its easy for legislators to insist that the drafters of future legislation must have regard for the desirability of this or that, but much harder to predict how judges or indeed government lawyers will interpret those sentences.

Nor, even more importantly, can those same politicians gauge the extent to which the gradual accretion of such requirements will bog down decision-making over the long term..

As I have argued elsewhere, if the Government truly wants to avoid things like this it will need to conduct a review into all the legal obligations currently laid upon it by preceding parliaments and make a deliberate push for a shift away from this style. But are politicians really ready to clear-cut such a useful thicket of political cover?
Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi opening pair to score a hundred each as Bangladesh posted 322-2 against Zimbabwe in the rain-hit third one-day international of a three-match series in Sylhet on Friday.

Liton hit 176 off 143 balls, the highest ever ODI innings for Bangladesh, while Tamim stayed unbeaten on 128 off 109 balls as the duo put on a 292-run display in Bangladesh's highest partnership for any wicket.

Striking 16 fours and eight sixes in his third ODI century and second in the series, Liton overtook the record from his opening partner Tamim, who scored 158 runs only in the previous match of the series.

The match was reduced to 43-over-a-side when rain halted play after 32.2 overs of Bangladesh's innings, and the opening duo, who were batting on 182 runs during the interruption, added 110 runs before being finally separated.

Liton had his luck to thank for his record innings as he was reprieved in a no-ball on 107 runs and was also dropped on 122 and 144 respectively by Sikandar Raza and Wesley Madhevere.

Carl Mumba finally dismissed Liton as Raza took the catch at long-on to end the record partnership, which surpassed Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad's 224 runs during the 2017 Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Cardiff.

Mumba later took the wicket of Mahmudullah (three) and debutant Afif Hossain (seven) to finish with 3-69 as Tamim clubbed seven fours and six sixes to stay unbeaten with his 13th ODI century, his second in as many matches.

Liton and Tamim set up the perfect platform for Bangladesh, who have already clinched the series after winning the first two matches, to complete a clean-sweep and give a fitting farewell to their captain Mashrafe Mortaza.

Mashrafe stepped down as the Bangladesh ODI captain on Thursday and was playing his last match in the role, though he kept himself available for selection as a player for future matches.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South by Southwest, the annual tech, film and music conference held in Austin, Texas, has been canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

Local government officials announced the update at a news conference Friday afternoon discussing the status of the outbreak and events in the city. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he had declared a local disaster in the city and issued an order canceling the conference.

In a statement on its website, SXSW said it would "faithfully follow the City's directions."

"We are devastated to share this news with you," organizers wrote on the SXSW website. "'The show must go on' is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation."

Austin officials said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Travis County, where Austin is located. But confirmed cases around the world passed 100,000 Friday.

In the blog post, organizers did not mention any details about refunds for badges, which range in cost from $1,395 to $1,725.

The conference had been scheduled to take place between March 13 and 22. In recent days, Facebook, Intel, Twitter and TikTok had pulled out of the conference as large corporations limited travel for employees amid the virus outbreak.

The conference said it had 73,716 attendees in 2019, 19,166 of whom were from outside the U.S. On top of that, many more work and volunteer at the event.

A Change.org petition asking conference organizers to cancel the conference, calling proceeding with plans "irresponsible," had received more than 40,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning. But before canceling, organizers had said they were working with government agencies to ensure safety of the event.

A slew of other events as of this week were cancelled or postponed, including Google I/O, the Geneva International Motor Show, the Mobile World Congress and Facebook's F8 developers conference.
International, regional and local factors are impacting global tube & pipe markets  some positively and others negatively. In a global overview, Fastmarkets MB researchs Kim Leppold identifies the key trends

The extended Chinese New Year holiday in reaction to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak resulted in a steep decline in steel prices in China in the first quarter, but pipe prices were not as strongly affected at time of writing, with just modest declines, if any, recorded. However, few transactions were made after the Chinese New Year, so it is likely that further discounting will take place in the pipe markets from Chinese producers as they look to maintain cash flow.



Nevertheless, it is the view of Fastmarkets MB research that the hit to the Chinese economy from the coronavirus will be short in duration, but also that there will be ripple effects across the global energy markets due to the drop in oil and gas consumption causing Supply overhangs to build further. Indeed, first-quarter 2020 global petroleum and liquids demand is forecast to decline from the previous quarter  the first quarterly decline in more than ten years. This will put pressure on suppliers in regions poised to boost production, such as the US shale basins, Middle East and the North Sea. A buildup of oil and gas in storage could overhang into the second quarter, causing a slowdown in completions and drilling, especially in the US shale basins, until the oversupply is corrected.



Global linepipe and OCTG consumption in 2020 is not expected to take a significant hit from the economic effects of the outbreak. Our assumption is that activity will resume to normal levels in the second quarter and, in some cases, catch up on some lost time.



European OCTG demand



European OCTG demand grew strongly in 2019, rising more than 30% year-on-year from 2018 levels. Fastmarkets MB research expects demand in the near term to step back modestly from 2019 and then remain stable. The growth in 2019 was mainly driven by increased wells and meterage in the North Sea  UK and Norway  but we are also seeing increased demand out of both Romania and Albania, although at relatively low tonnages to start.



Given the strength of demand in 2019 and sustained levels of consumption expected in 2020, the market could foresee an increase in prices in the first quarter of the year. This has not been the case so far as high inventories are a drag on pricing. Even with the limits on third-country imports as a result of safeguards, stocks remain too high to affect pricing to the upside.



Only in the specialist, high-alloy OCTG grades do we see any increase in price. In this case, inventories are not nearly as ample and lead times have been increasing as a result of tight demand and limited number of suppliers in the specialist market.



Chinese OCTG consumption



Japanese mills are the main providers of high-alloy corrosion-resistant OCTG to the global markets. Stainless steel OCTG exports from Japan to all destinations in 2019 were 50% higher than in 2017, reaching over 180,000 tons for the year. With strong corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) demand into the North Sea, offshore Gulf of Mexico and Middle East forecast for 2020, we expect that market to remain tight in terms of pricing with limited alternative supply.



For Chinese OCTG consumption, after a temporary halt to activity in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak, project execution and tendering activity should return to normal in the second quarter. Drilling plans will not be fundamentally affected and growth in OCTG consumption is expected to increase nearly 8.6% in 2020 over 2019.



China still relies heavily on OCTG exports to maintain capacity utilization rates at the domestic mills. With the hold up in export activity due to restricted movements in the first quarter, OCTG pricing will likely be affected by discounting, especially at Tier 2 mills. The Middle East and North Africa market remains a strong target for sales, and exports will look to be competitive there.



Middle East tendering

For the Middle East region as a whole, we do not expect strong tendering activity to take place in 2020, outside of Saudi Arabia. Total OCTG consumption is expected to grow by 5% in 2020 over 2019. In 2019, there was little OCTG procurement activity by Saudi Aramco, the regions largest buyer. We expect Aramco to return to the market in 2020 with modest tendering activity (which will first go to domestic Saudi mills), but it will likely take another year before Aramco returns to more normal buying patterns and tonnages.



Otherwise, there are few large OCTG tenders upcoming in the region in the short-term. Fastmarkets MB research understands that Qatar will tender for its expansion projects at some point in the first half of 2020. Bahrain may be the most interesting market in the region for now. The country exhibited a surge in OCTG demand in 2019, rising to over 30,000 tons from around 10,000 tons in 2018. Recently, Bahrain awarded a significant OCTG contract to Chinas TPCO to supply up to 40,000 tons of casing over the next few years.



Tatweer Petroleum, wholly owned by Bahrain National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), is responsible for the countrys oil and gas exploration, development and production activities. The companys portfolio includes the Bahrain oil field. This field is a mature one, which, since 2009, Tatweer has been seeking to revive by drilling new wells, debottlenecking facilities, implementing new technologies and testing advanced Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) pilots.



From the field, the company produces around 43 kbpd of oil, and it is looking to increase to 44 kbpd by the end of 2020. The field is a tight oil (shale) field, so Tatweer has been talking with US oil firms with expertise in fracking. Japans JX Nippon Oil has also been in discussion to develop EOR, and Italys ENI, in May 2019, signed an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement to develop the offshore Block 1. Total has also signed an MOU with Tatweer for ongoing exploration and production activities.



European linepipe demand



Fastmarkets has noted a flurry of pipeline projects in Europe, which will keep regional linepipe producers busy this year. Large-diameter linepipe consumption in the region is predicted to exceed 1.2 million tons in 2020.



Europipe received an order from Gaz-System for the delivery of 36-inch LSAW pipe for the Polish offshore part of the Baltic Pipe Project. The pipe wall thickness will range from 20.6 mm to 23.8 mm. The pipeline will be covered with a special 4.2 mm thick anti-corrosion coating to protect it during its operation on the seabed, as well as 60-110 mm concrete coating.



Corinth Pipe of Greece will supply 32-inch linepipe worth 58.2 million to ICGB for the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria Pipeline this year. The contract also includes external 3LPE anti-corrosion coating and internal liquid epoxy lining.



Liberty Steel Hartlepool (UK), in conjunction with Sumitomo Corporation Middle East FZE, will supply part of the Saudi Aramco Marjan project with more than 16 km of heavy-duty LSAW linepipe from its 42-inch UOE mill.



Longer-term, Norwegian pipeline system operator Gassco is examining the possibility of building a new pipeline to export natural gas from the Barents Sea. Production in the northern Barents Sea is liquified at Hammerfest, but Gassco has concluded that there are sufficient reserves and planned production to justify either a second LNG site or a pipeline that would run south to join up with existing infrastructure in the UK and onto Europe. The provisional costs for the pipeline are $1.4 billion, with a final decision expected by 2022 and completion by 2026.



Meanwhile, Russian linepipe prices remain at a discount to their European counterparts as a result of market conditions. With the end of Power of Siberia, Nord Stream and TAPI shipments in late 2019, 2020 may be much quieter for the LSAW mills as Gazprom takes some time to re-orient towards a focus on repair and replacement rather than new projects. In order to maintain output rates, Russian pipe producers will seek export opportunities.



Asian linepipe demand



In 2019, linepipe producers in Asia, especially Japan, reported low utilization rates because of reduced regional business and steep competition for supply among projects in other regions.



The end of the Australian LNG investment boom is a primary reason for the malaise in Asian demand. While there are a number of projects that are under consideration  Pluto, Browse, Scarborough, Barossa, Crux and Clio-Acme  only a couple have received the go-ahead and some will require less linepipe infrastructure than previous projects.



Nevertheless, we do expect to see some pick-up in Australian projects over the next couple of years and believe that 2019/20 will be the low for Asian regional demand, with projects in Vietnam and Malaysia also being supportive of increased volumes.



Large-diameter pipe order volumes in the Middle East region should be robust in 2020 with Aramco, ADNOC and Qatar processing tenders, while other projects in Oman and even Jordan and Iraq will require material. Moreover, projects always require supplemental volumes that should keep the spot market active. Local large-diameter linepipe mills could also see improving utilization rates, as projects that were initially intended for international LSAW mills are diverted to local players.



Issues to watch



In countries with well-developed domestic steel industries, safeguard measures are common and include duties, tariffs, quotas and domestic content requirements  government programs which demand a pre-determined level of domestic steel content in purchasing. The best known is the Buy America program in the USA, which requires US-made steel to be purchased for all government works projects.



The Middle East, historically a steel-short region, is moving towards that trend as regional steel production grows. This will have implications for global steel trade with the region a common target of export attention.



In the energy tubulars sector, Saudi Aramcos In-Kingdom Total Value Added (IKTVA) program is increasingly driving procurement decisions for the company. The goal is to procure 70% of services and goods by 2021 from

in-kingdom suppliers.



The program is behind schedule, but the company has made shifts in supply to move towards compliance in the first quarter of 2020. In January, for example, Global Steel Pipe was awarded the majority of the Marjan Package 4 sour service for over 100,000 tons of pipe supply.



Global was approved by Aramco for linepipe up to 1.5-inch wall thickness (WT) for sour grades in 2019 (previously it was up to

1-inch WT). Global will procure the plate from EU or Asian suppliers, but is working under fairly tight schedules for pipe delivery in April through to July 2020.



The decision highlights the importance that Aramco is placing on IKTVA. There are still more linepipe orders for offshore applications to come over the next few years, including Zuluf and Berri, but still rather short supply of competition in the kingdom. The Japanese-owned National Pipe is also certified for sour-service up to 1-inch WT. The Chinese-owned Al Qahtani plant can produce thicker wall thickness, but has only produced carbon grades to date.



Aramco continues to work with Nippon Steel on a planned HR plate mill in Saudi Arabia to further increase the value-added proportion of its procurement.



It is also stepping up domestic procurement for welded OCTG. Arabian Pipe, from its 160,000 tpy ERW plant in Riyadh, received an order for $46 million for welded OCTG from Aramco in December 2019, with delivery scheduled to start in Q4 2020 and through 2021. This order suggests that Aramco is going back to a more planned-delivery schedule rather than a project-based model, which resulted in swelled inventories and long stretches of no purchasing, as seen in 2019. The planned delivery schedule should support domestic pipe producers cashflow.



New pipe capacity



The 240,000 tpy Al Gharbia large-diameter linepipe plant in Abu Dhabi produced its first pipe in January 2020. The JFE-Senaat JV can produce 18-56-inch pipe with a wall thickness of up to 44.5 mm and will make sour and non-sour grades up to X80, targeting both the offshore and onshore linepipe markets. The Saudi Arabian market is of interest here, but the UAE and other GCC markets are likely to be the primary destinations for the plants output in our opinion.



Algerian consumption of ERW linepipe can reach as high as 75,000 tons annually, and there is no existing ERW linepipe facility in Algeria. Meanwhile, domestic energy development, and tubular demand, surged in 2018-19 (see chart). A proposed new ERW pipe plant in Hassi-Benabdallah is potentially in the works as a joint venture between local drilling and contracting company Tassili Forage, the US tubular producer Tejas Tubular, and US oilfield products manufacturer and distributor Summit International. The facility would make welded linepipe for the Algerian and regional market.



In Kazakhstan, Asia Steel Pipe completed the commissioning of its new 100,000 tpy spiral mill owned by a joint venture of Baoji Steel Pipe, CNPC and a Kazakh investment fund. Located in Almaty in southern Kazakhstan, it will target mainly domestic sales where CNPC is already a substantial player, as well as being a partner in the Phase II development of Kashagan.



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Local officials late Thursday reported two additional presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, one in the county and the other in the city.

In the city's case, a man between 60 to 70 years old is experiencing "mild symptoms." He is currently self-quarantined at home. In a news release, the city said there is still no evidence of community spread. The other case involves a man, also between 60 and 70 years old. He is from an unincorporated area in northwest Harris County and is hospitalized in stable condition.

Earlier, county officials announced one man and one woman in the unincorporated area of northwest Harris County tested positive for COVID-19. The tests have been verified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, authorities said.

That brings the total to four confirmed cases of new coronavirus in Harris County.

The news comes one day after a Fort Bend County man tested positive for COVID-19, the first non-imported case in the area. He is 70 years old and is isolated at a local hospital and in stable condition.

All five had traveled together to Egypt, health officials said. One of the Harris County patients is an employee at Rice University.

Harris County officials emphasized that more than 80 percent of people who have contracted COVID-19 worlwide have experienced only mild to moderate symptoms and fully recover.

People at higher risk for serious complications are the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, the county statement said.

They urged residents to take sensible measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19 with sensible measures: washing hands, avoiding touching your face, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your mouth when you sneeze or ocugh, and disinfecting surfaces often.

Houstons public health lab gained a single test kit to analyze samples on Wednesday, allowing the city to conduct its own tests instead of sending samples to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. The kit has the capacity to test 700 specimens suspected of carrying the disease, enough for about 200 to 400 patients.

The Fort Bend case was confirmed at that lab.

Reporter J.R. Gonzales contributed.
Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

MIDDLETOWN  The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a free coronavirus workshop next week with medical professionals who will offer the latest information about the sickness.

Coronavirus: Understand the Facts, Misinformation and the Public Health Response will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell, 4 Sebethe Drive, March 13 from 8 to 10 a.m., according to a press release.
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Tuesday, May 19, the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) will convene its twentieth annual conference in New Orleans, La., celebrating 20 years of public health impact and bringing together top public health representatives from across the country.

NNPHIs annual conference is the only national meeting that supports and highlights the work of the nations public health institutes. This years conference marks two decades of NNPHIs work to facilitate the advancement of public health practice and promote systematic improvements in population health.

The types of public health challenges were facing right now, such as the Coronavirus outbreak and the growing health impacts of climate change on communities, require us to focus intently on strengthening the public health workforce, which is what we aim to do at this conference, said Vincent Lafronza, President and CEO of NNPHI. Public health institutes continue to provide the flexibility, adaptability, and scalability the country needs to address public health issues effectively, and during this years conference, we look forward to working with our partners to advance health equity and drive the next generation of multisector health efforts to improve the publics health and wellbeing over the next two decades.

During the three-day conference, public health professionals will engage in roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, networking poster presentations, and interactive social events. Subject matter experts with a wide array of backgrounds will present topics ranging from evidence-based public health to bridging the gaps between the public health system and the health care delivery system.

Keynote speakers for the conference are Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH, dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Health and former U.S. Deputy Surgeon General, and Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, a national leader in youth empowerment, advocating for refugees, working towards a fair minimum wage, womens rights, and environmental issues. The conference will also feature breakout sessions and roundtable discussions led by some of the nations leading public health practitioners and subject matter experts on topics such as disaster-related health recovery, responding to the opioid epidemic, health equity, and youth vaping.

NNPHI will also host a pre-conference session to discuss strategies for using the Project ECHO model to build the capacity of public health practitioners and organizations. Conference participants will be able to attend this session at no cost, which will include presentations from public health institutes that are using Project ECHO to support public health professionals addressing opioid misuse and abuse.

More information and registration details for the conference are available at www.nnphi.org/events/annualconference. To learn more about NNPHI, visit www.nnphi.org.



###

About the National Network of Public Health Institutes

Mobilizing more than 40 public health institutes throughout 32 states along with ten university-based regional training centers and 40 training affiliates, the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) supports national public health system initiatives and strengthens public health institutes to promote multisector activities resulting in measurable improvements of public health structures, systems, and outcomes.
The Toronto District School Board has cancelled all its upcoming trips to Europe until further notice amid the spread of the coronavirus.

In a letter sent to parents and students Friday, TDSB said the decision was made after discussing the impact of the virus and the boards ability to keep everyone safe while they are on the trips.

We recognize that this will be very disappointing for many families, but please know this decision was not made lightly and the safety of our students and staff was top of mind while making it, wrote the boards associate director of business operations and service excellence, Carlene Jackson, in the letter.

The letter notes that the Canadian government has been advising people to avoid non-essential travels to Italy, where some schools and universities have already been closed over the coronavirus concerns.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said the risk of the virus in European Union countries and the U.K. is moderate to high.

The situation is evolving and there is simply too much uncertainty about what will happen in the next week or two, leading up to and even during, the trips, wrote Jackson, who referred questions about refunds to trip operators.

We had held out hope that this would not be the case, however with the travel dates approaching quickly, it was clear that we had to make a decision now.

TDSB had a total of 15 trips planned to various parts of Europe in the coming weeks and months, according to spokesperson Ryan Bird.

Earlier this week, the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced it would be cancelling all March Break trips to Europe, after concluding travel to those countries was not safe.

As of Friday, there were more than 4,500 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy, one of the countries hard hit by the epidemic. The death toll had reached 197, according to officials.

In the United States, the number of cases detected had passed 250 by Friday evening, and 15 people had died, according to The New York Times. President Donald Trump signed a $8.3-billion emergency aid bill to address the outbreak.
DHFL (File Image: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into alleged irregularities in the investment of over Rs 4,100 crore Employees Provident Fund (EPF) of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), the state-owned power firm, in the scam-tainted Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL), officials said on Friday.

The agency has named Praveen Kumar Gupta, the then secretary of the UP Power Sector Employees Trust, and Sudhanshu Dwivedi, the then Director Finance of UPPCL, in its FIR registered last evening for criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery. Gupta and Dwivedi were arrested by UP police in November 2019.

The CBI took over the case after getting permission to take action against the UP government officials from the department of personal and training.

The illegal investment of EPF by the state power firm in DHFL happened between March 2017 and December 2018. The case is already being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The UP government had ordered a vigilance probe into alleged irregularities in UPPCLs investment of employees fund in the controversial Mumbai-based company DHFL over a span of two years.

Of late, DHFL has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The Reserve Bank of India had initiated insolvency proceedings against the housing finance firm, and in another case, Kapil Wadhawan, erstwhile promoter of DHFL, was arrested by the ED earlier this year for alleged links with late gangster and trusted Dawood aide Iqbal Mirchi. In this case, the directorate has found Rs 12,000 crore money laundering using more than a lakh fictitious accounts. The ED has accused Wadhawan of using a maze of shell companies to launder over Rs 3,200 crore to Mirchi.

DHFL owes over Rs 1 lakh crore to multiple financial institutions, including around Rs 40,000 crore to banks. The ED has found misappropriation of funds worth Rs 12,773 crore by DHFL, and another Rs 20,000 crore is untraceable as per a KPMG forensic audit report.

The ED is also examining the financial records of five shell firms under DHFL. The investigators had confronted the officials of five shell firms, whose loan liabilities were appropriated in the books of the private firm Sunblink. The company bought three Worlibased assets of Mirchi in 2010. Sunblink was allegedly under the control of Wadhawan, and Dheeraj Wadhawan, a non-executive director of DHFL, was also named in the charge sheet which was filed last month.

The ED probe revealed that DHFL allegedly diverted Rs 2,186 crore through five shell firms that received loans by illegal means and that a part of the diverted money was used for paying Mirchi for the three Worli-based properties under his name in 2010.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry played the fake news card outside the U.S. Supreme Court this week, in a terse dismissal of questions over his recent private business venture with a since-convicted visa fraudster to game the system for importing hundreds of Mexican laborers to work in the state.

Weve made our statements, and its fake news as far as Im concerned, Landry said of an investigation by The Times-Picayune and The Advocate that was published Feb. 14.

Landrys first remarks about the report to media came Wednesday, when a reporter caught up with him after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Louisianas local admitting-privileges requirement for doctors who perform abortions.

+5 Exclusive: Jeff Landry-owned firm imported workers with the help of felon who broke immigration laws Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has railed against loose borders and lax immigration policies during his four years as the states

Landry then quickly ducked off to begin another conversation amid a bustle outside the courthouse.

It was a challenge from Landrys office that landed the abortion case at the high court, drawing a huge crowd that many in Landrys position might exploit to raise their political profile.

Landry, though, skipped a news conference about the case with other states attorneys general on Tuesday. Though it was Solicitor General Liz Murrill who defended the state's requirement for doctors before the high court, a Landry spokeswoman said the attorney general was too busy prepping to appear before the cameras.

Timeline of key events in the Landry brothers' business dealings with Marco Pesquera Jeff Landry has been an elected official for most of the last decade. He has also owned several businesses during that time. Here are some of 

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The newspapers story revealed that two Jeff Landry-owned companies submitted dubious paperwork to federal agencies before securing the rights to import 195 Mexican welders and pipefitters for major industrial projects in the South, in partnership with a since-convicted Houston labor broker, Marco Pesquera.

The newspaper published the results of its investigation on Feb. 14. Landry, who declined to answer dozens of questions related to those documents before the story was published, issued a 14-point response afterward in which he denied wrongdoing.

Visa fraudster Marco Pesquera was in federal crosshairs amid deal with Jeff Landry companies Marco Pesqueras world, which was built on lying to the U.S. government, had begun to unravel by summer 2015, two years before he partnered wi

Landry also posted a 10-minute video on social media that featured his brother, Benjamin Landry, defending him and alleging a nefarious political motive behind the story.

Landrys camp has repeatedly refused to say how many American workers were hired under the contracts to provide qualified welders and pipefitters mostly for jobs at the massive Cameron LNG liquefied natural gas facility being built in Hackberry, south of Lake Charles.

Pesquera said no Americans were hired for the work, though at least 113 of them applied.

A Landry spokesman took to the radio shortly after the story published to deride it as misleading and to highlight other aspects of Landrys business record. He dodged questions about whether Landry hired any Americans on the project, however. Neither Jeff Landry, nor anyone tied to his companies, have challenged any facts in the story.




Haiti - Politic : Who is the Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe?





Joseph Jouthe (58) appointed on March 2, Prime Minister of Haiti, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30159-haiti-flash-jovenel-moise-appoints-a-new-prime-minister.html was born on October 17, 1961 in Thomonde (Dept. Center).



A civil engineer by training, Joseph Jouthe has a full and varied career. He worked in particular as a civil servant of the United Nations (1989 to 2006) as consultant, liaison officer, logistician, administrator, Regional Director International Care for a central office and 7 regional offices... He was also consultant for several local and international organizations both in Haiti and abroad.



Before becoming Minister of the Environment in the Moise Government, in September 2018, Jouthe worked in the office of Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant as Special Advisor for special projects, public works and public procurement (2017-2018) .



Subsequently, he was appointed Minister ai of the Economy and Finance during the ministerial reshuffle of September 2019 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28882-haiti-flash-acting-prime-minister-proceed-to-a-cabinet-reshuffle.html in the Moise-Lapin Government, while retaining his position in the Environment



Jouthe has extensive knowledge of the Haitian Public Administration where he held several positions including as Director of development project, administrator and Director of analysis and evaluation at the Office of Monetization of Development Aid Programs (BMPAD).



He is also a member of several socio-professional and philanthropic groups and speaks Creole, French, English and Spanish in addition to having a good understanding of international economic and social development.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















COLUMBUS, Ohio  The two Democratic candidates for Ohio Supreme Court out-raised their Republican rivals in the last few weeks, but they still have far less campaign cash at their disposal, according to the latest round of state campaign-finance reports.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John P. ODonnell, the Democrat looking to unseat Justice Sharon Kennedy, raised $89,675 from Jan. 17 to March 4, according to his report, which was filed Thursday with the Ohio secretary of states office. ODonnell reported having $104,285 on hand as of Thursday  more than five times the $20,665 he reported having at the end of 2019.

Kennedy, a Butler County Republican seeking a second term on the court, reported raising $61,651 from Feb. 3 to March 3. But she had $602,903 in her campaigns bank account.

Jennifer Brunner, a Democratic former secretary of state challenging Republican Justice Judith French, reported raising $104,256 from Dec. 31 to March 4, giving her $139,515 on hand.

Frenchs campaign accepted $67,834 from Jan. 14 to March 4, according to her report, though she still has a significant financial edge over Brunner with $415,702 on hand.

ODonnell and Brunner each received $15,000 from the Ohio Democratic Party, as well as $7,000 each from the Service Employees International Union 1199s political action committee, records show.

French received $7,000 from the political arm of the International Union Of Operating Engineers Local 18, as well as $3,800 each from businessman and 2018 U.S. Senate candidate Mike Gibbons, Cincinnati attorney Robert Coletti, Ohio Industrial Commission member and ex-lawmaker Karen Gillmor, University of Cincinnati trustee Geraldine Warner, and Gayle Oeters, wife of Montgomery's Don Oeters, former owner of Watson's pool and spa stores and the creator of EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester Township.

Kennedys top donors so far this year include Columbus-based Grange Insurance ($4,500) and AEP Ohios PAC ($3,000).

While Supreme Court races are generally lower profile, the two 2020 races have drawn a lot of attention because the high court could have a role in Ohios upcoming redistricting process.

While the Supreme Court has no direct involvement in Ohios recently changed redistricting systems for federal and state lawmakers, any new district lines drawn by the legislature or (if the legislatures gridlocked) a state commission could face legal challenges that may be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court. In the last two years, district maps were ruled unconstitutional by state Supreme Courts in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Republicans currently hold a 5-2 majority on the state Supreme Court. But if both ODonnell and Brunner win, Democrats would have a 4-3 majority.
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman & CEO James Kim, left, and Chairman of the AMCHAM Board of Governors Jeffrey Jones talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the foreign business community in Korea during a press conference held at the IFC Seoul, Thursday. The leaders stressed that AMCHAM has confidence in the government's proactive and transparent actions to combat the virus outbreak, adding that concerted cooperation among the government, companies and customers was necessary for the speedy normalization of business. / Yonhap
Attackers kill two on Playa del Carmen street

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two men were killed and one left with injuries in a targeted attack against a trio walking in the Colosio neighborhood of Playa del Carmen.

The deadly shooting happened along 60th Street when the three men were attacked by armed subjects while walking. Their attackers fled on foot without being caught.

One of those shot died on scene with the second dying shortly after being admitted to hospital. The third shooting victim remains stable in hospital.

Agents of the Municipal Police cordoned off the area pending the State Attorney Generals investigation. A search for the shooter(s) was launches, however, no arrests have been announced.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 14:18:57|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The All-China Journalists Association Friday issued a statement voicing strong condemnation and firm opposition to a demand made by the U.S. State Department to cap the number of U.S.-based Chinese journalists.

Describing the U.S. move as de-facto expulsion of Chinese journalists, the association said that the actions have seriously violated the normal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in carrying out news reporting overseas, damaged the reputation of Chinese media and journalists and interfered with their normal work abroad.

While priding itself on freedom of the press, the United States now grossly infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists and obstructs the Chinese media from their normal reporting tasks. "Such two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of the press, nothing short of double standards and hegemonic bullying," the association said in the statement.

Chinese journalists stationed in the United States have been strictly abiding by U.S. laws and regulations and carrying out news reporting under the principle of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy, playing a positive role in enhancing communication and understanding between the Chinese and U.S. people, promoting strategic mutual trust between China and the United States, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, the statement said.

China has respected and guaranteed the media of various countries to carry out normal reporting activities in the country in accordance with the law, and has never imposed any restriction on the number of U.S. media organizations or personnel in China, it added.

The association called on the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and political oppression based on ideological prejudice.

The U.S. side is urged to immediately stop gross interference with the normal operation of Chinese media, stop infringement of the lawful rights and interests of Chinese journalists, and take immediate measures to correct its wrongdoings such as labeling Chinese media outlets in a discriminatory manner, capping the number of Chinese journalists, and setting visa barriers for Chinese journalists stationed in the United States, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in the United States, according to the statement.
A coronavirus pandemic would be 'quite useful' in killing off hospital bed blockers, a senior doctor claimed today in the wake of the first UK death.

Professor June Andrews, a former Scottish government official, conceded the comments sounded 'horrific' but insisted they were an honest assessment of the consequences of a Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Holyrood's public audit committee, she blamed politicians for leaving the elderly stuck in hospitals because there were not enough social care services for them to be discharged to.

Professor June Andrews, a former Scottish government official, conceded the comments sounded 'horrific'. She is seen on a previous TV appearance

'If you're on the board of a care home company, a pandemic is one of things you think about as a potential damage to your business because of the number of older people it's going to take out of the system,' she said.

'Curiously, ripping off the sticking plaster, in a hospital that has 92 delayed discharges, a pandemic would be quite useful because your hospital would work because these people would be taken out of the system.'

She added: 'That sounds like it's a horrific thing to say  but it is the case that somehow or other, we've put people in the wrong places by not having the kind of strategic views that we should have.

'That means that politicians who don't want to think about bad things before the election, need to think about putting income tax up even higher in order to pay for more care in care homes and they need to think about whether they reinstate geriatric hospitals.'

Her comments were reported by The Herald as the number of UK coronavirus cases climbed to 116, with one death, reported to be a woman in her 70s.

The claim was met with disdain on social media, with Twitter user Jacki Killick saying: 'Professor June Andrews will be elderly herself one day (if she's lucky). I wonder if she'll have the same opinion then?'

Another, Andrew Bartlett, tweeted: 'Absolutely vile comment a so called professor June Andrews. Would she feel like that if it was her relatives in hospital and died from it?

Official advice will be for the elderly to keep away from crowded public areas, including supermarkets and public transport, if a coronavirus epidemic takes hold.

Families would be told not to visit older relatives but to speak to them over the phone or via Skype.

Department of Health officials are also considering whether to ask patients who have recovered from the illness to volunteer to help their elderly neighbours.

These individuals would have a minimal chance of passing the illness on and could do the shopping or simply provide company.

Officials are drawing up specific advice on what precautions the elderly and patients with long term conditions should take during an epidemic.

Figures from Wuhan, China, where the outbreak began, show that between 8 and 9 per cent of over-80s who became infected died.

Coronavirus is also far more deadly for men than for women.

Latest figures from the World Health Organisation and Chinese scientists show that from all known cases, 1.7 per cent of women will die, compared with 2.8 per cent of men.

The Government believes this is the worst-case scenario, but has drawn up specific advice for the elderly.

They say older people should not make changes to their routines at this stage as their risk of contracting the disease is so low.

Giving evidence to the Commons health and social care select committee, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: 'One of the bits of advice we will give when this starts to run is for people who are older or who have pre-existing health conditions to have some degree of isolation from more public environments.

'One of the key things on this  it is clear from the modelling  one of the best things we can do reduce the impact on older people and reduce the impact on the NHS as well is to isolate older people from the virus.

'The difficulty is we need to make sure we do that without isolating them from society, exacerbating loneliness, providing barriers to social interactions and practical things like shopping and people coming into help them. The biggest thing we can do at this point is not to go too early.'

It is hoped that more healthcare for the elderly could be provided in their homes. This might include visits from nurses or video consultations to prevent them venturing out.

Professor Whitty added: 'One of the things which is really remarkable in all past emergencies is the altruism of the British public. I think people will rally round.'
The government on Friday sought Parliament nod for an additional Rs 54,000-crore spending mainly to meet its obligation towards GST compensation to states and defence-related expenditure.

Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur presented the second and final batch of supplementary demands for grants in the Lok Sabha.

It sought authorisation for gross additional expenditure of Rs 4.8 lakh crore.

"Of this, the proposals involving net cash outgo aggregate to Rs 53,963.58 crore and gross additional expenditure, matched by saving of the ministries/departments or by enhanced receipts/recoveries aggregates to Rs 4.26 lakh crore," the supplementary demands for grants document said.

The government has sought Rs 20,000 crore for payment of GST compensation to the states. Of this, Rs 16,200 crore has been earmarked for states and remaining Rs 3,800 crore for Union Territories.

Another Rs 2,908 crore has been sought for payment as share of net proceeds of taxes to Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The other major expenses for which additional funds have been sought include defence related expenses (Rs 6,988 crore), defence pensions (Rs 5,730 crore), MNREGA (Rs 5,001 crore) and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (Rs 1,003 crore).

The second Supplementary Demands for Grants has already been taken into account in the revised estimate for 2019-20.

As per the revised estimate, the government's total expenditure has been pegged at Rs 26.99 lakh crore and receipts at Rs 19.32 lakh crore.

The government raised fiscal deficit target to 3.8 per cent of the GDP from 3.3 per cent pegged earlier for 2019-20 due to revenue shortage.

The government has utilised 'escape clause' under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act which provides it leeway for relaxation of fiscal deficit roadmap during time of stress.

The 'escape clause' allows the government to breach its fiscal deficit target by 0.5 percentage points in times of severe stress in the economy, including periods of structural change and those when growth falls sharply.

The central government's fiscal deficit rose to Rs 9.85 lakh crore in April-January, which is 128.5 per cent of the revised full-year target of Rs 7.67 lakh crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As officials ramp up efforts to curtail the spread of the new coronavirus, San Francisco General Hospitals nurses and doctors fear the overcrowded and understaffed medical center is not prepared to handle an imminent local outbreak.

The public health emergency  including two confirmed cases in San Francisco  underscores the potential dire consequences of the hospitals chronic lack of resources, city health workers said at a rally and Board of Supervisors committee hearing on Thursday.

Were on the verge of a pandemic and we have no proper staffing  we are not ready, said Theresa Rutherford, a nursing assistant at Laguna Honda Hospital, the citys long-term care facility. The nurses have been warning this city. They have not listened.

Rutherford, vice president of San Franciscos Service Employees International Union, stood across from City Hall to rally with roughly 75 registered nurses, resident doctors and social workers ahead of a Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee hearing, where supervisors considered a resolution urging officials to address the issues.

The resolution, sponsored by Supervisor Ahsha Safai, calls on the citys public health department to include nurses and doctors in general decision-making, expedite the notoriously slow hiring process, support bilingual staff and provide annual violence prevention and disaster-preparedness training.

Christa Duran, an emergency room nurse at San Francisco General, said her department has not had a disaster coordinator for six months. Half of the night-shift staff have less than two years of experience, she added, and have not been trained in disaster preparedness.

Were not even prepared for the predictable flu season, Duran said. So what makes them think we would be prepared for the coronavirus?

The rally and hearing comes after Mayor London Breed held a news conference Thursday to announce the first two coronavirus cases originating in San Francisco. Breed said the city is prepared for the outbreak.

We have been planning for this for weeks, and so we are prepared as a city, said Breed, who declared a state of emergency for San Francisco on Feb. 25 to ramp up the citys efforts to prepare for and confront local cases.

More than 530 resident doctors and members of the Committee of Interns and Residents, a SEIU chapter, signed a petition demanding that hospital administration prioritize patient care and increase staffing, according to the resolution.

The emergency department is on diversion more than 60% of the time  meaning it is closed to non-trauma patients due to understaffing and not being prepared for an influx of patients, according to the union.

California has 65 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including 36 in the Bay Area. A 71-year-old Placer County man died Wednesday after likely becoming infected on a San Francisco cruise ship. Officials are investigating a cluster of Northern California cases tied to the cruise ship and said Bay Area residents could have been exposed.

A combination of fatigued, overworked nurses and an influx of patients creates the perfect storm, said Sasha Cuttler, a public health nurse.

Its like a petri dish for growing and spreading all manner of infectious diseases and fear, Cuttler said.

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.

Amulya Iyer, a resident doctor of family medicine at San Francisco General, said the expected influx of patients will stress the system even more than it already is. He said nurses and doctors could easily become infected by coronavirus patients.

There is no separate holding area for patients with respiratory symptoms, so they would sit in the waiting room wearing a mask, Duran said. Medical workers do not have enough personal protective equipment, she added.

At the hearing, Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the Department of Public Health, said delays in the hiring process for nurses were completely unacceptable and that he implemented changes in leadership to the human resources department. The department is taking key steps to address the nurses concerns, he said.

I know firsthand that nurses and their care provide the foundation of the hospital, Colfax said. Staffing and the quality of that staff is paramount, as is, and always will be, worker safety. This is an issue not only in the emergency room at Zuckerberg, but an issue across our health system in San Francisco, across our state, as well as nationally. Covid-19 has only highlighted these issues.

Safai said he wants public health officials to aggressively expedite the hiring process to as short as 30 days. The average hiring timeline for a nurse is 165.5 days, according to public health officials.

We are here to ensure the city and county of SF is ready for the crisis that is on our hands, Safai said.

Lack of preparation for coronavirus is not necessarily unique to San Francisco hospitals, according to a study released Thursday by National Nurses United and California Nurses Association. A survey of 6,500 nurses from 48 states conducted by the union found that 44% of nurses were told by their employer how to recognize and respond to potentially infected patients; 63% have access to N95 respirator masks; and 30% say they have enough personal protective equipment in their department to handle a surge a patients.

Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2
Trump signs $8.3B bill to combat coronavirus outbreak in US



President Trump is preparing to sign an $8 billion package to fight the coronavirus -- this in an attempt to ramp up testing because there are big delays in making test kits available to state hospitals and clinics. At least 12 people have died in the United States - more than 200 have been diagnosed.

City of Biggs considers the idea of BCSO taking over police services

The City of Biggs is looking to improve police services. The council either has the option to renew its contract with the Gridley Police Department by June 30 or switch over to services with the Butte County Sheriffs Office. City Administrator Mike Sorensen says the city has contracted with the Gridley Police Department for the past 19 years. Sorensen told Action News Now if the council goes with the sheriff's department the city would have a much larger patrol staff.

Assemblyman Gallagher responds to state's failure to verify facts of Chico needle program

Today Assemblyman James Gallagher sent another letter urging the California Department of Public Health to verify whether or not North Valley Harm Reduction coalition is in compliance with state law. That's the non-profit behind Chicos needle distribution program. Gallagher calls the program a serious public health issue. He says the health department's initial response to his request ignored documented community complaints.

Shooting kills 1, wounds 5 at California gathering

A man is dead and five people injured after a shooting at a celebration of life in Tulare. Police officers say one of the people shot is a 7 year old girl. She is among the five people in the hospital recovering. Witnesses say the shooter walked up to the group, started shooting and took off. No word yet on why this happened.

The latest: Tehama County voters say "no" to Measure G

Nearly 84% of Tehama County voters voted no on measure G. If passed, this measure would have brought in almost $8 million a year to Tehama County's general fund through a 1% sales tax. People that we spoke to say they just didn't want to have to pay even more taxes. One woman who voted yes on the measure though, says she's worried about what this will mean for public safety.
Thousands of college students will be leaving the Roanoke and New River valleys to scatter for spring break starting this weekend as universities urge smart decisions for travel in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Colleges are largely referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions protocols to guide students on how they should operate and travel during the upcoming break.

The CDC on Sunday said colleges and universities should consider canceling exchange programs and asking students currently abroad to return to the U.S.

The virus is confirmed in at least 72 countries as of Wednesday, according to the World Health Organization.

Radford University and Virginia Tech sent out campus-wide messages this week encouraging faculty and students to reconsider their travel plans for the upcoming break, especially those planning on traveling abroad.

The schools also asked students to reconsider traveling to locations where COVID-19 has been found domestically.

The University of Virginias language was a bit more direct in its campus-wide message, asking faculty and students not to travel internationally or to areas of the U.S. affected by the coranavirus.

We recognize Spring Break has traditionally been a time when many students traveled on their own or with independent student groups, said Patricia Lampkin, UVAs vice president and chief student affairs officer.

Continuing, she said: Given the concerns about the spread of coronavirus both abroad and in the United States, the University has asked student groups to reconsider their plans, but if they decide to proceed, we are asking them to notify us of those plans.

Additionally, UVA cancelled all of its study abroad programs over break and Radford canceled a similar trip to China  where the virus originated  that was set to begin in May.

Cyril Clarke, Virginia Techs executive vice president and provost, said in a letter to campus that Techs travel policy requires canceling academic programs to countries where the CDC has issued a Level 3 advisory, which includes China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.

In addition to countries that are currently subject to a Level 3 advisory, we are monitoring assessments of the health risk in countries that are not currently subject to any CDC travel advisories, but that may be in future, such as the Ticino canton in Switzerland, where we have students and faculty at the Steger Center and in Lugano, Clarke said. In the absence of a CDC travel advisory, we are not suspending these programs at this time.

Tech has 110 students in Switzerland, and last week recalled 15 students studying in Italy.

Seven of those 15 students have arrived in the U.S. or are en route, Michael Stowe, a Tech spokesman, said. The rest have plans to leave Italy.

The students wont be allowed on campus until they can show they dont have symptoms 14 days after entering the U.S., Stowe said. That will be the case for any traveler coming from, connecting through, or returning from a country with a Level 3 notice.

Faculty-led spring break programs  to Ireland, Iceland, Ecuador and Argentina and Peru  with about 73 students total, are proceeding as planned.

Radford freshman Caroline Cooper said despite a few reported cases of the virus in Florida, she still plans on making her way to the Sunshine State next week.

Ive spent too much money on the trip to bail out now, she said.

Patrick Pithua, an associate professor of epidemiology at Tech, says students and others who may be traveling over spring break should take basic precautions promoted by health departments, such as hand washing, not touching ones face, and paying attention to ones health.

I wouldnt be terribly panicked, Pithua said. I would still travel as usual, but make sure Im being vigilant.

Other colleges in the area are also taking precautions with students studying abroad as well.

Hollins University, Washington and Lee University and Roanoke College had students return home from programs in Italy and are monitoring students studying in other countries not currently under threat.

VMI and Roanoke also have had students return from China and South Korea due to program cancellations.

For more information on the virus, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.

Staff writer Alison Graham contributed to this report.
Just days after starting his corruption trial, a court in Yerevan has allowed former President Serzh Sarkisian to visit Brussels and meet with prominent European politicians, including Donald Tusk, the European Unions former top official.

Sarkisian signed a pledge not to leave Armenia when he was charged with embezzlement in December. He rejects the accusations as politically motivated.

Sarkisian and four other men went on trial on February 25. The trial was adjourned until March 26 shortly after its start.

A lawyer for Sarkisian, Amram Makinian, said on Friday that after the first hearing in the case he and the ex-presidents office requested in writing court permission for Sarkisians working visit to Brussels planned in advance. The presiding judge, Vahe Misakian, granted the request, Makinian told RFE/RLs Armenian service.

According to Sarkisians spokeswoman, Meri Harutiunian, the ex-president was allowed to be absent from the country from March 4-7.

The Office of the Prosecutor-General declined to comment on the judges decision. It said only that the issue should have been discussed during the court hearing.

Sarkisians visit began on Thursday with a meeting with Tusk, the former European Council president who was recently appointed as head of the European Peoples Party (EPP). Sarkisians Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) is a member of the grouping of Europes leading center-right parties.

According to Armen Ashotian, the HHKs deputy chairman, Sarkisian briefed Tusk on recent political developments in Armenia and spoke about the dangers of populism for democracy. The two men also discussed regional issues and challenges, Ashotian, who is accompanying the ex-president on the trip, wrote on Facebook.

Later on Thursday, Sarkisian had a dinner meeting with two members of the European Parliament. One of them, Traian Basescu, served as president of Romania from 2004-2014.

While in the Belgian capital, Sarkisian also visited the Wilfried Martens Center for European Studies, an EPP think-tank, and met with its president, Slovakias former Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda.

Sarkisian, 65, ruled Armenia from 2008-2018. He resigned amid mass protests sparked by his attempt to extend his decade-long rule. The protests, known as the Velvet Revolution, were also fuelled by popular disaffection with widespread government corruption.

Sarkisian criticized the current Armenian government when he spoke at an EPP congress in Croatia in November. He accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians administration jeopardizing democracy and stifling dissent in the country.

The ex-president was indicted two weeks later. He stands accused of giving privileged treatment in 2013 to a longtime friend and businessman which cost the state 489 million drams (just over $1 million) in losses.

Sarkisian and his party accuse the authorities of persecuting him for political reasons. Law-enforcement authorities and Pashinians political allies strongly deny this.
Even after managing to improve its financial structure, Hoang Anh Gia Lai is still looking at a fraught 2020 due to the shock of the VND-trillion loss in 2019.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai is selling off its electricity business to rebalance its finances

Shutting down electricity arm

At the middle of this February, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) decided to dissolve Hydroelectric Hoang Anh Saigon JSC (one of the two hydroelectric plants owned by the group). Founded in early 2018, in addition to the main field of electricity production, the company registered for a variety of business lines such as chemical production, trading of spare parts, or sand and stone quarrying.

According to information disclosed by Vo Truong Son, general director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, the company transferred 248.5 million shares of Hydroelectric Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (DHA), another HAGL subsidiary, accounting for 99.4 per cent of the company's charter capital.

The value of the shares HAGL transferred at this hydroelectric company is VND2.48 trillion ($107.93 million). Before selling off DHA, in the third quarter of 2019, the group transferred its stake in V&H Corporation (Laos, also dealing in electricity) to it, consolidating its electricity business in a handful of subsidiaries to make it easier to cut them off. The transferred capital accounted for 80 per cent of V&H Corporation's charter capital.

HAGL also completed liquidation procedures for two other subsidiaries operating overseas, Electricity Hoang Anh Attapeu Co., Ltd. (Vientiane, Laos) and Electricity Nam Kong Co., Ltd. (Attapeu, Laos).

Choppy waters ahead

The liquidation of subsidiaries in the electricity industry is a reasonable solution for HAGL to refocus on its key business. Shedding this business line will allow the company to handle financial pressures in the short term and revive itself.

At the end of 2019, International Agriculture Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAGL Agrico, HNG), a major subsidiary of HAGL, has completed the purchase of bonds from National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Commercial Bank (NCB). The bonds will reach their maturity on December 17, 2021, and are not convertible, nor accompanied by warrants. The bonds are guaranteed by Hoang Anh Gia Lai shares.

The total face value of the issuance is VND1.7 trillion ($73.9 million), the value of the bonds that HAGL Agrico bought before the deadline was VND240 billion ($10.43 million), with the repurchase price equal to the face value.

Previously, HAGL Agrico bought another set of bonds with the total value of more than VND2.1 trillion ($91.3 million) from Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) in order to restructure its debts. HAGL also bought back VND594 billion ($25.83 million) of bonds from VPBank in mid-2019.

HAGL, via its plan to sell off its electricity operations, has gradually dispelled its financial troubles. However, hardships are still apparent, especially since its shocking loss of more than VND1.6 trillion ($69.57 million) in 2019.

HAGL's cash flows talk a great deal of this burden, as net cash flows from business in 2019 were nearly negative VND3.2 trillion ($139.13 million), even deeper than the negative VND2.9 trillion ($126.1 million) in 2018.

The proceeds of transferring its capital in subsidiaries have partly balanced out HAGL's cash flows. According to the 2019 cash flow report, the cash flow generated by selling investments amounted to VND12.46 trillion ($541.74 million) and thus, the net cash flow from investment activities was still more than VND6.82 trillion ($296.52 million).

However, selling off subsidiaries is not a long-term solution and the company needs a sustainable financial solution to create stable cash flows  and 2020 will be the watershed determining the companies viability. VIR

Tin Duong

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group reports catastrophic loss Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (code: HAG) reported the most drastic drop in revenue for the last ten years, with the record loss of VND1.743 trillion ($75.78 million).
TORONTO, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc. today announced the filing with securities regulators in Canada and the U.S. of its 2019 annual report to shareholders. The annual report to shareholders includes, amongst other things, Rogers 2019 audited annual consolidated financial statements, notes thereto, and managements discussion and analysis in respect of the annual financial statements.



As well as being available on the websites of the Canadian Securities Administrators at sedar.com and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at sec.gov, these documents have also been posted on the Investor Relations section of Rogers website at investors.rogers.com/corporate-governance.

Paper copies of these documents may be requested at no charge, by contacting us at investor.relations@rci.rogers.com, at 647.435.6470, or toll free at 1.844.801.4792.

Rogers Communications Inc. will hold its Annual General Shareholder Meeting on April 22, 2020 in Toronto at 11:00 am.

About Rogers: Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

For further information:

Investor Relations, 416.935.7777, investor.relations@rci.rogers.com
Why Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu became the first COVID-19 hotspots in India

Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed

Maharashtra budget: Petrol, diesel to be costlier by Rs 1

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Mar 06: Petrol and diesel will be costlier by Rs one per litre in Maharashtra, the state legislature was informed on Friday.

Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in his budget speech announced that VAT on petrol and diesel would be increased by Rs one per litre.

This measure would help the state exchequer garner and additional Rs 1800 crore, the minister said.

Coordination panel to study NPR issues in Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray has instructed the chief secretary to ensure government funds are deposited only in nationalised banks and not private lenders, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Friday. Pawar, also the finance minister, made the remarks in Thackeray's presence after the former presented the state's budget for 2020-21 in the assembly.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

"The CM has instructed the chief secretary and other secretaries to deposit government funds in nationalised banks, particularly ones protected by the Centre," Pawar told reporters outside state legislature building complex here.

Pawar's statements came in the backdrop of controversy over the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank, a private lender, allegedly by the previous BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis's wife Amruta holds a senior post in Axis Bank.

The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, sought Fadnavis's response to a petition questioning the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank. A senior official had stated last year that salary accounts of police personnel were with UTI Bank later renamed as Axis Bank -- since 2005, much before Fadnavis became chief minister in 2014.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 13:28 [IST]
Virgin Media, owned by Liberty Global, on Thursday reported a breach that allowed unauthorized access to the cable companys database that contained personal information of about 900,000 customers.

The company said the breach did not happen due to a hack but occurred as the database was incorrectly configured. The database did not include any passwords or financial details and was accessible from April 2019 until Feb. 28, 2020, it added.

The database, however, included limited contact information such as names, home and email addresses and phone numbers.

Virgin Media CEO Lutz Schuler said the company recently became aware of the issue and immediately shut down access to the affected database.

The company, which is conducting an ongoing investigation, said it believes the database was accessed at least once but does not know the extent of the access.

(Reporting by Amal S and Aakriti Bhalla in Bengaluru; editing by Shailesh Kuber)
At long last, on Thursday, Elizabeth Warren withdrew from the Democrat primary. Her withdrawal creates clarity because Bernie the Red and Bad Touch Biden are the last candidates standing. (And no, nobody takes Tulsi seriously as a potential candidate.)

Thanks to Bidens momentum on Super Tuesday, political watchers assume that the Democrat establishment successfully squashed Bernies candidacy and that it will be smooth sailing for Biden. Things may not be that simple, though.

Its challenging to write a political epitaph for Warren. She tried to echo Bill Clintons appealing wonkishness but never rose above being a shrew. She always had plans, but they had a complicated, Rube Goldberg quality. When analyzed, they either wouldnt work, or theyd work very effectively at making government bigger and more intrusive than ever.

As the campaign progressed, Warren threw herself frantically at various Democrat special interest groups. Even though, if she did win the primary, shed just be the second woman to have done so (and as Jerry Seinfeld once pointed out, second is no big deal), she insisted that her two X chromosomes made her peculiarly suited for the presidency.

Eventually, Warren, a millionaire twelve times over who profited from flipping houses during the recession, positioned herself as a Bernie-style leftist. Indeed, during the South Carolina debate, she was reduced to saying that she would implement all of Bernies programs, only she would do it better.

Warren's departure from the stage is no loss to anyone except her legion of female supporters who buy into the theory that being a woman somehow makes Warren special. Its certainly amusing to see them claim that sexism jettisoned her candidacy, considering that all this alleged sexism comes from the Democrat side of the aisle.

While Warren added nothing to the primary campaign, her departure may make a substantial difference. Keep in mind that Biden currently has 627 delegates, and Bernie has 551, a difference of only 76 delegates.

This small difference matters because, while the Republicans award all of a states primary delegates to the candidate who receives the most votes, the Democrats apportion delegates. By the time the Republicans arrive at the convention, theres usually a clear winner. That isnt the case for the Democrats and, unless one of them has a clear majority on the first ballot, the dreaded superdelegates might step in.

As Trump pointed out regarding Warren, shes Bernies ideological clone, except that shes the schoolmarm to his crazy uncle, meaning that she probably took votes that would have gone to Bernie on or before Super Tuesday. Now that shes gone, in future primaries therell be more unattached leftists who might cast votes for Bernie.

Another thing that may play in Bernies favor is that Super Tuesday featured a lot of conservative southern states, such as Arkansas and Alabama. Southern Democrats may be leery of socialism, unlike Democrats in states such as Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, New Jersey, or the District of Columbia. (Florida, of course, that goldmine of delegates, is unlikely to go for a candidate who hates Israel and loves Castros Cuba.)

What may also help Bernie is that Joe is a terrible candidate. He's corrupt, dishonest, stupid, vicious, and manifestly senile. Hes also ideologically wish-washy. Although Biden always stays on the Democrat side of the aisle, from within that Democrat cocoon, hell say anything to win.

Bernie, of course, is also corrupt and dishonest. At a meta-level, hes corrupt and dishonest because he tells people socialism/communism will make their lives better. Thats shows a corrupt soul and a lust for power that has him lying at a very fundamental level about his ideology.

Even if one assumes, though, that Bernie believes his shtick, he has proven to be a gross hypocrite with his millions of dollars, three very nice houses, and reliance on private jets. Once he got rich, he stopped attacking millionaires and started going after billionaires. In other words, Bernies principles are no better than, and are probably much worse than, everyone elses.

Still, despite being corrupt at both deep and superficial levels, Bernies sold as an honest guy because hes loved communism from the cradle. Hes a one-trick pony, so he cant be tripped up on much, in contrast to Biden, whos all over the board on everything. For all those reasons, even though the establishment wants to shake Bernie off, he may hang in there like a tick on a dog.

The one sure thing is that the rest of the Democrat primary, right through to the convention, is going to be great fun for people who consider politics a spectator sport. And the one worrisome thing is that there is a possibility that Biden or Bernie could take the White House.
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An 88-year-old wife was pictured attempting to communicate with her husband of 60 years through the window of the quarantined care home at the center of the US coronavirus outbreak.

In the heartwrenching photos, obtained by DailyMail.com, Dorothy Campbell is seen peering through the glass at her husband Gene, 89, who is trapped like a prisoner inside the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Washington State, as public officials try to contain the spread of the disease.

The nursing facility has found itself at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, with at least six of the 12 US deaths from the virus being connected to the home.

Panicked relatives have been trying to find out how their loved ones are faring at the home, which has gone into lockdown in efforts to stem the outbreak.

Dorothy Campbell, 88, is seen peering through the glass at her husband Gene, 89, who is trapped like a prisoner inside the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Washington State, as public officials try to contain the spread of the disease

Dorothy is seen desperately trying to reunite with her husband of 60 years by speaking to him through the window of the care home which is now at the center of the US coronavirus outbreak where he is stuck inside

Many residents trapped inside the facility have long-term and chronic health conditions, which makes them more vulnerable to the risks of the disease.

Dorothy was seen desperately trying to communicate with her husband on Thursday, after the center banned visitors and sent its residents into quarantine inside.

The loving couple's son Charlie Campbell, a retired registered nurse from Silver City, New Mexico, was pictured taking his mom up to the glass outside the elderly man's room to get a glimpse of him inside.

Gene, wearing a medical gown, was up close to the window pane talking to his wife.

The forlorn expression on Dorothy's face can be seen reflected in the glass as the couple clearly long to see each other.

Charlie supported his mother as he held up a cellphone to the window to help the elderly lovebirds hear each other's voices.

The elderly man was pictured inside on a landline while his wife of 60 years spoke on the cellphone on the other side of the pane.

While their expressions reveal the pain of the separation - and the fears over the spread of the disease inside the home - the visit seemed to lift the spirits of the 89-year-old who smiled lovingly at his wife.

Their son then helped his elderly mother - who was wearing slippers and walked with a cane - away as she bid her husband farewell, not knowing when they will be reunited again face to face.

The loving couple's son Charlie Campbell, a retired registered nurse from Silver City, New Mexico, was pictured taking his mom up to the glass outside the elderly man's room to get a glimpse of him inside

Charlie supported his mother as he held up a cellphone to the window to help the elderly lovebirds hear each other's voices

The elderly man was pictured inside on a landline while his wife of 60 years spoke on their son's cellphone on the other side of the pane

The visit came as concerns continue to mount for residents inside the home, as Washington state confirmed Thursday that another King County resident has died from coronavirus, taking the US death toll to 12 and the Washington state death toll to 11.

King County alone has recorded 10 deaths while the other Washington death occurred in nearby Snohomish County.

King County health officials said the latest victim was a woman in her 90s who died on Tuesday.

It has not been confirmed if she was a resident of Life Care.

The number of confirmed cases in Washington also jumped to 70 on Thursday as officials in King County bought a $4 million motel and set up a coronavirus quarantine site made up of 'mini hotel room' trailers for infected patients.

The majority of Washington state cases have been linked to the Life Care Center, which has fast become a hotbed for the virus, after the county first confirmed two cases on Saturday in a resident and an employee at the home.

Around 27 of the 108 residents and 25 of the 180 staff then began showing some symptoms of the virus.

On Sunday, four new cases were confirmed, including a man who died, becoming the second confirmed death on US soil.

Gene, wearing a medical gown, was up close to the window pane talking to his wife. The forlorn expression on Dorothy's face can be seen reflected in the glass as the couple clearly long to see each other

While their expressions reveal the pain of the separation - and the fears over the spread of the disease inside the home - the visit seemed to lift the spirits of the 89-year-old who smiled lovingly at his wife

Many residents trapped inside the facility have long-term and chronic health conditions, which makes them more vulnerable to the risks of the disease

Panicked relatives have been trying to find out how their loved ones are faring at the home, which provides 24-hour care for elderly and infirm residents

Their son then helps his elderly mother - who was wearing slippers and walked with a cane - away as she bid her husband farewell, not knowing when they will be reunited again face to face

The man in his 70s with underlying health conditions died at the Evergreen Health hospital in Kirkland on Saturday.

This is the same hospital where a man in his 50s died on Friday night - the US's first coronavirus-related death.

He has so far not been connected with the facility, although the hospital is based just two miles away.

Cases and deaths in connection have Life Care Center continued to rise, with at least six of the US' fatalities from the disease being patients at the center, including two who died last week and were only confirmed posthumously.

One of those residents, a male in his 50s, died last Wednesday after being taken to a Seattle hospital.

A woman in her 80s, who was a resident of Life Care but was never hospitalized, died at her family home that same day.

Emergency personnel are pictured taking another person at the care home load a person into an ambulance on Thursday. The nursing facility has found itself at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, with at least six of the 12 US deaths from the virus being connected to the home

Concerns continue to mount for residents inside the home, as Washington state confirmed Thursday that another King County resident has died from coronavirus, taking the US death toll to 12 and the Washington state death toll to 11. King County alone has recorded 10 deaths while the other Washington death occurred in nearby Snohomish County

At least 27 firefighters and paramedics who responded to calls at the infected nursing home in the lead-up to the outbreak were tested for the virus on Tuesday amid fears they too could have contracted the disease.

The nursing home outbreak is also the source of the first confirmed case in North Carolina, it was revealed on Tuesday.

A man in Wake County tested positive for the virus after visiting the care facility in Washington and then flying back home.

In a statement on March 4, Ellie Basham, executive director of Life Care Center, said staff and residents were facing a challenging situation.

She said, despite the manifestation of the disease at the site, the center had not been provided testing kits, so we are relying on our local hospitals, the local and state health departments and the CDC to confirm cases.

The majority of Washington state cases have been linked to the Life Care Center, which is now the subject of a federal investigation after it emerged that it has come under fire in the past for failing to control the spread of viruses

At the weekend, the facility was slammed by worried families who claimed they were not being kept informed about the conditions of their loved ones.

One distraught woman told how she had been kept in the dark over her husbands condition and treatment at the home and had only found out about the lockdown at the facility when she had gone to visit him at the weekend.

Bonnie Holstad said her husband Ken was staying at the facility after a fall caused by a broken hip but staff were refusing to speak to her about his condition.

She said her calls to the center had gone repeatedly unanswered as she was desperate for news that he is okay after he had a cough. He also suffers from Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Holstad stood outside the facility on Sunday with a sign saying: 'No one at Life Care is answering the phones. He needs to be attended to ... what is his temperature?'

Holstad told CNN that after she protested, a nurse did then check on him and told her he didn't have a fever.

'I was so angry. How can this be that I have to do this, make a sign and go down there?' Holstad said.

'I'm very worried for my husband,' Holstad said. 'He's one of the vulnerable people,' because of his age and his Parkinson's disease.

'I have real problems with how they're handling the interface with family,' she said, remarking it was 'sort of like a movie about an epidemic in a little town, and they don't know how to handle the situation.'

Holstad also said she only found out about the potential outbreak in the home when she arrived for a visit on Saturday and was turned away by a sign on the door saying no visitors allowed.

She then got a message from the center telling her about the confirmed cases.

Before then she had been told staff were wearing masks because some residents had colds.

Holstad also said Sunday her husband had not been tested for coronavirus because he doesn't have all of the symptoms required for testing.

At the weekend, the facility was slammed by worried families who claimed they were not being kept informed about the conditions of their loved ones. One distraught woman, Bonnie Holstad (above) has come forward blasting Life Care Center's handling of the outbreak, telling how she has been kept in the dark over her husbands condition and treatment at the home

Other concerned relatives of residents at the Life Care Center told The New York Times at the weekend that the center had been refusing to test sick patients for the deadly disease.

Bridget Parkhill told how her elderly mother, a 77-year-old resident, had been sick for several days, but had not been taken to hospital or been tested for the virus.

She said her mother was ruled out of being tested because she didn't have a fever or respiratory distress.

'I'm extremely worried,' she said.

The daughter of another resident said she was concerned her elderly mother could die if the virus spreads further throughout the home.

'The level of danger for her could be significant,' said Pat Herrick. 'She is 89 years old. It could take her.'

The care home is now the subject of a federal investigation after it emerged that it has come under fire in the past for failing to control the spread of viruses.

Last April, the state fined Life Care $67,000 over infection-control deficiencies following two flu outbreaks that affected 17 patients and staff.

Investigators said the facility had failed to ensure staff were trained in and followed 'transmission-based precautions' required under federal regulation.

The nursing home pledged to provide training for staff on transmission precautions, controlling infections and hand hygiene and two months later said it was compliant with regulations.

However, a Medicare health inspection rating ranked the facility just three out of five stars.

Officials have not yet determined how the senior living facility became the US hotspot for most of the nation's deadly cases.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is sending inspectors along with experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate what happened and determine whether the nursing home followed guidelines for preventing infections.

The number of confirmed cases in the US is escalating rapidly, with more than 210 people across at least 15 states having tested positive for the disease.
While Attorney Grant Connell focused on the cell at the Calliaqua Police Station, he also alluded to similar deplorable conditions at cells at other Police Stations.

Defence lawyer Grant Connell has written to Commissioner of Police Colin John concerning the condition of the cell at the Calliaqua Police Station.





Connell had highlighted the issue, stating that the cell was not fit for human beings, when a female defendant appearing at the Kingstown Magistrates Court last week, indicated that she spent the night in the cell at the Calliaqua Police Station.





Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Connell said he had a detailed look at the cell during a recent visit to the Calliaqua Police Station to communicate with one of his clients, and had written to the Commissioner of Police asking him to use his good office to draw the issue to the relevant authorities, so as to have it addressed.





According to Connell, a prisoner who was in the cell at the time had difficulty breathing, and had to cling to the cell door where there was a small opening. He said the only other ventilation to that cell was a fancy block arrangement to the southern end.





"In the middle of the day, that cell is dark and not properly ventilated. These cells were designed back in the colonial days when the health and well-being of those placed there were the least concern of those in authority, the lawyer explained.





"I told the Commissioner in the letter that if the resources to repair that cell are scarce, I will get someone to assist in financing the structural adjustments, that will be needed, he assured.





"You never know who might end up in that cell, therefore, it should be fit for all. I pray that issue will be addressed soonest, the lawyer added.





Connell said there are cells at other police stations which are also in deplorable conditions, but he is using the one at the Calliaqua Police Station as a start, as he was able to have a detailed look at it.





Connell showed THE VINCENTIAN a copy of the letter he had written to the Commissioner of Police.
The government will consider providing relief to the airlines industry, which is grappling with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, and discussions are going on between domestic airlines and the civil aviation ministry.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said airlines are quite clear on what they want and that there are many things "we can do to provide relief".

He was responding to a query on whether the government would be extending any relief in the short-term to the domestic airlines industry.

"Governments world over understand what the situation is... the government will consider this," he said, adding that conversations have already started.

"Some airlines (representatives) have already met the (civil aviation) secretary... we are fully conscious of this," he noted.

Specific details could not be immediately ascertained.

On Thursday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected that the airline industry could lose up to USD 113 billion in revenue this year due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The grouping's previous analysis, issued in February, put the lost revenues at USD 29.3 billion. This was based on a scenario where the impact of Covid-19 was largely confined to markets associated with China.

Since then, the coronavirus has spread to over 80 countries and forward bookings have been severely impacted on routes beyond China, IATA had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The planes that were coming off the production line in Renton, Wash., contained hidden flaws in a new feature called the maneuvering characteristics augmentation system, or MCAS, which was implicated in both crashes because of its power to drive the planes noses down in ways pilots struggled to counteract. Boeing made poor assumptions about how the feature would work  something company leaders now acknowledge  that led to it receiving a less thorough safety review, according to the report.
Elizabeth Warrens withdrawal from the contest for the Democratic Partys nomination for the presidency has left many asking why US voters seem so reluctant to elect a woman to the Oval Office.

Hillary Clinton may have got millions more votes than Donald Trump in 2016 but she was beaten to the top job by a candidate who pitched his campaign perfectly to the swing voters in the battleground states and therefore won the all-important Electoral College.

Ms Warrens departure after a campaign that had promised so much leaves only one woman, Tulsi Gabbard, in the race but it would need a miraculous turnaround for her to secure the nomination.

(PA Graphics)

Instead Mr Trump looks set to face an older man in November, either former vice president Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders.

Its a day for many people of mourning, just true mourning and grieving, said Jill Warren, a 61-year-old semi-retired nonprofit consultant who is no relation to the former candidate whose departure from the race she regrets.

Its a day for many people of mourning, just true mourning and grieving, said Jill Warren, a 61-year-old semi-retired nonprofit consultant.

The ascendancy of old white dudes is not over, she said.

Our work continues, the fight goes on, and big dreams never die. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. https://t.co/28kyKe777L  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 5, 2020

Elizabeth Warrens exit, coming after the one-time frontrunner could not win a single Super Tuesday state, brought home a new and painful reality to some voters.

If 2019 was the Year of the Woman, with a record number of women sworn into Congress and a record number launching presidential campaigns, 2020 was another Year of the Man in presidential politics.

Polling during a string of primaries has revealed the durability of doubts about female candidates and electability.

At least half of Democratic primary voters believe a woman would have a harder time than a man beating Trump, according to AP VoteCast polling in four states that voted Tuesday.

What is more, women are somewhat more likely than men to say so.

That comes even as solid majorities of those voters say it is important to elect a woman president in their lifetime.

The message is clear: We want a woman, but not this time.

President Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to the former first lady (Matt Rourke/AP)

As she announced her departure on Thursday, Ms Warrens voice cracked when she talked about meeting so many little girls while campaigning around the country the past year, knowing they are going to have to wait four more years, at least, to see a woman in the White House.

And she addressed what she called the trap question of gender in the race.

If you say, Yeah, there was sexism in this race, everyone says, Whiner! she said.

And if you say, No, there was no sexism, about a bazillion women think, What planet do you live on?

Mount Rushmore (PA)

How different things had looked back in the summer, when Ms Warren and five other women, a record number, appeared on the primary debate stage over two nights in late June, demonstrating the depth and diversity of the female field.

Ms Warren and California Senator Kamala Harris earned top reviews for their debate skills.

At the time, Debbie Walsh, director of the Centre for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, had ventured to hope the female candidates could shake up the age-old electability question left hanging by Mrs Clintons stinging loss to Trump in 2016: Is the country ready to elect a woman president?

But this week, Ms Walsh was left to muse on how early Democratic primary voters were acting out of fear and caution and were buying a false narrative out there that women candidates are too risky.

This was the year that the Democrats were hell-bent on winning, Ms Walsh said.

A woman was defeated in 2016.

There was all this talk after that, trying to explain, How did Donald Trump happen? And this caution and fear has largely motivated us to the place we are right now.

All this, Ms Walsh said, despite the great political success by female candidates in 2018, in Congress and in statewide races, showing that as we have always said, when women run they win at about the same rate as men do in comparable races.

Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden will duel for the Democratic nomination (Patrick Semansky/AP

We saw it across the board in 2018 and frankly in 2016, when more people voted for Clinton than Trump.

But the women in the race this time could not compete.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar peaked with a third-place finish in New Hampshire but fell fast after failing to build the sort of racially diverse coalition needed to win a Democratic primary.

Ms Warrens third-place showing in Iowa was her best, despite building a large national operation and surging last summer to the top tier.

Hawaii Representative Ms Gabbard remains in the race but has picked up only two delegates, hundreds behind the two men leading the race.

It looks like were coming down to two old white guys, said LindaRosales, a 64-year-old retired lab worker. Im disappointed.

She and Dee left with a free green Amy 2020 T-shirt.

Ms Warren could not be accused of ducking the big issues, and among her contributions to the race was a sharp confrontation with billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg over his treatment of female employees.

Of course, she was the one to eviscerate Bloomberg, said Iris Williamson, a 26-year-old teacher from Brooklyn, who noted with sadness that Ms Warren did not seem to get credit with voters for the move.

Leave it to women to expose people for who they are and then not be rewarded for their work.

We just have to keep going until we crack that final big glass ceilingHillary Clinton

If anyone knows about painful losses it might be Mrs Clinton.

There still is a double standard.

There are still a lot of biases about women becoming president.

But I made a lot of progress, and I was thrilled that so many women ran this time, Mrs Clinton, who did not endorse anyone in the primary, said at a New York screening of an upcoming documentary on her life.

We just have to keep going until we crack that final big glass ceiling.
Vietnam and ASEAN member countries would continuously support and share experience with Timor Leste in preparations for its admission to the bloc, as well as assessing the countrys capability and readiness.

An overview of the meeting



Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Vietnams ASEAN SOM, revealed theinformation while chairing the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN CoordinatingCouncil Working Group (ACCWG) on Timor Lestes ASEAN membershipapplication in the central city of Da Nang on March 5.



Participants reserved a half-day working sessionin discussing assistance activities for Timor Leste improving its capabilityand pre-operational works for joining ASEAN as a new member.



The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries also agreed on survey reportsof the ASEAN Politics and Security Community (APSC)from last September.



Following the consensus among participants,ASEAN survey teams of the ASEAN EconomicCommunity (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) willevaluate the capability and readiness of Timor Leste in the context ofeconomics and culture before joining ASEAN.



Reports by the survey teams will be submittedto the ASEAN Coordinating Council for approval by the end of this year.



Participants also agreed to give positivesupport to Timor Leste in strengthening and improving institutions, economics,income, living standards and knowledge of people.



Dung strongly emphasised that major task of the ACCWG will focus on the ASEANmembership application of Timor Leste.



He also asked the ACCWG for assessment of theimpact from Timor Lestes membership, before sending reports andrecommendations to ASEAN foreign ministers and high-ranking officials meetings.



Dung requested the ACCWGs survey teams focusing on assessmentsof three pillars  Politics and Security, Economics, and Socio-Culture during working sessions in Timor Leste.



Timor Leste submitted an application for ASEANmembership in 2011, and the ACCWG was formed in 2012to evaluate the capability and three pillars of Timor Leste.



Reports and recommendations of the ACCWGwill be reported to theASEAN Coordinating Council for approval soon.



ASEAN now comprises 10member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./. VNA
Swarna Rajagopalan By

The annual meeting of governmental representatives that is dedicated to gender equality and womens empowerment - Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) - as scheduled to start on March 9, 2020, in a landmark session that has now been truncated because of the coronavirus. Civil society members usually observe the official meetings and also have their own parallel programmes, as has become the norm with UN gatherings in recent decades. This years CSW meeting occurs in a year of many landmarks: just over 40 years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted; 20 years after the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1325; and five years since the Sustainable Development Goals were formulated.

Around the world, at local, national and transnational gatherings, womens rights activists are asking: How far have we really come, and what are our most pressing concerns today? Just the fact that we have all these instruments, albeit observed more in the breach than otherwise, is a very big deal. Each one represents a universal normative consensus, even when insincere, that gender equality is desirable. To publicly and officially accept this idea, in the face of daily patriarchy-driven lives that express just the opposite, makes for a remarkable historical moment. It is the social change equivalent of fake it till you make it.

Transnational solidarities have always been a part of feminist history. For instance, while Indian women played a part in the suffrage movement in Britain, British women in India were instrumental in founding the first Indian organisation to ask for the right of Indian women to vote, the Womens Indian Association. Women from around the world played a part in the League of Nations and that role expanded at the time of the San Francisco conference where the United Nations was founded. In the age of the internet, improved communication and easier travel, this has expanded to include more (but not enough) women beyond elite circles in national capitals.

Preparation for these anniversaries centres primarily around progress reports, prepared by governments and civil society organisations. Government reports, as you might expect, are relatively sanguine and sandpaper over problem areas. The shadow reports are a rich source of information, even integrating local perspectives on national narratives. To be fair, the United Nations system (UN Women, in particular) invests a great deal of energy in fashioning consultative processes but there remains, inevitably, a huge gulf between their reach and local groups and communities.

What is the connection between our daily lives and these mammoth events happening in places far away? The first reason why these international conventions, of whose existence we are barely aware, are important is that they set the bar for national governments. In this, the gender equality conventions work just like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They allow us to point and say, look, we have this right that you are violating, even after you ratified it. They also offer templates for national legislation. For instance, the definition of domestic violence in Indias Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, draws on Article 23 of CEDAWs General Recommendation 19, 1992, which specifically addresses violence against women.

The United Nations has a limited capacity to enforce, and states (governments) are culpable in the violation of rightssince it is primarily against potential violations by the state that we enjoy them. Therefore, these conventions may be flouted but as their norms gain acceptance in international society, other governments and civil society in other countries may in fact create a climate of strong disapproval, leading to isolation. In 2001, when the US decided to attack Afghanistan, the violation of womens rights by the Taliban was proffered as partial justification. The US government could be confident that hardly any other country could say they opposed womens rights anymore.

For womens rights activists, transnational networks have always been a source of learning and mutual support. Women peace activists and labour activists have worked in concert from the early decades of the twentieth century; indeed, the origins of International Womens Day lie in the campaigns by European socialists to secure working women the right to safe, decent work and wages. Both the League of Nations and the United Nations have been more accessible to womens movements than national governments have. If women are able to lead the thinking at the UN on key issues and transform global norms over time, their advocacy at home becomes easier.

For the woman in Gudiyattam or Hubli or Berhampore or Tirupati, these conventions, their reviews and the debates that surround them matter because the rights they valorise bind them to women elsewhere. Local experiences and struggles inform these reviews and debates and in turn, local activists reference global norms in their political and legal campaigns. In this moment in history, as a factory worker or a government servant, I demand a safe workplace, not just because I must be protected but because of the law, my fundamental right to equality and also, a host of international conventions, including International Labour Organisations 2019 Convention on Violence and Harassment. I am not helpless when I can bring this battery of norms to my argument.

We must marvel at and celebrate the considerable progress made in the last century but International Womens Day is a day for stock-taking and advocacy on rights. In this year of landmarks, the account-closing month of March can also be a month of evaluation and accountability on gender equality. Our stock-taking will reveal delivery deficits but undeterred, we must add to our task-lists better standards for being and doing, till gender equality is mundane reality.

Swarna Rajagopalan

Political scientist, founder of The Prajnya Trust and member of the Womens Regional Network

Email: swarnar@gmail.com
Moderate Democrats are continuing to coalesce around Joe Biden following his strong performance in Super Tuesday primaries, which reset the 2020 Democratic race as a two-man contest between Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Biden's campaign announced Friday he had secured backing from Maggie Hassan, a first-term New Hampshire senator and former governor, who did not make an endorsement before her state's early primary.

In a statement, Hassan said she voted for Biden, who she said has "the experience and character to lead our country forward."



Former presidential hopeful John Delaney also released a statement reiterating his Super Tuesday endorsement of Biden, praising his commitment to "progress through pragmatism."



Biden's campaign says more than 50 elected officials and community leaders have signed on to support his bid since Super Tuesday, in which Biden won the majority of states over Sanders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Donald Trump will not visit the headquarters of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as initially scheduled on Friday to get an update on its counter-coronavirus efforts, according to a senior White House official.

The president, who visited the National Institutes of Health outside Washington, DC earlier this week, had been expected to land in Atlanta around 3 p.m. (ET) and tour the CDC facility while being briefing on the agency's work on a possible vaccine and other countermeasures.

The senior administration official said "the president does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."

It was not immediately clear how the president's visit would affect the health of workers at the Atlanta facility.

A person with knowledge of the situation said the White House decided to play it safe because any presidential visit comes with a large footprint of staff and security personnel. "Better safe than sorry," the person said Friday morning, referring to the risk of the virus entering the CDC facility inadvertently.

More follows
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  From a well-known Ann Arbor panhandler dying to Ypsilanti Township Walmart announcing it will close next month, there was a lot of interesting news in the Washtenaw County area this week.

Here are 10 of the top headlines you may have missed.

Arthur, downtown Ann Arbors well-known panhandler, dies at 66

Arthur Fillbrunn spent more than two decades hustling on the streets of downtown Ann Arbor.

Many in the community knew him simply as Arthur, and many who didnt at least knew the sound of his crutch clanking down the sidewalk and the usual refrain of his scratchy voice.

Excuse me, the bearded man in the ball cap or winter hat would say to passersby before asking for 50 cents or a buck to get something to eat.

Walmart Supercenter in Ypsilanti Township to close

The Walmart Supercenter on Ellsworth Road will close within a month, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Phillip Keene said the decision was made based on the stores overall financial performance.

It will close by April 3.

Police find mutilated body on Washtenaw County property, arrest owner

A Lodi Township man is accused of hiding and mutilating a body at his home last week, officials said Sunday.

Kent Hyne, 57, was arrested in connection with the death of 27-year-old Redford resident Kyle Luark.

More than 100 complaints now logged against former University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson

The University of Michigan has received more than 100 complaints alleging sexual misconduct against late UM doctor Robert Anderson.

The university has received 103 complaints, most of which came through a compliance hotline which opened Feb. 19, University spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen said.

UM received 31 phone calls within the first two days of the hotline being opened. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the university said it had received 71 phone calls and three messages in other forms regarding Anderson.

Former Tecumseh teacher arrested trying to solicit sex from minor in undercover police sting

A former Tecumseh High School choir teacher was caught in a police sting last month in Texas when he attempted to solicit sex from a minor, police said.

Brett Yzquierdo was arrested, Feb. 26, after an undercover operation by the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office Human Trafficking Unit caught him trying to solicit sex from an officer posing as a 15-year-old boy.

Murder case against teens charged in Ypsilanti Township park shooting delayed

Court proceedings for two men facing murder charges in the death of a man found shot in an Ypsilanti Township park have been delayed for a month.

Citing a large amount of evidence from the prosecution that defense attorneys must comb through, the next court hearing for James Solomon Warren and Stevie Lynn Brooks has been postponed until March 31. The ruling was ordered during the mens hearing on Tuesday, March 3.

Saline Area Schools argues it can discipline students for overtly racist misconduct in court filing

Bullying and harassment between students are not relegated to classrooms or school grounds, Saline Area Schools argued in a March 3 court filing.

Four students sued the district last month claiming school officials cant legally discipline them for sending racist messages to fellow students in a Snapchat group.

Car crashes into Ann Arbor home, leaving driver injured

Ann Arbor police are investigating what caused a car to crash through the front of a home early Tuesday.

The Ann Arbor Police Department released images of the crash scene via Facebook. A vehicle struck and partially entered the home near the intersection of Carhart and Anderson avenues, just east of Packard Street.

Ann Arbor-Detroit hourly bus service has launch date

A bus service between Ann Arbor and Detroit is set to launch this month.

Commuters will be able to travel between the two cities via the new express service, dubbed D2A2, starting Monday, March 16, said Mario Morrow, spokesman for the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.

Washtenaw County lawmakers dismayed after regional transit efforts stall in Lansing

A bill that would clear the way for a regional transit plan to connect Washtenaw County to Metro Detroit has stalled in Lansing.

State lawmakers on Tuesday were expected to vote on House Bill 5550, which would allow Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties to individually opt in or out of a proposed service area in the event of a ballot proposal to raise taxes for regional transit. State Rep. Diana Farrington, R-Utica, introduced the bill. Talks stalled and no vote was held.

Previous top Ann Arbor headlines:

Boy saved from icy pond, abuse claims against UM doctor grow: Top Ann Arbor headlines Feb. 22-28
Northampton residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of a $2.5 million property tax override on Tuesday, which the citys mayor said will allow the community to create and not fall back on services.

Mayor David Narkewicz went ward-to-ward in the past few months explaining the importance of Proposition 2 and why it is needed to fill a $1.1 million shortfall in the city and its public schools operating budgets.

The overhaul passed by a large margin on Tuesday, the same day registered Massachusetts voters cast their ballots in the presidential primaries. More than 60% of the votes cast were in favor of the override, while 38% of the ballot were against it, according to Narkewicz. The total vote tally was 8,084 for and 4,947 against.

I am very pleased that it was passed by the voters," the mayor told MassLive. "I thanked them on election night, and Im grateful theyve given a vote of confidence in the city.

Issues plagued one precinct, though. Election workers reported a lack of override ballots at Leeds Elementary School, where Ward 7B voters cast their ballots. Less than 50 residents were impacted.

An override election is unlikely due to the scope of ballots impacted.

Another Proposition 2 overhaul was passed in 2013. Roughly 6,050 residents voted yes, and 4,641 voted no. At the time, the city was facing a looming budget shortfall of $1.7 million and more than 20 job cuts.

Funds from the previous override were expected to last four years but were instead extended through 2020. The mayor has said his office was able to do so through additional excise revenue and cost savings in health insurance.

The community used the money from 2013 to improve school infrastructure, add new technology to classrooms, maintain competitive salaries for city employees, create a voluntary senior work-off program to provide tax relief to the elderly, implement energy conservation measures and institute public health initiatives like addressing the opioid epidemic, according to Narkewicz.

Since 2013, the mayor said, he has publicly discussed the possibility of the need for another override. Narkewicz has put out a number of resources and information in the past year about the overhaul, including an online calculator for residents to look up their home address and see how much Proposition 2 will increase their property taxes by.

Ive been, frankly, talking about this for the past seven years, the mayor said. Its been part of my budget processes.

He added, "We were good stewards of city tax dollars.

Had the 2020 override not passed Tuesday, Northamptons 2021 fiscal year budget would have needed to be reduced by $1,122,223. The funds were vital in maintaining vital city services and the communitys excellent public schools, Narkewicz claimed.

Any cuts would have had to been made to departments budgets, because other items, including insurance and retirement, are fixed costs. The mayor has repeated that a significant portion of the citys funds go to employees, including police, firefighters, educators and more. Job cuts would have been inevitable without additional funds.

The only way to make those kinds of cuts in those areas is through staffing," Narkewicz said. "The vast majority of any city or school budget is people, the staff.

Residents did not want the city to approach promoting the tax override in a way that employed scare tactics or threaten jobs, though, according to the mayor. He is grateful his office now does not have to talk about cutting jobs.

The mayor, who has previously said it is hard asking residents to raise their taxes, understands and respects the concerns of voters who could not support the override, he said.

I know the people who voted no also care deeply about the city," Narkewicz said. Affordability is a challenge for all of Massachusetts, frankly, and also Northampton.

The mayor said he will now be focused on extending the funds for as long as possible.

To do so, he will lobby for more state funding for public education and transportation dollars through the states Chapter 90 Program. Narkewicz, a vocal critic of charter schools, will try to fix the funding formula for how those institutions are funded also, he said.

Narkewicz will try to seek out more federal community block grants as well. There has been "an erosion in federal and state support, which has put pressure on local governments to raise property taxes, the mayor said.

I will be focused every day on ways that we can make this new stability plan last as long as possible," Narkewicz said.

Proposition 2 funds are now expected to be used to maintain city services and make strategic investments as needed, according to the mayor.

His office will put money toward fixing infrastructure issues and addressing deferred maintenance on bridges, roads and sidewalks. Narkewicz also anticipates the need to engage in efforts to fight the climate crisis and invest in students in the community, he said.

Residents want us to invest their tax dollars on fixing roadways, the mayor said. Education will always be a major focus in Northampton.

"Those will be the kinds of things that we will continue to focus on.

Narkewicz is expected to submit an official operating budget to the city council by May 15.

Related Content:
LONDON - British police arrested two men Friday on suspicion of offences relating to explosives after a suspicious device was found in a car north of London.

Following an investigation by bomb disposal experts, the device in the car in Luton, which is around 35 miles (56 kms) north of the British capital, was deemed not viable.

A second car was given the all-clear.

Police discovered the suspicious device in the early morning and called in bomb disposal experts. After investigating the device, they said that it was found not to be a viable threat.

One man was arrested at the scene while a second man was arrested shortly afterwards nearby.

Police placed a cordon around the area and evacuated a number of properties as a precaution.

Police said they opened an investigation into the device and the circumstances which led to it being discovered.

Bedfordshire Police said all roads in Luton later reopened.
Vikki Mills, a Registered Nurse and Christian Conservative, announced her campaign for the Georgia State House of Representatives for District 1, representing all of Dade County and portions of Walker County.

A mother to five children and registered nurse with 42 years experience, she said she enters the race "as a pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-business candidate who will work with local, state, and federal leadership to win results for a community in need of effective representation at the State Capitol."



Its time for a fresh start for District 1, Ms. Mills said. Dade and Walker Counties value tradition.

They believe in the sanctity of life. They believe in the right of self-defense. And they want the freedom to raise their families and run their businesses according to their values. Democrats want to change all that. And thats why Im fighting back.Ms. Mills, who previously announced for the Walker County Board of Commissioners for District 4, said she "enters this new race with a determination to defend my community at the State Capitol where decisions on life and liberty take place every day.What happens in Atlanta affects us here in Rising Fawn, Trenton, and all our communities. The Heartbeat Bill was legislation that can save the lives of the unborn. And when Hollywood threatened to boycott our state for protecting our unborn and living our values, I genuinely wished they would leave.Her campaign said, "Vikki Mills enters the race as the lone female contender. Her wisdom gained through motherhood and her expertise in healing as a nurse are all skills she will bring to the State Capitol. She also brings with her the same passion she says President Trump displayed in standing up to the Democrats during the 2019 impeachment proceedings.""I'm a Trump Mom," Ms. Mills said. "I'm sick and tired of the media saying all women are liberals. We're not. And I'm standing up and fighting back against the Democrats who want to force their radical policies on our families.She is married to Dr. Kendrick Mills, a cardiologist working at Erlanger Hospital. Over the course of their 33 years of marriage, they have raised five children. As a family, they regularly attend Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Mount in Lookout Mountain, Ga. In 1979, Ms. Mills graduated from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing with her RN. She later obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at Emmanuel College in Boston. Her upbringing in Christian institutions deeply impressed on her the value of faith, she said.I know from personal experience that government is not the answer to all our problems. We need to bring God back into the equation.

The General Primary Election will occur on May 19. Eligible voters must be registered by April 20 to participate in the Primary Election and in the Runoff Election should no candidate attain at a majority of the vote. Early voting will be held April 27-May 15 with extended voting hours on Saturday, May 9. She will be on the Republican Party primary ballot.



We will be going door-to-door to win this election, Ms. Mills said. The voters are ready for a fresh start and Im up for the challenge. Join our campaign and Vote Vikki for State House District 1.
Ever since Sony launched the 100ABN pair of noise cancellation headphones, it launched itself into the highest league of mainstream premium headphones offering wireless connectivity, a mid-luxury lifestyle appeal and very promising audio. Four years have gone by, and today, the Sony 1000X series is a bit of a wild favourite for multiple reasons. Over time, Sony has come around to offer excellent noise cancellation, impressive sound and great comfort, all of which justified the largely lofty pricing of its flagship audio offering.

However, if today you tell anyone to buy a pair of headphones for over Rs 20,000, they would be expecting a top-notch over-ear pair with noise cancellation, gesture control and the whole nine yards. At the very least, they would expect a premium pair of true wireless earphones that would offer better sound than any of their competitors. In such a market, the Sony WI-1000XM2 presents itself as an oddity, the Joker in a world of grey-suited John Does.

However, while it does seem exorbitant for its offering at the onset, it does make quite a strong and compelling case for itself. Over one month, six flights and plenty of commuting later, Im convinced that the Sony WI-1000XM2 is one of the most divisive gadgets that I have used of late. Heres why.

Audio quality

As with every Sony flagship in the audio space, the WI-1000XM2 is also very well equipped. It features a hybrid dual-driver layout paired with the QN1 noise processor, and supports a string of high resolution playback codecs. The result is in sound that is largely impressive. The sound signature is towards the warm end of the spectrum, which means slightly higher bass response than the rest of the frequency spectrum. Incidentally, many users tend to prefer this profile over a bright audio signature, so this should be preferable for most.

The next thing you notice is the WI-1000XM2s flair in terms of fine details, audio imaging and emphasis on mid frequencies  something that mainstream audio products are often accused of overlooking. The hybrid, dynamic and balanced armature driver layout produces sharper audio response from source, which means that with the latest, low latency wireless audio standard, or a high quality stereo cable at hand, you will get excellent precision of sound. Snare rolls sound sharp and acute, the guitar twangs sound very well pronounced, and enunciation by vocalists across a wide range of octaves are beautifully articulated.

The WI-1000XM2 offers good flair in terms of fine details, soundstaging and pronounced mid frequencies, something that mainstream audio products are often accused of overlooking.

This holds true for a host of genres  from the grungy ending of Slipknots Snuff, to the largely clean but dynamic Hump de Bump by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the ornate High Hopes by Pink Floyd, the WI-1000XM2 appears to handle most music with aplomb. However, there are a few factors to note here  one, thanks to the balanced armature drivers sharp audio response, tracks that are emptier (i.e. have lesser instrumentation) often sound a bit jarring. For instance, the bass pluckings in John Coltranes Equinox sounds a bit vacant, and I do not mean this in the good sense. The microsecond silences do not add to the aural experience here, until you pull down the volume to about 60 percent.

This is a bit of a mixed bag, for at higher volumes, the diaphragm of the WI-1000XM2s earbuds seem to create an unexpected amount of distortion, particularly in the upper-bass frequency range. I am not entirely sure if this was a device-specific issue or one that is common to the entire product range, but at peak volume, the effect from the higher bass frequency ranges is very jarring, and not something that you would expect from a premium pair of Sony earphones, at all. The effect is more pronounced in high resolution music players such as Sonys shiny new Android-powered Walkman, the NW-A105 (review).

Save this, and the WI-1000XM2 offers a splendid balance of mids and highs. Vocals from a wide range of individuals including Adam Levine, Chad Kroeger and Sharon den Adel sound equivocally wonderful with a slight tinge of brightness and colour, which thankfully adds to the entire experience. The highs are clean, which further allow guitar distortions to be represented very well. To sum up, then, the Sony WI-1000XM2 justifies its flagship positioning in terms of the audio performance it delivers. However, whether it justifies the price youre expected to pay for it is a different question altogether.

Features and packaging

The host of features aboard the Sony WI-1000XM2 are aplenty. To begin with, the Sony Headphones Connect app that is available on iOS and Android offers you many things, including an equaliser to tune the frequency response of the earphones to your liking, and adjust the atmospheric pressure level in order to get the best noise cancellation performance. In a bid to improve soundstaging, it also appears to offer a 360-degree audio dispersion mode, but this (and the atmospheric noise cancellation adjustment) did not seem to make much of a difference.

The noise cancellation feature is something that I actually quite like, even though it is not overly strong. It blocks out noise very cleverly, by clipping just the disturbing section of the noise, while not completely blocking you out and inducing claustrophobia. Full marks to Sony here, and the effort that it has put in. Call performance, thanks to the in-line microphone, is excellent too, and the remote in question, alongside having the usual three-button control, also has a fourth customisable button. You can configure this to adjust noise cancellation on touch, or use it to summon the Google Assistant or Alexa (you need to set this up through your Alexa app separately). This lets you execute entire voice commands completely handsfree, without any need to whip out your phone  an excellent feature if you use voice a lot and commute even more.

The packaging comes with a fantastic carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm stereo cable and even an airplane adapter, along with eight sizes of ear tips.

The Sony WI-1000XM2 charges via USB-C, and its box comes with a USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm stereo cable (the earphones body has a 3.5mm port for wired playback) and even an airplane adapter that you can use the stereo cables with. To make matters even more impressive, it also offers a total of eight pairs of ear tips  four foam and four silicon. Finding the right fit, with all of these options at hand, is a breeze.

Aiding the fit is the fact that the neckband is super bendy and light, and despite the large and chunky end bits of the neckband, it does not feel heavy or bulky at any point. However, this is where the good bits end  the presence of the neckband, in an era where we are all going truly wireless, cannot be overlooked. It is jarring, and after a point, you do tend to get annoyed by its presence, no matter how light it is. Decent battery life, coupled with fast charging (three hours of playback in 20 minutes of charge) is a bonus, but none of it overlooks the fact that there are better form factors out in the market today.

Verdict

At the end of the day, while the audio performance of the Sony WI-1000XM2 is impressive, it is not unmatched. The likes of RHA, 1More, Master & Dynamic, Jabra and a whole bunch of other guys today offer better overall deals in the true wireless format, with audio quality to match. In fact, at just Rs 2,000 more, you have Sonys own over-ear flagship, the excellent WH-1000XM3 (review), which makes for a far more prudent purchase.

In the end, if you are looking for buying advice, heres the deal  if you dont care about the form factor, go for the Sony WH-1000XM3. If you want less intrusive earphones, go look at the whole world of options available from the likes of Bose, Sennheiser and all the other OEMs mentioned above.
Less than a year ago, the Frederique Constant manufacture unveiled an all-new collection, the Classics Quartz Ladies. Embodying the essence of Frederique Constant, the collection made a real impact in the space of a few short months, offering affordable Swiss Made luxury with impeccable attention to detail. The Classics Quartz Ladies timepieces epitomise subtle and feminine everyday elegance and make classically stylish and very competitively priced gifts for yourself or someone special. This year will see the collection continue to evolve in response to demand for even more luxurious models. The aim? To provide options for evening wear, special occasions, or those who simply want something more showy.

The fully set bezel

Of the four new models designed by the manufacture, three are stone set. Still just 36 mm in diameter, the bezels are now richly adorned with 40 diamonds. Their delicate sparkle is revealed on two new variations of dial.



The first features a mother-of-pearl chapter-ring, the centre of which is decorated with the Cotes de Geneve motif, serving as a discreet reminder of the canton where the Frederique Constant manufacture is located (2,395 euros).

Classics Quartz Ladies, FC-220MPW3BD26  Frederique Constant

The second dial is navy blue and provides the Classics Quartz Ladies with an attractive blue/white contrast effect, evoking the light of day and the dark of night. The timepiece is available with a steel bracelet (2,395 euros) or a calf leather strap (2,295 euros).

Classics Quartz Ladies, FC-220MN3BD6B  Frederique Constant

So as to produce the most striking effect, only the watch with a blue dial features hand- polished steel hands, while the watch with a mother-of-pearl dial is finished with black steel hands. Reversing the colour combination ensures the hours and minutes are easy to read on each model, both of which feature a date window at 6 oclock. Each timepiece is powered by a Frederique Constant quartz movement, ensuring perfect daily timekeeping for almost four years (45 months).

Classics Quartz Ladies, FC-220MN3BD6  Frederique Constant

Black & gold, a bold but stylish mix

The fourth and final model incorporates some bolder contrasts. The rose gold-plated case sets off the deep black dial with its Roman numerals and white steel hands beautifully. Available with a black calf leather strap, this new Classics Quartz Ladies watch exudes serious modern elegance, for those who want a sophisticated look without compromise, or breaking the bank (895 euros).
President Donald Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Florida on Saturday to discuss trade, infrastructure, Venezuela and the Middle East, the White House said in a statement on Friday.

Trump, who had announced the weekend meeting while speaking to reporters at the White House earlier on Friday, said the two would have dinner at the Republican president's Mar-a-Lago resort but offered few other details.

The meeting comes roughly one year after Trump hosted Bolsonaro, who shares his brand of conservative, populist politics, at the White House, where they had an easy rapport.

Sources had earlier said the meeting was in the works, and one person familiar with the matter earlier told Reuters that Bolsonaro said he was 'called' by Trump.

Trump on Friday told reporters Bolsonaro 'wanted to have dinner.'

Trump on Friday told reporters Bolsonaro 'wanted to have dinner.'

The meeting comes roughly one year after Trump hosted Bolsonaro, who shares his brand of conservative, populist politics, at the White House, where they had an easy rapport.

The meeting is expected to be closed to the press without any public statements, two other sources said.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement: 'President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss opportunities to build a more prosperous, secure and democratic world.

'As leaders of the hemispheres two largest economies, they will also discuss opportunities for restoring democracy in Venezuela, bringing peace to the Middle East, implementing pro-growth trade policies and investing in infrastructure.'

The U.S. government is backing Brazil's bid to join the 36-country Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, providing a foreign policy boost for Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro also is dealing with the political crisis in neighboring Venezuela.

A preliminary schedule for Bolsonaro's U.S. visit had shown the conservative Brazilian president would be in Florida from Saturday to Tuesday, including a meeting with a senior U.S. military official, an investor seminar and visit to a plant run by Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA.

The United States and Brazil - the Western Hemisphere's two largest economies - had been embroiled in a trade spat over U.S. metal tariffs. But Bolsonaro in December said Trump had told him there would be no new U.S. tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum.

Both leaders won their offices with campaigns promising to overturn the political establishment, with Trump winning the White House in 2016 and Bolsonaro winning his election in 2018.

Bolsonaro took office at the start of last year with promises to rejuvenate Latin America's biggest economy. The two met at the White House in March 2019.

But political turbulence hampered the government's reform agenda, tight fiscal policy constrained domestic demand and a crisis in neighboring Argentina sapped exports.
[March 06, 2020]

Ammunition Sales Soar in Response to Coronavirus Panic

HARVEY, La., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) hits the US, it's not just hand sanitizer and flu medications that are flying off the shelves. While Walmart and Target are running out of emergency essentials and "currently unavailable" is popping up on various Amazon searches, the rush to be prepared has also reached the ammunition industry.

Recent analysis shows that online ammunition retailer, Ammo.com, has seen a significant increase in conversions and sales since February 23, 2020. The company reports that this surge corresponds with the public concern regarding the COVID-19 virus. According to Google Trends , starting on February 23, American interest over time (the site's measurement matrix) of the term "coronavirus" has quadrupled, increasing from 22 to 100.

When compared to the 11 days before February 23 (February 12 to 22), in the 11 days after (February 23 to March 4), Ammo.com's number of transactions increased 68% and the company has seen a conversation rate increase of 45%.

Alex Horsman, the marketing manager at Ammo.com, said of the surge, "We know certain things impact ammo sales, mostly political events or economic instability when people feel their rights may end up infringed, but this is our first experience with a virus leading to such a boost in sales." Horsman continued, "But it makes sense. A lot of our customers like to be prepared. And for many of them, it's not just facemasks and TheraFlu. It's knowing that no matter what happens, they can keep themselves and their families safe."

When it comes to actual sales, Ammo.com's increase varied among calibers and brands. Calibers that saw the largest increase include:







Sales also varied by state, with North Carolina and Georgia coming in with the largest increase (179% and 169% respectively). These were closely followed by Pennsylvania (140%) and Texas (128%). Other states that saw a big boom are:

The company also mentioned that the price of gold has started to rise (5.35% in the last 30 days), which tends to correlate with an increase in the sales of ammunition. Interested parties can learn more about the connection through the company's infographic: Are Guns and Ammo the New Gold? , a 2011 data study.

ABOUT AMMO.COM

Ammo.com is an American retail online ammunition store that offers great prices, fast shipping, and live American customer support. It also uses a real-time inventory management system that keeps the site constantly up-to-date on stock, ensuring no surprises come checkout.

The company provides an array of information and resources in its Resistance Library . Ammo.com's mission is to arm Americans, both physically and philosophically, to fulfill the Founding Fathers' intent with the Second Amendment, to protect the country from its government by keeping the state in check. That's why it's known as America's Pro-Freedom Ammo Source. Follow Ammo.com on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Media Contact:

Alex Horsman

Ammo.com

1901 Manhattan Blvd.

Building D PMB #300

Harvey, LA 70058

https://ammo.com

800-604-1094

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ammunition-sales-soar-in-response-to-coronavirus-panic-301018703.html

SOURCE Ammo.com
[March 06, 2020] Nuveen Wins 2020 Lipper Awards for Best Fixed Income and Best Mixed Assets

Nuveen, the leading global investment manager of TIAA, was recognized as part of the 2020 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards for its investment excellence receiving top honors across 17 award categories, including Best Fixed Income Large Fund Company and Best Mixed Assets Large Fund Company. "We are pleased that our investment teams are being lauded for their deep, specialist expertise that ultimately helps drive positive long-term performance," said William Huffman, Head of Equities and Fixed Income at Nuveen. "This year's Lipper awards showcase Nuveen's breadth of investment capabilities and our ability to deliver competitive results for clients through a risk-managed approach across a diversity of asset classes." Nuveen, one of the world's largest fixed income managers in the industry with nearly $500 billion in fixed income assets under management, was awarded the Best Fixed Income Large Fund Company award. The firm has expertise across a broad range of fixed income classes, including municipals, high-yield, emerging markets debt, corporates, and responsible investing. Its TIAA-CREF Emerging Market Debt Fund also received first-time individual fund recognition for delivering long-term investment results since its 5-year inception in Refinitiv Lipper's Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Funds category. For the first time in Lipper award history, Nuveen's mixed assets team was recognized for the fifth year in a row with the Best Mixed Assets Large Fund Company award, as a result of the consistent, strong returns of its target risk funds and its target date funds, the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Fund series and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Fund series. For more than 30 years, the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards have honored funds and fund management firms that have excelled in providing consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. These awards recognize funds and fund management firms for their consistently strong risk-adjusted three-, five- and ten-year performance relative to their peers, based on Lipper's proprietary performance-based methodology and fund families are recognized with asset class group awards for their superior firm-wide performance. The complete list of Lipper award honors received by Nuveen's investment teams in 2020 are as follows: Best Fixed Income Large Fund Company

Best Mixed Assets Large Fund Company

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund Institutional, Emeging Markets Hard Currency Debt Funds, 5 years





TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund Institutional, Mixed-Asset Target (News - Alert) 2010 Funds, 5 years

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund Institutional, Mixed-Asset Target 2010 Funds, 10 years

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2060 Fund Institutional, Mixed-Asset Target 2060 Funds, 5 years

TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional, Real Estate Funds, 3 years

TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Premier, Real Estate Funds, 5 years

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund I, Alternative Long/Short Equity Funds, 10 years

Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund I, California Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds, 3 years

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund I, California Municipal Debt Funds, 3 years

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund I, California Municipal Debt Funds, 10 years

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund I, High Yield Municipal Debt Funds, 10 years

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund I, Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds, 3 years

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund I, Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds, 5 years

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund I, Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds, 10 years

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund I, Real Return Funds, 5 years For more information about Nuveen and its 2020 Refinitiv Lipper Fund awards, please visit www.nuveen.com/LipperAwards.

About Nuveen Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, offers a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. Nuveen has $1.1 trillion in assets under management as of 31 December 2019 and operations in 24 countries. Its investment specialists offer deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com. Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund's investment objectives will be achieved. Before investing, carefully consider fund investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other information that should be read carefully, please request a prospectus or summary prospectus from Nuveen at 800.752.8700 or visit www.nuveen.com. The investment advisory services, strategies and expertise of TIAA Investments, a division of Nuveen, are provided by Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC. Nuveen Securities, LLC member FINRA and SIPC. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. Lipper Leaders fund ratings do not constitute and are not intended to constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security of any entity in any jurisdiction. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Lipper Fund Awards from Refinitiv, 2020 Refinitiv. All rights reserved. Used under license. The Best Fixed Income Large Fund Company award pertains only to the Nuveen funds in the fixed-income category. The Best Mixed Assets Large Fund Company award pertains only to the TIAA-CREF mutual funds in the mixed-asset category. Certain funds have fee waivers in effect. Without such waivers ratings could be lower. Past performance does not guarantee future results. For current performance, rankings and prospectuses, please visit Nuveen.com. MPS-1102034PR-E0320X View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005080/en/

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Malaysia's anti-corruption chief, who was leading the investigation into the scandal-hit state fund 1MDB announced that she was resigning. The announcement came on March 6, just days after a reformist government that had come to power in 2018 collapsed and a graft-tainted party took power.

Investigations likely to be affected

The 'Pact of Hope' alliance that ousted a long-ruling coalition fell apart a few days ago after severe infighting and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned. Mahathir had sought to become prime minister again but was defeated by ex-interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Yassin heads a coalition that is dominated by the multi-ethnic country's Malay Muslim majority.

According to reports, Latheefa Koya is a leading human rights activist had been the head of the anti-corruption commission since June last year. Latheefa Koya reportedly claimed that she was not pressured to resign. As per reports, Malaysia's attorney general Tommy Thomas also resigned last week. Thomas had brought corruption charges against ex-premier Najib Razak over his involvement in the 1MDB controversy.

Read: Malaysia's New PM Delays Parliament, And No-confidence Vote

Read: Malaysian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate To Counter Slowdown

Najib's coalition had governed Malaysia for six decades before being ousted in 2018. The ruling party now contains Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party and therefore reports state that his trial and others could be affected.

Malaysian king appoints Yassin

In a huge setback to Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian King has appointed Muhyiddin Yassin as countrys new Prime Minister. Muhyiddins Bersatu party had said in a statement that 36 lawmakers decided to support the party President instead of Mahathir as Prime Minister. On February 29, Mahathir, in a dramatic turn of events, struck a deal with his former ruling alliance partner Anwar Ibrahim to thwart Muhyiddins bid but King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah believed that Muhyiddin has the support of a majority of lawmakers.

Read: Can't Travel To Malaysia? These 5 Books Are The Next Best Way To Experience The Country

Read: 'I Am Not A Traitor': Malaysia's New PM Appeals For Support

Earlier, Mahathir, who also belongs to Beratsu party, had planned to convene the Parliament on March 2 in order to allow lawmakers to choose their leader but Malaysian King rejected it saying he will continue to strive to find a solution in accordance with the constitution, in the interests of the people and country. Though the 94-year-old leader did not deny the possibility of snap elections, he wanted the Parliament to decide on the new leader. Speaking to a news conference on February 27, Mahathir said that the nation will go for snap elections if the Lower House fails to elect a person with a majority.
With many delegates left to be allocated, especially from California, both the Democratic Party and this newspaper had already chosen the nominee. The former by consolidating once again around the throwback candidate, and the latter with a biased headline and an above-the-fold photograph of a fist-pumping Mr. Biden. Perhaps if parties and newspapers did not rush to conclusions, those of us still to vote would have a choice in the primary election  and the possibility to choose someone other than a septuagenarian!
By Trend





Uzbekistan has become a member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Trend reports with reference to the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice.

Till now, the conference united 83 participants (82 states and the European Union), and after the accession of the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan the number grew to 85.

Membership will ensure the country's participation in the procedure of unification of the norms of international family and private laws, further development of the legal system taking into account world standards, and more effective protection of the rights and interests of citizens abroad, the report said.

Uzbekistan is already a party to three Hague conventions including the Convention on Civil Procedure (1954), the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961) and the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980).

Uzbekistan's membership in HCCH will entail a number of changes in national legislation that will facilitate international legal assistance and cooperation to assist migrants abroad. International civil law disputes will be resolved faster and more efficiently, the message said.

In addition, the country expects that this will allow Uzbekistan to reflect national interests in future international documents that will have a positive impact on national legislation and law enforcement practice.

In 2018, a Fund with a budget of $26 million to support migrant workers and an external labor migration agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations were established to assist the Uzbek citizens working abroad.

Furthermore, in 2019, a department for the protection of rights and support for Uzbek citizens working temporarily abroad and national commission on foreign labor migration were set up.
Golden Williamsons reign of terror is officially over.

The reputed drug kingpin responsible for two murders  including the death of a Jersey City shop owner  and at least three other shooting incidents was sentenced to 35 years in state prison on Thursday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

Williamson, 34, of Jersey City, was arrested in 2017 and charged with running a violent narcotics network out of Jersey City, reaching Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties. In November, Williamson admitted to killing Byunguen Lee inside his Bergen Avenue store in December 2015 and gunning down Kevin Miles on Stuyvesant Avenue in January 2016.

Williamson also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in three additional shootings that occurred in Jersey City and Toms River in 2015 and 2016.

Williamsons co-defendant, Eric Dawson, was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting death of Miles.

Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young sentenced Williamson to 30 years for each murder, prison terms that will run at the same time. He will also serve five years in state prison for each of the aggravated assault charges, with one of the five-year sentences to be served consecutively to the murder sentences. The others will be served at the same time as the murder sentences.

Lee, 61, was fatally shot inside his Top Plus clothing store at around 4 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2015. The murder stunned the commercial neighborhood.

To me it was very scary knowing it was right next to us, the manager of a nearby business said at the time. For so many years, we have been in Journal Square and there are things that happen further down... but to know that it happened right next to me, its very scary.

Six weeks later, Williamson shot and killed Miles, a Jersey City resident and father of four.

The investigation was led by the Hudson County Prosecutors Office Homicide Unit and Gang Task Force in conjunction with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office and municipal police departments from Jersey City, Toms River, Wall Township and Tinton Falls, Suarez said.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez and Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Roe handled the case.
The health minister of Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, has confirmed they have isolated three people suspected of being infected with coronavirus.



The three are at a containment facility in Yaba area as a precaution against the possible spread of the virus. Samples have been collected and the results will be released later.



Nigeria confirmed its first coronavirus case on 27 February, which was also the first case in sub-Saharan Africa.



Prof Akin Abayomi, Lagos state commissioner for health, said one of the three is a Nigerian who returned into the city on Monday after spending seven days in France. He later developed a headache and respiratory symptoms.



The other cases involve travellers from England and China.



The country's confirmed case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and flew into Lagos from Milan on 25 February. He was reported to be stable with no serious symptoms.



Elsewhere on the continent, South Africa, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt have also confirmed cases of the disease.

Source: BBC









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R eality TV star Lauren Goodger has been hit with an 800 court bill and six penalty points after she snubbed a police speeding charge.

The 33-year-old Towie favourites 43,000 matte black Mercedes Coupe SUV was caught on a speed camera last summer, sparking an investigation by the Met Police. Despite the threat of prosecution, Goodger failed to reply to two requests to identify who was driving her car and she was charged with a criminal offence.

Met Police case worker Colin Martin told Lavender Hill magistrates court Goodgers Mercedes had been clocked at 58mph in a 50mph zone on the A13 Thames Gateway, at just before 3.30pm on August 24 last year.

A reminder letter was sent, he said in a statement. No response has been received. Mr Martin said two letters were dispatched to Goodgers Woodford Green home before the decision was taken to prosecute.

The Mercedes / Crown Prosecution Service

She was convicted in her absence on February 18 of failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver. A single magistrate, sitting behind closed doors, convicted her of the charge after she had not engaged with the court, handing Goodger six points on her licence, a 660 fine and 151 in court costs and fees.

Goodger, an original Towie cast member who recently starred in reality show Celebs Go Dating, has had a difficult last few months, after she was caught out by a BBC sting admitting she had not drunk Skinny Coffee despite previously saying it had helped her lose two stone. She later denied saying she had lost two stone through the coffee.

She was recorded agreeing to plug a drink containing cyanide.

She later said: Of course I would never promote anything that contains poison and proper checks would have been made before any promotion.
Sikkim government has put out notification on the ban on the entry of foreigners to insulate the state from the novel coronavirus.

AFP

There is a blanket ban issued on permitting visits to Nathu La that shares borders with China.

Sikkim: Ban will affect tourism but will keep health safety is priority

The Sikkim home department on Thursday issued a notification placing restraint on the issue of inner line permit, a travel document that foreigners need to have beside their visa to pay a visit to the Himalayan state. This restriction also applies to the citizens of Bhutan.

Americans, Europeans, Japanese and Chinese make up the majority of travellers in Sikkim. While the ban has been placed on the entry of Chinese tourists and Japanese as well as following the spread of coronavirus, this decision will impact the hostels in Darjeeling but also the travel industry in Kolkata.

AFP

With the departing travel business gone, we are trying to woo many foreigners who are relatively free from COVID - 19. But with the cases emerging from Agra, Delhi and Kerala some of the big tourist attractions are gone. Now with Sikkim banning foreigners from travelling in the state the recovery efforts by selling India are as good as over. said Anil Punjabi who is Travel Agent Federation of India Chairman (east).

Raj Basu (Tourism advisor to the sikkim government) acknowledged the move the government and said this would deal a blow to the tourism sector but also pointed on health safety as the priority.
SAN JOSE, Calif./AMSTERDAMDeveloper and licensor of touch feedback technology Immersion Corp. announced the signing of a commercial agreement with Feel Robotics B.V., a high-tech robotics company.

This agreement with FeelRobotics is an opportunity for Immersion to continue to drive the adoption of haptics and grow the company in a new market, said Ramzi Haidamus, CEO of Immersion. Were working with an innovative leader in the sexual wellness market who understands the value and potential of using haptic technology in connected devices to bring people closer together.

The deal allows for the use of Immersions haptic software and technology stack on FeelRobotics cloud-based platform solution for interactive adult experiences. The agreement enables the companies to jointly introduce new advanced haptic experiences to the sexual wellness market.

Feeling is everything. Immersions haptic technology stack provides the right toolset for us to enable high fidelity haptic experiences on our technology platform and content services, said Toon Timmermans, CEO of FeelRobotics. Were excited to collaborate with Immersion to lead the market into a new era of connected, intimate digital experiences.

With continued growth in a multi-billion dollar industry, the sexual wellness market is undergoing a dramatic change as devices are increasingly connected online and are enabled with interactive content. In this market, haptic technology has the potential to personalize and connect users through digital touch experiences.

Under the agreement, Immersion will provide FeelRobotics with an exclusive license to integrate and utilize its haptic software and technology on FeelRobotics cloud-based technology platform and content services for sex tech devices. The joint solution will establish first-of-its-kind, two-way haptic experiences, including interactivity with content and internet-connected remotely controlled devices. In addition, the technology will enable a greater range of high-fidelity haptic motions and effects. With a solution that enables intimate physical connections through digital channels, both parties expect the experiences will set new standards in the sexual wellness market.

The user experience will be supported by products from Kiiroo, a maker of interactive sex toys currently using the FeelRobotics platform. FeelRobotics will make the platform and technology available for licensing via a subscription model to other device OEMs and third-party content developers.

In addition to the technology collaboration, FeelRobotics may sublicense Immersions robust haptic technology patent portfolio to its customers in the sexual wellness market. The patent portfolio includes patents related to advanced control of haptic devices by online content and applications, audio to vibe functionality, and related haptic use cases.
An appellate panel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Thursday that an investigation leading to the potential prosecution of US officials for war crimes during Washingtons nearly two-decade-old war in Afghanistan can move forward.

Fatou Bensouda, the courts Gambian-born chief prosecutor, whose US visa was revoked for her pursuit of the probe, praised Thursdays ruling, stating, Today is an important day for the cause of justice in Afghanistan.

The ruling overturned a decision by ICC pretrial judges last year that a case involving crimes by the US and its puppet regime in Afghanistan would not serve the interests of justice because of the abject refusal of Washington and Kabul to cooperate. This decision was taken in the context of US threats of retaliation against the court, including economic sanctions and even the arrest of its members if the investigation was allowed to move forward.

The judges of the ICC appeals panel.

The appeals judges ruled that last years decision was in contradiction to the ICCs own statutes, holding that It is for the prosecutor to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to initiate an investigation. The appeals judges said that the pretrial panel had no business deciding whether the case served the interests of justice, but only whether there were grounds to believe that crimes had been committed and that they fell under the courts jurisdiction.

The investigation is one of the first to be launched against a major imperialist power by the ICC, whose prosecutions have largely been limited to crimes committed by regimes and leaders in impoverished African countries. A preliminary investigation has also been launched into war crimes carried out by British forces in the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq. Unlike the US, the UK is a signatory to the agreement establishing the international court.

The ICCs prosecutors first opened a preliminary probe into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Afghanistan nearly 14 years ago.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded to Thursdays ruling with the bellicose threats that have been the trademark of Washington toward the ICC since its founding by a decision of the United Nations in 2002. Describing the investigation as a political vendetta by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body, the secretary of state vowed that Washington would take all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade, unlawful so-called court.

He characterized the ICC appeals judges ruling as reckless because it was issued after Washington had signed a so-called peace deal with the Taliban five days earlier. That agreement has already begun to unravel, with the US military carrying out air strikes against the Taliban after the Islamist movement launched multiple attacks on forces of Afghanistans US-backed puppet regime. The unstated assumption in Pompeos remarks is that peace in Afghanistan can be achieved only based on a cover-up of Washingtons crimes.

Asked whether the Trump administration would retaliate against the court, the secretary of state said that measures would be announced within a couple of weeks about the path that were going to take to ensure that we protect American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, our intelligence warriors, the diplomats that have worked for the State Department over the years to ensure that the ICC doesnt impose... pressure on them in a way that doesnt reflect the noble nature of the undertakings of every one of those Americans.

The concern in Washington is not for the troops, but rather that the real authors of the crimes in Afghanistan will someday be held to account: the presidents and their cabinets along with the top generals, the leading politicians of both major parties, the big business interests that supported the war and the media pundits who promoted it.

Pompeo went on to insist, We have a solid system here in the United States. When theres wrongdoing by an American, we have a process by which that is redressed. The character of this solid system was made clear last year with Trumps pardon of convicted war criminals, including two US Army officers convicted and jailed for illegal killings in Afghanistan.

The ICC prosecutor Bensouda requested the investigation of war crimes in 2017, saying there was evidence that US military and intelligence agencies had committed acts of torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, rape and sexual violence against detainees in Afghanistan.

In its ruling Thursday, the ICC Appeals Chamber declared it appropriate to amend the appealed decision to the effect that the prosecutor is authorized to commence an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Afghanistan since May 1, 2003, as well as other alleged crimes that have a nexus to the armed conflict in Afghanistan.

The prosecutor has already indicated that this extension of the investigation involves the nexus between the torture centers set up at Bagram Air Base and other US installations in Afghanistan to so-called black sites run by the CIA in countries like Poland, Lithuania and Romania. It could as well link to the infamous Abu Ghraib detention and torture facility in Iraq, where US military interrogators were sent after torturing prisoners in Afghanistan. It could also potentially encompass the drone assassinations and massacres of thousands carried out by successive US administrations in neighboring Pakistan.

The war crimes carried out by US imperialism since it invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 are innumerable. They began at the outset with massacres of unarmed detainees, including hundreds, if not thousands, of prisoners of war who were asphyxiated and shot to death in sealed metal shipping containers after the siege of Kunduz.

Among the most infamous crimes were those exposed in an investigation into a so-called Kill Team formed by a unit of the US Armys 5th Stryker Brigade sent into Kandahar Province as part of the Obama administrations 20092010 surge, which brought the number of troops in Afghanistan to roughly 100,000. As members of the team themselves acknowledgedand documented in grisly photographsthey set out to systematically murder civilians and mutilate their bodies, taking fingers and pieces of skulls as trophies.

They lured one of their victims, a 15-year-old boy named Gul Mudin, toward them before throwing a grenade at him and repeatedly shooting him at close range. After bringing his father to identify the body, they took turns posing and playing with the corpse, before cutting off one of the boys fingers. Members of the team also described throwing candy from their Stryker armored vehicle while driving through villages and then shooting children who ran to pick it up.

US soldier with the body of 15-year-old Gul Mudin.

While the Pentagon sought to pass off these atrocities as the work of a few bad apples, the killings were known to their commanders and other units that participated in similar acts. They were the product of a criminal colonial occupation in which troops were taught to regard the entire civilian population as potential enemies and less than human.

The number of Afghans killed in the conflict is estimated at over 175,000, with many more indirect victims of the wars destruction. Nearly 2,400 US troops have been killed, along with tens of thousands more wounded. US crimes include indiscriminate air strikes that wiped out wedding parties, village meetings and hospital patients and staff.

Among the most extensive exposures of US war crimes were those contained in the so-called Afghan War Diaries, some 91,000 documents given by the courageous US Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning to WikiLeaks in 2010. In retaliation, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is now imprisoned in the UK facing extradition to the US on Espionage Act charges that carry a 175-year prison sentence, or worse. For her part, Manning is being held in indefinite detention in a US federal detention center in Virginia for refusing to testify against Assange.

Washingtons virulent hostility to any international investigation into its crimes was clear as soon as the ICC was founded in 2002. The Bush administration repudiated it from the outset, and the US Congress followed suit through its passage by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of a law protecting all US personnel from criminal prosecution by an international criminal court to which the United States is not a party. The same year, Bush issued a memorandum declaring that the US would not be bound by the Geneva Conventions in its war in Afghanistan.

US officials have sardonically referred to the anti-ICC law passed by Congress as the Hague Invasion Authorization Act, as it provides for the use of military force to free any US citizens facing charges before the ICC, which sits in The Hague, Netherlands.

The US reaction to the ICCs Afghanistan investigation is an explicit repudiation of international law and the abandonment of any pretense that Washington is guided by anything other than the predatory interests of US imperialism. On this, the Trump administration and its ostensible opponents in the Democratic Party are agreed. Their unconditional defense of the war crimes carried out in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere is a warning to the working class that far greater crimes are being prepared as US imperialism prepares for great power conflicts.
The mayor of Killarney has said every possible help and support will be offered to the Kelly and Doolan families on the death of Joan Huber.

The 53-year-old woman who died along with her two teenage sons and husband in a suspected murder-suicide incident in Nevada, USA, was originally from Coolcuslaugh to the east of Killarney.

She was the eldest of five children of the late John Kelly, a huge figure in the town.

Mrs Huber's mother Sheila, nee Doolan, and a number of her siblings live in Killarney. Her death has shocked the family and wider community.

Some of her four siblings are preparing to travel to the USA, it is understood.

Speaking from outside the family home at noon, where Joans brothers and other siblings had gathered to be with their mother, Cllr Michael Gleeson, a close friend of the family, said: The entire community is numb with shock and pain. The Kelly and Doolan families have been and are at the heart of the local community in Spa, Killarney and East Kerry.

"The family asked for their privacy be respected," the Mayor of Killarney added.

If there is anything the community in Spa and Killarney can do for them, they will do it, the mayor said, after extending his condolences to the family.

Ms Hubers late father John Kelly was a huge figure in the Spa/Killarney area, and involved in politics, the GAA and rowing, as well as local history.

He had been chairman, as well as president, of the East Kerry Board GAA and the Spa GAA Club, acted as masseur for the Kerry team in the 1990s and contested the general election for the Progressive Democrats in the late 1980s.

Joan was the eldest of five children and had attended Lissivigeen National School and the Loretto in Killarney.

The retired prinicipal of Lissivigeen National School Bernadette Noonan said she was hugely saddened at news of Joan's death. She remember the late Joan, who attended her school as diligent and intellegient.

The family were all lovely children at school, Ms Noonan said. "Joan was a lovely quiet girl. She was a diligent worker. She was very bright ."

She also studied in Skerries College in Dublin and, it is understood, worked in administration.

She had been in the US for around 30 years. The Huber family had lived in California before moving to Nevada.

This story was updated at 5pm.
March 5, 2020

News

By David Vergun

Defense.gov

DOD Officials Describe Layered Missile Defense Progress

The mission of the Missile Defense Agency is defending the U.S., deployed forces, friends and allies from missiles of all sorts. "It's a no-fail mission," said its director, Navy Vice Adm. Jon A. Hill, speaking at the 11th annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, D.C.

If there's ever a war with a near-peer adversary, "missiles will be coming in fast and maneuvering. It's a tough, tough world. It's hard on sensor architecture and hard on fire control and hard on interceptors," he said.

As such, MDA is planning to build next-generation interceptor and space-based sensors to track fast moving and fast maneuvering threats such as hypersonic weapons, he said.

The U.S. isn't going it alone, he said. Partners and allies are important, such as the cooperative work taking place with Israel and Japan.

These partnerships are great for the U.S. and international industrial base, he said, adding that the Defense Department is looking for ways to share data, procedures, testing and operating.

Hill provided some examples of what MDA is working on.

A system called Command and Control Battle Management Communications is being built that will allow operators to pass control or tracking information between various ballistic missile systems, such as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Patriot, Standard Missile-6 and Aegis.

SM3Block1B missiles are in production now, he said. These are designed for midcourse engagement from ships and Aegis ashore sites.

The SM3Block 2A, going into production just now, is a cooperative development with Japan, he said. It will be tested later this year against an intercontinental ballistic missile target.

Upgraded early warning radars are being built in Alaskal, he said.

Michael D. Griffin, undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, also spoke about missile defense.

The department issued three requests for information and two draft requests for proposals for the next generation interceptor, he said. That procurement will be out shortly. It will be the core of DOD's ground-based interceptor system.

The department is also seeking to produce a more capable THAAD design, he said.

Griffin then turned to the topic of hypersonic weapons that fly five times faster than the speed of sound and are highly maneuverable and hard to track. Russia and China are currently producing these.

The Chinese hypersonic threat "is severe and increasing. They outrun and outrange our best radars," he observed.

A problem is tracking these weapons, he said. The western Pacific can't be populated with land radars because there's mostly water, and locating them on islands would make them attractive targets.

So the target acquisition, tracking and fire-control problem solution will have to come from the space domain, he said, meaning sensors will have to be put into space to track these "very dim targets against the clutter of earth background."

The science and research is being done collaboratively by MDA, Space Development Agency and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, he said.

The U.S. has its own plans to roll out hypersonic weapons, Griffin said.

The technology is nearly at the point of development of rocket-boosted hypersonic glide vehicles, he said. The next evolution will be producing air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, which can carry a heavier payload.

Key to hypersonic weapons will be the development of thermal protection systems that protect the vehicles when they enter the earth's atmosphere from space at high speed and heat up, he said.

Also, the department is preparing for the day when hypersonic glide vehicles will roll off the assembly lines, he said.

"Frankly, adversaries are not going to be scared by production levels where we produce one a week," he said. "Our adversaries are accumulating these by the hundreds of thousands."

So the department will be making major investments in hypersonic weaponry at scale. It will be billions of dollars, he said, not wanting to be quoted on a number.

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Pennsylvanias secretary of health said Thursday the state plans to contact people who have arrived from China or Iran, countries with widespread outbreaks of the new coronavirus.

The state will ask them to stay home for 14 days and, if they must go outside, to avoid crowds, stay at least six feet away from other people and dont use public transportation.

The state is further asking people who returned from travel in Italy or South Korea in the past 14 days to contact the state health department at 877-724-3258. They too will be asked to stay home for 14 days and keep their distance from others.

Here are the states directions for people who have returned from the affected countries:

Take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.

Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period.

If you must leave your home, do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.

If you must leave your home, avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.

Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

People who dont get sick within 14 days  believed to be the incubation period  can return to their regular routines.

The state is asking people who become sick to all the state health department at 877-724-3258 before going to the doctor or hospital, and, no matter what kind of medical care they need, to call and inform their health care provider of their travel history before going there.

There have been about 100 coronavirus cases and ten deaths in the United States. Cases have turned up in 13 states, but Pennsylvania had no cases of Thursday afternoon.
Given the recent turbulent weather it is perhaps an apt metaphor to say that Flybe has been grounded for good by a perfect storm - poor financial management that saw it lose money for most of the past 10 years, dropping passenger numbers because of the coronavirus threat, and the lack of a bailout from either its owners or the Government.

This is a huge blow to the regional aviation industry and nowhere more so than in Northern Ireland, from where Flybe operated on 14 routes. Indeed, the impact of the airline going into administration is most keenly felt at Belfast City Airport, where it accounted for 80% of flights.

The business community, leisure passengers and students all depend greatly on Flybe for flights to all other regions of the UK and for onward flights from major airport hubs in England and Scotland.

All of a sudden that connectivity is at risk, even if the management of Belfast City Airport sound confident that other airlines will step into the breach. Northern Ireland is right at the periphery of Europe, but has it felt so remote as it does today?

Loganair has said it will take over two routes to Scotland, and airport management say they have had enquiries about every other route - sometimes multiple enquiries about particularly profitable routes - and believe positive announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

However, it must be accepted the regional airline industry is hugely competitive and margins are tight.

If coronavirus continues to have an effect on passenger numbers airlines may be more concerned with safeguarding their existing business rather than be the saviours on other routes.

We must also remember that many people who have already booked flights with Flybe may well find themselves out of pocket if they are deemed to be unsecured creditors now that it has gone into administration. As well, their plans to visit relatives, conduct business, go to university or connect with other international flights could be jeopardised.

This is yet another test of the mettle of the Executive at Stormont, which has found itself in the midst of a storm of hard decisions since returning to work after a three year absence.

Special pleading on our reliance on air travel will carry little weight at Westminster, which will face the same calls from throughout England, Wales and Scotland, where air travel was often seen as a faster and cheaper alternative to trains or buses.

The problem according to some experts is the lack of a cohesive aviation strategy and the additional costs of air passenger duty. It is unlikely that APD would be devolved, and the only hope is that it could be abolished on a national scale.

We have had much fanciful talk in recent months of the feasibility of building a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland, but the harsh reality is that one of the greatest links between here and the rest of the UK is now parked at airports. The real task is to get that link - involving different airlines - back in the air.

This is a time for the Executive to show that it can work cohesively on a cross-party basis. The effect on the economy of coronavirus and the loss of a major passenger carrier should not be underestimated.

The double blow comes at a time when the province's economic health is far from its strongest, and the hope is that politicians and the wider community will make a compelling case to other airlines to fly to our rescue.
Apple has introduced a range of features part of its iOS 13 update that is currently missing on Android or is not as robust when it comes to functionality.

While common features like Dark Mode, location privacy settings and better digital well-being features have been implemented on both platforms, there are other features that are currently missing on Android.

We decided a list of features, services and general improvements Android can learn from iOS 13 this year:

1. Apple Arcade

 Apple

Apple Arcade was rolled out as a part of iOS 13 update that lets users play hundreds of games for a fraction of their total worth.

In India, Apple Arcade costs Rs 100 a month and gives you access to games like Sayonara Wildhearts, Team Sonic Racing, Rayman Mini, INMOST and other quality games that cost considerably more on Steam and Consoles. These games can be played offline as well and your progress can be continued from multiple devices.

We would like to see a similar service on Android that gives access to millions of users to games they would have never played because of high individual prices. It is a good source of revenue for Google, Game Developers and a great value proposition for casual mobile gamers.

2. Protect Personal Details

 Apple

Apple announced a new way for users to sign in to apps and websites by masking your email address and other personal details. Its called the Hide My Email feature, where Apple creates an email address for you that cant be used by websites and tracking companies to bombard you with advertisements or in the worst case, know everything about you.

Google does have a Sign in With Google feature but it does not offer any sort of identity protection. Instead, it shares all of your personal details with websites when you use this option.

3. Find Offline Devices

 Apple

Finding your devices remotely is not a new feature as you can locate and pinpoint the location of your lost device with utmost accuracy. However, the real challenge comes in finding devices that are offline.

With iOS 13, Apple has now expanded the Find My iPhone feature that allows users to find their lost Apple devices even when offline. Your device is able to detect your missing phones Bluetooth signal and report its location to you. It can also use other Apple devices in the vicinity of your lost device to detect Bluetooth signals.

This procedure is done with the utmost anonymity for both parties. We would like to see some form of native support for a similar feature that can trace and locate your offline Android devices as well.

4. Better Video Editing Tools

 Apple

Currently, editing videos on Android is quite basic apart from the exception of Samsung Galaxy phones that offer similar editing tools like iOS 13.

On Android, users can only trim, rotate and stabilise video whereas iOS offers additional tools such as cropping, filters, auto-enhance, and exposure tweaks. These edits also work with videos captured on 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.

5. Apple Messages Features

 Apple

Apples iMessage has grown to become a full-blown instant messaging platform that has many features natively. Messaging handoff between Apple devices is seamless and users can also customise their chats with Memoji Avatars. Other features like Digital Touch, Animoji support, Memoji Stickers are not present on any of Googles messaging platforms.

Android is now introducing a service similar to iMessage that isnt a separate application but is not as robust as Apples offering. Similarly, Apple also offers FaceTime that lets iPhone users make free phone calls and video calls with other iPhone users.

Google does offer a similar service via Duo but it didnt really take off and not many people use that application for communication.
A ceasefire agreed between Russia and Turkey in rebel-held Idlib province appeared to be holding today as residents reported a lull in the fighting that has driven nearly a million people from their homes.

A tense calm was seen on the front lines in Syrias final opposition-held enclave hours after leaders Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the deal in Moscow.

Everyone knows that violations by any side would be met with a response. This a very fragile truce, Ibrahim al-Idlibi, an opposition figure in touch with rebel groups on the ground said.

Witnesses said there was only sporadic artillery fire by President Bashar al-Assads forces and Iranian militias on some front lines in Aleppo and Idlib province. In other areas, scattered fighting began to subside, activists said.

Last nights deal involves a pledge to establish a secure corridor near the M4 highway, which runs east to west through Idlib, and hold joint patrols along the road.

It comes after weeks of intense fighting between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian forces supported by Russia.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia and TORONTO, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Lube, Canadas leading quick lube provider in the automotive maintenance sector, is proud to announce that it has been recognized with the prestigious designation of Platinum Club Member by Canadas Best Managed Companies in 2020.



This is Mr. Lubes eighth time overall to be selected for the prestigious award of Canadas Best Managed Companies and repeat as a Platinum designation!

A Best Managed Company Award is the pinnacle of corporate success in Canada and highlights companies that are focused on their core vision, creating stakeholder value and excelling in the global economy.

The past eight years have been a period of tremendous growth, expansion and transformational change for our brand and operations. Throughout it all, every person on our team, from coast to coast, has risen to the challenge and set new standards for leadership, innovation and execution, while caring for the communities where we serve day in and day out and embracing a people-centric approach.

Our continued achievement as a Platinum Member of Best Managed Companies exemplifies recognition from industry peers, business leaders and most importantly, our communities where we live and work, provides great pride to all of us at Mr. Lube. This is an affirmation that our collective efforts are indeed succeeding in building a great Canadian company.

On behalf of Mr. Lubes Board of Directors, our employees, our franchise owners, our partners and suppliers, we are very honoured and humbled to have achieved the prestigious Platinum designation once again,

President and CEO for Mr. Lube, Stuart Suls.

Sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Smith School of Business and TMX Group, the Best Managed award recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $25 million, for sustained growth, financial performance, management practices and the efforts of the entire organization.

Now in its 27th year, Canadas Best-Managed Companies is one of the countrys leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices.

Story continues

2020 winners of the Canadas Best Managed Companies award, along with Requalified members, Gold Standard winners and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Canadas Best Managed Companies symposium and gala in Toronto on April 01, 2020.

About Mr. Lube Canada

Mr. Lube is Canada's leading quick lube provider in the routine automotive maintenance sector. The company was founded in 1976, pioneering a category of automotive servicing that focused on convenience and no appointment necessary. With 185 locations across the country, Mr. Lube is operated by a national network of franchisees. Headquartered in Richmond, BC, the company also has an office in Mississauga, Ontario to support its national franchise network.

In 2002, Mr. Lube Canada founded the Mr. Lube Foundation to support its corporate goals of giving back to the community and helping those most in need. Today, the Foundation has donated in excess of $5.5 million dollars to charities across the country. For more information about Mr. Lube, please visit: www.mrlube.com; Facebook/MrLubeCanada ( www.facebook.com/MrLubeCanada ); Twitter @MrLube (www.twitter.com/MrLube).

About Canadas Best Managed Companies

Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $25 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on five levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (After three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully reapplied for the designation); 4) Gold Requalified member (Gold Standard winners may requalify for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 5) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of seven consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, Smith School of Business and TMX Group. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

For additional information, comments or photos, please contact:

Kelly Ma

Director - Human Resources

Mr. Lube Canada

Tel: 604.759.4336

Cell: 604.340.1644

kma@mrlube.com
Launching a scathing attack on Centre over the current state of the Indian economy, deadly disease Coronavirus outbreak and protests over amended Citizenship Act, Congress on Friday suggested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow advise of Dr Manmohan Singh, stating that 'it is time to start listening to real economists'.

"Dear PM, Here's some sound advice from Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh on how to fix your own mess. It's time you start listening to real economists. #No Bank," Congress tweeted quoting Singh.

The three suggestions to Prime Minister Modi by Singh include -- focus all energies and efforts on containing the COVID-19, withdraw or amend the Citizenship Act, end the toxic social climate and foster unity and put together a detailed and meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption demand and revive the economy.

The former Prime Minister further said that democratic institutions and certain sections of the media in the country have completely failed to protect the interests of the citizens.

"Institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens. Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy, the media, have also failed us," he said.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Modi over Yes Bank crisis and said his ideals have destroyed India's economy."No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India's economy. #NoBank," Gandhi tweeted.RBI on Thursday said a "moratorium" has been imposed on Yes Bank stressing that the bank's financial capability has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital.During the period of moratorium, the Yes Bank Limited shall not, without the permission in writing of the Reserve Bank of India, make, in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding Rs. 50,000 lying to his credit, in any savings, current or any other deposit account.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 19-year-old man has died after being knifed in Kingston last week.

The victim, named as Archie Beston from Barnes, was stabbed while on a night out with friends on Saturday, February 29.

Scotland Yard was called to reports of an incident in Wood Street at around 3.40am and he was found with stab wounds at the scene.

He was rushed to hospital in west London, where he was pronounced dead today.

A statement from his family said: Archie was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a family boy, so happy and loved to enjoy life. He was sweet natured and popular, he had no enemies and always helped anyone. He planned to travel the world and go to Ibiza to work this summer, he couldnt wait."

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, who is leading the investigation, said: Archies family have been left utterly devastated by the sudden loss of their son, who was very much loved and had his whole life ahead of him. We know that there are a number of people who witnessed the incident outside John Lewis in Kingston on the early hours on Saturday morning.

"I am urging anyone who has any information or mobile phone footage to come forward so we can identify those who committed this horrendous attack.

Four men have been arrested in connection to the attack.

A 20-year-old was arrested and charged with possession of points and blades, and affray. He will appear at Kingston Crown Court later this month.

Another 20-year-old was arrested and charged with GBH and dangerous driving, he will also appear at Kingston Crown Court.

An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been bailed to return later this month.

A 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray but released with no further action to be taken against him.
AUSTIN, Texas, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vida Capital, Inc. (Vida), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners and Redbird Capital Partners, today announced management changes that are intended to better align the organization to take advantage of the opportunities Vida sees to grow and expand its business.



Bill Tice, currently Senior Managing Director, Marketing, Investor Relations and Business Development, has been promoted, effective March 1, 2020, to President and Chief Investment Officer of Vida Capital Management, LLC (VCM), the SEC-registered investment advisor subsidiary of Vida. Additionally, Tice will become a member of the Board of Directors. His responsibilities will include overseeing all investment activities of Vidas funds to include investments in Life Settlements, ILS (through the Merion Square joint venture) and Special Situations, as well as a continued focus on capital raising, investor relations and new business development.

Prior to joining Vida in 2014, Tice held senior positions at Siguler Guff, & Co., Q Investments, and The Park Hill Group, a division of The Blackstone Group. He earned a BA in Economics cum laude from Middlebury College, and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Brian OGrady, currently a Managing Director, will be promoted to Senior Managing Director, Head of Marketing and will report to Tice. OGrady will be responsible for capital raising for all of Vidas funds. Tice, as President of VCM, along with Dan Young, President of Magna Life Settlements, Inc. and Magna Servicing, LLC, will oversee these operating subsidiaries, and continue to report to Jeff Serra, Vida CEO and Founder.

Jeff Serra said: Vida has a strong management team, robust asset management infrastructure and unique expertise underwriting and managing longevity risk. Bill has been an integral part of the growth and advancement of the Vida enterprise since joining in 2014. His background, talent and overall performance have proven invaluable as the team continues to build success for our investors and provide value to our owners. Bill was the natural and right choice to make this advancement, and he will continue to bring excellence to our core goals and investment philosophy. Additionally, with Brian stepping up to backfill for Bill, we have a talented and experienced leader with a proven ability to develop and maintain close relationships with our limited partners.

About Vida Capital

Vida Capital, Inc. is the largest vertically integrated platform in the life settlements space with $4.4 billion in assets under management across the different closed-end and open-end funds. Vida has three primary business lines including life settlement funds, a life settlement provider, and insurance linked securities funds. Vida is the largest independent life settlements manager in the space and the third largest overall. Further, Vidas wholly owned subsidiary, Magna Life Settlements, Inc., has been in the top three secondary market purchasers over the past three years. For more information visit www.vidacapitalinc.com.

Media Inquiries

For Vida Capital:

Stephen Kirkwood

512-744-1040

For Redbird Capital Partners:

Dan Gagnier

Gagnier Communications

646-569-5897



For Reverence Capital Partners:

Steven Lipin

Gladstone Place Partners

212-230-5930
BEIJING, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Andes Petroleum Ecuador LTD. of China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation (CNODC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (Shanghai: 601857) (CNPC), has put two new oil wells into production in the Province of Orellana, Ecuador, a breakthrough for CNPC in the field of lithologic oil reservoir exploration.

As the COVID-19 spreads globally, CNPC is ensuring uninterrupted production and smooth management in its various projects overseas, while introducing China's effective measures in preventing and controlling the epidemic to other countries, partners and staff. Dai Houliang, Chairman of CNPC, wrote letters specifically to foreign partners and received understanding and support.

On January 26, CNODC initiated a Level I public health emergency response and put together a leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control. The most essential task is to implement various preventive and control measures and to guarantee that production and operations are carried out in a highly-organized way.

CNODC then introduced telecommuting solutions highlighting the use of a uniform communication and video conferencing platform to support flexible working. The overseas companies and projects also prepared disease prevention and control implementation programs and contingency plans, which include procurement of necessary supplies and paying close attention to staff wellbeing.

In addition, CNPC actively reported the situation of China's fight against the epidemic and CNPC's people-oriented measures to foreign staff of its joint ventures, local communities and governments, and provided regular briefings on the health conditions of its Chinese staff.

CNPC's refining company in Niger published articles about COVID-19 on Niger's official website ACTUNIFER and national newspaper Le SAHEL. RAYNATOU MAHAMADOU SALIFOU from the Niger-Benin crude oil pipeline project wrote for the local newspaper on the prevention and control of COVID-19. In Brazil, CNPC sent more than 30 letters to its partners and community residents.

"CNPC stands with all of our staff and partners in the fight against the novel coronavirus. We are committed to providing all necessary assistance to keep everyone safe and healthy while trying the best to contribute to the economic and social development of host countries, by ensuring continued oil and gas production from our overseas projects," said Wang Zhongcai, Vice President of PetroChina & Chairman of CNODC.

SOURCE China National Petroleum Corporation
Francis Eugene "Gene" Abell, 76, of California, MD suddenly returned to his heavenly home on March 4, 2020. Gene was born on May 7, 1943 to Harry Benedict Abell, Sr. and Mary Catherine Guy Abell. He lived his entire life on his family's farm, close to his parents, sister, and brothers.



Gene was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving as a Helicopter Mechanic (Crew Chief) in Landstuhl Germany from 1964 to 1966. He began his civil service career in 1968, supporting the Data Acquisition Branch and then the Airborne Instrumentation Calibration (AIC) Lab of the Technical Support Division, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. He spent many years as an Electrical Engineering Technician supporting Naval Electrical Power Systems as both a civil servant and most recently as a contractor for Eagle Systems, Inc.



Gene was a jack-of-all-trades and had a few other jobs in his lifetime with memories he enjoyed sharing; Sears, Wal-Mart's Electronics Department, Boeing's F-18 program, Southern Maryland Greenhouses, and his own lawn mower repair service. Gene volunteered his time with Vacations for Vets, Mission of Mercy, and helping his wife, Denita, and Dr. Martin Barley with the Smith Island Dental Clinic and Guatemalan mission efforts.



Gene was truly a one of a kind, a force of kindness, and a good happy grump wrapped into the most genius and generous soul. He enjoyed spending time with his family. To Gene, there were no strangers, only friends he had not yet met. He was a mentor, teacher, father-figure, brother, and dear friend to many. He was wise about many things and always willing to give a hand, always teaching and sharing his wealth of "how-to" tips. He was an avid storyteller with both words and pictures. Gene enjoyed going to concerts, helping others, and throwing darts with his family and friends with the Tri-County Darts Association (TRICODA).



Gene is survived by his wife Denita, who he married on June 12, 1998, son Michael Abell of Riverview, Florida; daughters: Wendi Cunningham of California, MD, Sarah Wiegand (JR Lang) and Theresa (Teri) McCampbell (Sean) of Great Mills, MD; grandchildren: David Kimball Jr. and Brooklyn of Great Mills, MD, Tyler and Noah Marks of California, MD, and Destiny and Kevin McCampbell of Great Mills, MD; siblings Cathy Bos (Dick), Harry (Rita) Abell, Wayne (Rita) Abell, and Bill (Melva) Abell of California, MD, and Les Abell of Orlando, FL; many nieces, nephews, and good friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and sons Joey and Chris Abell.



Family will receive friends on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at the V.F.W Post 2632, 23282 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619 in California, MD from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a celebration of Gene's life at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lexington Park Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653, Vacation for Vets, 22673 Pops Way, California, MD 20619, and the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.


We have a five-kilo sack of jasmine rice in the pantry. Not because were panicking or anything, thats just how we shop.

Woolworths is rationing toilet paper to four packs per customer and also plans to limit purchases of hand sanitiser. Credit:Rhett Wyman

We also have a five-kilo sack of red rice. My wife bought that by mistake a while back. It will come in handy now that supermarkets have added rice to their customer bag limits.

The restrictions come after Australians cleared the countrys shelves of toilet paper this week in panic-buying triggered by coronavirus fear.

There were reportedly ugly scenes at otherwise sedate locations such as Woolworths in Parramatta, where police were called after a man pulled a knife in a fight over loo rolls.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Darjeeling/IBNS: Amid the rising number of novel coronavirus cases, Sikkim has temporarily banned the entry of foreigners sparking fear of major financial losses among tour operators, hoteliers and travel agencies in Darjeeling, media reports said.

A blanket ban has been issued on permits to Nathu La, a famous tourist spot in Sikkim, bordering China, said reports.

According to tour operators, the tourists mostly spend the last leg of their tour in the region in Darjeeling after spending three to four days in Sikkim, and in view of the entry ban, the tourists may cancel their visit to the hill station and choose to vacation elsewhere, said a Times of India report.

On Thursday, the Sikkim home department imposed restrictions on issue of Inner Line Permits, which the foreigners need to enter Sikkim.

Even citizens of Bhutan are also banned from entering the state temporarily. The Himalayan kingdom reported its first case of COVID-19, after a 76-year-old man from the United States, who went there as a tourist via India, tested positive for the infection.

A report from Rangpo, Sikkim, said many foreign travellers were sent back from the check post as the Sikkim government has shut the door for foreign tourists from Thursday following the rapid spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile the total number of confirmed cases related to deadly novel Coronavirus touched 31 on Friday.
GENEVA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that it's launching a new social media campaign urging people to be safe, smart and informed when faced by the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We know people are afraid, and that's normal and appropriate ... That fear can be managed and moderated with accurate information," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a daily briefing.

That's why the WHO is launching a new social media campaign called "Be Ready for COVID-19," he said. "If you feel overwhelmed by fear, reach out to those around you. Find out what your community's emergency response plans are, how you fit in and how you can help."

"There's still a lot we don't know, but every day we're learning more, and we're working around the clock to fill in the gaps in our knowledge." Tedros said. "Ultimately, how deadly this virus will be depends not only on the virus itself, but on how we respond to it."

He reiterated the importance of solidarity in fighting the outbreak and urged all to protect those who are vulnerable in their communities.

"We're all responsible for reducing our own risk of infection, and if we're infected, for reducing our risk of infecting others," he said.
(JNS) Two months after its shellacking in the United Kingdoms general elections, the Labour Party continues to remind British voters of why they chose the anyone-but-Jeremy-Corbyn option.

Last week, it was the turn of John McDonnellCorbyns main lieutenant and a stalwart of the partys far-leftto plumb the depths of illogical, offensive and plain ignorant political rhetoric. Speaking immediately after a visit to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, in the grim surroundings of south Londons Belmarsh prison, McDonnell produced an unforgettable soundbite. Just not in the way he intended.

I think this is one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation, in fact longer, said McDonnell, referring to the possibility that Assange will be extradited to the United States to face 18 charges related to national security violations, of which 17 are covered by the Espionage Act. Warming to his subject, McDonnell then ventured, I think its the Dreyfus case of our age.

Perhaps McDonnell believed that this comparison would send journalists scurrying onto Google for a quick refresher course on Dreyfus, and that he would consequently be congratulated for having offered such a thoughtful, historically resonant observation. No such luck.

Diligently performing their duties as representatives of the Jewish community, organizations including the Community Security Trust and the Holocaust Educational Trust swiftly countered McDonnells claim. Whatever Assange might be, they said, he is no Dreyfus.

This, by the way, is not a slight towards Assange. Even if you temporarily forget McDonnells breathtaking gall in appropriating one of the seminal episodes of modern anti-Semitism to make his point that Assange is facing a show trial, on a purely empirical level, the comparison with Dreyfus is hopeless.

Firstly, no one would disputeleast of all Assange himselfthat WikiLeaks disclosures were done for the purpose of exposing and embarrassing the Western alliance. Always eager for as much publicity as he could get, the key point is that Assange did these things of his own volition in the aggressive pursuit of a political mission. By contrast, one of the more heartbreaking aspects of the ordeal of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus was that he didnt leak secrets to the enemy, nor compromise the lives of allies, nor conspire to weaken France in any way before he was drummed out of the French Army in a grotesque ceremony of humiliation. Other than faithfully discharging his responsibilities as an officer in the French artillery, Dreyfus didnt actually do anything to warrant the charges of treason that were deliberately and falsely laid at his door in 1894.

But thenand this may be what John McDonnell simply didnt graspthe Dreyfus case was never about Dreyfus as an individual. Dreyfus was not, as is Assange, one of a handful of famous whistleblowers in an ongoing conflict with the security establishment. One did not become a Dreyfusard (a supporter of Dreyfus) to portray this falsely convicted man as a speaker of truth to power, shining a beacon of light upon the murky secrets of the state. One became a Dreyfusard because Dreyfus was punished for what he was, not for what he did or didnt do.

This basic fact was well understood by the great French writer Emile Zola, among the most eloquent defenders of Dreyfus. I accuse General [Jean-Baptiste] Billot of having held in his hands the unquestionable evidence of Dreyfuss innocence and of suppressing it, guilty of this crime that injures humanity and justice, with a political aim and to save the compromised Chief of High Command, Zola wrote in his famous text JAccuse! And if it was easy to frame the only Jewish officer on the army General Staff, it was becauseas the rabidly anti-Semitic newspaper La Civilta Cattolica put it at the timewhat was really on trial in the Dreyfus case was the treacherous character of the deicidal people to whom he belonged.

Unquestionably, Dreyfus suffered terribly as a man prior to his being officially exonerated in 1906, but his fate came to him because he was a Jew in the wrong place at the wrong time. In that ugly environment, stoked by anti-Semites determined to roll back the clock on a century of Jewish emancipation, any Jew would have done.

These truths have already been pointed out to McDonnell by commentators in Britain. Writing in the left-wing New Statesman weekly, Karen Pollock of the Holocaust Educational Trust argued that McDonnells comparison downplays the institutionalized anti-Semitism, hatred and degradation that embodies what happened to Dreyfus and is particularly ludicrous when Assange himself has perpetuated anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

However, unsurprisingly for a man who decided against immediate resignation after helping his party to sink to a historic electoral low, McDonnell is sticking to his guns. It was quite clear what I meant, he countered the following day, clearly bruised from the criticism. Just like the Dreyfus case, the legal action against Julian Assange is a major political trial in which the establishment is out to victimize an innocent.

Why, though, choose Dreyfus specifically as an analogous case, if the only purpose is to make a generic point about someones alleged innocence? Why not pick another example closer to home? As a longtime supporter of Irish republicanism, McDonnell is doubtless aware of the high-profile terrorism trials of the 1970s, when British courts locked up entirely innocent Irish people after framing them for atrocities that were committed by the IRA. Why not invoke these?

Heres why. For much of the left, the history of Jewish suffering is something that can be universalized and de-Judaized for political purposes in ways that would be condemned as grossly insensitive if, for example, the subject was African-American slavery instead. The version of Alfred Dreyfus that John McDonnell gives us is a Dreyfus whose Jewish identity is so incidental, it doesnt even need to be mentioned.

If our history is to be openly and shamelessly manipulated in this way, you can be forgiven for wondering whether its worth talking about at all.

Ben Cohen is a New York City-based journalist and author who writes a weekly column on Jewish and international affairs for JNS.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:22:38|Editor: ZD

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Tunisian security personnel block the site of a suicide attack in Tunis, Tunisia, March 6, 2020. Two suicide bombers, driving a scooter, blew themselves up on Friday near the U.S. embassy in Tunis, said a statement by the Tunisian Interior Ministry. (Photo by Adele Ezzine/Xinhua)

TUNIS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Two suicide bombers, driving a scooter, blew themselves up on Friday near the U.S. embassy in Tunis, said a statement by the Tunisian Interior Ministry.

"The terrorists blew themselves up near a fixed security patrol near the U.S. embassy," said the ministry, adding that five police officers and one civilian were injured.

"The police officers suffered injuries of different severity, while the civilian was slightly injured," said the statement.

"All the security units remain in a state of maximum vigilance and the public will be informed of any development," said the ministry.

According to witnesses on the spot, the American school near the embassy was closed while security units were deployed at the headquarters of the embassy.
By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

The World Banks Board of Executive Directors has approved a $100 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to help finance the Azerbaijan Employment Support Project, the official website of the World Bank reported on March 5.

The aim of the project is to boost employment and income for the most vulnerable population of Azerbaijan by promoting self-employment opportunities in labor markets where there are less potential to work. The project will be specifically targeted at women, young people, people with low education levels and IDPs in the country.

This is an important project for Azerbaijan and aims to improve employment opportunities for the most vulnerable in society, said Naveed Naqvi, World Bank Country Manager for Azerbaijan. The most essential aspect is to help those who are left out of the labor market and to reduce poverty, providing more inclusive economic growth.

In order to succeed these goals, the project will enhance the governments national Self-Employment Program, by supporting start-ups in the services and production sectors, expanding the program to include an average of 5,000 additional beneficiaries per year, improving governance, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the program, and testing business support for beneficiaries with strong potential to grow businesses.

Moreover, the program will improve the capacity of the State Employment Services to perform better assessments of job-seeking clients and provide counseling, job matching, and referral to appropriate employment programs.

The Government of Azerbaijan is committed to tackling barriers to accessing formal wage employment, by promoting self-employment, said Maddalena Honorati, co-leader of the World Bank team that prepared the project.

This project complements and builds upon the accomplishments of the Self-Employment Program, introducing measures that have been tested in other countries and are expected to improve the programs efficiency and impact.

The Azerbaijan Employment Support Project supports the goals of the World Bank Country Partnership Framework for Azerbaijan, which emphasizes the significance of investing in human development and tackling social challenges such as high levels of informality, underemployment, and low labor force participation among women and youth.

The project, which will be implemented over a period of 5 years, will also contribute to addressing disparities between rural and urban areas, across income groups and gender in Azerbaijan.

This loan is issued for a period of 14 years with a four-year grace period. As a result of the project implementation, the working conditions of about 5,000 people will improve annually.

This project will focus on the development of self-employment in Azerbaijan, the deputy head of the Baku Employment Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Teymur Ibrahimov told local media.

During the implementation of this project, self-employment of low-income individuals in micro and small business will be ensured. The project will be mainly aimed at young people and women who do not have stable jobs, but having skills in certain spheres of entrepreneurship, he added.

Note that Azerbaijan joined The World Bank Group in 1992. Since then, the bank has allocated loans in the amount of over $3,000,000,000 for the implementation of over 50 projects in the country.

Currently, seven more projects worth about $1,500,000,000 billion are being implemented. In addition to loans, the World Bank allocated 45 grants to Azerbaijan for a total of $ 41.586 million in 1995-2014.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Petrol and diesel will be costlier



by Rs one per litre in Maharashtra, the state legislature was informed on Friday.

Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in his budget speech announced that VAT on petrol and diesel would be increased by Rs one per litre.

This measure would help the state exchequer garner and additional Rs 1800 crore, the minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the global outbreak of the COVID19 coronavirus continues and we wait for the first confirmed case in Alabama, public health officials at all levels are looking to inspire just the right amount of concern.

They dont want people buying up all the protective facemasks on the market, but they do want people to take common-sense precautions that can reduce their risk of getting sick and in turn, infecting others.

Stop the spread

Coronavirus is a droplet-spread illness. It spreads through tiny droplets of moisture that leave a sick persons body through coughs or sneezes. The most common way to get infected is either by breathing in those droplets after someone sneezes, or by touching a surface that contains those droplets and then touching your face, mouth or eyes.

Thats the same method of transmission as the flu or many common cold viruses, so Dr. Karen Landers at the Alabama Department of Public Health says the same precautionary tips should apply.

The basic measures to reduce risk of respiratory droplet illness have not changed, Landers said. If you have an illness, stay at home. Cover your cough. Wash your hands.

Landers said the droplets that carry the virus can travel about six feet through the air, so practicing social distancing strategies to stay six feet away from a person who is coughing or sneezing when feasible. Fist bumps, elbow taps or simple waves can substitute for handshakes while concerns about COVID are still high.

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is never a bad idea.

The science of hand washing

Doctors recommend washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to get the germs off. The coronavirus has a protective shell around it made of an oily substance that will be dissolved by basically any kind of soap, killing the virus (that is if we concede that a virus is a living thing, which is the subject of some debate.) You shouldnt worry about whether your soap is anti-bacterial or not (viruses and bacteria are different, after all), it should get the job done.

Even rinsing your hands with water will reduce the number of germs there, so its better than nothing.

The CDC recommends washing for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing all surfaces, front and back, between your fingers, under fingernails, etc. The easy guideline is that 20 seconds is enough time to sing the chorus of the Happy Birthday song twice. However, the Los Angeles Times came out with another handy list of 10 less annoying songs to sing while scrubbing up, including Raspberry Beret, Jolene, and Africa.

Landers said that if hand washing is not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be effective in killing many of the germs on your hands, if you cover the entire surface area.

Keep yourself healthy

Because coronavirus can have similar symptoms to the flu or other illnesses, its best if you also dont get the flu or a bad cold during the outbreak. If you havent gotten a flu shot, Landers said theres still time, and its a good idea to follow the standard protocols to avoid the flu.

Have a plan

If the virus spread increases rapidly, the CDC recommends having a plan of action. What will you do if schools are canceled? If you cant go to work? If a person in your home gets sick, is there a room they can recover in where they dont share their germs with the rest of the house? Thinking through these scenarios in advance can make it easier if they do occur.

If youre healthy, dont buy masks

When researching this story, I was presented with multiple Google ads selling N-95 medical protection masks, the kind favored by doctors and hospitals. I didnt buy one and neither should you if youre healthy and dont work in healthcare.

There are a finite supply of those masks, and if everyone buys them for trips to the grocery store, theres a risk that medical professionals wont have enough. A patient who has COVID-19 may be given a mask by their doctor to avoid spreading their germs to others, but the CDC and Alabama Department of Public Health urge the general public to avoid using them.

If you do have symptoms

The biggest thing that we can all do is if you have symptoms, including fever, runny nose, cough, body aches, fatigue, or shortness of breath, keep yourself away from other people. You may not have coronavirus. It may be a common cold or the flu. But to be safer, keep your germs away from other people.

Some of the symptoms are similar between coronavirus, colds and flus, and for the next few weeks doctors and nurses will be overwhelmed trying to figure out which patients have coronavirus and which ones dont. If its not necessary, dont add to the logjam.

Laying in supplies

If you have symptoms, stay home. Thats why some of the coronavirus tips recommend stocking up on a 10-14 day supply of food, medicine and other supplies. Its not because were expecting grocery stores to be overrun or society to temporarily stop functioning. Its so that if you get sick (even if its just a minor cold or the flu), you dont have to run to the grocery store and spread your germs all over the Walmart shopping carts.

Call ahead

UAB Hospital recommends that people who are symptomatic and do need to see a doctor call first before walking into an emergency room, hospital, or urgent care facility. That can help them figure out the best procedure for getting you the help you need without exposing other people to your germs or exposing you to other peoples germs.

UAB will now have staff waiting at the front door of its emergency rooms to better direct traffic of ill bodies who may potentially have COVID-19.

Look out for the most vulnerable

The impacts of coronavirus will be most severe in populations that are already dealing with health problems or have weakened immune systems. That might be you, or it might not be, but by taking some of these precautions, you can reduce the chances of both getting the disease and spreading it to other people.

Or, as Zeynep Tufekci wrote in Scientific American, you should prepare because your neighbors need you to prepareespecially your elderly neighbors, your neighbors who work at hospitals, your neighbors with chronic illnesses, and your neighbors who may not have the means or the time to prepare because of lack of resources or time.
Senator Elizabeth Warren announced Thursday that she was ending her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination following poor showings in the initial primary contests, capped off by a dismal third-place finish in her home state of Massachusetts in this weeks Super Tuesday elections.

Warren, ostensibly the other progressive alongside Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, endorsed neither Sanders nor the current front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden. She said she would make an announcement at a later time.

Warren became the latest contender to quit the race following victories for Biden in South Carolina last Saturday and in 10 of the 14 Super Tuesday contests, including the large states Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina and the rest of the southern states that went to the polls. Sanders won in California, Colorado, Utah and Vermont.

Elizabeth Warren (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) and Bernie Sanders (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The other contenders, with the exception of Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, pulled out of the race this week as part of a massive and coordinated operation by the Democratic Party to resurrect the failing campaign of the main right-wing candidate, Biden, and prevent Sanders from prevailing on Super Tuesday and winning an insurmountable lead in pledged delegates to the July party convention.

In advance of Super Tuesday, billionaire Tom Steyer withdrew on Sunday, former South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced he was suspending his campaign Sunday night, and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar dropped out on Monday. Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar appeared with Biden on Monday, the day before Super Tuesday, to declare their support for his campaign. Mike Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York, announced his withdrawal and endorsement of Biden on Wednesday, the day after the primaries.

Barack Obama spoke to Buttigieg and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke to Klobuchar in advance of their endorsements of Biden.

On the basis of an appeal to racial politics, in opposition to class politics, the party apparatus, spearheaded by anti-socialist, right-wing representatives of the black bourgeoisie and upper-middle class such as South Carolinas James Clyburn, were able to obtain a large majority of African American votes for Biden, who was presented as the champion of the black masses. This, combined with a large Biden vote by college-educated women in affluent suburbs, secured states such as Virginia and Massachusetts for the ex-vice president.

Biden emerged from Super Tuesday with a narrow lead in pledged delegates in what had become a two-man race.

The New York Stock Exchange celebrated Bidens victory in the Tuesday primaries with a euphoric rise. The Dow rose nearly 1,200 points despite a worsening economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Some health insurance stocks soared 10 percent, and health stocks overall gained nearly six percent on the prospect that Sanders and his Medicare for All proposal would be defeated.

Sanders response to his defeat on Super Tuesday and the loss of his front-runner status has been to tack to the right. On Tuesday, he began running a campaign ad consisting entirely of Barack Obama speaking in glowing terms of the senator who (infrequently) calls himself a democratic socialist.

Feel the Bern! the ex-president exclaims in the ad.

The ad is not only a bid for black votes, it is also a signal to the Democratic Party, including the African American party establishment, that they have nothing to fear from his political revolution.

Passing over Obamas direct role in working to sabotage his campaign, Sanders is presenting himself as a continuator of an administration that became the first ever two-term presidency to preside over uninterrupted war, which allocated trillions to bail out Wall Street and presided over the biggest transfer of wealth from the bottom to the top in US history, which expanded Americas wars of aggression in the Middle East and extended them to North Africa, which covered up for CIA torture and expanded illegal mass surveillance of the public, which persecuted Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange, and which vastly expanded drone assassinations, including of American citizens.

Also in the aftermath of Super Tuesday, the co-chair of Sanders California campaign, Ro Khanna, said that Sanders would be toning down his calls for political revolution, and he told Politico that the candidate would direct his pitch more to older voters and mainstream Democrats.

At a press conference in Burlington, Vermont, on Wednesday, Sanders began his attack on Biden by denouncing him for having supported dangerous trade agreements, such as NAFTA, which Sanders, echoing Trump, blames for the destruction of industrial jobs and living standards in Midwestern states such as Michigan, which will hold a primary election on March 10. He thereby signaled that he intends to focus on his economic nationalist and trade war agenda in order to curry favor with the United Auto Workers and other trade union bureaucracies in upcoming primary states such as Michigan and Ohio.

In addition to Michigan, primary contests will be held next Tuesday in Missouri, Idaho, Mississippi, Washington state and North Dakota. The following Tuesday will see contests in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.

The mobilization of the Democratic Party behind Biden is continuing. Since Super Tuesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Biden, as have both the Democratic-leaning Detroit Free Press and the Republican-leaning Detroit News.

There are widespread reports of big donors flooding money into Bidens campaign, after having sat on the sidelines as the 77-year-old semi-senile Democratic veteran floundered over the previous weeks and Sanders won the popular vote in the first three primary contests and attracted large campaign crowds.

The next Democratic debate, to be held March 15 in Phoenix, Arizona, will be reduced to Sanders and Biden. Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who won a single delegate in American Samoa on Tuesday, will be excluded once again as a result of new eligibility requirements being prepared by the Democratic National Committee.

Gabbard, who has publicly denounced the fraudulent media campaign against Sanders as the supposed beneficiary of Russian meddling, has been excluded from the debates since Hillary Clinton attacked her in October, calling her a Russian asset planted by Putin to divide the Democratic vote and reelect Trump.
Day after Reserve Bank of India took over the YES Bank board and capped withdrawals, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured depositors that the government is committed to safeguarding their interests. She stated that a solution to the debacle at YES Bank will be devised and implemented within the set timeframe so that "depositors are not troubled".

On Thursday evening, the government, on recommendations from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), imposed a moratorium on YES Bank for 30 days due to deteriorating financial position, governance issues, false assurance on raising funds, non-serious investors, and outflow of liquidity. The government has limited withdrawals to Rs 50,000 for a month, superseded YES Bank board and appointed Prashant Kumar, former Deputy Managing Director and CFO of State Bank of India (SBI), as administrator.

The RBI has released a reconstruction scheme for YES Bank on Friday. The SBI has expressed willingness to invest in the embattled private lender and participate in its reconstruction scheme.

"Our government is completely committed to ensure that the depositors' interest is completely safeguarded," the Finance Minister said during a media interaction on Friday. She said that the scheme of restructuring will fully come into play within the period of moratorium "so that depositors are not troubled for too long". On YES Bank's net banking services and debit cards being hit after the RBI action, Sitharaman said that she acknowledges the pain faced by depositors.

FM Sitharaman also informed that the RBI has been instructed to identify the individuals responsible for troubles at YES Bank. "I have asked the RBI to go into assessing what caused these difficulties for YES Bank. And also, clearly identify the role played by various individuals in creating the problems and not so comprehensively addressing the problem. I have also asked the RBI to tell me about the adequacy of extant regulatory norms and supervisory norms, and if found inadequate, where and why," she said.

I have also the RBI to act so that the due process of law takes its course with a sense of urgency, the Finance Minister further said.

Sharing details of the reconstruction scheme, FM Sitharaman said that a new board will be put in place after the administrator finishes his work at YES Bank. Deposits and liabilities with YES Bank will continue unaffected as before, she said. As per the scheme, employment and salary for all employees will be assured for at least one year, the Minister further said.

FM Sitharaman also recounted the chain of events that culminated at RBI action against YES Bank. She emphasised that the RBI has been closely monitoring the private bank, which uncovered its governance issues and weak compliance.

"Since 2017, the RBI started closely monitoring and scrutinising YES Bank and noticed that governance issues were of serious concerns... and the culture itself was of weak compliance. There were also wrong asset classifications together with risky credit decisions," Sitharaman said. "Since 2004, when Yes Bank was founded, it has been under the same management. After RBI's scrutiny and identifying the culture of weak compliance, poor governance, and very risky credit-issuing habits, in September 2018 they clearly said that the leader has to change. They did not allow further continuation of chief executive's (Rana Kapoor) term after September 2018. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018, as a result."

The Finance Minister said that cleaning up of YES bank commenced from then. "A lot more information started coming in and the Reserve Bank started looking at new issues, newer challenges which were getting noticed as they started the scrutiny. The promoter who was asked to let go his shares had asked for more time. RBI was not willing, as a result, he was compelled to let go his shares too," she said.

"In the meantime, investigative agencies also saw malpractices of some of their Chairman and that order of people and that is why regarding one of their top executives, CBI came into the picture and started taking action. He even resigned, maybe quoting some other reason. But he resigned clearly after the action was initiated," the Finance Minister said.

Sitharaman recounted that RBI fined YES Bank on two occasions and SEBI started investigations into allegations of insider trading.

"Genuine attempts were made to get new equity infusion done in the bank, but nothing materialised. RBI had given them more time so that they can get fresh equity, fresh infusion of cash so that the bank's health can be restored. And once in November 2019, it was clear that there was no hope of them getting any money, and coincidentally, the chairman of the audit committee also resigned early, things came to a serious pass. That's when we intensely engaged."

Following these developments, RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi was appointed as a director on YES Bank board, and it the lender was monitored on a daily basis.

FM Sitharaman blamed the UPA government for mishandling the Indian banking sector, which led to severe challenges within the industry. "Exposure of YES Bank to some of the very stressed corporates has been since before 2014. Anil Ambani group, Essel Group, DHFL, IL&FS, Vodafone are some of those very stressed corporates. I say it here because I see the opposition very keen to point fingers at us. The Indian banking had severe challenges thanks to way government, which existed between 2004 and 2014, had handled the matters the way they handled it. I am not saying it because I have to put the blame on them, but I have reasons to put the blame on them," Sitharaman said.

ALSO READ: Yes Bank LIVE Updates: RBI, SBI, govt breathe life into dying lender

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ALSO READ: YES Bank customer? Here's what you should do
Such strikes are seen as a safer way to protest as 1,300 people were killed by security forces since a military coup.
In its maiden budget, the MVA government in Maharashtraon Friday announced sops for farmers, proposed to increase VAT on petrol and dieselby Re 1 per litre and reduced electricity duty for industries.

Deputy Chief MinisterAjit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presenteda revenue deficit budget of Rs 9,511 croreand proposed the size of annual plan 2020-21 at Rs 1,15,000 crore in the assembly.

The budget estimates put the fiscal deficit at Rs 54618.38 crore.

Tabling the first budget of the Maha vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which completed 100 days in office on Friday, Pawar also announced tax concession proposals.

This included 1 per centstamp duty concession for the next two years and other related charges applicable on registration of documents in the areas falling under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and



municipal corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur.

He proposed to reduceelectricity duty on industrial use from 9. 3 per cent to 7.5 per cent of consumption charges.

Pawar said the concession in stamp duty will help promote the real estate sector in the wake of slowdown.

The reduction in electricity duty will help promote industries in the state, the finance minister said.

Due to the tax concessions, it is expected that there will be yearly revenue loss of around Rs 2,500 crore.

Similarly, Pawar proposed to increase VAT (value-added tax) on petrol and dieselby Re 1 per litre.

This will enrich the state exchequerby an additional Rs 1,800 crore, thefinance minister told the assembly.

He announceda one-time settlementscheme for farmers whose crop loan is more than Rs 2 lakh, includingprinciple and interest, from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.

The government will transfer Rs 2 lakh in bank accounts of eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above Rs 2 lakh, as on September 30, 2019, is repaid by them, Pawar said.

Similarly, farmers who will regularly repay their dues up to June 30, 2020 and for crop loan taken by them during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, a maximum of Rs 50,000 will be given to them as incentivefor the amount of crop loan taken during 2018-19, the finance minister said.

He said the government has set a target of feeding one lakh people through its 'Shiv Bhojan' meal scheme.

The finance minister made a provision of Rs 150 crore for the subsidised food scheme for the poor.

Pawar said the budget proposals focus on tackling challenges of economic slowdownand creation of employment.

He said the government will create a dedicated fund, called "Green fund", which will be utilised for conservation of the environment.

Money from this special fund will be specifically used for projects related tosewage disposal and waste management, the finance minister said.

Pawar said the tax revenueas per revised estimates for the year 2019-20is expected to be Rs 2,16,824 crore.

He saidin 2019-20, budget revenuereceipt of Rs 3,14,640 crore was expected.

However, due to a decrease in receipt of state share in central taxes by Rs 8,543 crore, the revenue receipts have been revised to Rs 3,09,000 crore, he said.

In budget 2020-21, the revenuereceipt is estimated atRs 3,47,457 croreand revenue expenditure at Rs 3,56,968 crore.

"As a result, a revenue deficit of Rs 9,511 crore is indicated," he said.

Pawar saidthe total amount of outstanding debt and liabilities at the end of January 2020 stood at Rs 4,33,00,901 crore.

During the last five years, the state raised loans of Rs 2,82,448 crore, he said.

The cost of infrastructure projects undertaken by the government is Rs 2,78,271 croreand the state has to bear direct and indirect liability of these projects, Pawar said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said the state government was taking steps to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and called upon the people to be aware while avoiding panic.

Talking to reporters outside the Assembly premises in Patna, he said officials were instructed to keep a close tab on the arrival of visitors at tourist spots like Bodh Gaya and along the porous Indo-Nepal border.

Being the place where Buddha had attained enlightenment, Bodh Gaya attracts Buddhist pilgrims from far and wide including the Far East where adherents of the faith live in large numbers and which is among the regions worst-affected by Covid-19 disease.

"Similarly, the Nepal border is also a route that travellers from adjoining countries like China are known to take for entering Bihar. Instructions have been issued to keep a close watch (on them)," Kumar said.

"All efforts are being made by the government. It is requested that people avoid panic though they must be aware of necessary precautions and the course of action to be followed if symptoms (of the disease) are found," Kumar added.

READ | Donald Trump Admits Coronavirus Outbreak 'certainly Might Impact' US Economy

Earlier, inside the state Legislative Council, BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh flagged the issue of migrant workers from Bihar having been abandoned at an unspecified location in Iran upon suspicion that they are suffering from the disease.

Some of the migrants, who hail from districts like Saran and Siwan, had on Wednesday shared on social media a video expressing their plight and seeking help from Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We have already taken up the matter with the Centre and hopefully their safe return will be ensured at the earliest," Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi told the Council.

The Centre has recently suspended visas granted to travellers from a number of countries, including Iran, where a surge in the number of people afflicted from the dreaded virus has been reported.

According to state Health Minister Mangal Pandey, at least 14 people have been quarantined at hospitals in the state upon their return from the West Asian countries where they had gone in search of livelihood.

However, so far the state has not confirmed any case, even as the coronavirus scare has resulted in a sharp rise in the demand for face masks and steep fall in the prices of poultry products in the state.

READ | WHO Asks Countries To Take Coronavirus Seriously, Says 'not A Time For Excuses'

READ | RBI Ready To Intervene In Whatever Way Required To Respond To Coronavirus Challenges: Governor Das
Friday, March 6, 2020

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At a Harris Teeter, a manager declined to comment about sales on the record, but a sign on the soap aisle advised shoppers that the store was "currently out of stock on facial masks and hand sanitizer."

The store had plenty of toilet paper, but the bottled water aisle was depleted.

Nick Adams of Raleigh, shopping in the Harris Teeter on Falls of Neuse Road, had large packages of toilet paper and bottled water in his cart, but said he was just doing his normal shopping. Still, he said, he's thought about the need to stock up.

"I'm not going to go 'full prepper', but it's a good idea to get a few weeks ahead," he said. For him, it's more about adjusting to other people's reactions than about any fear of the virus, Adams said.

There was no toilet paper at the Costco in Raleigh  at least not the kind people are accustomed to buying for use at home. The only toilet paper to be found on Monday came in jumbo rolls  5,400 feet of it  typically used in public restrooms.

A Food Lion store at the intersection of Falls of Neuse and Strickland Road was also sold out of hand sanitizer, but appeared to be well-stocked on other items.
SAGINAW, MI  A 20-year-old Saginaw man is heading to prison for providing a fatal batch of heroin and fentanyl to a Bay County man.

Appearing in court for sentencing on Thursday, March 5, Tomas Garcia initially addressed Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.

I just want to start off by saying Im sorry Im in this courtroom today, he said. I plan on using my time in prison to better myself.

Garcia then turned and faced the loved ones of the man who died.

For the pain that Ive caused, Im truly sorry, he said. I wish I could go back in time and change things.

Garcia in February pleaded no contest to single counts of delivery of a controlled substance causing death and delivery of less than 50 grams of a narcotic or cocaine. The former is a life offense, while the latter is a 20-year felony. The charges stemmed from the Dec. 19, 2018, death of Kamron D. Mast.

Masts mother, Tammy Mast, addressed Judge Jackson, crying as she spoke.

Kamron was our one and only son, our one and only child, she said. Addiction is a hard thing as we all know. Unfortunately, he had some friends, or should I say non-friends, who convinced him it was a good idea to go out and get high again.

Nothing is going to ever bring him back, she continued. He was very well-loved by everybody and hell be truly, truly missed. I just wanted to let you know how its impacted our family and I hope that you consider that.

Defense attorney Alan A. Crawford also addressed the court on his clients behalf.

He is certainly remorseful and apologizes for his actions in this matter, Crawford said. He is a young man and I believe he can be rehabilitated. He knows he has a debt to pay to society.

Jackson sentenced Garcia to 13 to 25 years on the conviction related to causing Masts death and 17 months to 20 years on the conviction of delivering less than 50 grams of a narcotic or cocaine. He gave him credit for 231 days served.

Jackson ordered Garcia to pay $2,109 in restitution.

Jackson also sentenced Garcia to a flat two-year term and a term of 23 months to 20 years on convictions in a separate file of felony firearm and delivery of less than 50 grams of a narcotic or cocaine. Garcia is to serve the two-year stint consecutively to the other terms, which are concurrent.

The Saginaw County Prosecutors Office takes these matters very seriously and will pursue charges where we can prove a delivery causing death, said Saginaw County Prosecutor John A. McColgan Jr. when Garcia entered his February pleas.

Prosecutors had alleged Garcia sold a heroin-fentanyl combination to the 29-year-old Mast, who ended up dying from an overdose inside his Frankenlust Township home. The sale occurred in Saginaw County, prosecutors have said.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than heroin and can be lethal to humans at the 2-milligram range.

The Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (or BAYANET) assisted Michigan State Police troopers in investigating Masts death. Through that investigation, search warrants were executed in January and July 2019 with BAYANET seizing three pistols, two of which were stolen, 10.5 grams of heroin, and more than $5,000 in cash, police have said.

Garcias mother, Cristina Garcia, later pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug house and felon in possession of a firearm. Those charges stemmed from the January 2019 raids. She was sentenced to two years of probation in December 2019.

At the time of his death, Mast was enrolled in the welding program at Delta College.

He was a young man who everyone adored, reads his obituary. He was smart and comical. His friends always wondered where he came up with his funny catch phrases.

Accidental drug overdose is considered the leading cause of death for those under 50 in the U.S., according to drugpolicy.org. Masts was one of 67,367 opiate-related overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2018.

Michigan experienced a 19.6 percent increase in the number of opiate-related fatal overdoses from 2015 to 2016 and a 13.9 percent increase from 2016 to 2017, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that Michigans rate of drug overdose deaths in 2018 was statistically similar to its 2017 rate.

Related:

Saginaw man pleads in death of Bay County man due to heroin-fentanyl mixture

Saginaw man, 19, charged in heroin overdose death of Bay County man
By Natalie Rahhal, Acting US Health Editor for DailyMail.com

HOW DANGEROUS IS CORONAVIRUS?

About 14 percent of people who contract the Covid-19 coronavirus are taken to hospital  with severe symptoms including breathing problems and pneumonia. About 5 per cent need intensive care.

But the majority who get the virus suffer nothing more than a cough and may never know they are infected.

So far, some 51,000 people around the world have already recovered from coronavirus  and that just includes the numbers who received a diagnosis.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE?

Officially, the death rate so far has been just over three percent. But experts believe the true mortality rate is probably between one and two percent. This is because most mild cases have not been picked up by doctors or reflected in the official numbers  so the death rate is inflated.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE WITH OTHER DISEASES?

Seasonal flu kills roughly 0.1 percent of people. So Covid-19 is between 10 and 20 times more fatal.

But it is far less dangerous than SARS  the virus that ripped across China in 2003  which killed 10 percent of patients.

BUT DOESNT CORONAVIRUS SPREAD MORE EASILY?

Yes, but not dramatically. The best estimates suggest every person with Covid-19 passes it on to 2.6 people, on average. For flu that number is 1.5.

CAN IT BE SPREAD WITHOUT SYMPTOMS?

Initially scientists feared carriers who had no symptoms could pass it on. That is now in doubt.

What is likely, however, is those who have mild symptoms are putting it down to a cold and going about their normal lives  which puts others at risk.

HOW LONG IS IT BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR?

Again, unclear. Initially scientists said this could take up to two weeks.

But recent evidence suggests the incubation period could be as long as a month  particularly among children.

The average, however, is much shorter. A Chinese study said the average period of symptom onset was 5.4 days for adults and 6.5 for children.

WHO IS AT RISK?

The virus can affect anyone  with a study of the first 41 infected people revealing two thirds did not suffer from any pre-existing condition. But the middle-aged are most likely to get it  78 percent of those infected in China have been aged 30 to 69.

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD?

Only 3 percent of people infected so far have been over 80  but if they get it they are more vulnerable. Analysis of 72,000 cases in China suggests for over-80s the death rate is 15 percent. For those in their 70s the death rate is 8 percent and for those in their 60s, 4 percent.

WHO ELSE IS VULNERABLE?

Those with other conditions  such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney problems  are likely to suffer severe complications if they become infected.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?

Children seem to be low-risk. Less than 1 percent of the Chinese cases have been under the age of ten  and if children do get the virus its often a mild form.

They do, however, retain the virus for longer than adults.

A study last week found the virus was still present in the stools of some children for a month after they contracted it.

DOES GENDER MATTER?

Men are marginally more likely to get the virus than women. It is not clear why this is.

HOW DO DOCTORS TEST FOR COVID-19?

Anyone who has symptoms particularly if they have travelled to an at-risk area  are told to call ahead to their health care provider, local emergency department or clinics.

This way, health care providers can be prepared, wearing masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment when they meet the possible patient and escort them to isolated areas of the facility.

They are tested using a cheek swab which is sent off for analysis at one of 12 Public Health England labs, a process that takes between 24 and 48 hours. Any positive test is double-checked at the main PHE lab in Colindale.

WHAT TREATMENT DO PATIENTS GET?

There is little doctors can do to tackle the virus, but they can treat the symptoms  such as fever and respiratory problems. Antivirals and antibiotics are also used, mainly to keep secondary problems at bay.

In the most serious cases patients are put on life-support equipment.

There are several clinical trials for potential coronavirus treatments ongoing worldwide, including one in Nebraska, where at least 13 patients are in quarantine, including two in biocontainment units.

WHAT ABOUT A VACCINE?

Even though the Wuhan virus appeared only a few weeks ago, 20 teams around the world are already manufacturing vaccines.

Chinese authorities provided the DNA code for the virus early on in the outbreak, enabling scientists to get to work straight away.

At least 30 companies and research institutions in the US are racing to make a vaccine.

Last week, one of these companies, Moderna, shipped its candidate vaccine to the US, signalling the shot was ready to begin clinical trials.

Even so, US health authorities say it will likely be upwards of a year before a vaccine is actually ready.
Advertisement

Migrants in Turkey have accused Greek police of beating them and forcing them to strip off in a freezing no-man's land on the border where thousands are trying to reach Europe - despite pleas from the EU to stop their attempts.

Turkish state-owned broadcaster TRT published photos of shirtless migrants warming themselves around a fire near the Greek border, with some displaying scars on their backs.

Some of the migrants claimed that Greek police were repelling them with 'military stuff' on what TRT described as a 'site of violence by Greek security forces'.

Greek police have fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons to repel people trying to cross the border, but deny claims that they have wounded or even killed migrants.

Meanwhile, other migrants were voicing their fury at Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he gave them false hope of a new life in Europe by allowing them to leave Turkey, only for their path to be blocked by Greece.

Erdogan's gambit to 'blackmail' Western leaders over the war in Syria has sent thousands of migrants heading to the Greek border in an effort to reach the EU, but most have been turned back.

'We don't know what is happening. We are like toys to them,' said one migrant, Mohammad Omid. 'We are like a ball to them. Everyone passes us to this side and the other side. I don't know what will happen to us.'

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, today warned migrants that the idea of the border being open was 'false' and said that 'people should not try to move there'.

'I want to send a a clear message - don't go to the border. The border is not open,' Borrell said after a meeting of foreign ministers on Friday.

A migrant displays injuries on his back near the border between Turkey and Greece today, with Turkish state-owned media accusing Greek authorities of wounding migrants and forcing them to strip off

Pictures published by Turkish media, such as this one, show shirtless migrants warming themselves around a fire in an area of no-man's land near the Greek border

Migrants such as these, pictured near the Evros River this morning, have been trying to enter Greece since Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan abandoned a deal with Europe to keep millions of refugees on his territory

Brief clashes broke out today as Greek police fired tear gas at migrants trying to break through a border fence, who responded by throwing stones.

Calm was quickly restored, with hundreds of migrants sitting peacefully in front of the gates, chanting 'peace', 'freedom' and 'open the gates'.

Makeshift camps for thousands of migrants have sprung up around the border, with Turkey deploying 1,000 special operations police to prevent Greek authorities from pushing the migrants back.

The pictures published by Turkish media showed some of the migrants huddling around a fire last night after they were allegedly forced to strip off by Greek police.

Some migrants had severe scarring on their backs, although there was no way of proving whether they were wounded by Greek authorities.

One migrant was quoted saying that Greek police 'forced us to take off our clothes' while another held up a grenade thrown by Greek authorities, calling it 'military stuff'.

Turkey's foreign minister has claimed that than 130,000 people had crossed into Greece since February 27, when Erdogan finally went through with his repeated threats to open the border.

There was no evidence to support the number. Although hundreds of people have managed to cross, most appear to have been caught by Greek authorities.

Many asylum-seekers have been camping out on the Turkish side despite Greek insistence that its border is closed.

Reporters have been kept away from the border area on the Turkish side but saw at least one bus full of people leaving the area this morning. It was unclear where the bus was headed.

Migrants near the Evros River today where Greece has been repelling thousands of people trying to enter the EU from Turkey, although Greek authorities deny claims that they have injured or even killed migrants

A migrant stands barefoot on a patch of grass near the Greek-Turkish border where some attempted asylum seekers have voiced anger at Recep Tayyip Erdogan for using them like 'toys'

A group of migrants - some clothed, others shirtless - stand and crouch near the border between Turkey and Greece today

Greece's defence of its border - backed by the EU which has vowed to 'hold the line' - has sparked growing anger from migrants who feel they were misled by Turkey.

Mohammad Omid, an Afghan who has been at the border for five days with his wife, said Turkish police told him to go there.

'We don't know what is happening. We are like toys to them,' he said in the border town of Edirne. 'We are like a ball to them. Everyone passes us to this side and the other side. I don't know what will happen to us.'

Syrian mother-of-four Sawsan al-Musawa left a refugee camp in eastern Turkey and headed for the Greek border after hearing that Erdogan had opened the doors.

Six days later, Musawa and her children, including two sons with cerebral palsy, were camping at a bus station in Edirne, tired, frustrated, and angry as their dream of a new life in Europe came to an abrupt end.

'Why did he [Erdogan] do this to us if he knew Greece won't let us cross?' she asked, sitting on a rug near a pile of bags full of clothes for her sons.

'We are left to the dogs,' she said.

Some migrants like Musawa say they had spent their paltry savings on the 800-mile journey from a refugee camp outside the city of Gaziantep to the border town of Edirne.

'Erdogan is using us to press the EU for money,' said Tamam Srmini, a 21-year-old from the Syrian city of Aleppo. 'But we have to try. We have no choice. We have no future in Turkey.'

Others have started boarding buses to head back to places across Turkey where they had built temporary lives, doing menial jobs.

Migrants in a field near the border today where thousands have tried to cross since Erdogan tore up a 2016 pact with Europe

People stand around a fire, most of them shirtless and some in their underwear, near the Turkish border early on Friday

Migrants wrap up - some of them in makeshift clothes - in an effort to keep warm near Turkey's border with Greece today

A group of migrants walk by the waterside near the Evros River which forms much of Turkey's border with Greece

Speaking to a group of journalists on his return from a summit with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Erdogan signaled that there would be no change to Turkey's policy.

'We don't have time to discuss with Greece whether the gates which we opened are now closed. That business is over,' Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying.

'Our gates are open. The refugees will go as far as they can. We are not forcing them to leave.'

Turkey is home to nearly four million refugees. Erdogan agreed to keep them on his territory in the 2016 deal with the EU which he has now abandoned.

Erdogan wants stronger support from NATO in the war in Syria, where his troops are backing rebels against a Russian-backed government advance in Idlib. Erdogan and Putin brokered a ceasefire there this week.

The EU agreed to the deal in 2016, offering Turkey financial aid to shelter the migrants, after a million people crossed into Europe at the height of the 2015 refugee crisis.

Migrants stand around a small fire in an effort to keep warm on a border which few of them have successfully crossed so far

Three men near the Turkish border which Erdogan threw open last week in an effort to pressure Europe over the Syrian war

People stand around a fire, some of them putting on clothes, after travelling to the border in the hope of reaching Europe

A man shivers as he stands near a group of crouching migrants near the Evros River, near the border town of Edirne today

European foreign ministers were today meeting in in Zagreb, Croatia for an emergency meeting on Syria and the immigration pressure at the Greek border.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU needs to improve relations with Turkey and Russia, adding the ministers will discuss more funds for Turkey.

'Turkey is having a big burden, 4 million people, we have to understand that,' Borrell said. 'But at the same time we cannot accept migrants being used as a source of pressure.'

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, however, said he opposed more aid for Turkey, criticizing the 'cynical way' Erdogan was using refugees.

'We should not react to the pressure that Turkey is exerting on us by agreeing to more money under pressure,' he said.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has accused Turkey of carrying out an 'organised attack on Greece' and described Erdogan's actions as 'blackmail'.
The owner of four banned dogs who were involved in a vicious attack at a Pembina Highway motel last weekend has been charged under Winnipeg's responsible pet ownership bylaw.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owner of four banned dogs who were involved in a vicious attack at a Pembina Highway motel last weekend has been charged under Winnipeg's responsible pet ownership bylaw.

Owners who violate the bylaw by keeping or harbouring prohibited breeds are subject to a $1,000 fine. However, the city didn't specify which charges were handed out to the owner.

On Saturday, the dogs  three of which were American pit bull terriers, a breed banned by the city since 1990  turned on their owner at the Capri Motel, drawing blood and leading to two people being taken to hospital with what police called "life-altering" injuries.

According to the city's ownership bylaws, breeds including the American and Staffordshire pit bull terriers are not technically allowed to be owned within the perimeter.

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After the incident, which left blood splattered on motel doors and on the pavement of the parking lot, police shot two of the dogs, and two others  an adult and a puppy  were hit by a passing vehicle.

The city's animal services department says that the adult dog hit was euthanized, while the puppy has been sent to a rescue organization. Given that the breed is banned in the city, it's usually the practice to find an owner who lives elsewhere.

The city says the dogs didn't have rabies, and that none were neutered or spayed, but says that despite their show of aggression, they were not trained for fighting.

Winnipeg's breed ban has been criticized in the past for placing the burden on the animals for existing, and not on their owners for irresponsible ownership.

The ban was enacted after a series of dog-related incidents about 30 years ago. The American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, as well as the Winnipeg Humane Society, hews toward breed-neutral laws calling on owners to be held responsible, sometimes called "dangerous dog" laws.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
The Dublin hospital where a number of patients who have tested positive for the new coronavirus are being treated has asked the public not to visit at this time.

The Mater Hospital said today the only visitors who will be allowed on campus are those who are visiting patients in critical care, vulnerable young adults, psychiatric patients or those whose loved ones are receiving end of life care.

No children are permitted to visit the hospital under any circumstances.

The visitor restrictions are being put in place for public and patient health reasons to minimise the possible spread of infections.

 The Mater Hospital has all infection control measures in place and every effort is being made to manage and control the spread of infection, it said in a statement.

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All hospital appointments will proceed unless otherwise informed. If you wish to reschedule your appointment please notify the hospital.

The hospital has the 12-bed national isolation unit, the state of the art centre where a the first patients who tested positive for the coronavirus in the Republic were referred.

Meanwhile, the UL Hospitals Group has announced an extraordinary three-county visiting ban on all six of its sites, as a precautionary measure.

The visitor ban is in place at University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, St Johns Hospital, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, in Limerick, Nenagh Hospital, Co Tipperary and Ennis Hospital, Co Clare.

The ban, described as part of extraordinary measures was decided by the Group in the interests of patient safety.

The announcement came as four patients, two males, and two females, were treated for the potentially deadly virus at University Hospital Limerick.

The four patients tested positive for the virus last Wednesday and are being treated in separate isolation rooms at the Limerick hospital.

Two additional confirmed cases, two females, have been confirmed in the region, after having close contact with one one the four cases.

A spokesman for the UL Hospitals Group said it regrets any distress or inconvenience these extraordinary measures will cause to patients and their loved ones

These measures are being taken in order to minimise any spread of infection within our hospital sites.

These measures are in place until further notice and are being reviewed on a daily basis.

There are exceptions to the ban including:

parents visiting children in hospital

partners of women attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick

people visiting patients at end-of-life

people assisting confused patients (e.g. dementia)

people visiting patients in Critical Care

The above exemptions are limited to one person per patient only.

The spokesman added: Please note that the ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick and the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns. We are appealing to members of the public to co-operate with these necessary restrictions.

We are also urging the public to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only; a place where priority is given to the seriously injured and ill and those whose lives may be at risk. Anyone else should first consider all the care options available to them in them in their own communities, their family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, or ask their local pharmacies for advice.

Local Injury Units (LIUs) at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals (8am-8pm daily), and St Johns Hospital (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) are an excellent option for treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, without the lengthy wait that can be expected in the ED during busy periods.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 08:48:26|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Rolls-Royce has further expanded its services network in boosting the Chinese market with a new maintenance services agreement singed in the helicopter engine sector, according to Rolls-Royce China Thursday.

The agreement is signed between Rolls-Royce authorized maintenance repair and overhaul provider Asia Pacific Aerospace (APA) and H&P General Aviation Services Co., Ltd on helicopter engine support in China.

According to the agreement, the Guangzhou-based H&P General Aviation Services will provide in-country service as an authorized service center for Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 turboshaft engines for helicopters.

The new agreement will provide authorized service on Rolls-Royce helicopter engines in China for the first time. It gives the company an important foothold in an emerging market with in-country maintenance service and technical support, Rolls-Royce said.

Developed by the British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, M250 and RR300 engines have powered more than 260 million flight hours around the world. To date, more than 33,000 of these engines have been delivered worldwide, including those serving nearly 80 Chinese customers.

Rolls-Royce is a major global aerospace power and propulsion systems provider, with China being its key strategic market, crucial supply chain hub and manufacturing base.

In 2019, the group achieved annual revenue of 15.3 billion British pounds, around 10 percent of which was generated by its Civil Aerospace and Power Systems businesses in the Chinese market, according to Rolls-Royce China.
Four persons, including a Sri Lankan tourist, isolated here over the suspicion of having coronavirus affliction, have been tested negative, said medical authorities on Friday.

Besides the 48-year-old Sri Lankan tourist, the three others kept in isolation in MBS Hospital here to check if they have any symptom of Covid-19 afflictions, were Kota natives, including a couple, who returned from foreign trips.

Dr C P Meena, the incharge of a 16-room isolation ward at the MBS Hospital to screen the suspected COVID-19-hit cases, said he received telephonically the negative test reports of the four persons.

The four, however, are are yet to be discharged from the isolation ward, he said, adding they would be discharged only after the hard copies of their test reports reach the isolation unit.

Even after their discharge, the Kota residents would be asked to stay in isolation at their homes, said Dr Meena.

Dr Meena, however, did not explain what would be the fate of Sri Lankan national after his discharge.

The Sri Lankan tourist had been traced to a hotel in the city on Thursday and was put in the hospital's isolation ward for screening.

He had landed in Chennai on February 23 and reached Kota on Tuesday after visiting Jaipur, where he had stayed for a few days at his relative's house in Ghat Gate area, said the hospital's Chief Medical and Health Officer B S Tanwar.

A 36-year-old Kota resident, who had returned to India from Malaysia on February 23, too was put in isolation at the hospital for screening on Thursday when he approached it with complaints of cold and cough, said Dr Tanwar.

A couple belonging to Kota, who had been on a trip to Thailand from February 16 to 23 and returned to the city on early Friday morning after travelling to Delhi and Ahmedabad, too was put in isolation for screening.

All four suspects, however, have been tested negative, said Dr Meena.

The district's medical and health department, meanwhile, has stepped up measures to tackle the situation amid the inflow of foreign tourists ahead of the Holi and has turned 16 rooms of the hospital's cubical ward into an isolation unit for the screening of COVID-19-hit suspects.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Overruling all precedence, the Supreme Court on Friday pronounced its judgment on the issue of interpretation of Section 24 of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, which pertains to the lapses in the land acquisition process.

A five-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra held that the landowners, who refuse to accept compensation, cannot press for cancellation of acquisition.

Last year, Justice Arun Mishra, heading the Bench, had refused to recuse himself from hearing the case related to the interpretation of Section 24 of the Right to Fair Compensation, Transparency in Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.

The bench began hearing five matters related to the land acquisition case from October 15 last year.

As the constitution bench began hearing the matters, a farmers' association had sought the recusal of Justice Mishra, alleging conflict of interest.

The association sought Justice Mishra's recusal on the ground of judicial propriety saying that the bench is examining the correctness of a judgment, which was also authored by him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Americans have always assumed that the key to undoing the all-encompassing framework of white supremacy lies, in part, in literacy. Literacy helped combat slavery in practical ways  reading and writing meant you could more easily escape by forging free papers, for example. But there was also literacys metaphysical promise  that you could write your way into new futures, into places that existed outside of imaginations made narrow by anti-blackness. Think of Frederick Douglass tricking white boys into teaching him to form letters, or Toni Morrison proudly displaying a letter from the Texas Board of Corrections declaring that it had banned her novel Paradise, because of its potential to start a riot. Books and reading are dangerous, which is why the question of which books are made available to children is always contested.

STAMPED: RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU (Little, Brown, 258 pp., $18.99; ages 12 and up) is both explicitly and implicitly in conversation with this tradition. Written by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, its billed as a remix of Kendis best-selling Stamped From the Beginning, which won the 2016 National Book Award for nonfiction. I wish I learned this history at your age, Kendi writes in an introductory note. But there were no books telling the complete story of racist ideas. Collaborating with the award-winning Reynolds, who was recently named the National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature, seems like a natural. Kendi calls him a great writer in the purest sense, one who makes my head bop from side to side.

To that end, Reynolds and Kendi have created a book that slyly draws attention to the page itself. Uh-oh. The R-word, they write. The word that for many of us still feels Rated R. Or can be matched only with the other R word  run. But dont. Lets all just take a deep breath. Inhale. Hold it. Exhale and breathe out  and here, the text breaks apart to give us the dangerous word  race  in the thick black font you see on a crate spelling out Explosives. This ingenious device allows the reader time and visual space, making manifest the moment of stillness after a theoretical bomb has dropped.

Reynoldss engaging, clear prose shines a light on difficult and confusing subjects, including anti-blackness and the creation of racial capitalism. Terms like segregationist, integrationist and anti-racist are defined in direct, accessible language, becoming real tools for a reader to take from the book. This is no easy feat. These ideas are the water that we all swim in. But the books pauses of white space and radical changes in font and text size force the reader to stop and really consider what is being deconstructed.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kentucky...Illinois...Missouri... Ohio River at Paducah. Ohio River at Cairo. Ohio River at Olmsted Lock and Dam. .Recent heavy rainfall and snow melt will continue to keep water levels on the lower Ohio River in or near minor flood this week. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Ohio River at Paducah. * WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 39.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 7:00 PM CST Monday the stage was 38.6 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 39.0 feet tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 39.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
A man and a woman are heading to a flood plain in Zambia. They part ways upon arrival  he disappears on a boat to go fishing, and she makes her way to collect firewood to fry fish by the roadside. He will earn much higher wages, and his job is more secure. But shell never be able to join him in the lake. Her community believes that women cannot be fishermen.

This is one example of how culturally rooted gender norms and attitudes in many parts of the world can dictate which activities women are allowed to do, or what is considered acceptable for them to do. Norms and attitudes not only affect economic opportunities; they can also influence womens mobility, security, safety, health, and many other aspects of their lives. For example, results published by the Women, Business and Law, an annual report produced by the World Bank on the legal status of women, show that in 17 economies, married women cannot travel outside the home in the same way as married men can.

Gender equality  and how people experience it within households, organizations, and communities  is the product of how different social systems and structures are designed, negotiated, and implemented. Influencing positive change at these levels depends on evidence that moves beyond simply identifying inequalities.

Worldwide, there is growing recognition that simply closing gender gaps in access to resources or information is not enough, and that significant, sustainable change requires institutional and systemic transformations. And while many organizations are implementing initiatives to address these barriers, the evidence on what works, under what conditions and with what impact is still sparse.

International Womens Day is a perfect occasion for researchers, academics, activists and development actors working on gender equality to discuss what role research can play in accelerating progress on gender equality.

Research, using rigorous scientific approaches, can provide evidence on what works in addressing systemic causes of inequality. In the fisheries sector in Zambia, power relations affect womens access to fishing resources and to economic opportunities in the sector. With few options for women in lucrative nodes of the production chain, they earn less income and lack control over income and decision-making power in the household. But research can lead the way towards positive change, as we saw through experimental research that tested the effectiveness of community gender dialogues to shift decision-making patterns and the underlying role of gender in resource ownership.

The results were very promising. For example, in communities where these gender dialogues were implemented, 30% more women increased their contributions to decision-making regarding fish processing and 49% more took part in deciding what to do with the associated income. A significant proportion of the men who participated in the dialogues changed their perception of who owns the fishing and processing assets. Men reporting sole ownership went from 50% to 19% in less than a year and a half.

Scale is one of the key challenges to address systemic causes of inequality, such as norms. How do you take local, community-level initiatives, and amplify them to have impact for millions of women and girls? Research can help support the integration of gender transformative approaches into mainstream development approaches so that they are implemented at scale.

In Kenya, a project funded by the International Development Research (IDRC) of Canada and led by the humanitarian agency CARE Canada is integrating gender dialogues on workload sharing, decision making, ownership of resources and harmful gender attitudes into the farmer field school curriculum developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) in the 1980s and used in over 90 countries as an agriculture extension methodology. The farmer field school curriculum was developed as a technical curriculum covering topics such as crop and livestock production. Integration of gender dialogues has led to increased productivity and income to farmers as well as changes in womens empowerment towards more decision making and control over resources. And mens attitudes to doing household domestic tasks are also changing, with both men and women reporting more sharing of household domestic tasks such as cooking, in areas where gender dialogues are integrated into the curriculum.

Research can also support the development of metrics to measure change in gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Womens Empowerment in Agriculture Index, developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) has enabled the measurement of womens empowerment and is now used in over 50 countries. The index, which measures different aspects of empowerment including changes in gendered behaviors and practices, allows for comparative analysis across countries and contexts.

For example, Feed the Future, the U.S. Governments global hunger and food security initiative, is using the index across 19 countries while the IDRC is using it across a cohort of 12 projects working on food security and womens empowerment.

And while many argue that the process of changing norms and addressing systemic inequality is long and complex, what research has shown is that nudging perceptions, norms, and institutions toward greater gender equality is incremental and can be done with the right approaches and partnerships.

The result of nudging ourselves, and each other, towards a world that is built on gender equality produces real and sustainable change. We can envision a day when a man and a woman are heading to a flood plain in Zambia  and elsewhere  for a prosperous day of work where gender does not pre-determine their roles and whether the proceeds are equally accessible to them both. Such a vision will carry us beyond the hurdles still to be overcome.

Dr Jemimah Njuki has worked on Gender and Agriculture in Africa and Asia for the last 15 years. She is currently Senior Program Officer at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) where she manages the Cultivate Africa's Future program, a joint program of IDRC and the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR). Jemimah holds a Phd in Gender and Development from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania). She has published widely on gender and agriculture issues in international journals and has edited several books including her latest book on "Women, Livestock Ownership and Markets: Bridging the Gender Gap in Eastern and Southern Africa".
By Trend

The loss on compulsory liability insurance of vehicle owners remains at a high level in Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Central Banks data.

Azerbaijani insurers collected insurance premiums for this type of insurance in the amount of 6.9 million manat (over $4 million), while they paid indemnities in the amount of over 6 million manat ($3.5 million), thereby demonstrating a loss worth 87.5 percent in January 2020.

Azerbaijani insurers collected insurance premiums for this type of insurance in the amount of 6.5 million manat ($3.8 million) in January 2019, while they paid compensation in the amount of 5.4 million manat ($3.2 million); thus, the loss ratio was 83.4 percent.

The increase in loss ratio for this type has been demonstrating progressive growth over the past few years. This happens amid the changes in the activity of the participants of the Compulsory Insurance Bureau of Azerbaijan, as a result of which the availability of compulsory types of insurance has increased.

As a result of digitalization, the processes of sale and registration of insurance certificates for compulsory liability insurance of vehicle owners have been optimized. The insurance policies are formalized online.

---

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Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2020 -- According to the report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled "Metalworking Fluids Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Function (Neat Cutting Oils, Water Cutting Oils, Corrosion Preventive Oils and Others), By Type (Mineral, Synthetic and Bio-based), By Application (Construction, Electrical & Power, Agriculture, Automotive & transportation, Telecommunication and Healthcare), and by End-use Industry (Metal Fabrication, Transportation Equipment, Machinery and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026", the value of the market was at $10.24 billion in 2018.



he global metalworking fluids market size is set to reach $14.31 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. The rapid development of the transport industry will be a major force driving the growth of this market. Transport systems play a central role in the economic development of a country. Not only do they facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people by linking different parts of a nation, but they also generate jobs and increase the productivity of the other factors of production. The steady rise in the rate of urbanization is the main factor fueling this industry. For instance, the UN predicts that around two-thirds of the world population will be living in urban areas by 2050.



Furthermore, the World Bank states that close to 2 billion vehicles will hit the roads by 2050. Metalworking fluids are critical in manufacturing components for different transport vehicles and, therefore, the growth of the transport industry will accelerate the Metalworking Fluids Market revenue during the forecast period.



Request a Sample Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/metalworking-fluids-market-101391



The report also shares:



A comprehensive and in-depth evaluation of the different market segments;



A general overview of the overall industry outlook;

An accurate prediction of the upcoming market trends; and



A detailed analysis of the regional and competitive aspects shaping the market.



Long-term Benefits of Metalworking Fluids to Positively Impact Their Adoption Rate



One of the prominent Metalworking Fluids Market trends is the well-known benefits that these substances offer. For example, metal cutting fluids lubricate and provide a covering for the work-piece tool at the point where it touches other metals. This ensures that seizures and galling do not occur and a smooth surface finish is assured. Further, since these fluids reduce friction, they lower energy consumption, which makes these materials energy-efficient.



Moreover, cutting fluids act as coolants for tools and do not let their temperature go above the critical value beyond which the tools harden and their rate of wear goes up. Owing to these advantages, metalworking fluids find wide applicability in a variety of industries, including aerospace, defense, and agriculture.



List of Best Players Covered in the Metalworking Fluids Market Report Include;



- BP plc.



- Henkel



- Lubrizol



- Exxon Mobil Corporation



- Castrol



- Fuchs Petrolub SE



- Quaker Chemical Corporation



- Total S.A.



- Exxon Mobil Corporation



- Houghton International Inc.



Strong Economic Growth in India and China to Propel the Market in Asia-Pacific



Asia-Pacific is set to dominate the Metalworking Fluids Market share on account of speedy development in the manufacturing sectors of China and India. Additionally, active efforts by governments of these and other Southeast Asian countries to promote manufacturing industries will bode well for this market. Lastly, increasing demand and consumption of automobiles will further fuel the market in this region.



The Metalworking Fluids Market size in North America was $2.82 billion in 2018 and the region is anticipated to rise at a robust pace throughout the forecast period. A well-established automotive manufacturing sector in European countries will feed the growth of this market in the continent. Slower growth is foreseen in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa owing to low consumer demand.



Determined Efforts to Increase R&D Capacities by Players to Spur Competition



The Metalworking Fluids Market analysis shows that competition in this market is likely to get intense owing to the increasing investment made by key players to enhance their R&D capabilities. Developing novel solutions would aid companies to firmly entrench their position in the market through wide product offerings.



To Gain More Insights into the Market with Detailed Table of Content and Figures, Click Here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/metalworking-fluids-market-101391



Detailed Table of Contents:



Introduction

Research Scope

Market Segmentation

Research Methodology

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Market Restraints

Market Opportunities

Key Insights

Key Industry Trends

Overview of Global Metalworking Fluids Production

Global Metalworking Fluids Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026

Key Findings / Summary

Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Function

Neat Cutting Oils

Water Cutting Oils

Corrosion Protection Oils

Others

Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type

Mineral

Synthetic

Bio-based

Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application

Construction

Electrical & Power

Agriculture

Automotive & transportation

Telecommunication

Healthcare

Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-use Industry

Metal Fabrication

Transportation Equipment

Machinery

Others

Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region

North America

Europe

Asia pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

TOC Continued!



Get Discount: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/check-discount/metalworking-fluids-market-101391

Key Industry Developments:



October 2019: Castrol introduced its newest metalworking management system called SmartControl. The system enables automatic and in-machine monitoring and regulation of metalworking fluids. The product was developed jointly developed by Castrol and Tiefenbach, a Germany-based control systems experts.



June 2019: Henkel showcased its vast range of metalworking and die-casting solutions at the GIFA 2019 held in Dusseldorf, Germany. Its new product line aims at streamlining manufacturing processes, reducing costs, and provides solutions to the entire metalworking value chain.



About Fortune Business Insights

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 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.



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Thousands of refugees and migrants are trying to enter Greece through the countrys eastern land border with Turkey.

Clashes have erupted on the Greek-Turkish border with Greek authorities using tear gas and a water cannon to hold back refugees and migrants trying to push through the frontier into Greece.

There were also reports of tear gas being fired from the Turkish side of the border into Greece.

Thousands of migrants and refugees have been trying to enter Greece through Turkeys eastern land and sea borders over the past week after Turkey declared that its previously guarded borders with Europe were open.

Turkey currently hosts about 3.6 million Syrian refugees.

After months of threats, last week Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would no longer be the gatekeeper for Europe.

Erdogan maintains the EU has not upheld its end of a more than six-billion-euro deal brokered to stem the flow of refugees and migrants into Europe, after more than a million people entered the European Union in 2015.

He has demanded the EU shoulder more of the burden of caring for refugees, although the EU insists it is abiding by the deal in which it disbursed billions of euros in return for Turkey keeping the refugees on its soil.

Syrian refugees from Idlib along with other migrants, have been camped out on this riverbank in Edirne, Turkey for days, Al Jazeeras Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Edirne on the Greek-Turkish border, said.

They are stuck here trying to figure out how best to cross into Greece and continue on to Western Europe.

Ceasefire deal

Erdogans move to open the border came amid a Syrian government offensive in its northwestern Idlib province, where Turkish troops are fighting.

The Russia-backed offensive has killed dozens of Turkish troops and sent nearly a million Syrian civilians towards Turkeys sealed border.

An Idlib ceasefire, brokered by Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, went into effect at midnight.

{articleGUID}

Opposition activists and a war monitor reported a complete absence of Russian and Syrian government warplanes in the skies of Idlib and relative calm in the area.
MARSHALL, Mich., March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Michigan Pure Med, Michigans largest vertically integrated cannabis company and parent company of Common Citizen, today opened its state-of-the-art cannabis manufacturing facility in Marshall. The facility will have the capacity to scale up to 1.2 million square feet and is expected to create up to 400 jobs over the next five years.

We are excited to open our amazing, first-of-its-kind cannabis manufacturing headquarters in Marshall, which will allow us to continue providing high-quality cannabis products with a relentless focus on patient, consumer and product safety, said Michael Elias, CEO of Michigan Pure Med and Common Citizen. We look forward to creating jobs for Marshall and the surrounding communities in a welcoming and caring company culture that puts employees and our customers first.

The facility uses state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly methods to grow high-quality cannabis, including:

Hybrid growing approach using sunlight to reduce reliance on artificial light

Same environmental controls found in indoor facilities at a fraction of the cost

Real-time data to manage air quality, humidity, light and plant nutrients

Maximized economies of scale, keeping products affordable for patients and consumers

The Marshall facility will open with 200,000 square feet dedicated to growing and processing and is expected to have its first harvest in April. It will produce high-quality cannabis products for Common Citizen and its retail affiliates and brand partners. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will soon be announced.

Common Citizen is committed to patient and consumer safety, and adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which are the quality standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Common Citizen is also leading the charge to bring tighter regulations and certification requirements to licensed operators in Michigan and nationwide to ensure people have access to safe, quality product.

Common Citizen is a privately owned and operated company, focusing on high-quality cannabis cultivation, processing, retail and wholesale distribution for both the medical and adult recreational market in Michigan and across the United States. Launched in Detroit in 2018, the Common Citizen brand takes a deliberate, people-first approach to its business strategy  from production to retail.

Learn more at commoncitizen.com. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Some of the students relatives have defended the practice  saying that it worked to change students behavior when nothing else could  and denounced the F.D.A.s decision.

I just feel like I got punched in the gut when they did this, said Louisa Goldberg, 66, whose son Andrew Goldberg, 39, lives at the center. Im just so sad.

She said that her son had brain damage and epilepsy, and that he showed severe aggression as a teenager. There were violent episodes, trips to the hospital, and psychotropic medications that left him sluggish. His mother said he was placed in physical restraints for hours at a time.

His life was torture, she said.

Mr. Goldberg went to live at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center at age 19 and began wearing an electric shock device. Ms. Goldberg said her son would receive two-second shocks as a sporadic part of a broader treatment plan. He has since been weaned off the device and can do things he could not do before, like go to the movies.

This treatment works, and I will stand by it, and I will fight for it, Ms. Goldberg said.

In a statement on Thursday, the school said that the F.D.A. had made a decision based on politics, not facts, to deny this lifesaving, court-approved treatment.

J.R.C. has provided countless hours of testimony, volumes of information and made clinicians, other staff and family members of our clients, or clients themselves, available to the F.D.A. over the past several years, it said. In fact, after multiple requests for the federal agency to visit the only facility impacted by this rule, the F.D.A. stuck its head in the sand and refused to visit.

The school administers the electric shocks with a device called a graduated electronic decelerator. On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the school said it had 282 clients, 55 of whom  all adults  had been approved by a court to wear the graduated electronic decelerator after all other treatments failed.
Photo courtesy David Dow Bentley III

It seems that each year at this time I am confronted with the daunting task of trying to summarize the countless delights of the MUSIC BOX THEATERS latest creative tribute to Broadway musical theatre. This years edition, BROADWAY AT THE BOX 2020, is perhaps even more difficult to capture in words because the vocal prowess and comedic skill displayed during the two hours of numerous clever sketches seems better than ever. For years I have wondered when this talented little troupe would run out of brilliant ideas, but that just hasnt happened. Of course the usual suspects are once again on hand with company founders, Rebekah Dahl & Brad Scarborough, ably assisted by Kristina Sullivan, Luke Wrobel and Cay Taylor. They combine forces for two hours of great music and great fun, (nicely supported by the four-member house band), and the result has been the groups continued dominance in the TripAdvisor.com listings of Concerts & Shows for Houston.

With Brad and Rebekah presiding, the lively and fun-filled opening number, Road to Hell, from the Broadway hit, HADESTOWN, featured the prancing and merry gyrations of the cast, and the infectious melody of the instantly likable tune. Next, from the show, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Mr. Scarborough brought fierce vocal focus to the song, Waving Through a Window, as he skillfully carved out the varied complexities of the powerful number. With a bluesy, gliding and silken voice, Kristina followed with a warm and thoughtful, Cant Help Lovin Dat Man, from SHOWBOAT, that was full of tender longing. Rebekah pairs with Luke for the hilarious, Sue Me, from GUYS & DOLLS, and she hits a real homerun beautifully delivering Miss Adelaides rapid-fire and tongue-twisting vocal. Miss Taylor was next, offering a beautiful story of dreams not realized with the lovely, Stars and the Moon, from SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. Rebekah then livens up the room entering from the rear of the theater making a slinky, sensuous and seductive trip through the audience singing a raucous, Turn Back O Man from GODSPELL, and then joining Brads calming Jesus on the stage for the numbers full-cast finale. Next, Luke is joined on stage by gifted lead guitarist and band member, Mark McCain, as the two combine forces for the haunting delicacy of Cole Porters, So in Love, from KISS ME KATE.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Kerala High Court order to conduct the local body elections using the electoral roll prepared for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on an appeal filed by Kerala State Election Commission.

Reacting to this, V Bhaskaran, Kerala State Election Commissioner, told ANI, "There are many practical difficulties if we take 2019 voters list. So we had presented these difficulties before the Supreme Court. The court accepted it and the order of division bench is stayed now."

Election Commission appealed for conducting the civic body polls based on the voters' list prepared for the 2015 local body elections, which had invited stiff opposition from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The Left Democratic Front (LDF), the ruling coalition is supporting the election commission decision.

Earlier, UDF had approached Division bench of the Kerala High Court, which quashed the Election Commission's order against which state election commission moved the apex court.

One of the main contentions of UDF was regarding the new voters but the election commission said that all applicants will be added in the list.

"We expect about 10 lakh new voters and we have already received applications of about 15.59 lakh people. So we will start to process it and we will finalize the list," said State Election Commissioner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a compensation scheme of up to Rs 10 lakh for those who were affected during Delhi violence. Now, an image of a newspaper page announcing the relief package is going viral online with a claim that the Delhi government has initiated the scheme only for the Muslim victims. The claim, however, is false and the image is edited.

The altered image shows the word Muslim written beside the header of the scheme. The header reads, For those affected in riot and just beside it the word Muslim is added in brackets. It has also been circled.

The image is now being widely shared by many across Twitter, Facebook, and Whatsapp.

Heres one such post:

The edited image shared by a Facebook user.

A search on Google led us to a post shared by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Twitter. It shows an image detailing the scheme announced. However, the word Muslim is not written on it. The same image has been shared by AAP on Facebook as well.

Further, while announcing the scheme, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, the incidents of violence have decreased since Wednesday. We are extending our Farishtey scheme, which is otherwise meant for road accident victims, to crime affected and riot affected people. Our government hospitals are already free, but now the Delhi government will also bear the cost of treatment of victims in private hospitals.

Hence, the viral image claiming that AAP is providing monetary relief only for Muslim victims of Delhi violence is false. And, the image is edited.

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In mid-December Rihanna was awarded her first-ever British Fashion Award for her LVMH-owned brand, Fenty.

To celebrate, the songstress hosted an after-party which saw its high-profile attendees (Kaia Gerber and Iris Law to name just a few) pose in front of an assortment of statement blue roses, hydrangeas, delphiniums, pampas grass, asparagus fern and gyp as they entered the Fenty lair.

The interior of the party, which was hosted at West London's Laylow, saw an eclectic mix of white and pink blooms line both floors of the soiree.

Each crop had been meticulously placed, arranged and styled by Romy St. Clair and Iona Mathieson of Peckham-based SAGE Flowers, the floristry company they founded in 2018.

"It was super fun. Rihanna's stylist and collaborator Jahleel Weaver got in contact directly with us about them, as our friend Grace Ladoja (Skepta and Mabel's manager) told him that if he needs flowers, he should come to us," Mathieson explains.

Despite having no formal training, the girls have also designed the flowers for ASAI, Gucci, Glossier, Christian Louboutin and Nike, to name just a few.

SAGE's floral arrangements for the Fenty BFA after-party / Rex Features

Renowned Londoner Flora Starkey is renowned for her ethereal arrangements. Her skills have been employed by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy and reportedly even Kate Moss.

McQueens has been lending its luxe petals to the fashion worlds elite since it first opened in Shoreditch in 1991, while Scarlett & Violet has also been serving Londons fashion scene since 2006.

But increasingly brands are providing an opportunity for a fresh crop of new-gen florists, such as SAGE, to flourish.

Prada's Resort 2020 campaign with flowers arranged by Alexander Manho Young / Prada

For us, the big moment was our first job for Glossier which was super fun and beautiful, we were given a really loose brief so we were able to produce what we wanted and our style really shone through," Mathieson explains. Since then weve been able to demand brands use us for our style, as opposed to fitting in with a mood board they already had.

Alisa Lambina founded Islington-based Untitled (Flowers) in January 2018 after graduating from art school. One of her florists, Alexander Manho Young, styled the flowers for the Prada Resort 2020 campaign.

Both Untitled (Flowers) and SAGE have blossomed in part thanks to their fresh and quirky aesthetics, which have attracted an inevitably cooler and younger crowd to floristry.

Laboos Flowers was also founded in 2018 by former art director Frances Knight-Jacobs, and has been tapped by the likes of Vivienne Westwood, the British Fashion Council and renowned fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan.

While business may be booming for all three businesses, keeping up with the increased demand comes at a price.

The market for cut flowers and ornamental plants in the UK was worth 1.3 billion in 2018, according to government statistics, with 80% of our cut flowers coming from the Netherlands, and for a bloom to maintain its value, it must cover these thousands of miles remaining intact and blemish-free.

SAGE arranged the flowers for the limited-edition Fenty x ASAI collaboration / Fenty

For Knight-Jacobs, who refers to Laboos as an "eco-conscious" florist, she has found it impossible to make her work fully sustainable. "Its difficult finding a balance between a clients' brief, the availability of flowers at the time of the job and sourcing affordable stock that will make a profit," she laments.

Hers is a sentiment shared by the girls behind SAGE and Untitled (Flowers) too.

"Flowers are generally packaged in plastic, wrapped in elastic bands and flown in from all over the world. They have a huge carbon footprint, and that's before they're put in non-degradable plastic floral foam," Mathieson admits.

Approximately 100,000 tons of plastic is produced for the floriculture industry each year, of which only about 30 tons is recycled.

Lambina of Untitled (Flowers), is steadfast: "The flower industry, like most industries, has a long way to go if it is to reach a level of sustainability that is harmless to the health of the planet."

While both smaller and more established florists collectively grapple with trying to make their floral offerings as green as possible, the girls at SAGE are well aware of the fact that flowers are only ever an accessory, a prop. Mathieson clarifies, "In the grand scheme of things, we know floristry isn't important. We're not curing disease, we're not solving the big problems."

Her argument is continued by St. Clair, who says, "In a world of Instagram filters, cosmetic surgery and fast fashion, its nice to work with something that is so timeless and naturally beautiful."

With more collaborations and fashion events on the horizon (the owners of the florists are made to sign NDA's before committing to projects with big brands), the future for these new-gen florists looks set to bloom.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 10:54:41|Editor: yhy

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LOS ANGELES, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Walt Disney Archives will kick off a grand exhibition on Saturday in celebration of its 50th anniversary, organizers said in a press briefing on Thursday.

A total of 465 items will be on display until Aug. 30 at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, showcasing Disney's history through original artwork, costumes and props.

"The exhibit is an exciting opportunity for Disney fans of all ages to view some of the special treasures housed at the Walt Disney Archives, as well as discover what the archives is and what it does within The Walt Disney Company," said Michael Varge, vice president of corporate communications of the company.

The exhibit features classics like sketches for "Fantasia" and ghouls from the "Haunted Mansion" attraction, and modern-day favorites like costumes from "Frozen" and various superheroes and villains.

Varge said the archives is Disney's historical repository, from correspondence to script notes, from oral histories to personal effects, which has served as a vital resource pool for historians and filmmakers for decades.

Peter Keller, president and CEO of the Bowers Museum, told Xinhua that the museum expects to bring to the public traditional art treasures, many of which have never been on display before.

The museum has kept close exchanges with its Chinese partners, including museums in the Chinese cities of Nanjing, Xi'an and Kunming, according to Anne Shin, chairwoman of the Board of Governors of the museum.
Representative image

The Maharashtra government on March 6 announced that it is reducing stamp duty on properties by 1% for Mumbai, MMRDA Region and Pune for a period of two years.

The Karnataka government, in its recent Budget tabled earlier this week, also reduced stamp duty charges for all affordable homes priced within Rs 20 lakh to 2 percent from 5 percent from April 1.

Tabling the first Budget of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which completed 100 days in office on March 6, Deputy Chief MinisterAjit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced tax concession proposal.

"There would be 1% stamp duty concession for the next two years and other related charges applicable on registration of documents in the areas falling under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and municipal corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur," he said.

According to data shared by Anarock, housing sales in 2019 in MMR saw a jump of 22% against 2018.

"A 1% reduction of stamp duty in key cities of Maharashtra will definitely give some monetary relief to homebuyers, particularly those seeking affordable properties. While it may not increase housing sales by a huge margin in other budget categories, it will definitely encourage a significant complement of fence-sitters eyeing affordable homes to take the plunge," said Anuj Puri, Chairman  ANAROCK Property Consultants.

Vikas Jain, Managing Committee member, CREDAI-MCHI Raigad Unit and CEO of Labdhi Lifestyle, also lauded the government's move.

"Lowering down the stamp duty charges from 6% to 5% is a good step taken by the Maharashtra government in today's Budget. Reduction in Stamp duty will benefit homebuyers as their purchasing power will increase, said Vikas Jain, Managing Committee member, CREDAI-MCHI Raigad Unit and CEO of Labdhi Lifestyle.

"This effectively, will result in 4 percent stamp duty and 1 per cent Metro cess. The suggestion put forward by industry bodies was for a 50 percent reduction but this is a beginning. while the move will impact collections, which might go down by an estimated Rs 1,800 crore, the shortfall can be recovered through alternative avenues as also the impact of multiplier sales that will happen," said Niranjan Hiranandani, president (National) NAREDCO as also President, ASSOCHAM.
One of Pennsylvania's largest gas drillers pulled out of settlement talks aimed at resolving its $5 million lawsuit against a resident whose drinking water was contaminated and who has spent years bashing the energy industry.

Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. sued Dimock resident Ray Kemble and his former lawyers in 2017, claiming they tried to extort the company through frivolous litigation. Cabot also claims Kemble violated a 2012 settlement agreement by repeatedly "spouting lies" about the company in public.

Kemble, a high-profile fracking opponent who has traveled the country talking about his experiences with the gas industry, charges that Cabot is trying to shut him up.

The company, which has drilled hundreds of wells in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation, pulled out of a settlement conference scheduled for Friday because the parties have made "no progress" toward resolution, Cabot said in a legal filing.

Kemble's former lawyers, in turn, accused the driller of failing to negotiate in good faith, calling its withdrawal from talks "an indication that this action was not intended to seek compensatory damages, but instead an attempt to harass, embarrass and annoy the defendants."

An email was sent to Cabot spokesman George Stark on Thursday seeking comment on the case, which, for now, remains on a path toward trial.

Kemble and others have long accused Cabot of polluting their water supplies, a claim that formed the basis of the Emmy-winning 2010 documentary "Gasland." State regulators held Cabot responsible for polluting residential water wells and banned it from drilling in a 9-square-mile (23-square-kilometer) area of Dimock, a rural community 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Philadelphia.

Cabot, which has long denied responsibility, has been waging a fierce PR and legal campaign against Kemble and other fracking opponents who the company says are funded by deep-pocketed environmental groups to spread falsehoods about Cabot. The company, which is publicly traded, has said it sees the litigation against Kemble and his former lawyers as a way to defend itself from scurrilous attacks.

But Stark, who was deposed by the defendants' lawyers in January, was largely unable to identify specific economic damages suffered by Cabot as a result of Kemble's short-lived federal lawsuit. Kemble's suit had accused Cabot of polluting his water supply anew.

Under questioning, Stark asserted that Cabot's reputation was harmed by Kemble. But he added: "From the standpoint of the ongoing basis, I can't even ascertain what the damages would be," according to a transcript.

Documents filed as part of the case show that both sides are far apart in resolving their differences.

Kemble's former law firms offered $50,000 to settle, asserting that Cabot itself could only substantiate damages of $90,000 for legal fees it incurred in 2017. Cabot, in turn, offered to settle for $3 million  the limits of the law firms' malpractice insurance policies.

Kemble's current lawyer has not offered a monetary settlement, demanding that Cabot dismiss Kemble from the case.

Cabot has been aggressive about pursuing its lawsuit, forcing Kembles fellow activists to sit for depositions and obtaining their bank records. In his deposition, Stark asserted that Kemble and others had perpetrated a hoax that gas drilling had polluted the water. At one point, the company sought to have Kemble thrown in jail for failing to appear at depositions.

The judge overseeing the case has previously criticized the company for its $5 million demand, saying Cabot announced the large sum in order to generate headlines.
Reports about Pope Francis getting sick has worried Catholic devouts around the globe for fear that the pontiff might contracted coronavirus, which has infected thousands in Italy. It is known that he has been suffering colds and coughs, which is the cause of his absense in some events and gatherings. For everyone's peace of mind, the pope was tested for COVID-19 to ensure that he is safe from said disease.

It turns out that Pope Francis tested negative for the novel coronavirus. However, the Vatican said that the pope is still ill and suffering from a cold but is not exhibiting other symptoms.

According to a report by Italian newspaper Messaggero, the 83-year-old pontiff has been tested for the virus as a precaution after the Vatican sovereign canceled events since last week due to "slight indisposition."

Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesman did not directly confirm the statement the pope was tested for COVID19 but said that the cold diagnosed in the pope was still running its course and that the pope is not exhibiting any other symptoms that can be attributed to other pathologies.

For the first time in the duration of his papacy, Pope Francis canceled a Lent retreat last Sunday, following previous cancellations of meetings and appearances. The pope retreated to the confines of his Vatican residence for the duration of the past week.While reciting the Angelus Prayer last Sunday, the pontiff suffered two coughing fits and later on apologized to the Saint Peter's Square crowd saying that a cold has forced him to skip this year's Lent retreat.

COVID-19 caused by a new strain of coronavirus which first emerged in China and has spread worldwide, among the worst affected is Italy which has recorded 2,500 cases and 79 deaths.

Amid the issues surrounding the health of the Pope, the Vatican has been projecting a calm image and released a recorded video of the pope last Tuesday saying that he will still deliver his Angelus Prayer on Sunday. However, the usual throng of people who crowd Saint Peter's Square and the long queues in front of Vatican museums are gone.

Read also: South Korea Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs, Suspected Connection to Cult Leader

Due to the pope's current health condition, his planned appearances at the end of the month including a meeting with 2,000 youngsters coming from 115 counties in Assisi have been postponed until November due to the looming feat of the coronavirus contagion. Another even with students around the world was supposed to be scheduled in May but is moved in October for the same reason.

Aside from the pope's health, the Vatican has also encountered a coronavirus-related scare as offices of a French priest who is working a the Ministry of Communication in the Vatican were disinfected. This is after a community of almost 20 priests have been in contact with a priest who returned to Paris in mid-February and was confirmed positive for the virus last week.

Aside from losing part of his lung in his younger years and suffering sciatica which causes his difficulty in walking, the pope has enjoyed good health since. He rarely cancels his appointment and even makes extra effort and time to mingle with the faithful.

According to Vatican experts, fear over the virus within the city state is particularly acute due to the fact that many of its residents are elderly, including 92-year-old ex-pope Benedict the XVI who dwells in a small former monastery inside the city.

The novel coronavirus which is the causative agent for the deadly COVID-19, has infected more than 95,000 worldwide and has taken at least 3,200 lives since its first emergence in Wuhan.

Related article: Pope Francis Sick Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases in Italy, Catholics Vigil for His Recovery

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington in a file photograph. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

China Gave Imperfect Data on Coronavirus Epidemic: Pompeo

China has delivered imperfect data on the new coronavirus, which emerged in the country in late 2019 before spreading to more than 50 countries around the world, a top U.S. official said on Friday.

Remember, this is the Wuhan coronavirus thats caused this, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, using a colloquial name for SARS-CoV-2, the new virus. And the information that we got at the front end of this thing wasnt perfect and has led us now to a place where much of the challenge we face today has put us behind the curve.

Infectious disease doctors have told Pompeo that how the situation unfolded isnt the way it should have gone, the secretary of state said during an appearance on CNBC.

It has proven incredibly frustrating to work with the Chinese Communist Party to get our hands around the dataset, which will ultimately be the solution to both getting the vaccine and attacking this risk, Pompeo said.

The recent claims from Chinese authorities that the virus might not have originated in China directly contradict the communist regimes earlier statements that the virus came from Wuhan, a city of some 11 million in China where thousands of people have been infected, he added.

A community worker in protective suit disinfects a residential compound in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei Province, China on March 6, 2020. (Stringer/Reuters)

A man wears a mask around his neck as he rides a subway in Manhattan in New York City on March 5, 2020. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

We have pretty high confidence that we know where this began and we have high confidence, too, that there was information that could have been made available more quickly, and data that could have been provided and shared among health professionals across the world, he said. Its most unfortunate.

Pompeos criticism of China is the latest from the White House. Larry Kudlow, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, said last month that U.S. leaders were disappointed with the way China handled the epidemic.

I wish we did know more. You know, this should not be about politics or for that matter, trade. This is just plain, ordinary health, public health, to help people, Kudlow told reporters in Washington.

We have very good trade deal with them and so forth. But, on this particular matter, we are quite disappointed in Chinas response, said Kudlow, the National Economic Council director.

China for weeks blocked U.S. experts from entering the country to study the virus, ultimately only allowing a few to enter as part of a World Health Organization (WHO) team.

The team produced a report with Chinese health officials that largely praised the Chinese response to the virus and WHO officials have maintained that the actions China took helped delay the spread of the virus to other countries.
Days ahead of Holi celebrations, the district administration here has held a meeting with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the officials concerned to chalk out a strategy to counter the coronavirus threat.

District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra said an isolation ward has been set up in case of any eventuality.

"A detailed meeting with IMA and officials concerned was held on Thursday to chalk out a strategy," Mishra said, adding the chief medical officer of Mathura has been instructed to make adequate arrangements to counter the spread of the disease.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Sher Singh has advised people to contact 18001805145, 9897136678, 805743663 in case they want to report any suspected case of coronavirus.

Also, Holi celebrations by widows of 'Ashray Sadan' in Vrindaban has been cancelled in view of coronavirus scare.

ISKCON authorities in Vrindaban have asked foreigners, specially from countries hit by coronavirus, to defer their visit for at least two months.

Foreign nationals who are already in Vrindavan have been advised to undergo medical test, if they develop cold, cough or fever, said Raj Vidya Dasa, a senior member of the public relation section of ISKCON.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Names are a big deal for the members of the royal family. They demonstrate status, alignments, and power structures. When Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stepped away from their royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left many questions up in the air. Among those questions was what would happen to their titles and would their names change.

Amongst all of the more serious speculation about the outcomes of this unprecedented move, we now have a little levity. Jon Bon Jovi, who has been working with Prince Harry on a song collaboration, has given the outcasted royal a new nickname.

Prince Harrys collaboration with Jon Bon Jovi is one of his final royal acts

While the rumors about Prince Harry and Meghans departure swirled for at least the past year, the announcement that they would officially be stepping back from their duties has been public for a few months.

Still, it takes time to untangle all of their responsibilities, and they are not officially out of the roles until April 1. That gives the pair time to wrap up impending projects.

One of those projects includes the somewhat unlikely work of Prince Harry working alongside rock star Jon Bon Jovi to create a song. The collaboration is part of a charity effort.

Bon Jovi went to Abbey Road Studio to re-record his song Unbroken, which was originally written to raise awareness about veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Proceeds from the new project will go to the Invictus Games Foundation.

Prince Harrys new freedom is causing rifts with family

Prince Harry visits the NHS Manchester Resilience Hub on September 4, 2017 in Manchester, England | Chris Jackson  Pool/Getty Images

These last engagements as official royal duties  especially ones with high profile rock stars  are getting a lot of media attention, but thats a source of frustration for the other members of the family who will not be exiting at the end of the month. In particular, Prince Harry and Meghans brief return to the U.K. overlapped with Prince William and Kates visit to Ireland.

The fear is that the coverage of the exiting couple will overshadow the important work of the Cambridges diplomatic efforts.

Prince Harry and Meghan are already facing some icy consequences of their decision, including being demanded not to use the word royal to describe themselves. These consequences include the removal of their HRH titles.

It will no longer be appropriate to refer to them as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness. However, Prince Harry is still a prince, and he still maintains his place in the line of succession to the throne.

Jon Bon Jovi has a new nickname for Prince Harry

While discussing their collaborative project, Bon Jovi poked a little fun at Prince Harrys predicament. Prince Harrys role in the collaboration was to sit in as a senior member of the royal family as a way to provide support to the charity effort. Bon Jovi joked that he was planning to hand him a tambourine and see what hes got going.

Then he went on to say that he wasnt sure how to refer to Prince Harry as they worked together. He said: Ive been asking, What do I do? How do I address him? And then I realized Im gonna call him The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.'

While, of course, the joke isnt accurate  Prince Harry is now and forever a prince, something thats determined by his birth and not his current duties  Bon Jovi has managed to add a little fun to what has been a tense situation for everyone involved. Prince Harry and Meghan have a 12-month review period. Its possible that they could change their minds about their new roles, but only time will tell what arrangement will work best for everyone.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump traveled to Tennessee on Friday to survey the wreckage left by a powerful and deadly storm system that ripped through the state Tuesday, leveling homes and killing at least 25 people.

He stopped in Cookeville, Tenn., one of the hardest hit areas located east of Nashville, where he praised local officials including Gov. Bill Lee as well as the work of FEMA. In Putnam County, Trump's motorcade arrived in a residential area, where he surveyed the wreckage alongside Lee, who said it had been a "tragic, painful week for our state."

"They're wiped out. They have nothing," Trump said. "We're going to be with them all the way."

The president was expected to visit with survivors before leaving Tennessee on Friday afternoon.

He vowed to provide federal support for the state's recovery efforts, which was approved on Thursday after Lee declared a state of emergency in the wake of the deadly storms. The funds were made available to Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties.

Trump met emergency responders and survivors at the Church of Christ in Cookeville, where recovery efforts were underway.

"We have done everything we need to do and our hearts go out to you," he told survivors. "When you have those who lost somebody that's a very tough situation ... We are with you all the way."

He also met 61-year- Lamar Redmond, who told the president he lost his sister and brother-in-law in the tornado and doesn't want anyone in the community to get left behind.

He is a caring president, Redmond said. I thought he was just going to do a flyby, but he was out here walking among us.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on his arrival at Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville Friday, March 6, 2020.

Like presidents before him, Trump has often traveled to sites in the aftermath of natural disasters, playing the role of "comforter-in-chief."

Trump has made at least a dozen trips to tour damage from tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires since he took office in 2017. In the beginning of his term, those trips often made news, such as when he lobbed paper towels at residents in Puerto Rico in 2017 following hurricanes Irma and Maria. More recently his trips to weather-ravaged locales have come and gone with little controversy.

Story continues

President Donald Trump talks with then gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, left, as California Gov. Jerry Brown listens during a visit to a neighborhood impacted by the wildfires in Paradise, California.

The president traveled to Florida in May to meet with victims of Hurricane Michael, which struck the states panhandle as a Category 5 storm.

"You got hit with a little hurricane," Trump said of the city he visited less than a week after the storm hit. "Michael was not a nice hurricane, I can tell you that. But we're doing well."

The Trump administration was widely criticized early in his term for its response to the storms in Puerto Rico  criticism he continues to push back on  but since then has generally avoided high-profile skirmishes with local officials following catastrophes.

In this Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 photo, President Donald Trump tosses paper towels into a crowd at Calvary Chapel in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

The president has also sought to downplay panic over the coronavirus outbreak as health officials warn Americans to prepare for it to further spread. The U.S. has confirmed more than 200 cases of coronavirus across 19 states, according to Johns Hopkins University. Twelve people have died after contracting the virus.

Coronavirus: Here's everything to know, from symptoms to how to protect yourself

Contributing: John Fritze; Joel Ebert, Adam Tamburin and Jason Gonzales, Nashville Tennessean

President Donald Trump shares a moment with Barbara Brown during a visiti to a hurricane relief site in Lynn Haven, Florida Monday afternoon October 15, 2018.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tennessee tornado: Trump tours devastated areas after deadly storms
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San Francisco, 6 March 2020: The Report Pet Insurance Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Accident and Illness, Accident Only), By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats), By Sales Channel (Broker, Agency), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019  2028

The global pet insurance market size is expected to reach USD 14.9 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., exhibiting a CAGR of 16.3%. Rapidly growing consumer awareness and product acceptance has benefited the market. According to Department of Clinical Veterinary Science (CVS) and Pet Food Institute (PFI), 30.0% of the pets in Sweden and almost 23.0% of the pets in the U.K. are covered by these insurance policies. However, less than 1.0% of the pets in the U.S. are insured.

Industry operators or players in pet insurance primarily compete with consumers who choose to self-fund pet medications and veterinary costs. However, with increasing availability of advanced technology and growing usage of veterinary services, costs are expected to increase. This increase in costs and with marketing efforts by players, the adoption of pet insurance has increased.

The market is growing as veterinary care is expensive and many owners cannot afford it; however, with insurance, they can claim around 90.0% of veterinary bills. Besides, rise in number of pet injuries and prevalence of diseases is also aiding growth. As per veterinary records, 2017, almost one in every three pets need urgent veterinary care every year. Furthermore, new strategies being undertaken by players are expected to aid further growth. For instance, MoreThan, a pet insurance company, in 2019, formed a partnership with PitPat, the dog activity monitor manufacturer, offering cash rewards of up to USD 112 to owners who exercised their pets regularly.

Access Research Report of Pet Insurance Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pet-insurance-market

Further key findings from the study suggest:

Agency held the dominant share of the sales channel segment as of 2018, owing to large customer base

Bancassurance is anticipated to exhibit lucrative growth over the forecast period. The key driver includes large and established bank network across the globe

Dog insurance segment was the dominant application in 2018. Increase in the number of dog owners across the globe is the key driver for this segment

The cats segment is anticipated to grow at an exponential rate throughout the forecast period. Cats are increasingly being adopted in Canada and preferred over dogs

On basis of product, accident and illness insurance had the largest share as of 2018. The key drivers of the segment are high veterinary treatment & diagnostic costs, rise of companion animal population, and increase in awareness about pet insurance

The key drivers of the segment include increasing health issues in animals and high treatment costs

In 2018, Europe held a dominant share of the regional segment.

North America held the second largest revenue share as of 2018. The key drivers of the pet insurance market are a rise in companion animal population and increase in awareness

Some key players are Petplan Limited; Trupanion, Inc.; Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; Hartville Group, Inc.; Pethealth, Inc.; PetFirst Healthcare LLC; Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, Inc.; and Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC

Browse more reports of this category by Grand View Research at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry/animal-health

Grand View Research has segmented the pet insurance market on the basis of the product, animal type, sales channel and region:

Pet Insurance Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Accident and Illness

Accident Only

Pet Insurance Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Dogs

Cats

Others

Pet Insurance Sales Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Agency

Broker

Bancassurance

Direct Writing

Pet insurance Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Central & South America

MEA

Access Press Release of Pet Insurance Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-pet-insurance-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
The Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union discusses the challenges facing Europe as COMECE celebrates 40 years since its foundation.

By Francesca Merlo

The Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) is celebrating 40 years since its foundation this year.

Fr Manuel Barrios Prieto, the Secretary General, describes these 4 decades of COMECE as very positive. Speaking to Vatican Radios Fr Felipe Herrera, he explains that he believes COMECE has managed to be faithful to its mission as it was established 40 years ago, even though maybe some things could have been done better and others differently.

Fr Barrios explains that COMECE was created 40 years ago as an Institution in Brussels with the aim of making the Catholic Church present in Europe, whilst maintaining a dialogue with the European Institutions and the Catholic Church in Europe.

Listen to our interview with Fr Barrios

Over the last 40 years, says Fr Barrios, COMECE has brought the sensibilities of the Church, its preoccupations, its main issues and the voice of the poor to light.

At the same time, COMECE has also been keeping in touch with the Bishops' Conferences of the different countries of the European Union and informing them of what is being done in the European institutions.

What we must remember, says Fr Barrios, is that challenges for COMECE are also challenges for Europe, and vice versa. One of these challenges is what Fr Barrios describes as the ecological transition: the idea of having a carbon neutral continent, of keeping, maintaining and being careful with our common home.

Another issue, he continues, is related to migration and refugees, and this is an important issue for the Church because the Church has a main mission, which is to preach and safeguard the dignity of the human person.

All these issues concerning Europe, concludes Fr Manuel Barrios, are very important and are going to be followed very closely by COMECE in the coming years.
Representatives of Iraq's top Shiite cleric did not deliver his weekly sermon in Karbala on Friday, a first since the fall of Saddam Hussein, due to fears of spreading the novel coronavirus.

Religious authorities had already closed the shrine of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, where the sermon is usually delivered, to mitigate the risk of contagion.

On Friday, representatives who usually read Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani's address, broadcast live on state television, did not appear.

The 89-year-old Sistani is based in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of Karbala, and never appears in public.

An official at the site in the holy city of Karbala told AFP that "the cancellation of Friday prayers at the Imam Hussein shrine is a first since 2003", the year an American-led invasion toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein.

Sources close to Sistani's office confirmed the unprecedented nature of the decision.

Iraq has reported three coronavirus deaths and 38 infections.

Authorities are particularly worried about coronavirus spreading via Shiite holy sites, which attract millions of pilgrims including many from neighbouring Iran which has seen the world's second-deadliest outbreak.

But on Friday numerous pilgrims flocked to the area near the Karbala mausoleum, and a road linking two shrines in the city was still open to pilgrims, AFP journalists said.

Provincial authorities have barred non-residents from entering Karbala province from Friday.

Sistani had dedicated part of his last two sermons to the health situation in the country of 40 million.

The virus has fuelled panic among Iraqis who say the war-ravaged country's health system cannot handle the epidemic.

In Najaf, the mausoleum of Imam Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad, was open to the public on Friday after Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr personally pushed for it to be re-opened.

Hundreds of his supporters gathered for prayers in the nearby town of Kufa -- Sadr's birthplace -- on Friday, AFP journalists reported.

Sadr did not attend, but sent a representative to deliver his sermon.

In Samarra, another holy Shiite site north of Baghdad, religious authorities cancelled a second pilgrimage in the space of a week.

Iran on Friday announced 17 more deaths from the novel coronavirus, raising the total number of people killed to 124, as the overall number of cases soared.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vilnius, Lithuania: Police in Lithuania intervened in a domestic dispute on Wednesday after a man locked his wife in the bathroom over fears that she may be carrying the Covid-19 coronavirus.

"We got the report that a husband and two adult sons refused to let the woman out of the bathroom after she told them that she could have contracted the coronavirus," national police spokesman Ramunas Matonis said.

The woman reportedly told her husband she may have caught the disease new coronavirus when she spoke with a person who had arrived from abroad.

"Police officers arrived, there was no violence, no complaint, therefore an ambulance was called," the police spokesman said.

Local media reported that the woman tested negative for the presence of the new coronavirus, which has so far infected one person in Lithuania, an EU Baltic state of 2.8 million people.

The 39-year-old male victim had recently returned from Verona in an area of northern Italy that has recorded Europe's highest number of deaths from the disease.

The virus death toll in Italy passed 100 on Wednesday.

Altogether the virus has killed over 3,000 people worldwide, most of them in China.
Of all the trips that lifestyle blogger Shifa Merchant has taken to Italy, this one easily tops the chart. Italy is a country famous for its architecture, art, history and gastronomy. Italy boasts of a rich cultural heritage waiting to be discovered and like India, Italian culture changes with every city!



So, read on as she helps you explore a different Italy, one that combines the old with the new, volcanic mountains with scenic coastlines, cave hotels with palatial stays, and more, much more!



1) Mount Etna, Sicily

Fondly called Mongibello by locals, Mount Etna is an active volcano. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, it is one of the most sought-out natural attractions in the world. Did you know that, on average, this active volcano has erupted every 1.7 years? It also happens to be one of the oldest volcanoes in the world, with lava dating back to 1,500 BCE. Hike up this mountain volcano to see the craters that have formed over the years. The rich volcanic soil from this region is famed for the cultivation of grapes that yield exceptional wine!


By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has come out with fresh corruption allegations against State Police Chief Lokath Behera. Chennithala said the purchase of 145 police vehicles and 30 multimedia projectors were done without obtaining prior sanction from the government.

The vehicle was purchased for Rs 26.40 crore, while Rs 15 lakh was spent on projectors. Chennithala said for the purchase above Rs 1 crore, prior sanction from the government was required.

The purchase order was issued on August 6, 2016. The government later regularized the illegal purchase. The tender procedure for projectors were also not followed, Chennithala said. However, this deal was also regularized by the government, he said.

Chennithala added that the government order issued to regularize the projector purchase had advised the DGP to strictly adhere to the purchase manual. Still, nothing changed thereafter, Chennithala alleged.

The Opposition Leader also trained his guns on the Chief Minister and said instead of taking action against the DGP, he was trying to protect him. "This involvement of the CM is suspicious," he said.

He also decried the Home Department's move to constitute a special team to probe the alleged CAG report leak. Chennithala said this was done to protect corruption.

"Instead of trying to stem corruption, the government is trying to intimidate the media and critics, " he said.

Chennithala said the police was obtaining the Call Data Record (CDR) of the journalist. "My phone is also being leaked. This is for the first time in Kerala history that an Opposition Leader's phone has been leaked," he said.

"This is what the Narendra Modi government is also doing in the centre. If the state government is trying to toe Modi's line, then we will oppose it," he added.

Chennithala added that he will expose more corruptions of the police in the coming days.
In an interview, Muller said AMVETS offered to pay for the event and let us run it, but he refused because of what he described as efforts to clamp down on security at the Pentagon. He said the 2019 event cost about $200,000, adding that the group lost about $20,000 that year after the Pentagon demanded additional security and restricted vendors.
A slight elevation of black inmates over whites relative to Vermonts underlying demographics has been judged to be due to systemic racism. There has been no thorough analysis of what proportion of these inmates of color are out-of-state transplants who have availed themselves of the lucrative fentanyl and heroin trafficking industry that is destroying Vermonters.

A recent study seeks (p. 28) to "Explore opportunities to better analyze and reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system." This is assisted by the previously-created Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel (p. 34):

Racial minorities are oftentimes in the position of defending themselves against the practice not only of intentional racism, but also of biases that are so embedded in our common ways of being that many people are absolutely unaware of the exercise of these selfsame biases.

This language displays the selfsame racial bias of assuming that white people in Vermont, and the judiciary, are racially biased (at p.35):

The role and focus of both the Racial Disparities Advisory Panel and the Sentencing Commission offer the potential for two existing entities to analyze and consider where and how statutes might guide criminal justice actors toward more consistent and equal treatment of individuals.

Yet, the sole evidence of disparate treatment is disparate outcomes -- slightly more black people are in prison than whites.

This study is biased. It seeks not to stem crime (let alone drug trafficking) but to alleviate a presumed disparity in equal racial treatment as the solution to an actual disparity in racial commission of crime. National and state statistics show clearly that crime is higher in urban areas and among those suffering from poverty -- blacks and Hispanics. The solution is not to stop incarcerating those who commit violent crimes (of either race) but to alleviate the social conditions which motivate people to desperation. The Vermont study reveals the many problems restoring offenders to community, the severe mental illness and drug addiction that exacerbate such efforts, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that underlie both. Assuming inmates are incarcerated because of racism actually avoids addressing those deeper problems, enabling more crime while reversing progress in race relations.

This Justice Reinvestment II study bears out this logical criticism: it reveals that blacks and whites in Vermont receive equal lengths of probation (p. 33); it does not address prior out-of-state convictions of minority inmates (those who relocated here and are counted as Vermont residents); it states (p. 30) that Black people who are identified as residents of other states make up a small number but a larger proportion of non-residents within Vermont corrections populations. When we examine this last group, we see (p. 30) that 19% of black out-of-state convictions are for drug-related offenses; versus 5% for white out-of-staters.

A recent Vermont criminal case reveals a serious problem with Vermonts presumption of white guilt with no chance to prove innocence. Leroy Headley, a Jamaican with a history of assault and domestic violence, was facing allegations of sexual assault against two minors in Vermont when he shot and killed Anako Lumumbo, a nurse and mother of two. If Headley is convicted and sentenced to prison, his incarceration will increase the number of blacks in Vermont prisons -- this will in turn be used to assert that police and Vermont courts are racist, and to promulgate laws to counter this non-problem.

Our police must arrest, our courts must convict, and our prisons must incarcerate people who murder, rape, or deal narcotics, regardless of their racial identity. To presume that disparate rates of incarceration stem from inherent racism, with no supporting evidence, is to divert attention away from real problems, while creating a new one -- racial tension and an inherently racist worldview, employing government to cast all whites and the judiciary as racist.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of shock therapy at a school for students with autism, emotional disturbances, and intellectual disabilities.

The ban specifically affects the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Mass., which uses electrical stimulation devices to curb or stop aggressive and self-injurious behavior in students.

The FDA estimates that between 45 and 50 students are currently subjected to shock therapy, which involves administering electrical shocks through electrodes attached to the skin.

Risks tied to the use of the devices include: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, pain, burns, and tissue damage. The agency also cautioned that many people who are exposed to these devices have intellectual or developmental disabilities that make it difficult to communicate their pain.

The FDA rule will remove such devices from the market entirely, but the agency did indicate that the ban specifically affects the Rotenberg center.

Since ESDs were first marketed more than 20 years ago, we have gained a better understanding of the danger these devices present to public health, said Dr. William Maisel, the director of the office of product evaluation and quality in the FDAs center for devices and radiological health. Through advancements in medical science, there are now more treatment options available to reduce or stop self-injurious or aggressive behavior, thus avoiding the substantial risk ESDs present.

National Public Radio member station WGBH first reported news of the final rule on Wednesday.

With the ban, the Rotenberg Center, which serves children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 21, and any other individuals or organizations using the devices now have up to 180 days to comply, giving the school time to transition students to a different treatment plan. The FDA recommended that the school explore using positive behavioral support and medication as alternative approaches to curb unwanted behavior.

In a prepared statement shared with Education Week, the school said it plans to challenge the government ban in court. A parents group also defended the practice and said it too would fight the ban.

The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) will continue to advocate for and will litigate to preserve this court-approved, life-saving treatment. FDA made a decision based on politics, not facts, to deny this, the statement from the center reads. JRC has exceeded all reporting requirements, and the school opted many years ago to install a 24 hour-per-day video monitoring system offering unprecedented oversight of the students and staff. Those tapes are also available for viewing by family members; family are welcome to visitwithout noticeanytime they wish.

The final rule follows a 2016 FDA proposal to ban electrical stimulation devices in schools. The decision to ban devices is rare: The agency has only banned two other medical devices since 1983 .

Related Reading

FDA Proposal Would Ban Shock Devices at Residential School

School Using Shock Therapy Under Fire Yet Again

Court Upholds N.Y. Bar on Aversive Interventions for Students
Engaged in two wars simultaneously in Syria and Libya, Turkey appears far from achieving its stated objectives on both fronts. The Syrian battlefield escalated dramatically after the killing of at least 36 Turkish soldiers in Idlib Feb. 27, but Turkeys retributive strikes on Syrian forces resulted in little change on the ground by March 5, when it agreed to a cease-fire deal with Russia. Turkeys war in Libya, meanwhile, has been more secretive, with the Turkish public often in the dark about the operations on the ground.

Turkeys military plans in Libya appear to be stumbling with its presence increasingly under attack and the diplomatic front is becoming more complex.

The Tobruk-based government, which supports Gen. Khalifa Hifters Libyan National Army, the adversary of the Turkish-backed forces, sent a senior delegation to Damascus March 1, aligning with the Syrian government amid the crisis in Idlib. The two sides signed a series of protocols, including on cooperation against terrorism and foreign fighters, and reopened the Libyan Embassy in Damascus. In a sense, Turkeys intervention in Libya earned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad another ally.

In the eyes of the Turkish side, The Assad regime has handed over the Libyan Embassy in Damascus to the self-styled government that backs Hifter, the leader of illegitimate armed forces [in Libya], becoming the first administration to recognize that government.

Arab observers believe the United Arab Emirates and Russia are behind the rapprochement between Damascus and the Tobruk-based government that amounts to a joint stance against Turkey. Egypt, which maintains dialogue with Damascus, might have also encouraged the move. The UAE had already reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital in December.

Ankara may downplay the Libyan-Syrian alignment, arguing that the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) is the one that enjoys UN recognition, but the move signifies a rising antagonism against Turkey in the Arab world.

The situation on the Libyan battleground, meanwhile, points to an impasse as serious doubts emerge on how viable the Turkish involvement is. At best, Ankaras military assistance to the GNA has helped prevent the fall of Tripoli. Yet the Libyan capital  held by the GNA and Islamist forces  has remained besieged and attacks on the Mitiga airport have continued, forcing frequent closures of the critical facility. In February alone, the airport was shut six times.

Fighting has escalated since the Jan. 19 conference in Berlin, which was supposed to pave the way for a lasting truce. More than 120 missiles were fired on Tripoli and Mitiga on Feb. 28-29 alone, according to the GNAs Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.

Bashagha believes Ankara has been helping create a military balance that should bring Hifter to dialogue since it began sending Turkish forces and allied Syrian fighters to Libya in January. Yet the negotiation prospects appear bleak. Hifter has been receiving foreign emissaries while continuing to strike Tripoli. On Feb. 18, his forces pounded Tripolis seaport, prompting the GNA to suspend its participation in UN-sponsored talks in Geneva.The talks  part of decisions made in Berlin to achieve a lasting truce  involve military committee meetings as well as political and economic discussions. The political track got off to a chaotic start Feb. 29 as some participants walked out before the meeting even began. The UNs Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, has since resigned, saying his health no longer allows this rate of stress.

According to Libyan observers, the partial balance that Turkeys intervention has achieved requires a greater military buildup to produce meaningful results.

A Libyan academic who requested anonymity told Al-Monitor, Turkeys drones and anti-aircraft weapons have helped the defense of Tripoli to some extent. Hifter is now unable to use air power, shelling the Mitiga airport from a distance of 40 kilometers [25 miles].

Recalling the November accord between Ankara and the GNA on the demarcation of maritime borders, the academic argued that Turkey eyed economic gains in Libya, where major gas fields remain under Hifters control in the east. Turkey wants to fight Hifter to take the east. It is all about business. Yet more needs to be done to win the war, he said, and claimed that Turkey at times restrains the anti-Hifter forces. For instance, [anti-Hifter forces] wanted to launch an offensive on Sirte but the commanders of the Turkish forces stopped them, saying the time was not right. We have no idea why, he said.

While international factors surrounding the Libyan conflict have made it hard for Turkey to expand its intervention, the Turkish involvement has strengthened Egyptian and Emirati resolve to stand by Hifter. Fresh munition shipments to Hifters forces are widely believed to be behind a recent increase in air traffic from the UAE to Libya.

Turkeys Anatolia news agency reported that 40 Emirati cargo planes flew to Hifter-controlled areas, including the al-Khadim airbase, from Jan. 12 to Feb. 7. According to the French publication Intelligence Online, Abu Dhabi sent more than 3,000 tons of military equipment to Hifters forces in the second half of January, allegedly equivalent to the Emirati assistance in the whole of last year.

There are few signs of matching Turkish shipments to the opposite camp. Two Turkish frigates were spotted off Tripoli Jan. 28, while a Lebanese-flagged ship with a cargo of arms en route from the Turkish port of Mersin to Tripoli was seized in an Italian harbor Feb. 3.

With their firepower apparently enhanced, Hifters forces have stepped up attacks and Turkey has suffered casualties. The most controversial attack targeted Tripolis seaport Feb. 18. Despite claims that a Turkish ship was struck, neither Ankara nor the GNA confirmed the reports. The attack caused loss of life anyway. The death of a Turkish intelligence officer became public knowledge only after schoolmates attending his funeral shared a message of reproach that he was not accorded an official ceremony. The media named a second intelligence officer killed in the attack, while some reports spoke of three people buried silently without ceremony.

As Ankara came under fire for covering up casualties, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned a few martyrs Feb. 22. We are [in Libya] with our heroic soldiers and teams from the Syrian National Army against Hifter, the illegitimate mercenary legionnaire. Of course, we have a few martyrs, but we have neutralized nearly 100 legionnaires in turn, he said. Erdogans reference to a few martyrs sparked a public outcry for being irreverent, leading him to confirm two deaths a couple of days later.

Erdogans Feb. 22 remarks were also an admission of Turkeys transfer of Syrian fighters to Libya. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported in early February that some 4,700 Syrian recruits had reached Tripoli, with about 1,800 others in Turkey for training. The fatalities among the Syrian fighters, who are allegedly paid salaries of up to $2,500, have not figured in Ankaras tallies.

A spokesman for Hifters forces claimed Feb. 23 that 16 Turkish troops had been killed in battles in Misrata, Tripoli and al-Falah. There have been also frequent reports of Turkish drones being shot down. Libya's Al-Marsad, for instance, claims that as many as 20 Turkish drones have been downed thus far. Yet such claims are often part of the propaganda war and should be taken with a grain of salt.

By sending troops to Libya, Erdogan hoped to achieve some form of partnership with Russia, similar to the one in Syria that has alternated between collaboration and conflict. Libya has thus become the second most important topic in Turkeys bargaining with Russia, which has backed Hifter through the private Russian security company Wagner. Yet Erdogans expectation that Russias involvement in Libya will play into his hands has not held true, both because of Russian reluctance and the much greater role that Egypt and the UAE play in backing Hifter.

The GNA, which has lost $2.6 billion in revenues since Hifters forces blockaded major oil ports and a key pipeline in January, is now calling on the United States to set up a military base in Libya to counter Russia. Washington may be wary of growing Russian influence in the region, but there are no tangible signs yet that it is willing to reopen the Libya file, shelved since the 2012 slaying of the US ambassador. And what Turkey could do in Libya is limited, given its growing involvement in Syria.
Behind Mexico's picturesque beaches, amazing and varied cuisines, and warm, welcoming people lies an underworld known for its ruthless drug cartels that aren't even afraid of openly confronting the military forces and target individuals who endanger their operations.

To combat this, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration has accelerated its extradition efforts of suspected drug cartel heads to the United States amidst the pressures of Washington to increase their bilateral cooperation on security, according to an article by The Yucatan Times.

According to figures from the attorney general's office, Mexico's government last year extradited 58 people wanted in the United States.

In 2017, Mexico extradited 57 people to the United States and 69 the following year, official data shows.

As of Feb. 21, Mexico had already sent 30 people across the border in 2020, the figures showed.

The latest among them was Ramon "El Mon" Villarreal, aka "Gabino", a senior figure in the northern Mexico Beltran Leyva Cartel, once allied to the Sinaloa Cartel of kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Later on, the two gangs became bitter enemies.

During the weekend, El Mon was flown out to be tried Monday in a federal court in Fort Worth, Texas for the murder of Juan Guerrero Chapa in Southlake in May 2013.

Guerrero was the lawyer of former Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas who is now incarcerated.

According to NBC News, El Mon's brother Rodolfo Villareal Hernandez, known as "El Gato," ordered the murder of Guerrero.

El Gato serves as the reputed regional head of Beltran Leyva Cartel in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.

According to a heavily-redacted indictment revealed Monday, El Mon faces charges of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder for hire.

El Mon was appointed a federal public defender, George Lancaster.

Court records show that in an initial court appearance in Fort Worth, El Mon pleaded not guilty and waived a detention hearing.

Guerrero was gunned down while he and his wife were shopping. Meanwhile, his wife did not suffer any injury.

In 2016, three other men were convicted of stalking Guerrero using high-tech surveillance equipment which includes a GPS device they secretly placed on his car and remote-controlled cameras they hid near his home in Southlake.

Aside from being Cardenas' lawyer, Guerrero was also a U.S. government informant.

Since the massacre of nine U.S-Mexican women and children in northern Mexico by suspected cartel hitmen last November, U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed Mexico to increase cooperation in the fight against drug cartels.

Early this year, Mexico drafted a judicial reform including measures that would have made prompted lawyers to speed up extraditions of clients to the United States.

However, criticism plagued this draft bill especially from the opposition and civil society groups, which prompted lawmakers to pass a far less radical reform proposal.

Prior to El Mon, Mexico has recently extradited Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, aka "El Menchito."

El Menchito faced charges of possession and use of firearms during his suspected drug trafficking activities in the United States from 2007 to February 2017.

Born in the United States, Oseguera-Gonzalez is the son of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka "El Mencho," leader of the notorious Mexican drug cartel, Jalisco New Generation.
We will not be intimidated or harassed by threat of various kinds by the state governor who continually think he has monopoly of violence, Its going to be a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye. Oshiomhole remains APC national chairman and the leader of our party, whether they like it or not, enough is enough, he Gov Obaseki will never get automatic ticket in this party he added.
Together with scientists from Paris and Munich, a team of researchers working under Prof. Dr. Johannes Hegemann and Dr. Katja Moelleken has published these findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

There are two types of Chlamydia that infect humans: Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn). The former trigger sexual diseases, while Cpn lead to acute infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Cpn are also linked to various chronic diseases such as bronchitis and asthma as well as to lung cancer, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. The majority of the German population will be infected with these bacteria over the course of their lives.

In order to invade the human cell, the Chlamydia must first penetrate the human cell's membrane, known as the 'plasma membrane' (PM). The membrane comprises a lipid bilayer with proteins stored inside. By indenting parts of the PM, the cell can absorb fluid and particles from its environment into the cell interior, a process referred to as 'endocytosis'.

Pathogens such as Chlamydia, which also need to get inside the cell, hijack the endocytosis mechanism for their own ends. Prof. Dr. Johannes Hegemann's working group at the HHU Institute of Functional Microbial Genomics has now identified a chlamydial protein that plays the decisive role in penetration of Cpn into the human cell. The protein is named SemC, and it was discovered by Dr. Gido Murra from Prof. Hegemann's working group.

In a first step, the Chlamydium succeeds in secreting SemC into the host cell. The fellow researchers from the Pasteur Institute in Paris were able to demonstrate that SemC is transported directly by the bacterium into the cell interior using a mechanism employed by many pathogenic bacteria that resembles a 'protein needle'. Once inside the cell, the protein binds to the inner side of the PM and changes its structure locally. This changes the design of the membrane, bending it more than normal. Dr. Katja Moelleken has this to say: "With SemC, we have discovered the very first protein of an infectious agent that is able to change the PM in this way."

The more pronounced membrane curvature triggered by SemC then causes the body's own protein SNX9 to bind to this site, where it binds both to the curved membrane and to the SemC waiting there, thus amplifying the curvature even more. The SNX9 protein is essential for the endocytosis processes in human cells, as it builds up the actin cytoskeleton at the indented PM. The binding of SNX9 to the PM, caused by SemC, then allows the Chlamydium to penetrate the cell from the outside through a process of endocytosis at the curved part of the PM and to continue to multiply inside the cell. "The structure of the PM of the host cell is therefore an important factor in facilitating the infection of a cell by the pathogen," emphasises Dr. Sebastian Haensch. And Dominik Spona adds: "In this way, the bacterium basically creates its own door into the cell."

The research group has found further important evidence of the interaction between SNX9 and SemC induced by Cpn. The scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Munich created human cells in which the quantity of SNX9 protein had been heavily reduced. Dominik Spona explains: "In these cells, it was much more difficult for Cpn to use endocytosis to penetrate the plasma membrane and to infect the cell."

The discovery opens up new possibilities for treating chlamydial infections and for developing targeted vaccines to fight off the bacteria at an early stage.

Head of the working group, Prof. Hegemann, says:

Once the precise mechanism has been decoded, potential points of attack can be identified for blocking this mechanism, for example by inhibiting the binding of SemC to the PM or to the body's own SNX9 protein."

The research work in Duesseldorf took place as part of a Manchot doctoral scholarship and a doctoral scholarship from the Duesseldorf Entrepreneurs Foundation. Other parts emerged within the framework of collaboration between Duesseldorf-based Collaborative Research Centre 1208 (SFB 1208) and the Center for Advanced Imaging.
The Annual General Meeting approved the following proposals:

a) Annual Accounts (Item 2)



The Board of Directors proposed to the Annual General Meeting that the Annual Accounts of the Company for 2019 be approved.



b) Dividends payments (Item 2)

The Board of Directors proposed to the Annual General Meeting that no dividends will be paid for the 2019 financial year.



c) Remuneration to Board Members (Item 3)

The Board of Directors proposed to the Annual General Meeting that remuneration to Board Members and Sub-Committee Members shall be the same as they were last year: Each Board Member will receive ISK 330,000 per month, the Chairman will receive ISK 660,000 per month, the Deputy Chairman will receive ISK 495,000 per month, Sub-Committee Members will receive ISK 120,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee will receive ISK 275,000 per month and the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee will receive ISK 150,000 per month. The Board of Directors will decide on compensation for the members nominated by shareholders in the Nomination Committee. Compensation will be paid on hourly basis.

d) Remuneration Policy (Item 4)

The Board of Directors proposed to the Annual General Meeting that the current Remuneration Policy will be accepted without any changes.



e) Nomination committee (item 5)

Icelandair Groups Nomination Committee proposed that the following candidates, listed in alphabetical order, were elected to the Board of Directors of Icelandair Group hf. on the Companys Annual General Meeting on 6 March 2020:

Gumundur Hafsteinsson John F. Thomas Nina Jonsson Svafa Gronfeldt Ulfar Steindorsson

Election of the Board of Directors (item 6)

As only five declared candidacy, the following candidates were elected to the Board of Directors without ballot at the meeting:

Gumundur Hafsteinsson

John F. Thomas

Nina Jonsson

Svafa Gronfeldt

Ulfar Steindorsson

Gumundur Hafsteinsson

Gumundur Hafsteinsson recently stepped down as the Head of Product for Google Assistant at Google, a position he held from 2014 to 2019. He joined Google in 2014 subsequent to the merger of Google and Emu, a chat based virtual assistant start-up he founded in 2012. Prior to the founding of Emu, he was VP Product at Siri, and stayed on after the acquisition by Apple through the launch of Siri on iPhone 4S. Prior to Siri/Apple, Gumundur was a Senior Product Manager at Google, where he managed the initial launches of Google Maps for mobile and Google Voice Search. Gumundur holds an MBA degree from MIT and a B.Sc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iceland. Gumundur joined Icelandair Groups Board of Directors in March 2018.

John F. Thomas

John F. Thomas is is a Senior Advisor to the management consultancy McKinsey & Co., the aviation infrastructure firm Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners GP and the tourism technology firm Plusgrade in addition to sitting on boards in the aviation and aerospace industries. Moreover, he is currently owner and CEO of Waltzing Matilda Aviation LLC, a jet charter operation based in Boston. In 2016-2017, Mr. Thomas was Group Executive at Virgin Australia Airlines where he led a financial turnaround as CEO of a AU$ 4.0bn (appr. USD 2.8bn) full service carrier with over 6,000 employees, and Managing Director/Senior Partner at L.E.K. Consulting where he created and led the Global Aviation Practice for 16 years. Mr. Thomas holds an MBA degree from Macquarie University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce degreed from the University of New South Wales.

Nina Jonsson

Nina Jonsson is currently a Senior Advisor at aviation consultancy Plane View Partners and a board member at aviation technology firm FLYHT. Between 2015 and 2017, she held the role of Senior Vice President Group Fleet at Air France-KLM Group where she was responsible for group-wide fleet strategy, aircraft sourcing, leasing and sales. Previously, Ms. Jonsson held a number of other executive positions within the aviation industry including Fleet Management Officer at the Bristow Group (2012-15), Director Fleet Planning at United Airlines (2006-2011) and Director Fleet Management at US Airways (2002-2005). Ms. Jonsson holds an MBA degree from Rensselaer Polytechic Institute and a B.Sc. degree in Air Transport Management from the University of New Haven.

Svafa Gronfeldt

Svafa Gronfeldt is a founding member of MITs innovation accelerator DesignX, and a co-founder of the MET fund, a Cambridge based seed investment fund. Svafa is a member of the Board of Directors at Ossur since 2008 and Origo since 2019. Previous positions include Chief Organizational Development Officer at Alvogen, President of Reykjavik University and Deputy to the CEO of Actavis Group. Svafa holds a PhD in Industrial Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Svafa joined Icelandair Groups Board of Directors in March 2019.

Ulfar Steindorsson

Ulfar Steindorsson is the CEO of Toyota in Iceland. Previously, he was the CEO of marine biotech firm Primex ehf. from 2002 to 2004, and the CEO of the New Business Ventures Fund in Iceland from 1999 to 2002. Ulfar has held various board positions in the Icelandic business environment in the past years. Ulfar holds a Cand. Oecon degree from the University of Iceland and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. He joined Icelandair Groups Board of Directors on September 15th 2010.

g) Auditors (Item 7)

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that KPMG hf. will be the Companys auditors.



h) Election of thwo members to the Nomination Committee

As only two declared candidacy, the following candidates were elected to the Nomination Committee without ballot at the meeting:

Helga Arnadottir Hjorleifur Palsson

Purchase of treasury shares (Item 9)

The Board of Directors of Icelandair Group proposed to the Annual General Meeting that the Company will be authorized to purchase in the next 18 months up to 10% of its own shares in accordance with Article 55 of the Icelandic Companies Act No 2/1995 in order to establish a market making agreement for issued shares in the Company or to set up a formal buyback program. It is not allowed to purchase such shares at a higher rate than the last spot market rate or the highest bid in the trading system of a regulated market where the shares are traded. Such purchases are however authorized if they are executed by a market maker in accordance with Article 116 of the Act on Securities Trading or in accordance with Item 1, Paragraph 3, Article 115, and Paragraph 2, Article 119 of the Act on Securities Transactions and regulations implemented on the basis of Articles 118 and 131 of the same Act.





The annual report is available here:



https://annualreport2019.icelandairgroup.is/





Attachment
The deputy commander of the Iranian army's ground force says the army has set up a makeshift hospital in Qom and has been helping with disinfection efforts in the city as the situation of coronavirus outbreak worsened in Qom, a critical point of the outbreak in Iran.

Arman newspaper in Tehran quoted Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi on Thursday as having said that the army will disinfect the streets and public places of Qom in response to a request made by the Qom Province Governor-General.

He said: "The army (as distinct from IRGC) will be at the service of the people at the times of crisis with its maximum capacity. It has started disinfecting the streets in of all the provinces since last week."

Meanwhile, Mohsen Orouji, the director-general for Qom's Crisis Management Office has disclosed that "People will be monitored at all the exit points of the city and they will be quarantined in case they have suspicious symptoms."

The news of the army's contribution to disease control in Qom broke out a few days after pictures of army units patrolling the city were published in the media. It appears that although officials including President Hassan Rouhani have strongly opposed the idea of imposing a quarantine on Qom, the army is involved in some sort of quasi-quarantine operation in the holy city where clerical resistance against virus control has been strong.

Nevertheless, some other officials, including Vice-Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles), Massoud Pezeshkian, a medical doctor, told the media that he believes Qom should have been quarantined as soon as it was found out to be the starting point of the outbreak.

"If I were the Minister of Health, I would have quarantined Qom on the first day and would not have allowed people to leave their houses. This disease is not a joke, we cannot treat it this way. You say all the time do not be afraid and we will fight! In my opinion, if a person is ill, he should be quarantined. All those in contact with him should also be quarantined so that they would not infect others," Pezeshkian said adding that people should know if they refuse to be quarantined, each one will infect tens of others.

Pezeshkian said: "There is no room for patients in hospitals, and the situation will get worse day after day. The country's economy and everything else will be disrupted unless we treat the matter seriously and in a military way."

The news agency of the Qom Seminary, Hozeh News, is still pumping superstition and conspiracy theories about the coronavirus outbreak. It reported on Friday that "Coronavirus has come to uproot Islam, then it will affect the holy shrines in Mekka, Karbala and elsewhere, and then the mosques everywhere. They are separating people from God and no one says anything. How can a flu-like virus kill people so easily? The virus is being controlled by the enemy."

Earlier, the superintendent of the shrine in Qom had said that no virus will affect anyone in the shrine and zealots videoed themselves licking the ornaments and the gates of the shrine which are touched by hundreds of people every hour.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard General Hossein Salami and a prominent member of the parliament Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh charged that coronavirus was part of a biological warfare by the United States.

As a result, according to Ali Ebrazeh, the vice-chancellor of the medical school in Qom, the people in the city have been defying virus control advice given by the officials although 840 people have been hospitalized in Qom as of Thursday.

He says "The outbreak is serious and widespread, but the people have still not taken it seriously. We have asked the people repeatedly to avoid unnecessary travel, but they do not pay attention." He continued: "From March 3, public health teams have been stationed at the city's exit ways. People who want to leave the city will be monitored and their temperature will be checked. If they have any suspicious symptoms they cannot leave, and they will be quarantined."

All this is happening against a backdrop of a rising death toll and constant increase in the number of coronavirus patients in Iran. The Ministry of Health says 4,747 Iranians have tested positive for the virus and 124 have died. Independent sources say the actual toll is much higher, possibly up to several times more than government figures.

Other badly affected provinces including Gilan and Mazandaran have started their own quasi-quarantine controlling the incoming traffic. Traffic control cameras in Iran show that roads to the northern provinces are no longer busy after the quarantine.

Video in this tweet shows the quiet road to the north of the country after lockdowns.

Even foreign countries are weary of the seriousness of the outbreak in Iran. On Thursday, Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca cancelled his meeting with an Iranian delegation due to the outbreak in Iran and suggested that they can have a conversation via Skype.

Turkey's Health Minister told reporters on Wednesday that Iran had rejected Turkey's suggestion for introducing quarantine arrangements in Qom.
President Donald Trump brushed off concerns about the limited number of coronavirus test kits during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and announced during a chaotic press conference that 'anybody who wants a test can get a test.'

He left officials scrambling to explain how such a commitment could happen after free-wheeling press availability where he publicly disagreed with his own government's approach to the cruise ship, referenced impeachment, asked about TV ratings, and called a Democratic government 'a snake.'

'The tests are beautiful,' Trump added after meeting with top U.S. scientists amid the coronavirus outbreak. 'Anybody who right now and yesterday, anybody that needs a test gets a test,' Trump said.

Trump praised his own administration's response amid concerns that the million test kits promised had yet to materialize.

Trump announced during a chaotic press conference that 'anybody who wants a test can get a test'

Nineteen crew members and two passengers on board the Grand Princess cruise ship have tested positive for coronavirus

The ship will now not dock in San Francisco as planned but will be brought to a 'non-commercial port' and all 3,500 people on board will be tested

Silicon Valley continues to close its doors as major tech hubs of California and Seattle increasingly become virus hotspots

Apple told all 12,000 employees at its headquarters Apple Park to remain home Friday, following similar guidance from Facebook and Microsoft

Amazon and Facebook both have employees with the disease in Seattle

City officials in Austin announced that South by South West festival will be canceled

Most US cases have been linked to the Life Care Center nursing facility in Kirkland, near Seattle, which nine deaths are linked to

It emerged that three days before the first cases were confirmed, the facility held a 'germ-fest' party meaning the spread could be far wider than thought

'We've done a tremendous job at keeping it down,' he said. And Trump shared his misgivings about providing on-shore medical treatment to passengers of a Princess cruise liner off the coast of San Francisco. He raised concerns it would spike the numbers of infected Americans.

'I like the numbers where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship. That wasn't our fault,' Trump said.

Nevertheless, he appears to have yielded to top health officials, who announced minutes after the president spoke a plan for dealing with infected crew and passengers aboard the Grand Princess ship moored off San Francisco.

Vice President Mike Pence said out of 46 people swabbed aboard the ship, 21 tested positive. Of those, 19 are crew members. The ship will be brought to an unidentified commercial port where those 'that need to be quarantined will be quarantined those that require additional medical attention will receive it,' Pence said.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS A North Carolina company claims it's created a 15-minuted test for the virus, but the CDC and FDA have not approved it

A California nurse who tested positive for coronavirus after treating a patient claims the CDC refused to test her

The CDC has been taking so long to test because there is a three-step process

It has also come under fire for not approving outside test kits quickly enough

Passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship are waiting for their test results after they were dropped off by helicopter on Thursday

In the US, there are around 300 cases and 17 deaths

Apple told all its workers to stay home Advertisement

Pence also vouched for Trump when asked if the president had the right mindset for the challenge. The president during his trip to the CDC called Washington State Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee a 'snake.' He also appeared to criticize Pence's approach.

'Oh I told Mike not to be complimentary  that governor is a snake. I said if you're nice to him he will take advantage,' Trump said. 'We have a lot of problems with the governor, the governor of Washington,' he said, adding: 'Mike may be happy with him but I'm not.'

Inslee, who ran for president this year and is overseeing an outbreak in his state, had tweeted last week that he told Pence their work would be more successful if the administration 'stuck to the science and told the truth."

Trump submitted to a series of questions from reporters at the CDC, where his comments veered to his appearance Thursday night at a Fox News town hall. He brought up his appearance on 'a very fine network known as Fox News. How was the show last night? Did it get good ratings, by the way?' he asked.

Trump, who wore his signature red 'Make America Great' hat during the briefing about the response to the potential pandemic, swerved between the coronavirus issue and his political grievances.

'Anybody that needs a test gets a test. the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. Right? This was not as perfect as that but pretty good,' he said, referencing his impeachment and his 'perfect' phone call to the president of Ukraine where he asked for an investigation of the Bidens.

He also invoked his own uncle, Dr. John Trump, in explaining his aptitude for dealing with the issue. 'I like this stuff. I really get it,' Trump said.

'The general risk to the American public remains low,' Pence told reporters in the White House briefing room.

'It is a good time for any American who is elderly  and has a serious underlying health condition to think carefully about travel,' he said.

Pence said 900,000 tests would be shipped by Saturday and another million would be shipped over the weekend.

President Donald Trump planned to visit the Centers for Disease Control Friday amid the coronavirus outbreak  after abruptly taking the visit off his schedule over a person at the CDC who was being tested for the disease.

Trump told reporters Friday morning the trip got scrapped or postponed because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus that has now resulted in the deaths of 17 Americans.

But a few hours later, the White House backpedaled on plans and included a flight to Atlanta and the CDC in the president's official schedule.

Signed: DOnald Trump only asked Congress for just above $2 billion but they rejected that and both houses passed and $8.3 billion spending bill

Trump said earlier the reason for delaying the trip did not have to do with an uproar over a lack of testing kits the administration said would be available.

'No, no, no. They had one person who was potentially infected and speaking of that, I'd like to go so you guys are trying to work that out,' Trump told reporters as he signed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak.

'I was going to Tennessee first in any event and then I was stopping in Atlanta then going down to Florida for meetings,' he said. 'I think that they are trying to work it out that I do go,' he said. The CDC is located in Atlanta.

'I heard one person. And because of the one person at a high level because of the one person they didn't want me going but I would prefer going and now that the person the tests came out negative we're going to try and go,' Trump said.

Trump didn't clarify whether it was the Secret Service, medical personnel, or the CDC itself that encouraged him to scrap his planned trip.

The latest comes as the US death toll hits 17, Maryland announced its first coronavirus cases, and the markets continue to spiral amid uncertainty about the disease.

Three new deaths were recorded in Washington state and Florida recorded its first two deaths on Friday.

New York state also confirmed 11 new cases Friday, taking its total to 44.

'Most' of the state's 44 cases are linked to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester, said Governor Cuomo.

Meanwhile Maryland announced its first cases; Trump was there on Tuesday to visit the National Institutes of Health's Vaccine Research Center and get an update from Dr. Anthony Fauci

Vice President Mike Pence had said during a visit to Washington state on Thursday that the president would sign the bill during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta on Friday.

'President Trump is expected to sign the legislation tomorrow as he visits the CDC in Atlanta,' he said.

But when Trump's schedule was released by the White House late Thursday night, the Atlanta trip was not on it and a senior administration official confirmed to DailyMail.com that the president will not being going there.

'The President is no longer traveling to Atlanta today. The CDC has been proactive and prepared since the very beginning and the President does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency,' the person said.

President Trump will visit Tennessee on Friday to view the tornado damage there.

The funding measure provides money for public health agencies for tests, vaccines and other treatments. It will also provide money to state and local governments to respond to the epidemic.

The House passed the legislation Wednesday and the Senate did so on Thursday, a rapid response to increased public fears about the disease, which has disrupted schools, airlines, and spring break plans.

The measure more than triples the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House last month, which Democrats criticized as too little, too late.

A group of lawmakers from both parties negotiated the increased figure and other provisions in the measure in a rare sign of bipartisanship.

Trump explained the reasons for the cancelled trip, saying 'because of the one person they didn't want me going'

Trump spoke before he prepared to visit tornado victims in Tennessee

Meanwhile, the White House is dealing with criticism over the lack of testing kits, which health officials say is hurting their response to detecting who has the coronavirus, which has a 14 day incubation period.

Pence admitted Thursday that the administration will not be able to meet its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

'We don't have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward,' Pence said during a visit to a 3M Company plant in Minnesota.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC's 'Today Show' Friday morning the goal is to have them out in the next few weeks but he conceded he cannot guarantee that.

'I cannot promise it. But that's what the goal is, within the next couple of weeks, to get the 1 million-plus as our goal,' he said.

'There was certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding gets tests out,' he noted. 'Technical issues slowed down the process. Now, the FDA and CDC are working together, both to get test kits out to the health department, as well as to embrace and collaborate with private sector companies to get it out. Although there's been a delay in the next couple weeks, we should be ratcheted up to get more out.'

The Trump administration is dealing with criticism over a lack of coronavirus testing kids

President Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on his claim that it was President Barack Obama's fault for the lack of testing kits, a claim that has been debunked.

'I want to get everybody to understand they made some decisions which were not good decisions. We inherited decisions they made and that's fine. We undid some of the regulations that made it very difficult,' he said Thursday night at his Fox News town hall.

Trump, who has occupied the White House for three years, tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

NINETEEN CREW MEMBERS AND TWO PASSENGERS ON STRANDED GRAND PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

The Grand Princess cruise ship passes the Golden Gate Bridge as it arrives from Hawaii in San Francisco. Twenty-one people on board have tested positive foe the coronavirus

The Grand Princess cruise ship will not dock in San Francisco after 19 crew members and two passengers tested positive for the coronavirus out of the 46 people tested so far.

The ship, with some 3,500 people on board, was ordered to stay at sea on Wednesday evening after several dozen people on board began to show symptoms.

Forty-six people on board were swabbed and 21 of them tested positive, Vice President Mike Pence revealed in a White House press conference Friday.

Twenty-four others tested negative while one test was inconclusive.

The ship has been kept in a holding pattern in the Pacific Ocean off San Francisco for nearly two days and will now move on to a 'non-commercial port' where all the passengers and crew will be unloaded and tested.

Friday's test results come amid evidence the vessel was the breeding ground for a deadly cluster of at least ten cases during its previous voyage.

Federal officials have been working with the state and 'we have developed a plan to bring the ship to a non-commercial port,' Pence added.

'All passengers and crew will be tested for the virus. Those that will need to be quarantined will be quarantined. Those who will require medical help will receive it.'

'The general risk to the American public remains low,' Pence said but added that elderly Americans and those with pre-existing conditions should use caution, especially when traveling.

On Thursday, a military helicopter crew lowered test kits onto the 951-foot (290-meter) Grand Princess by rope and later retrieved them for analysis as the vessel waited off San Francisco, under orders to keep its distance from shore.

On Friday, President Trump claimed that he would prefer the passengers and crew to remain on the ship so they don't add to the rising American cases.

'They would like to have the people come off, I'd rather have the people stay. But I'd go with them. I told them to make the final decision, he said.

'I like the numbers being where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault. And it wasn't the fault of the people on the ship either. I can live either way with it.

Vice President Mike Pence announced that 21 people tested positive for the coronavirus on borad the Grand Princess cruise ship docked off San Francisco - 19 crew and two passengers

A California National Guard helicopter brought coronavirus tests to the ship Thursday

'I'd rather have them stay on, personally. But I fully understand if they want to take them off. I gave them the authority to make the decision.

The testing began after it was reported that a passenger on a previous voyage of the ship, in February, died of the disease.

A Sacramento-area man who sailed aboard the Grand Princess last month during a visit to a series of Mexican ports later succumbed to the coronavirus, according to California authorities.

In the past few days, health authorities disclosed that at least nine other people who were on the same journey were also found to be infected. And some passengers on that trip stayed aboard for the current voyage.

The only people tested were those who were showing symptoms or who had been on the previous trip.

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BLOW FOR WORLDS BIGGEST TECH FIRMS AS SILICON VALLEY SHUTS ITS DOORS AND SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST FESTIVAL IS AXED

Apple has advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home

The worlds tech giants have been dealt a major blow from the coronavirus crisis as Silicon Valley continues to shut its doors and South by Southwest Festival is cancelled.

On Friday, Apple became the latest Silicon Valley firm to advise its workers to stay away in coronavirus-hit California.

Apple advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home amid heightened coronavirus concerns as the death toll in the US increased to 17 and the number of confirmed cases rose to more than 250.

In a memo seen by DailyMail.com and issued to all staff at the Santa Clara Valley offices named Apple Park, employees were told that the precaution was being taken following recent guidance from public health officials.

Tech company office closures: How many are affected? Microsoft: The company has asked its employees in its San Francisco Bay and Seattle HQ offices to work from home if they can do so. The Seattle campus has 54,000 employees but it is not known how many are in the San Francisco Bay. Microsoft has more than 80,000 employees across the country. Facebook: They told employees in its San Francisco Bay offices to stay at home on Friday and cancel all business trips due to the virus. Facebook already announced on Wednesday it has closed its Seattle office until at least March 9 after a contractor there was discovered to have contracted the virus. The two offices have an estimated 17,000 employees. Apple: Advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home Amazon: Company gave its more than 50,000 employees in the Washington state region a green light to work remotely after one of its headquarter employees tested positive for coronavirus. Google: The company is also encouraging workers in Washington state to stay away from offices and work from home. Advertisement

Staff were advised that offices would remain open but that they were 'encouraging team members' to stay away despite only sending the email when many would already be traveling to work.

Apple joined Facebook and Microsoft in introducing new policies to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus this week.

An estimated 83,000 workers are affected by the closures and work-from-home policies within these three companies alone.

Facebook also told employees in its San Francisco Bay offices to stay at home on Friday and cancel all business trips due to the virus. The company is believed to have around 14,000 employees in the Bay Area.

The social network is also cancelling any events in the Bay Area.

Facebook already announced Wednesday night that it has closed its Seattle office after a contractor there was discovered to have contracted the virus. Between the San Francisco and Seattle closures, around 17,000 employee of the company are estimated to be working from home.

The office will be closed until at least Monday, March 9, and the company is encouraging its employees to work from home for the remainder of the month.

Amazon confirmed late Tuesday that one of its employees in Seattle had tested positive for coronavirus after going home sick from work on February 25. An Amazon spokeperson told DailyMail.com: 'We're supporting the affected employee who is in quarantine.'

Amazon has more than 50,000 employees in Seattle and more than 275,000 full-time workers across the U.S. Last week, Amazon became one of the first U.S. companies to crack down on employee travel due to the outbreak, banning all 'non-essential' work trips.

Meanwhile, Google is asking employees in Washington state who can work from home to do so. It has more than 4,500 employees in Seattle.

Microsoft has already asked its employees in its San Francisco Bay and Seattle HQ offices to work from home if they can do so to restrict the spread of the virus.

The company has over 80,000 employees in the US, 54,000 of whom are based in the Washington state Redmond campus.

The company has committed to continue to pay its workers who are paid by the hour during the outbreak even if they can't come to work.

Ride-sharing service Lyft said it encouraged its San Francisco staff to work from home for the remainder of the week after it learned one of its employees was in contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19.

Global employer Twitter this week also told all 5,000 of its workers around the world to work from home because of the outbreak.

There are an estimated 3,000 employees at the Facebook Seattle offices

SXSW 2020 has been canceled by the city of Austin amid concerns over the novel coronavirus. The crowd on 6th street in downtown Austin is seen during the 2015 festival

Meanwhile, officials canceled the South by Southwest festival that was set to take place in Austin, Texas, over coronavirus fears.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said on Friday he was issuing a state of emergency that effectively canceled the event, based on the recommendation of public health officials.

The festival, known as SXSW - set to take place between March 13 and March 22  brings together the worlds biggest tech firms.

Several major companies including Amazon Studios, Netflix, Facebook and Twitter had already pulled out of the festival.

No cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Austin however, more than 50,000 people had signed a petition seeking to get the festival cancelled, amid concerns that it draws an international audience into close quarters, posing a serious threat of contagion.

Many attendees flock from the virus hotspots of California and Seattle.

All told, the economic cost of tech events cancelled due to coronavirus has surpassed $1 billion, according to an estimate from ReCode.

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NY GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO BLASTS CDC AND 'BAD GOVERNMENT' AS NY CASES RISE TO 44

The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in New York state has risen to 44 as at least 4,000 people have been urged to self-quarantine to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a press conference on Friday, Governer Andrew Cuomo said that 'most' of the cases are linked to a Manhattan lawyer who tested positive earlier in the week.

There are now 33 cases in Westchester County, five in New York City, four in Nassau County and two in Rockland County.

Details of all the new cases were not immediately clear, but Cuomo said there were 'a number of young people' and he suspects 'they are related to existing cases.

At least five people have been hospitalized across the state.

Cuomo blasted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Trump administration over their mixed messages regarding coronvirus testing.

Cuomo cited the contradictory statements issued by the federal health agency and Vice President Mike Pence.

'I don't understand CDC's instructions, they say anyone can get tested if they want...but Pence says we don't have enough tests,' Cuomo told reporters.

'How can you bring in more people into the pipeline than you can address at the end of the pipeline?' he said.

'That is not only bad government and poor planning, it will increase the fear.'

It comes just hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, a top official at the NIH, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available.

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted the CDC and Trump administration for sending mixed messages about coronavirus testing in press conference on Friday (pictured)

The CDC says one can get test but the US has admitted it doesn't have the testing capacity. Cuomo said this will incite fear among the general public because people will not understand why they can't get tested. Pictured: Cuomo (right) speaks at a press conference on Friday alongside Dr Howard Zucker(keft), Commissioner of Health for New York State

Cuomo argued that people will be fearful because they won't understand why doctors don't have the capacity to test them.

'Their position is absurd and nonsensical,' the governor said.

'I think the anxiety and the fear is a bigger problem than the virus.'

Cuomo also lamented that CDC and FDA were slow in approving New York's use of private labs as well as giving New York State's Wadsworth Lab And NYC's Public-Health Lab permission to test for the virus.

His comments came hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the goal in the next few weeks to have more than a million tests ready but that he couldn't guarantee it.

It echoed comments made by Vice President Mike Pence at a press conference on Thursday admitted that there is a shortage of test kits, which currently cannot meet demand.

'I can't guarantee that, that's an issue that would have to go through the FDA and the companies to see if that's available,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'So I cannot promise it but that's what the goal is - within the next couple of weeks - to get the million plus [out].'

It is believed one of the chemicals used in the test did not work properly, resulting in the test needing to be remanufactured.

Another issue was that the CDC initially set narrow criteria on who could be tested.

At first, only those with a travel history to China - where the outbreak emerged - or those who had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient were tested.

That changed after the first patient of 'unknown diagnosis' was confirmed in California, believed to be of so-called community spread.

'There were certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting tests out, some technical issues that slowed down the process,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'The Vice President was absolutely correct. There has been a delay and we didn't have enough right now but, hopefully, in the near future hopefully we will.'

The CDC and other health officials have come under fire for how slowly Americans are being tested.

'I'm not happy about the lack of the appropriate number of test kits - that's for sure - but other areas of the response, I think, are going well,' Dr Fauci said.

Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar explained on Thursday the three steps that stand in the way to broader, faster testing.

He said that even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself developed a test, it had to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before distributing it.

That request was submitted February 3 and approved February 4. The CDC didn't start shipping its first batch of tests until February 6.

Dr Fauci said he's also frustrated at the lack of screenings at US airports.

In a press conference on Monday evening, Pence said there will be 100 percent screening at all airports with direct flights from Italy and South Korea over the next 12 hours.

However, Vice News producer Julia Lindau said she did not undergo any health screenings or additional questioning after landing at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York from Italy on Thursday night.

'I just landed at JFK after reporting on #coronavirus in Milan and Lombardy - the epicenter of Italy's outbreak - for @vicenews,' she tweeted.

'I walked right through US customs. They didn't ask me where in Italy I went or if I came into contact with sick people. They didn't ask me anything.'

US COMPANY SAYS IT CAN TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS IN JUST 15 MINUTES, BUT CDC AND FDA HAVE NOT APPROVED IT

A North Carolina-based company says its 15-minute blood test is already being used by China, Italy and Japan to test for coronavirus but not in America because CDC and FDA officials have not approved it.

BioMedonics claims its test can screen for the virus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field.

A blood sample is collected, inserted into the reader, a buffer is combined, and results come back very quickly, the company claims.

BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field

It can be read similarly to a pregnancy test, with one line for a negative test, two signifying it's positive for either early or late antibodies, and three when the sample is positive for both

One line means negative while two lines spread out mean the sample contains antibodies that the body starts making shortly after infection.

Two lines close together mean the person is positive for later-stage antibodies, and three lines mean the patient is positive for both types of antibodies.

The CDC and FDA have not specified why the rapid test isn't being used and did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS BLAST CDC OVER LACK OF TESTING FOR DOCTORS AND NURSE

Medical professionals have blasted the CDC over the lack of testing for healthcare workers at the frontline of the outbreak.

One California nurse said they fell ill after caring for a patient but that federal health officials believed they wouldn't contract the virus due to their protective clothing while treating the patient.

And a California doctor at another hospital said they're worried about transferring the virus to immuncompromised patients.

The CDC has previously stated that people with underlying health conditions are twice as likely to develop serious outcomes as healthy people.

The nurse who fell ill is an employee of Kaiser Permanente in the northern part of the state and currently in quarantine.

'As a nurse, I'm very concerned that not enough is being done to stop the spread of the coronavirus,' they wrote in a statement released via the National Nurses United and California Nurses Association unions on Thursday.

'I know because I am currently sick and in quarantine after caring for a patient who tested positive.'

The nurse said he or she volunteered to care for the patient and, within a few days, began experiencing symptoms themselves of coughing and a fever.

They were put in a 14-day quarantine, and the nurse' doctor as well as a public country health officer called the CDC to ask for testing, but the agency allegedly refused.
TORONTO, March 6, 2020 /CNW/ - As Canada's leading restaurant brand, we take our responsibility to our guests, restaurant owners and their team members very seriously. We are closely following developments on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and are regularly taking advice on health and safety from public health officials and our own internal and external quality assurance and safety specialists. Although experts continue to indicate a low risk in Canada, we are taking a measured, reasonable approach and will continue to monitor, evaluate and update our procedures should it become warranted.

Though health officials have not recommended any changes to current procedures, after listening to our restaurant owners and comments from our guests, we are going to pause on accepting reusable cups at this time. We are continuing to reinforce proper health and sanitization procedures at restaurants and our supply chain is sourcing extra gloves, hand sanitization gel and other essential cleaning materials should we need them in the coming months.

New to this year's Roll Up the Rim contest was a strong push on sustainability and reusability. All of our marketing materials and contest details have highlighted this new component. We are delaying the distribution of the 1.8 million reusable cups that were planned to be given away on March 10 until later this year. For any guest that brings a reusable cup to our restaurants and purchases a hot beverage scanning their Tims Rewards card or app, we will honour the three digital rolls described in our campaign, however, the guest will be provided their beverage in a recyclable paper cup.

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to be prudent and never compromise on doing the right thing for our guests, team members and the communities we live and work in. As information and guidance from public health officials changes, we will reassess and change our procedures and protocols accordingly.

About Tim Hortons Canada

In 1964, the first Tim Hortons restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double  coffees, Donuts and Timbits in the years since. Over the last 55 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry serving over 5 million cups of coffee every day with 80% of Canadians visiting one of nearly 4,000 Tim Hortons in Canada at least once a month. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages  including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps  alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 4,800 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons

For further information: Meghan Giffin, Account Executive, North Strategic, [email protected]
The auction has offered up some big names in the art world in recent years, including two Picassos and works by Salvador Dali and Alexander Calder, given as full donations to the YAM.

Those are not our typical pieces, but it will generate funds, and this is a fundraiser, said Olsen, who describes the auction as the organizations most significant annual fundraiser.

Proceeds will fund the museums calendar of exhibitions and educational programs. This year, as in years past, a special lot on the auction is set aside for educational opportunities, providing up to 15% of the museums annual education budget, benefiting programs for adults and children including the YAMs work in the Montana Womens Prison and certified art education programs for children throughout the school year, according to Barnett.

Approximately two-thirds of the work offered for auction sold last year, though funds raised have not been disclosed by the museum. As much as 25% of the YAM's yearly budget is raised during the auction, The Gazette previously reported.
BOSTON, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GSX Solutions, the leading provider of Office 365 user experience monitoring, announced its next live webinar will be about Hybrid Exchange Service Quality. The session will be co-hosted by Microsoft MVP, Nick Cavalancia and will happen on March 24th.



GSX explains that organizations running a hybrid implementation of Microsoft Exchange have to contend with a complex mix of cloud and on-prem services, servers, routing, and clients.



And when any one part of this delicate machine fails, IT is left without the needed visibility - Who is affected, what is the impact on operations, and what is the root cause, and often doesnt realize this visibility gap until its too late.

Save your seat for a 30-minute live session and get answers to the following questions:

How exactly does a hybrid Exchange environment impact service quality, productivity and ROI?

What are the components to be mindful of in a hybrid Exchange environment?

What happens to user productivity should any one of them fail?

Why visibility is key in delivering service quality and ROI

Register today: https://hubs.ly/H0npNN50

GSX Company Contact:

marketing@gsx.com

About GSX Solutions

GSX Solutions provides the only Office 365 monitoring tool that truly measures the quality of the service delivered to all enterprises sites, enabling their IT to take power of the Office 365 performance.
B oris Johnson today fired up British scientists to win a global race to develop a vaccine against coronavirus in less than a year.

He also pumped money into a British laboratory that hopes to roll out unique home-testing kits within weeks to help families slow the spread of the disease.

Visiting a lab in Bedfordshire, the Prime Minister unveiled an extra 46 million of funding, drawn from international aid money, towards making the breakthroughs that could save millions of lives around the world.

Downing Street said his hope was to slash months off the 18-month schedule that would typically be the shortest timeframe possible to develop a life-saving jab, setting a target of having it ready by this time next year.

Boris Johnson visits the Mologic Laboratory in the Bedford Technology Park (REUTERS) / Reuters

We are ensuring the country is prepared for the current outbreak, guided by the science at every stage, Mr Johnson said. But we also need to invest now in researching the vaccines that could help prevent future outbreaks

Government 'looking at' slowing down coronavirus outbreak by isolating whole households

Im very proud that UK experts  backed by government funding  are on the front line of global efforts to do just that.

Scientists are working around the world to try to develop a vaccine. Britain is leading the field, with eight possible vaccines being developed, supported with 65 million from the taxpayer.

Before and after aerials of public spaces affected by the Coronavirus 1 /21 Before and after aerials of public spaces affected by the Coronavirus A combination photo of handout satellite images shows a view of Mass on Palm Sunday in 2011 and 2020 via Reuters A combination photo of handout satellite images shows a view of Mass on Palm Sunday in 2011 and 2020 via Reuters A large crowd surrounding the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before the coronavirus via Reuters A smaller crowd surrounding the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque via Reuters Tiananmen Square before the coronavirus in Beijin via Reuters Tiananmen Square during the coronavirus in Beijin via Reuters crowds at the Space Mountain ride in Tokyo Disneyland, before the coronavirus, near Tokyo via Reuters An empty area at the Space Mountain ride in Tokyo Disneyland via Reuters Milan Duomo before the coronavirus in Italy via Reuters Milan Duomo during the coronavirus in Italy via Reuters Wuhan airport before the coronavirus in China via Reuters Wuhan airport during the coronavirus in China via Reuters Hazrat Masumeh Shrine before the coronavirus, in Qom, Iran via Reuters An empty Hazrat Masumeh Shrine during the coronavirus in Qom, Iran via Reuters Tehran airport before the coronavirus in Iran via Reuters Tehran airport during the coronavirus in Iran via Reuters

Britain was the first to develop a laboratory test for Covid-19, but the process takes several days.

Now UK lab, Mologic, which the Prime Minister toured, is attempting to create the first home test to allow nurses and untrained members of the public find out if they have the virus, without sending off samples for testing.

Quicker testing from a home kit would let families know if they need to self-isolate or if they are clear to go to work or school, keeping the economy moving.

For developing countries that do not have the laboratory facilities to carry out tests, it would transform their ability to track and tackle coronavirus.

Rapid testing is going to be key to managing this outbreak, said the Governments chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. But ultimately, vaccines are going to provide the long-term protection we need.

Sir Patrick said it would have taken 20 years to develop a vaccine in the recent past and warned that it could not be developed in time for the current outbreak, expected to peak in the UK this summer.

I dont think well get something in time or at scale for this outbreak, he told the BBC Radio 4s Today programme. That said, there have been remarkable changes in the ability to make vaccines and discover vaccines, just in the last few years.

And its not unreasonable to assume that we will end up with a vaccine, and we may do so in a year, 18 months, which is remarkable when you consider just a few years ago it would have taken 20 years to do that.
Algiers, Algeria (PANA) - Amnesty International on Friday asked the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful protesters who have been detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov has been formally charged with tax fraud for allegedly filing false tax returns, the U.S. Justice Department says.

An indictment issued on September 26, 2019, by a federal grand jury was unsealed on March 5 following Tinkov's arrest in London.

Tinkov is the founder of TCS Group Holdings, a digital financial-services company operating in Russia.

According to The Sunday Express newspaper in Britain, Tinkov had posted bail of 20 million pounds ($25.6 million) to remain free in London as he fights the U.S. tax authorities.

According to the indictment, Tinkov's charges relate to an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange of TCS shares.

Three days after the IPO, Tinkoff, a Russian national, gave up his U.S. citizenship, the indictment said.

U.S. passport holders must pay an "exit tax" to the IRS when they give up their American citizenship. The tax is based on the profit Tinkov would have made if he sold all of his assets at the time he relinquished his citizenship.

The indictment says the Russian "allegedly concealed $1 billion in assets and income when renouncing U.S. citizenship."

With reporting by The Sunday Express and Vedomosti
A north Queensland business manager is accused of firing a nail gun at a man who came to discuss a debt before trying to run the man and another witness over with his car.

Police said the 47-year-old man went to the Cairns CBD business about 3pm on Wednesday to speak with the manager regarding the civil debt.

GENERIC IMAGE: The manager of the Grafton Street business fired several nails, but none hit their target, police said. Credit:Bloomberg

It will be alleged the manager walked out armed with a nail gun and fired several nails at the man, before getting into his car and driving at the man and another witness.

The pair took cover between nearby parked cars, so the manager allegedly gave up and drove away.
Looking ahead: Karen Weise, a Times reporter who has been covering the virus from Washington State, said school closures could worsen the strains on nurses: Its hard to work, you end up with nurses who stay home with their kids, and then you might have a short-staffed medical facility.

How worried should we be?

Its the question on everyones minds, but a difficult one to answer, writes Max Fisher, one of our Interpreter columnists.

First, theres still a lot we dont know about the coronavirus. Because many cases are mild and some are asymptomatic, its difficult to track its deadliness and the extent of its spread.

Second, the risk level largely depends on how prepared societies are to deal with the virus. This is thought to be a reason that the death rate in China, where the virus first emerged late last year, is around 4 times that of South Korea, which was able to prepare before the virus arrived.

In December, Mr. Fisher got pneumonia  an illness similar to the one caused by the virus  and that experience helped clarify how an outbreak could affect society as a whole. While he was sick, family and friends helped with personal obligations, and he was able to quickly see doctors and get prescriptions.

If a big fraction of my neighborhood in West London had all fallen sick at once, it wouldve been a different story, he said. His local health office might not have been able to see him as quickly. Friends and family could have other sick people to help, or could be sick themselves.

The risk from the viruss impact on you individually is probably low, he concluded. But its impact on society could be profound.
The California National Guard flew the kits to the stricken Grand Princess, which is carrying 3,500 holidaymakers and crew.

Guests have been confined to their cabins since Wednesday in the latest cruise ship virus scare after an elderly American tourist from a previous voyage died of coronavirus and a number of people fell sick.

The ships owner, Princess Cruises, said an initial group of 45 people have been identified for testing. Results were expected to be known today.

A cleaner on the Grand Princess / AP

A total of 142 UK nationals, including 121 passengers and 21 crew, are on board.

Vice President Mike Pence said last night: We dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward. He added: Weve made real progress on that in the last several days.

The death toll in the US climbed to 12 last night, with all but one victim from the north-western state of Washington. There are now more than 200 cases across 20 states.

Mr Pence is co-ordinating the US governments response to the outbreak.

Before and after aerials of public spaces affected by the Coronavirus 1 /21 Before and after aerials of public spaces affected by the Coronavirus A combination photo of handout satellite images shows a view of Mass on Palm Sunday in 2011 and 2020 via Reuters A combination photo of handout satellite images shows a view of Mass on Palm Sunday in 2011 and 2020 via Reuters A large crowd surrounding the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before the coronavirus via Reuters A smaller crowd surrounding the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque via Reuters Tiananmen Square before the coronavirus in Beijin via Reuters Tiananmen Square during the coronavirus in Beijin via Reuters crowds at the Space Mountain ride in Tokyo Disneyland, before the coronavirus, near Tokyo via Reuters An empty area at the Space Mountain ride in Tokyo Disneyland via Reuters Milan Duomo before the coronavirus in Italy via Reuters Milan Duomo during the coronavirus in Italy via Reuters Wuhan airport before the coronavirus in China via Reuters Wuhan airport during the coronavirus in China via Reuters Hazrat Masumeh Shrine before the coronavirus, in Qom, Iran via Reuters An empty Hazrat Masumeh Shrine during the coronavirus in Qom, Iran via Reuters Tehran airport before the coronavirus in Iran via Reuters Tehran airport during the coronavirus in Iran via Reuters

Health experts have claimed that the virus may be spreading undetected through the US because of the lack of test kits.

Health officials say they expect to get enough kits this week to test 400,000 people. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said her agency would also supply kits by the end of the week for a further 75,000 people.

President Donald Trump warned that the outbreak certainly might have an impact on the economy.

But he insisted he will continue to shake hands with people despite the spread of the virus.

Its going to all work out, everybody has to be calm, its going to work out, Mr Trump told a town hall meeting in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

I love the people of this country and you cannot be a politician and not shake hands, he added. Ill be shaking hands with people and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you, I dont care. You have to do that.
Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has pleaded with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to forgive the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi ll of any wrongdoing.

The former lawmaker from Kaduna in a tweet on Friday via his verified Twitter account urged governor Ganduje to forgive, forget and move on and let the Emir be

Also Read: Shehu Sani Kicks Against Bill To Ban Public Protest In Nigeria

Sani reminded the governor that power is transient and as such, he may need the emir someday.

This coming days after the Kano House of Assembly instituted an eight-man penal led by deputy speaker Hamisu Chidere to investigate the allegations of spearheading violation of culture, tradition and religious tenants of the people of Kano against the Emir.

See his tweet below:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 05:22:37|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Higher Council of State of Libya condemned the terrorist attack that took place on Friday morning in the Tunisian capital Tunis.

"The Higher Council of State condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist bombing that took place Friday morning near the U.S. Embassy in Tunis," the council said in a statement.

It expressed solidarity with the people and government of Tunisia, extending condolences for the family of the security officer who was killed in the attack, and wishing speedy recovery for the injured.

According to the Tunisian Interior Ministry, two suicide bombers attacked a security check point near the U.S. Embassy in the Tunisian capital, killing a security officer and injuring five others. Enditem
Pixar is a land of dreams and magic, the sort of place that wouldnt feel out of place in an animated fantasy movie if it didnt literally exist. With that in mind, we ought to perpetually cherish it. As much as it has been driven by sequels of late, Pixar is still cinemas last home for big-budget, original ideas.

They understand the power of impactful silences, of naked emotion and heart. No other studio has ever been as human, and in touch with what makes humans tick, even when their words are coming out of the mouths of fish, or elves, or cars. OK, maybe not so successfully with the last one.

Pixar remains the best and the idea of ranking its output is incredibly tricky. We gave it a shot anyway.

In celebration of Soul, the studios 23rd film, weve ranked every feature film Pixar has ever made, from the mind-boggling highs of the original Toy Story to the relative disappointments of The Good Dinosaur.

23. Cars 2

Unlike pretty much every other Pixar film, Cars 2 is aimed squarely at the kids. There are some thrills to be had  the espionage storyline places Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) amid a nefarious scheme by villain Miles Axlerod (a Range Rover L322 voiced by Eddie Izzard, naturally)  and its fun to see a Pixar version of London. But sadly, it lacks the original Cars sheen. JS

22. Brave

The message at the heart of Brave  obey your parents wishes  doesnt rank as Pixars most progressive, but even if it was a powerful moral, turning the mother character into a bear might not be the best way to convey it. Princess Merida is a solid lead and the visuals are stunning, the waterfall particularly so, but Brave is also let down by a weak set of supporting characters, something the studio usually nails. JS

21. The Good Dinosaur

The Good Dinosaur seems to have become a Pixar afterthought (not for its makers  Lee Unkrich, director of Toy Story 3 and Coco, told The Independent its the film that makes him most emotional). The Good Dinosaur has fighting spirit: its story of a wayward young Apatosaurus trying to reunite with his family delivers the goods the more you re-watch it. Still, its a far cry from Toy Story. JS

20. Cars 3

The Cars franchise must have amassed more in merchandise sales for Pixar than any of its other releases. Its cynical to say that Cars was given a second sequel to capitalise on this, but sadly the film struggled to register as anything near the studios best. Theres a warmth to Cars 3 that certainly wasnt present in the previous instalment, but its a shame that a film about a character whos concerned he wont be remembered is this  well  forgettable. JS

19. Toy Story 4

Toy Story 4 lacks the usual Pixar sparkle (Disney/Pixar/AP) (Disney/Pixar via AP)

The runt of the litter when it comes to Pixars flagship franchise, Toy Story 4 feels like several different movies haphazardly stitched together  probably because it was. Plagued by production troubles, its a film that works best when it plays as an adventure romcom anchored by Woody and Bo Peep. Whenever theyre off screen, and Toy Story 4 is distracted by a sentient fork or a villainous baby doll, it loses all of that traditional Pixar sparkle. AW

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18. Incredibles 2

While it never totally justifies its existence, largely replicating what worked so well in the first film, this belated sequel at least makes up for its lack of creative energy with stunning animation. Theres a thrilling chase sequence through the skies between Elastigirl and the villainous Screenslaver here, while even post-Marvel, the comic-book storytelling feels dazzling. AW

17. A Bugs Life

Sandwiched in between two Toy Stories, one representing Pixar at its dazzling beginning and the other as it became a world-conquering behemoth, A Bugs Life is easy to overlook. But it remains delightful all the same, its lack of creative inventiveness made up for in its elegant creature designs and gentle humour. Its also at least aged better than DreamWorks Antz, which now bears the indignity of being anchored entirely around Woody Allen. At least Kevin Spacey is merely a supporting player in Pixars film. AW

16. Monsters University

When news of a Monsters, Inc follow-up surfaced, fans were in two minds: some questioned why youd revisit a film as opposed to making something new, while many rejoiced in the fact they would finally get to see Sulley reunited with Boo. Instead, what they got was a prequel showing John Goodmans big blue creatures days as a student at college  the place he met his future scaring partner, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal). The result is fun if unnecessary. JS

15. Cars

The first Cars film is unfairly overlooked (Pixar Animation)

Theres no doubt that Cars has a special place in this writers heart due to a brother who watched it on repeat as a three-year-old. Commonly disregarded as Pixar for kids, the film actually has much to recommend it, from the gratifying journey of its lead character  who starts out arrogant and ends up a changed, erm, automobile  to the moving mid-section in Radiator Springs, the ghost town McQueen finds himself stranded in. JS

14. Finding Dory

A belated sequel that no one expected to be quite as good as it was, Finding Dory positions Ellen DeGeneress forgetful fish centre stage, with lush results. There are a raft of memorable supporting characters and an appropriate amount of familial sadness to counteract the cheer. DeGeneres is spectacular, and the whole thing has a relaxed charm that makes it irresistible. AW

13. Up

Pixar film Up doesnt live up to its incredible opening (Pixar Animation) (PixarPixar Animation)

Ups opening sequence, charting a decades-long love story, is the most brilliant thing Pixar has ever done. The rest of Up is completely fine. Theres still a lot to adore here, of course, from the cutesy charm of its unlikely heroes (an old man and a plucky boy scout) to its sort-of talking dog. It doesnt, however, entirely conceal the fact that Up peaks very early. AW

12. WALL-E

WALL-Es early sequences, nearly wordless and anchored entirely by a lonely robot, are as radical and ambitious as Pixar gets. Much like Up, however, the film becomes slightly more conventional as it goes along. It finds itself in a traditional run-and-escape pattern, which is often smart and clever, but lacking in a ton of emotional resonance. AW

11. Onward

Pixar has a near-perfect track record with its original films, and yet Onwards brilliance still came as a surprise. It follows two teenage elf brothers who, against all odds, are faced with the chance to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him. Its twists and turns subvert expectations throughout  and there is slapstick comedy aplenty. You will belly laugh, you will slide towards the edge of your seat and  as is the Pixar norm  you will weep into your jumper. JS

10. The Incredibles

Pixar was always going to tick superheroes off its list, and it did so in 2004 with a film that remains an unmitigated joy. The film has a lot of fun contrasting the Parrs banal home life with the breathless action scenes where they unite as crime-fighting superheroes. Plus points, too, for giving us the hilariously OTT fashion doyenne Edna Mode, voiced by the films director, Brad Bird. JS

9. Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is a Pixar great (Rex) (Rex Features)

Finding Nemo more or less laid the groundwork for much that would follow, with parental absence and childhood trauma factoring into a number of the Pixar movies to be released in its aftermath. Finding Nemo remains remarkable on its own, though, for both its slapstick comedy and emotional power. AW

8. Inside Out

To its credit, Pixar has always avoided stunt-casting, for the most part preferring character actors over starrier celebrities. Inside Out is one of its best in that regard, with sentient emotions portrayed by their most obvious real-world counterparts  Amy Poehler as a sunny Joy, Lewis Black as a literally hot-headed Anger, the marvellous Office alumna Phyllis Smith as Sadness. Away from its cast, Inside Out is also a glorious gut-punch, its feelings lived-in and authentic, its climactic character death by far and away the most heartbreaking in the Pixar canon. RIP Bing Bong, we hardly knew ye. AW

7. Coco

Pixar further proved its verve with Coco, a film that tapped into a completely different culture while also exploring the fantastical. Mexicos Day of the Dead is the inspiration behind a film thats tied together by legacy and memory via a love of music. Its also an existential minefield as viewers are told that to be forgotten by your living relatives is to suffer a final death in the afterlife. Coco might be an entry point to the tough topic of death for many youngsters, but it remains a remarkable, often hilarious experience, albeit one filled with tears. JS

Every Pixar film, ranked Show all 22 1 /22 Every Pixar film, ranked Every Pixar film, ranked 22 | Cars 2 (2011) Unlike pretty much every other Pixar film, Cars 2 is aimed squarely at the kids. There are some thrills to be had  the espionage storyline places Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) amid a nefarious scheme by villain Miles Axlerod (a Range Rover L322 voiced by Eddie Izzard, naturally)  and its fun to see a Pixar version of London. But sadly, it lacks the original Cars sheen. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 21 | Brave (2012) The message at the heart of Brave  obey your parents wishes  doesnt rank as Pixars most progressive, but even if it was a powerful moral, turning the mother character into a bear might not be the best way to convey it. Princess Merida is a solid lead and the visuals are stunning, the waterfall particularly so, but Brave is also let down by a weak set of supporting characters, something the studio usually nails. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 20 | The Good Dinosaur (2015) The Good Dinosaur seems to have become a Pixar afterthought (not for its makers  Lee Unkrich, director of Toy Story 3 and Coco, told The Independent its the film that makes him most emotional). The Good Dinosaur has fighting spirit: its story of a wayward young Apatosaurus trying to reunite with his family delivers the goods the more you re-watch it. Still, its a far cry from Toy Story. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 19 | Cars 3 (2017) The Cars franchise must have amassed more in merchandise sales for Pixar than any of its other releases. Its cynical to say that Cars was given a second sequel to capitalise on this, but sadly the film struggled to register as anything near the studios best. Theres a warmth to Cars 3 that certainly wasnt present in the previous instalment, but its a shame that a film about a character whos concerned he wont be remembered is this  well  forgettable. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 18 | Toy Story 4 (2019) The runt of the litter when it comes to Pixars flagship franchise, Toy Story 4 feels like several different movies haphazardly stitched together  probably because it was. Plagued by production troubles, its a film that works best when it plays as an adventure romcom anchored by Woody and Bo Peep. Whenever theyre off screen, and Toy Story 4 is distracted by a sentient fork or a villainous baby doll, it loses all of that traditional Pixar sparkle. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 17 | Monsters University (2013) When news of a Monsters, Inc follow-up surfaced, fans were in two minds: some questioned why youd revisit a film as opposed to making something new, while many rejoiced in the fact they would finally get to see Sulley reunited with Boo. Instead, what they got was a prequel showing John Goodmans big blue creatures days as a student at college  the place he met his future scaring partner, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal). The result is fun if unnecessary. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 16 | Incredibles 2 (2018) While it never totally justifies its existence, largely replicating what worked so well in the first film, this belated sequel at least makes up for its lack of creative energy with stunning animation. Theres a thrilling chase sequence through the skies between Elastigirl and the villainous Screenslaver here, while even post-Marvel, the comic-book storytelling feels dazzling Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 15 | A Bug's Life (1998) Sandwiched in between two Toy Stories, one representing Pixar at its dazzling beginning and the other as it became a world-conquering behemoth, A Bugs Life is easy to overlook. But it remains delightful all the same, its lack of creative inventiveness made up for in its elegant creature designs and gentle humour. Its also at least aged better than DreamWorks Antz, which now bears the indignity of being anchored entirely around Woody Allen. At least Kevin Spacey is merely a supporting player in Pixars film. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 14 | Cars (2006) Theres no doubt that Cars has a special place in this writers heart due to a brother who watched it on repeat as a three-year-old. Commonly disregarded as Pixar for kids, the film actually has much to recommend it, from the gratifying journey of its lead character  who starts out arrogant and ends up a changed, erm, automobile  to the moving mid-section in Radiator Springs, the ghost town McQueen finds himself stranded in. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 13 | Finding Dory (2016) A belated sequel that no one expected to be quite as good as it was, Finding Dory positions Ellen DeGeneress forgetful fish centre stage, with lush results. There are a raft of memorable supporting characters and an appropriate amount of familial sadness to counteract the cheer. DeGeneres is spectacular, and the whole thing has a relaxed charm that makes it irresistible. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 12 | Up (2009) Ups opening sequence, charting a decades-long love story, is the most brilliant thing Pixar has ever done. The rest of Up is completely fine. Theres still a lot to adore here, of course, from the cutesy charm of its unlikely heroes (an old man and a plucky boy scout) to its sort-of talking dog. It doesnt, however, entirely conceal the fact that Up peaks very early. PixarPixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 11 | Wall-E (2008) WALL-Es early sequences, nearly wordless and anchored entirely by a lonely robot, are as radical and ambitious as Pixar gets. Much like Up, however, the film becomes slightly more conventional as it goes along. It finds itself in a traditional run-and-escape pattern, which is often smart and clever, but lacking in a ton of emotional resonance. Every Pixar film, ranked 10 | Onward (2020) Pixar has a near-perfect track record with its original films, and yet Onwards brilliance still came as a surprise. It follows two teenage elf brothers who, against all odds, are faced with the chance to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him. Its twists and turns subvert expectations throughout  and there is slapstick comedy aplenty. You will belly laugh, you will slide towards the edge of your seat and  as is the Pixar norm  you will weep into your jumper. Disney/Pixar Every Pixar film, ranked 9 | The Incredibles (2004) Pixar was always going to tick superheroes off its list, and it did so in 2004 with a film that remains an unmitigated joy. The film has a lot of fun contrasting the Parrs banal home life with the breathless action scenes where they unite as crime-fighting superheroes. Plus points, too, for giving us the hilariously OTT fashion doyenne Edna Mode, voiced by the films director, Brad Bird. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 8 | Finding Nemo (2003) Finding Nemo more or less laid the groundwork for much that would follow, with parental absence and childhood trauma factoring into a number of the Pixar movies to be released in its aftermath. Finding Nemo remains remarkable on its own, though, for both its slapstick comedy and emotional power. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 7 | Inside Out (2015) To its credit, Pixar has always avoided stunt-casting, for the most part preferring character actors over starrier celebrities. Inside Out is one of its best in that regard, with sentient emotions portrayed by their most obvious real-world counterparts  Amy Poehler as a sunny Joy, Lewis Black as a literally hot-headed Anger, the marvellous Office alumna Phyllis Smith as Sadness. Away from its cast, Inside Out is also a glorious gut-punch, its feelings lived-in and authentic, its climactic character death by far and away the most heartbreaking in the Pixar canon. RIP Bing Bong, we hardly knew ye. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 6 | Coco (2017) Pixar further proved its verve with Coco, a film that tapped into a completely different culture while also exploring the fantastical. Mexicos Day of the Dead is the inspiration behind a film thats tied together by legacy and memory via a love of music. Its also an existential minefield as viewers are told that to be forgotten by your living relatives is to suffer a final death in the afterlife. Coco might be an entry point to the tough topic of death for many youngsters, but it remains a remarkable, often hilarious experience, albeit one filled with tears. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 5 | Toy Story 3 (2010) If an entire generation came of age with Pixar, Toy Story 3 marks their final step into adulthood. Ranking the Toy Stories is a matter of consternation for any self-respecting Pixar fan, but its not outrageous to claim that the third is the best one. It feels like a goodbye  not only for young Andy, who says farewell to his toys as he prepares to head to college, but also for the most sustained period of greatness in Pixar history. Everything works here, from the Barbie and Ken comedy to the melancholy brilliance of our heroes believing theyre facing imminent death. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 4 | Monsters, Inc (2001) Sulley and Mike  the unlikely pals at the heart of Monsters, Inc  are characters for the ages and precisely why the film lands as well as it does. Which isnt to say theres nothing else to marvel at. Its concept (monsters only scare kids because their screams power the city they live in) is ingenious and its supporting players  the villainous Randall, the studious Roz, not to mention the long-suffering George  make it a treat to revisit. Wary of its high placement? Look no further than the chase sequence on a conveyor belt of doors that double as portals to different worlds. Its masterful. Pixar Animation Every Pixar film, ranked 3 | Toy Story (1995) Where it all began. After a series of shorts released from 1984, Pixar announced itself as a major player in the film game with 1995s Toy Story, a benchmark for animation 25 years on. Theres no denying that without Toy Story we wouldnt have any of the films that follow, but its testament to the studios genius that it managed to retain the wonder and adventure presented in this world. Its that rarity that makes the impossible seem real  even more impressive for an animated film. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 2 | Ratatouille (2007) It feels like sacrilege to say that Ratatouille, Pixars most traditionally animated film, is its second best. Theres not a ton of spectacle here, no elaborate water effects or invented worlds, but rather a twinkly and dreamy take on Paris. Its gorgeous, and matched in power by the films incredibly weird yet marvellous storytelling. Both a wacky comedy about a rat who cooks, and a rich celebration of nostalgia, childhood joy and imagination, Ratatouille is a daring encapsulation of Pixars singular brilliance. Rex Features Every Pixar film, ranked 1 | Toy Story 2 (1999) The toy repairman montage; Jessies heartbreaking flashback; that traffic cone action sequence  Toy Story 2 is effervescing with pitch-perfect scenes. It takes what made the original film so special and expands on it, while always keeping the spotlight on the central theme: belonging. Toy Story 2 is one of the great adventure films, too, putting the characters on a quest to retrieve Woody after hes stolen by fiscally minded toy collector Al, voiced indelibly by Wayne Knight. As close to a perfect film as youll get. Rex Features

6. Toy Story 3

If an entire generation came of age with Pixar, Toy Story 3 marks their final step into adulthood. Ranking the Toy Stories is a matter of consternation for any self-respecting Pixar fan, but its not outrageous to claim that the third is the best one. It feels like a goodbye  not only for young Andy, who says farewell to his toys as he prepares to head to college, but also for the most sustained period of greatness in Pixar history. Everything works here, from the Barbie and Ken comedy to the melancholy brilliance of our heroes believing theyre facing imminent death. AW

5. Soul

Pixars latest film cuts right to the chase. Why not embrace, head-on, the biggest mystery there is: life itself? What, after all, is the point of all this living? The studio are certainly up for the challenge. That wont surprise anyone. But not only does Soul live up to Pixars own impossibly high standards, but it represents the very best the studio has to offer: beauty, humour, heart, and a gut-punch of an existential crisis. The children will laugh and cheer; the adults will sob until their muscles ache. CL

4. Monsters, Inc

Sulley and Mike  the unlikely pals at the heart of Monsters, Inc  are characters for the ages and precisely why the film lands as well as it does. Which isnt to say theres nothing else to marvel at. Its concept (monsters only scare kids because their screams power the city they live in) is ingenious and its supporting players  the villainous Randall, the studious Roz, not to mention the long-suffering George  make it a treat to revisit. Wary of its high placement? Look no further than the chase sequence on a conveyor belt of doors that double as portals to different worlds. Its masterful. JS

3. Toy Story

Where it all began. After a series of shorts released from 1984, Pixar announced itself as a major player in the film game with 1995s Toy Story, a benchmark for animation 25 years on. Theres no denying that without Toy Story we wouldnt have any of the films that follow, but its testament to the studios genius that it managed to retain the wonder and adventure presented in this world. Its that rarity that makes the impossible seem real  even more impressive for an animated film. JS

2. Ratatouille

It feels like sacrilege to say that Ratatouille, Pixars most traditionally animated film, is its second best. Theres not a ton of spectacle here, no elaborate water effects or invented worlds, but rather a twinkly and dreamy take on Paris. Its gorgeous, and matched in power by the films incredibly weird yet marvellous storytelling. Both a wacky comedy about a rat who cooks, and a rich celebration of nostalgia, childhood joy and imagination, Ratatouille is a daring encapsulation of Pixars singular brilliance. AW

1. Toy Story 2

'Toy Story 2' has many perfect scenes (Rex Features)

The toy repairman montage; Jessies heartbreaking flashback; that traffic cone action sequence  Toy Story 2 is effervescing with pitch-perfect scenes. It takes what made the original film so special and expands on it, while always keeping the spotlight on the central theme: belonging. Toy Story 2 is one of the great adventure films, too, putting the characters on a quest to retrieve Woody after hes stolen by fiscally minded toy collector Al, voiced indelibly by Wayne Knight. As close to a perfect film as youll get. JS

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Pixar movies are expected to be available on Disney+. The new streaming service launches in the UK on the 24 of March 2020.
Staff at Ronan Farrow's book publisher staged a walkout Thursday in protest over its decision to publish Woody Allen's new memoir.

Employees at Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, downed tools and marched on the company's human resources offices in Midtown Manhattan at around 3pm to express outrage at the group's move.

This comes after Farrow and his sister Dylan were left seething this week amid news that the same publisher that released Farrow's book on exposing sexual abusers has joined forces with their estranged father - who allegedly sexually abused Dylan as a child.

Farrow's book Catch and Kill, which details his role in the #MeToo movement and taking down sexual predators including Harvey Weinstein, was released by Little, Brown and Company, one division of Hachette.

Pictured: Employees at Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, downed tools and marched on the company's human resources offices in Midtown Manhattan at around 3pm to express outrage at the group's decision to publish Woody Allen's new memoir

Allen's book about his life Apropos of Nothing is being released by Grand Central Publishing, a different division of the group.

Farrow slammed the publisher for the move and said he was also outraged that no one from the company told him about it.

Dylan also blasted the publisher on social media calling the news of the memoir both 'deeply upsetting' and an 'utter betrayal' to her brother.

Workers for the publishing group came out in support Thursday for the Farrows and for 'all survivors of sexual assault', a source told Page Six.

Ronan Farrow (left) and his sister Dylan (right) were left seething this week amid news that the same publisher that released Farrow's book on exposing sexual abusers has joined forces with their estranged father Woody Allen - who allegedly sexually abused Dylan as a child

Farrow's book Catch and Kill was released by Little, Brown and Company, one division of Hachette. Allen's book about his life Apropos of Nothing (above) is being released by Grand Central Publishing, a different division of the group

The source said that Hachette's CEO Michael Pietsch had tried to hold a town hall with staff about the issue but that other leaders refused to back him.

'None of the senior leadership would stand with him and the staff walked out of the offices,' the source said.

'The staff felt so strongly about this and wanted to do this for Ronan, [his sister] Dylan and all survivors of sexual assault.'

Book agent Lynn Nesbitt, who brokered the rights for Farrow's blockbuster, told The Post that the deal with the accused pedophile was a major 'blow' to the team.

'Hachette has also dealt a huge bow to the Little, Brown team who have worked tirelessly to make Catch and Kill a success,' she said.

Ronan and Dylan Farrow both took to Twitter later on Thursday to express gratitude over the solidarity from the Hachette staff.

'Unbelievably overwhelmed and so incredibly grateful for the solidarity demonstrated by @HachetteUS and @littlebrown employees today. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,' Dylan wrote.

Ronan retweeted support from fellow authors who came out in force against Hachette's decision.

'As authors who have a book coming out with a Hachette imprint in May, @tomryanauthor and I want to add our voices to those standing . . . with survivors of sexual abuse,' tweeted Robin Stevenson.

Hachette released a statement saying they 'understand the perspective of our employees' and they 'will engage our staff in a fuller discussion about this at the earliest opportunity.'

Workers for the publishing group came out in support Thursday for the Farrows and for 'all survivors of sexual assault'

Dylan was first to hit out at the publisher Monday over her father's memoir, saying she had not been contacted by any fact checkers to verify his accounts.

'This provides yet another example of the profound privilege that power, money, and notoriety affords,' Farrow tweeted.

'Hachette's complicity in this should be called out for what it is and they should have to answer for it.'

Ronan also took to social media to express outrage that the same company that he wrote his Pulitzer Prize-winning book with had chosen to work with his estranged father and then 'concealed' it from him.

In a statement tweeted on Tuesday night, he said: 'I was disappointed to learn through press reports that Hachette, my publisher, acquired Woody Allen's memoir after other major publishers refused to do so and concealed the decision from me and its own employees while we were working on Catch and Kill - a book about how powerful men, including Woody Allen, avoid accountability for sexual abuse.

'Hachette did not fact check the Woody Allen book. My sister Dylan has never been contacted to respond to any denial or mischaracterization of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Woody Allen - a credible allegation, maintained for almost three decades, backed up by contemporaneous accounts and evidence.'

In a statement posted to her Twitter account on Monday, Dylan Farrow said she had not been contacted by any fact checkers to verify her father's memoir

Ronan took to social media on Monday to express outrage that the same company that he wrote his Pulitzer Prize-winning book with had chosen to work with his estranged father and then 'concealed' it from him

He went on to call Hachette 'wildly unprofessional' and said the company's conduct shows 'a lack of ethics and compassion for victims of sexual abuse'.

'I've also told Hachette that a publisher that would conduct itself in this way is one I can't work with in good conscience,' he finished.

Dylan has long claimed that Allen, her adoptive father, sexually abused her as a child.

The allegations first became public in the 1990s.

She said she was seven at the time and that it happened in her mother, actress Mia Farrow's home.

Allen has always denied the allegations and was never convicted, but a judge noted in the 1990s how he had been inappropriate towards her.

The Hollywood director then went on to date and marry Soon-Yi Previn, who was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow.

The family has not spoken to Allen for years.
South Africa: Coronavirus: WHO urges speedy response

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Coronavirus affected countries to work with speed in dealing with the virus.

Briefing the media on Thursday, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a clarion call to countries to act with speed and for governments to show determination.

The Coronavirus death toll, as of Thursday, stands at 3 281, with a total of 95 265 reported cases of COVID-19 globally.

On Thursday, South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced the first positive case of the Coronavirus in the country.

The patient is a 38-year-old male, who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March 2020.

On Thursday, China reported 143 new cases. Most cases continue to be reported from Hubei province, and eight provinces have not reported any cases in the last 14 days.

Outside China, 2 055 cases were reported in 33 countries. Around 80% of those cases continue to come from just three countries.

We are calling on every country to act with speed, scale and clear-minded determination.

Although we continue to see the majority of cases in a handful of countries, we are deeply concerned about the increasing number of countries reporting cases, especially those with weaker health systems, Ghebreyesus said.

Concern countries not taking COVID-19 seriously

Ghebreyesus said the solution to beat the epidemic is aggressive preparedness.

Were concerned that some countries have either not taken this seriously enough, or have decided theres nothing they can do.

We are concerned that in some countries, the level of political commitment and the actions that demonstrate that commitment do not match the level of the threat we all face, he said.

Urging for swift action, WHO punted the importance of a coordinated approach by affected countries.

These are plans that start with leadership from the top, coordinating every part of government, not just the health ministry  security, diplomacy, finance, commerce, transport, trade, information and more  the whole government should be involved, said Ghebreyesus.

Funding to support affected countries

On funding to support affected countries, WHO said funding is being made available to support countries that need it.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have both made funds available to stabilise health systems and mitigate the economic consequences of the epidemic, with a special focus on enabling access to critical supplies and equipment.

I also had a very fruitful discussion with the President of the African Development Bank.

This is funding that is available now to countries who need it, in line with WHOs Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. These funds are essential for supporting the response now, but also for long-term preparedness, said Ghebreyesus.

Although COVID-19 presents an acute threat now, Ghebreyesus said, it is absolutely essential that countries do not lose this opportunity to strengthen their preparedness systems.

Be safe, smart and informed

On Thursday, WHO launched a new social media campaign called Be Ready for COVID-19, which urges people to be safe, smart and informed.

We know people are afraid, and thats normal and appropriate. That fear can be managed and moderated with accurate information, said Ghebreyesus.

The campaign calls for a stop in the spread of fake news and outlines steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Steps to prevent infection and spread include: regular washing of hands with an alcohol based hand rub or wash them with water and soap, maintain a one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing and sneezing, and ensure that surface are wiped and kept clean.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(JNS) DALLAS-Seventeen-year-old Swedish climate-change activist Greta Thunberg was not at BBYO's International Convention here last week, but when her name was mentioned, throngs of teenagers applauded and screamed as if she was.

That's because climate-change activism was as much of a theme of the four-day conference as the official one "Tomorrow Happens Here."

Avi Garbow, environmental advocate for the sportswear line Patagonia who received the annual STAND UP Award on behalf of the company, said Greta may be a rock star to them, but there are more just like her.

"You are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last to do anything about it. Before Greta there were others, and after Greta there will be others," he told the crowd of nearly 3,500 teenagers.

Organizers estimate drew the convention drew a 5,500 people from 45 countries, including Cuba and Norway, for leadership-building workshops, community-service projects, meeting fellow activists and even to play the latest video games on cutting-edge technology. During that period, they heard from a roster of renowned activists, journalists, celebrities and, in one somber moment, watched Holocaust survivors embrace for the first time liberation soldiers.

Themes and issues change every year, which the organization's staff remains aware of, said CEO Matt Grossman. "This generation has lived through an era of school shootings," he said, noting that the convention was held in Orlando, Fla., only a few days after the two-year anniversary of the deadly shooting at Marjorie Stoneman High School in Parkland, outside Miami. That year, the issue became safe schools, resulting in a global initiative related to school safety.

But climate change, he said, "is the issue of the time."

'We have a voice'

Claudia Sachs of eastern Virginia has been involved with climate-change activism, participating in school strikes, a worldwide series of strikes and walkouts advocated by Thunberg in 2019. Students walked out of school, demanding political movement on combating climate change.

"We have to ensure that our only home is safe for future generations. This has become a very personal passion for me, like it has for so many of us," she said.

Her passion led her to steer the BBYO Climate Crisis Task Force, which will soon join the International Leadership Network, an alliance of organizations for youth. The membership, she noted, "will position BBYO on the forefront of combating global change."

Andrew Goldberg, publicist for his BBYO's Connecticut Valley Region chapter, is energized by the chance to expand BBYO's already broad set of issues.

"In a society plagued by an onslaught of issues across a wide spectrum, the environment is one area that failure will wreak havoc on. If we fail to take action, the future generations of all species will be faced with a threat to their survival," he said. "In BBYO, we are granted the opportunity-time and time again-to collaborate with one another, debate vital issues we face and seek solutions. BBYO is there to remind us that we have a voice, and that our voices matter-not just to each other, but to everyone in the world in which we live."

Sachs and Goldberg's willingness to confront with confidence a complex issue involving the scientific, political, governmental and other communities is the core of the BBYO experience, said CEO Matt Grossman.

"The workshops are rooted in confidence and growth of young people; the programming is tied to social issues. Groups serving Jewish teens are progressive, but the meaning of inclusivity has expanded. We explore this with teens, all in a safe environment," he said.

Each presentation is presented in a way to stimulate curiosity. The plenaries-a cross between a TED talk and a concert-use digital graphics, sound and theatrical devices to amplify the voices of activists, who included Cornell Brooks, director of the Social Justice Collaborative at Harvard University and former CEO of the NAACP; Zach Barack, a transgender actor; and Sakena Yacoobi, CEO of Afghan Institute of Learning.

"That roster is telling of what we've become," said Grossman, noting the diversity of speakers.

'Engaging with other teenage activists'

In the past five years, the programming has become more globally focused, too. The planning committee is made up of 300 teenagers, not all of whom speak the same language. To organize across time zones, they had to creatively use smartphone applications like WhatsApp, which offers translation services. Working across time zones required keen awareness of customs, traditions and the time of day that could best work for the large committee.

Emily Kolodney of Austin enjoyed the challenge. Granted, she could not avoid the responsibility. She is the 75th Anita M. Perlman International N'siah of BBYO's B'nai B'rith Girls sorority, a leader during a milestone year for the organization. She serves alongside Ethan Golde, the 95th Grand Aleph Godol of the boys' fraternity Aleph Zadik Aleph. The duo is responsible for working with the organization's 730 chapters in 53 countries, and also collaborates with chapter and council operations.

"But they're still teenagers," noted Debbie Shemony, vice president for marketing and communications. And alongside civil-rights figures and journalists are celebrities and YouTube stars, who have become increasingly popular among this demographic.

Adding they don't bring in just any YouTube star, Shemony said "we see they really like engaging with other teenage activists who also have big dreams."

The programming is also more inclusive than in years' past, with country-specific meet-ups, and, in the case of this year, Russian and Spanish speakers, and specific workshops, said Grossman.

As part of the 75th anniversary recognizing the sorority, numerous programs celebrated women's local and global impact. Breakout sessions focused on women's leadership, gender equality and women's rights in the 21st century.

The convention is also an opportunity for allied groups to recruit participants in their programs.

Miri Kornfeld is director of high school programs with StandWithUs, a Los Angeles-based, pro-Israel education nonprofit dedicated to teaching students, teachers and parents about the Jewish state, as well as fighting anti-Semitism. The organization has a major presence at the international convention And like BBYO, StandWithUs offers leadership development and teenage-focused programming, but using Israel as a case study.

"BBYO is a natural part of our teen leadership work. Both organizations' programming streams together," she said.

Last year, they reached 90,000 students, including through BBYO's annual convention, through presentations and educating the masses. "But from there we get our passionate students, including some of whom are interning with them this year," she said.

Every year about 20 BBYO participants intern with StandWithUs.

The kids she finds from BBYO are passionate and Zionist-the sort of leaders they cultivate.

A 2011 BBYO Impact Study funded by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation found that alumni are more likely to engage in leadership roles as adults because of their emphasis on education, training and community-building.

"The great thing about teenagers is they are better than older generations," said Grossman. "They can argue different perspectives then play with each other later."

They can also march in streets.

"In Germany, I participate in the international Fridays for future strikes, which is a grassroots movement about environmental justice. Like BBYO, it gives teens like me a platform to raise our voices which would otherwise be unheard without the power of unity," Naomi Tamir of Germany. "Under tikkun olam, we are able to run programs at our chapters or on regional level that work on the issues our community, city, country and the entire world faces, like climate change. Although right now we aren't eligible to vote, we have already built up the movement of BBYO, and it shows us that we can be-and we are-strong enough for change."
Rutgers engineers have created a tabletop device that combines a robot, artificial intelligence and near-infrared and ultrasound imaging to draw blood or insert catheters to deliver fluids and drugs.

Their most recent research results, published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, suggest that autonomous systems like the image-guided robotic device could outperform people on some complex medical tasks.

Medical robots could reduce injuries and improve the efficiency and outcomes of procedures, as well as carry out tasks with minimal supervision when resources are limited. This would allow health care professionals to focus more on other critical aspects of medical care and enable emergency medical providers to bring advanced interventions and resuscitation efforts to remote and resource-limited areas.

"Using volunteers, models and animals, our team showed that the device can accurately pinpoint blood vessels, improving success rates and procedure times compared with expert health care professionals, especially with difficult to access blood vessels," said senior author Martin L. Yarmush, Paul & Mary Monroe Chair & Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Getting access to veins, arteries and other blood vessels is a critical first step in many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. They include drawing blood, administering fluids and medications, introducing devices such as stents and monitoring health. The timeliness of procedures can be critical, but gaining access to blood vessels in many people can be quite challenging.

Failures occur in an estimated 20 percent of procedures, and difficulties increase in people with small, twisted, rolling or collapsed blood vessels, which are common in pediatric, elderly, chronically ill and trauma patients, the study says. In these groups, the first-stick accuracy rate is below 50 percent and at least five attempts are often needed, leading to delays in treatment. Bleeding complications can arise when major adjacent arteries, nerves or internal organs are punctured, and the risk of complication rises significantly with multiple attempts. When nearby blood vessels are inaccessible, more invasive approaches such as central venous or arterial access are often required.

The robotic device can accurately steer needles and catheters into tiny blood vessels with minimal supervision. It combines artificial intelligence with near-infrared and ultrasound imaging to perform complex visual tasks, including identifying the blood vessels from the surrounding tissue, classifying them and estimating their depth, followed by motion tracking. In other published work, the authors have shown that the device can serve as a platform to merge automated blood-drawing and downstream analysis of blood.

Next steps include more research on the device in a broader range of people, including those with normal and difficult blood vessels to access.

"Not only can the device be used for patients, but it can also be modified to draw blood in rodents, a procedure which is extremely important for drug testing in animals in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries," Yarmush said.
Gone are the days when Hollywood filmmakers portray women as "leading ladies" in romantic and drama films.

Over the years, they gradually shifted to more diverse gender roles, tapping not only women empowerment but also LGBT community recognition.

More movies have evolved and showcased non-stereotype roles such as the 2005 film "Brokeback Mountain" and the success of DC Comic legend, "Wonder Woman."

Moving with the classics, Disney announced last year that "Cinderella" will have its musical remake featuring the "Havana" artist, Camilla Cabello and will be produced by James Cohan and directed by Kay Cannon.

Queen Beatrice will be played by Golden Globe winner Minnie Driver, broadway superstar Idina Menzel as Cinderella's stepmother and Billy Porter as Fairy Godmother.

"Genderless Fairy Godmother"

In his interview with CBS News, the Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning actor described his role as "powerful" since he was the only male actor who got to portray the role of Fairy Godmother.

"It hit me when I was on the set last week, how profound it is that I am playing the Fairy Godmother - they call it the Fab G."

"Magic has no gender," he continued.

The "Pose" star also explained that the adults are the ones who need acceptance for these kinds of gender-bending roles.

"This is a classic, this is a classic fairy tale for a new generation," he said. "I think that the new generation is really ready. The kids are ready. It's the grownups that are slowing stuff down."

Multi-Talented Actor

The broadway theater performer and fashion icon broke out of the mainstream as Pray Tell in the drama television series "Pose" with his role, he was recognized as one of the most bankable stars earning numerous awards.

Last year, Porter made history being the first openly gay black male to win an Emmy award.

In his acceptance speech, the multi-talented actor was thrilled for the recognition and also thanked everyone who supported throughout.

"The category is love, y'all, love! I'm so overjoyed to have lived long enough to see this day."

"There were so many people who helped me to get here along the way ... thank you," he added.

Pray Tell was Created for Billy Porter

As his role in "Pose" gained huge success, it was reported that his character Pray Tell was created for him.

It was when his manager advised him to audition for Pose. He gave it a try, however, he sensed some potential with the project.

"So I went in and read the part I was called in for, and then I said, 'Okay, listen: I lived through this era. I think it would serve everybody if I was in that world because I'm from that world.'"

The 50-year-old actor proposed to play as one of the house mothers but the "Pose" creator Ryan Murphy planned to cast a transgender woman to play the role.

Porter pitched for a "father figure role" and Murphy agreed to create a role just for him and thus Pray Tell was born.

READ MORE: 'Last of Us' Series in the Works at HBO -- FULL DETAILS
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revasum, Inc. (ASX: RVS, Revasum or the Company) a leading semiconductor equipment company today announced that it will be presenting at the 32nd Annual ROTH Conference on Tuesday, March 17th at 11:00am PDT at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California.



Jerry Cutini, Chief Executive Officer of Revasum will be presenting and meeting with investors during the event. Mr. Cutinis presentation will provide an overview of the Company, its markets, and strategic priorities.

Mr. Cutini and Ryan Benton, Revasums Chief Financial Officer, will also be available for one-on-one meetings throughout that day. Please contact ROTH Capital Partners at oneononerequests@roth.com to request a meeting.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS AUTHORIZED FOR RELEASE BY THE CEO

About Revasum

Revasum (ARBN: 629 268 533) specializes in the design and manufacturing of equipment used for the global semiconductor industry. Revasums equipment helps drive advanced manufacturing technology for critical growth markets, including automotive, IoT, and 5G. Our product portfolio includes state of the art equipment for the grinding, polishing, and chemical mechanical planarization processes used to manufacture devices for those key end markets. All of Revasums equipment is designed and developed in close collaboration with our customers. Learn how we create the equipment that generates the technology of today and tomorrow, visit www.revasum.com.
Normlacy has returned to the



coronavirus scare hit IT corridor here on Friday, a day after an employee suspected to have contracted the infection tested negative for it.

Its all normal now, Telangana Principal IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said when asked about the situation at Cyberabad which was gripped by panic two days ago over the virus.

The COVID-19 scare reached the IT corridor on Wednesday with one building in a complex, housing software firms, being vacated for sanitisation for a day as a precautionary measure after an employee there was suspected to have contracted the virus.

Normal operations have resumed at the complex after the IT employee tested negative, Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA) official Murali Bollu said.

"Panic was there day before yesterday...Its now business as usual. There is absolutely no panic... everybody is following some protocols, that are, directions given to them, he said.

Telangana reported its first COVID-19 case on Monday when a 24-year-old software personnel, who recently returned from Dubai, tested positive for the virus.

Later, samples of two people -- an I-T employee who came from Italy and a sanitary worker working in a software company, were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune after local tests for coronavirus returned "borderline".

The results of the tests returned negative on Thursday, bringing some relief to the state.

Health Minister E Rajender had on Thursday said state IT department and police have been trying to instill confidence among IT firms and asked the latter not to panic.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
February 24, 2020

National Gallery of Canada,

300 Sussex Drive,

Ottawa

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

INTRODUCTION

Thank you, Greg.

Im honoured to be here today to help kick off the Federal Black Employee Caucus annual general meeting.

First, I would like to acknowledge the importance of Canada's black communities, whose presence in Canada for hundreds of years, particularly in Nova Scotia, has contributed greatly to the building of our society.

I would also like to commend FBEC on the important work you do to raise awareness, at the highest levels of government, on the issues of concern to Black public servants  engaging with Ministers, unions and senior officials, including our Chief Human Resources Officer and the Clerk of the Privy Council.

Not only do you display the commitment that draws needed attention to the issues, you demonstrate the leadership that underpins our commitment to diversity, inclusion and human rights.

A PILLAR OF PLURALISM ON THE WORLD STAGE

In Canada, our history has been one of different races and cultures from around the world  from Indigenous Peoples to Syrian refugees, through the French settlers and the many waves of immigration that followed.

Pluralism is at the core of our history and our identity.

Over the years, we have learned  often the hard way  that we are stronger and better when we respect each other and work together, that our differences are strengths, not weaknesses.

Today, in an increasingly interconnected world, we understand that the continued strength of our country lies in our continued embrace of openness, inclusion and respect. And in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to their fullest potential.

A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE

In the federal public service, how effective we are as an organization, how adept we are at managing change, has a direct effect on the health of the economy, the safety and security of our citizens, and the quality of life we enjoy.

If we become disconnected from the world around us, if we choose to turn away rather than be open, we risk becoming ineffectual and irrelevant.

Its for this reason the Government is working hard to build a diverse and inclusive public service that is representative of Canadas changing population.

To find solutions to the complex public policy problems we face today, we need diverse views, experiences, backgrounds, orientations and ideas.

We need to get the best from everyone.

We need to work to end discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability, and thereby foster the conditions that allow everyone to reach their full potential and perform at their best.

Its not only the right thing to do, its also essential to our success  both as a government and as a country.

The foundation for our work is the broad policy and legislative framework that supports diversity and inclusion in the public service.

These principles are anchored in the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the Employment Equity Act and the Accessible Canada Act.

And while the public service has made progress, as you know better than anyone, we still have a lot of work to do.

Our government recently appointed Caroline Xavier as Associate Deputy Minister for the department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship  the first black woman to be appointed Associate Deputy Minister.

Its a step forward, but its not nearly enough.

We need to do more, and we need to do better.

And it starts with us, the government, recognizing the issues you have identified as challenges.

Among other things, issues such as:

the lack of disaggregated data; and

ongoing discrimination, harassment and career stagnation among Black employees, and the effects of these on their mental health, well-being and productivity.

TAKING ACTION

In January 2018, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada would officially recognize the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent.

As you know, this Decades objective is to promote the human rights of people of African descent, and to encourage greater respect for their heritage, culture, and contributions to society around the world.

In Budget 2018, we committed $9 million over three years for the Department of Canadian Heritage to enhance local community supports for Black Canadian youth.

We also promised $10 million over five years to the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop research in support of more culturally focused mental-health programs in Black communities.

Later, Budget 2019 provided $25 million over five years to Employment and Skills Development Canada for projects and capital assistance to celebrate, share knowledge and build capacity in Black Canadian communities.

We are also modernizing our approach to data collection.

An example is the Public Service Employee Survey, which gathers data directly from public servants on their work environment.

This year, the Survey asked Black employees to self-identify to help us better address the issues they have to deal with.

That richer data and deeper analysis will lead to a better understanding of the particular challenges Black employees face.

We are also fully committed to wellness, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

This commitment has been expressed in the mandate letters of all my colleagues, in the priorities of the Clerk and other official statements.

For example, we have taken action to create safer, healthier and more inclusive and diverse workplaces for all our employees, by launching the Centre for Wellness, Inclusion and Diversity, which was also funded as part of Budget 2018.

The Centre offers support to employees and managers who want to improve their workplace through the exchange of new practices and innovative ideas.

Were also helping the Canada School of Public Service identify training gaps in respectful workplaces, as well as work on skills development and reduce cultural and unconscious bias.

Looking ahead, departments will need to continue to focus attention on Canadas changing population and ensure our public service is representative of the people it serves.

As President of the Treasury Board, I will work in close collaboration with the Secretary and all Deputy Ministers to remove the remaining barriers and facilitate the access of visible minorities to senior positions in our public service.

This objective is clearly defined in my mandate letter  and the values of inclusion and openness are at the heart of my political commitment.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY

As I look to where we need to go in terms of providing fulsome participation of Black Canadians in our public service, Im reminded of how the Black community has shaped the country we know today.

Im reminded that you are the latest in a long line of people who have fought for fairness and equality.

Im thinking of people like

Viola Desmond  the Nova Scotia civil rights activist, whose image now graces Canadas $10 bill.

She is the first Black person  and the first non-royal woman  on a regularly circulating Canadian banknote.

Lincoln Alexander, the lawyer, member of parliament, Cabinet minister, war veteran, and former lieutenant governor of Ontario.

He was the first person from a visible minority to take on that role, and the first Black Member of Parliament in Canadian history.

Michaelle Jean, the former journalist and broadcaster, and the first woman of Caribbean origin to be appointed Governor General of Canada.

Jean Augustine, the trailblazing politician, social activist and educator.

She was also the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet, and the first Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario.

Senators Anne Cools and Donald Oliver.

Oscar Peterson, the world-renowned, Montreal born, pianist whose contribution to our culture transcends boarders and time, and whose music can still be heard every day, just outside of the National Arts Centre, right here in Ottawa.

I could keep going for hours, but my point is that all these individuals demonstrated that, in overcoming systemic barriers and more visceral prejudices, they could make long and lasting contributions to our country and the rest of the world.

And their legacy continues through the works of so many, including yourselves  black public servants, and elected officials like my colleague Greg Fergus, and senior political staff like my own chief of staff Marjorie Michel  the first black woman to act as chief of staff to a federal minister.

This is all part of what makes us Canadians!

As public servants, you carry this torch forward, and Im here to tell you that our government is your ally.

Diversity is our strength, and we need our public service to reflect that for the benefit of all Canadians.

CONCLUSION

Our nations history is as diverse as the people that call Canada home.

Its the story of people on an upward path, and the fight to be treated with equality, fairness and dignity.

Its the story of people who understand we are stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them.

It is the story of a country that not only celebrates its diversity, but that has made the decision to build on it and make the most of it.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and its always a big step between theory and practice, but we can be proud of who we are, while knowing that we can and must do better.

The Prime Minister said it best:

We cannot build a better world unless we work together, respect our differences, protect the vulnerable, and put people at the heart of the decisions we make.

I couldnt agree more, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to do just that.

Thank you.
European investment is expected to flow more into Vietnam once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) come into force. What are the prospects for attracting German investment to Vietnam in 2020?

Marko Walde, chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam

The EVFTA and EVIPA will bring customs facilitation and exchanging information on custom requirements, investment in the modernisation and simplification of customs procedures, and transparency in all custom requirements.

New market access opportunities across a range of sectors will be also created thanks to these agreements.

Once the agreements come into effect, European and German companies could enjoy protection of investments with trade facilitations and easier market access in the short term.

Looking ahead, we hope German investors will increase their presence in Vietnam based on the improved conditions here. I strongly believe that there will be more foreign direct investment in high-value projects in Vietnam in the long term, including from Germany.

There should be an increasing flow of investment not only directly from German small- and medium-sized enterprises, but also from companies that have been investing in China for years, and have chosen Vietnam as their next destination.

German investors would apply technology to management and training, allow more value-added production, and reduce waste of material and resources.

Could you share some potential sectors for German investors to capitalise on Vietnams fast-growing market?

Vietnam and Singapore have the lowest market barriers in the ASEAN, and those two countries have signed FTAs with the EU.

Based on these factors, we think that the Vietnamese market offers a lot of potential in almost all areas, especially the automobile, machinery, green energy, electronics, IT, food processing, and healthcare sectors.

With the current virus outbreak and the trend of the China Plus One strategy, do you expect a surge in manufacturing relocation to Vietnam among German companies?

We see that the epidemic is spreading further throughout China, and we are aware that it is not just the Chinese economy that is suffering from less consumption, idle factories, and broken global supply chains. Hopefully the virus will be controlled in the first quarter of 2020, paving the way for new strategies and optimal diversification for companies concerning the global supply chain.

With the Chinese policy, German companies there are looking to diversify their operations by adding another location in Asia - expanding to Vietnam, for example. This is due to the higher cost of Chinese labour and a desire for diversification, and when it comes to alternatives in the Southeast Asian region, many firms may well choose Vietnam first.

According to AHK World Business Outlook 2019, Vietnam offers the best conditions for German investors. 55 per cent of German investors in Vietnam are keen to exploit these conditions, and in 2020 they are planning to expand their activities, increase investment, and hire more staff.

What is the likelihood of German companies partaking in merger and acquisition (M&A) activities with Vietnamese businesses?

This could be a solution for German companies who intend to establish businesses or invest in Vietnam. They could enjoy the existing access to consumers, distribution channels, and partners, and represent a suitable path for equitisation, either full or partial, of state-owned enterprises in Vietnam.

But from our point of view, M&A is generally the most challenging means of entering the market. To minimise the risks, companies must conduct due diligence before entering into an agreement or financial transaction with another party.

This investigation or audit of a potential investment or product is designed to review financial records and provide an overview of any company that garners interest, the real business value of it, and the risks involved. The reliability of due diligence in Vietnam is still in doubt so there are still big risks for investors.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan received today Ambassador of France to Armenia Jonathan Lacote, the ministry told Armenpress.

The Ambassador thanked for the reception and stated that since 2018 France has a special attention to the post-revolutionary Armenia, by appreciating its consistent fight against corruption. He said as a result of these changes several French enterprises are interested in the prospect of operating in Armenia. They are not coming to Armenia for other subjective reasons, they are coming here because of existing real opportunities, the French Ambassador stated, introducing the actions for implementation of major investment programs in Armenia and outlining the upcoming works with the minister.

Minister Khachatryan stated in turn that the success of these projects will further connect the economies of the two countries. The Ambassador assured that the entry of major brands to Armenia will change also the attitude of the French investment community towards the country.

The meeting touched upon the details of the program relating to irrigating agriculture development in Ararat and Armavir provinces of Armenia. The French Ambassador said this is the largest ongoing project.

The officials exchanged views on issues relating to geographical indications. The minister said Armenia is committed to implementing its assumed commitments. We continue our discussions with our French partners which must bring benefit, the minister said.

They also touched upon the operations of French companies in Armenia and their future programs.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Fri, March 6, 2020 11:11 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068be15e 1 National Batam,Riau-Islands,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak-in-Indonesia,outbreak,COVID-19,Singapore Free

Two male residents of Batam, the Riau Islands, who had been in close contact with a Singaporean who had the virus, were placed in quarantine on Wednesday after initially evading health authorities.

Both men work as ride-hailing ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers and are among the 15 people identified as having been in close contact with three Singapore residents who tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting Batam. The two had evaded health authorities for fear of losing their incomes.

The first man had briefly entered the quarantine facility at a local haj dormitory along with nine others, but escaped on Tuesday morning.

He agreed to be quarantined after persuasive intervention by police officers, although he was still anxious about being unable to make an income during the 14-day period. Riau Islands Police health division head Sr. Comr. Muhammad Haris said police were able to track the man down with the help of the ride-hailing company where he worked.

"We told him he needed to be quarantined because he was in contact with a person with COVID-19. If he refused, we would take action," Haris told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Read also: Indonesia to turn former Vietnamese refugee camp into hospital for COVID-19 patients

He added that the man had not been in direct contact with the Singapore COVID-19 patient, but rather with the patients domestic helper.

Haris added that some confusion seemed to exist among the media regarding the number of people who had escaped quarantine, and stressed that only one person had fled. The other man had refused to be quarantined in the first place, but had since agreed to be quarantined at the haj dormitory.

"[So] We only found the one person. We found him the day after he fled quarantine," he said. He told us, if he was quarantined, how would he make money. Well, financial problems are not our jurisdiction. Our job is just to find him."

Haris also said that officers had been placed on guard at the haj dormitory that is being used to quarantine 11 identified close contacts, while others had been assigned to the residences of the four other close contacts, who are in self-isolation. (nal)
Many investors shied away from cannabis stocks initially. Some feared that shifting laws might cause the industry to collapse while others were simply uncertain about getting involved in a marijuana business. However, after some companies have experienced success, including Cronos Group and GW Pharmaceuticals (both of which became 10-baggers for early investors), some are reconsidering their position on cannabis. If you are wondering whether its too late to invest, heres what you need to know.

Is It Too Late to Invest in Cannabis?

To put it simply, no, it isnt too late to invest in cannabis. The legal cannabis market is already worth more than $10 billion, and its poised to keep growing.

In the United States, legalization efforts are still spreading. As of the start of 2020, 11 states have legalized recreational and medicinal marijuana. Another 33 states have legal, medical marijuana. And those numbers dont include decriminalization legislation, which covers additional areas.

Ultimately, this means legal cannabis use is expanding. New markets emerge along with legalization legislation, creating opportunities for cannabis-oriented companies to reach larger customer bases.

Plus, many cannabis companies arent just in the United States. There are multi-national operations as well as companies that solely operate in other countries. Since legalization is also expanding on a global level, this means there are options that you may miss if you focus exclusively on your local markets.

In the end, there are a lot of opportunities to invest in cannabis and a significant amount of growth potential. As a result, it likely will never be too late to get involved, technically.

Source: Statistica.com

What You Need to Know About Cannabis Stocks

Before you invest in cannabis, its important to be aware of a few things. First, the market is highly volatile. Even many of the leading companies experience substantial price swings. These stocks arent for the risk-averse or those who want to jump the moment theres a downward shift. Price volatility is part of the paradigm; its that simple.

Second, the United States federal government has not legalized cannabis, and that will remain a potential point of concern. That means the government still has the ability to criminally charge certain marijuana operations for violating federal laws. This leaves a degree of uncertainty in the air and could result in serious issues for investors and companies if the government decides to take quick action against a business.

However, acceptance overall is rising. Additionally, the federal government may one day change its position on cannabis, and that would be a game changer. While that isnt guaranteed to occur, many legislators believe that legalization on the federal level is the right move, and it may go forward at some point.

Have you invested in cannabis? If so, are you happy with your returns? If not, is there something specific holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Read More:

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Two labourers were assaulted, a man stabbed and a truck set on fire in sporadic incidents of violence in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, police said on Friday.

The situation in the state is under close watch with the deployment of three companies of Central Armed Police Forces in the affected areas, in addition to over 100 Rapid Action Force personnel in markets at Khyndailad (Police Bazaar) and Motphran (in Iew Duh), police said.

Both the construction workers who were assaulted by unidentified people in Lawsohtun on Thursday escaped unhurt, Assistant Inspector General of Police Gabriel Iangrai said in a statement.

A 21-year-old man was stabbed by a group of unknown people at Mawkhar in Shillong on Thursday, police said. Mawkhar is a stone's throw from Motphran near Iewduh where curfew, which was imposed on Saturday afternoon, was relaxed for the first time on Thursday.

CCTV footage showed that at least two boys dragging the man, who works as a house painter, to a lane where he was stabbed multiple times, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Claudia Lyngwa said, adding that the culprits could not be identified.

The man who was admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital, with two cuts on his stomach, was stated to be out of danger by the doctors.

In a separate incident at Bholaganj near Ichamati, the scene of last week's violence, a truck parked near a police station was burnt by unidentified people, he said.

Meanwhile, curfew has been relaxed at Iewduh market and all areas under Cantonment Beat House in Shillong from 5 am till 1 pm on Friday.

Curfew imposed in Sadar police station area, which includes the Police Bazaar area in the heart of the city, was relaxed for eight hours from 8 am, while night curfew imposed in the entire city was relaxed at 5 am, the assistant inspector general of police said.

Important cases registered during the unrest since last week have been transferred to the Crime Investigation Department for investigation, police said, appealing to the people to avoid circulating rumours and hateful messages that could breach harmony and create fear psychosis.

Mobile Internet and SMS services, which were withdrawn since Friday night in six districts, were restored since 10 am on Thursday.

District authorities in East Khasi Hills district had promulgated night curfew since Saturday following the death of Lurshai Hynniewta, a member of the Khasi Students' Union, and two others in the district.

Eight people have been arrested from Ichamati in connection with Hynniewta's death. Arrests are yet to be made with regard to the killing of the two others at Iewduh market and Shella, the police said.

Meanwhile, Congress legislators from Assam had met state Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Mukul Sangma on Thursday, seeking their intervention to ensure the safe return of migrant workers, who are stranded in Meghalaya in view of the prevailing law and order following the clash in Ichamati.

The labourers, employed in limestone mines, are struck at Shella, Ichamati and Bholaganj due to the situation, they had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 13-member group of tourists from Iran have been quarantined at a hotel in Amritsar and have been asked to not go out till their medical examination is completed, an official said.

They reached Amritsar on Thursday night, the official added.

They have been quarantined at their hotel rooms, Amritsar Civil Surgeon Prabhdeep Kaur told PTI over phone.

We are conducting a proper medical examination, she said adding that they have been asked to not leave the hotel till their medical examination gets over as a precautionary measure.

If any of them are found symptomatic (for coronavirus), then samples will be taken, she pointed out.

Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had reviewed the state's preparedness to tackle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and had directed the health department to keep close tabs on the situation triggered by the global spread of the virus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The growing spread of coronavirus in Ireland has forced a review of guidelines on people returning to work after coming home from high-risk countries.

Until now all workers - including healthcare staff - who arrived back from affected regions could resume employment providing they did not have symptoms of the illness.

The advice then was to continue as normal, ask the HSE for guidance if they wanted it and to monitor themselves for 14 days.

That has now been amended and health workers with direct patient contact are being told to isolate themselves for 14 days if they have been in China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran or the Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont regions of northern Italy.

For all other workers, however, the original advice remains unchanged.

They would need to contact a GP only if they developed symptoms of the virus.

This contrasts with advice in the UK for travellers returning from countries such as Italy.

In the UK, people are told they should stay indoors and avoid contact with others for 14 days if they have been in the worst-hit areas of northern Italy.

In hindsight, there may have been an argument for healthcare staff and teachers to remain out of bounds for 14 days, even if they feel well.

The Clare GP and his family at the centre of four confirmed cases of the virus here would have followed the advice to resume work and school if they had no symptoms after their mid-term break in northern Italy.

Once anyone who has been in these virus-hit countries thinks they have symptoms, they should seek medical advice.

Public health doctors will then decide if they are a suspect case and if they should go into isolation and be tested.

If the guidelines are tightened for all, it would mean many more travellers who have not caught the virus abroad would needlessly quarantine themselves for 14 days, with all the disruption that would bring.

Risk

However, it would reduce the odds of somebody with mild symptoms, unaware they are a risk, potentially unwittingly passing it on before their condition worsens and makes them realise they have been circulating with the virus.

The emergence of a GP as a coronavirus victim also highlights how, if they are unaware they are infected, they can expose vulnerable patients to the virus.

A daily surgery seeing a roomful of patients, home visits and even shifts in a hospital could all be part of a doctor's week after returning from one of the worst-hit countries.

It is the natural instinct of conscientious GPs and hospital staff to continue to soldier on if they feel unwell, and this is frequently the case, regardless of any coronavirus risk.

GPs in many rural areas are in short supplym, and there is a strong sense of loyalty to patients and colleagues, so they will not call in sick.
Protesters in favor of a supervised injection site sit in the gallery of City Council chambers at Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday, March 05, 2020. Discussions surrounding the site took place before Mayor Kenney's budget proposal. Read more

During his annual visit to City Council, Mayor Jim Kenney was hoping to steer attention toward his proposed scholarship program for the Community College of Philadelphia and other highlights from his budget plan for next year.

But before Kenney could begin his budget address, Council chambers were instead consumed by the debate over supervised injection sites, with dozens of demonstrators from both sides of the issue packing the galleries, and lawmakers condemning how the city and the nonprofit Safehouse handled a Kenney-backed plan to open the nations first such site in South Philadelphia.

The plan was abandoned last week after opposition from neighbors and elected officials from across the political spectrum who criticized the secretive site-selection process and the lack of public hearings before it was to open.

But the political fallout continues for Kenney, who says he supports opening the facilities, which the administration calls overdose prevention sites, to save lives and shepherd people in addiction into treatment. Officials from his administration serve on the advisory committee for Safehouse, the nonprofit formed to open the site.

Council voted 15-2 to approve a resolution, written by Councilmember David Oh, to condemn the botched rollout and urge the city to pause planning for all injection sites. A separate bill by Oh that would make it all but impossible to open a supervised injection site in Philadelphia will be heard in committee next week. State lawmakers are also considering legislation that would ban injection sites or make them more difficult to open.

Supporters and opponents of the sites sat side by side in the Council chambers, and booed or cheered public comment speakers and Council members as they debated the issue. One woman held a sign reading, Naloxone saved my life, and, Dead people cant recover. She sat next to a demonstrator holding a poster that said, Hey Jimmy did you FORGET SOUTH PHILLY? Kenney is from Pennsport.

Councilmembers Helen Gym and Kendra Brooks voted against Ohs resolution, the first show of Council support for Kenney on the issue since the South Philadelphia site controversy erupted last week.

I cannot in good faith endorse an approach that will lead to more preventable overdose deaths," Brooks said, referring to her colleagues opposition to the facilities.

Gym said she believes the sites should be included in a continuum of care to address the citys opioid crisis.

Every street right now is an injection site, Gym said. You cant recover ... if you are dead.

She also acknowledged the bungled handling of the planned opening of a site at the Constitution Health Plaza on South Broad Street.

We can do better as a city in terms of public process, she said.

Most of the demonstrators had left the chambers by the time Kenney delivered his budget address, shortly after 12:30 p.m., more than an hour later than scheduled. One woman shouted from the audience when he briefly touched on the controversy, but the mayor continued his speech.

I refuse to look another parent in the face and tell them I didnt do everything I could to try to keep their child alive long enough to survive their disease, Kenney said.
A further case of coronavirus has been identified in Northern Ireland bringing the UK total to 164.

A statement from Northern Ireland's Department of Health said: "Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in one new presumptive positive result for coronavirus (Covid-19)bringing the total to four since testing began."

The patient is an adult and recently travelled from Italy. They are linked to a previously confirmed positive case.

Northern Ireland has four cases.

PM Pledges Extra 46m For Coronavirus Vaccine Research

Staff at the Public Health Agency are working to identify contacts the individual may have had.

The regions chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said: Further positive cases have been expected and we anticipate the number will increase in the days and weeks ahead.

Northern Ireland remains in the containment phase and it is important to emphasise that. This will obviously be kept under constant review.

More than 20,000 people have now been tested in the UK.

Government 'looking at' slowing down coronavirus outbreak by isolating whole households

Five new coronavirus cases have also been identified in the Republic of Ireland, bringing to 18 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

It comes after a patient, reported to be a woman in her 70s, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with Covid-19 while at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a person who died in a hospital in Milton Keynes is also suspected of having had the virus - however this has not been confirmed if they were comprehensively tested before their death.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said he was "very sorry to hear of the news of a second death here in the UK of somebody with coronavirus."

However, NHS England said it could not confirm if the man had tested positive for coronavirus and was awaiting further results.

At least 29 of the cases in the UK are in London. Two of those diagnosed were baggage handlers working at Heathrow Airport.

More than 100,000 people have been infected worldwide, while there have been more than 3,000 deaths.

The majority of these have been in mainland China, where the virus originated, though infections have spread worldwide.
An Australian family has constructed a throne out of thousands of loo rolls as supermarket shelves are emptied of toilet paper.

Haidee Janetzki has been crowned the 'Queen of toilet paper' after an ordering error resulted in the delivery of 48 boxes of toilet paper instead of one box of 48 rolls to their home at Toowomba in Queensland's Darling Downs.

When the delivery arrived in early February the family were laughed at by friends, but now they're the ones laughing as they are surrounded by the most in demand-product in Australia.

The family have shared several videos of their haul on Facebook, describing themselves as 'royalty' amid the current panic-buying crisis.

Scroll down for video

Haidee Janetzki (pictured) has been crowned the 'Queen of toilet paper' after an ordering error resulted in the delivery of 48 boxes of toilet paper instead of one box of 48 rolls to their home at Toowomba in Queensland's Darling Downs

Haidee Janetzki (pictured) joked about having to the keep the product under lock and key when it arrived, but it's even more true now

'The jokes on you Australia, while you were all out there scrambling for toilet paper all through the supermarkets- knifing each other getting into fights and carrying on,' Chris Janetzki said during a live stream on Facebook.

'We are flying high. We are sitting pretty, we are loaded with toilet paper. In fact we think we are royalty now, check out our throne for our toilet paper Queen,' he said.

Ms Janetzki told Daily Mail Australia they joked about having to the keep the product under lock and key when it arrived, but it's even more true now.

'The day it was delivered I said ''oh we better call the insurance company and up our contents, we've got this valuable commodity'' - I suppose it's doubled in price in the last week,' she said.

An ordering error resulted in the delivery of 48 boxes of toilet paper instead of one box of 48 rolls to the Janetzki family home at Toowomba in Queensland's Darling Downs (pictured)

She said she never expected her brain fart to reach so many people.

'My husband first made a live Facebook video the day we got the delivery saying you know look at this dumb thing my wife it's pretty funny. I commented to him at the time- it will probably go viral,' she said.

'But it's not been until this last week or so that they're been no toilet paper on the shelves that people have really started to comment oh you guys are sitting pretty now, and how did you know, and did you see the future on that one?'

The couple were initially shocked and embarrassed when two pallets of toilet paper arrived at their door on February 10.

Ms Janetzki was changing her order from recycled paper to bamboo and didn't realise she'd made a mistake until the order arrived.

The family home is now flooded with boxes of toilet paper (pictured)

The supply could last them an estimated 12 years, but the family are using the demand for the product to raise funds for their daughter's school.

When she checked her credit card statement she discovered she'd been charged $3,264 for 2,304 rolls instead of the $68 for one box.

The supply could last them an estimated 12 years, but the family are using the demand for the product to raise funds for their daughter's school.

She told ABC news if they're still swimming in the stuff years from now they have another creative idea for how to use it up.

'We've told our three daughters that if we've still got all this toilet paper when they get married this is what they'll have as their wedding decorations,'

Meanwhile the family has been taking the mistake in their stride - joking along with their friends about becoming accidental hoarders of the country's most sought-after product.

'I think I'm going to become a dealer. 'Hey, you wanna get some quality sh**? Check out how white and pure it is! I'll give you a sample, but only because I like you m!' Husband Chris Janetski wrote.
A 24-year-old man in Texas who filmed himself licking ice cream and putting it back in the freezer of a Walmart supermarket has been jailed for 30 days and fined USD 1,000, according to US media reports.

The video of D'Adrien Anderson licking the ice cream was shared on social media last August. After the video went viral, several health and safety questions were raised.

The clip received over 157,000 views on Facebook before it was taken down, The Port Arthur reported on Wednesday.

Surveillance cameras at the outlet showed he later took the ice cream back out of the freezer and bought it.

He was also given a six-month suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work, a USD 1,000 fine, and was ordered to pay USD 1,565 to the ice cream company.

The ice-cream-licking incident happened on August 26 in Port Arthur, about 145 km east of Houston.

Anderson and his father later returned to the shop to show officers a receipt as proof that he had bought the tainted ice cream kept in the freezer, US broadcaster ABC reported.

Despite this, the ice cream manufacturer replaced all of the ice cream in the freezer as a precaution, which cost the company USD 1,565.

Anderson pleaded guilty earlier this year to misdemeanour criminal mischief.

His 30-day jail sentence will begin immediately, the report said.

The local Jefferson County District Attorney's Office defended the charges as "appropriate.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The configure price and quote (CPQ) software market is expected to grow by USD 1.14 billion during 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005133/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Configure Price and Quote (CPQ) Software Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

With the evolving business environment, enterprises are looking for various advanced technologies that can boost their productivity and reduce operational costs. The CPQ software helps sales management personnel to improve their productivity by reducing the dependency on tedious paperwork and documentation. It speeds up the process of pricing and configuration and also helps organizations reduce their overall cost in pricing. CPQ software, especially cloud-based CPQ software, also helps organizations save time. For instance, vendors such as Salesforce help enterprises to scale up their pricing and selling strategies in very less time compared with on-premises applications. CPQ software also helps reduce pricing, quoting, and order errors on a large scale. Thus, the need for higher productivity will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

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=IRTNTR41048

As per Technavio, the increase in mobility solutions 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.

Configure Price And Quote (CPQ) Software Market: Increase in Mobility Solutions

The growing adoption of mobile devices and smartphones and the rising popularity of mobile apps has helped to increase the efficiency of CPQ software. With the ubiquity of smartphones and tablets and the increasing adoption of mobility solutions among end-users, accessing of CPQ software features through smart devices has increased significantly. Cloud-based CPQ software provides platforms that allow users to access the software from any mobile device. Therefore, organizations can seamlessly access and exchange data with employees from remote locations. Mobile CPQ applications can generate quotes on smartphones from anywhere, anytime, and instantly provide the customer updates leading to a short sales cycle. Some of the major mobile apps for CPQ are PandaDoc and Infusionsoft.

"Factors such as the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in CPQ software for digital advertising, and the growing use of deal intelligence will have a positive impact on the growth of the CPQ software market value during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio.

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Configure Price And Quote (CPQ) Software Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the configure price and quote (CPQ) software market by deployment (on-premise and cloud based), and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America and South America).

The North American region led the configure price and quote (CPQ) software market in 2019, followed by Europe, APAC, South America and MEA. During the forecast period, the North American region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to factors such as the growth of software companies, increasing use of third-party logistics, and the rising volume of trade and shipments carried by air, sea, railways, and roadways.

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:

Deployment

On-premise

Cloud based

Geographic segmentation

APAC

Europe

MEA

North America

South America

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 focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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By PTI

MUMBAI: The first budget of Maharashtra's MVA government, presented in the assembly on Friday, has made a provision of Rs 7,000 crore for the ambitious Mahatma Jyotirao Phule farm loan waiver scheme, the total outlay for which is Rs 22,000 crore.

The outlay for the scheme, which aims to write off crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh pending as on September 30, 2019, for the current fiscal was 15,000 crore.

The budget for 2020- 21 has provided Rs 7,000 crore for the scheme.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the budget for 2020-21.

So far, a sum of Rs 9,035 crore has been transferred to the accounts of farmers, Pawar told the Assembly.

Announcing two additional schemes, he said farmers having arrears of more than Rs 2 lakh, taken during the period from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019, will be given a Rs 2 lakh benefit with respect to loan outstanding as on September 30, 2019 as a one-time settlement.

Under this scheme, the state government will pay Rs 2 lakh to eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above Rs 2 lakh is paid by them.

ALSO READ: In first budget, MVA government announces farm sops, hikes fuel VAT

Farmers who will make regular payments till June 30, 2020, will get a benefit of Rs 50,000 for the crop loan taken in 2018-19, and if the amount taken by the farmer is less than Rs 50,000, then he he will be given an incentive equal to the loan amount taken.

Pawar said the Centre had approved only Rs 956.13 crore to be paid as compensation to farmers who faced crop loss due to monsoonal floods in July-August last year and untimely rains during October-November.

The finance minister said the state had demanded Rs 14,496 crore for the purpose from the Centre and maintained the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had provided assistance to farmers from its own coffers.

The budget has also made an outlay of Rs 3,254 crore for agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries, while a special programme, called 'Chief Minister Water Conservation Scheme', will be implemented at a cost of Rs 450 crore.

Pawar told the House lack of repairs and maintenance was affecting water storage, adding that creation of 8,000 water conservation works will rejuvenate reservoirs, increase ground water levels and raise irrigation capacity.

A subsidy scheme, of 80 per cent to small and marginal farmers and 75 per cent to multiple land holders, for drip irrigation for crops will be extended to across the state from the few talukas it is currently in place.

He said the government intended to bring sugarcane under drip irrigation system in the next three to four years by getting sugar mills to take part in the scheme, and giving relief on interest to participating farmers.

A total of five lakh agricultural solar pumps will be set up over the next five years at a total cost of Rs 10,000 crore, for which a provision of Rs 670 crore has been proposed in the 2020-21 budget.
The NSW government has been called on to take a complete privatisation of WestConnex to an election, amid accusations that it is looking to sell the motorway to make up for budget blowouts in other infrastructure projects.

However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the sale of the governments remaining 49 per cent stake in the $16.8 billion road would potentially enable it to speed up the delivery of other projects.

The government will consider selling its remaining share in the WestConnex motorway, which is still under construction. Credit:Christopher Pearce

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said: They should go to an election or they should go to the Parliament, they shouldnt be allowed to sell assets and services like they are. The only reason theyre doing this is because their budget is in such a bad state.

A $3 billion blowout in the metro, they have today a tripling in the cost of the arts precinct at Walsh Bay, weve seen a high-rise school [Arthur Phillip High] blow out by $225 million and weve seen of course the light rail project blow out by $1.3 billion.
E urostar says it is paying close attention to the travel advice being given by ministries within its network as coronavirus is spreading rapidly in France.

The French government is encouraging residents to reduce their outings and work from home if possible, and schools in some of the worst-affected areas have been closed.

British travellers cannot currently change flights to France without a fee, as there are no travel bans. However, British Airways has cancelled some of its flights to France in March, as demand to go to the country has fallen.

Eurostar trains are still running as normal, although the company advises passengers to follow official travel advice to prevent the virus spreading.

Here is the guidance Eurostar is giving passengers who are travelling with them:

Eurostar says it's "paying close attention" to official advice / REUTERS

What are Eurostar's guidelines on coronavirus?

Eurostar says it is paying close attention to the travel advice of Travel Ministries of the countries in its network.

As there are no travel restrictions currently in place across these countries, Eurostar services are operating as normal. The company recommends on its website that customers carefully follow the World Health Organisations official advice.

The website also states: If you have been placed in quarantine and have a booking, please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist with exchanging your booking for a future date.

If Eurostar passengers are returning from a declared Red Zone and they have a booking that falls within 14 days of their return, Eurostar also asks that it be contacted directly to rearrange the booking to a later date.

Coronavirus travel alternatives - in pictures 1 /8 Coronavirus travel alternatives - in pictures Instead of China  visit Peru Swap one wonder of the world for another, by skipping the Great Wall of China during the coronavirus outbreak for Macchu Picchu in Peru instead. Unsplash Instead of South Korea  visit France South Koreas Seoul is one of the worlds most exciting fashion capitals  and France boasts the perennial home of style, Paris. Unsplash Instead of Italy  visit Malta Malta, with its rich history, glistening seas and 300 days of sunshine per year, has (so far) not reported any cases of coronavirus. Unsplash Instead of Iran  visit Ethiopia Switch out Iran's Badab-e Surt, blood orange-hues terraces (left)for Ethiopia's Dallol, sulphuric acid fields like a mountainous medley of neon yellows and greens (right) Dreamstime Instead of Japan  visit New Zealand Swap Japans renowned mountains for New Zealands Southern Alps, its temples for Maori maraes and its katsu chicken for fish and chips on the beach. Unsplash/Dreamstime Instead of Hong Kong  visit New York City Only New York City, with its famously sky-high buildings, ever-charged nightlife and one of the worlds most diverse and exciting food scenes, can compare to Hong Kong. Unspash

Is it safe to travel to France?

The UK government has updated its travel advice for British people travelling to France.

The country is currently dealing with a coronavirus outbreak in Oise, Haute Savoie, and Morbihan. In these areas the French government has cancelled all communal activities, and advised residents to reduce outings and avoid events or large gatherings.

Residents are allowed out for things like shopping, but are encouraged to work from home if possible. Several schools have also been closed.

However, there are no travel restrictions currently in place in France, and UK citizens are not being told to self-isolate when they return home.

Tour operators are only required to give a refund on holiday packages is if the Foreign Office changes its travel advice for a region and turns it into a no-go area, which they have not yet done for France.

Is it safe to travel to The Netherlands?

The Netherlands has reported more than 80 cases of coronavirus.

On March 6, The Netherlands confirmed its first fatality due to coronavirus, an 86-year-old man in Rotterdam.




Haiti - Politic : The new Chancellor wants to reorient Haitian diplomacy





Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe installed the former Charge d'Affaires of Haiti to the Kingdom of Spain Claude Joseph, as new Chancellor in the presence, among others, of the outgoing Minister of Outgoing Foreign Affairs Bocchit Edmond (29 years of career).



Prime Minister Jouthe is convinced that the new Chancellor (former professor at the University of Connecticut and holder of a Doctorate in public policies) has the capacity to change Haitian diplomacy "[...] To compensate the difficulties of national economy, the Government must rely on international cooperation to meet the main needs of the day" saying expect a "purge" in Haitian diplomacy advocating above all competence.



Regarding his diplomatic agenda, the new Chancellor Joseph said "[...] We must refocus our main priorities for action within the framework of diplomacy in times of crisis. This requires a reorientation of the country's foreign policy following the responses to the crisis in partnership with the international [...] These diplomatic actions must aim to reorient the entire system of cooperation with our main partners with the imperative need to stabilize the country, to preserve democracy and prepare for the future [...]"



S/ HaitiLibre


















The timing of the recall of the Ethiopian envoys in Cairo and Khartoum cannot be overlooked given the latest developments with the GERD, an Ethiopian source told a local newspaper

Ethiopia has recalled eight ambassadors back to Addis Ababa, including the ambassadors to Cairo and Khartoum, Ethiopian newspaper Addis Standard reported on Thursday.

The newspaper did not state a reason for the recall, only saying that Ethiopian ambassador to Cairo Dina Mufti and ambassador to Khartoum Shiferaw Jarso were recalled along with the ambassadors in Brussels, London, Rabat, Algiers, Canberra and Havana.

Addis Standard quoted a source at Ethiopias ministry of foreign affairs as saying that "the timing of the recall of the Ethiopian envoys in Cairo and Khartoum cannot be overlooked, as both posts are considered extremely crucial given the latest developments with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

The report speculated that there could be a possible reshuffle, and that "all eyes are on who will assume the positions in Brussels, Cairo and Khartoum."

Over the past week, tensions escalated between Egypt and Ethiopia after Addis Ababa withdrew from the latest round of US-sponsored discussions aimed to resolve the dispute, and pledged to start filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) before reaching a final deal with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia hopes the $4.8 mega project will make it Africa's biggest power exporter. Cairo, however, fears the dam, which is under construction near Ethiopia's border with Sudan, would significantly diminish its water supply from the Nile, its major source of freshwater.

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By PTI

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the government has asked the Reserve Bank to look into what went wrong at Yes Bank and fix individual responsibilities.

Addressing a press conference after the RBI superseded the board of Yes Bank and placed withdrawal restrictions, she said the bank was being monitored since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis.

ALSO READ| SBI has shown interest in investing in Yes Bank, says RBI document

She said that since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions. "On finding risky credit decisions, the RBI advised change in management," she said.

#WATCH Live from Delhi: FM Nirmala Sitharaman briefs the media https://t.co/0pZcZAoJOk  ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

These decisions were taken in the interest of the bank's health, and a new CEO was appointed in September 2018 and cleaning up of bank started, she said adding that investigative agencies too had found irregularities.

She said that the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals. "The government wants the RBI to ensure that due process of law is followed with a sense of urgency, she said.

The restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days, she said adding that State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank. The Finance Minister also said that employment and salary of Yes Bank employees has been assured for one year.

ALSO READ| Yes Bank's turmoil leads to chaos in digital payments world

She said Anil Ambani Group, Essel, ILFS, DHFL and Vodafone were among the stressed corporates Yes Bank had exposure to. Finance Minister retorted back at senior Congress leader and former finance P Chidambaram saying United Western Bank collapsed in 2006 under the "self-appointed competent doctors".

"We are ensuring customers interest are protected. We can assure all depositors that their money is safe. I am closely monitoring every institution which requires that kind of monitoring along with RBI," she said.
Housing Secretary Ben Carson met with more than a half dozen senators Thursday to address concerns that low-income tenants across the nation are being exposed to cancer-causing radon gas in public housing.

Carson acknowledged that an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive showed what we were doing wasnt enough, recounted Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregons senior Democratic lawmaker who organized the closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill.

But Carson made no commitments, and his tone left some believing serious change would require congressional action.

My impression overall is he has no intention to seriously take on this situation, as of now, said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon.

Thursdays meeting came nearly two months after Wyden, Merkley and eight other senators requested a sit-down with Carson in response to the newsrooms Cancer Cloud investigation.

The yearlong inquiry found the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ignored a 1988 congressional mandate to protect public housing tenants from hazardous radon exposure. The federal agency does not require local housing authorities to check units for radioactive gas and only began encouraging testing in 2013.

The Oregonian/OregonLive contacted 64 housing authorities nationwide and found that fewer than one in three could document testing. Independent testing by reporters in a sampling of cities revealed high radon in units in Denver; Worcester, Massachusetts; and Huntsville, Alabama.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps into homes and apartments from the ground. Its the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, estimated to kill 21,000 annually.

Carson on Thursday suggested HUD could begin tracking which housing authorities test through an existing audit submitted by agencies, Wyden said.

We said, That sounds useful, Wyden recalled.

But Carsons proposal was premised on the assumption state laws require testing  which they almost universally dont  and left lawmakers wanting.

Wyden said he told Carson HUD would need to add an enhanced audit requirement so that we really get radon testing nationwide in vulnerable communities.

In politically charged Washington, securing a meeting with the Trump cabinet appointee was a small victory for the bipartisan, but mostly Democratic, group of lawmakers. Wyden initially responded to the newsrooms November investigation by demanding answers from HUD but has since taken a more measured tone.

Wyden was optimistic after Thursdays meeting, saying it was a good first conversation that would lead to written follow-up. And, he said, Carson was finally aware of the urgency.

Merkley had a less diplomatic take.

We will not get what were looking for in terms of really knowing what the problem is, and setting up a system to address it, unless we push a lot harder, he said.

Merkley said Carsons audit idea wasnt morally acceptable because it wouldnt ensure testing. Carson countered by asking if Merkley thought every unit across the country should be tested, according to Merkley, and the lawmaker said it could be targeted in at-risk areas.

He nodded, Merkley recounted.

Merkley said hes now going to consider how money can be earmarked in HUDs budget appropriation to ensure testing in public housing. HUD last month proposed a first-ever $5 million investment to address radon in public housing, but the appropriations process likely wont be completed until 2021.

Other lawmakers who attended the meeting were Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio and Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown, Ohio; Michael Bennet, Colorado; Bob Casey, Pennsylvania; Doug Jones, Alabama; and Bob Menendez, New Jersey.

Before Thursday, HUD for weeks had declined to say if Carson would honor senators requests for a meeting.

After the meeting, HUD spokesman Matt Schuck declined to discuss Carsons comments about radon.

We dont share details from private meetings, he said in an email, but we can confirm Secretary Carson continues to engage with lawmakers on healthy housing issues and urges Congress to enact President Trumps budget request for HUD, which includes $425 million for healthy homes.

Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Since January, the department has installed 109 hand sanitizer dispensers at OHare, including in its food courts, bringing the total to more than 325 in all four terminals. Hand sanitizers also are being installed at Midway, McGrath said.
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Courtesy Comal Independent School District

The Comal ISD bus driver who was suspended last month after she was accused of separating students on her bus based on race has been fired, according to a statement from the school district.

The district said the driver demonstrated a lack of due diligence and professional judgment when instituting discipline, though it did not clarify whether the accusations played a factor in the decision to fire her.
The DUP has condemned a threat against Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey, after he said police informed him of an imminent attack against him.

It is understood the threat was issued by dissident republicans.

The Sinn Fein MLA said police visited him on Thursday and informed him of the threat.

Mr Maskey noted the threat was received after he announced earlier this week that he intended to be a Speaker to represent "every side of the Assembly Chamber" and to engage with "every section of our community".

It comes after threats were issued against Sinn Fein vice-President Michelle O'Neill and Policing Board member Gerry Kelly after attending a PSNI recruitment event in January.

Last months Ms O'Neill announced that dissident republican group the New IRA were planning a car bomb attack on a Sinn Fein member.

Threats were also issued against west Belfast community worker Harry Maguire, while a device was thrown at the home of Martin Finucane, uncle of Sinn Fein North Belfast MP John.

DUP Assembly Chief Whip Keith Buchanan said: "Terrorism was wrong in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Its still wrong today in 2020. Any terrorist threat must be roundly condemned by every democrat.

"Those behind death threats such as this are trying to take Northern Ireland backwards. The ballot box is the means to affect change, not the bomb or bullet."

Mr Maskey said he would continue as normal despite the threat.

"This threat will not deter me from those events or continuing such efforts in the future," the veteran republican said.

As Speaker of the Assembly, I will be clear that intimidation of any elected representative in our democratic institutions is deplorable whether threats of this nature or vile abuse on social media. It can only be responded to by continuing to work to take our society forward.

Sinn Fein vice-President Ms O'Neill said her thoughts were with the Maskey family.

Alex Maskey has in the past been seriously injured, and his friend and party colleague Alan Lundy murdered, in attacks on his home by loyalist death squads," the Mid Ulster MLA said.

"These current threats against Alex are an attack on the whole democratic process.

Alex has made it clear he will not be deterred by these threats. He will continue to carry out his duties as Speaker, working with all parties in the Assembly, without fear or favour.

Those responsible for these threats should disband immediately.

A PSNI spokesperson said that they "do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this".

"However, if we receive information that a persons life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk," the spokesperson said.

West Belfast MLA Mr Maskey has served at Stormont from 1998, previously representing South Belfast.

He was the first member of Sinn Fein elected to Belfast City Council and the first to serve as Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Mr Maskey was seriously injured during an attack by loyalist paramilitaries in 1987. His brother Paul Maskey is MP for West Belfast.
For years, Lynda Holland's doctors had disagreed about what was wrong with her hip. But then she fell and the pain inexplicably lifted. "What if I hadn't fallen, what would have happened?," she asked. "I think about that all the time." Read more

If she hadnt tripped over her neighbors dog, causing her to miss the step down into a sunken living room where she landed squarely on her left hip, Lynda Holland still might not know what was wrong.

Holland scrambled to her feet, shaken and grateful she hadnt been injured: Her puffy down coat had cushioned her fall onto the hardwood floor. Then she realized the pain that had dominated her life for the previous six years had suddenly diminished.

I thought, This is weird, said Holland, 71, a retired administrative assistant who lives in suburban Maryland.

For years, Hollands doctors had disagreed about what was wrong with her hip. She had undergone a slew of scans, plus painful biopsies of her hip bones. Her doctors had prescribed cortisone injections and months of physical therapy to treat what most concluded was osteoarthritis.

But when she sought an explanation for the reason that her March 2017 fall had relieved pain so severe it disrupted her sleep, an X-ray suggested an alarming possibility: a cancer recurrence.

Solution

In 2009, Holland, then 61, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiation, which appeared successful in eradicating the cancer.

The pain in her upper left leg and hip joint started two years later. Both her oncologist and internist worried it might mean that her cancer had returned and spread to her bones. After a variety of tests found nothing significant, Holland began months of physical therapy for a condition her internist decided was trochanteric bursitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled sac near the hip joint. Neither rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, nor cortisone shots offered lasting relief.

In November 2013, she underwent an MRI scan of her hip. The report noted the presence of calcified/ossified bodies in her left hip, which had been detected on an earlier CT scan. The radiologist also noted fluid surrounding her left hip joint.

The radiologist concluded that the most likely cause of Hollands hip pain was not bursitis but rather degenerative osteoarthritis.

A month before the MRI, Holland had undergone a long-planned partial replacement of her right knee to repair an injury she had suffered years earlier.

My knee felt great, she recalled. But the hip did not change. That was a real disappointment.

By 2015, she had developed pain in a second location: her lower back. As with her hip pain, none of the doctors she consulted could come up with a solution.

A week after she fell, Holland returned to the first orthopedist, who had performed her knee operation, and told him about her inexplicable improvement.

The doctor ordered X-rays and told her she appeared to have a large loose body near her sciatic nerve. He sent her to a third orthopedist who refused to operate for fear that if it were a malignant tumor, surgery could cause it to spread.

Instead, he sent her to a fourth specialist, orthopedic oncologist Felasfa Wodajo of Virginia Cancer Specialists.

To Wodajo, Hollands symptoms and test results did not suggest osteoarthritis. Her joints showed no sign of the degeneration commonly seen in arthritis and she seemed much too active.

Most telling was Hollands recent X-ray, which showed several dozen small white flecks that resembled pieces of popcorn scattered around her hip joint, along with the large nodule in her left buttock. Wodajo said he immediately knew what was wrong.

If youve never seen it before, Im not sure it would jump out at you, he said. But as an orthopedic oncologist, he sees the uncommon condition three or four times a year. Wodajo told Holland her hip pain was caused by primary synovial chondromatosis.

Most commonly seen in men in their 50s, it is not inherited. It occurs when the synovium grows abnormally, generating small nodules composed of cartilage, some no larger than a grain of rice. These pellet-like bodies can become loose inside joints, where they can roll around, damaging the cartilage that covers the joint. In Hollands case, her fall had dislodged a large calcified body that was pressing on her sciatic nerve.

Those calcified/ossified bodies the radiologist flagged in Hollands 2013 MRI were hallmarks of the condition.

On that MRI its glaringly obvious, Wodajo said. Because the radiologist did not specialize in orthopedic cases, he noted, it appears their significance was missed.

Hollands history of cancer may have complicated her diagnosis, Wodajo said, because doctors were focused on determining whether her cancer had returned.

Holland underwent surgery in July 2017 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. She spent one night in the hospital, less time than initially expected, and then recuperated at home. A week later, she was largely pain-free.

So far, the disorder has not recurred.

Holland hopes her experience will dissuade doctors from resorting to the catchall arthritis diagnosis if they dont know whats wrong.
Criminals are out in full force this tax filing season hoping to steal your Social Security number and collect a refund in your name faster than you can say "standard deduction." The crime that law enforcement officials call SIRF  Stolen Identity Refund Fraud  remains pervasive despite a massive, multi-agency crackdown that has been going on for years. "It's one of the most lucrative ways that thieves can monetize our identity credentials," said Eva Velasquez, president of the California-based Identity Theft Resource Center. Armed with little more than your name, birthdate and Social Security number, a crook can file a fraudulent tax return and collect a refund. Then, when you go to file your legitimate return, the IRS blocks you because its records show your return has already been filed. "This method of fraud is so attractive because it's so easy to perpetrate," Velasquez said in an interview with CNBC's "American Greed." "These thieves don't really have to have a high skill set in hacking or know how to code or even really understand how all of those mechanisms work." No wonder SIRF was a favorite crime of serial fraudster Chimene Onyeri, whose arsenal included skimming credit and debit card numbers  financial schemes that allowed the 32-year-old aspiring rapper to rake in big money with seemingly no risk. "He painted himself as Robin Hood. But I think the evidence showed he was just a hood," Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Sofer told "American Greed." Onyeri turned violent only when it looked like he might go to prison for his crimes. That's when he tried to kill the Texas judge who was preparing to sentence him, pumping four bullets into her at point blank range in her driveway as her teenage son watched in horror.

Chimene Onyeri Sugar Land Police Department via AP

Judge Julie Kocurek survived, and in 2018, a different judge  this one in federal court  sentenced Onyeri to life in prison for fraud, conspiracy, witness tampering, aggravated identity theft and racketeering. Onyeri was also ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution.

Playing the numbers

Most tax refund identity thieves keep a much lower profile, but the numbers involved are staggering. In an audit report released in January, the IRS government watchdog  the Treasury inspector general for tax administration  said that in the 2019 filing season, the IRS identified more than 3 million tax returns worth an estimated $14.7 billion in refunds that may have been fraudulently filed. That figure is little changed from the 2.8 million returns worth around $16 billion that were flagged for potential fraud in the 2018 filing season. The inspector general said the IRS is making progress in catching fraud before the refunds are issued, thanks to nearly 200 new identity theft filters applied to every return. But the crooks are still finding ways around them. "The IRS must continually adapt its detection and prevention processes to reject fraudulent electronically filed tax returns and prevent fraudulent paper tax returns from posting," Inspector General J. Russell George wrote in an October memo to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Compounding the challenge for the IRS, Velasquez said, is a web of privacy-related laws and regulations that limit the agency's ability to verify taxpayer data. "We need more smart data-sharing in order to really tackle this crime, and we need to empower our government agencies to have the ability to both share and receive data from a variety of trusted sources," Velasquez said.

Protecting yourself

For now, it is largely up to you to take on the identity thieves and make sure you receive the refund you are entitled to. That means getting your documents together and filing your return as soon as possible. "As soon as you get those documents, go ahead and file and reduce the chances that one of the crooks who has your data can file ahead of you," Velasquez said. All year long, guard your personal information  especially your Social Security number. "We are always encouraging people to protect their data, protect their identity credentials. They are just as valuable as your cash in the bank," Velasquez said. If you believe your personal information has been compromised  if you lose a wallet, a computer or a smart phone, for example  be sure to notify the IRS along with your bank and credit card issuers. The agency may issue you an identify protection PIN that you can use when you file your taxes, preventing anyone who does not have the number from filing with your information. Then, make sure you guard that PIN along with the rest of your personal data. And do not forget to notify your state tax agency. "Thieves can only use your Social Security once in the federal scheme, but they can use it multiple times if they're filing fraudulent state tax returns, and that is a real problem," Velasquez said.

SIRF wars
Australia will spend one billion dollars to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday as the cases of the deadly infection in the country touched 61 on Friday.

Morrison said the federal government will go 50-50 with the states to meet the public health cost of the coronavirus treatment.

In an official statement on Friday, Morrison said 1 billion Australian dollars will be immediately available with more funds to be released from the Federal Government coffers as necessary.

Morrison said measures to respond to the outbreak would cost "at least'' 1 billion Australian dollars and that it would be spread between federal, state and the territory governments.

Meanwhile, a boys high school in Sydney was shut down after a diagnosis of coronavirus in a 16-year-old student, the ninth case within about a six-kilometre square distance, according to media reports.

Earlier in the week, a 95-year-old woman resident of the nursing home died due to the infection, while four people at the facility have been quarantined.

The total cases across New South Wales have reached 26 till Friday.

In Queensland, almost 3,000 people have been issued voluntary notices to self-isolate by health authorities since the global outbreak.

A 20-year-old Chinese man became Brisbane's first confirmed case of coronavirus after testing positive on Tuesday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had "some concerns" about the veracity of overseas isolation, but it was a matter for the federal government to examine any quarantine loopholes.

A 52-year-old tourist become the Northern Territory's first confirmed case of the coronavirus while Victoria recorded its 10th case.

On Friday, a Victorian high school asked 16 students and their families to self-isolate at home as it awaits the coronavirus test results of two Indonesians on an exchange visit.

Australia's national airline Qantas has also announced further reduction in its numbers of flights in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The airlines on Friday said it would reduce its frequency of flights to Japan in the coming weeks after cancelling dozens of other flights through to the end of March, including eight return Sydney-Hong Kong services and five return Melbourne-Auckland services.

Prime Minister Morrison on Thursday announced travel ban on South Korea in an attempt to minimise the spread of the disease.
How can you help graduating female seniors become community leaders? The Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW) invites you to the 6th Annual MCABW Foundation Scholarship Fundraiser benefiting scholarships for female high school seniors attending school in Montgomery County. It will be held on March 28 with cocktails at 6 pm, dinner at 7 pm at the Holiday Inn and Suites Shenandoah , catered by Johnnys Italian Steakhouse.

MCABW is a local forum for area business women to serve the community and to help grow their business. Carol Gooch founded the association in 2005 and the ladies have been serving the community for 14 years with membership topping 200 women.

For many years, I heard women say to me that they needed a networking support system to help balance their personal and professional life. There are women coming back to the world of work after their children have grown and left home; then there are the single Moms who work and need all of our support. All of these groups of women need to network together and help each other to grow their businesses, said Carol Gooch, Executive Director and Founder of MCABW.

This is the main reason I founded the Montgomery County Association of Business Women. I want women of all ages and diverse backgrounds to come together and draw on each others resources in order to reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally.

The MCABW Foundation, a 501c 3, has given away over 40 college scholarships in the past 8 years to graduating female seniors of Montgomery County High Schools. These young ladies are required to be academically at the top of their class, actively involved in their school, employed, and send in letters of recommendation with their application. Last year, MCABW received 96 applications. Most of the young ladies that have won a scholarship from MCABW were first generation college students and have a great financial need.

There are several sponsorship opportunities available along with table sponsors and individual tickets. All funds from the event will help to award more scholarships to local Montgomery County high school female seniors.

Sponsors to date include Yee Plastic Surgery, Brady for Congress, I Promote You, Guaranty Bank and Trust, First Collision, Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, Rand Henderson, Sheriff, Kingwood Pines Hospital, Americas ER, 5Point Credit Union, Planet Lincoln, Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Tupperware and Cakes, Avenida Brazil, Senator Brandon Creighton, Advocate Direct Care, Woodland Springs, Clarity Hearing, Constable Ryan Gable, Quality of Life Chiropractic, Supreme Lending, and Briggs & Veselka Co. Individual tickets are $75, tables of 8 are $500, and sponsorships start at $250. Additional information, tickets, and donations towards the scholarship fund or silent auction can be made at www.MCABW.org

MCABW dues are $100 annually including a profile listing in the online directory, a calendar of events of all local business opportunities, a free monthly evening mixer, a monthly business network luncheon at Incredible Pizza, a monthly business coffee meeting in The Woodlands and one in Conroe, a Montgomery luncheon and a monthly dinner. Dates and times are listed on the website or under Events on the MCABW Facebook page.

Other programs include Professional Development and Personal Growth through the Peers Offering Women Engaging Relationships (POWER) Mentoring program. Members mentoring other members in finance, social media, managing staff, marketing, and stress management.

Make a difference to female graduating seniors by donating, sponsoring, or attending the 6th Annual MCABW Foundation Scholarship Fundraiser March 28th at Holiday Inn and Suites Shenandoah, located at 19333 David Memorial Drive, Shenandoah, 77385. Throughout the year MCABW contributes to the Scholarship Fund with prize raffles the 4th Tuesday of the month at Incredible Pizza. Every bit is a large investment to continuing education.

For more information about MCABW, please contact Carol Gooch at carol.gooch@mcabw.org or call her at 713.256.8002. www.MCABW.org
(JNS)-For months, the Israeli government has pursued the objective of trying to stabilize the Gaza Strip. It tried to reach new truce understandings with Hamas through indirect negotiations-brokered by the Egyptians and others-and avoid a new war.

But the latest incidents show that the goal of stabilizing Gaza is growing increasingly distant by the day.

On Sunday, Palestinian Islamic Jihad attempted to carry out a border bomb attack, which was foiled successfully by the Israel Defense Forces, when they shot dead the terrorist as he planted the bomb. Outrage spread throughout Gaza when video emerged of an IDF bulldozer removing the assailant's body from the scene. As a result, some 30 rockets were fired at Israel on Sunday, half of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome and the rest landing in open fields.

On Monday, the IDF launched a series of airstrikes against PIJ after the terror group fired at least 14 rockets against Israel. The border bomb attack and rocket fire are just the latest signs of how untenable the Gazan situation is becoming.

There are a few reasons for this. First among them is the fact that Hamas-Gaza's ruling regime and its largest terrorist army-is unable or unwilling to constrain PIJ, the second-largest armed faction.

Hamas has, over the past year, tried to avoid war. According to a person familiar with the issue, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has prioritized the goal of improving the economic and humanitarian situation for Gazans. Sinwar has done this not because Hamas abandoned its radical long-term ideology of destroying Israel or its efforts to set up waves of terror attacks from the West Bank, but because he concluded that a war at this time would threaten his own regime. He also concluded that a continued economic deterioration among Gazans would pose big risks to Hamas's control of the Strip.

So Sinwar turned to temporary pragmatism. He remains interested in the option of reaching understandings with Israel and hopes such steps will improve Gaza's economy, leading to developments such as the construction of new factories to create jobs, letting more Gazan traders into Israel, and finding solutions for Gaza's dire energy and water needs.

There is no doubt that Sinwar is strong in the Strip, as are members of the Hamas military wing group that surround him. Yet the Hamas leadership still lacks the power to force PIJ to line up with the efforts to reach a truce.

PIJ is still attempting to destroy the chances of achieving a ceasefire, and Hamas cannot stop it. This is due to the simple reason that doing so would undercut Hamas's ethos as a jihadist Islamist movement and call into question its ideological commitment to conflict with Israel.

Israel has been trying to isolate PIJ and keep Hamas out of fighting. This is why it conducted an ultra-accurate missile strike when it killed PIJ commander Baha Abu-al Ata on Nov. 14, 2019, after he ignored multiple Israeli warnings to cease and desist from the rocket, anti-tank missile and bombing attacks that he was conducting against Israelis.

The missile killed al-Ata and his wife, but not his children, who were in another room in a Gazan apartment building. Hamas was able to stay out of the two days of fighting that followed, just as Israel had intended.

The hope in Israel was that after that operation, conditions would emerge that would enable Israel and Hamas to reach longer-term understandings. But then, new developments kept coming. The U.S. killing of the Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani caused PIJ to up its attacks from Gaza in solidarity.

Then, in late January, the Trump administration unveiled its Mideast peace plan, and this caused Hamas to feel like it "had to do something" in response to signal its rejection. These factors have all decreased the chances of an IsraeliHamas long-term truce.

Last week, a PIJ sniper cell targeted IDF troops, who returned fire. PIJ is back to its old patterns, trying to spark instability every day.

Israel's options range from bad to worse

Meanwhile, Hamas has yet to decide on its identity. Is it a civilian political regime? A terror faction? A military force? A national movement? Or a fundamentalist radical ideology? Hamas keeps trying to say "yes" to all of the above; this merely adds to the instability of Gaza.

Hamas has not done enough to convince Israel that it is even able to uphold a truce, or that it would not use commodities going into Gaza to build up its military force and threaten Israelis. It's not able provide assurances that rockets will stop terrorizing Israeli civilians, or that balloons with grenades tied to them will stop appearing over southern Israeli towns and villages. It has not visibly decreased its attempts to orchestrate deadly terror squads from the West Bank.

The wider problem is that while a war may boost Israeli deterrence, it will not fix the economic or humanitarian conditions that years of Hamas rule have created. In fact, after a future war, those problems will only be worse.

If Hamas wants international money invested into Gaza's critically ill economy, then it would need to create significant periods of calm and quiet-something the terrorist group has consistently failed to deliver.

Israel has displayed much patience and caution in its dealings with Gaza, based on the understanding that its options range from bad to worse.

Commendably, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not rushed to war as a first solution. But the IDF has nevertheless been preparing for one. If any of the future rounds of escalations leads to war, the IDF knows that this time, it will have to achieve decisive results.

That means striking enemy positions wherever they are. And all of these positions are embedded deeply within Gaza's civilian neighborhoods. If the IDF detects an enemy headquarters operating on the fourth floor of an apartment building, it can use its accurate firepower to hit the floor without bringing down the whole building.

The potential path to a wider escalation is getting shorter with time. Rounds of fighting can create two or three days of "battle days," which will then either return to calm or escalate into a wider conflict.

Hamas and PIJ have manufactured rockets with heavier warheads than in the past and with longer ranges. But the IDF has completed a long and qualitative process of preparation and improvement.

It has created new combat networks that link together ground forces, the air force and the intelligence directorate. Field commanders now have access to intelligence, drones and other capabilities as they move through the urban battlefield that did not exist five years ago. The military's "bank of targets" is constantly being updated.

Israel cannot sit indefinitely on the side and watch residents of Sderot, who have a mere 15 seconds to find shelter, live terrorized lives. It cannot accept Ashkelon coming under regular rocket fire by terror squads who fire from school yards.

If war does come, the IDF will have to attack the enemy where it is.

The wider problem, however, is that while a war may boost Israeli deterrence, it will not fix the economic or humanitarian conditions that years of Hamas rule have created. In fact, after a future war, those problems will only be worse.

The potential path to a wider escalation is getting shorter with time. Rounds of fighting can create two or three days of "battle days," which will then either return to calm or escalate into a wider conflict.

It is in Israel's security interest is to increase the quality of life for Gazans, a fact that the Israeli defense establishment stresses. It is an Israeli interest to decrease the 40 percent unemployment rate in Gaza, which reaches 65 percent between the ages of 20 to 30. These figures are a red blinking light showing that Gaza is on the edge of the cliff.

Every day, more than 400 trucks move from Israel into Gaza bringing commodities.

When Gaza suffers power cuts, it turns off the electricity to sewage-treatment plants, and Gaza's sewage then washes up on the southern Israeli coastline. This is a small illustration of how it is impossible for Israel to fully "disconnect" from events in the Strip. While hospitals in Gaza now have electricity 24 hours a day, other problems continue to fester.

A spike in Gaza's unemployment rate

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has also caused real harm to Gaza's economic situation, buy cutting budgets in order to punish Hamas, his bitter rivals. The P.A.'s budget cuts have caused a spike in the Strip's unemployment figures.

In the past year, Israel has increased the number of merchants who cross out of Gaza via the Erez border crossing-355,500 crossings of this type occurred in 2019, compared to 106,400 in 2018. Exports from Gaza of commodities like agriculture, textiles and furniture are up, but these measures are minor in the grand scheme of things and amount to a band aid on a gaping wound.

Israel wants to see more salaries being paid in Gaza because it knows that can contribute to calm. But one terror attack launched by a Gazan who received an entry permit into Israel can wreck all such efforts.

While Israel recognizes the need to improve the quality of life for Gazans who live under the rule of terror factions that use them as human shields, it cannot give in to terrorists or allow armed attacks on Israeli communities to pass unanswered. A failure to respond appropriately to terrorist aggression would not only damage Israel's deterrence in its merciless neighborhood, where other foes watch closely, but would also have adverse effects on the wider international community. In the meantime, the complex Gazan problem continues to fester.
BOISE, Idaho  U.S. authorities are asking Yellowstone National Park tourists to review their vacation photos to see if they can spot any clues about two missing children whose mother has been brought back to Idaho to face charges.

Lori Vallow was arrested in Hawaii last month and charged with felony child abandonment. Her 7-year-old son, Joshua JJ Vallow, was last seen Sept. 23 and his big sister, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, was last seen Sept. 8  the same day the family went on a day trip through the popular park.

Police in the small town of Rexburg, Idaho, where the children were last known to be living, have said they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger. They also say Vallow, 46, and her husband, Chad Daybell, have repeatedly lied about the childrens whereabouts.

The bizarre case spans several states, includes investigations into three mysterious deaths and touches on rumors of Vallows and Daybells apocalyptic religious beliefs.

Vallows estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother Alex Cox in Phoenix last July. Cox, who said the shooting was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December.

In August, Vallow moved from Arizona to Idaho, where Daybell lived with his wife, Tammy Daybell. She died in October. Her obituary said the death was from natural causes, but law enforcement became suspicious when Chad Daybell married Vallow just two weeks after Tammys death.

Tammy Daybells remains have been exhumed, but the autopsy report has not yet been released. Toxicology results on Cox also are not public yet.

Law enforcement escorted Vallow back to Idaho on Thursday and she's due in court Friday. Vallow's attorneys, Brian Webb and Edwina Elcox of Eagle, could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Rexburg Police Department and the FBI are asking anyone who visited Yellowstone on Sept. 8 to share any photos or videos of their trip with law enforcement.

Investigators are particularly looking for anything that may show Vallow, her brother, Cox, the children or a silver 2017 Ford F-150 pickup with Arizona license plate CPQUINT, which the group was driving in Yellowstone, according to an FBI statement.

Law enforcement is seeking photos and video which may have captured images of these persons and the vehicle, or images of crowds and other park visitors where these individuals may be present, the statement said.

Photos and video can be uploaded at FBI.gov/Rexburg.

Investigators are preparing in case of a break in the case: The FBI brought a mobile command unit to Rexburg on Monday. The command center, which is similar to large recreational vehicle outfitted with crime processing equipment, is providing logistical support to local authorities.

Rexburg police first questioned Vallow and Daybell about the missing kids in late November, but when detectives returned the next day, the couple had left town. They asked Hawaii authorities for help finding them.

Vallow reportedly believes she is a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christs second coming in July 2020, according to divorce documents that Charles Vallow filed before his death.

She and Daybell were both involved in an Idaho-based group that promotes preparing for the biblical end times.

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Ms. Nandy was born in Manchester and grew up there and in the nearby town of Bury, and has spent the last decade representing the northern town of Wigan, where she lives with her partner, Andy Collis, and their 4-year-old son, Otis.

Liberal politics have always been part of her life. Her father was born in Kolkata and came to Britain in the 1950s to study at the University of Leeds. (Running short of money, he was taken in there by one of his professors, Arnold Kettle, an avowed communist and father of Martin Kettle, who is now a columnist with The Guardian.)

Mr. Nandy went on to become the first director of the Runnymede Trust think tank on race and helped draft Britains Race Relations Bill of 1976.

Ms. Nandys pedigree also includes her maternal grandfather, Frank Byers, who was a Liberal member of Parliament and went on to lead his party in the House of Lords. Her stepfather, Ray Fitzwalter, was a revered investigative journalist.

She lived her early adult years in London and worked at homelessness and childrens charities before entering politics.

But her goal is to make it clear that she is listening to both sides of the party, evidenced by this tour of Sowerby Bridge  trailed by a cameraman from her campaign  where the plastic bags and debris still clung in the branches of trees along the Calder River, a reminder of how high the floodwaters had risen. Mr. Johnson had been criticized for opting out of a visit to this part of West Yorkshire, and business owners described feeling neglected.

Despite what Ms. Nandy described as the relentlessness of the process of campaigning across the country, she has made it her mission to show that she is listening.
(BOSTON) --Harvard University's Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering and its collaborating institutions, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber), and Harvard's Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, announce the formation of a new NIH-funded Immuno-Engineering to Improve Immunotherapy (i3) Center. The cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary i3 Center includes world-leading researchers in the cancer immunology and bioengineering fields and will create biomaterials-based approaches to enable anti-cancer immuno-therapy in settings where it currently is limited, such as in myeloid malignancies and solid tumors.

The Harvard i3 Center is part of NIH's Cancer MoonshotSM initiative that was formed to accelerate cancer research to make more therapies available to more patients, while also improving the ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage.

"We aim to develop new technologies that induce robust anti-cancer T cell immunity, and we also hope that the i3 Center's highly cross-disciplinary and cross-fertilizing mechanisms will provide a center of gravity for many future efforts in the immuno-therapy space across and beyond our collaborating institutions," said Wyss Institute Founding Core Faculty member David Mooney, Ph.D., one of the two principal investigators (PIs) of the i3 Center.

Mooney also is the Robert P. Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS and leads the Wyss Institute's broader Immuno-Materials Initiative. His team has developed a number of strategies that use immune-modulating biomaterials to trigger and enhance T cell-mediated immune responses against tumors. Most notably, together with clinical collaborators, they succeeded in creating the first implantable vaccine ever to eliminate melanoma tumors in mice, which the Wyss Institute and Dana-Farber are investigating in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial at the Dana-Farber.

F. Steven Hodi, Jr., M.D., Director of Melanoma Center and The Center for Immuno-Oncology at Dana-Farber, and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS), is leading the clinical cancer vaccine trial, and is the i3 Center's other PI. Hodi has been at the forefront of developing cancer immunotherapies using "immune checkpoint inhibitors," a class of drugs able to re-activate tumor-destroying T cells that are muted in the tumor microenvironment. "The funding for this center provides a unique opportunity to unite key investigators for translating fundamental advancements in immunology and biomedical engineering into highly synergistic approaches to improve the treatments for cancer patients," said Hodi.

Using both in vivo and ex vivo biomaterials-based approaches, the i3 Center aims to boost tumor-specific activities of cytotoxic T cells, by boosting different stages of the normal process by which T cells develop, and acquire anti-cancer activity. T cells' normal development starts in the bone marrow where hematopoietic stem cells generate T cell progenitor cells. These migrate to the thymus to differentiate into naive T cells, which then travel further to lymph nodes. There, they encounter cancer-derived antigens presented to them by specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that can activate T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.

In relation to "adoptive T cell" therapies in which T cells are given to patients to fight their cancers, one team at the i3 Center will be led by Dana-Farber researchers Catherine J. Wu, M.D., and Jerome Ritz, M.D., who along with Mooney, will develop and test biomaterials that can better mimic normal APCs in activating and directing the function of patient-derived T cells outside the human body, prior to their transplantation. Wu is Chief of the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, and Ritz is Executive Director of the Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility at Dana-Farber.

"We need to make efforts to enhance the ability of the immune system to recognize tumor cells. One direction my laboratory is taking makes use of innovative biomaterials to help us to efficiently expand polyclonal tumor-specific functionally-effective T cells ex vivo in a way that can be readily translated to the clinical setting. In our studies, we are currently focusing on melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia," said Wu, whose research interests include understanding the basis of effective human anti-tumor responses, including the identification and targeting of the tumor-specific antigens.

A second project explores the use of DNA origami, biocompatible nanostructures composed of DNA, to create cancer vaccines. DNA origami could provide significant advantages in presenting tumor-specific antigens and immune-enhancing adjuvants to APCs because the concentrations, ratios, and geometries of all components can be modulated with nano-scale precision to determine configurations that are more effective than other vaccination strategies. The project will be run by Wyss Institute Core Faculty member William Shih, Ph.D., Derin Keskin, Ph.D., lead immunologist at Dana-Farber's Translational Immunogenomics Lab, and Mooney.

In a third project, David Scadden, M.D., the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, and Professor at Harvard's Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Mooney, based on their previous work, will engineer biomaterials that recreate key features of the normal hematopoietic stem cell niche in the bone marrow. Such implantable biomaterials could help rapidly amplify T cell progenitor cells, and enhance T cell-mediated anti-cancer immunity.

The i3 Center's investigators anticipate that it will stimulate additional cross-disciplinary concepts and research, due to the culture of continuous interactions, sharing of findings, data and samples between all investigators, as well strong biostatistical expertise provided by Donna Neuberg, Sc.D., a senior biostatistician broadly involved with exploring immune-modulating cancer interventions at the Dana-Farber.

"This new i3 Center for cancer immunotherapy innovation really embodies how the Wyss Institute with its unparalleled capabilities in bioengineering and serving as a site for multidisciplinary collaboration, and can liaise with clinicians and researchers at our collaborating institutions to confront major medical problems and bring about transformative change," said Wyss Founding Director Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D. He is also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at HMS and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children's Hospital, and Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS.

###

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PRESS CONTACTS

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

Benjamin Boettner, benjamin.boettner@wyss.harvard.edu, +1 617-432-8323

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University (http://wyss.harvard.edu) uses Nature's design principles to develop bioinspired materials and devices that will transform medicine and create a more sustainable world. Wyss researchers are developing innovative new engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing that are translated into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators, corporate alliances, and formation of new startups. The Wyss Institute creates transformative technological breakthroughs by engaging in high risk research, and crosses disciplinary and institutional barriers, working as an alliance that includes Harvard's Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Arts & Sciences and Design, and in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston University, Tufts University, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, University of Zurich and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (http://seas.harvard.edu) serves as the connector and integrator of Harvard's teaching and research efforts in engineering, applied sciences, and technology. Through collaboration with researchers from all parts of Harvard, other universities, and corporate and foundational partners, we bring discovery and innovation directly to bear on improving human life and society.
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Gove Peninsula, Australia  Fri, March 6, 2020 09:09 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068aeaf4 2 News Australia,Muslim,Makassar,sailing,Aborigin Free

Centuries before Captain James Cook claimed Australia for Britain in 1770, Muslim Makassar sailors from Indonesia regularly travelled thousands of kilometers across open sea to trade with Aboriginal people in Australia's far north.

Now, a voyage in a specially constructed replica boat has rekindled ties between the Makassars from Sulawesi island and the Yolngu clan in northeast Arnhem Land, providing a powerful message about belonging for young Australian Muslims.

The project is the brainchild of the Abu Hanifa Institute, an organization promoting education, identity and inclusiveness for Muslims in Sydney.

"We ran a workshop with young people and we asked them what it meant to be an Australian and many people really could not identify with that concept," Abu Hanifa's Sheikh Wesam Charkawi told Reuters.

"They felt that the discourse that they hear on a daily basis - 'Go back to where you came from', 'You don't belong here', 'Love it or leave it' - that it alienated them."

Muslims make up less than 3% of Australia's population and many report experiencing prejudice or hostility regarding their faith.

The story of the Australia's "First Nations'" 60,000 year-plus history on the land and their long and deep relationship with the Makassars resonated with many Muslim youth. The two peoples traded sea cucumbers, exchanged ideas and language, inter-married and lived among each other from the 1500s or possibly earlier, according to historians.

Indigenous women shake hands with Makassar sailors during a welcome ceremony in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia on February 25. (REUTERS/HO/Abu Hanifa Institute)

The story helped young Muslims "understand that your religious ancestors had a connection with the First Nations people in Australia from well before 1770," Charkawi said.

The 15-meter vessel was built by Makassar craftsmen on a beach in Sulawesi using traditional methods and local timber.

Launching the boat was just one of many challenges the project had to overcome.

"On the day, we didn't realize how we were going to get it [into the sea] then all of a sudden, hundreds of people turned up and they began pushing this thing, digging the sand with their own hands - not with shovels, but their own hands - to try and push this vessel into the sea," Charkawi said. "Eventually, they made it happen."

With no engine to rely on, the vessel and its 12 Makassar crew sailed for 25 days to make the near-2,000km journey to Darwin.

From there, it sailed to the Gove Peninsula, in northeast Arnhem Land, where it was met by hundreds of Yolngu and other Indigenous people from around the area, performing songs and ceremonies of welcome.

Indigenous people perform during a welcome ceremony as Makassar sailors responde in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia on February 25. (REUTERS/HO/Abu Hanifa Institute)

Muslim and Aboriginal leaders both wanted to share the history more widely, including getting the story of the Yolngu and Makassar relationship into school curriculums.

"This is a unique and very important thing," said Timmy 'Djawa' Burarrwanga, an Aboriginal leader who shared the Makassar story with visiting young Muslims and helped spark the project.

"They are family, they are people that gave something to us. A special gift," he said at the welcome ceremony.

Charkawi, whose institute is producing a documentary about the project to air later this year, said the arrival was an emotional experience.

"The atmosphere was amazing, it was breathtaking," he said. "They'd come out with their children, they'd come out with their elderly, with people who couldn't walk, who were in wheelchairs, so the whole community had rallied behind this event."

Topics : Australia Muslim Makassar sailing Aborigin
In a two-room office of the Chief District Medical Officer inside an under-repair dispensary at Surajmal Vihar, at least seven people have been working twelve hours a day, compiling data on people who have travelled from other countries to the East Delhi district in the last 14 days. The revised list of these 356 people will be sent to the 19 dispensaries under the East district for either home visits or to call twice a day and check whether any of them have developed symptoms.

This list includes at least 41 of the 105 contacts of the first positive coronavirus case in Delhi traced by the district surveillance officers.

The list changes every day. We add the names, addresses, and phone numbers of those who returned on the day and remove the names of those whose 14-day surveillance is over, said one of the officers from the East district.

Some are busy calling, others are taking stock of what has happened and what needs to be done in one of the rooms, with four computers and a broken air-conditioner, which is used as a table to keep bags and helmets. They dont shake hands, but a jug of water is passed among all.

Eleven such offices in each district carry out the same exercise every day. In total, calls to check on 4,602 people are being made twice every day to assess their condition by these offices and the dispensaries under them. By 7pm, an update on what has been done is shared with state office, a four-room facility in a government building in Laxmi Nagar.

Amid all the calls and messages from the state control room, the East district surveillance officer also has to ensure that his mobile phone battery never dies.I have been on-call 24*7 since mid-January, when the screenings began. I have to ensure my phone is always on and I am available to answer any queries that people from the district might have. The state and the national help-line numbers have the contact details of all the district surveillance officers (DSO) and share it with the callers. I have to ask them for their symptoms and travel history and ensure that whoever needs it, reaches RML hospital and gets tested, said the DSO, asking not to be named.

Also read | Coronavirus outbreak: How to keep your smartphone, keyboard and mouse clean

Within the span of two hours, he receives at least seven calls. Earlier, I used to get only four or five calls a day, but the number has shot up since the first Delhi case from Mayur Vihar was reported, he said. One of the callers is a woman whose husband recently returned from a trip to Dubai. He had fever, cough, and weakness. After taking the persons history, the DSO asked her not to panic, to give her husband oral-rehydration solution, and then take him to ward no 5 at RML hospital to get tested.

Do not queue up anywhere at the hospital. Go straight to ward no 5. I am requesting an ambulance be sent to your place immediately. Please do not take a cab or any public transport because if he does have the viral infection he might pass it on, the DSO explains. At the hospital, make sure that you keep a distance of 1 metre from everybody in the ward, they are all suspected to have the novel coronavirus. And, do not touch your eye, nose and mouth, he says. He also assures them that they will not have to pay for the ambulance or the test.

Some of the ambulances of the Central Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) have been reserved for transporting people suspected to have coronavirus infection. These ambulances are sanitised after each call.

Another caller, who has fever and a cold and no history of travel abroad in the immediate family, is asked to stay at home, take rest, and have plenty of fluids.

Sometimes I also get calls of people asking whether they should try homeopathic remedies. I explain to them that there is no known cure for this viral infection, but if they want they can take it, he says.

Also read | Tourism ministry tracking whereabouts of 450 Iranian tourists who came to India in February

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anonna Dutt Anonna Dutt is a health reporter at Hindustan Times. She reports on Delhi governments health policies, hospitals in Delhi, and health-related feature stories. ...view detail
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  An Atlanta-based company that makes scarves, sweatshirts and other outerwear with built-in filtration technology has moved its manufacturing operations from China to Grand Rapids amid the coronavirus outbreak.

G95 Inc. expects to start manufacturing its products next week at the Cascade Township headquarters of Ladder 34, a company that uses old fire hoses to makes belts, coasters, pet accessories and more, said Carlton Solle, the creator and owner of G95.

He said the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China has left his company with more than 1,000 orders waiting to be filled.

As a business, if you dont have anything to sell, youre not a business, and youre out of business pretty quick, Solle said.

About three weeks ago, Solle said he began discussing moving his firms manufacturing operations to Grand Rapids.

He connected with Lance Korhorn, the owner of Ladder 34, who Solle said he met about a year ago after purchasing a recycled belt from his company. At the time, Korhorn told him to reach out if he ever needed a manufacturing facility where his product could be cut and sown. So Solle did so.

Since then, hes gone and resourced all the materials, all the fabrics, all the trims" needed to manufacture G95s products in Grand Rapids.

Instead of our custom filtration stuff being sent to China, its getting sent to here," Solle said.

G95 was started nearly three years ago. It creates outerwear, such as its bioscarf, that contain filtration technology designed to protect against bacteria, viruses, air pollution and smoke, the company says. The companys products are sold online.

The coronavirus originated in China but has since spread throughout the world, including South Korea, Italy, Iran and the U.S. More than 100,000 people have been infected, and it has killed over 3,400, the vast majority in China, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, according to the World Health Organization. In severe cases, it can cause kidney failure, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and death.

Solle said transferring manufacturing from China to Grand Rapids has been a major undertaking. But he plans to keep operations here for the foreseeable future, even though it costs his company four times more to manufacture its products in the U.S. He said his company will absorb those costs.

Read more:

Huge waves batter Lake Michigan shoreline

Handful of Michigan DNR employees were diagnosed with tuberculosis last summer

Biden coming to Grand Rapids, Detroit on Monday
In the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall, there was a Roundtable Discussion: Creating Global Understanding in which five contributors to an art exhibition discussed their experiences in the collaboration and creation of the exhibit.
Jo Cox dedicated her lifes work to building a fairer and happier world. She championed many vitally important causes, such as the prevention of mass atrocities and the protection of womens rights. Following her election to public office in 2015, she used her visibility as a British Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen to promote and facilitate work in creating a world where everyones human rights are respected. Tragically, Jo Cox was murdered in 2016, just over one year into her term. She leaves behind a formidable legacy, having shown us all so many areas that are in need of so much urgent improvement as we work collectively towards a more peaceful global society.

More than seventy years after the Holocaust, genocide and other mass atrocities remain a constant threat to global peace and security. The violence we are witnessing today in, for example, Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Myanmar, serves as a daily reminder of the devastating consequences of the international communitys failure to act. Recognizing the warning signs of mass atrocities and responding to them are essential steps in taking action to effectively prevent these crimes.

The Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities  formerly known as the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation  is honored to announce that it has been awarded a Jo Cox Memorial Grant, one of the most prestigious grants for work on atrocity prevention. This grant originates from UK Aid Direct, the challenge fund of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for supporting the efforts of civil society organizations in achieving sustained poverty reduction. The resulting initiatives will be enabled by aid from the British government and will cover three years of programming for the prevention of mass atrocities in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, particularly focusing on the Central Africa Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Through this project, funded with UK aid from the British people, the Auschwitz Institute will continue its work to build stability in the Great Lakes Region by engaging local leaders and stakeholders in initiatives for the prevention of identity-based violence. While the effective prevention of these crimes is a long-term process, this support from the British government will enable AIPG to deliver key training to civil society leaders and government officials through the end of 2022.

AIPG will conduct 12 distinct educational and capacity building activities, at both national and regional levels, to advance the establishment and expansion of national committees for mass atrocity prevention, as well as the further consolidation of existing national committees. These measures will lead to the development and implementation of regional and national policies, legal instruments, and community-level programs for the prevention of identity-based violence. They will be further reinforced through an ongoing online education program for local leaders.

As a whole, the program activities will work to the benefit of states, communities, and many entities in between. These initiatives will create additional capacity to prevent the worst crimes experienced by humanity. The program, and all of its component activities, will be administered by the Auschwitz Institutes Africa Programs Office in Kampala, Uganda.

The Auschwitz Institute is pleased to receive this grant, which recognizes its work in the field of mass atrocity prevention, including its status as the largest non-governmental organization in the world with the primary objective of training public officials in genocide and mass atrocity prevention. Since 2007, AIPG has educated and provided ongoing support to over 5,200 officials from more than 85 countries.

The Auschwitz Institute not only equips governments with the necessary tools to analyze risks for genocide and other mass atrocities, but also facilitates the design and implementation of effective policies and programs that mitigate these risks and prevent them from escalating. To accomplish this on a global scale, AIPG maintains regional offices in New York City, USA; Oswiecim, Poland; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kampala, Uganda; and Bucharest, Romania.

The Auschwitz Institute is humbled to accept this award and welcomes the tremendous opportunity to honor Jo Coxs legacy by continuing her work in the field of mass atrocity prevention. AIPG is committed to making Jo Coxs vision a reality through the creation of a world that prevents genocide and other mass atrocities.

For more information please contact:

Rob Scharf

Director of Communications

Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities

rob.scharf@auschwitzinstitute.org

+1 (212) 575 2605

About the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG):

Through education, training, and technical assistance, AIPG supports States to develop or strengthen policies and practices for the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities. The Auschwitz Institute also encourages and supports the cooperation of States through regional and international networks to advance prevention. For more information, please visit: http://www.auschwitzinstitute.org.

About UK Aid Direct:

UK Aid Direct is a five-year, 150 million challenge fund designed to support the UKs commitments to achieving the Global Goals. UK Aid Direct grants fund U.K. and international civil society organizations working to reduce poverty overseas. For more information, please visit http://www.ukaiddirect.org.
The blaze engulfed the bakery and quickly spread to nearby stores, factories and cars parked along the street.

At least nine Palestinians were killed and 60 injured after a fire broke out in a bakery in the occupied Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Six children were among the dead and 14 of the injured were in critical condition, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion come from a bakery in the Nuseirat camp, in central Gaza, before a blaze engulfed the establishment and quickly spread to nearby stores, factories and cars parked along the street.

Gazas interior ministry, which is run by the enclaves ruling organisation Hamas, said the fire resulted from a gas leak inside one of the bakeries that caused several cooking gas canisters to explode.

Gaza authorities said they would offer cash assistance to the injured and families of the dead [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

People started to run towards the sound but then a huge fire broke out  It was horrifying, said Ishaq Kuhail, 24, who owns a nearby mobile phone shop. I have never seen anything like it.

The fire was eventually put out after three hours of work by firefighters and civilians, said Mohammad Mahmoud, 38.

An official at the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza confirmed the fire started in a bakery and caused damage to dozens of shops and stalls.

Gaza authorities said they would offer cash assistance to the injured and families of the dead.

Gaza, a Palestinian enclave that covers 140 square miles (365sq km) along the Mediterranean Sea, is home to some two million people. Israel maintains a devastating blockade of the Gaza Strip.
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In a tweet, the former lawmaker pointed out that Ganduje may need the help of Sanusi when he vacates office, hence the monarch should be forgiven.
European tourists in front of the Central Post Office in HCMC, February 21, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Nam.

Everyone arriving in Vietnam from overseas will need to fill out health declaration forms starting this Saturday.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam, head of the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control, issued the order at a meeting Friday.

The arrivals can choose to file the declaration in paper or electronic form, via the Preventive Health Department website suckhoetoandan.vn/khaiyte. The declaration form is available in English, Chinese, South Korean, Italian and Cambodian.

The Ministry of Health also requires those with symptoms like cough, fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue to be examined and quarantined.

Vietnam already required those arriving from mainland China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy, the worst-hit countries, to be quarantined for at least 14 days.

The Covid-19 epidemic has been spreading rapidly worldwide, affecting 89 countries and territories, with deaths reported across the world.

More than 98,000 cases have been recorded worldwide, including 3,385 deaths, most of them in mainland China, but also in Italy (148), Iran (108) and South Korea (40).

No new case has been diagnosed in Vietnam since February 13.
LONGVIEW, Texas, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two partners of the East Texas trial law firm Ward, Smith & Hill have earned placement in the 2020 Texas Rising Stars listing that showcases top young attorneys in the state.

Named to the Rising Stars list since 2017, Andrea Fair is honored for her work in intellectual property litigation. She is also recognized among the Rising Stars' Up-and-Coming Top 100 attorneys and the Up-and-Coming Top 50 women lawyers.

Ms. Fair is an integral part of the firm's trial team, participating in all facets of litigation, including direct- and cross-examination of fact and expert witnesses and closing arguments, as well as arguing at pretrial hearings.

Brett F. Miller is recognized for his work representing plaintiffs in civil litigation, including family law, business litigation and employment disputes. He routinely represents employers and employees in disputes over covenants not-to-compete and trade secrets. The 2020 selection marks the third time he has been honored by Texas Rising Stars.

Every year, Texas Rising Stars honors the state's top attorneys who are age 40 or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Lawyers are nominated by their peers and then assessed in a rigorous editorial review process. Only 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are chosen.

Texas Monthly and the Texas Rising Stars issue of Super Lawyers magazine will feature the 2020 honorees in the April editions. To view the complete list of honorees, visit www.superlawyers.com.

Longview, Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, has tried more than 350 cases to verdict, earning a national reputation in high-stakes claims involving complex commercial litigation, intellectual property law, oil and gas matters, bad faith insurance claims, and serious personal injury claims. The firm frequently assists lawyers nationwide in complex cases before Texas juries. To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.wsfirm.com .

Media Contact:

Sophia Reza

214-559-4630

[email protected]

SOURCE Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC

Related Links

https://wsfirm.com


Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST

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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.
Kylie Jenner recently returned from a girls trip to the Bahamas, which resulted in several sizzling photo shoots.

And the self-made billionaire is continuing to serve looks after returning home to Calabasas.

She served supermodel vibes Thursday as she posed in a neon green leopard print number.

Green with envy: Kylie Jenner served supermodel vibes Thursday as she posed in a neon green leopard print number

The 22-year-old posted photos of herself in a skintight long-sleeve floor-length hooded dress by Tom Ford.

She wore her ombre blonde hair in long teased waves, spilling out from the thin hood.

Kylie completed the look with a pair of black square-toe stilettos with clear tiered heels.

She posted the photos with a quote from Tom Ford in the caption: 'I am my own muse.'

Designer chic: The 22-year-old posted photos of herself in a skintight long-sleeve floor-length hooded dress by Tom Ford

Teased for the gods: She wore her ombre blonde hair in long teased waves, spilling out from the thin hood

Hell on heels: Kylie completed the look with a pair of black square-toe stilettos with clear tiered heels

Muse vibes: She posted the photos with a quote from Tom Ford in the caption: 'I am my own muse'

The Kylie Cosmetics mogul wrote in another caption: 'Giving you baby mama drama honey.'

She's recently been sharing some photo shoots from the Bahamas, posing with sister Kendall, 24, in several.

One photo attracted some trolls, who noticed one of Kylie's toes were shorter than the others.

Sister bonding: She's recently been sharing some photo shoots from the Bahamas, posing with sister Kendall, 24, in several

What the toe?! One photo attracted some trolls, who noticed one of Kylie's toes were shorter than the others

Past injury: She responded in a video: 'I broke this middle toe in middle school. There's nothing you can do for a broken toe so I just had to let it heal how I wanted it to heal'

She responded in a video: 'Okay, so everyone wants to come for my f***ing toes. By the way I have cute a** feet.

'And I broke this middle toe in middle school. There's nothing you can do for a broken toe so I just had to let it heal how I wanted it to heal.'

She later took to her story to name her toes (each name starting with a T), as she clarified: 'Big toes are boys.'
Eleven people, including seven family members of a man who tested positive for coronavirus after his visit to Thailand, have been quarantined at their residence, health officials said on Friday.

The 25-year-old man, who also travelled to Malaysia, has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the national capital to three.

The Delhi Health department has also prepared a containment plan that includes preparing a buffer zone of five kilometres by Geospatial Delhi Ltd around the patients reported so far, a bulletin said.

Fifty households in west Delhi, where the fresh case lives, have been put under surveillance to check the spread of the infection, it added.

"The family of the patient comprising his wife, parents, brother, sister-in-law and their two kids has been home quarantined. Their samples have been taken for testing," the Delhi government health official said.

The office of the patient, who has been shifted to the Safdarjung Hopsital for treatment, is in Gurgaon but he operated from his residence.

"The patient, his wife, brother and sister-in-law worked from home," the official said, adding that they are trying to trace the other people the patient came in contact with.

Additionally, four more people who came in contact with the man have also been home quarantined and tested.

A Paytm employee who tested positive for coronavirus is also a resident of west Delhi.

Officials said all 95 people who came in contact with the Paytm employee have been traced. Of the 95, 22 are from Delhi and they have also been home quarantined.

So far, 31 people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, according to the Union Health Ministry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's investigation into Boeing's failed December spaceflight came up with a long list of corrections needed before the company flies again.

Boeing said Friday that the investigation found about 61 "corrective actions" for the company's Starliner spacecraft, which it has been developing to fly NASA astronauts. NASA associate administrator Doug Loverro told reporters on a conference call that he expects it "will take several months" for Boeing to work through the list.

"This was a close call. We could have lost a spacecraft twice during this mission," Loverro said.

The 61 recommendations are not each individual problems with the spacecraft, Boeing said, as there are three primary technical and design issues that the company is addressing. However, Loverro noted that does not mean there are only three problems with Starliner. He said there are more issues, although he wasn't sure of a specific number identified by investigators.
A diplomatic row erupted today after the Japanese government ordered all visitors from South Korea and China to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period on arrival.

The move prompted a backlash in Seoul, which branded the restrictions excessive and irrational and demanded showdown talks.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga defended the move and said the timing was appropriate.

South Korea has the highest number of recorded cases outside of China, with 505 additional cases today, down from a high of 851 on Tuesday.

Bhutan banned entry of tourists for two weeks after recording its first case yesterday, thought to be a US tourist to the kingdom on the edge of the Himalayas.

An Ecuadorean navy ship with 50 people on board was quarantined after one of the crew had contact with the countrys first coronavirus case.

The Netherlands today announced its first death from the virus, an 86-year-old man in Rotterdam. In Germany 134 more cases emerged.

Italy restricted visits to nursing homes after recording 148 deaths. Older people are more vulnerable to Covid-19, but with schools closed they are on grandparenting duties, and therefore at risk of exposure.
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Abandoned building: A man rides a motorcycle along a walkway past the abandoned rooms of a former refugee camp in Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday.(JP/Fadli)

Tourists may no longer be able to visit a former Vietnamese refugee camp on Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands because the government has built a hospital for COVID-19 patients on the site.

Each month, about 6,000 people usually visit the 80-hectare former refugee camp. Most of them were once camp inmates who had become successful in their new countries.

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The degraded state of the American mainstream media was in full view last night on MSNBCs The Eleventh Hour, hosted by serial fabulist Brian Williams. Tucker Carlson of Fox News often makes snide remarks about the sheer stupidity of the talking heads that populate cable news, and since he has spent decades working in the business, with a resume that that includes stints at MSNBC and CNN, he may well know whereof he speaks.

But after all, Americans expect vapidity form the TV news readers. Think Ron Burgundy.

However, the New York Times still retains vestiges of its former prestige, even as it has become nothing but a propaganda organ dedicated to the destruction of the Trump presidency. Its editorial employees are expected to be able to compose grammatical sentences, and the members of its editorial board formerly were regarded as thought and opinion leaders for the entire profession of journalism.

No longer.

Anyone who passed primary school math should be able to spot the mind-blowing innumeracy as host Williams and his guest Mara Gay of the New York Times editorial board discussed a tweet from Mekita Rivas, a writer who is a contributor to the feminist journal Bustle. The tweet maintained, "Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads. The U.S. Population, 327 million. He could have given each American $1 million and have had lunch money left over."

"Its an incredible way of putting it," Williams said.



"Its an incredible way of putting it," Gay said. "Its true. Its disturbing."

I dont mean to insult readers intelligence by pointing out that the math actually works out to a buck fifty-three per person, so theyre all only off by a factor of less than a million.

But keep in mind the number of people at MSNBC that uncritically accepted the tweet and decided that it was worth featuring on the show. Producers, graphic artists, production assistants, and other members of the staff all accepted it, and so did Williams and the person that the New York Times believes is sufficiently intelligent as to be given the honor of shaping public opinion in the name of the Gray Lady.

I know that it is hard to believe, so watch this clip and bemoan the state of elite journalism.
A North Carolina-based company says its 15-minute blood test is already being widely used by the Chinese CDC, helping officials there to diagnose more patients, faster.

On Thursday, that company, BioMedomics, announced its 'quick and easy' test is ready and being used in South Korea, Japan, Italy and some countries in the Middle East.

But the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the test under the emergency measure it announced Saturday.

Efficient testing is critical to any hope of containing the coronavirus that's spread to more than 101,000 people worldwide (pictured) - but US regulators' own test has proven slow and in short supply, and have not cleared the way for a faster diagnostic, for unclear reasons

BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field

Outrage over slow testing has spread across the US alongside the coronavirus as the number of cases has swelled beyond 200 nd 12 have died

To clarify, the FDA gave broad approval to any companies, states or institutions for if they have 'a certified clinical lab able to handle the high-intensity test...they may develop their own test and do not have to wait fo us to approve it to start using it in patients,' said Secretary Azar.

It's not clear what the qualifications are for sure a lab.

But BioMedonics apparently doesn't have them - though it is trying to sway US officials.

'We are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and have approached the FDA to inquire about US market,' CO Dr Frank Wang told WRAL TechWire.

It would seem that the states, institutions and companies that can now start testing people for coronavirus thanks to the CDC's expansion efforts use diagnostic tools that are akin to the agency's own.

These are called 'real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

Performing this test requires taking throat and nasal swabs from patients - a rather unpleasant, uncomfortable process for patient and health care worker alike - and testing those samples for reactions that indicate they contain the genetic material of COVID-19.

Swabs might be gross, but they're the simplest part of the process.

These types of test are considered the gold-standard for diagnosing infections diseases, but they involve multiple components, which are notoriously complex, they have to be run by specially trained technicians, using specialized equipments.

According to BioCompare - a buying guide for life scientists - the 'slightest DNA contamination can disrupt results' from RT-PCR tests (though this is in reference to this general type of test, the diagnostic for COVID-19 in particular).

The BioMedonics test - called COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test - is a blood test.

A blood sample is collected, inserted into the reader, a buffer is combined, and results come back within 15 minutes, the company claims

It can be read similarly to a pregnancy test, with one line for a negative test, two signifying it's positive for either early or late antibodies, and three when the sample is positive for both

It purports to be able to detect the virus within minutes, using either an IV blood sample or a droplet retrieved via finger-prick - even in patients that don't have symptoms.

The CDC itself previously cautioned that it's possible for patients to develop COVID-19 after testing negative - although it's unclear if this issue might have been resolved after the new reagent was made.

After the sample of blood is collected, a technician injects it into the analysis device - which is about the size of an Apple TV or Roku remote - along with some buffer, and waits 15 minutes.

Results are displayed in a similar fashion to those of an at-home pregnancy test.

One line means negative.

Two lines in a spread-out configuration means the sample contains antibodies that the body starts making shortly after infection.

Two lines closer together mean the person is positive for the later-stage antibodies.

Three lines mean the patient is positive for both types of antibodies.

The blood test (right) is fast, but it's not as well tested as the gold standard used by CDC (right)

However, the test hasn't been as widely studied as have others. The company's website cites a study of just 525 suspected patients.

Of those, the test correctly identified 352 patients as positive, making it about 89 percent sensitive, or accurate. Twelve were false positives.

So it may not be as precise as the gold standard, but it is certainly faster.

'Because there is no medicine or vaccine, the best way to combat this infection is isolation. A lot of people dont have symptoms. Because of that, quick diagnostics are very important, Wang said. You can identify infection and isolate people,' said Dr Wang.

The CDC and FDA have not specified why the rapid test isn't being used and did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication.

WHAT IS TAKING THE US SO LONG TO TEST PATIENTS FOR CORONAVIRUS?

Within days of shipping its tests, several states reported that the CDC's diagnostic was returning 'inconclusive' results. The agency was forced to re-make one of the test components are reissue kits.

Even since the CDC started to address this issue, delays have continued.

US officials previously promised a million tests could be run by the end of this week, but Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar admitted 'we currently have capacity to send tests for 15,000 people' on Thursday.

Vice President Pence reiterated the woe of US doctors Thursday, but said that the the US has tested the patients it absolutely needs to.

'We dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward,' he admitted after a meeting with 3M, which is expected to help ramp up mask production.

'For those that we believe have been exposed, for those who are showing symptoms, weve been able to provide the testing.

CDC has had a series of delays in getting its tests out, and regulations for how it ensures the accuracy of other tests means that it could be another two weeks before the results of outside lab's tests are confirmed

The US coronavirus task force promised Monday that, by the end of the week, about a million coronavirus tests would be available.

Now, it's clear that goal won't be nearly met.

Secretary Azar explained Thursday the three steps that stand in the way to broader, faster testing.

He said that even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself developed a test, it had to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before distributing it.

That request was submitted February 3 and approved February 4.

The CDC didn't start shipping its first batch of tests until February 6.

Shortly after those tests arrived to labs, it was discovered a reagent was flawed, forcing the CDC to reissue the test.

Right now, doctors have to call in to one of just over 70 labs in the US, describe the patient they suspect may have coronavirus, get approval for a test to be sent to them, then test the patient, and send the kit back to one of those 70 labs.

On Saturday, the FDA gave approval for other states, companies and research institutions to make their own coronavirus tests to expedite increase the number of people who can be tested.

CDC's own manufacturer, IDT, is ramping up production, and Azar thinks that they'll distribute enough kits to test about 75,000 people for the virus.

With the addition of outside tests, Azar estimated that enough tests will be sent out to screen about 400,000 people - because two of the nearly one million tests to be shipped have to be used to test each patient under current guidelines.

He thinks that will happen by the end of the weekend.

But even then, it could be 'a week, a week-and-a-half, two weeks' before they are 'up and running.'

Data to allow the CDC to 'validate' the tests has to be sent within 15 days of when these labs started administering them.

So far, University of Washington scientists have begun using their own test, and is running samples 24-hours a day.

They believe they'll soon be processing some 1,000 samples each day.

New York state - where at least 22 people now have coronavirus - as well as partner labs at Northwell Health and Stonybrook are now working on their own test, as well. New York was the first state to get authorization to start distributing its test.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has quickly created an entire public testing lab network across the US to help the state - where so far four positive tests have been confirmed - to help expedite the process.

He said so far half of the labs spread across 10 US cities are functional and ready to begin testing.
She has deep relationships with health officials around the world, Dr. Frieden said, but she is less familiar with the public health system in this country.

Tough and disciplined  she walks several miles to work each day to clear her head, one associate said  Dr. Birx is most often described as data driven. She is running what amounts to a coronavirus war room from the vice presidents office, meeting with government and public health officials and pharmaceutical industry executives to shore up beleaguered local health departments, scale up the production of coronavirus test kits and encourage research into antiviral medicines and vaccines.

I think this administration is realizing that her credibility and the years of sweat equity and trust she has built up working with people on both sides of the aisle is arguably her best asset, said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon.

For the past six years at the State Department, Dr. Birx has, among her responsibilities, overseen the Presidentss Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, created in 2003 by President George W. Bush when antiretroviral drugs saving lives in developed countries were not available in other nations.

In its first decade, the initiative focused on priority countries, offering broad public health programs to slow the spread of H.I.V., said Paul Zeitz, who worked for Dr. Birx for three years.

Dr. Birx, he said, concluded that it would be more effective to concentrate specifically on H.I.V. prevention and the treatment of infected people in areas where the epidemic was disseminating swiftly. She made difficult decisions to take money from low transmission zones and beef up spending in areas where the disease was spreading rapidly, using statistics as a guide.

I saw her be very tough with country teams, Dr. Zeitz said. She wanted the facts about exactly what was happening with their epidemic, and if people did not have data in a way that it could be used, where it could be disaggregated by gender, by geography  and then she got all the way down to statistics for each medical clinic  they would have to go back to the drawing board.
In an alarming development that underscores the risk of a major virus outbreak in Australia, two doctors and a staff worker employed at three large public hospitals in Sydney are now confirmed as suffering from COVID-19the infection caused by the coronavirus that was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December.

The two doctors in Sydney, employed at Ryde Hospital in the citys north and Liverpool Hospital in the south-western suburbs, had not travelled recently and do not have any known contact with an infected person. They had both attended a radiology seminar on February 18 with 77 other doctors and health professionals, raising the concerning possibility that the event was where they had been exposed to the coronavirus. Health officials, however, announced today that none of the other seminar participants are infected.

Eighty-four doctors and nurses from Ryde and Liverpool hospitals who spent more than 15 minutes in close proximity to their infected colleagues have been ordered to go into isolation and undergo testing. Sixty-one patients who were treated by them have also been instructed to self-isolate and be tested.

A warning outside a medical centre in Sydney, Australia due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. (Wikipedia Commons)

Today, a woman employed at Canterbury Hospital in Sydneys inner west was diagnosed. She appears to have contracted the virus during a recent visit to Iran and worked two shifts before falling ill. At least 28 staff and three patients with whom she had contact have been placed into isolation.

Epping Boys High School, with close to 1,200 students and up to 100 teachers and other employees, was shut down yesterday after a 16-year-old who has been hospitalised tested positive to the virus. The boys mother works at Ryde Hospital and had contact with the infected doctor, but she is not infected herself. All staff and students have been instructed to self-isolate over the weekend.

A lecturer at the nearby Macquarie University returned infected from Iran in February. Management have issued assurances that he did not come to the university or have contact with other staff or students. People with whom he did have contact are being tested.

On Tuesday, a 95-year-old woman infected with COVID-19 died at an aged care centre in Ryde. A worker at the facility is believed to have contracted the virus in Iran and passed it to at least three residents. The centre has been placed under lockdown and dozens of children from a nearby preschool who visited it recently are being tested.

The aged care centre death was the second known fatality from the virus in Australia. A 78-year-old man who was infected on the Diamond Princess cruise liner died on Sunday in Perth, Western Australia.

Across the country, there are currently 61 confirmed cases of COVID-19a figure that reflects the fact that large numbers of people have simply not been tested. Just 10,000 tests have been carried out, overwhelmingly on people who recently returned from visits to China.

The cases that have emerged over the past week leave little doubt that people unknowingly carrying the virus have been working and interacting with others in Sydney and other major cities for weeks now. Of greatest concern is the fact that, in several cases, there is no clear indications of how people became infected.

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard admitted at a press conference yesterday: I think at this point its fair to say that an evolution is happening in the spread of this virus. We are doing everything we can to try and contain it. But we also know that containment is an unlikely outcome.

The prospect of a spike in infections exists in other states as well. In Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, 15 staff who worked in the emergency department of the private Mater Hospital have been told to go into isolation because they came into unprotected contact with a sick Chinese student studying at the University of Queensland who has been confirmed as COVID-19 positive.

The students case highlights the global dangers of the new coronavirus strain, due to the length of time that can seemingly pass before an infected person feels ill and displays symptoms. He had spent two weeks in Dubai to comply with Australian government bans on entry into the country for anyone who had been in mainland China in the past 14 days. He flew into Brisbane from the Middle East on February 23. He sought medical care two days laterwell over two weeks after apparently contracting the virus in China.

People who had contact with him, including those on his flight to Australia, are now being contacted to be tested.

Frustration and anger are rising over the lack of pre-emptive action by federal and state governments since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global health emergency on January 30. Apart from the travel ban on people coming from China, little was done to prepare for the possibility of widespread infections, such as the roll-out of mass testing services and providing all health and emergency workers with appropriate protective gear and insisting it was worn.

The head of the Australian Medical Association, Doctor Tony Bartone, told the Guardian: I have had many examples of doctors who are worried and concerned. They are worried that personal protective equipment is in short supply. People are concerned about a lack of preparedness and capacity. Doctors need clear messaging about whats expected of them.

A general practitioner who was interviewed by the newspaper bluntly stated: I dont know of any GP practices that would be capable of testing or seeing a suspected case. In our practice we have four consult rooms plus a procedure room. Wed have to dedicate one room as an isolation room. And then youd have to clean and disinfect the roomlogistically its just impossible for several reasons, including that we dont have the physical space.

Public hospital doctors have noted that they lack sufficient beds and equipment to address the developing crisis. For decades, Labor and Liberal governments have slashed healthcare spending as part of a broader assault on social services.

Government ministers and officials are amplifying anxiety by repeatedly stating that they expect millions of infectionsimplying tens of thousands of deaths, particularly among the elderly. In the latest example, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy told a press conference yesterday that the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison was preparing for scenarios from the most benign through to some millions of people being infected over a period of several weeks.

Peoples lack of confidence that the authorities will competently manage a serious crisis is being expressed in the form of panic buying of essential items and long-life food products. One of the largest supermarket chains, Woolworths, has now announced a ration on the amount of toilet paper and rice that a person can purchase, as shelves are being emptied within hours of opening each day.

The main preparation being made by the federal and state governments for a mass outbreak are plans to impose draconian restrictions on peoples movements, close schools and universities and order the cancellation of public events and gatherings. A growing number of companies with offices in Sydney are instructing their staff to work from home where possible and suspend any overseas corporate travel.

The impact of economic and social activity grinding to a halt will be greatest on the lowest paid sections of the working class. Over 2.6 million workers are employed on casual terms, especially in the hospitality and retail sectors that are being affected by a slump in tourism and domestic consumer spending. They have no paid sick leave or holiday entitlements and employers scaling back their operations can simply not offer them shifts, without having to go through a process of formally laying them off.
Residents of Saitama Prefecture in Japan reported a disturbing weather phenomenon that brought down black-tinged rainwater in several wards of the area, March 2.

People took it to social media to report the strange weather occurrence which sparked theories of incinerated bodies of coronavirus patients, a nuclear attack and heavy pollution causing black rain to fall.

The 'black rain' was reported in areas of Ageo, Iwatsuki, Kuki and Saitama but majority of the reports were from the city of Hasuda. According to SoraNews24, city officials of Hasuda issued a statement that the matter is already under investigation after they received multiple reports and complaints regarding 'black puddles' in roads that their cars were soaked with black rain water.

Some citizens from Saitama took it to Twitter to express their concern over possible nuclear-related materials or chemicals in the atmosphere which resulted to the soot-colored rain. The phenomenon even trended on Twitter with the hashtag #blackrain.

Tokyo #BlacKRain speculation about secret mass graves and mass cremations burning the bodies of corona virus victims hazardous waste materials and remains in #Japan  japanism (@japanideas) March 5, 2020

However, action was immediately taken by Hasuda City Officials who tested the radiation levels in the rainwater and confirmed that there was nothing unusual. But they also added that there is still a need for further investigation since the cause of the black rain still remains a mystery.

Read also: Coronavirus Types: Scientists in China Discover Two New Strains of COVID-19

People have also expressed concerns if the 'black rain' is somehow connected to the coronavirus outbreak and if the government is secretly burning bodies of those who died from COVID-19.

Another theory that spread online was that North Korea has launched nuclear missiles that day. This is because a similar phenomenon occurred during World War II after the United States dropped atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the said bombings, radioactive materials were sent up in the atmosphere causing 'black rain' to fall over areas that were affected by the attacks.

The black rain in 1945 was very contaminated with radioactive materials that even after 70 years later when scientist tested a school uniform worn by a girl exposed to the 'black rain' they were still able to detect a radioactive isotope, Caesium 137.

However, there were no nuclear activities reported in Saitama or in nearby areas. It later emerged that there was a gigantic fire that burned down a large commercial building in Hasuda around the same time that the black-tinged rainwater covered the streets which were speculated to have caused the 'black rain'.

In view of this, people questioned why the fire was not acknowledged by Hasuda on their website. There were also concerns about how unsettling it was that they either did not know about the huge fire or that they did not feel it was necessary for a time when people are getting unnerved and already speculating nuclear attacks and mass-cremation of coronavirus victims. They were also called out saying that the dispersion of such information was very crucial at that time.

Hasuda Officials are yet to give their comments regarding the commercial building blaze and its possible role in the 'black rain' phenomenon.

Related article: WHO Warns Impending Medical Equipment Shortage as Coronavirus Outbreak Continues

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A drinks entrepreneur whose vodka brand has been snapped up by British conglomerate Halewood Wines & Spirits hopes greater investment and exposure will enable a bright future for his products.

William Borrell founded Vestal Vodka in 2011, an early adopter of the idea that terroir could play a part in the quality and taste of vodka.

"When we launched there was a real gin boom going on and no one really wanted to know about vodka, but in the last year and a half people have gone crazy for it. In the on-trade, people are saying 'dont give me another gin'," he said.

Trying to make a "vodka with flavour rather than a flavoured vodka" was Borrells key aim. Choosing Poland for his testing ground  a place with family connections and a vodka heritage  he conducted potato-growing trials to analyse the effects of growing the vegetables in different places.

"When you are talking about viticulture, terroir makes an important point, but I think for grapes it is also the microclimate because they are above ground. Potatoes are in the earth, so it is just terroir," Borrell says.

"We planted a couple of potato varietals and went to someone who was already making vodka. We told them we wanted to make a pot-distilled potato vodka and they thought we were crazy  but it came out and it was unbelievable.

"We had one with potatoes grown in northern Poland which was spicy and smoky, kind of like an agave spirit. The one using potatoes from eastern Poland came out fruity, more like sake."

Once he had a product, Borrell packed a suitcase and set off to show it to bartenders around the world, from London and Paris to Singapore and Australia. Vestal caught the attention of vodka aficionados, and eventually Halewood  with the takeover proposition first broached via Linked In. He says, "I have just had my head down trying to do my own thing, trying to make interesting craft vodka with real character to it in the way people used to make it, as opposed to 'bling vodka'."

He calls the Halewood deal "a game-changer". "Halewood has taken me from one person to a team of 7,500 people. It is really nice to have a big brother in the industry; I have never had that before. As a smaller player I felt a real sense of aggression from bigger players and to have somebody who could look after us and help was great, as well as giving us size and scale."

Borrell felt he had found a kindred spirit in "beautifully bonkers" family-run Halewood.

"With some larger companies, you could have the best idea in the world, but it goes through so much market research and gets diluted down because it has to please everybody, which cannot happen. At Halewood I have found that you can have an idea, go to them and they will say it is either good or bad, and if it is good that idea will be on the shelves in two months," he says.

"They have an agility and a sense of risk-taking that I find really romantic in todays world, where things have become homogenised and even boring at times."

The importance of terroir in vodka is now being recognised by big names such as Grey Goose and Belvedere, but Borrell sees this as a positive step rather than a competitive threat. "What we were doing has been validated; we are not on the fringes anymore," he says. "Its not about us inventing the category, but it means we could have these great vodkas with character and identity."
Another Yankee is out of commission for a while, and the fanbase doesnt know whether to be upset or confused about the laundry list of injuries surrounding their team.

Manager Aaron Boone announced on Friday that tests revealed the discomfort outfielder Aaron Judge has been feeling during spring training is the result of a fractured right rib.

The Yankees believe this issue dates to late last season when Judge was injured diving for a sinking liner during a Sept. game at Yankee Stadium against Los Angeles Angels. He missed one game, then played the rest of the regular season and in the playoffs.

Boone explained the long delay in diagnosis on the difficulty of spotting it.

He ended up going through 10, 11, 12 different tests. My understanding is its a hard thing to find because youre not going to find it in MRIs or different scans. He had MRIs on the shoulder, chest  bone scans, CT scans, X-rays, all these things, and it was this particular CT scan that ultimately found it.

So for whatever reason, its an injury that was difficult to spot in the battery of tests that you have.

That doesnt make Yankees fans feel any better.

How did Aaron Judge have a fractured rib for MONTHS and not know? My brain is broken.  Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) March 6, 2020

It is CRAZY how incompetent the training staff was last year. All these injuries are from last season. Cressey has to be seeing this shit and losing his mind.  Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) March 6, 2020

Took more than 2 weeks to figure out his rib was fractured?? What is going on with these dollar general tests?  28 (@jakeplumley31) March 6, 2020

Paxton, Severino and Judge have all had their injuries issues since last season and it's starting to feel like a malpractice on the Yankees end at this point. How do all of these injuries get dealt with during Spring Training?  Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) March 6, 2020

Im afraid of potentially having to have this conversation 10 years from now:



Remember that Aaron Judge guy? Lol he had his own section in Yankee Stadium and everything  Kyle  (@KyleNYY) March 6, 2020

The #Yankees medical staff may be shortening players careers  Vinny (@vsiino21) March 6, 2020

Why are the #Yankees still so bad at diagnosing injuries? Since when is a sore shoulder a cracked rib? These mistakes in the medical department have gone on far too long. https://t.co/eIwiziTuE3  Mike Calendrillo (@MACalendrillo) March 6, 2020

The Yankees say they have no idea at this point how long Judge will be sidelined other than hell rest for two weeks and then be rechecked.

A CT scan that revealed the issue indicated that Judges rib is healing, and if thats the case then its possible he wont miss significant time.

Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek

Surgery is an option though, Boone said.

I wouldnt say thats off the table, but you wouldnt want to do that right now, especially if the bone is healing, Boone said.

(NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller contributed to this report.)

Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @briannnnf. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Ho Chi Minh City health authorities have asked the Tan Son Nhat airport to sterilize planes on all domestic and international routes.

The municipal Health Department wants the airport, the biggest in the country, to disinfect the entire aircraft after international flights.

Aircraft being used for domestic routes have to be disinfected every day to ensure each plane is clean before it is used.

The HCMC Center for Disease Control said the aircraft disinfection is needed to reinforce preventive measures against Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The epidemic has been developing in a complicated way across the world but many countries have kept their borders for travel as usual, the center said.

In the latest case, a Japanese passenger tested positive for the virus in Japan after transiting in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday on his way from Cambodia's Siem Reap.

57 passengers on that flight, operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines, the crew and everyone at HCMCs Tan Son Nhat Airport whod come into direct contact with the Japanese passenger have been quarantined.

As of Thursday, the city had placed 325 persons under medical scrutiny at its field hospitals in the outlying districts of Cu Chi, Nha Be and District 7. The people who are subject to the scrutiny are those who returned from Covid-19 stricken areas or had direct contact with returnees from stricken areas.

The city has been following the national quarantine protocol, officials said. Everyone coming from South Korea, Iran, Italy, and mainland China are being quarantined for 14 days on arrival.

As of Friday morning, Vietnam had 68 people in quarantine and more than 14,000 people being monitored.

Under the protocol set by the Health Ministry, those returning from stricken areas or have had direct contact with returnees from stricken areas and show any Covid-19 symptom are to be quarantined in specific facilities till they are declared virus-free by doctors. Those who are returning from stricken areas or have had direct contact with returnees from stricken areas, but do not show any symptoms, will be monitored by healthcare staff.

There have been no new Covid-19 virus infections detected in Vietnam since February 13. All 16 infections detected so far have been discharged from hospitals.

The global death toll continued to rise to 3,385, mostly in mainland China, followed by Italy (148), Iran (108) and South Korea (40).
A MAN who was arrested earlier this week in connection with a number of fraud offences in Limerick and across Munster has been charged and is due to appear in court this Friday afternoon.

The man was arrested at a location in County Clare on Thursday by gardai investigating a fraud incident which is alleged to have occurred at a house in Limerick city.

In a statement, issued before the man was charged, gardai said they received a report in recent days that a man had called to a house in the Corbally area claiming to work for PhoneWatch.

The man offered the homeowner an upgrade to their security system for a fee, which they agreed to.

The transaction was completed but the homeowner was given back a different bank card. The real bank card was then used later on that day to withdraw 700 from an ATM, said a spokesperson.

Gardai say the suspect, who is due before a special sitting of Newcastle West Court, has also been charged in relation to multiple similar offences which are alleged to have occurred in counties Cork, Clare and Tipperary.
AKRON, Ohio  A man was wounded in the leg while sitting his vehicle Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood, police say.

The 28-year-old victim tells police he was driving south on Brittain Road near Preston Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. when another vehicle driven by an unknown male pulled alongside. The unknown male opened fire, hitting the victim in the leg.

The victim was taken to Akron City Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say bullet holes were in the side of the victims vehicle and that shell casings were found at the scene.

The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information can call police at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Tips can be sent by texting TIPSCO at 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.

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ICE agents apprehend individuals with prior criminal convictions ranging from sexual abuse to rape, in Long Island, N.Y., on Nov. 4, 2019. (ICE).

Trump Administration to Shift 500 ICE Agents to Assist Sanctuary City Arrests

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intensifying its operations in 10 sanctuary cities, deploying approximately 500 special agents to increase surveillance around the homes and workplaces of undocumented immigrants.

ICE has started its 24-hour-a-day surveillance operations as part of its enhanced arrest campaign. It has requested the transfer of hundreds of special highly-trained agents who typically work on long-term investigations involving human trafficking and dangerous criminals, the New York Times reported on March 5.

In the coming weeks, the additional officers have been instructed by officials to flood the streets and operate in unmarked cars to ramp up arrests in the sanctuary cities where local law enforcement agencies refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Boston, New York, Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Newark are among the cities refusing to assist with deportations, according to the New York Times.

The request comes after 100 officers and agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including elite tactical BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) agents, were temporarily redeployed last month to assist with the arrest operation and deport undocumented immigrants in the cities.

Sanctuary cities are locales that have enacted measures to prevent local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If an illegal alien is arrested or convicted of a crime and ICE requests custody of them, sanctuary policies can prevent law enforcement from honoring the request. Eight states and hundreds of cities across the United States are recognized as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants.

The intensified operation, called Operation Palladium, began last month and will run through Dec. 31, according to an internal email seen by the New York Times.

Henry Lucero, head ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, said the deployment of additional agents in sanctuary cities is a direct response to policies that prevent local officials from notifying ICE when undocumented immigrants are scheduled to be released from law-enforcement custody.

Weve asked for resources in some areas because theres a significant backlog of criminal aliens that were not able to address, Lucero told the Wall Street Journal. If we had local cooperation in those areas, we wouldnt need resources there. We would just be assuming custody of those aliens when theyre released from jail or prison.

Department of Homeland acting Secretary Chad Wolf said last month that SWAT teams sent into communities are necessary because the jurisdictions are giving federal officers no assistance.

What we found in these sanctuary jurisdictions is that local law enforcement does not work with the department, Wolf said during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

So what used to take one or two officers going into a jail setting and picking up an individual thats on a final order of removal, we now have to go into communities with many, many officers.

Many sanctuary policies limit local law enforcement from cooperating and communicating with federal immigration authorities. All sanctuary policies shield, in some way, illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities.

The teams wouldnt be required if sanctuary cities provided help for federal immigration enforcement, Wolf said.

The plans attracted opposition from some lawmakers and former government officials last month.

This administration seems to think they can intimidate local law enforcement officials or act independently when operating in their jurisdictions, John Cohen, a former DHS official during President Barack Obamas administration, told ABC News. That is a dangerous strategy that will fail.

In a joint statement, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) said that the efforts should be shut down.

Because this initiative is unnecessary, unwelcome, dangerous, menacing, retaliatory and unlikely to achieve its stated goal, we write to demand that you reverse course and to pose questions to better understand your rationale for employing paramilitary-style immigration personnel equipped with stun grenades and enhanced Special Forces-type training, including sniper certification in Boston and elsewhere in the United States, the senators wrote in a letter to top immigration officials.

President Donald Trump meanwhile announced this week that his administration will withhold funds from sanctuary cities in line with a February court ruling that decided the government can act accordingly against states that dont comply with federal immigration policies.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
South Africa: Parolee nabbed for drug dealing

A 52-year-old parolee has appeared before the Witbank Magistrate Court on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Themba Mbatha was arrested by members of the Witbank Flying Squad on the N4 Highway on Wednesday after being found in possession of mandrax, worth an estimated R9 million.

Police officers had stopped a suspicious looking vehicle, in which they found 10 bags of drugs stashed in the boot. During the process of investigation, it was established that the suspect -- Mbatha -- was a parolee, who was previously arrested in 1997 for various cases including, robbery aggravating (cash-in-transit), murder, two counts of attempted murder, as well as possession of a firearm without a licence and ammunition, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court.

Mbatha was released on parole in 2018 and was due to finish his minimum sentence on 28 February 2021.

On Wednesday, Mbatha was transporting drugs to Gauteng from Mozambique.

When he appeared before the court on Thursday, he was remanded in custody and will appear again at the Witbank Magistrate Court on 12 March 2020.

The Hawks investigation continues.

Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has condemned Mbathas criminal activities.

It is really disappointing for someone who is given a second chance to mend his ways and change his life to revert to a life of crime

Even though cross-border crime remains a challenge in the province, the arrest of the suspect is an indication that we are on the right track, Zuma said. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Donald Trump came out swinging in his first re-election town hall, contending he does not blame former president Barack Obama for the coronavirus outbreak while also painting himself as a victim of baseless criticisms from Democrats.

Asked by a supporter about the combative nature of US politics, he vowed if they hit us, we hit back. His comment suggested anew that the general election could be the most bare-knuckled in modern American history.

I dont blame anybody. I want to get everybody to understand they made some decisions which were not good decisions, Mr Trump said a day after he falsely claimed his predecessor shut down a White House pandemic team that he shuttered in May 2018.

Im not blaming anybody, he claimed in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It just seems ... some of the Democrats have said, If we find a cure and everybody is better ay 9 oclock, hes done a terrible job.

Its just automatic. Hows the president doing? Oh terrible, terrible, he said.

The president was back in Pennsylvania, a state he needs to hold after narrowly winning it in 2016. He visited the Keystone State eight times in 2018, five times in 2019, and one previous time in 2020.

And, notably, he chose Scranton for his first town hall, the hometown of former Vice President Joe Biden, who once again is the Democratic frontrunner to face him in the general election.

 Nancy Pelosi slams Facebook for Trump's fake Census ads

Recent national polls conducted by Fox News and Yahoo give Vermont senator Bernie Sanders a seven-point and six-point lead, respectively, over the president. The same polls give Mr Biden an eight-point and nine-point advantage nationally over Mr Trump in a head-to-head race.

In key swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Mr Sanders leads the president by a few per centage points -- but within the margins of error. The same polls in the same states show the former VP tied with the 45th chief executive.

One Democratic strategist, however, said Mr Biden is attracting a mix of voters that likely would give him a better chance in the general election. This is the winning coalition from 2018 and Obama years: African-American and suburban voters, the strategist said.

Mr Trump is watching those polls carefully, and hes mindful that he has to put his 2016 Electoral College map back together again -- a needle he must again thread. That includes Pennsylvania.
New Delhi: Acting on the continuously deteriorating situation of Yes Bank, the government has banned its functioning for 30 days. With this, the withdrawal limit for account holders has been fixed at 50 thousand rupees. Yes, this situation of the Bank seems to have an impact on the service of the phone. PhonePe has made Yes Bank its banking partner. However, last Thursday night tweet from PhonePe was told that services are still disrupted due to 'unscheduled maintenance activity'. An apology was made and it was said that services would be restored soon.

Israel: Elections held for the third time in a year, Netanyahu Holds Lead but Lacks a Majority

Soon after, PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam informed that this is the effect of the government's action on banking partner Yes Bank. Along with this, hoped that the services will soon become normal. From Friday morning, there is a problem with the service of PhonePe.

Coronavirus Scare: Saudi Arabia issues warning regarding journey to Iran

The announcement was made by the government last Thursday evening. Yes, Bank The work of the bank is being entrusted to the RBI. After this, Yes Bank's customers are seen to be stirred up. This order which continued on Friday also. Customers started arriving at Yes Bank ATMs at night. The ATMs were empty last night. After this, people started arriving before the bank opened in the morning. Yes Bank branches were crowded all over the country. People started worrying about their accumulated capital. In fact, the assurance has been given by the RBI and the government that investors' money will not be lost.

Budget session: Committee constituted to investigate uproar, both houses adjourned till March 11
Australia records second COVID-19 death as case numbers climb

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:03, March 05, 2020

SYDNEY, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A 95-year-old woman who passed away in Australia this week has tested positive for COVID-19, health authorities confirmed on Thursday, taking the country's death toll from the virus to 2.

The woman was among a number of residents at a Sydney aged care facility who had contact with an infected nurse, with two other elderly residents also testing positive for the disease.

New South Wales (NSW) chief Health officer, Dr. Kerry Chant said it was expected more COVID-19 cases could be confirmed at that facility in coming days.

A total of six new cases were confirmed in NSW on Thursday, taking the total number there to 22, and 52 overall in Australia.

One of the newly infected patients was a doctor working at a Sydney hospital, who had no recent history of overseas travel but had been in contact with a number of patients and staff.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that the doctor attended a radiology seminar last month, before she was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday.

A 53-year-old male doctor diagnosed with COVID-19 this week also attended the conference along with around 77 other medical professionals.

"NSW Health has been working very hard to try to contact each of those doctors and other attendees of the conference, so far it has been positive, nobody else is showing any symptoms of coronavirus," Hazzard said.

The spread of the disease in Australian hospitals and nursing homes has caused particular concern as these facilities appear to be more vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.

Testing has been conducted at a childcare facility near the nursing home where the 95-year-old woman died, to determine if children who were part of a recent visit were responsible for bringing the virus in.

Visits by children and students to nursing homes is common in NSW, however health officials said they are advising all visits be stopped until further notice.

"For the ultimate prudence we are advising that these visits of groups of children is curtailed at this time," Chant said

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President Donald Rump has mocked failed presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg with a scene from the 1987 comedy Spaceballs.

'Mini Mike, youre easy!' Trump tweeted on Thursday, along with a GIF showing Bloomberg's face superimposed on Dark Helmet, the stunted villain of the sci-fi parody film.

Trump's face is superimposed on the hero who easily holds the flailing Dark Helmet at arm's length, in the clip created by Twitter personality @mad_liberals.

Trump posted the video as a direct response to a somber Star Wars clip that Bloomberg shared after bowing out of the Democratic presidential primary.

Trump mocked Bloomberg with this scene from the 1987 comedy Spaceballs

Bloomberg had previously posted this clip comparing himself to Obi-Wan Kenobi

'If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine,' says Obi-Wan Kenobi as he confronts Darth Vader in the clip Bloomberg posted.

'See you soon, Donald,' was Bloomberg's remark, responding to Trump's comments mocking him for his failed campaign.

Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, exited the race on Wednesday after a dismal performance in the 14 Super Tuesday states. He immediately endorsed Joe Biden.

The billionaire businessman is funding an anti-Trump operation in six battleground states in an effort to oust the Republican president in November.

Trump posted the video as a direct response to a somber Star Wars clip that Bloomberg shared after bowing out of the Democratic presidential primary

Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, exited the race on Wednesday after a dismal performance in the 14 Super Tuesday states

Bloomberg will dip into his vast fortune to pay for field offices in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, campaign aides said Thursday.

It will be done through some type of independent expenditure committee that won't be able to coordinate with any campaign, though aides are still figuring out the legal details and what the name and budget of the organization will be.

Bloomberg is worth an estimated $61 billion and has already spent more than $500 million on his own campaign.

The 78-year-old head of Bloomberg LP, the financial data and media company, has been one of the biggest donors to Democratic campaigns as well as causes such as gun control and climate change in recent years.
Five years ago, it was hard to come by any formal numbers for annual VC investment in Africa. These days the challenge is choosing which number to follow.

That's the case with three venture funding studies for Africa that turned up varied results.

The numbers and variance

Investment stats released by media outlet Disrupt Africa, data-base WeeTracker and Africa focused fund Partech have left some people scratching their heads.

From high to low, Partech pegged total 2019 VC for African startups at $2 billion, compared to WeeTracker's $1.3 billion estimate and Disrupt Africa's $496 million.

That's a fairly substantial spread of $1.5 billion between the assessments. The variance filtered down to country VC valuations, though it was a little less sharp.

Africa Top VC Markets 2019

Partech and WeeTracker shared the same top-three countries for 2019 VC investment in Africa  Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt  but with hundred-million dollar differences.

Disrupt Africa came up with a different lead market for startup investment on the continent  Kenya  though its $149 million estimate for the East African country was some $500 million lower than Partech and WeeTracker's VC leader, Nigeria.

So what accounts for the big deviations? TechCrunch spoke to each organization (and reviewed the reports) and found the contrasting stats derive from different methodologies  namely defining what constitutes a startup and an African startup.

Partech's larger overall VC valuation for the continent comes from broader parameters for companies and quantifying investment.

"We do not limit the definition of startups by age of the incorporation or size of funds raised," Partech General Partner Tidjane Deme told TechCrunch.

This led the fund, for example, to include Visa's $200 million investment in Nigerian financial-services company Interswitch . The corporate round was certainly tech-related, though few would classify Interswitch  which launched in 2002, acquires companies, and has a venture fund  as a startup.

Story continues

Partech's higher annual VC value for Africa's startups could also connect to tallying confidential investment data.

"We...collect and analyze undisclosed deals, accessing more detailed information thanks to our relationships within the ecosystem," the fund's report disclosed.

WeeTracker's methodology also included data on undisclosed startup investments and opened up the count to funding sources beyond VC.

"Debt/loans, grants/awards/prizes/non-equity assistance, crowdfunding, [and] ICOs are included," WeeTracker clarified in a methodology note.

Disrupt Africa used a more conservative approach across companies and investment. "We are a bit more narrow on what we consider a startup to be," the site's co-founder Tom Jackson told TechCrunch.

"In the clearest scenario, an African startup would be headquartered in Africa, founded by an African, and have Africa as its primary market," Disrupt Africa's report stated  though Jackson noted all these factors don't always align.

"Disrupt Africa tackles this issue on a case-by-case basis," he said.

Partech was more liberal in its definition of an African startup, including investment for tech-companies that count Africa as their primary market, but not insisting they be incorporated or operate HQs on the continent.

Andela Founders

That opened up inclusion of large 2019 rounds to Africa focused, New York headquartered tech-talent accelerator Andela and investment to Opera's verticals, such as OPay in Nigeria.

In addition to following a more conservative definition of African startup, Disrupt Africa's report was more particular to early-stage ventures. The site's report primarily counted investment for companies founded within the last five years and excluded "spin-offs of corporates or any other large entity...that [has]...developed past the point of being a startup."

Accurately measuring venture funding for Africa is clearly a work in progress. An early estimate in 2015 placed it at just over $400 million, so by Partech and WeeTracker's 2019 numbers, capital to African startups has potentially doubled or quadrupled in just four years.

Commonalities across reports

For all the differences on annual VC counts for Africa, there were some common threads across WeeTracker, Partech, and Disrupt Africa's investment reports.

The first was the rise of Nigeria  which has Africa's largest population and economy  as the top destination for startup investment on the continent.

The second was the prominence of fintech as the most funded startup sector across Africa, gaining 54% of all VC in Partech's report and $678 million of the $1.3 billion to startups in WeeTracker's study.

VC inequality

An unfortunate commonality in each report was the preponderance of startup investment going to English speaking Africa. No francophone country made it into the the top five in any of the three reports. Only Senegal registered on Partech's country-list, with a small $16 million in VC in 2019.

The Dakar Angel Network launched last year to bridge the resource gap for startups in French-speaking African countries.

Final sum

There may not be a right or wrong stat for annual investment to African startups, just three reports with different methodologies that capture unique snapshots.

Partech and WeeTracker offer a broader view of multiple types of financial support flowing to tech companies operating in Africa. Disrupt Africa's assessment is more specific to a standard definition of VC going to startups founded and operating in Africa.

Three reports with varying numbers on the continent's startup investment is an upgrade to what was available not so long ago: little to no formal data on VC in Africa.
It can be a long way from Washington, D.C. to a mine site. The issues involved in mining can seem pretty abstract to a legislator shuffling through papers, even though mining provides the materials for their cell phones and so many of the tools and materials which they rely on daily.

Thats why a group of women from the Womens Mining Coalition fly to Washington D.C. each year to visit with legislators and other professionals. The women with the WMC give legislators the opportunity to visit with people who actually work in the mining industry.

Were really passionate about what we do and how important these careers are to us. I think thats why were effective as a group talking to legislators, said WMC President Sara Thorne.

The WMCs 28th annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. is coming up this spring. Last year, a group of nearly 40 women spent three and a half days in Washington, and had 251 face-to-face meetings with people in congressional offices, as well as meetings with people at the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

We have typically between 40 to 50 women from around the United States representing everything from the hard rock mining industry to coal that go visit with the legislators and educate them on issues that are potentially affecting our industry. Thorne said. We support and advocate for a strong domestic mining industry, which is vitally important to our nation, our communities, our families, and our livelihood. We educate the legislators because our country depends on mining. And todays regulations and modern technologies ensure responsible stewardship of our lands.

Our core mission is that were advocating for a sustainable mining industry.

The start of WMC

The Womens Mining Coalition started in 1993 when Ruth Carraher and two other women decided to make a trip to Washington, D.C. That year mining law reform was being discussed, and a lot of women had been newly elected to Congress.

There were three of us, Kathy Benedetto, Debbie Struhsacker and myself, who got together and said we should go tell these new women members of congress about mining, Carraher said. I was working for Coeur at the time and their CEO said this is a great idea, and arranged for Kathy, Debbie and me to meet with a gentleman who was lobbying for the mining industry in Washington, D.C. And so, since 1993 we been going back to discuss issues that are important to the mining industry.

That first trip, almost every office said, Gee, there are women working in the mining industry? And we still hear some of that. If you live in northeastern Nevada, you know more about the mining industry. But if you live in an area that has absolutely no mining, you only have visions of the past, mining from 20-mule-team Borax days type of thing.

Two women in mining

Carraher worked for major and junior mining and exploration companies for more than 30 years, and she is now an independent consulting geologist exploring for metals.

I do exploration for minerals, mostly gold and silver, but also some lithium, Carraher said. I always liked rocks as a kid. I decided in college to major in geology. At that time I would never have expected Id end up working this many years as an exploration geologist, but its been great. Ive worked in Nevada mostly, but also in the Western United States, plus Mexico, Bolivia and Argentina, and I lived in China for a while.

Im still out there doing what wed call prospecting and taking a look at under-explored areas with our new exploration techniques and new understanding of ore deposits.

Thorne graduated from San Diego State University in 2003 with a bachelors degree in biological anthropology. She got involved with mining when she started working with Fronteer Golds Long Canyon project between Wells and Wendover in 2008. She is now a senior permitting manager at Coeur Mining.

My introduction to mining was at the exploration phase, working at the Long Canyon project, Thorne said. I was working as a biologist for a consulting firm. I got to see that mountain, all the steep slopes and the juniper forests, before there were any roads or drill sites out there, getting out ahead of the equipment, to make sure there werent any active bird nests in harms way.

It was exciting watching the geologists as they were logging the core, and evaluating it, even before it got sent off to be assayed. You could tell the amount of enthusiasm they had, that this was something extraordinary and very special to them. Ill never forget that day, when they brought in the core from near the center of the area where the open pit is being mined now.  They pulled me into their core trailer, and they were like hey, look at this. I only wish I was a geologist and I really knew how truly magnificent it was, what I was looking at.

Once they had gotten the assays back, and they announced that Newmont was making an offer to purchase it, then you know thats a really big deal.

I would consider that to be a milestone in my career, and what really got me anchored into wanting to spend my career in mining.

Being a part of that projects evolution from discovery, much like what Ruth is focused on, to production, and being able to add my expertise to the team that helped get the Long Canyon mine permitted and into production, was a big accomplishment.

I went into this line of work to ensure that our environment is safe and that reclamation is successful, and thats what the current focus is of my position with Coeur Mining. And this experience carries over into what we do with the Womens Mining Coalition.

That experience Sara had, Carraher said, or Ive had out in the field doing work, when we take these experiences to our legislators - which is what the Womens Mining Coalition is about - is giving a face to the mining industry. You can express to them the enthusiasm. You can express to them how much hard work somebody like Sara has put into doing the surveying to make sure all the rules and regulations are followed to protect things such as wildlife species, or mitigate areas with potential erosion problems.

The challenge is always there for us, and being able to express the consequences of proposed legislation to legislators both at the state and federal level is very important to the mining industry as a whole.

Thorne commented she feels very lucky to have been involved with an exploration project which developed into a mine, since so few exploration projects actually become a mine. Carraher commented she, too, was involved in a successful exploration project at Jerritt Canyon.

Both of us were quite fortunate, I think, in being on the ground at a couple of discoveries here in Nevada, Carraher said.

A lot of people spend their whole careers in the industry trying to be part of something like that, and the fact we were both able to have that experience in our careers is really special, Thorne said.

Visiting Congress

Today, there are several parallels to the way things were when Carraher and other women made their first trip to Washington, D.C. in 1993. Legislators are again considering mining reform, and a lot of women have been newly elected to Congress.

This congress has the highest percentage of women lawmakers ever to have been elected to Congress, Thorne said. So we look forward as women to talking to them and their staffs about the importance of mining.

I think we still see that a lot of offices we go in, they dont see many people that are working in the mining industry, who actually work at a mine, or do exploration for minerals. So its refreshing I think for them to be able to see women who are actually doing work on the ground.

Carraher said last spring when they visited with legislators who are pushing for a greener economy, the legislators did have some sense of the importance of mining.

There wasnt an office I went into that didnt share some concerns they had with where all the minerals are going to come from for the new technology we need, for generating electricity in a green economy. So it was refreshing, actually. It doesnt mean anything will change fast, but it was refreshing to see that they understood mining is a big part of our modern society.

Again, they dont have a real grasp on how long it takes to go out, explore for and make that discovery, but they can see the need for it.

Theres a big disconnect in Washington D.C. with the products which are actually being produced from mining, Thorne said. Much like the disconnect we have when we go to the grocery store and we buy a gallon of milk. Its there, we buy it, we drink it, we benefit from it, and we dont think about where it comes from.

The issues right now with critical and strategic minerals and renewable energy development are things were facing in the US and around the world. It takes mining to produce the materials in order for us to have infrastructure development and improvement as well as renewable energy infrastructure. So if we can mine those metals in the U.S., and we can mine the majority of them here, if we can get funding and get them permitted and if its economical to operate in the United States, then not only do we have the benefits from those materials but we have the benefits from the direct and the indirect jobs. Then we also have the benefits from being able to manufacture those products in the United States.

When we make these trips to Washington, D.C. we often bring graphics with us showing things like, whats in your cell phone? And I think people are really surprised that those products are mined and theyre not grown from vegetables.

Our medical technology is a fantastic example of things which are mined, Thorne said. All of the equipment in the hospitals used for our health and to advance our medical technology, all come from mined products. So if we can mine them here in the U.S. with some of the strictest environmental and safety regulations in the world, then it seems thats the way we should be doing things. And really thats our mission and what were advocating for, because a lot of folks just arent educated on where things come from.

Theyre not educated on where the needed minerals come from, Carraher said, and they need to see that if we want to be able to manufacture cell phones here, we can mine some of the material needed for those cell phones right here, creating jobs, creating the supply chain right here in the United States to help the economy. Otherwise, basically we are just exporting jobs and exporting the generation of new wealth.

Over the years, in addition to talking about the mining industry and the effect of proposed legislation, the members of the Womens Mining Coalition have also assisted and provided expert testimony for members of Congress and caucuses.

Mining law reform

Back in 1993 when Carraher made her first trip to Washington, D.C., Congress was working on mining law reform. Hardrock mining operates under the Mining Law of 1872. With this law, the U.S. does not collect a royalty on the production value of hard rock minerals extracted from public lands. While the the U.S. does collect a 12.5 percent royalty on coal, oil and gas, there is no royalty legislated by the 1872 Mining Law. Since hard rock mining is governed by a law that is nearly 150 years old, talk about reforming the mining law comes up on a regular basis in Congress.

Carraher said that when mining law reform was discussed in the early 1990s, the mining industry worked with many of the delegations, especially the western states, and came up with something acceptable to the mining industry.

The mining law developed in the early 1990s included a five percent net proceeds royalty on future mining operations on public lands.

This mining law became part of the fiscal year 1995 budget reconciliation bill which President Bill Clinton vetoed in Dec. 1995.

Of course, some people criticized the 1995 mining law for not going far enough. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) said in 1999, when he was introducing new mining reform proposals, that the law vetoed in 1995 provided so many exorbitant and absurd loopholes that most mines could have avoided paying the royalty.

Carraher said, however, that the early 1990s mining law was a good compromise, and its unfortunate it ended up getting vetoed.

It really is too bad, because the fact is, had it been passed, had he signed it, then they would have been collecting royalties the mining industry would have accepted because mines would have been able to continue to operate and would have been profitable, Carraher said.

Currently, some members of Congress are promoting Rep. Raul Grijalvas (D-Ariz.) Hardrock Leasing and Reclamation Act of 2019. This bill includes a 12.5 percent royalty on production from new hard rock mining operations.

The American Exploration & Mining Association has called Grijalvas legislation a disaster in the making for the domestic mining industry and for America.

The fact is, hardrock mining is fundamentally different than oil, gas, and coal because it is much more difficult to find and develop hardrock mineral resources, AEMA said in a press release.

Grijalvas bill is really a nonstarter for the mining industry, Carraher said. The 12.5 percent on new mines means new mines probably wont fly economically. And the eight percent on existing mines really puts many, if not most, in jeopardy.

It would really limit exploration and mining in the US, Carraher said. Right now with the large amounts of minerals and materials we import from other countries that we could be producing here, this proposed legislation would only make it worse. Ive been involved with a lithium property, and we could be mining lithium in the United States, but were not mining it here because its easier for companies to invest in mining lithium in South America, or in other nations. The same with rare earths, where China is controlling everything. Theyre mining it, and theyre controlling the processing of it. Grijalvas bill would make it even harder to produce needed minerals in the USA.

One week after the WMCs Washington, D.C. fly-in last spring, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on mining law reform, and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) during his opening remarks used a handout which the WMC members had given him on how many mined commodities have to be imported to the United States.

It was really neat to be watching a hearing live from Washington, D.C. on my computer screen in Nevada and see one of the graphics we had just handed out at the fly-in, Thorne said.

Grijalvas bill was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee 21-13, largely on party lines. There were two crossovers. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) voted against the bill, and Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) voted for it.

Certainly we do appreciate the fact that Rep. Horsford from district 4 voted against the Grijalva bill, Carraher said. And I think it is because Rep. Horsford understands hed like to see the supply chain here for these metals and minerals we need for both national security and to move to different energy sources.

Grijalvas bill is expected to be approved in the House, but it probably will not be taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate.

But the fact is the Grijalva language will come up again in another session, Carraher said. So we all need to be paying attention to what this will mean to the state of Nevada.

Were going to keep going out with the Womens Mining Coalition and doing everything we can to educate these folks on the importance of mining, Thorne said. And hopefully as we continue to circulate that message, it will help calm the appetite for bills like this in the future.

The permitting process

Thorne said each year before the Womens Mining Coalition makes the fly-in visit to Washington, D.C., the group decides which key issues they will be focusing on. One priority they focus on each year is permit streamlining in the United States.

We have a very lengthy environmental permitting process, Thorne said. We appreciate the complexity of it because this is our backyard and we want to do the best we can for sustainable mining and making sure were doing things within the regulations. So we dont want to cut corners on any of the regulations, but we think we could significantly shorten the amount of time it takes to get a permit.

With the length of time that takes in the United States, it affects our industry from the top down because our executives have a hard time finding the funding and investment it takes to get projects to operating mines. And investors would rather invest their money somewhere else, like China, for instance, where theyre going to get a quicker return on their investment. So permit streamlining is always a big focus of the legislative challenges were working on.

Carraher said some changes have been made which help to speed the process up.

There was a time when if it had to go to 30 different desks, it went to one at a time, Carraher said. Here it was on this desk, and it could sit for three weeks, and then it was on to the next desk. Now they can put them on all 30 desks at the same time, so instead of taking six months to have a review, maybe it will only take two weeks. So its not about cutting corners at all, its about being efficient.

Thorne said she thinks more people need to be working on the permitting processes.

I definitely think the federal agencies need more personnel, Thorne said. Especially in Nevada, on our federal lands, where a lot of these projects are being permitted, those offices are largely understaffed or theyre even advertising for positions and they cant fill them. And because Nevada is one of the biggest mining states in the United States, theres a big workload here for processing permits on public lands. So you find a lot of times in these offices, maybe theres one archaeologist for an entire office and they have a stack of 30 permits on their desk, and that isnt their sole responsibility, either. Theyre also responsible for if theres a wildland fire, being out on the fire in front of the fire crews, trying to keep historic preservation in place.

I definitely think inadequate staff is a really large problem, and it seems like rather than giving the funding to the government agencies to hire an adequate level of staff, that funding keeps getting cut more and more every year.

The current administration has placed time limits on some permitting processes, but Carraher said inadequate staffing remains a problem.

When you dont have enough people, you cant increase your efficiency, Carraher said. So even if youre supposed to, if youve got one person where maybe you need three, it just cant be done.

Women in mining

Along with helping people involved in government to have a better understanding of the mining industry and its importance, the Womens Mining Coalition also helps women learn about the opportunities for careers in mining.

As an organization were reaching out to universities and trade schools and were trying to get them to join the Womens Mining Coalition, Thorne said. This helps develop interest in the industry and the variety of careers which are available in the industry. And it also provides women with a network and job possibilities by helping them get to know people working in the industry. Weve got everything in our organization from engineers to heavy equipment operators, to environmental managers, to financial analysts, and the list goes on.

Although years ago women were prohibited from entering some mines, and the industry has long been male dominated, Thorne and Carraher said they have not encountered much bias as women in the industry.

I must say, the very first job I applied for, somebody said no women, Carraher said. But thats OK. Its been all great since then. Ive worked with a lot of groups, companies where the men and other women there were terrific. Always supportive, always collaborative, always wanting to do the best job on a project that you can.

I think its a great job for women, no matter what they want to do in the industry.

Carraher said she has seen situations where a womans decision to step into the mining industry has been a transformative experience.

There was one woman who had five children, her husband had left her, she was working two, three, four jobs to make ends meet, Carraher said. And then she got a job driving haul truck at a mine, and all of a sudden her children had health insurance, and dental and eyewear, and four of them got scholarships to college. I mean, it changed her life. And what else was she going to do in a rural community? Or actually, what would she have done if she was in an urban area? The same sort of thing. A bunch of jobs just to make ends meet. So for some of the women working in the mining industry, its totally turned their life around.

Asked about what thoughts they would share with young women considering a career in the mining industry, Carraher said, For me it would be its been great career and life. Ive had a lot of fun.

I think we should encourage people to go for the gold, Thorne said. Theres really a diverse and profitable range of careers in the mining industry. I started my career working in construction and development. If I would have gone right out of school into a mining industry career, I think it really would have advanced my career a lot more quickly. I didnt know opportunities in mining were available at the time.

Now that I understand these opportunities are available, I talk to people every chance I get and let them know what a great industry it is to work for.

The number of women working in mining has been growing over the years, but the percentage is still quite low. Dana Bennett, the recently retired president of the Nevada Mining Association, wrote in 2016, In 1965, the U.S. Womens Bureau found that nearly half of Nevada women were employed, but few worked in mining. Nationally, women made up only 6% of the entire mining workforce. Women were legally barred from working in mining in 17 states. Nevada was not one of those, but it did restrict the hours that women could work, thus limiting their availability to accept shift work in mines.

Fast forward 50 years. Many of the laws that constrained womens labor choices are now gone, but many of the notions about womens abilities persist. The percentage of women employed in mining remains low, despite many studies demonstrating that businesses prosper when women are included among their hourly and executive employees.

Change has come but slowly. A recent study of Nevada Mining Association members found that only 14% of the mining workforce is female. Of the mining professionals (such as engineers and geologists), only 19% are women; of all field operations, only 11% are women. Another study discovered that women make up only 5% of all haul truck drivers.

A May 2019 story by Linda Doku said, According to Bloomberg, the proportion of women employed by mining companies sits at around 15.7%, up only 1% in the past five years.

Thorne said she thinks the number of women in mining will continue to increase. She said at Coeur Mining, where she works, Overall 12% of our population are women, but in 2018, 15% of our new hires were women. So thats actually a pretty big increase. And of our female employees 62% are in operations and/or technical roles. We have a development program, and 33% of our development program participants are women.

I think were really going to start to see that trend change faster in the next 10 years, especially as all of the companies are recognizing a lot of our workforce is between 45 and 55, and we have a lot of folks approaching retirement.

At a Nevada Gold Mines update meeting for the public on Aug. 7, 2019 in Elko, Barrick Gold Corp. CEO Mark Bristow made the comment, I always say women are much better drivers. I can tell you that for a fact. Those big trucks  they handle them better than men. And weve got the statistics to prove that.

When asked about that comment, both Thorne and Carraher laughed, and said they have heard similar comments. Carraher said people at one of the northern Nevada mines told her they would love to have more women equipment operators because the women are more dependable and they treat the equipment better, but also pay attention to the equipment more, so things are fixed quickly instead of really going downhill.

At that August meeting Bristow also commented professional women have to work harder than professional men, partly because they have to deal with prejudice. Thorne and Carraher said, however, they have not really experienced this kind of prejudice.

I do think I work hard, but the people around me work hard, too, Carraher said.

I think were representing a modern mining industry, Thorne said, and with the industry being forward looking, we work around people who have good attitudes, and they want to work with the best team possible. So if people are qualified, and thats who makes up the team, then everybody benefits.

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Be it an epidemic scare or a financial distress, the Twitterati know how to make a day as the microblogging site got flooded with memes on the Yes Bank crisis amid fears that depositors may lose their hard-earned money.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the government, on Thursday put the cash-strapped private sector lender under moratorium for a period of 30 days, restricting the overall withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000.

Reacting to the developments, a Twitter user @Abhishekmissh posted, "Given the way our banks are toppling, I think the promise made was to make India a 3-trillion economy. Three trillion paise that is. #yesbankcrisis."



A 'reporter-FM joke', shared by @dilippanawar with #yesBankcrisis, read: "Reporter: FM, #YesBank has gone bad. FM: I don't care my account is in ICICI."



Another user @i_theindian wrote: "History repeats itself. #DeMonetisation #yesbankcrisis", posting a picture of people sitting in a line with closed shutters in the background.

Kshitiz2420, whose bio reads 'I make jokes when I m uncomfortable', posted "Yes Bank right now" with a movie actor playing role of a soldier, calling from a fixed-line saying, "Halat Bohat Kharab hai (the situation is very tight now)."



A post by account 'Doctor Nirav Modi @niiravmodi' read, "I am a Hindu, last year, the government shut PMC Bank 10 days before Diwali where my account was, I lost all my savings, I couldn't celebrate Diwali. Then I opened my bank account at #YesBank and just 5 days before Holi, I lost my rupees again. Modi ji, just tell me why only Hindus?#yesbankcrisis."



Dr AbhyudayOm (@craziestlazy) wrote "worthless cheque" with an animated picture of a cheque written Yes Bank cheque of Rs 5 crore.

Host of other users posted memes ranging from a picture of smiling former prime minister Manmohan Singh telling himself "History will be kinder to me" #yesbankcrisis.

User Sreevathsav S Naik @sreevathsav posted a screenshot of former Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor of what he once famously said, "Diamonds are forever. My promoter shares of @YESBANK are invaluable to me."



Shares of Yes Bank dipped Rs 84.93 per cent to an intra-day low of Rs 5.55, its 52-week low. The shares came under massive selling pressure on Friday, plunging 56 per cent at close to Rs 16.20 apiece on the BSE.

The RBI in a latest development said the country's largest lender state-owned State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed willingness to invest in the cash-strapped Yes Bank.

On the other hand, the bank's customers were also seemed distressed on the microblogging site, sending messages to the bank saying they were facing net banking issues, wanted to close their account and the likes. This apart, long queues of customers could be seen at various bank branches and ATMs to take out money.

The bank has been responding to the customer queries both online and offline, assuring them that there deposits are safe.

Even as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured that the bank will not be allowed to go bust, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said Yes Bank resolution efforts are aimed at maintaining "stability and resilience" in the Indian financial sector and the difficulties will be overcome "very swiftly".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
THE GOP GOOD OLD BOYS BROUGHT DOWN GUV GREITENS!!!

Missouri case that toppled GOP governor boomerangs on Soros-backed prosecutor Kimberly Gardner made history in 2016, roaring to an election victory as St. Louis city's first African-American chief prosecutor on a campaign funded heavily by the liberal mega-donor George Soros. Four years later, she finds herself under investigation and her chief investigator already indicted for a prosecution gone bad, one that forced Missouri's Republican governor to resign in what some now believe may have been a political attack.

We're linking this after a few readers have sent this one my way . . . Don't get it twisted, we're not defending a sloppy prosecution thatshould have been a case. STL is a cesspool with leadership that should terrify KCMO against "local control" and social justice politics. But that doesn't make the antics of this disgraced politico any better.And again and again . . .. Anybody who REALLY knows Jeff City understands something simple:Imagining the involvement of some far away billionaire is willfully naive, dangerous and a distraction for the plebs. The former Guv basically spit in the face of his Republican colleagues over and over and never learned a fundamental lesson in politics:As always, there isn't a good guy in this story no matter how hard the alt-right tries to look . . . Checkit:
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security had said the policy would apply only to migrants who had not sought protections in Guatemala on their way to the United States. But the department indicated in January that the pact could extend to Mexican migrants, though that is not currently in effect.

Homeland Security Department officials have said the policy is meant to encourage migrants to apply for protections closer to their home countries. But in theory, it means that an asylum seeker from Juarez, Mexico, could be deported from the El Paso border crossing a mile from his home to the Guatemalan border nearly 2,000 miles away.

As of Wednesday, more than 800 Honduran and Salvadoran migrants have been sent back to Guatemala under the agreement, according to the Guatemalan Institute of Migration.

It has turned the American asylum system on its head, the union said in its brief, filed in support of a lawsuit against the policy. Referring to the Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, the filing noted, Rather than have their asylum claims heard, refugees from the Northern Triangle countries are permanently removed to other Northern Triangle countries  which are themselves some of the most dangerous countries on earth and are the source of large numbers of refugees.
EDMONTON, Alberta, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A focused commitment to member financial fitness has influenced strong financial performance for Servus Credit Union in 2019, despite challenging economic factors impacting Albertans. Servus achieved record-breaking net income of $100.5 million and returned $57 million in Profit Share Rewards cash and dividends to members.



"From our beginnings in 1938, our cooperative principles and our commitment to the financial well-being of our members have guided us," said Garth Warner, Servus Credit Union's President & CEO. "Our strong performance in 2019 is a reflection of the hard work our members have put toward their financial fitness, which is what we're here to help them with."

Members responded to Servus's promise to build their financial fitness with increased business in 2019, resulting in:

Net income (after dividends, patronage and taxes) rose by 16.5% to $100.6 million

Assets grew 1.1% to $16.3 billion and our capital is well over the legislated requirement

Deposits increased by 2.4% to $13.1 billion

Loans expanded by 1.7% to $14.5 billion

Retained earnings were boosted by 9.2% to $909.4 million

As a result of strong financial results, Servus paid out the most it ever has to members. Servus paid $57 million to members in Profit Share Rewards cash ($32.4 million) and dividends ($24.6 million), the largest payout in its history. Since 2009, Servus has returned more than $530 million to members, a financial benefit of membership offered only by Servus and some credit unions.

Other 2019 highlights:

Servus Credit Union contributed $3.4 billion to Alberta's economy.

Servus invested $2.3 million in 800 community organizations.

Edson Credit Union amalgamated with Servus in 2019.

Built a new branch in the Calgary community of Bridlewood.

Expanded and improved online service products with a full suite of mobile payment options, new online banking products and improved online banking services.

Forbes recognized Servus as one of Canada's Best Employers in 2019.

Full details of Servus's 2019 financial performance can be seen at 2019 Servus financial statements .

About Servus Credit Union Ltd.

At Servus Credit Union we're building a better world, one member at a time. We've been shaping the financial fitness of Albertans for 80 years with a full line of secure financial services. We help members manage their money wherever they are through 101 branches in 59 communities; online, mobile and telephone banking; and 1900 no-fee ATMs across Canada. We re-invest our profits in our members and the communities we serve. For more information, call 1.877.378.8728 or visit servus.ca.

For more information contact:

Amanda LeNeve

Manager, Media & Member Engagement

Servus Credit Union

T: 780.638.8838

C: 587.920.9158

Email: amanda.leneve@servus.ca
>>> Vietnam approves new coronavirus test kits, daily capacity at 10,000 units

>>> Preventive measures needed to respond to Covid-19: health expert

Hang said the Foreign Ministry and Vietnamese representative agencies have actively and proactively launched measures to support and protect Vietnamese citizens living, studying, working and travelling abroad, especially in epidemic-hit areas.

The Foreign Ministry actively updated information and warned Vietnamese citizens not to travel to affected areas. They also advised Vietnamese people living in the affected areas to follow guidelines and directions by the host authorities, and avoid taking unnecessary trips.

In coordination with ministries, agencies and localities, the Foreign Ministry directed Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to work closely with the host authorities, asked Vietnamese embassies to regularly provide news about efforts on disease prevention and control, ensuring that medical care will be provided for infected persons and mitigating issues that negatively impact Vietnamese citizens.

Vietnamese representative agencies abroad have launched hotlines round-the-clock, particularly in affected areas to offer instructions and stay ready to support citizens if necessary, she said.

As for infected Vietnamese citizens abroad, Vietnamese representative agencies are required to regularly contact and ask the host authorities to offer treatment. At present, Vietnamese patients are in stable conditions.

About the Republic of Korea (RoK)s dispatch of three quick-response teams to Vietnam to help Korean citizens under medical supervision, Hang affirmed that the Vietnamese agencies concerned will directly handle the RoKs request.

According to Hang, Vietnam still regularly shares information and creates favourable conditions for the RoK to conduct citizen protection measures in line with Vietnam and international law and practices.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 6, 2020 - 22:01 | World, All, Japan, Coronavirus

South Korea on Friday announced the suspension of a visa-waiver program for Japanese and a mandatory two-week quarantine for visitors from the country, in response to similar measures imposed by Tokyo in connection with the new coronavirus outbreak.

First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei Young said the measures, which also include the cancellation of already issued visas, go into effect from Monday.

Speaking at a briefing at the ministry, Cho said that the decision to tighten restrictions for Japanese was made based on a recent review of Japan's containment system.

"We took into account the fact that questions about vulnerability were raised in Japan's response to the epidemic against the new coronavirus," he added.

The visa waver program enables Japanese to travel to the country for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

A ministry official explained that Japanese citizens who have already entered South Korea without visas could continue their stays without issue.

The Japanese government announced Thursday that visitors from South Korea and China will be asked to quarantine themselves for two weeks at designated facilities. It is also revoking some visas already issued to travelers from the two countries.

(South Korean soldiers disinfect a street in Seoul)

Related coverage:

Visitors to Japan plunge in February amid virus fears

South Korea's coronavirus cases rise to 6,284, with 42 deaths

Dog of coronavirus patient in Hong Kong tests positive for virus

The move was prompted in part by a surge in infection cases in South Korea and its efforts to contain the epidemic within it.

South Korea's criticism of the response and its retaliation lay bare, once again, the rocky relationship between the two neighbors, which have long feuded over territorial and historical disputes.

Earlier Friday, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha summoned Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koji Tomita to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a protest.

She criticized the measure as "unfair" and "unscientific," and warned that if not withdrawn, the ministry would take reciprocal measures.

Tomita responded by saying he will deliver the message to his home country, while explaining that Japan has worries over the deadly virus spreading in the country.

In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi defended Thursday's decision, saying it was intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Japan and should not cause any diplomatic friction between the neighboring countries.

"This is a temporary measure and I don't believe it will have a harmful effect on Japan-South Korea relations," he told a press conference.

Meanwhile, China on Friday voiced understanding of the Japanese move.

"Each country has taken scientific and reasonable steps to protect the lives and health of its people and to maintain global public health," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

Earlier this week, the Beijing municipal government announced the enforcement of a 14-day quarantine and observation for those traveling from severely infected countries, including Japan and South Korea.

South Korea has the largest number of coronavirus infection cases outside China with over 6,200 confirmed. Most cases have been found in the southeastern city of Daegu, where mass transmissions are believed to have occurred among members of a minor Christian sect.
Iran opening 14 new hospitals amid coronavirus surge

03/06/20

Source: Press TV

Iran's health ministry is taking the delivery of 14 new hospitals across the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases that has increased the need for treatment facilities. Iranian minister for Roads and Urban Development said on Wednesday that three out of the 14 new hospitals had already been handed over to the health ministry.



Coronavirus quarantine section at Golestan hospital in Kermanshah, Iran

(photo by Islamic Republic News Agency)

Mohammad Eslami said those facilities are located in the cities in center, north and northwest of the country and have a total 547 beds.

Eslami added that three more new hospitals in southeast, northwest and north of Iran with 603 beds will be handed over to the ministry of health once administrative hurdles are cleared.

The minister said construction for another group of hospitals in eight Iranian cities with 1,100 beds will finish until the end of the current Iranian calendar year on March 19.

The construction of the new hospitals comes as Iran struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 124 people and infected 4,747.



Official Iran's statistics on coronavirus as of March 6th

Infections: 4,747

Deaths: 124

New Cases: 1234

Recovered: 913

Health authorities have said that there would be a need for more hospitals if the infection spreads to more people and areas across Iran.

Some local authorities in the Iranian provinces have already moved to set up new hospitals using prefabricated buildings.

That comes as more than 1,200 hospitals and clinics across Iran have been ordered to process and treat patients suspected of having coronavirus.

Iranian authorities had said in November that the number of new hospital beds added to the country's health system in the current calendar year would be a record high in four decades of 8,100.
Easton is settling years worth of lawsuits over billboards, including one that sought $7.2 million in damages and another that aimed to put a digital sign in Centre Square.

City officials Thursday afternoon announced the settlement was reached to put an end to litigation filed by Adams Outdoor Advertising, its affiliate LVL Co. and the Benner family that owns the former Wells Fargo building at 16 Centre Square where the digital sign was proposed.

City council will vote on approving the settlement next Wednesday. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. was joined by three council members at Thursday's announcement, representing a majority on council in favor of the deal.

This hanging over your head, this seven-and-a-half-million-dollar lawsuit, was the largest lawsuit this citys had in 15 years, Panto said, noting the city just recently paid off its annual settlement obligation of $567,000 in the 2005 accidental shooting death of police officer Jesse Sollman inside police headquarters.

Although we felt very strongly about our case, you never know how a courts going to rule, especially at the federal level, or what theyre going to require you to settle for, Panto said.

An attorney representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuits did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The settlement dated Feb. 28 came together over the past three weeks, ending a legal saga spurred by a 2016 settlement with developer Abraham Atiyeh's PA Media billboard company. LVL, the Adams Outdoor Advertising affiliate, purchased the rights under that previous settlement to put up a digital billboard on city wastewater treatment plant property that would be visible along Interstate 78. Federal regulations prohibited that plan, however, leading to the $7.2 million lawsuit filed in 2018.

Under the settlement announced Thursday, according to city Solicitor Joel Scheer:

Easton agrees to give Adams Outdoor Advertising 25 years of free rent for a billboard on city land along Route 611 near the wastewater plant. The company had been paying about $1,500 a year.

The city will continue Adams Outdoor Advertising's lease for its billboard along Route 22 west of 13th Street, near Lower Hackett Park, at a discounted annual rate of $12,500 for seven years followed by $16,500 for seven years. After that, the company can opt into a five-year extension at the full cost of $25,000 a year.

Easton agrees to pay $100,000 over five years to Adams Outdoor Advertising, in cash or by purchasing that amount of advertising products from the company. Advertising purchased by the Greater Easton Development Partnership would count toward that sum, as well, and Panto indicated he'll pursue advertising to promote the city rather than just cut the company a check.

"All the litigation goes away," Scheer said.

That includes Dennis, Garrett and Brandon Benner's appeal to Northampton County Court seeking to overturn a city zoning hearing board decision against the proposed digital sign on their One 6 LLC building in Centre Square.

The city has paid around $100,000 to $120,000 in attorneys' fees to get to the point where the lawsuits can be settled, officials said. Absent a settlement, the next phase of the litigation would have been discovery, which can be very costly, city Councilman Roger Ruggles said.

Ruggles and Panto were joined at Thursdays announcement by council members Sandra Vulcano and David OConnell.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Vice President Mike Pence, at podium, speaks as Gov. Jay Inslee, left, and other officials look on during a news conference at Camp Murray in Washington state on March 5, 2020. Pence was in Washington to discuss the state's efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

US Working on Boosting Capacity of Coronavirus Testing Kits

The United States doesnt have enough coronavirus tests for anticipated demand, Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday, as he appeared to push back the target date of distributing enough test kits to conduct nearly one million tests. But Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told reporters on Friday that the administrations production and shipping of tests was on schedule.

Speaking to reporters in Minnesota, Pence said: We dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward. He said the administration wanted to have enough tests to cover anyone who wanted to be tested.

Stephen Hahn, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner, said Monday that the United States was trying to distribute enough testing kits by the end of the week to have the capacity to conduct close to one million tests. But Pence appeared to push back that goal, saying at a press conference in Washington that enough kits would be distributed to test 1.2 million samples by the end of next week.

By the end of the week after that, he said another four million tests would be available.

Azar, however, told reporters on Friday that the administration has provided all the tests to the states of Washington and California that theyve asked for.

A helicopter carrying airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing flies over the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California on March 5, 2020. (California National Guard via AP)

The production and shipping of tests that weve talked about all week is completely on schedule, he said.

The CDC has shipped enough testing kits to public health labs to test up to 75,000 people and the agencys contractor, IDT, has already shipped enough kits to conduct 700,000 tests, Azar said.

And the remaining lots are arriving at CDC this morning for quality control and should get out as we forecast this weekend and then next week well keep ramping up production. So as many as 4 million tests next week are going to be driving forward. So everything is on schedule for the testing, he said.

In the future, Pence said on Thursday, people may be able to get tested or obtain tests at their doctors office or at their local pharmacy.

A sign advising of out-of-stock sanitizer, facial masks and rubbing alcohol is seen at a store following warnings about COVID-19 in Kirkland, Washington on March 5, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

Forty-four states are now verified to be able to test locally for the virus, a process that was previously going through the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta. The turnaround time is much faster with state and local labs testing samples.

The CDC manufactured kits earlier this year and distributed them to state and local labs in early February, but an issue some labs found delayed the rollout of local testing for weeks, until late last month.

There was certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting test kits out, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during an appearance on NBCs Today show on Friday morning. But the CDC is working with the Food and Drug Administration and private companies to quickly increase the number of kits, he said.

Although theres been a delay, in the next couple of weeks we should be ratcheted up to get many more out, he said. The vice president was absolutely correct: there has been a delay and we didnt have enough right now. But, hopefully, in the near future we will.
Partnerships are a sign of the times, as piecing together the cloud era is no small feat  even for the likes of Google or Amazon to go it alone. While we read about advancements in the cloud and innovation around the globe, but where the rubber meets the road is when early adopters take solutions, services and systems to task.

Amdocs and Google Cloud have announced a partnership, which would enable the delivery of the Amdocs OSS/BSS systems on Google Cloud. The duo also announced an early adopter, Altice USA, is leveraging the Amdocs data and intelligence systems via Google Cloud.

Kevin Ichhpurani, Corporate Vice President, Global Ecosystem at Google Cloud, noted, Were delighted to partner with Amdocs to help communications providers transform their businesses with the cloud. Through our partnership with Amdocs, were able to empower communications providers in monetizing 5G/edge as a business services platform, better leverage data and AI, and improve operational efficiency and the experience for their end-users.

Specifically speaking, within the Amdocs, Google Cloud partnership lays a number of benefits. The pairing promised to keep a focus on the 5G edge, committed to developing solutions to support CSPs better monetize their efforts. Running on Google Clouds Anthos, CSPs can leverage the Amdocs portfolio for flexibility in multi-cloud and hybrid configurations.

Amdocs and Google are also aimed to empower CSPs through data and analytics. The Amdocs data hub and Data intelligence analytics solutions are currently available on Google Cloud, and Amdocs intends to continue developing solutions to aid CSPs in finding value in data to improve the end user experience and service reliability.

An additional key piece to the announcement is the two firms parenting on site reliability engineering (SRE) services, with the two sharing SRE and DevOps tools, frameworks and best practices.

Gary Miles, chief marketing officer, Amdocs, explained, Service providers worldwide are embarking on transformation journeys centered on the cloud in order to drive new services, revenue opportunities and experiences. By combining our cloud-native, open and modular solutions with the fully managed, high performing Google Cloud, we can accelerate this journey.

CSPs must modernize with the times, and with Amdocs and Google Cloud lending a helping hand, this once Herculean task is within reason. Welcome to an era of data-driven, cloud-powered decision making.

How are you leveraging your network data?

Edited by Maurice Nagle
The "completely substandard" options for a very disturbed suicidal girl who suffered unspeakable" abuse in childhood is "a pen picture" of the woeful state of Irelands mental health services which unfolds weekly, "if not daily", before the courts, the president of the High Court has said.

The mother of the 17-year-old girl wept as Mr Justice Peter Kelly outlined the only option for her daughter is to remain in a busy A&E hospital unit until she gets a bed in an adult psychiatric unit after which it is hoped, within a few days, she will get into an adolescent psychiatric unit.

There is no adolescent in-patient bed free as of now in the entire State, the A&E unit is under huge pressure for reasons including Coronoavirus concerns and the adult psychiatric unit is unsuitable because it is for adults and is of mixed gender when the girl has had major issues about being in the vicinity of males, he noted.

The girl now finds herself effectively alone among strangers and staff untrained to manage her complex condition and he could only imagine "what a frightening prospect that is for someone as vulnerable and disturbed as she is".

He could also only imagine the mother's distress at the recent serious setback in her daughter's condition and the "substandard conditions" for her welfare "but I cannot conjure up beds that are needed, that are known to be needed but in respect of which little has been done".

The situation "is a pen picture of the state of mental health services, particularly for adolescents, something I have had to deal with for years and something that does not appear to have been alleviated one whit".

He expressed additional concern that a specialised unit in the UK which has treated wards of the Irish court for some time, including this girl, may no longer be able to do so and anticipated "a lot of problems" if that happens.

The UK unit had indicated it was not in a position to take the girl back, even if that was appropriate, and may be unable to take other Irish cases in the future, he noted.

He had for a long time expressed the hope the HSE would provide facilities here to deal with our own patients "so they do not have to be exported to depend on the kindness of strangers which is running out".

The girl has been a ward of court for some years and, after her condition failed to improve here, she was moved to the UK unit until she was discharged recently because she was considered to have made considerable improvements.

A special placement had been designed for her here which involved considerable planning and she appeared to have settled well into it but, after a few days, she became very disturbed, tried to abscond, ran onto roads and made suicide attempts.

A doctor said it was hard to know what triggered this but the girl had said it felt "very scary" being out of the UK hospital unit.

The judge was told the Irish unit reached a position in recent days where staff felt unable to manage the girl effectively and safely, she was admitted to hospital as an emergency and has been in a bed in a hospital A&E unit for some days.

It was agreed the A&E unit is totally inappropriate for reasons including it is very busy and staff lack the skills to manage the girl's complex condition.

Staff from her own unit had been told to leave the A&E department because of pressures of space, leaving the girl without psychiatric support.

On Friday, David Leahy BL, for the HSE, said he was effectively asking the judge to sanction the "least worst" option of moving the girl, hopefully later on Friday, to the adult psychiatric unit in the hope an adolescent psychiatric facility would have a bed sometime next week. That might require discharging patients with less serious conditions, the court heard.
A school district in Whitesburg, Kentucky, removed several religious displays  including a Bible verse emblazoned on the wall of a high school locker room  after an atheist group complained. That group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, wrote about it in a blog post this week. According to the organization, they were contacted by a resident who voiced concerns about Letcher County Public Schools following "multiple instances of the district promoting and endorsing religious messages."

The foundation posted a photo showing that Letcher Central High School had a Bible verse in display in its locker room, reading: "But the Lord is with me like a Mighty Warrior. Jeremiah 20:11." In a letter sent to the school superintendent in November, the group claimed the district "violates the Constitution when it allows its schools to display religious symbols or messages."

letchercountyba.jpg

A high school in Kentucky removed a Bible verse after an atheist group complained. Freedom From Religion Foundation

It was the group's second second complaint in two months. It also sent a letter in October about two other instances in the school district  a middle school with a display in its hallway that said "Jesus is my savior. You can't scare me!" and an elementary school that posted a prayer on its official Facebook page.

"In recognition of the District's constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion, please remove all religious displays from the District immediately," the Freedom From Religion Foundation said in the second letter addressed to Letcher County Public Schools Superintendent Denise Yonts.

Yonts responded and removed all the displays mentioned by the group. "The bulletin board has been replaced, the Facebook post has been removed, and the locker room has been repainted," Yonts wrote back in a letter.

Yonts told CBS News in a statement on Thursday that she and the Letcher County Board of Education "support our students' religious freedoms in our schools." While the district removed those particular displays, she noted that "Student generated religious displays, clubs, or activities are a very meaningful part of the culture of Letcher County Schools."

Story continues

"After receiving complaints from FFRF, I consulted with the board attorney for advice, and we followed the law regarding religious displays," Yonts said. "Only displays that in our opinion did not comply with the law were removed."

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In the 1930s, famed biologist Ernst Mayr became the first to study Pacific Robins. Based on his observations of the robins and other birds on Australia and its outlying islands, he developed foundational concepts that continue to inform the study of evolution. He took copious notes on the birds physical characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. Always, he described the robin populations as a single species, albeit with significant variation from island to island.

Ernst Mayr made lasting contributions to evolutionary biologybut like most scientists, he wasnt right about everything.

Bold new claims

Anna Kearns is a former UMBC postdoctoral fellow now at the Smithsonian Institutions Conservation Biology Institute. With her UMBC postdoc advisor Kevin Omland and other colleagues, she has conducted new investigations into the relationships among Pacific Robins on various islands using many of the same bird specimens Mayr himself used. The difference is, He would have mainly been just using his eyes to compare specimens, Kearns says. She and her colleagues have had the advantage of major advances in technology since Mayrs time.

Kearns has built on Mayrs work by using techniques like DNA sequencing and spectrophotometry, which quantitatively compares the hue, brightness, and saturation of feathers. She has come to a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between, say, a robin on Fiji and one on the Solomon Islands.

As a result of this research, Kearns and colleagues from UMBC, the Australian National Wildlife Collection, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are making bold new claims about the relationships between these birds. In a 2015 paper in Conservation Genetics, Kearns demonstrated that robins living on Norfolk Island, directly east of mainland Australia, are a distinct species from the rest. A new paper in the Journal of Avian Biology published this month indicates two more unique speciesone that inhabits the Solomon and Bougainville Islands, and another that lives on Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa.

Preserving biodiversity

The new work demonstrates just how much is still unknown about avian biodiversity. Even in this well-studied group of birds, thats been a textbook example since 1942, we did not really know what the units of biodiversity were, says Omland, professor of biological sciences at UMBC, and senior author on the new paper.

Understanding those units of biodiversity is critical for conservation. When all the Pacific Robins and mainland Australias Scarlet Robin were considered a single species (a single unit of biodiversity), the loss of the birds on one or two islands would be unfortunate, but not necessarily very impactful. If those birds were actually the only remaining members of a unique species, however, the same loss becomes catastrophic.

What Annas work is showing is that the bird populations on these islands have very distinctive traits, Omland adds, so just knowing what the biodiversity is that we want to conserve is super important.

Unpredictable patterns

The teams work indicates that all the Pacific Robins are descended from an ancestral Australian population where males were brightly-colored and females were dull-colored. But as small groups of robins colonized the outlying islands, the population on each island took its own evolutionary path. Today, some island groups still maintain the bright male and dull female pattern, but on other islands both sexes have evolved bright coloration. On other islands, both sexes have evolved dull coloration.

When you look at the genetics, you find two distinct lineages leading from the common ancestor to all the island populations that exist today, Kearns says. So that means these patterns have evolved independently multiple times.

Kearns and Omland think the changes have more to do with random forces than evolutionary adaptation. If we flipped two coins, this is about what wed expect, Omland says.

For example, the pattern an islands population ended up with could depend on the color of the individuals that happened to get blown onto that island initially. Also, in a very small population, the random way genes are redistributed from generation to generation can have a significant impactas much of an effect or more than natural selection.

Detective work

Kearns and Omland are both excited to have the opportunity to suggest names for the new species theyve identified. Kearns suggests Mayrs Robin for the Fiji/Vanuatu/Samoa population, in honor of Ernst Mayrs pioneering study of these birds.

But their contribution to ornithology is more than a name. Because these birds are all on very small isolated islands, and Pacific birds are often on many, many, many isolated islands, collecting is very difficult. So there havent actually been that many comprehensive studies, Kearns says. Revealing the complexity of the relationships among these robins adds much-needed information to the field. It also raises the prospect that other birdsespecially those on islandsmight have undergone similar, as-yet-unstudied, evolutionary processes.

The work is a unique blend of past and present. You really wouldnt be able to do this study without using these old collections, Kearns says. At the same time, discovering the new species also wouldnt have been possible without modern techniques.

Its kind of like detective work in a way, Kearns says. I feel like theres just so much more we need to know about it. But we feel like we have made a big step forward.
Vizag (Andhra Pradesh) [India], March 5 (ANI): Five people who have returned from Malaysia, Singapore and Baharain have been kept under observation, officials from Medical and Health Dept of the state said.



Nodal officer for coronavirus in Visakhapatnam Pardhasarathi said, "Three persons of a family who returned from Malaysia and Singapore and two others from Baharain have been kept under observation in hospital."

"Samples of 5 persons sent for tests," he added.

Airport officials said that a total of 4,300 people were screened at Visakhapatnam airport after coronavirus outbreak in china.

More than 94,000 people worldwide have been infected with the novel strain of the coronavirus, the vast majority of them in China where the outbreak originated. More than 3,200 people have died, but 51,000 have recovered after being treated. (ANI)


New Delhi: A fresh case of coronavirus was reported in the national capital on Friday (March 6, 2020) leading the total number of cases to 31 in India. The patient is a resident of Delhi who had a travel history of Thailand and Malaysia. As per information, the patient is stable and is kept under observation.

Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), Union Health Ministry, gave the information saying, ''One more COVID19 case in Delhi has been confirmed, taking the total number of positive cases in the country to 31. The patient has travel history from Thailand & Malaysia.''

After the outbreak of the deadly virus reached India, first three cases were reported from Kerala who was cured, the other case was from Delhi and Hyderabad, six from Agra and 17 people from Jaipur (a group of 16 Italians and 1 Indian).

Samples of five out of the six people from Agra has turned positive. All six are members of the same family and were in contact with one of the earlier reported cases of the virus. They have been admitted at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan assured that the government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in India. While giving a statement at the Upper House of the Parliament, the minister informed that the patients are being monitored and have reported being in stable condition.

Harsh Vardhan had also claimed that his ministry was constantly reviewing the evolving scenario and also the Cabinet Secretary was taking regular reviews with all related ministries of Health, Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharma, Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries.

The Ministry had also asked people to avoid any kind of mass gatherings until the disease spread is contained. The Ministry also said that in the case of any such gatherings, States may take necessary action to guide organizers on precautions to be taken.
Britain's Duchess of Sussex said it was 'very nice to be back' as she made her first public appearance in the United Kingdom since she and her husband Prince Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working royals.

IMAGE: Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London, Britain. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House on Thursday, smiling broadly as they stepped out of their official car.

The couple were there to honour the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.

All eyes were on Meghan, 38, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen.

She presented the Celebrating Excellence Award during the event and said: Its very nice to be back. Its the third year I've had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here. It's just the most inspiring space.

When we were watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada we had the same moment of "how are you going to choose?" Well, we've done our best.

IMAGE: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex cheer as they attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House. This was the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31. Photograph: Paul Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The evening event was the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31.

Meghan looked gorgeous in a bright, sky blue dress by Victoria Beckham. The Duchess wore her hair slicked back in a ponytail for the event.

The couple were greeted mostly by cheers, but there was one loud boo, as Meghan and Harry embarked on their first joint engagement as they wind down their royal duties in the coming days.

The Duchess of Sussex has been in Canada since January when she returned to be with the couples son Archie, who had been staying with a friend, after briefly returning to London.

IMAGE: Meghan looked stunning in a vivid turquoise Victoria Beckham dress . Photograph: Paul Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting as senior royals on January 8 and around 24 hours later the Duchess of Sussex left for Canada.

Meghan and Harry have a number of official engagements lined up in next few days with the Duke of Sussex joining Lewis Hamilton for the official opening on the Silverstone experience on Friday.

On Saturday Meghan will join Harry for the Mountbatten Music festival and she is also expected to take part International Womens Day tributes on Sunday, although the exact details have yet to be confirmed.

Meghan and Harry will then attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster on Monday afternoon with the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate.
Farm bodies and the opposition on Friday demanded higher compensation from the government for the farmers who suffered major losses in mustard, wheat and barley crops following untimely rain and hailstorm for the past three days in many parts of the state.

Ellenabad legislator Abhay Singh Chautala of the INLD said the farmers had suffered huge losses at a time when their crop was ready for maturity.

Farmers should be given Rs 30,000 per acre compensation. We are getting reports that 80% to 90% crops were damaged in several pockets of the state, he added.

Farmers were in distress after rainfall accompanied by hailstorm and wind continued in Bhiwani, Rohtak , Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Mahendergarh district on the third consecutive day.

Dayanand Punia, Akhi Bharatiya Kisan Sabha leader, said that they were unhappy over agriculture minister JP Dalals announcement of providing Rs 12,000 per acre relief to farmers, who had not enrolled their crop under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Making a direct attack on agriculture minister JP Dalal, Tosham MLA Kiran Chaudhary said that the minister has been trying to eyewash farmers by announcing a meager compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre for farmers damaged crop which is less than their input cost.

The governments dual face has been exposed as it has failed to announce an immediate relief package for damaged crops. I sought report from Tosham, Loharu, Dadri, Badhra and Mahendergarh areas. In many villages, mustard, wheat and barley crops were completely damaged and farmers are crying for financial help. But the BJP had given agriculture portfolio to such a man who doesnt know anything about agriculture, she added.

Refuting opposition allegations, Dalal said that he has been touring the affected areas for the past three days.  As per government rule, Rs 12,000 per acre will be given to those affected farmers , who had not enrolled their crop under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana while the enrolled farmers will get more compensation.

High velocity winds accompanied by rain also flattened the wheat crop in parts of northern districts. The rainfall was reported in parts of Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts.

However, deputy director of agriculture department, Karnal, Aditya Dabas said there were reports of lodging of crop due to wind and rainfall, but there were no major damage to crop was reported.

Meteorological scientist of Hisar-based Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) ML Khichar said 26.1 mm rain was witnessed in Hisar in the past two days.

He said the badly-hit areas were Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Bhiwani.
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Media Advocate Initiative urges the Public Television, operating at the expense of taxpayers, to maintain impartiality and to cover the campaign of referendum on amendments to Armenias constitution scheduled for April 5, in keeping with the principles of equality and professional ethics. The initiative has issued a statement to this effect. The statement reads as follows:

From February 24 to March 4, 2020, the Public Television of Armenia, operating at the expense of taxpayers allocated 160 minutes 16 seconds of its air to the topic of the constitutional referendum, 19 minutes 45 seconds of which were allocated to the NO campaign, 38 minutes 41 seconds to the YES campaign and 101 minutes 50 seconds were neutral remarks. The Public TV also aired YES and NO campaign video clips of up to 1-minute duration each.

Media Advocate Initiative reports that the Public Television of Armenia conducted a hidden propaganda of the YES headquarters. A publicly-funded television station has presented a report on the real authors of the YES logo. The report was aired several times, for two consecutive days; on February 27 and 28. It is worth mentioning that no such report was aired for the NO side of the campaign.

Media Advocate Initiative also reported that Hayk Hovhannisyan, a member of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), was the guest of the Public TV. In an interview, referring to the Constitutional Court, Hovhannisyan stated that it had made a wrong decision regarding the SJC. That is, no contrary opinion was presented. This is also a violation of professional ethics, and the fact of presenting such a unilateral interview in the period preceding the referendum, may also be viewed as YES propaganda.

Media Advocate Initiative urges Public Television, operating at the expense of taxpayers, to maintain impartiality and to cover the campaign of referendum on amendments to the RA constitution scheduled for April 5, in keeping with the principles of equality and professional ethics.
New Delhi, March 6 : The never-ending tussle between the Centre and the Delhi government was in full display once again inside the high court over representation of the police force in court.

The debate led to a heated argument between Senior Standing Counsel (Criminal) Rahul Mehra and Additional Solicitor General Maninder Acharya when the former submitted that he is the designated counsel to represent Delhi Police in the case.

Mehra alleged that he has not been issued any written intimation in this regard. "I deserve this much dignity. If you route it through my office, I would cooperate. In three cases, I withdrew on request." Following which, ASG commented, "He has a bit of a politician in him." Objecting strongly to the statements made by the ASG, Mehra replied, "I am an officer of the court. I won't take such statements. ASG should take back her words." Soon after that, the bench asked the two lawyers to calm down and said, "Put your house in order by the next date of hearing." The exchange took place while a Division Bench of the high court presided by Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice C. Harishankar was hearing a batch of petitions related to the Delhi riots.

On February 27, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Kaur Acharya and few others to represent Delhi Police in the matters relating to the violence that erupted on February 23.

A letter to DCP Legal Cell of the city police from the Home Department read, "I am directed to convey the approval of Hon'ble Lt. Governor, Delhi for the appointment of Sh. Tushar Mehta, SG, Ms. Maninder Kaur Acharya, ASG, Sh. Amit Mahajan, Advocate and Sh. Rajat Nair, Advocate in W.P.(Crl.) /2020, to represent Delhi Police in the above titled case & in all other matters arising out of Law and Order situation in the area of North East, Shahdara and East District of Delhi 23.02.2020 onwards." The death toll in the violence in northeast Delhi has risen to 53 even though normalcy is returning.
The South by Southwest festival has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns, according to Austin Mayor Steve Adler.

The city of Austin declared a local disaster and canceled the annual gathering in the Texas capital. Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said the decision was "medical and data-driven."

The festival will follow the city's direction, organizers said.

"We are devastated to share this news with you," SXSW organizers wrote in a statement. "'The show must go on' is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place."

A number of high-profile attendees, including Twitter, had pulled out of the event prior to the announcement.

On ExpressNews.com: Austin mayor cancels SXSW festival over coronavirus concerns

SXSW, which draws more than 200,000 people from across the globe, was scheduled to begin on March 13 and end March 22.

More than 55,000 people signed a petition calling for the music, film, and tech extravaganza to be canceled amid the global outbreak.

SXSW estimated that in 2019 its impact on the Austin economy totaled nearly $356 million. More than 55,000 people reserved hotel rooms that year, and attendees to the event came from 106 countries.

Coronavirus concerns have prompted the cancellation of dozens of events worldwide, including the Ultra Music Festival in Miami.

Dr. Mark Escott, the Austin interim health authority, said that Travis County has no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Escott compared the growing threat of coronavirus to a hurricane looming in the Gulf. He noted that authorities examined options to decrease the threat at SXSW, but they ultimately decided there was no path forward  except for cancellation  that would mitigate the risk enough to protect the community.

The festival risk assessment was based on its size, events with close contact like concerts, and registered guests from international and domestic locations with evidence of person-to-person spread.

Mark Dunphy is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read him on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mark.dunphy@express-news.net | @m_b_dunphy
A Sydney building has been shut and visitors have been banned from a hospital maternity ward due to coronavirus concerns.

An MTV employee was potentially exposed to coronavirus prompting the shutting of a building in Yurong Street, Darlinghurst.

Employees have been asked to work from home until Monday.

Employees have been told to work from home until Monday March 9 after an MTV worker at the Yurong St, Darlinghurst, building was reportedly exposed to coronavirus

An office employee tacked a sign from building managers Viacom to the door saying the building would be closed from Thursday through to 9am on Monday, March 9.

'Please hold all deliveries until Monday,' the sign read.

'Do not leave any deliveries unattended at the front door.'

A ViacomCBS Networks Australia spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that staff had been told of an employee's potential exposure to the coronavirus.

'This individual has not been diagnosed with the virus and is currently seeking medical advice,' the spokesperson said.

A worker posts a sign to the door on Friday at the Yurong St building

The building in Yurong St in inner-city Darlinghurst that was shut (file picture)

MTV's offices in Darlinghurst, Sydney. The building was shut as a precaution after a staff member potentially came in contact with the virus. The worker is now seeking medical advice

'The safety and wellbeing of staff is the company's number one priority. Therefore, as a precaution, ViacomCBS has temporarily closed its Darlinghurst office and instructed all employees to work remotely until further information is available.'

Business lender Prospa shares the building with MTV and activated its business continuity plan yesterday.

The lender offers funding of up to $300,000 within 24 hours to small business and is thus is time sensitive but its emergency plans appear to be working well.

The business appeared to function as normal on Friday, when Daily Mail Australia called its 1300 number the call went smoothly through to the sales team despite the building closure.

A mother with her newborn baby (stock). Sydney Adventist Hospital in the upmarket northern Sydney suburb of Wahroonga restricted access to its maternity ward on Friday to protect new mothers from the coronavirus. Only partners will be able to visit until further notice

Australia's coronavirus tally stood at 62 on Friday with the majority of cases in Sydney

The Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga (stock picture) has restricted maternity access

The Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga, known as the San Hospital, has restricted access to it's maternity ward.

The hospital in Sydney's exlusive northern suburbs announced on Friday that only partners of patients would be allowed access until further notice.

Daily Mail Australia understands the hospital has taken the precautionary measure to maximise the safety of mothers and newborns.

New South Wales remains the epicentre of Australia's coronavirus outbreak with 27 of the nation's 62 cases so far.

World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the fatality rate of the Covid-19 disease caused by the virus had increased to 3.4 percent worldwide.

'Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported Covid-19 cases have died,' he told a news conference in Geneva.

This makes the coronavirus deadlier than the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic which scientists believe had a fatality rate of over 2.5 percent.

Influenza has a fatality rate of 0.1 percent by comparison.

More than 98,000 cases of the highly-infectious coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide as of Friday, with more than 17,000 cases outside of mainland China.

South Korea topped 6200 cases on Friday, while Italy had more than 3800 and Iran reported more than 3500 although experts think Iran's tally may be far higher.
Trump Says No Funds For Sanctuary Cities Following Court Ruling

President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will withhold funds from sanctuary cities in line with a February court ruling that decided the government can do so to states that dont comply with federal immigration policies.

As per recent Federal Court ruling, the Federal Government will be withholding funds from Sanctuary Cities. They should change their status and go non-Sanctuary, Trump wrote in a statement. Do not protect criminals!

As per recent Federal Court ruling, the Federal Government will be withholding funds from Sanctuary Cities. They should change their status and go non-Sanctuary. Do not protect criminals!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020

The U.S. Court of Appeals of the 2nd Circuit court in New York on Feb. 26 announced the ruling, which overturned a lower court decision that had ordered the Justice Department (DOJ) to release the funds to New York City and seven statesNew York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia and Rhode Island.

The funds were held under department policy, but the lower court ruled that the DOJ lacked the authority to impose several immigration-related conditions on Congresss federal grant program, known as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (or the Byrne JAG).

The Byrne JAG grant program was created to support a number of initiatives including law enforcement, prosecution, and court, prevention and education, and other related areas, via funding to states and local governments.

In 2017, the DOJ imposed three conditions that state and city applicants had to comply with to access the grant program. The conditions required states and cities to remove any restrictions on communication between state and local agencies and officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); give DHS access to detention facilities to interview inmates about their immigration status; and give DHS at notice when a wanted alien is scheduled to be released from a detention facility.

But the seven states sued the department in 2018 asking for injunctive relief from the three conditions. The district court ruled in favor of the states, blocking the department from enforcing the conditions on the challengers and ordering the department to release funds to them.

Upon appeal to the 2nd Circuit, the three-judge panel reversed the decision, ruling that the plain language of the relevant statutes authorizes the Attorney General to impose the challenged conditions, and that the appeals court cannot agree that the federal government must be enjoined from imposing the challenged conditions on the federal grants here at issue.

Sanctuary cities are locales that have enacted measures to prevent local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If an illegal alien is arrested or convicted of a crime and ICE requests custody of them, sanctuary policies can prevent law enforcement from honoring the request. Eight states and hundreds of cities across the United States are recognized as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants.

In early February, Attorney General William Barr announced that the DOJ will take significant actions against sanctuary policies in local and state governments across the nation.

Trump in his State of the Union Address in early February highlighted a piece of legislation that, if passed, would allow U.S. citizenssuch as families of victims of criminal acts by illegal immigrantsto sue sanctuary cities and states.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.
Vulnerable EU nationals have been left with nowhere to go for help applying to stay in the UK because the Home Office left the announcement of crucial funding until the last minute, campaigners say.

The department announced on Friday that it would allocate a further 8m to help vulnerable and at-risk people, such as children in care and domestic abuse victims, apply to the EU Settlement Scheme  three weeks before the current funding is due to run out.

Fifty-seven charities are currently funded by the Home Office to provide this support after being granted a total of 9m last April, but many said they had been forced to cut back on their services due to uncertainty as to whether the funding would continue beyond the month of March.

The department said these charities would have their funding extended until the end of June 2020, and that NGOs would then have the chance to bid for the new pot of funding to provide support for people who need help applying to the scheme  which EU citizens living in Britain must do before June 2021 in order to retain immigration rights after Brexit.

Kevin Foster, minister for future borders and immigration, said the new investment would ensure that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring everyone gets the help they need.

Campaigners welcomed the new funding, but said it was regrettable that it had been announced so late in the day and warned that one-off pots of funding would not be adequate to meet the needs of many people with highly complex cases who were yet to apply.

Bethan Lant, casework, training and advocacy manager at Praxis, which is currently funded to provide the support, said: We are pleased to hear that the Home Office intends to continue the funding, although it is regrettable that this decision was taken so late in the day.

Because of the uncertainty around funding, for the past month we have been unable to support the most vulnerable people with their application, as in some cases it takes months to gather the evidence needed to apply, and we didnt know whether the funding would be there to complete the work on their applications. Some members of staff working on the scheme may have left their posts for more secure positions.

Ms Lant called on the Home Office to avoid a cliff-edge scenario where people suddenly become undocumented for missing the deadline, and demanded clarity around the circumstances under which applications would still be accepted following the cut-off date.

Caitlin Boswell Jones, project officer at the Join Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said the 8m investment was welcome but that it barely touched what was needed to support all vulnerable people  and called on ministers to grant automatic settled status to all EU citizens.

Before this last-minute announcement, many charities have been so underfunded that they have been forced to close waiting lists, leaving people like survivors of domestic violence with nowhere to turn for support, she said.

 Tory MP admits EU settlement scheme sometimes 'doesn't work as well as we expect'

The government refuses to acknowledge that no amount of funding will ensure everyone applies in time. The likelihood is that tens of thousands of EU citizens will be unable to apply, will then fall out of status and become vulnerable to the hostile environment.

Marianne Lagrue, policy manager at Corams migrant childrens project, said the charity welcomed the Home Offices announcement, but warned that a finite pot of money the lasts for one year was not going to cut it for a scheme for which applications are going to get increasingly complex.

The concentration of complex case within the number of cases that remain is getting bigger and bigger as we get closer to the deadline. We expect that there will be a flurry towards the deadline, and there will be people who miss it. Whether or not there will continue to be public money available to assist these people remains an unanswered question, she said.

The funding needs to be guaranteed in perpetuity and to adequately meet the need and complexity of the cases.

Recommended Charity helping children in care stay in UK has to stop taking cases

Ms Lagrue said that vulnerable applicants would increasingly require legal professionals, rather than NGOs, to help them apply  and called on the government to consider introducing legal aid for these cases.

Rather than creating something new specifically to meet the needs of this cohort, the Home Office needs to fund the basic tenets of the welfare state that are there to capture these people with their legal problems, she said.

The government needs to take a holistic view of the long-term needs of people. Anyone with a complex case and anyone who has an appeal should be eligible for legal aid.

It comes after it emerged the EU settlement scheme was responsible for breaching General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law 100 times between April and August last year.

A report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) also raised concerns about a lack of support for vulnerable applicants, hidden costs of applying and a lack of transparency and detail in the Home Office data.

In total, 3.2 million people have so far registered for EU settled status, which they must obtain in order to continue living legally in the UK after June 2021. Of these, 2.7 million have been granted the status  meaning around 500,000 applications are currently going through the system.

Announcing the new funding on Friday, Mr Foster said: EU citizens are an integral part of our society, culture and community, and this is their home. Supporting vulnerable EU citizens and their families is at the forefront of our approach to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
Any retaliation in kind would be the first restrictions the government has imposed on foreign visitors except those from China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The Foreign Ministry only found out from Japanese news reports on Thursday afternoon and summoned a Japanese embassy representative to lodge a complaint.

The government here was completely blindsided by Japan's fresh restrictions on visitors from Korea announced Thursday that include mandatory quarantine.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday also announced entry bans on visitors from Korea, China or Iran except Australian expats. But Australia did not ban visitors from Italy, which has seen 100 fatalities from coronavirus, three times more than Korea.

The Australian government also raised the travel alert to Korea. There are 100,000 Koreans living in Australia, while 250,000 Korean tourists visit the country each year.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Wednesday criticized entry bans for Koreans as "crude measures due to their lack of quarantine capabilities." But the following day two advanced countries, Japan and Australia, also effectively shut their doors to visitors from Korea.

On Thursday she said, "I believe the measures taken by other countries will ease significantly as time passes." But the same day four more countries restricted entry to travelers from Korea, raising the total to 99.

Critics here say the government brought the malaise on itself by refusing to ban visitors from China at an early stage.
Bangladeshi police chase workers protesting for better wages in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Jan. 9, 2019.

Seven years after a factory collapse killed more than 1,100 garment workers in Bangladesh, industrial buildings there are safer but employees are sexually abused and others face increased intimidation while trying to form unions, a U.S. Senate report said Thursday.

Women who make up most of the workforce in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry  the South Asian nations most dynamic sector  suffer from abuse in the workplace despite measures taken to improve worker safety in the wake of Bangladeshs deadliest industrial disaster to date, according to the report.

Women are the backbone of the RMG sector, Sen. Robert Menendez said, adding that makes them the backbone of Bangladeshs economy.

All too often women suffer the most egregious abuses, he said in Washington, while releasing the report titled Seven Years after Rana Plaza, Significant Challenges Remain.

The report was compiled by staffers working for Menendez, a Democrat who sits on the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate, which is controlled by the Republican Party.

According to the report, a 2019 survey by the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity found many examples of gender-based violence in RMG factories. These ranged from a line chief touching a workers breast while showing her how to operate a machine, to another supervisor forcing a worker to lie under a table in his office while he raped her.

Sexual harassment allegations are regularly received by the hotline of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, the report said. The Accord is a European Union-based watchdog organization, which represents leading fashion brand names including H&M, Marks & Spencer and United Colors of Benetton.

Established after the Raza Plaza collapse in April 2013 and the Tazreen Fashions garment factory fire that killed 112 in November 2012, the Accord will expire before May 31 under an agreement with the Bangladesh government.

Eighty-five percent of safety hazards identified during initial inspections across all factories had been fixed, the Accord reported, adding that 150 factories had reached full compliance and 857 factories had completed more than 90 percent of remediation requirements.

As of late February, 175 factories had been declared ineligible for business with Accord-member buyers over their failure to implement workplace safety measures, according to the report issued by Menendez.

Once Accord expires, Bangladeshs RMG Sustainability Council will be responsible for monitoring the more than 2,000 ready-made garment factories that employ about 4 million people.

When contacted in Dhaka on Thursday, the Bangladesh labor secretary said he had not seen the U.S. report but claimed that working conditions in his country had improved.

What I can tell you is that we have achieved huge progress in terms of worker safety and welfare. Two days ago, I met with the U.S. ambassador and a U.S. team who expressed their satisfaction with the measures taken to improve labor standards, Labor Secretary K.M. Ali Azam told BenarNews.

Hostile climate toward unions

In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions tragedies, hundreds of unions were registered but efforts to carry on with labor rights reforms have since deteriorated. Organizers face bureaucratic obstacles and intimidation from factory owners who have not been held accountable for unfair practices as defined by the 2006 Bangladesh Labor Act, the report said.

The violence and repression during the December 2018 and January 2019 worker protests over minimum wage illustrates this downward trajectory, the report said.

In January 2019, police used tear gas, water cannons, batons and rubber bullets against protesters, it said.

The report quoted an unnamed factory worker who spoke to Human Rights Watch about what happened on Jan. 8, 2019, as he was returning from lunch with his colleague, Sumon Mia, when they got caught in the protest.

Police started shooting and the workers started running away, so Sumon and I started running and suddenly Sumon was shot in his chest and he fell down. I fled. Later I found Sumons body lying in the road. The police didnt even take his body, the worker said.

Two years earlier, in December 2016, the government and factory owners launched a crackdown following peaceful protests by thousands of workers seeking higher wages, the report noted.

At least 1,500 workers were dismissed, 38 union leaders were arrested on baseless criminal charges, and trade union offices were closed or came under intense pressure from government authorities, the report said.

Only after Western brands boycotted a meeting with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the industrys most powerful trade group, did the government start releasing those who had been arrested, the report said.

Ali Azam, the labor secretary, said the government had taken positive steps to reduce conditions needed to form a union, noting that the labor law required 20 percent consent from workers, down from 30 percent previously.

The U.S. government demanded we reduce the ratio to 10 percent. We are working on it, Ali Azam said.

Our progress has been tremendous, he said. Seven out of 10 green RMG factories throughout the world are in Bangladesh.

But we are not complacent. We will do more in terms of improving labor rights and standards, he said.

Not the right picture

Meanwhile, a BGMEA official questioned the reports allegations about harassing and terminating workers.

That is not the right picture, Faisal Samad, a senior BGMEA vice president, told BenarNews.

After the Rana Plaza tragedy, we invested huge amounts money to improve workplace safety and our factories best in the world. What I can tell you is that we have made progress on all issues, said Samad, managing director of Surma Garments Ltd.

Samad called for a committee made up of U.S. embassy, government and BGMEA officials to study the reports findings to determine if they are correct.

In Washington, Mahbub Saleh, deputy chief of the Bangladesh mission, attended Menendezs presentation on Thursday at the headquarters of the AFL-CIO, one of the most influential unions in the United States.

Saleh also questioned the reports findings on unions.

You will be happy to know, Sen. Menendez, that the number of trade unions in the garment industry stands at 8,000-plus today in Bangladesh. The rejection rate for union applications was 73 percent in 2015, it has come down to 37 percent today, he said. So its a tireless effort.

Despite this, Saleh had praise for the report.

I dont see any disagreements  there may be some differences, but thats how a dialogue goes, he said.

Menendez responded by saying that he and the committees staff were committed to engaging with the Bangladesh government on worker safety.

This is not about punishment, this is about progress, he said.

The report concluded by saying that when the RMG Sustainability Council takes over as the industrys watchdog, the onus will be on the Bangladesh government to ensure safe buildings and safe workers.

Only then will Made in Bangladesh become a true label of pride for all the people of Bangladesh, the report said.

Mahbub Leelen in Washington and Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 10:46PM

Samsung Canada quickly sold out the first batch of the foldable Galaxy Z Flip that the company will be selling another batch starting tomorrow, March 6. It'll be another limited quantity run, though. Samsung hasn't revealed how many units have been sold so far. If you're interested in buying one, you can just head to Samsung Experience stores or get it through Bell, Freedom Mobile, SaskTel, Rogers, Telus, Videotron, and Virgin for $1,819 off-contract or as low as $0 on-term.

Source: MobileSyrup
Voluntary organisations which have absolutely no connection with any kind of cannot be denied access to foreign contributions, the Supreme Court said on Friday.

A bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta said support to public causes by resorting to legitimate means of dissent like bandh, hartal etc. cannot deprive an organisation of its legitimate right of receiving foreign contribution.

Any organisation which supports the cause of a group of citizens agitating for their rights without a political goal or objective cannot be penalised by being declared as an organisation of a political nature, the bench said.

The apex court, however, made it clear that organisations used for channelling foreign funds by political parties cannot escape the rigour of the Act provided there is concrete material.

"In that event, the central government shall follow the procedure prescribed in the Act and rules strictly before depriving such organisation the right to receive foreign contributions," the bench said.

The top court said that a balance has to be drawn between the object that is sought to be achieved by the legislation and the rights of the voluntary organisations to have access to foreign funds.

The bench said that the purpose for which the law prevents organisations of a political nature from receiving foreign funds is to ensure that the administration is not influenced by foreign funds.

Prohibition from receiving foreign aid, either directly or indirectly, by those who are involved in active is to ensure that the values of a sovereign democratic republic are protected, it said.

"On the other hand, such of those voluntary organisations which have absolutely no connection with either party or active politics cannot be denied access to foreign contributions. Therefore, such of those organisations which are working for the social and economic welfare of the society cannot be brought within the purview of the Act or the rules by enlarging the scope of the term 'political interests," the apex court said.

The top court's judgement came on an appeal filed by a voluntary organisation Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) challenging Section 5 (1) of the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act on the ground that the terms activity, ideology and programme' are vague and have not been defined in the Act which result in conferring unbridled and unfettered power on the executive.

The petitioner had earlier moved the Delhi High Court verdict which had dismissed their plea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The traditional approach of measuring the performance of immigrants in Canadas economy can be misleading

How do we know if immigrants are succeeding in Canadas economy?

How do we know if immigrants are succeeding in Canadas economy? The traditional approach of measuring the performance of immigrants in Canadas economy can be misleading

How do we know if immigrants are succeeding in Canadas economy? The traditional approach of measuring the performance of immigrants in Canadas economy can be misleading

How do we know if immigrants are succeeding in Canadas economy? The traditional approach of measuring the performance of immigrants in Canadas economy can be misleading Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Canada cares deeply about ensuring immigrants succeed in its economy. Its economic class immigration programs are designed to select candidates who have the highest chance of finding a good job in the Canadian labour market.

Decades of federal government research shows that immigrants who arrive in Canada at a young age, with a high level of education, and strong English or French skills have a better chance of success.

Canadas commitment to supporting economic integration is further demonstrated by the $1.5 billion in funding it provides annually in settlement supports for newcomers. These supports help immigrants find jobs and improve their language skills.

When it comes time to evaluate the performance of immigrants in the Canadian labour market, the focus tends to be on comparing their incomes with the Canadian-born population. This makes sense to some extent, but such comparisons can be misleading. On the one hand, we want immigrants to earn salaries similar to those of Canadians. Salaries give us a strong sense of whether immigrants have similar living standards as the Canadian-born population.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

Three reasons why income is a misleading indicator of economic integration

On the other hand, focusing on salaries can be misleading for several reasons.

First, immigrants tend to arrive in Canada at a disadvantage in the labour market. They often arrive without social or professional networks and need time for Canadian employers to recognize their skills. Immigrants that earn high salaries typically need at least five years in Canada before their salaries match those of Canadian-born individuals.

The second reason why income can be a misleading indicator of economic integration is that the majority of Canadas immigrants are welcomed for social and humanitarian reasons.

While the economic class accounts for about 60 per cent of all immigrants to Canada each year, the actual share of immigrants who are assessed for their skills accounts for about 25 per cent of all newcomers admitted by Canada on an annual basis.

These are principal applicants evaluated under the economic class for factors such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience. Hence, Canada does not welcome most of its immigrants to grow its economy, but rather, it welcomes them in an effort to reunite families and help refugees.

The third reason is that income alone does not allow us to understand the economic performance of newcomers. There are several other useful metrics that we can also use to assess economic integration.

Immigrant economic integration is better than you think

One of these metrics is the degree to which immigrants participate in the housing market. The biggest purchase that Canadians and immigrants make is buying a home. Statistics Canada research shows that homeownership rates among Canadians and immigrants are identical (69 per cent of both groups own a home). The average value of an immigrants home in Toronto and Vancouver is the same as that of the Canadian-born population. This tells us that immigrants bring significant savings with them which increases their purchasing power in Canada.

Second, the household incomes of immigrants are nearly at the same level as those of Canadian households. The average immigrant household earns about $85,000 per year, compared with about $90,000 for Canadian households. This tells us that even if the average immigrant earner makes less money than the average Canadian, the fact that the average immigrant household has multiple earners enables immigrant families to have nearly the same purchasing power as Canadian-born families.

The first and second findings also help to underscore the importance of family class immigration. Canadas decision to reunite families is good policy because families can support one another financially and increase their overall living standards.

Third, the fairest way to measure how immigrants are performing is by comparing current immigrant cohorts with previous immigrant cohorts. Given that immigrants have a natural disadvantage in the labour market, it does not make sense to compare them with Canadian-born workers. What Canada should aspire to instead, is for current immigrant cohorts to outperform previous immigrant generations. Government research over the past decade shows this is, in fact, the case.

Finally, the economic performance of second-generation immigrants is comparable to that of Canadian-born children. This tells us that while first-generation immigrants do not perform as strongly as we all hoped, their children help to enhance the familys overall contribution to the Canadian economy. We should never lose sight of the fact that immigration is inherently long-term in nature.

Immigrants are succeeding in Canada

There is no question that more can be done to improve the economic performance of immigrants in Canada. At the same time, there are numerous indicators that undoubtedly show immigrants are succeeding in Canada.

Canada will continue to improve its economic class programs and make investments in settlement and integration supports. This, plus the fact that nine million Canadians will reach retirement age within the next decade suggests that the economic performance of immigrants, as well as their incomes, will continue to improve.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

Kareem El-Assal is the Director of Policy & Digital Strategy at CanadaVisa.

 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration will deploy 160 troops to two ports of entry along the southwestern border before a Supreme Court decision that officials fear could prompt large crowds of migrants to seek entry into the United States.

Under authority that President Trump granted in 2018, Customs and Border Protection will send two teams of 80 military police, engineers and aviation units to San Ysidro (San Diego County) and El Paso, Texas, as the Supreme Court considers the legality of an administration policy that forces asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico as their cases are adjudicated.

Senior officials at the agency said Friday that the move was a response to migrants who crowded the entry points a week before when the federal appeals court in San Francisco said the policy was illegal and ruled asylum-seekers must be allowed into the United States.

The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block the Migrant Protection Protocols was stayed within hours to allow the government time to appeal the ruling. The appeals court Wednesday granted the Trump administrations request to keep the restrictions, more commonly known as Remain in Mexico, in effect until Wednesday, when the Supreme Court decides whether to hear the case.

If the Supreme Court declines to hear the governments appeal of the 9th Circuits injunction, the appeals courts decision to block the policy will take effect Thursday, although only in the border states within its jurisdiction, California and Arizona. Even though such a decision would not affect Texas, officials said the military was needed there in case migrants rushed the entry points.

More than 5,000 active-duty troops and members of the National Guard are already stationed at the border to secure ports of entry, hold training sessions, provide support at holding facilities and help with border wall construction.

The Remain in Mexico policy has been one of the more consequential border policies that the Trump administration has enacted. It has forced around 60,000 migrants to wait in Mexico, where they have been subject to kidnappings and cartel violence.

It has also driven a decline in the number of migrants taken into custody, to 37,119 last month from more than 144,116 in May 2019.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a New York Times writer.
A session on the role of emerging technologies in the courtroom waspart of last months New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York City.

Emerging Technologies in Litigation included a panel of local and federal judges as well as an e-discovery researcher and emerging technology attorney. The group discussed the use of artificial intelligence in the courtroom.

The session addressed the role that AI could play in judicialdecision making, where algorithms potentially can predict behavior andoutcomes resulting from different legal strategies. The rationale is that lawis based on precedent  if a case is similar to past cases, then theresults shouldnt be all too surprising.

However, given the rise ofdeepfakes  and the possibility that AI in effect could manufactureevidence  some argued that the technology should be excluded from court proceedings.

Despite such concerns, the global legaltech market for AI isexpected to grow in the coming years, driven by the trend in major law firmsto adopt various legaltech solutions that aim to reduce turnaroundtime for some legal cases.

AI is used to help with document management systems, e-discovery, e-billing, contract management, and even practice and case management.

AI already has been employed at a lower level in the Los AngelesSuperior Court to handle seemingly mundane traffic citations. Visitorsto the courts website can interact with Gina, an AI-powered onlineavatar, to pay a traffic ticket, register for traffic school, or schedule a court date.

Since being installed in 2016, Gina  which ispart of an effort by the LA Superior Court to reduce the backlog ofcases  has had more than 200,000 interactions a year, and has reduced traffic court wait times dramatically.

One Step Closer to PreCrime

AIs predictive algorithms can be used by police departmentsto strategize about where to send patrols, and facial recognitionsystems can be used to help identify suspects.

Combined, these approaches sound eerily similar to the Philip K. Dick short story, The Minority Report, which became the basis of the Steven Spielberg-directed filmMinority Report, in which the police departments PreCrime unitapprehends criminals based on foreknowledge of criminal activity.

Courts currently are using AI algorithms to determine the defendantsrisk, which can range from the probability that the defendant willcommit another crime to whether or not they will appear for their nextcourt date for bail, sentencing and parole decisions, explainedtechnology inventor/consultant Lon Safko.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Often AI can be wrong  not only in determining whereofficers should patrol, but also in recommending how criminals should be sentenced.Here is where the Correctional Offender Management Profiling forAlternative Sanctions comes into play. It compares defendant answersto questions as well as personal factors against a nationwide datagroup and assigns a score, which is used to determine sentencing.

Recently in Wisconsin, a defendant was found guilty for hisparticipation in a drive-by shooting, Safko told TechNewsWorld.

While being booked, the suspect answered several questions that wereentered into the AI system COMPAS, he continued. The judge gave thisdefendant a long sentence partially because he was labeled high riskby this assessment tool.

AI in the Courts

At the present time it isnt clear how widespread the use of AI in thecourts will be  in part because the courts at all levels have beenquite slow to embrace any new technology. This could be changing,however, as AI can help streamline the courts in ways that couldbenefit all parties.

We believe the courts are leading digital transformation in themarket, and approximately 90 percent of courts have evolved fromtraditional court reporting to professional digital court reporting,said Jacques Botbol, vice president of marketing at software firmVerbit.

Certain applications of AI are often adopted faster than others particularly those surrounding the automation of routine tasks andworkflows, he told TechNewsWorld.

Its interesting to note that AI is also being utilized through morecomplex applications, such as utilizing AI to make decisions regardingcases, added Botbol. These use cases will be adopted more slowly asthere are significant concerns about due process, biases, etc.

AI Court Reporting

Supporters of AI technology in the courts point to how it can helpcourt reporters do their job better.

Today, most court reporting firms reject work since they dont havethe necessary workforce to handle it all, explained Botbol.

AI is helping to fill the gaps that the retiring court reporters andthe legacy court reporter market have left, he noted.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

At the same time, lawyers want to receive materials quickly, andtoday depositions are getting delayed because of the shortage in themarket  with some areas reaching more than 35 percent, Botbol added.

AI, along with automatic speech recognition (ASR), allows forproceedings to be recorded and processed in a timelier manner.

There is a backlog of cases that need to be transcribed, yet withAI-based ASR tools these transcripts can be processed at fasterturnaround times, said Botbol. Instead of relying on courttranscriptionists, the courts have multiple court reporting agenciesthat they can assign the work out to in order to clear their backlogand work more efficiently.

Judge and/or Jury

No one is expecting that AI will fill the role of judge or jury at least not in the legal system of the United States. However, AIcould help ensure that the accused in criminal cases truly aregranted the right to a speedy trial, while also addressing the backlogsin the civil courts.

In the future, AI will not only serve as an add-on, but will alsohelp to streamline trials by removing delays, which will lead tosmarter and faster decisions being made, said Tony Sirna, legalspecialist at Verbit.

Applications of AI are being studied and piloted for a number of usecases, he told TechNewsWorld.

These include not only sentencing and risk assessment such as COMPAS,but also settlement of disputes.

Online Dispute Resolution is another aspect where we may seeautomated adjudication of small civil cases, noted Sirna.

AI could help the parties reach an equitable settlement in civil cases.

Mining extensive amounts of related court cases and decisions willcome into play, with parties submitting their cases and using AIcombined with data mining for settlement options or fairadjudication, noted Sirna.

AI Rights

Another consideration that likely will come up is how AI will be treated by the courts. Can AI be an expert witness, for example? If so, how will AI need to be treatedby the courts? Will AI need to be granted some form of rights?

AI likely wont need rights, but it will need control, and a teamthat manages the innovation in each court, said Sirna.

The aspect of rights related to AI poses interesting legalquestions: Who is responsible for the AI? Is the AI algorithm fair orbiased? At what point does the AI make its own decisions? Who isliable for results or decisions rendered by algorithms  the user, thedesigner, or the court? pondered Sirna.

However, many of these questions likely wont need to be addressedanytime soon  nor will AI have the power to pass judgment.

Our judicial system is by no means early adopters, but for goodcause, said Safko.

Rendering a just verdict and sentence is paramount, and we have to besure that the defendants and plaintiffs are properly represented andthat their information is protected, he said. This is why doctorsinsist on still using fax machines over email, which can easily behacked.

Automated Recommendations

AI could have a place in the courtroom, but perhaps only to aid the humanlawyers, judge, court reporters and jury. AI shouldnt replace any ofthose humans, but aid them in doing their job.

Once a technology has proven itself to be reliable and show a time orcost savings, it has been and will be adopted, suggested Safko.

AI is not a perfect science  it is still programmed by humans, andnot every set of data perfectly matches the predetermined rulesprogrammed into the application, he warned.

However, with the increasing pressure on court dockets, any time or cost saving measures need to be considered. It is important too, to consider how AI then could affect peoples lives.

Every automated recommendation should be reviewed by a qualifiedjudge to verify the outcome. Then their recommendation needs to be fedback into that system to allow it to become more proficient atrendering appropriate decisions, said Safko.

We cant risk peoples lives on automated apps that save money, he noted.

Even the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court, John Roberts, isconcerned about how AI is affecting the U.S. legal system, Safkoexplained. When asked about AI in our legal system, he said its aday thats here, and its putting a significant strain on how thejudiciary goes about doing things.'
Fractal, an artificial intelligence and analytics company, ventures into a technology partnership with ideaForge, a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) manufacturing company. Both companies collaborate to produce artificial intelligence-based drone solutions that would assist in crowd monitoring, object and people detection, object tracking and triggering alerts for actions. Furthermore, the companies would showcase their solution at DEFEXPO 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

"We are thrilled to partner with ideaForge to provide AI-enabled drone solutions. Drones are expanding the boundaries of what security, surveillance and enforcement teams can achieve and ideaForge is a market leader in drone technology. Fractal's Image and Video Analytics platform will bring deep learning Artificial Intelligence technology to analyze the drone feed and detect anomalies & threats in real-time without any human intervention and with greater efficiency and impact," says Sandeep Dutta, Chief Practice Officer - APAC, Fractal.

Fractal's image and video analytics solutions would help in analyzing real-time video feed from ideaForge drones and would produce insights in real-time and aid in making tactical and strategic decisions. This function could be utilized to detect, recognize and track objects & people. Also, these drone solutions could be used in crucial use cases such as anti-terror operations, counterinsurgency, crowd monitoring, border security, forest and wildlife conservation, traffic management and more.

"Our drones provide critical on-ground situational awareness to our security forces that empower them to make informed decisions. Our high-resolution drone feed and Fractal's Image & video analytics solution to analyze the feed will be immensely useful in various surveillance scenarios, especially to defense and homeland security forces. We are delighted to be partnering with Fractal to offer AI-powered drone solutions -a first in real-time aerial surveillance," says Ankit Mehta, CEO, ideaForge.
Amid pandemonium and adjournment-hit ongoing Parliament session, Congress leader Meem Afzal on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also used to raise slogans in the House when the party was in the opposition.

"Opposition always raises objections in Parliament. The BJP also used to raise slogans in the House when they were in the opposition," Afzal told ANI.

He also condemned the statement made by Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP Hanuman Beniwal about Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and sought action against the RLP leader.

"The Speaker should have at least expunged the comment," Afzal said.

Beniwal had on Thursday said in Lok Sabha that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi must get tested for coronavirus as they have just returned from Italy and may end up spreading it.

"Italy is badly affected with coronavirus so I requested the government that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul, and Priyanka Gandhi be tested for it since they have recently come back from Italy," he had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A federal judge has delivered a scathing criticism of William Barrs handling of the Mueller Report, terming his summary of the Russia probe distorted and misleading.

When the special prosecutor last spring completed his two-year probe into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election, and possible collusion by the Trump campaign, the first findings were released in a summary form by the recently appointed attorney general.

Mr Barr, who previously served as the nations top law official in the administration of George HW Bush, said Mr Mueller had found no collusion with Russia, and also determined there was no evident the president had obstructed justice. Mr Barr said he had decided no charges should be brought against Mr Trump.

At the time, Mr Mueller, a former head of the FBI wrote to Mr Barr, saying he disagreed with his summation of his work and pointed out while he found insufficient evidence to charge Mr Trump with collusion or obstruction it also does not exonerate him.

Eventually, a redacted version of the report was made public.

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Now, a federal judge has attacked Mr Barr over his handling of the report.

Judge Reggie Walton asked if Mr Barrs actions were a calculated attempt to help Mr Trump and suggested the attorney general had a lack of candour with the public and Congress.

 Jerry Nadler says Mueller report presents 'very substantial evidence' Donald Trump guilty of 'high crimes and misdemeanors'

The court cannot reconcile certain public representations made by attorney general Barr with the findings in the Mueller Report, Mr Walton wrote on Thursday, according to CNN.

The judge ordered the department of justice to privately show him the portions of the report that were censored in the public version so he independently verify the justifications.

The ruling came in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking a full-text version of the report.

It would be disingenuous for the court to conclude that the redactions of the Mueller Report pursuant to the FOIA are not tainted by Attorney General Barrs actions and representations, wrote the judge.
On the evening of March 1, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI /MEK) announced that the death toll from coronavirus has exceeded 650 until 8:00 pm local time. The PMOI/MEK stated that it has gathered the number relying on its domestic network, which is extended across Iran. Later, on March 3, the PMOI/MEK renewed the death toll announcing that as of 8:00 pm local time, the death toll nationwide from Coronavirus had exceeded 1,300 lives. However, recent reports revealed new scopes of the heartbreaking tragedy in Iran. On March 5, the PMOI/MEK announced that over the past 24 hours, at least 200 more people have lost their lives from Coronavirus in cities including Tehran, Qom, Rasht, Mashhad, Kashan, Ramsar, Sorkhe-Hesar, Yazd, Zanjan, Gorgan, Gonbad, Urmia, Tabriz, Maragheh, Damavand, Dorcheh, Rudsar, and Qazvin.

The number of victims in Qom has exceeded 400, and in Gilan, at least 154 have died. The extent of the catastrophe is to an extent that Abdolkarim Hossein-Zadeh, member of regimes parliament admitted, The pile of dead bodies in Qom and the helplessness of the people of Rasht are evidence of failures in notifying and alerting the people about the virus outbreak in a timely manner. In Golestan province, 70 people have died from the virus, in recent days, based on reports. In the city of Kermanshah, a cemetery manager says, 85 corona victims, have been buried in the cemetery. The Ferdows Cemetery in Kermanshah is also under the IRGC and Basij control and the bodies are buried overnight, PMOI/MEK sources from hospitals and medical centers acknowledged.

The information was raised while the Iranian regime claims that there are 4,747 confirmed cases in Iran, including only 124 fatalities. It is worth noting that the mullahs were concealing the reason for the Ukrainian Airliner crash in January for three days so that the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)s criminals could evade responsibility.

However, they wont be accountable even after the admission by the chief of IRGC Aerospace Force about their role in killing 176 innocent passengers. Furthermore, the Iranian regime has yet to announce the official death toll during the bloody crackdown on the November protests, which raised skepticism that the genuine number is much higher than 1,500 victims.

Meanwhile, these days, many doctors and medical staff upload audio messages and footage about the real story of the coronavirus in Iran. They narrate shocking scenes about the viral outbreak in different cities and authorities attempts for covering up the truth.

On February 27, Dr. Behrouz Kalidari exposed new scopes of virus developments in a file on his Facebook account. We have more than 12,000 virus carriers across Isfahan city, who dont know themselves that they are carriers, he said.

A day later, a female nurse who preferred to be anonymous unveiled a horrible part of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran. I witness that the situation is much more horrible than what is reported in [the state-run] media Yesterday, from morning to evening, in Shohada hospital in Yaftabad district [located in the capital] alone, 17 people died from coronavirus Therefore, how is it possible that in TV channels, [officials] announce eight fatalities for the whole country! An expert said the mortality rate in Iran is more than 50-60 percent.

Also, on February 29, Dr. Taqvaei disclosed the authorities path for deceiving the public in Noshahr city, northern Iran. I dont know why authorities ordered medical staff to announce heart failure and etc. as reasons for the death of people who had coronavirus The hospital lacks the professional staff, we had only one expert in emergency affairs. Regrettably, [officials] sent the sole expert of our hospital to another city! Dr. Taqvaei said. Notably, he was immediately fired after publishing the revelation on cyberspace.

Additionally, footage circulated on social media shows that the regime has provided special medical kits for testing members of the parliament [Majlis] and other governmental mullahs and authorities.

This contribution is taking place while the majority of the people are deprived of necessary items such as face masks, disinfectant fluid, and gloves and queues are extended to outside of pharmacies in Tehran and other cities. The fact is the monopolizing of the prevention items by the mullahs in addition to continuing flights by the IRGC-owned Mahan Airlines to China is another part of the systematic crime against the Iranian people.

In this context, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), called for the immediate dispatch of the World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring and treatment missions to Iran. The death toll due to the coronavirus (COVID19) is rising all across our country occupied by the mullahs. Once again, I urge WHO to immediately dispatch their supervisory and medical teams to Iran, Mrs. Rajavi tweeted on March 1.

The death toll due to the #Coronavirus (#COVID19) is rising all across our country occupied by the mullahs. Once again, I urge WHO to immediately dispatch their supervisory and medical teams to #Iran pic.twitter.com/T64vGi2PF2  Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) March 1, 2020
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 5 March 2020 - Property technology company Ohmyhome today announced that it will be expanding into its third market following the success of Singapore and Malaysia. The company will venture into the as-yet-unannounced South East Asian country in Q2 2020, and will offer its technology and services to combat the current industry inefficiencies there. Home buyers and sellers in the new market can look forward to buying and selling their properties at record-breaking speed.





Rhonda Wong, CEO and co-founder of Ohmyhome shared, "The deciding factor for entering into this third market was Ohmyhome's perfect product-market fit. Currently, there are no quality options available in the market. By localising our application and technology, we hope to bring about changes which will allow individuals to transact at a much faster speed through a seamless transaction experience."





As part of the expansion, Ohmyhome will be applying its machine learning formulas to in-market data, to ensure greater accuracy for matching potential homebuyers and home tenants.





Process automation will expedite the home ownership journey in the third market, while providing users with guided prompts for every step. Personalized property reports on the valuation of a home will also be automatically created through the incorporation of data analytics. Moreover, market data will be augmented by information pulled from multiple data sources that will offer more granular insights into the property market. Through this, Ohmyhome hopes to continuously deliver quality services to buyers and sellers in all three markets.





Rhonda adds, "We are constantly looking at how we can improve the user experience of our customers. It is our priority to constantly evolve in our technology and processes so that potential buyers and sellers can transact in a much more efficient manner through Ohmyhome."





At present, close to 5,300 homes in Singapore and Malaysia have been transacted through Ohmyhome, which represents a combined value of S$1.6 billion. More than 8000 buyers and sellers have also engaged with Ohmyhome's value added services.

Story continues





By creating an integrated ecosystem of property services, Ohmyhome ameliorates the complicated and time-consuming process of transacting property. Buyers and sellers on Ohmyhome can enjoy the convenience and simplicity of a single app solution that provides complete end-to-end services for all their property needs.





For more information, please visit: https://ohmyhome.com.sg.




Trader Joe's products can inspire some fanaticism among its customers. From the single-serve bananas, the cauliflower rice, the Everything but the Bagel seasoning and more  the grocery store's dedication to traveling internationally to find the latest and greatest new products, has made it a fan favorite.

But apparently Connecticut has pretty basic grocery needs even at Trader Joe's. Workwise decided to look into each states' most popular Trader Joe's food searches by state. Connecticut's biggest search: Brussels sprouts. But we're not alone, the cruciferous vegetable was actually the number one most searched Trader Joe's item in the country. At least Americans are eating their greens.
In a paper published in NANO, a group of researchers from Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea provide a comprehensive review of heterogeneously integrated two dimensional (2D) materials from an extensive library of atomic 2D materials with selectable material properties to open up fascinating possibilities for the design of functional novel devices.

Since the discovery of Graphene by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, 2D materials, e.g., graphene, black phosphorous (BP), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) have attracted extensive attention due to their broad physical properties and wide range of applications to electronic and optoelectronic devices. Research on these 2D materials has matured to the point where an extensive library of atomically thin 2D materials with selectable material properties has been created and continues to grow.

By combining or stacking these 2D materials, it is possible to construct 2D heterostructures, which are built by directly stacking individual monolayers comprising different materials. Each monolayer within a 2D heterostructure is highly stable, due to strong covalent bonds between the atoms within that monolayer. However, the forces between the monolayers that keep said monolayers stacked one above the other to form the 2D heterostructure happen to be relatively weak van der Waals interactions. Due to this, each of the monolayers retains its intrinsic properties. Moreover, unlike in conventional semiconductor heterostructures where component material selection is restricted to those with similar lattice structures, the lattice mismatch requirements of stacked heterostructures can be relaxed due to the weakness of the van der Waal's forces. This means that one can combine insulating, semiconducting, or metallic 2D materials to form a single 2D heterostructure despite their different lattice structures.

When a monolayer is stacked in combination with other monolayers made out of different materials, a variety of new heterostructures with atomically thin 2D heterojunctions can be created. Heterostructures made from a particular combination of materials will have a certain set of physical characteristics depending on which materials they are made from. The unusual physical characteristics of 2D heterostructures make them suitable for use in a wide range of applications.

In this review, various 2D heterostructures are discussed along with an explanation of novel electronic and optoelectronic properties, advanced synthesis technical developments, as well as new functional applications available. It provides an understanding of the current research trends in 2D materials, so as to explore future possibilities for nanomaterial research.

###

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Korean government (grant nos. 2013M3A6B1078873, 2015R1D1A1A09057297, 2017R1A4A1015400, and 2017R1A2A2A05001403).

Corresponding authors for this study are Euyheon Hwang (euyheon@skku.edu) and Sungjoo Lee (leesj@skku.edu) from SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology and Department of Nano Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University.

For more insight into the research described, readers are invited to access the paper on NANO.

IMAGE

Caption: Schematic illustration of the newly emerged 2D heterostructures research with various heterogeneous integration of 2D materials.

NANO is an international peer-reviewed monthly journal for nanoscience and nanotechnology that presents forefront fundamental research and new emerging topics. It features timely scientific reports of new results and technical breakthroughs and publishes interesting review articles about recent hot issues.

About World Scientific Publishing Co.

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Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis meeting today with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer focused on the situation that has been created on the Greek-Turkish border, where an organized effort towards mass illegal entries into Greece is underway.

More specifically, Mr. Varvitsiotis briefed Mr. Palmer on the current situation on the Greek-Turkish border and the measures the Greek government has taken to provide effective protection for the borders, which are also the borders of the EU. During their meeting, which took place in a very friendly atmosphere, they also discussed EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and the latest developments in the south-eastern Mediterranean, while also reaffirming the excellent relations between Greece and the U.S.
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The European Committee of the Regions' NAT commission began its new term of office with a debate on Coronavirus and its impact on local communities with the World Health Organisation. At the meeting on 5 March, members also adopted an opinion on forestry and discussed on cross-border healthcare, sustainable tourism and food policy. Rural development, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), fisheries, forestry, food production and public health are amongst the key topics on the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) agenda for this new mandate.

With a growing number of infections of Europeans, including those who had no contacts with the Chinese province of Wuhan, the Coronavirus  COVID-19  is now a major concern for local and regional authorities across Europe. Mayors, councillors and regional presidents are on the frontline of the fight with the diseases, preparing contingency measures, faced with essential equipment shortages and rising fears among the population.

"The COVID-19 virus has claimed many lives in Europe. The situation is evolving rapidly, each day brings new announcements and measures. We, local and regional government, have to assist, protect and treat our citizens," said Ulrika Landergren (SE/Renew Europe), Councillor in the Swedish municipality of Kungsbacka and chair of the European Committee of the Regions' NAT commission.

Leen Meulenbergs, UN WHO Representative to the European Union, said "Our message to all countries and regions is: we can push this virus back and the important role of local authorities is to educate people. This is a virus with a serious impact on public health, the economy and social and political issues. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Different countries, and different regions within the same country are in different scenarios."

An epidemic cannot be stopped. Instead, the trend of the infection can be slowed down. With our health system we are at the forefront of managing the emergency machine in Veneto region" stressed Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of Veneto Regional Council and Head of the Italian Delegation in the CoR participated in the NAT debate on coronavirus with a video intervention recorded from Venice.

NAT members also adopted an opinion drafted by Roby Biwer (LU/PES), Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council, Luxembourg, entitled 'Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World's Forests'. This opinion discusses how to strengthen international cooperation and work with partner countries to promote action against deforestation and forest degradation, especially resulting from agricultural production. Forests have a key role in mitigating the climate crisis thanks to their ability to absorb greenhouse gases. Population growth and growing demand for food are leading to forests being turned into agricultural land, and to an increased focus on agricultural productivity. Adoption is planned in the plenary session 13-14 May 2020.

Roby Biwer declared: "Forests are the green lungs of our planet. We will not meet our climate and biodiversity targets without stepping up efforts to protect and restore the world's forests. We call on the Commission to be more ambitious. Encouraging is not enough. We need to guarantee the consumption of products from non-EU deforestation-free supply chains in the EU, as a considerable part of primary forests are located outside the EU. Preventing forest loss can have multiple benefits for people and ecosystems including biodiversity conservation, emissions reduction by carbon absorption and provision of ecosystems services that can drive sustainable growth."



Members exchanged views on the following upcoming opinions:

'Cross-border health care', presented by Karsten Uno Petersen (DK/PES), Regional Councillor, Region of Southern Denmark. Around 150 million Europeans live in border regions. For many, the nearest hospital or simply medical professional is across the border. Making sure that citizens can access health services close to home as easy as possible, while providing safeguards for regional and national health systems, are key concerns of this opinion. This opinion of the Committee of the Regions has been requested by the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans. Adoption is planned in the plenary session 1-2 July 2020. "Border regions make up 40% of the EU's territory. For citizens living in these areas, seeking treatment in a neighbouring country has become a major concern. If the existing European directive have allowed some progress in our continent, more should be done to ensure financial certainty for citizens healed across the border, by simplifying administrative procedures and by improving effective reimbursement for the Europeans" stressed Karsten Uno Petersen.

'Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions', drafted by Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores (ES/Renew Europe), Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Tourism generates jobs and wealth across the European Union. It can, however, also have a negative impact on the environment or society, if not managed properly. This opinion looks at the positive contribution made by tourism activities: both economically and socially, and reflects on how political leaders could address the challenges and drive forward the sustainable modernisation agenda. Adoption is planned at the the CoR's plenary session 12-14 October 2020.

'From farm to fork  the local and regional dimension', presented by Guido Milana (IT/PES), Member of Olevano Romano Municipal Council (Rome). The Farm to Fork strategy for sustainable food is a prominent part of the flagship initiative on European Green Deal. The strategy will cover every step in the food chain, from production to consumption. European food is famous for being safe, nutritious and of high quality. The EC communication on Green Deal published in December 2019 confirmed the publication of the Farm to Fork strategy for the end of March 2020.

This opinion highlights how local and regional authorities can tackle climate change, protect the environment and preserve biodiversity while stimulating sustainable food consumption and promoting affordable healthy food for all. This will require cooperation between many players, institutional and beyond.

Rapporteur recalled that "The Farm to Fork initiative has the potential to be an opportunity to change our food system in view of the global climate emergency. Policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy should be changed as to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal. Cities and regions are key players in the food transition and we call for an ambitious strategy that supports the centrality of producers and short supply chains, encourages better food distribution and promotes responsible and critical consumption."

"Our ambition is to make the European Food Forum a high-level platform for debates on food policy. We all need it today. We need to come out from the silos of different parliamentary committees or institutions and discuss the food policy together. We need to work together on sustainable food production, consumer protection, food quality and environmental protection" stressed Roza Thun und Hohenstein, European Parliament, founding member of the European Food Forum. Finaly MEP stressed the importance to cooperate on this with the CoR - inviting the Committee to join the Forum as a special member.

Adoption is planned in the plenary session 9-10 December 2020.

Webs treaming

Meeting documents

Coronavirus background information

COVID-19 Message to all participants in events at CoR





Contact:

Wioletta Wojewodzka

Tel. +32 (0)2 282

Mobile: +32 (0)473 843 986

wioletta.wojewodzka@cor.europa.eu






Algiers. Mar 05. 2020 (SPS) - The Chairman of the Algerian Foreign Affairs Committee, Cooperation and Abroad Community at the National People's Congress, Abdelkader Abdellaoui, examined on Tuesday with the Chair of the European Affairs Committee in the Danish Parliament, Eva Kjer Hansen, several questions and files, in particular the Sahrawi and Palestinian causes and the situation in the Sahel, indicates a press release from the AFN -Algerian -.

The two sides had extended talks on a range of issues, including "the humane treatment of refugees from certain countries in the centers devoted to them in Algeria," the statement said.

The discussions also focused on "the discrimination faced by immigrants legally established in Europe, particularly in terms of studies, work and worship, and the means to deal with it, in particular through the development of economic cooperati

In addition, the meeting between the two delegations discussed at length "the Sahrawi question and the violence exerted against women in the occupied Sahrawi territories as well as the Palestinian cause and the situation in the Sahel".

In this sense, "a convergence of views on the respect for human rights and the sovereignty of States in addition to the fight against terrorism was stressed," added the press release.

Part of the discussions was also devoted to examining the possibilities of raising the level of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of higher education, commerce and the economy. "SPS

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Bergen [Norway], Mar 5 (ANI): Divorce of parents may impact the academics of children negatively, suggests a new study.

According to the study, parental divorce is associated with a lower grade point average (GPA) among adolescents, with a stronger association seen in teens with more educated mothers.



The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Children and adolescents with divorced or separated parents are known to do less well in school than adolescents with nondivorced parents and to be less well-adjusted, on average, across a spectrum of physical and mental health outcomes.

In the new study, researchers used data from the youth@hordaland study, a population-based survey of adolescents aged 16-19 conducted in the spring of 2012 in Hordaland County, Norway.

19,439 adolescents were invited to participate and 10,257 agreed; of those, 9,166 are included in the current study.

Overall, adolescents with divorced parents had a 0.3 point lower GPA (standard error 0.022, p<0.01) than their peers.

Controlling for parental education reduced the effect by 0.06 points to 0.240 (SE 0.021, p<0.01). This heterogeneity was predominantly driven by maternal education levels, the researchers found.

After controlling for paternal education and income measures, divorce was associated with a 0.120 point decrease in GPA among adolescents whose mothers had a secondary school education level; a 0.175 point decrease when mothers had a Bachelor's level education; and a 0.209 point decrease when mothers had a Master's or PhD level education (all estimates relative to adolescents with a mother who had a basic level of education, such as ISCED 0-2).

Due to the cross-sectional structure of the study, researchers could not investigate specific changes between pre- and post-divorce family life, and future studies are needed to investigate potential mechanisms (such as reduced parental monitoring or school-involvement) which might drive this finding.

Nonetheless, this study provides new evidence that the negative association between divorce and teens' GPA is especially strong in families with more educated mothers.

"Among Norwegian adolescents, parental divorce was hardly associated with GPA among youth whose parents have low educational qualifications. In contrast, among adolescents with educated or highly educated mothers, divorce was significantly associated with lower GPA," said the authors. (ANI)


As the number of patients testing positive for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) hit 30 in India on Thursday, parents were fretting the most over prospects of their children catching the infection. Limited data thats now available does not support their concerns; the people most vulnerable to Covid-19 seem to be those above the age of 50 years.

I am, of course, worried about my child... It has become a worldwide outbreak; there is paranoia and better to be cautious and take precautions, said Rupa Kujur, mother of three-year-old Arhan Kujur Roy. She has bought stocks of sanitizers and SOS medicines like paracetamol for her child and adults in the family.

The family is avoiding public places, making sure to wash their hands  and the childs  and using the sanitizer when they come in contact with people like delivery persons and vegetable vendors and when they even exchange money, she said.

I only give him (the child) warm water; home-cooked meals and liberal helpings of fruits at room temperature. No cold food as it can make him fall sick. I am also guiding domestic helps to take necessary precautions and sanitize themselves as often as possible. Basically we are being extra cautious in taking usual precautions, she said.

A report by the joint commission of the World Health Organisation and China on the novel coronavirus, submitted on February 28, however, suggested that the disease is relatively rare, and mild, among children.

Only 2.4% of the total reported cases of coronavirus were individuals aged under 19 years, it said.

A very small proportion of those aged under 19 years were found to have developed a severe (2.5%) or critical (0.2%) form of the disease.

The Joint Mission learned that infected children have largely been identified through contact tracing in households of adults. Of note, people interviewed by the Joint Mission Team could not recall episodes in which transmission occurred from a child to an adult, said the report.

The joint missions consisted of 25 national and international experts from China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, the United States and WHO.

The first large analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China, also released last month, found the death rate was 10 times higher in very old people compared to young people, unlike H1N1, or swine flu, which hit young adults the hardest in the outbreak years of 2009-10.

The data from China showed that children and teenagers (0-19 years) had largely been spared, with only a handful hospitalised with fever, cough or other mild respiratory symptoms. They accounted for 0.1% of the total Covid-19 related deaths. Young adults (20-39 years) accounted for 2.5% of total deaths. The maximum number of deaths took place among people above 80 years of age (14.8%).

The US Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta also confirmed that fewer children had been affected by the disease, which is similar to what was seen in previous outbreaks of the coronavirus family.

From limited information published from past Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks, infection among children was relatively uncommon, the centre said in its documentation on the disease.

Even so, paediatricians in the city have been inundated with questions from worried parents on how to protect their children from infection.

They want to know whether children are at increased risk, which they are not because unlike many other infections, this virus rarely causes disease in children and when they do get infected, they get mild disease. They also want to know whether they should stop sending them to school, and I say no, not until you get a government advisory, said Dr Anupam Sibal, senior paediatrician and group medical director, Apollo Hospitals Group.

Mostly, they need reassurance and fact-based information. I tell them theres no need to stock up on medicines and masks, but all children should be taught hand washing and coughing etiquette, where they should cough in into their sleeve and not their palms, said Dr Sibal, who has made a short science-based video for parents to share to counter rumours.

People also ask if the summer heat will kill the virus. Its a new virus, we dont know enough. All viruses dont die in the heat, India reports flu cases throughout the year and even MERS outbreaks occurred in the Middle East, which has hot and dry weather, said Sibal.

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Kerala: 'Brahmins-only' toilet in Thrissur's Kuttumukku Mahadeva temple creates flutter

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Thrissur (Ker), Mar 06: A local temple in Kerala has become the eye of a social media storm after the picture of a 'Brahmins-only toilet' outside its main campus went viral on online platforms, prompting the management to remove the signboard.

The picture of three toilets, with signboards showing 'Men', 'Women' and 'Brahmins', at the Kuttumukku Mahadeva Temple, has gone viral with many netizens viewing it as an unethical practise which would put the progressive state in a bad light.

So, apparently a temple in Kerala has a special toilet for Brahmins!

This, I am told is from Kuttumukku Mahadeva Temple in Thrissur, Kerala. pic.twitter.com/Efw0yqfCqo  Bobins Abraham (@BobinsAbraham) March 5, 2020

However, temple officials said the toilets were located out of the main campus and the board came to their notice only now.

Kannan, an official of the temple committee, said the board was placed nearly two decades ago and nobody raised any complaint against it so far. "That particular toilet was used by priests and other temple employees. We didn't even notice that board...as soon as we came to know about it, we removed it and affixed a staff-only board," he told PTI.

Also a CPI-M functionary and ward councillor, Kannan said the shrine and it's management was against all kinds of unethical customs.

The temple official said they were planning to pursue legal measures against the man who posted the photo of the toilets on the social media.

A particular individual had shared the photo on the social media platforms at the time of the recently concluded temple festival.

"We suspect that he did it deliberately to create issues during the time of the festival and to tarnish the shrine's reputation. Not only that, the photo he shared was an old one though he claimed that it was taken during the time of the festival, " he said.

PTI
The bright spots for Bidens closest rival, Sanders, on Super Tuesday came largely from Hispanic voters, according to exit polls. They gave about half of their votes to Sanders in California, which has the largest number of Democratic convention delegates. He also received 39% of Latino votes in Texas, where Biden narrowly won with 26% of their vote.
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh's recent visit to Moscow, which had been planned for over a year, was largely ignored by Russian media after being overshadowed by the escalation in Syria's Idlib. Russian foreign policy headquarters, however, paid close attention to it.

Haniyeh began his visit with meetings at the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was hosted by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The officials held in-depth discussions on measures to restore Palestinian national unity on the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as on various aspects of developments in Gaza, including in the context of efforts taken toward a lasting and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on international law, the ministrys readout of the meeting said. The document also mentions that Russian President Vladimir Putin's special presidential representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, carried out additional expansive consultations with Haniyeh.

The Foreign Ministrys comment shows that Moscow prioritizes the issue of Palestinian unity over Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation. However, Russian diplomats have always emphasized that peace between these countries would not be possible until the Palestinians reach a consensus among themselves. That is why a year ago Moscow hosted a summit of Palestinian political movements, though the event ended without even a signed joint statement.

Haniyeh said that during negotiations at the Foreign Ministry, he brought up the possibility of continuing such summits of first-line factions to be held in Cairo, Moscow or in any other friendly, brotherly nation.

However, the Hamas leader deliberately ignored the question that Al-Monitor asked him during the concluding conference in the Russia Today press center on what kind of guarantees may ensure that future such meetings will not fail like the previous one in Moscow.

For his part, Haniyeh only pointed out that Palestinians need to discuss their issues profoundly and make substantial decisions, adding that every day without unity only exacerbates the situation.

The politician also avoided stating directly whether he expects a meeting with Paalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during the suggested negotiations in Egypt or Russia.

As for the meeting with Abu Mazen [Abbas], I do not have any preferences about a particular date or specific conditions. However, I appreciate holding such a meeting at any given time, whether in Gaza, Cairo or Moscow, he said.

In general, according to Haniyeh, inter-Palestinian reconciliation requires implementing existing agreements rather than signing new ones. He drew out four ways to achieve this goal: universal presidential and parliamentary elections, convening the Palestinian National Council and including all factions, holding a conference of political movement leaders and forming a government of national accord.

Between the negotiations in the ministry and the press conference, the leader of Hamas also managed to meet Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky, and Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev. Slutsky told the journalists that the Russian government is ready to support the Palestinian-Israeli peace process on the parliamentary level. Moreover, he pointed out that the reconciliation plan proposed by the United States in late January  the so-called deal of the century  is blatantly pro-Israeli and fails to take the interests of the Palestinian side into consideration.

Kosachevs opinion was similar. He noted that Russians thoroughly examined the lengthy document on the peace process created by the United States.

We regret to conclude that the authors are clearly biased in favor of one of the sides of the conflict, specifically Israel. At the same time, the Palestinian sides legitimate interests are basically ignored in this deal, he pointed out.

This American project tosses out the results of years of diplomatic and political work, attempting to solve the long-standing Middle Eastern conflict in one swoop "with cowboy-ish methods Americans tend to prefer, Kosachev said in a critical manner that is characteristic of statements by Russian politicians and diplomats when it comes to the United States' role in the conflict.

Kosachev also mentioned the issue of Palestinian unity, underlining that the position of the Palestinian side during negotiations with Israel will be substantially strengthened if it becomes consolidated. Moreover, he offered assistance in organizing the Palestinian election and said Russia would "certainly insist that the Israeli side not block potential Palestinian voters from casting their ballots in the elections in East Jerusalem.

Our contacts with your Israeli neighbors are currently irregular due to constant elections there, much more frequent than in Palestine. Nevertheless, the contacts exist, as well as the opportunities to influence the process with parliamentary diplomacy, Kosachev stressed.

Aside from these events, Haniyeh visited the Moscow Cathedral Mosque and took part in other meetings not covered by the Russian media. For instance, he met the ambassadors of Palestine and Iran to Russia. The Palestinian representative, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, has close contacts with Abbas. As for the Iranian ambassador, according to Haniyeh, meeting him was homage to tradition.

Our relations with Iran are quite solid; our representatives always try to visit this countrys embassy during their trips to Moscow, he explained.

It is noteworthy that the Hamas leaders trip to Moscow took place simultaneously with the election campaign in Israel  a symbolic, though likely accidental, coincidence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consistently demonstrates his closeness to Putin. However, the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is the issue on which Russia and Israel fail to find compromise. It should be mentioned that when the Israeli prime minister arrived in Moscow shortly after the presentation of the deal of the century in Washington, Putin tried to avoid discussing this question in public.

As Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov pointed out during his speech at the Valdai Discussion Club, the only advantage of the deal is that it managed to return Middle Eastern reconciliation to the center of international attention. Viktorov said that Russia was ready to take measures in this field within the four-sided team of mediators (Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations). However, he added, Moscow would appreciate having other nations, particularly ones belonging to the region, in the process.

The ambassador emphasized that Russia was willing to maintain absolutely friendly, sincere, outspoken relations both with Israel and Palestine.

Israels charge d'affaires in Russia, Yacov Livne, reacted to the Hamas visit by telling Al-Monitor, It should be noted that Hamas is a terrorist structure, openly and outwardly calling for the destruction of the State of Israel and refusing to accept any possible plan of political reconciliation.  I do not want to give advice to the Russian government. However, it could be practical to consider and implement this information in a suitable way.

His words reflect a situation where Russia is hardly having any influence with Israel in regard to reconciliation with Palestinians while at the same time some Israelis hope Moscow will ultimately acknowledge the advantages of the deal of the century, even if not admitting them publicly. In the meantime, Russia is focusing on Palestinian reconciliation, though this process currently also seems almost hopeless.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says he feels there was a political conspiracy behind the Delhi communal violence to defame India during US President Donald Trumps two-day visit. He added that an inquiry into the riots was ongoing and the conspirators will be punished by the government after it is complete.

Now things are coming, that there is a conspiracy, political conspiracy, in Delhi riots to defame this country, it is very unfortunate, the probe is going on, the truth will come out and whatever the peoples (sic) who are culprit, the government will take stern action against them, Gadkari told Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the Mint India Investment summit 2020 on Friday.

Gadkari, however, later qualified his statement to say that it was his personal opinion that there was a conspiracy and that one should wait for the inquiry report to come out to draw any conclusions.

WATCH | Political conspiracy to defame India: Nitin Gadkari on Delhi violence & coronavirus

I feel that there is a planned conspiracy, presently the inquiry is going on and before any report, it will not be appropriate to make any comments on it, but personally I feel there is a political conspiracy at the time of President Trumps visit to create confusion in the mind of the world community, that was the plan, he said when asked if he knew who the conspirators were.

Gadkari suggested bombs made up of acid were bought in advance to foment trouble.

The acid bomb was there, the way it was prepared, acid is purchased by cheque, he said.

But still it would not be appropriate to make comments on it, we will wait for the findings, he added.

The union minister also accused political rivals of using fear as a tool of political strategy to keep minorities confused and in perpetual fear.

Some political parties have an agenda to confuse people, and the most important capital in politics is fear, to create fears in the minds of the minorities is the political agenda of some political leaders and parties, he said referring to the protests and clashes over the amended citizenship act.

Gadkari said the government was true to its slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishvaas and reiterated that the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) was not aimed to take away the citizenship of a single member of the minority community. He said the government ready to discuss the issue with the opposition and the minorities.

Actually there is nothing against the minorities in the CAA or Article 370, he said.

Replying to a question on Rahul Gandhi questioning the governments preparedness to deal with the deadly coronavirus disease that has taken over 3300 lives worldwide, Gadkari said, the Congress leaders comments were unfortunate.

It is very unfortunate, we should not politicize coronavirus, he said, before adding, The Prime minister has taken a lot of decisions since the first day of the coronavirus outbreak in China. I feel this is the time that all parties should behave responsibly.
Parliamentarians will no longer be accompanied by their bodyguards when visiting Parliament buildings, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has ordered.

Speaker Muturi stated that Parliament is not a war zone and no bodyguards will be allowed past the parking lot. He said this will help reduce congestion of Parliament corridors.

State officers known as Governors have the unbearing habit of coming with so many bodyguards. Parliament is a safe place, there is nothing to fear. This is not a war zone, the Speaker said.

Muturi also restricted the number of visitors allowed to see MPs at a given time.

Every legislator will now be allowed a maximum of two visitors at a time.

Muturi said this will address increased human traffic of people hanging around the corridors of Parliament.
Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 9 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Chattanooga, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Chattanooga with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Chattanooga. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee please visit

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-chattanooga-tn/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee (in alphabetical order)

Aspell Recovery Center

110 McCowat Street

Jackson, TN 38305

731-427-7238

Buffalo Valley, Inc.

501 Park Avenue South

Hohenwald, TN 38462

931-796-5427

Cornerstone of Recovery

4726 Airport Highway

Louisville, TN 37777

866-532-5946

Council for Alcohol Drug Abuse Services, Inc.

207 Spears Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37405

423-756-7644

Discovery Place

1635 Spencer Mill Road

Burns, TN 37029

800-725-0922

Focus Treatment Centers

7429 Shallowford Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421

800-675-2041

JourneyPure At The River

5080 Florence Road

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

844-334-3911

Recovery House of East Tennessee

105 Caldwell Circle

Oliver Springs, TN 37840

888-794-0411

The Next Door

108 Moccasin Bend

Chattanooga, TN 37405

423-933-0112

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.orgs team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.
New Delhi: Air India has raised a bill of almost Rs 6 crore for evacuating 647 people from Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus.

The minister of state in the ministry of external affairs V. Muraleedharan in response to a question in Lok Sabha said, "Air India has raised a bill of Rs. 5,98,90,352/- for operating two special flights to China."

The state carrier spent Rs 92,566.23 on each of the 647 people to evacuate them from China, worst impacted by Coronavirus.

Air India's two special flights were sent to Wuhan on January 31, 2020 and February 1, 2020 to evacuate 640 Indians and 7 Maldives citizen.

India has sent a total of three flights to evacuate its citizens and many foreigners from Wuhan. Barring the 2 Air India flight, an Air force C17 was sent in the last week of February to evacuate more people.

"An Indian Airforce flight carrying relief material to China also carried Indian citizens from Wuhan, China on its return journey. Expenditure details are yet to be received from Ministry of Defence, "Muraleedharan said.

Government of India evacuated a total of 766 persons, including 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreigners from China.

119 Indians have been brought back to India from the cruise ship Diamond princesses which was quarantined off the coast of Japan.

The flights which were sent to China were medically equipped and included a team of doctors from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) hospital. A team of engineers, security personnel were also sent in the special flight. The rescue mission was lead by Captain Amitabh Singh, Director operation of Air India.
This is the kind of thing that explains the stop-Bernie movement in the Democratic Party. Sanders is a Communist, or, best case, a Communist sympathizer. I am so old, I can remember when The Manchurian Candidate was fiction.

The latest comes from NPR. I take it that this is one more instance of the mainstream Democratic Party lining up in lockstep against Sanders. NPR interviewed Alan Gross, who was for five years a political prisoner in Cuba. In 20142014! Gross was visited in prison by three senators, Jon Tester, Heidi Heitkamp and Bernie Sanders. This is what happened:

During the one-hour meeting, Sanders told the prisoner that he didnt understand why others criticized Cuba, Gross said in an interview with NPR. He said, quote: I dont know whats so wrong with this country,' Gross recalled.

Gross was wrongfully imprisoned by Castro:

Gross, who now says he opposes Sanders campaign for president, was arrested in December 2009 after completing a U.S. Agency for International Development subcontract. He was in Cuba working to expand Internet access to the countrys small Jewish community, beyond the restrictive Internet regulations set by the Castro government. He spent 1,841 days in detention, during which he lost five teeth and over 100 pounds. He also said his interrogators threatened to pull out his fingernails and to hang him. The first year of my captivity was akin to sensory deprivation because I saw about 20 minutes of sunlight during the first year, Gross said. The Obama administration and Gross advocates said he was wrongfully convicted. He was ultimately released by Cuba in exchange for the U.S. government releasing three Cubans convicted of spying.

None of this bothered Sanders, apparently.

Gross said Heitkamp and Tester brought him a big bag of peanut M&Ms, a memory that Gross remains fond of today because of his undernourishment at the time. Sanders brought an issue of The Atlantic magazine. Gross was also allowed to wear civilian clothes for the visit  a treat because normally he was allowed to wear only prison pajamas. He said he had a pleasant conversation with Heitkamp and Tester, while Sanders remained mostly quiet for the duration of their one-hour meeting. Senator Sanders didnt really engage much in the conversation, Gross said. But near the end, the Vermont senator offered a comment to the detained American, saying he didnt see what was so wrong with the country. Gross, as a prisoner in that country, said he took offense to the remark.

No kidding! NPR reached a representative of Heitkamp, who essentially confirmed Grosss account:

A source close to Heitkamp said the then-North Dakota senator remembered that Sanders seemed to disregard the meeting with Gross and that an uncomfortable exchange occurred, but did not remember the exact remark.

There is a pattern here. Sanders honeymooned in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1988, one year before the Berlin Wall fell and three years before the USSR dissolved. The Russian empire was in its last stages of decomposition, but Bernie returned to the U.S., singing its praises. Similarly, by 2014 Cuba was in desperate straits. Essentially no one was defending Castros regime at that pointexcept Bernie Sanders.

Sanders is a lifelong apologist for the worlds cruelest regimes, and his defense of them has continued more or less to the present. Sanders is either an evil man, or a profoundly stupid one. No wonder the Democratic Party establishment wants to go with Joe Biden, who is undeniably stupid, but, at least arguably, not evil.
Madison St., 1100 block, Feb. 22. A man went to the apartment of a female acquaintance carrying what the woman believed to be a long gun. He threatened to shoot another man that frequents the apartment. The woman did not open the door and called police. The 25-year-old Annapolis man was arrested at his residence where police located two rifles, a shotgun and assorted ammunition. He was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and use of a firearm in a violent crime.
Indian steel majors have raised



the price of steel between Rs 500 and Rs 800 a tonne in the wake of higher input costs and shortage in the international markets as coronavirus have hit China's steel production.

"Tata Steel has raised the price by Rs 500-750 a tonne, a senior Tata Steel official told PTI.

"We have raised the price of steel between Rs 500-800 per tonne from March 1," a senior JSW Steel official said.

"Coal price has moved up by USD 13 per tonne and iron-ore price has also moved up and remains firm. While, due to Coronavirus outbreak in China, production in the dragon country is predicted to be lower," the official said.

The fall in exports from China has opened up Indias export opportunity, especially to some of the South-East Asian countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Redwood City man who was convicted in Contra Costa County Superior Court of stalking and vandalism was arrested hours after his release from jail for violating a domestic violence restraining order in a separate San Francisco case, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday.

District Attorney's Office spokesman Scott Alonso said Aboozar Hajipour was convicted on Feb. 24 of stalking and vandalism for breaking all the windows of a victim's El Cerrito house with a tire iron on Jan. 10.

Hajipour falsely blamed the female victim for his situation with his partner, Alonso said.

He was sentenced on Feb. 25 by Superior Court Judge Julia Campins to 94 days in jail, and was released on probation that day with credit for time served and for good behavior during the time served.

Hours later, Hajipour allegedly violated the domestic violence restraining order in San Francisco. The person protected by the order testified against Hajipour in his Contra Costa County trial, Alonso said.

Hajipour was later arrested by San Francisco police and faces charges in San Francisco Superior Court of violating the order.

He also now faces a bid by the Contra County District Attorney's Office for revocation of his probation from the stalking and vandalism conviction. Alonso said prosecutors filed a petition for revocation on Feb. 26 and Campins subsequently issued an arrest warrant.

Deputy District Attorney Natasha Mehta said she expected Hajipour to be transferred to Contra Costa County for an initial appearance in the probation revocation case within a few days.

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.
(Newser)  With hand sanitizer flying off shelves as a result of the coronavirus, recipes for homemade versions have been popping up online. The problem is, "if made incorrectly, it can be downright harmful," reports CNN. The solution must be made with at least 60% alcohol, which rules out use of most liquors, though people are apparently using them anyway. Indeed, Tito's Handmade Vodka issued a warning on Twitter Thursday after a user claimed to have used the 40% alcohol to make a somewhat tasty solution, per CNET.

story continues below

It "doesn't taste bad" and is "keeping me germ-free and feeling good at the same time," the user wrote. The Texas-based company was quick to note that such a solution "does not meet the current recommendation of the CDC." Though the World Health Organization does offer an in-depth guide to making hand sanitizer, a simple solution involves mixing two parts rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, with one part aloe vera gel, per the Verge. The gel keeps the skin from drying out. (Read all about the coronavirus here.)
It started, as these things often do, with breaking news.

The USs first case of coronavirus had been confirmed in a town 20 miles north of Seattle. Within an hour, I was heading up Interstate 5 to Everett, to talk to health officials and get reactions from residents. (Summation of interviews: Not concerned. Trying to stay calm.)

Six weeks later, the nations first fatality was reported in the suburb of Kirkland. This time it was a dash northwest on Interstate 405 to talk to people stocking in a supermarket close to the hospital where the person had died and where the LifeCare Centre nursing home was located. (Summation of interviews: Increasingly concerned. Trying to calm, but anxious.)

Now the death toll has reached 11. More than 100,000 employees of companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook, among them my wife, have been told to work from home to reduce the spread of the virus.

Residents over the age of 60, or people with underlying health conditions, have also been advised to stay at home. Officials have ordered school districts to close. They have also suggested community groups cancel events involving more than ten people.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

Images from stores such a Costco show massive lines. Companies such as Amazon report a spike in orders of canned goods and hand sanitiser. Mike Pence is visiting the state capital.

And yet people in the neighhourhood coffee shop this morning appeared to display little concern. One customer, Lindsay Berger, who was chatting to two other women, said she was stunned by how people were overreacting.

It makes me worry what wed do if there was a real crisis, she said. She said friends in New York had sent her images of the Union Square branch of Whole Foods Market with the shelves bare.

This is contagious, but mild. What if it was something that was contagious but acute?

With most crises or declared states of emergency, be it the Fukishima earthquake of 2011, or Typhoon Haiyan that tore through the Philippines in 2013, the challenge for reporters is largely one of logistics.

Can you get to the place, can you find a translator. Is there a cell signal, or can you borrow someones satellite phone.

A friend who covered the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 donned hazmat gear for four straight months, as he documented the diseases devastating spread, something for which he received a Pulitzer Prize.

But how do you cover a state of emergency in the gentrified suburbs of Seattle.

 England's chief medical officer says UK has moved to 'delay phase' of tackling coronavirus

If feels banal to report that people at the boot camp class at the gym have started to do air high fives at the end of each session to avoid hand-to-hand contact. It feels an exercise in indulgence and privilege to report peoples concerns about whether to take a flight on their vacation. It hardly feels like a crisis if people can click a button to restock their food cupboard.

As with so much of todays world, privilege will likely emerge as a defining faultline as the coronavirus crisis plays out.

If you have health insurance you know you can be treated if you fall ill. If you have a place to live, you can work from home, assuming you have a job. Unless, that is, you work in one of the warehouses filled with canned food, or are a delivery driver, or work in a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant.

But what about the estimated 5,0000 of Seattles homeless, their plight worsened by the shortage in affordable housing those thousands of well-rewarded tech employees have helped to create?

How do you get treatment for coronavirus if your home is a tent under the interstate, or next to a new construction? Will you end up in the 84-room EconoLodge motel that officials at King County has bought for $4m in the town of Renton to be used as a a quarantine facility for coronavirus patients.

Or will they put you in an alternative isolation unit in a trailer on public parking lots.

Many of us can shelter in place, we can go home, we can even work remotely, said King County Executive Dow Constantine. That is not an option for people who are unhoused.

This morning, many people in the area were jolted by a story in the New York Times that suggested in the six weeks between the first outbreak was reported in Everett to the first death, in Kirkland, anywhere between from 150 to 1,500 people may have had, or contracted the disease.

Mike Famulare, a principal research scientist at the Institute for Disease Modelling in Bellevue, said it was most likely 300 to 500.

The most genuinely frightening thing is that people do not know where the virus is or who has been infected. Is it that person sneezing on the bus? What about that person walking their dogs?

For reporters, the challenge is identifying the locus. What is the essence of the story were trying to cover?

As health officials step up their testing, many cases will be reported. We are almost certainly likely to see more deaths. At some point, those numbers will start to reduce, but that may be some time away.

A heartening comment came from a member of staff in that coffee shop this morning when I expressed some surprise to find it open. She said it had been business as usual but that everybody is making an effort to be super friendly.

Was that the employees or the customers, I asked. She replied: Both.
Emma Langford leaves Uxbridge Magistrates Court in May last year (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

A drunk passenger who assaulted three British Airways cabin crew members on a flight to South Africa has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Emma Langford, 48, of Old Basing, Hampshire, had to be forcibly restrained by staff after verbally abusing and attacking them on board the plane that left Heathrow Airport for Cape Town on December 6 2018.

The mother of two had been on her way to stay at residential rehabilitation for her alcoholism when she punched and pushed flight staff, causing bruising and leaving one with a cut to their leg.

Judge Nicholas Wood sentenced Langford to a total of 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Isleworth Crown Court.

He said the decision to suspend the sentence was "borderline" but it was driven by the impact that custody would have on her recovery and children.

Commenting on her actions, he said: "There is no escape route at 30,000 feet.

"I've no doubt whatsoever there were passengers on that plane that were fearful of their lives over what you might do."

He also ordered Langford to pay 1,000 of compensation to each of her three victims, all British Airways employees, as well as 1,000 in costs.

A magistrates' court hearing last year was told that around 30 minutes after flight BA043 took off, Langford, smelling of alcohol, had demanded a drink and hurled abuse at staff.

Despite being told to calm down and given water, she did not remain in her seat and at one point chased a cabin crew member away.

Customer services manager Matthew Richardson said Langford had been "raising her voice" and displaying "agitated body language" as she complained about being thirsty.

Mr Richardson added: "She approached me with a puffed-up chest and was behaving erratically again, she was verbally abusive."

Staff grew increasingly concerned over Langford's behaviour, before she launched an attack on Mr Richardson.

He said she "hit me several times", including being punched around three times in his left collarbone.

Mr Richardson's colleagues, Poppy Haynes and Monique Foulger, were also victims of assault on the flight.

Langford's drunken behaviour also saw her smash crockery and glasses to the floor.

Eventually, she was served with a violation notice by staff on the plane, which she ripped up saying "Blah, blah, blah", Mr Richardson said.

Langford, who has had alcohol problems since 2007, was restrained in her seat for the rest of the journey.

Mitigating for Langford, Guy Wyatt said her anxiousness about flying had "got the better of her".

"She started to drink before she boarded the plane, tried to continue... lost control of herself catastrophically," he said.

He added: "Through me, she apologises and expresses her contrition towards cabin crew, other passengers and all involved."

Mr Wyatt said Langford, who has a bipolar diagnosis, suffered from a "catastrophic addiction" to alcohol, but was currently 129 days sober.

He highlighted her "clean scores" from wearing a Scram bracelet, a device that monitors the wearer's ingestion of alcohol, and that she was supported by a 24-hour sober companion in court.

Time in custody risked "destabilising" her recovery, which included attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mr Wyatt warned.

At a court hearing in May last year, Langford admitted charges of being drunk on an aircraft, behaving in an abusive manner towards flight staff and causing criminal damage.

In December, she also pleaded guilty to three charges of assault by beating against Mr Richardson, Ms Foulger and Ms Haynes.

Judge Wood warned Langford: "If you get drunk and commit further offences, I doubt any court will have mercy."

Langford, who has drink-drive convictions from 2019 and 2009, was handed five-month sentences, suspended for 18 months, for the assault charges.

These will be served concurrently with a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, for the charge of being drunk on an aircraft.

There was no separate penalty for the criminal damage and abusive behaviour charges.
Press Release

6 March 2020

MUMBAI - Nearly a quarter of India's women professionals (23%) travel at least once a month for business, compared to just 7% who travel solely for leisure with the same frequency, according to new research from Indian Hotels Company (IHCL)1.

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According to the research amongst over 1000 regular women travelers in India and overseas, safety and security topped the list whilst selecting a hotel. The findings reinforce that women are looking at hotels supporting and facilitating a seamless stay experience through a more thoughtful service approach. Besides these re-assurances, 78% of women travelers prioritize local cuisines when travelling, while 69% expect healthier dining options and 61% would prefer smaller, 'tasting' portions. While other services such as women butler options (for 61%) and women personal shoppers (69%) could also influence their choice of hotels, as per the findings.

Renu Basu, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Marketing, IHCL said, "We, as a global organisation, not only recognise the contribution of women in the industry and society at large, but are also cognizant of their increasing value as a growing influence on business. Women are responsible for up to 85% of all consumer purchases and play a very significant role in influencing business and leisure travel. Hence, responding to their thoughts and needs is an absolute priority for us. Brands that make the effort to actively and holistically engage with women travellers will definitely stand to gain over the coming decades."

Other research suggests that women consumers apply more scrutiny to their purchase decisions and - in turn - subsequently remain more loyal to their brands of choice. Globally, for instance, 27% of women would stick to a preferred brand regardless of price, quality, convenience or brand promises, compared to just 21% of men2.

Such insights have clear implications for the travel and hospitality industry; 76% of women are interested in earning points on loyalty programs (69% of men) and 40% of women currently participate in restaurant loyalty programs (34% men).

According to IHCL data, women traveler volumes are growing at twice the rate of their male counterparts3. Since 2015, IHCL hotels have seen a growth of 33% in the number of women travelers' year-on-year; in terms of contribution, today, women guests account for nearly 34% of the rooms business.

True to its values of promoting diversity and inclusion, IHCL has always recognized the importance of women - both, as valued employees as well as guests at our hotels. In response to the evolving needs of women travelers, the company has further enhanced as well as introduced new services for women travelers across many of its hotels, including highest standards of safety like call screening and staff sensitisation for maintaining guest privacy. Hotels also offer enabling services such as small portions, low calorie and healthier dining options, and flexible salon timings apart from indulgent services like in-room amenities and curated shopping and sightseeing itineraries.
TORONTO - The number of Ontario residents infected with the novel coronavirus continued to climb on Friday as public health officials recorded six new cases in the past 36 hours, bringing the total in the province to 28 by late afternoon.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO - The number of Ontario residents infected with the novel coronavirus continued to climb on Friday as public health officials recorded six new cases in the past 36 hours, bringing the total in the province to 28 by late afternoon.

But officials said the risk of contracting the virus remains low, noting all recent cases involve people who have either recently visited global hotspots for the bug or their close relatives.

Officials said there is still no evidence of community spread in Ontario.

Ontario's Ministry of Health reported a total of 22 provincewide cases on Thursday morning, but confirmed Friday evening the figure had climbed to 28. Four of those cases have been resolved.

The latest two cases include a man in his 20s who returned from Italy on March 3 and went to Mount Sinai Hospital's emergency department in Toronto. He was discharged home the same day where he remains in self-isolation.

The second is a Richmond Hill woman in her 60s returned from Iran on March 2.

Other recent cases include a Toronto man in his 50s who recently travelled to Iran and a Toronto resident who recently visited Las Vegas.

That man, who Toronto public health officials describe as in his 40s, also used city transit in Toronto for several days before he was tested for the virus.

"This information is being provided out of an abundance of caution. We're talking about low-risk situations," Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city's chief medical officer of health, said Friday during a briefing.

Transit riders without symptoms of the illness known as COVID-19 do not need to seek medical help, de Villa said, unless they get a call from her department.

All of the recently identified patients are currently isolating themselves in their homes, the health ministry said.

In Peel Region, just west of Toronto, a couple who had been on the Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco was diagnosed after returning home to Mississauga, Ont.

Peel Public Health is reaching out to a select group of passengers who shared a WestJet flight with the couple on Feb. 28. Travellers seated in rows 18 to 22 on flight 1199 are being asked to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.

Another 237 Canadians currently aboard the Grand Princess have been forbidden from leaving the ship while some of the thousands of passengers aboard now are tested, according to a spokesperson for Princess Cruises.

Thus far in Ontario, all of the 28 patients known to be sick with the bug had recently travelled outside the country or were in close contact with another patient who had.

That's a good sign, de Villa said, noting that throughout Canada the risk of contracting the virus remains low.

She urged calm and education in a climate of fear and misinformation.

"I think it is perfectly understandable that when there are uncertainties, people get concerned and people may worry," she said. "I want to assure you that the city is well co-ordinated to respond. I encourage people to go about their regular lives, but stay informed."

De Villa said there are measures people can take to prepare for a potential diagnosis.

"It's helpful for people to consider the supplies that they would need at home if they were to become unwell with any illness, not just COVID-19," she said. "For families, this may mean considering your household needs and how you would address those household needs ... if someone were unwell."

She said her team continues to monitor the situation closely and is working with counterparts in other regions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
In September of last year, Ted Nugent, Michigans most embarrassing former resident, testified before the Michigan House Government Operations Committee in support of House Bill 4687 that would reverse a statewide ban on baiting deer and elk. Nugent told lawmakers that his personal hunting experiences make his opinions on this topic more valid than the peer-reviewed science.

Im not kidding:

Deer are always swapping spit, Nugent said.  If a disease can be transmitted by nose-to-nose contact, there is not a damn thing you can do about it.

Cogent analysis like this flies in the face of actual science:

Nugent and Republican lawmakers felt that the ban would only hinder the sport, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cited scientific research as their reason for backing the ban and opposing the legislation. [Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)] is a fatal, highly contagious neurological disease that was first identified in Michigan nearly a decade ago. According to the DNR, peer reviewed studies have shown that baiting and feeding practices greatly increase the likelihood of the disease spreading. In a statement Thursday, the Michigan Environmental Council praised Whitmers veto of the anti-science bill. CWD is the largest threat facing our deer population, putting at risk Michigans outdoor conservation economy, said Policy Director Sean Hammond. The spread of CWD also creates potential risks to public health, as more exposures increase the risk of spreading to humans as Mad Cow has in the past.

DNR also pointed to 40-plus peer reviewed studies that address this question of baiting and how it adds to disease spread, noting that peer reviewed research has shown that baiting and feeding beyond normal feeding patterns  greatly increases the likelihood of disease transmission.

Another big proponent of this legislation is none other than State Rep. Beau LaFave. LaFave once tweeted a photo of himself carrying a rifle into the state Capitol. Days later, he had two guns stolen from his highly secure underwear drawer. LaFave claims that any efforts to limit hunting of any kind would lead to fewer people hunting and that, he says, will increase the spread of CWD. Again, cogent analysis.

The DNR isnt the only group opposed to HB 4687, by the way. Theres quite a long list, in fact:

Department of Natural Resources

Michigan Sierra Club

Michigan Farm Bureau

Michigan Environmental Council

Michigan Quality Deer Management Association

Michigan Bow Hunters

Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club

Michigan Bear Hunters Association

Tomahawk Archers

Cadillac Sportsmans Club

Straits Area Sportsmens Club

Montmorency County Conservation Club

Upper Black River Council

Livingston County Wildlife and Conservation Club

Bills Lake Association

U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association

Michigan Hunting Dog Federation

Michigan State Fox Hunters

Thankfully, Governor Whitmer vetoed this bill in December of last year, citing the science behind her decision.

Undeterred and not willing to take no for an answer, petulant Republicans turned around and reintroduced the exact same bill, apparently just to spite the Governor. Not only that, they introduced a handful of other bills to make sure DNR cannot enforce the baiting ban:

HB 5466  Requires probable cause for law enforcement officers to ask to see a hunting/trapping license

HB 5540  Prohibits DNR employees from entering private property without permission from the owner or lessee a warrant

SB 800  Reduces the penalty for baiting to just $1.00

SB 37  Would allow the baiting of elk and deer (Senate version of HB 4687)

Republicans know they arent getting anywhere with these bills. Theyre simply a way for them to prove how pro-gun they are in an election year. But when even conservation groups dont support your efforts, its time to reevaluate your priorities. Nobody is trying to ban hunting or take away anyones guns. They simply want it done in a way that doesnt spread disease.

And the real sportsmen and women of Michigan know they dont have bait animals in order to kill them.

Deer photo adapated from CC image by Garett Gabriel | Wikimedia Commons]
The 48-hour telecast ban imposed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on two Malayalam news channels for their coverage on Delhi riots has invited sharp criticism from political parties in Kerala.

Congress, CPI(M), CPI and IUML in separate statements condemned the decision of the centre to enforce telecast ban on Asianet News and MediaOne terming it as 'brazen attempt to gag free press' and 'unconstitutional' move against media freedom.

CPI(M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that it is a vile strategy to intimidate the media. "Such action is not a decoration for any democratic country. This shows the fascist approach of the central government," he said.

CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said that the government's decision to ban two channels without giving any notice is reminiscent of the emergency period.

"Delhi riots were reported by these channels in a fair manner. This is an attack on the freedom of the press, " he said.

Congress leader and Kerala opposition leader in a tweet Ramesh Chennithala wrote, "Decision to halt the telecast of Media One and Asianet news by Modi Government is unconstitutional and against the freedom of the press. All democratic minds should unite to voice against this fascist decision. These media did a wonderful job in bringing out the gravity of communal violence in Delhi, "

Many prominent political leaders including Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Shashi Tharoor, CPM leader and Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja took to social media to condemn the move.

"The fourth estate is the pillar of democracy and attempts to suppress the media by the government is extremely worrying. I join all democratic-minded citizens in strongly condemning such attempts to muzzle the media by the government, " said Oommen Chandy, former Kerala CM and senior Congress leader in a Facebook post.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Presidency University students continued their night-long blockade of an arterial M G Road-College Street crossing in Kolkata on Friday morning to press for their demand of quick renovation of three dilapidated wards of the varsity's Hindu hostel.

The agitators, around 30 in number, asserted they would lift their blockade, which began around 7 pm on Thursday, only after Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia meets the students and gives them "definite assurance" over their demand.

Lohia said she would sit for talks with the demonstrators only after they lift the blockade.

"I had repeatedly told them (the agitating students) that it takes time to complete repair of all old rooms," she said. "It is not in our hands. But still, we are ready to discuss the issue with them again. Let them lift the blockade first."



After being persuaded by locals and the police, the protesters cleared a portion of the road, allowing some vehicles to pass, while a substantial chunk of the traffic was diverted through other routes, a traffic police officer said.

Student Debnil Paul said a section of the road was cleared so that office-goers and the public are not inconvenienced.

Another agitator, Debabrata Mondal, said the blockade was also against the "autocratic dismissal" of eight casual staff of the hostel by the authorities, as they had also supported the students' complaint about overcrowding in two wards of the hostel, and lack of basic amenities in the hostel.

The students held placards, shouted 'azaadi (freedom) from autocracy' slogans and banged utensils during the demonstration.

The agitators had eaten khichdi at the road blockade site on Thursday night, sources said.

The students had earlier gheraoed Lohia for over 30 hours in the first week of February over their demand. She has not visited the main campus on College Street since then, according to sources.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SHOWS: SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA (MARCH 6, 2020) (ASIAN TOUR MEDIA - MAXIMUM USE OF TWO MINUTES. NO USE 48 HOURS AFTER THE END OF THE ROUND. NO ARCHIVE. NO RESALE)

1. AERIAL VIEW OF THE COURSE

2. ANDREW DODT MAKES PAR AT THE NINTH HOLE (HIS 18TH) TO LEAD ON 13-UNDER

3. LIU YANWEI MAKES BIRDIE AT THE 9TH

4. JARIN TODD MAKES BIRDIE AT THE 18TH

5. TREVOR SIMSBY MAKES BIRDIE AT THE 9TH

6. CHARLIE WI APPROACH TO THE 8TH (HIS 17TH) SETS UP A BIRDIE

7. WADE ORMSBY MAKES LONG BOGEY PUTT AT THE 9TH

8. RIKUYA HOSHINO APPROACH TO THE 9TH SETS UP A BIRDIE

9. OFFICIAL SOUNDS WEATHER WARNING KLAXON TO SUSPEND PLAY FOR THE DAY

STORY: Andrew Dodt of Australia shot a four-under-par round of 68 to maintain his overnight lead at the weather-hit Malaysian Open at Shah Alam on Friday (March 6).

Following his opening round of 63, Dodt made four birdies in his second bogey-free round to lead with a 13-under total of 131, one shot clear of Liu Yanwei of China, who made a seven-under round of 65.

Americans Jarid Todd (66) and Trevor Simsby, with the day's lowest round of 64, were one shot back on 11-under.

Charlie Wi of South Korea made an eagle and two birdies in his last three holes to move into fifth place on 9-under after a round of 66, with Australian Wade Ormsby, winner of the Hong Kong Open in January, in a share of sixth place on eight-under.

Play was suspended due to bad weather with 77 players still to complete their round, including Japan's Rikuya Hoshino on 6-under after 13 holes.

(Production: Mike Brock)
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X fan-favorite Jay Starrett will compete in another popular reality competition series, MTVs The Challenge. The 30-year-old real estate agent loves to compete and admitted hes always wanted to participate in the show.

Marketed as the most dangerous Challenge yet, Starrett will compete against Big Brother 20 rookies, including Chris Swaggy C Williams and Fessy Shafaat as well as known Challenge veterans such as CT Tamburello, Wes Bergmann, and his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend, Johnny Bananas Devenanzio.

Justin Starrett | Gabriel Olsen

Jay Starrett on Survivor

In 2016, then 27-year-old Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based real estate agent, Justin Jay Starrett, made his Survivor debut on the 33rd season, Millennials vs. Gen X.

Even though no one took him seriously at first, he quickly proved he was a force to be reckoned with by orchestrating the blindside of ally Michaela Bradshaw after she found out about his Hidden Immunity Idol.

After several tribemates discovered his idol and attempted to flush it out, he wisely held on to it through the merge. Once the tribes merged, Starrett became the biggest target left due to his physical abilities, as he won two Immunity Challenges, but still had his idol.

He then trusted eventual winner Adam Klein who urged him to play his idol at Final Seven. The real estate agent finally did, but only received one vote against him.

He outlasted the rest of his alliance, but was eliminated in sixth place after attempting to play David Wrights fake idol. While Starrett hasnt returned to Survivor yet, he has remained an active member of the community and appears at finales and other events.

Jay Starrett after Survivor

After competing on Survivor, the Florida native appeared on MTVs Ex on the Beach as Big Brother: Over the Top winner Morgan Willetts ex. Even though she had several other exes in the house as well, the two rekindled their romance and continued dating after filming.

However, once they returned for the reunion, the two had broken up because Willett allegedly cheated on him with her now-boyfriend, Johnny Bananas Devenanzio, while filming MTV reality competition series, The Challenge.

In 2020, he appeared on the first episode of IMDbs Survivor Live After Show alongside Edge of Extinctions Kelley Wentworth and Island of the Idols Dean Kowalski.

A couple of months later, Starrett announced he would compete on MTVs The Challenge 35th season, Total Madness.

Jay Starrett will compete on The Challenge

From October 22, 2019, until December 13, 2019, Starrett filmed The Challenge in Prague, Czech Republic. For the first time in the shows history, each competitor must win an elimination to advance to the finals because host T.J. Lavin is tired of people skating by.

Its the most dangerous Challenge weve ever had and this twist makes sure NO ONE is safe! Premiering Wednesday, April 1 at 8/7c on @mtv! #TheChallenge35 pic.twitter.com/DRdRmRK7hc  The Challenge (@ChallengeMTV) March 4, 2020

Additionally, they live in close-knit underground bunkers and reportedly must use Port-O-Potties located outside. In the trailer, Total Madness is described as war, a place meant to break you, a place to prove whos the best, and called it the most dangerous challenge yet.

The Survivor star has lived in much worse conditions and is stoked to participate in the show Ive always wanted to compete on. The Challenge: Total Madness premieres April 1, 2020, at 8 p.m EST on MTV.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Envolve Entrepreneurship (envolveglobal.org) and AnitaB.org (anitab.org) has hosted an event on Capitol Hill focused on entrepreneurship and small business policy. This inaugural Congressional Day of Action, entitled "Realizing the American Dream & Redefining Inclusive Entrepreneurship," convened senior policy makers, grantees of the Envolve Award USA business plan competition, finalists in AnitaB.org's PitcHER contest for female technology entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from across America's entrepreneurial ecosystem. There was a policy roundtable discussion at the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship with senior legislative staff, followed by a reception with Members of Congress, where participants had the opportunity to network and showcase their businesses.

The event highlighted some of America's talented up and coming entrepreneurs and placed particular emphasis on the issues and barriers that small businesses and startups face at every stage. A key objective was to emphasize the unique challenges that women and minority business founders encounter.

Visiting entrepreneurs began their day with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. The 40+ participants at the roundtable included senior policymakers and influencers who focus on entrepreneurship or business cultivation including representatives from Rise of the Rest, Black Girl Ventures, NextGen Chamber of Commerce, Generation Titans, and Georgia State University's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute.

The conversation was led by staff from Committee Chairman Marco Rubio and Ranking Member Ben Cardin's offices. Entrepreneurs discussed their personal experiences and challenges with starting a business, and stakeholders were able to add their institutional knowledge and expertise to inform policy that is being drafted by the committee. One particular point of policy that dominated the discussion was access to capital and government oversight of lending structures.

Several entrepreneurs had the opportunity to also meet one-on-one with their representatives in Congress and share their entrepreneurial journeys.

"Envolve's mission is to be an advocate for aspiring and burgeoning entrepreneurs. We seek to ensure that America's startup ecosystem properly reflects America's rich diversity. Direct collaboration between entrepreneurs from diverse communities and governmental officials is important to achieve this goal and yet it is unfortunately uncommon. Our day of action on Capitol Hill we believe will establish pathways to new and stronger collaborations. We are very proud of our grantees and the AnitaB.org PitcHER competition finalists who had much to share and suggest," said Envolve's CEO, Christopher R. Upperman.

"At AnitaB.org, we work to advance systems of support for women as technical leaders, and that includes tech entrepreneurship. It is critical that women subject matter experts have the opportunity to raise the issues that matter in their lived experiences, including nuances specific to the realities and horizon of technical innovation, as well as navigating and thriving as woman entrepreneurs. We thank the Committee as well as the attendees for elevating this important discussion," said Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez, VP Policy & Engagement at AnitaB.org.

About Envolve Entrepreneurship

Envolve Entrepreneurship is a business support organization, founded by the Libra Group, that provides resources, education and award programs for start-up businesses. Its flagship program-the Envolve Award-has declared 30 winners since 2016 in the USA, supporting job creation and economic growth. With the help of the many organizations who have stepped up to lend their support, Envolve seeks to cultivate a global entrepreneurial ecosystem with particular focus on underserved communities and diverse founders. Envolve Entrepreneurship is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About AnitaB.org

AnitaB.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise committed to increasing the representation of women technologists in the global technical workforce. AnitaB.org engages with tens of thousands of women and leading organizations around the world to build diverse and inclusive workplace cultures. Founded in 1997 by our namesake, computer science visionary Anita Borg, our organization works toward a future where the teams that create technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Well known for the world-renowned women in technology conference, the Grace Hopper Celebration, AnitaB.org provides year-round services for technical women and allies, the systems that educate them, and the employers that value their talents.

To learn more about Envolve and the Envolve Award USA, please visit http://EnvolveGlobal.org.

To learn more about AnitaB.org's programs for women in tech, please visit https://anitab.org

To learn more about the Libra Group's other social responsibility programs, please visit http://libra.social

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1120236/Envolve_Congressional_Day.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1034447/Envolve_Entrepreneurship_Logo.jpg
Overseas Chinese are joining in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak. When the epidemic took place in China, they spared no effort to purchase the much needed medical supplies and ship back and donate the goods to their motherland in spite of transportation difficulties.

As the virus is spreading across the world, they are now busy helping each other with available resources, finding new protective supplies for fellow countrymen most in need, and transferring donations from China to local hospitals.

Pedestrians wearing face masks on the streets in Tokyo, Japan on March 3. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

Medical staff with a health center in Taegu, South Korea, receive suspected cases of novel coronavirus infection on March 3. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

Two women wearing face masks stroll along the Pantheon in Rome, Italy on March 3. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

Ke Haixiao (L2), president of the China-Europe Economic and Cultural Development Research Center, hands out herbal tea to the public in Budapest's Eighth District, Hungary. (Photo/Ke Haixiao)

The first batch of 24 boxes of protective supplies donated by Wenzhou in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province, arrives in Turin, Italy, which will be transferred to the Piedmont Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo/yidali.huarenjie.com)

Overseas Chinese in Rome, Italy transferring materials originally donated to Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese to fellow countrymen in Milan. (Photo/Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese)
Dressed in the height of Edwardian elegance, photographer and theatre designer Cecil Beaton, widely assumed to be homosexual, had fine features, a high nasal voice and exaggerated mannerisms.

His favourite posture, according to one observer, was to stand with his left foot turned out, like a dancing master.

Few knew that, aged 25 on a trip to America, he'd had sex for the first time with a woman  two, in fact, in the space of a week.

The first had taken him on as a one-night challenge, while the second  the sister of dancing legend Fred Astaire  had lasted a little longer.

Screen beauty: Garbo as Mata Hari in 1931 film of the same name. Long before Cecil had even set eyes on the Swedish-born actress, she'd become a full-blown obsession

Indeed, Adele Astaire claimed to be enraptured, though she couldn't resist telling friends that as he approached the bed, he was demurely holding a towel in front of his private parts.

Given Cecil's gay background, it was all rather unexpected. Henceforth, Cecil would be bisexual, though of the three great loves of his life, two would be men  arts patron Peter Watson and American art historian Kin Hoitsma  and only one would be a woman.

And not just any woman, but the most celebrated and mysterious of all Hollywood's stars: Greta Garbo.

Long before Cecil had even set eyes on the Swedish-born actress, she'd become a full-blown obsession.

In 1929, he'd arrived in Hollywood to gather photos for his latest project, The Book Of Beauty, determined to engineer a meeting.

But although major stars from Gloria Swanson to Joan Crawford agreed to pose for him, Garbo remained elusive, even when he persuaded several intermediaries to beg her for an audience.

Beaton is pictured above with another of his conquests, Adele Astaire, in 1933. Adele Astaire claimed to be enraptured, though she couldn't resist telling friends that as he approached the bed, he was demurely holding a towel in front of his private parts

'She is the only person with glamour,' moaned Cecil in his journal.

'Women send orchids to her every day, men telephone on long-distance calls to try and hear her voice. She doesn't give a damn  and the fact that she doesn't give a damn and will not come out of hiding only increases the frenzy and, as with me, they are almost driven insane with desire to see her.'

For two years, her rejection continued to rankle. But he remained determined to meet the woman he considered the epitome of beauty.

His chance came in 1932, when he returned to Hollywood, this time staying with an English couple who knew Garbo.

They asked her round one Sunday, and she came  on the strict condition that she wouldn't have to meet their guest.

Cecil was incensed. Dressed in a white kid coat, snakeskin shorts and white shoes, he crept down to the drawing room, pretended to be surprised at Garbo's presence, and sharply left the room.

As he'd hoped, his hosts called him back. It turned out to be a magical evening.

Finding himself in New York again for work, he called Garbo  and to his delight, she agreed to visit his hotel suite. Excited, he filled it with owers and her favourite cigarettes. She arrived late, and they chatted about inconsequential matters. The pair are pictured above

Garbo complimented Cecil on his beauty, his shoes and his youth (though he was two years older than her), and they shared a kiss.

'You are like a Grecian boy. If I were a young boy, I would do such things to you,' she purred.

At one point, she gave him a yellow rose she'd filched from a vase. He pressed it in his journal, had it framed and hung it above his bed.

At dawn, Garbo left in her big car. 'Then this is goodbye,' Cecil cried plaintively. 'Yes, I'm afraid so. C'est la vie!' she replied.

He wrote in his journal: 'I could hardly believe what had happened. The only concrete proof was the yellow rose she had kissed.'

Garbo, had he but known it, was bisexual, and involved with a lesbian playwright called Mercedes de Acosta.

Cecil didn't see Garbo again for 14 years. Then, walking into a New York party in 1946, he bumped into her.

He was so taken aback by her beauty that he had to grasp the back of a chair.

To Cecil, now famed for his photographs of both the Royal Family and exquisite beauties on both sides of the Atlantic, she seemed nothing less than a goddess.

She was 41 and, true, there were lines when she smiled, he noted, but she remained as dazzling as ever.

Seizing his chance, he whisked her up to the roof terrace for a long conversation, after which she promised to call him.

When they met again, Garbo told him she hated wearing underclothes or being restricted in any way.

On their third encounter, Cecil asked her to marry him  to which she evasively replied: 'Good heavens. I don't think you should speak so frivolously'.

But she continued to see him, and asked if he'd take her passport photo. He did more than that, snapping away then sending some pictures to Vogue.

A few weeks later, when Garbo left for California, he cried. To his chagrin, however, she was chilly when he called her.

She was furious that Vogue had printed more than one of her pictures  though Cecil always maintained she'd pencilled a cross on those she'd approved.

Whatever the truth, Garbo refused to answer his calls, letters and telegrams.

'You cannot dismiss me like a recalcitrant housemaid,' he protested. At other times, he poured out his love in long letters he never sent.

By then, in any case, Garbo was enmeshed in a bizarre relationship with a Russian emigre, George Schlee, who also acted for many years as her closest adviser.

They'd met when she went to his wife Valentina's New York boutique  and stripped nude in front of him while trying on dresses.

Before long, a curious menage was established, with Schlee seeing his wife and Garbo on alternate nights. Into this web stepped Cecil in the winter of 1947.

Finding himself in New York again for work, he called Garbo  and to his delight, she agreed to visit his hotel suite. Excited, he filled it with owers and her favourite cigarettes.

She arrived late, and they chatted about inconsequential matters. Each time he asked her a question, she replied: 'I'm not going to tell you.' Then she did something unexpected.

'She suddenly drew the mustard velvet curtains,' he recalled.

'I was completely surprised. Within a few minutes of our reunion, after these long and void months of depression and doubt, we were suddenly together in unexplained, unexpected and inevitable intimacy.

'I had to throw my mind back to the times when in my wildest dreams I had invented the scenes that were now taking place.'

After that first sexual encounter, for the next few weeks, he took her for walks in Central Park.

She was usually late, and his nose would go mauve with cold waiting. Back at his suite, they drank tea and she reminded him not to ask questions.

Once, he recalled: 'Suddenly, as if it were the most ordinary question in the world, she stretched out her arm towards the other room and asked with disarming frankness: 'Do you want to go to bed?' At other times, she'd say: 'I must be going'  which was inevitably a prelude to sex.'

He soon found himself expected to bend to her whims and never entirely sure when he'd see her again. Cecil also sensed he was being used for his body.

When he confided in a friend, Mona, she told him to play Garbo at her own game  never hanging around waiting, but leaving his lover dangling.

Fine and dandy: Beaton in his pomp. Cecil's heart was breaking, but he could no longer envisage a future with Garbo

He ceased contact with Garbo for four days. Fearing he'd been unfaithful, she came charging round on the fifth  only to be told he was taking Mona to a party.

'Damn that cocktail party. Why do you go? I want you to stay here,' said Garbo, no longer cool and in control.

Cecil went anyway, and continued his phone silence. When she rang him, he deliberately waxed lyrical about Mona's beauty.

'I cannot feel pity, for the battle is still too desperate,' he wrote in his diary. 'But it is quite remarkable what a difference the change of tactics has made.'

One day, he went away for the weekend without a word of explanation. This worked a treat: when they met on his return, Garbo asked many jealous questions then drew the velvet curtains.

Another evening, at the theatre, she paid no attention to the play, staring at him throughout. 'I think I'll have to propose to you,' she said. With assumed nonchalance, Cecil replied: 'Oh no, that wouldn't work any more.'

That night, he wrote, he had to 'hold onto myself to prevent myself from being devoured.'

The tables had turned: Garbo told him over and over that she loved him, and he began to think they might marry.

She was even letting him make love to her at her own apartment, though never letting him stay all night.

One Sunday morning, Garbo showed up unexpectedly. 'In the brilliant light, she was as beautiful as ever,' he wrote.

'The eyes like an eagle's of pale mauve blue. The skin on the neck and chest of the nest grain and as shiny as marble. Her legs long and like a young girl of 15. The skin is deep apricot in colour. We were very happy in our mutual ecstasy.'

Later, her hair tied with a yellow ribbon, she shared a bath with him. 'We laughed a lot and I felt very happy.'

Aware he had a sexual hold on Garbo, he attributed this 'to the fact that I am so unexpectedly violent and have such unlicensed energy when called upon. It baffles and intrigues and even shocks her. May this last a long time!!'

Meanwhile, he was learning about Garbo's idiosyncracies. She hated her Christian name, she told him.

She adored sculpture, though her appreciation lacked finesse  'yum, yum, yum' she'd say, gazing at the nipple of a female gure by Michelangelo.

He told her about his homosexual past. For her part, she told him about a stranger who'd somehow found her number during the war and called her. She decided to go to see him, and discovered he was going into the forces the next day.

As he showed her round, she thought 'why not?' and asked about the view from his bedroom  with predictable results.

At the end of 1950, Cecil again asked Garbo to marry him. 'I probably will,' she said, ever the tease. The following year, he begged her to visit him in England, adding: 'I feel my life very empty and lonely. I really want very much to get married.'

Given Cecil's gay background, it was all rather unexpected. Henceforth, Cecil would be bisexual, though of the three great loves of his life, two would be men  arts patron Peter Watson and American art historian Kin Hoitsma  and only one would be a woman

She came finally that October to stay for two months at his Queen Anne house near Salisbury, and met several of his friends.

Author James Pope-Hennessy recalled: 'She has the most inexplicable powers of fascination which she uses freely on all and sundry. She is only explicable as a mythological gure.'

As for Cecil, he'd later describe Garbo's visit as 'a long and emotional autumn' which 'had reduced me to a jellied pulp'.

Part of the strain was keeping everything to do with her a dark secret, as she loathed publicity.

Months later, Cecil called her immediately after arriving in New York, but she petulantly refused to see him for a few days.

When they finally got together, Garbo said she was livid because he'd written a few lines about her in a book 15 years before.

True, his words hadn't been flattering  he'd speculated that she was selfish and incapable of love  but they'd been written long before he really knew her.

To his dismay, the affair cooled. But when they quarrelled again over what he'd written about her, he exploded. Contrary as ever, Garbo tried to kiss him  and when he blocked her, crooned seductively: 'Don't you want to come and live in this apartment when we're married?'

Their relationship resumed, but Cecil kept his feelings in check. Predictably, Garbo tried to worm her way under his skin again. 'I do love you and I think you're a op,' she wrote to him. 'You should have taken me by the scruff of the neck and made an honest boy of me.'

Was there hope for Cecil after all? In 1956, Garbo came to see him in London, but soon became restless and decided to leave.

'I was terribly dejected. I had hoped that we might get married,' Cecil wrote. 'I [reminded] her that she had blamed me for not taking her by the scruff of the neck and marrying her. How could I now prevent her from making another mistake?'

'Oh! I always make mistakes,' was her insouciant response.

Finally, he gave up. For a while, he toyed with the idea of marrying an attractive English widow. When he told Garbo, she reacted with fury: 'I'll come over to cut her head off.'

As always, when she sensed his interest waning, she tried to reel him back. 'Give me another chance,' she said in a sad little voice during one of their calls.

Cecil's heart was breaking, but he could no longer envisage a future with Garbo. In the 1960s, he became famous for designing lavish sets and costumes for the film My Fair Lady, and photographed everyone from Twiggy and the Queen to Barbra Streisand and Mick Jagger.

He also fell in love again  with male American art historian Hoitsma, who was half his age, but the relationship didn't last.

In 1965, he and Garbo met again when both were guests on a yacht in the Greek islands. They hadn't seen each other in two years.

She was demanding, tiresome, spoilt and selsh, he observed.

In 1974, at the age of 70, Cecil had a stroke which affected his memory and his right hand.

Amazingly, Garbo came to visit him the following year. He was delighted to see his former lover, her hair now grey and tied with a bootlace. She sat on his knee and snuggled up to him like a child.

But as Cecil made his slow progress to the dining room, she turned to his secretary and said: 'I couldn't have married him, could I? Him being like this!'

Garbo never saw him again. Cecil slipped peacefully away in his own bed in January 1980.

Friends who couldn't attend his simple country funeral sent wreaths. From Garbo, there was nothing.

Adapted by Corinna Honan from Cecil Beaton: The Authorised Biography by Hugo Vickers, published by Hodder & Stoughton at 14.99.  2020 Hugo Vickers.

To order a copy for 11.99 (20 per cent discount, P&P free) go to mailshop.co.uk or call 01603 648 155. Offer valid until March 20, 2020.

Cecil Beaton's Bright Young Things is at the National Portrait Gallery from March 12 to June 7.
Not many loyal fans could ever imagine Law & Order: SVU without the amazingly talented Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson. Viewers have grown with the series over the years and its become a platform for telling the stories of survivors.

Hargitay recently spoke with People for their cover story in their Women Changing the World Issue. Read on to learn how the show changed her life and how shes making a difference in the world because of it.

Mariska Hargitay fights for survivors on and off-screen

Mariska Hargitay | Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Hargitays on-screen persona fights for the rights of survivors, but she does it off-screen as well. Hargitay received a lot of correspondence from viewers and those wishing to share their experiences with her over the years.

So many of them said, Ive never told anyone this before, Hargitay revealed to People. Having the character, Olivia Benson, listen  that was so powerful. People used to call me the accidental activist. I didnt take this job on SVU to do this work. But I think I was meant to do this.

Hargitay founded a nonprofit to help survivors

Some may call her an accidental activist, but that hasnt stopped Hargitay from doing everything she can to help promote the healing process for survivors. She even trained to be a rape crisis counselor. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in an attempt to help survivors. But Hargitay hasnt stopped there.

I Am Evidence

Hargitay is a producer on I Am Evidence, an HBO documentary that details the stories of four sexual assault survivors. The documentary takes a look at the reality of the backlog of untested rape kits in this country. These kits are sitting on shelves in staggering numbers. Hargitays foundation is the campaign partner of the film.

Hargitay learned in 2009 about the enormous numbers of untested rape kits. She made sure to put the issue front and center. I couldnt believe that this could happen, Hargitay explains. This is a crystal-clear microcosm of what is wrong with our society.

Hargitay started working with Michigan prosecutor Kym Worthy in an attempt to make a real difference. I met Kym and said, Listen to me, Im your soldier. You tell me what you need. How can we do this? Hargitay explains. And we just joined forces.

Hargitay works to make a difference

When we hype you for a new episode of #SVU, but have to remind you we're still an hour away pic.twitter.com/99HfiTfXpP  & : (@nbcsvu) February 28, 2020

Hargitay isnt just a successful actress that talks about the issues. She actually gives enormous amounts of time and all of her effort to the cause in front of her. She even testified to Congress twice about the situation.

Thats all these women need is to be believed, Hargitay says. They need to be respected and seen and heard, and have somebody go, Im so sorry. And that person needs to be held accountable.

Mariska Hargitay uses her celebrity for good to make positive changes in the world. Her work on SVU has helped lead her to find an even deeper meaning in everything she does.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 6

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Turkey's export to Turkic-Speaking countries increased by 28 percent in January 2020, amounting to $365.6 million compared to January 2019, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend.

In January 2020, Turkeys export to Turkic-Speaking countries amounted to 2.5 percent of countrys total export during the reporting month.

Turkeys import from Turkic-speaking countries dropped by 6.9 percent in January 2020, and amounted to $302.5 million compared to January 2019.

During the reporting month, import of Turkey from Turkic-Speaking countries amounted to 1.6 percent of countrys total import.

Turkey's foreign trade turnover in Jan. 2020 amounted to $33.9 billion.

In Jan. 2020, Turkey's export increased by 6.4 percent compared to Jan. 2019 and amounted to $14.8 billion.

Turkey's import increased by 18.8 percent in Jan. 2020 compared to Jan. 2019, amounting to $19.2 billion.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Data is the lifeblood of the modern business, and the digital transformation of enterprises, factories, automobiles and just about every possible consumer experience is creating a staggering amount of it. IDC predicts that global data will grow from 40 zettabytes (ZB) in 2019 to 175 ZB by 2025, which is many, many times more bytes of information than there are stars in the observable universe.

But even though CEOs and CIOs are well aware of how valuable all this information could be, machine learning (ML) is waiting for contextual understanding of business or technology improvement  ROI by return on decision making. Thats because, while the collective amount of global data is gargantuan, most of it is trapped in proprietary corporate silos. This inaccessible data is limiting the ability of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to reach their full potential because they require large, diverse data sets to produce powerful insights and next-generation capabilities.

Realizing the Full Potential of AI and ML

Three use cases alone were expected to account for 25% of total AI spending for 2019, according to IDC: automated customer service agents, automated threat intelligence and prevention systems, and sales process recommendation and automation. But use case expansion is on the horizon. MMC Ventures reports that one in ten enterprises now use 10 or more AI applications; chatbots, process optimization and fraud analysis lead a recent surveys top use cases. Prevalent applications include consumer/market segmentation (15%), computer-assisted diagnostics (14%), call center virtual assistants (12%), sentiment analysis/opinion mining (12%), face detection/recognition (11%), and HR applications (10%).

In the medical field, AI could regularly assist human doctors to accelerate diagnoses and improve their accuracy. In pharmaceuticals, AI and ML could predict promising lines of inquiry for drug discovery, leading to new cures and treatments. And in cities, AI could power fully autonomous vehicles, with traffic patterns that safely and seamlessly change on the fly in response to emergencies.

These possibilities can only be realized if organizations can exchange data with one another. Were already seeing some efforts within specific industries to share information. For example, about a dozen large construction contractors have formed a council to share data with the goal of collectively improving the ability of AI to assess safety risk and predict the likelihood of accidents on jobsites. The Predictive Analytics Strategic Council was named Innovator of the Year in December 2019 for its achievements. The group is building on the results of a study showing that its AI system learned from data to predict roughly one in five safety incidents with 81% accuracy.

But to scale data sharing, we need to establish data ecosystems, in which enterprises, partners and consumers can easily and securely buy and sell data on a variety of data exchanges.

Requirements for a Successful Data Exchange

To succeed, these exchanges will need to fulfill a number of requirements. Specifically, the exchanges need to be:

Trusted: Organizations and individuals need to know that theyre dealing with trusted, verified actors, and not scam artists selling fake or stolen data. Distributed ledger technologies hold a lot of promise to provide a means for consumers to give consent for their data to be used and also form the basis of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) that enable self-sovereign identity. As a result, a system can verify credentials with zero-knowledge proofs.

Organizations and individuals need to know that theyre dealing with trusted, verified actors, and not scam artists selling fake or stolen data. Distributed ledger technologies hold a lot of promise to provide a means for consumers to give consent for their data to be used and also form the basis of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) that enable self-sovereign identity. As a result, a system can verify credentials with zero-knowledge proofs. Compliant: IT leaders must assure that the data traded over exchanges is compliant with regulations such as the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). AI and ML will likely be required, given the massive size of the data sets involved.

IT leaders must assure that the data traded over exchanges is compliant with regulations such as the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). AI and ML will likely be required, given the massive size of the data sets involved. Secure and sharable: Data needs to be encrypted both in transit and at rest, with a key sharing mechanism that enables the easy, secure transfer of data between two parties. An important aspect of secure data sharing is increasingly going to be the ability to run data analysis and machine learning algorithms on confidential and highly sensitive data without losing control of the data itself, or the algorithms. This will help to further grow the market and applications for data ecosystems. Important advances in this area include multi-party computations, confidential computing that leverages secure enclaves, and proxy re-encryption.

Data needs to be encrypted both in transit and at rest, with a key sharing mechanism that enables the easy, secure transfer of data between two parties. An important aspect of secure data sharing is increasingly going to be the ability to run data analysis and machine learning algorithms on confidential and highly sensitive data without losing control of the data itself, or the algorithms. This will help to further grow the market and applications for data ecosystems. Important advances in this area include multi-party computations, confidential computing that leverages secure enclaves, and proxy re-encryption. Usable: Raw data will certainly be valuable. But just as oil is worth more after its been refined into gasoline, data is more valuable when its already in a readily useable format. The less ETL (extraction, transformation and loading) an organization has to do before analysis, the faster it can start generating insights.

Once these exchanges are pervasive, and vertical markets have developed their own robust data ecosystems, well see AI and ML power capabilities that were previously thought of as existing only in science fiction. But just as important, data ecosystems will support the emergence of entirely new industries, business models, and revenue streams, ushering in the next generation of the information age.

For more information on creating data ecosystems, visit dxc.technology.
Paris, Amsterdam, March 6, 2020

Press release

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) signs binding agreement to form a strategic partnership with Credit Agricole Assurances and La Francaise on a 2.0 Bn portfolio of five French shopping centres

Pursuant to the announcement made on February 12, 2020, that URW had received binding offers from Credit Agricole Assurances and La Francaise (collectively, the Consortium) and had granted the Consortium an exclusivity period for the acquisition of a 54.2% stake in a Joint Venture that will own Aeroville, So Ouest, Alma, Toison d'Or and Confluence, URW announces that it has obtained the unanimous positive opinion of its works council and has signed a binding agreement with the Consortium.

The transaction remains subject to customary conditions precedent and is expected to close towards the end of Q2-2020.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Samuel Warwood

Maarten Otte

+33 1 76 77 58 02

Maarten.otte@urw.com

Media Relations

Tiphaine Bannelier-Suderie

+33 1 76 77 57 94

Tiphaine.Bannelier-Suderie@urw.com

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is the premier global developer and operator of Flagship destinations, with a portfolio valued at 65.3 Bn as at December 31, 2019, of which 86% in retail, 6% in offices, 5% in convention & exhibition venues and 3% in services. Currently, the Group owns and operates 90 shopping centres, including 55 Flagships in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States. Its centres welcome 1.2 billion visits per year. Present on 2 continents and in 12 countries, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield provides a unique platform for retailers and brand events, and offers an exceptional and constantly renewed experience for customers.

With the support of its 3,600 professionals and an unparalleled track-record and know-how, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is ideally positioned to generate superior value and develop world-class projects. The Group has a development pipeline of 8.3 Bn.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield distinguishes itself by its Better Places 2030 agenda, that sets its ambition to create better places that respect the highest environmental standards and contribute to better cities.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield stapled shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Paris (Euronext ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests. The Group benefits from an A rating from Standard & Poor's and from an A2 rating from Moody's.

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Attachment
New Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Friday (March 6) held a big meeting with health ministers, health secretaries and representatives of various ministries of all the states of the country. It was told by the government that the government is making all possible arrangements to deal with the coronavirus.

He said that the condition of coronavirus is still under control in India and there is no such thing as panic. Thermal screening of all air passengers is being done at the airport, whether it is coming from any country, its thermal screening is being done at every airport. Apart from this, a similar investigation is being done at the airport and at the same time the border which is adjacent to Nepal, Bangladesh and China is not being allowed to cross the border without health check.

The Modi government at the Center has asked all the states to keep the hospitals identified at their level in advance, where such cases can be kept if suspicious cases come up in different ways. For this, the state government has been asked to reserve some beds in hospitals.

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Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh



Koshyari has given his assent to a bill passed by the state legislature last month allowing election of sarpanch (village head) from among members of gram panchayats.

Government sources had earlier said NCP minister Hasan Mushrif met Koshyari on Wednesday to discuss the issue, but was told that the bill had been referred to the state advocate general.

"It never happened in the past (in Maharashtra) that the bill passed by both the Houses of the legislature was sent to advocate general for opinion," the sources had said.

"The governor has given his assent to the bill," Raj Bhavan sources said on Friday.

Reversing a key decision of the previous BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Devendra Fadnavis, the state legislature on February 25 passed a bill allowing election of sarpanch from among members of the local bodies instead of a popular mandate amid ruckus by BJP members over issues of farmers.

The rule for the direct election of the sarpanch was brought in by the previous BJP-led government in the state in 2017.

In the Lower House, the Maharashtra Village Panchayat (Amendment) Bill 2020 was tabled by Rural Development Mushrif.

The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government last year after the Uddhav Thackeray-led party severed ties with then ally BJP over sharing chief ministerial post.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


(Photo : pixabay)

Health is a mysterious abstract thing that we don't think about regularly. Instead, we focus on it only when certain problems arise. For young students, it's typical not to care about their health because it seems that it will be perfect forever. Nonetheless, various diseases are always around the corner, and it's impossible to predict them. From toothache to coronavirus, potential issues are nearly infinite.

In this case, a health insurance plan isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Insurance software trends show that businesses tend to invest more and more in digital solutions. The whole industry is on the rise. Considering the cost of medical care in the USA, health policies can save tons of money. Hence, we want to talk about insurance options available for students and ways to pick the best one for you.

Health Insurance Coverage - Compare & Choose

With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as Obamacare, American citizens got more ways to protect their health. The statute is one of the most discussing regulative documents in the modern history of the USA. It has both supporters and opponents. One fact is true - it adds more health coverage options for students. Let's look at them to reveal which one is the most suitable!

1. Parent Plan

For youngsters, staying on their parents' insurance plans is a viable and highly affordable option. Typically, parents keep kids on these plans until they turn 18. But it's do possible to prolong this insurance if the existing policies allow insuring dependents. Of course, if the main owner loses his/her insurance, children will lose it, too.

How does the plan work? Students that are on such plans can remain on them up to reaching the age of 26. Other personal circumstances don't matter.

Students that are on such plans can remain on them up to reaching the age of 26. Other personal circumstances don't matter. How to get it? If a student wants to join the parents' plan, it's possible to do during regular or special enrollment periods.

If a student wants to join the parents' plan, it's possible to do during regular or special enrollment periods. Who is eligible? Actually, all citizens younger than 26. Other eligibility criteria are important for parents, not students.

Actually, all citizens younger than 26. Other eligibility criteria are important for parents, not students. Are there any pitfalls?Yes. For example, if a student studies in another state without an affiliate insurance brand there, the policy would be inefficient.

2. Personal Plan from College

If a student doesn't want to be included in the family plan or he/she isn't eligible, the best option is to get college insurance. A lot of schools have either affiliate offers from insurance teams or in-house packages. They guarantee privacy as all bills and benefits are sent to students directly. However, they also feature some limits.

How does the plan work? Students should pay premiums together with other college-related expenses. Thus, student loans can cover these expenses.

Students should pay premiums together with other college-related expenses. Thus, student loans can cover these expenses. How to get it? Often, insurance is provided automatically to all enrolled students. Otherwise, you should contact your school's health center.

Often, insurance is provided automatically to all enrolled students. Otherwise, you should contact your school's health center. Who is eligible? Exact criteria depend on the college. Some institutions evaluate the students' study credits when making a decision.

Exact criteria depend on the college. Some institutions evaluate the students' study credits when making a decision. Are there any pitfalls?Usually, these plans work only during the school year, not during breaks. Also, they may feature higher limits and lower overall coverage.

3. Plan from the Marketplace

Thanks to the ACA, citizens now can purchase policies directly at state/federal marketplaces. There are a lot of options, coverage levels, and subsidies for eligible persons. Also, don't forget that there are exclusive offers for low-income students through Medicaid. The features are similar but the costs are way lower.

How does the plan work? You can go to a state or federal online marketplace, filter the plans, choose the most appropriate one, and even apply for subsidies.

You can go to a state or federal online marketplace, filter the plans, choose the most appropriate one, and even apply for subsidies. How to get it? Just visit HealthCare.gov and find the appropriate plans based on your age, income and state of residence. Open and special enrollment periods matter here.

Just visit and find the appropriate plans based on your age, income and state of residence. Open and special enrollment periods matter here. Who is eligible? All American citizens except for imprisoned persons and students who already have a policy from Medicaid.

All American citizens except for imprisoned persons and students who already have a policy from Medicaid. Are there any pitfalls?There are different plans like bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Lower plans feature cheaper premiums but higher deductibles.

4. Personal Workplace Plan

The main alternative to all the previous insurance offers is a workplace-based one. It's available to working students who want to get protection but can't get it from parents, college or marketplace. What's good, these policies include a lot of benefits. What's worse, they require to work a full day or a specific number of hours.

How does the plan work? Terms and conditions depend on the employer. Often, co-pays, deductibles, and automatic deductions are available.

Terms and conditions depend on the employer. Often, co-pays, deductibles, and automatic deductions are available. How to get it? Your HR manager should definitely know the procedure. Usually, it's enough to sign a few forms to get a package.

Your HR manager should definitely know the procedure. Usually, it's enough to sign a few forms to get a package. Who is eligible? The majority of health insurance plans for workers are available to full-time employees only.

The majority of health insurance plans for workers are available to full-time employees only. Are there any pitfalls?For students, it may be difficult to be eligible to get workplace insurance (i.e., to work full-time) and to study well.

5. Catastrophic Plan

The last option isn't the most suitable for students but you should consider it, too. Catastrophic packages feature low premiums, limited benefits, and high deductibles. They allow getting medical help three times per year, not more. Often, experts suggest applying for subsidized marketplace plans instead of catastrophic ones.

How does the plan work? These offers focus on major but rare accidents. Students are limited to three doctor visits per year, and coverage is pretty limited.

These offers focus on major but rare accidents. Students are limited to three doctor visits per year, and coverage is pretty limited. How to get it? Catastrophic plans are also available at the marketplaces. Some insurance companies can deliver them independently.

Catastrophic plans are also available at the marketplaces. Some insurance companies can deliver them independently. Who is eligible? All citizens 30 can get such a policy. As well, customers of any age can get this plan if they aren't eligible for workplace or marketplace offers.

All citizens 30 can get such a policy. As well, customers of any age can get this plan if they aren't eligible for workplace or marketplace offers. Are there any pitfalls?Subsidies aren't available for these offers. Deductibles are relatively high and out-of-pocket expenses can be enormous.

A Life Without Insurance

Despite the notable improvements in the affordability of health policies, they still remain relatively expensive for students. A study by AgileHealthInsurance conducted in 2017, reports that a whopping 72% of college students and young graduates have problems with getting health coverage. Among them, 40% can't afford too high premiums, 20% emphasize high instant payments, and 12% face other challenges.

Well, is it a good idea to refuse to obtain a policy at all? We'd say no. Although the individual mandate penalties for being uninsured were removed from the ACA in 2019, it's still a good idea to protect yourself. At the end of the day, each student should evaluate the risks and the benefits individually, by comparing the expected healthcare expenses with regular insurance premiums.
TER HEIJDE, The Netherlands  With a surfboard strapped to his feet and the reins of a giant kite in his hands, Daan Vijverberg skimmed over whitecaps on the Netherlands windy south coast. Nearby, other kiteboarders caught gusts strong enough to fling their wetsuited bodies several feet into the air.

Its addictive, Vijverberg said, emerging from the water with a red face and the sniffles. I have to come two, three times a week.

The Dutch government made this stretch of coast a magnet for kiteboarders and other beachgoers a few years ago when it dropped off an immense pile of sand.

About 28 million cubic yards of sand  enough to fill the Mercedes-Benz Superdome six times  was dredged from the seafloor and piped here, forming a lagoon and pushing the beach about a half-mile into the North Sea. During the summer, the hook-shaped peninsula draws thousands of walkers, sunbathers and surfers  both the kite and traditional varieties.

But the goal of this monumental, $55 million sandscaping project was protection, not recreation. Called the Zandmotor (Sand Motor in English), the project is the worlds largest experiment in coastal storm and flood defense at a time when climate change is causing seas to rise and storms to intensify.

I thought this was an accident, Vijverberg said. I thought they were dropping sand off for something else and they never came back. I hope they dont change it.

But change is happening with every wave and puff of wind.

By design and over time, the project relies on natural forces to be the motor that spreads the sand along 13 miles of coast, adding about 3,500 acres of new beach and dunes as it does so. Wind, waves and currents do work that would otherwise require a repeated process of dredging, dumping and spreading with tractors and other heavy machinery along several miles of coastline.

The Sand Motor is a nature-based alternative to the Netherlands famed network of walls, levees and sea gates, and much cheaper than the vast, multimillion-dollar beach rebuilds Louisiana is undertaking along its sandy barrier islands and rapidly deteriorating coastline.

Where Louisianas projects seek to re-create almost precisely what was lost, the Dutch simply pile the sand in a strategic location where it will be pushed naturally into places where it will still provide protection. The method is slow  so it lasts longer  and its much cheaper.

We dump it and leave it and let nature do the rest of the job for us, said Carola van Gelder-Maas, a project manager for Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch governments water management agency.

Exceeding expectations

On both the Louisiana and Dutch coasts, barrier islands and sandy beaches act as speed bumps, absorbing wind and wave power that would otherwise travel unimpeded through fragile wetlands and into towns and cities. Bulking up the Sand Motors section of coast protects The Hague, the Netherlands third-largest city, and a wider area of about 1 million people.

The Sand Motor is humming along nicely. After nearly a decade, recent assessments show the sand is moving according to plan. The initial hook-shaped peninsula has been worn down by the elements, retreating about 1,000 feet between 2011 and 2018. At the same time, about 5 miles of nearby coastline are now coated with a thick buffer of sand and naturally formed dunes.

Because the Sand Motor works slowly and doesnt rely on heavy equipment to spread sand, plants and marine life have more time to adapt. And adapt they have. Biodiversity  the range of plants and animals  is much higher on the Sand Motor than other nearby beaches, according to a report by Delft University. The lagoon has acted as a nursery for fish; shellfish thrive in the tidelands; and at least 40 species of birds nest or hunt along the shore.

Also proliferating is marram, a beach grass that a recent Sand Motor study called the greatest coastal engineer. Spiky tufts of marram trap windblown sand and pile it into shore-toughening dunes. Marram is often planted by hand in other restoration projects, but the grass needed no encouragement to find its way to the Sand Motor.

Its almost like (the grasses) said, Hey, this is what I know. I belong here,  said Leo Linnartz, an ecologist with the Dutch conservation group ARK Nature.

The Sand Motor was expected to provide 20 years of protection before more sand was needed, but a recent analysis suggests it could last twice as long, van Gelder-Maas said.

What we see now is that it will exceed 20 years, and we think it will be there for at least 40 years, she said.

Thats because the sand moved much faster than expected during the first year but slowed below expectations every year since then.

About 90% of the sand is still there and still moving but slowly, she said. So it is a real success. We dont need to (add) sand like we used to do before the Sand Motor was there.

The 13 miles of bulked-up beach will help the Dutch coastline stand up to erosion, storm surges, rising seas and subsidence, the natural compacting and sinking of the soil.

Its a quartet of threats Louisianians know well.

The Netherlands and Louisiana both sit on low-lying river deltas fronting increasingly turbulent seas. Climate change has worsened storms on the North Sea, but theyre still small compared with the hurricanes that roar through the Gulf of Mexico. Still, the Netherlands is under constant threat from storms that can push waves into densely populated areas sitting several feet below sea level, or push into rivers and overwhelm levees.

Like the Netherlands, Louisiana is paying close attention to the increasingly worrisome projections for sea level rise. Between 2006 and 2015, seas rose at a rate nearly three times faster than they did during the last century, according to the latest United Nations climate change report.

Sea levels are expected to climb even faster, with risks amplified by sinking coastal lands. Even with moderate cuts to heat-trapping pollution, Louisianas sea levels are projected to rise by at least 4 feet by the end of the century. Under some high-pollution scenarios, the rise could exceed 7 feet.

More sand, less money

Louisiana has undertaken projects similar to the Sand Motor but paid far more money to move far less sand.

Over the past 20 years, Louisiana has spent more than $817 million pouring sand along its barrier islands and coastal headlands, bulking up 75 miles of beach and back-island marsh, according to a recent assessment by the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The state plans to invest another $1.5 billion on sand-moving projects over the next 50 years as part of the Coastal Master Plan, an ambitious restoration and storm protection initiative with a total price tag of $50 billion.

Much of the money is drawn from a settlement with BP over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. But that money is finite, while the requirements of barrier island and headland restoration are ongoing. Even the largest, most expensive projects will have to be redone in 15 or 20 years. Its unclear where the next batch of billions will come from, making it critically important for Louisiana to stretch the money it has as far as it can.

Louisianas biggest beach rebuild was on Whiskey Island, a slender, uninhabited island on the edge of Terrebonne Bay. Completed in 2018, the project spent $118 million dredging and spreading more than 15.8 million cubic yards of sand  enough to fill the Superdome three times.

The Sand Motor was completed for about half the money and managed to move nearly two times as much sand.

The comparison is even more unfavorable for another celebrated beach rebuild, the Caminada Headland project of 2017. Caminadas 13 miles of restored beach protect the oil shipping hub Port Fourchon and La. 1, the only hurricane evacuation route for Grand Isle and other communities. It cost $216 million, nearly four times as much as the Sand Motor. Yet it moved just 8.8 million cubic yards of sand, the equivalent of two Superdomes to the Sand Motors six.

State coastal restoration experts are familiar with the Sand Motor but couldnt answer why it costs them so much more to do so much less.

Greg Grandy, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's deputy director and a former manager of barrier island restoration projects, guessed that Louisiana projects were more expensive because the sand had to travel a greater distance from source to restoration sites. Both the Whiskey Island and Sand Motor projects used an underwater pipeline to move sand. The pipeline distance for Whiskey was 10 miles. The Sand Motor distance was slightly more than 6 miles.

Im not sure why the Dutch can do it cheaper, Grandy said. It could be distance. The longer you drive the material, the more it costs. Its like how a plane ticket to Seattle is more expensive than taking a flight to Dallas.

Although sand transport is one of the most expensive elements of such projects, it doesnt alone explain the difference in price tags. Moreover, the cost per mile of moving a cubic yard of sand was half as much for the Sand Motor as it was for the Whiskey Island project.

Vast cost differences are all too common when U.S. dredging projects are compared with ones in other countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium  low-lying nations that export dredging services around the world.

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But Belgian and Dutch firms cant offer their services in the U.S. Two pieces of legislation  the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 and the Jones Act  effectively banned foreign companies from dredging in U.S. waters. All dredges must be U.S.-built, U.S.-operated and U.S.-crewed. Changes to the Jones Act in 1988 added yet another requirement: American ownership of all barges transporting dredged sand.

The purpose of restricting foreign dredges was to protect U.S. companies and spur the growth of the private dredge fleet, but its had the effect of creating a small, closed market that benefits a handful of U.S. operators while making coastal protection and restoration projects far more expensive.

The high cost of using dredged material has spurred the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to try a controversial experiment: building two Mississippi River sediment diversions in Plaquemines Parish. The diversions will allow the river to flow through gaps in the east and west bank levees, reaching coastal areas cut off from the rivers sediment-rich water. The hope is that the sediment will revive wetlands and build new land, offsetting the effects of sea level rise and boosting Louisianas natural storm defenses.

At a combined $2 billion, the diversions will be the most expensive restoration projects ever attempted in Louisiana. Shrimpers and oyster growers say the added fresh water and sediment will harm their industries, and some coastal communities worry about increased flood risk. But once built, the diversions will ease the states dependence on dredges, at least in the bays and inlets linked to the new river outlets.

It isnt just Louisiana feeling the pinch. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the biggest customer for dredges, says federal spending on navigation dredging  the work that clears rivers and harbors for shipping  has exploded, increasing by several hundred million dollars each year in recent decades.

As costs have risen, the volume of dredged material has fallen. Yet demand for dredging grows, both for restoration projects and for shipping ports that hope to draw the largest classes of mega-cargo freighters.

+15 Building barriers: Inside the race to save Louisiana's first line of storm defense Ten miles from Louisiana's receding shore, on an island that was on the verge of sinking away, new land is growing at a rate of 200 feet per day.

A captive market

The Corps used to meet nearly all its dredging needs with its own sizable fleet. During the 1970s, Congress began privatizing the Corps dredge work, first by cutting support for replacement vessels and then by ordering the Corps to rely on private dredgers.

The Corps fleet of 14 hopper dredges, highly sought-after vessels capable of both dredging and hauling material, has dwindled to just four, including the 53-year-old McFarland, a ship that probably should have been retired more than 15 years ago, according to a federal audit.

Privatizing the U.S. dredge fleet hasnt increased the supply of ships or led to cost savings, however. About 98% of all private sector dredge work in the U.S. is handled by four firms  Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, of Illinois; Weeks Marine, of New Jersey; Manson Construction, of Washington state; and Dutra Dredging, of California.

Together, they accounted for $1.2 billion of the $1.3 billion the Corps spent on dredging between 2005 and 2015, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In many cases, bidding for Corps projects draws interest from just one or two companies. Under single-bid scenarios, dredge companies typically charge two times as much as when four or more companies compete, a study by the center found.

Though American dredges come at a premium, theyre comparatively small, old and inefficient. A 2014 Government Accountability Office assessment found U.S. dredges averaged about 27 years in age. European vessels were much younger, with some companies boasting fleets with an average age of 10 years.

Only five U.S. companies have hopper dredges. Their combined capacity amounts to less than a third of what one Dutch firm, Rotterdam-based Van Oord, can offer, according to data from the Corps and international dredging organizations.

Van Oord has done shadow estimates of recent port deepenings and other large dredge projects in U.S. waters. Even if the company used mostly American crews and local support vessels, Van Oord estimates it could typically do the work three times faster and at 60% of the cost.

European dredgers have long lobbied to enter the U.S. market, estimating American taxpayers could save $1 billion per year if foreign firms were allowed to compete with U.S. companies. Dutch, Belgian and other European firms have a 90% share of the open global market, thanks to highly mobile long-distance vessels that can, for instance, quickly move from a land-building job in the Persian Gulf to routine dredging in the Panama Canal.

Our largest dredge is three or four times larger than the largest in the U.S., said Mark Roelofs, Van Oords director of dredging for North and South America. You need a big market size to have that, and the world is our market.

But dont expect to see Dutch-flagged dredges on the Louisiana coast anytime soon. The U.S. dredging industry has been vigilant in its defense of the Foreign Dredge and Jones acts. Van Oord and other Dutch companies have suggested special waivers allowing them to dredge U.S. ports considered critical for national security and fuel transport. Theyve also offered to crew their vessels with mostly U.S. workers and hire local tugboats, barges and other support vessels.

Last year, the Trump administration gave assurances that no such waivers or other concessions for foreign vessels would be considered.

President (Donald) Trump had the Jones Act matters all under control from the get-go, William Doyle, executive director of the Dredging Contractors of America, said in a statement. Mr. Trump is all about jobs and national security  hes never wavered on this.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority tries to steer clear of such international political questions. Although altering the Foreign Dredge and Jones acts would be not an insignificant lift, said Grandy, the agency's deputy director, We work within the dredge community we have in the U.S. and Gulf Coast.

But he acknowledged foreign dredgers would be a boon for Louisianas coast.

From a restoration standpoint, it would obviously create more supply and give us more folks who could dredge for us, he said.

Engine for export

If the U.S. isnt interested in Dutch dredges, what about Dutch ideas? The Dutch are glad to share the Sand Motors success. Exporting knowledge in water management and coastal protection is big business in the Netherlands, generating about $9 billion per year and accounting for about 2% of total exports. The Sand Motor is a major selling point.

We would like to export our knowledge because its unique for the whole world, said van Gelder-Maas, the Sand Motor manager.

The United Kingdom recently completed what van Gelder-Maas calls the Sand Motors baby brother along an eroding beach beside a large gas terminal. More than a dozen similar projects could be undertaken on the English coast, according to Dutch engineers working on foreign projects.

If other countries arent trying to buy their own Sand Motors, theyre sending scientists to study how the project works. More than 75 Sand Motor studies by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, the U.S. and elsewhere have been published in recent years.

I was at a coastal sediment conference in Florida, and there were a lot of (Sand Motor) presentations, van Gelder-Maas said. Most were about how to do it on the East Coast and West Coast.

Much interest from Louisiana?

Actually, no, she said.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority officials havent studied the Sand Motor, but its central idea of letting nature do the heavy lifting should be applied to everything we build, Grandy said.

Smaller versions of the Sand Motor might work on the Louisiana coast, possibly to rebuild the Caminada Headland or barrier islands, according to coastal authority officials.

We might not go as mega as the Netherlands, but its definitely possible to (try) the concept here, Grandy said.

It was tried once in Louisiana during the early 1990s, but mostly as a way to get around wildlife protection rules. Unable to dump river sediment directly on pelican nesting habitat on Breton Island, the Corps instead poured it about 100 yards from shore. Waves pushed much of the sediment to the island as planned, but it didnt stick, said Ed Creef, an environmental resources specialist who led the project for the Corps. With waves and storms, it was a very rough environment. By 1999, it was all gone.

Natural forces have made lasting improvements to restoration projects, but not by design. Sand from an old project moved to form the foundation of a new coastal authority project at Port Fourchon. The agency's engineers cite it as proof that "building with nature" can work on the Louisiana coast, but they cant claim credit for it.

It was more serendipitous, Grandy admitted.

Grandy said the need to harness nature to help restore the coast is a lesson we learned a long time ago. It was highlighted in the states 2017 Coastal Master Plan and may be a component of an upcoming plan for future barrier island restoration projects, he said.

Yet the next batch of scheduled barrier island and headland restoration projects rely on what has become the coastal authority's standard approach. Work on Timbalier, Trinity and Grand Terre islands and the West Belle headland will use methods similar to the Whiskey Island and Caminada projects. And it will come at a high cost: $268 million.

In 15 or 20 years, all these projects, critical for the protection of Louisianas ports, coastal communities and vanishing wetlands, will need to be redone. Barring another catastrophic oil spill and the vast legal settlement that comes with it, state leaders will likely have no way to pay for it.

Until they somehow find hundreds of millions  perhaps billions  of dollars to fill the ever-widening funding gap, or else turn to cheaper, Sand Motor-inspired methods of rebuilding the coast, at least one state leader wont be sleeping well.

It does keep me up at night, Grandy said. There are very few things that keep me up, but thats definitely on the short list.

Staff writer Jeff Adelson and Tegan Wendland, of WWNO New Orleans Public Radio, contributed to this story.

Read all of the stories in the Water Ways series:
It was axed as a regular TV channel just four years ago to save money.

But BBC Three could now be reinstated by the corporation as part of radical plans to shake up what it offers to youngsters.

BBC Three was shifted online in 2016, sparking a huge backlash from fans.

But it is understood corporation bosses, looking at moving BBC Three back on to TV, have been buoyed by the creative success of comedies such as Fleabag and This Country.

The move online saw the service stop operating as a channel, instead offering content to be streamed or downloaded on iPlayer. There was a view before it moved online that BBC Three relied heavily on things like EastEnders repeats and US animation Family Guy [File photo]

As part of wider changes, the BBC also wants to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional metropolitan heartlands and reach out to less well-off viewers.

But moving BBC Three back on to traditional TV would be regarded as a strange decision by many, as the current trend is towards streaming content on services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

It would also raise eyebrows as running TV channels is expensive. When the BBC first announced the plans to close the channel, it said the move would save it more than 50million per year.

During the time BBC Three was still a TV channel it was viewed by 11.2 million people each week, reaching about a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds.

BBC Three was shifted online in 2016, sparking a huge backlash from fans. But it is understood corporation bosses, looking at moving BBC Three back on to TV, have been buoyed by the creative success of comedies such as Fleabag and This Country, seen above

The move online saw the service stop operating as a channel, instead offering content to be streamed or downloaded on iPlayer.

There was a view before it moved online that BBC Three relied heavily on things like EastEnders repeats and US animation Family Guy.

But some now feel it is stronger than it was when the service was demoted.

Appearing at the Media and Telecoms 2020 and Beyond conference yesterday, BBC director general Tony Hall defended the decision to take BBC Three off TV screens four years ago.

He said the money saved had been moved to drama, which had benefited from the money, and was in fantastic shape.

But Lord Hall added: When we announce our annual plan... at the end of this month, I will have something to say about BBC Three and its future then.

He said the current creative output on the channel  wholly focused on younger audiences  had been utterly brilliant.

Sources were keen to stress no decision had yet been taken but the move was under consideration. It is being looked at alongside a range of options aimed at improving the BBCs appeal.

A spokesman for the corporation declined to rule out that it would bring BBC Three back.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A man is facing uncomfortable charges after allegedly relieving himself on the steps of the 122nd Precinct stationhouse in New Dorp early on Thursday morning.

Yevgeny Zaslavsky, 36, of the 100 block of Cotter Avenue in Richmond, was arrested at 2:04 a.m. Thursday in front of the precinct at 2320 Hylan Blvd.

Zaslavsky was wearing a black coat, jeans and gray sneakers when he intentionally exposed his private parts in a lewd manner," according to the criminal complaint and police.

He then urinated on the steps at about 1:51 a.m. in an act that was captured on video surveillance, the complaint said.

When an officer approached and asked the suspect what he was doing, Zaslavsky allegedly fled and that resulted in a takedown by force of the suspect, who is about 55 tall and weighs about 155 pounds, according to police.

Zaslavsky was charged with public lewdness, trespass and public urination.

The suspect was released on supervision and is due back in Criminal Court on April, 28, according to public records.

An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was supposed to be a retirement vacation.

Steven Shen travelled to Asia with a Yellowknife couple, first to the couple's home community in the Philippines, then to his in China.

Shen grew up in Chaozhou, a city of 2.6 million people in China's Guangdong province.

He reached China on January 18, planning to return to Yellowknife on March 3.

In early February, he learned from his travel agent that his return flight to Canada, on China Eastern Airlines, was cancelled.

Chaozhou is about 800 kilometres south of Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus first emerged, and far from the areas where authorities have imposed a clampdown on travel.

But Wuhan is a busy travel hub, which has affected routes throughout the country.

Shen could have rebooked on a later flight, but he hasn't yet done so.

"After consulting with my family and consulting a public health expert, they say, well, you're better to stay in China longer, and I think it is a good idea."

Shen is a former environmental health officer with the N.W.T. government. He moved to Yellowknife 15 years ago to take the job.

So while he wants to avoid travelling on any routes where he could be exposed to the illness, or carrying the illness himself, there's also another reason he's choosing to stay put.

"I want to set an example for other people."

Submitted by Steven Shen

A strange encounter

Shen's wife, Nancy Lin, says she's OK with that decision. She and the couple's daughter have been in Yellowknife the whole time, checking in with Steve by phone.

"He is having a good time," Lin said.

But Lin has faced her own coronavirus battles at home.

She usually travels to China over the holidays, visiting family for two weeks at a time. This year, she changed that plan in order to prepare for an exam.

One afternoon in January, she was in the downtown grocery store when she saw one of her co-workers, who knows her usual pattern.

"He passed by," she said, "and then realized it was me. And then he stepped two steps far away from me, which is kind of about two metres away from me, and then he stopped and turned and said, 'Hey, Nancy! Have you just come back from China?'

Story continues

"Obviously I can feel that two metres distance."

Fear subsiding

In China, Shen says he's already seen concern about the virus calm down.

Submitted by Steven Shen

He spoke to the CBC from a street side tea shop and said people were smiling and out walking around. "That was not the situation one month ago. People were very worried."

Shen said he's also hoping to get some more information as an international traveller returning to the N.W.T., "such as guidance on isolation and prevention."

So far, the territorial government has not issued any general warnings or advice on whether or not to travel  inside or outside of the country. The World Health Organization has not yet advised against any international travel.

The federal government issued a travel advisory on January 7 advising Canadians "to consider avoiding non-essential travel to China" and other countries affected by the virus.

That advisory recommends travellers who do go to China avoid spending time in large crowds, avoid sick people and animals, and follow local public health advice.

Travellers returning from China are asked to monitor their health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days, and "avoid places where you cannot easily separate from others if you become ill."

People who do develop symptoms are asked to isolate themselves from others as quickly as possible and contact a health care professional.

Those who have travelled to China's Hubei Province (of which Wuhan is the capital) are asked to contact the public health authority in the area where they live within 24 hours of arriving in Canada.
On her first outing of the decade, Meghan Markle sported a colour-blocking ensemble which comprised of a beige woolen coat which she wore over a chocolate brown slip skirt.

Both pieces were by Spanish high-street brand, Massimo Dutti, which is owned by Inditex, the same company that owns Zara.

The following day on an unofficial outing to the National Theatre, the 38-year-old outgoing Duchess wore the Massimo Dutti again, this time in the form of a navy woollen coat.

While Markle has become renowned for her love of designer garb during her time as a senior royal, she has also exhibited an appreciation of the whole gamut of the high-street too.

In amongst the Alexander Wangs, the Givenchys and the Victoria Beckhams, the outgoing royal has also seamlessly blended high and low, with pieces from H&M, Zara and, on one of her final appearances as a senior royal today, Topshop.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex/Chris Allerton

Just a few days into 2018, Markle sported a 45 bell-sleeved jumper from British stalwart, Marks & Spencer, which sold out within hours.

A matter of months later, before she tied the knot with Prince Harry, she had another sell-out knitwear moment when she sported a funnel neck jumper by high-street store AllSaints, which, again, sold out within hours.

The Duchess of Sussex wears H&M dress for Mayhew visit / PA Wire/PA Images

On what would transpire to be her final royal tour of Africa in October 2019, Markle had several high-street moments, most notably in a 95 Banana Republic dress in her favourite silhouette.

And who could forget her charity high street capsule collection which she designed in aid of Smart Works and in collaboration with Jigsaw, John Lewis and Partners, Marks and Spencer and her designer friend Misha Nonoo?
The controversial trial of an Army veteran over a fatal shooting during the Northern Ireland Troubles has been postponed due to the ill-health of the accused.

Dennis Hutchings, 78, was due to be at Belfast Crown Court on Monday morning for the opening day of his trial.

Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974.

Mr Cunningham, a 27-year-old man with learning difficulties, was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol near Benburb.

Former British soldier Dennis Hutchings, (pictured) who has been charged over the fatal 1974 shooting of a man in Northern Ireland, took part in a protest in 2017 to call for an end to prosecutions of veterans who served during the Troubles

The adjournment comes as he receives medical treatment for a chest infection and amid his concerns about being susceptible to contracting coronavirus.

Mr Hutchings, who is also currently on dialysis for renal failure, is facing charges of attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Solicitor Niall Murphy, who represents the Cunningham family, said proceedings had been adjourned after an application was made by Mr Hutchings' lawyers.

Mr Murphy said: 'The application was premised on a medical report from his consultant.'

Mr Hutchings told the press that his consultant had advised him he was 'unfit to travel'.

He said: 'I am on antibiotics for a chest infection, I am on dialysis, there is coronavirus floating about - at my age and with problems, if I caught it I'd probably die from it.'

A review hearing will take place at Belfast Crown Court next week to consider how to process with the case at a later date.

Mr Cunningham's nephew Charlie Agnew questioned the decision to adjourn.

'Will all the courts be closed next week? Are all trials to stop?' he asked, describing the timing of the application as 'lamentable'.

'We are severely disappointed that this trial will not now commence after so many years of patient waiting.'

Great-grandfather Dennis Hutchings has long campaigned against the prosecution of British Army veterans. Seen here in 2019 at a 'rolling thunder' biker protest

But critics claim his case is proof of a witch-hunt against soldiers who served during the Troubles.

The former corporal major has already been cleared twice over the events which took place in the mid-1970s.

Despite no fresh evidence, no witnesses and no new forensic leads, the retired soldier has been accused again of attempted murder.

Last month, Mr Hutchings launched a crowdfunding campaign to help him fight the charges.

Mr Hutchings, from Cornwall, said: I spent 26 years serving my country and now I am being hung out to dry like a common criminal.

A family member holds a photo of John Pat Cunningham at a press conference in Belfast after his family received an apology from the government

I want to put the Government in a position where they make good on their promise to protect veterans from these ludicrous witch-hunts so no one else is thrown to the wolves.

It is disgusting. Ive spent five years on bail when Im a sick man. And still theyve come up with no new evidence. The politicians have got to get off their backsides and get on with looking after ex-soldiers.

In a legal letter, he has warned Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith that he will bring a Judicial Review on the grounds that British veterans are suffering discriminatory treatment by the criminal justice system.

Although 90 per cent of the 3,720 killings in Northern Ireland were at the hands of terrorists, police investigations have focused on the actions of British forces.

Veteran Dennis Hutchings arrives at the Supreme Court, London, for his challenge against the decision to hold his trial over an incident in Northern Ireland during the Troubles without a jury

Veterans who served at the height of the IRAs terror campaign are 54 times more likely to face prosecution than Republican paramilitaries, according to the letter.

Mr Hutchings lawyers say this contravenes Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights  the right to a fair trial.

In June 1974, Mr Hutchings was leading a patrol of four soldiers in English, County Tyrone, when they came across an IRA unit moving weapons ahead of an attack.

He challenged the group of about ten and a firefight broke out. Four men were arrested and later convicted of terrorist offences, while the rest fled.

Members of the Justice for NI Veterans at the Supreme Court in London when Mr Hutchings appeal trial by judge on Bloody Sunday prosecution decision day took place on 19.03.19

Two days later, the troops carried out a search of the area to track down the missing Republicans and came across Mr Cunningham, who they believed was an armed IRA suspect, near the village of Benburb.

As he ran away, members of the patrol opened fire, killing him. It later emerged the victim was an innocent member of the public who had the mental age of a child between six and ten.

Mr Hutchings was investigated and cleared at the time and the case was closed once again after a review in 2011.

But a legacy unit set up by the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested him at his home in Cornwall in April 2015.

To contribute to Mr Hutchings campaign visit the webpage here
Carlos Barria/Reuters

Sen. Ted Cruz is aiming to dramatically curtail the power of the International Criminal Court, The Daily Beast has learned. The Texas Republican is working to garner support for a resolution that would call on the UN Security Council to bar the ICC from bringing charges against people from states who arent parties to the treaty that governs itwhich would include Russia, China, the U.S., and Israel.

The resolution would also condemn the court for investigating American soldiers and Israeli officials, per a Republican aide familiar with Cruzs outreach. Cruz has indicated that he expects bipartisan support for the effort, the aide said. One human rights expert said Moscow and Beijing would also likely welcome the effort. Trump administration officialsnotably Secretary of State Mike Pompeohave also lambasted the court.

Cruz laid out his strategy in a closed-door meeting with American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) activists on Capitol Hill earlier this week, the aide said. In the meeting, Cruz said he expected Russia and China to support the proposed UN Security Council resolution because they also worry the court could target their citizens. Cruz also told the group that he expected British and French diplomats to be open to the effort out of concerns about the courts legitimacy.

The United States will not sit idly by while unaccountable political operatives convene kangaroo courts in foreign countries to prosecute and persecute American soldiers and the soldiers of our allies, the senator said in a statement provided to The Daily Beast. I will work with my colleagues and the Trump administration on measures aimed at countering this decision, including and especially through a United Nations Security Council resolution that would prohibit the ICC from prosecuting the nationals of non-member states.

The effort comes after the court greenlit a move by its top prosecutor to investigate war crimes in Afghanistanincluding crimes potentially committed by American perpetrators.

Story continues

A treaty called the Rome Statute, agreed to in 1998, established the court to hear cases against people charged with genocide, war crimes, and other crimes against humanity. More than 100 countries are party to the treaty; the U.S., Israel, Russia, and China are not.

In December 2019, the courts top prosecutor announced she would investigate potential war crimes committed by Israel in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Cruz pointed to the investigation in remarks at the AIPAC conference in Washington last week, calling the court one of the most profound threats to Israel.

Bolton Threatens International Criminal Court With Sanctions if It Keeps Probing Alleged U.S. War Crimes

Daniel Balson, Amnesty Internationals advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia, told The Daily Beast that authoritarian governments will likely cheer the move.

The hostility to the ICC evinced by the Trump Administration and its allies may be welcomed by governments in Moscow and Beijing but it is a minority view around the world, Balson said. Most UN member states have taken the considered decision to join the court. In seeking to leverage the UN Security Council against the ICC, Sen. Cruz believes hes asserting American sovereignty. In reality, hes expressing contempt for both international law and the sovereignty of others.

And Laurel Miller, Asia Director for the International Crisis Group and formerly the State Departments Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told The Daily Beast that Cruzs plan sounded infeasible.

That doesnt sound very plausible to me, she said. If the U.S. could have achieved something like that, it would have done so much sooner.

The U.S. has been opposed to the idea of the ICC being able to assert jurisdiction over Americans for many years, and during the Bush administration there was a big effort spearheaded by John Bolton in the State Department to get countries to promise not to hand over Americans, she added. If there was some other kind of legal maneuver like this available, I strongly suspect it would have been exploited before now.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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My heart sank when I saw the notification on my phone this morning: Liz Warren had left the 2020 presidential race. My friends, my classmates, and most of Twitter were aghast, and understandably so. Warren had great policies, fantastic debate performances, a deeply personal campaign, and many of us, myself included, wanted to finally see a woman in the Oval Office.

While many of her supporters took the news well, I found myself disturbed by one trend that started to take hold after her announcement to pull out. Some Warren supporters started proclaiming that theyd be protest-voting for Warren in the general election. They stated that Sanders, Biden, and Trump would never have their support; that it was Warren or nothing for them, in the style of the Bernie or bust crew in 2016.

As a black woman in America with a very expensive medical condition, I will be the first to tell you that a protest vote is not what Elizabeth Warren would want. Shed want you to vote for Bernie. This is no longer about which president wed prefer out of a diverse line-up  its about voting for the person who will initiate the most progressive change and work for the benefit of all Americans, not just the rich.

Biden, at his best, is a centrist, and a centrist cannot bring about the change that Warren so desperately fought for. Trump, at his best, gets four more years to actively harm marginalized Americans and benefit his billionaire buddies. They both aim to hold continue current systems that make inequality worse, from medical care to college debt. Like Warren did, Bernie Sanders wants to combat inequality through Medicare for All, eliminating college debt, and a Green New Deal  and pulling a #StillWithWarren just makes it so less likely for these plans to even have a chance to be implemented.

Under Biden and Obama, the price of insulin skyrocketed. Biden told wealthy donors that essentially nothing will change while on the campaign trail. If essentially nothing changes, marginalized people will continue to suffer, dying from a lack of access to medication, food, and shelter, while drowning in debt. If Warren rejected this as the status quo, her supporters should continue to as well.

 Elizabeth Warren: 'I will not be running for president in 2020'

You can dismiss personal experience and testimony, but the facts are there. Biden has a notably anti-black record, advancing mass incarceration in the 1990s with his tough on crime initiative. And we all know the Trump administration hasn't done much, if anything, for marginalized people on a mass scale with the exception of the First Step Act. Eighty-three per cent of African Americans say Trump is a racist. His administration, quite literally, locked undocumented children in cages in horrific conditions and refused them flu vaccines. Trump kicked transgender people out of the military. Biden is the pot, and Trump is the kettle. Neither are good, and your protest vote for Warren only makes one of those two evils more likely to be the American president.

A protest vote for Warren  or, frankly, against Sanders  is a vote that actively devalues black and disabled lives, as hard as that may be to hear. It is simply saying that the suffering of others doesnt matter to you as much as your own moral posturing, and is the epitome of privilege. Your vote is your own, but know the facts  by splintering the democratic vote further, youre electing Trump.
By Minh Nguyen

QUANG TRI, Vietnam, March 6 (Reuters) - Two petite women in protective gear walk slowly down an empty field in Vietnam, carrying a large metal detector that clicks and whirrs, searching for unexploded ordnance.

Medic and safety officer Nguyen Thi Ha Lan supervises her teammates, the "landmine girls" as they are known, preparing to detonate a cluster bomb left behind from the war with the United States that ended in 1975.

It is one of many underneath the soil in Quang Tri province, north-central Vietnam.

Once the team is ready to detonate, Lan warns people to clear the area. A siren goes off and then an earthshattering boom.

Lan is part of an all-woman explosive disposal team working under project RENEW (Restoring the Environment and Neutralising the Effect of War) -- to help rehabilitate more than 60,000 hectares (150,000 acres) of agricultural land.

The area was one of the most heavily bombed of the war and the U.S. Department of Defence estimates that 10 percent of the 80 million tons of munitions used by the U.S army in Vietnam failed to detonate on impact.

For Lan, being part of the 16-member team has a special meaning.

At the age of 12, her mother Hoa lost both legs and an arm due to unexploded ordnance (UXO), while playing in her front yard.

She has spent most of her life in a wheelchair, but still raised two children. Lan's younger brother works as a deminer in another RENEW team.

"When I look at the kids playing in my front yard, it reminds me of my mother and I used to cry silently inside," Lan says.

"My job now enables me to have a stable life and the kids are able to play around me on Quang Tri soil and all over Vietnam too."

In Quang Tri alone, there have been over 8,500 casualties from accidents involving UXO.

Nearly a third of the victims are children who mistake the round, tennis-ball sized cluster bombs for something to play with.

EOD teams such as Lan's have helped clear over 5,600 hectares (14,000 acres).

Story continues

Demining work is gruelling and dangerous. Working under the scorching sun and temperatures that can reach 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) means that skins tan no matter how much sunscreen they use.

"It is an honour to wear the uniform of the project everyday, so even if we aren't able to wear make up or a beautiful dress like everyone else, we all feel proud from the bottom of our hearts," says Lan.

Lan also appreciates the camaraderie that the landmine girls share, working in such dangerous conditions.

There are still many explosives to be cleared. In August 2018, more than 1,400 items were found in an underground cache. But Quang Tri had no accidents last year. The plan is to clear the province of unexploded ordnance by 2025. (Editing by Kim Coghill)
The Japanese government is asking travelers from China and South Korea to self-quarantine for two weeks starting from Monday in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

It will apply to everyone entering from the two countries, including Japanese nationals, until the end of March.

Japanese citizens are likely to be asked to stay at home. Foreigners will be urged to remain in such places as hotels. They will also be told to avoid public transport.

People will be asked to conduct their own daily health checks during the two weeks of quarantine, and contact designated medical centers if they show any symptoms of infection.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, "This is an appropriate time for the measure. The infection is spreading in a number of countries, and we are now at a critical juncture. It's important to step up border controls promptly and without hesitation, in addition to preventive measures at home."

The Japanese government also wants all flights from China and South Korea to arrive at airports close to Tokyo or Osaka.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. China will donate to Armenia 1000 test kits for diagnosing the novel coronavirus, Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Tian Erlong told Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan during a meeting on March 6.

The Embassy of China has also provided some funds for Armenia to acquire additional medical items.

Speaking about the coronavirus outbreak in China, the Ambassador said the situation is improving.

Torosyan told the envoy that simultaneously with the weather getting warmer viral infections have a tendency of retreating, noting that so far Armenia has only one COVID19 case which was confirmed on March 1.

Torosyan also spoke about the quarantined direct contacts of the patient, noting that all 31 citizens are feeling well and they continue testing negative for the disease.

The sides expressed readiness to continue closely cooperating.

Minister Arsen Torosyan thanked the ambassador for the support.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Joe Biden now holds a 16-point advantage over Bernie Sanders nationally after first winning in South Carolina and then in 10 'Super Tuesday' states.

With the exits of Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren and Mike Bloomberg, Biden finds himself with 54 per cent of the support from potential Democratic primary voters, according to Morning Consult. Sanders has the support of 38 per cent.

The new numbers come as one of Sanders' top surrogates - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - said she would back Biden if he becomes the Democratic nominee.

A new Morning Consult national polls show Joe Biden (left) with a 16- point advantage over Bernie Sanders (right) after Biden's wins in 10 'Super Tuesday' states, which turned around his 2020 fortunes

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' that she would support Joe Biden if he becomes the Democratic nominee. She continues to be a Bernie Sanders supporter as the Democratic primary is ongoing

Now 54 per cent of potential Democratic primary voters nationally support Joe Biden, while 38 per cent support Bernie Sanders, polling from Morning Consult shows

Ocasio-Cortez sat down with 'Late Night' host Seth Meyers on Thursday.

Meyers asked the New York Democrat if she would indeed back Biden if he takes the nomination.

'Yeah,' AOC replied. 'You know, I've said throughout this entire process that what is so important is that we ultimately unite behind who that Democratic nominee is.'

'It's a two way street,' she added. 'I've been concerned by some folks that say if Bernie's the nominee they won't support him. And the other way around.'

She said the most important thing was that the Democrats beat President Trump in November.

'Right now - November, you know this is more important than all of us, and we really need to make sure that we defeat Donald Trump at the polls - assuming and knowing how insane it's going to get between now and then,' Ocasio-Cortez said.

'It's not goign to be chill,' the congresswoman added, as Meyers joked about casually watching the presidential debates with a glass of wine.

Ocasio-Cortez also called it 'completely surreal' to have gone from a Sanders campaign volunteer to the opening act at his rallies.

She endorsed Sanders in October when he needed a boost after having a heart attack earlier in the month.

And she continued to vocally back him on Friday, sending out an email to supporters that said, 'Bernie Sanders can win this nomination, but it wont be easy.'

'Powerful special interests and super PACs are aligning to blunt Bernies momentum and hand the nomination to someone else,' she wrote, asking for donations to give the Vermont senator a boost.

Sanders did well in Iowa, winning the popular vote, going on to win New Hampshire and crush Biden in the Nevada caucuses.

But a week later everything turned around, with South Carolina giving Biden his first big win.

The 14 'Super Tuesday' states followed, with a majority going for Biden, who officially regained his frontrunner status.

Post-Nevada was when Democratic primary voters thought Sanders was the most electable Democrat, with 34 per cent of them saying so, according to Morning Consult's numbers.

At the time, only 17 per cent said this about Biden.

But after South Carolina, while 31 per ent saw Sanders as the most electable Democrat, Biden saw his numbers rise to 33 per cent.

Now, after Biden's Super Tuesday blowout, 51 per cent said they considered Biden the most electable Democrat, while 28 per cent said the same of Sanders.

Age remains the biggest factor when looking at the Biden-Sanders divide.

Seventy per cent of voters ages 45 and up support Biden, the Morning Consult pollsters found.

While 57 per cent of voters younger than 45 support Sanders.
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Elive is one of the most multipurpose and different Linux distributions you are likely to encounter.

Elive Linux is an awesome integration of the Debian Linux base and the Enlightenment desktop. The combination provides a uniquely powerful and flexible computing platform.

Its name suggests only a part of what makes this distro unlike the few others that have the lightweight Enlightenment desktop baked in. Elive is actually a live session environment that is capable of providing persistent memory so you can save settings and data without fully installing it to a hard drive. It also is a modern computing platform for full installation to a hard drive.

You can run Elive from a DVD or install it to a USB drive with plentiful options. This makes Elive a portable computing solution. You can plug it into any computer you use and have everything you need at your fingertips.

Persistence set up on a USB drive is a very handy alternative to an actual hard drive installation. The persistent memory feature lets you add and remove software, and keep configuration settings and saved data intact.

I periodically revisit Elive to see what new features are in the distro itself. So a recent update notice prompted me to take Elive 3.8.8 Beta for a test run.

Elive 3.8.8 Beta has a look and feel thats different from earlier editions.  click image to enlarge 

Elive defies the notion that the distro is lightweight. The Enlightenment desktop is a speed demon. Integrated with Elive, it runs circles around other lightweight desktops that have a lot less functionality.

Getting Enlightened

Samuel F. Thanatermesis Baggen, the founder and developer of Elive Linux, created the operating system for his personal use around 2002 and shared it only with family and friends. The first public version of Elive appeared three years later.

The Belgium-based developers goal was to make Elive Linux a reliable alternative to other operating systems. Its real attraction, aside from its stellar performance, is the uniqueness of the Enlightenment desktop.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The 3.8.8 beta released late last month temporarily uses the older Enlightenment 16, or E16, desktop to facilitate a faster development of Elive 3.8 before integrating a newer desktop version, according to Baggen.

The Enlightenment community is currently at version 0.23, or E23, released in August 2019. I reviewed Elive 3.8 running E17 last May.

So regressing to the more stable and older E16, even temporarily, was a less inviting test drive. The experience blunted my interest in checking out the E23 desktop upgrade.

However, the otherwise updated base software and the wide-ranging fixes and changes in Elive 3.8.8 itself produced a glimpse of more innovation to come.

The Thought Behind the Process

Before proceeding with my impressions of the Elive 3.8 series, let me share some of an exchange I had in discussing the significance of Elive Linux with Baggen. I was curious about what he sees as the driving force for developing this unique operating system. He provided details about what is different and better in the current beta release.

When Knoppix appeared to the world, it was a magnificent concept to run everything from a cdrom and RAM, Baggen said.

But just like any other OS, I felt unsatisfied with the desktops provided. So it all started as a customization of a Knoppix using a different desktop, he told LinuxInsider.

Elive Linux has separate control panels to handle essential Enlightenment desktop settings.  click image to enlarge 

Baggen was so satisfied with the result that he wanted to share it with the world, and one month later the first version of Elive appeared. Details about the distro were mentioned in a few publications, making the initial release a big and unexpected success. So he decided to continue improving the system over the next two years, improving every aspect and making it more special.

Developing Elive took a large toll on his personal time and resources. He soon faced a tough decision: Either stop the project to search for normal work that paid, or continue working on the project and try to survive by asking for donations.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

It was not an easy decision for him to make, Baggen admitted. It was users expressions of satisfaction and many urging him not to quit that led Baggen to making a donation part of the process of downloading new ISO versions.

He continues using that approach today, but he also allows donation-free downloads by request. The process requires you to verify your email address and wait for the download link.

The decision was not easy, Baggen reiterated. The ones who really appreciate it would lose if Elive doesnt exist anymore  if I dont try at least to keep it alive from donations.

Since 2005, Elive has been Baggens full-time work.

The Purpose Behind the Distro

Elive is not focused on a single goal or a specific type of user. Rather, it is more like a ready-to-use computing system for any type of user. Users can customize it if desired, or they can be productive using the default configuration.

The main purpose is to have everything working as expected by default, and not need to worry about the details or even knowing how to make things run, Baggen said.

In the end, the driving force to make Elive is to offer a different computer system that works with everything needed included, he noted. Even users without much experience can use Elive Linux without difficulty.

Why So Desirable

Elives development cycle is very fast, thanks to active community support forums and powerful development tools. Big differences occurred between the last beta version and the current release.

Even comparing the current beta release with the Stable version reveals that the full user experience is really different, according to Baggen. That is why he chose to drop back to the E16 desktop while he prepares the debut of the new Enlightenment desktop.

Nothing is bad about it (E16), and it includes a pleasant different experience, providing an extremely solid and unbreakable desktop which makes it perfect for the daily work, he explained.

Many of Elives unique features are integrated into the E16 desktop as well. Plus, the new beta version includes recent software and drivers, and 64-bit support  something thats been wanted for a long time.

The beta release includes many updated drivers and a wider range of supported graphic cards. The new beta has newer innovations such as automated, or smart, features. It also offers better compatibility with new specs like UEFI or Nvme disks.

Purposeful Personality

Elive is known but often underappreciated, Baggen said.

Due to its different nature, it never attracted a really big audience. That is probably because people are more used to common desktops or Ubuntu-based systems, he reasoned.

But that is not really a problem for us. We have a very satisfied, friendly and happy community. Having more users also means more work and more resources, much more time invested. Elive is simply for those who appreciate it, and its own style and personality are probably one of the best things that it has, Baggen said.

He has experimented many times with usability trials. For example, he gives the system to inexperienced and elderly users to see how they fare with it. Based on those results, he polishes final aspects of a new release.

So in the end, everybody is welcome to get Elive and use it how they wish, Baggen said.

Differences Matter

Enlightenment provides an attractive and dynamic environment that runs smoothly on old computers and low-powered systems. On newer, more powerful computers, Elive is extremely fast, Baggen noted.

Elive has its own personality and way of working. It focuses on intuitiveness and productivity, he added. Enlightenment is a different desktop, light and powerful. It provides many possibilities.

This is important for Elive since it has its own vision of an operating system. The downside of selecting this desktop is that it requires much more work and customizations to make it behave as wanted, Baggen said.

Elive Overview

This new beta version includes Debian Buster base system updated to version 10.3 with the kernel updated to 5.4.8 and extra drivers updated too. Web browser extensions are enabled by default for ublock-origin to block ads and annoying messages from websites.

A plugin is included to download any media file to your computer. Downloads now are set automatically to the default Downloads directory of the users translated directory.

If you are not familiar with Elive and Enlightenment, your best bet is to start with the stable version rather than this beta release. A world of difference exists in the layout and some of the features.

The Enlightenment experience is not for all Linux users, especially less-experienced ones. Learning how to navigate within the Enlightenment shell is where the learning curve occurs. A second, steeper curve involves figuring out how to massage the seemingly endless options to customize the desktop functionality.

The Enlightenment desktop has so many options that you easily can get lost in the choices. The settings panels and dialogue boxes are simple to use. In most cases, the process involves left- or right-clicking on a window or on the desktop screen, selecting the menu and checking or unchecking the choices.

Look and Feel

The Elive desktop view is beyond nice. It is uncluttered. Instead of a traditional panel bar, it has a Cairo Dock centered at the bottom with a main menu button on the far left.

Elive provides animated elements like backgrounds, icons, widgets and the terminal. It makes it possible to have an animated desktop with 3D effects without an accelerated graphic card.

The design of its menu system and user interface are very different. Depending on whether you right-click or left-click on the desktop screen or on a window or icon, a different context-related action menu pops up. Working without a traditional menu system and panel with applets takes getting used to.

Depending on the options you select, the screen can display a systems monitor widget in the upper right corner. You also can opt to have a desktop dragbar.

The gragbar stays at the top of the screen and has up and down arrows at both ends to switch among desks. Right-click on this bar to see a list of open windows on each virtual desktop and navigate to a selected screen.

Desks and Workspaces

If you ever used the Activity panel in the KDE desktop, Enlightenments concept of Desk and Virtual Workspaces is less jarring. By default, Elive has two desks by default. These are tab-like panels that jut out from the lower left edge of the screen. You can click on the handle to retract the desk panel or show it.

A thumbnail-sized grid with six workspaces by default lets you move among virtual workspaces and move open application windows to other workspaces. You can change the number of virtual workspaces.

You can add or remove as many desks as you desire. Each desk displays any number of workspaces you set. The number seems limitless. You can run different applications and windows in as many workspaces as you want.

In essence, the concept of desk in Elive, more so than other distros using any of the Enlightenment desktop versions, is a combination of virtual desktops and Activity panels rolled into one feature. The dragbar is akin to using a desktop switcher applet to navigate virtual workspaces.

Taken to the extreme, this desk concept in Elive is like trying to navigate in a huge maze. Used with moderation, the desks can offer the equivalent of having multiple physical monitors to distribute your working windows and tasks.

Bottom Line

If you take the time to fiddle with Elives design controls, you can finesse its desktop appearance and functionality like a painter creating a scene on a canvas. Do not get too involved with configuring all of the settings, though, or you will find yourself in a timeless void.

The default settings work fine. Take your time to get used to the default settings. Then investigate all that you can do to modify the appearance and functionality as you become more enlightened.

If you have lots of time to devote to learning something new within something old, check out Enlightenment  but do it through a distro built around it. Do not try to do your own Enlightenment integration by manually adding Enlightenment packages to your current Linux distro.

Baggen includes several self-help displays and clear documentation to teach you the basics, along with some advanced tips.

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!
MANILA, Philippines  The first Filipino to contract novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hong Kong has been discharged from the hospital, the Philippine Consulate General said Friday.

Good news! The Philippine Consulate General was informed today that our first Filipino COVID-19 patient in Hong Kong has been discharged from the hospital, the consulate said in its Facebook page.

She is healthy and has since returned to her employers home, it added.

The Filipino worker contracted coronavirus after she was exposed to her virus-infected employer who traveled to Wuhan in China and returned to Hong Kong in January.

The Chinese City of Wuhan is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The consulate said two other Filipino workers remain in isolation after getting infected with the virus.

We also expect them to be released soon as they remain healthy and asymptomatic, the consulate added.

The Philippine Health Department earlier reported there are more than 80 Filipinos infected with novel coronavirus abroad. Most of this number were from the MV Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined for 14 days off Yokohama in Japan.

As of March 6, Hong Kong has 104 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection. Of this number, two were killed while 46 had been cured and discharged from hospital, according to Chinas National Health Commission.

The post First Filipino COVID-19 case in Hong Kong released from hospital appeared first on UNTV News.
Zelensky: Only one step left before Ukraine signs FTA deal with Turkey

14:40, 06.03.20 2704

The presidents discussed investment security, as well as projects in the agriculture, defense, and energy sectors.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 20:04:06|Editor: huaxia

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While the novel coronavirus outbreak within China slows down, thanks to the sweeping measures put in place, alarming clusters of thousands of cases have turned up outside China. This has led to a surge in the number of imported cases. Therefore, China has taken a series of new steps to contain the reverse spread of the virus.

by Xinhua writers Yin Xiaosheng, Ma Yujie

HANGZHOU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- With swift and solid efforts taken across the country over the past weeks, China has seen good signs in the number of new infections of the novel coronavirus.

The main battlefield of Hubei Province reported no new infections outside its capital city Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, in over 24 hours for the first time on Thursday. But the rising imported cases from overseas has become the latest concern.

On Thursday, a total of 17 new coronavirus cases were reported on the Chinese mainland outside Hubei, of which 16 were imported cases. This has brought the overall cumulative number of imported cases on the mainland to 36, according to the National Health Commission.

A staff member reminds foreigners to fill in an arrival card at Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

East China's Zhejiang Province has reported 10 imported cases as of Thursday. Such cases have also been reported in Beijing, Shanghai, Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.



Health checks and quarantine measures have therefore been intensified for incoming travelers. For instance, Beijing and Shanghai municipalities, Shandong, Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces have required all passengers from hard-hit countries to be quarantined for 14 days upon their arrival.

"Most of the inbound passengers are mainly returning overseas Chinese," said Peng Bo, deputy head of the leading group for epidemic prevention and control in Zhejiang.

"Information transparency is essential in epidemic control and prevention," said Peng, adding that they would be better prepared if the health status of inbound travelers could be shared in advance.

Arriving passengers wait in line at Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

LESSON LEARNED



Earlier this month, eight people returned to Zhejiang's Qingtian County from Italy via Shanghai. They later tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Local authorities traced a total of 383 close contacts as of March 3, none of which has developed fever or other respiratory symptoms.

Qingtian is known as the hometown of overseas Chinese who are scattered in more than 120 countries and regions. About 100,000 Qingtian natives are living in Italy.

As of Thursday, Italy had confirmed 3,296 cases of coronavirus infection and 148 fatalities, according to the country's Civil Protection Department coordinating the emergency task force.

"The epidemic has heavily impacted the daily lives of many overseas Chinese. Many would rather return home under such circumstances," said Zhou Yong, honorary president of the Qingtian chamber of commerce in Italy.

"We expect more Chinese to return home," he said.

Every year in mid-March, or around the Tomb-sweeping Day in early April, many overseas Chinese come back to celebrate their ancestors. The travel rush may arrive earlier because of the outbreak, according to staff with the overseas Chinese federation in Qingtian.

"We have been paying close attention to the overseas situation of the novel coronavirus outbreak and have taken active measures to secure the safety of every Qingtian resident at home and abroad," said Ye Juan, a local official.

"They are welcome back, and we will make proper arrangements for them," said Lian Xiaomin, chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Zhejiang alone has more than two million Chinese living overseas, over half of which are in Europe.

Lian said the federation also rolled out a service package for overseas Chinese, which includes psychological counseling, information on the novel coronavirus and briefings on China's anti-epidemic experience.

"We have also offered online medical consultation services for overseas Chinese," he said.

A volunteer checks a resident's body temperature at the entrance of a community in Qingtian County, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Yin Xiaosheng)

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE



China has been joining hands with the international community to fight COVID-19 by sharing information and donating medical supplies, among others.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and National Health Commission on Tuesday held a video conference with health experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan and the secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to share China's anti-epidemic experience.

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said that China has provided some countries with detection kits and donated anti-epidemic supplies through the Red Cross and other channels.

China would share information and experience in a timely manner, as well as coordinate policies and resources with other countries and the WHO to help win the global war against the epidemic, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

On Wednesday night, experts from Wuhan Tongji Hospital shared with doctors from the Nicuarda Hospital in Milan, Italy, their experience with treating novel coronavirus pneumonia patients via video conference.

In the one-hour exchange, Wuhan experts shared in detail the key points of prevention and control, the protective measures for medics and the Tongji treatment plans.

Medical supplies donated by local Chinese community to the emergency center in Piemonte, Italy, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo by Wang Hongxia/Xinhua)

In the meantime, non-governmental organizations, including the Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation, have donated medical supplies such as masks and traditional Chinese medicine to hard-hit regions.



"We have received tremendous help from many countries over the past month when we were in urgent need of supplies," said Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, in an open letter. "We knew what we should do at that very moment."

(Fang Lie, Duan Jingjing, Yu Wan, Cui Li, Chen Lin contributed to the story)

(Video reporters: Wang Yiwen, Song Lifeng, Zheng Mengyu, Wang Huan, Feng Yuanyuan, Li Ziheng, Zhang Liyuan, Jiang Mingming; video editor: Zhao Xiaoqing) 


COOKEVILLE, Tenn.  President Trump on Friday toured a neighborhood reduced to rubble by a tornado earlier this week and marveled at the tremendous heart he witnessed.

He also offered a message for survivors and those who lost family members: We love them, theyre special people, he said.

Trump assumed the role of national consoler as he traveled to Tennessee. Trump surveyed devastated communities in Putnam County, where a tornado tore a 2-mile-long path, killing 18 people, including five children under 13. Many more people were injured, some critically.

Statewide, the death toll stood at 24 from a pair of storms.

Trump was met upon his arrival by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and other top officials.

Its been a painful, tragic week for our state, Lee said after surveying with Trump a street where eight people were killed.

The street was filled with debris where houses once stood. Limbs were crudely snapped from trees. A white laundry basket, chairs from a dining table, cinder blocks and a step ladder dotted the landscape.

Trump then met with survivors and volunteers at a local church filled with boxes of emergency supplies, pallets of water and tables filled with clothes.

When you have those who lost somebody, thats a very tough situation, Trump said during the nearly 40-minute stop. We are with you all the way.

He posed for pictures and shook hands with people before speaking to emergency personnel.

Nobodys seen what you had to go through, Trump said.

Such trips have become familiar for the president, who has visited numerous scenes of disaster and tragedy after hurricanes, mass shootings and wildfires during the past three years.

The Republican president won the heavily GOP state by 26 percentage points in the 2016 election, and trounced Democrat Hillary Clinton in Putnam County by a margin of more than 2-to-1. Davidson County, the other Tennessee region devastated by tornadoes, is a Democratic enclave in the reliably Republican red state. Nashville is the Davidson County seat.

Trump was ending the day at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., attending a pair of fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party and his re-election campaign.

Darlene Superville is an Associated Press writer.
In a time where it's easy to feel a bit concerned about the fate of civilization -- take your pick of calamities, really -- National Geographic's Cosmos is like a hope-filled salve. Developed by Ann Druyan, the co-creator of the original show together with her husband Carl Sagan, and hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds is an exploration of humanity, our past, present and our potential future. The 1980 series redefined how complex topics could be communicated on TV. And with Possible Worlds, Druyan and her co-writer, Star Trek alum Brannon Braga, recapture that magic. But, it's delivered with a new sense of urgency for our turbulent era, which is fueled by climate change and political instability.

Cosmos Possible Worlds

"This season is based on my belief that we have what it takes to get to a real exciting future," Druyan said in an interview with Engadget. "I base my belief on stories of the courage of our ancestors, the generations of searchers for the truth who have been willing to die, to stand up for what they believed was true. As well as the great migrations of generations that came before us. As Carl and I wrote earlier, we humans are capable of greatness. We all live in the long shadow of climate change and other environmental depredation."

But, Druyan added, she thinks we can build a better future by taking what science is telling us to heart: "Not just keeping it as a collection of amazing facts that you compartmentalize for a couple of minutes... but instead a way of seeing absolutely everything."

Like the previous season of Cosmos, released in 2014, the show places deGrasse Tyson in the "Ship of the Imagination," a sleek craft right out of Flight of the Navigator, which he uses to bounce around time and space. [Possible Worlds was delayed as Fox and National Geographic investigated, and cleared, deGrasse Tyson of sexual misconduct allegations.] It's a flexible narrative conceit, as it gives Cosmos the freedom to explore a wide variety of topics. In one episode, he explores what a human colony might look like on a distant planet, long after we've made Earth uninhabitable. In another, he shows how future interstellar explorers could practically mirror the achievements of the Lapita, the early Polynesian explorers who braved the uncharted Pacific Ocean thousands of years ago.

Story continues

The specter of climate change also makes the series seem more like a cultural wake-up call. "I remember in the first season of Cosmos, which we were writing in 1978, we were warning about inadvertent climate modification," Druyan said. "It's kind of daunting, because Carl and Steve Soter, who wrote that first season, with us, they had been warning about greenhouse gasses building up in the atmosphere for decades before that. And so of course I feel a tremendous urgency. It's the fires, it's the floods. It's the strange temperatures, it's the warming of the oceans."

Part of what makes Cosmos remarkable is its ability to directly explore contentious topics, like man-made climate change and religious objections to evolution and heliocentricity, without seeming preachy. Its storytelling is buoyed by some of the best CG imagery on television, which can effortlessly move between showing us the death of our solar system and giving us a microscopic view of the molecules that begat life on Earth.

The show also confronts political obstacles to science: One episode of the new season is dedicated to the story of Nikolai Vavilov, the Soviet scientist and geneticist who explored a bold theory of plant cultivation. His work had the potential to help solve Soviet Russia's hunger crisis, but he fell out of favor with Josef Stalin, who preferred the pseudo-scientific theories of Trofim Lysenko. He believed, mistakenly, that environmental change could influence genetics.

Vavilov died of starvation in prison, while his team of 28 perished protecting the Leningrad seedbank during a 28-month Nazi siege during World War II. It might seem like their work was in vain, but they paved the way for Svalbarg Global Seed Vault in Norway, a secure facility that serves as a backup against global agricultural catastrophe. "They gave their lives to us," deGrasse Tyson said. "If only our future was as real and precious to us, as it was to them."

In many ways, Cosmos feels like a direct response to an increasingly unstable political world. "Some time after 2014, we fell down a rabbit hole," Druyan said. "And we've been in that rabbit hole ever since.... I have never felt so completely astonished by just the fantasy and fiction and lying that seems to be, just our daily routine here. So that's why I felt the urgency of Cosmos more than ever. Because it does matter what's true. Not absolute truth, we don't claim we have that. But just a methodology for getting at the truth... Verifiable truths."

Cosmos: Possible Worlds premieres on National Geographic on March 9th.
EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencers Spotlight Series is part of The I on Local initiative, which aims to shine a light on why our community matters.

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. It is non-discriminate and can affect all socioeconomic backgrounds and educational levels.

In attempting to escape and seek asylum from this abuse, 52 percent of abused individuals leave their beloved pets behind. In these instances, a crisis shelter is needed to give those with pets an appropriate place to bring their animals.

Madison County Animal Control knows the emotional support and love pets give to their owners, especially those experiencing serious conflict. Therefore, MADCO has set a long term goal to establish a shelter where those experiencing domestic violence can bring their pets to the facility as well. Long term goals include:

 Extra kennel space

 Network of foster care home

 Facilities providing pet only housing

 Vet assistance

 Boarding opportunities

 Providing Food and Medication

Although only 3 percent of violence prevention facilities allow pets, more shelters recognize the problem.

Proposed legislation in Congress, The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, would provide grant funding for programs and shelters to assist domestic violence victims that have pets. One sponsor of the House version, Representative Katherine M. Clark (D-Mass.) said she was spurred to introduce it after hearing stories of victims in her state, including one whose abuser decapitated her dog and another whose abuser shut a pet in a drawer until the abuser felt the victim had been appropriately apologetic.

Pets dont care about politics, Clark said. This is a good way to reach across party lines and ideologies and do a bill that is indisputably good for animals, but is really about helping people in dire situations.

Little by little, more organizations are recognizing the need for women and pets to find a sanctuary together. The Urban Resource Institute (URI) has worked to ensure survivors of domestic violence and their pets stay together. In partnership, People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program has helped both victims and their pets receive much needed resources. Finally, Lydias House, a womens shelter in St. Louis, Missouri, provides transitional housing for victims welcoming pets thanks to the volunteers from Purina.

Madison County is gearing up for this challenge in the future and wants the community to know that people and their pets should live safely, in unison without fear of violence and or abuse. Animals are more than our pets, they are and should be treated as members of our family.

Katherine E. Conder, is Director of the Madison County Animal Control in Edwardsville, Illinois. She is a graduate of Fontbonne University, in St. Louis, Missouri, with degrees in Social Work and Special Education. She has been with Madison County Animal Control for two years. She has established a no-kill shelter in that time frame. For more information about this article and the long term goals of Madison County Animal Control please call 618-692-1700.
The Save The Children boss under fire over the charity's sex pest scandal was heavily criticised at a showdown with angry staff yesterday.

Chief executive Kevin Watkins admitted the charity's failure to take firm action against former bosses Justin Forsyth and Brendan Cox for harassing female employees made the women's ordeal more 'painful'.

He also acknowledged there were workers - including some from ethnic-minority backgrounds - who still felt 'their face didn't fit' at Save The Children UK (STCUK), according to a leaked recording of the crisis meeting obtained by the Mail.

Mr Watkins, 64, was put in the dock by employees at its London HQ following a devastating report by the Charity Commission.

Pictured: Save the Children Chief Executive Kevin Watkins speaking at the Save The Children evening reception at the Conservative Party conference in an undated photo

Kevin Watkins said the charity's failure to take firm action against ex-bosses Justin Forsyth (left) and Brendan Cox (right) for harassing female staff made the victims' ordeal 'painful'

The watchdog highlighted the fact that he was a trustee when STCUK was accused of letting Mr Forsyth and Mr Cox off the hook by mismanaging complaints against them between 2012 and 2015.

Mr Forsyth was accused of sending 'unsuitable' texts to female staff. Mr Cox, widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, was accused of demanding sex from one.

Save The Children boss blames sex probe for lost 16m: Embattled charity chief is accused of 'outrageous' attack on watchdog By Simon Walters for the Daily Mail The embattled boss of a charity hit by sex pest claims has been accused of making an 'outrageous' attack on the official watchdog that investigated its failure to protect female staff. A leaked memo from Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save The Children UK, puts the blame for it losing 16million of taxpayers' money on the Charity Commission for investigating the charity's cover-up of sexual harassment and bullying of female staff by two former bosses. The memo plays down the seriousness of the two-year inquiry, saying it is 'no indication' of the extent of wrongdoing. And it claims the Commission is struggling to cope with a series of big investigations because of a cash shortage. It goes on to admit that despite promising to root out mistreatment of staff at SCUK, 28 per cent said they 'had experienced some form of workplace incivility', with those from minorities worst affected. The memo by Mr Watkins was disclosed on the eve of the publication of a damning report into SCUK by the Charity Commission this week. Advertisement

When Mr Watkins was asked if he planned to quit, he replied: 'No. I have no intention of resigning.'

Referring to the report, he said it was a shock to 'lift up the bonnet of the culture of an organisation and see stuff you hadn't expected and don't like the look of'.

One female employee accused him of trying to excuse Mr Cox and Mr Forsyth by blaming 'the culture of the organisation' for allegations against them.

She said: 'Using the word 'culture' removes any accountability for the actions of the two perpetrators of the harassment and the mismanagement of the investigation.'

Another staff member lambasted Mr Watkins for the way the charity spent 114,000 on lawyers in an 'aggressive' bid to stop the media exposing the scandal.

Mr Watkins said: 'We didn't do the right thing. We were too defensive and ended up using too many lawyers when it wasn't necessary. Even more seriously, we hurt the women who had already been victims of the actions we were investigating.'

Staff claimed junior colleagues who made complaints were still discriminated against, and 'psychological barriers' made it impossible for staff to complain.

Referring to BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) staff, Mr Watkins said: 'If you have a culture where it becomes OK to send offensive texts in the knowledge that you won't be put through process... you feel you can't complain to your line manager because you are BAME, that is culture. A lot of people are left feeling that their face doesn't fit.

Alan Parker (left), chairman of Save the Children, Samantha Cameron (middle) and Justin Forsyth (right) CEO Save the Children, Save the Children's Secret Winter Gala, November 2014

'The reason we ended up where we did was because of the actions of two senior executives who were responsible for sexual harassment and the abuse of power.'

STCUK chairman Charles Steel said its board wanted him to stay.

But former employee Alexia Pepper de Caires told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We cannot expect people who were part of the problem to reform an organisation.'
[March 06, 2020] Surge in online learning amid coronavirus outbreak throws limelight on ClassIn

BEIJING, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Across China, children should be back in class. Instead, virtual classroom platform ClassIn has witnessed an incredible surge in activity and revenue as schools scramble to make the switch from in-class to online schooling for an entire nation of students stuck at home. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), activity on ClassIn multiplied an incredible 40 times to record 1.6 million Daily Active Users (DAU) on February 4-5, marking a critical turning point in the development of online education in China. ClassIn, the major product of online education company Empower Education Online Ltd. (EEO), is a virtual classroom and class management system for teachers rolled into one. Offering online teaching with interactive video chat for up to 1,000 students, the app supports multi-interactive teaching courseware on a computer, tablet or phone. Up till now, it has been used for teaching children's English, K12, language training and vocational training. However, the list of possible applications is growing fast. ClassIn was on an impressive growth trajectory even before the coronavirus outbreak occurred; it could count 40 of China's biggest 50 training institutions in its client list, such as New Oriental (NYSE: EDU) and TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL), as well as international companies like Udacity and Pearson (LSE: PSON). Since the outbreak, however, new clients have rushed to ClassIn, while existing customers have significantly upped their usage. Most are schools in first-, second- and third-tier cities, and after-school training setups. Colleges have jumped on board too, with four of China's top five universities, including Peking University and University of Science and Technology of China, already using ClassIn. Notably, refund rates for after-school training centers, which usually hover around 10% though were predicted to escalate dramatically once all of China realized they would be staying at home, have, on the contrary, remined steady once the shift from at-school to online learning began to kick in.



Junbo Song, Chief Executive Officer of EEO, says while user volume peaked around 200,000 DAU and 30,000 Concurrent Users (CCU) prior to the outbreak, the data began to really shoot up from January 29, around the time the government's decision came to extend the holiday to contain the virus. By February 4-5, those figures had skyrocketed to 1.6 million DAU and 350,000 CCU. By the end of February, they averaged about 2 million DAU and 400,000 CCU on weekends. To handle the high volume of online classes, ClassIn has increased its server capacity by 100 times.

"Last weekend there were nearly 2 million people studying on ClassIn, and a student spends on average 1.4 hours a day on the platform," says Junbo Song. "Undoubtedly, this makes it one of the largest real-time communication networks in the world." Song says that feedback shows teachers and students are finding online lessons largely equivalent to what they get at school, though sometimes more enjoyable due to the interactivity involved in this virtual classroom experience. EEO's expertise shows in its cutting-edge multi-user sync audio and video, simultaneous file sharing and operation, instant messaging and special interactive blackboard. Teachers and students have access to video and audio controls for dragging, zooming, muting or raising hands. In comparison to other popular online teaching apps, like Tencent Meeting or DingTalk, that only offer video chat and file syncing, ClassIn comes with a bundle of interactive features and teaching tools that include online quizzes, simultaneous drawing and even a digital reward system to encourage students. The class management system provides real-time tracking of student data and allows for communication between teachers and students outside of lesson time. For ClassIn, though the upsurge in demand represents huge opportunity, it has also plunged its operations team into crisis mode. ClassIn is now optimizing its procedures, while continuing to increase its server size and bandwidth to handle the surging user numbers. It also has plans to hire more staff in the days running up to the start of the Spring semester. For the moment, helping schools, teachers and students get online as fast as possible is the top priority. ClassIn is offering free access to K12 public schools, special deals to colleges and a 20% discount to all training institutions in Hubei province. UNESCO says that 291 million children worldwide have already had their education disrupted by the spread of COVID-19, with nationwide shutdowns of primary and secondary schools across 13 countries and partial closures in another nine. In its 2020 report, Global Industry Analysts projected the international e-learning market to grow by US$312.5 billion, driven by a compounded growth of 16.6%. Now, however, with the heavy impact of the coronavirus on education not just in China, but around the world, online learning has become even more clearly recognized as indispensable to education providers across the board, no matter small or large, public or private. When online learning suddenly surpasses in-class learning in importance, product quality becomes paramount, all of which puts EEO and ClassIn in the driving seat from this point forward. About EEO Empower Education Online Ltd. (EEO) was founded in 2014 with the purpose of developing the world's leading online classroom platform. ClassIn, one of the first online classrooms in the world, was released in 2015. ClassIn's powerful capabilities introduced a professional and accessible tool for online teaching both throughout the education industry in China and abroad. Since then, EEO has served more than 6,000 clients, including leading Chinese education companies, such as New Oriental (NYSE: EDU) and TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL), as well as international companies like Udacity and Pearson (LSE: PSON). For more information, please visit: www.eeo.cn/en/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surge-in-online-learning-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-throws-limelight-on-classin-301018841.html SOURCE Empower Education Online Ltd.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 10:15:49|Editor: yhy

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WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Harvard epidemiologist has warned that traveler screening in the United States may not detect most symptomatic cases of COVID-19.

The modeling result using a robust screening program in Singapore showed that most countries' screening procedures at borders miss two-thirds of travelers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, said Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, on Wednesday.

The model compared the number of people likely exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms with the number caught by traveler-screening programs.

It may explain the recent appearance of a cluster of cases in Washington State, said Lipsitch, adding that travelers sick with COVID-19 likely arrived in the United States four to six weeks earlier and simply were missed in screening, thus leading to the Seattle area outbreak.

"I think you could have certainly hundreds, if not more, cases around the United States by this point," said Lipsitch.

The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reported 148 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, including 49 which are still not clear how they get affected.

Uncertainty over how many U.S. cases there are raises the urgency of conducting more virus tests, but Lipsitch said the pace of testing is still low, and it will "take weeks until we have anything like adequate testing capacity."

"Right now, it is a challenge if you are a doctor wanting to get somebody tested," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Thursday. "That experience will get better over the next week, week and a half, two weeks."

Lipsitch compared the epidemic to an iceberg, with the most severe cases -- those who have died or sought medical care or who have been tested -- at the iceberg's tip, urging scientists to better understand the unseen, underwater portion.
JERUSALEM (JTA)Over 200 Israelis, most of them middle school students, have been ordered into quarantine after coming into contact with a group of South Korean tourists, some of whom were infected with the coronavirus.

Students and teachers from three Israeli cities have been ordered by the Health Ministry to self-quarantine in their homes after visiting tourist sites at the same time as the group from South Korea. Nine members of the group, who returned home last week after a two-week visit to Israel, have since tested positive for coronavirus. It is not known when they contracted the virus, but since the incubation period for the virus is 14 days, it is possible that they had it while they toured Israel.

The group visited Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masada, Beersheba, Caesarea and Hebron. They also visited Palestinian territories, according to their itinerary, which was posted on the website of the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry announced a ban on entry to any foreign traveler who has visited Japan, South Korea, Macau, Thailand, Singapore or Hong Kong in the last 14 days. Israeli citizens who have been to those countries will be required to self-quarantine.

On Saturday, Israel barred entry to passengers on board a Korean Air passenger jet that had landed at Ben Gurion Airport. Israelis on the flight were taken by ambulance to their homes, where they were ordered to remain in quarantine.

On Sunday, Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz ordered the cancelation of high school trips to Poland due to the virus, saying he was abiding by the recommendations of the Health Ministry. Some 29 delegations comprising over 3,000 students, which were scheduled to depart between Sunday and March 4, were canceled, Israels Channel 12 news reported.
This is the biggest victory of my life, Netanyahu said, according to Israeli news website N12, after winning 60 Knesset seats, one short of a majority. Last September, Likud won 56 seatsnot a majority, which led to the third elections.

Together we did the impossible, the prime minister added, saying, Together, we turned Israel into a superpower, citing growing relations with Arab and Muslim countries and promising to sign peace treaties with them.

Netanyahu also promised to secure future generations by annexing parts of the West Bank, eliminating the Iranian threat, and lowering the cost of living through economic reforms.

Netanyahus chief rival, Benny Gantz, pledged that Blue and White would remain united and continue on the same path, saying, Our country needs healing, unity, reconciliation. It longs for a leadership that will bring it together, and we will continue to offer this to the Israeli public.

He also took a swipe at Netanyahu, who he has accused of running a particularly dirty campaign, stating, Many lies and slanders have been circulated about us and about me personally, Gantz said. They thought Id panic, they thought Id blink, and Im telling you, it didnt happen and it will never happen.

The right-wing Yamina party celebrated the results, with leader Naftali Bennett saying that Netanyahu had already called him about forming a possible coalition, and confirming he would recommend to the president that Netanyahu form the next government, Yediot Aharonot reported.

Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, sounded a defiant note, saying he would not make any compromises in order to be included in a right-wing coalition, according to Algemeiner.

We are a party with principles, Lieberman said, according to Israeli news website Walla. Everything we said before the elections still holds after the elections. In regard to our basic, principled stand, there will be no change.

Among Liebermans stances that have put him in conflict with Netanyahu are what Lieberman sees as the prime ministers overly conciliatory approach to Hamas in Gaza and the separation of religion and state, especially in regard to the Haredi communitys exemption from mandatory army service.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Africa is starting to spike as authorities in Cameroon on Friday confirmed the first case of the disease in the country.

The index case, a 58-year-old French citizen who arrived in the capital Yaounde on Feb. 24, was confirmed in the countrys capital Yaounde, according to a statement by Malachie Manaouda, the nations health minister.

The statement said the man has been quarantined in the citys Central Hospital. All measures have been taken by the government to contain potential risks of the virus spreading, it said.

The discovery follows a flurry of new cases being confirmed daily around the African continent. On Thursday, nine new cases were discovered in Algeria bring the tally in the North African country to 17.

South Africa confirmed the countrys first case on Thursday while Senegals case count is now four, with the discovery of two recent cases.

Across the continent, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases now stands at 27 but, significantly, no fatalities have been recorded so far.

READ ALSO:

The rising cases in Africa have raised concern over influx of foreigners and weak surveillance in ports across the continent. The index case in Cameroon and Senegals recent cases are French nationals and a British citizen while Nigerias index case confirmed last Friday was identified as an Italian business traveller.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, it has infected almost 100,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China.

(dpa/NAN)
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) develop an artificial intelligence system that effectively evaluates endoscopic mucosal findings from patients with ulcerative colitis without the need for biopsy collection

Tokyo, Japan - Assessments of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, are usually conducted via endoscopy and histology. But now, researchers from Japan have developed a system that may be more accurate than existing methods and may reduce the need for these patients to undergo invasive medical procedures.

In a study published this February in Gastroenterology, researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have revealed a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) system that can evaluate endoscopic findings of UC with an accuracy equivalent to that of expert endoscopists.

Accurate evaluations are critical in providing optimal care for patients with UC. Previous studies have indicated that both endoscopic remission, evaluated via assessment of endoscopic procedure, and histological remission, as indicated by the degree of microscopic inflammation, can predict patient outcomes, and are thus frequently used as treatment goals. However, intra- and inter-observer variations occur in both endoscopic and histological analyses, and histological analysis frequently requires the collection of tissue via biopsies, which are invasive and costly.

"The interpretation of endoscopic images is subjective and based on the experience of individual endoscopists, thereby making the standardization of evaluation and real-time characterization challenging," says lead author of the study Kento Takenaka. "To address this, we sought to develop a deep neural network (DNN) system for consistent, objective, and real-time analysis of endoscopic images from patients with UC (DNUC)."

To do this, the researchers developed a system with DNNs to evaluate endoscopic images from patients with UC. DNNs are a type of AI machine-learning method that is based on the construction of artificial neural networks.

"We constructed the DNUC algorithm, using 40,758 images of colonoscopies and 6885 biopsy results from 2012 patients with UC," says senior author Mamoru Watanabe. "This comprised the training set for machine-learning, which enabled the algorithm to learn to accurately evaluate and classify the data".

The researchers then validated the accuracy of the DNUC algorithm using 4187 endoscopic images and 4104 biopsy specimens from 875 patients with UC.

"We found that the DNUC achieved a level of accuracy that was equivalent to that of expert endoscopists," says Takenaka. "Thus, our system was able to predict histologic remission from UC using endoscopic images only, as opposed to both histological and endoscopic data. This represents an important development given the costs and risks associated with biopsies."

The DNUC may be able to identify UC patients who are in remission without requiring them to undergo biopsy collection and analysis. This could save time and money for medical institutions, and limit exposure to invasive medical procedures for individuals with UC.

###

The article, "Development and Validation of a Deep Neural Network for Accurate Evaluation of Endoscopic Images From Patients with Ulcerative Colitis", was published in Gastroenterology at DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.012
Iranian carrier Mahan Air will bring blood samples of 300 Indians stranded in the coronavirus-hit country. Once the flight lands, samples of Indians would be tested for coronavirus and only if found negative, the stranded passengers would be brought from the Islamic country.

There are about 2,000 Indians mostly from the Kargil area of Kashmir stranded there. They had gone to visit a religious shrine in Iran but got stuck as regular commercial flights were suspended between the two countries following the spread of the virus.

afp

On Thursday, MoS for External Affairs V Muraleedharan had said that the Indian fishermen stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran are in good health. He informed that the Indian Embassy in Iran has reached out to them for all possible help.

Earlier this week, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to direct Indian embassy officials in Iran to take necessary steps for the evacuation of more than a hundred Indian fishermen stranded in Iran.

BCCL

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday that Indian authorities were in touch with Iranian counterparts to launch operations for bringing Indians back. Puri said all are fully geared up to screen passengers and also follow up cases, amid the virus outbreak. Iran is one of the countries that has been severely affected by the outbreak.

Almost 2,000 Iranians are currently in India who would be flown back to their country by the ferry flights. The ferry flight cleared by aviation regulator DGCA will land within 24 hours in Delhi.

A team of Indian doctors has already been sent to Iran for ensuring that stranded citizens there are thoroughly examined before boarding the evacuation flight. Earlier, India had said that it had not received any information from the Iran Embassy about 495 Iranian tourists who are reportedly in the country and are untraceable, External Affairs Ministry said.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar assured that there is no need for panic because the tourists had arrived in India before the outbreak of coronavirus in Iran. "As per protocol when is a foreign national goes missing the embassy concerned is the first to know and then they notify us. We have so far not received any information from the Iranian Embassy," Raveesh Kumar said.

Coronavirus death toll in Iran has now crossed 107 while over 90,000 people across the world have been infected. On February 27, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation temporarily suspended Iranian carriers from operating flights to India in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak in that country. Currently, two Iranian carriers -- IranAir and Mahan Air -- operate flights to Mumbai and Delhi, respectively.
(JNS)Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary, skipped the annual AIPAC Policy Conference.

The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security, said Sanders. So do the Palestinian people. I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference, he tweeted. As president, I will support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and do everything possible to bring peace and security to the region.

The annual pro-Israel event took place from March 1-3, with the final day falling on Super Tuesday, where 14 states held presidential primaries.

AIPAC immediately criticized Sanders.

Senator Sanders has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment, said the pro-Israel lobby in a statement. In fact, many of his own Senate and House Democratic colleagues and leaders speak from our platform to the over 18,000 Americans from widely diverse backgroundsDemocrats, Republicans, Jews, Christians, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, members of the LBGTQ+ communitywho participate in the conference to proclaim their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

By engaging in such an odious attack on this mainstream, bipartisan American political event, Senator Sanders is insulting his very own colleagues and the millions of Americans who stand with Israel, continued AIPAC. Truly shameful.

Senator Sanders has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment.
Two men have been arrested here



for printing and circulating fake Indian currency, the police said on Friday.

The accused were earlier part of a similar racket operating in Kerala which was busted in 2018 and in which Malyalam TV actor Surya Sashikumar was arrested, a police official said.

Acting on a tip-off, unit 9 of the city police's crime branch laid a trap near Vira Desai Road in Andheri and intercepted a car on Thursday, he said.

Vishnu Vijayan (28) and Don Warki (26), who were riding in the car, were found to be carrying 590 fake notes of Rs 500, he said.

The duo told the police during questioning that they hailed from Kerala.

They had recently arrived in Ulwe in neighbouring Navi Mumbai where they started printing fake notes at house and were trying to find agents to exchange them for genuine currency in the market, they allegedly told the police.

Printing equipment, a laptop and half-printed fake notes were seized from their house, the police official said.

Leo George was the mastermind behind the racket, the duo told the police, he said.

George, with 13 others, began printing fake currency in Kerala in 2018. The racket was busted and those arrested included Surya Sashikumar, her mother and sister.

George has been shown as wanted accused in the present case, the officer added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 05:27:13|Editor: huaxia

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow, Russia, on March 5, 2020. (Sputnik/Handout via Xinhua)

It's a step forward in promoting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the UN, China's UN envoy said.

UNITED NATIONS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's UN envoy on Friday said China welcomes the Russia-Turkey agreement on a ceasefire for Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.

In a press encounter after a close-door Security Council meeting on Syria, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun said "for China, we welcome the agreement signed by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey, and we welcome the diplomatic efforts along this direction."

He said the signing of the agreement is conducive to finding "what we have always longed ... a comprehensive solution to the issue in Syria."

It's a step forward in promoting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the UN, he said, expressing the hope that the agreement will be fully implemented.

Zhang stressed that in the process of implementation, Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence should be fully respected.

He said China hopes the international community will continue to commit to the fight against terrorism in the process. "We do hope that we will see more encouraging progress."

The Chinese envoy voiced support for the humanitarian effort made by the UN, pledging that China will do whatever it can to provide humanitarian aid. "We also hope that the comprehensive humanitarian situation in Syria will be taken care of by the international community."

He also urged parties concerned to avoid any attack on the civilians in Idlib and in Syria as a whole.

Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Idlib, a development that could ease escalating conflicts and facilitate a peace process in the war-torn country.

The ceasefire became effective from 00:01 a.m. on Friday local time. Russia and Turkey also agreed to create a safety corridor 6 km to the north and 6 km to the south from the strategic M4 highway, which connects Aleppo in northern Syria with Latakia in the northwest.

Also in the press encounter, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said the ceasefire does not "exempt" operations targeting terrorists in the area, and that he hopes the sporadic fighting after the ceasefire took effect will be put out.

Britain and Germany's UN ambassadors also expressed hope that the fresh ceasefire will last.

In 2018, the two countries agreed on a deal in the southern Russian city of Sochi, which created a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib and allowed for the deployment of 12 Turkish observation posts. However, the "de-escalation" zone has been repeatedly violated.

More than 30 Turkish soldiers were killed last month around the area during an operation of the Syrian government, which Russia backs. The operation was attempting to regain control of the final rebel stronghold in the country after nearly nine years of war.

In response, Turkey targeted Syrian positions with aircraft, drones and artillery, raising fears of a direct military confrontation between Russia and Turkey.

Since March 2011, Syria has been in the throes of a conflict that has forced more than half of all Syrians to leave their homes.

According to The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 5 million Syrians have fled the country, 6 million others are internally displaced, over 13 million people need assistance and an untold number of men, women and children are suffering greatly. 
A Muslim man who left his wife to die for five days after he said he found her tied up and badly injured in their home has lost an appeal over his sentence.

Mohamed Naddaf must now serve his full non-parole period of eight years after the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal refused his argument that the sentence was 'manifestly excessive'.

Naddaf had pleaded guilty to the criminally negligent manslaughter of Ashlee Brown, 25, who died in their 'unkempt and dirty' Craigieburn home in Melbourne's north in November 2016.

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Mohamed Naddaf is escorted from a prison van to the Victorian Supreme Court ahead of his sentencing in January over the manslaughter of his 25-year-old wife Ashlee Brown in 2016

Ashlee Brown suffered more than 100 blunt and sharp force injuries. The mother of three children under five had been bound, gagged and had her long strawberry blonde hair cut off

Siobhann Brown and her daughter Dakota-Lee celebrate on the doors of the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday

The ruling was welcomed by Ms Brown's long suffering mother Siobhann Brown, who said her daughter might finally rest in peace.

'We do not have to accept these things but we must continue to raise awareness and educate as many as we can on this sadly rapidly growing horror we have come to know as domestic violence,' she said.

'In Ashlee's case it was Islam.'

Ms Brown attended the Supreme Court in Melbourne with her other daughter Dakota-Lee.

They embraced outside as other supporters, carrying placards, cheered the ruling.

Ms Brown said while she was pleased with the outcome, more work was needed behind the scenes to help victims of domestic violence.

'Domestic violence in any way, shape, or form, should no longer be accepted,' she said.

'For too long we have sat back and watched unspeakable terrors with very lenient sentences or parole given to offenders that have in many instances gone on to offend, in some cases murder.'

She called for harsher penalties and an overhaul of the way investigations into domestic violence are carried out.

'The severity of the sentence should match the severity of the injuries inflicted and or death, sadly, in a lot more cases,' she said.

'Today justice for Ashlee has been served. Our Ashlee can fully rest in peace.'

Justice John Champion said Ms Brown was found in the passenger seat of the couple's car after having been subjected to a 'deliberate and frenzied assault' and tied up with clothesline wire.

The mother of three children under five had been bashed, stabbed, gagged and had her long strawberry blonde hair cut off.

Siobhann Brown, whose daughter Ashlee was found dead in the home she shared with her husband Mohamed Naddaf, celebrates outside the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Friday

On Monday, Naddaf appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal via videolink where his barrister protested Naddaf had been treated unfairly.

Naddaf was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment and must serve at least eight years before being eligible for parole.

His barrister Jason Gullaci argued Justice Champion had got it wrong and asked the court to reduce Naddaf's sentence.

He reminded the court that Naddaf had not been convicted of causing the injuries to his wife, but had failed to get her assistance.

Supporters of Ms Brown who packed the court room scoffed at the suggestion.

'Rubbish,' one man muttered. 'It should be murder not bloody manslaughter.'

Outside court, supporters held placards demanding 'Justice For Ashlee' and branded her death an honour killing.

Family friend Ian Sayer described Naddaf's plea to manslaughter as a 'joke'.

'I think it should have been bloody murder,' he said.

Ms Brown's mum Siobhann described the appeal process as 'torture'.

'My question is: why aren't we looking for anyone else?' she said. 'Why aren't we looking for who killed Ashlee if he didn't? I think that speaks volumes and I don't think I need to answer that.'

The court had previously heard Naddaf had helped Ms Brown to the bathroom, putting her down on a flannelette sheet on the floor, and fed her water through a syringe for five days.

He finally called triple zero on November 6 after Ms Brown died from complications arising from more than 100 injuries including internal and external bleeding.

Justice Champion said he did not accept Naddaf's claim that Ashlee asked him not to call for help in case their three children were taken by authorities.

'All that was required was a phone call,' Justice Champion said. 'Her death was slow, avoidable and miserable.'

Justice Champion said Naddaf's motivation was unclear. The court heard Naddaf had a significant criminal history and was a long-term drug user, taking heroin, marijuana and ice.

'The Crown is not in a position to prove who inflicted the injuries upon Ms Brown,' Justice Champion said.

Ashlee Brown and Mohamed Naddaf (both pictured) lived together in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Ashlee was 25 when she was found dead on the bathroom floor of the couple's home

Protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court on Friday in support of Ashlee Brown, whose murder remains unsolved

Siobhann Brown, whose daughter Ashlee was found dead in the home she shared with her husband Mohamed Naddaf, embraces her other daughter outside the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Friday

'It is not possible to say exactly when Ms Brown died but... she suffered to a considerable degree.'

Siobhan Brown told reporters after the sentencing she believed Naddaf should have instead faced a murder trial for the death of her daughter, who had converted to Islam and had not spoken to her for five years.

'I am here today to raise awareness to the horrific, torturous death that Ashlee endured,' Ms Brown said at the time.

'My daughter's injuries and circumstances surrounding her death had all the hallmarks of an Islamic honour killing.'

Ms Brown told Daily Mail Australia she had not heard from her eldest daughter since a phone call five years before she died.

Her daughter told her she was marrying a Muslim man and was three months pregnant with her first child.

Ms Brown had met Naddaf when Ashlee visited the family's home in country Victoria when she was about 18.

Siobhann Brown and her supporters smiled at they left the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Friday after learning Mohamed Naddaf would have to serve his minimum non-parole term

Ashlee was a fun-loving girl,' Siobhann Brown told Daily Mail Australia. 'She was giving. She was loving. She loved the sun, the beach. She loved singing, dancing, having fun'

'She introduced him as "Macca",' Ms Brown said. 'It was very brief.

'He seemed like a nice, very polite, young man. It pains me to say that. I didn't see him again after that.'

HOW DID ASHLEE BROWN DIE? Ashlee Brown was found dead on her bathroom floor at Craigieburn, in Melbourne's north, on November 6, 2016. Her husband Mohamed Naddaf, 37, told police he had found Ashlee bloodied and beaten in their garage four or five days earlier. Naddaf said he had 'cared' for Ashlee instead of calling an ambulance because she had asked him not to. A post-mortem examination found Ashlee had suffered more than 100 injuries to her head, torso, buttocks and limbs. She had been stabbed in the thighs and had bruising to her right side, including her breast. Naddaf was originally charged with assault and false imprisonment. He was later charged with killing his wife but pleaded guilty to manslaughter based on negligence. Naddaf is not accused of causing any physical harm to Ashlee. Advertisement

There was no communication for some time before a phone call came 'out of the blue' that would mean the end of all contact between Ms Brown and her daughter.

When Ashlee was about 20 she rang to say she was pregnant and wanted her mother's blessing to convert to Islam and marry Naddaf.

'She said to me, "Mum, I need your blessing to become Muslim". She said "I'm three months' pregnant and I'm engaged to Mohamed. I would really like to marry him, mum, and settle down and have a baby".

'I said to her, "Darling, I don't know anything about the Muslim religion. As long as you know what you're doing".

'I said, "Do you have to wear one of those burqas or hijabs?" I didn't know what they were called.

'She said, "No mum, only when I go into the mosque because it's disrespectful for a woman to show her face before God".

'I said to Ashlee, "As long as you're making a fully informed decision and it's what you really want".'

Ashlee said that it was.

'There was a pause after that,' Ms Brown said. 'She said. "Thank you, mum". And then her voice seemed to change and she said, "It's Islam". That didn't mean anything to me at the time.

'We said goodbye to each other and we hung up and I didn't hear from Ashlee again.'

Ms Brown said she was convinced the lack of subsequent contact with Ashlee was solely down to her religious conversion and Naddaf controlling his wife.

'I believe Islam killed my daughter,' she said.

'If I could have taken that phone call back I would have not have given her my blessing. I would have said "No, sorry love".
There has been no detection of positive cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in West Bengal, said CM Mamata Banerjee while urging people not to panic over the quickly spreading virus. Addressing reporters on Friday, Banerjee assured that all requisite steps to contain the virus are being taken. India has so far recorded 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The virus has killed over 3,000 worldwide.

"I have held a meeting with all the concerned officers. Till today, no positive case of Coronavirus detected in West Bengal. There is no need to panic," Banerjee said. She highlighted the necessary steps being taken in the state to ensure the full safety of the people from the virus.

"In Kolkata, through various checkpoints and airports, we have screened 1,42,811 people, and three people have been admitted, but there has been no positive case as of now. Our biggest work is to ensure that everyone remains safe and well," the CM added.

READ | Coronavirus: Health Min Harsh Vardhan Assures Coordinated Action With States As Cases Rise

Thermal screening at check posts

Noting that West Bengal has land borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, while being a gateway to India's northeast, Mamata Banerjee said that the government has deployed medical teams and installed check posts at entry-exit points for thermal screening. The CM said isolation wards have been created in different hospitals in the state and have kept 6,800 PPEs and masks.

"Till date, 1,500 people have travelled from China, Japan and other places. They were identified and kept under surveillance. Out of which 234 were kept in isolation wards, and zero positive cases have been reported," Banerjee confirmed. The TMC supremo expressed hope that the Centre and the State will "coordinate like a family" to tackle the potential of an epidemic there.

READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: Pakistan Donates Surgical Masks To China, Amid Its Own Shortage

"No need to panic"

Further urging people to not create panic, CM Banerjee said, "To ensure that everyone stays well, you know that not all fevers, coughs, sneezes, are Coronavirus-related. These occur every year. There is no need to panic, but since there is a need to maintain precautions, in this case, we have called for this meeting."

READ | Parliament To Impose Restrictions On Visitors Amid Coronavirus Using Colour-coded Passes

READ | 'No Coronavirus Infection In TN, People Should Not Panic': State Health Min Vijayabaskar

(With ANI inputs) (Photo credit: PTI)
A flight from Iran is expected to land in India on Friday night with blood samples of 300 Indians, who are among the thousands stranded in the coronavirus-hit country, and on its way out will take back Iranian nationals.

The ferry flight cleared by Indias aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA will land within 24 hours in Delhi.

Samples of Indians would be tested for coronavirus and the stranded passengers would be brought from the Islamic country only if found negative.

Also read: 13 Iranian tourists quarantined at Amritsar hotel

There are about 2000 Indians mostly from Kashmirs Kargil area there. They had gone to visit a religious shrine in Iran but were stranded after regular commercial flights were suspended between the two countries following the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Iran has emerged as an epicentre for the disease in the Middle East, has reported 107 deaths from the virus, putting it on a par with Italy as the country with the highest death toll outside China where the virus emerged late in December last year.

Watch | Coronavirus outbreak: Doctor explains what to do and what to avoid

Authorities are in touch with their Iranian counterparts to launch operations for bringing the Indians back, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday.

Almost 2000 Iranians are currently in India and would be flown back to their country on the ferry flights.

Also read: This is not a drill, no time for excuses: WHOs appeal to combat coronavirus

A team of Indian doctors has already been sent to Iran for ensuring that stranded citizens there are thoroughly examined before boarding the evacuation flight.

Iran has said it would keep schools and universities closed until early April. It has already suspended major cultural and sporting events and reduced working hours across the country.

The Islamic republic also reported 591 additional confirmed cases of the COVID-19 illness, bringing the total to 3513 infected.
Coronavirus, politics and trade compound problems for Airbus A330neo FILE PHOTO: The first Airbus A330neo commercial passenger aircraft for TAP Air Portugal

By Tim Hepher

PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus <AIR.PA> is battling to shore up support for its A330neo wide-body passenger jet as the coronavirus crisis, geopolitics and trade wars raise fresh questions over demand for the aircraft, industry sources said.

The response has included Airbus focusing on A330neo sales ahead of other models, pressing for Chinese sales in expectation of the country's eventual economic recovery while also trying to tie orders to sales of its smaller A321XLR jets, which are in higher demand.

The European planemaker trimmed A330 output in January to a little more than three a month, from about four a month in 2019, and has not ruled out reversing that in 2021, people close to the company said. After that, the picture is much less clear, with doubts over dozens of existing orders as the coronavirus crisis deepens.

"2020 represents the trough (in production)," a person familiar with the program said.

Airbus shares fell 4% on Thursday after Bloomberg News reported that Airbus was considering production cuts, days after top buyer AirAsiaX <AAX.KL> said it wanted to defer orders.

"We gave guidance in February and we are closely monitoring the situation," an Airbus spokesman said.

Airbus last month said it was targeting 40 deliveries of A330 jets in 2020, down from 53 in 2019.

Industry sources said the long-stalled AirAsiaX order had been restructured and built into revised planning last year, when it was expanded from 66 aircraft to 78.

That latest tranche of 12 jets is seen as more deliverable than the earlier 66, one of the sources said. Others questioned whether the cash-strapped airline would take any of the jets.

Airbus launched the A330neo in 2014 promising an affordable, fuel-efficient successor to its 250 to 300-seat A330.

Financiers have said that rival Boeing <BA.N> cut prices of some of its 787s to counter the A330neo, the launch of which was also disrupted by a glut of large jets. Boeing officials have denied launching a price war.

Story continues

STRATEGIC HEADACHE

Pressure mounted as AirAsiaX ran into financial problems and the collapse of a nuclear deal between Iran and the West scuppered another 28 orders. Together AirAsiaX and IranAir represent a third of the 292 undelivered jets on order.

Airbus has had a number of breakthroughs, however, including a recent sale to GECAS, the leasing affiliate of engine maker General Electric <GE.N>. GECAS only very rarely jets powered by Rolls-Royce <RR.L> engines, such as the A330neo.

But efforts to maintain that momentum are being undermined by market forces, analysts said, with Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa predicting that A330 deliveries will slide by a further 25% to 30 planes in 2021.

Losing the A330neo would present a strategic headache, making Airbus largely dependent on its A350-900 in the lucrative wide-body market. The smaller of two A350 versions already represents almost 50% of its wide-body order backlog.

Airbus has said that both the A330neo and larger A350-1000 will emerge strengthened as airlines renew fleets.

However, strategists also worry that A330neo problems could speed polarization in an industry in which Boeing dominates the wide-body segment and Airbus - buoyed by its A321XLR and the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX - leads the narrow-body field.

In a surprise bid to boost the program, Airbus recently struck a deal to sell 40 of its A330neo jets to troubled HNA Group's Hainan Airlines, Reuters China reported.

It appears to have gambled that Hainan would be bailed out or bought by stronger Chinese carriers, winning the A330neo a valuable place in their fleets, analysts said. HNA has asked for government help, but the outcome of the politically sensitive shake-up is far from clear.

Analysts say the cost of such deals can be high. One source said Airbus could lose as many as 23 orders for the A350 and five for the older A330ceo as part of the HNA restructuring.

Tusa said that leaves the A330neo's future largely in the hands of U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines <DAL.N>, which has been caught up in a separate political row.

Delta has ordered 35 jets but faces tariffs on the A330neo as part of a long-running trade battle between the United States and Europe. Delta had no immediate comment.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by David Goodman)
Burma Chinas Retention Walls in Wa Region Prompt Visit by Myanmar Border Officials

Myanmar officials from the Consular and Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visit Myanmar-China Border Post No. 145(1) in Hopang, Wa Self-Administered Zone, in northern Shan State in early March. / Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Myanmar officials visited the Chinese border in Hopang District of the Wa Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan State early this week to observe a boundary issue, as China is building retaining walls on two streams along the border near Namtit Town.

The Myanmar government is concerned that the Chinese retaining walls will cause soil erosion on Myanmars side of the streams, both tributaries of the Salween River.

Officials led by U Aung Kyaw Zan, director general of the Consular and Legal Affairs Department, visited the streams in the hope of finding a way to prevent the erosion, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which oversees the Consular Department.

According to MOFA, the Chinese authorities have placed large stones in the Nanting stream to expand the bank on their side of the waterway, and to build retaining walls, which are near Border Post No. 145(1). The Chinese have also reportedly built a road in the area. MOFA said the Chinese side has also built retaining walls on the Namt Kun stream and the Namit tributary stream near Border Post No. 158(1).

Both border posts are in Namtit Town in Wa Special Region 2, which is under the control of Myanmars largest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army/United Wa State Party.

U Thein Min Tun, director of the Boundary Division under the Consular and Legal Affairs Department, told The Irrawaddy on Friday that he and other officials visited the area from Saturday to Wednesday to see the issue in person.

We went there to see the situation, what [the Chinese] are doing and whether it will erode more of our soil, as the boundary is along these waterways, he said.

Myanmar and China share a border of over 2,200 km that includes both land boundaries and waterways in Myanmars north and northeast.

U Thein Min Tun would not give details as to what the Myanmar government will do to deal with the issue.

We have already established mechanisms to deal with such disputes and we will use them, he said, adding that border boundary disputes are not uncommon for countries that share borders.

Many citizens are not aware of the border demarcation. As they dont know, they build buildings or infrastructure on the boundary or crossing the boundary. This is common, he said.

MOFA also said that the officials visited areas where, in previous years, Chinese border forces have destroyed the Myanmar flag.

As we were in the area, we went to assess the situation, said the Boundary Division director.

The officials also visited the Kokang Self-Administered Zone and discussed the border trade zone planned for the area as well as boundary demarcation.

Last September, the Myanmar government announced that it would work with China in 2020 to conduct their third joint inspection of the shared boundary.

The countries signed a boundary protocol in 1961, under which they agreed to conduct joint inspections of the demarcated boundary every five years, but this has so far only occurred twicein 1984-86 and 1992-95.

A dispute over the border with China in northern Shan State has simmered since 2008. In September 2018, a row erupted over the location of the boundary between the two countries on the Ruili River near northern Shan States Muse Township.

The dispute erupted near Pang Sai Kyukote Sub-township in Muse when Chinese villagers put up a fence nearly 30 meters inside Myanmar, in Hpai Kawng Village. The Chinese villagers eventually took down their fencing materials after Myanmar villagers complained to district officers.

You may also like these stories:

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Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koji Tomita, left, listens to Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha at the foreign ministry in central Seoul, Friday, after being summoned over Japan's decision to tighten entry restrictions on people traveling there from Korea to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Yonhap
Congress gave the lone employee of the United States Space Force quite a grilling this week, but the public still doesn't know much about the new military branch's activities.

During a hearing on Wednesday (March 4), members of the House of Representatives' Committee on Armed Services asked Space Force commander Gen. John Raymond about matters such as launches , reserve forces and future work.

In response, Raymond said that he's building out the Space Force's capabilities and its workforce, bringing in other people to support him.

Related: What is the Space Force?

Committee chairman Adam Smith, D-Washington, said that he agreed with the assessment, voiced repeatedly recently by U.S. military officials, that new thinking is needed to address a growing capability in space weaponry by foreign militaries. But Smith added that he's not sure if an entire new military branch would necessarily address the problem.

"Is it just another bureaucracy? Do we get a better, more focused look at how we take care of the needs in national defense?" Smith asked in the 3-hour livestreamed hearing .

The main challenge, Smith added, is to make sure the Space Force works in an efficient way.

Other questions raised by committee members included the use of reserve forces (which appears to be something that will be addressed soon), and how the Space Force will be organized.

The Space Force is a separate military branch in the United States that the Trump administration put into place in December 2019 , following a series of announcements that President Donald Trump made beginning in early 2018 .

The armed services branch is meant to protect U.S. interests in space, discourage others (particularly China and Russia) from aggression and to conduct timely space operations as required, military officials have said.

Wednesday's hearing was focused on the fiscal year 2021 national defense authorization budget request for the Department of the Air Force, as part of the U.S. government's annual budget process. Most of it was devoted to finding efficiencies in Air Force programs. For example, many questions were raised about pilot shortages and the beleaguered F-35 jet procurement program, which includes hardware issues such as cracking and software that is reported to have nearly 900 bugs, according to Popular Mechanics .

Related: Trump calls for $25 billion for NASA to boost moon and Mars goals

But when it comes to the Space Force, only a few details have been released so far.

That's because, beyond public announcements on uniforms and a logo , much of what the Space Force is doing appears to be classified. For instance, Raymond repeatedly responded to questions during the hearing by telling representatives he would need to share such information with them privately in their offices.

But there were some things Raymond could point to. First, the numbers: Raymond said the suggested budget prioritizes space, since it allocates $15.4 billion to space-fighting domains, or roughly $9 billion more than last year. He called this a "strong pivot to space as a priority" and said having a new branch of the armed services is an "unprecedented opportunity" to build something new, unconstrained by past bureaucracy and therefore able to move "at speed."

While Raymond is the only Space Force employee at the moment, he anticipates many others will join shortly. As a start: Forty civilian positions opened up at the Pentagon and attracted 5,000 applicants, and there will be nearly 65 people moving directly to the Space Force from the Cadet Wing of the U.S. Air Force Academy, military officials have said. While 80% of support operations will be provided by the Air Force, the new branch is expected to focus on matters such as engineering data and cybersecurity related to work in space.

There are ongoing questions about where to base the Space Force, such as whether to use existing infrastructure at Colorado Springs (where operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, are conducted). Raymond said the qualifications he's looking for include access to data, access to expertise and the ability to communicate and foster relationships with "allied partners."

The Space Force is also looking at increasing the number of launches the U.S. military conducts, while reducing costs and making it easier to get into space. How this will happen is still under discussion, but it could include leaning more on commercial partners and creating a sort of "plug and play" interface for more automation during launches, Raymond said. The Space Force participated in an interagency tabletop exercise in November 2019 to discuss different scenarios, but Raymond did not speak of what happened beyond that.

"We need to speed that up," he said of space launches. When asked if he would consider California's Vandenberg Air Force Base as the possible site for most of these launches, he simply replied that the location is "a critical part" of current military space infrastructure.

Recent media reports have pointed to other developments in the Space Force, such as the use of 5G in its operations and an effort to recruit more women . Aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin were also awarded contracts related to satellite communication payloads .

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .
Photonics / Fiber Alignment Engines Featured in PIs Booth #1910

Key industry players in optical networking will be at gathering in San Diego to share their research, new ideas, and experience the best their field has to offer. PI engineers are on-hand to answer questions and propose precision motion solutions relating to photonics automation.

The Award-Winning SiP Solution: FMPA

The FMPA Fast Multichannel Photonics Alignment Engine is an advanced alignment system based on a highly specialized digital motion controller with embedded advanced alignment and tracking functionality and a hybrid precision scanning and tracking mechanism combining the advantages of piezoelectric on servo-motorized drives. It addresses the market need for fast, parallel, nanoscale-accurate, multi-degree-of-freedom global optical alignment optimization required in key SiP production steps from planar test to packaging.

Time savings on the order of 90% and more are feasible compared to traditional photonics alignment systems. The FMPA systems are available for single and double sided alignments and can also be added to existing wafer probers.

Linear Motor Driven Solutions

A flexible combination of PIs industrial stages and new alignment-enabled controls from ACS addresses tough throughput and yield challenges for photonics production, as well as in photonics wafer probing, device packaging, chip testing, and even laser and optical equipment manufacturing. The combination of high speed, nanoscale performance, and industrial robustness reduces costs and improves yield while opening new possibilities for hyper-efficient systems architectures in large-format production processes. PIs unique optimization functionality is firmware-based, offers parallel alignment across multiple inputs, outputs, and degrees-of-freedom, and can improve process throughput by a factor of 100 or more compared to legacy approaches.

Not Traveling to OFC?

You wont miss out if youre not attending OFC, due to the spread of COVID-19!



Request a live Remote Active Photonics Alignment demo by emailing us at ask-an-engineer@pi-usa.us

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Read the blog articles explaining our unique parallel alignment technology

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Clinical support technician Douglas Condie extracts viruses from swab samples so that the genetic structure of a virus can be analysed and identified in the coronavirus testing laboratory at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, on February 19, 2020.

Public health officials have been clamoring for greater testing capacity to help them combat the spread of the new coronavirus in their communities. Now, as testing is poised to become more widely available from commercial labs, the cost of those diagnostic tests could become a factor in the effort to control the virus.

Lab Corp. announced Thursday it was immediately offering testing for COVID-19, while Quest Diagnostics said it will start testing specimens next week, increasing the options for hospitals, physicians offices and urgent care clinics.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration designated the new test as an essential health benefit, saying Medicaid and Medicare plans would cover the cost of the screening. Under the Affordable Care Act, large-employer health plans must cover the cost of essential health benefits, such as preventive testing. But the administration's designation does not require plans to provide the tests to patients free of charge.

Only a few labs approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the one at its headquarters in Atlanta, were allowed to run the testing until about a week ago. Under pressure from state and local governments, the CDC expanded their testing guidelines on Thursday.

While the CDC tests were free, the new commercial ones won't be, resulting in bills for health insurance plans, along with higher medical costs as the virus spreads and people seek treatment.

Most Americans have not yet met their out-of-pocket deductibles this early in the year, so the timing of the outbreak could leave many patients footing much of the bill, if their employer or private Medicare Advantage plan doesn't make an exception to waive co-pays or deductibles for the commercial tests.

A spokesman for UnitedHealth Group said the company's "first priority is to ensure our members have access to the diagnostic and treatment care they need," but did not specify whether the company would waive co-pays.

Health insurer Aetna, owned by CVS Health, will cover the testing with no out-of-pocket costs or cost sharing.

The board of America's Health Insurance Plans pledged that its members, which include most of the major publicly traded insurers and the majority of nonprofit Blue Cross plans, will take proactive steps to make sure people can get care.

"We will cover needed diagnostic testing when ordered by a physician. We will take action to ease network, referral, and prior authorization requirements and/or waive patient cost sharing," the group said in a statement.

Washington state regulators ordered health insurance plans there to waive all cost-sharing and co-pays on coronovirus testing through May 4, as the state grapples with one the nation's largest coronavirus outbreaks.

Late Thursday, Cigna announced that it will waive all cost-sharing nationally for COVID-19 tests on all of its Medicare Advantage and Obamacare exchange health plans, as well as the health plans it manages for large employers and state Medicaid programs.

"We are advising our clients to put the care of our patients first. So, making sure they have access to testing and treatment  and they should be confident that care is covered," said Dr. Steve Miller, Cigna chief clinical officer, adding "no one should be discouraged from seeking care right now."

Cigna has already been working with large employers and state health officials in Washington state to prioritize access for patients.

"We are working really closely with our patients and our plans, and we have case managers helping the families to make sure they have access and they can concentrate on recovering from illness, and not on the stresses of paying for healthcare," Miller said.

It's not clear yet how the new commercial tests will be priced, and what kind of costs that will mean for patients.

Democratic leaders on the House Oversight Committee expressed concern that patient costs could impact access to testing for Americans whose plans have high deductibles, if those plans don't waive cost-sharing, and for those who are uninsured.

In a letter to the department of Health and Human Services, committee members wrote that testing and treatment costs "will cause many uninsured and underinsured individuals to avoid care for coronavirus-like symptoms. That will not only hurt those who go untreated, but it will also hasten the spread of COVID-19."

More than 27 million Americans had no health insurance coverage in 2018, according to the most recent Census data.

The Trump administration is considering using emergency health measures to cover the costs of coronavirus testing and treatment for the uninsured, according to Dr. Robert Kadlec, assistant secretary at the Health and Human Services department.

The administration has discussed whether the National Disaster Medical System reimbursement program, which is generally used in hurricanes and natural disasters, could be sued to pay hospitals and physicians for treating patients for the coronavirus.

"National Disaster System medical system patients get reimbursed or providers get reimbursed at 110% of Medicare rates," Dr. Kadlec explained during congressional testimony on Tuesday.

The stakes are high for the health-care industry and for political leaders to make sure health costs don't become an aggravating factor in the coronavirus outbreak.

High health-care costs are already one of the top issues for voters in this year's election. If the virus spreads in the weeks and months ahead, how Americans experience access to care during the outbreak could play a big role next November.



Correction: The Trump administration's essential health benefits designation does not require private health insurers to offer COVID-19 testing free of charge.
(This story has been updated at noon Friday, March 6, to include the victims name)

JACKSON, MI  A 25-year-old man was fatally shot outside Duffys Food & Spirits early Friday morning.

Jackson police arrived at the bar at 751 N. Waterloo St. around 1:20 a.m. and found James Henry Cooper-Robertson unresponsive, Jackson Police and Fire Services Director Elmer Hitt said. He was taken by ambulance to Henry Ford Allegiance Health and pronounced dead shortly after arrival, Hitt said.

No arrests have been made and the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Aaron Grove at 517-768-8796 or leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 855-840-7867.
In Fridays filing, attorneys for the House argued that the panel erroneously relied on a 1997 case in which the Supreme Court later said that six members of Congress could not go to court to challenge the constitutionality of a statute. The case did not say that a whole committee backed by the full House could not sue, the filing argued.
UK court rejects Nirav Modis fifth bail plea; extradition trial to start in May

A UK court rejected fugitive Indian diamond merchant Nirav Modis bail plea for the fifth time. He is fighting extradition to India on charges of fraud and money laundering involving USD 2 billion in unpaid loans from the Punjab National Bank (PNB).

Nirav Modi was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. Photo courtesy: Facebook

The 49-year-old has been incarcerated in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest in March last year and is scheduled for an extradition trial in May. His fifth attempt at getting bail was on the basis of a change in circumstances.

"The bail application is regarding a change of circumstances. Modi has increased the security and offered more stringent bail conditions than last time," the spokesperson said.

However, the High Court in London rejected his plea.

Nirav Modi was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard on charges brought by the Indian government.
Forest area in Stanislaus National Forest View Photo

Sacramento, CA  The Sierra Nevada Conservancy awarded $13.5-million in grants to boost forest health projects, and a big chunk will be coming to the Mother Lode region.

A total of 27 projects were awarded funding yesterday with most of the money being from state Propositions 1 and 68. All of the locally allocated money will specifically be used to assist in the environmental review process in the development of a CEQA Notice of Exemption. $1-million is going to the Stanislaus National Forest for the Arnold-Avery Healthy Forest Restoration Project, $55,660 to the Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions group for a fuels reduction project in the Bummerville area near West Point, $95,295 to the Amador Fire Safe Council for the Mokelumne Community Forest Project, and $491,500 to Mariposa County for a Mariposa Creek Parkway Acquisition Project.

Angela Avery, Executive Director with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, says, Achieving resilience in the Sierra Nevada requires a full suite of approaches, from conservation to active forest management to community development. The projects funded by our Board today represent that full suite of approaches and the holistic nature of the work in our region being carried out.

To find more information about the projects, click here.
Kumail Nanjiani visits the Build Series to discuss the Apple TV + Anthology Series Little America. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

The Eternals is widely regarded to be Marvels riskiest film yet.

The upcoming sci-fi superhero blockbuster is based on Jack Kirbys 1976 comic book of the same name, and revolves around a group of aliens that have lived in secret on earth for 7000 years. However, a tragedy after Avengers: Endgame, means that they have to come of hiding to protect the planet.

Kumail Nanjiani, who is playing the cosmic-powered Kingo in The Eternals, has now opened up about how it will be different to other entries to the MCU, revealing that it will even have its very own Bollywood musical number.

Read more: Marvel actor accidentally confirms which character will be 'The Eternals' gay superhero

A lot of it takes place in the present day. My character, for instance, is like OK were supposed to keep a low profile, no one should know. So I become a Bollywood movie star, thats my secret identity. Were supposed to keep quiet and Ive become the biggest Bollywood movie star.

A Chinese New Year-inspired poster for the forthcoming Disney release The Eternals (Disney)

Nanjiani told Deadlines New Hollywood podcast that he found filming, and even rehearsing, the sequence incredibly moving. "I remember the first time I went to rehearsal, I walked in and there were all these South Asian people. I was so moved immediately. I was like, 'Oh my god, we went from none of us to so many in one scene."

Read more: Mysterious new Sony Marvel movie confirmed

But The Big Sick and Silicon Valley star had to quickly overcome these emotional thoughts, as he fully admits that he was already out of his depth with the musical number.

(L-R) Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Chloe Zhao, Lia McHugh, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff and Dong-seok Ma. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

I took months of Bollywood dance classes to prepare for that. Its really a workout and you know, theres like 52 dancers, and 51 of them are professional dancers, and then theres me!

Well see how well he does in the scene when The Eternals is released later this year on 6 November.
In the very early hours of March 3, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his wildly cheering supporters about what appeared to be his biggest political victory ever. He had done it again. According to the exit polls aired at 10 p.m. local time on March 2, he was only a few tens of thousands of votes short of the 61 seats he needed for a Knesset majority. The feat that had appeared wholly impossible just weeks earlier was now happening in front of our eyes. Tonight delivered a tremendous victory! the jubilant prime minister declared. Netanyahu believed that as always, the real vote count would improve his Likud partys showing even further and hand him the missing 61st seat. Even if the party fell short, at 60 seats, Netanyahu believed he could scrounge a defector from the ranks of the opposition that would allow him to form a government and lead it  while facing his criminal trial scheduled to start on March 17.

Less than two days later, Netanyahu was a political wreck. He found himself in the same situation as the late Shimon Peres, who went to sleep on May 29, 1996, as prime minister, confident in the election results projected by the exit polls that had him in the lead over his rival Netanyahu, only to wake up the next day as leader of the opposition. Netanyahu, in his first run for the premiership, had trounced him by a mere 30,000 votes.

Netanyahu has served as prime minister for 14 of the ensuing 24 years, breaking the cumulative term record set by the states first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. Yet he is currently closer than ever to the end of his impressive career. The 60 Knesset seats projected by the exit polls dropped to 58 once all the votes were tallied. He had achieved a tremendous personal feat in bringing his Likud party from 32 to 36 Knesset seats, but failed in the real mission of culling a 61-seat bloc of support that would have enabled him to form his fifth government.

The disappointing vote count was only the beginning. The worst awaited Netanyahu on the morning of March 5. Avigdor Liberman, his once greatest loyalist turned demon in recent years, was now holding the political butchers knife over his neck with the announcement that his Yisrael Beitenu party would back newly proposed legislation barring an elected official under an aggravated criminal indictment from serving as prime minister. Should the opposition bill overcome the constitutional barriers to its passage, it would bring Netanyahus political career to an end in one fell swoop. Rather than an all-powerful prime minister, he would walk into the Jerusalem District Court as a run-of-the-mill defendant charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. His first court date, March 17, follows the swearing-in of the 23rd Knesset the day before. If a scriptwriter had proposed such a scenario for a TV series, he would have been summarily dismissed.

Netanyahu is desperate. In this situation, he is capable of anything, one of Netanyahus veteran, closest former advisers told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. He is convinced he is being persecuted and he will do anything, including anything, to survive in power. He knows he cannot afford to walk into the courtroom as an average Joe, and is now regretting that he did not conduct negotiations on an honorable plea deal with the attorney general when it was still possible.

Desperation was clearly written on Netanyahus face at the start of the meeting with the heads of his right-wing ultra-Orthodox bloc of parties whom he convened the morning after the elections. Turning to the board he had brought with him, he picked up an erasable marker, announced that he had won the elections and proceeded to tally the seats garnered by the parties in his bloc. He then discounted the 15 seats achieved by the Arab Joint List, thereby proclaiming himself a racist. When he needed the votes of the Arab alliance to allow him to dissolve the Knesset in May 2019, he had no qualms enlisting them. The same went for other votes in which he needed the support of the elected Arab officials, such as last years appointment of his nominee for state comptroller. Now, when the centrist Blue and White party threatens to form a minority government with the backing  albeit not the participation  of the Joint List, Netanyahu is up in arms, denouncing the plan as illegitimate, undemocratic, a putsch. Shockingly, wide swathes of the Israeli public support his racist pronouncements. At that same meeting with his allies, Netanyahu dropped quite a few hints suggesting that masses could be mobilized to take to the streets and foil the plot to unseat him. My friends and I, like millions of citizens, he declared, will not allow this to happen.

The dilemma is now in the cockpit of the Blue and White leadership  former army chiefs Benny Gantz, Gabi Ashkenazi and Moshe Yaalon, and centrist politician Yair Lapid. They are debating whether to go for the proposed legislation that would bar Netanyahu from serving as prime minister as long as he is under criminal indictment, but are unable to ignore the massive elephant in the room: Formation of a minority government backed by the Arab Joint List.

While a handful of Arab citizens have served in Israeli governments over the years, and Arab parties have voted in favor of government initiatives, no Arab party has ever been included in a governing coalition in the states nearly 72-year history. According to pervasive assessments, Liberman, too, would be willing to vote for such a minority government led by Blue and White, ensuring the support of 59 of the newly elected Knesset members. (Three of the 15 Arab Knesset members, of the nationalist Balad faction, would not vote in favor.) The 58 lawmakers of the Netanyahu-led bloc (right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties) would obviously vote nay. A minority government (two short of a narrow majority) would be formed and would be hard to topple. Blue and White proponents of such a scenario hope that eventually, Netanyahus bloc would disintegrate and some of its components would find their way into the ruling coalition, making for a majority government that would also enable Liberman to join. This complicated, multi-stage measure, not devoid of risks, has only one goal: Distancing Benjamin Netanyahu from political life.

Not everyone in the Blue and White party is enthusiastic. A government with the backing of the Arab Knesset members will be the end of whoever forms it, a senior party figure told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Anyone serving as prime minister with the votes of Arab lawmakers will be defeated in the next elections. The government will not last a full term. This is a gamble that is too risky.

In recent days, one of the cockpit members, former Defense Minister Yaalon, has undergone a dramatic change. His revulsion for Netanyahu and the events of the just-ended campaign left an indelible impression on him. Yaalon now favors the idea of a minority government, as Lapid seemingly does. Ashkenazi is undecided, as is party chair Gantz. Netanyahus political fate is now in the hands of his political rivals, among them 15 Arab lawmakers. The only feasible way out for him is the formation of a power-sharing government with Blue and White, as proposed last year by President Reuven Rivlin. The question is whether he has partners for such a move.
The budget presented by Deputy



Chief Minister Ajit Pawar does justice to all sections of society and will help restore Maharashtra's glory in terms of development, the Congress and NCP, partners in the Shiv Sena- led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, said on Friday.

While Congress leader and state revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat praised the Rs 22,000 crore provision for the farm loan waiver scheme as well as the plan to set up one lakh solar pumps, his colleague Ashok Chavan said the budget would ensure regional balance.

"The budget does justice to farmers, labourers, women, youth, students, Dalits, tribals, minorities, and will help restore Maharashtra's glory in terms of development," Thorat, also state Congress chief, told reporters.

He praised the provision of Rs 22,000 crore made in the budget for writing off farm loans and the announcement of giving one lakh solar pumps a year.

Chavan, the state's PWD minister, said the budget will direct Maharashtra towards development and ensure regional balance, and hailed the announcement of enacting a law to employ 80 per cent locals as well as provisions made for boosting the real estate sector.

He also hailed the budget for encouraging the industry sector by slashing power tariffs, making provisions to buy 1600 state transport (ST) buses, and announcing setting up of a women's police station in each district.

NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the budget has done justice to the urban and rural populations.

"Agriculture, health, urban development, social justice, employment, tourism, irrigation, education have been given good allocation of funds. Increasing the MLA local area fund will greatly enhance developmental work," Tapase said, and termed Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis' criticism of the budget as "baseless and illogical".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Flybe plane at Cardiff Airport in January. (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

The impact of the coronavirus fallout pushed the already flagging Flybe into administration on Thursday morning, immediately grounding all of the airlines flights and putting around 2,400 jobs at risk.

Eleventh-hour talks with the UK government failed to help Flybe secure a 100m ($128m) loan required to keep the regional airline afloat.

Administrators from financial services firm EY have been appointed to oversee the process.

Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business, Flybe said in a statement.

This has been compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus which in the last few days has resulted in a significant impact on demand.

Flybe in January negotiated an extension on several million pounds in unpaid air passenger duties with the government.

Read more: Flybe CEO tells employees of deep feeling of sorrow over collapse

But the deal, known as a time-to-pay arrangement, was not enough to save Flybe, which had requested a further 100m loan from the government.

This idea was rejected by the government, and management at Flybe became concerned that proposed cuts to air passenger duties would not come into effect until next year, according to the Financial Times.

The transport ministry said in a statement that Flybe had ceased trading following a commercial decision by the company.

We recognise the impact this will have on Flybes passengers and staff. Government staff will be on hand at all affected UK airports to help passengers, the ministry said, noting that most Flybe routes were served by different transport options.

This is a sad day for UK aviation and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers, said Richard Moriarty, the chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The airline is owned by Connect Airways, a consortium backed by Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Aviation, and Cyrus Capital Partners. It took over the airline last year.

Story continues

The consortium had already ploughed more than 100m into the airline last year, and invested a further 25m in January.

The three parties said on Thursday that, despite the efforts of those involved, the impact of the coronavirus outbreak means that the consortium can no longer commit to continued financial support.

The consortium said that it was deeply disappointed that Flybe has been unable to secure a viable basis for its continuing operations and has therefore entered an administration process.

Read more: Wizz Air latest airline to cut flights due to coronavirus

The consortium wishes to express its immense gratitude to the 2,400 people employed by Flybe for their commitment and energy over the past 12 months.

Trade union GMB urged the government to step in to save jobs wherever possible.

Calling the collapse a tragedy for the companys workforce, GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said it put a further 1,400 jobs in the wider supply chain at immediate risk and threatened the future of regional airports.

The last thing regions crying out for investment need is to see infrastructure that maintains good jobs ripped away.

Many airlines have announced sweeping cuts to their services due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, which has sapped demand for air travel across the world.
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Crufts competitors pulled out all the style stops as they arrived for the second day of the competition in Birmingham today.

Dogs dressed in Union flag jackets, fetching patterned onesies and vibrant vests turned out with their owners at the Birmingham NEC this morning.

The competition, which takes place over four days and culminates with the prestigious Best In Show on Sunday evening, is going ahead despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

This week staff working at the event said they were astonished that it was going ahead as planned. Of the total number of dog entries, 3,000 come abroad with 366 of them coming from Italy, which has been the European epicentre of the virus outbreak with 79 deaths from 2,502 confirmed cases.

There are also 160,000 people expected to visit the arena, which some claim could be the perfect breeding ground to spread the deadly Covid-19 bug.

The Kennel Club added that it was aware of speculation that a pet dog in Hong Kong had tested weak positive for Covid-19 but said: 'There are ongoing tests to determine whether this is due to environmental contamination and at this stage there is no change to the veterinary guidance.' The World Health Organisation says there is no evidence that companion pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.

Fluffy friend: An adorable Pomeranian has its coat groomed to perfection before being shown on the second day of Crufts

Ready for our close up! A group of Italian Spinone dogs wait to be shown in the ring on the second day of Crufts 2020

All in the details: An owner lovingly grooms her sleek-haired spaniel before taking to the show ring at Crufts on Friday

Just paw-fect! This poodle was dressed in a dashing printed onesie that matched its owner's shoes for day two of Crufts

Let sleeping dogs lie! Italian Spinone dogs relax in the Birmingham NEC as they wait to be shown this afternoon

It's a doggy-saurus! This adorable dog donned a pink and purple dinosaur onesie as it waited for its turn in the ring today

Hey, look at me! This gorgeous dog was ready for some more attention as it waited for its turn in the ring at Crufts

Patriotic pup! A dog in a Union flag jacket jumped up on its owner as it arrived for the second day of Crufts at Birmingham NEC

Ruff and ready: These Old English Sheepdogs will be representing a charity at the four-day dog show this weekend

Wheely good time! These spaniels are wheeled into the Birmingham NEC ahead of the second day of competition at the arena

Golden wonders! These long haired Golden Retrievers looked regal in the morning sun as they arrived at the Birmingham NEC

Check him out! Bosun, a Clumber spaniel, shows off his fetching jacket as he arrives for the competition in frosty Birmingham

A tartan triumph: An elegant spaniel is wrapped up against the cold as it arrives for day two of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC

The fashion pack: Three spaniels are given extra layers as they brave the chilly temperatures for the second day of Crufts

Ready to go! Owners, breeders and trainers laden with supplies arrive en masse for the second day of the competition

Standing out from the crowd: A dog in a fetching zig-zag scarf and cosy green jumper made its arrival at Crufts this morning
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday assured cash-starved Yes Bank depositors that their money is safe and the RBI is working on an early resolution of the issue.

I'm in continuous interaction with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The central bank is fully seized of the matter and has assured they will give a quick resolution. I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe, Sitharaman told reporters here.

She said the steps taken are in the interest of depositors, banks and the economy.

We are fully of seized of the development. RBI governor has assured me that there will be no loss to any depositor, she added.

The Reserve Bank on Thursday imposed a moratorium on the capital-starved Yes Bank,capping withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account and superseded the board of the private sector lender with immediate effect.

Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

Sitharaman insisted the immediate priority to ensure Yes Bank customers are able to withdraw money within Rs 50,000 limit.

For the next month, Yes Bank will be led by the RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, an ex-chief financial officer of SBI.

The board of country's largest lender State Bank of India on Thursday gave an "in-principle" approval to invest in the capital-starved Yes Bank.

Yes Bank has been struggling to execute a capital raising plan for the last six months. Its core equity tier-I ratio had slipped to 8.7 per cent as of September.

The bank had also delayed its December quarter results.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The judges for this year's Home Design Contest are Robert Rufino, style director at House Beautiful magazine, and interior designers Brendan Flanigan and Afton Beattie. We asked them five questions about their views on design  a little insight into what they are thinking about as they review the submissions for the contest. The semifinalists they pick in our four categories will be in an Albany Times Union Facebook gallery on Wednesday, March 11, so you can be part of the voting, too.

Q: What is a current design trend you like and one you don't like? What is on the horizon you're excited about?

RR: I buy things I love and that I think are timeless. I gravitate towards clean and simple spaces, but I'm also enamored by layered and embellished spaces. My home is a mixture of modern pieces and French antiques, items collected from travels and curated over the years. It feels special because it's a mix of things that are personal to me. Don't just buy something because it's a trend  it should be something that's meaningful to you, that you love and want to live with. There are so many beautiful wallpapers, textiles and fabrics  I'm excited to see more people upholstering walls and using fabric in unexpected ways.

BF: I am loving the return to color, and soft romantic curves and design elements, instead of the pure clean lines. Think Old World landscape wall coverings, and antique furniture. Its super interesting to see these items return with new life, adding so much to modern contexts.

I'm not in love with classic furniture that doesn't have the look of a slight reboot-it needs a finish, upholstery or setting that's current; you can't do exactly the same thing and have it be interesting.

AB: A current design trend I like is repurposing old items into furniture or interior fixtures A trend I don't like is minimalism to the extent where the space doesn't look lived in-there is always comfort and warmth behind a space with a personal touch. I am excited about all the pops of color that have been making their way back into interiors- spaces were becoming so neutral for a while.

Q: How has social media changed interior design for the better or worse?

RR: Social media has exposed people to a wider range of designers, and inspiration from all over the world. It's allowed designers to really show off their work and for small businesses and brands to connect with new audiences. Design is something everyone should have access to and social media has made that possible. The downside is with all the resources and exposure available, people think they can do everything themselves, when in some instances its helpful to connect with a designer. Designers bring many things to the table: an understanding of context and history, scale and proportion, color, and even functionality can give their clients a whole new lifestyle.

BF: For the better. The world is now engaged in design and you can take a "visual journey" at your fingertips. Drawback would be that rooms look different in real life, so keep traveling and seeing for yourself  decor is a 3D experience.

AB: I believe social media has changed interior design for the better because there is so much inspiration out there, and it's exciting to see what people are doing with their homes and workspaces all over the world.

Q: What is your pet design peeve?

RR: Not paying attention to details and cutting corners. Don't be afraid to spend money on things that will make a difference, like down cushions on your sofa, or using a really nice fabric to upholster since you'll spend so much time sitting on it. It's also always worth it to spend money on a really good paint job!

BF: Rooms without a single piece of vintage, history or craftsmanship.

AB: My pet design peeve is too many clashing patterns and design styles within one space!

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Q: Please describe the best reaction or impact for one of your designs.

RR: At Tiffany, the windows were a welcome mat to our customers. They're what bring people to the store! In my 13 years of designing windows there, it was always a joy to watch people looking inside and responding to the displays (whether they wanted to come in and shop for those items or not  but they usually did!).

BF: A standing ovation from my clients after I renovated their space on a three-day rush to accommodate them and their guests for a weekend shindig.

AB: For my senior capstone in college, I designed a middle school to teach children in a more engaging, colorful and versatile way. While presenting to a grade-school teacher, his response was a simple, "You nailed it, thank you for doing this." Sometimes the small reactions have a big impact!

Q: Fill in the blank: My most unexpected use of _______ was in a ______.

RR: For House Beautiful's The Rufino Report, I pick things that catch my eye, from fabrics and lamps to the bag I'm currently carrying to work. This month is a collection of tropical items in bold blues and greens, and the way it's put together is designed to inspire the reader to think of new ways to use these in their homes  like framing a wallcovering as art, or using tassels as an accent piece. It all works!

BF: I used an easel as a flat screen TV mount. You can move it around the room when you reaarange furniture and hide it behind artwork when not watching the tube.

AB: I am interested in creating a space that uses as many eco-friendly elements as possible.

lhornbeck@timesunion.com  518-454-5352  @leighhornbeck
We have a responsibility to fully investigate the expenditure of public funds by a public entity, said Byrd. On the advice of our legal counsel, the Attorney Generals Office, we believe filing in district court to produce public records was necessary to obtain the documentation and information identified in our subpoena. The subpoena was only issued after the virtual charter school did not voluntarily provide the records we requested in accordance with the Open Records Act.

The new court filing indicates that the auditor first tried to obtain a variety of records about Epics Learning Fund through public record requests, then subpoenas on Sept. 25 and Nov. 6.

Because of the companys privacy concerns, the state auditor reportedly conferred with them for almost five months regarding a procedure by which the records associated with the expenditure of public dollars would be disclosed, while maintaining the privacy of any private, proprietary (Epic Youth Services) information that may be intermingled. But, according to the states motion, EYS was unwilling to disclose the records in a manner necessary for the State Auditor to accurately reconcile the revenue and expenditures associated with the Learning Fund accounts.
Dallas, TX, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Female entrepreneurs and longtime friends Carla Cole and Samantha Adviento are joining forces to bring Legit. Texas. Barbecue. to their El Paso community.

While Carla and Samanthas husbands Sebastian Cole and Norberto Adviento are away on rotation in Afghanistan, the two are currently preparing to lead their barbecue business together by attending Dickeys in-house training program, Barbecue University.

Cole and Adviento have already set their sights on expanding Dickeys barbecue offerings to a nearby military base to serve active duty members directly at the bases postal exchange, which houses a food court, retail stores and a movie theater.

We are excited to have two, empowering entrepreneurs join our family in Samantha and Carla who share Dickeys passion for serving those who serve us and offering our communities delicious, high-quality barbecue, says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

The two plan to open their first El Paso location this spring and offer Dickeys full array of authentic, slow-smoked barbecue classics. Dickeys delicious Texas-style meats are smoked on-site and are complemented by an array of savory sides with recipes that have been passed down by generations.

To learn more about franchising with Dickeys, visit Dickeys franchising page or call 866-340-6188. Find your nearest Dickeys Barbecue Pit location here.

Follow Dickeys on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Download the Dickeys App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the worlds largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. For the past 79 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked on-site in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickeys proudly believes theres no shortcut to true barbecue and its why they never say bbq. The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. The fast-casual concept has expanded worldwide with 2 international locations in the UAE and operates over 500 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list and was named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur in 2018. Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, QSR Magazine, Forbes Magazine and Nations Restaurant News. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.

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###

Greer Martin

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

972-248-9899 Ext.156

gmartin@dickeys.com


STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A man was literally caught blue-handed tagging a truck in Graniteville, just days after facing prior allegations for graffiti all over Staten Island, authorities allege.

An illegal pill also allegedly was recovered from the suspect.

Dylan Farley, 23, of Seymour Avenue in Port Richmond, was arrested less than a half hour after he vandalized a truck around 3 a.m. on Feb. 26 at a strip mall on the 900 block of Richmond Avenue, according to the criminal compliant.

The address provided by authorities is across the street from the 121st Precinct stationhouse.

Responding officers saw Farley standing in front of a box truck with blue paint on his hands, police said. He was situated next to a blue tag and officers smelled fresh spray paint, according to the complaint.

Farley also was captured on video surveillance at the scene, the complaint alleges.

Police confiscated an alprozolam sedative pill with the markings RO39 from the suspect, according to the complaint.

Farley has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, making graffiti, criminal mischief and possession of graffiti instruments.

In an arrest on Feb. 18, authorities alleged 10 incidents where Farley used graffiti to vandalize expressway underpasses, stores, a truck and other properties from the North to South shores of Staten Island.

Farley scrawled tags including NEZA and NZ at prominent locations throughout the borough from last April through February, and even targeted a restaurant on Christmas Day, according to the complaint.

Nearly all of the vandalism was committed under the cover of darkness, either late at night or before sunrise in the morning.

The defendant is on supervised release and is due back in Criminal Court April 24 in both cases, according to public records.

An attorney for the suspect did not immediately respond to request for comment.
BELGRADE - In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, hotels in Serbia and the region are facing the problem of declining numbers of guests and lower turnovers, a Kopaonik Business Forum panel on development of the hotel industry in the Balkans was told.



According to Holiday Inn Hotel Belgrade General Manager Slavica Bogosavljevic, every hotel in the Serbian capital is seeing a decline in turnover due to the coronavirus.



"It is a serious situation. Most of us never even thought it would be this bad", she said, adding that many guests had cancelled their reservations.



Intercontinental Hotel Ljubljana General Manager Milos Cerovic said the hotel was facing a decline in the number of visits because of the virus, but that the most important thing was not to panic.



Intercontinental Hotel Sofia General Manager Angelo Zuccala said the hotel had operated very well in February, welcoming many Italian tourists, but that everything had suddenly changed for the worse since then. (ANSAmed)
Boeing made missteps and withheld information about the 737 MAX while federal regulators failed to provide proper oversight, leading to a "fundamentally flawed" aircraft, a US congressional committee said Friday.

The preliminary report from the House Transportation Committee blasts Boeing management and the Federal Aviation Administration and calls for changes.

"The fact that multiple technical design missteps or certification blunders were deemed 'compliant' by the FAA points to a critical need for legislative and regulatory reforms," the report said, calling the aircraft "fundamentally flawed and unsafe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Newser)  When Lucio Delgado arrived in the US from Mexico six years ago, he set his sights on learning English and becoming an American citizen. Per the Washington Post, the then-teen had come to the US with his family to escape drug cartels and to give him better opportunities due to his disability: Delgado was born with retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that left him completely blind. But that didn't stop him from learning English however he could, including by listening to the radio, and studying for the test administered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. He even got an optometrist's note saying he's legally blind, so he could get the test in Braille. When test day came in May, Delgado, now 23, aced the civics part of the test, which was oral, and prepared to do the reading portion. Then, bad news: USCIS had no Braille versions, only large print.

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I'm like ... I'm totally blind," Delgado says. He was given three attempts to read a sentence and could not manage it.The agent said he could come back and get the reading part waived but only with a note from an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist. Delgado doesn't have health insurance, so he couldn't afford to do that. "It shattered all of my dreams in one second," he tells CBS Chicago. The Post notes USCIS has been aware of barriers to citizenship for those with disabilities since at least 2018, when it put out a memo citing "systemic" issues, including a lack of Braille materials. In November, the agency started offering the test in Braille, and Delgado says he's been invited back to USCIS next Friday. His pro bono attorney says the case speaks to the unfair barriers faced by those with disabilities. "This was my first letdown in America," says Delgado. (Read more US citizenship stories.)
[March 06, 2020] MetricNet Awarded Speaking Slot at SITS 20 - the Service Desk & IT Support Show

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MetricNet is pleased to announce that Jeff Rumburg, Managing Partner of MetricNet, has been selected as a speaker for SITS 20  The Service Desk & IT Support Show. SITS is Europe's leading event for IT Service Management and Support professionals. For those interested in attending, SITS 20 takes place on May 13-14, 2020 at ExCeL London. Mr. Rumburg will be presenting "Radical Success  Managing Service and Support as a Business!". In this presentation, he offers an approach for managing IT service and support as a true profit-making enterprise. Additionally, he proposes a handful of business metrics that can be used to quantify and communicate the ROI of service and support. Finally, he discusses the need to adopt a paradigm shift - from cost center to profit center - for any service and support organization that aspires to realize the benefits of operating as a business. "Many support centers struggle to gain visibility and credibility within their own enterprise. The all-too-common result is that the support center operates at a subsistence level and lacks the necessary resources to deliver effective levels of support," said Jeff Rumburg. "By adopting a profit center mindset and operating as a true business, support centers that measure their internal profitability can quantify their ROI and obtain the funding and other esources necessary to deliver world-class levels of support!"



Those interested in hearing Mr. Rumburg speak on Managing Service and Support as a Business should reserve a seat in advance. The presentation will take place in Theatre 2 at 10:00 a.m. on the 14th of May. Pre-registration is now open and complimentary tickets are available on The Service Desk & IT Support Show website. Mr. Rumburg is the winner of the Ron Muns Lifetime Achievement Award, was named one of HDI's Top 25 Thought Leaders in Technical Support and Service for four consecutive years, and has served on HDI's strategic advisory board. He is co-founder and Managing Partner of MetricNet, LLC, where he is responsible for global strategy, product development, and client engagement delivery. As a leading expert in benchmarking and re-engineering, Mr. Rumburg authored a best-selling book on benchmarking and has been retained as a benchmarking expert by such iconic companies as American Express, Intel, Coca Cola, and Emory Healthcare.

If you would like more information about benchmarking your service and support functions, please visit http://www.metricnet.com or e-mail MetricNet at info(at)metricnet(dot)com. About MetricNet MetricNet is the global leader in IT service and support benchmarking. More than half of the Global 2000 rely on MetricNet benchmarks to improve and optimize their performance. MetricNet is the first, and still the only company to offer downloadable service desk and desktop support benchmarks from their website. With a global benchmarking database of nearly 4,000 IT service and support benchmarks, MetricNet has the most comprehensive database of process and performance metrics in the industry. Related Images metricnet-logo.png

MetricNet Logo View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metricnet-awarded-speaking-slot-at-sits-20---the-service-desk--it-support-show-301018640.html SOURCE MetricNet, LLC

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Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an injury update on Harry Maguire, and said the defender's participation in the match against Manchester City is not confirmed as of now.

Maguire was left out of Thursday's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Derby County as he hurt himself in training.

"I had a word with him before training yesterday to say I'm not going to rest him. But then he rolled his ankle in training so he had to stay at home. Hopefully, he'll be okay for the weekend but I'm not sure," Manchester United's official website quoted Solskjaer as saying.

Manchester United defeated Derby County 3-0 to progress ahead in the tournament.

For United, Luke Shaw, and Odion Ighalo registered goals. Shaw registered a brace to further strengthen United's position in the match.

Manchester United will now take on Manchester City in the Premier League on March 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 06:26:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SAN JOSE, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica's Ministry of Health confirmed on Friday the country's first case of COVID-19.

The patient is a 49-year-old American tourist who has been quarantined in a hotel in San Jose together with her husband.

According to Health Minister Daniel Salas, the couple were asymptomatic when they entered the country on March 1. The patient's husband said he had had unknowing contact with an infected person in New York.

The ministry on Thursday ruled out the possible infection of two Costa Rican women who recently returned from a trip to Italy.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins to discuss prospects for further cooperation, the Interior Ministrys press service has reported.

"Arsen Avakov held a working meeting with Etienne de Poncins. The parties discussed the state of implementation of the investment project on enhancing maritime and border security, namely the construction of 20 modern patrol ships by the French company OSEA," the statement reads.

Avakov recalled that on March 4, the Verkhovna Rada ratified the agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and France on strengthening the system of maritime security and border protection.

"In three years, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine will receive 20 modern patrol ships from the French company OSEA, the minister said.

The parties also discussed a project for the supply of drinking water to the city of Mariupol.

The ambassador also congratulated the interior minister on his appointment to the new Cabinet of Ministers.

ish
I wonder if Congressman Andy Biggs (R., Ariz.) has ever heard of Sayyid Nosair. There was a time not that long ago when Nosair was something of a household name, the kind that the Arizona Republican, a strong conservative who cares a great deal about our national security, would know.

Time flies, though, and memories fade. Its been 30 years since Nosair, a naturalized American citizen and a hardened jihadist, murdered Jewish Defense League founder Meir Kahane in one of New York Citys most notorious late-20th-century homicides. It has been 25 years since I led a team of prosecutors who convicted Nosair of conducting a terrorist war against the United States  a war waged by a foreign terrorist organization that included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which was plotted in his upstate New York prison cell.

The question of Representative Biggss familiarity with Nosair  to say nothing of many other historical instances of Americans collaborating with foreign powers against American interests  suggested itself when I watched him get interviewed on Fox News Thursday morning (see here, about three minutes in). Biggs was asked to weigh in on the GOPs ongoing intramural skirmish over what is being called FISA reform, but, in actuality, has very little to do with that important subject  at least, not directly.

Biggs reminded Foxs Ed Henry that the F in FISA stands for foreign, his ill-informed point being that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is supposed to be about the surveillance of foreigners, not Americans. Therefore, the argument continued, we need to reform FISA so it is limited to non-Americans; otherwise, the FBI could once again pretextually use it to spy on President Trump, or on another American political campaign, or on the rest of us.

This contention is bogus, through and through. Indeed, not long ago  in the years after the 9/11 atrocities, when the GOP prioritized national security and belittled Clinton Democrats for treating international terrorism as if it were a mere crime problem  Republican congressman were usually found shredding such nonsense, not positing it.

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There is much more to be said on the subject of FISA reform. For now, however, Ill confine myself to three points about the pressing matter, which involves reauthorizing three sensible anti-terrorism measures, not the much-needed overhaul of FISA.

First, the foreign in FISA has never remotely meant that only aliens could be subjected to surveillance. The foreign refers to foreign powers  mainly, hostile nations and foreign terrorist organizations that threaten American security and interests. It should not need explaining that, while most agents of foreign powers are aliens, a goodly number are traitorous American citizens . . . just like Sayyid Nosair. In fact, there is no more insidious clandestine threat than an American who works on behalf of a foreign power against U.S. interests  an American who enjoys all the privileges and immunities of citizenship, including the undeniable right to be present in this country and to be presumed innocent.

The government need not show that a person is a foreigner to target that person for FISA surveillance. The government must show that there is probable cause to believe the person  whether alien or American  is acting as a clandestine foreign agent. FISAs standards for demonstrating that an American citizen is acting as a foreign agent are more demanding than those for aliens, which is as it should be. But it is fatuous to suggest that Americans are, or should be, immune from coverage if they are working against America. The fact that the FBI abused FISA surveillance in a case that involved Americans (viz., the Trump campaign officials risibly depicted as agents of Russia) does not mean that Americans never collude with foreign powers, or that FISA is not legitimately applied to such Americans.

Second, the anti-terrorism measures now at issue have nothing to do with the abuse of FISA uncovered in congressional and inspector-general investigations of the FBIs Trump-Russia probe. Over the years, these three provisions, along with much else, have been grouped under the general heading of FISA. But they are better known as PATRIOT Act provisions. With one caveat, they are so uncontroversial it is mind-boggling that Republicans are playing politics with them  Republicans, by the way, who do not win national elections unless they are seen as the adults in the room when it comes to our national security.

The measures at issue are: business records, roving wiretaps, and lone wolf. The caveat I just mentioned relates to business records. This provision, also known as Section 215, simply gives intelligence agents the same kind of power that criminal investigators have to compel production of documents. Yet, based on a strained interpretation of Section 215, the FISA court allowed the intelligence agencies to conduct bulk collection of telephone metadata (i.e., information about when a communication occurred and between whom, but not the substance of the communication).

As Ive previously detailed, the government never gave a convincing explanation of why it was necessary to warehouse the telephone records of tens of millions of innocent people in order to analyze the statistically negligible communication patterns of terrorists. Consequently, the metadata program was substantially pared back in 2015. It is now unworkable and could be repealed without degrading our defenses.

There are some national-security officials who would like to maintain the legal authority for such a program but keep it dormant for now. But again, the government has failed to establish that the juice is worth the squeeze. Consequently, if there needs to be compromise, it should be a straightforward matter of repealing the metadata program in exchange for the swift renewal of the three PATRIOT Act provisions, which will otherwise sunset in a few weeks.

The business-records provision becomes unobjectionable once the metadata harvesting is barred.

The roving-wiretap law is a no-brainer. It essentially provides that if a terrorist switches communications devices to try to defeat surveillance, the government may continue monitoring  i.e., investigators need not go back to court to seek a new warrant every time a foreign agent starts using a new burner phone. Understand: The government still has to prove to the court, in the first instance, that the targeted person is a clandestine foreign agent; the roving tap merely means that the surveillance warrant is tied to the agent himself rather than to the (often easily disposable) communications device he is using.

Finally, the lone-wolf provision addresses what used to be known as the Moussaoui problem  named for Zacarias Moussaoui, one of the 9/11 plotters. Sometimes, at an early stage of their investigation, FBI agents will be able to prove that an operative is engaged in terrorist activities  e.g., buying explosives components, training to fly a plane (without seeming to be interested in how to land it)  but will not yet have good evidence connecting the operative to a known terrorist organization. The lone-wolf provision enables intelligence agents to monitor such a person while they continue investigating what foreign power, if any, is involved. And lone wolf applies only to foreigners. No American  not me, not members of Congress, not President Trump, not any U.S. person (i.e., a citizen or green-card holder)  is subject to lone-wolf surveillance.

The only thing that should be controversial about these three provisions is that Congress has made them subject to periodic renewal. What Congressman Biggs and other Republicans ought to be doing is working to remove the sunset provisions. If the point of these measures is to improve our security, why allow them to be used as leverage in a political dispute?

Which brings me to the third point. The FISA abuse that has been uncovered relates to the FBI and Justice Departments presentation of misleading warrant applications to the FISA court. When government officials violate the rules, that is not a rules problem; it is an accountability problem. Any rules you make can be flouted by rogues; that doesnt mean the rules are bad.

The reason we have national-security surveillance authorities is because the globe is chockablock with anti-American actors who mean us harm  including the rare, vile American who schemes with foreign powers to mass-murder Americans. We dont want to be in this position; we have these powers because we need them in order to protect the United States.

When such powers get abused, the answer is not to repeal them or encumber them to the point where they become dead letters. The threats to the United States are not going away. The answer when powers are abused is to hold the abusers accountable.

To my mind, the whole FISA system needs rethinking  a subject that Ive addressed in the new print edition of National Review, and that Rich Lowry and I discussed on the podcast this week. I would overhaul FISA and get the courts out of the foreign-intelligence business. National security against foreign threats is a classic political function, committed by the Constitution to the political branches. Congress should be aggressively monitoring the executives surveillance activities. The judiciary should go back to performing the critical judicial role of addressing claims that government officials have abused their powers; judges should not be put in the position of aiding and abetting in the abuse.

Even if you dont agree with me, even if you believe FISA just needs tweaking and not scrapping, there are clearly sensible things that we could and should be doing to insulate our political campaigns from abusive intrusion by foreign-intelligence surveillance.

That said, it is recklessly irresponsible to hold national-security measures hostage to a remotely related political dispute. By all means, lets debate FISA. And lets press the government for answers on whats being done to address the officials who abused their powers. But this is not the way to do it.

And do President Trump and his Republican congressional allies really think the path to victory in 2020 includes letting Joe Biden portray them as willing to compromise commonsense national-security measures?

More from National Review
At a time when most global financial markets are grappling with coronavirus fears and the impact it may have on major economies, Christopher Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies has used the recent market correction to hike China stake in his Asia Pacific ex-Japan relative-return portfolio. The reason, Wood gave for this move is the fact that China has started to outperform world equities since the start of February in a hope that the worst may be over in terms of virus-infected people, while concerns grow that the number of cases will surge ...

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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DHS/FEMA training for healthcare personnel on infectious diseases includes the latest information on the novel coronavirus, which has spread from Wuhan, China, to the United States and over 80 countries worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, over 3,200 people have died and more than 95,000 have been infected with COVID-19 since the new strain of coronavirus was identified in December 2019.

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) offers DHS/FEMA training to U.S. medical and first responder communities on identifying diseases or pathogens and managing patient care, while protecting themselves from exposure and contamination through proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The CDC is recommending healthcare workers use infection control procedures and appropriate PPE to prevent exposure and spreading the coronavirus infection. CDC guidelines include ensuring healthcare personnel have appropriate PPE and receive training in how to properly don, use and doff PPE to prevent self-contamination, and then properly dispose of or decontaminate the PPE.

Since the Ebola outbreak in 2014, TEEX has trained almost 11,000 healthcare workers to properly use Level C Personal Protective Equipment, in accordance with OSHA and CDC standards, through its course, Personal Protective Measures for Biological Events (PER320), said Jesse Watkins, Operations Director with the TEEX National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center.

The one-day course, developed by the Center for Domestic Preparedness, is offered at no cost nationwide to healthcare personnel who might come in contact with a toxin, pathogen or infectious virus, such as coronavirus, he added. Participants get hands-on practice in donning and doffing PPE and also learn to perform technical decontamination.

Other public health training TEEX offers includes Medical Management of CBRNE Events, where adult and pediatric human patient simulators are used as training aids to simulate various effects of exposure to disease and toxins, as well as chemical agents and radiological or nuclear materials.

TEEX has also trained thousands of medical personnel and first responders nationwide in Medical Countermeasures to a large-scale public health incident, such as a highly contagious disease or pandemic requiring mass prophylaxis. Instructors in the Medical Countermeasures course stress the importance of educating the public on disease spread, measures to protect family members from disease and how to receive prophylactic medications if needed.

These training programs are offered nationwide at no cost under the DHS/FEMA Homeland Security National Training Program Cooperative Agreement. The courses are provided through TEEXs National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center, a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC). Target audiences include healthcare personnel, emergency responders, workers at Ports of Entry and any personnel who might come into contact with a dangerous biological agent.

To learn more about the coronavirus, visit:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization.

To learn more about TEEX training for healthcare personnel, visit www.teex.org/nerrtc and click on EMS/Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Course Links:

PER320: Personal Protective Measures for Biological Events

PER211: Medical Management of CBRNE Events

MGT319: Medical Countermeasures: Point of Dispensing (POD), Planning and Response

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SPRINGFIELD  The new coronavirus, if its behavior in Washington state and elsewhere is any guide, has the ability to sneak into a community, passing symptomless from healthy person to healthy person before finding a weakened host and unmasking itself.

Many believe it could already be in our community, Dr. Mark A. Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, told U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal on Friday during the congressmans roundtable discussion on COVID-19 with the heads of hospitals from throughout central and Western Massachusetts.

What Neal heard Friday  just two days after the House and Senate passed an $8.3 billion coronavirus response spending bill  was that doctors here need more tests to check people for the virus, might need more supplies like facemasks, and definitely need to coordinate their responses when  no one said if  the virus rears its head.

The state said Friday there are eight cases in Massachusetts and 249 people under quarantine. There are no reported cases in Springfield.

As a policy issue, Keroack said, more American workers need the guarantee of paid sick time so they stay home when theyre ill and dont spread the infection.

Too many American workers have to decide between staying home and getting a paycheck, Keroack said. So that person comes to work. And if that person has a job where they interact with the public, like a waiter, thats a danger.

Keroack said Baystate has liberalized its sick-time polices in response to the crisis.

Neal met with leadership teams from Baystate Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Harrington Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. The gathering followed the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce Outlook Lunch at the MassMutual Center.

Baystate has only tested a small number of people for coronavirus, with no positive results.

Dr. Estevan Garcia, chief medical officer at Cooley Dickinson in Northampton, was among the doctors telling Neal that he'd like to test many more patients. But the testing kits and reactive chemicals are not available.

Then we could get a head start on this thing, he said. If only I could get more tests.

A visitor Friday to the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce Outlook luncheon at the MassMutual Center Friday uses hand sanitizer . u.s. Rep. Richard NEal, D-Springfield addressed the national response to the COVID-19 at the lunch and afterwards met with leaders from area hospitals. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)

Edward Moore, president and CEO of Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, said speed could be health care providers advantage.

"And every day we let that advantage slip away," Moore said.

Neal said now is the time rely on career professionals in the medical sciences, specifically citing Anthony S. Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, as the go-to expert.

But Joanne Marqusee, president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson, said there is a widespread belief that the Trump administration isnt allowing Fauci to speak freely.

Neal, a Democrat and chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, answered her: We are pushing for that, for him to be the spokesman.

Moore said he fears for the availability of his staff. People who work at Harrington travel and might become exposed. What happens if people he needs are quarantined, he asked.

Keroack built on that idea:

What happens when the schools and day cares are closed? he said.

Garcia said Cooley officials have already met with Smith College and with area high schools. Moore said he's working with Southbridge-area nursing homes because of the fear that the virus could strike the elderly.

Shriners Hospitals for Children around the world have stopped sending doctors out to travel and have canceled trips by foreign visitors, including to its facilities in Springfield and Boston.

Neal said the idea of Fridays roundtable was for the professionals here in Massachusetts to educate him on their priorities

Ill take all of this back with me, Neal said.

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The sky on a beach on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands is red from the worst sandstorm in 40 years, on 22 February 2020. Photo: Elvira Urquijo A. / EPA / Shutterstock

By Raphael Minder

24 February 2020

MADRID  Winds from the Sahara continued to send streams of sand drifting over the Canary Islands on Monday, creating chaos as the swirling sands forced planes to be grounded, disrupted traffic and exacerbated wildfires.

Angel Victor Torres, the regional president of the islands, a Spanish archipelago, told Spanish national television that it was the worst such storm to hit the islands in 40 years. He described its arrival as a nightmare weekend.

He said on Monday that the situation remained worrying on at least four islands, including Gran Canaria, which faces the greatest threat of wildfires.

The Spanish airport operator, Aena, reopened the archipelagos airports on Monday, although it said that traffic would resume gradually and advised passengers to check with the airlines before heading to the airport. All of the islands airports were shut on Saturday because of strong winds and low visibility, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

Primary schools remained closed on Monday, with the authorities also advising residents to keep their windows shut and stay indoors, particularly people with respiratory problems.

The weather phenomenon, known as a calima, occurs when a burst of dusty, warm wind forms during sand storms in the Sahara and then crosses over from the African desert. The Canary Islands are in the Atlantic off the western coast of Morocco.

Travellers at the airport in Santa Cruz de Tenerife cover their faces to block sand during the worst sandstorm in 40 years, on 23 February 2020. Photo: Andres Gutierrez / Associated Press

The weekend arrival of the calima brought wind speeds of more than 80 miles per hour to many parts of the archipelago and shrouded cars and buildings in red sand dust. In the smaller island of La Palma, fierce winds tore down lamp posts, palm trees and a wall along a main road, burying parked cars in debris.

The sandstorm reduced visibility so heavily in some places that many roads were closed, and drivers who did venture out crawled nearly to a halt as they struggled to see.

Manuel Campos, a 71-year-old entrepreneur who lives in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, said by telephone that he had canceled a planned weekend beach outing and stayed in his house, in line with the authorities recommendation to avoid being outdoors.

Im old enough to know all about the calima, but I dont recall it that strong, he said. Everything just turned red.

In the archipelagos main towns, those who braved the winds and took to the streets mostly shielded their faces with masks or neckerchiefs to avoid inhaling the red dust particles.

The dust resulted in Gran Canaria having the worst air quality in the world over the weekend, according to local news reports, with about 40 times the density of particles considered safe by the World Health Organization.

The strong winds also fueled the spread of wildfires on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with one blaze consuming a banana plantation on La Palma.

On Gran Canaria, a fire destroyed hundreds of acres of land over the weekend and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people. With pilots unable to fly aircraft to assist firefighters on the ground, the fire continued to burn, threatening to spread further into the Inagua nature reserve. [more]

Sandstorm Wreaks Havoc in Canary Islands
I would too, I would too, Dad said. That is exactly whats its going to take to make it happen.

I hope so, Grandma concluded.

What breaks my heart about this exchange is that my grandmother, deep down, never really believed Ms. Warren or any woman would get the nomination. Maybe thats because she had watched cable news repeat a self-fulfilling prophecy about electability. Maybe its because, as a woman who has seen so much, she knew that electability was a valid concern. Or maybe its because it hurts so dang much to let yourself harbor a dream that you might not see come true. Whatever her motivation, you know what? Grandma was right.

Nonetheless, their conversation was a mark of progress  my previously apathetic family now votes with gusto and would consider campaigning for a candidate, and my father must not be the only man who wore a hard hat and rooted for Ms. Warren.

Two weeks ago, when she placed fourth in the Nevada caucuses  in spite of thoroughly winning a Las Vegas candidates debate and pulling in nearly $3 million in donations the next day  I was on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I had just given a keynote address at a Planned Parenthood fund-raiser. It was the first time Id ever toed the line of journalistic ethics by speaking on behalf of a peripherally political organization because, well, these are desperate times for womens rights.

The event organizers shared with me that their impressive new health facility, ensuring reproductive health care for regional women, had been kept secret from the broader, conservative community throughout a capital campaign and construction. The men who built the structure, for instance, were told it would be a dentists office. Such measures were crucial to avoid blowback, vandalism or worse from anti-choice contingents. I understood, hailing from the area where the abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was murdered by a religious zealot in 2009.

After the fund-raiser and after watching Ms. Warrens dismal returns on a hotel television, I spent the next day on the beach with a Geraldine Brooks novel Id randomly purchased at a bookstore on Sanibel Island. The book, it turned out, was about a bright girl in the Massachusetts Bay Colony who is indentured as a servant in Cambridge to pay for her brothers academic studies. Along the way, she tends the miscarriage of a girl whose rapist goes unpunished.

I looked out at the sea and considered that, for all our advancing on gender matters, the novels story is alive today: A woman must step aside as a man ascends to the presidency, and a pro-life activist would sooner bomb an abortion facility than let a raped girl cross its threshold.
A boast by one of Londons most notorious organised crime bosses about a planned new home in Cyprus has cost him more than 100,000 after prosecutors used it to boost the sum he must repay.

Tommy Adams told an associate that he had bought land in Limassol at a knock-down price from a vendor who was desperate to sell. But his bragging backfired when he found out after his arrest that his conversation had been bugged by law enforcers.

They used his boast to prove to a confiscation hearing at Croydon crown court that the 110,000 he used to buy the land should be handed back to the taxpayer, and it was added to the order imposed by the court. This totalled 1.24 million when other assets including two properties in Bow in east London were taken into account.

But the blunder by Adams, who the court was told operated like a financial ghost by using intermediaries to launder his criminal profits, has amused law enforcers.

Adams thought hed been clever by getting the land so cheaply, but he wasnt as clever as he thought because his showing off has cost him a small fortune, said one source.

A plastic bag of cash

Adams, 61, was given his confiscation order last week but the recording of him bragging about his purchase has been released by prosecutors to highlight the way in which confiscation legislation can be used to seize back profits even on the basis of boasts.

In the recording, Adams is heard telling one of his criminal associates: Bit of land I bought a few months ago. Its cost me no money  hundred and ten thousand, sterling. They wanted two hundred at first  fella desperate. Its land, thats it. Im going to get an architect  draw up the plans.

The land that Adams referred to has not been identified, but proceeds of crime legislation does not require prosecutors to locate assets. They must only show, on the balance of probability, that the money used in a purchase was illicit.

Surveillance photos of Adams and accomplices were used as evidence in the confiscation hearing. They included one of him and a fellow money launderer, Tony Antoniou, with a Mini that had been bought by another of their accomplices. The vehicle was given to Adamss daughter for her 21st birthday.

Another image showed a plastic bag of cash that was exchanged at Euston station. Police later discovered a ledger recording the sums laundered.

The confiscation action followed Adamss conviction for money-laundering in 2017. He was jailed for seven years.
Billy Brownless' father Anthony Brownless passed away at age 82 from dementia, on the same day he was voted off I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia.

And speaking to The Herald Sun on Friday, the AFL legend recalled finding out the news 'halfway around the world' on January 21.

'It only happened the night I got voted off, virtually the same time. It was sad,' the 53-year-old said.

'You feel hopeless': AFL legend Billy Brownless, 53, (pictured) recalled finding out about his father's passing 'halfway around the world' while on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

'He was quiet and he had dementia and had been in the [aged care] home for a while.'

What made the loss more difficult was being in South Africa, miles away from home.

'It's still sad when you get told halfway around the world. You feel hopeless and helpless,' he said.

Billy flew home to Australia immediately to attend a thanksgiving service for his father in Jerilderie, New South Wales, on January 29.

'It's still sad when you get told halfway around the world': Billy told The Herald Sun on Friday that his father had dementia and passed away at age 82, the same day he was voted off

Meanwhile, the retired sportsman wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve during his stint in the jungle.

It was there he spoke about his ex-wife, Nicky, and how she left him after an affair with his friend Garry Lyon because she 'fell out of love'.

In a conversation with Rhonda Burchmore, he said the pair were estranged, before he opened up about the split which shocked the nation in 2016.

'It was public, very public. Front pages and all that,' he said.

'We had separated which surprised a few. Well she left me, really. She just fell out of love which happens, you know?'

Emotional: Meanwhile, Billy wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve during his stint in the South African jungle

Open: The retired sportsman discussed his failed marriage during a chat with entertainer Rhonda Burchmore (pictured together) in the I'm A Celebrity jungle

Rhonda asked how long they were together for, to which he replied '18 years'.

He continued: 'I didn't expect it. You think she'll come back and all that, but she didn't. So that was a good kick in the guts.'

Billy said he was well on the way to getting over the affair - but admitted he was out of sorts for two years after finding out.

'But it's been four years now so you get through it, you know? I reckon it takes you two years when you split, when you bounce back and to be yourself,' he said.

Billy and Garry had been friends for 15 years and worked together on the popular AFL Footy Show between 2009 and 2015.
Despite February being a good month for listings, only Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra recorded gains in the month, according to the latest figures from SQM Research.

Overall national listings hit 295,969, representing a marginal uptick of 0.2%. Sydney and Melbourne did the heavy lifting with their respective gains of 9.9% and 10%. Listings in Canberra also grew by 3.8%.

Louis Christopher, managing director at SQM Research, said the three cities reported significant increases in new listings over the month, up by 60% from the past month.

"However, we are down for the year in all cities as absorption rates have picked up. There are many more buyers now compared to last year, and so surplus stock is being sold and taken off the market," he said.

The chart below shows the monthly and annual difference of listings in each capital city:

In terms of asking prices, houses registered an annual increase of 8.3% while units reported a minimal gain at 0.4%. SQM Research said there was a lag in the growth of asking prices for units due to the ongoing issues about the structural quality of buildings.

Hobart reflected the most substantial increase in asking prices for both houses and units on an annual basis.

On the other hand, Darwin and Perth recorded declines in both housing segments.

The table below shows the asking prices in each capital city.
Getty/The Washington Post

Joe Bidens recent surge in the Democratic primary has revived his White House hopes and, with them, the Senate GOPs interest in using their power to dig into his son Hunters business dealings in Ukraine.

The desire for dirt on the Bidens was what prompted House Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump, after it was revealed he was leveraging military aid to Ukraine as part of his efforts. But as Biden seemed to fade from contention during the early voting contests, interest in Hunter Bidens time on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma seemed to fade among Trump and Republicans too.

Thats now changed. On the heels of Bidens string of primary wins on Tuesday, GOP lawmakers are teeing up letters and subpoenas for new information on the Bidens. And theyre offering up a fresh explanation for why the push is justified: theyre just vetting the guy for the benefit of Democratic primary voters.

If he is in fact the frontrunner for the Democratic nominee to be president of the United States, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), all the more reason to get to the bottom of it, and make sure that the people have all the information that they need to make an informed decision on the person that would be president of the United States.

The de facto leader of the Biden investigations, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), told reporters on Wednesday that Biden has not adequately answered questions about his familys involvement in Ukraine, despite no actual evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the former VP.

[I]f I were a Democrat primary voter, Id want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote, he said.

Trumps Big Lie About Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and Ukraine Falls Apart

On Monday, Johnson announced that the Senate oversight panel, which he chairs, would be moving forward with a subpoena for documents and testimony related to Hunter Bidens service on the board of Burisma. And in the same breath he raised unanswered questions about the Bidens, the Wisconsin senator insisted that going after them was not his intention. My investigations are not focused on the Bidens, he said. They just arent. But I cant ignore them, because theyre part of the story. They made themselves part of the story... they made themselves part of this issue of legitimate investigation.

Story continues

The idea that Republican lawmakers are providing a public service to Democratic primary voters was treated as absurd by Democrats on Wednesday. Instead, they saw the renewed interest in Hunter Biden and Burisma as a not-particularly-subtle attempt to tar Joe Biden by associationraising questions about his integrity that dont need to be asked right as the general election is approaching.

Get ready, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who has traveled with Johnson to Ukraine on several occasions. The Senate is going to turn into an arm of the Trump campaign. I dont think weve expected anything different. The President is willing to use all the official powers at his disposal to try to destroy his political rivals. The Senate Republicans gave him a pass on that, and thus it stands to reason they would attempt to do some version of the same thing.

The presidents allies allege that Biden, when he was vice president, corruptly endeavored to protect his son Hunters business dealings in Ukraine by working to oust a Ukrainian prosecutor who was looking into corruption at Burisma. But that prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, had put those investigations aside. And while much was made by Republicans of Bidens push to get rid of him, the Obama administration and U.S. allies wanted to see him gone, too, because he was seen as insufficiently committed to fighting corruption.

Democrats Left Joe Biden for Dead. Then They Decided He Was Their Savior

Neither U.S. nor Ukrainian officials ever filed criminal charges against the Bidens, and the former Ukrainian prosecutor general, Yuriy Lutsenko, said in May 2019 that there was no evidence of wrongdoing. The Bidens themselves have denied wrongdoing, too.

We already knew that Donald Trump is terrified of facing Joe Bidenbecause he got himself impeached by trying to force a foreign country to spread lies about the Vice President on behalf of his re-election campaign, said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the Biden campaign. Now, Senator Johnson just flat out conceded that this is a ham-handed effort to manipulate Democratic primary voters.

President Trump himself remains closely in touch with some of the most central figures off Capitol Hill trying to trigger investigations of the Biden family and Ukraine. On Wednesday, the presidents personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani told The Daily Beast that he was still in regular contact with Trump.

Asked when the two of them last spoke, the Trump attorney replied, yesterdaythe same day Biden dominated Super Tuesdays Democratic contests and dramatically improved his chances of securing the partys 2020 presidential nomination.

Giuliani would not divulge the nature or subject matter of their Tuesday conversation. But the former New York mayor and leading Biden antagonist had previously vowed, following Trumps acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, to continue to probe the Bidens and Ukraine issues.

As The Daily Beast reported last month, Giuliani has done so at the explicit encouragement of his client, with Trump, post-acquittal, privately urging his attorney to keep digging on the matter and to keep the president updated on whatever progress he makes.

In early February, Giuliani said he was planning on ramping up his probes into Joe and Hunter Biden, claiming that its a matter of the fair administration of justice for real.

In the Senate, that ramping-up was timed nicely with Bidens reemergence in the Democratic race. On Sunday, the day after Bidens comeback win in the South Carolina primary, Johnson sent a letter to members of his committee notifying them of plans to hold a vote on a subpoena for Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian diplomat who worked for a consulting firm, Blue Star Strategies, that represented Burisma in the U.S.

GOP Base Is Hot to Probe Biden, Senate Republicans Not So Much

In his letter, Johnson wrote that he is convinced obtaining Mr. Telizhenkos Blue Star documents and information is an important part of this investigation. Telizhenko, reported The Daily Beast in November, has ties to Trumpworld figures like Rudy Giuliani, and helped spread the narrative popular among the presidents allies that Ukrainian officials meddled in the 2016 election to hurt Trump.

A vote on the subpoena is scheduled for Mar. 11. If approved, it will be the first subpoena issued by Senate Republicans for anything related to Burisma. Asked to respond to allegations of fishy timing, Johnson scoffed. Theyre just wrong, he said on Wednesday.

The top Democrat on Johnsons committee, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), declined to say to reporters if he felt that the probe is politically motivated. He did oppose it, however, on the grounds it was a waste of time: This investigation should not be part of what we're doing at Homeland Security, said Peters. There are too many other important issues that impact the security of our country.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - As the number of coronavirus cases worldwide approaches 100,000, the focus is slowly shifting from China. Countries such as South Korea, Italy and Iran are seeing big increases in the number of cases, accounting for nearly 15% of the worldwide total now.

Closer to home, the number of confirmed cases of the virus sit at just over 230, but more than 10,000 people across the country have been asked to self-quarantine due to potential exposure.

Live coronavirus tracker

Coronavirus news in the United States

EPA releases list of disinfectants approved to kill coronavirus (CNN)

Does homemade sanitizer work? (cleveland.com)

West Coast officials prepare for potential outbreak among the homeless (NBC News)

NYC orders mandatory testing for public workers (NY Post)

Costco reports sales boost from coronavirus purchases (CNBC)

Maryland confirms 3 cases (NPR)

4 new cases confirmed in Houston area (Texas Tribune)

San Francisco announces first local case (NBC Bay Area)

Coronavirus confirmed in Tennessee (AL.com)

4th case confirmed in Florida (News4)

Nearly 400 being monitored in Michigan (WDIV)

Coronavirus news around the globe

Few tourists walk in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Friday, March 6, 2020. A Vatican spokesman has confirmed the first case of coronavirus at the city-state. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Friday that non-emergency medical services at the Vatican have been closed so they can be sanitized following the positive test on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP

How Chinese citizens, officials are responding to U.S. handling of coronavirus (Quartz)

Chinese scientists suggests two strains of virus may be circulating (Los Angeles Times)

7 new cases reported in Ireland (BBC)

Virus concerns stymie live music performances around the world (NPR)

Rate cuts cant save the global economy from the coronavirus, say analysts (CNBC)

Local coronavirus coverage

Three more tested for coronavirus in Ohio (cleveland.com)

County boards of elections sending hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes to polling locations as coronavirus precaution (cleveland.com)

How Cleveland tourist destinations are preparing for the coronavirus (cleveland.com)

How major Cleveland employers are preparing for outbreak (cleveland.com)

Ohio is one of six states not testing for virus yet (Fortune) | Testing could start this weekend

Read complete prior coronavirus coverage on cleveland.com
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a scheme of reconstruction for the cash-strapped private sector lender Yes Bank in a notification issued on Friday evening.

The RBI notification says a draft scheme of reconstruction of the Yes Bank Ltd. has been put in the public domain for suggestions.

The Reserve Bank invites suggestions and comments from members of public, including the banks shareholders, depositors and creditors on the draft scheme, the notification said.

The draft scheme has also been sent to Yes Bank Ltd. and State Bank of India for their comments, said RBI.

The suggestions and comments will be received by Reserve Bank of India up to Monday, March 9, 2020. The Reserve Bank will take a final view soon thereafter, the notification added.

RBI had placed a month-long moratorium on Yes Bank limiting withdrawals of deposits to 50,000 for the period in the wake of the financial crisis that has hit the bank.

The Yes bank crisis peaked on Thursday with the issue of the moratorium triggering panic among the account holders who lined up outside ATM kiosks to withdraw their money. The finance minister though clarified that more money could be released for exigencies by following related RBI guidelines.

The finance minister also assured the investors that their money was safe and that a solution to salvage the bank will be found before the moratorium ends in the first week of April.

The RBI has also given similar assurances and the Friday notification for a scheme is in line with the previous announcements.

The bank is accused of handing out loans that could not be recovered and its management is suspected of insider trading, which is being investigated by the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) since September 2019.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman said the government had been monitoring Yes Bank for the last six months along with the banking regulator, RBI, which recommended removal of the top management of the bank after thorough scrutiny in 2018.

She also assured that the employees will be protected for one year

Yes Bank shares had fallen by 60 per cent after RBI interventions became public for the first time.
Julie Savill advised to search South of the Loire and north of the Dordogne rivers

Sarah Francies, from Sifex, said look at websites that specialise in chateaux sales

Property experts have provided tips on how you can afford a chateau in France

While many of us have day-dreamed about living in a castle, it seems this mere vision could soon become a reality as French property prices are on the decrease.

Avid property fans have spent hours watching Dick and Angel Strawbridge in Channel 4's Escape to the Chateau, as they set out to renovate a 45-bedroom Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson in France, which they bought in 2014 for 321, 817 (280,000).

But speaking to The Times, several property experts have offered their top tips on how you, too, could become part of the new landed gentry - including the best regions to look for properties and important things to consider.

Sarah Francis, who works for Sifex - a property website that specialises in the sale of chateaux - has told how the least expensive areas tend to be rural environments without easy access to travel.

Meanwhile, Patrick Joseph of My French House, an estate agency, added that in general, the cheaper the chateau, the more expensive the project.

This renovated chateau near Rouen in Normandy boasts ten bedrooms and is on the market for 1.7 million (1.4 million) through Prestige Property

This 13th-century chateau near Aulnay, Charente-Maritime, has seven bedrooms and is on sale for 657,000 (571, 547) through Sifex

BE IN THE KNOW

According to one expert, the selling process is 'discreet,' so those hoping to buy would be best looking at property websites that specifically specialise in chateaux sales.

'Most vendors would be horrified if a potential buyer were to appear without an agent,' Sarah explained.

'Many would prefer not to be present and to leave the agent to broker the deal. As a result, the whereabouts of chateaux on the market tends to be a jealously guarded secret.'

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Don't be fooled by a chateau which appears to be a bargain, because all may not be as it seems.

According to expert Patrick Joseph of My French House, it could indicate the impressive property needs a lot of work doing, and could cost a bomb in the long-term.

'As a rule, the cheaper the chateau, the more expensive the project, the more time it will take to complete and the longer it will take to start generating income,' he said.

For many, the attraction of the properties are its lucrative business possibilities - with vendors raking in a fortune after converting them into ideal hotels or wedding venues.

This chateau is located near Chinon in the Loire Valley and features conical towers and water-filled moats. It is for sale on Sifex for 928,000 (807, 299)

This ten-bedroom 13th-century moated chateau in Mayenne, just north of the Loire, is on sale on Leggett for 595, 000 (517, 611)

CONSIDER RUNNING COSTS

More often than not, the hefty price tag for running a chateau is usually the very reason they end up on the market.

The experts told how many get so carried away with the long-term plans for the property, they forget to consider important costs - including the taxes.

Additionally, the expense of the annual maintenance must also be carefully thought-out, as a healthy supply of savings will no doubt be required.

CHOOSE AN AFFORDABLE AREA

The mountainous region of Auvergne is one of the most affordable places in France - and is a good place to start if you're looking for a chateau, according to a property expert.

With 441,000 (383, 641), you can bag yourself a 15th-century chateau with an independent guest house and outbuildings in Allier through Leggett estate agency.

Meanwhile, a chateau in Puy de Dome, which boasts seven bedrooms, has recently been reduced to 598,000 (520, 220) through Sifex.

'The least expensive areas tend to be more rural environments without easy access to travel,' explained Sarah.

Julie Savill from French estate agency Beaux Villages Immobilier went on to say how some of the best buys are in secret areas - including South of the Loire and north of the Dordogne rivers.

The expert also advised considering areas north of the Vienne and Indre borders.

BUY AN APARTMENT WITHIN A CONVERSION

Another property expert suggested if purchasing a chateau in its entirety is out of the question due to finances, there's also the option of buying an apartment within one.

She went on to say how a three-bedroom chateau apartment in Indre-et-Loire is on the market for 275,000 (239, 232) with My French House.

Alternatively, Leggett are advertising a four-bedroom tower in an 18th-century chateau in the Dordogne for 593,600 (516, 393).
Biya votes in February 9, 2020 PRC

The electorate of eleven electoral constituencies in Cameroons North West and South West Regions will choose 13 Members of Parliament Sunday, March 22, 2020 in rerun polls, a presidential decree has said.

The decree signed by President Paul Biya Friday, March 6, 2020 follows Constitutional Council decision no. 29/SRCER/G/20 of February 25, 2020 to cancel the election of Members of Parliament in the following constituencies: North West Region  Menchum North, Bui West, Mezam South, Bui Centre, Bui South, Mezam Centre, Momo East, Menchum South, Momo West and Mezam North  and South West Region  Lebialem.

The election rerun in the aforementioned constituencies shall begin at 8.00 a.m. and end at 6.00 p.m., the President decreed.

Cameroon-Info.Net understands that the partial annulment of the outcome of the February 9, 2020 legislative elections came after the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, seized the Constitutional Council citing irregularities that breached laws relating to elections in the country.

SDF lawyers and candidates had prayed the Constitutional Council to partially annul the elections on grounds of insecurity, and the creation of polling centres which disenfranchised their voters.

From the foregoing, we find merit in the petitions and hold that there were irregularities in the electoral operations of February 9, 2020 to elect members of parliament which influenced the outcome of the elections and entirely grant the prayers of the petitioners that the said election in Menchum North, Bui West, Mezam South, Bui Centre, Bui South, Mezam Centre, Lebialem, Momo East, Menchum South, Momo West and Mezam North constituencies be cancelled and a rerun ordered in compliance with Section 135 of the electoral code, reporting judge Prof. Paul Nkwi said in his preliminary report which was later upheld by the presiding judge Clement Atangana who put the election turnout at nearly 46 per cent.

Going by Section 136 of the Electoral Code, the decisions of the Constitutional Council relating to elections, election results and candidatures shall be final.

As such, the March 22 rerun comes within no less than 20 days and no more than 40 days after the cancellation in keeping with Section 135(2) of the Electoral Code.

In the event of cancellation of the elections, notification thereof shall forthwith be made to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Elections Cameroon, the electoral code states in its section 135(1).

Political pundits posit that this rerun may help improve the fortunes of the opposition SDF which emerged from the February 9 twin municipal and legislative elections with its worst performance ever  securing just five seats. They harvested 18 seats in the 2013 elections.

President Paul Biyas Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) got 139 out of 167 declared seats in the February 9 polls.
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Why did the Romans never try to conquer Ireland? Why did the King of Spain give his name to an Irish county? And how did brandy change the course of Irish history?

A new book, Ireland's Forgotten History, looks into lesser-known stories from the history of Ireland, reaching back to prehistoric times to make sense of the strange Stone Age monuments and ancient mines that dot the island, as well as more modern anomalies like the disused railway lines that run through the west of Ireland.

Turtle Bunbury explores unexpected corners of the past to offer an informative and entertaining glimpse into 36 lesser-known tales from Irish history, from the eruption of a massive volcano in County Armagh sixty million years ago to more recent events, including the side-effects of plantation and conquest, that have made Ireland the vibrant place it is today.

Offaly readers will be interested to hear about the Mesolithic hunters who reached as far inland as Lough Boora, where there is archaeological evidence of humans chopping up animals and fish with axes and flint nine millennia ago.

From the Georgian Age, readers will learn the story behind the Cumberland Column in Birr, built to honour the Butcher of the Scottish Jacobites, as well as extraordinary plan to convert Birr into a Gothic playground replete with fantastical fountains, grotesque grottos and labyrinthine corridors modelled on Hell.

Bunbury explores the people and events from high to low that played major roles in Irelands fascinating past but have since been overlooked and disremembered. These alternative annals include tales of spymasters and scientists, battlefields and brothels, tailors and traitors. Irelands Forgotten Past paints a surprising, witty and engaging new portrait of an Ireland you thought you knew.

Turtle Bunbury is a best-selling author, historian, public speaker and TV presenter based in Ireland. His books include the award-winning Vanishing Ireland series, Easter Dawn, The Irish Pub, The Glorious Madness - Tales of the Irish & the Great War (shortlisted for Best Irish-Published Book of the Year 2014) and 1847 - A Chronicle of Genius, Generosity & Savagery, which Oscar-nominated film director Lenny Abrahamson described as 'vivid, surprising, hugely entertaining.
Left: Wooden horse, Han dynasty, China, circa first century. This type of sculpture is part of a funeral tradition and is characteristic of what youd find in tombs of the period  the horse was a symbol of the aristocratic class and of high-ranking dignitaries.

Right: Wooden harp, Mangbetu people, the Democratic Republic of Congo, circa late 19th century. A classic example of an instrument made by the Mangbetu, who had a highly refined culture of art and music.
Health Minister Simon Harris holds a leaflet for the public awareness campaign for Covid-19 at Dublin Airport. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Updates: HSE officials Paul Connors, Joe Ryan, Paul Reid, and Dr Sarah Doyle brief the media on Covid-19 in Dublin yesterday. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

AN unexplained case of coronavirus in Cork has prompted 60 staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) to be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

The staff include doctors, nurses and support personnel - and all are understood to have come in contact with the middle-aged man whose source of the Covid-19 remains a mystery.

Independent.ie understands that other Cork hospitals are now being asked to provide resources to support CUH - while other medical personnel at the south's largest hospital are set to be asked to postpone leave until the situation is resolved.

CUH has a total staff number of around 3,000 - and some of those being asked to self-isolate are medical professionals who would ordinarily be in the frontline for helping patients with Covid-19.

The facility ranks as the busiest acute hospital outside Dublin.

A crisis management team considered the unexplained Covid-19 outbreak overnight and a number of precautionary measures have been recommended.

Read More

Major efforts are now underway to contact trace all those who came in contact with the man in a bid to determine the course of the latest virus detection.

The middle-aged man had not travelled overseas and had not been in contact with any of the other known cases.

The Cork detection raises the spectre of community spread of the virus across Ireland given that the patient had not apparently visited countries with concentrated Covid-19 outbreaks or been in known contact with another patient confirmed to have contracted the virus.

Health officials are now pursuing the theory that the man somehow came in contact with someone with Covid-19 who contracted it abroad but either didn't fall ill or had such minor symptoms they were not reported.

One health source indicated the latest case may indicate that the virus has been undetected within the community in Ireland for some

time before the first case was confirmed last week.

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has now displayed 'infection outbreak' signs and warned that visitors are not allowed within specific

sections of the hospital.

The man was being treated for a separate and unrelated health condition on a busy ward in CUH.

All those who were in close proximity to the patient in CUH will now have to be traced and asked to self-isolate.

This is expected to prove a mammoth undertaking for public health doctors given the numbers involved.

Read More

CUH has now confirmed that all out patient appointments have been cancelled for today.

However, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and dialysis procedures will proceed as normal.

The hospital explained this was due to infection control procedures.

"All patients will be rescheduled as soon as possible - CUH apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to patients," a spokesperson said.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the visitor restrictions at CUH were in accordance with infection control protocols.

"This is in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent infections within the hospital."

However, the CUH emergency department remains open and routine ward operations are continuing as normal.

Yesterday's confirmed cases brought the total number with coronavirus nationwide to 13.

There were already six confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic - two in Leinster and four in the west of Ireland.

All four in the west of Ireland involve members of the same family.

An adult in the family worked within the health sector.

All Irish cases up until the one in Cork had been linked to travel to northern Italy which has experienced Europe's highest concentration of virus cases.

In all Irish cases, the patients are responding well to treatment.

The Cork case was be the first coronavirus detection in the south - and the first from an unexplained source in Ireland.

Multiple suspected cases in Cork and Kerry over the past three week have tested negative for the virus.

The Cork detection came after doctors were investigating why the patient, who was being treated for a long-term health issue, was still unwell despite specific medications being administered.

Public health doctors have now begun contact tracing of all those connected with the Cork patient including relatives, medical personnel, hospital support staff and even other patients.

The man was on a busy ward for over 24 hours before it was learned he had Covid-19.

The individual remains in isolation and is understood to be in a stable condition.

In a separate development, a Cork private hospital has also banned all visitors from its campus.

The Mater Private Cork posted a note on social media advising that visitor access was now being restricted "in the interest of patient

safety."

In a statement, the Mater said it was acting in the best interests of its patients.

"Mater Private Cork is not a designated receiving hospital for suspected or confirmed cases of novel coronavirus - the designated

hospitals in Cork as per HSE and HPSC are CUH and the Mercy hospital," it stated.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

"As a precaution, on the advice of experts and in the interest of patient safety, Mater Private Cork is restricting visitor access until

further notice."

"All patient appointments will continue as normal."

Meanwhile University Hospital Limerick said today it is trying to contact patients who may have come into contact with a person with coronavirus.

The hospital said its Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick is operating as normal today, Friday, March 5th.

We can confirm that the Emergency Department was put off call for a three-hour period on Wednesday night to facilitate a precautionary deep clean of affected areas. Patients arriving by ambulance were diverted to Galway University Hospitals during this interval in line with established national protocols.
Two of Saudi Arabia's most prominent royals were suddenly detained on Friday morning by masked royal guards and face up to a lifetime in prison for alleged treason, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Why it matters: Even by the standards of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS), this would be an audacious move. The two men reportedly detained were both once heirs to the throne, and are close relatives of the crown prince and his father, King Salman.

The men arrested are:

Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the king's brother.

Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud (MBN), the king's nephew.

Both served as interior minister, overseeing Saudi Arabia's military and intelligence services.

The NY Times reports that Prince Nawaf bin Nayef, a brother of Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, was also arrested.

There has been no public explanation as to what they are accused of.

Between the lines: "The arrests cast aside two men who could have been rivals to MBSs claim to the throne if 84-year-old King Salman died or decided to abdicate. MBN had been first in line for the throne as Salmans crown prince until 2017, when MBS was elevated over him," the WSJ reports.

According to WSJ, "guards from the royal court wearing masks and dressed in black... took them into custody and searched their homes."

Flashback: While this is shocking news, there is some precedent.

MBS detained some of the kingdom's wealthiest and most powerful people, including numerous royals, in the Ritz Carlton in 2017. That was described as an anti-corruption drive, but it was also a clear consolidation of power.

The big picture: MBS' international standing fell dramatically after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and there was speculation his position could be weakened at home as well. But for now, the 34-year-old appears firmly in control.
A Bloody Sunday victims brother has urged court authorities to get real and ensure the case against a veteran accused of murder is heard in Derry.

Liam Wray spoke out after a final decision on the venue for future hearings involving Soldier F was adjourned for another month.

The ex-paratrooper is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney on January 30 1972, when troops opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Derry, killing 13 people.

He also stands accused of the attempted murders of Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day.

Mr McKinneys brother Mickey echoed Mr Wrays concerns after a decision on venue, which was expected on Monday morning, was put back until next month.

Its very important, this is where the crime was committed, not half a mile from where we are standing here, said Mr McKinney outside Derry courthouse.

We are the victims here. The people who are standing here this morning are the victims. This is where the case should be heard, not Belfast because of one man (Soldier F).

While preliminary court proceedings have been heard in Bishop Street court in Derry, the court authorities are deliberating whether a committal hearing and any potential future trial should be moved to Belfast.

It comes amid security concerns about staging the proceedings in Derry and practical issues about the size and acoustics of the court facilities in the city.

Soldier F has yet to appear in person at any preliminary hearings, but would be required to attend his committal.

Mr Wray noted that previous investigations linked to the case had been heard away from Derry, insisting issues around security and acoustics could be overcome.

The atrocity happened in Derry, he said.

It was witnessed by many, many people. The majority of witnesses in this case are going to be Derry people. For them to have to trip up to Belfast, which is not an easy journey, would be ridiculous.

Mr Wray added: The issue here is we are talking about open justice.

Justice for all and the experience we have had over the 48 years that we have been campaigning in regards to our relatives who were the victims of Bloody Sunday has been that the initial inquiry (Widgery Tribunal) happened in Coleraine, we have seen the way that left people feeling about justice, then we had the soldiers evidence in the Bloody Sunday inquiry in London.

Its about time people got real, its about time to say justice should be seen to be done and it should be heard to be done too in this courthouse.

District Judge Barnie McElholm had indicated that a decision on the venue would be outlined to the court on Monday.

However, at the brief hearing Mark Mulholland QC, barrister for Solider F, asked for time to make a submission.

He said his client wanted to respond to a submission on the location made by Mr Wray on behalf of the bereaved families.

Mr Mulholland also noted that the management of the case was due to be passed from Judge McElhom to fellow district judge Paul Magill.

Granting the adjournment for Mr Mulholland to lodge submissions, Judge McElholm said the court authorities had been undertaking work to establish the suitability of several venues.

These things are not simple but theres a lot of work going on in the background, he said.

The judge adjourned the matter until March 26, when he said Judge Magill would decide on the venue and set a date for the committal hearing.
The panic over the fate of the ship, the Grand Princess, which was returning from Hawaii, began this week after a 71-year-old man died after traveling on a previous leg of the cruise, a round trip from San Francisco to Mexico last month. Another passenger from that leg of the trip also tested positive for the virus and is being treated in California.

Then, more cases with links to the ship emerged on Friday: In Placer County, northeast of San Francisco, officials announced three new cases  all passengers who had previously traveled on the Grand Princess on a trip to Mexico. Nearby in Contra Costa County, officials also announced three new coronavirus cases, including two who had been aboard the Grand Princess.

Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White Houses coronavirus response coordinator, said that many cruise ship travelers were in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, a group that may be more vulnerable to the virus.

Shortly after Mr. Pences briefing, the ship captain came over the loudspeaker and apologized to passengers that they were getting updates from television news, rather than him. The captain said that he had not received any advance notice about the news briefing and that the ship would notify individuals of their test results as soon as possible.

We are working to make you as comfortable as possible, he said.

Patricia DiMartino, whose relatives are passengers on the ship, said her 82-year-old brother-in-law had a fever and a cough, but his test results came back negative. Even if he doesnt have coronavirus, hes got something, and he isnt seeing a doctor, she said, adding, This is a fiasco. Her brother-in-law and sister said they were told to order a weeks worth of prescription medication.

The Grand Princess is owned by Princess Cruises, the same company that runs the Diamond Princess, the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan last month. The virus circulated among the more than 3,700 crew members and passengers who were waiting out a two-week isolation period in the port city of Yokohama, with more than 700 cases identified from that ship.
Now that he's in charge, Calhoun has become more willing to openly criticise Muilenburg. He said the former chief executive turbocharged Boeing's production rates before the supply chain was ready, a move that sent Boeing shares to an all-time high but compromised quality. I'll never be able to judge what motivated Dennis, whether it was a stock price that was going to continue to go up and up, or whether it was just beating the other guy to the next rate increase [...] If anybody ran over the rainbow for the pot of gold on stock, it would have been him." David Calhoun "I'll never be able to judge what motivated Dennis, whether it was a stock price that was going to continue to go up and up, or whether it was just beating the other guy to the next rate increase," he said, adding later, "If anybody ran over the rainbow for the pot of gold on stock, it would have been him." Muilenburg declined to comment. Calhoun and the rest of Boeing's board never seriously questioned that strategy, in part because before the first Max crash off the coast of Indonesia in October 2018, the company was enjoying its best run in years. What's more, the board believed that Muilenburg, an engineer who had been at Boeing for his entire career, was so deeply informed about the business that he was a good judge of the risks involved in ramping up production.

"If we were complacent in any way, maybe, maybe not, I don't know," Calhoun said. "We supported a CEO who was willing and whose history would suggest that he might be really good at taking a few more risks." The cockpit of a grounded Boeing 737 MAX jet. Credit:Bloomberg It was only after the Max was grounded last March after a crash in Ethiopia that Muilenburg's optimistic approach became viewed as a liability. Airlines grew livid after he repeatedly voiced overly optimistic timetables about when the Max would return to service. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Stephen Dickson, was so frustrated that he reprimanded Muilenburg in a private meeting and publicly told FAA employees to resist pressure from the company. "They felt like they were being pushed into a timeline," Calhoun said of the FAA, adding that the "regulator was never there alongside of us, but apparently our team didn't quite come up to grips with that." We supported a CEO who was willing and whose history would suggest that he might be really good at taking a few more risks. David Calhoun

One of Calhoun's initial tasks as chief executive was to go on an apology tour, holding a series of what he called "greet-and-mend opportunities." The first stop was the White House. 'Greet-and-mend' tour At a private meeting with Trump on Calhoun's third day on the job, the president told him that he liked Muilenburg but believed a leadership change was needed. The president said he hoped Boeing was investing all of its resources into getting the plane back in the air. "He wants us to get back on our horse," Calhoun said. "He wants us to get the Max flying again, safely." Calhoun said he recently asked Boeing employees to "lay out in gory detail what needed to be done" to get the plane certified. "And then when they told me exactly what that was, I added a day or two to it," he said.

His conclusion was that the Max might be approved some time by the end of August, pushing back again the likely return of the plane by six months. "Restoring credibility with the FAA was not as hard as people think," he said, "They just didn't want to be boxed in anymore. They were sick of it." While he has been contrite about damaging internal messages released in January, Calhoun stopped short of saying that the company has systemic cultural problems. He called the messages, in which Boeing employees ridiculed the FAA and denigrated their own colleagues, "totally unacceptable" but said they were not representative of Boeing more broadly. "I see a couple of people who wrote horrible emails," he said. He also delicately maneuvered between accepting responsibility for the two crashes and pointing the finger elsewhere.

'Fatal mistake' When designing the Max, the company made a "fatal mistake" by assuming pilots would immediately counteract a failure of new software on the plane that played a role in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents. But he implied that the pilots from Indonesia and Ethiopia, "where pilots don't have anywhere near the experience that they have here in the US," were part of the problem, too. Asked whether he believed American pilots would have been able to handle a malfunction of the software, Calhoun asked to speak off the record. The Times declined to do so. "Forget it," Calhoun then said. "You can guess the answer." He dismissed concerns about the board's decision to give him a $US7 million bonus based in part on whether the Max returned to service. "The objective is to get the Max up safely," he said. "Period."

When asked why he didn't elect to forgo his salary altogether, he said, "Cause I'm not sure I would have done it." Loading Pulling Boeing out of the hole it has dug will take years, Calhoun said. He said he would focus on insulating engineers from business pressures and that he wasn't done shaking up the company's leadership. At a meeting with his senior leadership team on Tuesday, Calhoun introduced a new set of values intended to guide the company, which he hopes will inspire employees still working on getting the 737 Max back in service. "You don't just win this one," he said. "You don't just go out and fight and win and now you're a hero. One airplane at a time." In the meantime, Calhoun is focused on the basics: producing jets at a pace the factory can handle, instilling discipline up and down the company, and hunting for bad news and acting on it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Dhaka on March 17 in the midst of rising concerns in Bangladesh over India's new citizenship law and the proposed NRC.

Modi is visiting Dhaka at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to attend the centenary celebrations of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

During the visit, the prime minister is expected to assuage Bangladesh's concerns over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), sources said.

The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following persecution over their faith.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was in Bangladesh earlier this month and during his visit he had assured Bangladesh that the updation of the National Register of Citizens will have "no implications" for its people, asserting that it is a process that is "entirely internal" to the country.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan cancelled their visits to India in December over the prevailing situation following the passage of the new citizenship bill by Parliament.

Dhaka was also apparently upset following the roll out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam even though India conveyed to it that the issue was an internal matter of the country.

"Updation of National Register of Citizens is a process that is entirely internal to India," Shringla had said in an address in Dhaka.

"India assures Bangladesh that NRC will have no implications for the country and its people," he had said.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brussels this month to hold a summit meeting with the European Union has been postponed in view of the global spread of coronavirus.

On Modi's visit to Bangladesh, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the prime minister will go to the neighbouring country to attend the centenary celebrations of Bangladesh's founder.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Bloomberg) -- Walmart Inc.s Indian payments service went down late Thursday after Indias central bank seized control of Yes Bank and froze transactions with the troubled domestic lender.

PhonePe Pvt Ltd, Indias leading digital payments provider with more than 175 million users, is the largest of a plethora of local startups that relied on the bank to process transactions. Leading business-to-business software platform Udaan asked buyers and sellers on its platform to refrain from using the Udaan Pay QR code, powered by Yes Bank.

Others that depended on Yes Bank included Microsofts Kaizala mobile chat app and online travel providers MakeMyTrip and Cleartrip, according to the website of the countrys official online payments infrastructure operator. Microsoft did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment, nor did MakeMyTrip. All succumbed Thursday evening, when the Reserve Bank of India took control of Yes Bank to stem a threat to the nations banking system.

We sincerely regret the long outage, Sameer Nigam, PhonePes founder and chief executive officer, said on Twitter Friday. Our partner bank Yes Bank was placed under moratorium by RBI. Entire teams been working all night to get services back up as soon as possible.

Read more: India Pledges Swift Action After First Bank Seizure in 13 Years

On Thursday, Indias central bank suspended all transactions involving the capital-starved bank and limited withdrawals to 50,000 rupees for the next 30 days. Yes Bank has been a top provider of fintech infrastructure for Indian startups who incorporated its code to offer online payment services. Many use the lenders software interface to integrate with the countrys digital payments backbone, known as the Unified Payments Interface.Among the worst-affected was Bangalore-headquartered PhonePe, Indias fast-growing digital payments platforms. Users employ the app to send and receive money, pay for mobile recharges and utilities and even buy gold. About 8.7 million merchants across the country are on the PhonePe platform, including large online travel services such as redBus, Indias state-owned railway booking platform IRCTC, and ride-hailing startup Ola.

Story continues

We were integrated with Yes Banks digital infrastructure for our QR Code payments, Udaan founder Amod Malviya, cofounder of business-to-business platform Udaan said in a phone chat. The Bangalore-based unicorn, which relied on Yes Bank, advised buyers and sellers on its platform not to make any deposits into its accounts, and asked sellers using Yes Bank to provide an alternative bank account on its app. We have temporarily paused settlements to Yes Bank accounts, Udaan said on Twitter.

To contact the reporter on this story: Saritha Rai in Bangalore at srai33@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Edwin Chan at echan273@bloomberg.net, Unni Krishnan

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.
If we do a switch over in our court case management software, it will potentially be a multi-million-dollar project. We know there are no funds available in the circuit court budget for that now. We do know more improvements in technology and ease-of-access mandates are coming from the Illinois Supreme Court, Prochaska said.
Cameroons public health minister, Manaouda Malachie, says it has confirmed the index case of the deadly coronavirus.

According to the health minister, the patient is a 58-year-old French citizen who arrived in the capital Yaounde on February 24 and has been quarantined in the citys central hospital.

The case was placed in solitary confinement in the Care Centre of the Yaounde Central Hospital for appropriate treatment, Malachie said.

Read Also: How Coronavirus Almost Ruined My 83rd Birthday: Obasanjo

All measures are being taken by the government to contain possible risks of the spread of the virus.

The health official urged the public to be vigilant and respect hygiene rules.

This makes Cameroon, the eight country in Africa to report the arrival of the virus ,after Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa
South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at a shopping district in Seoul on March 4, 2020. (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea Declares Special Care Zone as Coronavirus Spreads

SEOUL, South KoreaSouth Korea declared a special care zone on March 5 around a second city hit hard by the coronavirus and the U.S. military confirmed two new cases among relatives of its troops in the country, which is battling the biggest outbreak outside China.

Australia and Japan have joined the list of almost 100 nations now limiting arrivals of people from South Korea, which reported 760 coronavirus cases on March 5 for a total of 6,088.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan will suspend existing visas for visitors from China and South Korea and quarantine them for two weeks in response to the widening outbreak of the flu-like illness COVID-19.

The measures go into effect on March 9.

Following the announcement, the South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned a Japanese diplomat to hear Japans explanations regarding its announcement, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a ministry official.

The South Korean government declared a special care zone around Gyeongsan, a city of about 275,000 people 250 km (150 miles) southeast of Seoul, promising extra resources such as face masks.

Gyeongsan has seen a spike in cases in recent days, many of them linked to a fringe Christian group at the center of South Koreas outbreak. Similar zones have been declared around the neighboring city of Daegu and Cheongdo County.

About 75 percent of all cases in South Korea are in and around Daegu, its fourth-largest city, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

Every day is sad and tough like a war. But our Daegu citizens are showing surprise wisdom and courage, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin told reporters on March 5.

About 2,120 patients were waiting for hospital beds in Daegu, city officials said. Dozens of newly commissioned military nurses were due to begin work in the city on March 5, according to the health ministry.

The KCDC reported five more deaths from the virus, bringing the total to 37. The virus surfaced in China in late 2019 and has infected more than 95,300 people and killed almost 3,300 worldwide, mostly in China, according to a Reuters tally.

South Korea also said it was banning the export of face masks and would step up their production and ration them to limit individual purchases to two a week, in an attempt to ease shortages and curb hoarding.

People have flocked to supermarkets, pharmacies and online distributors to snap up masks and other supplies, with hundreds lining up at some stores every morning.

KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-Wook advised all South Koreans to stay home and avoid any gatherings, especially those that take place in enclosed places with many people such as religious events.

He also advised employers in Asias fourth-largest economy, highlighted by tech giants like Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, to allow staff to work from home.

Deeply Regrettable Step

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) reported two new cases, for a total of six among soldiers, employees, or people related to the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Despite the new cases, USFK resumed sending troops to bases in Daegu and surrounding areas, according to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.

It said commanders believed the bases were protected from the outside population, and troop rotations were needed to maintain readiness in the face of threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.

Australias ban on the arrival of foreigners from South Korea is a blow to Seouls efforts to prevent the United States from imposing such restrictions.

It is a deeply regrettable step, and we will closely consult Australian authorities for a swift revocation of the measure and to minimize inconvenience for our citizens, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim In-Chul told reporters.

South Korean officials met with the U.S. ambassador in Seoul on March 4 to urge the United States not to limit travel. Similar talks would be held on March 6 with diplomats from other nations, the Foreign Ministry said.

According to the U.S. State Department, anyone with a fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) is already banned from boarding direct flights from South Korea to the United States.

Korean Air Lines said it would screen all departing passengers for high temperatures and reject those deemed a risk.

South Korea also sent three rapid response teams to Vietnam on March 5 to help more than 270 citizens quarantined there over coronavirus concerns, the Foreign Ministry said.

By Hyonhee Shin & Josh Smith
MARCH 6, 2020  For dozens of students at UTSA, spring break is not a week to unwind but an opportunity to make a difference in serving a community.

UTSA Volunteer Services is sponsoring two Alternative Spring Break trips this year: (1) Changing the Narrative: Emphasizing Abilities in Disabilities near Dallas and (2) Long-Term Recovery: Environmental Restoration & Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico.

On Saturday, March 7, 11 students and staff will travel outside Dallas to a place called Paradise to volunteer at Camp Summit. The camp seeks to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities.

The experiential service learning demonstrated on these trips equips students to face challenges, help others and find ways to effectively contribute to society.

Camp Summit has a range of activities of a typical summer camp, including horseback riding, archery, ropes courses, arts and crafts, sitting by the fire, and staying in camp houses.

On Monday, March 9 a group of 18 students and staff will board a plane to volunteer in Puerto Rico. They will work with Community Collaborations International for a second year on ecosystem restoration and community development projects.

The Alternative Break Program is much more than a week of volunteering. Students who participate in the program will spend up to six weeks prior to the trip learning about the social issue theyre heading to and what it means to be a conscientious citizen.

After researching and learning together they will serve in the community and then at the end of each day, the students will gather for reflection time, discussing the purpose of the work they're doing.

Reflection activities help students connect what they have learned to the experiences they are having in the community while working with vulnerable populations.

 Visit Volunteer Services on RowdyLink and follow @UTSAVolunteer on Instagram.

In addition to building pride and a sense of accomplishment, the experiential service learning demonstrated on these trips equips students to face challenges, help others and find ways to effectively contribute to society.

UTSA also offers Alternative Winter Break trips in addition to day-long volunteer opportunities. Alternative Break Trip Leader Applications for the 202020201 academic year will open at the end of the semester for students looking to take a leadership role in next years experiences.
The National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) has been tasked to be transparent and accountable in carrying out its statutory responsibility of enrolling Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN).

Participants at the sixth regulatory conversation series organised by Integrity Organisation Limited, an anti-corruption research, advocacy and consulting group, gave this advice ahead of the release of about $433 million (N154 billion) by the World Bank to support six major areas of the countrys developmental initiatives, including Nigerias digital identification for development project.

The event, which was held in Lagos on Thursday with the theme; National Identity Number: Matters Arising and Implications to Nation Building, had in attendance representatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), PREMIUM TIMES, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), among others.

NIMC was conspicuously absent at the event; a development some blamed on the commissions poor accountability culture.

Panelists at the event include special assistant to the comptroller-general of Nigeria Immigration Service, Amos Okpu; Lagos sector commandant of FRSC, Hyginus Omeje; Francesca Kanayo-Chiedu of Citizens ConnectNG, PREMIUM TIMES managing editor, Idris Akinbajo among others.

They confirmed the need for the identification number issued by NIMC but decried the poor standards of the agencys operation, lack of transparency in its affairs, and the introduction of various fees for enrolment and other services such as data correction.

Speaking earlier, the chief executive officer of Integrity Organisation, Soji Apampa, said the huge resources invested in the identity management project within the last 20 years cannot be justified.

Mr Apampa said; In the last 20 years, Nigeria has spent about N120 billion on identity management, especially since the introduction of the aborted national identity card project. Obviously, there is no justification for such huge spending as at now.

Today, the World Bank has concluded plans to support NIMC and other projects in the country to the tune of about $433 million. The World Bank needs to involve civil societies and other key stakeholders in monitoring the spending of this money and ensuring transparency and efficiency on the part of NIMC as an agency of government.

World Banks $433 million support

According to NIMC, the global bank in February approved the countrys identity project, alongside others, and would be funding the six projects with a total of $433 million.

A report by the identity management agency and published on its website noted that World Bank took the decision on February 18 in Washington DC, the United States, as part of its support for the country to empower citizens, especially marginalised groups, to access welfare-enhancing servfinas.

INFOGRAPH: The Seven creditors who want to lend Nigeria $22.7 billion

The report quoted the global findncial institutions country director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, saying; The World Bank is ramping up its support to Nigeria in its efforts to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, adding that the project will support the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to increase the number of persons who have a National Identification Number (NIN) reaching about 150 million in the next couple of years.

The World Bank further noted that the project will be financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$115 million and co-financing of US$100 million from the French Agency for Development and US$215 million from the European Investment Bank.

Why NIMC must be accountable

Some of the participants, including argued that with the introduction of various fees and charges by the identity management agency, it has become a revenue generation agency. This new role, they said, negates the statutory responsibility of the agency.

READ ALSO:

According to various speakers, the introduction of 40 pounds and 70 dollars fees for enrolment for Nigerians in the Diaspora and particularly those in the UK and Canada cannot be justified by NIMC.

Others also complained about the introduction of N20 charges for using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) format to check a number, even as a participant also alleged that she was asked to pay N19,000 for data correction.

The forum, therefore, urged the agency to desist from turning itself to a revenue generation agency, while also urging the government to adequately fund its agencies to avoid subjecting Nigerians to extortion.

NIMC reacts

The head of NIMCs corporate communications, Jamila Ahmed, said the details of the various fees charged by the agency are uploaded on the organisations website, and that there is nothing hidden in the arrangement.

She said the N20 charged for identity number check on mobile phones is for services provided by the mobile operators, and that the money does not go to the agency.

She, however, failed to provide reasons Nigerians in the Diaspora are being asked to pay for registration, saying she was not in the position to talk on that.

I will send you the details of the person in charge of the Diaspora enrolment, Hadiza Dagabana. She is in the best position to explain this, Mrs. Ahmed said.

Meanwhile, when Mrs Dagabana was called on the phone, she did not pick her call and did not respond to messages sent to her.

Solutions to Nigerias national identity problem

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Many of the participants at the forum condemned the multiplicity of national data collection processes and agencies in the country, saying such development has created duplication of identities for individuals and overlapping responsibilities on the part of government agencies.

However, as solution to what they described as the lack of efficiency on the part of the identity management organisation, participants suggested deployment of more data capturing machines, and other relevant facilities.

One of the participants, Kayode Komolafe, said going by the current situation and the available tools at the NIMC, it could take 18 years to capture Nigerians.

Also speaking, Mr. Akinbajo recommended digitisation of the entire registration processes, saying human to human interface should be discouraged if transparency was to be achieved by NIMC or any other agency of government.

I think NIMC will have to do something about reducing the human to human interface in the registration processes. This is what JAMB seems to have achieved and I think doing that will ensure transparency and accountability on the part of the agency, Mr Akinbajo advised.

While wrapping up the session, Mr. Apampa said the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as the supervisory office for NIMC, would be carried along in the continued quest for efficiency on the part of the agency.
Britons returning home from anywhere in Italy are now being told to self-isolate if they are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Italy rises to 3,858, resulting in 148 deaths at the time of writing.

Previously, FCO advice was to only self-isolate if you exhibited symptoms having been to northern Italy (north of Pisa). That guidance now applies to the whole country, as the UK confirmed its first Covid-19 fatality on 5 March.

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if youve travelled to the UK from the following places in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if your symptoms are mild, says the FCO advice.

The list of destinations includes: mainland China outside of Hubei province; Italy outside of the lockdown areas; South Korea outside of the special care zones; Cambodia; Hong Kong; Japan; Laos; Macau; Malaysia; Myanmar; Singapore; Taiwan; and Thailand.

There are 11 villages still on lockdown in Italy: Codogno, Castiglione dAdda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano in Lombardy and Vo Euganeo in Veneto.

Anyone returning from these is advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms.

In its Italy travel advice, the FCO is only advising against going to the lockdown areas. For those booked to visit anywhere else in the country, travel insurance will not cover the cost if they pull out of a trip.

However, many airlines have drastically reduced flight capacity and may offer passengers the choice of claiming a refund or rebooking for a later date.

For example, British Airways customers booked to travel between London and northern Italian destinations including Milan (Linate and Malpensa), Turin, Bologna, Venice, Bergamo and Verona up to 15 March 2020 can rebook to a later travel date up to 3 April 2020.

Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Show all 16 1 /16 Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondoliers wait for customers in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A man wearing a protective mask walks past the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A gondolier on the Grand Canal as the sun sets in Venice, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Authorities in Italy decided to re-open schools and museums in some of the areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has the most cases outside of Asia, as Italians on Friday yearned for a return to normal life even amid fears that the outbreak could plunge the country's economy into recession. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A local pulls a trolley as she leaves a street food market in Venice, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. A U.S. government advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to Italy due to the spread of a new virus is the "final blow" to the nation's tourism industry, the head of Italy's hotel federation said Saturday. Venice, which was nearing recovery in the Carnival season following a tourist lull after record flooding in November, saw bookings drop immediately after regional officials canceled the final two days of celebrations this week, unprecedented in modern times. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Locals wait for a mass at the barely empty San Salvador church in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. A coughing Pope Francis told Italy, pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing that he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It is the first time in his seven-year papacy that he has missed the spiritual exercises that he initiated early in his pontificate to mark the start of each Lenten season. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks take photographs in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists wearing protective masks look at their smartphones as they have a break at the St. Mark's square in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears A couple stand at the Rialto bridge during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks as the country's confirmed cases surpassed 1,000. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. Reuters Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty canal is seen after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears An empty water bus after the spread of coronavirus has caused a decline in the number of tourists in Venice, Italy, March 1, 2020. REUTERS Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Tourists shelter against the rain with umbrellas as they walk in the empty St. Mark's Square during a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP Streets of Venice empty due to Coronavirus fears Gondolas are parked on a rainy day in Venice, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Italian tourism officials are worrying a new virus could do more damage to their industry than the Sept. 11 terror attacks. AP

It comes as thousands of Italians are due to descend on Dublin this weekend for the Six Nations Rugby, despite the Ireland-Italy match having been cancelled amid the virus outbreak.

The Irish government has advised that special health protocols are in place for travellers.

Prior to disembarking, passengers from Italy will be told to contact their GPs should they develop symptoms within the following 14 days.

All travellers are being told to fill in forms to help trace anyone they may have come into contact with in the event that they contract coronavirus.

Airlines flying into Ireland will also need to decontaminate the aircraft according to WHO aviation hygiene standards.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas covered each other in bright powder as she introduced him to Holi, the Hindu festival of colors.

Although Holi, which celebrates the beginning of spring, actually occurs next week, Nick and Priyanka decided to party a bit early.

The 37-year-old actress became a star in Bollywood before striking out to America, so they celebrated in the Hindi film industry's hometown of Bombay.

'My first Holi!': Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas covered each other in bright powder as she introduced him to Holi, the Hindu festival of colors

'My first Holi! (Five days early)So much fun celebrating with such incredible people here in my second home in India,' Nick wrote on Instagram.

Holi festivities include bonfire prayers as well as dance parties where guests playfully throw multicolored powder at each other.

This year's upcoming celebrations have left many Indians concerned about the spread of COVID-19, with India Today running the article: 'Coronavirus wali Holi 2020: 7 songs you can sing while washing your hands'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will skip the holiday on account of COVID-19 and President Ram Nath Kovind has canceled the Holi party at his official residence.

Having a ball: Although Holi, which celebrates the beginning of spring, actually occurs next week, Nick and Priyanka decided to party a bit early.

By the way: They snapped a selfie at the party with Bollywood star Katrina Kaif (right), who stepped in last-minute to replace Priyanka in last year's movie Bharat

But Priyanka and Nick kept their private party going, cuddling up for an Instagram snap after dousing each other in colors.

The dynamic duo were decked out in Indian clothes with matching multicolored trim and an off-white field to show off the powder.

They snapped a selfie at the party with Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, who stepped in last-minute to replace Priyanka in last year's movie Bharat.

Their hostess was Priyanka's bridesmaid Isha Ambani - whose father is the richest man in Asia - and her husband Anand Piramal, himself the son of a billionaire.

That's the spirit: Holi festivities include bonfire prayers as well as dance parties where guests playfully throw multicolored powder at each other

Isha and Anand, who married in December 2018 just two weeks after Priyanka and Nick, famously hired Beyonce for a private performance at their wedding functions.

Their Holi party was a family affair for Priyanka, whose brother Siddharth arrived on the arm of South Indian actress Neelam Upadhyaya.

Neelam and Siddharth recently attended a fashion show together where her ring set off engagement rumors online - although she quickly rubbished the speculation, pointing out she was wearing the jewelry on her right hand.

Siddharth and Priyanka's mother Madhu Chopra was also glimpsed at the party mingling with screenwriter Mushtaq Sheikh.

Arrival: Their hostess was Priyanka's bridesmaid Isha Ambani - whose father is the richest man in Asia - and her husband Anand Piramal, himself the son of a billionaire

Details: Nick wore a mustard yellow updated version of Punjabi juttis, while Priyanka slipped into a pair of heels that matched her husband's footwear

Priyanka was meant to make her return to Hindi films with Bharat after three years in Hollywood, but suddenly withdrew amid her engagement to Nick.

The director Ali Abbas Zafar confirmed on Twitter in July 2018 that Priyanka had left the project, writing that 'the reason is very very special, she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her.'

In a flash she was replaced by Katrina, who used to date the movie's leading man Salman Khan and rose to fame during her relationship with him.

Salman has repeatedly taken jabs at Priyanka for quitting Bharat, which became one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2019.

Place to be: Their Holi party was a family affair for Priyanka, whose brother Siddharth arrived on the arm of South Indian actress Neelam Upadhyaya

What a night: Siddharth and Priyanka's mother Madhu Chopra was also glimpsed at the party mingling with screenwriter Mushtaq Sheikh

'While many would give anything for the film or maybe even leaving their husband, Priyanka left the film,' he vamped to the Mumbai Mirror last May.

She instead returned to Hindi films with The Sky Is Pink, playing the mother of real-life motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhury, who died aged 18 of pulmonary fibrosis.

Priyanka and Nick had Christian and Hindu weddings at the end of 2018 at Umaid Bhawan, a formerly royal palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

'She makes me smile a lot': The dynamic duo were decked out in Indian clothes with matching multicolored trim and an off-white field to show off the powder
Unused electric-powered Lime scooters piled high in a warehouse in Melbourne are bound for Asia, as the US company behind them scales back its local operations due to delays in law changes.

Thirty jobs have been lost at Lime's local arm in the past twelve months, with about 3000 plastic-wrapped scooters sitting idle on pallets.

Brisbane was the first city in Australia to introduce e-scooters in November 2018 and Adelaide trialled them last year.

Unused Lime Scooters in a warehouse in Melbourne.

However, the scooters have so far been absent from Melbourne due to road rules prohibiting their use.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Sanctions Committee, at its meeting on Thursday, decided to reject the recommendation of its team of experts regarding the freezing of assets held by companies affiliated to the Libyan Sovereign Fund (the Libyan Investment Authority, LIA)
By The Associated Press Mar. 05, 2020 | 11:41 AM | WASHINGTON





For much of the past year, her campaign had all the markers of success, robust poll numbers, impressive fundraising and a sprawling political infrastructure that featured staffers on the ground across the country. But once voting began in February, she never found a reliable base of supporters as Democrats coalesced around Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, her progressive rival, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who established himself as the leading centrist in the race.







I refuse to let disappointment blind me  or you  to what we've accomplished," Warren told her campaign staff on a call Thursday. We didn't reach our goal, but what we have done together  what you have done  has made a lasting difference. It's not the scale of the difference we wanted to make, but it matters."







Warren's exit leaves the Democratic field with just one female candidate: Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has collected only one delegate toward the nomination. That is a frustrating twist for a party that once boasted the most diverse presidential field in history and harnessed the votes and energy of women to retake control of the House, primarily with female candidates, in 2018.







Despite Warren's disappointing finish, she offers the potential of a coveted endorsement to Sanders and Biden, who are effectively the last candidates in the Democratic contest. She spoke with both men on Wednesday, according to their campaigns. She hasn't made a decision and is assessing who would best uphold her agenda, according to a person familiar with her deliberations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.





In an interview after Warren's departure was announced, Toni Van Pelt, the president of the National Organization for Women, urged her not to back Sanders.







She has a lot of leverage right now. We do trust her to make the right decisions on how to proceed. But wed like her not to rush into this, Van Pelt said. We think that our constituents, our members, will not necessarily think of Sanders as the best choice. We wouldnt have the Violence Against Women Act if it wasnt for Bidens leadership. So, we know that hes performed. Sanders doesnt have a record. Hes really, as far as we know, done next to nothing for women and for our issues and for the things that are our priorities.







Warren's campaign began with enormous promise. Last summer, she drew tens of thousands of supporters to Manhattan's Washington Square Park, a scene that was repeated in places like Washington state and Minnesota.







She had a compelling message, calling for structural change to the American political system to reorder the nation's economy in the name of fairness. She had a signature populist proposal for a 2% wealth tax she wanted to impose on households worth more than $50 million that prompted chants of Two cents! Two cents!" at rallies across the country.







Warren hit her stride as she hammered the idea that more moderate Democratic candidates, including Biden, werent ambitious enough to roll back President Donald Trump's policies and were too reliant on political consultants and fickle polling. And she drew strength in the #MeToo era, especially after a wave of female candidates helped Democrats take control of the U.S. House in 2018.







But there was also tumult, notably after she released a DNA test in response to goading by Trump to prove she had Native American ancestry. Instead of quieting critics who had questioned her claims, however, the test offended many tribal leaders who rejected undergoing the genetic test as culturally insensitive, and it didnt stop Trump and other Republicans from gleefully deriding her as Pocahontas."







Warren couldn't consolidate the support of the Democratic Partys most liberal wing against Sanders.







Both supported universal, government-sponsored health care under a Medicare for All program, tuition-free public college and aggressive climate change fighting measures as part of the Green New Deal while forgoing big fundraisers in favor of small donations fueled by the internet.







Warren's poll numbers began to slip after a series of debates in which she repeatedly refused to answer direct questions about if she'd have to raise taxes on the middle class to pay for Medicare for All. Her top advisers were slow to catch on that not providing more details looked to voters like a major oversight for a candidate who proudly had so many other policy plans.







When Warren finally moved to correct the problem, her support eroded further. She moved away from a full endorsement of Medicare for All, announcing that she'd work with Congress to transition the country to the program over three years. In the meantime, she said, many Americans could choose to remain with their current, private health insurance plans, which most people have through their employers. Biden and other rivals pounced, calling Warren a flip-flopper, and her standing with progressives sagged.







Sanders, meanwhile, wasted little time capitalizing on the contrast by boasting that he would ship a full Medicare for All program for congressional approval during his first week in the White House. After long avoiding direct conflict, Warren and Sanders clashed in January after she said Sanders had suggested during a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldnt win the White House. Sanders denied that, and Warren refused to shake his outstretched hand after a debate in Iowa.







Warren got a foil for all of her opposition to powerful billionaires when former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg entered the race. During a debate in Las Vegas just before Nevada's caucus, Warren hammered Bloomberg, and the ex-mayor's lackluster response touched off events that ended with him leaving the race on Wednesday.







For Warren, that led to a sharp rise in fundraising but didn't translate to electoral success. She tried to stress her ability to unite the fractured Democratic party, but that message fell flat.







By South Carolina, an outside political group began pouring more than $11 million into TV advertising on Warren's behalf, forcing her to say that, although she rejected super PACs, she'd accept their help as long as other candidates did. Her campaign shifted strategy again, saying it was betting on a contested convention.







Still the longer Warren stayed in the race, the more questions she faced about why she was doing so with little hope of winning  and she started to sound like a candidate who was slowly coming to terms with that.







Im not somebody who has been looking at myself in the mirror since I was 12 years old saying, You should run for president, Warren said aboard her campaign bus on the eve of the New Hampshire primary. I started running for office later than anyone who is in this, so it was never about the office  it was about what we could do to repair our economy, what we could do to mend a democracy that's being pulled apart. Thats what I want to see happen, and I just want to see it happen.

Elizabeth Warren, who electrified progressives with her plan for everything and strong message of economic populism, dropped out of the Democratic presidential race on Thursday, days after the onetime front-runner failed to win a single Super Tuesday state, not even her own.
New Delhi, March 6 : SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar on Friday said there is no need to panic on account of developments in the Yes Bank.

"What's there to panic, no need to panic, all depositors are safe RBI governor has said also, just be patient, everything will be fine," Kumar told reporters.

Yes Bank shares were down to 15.10 from Rs 21.70 (58.97 per cent) State Bank of India in a late night information on Thursday to exchanges said its board has given in-principle approval to explore an investment opportunity in Yes Bank.

Earlier RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank will come out with a scheme very shortly to revive Yes Bank within 30 days.

"We took the step (of putting it under moratorium) when we found that Yes Bank efforts were not working. Depositors' interests will be fully protected. A decision has been taken not only to deal with the problem in the individual entity but also to maintain the resilience of the Indian financial sector." He said that the RBI's decision on Yes Bank will help maintain the resilience of the financial sector. He said that the Yes Bank issue's resolution will be done very swiftly, within 30 days as the outer time limit.

On Thursday, the RBI superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator, putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month.

The RBI said that the bank's board was superseded "owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the Bank". Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator of Yes Bank.
KAMPALA  Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has alleged that Lt. Gen. Henry Tukumunde who this week confirmed plans to take on fellow bushman, President Yoweri Museveni that he started Uganda-Rwanda bitter disputes.

Mr. Mwenda said that Gen Tumukunde while still, security minister lied to President Yoweri Museveni that the then Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura was colluding with Rwandas President Paul Kagame to overthrow Kampala establishment.

Now [Gen.] Tumukunde is appealing to Kagame to help him overthrow Museveni, Mwenda said.

In the bitter disputes between Kampala and Kigali, Mwenda who was Kagame advisor claims that Gen. Tumukunde fanned anti-Rwanda fires.

He ranted and fretted, yelled and gloated anti-Rwanda and anti-Kagame rhetoric! He cooked lies that Rwandan intelligence using Kayihura were embedded on every arm and every leg of Uganda police, Mwenda alleges.

President Museveni in 2018 fired Gen Tumukunde together with Gen Kayihura, at the height of public spat between the two Bushmen.

The feuding, according to some insiders, had stymied cooperation between police and intelligence agencies and threatened to derail the national security agenda.

Tumukunde was replaced with Gen. Elly Tumwine while Kayihura was replaced with Martin Okoth Ochola who was serving as his deputy.

Kayihura was later arrested and detained in military custody.

In the run-up to his court date, there had been much speculation about the charges he might face.

There were also reports he would face treason charges for allegedly running illegal foreign-backed operations with the goal of overthrowing president Musevenis government.

However, when it finally came down to it, the state levelled against Kayihura two counts of failure to protect war materials and one count of abetting the kidnap and repatriation of Rwandan exiles.

The state alleged that between 2012 and 2016, Kayihura, working with subordinate officers and Rwandan agents, kidnapped and repatriated Rwandan exiles.

These include Lt. Joel Mutabazi, a former presidential bodyguard, who was returned to Rwanda in 2013 and is now serving a life term for plotting to kill President Kagame.

A number of senior police officials, all widely seen as Kayihuas loyalists, were implicated in this offense.

Kayihura was later released to his Kasagama home in Lyantonde.

In other accusations to Gen. Tumukunde, Mwenda claims that the presidential hopeful while still a serving military man, even called upon Uganda Peoples Defense Forces not to get involved in partisan politics Yet as head of CMI, ISO, and 4th Division CO, Tumukunde acted in partisan fashion: he campaigned for Museveni, used public funds to bribe and cajole and his guns and soldiers to intimidate those who resisted

When in power, Tumukunde bribed intimidated journalists, alleges Mwenda.

[Tumukunde] threatened sabotaged media houses and talked ill of journalists and journalism! Now he has realized the value of a free press which is giving him a platform to raise his concerns! But does he remember his record? Mwenda added.

Related
Once a driving force behind YES Bank, its founder and former MD Rana Kapoor has refused to comment on the issues surrounding the private lender. "I have not been involved whatsoever with the bank for the past over 13 months...so, have no clue...," Kapoor told BusinessToday.In.

Rana Kapoor and promoter entities YES Capital and Morgan Credits sold their last remaining 0.8 per cent stake in the private sector lender in November 2019. Before that, he and his group entities sold 2.16 per cent stake worth Rs 510 crore in YES Bank through an open market transaction. This was in addition to the stake sale of 1.8 per cent in the same month.

Under Kapoor's watch, YES Bank rose from scratch to an asset book worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore in just a decade. However, non-performing assets swelled as the bank's loans extended manifold. Kapoor's risk-taking capability even paid off for a brief while, taking its stock to an all-time high of Rs 1,400. Notably, YES Bank share closed 56 per cent lower at Rs 16.20 on BSE today.

However, the private bank's trouble started when its NPAs swelled. The bank has also experienced serious governance issues, leading to a steady decline in its market capitalisation.

A foreign banker, Kapoor was well networked in the corporate sector. He used to negotiate most of the deals. Kapoor found his niche in companies that were finding it difficult to get finances from existing lenders. What looked like a masterstroke turned out to be the bank's Achilles heel.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday capped withdrawals by YES Bank depositors at Rs 50,000 after repeated failures to raise funds. The central bank has also superseded the board of YES Bank and appointed Prashant Kumar, former Deputy Managing Director and CFO of State Bank of India, as administrator. All hopes now hinge on the RBI, the central government and state-owned financial institutions like SBI and LIC.

Also read: YES Bank Crisis Live Updates: Sitharaman to hold press briefing at 4:30 PM

Also read: Yes Bank customers unable to withdraw cash at ATMs or make online transfer
I t seems like these days, cakes have got bigger, more detailed and more extravagant than ever before but if that sounds like a criticism from us, you have got it completely wrong.

With the invention of Instagram, we cant help but share every detail of our lives with our followers  whether they want to know or not  and this has particularly included our food and luckily, our sweet treats. Bakers everywhere have taken on the challenge to ensure their creations are as picturesque as ever before and we are happy to sit back and enjoy them.

The picture sharing social media app has given young budding chefs the opportunity to share their innovative designs with the world and, in turn, we can make the most out of any birthday, wedding, anniversary or celebration that occurs, ensuring the occasion is met with the show-stopping cake to match.

But alongside these independent bakers are established cake shops and newly opened bakeries where you can work alongside them to create custom creations, personalised to a tee on flavour, design and colour palette to find the perfect accompaniment to your festivities. Whats more, you can have them delivered right to your door to tick one more thing off your party to-do list.

We have tried and tested cakes from across the capital to find out the best to order online - it was a tough job but someone had to do it.

Best cakes to order online with UK delivery:

Bettys

Bettys

Iconic British bakery Bettys is on hand to answer all your classic cake needs. Whether you are looking for a bake for a wedding, birthday, or any celebration, there are loafs, buns, macaroons, fondants, scones and more traditional cakes on offer in a range of flavours including fruit, Victoria sponge, ginger and lemon and lime.

You can even have them personalised with names and thematic details to match the occasion. Delivery is available across the country where you can ensure your sweet treat is delivered on a certain day and before a certain time. International shipping is also offered. The intricate handpiped Parcel Cake (seen below) is a standout favourite but any cake from Bettys, big or small, is a fine reason to celebrate.

From 4.55 | Bettys | Buy it now

Konditor

Konditor

Freshly baked each day, you can actually pick up your very own cake creation in store on the same day that you order it or have it delivered next day in London on a whole range of the brands signature designs.

Whether its for a birthday or a wedding, there are classic and alternative cakes that can be customised with the message of your choice, a name or to match a colour scheme  that may be particularly helpful for gender reveal parties.

The flavour profile ranges from lemon, and blackcurrant, to chocolate raspberry and our personal favourite, the curly whirly. There are cartoon designs, animal themes, unicorns or comic book inspired creations as well as unique tiered designs that can go down a minimal or extravagant route.

From 17 | Konditor | Buy it now

Flavourtown

Flavourtown

Award-winning bakery Flavourtown has the masterpiece to match your special occasion. First and foremost, choose between the extensive flavour range that includes red velvet, oreo, salted caramel, mint chocolate, biscoff and many, many more before personalising it with the message of your choice. You can also add your company or brand logo or a photo that is made edible. The designs are embellished with pretty piped detailing as well as sweet treats like Ferrero Rocher or macaroons. The show-stopping highlights include the now famous unicorn design or brightly hued flamingo iteration.

Opt for a one or two tiered variation with four sizes from 6 to 12. The bespoke cakes are baked fresh and made to order by the brands skilled artisan bakers and decorators where you can have them delivered in London and even go for a pre-11am delivery. If you live outside the capital, they can be couriered or you can collection from the Fulham shop or brands NW10 based bakery.

From 41 | Flavourtown | Buy it now

Cutter & Squidge

Cutter & Squidge

Cutter & Squidge are best known for unique flavour combinations crafted with all natural ingredients. The cakes are handmade daily and can be delivered within London.

No matter your occasion, there is the dessert to match with the likes of carrot and pumpkin, peanut butter, the signature strawberry Eat-on-Mess, apple pie, blueberry lemon, and Smores to name but a few. They are embellished with brownies, marshmallows, shards of chocolate, popcorn, or roses to create the cake of your dreams.

They come in various sizes from small (6) to extra large (12) serving six to 40 people as well as one, two or three tiers.

From 24.90 | Cutter & Squidge | Buy it now

Anges de Sucre

Anges de Sucre

The definition of show-stopping, Anges de Sucres cake selection is nothing short of magical. With the small family-run, you can customise your creation for your preference to suit any form of festivities from birthdays and weddings, to Easter, Christmas, graduation, baby showers or just about anything.

The Alice in Wonderland-inspired designs come in a range of flavours; red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, banana, caramel, Nutella, pistachio, peanut butter, lemon, matcha, and carrot and are baked fresh and hand decorated.

Set to be crowd-pleasers, there are novelty or classic iterations on offer, each as extraordinary and decadent as the last. Opt between one to four tiers and in sizes 6 to 12. Add your message for free up to 20 characters.

The cakes can be delivered for free in London.

From 50 | Anges de Sucre | Buy it now

Hummingbird Bakery

Hummingbird Bakery

The world-famous bakery with the best ever red velvet cake, Hummingbird crafts its cakes onsite from scratch with quality ingredients and next day delivery if you order before 4pm.

Whether you are celebrating Easter, a birthday, mothers day, or a gender reveal, you can get the party started with a tasty creation baked in the brands signature American style.

Opt for classic, vegan, dairy free, gluten free or egg free variations and from 6 to 10 (four to 20 people respectively) as well as 13x18 sheet cake that can serve a whopping 40 to 50 people. The cakes are made up of three layers and can be customised with frosting colour, crumble and made bespoke with the message and decorations of your choice.

The flavours include carrot, chocolate, lemon, red velvet, vanilla, and the show-stopping rainbow as well as a Pinata Cake where you cut open for a chocolatey surprise.

The brand has six shops across London in Portobello Road, South Kensington, Soho, Spitalfields, Islington and Richmond. You can order Hummingbird Bakery products in-store or online from The Hummingbird Bakery website for next day delivery to selected London areas or collect in-store.

From 29.95 | Hummingbird Bakery | Buy it now

Primrose Bakery

Primrose Bakery

If you are looking for a cake for a major celebration or just a little token to show you care, Primrose Bakery will have you covered.

The shop may be best known for its cupcakes but its cake range should not be overlooked with a seriously good selection of flavours to choose between  Oreo, Smores, snickers, peanut butter, Aperol spritz, cookie dough as well as your more classic options and the decorations to match the theme of your choice.

They can accommodate to vegetarian, nut allergies and gluten intolerances and deliver around London. They recommend ordering two to three days before needed, which is extended to a week for sugar printed photos. Delivery costs vary depending on location but start at a minimum of 13.00 within central London.

From 42.55 | Primrose Bakery | Buy it now

Lolas Cupcakes

Lolas Cupcakes

One of the handiest things about ordering online from Lolas Cupcakes is the option to be able to have your cake delivered to one of the refrigerated lockers dotted around. So if you are time-pressed and wont be home, you wont miss out on your delicious sweet treat fix. There is also the option to have it delivered next day if ordered before 2pm and even same day for select postcode in the capital. You can collect from bakeries across the nation in the likes of Birmingham, London, Luton, and Reading.

The cakes come in a range of sizes and flavours to suit any and every occasion be that a birthday, wedding, baby celebration or more. Serving anywhere from four to 50 people with fan favourites like red velvet, rainbow, sticky toffee, chocolate & raspberry, Victoria sponge, cookies & cream, and many, many more.

From 15 | Lolas Cupcakes | Buy it now

Peggy Porschen

Peggy Porschen

The boutique bakery has homes in both Chelsea and Belgravia serving its mini works of art to a cult fan base.

The elegant cakes bring the special touch to your celebration with piped decorative detailing fit for the royals but dont for one minute think it is all style over substance. The pieces taste as good as they look with a unique flavour range and the option to personalise them to your preference. There are also vegan and made without variations and varying tiers to choose between.

They are available for South West London delivery where single tiered cakes ordered by 3pm can be sent next day. You can also pick them up in either of the brands brick and mortar establishments.

From 54.95 | Peggy Porschen | Buy it now

Paul

Paul

Paul has been creating cakes since the 1950s using family recipes and the finest ingredients.

The French patisserie who now boast over 37 UK locations after first opening in the capital in 2000 crafts delicious tasting and hand-crafted treats with six to 60 portions. The professional designs can be personalised with a message of up to 35 characters.

Opt from the selection of Fleur De Lys, Framboisier, Fraisier, Craquant, Opera and Foret Noire iterations and have them delivered around London within a one hour time slot. Alternatively, you can pick them up in store with only 24 hours for personalised creations or up to seven days in advance.

From 19.95 | Paul | Buy it now

The Best Supermarket Cakes:

M&S

M&S

The cake offering at M&S should not be underestimated. The supermarket chain is tickling your taste buds with delectable treats ranging from carrot and lemon, to an oversized version of the now cult Caterpillar Cake that can serve around 40 people. Highlights of the offering also include a customisable digit cake, an extra-large rainbow layers cake, a piped rose sponge and the impressive fairy-tale caste or racing car (the latter of which even has sound effects. You can pick up your order in store for free on your chosen date.

From 5 | M&S | Buy it now

Waitrose

Waitrose

Waitroses range of celebratory cakes include fool proof options sure to satisfy the sweet tooth of even the pickiest of people. The range includes floral, star and sprinkle adorned options that you can pop in your weekly shop. There is also the made to order option that you can collect or have delivered within seven days created by the online luxury cake shop Fiona Cairns with digit, unicorn and present cakes with a whole host of decorations on offer.

From 3.50 | Waitrose | Buy it now

Sainsburys

Sainsburys

As part of Sainsburys food to order section, the supermarket giant is giving you the opportunity to invest in indulgent treats that you can collect in around three days. As part of the collection, you can opt for a chocolate and salted caramel tart, Sicilian lemon tart, a triple layer chocolate cake, salted caramel and chocolate drizzle cake, New York vanilla cheesecake and our personal favourite, a tiered cheese stack.

From 6 | Sainsburys | Buy it now

Morrisons

Morrisons

Making it easier than ever to check off your party to-do list, Morrisons has a range of celebration-worthy cakes and desserts that you add to basket, pay a deposit and then pick a date and time slot to pick it up from the store of your choice. As well as a literal cheese cake with tiered wheels of goats' cheese, Camembert, Blue, Wensleydale, Cheddar, White Cheshire and Red Leicester, there are also more classic options like Victoria sponge, fudge, rainbow and lemon. There are also fun decorations and gluten free varieties.

From 3 | Morrisons | Buy it now

Tesco

Tesco

At Tesco, there is an extensive range of sweet things ready to go for all occasions. Whether you are celebrating your little ones birthday in which they can have a cake featuring their favourite TV character from Paw Patrol, to Peppa Pig or hosting a casual tea with friends. Highlights include the fun Emoji cake, the Red Velvet, M&Ms or Baileys iteration.

From 3 | Tesco | Buy it now

Verdict:
In this role, Connelly works closely with the executive leadership team and provides strategic direction and leadership to the communities' executive directors and 600-plus team members. He oversees all aspects of operations, including financial oversight, culinary and building services, health care, and capital projects.

For 20 years Connelly served in various leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing and business development of national senior living and healthcare organizations, including HCR ManorCare and Sunrise Senior Living.

According to Jeff Branch, President and CEO of LSMMD, Connelly's leadership style blends bottom-line mentality with people-centric focus. "He has a proven track record of reaching and exceeding financial goals and occupancy and inspiring team members to do their best in every aspect of their job."

Branch says Connelly joins LSMMD's leadership team at an opportune time. Last year, the 40-year-old Carroll Lutheran Village reorganized its business structure to form Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland, Inc. to serve as the parent company of Carroll Lutheran Village and The Lutheran Village at Miller's Grant. In July 2019, following the reorganization, Branch was hired to replace the retiring CEO. The organization is currently defining its mission, vision and core values to serve as the foundation of a new strategic plan.

"Our leaders are architects for change as we optimize operations and grow our organization," says Branch. "Leaders like Ken create a supportive culture that attracts and retains the caliber of team members needed to build exceptional communities, create lifestyles where people can live their best lives and provide the highest quality care as our residents' health needs change."

Connelly has a bachelor's degree in marketing communications from Salisbury University, Md, and is a licensed nursing home administrator. Connelly is the board president for Insight Memory Care, a day program that serves individuals with dementia located in Fairfax, Va.

For more information, visit Carroll Lutheran Village at www.clvillage.org and The Lutheran Village at Miller's Grant at www.MillersGrant.org.

SOURCE Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland
The language being deployed in the current coronavirus crisis is becoming increasingly belligerent. Former chancellor George Osborne has called for the government to be placed on a war footing, while the prime minister has termed the NHS action plan a battle plan. Our foe has a foothold in every continent bar Antarctica. Though not driven by any conscious malevolent motive, coronavirus is the enemy.

Yet it is wrong to think of the governments four-pronged approach as a series of defensive lines that, once breached, mean automatic disaster. The chief medical officer Chris Whittys announcement that officials are moving towards the second phase of their response to the outbreak should not, in other words, be cause for too much concern.

Transitioning from the contain to the delay phase is in truth matter of tactics and degree; there was always a good deal of overlap between the two. Anyone wanting to minimise their risk of infection (to coronavirus as well as colds, flu and other illnesses) will need to continue to wash their hand thoroughly, throw tissues away and be aware of the onset of symptoms in themselves or others. That will never change, and is sound hygiene in any case.
Gauteng MEC for Health Dr. Bandile Masuku today opened Fertility Show Africa, the first dedicated fertility show held on the African continent.

This is a milestone and ground-breaking event not only for Gauteng but for South Africa and Africa, said Masuku who was previously the Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit at the Thelle Mohoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus.

He praised the show for opening an important dialogue around fertility, saying that access to fertility should not only be biased towards those who have money. The government should provide affordable treatment for infertility and this could be achieved in this county with National Health Insurance which, he said, seeks to realise universal health coverage for all South Africans.

Masuku said the province needed to build more public fertility centres  at present Gauteng only has one, with Pretorias Steve Biko Academic Hospital also serving patients from Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga.

He also backed calls from the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa for medical aids to pay for fertility treatments.

He went on to say that Fertility Show Africa helped break cultural taboos surrounding infertility and that it had to be dealt with, not only medically and psychologically, but also culturally. He suggested that traditional healers also be included in future fertility shows.

It is estimated that infertility in Africa affects one in six couples, which means that in Southern Africa alone there are eight million people who suffer from infertility. These include singles and same-sex couples as social norms change, and increasingly women who wish to postpone childbearing while they pursue a career and are therefore more likely to need help when they do eventually want to fall pregnant.

The Fertility Show Africa takes place today and tomorrow at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng.

FSA is supported by IFAASA (Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa) and SASREG (South African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy).

Learn more at www.fertilityshowafrica.co.za.

Issued on behalf of the Fertility Show Africa by JAG Communications:
Our annual issue on food and beverage PR features articles from leading thought leaders, plus profiles of 27 firms with expertise in this specialty.

O'Dwyer's magazine is in its 34th year. A different area of PR is examined each month. Issues include practice-area specific feature stories as well as profiles of PR firms with strengths in the focus area of the month.

The agency profiles constitute the ideal starting point for companies beginning their search for PR counsel.

2020 Editorial Calendar:

Jan., Crisis Comms. & PR Buyer's Guide

Mar., Food & Beverage PR

May, PR Firm Rankings

Jul., Travel & International PR

Aug., Financial PR/IR & Prof. Svcs. PR

Oct., Healthcare & Medical PR

Nov., Technology PR

O'Dwyer's magazine is available for free download to our 60,000+ visitors per month. Contact magazine editor Jon Gingerich, jon@odwyerpr.com, for info on any of our upcoming issues.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 10:18:22|Editor: yhy

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WINDHOEK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has reduced its malaria mortality by 92 percent, becoming the most successful African country in combating the disease, officials said here Thursday.

Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula said the country "is doing far much better than other countries" in terms of death rate control. "Since 2010 we have recorded a slightly higher number of cases infected by malaria, but we have drastically lowered the death cases."

He said the northern part of the country has recorded a higher number of infection cases, because the region receives a rather high level of rainfall, which encourages mosquito breeding.

Despite the massive success achieved by Namibia, WHO country representative Charles Sago-Moses warned that the southern African country has been regressing on the progress against malaria, because of the low donor funding in the past few years.

"We need to motivate funding against malaria. Our observation is that most of the recent challenges Namibia has suffered in terms of malaria control are cross-border cases," he said.

In such circumstances, member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have set sights on eliminating malaria in the shortest possible time, Malaria Elimination 8 (E8), a group on malaria disease control, said on Thursday.

John Chimumbwa, executive director of the E8 consisting of eight southern African countries -- Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe -- said the SADC has changed its priority from controlling to eliminating the disease by 2030.

"Countries in the SADC are working together on information exchanges of the best practices to eliminate malaria. The same has also been adopted by the African Union with richer countries assisting poor nations" in an effort to eliminate malaria in the future, he said.
SOUDERTON  Plans for new playgrounds in Souderton Community Park have been completed, Borough Manager Mike Coll told Souderton Borough Council at its Jan. 3 meeting. "Where the former softball field was is where we are looking to install two playgrounds  a playground for smaller toddlers in an age group up to five and a larger playground structure for...
ATLANTA  Nathaniel Woods never pulled the trigger, but prosecutors said he was just as guilty as the man who did. He had been a mastermind, prosecutors said, luring police officers in Birmingham, Ala., into a house where three of them were killed.

A judge sentenced him to death, but as his execution neared on Thursday, Mr. Woods had a growing number of supporters arguing that there was no evidence showing he had plotted to ambush the officers.

Instead, his supporters claimed that Mr. Woods had been sent to death row based on a case rife with flaws and because of a practice in capital punishment cases that allows a defendant to be condemned without a unanimous jury decision  a practice that has been abandoned by every state but Alabama.

Mr. Woods was convicted in 2005, and at his sentencing prosecutors portrayed him as someone who hated the police. The officers widows said they believed that Mr. Woods ought to die, and all but two of the jurors agreed.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  The first Filipino to contract the coronavirus in Hong Kong has recovered.

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed Friday that the Filipino patient has been discharged from the hospital.

"She is healthy and has since returned to her employers home," Consul General Raly Tejada said in a statement.

The patient, a 32-year-old Filipina domestic worker, was confirmed on Feb. 18 to have the coronavirus disease officially known as COVID-19.

Two other Filipinos based in Hong Kong tested positive for the virus in February and March. Tejada said they are also expected to be released soon since they "remain health and asymptomatic."

The new coronavirus has killed more than 3,300 people worldwide, mostly in China, since the outbreak began in Wuhan City in Hubei province in December last year. It has spread to at least 87 countries and territories, with nearly 98,000 people infected.

In the Philippines, five coronavirus cases have been confirmed. The latest cases are two Filipino men, one of them has no history of travel outside the Philippines, making him the country's first local case. The other patient recently traveled to coronavirus-hit Tokyo, Japan.

Earlier, three Chinese visitors tested positive for coronavirus infection in the Philippines  one of them died, while the remaining two have since recovered and left the country.
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, left, and Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar after signing the peace agreement on Feb. 29 in Doha, Qatar. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

On the surface, one winner in the peace deal the United States signed with the Taliban on Saturday is Afghanistans neighbor Pakistan, which has been a longtime supporter of the Islamist group that may now be in a position to regain at least a share of power in the Afghan government. But the deal also poses long-term risks to Pakistan, whose intelligence service has spent years empowering militants that may no longer be under its control, according to analysts and former military officials.

From its formation in 1994 through its 1996 seizure of power in Kabul, the Talibans battlefield successes owed much to the help of the Pakistani militarys Inter-Services Intelligence agency, known as the ISI. The peace agreement, a clear victory for the Taliban, is in some ways a culmination of the ISIs longtime support for the militant group.

The Pakistani military intelligence, Im sure theyre relieved, because they wanted this kind of an outcome, said Hassan Abbas, a professor at National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C., and a former Pakistani official. If the Taliban enter into some form of power-sharing agreement with the current Kabul government, that would mean Pakistan will be able to push back on Indian interests in Afghanistan, added Abbas, who authored the 2014 book The Taliban Revival. For Pakistan, he said, the Taliban represent a tool to confront India.

The agreement commits the United States to almost immediately begin reducing its military force in Afghanistan from about 12,000 troops to 8,600 by July 13, and then to completely withdraw from the country within 14 months, subject to the Taliban fulfilling its part of the deal by refraining from attacking U.S. and allied forces and by preventing others from doing so.

The deal also requires the Taliban to begin negotiations with the Afghan government on March 10. Those talks might result in a power-sharing deal that gives the Taliban, which is dominated by ethnic Pashtuns, a significant role in a coalition government in Kabul. But if the Taliban and the government of Ashraf Ghani fail to reach an agreement, which seems increasingly likely, the U.S. military withdrawal will only serve to enhance the Talibans battlefield position.

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Either option would likely be acceptable to Pakistan, which has traditionally sought a compliant, Pashtun-dominated government in Kabul. However, a stronger Taliban will likely embolden other regional militant groups that are not under Pakistans control.

Islamabads support for the Taliban, as well as for jihadi groups targeted at India, has already led to the emergence of other rogue Islamist militant groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban, sometimes known as the Pakistani Taliban, which have taken aim at the Pakistani state itself.

A screengrab from 2008 video footage shows Maulana Fazlullah, newly appointed chief of Tehrik-i-Taliban, speaking with local journalists in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley. (AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistans security services have paid through the nose because they knew that [because of] the policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban, they had to allow these other Taliban types to function in Pakistan, and all of those have created havoc in Pakistan, Abbas said.

The ISI must now face the potential consequences of its decision to continue supporting the Taliban in the years following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Although Pakistan has always denied it, most analysts accept that, following a brief pause after the United States (helped by the Tajik- and Uzbek-dominated Northern Alliance) drove the Taliban from power in late 2001, the ISI revived its relationship with the group it had nurtured since the mid-1990s. The rationale for the ISIs actions remained the same: Pakistan has traditionally regarded Afghanistan as strategic depth in the case of a war with its fierce rival India, and for that reason wants a government in Kabul it can control.

Irrespective of whether the peace talks end with the Taliban gaining a role in government, or simply improving their military position by virtue of the U.S. withdrawal, Pakistan, and in particular the ISI, may therefore welcome the latest turn of events.

Regardless of the outcome, I think this puts Pakistan  including the ISI  closer, either politically or militarily, to getting more influence in Kabul, which is what they wanted, said Seth Jones, director of the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Retired Army Col. Tom Lynch of NDUs Institute for National Strategic Studies said the U.S. military withdrawal without defeating the Taliban gives Pakistan an I told you so moment, because it has proved Pakistans argument to the United States, which Lynch summarized as You cant succeed in Afghanistan independent of us, because we manage, if not actually control, the militant framework in that country.

But Lynch, who also agreed that Pakistans policy has led to attacks on its own government, described any victory the ISI might claim from the peace deal as Pyrrhic.

A return to power for the Afghan Taliban would reenergize the very Islamist groups that have created so much trouble in Pakistan, according to Abbas. An empowered Afghan Taliban are automatically going to empower, inspire [and] motivate the Pakistani Taliban, he said. Any smart strategist in Pakistan at this moment should be quite worried.

Pakistan finds itself in this situation because since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the ISI has walked an extraordinary diplomatic tightrope, supporting the Taliban as they were killing Americans in Afghanistan, while simultaneously helping the United States conduct counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida in Pakistan and elsewhere. The Taliban were responsible for the vast majority of the almost 1,900 American troops killed in action in Afghanistan.

An American soldier is evacuated after being shot near the village of Zunchorah, close to the Pakistani border, in 2004. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

Pakistan, particularly ISI, has successfully run a not-so-covert covert action program for almost the last two decades to provide assistance and sanctuary to the Taliban, said Jones. Its actually an amazing feat, to allow sanctuary and provide assistance to the same group that is killing American soldiers, and to keep diplomatic relations with the United States.

The most important assistance the ISI provided the Taliban, according to Jones, was to allow their leaders to base themselves in Quetta, home of the Pakistani militarys command and staff college, while permitting the Haqqani Network, a particularly dangerous self-contained group allied to the Taliban, to base itself in Pakistans Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border. For anybody whos studied the successes or failures of insurgencies, having an external sanctuary for your leaders directly next door to a border that [your enemy] cant control  is a huge upside, Jones said.

While military officials have no doubt that Pakistani intelligence supported the Taliban, theres disagreement about the types of support the ISI did  and did not  give the Taliban.

There was obviously a tolerance of Taliban and Haqqani Network headquarters on Pakistani soil, retired Gen. David Petraeus, who commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011, told Yahoo News. However, he added, it was difficult to precisely confirm what was provided in terms of funding or weapons.

The catalyst for the ISIs decision to continue its support of the Taliban appears to have been the Pakistani governments realization around 2004 that the U.S. government was developing increasingly close ties to India, which had begun to invest in Afghanistan, according to Abbas. From that point, Pakistani military intelligence revived or expanded their support for the Afghan Taliban, he said.

This support took the form of small arms and ammunition, intelligence and money, according to analysts. But the ISI made sure to limit the lethality of the Talibans arsenal. They manage very carefully the things that they do not want in the hands of the Afghan Taliban or anybody else out there, said Lynch, a former military assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan. In particular, the ISI worked hard to prevent the Taliban from getting shoulder-held antiaircraft and antitank weapons, he said.

But unlike the support it provided to the Taliban during the 1990s, in the post-Sept. 11 era the ISI did not make a habit of sending military advisers into Afghanistan with the Taliban. Absolutely not, Lynch said. They would not take that risk.

Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the Haqqani Network, during an interview in Pakistan in 1998. (Mohammed Riaz/AP)

In general, the ISI adopted more of a hands-off approach to the Talibans war against the U.S. and coalition forces, according to Lynch. The Pakistanis gave the militants strategic guidance, using the ISIs vast network of cutouts (mostly ISI alumni and contractors), but ISI would not have been engaged or involved in planning Taliban military operations, he said.

However, Lynch and Abbas agree that, in the case of the Haqqani Network, a militant group that is now part of the Taliban, the ISI exercised a much tighter degree of control, particularly when it came to attacks against Indian targets in Afghanistan.

Where I know personally the ISI would be intimately involved would be in specifying timing, targeting and effects desired against Indian targets, Lynch said. The Haqqanis have always been the favorite guided missile of the ISI.

Despite the support that most senior U.S. officials realized, or strongly suspected, the ISI was giving to the Taliban, for almost 10 years those officials refrained from publicly castigating the Pakistani government, even as U.S. casualties in Afghanistan continued to mount. A major factor behind this reticence was the invaluable help the ISI was providing the United States in stopping terrorist plots by al-Qaida.

Indeed, the reason the U.S. government has tolerated the ISIs support for the Taliban is that Pakistan was simultaneously assisting the United States with counterterrorism, according to Lynch. The head of the ISI helped us capture and/or kill some of the most notorious terrorists and intercept some of the most diabolical plots that we have seen hatched by international terrorists in the last 20 years, he said, pointing to the ISIs role in foiling plots to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge in 2003 and the Baltimore tunnels in 2005, and the capture of senior al-Qaida figure Younis al-Mauritani in 2011.

There have been at least, to my knowledge, six to eight documented major intercepts, disruptions and defeats of international terrorists that we owe to the  ISI, and thats the tip of the iceberg, Lynch said. Thats why our intelligence community has been so adamant for so long that we not just throw away that relationship in frustration over the fact that there are these three degrees of separation [between the ISI and] how our forces have died in Afghanistan.

Soldiers of Pakistans paramilitary force guard an area in Shakai, along the Afghan border, in 2004. (Amir Khan/AP)

As a result, the United States entered into what Lynch termed a Faustian bargain with the ISI, maintaining a relationship with it and refusing for many years to publicize its role as a supporter of the Taliban, in order to benefit from its help countering al-Qaida and similar international terrorist groups. Lynch likened this dilemma to the dirty hands decision an FBI agent must make when hes running a mob informant who is providing valuable intelligence, even though the informant himself might be a murderer.

The United States made the right decision, Lynch said, adding that he lost three close friends killed by the Taliban. It still sticks in my craw, he said. But I understand the strategic dynamic in what we were trying to do there. Because we werent going to go to war with a country of 180 million people with nuclear weapons.

The Pakistanis also understood this, according to Lynch. Theyve always had us by the short hairs, he said. Because theyre so intimately intertwined with those jihadi networks that they knew stuff that we needed to know.

It would be a mistake to assume that the current crop of senior Taliban leaders are beholden to Pakistan, according to Abbas. As an example, he cited Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the former deputy Taliban commander who languished for more than eight years in a Pakistani jail before being released at the United States request in 2018. He soon became the militants lead negotiator in Qatar, where the peace deal was signed.

Leaders like Baradar are skeptical about Pakistan, despite the ISIs long-standing support of the Taliban, Abbas said. They will play their own cards very, very carefully.

Members of a Taliban delegation, led by chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, center, leave after peace talks with Afghan senior politicians in Moscow in May 2019. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
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From Popular Mechanics

Forty days, or quaranta giorni: Thats how long the city of Venice, Italy kept foreigners and boats in a lagoon to stem the spread of Black Death in the 14th century. Its the genesis of the word quarantine, which has since come to mean any isolation for an amount of time of a group of people who may have been exposed to a communicable disease.



Unfortunately, the word is back in vogue in 2020.

Photo credit: Takashi Aoyama - Getty Images

Last month, authorities quarantined passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan for two weeks in an attempt to arrest the spread of coronavirus , which can lead to respiratory illness. This strain, known as COVID-19, has been linked to more than 95,000 cases and 3,200 deaths worldwide, including 11 deaths in the U.S. as of press time. Following the quarantine, officials confirmed 542 cases among the passengers, more than anywhere else outside of China.

Obviously the quarantine hasnt worked, and this ship has now become a source of infection,Dr. Nathalie MacDermott, an outbreak expert at Kings College London, told the Associated Press .

The sickness might have spread among Diamond Princess passengers because a cruise ship isnt the best quarantine setting. Many ships use recirculated air, and thus have the high potential to be a breeding ground for illness. But the quarantine might have also failed for a simpler reason: The concept has outlived its efficacy.

At one point in human history, quarantines served a valuable role in stopping the spread of communicable diseases. But with the advent of modern medicine, theyre no longer a solution for any health benefitjust a way to allay panic in the general population.

Keep the Sickness Contained

Photo credit: Heritage Images - Getty Images

The concept of separating healthy and sick people dates back to ancient times. The Old Testament book of Leviticus decreed that lepers needed to live away from people in separate camps, yelling Unclean! Unclean! to announce their presence. This led to the idea of leper colonies; as late as the 1960s, a peninsula on the Hawaiian island of Molokai still housed one such colony.

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(According to Leviticus, after their periods, women were also expected to undergo certain cleansing rituals as well. Even today, some eastern cultures have separate shacks for women to live in while menstruating.)

In the 14th century, the Black Death raged across the world, and its estimated that bubonic plague killed anywhere from a quarter to a half of the population in Europe, the Middle East, China, and North Africa.

Photo credit: Public Domain

The Adriatic port city of Dubrovnik, in what is now Croatia, was an important way station between east and west. On July 27, 1377, the Great Council of Dubrovnik decreed that any traveler to the walled city (which remains a tourist destination today as a filming location in Star Wars and Game of Thrones) would have to spend 30 days in a spot outside the city to see if plague symptoms developed.

The city of Venice built a building called a Lazaretto in 1423 to serve as a quarantine facility, and that term was used again in 1799 for a similar building in Philadelphia, not far from where the citys airport is today. That Lazaretto, constructed following a yellow fever epidemic that killed 10 percent of the citys population, was a main entryway into the U.S. for an estimated 225,000 slaves and immigrants. In fact, its estimated that one of every three Americans can trace their ancestry back to someone who passed through the stately building.

At that point, and well into the 19th century, the root causes of disease were ascribed to a variety of reasons, more supernatural than natural. (Think: bad spirits, karmic retribution for sins, and imbalance of the natural humors.) But in the late 1800s, a German scientist named Robert Koch developed a theory that illness was caused by some type of microorganism that could be isolated and studied. Koch studied tuberculosis, a highly communicable bacterial infection that led to respiratory problems and coughing up blood, and ultimately won the 1905 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work.

(A quick aside: Because superstitions are difficult to shake, some people believed that tuberculosis victims were actually vampires, and returned from beyond the grave to drain their loved ones life forces. In actuality, those who cared for tuberculosis patients were themselves succumbing to the disease. But in New England in the 1800s, believers exhumed and beheaded the victims bodies and set their hearts ablaze; after all, thats how you killed vampires. News of the vampire panic spread far and wide, including to England, where novelist Bram Stoker is said to have incorporated elements of the hysteria into Dracula.)

Photo credit: Library of Congress

Even before Kochs work with germ theory, doctors used isolation to treat tuberculosis. Dr. John Croghan bought a network of caves in his native Kentucky in the hopes that the damp air would ameliorate symptoms. It didnt workCroghan himself died of the diseasebut the Mammoth Cave remains a popular tourist destination as the longest cave network in the world and part of the National Parks System.

Croghans idea of separating tuberculosis patients from the general population had merit, and the late 1800s and early 1900s saw the construction of a network of sanatoriums, many of which became vibrant, self-sufficient farming communities. Doctors administered the first tuberculosis vaccinebased in part on Kochs researchin 1921, and slowly, the need for sanatoriums disappeared. Other miracle drugs like penicillin and sulfa soon followed, sped along by use for treating wounded and ill World War II soldiers.

Photo credit: Bettmann - Getty Images

Scientists introduced the first polio vaccine in 1952, and the following decade brought successful vaccinations for measles and mumps. It appeared that the era of quarantine as a medical treatment had come to an end. But one small, albeit world-famous group of people still required isolation: the astronauts going to the moon.

Germs from Beyond

Photo credit: Bettmann - Getty Images

Nobody was sure what the crew of Apollo 11 would encounter on the moon. (For all we knew, it really could have been green cheese.) To ensure they didnt incubate any earthbound diseases, then, the astronauts quarantine began even before their July 1969 launchand that posed a political problem.

Richard Nixon, sworn in as president that January, wanted to have dinner with the astronauts, and it fell to Dr. Charles Berry to explain why he couldnt. Berry later said in an interview for NASAs oral history project that it was as close as I ever came to getting fired in my life.

Even at the time, NASA realized it was likely an unnecessary procedureand astronaut Michael Collins said it might not have done any good. The command module lands in the Pacific Ocean and what do they do? They open the hatch, he recalled in an interview . You gotta open the hatch. All the damn germs come out!

A swimmer opened the hatch and gave Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin isolation suits for them to wear as they were taken to a mobile quarantine facility (MQF) on board the U.S.S. Hornet. They would spend 21 days in isolation. In fact, Armstrong celebrated his 39th birthday while quarantined.

The MQF was a 35-foot Airstream trailer modified to include living and sleeping space and provide a sterile environment for the astronauts to be watched. The aircraft carrier then sailed to Pearl Harbor, and later flew to Johnson Space Center in Texas. That MQF is on display at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. NASA repeated the process for the Apollo 12 and 14 missions, but ultimately deemed it unnecessary for the three subsequent missions to the moon.

Modern Panics and Pandemics

Photo credit: Smith Collection/Gado

In the early 1980s, reports started emerging of a mysterious gay cancer being seen in New York and San Francisco. Doctors suddenly started seeing Kaposis sarcoma, a rare and slow-acting cancer, in young gay men, who either died quickly of the disease or pneumonia and other illnesses characterized by immune system failure. The disease was initially called GRID, for Gay-Related ImmunoDeficiency, but once scientists realized it wasnt limited to the gay community, they gave it the name its known by today: AIDS.

Ignorance and fear ran rampant. The New York Times said people viewed the disease as a sort of immunological time bomb. Treatment was expensiveon average, $64,000 per patient in the 1980sand the disease still seemed irreversible. William F. Buckley said AIDS patients should be tattooed. Children diagnosed with the disease werent allowed to attend school. Some states raised the specter of quarantine in the name of public safety, proposing it for drug addicts and sex workers. But as people learned more about the spread of AIDSeither through blood or sexual contactthe idea of quarantine was proven ineffective.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 brought with them sweeping changes in the state security apparatus, from the creation of the cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Safety Administration to the passage of the PATRIOT Act, expanding surveillance and investigation capabilities.

But you might not know 9/11 also spurred the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act , model legislation drafted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as fears mounted of the use of biological weapons. (Shortly after 9/11, government officials and journalists received envelopes with anthrax powder. In all, four people died in what the FBI called Amerithrax.) The act allowed for sweeping quarantine powers by governing bodies, and organizations across the political spectrum reviled it; both the Heritage Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union offered full-throated opposition. Elements of the model legislation found their way into state laws, but nothing that would have granted that type of power.

Photo credit: Joe Raedle - Getty Images

Concerned parties also mounted calls for quarantines for SARSa virus related to coronavirusduring its outbreak in 2003, and during the Ebola viruss spread in Africa in 2014. While quarantines were effective in some instances against SARS, they mostly struck others as political grandstanding related to Ebola.

History is repeating itself, as the irrational, punitive measures deployed in the AIDS epidemic 30 years ago are revived for another disease, this time a rare hemorrhagic fever responsible for only a few local cases, AIDS activists Gregg Gonsalves and Peter Staley wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine at the time.

Now, as the world reckons with another pandemic in Coronavirus, are we on the verge of making the same quarantine mistake again?

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A joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US will push through as scheduled, despite the formers decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on March 4.

Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo (Source: philstar.com)

Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said that the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) will set in May.

An advance contingent from the US will arrive in the Philippines in April to prepare equipment, supplies and medical requirements, Arevalo said.

According to him, the drill will take place within the 180-day period allowed before the VFA abrogation formally takes effect.

The Philippines and the US signed the VFA in 1998, allowing joint Philippine-US military operations. The Philippine Senate ratified the agreement in 1999, seven years after the closure of the last US base on the Philippine territory.

On February 11, 2020, the Southeast Asian nation officially notified the US about the termination of the agreement.

According to the agreement, the termination will officially take effect after 180 days  the time needed for relevant negotiations of the two sides./.VNA
The citys letter on Friday to top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the limited number of tests was already undermining the citys efforts, citing slow federal action.

Alex M. Azar II, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said on Friday that the C.D.C. had sent enough tests to public health labs across the country for 75,000 people, and that efforts were underway to help the private sector and hospitals start testing for the virus.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, Michelle Forman, said there were about 72 public health laboratories that are presently testing for the new coronavirus. We are not aware of any widespread testing shortages, she said.

Americans have struggled to make sense of conflicting information from official authorities, including President Trump and members of his own cabinet. Vice President Mike Pence, who previously vowed that any American could be tested, conceded on Thursday that we dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward.

The lack of testing around the country is affecting nursing homes in an unexpected way.

An executive with the American Health Care Association, a trade group representing most of the nations 15,700 nursing homes, warned that staff members were far more likely to use protective gear with patients showing any sign of respiratory illness  even as the public is buying masks and the supply chain from China has dwindled.

Nursing homes everywhere around the country had begun complaining about shortages of masks and gowns, the executive, David Gifford, said.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump has signed a bipartisan $8.3 billion aid package aimed at developing a vaccine for the coronavirus and helping states deal with the spread of the disease.

Congress approved the emergency spending bill earlier this week, which is multiple times the $2.5 billion the Trump administration had requested initially and slightly less than the $8.5 billion Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. had proposed as a counteroffer.

"I asked for $2.5 (billion) and I got $8.3 (billion)," Trump told reporters shortly after signing it. "I'll take it."

Here's a look at where that money will go:

First, what exactly did Congress pass and sign?

The spending bill was expedited and passed by both the House and Senate with huge bipartisan support in just two days, an unusual show of unity due to a public health crisis. Three Republicans  Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona were the only members of Congress to vote against the emergency supplemental spending bill.

The bill is called a supplemental because it was passed outside the normal spending process.

Democrats demanded that the bill include restrictions to keep Trump from using the money for other things, such as building a wall at the southern border, and it states that the funds could be used only to combat the spread of the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

They also insisted on language to help ensure that the treatment or vaccine created with the help of taxpayer money can be purchased by the government at a "fair and reasonable price," and instructs the secretary of Health and Human Services to make sure they will be affordable and accessible on the private market.

Where does the virus money go?

The bulk of the funds, $6.5 billion, goes to the Department of Health and Human Services for vaccine research or supporting state and local government response.

Of that, $2.2 billion is designated specifically for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Within that, there's $950 million for state and local response, including lab testing and tracing the contacts of infected people. Half of that money must be allocated within 30 days.

It also instructs the CDC to reimburse states and local governments for the cost of responding to the coronavirus, or their preparations to do so, since January.

The $6.5 billion for the HHS also includes more than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines and diagnostics to prevent or treat the new coronavirus, and $1 billion to buy pharmaceuticals and medical supplies like masks and protective equipment to send to hospitals and clinics. Some of that money will also go toward training medical staff and first responders on how to keep from getting sick themselves.

Where does the rest go?

The emergency supplemental also includes roughly $500 million to allow Medicare providers to use expand the use of "telehealth" services so that elderly patients, who are at greater risk from the virus, can receive care at home. Normally an elderly patient must live in a rural area to receive care through telehealth, a system that allows patients to receive healthcare or speak to a doctor via phone or internet rather than in person.

More than $1 billion will be sent overseas for evacuating embassy personnel, and humanitarian and economic aid to prevent the spread in other countries.

The package also includes $1 billion in new subsidies for the Small Business Administration to provide to small businesses, farmers and nonprofits financially affected by the outbreak.

The bill also reimburses hundreds of millions of dollars that the administration had already transferred from other programs in HHS.

What was left out?

The bill doesn't address some of the broad societal changes that advocates have argued are necessary to stem the spread of the coronavirus, like expanded access to healthcare.

With the federal government scrambling to provide widespread access to test kits, people feeling ill are being encouraged to stay home for up to two weeks to keep the virus from spreading, something low wage or hourly workers without paid time off will struggle with, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told reporters this week.

"Imagine if you are a low-income worker or your boss says you can't stay home. People want to be safe and protected. They do not want to spread this. They want to take care of themselves. But we don't have the capability right now to do it with the policies we have in place," she said.

On Friday, Murray and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., filed legislation to require employers to provide workers with 14 days of paid sick leave to be used during a public health emergency, including the current coronavirus outbreak. It is unlikely to pass in an election year.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:


The sci-tech market in Vietnam saw a number of breakthrough changes in policies and activities last year.

Tran Van Tung, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, discussed the growth potential of the market in 2020, and the countrys future orientations to spur market development.

What are the important movements in the sci-tech market in 2019, and what changes have been made to the legal framework to facilitate businesses?

Tran Van Tung, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology

In 2019, the focus of developing the market was to establish the necessary environment for stakeholders to conduct transactions and to encourage demand by helping businesses improve their technical capacity.

Additionally, the orientations included increasing the supply of goods by promoting the commercialisation of research and development (R&D) achievements and encouraging the creation of intermediary services in the sci-tech market, such as agencies and technology transfer consultants.

This helps link up supply with demand and encourages the establishment of joint ventures between research areas and businesses via international-scale exhibitions.

To this effect, in 2019 the government enacted a series of legal documents, including Decree No.13/2019/ND-CP on sci-tech business, institutionalising the National Assembly and governments orientation which centres businesses in the countrys innovation ecosystem with a series of important solutions.

These solutions include simplifying administrative procedures in the registration of businesses, applying post-inspection instead of pre-inspection in document appraisal, and specifying the administrative procedures for access to incentive policies, as well as encouraging startups to register as sci-tech firms.

For instance, sci-tech firms having manufacturing and business of products resulted from sci-tech research and development enjoy exemption of corporate income tax (CIT) in first four years, and a reduction of 50 per cent in CIT in the following nine years.

Also in 2019 the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No.10/2019/TT-BTC guiding the evaluation of assets produced as a result of state-funded sci-tech projects. This circular is the premise for organisations, individuals, and businesses to deal with their assets developed through sci-tech, thus boosting their application and commercialisation, as well as technology transfer via stake contributions and joint ventures.

Last year a number of events were held for the sci-tech market such as techmart, techdemo, and techfest to introduce new technologies to businesses, and create connectivity between business and research institutes, and universities, as well as the others involvers.

Another important step forward was the development of intermediary units in the sci-tech market. Together with improving the capacity of traditional intermediary units such as sci-tech transaction floors, promotion of technology transfer via training, and technology infrastructure support, the development of new intermediary units was also a priority task.

Innovative businesses play an increasing role in the countrys economic development, especially in the digital age. How can the government support this, and lure more venture funds into this ecosystem?

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has co-ordinated with ministries and agencies to work on the Law on Support for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises 2017 and Decree No.39/2018/ND-CP guiding the Law, with some policies supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in conducting innovative business activities.

In addition, SMEs also receive financial support for legal consultancy at state agencies under Decree No.55/2019/ND-CP dated June 2019. This decree also outlines the supporting policies for household businesses which change their business model into SMEs, innovative SMEs, SMEs joining industrial links, and the value chain in line with Decree 39.

Regarding investment policies for innovative businesses, the MoST worked with the Ministry of Planning and Investment on consulting the government to enact Decree No.38/2018/ND-CP dated March 11, 2018 guiding investment policies for innovative businesses, and Decree No.34/2018/ND-CP dated March 8, 2018 on the establishment, organisation, and operation of a credit guarantee fund for SMEs.

For sci-tech development funds of enterprises to invest in innovative businesses, the MoST also compiled the Law on Technology Transfer 2017 and Decree No.76/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 to guide some regulations of the law.

Additionally, the MoST consulted the government on the enactment of Document No.1128/TTg-DMDN dated August 31, 2018 on attracting domestic and international investment in innovative businesses, while working with other ministries and agencies on new policies to attract private investment such as the testing mechanism on calling community funding and peer-to-peer lending; appointing Vietnams representative of innovative business in developed countries; simplification of administrative procedures for investment and foreign labourers in Vietnam.

In early 2019, the government issued Resolution No.01/NQ-CP on the key tasks and solutions to fulfil the socio-economic development targets and state budget estimate in 2019, and Resolution No.02/NQ-CP on continuing to take key tasks and solutions to improve the business climate and increase national competitiveness in 2019 with orientations towards 2021. These include policies for developing innovative businesses. For instance, they set the task of adding regulations for innovative businesses to receive state funding; and establishment of national startups centres.

We will develop high-quality service complex for innovative businesses, promote development of innovative businesses in different sectors and areas of expertise such as fintech, digital technology, and big data; develop networks between Vietnam and the world, especially with experts and successful Vietnamese enterprises abroad via co-operation and exchange programmes, and international techfests; strengthen market development for the countrys innovative businesses, especially international markets; and encourage powerful groups and public sectors to place orders for innovative businesses.

What are the countrys key tasks and orientations to spur the sci-tech market development in 2020 and the following years?

A number of tasks will be focused on in 2020. They are improvements to the legal framework and promotional activities. Regarding the legal framework, the MoST will work on a master plan on sci-tech market development by 2030 with a focus on increasing the efficiency of technology transfer, the commercialisation of the results of sci-tech research, the establishment of a network of intermediary units connecting with international partners to strengthen information exchange, and the promotion of joint ventures and co-operation in R&D among institutes, schools, and businesses.

The ministry will also check and complete the regulations related to the capitalisation of intellectual property (capital contribution, evaluation, guaranteed transactions, and intellectual property audit) and propose new policies on finance and credit, thus promoting the application and commercialisation of research results, and intellectual property assets developed from state-funded sci-tech projects.

In addition, the MoST will organise promotion events to support the development of the sci-tech market. Specially, these annual events will focus on increasing the efficiency of technology transfer, the commercialisation of research results and intellectual property assets at home and abroad with policies to ensure information update and enhance post-promotion transactions while boosting the mechanisms to call for private investment.

At the same time, a number of groups will head abroad to stage promotional events, which will help to connect with the international technology market and link Vietnamese intermediary units with global counterparts. VIR

Bich Thuy

Science-Technology Ministry promotes enterprise sci-tech Businesses are an important driver for the development of science and technology in Vietnam.
Sea level rise and hurricanes are a threat to sea turtle nesting habitat along national seashores in the Southeast, but a new study predicts the greatest impact to turtles will be at Canaveral National Seashore.

The University of Central Florida-led study, which was published recently in the journal Ecological Applications, examined loggerhead and green sea turtle nests to predict the amount of beach habitat loss at Canaveral, Cumberland Island, Cape Lookout, and Cape Hatteras national seashores by the year 2100. Sea turtles help maintain the coastal ecosystem and are indicators for the health of sandy beaches.

When comparing sea turtle nesting density with predicted beach loss at the sites, they found nesting habitat loss would not be equal. The researchers predicted that by 2100, Canaveral would lose about 1 percent of its loggerhead habitat, while the three other seashores will lose between approximately 2.5 to 6.7 percent each.

Although Canaveral's percentage loss is smaller, the impact at this national seashore will be greater because of its nesting density.

"Canaveral is part of the core loggerhead nesting area for the Southeast," says Marta Lyons, a preeminent postdoctoral fellow in UCF's Department of Biology and the study's lead author. "The nests are already pretty well packed in there, so even a small loss of area can have a big impact on nesting sea turtle populations."

To determine beach loss at the study sites, the researchers used sea level rise and storm surge estimates and considered the effects of impervious structures along the shorelines, such as roads and buildings, in restricting natural beach movement. To do this, they developed a new method to calculate current and future sea turtle nesting areas that takes into account nesting data, beach length and width, and the impact of impervious surfaces.

Lyons says one of the goals was to create digital maps for the National Park Service to understand how sea turtle nesting areas will change with sea level rise and how resources could be managed.

"As the National Park Service thinks about future developments, whether that's putting in a new lifeguard station or new bathrooms, this method of calculating current and future sea turtle nesting area can help them decide where to put them," she says.
Afghan president's rival threatens parallel inauguration after disputed election Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah speaks during a live debate at Tolo TV channel in Kabul

By Abdul Qadir Sediqi

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's main political rival said on Thursday the two sides were holding talks over a disputed presidential election result but that if no solution could be found, he would hold a parallel inauguration next week.

The dispute between Ghani and his longtime political foe, Abdullah Abdullah, is threatening to hamper the next steps toward a peace deal as the United States attempts to usher the government toward talks with the Taliban after the signing of a U.S. troop withdrawal deal on Saturday.

"Today, delegations from both sides had a meeting for finding a solution to the current (election) crisis, meetings may continue," Abdullah said in an interview hosted by local broadcaster Tolo News.

Ghani is set to hold his inauguration on Monday, and Abdullah has said he will hold a parallel ceremony on the same day.

"We still have hope to solve the (election) crisis, if not we will have an inauguration ceremony," said Abdullah.

Ghani and Abdullah are old rivals who both held roles in the previous government under a U.S.-brokered power-sharing agreement. A former foreign minister, Abdullah held the specially created post of chief executive in the outgoing government.

The Election Commission last month announced that Ghani won September's presidential election but Abdullah has also proclaimed himself winner.

Afghan government push-back to the Taliban's prisoner release demand, included in its agreement with the United States, also threatens the U.S.-led effort to bring peace to Afghanistan.

"Something should be done for sure to release prisoners from both sides as part of a peace deal," Abdullah told Tolo News. "The release of 5,000 prisoners should be part of a peace package."

He did not elaborate on whether the release needed to take place before or after talks with the Taliban but said that so called intra-Afghan talks should take place "without preconditions".

Story continues

The Taliban have said the release of 5,000 prisoners is a pre-condition to talks.

Abdullah's comments appeared to be a softening of his spokesman's comments to Reuters earlier in the day that the prisoner release should take place "without delay" before talks with the Taliban get under way.

A spokesman for Ghani did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday but a senior government official reiterated that the release was neither practical nor a prerequisite for the intra-Afghan talks.

"Over the years, we've released hundreds of insurgents as a gesture of good faith but it didn't help with peace," said the official, who declined to be identified.

"The government has to be sure the release guarantees peace negotiations with the Taliban," the official said.

U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has led the negotiations with the Taliban, had asked both sides to delay their inaugurations, Abdullah's spokesman told Reuters, but the senior government official said there was no plans to delay Ghani's.

(Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi, additional reporting by Hamid Shahlizi; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Pakistan on Friday announced that the first person infected with coronavirus in the country had recovered and was being sent home from hospital.

Sindh Media Coordinator to Health and Population Welfare Minister Meeran Yousuf said that the patient will be discharged from hospital on Saturday.

The patient, who was found infected with the virus days after his return from Iran, was kept in isolation for the past 10 days in Karachi and was tested three times. The third test performed on Friday morning came out negative and he was cleared of the virus.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah termed the recovery "a big achievement". He congratulated the COVID-19 task force, the patient and his family.

So far, no coronavirus related death has been reported in Pakistan.

Sindh and Balochistan provinces have already closed their schools and colleges after the deadly virus surfaced in the country.

Pakistan has also closed its border with Iran and Afghanistan, and authorities have screened 7,60,000 people for the novel coronavirus.

Chairing a meeting of the Coronavirus Emergency Core Group in Islamabad on Thursday, Prime Minister's Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza said over 7,60,000 people entering the country were checked at various entry points.

"The federal and provincial governments, as well as other institutions, are fully ready to meet the challenge and protect the people," he said.

Now the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan have come down to five.

The novel virus reportedly first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year and has claimed over 3,200 lives globally. The disease has spread to more than 70 countries.

The World Health Organisation last week raised the global virus risk to maximum level after the outbreak spread to sub-Saharan Africa and stock markets around the world plummeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed reports of foreign nationals who tested positive for Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) with travel history to the Philippines

- Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that it is possible that the foreigners acquired the disease in other countries

- However, the health agency is still trying to gather more information about the Australian national who tested positive for COVID-19

- The DOH earlier confirmed two additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines

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The Department of Health (DOH) has addressed the concerns of the public regarding foreign nationals that tested for Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) with travel history to the Philippines.

KAMI reported that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that it is possible that the foreigners acquired the disease in other countries.

As reported by GMA News Online (authored by Dona Magsino), the first case is a 38-year-old Taiwanese man who went to the Philippines from February 28 to March 3.

The patient started experiencing diarrhea on March 2, then on March 3, he developed a sore throat, and fever. It was on March 5 that he tested positive for COVID-19.

"He developed abdominal discomfort and diarrhea on March 2, and experienced sore throat, fever, and malaise on March 3. The patient consulted at an outpatient clinic in Taiwan on March 4, and was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on March 5," Duque said.

Meanwhile, in a report by CNN Philippines (authored by Catherine Modesto), the second case is a 44-year-old Japanese man who went to Metro Manila from February 21 to 28.

The health secretary pointed out that the patient went to several countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand before he returned to Japan.

"The extensive travel history of the patient suggests possible contraction of the disease in another country," Duque said.

As reported by the Inquirer (authored by Christia Marie Ramos), Assistant Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the DOH is still trying to gather more information about the 60-year-old female who flew to the Philippines and then tested positive for coronavirus when she went back to Australia.

Hanggang ngayon ay kinukuha pa rin namin ang complete details about this Australian national, apparently 60-year-old female na dumating daw po dito sa atin sa Pilipinas at apparently pagdating doon (sa Australia), nagpositibo po siya, she said.

Sa lahat po nitong mga foreign nationals na nagpopositibo po sa ibang bansa na nai-report, kinukuha po natin lahat ng detalye, mga travel history po nila, it added.

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As previously reported by KAMI, the DOH confirmed two more additional cases of coronavirus in the Philippines.

The Corona Virus Disease was first reported in Wuhan, China. There were over 3,000 reported deaths due to the disease all over the world.

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TikTok dance challenges are taking over social media. HumanMeter is on point as always asking passers-by to dance to famous songs together with our host Andre on KAMI HumanMeter Youtube Channel!

Source: KAMI.com.gh
Mumbai-based BK Birla Group's realty firm Birla Estates is planning to expand its residential footprint in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Pune and invest over Rs 2,000 crore over the next two years, a top official of the company told Moneycontrol.

The focus of the company, a subsidiary of Century Textiles and Industries Ltd, will largely be on high and premium housing.

"In 2020, we are looking at many more joint ventures depending on the quality and the location in NCR, Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The company is looking at investing about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 crore across these four markets for enhancing its residential footprint. While we will continue to develop the land parcels that we own, we will also prefer the asset-light joint venture model. Consolidation and joint ventures will be the focus going forward," said KT Jithendran, CEO, Birla Estates.

The company's portfolio of 200 acres includes 40 acres of textile mill lands in Worli, 45 acres in Pune, 125 acres in Kalyan, 2 acres of land along the beach in Prabha Devi in Mumbai and land owned by subsidiary Century Rayon.

"Only about 31 acres has been launched so far which is approximately 2 million sq ft of residential space. The entire exploitation of the 200 acres will take 8 to 10 years," he said.

The company has invested close to Rs 250 crore as equity capital in JVs and outright for its premium residential projects, he said.

The company has so far committed about Rs 400 crore to its JV partner in Delhi-NCR for its project Birla Navya, a floor rise project, for which Rs 125 crore has been paid and the rest is to be paid over a period of time. As much as Rs 50 crore has been paid for its Bengaluru project.

About 50 acres of JV projects have been launched  6 acres in Bengaluru and 10 acres in Delhi-NCR, he said, adding we are looking at several JV opportunities in NCR, Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru going forward.

"The slowdown in the real estate market is clearly an advantage for the branded players. We are getting several joint development opportunities from across the country. Some of them are stressed assets and some of them are from small developers, land owners. Capital is not a constraint for us," Jithendran said.

Last year, Birla Estates tied up with Delhi-based realty firm Anant Raj Group to develop a housing project in Gurugram and committed an investment of Rs 400 crore for the entire 73 acre land parcel.

The company recently launched a floor-rise project Birla Navya along Gurgaons Gold Course Extension Road is floors. This is spread across 10 acres of the total 47 acres comprising about 6 lakh sq ft of space.

"About 300 units are currently up for sale. Construction will begin in a months time. We have all the permits to launch construction. We are not in a hurry to launch a group housing project. It will may be launched next year," he said.

The unit price of the floor rises are approximately around Rs 1.3 crore. These will be up for possession around 2024.

In Bengaluru, the company has launched 'Birla Alokya', located on Soukya Road, Whitefield. This project has 218 luxury apartments across 7.8 acres. The unit price starts from Rs 1.19 crore.

A second residential project in Magadi Road, Bengaluru. This is a joint development venture between Birla Estates and Subhadra Textiles. The 6 lakh sq ft project will be launched next year.

Birla Estates, a subsidiary of Century Textiles and Industries Ltd (CTIL) has also developed a few commercial office spaces in Mumbai, as a real estate division of CTIL.
NEW YORK, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of L Brands, Inc. (L Brands or the Company) (NYSE: LB). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980.



The investigation concerns whether L Brands 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 February 1, 2020, The New York Times published an article entitled Angels in Hell: The Culture of Misogyny Inside Victorias Secret. According to the article, certain top executives at L Brands, the parent company of Victorias Secret, presided over an entrenched culture of misogyny, bullying and harassment, according to interviews with more than 30 current and former executives, employees, contractors and models, as well as court filings and other documents.

On this news, L Brands stock price fell $0.72 per share, or 3.11%, to close at $22.44 on February 3, 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




British Ambassador Andrew Noble said he was concerned that the legal trade links between the United Kingdom and Romania had become the target of possible criminal offenses, in the context of information on illegal exports of waste from the United Kingdom to Romania.

If there is evidence to prove criminal conduct, I encourage the Romanian authorities to take all necessary legal measures against those responsible. Such issues are treated with the utmost seriousness in the United Kingdom, said Ambassador Andrew Noble, according to a release from the UK Embassy issued on Friday to AGERPRES.

According to the quoted source, the British Environment Agency reports that "illegal export of waste is a crime".

The UK will not hesitate to take action against those responsible for such acts. Those guilty can face up to two years imprisonment and/or fines in unlimited amount, said the mentioned source.
World Pediatric Project (WPP) recently hosted its first dual mission for 2020 with a ten member team of highly qualified specialists between Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery. The Dual Mission was led and headed by a best-friend duo who have been coming to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the last 20 years.





Dr. Donna Brown was the lead ophthalmologist, while Dr. Nadia Blanchet led the Plastic surgery team at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. A team of ten qualified specialists ranging from pediatric ophthalmologist, plastic surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologist, registered nurse anesthetist operating room nurse, registered nurse and surgical technician were on island to facilitate the dual mission. This mission serviced a large number of children most of whom were scheduled for surgery during the course of the week.





In an interview with the Ministry of Health Communication Team Dr. Brown said the team had a really successful week, she said they saw approximately 40 patients during clinic and were able to do a wide variety of cases for surgery. Some of the cases involved eye muscle problems, cornea transplant, cataract surgery, issues with eye development etc. When asked what had been the most amazing part of working with WPP, she said "the fact that they connect needs with resources, and there is so much need around the world, but a place like St. Vincent and the other countries around this region they have a finite problem that we can as sub-specialty surgeons really supply. So WPP, the staff ,the resources they are able to gather, connect those children with the particular surgeon or physician that is needed or for the therapy, for example if we doing orthopedic surgery, those children need physical therapy so we try to connect that resource. There was a total of 17 pediatric surgeries conducted by Dr. Brown and her team during the course of an intense and successful week.

Dr. Blanchet in a similar interview said "the amazing thing is how the program keeps getting better and better; it gets more and more organized. We have patients coming in from new islands every year, it continually improves and strives to improve, and I think that really hooks you. This week, the most exciting thing is I operated with Dr Jasmine Ellis (consultant pediatric surgeon at MCMH) all week long and I really feel that she has launched and can do them (surgeries) without me, and that's a part of the mission of what we want to do.





World Pediatric Project remains committed to their mission of building a better, brighter future for our children locally, regionally and internationally. Approximately 38 children were seen at the plastic surgery clinic, 9 of those were regional patients from Antigua, Dominica, Grenada and St. Lucia, who benefit from assessments and surgery, while a total of 17 surgeries were conducted during the week, 8 of those whereby local children were able to access care. WPP continues to prioritize the medical needs of our children and research means of providing them with the requisite care. The lives of families continue to be enhanced and given hope as WPP works with children with a range of medical challenges to ensure no child is left behind. (Submitted by WPP)




Northampton General Hospital says it is in short supply of sanitiser gel as fears over Coronavirus outbreak in the UK grow. (PA)

A hospital in England has asked visitors to refrain from stealing hand sanitiser dispensers as fear grows over the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has sparked a surge in demand for hand gel as shop and pharmacy stocks begin to sell out.

Northampton General Hospital, which itself is facing a shortage of the product, said on Friday that gel dispensers are being taken from patients' beds and ripped from walls.

It comes after 163 people tested positive for Covid-19 as of 9am on Friday, up from 115 cases reported at the same time on Thursday.

See latest coronavirus news and updates

Hand sanitiser dispensers are being stolen by visitors to Northampton General Hospital. (NORTHAMPTON GENERAL HOSPITAL)

The NHS Trust in charge of hospital claims the gel is "disappearing every day" and as such have been forced to limit the supply on wards.

Posting to its Facebook page, the hospital wrote: We're seeing a lot of hand sanitiser dispensers disappearing from the end of our patients' beds and from our welcome desks.

Read more: Where are the coronavirus cases in the UK?

Please help us to keep our patients safe by not removing the dispensers or using them to top up your own dispensers.

Sanitiser units have been "ripped from the walls" of the hospital. (Northampton General Hospital)

Now the hospital is asking visitors to respect the short supply of sanitising gel - and reminded the public that hand washing remains the most effective way to minimise infection.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: Over the past few days, weve seen a marked increase in the number of hand gel dispensers being taken from our ward areas, including those at the end of our patients beds.

Read more: Coronavirus: Two teenagers arrested over 'racially motivated attack in London

"Three dispensers have been ripped from walls around the site, and weve seen people coming to the site to fill up their dispensers from our supplies.

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 3: Empty shelves in a Boots chemist after the retailer ran out of hand sanitiser on March 3, 2020, in Cardiff, Wales. Another 12 cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) were confirmed in the UK today, bringing the total to 51. The virus has spread to 77 countries in a matter of weeks, claiming over 3,000 lives and infecting over 90,000. The World Health Organisation have increased their risk assessment to very high. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

"We dont have an unlimited supply and would ask that visitors to the site respect the fact that we are doing all we can to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe, and we need their support. Hand washing is the most effective way to minimise the risk of infection."

Story continues

Two UK deaths have been feared, with an elderly woman in Berkshire confirmed to have died from coronavirus.

On Friday, it emerged a patient in Buckinghamshire, in Milton Keynes, had died amid fears they've contracted the deadly virus.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo News
Reading, Writing & Racing. That may be a twist on the traditional version of the Three Rs, but it was the order of the day Thursday when driver from The Meadows participated in national Read Across America Week/Dr. Seuss Day activities by reading to students at a local school.

Drivers Jason Merriman, Dan Rawlings and Mike Wilder visited Trinity North Elementary School near The Meadows and read to children in grades K-4. The horsemen read selections from Dr. Seuss and Bonnie Worths If I Ran the Horse Show: All About Horses.



Jason Merriman, Dan Rawlings and Mike Wilder participating in Read Across America Week. Pictured with them is Jerry Allen, Trinity Norths police officer Jason Merriman, Dan Rawlings and Mike Wilder participating in Read Across America Week. Pictured with them is Jerry Allen, Trinity Norths police officer

This marks the fifth consecutive year in which the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) and its members have participated in the event. Wilder has been a volunteer reader every year.

When our qualifiers were finished, I got pretty excited about going to the school, Wilder said. I couldnt wait to get there and see the kids faces light up.

After reading, the drivers took questions -- some about racing, some about their personal lives.

They asked whats your horses name, so I explained that we drive many horses, Wilder said. They asked how many wins do you have, have you ever been hurt, how fast do the horses go. For young kids, they asked pretty good questions.

The whole event is a great deal. I love it and would never turn down the opportunity.

(MSOA)
We're not at a point now where we can completely prevent this disease from appearing in our communities, Hoff said. Its inherent on us to take the time to prepare to limit the spread of that disease and to try to minimize the disruption as best as possible, knowing that we will not be able to be eliminated altogether. 
Apple Inc.s highly anticipated 5G iPhone could see a delayed release as a result of the coronavirus, according to Bank of America, which cited a conversation with an expert on the companys supply chain.

The expert, Elliot Lan, wrote that the the iPhone 5G launch in the fall could see a month of delay, and that he expects the launch of the iPhone SE2 will be delayed by a few months due to both supply issues as well as the weaker demand environment from COVID-19.

According to B of A analyst Wamsi Mohan, the launch timing for upcoming models will depend on how production ramps back up in April and May.

Shares of Apple fell 3.8 per cent in pre-market trading on Friday. The stock has dropped more than 10 per cent from a record close in February, with most of the selling driven by the coronavirus. Analysts are concerned about the impact it could have on Apples supply chain, as well as its sales.

Also on Friday, Deutsche Bank cut its price target to $295 from $305, citing considerable uncertainty related to the outbreak.

Earlier this week, iPhone maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. said it expects its Chinese plants to begin operating normally by the end of March.

B of A reiterated its buy rating and $350 price target on Apple, citing its large cash balance/optionality, an expected buyback authorization, and the 5G cycle.
French English







French public limited company (societe anonyme) with share capital of 1,515,531,785.00

Registered office: 1 cours Ferdinand de Lesseps, F-92500 Rueil Malmaison

552 037 806 RCS Nanterre

www.vinci.com

_____________________________________________________

Description of the 2020-2021 treasury share buy-back programme

submitted by the Board of Directors

for the approval of the Combined General Meeting of Shareholders of 9 April 2020

_________________________________________________________________________

I-Summary

The shares concerned by the 2020-2021 buy-back programme are VINCI shares listed for trading in the A Compartment of the regulated market of NYSE Euronext in Paris under ISIN code FR0000125486.



listed for trading in the A Compartment of the regulated market of NYSE Euronext in Paris under ISIN code FR0000125486. The programme offers the possibility of purchasing shares up to a maximum of 10% of the number of shares making up the Companys share capital over a period of eighteen months from 9 April 2020 to 8 October 2021 (see duration of programme below). This limit is based on the number of shares making up the share capital at the time of the purchases.

Since the programme provides for the possibility of using derivatives in performing it, the treasury shares that the Company could purchase through the exercise of the share purchase options that it may have bought previously will be included in the calculation of the maximum number of shares authorised over the eighteen-month duration of the programme, at the time of the purchase of these share purchase options, and not at the time of their exercise, if any.

Maximum purchase price : 130.



: 130. Maximum amount of purchases authorised : 2 billion.



: 2 billion. The purchase cost of any derivatives used by the Company in connection with the programme shall be recognised in the maximum amount authorised at the time they are put in place. The amount relating to the price of any treasury shares acquired through the exercise of share purchase options shall only be recognised at the time of their exercise. Additional amounts that may be allocated to the liquidity agreement shall be recognised in the maximum amount of purchases authorised.



Objectives: (1) delivery of shares pursuant to the exercise of the rights attached to securities giving access to the share capital; (2) transfers of shares for payment or exchange purposes, in particular in connection with transactions involving external growth; (3) disposals or transfers of Company shares to eligible employees and/or company officers of VINCI Group companies in the context of savings plans or any share ownership plan governed by French or foreign law, share and/or share purchase option allocation plans; (4) ensuring market liquidity under a liquidity agreement that complies with a code of ethics recognised by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF, the French financial markets regulator) and entrusted to an investment service provider acting independently; (5) cancellation of shares; and (6) implementation of any market practice, any objective or any transaction that would be accepted under laws or regulations in force or by the AMF with respect to share buy-back programmes.



Duration of the programme : eighteen months from the approval of the Combined Shareholders General Meeting of 9 April 2020, i.e. until 8 October 2021.

II-Objectives of the 2020-2021 share buy-back programme: use of shares purchased

VINCI wishes to implement a new share buy-back programme with the objectives described below.

1. Fulfilment of obligations to transfer or exchange shares pursuant to the exercise of the rights attached to securities giving access to the Companys share capital.

2. Transfers of shares for payment or exchange purposes, in particular in connection with transactions involving external growth.

3. Disposals or transfers of Company shares to eligible employees and/or company officers of VINCI Group companies in the context of savings plans or any share ownership plan governed by French or foreign law, share and/or share purchase option allocation plans, including disposals to any approved service provider appointed to design, implement and manage any employee savings UCITS or similar employee savings structure on behalf of the VINCI Group, and pledges of shares as guarantees under employee savings plans.

4. Market-making through a liquidity agreement that complies with a code of ethics recognised by the AMF and entrusted to an investment service provider acting independently.

5. Cancellation, as part of the Companys financial policy, of the shares thus purchased, subject to the adoption of the tenth resolution of the 9 April 2020 Shareholders General Meeting.

6. Implementation of any market practice, any objective or any transaction that would be accepted under laws or regulations in force or by the AMF with respect to share buy-back programmes.

The shares purchased and retained by VINCI shall not carry any voting rights and shall not give right to the payment of dividends.

The Company reserves the right to use derivatives in implementing this new programme.

Furthermore, in compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including those relating to stock exchange disclosure requirements, it reserves the right to carry out authorised reallocations of shares purchased in view of one of the programmes objectives to one or more of its other objectives, or to sell them on-market or off-market through an investment service provider acting independently.

III-Legal framework

This programme is within the framework of the provisions of Articles L.225-209 and L.225-210 to L.225-212 of the French Commercial Code and shall be submitted on 9 April 2020 to VINCIs Shareholders General Meeting, acting in accordance with the quorum and majority requirements for ordinary (fifth resolution) and extraordinary (tenth resolution) shareholders meetings:





Fifth resolution





Renewal of the delegation of powers to the Board of Directors in view of the purchase by the Company of its own shares

The Shareholders General Meeting, having taken note of (a) the Report of the Board of Directors and (b) the description of the new 2020-2021 share buy-back programme, in accordance with the provisions of Article L.225-209 of the French Commercial Code as well as European regulation 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 on market abuse, authorises the Board of Directors, with the ability to sub-delegate such powers, within the limits provided for by law and regulations, on one or more occasions, on the stock market or otherwise, including by blocks of shares or through the use of options or derivatives, to purchase the Companys shares for the conduct of the following:

1. transfer or exchange of shares upon the exercise of the rights attached to securities giving access to the Companys share capital;

2. retention and future delivery for payment or exchange purposes in connection with transactions involving external growth;

3. disposal or transfer of Company shares to eligible employees and/or company officers of VINCI Group companies in the context of savings plans or any share ownership plan governed by French or foreign law, share and/or share purchase option allocation plans, including disposal to any approved service provider appointed for the design, implementation and management of any employee savings UCITS or similar structure on behalf of the VINCI Group, and pledge of shares as guarantee under employee savings plans;

4. ensuring market liquidity within the framework of a liquidity agreement that complies with a code of ethics recognised by the Autorite des Marches Financiers and entrusted to an investment service provider acting independently;

5. cancellation, as part of the Companys financial policy, of the shares thus purchased, subject to the adoption of the tenth resolution hereunder;

6. implementation of any market practice, any objective or any transaction that may be accepted by laws or regulations or in force or by the Autorite des Marches Financiers in respect of share buy-back programmes.

The maximum purchase price per share is set at 130. The maximum number of shares purchased by virtue of this authorisation shall not exceed 10% of the share capital. This limit is calculated at the time of the purchases and the maximum amount of shares thus purchased shall not exceed 2 billion.

The share purchase price shall be adjusted by the Board of Directors in the event of transactions involving the Companys capital in compliance with the conditions provided for by the applicable regulations. In particular, in the event of a capital increase through the capitalisation of reserves and the allotment of performance shares, the price specified above shall be adjusted by a multiplier equal to the ratio of the number of shares making up the share capital before the transaction to the number of shares after the transaction.

The acquisition, disposal, transfer, allotment or exchange of these shares may be carried out by any means that are authorised or that may become authorised by regulations in force, either on-market or off-market, including block transactions or through the use of derivatives, in particular through share purchase options in accordance with the regulations in force. There is no restriction on the proportion of the share buy-back programme that may be carried out through block transactions.

These transactions may be carried out at any time in compliance with the current regulations, except during a public offering period.

The Shareholders General Meeting grants full powers to the Board of Directors, including the ability to delegate such powers, so that, in compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including those on stock exchange disclosure requirements, it may proceed with the authorised reallocations of the shares purchased in view of one of the programmes objectives to one or more of its other objectives, or sell them on-market or off-market, it being specified that these reallocations and disposals may concern shares purchased pursuant to previously authorised share buy-back programmes.

The Shareholders General Meeting grants full powers to the Board of Directors, including the ability to delegate such powers, for the purpose of placing stock market orders, signing any deed of purchase, sale or transfer, entering into any agreement, carrying out any necessary adjustments, making all declarations and completing all formalities.

This authorisation is granted for a period of eighteen months from the date of this Shareholders General Meeting. It renders ineffective and replaces the authorisation granted by the Shareholders General Meeting on 17 April 2019 in its fifteenth resolution.





Tenth resolution





Renewal of the authorisation granted to the Board of Directors in view of the reduction of the share capital through cancellation of VINCI shares held in treasury

The Shareholders General Meeting, voting under the quorum and majority conditions required for Extraordinary Shareholders General Meetings, having considered the Report of the Board of Directors and the Special Report of the Statutory Auditors, in accordance with the provisions of Article L.225-209 of the French Commercial Code, authorises the Board of Directors to cancel, at its sole discretion, on one or more occasions, within the limit of 10% of the number of shares making up the share capital on the date when the Board of Directors takes a decision to cancel and over successive periods of twenty-four months for the determination of this limit, the shares purchased by virtue of the authorisations granted to the Company to purchase its own shares, and to proceed with a reduction in share capital equivalent to that amount.

The Shareholders General Meeting establishes the validity of this authorisation at twenty-six months as from the date of the present meeting and grants full powers to the Board of Directors, including the powers to delegate such powers, to take all decisions necessary for the cancellation of shares and reduction of the share capital, to recognise the difference between the purchase price and the nominal value of the shares in the reserve account of its choice, including the account for share premiums arising on contributions or mergers, to perform all actions, formalities or declarations to finalise the reductions in capital which may be carried out by virtue of this authorisation, and to amend the Companys Articles of Association accordingly.

This authorisation renders ineffective and replaces the authorisation granted by the Shareholders General Meeting on 17 April 2019 in its eighteenth resolution.

IV-Arrangements

1. Maximum proportion of the share capital that may be acquired and maximum amount payable by VINCI

The maximum proportion of the share capital that VINCI may acquire is 10% of the share capital on the date of the Combined Shareholders General Meeting. However, in the event of a change in the share capital after that date, the authorisation granted by the General Meeting would apply to 10% of the new share capital.

The maximum purchase price per share is set at 130.

The maximum total amount of capital that may be allocated to share purchases by virtue of this programme amounts to 2 billion. This maximum amount shall apply for all transactions carried out from 9 April 2020 over the duration of the programme: purchases of treasury shares, acquisitions of derivatives on treasury shares, treasury share subscriptions through the exercise of derivatives previously put in place, additional amounts that may be allocated to the liquidity agreement.

The Company reserves the right to use the entire programme.

VINCI shall ensure that it does not directly or indirectly exceed the buy-back ceiling of 10% of the share capital authorised by the Shareholders General Meeting over the programmes eighteen-month term.

It shall furthermore ensure that it does not own at any time, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of its share capital.

Moreover, the share buy-back programme shall not have any significant impact on VINCIs free float, which amounted to 79.1% of the share capital on 31 December 2019 and 78.7% at 29 February 2020.

The amount of the Companys available reserves, which was 28,495 million at 31 December 2019, is, as required by law, higher than the amount of the share buy-back programme.

2. Share buy-back arrangements

Shares may be purchased fully or partly by any means that are authorised or that may become authorised by regulations in force, either on-market or off-market, including block transactions or through the use of derivatives, including through share purchase options in accordance with regulations in force. The Company shall be careful not to increase the volatility of its share price if it uses derivatives.

These transactions may be carried out at any time in compliance with the current regulations, except during a public offering period.

The proposed authorisation submitted to the General Meeting does not restrict the proportion of the programme that may be carried out through the acquisition of blocks of shares.

3. Duration and timeframe of the share purchase and cancellation programme

Share purchases may be carried out over a period of eighteen months following the date of the Shareholders General Meeting, i.e. from 9 April 2020 until 8 October 2021.

Pursuant to paragraph 4 of Article L.225-209 of the French Commercial Code, the shares purchased can only be cancelled up to a limit of 10% of the share capital over successive rolling periods of twenty-four months.

4. Use of derivatives

VINCI reserves the right to use derivatives for the implementation of this programme in order to cover, under current regulations, option positions that it has taken separately (such as share subscription or purchase options granted or issued debt securities giving access to the share capital). Information on the use of derivatives on treasury shares is systematically provided to the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors of VINCI

and, by delegation of the Board of Directors,

________________________

Xavier Huillard

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

5 March 2020





This document, which constitutes the 2020-2021 share buy-back programme submitted for the approval of VINCIs Shareholders General Meeting on 9 April 2020, is available free of charge on request from:

VINCI Shareholder Relations Department

1 cours Ferdinand de Lesseps, 92851 Rueil Malmaison Cedex, France

It is available online on the VINCI website ( www.vinci.com ) and has been filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers.





Attachment
The crime-fighting vigilante who became an online sensation for his hilarious television interview with Karl Stefanovic has taken up on his invitation to feast on a hangi together.

Kiwi truck driver Turawaho Hemopo - or 'T' as he's better known - made headlines when he stopped two would-be pharmacy burglars while making delivering to nearby Coles at Yarrabilba in southern Brisbane last Thursday.

His entertaining recollection of his heroic efforts on the Today show the next morning left the show hosts in stitches and ended with Stefanovic promising to invite T to his place for a hangi, a traditional Maori way of cooking.

'Mate, I'll cook it for you cuz,' T replied.

He was back on air on Friday morning, this time in the Channel Nine studios for the promised hangi, which he heartily tucked into at the end of another entertaining interview.

T (second right) took up on Karl Stefanovic's (second left) invitation of enjoying a hangi together on Friday. They're pictured with Allison Langdon and T's brother-in-law Richard

'I'm starving!' T exclaimed as he filled up his plate.

Stefanovic replied: 'Big fella's hungry.'

Co-host Allison Langdon added: 'That's what he really came for, the feed, love it.'

The truck driver says he's still coming to terms with his new fame as an international star after last week's television interview went viral.

'Yeah, bro, it's been pretty crazy to be honest, hey. Didn't expect all of this stuff to happen,' he said.

'Yeah, like, to be honest, I didn't really read into much of it until, like, maybe, like, the Sunday and then when I was reading what a lot of people were saying, I was, like - I was just, like, 'far out!'

T (second right) had hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon in hysterics again on Friday

His efforts have since inspired have other crime-fighting civilians, including a Good Samaritan dog walker who crash-tackled a fugitive on the Gold Coast on Thursday.

'People are tagging me in this. They're like, 'Look what you started.' That was far out,' he said.

'Bro, to be honest, I just wake up every day, come home, all done.

'To be honest, I just like being me, yeah. I don't know. Whatever.'

T was accompanied on the show by his brother-in-law Richard.

'He's just here for the free food,' T said.

His brother-in-law added: 'Look, I've ran straight at him once, yeah, I wouldn't do it again.'

T's family is proud of crime-fighting efforts.

'We didn't think much of it at first, but when you think of it, it is something crazy he's done. Not many people would do it. It is the type of person he is,' his brother-in-law said.

Originally from Hamilton in New Zealand, T has been living in Australia for four years.

'Mate, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else,' he said.

It's been a week since T's recollection of his heroic efforts to stop two would-be robbers (right) in a breakfast television interview (left) made him an internet sensation

The original interview has attracted more than two million views on Facebook alone.

'I was like... bro... you got away! The second fella looked at me and I thought you're not going anywhere, fella,' T recalled.

He then sat on top of the thief who struggled at first but quickly gave up and told T he was 15-years-old.

Having a teenage son himself, he said his fatherly instinct kicked in.

'I just started giving him life advice, I guess. I was like... mate, I have a 15-year-old son... why are you hanging out with these drop kicks? They are not good for you. Like you got your whole life ahead of you, bud.'
DUBLIN, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "IGBT & Thyristor Market by Packaging Type (IGBT Discrete, IGBT Module), Power Rating (Medium Power IGBT, High Power IGBT), Voltage (Below 400V, 600-650V), Application (Power Transmission Systems, Motor Drives), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global thyristor market size is estimated to grow from USD 781 million in 2020 to USD 849 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 1.7%.

Government initiatives undertaken in various countries towards the replacement of aging power infrastructure is one of the key factors fueling the growth of this market.

High power IGBT segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The market for high-power IGBTs is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing need for more robust and reliable IGBTs for high-power applications, such as HVDC systems, FACTS, solar inverters, and rail traction systems, where low- and medium-power IGBTs cannot operate. High-power IGBTs can run on a power rating of more than 1 MW. A growing number of solar energy projects, HVDC projects, and wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of this market in the near future.

The market for power transmission systems is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Among applications, the thyristor market for power transmission is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The primary factor contributing to the growth of this application is the increasing deployment of thyristors in HVDC systems and FACTS due to their low-power loss capability.

HVDC systems and FACTS employ thyristors to DC to AC and AC to DC conversion. Increasing number of HVDC and FACTS projects, such as the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) Transmission Lines (China), Russia-Japan Energy Bridge (Russia-Japan), Atlantic Wind Connection - Transmission (US), BRITIB Project (Spain-France-UK), and the Grain Belt Express Clean Line (US), has driven market growth over the years.

The market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for EVs/HEVs across the world as these vehicles are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Moreover, initiatives taken by the governments of developing countries to minimize CO2 emissions would further drive the demand for EVs and HEVs in the near future. For instance, the Indian government offers a subsidy of USD 1.4 billion to support the domestic electric vehicle industry, which, in turn, would provide lucrative growth opportunities to IGBT manufacturers.

Similarly, several worldwide projects focusing on developing a zero-carbon transport infrastructure would lead to increased demand for IGBTs in the next few years. For example, in March 2018, Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) partnered with SAIC Motor (China) to establish SIAMP, a power module joint venture company, in China. SIAMP would focus on manufacturing power modules for electric vehicles in China.

High power IGBT is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The market for high-power IGBTs is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing need for more robust and reliable IGBTs for high-power applications, such as HVDC systems, FACTS, solar inverters, and rail traction systems, where low- and medium-power IGBTs cannot operate. High-power IGBTs can operate on a power rating of more than 1 MW. A growing number of solar energy projects, HVDC projects, and wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of this market in the near future.

APAC held the largest share of thyristor market in 2019

APAC held the largest share of the global thyristor market and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth of the market can be attributed to the increasing number of HVDC and FACTS projects in the region. Converters used in HVDC lines employ thyristors to convert AC to DC and vice versa. Further, APAC countries are focusing on adopting HVDC systems due to their low power loss in long-distance power transmission. The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and the Russia- Japan Energy Bridge (Russia-Japan) are some of the major HVDC projects that are likely to be completed in the coming years. All such projects are expected to fuel the growth of the thyristor market in APAC.

Moreover, IGBT and thyristor manufacturers are deploying thyristors in HVDC systems in the region. For instance, in January 2019, ABB Ltd (Switzerland) received a contract worth USD 640 million from the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (India), a national electricity grid operator in India. Under this contract, the company is likely to construct a transmission link of over 1,800 km to deliver electricity to more than 80 million people.

Key Topics Covered



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Growth Opportunities in IGBT Market

4.2 Attractive Growth Opportunities in Thyristor Market

4.3 Market, By Country

4.4 Thyristor Market, By Region

4.5 IGBT Market, By Application and Region



5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Initiatives of Governments Across Various Countries Toward Replacement of Aging Power Infrastructure

5.2.1.2 Adoption of Electric Motors in Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Applications

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Infrastructure Development Cost and Lack of Technology Awareness

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Increasing Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources

5.2.3.2 Growing Inclination Toward use of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Complex Structure of Firing Circuits of IGBTs and Thyristors

5.3 Value Chain Analysis

5.3.1 IGBT and Thyristor Value Chain



6 IGBT Market, By Packaging Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 IGBT Discrete

6.2.1 IGBT Discrete Offers Fast Response With No Overshoot

6.3 IGBT Module

6.3.1 High Durability and Low Downtime to Drive Market for IGBT Module



7 IGBT Market, By Power Rating

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Low

7.2.1 Low Cost and High Flexibility to Drive Low-Power IGBT Market

7.3 Medium

7.3.1 High Demand for Rail Traction Systems and Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Surge Demand for Medium-Power IGBT

7.4 High

7.4.1 Increased Adoption of High-Power IGBT in Renewable Energy and HVDC Applications Have Positive Impact on Market Growth



8 IGBT Market, By Voltage

8.1 Introduction

8.2 <_00 />8.2.1 Increased Demand for Less Than 400 V IGBT for Low-Power Applications

8.3 600-650 V

8.3.1 Increased Utilization of 600-650 V IGBT Due to Their Capability To Handle High Current Surge And High Current Density

8.4 1,200-1,700 V

8.4.1 Surged Demand for 1,200-1,700 V IGBT as They Eliminate Requirement for Paralleling of IGBT

8.5 2,500-3,300 V

8.5.1 Increased Deployment of 2,500-3,300 V IGBT Due to Their High Thermal Fatigue Resistance

8.6 > 4,500 V

8.6.1 Low Switching Loss and Compliance With Rohs Directive Drive Market for IGBTs With 4,500 V Propel Market Growth



9 IGBT Market, By Application

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Power Transmission Systems

9.2.1 HVDC Systems

9.2.1.1 High Adoption of HVDC Systems in Long-Distance Power Transmission Lines to Spur Market Growth

9.2.2 Facts

9.2.2.1 Low Cost and Flexibility of Facts to Accelerate Demand of IGBTs

9.3 Renewable Energy

9.3.1 PV Power Generation Systems

9.3.1.1 Increasing Number of Solar Power Plants Worldwide to Augment Demand for IGBTs

9.3.2 Wind Power Generation Systems

9.3.2.1 Growing Number of Wind Farms to Propel IGBT Market Growth

9.4 Rail Traction Systems

9.4.1 Ability of IGBT to Operate on High Power in Electric Trains Fueling Demand for IGBT for Rail Traction Systems

9.5 Uninterrupted Power Supply

9.5.1 Deployment of IGBT for Safeguarding Ups Against Power Fluctuations Fostering Growth of Market

9.6 Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles

9.6.1 Initiatives Taken By Worldwide Governments for Promoting use of EV/HEV Propelling Market Growth

9.7 Motor Drives

9.7.1 Industrial Motors

9.7.1.1 Use of IGBTs in Industrial Motors That Find Applications in Food and Chemical Processing Plants Boost Market Growth

9.7.2 Commercial Motors

9.7.2.1 Adoption of IGBTs in Commercial Motors Used in Scanners, Printers, Etc. to Propel Market Growth

9.7.3 Residential Motors

9.7.3.1 Low Power Loss Offered By IGBTs Enables Their Utilization in Residential Motors That are Deployed in Cameras, Washing Machines, and So On

9.8 Consumer Electronics

9.8.1 Deployment of Discrete IGBTs in Consumer Electronics to Fuel Their Market Growth

9.9 Others



10 Different Classes of Thyristors

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Thyristors With Turn-On Capability

10.3 Thyristors With Turn-Off Capability

10.4 Thyristors With Bidirectional Control



11 Thyristor Market, By Application

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Power Transmission Systems

11.2.1 Initiatives of Worldwide Governments Would Increase Demand for Power Transmission Systems, Thereby Leading to Thyristor Market Growth

11.3 Motor Controllers

11.3.1 Low Maintenance and Minimized Lag Times Offered By Thyristors Promotes Their Utilization in Motors Controllers

11.4 Light Dimmers

11.4.1 Escalated Demand for Thyristors for use in Light Dimmers to Save Electricity Boost Market Growth

11.5 Pressure Control Systems

11.5.1 Increased use of Thyristors in Pressure Control Systems Accelerates Market Growth

11.6 Liquid-Level Regulators

11.6.1 Augmented Deployment of Thyristors in Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Applications Foster Market Growth

11.7 Others



12 Geographic Analysis

12.1 Introduction

12.2 North America

12.2.1 US

12.2.1.1 US to Continue to Command IGBT Market in North America During 2020-2025

12.2.2 Canada

12.2.2.1 Development of New Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Drive Canadian Market Growth

12.2.3 Mexico

12.2.3.1 Presence of Many Solar Plants Boosting Mexican Market Growth

12.3 Europe

12.3.1 France

12.3.1.1 High Adoption of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Propel French Market Growth

12.3.2 Germany

12.3.2.1 Presence of Major IGBT and Thyristor Manufacturers to Fuel Market Growth in Germany

12.3.3 UK

12.3.3.1 Deployment of Wind Farms in UK to Propel Market Growth

12.3.4 Rest of Europe

12.3.4.1 High Sales of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Region is Expected to Spur Market Growth

12.4 APAC

12.4.1 China

12.4.1.1 Government Initiatives for Promoting use of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Surge Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors in China

12.4.2 Japan

12.4.2.1 Highly Developed Railway Network Drive Market Growth in Japan

12.4.3 South Korea

12.4.3.1 Development of New HVDC Projects to Boost Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors in South Korea

12.4.4 India

12.4.4.1 Replacement of Aging Transmission Lines With HVDC Transmission Lines to Fuel Indian Market Growth

12.4.5 Rest of APAC

12.4.5.1 Focus on Modification of Railway Networks in RoAPAC to Accelerate Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors

12.5 Rest of the World

12.5.1 Middle East and Africa

12.5.1.1 Presence of World's Biggest Solar Plants in Region Contributed Significantly to Market Growth in Mea

12.5.2 South America

12.5.2.1 Large Number of Wind Farms in Region Would Fuel South American Market Growth



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Market Ranking Analysis, 2019

13.3 Competitive Scenario

13.3.1 Product Launches

13.3.2 Partnerships, Collaborations, Contracts, and Agreements

13.3.3 Acquisitions

13.3.4 Expansions

13.4 Competitive Leadership Mapping

13.4.1 Visionary Leaders

13.4.2 Dynamic Differentiators

13.4.3 Emerging Companies

13.5 Strength of Product Portfolio

13.6 Business Strategy Excellence



14 Company Profiles

14.1 Key Players

14.1.1 Infineon Technologies AG

14.1.2 Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

14.1.3 ON Semiconductor

14.1.4 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

14.1.5 STMicroelectronics

14.1.6 Renesas Electronics Corporation

14.1.7 Vishay Intertechnology

14.1.8 ABB Ltd.

14.1.9 Semikron

14.1.10 Hitachi, Ltd.

14.1.11 Toshiba Corporation

14.2 Right to Win

14.3 Other Key Players

14.3.1 Rohm Co. Ltd.

14.3.2 Danfoss

14.3.3 Central Semiconductor Corp.

14.3.4 New Jersey Semiconductor

14.3.5 Siemens AG

14.3.6 Schneider Electric

14.3.7 Powerex Inc.

14.3.8 Silicon Power Corporation

14.3.9 Starpower Semiconductor Ltd.

14.3.10 Littelfuse, Inc.



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Customers line up outside of a coronavirus pop-up store in Washington on March 6, 2020. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Indiana Governor Declares Public Health Emergency After First Coronavirus Case Confirmed

A patient in Indiana tested positive for the disease caused by the new coronavirus, officials said, prompting Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a public health emergency.

A sample tested at the state laboratory came back positive but will be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For now, the case is being treated as confirmed.

The patient, who is from Marion County, recently traveled to Boston for an event before coming into contact with a person who had contracted the virus while traveling. Officials did not initially say whether the case was linked to a Biogen meeting, which spawned the first case in Tennessee. A second case in Indiana was announced on March 8 and officials said both patients attended the meeting.

Workers at the Community North Hospital in Indianapolis were caring for the first patient.

The patient has been quarantined since arriving back in Indianapolis, according to state Health Commissioner Kris Box. The CDC is working to identify and notify people who were on the same flight from Boston and had close contact with the patient.

The man wont be released until specimens that were taken on two consecutive days test negative for COVID-19.

The new case prompted Holcomb to declare a public health emergency to ensure continued coordination, according to the governors office.

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the United States, emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab. (NIAID-RML via AP)

With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks, Holcomb said in a statement. The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.

The declaration calls on state agencies to continue responding to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2,

Dr. Box said the states first confirmed case should not come as a surprise.

Given the global spread of this illness, the question was never if Indiana would have a case, but when it would arrive. I want to stress that this is an isolated case, and that this patient and the hospital did everything possible to limit the risk of exposure to other individuals. Because of those steps, the risk of additional exposure and community transmission is low, but we are taking every precaution to prevent new infections related to this patient, she said.

The virus, which appeared in China in late 2019, primarily spreads through close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands and respiratory droplets released into the air through coughing or sneezing. Spread can also happen through touching contaminated surfaces and then ones face.

Officials recommend people wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay away from sick people.
The Embakasi East Member of Parliament has forgiven himself over the shooting of Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve at B-Club. In an interview with Capital FM, Babu Owino said the matter is now between him and God.

The controversial lawmaker noted that in as much as he would like to reveal more about the incident, he cannot discuss it as the matter is still in court.

That matter as you all know and as Kenyans know is a matter that is sub judice. It is a matter that is before a court of law and a matter before a court of law should not be discussed, as much as I would love to discuss and talk about it.

Secondly, it is a matter that is between me and God and I chose to forgive myself. I want to tell you, we cannot change the past but we can change the future. Let us focus on what is coming in the foreseeable future, let us not dwell so much in our past because we cant change it no matter how much we wish to change it, said Babu.

DJ Evolves Hospital Bill

Mr Owino also committed to foot DJ Evolves hospital bill.

His bills will be paid by myself, he said. Again I would not wish to dwell in that, matters bills, I will pay the bill and Ill leave it at that I would not talk about it because it is a matter before a court of law.

The first-time lawmaker also dismissed a recent report by Mizani Africa that ranked him as the worst-performing lawmaker in the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

My dressing alone should tell you that I cannot be number last without coming to my brains. I have worked for my people and I have built classes in my constituency. I have done over 22 roads and have introduced table banking for women to advance their businesses, he claimed.
The prelate urges daily prayers and offers recommendations in a letter to pastors and priests. The measures are temporary until Easter.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  Card Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, has reacted to the coronavirus outbreak with a faith response that includes recommendations for pastors and priests.

In his letter, the prelate calls for daily prayers that God may heal the people affected worldwide by the virus, for scientists to find a vaccine, and for authorities to take appropriate measures.

The Corona Virus, writes the cardinal, is rapidly spreading, and at the moment of writing has affected seventy countries, including India. There is no sign that it has reached its peak and more deaths are being reported each day.

I am sending this communication to all Parishes and Institutions in the Archdiocese of Bombay and after appropriate consultation will send a similar note to the Church in India.

Our first faith response is to turn to God. I am enclosing a prayer to be said every day. An intention for this could be added in the Prayers of the Faithful.

I am recommending the following steps for the control of the virus:

1 Encourage our people not to shake hands at the sign of peace but to greet each other with folded hands (namaste).

2 Encourage our people to receive Holy Communion in the hand.

3 On Good Friday, at the Veneration of the Cross, discourage people from kissing the Cross. The blessing with a raised Cross would be adequate. Those who desire, they could come in a queue make reverence with a bow and go back.

4 Before distribution of Holy Communion the Priest/Minister could purify their hands in a bowl of water/sanitiser.

5 Holy water stoops may be kept dry.

Evidently, all these are temporary arrangements and will be reviewed from time to time. At the moment these Norms can be followed till Easter, 12 April 2020.

If there is any indication that an individual in the community is infected, Parish Priests can temporarily suspend meetings of cells, sodalities, associations, etc.

Do advise people not to panic. Government authorities are doing their best to face this challenge. All of us need to co-operate so we can combat this effectively.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who show your love to all creation everywhere, hear graciously the prayers we make for all those affected by the Corona Virus in various parts of the world.

We come before you asking for a quick control of the outbreak, for a healing of those affected, for the victims and their families.

We pray for the doctors doing research that an effective vaccine to combat the sickness is speedily found.

We pray for the Government and health authorities that they take appropriate steps for the good of the people.

We make his prayer through Christ Our Lord.
A Delhi court Friday sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to seven day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi.

Duty Magistrate Rakesh Kumar passed the order after he was produced before him by Delhi Police which said that his custodial interrogation was required to unearth larger conspiracy, Tahir's advocate Mukesh Kalia said.

Tahir was arrested on Thursday after a court here dismissed his plea seeking to surrender before it in connection with the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A new case of coronavirus has been identified in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of people diagnosed in the region to four.

The infected person is an adult patient who had recently travelled from Italy and is linked to a previously confirmed positive case.

Staff at the Public Health Agency are working to identify contacts the individual may have had.

Northern Irelands fourth case of Covid-19 was confirmed on Friday evening by health officials.

In total, 164 people have tested positive for Covid-19 across the UK.

Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in one new presumptive positive result for coronavirus (Covid-19)bringing the total to four since testing began.https://t.co/GJCyr4Fd4b#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/y2D9CINtt1  Department of Health (@healthdpt) March 6, 2020

Northern Irelands chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said: Further positive cases have been expected and we anticipate the number will increase in the days and weeks ahead.

Northern Ireland remains in the containment phase and it is important to emphasise that.

This will obviously be kept under constant review.

It is understood that the fourth case has no implications for the Irish Republic as they did not travel across the border.

The latest case comes as the Republic confirmed five more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in Ireland to 18.

These cases mean there are a total of 22 infected patients on the island of Ireland.

On Thursday, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said that officers could face 12-hour shifts and cancelled rest days if coronavirus has a serious impact on staffing levels.

The PSNI chief added that the potential impact of Covid-19 is very much unknown at this stage.

He said that contingency plans are in place if high numbers of his officers are struck down by the disease.

The Chief Constable said he is in discussions with Stormonts Justice Department about securing bolstered powers to enable officers to detain affected people who might be unwilling to quarantine themselves.

He said he hoped powers handed to police in England could be replicated in Northern Ireland.

Two of the other cases in Northern Ireland had recently travelled from northern Italy, while the other had recent contact with a person elsewhere in the UK who has tested positive for coronavirus.
Spring break in Panama Beach, Fla. is great and all, but nothing beats a Texas-sized party week.

As school districts, colleges and universities get ready for a week off, young adults from all over will be heading to the closest beach.
Actor Kartik Aaryan seems to have taken a leaf out of Ranveer Singhs book on how to apologise for arriving late. At Wednesdays IIFA Awards press conference in Mumbai, Kartik arrived late for his session with Katrina Kaif but found the perfect way to say sorry.

Before beginning their chat with the media, Katrina said that Kartik will first apologise to everyone for coming late. Yesterday Ranveer touched everyones feet, now Ill touch yours, he said and stooped down to touch Katrinas feet. I am so sorry, he said.

Kartik underwent a minor surgery on his arm earlier in the day. He had injured his hand during the promotions of his Valentines Day release, Love Aaj Kal.

When Katrina asked him if he was coming from town, Kartik said he was still recovering from the anesthesia and has forgotten his address or even where they were sitting.

On Tuesday, actor Ranveer Singh had also arrived late to the trailer launch of Sooryavanshi, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina. To apologise, he touched the feet of Ajay Devgn and Akshay. Sir I come from very far away, my wife lives in town, he said with his hands folded.

Also read: Kareena Kapoor takes Taimur for an outing, he gives a shout-out to paparazzi Aye bhai log. Watch video

The film is the fourth film in Rohit Shettys cop universe after Ajays Singham and Singham returns and Ranveers Simmba. Both Ranveer and Ajay have cameos in the new film.

In Sooryavanshi, Akshay plays DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, the chief of the anti-terrorism squad while Katrina plays his doctor wife. The three officers join forces to combat terrorism in Mumbai. Sooryavanshi is slated to hit the theatres on March 24.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has advised Ukrainians who plan to travel to Spain or already stay in this country to be vigilant due to the growing number of novel coronavirus cases there.

A respective recommendation was made public by the Foreign Ministry's press service.

"Due to the growing number of cases of respiratory diseases in Spain caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine recommends that citizens who are in or intend to visit this country take preventative measures to protect against the virus, avoid contact with patients, take personal hygiene measures, and follow the recommendations of the health authorities of Ukraine and Spain (for more information see the website of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the website of the Ministry of Health of Spain)" the report reads.

The second coronavirus death was recorded in Spain on March 4. The number of patients reached 193.

op
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is interacting with Lok Sabha MPs from West Bengal for comprehensive feedback on the partys organisational set-up and issues that could shape the campaign ahead of next years assembly elections. According to people aware of the matter, this is also being done after the PM received an internal note mentioning a disconnect between the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) state leaders and its workers on the ground.

The lack of a coordinated effort between the party cadre and local leadership was identified as a key reason for setbacks that the BJP faced in recent assembly polls in Jharkhand and Delhi, and the people cited above said that the party leadership has moved in swiftly to take stock of the challenges in West Bengal, where the electoral battle with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is expected to be fierce.

According to two members who participated in such one-on-one meetings with the PM this week, Modi listened to the concerns put forth by the elected representatives, asked questions about specific regions, and said that the party should contest the polls keeping in mind that their work is for the nation.

He had lots of questions to ask  about the assembly sectors that comprise one Lok Sabha constituency, the strength and weaknesses of the party and the Opposition, and the areas that need attention. He listened to the issues that people on the ground face in the wake of Banerjees politics and her appeasement for illegal immigrants, said an MP who met the PM.

The MP added that he raised the issue of womens safety in the state. Owing to the illegal immigrants in the state, crime against women has gone up, said the MP.

The BJP, which has been trying to increase its footprint in West Bengal, has identified an organisational revamp as a core focus area, according to a person aware of the details.

While the party increased its tally in the Lok Sabha from two to 14 in 2019, emerging as the principal Opposition in a states that sends 42 MPs to the Lok Sabha, it has set its eyes wresting power in the 2021 assembly elections.

In the 2016 polls, the BJP managed to win just three seats in the 294-member assembly, while the TMC won 211 seats, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) 26, and the Congress 44.

While leaders such as Shiv Prakash, Arvind Menon, Kailash Vijavargiah have been leading the charge on the ground, Union minister Amit Shah gave an indication of the partys ambitious drive to take on the Trinamool Congress in the 2021 assembly polls with his pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act rally in the state on March 1, when he launched the Aar Noi Annay (no more injustice) campaign.

At the rally, Shah accused opposition parties, including West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress, of spreading misinformation on CAA, assuring minorities that the legislation will not take away their citizenship.

They are trying to create panic among the minority, saying that our Muslim brothers and sisters will lose citizenship. From this rally in Kolkata, I assure all minorities in Bengal that CAA will not take away your citizenship. This law is for granting citizenship, not for taking it away, he said. Milind Awad of the Jawaharlal Nehru University said the BJPs election strategy in West Bengal will be largely based on Pro-hindutava. The BJP is invoking Hindutava tendencies while responding to largely the Left-led politics of secularism and cultivating anti-political sentiments while responding to the TMC in the West Bengal, he said.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and minister of state for parliamentary affairs Tapas Roy said If he [ Modi] has to meet BJP MPs to ask questions on law and order etc it means he had not been keeping track at all.

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Partnership Designed to Fuel Growth at German Software Maker Creating Innovative Technology for Craftspeople

Almost 30 years after the first WinWorker product appeared, the company behind this innovative technology for craftspeople, Sander Partner GmbH (dba WinWorker), has a new owner. WinWorker and its founder Dirk Sander announced today that it has been acquired by Battery Ventures, a global, technology-focused investment firm.

The aim of the acquisition is to fuel company growth through continued product innovation, excellent customer service and critical partnerships with key industry organizations. Battery, which has made more than 426 total investments since its founding in 1983*, has a particular focus on vertical software and software-as-a-service.

"We are very glad to have found a buyer in Battery who thinks just as innovatively as WinWorker and one we feel will lead this established brand into a successful future," said Sander. The company remains loyal to the Goch location and all WinWorker software products for the craft sector will continue to be developed there.

The company's software is used by craftspeople and small-business contractors-mainly painters, roofers and landscapers-to help them run their businesses. Specific functionality includes workforce management, time tracking, material management, resource planning, quota preparation and controlling and cash management, among other areas. In addition to the desktop solution, which can be used with many modules, many customers access WinWorker through its mobile apps. The company has thousands of customers, primarily in Germany; the company offers full, in-house support for its products and sells through a nationwide sales team.

Morad Elhafed, a general partner at Battery, said: "With WinWorker we have found what we feel is a first-class software partner. We are impressed with the progress WinWorker has made in the market to date and look forward to helping the company grow and expand, both organically and through acquisitions. We are excited to partner with the company as it continues to make life easier for craftspeople and tradespeople in Germany and beyond." Zak Ewen, a vice president in Battery's London office, added, "WinWorker is another excellent example of Battery's commitment to bootstrapped and founder-led software companies in Europe. We're grateful for the opportunity to continue building on the company's rich history."

With the change of ownership, the WinWorker software is ideally positioned to decisively promote digitization in the trade.

*Data through 9/30/2019

About Battery Ventures

Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams developing category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure, online marketplaces, healthcare IT and industrial technology. Founded in 1983, the firm backs companies at all stages, ranging from seed and early to growth and buyout, and invests globally from offices in Boston, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Israel, London and New York. Follow the firm on Twitter @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a full list of Battery's portfolio companies here.

About WinWorker

WinWorker provides business management software and mobile tools for SME craftsmen companies located primarily in Europe. The company's approximately 6,000 customers include painters, drywall installers, timber construction and roofing specialists, window manufacturers and installers, and other specialty trades.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005053/en/

Contacts:

Contact:

WinWorker Software

Sander Partner GmbH

Emmericher Weg 12

47574 Goch

Germany

+49 (0) 2823 4256-0

www.winworker.de

Or:

Rebecca Buckman

VP, Marketing/Communications

Battery Ventures

becky@battery.com

1-650-292-2077
Meghan makes first UK appearance since moving to quit royal family

Meghan Markle last night made her first public appearance in the UK since she and her husband Prince Harry announced they were quitting the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Londons Mansion House.

They were there to honour the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.

Thursday nights event was one of just a handful of engagements the couple are undertaking this weekend in the UK before returning to Canada to embark on their new life, ahead of their official departure on March 31.

First UK coronavirus patient to die 'caught illness in Britain'

The first person in the UK to die after testing positive for coronavirus caught the deadly illness in Britain, it is believed.

Reported to be a woman in her 70s, they had underlying health conditions and had been "in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, health officials said.

The patient was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday and was diagnosed.

The death came on a day the number of UK cases of Covid-19 surged to 116 - more than double the total 48 hours earlier.

Patel allies say 'she never crossed a line' amid bullying claims

Priti Patel has been defended as a "tough, assertive" leader who has "never crossed a line" by nearly 100 allies, as she faces a series of bullying claims.

The Home Secretary is facing allegations over her treatment of officials in three separate Government departments during her ministerial career.

But in a letter to the Telegraph today, more than 90 people including former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross and Conservative election guru Sir Lynton Crosby came to her defence.

They said she is "right to ask tough questions" of officials, adding: "We do not recognise the picture that has been painted of her this week.

Brexit preparations cost taxpayer more than 40bn

Brexit cost the taxpayer more than 4 billion in additional government costs, the Whitehall spending watchdog has found.

The National Audit Office said that between the EU referendum in June 2016 and March 31 this year, government departments will have spent at least 4.4 billion,

A total of 6.3 billion was allocated by the Treasury to prepare for Britains departure from the bloc at the end of January, the official figures showed.

The preparation included planning for both "deal" and "no deal" scenarios.

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom 'postpone wedding over coronavirus fears'

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have reportedly postponed their wedding in Japan due to fears over the coronavirus.

The celebrity couple, who have just revealed they are expecting their first child, were said to be set to celebrate the big day later this year.

But the plans have now been paused due to worries over the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 virus, and insider told People magazine.

On this day...

1836: The Alamo fell to Mexican forces under Santa Anna. Legendary frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie both died in the 12-day battle.

1890: An ornithologist released 100 starlings in New York's Central Park as a memorial to Shakespeare. The starling is now America's worst bird pest.

1899: Chemist Felix Hoffmann patented the world's most famous pain-relief drug, aspirin.

1926: The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon was engulfed by flames, leaving only a blackened shell.

1930: Clarence Birdseye marketed the first frozen foods in Massachusetts.

1944: US planes from bases in Britain began daylight bombing raids on Berlin.

1988: Three IRA terrorists were shot dead by SAS soldiers in Gibraltar.
By Gwynne Dyer





Turkey has opened the floodgates, and soon Europe will be drowning in immigrants. "Hundreds of thousands have crossed," Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed on television, "and soon it will reach millions." And it must be true, because you can see it live on your medium of choice.



Look at this clip of Greek frontier guards firing tear gas canisters into angry, stone-throwing crowds of refugees who are right up against the border fence. Look at this shot of other Greek paramilitary troops shooting into the water right beside a rubber raft filled with refugees. Millions and millions of refugees. The migrant Armageddon is at hand.



It's ugly, but it's not really what it seems. Erdogan says he has opened Turkey's border with the west because the country has already taken in 3.6 million refugees, mostly from Syria. There's just no room for the several million more now trying to get out of Idlib, the last Syrian province held by jihadi rebels. So he's sending them west.



That is, at best, an over-simplification. There are no more Syrian refugees coming into Turkey from Idlib, because Turkey has closed the border against them. Indeed, most of the people now trying to storm the borders of Greece and Bulgaria  13,000 at last count, not "hundreds of thousands"  are not Syrians at all.



They are Afghans, Eritreans, Iraqis, West Africans, some genuine refugees and others "economic migrants," who are already living safely in Turkey, but would rather be in some country in the European Union.



They didn't walk 600 kilometers from Idlib, either. The Turkish government is bussing them to Greece's land and sea frontiers from wherever they have been living in Turkey, telling them (falsely) that the Europeans will let them in. Erdogan just wants to put pressure on the EU.



Pressure to do what? Good question. He may not know himself, but he's desperate because his bluff in Syria has been called and he's facing a potential military confrontation with Russia. It's not clear how putting the Europeans into play will change that, but he's definitely at the 'Do something! Anything!' stage of desperation.



Erdogan's problem is that for the past three months the Syrian army, with strong Russian air support, has been taking Idlib province back from Turkey's Syrian jihadi allies, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly an al-Qaeda franchise), in a slow, grinding offensive.



Turkey has troops in Idlib, and has gradually been committing them to combat to help the jihadis, but still the Syrian-Russian advance continues. Erdogan has threatened to go to full-scale war, and the Syrian regime and the Russians haven't even blinked. More than 50 Turkish soldiers have already been killed, so what does he do now?



I don't know, and I suspect he doesn't know either. The whole refugee thing may just be a displacement activity, not part of a cunning plan. We'll probably know more in a week's time  but in the meantime, look at those clips again, because that's what the future, or at least a big part of it, will look like.



This is the first time that we have documented evidence of European border guards shooting at, or at least very near, illegal migrants. Yes, there are special circumstances, the migrants are being sent as part of a political ploy  but it will not be the last time.



The Syrian civil war is stumbling to an end, but migrants from all the other countries to the south and east of Europe will keep coming, and their numbers will swell.



All of the Middle East and West Africa is going to be hit early and very hard by global warming, which will cause a steady fall in food production. The rule of thumb is that you lose 10 percent of food production for every rise in average temperature of one degree Celcius.



To make matters worse, these regions also have the highest population growth rates in the world: doubling times for most countries are 25 years or less. Now it's poverty and war that drives the migrants; in the future it will be actual hunger (and war, of course).



They will head for Europe in ever-increasing numbers, because there's no other safe haven in reach, but it will not remain a safe haven. There will never be another year like 2016, when the European Union, led by Germany, let more than a million refugees in out of sheer pity for their plight. In fact, the political backlash to that act of generosity has already driven politics sharply to the right all over the continent.



Europe's external borders are already closing down, but in years to come the dirty little secret that everybody refuses to acknowledge will finally become public knowledge. It's quite easy to shut borders, really. You just have to be willing to kill people who try to cross them without permission.





Gwynne Dyer (gwynne763121476@aol.com) has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work)."


Myanmar: As Myanmar farmers lose their land, sand mining for Singapore is blamed

by Sam Aung Moon and John Geddie

March 06,2020 | Source: Reuters

From a boat on the Salween River in southeastern Myanmar, Than Zaw Oo pointed to a brown stretch of water he said was once full of lush paddy fields. This used to be my land, said the 51-year-old farmer, frowning at the murky waves. All but six of the 24 acres where he used to grow rice and vegetables have slipped into the water in recent years, he said. Another farmer, Than Tun, said he had lost 15 acres of his land to erosion. While official records were not available, other villagers backed their accounts. Farmers and politicians in Chaungzon township, just outside the southern town of Moulmein, worry that erosion in the area is being exacerbated by the ships that dredge its bed for sand each night. The sand is mainly bound for Singapore, the worlds biggest importer, for use in reclamation and construction projects.



Both the Myanmar government and the company whose ships do the dredging in Chaungzon deny the dredging is causing the erosion. But the dispute highlights the fractious issue of sand-mining in Southeast Asia as Singapore is forced to look farther afield to slake its thirst for the mineral following bans on the trade in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia over environmental concerns. Sand mining has been blamed by scientists for damaging sensitive ecosystems around the world, accelerating coastal and riverine erosion, and exacerbating the frequency and severity of floods and droughts, according to a 2019 report by the U.N Environment Programme. Malaysia, formerly the biggest source of sand for Singapore, in 2018 introduced an outright ban on the export of sea sand, used for land reclamation, and imposed tighter controls on river sand, used mostly in construction. Cambodia made a similar move in 2017, while Indonesia banned exports to Singapore in 2007, causing a sand crisis that brought building activity almost to a halt. Singapore, an island state that has grown 25 percent since its independence in 1965 thanks largely to aggressive land reclamation, has since bolstered its stockpiles, according to sand traders.



Officials in Myanmar and industry sources in Singapore say the bans have prompted Singapore to seek new supplies from countries like Myanmar. Almost 1 million tonnes of sand went from Myanmar to Singapore in 2018, earning over $6 million, according to the most recent UN data on the trade. That amount is expected to have increased substantially following the Malaysia bans, according to the Myanmar government. Since the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam almost completely stopped exporting sand to Singapore, the sand from Myanmar has become much more in demand, said Aye Lwin, joint secretary-general of the Myanmar Port Authority, which grants licenses for sand-mining operations.



The benefits of the mining  including tax revenues for the government  outweighed the costs, he said. I believe it only causes little environmental damage, Aye Lwin said. But it generates funds for the government. The Singapore-registered company dredging in Chaungzon, Starhigh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., has extracted hundreds of thousands of tonnes of sand since 2013, according to the local member of Parliament, Kyi Kyi Mya. She said at least 150,000 tonnes were extracted in 2018-2019, but did not have the exact number for other years.



Starhigh dredges the sand legally through a license with the local government that does not limit the amount of sand the company can extract. Most of the sand Starhigh extracts is sent to Singapore. The company last year bid to supply sand to JTC Corporation, a Singapore government agency for infrastructure development, according to a tender on a government procurement site. Starhigh also supplied sand for a JTC reclamation project in Singapore completed in 2018, according to Starhighs managing director, Si Thu Phyo. He said the sand for that project came from Myanmar as well as Vietnam and the Philippines. JTC referred questions from Reuters to Singapores Ministry of National Development, which said the country imports sand on a commercial basis and that suppliers are expected to abide by laws and regulations in source countries.



The Myanmar government says the environmental impact of the dredging is minimal and necessary to clear waterways of built-up sediment. In 2014, the company paid compensation to local farmers who claimed that mining too close to the shore had led to landslides, according to Kyi Kyi Mya, the MP in Chaungzon. Starhigh did not comment on any compensation paid to farmers but said whenever it is possible, we will help locals with small landfill work at our own cost. Si Thu Phyo, the Starhigh managing director, told Reuters that erosion was present in the area before dredging work started. Dredging is always an easy target when it comes to environmental complaints, he said. People dont understand and are worried. Riverbank erosion along the Salween is not an entirely new phenomenon, with factors including climate change worsening the problem by contributing to higher levels of flooding and siltation, said Vanessa Lamb, a geography lecturer at the University of Melbourne who has studied the river.



She said that a lack of baseline data about the river made it difficult to track just how much sand dredging was affecting riverbank erosion. But in a 2019 research paper, Lamb said locals blamed accelerating erosion on the rise in sand-mining. It was not possible to verify those claims from local records or old photographs. Dr Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of the Mon state parliament and the author of a parliamentary report on sand extraction in the region, said there was little transparency around the industry. He said that there was no consistent monitoring process and that authorities were not checking how much sand was being extracted or whether companies were taking material only from agreed sites. For now, the government says it does not have plans to end the dredging or compensate farmers for lost land. Than Zaw Oo, the farmer in Chaungzon, said he is now in debt after borrowing more than $2,600 to pay for embankments in an attempt to keep erosion at bay. I am lost and I dont know what to do, he said. The sadness is just beyond words.
Alabama Senate passes ban on puberty blockers, hormones, surgeries used to gender-transition youth

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The Alabama Senate passed a bill barring the experimental medicalized gender-transition of youth, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and body-altering surgeries.

Following a successful committee vote last week, the state senate passed legislation criminalizing the act of prescribing opposite sex hormones and drugs used to arrest puberty to youth under the age of 19, AL.com reported. The bill is called the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act.

Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, was the sponsor of the legislation and he stressed that the practices should not be performed on children because of their inability to give consent.

I just dont think and others dont think that kids should be given experimental drugs or surgeries that could have irreversible consequences for the rest of their life, Shelnutt said.

Kids are not fully developed until later in life. I think we can all agree that kids arent capable of making certain decisions until certain ages. And so, we want to just stop these procedures from happening in Alabama.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, asked whether legislators ought to restrict decisions made between parents and their children, criticizing the lack of data presented.

The final Senate vote was 22-3.

The Republican legislator noted that while he did not know how many youth were being hormonally transitioned in the state, the exact numbers do not matter. He does not know of any young people undergoing gender surgeries.

It doesnt matter if its only 20 that its happened to. Ones too many, Shelnutt said.

If signed into law, Shelnutt's bill would make prescribing, dispensing, administering or in any way providing the drugs and treatments to minors a class C felony. The law would also ban surgeries that alter a minors anatomy.

Erin Brewer of Logan, Utah, who developed a transgender identity when she was a child but through psychological counseling was able to desist and reintegrate with her biological sex, has been advocating for similar bills across the country. Brewer was present for the Alabama debate as part of the nonpartisan Alabama Compassion Coalition and her written testimony was submitted into the record.

"Transgender activists suggest that we be kind to transgender-identified children, and I agree wholeheartedly. But the transgender activists are the ones being cruel by telling these kids that they were born in the wrong body. We need to stand up for these kids, love them, help them heal, and assure them that the self-hatred they have is not a normal developmental path but a feeling that can be overcome," Brewer told The Christian Post in a Friday interview.

"Because my school psychologist did not affirm my belief that I was born in the wrong body, my teachers did not use the name I wanted them to use, Timothy, or refer to me with male pronouns. I was not allowed to use the boys bathroom or participate in P.E. with the boys. Instead, my school psychologist, teacher, and parents helped me to manage my self-hatred rather than encourage it," she explained.

Today, however, schools take the exact opposite approach, Brewer lamented, noting that the transgender ideology contains a dark underbelly, which few know.

Before medical interventions are considered, young children are "socially transitioned" in various ways, such as girls wearing clothes typically worn by boys, she stressed, but "it can also include parents of young girls who are gender confused putting something called a 'packer' in their panties."

A "packer" is a fake penis that resembles a sex toy.

"Keeping in mind that many girls who develop a trans identity have done so as a coping mechanism after a sexual abuse, imagine that girl being told that her self-hatred is valid and then a parent putting a fake penis in her panties and told that she is, in fact, a boy," she said.

Brewer held up one such penis packer at a press conference for the bill last week, explaining how they are used. At that same press conference, a teen girl who took testosterone for a year before detransitioning spoke about how the gender doctor treated her in an unprofessional manner and how the hormones damaged her body and caused her all kinds of health problems.

Alabama's bill will now move to the House of Representatives where Republicans currently have a 77-28 majority.

The legislative effort in the Yellowhammer state to address the issue follows a recent unsuccessful attempt to forbid such practices in South Dakota. The South Dakota House overwhelmingly passed their bill banning the gender-transitioning of children but was subsequently voted down in a Senate committee under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce. A handful of other states have introduced and are considering similar measures.
Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed

Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoors residence raided by ED in Mumbai

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Mumbai residence of Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor on Friday night, a day after the crisis-hit bank was placed under a moratorium with withdrawals capped at Rs 50,000.

They said the raid is being carried out at his Samudra Mahal residence in the western metropolis. The action is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is aimed at collecting more evidence, the officials said.

The central agency is also probing Kapoor's role in connection with the disbursal of a loan to a corporate entity and the subsequent alleged kickbacks reportedly received in his wife's accounts. Other alleged irregularities are also under the agency's scanner, they added.

The Reserve Bank on Thursday imposed a moratorium on the capital-starved Yes Bank, capping withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account and superseded the board of the private sector lender with immediate effect.

Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

As per RBI's draft reconstruction scheme, State Bank of India will pick up 49 per cent stake in the crisis-ridden Yes Bank under a government-approved bailout plan.

The raids come on a day finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had spoken about Yes Bank's funding of stressed corporate such as DHFL as one of the reasons for its failure.

Rana Kapoor joined Bank of America (BoA) as a management trainee in 1980. He worked at BoA for at least 16 years where he managed corporate, government and financial institution clients.

In September 2018, Yes Bank announced that they had ordered Kapoor to step down from his CEO position in January 2019.

In July 2019, the Times of India reported that with a 78% drop in the Yes Bank share price since August 2018, Kapooor's net worth had fallen by over a billion to $377 million under RBI scanner.

(with PTI inputs)
Here are some questions and answers about fake Social Security calls:

What should I do if I think a call is fraudulent?

Dont answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. Instead, let them go to voice mail  or an answering machine, if you still use one, advised Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs with AARP. Then listen to the message, and delete it if its suspicious.

If you do answer the phone and the caller demands money, hang up  dont give out personal information. You dont want to engage with the scammer, Mr. Saul said.

Report the call to the inspector generals office at the Social Security Administration, online at https://oig.ssa.gov/. The form asks you to create a unique identification number, so if the agency contacts you, you can ask for the number to verify that the call is authentic.

The agency also offers a voice verification service to people who call Social Securitys 800 number. Callers can record their first and last name. Then, when they get a scheduled call back, they will hear their own voice and know the call is legitimate.

Be aware that because of spoofing technology, an apparently legitimate phone number may be fake. Anyone can get a Social Security fraud call, but older people may be more vulnerable because they are more likely to rely on benefits for living expenses, and some schemes threaten a suspension of benefits, said Randal Wolverton, a former F.B.I. agent and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fraud Task Force.

Do the schemes always involve a phone call?

Sometimes, criminals email official-looking documents purporting to be Social Security papers, and more recently they have started sending text messages that appear to be coming from the agency, urging people to call a number to resolve a legal problem with a Social Security number. But the administration wont send unsolicited texts asking you to return a call to an unknown number, Ms. Ennis said.

The agency sends texts only if you have agreed to receive them, and then in limited situations  if, for instance, you have a disability claim that is being reviewed or have signed up to have authentication codes sent to your phone when logging into your Social Security account.

How can I avoid getting spam calls?

Its hard to eliminate robocalls, but some tools may help reduce them. Contact your cellphone company about screening tools or filters that can help block or reduce spam calls, the Federal Communications Commission suggests. Consumer Reports suggests trying apps like Nomorobo, which charges a monthly fee for cellphones. Free apps are also available, Consumer Reports notes, but they may require access to your personal contact lists. You can also register your phones on the Federal Trade Commissions Do Not Call List, which wont stop illegal calls but can help reduce calls from telemarketers.
The insolvency law provides a new lifeline for stressed companies to save them from premature death, Chairman said on Friday.

The (IBC) provides for a time-bound and market-linked resolution of stressed assets.

Speaking at an event here, Sahoo said the provides a new lifeline to a company which has a value and has to be saved from premature death.

Exemplifying his point, Sahoo said the average life of S&P 500 companies has reportedly come down from 90 years to 18 years over the last century.

There is a kind of danger to the life of a business and at times, freedom results in unfair battles at market place, he noted.

As many as 190 companies have been rescued till December 2019 through resolution plans and they owed Rs 3.8 lakh crore to creditors.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is a key institution in the insolvency ecosystem.
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the French to limit visits to elderly people who are most vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus that has already left nine dead in the country and made hundreds ill.

Macron, who shook up his agenda this week to focus on efforts to contain the outbreak, said on a visit to an old people's home that they were by far the most vulnerable to its effects.

"Our absolute priority is to protect the people who are the most fragile in the face of this virus," Macron said.

"The nation is behind our old... during this epidemic and we need to limit our visits as much as we can," he said.

He admitted this could prove "heartbreaking" at times but said the measure was simply one of common sense.

He emphasised that young people should not be visiting the old because "as we know, they (the young) transmit the virus a lot".

The French health ministry said Friday that the number of cases of coronavirus infection had jumped by a further 154 to 577, with two more deaths bringing the total toll to nine.

Those who died in France so far have been old with pre-existing conditions.

Macron said that the situation was likely to last several weeks and that people should show the "spirit of responsibility" without giving into panic.

The health ministry said its priority was to slow the spread of the virus to limit the effects for the population when the peak of the virus is reached.

"People who are old are more at risk and should be protected," the ministry added.

One of the worst-hit regions in France is the Haut-Rhin in the east, where the number of cases jumped eightfold inside eight hours to 81, according to local officials.

The senior state official for the region, Laurent Touvet, announced a series of measures including closing some schools and banning gatherings of more than 50 people.

Some of the cases in Haut-Rhin have been traced to a meeting of an evangelical church from February 17 to 24 in the city of Mulhouse, attended by some 2,000 people.

Several participants have tested positive, including five who later flew to France's Latin American overseas department of French Guiana and began showing symptoms there.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Lieutenant General Artak Davtyan yesterday visited military units, followed the implementation of measures being implemented according to the combat readiness plan and inspected the arms located in the newly built storage rooms.

Lieutenant General Artak Davtyan was reported on the level of physical, combat and moral-psychological readiness of the personnel and the tasks set forth for the subdivisions, as well as the construction that is underway. Artak Davtyan gave the commanders of the military units their assignments for the solutions to priority issues.
New Delhi, March 6 : To celebrate International Women's Day 2020, micro-blogging site Twitter on Friday launched a special emoji with the hashtag '#EveryWoman'.

Globally, there have been 125 million Tweets about feminism and equality over the past three years. Conversations are closely tied to International Women's Day, which is on March 8, the platform said.

"At Twitter, we see incredibly vibrant and diverse voices on our platform, from those engaging in joyful everyday conversations, to strong women who raise awareness about issues that matter," said Maya Hari (@maya_hari), Vice President, Asia Pacific at Twitter.

Through #EveryWoman, we want to highlight every shade and every kind of Indian woman, and honour those who are transforming how we are perceived in the workplace and beyond," Hari added.

According to the social media platform, in the first few months of 2020 there was an 87 per cent growth in conversations in India to do with women's day and women's empowerment when compared to the same months in 2019 (January 1 - February 25).

Top five hashtags for women-related conversations on Twitter in India from 2017 till now, included -- #MeToo/#MeTooIndia, #SareeTwitter, #GirlsWhoDrinkBeer, #LahuKaLagaan and #JhumkaTwitter, the company said.

Honouring #EveryWoman's voice on the platform, Twitter India is celebrating these five inspiring women on International Women's Day: Chinmayi Sripaada, Dutee Chand, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Shereen Bhan and Late Sushma Swaraj.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 6, 2020 - 12:10 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

A map created online last month by a South Korean university student charting reported coronavirus cases by Japanese municipality as well as the movements of those infected has garnered praise for being an effective visual representation of the current situation.

The "coronavirus case map" developed by Kyushu University student Lee Dong Yon, 25, utilizes health ministry data to plot the routes traveled by those infected within Japan.

The locations of reported infections are marked with red circles, travel movements of those infected are in blue and the locations of those who have recovered are green.

Circles are numbered in the order in which the case was announced by the ministry, while users can look at the press release, the patient's travel history and current status by clicking on the circle.

"I thought the damage could be minimized if we mapped where each infected person had previously traveled," Lee said. The first map was created on Feb. 5.

Although prefectural-level maps which record the reported cases throughout the country exist, those by municipality are rare.

Lee's map, which now receives tens of thousands of views per day, allows the public to see how the virus has spread through small groups or clusters, according to the student.

The psychology student has no background in programming, and taught himself after he became interested in a disaster prevention map he saw at an event hosted last year by Line Fukuoka Corp., a regional unit of messaging app provider Line Corp.

Lee spent a number of sleepless nights while first developing the map, but said he has recently gotten the hang of it. Having to continue his studies and job-hunting efforts on top of updating the map, however, the student has seen his sleep time steadily reducing.

"I'd like to see the map filled with green bubbles to indicate the 'recovered' people soon," he said. The map can be seen at http://coromap.info
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 12:50:06|Editor: Lu Hui

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MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) -- At least two workers were killed in a methane outburst in a mine in north Russia's Komi Republic, while 43 out of 106 people in the mine have been rescued, local media reported Friday.
Their burgeoning romance has been going from strength to strength, with the star calling his girlfriend 'the love of my life.'

And Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz proved they are happier than ever as they put on a loved-up display at the Tings magazine dinner at London's Laylow Members Club on Thursday.

The aspiring photographer, 21, could barely keep his hands off his stylish lady, 25, at the magazine cover celebration presented by Topman.

Close: Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz proved they are happier than ever as they put on a loved-up display at the Tings magazine dinner at London's Laylow Members Club on Thursday

Brooklyn dressed to impress for the evening, donning a suave black blazer, worn with a crisp white T-shirt and black trousers.

While Nicola pulled out all the stops as she continued the monochrome theme in a plunging white blazer and sleek black trousers.

And Nicola dared to bare as she showcased a hint of her black lace bra beneath her blazer.

The duo looked more loved up than ever as they posed for snaps before enjoying a dance together on the dance floor.

Loved-up: The aspiring photographer, 21, could barely keep his hands off his stylish lady, 25 at the magazine cover celebration presented by Topman

The pair also featured on social media where a love-struck Brooklyn happily planted a kiss on his lady's cheek.

Their night out comes after Brooklyn and Nicola looked every inch the perfect couple as they enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris together for fashion week.

Nicola's breakthrough role as an actress came in the 2010 film The Last Airbender and she is also known for starring as Bradley Martin in the series Bates Motel.

The pair have been heavily documenting their blossoming romance on social media, with Brooklyn previously calling Nicola the 'love of my life.'

Style: Brooklyn dressed to impress for the evening, donning a suave black blazer, worn with a crisp white T-shirt and black trousers (pictured with Nicola and Ting magazine co-founder Justin Campbell)

Racy look: And Nicola dared to bare as she showcased a hint of her black lace bra beneath her blazer

Brooklyn had been linked to a string of women over the past few months, before meeting Nicola, following his split from model Hana Cross, including Canadian actress Natalie Ganzhorn, 21, and brunette actress Phoebe Torrance, 25.

Most recently it was claimed he and Lottie Moss had a 'secret fling' before he started dating his now ex-girlfriend Hana.

Earlier this month, American actress Nicola declared that she and Brooklyn will be together 'forever' as she stressed the strength of their relationship alongside a steamy photograph shared to Instagram.

Brooklyn recently posted a black and white snap of himself and his new actress girlfriend cosied up together, which he captioned: 'Me and u xx,' with Nicola adding 'Forever' in a comment beneath.

Besotted: The pair also featured on social media where a love-struck Brooklyn happily planted a kiss on his lady's cheek

Happy couple: The duo looked more loved up than ever as they posed for snaps before enjoying a dance together on the dance floor

True love: The pair packed on the PDA as they danced

Night out: Nicola appeared in the party spirit as they mingled with the likes of Rita Ora, Joey Essex and Emma Weymouth




CASS COUNTY, MI  Two suspects face 13 charges apiece after a dog was shot and killed during an armed robbery that occurred just before midnight on Tuesday, March 3.

A 24-year-old woman was home alone with her dog, when the suspects and one or two other male individuals allegedly entered the residence and demanded money Tuesday night, a news release from the Cass County Sheriffs Office states.

Deputies were dispatched to the home in the 63000 block of Day Lake Road in Calvin Township at 11:50 p.m. March 3.

The woman told officers that she advised the suspects that she did not have any money, but the men went ahead and forced their way into a back bedroom where the dog was. The dog, according to the release, lunged at the suspects and was shot.

The suspects then left the residence with an undetermined amount of money, the release states. They are said to have fled the scene in a silver Toyota Prius.

While deputies were investigating the armed robbery, a report of a suspicious situation involving a silver Pius was called in from a location on Brownsville Road, approximately 4 miles from the home invasion, the release states.

Two vehicles were observed parked at a secluded location on the callers property and subjects were getting out of the Prius and into a red Toyota Camry, the release states.

The property owner told deputies he made contact with the subjects in the cars, but the subjects fled the area prior to deputies arriving on scene, the release states.

Based on information from the caller, deputies were able to identify one of the suspects tied to the home invasion. Deputies soon after found the Camry parked at the Cass District Library in Cassopolis and located two of the subjects, the release states.

Oliver Bwalya, 21, from Elkhart and Indiana, and Jeramiah Makanjuola, 19, of Columbus, Ohio were both arrested on scene and have since been charged with 13 different crimes apiece, the release states.

Both men are facing charges including, among them, home invasion, armed robbery, killing and torturing an animal, larceny from a building, assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearms. Bond was set for both men at $80,000, the release states.

Also on MLive:

Fugitive arrested near Chicago charged in killing of Kalamazoo man

Man pleads guilty to hitting pedestrian while driving under influence

Grand Rapids man sentenced to prison for lying to FBI
Joe Biden has won the Texas Democratic primary with 228 delegates at stake, according to multiple media projections.

Why it matters: Texas offers the second-largest win of the night, coming in just behind California and its 415 delegates.

The big picture: Sen. Bernie Sanders led most Texas polls headed into Super Tuesday, but the state hadn't always favored him. Sanders lost to Hillary Clinton in the state's 2016 primary by more than 30 percentage points.

Former Vice President Joe Biden also saw a boost after his former 2020 competitors Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke endorsed him at a Texas rally Monday night.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also had some Texas backing, receiving an endorsement from former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in January.

Between the lines: Per CNN, exit polls found that about half of Texas voters who decided their votes in the last few days went for Biden.

The big picture: Democrats have increasingly viewed Texas as a potential swing state in 2020. It saw huge Democratic mobilization in 2018 when O'Rourke made a run against incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.
Rescued lawmakers accuse Congress of tarnishing their image.

The ruling Congress here on Thursday found itself in a sticky wicket following the outbursts by the two BSP MLAs and one SP legislator who provided supported the Kamal Nath government.

Bhopal/New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh political drama continued on Thursday with two Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs and one Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator, who were purportedly rescued by Congress state ministers from a Gurugram hotel, claiming that nobody from BJP had taken them hostage. The Congress, however, maintained in Delhi that the BJP had abducted 14 of their MLAs.

Taking strong exception to their portrayal as pliable politicians by Congress by staging the rescue operation, the three lawmakers who were among six MLAs rescued by two MP ministers, Jai vardhan Singh and Jitu Patwari, from a luxury hotel in Gurgaon near Delhi described the entire narrative on rescue operation by the two ministers in the Gurgaon hotel, as white lie.

Nobody has taken us to Delhi and arranged our accommodation in any hotel nor did anybody rescue us. The two ministers asked us if we will be available for a chat. We were later asked to come with them to Bhopal in a charter plane, BSP MLA Sanjeev Kushwaha told reporters here.

It is ridiculous to say that we were kept in a hotel to be purchased by BJP. This is absolutely baseless charge which tarnished our image in public. We stood by Kamal Nath government and will do so in future, he added.

Another BSP legislator Rama Bai ridiculed the claim by Congress veteran Digvijay Singh that she was misbehaved with by BJP leaders in the Gurgaon hotel, describing it as not true.

Nobody can dare to touch Rama Bai leave alone misbehaving her, she said.

SP MLA Rajendra Shukla also echoed similar sentiments saying that a section of Congress leaders wanted to soar up their image before their party high command and hence they staged the whole drama.

The ruling Congress here on Thursday found itself in a sticky wicket following the outbursts by the two BSP MLAs and one SP legislator who provided supported the Kamal Nath government.

We have never mentioned the names of MLAs who were rescued from the hotel. It is true that some MLAs were missing, Congress spokesman here Narendra Saluja said.

Meanwhile in Delhi, the Congress central leadership yet again claimed that the BJP was destabilising its state government. It accused the saffron party of trying to bring down the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh by abducting 14 MLAs of the ruling alliance.

The atmosphere created by the BJP in the country (is of) targeting and breaking opposition party leaders with threats of raids etc and forcing them to join or ally with the BJP so they can form government, senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said told the media.

Wherever other parties have made governments, their (BJPs) aim has been to destabilise them. This fever to destabilise state governments rises when Rajya Sabha elections are due, he said.



Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed that the BJP abducted 14 MLAs and accused the saffron party of being hand in glove with the mafia in Madhya Pradesh who want to topple the Congress government in the state.

Eleven mafias have been identified and are being reigned in by the Congress. They had been active for 15 years. The Vyapam scam is unravelling. So, this is a conspiracy to bring the Madhya Pradesh government down, he said.

Senior Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijay Singh, both of whom lost last years Lok Sabha polls, are the two main contenders for Rajya Sabha berths from the state.

Digvijay Singh is a sitting RS member and is retiring later this month.

The Congress state leadership, i.e. chief minister Kamal Nath, is keen on inducting a local leader for one of the seats, leaving the fight open between Digvijay and Scindia for the one seat left.
Extra Crunch is now past its first birthday. Over the past year, we've learned a lot, made some changes and generally found our groove.

Toward the end of 2019, former TechCrunch writer Alex Wilhelm returned to the publication to help grow Extra Crunch, though he still writes for the main site as well. His daily columns dig into the financial side of the startup world and have resonated deeply with our audience, so I wanted to talk to him about what he's doing and why more people might want to read his work.

Normally, we'd run a Q&A like this on Extra Crunch, but we've removed the paywall so everyone can learn a bit about how we approach our work at TechCrunch so we can better serve our audience of founders, operators, tech fans and investors.

Read on for an unvarnished look at our process, from two of our own. Cheers!

Senior Editor Alex Wilhelm

Chatting with Alex

Walter Thompson: I'd like to introduce you to readers. What is your daily column about?

Alex Wilhelm: I'm always trying to figure out what's going on and why. And I think that one thing that the news media does traditionally quite well, is to present everyone with a set of facts.

But one thing that the news has always been hesitant to do is tell people why they might care or why things are happening, because they don't want to lose their journalistic status. I don't share that perspective. And so my morning column is essentially me thinking out loud about markets, trends and news events that I'm trying to piece together into themes and narratives to help explain the world around me on topics that I find interesting. It's really just a process of thinking out loud, trying to learn, and put the LEGOs together to make something a bit larger than the parts themselves.

Who should be reading your daily column? Is it just for Silicon Valley insiders?

It's designed to help people who want to be more on the inside. I'm writing for the people in the world of technology, and the financial world that encompasses startups, to better understand where they work and how their jobs function inside the context of business.

Story continues

If you work for a startup  you know, seed through late-stage  it probably is something that you might want to read, because you'll better understand who's doing well, and business models, where money is going, how exits are happening, what your options might be worth and maybe we'll talk about the company you work for. So if you're in that area, I would read it, but if you're not, it's probably wildly esoteric and not tailored for you.

Do you think your column could help someone become a better founder, or are you offering more specialized knowledge?

If founders wanted to understand more about the world around them, it is a useful read.

You can certainly build a company with blinders on and just run straight forward. And if everything goes well, you'll look like a genius. But if you did want to kind of maybe look around a bit more  I cover transportation, fintech and venture trends, and you know, the Chinese market and stock market trades  I try to bring all this stuff in to explain what's going on. If you wanted a broader view, I hope that my column will help. If it doesn't, I'm failing.

Any interest in using what you've learned writing about startups to found your own company?

I worked for a bunch of startups. I worked for a startup in Chicago during college. Then I also worked for a startup in Portland and I founded a company with some friends called Contenture. TechCrunch covered us back in the day when I was in college, and the dissolution of that startup got me into writing. So I guess I rephrase your question, "am I willing to go back into building companies?" And the answer is no.

I love what I do. And I'm very, very lucky to get to do it. And this is the job that I want. So at least today, no. Maybe down the road as my perspectives, you know, change maybe, but I love writing. I get to write about stuff that I find fascinating.

Use discount code ALEX at checkout to save 25% off the price of an annual or two-year Extra Crunch subscription.

If you're a founder who's looking at the novel coronavirus, a possible recession, real uncertainty in public markets and more VCs who are demanding profitability, is this a good time to launch a startup? Or is this a bad time? Or is it just as dodgy as it ever was?

It's a really good question. I've been talking with many people about this, in particular, Elizabeth Yin, who was breaking down the two-tiered founder world  how some people can raise infinite money and some people are kind of starving.

I think it's a pretty good time to found a company because even if the fundraising market does change and become a bit more stiff and strict, it will be nothing compared to how bad it was in 2008. And nothing as bad as it was 2000 and 2001. So there's going to be more capital and more risk tolerance. And sure, maybe you won't be quite as fantastic, but it'll still be good.

And that means that you have the fuel to build whatever it is that you think is going to change the world if it's a good idea. I would get out there and go do it. "Good companies are born in bad times" as a theme isn't wrong. They're also founded in good times. But if you've got a really good idea and a solid team in mind, I don't think the macro conditions should change the way you think about building a business.

Is there anything you wanted to add before we wrap up? We're doing this interview for readers who aren't already Extra Crunch subscribers. Why do you think they should sign up?

Extra Crunch is a grand experiment, and one that's been a real pleasure to get to be a small part of. I want to thank everyone who's come along for the ride so far. And if you haven't yet, come over to try it.

TechCrunch as an organization is now doing three things at once. We've always done news and events. And now we're doing something a little bit different at the same time. So thank you for everyone who's taking this up with us. And we're going to earn everyone else's support and time as soon as we can.

Use discount code ALEX at checkout to save 25% off the price of an annual or two-year Extra Crunch subscription.
In late 2002, the Dixie Chicks were on top of the country music world, and their album Home had gone platinum  several times over.

But what a difference a few months made for the trio from Texas.

On a London stage in March 2003, one quick and politically pointed comment from frontwoman Natalie Maines changed everything.

"I wanted the audience to know who we were and what we were about," Maines told Allure magazine when she and bandmates Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire sat down for a cover interview in which they opened up about the controversy that almost ended their careers.

Back then, with an American-led invasion of Iraq on the horizon, Maines told the English crowd that were on the good side with yall, making it clear they were against this war, this violence. She then added that they were ashamed that the president of the United States came from the same state they did.

That last part, criticizing the president while on foreign soil, ignited a passionate response from many country music fans and even the genres radio stations, which, by and large, were supportive of then-President George W. Bush at the time.

Dixie Chicks (AP)

I do not like when artists get on their soapbox  it's not what people are there for, Maines explained to the publication. They're there to listen to your music." However, "the politics of this band is inseparable from the music.

At least, it became so after that touchstone moment. Death threats, radio bans, boycotts and bulldozed CDs tried to silence the women. But they came back in 2006 with another album, Taking the Long Way, and it was an unapologetic hit.

However, it also marked a hiatus from studio releases that lasted until their new album, Gaslighter, due out in May. A single of the same name was released earlier this week.

So it all begs the question, looking back now, do they have any regrets? Would Maines have done anything differently at the mic that night in 2003?

Story continues

Oh, that's an interesting question, she said. I have no regrets, but the responsible part of me doesn't want to put people through s---.

People, as in the bandmates she shares a stage with.

"I feel like you might've said something smarter or different," Strayer pondered.

"Well, I always wish I had said something smarter!" Maines shot back. "But when I think back, it's like that movie Sliding Doors, right? Where would we be today if I hadn't said that? That's interesting. I really don't know if I would take it back."

Because, after all, just look where they are today  together, performing, still outspoken and back to releasing music.
By Cassandra Garrison

BUENOS AIRES, March 4 (Reuters) - Argentina's minister of economy met with representatives of several major creditors, including asset management firm Pimco, a company executive and a ministry source said on Wednesday, as separate talks continued with the International Monetary Fund.

"We accepted an invitation to visit the ministry to discuss a range of issues (with Economy Minister Martin Guzman) on a one-to-one basis," said Pramol Dhawan, head of the emerging markets portfolio management team at Pimco, a major holder of Argentine debt. Pimco is a unit of Allianz SE.

"We look forward to continuing the discussions with them over the coming weeks as we assess the relative merits of different creditor committees, although we have so far abstained from involvement in any such committee."

Guzman also held talks with officials from Gramercy Funds Management, Fintech, BlackRock Inc and Ashmore Group , the ministry source said.

The government of Latin America's No. 3 economy is gearing up for the renegotiation of about $100 billion in sovereign debt amid an economic crisis that has sapped the peso currency and sent bonds tumbling.

Asked if Guzman had met with the funds, the source said, "Yes" without offering further details. "I don't know if they are still in Buenos Aires," the source added.

Center-left President Alberto Fernandez has said the nation cannot pay until it revives its stalled economy.

Guzman warned in February that bondholders were likely to find negotiations "frustrating," spurring speculation among investors that they could be in for haircuts on debt.

The government said on Sunday that it hired Lazard as financial adviser and Bank of America and HSBC as debt placement agents for the debt restructuring process it hopes to close by a deadline of March 31. Meanwhile, a technical team from the International Monetary Fund, which in 2018 agreed to a $57-billion financing program with Argentina, is also in Buenos Aires this week.

An IMF source said on Tuesday that meetings with the government had been "very productive" and that the team's mission was aimed at "deepening the understanding of the authorities' economic program, including their debt strategy."

Also on Tuesday, the Economy Ministry said it was calling on holders of external public bonds to report their holdings before March 16 so it could begin facilitating communication about the upcoming debt restructuring.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; additional reporting by Rodrigo Campos in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Vodafone Idea on Friday said its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities stand at Rs 21,533 crore as per its self assessment, and that the calculation of dues has been filed with the telecom department

New Delhi: Beleaguered Vodafone Idea Ltd on Friday put its total dues to the government following a Supreme Court order at Rs 21,533 crore -- less than half of what the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has estimated.

On a day when Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read met top ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the UK telecom giant's India joint venture, Vodafone Idea Ltd in a statement said it has already paid Rs 3,500 crore out of the "self-assessed" liability of Rs 21,533 crore.

The DoT, following the Supreme Court ruling in October last year which said that all kinds of income generated by telecom companies will be considered for calculating government dues, had estimated Vodafone Idea's liabilities at over Rs 53,000 crore.

On March 4, Minister of State for Communications & IT Sanjay Dhotre, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, stated that Idea Cellular owed the government Rs 15,230.37 crore and Vodafone Group of Companies another Rs 37,808.23 crore. Out of the total Rs 53,038.6 crore due from Vodafone Idea, a sum of Rs 3,500 crore has been received, he had said.

On Friday, the company, which was formed following the merger of Idea and Vodafone, in a statement said it has "filed its self-assessment of the AGR liabilities with the Department of Telecommunications. The self-assessment discloses the company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crores including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crores for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020."

"The company has already paid a sum of Rs 2,500 crores on 17 February, 2020, and a further sum of Rs 1,000 crores on 20 February, 2020, towards this liability," it added.

On a similar self-assessment pattern, Bharti Airtel paid Rs 13,004 crore to the government in two installments.

It had also deposited an additional Rs 5,000 crore "as an ad-hoc payment (subject to subsequent refund/adjustment) to cover differences, if any, arising from the reconciliation exercise with the DoT," it had said on 29 February.

The total payout by Bharti Airtel was half of Rs 35,586.01 crore liability estimated by the DoT.

Dhotre in the reply had stated that Bharti Airtel owed Rs 21,682 crore in licence fee and another Rs 13,904.01 crore in spectrum usage charges.

Similarly, Vodafone Idea owed Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee and another Rs 24,729.23 crore in spectrum charges.

According to the DoT, 16 telecom companies owed the government a total of Rs 146,336.98 crore as a fallout of the Supreme Court ruling.

No details of the discussions Read had with Sitharaman and Prasad were immediately available.

Vodafone holds 45.2 percent stake in Vodafone Idea where Aditya Birla Group is the other promoter.

Emerging from the over 30-minute meeting with Prasad, Read refused to comment on whether the British telecom giant will exit India, saying, "No comments."

Vodafone Idea has been at the forefront of seeking a bailout package from the liability imposed by the Supreme Court ruling.

It had recently told the government that it would not be able to pay the full dues unless state support is extended to survive the crisis.

The company has made a strong plea for setting off Rs 8,000 crore of GST credits against part of the liability. For the remaining dues, it wants payment to be staggered over 15 years at a simple interest rate of 6 percent after a three-year moratorium. It also wants drastic cuts in licence fee and fixing of a minimum price for calls and data.

Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has held multiple rounds of discussions at the telecom and finance ministries over the last few weeks to look for a solution to keep the company's operations on track.

In December, Birla had said Vodafone Idea may have to shut shop if there is no relief on the statutory dues. "If we are not getting anything, then I think it is the end of the story for Vodafone Idea," Birla had said. "It does not make sense to put good money after bad... We will shut shop."

Even Read had recently stated that the situation in India is critical, following the Supreme Court's AGR ruling.
Two decades ago, Rory Stewart walked across Afghanistan, staying with locals along the way. Now he is deploying the same approach to his bid to become mayor of London. The former Conservative minister and ex-diplomat is criss-crossing the British capital on foot -- and asking Londoners permission to stay on their sofas to better understand their lives. "All change begins with getting your feet on the ground," he told AFP while on one of his walks through Highgate, a leafy suburb in north London. It is an unconventional campaign but the 47-year-old is an unconventional politician. A one-time soldier, Stewart worked as a British diplomat in Indonesia, the Balkans and Iraq, ran a charity in Kabul and wrote a bestselling book about his solo walk across Afghanistan. His globe-trotting has sparked speculation that Stewart, like his father, was a spy -- something he says he could never confirm. Stewart went on to become a Conservative MP and minister and last summer challenged Boris Johnson in the race to become their party's leader. He lost, was expelled from the Tories for challenging Johnson's tough talk on Brexit and is now running against the Labour party's London mayor Sadiq Khan as an independent candidate. "If you really asked me, would I rather be prime minister or mayor, I would much rather be mayor," Stewart insists, wrapping his cold hands around a hot cup of tea. - Talk through the night - London's mayor has a budget of 18 billion (20 billion euros, $23 billion) and powers over transport, housing, air quality, planning and economic development. "The mayor of London has huge potential to change things," Stewart tells a group of mostly young volunteers who have joined him to canvass support around Highgate. His self-filmed videos of his walks around London and his observations -- often about the lack of trees -- have helped make Stewart something of a social media star. Khan has criticised him for treating Londoners like "natives" with his walking tours, while his #ComeKipWithMe initiative has also drawn accusations of poverty tourism. But Stewart, who has lived his whole life in the same house in the wealthy district of South Kensington, says his approach has given him invaluable insight. He recently spent a night in a homeless shelter with 10 other men, who spoke to him of their various problems with addiction, failed relationships and mental health. "Clearing my bed away at six in the morning, talking to them about how they got there -- I discovered things you'd never find out from a formal policy briefing," he told AFP. Stewart, who is married with two young sons, says he would continue his overnight stay initiative even after being elected. "You talk to them through the night, you wake up, make a cup of tea with them in the morning. And people open up in a way that they don't if you just knock on the door," he said. - Not a Conservative - Homelessness and affordable housing are big issues for Londoners, as is knife crime, and one young woman approaches Stewart to say she no longer feels safe out on her own. He says he will quit as mayor if he fails to cut violent crime within two years, and has promised a tripling of local police officers. But police numbers have fallen in the past decade due to spending cuts imposed by the Conservative government -- in which Stewart served as a minister for five years. There is no great love for the Tories in much of pro-European, multicultural London, and Stewart is keen to emphasise his freedom from party political ties. "I'm not a Conservative. I'm an independent. And I'm not really a professional politician," he insisted. But without a party's resources and staff, Stewart faces an uphill struggle to win the mayoral election in May. The most recent opinion poll, in November, put him in third place behind Khan and Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey. He believes the voting system, which offers a choice of second preferences, could help -- and is ready for the fight. "The next 10 years after Brexit will be a challenging period for London," he tells the activists under the dim light of a Tube sign. "We need a very energetic, intelligent, brave, active administration -- not a political administration." Rory Stewart is staying on Londoners' sofas and listening to their stories as part of his campaign to become London mayor Stewart was expelled from Britain's ruling Conservatives for challenging Boris Johnson's tough talk on Brexit
An Alabama mother is asking state lawmakers to exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty.

Savannah Ramsey, a stay-at-home mother from Fairhope, said she received a jury duty summons to appear at court on March 2. She emailed the court, explaining that her baby breastfeeds exclusively and jury duty would prevent her from feeding her baby. Ramsey asked to be excused or be allowed to pump breast milk while on jury duty.

If a mother is asked to serve as a juror, her baby could become confused by a bottle, refuse a bottle altogether, get dehydrated and therefore go unfed, Ramsey wrote on her Change.org petition, which had nearly 4,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. A mother would have to pump while away from her baby and would need many breaks at court to do so.

Ramsey said she ultimately showed up for jury duty on March 2, praying the judge would let me go. She said the judge rescheduled her jury duty for a later date.

When I stated to him that I would be breastfeeding then too, he said things might change, so well see, she said in her petition. Breastfeeding doesnt have a set end date, nor should it have to.

Alabama doesnt have a legal exemption on the books that excuses breastfeeding mothers from jury duty; its up to the discretion of judges and the courts.

Seventeen other states, including Mississippi and Kentucky, do have laws that either exempt breastfeeding mothers or explicitly allow postponement of jury duty.

Women who are breastfeeding must feed their infants or express breastmilk on a regular basis to avoid complications including infection and decreased milk supply.

Breastfeeding has been shown to prevent infections and other diseases in babies, and is recommended by all major world and U.S. health organizations. National goals for the U.S. Healthy People 2020 initiative include increasing the number of infants breastfeeding.

Read more: What to pump breastmilk at work? Know your rights.
Health catastrophe caused by the ongoing coronavirus has resulted in global anxiety to the public. Policymakers and health officials fear this will lead to a national security crisis.

The virus has rapidly increased to 98,000 reported cases in 86 countries, covering a large number from China (where the disease was said to originate) followed by South Korea, Italy and Iran.

With this, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments around the world to pull out "all the stops" to fight against the deadly virus that is quickly spreading across the globe.

Amid the scare and paranoia about the virus, Camilla Parker Bowles tried to make light of the moment and played down her fears.

Camilla's Sense of Humor

Camilla showed her playful side as she and husband, Prince Charles, attended the 20th anniversary of the London Transport Museum.

In light of the recent health scare, the 72-year old Duchess of Cornwall joked about self-isolating herself as she got inside an old air-raid shelter.

Royal expert Chris Shipp took to Twitter to share the funny statement of the duchess.

pic.twitter.com/xwouBH64bK Im self-isolating laughs the Duchess of Cornwall as she steps into a one person air raid shelter at the @ltmuseum  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 4, 2020

"I'm self-isolating' laughs the Duchess of Cornwall as she steps into a one-person air-raid shelter at the [London Transport Museum]," Shipp wrote.

Netizens quickly responded to Shipp and praised Camilla for keeping her humor despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

One Twitter user replied to Shipp's tweet and said: "I love Camilla and her sense of humor! People who are saying it's rude really need to get that stick out of their a$#."

"She's got a good sense of humor, fair play," another fan commented.

However, some expressed their dismay towards Camilla's comment about the virus.

"Horrible woman. Should self isolate forever!!," one critic said on Shipp's tweet.

Prince William's Coronavirus Fail

The Duchess of Cornwall is not the only royal who made a joke regarding coronavirus.

Just recently, Prince William made headlines after he was caught cracking jokes about him and wife, Kate spreading the virus during their visit in Dublin, Ireland,

"By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, Sorry," Prince William quipped. "We're keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop."

It did not end there though. During their reception dinner at the Guinness Storehouse, he spoke with National Ambulance Service advanced paramedic Joe Mooney and said: "I bet everyone's like 'I've got coronavirus, I'm dying,' and you're like 'no, you've just got a cough.'"

The 37-year old Duke also asked the paramedic if they think that the coverage of the global outbreak was just being "hyped up" by the media.

Currently, the U.K. has at least 51 reported cases and was urged by Public Health England to follow precautionary guidelines to stop the spreading infectious disease.

Speaking about precautionary steps, Queen Elizabeth II was spotted wearing long white gloves for an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Although the Queen usually wore gloves for gatherings or public events, the 93-year old monarch rarely wears gloves during royal ceremonies.
At least two different groups of Neanderthals lived in Southern Siberia and an international team of researchers including scientists from Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) have now proven that one of these groups migrated from Eastern Europe. The researchers have now published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

Neanderthals were widespread in Europe and also migrated to Southern Siberia, but the origins of these Siberian Neanderthals and when they migrated was not known.

An international team of researchers including archaeologist Thorsten Uthmeier, professor of Prehistory and Protohistory at FAU, have now examined tools found in the Chagyrskaya cave in the Altai mountains in Russia in order to find the answer.

Parallels to sites in Central and Eastern Europe

The site has been excavated since 2019 as part of a DFG research project in conjunction with the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of the Sciences in Novosibirsk. In addition to stone tools and bones from hunting remains, two main find layers yielded numerous Neanderthal fossils. After discovering that the stone tools did not resemble any of the tools from groups living in the Altai during the same period, the team searched for comparable finds in a larger radius.

Geometric morphological analyses of 3D models of scanned tools showed that the stone tools found in the Chagyrskaya cave were very similar to artefacts from the Micoquien, which is the name given to the corresponding stone tool industry in Central and Eastern Europe. The comparative scans originate among others from find sites in Bavaria including FAU's own Sesselfelsgrotte cave, in which most of the artefacts used in the comparison were found.

The researchers were able to reconstruct the route of migration of the Siberian Neanderthals using DNA analyses of Neanderthal bones and sediments from the Chagyrskaya cave. The route led the groups during the course of several generations via Croatia and the North Caucasus to the Altai.

Several groups of Neanderthals migrated to Siberia

The DNA analyses also showed that the Neanderthals from the Chagyrskaya cave differ significantly in terms of their DNA from a second Altai group found in the Denisova cave. This discovery fits with the observation that the Denisova Neanderthals were apparently not familiar with tools from the Micoquien. The research team therefore presumes that several groups of Neanderthals migrated to Siberia.

The interdisciplinary examinations of the Neanderthals found in the Chagyrskaya cave, in which Bavarian find sites investigated by FAU play an important role, clearly show that the wave of migration of groups of this species of human 60,000 years ago originated in Central and Eastern Europe.

At the same time, the researchers from Novosibirsk led by Professor Ksenia Kolobova and from FAU found rare evidence that artefacts are culturally informative indicators of population movements.
Popular reality star, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, better known as BamBam, has returned to the gram shortly after welcoming her baby girl.

Information Nigeria recalls her husband, Teddy A announced the birth and name of their daughter, Zendaya Folakemi Adenibuyan on his Twitter account.

Taking to the photo-sharing app, BamBam shared a picture from her maternity shoot with some sweet words to her baby.

Welcome to the world my princess, Zendaya Folakemi Adenibuyan. Youre my shining jewel, my light and my happiness. I love you so much! she wrote.

Read Also: It Has Always Been My Prayer To Marry An Actor  Toyin Abraham Speaks On Her Marriage (Video)

See the post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Yk6EAhvOr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
CROWN POINT  Court security officers took a Gary man into custody Thursday to begin a two-year sentence for driving a car used in a homicide in 2010 .

Ernest D. Cook, 40, said he knows no bad deed goes unpunished, but he has matured since the 2010 shooting.

"I'm not that person no more," Cook said. "I'm here, and I'm ready to get this behind me so I can go on with my life."

Cook and his co-defendant Cory D. Wilson, 34, of Gary, were charged with murder in December 2018 after a Hobart detective assigned to the FBI's Gang Response Investigative Task Force took another look at the cold case homicide.

Lawrence Wesby, 36, was killed May 19, 2010, when a person in a vehicle driven by Cook and occupied by Wilson began shooting at Wesby and his friends as they stood in the 3600 block of Virginia Street in Gary. The shooting stemmed from an earlier dispute between the two groups at the Pepe's bar in Merrillville.

Wilson admitted he handed a person a gun, but claimed he couldn't remember the person's name.

Wilson pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced in January to two years in prison, followed by two on probation.
To the editor:

April 30 is the date  the last day to donate shoes to the Jacksonville Area Shoecrew (Shoeman) Water Projects outreach.

After 11 years of coordinating the project for the Jacksonville area, its time for me to step back and pass the shoe to someone else. You know how it is: you love doing something, but then you finally have a reality check and say, OK, I just cant do this any longer. I mean I used to roller skate when I was younger, but that sure isnt happening these days.

You all have been such faithful supporters of this project. In fact, Jan. 25, another 1,178 pairs of shoes were picked up. Because of your willingness to help others, the Jacksonville area has donated 38,787 pairs of shoes since January 2010. Now thats not too shabby, and thats not the final count. You have one last opportunity to follow Matthew 25:40: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me.

So now is the time to get serious about two things. First: Is this a project you feel led to continue in our area? If so, please contact me. And second: This is your final chance to drop off shoes at the following locations in Jacksonville: Bob Freesen YMCA, Brechbuhl residence at 80 Alice Drive, College Avenue Dental and Fitness World as well as Trinity Lutheran School in Arenzville and the Waverly Public Library.

Remember, only clean, new or gently used shoes with lots of mileage left on them can be accepted. Laces tied together or the shoes banded together is most helpful.

Diann Brechbuhl

Jacksonville
The wisdom of each of those measures will be sorely tested now, as the coronavirus threatens to morph into a full-blown pandemic. More than 100,000 people across more than 80 countries have been infected with the new virus  and more than 3,400 of them have died, including at least 14 in the United States.

Proponents of closed borders and small social safety nets have a tendency to highlight the tension between citizen and noncitizen, to imply or explicitly state that the only way to help one group is to deprive the other. But the truth is, people on both sides are hanging by a thread.

Infectious diseases, especially those like Covid-19, have a knack for penetrating and exposing such false dichotomies. Already, citizens who are underinsured or uninsured are being slammed with medical bills that they cant afford when they seek testing and treatment for the virus. Unsurprisingly, experts say that many of them are bound to avoid such care as the outbreak rages on. If quarantines become routine, tens of millions of low-wage workers, many of whom dont have health insurance or paid sick leave, will not be able to stock up and stay home. One shudders to think what will happen if the courts dismantle the Affordable Care Act in the next year  a move that could ultimately leave 21 million or so more people without health insurance.

Among noncitizens, the effects of the public charge rule and other fear-based immigration policies have long been apparent. New mothers are turning away free baby formula. Hungry families are turning away food assistance. The chronically and even fatally ill are avoiding hospitals and rejecting medical care. In 2019, The Atlantic reported that at least 200 eligible families in a Virginia county had stopped accepting WIC and that many were also turning down reduced-price lunches. Both of those programs are exempted from the public charge rule  using them will not count against a persons visa or green card application  but those families were too afraid to chance it.

Its easy to see how all this fear might feed on itself in the months ahead and also where that might lead. If citizens struggling to cover their own health care nurture resentments against any group perceived to be getting help to which they themselves are not entitled  or worse, if they grow xenophobic and subscribe to the notion that immigrants carry diseases  they might be compelled to endorse policies even more draconian than those already in play. That would create more anxiety among noncitizen communities, which would lead to fewer people seeking medical care when they need it. From there, the epidemic would only get worse.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markles exit from the royal family will become official on March 31. But before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex bid the royal family adieu, they are scheduled for a handful of public appearances in the United Kingdom. Although royal watchers are sad to see them go, Queen Elizabeth allegedly told Harry that he will always be welcomed back if he ever has a change of heart.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry | Julian Simmonds  WPA Pool / Getty Images

Prince Harry returns to the U.K.

Ever since they announced their departure at the beginning of the year, Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been living in a house on Vancouver Island with their son, Archie Harrison. The Sussexes have kept a very low profile over the past few months, but that is about to change.

Buckingham Palace recently confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan are scheduled to appear in a handful of public engagements at the beginning of March. This includes the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, where they will reunite with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Harry actually returned to the United Kingdom at the end of February and has already completed a few of his scheduled appearances. Early in the week, Harry spoke at a summit in Scotland for his initiative, Travalyst. He later met with Jon Bon Jovi to record a new track for his Invictus Games.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out for the first time in months at the Endeavor Fund Awards on March 5. The pair will then appear together at the Mountbatten Music Festival on March 7, where they will join Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, and the Cambridges.

Queen Elizabeth hosts Harry for private lunch

With Harry back home, royal watchers are looking forward to seeing him appear alongside other members of the royal family one last time. His exit as an active member of the royal family will become official at the end of March, so this will likely be the last time we see him for a while.

While Prince Harry enjoyed lunch with Queen Elizabeth, that was less of a formal meeting and more of a lunch between grandmother and grandson. The two met at Windsor Castle this past Sunday after Her Majesty attended a service at the Church of All Saints.

Prior to the lunch with Harry, Queen Elizabeth was spotted rocking a mint coat and turquoise headpiece when she arrived at the service.

The meeting comes a few weeks after Buckingham Palace confirmed more details about Harry and Meghans exit. On orders from Queen Elizabeth, the couple will no longer use their royal titles as they will not be active members of the monarchy.

Prince Harry is always welcome back says Queen Elizabeth

Harry and Meghans decision to leave has created a lot of headaches for the royal family. Despite all of the backlash they have received, inside sources claim that Queen Elizabeth had nothing but kind words for Harry during their lunch.

According to Hello Magazine, the pair met for four hours and at one point, Her Majesty assured Harry that he is always welcomed back if he ever decides to return to his royal duties.

[It was the] first time the Queen has had the chance to talk to Harry on his own and really find out what his plans are, an insider shared. It was a much more relaxed environment and they were both able to speak their mind.

The lunch included some poached salmon and cucumber sandwiches. They also enjoyed some scones and tea as they sat and talked. By the end of the meeting, Queen Elizabeth reportedly told Harry that she would always take him back with open arms.

Queen Elizabeth is sensitive to Prince Harrys struggles

Although Queen Elizabeth would have liked to see Prince Harry and Meghan stay in the royal family, she has experienced this kind of drama in the past.

As fans will recall, Queen Elizabeth had a bit of a tumultuous relationship with her late sister, Princess Margaret. Like Harry, Margaret struggled with living under her older siblings shadow.

She has a particular sensitivity to what Harry has been going through because of her closeness to Margaret and seeing the same dramas and tensions played out two generations ago, royal experts Robert Lacey revealed to People.

Margaret sadly passed away in the early 2000s. At one point in her life, Margaret was the second in the line succession, though she moved further down the line after Prince Charles was born.

There is no telling if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ever plan on returning to the ranks of the royal family. Their decision to leave will be re-evaluated next year.
Russian ombudsman to ask Red Cross to visit pilot Yaroshenko imprisoned in U.S.

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

16:30 06/03/2020

MOSCOW, March 6 (RAPSI)  Russias High Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskalkova is going to request the Red Cross to visit pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine. The ombudsman took such a decision after a meeting with his wife and daughter.

Moskalkova wants the Red Cross to check the pilots health condition and the quality of medical aid provided to the Russian. According to the ombudsman, Yaroshenko has problems with a leg, due to what he takes an intensive care course.

Moskalkova has repeatedly called on U.S. authorities to return Yaroshenko to his homeland because of his health condition.

In April 2019, the ombudsman said that U.S. President Donald Trump refused to pardon the pilot.

Konstantin Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia on May 28, 2010 and flown to the United States soon afterwards. On September 7, 2011, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for colluding to smuggle cocaine into the United States. He was caught after replying to an advertisement posted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents who claimed they were selling a cargo plane for $1.

He is serving his term in the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

In May 2016, a U.S. court dismissed his appeal for retrial. Russias Foreign Ministry said this is evidence that Yaroshenkos conviction was politically influenced.




EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Payton Pritchard led five Ducks players in double figures with 20 points and No. 13 Oregon used an early scoring outburst to pull away from California in the first half and cruise to a 90-56 victory. The win moved the Ducks back into a tie with UCLA for first place in the Pac-12 with the regular season ending Saturday. Pritchard added nine assists in Oregon's 21st consecutive home victory, including all 16 home games this season. Anthony Mathis added 17 points on 5 for 6 shooting from 3-point range for Oregon. Matt Bradley led Cal with 15 points.
Nathaniel Woods was executed Thursday for the murder of three cops after the Supreme Court dramatically reversed his last-minute stay

The Alabama inmate convicted of killing three cops has been executed - just hours after the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution following public protests of his innocence from Kim Kardashian and Martin Luther King Jr's son.

Nathaniel Woods, 44, was sentenced to death for the 2004 murders that rocked Birmingham - despite another man confessing to being the lone gunman in the slayings.

He was set to die by lethal injection at 6pm Thursday at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court issued a stay just minutes before his execution at around 5:30pm.

But the courts backpedaled on the move hours later, despite the 44-year-old's attorneys filing a petition claiming ineffective counsel in his first trial and the outcries of celebrities that he was innocent of the crime.

Woods was executed by lethal injection and pronounced dead at 9:01pm.

Martin Luther King III condemned the Supreme Court and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey for their 'reprehensible' actions and the 'irreversible injustice' caused.

Police officers Carlos Owen, Charles Bennett and Harley Chisolm III, were shot dead on June 17, 2004, at an apartment in Ensley, Birmingham, when they were trying to serve a warrant for Woods' arrest for misdemeanor assault.

A fourth officer was also injured in the shooting but survived and testified against Woods.

Woods' alleged accomplice, Kerry Spencer, confessed to being the lone gunman responsible for the slaying of the officers.

But, despite the confession, both men were charged and convicted with capital murder.

Prosecutors alleged that Woods and Spencer had conspired to lure the cops to the apartment to murder them.

They said that, while Woods did not pull the trigger that ended their lives, he was Spencer's accomplice in the events that became known as the 'Deadliest Day' in the history of the Birmingham Police Department,.

Woods was in the apartment at the time of the murders.

Left to right: Officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III and Charles R. Bennett were killed while serving a warrant at a home in Birmingham in 2004

Kerry Spencer (above) confessed to being the lone gunman responsible for the slaying of the officers

A jury convicted Woods in December 2005, and returned a non-unanimous verdict of 10-2 for the death penalty.

Such convictions are allowed under state law, and other people have been executed for 'non-triggerman' slayings in the past.

Spencer has repeatedly insisted that Woods is innocent of any involvement.

'Nathaniel Woods is 100% innocent,' wrote Spencer in an open letter. 'I know that to be a fact because I'm the person that shot and killed all three of the officers that Nathaniel was subsequently charged and convicted of murdering.

'Nathaniel Woods doesn't even deserve to be incarcerated, much less executed.'

Last week, in an interview with The Appeal, the shooter again said there had been no conspiracy.

'There was no plan to kill the police,' he said.

Celebrities and activists waded in on the case, protesting Woods' innocence of the crimes and calling for Alabama Governor Ivey to halt the execution.

Kim Kardashian, who is trying to rebrand herself as a justice reform activist, tweeted the case to her 64 million followers on Thursday and pleaded with the governor for a reprieve.

'#NathanielWoods is scheduled to be executed in Alabama TONIGHT for murders he did NOT commit. Join the broad coalition- including members of the jury and relatives of the victims  in urging @GovernorKayIvey and @AGSteveMarshall to stay Nate's execution,' the reality star tweeted.

The case has been widely publicized after celebrities and activists waded in, protesting Woods' innocence of the crimes. Kim Kardashian, who is trying to rebrand herself as a justice reform activist, tweeted the case to her 64 million followers on Thursday and called on the courts to grant a stay

Kardashian's plea came after Martin Luther King Jr's son and other famous figures all called for the execution to be halted.

Martin Luther King III stepped in Tuesday after Woods' earlier request for a stay of execution was denied on Monday.

'WE NEED YOUR HELP. Nate Woods is about to be executed in Alabama. This is an injustice, and we need to make sure the public is aware. Please retweet, tag @GovernorKayIvey, and use the hashtag #SaveNate,' he tweeted Tuesday.

The message was shared alongside a letter he sent to Ivey.

King said in the Twitter post he sent the letter 'after she denied my phone call'.

'In just 2 days, your state, and the state I was born in, is set to kill a man who is very likely innocent,' he writes in the letter.

'(Fifty-five) years ago, my father, Martin Luther King, Jr., [led] a march from Selma, Alabama, where he and fellow civil rights activists were killed and beaten.

'Under your watch, Alabama is about to produce yet another tragic injustice.'

He later added in a tweet: 'My father marched from Selma 55 years ago, where many were killed and beaten. He was fighting for justice his whole life.

'Allowing the execution of Nate Woods would only show that we have not learned from the past. It's time to be on the right side of history.'

King reiterated concerns that Woods never got a fair trial.

Woods pictured at his trial: A jury convicted Woods in December 2005, and returned a non-unanimous verdict of 10-2 for the death penalty - even though prosecutors said he did not pull the trigger

Pamela Woods, sister of Nathaniel Woods, spoke to reporters outside Holman Correctional Facility ahead of his scheduled execution on Thursday

She held up a page from the trial transcript that she said shows her brother was surrendering when the three officers were shot

'Killing this African-American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice,' King wrote in the letter. 'Are you willing to allow a potentially innocent man to be executed?

'So before you allow the execution of Nathaniel Woods, I urge you to grant him a reprieve. We must allow time to accurately review the new evidence.'

Democratic Senator Doug Jones said he had also shared his concerns over the execution with the Alabama judge.

'Given the questions and mitigating issues involved in this case  and the finality of a death sentence  a delay is warranted to provide time for a thorough review of all the facts and circumstances to truly ensure that justice is done,' he said.

Woods' family has long insisted that he is innocent of the charges.

His sister Pamela Woods stood outside the correctional facility Thursday ahead of his execution, holding up a page from the trial transcript that she said shows her brother was surrendering when the three officers were shot dead.

'We want justice for the officers,' she said, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

'We want justice for my brother. It can't be one-sided or for one group of people. You have to have justice for everyone. We want justice for Nathaniel.'

Martin Luther King III (pictured in January) stepped in Tuesday after Woods' earlier request for a stay of execution was denied on Monday

King tweeted a message to the governor and sent a letter 'after she denied my phone call'

King's letter to Ivey reiterated concerns that Woods never got a fair trial

A Change.org petition had gained more than 91,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon calling for the execution to be stopped.

Ivey had given no indication of whether she would grant a reprieve.

However, Alabama State Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement Wednesday that Woods had been 'correctly found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers.'

'The only injustice in the case of Nathaniel Woods is that which was inflicted on those four policemen that terrible day in 2004,' he said.

In the eleventh hour a reprieve was granted by the Supreme Court, signed by Justice Clarence Thomas.

The stay came so close to the wire, Woods had already had his final meal of sweet potatoes, spinach, chicken patty, chicken leg quarter, cooked apples, fries, two oranges and an orange flavored drink, according to a statement from Alabama Department of Corrections.

The 44-year-old's attorneys then filed a petition to the Supreme Court at around 7pm asking for his case to be reviewed on the basis that he had ineffective counsel in his first trial.

'Mr. Woods has never had the benefit of competent, conflict-free counsel to investigate and present his constitutional claims, so the public cannot be assured that his proceedings have adhered to the Constitution,' his defense attorneys wrote.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey had given no indication of granting a reprieve as of Thursday morning. In the eleventh hour a reprieve was granted but the decision was then reversed. Ivey's office sent Woods' attorneys a letter saying the judge was not planning to issue a new stay because it was 'unwarranted'

The Alabama Attorney General's Office denied the petition, saying the stay was 'unwarranted.'

It said: 'First, Woods is not entitled to a stay because his motion is extraordinarily untimely. Second, he cannot show a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. Thus, the motion is due to be denied.'

Ivey's office sent one of Woods' attorneys, Lauren Faraino, a letter saying the judge would not be issuing a new stay.

'Governor Ivey does not presently intend to exercise her powers of commutation or reprieve in this case,' the letter said.

'While Governor Ivey reserves the right to grant clemency at any time before an execution is carried out, she has determined, based on her review of the complete record, including the matters presented in your letter, that clemency for Mr. Woods at this hour is unwarranted.'

At around 8pm, two hours after Woods' execution was scheduled, the Supreme Court reversed its decision, lifting the stay and putting the execution back on.

Kardashian and King again took to Twitter in a last-ditch attempt to get Woods a reprieve.

Kardashian and King again took to Twitter in a last-ditch attempt to get Woods a reprieve after the Supreme Court reversed its decision, lifting the stay and putting the execution back on

King blasted Ivey and the courts for the 'irreversible injustice' of executing Woods

'Nate will die for a crime another man confessed to and says Nate had nothing to do with. My heart and prayers are with Nate and his family and all the advocates who worked tirelessly to save his life,' Kardashian tweeted.

King urged people to tweet Ivey and to call her chief of staff to try to halt the execution.

'Nathaniel Woods is slated to be killed tonight. The stay has been lifted,' he wrote.

Their efforts were to no avail and Woods was executed by the state shortly after 9pm.

Woods did not have any last words.

King blasted Ivey and the courts for the 'irreversible injustice'.

'In the case of Nathaniel Woods, the actions of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Governor of the State of Alabama are reprehensible, and have potentially contributed to an irreversible injustice. It makes a mockery of justice and constitutional guarantees to a fair trial,' he tweeted.

Ivey issued a statement after the execution standing by the original jury's decision to convict Woods.

'Under Alabama law, someone who helps kill a police officer is just as guilty as the person who directly commits the crime. Since 1983, Alabama has executed two individuals for being an accomplice to capital murder.

'After thorough and careful consideration of the facts surrounding the case, the initial jury's decision, the many legal challenges and reviews, I concluded that the state of Alabama should carry out Mr. Woods' lawfully imposed sentence this evening,' the statement said.

'This is not a decision that I take lightly, but I firmly believe in the rule of law and that justice must be served. My thoughts and most sincere prayers are for the families of Officers Chisholm, Owen and Bennett. May the God of all comfort be with these families as they continue to find peace and heal from this terrible crime.'

Woods is the first person executed in Alabama state this year and the 67th since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Spencer also faces the death penalty but his execution date has yet to be set.

Woods tagged as an accomplice and sentenced to death

During Woods' trial in 2005 prosecutors accused him his roommate Spencer of being involved in the sale of crack cocaine from their home in the Ensley area of Birmingham.

When police officers Chisholm, Owen and Bennett were gunned down on the afternoon of June 17, 2004, in the Ensley area of Birmingham, they were trying to serve Woods with an outstanding warrant for misdemeanor assault.

Officers were said to have entered the apartment intending to arrest Woods - but he broke away and ran to the front of the house.

A federal court filing from the Attorney Generals Office detailing the crime said: 'Woods, who was still standing behind his screen door, began to curse again and told the officers to leave.

'Officer Owen informed Woods that they had a warrant for his arrest and that he needed to come outside.

'Woods refused, even after the officers showed him the NCIC printout and his mugshot. He told the officers, If you come in here, well f*** you up.'

The report then notes that after his initial resistance Woods backed down. 'None of the officers had their weapons drawn. Woods quickly surrendered,' it says.

Spencer then opened fire on the officers, killing three of them and wounding the fourth with an automatic SKS rifle.

The surviving officer, Michael Collins, said at the time that he believed Woods helped plan the shooting but did not fire the gun.

Collins said Woods yelled: 'I give up. I give up. Just don't spray me with that mace,' before the shooting initiated.

The officer said that he 'knew it wasn't Nathaniel' who had fired at him.

Prosecutors did not dispute that it was Spencer who shot at the officers, but Woods was tagged as an accomplice, meaning he was still eligible for the death penalty in Alabama.

The jury recommended by a vote of ten to two that Woods be sentenced to death.

The conviction and sentence was affirmed by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court.

An appeal was dismissed in 2010 another attempt failed in 2016.
The original proposed constitutional amendment was first approved last year when Republicans controlled the legislature, and had to be reenacted this year before the referendum could go to the voters in the fall. Most Democrats supported it the first time around, though members of the Black Caucus objected from the beginning.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 02:43:52|Editor: yhy

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Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun (5th R) and Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo (2nd L) visit Wilkins Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, on March 5, 2020. The Chinese government on Thursday pledged to upgrade Zimbabwe's main isolation center for suspected coronavirus patients in Harare. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

HARARE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Thursday pledged to upgrade Zimbabwe's main isolation center for suspected coronavirus patients in the capital Harare.

Also, the Zimbabwean government announced it was stepping up its preparedness after neighboring South Africa on Thursday confirmed its first case of the virus, the first such case in southern Africa.

Addressing the media after touring Wilkins Hospital in Harare which has been designated to deal with the virus, Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said China will support Zimbabwe and other African countries to deal with coronavirus which has now been reported in seven African countries.

"So far there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Zimbabwe and it's not because we are lucky. It is the outcome of the cooperation between China and Zimbabwe. We will support the Zimbabwe government to adopt necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

"This afternoon I toured Wilkins Hospital and I now have a rough idea about the facility. China would like to assist particularly African countries in fighting against the coronavirus," Guo said.

Guo said the Chinese government will provide fund and equipment to upgrade Wilkins Hospital so that it could provide better conditions for suspected coronavirus patients.

Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo thanked China for the kind gesture, saying it will not only boost the country's capacity to deal with the virus but ensure a clean and conducive environment for medical staff and patients that meets World Health Organization requirements.

The facility has so far handled two suspected cases of the virus since it was set up in January.

Moyo said following the detection of the virus in South Africa, Zimbabwe needed to ramp up its preparedness and continue to strengthen its response mechanisms, including making all its borders and points of entry full proof.

"It is very frightening that it (coronavirus) is around the corner. We have to be prepared," he said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) on Thursday donated coronavirus protective equipment to Wilkins Hospital worth about 100,000 British Pounds (129,390 U.S. dollars).
Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks went public with their romance in January.

And on Wednesday, the couple headed out for a casual lunch in Byron Bay, NSW.

The pair appeared relaxed as they strolled through the coastal town where the Hemsworths own several homes.

Low-key outing: Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks headed out for a casual lunch in Byron Bay on Wednesday

Liam dressed casually in a white T-shirt, black shorts and orange flip flops.

The Hunger Games star, 30, protected himself from the sun in a blue trucker cap and dark sunglasses.

Model Gabriella, 23, went braless in a white T-shirt, which she paired with a denim mini skirt and brown slip-on shoes.

Keeping it simple: Liam dressed casually in a white T-shirt, black shorts and orange flip flops

Accessories: Liam protected himself from the sun in a blue trucker cap and dark sunglasses

Model figure: Gabriella, 23, went braless in a white T-shirt, which she paired with a denim mini skirt and brown slip-on shoes

She hooked a pair of sunglasses onto the neckline of her shirt, and styled her brunette hair in beachy waves.

Gabriella appeared to go makeup free, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Liam and Gabriella were first spotted together in Byron Bay in mid-December, during a lunch date with his parents, Craig and Leonie.

You beauty! She hooked a pair of sunglasses onto the neckline of her shirt, and styled her brunette hair in beachy waves

Feeling at home: The pair appeared relaxed as they strolled through the coastal town where the Hemsworths own several homes

Natural: Gabriella appeared to go makeup free, allowing her natural beauty to shine through

And three months into their relationship, they are continuing to go from strength to strength, according to Us Weekly.

'He feels more at home with Gabriella than he did with Miley [Cyrus, his ex-wife] and feels like he can be his complete self without any drama,' a source said on Monday.

'Gabriella helped Liam boost his confidence and played an encouraging role in his life after his split with Miley.

Meet the parents: Liam and Gabriella were first spotted together in Byron Bay in mid-December, during a lunch date with his parents, Craig and Leonie

'It's comfortable and easy': Three months into their relationship, they are continuing to go from strength to strength, according to Us Weekly

'They are very happy together and it's comfortable and easy.'

According to a report by People in January, Liam's relationship with Gabriella was already 'serious' from the get-go.

'They have spent a lot of time in Australia together,' said a source. 'Gabriella has met Liam's siblings and his parents.'

Reports: Liam 'feels more at home with Gabriella' than he did with his ex-wife, Miley Cyrus

Whirlwind romance: According to a report by People in January, Liam's relationship with Gabriella was already 'serious' from the get-go

The couple share many of the same interests, and Liam has apparently 'been in a great mood' since hooking up with Gabriella in late 2019.

It's the second relationship for Liam since his split from ex-wife Miley Cyrus in August last year, after less than eight months of marriage.

In October, he stepped out with Australian actress Maddison Brown in New York, but their relationship proved to be short-lived.

New chapter: It's the second relationship for Liam since his split from Miley in August last year
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was briefly interrupted as he held a rally in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday night.

Phoenix TV station KNXV reported that at least two people were removed from the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for fighting over flags during Sanders' speech.

One man told a KNXV reporter that the police asked him to leave after he unfurled a large Trump banner.
The economy often follows a somewhat predictable if irregular pattern known as the economic cycle. Periods of expansion can often last years before hitting a peak. What follows is a period of contraction -- a recession -- before the economy enters a trough ahead of the next expansion.

Recessionary periods can be brutal for investors. Stock market corrections and bear markets commonly occur during the contraction phase. Cyclical stocks, sold by companies in industries highly sensitive to the economic cycle, are often the hardest hit during a recession.

However, some stock market sectors are relatively immune to the ups and downs of the economic cycle. Here's a closer look at where to invest if you're worried that the economy is about to hit a rough patch.

Historically recession-resistant industries

Several industries tend to experience relatively steady demand in both good times and bad, making them fairly recession-resistant. These industries include:

Healthcare

Healthcare stocks tend to be relatively recession-proof. People can't defer most healthcare spending. When you're sick, you need to see a doctor and buy medicine. Some examples of companies in the healthcare industry that tend to do well in recessions are:

Johnson & Johnson NYSE:JNJ) : The iconic healthcare company makes well-known products such as Band-Aids and Tylenol, along with medical devices and pharmaceuticals. These products benefit from stable demand.

CVS Health NYSE:CVS) : This health company operates a leading drugstore chain, administers a large-scale pharmacy benefits program, and provides health insurance to many people. Demand for those services doesn't change much when the economy falters.

Pfizer NYSE:PFE) : Together with its partners, Pfizer makes some of the world's best-selling pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines covering a wide range of medical issues. People need access to these lifesaving products no matter what's going on in the economy.

UnitedHealth Group NYSE:UNH)

Walgreens Boots Alliance NASDAQ:WBA)

Consumer staples

People need to eat even when the economy hits a rough patch. However, consumers tend to shift their eating habits from dining at restaurants to preparing more food at home. Because of that, grocery stores and packaged food makers tend to be highly recession-resistant. Likewise, other consumer staples such as household and personal products tend to experience stable demand in recessions. Some examples of recession-resistant companies that manufacture or sell consumer staples are:

Kroger NYSE:KR) : Grocery stores such as Kroger, one of the country's largest supermarkets by revenue, tend to benefit from recessions as consumers cook more often at home.

PepsiCo NASDAQ:PEP) : As the maker of the well-known brands Pepsi, Tropicana, Quaker Oats, and Aquafina, all of which are found on grocery store shelves, PepsiCo is well positioned during recessions. PepsiCo's sales tend to remain relatively stable during difficult times.

Procter & Gamble NYSE:PG) : The household and personal products company sells familiar brands such as Pampers, Downy, Tide, Charmin, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Dawn, and Crest -- all of which remain in demand during recessions.

General Mills NYSE:GIS)

Tyson Foods NYSE:TSN)

Utility companies



Even when businesses close and people lose their jobs during recessions, demand for electricity, water, waste collection, and natural gas remains relatively steady. Because of that, utilities and utility-like companies generate reasonably consistent earnings throughout recessions. Some examples of utility-type companies include:

American Water Works NYSE:AWK) : The nation's leading water and wastewater utility company produces steady earnings supported by government-regulated rates.

Brookfield Infrastructure NYSE:BIPC) NYSE:BIP) : The globally diversified infrastructure company owns utilities, pipelines, power lines, data centers, cell towers, and a range of other infrastructure assets. These businesses generate contractually secured or government-regulated cash flows that remain stable during a recession.

NextEra Energy NYSE:NEE) : This large-scale Florida-focused utility and leading renewable energy producer generates stable revenues secured by government-regulated rates and long-term, fixed-rate contracts.

Williams Companies NYSE:WMB) : The natural gas infrastructure giant operates critical pipelines that move gas and other energy commodities from production basins to market centers. Williams' assets generate stable cash flows backed by long-term contracts or government-regulated rates.

Waste Management NYSE:WM) : This waste collection and recycling company generally has steady revenue streams since demand for its services doesn't diminish much in recessions.

Cost-conscious retail

Consumers tend to spend carefully during recessions. Many people begin buying lower-priced items. They also typically eliminate optional expenses such as paying professionals to take care of routine home and car maintenance. Instead, they usually spend more money at dollar stores, home improvement outlets, discount retailers, and auto parts stores. Some examples of retail companies that typically benefit from recessions include:

Walmart NYSE:WMT) : The leading chain of grocery and discount department stores tends to benefit from recessions as more consumers shop its "always low prices" to save money.

Dollar General NYSE:DG) : Cost-conscious consumers shifting their spending to discount items often buy from this low-priced retailer.

Home Depot NYSE:HD) : The leading home improvement retailer benefits from recessions because they spur consumers to tackle more do-it-yourself projects to save money.

Costco NASDAQ:COST) : The membership-only warehouse store operator allows customers to save money by purchasing goods in bulk.

Dollar Tree NASDAQ:DLTR) : The leading operator of discount variety stores that include the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar brands benefits as customers become more cost-conscious.

Diversified portfolios better withstand recessions

Recessions are inevitable. Because of that, investors should construct truly diversified portfolios to weather the downturns. The key to creating a diversified portfolio isn't holding several stocks but investing in companies across multiple sectors, including those that are recession-resistant.

Any diversified portfolio should include a mix of fast-growing companies and financially strong blue-chip stocks, which have the financial fortitude to withstand a recession. Blue-chip stocks are attractive to investors during recessions because they typically pay dividends, providing them with a tangible return in the form of income. Blue-chip stocks in recession-resistant industries tend to be especially stable, which can help lessen the blow of a market sell-off or recession.

Add some recession resistance to your portfolio

These days, the hottest stocks are in the technology and communications industries. It's easy to build a portfolio that skews toward these growth-focused sectors by buying stocks related to megatrends such as 5G, streaming services, cloud computing, and social media.

Unfortunately, these sectors are not immune to recession. An economic slowdown could cause businesses to reduce capital spending, which might cause them to cut back on expensive upgrades to 5G or cloud computing. Companies tend to pull back on advertising during recessions, and that hurts ad-driven sectors such as social media and some streaming services. As previously noted, consumers tend to eliminate extra costs during recessions, which can affect streaming services and other entertainment options.

That's why it's important to diversify your portfolio to better withstand a recession by adding some defensive or countercyclical stocks in the consumer staples, utilities, bargain retailing, and healthcare industries. You can still invest in tech companies, but make sure to offset -- as best you can -- any potential negative impacts of a recession on your portfolio.
HOUSTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, April 7, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Houston area McDonald's restaurants will provide free breakfast to students taking the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test and their teachers.

Children in third through eighth grade are invited to visit a participating Houston area McDonald's restaurant with a parent or legal aged guardian to receive a free breakfast that includes:

Choice of: Egg White Delight McMuffin or Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

Choice of: 1% Low Fat Milk or Apple Juice

Apple Slices

"We are proud to provide a nutritious breakfast to local students and teachers on April 7," said Carla Moore, President of the Greater Houston McDonald's owner/operators. "This offer is available at McDonald's restaurants throughout the Greater Houston area so every child has the opportunity to start their morning with a balanced breakfast as we begin the STAAR testing period."

Houston Area McDonald's restaurants are also offering the same free breakfast to teachers grades three through eight with a valid school I.D. No coupon necessary. Limit one breakfast per student or teacher only. Dine-in only. Student must be present and accompanied by a parent or legal aged guardian.

To learn more, please visit the Facebook event page here, or the digital press kit here.

ABOUT McDONALD'S GREATER HOUSTON OWNER/OPERATORS

The McDonald's Greater Houston Owner/Operators Association (GHOA) is a co-operative of local business owners who own and operate more than 300 McDonald's restaurants in Greater Houston. GHOA-owned McDonald's restaurants employ more than 15,000 people in the Greater Houston community. Follow local McDonald's on Facebook @GreaterHoustonOperatorsAssociation and Instagram @McDonaldsHouston.

CONTACTS

Julia Davis, CKP

(832) 930-4065 x102 / [email protected]

Madison Mann, CKP

(832) 930-4065 x120 / [email protected]

SOURCE McDonalds Greater Houston Owner/Operators
Nearly 100 Manitobans have been tested for COVID-19 and, as of Thursday, no one has tested positive, the chief provincial public health officer said Thursday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nearly 100 Manitobans have been tested for COVID-19 and, as of Thursday, no one has tested positive, the chief provincial public health officer said Thursday.

The risk of getting it remains low, Dr. Brent Roussin said at the legislature during a weekly update on Manitobas preparations for handling an outbreak.

He said 97 tests have been conducted in Manitoba as of Thursday, and no COVID-19 cases were confirmed.

"Right now were in the containment stage, so were searching hard for that index case,"  the first confirmed COVID-19 patient, said Roussin.

"Our preparedness has to include the eventuality of community-wide transmission," he said. "Were increasing our ability to test and were preparing our health systems should that eventuality arise."

Roussin urged Manitobans to wash their hands frequently, use proper cough etiquette, stay home when they have symptoms, stay away from those who are showing symptoms and stay on top of a developing situation.

"Try to avoid misinformation," said Roussin, encouraging those with questions to call Health Links and to look for answers from reliable online sources, such as the Manitoba Public Health and Public Health Agency of Canada websites.

Shared Health and the province are working together to prepare for COVID-19, said Lanette Siragusa, Shared Healths provincial lead for health system integration and quality and chief nursing officer, who joined Roussin for Thursdays COVID-19 briefing.

"We have been working on a provincial co-ordinated response for the past several weeks," Siragusa said.

When asked about plans for public operations like Winnipeg Transit, Siragusa didnt offer any specifics.

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"We have made sure that the information were developing  whether its protocols or guidelines  are available on the website," she said. "We are happy to share that information with whatever organization feels they would like it. We can certainly be consulted if theres specific questions. We would encourage all organizations to develop their local plans," Siragusa said.

All sites in all health regions are looking at their "critical care capacity" to make sure they have what they need in case there is an outbreak of coronavirus with very sick people.

"They need to have those plans in place," said Siragusa.

When asked if there are enough front-line hospital staff outfitted with N-95 masks, a concern raised by the Manitoba Nurses Union, Siragusa said those masks are required for doing "aerosol-generating procedures" like intubating a COVID-19 patient, which so far hasnt happened.

Roussin said people need to be prepared in case theyre required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. He said theres no need to "stockpile" supplies  just make sure they have two weeks worth of medication and food.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar has been fighting to take over Libyas capital for more than 10 months from the United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli.

But as the rival governments fight for control, the violence is only growing as various foreign countries step in to back the respective sides.

Al Jazeeras Charles Stratford reports from the ancient site of Leptis Magna, where the armies of various empires once fought for control  and finds that Libyas present has echoes of its past.
In 2008, NorthWestern Energy purchased 30% of the Colstrip coal-fired power plants and terribly overcharged Montana ratepayers as part of the deal  all with the blessing of the Montana Public Service Commissioners at that time.

Now, in 2020, the leadership of NorthWestern energy is back at the ratepayer trough  asking the Montana PSC to approve the companys purchase of the last two coal-fired power plants left in Colstrip for $1. To help make their argument, NorthWestern Energy is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into a manipulative propaganda campaign to trick Montana ratepayers and voters into doubling down on that terrible investment made in 2008.

My inbox and social media feed have been filled with ads from a group called More Power To You. Fully funded  and foisted upon us  by NorthWestern Energy, this company is using the money we pay to them as ratepayers to convince us to allow them to take more of our money. Dont fall for it.

There are a lot of inconvenient truths about Colstrip that NorthWestern Energy fails to acknowledge. The fact is, the electrical generation facility in Colstrip is near the end of its lifespan. It is very expensive to operate and that situation is getting worse. For example, the price for coal that the plant burns was just renegotiated and yet NorthWestern has filed a request with the Montana PSC to keep the new coal prices a secret from anyone who isnt an intervener.

Stop trying to sell Montana ratepayers a pig in a poke.

There are more hidden costs in the proposed $1 Colstrip deal. One of the units is in dire need of an expensive multi-million-dollar overhaul. The ash ponds that have been created over the decades are leaking. Will the current corporate owners pay the hundreds of millions of dollars for these after they have cut and run from Montana? Probably not. Too many companies take the profits out of our state and leave their mess for us to deal with. We need to be on the right side of history this time.

The states that buy power from Montana have made it clear that after 2025 they will only purchase energy from renewable sources  not coal-generated power. Since you cannot separate coal power from clean power on the electrical grid, owning Colstrip jeopardizes our states ability to be an energy exporter in the future.

This is why all Colstrip owners except for NorthWestern are ready to shut Colstrip down. Since NorthWestern gets an inflated subsidy to keep Colstrip open, the company is spending millions of ratepayer dollars for advertising that attempts to convince us to support their $1 scheme to buy the left-overs at Colstrip. They make it sound like its too good of a deal to pass up. Fact is, its only good for them.

That price raises an important question.

How is it that NorthWestern can now purchase a 25% share of Colstrip for $1, while it continues to charge us $407 million for a 30% share it purchased 12 years ago?

NorthWestern owes ratepayers an apology and a refund for what it has done to us in the past. Going forward, the company must change its ways. First, NorthWestern must immediately stop spending Montana ratepayer money on this propaganda campaign, selling us what it knows is a terrible investment.

The members of the Montana PSC must also wake up and exert the power to the people of Montana to resist another boondoggle. Its their job balance the interests of Montana ratepayers and citizens with those of Northwestern. Commissioners, do your duty, not NorthWestern Energys bidding.

Rep. Tom Woods, D-Bozeman, represents House District 62 in the Montana Legislature and is a candidate for the Montana Public Service Commission representing District 3.

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Highlights Bhutan and Sikkims ban on foreign tourists has hit tourism in northeast American tourist was detected with the coronavirus in Bhutan Several tourists headed to Sikkim and Bhutan are stranded

Restriction on movement imposed due to coronavirus threat is impacting tourism in the northeastern regions of India and also in Bhutan, industry professionals said on Friday.

The dip in tourism is mainly due to the ban on entry of foreigners announced by Sikkim yesterday and by Bhutan on Friday after an American tourist travelling from India was tested positive for the deadly disease after his arrival at Paro, about 50km from capital Thimpu.

The Indian state of Sikkim, which shares borders with China, Bhutan and Nepal, had announced on Thursday that it will not issue Inner Line Permit (ILP) to foreigners, including Bhutan nationals.

It also announced a blanket ban to visits to Nathula pass on the Indo-China border.

Following the announcements, more than 1500 tourists who were returning from Phuentsholing, the border town in Bhutan, are facing difficulty, said Suresh Thakuri, president of Jaigaon Travel Welfare Association.

The immigration office at Phuentsholing has been closed, said Sangey Tenzing a Bhutan immigration department official.

M K Sharma, health minister of Sikkim, told HT: We are monitoring all foreigners who are in Sikkim and those who had been to China. There are no signs of anyone affected by the virus.

In 2019, more than 1.2 million Indian tourists visited Sikkim and the number of foreigners visiting Sikkim stood at 133,388. Among the foreigners, Bangladeshis accounted for 60,542 visitors followed by Nepal with 56,781 visitors.

The others came from USA (2250), Germany (1674), UK (1412), Australia (1129), France (1121), Thailand (899), Malaysia (744) and Canada (568).

Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network said Though the tourism industry has taken a heavy toll in Bhutan, we were accommodating Indian tourists in other destinations such as Sikkim and Darjeeling.

In a statement, Sikkim governor Ganga Prasad said, In view of the impending Holi festival this week, I advise my fellow Sikkimese to avoid celebrating Holi in-crowd. I urge everyone to follow absolute hygiene and precautionary measures while enjoying the festival of colours among friends and family members.

Though all tourists are banned from entering Bhutan, trucks carrying essentials from India to Bhutan are plying normally.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pramod Giri I am working with Hindustan Times since 2001 and am posted in Siliguri, West Bengal, as Principal Correspondent. I have been regularly covering vast area of northern parts of West Bengal, Sikkim and parts of Nepal and Bhutan. ...view detail
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Friday started meeting Congress party legislators in a bid to show that there was no danger to his government and he said his legislators were not up for sale.

My MLAs are not for sale. They believe in the politics of principles and service. We (Congress) create our identity on politics we can be proud of and firmly say that we are from the state of Madhya Pradesh, Nath said in a community programme.

The comments came days after the Congress alleged that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to poach legislators even as the Congress was not able to track its three legislators, who were said to be in Bengaluru.

As the three Congress legislators remained incommunicado, CM Nath and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh cancelled all their programmes outside Bhopal and were said to be speaking to individual party legislators to gauge their mood.

Both Nath and Singh were supposed to be present at the inauguration of Orchha Mahotsav in Bundelkhand on Friday. Devotees from across the country visit Ram temple in Orchha and since Congress came to power it is promoting the places associated with Lord Ram.

Nath and Singh also held a long meeting at the CMs residence on Friday.

After the meeting, Singh said, I came on being called by chief minister Kamal Nath. What we are seeing is not an operation lotus but operation moneybag of the BJP. The reason behind what they are doing is the ongoing investigation in e-tendering and other scams and the investigating agencies tightening their grip on them.

On asked whether the three Congress MLAs would return to the party, he asked, Where else they will go? They have their own discretion and wisdom and they will take their own decisions. On his aspirations to get himself re-elected to Rajya Sabha Digvijaya Singh said, It is Congress high command which will take a decision on the same.

Senior BJP leaders including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union rural development minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, met at the latters residence in Delhi to discuss latest developments in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan and Tomar, however, did not comment on the discussions.

State BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat said, Chief minister Kamal Nath must resign given the chaotic situation in the state his government has created. Instead of government working for public it is harassing MLAs from the ruling party and the opposition both.

On the other hand, a senior Congress leader, who was not willing to be named, said, We could establish contact with only independent MLA Surendra Singh Shera but not with the Congress MLAs - Bisahulal Singh, Hardeep Singh Dung and Raghuraj Kansana. However, we expect a positive outcome of our efforts soon as chief minister Kamal Nath himself is making his best efforts to get in touch with these three.

Surendra Singh Shera who is said to be in Bengaluru for medical treatment of his daughter said on Friday that he was harassed a lot. I stand by the CM and would meet him to share my ordeal, he said, in a video released on social media sites. Despite efforts he couldnt be contacted.

A day Hardeep Singh Dungs purported resignation letter went viral on social media, MP Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati reiterated his stand that Dungs resignation letter has no meaning until he has a conversation with him.

I will take a decision only when I get such a letter formally. Those people from a so-called party who have made it viral should be asked as to from where they got the letter, he said.

Dungs father Sharan Singh Dung said in Mandsaur on Friday, My son left home three days back for a dental treatment. We couldnt contact him later. But I am confident that whatever he is doing he is doing in the interest of his constituency.

On Thursday night, BJP MLAs Narayan Tripathi and Sharad Kol, both from Vindhya region, who had voted in favour of a Congress government bill during the state assemblys monsoon session in July last year reportedly met the chief minister at the CM House. Of late, both praised the leadership of chief minister Kamal Nath.

However, another BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak dismissed the news in a section of media as propaganda that he met the CM on Thursday night. Pathak was accused by Digvijaya Singh of playing his role in horse trading. Later, the administration in Jabalpur ordered closure of his mines in the district on the ground of a Supreme Courts order.

Pathak on Friday said: Its wrong to say that I met the CM. I am being harassed and I may be even killed. I didnt think that politics would go down to such a low level. The security personnel given to me have been removed by the government. I am with the BJP and will remain with the party.

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I have become rather used to being kicked in the stomach. Suddenly, the kicking has stopped. Yesterday, I learnt that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has agreed to investigate war crimes committed in Afghanistan, by United States forces. My American tormentors in the dark prison in Kabul, believed they had impunity to do whatever they wanted to me. Now there is a possibility that they may be held to account. Indeed, it is an historic moment: US torturers may face international justice for the first time.

I was one of a hundred people who filed the complaint, though the only one from Guantanamo Bay willing to be named in public. I understand why others wish to remain anonymous, but I have no fear of reprisals  what could they do to me, that they have not already done?

The Americans paid a bounty to Pakistanis for me, after they were told I was a notorious terrorist, Hassan Ghul. They flew me in shackles from Karachi to the dark prison in Kabul, and abused me in unspeakable ways for 540 days and nights. Astoundingly, they later captured the real Hassan Ghul, but then let him go whilst I, the innocent taxi driver, got rendered to Guantanamo, where I remain 17 years later. Theres no disputing the facts: the US Senate confirmed my mistreatment in their 2014 Senate report on CIA torture.

The ICC promises to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes andhelp prevent these crimes from happening again. They say that they cannot reach this goal alone and ask for the help of others.

So, along with others, I went out on a limb and was willing to challenge the most powerful nation on earth  even though I am still in their grasp, and still being abused by them.

Recommended War crimes investigation into US forces in Afghanistan can go ahead

I have been on a hunger strike for over six years now, peacefully protesting my detention without trial. Every day here in Guantanamo I am force fed in an incredibly painful way, described as cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In other words, my torture continues.

My lawyers provided the evidence to the prosecutors who concluded that an investigation should go forward. But then the ICC panel overruled them. I thought it would end like everything else  might is right, and the US can torture me with impunity, from the dark prison to Guantanamo Bay. But I am delighted that the ICC review yesterday proves that this is not the case.

There is not much I can do here in Guantanamo. I cant see my wife. I have never touched my son, Jawad, who was born soon after I was kidnapped. But I have been able to paint with supplies brought by my lawyers. So I thought that one thing I can do for the judges, to express my thanks for their courage, is to do a painting for them. I will draw my wife and children sitting on the ground. In front of them, the American soldiers are dragging me by my hair towards Guantanamo. I will be shackled and chained. My clothes will be all torn, as I am humiliated before the whole world. I would like the court to hang this somewhere in their building, to show what their work means to the victims of such crimes.

There is a wider principle at play here, which is very important: if the United States will not allow its own people to be subject to the rule of law when they torture prisoners, how can others be held to account? It begs us to ask the question: Why shouldn't Vladimir Putin, Russia's President, assassinate those he dislikes on the streets of London? Why should Bashir Assad, President of Syria, not use chemical weapons on his own people?

I am not interested in revenge against the people who strung me up by my wrists and left me dangling in a dark pit for days on end, gradually dislocating my shoulders. I do not demand that they be sent to prison. I do not demand money. If they were ordered to pay me with $1 million for each year I have spent being abused, that would not compensate me. But I would be happy with just three words: We are sorry. And I would be happy if my own suffering could be exposed, so that nobody else has to go through this nightmare, ever again.
Boeing made missteps and withheld information about the 737 MAX while federal regulators failed to provide proper oversight, leading to a "fundamentally flawed" aircraft that demands tighter rules, a US congressional committee said Friday.

The preliminary report from the House Transportation Committee blasts Boeing management and the Federal Aviation Administration and calls for reforms.

"The fact that multiple technical design missteps or certification blunders were deemed 'compliant' by the FAA points to a critical need for legislative and regulatory reforms," the report said, calling the aircraft "fundamentally flawed and unsafe."

The Democratic committee chair plans to introduce legislation to address the failings in coming weeks, according to a statement from the committee.

Released days before the anniversary of the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines MAX, the second involving the model, the report cited a list of failings, including Boeing management brushing off concerns of engineers, and FAA officials ignoring warnings from its own experts.

The congressional investigation aimed "to better understand how the system failed so horribly," committee Chair Peter DeFazio said in a statement.

And he said the committee intends to continue its investigation "to bring into focus the multiple factors that allowed an unairworthy airplane to be put into service, leading to the tragic and avoidable deaths of 346 people."

The MAX has been grounded worldwide since the accident, which happened a few months after the Lion Air tragedy in Indonesia in October 2018.

"Both Boeing and the FAA gambled with the public's safety in the aftermath of the Lion Air crash," the report said.

'Grossly insufficient' oversight

Many of the flaws in design and oversight had been revealed over the months since the second crash, but the damning report lays them out one after the other.

The report describes Boeing's "fundamentally flawed assumptions" about technology in the plane, including the flight software at the epicenter of both tragedies: the MCAS.

A congressional investigation found "grossly insufficient" oversight of the Boeing 737 MAX, and executives who dismissed safety concerns of the company's own engineers. By Jason Redmond (AFP/File)

And the company as a "culture of concealment" that meant "it withheld crucial information" including from pilots, customers and the FAA.

Senior Boeing leadership "rebuffed concerns" of a plant supervisor about the production pressures and the impact on safety, who called for a temporary halt to the manufacturing to address the issues.

"Despite those warnings, Boeing ramped up production instead."

Regulators, meanwhile, exercised "grossly insufficient" review and had a relationship with Boeing that created "inherent conflicts of interest that have jeopardized the safety of the flying public."

"At times, FAA management has undercut the authority and judgment of its own technical experts and sided with Boeing," the report said.

"The FAA failed to fully exercise its safety oversight authority. The agency did not ask enough questions or scrutinize sufficiently."

The FAA responded to the report saying it will "welcome the scrutiny" from the committee and the investigations into the two accidents "will be a springboard to an even greater level of safety."

Boeing said simply, "We have cooperated extensively for the past year with the Committee's investigation. We will review this preliminary report."
A 16-year-old Baton Rouge boy and two local men are under indictment in a fatal October armed robbery and in a string of other armed robberies that occurred around the same time.

Terrance Paul Hanks, 22, Demarcus Jemal Johnson, 19, and Isaiah M. Carter were indicted Thursday on a second-degree murder count in the Oct. 21 shooting death of Hugo Sanchez Lopez, 22, in the 12000 block of Cate Avenue.

Hanks, Johnson and the 16-year-old Carter also were charged in that indictment with four counts of armed robbery stemming from the Oct. 21 incident in which Lopez and three of his friends were robbed at gunpoint.

Johnson was additionally charged with aggravated second-degree battery of one of Lopez's friends.

The East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury named Hanks in three separate indictments. Johnson and Carter were charged in two separate indictments.

In all, Hanks, of 9325 Dancy Ave., was indicted on one count of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and nine counts of armed robbery.

In addition to the second-degree murder and aggravated second-degree battery charges, Johnson, of 244 Bon Crest Ave., was indicted on two counts of attempted second-degree murder and seven counts of armed robbery.

Carter, of 2322 Marci Court, is charged with a combined seven counts of armed robbery, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

In the Oct. 21 incident, police said two men approached several people that night at a home on Cate Avenue. A fight broke out in the driveway as the men attempted to rob them, police said, and Lopez was shot and killed.

Police arrested Hanks as the purported driver of the getaway car in the shooting. Hanks told investigators he drove two other people to the Cate Avenue area and they had planned to rob someone, his arrest report says. He then heard gunshots before the others returned to the car.

+2 Alleged getaway driver arrested in fatal Baton Rouge shooting on Cate Avenue Authorities have arrested a Baton Rouge man they say was the getaway driver in the fatal shooting of a man last month and is also a suspect in

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Police said they matched the silver Toyota that Hanks allegedly had been driving to several other armed robberies that happened around the time of the shooting.

A witness told The Advocate that the men approached Lopez and three of his friends in his driveway and demanded their wallets. During the robbery and fight, one of the assailants shot Lopez twice, while the other hit one of Lopezs companions in the head.

Lopez fell to the ground and the two assailants ran away, leaving the gun behind on the pavement, the witness said.

+2 Man who moved to Baton Rouge seeking a better life shot dead in late-night attempted robbery A 22-year-old man who moved with his brother from Mexico to Baton Rouge in search of a better life was shot and killed in an attempted armed robbery.

Police submitted the gun to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for ballistic analysis, which revealed the weapon was a presumptive match for five separate shootings, according to booking documents.

Three of the shootings occurred last year in a Scotlandville neighborhood known as the Avenues, police said. DNA evidence found on the gun matched Johnson, who lives just north of the Avenues and matched a physical description provided by witnesses to the shooting.

Police said they matched the silver Toyota that Hanks allegedly had been driving to several other armed robberies that happened around the time of the shooting.

A second indictment returned Thursday accused Hanks, Johnson and Carter of committing armed robberies on Sept. 27, Oct. 14 and Oct. 29. All three men also were indicted on attempted second-degree murder counts in the Sept. 27 and Oct. 14 robberies.

In a third indictment, Hanks and Qumonta Gross, 20, of 6267 Arthur Vitae Drive, were charged with two counts of armed robbery in an Oct. 9 incident.

State District Judge Fred Crifasi will preside over all of the cases.
New Delhi, March 6 : With the country still shaken by large-scale violence that engulfed northeast Delhi in the last week of February, the youths studying in different institutions of higher education spearheaded the efforts at restoration of peace and communal harmony.

While the opposition and the government were busy in political recriminations both inside and outside Parliament, Delhi students were setting an example for others to follow to ensure peace among all communities.

Just after the violence that has claimed the lives of 53 persons so far, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) came forward to offer shelter on the campus for riot survivors.

However, after a notice from JNU administration that students had no right to make such offers, JNUSU then decided to help the riot-affected by supplying essential items collected through donations.

The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) too held a day-long fast in the national capital and urged Delhiites to stand united and work for peace.

DUSU office-bearers, including President Akshit Dahiya, Vice-President Pradeep Tanwar and Joint Secretary Shivangi Kharwal, participated in the fast outside the Arts Faculty on the campus.

"We along with other students want an atmosphere of peace, amity and brotherhood in Delhi. Efforts are required to bridge the communal divide that has manifested in violence in parts of Delhi," a DUSU statement said.

"In this hour of crisis, we all need to come together and undertake every possible measure to foster the spirit of peace, harmony and fraternity in society," the students union added.

The student wing of Congress, the National Student Union of India (NSUI), also came out on the streets to help restore peace.

NSUI activists and supporters on Thursday took out a peace march from its headquarters on the Raisina Road here to the India Gate.

"The main aim to organise the 'Chatra Aman Sandesh Yatra' (Students' peace message march) is to stand against the venom of hatred spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its Ministers that resulted in the violence in Delhi," an NSUI statement released after the march read.

The protesters also targeted the Delhi Police which, they pointed out, functions on the orders of the Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah.

"No reaction came from the Home Minister when Delhi was burning and people were dying. The NSUI appeals to the residents of Delhi to maintain peace and not let politics ruin their lives and homes," the statement added.

Over 200 persons were injured and property worth crores of rupees damaged in the violence that began after a clash between pro and anti-CAA groups on February 23 took a communal turn.

(Rohan Agarwal can be contacted at Rohan.a@ians.in )
[March 06, 2020] Arch MI Wins a HousingWire Tech100 Mortgage Award for the Second Year in a Row

Arch MI has been named a winner of HousingWire's Tech100 Mortgage Awards for its RateStar Refinance Retention tool and voice technology solutions. As a sharp drop in mortgage rates sparked a refinance boom in mid-2019, Arch MI introduced the RateStar Refinance Retention program to enable lenders to stand out from the competition by offering qualified borrowers the opportunity to get both a lower-interest loan and a lower MI payment. In addition to spotlighting Arch MI's RateStar Refinance Retention tool in the March 2020 issue, HousingWire describes Arch MI's deployment of voice technology for lenders to access the Loan Status Lookup tool via loan origination systems, desktop PCs or Alexa-enabled devices. "We're pleased HousingWire recognized our RateStar platform and the new solutions it provides for lenders to originate and close more loans in a changing marketplace," said Jim Jumpe, Arch MI Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "We also appreciate this recognition of the hard work of our technology group and our customer teams who work directly with lenders to meet their needs and maximize opportunities." "The winners of the 2020 HousingWire Tech100 awards are truly the most impactful and innovative companies in housing," said HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins. "Not only do these companies empower their clients and users, they are supporting a more efficient, accessible and sustainable housing economy." A year ago, HousingWire recognized Arch MI with a 2019 Tech100 award for RateStar Buydown - the industry's first tool for creating a custom MI payment for each borrower that leverages all lender, seller and Realtor credits. About Arch MI Arch Capital Group Ltd.'s U.S. mortgage insurance operation, Arch MI, is a leading provider of private insurance covering mortgage credit risk. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Arch MI's mission is to protect lenders against credit risk, while extending the possibility of responsible home ownership to qualified borrowers. Arch MI's flagship mortgage insurer, Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states, the District of Coumbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit archmi.com.



About HousingWire HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 60,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 7.5 million unique visitors each year. Our audience of mortgage, real estate, financial services and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. For more information, visit housingwire.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements includes the following: adverse general economic and market conditions; increased competition; pricing and policy term trends; fluctuations in the actions of rating agencies and our ability to maintain and improve our ratings; investment performance; the loss of key personnel; the adequacy of our loss reserves, severity and/or frequency of losses, greater than expected loss ratios and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; changes in regulations and/or tax laws in the United States or elsewhere; our ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures and integrate the businesses we have acquired or may acquire into the existing operations; changes in accounting principles or policies; material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; availability and cost to us of reinsurance to manage our gross and net exposures; the failure of others to meet their obligations to us and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005286/en/

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Update: 06-03-2020 | 11:40:57

Hoya Lens Vietnam Co.Ltd. in the Vietnam-Singapore 2 Industrial Park has implemented many practical activities to take care of the spiritual and material lives of laborers. Especially, the company has strengthened dialogues with laborers, negotiations on collective labor deals for laborers interests.

Giving care for laborers

Hoya Lens Vietnam is a wholly Japanese-invested company specialized in manufacturing hi-class eyeglass lenses with nearly 1,000 workers. Along with business-production activities, the company has always spared no effort to take care of the spiritual and material lives of laborers.

Le Duc Hung (second left), Chairman of Hoya Lens Vietnam Co.Ltd.s Trade Union local receives the 2019 emulation banner of provincial Labor Union

Particularly, apart from policies on welfare, bonus under the States law, the companys Trade Union local over the past time organized many practical activities such as presenting gifts to laborers on Tet, great holidays; calling for trade unionists, laborers to offer help to needy cases; donating gifts for laborers offspring on International Childrens Day and Mid-autumn festival; organizing cultural-sports activities in response to the Youth MonthAll have helped laborers have long attachment with the company.

Le Duc Hung, Chairman of the companys Trade Union local said: We want that creating playgrounds for laborers will help laborers relax after hard working hours. In addition, taking part in activities organized higher Trade Unions is seen as a chance for us to exchange and learn experience from other Trade Union locals.

Noticeably, the companys Trade Union local has paid more attention to improving the quality of mid-shift meals for laborers, thereby contributing to taking care of their lives.

Stable, harmonious labor relationship

Together with taking care of, protecting laborers legitimate rights and interests, the companys Trade Union local has attached special importance to building up a stable, harmonious labor relationship through boosting dialogues, negotiations on collective labor deals with focus on contents bringing more interests to laborers

According to Mr.Hung, the companys Trade Union local and directorate have organized periodic dialogues with laborers for timely support, aiming to create high consensus among them. It is known that the Executive Board of the companys Trade Union local has made efforts in building up a stable, harmonious labor relationship at the company via many practical programs.

From the attention and support of the company, laborers herein have expressed their sense of responsibility for the common benefit of the company. This is also the key to the current success of the company towards sustainable development in the future.

Reported by Thu Thao-Translated by K.T
CALGARYAn Alberta judge is to hand down a verdict on March 20 in the case of a Calgary man accused of killing his four-year-old daughter.

Oluwatosin Oluwafemi is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Olive Rebekah, who died of multiple blunt-force trauma.

The trial has heard that Oluwafemi called his wife at work on December 14, 2014, and she rushed home to find him performing CPR on the girl.

A paramedic testified he arrived 20 minutes later and found Olive unconscious, not breathing and in cardiac arrest.

The paramedic said he received no explanation from the people in the home about what happened.

The Crown says Oluwafemi was the only person in the home that could have been responsible for the childs injuries, but the defence suggests the girls mother is an equally viable suspect.

Read more about:
- Morgan Stanley said that coal-to-gas switching in Europe could mop up about half of that excess, but that still leaves a surplus of 23mt (~3.1 billion cubic feet/day).

- 2020 global gas oversupply looks materially worse than 2019, with nearly 50mt of excess LNG that needs to find a home  before accounting for any demand loss from the coronavirus in China, the investment bank wrote.

- The glut for LNG could last until the mid-2020s, according to data from Morgan Stanley.

- OPEC has already made several cuts, along with involuntary outages, pushing collective output to a 10-year low.

- OPECs Joint Technical Committee had increased its recommendation to between 0.6 and 1 mb/d, up from just 0.6 mb/d previously.

- This was the least likely outcome from the meeting, with most analysts expecting some form of cut. A week ago the prospects for a meaningful agreement seemed lowHowever, a different Russian stance seems to have emerged this week, with policy moved along not only by the approach of the OPEC+ meeting but also by last weeks sharp price falls and the spread of coronavirus into Europe, Standard Chartered wrote in a note.

- Saudi Arabia was pushing OPEC+ to cut deeper, but Russia has refused and now the OPEC+ partnership is on the rocks.

Friday, March 6, 2020

1. Russia Kills Saudi Arabias Plans For Deeper Cuts

- Saudi Arabia was pushing OPEC+ to cut deeper, but Russia has refused and now the OPEC+ partnership is on the rocks.

- This was the least likely outcome from the meeting, with most analysts expecting some form of cut. A week ago the prospects for a meaningful agreement seemed lowHowever, a different Russian stance seems to have emerged this week, with policy moved along not only by the approach of the OPEC+ meeting but also by last weeks sharp price falls and the spread of coronavirus into Europe, Standard Chartered wrote in a note.

- OPECs Joint Technical Committee had increased its recommendation to between 0.6 and 1 mb/d, up from just 0.6 mb/d previously.

- OPEC has already made several cuts, along with involuntary outages, pushing collective output to a 10-year low.

2. LNG glut until mid-2020s

- The glut for LNG could last until the mid-2020s, according to data from Morgan Stanley.

- 2020 global gas oversupply looks materially worse than 2019, with nearly 50mt of excess LNG that needs to find a home  before accounting for any demand loss from the coronavirus in China, the investment bank wrote.

- Morgan Stanley said that coal-to-gas switching in Europe could mop up about half of that excess, but that still leaves a surplus of 23mt (~3.1 billion cubic feet/day).

- Without meaningful storage capacity in Asia, Europe is the only outlet for this excess gas and already has storage levels well above normal, Morgan Stanley noted.

- The result could be supply curtailment from the United States. We see risk of US gas prices breaking down into the $1.50-$1.75 range when these LNG curtailments first show up (likely in 2Q20), the bank concluded.

3. Access to finance tightening for oil companies

- With the oil market turning south, the financial noose on embattled oil and gas drillers is tightening. The industry is on the eve of the twice-a-year credit redetermination period, when lenders reassess the borrowing bases they offer to drillers.

- Investors and analysts estimate that banks will slash their credit lines to drillers by 10 to 20 percent this spring, Bloomberg reports.

- The banks can kick the can down the road and say theres no point of pushing everybody into bankruptcy, well wait until October, Shaia Hosseinzadeh, founder of OnyxPoint Global Management LP, told Bloomberg. But if its business as usual, its going to be a horror show.

- The energy bonds of a growing number of companies are falling into distressed territory, including California Resources Corp. (NYSE: CRC), Range Resources Corp. (NYSE: RRC), Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE: SWN), Antero Resources Corp. (NYSE: AR), Comstock Resources (NYSE: CRK), Extraction Oil & Gas Inc. (NASDAQ: XOG) and Oasis Petroleum Inc. (NASDAQ: OAS).

4. Exxon is not slowing down

- ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) gave a presentation on Thursday to investors, outlining its goals for the next few years.

- The oil giant said that production growth in the Permian would come in 10 percent lower than previously projected for the next two years, although it is still targeting 1 mb/d by 2024.

- The company also revised down slightly its medium-term spending plans, targeting $33 billion this year, which is at the low end of its range.

- But the aggressive growth plan remains intact  tweaked, but largely unchanged in its scope.

- Investors are souring on this kind of aggressive spending and growth strategy. Exxon was down 6 percent during midday trading on Thursday as some of these details were published.

- The loss was made worse by falling oil prices, but Exxon was the fourth-worst performer in the S&P 500 Energy Index during midday trading, offering evidence that the selloff was not just related to oil prices, but perhaps related to Exxon-specific problems.

- Exxons shares are down nearly 30 percent since the start of the year, and its dividend yield recently jumped above 7 percent.

5. Chevron trades at a premium to Exxon

- ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) was not the only oil major to present to investors and analysts. Chevron (NYSE: CVX) also offered a look under the hood.

- Chevron said that it would dish out $75 to $80 billion in payouts to shareholders over the next five years, equivalent to more than 40 percent of the companys market cap.

- Its strategy is notably different than Exxons  a focus on cash, not necessarily growth.

- Exxon will have to borrow or sell off assets in order to cover its dividend over the next few years, as it continues to spend heavily.

- The market is now rewarding Chevron. Chevrons shares trade at a premium over Exxon, a development that upends years of Exxon holding that premium.

6. Bond yields plunge

- Bond yields plunged as financial markets sold off equities and piled into safe haven assets.

- Mortgage rates hit a record low, as the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell below 1 percent.

- That followed the worst week for stocks since the global financial crisis. For years it was buy the dip, buy the dip, buy the dip, JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade, told the Wall Street Journal. Its very unsettling for people to see these kinds of moves everyday.

- That also came after the Federal Reserve surprised with a 50 basis point cut, the first cut of that size since the financial crisis. You can cut rates to zero and the virus could continue to spread, said Amy Kong, chief investment officer at Barrett Asset Management, according to the WSJ. They cant control the virus.

7. Coronavirus slowing in China, growing elsewhere

- The number of new coronavirus cases has dropped sharply in China since mid-February, evidence that the draconian quarantine policies helped slow the spread.

- But the number of cases everywhere else appears to be in its early stages.

- The impact is already causing havoc in the oil market, with forecasts for demand going into negative territory. Our global oil demand growth forecasts now stands at only -0.15 mb/d in 2020nfrom 0.55 mb/d previously (and 1.1 mb/d before the coronavirus), its lowest annual growth rate since the financial crisis of 2008/09, Goldman Sachs wrote in a report.

- Goldman said that prices will rebound next year, with lasting supply curtailments, accelerating demand growth and normalized inventories, helping to tighten up the market.
06.03.2020 LISTEN

The Coalition for Justice in Liberia (CJL) condemned in the strongest terms the arbitrary harassment, arrest, detention, and tortured of Mr. Emmanuel Savice, one of the lead campaigners for the establishment of an internationally-backed war and economic crimes court on Liberia.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, Mr. Savice was humiliated, intimidated, beaten, tortured and detained during a peaceful protest staged at the Capitol Building in Monrovia and to President George Manneh Weah in support of the establishment of war and economic crimes court. We the leaders and members of the Coalition for Justice in Liberia, comprised of the Liberians United for Justice and Accountability(LUJA) and other human rights organizations, are calling on the George Weah government to immediately, arrest, investigate and bring to justice members of state security forces linked to this barbaric, thuggish, and undemocratic behavior.

The harassment, intimidation, torture, and murder of human rights campaigners have become more frequent under the George Weah government. In early January this year, protestors led by Mr. Henry P. Costa and the Council of Patriots were violently chased from the streets of Monrovia by members of the Weahs government security forces under the command of some of the alleged notorious war criminals responsible for horrific crimes during the 14 years dreadful upheavals in Liberia from December 24, 1989- August 18, 2003.

Instead of facing justice for their crimes, the Weah government has emboldened the hardened criminals by appointing them to the position of trust and national security. We categorically object to the appointment of Augustine Nagbe, AKA General Powers and others, including the notorious war criminal Khadaffi serving in the ranks and files of the Weah government security apparatus.

We are calling on ECOWAS, AU, UN, EU, the government of China, Canada, the United States, Britain, India, and other peace-loving institutions and nations to join us in condemning the Weah governments undemocratic human rights records by calling on the government to immediately suspend and prosecute all those responsible for these acts of banditry and demand the establishment of war and economic crimes court in Liberia to provide an opportunity for all those accused of war and economic crimes to adjudicate their innocence or guilt. The court will also provide an opportunity for Liberian war victims to seek redress thus, bringing a closure to the 14 years calamities in Liberia.

Background

Pursuant to the Powers and Authority of the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission(TRC) as enshrined in VII Section 26(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) of the TRC Act of (2005) to address issues of impunity and to ensure accountability, political or otherwise for violations of human rights during the period 1979-2003, the TRC Commissioners recommended forty-nine ( 49) individuals including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for lustrations and debarment from holding public office in Liberia for thirty (30) years and possible criminal prosecution.

According to the TRC report page 360-361, these individuals including Mr. Charles Taylor, the leader of the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), Senator Prince Y. Johnson, the former leader of defunct Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), Representative George Boley, leader of the defunct Liberian Peace Council (LPC), including others.

After many years of crimes, impunity, and uncertainty, the UN-backed internationally- supported specialized War Crimes Court on Sierra Leone presided over by Judge Richard Lussick, convicted former President Charles G. Taylor, the leader of the NPFL and sentenced him to prison for 50 years for aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone but not Liberia.

Instead of implementing the Liberian TRC recommendations, successive Liberian governments from Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and now George Weah maliciously buried the report and echoed a mantra of development over accountability. Regrettably, dismal reports including the 2011 illegal sale of Liberia ambassadorship to an undercover Danish journalist, Mr. Mads Brugger Corazon for US$150,000.00 by the Chairman of the former ruling party, current Senator Varney Sherman, of Grand Cape Mount County on which the Ambassador documentary film is based; the illegal sale of 60% of Liberias land and forests to fraudulent logging companies reported by Global Witness; the $100 million disappearance scandals under the watchful eyes of the Weah government; the $25 million scandal at the ministry of finance and many other cases of corruption, human rights violations, disappearance, and the suppression of freedom of press, once more underscores the miserable failure of the unwise, hopeless, and uncontrollable appeasement policy in Liberia which has further reduced Liberia into a failed state governed by thugs.

Conclusion

We believe that the current atmosphere of relative peace and security in Liberia is unsustainable without confronting the cardinal problem of impunity in Liberia. Given the analysis of the regression of democratic tenets in Liberia, we urge the international community and friends of Liberia to divert any support to the Liberian government to the establishment of the economic and war crimes court in Liberia. Without confronting the question of impunity and accountability, it will sooner or later become once more a menace to the sub-region: A sad repeat of the 1990 scenario in which untold violence spread from Liberia through Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Rana Kapoor sent in judicial custody ; lawyer fears he may get COVID19

Prashant Kumar is now Yes Bank admin

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: Yes Bank on Friday said Prashant Kumar, former deputy managing director and CFO of State Bank of India, has taken charge as its administrator.

The private sector lender was on Thursday placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

Kumar taking charge as the Yes Bank administrator is in line with notifications issued by Department of Financial Services and the RBI.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

Yes Bank depositors rush to ATMs but most unable to withdraw cash

"In line with the above, Prashant Kumar, ex-DMD and CFO of State Bank of India, who has been appointed as the Administrator by the Reserve Bank of India under Section 36ACA(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, has taken charge with effect from today," Yes Bank said in a BSE filing.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 12:25 [IST]
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A relatively new theory that identifies universal concerns underlying human judgment could be key to helping people with opposing views on an issue coax each other to a different way of thinking, new research suggests.

The study tested the effectiveness of pro-environment messages guided by moral foundations theory, which suggests that at least five foundational principles influence our decisions about right and wrong.

Researchers wrote two experimental messages that were designed to urge readers to support a move away from fossil fuels as a primary energy source in the United States. The framing of one message appealed to conservative moral foundations (by noting that reliance on foreign resources is a national security concern) and the other drew on moral principles most meaningful to liberals (by citing the need to protect vulnerable citizens from a toxic environment).

The overarching finding: The conservative moral message framing was more effective than liberal framing at increasing conservatives' support for transitioning away from fossil fuels, especially when research participants were told the message came from a conservative source.

A January 2020 Pew Research Center survey notes the persistent partisan gap in this policy area: 85% of Democrats say protecting the environment should be a top priority for the president and Congress. Fewer than half as many Republicans (39%) rate environmental protection as a major priority.

Previous research has shown, in the context of moral foundations theory, that communication of traditionally conservative ideas to liberals and traditionally liberal ideas to conservatives does not routinely change minds, said Kristin Hurst, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research associate in behavior and sustainability in The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources.

"It's not always the case that the issues are fundamentally incompatible with the other side's values," Hurst said. "It's more that people on both sides of the political spectrum tend to frame their own issues using the language and arguments that align with the moral convictions of their own group.

"We can have a hard time recognizing the legitimacy of each other's moral convictions and, because of that, find it difficult to craft arguments that resonate with people who prioritize a different set of values - those on the other side of the political spectrum."

Hurst conducted the work with co-author Marc Stern of Virginia Tech while she was a graduate student there. The study is published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

The first journal article about moral foundations theory was published in 2004, and the 2012 book The Righteous Mind, by leading moral foundations theorist Jonathan Haidt, captured the attention of scholars and the public alike.

According to the theory, liberals tend to base their judgments on two moral foundations emphasizing the care of and fairness for people as individuals. Conservatives are more likely to rely on five principles - care and fairness plus those that increase group cohesiveness through loyalty and authority - as guides for their decisions. The fifth principle important to conservatives is sanctity, or purity, which refers to protecting the sacredness of valued objects, people, places and beliefs.

The researchers ran a pilot study asking students to identify their political leanings and seeking their agreement or disagreement with five statements about various environmental concerns, including global warming and endangered wildlife protection. The statement with the least support was an assertion that the United States should transition away from fossil fuels - so the researchers used that subject for their primary studies.

Using the online survey platform Prolific, Hurst and Stern recruited a total of 924 self-identified liberals and conservatives to participate in the studies. The researchers wrote two messages designed to urge readers to support a move away from fossil fuels as a primary energy source - one appealing to conservative readers and the other targeted to liberals. The researchers told participants the source of the message was either a liberal, neutral or conservative nonprofit organization.

The conservative appeal cited the need for the United States to reduce dependence on energy resources from countries linked to terrorism by being more competitive in the renewable energy marketplace. The liberal appeal emphasized that corporations favor fossil fuels because of profit potential and termed the transition to renewable energy a "compassionate and equitable choice."

Both messages touched on such concerns as pollution, the economy, jobs and worker safety.

The researchers conducted two surveys - one with both liberal and conservative participants and a second with only conservatives. Hurst and Stern found, as in previous research, that the moral framing doesn't tend to matter when a group - liberals, in this case - already agrees with the issue.

To gauge a change in support for the issue, the questionnaire asked people if they were more likely to support the transition away from fossil fuels now than they were before they read the message assigned to them. Conservatives reported more concern about and support for a reduction in U.S. fossil fuel use when they read the conservative message from a conservative source compared to those who read the liberal message from the liberal source.

"We found, sort of surprisingly, that the moral frame alone wasn't effective," Hurst said. "We found that this combination of the conservative moral frame with the conservative message source was key to resonating more with conservatives. That drove home the importance of the source."

The sources were not well-known media outlets or organizations. Because they were described as generic unnamed nonprofits that supported traditional conservative or liberal causes, Hurst said there might be a lesson in that: "Maybe a communicator or practitioner can seek out trusted nonprofit organizations or local leaders that are trusted more by conservative communities if they're willing to help you get your message across."

Hurst also noted that the purpose of framing messages according to moral foundations theory is about recognizing each other's deeply held moral convictions rather than dismissing them.

"This is not about getting conservatives to think like liberals," she said, "but rather changing how we communicate about environmental issues to highlight that caring about the environment is not just a liberal issue - it is also compatible with deeply help conservative values."

###

Contact: Kristin Hurst, Hurst.293@osu.edu

Written by Emily Caldwell, Caldwell.151@osu.edu; 614-292-8152
Zhejiang hit by imported COVID-19 cases from Italy

Global Times

By Liu Caiyu and Huang Lanlan Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/5 20:23:40

Govt mobilizes special teams, adopts big data to track down overseas returnees

Among 20 imported cases of COVID-19 in China as of Thursday, East China's Zhejiang Province has reported 10, all from Italy which saw the biggest outbreak in Europe. This has prompted local authorities to mobilize special teams and share big data to track every one of them down to prevent further infection domestically as some may lie about their illness.

Some returnees confirmed to be infected have deliberately hidden their history of consuming medicine and lied about their whereabouts in foreign countries. Some might have been infected en route from Italy to China due to long flights, leading hundreds of people to be quarantined.

More Chinese may return from Italy as the European country is facing mounting pressure of epidemic control with more than 3,000 cases as of Thursday, which raised alarms to local governments in tracking returnees' health and travel routes, especially Qingtian and Wenzhou, hometowns for many overseas Chinese in Italy.

In order to precisely manage people returning from abroad, the Qingtian and Wenzhou governments adopted measures including airport pickups, door-to-door visits, daily reporting mechanisms and big data analysis to prevent the risk posed by the returnees' cover-ups.

Qingtian formed airport service teams from February to pick up and quarantine returnees from all foreign countries at airports in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wenzhou upon their arrival, local government officials told the Global Times. The three airports are the most popular hubs for overseas Chinese who are originally from Zhejiang Province.

The closed-loop system prevents them from contacting others and posing dangers to more people, an official for the Qingtian government surnamed Chen, who is now stationed in Shanghai, told the Global Times.

In case people return through other smaller airports, the Qingtian government has adopted a series of measures to make sure "returnees cannot hide," Chen said. Local communities in Qingtian would go door-to-door to inspect and register people who recently returned from abroad and the government also offers cash rewards for people who report hiding returnees.

Counties in Wenzhou, home to about 800,000 overseas Chinese, set up hotlines, working teams and a big data registration system to trace those overseas who want to return. In Wenzhou's Wencheng, everyone who plans to go back must register their passport, flight information and health condition in its big data registration system through scanning QR codes. Chartered buses would pick up them upon arrival and take them to quarantine centers.

Officials in Wenzhou's Rui'an called each of its 7,853 overseas Chinese who planned to reside permanently in China to track their recent travel history. The county also opened platforms for overseas Chinese to register their personal information before going back.

To locate those returning from epidemic-stricken areas, National Immigration Administration officials screen travelers via big data analysis before international flights arrive in China, and share that information with customs and local authorities.

There are not many effective methods to detect people who lie about their illness, said Zhou Zijun, a public health expert at Peking University. Screening body temperatures may find abnormalities, but it won't work if the returnee has taken fever pills, Zhou said.

The chance of a potential virus carrier infecting others is pretty high, as the person will make contact with people in different places and spend hours on an enclosed airplane, Zhou said.

A woman flew back from Italy was tested positive on Sunday. She had been taking medicine since showing fever, cough and diarrhea on February 16.

Legal experts warned that those who lie about their illness and cause transmission to others may face severe punishment. Hindering the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases may lead to as much as seven years in prison, according to China's Law on Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. If the behavior constitutes the crime of "endangering public security," the ceiling is the death penalty.

Most residents reached by the Global Times don't feel much fear about the returnees, believing the local government in Zhejiang would take strict measures to combat the disease, given that the province's previous control work has been effective. But they despise people who knew they had coronavirus symptoms but still brought the virus back to their hometowns, saying it is a "selfish and irresponsible behavior."

Some residents in Zhejiang suggested their overseas friends not come back at this critical time. "A friend of my mother in Italy planned to return earlier as she believed China is now safer than Italy. But she was convinced by my mom to stay in Italy to reduce possible risk of virus transmission and infection," a resident in Wenzhou surnamed Wang told the Global Times.

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POST FALLS (AP)  A police officer shot during a standoff in northern Idaho is in good condition at an area hospital, and investigators are waiting for a report from a coroner to confirm the identity of the suspect, who was found dead.

Police believe the man is 53-year-old Thomas W. Boland, who failed to appear at a sentencing hearing for an assault conviction last year, the Coeur dAlene Press reported. Police were at the home on Tuesday to serve a misdemeanor warrant in connection with Bolands failure to appear in court.

Officials hope to have the dead mans identity confirmed early next week, Coeur dAlene Police Captain David Hagar said.

Post Falls Police Sgt. Justin Anderson went to the home Tuesday night to serve the warrant, and thats when the man inside allegedly fired at the officer, authorities have said. Anderson was struck in in the abdomen below his bullet-proof vest.

Police did not disclose whether the man was struck by police gunfire before he went back inside the house. A standoff ensued, with a tactical law enforcement team trying to persuade the man to come out. The mans son came out of the home and police who eventually went inside and said they found the man dead, surrounded by guns.

According to court records, Boland confronted a group of door-to-door proselytizers at his home in the spring of 2018, swinging his fists toward one of the members and threatening to shoot the men and children handing out religious pamphlets for the Jehovahs Witnesses.

He was convicted of assault, and was supposed to appear in court to be sentenced in February of 2019.

He never showed up, according to court records, prompting police to attempt to arrest him earlier this week.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Coeur dAlene Press.

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More than one billion Android phones and tablets are vulnerable to hackers because they're no longer supported by security updates, according to new research.

Consumer watchdog Which? found 40 per cent of Android users have been using old versions of the Google-made OS that no longer receive vital updates.

The most at-risk phones are any that run Android 4 or older  however, those using devices on Android 7.0 that cant update to a newer version should also be concerned.

The study, based on Google data, highlights the importance of using up-to-date software to avoid being at risk of data theft, ransom demands and other malware attacks.

The current software version is Android 10 while Android 9 and 8 are still 'in theory' getting security updates too and are safe to use.

Which? experts took a selection of affected phones and tablets into its labs, including some that can still be bought online on sites such as Amazon

WHICH ANDROID DEVICES ARE AT RISK? - Samsung Galaxy S3 (2012) - Samsung Galaxy S6 (2015) - Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) - Sony Xperia S (2012) - Sony Xperia Z2 (2014) - Motorola X (2013) - Google Nexus 5 (2013) Which? says that any devices running Android 7 and under are at risk  but especially Android 4 and lower. It is adding warnings to its reviews of potentially affected smartphones so consumers are aware of the risk. Advertisement

The watchdog estimates that there are millions of smartphone users in the UK alone at risk of data theft and other cyber attacks.

It also believes Google and other software developers need to be transparent regarding obsolete software and should help users whose devices are no longer supported.

It's very concerning that expensive Android devices have such a short shelf life before they lose security support, leaving millions of users at risk of serious consequences if they fall victim to hackers, said Which? editor Kate Bevan.

Google and phone manufacturers need to be upfront about security updates with clear information about how long they will last and what customers should do when they run out.

The government must also push ahead with planned legislation to ensure manufacturers are far more transparent about security updates for smart devices and their impact on consumers.

Which? experts took a selection of affected phones and tablets into its labs, including handsets still available to buy from online marketplaces such as Amazon.

Phones tested included the Motorola X, Samsung Galaxy S3, Sony Xperia Z2 and the Nexus 5, which was made by LG and marketed by Google.

All could be infected by malware at least once, while some models could be infected multiple times, Which? said.

Anyone using an Android phone released around 2012 or earlier, including popular models like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Sony Xperia S, are particularly at risk to hackers, and users of these phones should be especially concerned.

These phones are susceptible to links on websites that allow a hacker to take control of the device and steal personal information  links that would otherwise be blocked by up-to-date software.

The Samsung Galaxy A50s (pictured) launched last year with Android 9. The current software version is Android 10 while Android 9 (aka Pie) and Android 8 (Oreo) are still 'in theory' getting security updates too, Which? said

Older versions of mobile operating systems, generally those more than two years old, often have security updates from developers stopped.

Firms such as Google encourage users to instead update to a newer version of the operating system in order to best secure their device from modern cyber threats.

However, some older phones wont update to newer operating systems, which acts as an incentive for consumers to buy a new model fairly regularly.

But while consumers frequently fork out hundreds of pounds to replace their device, old phones end up piled up in landfill.

Which? says Google and other manufacturers have questions to answer about the environmental impact of phones that can only be supported for three years or less.

Which? researchers tested the Motorola X, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, Sony Xperia Z2, Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Nexus 5, which is made by LG and marketed by Google. All could be infected by malware at least once, while some models could be infected multiple times

Google declined to respond to the watchdogs request for an exact figure on how many UK-based Android users are at risk.

Which? also said it shared its findings with Google but the tech giant's response failed to provide reassurance that it has plans in place to help users whose devices are no longer supported.

In a statement to MailOnline, Google said: 'Were dedicated to improving security for Android devices every day.

'We provide security updates with bug fixes and other protections every month, and continually work with hardware and carrier partners to ensure that Android users have a fast, safe experience with their devices.'

Google and Apple  the makers of the world's two most popular mobile operating systems, Android and iOS  release new versions of their software annually, followed by smaller, periodical updates for several years after to fix any further issues found within them.

There are more than 2.5 billion active Android devices in the world, according to 2019 figures from Google.

Based on Google data from May 2019, 42.1 per cent of Android active users worldwide are on version 6.0 or earlier  Marshmallow (2015), Lollipop (2014), KitKat (2013), Jellybean (2012), Ice Cream Sandwich (2011) and Gingerbread (2010).
Michael Oluronbi, left, and wife Juliana, right. (PA Images/West Midlands Police)

A feared pastor who raped children in a bogus religious ceremony over a 20-year period has been jailed.

Self-styled prophet Michael Oluronbi was found guilty in January of offences against six women and a man. Five of those attended his church.

He carried out his attacks by convincing his victims to take part in a spiritual bathing ritual, which he told them would cleanse them of evil spirits.

Judge Sarah Buckingham, sentencing him to 34 years behind bars, said his case was one of the worst cases of sexual abuse of multiple children to come before the courts and described him as an arrogant, selfish and vain man.

She said the spiritual baths were actually designed to fulfil (his) insatiable sexual appetite.

The children feared you and this enabled you to continue your grip, she said, sentencing Oluronbi on Friday.

Your offending has had an extreme and severe impact on all of your complainants.

Michael Oluronbi has been jailed. (PA Images/West Midlands Police)

Any attempt to suggest otherwise would be without foundation.

You abused your position of trust  they trusted you like God.

In statements read to the court by the prosecution, one of the victims said Oluronbis actions made her question if my life was worth living.

Oluronbi, who had blamed the devil for his actions, was convicted of 15 counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault, at Birmingham Crown Court.

Oluronbis wife Juliana was also convicted of three counts of aiding and abetting rape and helping arrange some of the abortions of his victims, with some becoming pregnant multiple times. She was jailed for 11 years.

As a pharmacist, he would take them to clinics to end the pregnancies.

During the trial, the jury was told how Oluronbi was linked to a Christian church in Birmingham, where he formed a splinter group for about 40 adults and children, separate to the church and in another location.

In that group, he had the victims take part in spiritual bathing.

During the trial, Phil Bradley QC, prosecuting, told the jury: The main tactic he employed was to claim that God had instructed him to administer holy baths to some of his congregation in order to cleanse them and protect them from evil influences.

Story continues

That activity began when his victims were children.

There can be no doubt that its real purpose was to serve his sexual gratification.

Some of the victims were raped repeatedly, leading to unwanted pregnancies and terminations, he told the court, and he was revered and feared by his victims, kept a vice-like grip on many of them and continued to abuse them well into adulthood.

Juliana Oluronbi has been convicted of three counts of aiding and abetting rape. (PA Images/West Midlands Police)

West Midlands Police said he convinced children he could benefit them religiously, health-wise or educationally.

The forces detective superintendent Nick Walton said: Theyd be taken upstairs to the bathroom, stripped naked, sometimes wearing a red girdle  like a sash  and he would wash them down.

On occasion he would sexually assault them, but also take them to an adjacent bedroom and subject them to sexual assaults and rape.

Offences took place in Birmingham and London over 20 years, dating back to the 1980s.

Some of his victims described it as a cult, added DS Walton.

He has been confronted on occasions by relatives and parents. He never made admissions, and even blamed the devil for it on some occasions.

Oluronbi would sometimes laugh in court while giving evidence, DS Walton said. He worked as a pastor until his arrest.

He was arrested at Birmingham Airport while trying to leave for Nigeria  where he comes from  with ceremonial belongings and a sum of cash.

He had recently been confronted by one of his victims. Police became aware of his crimes after a victim came forward to them.

Police believe there may be more victims and urged them to get in touch.
Chinese Ambassador Wu Haitao (C), also the UN Security Council President for this month

By Xu Xiaolei

UNITED NATIONS, Mar. 6 -- The establishment of a transitional coalition government of South Sudan marks an important step forward in the country's peace process, Chinese Ambassador Wu Haitao, also the UN Security Council President for this month, stated at the UN Security Council Meeting on March 4, 2020.

The political process in South Sudan has recently made positive headway, said Amb. Wu, China welcomes the establishment, on schedule, of a transitional coalition government, and congratulates South Sudan on this achievement. We commend the leadership and courage demonstrated by the leaders of South Sudan.

He stressed that the international community should fully respect leadership by the South Sudanese government. The parties in South Sudan have primary responsibility for implementing the Revitalized Agreement. International partners should strengthen engagement and communication with the South Sudanese parties, especially with the government; listen to and heed their inputs and suggestions; and provide such financial, material and technical support in the areas of political process and security as is needed by South Sudan.

He also called on all the parties to continue supporting The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its role as the main player in mediation. The international community should intensify coordination with IGAD and the African Union, support their mediation efforts and help all parties in South Sudan to build greater mutual trust and show greater flexibility and goodwill, so consensus can be reached as soon as possible on all the outstanding issues.

Furthermore, Ambassador Wu expressed that the international community should keep up humanitarian and economic assistance to South Sudan. At present, the focus should be on helping South Sudan tackle its development problems, assisting the return and resettlement of internally displaced persons and expanding investment in such areas as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education and medical service to help the people of South Sudan build greater capacity to rebuild their homes and resume development.

As for China, Ambassador Wu stated China applauds the important contributions made by the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan to the maintenance of peace and stability in South Sudan. China will, as ever before, support the peace process in South Sudan and provide such assistance as is required. We stand ready to work with the international community constructively to help South Sudan maintain peace and stability and achieve socio-economic development.
The SA Post Offices ecommerce platform will allow local entrepreneurs to sell their products on the global market, the company announced at an event in Pretoria.

This platform will have a soft launch on 9 March 2020.

Ecommerce has been touted by the SA Post Office as a big opportunity to increase its revenue as it seeks to strengthen its financial position.

Chairperson Colleen Makhubele said the Post Office had recently been suffering losses of approximately 1 billion per year, and has received R8 billion from the government since 2016  which was intended to drive new initiatives such as its ecommerce platform.

How the ecommerce platform works

The SA Post Offices new ecommerce platform will be launched in partnership with the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

It will serve as the primary UPU node for the SADC region within a core African delivery network that includes three other countries in key locations  Egypt, Ghana, and Kenya.

This will also connect South Africas ecommerce platform to UPUs global partners, allowing South African entrepreneurs to reach customers around the world.

We plan for platform to serve as springboard for local SMMEs to help them sell their products and services throughout Africa and world, said Makhubele.

Makhubele explained that South African businesses will be able to list their products on the SA Post Office ecommerce platform for free, and people from around the world will be able to purchase these goods.

The SA Post Office can assist entrepreneurs in financing the product, as well as helping the entrepreneur to deliver the product on time.

Makhubele added that the Post Office is partnering with local logistics entrepreneurs who will be registered with the SA Post Office.

These businesses will help the Post Office make local house-to-house deliveries at pick-up points and in remote areas.

The SA Post Office will also be partnering with other courier companies who have specific strengths, Makhubele said.

We have already enlisted a number of local businesses which are offering unique South African items as part of proof-of-concepts, Makhubele added.

The local ecommerce platform will focus on the following types of transactions:

B2B

B2C

C2C

C2B

Business to Administration

Administration to Administration

Why the Post Office is capable

Makhubele highlighted that the SA Post Office already has an extensive reach within South Africa, but it has not been using this efficiently.

The importing of up to 80,000 items per day locally and abroad is further proof that the SA Post Office is capable of large delivery volumes, said Makhubele. The logistics side of the business is also reported to be in good condition.

Makhubele also said that the UPU mother body also enables South Africa and the greater SADC region to influence narratives and debates within the industry  offering it more say globally.

Makhubele said the SA Post Office was dedicated to ensuring that the struggling postal service regains the once-heralded position of SAPO.

Securing the future of the Post Office

Makhubele acknowledged that the Post Office has not been operating efficiently over the past decade and highlighted that it had been bleeding money.

She said the Post Office has been losing customers annually, and it needed to take steps to stem this tide.

To do this, the Post Office is repositioning itself as an integrated service solutions provider.

SAPO is in the process of strategically repositioning itself and using its distribution network as a service platform to be leveraged for profitability, innovation and service delivery, said Makhubele.

We are driving management aggressively towards a pronounced strategy of a Post Office that is relevant in the digital economy and one that is central to the provision of Fourth Industrial Revolution products and services; a Post Office that is trusted and reliable to deliver, deliver on time and deliver the parcels unviolated.

She added that the new board has been dealing with irregular contracts  including contracts where retainers were paid without work being done or scope being clarified.

One example involved a service provider being paid R20 million per month for services not provided.

The clauses were abnormal, with a R250-million exit penalty faced by the SA Post Office while the service provider only faced a penalty of R10,000 for non-delivery.

The SA Post Office should have a permanent CEO and CFO soon, it said, with the shortlisting process in advanced stages.

Now read: The plan to fix the SA Post Office
An influential member of Irans parliament has repeated the accusation that the coronavirus epidemic in China and Iran is bio-terror attack, one day after the commander of Revolutionary Guard made the same statement.

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a conservative leading lawmaker who is a member of parliaments influential National Security Commission who spoke with the semi-official ISNA news website on March 6 did not say what country was behind the alleged bio-terror attack.

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, IRGC, Hossein Salami yesterday said that the coronavirus perhaps is a bio-terror attack by the United States.

Falahatpisheh also said in his interview that Washingtons announcement to be ready to help Iran is political show-off. The United States officially sent a message to the Islamic Republic on February 28 it is ready to help the people of Iran to defeat the epidemic. Irans foreign ministry rejected the offer.

The conservative lawmaker told ISNA the United States should remove all sanctions against Iran to help prevent the spread of the virus in the region.

Falahatpisheh went as far as proposing the establishment bio-terror defense headquarters. Currently this is the duty of the countrys civil-defense authority.

Accusations of a bio-terror attack are being voiced at a time when the coronavirus contagion has become widespread in Iran, affecting all the countrys provinces.
The Birthplace of the Texas Lone Star Flag is once again calling on the community to embrace its rich history for a little friendly competition later this month.

The city is trying to challenge Spirit of Texas Bank one more time to see who can put more of those flags out, Montgomery City Administrator Richard Tramm said during last Tuesdays council meeting. So, we want everyone to put their Texas flags out on March 21.

The showdown kicked off last year after the Spirit of Texas Bank opened its doors in Montgomery in August 2019. In celebration of the banks arrival, Mayor Sara Countryman and the city proposed the challenge, which stemmed from Mayor Sara Countryman betting the bank that it would have more flags waving than the Spirit of Texas.

Spirit of Texas Bank told me that they are planning to have Texas flags all over their property, Mayor Countryman previously stated. I immediately took that as a challenge and bet Dean Bass, CEO of Spirit of Texas Bank that Montgomery could beat his display. Montgomery vs. Spirit of Texas Bank. We even shook hands to seal the deal.

During the grand opening ceremony, nearly 400 people witnessed the raising of a 30-foot by 60-foot Texas Flag on 130-foot pole and the unveiling of the Sam McCulloch Jr. bronze statue. The flag is one of several that wave proudly at the12,000 square foot, white two-story plantation style bank located on the corner of Texas 105 and Lone Star Parkway.

The Montgomery branch also revealed a new painting of the Lone Star flags designer Dr. Charles B. Stewart by Lee Jamison of Huntsville. Stewarts great-great-great- granddaughter, Pat Spackey, attended the ceremony and commended the painting. Conroes award-winning sculptor Craig Campobella, who created the statue of McCulloch, created the bronze bust of Stewart in The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park.

Dean Bass, CEO of the Spirit of Texas Bank, previously stated the branch plans to fly its Texas flags proudly and for a long time.

For those willing to accept the challenge, the city of Montgomery will have Texas flags on sale at City Hall for $5 each. For more information, call City Hall.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
In March 2012, a 25-year-old Russian computer whiz named Yevgeny Nikulin sat with several others in a conference room in a hotel in eastern Moscow. A video taken by a Ukrainian named Oleksandr Ieremenko showed them discussing plans for an Internet cafe business and other matters.



In an earlier part of the video, Ieremenko, 19, drives to the hotel to meet the group, which he calls a "summit of bad motherf*****s."



That same month, according to U.S. prosecutors, Nikulin broke into a social-media company engineer's computer a half a world away, in California -- and allegedly stole the usernames and passwords used by tens of millions of people to access their LinkedIn accounts. Some of that data was put up for sale on a notorious Russian hacker forum that June.



These details and other evidence were contained in pretrial motions filed by prosecutors this week ahead of the opening of Nikulin's trial in U.S. federal court in San Francisco. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on March 9.



The case against Nikulin, who was arrested in 2016 in Prague and extradited to the United States in 2018, is the latest example of a Russian citizen facing prosecution in the United States for cybercrimes, a trend that has infuriated the Russian Foreign Ministry, which complains that the United States is "hunting" Russians around the globe.



But the pretrial motions add yet more evidence of the web of relationships among Russia's cyberunderworld, allegedly tying Nikulin, now 32, to people who have been charged with even bigger, more serious hacks. That includes a hacker who allegedly worked for Russian intelligence to steal hundreds of millions of Yahoo user credentials -- possibly used in the 2016 hack of the U.S. Democratic National Committee, according to cyberexperts.



Nikulin, who was examined by court-ordered psychologists last year amid concerns about his mental health, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.



Arkady Bukh, one of Nikulin's defense lawyers, said prosecution lawyers appeared to be trying to pressure Nikulin to plead guilty ahead of the trial; particularly, he said, since the conviction rate for such cybercases is high.



Nikulin, however, has refused his lawyer's counsel to change his plea to guilty.



'Zhenya' From Moscow



According to prosecutors evidence, the video showing Nikulin, Ieremenko, and others was from a hard drive seized by Ukrainian authorities who raided Ieremenko's home in Kyiv, and the homes of several other alleged Ukrainian hackers, in November 2012.



An FBI affidavit said photographs found on the hard drive included photos that said "Zhenya from Moscow" -- a diminutive form of the name Yevgeny.



The U.S. Secret Service obtained the hard drive as part of an investigation into hacks of several business newswires, a scheme that involved selling unreleased corporate information to stock traders who then made trades based on the nonpublic information.



Ieremenko, now 27, was implicated in that scheme, but he gained wider notoriety in 2019 when U.S. authorities indicted him and another Ukrainian with a similar scam that traded on corporate earnings reports stolen from a database of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Ieremenko is believed to be in Russia.



According to the trial motions, Nikulin worked closely with Ieremenko in 2012, sharing hacked passwords and coding tips, using Skype accounts. A Skype address they tied to Nikulin -- dex.007 -- was used to send Ieremenko a link containing the password to one of Nikulin's accounts on a domain hosting site, along with stolen LinkedIn credentials.



'Reporting On The Spot'



The video, one of eight copied from Ieremenko's hard drive, was shot on March 18 or 19, 2012. In it, the person making the video narrates it, saying: "In short, we are reporting on the spot. Now, here at this Vega Izmailovo Hotel, there will be a fucking summit of bad motherf*****s," according to the U.S. transcript submitted in the court record.



Nikulin also worked closely with another Russian, Nikita Kislitsin, who was indicted in the United States in 2014 on conspiracy charges related to the hack another, lesser-known social media company called Formspring. Kislitsin's indictment, which was under seal since being filed, was unsealed earlier this week.



U.S. prosecutors say that, three months after the Moscow meeting, Nikulin himself stole 30 million user credentials from the social-networking service Formspring, and utilized some of those credentials when he hacked into the LinkedIn engineer's computer.



According to the court documents, the FBI used "court-ordered electronic interceptions" -- phone and e-mail taps -- to track Nikulin in 2012 and 2013.



U.S. investigators discovered overlap with another Russian, Aleksei Belan, under investigation in connection with a separate hack: the theft of user credentials from the Internet giant Yahoo, beginning in 2013.

Yahoo eventually revealed all 3 billion of its users had had their credentials compromised in what is today considered one of the largest data breaches in the history of the Internet.



Prosecutors said the FBI, which had obtained a court-authorized warrant to search Belan's e-mail and tap his phones, found that Belan, along with Kislitsin, purchased the Formspring passwords in July 2012.



That same year, Belan was put on the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list for cyberthieves. The following year, he was arrested in Greece at the request of U.S. authorities. But he avoided being extradited and escaped back into Russia, according to the U.S. and European authorities.



In 2014, according to previous U.S. documents, Belan was recruited by Russia's main intelligence and security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and its cyberunit, known as the Center for Information Security.



Belan, according to the 2017 Yahoo hack indictment, was ordered by the FSB cyberunit to conduct the breach of Yahoo accounts.



In all, U.S. officials charged four people with the Yahoo breach, including two FSB officers. One of those officers who worked in the Center for Information Security, along with his supervisor, was arrested by the FSB itself in December 2016, and charged with state treason, allegedly for passing classified intelligence to U.S. agencies.

The officer, Dmitry Dokuchaev, pleaded guilty, and agreed to cooperate with investigators. He was handed a six-year sentence. The whereabouts of the other FSB officer charged in the Yahoo hack, identified by the United States as Igor Sushchin, are unclear.

Another FSB officer was mentioned, but not named in the Yahoo indictment. Corroborating details, however, point to Dokuchaev's supervisor, Sergei Mikhailov, a top official in the FSB's Center for Information Security.

Mikhailov, like Dokuchaev, was arrested in December 2016, and was charged with state treason. He pleaded not guilty to the Russian charges, and was sentenced last year to 22 years in prison.

In December 2016, in response to the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Russia had tried to meddle in the presidential election won by Donald Trump that year, the administration of outgoing President Barack Obama announced sweeping sanctions against Belan and another Russian, who also allegedly had ties to Russian intelligence, Yevgeny Bogachev.



The interference, according to U.S. intelligence, included the hack of the U.S. Democratic National Committee, and the theft of e-mails that were later leaked publicly during the election campaign. U.S. officials, and cyberanalysts, have said the FSB was among those responsible for the hack, and that the stolen Yahoo credentials may been used to trick victims into letting hackers steal their e-mails.



Kislitsin Connections



A further illustration of the web of ties among Russia's cyberunderground comes in the case of Kislitsin, who attended the March 2012 meeting in Moscow with Nikulin and Ieremenko.



Kislitsin, according the U.S. prosecutors, allegedly partnered with Belan to get the Formspring data from Nikulin in July 2012.



The following year, in 2013, Kislitsin met with an official from the U.S. Justice Department to discuss "research into the [cyber]underground," according to Group IB, a prominent Russian cybersecurity and research firm.



Kislitsin was joined in the meeting with the Justice Department official by representatives from Group IB, according to a Group IB statement provided to RFE/RL.



Group IB later hired Kislitsin, and he is currently listed as the "head of network security" for the company.



Asked for comment about the newly unsealed charges, which include conspiracy and trafficking in stolen user names and passwords, against Kislitsin, Group IB said that they predate his employment.



"The information that has become public contains only allegations, and no findings have been made that Nikita Kislitsin has engaged in any wrongdoing," the company said in the statement to RFE/RL.



The company also said that after the 2013 meeting with the Justice Department official, "neither Group-IB nor Nikita Kislitsin have been officially approached with any additional questions."
A federal lawsuit put a halt in 2016 to many lethal measures being used to controlling growing numbers of double-crested cormorants in New York and 23 other states east of the Mississippi River.

That may soon change as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently soliciting public input for a new set of regulations that are expected to deal with the problems raised by the lawsuit and address the impact of cormorants on sport fishing.

Cormorants, which are federally protected migratory bird, are scorned by many anglers and others because adults birds on the average eat 1 to 1.5 pounds of fish each day. On Oneida Lake, for example, the birds devoured immense numbers of sub-adult walleye and yellow perch in the 1990s, which caused serious declines in the adult fish populations on that waterway.

Once affected by the insecticide DDT, cormorant populations in New York have exploded over the past four decades. The number of breeding pairs increased from 2,100 in 1985 to 10,500 in 2003 and rose further through the 2000s, according to the DEC.

The species has done so well, in fact, that it is displacing other seabirds from their nesting grounds, including herons and common terns. Cormorants often return to the same breeding grounds every year. Over time the accumulated guano (excrement) can kill trees and other vegetation, making it unsuitable for nesting.

Prior to the 2016 court decision, many cormorant management plans in states included various lethal measures under depredation orders issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A judge halted that, determining the depredation orders, which allowed the killing of thousands of the fish-eating birds each year, were illegally issued.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility PEER), a Washington, D.C. -based group.

The court decision came out of South Carolina, which authorized a public hunt of the birds that reportedly killed as many as 26,000 of the birds in 2014 and 2015. While most of the depredation orders were issued to wildlife officials in the states and Native Americans, South Carolina allowed a public hunt for one month each year.

According to a press release from PEER, U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates noted the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to take a "hard look" at the environmental consequences, and "ignored a range of suggested non-lethal measures and limited its review of options as to not consider changes to its current management practices."

Things changed in 2016 when a federal court decision restricted management options, according to the DEC website. This reduced the ability to mitigate conflicts in which public resources are affected. Cormorant population control efforts prior to 2016 have helped reduce these conflicts, but continued action is needed. Specifically, (the DEC) can no longer manage cormorants to protect sport fish, but can initiate limited actions to protect rare birds and their habitat.

The DEC currently manages cormorants in five areas of New York. As of 2019, the DEC noted on its website that there were 3,700 breeding pairs in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario; 800 breeding pairs in the St. Lawrence River; 25 breeding pairs on Oneida Lake (with about 1,500 fall migrants); 2,200 breeding pairs on Lake Champlain and 2,100 breeding pairs in Buffalo harbor/Niagara River.

Actions to manage the birds in recent years included: egg-oiling and nest destruction; non-lethal deterrents to nesting; habitat modification; exclusion techniques; spring and fall hazing on Oneida Lake -- and limited lethal take of birds statewide to complement and increase effectiveness of other measures

On Jan. 22, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning new regulations concerning the management of cormorants which includes consideration of recreational fishery concerns.

The federal agency proposes special state permits as a potential means of authorizing a range of cormorant management actions. The DEC and groups like the Oneida Lake Association, the New York State division of the Izaak Walton League of America and the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmens Clubs have endorsed this new development.

Cormorants have once again taken over nesting sites in the smaller islands of Oneida Lake, and their populations have increased substantially in adjacent lakes throughout Central New York, including Onondaga Lake next to the City of Syracuse, said Les Monostory, president of the states chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.

Renewal of a managed and targeted cormorant control program intended to protect existing fish populations in Central New York lakes will not endanger the overall survival of double-crested cormorants," he said.

Want to weigh in? The deadline for submitting a comment is Monday (March 9). Email or faxes will not be accepted. However, one can submit input electronically.

Go to the Federal rulemaking portal and follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-HG-MB-2019-0103

MORE:

Bird-watching alert: Prime time to see migrating waterfowl at Montezuma

Humane Society condemns NY coyote hunt contest as 'cruel, wasteful, unsporting

Have a question or suggested story concerning the Upstate NY outdoors scene? Outdoors writer David Figura can be reached by email at dfigura@NYup.com, on Facebook or by calling 315-470-6066.
Outbreak reaches worrying new milestone, driven by new cases outside China, as governments further tighten restrictions.

More than 100,000 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease globally, according to Johns Hopkins University  with at least 3,015 deaths in China and 267 fatalities in other parts of the globe, most of them in Italy and Iran.

At least 1,200 of the new infections are in Iran in just the past 24 hours, the countrys biggest jump since the outbreak began. Irans health ministry on Friday noted that 124 people have died.

In France, 200 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed overnight, while India and South Korea also reported an increase in the number of infections.

Additionally, the death toll in the United States from the coronavirus rose to 12 when King County in the state of Washington reported the latest death on Thursday.

Here are all the latest updates.

Click here for Saturday, March 7 updates

Friday, March 6

22:13 GMT  Second coronavirus death confirmed in England

A second patient in England who tested positive for coronavirus has died, the United Kingdoms Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty confirmed. The patient was being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital and had underlying health conditions.

22:05 GMT  South by Southwest cancelled

The city of Austin in the US has cancelled the March dates for SXSW, or South by Southwest, and SXSW EDU.

We are devastated to share this news with you. The show must go on is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation, organisers said.

The event, held in Texas, is one of the worlds biggest international music festivals and showcases talent from dozens of countries, styles and traditions.

In 2019, more than 400,000 people attended the festival.

20:40 GMT  15th death in US confirmed

A hospital in Washington state said that a 12th person had died there from coronavirus, bringing to 15 the total deaths from the respiratory illness in the US.

EvergreenHealth Medical Center in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland said the state had confirmed the case. Kirkland is the site of an outbreak at a nursing facility where at least six people have died of COVID-19.

20:38 GMT  Colombia has confirmed first case of coronavirus, says health ministry

Colombia confirmed its first case of coronavirus, joining other South American countries that have reported cases of the fast-spreading disease.

19:50 GMT  Chinese province reports 17 new coronavirus infections imported from Iran

The northwestern Chinese province of Gansu has confirmed 17 new coronavirus cases imported from Iran, bringing the total imported cases to 28, the provinces health authorities said.

The 17 new patients were among quarantined passengers who entered the provincial capital of Lanzhou on commercial flights from Iran between March 2 and March 5, the Gansu health commission said in a statement on its website.





19:44 GMT  Apple asks Silicon Valley employees to work from home

Apple Inc asked employees at its Silicon Valley headquarters to work from home if possible as a precaution, a spokesman confirmed to Reuters.

Officials in Santa Clara County, California where Apples 12,000-person Apple Park campus is located, had earlier asked large companies to consider asking employees to telecommute and find other ways of limiting close contact.

There were 20 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the county as of March 5, health officials said.

19:19 GMT  US university suspends in-person classes over virus concerns

The University of Washington announced that it was moving all classes online as the western US state faces the countrys deadliest outbreak of the new coronavirus.

In an email to students, university president Ana Mari Cauce said the precautionary social distancing decision, taken in consultation with public health officials, aimed to ensure the successful conclusion of the quarter for UW students.

Beginning Monday, all classes and final exams will take place online for the remainder of the winter quarter, which ends March 20.

18:51 GMT  The Latest: UN climate change agency postpones meetings

The United Nations top climate change official says her agency wont hold any physical meetings at its headquarters in Germany or elsewhere until the end of April due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the decision by the climate change secretariat comes in response to the outbreak and the evolving situation in Germany, where more than 600 cases have now been confirmed.

18:33 GMT  Iraq puts France and Spain on coronavirus entry ban list

Iraq has banned entry to travellers coming from France and Spain, its foreign ministry said, bringing the total number of countries on its entry ban list to 11 as it tries to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The ban does not extend to Iraqi citizens and foreign diplomats, a ministry spokesman said in a statement. Iraq has so far recorded 38 cases of the coronavirus and two deaths.





18:00 GMT  Coronavirus fears are ruling markets, and it matters to everyone

How bad could the coronavirus outbreak be for the global economy? It is a question businesses, consumers, traders, investors and policymakers are struggling to answer definitively, and nowhere is that reflected more starkly than in the behaviour of markets this week.

In the absence of hard answers, uncertainty rules. And when uncertainty has the upper hand, it wreaks havoc on investor psychology.

Read more here

17:30 GMT  New York cases increase to 33

The number of people in New York State who have tested positive for the coronavirus has increased by 11 to 33, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

The increase in cases reflects expanding testing across the state.

17:00 GMT  Pompeo speaks of Wuhan virus despite Chinas protests

For the second day in a row, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo publicly referred to COVID-19 as the Wuhan virus or Wuhan coronavirus, a reference to the central Chinese metropolis that is hardest hit.

Asked in a CNBC interview about the success of Beijings response to the outbreak, Pompeo said, Im happy you complimented the Chinese Communist Party today, but remember this is the Wuhan coronavirus thats caused this.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, asked in a briefing this week about the terms Wuhan virus or China virus, said it was highly irresponsible for media to use them.

16:40 GMT  WHO urges countries to make containing coronavirus highest priority

All countries should make containing the outbreak of COVID-19 their top priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

The United Nations agency stressed that fighting the epidemic requires countries to work together, and praised Iran for switching on to the coronavirus outbreak there and taking a fresh all of government approach.

We are continuing to recommend that all countries make containment their highest priority, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added.

16:15 GMT  Peru president confirms first coronavirus case

Peru has detected its first case of the new coronavirus in a 25-year-old man who had travelled to Europe.

President Martin Vizcarra called for calm and said the nation had taken all the medical measures to treat the patient, who had been in Spain, France and the Czech Republic and was in a stable condition.

15:50 GMT  European Union ministers urge members to share anti-virus gear

Smaller EU member states raised the alarm Friday after Germany, France and the Czech Republic blocked the export of some medical supplies that could help slow the novel coronavirus outbreak.

EU health ministers were meeting to plan a coordinated response to the epidemic, but Germany has banned exports of face masks and gloves and France has requisitioned all its own stocks.

There are legal grounds that make such measures possible, but these kind of unilateral measures first have to be notified to the union, EU crisis management commissioner US Lenarcic said.

President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will requisition all face masks produced there, a de facto export ban [Daniel Cole/AP]

15:40 GMT  Trump visit to CDC cancelled after virus concern

US President Donald Trumps visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has been called off because of concerns that a staff member may have been infected by the coronavirus.

Trump told reporters that concerns were raised Thursday about one person who was potentially infected who worked at the CDC.

Because of the one person they didnt want me going, he added, explaining why a planned stop at the agency, which is working with state and local officials to help combat the spread of the new virus, was left off his schedule.

15:17 GMT  Togo confirms first coronavirus case

Togo confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus after a 42-year-old woman tested positive following her return from a trip to Benin, Germany, France and Turkey.

The presidency in the West African nation of eight million people said the patient, who lives in the capital Lome with her family, was currently isolated in a treatment centre for infectious diseases after testing positive on Thursday.

14:32 GMT  Trump signs $8.3 bn spending bill to boost coronavirus response

US President Donald Trump signed an emergency spending bill for $8.3bn to ramp up the nations response to the coronavirus, providing funds for state and local officials to combat the spread of infections as the number of cases grows in the US.

The funding measure includes over $3bn for research and development of vaccines, test kits and medical treatments, $2.2bn to aid public health activities on prevention, preparedness and response, and $1.25bn to help international efforts aimed at reining in the virus.

14:05 GMT  Number of confirmed cases surpasses 100,000: Reuters

The number of people infected by the new coronavirus surpassed 100,000 globally, according to a tally by Reuters news agency based on statements from health ministries and government officials across the world.

14:00 GMT  Two British Airways staff test positive for coronavirus

Two British Airways staff members have tested positive for coronavirus and have been isolated and are recovering at home, the airline said.

Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, British Airways said in a statement.





This is Usaid Siddiqui taking over from my colleague Fidelis Mbah.

11:14 GMT  European stocks plunge over virus scare

European stock markets plunged further on heightened panic over the coronavirus and its predicted devastating damage to world economic growth.

Paris slumped 3.9 percent, Frankfurt and Milan each tumbled 3.7 percent, Madrid shed 3.4 percent and London retreated 3.3 percent by 10:30 GMT.

#Coronavirus updates:  US death toll rises to 12

 South Korea reports 518 new cases

 China reports 143 new cases, 30 deaths

 Global economic losses could reach $347bn Follow the latest  https://t.co/YFwlp3okqe pic.twitter.com/CB0QimbD6o  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 6, 2020

11:10 GMT  Tokyo Olympics hold test event minus fans

Tokyo Olympics organisers have held a test event amid fears of the spread of coronavirus.

They allowed a sport climbing event on Friday to go ahead, with a few restrictions: no fans and no top athletes.

09:50 GMT  Vatican confirms first case

The Vatican has reported its first coronavirus case, saying it had suspended outpatient services at its health clinic after a patient tested positive.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists on Friday that the clinic, which has some 1,000 residents, will be deep cleaned.

09:39 GMT  Cameroon, Serbia record first cases

Cameroon has confirmed its first case of coronavirus after a 58-year-old French citizen tested positive to the virus.

The health ministry said the man, who arrived in the capital, Yaounde, on February 24, has been quarantined in the citys central hospital.

In Serbia, health minister Zlatibor Loncar reported on Friday that a 43-year-old man became the first person in Serbia to be infected with the coronavirus.

09:12 GMT  India coronavirus cases jump to 31

The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased sharply from six to 31 this week, the health ministry announced on Friday.

Authorities in the capital, New Delhi, have also ordered the closure of primary schools until March 31 to prevent local transmission.

Click here to read what you need to know about coronavirus in India.

08:29 GMT  Travelling during coronavirus outbreak

The rapid spread of COVID-19 around the globe has thrown the international travel industry into chaos.

Increasing numbers of travellers are opting to stay home amid fear of exposure to the new coronavirus.

Heres what you need to know while travelling.

07:28 GMT  Global economic losses could reach $347bn

The new coronavirus outbreak could result in global economic losses of up to $347bn, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The minimum losses are projected at $77bn, or 0.1 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) while the maximum losses represent 0.4 percent of global GDP, the ADB said.

This is Fidelis Mbah taking over from my colleague Ted Regencia.

04:15 GMT  South Korea vows reciprocal countermeasures

South Korea said it will consider countermeasures to Japans unjust, unacceptable travel restrictions barring visitors from areas that have been hard hit by the coronavirus epidemic.

The presidential National Security Council met after Japan said it would bar arrivals from highly affected areas in South Korea and Iran and order a two-week quarantine for those from other regions.

It is unacceptable that the Japanese government took such an unjust action without prior consultations with us, and we will explore necessary countermeasures based on principles of reciprocity, the council said in a statement.

04:15 GMT  Philippines reports two new infections

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced two new coronavirus infections, bringing the total confirmed cases to five.

One of the patients had reportedly traveled to Japan, while the other person has no known history of travel outside the country. The second patient reported on Friday reportedly frequented a mosque in Metro Manila before the infection was confirmed.

While there are only five confirmed cases in the Philippines, more than 80 Filipinos working abroad have contracted the disease, most of whom were working on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

While there are only five confirmed cases in the Philippines, more than 80 Filipinos working abroad have contracted the disease [File: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

03:47 GMT  Seoul urges Tokyo to drop new entry rules

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Friday described Japans latest entry restrictions against South Koreans following the coronavirus outbreak as very regrettable.

Speaking at a meeting in Seoul, Chung urged Tokyo to withdraw the excessive and unreasonable measures against South Korean travellers.

As of Friday, there are an estimated 6,284 coronavirus infections reported in South Korea, and 80,552 cases in China.

02:12 GMT  South Korea reports 518 new cases

South Korean soldiers in protective gear sanitise a street in Seoul on Thursday [Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters]

South Korean health authorities reported 518 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday, bringing to 6,284 the total number of infections nationwide, according to Yonhap news agency.

Yonhap also quoted the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as saying that 42 people, mostly elderly with underlying illnesses, have died.

Most of the cases of infections were from the southeastern city of Daegu, a city of 2.5 million people.

01:32 GMT  China reports 143 new cases, 30 deaths

Chinas National Health Commission reported on Friday 30 new coronavirus deaths and 143 new infections as of the end of Thursday.

At least 29 of the new deaths and 126 new cases were from the province of Hubei, the epicentre of the infections in China.

Across China, the total number of deaths has reached 3,042 with the number of infections hitting 80,552.

00:50 GMT  Beijing reports 4 new coronavirus cases from Italy

Beijing reported four new cases of coronavirus on March 5, all imported from Italy, the citys municipal health commission said in a statement on Friday.

The city now has a total of 422 cases. Coronavirus cases are now rising across the globe at a more rapid rate than inside China.

Across China, the cases have now reached 80,565 with 3,015 deaths, according to a World Health Organization or WHO report on Thursday.

00:25 GMT  US state of Maryland confirms three cases

Governor Larry Hogan of the US state of Maryland has announced that three people from the state have been infected with the coronavirus.

In a statement posted on social media, Hogan said the three individuals contracted the disease while travelling overseas. He said they are in good condition.

We have been actively preparing for this situation over the last several weeks across all levels of government. I encourage all Marylanders not to panic, but to take this seriously and to stay informed as we continue to provide updates.  Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 5, 2020

23:09 GMT Thursday  French legislator hospitalised after contracting coronavirus

Reuters news agency is reporting that a member of Frances National Assembly has been hospitalised in intensive care after contracting coronavirus.

Frances lower house of Parliament made the announcement late on Thursday, but did not identify the legislator.

Two other people working in the dining hall of the assembly were also infected.

France has so far reported 423 cases of the virus as of late on Thursday, up by 138 in one day, according to the national health service. There have been seven deaths so far in France.

Click here to read all the updates from March 5.
A charity founder has been reunited 17 years on with the man who as a nine-year-old boy inspired her to help more than 550,000 people in Darfur.

Patricia Parker, from Surrey, founded Kids for Kids in 2001 after meeting Ibrahim wandering in the desert. Ms Parker and her family initially thought the young boy was lost, but he revealed he was just on his daily 14-hour round route to reach and fetch clean water.

The family picked Ibrahim up, then installed a hand-pump in his village, UmGal, which allowed him the time to go to school.

Inspired to help other children, days later Mrs Parker, now 72, launched the charity in Darfurs capital, Khartoum.

Kids for Kids has since supported around 100 villages in the country, and helped over 550,000 people access clean drinking water, a livelihood through donated goats, and education. Her work has since seen Mrs Parker recognised with an MBE and even an audience with Pope Francis.

But it has not been without danger - Darfur was ravaged by civil war from 2003, and the founder and her son were kidnapped in 2005 by rebel forces.

Patricia Parker MBE with Ibrahim, his wife, sister, and mother in Um'Gal last month (Kids for Kids)

They were released from the terrifying experience within a day and continued to support families through the crisis.

However, the region was a "centre of violence", and until tensions calmed recently Mrs Parker was unable to return Um Gaal to see how the boy who inspired her work was doing.

The conflict that broke out in 2003 eventually led to the deaths of over 300,000 people.

Speaking after reuniting in Um'Gaal, she told the Standard: It is a miracle. This was the centre of violence for many years, and I was really afraid that we would have lost him.

To meet him now and see hes alive, the same height as my son, over 6ft, it is incredible. Because of him, one little lad grown tall, we have helped 550,000 people.

He started school at nine and it was very difficult for him to study - he was the man of family, his father had left. Now his little four-year-old son is going to the kindergarten we started in the village It is such a complete circle.

Ibrahim with his wife and their son, sister, and mother in Um'Gal last month (Kids for Kids)

Hes shy, he sweetly came up and touched my shoulder and said my son, and he introduced his wife holding his firstborn son and his other son. I now have a picture of them and I will treasure it forever. Its going up next to the one of me meeting Prince Charles.

She called on Londoners to help keep the work going, saying: If we can transform the life of Ibrahim then lets do what we can for other children who are facing just about the worst conditions I have ever known in Sudan.

Last month Sudans current rulers agreed to hand over ex-President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face genocide and war crimes charges.


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A British woman has been left 1,000 out of pocket after she was stopped from boarding a flight to Thailand because of novelty stamps in her passport.

Tina Sibley was halted at the boarding gate by Qatar Airways staff that insisted the celebratory stamps from her visit to Machu Picchu made the document invalid.

But, when she went to British officials, they told her the claims were 'rubbish' and, as her passport was still valid, they could not issue a replacement.

After many phone calls and wrangling with staff she was finally allowed to board a flight - but only after paying a further 525 to Qatar Airways and getting an emergency passport.

Ms Sibley was heading to Thailand for a wedding and arrived in the country two days behind schedule.

Tina Sibley was halted at the boarding gate in Madrid by Qatar Airways officials. They said she couldn't travel as two stamps from Machu Picchu in her passport made it invalid

Two Machu Picchu stamps, like those Ms Sibley had, in an American woman's passport. She was held for two days in Malaysia because of the stamps

She told The Independent that she thought the airline's staff were 'having a laugh' when they blocked her from boarding the plane. 'But apparently not. Eventually I had to give up on my flight and get a hotel,' she said.

Ms Sibley, who lives in Spain, had been trying to fly from Madrid to Phuket via Doha. After she was bumped off her flight, the next day she went to the British Embassy, which said she was still clear to travel.

She returned to Madrid airport and found the Qatar Airways desk closed. She called the airline and, several hours later, they told her she would still need a new passport.

She returned to the British Embassy, but that was closed. Eventually, however, she got through to an official who told her she could pick up an emergency passport the next morning.

Posting after she finally reached Phuket on February 28, Ms Sibley said: 'Finally! I'm here - no issues at immigration apart from having to explain my emergency passport.

'No issues with customs. And the accommodation has been sorted!

'Now to find the others and have a drink! I cannot tell you guys how relieved I am! And thank you all so much for rooting for me!'

Ms Sibley was eventually issued with an emergency passport and allowed to travel to Thailand. She had been trying to attend a wedding (Pictured above at an elephant sanctuary in Phuket)

Ms Sibley was charged 525 by Qatar Airways in order for her to be allowed back onto a flight

The next day she attended the wedding in Thailand and wrote: 'Most beautiful wedding! I am so glad I made it!'

Information on the Foreign Office website warns that damaged passports or those with pages missing are usually rejected by Thai authorities, but it does not mention stamps.

An American woman was held for two days at Kuala Lumpur airport, Malaysia, after she arrived with two Machu Picchu stamps in her passport.

'I got in line at Passport Control just as I normally do,' the victim wrote on social media. 'The woman thumbed through it, checking my stamps from various countries and stopped on a page which had two novelty stamps from Machu Picchu.

'She laughed and called another woman over who also laughed and then signalled a uniformed officer to come over.

She is pictured above enjoying the sunsoaked beach in Phuket, Thailand, this week

'He said: "You can't have this here. This is an official document, not a toy".'

She was eventually sent back to Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, which said they were told by Malay authorities that her passport had been 'damaged'.

MailOnline has contacted Qatar Airways and the British Embassy for comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:14:59|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua)-- Self-driving vehicles have travelled more than 1.04 million km on Beijing's roads over a two-year period ending December, according to a recent industry report.

In 2019, 73 self-driving cars from 12 companies drove more than 886,600 km in Beijing, an increase of 577 percent from the distance in 2018, according to the Beijing self-driving vehicles road testing report compiled by the Beijing Innovation Center for Mobility Intelligent, an officially-authorized third-party service agency for autopilot vehicle road testing in the capital city.

Self-driving cars from Baidu top the list in the report, traveling 893,900 km over the two-year period, including more than 754,000 km in 2019. The company expanded its self-driving fleet in Beijing to 52 last year.

Five vehicles from Guangzhou-based Pony.ai came second with around 111,200 km in 2019.

Japanese automaker Toyota came the third with four cars traveling 11,100 km last year.

The report said the road testing in Beijing has been safe and controllable with few impacts on traffic, and most companies adopted the plan of cameras, millimeter-wave radar and LiDAR.

LiDAR, also known as Light Detection and Ranging, is one of the crucial sensors used in self-driving cars. The report said more companies chose LiDAR of local brands. The proportion of domestic brand LiDAR increased from 20 percent in 2018 to 40 percent last year.

The report also revealed data about disengagement in which human drivers take control of the self-driving car. About 86 percent of disengagement is due to the replacement of data recording equipment, changes in planned routes or personal reasons of the human drivers. Only 14 percent is attributed to system failures or algorithm bias.

In March 2018, Beijing earmarked 33 roads with a total length of 105 km for autonomous car testing in Yizhuang, Shunyi and Haidian, all of which are outside the Fifth Ring Road and away from densely-populated areas.

According to a government plan, test spaces for driverless vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles in the capital are expected to reach 500 sq km by 2022, and a total of 2,000 km of roads will also be open for testing.
TORONTO, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XTM, Inc. (XTM or the Company), a global fintech company providing mobile banking and payment solutions is pleased to announce that it has obtained conditional approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for the listing (the "Listing") of its common shares under the ticker symbol "PAID". The common shares of XTM will commence trading on March 10, 2020, assuming all conditions of the Listing are satisfied by that date. XTM has also filed its long form non-offering final prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com in each of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta to become a reporting issuer in those jurisdictions.



XTM has been making great progress with its instant gratuity and earnings disbursement platform coupled with the Today Mastercard. The full featured mobile wallet and card solution is gaining significant market attention and the Company has already rolled out the solution in many high-volume restaurants, hospitality service providers and thousands of users. XTM is currently working on several integrations with large organizations point of sale (POS) systems to fully automate the instant disbursement of tips and wages to their employees.

Another new feature soon to be added with the latest update will allow all Today Mastercard holders the ability to have any direct deposits sent to their Today wallet. Through new XTM banking agreements, any Today wallet holder will have the ability to print in app a direct deposit form or void cheque allowing users to have their payroll or other direct deposits sent to their Today wallet in real time.

The Company recently signed a deal with one of the largest ATM providers allowing all Today card holders access to a surcharge free ATM network with thousands of convenient locations. The mobile application is currently being updated with an ATM locator function that will use GPS location data to map the closest free ATM locations.



XTM is working to finalize an integration with one of the largest banks in North America which is expected to enable XTM to deliver free bank to bank transfers for any business wishing to move money to consumers in real time. The solution will allow the recipient to choose any bank account to deliver the funds next day for free or instantly for a small fee.

In the coming weeks XTM expects to announce details of its new micro-credit product which uses artificial intelligence-based computer programming to adjudicate credit enabling millions of consumers the ability to obtain a credit card without the need for a security deposit. This game changing technology coupled with the Today mobile wallet solution will revolutionize the way credit is granted and delivered to the underbanked. The Company is in discussions with multiple parties to license and private label the technology allowing XTM to focus on its core in market offerings including the Today Mastercard instant pay solution.

XTM is in final discussions with an issuing partner bank in the United States allowing the Company to expand its Today Mastercard program. The Company already has existing Canadian customers seeking to deploy the solution throughout their US locations. As a result of XTM's presence at the Luxury Hotel Association Conference at the end of 2019 in Miami, Florida, USA, XTM has gained significant interest, including numerous potential strategic partners, seeking to deploy XTM and its product as an instant wage and gratuity financial provider throughout the US and the Caribbean.

On March 3rd the Company finished exhibiting at the Restaurant Canada 2020 show in Toronto, ON showcasing the Today Mastercard and instant gratuity and wage disbursement solution. In excess of twenty thousand industry professionals in foodservice and hospitality attended the event and XTMs CEO and Vice President of Hospitality were key note speakers at the conference. The Today Mastercard product garnered a tremendous amount of interest and the Company has already started executing contracts from new restaurant groups met at the show.

The Company is seeking approval of regulators to dual list or cross list XTM shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and in the United States on the OTC Markets exchange. We believe this will provide XTM access to a larger investor base, as well as providing greater liquidity and longer trading hours for our shareholders.

"We are excited with what we have built to date and we look forward to monetizing our solutions in the real-time payment space, commented Marilyn Schaffer, CEO. XTM is well positioned for a rapid expansion creating shareholder value through reoccurring revenue offerings.

About XTM  www.xtminc.com

XTM is a Toronto Fintech company. We are a global card issuer, payment specialist, and marketing solutions company. XTM introduces and integrates brands to their own payment ecosystem creating new revenue and new opportunities. Uniquely positioned to conceive and execute innovative programs, XTM drives enterprise value and creates a positive user experience.

For more information, please visit xtminc.com or email info@xtminc.com

Company Contact

Marilyn Schaffer, CEO

Tel: 416-400-5629

Email: mschaffer@xtminc.com



Forward-Looking Statements - Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words may, would, could, should, potential, will, seek, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Companys current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. These factors include, without limitation: the general business and economic conditions in the regions in which the Company operates; the ability of the Company to execute on key priorities, including business retention, and strategic plans and to attract, develop and retain key executives; difficulty integrating newly acquired businesses;  the success of its launch in the USA; XTMs plan to roll-out new products; XTM's ability to obtain approval of regulators for listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on US OTC markets; the ability of XTM to commence trading on the CSE or on the expected trading date; XTM's ability to obtain regulatory or other approval in respect of their anticipated micro-lending products; the expected expansion and growth of XTM in its marketplace, and its ability to remain competitive among other service providers; XTM's ability to integrate and reliably deliver financial services to its users; the novel nature of the software which XTM expects to deploy; the results users may receive from using the Today Mastercard products; the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities; disruptions in or attacks (including cyber-attacks) on the Companys information technology, internet, network access or other voice or data communications systems or services; the evolution of various types of fraud or other criminal behavior to which the Company is exposed; the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to the Company or its affiliates; the impact of new and changes to, or application of, current laws and regulations; legal and regulatory risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation; increased competition; changes in foreign currency rates; increased funding costs and market volatility due to market illiquidity and competition for funding; the availability of funds and resources to pursue operations; critical accounting estimates and changes to accounting standards, policies, and methods used by the Company; and the occurrence of natural and unnatural catastrophic events and claims resulting from such events. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of the listing of the common shares of XTM and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Listing of the common shares of XTM is subject to satisfaction of the listing requirements of the CSE, including customary deliverables in satisfaction of the conditional approval.
Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has said he will not run in October's election, ending months of speculation over whether he would stand for a third term.



He said he believed power should be passed to the younger generation.



Mr Ouattara - who is 78 - had hinted previously that he could run again if his traditional rivals put themselves forward as candidates.



About 3,000 people were killed during post-election violence 10 years ago, when the former President Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after losing to Mr Ouattara.

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
Oklahoma Employers Respond

Concerned Parents

Employer Obligations

Coronavirus At A Glance

(TNS)  Like most who work in corporate America, Pat Canada of Oklahoma City received an email from his company about precautions to avoid contracting the coronavirus  from regular and vigorous hand washing to staying home if youre sick to avoiding nonessential travel.But Canadas job hinges on travel. As district manager for Eagle, ID-based PetIQ, he flies frequently to open vet clinics in superstores nationwide, including Walmart, Pet Supplies Plus and Meijer stores.Canada just returned from Seattle on Sunday, leaves Thursday for New York and begins an eight-night trip to Sacramento on Tuesday. His trips are booked 14 days in advance, and his company has yet to cancel all travel.Canada said hes growing more anxious about the coronavirus.Though he doesnt wear a protective face mask, hes seen plenty of them in airports, especially on the coasts where international flights are coming in. Airlines are providing hand sanitizers on counters and people are using them, he said.Meanwhile, employers who work in cubicles in open office spaces especially are concerned about the outbreak, according to a national survey released Monday by the San Francisco-based tech PR firm Bospar.Of 1,014 U.S. adults polled between Feb. 29 and March 1, 55.3% are afraid of coming down with COVID-19, more commonly called coronavirus, and 35.9% feel companies should immediately make employees work from home to avoid its spread.Open office spaces are among the worst for COVID-19, particularly if they are sealed office spaces without open ventilation and the air is just recirculated within the building," said E Hanh Le, M.D., senior director of medical affairs at Healthline. "Thats because, like with other communicable airborne illnesses, COVID-19 is spread from coughing, sneezing or talking as the virus travels through respiratory drops.Current data suggests that the virus may also survive on surfaces for several hours, if not days, but we do not know that definitively yet, Le said. To reduce the risk of spreading infection, concerned companies should enforce work from home policies to keep contagion down.The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Spanish Cove Retirement Village assisted living facility in Yukon, Bethany Public Schools are just some of the many employers bracing for the potential spread of the virus to the state.OMRF, which employs people from more than 30 countries and whose scientists presented in 17 countries last year, hasn't banned travel abroad but is encouraging staff to postpone trips, said Adam Cohen, senior vice president and general counsel.We currently have several postdoctoral fellows from China who were scheduled to begin work here this spring, Cohen said. But the U.S. Embassy in China is now closed, so their visa interviews have been postponed. Their flights out of China have been canceled, so we have no idea when we can expect them.In addition, OMRF contracted with the European Molecular Biology Organization six months ago to send a team of scientists to lead a weeklong training session at the end of March, but  because Germany has more than 100 reported cases of coronavirus  canceled that session this week.OMRFs Technology Ventures team moved a meeting last week with executives from South Korea from OMRF to an off-site hotel, due to the cluster of coronavirus cases in South Korea.Across town, Don Blose, CEO of Spanish Cove Village in Yukon, said his senior living community is discussing response scenarios if a resident or staff member contracts the disease.We plan to follow standard infectious disease protocol and additional guidance prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Health Department, said Blose, who served as a former state director for infectious disease. We are already taking precautions to limit resident exposure to those who have traveled abroad.Our primary strategy will be to minimize the spread of the disease through isolation and quarantine, Blose said. Should it become endemic in our area, we foresee suspending group activities, delivering meals to our residents, limiting and screening visitors, and requiring staff who are infected or have infected family members not to report to work.Bethany Public Schools is using a daily cleaning solution known to kill a broad range of microorganisms, Superintendent Drew Eichelberger said.We are working on a letter to send out to parents, giving them basic information and state and federal websites to get additional information, he said. And a parent of one of our students who is a doctor has offered to meet with us about recommendations going forward.Meanwhile, Oklahoma parents whose children are living and working overseas, or bound for study abroad, also are concerned about coronavirus.John Gallegos, a supervisor with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, worries about his daughter who resides on a U.S. Air Force base south of Seoul, South Korea, where her husband is based and she works as a substitute teacher. There, everyone is wearing masks in public and schoolchildren are studying online from home.Claudia Holdridge-Bartlett of Sapulpa said her daughter Sarah, a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, received an email Wednesday saying her study abroad trip, which was scheduled to commence in May, may be canceled because Italy, where there are many reported cases, is among the four countries she was scheduled to visit. Bartlett said OSU is working with the travel company, and shes not sure whether her family will lose money because of the outbreak.Oklahoma Christian University also canceled a scheduled student trip to Italy, marketing specialist Sarah Horton said. Other international and study abroad programs, including students currently studying in Vienna, Austria, havent been impacted, she said, noting there is no financial impact to students or the university and We are very closely, of course, watching as the pandemic continues to develop.Federal law requires employers to provide a safe workplace, said Phoebe Mitchell, an Oklahoma City associate of Phillips Murrah law firm, who recently wrote a column on the topic with a Dallas colleague.Under the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must furnish "employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to  employees." Activities such as nonessential business travel to China or other areas affected by the virus could violate the clause, Mitchell said.Employers should consider preventive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, such as providing hand sanitizers to employees and encouraging sick employees to stay home, she said. When an employer suspects that an employee has been exposed to coronavirus, either by traveling to an affected area or through contact with an affected person, the employer should require the employee, including those under required or self-quarantine, to work from home, where possible, during the 14-day incubation period.For employees who cant work remotely, employers should allow the employee to take leave consistent with the employer's normal leave of absence policies, including permitting employees to use any available paid leave, Mitchell said.Impacted employees may be eligible for job-protected unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employees who test positive for coronavirus most likely meet the FMLA's definition of "serious health condition," so theyre entitled to FMLA leave, she said. These employees also may meet the definition of a "qualified individual with a disability" under the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring employers to engage in the interactive process to determine if leave or another reasonable accommodation is required.As far as potentially affected workers who dont show symptoms, they may be able to take FMLA if theyre under continuing treatment for a serious health condition and meet the various requirements, Mitchell said.Worldwide, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases recently surpassed 94,000, resulting in nearly 3,200 deaths. Although some 95% of the cases are located in China, 138 have been confirmed in the U.S. There are no vaccines or specific antiviral medicines to treat the virus, which can cause respiratory issues, ranging from cold-like symptoms to breathing difficulties to hospitalization and death, particularly for the elderly and those with preexisting medical problems. The period of time between catching the virus and showing symptoms of the disease can be one to 14 days. The virus strain causing the global outbreak, COVID-19, initially was diagnosed in December in Wuhan, China.
Wisconsin

North Carolina

West Virginia

Limited federal data on broadband coverage has presented a hurdle for states as they try to do their part in erasing the digital divide in local communities. If available data doesnt provide a valid picture of who does and doesnt have broadband, what can be done?The simplest solution is to create better maps. There is no set path for reaching this goal, however. Despite the common observation that Form 477 data from the Federal Communications Commission doesnt cut it, states have different approaches and different timelines when it comes to their cartographical solutions.The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has been doing broadband mapping in some form since at least 2013, the year that the states Broadband Expansion Grant Program came into being. At first, the mapping initiative was simply about supporting that program, said Broadband Mapping Coordinator Colter Sikora. The mapping still serves this function today.It is important  that we can effectively map out those areas that are eligible for our grant program and the areas that in statute are set forth to receive priority in our grant program, State Broadband Director Jaron McCallum said.For Wisconsin, the real push to produce more accurate information than the Form 477 data began in late 2018, Sikora said. The state has diligently built relationships with Internet service providers to set up the next step of charting more granular broadband coverage patterns. The challenge now is coming up with data collection standards that wont put too much of a burden on providers, who dont want to jump through an excess of hoops.While were all trying to still figure out what the federal government wants to do as far as standards go, and while were trying to work with our ISP communities, its kind of a Wild West environment, Sikora said.Our next steps are going to be more formal communications with the ISP community to say, How can we do this better? What are your data concerns? Sikora added.McCallum emphasized the importance of Wisconsin keeping its ear to the ground to keep up with whats happening at the federal level. The state doesnt want to duplicate what the FCC does but rather enhance what the federal agency has laid out. Its all about striking a balance between observing the landscape and moving forward.[The challenge is] projecting FCC timelines and when things might happen, McCallum said. How can we, in the interim, improve? Is it worth improving in the interim? Thats definitely something thats a bit of a constant discussion that we have in terms of broadband mapping.As far as mapping broadband adoption is concerned, McCallum said adoption is a focus for his team, though quantifying that concept is more difficult than quantifying broadband availability.Affordability, which is often associated with broadband adoption rates, is another important piece of the puzzle, McCallum explained. Wisconsin has produced the Internet Discount Finder , which gives residents a way to tell whether they are near any broadband programs for low-income populations.Sikora noted he has formed a strong relationship with the states geographic information system (GIS) community, which has helped him connect more with local governments and other state entities to share ideas.Last month, North Carolina announced the release of its Broadband Indices , which allows users to view broadband availability and adoption in the state at the county and census tract level. The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) said in a press release that these measures present a more accurate summation of the broadband landscape in North Carolina.Theyre more accurate than others because they include a greater number of data points that we weigh and compare and contrast against one another, Jeff Sural, director of the NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Office, told. The FCC Form 477 data simply looked at a couple of data points that are collected and then aggregated at the census block level.Amy Huffman, digital inclusion and policy manager, said the states measures for broadband availability and adoption are compilations of multiple variables, which helps researchers avoid the pitfall of overemphasizing any single factor when describing a communitys broadband environment. These measures allow us to be more precise in understanding what the needs are in various communities, what the strengths are, and what the opportunities are, Huffman explained.To illustrate this idea of greater precision, Sural shared an example involving rural communities in the state. Some of these communities were able to build out fiber networks back in 2010 through funding from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program . When the state examined these communities with its new maps, it found quantitative evidence that these areas didnt have satisfactory adoption rates despite their infrastructure. Such evidence tells the state the type of resources that these communities need.I knew our adoption rates were low compared to our access rates prior to this project, but seeing it the way its mapped out on our site is kind of  its striking, Huffman said.For a price of about $9,000, North Carolinas measures were developed over the course of four to six weeks by Purdue University researcher Roberto Gallardo, who based this work on his Digital Divide Index There have been initiatives by other states to collect data from the providers themselves and locate and identify every single household that doesnt have broadband access, Sural said. But its expensive and time-consuming. We just didnt have those resources. So we felt like we were fairly creative in our approach, and thats how a lot of folks are going to have to address the issue of figuring out where the trouble spots are in their communities.Sural said these new measures are still a baseline of sorts. Because the measures are at the county and census tract levels due to data constraints, they dont capture the ultimate level of granularity. The states broadband grant program , however, will allow the state to gradually collect more specific data from applicants.Kelly Workman, administrative director for the West Virginia Development Office, said the state has been using broadband speed tests since 2014 in an attempt to validate FCC mapping. The speed testing ended up confirming what the state suspected: Areas defined as completely served by the FCC are, in actuality, not completely served.We do need to understand the reality of people where they live, Workman said. If my neighbor has service and I dont, it does me little good to be marked as served on a census block.Since its foray into speed testing, West Virginia has continued to build upon its mapping effort. Workman said the team maps out the work of any state- or federally funded project. For example, the state has received broadband money from USDAs ReConnect Program, which allows it to outline new broadband deployments on its maps.In another case, the state won a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission in 2018. Thanks to that project, it was able to map fiber infrastructure in 10 of its 55 counties. West Virginia then compared that data to what it had mapped out over the previous few years to see differences in build-out.There has been quite a bit of activity in the past five years, Workman said. But if theres not a state agency that is actively capturing that data and mapping it, it just becomes lost. So many things can change over the course of five to 10 years. Thats why we feel that its important to maintain a state-level mapping and data collection program.West Virginia is also one of eight states that were selected for the National Telecommunications and Information Administrations national broadband availability map project. The states involvement here further illustrates its commitment to better mapping.West Virginia has always advocated for the evaluation of infrastructure at a sub-census block level, Workman said. The evaluation of infrastructure of any type at the census block level is problematic because it does not reflect actual service at the address level. It masks some very real issues. It restricts eligibility for various federal programs. It benefits a select constituency. And the longer it goes on, the worse the data becomes.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- It wont hold. It cant hold. The only question to be asked about the Idlib ceasefire agreed by Russias President Vladimir Putin and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is whether it is a matter of days, weeks or months before the bloody battle for the long-besieged city in northwestern Syria is rejoined.

This ceasefire will fail for the same reason that every previous cessation of hostilities in Syria has: because the regime of Bashar al-Assad is not interested in ending the humanitarian crisis. In Idlib, as elsewhere, Assads strategy is to drive out civilian populations with maximum malice, and then take control of the emptied villages, towns and cities.

As Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, has pointed out, the humanitarian crisis is the purpose, not the product, of Assads military campaign. It is the only leverage he has to pressure the international community into accepting him as the legitimate ruler of Syria. If the regimes unofficial slogan is Assad or we burn the country, then the coda is: and send millions more refugees into yours.

The dictator in Damascus will use the truce as an opportunity to secure territory already taken, and replenish his troops, which have received a pounding from Turkish forces over the past two weeks. He will also take the time to plead with Putin for air cover ahead of another offensive.

Whether or not the Russian leader will provide it depends on a number of factors: his desire to see Assad reclaim all of the country, his economic interest in keeping Erdogan sweet, and his need to show the wider world that Russia alone decides what happens in Syria. It is conceivable that Putin will, after a pause, allow a fresh assault on Idlib by regime forces: He has no other way to help Assad keep Syria whole.

For his part, Erdogan will use the breathing room allowed by the ceasefire to focus on his ongoing confrontation with Europe over the Syrian refugees. There is little prospect of a return home for the hundreds of thousands who have fled Idlib in recent weeks. The Turkish leader has been employing a variation of Assads threat with the European Union: Provide us with more money for housing the refugees, or well send them into Europe.

Story continues

He seemed to carry through on the threat last week, by opening the borders to Greece. Thus far, the refugees heading Europe-wards have numbered in the tens of thousands. The Greeks have turned away over 26,000 people at the border; many have returned to the Turkish cities whence they came, and some are stuck in limbo between the two borders.

The Europeans are offering Greece, one of the main frontier states for entering the EU, financial help to keep the borders sealed, but their larger bet is that Erdogans threat is ultimately a bluffthat the numbers at the borders will not swell to hundreds of thousands, even millions. The EU hopes to go back to the normality we had seen before last Friday, a European Commission spokesman said on Tuesday.

In the past, Europe has talked Erdogan down from his threats by providing Turkey with substantial resources to house the refugees. But Turkish public opinion has turned against the presence of millions of refugees, so financial aid may no longer suffice.

More than likely, Erdogan will offer the EU two choices: Take some of the refugees, or back his plan to resettle a million of them in a safe zone in northeastern Syria. Both are unpalatable for European leaders, who fear a xenophobic backlash against migration and dont want to be seen as giving in to Turkish pressure. The EU has previously condemned the safe zone plan, and threatened Turkey with sanctions and an arms embargo.

Heightened tensions between Erdogan and the EU would suit Putin very well: prizing Turkey away from the Western bloc is a longstanding Russian goal. So if the cessation of hostilities in Idlib allows for an increase in Turkish-European bellicosity, that might be an incentive to keep the guns quiet.

But thats too slender a thread on which to hang a ceasefire. It will not hold.

To contact the author of this story: Bobby Ghosh at aghosh73@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Melissa Pozsgay at mpozsgay@bloomberg.net

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a columnist and member of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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2020 Bloomberg L.P.
US law enforcement agencies have partnered with a company that gives it the ability to track mobile location data without ever having to secure a warrant.

According to a report from Protocol, federal law enforcement in the US have signed a contract to use a tool called Locate X, made by the company Babel Street, that allows one to track the prior and future travels of mobile devices that pass through specific geographic areas.

Specifically, Locate X allows users to 'geo-fence' an area, meaning they're able to set up geographical parameters in which any passing device's location data can be hoovered up.

Law enforcement have parented with Babel Street, makers of Locate X, a tool that allows its wielders to hoover up location data from devices that enter a pre-determined geo-fence (stock)

This allows the wielder to see where a device has been and also where it travels to after being picked up by Locate X.

Protocol reports that the tool can see user data going back months and gleans all of its information - the same data used by popular cell phone apps for targeted ads - anonymously.

Among the agencies reportedly in contract to use the tool are U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to federal records obtained by Protocol.

According to Protocol, the company's federal contracts exceeded $5 million in 2018.

While none of the agencies connected to using the tool confirmed their use, Protocol reports that a former government source familiar with the technology described how Locate X might factor into a potential terrorist situation.

For instance, law enforcement may use Locate X to geo-fence an area surrounding a a bombing after the attack takes place to hoover up the location data of mobile devices near the area.

They could then look through that data to see prior travels as well as where the device traveled afterwards.

'If you see a device that a month ago was in Saudi Arabia, then you know maybe Saudis were involved,' the source told Protocol.

'It's a lead generator. You get a data point, and from there you use your other resources to figure out if it's valid.'

Babel Street has reportedly made a concerted effort to keep the existence of Locate X a secret by choosing not to mention it in marketing materials and referring to tool as 'confidential' in government contracts.

Babel Street has made it clear that partners are not allowed to discuss Locate X or use the data in a court of law (Stock)

The company also stipulates that Locate X is designed for 'research purposes only' and forbids law enforcement from using any data gleaned from the tool as evidence or mentioning it in court, Protocol reports.

While law enforcement's use of Locate X isn't explicitly illegal, it does seem to butt up against a Supreme Court ruling, Carpenter v. United States, that dictates law enforcement must, in most cases, obtain a search warrant before accessing one's cell tower data relating to individual accounts.

In response to a request from Protocol, however, a lawyer the the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Nathan Wessler, argued that since the use of Locate X is kept secret, it violates precedents outlined by Carpenter v. United States.

'These secrecy provisions prevent the courts from providing oversight,' Wessler told Protocol.

'That is really corrosive to our system of checks and balances.'

Other privacy experts interviewed by Protocol say Locate X's use subverts legal authority.

'That consumers can have data being collected that tracks their location, and the government, instead of getting a warrant, which they would normally need to do, can just go to a private company and buy it directly, that's hugely concerning,' Serge Egelman, a computer science professor at UC Berkeley who works on privacy issues told Protocol.
There is no doubt that 1MORE makes some of the most incredible audio products for your smartphones and audio players. We absolutely loved the 1MORE Triple Drivers in-ear headphones and the Quad Driver in-ear headphones last year. The Chinese company even came out with their own TWS offering that challenged the status quo by offering amazing sound quality for a very affordable price.

These three products are some of the best wired and Bluetooth earphones weve heard and the company has now carried on the legacy with the Triple Driver BT neckband. Weve been testing these earphones for over 2 weeks and heres what we think about 1MOREs latest offering:

Design

 1More

The 1MORE Triple Driver BT in-ears are exactly what you think they are. It isnt truly wireless but instead, comes with a neckband that rests comfortably on your neck. The earbuds are connected to the neckband via a cable made out of rubber.



If youve seen the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones, the buds look exactly the same and feel more premium than anything else youve seen on a neckband, so far. The earbuds are made out of a metal alloy while the neckband itself has plastic finish. The plastic design is intentional to keep the neckband lightweight allowing you to use it for extended periods of time.

The left end of the neckband houses all the controls where you can play/pause your music, and a volume rocker to control your music. The design is quite simple and not complicated in any way and each button has been clearly marked with their function.

Finally, there is a USB-C port hiding underneath a silicone flap that can be used to fast charge the neckband. 1MORE says that in 1 hour you can get seven hours of music playback.



Sound Quality and Performance



As the name suggests, the Triple Driver BT in-ears feature the same triple driver technology as the wired earphones. It has support for hi-res audio as well via Sonys LDAC codec. There are plenty of phones out there that support hi-res Audi which makes the perfect accessory. The earphones also have support for AAC lossless digital audio compression which is a big plus in our books.



 YouTube

When it comes to sound quality, we tested the earphones by listening to this playlist and it sounds a lot warmer than other neckbands weve tested so far.

It has a punching bass giving the sound more character and is perfectly tuned for people who like to listen to hip-hop, electronica, and ambient music. There were times where the bass would overpower the overall sound but that can be manually tuned from your music player or the 1MORE Assistant App.

 Gearbest

The mid frequencies are also very contained and arent too overpowering giving the overall sound a better definition. Getting mid frequencies right is by far the biggest challenge for audio companies and 1MORE nails it out of the park with the 1MORE Triple Driver BT neckband.



As far as the higher frequencies are concerned, it isnt too harsh on the year and never manages to have that hissing effect we hear on cheap audio products. The hissing sound is called the Sibilance effect and it is virtually non-existent on these earphones. Having harsh highs can really cut down your listening time as it causes fatigue however you will not face this problem with the 1MORE Triple Driver BT.

As far as isolation is concerned, the 1MORE Triple Driver BT does not do the same job as a noise cancellation headphone, however, it is still good enough to block ambient noise in the metro or in an office setting. If you are looking for a neckband that also offers noise cancellation, we recommend the Sony WI-1000XM2 or the 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC In-Ear Headphones.

 YouTube/Gamesky

However, not all is rosy when it comes to the 1MORE Triple Driver BT as we did not find the battery life to be as good as the company claims. While the company claims 7 hours of music playback on a single charge, we could only get 5.5 hours when playing music on full volume. Most neckbands offer 8 hours of total playtime however a shorter battery life was expected due to the three drivers in the earbuds.



There is also a noticeable audio output lag when it comes to watching videos. It was quite annoying to see that the sound was not in sync with the video that was playing on the screen.



The Final Say



If you are looking for Bluetooth earphones that are not a TWS and offers great sound quality, you cannot go wrong with the 1MORE Triple Driver BT. It offers a balanced sound and has a great sound stage for casual listeners. However, you may have to deal with shorter battery life and audio lag when watching videos.



For audiophiles who want a wireless solution, you cannot go wrong with this one.
The Dallas curator, like other participants, said she was impressed by the large and powerful Hendrick ter Brugghen painting, The Crucifixion, dating from the 1620s and related to a similar canvas by the artist (The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is priced at $5.9 million on the booth of the New York dealer Adam Williams.

For many dealers in the niche collecting fields of old master paintings and decorative arts, TEFAF Maastricht represents one of the few opportunities to connect in person with international curators and collectors. Creating an eye-catching booth can involve considerable expense.

Christophe de Quenetain, for example, a private dealer based in Paris and London who specializes in top-of-the-range French furniture, said he spent about 300,000 euros, or $330,000, lining his booth with 8.5 tonnes of exotic marble in a design inspired the floor of the chapel at the Chateau of Versailles.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges investors in CIRCOR International (NYSE: CIR) who have suffered significant losses to submit their losses now . The firm is investigating possible securities law violations, and certain investors may have valuable claims.



Relevant Holding Period: Before Mar. 3, 2020

Sign Up: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/CIR

Contact An Attorney Now: CIR@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

CIRCOR International (CIR) Investigation:

The investigation concerns whether CIRCORs accounting for discontinued operations and related impairments conformed with GAAP.

More specifically, CIRCOR and senior management have repeatedly assured investors that the Companys internal controls over financial reporting are effective.

But, on Feb. 6, 2020, after the market closed, CIRCOR announced its CFO resigned effective Mar. 2, 2020 while reaffirming the Companys 4Q 2019 financial outlook.

Then, on Mar. 2, 2020, after the market closed, CIRCOR announced it would not timely file its year end 2019 financial report, it has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, and it is investigating accounting and reporting matters at one of its domestic business units that has been classified as discontinued operations.

These announcements have driven the price of CIRCOR shares sharply lower.

Were focused on investors losses and whether CIRCOR may have intentionally understated asset impairments to appear more profitable, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you purchased shares of CIRCOR and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman .

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding CIRCOR should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CIR@hbsslaw.com .

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com . For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw .

Contact:

Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895




The MEK, which is the largest organized resistance movement in the Middle East, seeks the establishment of a secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic in Iran, based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality and abolition of the death penalty.

In the 1970s, the Shah had MEK members arrested, tortured, imprisoned, and executed. Only one member of the leadership, Massoud Rajavi, survived, thanks to an international campaign led by his brother from Switzerland.

However, the Iranian people, inspired by the MEK and other revolutionary groups, overthrew the Shah in 1979, which led to the release of political prisoners, including Rajavi. Sadly, the revolution was usurped by a new brand of dictatorship: the mullah.

The MEK fought back hard during the first two years after the mullahs came to power, challenging the mullahs malign actions, but soon after the regime ordered a bloody crackdown on a 500,000 strong MEK rally in Tehran and banned the group, the MEK was forced to go underground.

This did not stop their resistance against the regime. It made it more intense. Rajavi set up the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a coalition of pro-democracy groups determined to bring freedom to Iran. The NCRI is still the parliament-in-exile, which warns the world about the dangers of the regime.

Over the last 55 years, the MEK has lost at least 120,000 activists to the guns, blades, or nooses of the Shah or the mullahs. Yet still, they rise, like a phoenix. They burn brighter because of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They are not afraid of dying, but of living without freedom.

The MEK, with its modern and progressive interpretation of Islam, is a threat to the mullahs regime because it is widely supported by the Iranian people, who want nothing more than democracy, nothing less than their human rights. This can be seen in the nationwide protests of the previous few months, where the people have been chanting MEK slogans of Hail to Rajavi.

The mullahs seem to think that they have the sole right to interpret Islam, which is how they maintain clerical supremacy, but their reactionary fundamentalist interpretation of Islam is rejected by the people and the world. Thus, the mullahs need violence to keep their power. But how powerful can you be, if you need force to bend people to your will?

MEK represents freedom and democracy. The Iranian people want freedom and democracy. The regime will be defeated because the arc of history always bends towards justice.

It is the responsibility of the international community to support the MEK and their fight for a free Iran or, at the very least, not stand in their way. This means that the world must stop appeasing the mullahs, must investigate them for their numerous crimes (including terrorism and the 1988 massacre1 of political prisoners).

Read More:

New Book on MEK in Ashraf

Iran Officials Admit to MEK Popularity
New York: Amazon pledged Thursday to take steps to fight price gouging after a US senator complained of unjustifiably high prices on hand sanitizers and surgical masks to protect against coronavirus infections.

The US retail giant responded to a letter from Senator Ed Markey, who wrote that Amazon appeared to be profiting from panic buying related to the epidemic.

We agree with Senator Markey  there is no place for price gouging on Amazon and that's why our teams are monitoring our store 24/7 and have already removed tens of thousands of offers for attempted price gouging, an Amazon spokesperson said in an email.

We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to take advantage of this global health crisis and, in addition to removing these offers, we are terminating accounts. About half of Amazon sales come from third-party vendors as part of the company's online marketplace.

Markey questioned Amazon's vigilance after a series of media reports highlighted markups on some items of as much as 2,000 percent, with one report indicating the company's enforcement of its fair-pricing policy as haphazard.

No one should be allowed to reap a windfall from fear and human suffering, Markey said Wednesday. I'm calling on Amazon to stop and prevent coronavirus-inspired price gouging.
Iran was in deep crisis before the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit. The economy shrunk by approximately 10% in 2019, mostly the result of US sanctions, with no relief expected this year. Demonstrations broke out after the initial misinformation and deception over the accidental shootdown of the Ukrainian passenger plane Jan. 6. Then came COVID-19, and initial mixed messages from the Iranian leadership, intensifying a crisis of public confidence, and further strangling the economy, as we reported here.

And just this week the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has increased its stock of enriched uranium, cutting its timeline for development of a nuclear weapon, it chooses to do so.

All this has given further priority to Iran as both a regional and global challenge for the Trump Administration and its friends in the region.

In both its response to the coronavirus and by example with its peaceful nuclear program, the United Arab Emirates, a longtime rival of Iran and close partner of the United States, is proposing a "roadmap to boost stability in the region." The UAEs approach complements US policies in dealing with both the health and security risks from Iran, which are increasing, it seems, by the day.

Irans COVID-19 outbreak "has no politics"

Irans Health Ministry this week announced a national strategy, as we report here, to combat the COVID-19 virus, which has infected 3,710 Iranians and killed 124 so far. Iran does not have the capacity or infrastructure of China, where the virus originated, for expansive testing and to quarantine populations. Worse, many of the regional coronavirus cases have originated from Iran.

That has put unusual strain on US partners in the Gulf but created a chance for other regional players to showcase their approaches.

Fear of disease contagion that will likely kill very few on a global scale now amounts to a greater economic risk than an outright war between Iran and the United States, writes Karen Young. This is the brutal irony and sad lesson of the last year in the Gulf. The anticipated confrontation with Iran led by the US administration turned into a debacle, with the Gulf Arab states left exposed to more risk and fewer assurances of American protection. Iran is now more a neighborhood liability than a global concern.

In this context, the UAE has stepped up. The World Health Organization (WHO) gave Abu Dhabi a shoutout, expressing sincere gratitude for providing the chartered plane that allowed the WHO team and medical supplies to travel to Iran from Dubais International Humanitarian City, one of the largest humanitarian hubs in the world.

That hub may be seeing more action in coming weeks and months, signaling a key regional role the UAE may be poised to play, as all the while it grapples with COVID-19 within its own borders, with 27 reported cases so far.

Saudi Arabia, for its part, has canceled travel to the hajj pilgrimage in order to contain the virus.

The coronavirus' impact in Iran is dire and underscores the assessment of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that an imploding Iranian regime with desperate citizens and ruthless military leadership is not a desired outcome, Young concludes. There is no insulation from the current crisis; it has no politics. This outbreak and our national and global institutional responses should be a lesson. Good neighbor policy is an understanding of shared risk, a maturity that does not allow hubris at the misfortune of ones adversaries.

We wrote here earlier this week that Iran should take up the US offer of assistance on the virus via the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement, and with renewed conversations about a possible prisoner exchange.

The next Iran deal: New questions about the arms embargo and enrichment

While the coronavirus is occupying public attention, there is also movement on the other global issue involving Iran: its nuclear program. The IAEA says Iran has increased its nuclear stockpile, even as diplomats look for a pathway to some new arrangement with Tehran. If there is a new nuclear deal with Iran, it wont be like previous deal  the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the Obama administration.

First, and most urgently, there is the UN arms embargo on Iran set to expire in October, per the JCPOA. Brian Hook, US special representative for Iran, told an Al-Monitor audience last week that letting this happen would be "diplomatic malpractice," as Laura Rozen reports. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., has a bipartisan resolution that would endorse the Trump administrations efforts to extend the embargo at the United Nations. If the embargo expires, Iran can and buy sell conventional weapons from Russia, China and others.

This effort has the support of the American Israeli Public Action Committee, as Bryant Harris reports, and even some past proponents of the JCPOA are calling for a rethink of the expiration of the arms embargo.

The reality is the nuclear deal doesnt exist today, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, told Al-Monitor. You have to live in that reality. I dont think itd be great policy to let the embargo disappear if were not in the [deal]. So, Im generally sympathetic to the idea that were going to need to re-up it and be back in a position to negotiate with the Iranians in the next administration.

A bill by Democratic Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts calls for all sides to return to full compliance with the JCPOA and seeks a renegotiation of sunset provisions, such as restrictions on enrichment, set to expire in 2026.

That may be difficult, given the IAEA report, as Rozen reports here. A separate IAEA report noted that Iran is preventing access to certain sites by its inspectors.

Iran has pushed the limits of its enrichment under the JCPOA since the Trump administration stepped back from the Iran deal in 2018

The IAEA report may bring into question what Iran calls its "right to enrich." Iran has latched onto an article in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty that refers to the right of countries to develop peaceful nuclear energy programs, but makes no reference to enrichment.

Even though few Iranians don't understand what it means, the 'right' to enrichment has become a matter of sovereignty, says Mark Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a specialist on nonproliferation. The breakthrough for the JCPOA negotiations was when the Obama administration, backed by the other parties, walked away from the previous position of no enrichment.

Hook told Al-Monitor that this concession to Iran, which undercut previous UN resolutions calling for Iran to suspend all enrichment, was a mistake by the JCPOA negotiators.

Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, this week wrote in The Wall Street Journal about how his countrys nuclear program could serve as the "gold standard" for further approaches to Iran.

Iran could send no clearer signal of peaceful intentions than signing on to the same voluntary commitments as the UAE, writes Otaiba, referring to the decision to forego uranium enrichment and reprocessing. The international community should insist on this as a precondition of a renewed nuclear pact with Iran, which would create a virtuous nuclear pathway. Iran could then modernize its nuclear-energy program and boost its economic prosperity.

Gargash: Regional road map 'the viable option' on Iran

Given the urgency of the coronavirus, and questions about sunset provisions in the JCPOA, there is an opening for what UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash has termed "dynamic diplomacy" in support of a strong regional multilateralism that can support the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Gargash said Feb. 24 that while neither a military option nor a return to the Iran nuclear deal are viable, there is room for a political settlement, as part of a clear road map to boost stability of the region and benchmark its way to prosperity, remains the viable option.

The UAE effort is a fitting regional complement to the US policy on all fronts. Washington and Abu Dhabi are on the same page on Iran. New US-led negotiations on Irans nuclear program, its regional behavior and its missile program, if they are to happen at all, will take time. Meanwhile, discussions of regional health security and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the prevention of nuclear accidents, could be complementary or separate tracks.
Good morning.

(If you dont already get California Today by email, heres the sign-up.)

News about the coronavirus outbreak continued to spur anxiety around the world on Thursday, dominating conversation in California, even as Senator Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the presidential race and the results of Californias elections further crystallized. (Ms. Warren, as of Thursday afternoon, had notched about 12 percent of the vote in the state.)

A day after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as a result of the outbreak, six new cases were announced in Santa Clara County, bringing the total there to 20, while two cases were confirmed in San Francisco.

The first person to die from the virus in California, a 71-year-old man in Placer County, had previously traveled on a Grand Princess cruise ship, now idling off the coast.

And on Thursday evening, according to The Mercury News, Sunnyvale officials said city emergency medical workers may have been exposed to the virus after administering aid to a man they later learned had been on a cruise with two people who were suspected of having the virus, although it wasnt immediately clear if it was the same cruise. The man died.
Women4Change Indiana, a coalition helping to promote equality for women, held a rally at the Statehouse March 5 to address Indianas lack of a definition of consent.

Despite several bills in the state government to address the issue of sexual violence in recent years, the state still has no definiton of consent on the books, making it difficult to prosecute sex crimes.

According to Rep. Sue Errington, (D-Muncie), who spoke at the rally, simply saying no is not enough for an unwanted sexual encounter to be legally considered rape. Instead, there must be force or threat of force.

Cordelia Lewis-Burks, Rita Venerable and Velvet Miller, members of Changemakers, a sub-committee of Women4Change Indiana, hope to change that. In a previous interview with the Recorder, all three women emphasized saying no should be enough to consider an unwanted sexual encounter rape.

Women4Change Indiana hope to sway lawmakers to vote for a legal definition of consent, in part, through the Clothesline, a project the organization created to share the stories of sexual assault survivors throughout the state. Survivors can fill out a postcard and anonymously share their experience, how it has impacted them and hang it on the line. The installation has been displayed at several events throughout the state, including the March 5 rally. Women from all 92 counties in Indiana have filled out postcards describing their experiences with sexual violence.

According to Women4Change Indiana Executive Director Rima Shahid, the organization will continue to collect postcards through the summer into the next session of the General Assembly. Women4Change will host a State of Women Conference in September to further the conversation about consent laws.

According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 18% of African American women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. However, for every 15 Black women who are raped, only one will report it, making it difficult to determine the actual percentage.

Burton Patterson, director of prevention and education for the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, said having conversations is the first step to better serving Black victims of sexual assault.

We first have to acknowledge the systems of oppression that are built against women of color, Patterson said. And talking about statistics [regarding rates of sexual assault against Black women], we need to have that conversation within the culture first to make them aware, but then invite everyone to the table to hear those statistics so they know how to serve those populations. The more we can gear those resources toward specific populations, we can shift stats.

Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.

Women4Change
Sitharaman hits back at Chidambaram for jibe over Yes Bank crisis

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 06:Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday hit back at senior Congress leader P Chidambaram for his jibe over crisis-hit Yes Bank's loan book swelling five times under BJP rule, saying "self-appointed competent doctors" created more problems in handling crisis at three banks during the UPA regime.

She blamed Chidambaram for the crisis at Global Trust Bank in July 2004 and the problems at IDBI which had to merge with on-the-verge of collapsing United Western Bank in 2006.

The Congress-led UPA had come to power in May 2004 and Chidambaram was the finance minister.

Addressing a press conference after the RBI superseded the board of Yes Bank and placed withdrawal restrictions, she said the crisis-hit lender's exposure to stressed corporates dates before 2014.

"The exposure of Yes Bank to some of the very stressed corporates has been before 2014. These are public domain names and I am not violating any customer privacy  Anil Ambani (Group), Essel Group, DHFL, IL&FS (and) Vodafone are some of the very stressed corporate to whom Yes Bank has been exposed," she said.

Sitharaman said she is revealing these names as the opposition parties were "very keen to point fingers". "I am not here to continue carrying the stories of legacy. Yes, the Indian banking system has had severe challenges thanks to the way in which the government which existed between 2004-14 had handled the matter. I have reasons to put the blame on them," she said.

Sitharaman went on to question Chidambaram's handling of the crisis at two banks under the UPA-1 rule. "So-called self-appointed competent doctors" were in charge when United Western Bank was "almost on the verge of collapse in 2006 and was forcefully merged with IDBI," she said.

"Today if I have problems restoring good health of IDBI, I am giving you good examples of how self-appointed competent doctors had handled UWB merger with IDBI." IDBI, she said, went down because of UWB. "That was the treatment offered by those who speak today." "We have ensured that the interest of customers is kept safe, we are doing that. Their solution for UWB has resulted in IDBI also losing" its base, she said adding Global Trust Bank was merged with OBC and Ganesh Bank of Kurudher was merged with a private bank.

"Easy merge it and wash your hands off," she said.

"In all three you merged and washed your hands off." The former finance minister Chidambaram had in a series of tweets questioning the crisis at Yes Bank and asked why should state-owned State Bank of India (SBI) invest in the beleaguered lender. When overall bank credit between 2014 and 2019 grew by about 10 per cent, Yes Bank's loan book grew by about 35 per cent, he said. "Who knows, FM may blame the UPA for the miraculous jump between 2014 and 2019 !!!" FM is a short form of finance minister.

"I understand FM has made a statement blaming the UPA. That's normal for a government living in ignorance. Does the FM know the numbers that I have tweeted? If she does, will she please explain how the loan book jumped in five years from Rs 55,633 crore to Rs 2,41,499 crore?"

In another tweet, Chidambaram said, "SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned."

Sitharaman said she has repeatedly said that she will not allow any institution to fall off a cliff. "I do remember I said in the context of non-banking finance companies and we have been a daily basis monitoring the banking and shadow banking institutions," she said.

Questioning Chidambaram's handling of banks, she asked action against how many people were taken by the UPA to task for the problems at banks. "And here you see them quickly jump to say 'oh no no you don't know what you are doing? You don't know how you are handling the economic affairs'," she said.

"We are ensuring the customers' interest is intact, we are ensuring that depositors are assured and money is safe. You forcefully merge it off, let go off offenders and now ask questions uncomfortable for yourself."

Stating that she has no problem answering questions on the handling of the economy, the minister said her government's approach so ensures institutions don't collapse and that they are kept in good health and interest of customers and depositors are kept safe. "We assure all the depositors that their money is safe. We shall ensure that speedily this will be resolved and restructuring will happen in the interest of depositors and economy," she added.
New Delhi, March 6 : The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Bombay High Court registry to engage an architect to find an appropriate house in tony areas like Pali Hill-Bandra in Mumbai for socialite Poonam Jaidev Shroff, who is in the middle of bitter matrimonial battle with her industrialist husband Jaidev Shroff.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant had earlier asked Poonam to sort out a house of her choice.

During the hearing on the matter on Friday, her counsel Shyam Divan contended before the court that instead of being asked to look for a house, she could get a monthly rent of Rs 30 lakh from her estranged husband. Noting that the court had heard the matter on many occasions, the bench said it is not inclined to devote more time on it.

The court said: "The Registrar of the Bombay High Court is directed to engage an architect from the panel of the Bombay High Court to locate an appropriate accommodation for residence of the respondent (the woman)." The court also added a clause that this rented house should be equivalent to her matrimonial house in Pali Hill and the rent will be paid by her husband. It asked the Registrar to file a report within two months.

In the previous hearing on February 26, the top court had asked Poonam to identify a house, as her husband agreed to pay the rent till final disposal of their divorce plea by a family court at Bandra. The bench observed that it will treat it lack of bona fide on her part if she do not get a house.

"We will ask the Registrar General of Bombay High Court to select an architect to find a house for you. Then you have to be satisfied with it," the court had said.

Poonam's counsel asked this offer to be monetized, arguing that she could be paid Rs 25 lakh per month for rent, besides Rs 75 lakh for expenses annually.

Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for the husband, had said the offer was only for the rent.

Earlier, the Chief Justice told Poonam's counsel that "move to a house of your choice on rent... in six months, divorce will be settled." Another senior counsel representing Poonam said the couple was living together until some apprehensions popped up. "Can a mother and daughter be kept out of their matrimonial house? The daughter is 13 years old," said the counsel.

At this, the Chief Justice told the wife's counsel: "You need to work it out, we ordered mediation twice but it did not work. We are concerned about the roof over your head at this stage, and make a choice to rent a house." The Chief Justice had emphasised that the court is willing to record that she is willing to relocate to a premises of her choice, and this arrangement will continue till the disposal of their divorce petition before a family court. The court also asked the husband's counsel to pay the rent for the premises of her choice equivalent to the current residence.

Jaidev is the executive director of United Phosphorous. In 2015, he filed a divorce suit against his wife on grounds of cruelty against him and his two daughters from his first wife. He got separated from his first wife in 2000 and married Poonam in 2005.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief the media at 4.30 pm today on the Yes Bank crisis.

After restrictions by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Yes Bank created a panic situation among its customers, Sitharaman earlier today assured that money of every depositor is safe.

She asserted that the steps have been taken in the interest of depositors, bank and the economy.

"I am in continuous interaction with RBI. RBI has assured that they will find a quick resolution. I want to also assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Steps that are taken now are in the interest of depositors, bank and the economy. There are doubts among depositors but I assure their money is safe," Sitharaman told reporters here.

"Reserve Bank has taken cognizance of the matter. RBI has gone over and over again to find out an amicable resolution and that has been over the past couple of months. So, it's not as if it comes suddenly now. RBI Governor has assured me that the matter will be resolved soon," she said.

The minister continued: "We have been monitoring the situation. Now, RBI has come up with a plan and a resolution will be found at the earliest. I along with RBI was monitoring the situation in the past couple of months and therefore we have a course which is in everybody's interest."

On Thursday, the RBI said a moratorium has been imposed on Yes Bank, stressing that the bank's financial capability has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital.

During the period of moratorium, the Yes Bank Ltd will not, without the permission in writing of the Reserve Bank of India, make in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding Rs 50,000 lying to his credit in any savings, current or any other deposit account.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
FILE PHOTO: The HSBC bank is seen in the financial district of Canary Wharf

By Lawrence White, Pamela Barbaglia and Karin Strohecker

LONDON/MILAN/HONG KONG (Reuters) - HSBC Holdings PLC <HSBA.L> has sent home more than 100 staff in London after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus, the first known case at a major company in Europe's main financial hub.

The bank also has an employee in China with the virus who is in a stable condition, interim Chief Executive Noel Quinn said in an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Banks worldwide are readying out-of-town offices and isolating some teams to ensure trading operations continue if the virus spreads to more financial centres.

Italy's UniCredit <CRDI.MI> also sent home some staff after two new infections among its employees, one each in Germany and Italy.

JPMorgan <JPM.N> is moving traders in New York and London to a number of locations, it said in a memo on Thursday.

The U.S. bank runs a British disaster recovery site in Basingstoke, southwest of London, with an alternative building near Blackfriars bridge in the central part of the capital.

"The bank has officially moved from testing to execution," said a source familiar with the matter, adding that the biggest wave of moves would happen on March 9.

Goldman Sachs <GS.N> has been testing a back-up site in Croydon in south London, while Barclays has an office in Northolt, in the city's northwest, that it plans to use as a back-up.

The possibility of the virus spreading across the finance industry is worrying regulators, who fear the absence of key staff could cause liquidity problems in markets if firms cannot run trading operations normally.

The European Central Bank has asked euro zone banks to urgently test their large-scale remote working or other flexible arrangements for critical staff, a letter dated Tuesday and seen by Reuters showed.

German and British financial regulators have also said they are watching how prepared banks and other institutions are.

Story continues

In Spain, BBVA <BBVA.MC> said on Thursday it had transferred up to 100 staff from its Madrid trading floor to a location just outside the city in a contingency measure against potential disruption by the outbreak.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

An employee of HSBC's research department in London self-isolated on Sunday, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

After the infection was confirmed the bank sent home on Thursday more than 100 people in the department, a spokeswoman said, with HSBC advising staff who came in contact with the man to work from home while it cleans affected areas.

"We have been informed that one of our employees at 8 Canada Square has been diagnosed with COVID-19. This colleague is under medical supervision and has self-isolated," the spokeswoman said.

"All staff whose roles allow remote working have been told they can work from home if preferred."

HSBC's London office is in Canary Wharf, a major financial district where many investment banks, such as Citi <C.N>, JPMorgan <JPM.N>, Morgan Stanley and Barclays <BARC.L> are located.

HSBC's headquarters remains open, it said.

Separately, as a precaution on Wednesday, the lender sent home 20 staff from its global banking and markets division because one person had come in contact with an infected individual, the HSBC spokeswoman said.

The 20 have since returned to work, she said.

The bank's coronavirus cases in China and London are unrelated, Quinn said in the memo.

On Friday, a spokeswoman in Hong Kong said the bank's China staffer was previously in self-quarantine, and had no interaction with other staff since late January.

Commodity pricing agency S&P Global Platts told about 1,200 employees at its Canary Wharf office to work from home after a visitor was diagnosed with the virus, it said.

On Thursday, Italy's UniCredit <CRDI.MI> raised to three its tally of infected workers and sent home staff who dealt with them.

Unicredit said it had advised two weeks of self-quarantine for all employees in contact with a contractor in its Munich office who tested positive.

The bank has closed its Piacenza office, where another employee has tested positive, and a branch in the northern Italian city, Unicredit said in a statement.

It urged 14 days of self-isolation for employees who may have been in close contact with the employee, saying it would contact customers who recently visited the Piacenza branch.

Italy is Europe's worst-hit nation, with 107 deaths and more than 3,000 infections.

(Additional reporting by Julien Ponthus, Julia Payne and Carolyn Cohn in London, Gianluca Semeraro in Milan and Sumeet Chatterjee in Hong Kong; Writing by John O'Donnell; Editing by Jan Harvey and Clarence Fernandez)
Gov. Kristi Noem drafts bill limiting 'action civics'

This legislation prohibits colleges and schools from directing, requiring or compelling students to protest or lobby as part of a grade or a class.
Japan has lodged a strong protest with India over its decision to cancel all e-visas to Japanese nationals in view of coronavirus cases.

Japan issued a demarche to India seeking review of its decision to cancel e-visas to Japanese nationals along with citizens from several other countries like South Korea, Iran and Italy, diplomatic sources said.

In its demarche, Japan took strong note of India's decision to club Japanese nationals along with people from other countries ignoring strong bilateral ties between the two nations.

Sources in the government said India's decision to cancel e-visas of people from several countries was taken with the sole purpose of containing potential risks of the virus spreading in India.

They said India is unlikely to review its decision soon.

India on Tuesday suspended all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan as part of measures to check spread of coronavirus in the country.

The regular/e-visas granted to people from Italy, Iran, Japan and South Korea were suspended after these countries reported rising number of coronavirus cases.

The e-visas granted to people from these four countries who have not yet entered India were also suspended with immediate effect.

India had suspended regular/e-visas granted on or before February 5 to Chinese nationals and the restriction is continuing.

India has 31 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection while nearly 29,000 people have been put under surveillance on suspicion of infection or as part of precautionary measures.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The priest and devotees of Lord Jagannath have raised concern over Puri's Jagannath temple's Rs 545 crore deposited in Yes Bank after the RBI directed to put a withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000 on bank customers.

A day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suspended the Yes Banks managing board and put a cap of Rs 50,000 withdrawal in a month for the customers, the priest and devotees of Puris Jagannath temple have expressed their concerns over temples Rs 545 crore deposited in the bank. One of the senior Daitapatis (servitor), Binayak Dasmohaopatra, told the media that the RBIs decisions have created panic among the devotees. He added that devotees have asked the trust to find the person who decided to keep such a hefty amount in a private bank just in the greed of a little more interest and demanded action against him.

Although, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam, in a press conference, made it clear that depositors money wont get affected by the governments decision, and assured that all the deposits and liabilities are safe. The RBIs finance experts are trying their best and soon the situation would be normal, said Sitharaman.

Priyadarshi Patnaik, convenor, Jagannath Sena said targetted the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Temples Managing Committee for depositing temple funds in a private bank and tagged it an illegal decision. He added that the temple administration should be held responsible for the uncertainty and the panic situation.

He has also filed a police complaint at the Puri police station against the temple trust demanding a transparent investigation and action over money depositing decision.

Last month, law minister and former Puri lawmaker, Maheswar Mohanty said the decision to keep such a big amount in a private bank was wrong, asserting that the temple trust should talk to the RBI and the Finance Minister to ensure that the money is safe.

Also read: Coronavirus in India: How to make hand sanitizers at home?

Also read: Coronavirus in India: KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan says players, spectators health first

He had informed the house last month that off temples total Rs 626.44 crore, Rs 592 crore was kept in Yes Bank as fixed deposits and the rest Rs 47 crore were in a current account.

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FILE PHOTO: The headquarters of the Spanish bank BBVA are seen in Madrid

By Jesus Aguado

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's BBVA <BBVA.MC> has transferred up to 100 staff from its Madrid trading floor to a location just outside the city as part of its contingency plan to protect operations from potential disruption related to the coronavirus outbreak.

BBVA currently employs 400 people at its trading floor at its Madrid headquarters and around a quarter are being transferred as of Thursday to Las Rozas, a suburb 20 kms (12 miles) northwest of the city, a spokesman said.

"The measure consists of the relocation of 80-100 people in total to this new room from today," he said, adding that "all critical functions are replicated on a smaller scale in this other room."

The measure is aimed at ensuring that a potential infection of coronavirus would not disrupt the bank's markets business, he said.

Other European banks are also readying out-of-town offices and isolating some teams to ensure they can keep trading if coronavirus spreads in more major financial centres.

On Wednesday, BBVA postponed its Investor Day, that was scheduled in Madrid on March 24, until further notice.

The bank has also prevented staff from going to high-risk areas, such as mainland China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Iran and the regions hit in northern Italy. The bank has also restricted travel elsewhere.

(Reporting By Jesus Aguado; editng by Inti Landauro and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
New Delhi, March 6 : Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India's answer to Exxon, AT&T, and Amazon rolled into one, according to a research report by brokerage, Bernstein.

According to the report, RIL is a unique company with activities spanning oil and gas, telecoms, retail, media and fintech, and one of the most diversified conglomerates in India, if not the world. There is simply no other company like it, it said.

In India, Reliance dominates energy, telco, and retail in the same way that Exxon, AT&T, and Amazon do in the US.

Over the past decade, Reliance has been able to achieve market leadership positions in business segments that incumbent players and investors would never have thought possible. This is a testament to Reliance's management skills and its ability to navigate some of the complexities that come with being a large operator in India, the report said.

Despite some failures along the way, what has impressed most is the strategic vision and execution capability of Reliance management to enter and "win" in new business areas, analysts at Bernstein said.

Energy remains the cash cow of the business, but in the near term, it is likely to face margin pressure. Although Reliance plans to sell down a stake to Aramco, this does not mark a retreat from energy, with India likely to be the fastest-growing market for refined fuel products and petrochemicals over the next 20 years.

"In telecoms, we expect Reliance will increase its market share to 44 per cent by the end of FY22 as it consolidates its leadership position in the market," the report said.

Perhaps the greatest growth opportunity is in organised retail.

"We expect India's retail market, which is currently 90 per cent unorganised and ready for digital disruption, to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025," the report by Bernstein added.

Reliance is the offline leader with $18.5 billion in revenues and 11,000 plus stores. The company is best positioned in new commerce, digitizing neighbourhood stores (30 million), and eCommerce apps (JioMart and AJIO).

"Beyond retail, we see opportunities in fintech and media, where there are clear opportunities for synergies with telecoms. Reliance is at the start of a secular growth phase driven by telco, retail and new economy related businesses. It is a quality compounder that every Indian portfolio should own," the report added.

Reliance Industries (RIL) has disrupted the energy and telecoms industries in India and i s on the cusp of doing the same to retail, fintech, and media. With its enviable track record of innovation and execution, we believe the best is yet to come.

Energy remains core to the business and we expect further expansion in this sector. India is forecast to be the fastest-growing market for refined and chemical products over the next decade. Reliance partnerships with BP and Aramco should support this growth.

Reliance has achieved market leadership in telecoms. In just under three years, Reliance reached 34 per cent share of market revenue in India, higher than expectation. Based on current net add run-rates, it will likely reach 44 per cent share by the end of the next financial year.

The report has posed a question on could Reliance become India's Amazon? Retail is a large market in India (estimated to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025), currently unorganised (90 per cent) and ready for digital disruption.

Reliance is the offline leader ($18.5 billion revenues, 11,000+ stores). The company is best positioned in New Commerce - digitizing neighbourhood stores (~30 million) - and in eCommerce (Grocery/Fashion and Lifestyle categories).
US Lawmaker Shows Off AR-15, Challenges Biden to Come and Take It

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) on Friday challenged former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate, to take his AR-15-style rifle from his office in Washington.

I have just one message for Joe Biden and Beto ORourke, if you want to take everyones AR-15s, why dont you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one? Buck wrote on Twitter, referring to the former representative from Texas who said that, if he were elected president, he would take away peoples AR-15s.

Later, Buck wrote: Come and take it. One post included a video of Buck taking the multicolored gun off the wall of his office and holding it before he smiled.

The video was posted just days after ORourke appeared on stage with Biden in Texas. After ORourke, a former 2020 Democratic candidate, pledged his support to the former vice president, Biden said he would make him his gun czar.

I have just one message for Joe Biden and Beto ORourke, if you want to take everyones AR-15s, why dont you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one? Come and take it. #2A pic.twitter.com/jG2SiXetov  Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 6, 2020

I want to make something clear: Im going to guarantee you this is not the last youve seen of him, Biden said in reference to ORourke. Youre going to take care of the gun problem with me. Youre going to be the one who leads this effort, he added.

In September 2019, the former congressman made headlines after he promised that he would take away all legally obtained assault rifles, including AR-15s, if he was elected president.

Hell yes, were going to take your AR-15, your AK-47, ORourke remarked. Were not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore, he said at the time.

ORourke made the comment days after a gunman shot and killed dozens of people inside an El Paso, Texas, Walmart. It prompted Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain to write that My AR is ready for you Robert Francis, referring to ORourkes given name.

Cains post was removed by Twitter, which confirmed to CNN that it violated the firms rules on violence.

While the District of Columbia has among the strictest gun laws in the United States, members of Congress and their employees can take guns with them on the Capitol Grounds if the guns are unloaded and secured.

Bidens office hasnt responded to a request for comment about the newly posted video.
Journal of International Marketing launched its 2020 volume with a special issue examining new implications of the digital environment related to the study of international marketing. Featured in the special issue are both senior and emerging experts in this space exploring a range of issues that offer a powerful platform to guide future research.

The first three articles focus on how international marketing is broadly being transformed across the field as well as specifically at the firm and customer levels. The last two articles explore how highly innovative marketing practices are being created and influenced in international marketing spaces:

"Borderless Media: Rethinking International Marketing"

Storied thought leader Jagdish Sheth (Emory University) offers a broad view of the evolution of social media and its influence on marketing use a value creation framework with five dimensions: access, affordability, acceptance, awareness, and activation.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X19897044

"Global Brand Building & Management in the Digital Age"

Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp (University of North Carolina) provides guidance for global brand building and management via five core trends: (1) digital sales channels, (2) cocreation of brand strategy, (3) transparency, (4) connectivity among consumers, and (5) Internet of Things.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X19894946

"Digital Environment in Global Markets: Cross-Cultural Implications for Evolving Customer Journeys"

Global marketers are under incredible pressure to keep up with dramatic shifts in customer journeys, observe Hyoryung Nam, (University of Washington) and P.K. Kannan (University of Maryland).

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X19898767

"Narrowband Influencers and Global Icons: Universality and Media Compatibility in the Communication Patterns of Political Leaders Worldwide"

A team led by Renana Peres (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) studies the social and traditional media strategies of over 60 world leaders categorizing them along universality and media compatibility.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X19897893

"The Digital and Physical Footprint of Dark Net Markets"

Felipe Thomaz (Oxford University) establishes one of the first articles explaining the relationship between dark net markets and international marketing.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X19898678

This issue marks the first under editor in chief Kelly Hewett. Hewett is on the faculty of the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and began her term as editor in chief in July 2019.

###

Full issue and contact information is available available at https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jiga/28/1

About the Journal of International Marketing

The Journal of International Marketing is an international, peer-reviewed journal that is dedicated to advancing international marketing practice, research, and theory. Contributions addressing any aspect of international marketing are welcome. The journal presents scholarly and managerially relevant articles on international marketing. Aimed at both international marketing/business scholars and practitioners at senior- and mid-level international marketing positions, the journal's prime objective is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in international marketing.

https://www.ama.org/jim

About the American Marketing Association (AMA)

As the largest chapter-based marketing association in the world, the AMA is trusted by marketing and sales professionals to help them discover what's coming next in the industry. The AMA has a community of local chapters in more than 70 cities and 350 college campuses throughout North America. The AMA is home to award-winning content, PCM professional certification, premiere academic journals, and industry-leading training events and conferences.

https://www.ama.org
Justin Trudeaus industry minister said Canada wont be strong-armed into a decision on restricting a Chinese technology giants access to next-generation wireless networks.

The comments by Navdeep Bains come on the heels of a push by a group of U.S. senators seeking to remove a preferred investment status for countries that allow for the installation of Huawei Technologies Co. equipment in their 5G networks. The Trump administration is pushing allies for an outright ban.

We will make sure that we proceed in a manner thats in our national interest, Bains told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday evening. We wont get bullied by any other jurisdictions.

Canada is the last member of the so-called Five Eyes network of English-speaking nations that share intelligence to make a call on Huawei. Australia and New Zealand followed the U.S. lead in banning it, but Boris Johnsons government opted for a mixed approach in the U.K., allowing the Chinese company access to non-sensitive parts of its wireless network.

.@NavdeepSBains says Canada wont get bullied by other jurisdictions into making a decision about Huawei & 5G U.S. lawmakers like @MarkWarner, @marcorubio & @SenRickScott have been vocal in warning Canada against allowing Huawei to play a role in the countrys 5G network. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/iIx37QpvmS  Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) March 5, 2020

The British decision disappointed the White House and resulted in an angry phone call from President Donald Trump. Trudeaus government says its studying the U.K. approach, but is also factoring in its bitter feud with China over Canadas 2018 arrest of Huaweis chief financial officer on an American extradition request.

Asked if he was referring to the U.S. specifically, Bains dialed down his rhetoric. Maybe that wasnt the right choice of words but we wont be influenced by other jurisdictions, he said.

Countries have raised their concerns. Were engaged with our Five Eyes partners. We know that this is a very important issue, he said. But we will make a decision that makes sense for Canadians and protects Canadians.
GARDAI have issued a warning in relation to a number of scams which have emerged in recent weeks.

In one case a man had a large sum of cash withdrawn from his bank account after he disclosed his log-in details.

The gentleman, who is aged in his 60s, received a text message from what he thought was his bank. The text included a link to contact the bank and the man used this link and had a conversation with another male, said Sergeant Ber Leetch.

The man subsequently disclosed his PIN which was then used to transfer money out of his account.

Another scam relates to individuals who are contacting householders and claiming to be representatives from a security company.

A male saying he is from an alarm company calls to a home owner and persuades them to buy a security product or an alarm system. When it comes to payment the homeowner hands over their bank card and are asked to put their four digit pin number into what is the phone of the salesman, said Sgt Leetch.

During the transaction, the salesman manages to swap the customers card for another card and leaves the bank card and PIN.

In one case, a homeowner subsequently discovered that 700 had been withdrawn from their account.

Gardai are also investigating an incident which has left a business out of pocket to the tune of 150.

The culprits  a man and a woman  entered a store and paid for three vacuum cleaners in cash. However, they then asked for the cash back so that they could count it. They distracted the store assistant and gave back half the cash.

They then stated they had changed their minds and asked for a refund, they got the full value of the vacuum cleaners back.
Hanoi Police have asked travel companies not to take tourists to the famous railway line in Hoan Kiem District.

The train track cafes

Hanoi authorities have tried to shut down the cafes along the railway due to safety concerns since October 2019. However, four months later, many people continue to go to the railway to take photos and cafe shops are still open.

Hoan Kiem District police asked tour agencies in the city to continue finding solutions to ensure the rail corridor and tourist safety. They must also ask tourists to not go there and notify them about the city authorities' shutdown decision.

Colonel Bui Van Dang, deputy head of Hoan Kiem Police Department, said, "After the shutdown decision, several cafe shops still open and tour agencies still bring tourists there."

Dang confirmed that they would work with all tour agencies to explain to tourists.

Pham Tuan Long, vice chairman of Hoan Kiem People's Committee, said, "We'll continue promoting the decision and railway safety to everyone. We'll manage this area better so that there will be no one taking selfies or sitting on the train track."

Lao Dong/Dtinews

Hanoi's railway cafe owners ask for permission to reopen business with safety measures taken The owners pledged to comply with regulations on prohibited commercial activities within a minimum distance of 1.5 m from the railway, as well as to draw safety lines and install stainless steel bars on the front of each store and house.
The number of people infected with coronavirus charged toward 100,000 Friday, with the global scare upending routines, threatening livelihoods and prompting quarantines in its spread.

Asian and European shares were down following a rough day on Wall Street and the consequences of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, were becoming clear to people around the world. Halted travel and a broader economic downturn linked to the outbreak threatened to hit already-struggling communities for months to come.

Who is going to feed their families? asked Elias al-Arja, the head of a hotel owners' union in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where tourists have been banned and the storied Church of the Nativity shuttered.

The head of the U.N.s food agency, the World Food Program, warned of the potential of absolute devastation as the outbreaks effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East.

Across the West, there was a sense of deja vu as the virus spread prompted scenes that already played out in Asia, with workers foregoing offices, vigorous sanitizing in public places and runs on household basics. Even the spectacle of a cruise ship ordered to stay at sea off the California coast over virus fears replicated ones weeks ago on the other side of the globe.

The Western world is now following some of Chinas playbook, said Chris Beauchamp, a market analyst at the financial firm IG.

Signs of the virus shift away from its origins in China were becoming clearer each day.

China reported 143 new cases Friday, the same as a day earlier and about one-third what the country was seeing a week ago. Just a month ago, China was reporting several thousand new cases a day, outnumbering infections elsewhere in the world about 120 to 1. The problem has now flipped, with the outbreak moving to Europe  where Italy, Germany and France had the most cases  and beyond.

The second hardest-hit country, South Korea, was also registering a notable decline in new infections and the World Health Organizations leader said he was seeing encouraging signs there.

South Korea reported 505 additional cases Friday, down from a high of 851 on Tuesday. The country has touted its remarkable diagnostic and treatment abilities but its vice health minister, Kim Gang-lip, said, Its not easy to make predictions about how the situation ... would play out.

Cases were increasing in Germany and France, but Italy remained the center of Europes outbreak, particularly in its north. The country has had 148 fatalities, making it the deadliest site for the virus outside China.

The Italian government restricted visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to protect older people who have been more vulnerable to succumbing to COVID-19. But with schools closed nationwide, many grandparents were called to duty as last-minute babysitters anyway.

Even Vatican City was hit by the virus, with the tiny city-state confirming its first case Friday but not saying who was infected. The Vatican has insisted Pope Francis, who has been sick, only has a cold.

The Vatican said it is working with Italian authorities to keep the coronavirus from spreading, with a suspension of Pope Francis weekly audiences seen likely.

Irans government planned to set up checkpoints to limit travel and urged people to stop using paper money as the country has counted more than 3,500 cases and at least 107 deaths.

And in the United States, more than 230 cases were stirring anxiety around the country, nowhere more than its northwestern corner in Washington state, where officials are so concerned about having space to care for the sick they were expected to close a $4 million deal Friday to take over a roadside motel.

The plan to turn the 84-room EconoLodge into a quarantine facility was not sitting well with everyone, including the police chief in the town where its located, who called it ill-advised and dangerous and warned security would be needed to keep people from leaving the hotel and infecting others.

To the south, on the Pacific coast, California National Guard paratroopers were hoisted down from a military helicopter to deliver virus test kits to the bow of the Grand Princess cruise ship.

The vessel, with 3,500 aboard, was ordered to stay at sea after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the coronavirus and at least four others were infected. The cruise line said samples were collected from 45 passengers and crew members and results were expected later Friday.

The Grand Princess is operated by the same line as the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at a Japanese port last month. More than 700 people on board were infected.

___

Contributing to this report were Kim Tong-Hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Aya Batrawy and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Nicole Winfield in Rome; Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy; Gene Johnson in Seattle; Olga Rodriguez in San Francisco; and Mohammed Daraghmeh in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Democratic presidential primary candidate Bernie Sanders added a campaign stop at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sunday, just days before Michiganders head to the polls for the March 10 primary.

The rally will take place on the Diag at the University of Michigan at 6 p.m., with admittance starting at 4:30 p.m. Its hosted by Students for Bernie, and its free and open to the public.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online here. Entrance will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to information provided by the campaign, and parking will be limited. The campaign is urging attendees to walk, bike, or use public transportation or ride share apps.

The Ann Arbor event joins two others he will host in Michigan this weekend:

A Detroit event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday from TCF Center, with doors opening at 5 p.m.

A Grand Rapids event is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday in Calder Plaza, located at 351 Ottawa Ave. NW. Doors open to the public at 11 a.m.

Related: Bernie Sanders plans rallies in Detroit, Grand Rapids before Michigan Democratic primary

The Democratic presidential primary contest has largely shaped up to be a contest between Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is coming to Michigan on Monday.

Related: Bidens Super Tuesday victory sets up two-man race with Sanders for Michigan Democratic primary

Sanders, a progressive candidate, won Michigans presidential primary in 2016 and consistently polls well among young people.

Biden recently locked in the endorsement and campaign help of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who handily won her Michigan gubernatorial race in 2018 and has a rising national profile.

The Michigan primary is March 10.
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Linkedin Yuen Sin (The Straits Times/Asia News Network)  Fri, March 6, 2020 10:25 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068b949b 2 News travel,Singapore,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,foreign-tourists,tourism,coronavirus Free

Travelers to Singapore who have a fever or display signs of respiratory illness may need to undergo a nasal swab test for the coronavirus at all air, land and sea checkpoints, even if they do not meet the clinical definition of being suspect cases.

The samples - one from each nostril - will be couriered to the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) laboratory at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station as soon as they have been collected.

The lab, which will be staffed round the clock by a team of about 20 scientists, will test the sample. It can test up to 200 samples a day.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs gave reporters a look at how new precautionary testing measures, which have been deployed at all checkpoints, will be implemented. They will apply to those entering Singapore, but not those who are transiting here.

When they arrive, travelers go through a temperature screening area, which is manned by healthcare assistants. Such screening areas have been progressively set up since January.

Those who have a fever or other symptoms of respiratory illness will be referred to a health screening station at the checkpoints, where they will be assessed by nurses or a doctor, and they may be asked about their travel history.

Anyone considered a clinical suspect - suffering from pneumonia or severe respiratory infection with breathlessness who has visited areas severely hit by the virus over the past 14 days before the onset of symptoms - will be referred to a hospital.

Read also: Infected passenger flew on Singapore Airlines from Milan to Singapore

Even those not considered clinical suspect cases may be asked to undergo a Covid-19 swab test.

Once the swab test has been completed, the traveler can immediately carry on with his journey but is advised to minimize contact with others. He will be required to leave his contact details and will be informed of his test results. Those with positive results will be sent to hospital in an ambulance.

A Ministry of Health spokesman said that if someone leaves Singapore before receiving positive test results, MOH will obtain information on where he has traveled to.

"As per World Health Organization regulations, MOH is obliged to inform relevant counterparts in other countries, who will commence contact tracing according to their jurisdiction."

The Covid-19 test kit deployed at all checkpoints is the result of a collaboration between HTX and Veredus Laboratories, a Singapore-based biotech firm, HTX said.

Development of the test kit started in January and was completed in about three weeks, said Ms May Ong, director of HTX's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Center of Expertise. It has an accuracy of more than 99 per cent, and is able to test for a result in three hours.

"This kit has a different technological platform as compared with what is typically used in hospitals. This is meant to be a rapid screening process, as the responsibility of my team is to safeguard the border... so, we will typically use a faster method," said Ms Ong.

Other Covid-19 tests in hospitals may take six to 10 hours. This is because hospitals test not just for the presence of the virus, but also its severity.

As of noon on Thursday, the HTX lab had conducted one test since the new measure kicked in on Wednesday night. It was not able to share details of the test results.

A new ban on the entry or transit in Singapore of travelers who have been to northern Italy, South Korea and Iran also kicked in at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, entry had been refused to one traveler with recent travel history to South Korea and two travelers with recent travel history to northern Italy.

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This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
The on Friday extended till March 16 protection from arrest granted to civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Bhima Koregaon case.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee said it would hear on March 16 the appeals filed by Navlakha and Teltumbde against the last month's order of the Bombay High Court rejecting their anticipatory bail pleas.

The high court, while denying the anticipatory bail to Navlakha and Teltumbde from February 14, had extended the interim protection from arrest for a period of four weeks to enable them to approach the apex court.

Appearing for the activists, advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi informed the bench that protection granted to both of them by the high court would expire on March 14 and the top court should extend it.




At the Ynet studios on Feb. 27, a week before elections in Israel, Joint List Chairman Ayman Odeh found himself in a heated discussion with Culture Minister Miri Regev over the Likud campaigns attempt to delegitimize the countrys Arab Knesset members. Amid the hurled accusations, Odeh told her, You [the Likud] wont remain in power, and that will be because of the Joint List. Youre all corrupt! Were sick of you!

With the votes now tallied, it looks like Odeh might be vindicated. The Joint List won 15 seats, while the right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc walked away with 58 seats, three short of the 61 needed for a majority. In other words, for the moment, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have enough seats to form a government that could extricate him from his impending trial on corruption charges.

When it was determined that the Blue and White, Labor-Gesher-Meretz, Yisrael Beitenu and the Joint List held 62 seats among them, compared to Netanyahus 58, an old channel of communication between Ofer Shelah (Blue and White) and Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) suddenly sprung to life. The Joint List had been furious at Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for saying that he would only form a government with a Jewish majority. Suddenly, a new initiative by the Joint List to bring down Netanyahu superceded all else.

On the morning of March 4, Tibi lobbed a grenade that sent shockwaves through the prime ministers residence on Balfour Street, terrorizing its occupants. A prime minister who has been indicted for bribery would be obliged to resign in any normal country, Tibi said to the press. If he refuses to resign and a law is brought before the Knesset to prevent a prime minister under indictment for serious crimes from serving, we will examine it closely and consider supporting it. Meanwhile, at the same time Shelah was giving an interview at Ynet studios in which he said that such a law seemed appropriate to him.

Al-Monitor has since learned that neither event was spontaneous or coincidental. It was all planned in advance to bring a close to Netanyahus time in office. The question of Yisrael Beitenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman and what he might do remained, but that was resolved beyond a shadow of a doubt the next day. According to a March 5 statement from Yisrael Beitenu, the party planned to advance two new pieces of legislation. The first would limit any prime minister from serving more than two terms, and the second would forbid an indicted member of Knesset from forming a government.

All of this caused Netanyahu to take his foot off the brakes. As I wrote in Al-Monitor on March 3, Netanyahu's strategy during the election campaign was to avoid upsetting Arab voters, so as not to provide them added incentive to head to the polling stations in droves. While he attacked the members of the Arab Joint List with one hand, he made conciliatory gestures to the Arab population with the other. He even went so far as to make the ridiculous claim that he considers them to be full citizens with equal rights. For obvious reasons, they werent buying it.

When Netanyahu learned that the Joint List had joined forces with his other political rivals in a maneuver targeting him, he returned to form. The nations decision is clear, he said. The right-wing Zionist camp has 58 seats, while the left-wing Zionist camp and Liberman have 47 seats. The Joint List, which disparages IDF troops and opposes the state, doesnt count. In other words, according to him, Israel does not take the votes of non-Jewish voters into consideration.

With one sentence, Netanyahu jettisoned his efforts to ingratiate himself with Arab voters, revealing his efforts for what they truly were and challenging the Arabs' legitimate rights as citizens to vote and have an impact. It should be noted, however, that while it is certainly possible to be angry at Netanyahu and consider him a racist agitator  a title he has borne proudly over the years as attested by his own words and deeds  the miserable use of the term Jewish majority can be attributed to Blue and White leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, who used it during the campaign.

Netanyahus comments lit a fire under the Joint List and also served to bring them closer to Gantz yet again. Netanyahu, let me teach you what democracy is, Odeh said in an interview with Channel 12. It is the rule of the majority, not just the Jewish majority. Pack up your things. Youre on your way home. Tibi adopted a cynical tone. Why take it step by step? he tweeted. Bibi [Netanyahu] can just pass a law denying Arabs the vote. Oh, I forgot! He doesnt have a majority.

Netanyahu has led the Joint List to abandon all its red lines. It now appears that achieving the objective of ridding Israeli politics of Netanyahu and defending the basic civil rights of Israels Arab citizens makes it acceptable for them to forge new alliances, even with Liberman. Yes, the very same Liberman whom they had vetoed for supporting the transfer of Arab Israelis and whom they once said should never be deemed acceptable.

In a conversation with Al-Monitor, Tibi confirmed that the Joint List would support an amendment to the law barring any Knesset member indicted for serious crimes from being tasked with forming a government. He also said that separate proposals would be submitted  one by the Joint List, one by Yisrael Beitenu. Knesset member Osama Saadi (Taal) has drafted the Joint List's bill.

There is still, however, a long way to go and obstacles to get past before approving the Netanyahu Law or a law limiting a prime minister to two terms. One hurdle includes the formation of new Knesset committees. It is also likely that the Knesset speaker, Yuli Edelstein (Likud), will need to be replaced to prevent him from introducing more obstacles and difficulties along the way.

Nevertheless, one thing is clear: The return of Arab voters to the ballot box and their participation in the political process can produce results. The voting rate in Arab and Druze towns and villages was equal to that of the Jewish population. In some towns, among them Umm al-Fahm and Taibeh, the Joint List won 98% of the vote. During the campaign, Netanyahu had tried, but failed, to drive a wedge between Arab citizens and Arab Knesset members. Instead, these citizens gave a resounding vote of confidence to their representatives. It was certainly a lot more resounding than the Jewish publics support for Netanyahu.

Netanyahus assertion that the seats won by the Joint List dont count is ridiculous. It's like saying that all the ballots cast in Arab towns and villages have no value whatsoever. That's what will make the Joint Lists revenge so sweet. It may not happen right away, but there will certainly be many discussions and debates among the partners of the loosely aligned collection of parties. Still, the fact that they can scare Netanyahu as they have must give them great satisfaction.
On March 4, Hong Kong authorities confirmed that a dog contracted COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The Pomeranian had tested weak positive last week, attributed to simple surface contamination, but further testing has now revealed the dog is infected.

This is the first reported case of a human transmitting the virus to an animalthe pets owner has COVID-19but were still talking about low levels of infection, according to the South China Morning Post . Additionally, the dog is not showing any symptoms of the illness.

The concern is still focused on human-to-human transmission, but out of an abundance of caution pet owners should take steps to protect their pets from this virus, says Michael San Filippo, MS, senior media relations specialist at the American Veterinary Medical Association.

This includes practicing good hygiene and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer after interaction with animals. Dr. Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP, an associate veterinarian at Meyerland Animal Clinic in Houston, cautioned that masks do very little to contain germs over an animals snout.

Use good sense, too: If you dont know the animal, you dont know what it may have been exposed to, so dont let it kiss or lick your face.

On RenewHouston.com: Can your pet get the coronavirus?

If you have COVID-19, avoid contact with pets and other animals, the same as you would with other humans. If you have a pet yourself, get someone who is not infected with the virus to care for it.

Those infected with COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food, said San Filippo.

Its unclear if an animal can transmit COVID-19 to a human, even though we now know the opposite is possible. When reached for comment, a spokesperson at the World Health Organization said they were working closely with the International Organisation for Animal Health, and pointed to their most updated information on the issue.

Currently there is no evidence that companion animals such as dogs and cats have infected humans with COVID-19 virus, said the notice.

It also added that little is known about [animals] susceptibility to the virus and advises people to exercise caution and limit contact until more is known about the virus and how it affects pets.

[There are] many unknowns at this point, said San Filippo. Were hoping to learn more in the coming days.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus has come to the Houston area. Heres what we know so far.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi Bodi in the Western North Region, Mr Sampson Ahi has said the Minority Members of Parliament (MP) will resist the proposal to ban mobile phone use in the Chamber of Parliament.



To him, MPs were not "school children" for the Majority Leader to be imposing his wishes on them.



The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, on Thursday announced on the floor that MPs will soon be banned from using mobile phones during proceedings in the Chamber,



He said the ban will take effect once the legislative body adopts and accepts the reviewed Standing Orders."



But responding to the proposal in an interaction with journalists, Mr Ahi said they will resist it.



"...we'll not accept that, we'll resist that. He [Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu] cannot impose his wishes on us, we are not school children," Mr Ahi said.



He maintained that if it is incorporated in the new Standing Orders, "it will be voted down."



To Mr Ahi, the Majority Leader, who was spearheading the proposal himself was a culprit of receiving mobile phone calls in the Chamber whilst proceedings are ongoing.



He argued that the noise that comes with even heckling on the floor of Parliament cannot be compared to making phone calls in the Chamber.



"Have you ever seen a Member of Parliament receiving a call in the Chamber and then speaking out of his voice as against heckling on the floor. I'm not sure what he [Majority Leader] is talking about is anything to be considered," he said.



Graphic Online's Nana Konadu Agyeman reported from Parliament that the Majority Leader, who was responding to questions raised by some MPs about matters related to Parliamentary proceedings on Thursday?, recalled how a popular television station showed the manner legislators fidgeted with their phones when serious business was taking place on the floor of the House.



Mr Speaker, I believe the House must make a determination of this and let me emphasize, that it is the reason why it is being proposed that the next Parliament, in fact, once we accept and adopt the reviewed Standing Orders, no Member of Parliament will be allowed to bring a cell phone into this Chamber, he said.



We need to demonstrate seriousness



We need to demonstrate seriousness in this House. When the President of the Republic is talking, Members of Parliament are fidgeting with their phones.



When the Minister responsible for Finance comes here, members are fidgeting with their phones. When questions are asked and ministers are providing answers, members are fidgeting with their phones.



It does not tell a good story about us. Mr Speaker, let us be honest with ourselves, he stated.



There should be order



The Majority Leader told the House that the Parliament of Ghana was not the only Parliament in the world.



He explained that there were established Parliaments in the world where legislators were not allowed to go to Parliament with their cell phones.



That should be the order. Mr Speaker, we shall apply this religiously once we adopt these Standing Orders, he emphasised.

Source: Graphic.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
Mohammed Faisal Ubaid, 44, was sentenced to 14 years and two months in prison for the manslaughter of John Rimmer. (Greater Manchester Police)

A drug dealer who relentlessly intimidated, bullied and attacked a man before killing him has been jailed.

Greater Manchester Police said John Rimmer, 54, died on 6 September two days after suffering a severe head injury, after his "battered body" was dropped outside Rochdale Infirmary.

Mohammed Faisal Ubaid, 44, was sentenced to 14 years and two months in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday.

Ubaid, of Denver Road, Rochdale, had earlier pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Rimmer plus an additional charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

CCTV footage of John Rimmer's last ever movements and encounter with Ubaid on September 3, 2019 (Greater Manchester Police)

Police said CCTV footage taken from a camera outside Ubaid's house showed him repeatedly pointing a finger at Mr Rimmer in "an angry and accusing way".

The footage showed Mr Rimmer entering Ubaid's house.

Read more: Heartbreaking photos of elderly couple separated due to coronavirus quarantine

Hours later, the mans "unconscious and unresponsive" body was carried to a car by one of Ubaid's friends.

Ubaid was arrested on suspicion of murder on 12 September, after forensic officers found blood-stains matching Mr Rimmers DNA on Ubaids trainers.

(Greater Manchester Police)

Witnesses also told police that Rimmer had been physically attacked by Ubaid before.

It was alleged in court that Ubaid had employed Mr Rimmer to deliver class A drugs on his behalf.

Read more: Child at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital tests positive for Covid-19

Text messages from the mobile phone of Ubaid to John Rimmer showed they were working together to sell drugs. The language and shorthand used in the text was familiar to police officers trained specifically to deal with drug offending.

But detectives worked on the theory that Ubaid believed Mr Rimmer was stealing drugs from him.

Ubaid had earlier pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Rimmer at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. (PA)

Following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: Ubaid's relentless bullying and intimidation of John eventually led to his untimely death and after realising John was seriously injured he got others involved to hide his fatal attack.

Story continues

Read more: Seafood salesman who smuggled 53 million of live eels given suspended sentence

His actions were heartless and brutal, but thankfully CCTV footage of the events leading up to and after the attack significantly helped to put this violent man behind bars.

I would like to thank the community for their support, throughout what has been a difficult investigation - particularly the witnesses who offered to give evidence in court. Without their bravery and courage the defendant would not have pleaded guilty and we are indebted to their courage. 

---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK---
The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has touched 3,042 with 30 new fatalities while the confirmed cases have risen to 80,552 amid signs that the dreaded COVID-19 was stabilising, including in the epicentre Hubei province.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) said that it received reports of 143 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 30 deaths on Thursday on the Chinese mainland.

Among the deaths, 29 were in Hubei Province and one in Hainan Province, NHC said in its daily update of the COVID-19 on Friday.

Meanwhile, 102 new suspected cases were reported taking the 482, it said.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland so far totalled to 80,552 by the end of Thursday. This included 3,042 people who had died of the disease 23,784 patients still being treated and 53,726 patients discharged after recovery, the NHC said.

Also on Thursday, 16 imported cases (those coming from abroad) of novel coronavirus infection were reported on the mainland, including 11 in Gansu Province, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai.

By the end of Thursday, 36 imported cases had been reported, said the commission.

So far 104 confirmed cases including two deaths had been reported in Hong Kong, 10 confirmed cases in Macao, and 44 in Taiwan, including one death.

Forty-six patients in Hong Kong, nine in Macao and 12 in Taiwan had been discharged from hospital after recovery, NHC said.

China's Hubei Province and its capital Wuhan, the epicentres of the novel coronavirus outbreak, reported 126 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 29 deaths on Thursday.

The latest report brought the total confirmed cases in the hard-hit province to 67,592.

While the province and Wuhan continue to report new cases and deaths, local health commission said the situation on the containment of the virus has been further improving.

The daily count of new cured and discharged cases in the province has exceeded the number of new confirmed cases for 15 consecutive days since February 19 Li Yang, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention told media in Wuhan.

Wuhan and the entire Hubei province that has over 50 million population has been kept under lockdown by the Chinese government since January 23.

However, with the situation improving by the end of Tuesday, 22 cities and counties in Hubei had been classified as low-risk, 17 as mid-risk while 37 others remained at high-risk, Li said.

There have been 14,770 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 outside China, with over 267 deaths, state-run People's Daily reported on Friday, citing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In the past 24 hours, 2,098 newly confirmed cases outside China have been reported and five new countries/territories/areas (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gibraltar, Hungary, Slovenia, and occupied Palestinian territory) have reported cases of COVID-19, according to the WHO statistics.

South Korea confirmed 518 more cases of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the total number of infections to 6,284, according to the Yonhap Agency.

Italy reported a total of 107 deaths of COVID-19 and the total number of infections reached 3,858 on Friday.

The novel coronavirus has now claimed 107 lives out of more than 3,513 cases in Iran on Friday.

France reported a total of 7 deaths of COVID-19 and the total number of infections reached 423 on Friday.

The US' death toll from the COVID-19 rose to 12 on Friday. Nationwide, there are 163 confirmed cases.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,552 by the end of Thursday, including 23,784 patients who were still being treated, 53,726 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 3,042 people who had died of the disease.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Age has scooped 11 of 31 categories at the Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism.

A total of 18 journalists, photographers and artists from The Age received the state's most prestigious news media awards at a gala dinner at Crown Palladium on Friday night. The Age had 39 nominations in 21 categories at the Melbourne Press Club-hosted event, the most of any media outlet.

"The Age's awards are a testament to our commitment to quality, exclusive and constructive journalism," said The Age editor Alex Lavelle.

The Age winners were:

HARRY GORDON SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR: Konrad Marshall.
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The global tally of people diagnosed with coronavirus passed 100,000 on Friday, while the number of cases in the UK saw its biggest jump to date.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, confirmed a second person with Covid-19 had now died in Britain, as the number of patients in the country rose to 164  up from 116 the day before. In other developments:

More than 4,000 people have been placed in quarantine across New York state, where 33 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to governor Andrew Cuomo

Italys death toll rose by nearly 50 on Friday to 197, while the number of confirmed cases surpassed 4,000

Boris Johnson announced 46m extra funding for research into developing a coronavirus vaccine, saying he hopes one would be ready to use in around a year

Facebook shut its London offices over coronavirus after an employee tested positive

Two teenagers were arrested over an attack on a Singaporean man in London, during which they allegedly shouted I dont want your coronavirus in my country

At least 3,400 people have died across the world after being infected with Covid-19, figures showed on Friday.

The US saw its death toll rise to 15, after another person who had tested positive for the virus died in Washington  bringing the total number of fatalities in the state up to 12. Donald Trump has signed an $8.3bn (6.4bn) emergency funding bill to combat the disease - but also claimed erroneously that its spread had been "stopped" and that cases were "very few because we have been very strong at the borders".

Two people have now died in the UK who were both suffering from underlying health conditions, according to the health secretary. An elderly man died at Milton Keynes Hospital on Thursday after testing positive, it was announced on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Downing Street said it was accelerating work on the next phase of its response to the virus, saying it was upping efforts to delay its spread. The decision followed warnings from the chief medical officer that it is highly likely that the infection will spread in a significant way, according to a No 10 spokesperson.

Multiple countries announced their first confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Friday, including Colombia, Togo and Serbia.

The Vatican also revealed its first positive diagnosis, saying that a patient was being treated within its walls after attending a three-day conference nearby. Pope Francis  who has cancelled several public events in recent weeks after suffering from a slight cold  tested negative for coronavirus on Tuesday.

The Netherlands reported its first death from the infection on Friday, after a 86-year-old man died at Rotterdam hospital.

The growing number of cases and deaths in new countries came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged nations to make containing the deadly virus their top priority.

The UN agency stressed that slowing down the epidemic allowed hospitals to prepare and saves lives, while warning that there was no evidence that spread would wane as the northern hemisphere gets warmer.

It is a false hope to say yes it will just disappear in summertime, like influenza virus, the executive director of WHOs emergencies programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said. There is no evidence right now to suggest that that will happen.

Some countries announced stricter measures to combat the virus spread, with France saying it would close schools in badly-hit areas for two weeks. The country counted more than 600 cases of coronavirus on Friday, jumping by 190 compared to the day before, according to the head of the public health service, Jerome Salomon.

Meanwhile in Italy  the worst-hit European country  cases soared to 4,636 compared to 3,858 on Thursday. Its death toll rose by 49 to reach 197, according to the Civil Protection Agency.

Chinas Hubei province, where the outbreak started, reported zero new cases over 24 hours for the first time during the outbreak, excluding its capital Wuhan, where the first cases of Covid-19 were reported last year.

Companies also announced infections among their staff, with Facebook shutting its London office for deep-cleaning after an employee was diagnosed with the virus and British Airways saying two baggage handlers had tested positive.

The UN also took action amid Covid-19s spread, saying that key meetings in the run-up to its climate summit in Glasgow would be cancelled.

The number of cases rose to 164 in the UK on the same day that the PM announced extra funding to develop a vaccine to fight the infection, saying he hoped a vaccine could be developed in about a year.

The announcement followed the UKs chief scientific adviser telling BBC Radio 4s Today that he did not believe one will be discovered in time for the current outbreak.

It is not unreasonable to assume that we will end up with a vaccine and we may do so in a year or 18 months, Sir Patrick Vallance said, which is remarkable when you consider just a few years ago it would have taken 20 years to do that.

The UK government has attempted to reassure the public that they will continue to have necessary food and other supplies amid shortage fears driven by Covid-19.

George Eustice, the environment secretary, held talks with supermarket and trade body bosses over food supply contingencies on Friday and said he was reassured retailers were taking all the necessary steps to keep shelves well-stocked.

Meanwhile in the UK, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a Singaporean student, allegedly shouting about coronavirus as they launched their attack.

Additional reporting by agencies
Art Van's operations will be ceasing for good, says an article from Detroit Metro Times. Its humble beginnings include a tiny retail shop on Gratiot Avenue in 1959. Ever since it opened its stores to everyone, it transformed into one of the largest and most well-known furniture sellers in the Midwest.

According to the spokesperson of Art Van Diane Charles, the company had struggled in the retail market. Charles revealed the performance of the company and its operations are not sufficient enough to make the company survive in the competitive market.

The Challenges of the Once Furniture Retail Giant

Over the years, the company had grown from a small furniture retail store to a large furniture retailer. However, the competitive retail environment had caught the company off guard over the past years.

Although challenges are always present in any business, the challenges that caused the decision of Art Van to cease its operations are difficult to resolve.

The evolution of how millennials decide on buying furniture is one of Art Van's major challenges. According to a blogger named Tina Eaton, the increasing popularity of the internet and eCommerce had significantly affected that furniture retail sector. Millennials are already well-adapted to these changes, Eaton added.

The Power of Millennials over the Furniture Retail Industry

Millennials have a buying power of $600 million. However, millennials are not allocating much of that buying power to purchase furniture.

According to furniture designing business BDI Designs, furniture and bedding make up only 4.5% of the total spending of millennials. On the other hand, 7.3% of Gen X's total spending is allocated for purchasing furniture and beddings. Also, Boomers' furniture and bedding make up 10% of their total spending.

Evolution of the Housing Market and Credit Card Usage

Another challenge Art Van has been facing is the evolution of the market for housing needs and the usage of credit cards. After Thomas H. Lee Partner's acquisition in 2017, there were rumors of the business's closure started to surface in the earlier parts of the year.

Art Van Furniture was established by Archie 'Art' Van Elslander, a philanthropist from Detroit. He died in 2018. In the 1970s and 1980s, Art Van experienced fast growth when it piloted its credit card. Regular advertisement changes were also noticed during that time. It was one of the reasons why it performed successfully in the industry.

Van Elslander and Art Van were both known for their charitable involvement inside and outside of Detroit. In 1990, the family assisted in the preservation of the historic Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Van Elslander donated a certain amount of money to allow the parade afloat. He had also matched the contribution given by other organizations. Afterward, the parade was given the name America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van.

Message to their Stakeholders

According to the statement released by the company, they expressed their recognition of Art Van to the retail industry and the community. Also, the company takes pride in the decades of its philanthropic legacies in society.

They relayed their gratitude for the commitment and hard work of their staff. Additionally, they expressed their thanks to their customers, franchises, charities, and other parties they had transacted with.
The San Francisco-bound Grand Princess cruise ship remained a safe distance off the coast of California on Thursday as officials were expected to conduct tests to see if a group of passengers had been infected with the coronavirus.

Helicopters appeared to deliver testing kits in the morning, according to a passenger on the ship and relatives of two others. But the states Department of Public Health on Thursday afternoon declined to confirm the test kits had arrived, instead saying they were scheduled to be delivered by mid-morning.

Testing on the ship was expected to take several hours before kits could be taken to a lab in Richmond, according to the Department of Public Health.

Those being tested included passengers who remained on board after a prior trip the ship took to Mexico in February, which included an elderly man who died Wednesday in Placer County after testing positive for coronavirus. He likely got the infection on the ship, officials said, and some crew members have experienced influenza-like illness symptoms.

Princess officials said no passengers would be allowed to come back to shore until test results are received. Guests who were being tested were told to stay in their rooms.

Neil Kran, a 69-year-old Sausalito resident, said he had been relaxing aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship with his wife for days until a piece of paper was slipped beneath their door Wednesday morning, informing them the ship would skip its last stop because of the Placer County mans death.

The mood of people weve talked to is just kind of somber, Kran said. Were caught up and theres not much we can do about it.

Lisa Egan, whose 90-year-old father Cliff, from the East Bay, was aboard the cruise with friends, said passengers have not received any updates since Wednesday.

They are in hurry-up-and-wait mode, Egan said.

A company spokeswoman said the cruise ship was unanchored Thursday afternoon and positioned off the coast of San Francisco outside of California waters.

Passengers and crew members were nervous about exposure to the virus, Kran said. Fewer than 100 passengers were asked to self-quarantine in their rooms, either because they were on the cruise to Mexico or had flu-like symptoms, according to company officials.

The ships captain canceled large events scheduled for Thursday, but most passengers were not restricted to their rooms, Kran said. Some passengers were wandering in common areas, eating meals in the dining room, drinking at the bar and gambling in the casino.

Crew members were often seen cleaning surfaces such as handrails, doorknobs and hallways, Kran said. Guests have been forbidden from serving themselves at the buffet  instead, crew members have passed out food and drinks in the dining hall. Guests were being encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer.

I think they did as much as they possible from a sanitation standpoint, Kran said.

However, anxiety remained high for those on the ship as well as relatives and friends back home.

Egan said her father had packed essential medications to get him through Saturday, when the trip was scheduled to end, but she worried about what could happen if the ship couldnt dock by then.

I am unbelievably stressed out about this, Egan said. Its the lack of information and wondering where they are going to end up. ... Is this going to be another Diamond cruise situation?

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Another Princess Cruises ship  the Diamond Princess  had a large outbreak of coronavirus last month off the coast of Japan. More than 700 people were infected out of about 4,000 passengers and staff who were on board at the time. Six people died in that outbreak.

Egan and Kran, in separate interviews, questioned government officials decision to keep the ship away from its port in San Francisco. Company officials said in their original statement that the ship would dock Thursday.

Theyre really risking the lives of people who may already be sick, and at the same time ... the rest of us on board may be exposed to anyone who may be carrying the virus, Kran said.

Crew members he had spoken with were very concerned about potential exposure to the virus.

Kran, who has taken roughly 20 cruises, said he was not worried about boarding the Grand Princess despite the recent outbreak. Each passenger was asked to fill out a brief survey about sickness and travel history during the boarding process.

I was kind of surprised there wasnt any kind of more rigorous screening process, Kran said. They didnt take peoples temperatures or anything like that.

Kran and his wife have received frantic messages from friends and family asking if they are on the cruise that has dominated news headlines.

Youre not on the Grand Princess, are you? one friend asked.

Indeed, we are, they answered.

Alejandro Serrano and Anna Bauman are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: alejandro.serrano@sfchronicle.com, anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @serrano_alej @abauman2
Egypt's health ministry has reportedly confirmed on March 6 that it has detected 12 novel coronavirus cases on Nile cruise boat heading to the southern city of Luxor from Aswan. Egypt has recorded Africa's first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) on February 14, according to the international media reports. The health ministry reportedly said that the person affected was a foreigner.

READ: Egypt Announces First Confirmed Coronavirus Case, Says Patient Is Foreigner

Egypt says that it detected 12 new #Coronavirus cases on Nile cruise boat: AFP news agency  ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

WHO asks to take precautionary measures

The nationality of the patients was not disclosed but had been identified on the based on travel patterns. According to the international media reports, the health ministry of Egypt said in a statement that the World Health Organization (WHO) had been informed about the newly detected case and the government has taken all necessary preventative measures to curb the further spread of the COVID-19 disease through the transmission. It also said that the person carrying the virus had not shown any serious symptoms and was in a stable condition.

READ: China: Taxi Drivers Use Unique Technique To Protect Themselves From Coronavirus

Egypt prepared to contain the virus

Egyptian Minister of Health, Hala Zayed, had reportedly said that Egypt is prepared to confront the coronavirus. Hala had reportedly declared that the ministry will launch massive campaigns against Chinese restaurants in Egypt as a preventive measure. She further added that the governors were tasked to impose strict controls on Chinese restaurants, in order to prevent the epidemic.

Assistant Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine Alaa Eid had reportedly said that Egypt is one of the first countries to have prepared a comprehensive strategy to fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus. She further stated that Health Minister Hala Zayed held meetings with officials from the ministry immediately after the first statement from the World Health Organization about the virus. John Gabor, the WHO representative in Egypt, had earlier said that he had no doubts that Egypt was fully prepared to tackle the new coronavirus. He said that it was necessary to follow preventive measures to confront all viruses, especially the new outbreak.

READ: Amid Coronavirus Scare, Army Directs Military Hospitals To Set Up Isolation Wards, OPDs

READ: Serbia Confirms First Case Of Coronavirus As Global Count Crosses One Lakh
Al Jazeera meets specialist Iraqi forces who are hunting down remaining ISIL members in Mosul.

The recent crisis between Washington and Tehran could have a long-term impact on neighbouring Iraq, where efforts to root out remaining ISIL fighters are ongoing.

Iraqi security forces are continuing the fight on their own, without valuable air support.

Al Jazeeras Simona Foltyn reports from Nineveh province, where she met with SWAT team members who have been searching for ISIL fighters in Mosul.
Juan Manuel Gonzalez was looking for parking on a sunny, quiet street in Upper Manhattan when the sound of three gunshots startled him.

Mr. Gonzalez abandoned his car at the corner of West 163rd Street and Edgecombe Avenue in the Washington Heights neighborhood and found himself caught up in chaos. He saw a man on a sidewalk with severe wounds to his face, he said. A woman was hovering over him. She started yelling.

She was running up and down the street saying, They shot him! They shot him! Mr. Gonzalez said. The shot appeared to have come from a window, he said.

Police officers, some in combat gear with assault rifles, swarmed onto the block. A helicopter roared in the sky. A police officer who was helping the wounded man screamed at his fellow officers and stunned civilians to look for cover, Mr. Gonzalez said.
Three researchers from Dalhousie University, including the Faculty of Health's Dr. Jeanna Parsons Leigh, have received a total of $1.9 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as part of a Novel Coronavirus Rapid Research Funding Opportunity.

The rapid response research funding opportunity is aligned with the efforts of international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R). Its specific objectives are to:



Contribute to the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Enhance local, national and/or international collaborative efforts to mitigate the rapid spread of COVID-2019 and its potential negative consequences

Strengthen the understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and communities

Provide evidence to inform clinical and public health response, and/or decision-making and planning at national and international levels.

Dr. Jeanna Parsons Leigh (Faculty of Health - pictured below), Dr. David Kelvin (Faculty of Medicine), and Dr. Scott Halperin (Faculty of Medicine) will be studying new diagnostic tools for early case detection and surveillance; the socio-cultural implications of COVID-19; and the effects of public health outbreak control policies.

We are very proud to have three remarkable researchers play a key role in the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak, says Dr. Alice Aiken, Vice President Research and Innovation at Dalhousie University. For Dr. Kelvin, Dr. Parsons Leigh, and Dr. Halperin to be recognized in this way is evidence of the significant impact their scientific and innovative thinking is having on their field.

The funding was announced today (Friday, March 6) by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canadas Minister of Health, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canadas Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. In total, $27 million was invested in 47 research teams across Canada.

The work of Dr. Parsons Leigh will be instrumental in identifying knowledge gaps and health behaviours of Canadians, and subsequently creating an evidence- informed plan to inform our national and international community in how to effectively prepare for and respond to COVID-19, says Dr. Brenda Merritt, Dean of the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University. This work will enhance the health literacy of our citizens and enable effective heath decisions and behaviours during the spread of COVID- 19.

The success of our faculty members to secure funding that will contribute to the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrates the calibre of researchers that the Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University is able to attract and retain, says Dr. David Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.

Highlights of successfully funded projects:

Dr. Jeanna Parsons Leigh: Socio-Cultural Implications of COVID-19: Educating, Engaging and Empowering the Public

Infectious disease outbreaks pose a severe threat to the physical and mental health of individuals and populations worldwide. A better understanding of the social and cultural factors that contribute to public knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 is needed to develop evidence-informed strategies to combat misinformation, stigma and fear.



Dr. Parsons Leigh will develop a national knowledge translation (KT) campaign that is centered on understanding and describing the knowledge base, perceptions and associated implications of the COVID-19 outbreak for the Canadian public to develop targeted interventions to close top identified public knowledge gaps. The ultimate goal of her work is to educate, engage and empower members of the public to be informed stewards of their health knowledge in relation to the current outbreak.

Dr. David Kelvin: Identification of biomarkers that predict severity of COVID-19 patients

One of the major concerns with outbreaks like COVID-19 is the overwhelmed emergency rooms, hospitals and ICU wards. Dr. Kelvins goal is to create a device that can be used in any situation and help Emergency Room doctors rapidly determine whether the course of the disease will be mild or severe.

The work will be conducted through the Canadian COVID-19 Research Network, which includes researchers from China, Vietnam, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cote DIvoire, Mozambique, the U.S. and Canada. This international team will conduct studies for biomarkers and gene expression assessment of COVID-19 patients. The data from these screenings will be used to determine which biomolecules are associated with mild, severe and critically ill patients.

Dr. Scott Halperin: Understanding the effects of public health outbreak control policies and implementation on individuals and communities: A path to improving COVID-19 policy effectiveness

While public health policies are required to control an infectious disease outbreak, these policies can adversely affect individuals and communities. Quarantine, limitations in movement and public gathering, and other restrictive measures can put a social and economic burden on individuals, which may be disproportionate depending on their socioeconomic status and other factors.

Dr. Scott Halperins project will examine the cultural dimensions of the COVID-19 epidemic. This will include examining how individuals and communities understand and react to the disease; studying the response of public health; and exploring how public health policy affects individuals and communities.

The findings from this multi-province, multi-country study in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia), Bangladesh, and China (Guangdong) will be used to improve the process by which public health policies are created and implemented.

For more information about the rapid response research funding opportunity, visit the CIHR website.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar face reporters after they returned from a coronavirus briefing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Vaccine Research Center, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria / Reuters

As President Donald Trump contines to share disinformation on coronavirus, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is urging the commander-in-chief to listen to the science.

"I listen to the scientists when it comes to the numbers, and I would encourage the president if he's going to report things to make sure the science is behind what he's saying," Graham said Thursday.

This came after Trump told Fox News he had a "hunch" the death rate from the novel coronavirus was lower than what the World Health Organization has reported.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on Thursday encouraged President Donald Trump to ensure that the science is behind any statements he makes about it

"I listen to the scientists when it comes to the numbers, and I would encourage the president if he's going to report things to make sure the science is behind what he's saying," Graham, who is often one of Trump's fiercest defenders in Congress, told reporters.

This came as Trump has shared a slew of disinformation on COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, including during a Wednesday night interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

During the Hannity interview, Trump challenged the World Health Organization's numbers on the death rate from coronavirus.

The global death rate for the novel coronavirus is 3.4%, according to the latest figures.

But Trump told Hannity he has a "hunch" that it's lower.

"Well, I think the 3.4% is really a false number," Trump said. "Now, this is just my hunch, but based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people who do this, because a lot of people will have this and it's very mild. They'll get better very rapidly. They don't even see a doctor."

The novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed more than 3,300 people and infected nearly 97,000. There have been at least 11 deaths from coronavirus in the US.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It is hard to say why Mr. Sanders has faltered among these voters, given the consistency of his message and his improved name recognition. One possibility is that many of his 2016 supporters were casting protest votes against Hillary Clinton. Another possibility is that many former supporters of Mr. Sanders ultimately backed the president and are now lost to the Democrats.

Whatever the cause, Mr. Sanders has often made up for losses in white, working-class areas this year with gains among Latino voters and white voters who live in left-liberal areas. In a sense, he has traded strength in states like Maine and Minnesota for strength in California. This is a bad trade in Michigan, where Latino voters make up only a sliver of the Democratic electorate. It may be an even worse trade in Michigan than it was in Minnesota or Maine, since there are relatively few overwhelmingly Democratic left-liberal enclaves akin to Minneapolis or Portland, Maine. Only Ann Arbor and Lansing fall into a similar category.

There are few obvious opportunities for Mr. Sanders to make up ground in Michigan. It has an above-average black population, and Mr. Biden will most likely win black voters by a comfortable margin, even if a more modest one than in the South. The suburbs around Detroit are not likely to be particularly favorable for Mr. Sanders, either. He lost suburban Oakland and Macomb Counties in 2016, and he has consistently struggled in affluent suburbs this cycle.

One area where Mr. Sanders might hope to rekindle his old magic is in Western Michigan, where he defeated Mrs. Clinton by a wide margin in metropolitan Grand Rapids. But this region is probably not populous enough to carry Mr. Sanders to victory on its own. Mr. Biden might also excel among more moderate voters who chose to participate in the more competitive 2016 Republican primary last time, but might now vote in the Democratic race.

The rest of the states voting Tuesday offer few obvious opportunities for Mr. Sanders to turn around the race. Yes, there are Washington and Idaho, two states with liberal Democratic voters similar to those in California, Utah and Colorado, where Mr. Sanders won on Super Tuesday.

But even big wins in these two states may not impress. They wont be surprises, for one thing, given his record of success in the region. Mr. Sanders is also highly likely to underperform his 50-point wins there from 2016. This is not a fair comparison for Mr. Sanders  these were caucus states four years ago, a format he excelled in, and they are now holding primaries  but it may not stop the comparison from being made.

Mr. Biden will have strong states of his own Tuesday. Mississippi could be Mr. Bidens strongest state in the country, as it was for Mrs. Clinton in 2016, because black voters there make up a larger share of the electorate than in any other state. Missouri poses a Michigan-like challenge for Mr. Sanders, but here the more conservative white vote would seem to offer even fewer opportunities for Mr. Sanders.

Without a decisive shift to Mr. Sanders on Tuesday, Mr. Biden could keep his momentum rolling into the next wave of states on March 17: Florida, Illinois, Arizona and Ohio. After Georgia votes a week later, 64 percent of all the delegates to the Democratic National Convention will have been awarded. If Mr. Biden fares as well in these states as he did in demographically similar areas on Super Tuesday, he will probably claim a delegate lead that is impossible to reverse.
NEW HAVEN  As reports come in about cracks in the coronavirus screening process at American airports, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. is demanding answers.

He will ask the U.S. State Department today for a report on the matter, he said after in a press conference in New Haven on Friday.

In light of growing concerns about COVID-19, airport officials are supposed to be screening travelers arriving from countries such as South Korea and Italy, where the virus has spread widely, for symptoms, Blumenthal said. They are also supposed to ask whether travelers have had known contact with infected persons, according to the senator.

Blumenthal had assumed those measures were ongoing, he said, but recent reports of people leaving airports without being screened has sparked concern.

Sydney Reynolds, a graduate student at Quinnipiac University, flew back to Connecticut from Rome Monday, spurred by the spread of the coronavirus, but said Wednesday, that she was not checked for the virus at John F. Kennedy airport or in Rome and shared her concerns that the American public is being misinformed or confused about the level of screening that is going on.

Also, Makenna Wollmann, a junior at SCSU, who returned early from a study abroad program in Milan, said this week, They took our temperatures before getting on the plane (in Italy) and anybody whose temperature was above a certain range was put to the side for additional testing. If you had a normal temperature, you were put on a plane.

When I got to United States customs it was like normal, Wollmann said. I said I was coming from Milan and the officer who looked over my passport just said, Oh, cool.

Though Blumenthal said airports need more training and personnel to handle the screening, he also said representatives dont yet have enough information to paint a full picture of the issue.

To be very blunt, were getting anecdotal information and dont have reliable information about whats happening with screening right now, he said during Fridays press conference.

The senator is also pushing for the government to expand access to COVID-19 testing, he said, adding that most states - including Connecticut - have limited ability to test patients.

The senators delegation is writing to the CDC in support of Governor Ned Lamonts request for more testing, Blumenthal said.

Right now, COVID-19 tests are only available for individuals who are in certain high-risk groups and show symptoms, said Maritza Bond, New Havens director of public health. Tests are vital to addressing COVID-19, especially as those who have contracted the virus dont always show symptoms, Blumenthal said.

To some degree, the situation has improved, according to Bond, who said the state now has the resources to do its own testing on residents, rather than relying on CDC tests.

The Trump administration has promised to provide 1 million tests.

They need to put their money where their mouth is, Blumenthal said.

The $8.3 billion package intended to fight the outbreak, signed by the president Friday morning, allocates $3 billion to research, including diagnostics, Blumenthal said. He emphasized that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle supported the package.

That bipartisanship should be celebrated at this moment in history, the senator said.

Blumenthal delivered one more message for Connecticut residents Friday: he urged workers to stay home if they get sick, and he urged employers to do the right thing and provide paid sick leave to those workers, even if its not required by contract.

One quarter of American workers have no paid sick leave, according to Blumenthal.

That is potentially disastrous, he said. Suggesting people should go to work if they are sick is lunacy.

Encouraging sick employees to stay home will benefit businesses in the long-run by preventing the spread of disease, Blumenthal said.
Two presumed cases of coronavirus have been identified in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday morning.

The results have not yet been verified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Secretary Rachel Levine didnt give details concerning the two possibly infected adults, citing confidentiality.

According to a news release from the state health department, both people presumed to have the virus are adults. One is from Wayne County and recently traveled to a country where the virus is present. The other is from Delaware County and recently traveled to a place in the U.S. where the virus is present.

They are both at home. They are in isolation, are in quarantine, Levine said in a news conference.

Others who may have had contact with the pair might have to be quarantined as well, Levine said.

Central Bucks County School District announced this morning that it was closing five schools today for a deep cleaning after they learned that an individual who had a presence in the schools tested positive for coronavirus. That situation was unrelated to the two presumed positive tests announced by Wolf Friday.

The Bucks County Courier Times reports the schools being closed are in the Central Bucks County School District: Butler Elementary, Central Bucks South, Titus Elementary, Tohickon Middle School and Tamanend Middle School.

School officials explained the measure is being taken out of an abundance of caution and it affects all students and staff.

The closure comes after school officials said they were alerted that individuals in the district were exposed to a confirmed case of the coronavirus. Officials did not elaborate on who in the district was exposed or how.

The Courier Times reports that as of early Friday, parents in other Central Bucks School district schools were keeping their children home as a precaution, as many siblings attend schools who are not among those closing, one parent said.

District officials said parents should check the CBSD.org website for updates.

We encourage people to prepare for potential life disruptions, the same family emergency plans and kits that we use to prepare for flu or norovirus and even snowstorms and floods are important now, Levine said in a news release.

That discovery means Pennsylvanians must take precautions, Wolf said at the news conference.

We have to control the spread of this disease by what we do in our daily lives, Wolf said. If you feel sick, stay home.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to kill any infection, he urged.

I can assure you our state government will continue to function smoothly as we deal with this health crisis, Wolf said.

We are prepared to handle a situation just like this one, Levine said. We are in full incident command.
Real Madrid's victory in the Clasico gave them a one-point lead that might mean little in La Liga's error-strewn title race but whether it causes a decisive shift in momentum will be easier to read after this weekend.

Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Saturday, an awkward fixture against a team that have won their last six consecutive matches and will still be flying high on the back of beating Mirandes on Wednesday to reach a first Copa del Rey final in 32 years.

If Barca need to respond, Real Madrid have to prove their win at the Santiago Bernabeu can be the start of something more sustained, by overcoming Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday.

By the time they kick off in Seville, Madrid could be back lying in second and with the heat back on, as long as Barcelona avoid another setback amid a chaotic few months and a trying 10 days.

Their 1-1 draw away at Napoli in the Champions League a fortnight ago was a decent result and sets them up nicely to make the quarter-finals later this month, given they are expected to finish the job at home.

But the performance was underwhelming - again slow and ponderous - and concerns only deepened when an encouraging first half against Madrid was followed by capitulation in the second.

With Real Madrid wounded after their own defeat by Manchester City and uncertain after one win in five games, a braver and bolder Barcelona might have landed a knock-out blow. Pique admitted it was an opportunity missed.

"We missed a chance to hurt them," said Pique after the match.

"They didn't give off a good vibe in the first half. Of all the times I've been here it was maybe one of the worst Madrids I've faced."



Instead, Quique Setien's side dithered and their opponents stormed back, as two goals in 21 minutes swung the pendulum of the title race back in Madrid's favour, for a few days at least.

"We've recovered the lead," said Sergio Ramos. "Now we have to see who can keep it up."



- Run-in favours Barca -========================Barcelona have a relatively kind month in which to restore confidence. After Real Sociedad at home, they play away at struggling Mallorca and then at home against Napoli, before facing another relegation battler in Leganes, whose top scorer Martin Braithwaite recently left for Barcelona.

They have the slightly better run-in too, with Sevilla the only side in the top six left to play away from home, even if trips to scrapping Alaves and eighth-placed Villarreal could prove challenging.

Madrid, meanwhile, have a spring in their step but plenty to do to ensure they are not soon playing catch-up. After Betis, they have Eibar at home, four days before the crunch second leg away at Manchester City in the Champions League.

If they cannot pull off a remarkable comeback in Manchester, they will have to pick up the pieces at Mestalla against Valencia and at home to Real Sociedad.

"We have to keep going until the end," said Zidane.

"We are going to have more difficult moments this season and people are going to criticise us again. That's nothing new."



Behind the top two, it seems five teams are fighting for the remaining Champions League places, with Sevilla in third up against Atletico Madrid, in fifth, at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.

In between, Getafe in fourth can capitalise by beating 17th-placed Celta Vigo while Valencia are aiming for a revival themselves after beating Betis last weekend for their first win in six. They play Alaves away on Friday night.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTheryX, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company harnessing the power of protein modulation to treat difficult diseases, today announced the appointment of Professor Yinon Ben-Neriah, M.D., Ph.D., to its distinguished Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of key opinion leaders in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, immunology and oncology. Dr. BenNeriah is Professor of Immunology and Cancer Research at the Lautenberg Center of Immunology of the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem, Israel.

David Stirling, Ph.D., CEO of BioTheryX stated, "As a company dedicated to the development of novel approaches to protein modulation for targeting numerous diseases, we are fortunate to welcome Dr. BenNeriah to our SAB. He and his research team's discovery of BTX-A51 and its unique mechanism of action, potentially inhibiting several key oncogenic targets simultaneously, eradicating leukemic stem cells, and driving activation of the key tumor suppressing oncogene p53, may be one of the most significant innovations in the past 40 years for AML patients and their families."

Dr. Ben-Neriah said, "I am honored and proud to be joining the SAB of BioTheyrX. Having the privilege of interacting with the entire team for the past 5 years, I must say it is truly a visionary company. I believe they are well on their way to improve human health, and hopefully I will be able to contribute to their vision."

Dr. Ben-Neriah received his M.D. from Tel Aviv University and Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and was a postdoctoral fellow in Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore's lab at the Whitehead Institute-MIT. His research work focuses on signaling pathways regulating innate immunity and inflammation, particularly in the context of cancer. His lab deciphered key steps in the activation of the NFkB and Wnt signaling pathways and studied them in animal models of cancer. Dr. Ben-Neriah is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), a spokesman of the International German Israeli Graduate Student program SignGene, Chair of the advisory board of the BIOSS Excellence Center of Freiburg University (Germany), and Adjunct Professor in Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

In December 2019, Dr. Ben-Neriah was awarded the EMET Prize, also known as 'Israel's Nobel Prize', in the Life Sciences category for his "important scientific contribution to understanding immune signaling processes and decoding abnormal signal transmission mechanisms in cancer cells". In addition to this prestigious honor, Dr. Ben-Neriah has also been awarded the Rappaport Prize, for his biomedical research; Columbia University's Schaefer Research Scholar Award; the Teva Founders Prize, and the Landau Prize.

About BioTheryX

BioTheryX is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on restoring protein homeostasis, including protein degradation and modulation, and multi-kinase inhibition to develop treatments that extend and improve the quality-of-life of patients with life-threatening diseases. Our principal technology platform centers on targeted protein degradation, as well as PHM 'molecular glues' that enable the design of small molecules to regulate protein equilibrium. This technology utilizes the body's own protein disposal system to selectively degrade and remove disease-causing proteins. It has potential applicability to a broad range of diseases, including targets that have to date been considered 'undruggable'.

SOURCE BioTheryX, Inc.

Related Links

http://biotheryx.com


Amid concerns about prejudice related to the coronavirus, which was first detected in December in China, another incident of a Vietnameses art curator asked to withdraw from an art fair is creating much stir. According to reports, a Vietnamese art curator was asked to withdraw from an Art fair in the United Kingdom on the preconception that she would be seen as carrying the virus and her presence on the stand would create hesitation among buyers.

Read: Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft Advise Employees To Work From Home

As per reports, the Vietnamese curator posted a screenshot of an email she received from Raquelle Azran, a dealer and curator specialising in contemporary Vietnamese fine art. The email she received from Azran stated that her assistance at the fair next week has been cancelled as it may create hesitation on the part of the audience to enter the exhibit space. The Vietnamese curator has termed the incident as 'non-violent racism'.

Read: China Thanks PM Modi For His Condolence Letter On Coronavirus Outbreak

As per reports, the organisers of the art fair that is supposed to take place in Battersea, south-west London, said that the email was not sent by them and that they did not support its content. The Affordable Art Fair (AFF), where the event will take place said that they had spoken to Azran's gallery and that they would no longer be exhibiting at the fair next week. The AFF further added that they did not instruct any art gallery to take such actions.

Read: 'No Inappropriate Ads': Twitter Takes Steps To Prevent Misinformation On Coronavirus

Media reports suggested that Azran later apologised for any offence caused by the email and said that it reflected poor judgement on her part to cancel the Vietnamese curator joining her stand as an assistant, Azran also confirmed that she would not be exhibiting at the art fair next week.

Read: UK Lawmakers Fear 100-year Old Parliamentary Palace 'ill-equipped' To Deal With COVID-19

Coronavirus discrimination

The coronavirus outbreak has stoked a wave of anti-Asian sentiment across the globe as just recently a South Korean citizen was punched in the face in the Netherlands by an unknown man who thought he was a Chinese. In France, many Chinese citizens reported cases of ethnic discrimination that they faced while travelling in public transport and elsewhere.

The new coronavirus that is believed to have originated in a local seafood market in Wuhan has claimed more than 3,300 lives across the globe and has infected more than 97,000 people.

Image Credit: AP
Palasa 1978 starring Rakshith and Nakshatra has been leaked online on the infamous piracy site Tamilrockers on the first day of its release itself. Directed by the first time director, Karuna Kumar, the action thriller Palasa 1978 is available for free download as well.

Palasa 1978 is a story based on true characters and social issues set around a small town in Srikakulam district in the late 1970s. It tells the story of a village in Uttarandhra. The film is presented by senior filmmaker Bharadwaja Thammareddy and produced by Dhyan Atluri.

Interestingly, Raghu Kunche is playing a dual role for Palasa 1978 as he will be playing an antagonist and compose music for the film.
It's official: Murray State becomes member of Missouri Valley Conference
The word "socialism" is likely to resonate throughout the 2020 election campaign, regardless of which candidate eventually gets the Democratic Party nomination.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is an avowed Democratic socialist -- and should he secure the nomination, "socialism" would be ever-present in President Donald Trump's messaging, as it has been already in the primary season. If Joe Biden gets the nomination, it's likely that Trump and the Republicans will continue to use the label in their efforts to position the Democrats as a far-left party. As Trump recently said about Biden: "Everyone knows [Biden's] not a communist  but he's definitely a radical-left socialist Democrat, and people know that."

Trump and other Republicans clearly think the term "socialism" is a distinct pejorative that can be used against their opponents to yield a net-positive benefit to Republican election chances. It was no accident that the official theme of this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) -- at which Trump spoke -- was "America vs. socialism." The conference included sessions with titles like "Socialism: Wrecker of Nations and Destroyer of Societies," "Socialism and the Great Awokening" and "Prescription for Failure: The Ills of Socialized Medicine."

Down-ballot GOP candidates will also attempt to use the socialist tag against their opponents. Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas recently released an ad in his Senate reelection campaign displaying images of U.S. servicemen as a voiceover proclaimed: "They fought and sacrificed to keep us free, but now socialism has taken over the Democratic Party."

Certainly, many Democratic politicians disagree that socialism is an inherent negative. When asked about criticisms of the term, Sanders' typical retort is that the country already has socialism -- socialism for the rich, including tax breaks and concessions given to wealthy individuals and corporations by the U.S. government. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, herself a Democratic socialist, says that "when millennials talk about concepts like Democratic socialism, we're not talking about these kinds of 'Red Scare' boogeyman. We're talking about countries and systems that already exist that have already been proven to be successful in the modern world. We're talking about single-payer healthcare that has already been successful in many different models, from Finland to Canada to the U.K."

Americans' Views of Socialism Are Net-Negative

Given these divergent positions on socialism among party thought leaders, a key question becomes:

What does the word "socialism" mean to the average American?

Thanks to the reintroduction of the term into the political discourse by Sanders (and other politicians like Ocasio-Cortez), we have quite a bit of recent public opinion research to help answer that question.

We can say definitively that the word "socialism" is viewed more negatively than positively by Americans, taken as a whole.

Gallup most recently found that 39% of Americans have a positive opinion of socialism, compared with 57% who have a negative opinion. Pew Research's most recent survey showed 55% with a negative opinion of socialism, and an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed a 19% positive/53% negative split. A Monmouth poll found that 57% of Americans believe socialism is not compatible with American values.

These net-negative views of socialism seem to be quite stable. Gallup asked Americans to evaluate the term five times between 2010 and 2019; positive responses remained within a narrow range of 35% to 39% across the nine-year span.

As we would expect given this net-negative reaction to the term "socialism," a slight majority of Americans (51%) say they would not vote for an otherwise well-qualified person for president who is a socialist, while 47% say they would.

These attitudes have not changed over the past five years. While the 47% who would vote for a socialist is certainly not a low percentage on an absolute basis, it is notably the lowest "would vote for" of any of the 12 characteristics tested in our recent research -- well below the percentage of Americans who would vote for an atheist (60%) or a Muslim (66%) for president.

Along these same lines, a recent Suffolk University poll showed that 67% of Americans say they would not be satisfied with a presidential candidate who thinks the U.S. should move in a more socialist direction.

These results suggest that Republicans are in a somewhat better position than Democrats vis-a-vis any pending fight over socialism.

Democrats Much More Positive Than Republicans About Socialism

One of the defining characteristics of our age is political polarization. Attitudes toward socialism are no exception to this phenomenon. We (and other researchers) find a wide gulf in the views of Democrats and Republicans about socialism, with 65% of Democrats in Gallup's latest update saying they have a favorable view, contrasted sharply with 9% of Republicans and 41% of independents.

The data also show significant differences by generation. A recent Gallup analysis showed that 49% of millennials and Gen Zers have a positive view of socialism, contrasted with 39% of Gen Xers and a still lower 32% of baby boomers and traditionalists (those aged 55 and older).

No Agreement on What 'Socialism' Means

Part of the reason why Americans may be so divided in their attitudes toward socialism is the reality that the term can be understood and defined in different ways by different individuals and differing groups.

In September 2018, Gallup updated a question first asked of Americans in 1949: "What is your understanding of the term 'socialism'?"

The results demonstrated a wide variance in Americans' responses. As I noted in my review of the data: "These results make it clear that socialism is a broad concept that can -- and is -- understood in a variety of ways by Americans."

Some Americans adhere to what might be called a more traditional definition of socialism -- government ownership of the means of production (a definition that was dominant in 1949). But as many or more Americans today define the term in what I have called "softer, gentler" ways, stressing that socialism connotes equality, the provision of social services and benefits to the population, and getting along socially with other people.

Not surprisingly, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to see socialism as government control of the economy (and in other derogatory ways), while Democrats are more likely to say socialism means government provision of services.

Pew Research last fall asked Americans to explain the reasons for holding positive or negative views of socialism. Those who view socialism positively talked about the ways in which socialism would create a fairer, more generous economic system, and how socialism would build on and improve capitalism. Those who view socialism negatively talked about the impact of socialism on undermining Americans' work ethic and building an increased reliance on the government, along with mentions of the historical failure of socialism when adopted in other countries and how socialism does not complement the U.S. government system.

Bottom Line

Americans are by no means united in their views of socialism -- but on the whole, the public tilts more negative than positive toward the concept, and this situation has not changed materially over the past 10 years.

Both presidential campaigns will no doubt attempt to define and position socialism in the way that best fits their campaign strategies -- Republicans will excoriate socialism as a lethal threat to the nation, while Democrats will either attempt to move away from the label or explain how it actually benefits the country and its residents.

Republicans' continued efforts to position the Democratic presidential candidate (and the Democratic Party as a whole) as socialist could have several positive payoffs for the GOP. First, it has the potential to increase enthusiasm and turnout among the Republican rank-and-file. Second, it could create doubts among the third of Democrats who themselves are trepidatious about socialism. Third, it could help deter independents who might be on the fence about their vote from pulling the Democratic lever in the voting booth.

If Democrats are identified with socialism during the campaign, they could, in theory, benefit by using the situation to encourage high turnout among liberal voters who embrace the concept. Plus, the party could continue Sanders' efforts to redefine socialism, pointing out that the government already redistributes money to the rich. Additionally, of course, Democrats can argue that the government currently collects and then redistributes money for housing, health and other needs, and that public schools in this country are essentially a socialist enterprise in the sense that money is collected from all citizens and then used by government entities to provide schooling.

But all in all, available data on the public's reactions to the term "socialism," an analysis of the public's views of socialist-type programs and a recognition of the less-than-enthusiastic response of the public to the idea of more government control of daily functions suggest that Democrats have a challenge in front of them if socialism becomes the dominant theme of the 2020 election campaign.
Agricultural workers are continuing their protests over the precarious financial conditions which they say their businesses are in.

Last week the government issued a decree that sought to address some of their demands. But unions have said it has not gone far enough and does not give the sector "the security in needs".

Despite the government's attempts to calm farmers' nerves, which have led to protests blocking roads across the country over the last month, experts say the real solution to the issues lies in Brussels and the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.

Mariano Inigo, a business school marketing professor, said: "A lot of production is running at a deficit and doesn't make a loss due to the subsidies." He suggested that structural reforms were also needed. Today, Friday 6 March, a tractor protest is planned along the A-92 main road in Almeria province.
Russia is determined to ensure that Assad reclaims all Syrian territory, but must now negotiate with Turkey to see those plans come to fruition reports Syria TV.

Over the years Russia has tried separate the political and military tracks in Syria through the so-called Astana talks, which ended with the signing of the agreement to establish so-called de-escalation areas. The agreement defined four areas in Syria as de-escalation areas. According to the memo published by the Russian Foreign Ministry stipulating the formation of de-escalation zones, these areas are:

Idleb governorate and certain parts of the neighboring governorates (Lattakia, Hama, and Aleppo)

Certain areas in the north of Homs governorate

Eastern Ghouta

Certain areas in southern Syria (Daraa and Quneitra governorates)

Russia has taken advantage of the ambiguity of these agreements and has changed facts on the ground in the absence of a presence by the United Nations and the United States to oversee the mechanism for implementing such agreements. Now none of the aforementioned de-escalation areas remain, except Idleb governorate, where the conflict is now underway for the regime to take full control over it, with the assistance of the Russian Air Force and military advisers on the ground.

Russia has tried hard over the past years to replace the Geneva negotiations with Astana, claiming that Astana is the most appropriate place to discuss the peace process in Syria in an attempt to delegitimize any United Nations efforts in Geneva.

Russia claimed that the main goal of the Astana negotiations was to impose a ceasefire in accordance with the agreement reached between Turkey and Russia at the end of 2016. But what is interesting about this ceasefire is that it was never respected by the Assad regimes forces. Airstrikes did not stop for a single day in the areas controlled by the Syrian opposition, even after they were formally included in the de-escalation areas after the agreement reached in 2017. There were forced displacements of the population unprecedented in size, all heading towards northern Syria, with Idleb being the last area of the de-escalation areas to hold out.

Russia has used its veto 14 times at the Security Council since 2011, the last of which was in December 2019, to prevent a Security Council resolution extending an earlier resolution and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid across the border without going to the Assad regime. Since 2011, the veto was exercised in the Security Council 23 times, three of them were by the United States for draft resolutions related to Israel, and 20 times by Russia, 14 of these for draft resolutions related to Syria, revealing the major political investment Russia places today in Syria while not accepting any form of negotiation or settlement with the Western parties. This is evident in the extent of the use of the veto in the Syrian crisis, compared to Ukraine, for example, or Georgia.

When Moscow decided to intervene militarily in the Syrian crisis in September 2015 in favor of the regime, Syria became more like a Russian province, and Assad, as a mayor who appears before the Russian Tsar, who then gives him the necessary instructions on how to manage the war and negotiations.

Today, Russia will accept nothing less than full control of Idleb under the pretext of expelling the terrorists, led by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front (or Hayat Tahrir al-Sham). Therefor, Turkey believes that it will be forced to make greater concessions to Russia in Syria, perhaps against its wishes, because it does not want to lose the Russians or open a front with them, which would put it in an unenviable position given the lack of American support. This increases Russian feelings of strengthand, accordingly, Assadthat they can take control of Idleb today without hesitation, given that Russia wants absolute control over Syrian territory under Assads rule.

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.
Bonkiewicz said police were called to the assault while it still was happening at about 5:30 p.m. When they arrived, a victim said the two had arrived at his home and came at him, Rodriguez with a knife in his hand. The victim said he tried to get the knife away from Rodriguez when both men started assaulting him. He was able to knock the knife away but was left with a minor cut to one hand and minor scrapes to his nose, mouth, chest and arms.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  As papier-mache hand grenades and plastic assault rifles barely caught the attention of security guards, a health official in Dubai wordlessly watched over an infrared camera filming all who passed by  including a few scythe-wielding Grim Reapers.

Welcome to Comic Con in the times of the new coronavirus.

The Middle East Film & Comic Con began Thursday night in Dubai, a city of skyscrapers and nightclubs suddenly subdued by the outbreak of the new virus across the region. The wider United Arab Emirates has at least 28 confirmed cases of the virus, a small number compared to the 3,750 cases region wide, but the concern here is growing.

Nationwide, schools and universities will be shut down for four weeks beginning Sunday. The few frequent fliers trickling out of Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel and the home of long-haul carrier Emirates, say it is emptier than they've ever seen it. Meanwhile, a host of big events including Dubai's annual boat show and art exhibition have been put on hold.

But not Comic Con. As actor John Rhys-Davies  you know him as the Egyptian character Sallah from the Indiana Jones franchise  exhorted a crowd to become filmmakers themselves, the halls at the Dubai World Trade Center slowly filled.

For the uninitiated, anyone can come to a Comic Con in your street clothes. But many choose to cosplay, or costume play," as a favorite character from a film, television show, video game or comic book.

An initial surprise came from an Emirati in the traditional kandora robes, ghuttra headscarf and lifelike mask of Nemesis from the Resident Evil video game series. He played a guitar for happy Instagramers. Hand sanitizer stations stood at the ready nearby.

For the Nintendo-famed plumbers Mario and Luigi  rather 24-year-old Bibi Zumot of Jordan and 21-year-old Mohamed Rashed of Egypt  they acknowledged that the coronavirus did come up in their minds as they attended. And if it hadn't, my mom, my friends' mom, everyone's mom had reminded them beforehand, Rashed said.

Story continues

Luckily, the two plumbers wear large gloves. Rashed substituted in two sets of latex gloves, which he snapped to show journalists.

The gloves still work with the Luigi thing, said Rashed, who went as a voodoo doll to his first Comic Con.

Both Rashed and Zumot praised the organizers for having thermal scanners, hand sanitizer and medical staff on hand for the event. However, Zumot offered a bit more of a fatalistic view.

If corona gets me, it's going to get me! he bellowed in his red overalls.

Others took a bit more of a cautious view, wearing off-character surgical masks or in-character protection like bandit masks covering the lower half of their faces. Most seemed unconcerned by the Grim Reapers moving through the crowd to the beat of pop music.

One cosplayer, who only gestured to a journalist when questioned, wore the long-nose black beak of a plague doctor. It didn't stop a woman in a mask from taking a selfie with him.

Stands sold pop-culture paintings infused with an Emirati vibe. A Batman next to a Dubai police officer getting out of a sports car. The DeLorean from Back to the Future in front of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with the caption Back to Dubai.

Other stands tested the germaphobe. A giant mockup of Thor's hammer, supposedly unliftable except for the worthy, found itself lifted and touched all over by every person wanting a photograph.

Deeper inside, those costumed took part in sessions of a dance contest to win prizes. They watched monitors for the moves, egged on by a master of ceremonies who may have exaggerated his qualifications.

Theres no corona anywhere in this building! I checked! he shouted.

As a new contest began, three Emiratis dressed in shark onesies threw themselves onto the stage as the SOS," or Squad of Sharks. As the first chords of the 1997 hit Backstreet's Back belted out, 18-year-old squad member Hamad al-Shamsi of Abu Dhabi reached inside his onesie for hand sanitizer.

It was a joke, sort of.

Better safe than sorry, he said.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
The government on Friday suspended the broadcast of two Kerala-based news channels for 48 hours over their coverage of the riots in Delhi, saying such reportage could enhance communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile.

IMAGE: A family sits with damaged property after their home was burnt by a mob in the Delhi riots. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The Congress and Communist Party of India came down hard on the government over the suspension of Media One and Asianet News, calling the clampdown as 'stifling of media freedom'.

The two channels were issued a show cause notice on February 28 and after they filed their replies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting found them to be unsatisfactory and the reportage violative of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The ministry ordered prohibition of transmission or re-transmission of Media One and Asianet News for 48 hours on any platform throughout India with effect from 19.30 hrs on March 6 to 19:30 hrs March 8.

In its orders for the two channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the channels appeared to have covered the violence on February 25 in a manner that 'highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community'.

Quoting reports from their coverage, the order says that such reporting could 'enhance communal disharmony' across the country when the situation is highly volatile.

'Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS,' the ministry order on Media One said.

In response to its show cause notice, the Media One channel management maintained that the allegations made were 'arbitrary and unreasonable'.

On Asianet News' reportage, the order said that while reporting such a critical incident, the channel should have taken utmost care and should have reported it in a balanced way.

The channel, in its response to the show cause notice, had said that the reports published by them were factual and never intended to attack religions or communities by words or gesture.

'Due care and responsibility is expected while reporting news based on such incidents. However, it is abundantly clear that the channel has not adhered to the Programme codes and has shown irresponsibility by not fully complying to them,' the ministry order on Media One said.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit out at the government saying, 'BJP government will have 'no discussion' on Delhi Riots! But they have clamped down upon @asianetnewstv & @MediaOneTVLive! Subjugate, stifle, suppress is the 'mantra' of BJP! Is this 'New India'?'

Condemning the move, CPI general secretary D Raja said, 'This is nothing but strangling the voice of media. This is fascism in action'.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) have called for a protest against the 48-hour ban on Asianet and Media One at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  A Filipino man who has not traveled out of the country recently has tested positive for coronavirus, health officials said on Friday. He is one of two new cases of coronavirus disease or COVID-19 in the country.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the 62-year-old Filipino who contracted the disease has no known travel to any country with confirmed coronavirus cases, but he regularly visited a Muslim prayer hall in Barangay Greenhills, San Juan City.

"It can be considered as a local case... The absence of travel is a clear indication that this is a local case," he said in a media briefing.

Duque was quick to clarify that the new local case cannot be considered the start of the community-based spread of coronavirus in the country.

"There is no transmission to speak of as of yet because we only have one. We're doing contact tracing to establish whether or not there are other cases or clustering of cases. But now it's premature to say there is a local transmission," he said.

However, the World Health Organization considers a case local transmission when the source of infection is "within the reporting location," in this case, the Philippines.

WHO Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe in a briefing earlier said, "even the fifth case is a local transmission." He stressed that there is no widespread transmission since what the Philippines has now are two "isolated cases in two different localities in Metro Manila.''

But he later clarified that even the travel history of the patient needs to be further investigated before they could say it is a local transmission.

"It's clear that there is no at this point known travel history but it's very early in the investigation. The travel history, the contacts need to be investigated and followed up," Abeyasinghe told CNN Philippines' News Night.

He added that they need to confirm how and where the patient got the infection.

"It may be a local case but we have no clear evidence at this point of time so in any epidemiological investigation there is a time you are not clear where the infection was actually acquired and how," he added.

However, Abeyasinghe also admitted that the investigation could lead to a dead end.

"We are well aware that the nature of this disease is that many people could be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and so they may not seek treatment but they could actually serve as points of infection to others so the investigation may even end up being inconclusive because we may not be able to find out how this person got infected," said Abeyasinghe.

Duque said the man considered to be the fifth confirmed case in the country had hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He started coughing on February 25 and went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center on March 1. He was then admitted and diagnosed with severe pneumonia. DOH confirmed he was infected with coronavirus on March 5.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said a relative who has been in close contact with the man has shown flu-like symptoms. She said the relative was quarantined in a hospital and tested for coronavirus.

The WHO said there is no need to close down the unnamed Muslim prayer hall over one confirmed case, but San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Friday ordered the immediate disinfection and temporary closure of the place.

Duque urged those who visited the worship area who have fever or respiratory symptoms to call the DOH hotline at (02)8-651-7800.

Zamora added that the confirmed case was not from San Juan but he was confined in the city's Cardinal Santos Medical Center and diagnosed with severe pneumonia. The man was transferred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine after testing positive for the virus on March 5.

Meanwhile, the second new case of COVID-19 in the country is a 48-year-old Filipino man who visited Tokyo, Japan. Duque said he returned to the Philippines on February 25 and started having chills and fever on March 3. He tested positive on March 5. Duque said he is in stable condition.

The two patients - one from Metro Manila and the other a resident of a town near the metropolis - are both confined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

The DOH is tracking down the people the two Filipinos came in contact with. Vergerie said as of Friday afternoon, the agency has tracked down 29 people who came in contact with the two confirmed cases.

"Samples have already been collected from close contacts. DOH is also in close coordination with the concerned local government units for concerted action on identifying persons who had interaction with the confirmed cases," Duque said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines now stands at 5, with one death. The other two cases have recovered and returned to their hometown in China.

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,383 people  the vast majority in mainland China. There are now over 98,000 global cases, with infections in at least 88 countries and territories. Nearly 17,500 cases have been confirmed outside of mainland China.

Fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and trouble breathing are some of the most common symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Some also experience diarrhea. Health officials remind the public to observe proper handwashing and maintain social distancing.
Wheres the education piece to this [for] the kids? If youre over 25 and you make this decision [to use marijuana], thats between you and God, but our job is to monitor the minors, to make sure they dont fall into addiction," she said. "What are we going to do for the new generation that is coming along?
HOWARD R. HOLLEM, FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION VIA LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

En espanol | The idea of Rosie the Riveter, a strong woman who gets things done while the men are called away to fight the enemy, was born during the early years of World War II.

But the ideal of Rosie, a take-charge woman who is part of an indomitable sisterhood of leaders, was reborn in 1982 when a poster created in 1943 resurfaced at the National Archives.

The inspiration behind Rosie the Riveter was Rosalind Roz Palmer Walker, a well-to-do Long Island 19-year-old who decided to forego a Seven Sisters college education to start work in 1942 on the assembly line at Vought Aircraft Co. in Stratford, Connecticut. You could call her the first Rosie.

She also was the last surviving Rosie who became famously associated with the symbolic Rosie. She died March 4, 2020, at age 95 in New York City.
March is Women's History Month, and Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill is marking the occasion with two solo shows that explore stories of remarkable women  both historic, in the form of labor activist Mother Jones, and contemporary, in the words of Pakistani-American women ranging in age from 6 to 65.

For the first, "Mother Jones in Heaven," actress Vivian Nesbitt worked with labor activist and playwright Si Kahn to create a touring musical iteration of an existing piece. She performs it with accompaniment by her husband, guitar maker and instrumentalist John Dillon. Nesbitt and Dillon recently made Saratoga Springs their home, venturing out throughout North America with the show in a 32-foot Winnebago they've dubbed the "MoJo Motorhome."

"To bring (Jones) to life in this time, particularly during Women's History Month, is a fascinating opportunity," says Nesbitt. She notes that the year 2020 is the centennial for the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.

Yet Mary Harris Jones  who adopted the persona of "Mother Jones" after losing her husband and children to yellow fever and her dressmaking business to the Great Chicago Fire  was not particularly supportive of the women's suffrage movement.

"She felt, in my estimation, that the energy was being put in the wrong direction," Nesbit explains. Having experienced firsthand the economic disparity between the haves and the have-nots in terms of access to basics such as safety, medical care and clean water, Jones preferred instead to encourage women to support and nurture their husbands who were participating in strikes and forming unions. True to her role as "Mother," Jones considered those workers to be "her boys." As she would put it, "You don't need the vote to raise hell!" It was that attitude that helped to cement her reputation as "the most dangerous woman in America," as she was dubbed in 1902.

The play's concept is intriguing: Jones arrives in Heaven to discover that it's nearly identical to her favorite Irish pub. She looks back over her life, Nesbitt says, "weighing her methods and practices through song and story" and seeking forgiveness for some of the decisions she made. The musical accompanist is treated as the bartender; the audience is treated as fellow patrons. It's the perfect motif for presenting someone who, as Nesbitt explains, "created political theater wherever she went."

For Nesbitt, working with Kahn on the script also proved to be the opportunity she was seeking to put her activist spirit into her stage work. "It felt like Mother Jones was calling me out, and telling me to get to work," she says. She has endeavored to provide understanding of a controversial figure whose name has largely faded from memory over the years. In Michigan, Nesbitt even donned her costume and joined automotive workers on picket lines. "It was almost like Mother Jones was saying, 'If I was alive, this is what I'd be doing,'" she says. By contrast, the characters in Aizzah Fatima's production "Dirty Paki Lingerie" are indeed alive in the present day  but they, too, are often missing from societal conversation. Fatima says that she created the piece to address the lack of Muslim-American female voices in the arts. "I knew all these remarkable women whose stories I wanted to share with the world," she explains.

She has done exactly that, bringing the show everywhere from Toronto to Turkmenistan since its New York City premiere in 2011. The Bridge Street show marks the second time she has graced the Catskill stage; Steven Patterson, the theater's associate director, says that scheduling the show's return during Women's History Month was a matter of serendipity. "It fits in so perfectly," he says, noting that its proximity to the Mother Jones show offers "a look at both the past and future of the immigrant experience here in the United States."

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Yet creating a solo tour-de-force was not necessarily what Fatima had in mind as a young actress just starting out. She found herself disheartened to learn that the parts for which she was being considered had character names like "Terrorist No. 2's Girlfriend."

"I didn't get the part," she laughs. Instead, she enrolled in a solo show writing class and developed the six characters that are the main voices in "Dirty Paki Lingerie"  the youngest of which is based on the real-life story of a girl whose father is mistaken for a terrorist and taken away. "That happened shortly after 9/11," she says, noting that such stories were common in the Muslim community at the time. "This is fascinating to explore," she adds. "How does a 6-year-old make sense of their world when this is happening?"

Fatima presents such characters as representative of a wide range of experience. Injecting humor along the way, she touches upon varying interpretations of identity, sexuality, religion, culture and feminism. "What feminism means to me is taking my clothes off," she says. "To another person, feminism means covering yourself up." The title of the play has been subject to varying reactions, as well; in some parts of the world, she has been asked to use the phrase "dirty laundry' instead of "dirty lingerie"; in others, it's the word "Paki" that generates a strong reaction, being interpreted as a racial slur.

Regardless, Fatima sees the title as a tool to help break past stereotypes  and, like Nesbitt, to help more voices to be heard. "I feel very passionate about these women who chose to use their voice in a way that supported issues that were beyond their scope, at a time when women had really no voice," Nesbitt says. Later this year, she'll appear in the Susan B. Anthony community-written piece at Hubbard Hall.

Fatima has recently wrapped production on a film based on her play, and is even considering whether her characters could live in the world of a TV series. But ultimately, she says, she looks forward to a world where voices like those in her play are loud enough to be heard without her. "All my hope is that one days these stories become obsolete," she says. "It just hasn't happened yet."
UTICA  An organization for women business owners living in the Mohawk Valley, EmpowHER Network Women's Mastermind Group, is holding its monthly meeting March 24 at the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center's thINCubator at 326 Broad St. in Utica.

The event goes from 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The speaker is Cathy Cucharale, president of Cucharale Consulting Group.
Houston officials confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus in the nation's third-largest county Thursday, saying the two were on a trip to Egypt with multiple people, including a man from a nearby suburb who a day earlier became the first Texan to have a positive test result outside of persons repatriated from abroad.

The newest cases involve a man and a woman who are between 60 and 70 years old and remain hospitalized in stable condition, said Dr. Umair Shah, the top health official in Harris County, where Houston is located.

Officials said they believe the two were exposed to the virus while on a trip in late February to Egypt.

There is no indication they may have contracted this on U.S. soil, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the countys top administrator.

The announcement came a day after

Houston officials said Thursday the Fort Bend County man was also on the same trip as the two individuals from Harris County.

Multiple people were on this trip and individuals who were in contact with the two confirmed cases from Harris County are being monitored for symptoms to determine if they need to be tested, Shah said.

The woman from Harris County who tested positive is an employee at Rice University in Houston.

The womans contact with the campus was limited to Feb. 24-25 and to one building, which has been extensively and continuously sanitized along with the rest of the campus, Rice University said in a statement.

The employee, a research staff member, did not have any contact with undergraduate students and officials are not planning to suspend campus operations or classes, the university said.

The university said it had identified 17 other individuals who had direct contact with the employee and had asked them previously to self-quarantine. None of them have reported any symptoms.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday there are now six laboratories in the state able to test for the virus.
The Michigan senator who was stripped of a committee chairmanship following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations from at least three women maintains that he has not sexually harassed anyone.

In a statement issued Friday morning, Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, said the Senate Business Office report that concluded his conduct was inappropriate workplace behavior determined the allegations made against me could not be unequivocally substantiated.

Given that I have not sexually harassed anyone nor were there any citations of a violation of Senate rules determined by the investigation, I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the people I represent," Lucido said in the statement.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, announced Ludico would be removed from the Senate Advice and Consent Committee, whose members vet gubernatorial appointees, and required to participate in additional training. Lucido will continue to chair the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

The announcement was paired with a summary of the Senate Business Office investigation, which was opened after Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, Michigan Advance reporter Allison Donahue and Melissa Osborn came forward publicly with sexual harassment allegations.

After reviewing evidence - including texts, videos and audio recordings - and speaking to 25 people, investigators found all of Lucidos accusers to be credible and concluded it was more likely than not that each incident happened as reported, according to a memo summarizing the investigation provided by the state Senate.

The number of allegations and their similarities demonstrates an unfortunate pattern of behavior that requires little to no interpretation to be understood as inappropriate workplace behavior," the memo states.

We place a high priority on ensuring the senate is a safe work environment, Shirkey said in a statement Thursday. We endeavor to foster a culture where senators, staff, and members of the public feel comfortable and secure to interact with one another, free from inappropriate behavior. We have a responsibility to be aware of how our words and actions are received, regardless of intent or interpretation.

Shirkey added that the Senate would soon announce a bipartisan workgroup of senators and staff to review current policies and offer suggestions for improvement. He thanked those who participated in the investigation: "In the spirit of continuous improvement, their willingness to share their experiences has helped ensure a comprehensive and impartial process from which we will all benefit.

In January, Donahue wrote in a first-person account that Lucido told her a group of male high school students he was meeting with could have a lot of fun with her. The report sparked immediate criticisms of Lucidos behavior and gained nationwide attention, and Senate leadership asked for the investigation within hours of publication.

Ludico apologized for the misunderstanding in a statement at the time, but later disputed Donahues account.

McMorrow and Osborn came forward with their own experiences shortly after, both of which were first published in Crains Detroit Business.

Related coverage:

Michigan lawmaker accused of sexual harassment loses committee post over inappropriate behavior

Michigan senator hopes filing sexual harassment complaint against her colleague will change this culture

Michigan senator discusses her sexual harassment allegation against fellow lawmaker

Michigan senator plans to file complaint against lawmaker accused of sexual harassment, report says

Michigan senator criticized for telling reporter a group of high school boys could have fun with her

Michigan legislative leaders open investigation into senator after comments to female reporter

Michigan senator being accused of sexual harassment now alleging report was inaccurate
When the 17th-century explorer Henry Hudson reached what came to be known as New Amsterdam, the bay that is now New York harbor contained 350 square miles of oyster reefs. The murky river that today bears his name was so clean that Hudson's crew found schools of thousands of fish.

Near present-day Albany, the Europeans traded with the Mohican natives they met, swapping tools and weapons for furs. Both sides thought they got a good deal.

Over the next centuries, the migration of Europeans yielded vast change in the New World  not only the growth of new societies but also the decimation of the native tribes through slaughter and the introduction of such European diseases as smallpox and influenza. Writing in 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. noted that long before the slave trade brought millions of Africans to these shores, "the scar of racial hatred had already disfigured colonial society."

There was this, too: The new Americans brought ruin to the clear waters of the continent. By the 1960s, the Hudson was clogged by sewage, paper mill discharges and other organic wastes. That all fed bacteria, which consumed the oxygen that fish need to survive. At Tarrytown, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the river's color matched paint applied to cars at a General Motors plant there.

Now the Hudson is cleaner. Starting in the 1970s, federal laws limited industrial discharges, and new sewage treatment plants eventually reduced the bacteria. But the legacy of pollution remains in river sediments, and the river is plagued by dirty runoff  including debris, fertilizers and pesticides. And there's this: Sewage overflows near Albany still pour raw contaminants into the river regularly.

We have tried to make amends. A society dominated by descendants of the Europeans who followed Hudson has made halting efforts to rectify the abuses of both America's nature and its natives. Let's agree that they're both works in progress.

We were reminded of the shortcomings of those efforts, as well as opportunities to make progress, in a remarkable presentation last month at Siena College by Winona LaDuke. If you know her name, chances are it's because she twice was a candidate for vice president of the United States, running with Ralph Nader on the Green Party ticket. But LaDuke, whose roots are in the Ojibwa nation, has been an activist for decades. She is trained as a rural development economist, but if you ask her what she does, this is what she says: "I'm a water protector."

So LaDuke has fought against pipeline projects  not only because some cross sensitive wetlands owned by native Americans but also because they put off the conversion to renewable fuel sources that impose less of a toll on the land. The most notable of those battles was against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which runs from North Dakota's Bakken shale oil fields to a terminal in Illinois, where it connects to another pipeline to the Texas Gulf. An executive order by President Donald Trump in early 2017 cleared the way for the pipeline's operation. It has carried more than a half-million barrels of oil per day.

LaDuke knows that our society is deeply reliant on fossil fuels, and she admits to being a "fossil fuel addict," which includes flying on jets and driving cars. "But, you know," she told the crowd at Siena, "there's no time like the present to deal with addiction."

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In a democracy, it is the task of activists and revolutionaries to demand that we pay attention to society's ills, and it is the task of leaders and functionaries to carry out changes that citizens eventually embrace. What LaDuke wants is revolutionary: a transformation of our hydrocarbon economy to a carbohydrate economy  so that plant-based materials replace petrochemicals in many of the products we use. That transition could strengthen the farm economy and lessen the burden that oil and gas extraction places on the air, water and land, and the pollution that hydrocarbon products leave coming generations.

It's a stirring goal, this notion of establishing a strong economy based on renewable and sustainable agriculture. Of course, the prevalence of hydrocarbons in contemporary society means we will see only small steps in that direction in all of our lifetimes. But small steps begin every major voyage.

"It's time to move on," LaDuke said at Siena. "We didn't move out of the Stone Age by running out of rocks."

Consider the magic of a daughter of America's First Nations standing now on land that was once home to the Mohicans, calling us all to honor what we have despoiled.
A satellite image taken Feb. 3, 2020, that shows the massive earthworks at the Boten Special Economic Zone, located near Laos main international border checkpoint with China at Mohan, Yunnan province. The area was formally a casino and gambling enclave but it shut in 2011 because of lawlessness and has since been rebranded as a cross-border trade and tourism zone.

A Chinese special economic zone in Laos has fallen silent, workers in Cambodia staged a strike after their factory closed for lack of inputs from China, and Myanmar grappled with plant closures and layoffs, as the economic fallout from the coronavirus cascaded across the region.

In Laos, which has yet to report a confirmed case of COVID-19, the developer of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Luang Namtha Province bordering China, has suspended all construction and closed stores and restaurants  largely because few Chinese managers, technicians or tourists are showing up.

Only a few (workers) are working because a great number of Chinese couldnt come back. Only a limited number of necessary personnel are present, an employee of the Yunnan Hai Cheng Group in the Boten SEZ told RFAs Lao Service.

The employee added that the Boten SEZ, where massive construction work has been underway to create a tourism and trade hub near the entry point into Laos of the $6 billion China-Laos railway, is very quiet, with the duty-free shops that usually draw Chinese tourists empty.

Work on the China-Laos railway, which is due to open in December 2021, has slowed because Chinese managers and workers who had gone to China for the Lunar New Year holiday in January did not return after the coronavirus outbreak hit central China.

There has been no work for more than a week now. We all stopped working because its too risky and scary, a driver for a Chinese trucking company in Oudomxay Province told RFA.

Government projects have also been suspended. We depend on customers from China, he added.

The Lao government ordered all border check points on the frontier with China except the crossing at Boten closed since early February, and now only essential cargo and businesspeople are allowed to go through the Boten border gate.

Last week, Lao Airlines executive Bounma Chanthavongsa told local media that the state-owned airline has laid off one 1,000 staff, or half of its work force, after all flights to China and South Korea were suspended.

At one plant that has remained openHi-Tech Lao Apparel, a big garment factory in the capital Vientianewe dont have plans to close the plant down. We just advise our workers to protect themselves by wearing facial masks, a worker told RFA.

Trucks move earth at the Boten Special Economic Zone, located near Laos main international border checkpoint with China at Mohan, Yunnan province, June 2019. RFA 'Ripple effects'

Laos struggle is playing out across the region, as countries that have so far avoided suffering major outbreaks of coronavirus  which has killed 3,460 and infected 101,490 worldwideface the economic fallout.

The viruss ripple effects have hampered the economies of nearby countries, especially in Southeast Asia, in three main ways: by curtailing the number of Chinese tourists, disrupting China-centric supply chains, and putting a damper on economic demand in China, Trinh Nguyen, a Hong Kong-based economist, wrote in an analysis for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last month.

In Cambodia, more than 5,000 textile workers have become unemployed in the last two weeks, due to the closure of factories over the impact of Corona virus outbreak, according to government figures.

About 800 of more than 4,000 workers at the Crystal Martin factory in Kandal province went on strike Thursday after the factory has failed to pay them in the wake of suspending production from March 5 to April 30 due to a lack of raw materials from China.

Worker Khem Srey Neth told RFAs Khmer Service that the factory management promised to pay 40 percent of their average $190 monthly wages, which is supposed to be matched by 20 percent paid by the government, but had not paid them.

Tith Ron, union representative at the factory, told RFA that he heard that the factory will give workers pay checks Friday or Saturday. RFA couldnt reach the factory for comment.

On Thursday, Ath Thun, president of the Cambodian Labor Confederation, said 33 factories have closed and more than 17,000 workers have been suspended from their jobs at the request of factory owners as a precautionary measure against possible virus outbreaks.

And Ken Loo, secretary general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), also told RFA that more than 30 factories had closed temporarily, affecting about 20,000 workers in early March.

In the Yangon region of Myanmar, three textile and shoe factories in Shwepyithar and Hlaing Tharyar industrial zones closed on Friday, leaving more than 2,000 workers out of job.

Weve got three more factory closures this morning, said Phyo Sandar Soe of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar. She said the ministry of labor had already announced 13 previous closures.

Supply and demand problems

The CTUM estimates that there are over 500,000 textile workers in the Yangon region, with around 300,000 in Hlaing Tharyar Industrial zone alone. The textile sector earns some $3.4 billion a year for Myanmar.

There are factory closures and downsizing of labor forces, said Phyo Sandar Soe.

In one textile plant, the Lucky Sky factory, The employer has terminated all 517 full time workers and hired 100 back on daily wages, Phyo Sandar Soe told RFAs Myanmar Service.

Some factories have proposed downsizing the labor force from 1000 to 300. Some factories want to close down completely, she said.

Most factories in Myanmar rely on raw materials from China, in some cases as many as 90 percent.

Currently weve got two problems, said Aung Soe, permanent secretary of Myanmars Ministry of Commerce.

It started with shortage of the raw materials, most of which come from China, he told RFA.

Second, the outbreak hit the countries which imports our products, so trade has become sluggish or completely stopped, said Aung Soe.

The commerce ministry official added that the inflow of raw materials has begun again now, and cargo traffic through border trades has increased gradually, although it is not back to the regular volume.

Kyaw Myo of the Burma Federation of Trades Union urged the government to address the drop in demand driven by the epidemic by talks with foreign countries to let the importers know that there is no coronavirus outbreak yet in Myanmar. The importers may have concerned about the potential hazard of the products they are importing.

In a report issued in mid-February, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), a Singapore-based macroeconomic surveillance organization, projected that the virus outbreak and slowdown in China would result in a deduction of 0.4 percentage points from the economies of ASEANs ten members, plus China, Japan and South Korea.

The regional economy will be impacted by (1) a sharp drop in Chinese outbound travel and tourism, (2) a drop in regional travel and tourism, (3) a decline in Chinas imports through the supply chain, and (4) the transmission of the virus to regional economies, AMRO wrote.

Reported by Nandar Chan for RFA's Myanmar Service, and by the Khmer and Lao Services. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung, Samean Yun and Max Avary. Written in English by Paul Eckert.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare and insurance organizations must adhere to the rigorous standards required by HIPAA while staying modern, adaptive and competitive. With security and privacy a paramount concern, we have seen the evolution of digital fax from a green paper-saving initiative to the enterprise digital cloud fax technology, which aims to provide complete interoperability with all levels of healthcare.

WestFax digital fax and WiseTREND WiseHEALTHCARE workflow diagram

With fax still being the primary vehicle for transmission of ePHI in the healthcare industry, the ability to utilize advanced OCR, ICR, OMR, BCR and IDR, powered by an award-winning ABBYY() technology, to unlock valuable data from paper documents and images is more critical now than ever. WiseTREND can offer fax for healthcare with complete workflow and routing, advanced document processing and automation capabilities out of the box. Utilizing WestFax's robust digital cloud fax platform, providers and insurers can leverage the power of secure and rapid fax transmission and provide a full end-to-end integration with many of the EMR/EHR systems on the market. This is the right fax for your digital transformation and data intelligence.

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Contact us and experience how WestFax and WiseTREND can help realize HIPAA compliance, reduce process pain-points and improve patient care with the right fax solution for your organization. www.wisetrend.com

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says N1.6 billion emergency funding is needed by the country to fight coronavirus.

Precillia Ibekwe, deputy director, special duties, NCDC, made this known at a news briefing addressed by Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, in Abuja on Friday.

According to Ibekwe, the emergency fund, when considered, would be used to contain the spread of the virus in the country.

The fund, she says, would be spent on infection prevention and control, surveillance and epidemiology, case management, laboratory diagnosis, logistics, supply as well as risk communication activities.

Read Also: Two Out Of Three Coronavirus Cases In Lagos Test Negative: Minister

So far, what Nigeria has gotten were strictly domestic funding. Some of the assistance we get from donors are in form of policy advice, technical assistance, while some of them build on existing instruments and expertise to help the country respond to the virus, she said.

Ibekwe also urged the private sector to support governments efforts in strengthening preparedness and responses to the virus.
(TNS)  A first-of-its-kind project is providing high-speed internet to more than 40 New Mexico homes on the Navajo Nation, with hundreds more on the way.Sacred Wind Communications announced last week it has completed a project that brings fiber-optic cable to a housing development just south of Farmington through a partnership with the Navajo Housing Authority.John Badal, CEO of Sacred Wind, said the project is a way to bring high-speed internet into a community that has largely been considered too rural to support it.We want our Navajo children to have the same opportunities to improve themselves as the students or the children who reside in urban areas of New Mexico, Badal said.The Navajo Nation, like many rural communities across the United States, has limited access to high-speed internet. Badal pointed to the regions extremely low population density  roughly two homes per square mile across Sacred Winds territory  as a barrier to high-speed internet.It would be terribly unaffordable to try to stretch a copper mile or fiber a mile to reach a single home, Badal said.When Sacred Wind was founded in 2006, Badal said most of its customers were served using copper wire, a network he described as outdated and not suited for broadband internet.Sacred Wind has attempted to bridge gaps in coverage through a mix of technologies, using fixed wireless towers in some areas to provide line-of-sight internet access, Badal said. Recently, however, the company has shifted its approach and is working to replace its network of copper cable with fiber-optic cable in specific developments managed by the Navajo Housing Authority.The Navajo Housing Authority provides public housing on the Navajo Nation, managing more 8,500 housing units in the community. Badal noted that NHA developments are among the densest portion of the rural region, with up to 150 homes per square mile.It makes sense to target homes that are closer together, Badal said.Most customers can receive 25 megabits per second with copper, which Badal said is sufficient for a couple devices to send e-mail and do basic tasks on the internet. Fiber will bring speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, which opens up more functionality. Catherine Nicolaou, external affairs manager for Sacred Wind, added the new fiber can be helpful for students, who are increasingly asked to do homework on their computers.One hundred megabits is really going to level the playing field for these students, Nicolaou said.Installation is free to residential customers, and Badal said costs are comparable to what customers currently pay for slower speeds.The first phase of the project brings fiber to around 45 homes in the Huerfano Chapter, located south of Farmington. Over the next three to four years, Badal said the plan is to build out a fiber network that can bring high-speed internet to more than 1,000 homes managed by the housing authority across northwest New Mexico.Theres no other company thats positioned to do this, except for us, Nicolaou said.
A Laois secondary school is yet to make a decision on whether to send 100 students to Northern Italy next week.

The ski trip by St Mary's CBS in Portlaoise is due to leave next Friday March 13.

As of this Friday March 6 the school has not made an announcement on whether the trip is cancelled.

They would be staying in Artesina which has not been placed into isolation over the coronavirus COVID-19.

However they would be flying into an airport in Milan which is in Lombardy, one of the four regions to which the Irish Department of Health is advising against non-essential travel.

Last Tuesday March 3 the school held a meeting with the parents of the students, but no decision was made since on whether it is cancelled.

Last week the principal Maura Murphy told the Leinster Express that they were "keeping a very close eye" on the situation.

"The students have been saving and paying off their trip for the last year and a half. All the insurance is done through the travel agent, but nobody gets compensation unless the Department of Health names the area as a no go zone," she had said.

Heywood Community School cancelled a trip for 16 students to Florence last week. Mountmellick Community School is awaiting further updates on the situation for their trip to Italy which is not due to happen until April 23.

Another Laois school announced last Wednesday that their trip was cancelled. Read that story here.

Italy now has 3,858 cases of COVID-19, and 148 deaths. The first case in the Vatican was reported this Friday March 6.
This is an opinion cartoon

Sen. Schumers Trumpian tongue-lashing of Supreme Court Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh only hurts his partys message on womens rights.

From Reason.com: Theyre taking away fundamental rights, Schumer said yesterday at a pro-choice rally outside the Supreme Court as the justices considered the constitutionality of a Louisiana law requiring that physicians who perform abortions have admitting privileges at local hospitals. Turning to point at the Supreme Court building, he angrily added: I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price! You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.

Schumers comments were in the heat of the moment but completely over-the-top, ugly and disrespectful. Schumer should man up and apologize. We shouldnt allow the current presidents belligerence to lower the standards of decency for the rest of us.

Our country is better than this.

Alabama GOP Sycophant race: Kiss-off between Sessions and Tuberville

Check out all the latest Alabama Elections 2020 coverage

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South Korean cult church blamed for COVID-19 says members are being persecuted, killed

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Leaders of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious sect that many see as a cult and has been blamed for the propagation of the COVID-19 virus in South Korea, say their members are now being attacked and killed as alarm increases over the new coronavirus.

The witch hunt against Shincheonji Church of Jesus is carried to an extreme, and now that this has incited domestic violence and persecution, leading to the death of one of our congregants, we cannot but express our position, the church said in a statement Wednesday just days after their chairman, Lee Man-hee, 88, apologized on his knees for their role in the outbreak of the coronavirus in South Korea.

I cannot find the words to appropriately express my deepest regrets but I decided to hold this press conference because I felt the need to express my deepest condolences and my deepest regrets to the Korean people. As the chairman of Shincheonji, I would like to sincerely apologize to all the people of Korea for this crisis. Although it was not on purpose we have seen a dramatic increase in confirmed patients, Lee said Monday.

To prevent further spread of COVID-19  the authorities have been hard at work and we at Shincheonji are fully cooperating with officials to stop further spread as well. We will mobilize all of our measures and provide our fullest support in all our areas.

More than 6,000 people have been infected in South Korea and over 40 have died.

As a part of the organizations cooperation with government officials, Shincheonji Church of Jesus leaders said they provided a list of all 245,605 congregants as well as trainees to the health authorities at their request.

We provided the list of 212,324 congregants in Korea on the 25th and the list of 33,281 congregants abroad on the 26th. As for trainees, they have not been registered officially as members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, so the church could not provide the list of trainees indiscreetly. But on the 27th, the health authorities requested the list on condition that they will take legal responsibility in case it is leaked, so we checked and provided the list of 65,127 trainees (54,176 in Korea and 10,951 abroad) promptly, it explained.

It further shot down claims that the organization had been intentionally hiding its membership numbers, stating that it was initially hesitant about sharing the data out of concern for the safety of its members.

Just for the reason that they belong to Shincheonji, two congregants have been killed already, one in 2007 and the other in 2018, both by a family member. For this same reason, another congregant in Ulsan faced violence and persecution by her husband, driving her into taking her own life on February 26, the church said.



This congregant of the Ulsan Church had been suffering from domestic violence because of her affiliation with Shincheonji, and shortly before her death, she was assaulted for religious reasons and reported it to the police. Eight days after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a death was caused by religious persecution.

We make it clear once again that we did not intend to delay providing the list of congregants or hide it. But it is true that providing such a list was not an easy decision for Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Among our congregants, there are many who suffer from domestic violence, persecution, and even life-threatening situations because of their faith. This is backed by the number of congregants who are taken to so-called Cult Counseling Offices and face confinement, violence, and illegal acts, and the number amounts to more than 100 congregants per year.



Is not belonging to mainline churches in Korea a reason to die? We call for the truth regarding this case. Please do not dismiss it as a mere issue related to religion or family, but please look into the fundamental nature of the issue. Shincheonji Church of Jesus did not create COVID-19. We are citizens, who have followed the instructions of the authorities, and we are victims."

The church explained that once it became widely known through media reports as the epicenter of the coronavirus, its members naturally became afraid of the consequences that would follow.

Some 4,000 cases of injustice against Shincheonji congregants have been reported already, which include notices of termination of employment, workplace bullying, domestic persecution, labeling, and slandering, the organization said, noting that there have only been two coronavirus-linked deaths of Shincheonji congregants.

On Tuesday, France 24 reported that investigators in South Korea were seeking to hold 12 executives of the Shincheonji Church of criminally responsible for the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Globally, more than 90,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus with more than 3,100 of them dying from the disease which currently has no cure and is described as deadlier than the flu.

Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported Covid-19 cases have died, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHOs director general, said at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected.
Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on Friday said it has sought intervention of the tourism ministry in the wake of certain hotels across the country denying check in to foreign tourists especially from countries like Italy, South Korea, Iran and Japan.

IATO said the hotels are denying check in to all these tourists despite all of them holding proper visa and were already travelling in India before restrictions were even announced.

The organisation has taken up the matter with tourism ministry seeking its urgent intervention as the matter is sensitive and will hurt our image badly as a trusted destination among foreign tourists, IATO said in a statement.

"The tourism ministry has assured that communication is being sent to states to see that tourists are not unnecessarily harassed. Also, health ministry is being asked to issue travel advisory for those not affected by the virus. In case of any suspect, medical check-up can be conducted locally," IATO President Pronab Sarkar said.

The organisation has also requested the Ministry of Tourism to set up a 24x7 operational control room to assist the foreign tourists in any emergency and have an online mechanism to know whom to reach out to in case of distress, IATO said.

Besides, issues like Government of Sikkim withdrawing the Inner Line Permit from March 5, 2020 for all foreign tourists, have also been taken up with the central government.

The Chief Minister of Sikkim has been approached with a request to withdraw this order and allow foreign tourists to enter Sikkim including tourists from Italy, Japan, South Korea and Iran which have valid permission and are already in India. If need arises, medical checkups can be conducted locally, IATO said.

"While we all stand for the safety of our fellow countrymen, we should also guard against unnecessary harassment and panic for the visiting tourists. We request the government to take steps that boosts confidence of foreign nationals to visit India," it added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Friday said it would hear on March 20 the appeal filed by Congress leader Hardik Patel challenging the Gujarat High Court order which had rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a case related to violence during the Patidar quota stir in 2015.

The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices U U Lalit and Vineet Saran. The apex court had on February 28 granted interim protection from arrest to Patel in the case lodged in August 2015 and had rapped Gujarat Police, saying it cannot sit over a case for five years.

The top court had asked the police as to why it did not summon or issue notice to Patel for questioning in the case.

The police had told the court that notices for questioning were issued but Patel was not found.

The apex court had issued notice to the police seeking its response on Patel's plea.

The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti under Patel had organised a mega rally in Ahmedabad as part of the stir, demanding quota for the community in government jobs.

An FIR was lodged for "unlawful assembly" as the police had claimed that the organiser did not have requisite permissions.

The Gujarat High Court had on February 17 rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Patel after considering the objection by police on grounds of his criminal antecedents.

Opposing his plea, the police had told the high court that there were more than 10 criminal cases against Patel, and that he had gone underground fearing arrest.

The police had also contended that the "unlawful" gathering had led to violence, in which over a dozen youths were killed and property was damaged.

In his anticipatory bail plea before the high court, Patel had claimed he was being "victimised by the ruling party of the state" which has slapped "several false, frivolous and concocted cases against him".
'The Banker' stars hope film motivates church leaders to discuss financial literacy, inequality

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The forthcoming film The Banker should motivate the church to address the issues of financial literacy, caring for the least of these, and perseverance in the face of adversity, according to stars Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, and Nia Long.

Based on historic events that took place in the 1950s and 60s, The Banker tells the true story of Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), a pair of African American entrepreneurs who made themselves part of the real estate game in Los Angeles, California, and Texas.

Due to racial inequality, the two men decide to hire a white man, a home-repair worker named Matt Steiner (Hoult), to act as the head of their company while they posed as a janitor and a chauffeur and ran the business.

Thanks to their savvy and financial ingenuity, Garrett and Morris made it possible for black citizens to move into formerly all-white neighborhoods before the Fair Housing Act of 1968 made discrimination unlawful. Their success ultimately drew the attention of the federal government, which threatened everything they had built.

Directed by George Nolfi, The Banker brings to life a fascinating true story of financial gamesmanship and racial discrimination in a segregated America. The film premiered at a special event at the National Civil Rights Museum on Monday that was attended by The Christian Post.

Mackie (the Avengers series), told CP he hopes the film motivates church leaders to address the issue of financial literacy from the pulpit.

Financial literacy is something that we need to talk about in the church weekly, he stressed. I feel like when we go to church, we look for guidance and leadership. So we need the spiritual understanding of our day to day lives, but also our financial security so that we can take care of our families.

The actor added that Scripture often addresses the importance of stewarding ones money wisely, adding: Tithing is there to build and grow the church and spread the Lords work. So in order for me to be a vehicle of the Lord, I need to have a home and a strong family system so that I can go out and live by His Word. Thats why its so important to talk about financial literacy.

Jackson, who grew up in segregated America, told CP that while the country has come a long way, theres still a serious wealth gap that makes it difficult for many African American and low-income families to achieve the American dream.

As much as people think time changes, time really doesn't change or things don't change, he said. We hope that they do, but often they don't. And you've got to get the right people in the right place to make change happen. And we have to be part of that change.



Stories like The Banker are necessary because they highlight the importance of doing right and pushing for change regardless of the cost, Jackson said. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native said that in the face of inequality, the Church has an obligation to understand the difference in the haves and have nots.

They need to understand what their part is in sustaining the community and their parishioners, and the people that come into the church need help, need support, need someone to help them get out there and find what they need or the resources they need to get things done, he said.

Long ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Empire"), plays Eunice, Bernards savvy and determined wife. Raised Catholic, the actress told CP that The Banker, although not overtly faith-based, is a film about faith.

The whole movie is about faith: When you have faith in something that's bigger than what you see in front of you, you can create miracles, she said. While we never actually saw them in church, faith was a big part of Eunice and Bernards life.

I think if we can just hold on to something bigger than ourselves, keeping Jesus Christ in the forefront, I think we're good, the actress added. This film is a beautiful moment in a time where black people were mistreated. I think our world is being mistreated right now. I think humanity is in jeopardy right now. And when humanity is in jeopardy, the only thing you can hold on to is something bigger than self, and that is God.

"The Banker" will premiere in select theaters in the U.S. on March 6, and will become available to stream on Apple TV+ on March 20.

Watch the trailer below:
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The secretary general of the United Nations doesnt just call himself a feminist. Since becoming the worlds top diplomat in 2017, Antonio Guterres has worn that title like a badge.

He does not shy away from terms more commonly found in feminist parlance  mansplaining, patriarchy and male-dominated world, among them. And in a recent speech, he did not put too fine a point on his views about gender inequality.

Stupid, he branded it, and an obstacle to peace and security.

Still, despite broad calls for the U.N. to be overseen by a woman when Mr. Guterres was seeking the job (at the time of his election, more than half the 13 candidates were women), in the end member states went with him. And so whatever his views, Mr. Guterres remains both symbol and product of a male-dominated organization.

His focus on gender, however, is a radical step forward from what weve seen in the past, said Lyric Thompson, the director of policy and advocacy at the International Center for Research on Women, a Washington-based advocacy group that has closely tracked the secretary generals tenure and suggests improvements.
Saudi Arabia said Iran was responsible for increasing the number of coronavirus cases and spreading the outbreak around the world.



An official source accused Iran of "irresponsible actions" for allowing Saudi citizens into the country without stamping their passports during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.



Five people in Saudi Arabia have had coronavirus diagnosed. Three of the cases had returned together from Iran via Bahrain, while the fourth returned via Kuwait and infected his wife.



"These actions are a proof of Irans direct responsibility in increasing COVID-19 infections and in the viruss outbreak all around the world," an official Saudi source said. "This behavior poses a serious public health threat to the international community and undermines international efforts to combat COVID-19, putting many communities around the world at risk," Arab News cited him as saying.



The official called upon Iranian authorities to disclose the identities of Saudi nationals who had illegally visited Iran since the Feb. 1,



He added that the Iranian authorities would be held fully responsible for all Saudis who did not report their travels and had been infected during their stay in Iran.
The information and broadcasting ministry said on Friday it was suspending the transmission of two Malayalam news channels for 48 hours over their coverage of the recent violence in north-east Delhi, adding that the reports they ran could enhance communal disharmony.

Following the responses of the two channels  Asianet News TV and Media One  to a show-cause notice, the government said it found them in violation of the programme code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The ministry ordered the prohibition of transmission or re-transmission of the channels for 48 hours with effect from 7.30pm on March 6. According to Rule 6(1)(c) of the Act, no broadcast should contain an attack on religions or communities, or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups.

The orders issued to the two channels cited instances of reporting that were found to be in violation of the rules.

While reporting such critical incident, the channel (Asianet News) should have taken utmost care and should have reported it in a balanced way.

Such reporting could enhance the communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile, the order on Asianet News TV said. In its response to the notice, the channel said its reports were factual and never intended to attack a religion or a community.

The ministrys order on Media One also raised questions on the channels content, and said that the ministry previously issued advisories that norms should be followed.

In its response to the ministrys notice earlier, Media One said it reported what its correspondents witnessed on the ground.

When contacted, a senior editor of Asianet News TV said: It was least expected. The management will give an explanation later. he said.

Representatives of Media One refused a comment on the issue.

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Lindsay Lohan is facing furious backlash on Instagram after randomly sharing an old image of herself and accused child abuser Woody Allen.

The 33-year-old shared the photo - which was taken in New York in May 2012 - on her account on Friday morning, and within minutes, the post was inundated with comments from furious followers demanding that the Mean Girls star remove it.

Others accused Lohan, who lives in Dubai, of 'supporting abusers' by sharing the photo - with one commenter asking: 'Isn't that guy a rapist wtf?'

Outrage: Lindsay Lohan has come under furious criticism after posting an old paparazzi image of herself and alleged abuser Woody Allen on Instagram

Confusion: The 33-year-old captioned the photo, which was taken in New York in May 2012 after she and Allen had dinner together, 'This s**t is [movie reel emoji]'

Allen's adopted daughter Dylan Farrow has long accused the movie director of sexually molesting her when she was seven years old at her mother, actress Mia Farrow's home.

Allen has always denied the allegations and was never convicted, but a judge noted in the 1990s that he had been inappropriate towards her.

The Hollywood director then went on to date and marry Soon-Yi Previn, who was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow.

The family has not spoken to Allen for years.

Lohan has not commented on the controversy surrounding the post - which featured the rather vague caption, 'This s**t is [movie reel emoij].'

But her followers have had no problem sharing their thoughts about the post, with hundreds of people commenting to demand that she delete the photo.

Several people also offered a few words of advice, warning Lohan that sharing the photo could be 'bad for her image'.

Fury: Lohan's Instagram followers were quick to hit out at the star, with many insisting that she delete the photo, while others accused her of 'supporting abusers'

'I mean we understand he was good to you... but he revealed his true self elsewhere and those "allegations" were proven factual and not pretty...' one person wrote, before adding: 'Don't turn a blind eye to that side of him.'

Some were far less forgiving, simply commenting things like 'delete this', while one said: 'Supporting abusers *can't relate*'

'Always embarrassing herself with this post,' another wrote. 'Delete this sis.'

Quiet: Lohan has not addressed the controversy - which comes amid public outrage over a publisher's decision to release Allen's memoir, Apropos to Nothing

A number of people asked why she would post the photo in the first place - not only because of the allegations against Allen, but because it was taken so many years ago and seemingly had no purpose on her feed.

'Why would you post this? [Shaking my head],' one person commented.

This is not the first time that the image has sparked controversy; when Lohan and Allen were first pictured leaving high-end Manhattan restaurant Philippe Chow in May 2012, the paparazzi images were the source of much interest and speculation, with many wondering what had brought them together in the first place.

Some questioned whether Allen was planning to feature Lohan - who was preparing for the release of Elizabeth Taylor biopic Liz & Dick at the time - in one of his movies, while others suggested that the two may have struck up an unlikely friendship.

Even weeks later, many were still speculating as to the reason behind the dinner date - and Allen was actually grilled over the images at the premiere of his movie To Rome With Love in June of that year.

When asked by Access Hollywood whether he was considering her for a specific role, Allen said: 'No, but I wouldnt hesitate to use her in a movie because shes a very talented girl. That was a social dinner.

Ongoing: Allen's adopted daughter Dylan Farrow (left) has accused him of sexual molesting her as a child; her brother Ronan's (right) #MeToo book was released by Allen's new publisher

'But as I say, shes a very gifted girl, and I would not hesitate. If I had something for her, Id certainly call her.'

The director was also asked whether he would hesitate to cast Lohan in a movie because of her past legal troubles, with Allen responding: 'If there was some legal reason I couldnt [cast her], that would be a different story, but it would not concern me personally, no.

'I think that shed be just fine and shed do a great job.'

Lohan's latest Instagram post comes amid furious controversy over a book publisher's decision to go ahead with the release of Allen's memoir, Apropos of Nothing.

Both Dylan and her brother Ronan Farrow have slammed Hachette Book Group over the decision, taking to Twitter to hit out at the company - which is the same publisher behind Ronan's book Catch and Kill, which details the #MeToo movement.

Staff members at the publisher also staged a walkout on Thursday in protest over the decision.

Employees at Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, downed tools and marched on the company's human resources offices in Midtown Manhattan at around 3pm to express outrage at the group's move.
Authorities here put up roadside banners with photographs of people asked to pay compensation for damage to public property during anti-CAA protests, triggering outrage among those being named and shamed.

The banners came up at major road crossings in Lucknow late on Thursday night on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an official said.

They bear photographs, names and addresses of those accused of vandalism during protests in December against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Some activists who figure in the posters have said they will go to court over the "public humiliation" when the charges against them are yet to be proved.

A government spokesman said the posters have been up on the chief minister's directive at important intersections, including the main crossing in the busy Hazratganj area and in front of the Assembly building.

The spokesman said the people on the posters are those who had damaged public property under the pretext of protests, and notices have already been issued seeking compensation from them.

The posters say that property of the accused will be confiscated if they fail to pay the compensation.

Activist-politician Sadaf Jafar, who is among those whose photo appears on the posters, termed the move unethical and vowed to take legal recourse.

"How can we be publicly humiliated for something that has not yet been proved in court, she said.

This is not Afghanistan. Legal issues cannot be brought into public like this. Our bail order says there is no adequate evidence against us, Jafar told PTI.

She was arrested after the violence in Lucknow and later granted bail.

"We are not absconding, she said, adding that they have appeared before the court and police whenever asked.

Why are we being targeted like this? Did they put up posters of Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi at all airports? Had they done it they would have not fled with the country's wealth," she said, referring to the two absconding businessmen.

Former IPS officer, S R Darapuri claimed that the move is illegal.

"Our life, property and freedom have been put in jeopardy by putting up these posters and our reputation has been damaged," he said.

Darapuri added that he is writing to the state home secretary, director general of police and police commissioner, telling them that if they faced any trouble because of the posters, it would the administration's responsibility.

"We will challenge it in court collectively and demand the immediate withdrawal of the posters as well as action against the officials responsible for it," Darapuri said.

District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said three orders have been issued for recovery of damaged property worth Rs. 1.61 crores in four police station areas of the state capital.

Recovery notices have already been issued for this. If police get more evidence and some other people are identified, more notices will be served, the DM said.

He said 30 days have been given in the recovery notices for their implementation. After this, the offenders' property will be confiscated.

In Lucknow, 50 people were identified by police as alleged rioters and were served such notices.

After the violent protests in December, Yogi Adityanath had warned that those who took part in the vandalism will have to pay up.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday imposed a month-long moratorium on citing "serious deterioration in its financial position", capping the withdrawal limit at Rs 50000, depositors here rushed to the ATMs for withdrawing the cash.

However, the customers claimed that the bank had not given any prior information about it while many rued that the ATMs have run out of cash.

During the period of moratorium, the Limited shall not, without the permission in writing of the Reserve Bank of India, make, in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding Rs. 50,000 lying to his credit, in any savings, current or any other deposit account.

Nand Kumar, a customer told ANI that he wanted to withdraw cash but the "ATM ran out of cash" as many people have withdrawn their money.

" are considered trustworthy by a common man but from now onwards people will start loosing their trust. RBI takes such action whenever it wants. What is the crime of common men? Bank did not inform us anything," said Kumar.

"Bank staff and other members have always urged people to deposit more money. We used to receive some messages on the phones regarding the same but the Yes bank has conspired and mislead the people," he added.

Another customer said that he is in a need of withdrawing cash over Rs 50,000 but is helpless as the RBI has capped the withdrawal limit.

"I have an account in Yes Bank. The withdrawal has been capped at Rs 50,000, this is wrong. We will be facing problem as Holi is around. The bank has also not informed us about anything. I have Rs 2 lakh in my account and I need around Rs 1-1.5 lakh. A similar kind of situation occurred with PMC recently. Our request from the government is that our money should be cleared and returned at earliest," he added.

RBI on Thursday said a "moratorium" has been imposed on Yes Bank stressing that the bank's financial capability has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital.

"The financial position of Yes Bank Ltd. (the bank) has undergone a steady decline largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits," RBI said in a statement on Thursday.

"The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in the recent years which have led to steady decline of the bank. The Reserve Bank has been in constant engagement with the bank's management to find ways to strengthen its balance sheet and liquidity," the statement read.
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Linkedin Lynda Ibrahim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:07 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c8ff0 1 Health #column,#UrbanChat,#health,#healthcare,#coronavirus,#Indonesia,#virus,#disease,#pandemic,#tourism-industry Free

In my last column, I illustrated how it was to travel in the time of coronavirus, cheekily borrowing from the great Gabo (aka Gabriel Garcia Marquez). Even if we were visiting Laos, which hasnt reported any cases, tourism workers served visitors from behind face masks while travelers jumped anytime a fellow traveler coughed. We went about armed with alcohol swabs and high-dose vitamin C tablets.

Singapore went "orange alert" while we were on our trip, and my travel companion from the island nation watched the news showing usually calm Singaporeans raided supermarket shelves and deserted public spaces.

The same week, the people of Hong Kong flooded stores for basic survival items including toilet paper rolls, having endured months of political protests.

Similar scenes unfolded across Indonesia on Monday after President Joko Widodo confirmed the countrys first two cases. WhatsApp imploded with the news, gossip on the two patients, and pics and vids of the buying frenzy, showing usually sedentarily paced Indonesians running to the nearest grocer's.

Those gripped by FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) forwarded every little nugget of information they came across to show that they were, indeed, up to date, regardless of whether said nugget was valid, substantiated or even relevant.

Herd mentality drove people to blindly follow others in clearing out supermarkets, notwithstanding the absence of any indication that Indonesia would go into lockdown, Wuhan-style.

Do I blame people for being afraid of contracting COVID-19? No.

The past two months have shown that SARS-CoV-2 (the new strain of coronavirus that causes the disease) spreads quickly, affecting more than 80 countries and causing 3,000 deaths; albeit, more than 90 percent of all cases and deaths are in China, where the pesky bug emerged at the end of last year

The director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has stated itd take 12-18 months before we could see a vaccine. It's no wonder that the US and Australia, even with their generally higher education levels, still saw panic buying.

For Indonesians, its even scarier because our government doesnt have a good track record of being dependable when it comes to science or being open about matters that might hurt the countrys image.

Earlier warnings from foreign authorities on cases that had visited Indonesia were quickly shot down. After recommending prayer, the Vice President wanted Saudi Arabia to repeal its decision to turn away umrah pilgrims, because Indonesia didn't have a confirmed case, entirely blind to the probability of Indonesian pilgrims getting the disease there and then bringing it back home. Meanwhile, our Health Minister has been incapable of providing succinct answers or adopting a serious demeanor during press briefings.

The only major government plan that has been announced is a generously funded campaign to lure more tourists to Indonesia, whereas other countries are canceling major events and mass gatherings.

Even after Monday's announcement, professionalism hasnt improved a whit among our officials. The Depok mayor's thoughtless revelation of the patients identities prompted a massive media onslaught that forced the hand of the harassed patients to send out a WhatsApp message that went instantly viral. In it, they said they had taken the initiative to get checked out as soon as they heard that a foreigner theyd been in a room with had tested positive  instead of being tracked down by a vigilant government as the official announcement had suggested.

And of course, it took until Wednesday for the government to announce that it was readying a protocol.

Let's put that into perspective: While it may be two days on the ground in Indonesia, that's a full two months after the virus made international news, infected more than 98,100 people and claimed almost 3,400 lives in nearly 90 countries, including those that border ours. Or was it the case that a protocol been prepared but after a real case, the authorities realized it wasnt adequate?

On top of that, it breezily mentioned a plan for a hospital dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients. Yet instead of planning to build it in an outbreak epicenter as China did, ours will be on Galang Island near Batam; never mind the complex logistics of transporting patients carrying an infectious disease across thousands of kilometers and three two zones at most. Meanwhile, news broke that one person managed to escape quarantine in Batam.

I didnt take part in the buying frenzy and I do condemn it for jacking up prices even further beyond the means of the less fortunate  and hence, the most vulnerable. Yet, our tight-knit Indonesian society that has long rewarded herd mentality and is now running around in social media-driven FOMO isnt exactly finding a dependable voice in the government.

Rumor and superstition reign in the absence of trust and reason. Just look at the latest rush to traditional markets for certain herbs that promise a cure  again, according to automatically viral messages.

If the government fails to immediately demonstrate evidence-based leadership to earn public trust, Indonesians will fall victim to the coronavirus infodemic long before an epidemic even occurs.

At this rate, its actually surprising that some proportion of our 260 million-strong population hasnt descended into panic mode a la The Walking Dead. If the government thinks it can drag its collective feet until we reach that stage, allow me to point out that things usually dont end well for the untrustworthy leaders on the show: either you get thrown out by the living or devoured alive by the dead. Or both.

So please, dont fail us during this global outbreak. We are depending on each and every one of you, the freely elected members of the Indonesian government.(ste)

 Lynda Ibrahim is a Jakarta-based writer with a penchant for purple,

pussycats and pop culture.
Johnny Depp was today ordered to hand over all audio recordings he has of his former wife Amber Heard and give further information about his medical records ahead of his High Court libel trial.

The 56-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star allegedly beat Heard, 33, in drug-fuelled rampages as their marriage soured.

Depp denies he was addicted to illicit substances, but admits he was hooked on painkillers, and has launched counter claims saying he was attacked by Heard.

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London on February 26

The judge, Mr Justice Nicol ordered Depp to provide details of how he has made his medical history available.

The embattled actor has also been told he must give up audio tapes of Heard which he has after allegedly recording the two of them discussing their problems.

Depp was not present at the brief judgement hearing held at the Royal Court of Justice in London this morning as the judge ruled Heard could give evidence.

Mr Justice Nicol said: 'By not later than 4pm on March 10, 2020 the claimant [Depp] is to serve a witness statement setting out the steps that have been undertaken by the claimant and those acting on his behalf to obtain medical records and other documentation relevant to the issues in these proceedings from each of the medical professionals from whom the claimant has received medical treatment.

'In respect of all recordings, whether made digitally or by any other means, which include the voice of Amber Heard, whether or not they also include the voice of the claimant, the claimant by 4pm on March 10, 2020 will provide a witness statement verified with a statement of truth from him personally listing all of the recordings within his control.

Amber Heard attends Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2019

'The claimant must by 4pm on March 10, 2020 provide the defendants with a copy of the recordings.'

Depp will not have to disclose text messages allegedly sent from his phone about Heard.

The court heard he sent messages to a friend reading: 'Let's burn Amber!' and 'Let's drown her before we burn her!!! I'll f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead'.

These will not be part of the trial expected to start later this month after the judge ruled though the text had been mentioned at earlier stages of the case they had not been produced on request.

Further legal documents concerning the divorce of Depp from Heard in January 2017 must also be provided by the actor.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 15, 2016

Depp is suing The Sun and Dan Wootton, a columnist for the newspaper, over articles which he claims are libellous and damaged his reputation in the industry.

He claims articles from April 27 and 28 published by The Sun state he was guilty of serious domestic violence against his former wife leaving her fearing for her life.

Depp also argues the articles caused him to be made the subject of a court restraining order damaging his ability to work in the film industry.

Additionally, he claims his was forced to pay 5million to compensate her. The trial is expected to last ten days and will start on March 23.
TriMet said it is now disinfecting all surfaces passengers are likely to touch on buses and MAX trains every night, a change the transit agency says is an extra level of precaution amid ongoing concerns about coronavirus.

Roberta Altstadt, a TriMet spokeswoman, said Thursday the agency is disinfecting all of what she described as touch points on buses and light rail trains. Those include doors, poles and other surfaces riders grab on to while in transit.

There is much uncertainty about coronavirus, but one thing is certain, preventing the spread will take all of us, she said in a statement.

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TriMet does clean its trains and buses every day, but the routine varies depending on the conditions aboard the buses or trains. Some vehicles are mopped and swept, some are wiped down and some have a more thorough deep cleaning at night.

The policy change means every vehicle in use that day will be wiped down with a disinfectant. That translates, Altstadt said, to at least 114 MAX vehicles and at least 584 buses every weekday. Twenty-six workers are on the cleaning crew, and other employees are being offered overtime to help out, Altstadt said.

CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: THE LATEST NEWS

She urged passengers to remember that even with beefed up nightly cleaning, a door or pole is only clean until someone touches it, sneezes on it or coughs on it.

Altstadt urged riders to wash their hands frequently and to stay home when sick.

If you must ride, even if you have a cold or allergies and do not have a fever or trouble breathing, please consider using a mask, she said in an email. And, always cover coughs and sneezes and be aware of others.

-- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen

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As New York Citys tourism continues to boom, setting new records every year  it hosts more than 38 million overnight visitors annually  the Big Apple has an insatiable need for new hotels. And developers keep stepping up to deliver those rooms. Independent properties, big chains and their various brands, boutique locations and everything in between keep springing up in Manhattans concrete canyons. Heres a look at 10 notable properties affiliated with major lodging groups such as Marriott, Hilton, Radisson and Hyatt (and their popular loyalty programs) that debuted in the past year or so.

Lots of new hotels that have Times Square in their names are actually several blocks from the landmark crossroads, but the year-old Times Square Edition is actually pretty close, at 47th Street and Seventh Avenue. Designed by legendary New York hotelier Ian Schrager in partnership with Marriott International, the luxury 452-room Edition is heavy with greenery, outdoor terraces and other unique design elements. It has something you dont see in many hotels these days  a cabaret with dancing and live performers  and restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser. During May, advance purchase prepaid rates for Marriott Bonvoy members start at $504 plus a $35 daily destination fee.

Radisson Hotel New York Times Square

Just opened in mid-January, the Radisson Hotel New York Times Square is at Eighth Avenue and 37th Street (actually closer to Penn Station than to Times Square). The newly built hotel has 320 rooms, 70 of them offering views of the Empire State Building. The new Radisson has a seasonal rooftop cocktail bar, a fitness center and a business center for guests, and provides free Wi-Fi. This spring, it will open a lobby-level restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Prepaid rates in May start as low as $198 plus 16 percent tax.

Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square

Another new property near Times Square is the 520-room Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square, which opened last fall. At 350 W. 39th Street (near Ninth Avenue), its as close to the new Hudson Yards commercial/retail/residential/convention complex as it is to Times Square. Theres no signature restaurant here, but the Hyatt Place does serve up daily hot breakfast; it also has a bar with some regionally inspired food selections and specialty coffees, as well as a market with grab-and-go snacks, salads and a bakery case. Rooms are fitted with blackout curtains for easy sleeping, and the hotel has a fitness center and free Wi-Fi. During May, advance purchase rates for World of Hyatt members start at $323 plus 16 percent tax and service.

Fairfield Inn/SpringHill Suites

Marriott

Marriott also added a dual-branded Fairfield Inn/SpringHill Suites last year at 338 W. 36th Street, about halfway between Penn Station and Hudson Yards. The two hotels share a single building (formerly the Christ Church Presbyterian Church, built in 1905) and common public areas, but each has its own room types. The Fairfield Inn has mostly standard hotel rooms and the SpringHill Suites has studio suites with separate sleeping, working and living areas; some have terraces as well. Both properties provide guests with free breakfasts and Wi-Fi, and theres a shared fitness center, bar, and market with snacks, sundries and microwave meals. May prepaid rates for Marriott Bonvoy members start at $219 at the Fairfield Inn and $303 for SpringHill Suites accommodations, plus 16 percent tax and service.

Conrad New York Midtown

On West 54th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, the hotel formerly known as the London NYC was reborn last fall as the Conrad New York Midtown, a luxury all-suite property thats part of Hilton Hotels Conrad brand. The 54-story Conrad has 562 suites ranging from 500-square-foot one-bedroom units to the two-story, two-bedroom, 3,000 square foot penthouse suite on the top floor, with other sizes and varieties in between. Many units have views of Central Park. The new Conrad boasts an extensive art collection with works from 100 artists, and a restaurant called Dabble serving light fare and classic cocktails. May advance purchase rates begin at $511 plus 15 percent tax for Hilton Honors members.

Courtyard by Marriott New York Midtown West

Another new opening last fall was the 399-room, 28-story Courtyard by Marriott New York Midtown West. Located at 461 W. 34th Street, its in the heart of the Hudson Yards neighborhood, just a block from the Hudson Yards subway station and two blocks from the Javits Center. Rooms come with Cuisinart coffee makers, rain shower heads, free Wi-Fi, kimono bathrobes and designer towels. The hotels restaurant serves up three meals a day, and theres also a cocktail bar and a juice bar, business center, 24-hour fitness facility and a guest laundry. (And the Courtyard is pet-friendly, if anyone dares bring their dog to midtown Manhattan.) May advance purchase rates begin at $219 plus 17 percent taxes and fees for Marriott Bonvoy members.

Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel

Marriott

Farther south, in the Chelsea neighborhood, Marriotts Renaissance Hotels brand last month cut the ribbon on the 39-story, 341-room Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel at 112 West 25th Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues. This spring, the hotel will open an Italian restaurant called Cotto, serving three meals a day; also coming in the months ahead is a unique new space called "Somewhere Nowhere," encompassing a two-level lounge on the 38th floor and a pool as part of the 39th floors rooftop terrace. Additionally, the hotel has a 24-hour fitness center and three meeting rooms. During May, advance purchase rates for Marriott Bonvoy members start at $348 plus 23 percent tax and service charges.

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Moxy Easy Village

Moxy is the Marriott's Euro-centric brand with avant-garde design elements and concepts, and the company has opened a few in Manhattan over the last year. One is the Moxy East Village, at 112 East 11th Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues. Its a 13-story, 286-room hotel, and some rooms can accommodate up to four people with a combination of single and bunk beds. The Moxys Alphabet Cafe & Bar doubles as a co-working lounge, with a cart full of free books for guests to borrow; they can also borrow LPs to play on a turntable available by request for their room. The hotel has a French-Mediterranean restaurant called Cathedrale with 26-foot ceilings, an open-hearth kitchen and an outdoor dining terrace. The Moxy East Village is expected to open a rooftop bar with a retractable roof this spring. Prepaid rates in May for Bonvoy members in a double room start at $298 plus 14 percent tax and service.

Moxy Chelsea

Another new Moxy opened last year in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood at 105 West 28th Street near Sixth Avenue. Guest rooms in the 35-story, 350-room Moxy Chelsea include king rooms, double-doubles and quad bunk rooms ranging from 185-195 square feet, all with 43-inch smart TVs, Wi-Fi, USB ports and foldaway furniture. The hotel has an Italian restaurant, an all-day cafe and bar as well as the Fleur Room (the hotel is in Manhattans flower district), a glass-enclosed cocktail lounge on the 35th floor with great city views. This Moxy also provides free meditation classes and bikes for getting around the city. May prepaid rates for Bonvoy members start at $306 plus 16 percent tax and service.

Radisson Hotel New York Wall Street

Theres another new Radisson hotel way downtown at 52 William Street, just north of Wall Street and two blocks from the New York Stock Exchange -- The 289-room Radisson Hotel New York Wall Street. Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, smart TVs and Keurig coffemakers. The hotels Bailey Pub & Brasserie serves up bistro and pub-style food, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For business conferences, the hotel has 3,000 square feet of meeting space in four rooms. Advance purchase rates in May start at $278 plus 16 percent tax.

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One month after Free Democratic Party (FDP) politician Thomas Kemmerich was elected Thuringia state premier with the votes of the extreme right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), his predecessor, Left Party leader Bodo Ramelow, is back in office.

Ramelow was elected state premier on Wednesday by the Thuringia state legislature in the third round of voting, in which a simple majority was sufficient for victory. He received the votes of the Left Party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens. The AfD representatives voted against him, the Christian Democrats (CDU) abstained and the FDP boycotted the election.

The new government is, in fact, an all-party government in which the AfD sets the tone. The governing parties, the Left Party, SPD, and the Greens, agreed to a Stability Pact with the CDU the morning before the election stating that they will not cooperate with the AfD in controversial votes, but will work together to find a solution in joint talks.

Ramelow speaks after his election in the Erfurt state parliament. (AP-Photo/Jens Meyer)

But the same Stability Pact practically grants the CDU a right to veto government policies. We are three parties that together form this government. But we are four parties, together with the CDU, who together set out to initiate and secure stability for this country, Ramelow explained.

This is the same CDU that made a pact with the AfD just four weeks ago. The advocates of open cooperation with the right-wing extremists are so strong in the CDU that it has almost torn the party apart in the last four weeks.

In practice, the Stability Pact means that the red-red-green minority government cannot decide or do anything that is rejected by the CDU. And the CDU will reject anything that meets with the opposition of the AfD, because otherwise, the conflicts within its own ranks will flare up again.

As the only opposition party in the Thuringian state parliament, the AfD is thus in a position to dictate government policy. And not because of adverse circumstances, but because Ramelow and his coalition partners want it that way!

The election of Kemmerich with the votes of the AfD had triggered a nationwide storm of protest in February, which the CDU, the FDPand also Ramelowhad not expected. The anger and indignation increased even more when a neo-Nazi murdered nine people in Hanau for racist motives.

Since then, Ramelow has done everything possible to dampen these feelings of outrage and to help the CDU out of the crisis its cooperation with the AfD in the election for state premier had triggered. If he had insisted on immediate new elections, the Left Party would have won 40 percent of the vote and the CDU would have collapsed, according to surveys. But Ramelow did not want that on any account.

Under no circumstances does he want to hold new elections and fight for a government majority in face of a growing radicalisation against the right. In the tradition of right-wing social democrats like Friedrich Ebert and Gustav Noske, Ramelow appealed to the CDUs state responsibility, tweeting that responsibility for the state must be the first priority for every politician, regardless of which party. First the federal state, then the party and only then the person.

Ramelow even offered to let the CDU take over the leadership of a transitional government, in the person of former state premier Christine Lieberknecht, who would be supported by the Left Party, the SPD and the Greens. When this plan was opposed by CDU headquarters in Berlin and Lieberknecht withdrew her willingness, Ramelow proposed a new plan.

Now, the CDU was to guarantee his re-election as state premier in the first round of elections with at least four votes, and in return, he would grant the CDU a veto right and hold new elections in spring 2021after the CDU has recovered somewhat.

But even this offer failed due to the CDUs strict refusal to relax its policy decision excluding any cooperation with the Left Party. De facto, this decision means that the CDU is just as close to the AfD as it is to the completely bourgeois Ramelow Left Party. In order to spare the CDU another ordeal, Ramelow finally abandoned this condition and offered the CDU a veto right without conditions.

Ramelow himself justified his behaviour citing his concern for democratic institutions. But this is simply a lie. In reality, the Left Party and its Social Democratic and Green coalition partners agree with the CDU, FDP and AfD on all essential political issues.

Ramelows red-red-green coalition had lost its majority on October 27, 2019, because its policies were no different from those of CDU- or SPD-led state governments. It pursued a drastic austerity programme, ruthlessly deported refugees and stepped up repressive state powers. Contrary to its election promises, it also did not abolish the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (as the secret service is called), which in Thuringia is closely linked to the neo-Nazi scene.

The Stability Pact, agreed upon by the red-red-green coalition and CDU, means the adoption of another austerity budget and an increase in the size of the police force. This was dictated by the effort to strengthen the authority of the state apparatus in the face of growing social tensions.

After his swearing-in as the new state premier, Ramelow effusively thanked the CDU and stressed that his main task would be to maintain the political order in this beautiful and successful federal state. Never again should important state offices and organs of state be treated with such disdain as they were at the beginning of last month, he said.

The AfD is being used and deliberately strengthened to promote this policy, which is directly aimed against the working class. In his state parliament speech after his re-election, Ramelow made it clear that he too is prepared to cooperate with the AfD.

After the election, he had refused to shake hands with AfD parliamentary faction leader Bjorn Hocke, when the latter sought to congratulate him. The reason was not Hockes racist and fascist statements or his trivialisation of Nazi crimes, but his weakening of state offices and state organs.

Ramelow said, If I can clearly hear that democracy is in the foreground, then I am prepared to shake hands with you too, Mr Hocke. But only then, when you defend democracy and do not trample democracy underfoot and nobody in this House actually knows how you vote, why you vote at all, or whether you are again setting traps for democrats in other groups.

Ramelows policies and his alliance with the CDU strengthen the extreme right-wing AfD. The all-party alliance in Erfurt is directed against the working class. It aims to disorient, demoralise and stifle the broad resistance against the AfD and the return of fascism.

The events in Thuringia confirm the assessment of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) that the Left Party is not an alternative to the rise of the right, but an important element of an all-party conspiracy.

The fight against fascism and the rise of the AfD requires a political struggle against all bourgeois and pro-capitalist parties that directly or indirectly pave the way for it. Only the mobilisation of the working class based on a socialist programme can prevent the return of fascism and war.
Networks held for ransom

Small business under attack

Schools targeted

'Time bombs'

An inevitable decision

(TNS)  The ransomware attack hit Sept. 1, crippling a network affecting thousands of users and employees.Yet the cybercriminals who held a massive network hostage for more than a week to extort money weren't targeting a Fortune 500 company or a secret service agency.They went after a suburban school district.Cybercriminals are increasingly hitting school districts, hospitals, government agencies and small businesses, forcing them to pay big money to unlock their systems and restore data, according to reports by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and agencies that track cybercrimes."Criminals are moving from targeting individual users to launching more sophisticated attacks on enterprise-level victims, businesses and the public sector," said FBI Special Agent Adam Lawson, who reports the surge in ransomware attacks is happening across all sectors."Every institution is different in how they prepare for a cyber event, but it's not a matter of if ? it's a matter of when," Lawson said. "You'll be attacked by some cybercriminal at some point."The September 2019 attack targeted the Souderton Area School District, locking the district out of its network. Students were told not to use school-issued laptops and district employees not to access their email.To keep schools and offices running, Wi-Fi hotspots were brought in by Comcast and AT&T. It cost the district $800,000 and the hiring of a cybersecurity firm to "bring everything back to normal," Superintendent Frank Gallagher said.The district had been hit by ransomware, a type of malicious software that infiltrates computer systems, locks them down, and encrypts all the files. Typically, with an attack, the network or system is then held hostage by encryption until payments are made.Lawson has seen ransom requests as low as $300 for individual users and demands in excess of $5 million for larger enterprises. "We don't get feedback on some cases on whether they pay or not," he said.More than just a financial loss is at stake, Lawson said."With ransomware affecting hospitals, encrypting patient records ... It could be pretty dangerous in an ER situation," he said. "And taking 911 centers out of automated mode, where they have to do things manually, has affected response times. It's had a profound impact on the American public."According to reports from data security companies Armor and Emsisoft , ransomware is costing businesses, hospitals, schools and government agencies millions.In 2019, Emsisoft alone reported that ransomware hit 113 state and municipal governments and agencies, 764 healthcare providers, and 89 universities, colleges and school districts, affecting potentially more than 1,000 individual schools. Across Pennsylvania, criminals have infiltrated libraries, courts, prisons and housing authorities. At least one Bucks County municipality has been attacked recently, county officials said.In October 2019, Cherry Hill School District in New Jersey was struck by ransomware , dismantling email services and the internet during the week that files were reportedly encrypted. Other victims of ransomware included Pinelands Regional School District, the city of Allentown, Northern Lehigh School District, Temple University Health System and The Ambulatory Surgery Center at St. Mary, affecting 13,000 patients, according to data collected by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Lawson said the most common method of attack is through "spear phishing," where emails are sent to end users that result in the rapid encryption of files on a network. When the victim gets locked out, the cybercriminal demands the payment of a ransom, typically in virtual currency.He said the FBI's Internet Crime Report shows that while the number of ransomware attacks dropped last year, the amount of losses increased, because of shifting targets to larger entities and fewer individual consumers. Recent months, however, show that attacks of ransomware are now spiking back up.In 2019, the FBI received 2,047 complaints identified as ransomware costing consumers and businesses more than $8.9 million, according to the bureau's Internet Core Competency Certification (IC3) 2019 Internet Crime Report. Tactics these criminals use make it extremely difficult for law enforcement to catch them, Lawson said. Oftentimes, cybercriminals hide their location and route communications through multiple countries, with many committing crimes in other countries where they cannot be prosecuted.Michael Bannon, director of Bucks County Consumer Protection, said cyberattacks on small businesses in the region have skyrocketed recently. Local governments have been affected, too.In past years, the bulk of cybercrimes reported to his office were from residents who had their computer locked down. Now, the targets are changing.Of the spike in business and government cyberattacks, Bannon said: "We went from zero a few years ago to 200 a year now."While ransomware attacks involving personal computers are still happening, he said, "Scam artists realize they can get bigger paydays by going after bigger fish like smaller businesses and government organizations."Blake Lertzman, owner of Dtown Tech, a Doylestown Borough-based IT firm, said he too has seen a decline in the number of individual consumers targeted and an uptick in small businesses affected.Lertzman said the losses can be devastating for a small business, as scammers lock access to contacts, calendars, billing records and details of company accounts. One customer, a local body shop, reported a case of ransomware that locked 30 years of company records.Cybercriminals, Lertzman said, are following the money and are also well aware that these targets need their systems up and running and may be more likely to pay the ransom."For many people, if you don't pay ransom, you have to rebuild and start fresh," he said.The body shop "dodged a bullet" because they had a software package that included backups, Lertzman said. "Otherwise they would have lost 30 years of client information."In Souderton, Gallagher said no student information was compromised and the district restored all its data. In response, the district added a two-factor authentication for logging into its system and invested in "industry-level protections that we did not have before," said Gallagher, who is encouraging other districts to spend the extra money for stronger fortifications."We chose to contract with a cybersecurity company to get us through this," said the superintendent, adding that hackers are preying on public agencies because they often don't have the same level of resources dedicated to security as larger corporations."Now we're investing because it's essential. Technology is such a big part of everything we do."Last spring, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale urged state lawmakers to invest in helping school districts strengthen cybersecurity."With the number of cyberattacks continuing to rise, the state should make sure school districts have the resources they need to protect themselves," said DePasquale, who noted that no action has occurred at the state level since a 2017 survey by his office showed a majority of Pennsylvania school districts were concerned about cybersecurity and expected risks to increase."Cyberattacks on school districts could jeopardize Social Security numbers, tax data, student records ? a wide range of sensitive information," he said.The extent of how ransomware has affected area institutions is unknown, since most organizations who fall victim are not eager to report the crimes, nor how they responded to them.While regulations require U.S. health care companies that sustain a data breach to alert the government and public, no law requires non-healthcare entities to report instances of ransomware. Security data companies, however, piece together news reports, like a nationwide map of school incidents, to alert the public.Alan Herr, owner HPT Systems in Upper Southampton, which offers IT services to several municipalities and police departments across Bucks and Montgomery counties, said that ransomware attacks are increasing and wreaking more havoc on local government agencies and businesses."They have gotten more and more severe through the years as they've gotten more clever in how they spread," said Herr.For example, Bristol Borough and a few area police departments, were hit by a couple of ransomware attacks over the years, but they weren't "crippling attacks," he said."We caught it early at the workstation level," he said.In 90% of ransomware cases, attacks come through a fraudulent email that appeared legitimate."Someone opens it, clicks on the attachment and that is how they start," he said.But upon opening the attachment, Herr said, "Nothing immediately happens; it's a delayed reaction.""They (the malware) usually lay dormant and start infecting at 9 at night or over the weekend. They are essentially time bombs."Recent ransomware attacks have been far more destructive, "taking down entire networks."A business client that was hit in 2019 was forced to rebuild the entire system from scratch."Every machine on the network was affected, taken offline and not just cleaned, but rebuilt from scratch," Herr said. "It was costly."Severe cases have struck municipalities, in one case costing "tens of thousands of dollars," but he could not release client information without permission.With attacks large or small, Bannon and Lertzman said victims face a difficult decision."Do they pay the ransomware to the bad guy and get their information back or bite the bullet and rebuild everything? That's up to the individual or individual businesses or organizations to decide," Bannon said. "Either way, it's a hard shot to call."Ironically, Bannon said, the "bad guys" often do keep their word and unlock systems when the ransom is paid."We have heard that the bad guys tend to do what they say they are going to do if you pay them. But it's not for good intentions," he added. "They do this because they want to come back and do it again."Lawson said the FBI recommends against paying the ransom. For many businesses, however, the cost of rebuilding and replacing equipment is not a practical solution, as the costs can escalate beyond the ransom demand.The Wyoming Area School District in northeastern Pennsylvania paid a ransom of more than $38,000 to a hacker who used ransomware to lock the district's network in summer of 2019, but the district was responsible for $10,000 because it had insurance, according to a news report from The Citizens Voice One of Herr's clients also had cyber insurance, which covered the bulk of the costs to restore its network.The financial loss from a ransomware attack on the city of Baltimore was estimated at more than $18 million. The city refused to pay the ransom of $76,000, according to news reports of the 2019 breach.Herr said none of his clients chose to pay the ransom, he said.And, paying the ransom doesn't eliminate the need to clean a network after it's been attacked."From a security perspective, you can't trust the equipment anymore. Though paying ransom may be appealing for larger organizations," he said. "You are dealing with thieves."The best defense against ransomware is prevention, experts say. Yet that cybersecurity comes with a cost."Business owners get sticker shock when they see how much it costs to have protection properly set up," said Lertzman, adding that backup systems, not connected to the network, can help safeguard data."In the big picture, if a business spends $10,000 to set it up and $2,500 a year, it's better than the $50,000 ransom you'll face or the cost having to rebuild everything and lose what you have. You can't put a price on that."
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who has emerged as a key advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, said he is optimistic the recent backing of President Donald Trump will push full funding for the program over the finish line.

A bipartisan group of senators spoke in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, the day after Trump tweeted support for full mandatory funding for LWCF as well as the Restore Our Parks Act  a program addressing backlogged maintenance at Americas national parks.

The announcement that the president made yesterday is historic, a historic day for conservation, for Montana, for the entire nation, Daines said in an interview.

Trump had previously backed the national parks bill but proposed slashing LWCF funding as recently as last month. Despite the administrations proposals, Congress has funded the program at higher levels but still well below the full $900 million threshold, including about $500 million this year.

Following a successful push to see the program permanently reauthorized, both Daines and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester have joined a bipartisan push to fully fund LWCF and make the funding permanent by removing it from the annual appropriations process. Supporters of the measure believe it will not only add more critical funding but also provide certainty to those who tap it for conservation and recreation.

Montana has received more than $400 million in LWCF funding, including recent access projects on the Rocky Mountain Front, along the Smith River and near Whitefish.

LWCF uses offshore oil and gas royalties to fund a variety of conservation and recreation needs nationwide, including public access projects and municipal parks. The national parks bill generates funding similarly in earmarking a portion of revenue from energy development toward maintenance. If passed, the bill would generate more than $1 billion per year over the next five years toward the $12 estimated backlog.

Every day that goes by were losing ecosystems in this country, and once theyre gone theyre gone forever, Tester said in the news conference.

Tester has been a staunch supporter of LWCF, including cosponsoring legislation along with Daines to both permanently reauthorize as well as mandate full funding. But he has acknowledged limited influence while in the Democratic minority and said the viability largely rested with Senate Republicans.

Tester expressed more measured optimism, the Associated Press reported, calling Trump's tweet good news,'' but added: It's almost too good to be true.''

Daines said that he and Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., met with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently to push both pieces of legislation, but McConnell said he would not move the bills forward without the presidents endorsement.

Their subsequent meeting with Trump last week included presentations on projects in Montana and Colorado, and they lobbied for LWCF as a bottom up driven program valuable for public land conservation.

The president listened, and he committed as we walked out of the meeting, he said If you get this bill on my desk Ill sign it, Daines said. Thats what we needed for Leader McConnell to say, OK, Ill put that on the floor of the United States Senate.

Daines believes the legislation could see action in the Senate in March or April.

Im optimistic were not going to just have a press conference, were actually going to see an outcome here, he said.

Republicans and Democrats supporting the bills praised the bipartisanship Wednesday while reporters also brought up the legislation's timing in an election year.

Both Daines and Gardner are seeking reelection this year, and while Daines is heavily favored against the Democrats currently running in Montana, Gardner is considered one of the Senate's most vulnerable incumbents.

I'm not going to try to play politics or point partisan fingers,'' Gardner told reporters Wednesday. "I'm going to focus on the good the great outdoors does.''

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he didn't care about the plan's politics, only that it helped his state and others across the country.

"Politics be damned, let's get this done,'' Manchin said, standing next to Gardner at the news conference.

Daines said in an interview that if the issue were purely political it would not make sense to make permanent changes to the law.

This is not a political argument for me  as a lifelong Montanan Ive grown up loving this outdoor way of life, he said.

Daines added that he considers his advocacy for LWCF and national parks one of legacy.

When you look back someday, when you hang up your spurs as a senator, you look back on what are some of your proudest accomplishments, and getting this done, assuming we get it done and signed into law, will be one of those, he said.

At a budget hearing Wednesday, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt acknowledged that Trump's tweet took him by surprise, but said he and the rest of the Trump administration support full funding for the conservation program and for clearing the maintenance backlog, a priority of interior secretaries of both parties.

"The president made his comment and Im pretty 100% confident everybody's getting in line,'' Bernhardt said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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One of the big questions in physics and chemistry is, how were the heavy elements from iron to uranium created? The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory is being upgraded with new capabilities to help find the answer to that question and many others.

Of five DOE Office of Science user facilities at Argonne, ATLAS is the longest lived. Inaugurated in 1978, ATLAS is ever changing and developing new technological advances and responding to emerging research opportunities, says ATLAS director Guy Savard. It is now being outfitted with an N = 126 factory, scheduled to go online later this year. This new capability will soon be producing beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons. This is made possible, in part, by the addition of a cooler-buncher that cools the beam and converts it from continuous to bunched.

For many decades, ATLAS has been a leading U.S. facility for nuclear structure research and is the world-leading facility in the provision of stable beams for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. ATLAS can accelerate beams ranging across the elements, from hydrogen to uranium, to high energies, then it smashes them into targets for studies of various nuclear structures.

Since its inception, ATLAS has brought together the worlds leading scientists and engineers to solve some of the most complex scientific problems in nuclear physics and astrophysics. In particular, it has been instrumental in determining properties of atomic nuclei, the core of matter and the fuel of stars.

Inaugurated in 1978, ATLAS is ever changing and developing new technological advances and responding to emerging research opportunities.  ATLAS director Guy Savard

The forthcoming N = 126 factory will be generating beams of atomic nuclei with a magic number of neutrons, 126. As Savard explains, Physics has seven magic numbers: 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82 and 126. Atomic nuclei with these numbers of neutrons or protons are exceptionally stable. This stability makes them ideal for research purposes in general.

Scientists at ATLAS will be generating N = 126 nuclei to test a reigning theory of astrophysics  that the rapid capture of neutrons during the explosion and collapse of massive stars and the collision of neutron stars is responsible for the formation of about half the heavy elements from iron through uranium.

The N = 126 factory will be accelerating a beam composed of a xenon isotope with 82 neutrons into a target composed of a platinum isotope with 120 neutrons. The resulting collisions will transfer neutrons from the xenon beam into a platinum target, yielding isotopes with 126 neutrons and close to that amount. The very heavy neutron-rich isotopes are directed to experimental stations for study.

The planned studies at ATLAS will provide the first data on neutron-rich isotopes with around 126 neutrons and should play a critical role in understanding the formation of heavy elements, the last stage in the evolution of stars, said Savard. These and other studies will keep ATLAS at the frontier of science.

###

The architects of the N = 126 factory include Savard, as well as Maxime Brodeur (University of Notre Dame), Adrian Valverde (joint appointment with University of Manitoba), Jason Clark (joint appointment with University of Manitoba), Daniel Lascar (Northwestern University) and Russell Knaack (Argonnes Physics division).

The authors recently published two papers on the subject in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, The N = 126 Factory: A New Facility to Produce Very Heavy Neutron-Rich Isotopes and A Cooler-Buncher for the N = 126 Factory at Argonne National Laboratory. They received funding from the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Nuclear Physics and the National Science Foundation.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nations first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance Americas scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco has opened the door to a future lawsuit against the former defense secretary of Sri Lanka  now the nations president  for allegedly ordering the murder of a prominent journalist.

Lasantha Wickretamunge, founder and editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, was stabbed and beaten to death by a mob of motorcyclists in 2009 while driving to work in Colombo, capital of the South Asian island nation. He and his newspaper had written extensively on alleged human rights violations and war crimes by the government during a decades-long civil war, and was described as a terrorist journalist by the nations president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in 2008.

The journalists daughter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge, who lives in Australia, has accused then-Defense Secretary Gotobaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksas brother, of orchestrating the killing and attacks on other journalists. The government has never filed charges for the slaying, and Gotobaya Rajapaksa has denied involvement.

The daughters suit was filed in April 2019 in Los Angeles, where Gotobaya Rajapaska had lived for several years and had become a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2003. In November, he was elected president of Sri Lanka, succeeding his brother, and automatically became immune from suits under U.S. law.

His lawyers argued that he had also been shielded from the suit as defense secretary because the alleged acts were part of his conduct as a government official, which are usually protected by immunity.

The daughter and her lawyers disagreed, saying Sri Lankas government had never sought immunity for Gotobaya Rajapaska, and neither had the U.S. State Department, which often plays a role in cases involving foreign governments.

A month before the Sri Lankan election, U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner of Los Angeles granted Gotobaya Rajapaska immunity, saying the alleged actions had all been in an official capacity, and ordered the suit permanently dismissed. But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals took a different view last week.

In a brief order, the three-judge panel granted the daughters request to dismiss her case as moot, because Gotobaya Rajapaska is now president, but said the dismissal was without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled once he leaves office.

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 court did not explain its decision. But Natalie Reid, a lawyer for Ahimsa Wickrematunge, said it gives her another chance at justice for her father.

The violent targeting of journalists should never be considered legitimate acts of state, said Carmen Cheung, legal director of the Center for Justice and Accountability, a San Francisco nonprofit that also represents the daughter.

Lawyers for Gotobaya Rajapaksa did not respond to requests for comment. In court filings, they argued that he was immune from the lawsuit, and that the case has no connection to California and should be heard, if anywhere, in the courts of Sri Lanka.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
For the last few years, John Hartman has looked down at Canada from helicopters, planes and drones. He took photos of snow-topped Rocky Mountains, coastal Newfoundland towns, the foggy beach at Tofino, B.C., tightly packed cities. Then he painted each landscape behind the author who loved it. Of the more than 30 in his cross-country portrait project, only one writer chose the great indoors.

Hartman laughs. Generation X author Douglas Coupland.

I thought, oh goodness, Doug wants to be ironic, but it turns out he wasnt, he says. Park Royal, a mall in West Vancouver, was where 14-year-old Coupland cleared syrup-sticky plates at Rickys Pancake House for his first job. He had a real attachment to it and interest in its strange architecture and how it changed over time.

Hartman is known for his landscape work, and in 2014, he was working on a series of portraits connected to the shoreline of Ontarios Georgian Bay. He approached writer David Macfarlane for that series, but Macfarlane surprised him by suggesting a different background: his childhood backyard in Hamilton.

So Hartman visited the Macfarlane family home and talked to the author about his connection to the city, and painted the portrait.

Hartman is a big reader, especially of Canadian fiction, and decided there might be a larger project in this. He started emailing Canadian writers to see if they would be up for a portrait series connected to place, and if so, what landscape was most important to them? He had friends help him draft a list of authors to approach, and then he travelled the country, meeting people and creating the sweeping canvases in his studio in Lafontaine, Ont.

Last year, he published 32 of the portraits in a book called Many Lives Mark This Place. An exhibit of the work begins at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg on March 7.

Initially, he was going to publish a book version of the project that was more of an exhibition catalogue, but the scope changed after he asked Globe and Mail journalist and The Boy in the Moon author Ian Brown for more details about why Go Home Bay was important to him. Browns emailed reply nearly had Hartman in tears  that it was a place where his son Walker, who was born with a shockingly rare genetic syndrome, could be himself.

It seemed obvious in hindsight, he says, so after that, Hartman asked each author to write about 500 words to accompany each portrait.

In these short essays, you learn that Michael Crummey and Michael Winter live next door to each other in Newfoundlands Western Bay, a place that is something of a black hole for cellphone coverage, as Crummey writes. When Winter arrives each summer, Crummey poaches his Wi-Fi from an upstairs corner of his own home.

And that feels like just about the right level of connectedness, Crummey writes of his community, which has long felt next door to the modern world.

Hartman was surprised by some of the places authors chose. He figured Thomas King, author of The Inconvenient Indian, would pick the rural area around Lethbridge, which in Hartmans mind was the setting for Kings Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour series on CBC. But King wanted Tofino, in all of its wet, gloomy melancholy.

When Im feeling strong and invincible, I go to the Prairies and stand in the sun, King writes in his piece, later adding: Whereas the coast is a lonely refuge, a soft blanket, a gentle lover.

It was a new landscape for Hartman, and he loved capturing the misty, overcast light.

While many writers lived in cities, they often chose rural places where they grew up, or a town where they lived in the summer. Hartman was delighted when Camilla Gibb chose Torontos Kensington Market, Because at one point it looked like there were going to be no cities in the paintings at all, he says.

As part of his process, he met every author and took their photograph indoors from different angles. It usually took 10 minutes for people to relax as they talked about why a place mattered to them. (If he had time, he did a watercolour sketch.) Then he would visit the place, take photos, make sketches. Later, he combined the images with oil paints on a large linen canvas in his studio.

Hartman covered the travel on his own. He has a drone, but height and other restrictions meant that occasionally he had to charter a small airplane to get the birds-eye view he wanted to convey in each painting. (He likes a Cessna; the wings dont block the view.)

Once a pilot phoned in sick in Calgary and he had to rent a helicopter at the last minute to fly above the foothills west of Cochrane to capture the sweeping landscape that meant so much to Good to a Fault author Marina Endicott. The mountains are good, but theres a lot to be said for their preamble, the foothills, as they rise step by step into the great magnificence, she writes.

The pilots and other people he met along the way were intrigued by the project. When he was driving home from Massachusetts, where he had photographed A Tale for the Time Being author Ruth Ozeki (who he painted above B.C.s Cortes Island), the border agent wanted to know everything  including which authors Hartman had spoken to. Obviously this guy was a reader, he says. I finally had to say, Id like to try to get home before dark.
At Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, near a cluster of coronavirus cases, employees swapped stories this week about the outbreak in internal chat rooms. In one online conversation on Wednesday, which was reviewed by The New York Times, a Microsoft employee wrote of a rumour that someone at headquarters had been infected. "Could it be true?" he wrote. "FWIW," he noted, the corporate emails telling employees to work from home "don't mention that NO Microsoft employees had been infected." Frank Shaw, Microsoft's chief spokesman, said the company was not aware of any verified cases in its workforce. He said Microsoft had tried to communicate clearly to its employees that "we are using the advice being given from local officials and public health officials." Much of this situation is new  not only for Uber, but for the world. We won't get everything right from the start. Uber senior vice president Andrew MacDonald Inside Amazon, while some workers emailed each other about whether masks provide effective protection, many were scrambling to deal with business problems caused by the virus, according to four employees who were not authorised to speak publicly. Those included whether Amazon will have enough products to offer for Prime Day, its summer sale event, or have enough drivers to handle a surge in online grocery orders as the virus spreads.

The depth of employee anxiety has forced senior executives to take calming measures. Uber sent out a memo to staff on Wednesday saying it had formed an internal task force to handle its response to the virus, according to a copy viewed by The Times. The ride-hailing company urged employees to have empathy for one another, to make "data-driven decisions" and restrict all nonessential travel until April. Uber added that it was working with an epidemiology consultant for further guidance. "Much of this situation is new  not only for Uber, but for the world," Andrew MacDonald, a senior vice president at Uber, wrote in the memo. "We won't get everything right from the start." Hand sanitiser is in kitchens and conference rooms at Google's headquarters. Credit:AP At its headquarters in Mountain View, California, Google also increased the amount of hand sanitiser available to employees, putting it in conference rooms and kitchen areas.

Other companies have tightened their travel restrictions. Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase have said senior managers must approve international business trips. Walmart said on Thursday that employees could travel internationally only for "business-critical trips" and that it was limiting their travel to conferences and trade shows within the United States. And at CNN, the chief executive officer has begun personally vetting all intercontinental travel. How companies have altered their response to the coronavirus over time has been evident with Twitter. On Sunday, the San Francisco social media company said it was suspending all nonessential travel for employees. A day later, it encouraged all of its employees  it has just over 5,000  to work from home if they were able to. Everything happening in the world, particularly with coronavirus, I have to reconsider what's going on and what that means for me and for our company. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Then on Thursday, Jack Dorsey, Twitter's chief executive, appeared at a financial conference in San Francisco and said he was rethinking a plan he had formulated to work remotely from Africa for three to six months this year. "Everything happening in the world, particularly with coronavirus, I have to reconsider what's going on and what that means for me and for our company," said Dorsey, who is also facing a challenge from activist investors.

The measures that companies are taking in response to the virus may shift workplace behaviour over the long term. Telecommuting, which has been in and out of favour for decades, may become more ingrained. The use of digital tools for remote collaboration may also rise. Yet in the near term, having workers stay home could be devastating for some smaller businesses. Robert Luft, who runs a company in Cincinnati that installs technology in health care facilities and distribution centres, said an outbreak that prevented his technicians from showing up to work would put his business in a precarious situation. "If it's unsafe for people to have them on site, that definitely impacts my business," Luft said. "Unfortunately there isn't any type of contingency plan." At Facebook, the company has been working on contingency plans for the impact of the coronavirus since January. Executives have tried to walk the line of hewing closely to advice from public health officials while trying not to cause a panic among employees, two Facebook employees said.

The social network quickly cancelled its participation in a half-dozen events  from its annual F8 developer conference to its presence at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas  and has worked to use its products to help health experts study the spread of the virus. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's chief executive, said in a post this week the company was giving unlimited free Facebook ads to the World Health Organisation to distribute information to users. Loading When one of its contractors was diagnosed with the virus on Wednesday, Facebook shut down two of its four offices in the greater Seattle area  in Bellevue and Redmond  for a deep cleaning, according to two employees. An Amazon employee who was later diagnosed with the virus had also separately visited one of Facebook's Seattle offices last month, prompting fresh concerns among employees. Facebook said it carried out "targeted deep cleaning and enhanced sanitation measures" at the office building that the Amazon employee had visited. The company has also tried to keep its 44,000 employees sticking to business as usual. On Wednesday, it held a training session for managers on how to supervise teams of remote workers, the two employees said. And the social network was staying on course with a weekly question-and-answer session led by Zuckerberg on Thursday, which would be live streamed from Facebook's Silicon Valley headquarters.
In the memoir, Sheela Birnstiel will give readers an unwaveringly honest view of her life after Osho. For the first time, she will write about her adventures and experiences of exploring each crossroad she has faced in her life and what she learnt from it.

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Penguin Random House India on Friday announced the acquisition of a memoir by Sheela Birnstiel, also known as Ma Anand Sheela. Titled <dbl-qts>By My Own Rules<dbl-qts>, the book will be published in the second half of 2020 in English across the country under the Ebury Press imprint of Penguin Random House.

In the memoir, Sheela Birnstiel will give readers an unwaveringly honest view of her life after Osho. For the first time, she will write about her adventures and experiences of exploring each crossroad she has faced in her life and what she learnt from it.

In the 80s, she was the personal secretary of Rajneesh, also known as Osho, and managed the Rajneesh commune in Wasco County, Oregon, US. She was eventually sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, but was released early. Today, she runs homes for the disabled and elderly in Switzerland. From being tried by a Swiss court to an interview with Karan Johar on her grand return to India, she is at times adored by the world and at times vilified.

Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing & Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India, said, "Ma Anand Sheela is unconventional, fearless, strong and spirited. She has had an adventurous and extraordinary life, and has always lived it on her own terms. 'By My Own Rules' is her memoir in which she talks about her life and work in Switzerland, her family, her memories of Rajneesh and what continues to drive her to live her dream even today. I am delighted to be publishing 'By My Own Rules', which is a window into the life of Ma Anand Sheela." Expressing her enthusiasm on her upcoming book, Sheela Birnstiel said, "It takes a lot of courage for any publishing house to work with someone with my history -- for I am no writer; I am simply narrating my life. I believe that experiences are, at times, mightier than literature. And I thank Penguin Random House India for giving me this opportunity." --IANS

sukant/arm

</dbl-qts></dbl-qts>
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(Natural News) It may have put up quite the fight, but unfortunately, the worlds battle with coronavirus is now basically over, a leading scientist said.

Neil Ferguson, a professor at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London and an expert on infectious diseases, made the statement during an interview with BBC Today. Ferguson, in his interview, noted that while the world tried very hard to stop this virus, it still failed, citing the rampant spread of the fatal infection as proof.

You can see from the statistics, the number of countries affected, that that battle is really over, Ferguson said, noting that the countrys coronavirus cases jumped from 51 to 87 in a relatively short span of time.

Currently, more than 80 countries around the world have confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

In his interview, Ferguson also added that the U.K. is now in the early stage of an epidemic, and that time is running out to contain the crisis by reducing the spread with drastic measures.

Were now moving towards trying to slow the spread to allow the health systems to cope and try to mitigate the impact of the epidemic, Ferguson, who previously claimed on a Channel 4 interview that the coronavirus might claim 400,000 casualties in the U.K., said.

While there had already been early signs of COVID-19 community transmission in the U.K., the country remains several weeks behind Italy, which is the hardest-hit country in Europe. Currently, the country has 2,500 confirmed cases and has suffered 79 deaths as of this writing. (Related: It may already be too late for travel restrictions in America, as the coronavirus has already spread to so many cities, its unable to be contained)

Ferguson stressed that the U.K. does not have a lot of time left to deal with the encroaching coronavirus.

We are at an early stage in this country. Im not saying we have a lot of time, we have days, weeks really, to make these decisions and start introducing these measures, Ferguson said, in reference perhaps to Italys newly-approved measures warning residents about public physical contact.

Were looking at the sort of community intervention, that is reducing contact between people in society which could slow [its] spread, Ferguson said.

According to Ferguson, one key measure that Britain needs to adopt is protecting the vulnerable members of the population from getting infected since they are most likely to die from the virus.

Another important thing is targeting intervention in the most vulnerable, so try to protect principally the old and frail from getting infected, Ferguson stressed.

Fergusons chilling warning came immediately after the significant spike in coronavirus cases on British soil was announced.

Coronavirus epidemic highly likely, warns health department

The Department of Health and Social Care announced Wednesday that 16,659 people had been tested in the U.K., with 85 confirmed as having contracted the virus. However, two further cases were later confirmed in Northern Ireland, thereby bringing the countrys total number of confirmed cases to 87.

According to authorities, while the vast majority of the cases so far are people who have returned from countries suffering outbreaks, they are now suspecting that the infection is being passed within the country, citing cases in Surrey and in Essex which were initially not thought to be linked to foreign outbreaks.

We probably do in my view have some onward transmission here in the UK, I dont think it is a large amount or we would have detected it, Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, said in an interview with the BBC, noting that with how things are going with the rest of the world, an epidemic is likely to erupt within Britains borders.

It is much more likely than not that we are going to deal with a significant epidemic. How big it is I think is currently still pretty uncertain but that there will be an epidemic is now highly likely.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

LondonLovesBusiness.com

Standard.co.uk
(Newser)  The US government said Thursday that it's deporting a 94-year-old German ex-Nazi who has been in the United States for decades. An immigration judge ordered Friedrich Karl Berger's deportation on Feb. 28 after a two-day trial in Memphis, Tenn., authorities said. It's unclear when he'll be removed, the AP notes. Berger, who's been living in Tennessee, has 30 days to appeal the ruling. The government says Berger was an armed guard at a concentration camp near Meppen, Germany, in 1945. The immigration judge found that the prisoners Berger guarded were held in atrocious conditions and were exploited for forced labor.

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Berger also was accused of guarding prisoners during a forced evacuation to a main camp that took two weeks and left 70 prisoners dead as they traveled in inhumane conditions, according to two government news releases. Berger acknowledged that he never requested a transfer from the concentration camp guard service and that he still gets a pension from Germany. He has been living in the US since 1959. The Department of Justice's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions unit launched an investigation into Berger in 2017. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit also investigated. (In August 2018, American authorities deported a 95-year-old former Nazi guard who'd lived quietly in NYC for decades.)
By PTI

MUMBAI: RBI Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan has decided to step down by March 31 due to ill health, three months before the end of his extended one-year tenure.

While the Reserve Bank has accepted his request to be relieved by March 31, the same has to be accepted by the Cabinet as well, which is likely to happen any day given his health condition, a person in the know of the development said.

His one-year extension was to end on July 3.

RBI spokesperson Yogesh Dayal refused to confirm or deny the development.

Sources said, despite ill health, the senior-most deputy governor at the RBI was planning to leave by end-April, but the deteriorating health did not allow him.

So he has asked for early retirement.

The 62-year-old has been in charge of the key supervisory and regulatory functions at the Mint Road and it was this powerful position that led the government to offer him an extension given the mess in the banking system.

The RBI's supervisory and regulatory powers came under criticism after IL&FS, one of the largest NBFCs went belly up in September 2018.

And then came the scam at the city-based Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank in September 2019.

Both incidents dented the image of RBI's regulatory prowess.

After being appointed as the deputy governor on June 28, 2016 for a three-year-term, Vishwanathan has served under three governors -- Raghuram Rajan, Urjit Patel and Shantikanta Das.

Before the elevation, he was an executive director of the central bank.

Born in June 1958, he did his Master's in economics from the Bangalore University and joined the central bank in 1981.

In July 2019, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet re-appointed Vishwanathan for one year till July 3, 2020.

If the resignation is accepted by the Cabinet, Vishwanathan will be second deputy governor to leave after Das took over as the governor in December 2018.

Deputy Governor Viral Acharya left in June 2019.

As deputy governor, Vishwanathan is heading the departments of banking regulation, co-operative banking regulation, non-banking regulation, Deposit Insurance & Credit Guarantee Corporation, the financial stability unit, and departments of inspection, risk monitoring and also the secretary's department.

Before he became the deputy governor, he was on a three-year deputation to the Bank of Mauritius, the central bank of Mauritius, as director of supervision.

An RBI observer said his departure will pose a challenge for the central bank to navigate the key supervisory and regulatory functions in one of its most difficult times.

He was one of the key supporters for governor Patel in getting the crippled state-run banks under prompt corrective action framework as also sending the largest defaulters for bankruptcy through the February 2018 circular (which was struck down by the Supreme Court last April).
Liquorice-flavoured ice cream has been crowned the best in Australia - beating out traditional favourites such as chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

Gundowring Fine Foods' organic liquorice ice cream was declared the top flavour of 2020 by Dairy Australia after a team of panelists sampled their way through hundreds of products in search of the tastiest bite.

About 400 dairy products entered the Australian Grand Dairy Awards - considered the most prestigious in the industry - last month.

The popular liquorice ice cream managed to impress judges for a fourth year, having previously won champion titles in 2018 and twice in 2010

Delicious: Gundowring Fine Foods' organic liquorice ice cream was declared the top flavour of 2020 by Dairy Australia

Categories included top cheeses, milk, butter, gelato as well as ice creams.

The popular liquorice ice cream managed to impress judges for a fourth year, having previously won champion titles in 2018 and twice in 2010.

Poll What's your favourite ice cream flavour? Chocolate Vanilla Liquorice Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Other What's your favourite ice cream flavour? Chocolate 10 votes

Vanilla 9 votes

Liquorice 20 votes

Mint Chocolate Chip 5 votes

Cookie Dough 1 votes

Other 8 votes Now share your opinion





It also received finalist titles in 2008 and 2009.

The ice cream flavour - typically a controversial choice and even a crowd-splitter - boasts a long list of other accolades on the company's website beginning in 2005.

Gundowring dairy, a family-run farm located north-east of Melbourne credits its best selling product to its selection process.

The Crooke family revealed it tasted 20 different brands of liquorice before choosing Junee liquorice and Chocolate Factory in NSW in 2004, according to Broadsheet.

'The way we make ice-cream is an artisan batch process, which is fairly simple but really does rely on the quality of ingredients,' James Crooke said.

The strong, sweet and nutty flavour has managed to win over legions of fans ever since.

See the rest of this years winners and contenders here: AGDA Winners List 2020.
UPDATE 3: Bucks district hopes to re-open schools Monday after coronavirus scare

UPDATE 2: There are now two presumptively positive cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday morning. One is from Wayne County and the person is isolated at home after visiting a country where the disease was present, Wolf said. The other case is from Delaware County and that person is isolated at home after visiting a part of the United States where the disease is present, the news release said. A presumptive positive means a state lab determined the person had the disease but the results have yet to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

UPDATED ORIGINAL POST: Five schools in the Central Bucks School District were shut Friday for a deep cleaning after members of the Central Bucks community were exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case that originated in another state, the superintendent said.

Butler Elementary School, Titus Elementary School, Tamanend Middle School, Tohickon Middle School and Central Bucks South High School are closed for at least a day after the Bucks County Health Department and the state department of health on Thursday night advised the district of the exposure, John J. Kopicki wrote in a letter to the district community. Those exposed had contact with the five schools, he said.

A person who was later determined to have the disease attended a recent private gathering at a residence in central Bucks County, the county said Friday morning in a news release. Children who attend and staff who work at the five schools were at the gathering, the county said. The county health department is working to contact those who were at the gathering and, if they have symptoms, they will be tested, the news release said. The incubation period is believed to be between two and 14 days.

It is important to reiterate that there are no known or reported cases of coronavirus in Central Bucks School District, Bucks County or in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Kopicki said.

The closures are out of an abundance of caution to allow for cleaning, he wrote.

Additional updates will be shared as the district gets more information, he said.

Titus, Tamanend and Central Bucks South have Warrington mailing addresses, while Butler has a Chalfont address and Tohickon is in Doylestown. Those communities are 30 to 35 miles from Easton.

COVID-19 , often called the new coronavirus, is the disease caused by a virus known as SARS-CoV-2. It has sickened nearly 100,000 people worldwide and more than 3,200 people have died. The number of U.S. deaths increased to 12 late Thursday and there were more than 200 cases in the country, the Washington Post said. The disease has been reported in 13 states, the CDC said.

The virus, which has symptoms of fever, cough and trouble breathing, is transmitted similar to flu. The best defense against the disease is good cleaning and hygiene practices, the superintendent said.

The county health department has been paying attention to COVID-19 since December, the county said.

We want people in Bucks County to be aware of the situation, but not panicked, health department director Dr. David Damsker said in the county news release. We want our residents to continue taking all of the common sense approaches that we taken with influenza, with respect to hand-washing often, not touching your face, avoiding sick people and not going to work when sick. Please perform, these steps both at home and at work.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
isitors at a hospital in the midlands have ripped hand sanitiser bottles from walls and stolen the gel to top up their own supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Three mounted dispensers were ripped off the walls, while visitors used the hospitals supply of sanitiser to top up their own bottles.

Nothing like this has ever happened in all the years weve had the gel, a spokeswoman for Northampton General told the BBC.

It comes as retailers report a surge in demand for the product, which has emptied shelves at swathes of pharmacies and supermarkets.

Sally-Anne Watts, the hospitals associate communications director, told the BBC: Over the past week weve seen stocks on wards disappear from the end of beds every single day.

Three wall-mounted dispensers have been ripped off and weve even seen people coming in and topping up their own dispensers with our product.

Public Health England said people should wash their hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, for 20 seconds to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) on behalf of supermarkets, said it was working constructively with the Government to ensure supermarkets remain stocked of in-demand products.

She said: While coronavirus has increased the demand of certain products in the short-term, we are confident that any disruption will remain limited and consumers will continue to be able to choose from a wide selection of foods and other products in stores across the country.
Defendants have forfeited more than $200,000 in connection with civil proceedings that have targeted Mexican fast-food restaurants in Wyoming and Colorado, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration said Friday.

Although the proceedings  which have targeted bank accounts that authorities say show the restaurants laundered drug money with falsified invoices  remain largely sealed by a judges order to keep secret details of a parallel criminal case, the spokesman said on Friday that among the people forfeiting money was Jose Aguilar-Martinez, who ran a Colorado Springs, Colorado, food supplier alleged to be at center of the scheme.

David Tyree, special agent in charge of the federal agencys Wyoming office, told the Star-Tribune by phone Friday that he could not specify how much of the money had belonged to Aguilar-Martinez, whom Tyree referred to as the investigations target. Tyree declined to comment further on the case, citing confidentiality of the criminal investigation.

In March of last year, in response to a request from prosecutors, a clerk found nobody had responded to request for seizure of about $90,000 of the seized money. That was turned over to the government. About $13,000 of that money was from accounts belonging to Aguilar-Martinez, according to the governments filings in the case. Prosecutors have sought at least $1.5 million, according to publicly available documents.

According to federal prosecutors filings dating to April of last year, Aguilar-Martinez ran the distribution business that authorities have alleged was used to launder drug money through 24-hour restaurants in Wyoming and Colorado. Aguilar-Martinez, according to law enforcement, has connections with a Mexican drug cartel: his phone number turned up in previous investigations of Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

Authorities say that Zambada and Guzman run the Sinaloa Cartel, which is thought to be among the largest drug trafficking organizations in the world. A federal jury in New York last year convicted Guzman of crimes including operating a continuing criminal enterprise and murder. He was sentenced to life in prison. Zambada still evades law enforcement.

According to prosecutors filings, the owner of El Potosino  Aguilar-Martinez  would provide money from drug sales to the restaurants, which would then deposit the money into restaurant bank accounts. El Potosino would then issue falsified invoices for ingredients and supplies to the restaurants. The restaurateurs would then pay El Potosino for items that the restaurants never actually received, according to the government. When El Potosino deposited those checks in its accounts, the money would then appear legitimate.

Among restaurants named in the civil case are Rodolfos Mexican Grill in Cheyenne, Rolandos Mexican Grill in Cheyenne and Almanzas Mexican Food in Laramie. Although the Laramie restaurant is named in the civil filings, which began in November, the government has not publicly sought the forfeiture of any of its money, save for an account opened in Aguilar-Martinezs name but that authorities said was associated with the restaurant. An attorney for the restaurants owners has said his clients strongly denied wrongdoing.

The civil filings also indicate an account associated with Rolandos Mexican Grill closed before law enforcement began investigating the case.

Many named restaurants denied the governments claims and asked for return of the money. A judge in April denied a request to dismiss the case. The same month prosecutors asked that the case be put on hold, saying they needed first to focus on a related criminal investigation. That six-month hold was renewed in October. The government has twice since filed sealed updates to the court.

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All you have to do is buy tickets! Proceeds benefit the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is hosting a sweepstakes where the grand prize winner could drive off in a numbers-matching 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. The aptly named Win a Classic Corvette Sting Ray Sweepstakes is trying to raise over $100,000 for the museum, which is dedicated to the preservation of Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg vehicles and history - use promo code M2 when buying tickets.

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Enter To Win This Numbers-Matching 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

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Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg were luxury-minded automakers that produced hand-assembled vehicles rather than relying on mass production, and the museum is housed in the Auburn Automobile Company's former headquarters building. All three companies ceased operations in 1937, but the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum was opened on July 6, 1974 in Auburn, Indiana to preserve the original buildings as well as the heritage of these high-end automakers. Just 45 years later, this museum has grown to be the largest museum of its kind housing 140 vintage and antique vehicles and attracting attracting over 40,000 visitors a year.

In 2005, the U.S. National Parks Service designated this '30s-era Art Deco museum as a National Historic Landmark as a National Historic Landmark, and efforts such as this Corvette-giveaway fundraiser will help ensure the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum will be around for future generations to enjoy.

Since the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is a non-profit organization, the donations for this sweepstakes could be tax deductible, although you would need to consult your tax professional to find out. Any donation amount is surely appreciated, but the museum has packages set up starting with three raffle tickets for $25; higher donation amounts also include bonus raffle tickets, and don't forget to use promo code M2 at checkout to get 25-percent more tickets at no extra charge. A minimum of $100,000 must be raised in order for the Corvette to be given away; if that doesn't happen, the winner will split the proceeds with the museum.

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Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan will go down as a milestone for Indian (read: Hindi) commercial cinemas struggle of coming out to gay existence. With a popular male star in the lead, Ayushmann Khurrana, and neither of two gay leads being the butt of jokes or caricatures, the film is surely a step forward.

With a reported collection of over Rs 50 crore so far and critical appreciation and bravery being attributed to the cast and crew, the film has gone down relatively well with large sections of the gay community. There is an expectation, if not hope, among young gay men, that such a film may lead their parents to accept the fact that two men can be in love with each other.

But as much as I see the relevance of such a film for the hope and potential it holds given that it could - even if slightly - help build acceptance in society, I just cant get myself to love the film.

There are characters that I find amusing but neither of the gay protagonists connects with my heart or the lived struggles of many gay people as the struggle itself is missing.

There are no back-stories about either of the leads nor is there any pain as such when their relationship is rejected. Finding approval also seems very easy for the couple - Kartik (Ayushmann) and Aman (Jitendra Kumar) - which is far from the realities of such people. Positioned as a rom-com, the film is filled with comedy than any romance.

The only moment that touched me was when Ayushmann hugs Gajraj Rao (Jitendras father) from the back soon after he blessed his son in a manner that seems to suggest that he had accepted his son and his sexuality. But, this scene is pretty much right at the end of the film. And before one can even sink in and savour the scene, Bappi Lahiri appears for no fathomable reason in a song!

Cinema can always push the envelope and in a way, SMZS tries to do that but I feel, the push is just about a nudge.

At the time when I was growing up in a world where homophobia ruled; where anything that didnt fit into the world of family and marriage was shut out and what a man or woman should be and how gender was pre-defined and cast in stone, we had few avenues for reassurance, films being one of them.

As I entered my journey of queerness, my mother walked along often watching the same films together or separately. There was a My Brother Nikhil, Fire, gay characters in the film Fashion, a beautiful love story in the Lisa Ray starrer, I Cant Think Straight and the human rights film, Aligarh with Manoj Bajpayee in the lead. From the West, there was Milk and even a TV series called Queer As Folk. And from other parts of the world, there was Bishonen, Bad Education, Beautiful Boxer and so many other films from Japan, Hong Kong, Italy and France.

One thing in common to all these films was lived realities, and almost no hesitation to paint a picture with the colours of life as they were, catering with dignity to the us and them of cinema-goers. Then really, how much forward does an SMZS take us?

Some young gay men from small-town India I spoke to, believe their parents only see this kind of cinema - a romantic-comedy with popular stars. They like spice, they dont mind women being the subject of jokes or that it is okay to make fun of someone who is disabled - in this case a lady who has a stone replacing one of her eyes. Anything too serious, will not be watched and even if they buy the ticket, theyd probably sleep through the film or walk out, a gay man from Jaipur told me.

This makes sense even if an uncomfortable truth. A national award-winning film critic told me, Indians largely like heroes, humour which can be mindless and insulting and have enough sorrows and stresses in real life that taking in more of it through cinema, is a turn-off. At the same time, serious issues and truths that shake the foundation of society - marriage and family - are not easily imbibed and require years of chipping away. See how long it has taken to have women-centric films, an anthropologist points out.

Even as this is true, and this is exactly where the problem lies and some form of disruption is required, my gut says there would be more queer cinema in the making. Filmmaker, Faraz Ansari (Sisak and Sheer Qorma), speaking at an LGBTI event - RISE - in Delhi recently said the time had already come. We cant always use comedy as an option, to tell the truth, the pain and love of queer people, he contended, adding it is not honest as people need to know us for who we are.

Over the past few years, the Indian filmmaking space has seen a number of queer short films. Some of them have had commercial filmmakers such as Tanuja Chandra take the lead with Gazal Dhaliwal scripting Monsoon Date and Konkona Sen starring in it. Sridhar Rangayan, an out gay filmmaker, made a feature film in Evening Shadows which made it to cinemas across the country.

There have also been other films such as U For Usha, Khwaish and Daaravtha, among a pretty long list of films. And each one tugs at your heart as it tells you the truth, expresses what is and doesnt shy away from the lived circumstances of the LGBTQI+.

The fact is, however, that even if an SMZS doesnt tick all the boxes of what gay life is, it may have set the ball rolling where other filmmakers come out even further, reducing their own fears of what society may say and give us a hug to know and show how our heart ticks.

The writer is Festival Director, Rainbow Lit Fest and author, Straight To Normal - My Life As A Gay Man
Delhi Police's eastern range on Friday held a meeting with Ghaziabad and Noida police to discuss whether the bordering areas had any connection to the recent communal riots in the national capital, officials said.

The meeting was held to discuss coordination among the police forces investigating the riots.

"We have conducted a meeting with Ghaziabad and Noida police. The meeting was held on the matter that how can we cooperate in the investigation of the recent riots in the northeast part of the national capital," Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern range) Alok Kumar said.

Police are trying to identify the people who were part of the unlawful assembly and indulged in the February 23 violence. Several people have already been identified, they said.

A senior officer said the police are investigating the riots from all angles and putting all possible efforts to identify and nab the accused persons.

As of now, 683 cases have been registered in connection with the riots. In total, 1,983 people have been either detained or arrested so far in connection with the communal violence, police said.

Although the Delhi government has maintained that 53 people were killed in the violence last week, it has not provided a break-up of the death toll yet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scared of the deadly new coronavirus that has swept China, pregnant women and new mothers are giving birth alone, keeping their newborns inside and switching to pricier private hospitals to avoid the risk of infection. One new mother, surnamed Xie, told AFP she gave birth to her baby girl in Wuhan earlier this month alone, because nobody from her family was allowed to come with her to the hospital in the quarantined city where the outbreak emerged in December. With roads blocked, she had been unable to attend pre-natal checks and was afraid to go to hospitals for fear of cross-infection. "They let you out when you are delivering a baby," Xie said, saying she had chosen a special gynaecology hospital to give birth. "When I got there, there was only one ward left," she said. "During my time in the hospital I wore masks and gloves all the time and washed my hands very often. I seldom left my ward." Some 56 million people in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province have been under quarantine since late January. State media propaganda videos show volunteers in hazmat suits driving pregnant women to hospitals. But Xu Tingting from Huanggang told AFP she struggled to find a vehicle to get to hospital when she went into labour two weeks before her due date. "I was having contractions every 10 minutes, and asked my parents to take me to the hospital. It took them nearly two hours to find a car and I was panicking, thinking I'd have to deliver at home without assistance," Xu told AFP. "My husband was in another city and wasn't allowed to enter the town. It was the grocery store owner in our compound who finally agreed to take me in his delivery van." Xie and Xu -- who had a healthy boy -- are also nervous about going out to vaccinate their newborns. "I still don't know what to do yet. There's still 20 days left for my baby to get vaccinated, I hope by then the situation is under control," Xie said. - 'I am afraid' - With some 80,000 infections nationwide and over 2,900 deaths, it isn't just in the virus epicentre where new mothers are scared. Beijing-based Angelika Fu, whose baby is due in two weeks, has chosen a private hospital despite the cost being 10 times higher. "We opted for a private hospital, although costlier, because we wanted to avoid crowds and feel safe," she told AFP. She says she's been trying to remain calm but that she had had "some hysterical moments". "I think the situation is getting better and better and the risk of being infected in the hospital is much lower than a month ago. At least, that's what I want to believe," Fu said. Mental health service providers have also seen an uptick in the number of calls from anxious new mothers. "Over the last month, dozens of pregnant women and new mums have been calling us with stress or anxiety related concerns," said a volunteer at Beijing International Christian Fellowship, which runs a mental health hotline, who wished to remain anonymous. "The uncertainty and disruption to normal life created by the epidemic was weighing down on many, in addition to the usual baby blues." Parenting groups and play areas have also been closed. Theresa Ying delivered her baby in Beijing two days after Wuhan was placed in lockdown. "I was very nervous. We didn't have enough information at the time about this virus and that caused a lot of stress," she said. "For the baby's first month vaccination, we asked a friend to buy the vaccine from Singapore and paid a nurse to come home and administer it. "It's costly, but I am afraid to take my baby out." - Falling birth rates - The outbreak comes as China's marriage and fertility rates decline, despite the introduction of a two-child policy. Yi Fuxian, senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the virus chaos will likely impact on demographics. "The coronavirus epidemic will lead to a further decline in GDP growth, an increase in unemployment, a decline in household income, and a decline in the ability to raise children, so the fertility rate will continue to decline," said Yi. But others have suggested the long time trapped at home could outweigh this risk, though, with a cheeky banner widely shared on Weibo reminding residents in a Henan province city that "making a second child is a good way of making a contribution to the country."
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman & CEO James Kim, left, and Chairman of the AMCHAM Board of Governors Jeffrey Jones talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the foreign business community in Korea during a press conference held at the IFC Seoul, Thursday. The leaders stressed that AMCHAM has confidence in the government's proactive and transparent actions to combat the virus outbreak, adding that concerted cooperation among the government, companies and customers was necessary for the speedy normalization of business. / Yonhap



The United States is unlikely to apply its highest travel advisory to all of South Korea, a U.S. business lobby said Thursday, citing Seoul's aggressive efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.



Last week, the U.S. raised its travel advisory for Daegu to Level 4, the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the southeastern city most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea.



The rest of South Korea remained under Level 3, which means "reconsider travel."



"The fact that the highest level travel advisory has been restricted to the Daegu region and not to all of Korea shows the U.S. government's recognition of South Korea's effective measures to contain the outbreak," said Jeffrey Jones, chairman of the board of governors at the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM).



Jones and AMCHAM Chairman James Kim said South Korea has been proactive and transparent in reacting to the virus outbreak and that the high number of confirmed cases is due to the thorough testing procedures of the Korean government compared to other countries.



South Korea has the second-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases after China. It had reported a total of 5,766 cases as of Thursday, with the death toll at 35.



As for the impact of the spreading virus outbreak on U.S. businesses in Korea, AMCHAM said about 80 percent of its member companies expect to report a loss in revenues for the first quarter due mainly to a decline in purchases by customers or clients.



AMCHAM member firms have taken measures to minimize the negative impact of the virus on their operations, such as the usage of cloud computing, the distribution of masks and sanitary equipment and extension of loan paybacks for small and medium-sized enterprises, the statement said.



"We at AMCHAM have complete confidence that the Korean government is undertaking every possible measure to confront the situation and restore normalcy," the chairman said.



Also Thursday, the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) said 55 percent of 65 member firms replied they are likely to report a sharp decline in revenue for the first half of this year, citing its recent survey.



The business lobby, which represents 360 European companies in South Korea, said nearly half of respondents replied they plan to lower annual business targets.



The ECCK said the South Korean government has been extremely prudent in taking necessary steps for the detection and containment of the virus, as well as maintaining a high degree of transparency with information disclosure.



"ECCK truly appreciates and fully supports the actions undertaken by the government and believes that companies will overcome the difficulties as well," ECCK Chairperson Dimitris Psillakis said in a statement. (Yonhap)
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were in high spirits while being interviewed by Jane Pauley on Thursday.

The 54-year-old Parker and her 57-year-old husband Broderick were spotted filming the interview with the news vet at Washington Square Park in New York City.

The happy couple, who have been married since 1997, were seen getting ready for the interview segment.

Sarah and Matthew: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were all smiles while shooting a film interview segment with Jane Pauley on Thursday

Parker was spotted wearing a black and white striped dress that fell to her calves, with a pair of green pumps.

Broderick was seen wearing a black suit coat over a white dress shirt with dark grey pants and black shoes.

Broderick was also seen wearing sunglasses as he chatted with his wife and others before the interview segment.

Sarah's look: Parker was spotted wearing a black and white striped dress that fell to her calves, with a pair of green pumps

The couple recently opened to Wall Street Journal Magazine, as they get ready to work together for the first time.

They are both starring on Broadway in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite, with Parker opening up that she doesn't really 'know' her husband as an actor.

'I know at least a thousand people better than I know Matthew as an actor,' she said. 'I know how he works...but I know Chris Noth [her SATC co-star] better on camera.'

Opening up: The couple recently opened to Wall Street Journal Magazine, as they get ready to work together for the first time

She added that the personal reasons for not working together, because they, 'were both happy working in our separate professional lives.'

Broderick added, 'Thats going to be hard. We very rarely both work at the same time.'

The 17-week limited run of Plaza Suite, directed by John Benjamin Hickey, opens April 13 at Broadway's Hudson Theater.

Professional: She added that the personal reasons for not working together, because they, 'were both happy working in our separate professional lives'

Parker has most recently starred on HBO's hit series Divorce, alongside Thomas Haden Church, which ended its three-season run last year.

Broderick most recently starred in the TV series Daybreak, and he will next be seen in Lazy Susan, with Allison Janney and Sean Hayes, hitting theaters April 3.

He also voices a Reader in the documentary The Gettysburg Address, which doesn't have a release date.
International airlines' grouping IATA on March 5 said Air India's disinvestment process might be "quite difficult at this moment" amid the coronavirus outbreak, which will hit the global market for Indian carriers as well as inbound tourist traffic into the country.

The outbreak, which has infected over 95,000 people and resulted in more than 3,200 deaths worldwide, is taking a toll on the global airline industry, especially due to travel restrictions.

Against this backdrop, IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce said, "I think it is going to be very difficult times for the (Indian) airlines".

"Clearly, the international market for Indian carriers is going to be a lot weaker and inbound tourist traffic is going to be hit very hard by the effect of the coronavirus crisis,"

According to him, there could be further consolidation of Indian airlines in the wake of the situation created by the coronavirus 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

"Privatisation of Air India is a necessary step for the long-term for the Indian market," he said.

The Indian government plans to sell 100 per cent stake in loss-making Air India and has issued a Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) for the carrier's disinvestment.

Pearce said that Indian should see consolidation to sort out the Air India privatisation but pointed out that equity markets are already quite weak at the moment. The industry is being hit by the shock of the coronavirus, he added.

"That makes it quite difficult at this moment," Pearce said in response to a question regarding Air India disinvestment.

On January 27, the government came out with a Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) for Air India disinvestment. It has proposed selling 100 per cent stake in Air India along with budget airline Air India Express and the national carrier's 50 per cent stake in AISATS, an equal joint venture with Singapore Airlines.

This is the second attempt by the government in as many years to divest Air India, which has been in the red for long.

On Wednesday, the government permitted Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to own up to 100 per cent stake in disinvestment-bound Air India.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), on March 5, projected that the airline industry could lose up to USD 113 billion in revenue this year due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The grouping's previous analysis, issued in February, put the lost revenues at USD 29.3 billion. This was based on a scenario that would see the impact of COVID-19 largely being confined to markets associated with China.

Since then, the coronavirus has spread to over 80 countries and forward bookings have been severely impacted on routes beyond China, IATA said.

Speaking after a two-day workshop on COVID-19 here, Pearce said "limited spread" scenario implies a USD 63 billion loss of passenger revenue worldwide in 2020.

The "extensive spread" scenario implies a USD 113 billion loss of passenger revenue worldwide in 2020. The scenarios were based on markets with over 100 cases as of March 2, 2020.
CALGARY, Alberta, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARROW Exploration Corp. (Arrow or the Company) (AXL.V) received an originating application (the Application) on Monday March 2, 2020 from John Newman, CFO of Arrow, as the applicant.



The Application names Ravi Sharma, Juan Carlos Salazar, Luis Baena, Anthony Zaidi, Tim De Freitas, Gustavo Antonio Dajer Barguil, Brian Hearst (collectively the Arrow Directors), Canacol Energy Ltd. ("Canacol") and Arrow as respondents.

Mr. Newman seeks the following (not including procedural matters):

Adjourning the March 19, 2020 Arrow AGM to a date fixed by the Court;



Appointing a committee of independent directors (the "Independent Committee") to the board of Arrow in addition to or in the place of three Canacol appointed directors on the Arrow board and granting the Independent Committee exclusive authority on behalf of Arrow with respect to all matters pertaining to Canacol;



Varying the terms of any contract between Canacol and Arrow, to remove or set aside any change of control provision; and



Directing that no steps be taken by Arrow to terminate or dismiss John Newman from his employment with Arrow as CFO, without leave of the Court.

Each of Arrow, the Arrow Directors and Canacol have retained (or are in the process of retaining) counsel who will be seeking an adjournment of the hearing to allow for gathering of information and cross examination of Mr. Newmans evidence submitted in support of the Application.

Management of Arrow were past the required date under Stock Exchange and corporate law for holding the Arrow AGM and received court approval for holding the AGM late at a date of no later than March 20, 2020. Arrow has not held a shareholder meeting since the date of the reverse takeover transaction and many shareholders have requested an AGM be held promptly which the Arrow Directors instructed management to carry out. For these reasons Arrow wishes to proceed with the AGM as scheduled to be in compliance with corporate and securities laws and the obtained court order.

Story continues

The current Arrow board consists of Gustavo Antonio Dajer Barguil and Tim De Freitas who have never been in the employ of Canacol. In addition, although former employees of Canacol, Brian Hearst and Luis Baena are independent of Canacol for all benchmarking purposes under Canadian securities laws. They are logical directors for the entity as they are very familiar with the assets and operations in Colombia. Juan Carlos Salazar, Ravi Sharma and Anthony Zaidi are considered independent directors for all benchmarking purposes under Canadian securities laws, except as relating to matters associated with Canacol, where they have a disclosed interests. Juan Carlos Salazar provides legal services to Canacol and Ravi Sharma and Anthony Zaidi are employees of Canacol.

Given the unusual circumstance where the CFO is seeking legal action against his employer, Mr. Newman will be on a paid leave of absence until further notice and Alex Mora, the current controller, will act as head of finance during this period.

About ARROW Exploration

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly-traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are under-exploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Companys business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombias most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. Arrows seasoned team is led by a hands-on and in-country executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol AXL.

For further information contact:

Felix Betancourt

Interim Chief Executive Officer

fbetancourt@arrowexploration.ca 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information (forward-looking statements) under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking

statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words continue, expect, opportunity, plan, potential and will and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, the Companys search for new directors, Arrows evaluation of strategic alternatives, the potential of Arrows Colombian assets to offer high potential growth and Arrows business plan to expand oil production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:42:51|Editor: yhy

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SYDNEY, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have returned from an epic 57-day voyage aboard the research vessel Investigator in which they mapped 100,000 km2 of seafloor off Australia's west and south west coasts.

The team, led by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), pulled into Perth on Friday bringing with them data and samples dredged from thousands of metres beneath the ocean surface.

The main purpose of the voyage was to explore the break up of two tectonic plates -- Broken Ridge and the Kerguelen Plateau, to the west and southwest of Australia, which separated 43 million years ago.

"We used an echo sounder to map the seafloor of the two features and then we used a seismic reflection system to actually see beneath the sea floor, what the structures were," Voyage Chief Scientist, IMAS Professor Mike Coffin told Xinhua.

"And we also collected rocks, so we just dragged a chain bag along the seafloor and it brought up a lot of rocks for us."

The area of study for the voyage was all uncharted seafloor and Coffin explained it was hugely exciting to glimpse parts of the earth's surface for the very first time.

The weather was relatively mild compared with other voyages allowing researchers to conduct plenty of studies as they went, collecting rocks from five km down and data from up to seven km deep.

"We can essentially map the seafloor in real time so we instantaneously see what we're mapping," Coffin said.

He said that other kinds of data require more processing which will be a collaboration with universities around the world, and coffin expects to last at least five years after the voyage, going through all the samples in detail.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal



Corporation (PCMC), the civic body of the industrial township near Pune, stated on Friday that it has over Rs 900 crore in deposits in the crisis-hit Yes Bank.

The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank, capping withdrawals at Rs 50,000 for a month.

PCMC commissioner Shravan Hardikar said there was no reason for worry as the civic body has deposits of over Rs 4,000 crore in other banks.

The city unit of the Shiv Sena, however, asked why the BJP-controlled PCMC appointed Yes bank as the tax- collecting agency instead of appointing a nationalised bank.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Sena also asked if the decision to keep the funds with Yes Bank was taken with the permission of the general body of the corporation.

Hardikar claimed that proper procedure was followed while appointing Yes Bank to collect taxes and charges for municipal services online.

As to the payments of dues scheduled from the corporation's own Yes Bank account, he said the PCMC had enough funds with other banks.

"We have deposits of over Rs 4,000 crore with other banks. As far as meeting expenses and dues that were scheduled to go from the Yes Bank account, there is no issue as there are enough funds in other accounts," the commissioner said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
HOUSTON, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Energy Corp. (USEG) (U.S. Energy or the Company) today announced that the Company has entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and closed a transaction to acquire New Horizon Resources, LLC (New Horizon), whose assets include acreage and operated producing properties in North Dakota (the Properties). The consideration paid at closing consisted of 59,498 shares of common stock of the Company and $150,000 in cash (the Acquisition). The effective date of the Acquisition is March 1, 2020.



The New Horizon Properties consist of approximately 1,300 net acres located primarily in McKenzie and Divide Counties, North Dakota, which are 100% held by production, average a 63% working interest, and produced approximately 30 net Boepd (88% oil) for the six-month period ended December 31, 2019. The Properties represent assets in a mature field with existing cash flow, low decline and significant upside potential from existing operations.

We are pleased to announce this acquisition, which represents the first step in our previously stated strategy of seeking to acquire assets within and around our existing core areas that represent mature, PDP heavy properties, said Ryan Smith, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Energy. The New Horizon Properties add immediate reserves and cash flow, with operated acreage positions that are held by production to provide for future opportunities. As we continue forward in 2020, U.S. Energy will continue to pursue opportunities in our core focus areas that allow for capital efficient growth and increased shareholder value while maintaining a low-cost corporate structure and clean balance sheet.

Proved Reserves Overview

As of December 31, 2019, the New Horizon Properties had total proved reserves of approximately 101,968 Boe (65% oil), all of which are proved developed producing reserves (PDP), and had a present value of estimated future net revenues before income taxes discounted at 10% (PV10) value of approximately $482,000.

Story continues





U.S. Energy

As of 12/31/2019



Acquired Properties

As of 12/31/2019 U.S. Energy 

Pro Forma

As of 12/31/2019 Proved Developed Oil Reserves (Bbls) 807,510 66,670 874,180 Proved Undeveloped Oil Reserves (Bbls) - - - Total Proved Oil Reserves (Bbls) 807,510 66,670 874,180 Proved Developed Gas Reserves (Mcf) 1,129,260 211,790 1,341,050 Proved Undeveloped Gas Reserves (Mcf) - - - Total Proved Gas Reserves (Mcf) 1,129,260 211,790 1,341,050 Total Proved Reserves (Boe) 995,720 101,968 1,097,688 PV10($000s)* $12,072 $482 $12,554

*2019 SEC Pricing

About U.S. Energy Corp.



U.S. Energy is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas producing properties in the United States. Our business is currently focused in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and South Texas. We target low decline assets with existing infrastructure that allows us to maximize our return on capital in a cost effective and sustainable manner. More information about U.S. Energy Corp. can be found at www.usnrg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include statements regarding the Companys expectations regarding the Companys operational, exploration and development plans; expectations regarding the nature and amount of the Companys reserves; and expectations regarding production, revenues, cash flows and recoveries. When used in this press release, the words "will," "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," or their negatives, other similar expressions or the statements that include those words, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development activities, competition, operating risks, acquisition risks, liquidity and capital requirements, the effects of governmental regulation, adverse changes in the market for the Companys oil and natural gas production, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Companys periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Corporate Contact:

U.S. Energy Corp.

Ryan Smith

Chief Executive Officer

(303) 993-3200

www.usnrg.com
PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-06 09:35:25

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Draper, Utah digital marketing agency PinPoint Local @ Silicon Slopes expanded its web design solutions to serve businesses in the Salt Lake City areaDRAPER, UT / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / PinPoint Local @ Silicon Slopes, a digital marketing agency based in Draper, Utah, announced that its cutting-edge web design solutions are now available to small and medium-sized businesses in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. The agency offers fully customized websites that are mobile responsive and fully optimized for maximum local Google ranking performance. The company also offers several digital marketing services that are specifically aligned to the needs of local businesses.More details can be found at https://www.utahwebagency.com/web-design The newly expanded services aim to respond to the increased demand for high-quality web design and SEO solutions among businesses in the Salt Lake City area. The Draper online marketing agency works with a team of experienced web designers and developers to create high-engagement websites for local businesses across sectors.Its services include everything from website development to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media integration, mobile optimization and many others. For optimal availability and security, the agency also provides premium hosting on reliable, fast and virus-protected servers.Other available services include three levels of SEO - Local, National, and ECommerce - social media marketing and management, reputation management and many more. All services are undertaken by experienced digital marketers working in close collaboration with each business owner.More information on the business' service offerings is available at https://www.utahwebagency.com/ With the latest announcement, the Draper digital marketing agency continues to expand its range of high-quality online marketing solutions for local businesses in Draper, Sandy, Midvale, West Jordan and the surrounding areas.PinPoint Local @ Silicon Slopes is a member of the prestigious PinPoint Local digital marketing group. The unique franchise business model allows the Utah digital marketing agency to offer highly efficient digital marketing solutions at affordable rates.Bob Holly, the owner of the agency, said: "All small businesses have one vital need in common - a stronger customer base. After helping companies develop their marketing programs to effectively include today's digital marketing techniques, I am excited to partner up with PinPoint Local's multi-national infrastructure to provide this service to local small businesses." Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website, or by visiting the agency's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PinPointLocalSiliconSlopes/ Contact Info:Name: Bob HollyEmail: Send EmailOrganization: PinPoint Local @ Silicon SlopesAddress: 1192 Draper Parkway Ste. 601, Draper, UT 84020, United StatesPhone: +1-801-495-9515Website: https://www.utahwebagency.com SOURCE: PinPoint Local @ Silicon Slopes
New Delhi, March 6 : With withdrawals from Yes Bank capped at Rs 50,000 per depositor, tension among customers of the crisis-hit bank in Delhi-NCR was evident. Though there were no long queues outside bank premises, but rush inside bank branches was "huge".

One of the customers of Yes Bank's Noida Sector 18 branch claimed that in his two years of association with bank, he had never seen so many people inside the bank premises.

"Usually there are very few people inside the bank to deposit or withdrawal, but now it feels like we have entered into a government bank. The rush is huge inside," Karan Gera who works in a Noida film city.

Meanwhile, almost all branches of the bank had copies of the Gazette notification pasted at their main entrances, informing about the moratorium imposed till April 3, by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping withdrawal at Rs 50,000 per depositor.

Some branches however very cleverly used their double entry to misguide depositors that the bank was closed.

Instead of keeping the main entry open, in some of the YES BANK branches, the local administration was using the entrance passing through the adjoined ATM counters.

"Initially I thought the bank was closed, however when I saw three men walking out of the ATM one behind other I thought I could get my cash ATM. It was then that I saw a side entry into the bank from ATM," Amiya, who claimed to have a current bank account in the bank's Sant Nagar branch said.

However, apart from the crowd, Amiya's main concern was that all transactions of his business firm were made through this account and now with limit to withdraws he fears being cash stripped.

"All my payment by the debtors are made to this account through cheques, plus have a huge amount of money deposited into the account for business transactions. If the limits are not removed I would soon turn cashless," he added.

Many agitated customers confronted the Yes Bank officials by comparing the crisis to the Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank imbroglio which erupted last September.

However, the officials defended themselves by claiming that while the PMC Bank crisis was due to frauds, the Yes Bank was only a case of liquidity crunch which would be resolved within a month, and customers woes would ease.

Given the state of the customers of PMC Bank with around a dozen deaths reported so far, there are few takers for the Yes Bank's arguments after the sudden developments last night.

The Yes Bank has over 1,000 branches and 1,800-plus ATMs around the country which are under severe stress after the crisis erupted last night.
Victoria's La Trobe University is facing a massive financial hit that may have "very significant" consequences for this year's operations, as it searches for savings amid the dual effects of coronavirus and falling enrolments.

In an email to staff on Thursday afternoon, vice-chancellor and president, Professor John Dewar, warned of adownturn of between $15 to $60 million this year, adding the full extent of the challenges were not yet known and there could more pain on the way.

La Trobe University vice-chancellor and president, Professor John Dewar. Credit:Jeremy Piper

Professor Dewar said the university would review its course offering, among a raft of cost-saving measures designed to shave a "minimum" 10 per cent off the university's cost base.

He named several factors behind the downturn, including the coronavirus, which he said had prevented many Chinese students beginning their semester one studies.
About Me Gerald D. Boyd On Wine Anacortes, Washington, United States I have been actively writing about wine and spirits since the late 1960s and have traveled extensively to all of the major wine regions in the world. My byline has appeared in various newspapers including the Rocky Mountain News, San Francisco Chronicle and Santa Rosa Press Democrat. I was editor of the Wine Spectator in the early years, editor of Wine & Spirits Buying Guide (later renamed Wine & Spirits Magazine) and have contributed to various other national and international magazines. I have been a professional wine judge since 1968, serving on panels at major wine competitions in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Italy, South Africa and China. And I was an adjunct wine instructor in the Wine Studies program, Santa Rosa Junior College, California for 12 years. View my complete profile Popular Posts The Red Wines of Oregon It could be said that Oregon's reputation for world-beating Pinot Noir owes its success to the dissatisfaction of a small group of Calif...

My Life in Wine Episode 11 "The traveled mind is the catholic mind educated from exclusiveness and egotism." Amos Alcott, American teacher and philosopher ...

Wine's Turning Point Tracing the history of modern wine making in the United States is difficult, mostly because the definition of ...
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Stability of the MCH Group not endangered

The postponement or cancellation of a number of events that has been made necessary by the spread of the coronavirus and the measures prescribed in Switzerland by the Federal Council has economic consequences for the MCH Group but does not endanger the stability of the company.

The early cancellation of Art Basel in Hong Kong allowed the MCH Group and its customers to save costs. The MCH Group has submitted its claims to its insurers. It has additionally launched a new digital initiative with the Online Viewing Rooms, which has been very well received by the market. Art Basel in Basel, which is taking place from 18 to 21 June 2020, is not affected by the current Federal Council ordinance. If the situation requires, an alternative date later in the year will be considered.

Baselworld 2020 has been postponed until 28 January to 2 February 2021 in consultation with key exhibitors. Since work has not yet commenced on setting up Baselworld, the costs incurred by the MCH Group and the customers remain within limits, and solutions are being worked out for this together with the exhibitors and suppliers. At the same time, intensive work is underway on launching new digital initiatives for Baselworld too.

Alternative dates are currently under consideration for Habitat-Jardin in Lausanne and also for Smart Suisse, which was scheduled to be held in Basel on 18 to 19 March. The popular Giardina fair in Zurich has been badly affected and was already in the process of being set up for the event from 11 to 15 March 2020. Postponement of the fair was looked into with the exhibitors, but this has not proved possible on account of the complex timing. Solutions are currently being worked out with the exhibitors for the costs that have already been incurred.

The Live Marketing Solutions division, which also includes stand construction for events and trade fairs, is affected primarily in Europe and Asia at present. The majority of events and fairs have so far been postponed, and it could happen that orders that have been lost now are made up here in the summer and autumn. No restrictions have been imposed on trade fairs and events in the USA to date, but restrictions of this type are anticipated.

Apart from the initiation of further cost-cutting measures, the MCH Group has decided on various steps to reduce human resources costs, including the reduction of overtime and high holiday balances, and a temporary freeze on hiring new employees. Applications are currently being made for short-time work in areas that are particularly hard hit.

Despite the negative impacts, the stability of the company is secured, we have strong liquidity, stresses Bernd Stadlwieser, CEO of the MCH Group. The current situation is not affecting the implementation of the newly defined strategic alignment. This will support our long-term growth and is therefore being intensively further pursued, Bernd Stadlwieser emphasised.

The MCH Group is complying with the recommendations issued by the authorities for protecting the health of its employees and minimising the risk of infection for the people they are in contact with. It has additionally issued internal instructions to cut back physical meetings and business trips to the absolute minimum and is permitting employees to work from home wherever possible.





Media release online





Media contact

MCH Group Ltd. / Corporate Communications

Christian Jecker

+41 58 206 22 52

christian.jecker@mch-group.com

www.mch-group.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- JobsOhio, the states economic development nonprofit, spent nearly $67,000 last year flying state officials to locales around the globe, according to a new disclosure.

Among the travel covered by JobsOhio was Lt. Gov. Jon Husteds trip last October to London, England, where Husted helped finalize a deal in which the London Stock Exchange picked Cleveland for the U.S. office for its international business-development program. JobsOhio spent $12,409.18 on the trip, covering airfare, meals and lodging for the trip.

JobsOhio also spent $41,476.26 to send a delegation of state officials including Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine to Japan last September. During the six-day trip, DeWine met with Japanese companies with a presence in Ohio, including with top officials at Honda, the automaker with a 3.6 million square-foot plant at Marysville, about 40 miles northwest of Columbus.

The travel costs were part of a 200-plus page disclosure JobsOhio filed with the state this week, released on Thursday in response to a public records request. State lawmakers designed JobsOhio as a private nonprofit exempt from Ohio public records laws, but require it to annually disclose information including how much it spends on travel costs for state government officials.

Also in the packet was salary information for JobsOhio employees. As previously reported by cleveland.com, it showed that former JobsOhio head John Minor, received $420,345.73 in 2019 compensation, while his successor, current JobsOhio head JP Nauseef, got $274,402.67.

JobsOhio also spent $6,010.36 covering flight costs for a state-owned airplane. Of that, $3,056.97 paid for a trip DeWine and Husted took in January 2019 to the Detroit Auto Show, where they met with General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and $2,953.33 of that coincides with a trip DeWine took last June to Washington, D.C., where he announce a deal with an Italian storage company that planned to build a manufacturing and logistics hub near Cincinnati.

Read other recent state political news

Ohio Republicans spend big on state legislative primaries

Campaign seeking Ohio voting-law expansion sues over state decision to split proposed ballot measure

Householder allies fund dark-money ad blitz in contested Republican House races

Ohio Ballot Board splits voter access amendment into four issues, dealing blow to ACLU-backed campaign

JobsOhio reports lower jobs numbers, larger staff for 2019
CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2020) Most of the Arab countries have restored relations with Syria, but they did so without much publicity, fearing pressure from the West, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television aired on Thursday.

"Most of the Arab countries have restored their relations with Syria, but not publicly, fearing pressure. These countries have expressed their support for Syria and wished us to defeat terrorism," Assad said.

"However, the Western pressure and, in particular, the American pressure forced these countries to keep a distance and not open their embassies in Syria, this especially concerns the Gulf states," the Syrian leader stressed.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





The radical opposition rejects the call for a truce

Andre Michel, spokesman for the radical opposition of the so-called "Democratic and Popular" movement categorically rejects the call for a truce launched by the new Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe, whom he described as "de Facto" having not been ratified by Parliament. He indicated that on the contrary "it is now that the fight begins" against the Government See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30159-haiti-flash-jovenel-moise-appoints-a-new-prime-minister.html



Congratulations from former PM Lafontant

"I welcome the entry into office of the new Prime Minister, Joseph Jouthe, whose patriotic spirit, openness to dialogue and good determination can serve the best interests of the Nation and the Haitian people, alongside President Jovenel Moise," declared former Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant.



Statement by the outgoing Chancellor

"I was honored to serve my country at this prestigious level. I gave my all to support political stability in Haiti. Thank you President Jovenel Moise for the opportunity to serve. I wish good luck and success to the new Jouthe Joseph team," Chancellor Bocchit Edmond.



Installation of the Minister of the Interior

Thursday, Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet the Minister of National Education installed Audain F. Bernadel as Minister of the Interior and Territorial Collectivities (MICT) he replaces Cadet who assumed this position by interim. The new Minister Bernadel affirmed his commitment to work to strengthen local authorities and improve security conditions. Bernadel is also Minister a.i. of Culture. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30184-haiti-flash-composition-of-the-new-jouthe-moise-government.html



Death of the first black mayor of Quebec

The first black mayor of Quebec the Haitian-Candadian Rene Coicou, the first black mayor of Quebec (elected mayor of Gagnon in 1973, and who won 3 successive mandates) died Monday in Ottawa at the age of 84 years of the continuations of a long illness. He went into exile in Canada in 1957 in order to escape the dictatorial regime of Francois Duvalier alias "Papa Doc".



COVID-19 epidemic : Global report March 6, 2020

Friday March 6, 2020, the number of people infected worldwide with the Coronavirus COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed cases, official source) amounted to 98,698, an increase of 2https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30192-haiti-news-zapping.html ; 3.383 deaths (+ 3%) or 97 more than the day before (3.286). Average mortality rate 3.4%. 55,444 people healed, 2,021 more than the day before.



To date, there are 18,143 cases of confirmed infected people outside China (+ 18.3%), or 2,806 cases more than the previous day, in a total of 90 countries (+5 countries compared to the previous day). Note that South Korea, Iran and Italy alone account for 13,964 cases (77% of all cases outside of China) and that 51 affected countries have fewer than 10 reported cases.



332 deaths outside of China have been reported to date since the start of the epidemic (December 2019), or 66 more than the previous day: 148 in Italy, 107 in Iran, 40 in South Korea, 1 in Taiwan, 1 in the Philippines, 2 in Hong Kong, 6 in Japan, 7 in France, 3 in Spain, 2 Australia. 1 Thailand, 2 in Iraq, 1 in Switzerland, 1 in the United Kingdom and 12 in the USA (233 confirmed cases +46% compared to the previous day 159).



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Former Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of neglecting the farmers in the budget.

Reacting upon the maiden budget of the Uddhav Thackeray government, Fadanvis said: "Farmers are completely neglected, no loans have been waived off except crop loan. CM Uddhav had announced that farmers will be helped with Rs. 50 thousand to 1 Lakh for the crop damages per hectare but now they are not even talking about this in the budget."

"They are alleging that state was loan burdened during our time but while going through records it's clear that they have burdened the state with the loan. They have neither announced any new scheme for farmers nor have announced an increase in basic facilities in the budget," he added.

Earlier today, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar presented the state budget in the Assembly and said that the Centre only approved around Rs 956 crores. So instead of waiting for the Centre's help, we took the initiative to help the farmers.

Fadnavis accused the Maharashtra government of forgetting the names of various parts of the state.

He said: "In the name of Budget, we only heard a speech of a public meeting of finance minister. There was no data, no analysis, no expectations and no details of profit and loss in the budget. The government has forgotten Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra which are part of the state as they didn't even take names of these regions. Konkan's name was taken but nothing was given to Konkan."

Accusing the Maharashtra government of changing the names of central schemes, Fadnavis said: "Most of the schemes they have announced are actually financed by the Centre and they are changing names of central schemes and giving them their own name with Centre's money.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday stepped in to help its former jawan Alish Mohammad with a cheque of Rs 11 lakh after his house was damaged in the recent communal riots in northeast Delhi.



Mohammed, who is currently living in a relief camp, was overwhelmed when CRPF got in touch with him after finding out about the same, officials said.



The cheque was handed over at a simple ceremony held at the CRPF headquarters in New Delhi.

While handing over the cheque, Director General of CRPF AP Maheswari hugged an emotional Aish and said, This is your family. Mohammad, who served for 22 years before retiring as a head constable, had a house at Baghirathi Vihar.



His house was damaged and plundered by anti-social elements during the riots on February 25, the CRPF said. He (Aish) along with his son somehow managed to escape to safety with the help of their neighbour.



CRPF spokesperson DIG Moses Dhinakaran said, The CRPF stands committed for the welfare of its personnel and their families. This act is a gesture to say that all serving and retired personnel of the force are our families.



An official said the amount of Rs 11 lakh is drawn from the welfare fund of the force and it can be used to help both serving and former staffers. On Monday, the BSF had also handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to one of its riot-affected jawan.
We live in a time of Islamophobia.

In February, two violent attacks on Muslims in Europe, one in Hanau in Germany, the other in London, took place within 24 hours of each other. Though the circumstances were different  the attacker in Hanau left a manifesto full of far-right conspiracy theories, while the motivations of the London attacker were less certain  the target was the same: Muslims.

The two events add to a growing list of violent attacks on Muslims across Europe. In 2018 alone, France saw an increase of 52 percent of Islamophobic incidents; in Austria there was a rise of approximately 74 percent, with 540 cases. The culmination of a decade of steadily increasing attacks on Muslims, such figures express a widespread antipathy to Islam. Forty-four percent of Germans, for example, see a fundamental contradiction between Islam and German culture and values. The figure for the same in Finland is a remarkable 62 percent; in Italy, its 53 percent. To be a Muslim in Europe is to be mistrusted, visible and vulnerable.

Across the Continent, Islamophobic organizations and individuals have been able to advance their agenda. Islamophobic street movements and political parties have become more popular. And their ideas have been incorporated into  and in some instances fed by  the machinery of the modern state, which surveils and supervises Muslims, casting them as threats to the life of the nation.

From the street to the state, Islamophobia is baked into European political life.

This has been nearly 20 years in the making. The war on terror  which singled out Muslims and Islam as a civilizational threat to the West  created the conditions for widespread Islamophobia. Internationally, it caused instability and increased violence, with the rise of the Islamic State in part a consequence. Domestically, in both Europe and the United States, new counterterrorism policies overwhelmingly targeted Muslims.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa

MANILA, Philippines  Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa has been released from St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig on Friday afternoon, a day after he and seven others got injured in a helicopter crash in San Pedro, Laguna.

PNP acting spokesman Major General Benigno Durana confirmed this to media.

Oo, discharged na siya, he said.

Gamboa earlier said he would return to work on Monday after giving assurance that he is okay following the crash.

The PNP chief sustained minor injuries after the Bell 429 chopper they were riding in crashed in Laguna on Thursday morning.

Gamboa was with Directorate for Comptrollership Major General Jovic Ramos, Directorate for Intelligence Major General Mariel Magaway, and PNP Spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac. Two pilots, Gamboas aide, and a technician were also on board the helicopter.

Banac and four others also sustained minor abrasions while Magaway and Ramos are still unconscious and are in unstable condition.

Magaway and Ramos are being treated in separate hospitals in Binan, Laguna.

Durana said Banac has also requested to be discharged from hospital as he wasnt seriously hurt in the incident.

Banac intends to be released tomorrow, upon the approval of his doctor, he said.

In a statement, Banac thanked all those who sent messages of support and prayers for his recovery.

Yes, I was shaken, but not stirred. And by Gods grace I am well and recovering now and raring to report back to duty as soon as I am cleared by my doctors, he said.

Let us join hands and thoughts in fervent prayer for the other PNP officers who suffered more serious injuries. We pray for their healing and strength to overcome this trial, he added.

Gamboas aide de camp, Police captain Keventh Gayramara, was also released Friday afternoon.

The post PNP chief Gamboa released from hospital a day after Laguna chopper crash appeared first on UNTV News.
The government has asked Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to bring YES Bank under moratorium after it found several lapses including governance issues, weak compliance and wrong asset classification.

The central bank has been directed to assess the cause of the problem and identify the individuals who created them.

The government and RBI have assured depositors that their money is safe and there was no need to panic, yet customers are concerned as the central bank has limited withdrawals to Rs 50,000 only until April 3.

In this CNBC-TV18 Special Podcast, host Jerome Anthony discusses the YES Bank saga with banking expert Ritu Singh. The duo talk about the panic among customers and how things could unfold.

Lastly, Singh reveals what the common man should do to ensure their money is safe in case their bank collapses.

Listen in to the podcast for more.
A 26-year old woman returning from Europe has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after Vietnam went 22 days with no new infection.

The Vietnamese woman has been quarantined and is undergoing treatment at Campus No.2 of the Hanoi Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the capital citys Chairman, Nguyen Duc Chung, said at an emergency meeting held late Friday.

This is the first Covid-19 infection recorded in Hanoi.

Chung said the patient had left Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport on February 15 to visit family members living in London, England. Three days later, she traveled from London to Milan City, in the province of Lombardy, Italy, and returned to London on February 20.

During her time in Milan, Lombardy had not recorded any Covid-19 positive case.

On February 25, the woman traveled from London to Paris to visit her sister. She contracted a cough on February 29, but did not get checked up.

On March 1, she reportedly felt body pain and fatigue, but it was unclear if she had a fever. The same day, she boarded flight VN54 of Vietnam Airlines from London and landed in Hanoi at 4:30 a.m. on March 2. She did not have a fever then.

After completing entry procedures, the patient was allowed to drive a family car home to Truc Bach Street in Ba Dinh Districts Truc Bach Ward.

Later, she developed a mild fever and coughed a lot, and was admitted to Hong Ngoc Hospital in Ba Dinh District Thursday. The very same day, she was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases where she tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Eight of the patients family members including her father, uncle, five janitors and a personal chauffeur are also being isolated at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases. All are reportedly healthy, with no signs of fever or cough.

Seventeen doctors from Hong Ngoc Hospital in Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh District who had been in contact with the patient are also being isolated at the hospital, and in good health.

The Hanoi People's Committee Friday afternoon set up a Covid-19 emergency response committee for Truc Bach Ward, blocked Truc Bach Street and closed shops in the area.

The areas around the patient's home on Truc Bach Street and Hong Ngoc Hospital were sprayed with disinfectant by the local health authority. People living on the same street have been asked to isolate themselves at home, but it is as yet unclear how many people will have to isolate themselves.

Flight VN0054 carried 201 passengers, and authorities are in the process of verifying their names and whereabouts.

After Vietnam reported its 16th Covid-19 infection on February 13, the nation went 22 days without detecting any new case.

Previously, all the 16 patients in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Khanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City had recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

As of 6 p.m. Friday, 23,228 people were being isolated at home or in communal facilities across the country, an increase of 9,000 compared to the day before, while another 101 infection suspects are being isolated in hospitals.

The Covid-19 outbreak broke out in Chinas Wuhan City, Hubei Province late December last year. By Friday, the disease had infected over 100,000 people worldwide and killed 3,412, mostly Chinese citizens.

Italy recorded another 700 Covid-19 positive cases Friday, bringing its total infection count to more than 3,800. The country has so far reported 148 deaths, making it the country with the second highest number of deaths after China.
The mother of a Spanish student killed in the 2004 Madrid train bombings has made her first visit to Northern Ireland to bring the message that "your pain is our pain".

Marisol Perez Urbano, along with husband Juan Carlos, was a special guest at Stormont on Friday night to mark Memorial Day for the Victims of Terrorism.

Their son Rodrigo was one of 191 people killed when a series of bombs exploded within minutes of each other on four commuter trains in the Spanish capital on March 11, 2004.

A further 1,841 were wounded in what was the worst terror attack in Europe since the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Friday, Marisol recalled the day she lost her son.

"I remember the morning Rodrigo left home. He slipped out quietly, trying not to wake us like he usually did," she said.

"It was a normal routine. That's the last we knew of him.

"We know he took the first train as normal and was waiting at the station to get his connection to university where he was studying computer engineering. It was there, while waiting, that the train coming into the station was bombed.

We have found that through talking to other people around the world who have lost loved ones through terrorism we are able to live on in our son's name and that is a comfort

"It was one of four attacked that morning. Sixty people died in that station, and 191 were murdered across Madrid. Almost 2,000 were injured. All innocent, trying to get to university, get to work, live normal lives."

Marisol, who is a professor of literature at IES Jose Hierro de Getafe in Madrid, added: "We just wanted to live an ordinary life.

"But since the death of Rodrigo, nothing has been ordinary. We suffer stress, fear, we're always worried for relatives when they go out. That's what it does to you. It completely changes your life, your thinking.

"My mind has not been the same since that day. A little of me was taken too.

"For a long time on March 11, 2004 we thought Rodrigo was safe.

"We were told that he was not on the train that exploded. It took 24 hours to find his body in the ruins of the Atocha station."

Marisol shared her experience for the first time with hundreds of victims from across Northern Ireland as they gathered at Stormont for the event hosted by TUV MLA Jim Allister.

"We have found that through talking to other people around the world who have lost loved ones through terrorism we are able to live on in our son's name and that is a comfort," she added. "We want to use our experience to make the world a better place.

"We feel here, in Northern Ireland, we are among family. We are together with people who understand our pain and whose pain we understand in return.

Victims, no matter what their background, deserve respect for their suffering Marisol Perez Urbano

"Our son would never have wanted us to hate. Yes, we are sad, but we do not hate. That achieves nothing. Rodrigo is talking through us and that helps to ease what pain we still feel, but it never goes away.

"It has been over 80 years since the Spanish Civil War and I think about how that has changed our country. It has taken three generations to move on from that conflict.

"Northern Ireland is still close to the Troubles and for those who lost loved ones, the conflict and the loss is still very raw. That has to be considered.

"It is hard to cope with the thought that you might go out shopping and encounter the person who murdered your son walking around freely.

"Victims, no matter what their background, deserve respect for their suffering.

"They carry the pain of the country personally and it is with them every day."

It took Marisol 15 years to pick up the broken pieces of her family, to gather the strength to bring her thoughts together.

Marisol has since compiled a book about the attacks and the effect on her, Rodrigo's father Juan Carlos and his younger brother Gonzalo, who was 18 when his brother was killed.

"In those early days Rodrigo's death was manipulated for political gain," she said. "That was difficult to listen to for everyone who lost a loved one in the bombings.

"There was a continuous crushing feeling. There was so little sensitivity for the victims.

"We know what victims in Northern Ireland are feeling."

Mr Allister said it was important to remember victims of terrorism from all around the world.
When the Albany Police Department was formed in 1891, it consisted of one man: the marshal. In the 129 years since, it's moved around the city
By Kiley Russell

Bay City News Foundation

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Asian American leaders in the Bay Area are activating their networks to spread the message that billions of dollars tied to the upcoming U.S. Census count are at stake.

A group of Asian American leaders from around the Bay Area and Central Valley met in San Francisco Thursday to make that point and unravel the complexities that surround the process.

"The census is the linchpin of our democracy," said Hong Mei Pang, director of advocacy for Chinese for Affirmative Action, a 50-year-old civil rights and social justice organization that hosted the event along with Ethnic Media Services.

Pang and several other speakers stressed the importance of a full count, noting that billions of dollars in federal spending is tied to census numbers. They are working to be sure that every person of Asian descent is counted in the decennial effort to quantify exactly who lives in the U.S. and where they reside.

In 2016 alone, the state received roughly $115 billion in federal money that was directly tied to its population count, according to a 2019 report by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Those dollars are especially critical for many newly arrived South, Southeast and Central Asian communities, many of which rely on government assistance for food, health care and education, among other things, and are growing rapidly.

For example, according to data compiled by Ethnic Media Services from aapidata.com, the Nepalese population in the U.S. grew by 200 percent to 155,573 individuals between 2010 and 2016.

During that same period, the Burmese population grew by 68 percent to 153,262 people and the Bangladeshi population grew by 36 percent to 175,592 people.

Overall, the U.S. Asian population has the fastest growth rate of any racial group and increased by 72 percent from 2000 to 2015, according to the Pew Research Center.

In comparison, the Latino population grew by 60 percent during that same period.

In addition to being the key data set for the distribution of federal dollars, census numbers are also used to redraw congressional, state and local government districts.

"The census should be a highway for political visibility for all communities," Pang said.

But many Californians belong to so-called "hard to count" communities that have historically been left under enumerated and therefore underrepresented politically and underserved by government programs that provide vital health, nutrition and housing assistance and a wide array of educational services, including school construction, among other things.

"Our community is dependent on benefits, and the benefits come from the census," said Prem Pariyar, vice president of the Nepali Association of Northern California.

Many Asian communities in California are particularly vulnerable to an undercount because, in part, Asians are the only racial group in the U.S. that is composed of a majority of people -- 59 percent -- who were born in another country, according to a 2019 Pew Research Center report.

For one thing, this means that language barriers are keeping many people from either fully understanding the importance of the count, being able to fill out the census forms properly, or both.

And while the U.S. Census Bureau offers information in 59 languages, the online form and phone assistance will only be available in 12 non-English languages, five of which are Asian - simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog and Japanese.

To help mitigate this, groups like the United Way Bay Area will pass through millions of dollars in state grants to grass-roots community organizations that can conduct census outreach and education in languages like Hmong, Hindi, Lao, Urdu, Thai, Khmer, Burmese, Bengali and others.

"We focus on infrastructure to support and amplify the work being done," said Stephanie Kim, the senior director of Census 2020 for the United Way Bay Area, which has granted more than $1.5 million to nearly 100 community groups in the run-up to the count, which starts on April 1.

"We know which languages are spoken in the Bay Area and we are trying to hit as many of those languages as possible," Kim said.

Immigrant communities also face other barriers to full participation in the census.

Many new arrivals, for example, are being confronted with intense anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies from the Trump White House, which even sought to include a citizenship question on this year's census - an effort some felt was a prelude to discrimination and the targeting of immigrants.

And while the move was ultimately unsuccessful, it's feared that the damage has been done and that many non-citizens will be too afraid to fill out the forms.

"Most of the (Nepalese) community are asylum seekers, undocumented, so they have fear because of the present administration," said Pariyar, voicing a common sentiment that has emerged among many immigrant groups.

Pariyar and other community leaders like him, however, say they are determined to make sure people know that the information provided to the census is confidential, that it can't be shared except as statistical data, and that, according to U.S. Census Bureau officials, anyone caught distributing such information can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined $250,000.

"We have developed a one pager of information in our own language. We are distributing this information. We are going to each and every home, organizing house parties, going to the churches, going to the temples, going to the community meetings," Pariyar said. "Because we want our community to be counted."

Still, distrust of government can run deep in immigrant communities, especially for people that have come from places like Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and other countries where participating in public life is not only discouraged, it can be dangerous.

For example, in the 1980s, the government of Bhutan used its census to round up people of Nepalese decent and expel them from the country.

It's a brutal reality that even Census Bureau officials are struggling to overcome.

"In America, we have to be counted," said Sonny Le, a partnership specialist with the Census Bureau who attended Thursday's event.

"This is our country too. We belong here, we pay taxes, we pay rent. The census is one way we can get our fair share," Le said. "You don't have to be a citizen, you don't even have to be documented to be counted."

"People want us to be invisible," Le said. "This is our chance to be visible and this is our chance to raise our voice."

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.
Three mutual fund houses UTI MF, Nippon India MF and PGIM India MF on Friday decided to side-pocket their exposures to Yes Bank bonds following the rating downgrade of troubled private lender's debt instruments.

This is subject to approval from the board of trustees of respective fund houses.

The move will prevent the distressed assets from damaging the returns generated from more liquid and better-performing assets.

The development comes following the downgrade of debt instruments of Yes Bank to 'D', which is below investment grade, by rating agency ICRA.

In a statement, UTI MF said it has proposed to create a segregated portfolio in respect of debt securities of Yes Bank in its two schemes UTI Credit Risk Fund and UTI Medium Term Fund effective from Friday, subject to approval from the Board of Trustees.

Nippon India MF has also proposed to create segregated portfolio of securities of Yes Bank held in the schemes with effect from Friday.

Further, processing of subscriptions and redemptions in the schemes would be suspended on the day of the credit event (March 6, 2020) till trustees approval for segregation is received, it added.

In view of the downgrade of the securities to default grade, the PGIM India has proposed to segregate its holdings from Friday.

In December 2018, regulator Sebi had permitted mutual funds to create segregated portfolios, or side-pocketing, with respect to debt and money market instruments. In case of a credit event that is a credit downgrade, like below investment grade and similar, segregated portfolio may be created.

Creation of segregated portfolios is a mechanism to separate distressed, illiquid and hard-to-value assets from other more liquid assets in a portfolio.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' is probably the earliest piece of healthcare advice we ever receive. Yet, no matter how consistent you are in eating apples throughout your life, the role of a doctor cannot be discounted when it comes to expert consultation and being extra sure about your health.

Common notions associated with the medical fraternity create a mental block in most people that stop them from accessing healthcare at the right time. #DoctorWithSign uses quirky, snackable content on real images to address these notions and change people's perspective on hospitals, doctors and healthcare in general. Manipal Hospitals' social media agency Social Panga tapped on to a popular trend to deliver the message loud and clear.

The campaign showcases doctors from the Jaipur unit of Manipal Hospitals holding up placards which read quirky messages like "Our handwriting is readable, ask your pharmacist" and "Stop getting scared of injections".

Putting doctors at the core of the campaign truly champions them as change-makers. This creates a one-to-one connection between the audience and the doctors and also ties the Manipal Hospitals brand back to the campaign.

Some placards really hit home, addressing the popular millennial behaviour of 'diagnosing symptoms on Google', something we have all been guilty of attempting at some point in our life.

The campaign's reach was 5x higher on Instagram, while the campaign's reach was 8x higher on Facebook. Not only did the campaign reach a higher number of users on social media, but it also received 20x engagement on Instagram and 9x engagement on Facebook, in comparison to the page's average engagement on the platforms.

The engagement rate for the campaign was 58 per cent, which was an increase of 41 per cent from the average engagement rate of 17 per cent on Instagram.

Manipal Hospitals and Social Panga have done a stellar job of showing the quirky and amicable side of doctors to users and audiences. Hopefully, this will ease existing notions about hospitals and healthcare and encourage more people to visit the doctor!

This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A third Delhi resident was confirmed as a coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient on Friday, taking the total number of reported cases in India to 31, even as the disease continued to proliferate in new regions of the world and crossing the 100,000 global infections mark in less than three months since it began spreading from central China.

The latest Indian patient is a man from Delhi who had recently been to Thailand and Malaysia, health officials said and added that they had begun contact tracing  the intricate process of identifying and reaching out to people who may have been infected further.

Indias disease control authorities are racing to track down potentially thousands of such cases every day, poring over piles of flyer forms to identify people who arrived from cities where the outbreak is now serious, or have been in close contact with people who were sickened by the virus.

The outbreak has killed more than 3,400 people and spread across more than 90 nations, with six countries reporting their first cases on Friday.

World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Friday a call for all countries to intensify efforts to track down and restrict the spread of the disease. It (the epidemic) is geographically expanding and deeply concerning. We are continuing to recommend that all countries make containment their highest priority, he said.

A second massive contact-tracing effort was launched in connection with an American tourist who tested positive for the disease in Bhutan. The patient, a 76-year-old man travelling with his wife, had been in Mumbai, Kolkata and Guwahati during his 11 days in India, a period when he could potentially have passed on the infection to others.

During the India leg of his trip, the American couple were also on a 7-day river cruise operated by Adventure River Cruises, its CEO Sanjay Basu told HT. The vessel, MV Mahabaahu, had four American tourists as part of a total 39 passengers (including crew).

It set sail on February 23, made brief stops at Kaziranga, Jorhat and Majuli where the passengers went ashore, and was completed on March 2.

It is unclear if this person had symptoms during this time, and experts and scientists have said that people not giving any indication that they may be infected are among the most significant factors that could contribute to the diseases spread.

This infection seems to be spreading ten times faster, and evidence suggests even asymptomatic people can potentially infect others, said Dr Srikant Sharma, senior consultant, internal medicine department, Moolchand Hospital.

On Thursday, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan told parliament that close to 30,000 people are being tracked as part of the contact-tracing operations.

In one case that highlighted the challenge health workers faced, an Irishman suspected of being infected with the coronavirus fled from a Cuttack hospital on Thursday but was traced to a hotel in Bhubaneswar where he and another person he had come in contact with have been kept in isolation, officials said on Friday.

Though the two were allowed to remain in isolation at the hotel, the administration later decided to put them in a special isolation ward.

Across the country, a number of events related to Holi and Womens Day celebrations were cancelled while the University Grants Commission asked universities to avoid large gatherings as a precautionary measure.

Through Friday, minister Harsh Vardhan held a meeting through video conference with health ministers, chief secretaries of all states and union territories, central ministers and representatives from related organisations to review preparedness. The minister stressed on the need for keeping testing and quarantine facilities, isolation wards, and labs in active readiness.

Indian authorities are also attempting to help citizens stranded in Iran, which has emerged as one of the worst-hit regions.

By Saturday afternoon, a flight operated by Irans Mahan Air will bring back swab samples of 300 Indians. Once these Indians are considered free of the disease, they will be cleared to fly back home.

India is also working with the government of Iran to facilitate an evacuation of about 2,000 Indians stranded in Iran, and sending back about 2,000 Iranian nationals currently in India.

Several schools and offices have been closed, and more employers are asking their staff to work from home.

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Seven Sunnyvale public safety officers are self-isolating in their homes after performing CPR on a 72-year-old man who was on the Grand Princess cruise to Mexico with passengers who were subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19.

The man died and it was unclear whether he was ill or why he stopped breathing on Thursday. An autopsy is pending.

But Phan Ngo, the chief of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, said that family members of the man told officers performing CPR that the man had been on the same cruise as other former passengers who have since been confirmed as having the coronavirus. One of those former passengers, a 71-year-old man from Placer County, died Wednesday.

Two other former passengers, Sonoma County residents, have come down with COVID-19, and officials have since ordered the Grand Princess held at sea as they investigate whether the current group of passengers aboard the ship are infected.

The ship was wrapping up a 15-day cruise to Hawaii, which it began on Feb. 21, eight hours after the end of the 10-day cruise to Mexico. Ten days after the Mexico cruise ended, two former passengers  and later a third  were diagnosed with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

At a news conference on Thursday, Ngo said public safety officers responded to a call of a man who was not breathing. Ngo declined to state where in Sunnyvale the incident occurred.

While obtaining the patients medical history, a family member advised us that the patient had recently been on a cruise where... other passengers were suspected of having COVID-19, Ngo said. We have seen reports that the officers performed mouth to mouth  that did not happen. The officers followed EMS procedures when they performed CPR.

Sunnyvale Captain Craig Anderson said CPR procedures typically consist of officers wearing gloves, performing chest compressions, and using a bag valve mask to provide ventilation to the patient. Mouth to mouth does not occur, he said.

Ngo said Santa Clara County public health officials have not yet determined if the man had COVID-19. The Santa Clara County medical examiner-coroners office will determine the mans cause of death, Ngo said. He said the department is waiting for the results.

Out of an abundance of caution, Ngo said the department promptly quarantined all seven officers at an undisclosed location at a city facility for several hours. All officers were released to their respective homes by Thursday evening, where the self-isolated.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

We are asking our community to remain calm, Ngo said. The precautions we have taken exceed the recommendations by the CDC.

The officers will not be returning to work immediately, as Ngo said the department is coordinating with county public health officials to determine when it is safe for them to return to their normal duties.

Ngo said the officers have not been tested for the new coronavirus because they have not displayed any symptoms, and the department is following guidelines set by the county and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sunnyvales department currently employs 194 public safety officers, Anderson said. That figure does not include support staff, he said.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor
To access a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/Morning_News_Call/MNCGeneric_CA_03062020.pdf You can read Morning News Call Canada via TOPNEWS Canada page. If you would like to receive this newsletter through your email, please register at: http://solutions.refinitiv.com/MorningNewsCallENsubscriptionpage ECONOMIC EVENTS 0830 (approx.) Average hourly wages permanent employee yy for Feb: Prior 4.43% 0830 Employment change for Feb: Expected 10,000; Prior 34,500 0830 Unemployment rate for Feb: Expected 5.6%; Prior 5.5% 0830 Full time employment change SA for Feb: Prior 35,700 0830 Part time employment change SA for Feb: Prior -1200 0830 Participation rate for Feb: Expected 65.4%; Prior 65.4% 0830 Trade balance for Jan: Expected - C$0.83; Prior - C$0.4 bln 0830 Exports for Jan: Prior C$49.32 bln 0830 Imports for Jan: Prior C$49.69 bln 1000 Ivey PMI for Feb: Prior 51.1 1000 Ivey PMI SA for Feb: Prior 57.3 COMPANIES REPORTING RESULTS March 6: Vermilion Energy Inc (VET). Expected Q4 earnings of 9 Canadian cents per share March 9: Franco-Nevada Corp (FNV). Expected Q4 earnings of 49 cents per share CORPORATE EVENTS 0830 Parkland Fuel Corp (PKI). Q4 earnings conference call 0845 Enghouse Systems Ltd (ENGH). Q1 earnings conference call 1100 Vermilion Energy Inc (VET). Q4 earnings conference call EX-DIVIDENDS B2Gold Corp (BTO). Amount $0.01 Leon's Furniture Ltd (LNF). Amount C$0.16 Molson Coors Canada Inc (TPXa). Amount C$0.75 Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH). Amount C$0.31 For Morning News Call U.S. -- a preview of market-moving news for the trading day: - type US/MNC in a news browser if you are an Eikon user, or type RT/US/MNC in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For The Day Ahead -- a recap of the day's events and preview of the next trading day: - type DAY/US in a news browser if you are an Eikon user or type RT/DAY/US in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For an index of our newsletters click on
Just who are Oregon Republicans trying to kid?

More than a week and a half after Republicans in both chambers of the Legislature walked out of Salem in protest of Democrats cap-and-trade bill, they decided to float the idea of returning for the last day of the session. With the cap and trade bill all but dead, Republican leaders Sen. Herman Baertschiger, Jr., of Grants Pass, and Rep. Christine Drazan, of Canby blithely offered to have their caucuses come back to work and provide the necessary quorum for the Legislature to conduct business  that is, for select bills that they believe should be brought forward.

Clearly, Republican legislators didnt just go out of state  they visited another planet. One on which they apparently are the majority power in the Legislature and call all the shots.

Back in Salem, however, the offer didnt fly. Democrats rightly rejected Republicans ransom note and decided to close up shop early. The arrogance with which Republicans have held up the session and blocked bills providing aid and support to Oregonians across the state should not be rewarded.

A failed session, for sure, with critical business left undone. But at least the charade is over.

Oregonian editorials Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Therese Bottomly, Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, John Maher and Amy Wang. Members of the board meet regularly to determine our institutional stance on issues of the day. We publish editorials when we believe our unique perspective can lend clarity and influence an upcoming decision of great public interest. Editorials are opinion pieces and therefore different from news articles. To respond to this editorial, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor If you have questions about the opinion section, email Helen Jung , opinion editor, or call 503-294-7621.

Republicans can legitimately complain that Democrats have, at times, abused their majority power  passing bills with emergency clauses in which no emergency exists, for example. But their main gripes are with Democrats legislative priorities, not with process. Attacking Democratic lawmakers for pursuing the policies that voters endorsed by choosing them is nothing more than an attempt to overturn the election.

If Republicans want to have the power of the majority, then they need to win it. Thats how our democracy works. But its hard to see how they can build a convincing case that they merit such power when they wont even report to work. Their decision to walkout  after Senate Republicans walked out twice last year  may have its fans, but its a limited number.

And the minority risks getting even smaller. It should be noted that two Republicans Rep. Cheri Helt of Bend and Sen. Tim Knopp, of Bend  continued to show up at the Capitol, bucking their caucus. But as Republicans in districts that have turned decidedly Democratic, they are undeniably vulnerable in their upcoming re-election bids. It would be unfortunate for many reasons if they pay the price for their colleagues actions, but thats one of the possible outcomes when Republican leadership makes such a grievous miscalculation.

As is often said, elections matter. Voters should ask themselves if they got what they wanted.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
OTTAWA - The RCMP is helping Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of Flight PS752, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Champagne says the RCMP is assisting Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of flight PS752. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - The RCMP is helping Ukrainian authorities in a criminal investigation of the downing of Flight PS752, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says.

The Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down by the Iranian military in January. The crash outside Tehran killed all 176 passengers and crew, including 55 Canadians and dozens more people who were headed to Canada.

After initially denying any responsibility, Iranian authorities arrested several people and promised to hold them to account. Iran says the plane was misidentified by an air-defence battery shortly after Iran itself launched missiles at western forces in neighbouring Iraq.

Ukraine nonetheless launched its own criminal investigation and speaking in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Friday during a tour of eastern Europe, Champagne said the RCMP has sent an officer to help Ukrainian police to ensure justice for the victims.

"We always said from the beginning that we wanted to bring closure, accountability, transparency and justice and this is the justice part of it, where we wanted to do everything we can to support because obviously this was a Ukrainian airline flight," he said.

"So we're supporting Ukraine in their criminal investigation of those that would be responsible."

Champagne also said he pressed Ukraine's president and foreign affairs minister  Dmytro Kuleba, who succeeded Vadym Prystaiko in a shuffle this week  for the airline to quickly compensate families of those Canadians who were killed.

"What I've been pushing for is potential advance payment to the families and we're going to keep following up on that because, as you know under the Montreal and Warsaw conventions (on international air travel), this is a statutory payment that needs to be done by the airlines," he said.

Champagne was expected to meet with the head of the carrier, Yevhenii Dykhne, during his visit to Ukraine. But the minister, who has previously spoken to Dykhne by telephone, said a scheduling conflict scuttled the planned meeting.

In the meantime, he said Canadian authorities are working with the airline and the London law firm hired by Ukraine International Airlines' insurer to identify next of kin so compensation can start flowing as soon as possible.

"Certainly what I've agreed with my new counterpart, the new foreign minister of Ukraine, is to continue to push Ukrainian airlines," Champagne said. "There's obviously legal questions around that because this is a payment from the insurance companies of the airlines to individuals."

Canada and other countries that lost citizens in the plane crash have also been pushing a separate effort to get the Iranian government to compensate the victims' families.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
Who does not want Bernie Sanders to get the Democrat nomination? Who recently said of him, "He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. It's all just baloney, and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it"?

Answer: Hillary.

Who has a conveniently timed four-part documentary series on Hulu right now, called Hillary? Whose documentary is billed as "a remarkably intimate portrait of a public woman"? Whose documentary is getting plenty of favorable coverage from the mainstream media?

Answer: Hillary.

Who helped DNC chairman Tom Perez get his job and earned his loyalty?

Answer: Hillary.

Who has repeated ad nauseam that her life mantra is the lesson that her mother taught her: "What defines you in life is not getting knocked down. It's about how you get back up"?

Answer: Hillary.

Who never quits?

Answer: Hillary.

Who has the connections within the Democrat Party establishment to orchestrate in only 24 hours before Super Tuesday the surprise exit of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobachar? Who has the power to persuade these candidates to endorse Joe Biden?

Answer: Hillary.

Whom will Joe Biden endorse, by design, on the eve of the Democrat Party Convention when he announces that, on advice his wife and doctors, he will not pursue the Democrat Party nomination?

Answer: Hillary.

After having watched Joe Biden's further descent into senility and confusion between March and July, who will relieved Democrats, women especially, embrace as their tried and true candidate?

Answer: Hillary.

And who, by design, will name as her vice president a fellow with the last name of Bloomberg who just happens to be waiting in the wings with his nationwide campaign offices open and with full staff on salary and billions in cash?

Answer: Hillary.

Who has at her fingertips Deep State opposition research gleaned from the Mueller investigation, Michael Cohen's files, and spying data on everything Trump, ready to drop sometime in September?

Answer: Hillary.

Who will benefit from massive early voting, voting by mail, and voter fraud?

Answer: Hillary.

Who will Big Tech get behind and push in all online forums?

Answer: Hillary.

Who will get about 5 billion additional dollars in positive free earned media?

Answer: Hillary.

Who has an excellent chance of being the next president of the United States of America?

Answer: Hillary.

Remember, you read it here first.

Hollywood film director Joel Gilbert is president of Highway 61 Entertainment. Among his many films are political documentaries including The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud that Divided America, Trump: The Art of the Insult, There's No Place Like Utopia, Dreams from My Real Father, Atomic Jihad, and Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran and the Revolt of Islam.

Image: Nathania Johnson via Wikimedia Commons.
This month's big release, 'Sooryavanshi', has not made any announcement yet despite the coronavirus scare.

The paranoia triggered by the coronavirus outbreak has led to delays and cancellations of film festivals, theatrical releases and even promotional events.

The upcoming James Bond movie No Time To Die, which was set for an April 8 release, has now been pushed to November.

With the scare spreading wider in India, Bollywood releases may be affected too. Big production houses are busy with meetings to evaluate the current situation that the virus COVID-19 has brought about.

The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IFFA) announced it has postponed its three-day awards ceremony at the end of March.

With due regard to the growing concerns around the COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFAs fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, the IIFA management and stakeholders from the film industry, it has been decided to postpone to a later date the much-awaited weekend and awards 2020 celebrations, said IIFA organisers in a statement.

While the full impact of the virus outbreak on show business is yet to be ascertained, stars are taking no chance. The Baaghi 3 team and the Angrezi Medium cast skipped Delhi for this reason after a number of positive cases in the capital.

According to analysts, film industries are likely to lose business worth billions of dollars.

Salman Khan, who was to travel with a large crew to Azerbaijan to shoot for his upcoming film Radhe, has cancelled the schedule. Radhe will now be shot in India, instead.

Other upcoming shoots that may get relocated include that of Takht which was to take place in Europe (likely Italy).

Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom, which was to be shot in London, may have to scout another location.

Even Vicky Kaushal starrer Ashwathama may have to delay its shoot or figure out another location.

A decision on the release dates of upcoming films will be taken after seeing responses to this weeks release Baaghi 3 and after getting feedback from the UAE, which is a large market for Bollywood.

The makers of this months big release Sooryavanshi are yet to make an announcement of their plans.

Even film industries in the south have cancelled their European shoots. Tharun Kishore Sudhir, the director of Roberrt, starring Darshan, had originally planned to shoot song sequences in Spain, but has now decided to cancel the Spain sequence and re-planned it to be shot in Karnataka.

Another movie that cancelled its schedules in European countries is Puneeth Rajkumars Yuvarathnaa, directed by Santhosh Ananddram.

Its not only European shooting schedules that are affected. The song sequence for director Jayathirthas Banaras, which was to happen in Singapore, has been moved to Sri Lanka. The team, we hear, has already headed for a recce there.

Another director, whose film has been hit thanks to the coronavirus fear is Prem, the director of Ek Love Ya. Prem had planned to shoot a song either in Egypt or France. But the outbreak has led to a change of schedule and place, leading to the delay in the films release date.
A British court found that the ruler of Dubai conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his estranged wife and ordered the abduction of two of his daughters, documents unsealed Thursday show

London: A British court found that the ruler of Dubai conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his estranged wife and ordered the abduction of two of his daughters, documents unsealed Thursday show.

A judge at the High Court in London ruled that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 70, "acted in a manner from the end of 2018 which has been aimed at intimidating and frightening" his ex-wife, Princess Haya, 45.

Judge Andrew McFarlane said the sheikh "ordered and orchestrated" the abductions and forced return to Dubai of two of his adult daughters from another marriage: Sheikha Shamsa, then 19, in August 2000, and Sheikha Latifa in 2002 and again in 2018.

The judge made the ruling in January but the sheikh fought to prevent it from being made public. The UK Supreme Court quashed that attempt on Thursday.

The Dubai ruler and his ex-wife have been battling in a British court over the welfare of the two children they have together.

The sheikh's lawyers had sought the children's return to Dubai, while Princess Haya asked for them to be made wards of the British court and stay in the UK.

Princess Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, moved to London last year and applied to the court for protective orders, using British laws intended to safeguard victims of forced marriage and domestic abuse. The forced marriage protection was requested for her daughter.
Joanna Lumley has stepped out for the first time since she revealed she was held at gunpoint while filming a television travel documentary in Haiti.

The TV personality, 73, who was unharmed during the ambush, was pictured in London on Friday just days after making the shocking admission.

The Absolutely Fabulous star was dressed casually for her outing in navy top and leopard print trousers, layered with an overcoat and trainers.

Out and about: Joanna Lumley has stepped out for the first time since she revealed she was held at gunpoint while filming a television travel documentary in Haiti

Joanna revealed that she was ensnared by the group of bandits while she was driving through a mountain range in the Caribbean country with her camera crew.

The gang told Joanna and her team that they would kill them if they did not hand over their cash, as she revealed they told her: 'We want your money or your life.'

But two of the star's bodyguards stepped in and she escaped unscathed.

She said the incident had not deterred her from continuing to film the two-part documentary series, Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti.

Shocking tale: The TV personality, 73, who was unharmed during the ambush, was pictured in London on Friday just days after making the shocking admission

She said: 'Suddenly there was a blockage across the road. They'd put branches down. Luckily, we had two big bodyguards who got out and said: 'Come on guys, clear this away'.

And they went: 'No, we want your money or your life.' Sometimes they dig trenches, pour oil in and set fire to it, then come with guns and take your wallets.'

Joanna added: 'I'm not an afraid kind of person. If you look timid, people and animals pick it up very fast.

'In Haiti, people are so poor, but if you say, 'Bonjour,' and put your hand out, you've made friends immediately.'

Daytime glam: The Absolutely Fabulous star was dressed casually for her outing in navy top and leopard print trousers, layered with an overcoat and trainers

Candid: Joanna revealed that she was ensnared by the group of bandits while she was driving through a mountain range in the Caribbean country with her camera crew

The incident is not shown in the programme but Joanna, who has filmed several travel documentaries, said that was not the only drama involved in the filming of the series.

She said the crew arrived in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince 'on the day of a riot, so we had to have a police escort to the hotel'.

'Riots break out like wildfires across the country and if you're in that place, you're stuck. It's a completely broken country. It's totally lawless. You wouldn't leave your hotel at night there.'

Frightening: The gang told Joanna and her team that they would kill them if they did not hand over their cash, as she revealed they told her: 'We want your money or your life'

An ITV spokesman said: 'A full risk assessment was carried out before filming in Haiti and Joanna was accompanied by the appropriate level of security.'

The series sees Joanna travel across two of the most enigmatic countries in the Caribbean  Cuba and Haiti  to explore hidden gems.

She kicks off the journey in a classic car in Havana, before embarking on the 1,500-mile trip which is shown in two 60-minute episodes.
Maruti Brezza hits median, crashes into Tavera carrying pilgrims from Tamil Nadu

Police officers inspect the mangled remains of a car that was involved in an accident in Kunigal in Tumakuru district of Karnataka in the early hours of March 6, 2020. Thirteen people were killed in the accident involving two cars.

Tumakuru (Karnataka): In a horrific accident involving two cars, 13 people, including a six-month baby, were killed at Balada Kere Gate in Kunigal taluk of karnataka at around noon today.

The accident left at least two others critically injured. They are being treated in a hospital in Bengaluru.

Ten of those killed in the accident were from Tamil Nadu who were returning from a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala; three were residents of Bengaluru.

The car, a Maruti Brezza, with three persons from Bengaluru crashed into the median on the highway, flipped over and collided with another car, a Chevrolet Tavera, carrying the pilgrims returning from Dharmasthala.

The car in which youths from Bengaluru were heading towards Kunigal were said to be in an inebriated condition.

According to the police, the pilgrims were from Seekanapalli village in Tamil Nadu were returning from Dharmasthala, a popular Hindu pilgrim centre in Dakshina Kannada via Kunigal in Tumakuru district.

Poice kdeintified those killed as Manjunath (35), Tanuja (25), Gowramma (60), Ratnamma (52), Sundar Raj (48), Rajendra (28), Sarala (32), Prashanya (14), Malashree (4) and a six-month baby whose name was not known.

The three men from Bengaluru were identified as Lakshmikanth (24), a resident of Hunasemaradapalya, Sandeep (36), a resident of Gerupalya, and Madhu (28), a resident of Ramohalli.

Four travelers in the Brezza car from Bengaluru--Swetha, Harpeetha, Gangothri and Prakash-- were injured and were treated at a hospital.

The Kunigal police have registered a case.
Qantas will further cut its number of flights in response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has stunted demand for air travel globally.

The airline on Friday said it would reduce its frequency of flights to Japan in the coming weeks - the first time it has adjusted capacity on those routes since the health crisis began.

Qantas also cancelled dozens of other flights through to the end of March, including eight return Sydney-Hong Kong services and five return Melbourne-Auckland services.
Hollywood is being rocked by the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus as the new James Bond movie is delayed, studios scrap film festivals and blockbuster productions are shut down.

Industry estimates have already put the financial loss from Asian theaters shutting down at around $2billion.

Major Hollywood titles including 'Mulan' - Disney's China-set live-action blockbuster - have been placed on hold in China.

The last-minute global delay of the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die,' including its US and European releases, highlights the borderless impact of the virus.

The last-minute global delay of the 007 adventure 'No Time To Die,' including its US and European releases, highlights the borderless impact of the virus

'I have never seen anything where this many films are going to be affected all at once,' said Jeff Bock, senior analyst at Exhibitor Relations.

'There's isolated incidents or tragedies that happen, that might affect a certain film. But this really does infect all the industry from top to bottom.'

For now, US theater attendances are holding steady despite fears of spreading infection, and 'Mulan' remains penned in for launch this month in North America.

But new coronavirus outbreaks in California and New York, and multiple deaths in Washington state, could impact sales.

'We'll see a little bit of downturn this week - by the time 'Mulan' comes out, if this breaks as big as it did in China, it's going to change the entire landscape,' said Bock.

Major Hollywood titles including 'Mulan' - Disney's China-set live-action blockbuster - have been placed on hold in China

Meanwhile, massive buyers including Netflix, Amazon and Apple have pulled out of the SXSW festival in Texas - an important marketplace for movies.

More than 50,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the film and music festival to be canceled.

Stephen Nemeth, who produced 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' (1998) starring Jonny Depp, has another Hunter S. Thompson-themed film set to make its world premiere at the Austin festival.

'We are forging ahead,' he said. 'We have a 1,100 seat theater... that's a lot of seats to fill if there's only 25 percent capacity at the festival.'

While organizers insist it is still going ahead, reports of further high-profile dropouts including Warner Bros and CNN have sown doubts.

Other movie gatherings including CinemaCon in Las Vegas, and the Cannes film festival, are under scrutiny. Pictured: people wearing face masks walk through a subway station in Beijing

'I'm not anticipating a buyer because I think the buyers will be few and far between,' said Nemeth, who thinks his movie 'Freak Power' is now more likely to sell via private screenings back in Hollywood.

'I'm not certain that SXSW is still gonna happen,' he added.

Other movie gatherings including CinemaCon in Las Vegas, and the Cannes film festival, are under scrutiny.

Production of movies has also been hit.

A scheduled three-week shoot for the new Tom Cruise 'Mission Impossible' film in Italy - one of the worst-affected countries - was stopped last month.

Meanwhile, massive buyers including Netflix, Amazon and Apple have pulled out of the SXSW festival in Texas - an important marketplace for movies (pictured is last year's festival)

Paramount moved the filming out of 'an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew.'

Netflix is looking for alternative locations to shoot a part of the new Dwayne Johnson movie 'Red Notice' that had been due to film in Italy.

'What it's doing is testing location managers on being super nimble problem solvers,' said Paul Dergarabedian, senior Comscore analyst, pointing out that production workers 'are a tenacious and inventive bunch.'

But the logistics of filming anywhere - especially productions that require hundreds of actors and extras - make it appear a risky proposition right now, said Nemeth.

'I do not begrudge actors for not wanting to continue with a movie,' he said. 'Every film is its own little village.'

'Those are people all dining together, waiting in the same line at the same lunch truck.

'You have many, many, many people in a confined area.'

Any blockage in the relentless pipeline of movie production could leave a dearth of movies further ahead.

'The longer that goes on, the fewer films that we get in the pipeline for 2021, 2022,' said Bock.

'This has the potential to really cripple the theatrical industry the longer it goes on.'
Coronavirus (Representative image)

A Delhi man with a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia has tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to 31, health ministry officials said on Friday. The latest case is the third in Delhi.

"One suspected COVID19 case has been confirmed as positive. The patient is from Delhi. He has a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia. He is stable and being monitored. The total number of confirmed cases in India now stands at 31," a health ministry official said.

The 30 other positive cases include a 45-year-old man from Delhi's Mayur Vihar and six of his relatives from Agra whom he had recently visited. Another is a Paytm employee who works in Gurgaon and lives in west Delhi. They are all being treated at the Safdarjung hospital.

A middle-aged man from Ghaziabad, who tested positive for the virus, is being treated at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital. A 24-year-old man from Hyderabad, who has also tested positive for coronavirus, has been isolated.

Besides, 16 members of a tourist group from Italy and their Indian guide have been found infected by the virus.

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

While one Italian man and his wife are being treated at Jaipur's SMS hospital, 14 members of the group and their Indian guide, who were quarantined at the ITBP camp in Chhawla, have been admitted to the Medanta hospital in Gurgaon.

The total figure of positive cases includes the first three reported from Kerala last month. All the three persons have been discharged following recovery.

Meanwhile, in a suspected coronavirus case, a man from Raipur, who returned to India from Kenya through Dubai, has been put under home quarantine.
Friday, March 6, 2020

Carl Michael inspects the historical roots of Belt and Road Initiative in his third blog post for our Emerging Fellows program. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the APF or its other members.

The ancient version of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Silk Road, would not have existed were it not for the domestication of silk-moths in China as well as the domestication of horses and Bactrian camels in Central Asia. From a historical perspective, China is a country which has the longest continuous history of any of the great ancient civilizations. It has preserved its culture and writing system over three millennia and continues to evolve energetically. The Silk Road provided China with connections with other civilisations and for centuries there were periods of being open and being closed to the influence of Central Asia, as demonstrated by the existence of the Great Wall.

Some of the earliest recorded accounts of the Silk Road relate to armed expeditions from China to adjoining areas during the Han dynasty period. Later accounts from the Jin dynasty era were recorded by the monk Faxian, who travelled by both foot and ship between China and India. Faxians writings show that the Silk Road provided major trade, cultural and religious connections between states all along the routes. Subsequent accounts of travel by the scholar Xuanzang during the Tang dynasty era show how important the Silk Road was in the heart of Asia, though its importance subsequently declined for economic and political reasons. Trade focus then slowly shifted to maritime routes during the Song and Yuan dynasty eras when control of Central Asian regions became weaker in comparison with previous eras.

The advent of the Mongol empire was like a whirlwind which disrupted not only the Silk Road but the heart of Asia and China itself. The disruption created a free flow of people, ideas and goods which stemmed from the flexible Mongol cultural, political and economic model and this integrated the heart of Asia as never before. The Mongols forcefully unified diverse people groups and integrated them into a new global power system centered on the Asian heartland instead of the coasts. The Yuan dynasty which followed on from this then changed China profoundly and spurred global innovations in monetary systems. Marco Polos accounts date from this era and these provide personal insights into the era. The subsequent Ming dynasty era saw a relative decline in the importance of the Silk Road proper with more emphasis on naval expansion and maritime trade routes. These eventually extended to the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea with Admiral Zheng-He making a number of armed voyages with large fleets. Chinese trade and exploration reached its peak during this period.

During the subsequent Qing dynasty period less energy was expended on trade routes and ownership of the routes between East and West was absorbed into the nascent European colonial systems during the Vasco da Gama era, which only ended with the return of sovereign control of Hong Kong to China. Russian dominance in Central Asia caused a decline in the use of traditional land routes and the state of affairs continued until that dominance diminished.

Till relatively recently China was a dominant entity not only economically but culturally. Interaction with foreign powers continued to be based on the Chinese way of strategic thinking based on unilateral historical concepts such as Guanxi and Tianxia which could be traced through the Yuan era and then back to the time of Confucius. China only fully integrated into the world system when it joined the WTO at the turn of the last century, at which point the Silk Road was reborn as the BRI, on the back of the growth of Chinese power resulting from its cultural, economic and political resurgence.

 Carl Michael 2020
Students in Charlsie Wigsleys seventh-grade English class in Shelby County are pushing back against Alabama lawmakers who want to make summer longer and school years shorter.

In their petition against Alabama mandated school calendar, signed by nearly 100 of Wigsleys students in Chelsea Middle School, they laid out an argument about why the calendar is unfair to students.

Alabama lawmakers unveiled their proposal to lengthen summer on Thursday. Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, said the bill will ensure schools set a calendar that leaves summer for families and work experiences.

The result would be an 11-week summer. But school officials say a longer summer would also result in reduced breaks during the school year, and in some cases, slightly longer school days. Local schools could also be forced to reduce the number of holidays and breaks during the school year.

In the petition, students wrote that a longer summer seems amazing and looks really cool on paper, but the unavoidable shortened breaks throughout the school year would be really horrible.

Related: Alabama lawmakers push for longer summer, shorter school year

Students said the calendar change could lower morale and motivation. A lot of students hate school, so, if we change school times, then that can change their motivation to do better.

The Alabama Association of School Boards said it opposes any law mandating a start and end date for schools because the school calendar should be decided by local officials.

Wigsley said the petition was entirely the students idea. Students decided to write this collaboratively across all five of my classes, she said. This collaborative document was not a class assignment or for a grade, but it was written out of pure investment in their own futures.

(1/4) Re: Student Activism

Given the weather delay & this news (https://t.co/XBAqZFcbNa), my Ss brainstormed their ideal school times. I then told them about the article. They. Were. Livid. I told them that this is an ex. of why it matters to stay informed when they can vote. pic.twitter.com/vKktogBOrU  Charlsie Wigley (@mspigglywigley) February 6, 2020

Wigsley said the petition has been forwarded to the sponsors of the bill. The bill has sponsors on both sides of the aisle, including House Education Budget Chair Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia and Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis.

Travel plans to see family over Thanksgiving and Christmas break could endHow are we ever going to be able to see our loved ones without these breaks?and the tradeoff of getting a longer August break, they wrote, is not a good one.

The students take issue with the longer summer seeming to benefit only the tourism industry. The money spent in places like Gulf Shores is just money taken away from school systems and facilities, they wrote.

Students also expressed concern for their teachers. This law could cause teachers to leave, meaning larger class sizes and less teachers who care about us.

Among their reasons for why lengthening summers and eliminating breaks is a bad idea:

Teenagers need consistency and extending the school day would interrupt extracurricular plans,

Teenagers need breaks,

Teenagers need school attendance, and transportation to and from school could be negatively impacted,

Students need motivation, and

Students need laws that benefit all students.

Currently, the school year runs anywhere from 174 days to 180 days among Alabamas school districts, according to information shared by the Alabama State Department of Education. The plan would not affect private schools or homeschool requirements, Hurst said.

The full petition is below.
Many Mexican migrants who built a life and career in the United States choose to return home and to die in their homeland according to an article published in Gulf Today.

Many Mexican migrants lived in the United States today. At present, it is estimated that there are more than 11 million Mexicans who live in the country. For some, living in the U.S. is only one of the ways they support their families and relatives.

However, despite the increasing number of Mexican migrants in the country, many have still retained their strong connection and ties with the country. In fact, some Mexican migrants decide to go home and spend their remaining days in the place where they were born.

Jesus Tovar Sanchez from Guadalajara, Mexico is one of them. At the age of 20 years old, he and his cousin left Mexico and looked for a job in the United States. His wife followed him years after.

Sanchez built a life and a career in the United States. He worked as a dishwasher when he arrived in the country and because of his hard work and perseverance, he later owned on a radiator company and bought a house in San Gabriel Valley.

It is also in the United States where he and his wife raised their six children and later became U.S. citizens.

However, even though Sanchez has amassed his fortune in United States, still he chose to die in Mexico. In an interview with him in April of last year, he said that his wish if he dies is that God will take him home to Guadalajara, Mexico.

Sanchez suffered from an advance kidney disease and he was hoping that his children will honor his request.

On Dec.12 last year, Sanchez's body remained in a funeral home in East Los Angeles while his family is working out the paper work to return him home to Mexico as he had requested before he died.

Likewise, the famous balladeer superstar Jose Jose also did the same. Half of his ashes remained in Miami, his adopted hometown, and the reaming half was transported to Mexico and was later buried next to his mother.

According to his daughter Sara Sosa, the reasons why the ashes were divided into two places was because her father grew up in Mexico, but he flourished while in Miami, his adopted city, and that helped him escape addiction. This is also the place where he met his wife.

In a previous study of Pew Research Center, it was found out that there are more than 175,000 Mexicans who come to the United States each year and every year thousands of bodies are cremated and shipped back to Mexico.

With this, the Mexican government is offering up to $1,550 financial aid support for its citizens who want to have a burial in Mexico.

However, the official at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, Felipe Carrera, said that many Mexican families in the United States take out loans and sell some of their possessions to cover the expenses despite the financial support from the Mexican government.
The spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, known as Covid-19, has now reached the Costa del Sol, with 12 confirmed cases by lunchtime on Friday.

The latest confirmed cases were two men, 74 and 72, being treated in hospital for pneumonia, one in the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella and the other in the Vithas Xanit Internacional in Benalmadena.

A 63-year-old nurse who also tested positive for Covid-19 is being monitored at her home in Malaga.

Other new cases reported this week include a woman, 41, from Alhaurin de la Torre, who was sent to the Quiron hospital in Malaga city after showing symptoms. She was discharged on Thursday. This news followed that of a 17-year-old girl from the Santa Rosa de Lima school, also in the city, earlier in the day.

At present, the latter is in isolation at home with mild symptoms and it is thought that she caught the virus while on a school trip to Italy with 77 other students and three teachers.

Also in Malaga, a 73-year-old man is being kept in isolation at the Hospital Clinico after suffering pneumonia as a direct result of the coronavirus.

He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and initial investigations point towards him having contracted the virus from family members who visited him in Malaga from northern Italy.

He became the seventh known case in Malaga province after two cases in Fuengirola were confirmed on Saturday, in addition to the three in Marbella and one in Fuengirola confirmed on Friday.

The three victims in Fuengirola, two men aged 59 and 62 and a 55-year-old woman, recently travelled to Emilia-Romagna (Italy).

After presenting symptoms and testing positive, the patients are being monitored at home.

Banking congress

This is also the case with the three people who contracted the virus in Marbella. SUR has confirmed that the two men who tested positive, aged 42 and 53 respectively, work in the same banking company as the first confirmed patient in Andalucia - a 62-year-old man who was admitted to the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville last Wednesday.

He was discharged on Monday and will continue his recovery at home under surveillance.

Investigations carried out by the regional Health ministry have tracked down the moment of contagion to a party following a banking congress at a flamenco 'tablao' in Marbella at the end of January, attended by a couple from Shanghai.

The bank, which has a branch in Marbella, has been carrying out tests on its employees but no new cases have been detected as yet.

The third case in Marbella is of an 81-year-old woman who is related to one of the two aforementioned men, resident in the town. She, like the two men, is being closely monitored at home despite being advised to remain in hospital.

Thirteen cases regionally

Elsewhere in Andalucia, in Almeria a 28-year-old man is another confirmed case. A resident of Milan, he went to the Hospital Mediterraneo in the city after reporting a fever. Once there, tests for Covid-19 showed positive and he was admitted.

Another two cases were confirmed at the end of last week: that of a doctor from Seville, 58, who had contact with the first victim; and a 25-year-old nurse from Arjonilla (Jaen) who attended someone with coronavirus in a hospital in Torrejon de Ardoz (Madrid).

Two more doctors who attended the patient in Seville, 28 and 36, were thought to have contracted Covid-19 by Sunday afternoon. However, the latter's case was dismissed on Wednesday after further tests.

The total number of diagnosed cases in Andalucia on Friday lunchtime was at 21, with nearly 400 in Spain as a whole.
There are no positive cases of



coronavirus in Tamil Nadu where 54 samples have tested negative and 1,243 people were being monitored, state Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said here on Friday.

After reviewing arrangements to screen passengers at the airport here, he said the set up has been strengthened now and assured that the government was continuously monitoring the situation across the state.

Apart from the Airport Authority of India, the Tamil Nadu Public Health department has also joined the effort and a 100 -member team including doctors and paramedics are on the job round the clock, he said.

Over 8,000 passengers arrive from 50 plus flights everyday here and all of them were being examined for symptoms of the pathogen, he said.

A range of latest equipment, an examination ward and a dedicated ambulance are part of the infrastructure at the airport.

"So far 1,00,111 people have been screened at the airport and 1,243 people are being monitored and this will be for 28 days; and 54 samples have tested negative," he said asserting there are no positive cases of the pathogen in the state.

Also, 1,654 people who earlier had some symptoms had been removed from watch list after 28 days of monitoring, he noted.

Across Tamil Nadu, 300 beds under separate isolation wards are ready and these can be increased if necessary, he said adding medicine, requisite safety gear for doctors and paramedics and equipment were also available.

Private hospitals in the state have been advised to earmark isolation wards and follow protocol for the treatment of virus, he said.

Key railway terminals and the port here have also been included for screening process apart from airports, he said adding the borders with neighbouring states too continue to be under surveillance.

The Chief Secretary has sent advisories to district collectors on do's and don't and the guideline includes creating awareness about the virus among the public - especially in places where people congregate in large numbers including schools, colleges, factories and malls.

Tamil Nadu has been following precautions and mounted surveillance right after the outbreak of virus when three people from Kerala were infected.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




A member of France's National Assembly is in intensive care after catching coronavirus (Picture: Getty)

A French MP is in intensive care after contracting coronavirus, the president of the countrys National Assembly has announced.

In a statement, Richard Ferrand said that a deputy and an employee of assembly had been infected with the virus, while another employee is also suspected to have the illness.

The deputy is currently hospitalised in intensive care, the statement said.

The news comes as a woman in her 70s became the first person to die in the UK after contracting coronavirus.

The statement said: The infected employee, working at the MP's bar, is confined to his home. The employee suspected of infection, working in the members' restaurant is hospitalised.

All parliamentarians and staff were informed of the situation this evening as well as of the action to be taken.

Read more: Child at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital tests positive for Covid-19

Read more: Heartbreaking photos show elderly couple separated due to coronavirus quarantine

He said the deputies bar and restaurant would be closed on Friday, along with other self-service shops.

An office has been dedicated to the issue of coronavirus, the president said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that an epidemic of coronavirus is 'inevitable' in France (Picture: Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS)

News of the French MPs hospitalisation comes as French president Emmanual Macron warned that an epidemic in the country was inevitable.

So far seven people have died in France, with more than 400 people recorded as having the viruse so far.

On Friday the number of people globally infected with the virus topped 100,000.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:35:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia hopes that the U.S.-Taliban peace deal will be fully implemented, although the agreement has not yet led to immediate positive changes in Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Establishing genuine peace should be "an unquestionable priority" for all political and social forces in Afghanistan, the ministry's spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a news briefing.

These forces should put aside their differences with the aim of defending the interests of the Afghan people, she added.

On Feb. 29, representatives of the United States and the Taliban signed the long-awaited deal in the Qatari capital city of Doha, calling for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops if the Taliban negotiates with the Afghan government and cuts ties with terrorist groups.

However, U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Wednesday conducted an airstrike in support of Afghan security forces in southern Helmand province against Taliban fighters, the first raid after the U.S.-Taliban deal.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 05:56:21|Editor: huaxia

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (R) speaks at a daily briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 5, 2020. COVID-19 is not a pandemic for now although there are very concerning signs, the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Thursday, expressing his deep concern about the spread of the coronavirus into an increasing number of countries with weaker health systems over the past few days. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

GENEVA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 is not a pandemic for now although there are very concerning signs, the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Thursday, expressing his deep concern about the spread of the coronavirus into an increasing number of countries with weaker health systems over the past few days.

"Although the situation could be worse than what we are now and it could be a pandemic level, there are countries within this situation which have shown that it (COVID-19) can be contained," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing, underlying "we should not give up until the last attempt".

As of Thursday morning, 95,265 cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, including 3,281 deaths, according to WHO.

Tedros insisted that pandemic can only be declared based on evidence, which is not there yet.

He praised those countries which have been fighting hard against the epidemic, noting positive signals and experience regarding the virus have already emerged.

Moreover, Tedros called for a comprehensive approach, stressing the political commitment and intervention should be triggered in all countries for COVID-19 containment.
Her parents cancelled an official dinner earlier this week amid coronavirus fears, but it was business as usual today for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, as she visited the International Peace Research Institute.

The mother-of-two, 42, channeled a spring-like feeling in a green floral-sprigged midi dress. teamed with grey stiletto ankle boots.

Wearing her hair swept back in her signature sleek bun, the future queen of Sweden completed her look with dangling earrings to match her dress, as she was welcomed by chairman Jan Eliasson,.

The International Peace Research Institute in Solna is an independent body dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.

Victoria's visit comes amid news that her eight-year-old daughter Princess Estelle's school, the prestigious Campus Manilla, has been closed after a pupil was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Glowing in green! Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, 42, was the epitome of springtime chic in a green floral sprigged midi dress and grey ankle boots as she was welcomed to the International Peace Research Institute in Solna by chairman Jan Eliasson

Wearing her hair swept back in her signature sleek bun, the future queen of Sweden completed her look with dangling earrings to match her dress

All smiles! Crown Princess Victoria looked in good spirits as she visited the International Peace Research Institute, an independent body dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament, and met chairman Jan Eliasson

Yesterday, Swedish website Aftonbladet reported that Princess Estelle's school had closed, the first case of a child being affected by the virus in Sweden, where there are 101 confirmed cases as of this morning.

It was reported that parents of Manilla pupils received a message on the school's intranet warning them that one of the students had contracted the virus.

It read: 'The purpose for closing the entire school is to ensure the safety of students, guardians and staff in a situation where many are concerned and where we now know that a student at the school is confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus.'

Margareta Thorgren, the Court's Head of Information, has since confirmed that Princess Estelle was studying at home.

A warm greeting! The royal shook hands with chairman Jan Eliasson at the International Peace Research Institute, Solna, despite some people shunning the gesture due to coronavirus

The mother-of-two paired her chic outfit with a pair of grey stiletto ankle boots and carried a clutch bag in a matching shade

'I can confirm that the school is closed. They have informed all parents with children at Campus Manilla that a student has been discovered who has tested positive for the coronavirus. This means that Princess Estelle is conducting her studies from home today.'

'I think people around the world and Sweden feel a great concern, when a positive case for a child has also been discovered.

'So, of course, it is a major concern among all parents at school today. Therefore, it is extra important to listen to the recommendations of the Public Health Authority, follow them, and at the same time to not suffer from panic,' she added.

Princess Estelle of Sweden, eight, is studying at home after her Stockholm school closed following the confirmation that a pupil had contracted the Coronavirus

Located in Stockholm, Campus Manilla (pictured) informed all parents it would close its doors for safety reasons

King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, were due to host 150 guests at the stunning Royal Palace, in Stockholm, Wednesday night but cancelled amid coronavirus fears. Pictured, the couple (centre) with l-r: daughter-in-law Princess Sofia, son Prince Carl Phillip, daughter Crown Princess Victoria and son-in-law Daniel at an official government dinner at the Royal Palace in March 2019

Others pupils' parents have expressed their frustration and questioned why the school did not taker action sooner.

'I'm not willing to play Russian roulette with my child when it comes to such a serious illness, said one parent.

On Monday, Estelle's grandparents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, cancelled a official government dinner 'out of consideration' for the 150 guests they were supposed to entertain on Wednesday, amid growing fears that the virus is spreading.

It is thought other members of the Swedish royal family, including their children Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Phillip, were due to attend, as well as senior members of the Swedish government.

In a statement released yesterday, the Swedish royal court said: 'In recent days, a number of cases of infection from the novel coronavirus have been detected in Sweden.

'The Public Health Authority considers the risk of detecting cases of covid-19 in Sweden to be high, but the risk of the infection spreading is considered low.
A fire destroyed a mobile home Friday morning in the Dallas Bay area.

At 10:23 a.m., a 911 call was made reporting a house fire at 9105 Hale Road. The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded, arrived on the scene, and reported 50% of the mobile home was on fire.

While firefighters were attacking the fire, a 500-gallon propane tank exploded on the back side of the house. Moments later, fire officials reported strong winds were feeding the fire and spreading it quickly throughout the home.

The Mowbray VFD responded as a Mutual Aid response to stand by at Dallas Bay Station 1 and then later responded to the fire scene for additional manpower. Animal Control was also requested to the scene to care of several chickens and pot belly pigs.

No injuries were reported but HCEMS was on the scene for any potential injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office.

The home is a total loss.

The American Red Cross was requested to the scene to assist the immediate needs of three adults.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio  GOP Sen. Rob Portman said Friday he was leaning toward supporting a Republican effort in the Senate to subpoena information related to the Ukrainian company Burisma and its relationship with Democratic former Vice President Joe Bidens son.

That decision comes just more than a month after Portman voted against allowing additional subpoenas in the impeachment trial for Republican President Donald Trump. Portman said his possible support of subpoenas in the Burisma case wasnt the same.

We had the information on the impeachment stuff, Portman said. We had 90-some different videos we looked at of different witnesses. We had, I dont know, 17 witnesses. My decision wasnt based on lack of information.

Portman said in the case of the newest subpoenas proposed by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, the Republican chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, he was open to receiving new information.

Im all about transparency, Portman said. I think the information ought to be out there for voters to look at.

The newly proposed subpoenas into Burisma and the role of Bidens son, Hunter, on its board of directors comes at a time when the former vice president has reinvigorated his presidential hopes and looks like the potential favorite to challenge Trump in November.

Last year, Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce an investigation into Burisma and Hunter Biden for influence peddling. U.S. House Democrats impeached Trump for abusing his power by asking a foreign country to investigate a political rival.

Senate Republicans blocked subpoenas of any further information, including Trumps former National Security Adviser John Bolton, during his trial at the beginning of the year. They acquitted him in February, with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney the lone Republican joining Democrats to vote for conviction.

Trump and Republicans have spent considerable time attacking the former vice president over the whole affair, leading some to characterize Johnsons effort as an attempt to drag Biden through controversy after resurrecting his presidential chances.

Portmans support for Johnsons subpoenas may end up a moot point, however. Romney has signaled he may vote against them, which would leave the vote split 7-7 if the committees six Democrats vote to block them.

A majority vote would be needed to approve new subpoenas.

Read more cleveland.com politics coverage:

Ohio Republicans spend big on state legislative primaries

Campaign seeking Ohio voting-law expansion sues over state decision to split proposed ballot measure

GOP Ohio Supreme Court justices continue financial dominance despite Democratic fundraising

County boards of elections sending hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes to polling locations as coronavirus precaution

Facebook removing some Trump ads to prevent confusion with the official U.S. census
Vienna (Austria), March 05, 2020 (SPS) - Saharawi activist Hayat Haimuda held important meetings with European parliamentarians, political party leaders and humanitarian organizations in the framework of her working visit to Austria, with the presence of the Saharawi representative in Austria Mohamed Mamun Ahmed Brahim.

Activist Hayat struggling to break the silence about what is happening in the occupied areas of Western Sahara was invited by the Austrian Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi people.

During her tour in Austria she was received by parliamentarians, both European and national, mayors and vice mayors, as well as leaders of political parties and humanitarian organizations and institutes for international dialogue.

She had the opportunity to give interviews to several Austrian journalists. breifing his interlocutors the disastrous situation experienced by the Saharawi population in the territories occupied by Morocco "we live in a closed jail," said the activist.

After 44 years of occupation there is still no University in the Occupied Zones, and the few Saharawis who access a university have to go to Agadir, Marrakech, Casablanca or Rabat. We do not have hospitals with specialists. Any Saharawi lawyer who defends the right of self-determination of his people is not enrolled in Moroccan law schoolssaid Hayat.

"Whoever defends human rights, freedom of expression, the right to education, to housing, to work, to health care is arrested, imprisoned, tortured and sentenced to prison terms," said the Saharawi activist. .

"I was imprisoned for 6 months when I was 14 years old, and today there are several minors imprisoned by the Moroccan authorities just for participating in peaceful demonstrations in support of the right to self-determination," he said.SPS

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The Czech Embassy to the Holy See holds an event at Vatican Radio to recall the life and martyrdom of Father Josef Toufar, who was killed at the hands of the Czechoslovakian communist regime in 1950.

By Devin Watkins

Several ambassadors to the Holy See joined members of the press on Thursday evening at the headquarters of Vatican Radio for an event promoted by the Czech Ambassador to the Holy See, Vaclav Kolaja.

Miracle versus Dictatorship was the theme for the evening, which saw panelists explore the events surrounding the death of Father Josef Toufar.

The Czech priest caught the eye of the newly-installed communist regime following an event described as a miracle by his parishioners.

Miraculous manipulation

On 11 December 1949, as Fr Toufar was celebrating Mass in the village of Cihost, the wooden crucifix placed above the tabernacle began to sway from side to side before coming to a rest in an inclined position.

Fr Toufar was preaching with his back to the altar when it happened so he did not personally see the miracle. But 19 people attending the Mass witnessed the crucifix swaying, and told him about it afterward.

News of the Cihost miracle spread quickly, and the communist regime took action to manipulate it to their own ends.

Patrick Divis, the Creative Director of Czech Television and producer of As If We Should Die Today, a documentary about Fr Toufar based on a book of the same title by Milos Dolezal, told Vatican Radio that the regime used the Cihost miracle to discredit the Catholic Church.

Listen to the full interview

The Communist Party came to power in Czechoslovakia in February 1948 after a coup detat.

Mr. Divis said the communist regime considered the Catholic Church to be its main ideological enemy.

In 1949, the regime began a harsh repression of Catholics. It seized on the Cihost miracle as a propaganda opportunity, according to Mr. Divis.

Fake news

Fr Josef Toufar was arrested by the state police and beaten mercilessly in an attempt to produce a false confession.

The authorities wanted him to say that the entire event had been organized under orders from the Vatican and carried out with the help of a mechanism to make the cross move.

Fr Toufar refused to sign the confession. He defended his position that he did not make this miracle  that it was a supernatural occurrence  and he died for it,  Mr. Divis said.

The parish priest of Cihost succumbed to his wounds from the beatings, and died on 25 February 1950.

Broken ties

The Czechoslovakian communist regime nonetheless used the event as a pretext to expel the Vatican diplomats in the country and to break ties with the Holy See.

The regime then arrested hundreds of priests, nuns, and lay Catholics, and seized the assets of the Church in Czechoslovakia.

Many were killed in the anti-Catholic repression that followed.

Victory of truth

Mr. Divis said Fr Toufars example lives on for Catholics in the Czech Republic. The truth behind his death was only discovered in 1968 by a local journalist.

His is a story about the victory of truth, said Mr. Divis. When he died  beaten to death  it seemed that everything was lost. And now, after 70 years, his is the winning story, because the truth came to the surface.

The Czech Bishops Conference opened Fr Josef Toufars cause for canonization in 2013, in hopes of making his martyrdom an inspiration for the universal Church.
They attracted less attention than the Democratic presidential primary, but several key down-ballot races in Harris County are headed to runoffs, giving voters another shot to decide their partys nominee in 12 weeks.

In some cases, candidates held-double digits leads over their primary opponents but failed to secure a majority of the vote. In others, two candidates headed to the runoff neck-and-neck, leaving less certainty about who has the edge in the May 26 contest.

Here are five runoffs to watch across the federal, state and county levels in Harris County.

2nd Congressional District, Democrats

Houston lawyer Sima Ladjevardian and Navy veteran Elisa Cardnell will face off in May after topping the three-candidate field in Texas 2nd Congressional District. The winner will take on U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, in November.

Ladjevardian, who had an advantage in fundraising and the size of her campaign operation, received 48 percent of the vote, ahead of Cardnells 31 percent. Democrat Travis Olsen finished third with the remaining 21 percent.

The race has drawn extra attention since the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the district to its 2020 battlefield map  indicating it could put resources into flipping the seat. Crenshaw has become one of the most prominent freshmen in the House and is a prolific fundraiser, setting the stage for an expensive and closely watched race in November.

22nd Congressional District, Republicans

In the south Houston suburbs, Republican Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls won more than 40 percent of the vote in a 15-candidate primary for U.S. Rep. Pete Olsons seat.

Olson, a Sugar Land Republican who is not seeking re-election, endorsed nonprofit executive Pierce Bush in the first round, but Bush failed to make the runoff. Instead, Nehls will face Republican donor Kathaleen Wall, setting up a clash between two candidates who have been butting heads for weeks.

Both candidates have made border security central issues in their campaigns, and each professes unwavering support for President Donald Trump.

In the runoff, Wall will have to make up ground on Nehls in Fort Bend County, where the majority of the vote is located. Nehls received 52 percent support there, his best performance in the districts three counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris. Wall received 19 percent of the vote overall.

House District 138, Democrats

Democrats Akilah Bacy and Jenifer Rene Pool made it to the runoff Tuesday in House District 138, a swing district in west Houston that Democrats view as a favorable pickup opportunity in 2020.

State Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, is not seeking re-election to the seat this year, and Republicans nominated conservative activist Lacey Hull to replace him on the GOP ticket this fall. Bacy, meanwhile, secured 47 percent of the vote, finishing about 17 points ahead of Pool.

An immigration lawyer and former Harris County prosecutor, Bacy heads into the runoff with $31,000 cash on hand, while Pool has not filed any campaign finance reports. Pool, who in 2016 became the first transgender Texan to win a primary race, edged out Democrat Josh Wallenstein by about 5 percentage points. Wallenstein has endorsed Bacy in the runoff.

House District 142, Democrats

State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, was forced into a runoff for the first time since he initially won the north Harris County seat in 1984. His opponent is Houston Councilman Jerry Davis, who secured 25 percent of the vote  20 points behind Dutton. Two other Democrats combined for the remainder of the vote, helping deny Dutton an outright win.

Davis entered the race late, filing hours before the deadline in December, but he established an early financial advantage over Dutton, transferring over his well-stocked city campaign account. And he was a familiar face to some in the district thanks to his council districts overlapping boundaries.

A third candidate, Natasha Ruiz, finished about 5 percentage points behind Davis and narrowly outperformed him on Election Day. Ruiz has not established a campaign website, filed any finance reports or appeared at events with the other candidates, prompting questions about the origins of her candidacy. Dutton said Thursday he is investigating Ruizs candidacy and may contest the election result depending on what the investigation yields.

The district is believed to be solidly Democratic, though Republican Jason Rowe will face the Democratic nominee in November.

Precinct 3 County Commissioner, Democrats

Democrats are mounting their most vigorous challenge in years for the Precinct 3 seat on Harris County Commissioners Court, long represented by Republican Steve Radack.

With Radack declining to seek re-election, Spring Valley Mayor Tom Ramsey easily won the precincts Republican nomination, while Democrats Michael Moore and Diana Alexander are poised for a May runoff.

Moore, who was chief of staff for former Houston Mayor Bill White, received the endorsement of Commissioner Adrian Garcia and vastly outspent Alexander and every other Democrat combined. But Alexander, an educator who is framing herself as the activist candidate in the race, finished about half a percentage point ahead of Moore.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
New Delhi, March 6 : The world is scrambling to find a vaccine to treat the new coronavirus (COVID-19) as new cases keep emerging, a survey by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) has revealed that 35 active drug development programmes are currently on in North America, Europe and China.

Big pharma companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi to small biotechs such as Moderna and Gilead Sciences are in the race but the researchers worldwide feel a vaccine to treat COVID-19 is at least 12 month away.

Gilead has already begun clinical trials in China after peer-reviewed journals showed that its antiviral candidate, remdesivir, had positive results in a case involving a US patient and Chinese in vitro tests.

Global bio-pharmaceutical company Takeda said this week it has initiated development of a plasma-derived therapy for new coronavirus (COVID-19) and produce the therapy termed as "TAK-888".

Hyper immune globulins are plasma derived-therapies that have previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of severe acute viral respiratory infections and may be a treatment option for COVID-19.

As a leader in plasma-derived therapies with more than 75 years of experience in the development of plasma-derived products, Takeda has the expertise to research, develop, and manufacture a potential therapy, referring to as "TAK-888," the company said.

Researchers have also found a drug called camostat mesylate, that they believe may work to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has claimed over 3,000 lives globally, majority of them in China, the virus's country of origin.

Camostat mesilate is a drug approved in Japan for use in pancreatic inflammation.

"We have tested SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient and found that camostat mesilate blocks entry of the virus into lung cells," said the study's lead author Markus Hoffmann.

According to the GEN survey, another example is Pirfenidone - an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug marketed by Roche and its Genentech subsidiary as Esbriet.

The drug would be studied in patients with severe and critical COVID-19, under a planned randomized, open-label clinical trial that has been prospectively registered by Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, part of Huazhong Science and Technology University.

The US National Institute of Health (NIH) has announced that it will run the first US clinical trial evaluating an experimental treatment for COVID-19, by assessing remdesivir in patients at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where some Americans with the disease are being cared for or are under quarantine.

Remdesivir showed "no adverse events" when administered to the first American confirmed to be infected with the new virus, in a case study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Business chiefs in Derry today called on the Northern Ireland Executive to do more to support the local economy.

The President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce called on ministers to ensure the restored Executive follows through on key pledges for the North West made in the recent New Decade, New Approach agreement.

Chamber President Redmond McFadden made the comments to over 200 business leaders, politicians and invited guests at the Londonderry Chamber of Commerces Annual Presidents Lunch in the City Hotel this afternoon.

The New Decade, New Approach deal, agreed by the British and Irish governments and the main local parties, makes several commitments to the north west including the expansion of Magee University, the creation of a Graduate Entry Medical School in the city, infrastructure improvements like the A5, and the delivery of the City Deal.

Mr McFadden said last year was a 'challenging' one for businesses in the north west.

Brexit uncertainty and the absence of the Executive put serious pressure on companies across Northern Ireland and our members experienced increased strain over the past year.

2020 has already shown green shoots of optimism with the return of the Assembly and the commitments made by the new Executive which could transform the North West.

We were glad to see Finance Minister Conor Murphy commit the Executive to matching the 105m already committed by the UK Government to deliver the City Deal for Derry and Strabane. We will be working closely with all parties to ensure this becomes a reality.

While the UK left the EU at the end of January, the UK Governments announcement last week that it is prepared to walk away from trade talks by June is hugely concerning for businesses across the North West, especially those who trade and travel across the border.

Over the next nine months, Chamber will be working hard to ensure businesses in the North West have access to unfettered trade across Great Britain, the EU, and beyond.
MARKHAM, Ontario, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LMN, the leading business management software for the landscape industry, is celebrating International Women's Day by applauding and supporting equality for women in the landscape industry. LMN highlights women in landscaping who are making waves for women in an industry traditionally dominated by men. While 83% of landscape companies are owned by men, that's not stopping women like LMN COO and co-founder Janna Bradley from stepping up and paving the way for women to thrive in this sector.

Equality at LMN and the Landscape Industry

LMN, the leading business management software for the landscape industry, is celebrating International Women's Day by applauding and supporting equality for women in the landscape industry. LMN highlights women in landscaping who are making waves for women in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Landscaping is a $93 billion industry in America and growing, with 10% more companies now than just five years ago. In spite of the male-dominated statistics, inside LMN and its partners and users, women are flourishing. LMN's executive team is fifty percent female and forty percent of its staff are female setting a precedence impact on the business as well as the landscape industry.

"At LMN, we understand the importance of creating a positive space for women in the landscape industry," said Mark Bradley, CEO and co-founder of LMN. "I know first hand that in growing my landscape business, some of my best supervisors and staff were women. They deserve equal acknowledgment as their male colleagues."

LMN celebrates women in the landscape industry by featuring and highlighting stand out team members, partners, educators and leaders including:

Janna Bradley - co-founder and COO LMN Abbey Gilhula - VP of Marketing & Strategy LMN Pam Dooley - Owner, Plants Creative Landscapes Brittany Auman - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Auman Landscape ) - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Savanaha Spencer - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Spencers Lawn Care ) - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Jessica Plemons - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Plemons Lawn Care ) - LMN VIP and landscape business owner ( Jackie Hart - Owner, Consulting By Hart

Leading up to International Women's Day on March 8, 2020, LMN will be highlighting each of these influential women across all platforms. They will share insights and quotes on how each of them launched their careers, their biggest influences, and their advice to future female landscapers. Read the full story here .

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. #IWD2020 #EachforEqual

About LMN

Founded in 2009, LMN is a leading provider of business management software for landscape professionals. Its proprietary cloud-based platform is used by over 85,000 professionals every day across Canada and the US. Visit https://golmn.com/ .

Media Contact:

Jess Rafaeil

404-936-0191

[email protected]

SOURCE LMN, Inc.

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Governors of the south-south region have agreed to adopt a security outfit to address the security challenges in the region.

Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed this on Thursday to journalists after a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly three hours.

We have agreed as a region that there is a need to have a regional security outfit and we have mandated the brace commission to begin to work out the details and brief us at our next meeting which is going to hold in Port Harcourt, he said.

Highlighting some of the resolutions reached at the meeting, Okowa said on the top of the agenda was the resuscitation of the brace commission which according to him, would help to harmonise policies that would drive the economic cooperation and integration of the region.



The governor also noted that other issues discussed included asking the Federal Government to deduct the 13 per cent derivation from source before allocation to every state in the federation.

13% derivation must first be taken out of the funds that come from the oil economy before the rest of money is shared, the Delta State governor stated.

This 13% is supposed to be for the oil-producing states and that has not been the case for a very long time, and weve agreed as governors to take up this matter at the appropriate level.

Another matter that was discussed was how to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

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Between the CIA and the NSA there were always disputes about which of these services had the say, a senior BND official said in that agencys history of the operation. CIA saw itself as the one in charge and emphasized this by having a CIA man posted at the operation in Munich, the location of a CIA base for overseeing Crypto.
GREENWICH  In a visit to the Greenwich Senior Center, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes stressed the serious impact of the coronavirus but also emphasized that there is no reason to panic.

We dont yet have any cases in Connecticut, Himes, D-4th District, said Friday morning. We will have some cases (soon), and its important that we not panic about that because were seeing cases all over the world.

And Himes was correct  by Friday evening, the state announced that a health-care worker from Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital had been diagnosed with the virus.

Before a crowd of nearly 50 people, Himes urged residents to take steps to protect themselves against infection, starting by giving up handshakes and instead offering greetings by bumping elbows or bringing back the 18th-century tradition of bowing to one other.

If we all just change the way we behave a little bit, we can make what could be a big issue into a much smaller issue, said Himes, a Greenwich resident.

This is especially important for senior citizens and anyone with other health complications, Himes said, who face greater risks from the coronavirus.

We dont want to inspire fear, said Lori Contadino, director of the towns Commission on Aging. We want people to be armed with the right and most up-to-date information and have everyone be able to be smart and protect themselves.

The congressman also urged proper hand-washing  at least 20 seconds with a good scrubbing and lots of soap. How long to wash? Himes said to sing Happy Birthday to yourself twice while washing.

Himes was asked about the lack of hand sanitizer available.

I would advise you to resist the temptation to go onto Amazon and buy bottles for $400, he said. Theres some price-gouging going on out there. Theres a good alternative. A squirt of Purell is a great thing, but a 20 second hand-wash with good soap and hot water does the exact same thing.

Medical professionals also have stressed the importance of not touching your face.

It turns out that people touch their face something like 80 or 90 times a day just naturally, Himes said. And even now that Im conscious of it, Im sure Ive touched my face 20 times already this morning.

To reduce the risk, he suggested carrying around tissues to cover your fingers for an itch on your face.

When it comes to wearing face masks, Himes doubted the effectiveness.

Everybody who knows anything about this disease says that a mask is unlikely to protect you, he said. You can be wearing a mask and touch a surface and scratch your eye and the mask does you no good whatsoever.

The mask might offer you some protection from somebody who is infected sneezing right in your face, but if you think about it, thats a pretty low likelihood scenario, he said.

Congress passed an $8.3 billion coronavirus spending bill this week, which will provide an immediate boost to the state and town to buy test kits, Himes said.

The bill includes nearly $1 billion for medical supplies, health care preparedness and medical surge capacity, more than $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness and response and more than $3 billion for research and development of treatments and vaccines, which would be more than a year away. President Donald Trump signed the bill Friday.

Himes spoke at several events in his district Friday, including an event in Stamford with Mayor David Martin.

The Greenwich event was live-streamed and will be available for view at www.facebook.com/299ontheave/.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
S ix people have been arrested following the murder of Shanur Ahmed in east London.

A police spokesman said on Friday that five teenagers and a man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A post mortem examination found the cause of Ahmeds death was a head injury.

Those arrested on suspicion of murder include two 16-year-old boys, three 17-year-old boys and a 20-year-old man.

The 17-year-olds and one of the 16-year-olds have also been arrested on suspicion of robbery following an incident on Monday which is being treated as linked to the murder.

The victim was found near Gallions Reach DLR station / Google streetview

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct because Ahmed had been reported missing.

A boy in his late teens was stabbed in a linked incident in Plaistow, but he is not in a life threatening condition.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith said: "Enquiries continue at pace following the tragic death of another young person in London due to violence.

"I can provide every reassurance that my team is working as hard as possible to find answers for Shanurs family.

Lines of inquiry continue to include whether previous disputes or the large group of males seen near Gallions Reach DLR station around 8pm on Monday, could be key to understanding what led to Shanurs death.

"We re-iterate our appeal for anyone with information not to keep this to themselves and we are very keen to speak to anybody who was using the station at that time."
Hacker group Legion 'hacks' CID website, cite Muslim victims of Delhi riots

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Mumbai, Mar 606: The hacker group, which calls itself 'Legion' apparently hacked the website of the Maharashtra police's CID on Friday with a message warning the "Indian police and Modi government" against "hurting" Muslims being displayed.

The Maharashtra CID website, mahacid.gov.in, was defaced to read, "In India, families of Muslims killed by Hindu mobs...We are warning you Indian police and Modi Government, stop hurting people of Muslims...Imam mahdi is coming soon."

While the CID website, allegedly hacked Friday morning, has been restored, state Criminal Investigation Department chief Atulchandra Kulkarni claimed that it was not a hacking, but part of a "test and trial" of the refurbished website to check its security features.

"Our data is safe, secure and there is no question of the data on the website getting compromised," Additional Director General of Police Kulkarni said.

The hacked web page displayed in bold font the words "Government of Imam Mahdi" against the picture of a man riding a horse and holding a flag. The message below referred to the recent riots in Delhi and claimed that most of its victims were Muslim.

The group with the same name had earlier reportedly hacked the Twitter accounts of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Vijay Mallya.
THE NUMBER of confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in University Hospital Limerick has increased to four, it was confirmed this Friday morning.

It is believed the latest two confirmed cases of the virus are linked to the original outbreak in the West of Ireland earlier this week involving a family of two adults and two children.

It is believed that one of the parents in the group of four, a male, is a medical professional and had worked a shift in UHL's Emergency Department last Wednesday, February 26, between 10am and 2pm.

A statement issued last night by the HSE confirmed that the two new cases in the West, two females, "are associated with close contact with a confirmed case."

Four individuals are understood to be in isolation at the hospital in Dooradoyle.

In a press statement released before the two additional cases were confirmed this morning, a UHL spokesperson stated public health officials are "rapidly" working to identify and contact those who had any possible contact with the individual during said time.

Media Statement -

UL Hospitals Group & HSE MidWest Community Healthcare can confirm we are working closely with public health colleagues in tracing contacts of four confirmed cases of COVID-19. #Coronavirusireland #COVID19

3 pages pic.twitter.com/dYDLDIg9m3  UL Hospitals (@ULHospitals) March 6, 2020

"UL Hospitals Group and HSE Mid West Community Healthcare can confirm they are working closely with public health colleagues in tracing contacts of four confirmed cases of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)," the statement reads.

"These patients are currently isolated in hospital and receiving appropriate care. The cases were confirmed on March 4 and public health are now working rapidly to identify any contacts this small cluster may have had in the days prior to this positive result. This work will be completed as quickly as possible.

"Public health colleagues are in the process of informing the relevant contacts and advising on any relevant follow-up actions that may be necessary to protect their own health, that of their families and the community at large. The contacts include patients who attended Zone A (minors) of the Emergency Department in UHL between the hours of 10am and 2pm on Wednesday last, February 26 and they are being contacted directly. Patients in any other area of the Emergency Department or the wider hospital are not considered to be contacts.

"Patients who attended a small number of other health services are also being contacted by public health in line with procedure," it was added.

"The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick is operating as normal today, Friday, March 6. We can confirm that the Emergency Department was put off call for a three-hour period on Wednesday night to facilitate a precautionary deep clean of affected areas. Patients arriving by ambulance were diverted to Galway University Hospitals during this interval in line with established national protocols.

"Staff who were in close contact with one of the confirmed cases have been advised not to report for duty and to follow the guidance of public health and occupational health colleagues.

"Staff at UL Hospitals Group and in HSE Community Healthcare have been preparing for positive cases of COVID-19 for a number of weeks now and are closely following the plans established by the HSE and the Department of Health and in line with the WHO and ECDC guidance.

"We remain in the containment phase in relation to COVID -19 and as long as this remains the case, it is important that members of the public follow the most up-to-date advice from the HSE.

"General advice and information on COVID-19 for members of the public is available on www.hse.ie/coronavirus and the vast majority of people in the MidWest can access all the relevant information here."

Meanwhile, a number of students in Limerick have been told to self-isolate immediately until March 12 if they were in the affected area of UHL last Wednesday between 10am and 2pm.

The students from a specific field of study within the third level institute were notified yesterday morning via text alert.

There are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the Republic of Ireland.

Read also: Seven new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ireland

For the latest on the Covid-19 outbreak, visit the dedicated coronavirus section of our website - click here
Any missteps heightened the doubts that voters already harbored.

At events for Democratic candidates over the past year, many women said that they were more aware than ever of sexism in their own lives and in the culture at large, because of the #MeToo movement and heightened focus on gender parity. All of that awareness, though, became an obstacle to electing a female president. They knew how sexist the world was, some said, and they couldnt take the risk.

As they waited for Ms. Warren to arrive at a rally in San Antonio last week, Kathleen Chandler and Amanda Cardoza vividly recalled the moment when Mrs. Clinton lost and how it spurred them to get more involved in politics. Ms. Chandler, 34, held an election night party, she recounted, ordering cookies with pictures of Mrs. Clintons face. Deflating balloons clung to her ceiling for a month after the defeat; she couldnt bear to take them down.

Now, Ms. Chandler saw Mr. Trumps victory as a sign that Democrats must pick a woman as their nominee. She voted for Ms. Warren.

Women as leaders can heal better, and our countrys broken, she said as she fed her young son a bottle. Its infuriating that the women are dropping and were going to be stuck with white men.

But Ms. Cardoza, 38, took a different lesson from Mrs. Clintons loss. The high school teacher, who wore earrings modeled after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs collar, was torn between Ms. Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders.

America hates women, she said, Im sad to say that I think thats what it is.

Like Ms. Cardoza, female voters worried the most about the viability of female candidates. Eighteen percent of Democratic women said that a woman could not win the White House, compared with 7 percent of men, according to a CNN poll in January.

In the Super Tuesday contests, Ms. Warren ranked third among female voters, losing to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Mr. Sanders by more than 10 percentage points. She did, however, win 30 percent of white college-educated women, the largest share held by any of the candidates, according to exit polls.
MOSCOW  A new deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bring an end to fighting in Idlib puts the saga over this issue on standby. In recent weeks, Russian-Turkish relations witnessed a stress test and personal diplomacy efforts by the two presidents was needed to ease the heat. Still, the fundamental disagreements that Moscow and Ankara have over Syria have yet to be overcome.

The situation in the Idlib zone in Syria has deteriorated so much that we need to have a direct and personal discussion, Putin told Erdogan in his opening remarks when the two leaders sat down in the Kremlin on March 5.

First of all, I would like to express our sincere condolences over the death of your military personnel in Syria. Loss of life is always a big tragedy. Regrettably, as I have told you by telephone, nobody, including the Syrian military, was aware of your troops location. At the same time, there were casualties among Syrian servicemen as well. The Syrian army reported major losses, Putin noted, as if dismissing recent speculation among the Syrian public that Moscow cares not about its ally and is acting in an egoistic manner. Last week, at least 34 Turkish troops were killed in an airstrike, and Turkey retaliated by killing a large number of Syrian forces.

We need to discuss everything and analyze the current developments so that, first, this does not happen again and, second, that this does not damage Russian-Turkish relations, which I know that you value as well, Putin told Erdogan as if stressing the significance that the bilateral relationship has for both countries beyond Idlib.

Putins tone and message suggested Moscow was interested in a big picture situation with Turkey but that he also was not willing to sacrifice Syria to placate Turkeys own ambitions.

Prior to the talks, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov suggested that Putin and Erdogan themselves would have to settle a number of critical issues that their teams havent agreed on.

"Plans are in store to discuss the Idlib crisis with Erdogan. We expect that an understanding on the forerunner of that crisis, the reasons for that crisis, the fallout from that crisis and the package of necessary joint measures aimed at ending it will be reached," Peskov told reporters March 4.

To translate from diplomatic Russian jargon into clear English: This means Russia believed the crisis erupted over Turkeys inability to deliver on its commitments to drive out the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from the de-escalation zone. Moscow didn't like that instead Ankara even went to virtually help Hayat Tahrir al-Sham preserve its positions. Yet Moscow understands that what happened in the last few days was painful for Erdogan politically and was disastrous for Turkey in the humanitarian domain in terms of refugee flow, so Russia is ready to help stop the escalation and think of ways forward.

In a sense, its also reflective of the three principles Russia follows in dealing with a difficult counterpart such as Turkey. First, demonstrate empathy on issues that are sensitive and important to Turkish security. Second, clearly outline your own red lines and a corridor of opportunities for future cooperation on these issues. Third, take advantage of mistakes made by the other parties whose position is important to Ankara  the United States  and use the contrast to your advantage.

The five hours and 45 minutes of talks between Russia and Turkey produced a seemingly modest set of deliverables. However, its clear that none of the three points the presidents signed onto in what is officially called the Additional Protocol to the Memorandum on Stabilization of the Situation in the Idlib De-Escalation Area came easy  especially, perhaps, for the Turkish side. Eventually, Putin and Erdogan agreed to cease all military actions along the line of contact starting at 12:01 a.m. March 6; establish a security corridor 6 kilometers (nearly 4 miles) deep to the north and 6 kilometers deep to the south from highway M4; and, starting March 15, to launch joint Turkish-Russian patrols along highway M4 from the settlement of Trumba (2 kilometers, or roughly a mile, to the west of Saraqeb) to the settlement of Ain al-Havr.

Specific modalities of the security corridor along the M4 highway will be discussed by the Russian and Turkish militaries within seven days.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable things that the protocol didnt mention was the M5 highway. This may suggest that Turkey had to recognize its current status. If so, this itself may be a key step toward Syrian President Bashar al-Assad taking control over the rest of the country and securing passage to the north. The no-fly zone is also off the table, which is a win for Damascus. The issue of Turkish observation posts south of the M4 is also an interesting matter to watch and is likely to be one of the hardest for the two militaries to settle. The issue of refugees is a big uncertainty at this stage but Putin has now seems to have the cards to package it in his conversations with the Europeans as his personal contribution to halt the flow of new migrants to Europe.

The very new deal, however, looks a lot like a temporary measure.

The cease-fire is likely to be violated by at least one party and most likely everyone, including those who havent agreed to it.

The security zone straddling the M4 is likely to be broken into or infiltrated by militants, terrorists and Syrian forces. Russian-Turkish patrols may have all kinds of issues, and they wont even take place for 12 days, during which time anything could happen. Yet the new deal was meant to introduce a cease-fire in Russian-Turkish relations, as opposed to Idlib per se, and in this sense its a relative success for the two parties.

Moreover, under the current circumstances any permanent deal was impossible, for the ambitions of the parties run too high, the public discourse is too emotional and the abilities to do something on the ground without further fueling the escalations are too limited. In this sense, this minimal achievement is perhaps the maximum possible now. Still, the fact of the matter is that Moscow and Ankara now have a new benchmark to refer to when the next crisis over Syria occurs.
This undated picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 7, 2020 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) visiting the construction site of the Sunchon phosphatic fertiliser factory in South Pyongan province.

Authorities in North Korea are making preparations to mobilize citizens for major state projects that require large amounts of labor, but sources say that the government has chosen to do this during the novel coronavirus crisis to encourage citizens to donate money instead.

Nearly all state projects are built through citizen labor, and whether its for construction, farming, or sprucing up the village for a visit from Kim Jong Un, citizens can expect to be tapped to toil often.

But this year is different. The novel coronavirus has caused havoc in neighboring China and also hit South Korea. North Korea has yet to officially report a single confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, but state media recently reported some 7,000 of its citizens were being closely monitored.

The country has taken many preventative measures, including quarantining entire counties near the Chinese border and canceling major events that would bring large numbers of citizens in close proximity.

During this time, collective projects have been halted, meaning they are behind schedule. The government is trying to mobilize an extraordinarily large group of workers to get them back on track, but sources say the call for extra workers is really an attempt to get most of them to donate funds in order to be exempt from labor.

The authorities have banned all mass gatherings and started sanitation and quarantine projects due to the coronavirus, and now they have begun to prepare a mobilization plan for state-run construction work, said a resident of North Hamgyong province on Monday.

There will be a major mobilization if the coronavirus crisis calms down, the source said.

According to the source, the Central Committee of the Korean Workers Party ordered companies and provincial agencies to participate in the mobilization.

The state and province run construction projects, which have been suspended because of the coronavirus crisis are expected to resume in large numbers, said the source.

Under the direction of the committee, each factory and Peoples Unit have begun choosing workers to be mobilized, the source said.

They are supposed to work for a three month period, but if enough workers are not organized in time, many will have to continue working on the construction site for six months to a year. So everyone wants to avoid mobilization somehow, the source added.

Certain labor-intensive projects are extremely unpopular, according to the source.

In particular, major construction projects such as the Samjiyon city construction and Tanchon hydroelectric power plant require constant hard labor, so everyone is trying to avoid them.

Samjiyon city is located in a major government-backed tourist zone, the second phase of which was completed last December. The city was unveiled to the public as a socialist utopia, while Tanchon is an enormous hydropower project with dams on several rivers as well as waterway tunnels spanning hundreds of kilometers.

Citizens averse to backbreaking labor required to complete either project are thus given an alternative: put up cash.

Officials are openly asking people who cant go to these sites to pay cash instead, said the source, adding that North Hamgyongs largest city Chongjin, citizens are expected to pay between 100 and 300 Chinese yuan (U.S. $14  44).

Another North Hamgyong resident told RFA that authorities spread the word about the mobilization projects by making announcements at Peoples Unit meetings.

They openly demanded cash. They said if anyone cant participate in mobilization, they should donate money, the second source said.

The second source said it seemed suspicious that the government would want to mobilize after just recently banning organized gatherings, especially because anyone mobilized would be expected to miss work until the coronavirus crisis ends.

They have set it up so that you have to pay a certain amount of money for however many days, weeks, months or years of work you miss, the second source said.

[Its] 10 yuan ($1.40) per week, 30 yuan ($4.30) per month, 150 yuan ($22) for six months, and 300 yuan ($44) for the whole year. That means if you can pay 300 yuan you dont have to work on public projects for a whole year, said the second source.

The blatant cash grab is angering citizens, according to the second source.

The people are having a hard time making ends meet with the coronavirus crisis and sanctions on North Korea, so they are enraged that the authorities are using mobilization as an excuse to collect money from us.

Kim Jong Un sends condolence letter to Seoul

Meanwhile, on Thursday, South Korean officials said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a personal letter to President Moon Jae-in offering his condolences over the severity of the coronavirus situation in South Korea.

As of Friday morning, there were 6593 confirmed cases of the virus in South Korea with 43 deaths in South Korea, ground zero for the largest COVID-19 outbreak outside of China.

In his letter, Kim expressed his concern over Moons health and expressed his regret that he was currently powerless to do anything to help South Korea at this time.

Moon sent a reply Thursday expressing his gratitude.

Reported by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
LUDLOW  Police are seeking a 62-year-old man, described as armed and dangerous, following a shooting at a Center Street property early Thursday night.

Police were summoned to 1674 Center St. about 5 p.m. by caller who stated the suspect had shot at another adult with a 9 mm pistol, Lt. Daniel Valadas said.

No injuries were reported.

The caller said the alleged shooter, Robert N. Stallone, still armed, left in a white 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis with a Massachusetts plate of 961LD9. Those who encounter the suspect are urged to call 911 immediately.

Police, arriving at the scene, found the victim and witnesses, Valadas said.

Those with information on the shooting are asked to contact the Ludlow Police Department at 413-583-8305 or by sending an anonymous text to CRIMES (274637), typing the word SOLVE, and then sending the information.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.
New Delhi: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of various issues of "serious concern touching upon the governance" in the state.

Dhankhar met Shah at the latter's office at the Parliament complex in New Delhi, an official said.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the governor, who was appointed to the Constitutional post over seven months ago.

"I had myself sought this meeting. I had sought this meeting under the background that over the (past) seven months I have been able to appreciate the situation on the ground with respect to the critical issues of governance.

"I have availed this opportunity to apprise the Union home minister of various issues of serious concern touching upon the governance in the state. I discussed with him a variety of issues," Dhankar told reporters here.

This was his first meeting with Shah after assuming charge as governor.

It comes within a week of Shah's visit to Kolkata. At a rally in the city, the Union minister had expressed "anguish" over the law and order situation in West Bengal.

Dhankhar has been engaged in bitter acrimony with the West Bengal government over a host of issues since assuming charge in July last year.
A 25-year-old man was arrested



for allegedly kidnapping a two-year-old boy from Khairpada in Vasai town of Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said on Friday.

On March 2, Sunny Singh, who did petty jobs in the locality, allegedly abducted the toddler over a dispute with his family, assistant inspector Santosh Sangvikar of Valiv police station said.

The child's parents immediately lodged a complaint, following which a search operation was launched, he said.

Within hours, the accused was spotted with the toddler at Borivali railway station in the western suburbs of Mumbai and nabbed by the railway police, he said.

Singh has been booked under section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meet the 2020 Innovations in American Government Award Finalists

Five Tips for Cities Doing Data Inventories

The annual Open Data Day event this year is set for Saturday, March 7, and as such, communities across the country are hosting celebratory Open Data Day events.This marks the 10th annual Open Data Day slate of events, and what is perhaps most notable this year is the level of maturity for the data work that is being celebrated by local government and adjacent groups nationwide.At the top is New York City, which has already started, launching an Open Data Week in the nations largest city that began Feb. 28 and will continue through this weekend. As the city noted in a press release announcing its events, this years festivities there are aimed at advancing the strategic plan for NYC Open Data, which it describes as a 10-year vision to launch a more open and dynamic platform, as well as to strengthen the capacity of data work within the citys government agencies, and to foster connections related to the work in the community. The events there are wide and varied too, featuring everything from art exhibitions related to data, to how certain communities there can benefit from exploring health data.New York City, of course, is far from the only city in the country anchoring a celebration and events around open data. In advance of Open Data Day, Boston also celebrated five years of having a citywide analytics team there, releasing a new report that details major projects as well as the future of data in Boston. Memphis, Tenn., is holding a Civic Data Hackathon all weekend; Little Rock, Ark., is hosting four open data events at libraries in that area; and San Francisco is having an event at Code for America HQ.A full global map of events can be found on the Open Data Day website Organizers have announced the 2020 Innovations in American Government Award finalists, highlighting four projects at all levels of American government that help the public sector get better at tackling problems and overcoming challenges. The award is the work of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government. The finalists are located all across the country, and they are the City University of New Yorks Accelerated Study in Associate Programs, Philadelphias BenePhilly program, Massachusetts Pathways to Economic Advancement Project, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Business Relations Program.The focus of this years award was projects or programs that focus on addressing and promoting economic opportunities for all members of a community. The finalists for this were picked by a group of policy experts, researchers and practitioners, chosen on the basis of novelty, effectiveness, significance, and transferability, as well as their impact on issues of economic and social mobility, inequity, and stratification, organizers announced in a press release.A representative from each of the finalist programs will give a presentation Thursday, March 12 to the National Selection Committee of the Innovations in American Government Awards. Recordings of those presentations will be released in the months to come, with a winner to be announced later in the year.As data-driven governance accelerates and becomes more prevalent in local governments across the country, cities must be able to find data sets within their systems.This is a challenge that can be eased by an effective and thorough data inventory. To help cities with the data inventory process, Bloomberg Cities has recently offered a set of five tips for cities doing data inventories , doing so in a blog in which the group spoke with Sheila Dugan, the director of cities at the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University.Those five tips are find an easy pace for the project; communicate the reason for doing it well to all involved; get public input involved; be sure to include data sets with confidential information; and be creative in ways that prevent the data inventory process from becoming tedious.As the U.S. Census rapidly approaches, a pair of new digital tools are now available to help with the efforts of those who are involved with the count.First up, Connecticuts State Data Center has created a new tool to assess the impact of differential privacy on U.S. Census data. Upon inception, the scope of the tool was aimed at data for Connecticut, but its now spreading to other states, with the team having now adapted it for Vermont , too.The main idea behind this tool is that it is a means of assessing the impact of the approaches that the U.S. Census Bureau is taking toward ensuring that the information it releases to the public cannot be used to identify individuals.The second new digital tool related to the Census that has recently become available comes from the U.S. Census Bureau itself, and it is the 2020 Census Response Rate Tracker . This will be a crucial tool for the work of state, local and community level efforts to ensure that traditionally hard-to-count Census tracts are counted as the Census process progresses, identifying as it does tracts that have high percentages of likely uncounted residents.
By Express News Service

NAMAKKAL: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a Rs 338.76 crore medical college at Namakkal and said the AIADMK government is proud of having created 2,000 extra medical seats in the State over the past one year. On behalf of the people of the State, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for granting permission to establish 11 new medical colleges in the State.

When Amma was the chief minister, she established six medical colleges. Following her footsteps, we have brought 11 new colleges in a single year, Palaniswami said, addressing a large gathering. Till 2011, there were 1,945 seats in the State, he said, and Amma brought 855 new seats. After her demise, we created 350 new seats last year. Now, as a result of creation of 11 new medical colleges, there would be an increase of seats by 1,650. So, the AIADMK government has brought around 2,000 additional seats for medical aspirants, Palaniswami said. Rubbishing allegations that locals were denied medical seats, the chief minister said the opposition parties were disseminating false information.

They must know the ground reality. As per rules, a total of 85 per cent seats are allotted to students from Tamil Nadu, while the remaining goes under All-India quota, he said. Heaping praise on Namakkal, Palaniswami said the district has emerged as an industrial hub, with a conducive ecosystem for industries of various kinds to thrive. On medical services, he said that the State stands first in providing the services compared to other states, even as he listed out a host of other schemes, including Kudimaramathu and CMs Grievance Day. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who also took part in the event, hit out at the opposition parties for criticising the government constantly without considering its work on the ground.

We have been providing numerous schemes that have been welcomed by the people. However, the opposition parties are unable to tolerate our good work, Panneerselvam said, besides referring to passage of a historic bill in declaring delta region as protected agricultural zone. Ministers P Thangamani, V Saroja, KA Sengottaiyan, C Vijayabhaskar among other government officials took part in the event.
In season one of ABCs Designated Survivor series, a show that conceptualizes what it would be like if American democracy had to rebuild after most top officials were killed in a terrorist attack, theres an episode in which the presence of the poison ricin on a few voting machines threatens to decimate voter turnout on the day the country is supposed to elect replacement members of Congress.

The television show is fictional, of course, and the biotoxic hazard is melodramatic. But experts say that anxieties over the current outbreak of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, in the United States could theoretically pose a similar threat to voter turnout in upcoming primaries, and possibly the General Election in November.

As the COVID-19 outbreak has spread to all 50 U.S. states, infecting more than 6,000 and killing more than 100 people, state election officials are making preparations to mitigate the risk of infection, quell voters fears ahead and control the spread of misinformation about the disease ahead of election day.

In most states, casting a ballot requires showing up, in-person, along with thousands of other people, often in small, crowded spaces, and sharing germ-ridden objects, like pens, clipboards and voting machines. Given that the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention currently believes COVID-19 spreads between people who are within six feet of one another, and possibly by touching communal surfaces that the virus is on, voters concerns are not entirely unfounded.

In Massachusetts, which currently has at least 218 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin ordered local polling places to disinfect voting booths more often than usual, procure extra pens to be swapped out with germ-laden ones, and have volunteers on standby, in case poll workers didnt show up on March 3 due to coronavirus fears.

Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking on this link, and please send any tips, leads, and stories to virus@time.com.

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Ahead of Washington states March 10 primary, which was conducted exclusively by mail and drop boxes, state officials asked voters to abstain from using saliva to seal the envelopes that contained their ballots in case COVID-19 is transmittable on surfaces days after contact. Those tasked with processing the mail ballots were also instructed to wear gloves. Days before the states voting deadline, it was grappling with 75 confirmed cases and 13 deaths. Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman told me its vote-by-mail system was a saving grace. I think that the vote by mail systemit definitely gives voters confidence that they can participate and not have to worry about risk, going out and getting exposed because theyre in a big group of people at a polling place, she said.

The Washington State Democratic Party also postponed a major fundraising dinner that was expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees in light of COVID-19 the Seattle Times reported. A volunteer with the state party told TIME that calls to their election hotline about coronavirus and its possible effects on the Democratic primary have also surged in recent days.

While its unclear how much fears about COVID-19 will affect U.S. voter turnout in the remaining primaries, and if so by how much, the recent elections in Iran offer an instructive example. Two days before the countrys Feb. 21 parliamentary elections, Iran announced its first case of COVID-19. By Feb. 23, there were 43 confirmed cases and eight deaths, marking the highest fatality rate outside of mainland China at the time. In response, people skipped the polls: only 43% of the population votedthe lowest participation rate since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blamed the low turnout on adversaries exaggerations about the threat of the virus. This negative propaganda about the virus began a couple of months ago and grew larger ahead of the election, Khamenei said. Their media did not miss the tiniest opportunity for dissuading Iranian voters and resorting to the excuse of disease and the virus.

Theres some historical precedent for epidemics driving down turnout in U.S. elections, too.

About 100 years ago, when the 1918 Influenza hit the U.S., midterm candidates were banned from hosting political rallies and speaking tours. Though the outbreak occurred near the end of World War I, which would have already affected voter turnout, historians say that the reduced candidate-voter engagement and fear of the influenza itself likely contributed to the cycles low participation figures. Voter turnout rates in the midterm elections of 1910 and 1914 were 52% and 50%, respectively. In 1918, turnout was only 40%, according to the United States Election Project.

Its logical to think that the Spanish Flu had some impact, says Matt Dallek, a political historian at George Washington Universitys Graduate School of Public Management. Then and now, the impact of global health threats extend beyond campaign and election mechanics to influence voters perceptions of candidates and how they can handle crises, he explains. While its too early to tell how COVID-19 will play out in the 2020 election, he adds, it may already be having an effect. Certainly, the virus might be seen as a factor thats helping Joe Biden, given that he seems to be a kind of a safe harbor in a category-five economic and public health storm, Dallek says.

Initially, fears of COVID-19 didnt appear to have impacted voter turnout in the 2020 U.S. primaries. In fact, Democratic voter turnout on Super Tuesday went up, exceeding the levels from 2016 in at least a dozen states, according to the Hill. But an uptick in confirmed cases has thrown election officialsand votersfor a loop. Ohio called off its March 17 primary just hours before polls were supposed to open. This was after Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine supported a lawsuit that sought to delay the primary until June, and a judge subsequently ruled against that lawsuit.

Prior to postponing, the state sent all 88 of Ohios county Boards of Elections the most up to date information from the CDC regarding best practices for preventing the spread of disease, including recommendations for the provision of extra supplies for preventing the spread of the flu and viruses, an official with the Ohio Secretary of States office told TIME. The Buckeye state also sought to move primary voting sites away from nursing homes, due to the susceptibility of serious symptoms among older people who become infected with COVID-19.

As Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana also decided to postpone their primaries, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez urged states to stick with their schedules. To stem the spread of germs, he recommended states adopt vote-by-mail and set up drop-boxes where voters could deposit their ballots. The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect and expand that right instead of bringing our democratic process to a halt, he said in a statement.

Arizona, Illinois and Florida chose to proceed with their scheduled primariesdespite fears that coronavirus concerns could keep poll workers away, and that long lines would undermine experts pleas to practice social distancing.

Preliminary numbers suggest turnout was down significantly in some areas of Illinois. DuPage County, one of Chicagos suburbs, saw less than 15% of its 614,000 registered voters cast ballots, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, in Florida, in-person voting lagged from 2016 numbers, but vote-by-mail ballots picked up most of the slack. Though 1,709,000 Democrats participated in the 2016 Florida primaries, 1,712,000 participated in 2020 as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Miami Herald. In Arizona, the vast majority of the 1.2 million registered Arizona Democrats cast ballots early by mail, the Associated Press reported.

This is the line to vote at 850 W Addison. More voters have to come here since some polling locations are closed or equipment is delayed. @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/X69GYGvHCx  Lisa Chavarria NBC5 (@LisaChavarria) March 17, 2020

But if germs are one concern, so is the potential for misinformation. Maurice Turner, an expert in election security at the Center for Democracy and Technology, says fears about contracting the new coronavirus are just part of the battle. Officialsand votersmust grapple with the possibility that bad actors are willfully spreading falsities about the virus in an effort to depress voter turnout, or to manipulate which populations turn out to vote. Theres plenty of opportunity to put out different pieces of information that are either accurate and are concerning in a way that helps increase the anxiety, or to try to seed disinformation or totally false information on what people could do or what they should or should not do in a way that just causes more confusion, he says.

At the end of the Designated Survivor episode, only one poll worker died as a result of the ricin. Unfortunately, it would be much harder to determine how many may get sick from waiting in long lines to cast their ballots. But in the meantime, Turner advocates people find a way to continue engaging in their civic duty: Wash your hands. Dont touch your face. Get out and vote.
Haynes and Boone LLP has hired Stephen Raptis as a partner in the Washington, D.C., office, bolstering the national expansion of the firms Insurance Recovery Practice Group.

Over his 25-year career, Raptis has represented commercial policyholders across the nation in complex coverage disputes. His insurance recovery practice involves everything from traditional environmental contamination and mass torts to directors and officers and errors and omissions claims to cyber/data breach claims and privacy work.

He represents clients in all phases of coverage litigation, as well as pre-litigation coverage analysis and pre-litigation claim disputes. He also provides strategic advice to clients regarding insurance aspects of mergers and acquisitions, purchase of all types of commercial insurance, and handing of complex indemnity disputes.

Raptis comes to Haynes and Boone from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, where he was an insurance recovery litigation partner.

Haynes and Boone is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., London, Mexico City and Shanghai, providing a full spectrum of legal services in energy, technology, financial services and private equity.

Source: Haynes and Boone LLP

Topics Mergers Washington
Open Conflict: a gripping and intelligent science fiction story about the universe at the time of the third world war. Open Conflict is the creation of published author, Darrel Dillon, a Vietnam War veteran who lives in Caldwell, Idaho.

Dillon states: Through the DTRIS file story, youll learn how events of Earths past, present, and future connect to planned evil influence. An influence that persuades mortals to forsake their true heritage and follow the path of least resistance. The same road that shortens mortal life and allows for the sacrifice of children to materialism or government abuse.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Darrel Dillons new book is a rollicking Odyssey about two siblings struggle to survive and rectify a universe gone wrong due to the manipulation and influence of almost indelible forces of evil.

Dillons book is one that holds a mirror to the modern world, presenting a status quo that eerily reflects the problems facing the Earth and its peoples in the 21st century and painting a chillingly credible picture of the future of humanity.

View a synopsis of Open Conflict on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Open Conflict at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Open Conflict, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
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A Wisconsin mother has been sentenced to 17 years for causing the death of her 13-year-old disabled daughter who was found dead inside her bedroom without food and wearing a filthy diaper.

Nicole Gussert, 39, of Appleton, was convicted of neglecting a child and causing the death of her daughter Brianna Gussert, as well as possession with intent to deliver amphetamine.

Authorities discovered young Brianna dead inside her filthy bedroom in May 2017 and an investigation revealed she died of sepsis after being left alone for several days.

Outagamie County Judge Gregory Gill ordered Nicole to serve nearly two decades in prison and 12 years of probation. She received an additional four years for selling her prescription Adderall to friends.

Nicole Gussert (left) was sentenced to 17 years in prison and 12 years of probation after being convicted in her daughter's death

Brianna Gussert (pictured), who had Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, died at age 13 after she was left inside her bedroom with no help

During court, Nicole admitted that her care for Brianna before her death was unacceptable.

She told the judge her actions werent out of malice or spite, that she loved Brianna very much and that she failed her.

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare birth condition, left Brianna unable to speak or walk, court records said.

Nicole told authorities that she couldnt remember when or how many times she fed her daughter the previous day.

Greg Gussert, Briannas father, also spoke out during court and described being depressed since his daughters passing.

He told Post Crescent: I miss Brianna every day. My heart is forever broken.

Nicole previously pleaded no contest in February 2019.

Authorities said Nicole Gussert's (pictured) home had a stench, flies and rotting fruit

The horrific incident was uncovered when authorities were called to the Gusserts home to perform a wellness check.

A responding officer described a smell in the air of rotten food, human waste and death in the home, Post Crescent reported.

They said rotting food, flies and cluttered garbage could be seen throughout the home.

Various bugs and partially consumed or decayed food as well as a distinct odor of feces and urine coming strongly from the deceased juvenile's room area, ABC 2 reports.

When Brianna was found, she was unfed, wearing an unchanged diaper and part of her skin had started to decompose.

Its believed Nicole left Brianna unattended inside the bedroom for more than five days.

Greg Gussert (pictured), the father of Brianna Gussert, has an emotional reaction after giving a victim impact statement during sentencing in Nicole Gussert's trial at the Outagamie County Justice Center in Appleton, Wisconsin

Brianna is pictured with her father Greg (left) months before she would die in her mother's home in 2017

Brianna weighed just 32 pounds at death after losing 12 pounds in one month.

Nicole told officers that she couldnt remember when or how many times she fed her daughter the previous day.

She also admitted to feeding Brianna protein shakes from a convenience store instead of formula shipped from a medical supply company because the protein drinks contained muscle builders.

Nicole Gussert sits with her attorney during sentencing in her trial at the Outagamie County Justice Center on Thursday

While caring for her daughter, Nicole denied assistance from Aging and Disability Resource Center, economic support and transportation for her daughter.

Nicole told law enforcement that he had been battling depression and not taking her prescription Adderall, but officers found texts that showed she was selling pills or giving them to people she owed money.

Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis suggested that Nicole treated her dog better than she did her daughter.

She is able to care for another living creature, but doesn't have the decency that weekend, at all, to walk upstairs and check on her daughter, Tempelis said.
As you may have seen on social media today, Samsung Malaysia officially kicked off the launch of its latest Galaxy S20 series of smartphones at five roadshows throughout the country. Offering freebies and rebates, lines actually began forming late last night!

Sure, that free 50-inch 4K TV freebie sounds like a great deal, but what if we told you that you can get a Galaxy S20for free? As part of our Flash Deal for March 2020, RinggitPlus is offering a free Samsung Galaxy S20 worth RM3,599 by applying for an eligible credit card!

Samsungs new Galaxy S20 may be small in size, but its actually very similar in specs with the larger Galaxy S20+ that costs RM3,999. Powered by an Exynos 990 eight-core processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, the Galaxy S20 also packs the 120Hz display on the more expensive models. If youve never tried a phone with 120Hz refresh rates before try it to see just how buttery smooth your device feels.

Plus, the Galaxy S20 series sees a major revamp in the imaging aspect, as all Galaxy S20 models feature brand-new camera setups  the first time since 2018! The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra may grab all the headlines with its 100x Space Zoom, but dont let that fool you  the Galaxy S20s triple camera setup holds its own. With a large 12MP main sensor combined with a 64MP telephoto sensor and a 16MP ultrawide-angle sensor, the Galaxy S20 lets you shoot great photos and videos across a huge range of distance, thanks to the 10x hybrid-optical zoom.

RinggitPlus Flash Deal (9  13 March 2020): Samsung Galaxy S20

Now, interested to get a brand new Galaxy S20 for free? Just like our previous flash deals, our mechanics remain the same: apply for a credit card from any of the six participating banks, and if you are approved, be among the first to fulfill the terms and conditions of the participating banks for gift eligibility, and youll get the Galaxy S20 at no charge.

Participating banks:

HSBC Bank Malaysia

Standard Chartered Malaysia

Citibank Berhad

RHB Bank Berhad

United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad

AEON Credit Service Malaysia

This time around, we are giving away 50 (fifty) units of the Galaxy S20 to successful applicants based on the campaign mechanics. Note that successful applicants are determined by the date and time of the online application via RinggitPlus (including providing MyKad front and back images), and fulfilling the terms and conditions of the respective participating bank.

Heres a tip: different participating banks will have different conditions for gift eligibility, so do keep that in mind and aim to fulfill them as soon as you can. The T&Cs for each bank will be shared when the flash deal goes live.

Successful applicants who are not part of the first 50 will not walk away empty-handed, of course, and will receive a 20 Giordano luggage bag (Citi, RHB, UOB, AEON Credit only), a Xiaomi 70mai dashcam (Standard Chartered only), or a Lenovo Watch (HSBC only).

Finally, keep note of the flash deal start and end times: 12pm, 9 March 2020 until 6pm, 13 March 2020. Remember, based on the campaign mechanics, successful fulfillment of the banks terms and conditions for gift eligibility matters just as much as the time of application.

We believe our readers should get first dibs on our upcoming campaigns, and thats why this article is appearing three days before the campaign starts. This should be enough time for you to prepare your documents needed for application: your salary slips for the past three months, your detailed EPF statement, and other supporting documents. Heres a handy guide on what documents you may need, and how to submit them online.

Which credit card to apply for?

While there is no best credit card for everyone, there are many cards that are better suited for you than others. Check out our lists of the best cashback credit cards in Malaysia and the best online cashback credit cards; there are several cards in the list that are issued by the participating banks for this campaign, so you may not only walk away with a brand new flagship smartphone, but also a credit card that gives you cashback for everyday expenses!

Terms and conditions apply.

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Scenes of abduction, killing and rape. Naked women flaunting their fleshy thighs and dimpled bottoms. A young beauty chained to a rock.

A new exhibition of the Renaissance artist Titian, soon to open at London's National Gallery, may be the most daring in years.

At a time when galleries and other institutions are becoming increasingly jumpy about offending the public with 'sensitive' material, Titian: Love, Desire, Death represents an admirably bold undertaking. For the six pictures at its centre - some of the greatest ever painted by the 16th-century master - feature subjects flagrantly at odds with today's social mores.

In Danae, a princess lies on a bed while a shower of gold falls suggestively between her legs. She is nude, her breasts and gently rounded stomach exposed and her complexion glowing milk and roses.

Pictured: Venus and Adonis (1553-54), oil on canvas, Titian, soon to appear on exhibit at London's National Gallery between March 16 and June 14, 2020

Her father has imprisoned her. The stream of gold represents Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, entering her cell through a hole in the roof to impregnate her. Indeed, the scene is so graphic that Twitter this week decided that users who post images of the painting are in breach of its nudity rules.

Another painting, The Rape Of Europa, shows a girl being abducted by Jupiter in the guise of a bull. Her clothing unravels to expose her flesh, the fabric becoming entangled between her thighs. As a pair of adorably plump cherubs frolic above, she holds up her shawl as if to call for help - but it is no good. She is carried off against her will.

And then there's Diana And Callisto. Another victim of Jupiter's lust, Callisto is stripped before the chaste goddess Diana and her fellow nymphs. Her beautiful belly is swollen, pregnant with the god's child. Jupiter's jealous wife will transform her into a bear.

Titian was at the height of his powers when he painted these pictures. The stories he depicted are thousands of years old and set in a mythological realm. They were seldom intended as straightforward parables. The artist stopped short of graphic representation. Yet had they been exhibited for the first time today, there would be cries of outrage.

Pictured: Perseus and Andromeda (1554-56), oil on canvas, Titian, soon to appear on exhibit at London's National Gallery between March 16 and June 14, 2020

Pictured: Diana and Callisto (1556-69), oil on canvas, Titian, soon to appear on exhibit at London's National Gallery between March 16 and June 14, 2020

In the age of MeToo, the female nude has become 'problematic'. Just last year, the Royal Academy mounted an exhibition in which curators sought to display an equal number of naked men and women. For some, even this did not go far enough.

Alice Procter, who runs so-called Uncomfortable Art Tours highlighting the role that colonialism is said to have played in the creation of our gallery collections, tweeted: 'How many of these male nudes are going to be described as 'ideal/heroic/classical' aka white/ enabled/cisnormative?'

In an era when images of naked men and women are available at the click of a mouse, when commentators constantly warn about the 'pornification' of culture, it seems that even Renaissance art isn't immune to the censors' black pen.

Happily, the National Gallery has so far resisted calls for 'trigger warnings' alerting visitors to the presence of difficult themes. Other galleries have gone to town with these. At Tate Britain, for instance, a sign last year warned that William Blake's mythology-steeped pictures from the 18th century contain 'strong and sometimes challenging imagery'. The English artist's scenes of fiery hell are certainly arresting. But nightmare-inducing? No.

Back at the National Gallery, a spokeswoman states: 'Customer feedback will be monitored closely and decisions over signage reviewed, if necessary.' Far more useful, revealing and uplifting than such labels is an understanding of what Titian's pictures, which stopped short of graphic representation, signify.

Pictured: Tiziano Vecellio, self-portrait, to be on exhibit at the London Gallery this year

Pictured: Danae (1551-53), oil on canvas, Titian, soon to appear on exhibit at London's National Gallery between March 16 and June 14, 2020

His Poesie paintings - six stunning mythological scenes inspired by the poetry of the ancient writer Ovid, and united for the first time in centuries in the National Gallery - are neither celebrations of brute force nor gratuitous snapshots of naked women.

They have a profound spiritual lesson to teach us, symbolising human powerlessness in the face of forces beyond our control. They are at heart about religion, and the fear that God and gods have inspired in us, in Christian and pagan times alike. Yet such considerations are unlikely to pacify the perpetually outraged.

Metamorphoses, the poem by Ovid on which Titian based his pictures, has already been cited by some students as offensive or, as they so often put it, 'triggering'.

Titian: the painter who became one of the Renaissance's greatest and most important Venetian School artists Tiziano Vecelli is believed to have been born between 1488 and 1490, dying at the old age of 88 in Venice. He was one of the most accomplished and versatile artists of his generation, adept with portraits, landscapes, and mythological and religious subjects. Titian's painting methods, particularly in the use of colour, had a huge influence on other Renaissance painters, as well as future generations of Western-inspired artists. His career was successful from the start, and he became sought after by patrons, initially from Venice and its possessions, then the northern Italian princes, and finally the Habsburgs and papacy. Along with Giorgione, Titian is considered a founder of the Venetian School of Italian Renaissance painting. Advertisement

Some passages, it is said, could prove upsetting to read if you haven't had prior warning of their contents. When students at Columbia University in New York made the case for applying 'trigger warnings' to the poem in 2015, they acquired a following in Britain.

One of the passages the students were concerned about describes a god chasing a girl who is transformed into a tree, which the god then ravages.

It is understandable that many feel uncomfortable or even anxious when confronted with images or descriptions of sexual violence - especially those who have been victims of such crimes.

But neither Ovid's poem nor the Titian paintings it inspired deserve to be censored or frowned upon because they broach the subject. To represent something isn't to endorse it.

It is clear from Titian's paintings that he empathised with many of his female subjects. Just look at how he portrayed Europa's eyes: they are full of fear, rolling back into their sockets. So who was the man whose works are provoking such furious debate?

Known as Tiziano Vecellio in Italy, Titian was born about 1490 in the small town of Pieve di Cadore. He trained in Venice, which was vulnerable, thanks to its trade links, to plague. Titian himself would die from the disease aged about 85.

But a libertine culture developed. Prostitution was ubiquitous. According to a contemporary diarist, about 12 per cent of Venice's 100,000 residents were prostitutes in 1500.

Titian almost certainly used prostitutes as models for some of his nudes. An astute businessman, he cultivated as patrons wealthy dukes and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, the most powerful man in Europe.

Charles was so taken with Titian that he appointed him a court painter and made him a 'Knight of the Golden Spur'. While Charles had conservative artistic tastes, favouring portraits and religious scenes, his son, who became King Philip II of Spain, had more sensual interests.

Philip must have been delighted by the portrayal of the human form in these masterpieces. Yet this classical flesh going on show in London is not there to be ogled - but admired.

Snowflakes who threaten to melt before Titian's steamy nudes should remember that even they were born without clothes.

Daisy Dunn is a classicist and the author of Of Gods and Men: 100 Stories From Ancient Greece & Rome (Head of Zeus). Titian: Love, Desire, Death is at the National Gallery in London from March 16 to June 14, 2020.
Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Columbus, Ohio for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 18 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Columbus, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Columbus with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Columbus. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Columbus, Ohio please visit

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-columbus-oh/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Columbus, Ohio (in alphabetical order)

Access Ohio

99 North Brice Road, Suite 360

Columbus, OH 43213

614-367-7700

Bluffs

2650 Lodge Road Southwest

Sherrodsville, Ohio 44675

888-481-7821

Center for Addiction Treatment

830 Ezzard Charles Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45214

513-381-6672

Columbus Public Health Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program

240 Parsons Avenue

Columbus, OH 43215

614-645-6839

Crossroads Center

311 Martin Luther King Drive

East Cincinnati, OH 45219

513-475-5300

House of Hope

825 Dennison Avenue

Columbus, OH 43215

614-291-4691

Maryhaven

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The coronavirus outbreak has brought Steven Soderbergh's 2011 medical thriller "Contagion" back into the focus and the film's producer says they have been proven right in their predictions.

The film chronicled how the humanity battles the spread of a virus transmitted by fomites as medical researchers and public health officials try to contain the disease.

It has become relevant after outbreak of novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China and has now spread to over 60 countries, including the US, where it has claimed the lives of 12 people.

Talking to Buzzfeed News, producer Michael Shamberg said, "It was very deliberately designed to be a cautionary film. We got the science right."



The film, which featured an ensemble cast Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Jennifer Ehle, is experiencing a renaissance on many streaming services.

"Is it giving (people) comfort? Well, it shows that ultimately there will be a solution and humanity will recover... If it's scary, it's only meant to scare people into taking precautions and it's only meant to scare the infrastructure into doing the right thing," Shamberg said.

"We're not trying to scare people that they're all going to die. We're trying to scare people that you can do something," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eleven days and an eternity in political time ago, I offered some advice for Democrats seeking to stop Bernie Sanders, drawn from the failed experience of #NeverTrump. Losing candidates need to drop out, I suggested, unconventional alliances need to be considered and hanging around hoping for a brokered convention is a fools game if youre ceding a plurality of delegates to the insurgent candidate you want to stop.

The tone of my column, like the evidence of the polls, suggested that the stop-Sanders effort would meet the same fate as the stop-Trump movement and that the Vermont socialist would complete his takeover against a divided opposition.

But instead, in a whirlwind few days, it worked. Instead of a divided field of moderates headed into Super Tuesday, there was a rapid consolidation. Instead of defeated candidates limping off to lick their wounds, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg were on a stage with Joe Biden within a day of their decisions to drop out. And now, instead of sticking around John Kasich-style and playing for the convention, Michael Bloomberg has thrown in with the Biden team as well.

This combination of events has not guaranteed a Biden nomination, but it has made it very likely, and it suggests that the Democratic Party still has some institutional potency, some ballast as a political organization, some capacity to make decisions as a party that the Republicans in 2016 lacked. And while obvious credit for the anti-Sanders consolidation goes to individual political actors, to Buttigieg and Klobuchar especially, its worth considering three other reasons it was possible for Biden to consolidate support more easily and quickly than any of the non-Trump Republicans in 2016.

The first reason is that the Republican bases relationship to the GOP leadership in 2016 was more toxic, hostile and disillusioned, relative to the relationship between Democrats and their establishment in 2020. This difference has many sources, but a crucial one is the divergent legacies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The Bush presidency ended in failure, unpopularity and crisis, which meant that even among Republicans who still liked Bush personally, there was a palpable sense  or a latent sense, waiting to be activated by Donald Trump  that the official establishment of the party didnt really have any idea what it was doing and needed to be ignored or rejected or thrown out.

Obamas presidency, on the other hand, is regarded as a failure by only a small faction of left-wing activists and writers. A somewhat larger constituency, the core of Sanders youth support, think of the Obama era as a mild disappointment, a missed opportunity for bold progressive change  but in the broader Democratic electorate even this is a distinctly minority position.

So there was always an opportunity for a campaign like Bidens to consolidate a lot of Democratic voters with a message of restoration and continuity, in a way that simply wasnt true for a literal Bush relative like Jeb Bush  or even a figure like Marco Rubio, who was positioned, in certain ways, as W.s ideological heir. Its not that Democrats love their partys elite or that there isnt strong anti-establishment discontent on the left as much as on the right. But there is clearly more Democratic support for Obamaism than there was support for a Bush restoration in the 2016 Republican Party, and in South Carolina and on Super Tuesday that made a big difference.

But so did simple political contingency. Bloombergs campaign, for instance, looked like it was helping Sanders by dividing moderates and siphoning away Bidens African-American support. But in hindsight what it actually did was draw attention and fire away from Biden across two critical debates, so that the former vice president could lurk as the fallback choice and then get a rush of returning voters when Bloombergs onstage performances disappointed (and made Biden look charismatic by comparison).

As much as Biden was hurt by having extremely white states like Iowa and New Hampshire go first, the combination of favorable demographics and pre-Super Tuesday timing made South Carolina perfect for his anti-Sanders consolidation. Ted Cruz won a similarly thumping victory over Trump in Wisconsin in 2016, but it came much later, after Trump had built a big lead and there was no chance of denying him a plurality of delegate support. Give Cruz that kind of victory earlier, and maybe there would have been a rush to his side, maybe Rubio would have accepted a role in a unity ticket, maybe Trump could have been defeated.

Or maybe not, because alongside the shape of party opinion and the role of luck theres a third factor that helped Biden do what NeverTrump could not: His fellow Democrats and especially his fellow politicians clearly just like him more than Republicans liked any of the NeverTrump candidates. Jebworld and Chris Christie loathed Rubio as an upstart, Kasich offered a cuddly persona but had alienated colleagues for years and almost every powerful Republican in Washington simply hated Cruz. So the idea of rallying around any one of them for the greater good was a tough ask, in a way that it simply isnt that tough for most Democratic politicians to sign on with Uncle Joe.

Its in this sense that Biden himself deserves particular credit. He wasnt just in the right place at the right time; he was the right-enough person, because across years and decades he succeeded in building up good will among both his allies and rivals  a political resource worth husbanding and one that on Super Tuesday definitely proved its worth.

@DouthatNYT
Soviet officials used then-mayor Bernie Sanderss attempts to establish a sister-city relationship with Yaroslavl, Russia as propaganda to reveal American imperialism as the main source of the danger of war, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.

As mayor of Burlington, Vt., Sanders was only one of several dozen mayors who already had or were applying to establish a relationship with a Soviet sister city at the time, in an effort to deescalate a possible nuclear conflict amid the tensions of the Cold War.

Asked by the Times to comment on the matter, Sanderss campaign stood by the decision. Mayor Sanders was proud to join dozens of American cities in seeking to end the Cold War through a Sister Cities program that was encouraged by President Reagan himself, a campaign spokesman said in a statement. The exchange between Burlington and Yaroslavl, which continues to this day, confirmed Sanderss long held view: by meeting face to face, we can break down the barriers and stereotypes that exist between people and their governments.

But Soviet documents at the time show that the Kremlin was happy to oblige the efforts for propagandistic purposes. One of the most useful channels, in practice, for actively carrying out information-propaganda efforts has proved to be sister-city contact, a Soviet Foreign Ministry document provided to Yaroslavl officials reads.

Sanderss written statements and comments at the time reveal a lack of knowledge regarding the level of coordination between local Yaroslavl officials and Soviet officials in Moscow.

When carrying out propaganda measures abroad, the forms and methods of the information-propaganda work and its concrete contents must be approved by the Soviet Embassy and take into account the Soviet Unions relationship with the given country, a Russian document says.

Sanders traveled to Yaroslavl in 1988 with a delegation, a trip he has called a very strange honeymoon after marrying his wife just before leaving.

Story continues

The trip left him impressed. People there seemed reasonably happy and content, Sanders told reporters in Burlington after the trip. I didnt notice much deprivation. He then wrote to the Soviet Embassy in Washington, expressing his desire to start the sister-city program.

It is my strong belief that if our planet is going to survive, and if we are going to be able to convert the hundreds of billions of dollars that both the United States and the Soviet Union are now wasting on weapons of destruction into areas of productive human development, there is going to have to be a significant increase in citizen-to-citizen contact, Sanders wrote.

An agreement was reached and Yaroslavl officials then traveled to Burlington, but not before promising in a letter to the Kremlin that they would emphasize the peace-loving foreign policy of the Soviet Union, attaching a seven-point plan for information-propaganda work on their visit and with specific talking points for each member of the delegation.

Sanders has drawn criticism on the campaign trail for favorable comments about Soviet-ally Cuba, including defending Fidel Castro in a 60 Minutes interview and a CNN town hall.

Earlier this week, an American who was imprisoned in Cuba until 2014 said he was offended when Sanders told him he did not see whats so wrong with this country while visiting him in captivity.

More from National Review
A tourist has been jailed for four and a half years for the rape of a woman during a visit to Ireland.

Hoi Ping Yung, 47, was convicted last December at the Central Criminal Court of raping the woman in a Dublin hotel room on Harcourt Street, Dublin city centre on November 21, 2013.

Yung, who owns a family takeaway business in the UK, had flown to Dublin with a male friend who knew the complainant. The three had travelled into Dublin city in the morning and spent the day drinking and visiting around five pubs.

After missing the last bus home, they agreed to get a twin room in a hotel. The victim went to sleep in a single bed while the two men took the double bed.

The woman told the trial she awoke twice to find Yung lying next to her and rubbing her arm and leg. She elbowed him away each time and fell back asleep.

She awoke a third time to find her body had been pulled down in the bed and Yung was raping her.

She said what the fuck and he stopped and got off her and got back into the other bed. The woman dressed quickly, left the hotel room and reported the rape.

Gardai quickly arrived at the scene and arrested Yung but he was deemed too drunk to be fit for interview. He was arrested some time later and told gardai he had no memory of the rape.

He said he wasn't denying sex had taken place but maintained that if it did happen it was consensual. He has no previous convictions, Sean Guerin SC, prosecuting, told the court.

Yung, formerly of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England had pleaded not guilty to rape.

Ms Justice Tara Burns noted the references and testimonials handed into court on Yung's behalf.

She said that while he may be a man of good character, the fact of the matter was he had committed a crime of the most violating nature against the woman. She noted the defence had presented alcohol as an explanation but not an excuse.

The judge said Young had violated the body of the woman without her consent which had had lasting and devastating consequences for her. She noted the ongoing effects on the woman's personal, family and work circumstances.

Ms Justice Burns took into account the fact Yung had no previous convictions, was a hard-working individual with a good work ethic and supportive family. She noted many people spoke well of him.

She noted he did not have family or friends in this jurisdiction but has had some family visits. She said there had been a delay in the prosecution but noted the victim also had to deal with the delay.

Ms Justice Burns set a headline sentence of seven and a half years but having regard to the mitigating factors she reduced this to four and a half years.

The judge wished the woman the best of luck in the future and told her she had been very brave to provided such a detailed victim impact statement.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday addressed the Upper house of the parliament on the US-Taliban peace deal. According to reports, Qureshi during his briefing said that Pakistan does not want India to play any security role in Afghanistan. Qureshi in his address further added that India has always been a spoiler in Afghanistan who wants to achieve its own objectives in the landlocked country.

Read: Taliban Attacks Kill 20 Afghan Soldiers Hours After Trump Call: Report

As per reports, Qureshi also talked about the growing presence of Al Qaeda and ISIS in Afghanistan where he said that Pakistan doesn't want any presence of militant organisations in its neighbouring country as it would disrupt the peace in the region. Qureshi while talking about the United States' offer to the Afghan government to help address the latter's misunderstanding with Pakistan, said that Islamabad wants to resolve all issues with Kabul bilaterally and doesn't want any involvement of a third party.

Qureshi in his address to the Senate further stated that Pakistan cannot give guarantee or take responsibility for peace in Afghanistan as all stakeholders will have to play their role in order to achieve stability in the war-torn country.

Read: Days After The Peace Deal, US President Donald Trump Had 'good Talk' With Taliban Leader

US-Taliban peace deal

The United States and the Taliban signed the peace deal after 18 months of negotiations and 20 years of war. The deal which was signed in the presence of leaders from Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan would see the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan under a timeline of 14 months. The deal also requires the Taliban to guarantee that their territory will not be used as a launchpad that would threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

Read: Peace Deal With Taliban Is Conditions-based Agreement: US Defence Secretary

The deal was signed by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a witness. As per reports, more than 1,00,000 Afghan citizens have lost their lives or wounded since 2009 when the UN Assistance Mission began documenting casualties.

Read: Taliban Ends Partial Truce Days After Peace Deal, To Resume Afghan 'operations'

Image Credit: AP
That bill, which would let the State Corporation Commission determine how the utility writes down the cost of closing old generating plants, passed the Senate in a rare case of a measure succeeding after being opposed by Dominion. It has also passed the House and is headed to Northams desk.
GRAFTON  A Bethalto woman has died and two others were seriously injured in a late night crash Wednesday on Illinois 100 near Grafton.

Allison Watson, 22, was in a Ford Taurus going west on Illinois 100 about 11:09 p.m. when it left the road two miles east of Grafton, struck a river bluff and overturned multiple times, according to a preliminary report by Illinois State Police. She died at the scene.
25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set out a clear path on how to achieve gender equality, the world has witnessed remarkable progress.

More girls are in school than ever before and more countries have reached gender parity in school enrolment.

Maternal mortality has fallen by 38 per cent between 2000 and 2017.

Over three quarters of countries now have legislation to tackle domestic violence.

However, the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action points out that violence against women and girls remains pervasive.

And the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) Tackling Social Norms: A game changer for gender inequalities study says that progress towards gender equality is, in fact, slowing. At present, only 14 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men worldwide have no gender social norm bias.

The glass ceiling is perhaps most apparent for women in areas that challenge hard power. In politics, men and women vote at similar rates, but less than one quarter of parliamentary seats globally are held by women.

This isnt just a gender gap. Its a power gap.

Indeed, new types of inequalities are rapidly emerging. Climate change has a disproportionate impact on women and girls while the digital gender divide is increasingly apparent.

Global protests from #MeToo to #UnVioladorEnTuCamino make it clear that its time for radical change and new solutions.

As we enter the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, we must shatter longstanding biases and prejudices if we are to achieve gender equality. UNDP is working across the globe every day to ensure that this happens.

Last year alone, UNDP formed 74 new partnerships to address discriminatory gender and social norms.

The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearing house for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) is changing perceptions of gender roles and advancing gender equality in the security sector reform sphere in the Western Balkans.

UNDPs Transforming the Future of Work for Gender Equality initiative is being piloted in six countries in Asia and the Pacific to explore new innovations to address unpaid care and domestic work; explore skills in the context of the future of work; and advance new ways to advance gender equality in the workplace.

And the Spotlight Initiative  a global, a multi-year partnership between the United Nations and the European Union -- is working to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

In line with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Actions visionary agenda, UNDP will continue to work closely with the UN family, particularly UN Women, to help advance a new generation of innovative laws, policies and programmes to change discriminatory beliefs and practices in order to achieve gender equality.

Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Check your own gender biases through this online survey, and share it on social media with the #CheckYourBias hashtag
Apple advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home on Friday amid heightened coronavirus concerns as the death toll in the US increased to 15 and the number of confirmed cases rose to more than 250.

In a memo seen by DailyMail.com and issued to all staff at the Santa Clara Valley offices named Apple Park, employees were told that the precaution was being taken following recent guidance from public health officials.

Staff were advised that offices would remain open but that they were 'encouraging team members' to stay away despite only sending the email when many would already be traveling to work.

Apple joined Facebook and Microsoft in introducing new policies to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus this week. An estimated 83,000 workers are affected by the closures and work-from-home policies within these three companies alone.

Apple's retail stores in the area will remain open.

Apple has advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home

An estimated 54,000 Microsoft employees have been effected by office closures this week

Facebook coronavirus closures sees an estimated 17,000 told to work from home

Tech company office closures: How many are affected? Microsoft: The company has asked its employees in its San Francisco Bay and Seattle HQ offices to work from home if they can do so. The Seattle campus has 54,000 employees but it is not known how many are in the San Francisco Bay. Microsoft has more than 80,000 employees across the country. Facebook: They told employees in its San Francisco Bay offices to stay at home on Friday and cancel all business trips due to the virus. Facebook already announced on Wednesday it has closed its Seattle office until at least March 9 after a contractor there was discovered to have contracted the virus. The two offices have an estimated 17,000 employees. Apple: Advised all 12,000 employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home Amazon: Company gave its more than 50,000 employees in the Washington state region a green light to work remotely after one of its headquarter employees tested positive for coronavirus. Google: The company is also encouraging workers in Washington state to stay away from offices and work from home. Advertisement

'As the COVID-19 response has developed, Apple's dedicated team has focused intently on what's best for the safety and well-being of our teams,' said the memo, which was sent to employees around 8.30am Friday when many would already have been on their way to work.

'On Friday, March 6, we are taking the additional precaution of encouraging team members in our SCV offices to work from home if you can do so.

'While offices will be open, this change is driven by recent guidance from public health officials that recommends minimizing dense gatherings and reducing proximity where possible.'

It added that the situation would be monitored over the weekend and further updates about the office would be issued.

Apple Park cost $5billion, covers 2.8 million square foot and opened in 2017 when it was still under construction.

Facebook also told employees in its San Francisco Bay offices to stay at home on Friday and cancel all business trips due to the virus. The company is believed to have around 14,000 employees in the Bay Area.

The social network, which has thousands of offices in the region, is 'strongly recommending' all workers in the area to work from home on Friday, March 6, a company spokesman told CNBC.

However, employees critical to the site's safety and security will still be required to work on-site, despite the city announcing its first two confirmed cases of the virus.

'Based on guidance from Santa Clara County today, we are strongly recommending that all Bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting tomorrow, Friday, March 6,' Facebook spokesperson Anthony Harrison Thursday evening said in a statement to CNBC.

'This decision is based on our desire to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, the health and safety of our teams, their loved ones and our neighbors remain a top priority.'

The Cupertino offices, named Apple Park, will remain open but staff was told to stay away

There are an estimated 3,000 employees at the Facebook Seattle offices

Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park has told it employees to remain at home also

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS? Like other coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold and that triggered SARS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. The most common symptoms are:

Fever

Dry cough

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing

Fatigue Although having a runny nose doesn't rule out coronavirus, it doesn't thus far appear to be a primary symptom. Most people only become mildly ill, but the infection can turn serious and even deadly, especially for those who are older or have underlying health conditions. In these cases, patients develop pneumonia, which can cause: Potentially with yellow, green or bloody mucus

Fever, sweating and shaking chills

Shortness of breath

Rapid or shallow breathing

Pain when breathing, especially when breathing deeply or coughing

Low appetite, energy and fatigue

Nausea and vomiting (more common in children)

Confusion (more common in elderly people)

Some patients have also reported diarrhea and kidney failure has occasionally been a complication. Avoid people with these symptoms. If you develop them, call your health care provider before going to the hospital or doctor, so they and you can prepare to minimize possible exposure if they suspect you have coronavirus. Advertisement

The social network is also cancelling any events in the Bay Area.

Facebook already announced Wednesday night that it has closed its Seattle office after a contractor there was discovered to have contracted the virus. Between the San Francisco and Seattle closures, around 17,000 employee of the company are estimated to be working from home.

The office will be closed until at least Monday, March 9, and the company is encouraging its employees to work from home for the remainder of the month.

Meanwhile, Google is asking employees in Washington state who can work from home to do so. It has more than 4,500 employees in Seattle.

Microsoft has already asked its employees in its San Francisco Bay and Seattle HQ offices to work from home if they can do so to restrict the spread of the virus.

The company has over 80,000 employees in the U.S., 54,000 of whom are based in the Washington state Redmond campus.

The company has committed to continue to pay its workers who are paid by the hour during the outbreak even if they can't come to work.

With the new policy for hourly workers, Microsoft is providing a steady income to its workers who aren't on a contract and need to be on site to do their work, including cleaners and kitchen staff.

'We recognize the hardship that lost work can mean for hourly workers,' Microsoft President Brad Smith wrote in a blog post on Thursday.

'As a result, we've decided that Microsoft will continue to pay all our vendor hourly service providers their regular pay during this period of reduced service needs.

'This is independent of whether their full services are needed.

'We're committed as a company to making public health our first priority and doing what we can to address the economic and societal impact of COVID-19.

'We appreciate that what's affordable for a large employer may not be affordable for a small business, but we believe that large employers who can afford to take this type of step should consider doing so.'

There are 4,500 hourly Microsoft employees at its Seattle headquarters alone.

Microsoft said it is exploring how best to introduce a similar policy to workers in other parts of the country and the world where coronavirus is having an impact. Microsoft employees in both regions have been asked to work from home until March 25 if they can.

'Taking these measures will ensure your safety and also make the workplace safer for those that need to be onsite,' executive vice president Kurt DelBene told employees in a post this week.

Employees for whom 'it is essential to be in the office or other work environments' should continue to go to their work locations and that the company would follow government guidelines for disinfecting its sites for essential personnel.

The Microsoft Redmond campus is the base for around 54,000 employees

Google, which has been steadily expanding operations in Seattle, is also encouraging workers in the Washington to stay away from offices to reduce risks amid the outbreak

Microsoft also asked employees to suspend any business travel to the areas 'unless essential for the continuity of Microsoft'. It said employees should cancel travel to areas with active coronavirus cases  which includes much of Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The company says it is using its technology to help combat the virus by 'pursuing additional steps to stay connected around the world', such as via telehealth solutions for medical industries and online learning programmes for schools and universities.

Microsoft is not the only Seattle-based company sending its employees home due to the virus, officially termed COVID-19.

Amazon, which has transformed the northwestern US city with its urban campus, has given its more than 50,000 employees in the region a green light to work remotely.

The company this week confirmed that an employee in Seattle had been quarantined after testing positive for the new coronavirus.

Google, which has been steadily expanding operations in Seattle, is also encouraging workers in the Washington to stay away from offices to reduce risks amid the outbreak which has killed more than 3,000 people globally.

Ride-sharing service Lyft said it encouraged its San Francisco staff to work from home for the remainder of the week after it learned one of its employees was in contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19.

'The team member has not exhibited any symptoms, and is in touch with medical professionals,' Lyft said in a response to an AFP inquiry.

'We are basing every step of our response process on CDC guidance, and out of an abundance of caution are encouraging our San Francisco headquarters employees to work from home.'

The Lyft headquarters in San Francisco, which remains open, was to undergo a deep-clean.

Global employer Twitter this week also told all 5,000 of its workers around the world to work from home because of the outbreak.

Google has also told all employees of its European headquarters in Dublin to go home and the company will also be conducting all Google interviews globally virtually via Hangout, its video call software.

The coronavirus death toll in the US is now at 15 after three more people were reported dead in Washington state as the number of confirmed cases across the country jumped to more than 250.

Of the 15 deaths, 14 have been reported in Washington state and one in California.

On Wednesday with an Amazon employee at the company's Seattle headquarters - which is just 12 miles from the outbreak nursing home - testing positive for coronavirus.

Amazon confirmed late Tuesday that the employees had tested positive for coronavirus after going home sick from work on February 25. An Amazon spokeperson told DailyMail.com: 'We're supporting the affected employee who is in quarantine.'

The internal email sent to Amazon employees in Seattle and nearby Bellvue said that any employees who had been 'in close contact' with the infected worker were notified separately, the Seattle Times reports.

The email instructed employees experiencing symptoms to stay at home and seek medical attention.

'Your health is our top priority and we are continuing with enhanced deep cleaning and sanitization in the office,' the message said.

Amazon has more than 50,000 employees in Seattle and more than 275,000 full-time workers across the U.S. Last week, Amazon became one of the first U.S. companies to crack down on employee travel due to the outbreak, banning all 'non-essential' work trips.

Many of the cases in Washington, including at least six deaths, have been linked to an outbreak at a nursing home facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

Fourteen of the Washington deaths have occurred in King County, which is where the nursing home is. One person died in nearby Snohomish County.

The California death was linked to a cruise ship that was still being held 400 miles off the coast on San Francisco on Friday amid fears of a suspected coronavirus outbreak.

An increase in testing across the country has seen a jump in confirmed cases in Washington, New York and California - with Indiana and Pennsylvania reporting its first cases in the last 24 hours.

Thousands of passengers on Grand Princess cruise ship to remain in their cabins after Coast Guard delivers coronavirus testing kits

Passengers on the cruise ship off the California coast have been instructed to stay in their cabins as they waited for test results on Friday that could show whether the coronavirus is circulating among the more than 3,500 people aboard.

The Grand Princess cruise ship was banned from docking at the port in San Francisco until passengers and crew complaining of flu-like symptoms during a 15-day roundtrip cruise to Hawaii could be tested for possible coronavirus infection.

On Thursday, the US Coast Guard airlifted a batch of diagnostic kits to the ship via helicopter, and public health officials said samples collected would be flown back to a San Francisco Bay Area state laboratory for testing.

State and local officials acted after learning that 35 people aboard the ship, which is carrying about 3,500 people, had fallen ill, and that two passengers who had traveled on the same vessel for a voyage last month between San Francisco and Mexico later tested positive for coronavirus.

One, an elderly man from Placer County near Sacramento with underlying health conditions, died this week, marking the first documented coronavirus fatality in California. The other, from the Bay area, was described by California Governor Gavin Newsom as gravely sick.

Health officials say both individuals likely contracted the virus while they were aboard the ocean liner.

The Princess cruise line said fewer than 100 passengers and crew from the Hawaii voyage of its Grand Princess have been identified for testing, including those who were ill.

The predicament of the Grand Princess cruise liner was reminiscent of the Diamond Princess vessel that was quarantined off the coast of Japan in February and was, for a time, the largest concentration of cornoavirus cases outside China.

Some American passengers from that ship were ultimately repatriated to military bases in California for extended quarantines.

The Grand Princess cruise ship has been banned from docking in San Francisco until passengers and crew complaining of flu-like symptoms during a 15-day roundtrip cruise to Hawaii could be tested for possible coronavirus infection

On Thursday, the US Coast Guard airlifted a batch of diagnostic kits to the ship via helicopter, and public health officials said samples collected would be flown back to a San Francisco Bay Area state laboratory for testing

The Grand Princess is currently 400 miles off San Francisco and heading for port having returned from Hawaii after 11 passengers and 10 crew reported symptoms of coronavirus

New York coronavirus cases jump to 44 - including five people in the city

The cases in New York state jumped to 44 on Friday, including five in New York City after a woman in her 50s tested positive following a trip to Israel.

The majority of the cases are in Westchester County and are linked to a 50-year-old Manhattan attorney who infected 29 others including his wife, 20-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, a neighbor and another family of five.

Two other cases - a woman in her 80s and man in his 40s - were also announced but are unrelated to the attorney. The two patients are currently in intensive care. Officials have not revealed any other information about their cases.

There is also now four people on Long Island who have the disease.

A 39-year-old female healthcare worker who has not been linked to the attorney had earlier tested positive after returning from a trip to Iran.

The new cases announced on Friday morning include a man in Manhattan, three members of the Young Israel congregation in New Rochelle, two friends of the lawyer, two staff members who live in Rockland County and worked at a bat mitzvah, and three people connected to New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital.

The rabbi of the Young Israel of New Rochelle synagogue, which the attorney is a member of, is among those who have tested positive.

The rabbi also teaches at the Yevisha University in Manhattan, which is where the attorney's son attends classes. The university has urged students to self-isolate as a precaution.

It comes after health officials urged 1,000 residents to self-quarantine after members of two families linked to the attorney were diagnosed with the virus.

Two private Manhattan schools - the all-girls Spence School on Manhattan's Upper East Side and the all-boys Collegiate School on the Upper West Side - have also now closed for sanitization.

One school in nearby New Jersey - Frisch School - also closed over fears some of its students may have come into contact with an infected Manhattan attorney.

In New York, health officials put hundreds of residents in self-quarantine after members of two families in the New York City suburb of New Rochelle were diagnosed with the virus. Two more unrelated cases were confirmed in New York City on Thursday, raising New York state's total to 13. A female healthcare worker who is also not linked to the attorney was the first in the state to test positive after returning from a trip to Iran

Trump's CDC trip fiasco: President WILL visit its HQ after calling off tour at last minute over fears of positive test for coronavirus as he signs $8.3 billion emergency spending bill amid mounting questions over lack of testing kits

President Trump will visit the CDC in Atlanta on Friday after initially calling it off because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus.

Trump told reporters on Friday that concerns were raised a day earlier about 'one person who was potentially infected' who worked at the CDC.

'Because of the one person they didn't want me going,' he added, explaining why a planned stop at the agency, which is working with state and local officials to help combat the spread of the new virus, was left off his schedule.

Trump said the person has since tested negative for the new virus.

Soon after, however, the White House confirmed the trip was back on and would take place on Friday afternoon.

Trump had planned to sign an $8.3 billion coronavirus response funding bill at the CDC but he instead signed it at the White House before his departure to travel to view tornado damage in Tennessee.

More than $3 billion of the spending bill money is intended for research and development into vaccines, test kits and treatments. There are no so far no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness, which began in China and has spread to some 80 countries and territories.

President Donald Trump boasted in a tweet on Thursday about the low US fatality count in comparison to the rest of the world

Trump had boasted in a tweet on Thursday about the low US fatality count in comparison to the rest of the world.

'With approximately 100,000 CoronaVirus cases worldwide, and 3,280 deaths, the United States, because of quick action on closing our borders, has, as of now, only 129 cases (40 Americans brought in) and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!' he tweeted.

He later said during a town hall in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Thursday night that he will continue to shake hands with people despite the coronavirus fears.

'I love the people of this country and you cannot be a politician and not shake hands,' he said. 'I'll be shaking hands with people and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you, I don't care. You have to do that.'

Trump started off his town hall defending his administration's response to the outbreak and again blamed President Barack Obama for the lack of testing kits.

Trump tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Washington state on Thursday after being tasked by Trump to lead the coronavirus response, has admitted that the administration won't be able to fulfill its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

He said there were not enough tests to meet demand going forward.

President Trump called off a visit to the CDC in Atlanta on Friday because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus before signing an $8.3 billion coronavirus response funding bill

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Washington state on Thursday, admitted that the administration won't be able to fulfill its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week

Top coronavirus expert says he CAN'T promise at least one million test kits in next week as CDC comes under fire for lack of testing and delays in approving kits

Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available.

He said the goal within the next two weeks was to have more than a million tests ready but he couldn't promise that would happen.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available

'I can't guarantee that, that's an issue that would have to go through the FDA and the companies to see if that's available,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'So I cannot promise it but that's what the goal is - within the next couple of weeks - to get the million plus [out].'

He earlier acknowledged missteps by the Trump administration in failing to get coronavirus test kits out quickly, but said the overall response was going well.

State and local authorities have been stepping up testing for the illness following a debacle with faulty kits from the CDC that officials say initially delayed results.

It is believed one of the chemicals used in the test did not work properly, resulting in the test being recalled and then re-manufactured.

Another issue was that the CDC initially set narrow criteria on who could be tested. At first, only those with a travel history to China - where the outbreak emerged - or those who had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient were tested. That changed after the first patient of 'unknown diagnosis' was confirmed in California, believed to be of so-called community spread.

'There were certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting tests out, some technical issues that slowed down the process,' Dr Fauci said.

The CDC and other health officials have come under fire for how slowly Americans are being tested.

'I'm not happy about the lack of the appropriate number of test kits  that's for sure  but other areas of the response, I think, are going well,' Dr Fauci said.

He also expressed frustration at the lack of screenings at US airports.
China, Japan and South Korea have well explained their profound friendship that enables them to work together to get through difficult times as they are making all-out efforts to combat the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus with multiple measures to mitigate the negative impacts on the economy, said Cao Jing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS).

She made the remarks during a recent interview with Peoples Daily. Their collaboration to combat the epidemic will inject new impetus to deepening their cooperation, Cao said.

Cao told Peoples Daily that the virus respects no borders, but neighboring countries care about each other. The heads of state and foreign ministers of the three countries have exchanged views on and pointed direction for enhancing cooperation to fight the epidemic through phone calls, visits and meetings.

Japan and South Korea have lent a helping hand to China in the fight against the epidemic. Despite its own short supplies of emergency materials, China has offered nucleic acid test reagents and masks for Japan and South Korea, Cao introduced. Though oceans apart, were under the same moon  the line that recently went viral is a highlight of the cooperation among the three countries, she said.

Cao believes that the cooperation and assistance in disasters are the sincerest. By offering timely assistance and extending the caring, the people of the three countries have released a strong signal to join hands to defeat the virus, protect their health, and promote regional health security, she said.

She holds that global countries are a community with a shared future in the era of globalization where they co-exist and co-develop, adding that the viruses are a public enemy of the entire human race, and no one is able to resist them alone.

We firmly believe that the epidemic is controllable and curable, and only by cooperation and mutual assistance can we finally defeat it, she said.

This year marks the beginning of the third decade of China-Japan-ROK cooperation, and the three countries are implementing the consensus reached at the China-Japan-ROK leaders meeting last year, injecting more impetus to their cooperation, Cao told Peoples Daily.

She said the tri-lateral cooperation is not only promoting the development of the three countries and driving East Asian collaboration, but also making huge contribution to global development and prosperity.

Though the epidemic would to different extents exert impacts on the economic development, personnel exchange and cooperation models of the three countries, they are only temporary, limited and remedial, Cao said.

The three countries see highly integrated interests and close connection among their supply and industrial chains. It is believed that their cooperation potential will embrace an accelerated release after the epidemic, which will further expand cooperation space, Cao said.

Cao introduced that China, Japan and South Korea shall deepen cooperation in three aspects. First, they should enhance health cooperation, including sharing information, conducting joint prevention and control, exchanging experiences, and strengthening epidemic prevention and quarantine at ports to jointly combat the virus and safeguard regional health security.

In addition, relying on the powerful scientific strength of the three countries, they should steadfastly promote scientific innovation and cooperation on modern services to foster new growth points and have the trilateral cooperation always in the leading position in East Asian cooperation.

Besides, they should also accelerate the Japan-China-ROK Free Trade Agreement negotiations to lower trade and investment barriers, promote economic and trade cooperation, and realize stable economic growth of the three countries and the region.

It is believed that after the epidemic, the three countries will regain their vitality; the friendship and mutual trust among the three peoples will be further enhanced; and their trilateral cooperation will be injected with new connotation and be brought onto a new level, Cao said.
5 Pennsylvania Schools Closed Due to Possible Coronavirus Exposure

Governor confirms two COVID-19 cases, to make disaster declaration

Possible cases of the new coronavirus have caused five schools in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania area to close down, according to local officials.

The closures came after state officials told the Central Bucks School District about the possible exposure to the virus, which has symptoms similar to the flu and causes a disease known as COVID-19.

Members of the Central Bucks community were exposed to a confirmed case of the coronavirus that originated in another state, Dr. John Kopicki, the district superintendent, wrote in a statement on Friday.

Community members who might have been exposed to the virus had contact with Butler Elementary School, Central Bucks South High School, Titus Elementary School, Tamanend Middle School, and Tohickon Middle School.

County health officials are currently evaluating these individuals to determine when they may return to school, Kopicki said. In response, a deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected facilities will be implemented.

Throughout this evolving situation, I will remain in contact with both the Bucks County Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Additional updates to the community will be shared as we learn more information, his statement continued.

Hours after the schools were shut down, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf confirmed two patients tested positive for the virus . Wolf said one of the patients, from Wayne County, traveled to another country where the virus is present. That patient is being isolated at their house.

The other patient, an adult from Delaware County, recently traveled to an area inside the United States where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed.

A woman in a face mask walks in the downtown area of Manhattan, New York City, after further cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in New York on March 5, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Both patients are being isolated at their homes. The cases were confirmed through local testing and will be verified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We anticipated this very scenario and have been preparing for Pennsylvanians to become impacted by this virus, Wolf said in a statement. This is not the first rapidly-spreading virus we have faced in our commonwealth and it will not be the last. We are prepared to mitigate the spread of this virus.

Officials across numerous states, and federal authorities, have said more cases of the new virus are likely as more testing is done.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine told Pennsylvanians that they should prepare for potential life disruptions. Family emergency plans and kits used to prepare for the flu or norovirus or inclement weather are important now, she said.

People should try to prevent further spread of the virus by washing their hands, covering their mouth or nose while coughing or sneezing, cleaning surfaces at home and at work, and staying home if ill.

Wolf also told reporters that he will sign a generic disaster declaration on Friday that would give the state more resources to combat the coronavirus. He said its different than a state of emergency, which other states have implemented in recent weeks to curb the spread of the virus.

On Thursday evening, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency after three COVID-19 cases were confirmed.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to join the international community in celebrating International Womens Day 2020, with the theme I am Generation Equality: Realizing Womens Rights.

The WCO proactively promotes Gender Equality and Diversity and has included this topic in its capacity building agenda. Over the past few years, the Organization has stepped up its efforts  developing new tools and launching new initiatives.

Gender Equality and Diversity was one of the topics covered at the last session of the WCO Policy Commission in December 2019. As a result, Members agreed to a number of actions to move the agenda forward, including the development of a WCO Declaration on Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs. The draft Declaration was discussed at the 11th Session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee in March 2020 and is expected to be adopted by the WCO Council in June 2020.

WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya stated that, Women play a central role in economic and social development, hence it is essential that Gender Equality and Diversity be realized in Customs administrations, based on a gender equality policy. He added that WCO Members are, therefore, encouraged to take stock of best practices and share them further at the international level to ensure a multiplying positive effect.

To get a better overview of the state of play of Gender Equality and Diversity implementation in Customs administrations, the WCO has conducted two surveys among its Members. The most recent one from 2019, received 95 responses and permitting the identification of some important progress on gender equality in Customs.

For instance, 75% of respondents, indicated that they have implemented at least one measure to promote work-life balance, and 80 % indicated that they have implemented at least one measure to prevent sexual harassment. The survey also showed that Customs is still a male dominated sector, although the figures vary significantly between countries, with a global average of 62% men and 38% women employees.

Ms. Fathmath Abdul Rahman, from Maldives Customs and Member of the WCO VWG on Gender Equality and Diversity, indicated that Taking part in the work of the WCO Virtual Working Group on Gender Equality and Diversity was an eye-opener. It has transformed women working in Maldives Customs to become stronger and bold. We can now raise our voices against gender inequalities and we feel more energized to fight against unfair treatment.

The WCO reaffirms its strong commitment to keep promoting and supporting the advancement of gender equality and diversity among its Members, and to continue working closely with its international partners to move this agenda forward.
The Duchess of Sussex was spotted at a school in east London. (Twitter/Alimat Aliyu)

The Duchess of Sussex has made a surprise visit to a school in east London after it emerged she also visited one of her patronages in secret.

Meghan was spotted on Friday afternoon at Robert Clack School in Dagenham. The reason for her visit is not yet clear.

Earlier on Friday it emerged that she visited the National Theatre on Thursday, which will remain one of her private patronages even after she steps back from her senior role, in a secret meeting.

It came ahead of her first official engagement back in the UK as she and Prince Harry prepare to stop receiving money from the crown.

Read more: Meghan Markle wears 29 Topshop blouse for private National Theatre visit

The couple attended the Endeavour Fund awards at Mansion House, where they each gave out an award and the duke made a brief speech.

At the National Theatre, the duchess visited the Immersive Storytelling Studio which uses virtual reality to experience life through another persons point of view.

The post on Instagram also confirmed their rumoured trip to Stanford University, in California.

Rufus Norris, the artistic director at the National Theatre, was forced to deny claims that bosses there were furious about the duchess stepping back.

He said: There has been no indication at all from her that her engagement with us would be anything other than business as usual.

She has proven to be a very engaged patron and we look forward to working with her. She has star reach, she understands the nature of what were trying to do.

Harry carried out an official engagement on Friday, opening the Silverstone experience with Lewis Hamilton.

During the event, he said: I'll keep this brief - there's nothing better than officially opening a building that is very much open.

The couple is back in the UK together after spending time in Canada. (Getty Images)

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a film star moment in the rain at Endeavour Awards

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They will appear together again on Saturday evening, when they attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music.

Meghan is also to mark International Womens Day on Sunday, but the event has not been confirmed.

On Monday, they will join other members of the Royal Family as they attend the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey.
New York: Boeing Chief Executive David Calhoun largely blamed his predecessor for the crisis over the 737 MAX, which remains grounded after two deadly crashes, in an interview published Thursday. Calhoun, a longstanding board member who took over as chief executive on January 13, told the New York Times that the problems at Boeing were even bigger than he anticipated.

"It's more than I imagined it would be, honestly," Calhoun said. "And it speaks to the weaknesses of our leadership." He said predecessor Dennis Muilenburg had ramped up Boeing's plane production too quickly.

"I'll never be able to judge what motivated Dennis, whether it was a stock price that was going to continue to go up and up, or whether it was just beating the other guy to the next rate increase," he said.

"If anybody ran over the rainbow for the pot of gold on stock, it would have been him." The MAX has been grounded since March 2019 following two crashes that killed 346 people. March 10 marks the one-year anniversary of the second crash on an Ethiopian Airlines plane.

A board member since 2009, Calhoun was named chairman in October when Boeing stripped Muilenburg of that role.

On December 23, Boeing named Calhoun as CEO, finally ousting Muilenburg entirely, and saying the company needed to "restore confidence" and "repair relationships with regulators, customers and all other stakeholders." Calhoun remains on the board, but Lawrence Kellner was named as non-executive chairman as part of the December shakeup.

Calhoun, who had publicly praised Muilenburg prior to the ouster, appeared in the interview to downplay board responsibility for the crisis.

Calhoun told the newspaper that he and the rest of the board did not question Muilenburg after the first MAX crash in October 2018 of a Lion Air plane in Indonesia and that the board trusted Muilenburg's instincts as an engineer and longtime Boeing executive.

"If we were complacent in any way, maybe, maybe not, I don't know," Calhoun said. "We supported a CEO who was willing and whose history would suggest that he might be really good at taking a few more risks."

The newspaper also reported that Calhoun implied that pilots were partly to blame for the crashes, saying in Indonesia and Ethiopia, "pilots don't have anywhere near the experience that they have here in the US."

Pilots groups criticized Muilenburg for blaming pilots for the accidents. Investigations of the crashes have pointed at a flight handling system that malfunctioned and made the plane impossible to control.

Boeing has been developing new software and training in an effort to win regulatory approval to resume flights on the MAX.

On Thursday, Boeing commercial plane chief Stan Deal told a Washington aviation conference that the company was still targeting mid-2020 to win regulatory approval for the MAX.
Magma Partners has more than doubled the size of its investable capital with the close of its latest $50 million fund. The Santiago, Chile-based venture firm founded in 2013 had secured $21 million that made up the outfit's second fund, which it raised after closing its debut fund with just $2.5 million. The firm's largest fund to date comes as investment in Latin America has reached a record high.

Magma has made 70 deals and its portfolio has seen three exits. General Partner Nathan Lustig tells me that Magma will continue to write $50,000 to $100,000 seed checks, and that its larger investments will range from up to $5 million to $7 million. The firm is targeting a few niches:

Fintech and insurtech companies in Latin America and the solutions that provide the cybersecurity, anti-fraud and identity management API layers needed to support them.

SaaS companies with tech and sales teams in Latin America that target a global user base.

The fund wont touch hardware or biotech and isnt really looking at anything outside its fintech and insurtech thesis.

With fund three, Magma has attracted its first institutional investor. IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the IDB Group, has approved an investment of $4 million in the fund. This now puts Magma on a more global radar, and, depending on success of fund three, could enable an even larger future fund four.

Chilean, Colombian and Mexican family offices were the biggest cohort of contributors to the fund, along with angel investors in both Latin America and the U.S.

Magma itself is made up of 15 people across both operations and investing, and the team is spread remotely across Santiago, Bogota, Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Magma Media and the agency model

While a relatively young firm, Magma has been focused from the start on developing an agency model to support its founders -- one that serves as both educator and, in many cases, connector. Latin America suffers from a lack of educational content around company building. That's why Magma is launching Magma Media, an in-house, media operations unit determined to help its portfolio companies succeed.

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If youve only raised a small round, hiring the wrong person could kill your startup."

Lustig says that the Magma team is made up of former entrepreneurs, and that the goal of Magma Media is to build from the ground up the services they wish theyd had as founders. Inspired by the Andreessen Horowitz agency model, Magma also offers to its startup founders content marketing, sales, recruiting and PR services. Regarding the importance of content marketing, he notes that "if you have a great product and a great idea but you can't communicate what you're doing, no one will buy it. As for the in-house recruiter who is helping to educate founders on making the right hires, Lustig says, If youve only raised a small round, hiring the wrong person could kill your startup." These are the kind of company building tips that aren't as widely circulated in Latin America's comparatively nascent startup scene as they are in Silicon Valley.

Magma has been hustling to expand a network of twenty corporations across Latin America -- similar to the Andreessen agency model -- that will take meetings with their portfolio, given that the lockdown of an early corporate partnership is a big win for a startup.

The firm encourages successful Latin American startups to feed back into the ecosystem by adapting agency-like networks similar to a16z and Y Combinator, through which startups leverage a network of pre-vetted services and sign on as each other's first customers. One Magma company, OmniBank, is already factoring out its financial loan services to a few other companies in its portfolio in efforts to emulate this network model that has seen success in the U.S.

As for diversity and inclusion, Lustig says that 35% of the Magma portfolio has at least one female founder and that they hope to grow that percentage.

Asian capital is smarter capital in Latin America

Despite Lustig's admiration for some American models of investment, he observes that China is eating the U.S.s lunch in Latin America, referring to the capital flowing into the region from Asian sources. Didi entered Latin America in 2018 via its $1 billion acquisition of Brazilian ridesharing company 99. Tencents $180 million strategic investments into Nubank propelled the Brazilian neobanks valuation to reach $10 billion. And of course, Tokyo-based SoftBank committed $6 billion to invest in Latin American companies via its Latin American Innovation Fund, fueling Colombias Rappi and Brazils Creditas with growth-stage investments that have allowed the companies to scale aggressively.

In fact, while U.S. funds are beginning to wake up to the Latin America opportunity, Lustig believes that Asian capital in Latin America is smarter capital. Some of it has to do with pattern matching. Globally, Southeast Asia and Latin America count similar population sizes of around 640 million, and 18 out of the 25 biggest cities in the world are in either Southeast Asia or Latin America.

Congruent geographic patterns and likeness in population volume means that tech solutions achieved by startups in Southeast Asia could also function in Latin America -- warranting heavier investment, especially when considering how much has been invested into Southeast Asia. Lustig estimates that Southeast Asia saw somewhere between $16 billion and $20 billion invested in 2019, and it has a lower GDP than Latin America.

Lustig highlights online education as just one example of technology thats more developed in Asia and that could be used to reach rural areas in Latin America that dont have as much access. Asian e-commerce and mobile payments models are other sectors that Latin American companies can borrow from, he says, stressing that Latin America features a very social culture. It explains why Brazil is one of Facebooks largest markets, but also, linking social to commerce is a huge opportunity that could show up and generate big returns in Latin America.

Latin American startups should borrow success from the pioneering agency models invented by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator on their home ground, while pattern matching the tech solutions that worked for startups in geographically analogous Southeast Asia and China.

Asian investors may not share the same racist and xenophobic rhetoric around Latins that exists in the United States, too, says Lustig. Though an American himself, he believes a bias against Latins exists in the U.S. There are still many very educated people in the U.S. who think that Colombia is Narcos on Netflix. In his experience, he observes that Asian investors arent wired to think like that and are instead focused on the growth fundamentals.

Put all the pieces together, suggests Lustig, and the opportunity becomes clear. One of the most exciting parts about investing in Latin America is that if you can actually solve some of these problems, yes you can generate a big return. [Y]ou might also help tens to hundreds of millions of people solve basic problems that people in the U.S. take for granted. So I think the advice for founders is to go out and try to solve the problems that they're seeing in their day to day, he says.

Latin American startups should borrow success from the pioneering agency models invented by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator on their home ground, while pattern matching the tech solutions that worked for startups in geographically analogous Southeast Asia and China. Magma hopes its strategy will prepare Latin American startups for the incoming mega-rounds from Asia that will enable the best companies to enter hypergrowth mode.

Meanwhile, in a note to American investors, Lustig says that the U.S. really needs to up its game in Latin America if it wants to continue to have influence.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that there is no need to worry for the depositors of Yes Bank, which has been put under a moratorium by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

We have been monitoring the situation. Now that RBI has come up with a plan, a resolution will be found at the earliest. I want to assure the depositors and investors that both the RBI and government is looking into the issue. There is no need to panic, their money is safe, Sitharaman said on Friday.

We have taken a course which will be in everybodys interest. RBI has assured that a resolution will be find as soon as possible, she added.

The minister also said that though there is a cap of Rs 50,000, the RBI has already announced that if people need more funds for exigencies, they can follow the guidelines given by the central bank.

Also read: Yes Bank resolution will be done swiftly, 30 days is outer limit: RBI Governor

RBI governor Shaktikanta Das had said earlier in the day that Yes Bank resolution will be done very swiftly and that 30 days is an outer limit.

The 30 days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see very swift action from the RBI to put in place a scheme to revive Yes Bank, Das told news agency PTI.

Watch | Yes Bank crisis: RBI caps withdrawal at 50,000, people queue up outside ATMs

On Thursday evening, the central bank put Yes Bank under moratorium and capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account till further orders. The central bank had taken over the Mumbai-based banks board for 30 days amid a serious deterioration in Indias fifth-largest private sector lenders financial position.

Also read: No Yes Bank: Rahul Gandhi aims at PM Modi over banks crisis

The governor said that the decision was at a larger level and not at individual entity level. The move is aimed at ensuring safety of financial system, he added.

Yes Bank shares tumbled 60 per cent as markets took a hit and banking stocks came under pressure after RBI actions over the crisis.
CCTV images have been released by police of a man suspected of carrying out a racially motivated attack of 'coronavirus rage'.

The pictures depict a suspect who is alleged to have punched and knocked a woman unconscious after she stepped in to defend her Chinese friend who she says was accused of carrying coronavirus.

Trainee lawyer Meera Solanki, from Solihull, was out with friends celebrating her 29th birthday at Birmingham's Ana Rocha Bar and Gallery on Frederick Street.

Miss Solanki was inside the venue with her friends including Mandy Huang, 28, who was visiting from London, when the group were targeted by a group of Asian men.

Police have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to trace after a woman was assaulted and another racially abused in a 'coronavirus rage' attack in Hockley, Birmingham

The friends left the bar after Miss Solanki said she was repeatedly harassed by one of the men who later followed the three women out of the venue at around 2am on Sunday 9 February.

Miss Solanki said: 'I was having birthday drinks with a group of of girls and guys including Chinese friends.

'There were a group of Asian men inside the venue - one of them kept coming up to me and harassing me. He seemed to have a problem with me being an Indian girl with a multi-racial group of friends,' she told The Sunday Mercury.

The friends left the bar after Miss Solanki said she was repeatedly harassed by one of the men who later followed the three women out of the venue at around 2am on Sunday 9 February.

Trainee lawyer Meera Solanki, from Solihull (left) with friend Mandy Huang, 28, from London (right)

Trainee lawyer Meera Solanki (pictured), from Solihull, was out with friends celebrating her 29th birthday

Miss Solanki said: 'I was having birthday drinks with a group of of girls and guys including Chinese friends.

'There were a group of Asian men inside the venue - one of them kept coming up to me and harassing me. He seemed to have a problem with me being an Indian girl with a multi-racial group of friends,' she told The Sunday Mercury.

Miss Solanki added: 'We tried to ignore him, even when he tried to spit at one of my friends.

'Towards the end of the night - there was just the three of us girls left including my Chinese friend Mandy.

She continued: 'The man came over again and was being aggressive so we left but he followed us.

Meera Solanki (left) pictured with Mandy Huang (right), 28, who was visiting from London for Miss Solanki's 29th birthday

Miss Solanki added: 'We tried to ignore him, even when he tried to spit at one of my friends.

'Towards the end of the night - there was just the three of us girls left including my Chinese friend Mandy.

She continued: 'The man came over again and was being aggressive so we left but he followed us.

'For some reason he got really angry with her. He started abusing her calling her a dirty c****.

'He said 'take your f****** coronavirus and take it back home.'

Miss Solanki was inside Birmingham's Ana Rocha Bar and Gallery (pictured file image) on Frederick Street with her friends when the group were targeted by a group of Asian men

Miss Solanki told how she was 'shocked and angry' and shouted at the man to stop while she tried to push him away.

'He punched me in the head, I hit the pavement and was knocked unconscious,' Miss Solanki said.

An ambulance was called to the scene and a witness said: 'What I saw was beyond despicable. A totally vicious assault.'

Miss Solanki spent six hours at Heartlands Hospital where she was treated with concussion and was off work for a week.

She added: 'I was so shocked and horrified by his aggressive behaviour and horrific words.

'As I lay unconscious he continued to threaten my friends and abuse them before walking away calmly with his group of friends who did nothing to stop him or help me.'

A member of a Birmingham based Anglo-Chinese group said yesterday paranoia surrounding the disease has led to unease and confrontation.

West Midlands Police have launched an appeal to find the thug responsible for the shocking violence.

There are 400,000 Chinese people living in England and Wales.

Reports of coronavirus violence has already surfaced in Newcastle, York and Manchester.

A police spokesman said: 'We want to trace this man after a woman was assaulted and another racially abused in Hockley, Birmingham.

'A man made racist remarks to a Chinese woman, aged in her 20s, in Frederick Street at around 2am on February 9.

'As he was asked to stop he punched another woman, also in her 20s, in the face.

'She was temporarily knocked unconscious but escaped without serious injury.

'The attacker is described as Asian, 5ft 8ins tall, of large build and was wearing a flat cap and hoodie at the time.'

A spokeswoman for Birmingham Chinese Society, set up to foster relations between the city's Western and East Asian residents, said: 'There has always been abuse. The virus has given some individuals a reason for that abuse.'

She explained: 'We wear masks to protect others from our coughs and sneezes.

Some wear them as a protection against pollution. Some women wear them because they don't want to be seen without make-up. We do it to protect others, not ourselves.'

A manager at Ana Rocha Bar confirmed the attack had taken place outside his premises, but said he was unaware what sparked the violence.

The popular venue has CCTV of the incident.

Co-owner of popular Chinatown restaurants Wing Wah and Caffe Dorian Chan said: 'I have heard of similar attacks based on people's shocking racism after the coronavirus outbreak.

'Thankfully, this attack has been reported to the police. And it's vital there is a proper investigation.'

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: 'We're investigating after a woman was assaulted after another was racially abused in Frederick Street, Hockley, around 2am on Sunday February 9.

'A man made racist marks to one woman and after he was asked to stop he punched another female, in her 20s, in the face.

'She was temporarily knocked unconscious but escaped without serious injury.

'The attacker is described as Asian, 5ft 8ins tall, of large build and was wearing a flat cap and hoodie at the time.

'Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Quote crime reference number 20BW/39330Q/20.'

West Midlands Ambulance Services said: 'We were called at 2:03am on February 9 to reports of an assault at an address on Frederick Street. An off-duty paramedic was already at the scene with the patient.

'The woman didn't want to be taken to accident and emergency, so our crews were stood down.'
WASHINGTON  It took Joe Bidens moderate rivals just hours to unite behind his presidential campaign after they left the race. Bernie Sanders hasnt been so fortunate.

Elizabeth Warren, one of Sanders closest ideological allies, declined to endorse anyone after suspending her campaign on Thursday. She didnt rule out an endorsement of her New England neighbor but said she wanted to take a deep breath and spend a little time on that.

High-profile Warren supporters across the country, particularly women, were also hesitant to race into Sanders camp. And on Capitol Hill, where Biden was racking up new endorsements daily, the Vermont senator hasnt earned a single new endorsement, even among the most progressive elected officials, in two weeks.

The dangerous silence from Warren and progressive officials across the country comes at the worst time for Sanders, whos suddenly losing momentum in a two-man race with the former vice president as another set of high-stakes primary elections looms. Sanders is moving forward with the same coalition that was beaten soundly earlier this week. And if he cannot find a way to grow, and grow quickly, the Vermont senators 2020 challenge will only become more dire.

There is an increasing sense of frustration within Sanders campaign, where a divide over strategy has emerged between opposing camps, according to a person close to the campaign who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private discussions.

On one side, campaign manager Faiz Shakir wants to empower the pool of existing supporters, such as progressive congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, because of their organic appeal to voters. On the other, senior adviser Jeff Weaver is pushing for a wider range of endorsements to broaden Sanders coalition.

Within the campaign, some lament Sanders unwillingness to court elected officials as Bidens coalition grows exponentially. The former vice president earned endorsements this week from three former rivals just hours after they suspended their campaigns: Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Mike Bloomberg. Another former competitor, former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke, also endorsed Biden on the eve of Texas primary, which Biden narrowly won.

Bidens team has already announced plans to dispatch Klobuchar, a Midwestern moderate, to Michigan ahead of the states critical primary election on Tuesday.

Many would-be Sanders supporters, meanwhile, are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Campaign Change Committee, said the organization would ultimately endorse whomever Warren does.

We are among her many supporters who are rooting for her to exert every ounce of leverage she has in this moment of goodwill in order to advance the big ideas and the people she cares so much about, Green said Thursday.

He said Warren, a former Harvard law professor and expert on the legalities of contracts, would approach the decision carefully and that process might be time-intensive or it might not be.

The National Organization for Women, whose political action committee endorsed Warren earlier in the week, encouraged Warren to take her time. In an interview, NOW President Toni Van Pelt urged Warren not to endorse Sanders.

She has a lot of leverage right now. We do trust her to make the right decisions on how to proceed. But wed like her not to rush into this, Van Pelt told The Associated Press.

We think that our constituents, our members, will not necessarily think of Sanders as the best choice. We wouldnt have the Violence Against Women Act if it wasnt for Bidens leadership, she continued. Sanders doesnt have a record. Hes really, as far as we know, done next to nothing for women and for our issues.

Sanders has the public support of nine members of Congress, yet he has earned no new endorsements since Feb. 20. Biden has won at least 26 this week alone.

One of Sanders few allies in Congress, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said Thursday that Warrens support would be a game-changer. But thats her decision to make, he said.

Khanna said it has been difficult to line up congressional endorsements for Sanders because he was seen as such a long shot originally. He and other Sanders supporters have hosted a half dozen salons  evening gatherings in Washington with groups of 10 to 15 lawmakers  to try to generate new support.

He very much values these endorsements, Khanna said of Sanders.

But relative to his rivals, Sanders and his senior team have not invested as much time or energy into courting influential Democrats or their networks. Sanders team suggested their outreach would grow substantially after Super Tuesday, yet there has been little sign of a strategic shift in recent days.

Sanders allies concede that his unique candidacy presents challenges as they try to grow. Specifically, his core message rails against the political establishment. And by definition, elected officials are part of the establishment.

It is hard to wage a war against the political establishment and win their support. Bernie was always going to do this on the backs of the grassroots movement, said Neil Sroka, of the group Democracy For America, which endorsed Sanders this week.

One potential bright spot: Sanders in the coming days is expected to win the backing of the Working Families Party, which endorsed Warren last fall. The group declined to weigh in on a possible endorsement immediately after Warrens exit on Thursday but has publicly signaled support for both Warren and Sanders.

Former Democratic presidential contender Marianne Williamson, who endorsed Sanders last month, decried the wave of establishment support for Biden. She called it a coup on social media, but in an interview, she suggested that Sanders could do a better job of expanding his coalition.

She said Sanders did a better job four years ago speaking to the needs and aspirations of white, working-class people.

I do hope that more effort will be made to make it clearer that his positions, his platform and his policies uplift every working and would-be working person. That was clear last time, and I wish it were clearer this time, Williamson said.

Meanwhile, elected officials on the ground in key states offered an inside look at Sanders political operation.

Former Iowa Secretary of State candidate Deidre DeJear, who became the states first African American to represent a major party on the statewide ballot in 2018, said she spoke personally with at least 10 Democratic presidential contenders before Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses last month.

Sanders was the only major omission, even though she made a weeklong effort to seek him out.

There is strength in building a coalition that is going to continue to grow. And theyre not focusing on their growth, said DeJear, who ultimately decided to support Warren.

She added: I dont think anybody can doubt his commitment to certain things. But in this point in which we stand as a country, Im wondering if he is the best leader for the office of the president.

___

Peoples reported in New York. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game.
Yes Bank

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Share price of private lender Yes Bank has recovered nearly 200 percent from the lows of Rs 5.55. RBI superseded YES Bank board and capped per day deposit withdrawal limit at Rs 50,000.

The Central Government has imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank, restricting the withdrawal of deposits to Rs 50,000. However, any withdrawal over the amount will require the permission of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

There were pending sell orders of 14,276,728 shares, with no buyers available.

Also Read - Yes Bank: Govt caps deposit withdrawal at Rs 50,000

In another related development, RBI on March 5 said it is superseding the board of the bank with an immediate effect. The former State Bank of India CFO Prashant Kumar has been appointed as the administrator.

"This has been done to quickly restore depositors' confidence in the bank, including by putting in place a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation," the RBI said in a statement.

Also Read - RBI supersedes YES Bank board with immediate effect

According to CNBC-TV18 sources, SBI and LIC are likely to each pick up 24.5% in the Yes Bank and likely to appoint a new MD for Yes Bank to get the board control.

Also Read - YES Bank rescue plan: Govt may nudge LIC to play white knight along with SBI

National Stock Exchange (NSE) in its circular said that no Future and Options contracts shall be available in the Yes Bank for trading in the equity derivative segment from May 29, 2020 onwards.

The existing Future and Options contracts, across all expiries shall expire on May 28, 2020.

On March 5, JP Morgan slashed the target price on shares of the bank to Re 1 (from Rs 55 earlier) and retained its underweight call as the brokerage believes the networth is largely impaired.

According to JP Morgan, the sovereign bailout is a bondholder/depositor bailout and not an equity one. It believes that the net worth is largely impaired and rally in the stock is unjustified.

The new capital will likely to come in at a steep discount to current share price.

SBI being called for national service is incrementally negative for its valuations and it sets a precedent for nationalisation of any future private losses, JP Morgan added.

UBS | Rating: Sell | Target: Rs 20 per share

According to UBS the bank is facing two possibilities going ahead, 1) possibility is that the government or SOEs keep infusing capital into the bank in coming years and 2) possibility is after initial investments, bank succeeds in raising capital from markets or PEs.

Macquarie | Rating: Underperform | Target: Rs 25 per share

The main challenge is who will want to buy Yes Bank. The biggest risk was a sudden collapse of Yes Bank & freezing of liquidity & payments market.

However, the sudden collapse has been averted now by the RBI & government and specifically for Yes Bank & SBI, expect a sharp downward move in the stocks.

At close, Yes Bank was quoting at Rs 16.20, down Rs 20.65, or 56.04 percent on the BSE.
Amid the ongoing Coronavirus fear in India, health authorities in Rajasthan have screened as many as 130 people from Nepal for Coronavirus. The 130 visitors from Nepal have come on a visit to attend the Khatu Shyam Ji fair in Sikar, Rajasthan. No traces of the virus were found in any visitor from Nepal.

Talking about scanning 130 people from Kathmandu, Additional District Collector Jai Prakash said, "130 people coming from Kathmandu in Nepal have been screened for coronavirus. None of them displayed any symptoms of the deadly virus."

The police personnel deployed in the security of the fair were also spotted wearing masks. The administration in Rajasthan is on a high alert in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus.

READ | At least 215 people came in touch with COVID-19 affected Italian group: Rajasthan health minister

'215 people came in touch with COVID-19 affected Italian group'

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma informed on Wednesday stated that at least 215 people came in contact with the COVID-19 affected group of Italian tourists that had visited various places in the state. Fifty-three people in Jhunjhunu, 14 each in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, 44 in Bikaner, six in Udaipur and 76 people in Jaipur came in contact with the group.

READ | Bihar govt issues coronavirus alert; direct officials to monitor visitors from Nepal

Coronavirus Outbreak

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on March 6 visited the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi to inspect the preparedness to tackle coronavirus outbreak. Harsh Vardhan visited Terminal-3 of the international airport to take stock of the arrangements made for the screening of passengers coming from the 78 countries that have reported active coronavirus cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it had registered 2,241 new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide within the past 24 hours, with 84 people having died, which brought the total death toll to 3,282. The whole number of people, who were diagnosed with COVID-19, has reached 95,333, including 80,565 people in China. India has so far confirmed 31 positive Coronavirus cases. COVID-19 was first detected in China's Wuhan in late December and has since spread across the world. In late January, the WHO declared a global health emergency in light of the epidemic.

READ | Coronavirus: Rajasthan govt directs officials to take measures in places visited by Italian tourists

READ | Now, Rajasthan MP seeks probe on 'whether Coronavirus originated from Sonia Gandhi's home'

(With inputs from ANI/PTI)
Family violence service providers face funding cuts and closures even as one woman is killed every week.

Canberra, Australia  Federal and state womens safety ministers in Australia are meeting in Canberra on Friday to discuss the need for major reform in handling the countrys family violence crisis.

At least 80 organisations have signed a letter by the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance (AWAVA) and Fair Agenda to call for urgent and immediate changes to improve womens safety.

The letter outlines five actions that can be implemented immediately, including fully funding womens and childrens services and putting childrens safety first in the family law system.

The meeting was called in response to the murders of Hannah Clarke and her three children  Laianah, six, Aaliyah, four, and Trey, three  by her former partner in Brisbane on February 19.

Clarke and her children burned to death when Rowan Baxter poured petrol on their vehicle and set it alight. Baxter later committed suicide on the scene.

Clarke had a police-issued protection order against her ex-partner, and police have confirmed that there was a history of violence in the relationship. It is believed that Baxter ambushed Clarkes car, as she drove their children to school.





Across Australia, police respond to one family violence incident every two minutes and women are three times more likely than men to experience violence from their partner.

According to Our Watch, a non-governmental organisation that campaigns against violence against women and families, one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner. Nine women have been murdered by men in Australia so far in 2020.

Budget cuts

Advocates hope that the meeting on womens safety scheduled on Friday will agree that urgent steps be taken to combat violence against women.

The five interventions [we are calling for] can be implemented quickly and make a real difference within weeks, said Fair Agendas Executive Director Renee Carr.

There are services that women are reaching out to right now that arent sufficiently funded, and there are other services facing cuts, Carr told Al Jazeera.

Were so far from where governments need to be in handling violence against women.

A group of protesters rally to end violence against women in Australia in 2019 [File: James Ross/EPA]

Larissa Waters, co-deputy leader of the Australian Greens, announced on Thursday she had written to Minister for Women Marise Payne to push for 5.3 billion Australian dollars ($3.49bn) of funding over 10 years.

She called for improvements to front-line police services, highlighting concerning reports of police mishandling in family violence cases.

Women who have survived domestic violence wont seek police help if they think they will be disbelieved, or exposed to more danger, Waters said in the letter.

Nothing is off the table

Payne, who also serves as Australias Foreign Minister, said that nothing is off the table for discussion in Fridays meeting.

Tens of family service providers around Australia are facing funding shortages and closures after repeated budget cuts by federal and state governments.

The National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum (NFVPLS) is one of these organisations.





National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (NFVPLS) is Australias multi-agency representing Indigenous survivors of family violence. They have been told that their 244,000 Australian dollar ($161,000) -a-year funding will not be renewed beyond June 2020.

Even in their current position, NFVPLS estimates that up to 40 percent of women contacting them for assistance are turned away due to a lack of capacity to support them.

We keep hearing calls for innovative solutions to tackling domestic violence, said Joanne Yates, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW. She argues that what is needed is sustainable resourcing for front-line services, not innovation.

These are the crucial services that make women and children safe, Yates said. This for us would be real innovation.

More staff needed

Dawn House is a womens shelter in Darwin, Northern Territory and provides services to women and children escaping family violence. More than 80 women stayed at the shelter in the first six months of 2019 alone, with an average stay of four to six weeks.

Ive been at Dawn House since 1996 and the situation hasnt changed very much, said Executive Officer Susan Crane. Dawn Houses government funding was threatened with cuts in 2019 before being reversed in a last-minute decision.

The solution isnt necessarily having more emergency accommodation. We could get more houses but we dont have the staff, Crane explained to Al Jazeera. Were limited in what we can offer because of funding.

Australias federal government has earmarked $161m to implement four-year programmes addressing violence against women [File: James Ross/EPA]

The federal government is currently implementing the fourth national action plan to address violence against women. The plan will cost 340 million Australian dollars ($224m) over four years, but advocates say it is not enough.

A parliamentary inquiry into the family law system is also currently under way, threatening to draw organisations focus and resources from services to participating in the inquiry.

Family violence service providers say the inquiry is not necessary, arguing that it is the result of One Nation Senator Pauline Hansons unsupported claims that women are falsely accusing men of violence.

Fridays meeting is a really big opportunity, Fair Agendas Carr said.

Despite a lot of lip service, the Morrison government all too often ignores experts in womens safety, including experts in the family law inquiry, [but today] they have the people in the room today to help lock in the decisions.

They could make really big strides if they decided to do so, she concluded.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled land acquisition proceedings initiated under an earlier act will not lapse under the new legislation even if compensation is not deposited in a court after owners had declined to accept the money.

Once the compensation amount is tendered by the state, its obligation will stand complete with respect to the payment of compensation, a five-judge Constitution Bench held in a judgment which came as a relief to various such proceedings initiated under the earlier Land Acquisition Act of 1894.

Landowners, who had refused to accept the compensation under the earlier act, now cannot take benefit of deemed lapse of acquisition under Section 24 of the new act of 2013, the bench said.

All previous judgments by the Supreme Court in this regard, including from 2014 in the Pune Municipal Corporation, were overruled by the court.

Section 24(2) of the new act provides for the lapse of proceedings initiated under the earlier legislation if the award of compensation under it was made prior to five or more years before the commencement of 2013 act but the physical possession of the land was not yet taken by the government or the compensation was not yet paid.

The issue before the court was whether non-deposit of compensation under section 31 of the earlier act will results in the lapse of acquisition, especially when compensation had been tendered but refused by landowners.

In 2014, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising justice RM Lodha, justice Madan Lokur and justice Kurian Joseph held that even if the award of compensation has been made under the 1894 act, unless the compensation is paid to landowners or deposited before the court, the land acquisition will lapse as provided in section 24(2) of 2013 legislation.

The deposit of the compensation amount in the government treasury will not be sufficient to discharge the obligation, the court said.

A two-judge bench, however, took a different view in December 2017. Since the Pune Municipal Corporation judgment was by a three-judge bench, the matter was sent to a larger bench.

The larger bench of three judges comprising justice Arun Mishra, justice AK Goel and justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar in February 2018 gave a comprehensive judgment in which it took a view opposite to the Pune Municipal Corporation judgment.

It held that non-deposit of compensation in court under section 31(2) of the 1894 act will not result in a lapse of acquisition under section 24(2) of the new legislation of 2013. Due to the failure of deposit in court, the only consequence at the most, in appropriate cases may be of a higher rate of interest on compensation and not lapse of acquisition.

Once the amount of compensation has been unconditionally tendered and it is refused by landowners, that would amount to payment and the obligation under section 31 of 1894 act and section 24(2) of the new legislation would be discharged.

The court held it is not open to the person who has refused to accept compensation, to argue that since it has not been deposited in court, the acquisition has lapsed.

Claimants or landowners cannot take advantage of their own wrong after refusal and seek protection under the provisions of section 24(2), it ruled.

This judgment led to a big controversy because it had held the earlier Pune Municipal Corporation judgment to be per incuriam or a ruling delivered ignoring the law.

As per the established legal principles, if a bench disagrees with the judgment of another bench of equal strength, it should be referred to a larger bench which was not adhered to in this matter.

In fact, immediately after the judgment was delivered similar matters came up before a bench comprising justice Madan Lokur and justice Kurian Joseph, who were on the bench which had delivered the Pune Municipal Corporation judgment.

They took strong objection to the Indore Development Authority judgment.

Justice Dipak Misra, who was then the chief justice of India, formed a Constitution Bench to settle the issue.

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Turmoil is rising in China's oil industry as the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic threaten independent refiners and their sources of finance.

The sudden plunge in economic activity in February stunned China's independent refiners, known as teapots, after domestic fuel sales froze and oil demand dropped by an estimated 3.2 million barrels per day.

The refineries concentrated in coastal Shandong province slashed production runs in response, but not enough to keep up with the steep slide in demand.

High inventories have forced the teapots to boost fuel exports in a glutted market, leading to lower prices and losses.

The research arm of state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) estimates that first-quarter demand for oil products this year will fall 35.7 percent from a year earlier, Reuters reported.

On Feb. 24, the news agency said that international banks had suspended U.S. $600 million (4.1 billion yuan) in credit lines to at least three private refiners due to "rising concerns about overall industrial defaults."

The three refiners account for a combined 240,000 barrels of oil per day, based on their government-issued annual import quotas of 12 million metric tons, Reuters said.

The impact may be symptomatic of larger troubles for the industry and the economy as the government tries to restore production and transport in regions where COVID-19 infections have been kept at relatively low levels.

On Feb. 27, reports surfaced that Hontop Energy, a Singapore-based oil buyer for private refiner Shandong Tianhong Chemical Co., had gone into receivership earlier in the month. The Hontop shutdown sounded an alarm for the industry that handles about 20 percent of China's oil imports.

"Its demise brings focus onto the financial health of many of China's private refiners, ... which have built up massive debt loads to modernize infrastructure and procure crude on a global scale," Bloomberg News said.

But in another report this week, Bloomberg said the refiners had again raised production rates more than 3 percent by the end of last month in response to the partial resumption of economic activity.

Overcapacity, poor margins

Even before the current crisis, the teapot refiners have struggled with overcapacity and poor margins after opening new plants.

Last year, profits in the refining sector dropped 42 percent, the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation said, citing overcapacity and declining demand.

"Many of the teapots are already on a credit red flag list of banks in Singapore," said Michael Meidan, director of the China Energy Program at the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies, quoted by Bloomberg.

"The virus has certainly tightened cash flows and exacerbated banks' concerns," Meidan said.

Despite the buildup of pressures, the refiners arguably made matters worse by trying to take advantage of lower crude prices and seeking short-term profits.

On Feb. 14, Bloomberg reported that several teapots had surprised the market by going on a buying spree in January and snapping up oil cargoes from Russia, Angola, and Gabon.

"Until recently, this corner of the industry appeared to be doing everything to avoid buying crude, including cutting processing rates," the report said.

The refiners appeared to be positioning themselves for an economic recovery, a prospect that may prove to be premature.

"The spree is probably a sign that the refiners ... are getting ready for an eventual rebound in demand, taking advantage of the slump in crude prices to buy cheaply," Bloomberg said, citing comments from traders.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus outside China could make the buying spree a costly bet.

Philip Andrews-Speed, senior principal fellow at the National University of Singapore's Energy Studies Institute, said the trouble for the teapots will put them at greater disadvantage to the national oil companies (NOCs) like CNPC that dominate the industry.

"I guess the teapots are opportunists. They saw low prices and thought the epidemic and demand would recover soon, and so 'bought low.' But 'low' was not the bottom, so they are in trouble," Andrews-Speed said.

"Conversely, the NOCs with their soft budgetary constraints and ability to cross-subsidize can keep going regardless," he said.

"If this continues, the teapots, or some of them, will disappear and the NOCs will be even more dominant. So much for competition," Andrews-Speed said.

The logo of China's largest oil producer China National Petroleum Corporation hangs on a wall during the World Gas Conference exhibition in Paris, June 2, 2015. Credit: AFP Unfavorable economic outlook

The economic outlook for the teapots is far from favorable.

"With the jump in virus cases overseas, there is a growing risk of a protracted downturn in foreign demand," said senior China economist Julian Evans-Pritchard in a Capital Economics report.

"The likelihood of a V-shaped recovery in the coming months is falling fast," Evans-Pritchard said.

While China's government and state media continue to make the case for a rapid rebound, economic indicators have sunk to historic lows.

The government's own purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing, compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), plummeted to 35.7 last month from 50.0 in January.

A reading of 50 marks the tipping point between expansion and contraction. In January, the index fell just 0.2 points from a month before.

The official non-manufacturing PMI also tanked, dropping to 29.6 in February from 54.1 a month earlier.

A private manufacturing PMI survey conducted by Caixin Global Ltd. fell from 51.1 in January to 40.3 last month, the lowest reading since the survey started in 2004.

The troubles facing teapot refiners are likely to be symptomatic of problems for other overcapacity industries such as steel, coal, and coal-fired power generation as China struggles to resume economic growth.

A vigorous revival

While the first quarter has largely been written off, Chinese industry officials have issued optimistic statements about a surging second-quarter recovery.

On Feb. 25, the official English-language China Daily acknowledged "a rough time" for the steel industry due to rising inventories and falling prices, the same conditions afflicting the refining industry.

But Luo Tiejun, vice chairman of the China Iron and Steel Industry Association, voiced confidence in a second-quarter recovery.

"Many steel companies will slash output as inventories pile up, but a vigorous revival of market demand in the second quarter of this year is expected, given that the Chinese authorities have rolled out a slew of measures to stabilize economic growth and the epidemic will hopefully taper off," Luo said.

First-quarter losses are likely to inflict heavy damage on the industry, however. China top steel producer, China Baowu Steel Group, expects a first-quarter loss of U.S. $428 million (3 billion yuan), The Wall Street Journal reported.

In the longer term, the epidemic may renew the debate over China's production overcapacity and investment in plants that will soon become "stranded assets," unable to pay for themselves.

A 2017 paper by the University of Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment warned that the losses from halting all of China's unneeded coal-fired power plants by 2021 would reach nearly 4.5 trillion yuan (U.S. $646 billion).

Last year, the Global Energy Monitor, a U.S.-based research group, made a similar argument about the future obsolescence of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure as the cost of renewable energy sources comes down.

China has invested heavily in nearly two dozen LNG port terminals with storage facilities and pipelines on the strength of double-digit import growth in recent years.

But growth declined sharply last year and importers have been turning away contracted cargoes since then. The epidemic has devastated demand and driven LNG prices to record lows, raising the risk that China's infrastructure investment may also turn into stranded assets.
The coronavirus-driven fear of air travel has a '9/11-like feel,' the CEO of Southwest Airlines said on Thursday as he anticipated a $300million drop in first-quarter revenues.

Shares of Southwest fell 3%, while those of bigger rivals fell more. American Airlines Group Inc fell more than 11%, United Airlines Holdings Inc was down 10% and Delta Air fell 7%.

CEO Gary Kelly told CNBC: '9/11 wasn't an economically driven issue for travel. It was more fear, quite frankly, and I think that that's really what's manifested this time.'

He added that some of the lost bookings would be from personal bookings while others could be because companies do not want their workers travelling.

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said: '9/11 wasn't an economically driven issue for travel. It was more fear, quite frankly, and I think that that's really what's manifested this time.'

Shares of Southwest fell 3% on Thursday, while with those of bigger rivals fell more. American Airlines Group Inc fell more than 11%, United Airlines Holdings Inc was down 10% and Delta Air fell 7%

Kelly added: 'So I think there are elements of both, but it has a 9/11-like feel. Hopefully we'll get this behind us very quickly.'

Southwest said it has seen a significant rise in ticket cancellations and decline in traffic because of the outbreak, which has killed 3,411 people and caused airlines across the world to cut flights and implement cost controls.

Kelly said of the sharp drop off in revenue: 'It was a very noticeable, precipitous decline. Its continued on a daily basis.'

United Airlines on Wednesday suspended its full-year forecast and said it would cut 20% of international flights and 10% of U.S. flights in April as it launched a hiring freeze, voluntary unpaid leaves and delayed salary increases for executives.

JetBlue Airways Corp said on Wednesday it was cutting capacity by 5% and shares were down 10% on Thursday.

Southwest Airlines jets on the runway at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California

Concerns over the still largely unknown impact of the virus led top executives from Southwest, United Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Trump said the executives did not ask for any financial assistance.

Southwest said it now expects first-quarter total revenue per available seat mile - a closely followed measure of airline performance - to be down 2% to up 1%, compared with a 3.5% to 5.5% growth it forecast earlier.

It said it expected operating revenue to take a $200 million to $300 million hit.

The company's total operating revenue for the first quarter last year was $5.15 billion.

The total number infected by coronavirus in the US rose to 238 today, including 12 deaths, 11 of them in Washington state.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: A tourist from the United States, who visited places in Assam and elsewhere in India recently, tested positive for coronavirus in Bhutan.

The Bhutan government confirmed it on Friday. The Prime Ministers Office in Thimphu said the 76-year-old, accompanied by his 59-year-old partner, had arrived in the country in a Drukair flight from Guwahati on March 2. All eight other passengers of the flight were Indians.

The septuagenarian, who left the US on February 18, was in India from February 21 to March 1.

During screening at the Paro International Airport in Bhutan, he showed no signs of infection. However, at 3 pm that day, he visited a hospital and complained of a bloated abdomen and nausea. He visited the hospital again the next day with an upset stomach and diarrhoea, a statement issued by the Bhutan government said.

On March 4, the man left for Punakha and following his return the next day, he visited the hospital yet again, complaining of fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. He tested positive for Covid-19 at an observation centre.

His case has triggered an alarm in Assam as he and his partner had gone on a seven-day river cruise on the Brahmaputra and stayed at a resort in Kaziranga National Park.

Assams Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government was trying to trace the places the couple visited and also people that they had come in touch with.

Authorities at the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati said the airports health officials were trying to identify the people who had boarded the flight to Paro that day.

Passengers landing in Guwahati have been subjected to screening for the past two months. A couple of suspected cases were earlier referred to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
Turkeys defence minister says there have been no violations of a ceasefire deal in Syrias war-battered Idlib province, where residents and opposition forces described a lull in air raids that have pounded the countrys last rebel-held enclave.

Russia and Turkey struck the agreement on Thursday evening, after six hours of talks in Moscow, to contain a conflict that has displaced nearly a million people in three months in northwest Syria.

We will continue to be a deterrent force to prevent any violation to the ceasefire. None occurred since ceasefire entered into force, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday.

He added that Ankara would use self-defence rights if its forces or bases in the region were to come under attack.

NATO-member Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in Syrias nine-year-old war  Moscow supports President Bashar al-Assad and Ankara backs some opposition groups  while the two sides edged closer to direct confrontation in recent weeks.

The deal reached in Moscow during talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, also establishes a security corridor on each side of Idlibs key east-west M4 highway, along which joint Russian-Turkish patrols will begin on March 15.

The corridor stretches 6km (3.7 miles) to the north and 6km to the south of the M4  effectively advancing Russias presence further north into Idlib.

Akar on Saturday said Turkey had started to work on the procedures and principles of the safety corridor around the strategic road, adding that a Russian military delegation will visit Ankara next week to discuss steps to take.

Very tense calm

Meanwhile, residents and fighters in the region on Friday said the main frontlines  which have seen heavy air raids by Russian and Syrian jets, and intense Turkish artillery and drone strikes on al-Assads forces  were quiet hours after the ceasefire came into effect at midnight.

There was only sporadic fire from machine guns, mortars and artillery by Syrian government forces and Iranian militias on some frontlines in the south of Idlib and also in the adjacent Aleppo province, they said.

In the first hours, we are witnessing a very tense calm from all warring parties, said Ibrahim al-Idlibi, an opposition figure in touch with rebel groups on the ground.





Everyone is aware that violations by any side would be met with a response. But this a very fragile truce.

Mohammed al-Ali, an activist from Idlib, told Al Jazeera the ceasefire was violated overnight by the Syrian government forces shortly after it went into effect.

The Joreen military camp belonging to the regime targeted with artillery shelling the town of Zyara in Idlibs countryside, he said, speaking from the town of Salqeen.

From Maarat al-Numan in the south, regime forces targeted the outskirts of al-Bara in the Jabal al-Zawiya area. And in Saraqeb, the regime targeted Sarmin with artillery. There has been no aerial bombardment so far but the situation is very tense, with all sides wary of how long the ceasefire will last.

Ahmad Qaddour, a 29-year-old who lives in a displacement camp with his wife and two children, said he had learned to always expect the worst.

We do not have any confidence in the regime and Russia regarding this ceasefire, he said.

Humanitarian crisis

Several previous deals to end the fighting in Idlib have collapsed. Analysts and residents said they feared the latest ceasefire would also fizzle out as it did not address the humanitarian crisis or air protection in any detail.

This deal isnt designed to last. Rather, it is designed to fail, and I am afraid, in the not-too-distant future, said Galip Dalay, IPC-Mercator fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Any ceasefire arrangement in Idlib, unless it has a no-fly zone dimension, is bound to fail. Deals in the past never de-escalated. They merely froze the crisis until the next escalation.

The latest Russia-backed offensive in Idlib by al-Assads forces sparked what the United Nations says may be the worst humanitarian crisis yet in a war that has driven millions from their homes and killed hundreds of thousands.

Russia had repeatedly played down any talk of a refugee crisis and accused Turkey of violating international law by pouring troops and equipment into Idlib since early last month.

About 60 Turkish troops have been killed in that time.

Turkey, which has the second-largest army in the transatlantic NATO alliance, has tried to resist the Syrian government advance and prevent a wave of refugees from entering its southern border. It already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees.
More rounds of bitter cold after brief windy warm-up with snowfall by Friday night-Saturday...

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Youre finally ready to realize your dream of retiring outside the U.S. But before you give in to the lure of sunny beaches, a rich culture, family ties or the low cost of living in a new country, youll need to brush up on the nitty-gritty of managing your money as an expat. Retiring abroad will likely make your financial life more complex, especially when it comes to taxes and your investment and bank accounts. But with some foresightand help from a financial adviser and tax professionalyou can overcome the challenges. When you get overseas, you realize its not as difficult as you thought it was going to be, says Jeff Opdyke, an American citizen currently living in Prague and editor of The Savvy Retiree, a publication from International Living magazine. Banking and credit You may be able to get by without opening a bank account in your country of residence, but there are good reasons to do so. Its usually the most practical way to pay for rent, utilities and other local services. And if you use your U.S.-based debit card to make ATM withdrawals overseas, youll likely be hit with foreign-transaction fees and charges for using out-of-network machines. To choose a bank, ask locals which institutions they recommend, suggests Opdyke. He settled on a bank that offers an English-language mobile app.

Maintaining an account in the U.S. is usually a good idea, too. You can use it on visits stateside, and it may be the best way to pay taxes or deposit retirement-account distributions and Social Security benefits. (The Social Security Administration will deposit benefits to bank accounts held in most foreign countries, too.) Gabrielle Reilly, a certified financial planner who works with expats, says that many of her clients arrange large quarterly transfers of money from their U.S. bank account to their local one to keep fees to a minimum. (An outgoing international wire transfer often runs $30 to $50 or more.) Or, especially when dealing with currencies that tend to fluctuate widely against the U.S. dollar, such as the euro, it makes sense to initiate transfers when exchange rates are favorable, says Reilly. To avoid hefty transfer fees from your U.S. bank account, consider a service such as TransferWise. TransferWise applies a market-based exchange rate to transfers (banks and other services often use less-favorable exchange rates) and charges you a percentage of the transaction. Sending $1,000 to a foreign account that holds Mexican pesos, for example, recently incurred a fee of about $11. Steer clear of roadblocks. You may run into difficulties in both finding a bank account abroad and maintaining one in the U.S. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which went into effect in 2014, requires overseas banks to report to the IRS foreign assets held by U.S. taxpayers or face a stiff penalty. Some foreign banks refuse American customers because of the hassle, but thats been alleviated somewhat as banks have become more familiar with the law, says Marylouise Serrato, executive director of advocacy organization American Citizens Abroad (ACA).

Under FATCA, U.S. citizens residing abroad must also report their holdings in foreign accounts (including investment accounts) on Form 8938 if total funds exceed $400,000 on the final day of the tax year for married people filing a joint tax return, or if balances are higher than $600,000 at any point during the year. For other taxpayers, the limits are $200,000 on the final day of the tax year or if funds exceed $300,000 at any time. In addition, you must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) with the U.S. Treasury Department if your total assets in foreign financial and investment accounts exceed $10,000 anytime during the calendar year. One other potential obstacle: Some U.S. banks give the boot to expats who have no permanent U.S. address. And changing your mailing address to that of a relative or friend in the U.S. may not help you get around this problem. Financial institutions may review records from the U.S. Postal Service, check your computer or smartphones IP address when you log in to your account online, or track where your phone calls originate to figure out where you reside. And if, say, you use your sisters address in California and the state receives a copy of Form 1099 reporting your interest income, you may be asked to explain to the state why you shouldnt have to file a tax return there, says Jonathan Lachowitz, a CFP who works with expats. One solution is to open a checking account that the State Department Federal Credit Union provides in partnership with American Citizens Abroad. Accustomed to serving employees of the U.S. Department of State, who work all over the world, the credit union offers the account to other Americans living abroad who have no domestic address. You must be a member of ACA to use the account (annual fee: $70, or $55 if youre 65 or older).

Keeping your credit alive. Obtaining a credit card from an issuer based in another country is often difficult. Credit systems operate differently in other countries than in the U.S., and the credit history youve established in the U.S. isnt usually useful to foreign issuers. Youre usually better off hanging on to your U.S. cards. They often offer superior rewards (such as cash back or airline miles earned with every purchase) than cards from foreign issuers, you can use them to make purchases on American websites (which may block cards from issuers outside the U.S.), and youll maintain a credit history in the U.S., says Lachowitz. A healthy credit profile comes in handy if you move back to the states. If you want to use a U.S.-issued credit card in another country, make sure it doesnt charge a foreign-transaction fee. Most travel rewards credit cards from major issuers dont charge such fees, and some issuersincluding Capital One and Discoverwaive the fee on all their cards. Investing Its usually best to keep your retirement and investment accounts with U.S. firms. If you open investment accounts abroad, you may have to contend with FATCA reporting rules. Plus, if you invest in non-U.S. mutual funds or exchange-traded funds through a foreign institution, theyre considered passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and taxes are punitive. One big caveat: Just as some U.S. banks reject American customers who move overseas, investment firms may tell expats with no permanent U.S. address that theyre no longer eligible to hold an IRA or a brokerage or other account. Thats what happened to Jean Nielsen, 77, who had IRAs and other investments with a brokerage firm in California when she relocated to Prague. She found Reilly Financial Advisors, the firm where CFP Gabrielle Reilly is employed, and with the firms help transferred her accounts to a new custodian. Her IRAs required minimum distributions go into a U.S. financial institutions cash account, and she can withdraw funds from it using a debit card attached to the account.

I would say probably 90% of the people who reach out to me from outside the U.S.mostly from Europedo so because their financial firm has notified them that it wont work with them, says Reilly. Her employer has relationships with various U.S. custodians that allow her expat clients to hold investment accounts, and she transfers clients assets as quickly as possible. If the institution liquidates an IRA and mails the account holder a check, thats a fully taxable event on the entire amount. That can be devastating, says Reilly. Well before you move, ask your investment company whether you can keep your accounts after youve left the country. Another sticking point: Most U.S. financial institutions wont allow citizens living overseas to buy mutual funds, although you may not be forced to sell holdings you already have when you move out of the U.S., says Lachowitz. And if you live in a European Union country, your U.S. and foreign brokers may prohibit you from purchasing U.S.-listed ETFs, too. So future transactions could be limited to individual stocks and bonds. Taxes You may be a bona fide resident of a foreign country, vowing never to return to the States. But if youre a U.S. citizen and have incomewhether its earned through a job or generated from a pension or retirement or investment accounts, and whether it originates inside or outside the U.S.youll generally have to file a U.S. tax return and pay taxes on that income. (A couple of exceptions: You dont have to file if your income falls below certain thresholds or if it is solely from Social Security benefits.) For those who reside abroad, its not obvious, and its usually a rude awakening when they find out they have to file, says Katelynn Minott, a certified public accountant and partner for Bright!Tax, which provides tax services for expats. The tax-return deadline for those living abroad is June 15 rather than April 15. Youll owe interest on any tax due that goes unpaid after the regular April deadline, but the late-payment penalty doesnt kick in until after June 15. Your former state may expect you to file a return and pay taxes, too, under the assumption that at the end of your time abroad, you will return to that state, so your residency was never relinquished.

Some states are quite aggressive in their approach, says Minott. In particular, California and New York are known for cracking down on residents who move overseas, she says. To avoid such challenges, some people relocate to a state with no income tax for a few months so they can establish residency, then move overseas. Chances are youll have to file a return in your country of residence, too. And you may have to pay tax to the foreign jurisdiction on your U.S. earningspossibly even on pension or other retirement income. Further muddling the picture, your new countrys tax year may span different dates than the U.S. tax year. Given the complexity of taxation for expats, enlisting help is almost imperative. You need a good accountant in the U.S. and one in your new country of residence, says Reilly. Your U.S. accountant should be familiar with taxation for expats, and the tax pro you use in your new country should work regularly with U.S. citizens. The ACA offers a directory of tax services for expats. Tax breaks for expats. On the bright side, some countries have tax treaties with the U.S. to alleviate the burden on expats. U.S. citizens who live in several countriesincluding Canada, Germany, Italy, the U.K. and Switzerlanddont have to pay U.S. income tax on Social Security benefits. International treaties regarding gift and estate taxes may help you avoid double taxation on your financial gifts to others and on your assets after your death. The U.S. also offers tax breaks to citizens living in other countries. The foreign tax credit allows you to reduce your U.S. tax obligation, in the form of a credit or itemized deduction, based on the foreign taxes you pay to your country of residence. The foreign earned income exclusion applies to foreign earnings that you get from a job or self-employment in your country of residence (but not to passive income, such as from a pension or investments). In 2020, you can exclude up to $107,600 of foreign earnings from your income for U.S. taxation. Health care Your U.S. tax liability may follow you to a new country, but Medicare doesnt. If theres any chance you may eventually live in the U.S. again, however, its wise to pay your Medicare Part B premiums. If you enroll in Medicare Part B later than the time you first become eligible, your monthly premium goes up by 10% for each 12 months that you delay. Plus, you can use Medicare coverage if you visit the U.S. to get health care.
The matter of accountability is fundamental and critical, as it goes from the top to the bottom of the business of government. It crosses all sectors and it connects to everything else that happens in the business of running the country. The lack of accountability erodes public confidence in government.





ULP lacks accountability





The Unity Labour Party government has demonstrated over the years that it lacks accountability. Therefore, it has little or no regard for our laws governing financial accountability and financial management. We recall the problems associated with the Petro Caribe funds, where $112 million were left off the books, according to the International Monetary Fund. So, immediately following the 2015 general elections, the government brought legislation to parliament to correct the problem.





There was also the lack of accountability during the construction of the Argyle International Airport.





During this years budget debate, the Leader of the Opposition  Hon. Dr. Friday raised the issue of governments abuse of its Overdraft facility when they exceeded the limit set by Parliament.





Dr. Friday also addressed the issue of the Special Warrants accusing the Minister of Finance of abusing the use of Special Warrants, by not bringing them to parliament in a timely manner, bringing them when the government sees fit sometime five years late. In addition, Dr. Friday referenced the use of Special Warrants to pay for things for which provision could have been made in the budget.





The following is an excerpt of Dr. Fridays budget presentation, in which he dealt with the fore-mentioned issue:





Excerpt





It is generally agreed that the expected practice is that Supplementary Estimates are required to be brought to the House within six months after the date the special warrant was issued. Yet, this government took up to five years in doing so (re 2014 special warrants). That negligent practice violated the law. (Section.28 of Financial Administration Act, and Section. 70(3) Constitution).





Secondly, the amount that could be spent by special warrants in a given year was set by Resolution in this Honourable House most recently to be $25m. Yet, in three of the five years for which the Supplementary Estimates were finally brought in October last year, the government exceeded that amount. For example, 2014: $26.2M; 2017: $28.6M; 2018, $28.8M. So, the government also violated the law here too. Here too, scant regard for the law was shown. They came to Parliament and set the limit at $25m, and then they turned around and spent more than they were authorised to spend. On what authority? What a lawless government!





Also, we saw in October 2019 in the debate of the Supplementary Estimates and related Supplementary Appropriation Bill, how the special warrants were abused by being used for things that it could seriously be said were "not foreseen, as the law required. For example, paying old VINLEC bills. You did not know you had those bills. Yet, they were bought and paid for via special warrants.





Further, the Director of Audit disapproved of the way the Special Warrants have been used and abused, in a Report: "the ease with which funds can be obtained and spent without the authorisation of the House of Assembly, should be reviewed to satisfy the purpose of section 70(1)&(2) of the 1979 constitution. If the government would not listen to us on this side of the House, it should at least listen to the Director of Audit and change its lawless ways. But the Director of Audit lacks resources.





SVG, a lawless country





St. Vincent and the Grenadines has become a lawless country. And it starts from the top. You have heard us complain about the failure to meet the standards of financial accountability. The Minister of Finance continues to disregard the laws and practice that have been put in place to keep the government accountable to the people and hold them to account.





The government has been behaving unlawfully in the way it manages the finances of the country. It is a lawless government. It does not follow financial accountability laws in the Constitution, Financial Administration Act and the Audit Act. We have spoken about this for years, and I have addressed in outside this chamber. The public now knows how this government malfunctions.





It has abused the use of special warrants by not bringing them to parliament when required by law to do so; by not limiting the use to genuinely unforeseen expenditures; and by exceeding the limit of $25m set by Resolution of this House. And, by recklessly abusing the overdraft facility provided for by the Financial Administration Act and Resolution of the Parliament by exceeding again the limit, by not paying it off during the financial year and by converting a large part of it into an ongoing loan without prior approval of Parliament!





If this is not a lawless government, I dont know what is. The existing legal guardrails are clearly not a guide or deterrent to this government. Maybe it is time that we do like Grenada and get a Fiscal Responsibility Act or some similar legislation to promote greater transparency and more responsible practice in management of governments finances. The fiscal responsibility framework at the end of the Budget Address cannot do it. It has no teeth; it must be law.
In March, our farmers are already getting started with plants for summer markets, and baby animal season is in full swing! Seedlings started indoors under grow lamps will be transplanted into hoop houses for our season-extending farmers, and our growers who rent land are finalizing their rental agreements with area landowners who are looking to put their land into use growing food.

Each year from January through April, Rochester Farmers Markets are held every other Saturday from 9:00-12:00. The market will be indoors in one building -- Graham Park Industrial Hall (Building 35), on the following dates: March 7 and 21, and April 4 and 18.

Enjoy the early spring bounty with this recipe for homemade pizza (using local products).

Recipe: Pizza Night

(contributed by market manager Jess Joyce)

Ingredients:

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2 teaspoons yeast

1  cups warm water

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons salt

 cup whole wheat flour

3  cups white flour

Sourdough starter (optional)

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A few favorite toppings: tomato sauce & cheese with your favorite seasoning mix, barbecue sauce, grilled chicken & frozen sweet corn, or Bechamel (white) sauce, smoked trout, & greens.

Instructions:

Mix together yeast, water, olive oil and honey, and let sit 5 minutes or until foamy. Add a dollop of sourdough starter for flavor (optional). Add flours and salt. Knead with dough hook 5 minutes and transfer to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Divide dough into thirds and roll/toss out individually into 12-inch rounds. Bake crust on pizza stone without toppings for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Top however you prefer!

{{tncms-inline content="<p><em>Raised products like&hellip; beef, pork, chicken, lamb, bison, elk, trout, eggs, milk, cheese curds, and ice cream.</em></p> <p><em>Produce like&hellip; fresh salad greens, sweet and zesty microgreens, carrots, onions, garlic, black garlic, shallots, radishes, potatoes, beets, turnips, parsnips, popcorn, herbs and spices.</em></p> <p><em>Specialty items like&hellip; baked treats, breads, jams, pickles, lefse, honey, maple syrup, salsa, soaps, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.</em></p> <p><em>Growing and crafted products like&hellip; succulents, houseplants, bulb flowers, decorative corn.</em></p>" id="4f345eca-d5a9-4bf4-9544-0b4e53ea3aeb" style-type="info" title="Whats New at the Farmers Market?" type="relcontent"}}

Raised products like beef, pork, chicken, lamb, bison, elk, trout, eggs, milk, cheese curds, and ice cream.

Produce like fresh salad greens, sweet and zesty microgreens, carrots, onions, garlic, black garlic, shallots, radishes, potatoes, beets, turnips, parsnips, popcorn, herbs and spices.

Specialty items like baked treats, breads, jams, pickles, lefse, honey, maple syrup, salsa, soaps, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.

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Growing and crafted products like succulents, houseplants, bulb flowers, decorative corn.

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African American voters are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders appears to be giving up on them in the wake of his poor Super Tuesday performance.

According to The New York Times, Sanders is canceling a planned rally in the southern state and traveling to Michigan instead  a state his own campaign admits is must-win.

The Times reports, Senator Bernie Sanders has canceled a planned rally in Jackson, Miss., and will instead travel to Michigan on Friday, a striking indication that his presidential campaign is shifting its focus to the Midwest and largely ceding another Southern state to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., according to people familiar with the plans.

The report notes that the focus of Sanders canceled Mississippi rally was racial justice.

More from the report:

The change in plans suggests that Mr. Sanders will not challenge Mr. Biden for the support of black voters in the South  a vital base in the Democratic Party  and is instead going all-in on the Midwest as he tries to compete with Mr. Biden for working-class voters there. Black voters in the South have overwhelmingly backed Mr. Biden to this point, and on Super Tuesday this week their support lifted him in states like Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. In Alabama, Mr. Sanders won only 9 percent of black voters, compared with 72 percent for Mr. Biden, according to exit polls. Mr. Biden outperformed Mr. Sanders among black voters in Virginia by more than 50 points, and by 40 points or more in Texas and North Carolina. In several states, Mr. Sanders came in third among black voters, behind not only Mr. Biden but also Michael R. Bloomberg.

African American support is vital in a Democratic primary

Without the support of African American voters, its next to impossible to become the Democratic nominee. Sanders found that out the hard way in 2016 when he lost the black vote handily to Hillary Clinton.

Sanders poor showing among these voters four years ago apparently didnt teach him a lesson, however, as he is signaling that he will no longer even compete to win over that part of the electorate.

While this is clearly a short-term decision to shift his campaigns resources and attention to Michigan  a must-win state for him  its hard to see how it will help the Vermont senator mount a long-term comeback to overtake Bidens post-Super Tuesday delegate lead.

African American voters are the reason Joe Bidens campaign was brought back from the dead. It could also be the reason why Bernie Sanders will again fall short of being the Democratic nominee.

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Dong Y (meaning Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) is a traditional practice in Vietnam which has been passed down through generations. These days, Dong Y is more popular than ever  especially in spa treatments  due to the numerous health benefits associated with it, including the harmonisation of mind and body. The fundamentals of Dong Y are based on Yin & Yang, the Five Elements, and how they interact with peoples internal energy.

A healthy body and a strong mind depends on the balance of different sources of energy (Qi). HARNN Heritage Spa understands the philosophy of Dong Y and has designed treatments to take full advantage of its traditional medicinal wisdom, focusing on improving these aspects through the spa's Outer Body and Inner Body philosophy.

"Outer Body" focuses on the external environment. The physical space where the spa therapy takes place is extremely important  it should bring out a feeling of calming relaxation for guests. The resorts treatment rooms are made out of bamboo structures which appear to float over a lotus lagoon, surrounded by verdant vegetation.

This seclusion is key to providing an ideal space of tranquility for spa therapies. Additionally, treatments only use natural ingredients such as oil and herbs, as a fundamental philosophy of Dong Y is to only use the purest source of energy from nature.

"Inner Body" focuses on how the treatment techniques interact with the internal and external energies to bring balance to the body and mind. Visitors to the spa will be served different types of herbal tea, depending on the changing energy level of each day, in accordance with the Five Elements and Yin & Yang theories. The spa's Bamboo Ritual treatment uses heated bamboo sticks to help relaxation and strengthen different muscles and blood vessels in the body to clear the flow of energy circulation and bring optimal spiritual balance.

Especially during March, visitors should not miss InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach resort's Escape to Phu Quoc package to enjoy daily buffet breakfast, VND3.5 million ($150) credit applied at the resorts restaurants, bar, and spa, and so much more.
Southern Copper Corporation SCCO is poised to grow on the back of its copper reserves, expansion projects and benefits from cost-reduction programs. However, low metal prices due to the impact of coronavirus remains a near-term concern.

At present, Southern Copper carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It has a VGM Score of B. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3, offer the best investment opportunities for investors.

Shares of the company have depreciated 1.2% in the past year compared with the industrys decline of 7.3%.

Strong Q4 Results

Southern Copper reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, up 4% from prior-year quarter. Net sales came in at $1,855 million, reflecting an improvement of 9% year over year on higher sales volume of copper, silver and molybdenum, and rising silver prices. However, lower copper, molybdenum and zinc prices somewhat offset these gains.

Solid Production Numbers

In 2019, Southern Copper produced around $1.02 million tons of copper  a new milestone in the companys history driven by higher copper production at the Toquepala mine and the Buenavista mine. Construction of the Toquepala concentrator expansion reached full capacity usage at the end of the June-end quarter. This expansion project has increased Toquepalas annual copper production by 100,000 tons.

Molybdenum production reached 26,885 tons in 2019, reflecting an increase of 22.3% from 2018 and above the guidance of 25,500 tons. This was driven by higher production at all of the mines, particularly led by Toquepala mine as result of its new molybdenum plant that set off production in April 2019.

Mined silver production improved 17.1% in 2019 backed by the Toquepala, Buenavista and IMMSA operations. Mined zinc production increased 4.4% in 2019 due to higher production at Santa Barbara and San Martin mines. The company has resumed operations at its San Martin mine, which is expected to contribute to the companys production.

Story continues

Low Cost & Largest Reserves: A Winning Combination

The company continues to witness the benefits of cost-reduction programs and expansion actions. Southern Copper has the largest copper reserves in the industry and operates high-quality, world-class assets in investment grade countries, such as Mexico and Peru. Backed by its constant commitment to increase low-cost production and growth investments, the company is well poised to continue delivering enhanced performance.

Solid Growth Projects on Track

Southern Coppers board approved projects in Peru with a total capital budget of $2.8 billion of which $1.6 billion has already been invested. Including the Michiquillay ($2.5 billion) and Los Chancas ($2.8 billion) projects, its total investment program in Peru runs to $8.1 billion. Peru is currently the second largest producer of copper globally and its national output is anticipated to grow 27% by 2022.

In Mexico, the company has a planned investment of $413 million in the Buenavista Zinc  Sonora project. An investment of $159 million is estimated for Pilares  Sonora project in Mexico, which consists of an open pit mine operation with an annual production capacity of 35,000 tons of copper in concentrates. The El Pilar project, with an investment of $310 million is expected to be completed in 2023, will add 35,000 tons of copper annually.

These projects and other investments in Mexico will enhance the companys Mexican operations copper production by 16% and zinc production by 93%. The company has number of other projects that it may develop in the future, which will help it achieve copper volume production target of 1.5 million tons by 2028.

Return on Assets (ROA)

Southern Copper currently has a ROA of 9.3%, while the industry's ROA is 1.9%. An above-average ROA denotes that the company is generating earnings by effectively managing assets.

Coronavirus Impact a Concern

The coronavirus outbreak has dealt a blow to copper prices. Concerns that it will impact industrial activity in China  the world's biggest metals consumer, led to a fresh plunge in copper prices. Now with the virus spreading to other parts of the world, concerns over its impact on the global economy is weighing on prices of copper, zinc and molybdenum. This will impact Southern Coppers near-term results until the situation stabilizes.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Daqo New Energy Corp DQ, Sibanye Gold Limited SBSW and Impala Platinum Holdings Limited IMPUY, each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Daqo New Energy has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 29%. The companys shares have appreciated 74% in the past year.



Sibanye has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 20.4%. Its shares have returned 118% in the past year.



Impala Platinum has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 26.5%. The companys shares have soared 114% in the past year.

Free: Zacks Single Best Stock Set to Double

Today you are invited to download our latest Special Report that reveals 5 stocks with the most potential to gain +100% or more in 2020. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This pioneering tech ticker had soared to all-time highs and then subsided to a price that is irresistible. Now a pending acquisition could super-charge the companys drive past competitors in the development of true Artificial Intelligence. The earlier you get in to this stock, the greater your potential gain.

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Zacks Investment Research
TORONTO, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite improvements worldwide, fifty-four countries imposed greater restrictions on the economic rights of women over a recent two-year period, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank, in recognition of International Womens Day on March 8.



Economic freedom is the ability of individuals to own property, decide what to buy, where to work, whether to start a business, engage in trade or even open a bank account.

In countries where men and women enjoy the same economic rights, women live longer, healthier lives while also benefiting society by increasing economic activity and prosperity, said Rosemarie Fike, Fraser Institute senior fellow, economics instructor at Texas Christian University and author of this years Women and Progress report.

This years report, Women's Economic RightsWhat's Changed and Why Does It Matter? tracks changes in economic freedom for women around the world and finds that 83 countries improved womens economic rights from 2016 to 2018.

But again, during the same two-year period, 54 countries imposed greater restrictions on womens economic rights.

For instance, currently, 37 countries restrict the ability of married women to obtain passports, and 17 restrict their ability to simply travel outside their home.

Whats more, 13 countries restrict a womans right to own property, and 39 countries restrict their ability to inherit property. And in five countriesCameroon, Chad, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau and Nigerthere are even restrictions on a womans ability to open a bank account.

This International Womens Day, lets take meaningful steps to improve the lives of women and girls everywhere by encouraging equal access to the institutions that help protect economic rights and allow women worldwide the ability to make their own economic decisions, Fike said.

The Women and Progress report is part of the Fraser Institutes internationally-renowned Economic Freedom of the World .

Story continues

For a free PDF download and more information, visit www.womenandprogress.org .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rosemarie Fike, Senior Fellow

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese, Fraser Institute

(604) 688-0221 ext. 589

bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter and Facebook
Here at Clever, were all about finding the good stuffunexpected decorating ideas, day-brightening accents and furnishings, news you need to knowand then delivering that info directly to you. Heres a roundup of five things that stopped us in our tracks this week that we wanted to be sure you dont miss.

Take a Selfie for International Womens Day & Other Stories has commissioned a project in honor of International Womens Day (on Sunday!) by inviting a group of diverse female photographers from around the world to turn the camera on themselves. In a series of self-portraits, the womenfrom Gia Coppola to Wang Ziqianreflect on what it means to capture ones authentic self and encourage others to share their own stories using the hashtag #herimageherstory. The photos also come as limited-edition posters, where all proceeds along with $1 for every self-portrait posted on Instagram, will be donated to CARE. stories.com

Photo: Courtesy of Ian Anderson

Photo: Courtesy of Ian Anderson

Make Your Own Designer Chair Last May we fell in love with Ian Andersons company, Self-Assemblywhere he takes DIY to a very high-design level. So, we were very excited to learn the site just published a new collection of instructions, specifically focusing on chairs. The pieces include three original designs by Ian, as well as designs from Enzo Mari, Max Lamb, Gerrit Rietveld, and Tord Boontje. Which one should we make first? self-assembly.org

Get Spring-Ready at IKEA Need something crafty to do for spring break? Throughout March and April, participating IKEA stores are hosting events dedicated to spending time with family and inspiring you to spruce up your homeindoors and out. With a bunch of workshops and make-and-take activities, you can learn anything from planting and potting to painting a watering can. Were down with the wholesome fun. events.ikea.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Muji

Photo: Courtesy of Muji

Muji Helps Out With the Plastic Ban Following New York Citys plastic bag ban, Muji just launched environmentally friendly jute tote bags. Available in small, medium, and large (and all under $5), the totes are very convenient and maintain Mujis spirit for affordability and minimalism. Even better: The sustainably sourced jute bags can be used as organizers at home. So go out shopping and then stow your bag in the pantry. muji.com

Story continues

Flowers for a Good Cause Ending things with another International Womens Day idea, UrbanStems has created two limited-edition arrangements, The Femme and The Mimosa, to celebrate women. The company picked yellow-centric bouquets because starting in Italy, men began giving yellow mimosa flowers to women to express female solidarity, and these days the symbolism has evolved where women continue to give the light-hued florals to each other. During the month of March, UrbanStems will donate $5 of every order the two arrangements to Women for Women International, a charity that supports women survivors of war around the world. Do some good, send some flowers. urbanstems.com

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
THE first Irish town has cancelled its St Patrick's Day parade over coronavirus concerns.

Youghal in Co Cork confirmed it had cancelled its scheduled parade - traditionally one of the biggest parades in the county outside Cork city.

More than 500,000 people are expected to visit Ireland for the lavish March 17 events - with pressure now mounting on whether such major public gatherings should take place given that Covid-19 has now reached community spread levels.

In a statement, the Youghal organisers said that: "With deep regret Youghal4All has found themselves in the position of having to cancel the St Patrick's Day parade due to our concerns about Covid-19."

The organisers said that while the event was an important part of the Youghal social and cultural calendar, public health and safety had to be paramount.

Read More

"We would like to apologise to the public, clubs, groups, societies and businesses affected by this decision but we feel we must act in the best interests of public health and safety."

The decision by the Cork town will now increase pressure on other Irish towns and cities to reconsider their St Patrick's Day parades.

The Chinese Ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong warned earlier this week that banning public gatherings was a key part of his country's response to the virus.

He warned that some "hard decisions" had to be made - and he urged Ireland to take a considered decision on the matter.
Up to 60 healthcare workers at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been asked to self-isolate, visitor restrictions have been introduced at two major hospitals and all nursing homes nationwide have banned visitors.

It comes as public health experts continue to deal with the fallout following confirmation of coronavirus in a male patient several days after his admission to CUH for symptoms linked to a serious underlying health condition.

The man had no history of travel to affected areas in Northern Italy and had no known contact with another confirmed case.

It is the first case of community transmission of the virus in Ireland.

A crisis management team is managing the evolving situation at CUH.

It has introduced strict visitor restrictions and has cancelled outpatient procedures as part of a robust emergency response.

Its emergency department remains open for emergency cases.

CUH, a major teaching hospital, has been declared off-limits to all medical students and staff of UCC.

This lunchtime, the hospital said its switchboard has been dealing with a high volume of calls and said it needs to keep its lines open as much as possible.

It said all affected outpatients will be contacted if there are further cancellations and it has appealed to people to make contact via its website.

The Mercy University Hospital in Cork has also introduced strict visitor restrictions as a precautionary measure, as has Dublin's Mater Hospital and Our Lady's Hosptial in Navan.

A visiting ban has also been introduced at all six health facilities run by the UL Hospitals Group.

A sign outside CUH emergency department today

Visiting at the Mercy is restricted to patients who are critically ill or who have specific care needs. Only one visitor per patient is allowable at one time, except in exceptional cases, and children are not allowed to visit, except in exceptional cases.

"This decision will be reviewed on a daily basis and regular updates will be provided," a spokesperson said.

The Mater Hospital says only those visiting patients in critical care, psychiatric wards, vulnerable young adults and end-of-life patients will be allowed access, while no children will be permitted whatsoever.

Our Lady's Hospital, Navan is imposing a total ban on visiting while also asking that only emergency cases present to the A&E.

In a statement, UL Hospitals Group said that the sites affected by their visitors ban are University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, St Johns Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.

"We regret any distress or inconvenience these extraordinary measures will cause to patients and their loved ones," the statement said.

"These measures are being taken in order to minimise any spread of infection within our hospital sites."

There are exceptions to the ban, which are:

Parents visiting children in hospital

Partners of women attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick

People visiting patients at end-of-life

People assisting confused patients (e.g. dementia)

People visiting patients in Critical Care

The hospitals group said the exemptions are limited to one person per patient only.

"Please note that the ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick and the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns," the statement continued.

"We are appealing to members of the public to co-operate with these necessary restrictions.

"We are also urging the public to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only; a place where priority is given to the seriously injured and ill and those whose lives may be at risk."

In an email to medical students and staff, the Dean of Medicine at UCC, Professor Paula OLeary said CUH is off-limits to all medical students on clinical attachment to the hospital.

She also said all structured teaching on the hospital campus has been cancelled with immediate effect.

A spokesperson for UCC said the HSE has not advised the university to take any additional steps for its campus at this time.

"University management are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to take the advice of the national authorities, he said.

A leading consultant has urged people to stay calm and focus on good hygiene.

Dr Chris Luke, a consultant in emergency medicine and adjunct senior lecturer in public health at UCC, said: "The way this disease unfolds in this country will hinge entirely on the way the population behaves at home and on the street."

He said confirmation of the first case of community transmission of coronavirus in Ireland was expected and anticipated.

But he said it shouldn't matter that much to the general population.

"This matters most to people who have been in contact with someone with the virus, and the HSE will be in touch with them," he said.

For the rest of the population, what needs to happen is people need to be even more vigilant about hygiene, cough etiquette, about keeping your distance.

He said people should be washing their hands at least 20 times a day, and for up to 40 seconds each time.

He said 90% of the cases of coronavirus will be very mild and manageable at home with simple remedies like hot drinks, panadol and taking honey for coughs.

"Very few people will become very, very ill," he said.

He also pointed out that the disease seems to be "incredibly mild, almost innocuous" in children, especially those under 10 or 15, and should not adversely affect young, healthy fit people.

Useful information The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

Earlier, a passenger collapsed on board an aircraft poised for take-off at Cork Airport.

Emergency services were called and the passenger was removed for treatment.

It has been confirmed that the passenger collapsed as a result of an underlying medical condition and that there is no connection whatsoever between this incident and the coronavirus.

Public health experts have appealed to the public to remain calm and follow the hygiene advice issued by the HSE.

This story was updated at 3.30pm. Additional reporting by Digital Desk staff.
Bosnia Records First Cases Of Coronavirus, Man And Child Test Positive

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service March 05, 2020

Bosnia-Herzegovina has reported its first two confirmed cases of the coronavirus, a worker and his child in the predominantly Serb-populated area of the Balkan country.

Republika Srpska Health and Social Welfare Minister Alen Seranic told a news conference on March 5 that the man had traveled to Italy and passed it on to his child in the city of Banja Luka.

"The man was transferred to a medical clinic. The wife is negative, but the child is positive for the coronavirus," said Seranic, adding the child had also been moved to the facility where both feel fine and have not developed COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Seranic said the child's school has been closed and measures are being taken to disinfect it and test its students.

"There could be more cases waiting," Seranic said.

The coronavirus outbreak has infected more than 3,800 people in Italy, killing 148. Both totals are the highest in Europe.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-records- first-cases-of-coronavirus-man-and -child-test-positive/30470080.html

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

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When the economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton first published their research on deaths of despair five years ago, they focused on middle-aged whites. So many white working-class Americans in their 40s and 50s were dying of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse that the overall mortality rate for the age group was no longer falling  a rare and shocking pattern in a modern society.

But as Case and Deaton continued digging into the data, it became clear that the grim trends didnt apply only to middle-aged whites. Up and down the age spectrum, deaths of despair have been surging for people without a four-year college degree:

Deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide 5 per 100K 147 per 100K





In the early 1990s, the number of white adults without a college education who were dying from a drug overdose, alcoholism or suicide was fairly low  and the death rates for younger adults were lower than for older adults. But over the past three decades, deaths of despair among whites without a college degree  especially those under age 50  have soared. The death rate for whites with a college degree, by contrast, has risen only modestly across all age groups and remains lower for the young than the old.

Case and Deaton  a married couple who are both economists at Princeton  try to explain the causes in a new book, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. Their basic answer is that working-class life in the United States is more difficult than it is in any other high-income country. European countries have faced the same kind of technological change we have, and theyre not seeing the people killing themselves with guns or drugs or alcohol, Case says. There is something unique about the way the U.S. is handling this.

More people are dying Number of deaths of despair per 100,000 non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 Non- college 100 50 College grads 0 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Non- college 100 50 College grads 0 1992 96 00 04 08 12 16

Inequality has risen more in the United States  and middle-class incomes have stagnated more severely  than in France, Germany, Japan or elsewhere. Large corporations have increased their market share, and labor unions have shriveled, leaving workers with little bargaining power. Outsourcing has become the norm, which means that executives often see low-wage workers not as colleagues but as expenses.

And the United States suffers from by far the worlds most expensive health-care system. It acts as a tax on workers and drains resources that could otherwise be spent on schools, day care, roads, public transit and more. Despite its unparalleled spending, the American medical system also fails to keep many people healthy.

[Make sense of the news with Davids commentary and reading suggestions every weekday morning. Sign up for his newsletter.]

The two economists initially focused on non-Hispanic whites because the mortality trends were worst for them. Deaths rates from suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse among whites surpassed the rates for blacks shortly after 2000, for example. But the black working class is hardly thriving -- and deaths of despair have surged among them in the last few years. Overall life expectancy remains significantly higher for whites than blacks. So, of course, do incomes and wealth.

Many of the problems afflicting the working class span racial groups, and Case and Deaton emphasize that these problems arent merely financial. Life for many middle- and low-income Americans can lack structure, status and meaning. People dont always know what days or hours they will be working the following week. They often dont officially work for the company where they spend their days, which robs them of the pride that comes from being part of a shared enterprise.

Many people used to associate the meaning of their life with what their corporation or institution was doing, says Deaton, a Nobel laureate in economics. Miners and factory workers identified themselves as such. Warehouse workers, especially those whose paycheck is signed by a staffing company, rarely feel the same connection.

The result of these trends has been a coming apart, as Case and Deaton put it, of day-to-day life for whites without a college degree versus those with a college degree:

Marriage rates have diverged Share of non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 currently married 80% College grads 70 Non- college 60 50 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 80% College grads 70 Non- college 60 50 1980 90 00 10

People without college degrees are also less likely to attend church Share of non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 attending church weekly 30% College grads 25 Non- college 20 15 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 30% College grads 25 Non- college 20 15 1975 85 95 05 15

Surveys show that a growing number of working-class Americans find it difficult to do basic things, like climb a flight of stairs or socialize, partly because of chronic problems with their mental or physical health:

Chronic pain is more widespread Share of non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 experiencing neck, back or joint pain 60% Non- college 50 College grads 40 30 20 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 60% Non- college 50 College grads 40 30 20 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014

Many people are also drinking more Average number of drinks (on days when drinking) among non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 Non- college 2.5 2.0 College grads 1.5 1.0 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 Non- college 2.5 2.0 College grads 1.5 1.0 1994 98 02 06 10 14

And they are unhappier Share of non-Hispanic whites aged 45-54 who say they are not too happy these days Non- college 15% 10 College grads 5 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Non- college 15% 10 College grads 5 0 1975 85 95 05 15

Given all of these alarming social indicators, its not surprising that some other causes of death  in addition to suicide, alcoholism and drug overdose  have also started rising for Americans without a college degree. Heart disease is the most significant, exacerbated by obesity, drinking and drug use.

The combined result is a divergence in the life expectancy of white college graduates and non-graduates. Overall mortality for whites between the ages of 45 and 54 has held roughly steady in the last 25 years. But that average hides a big increase in death rates for non-graduates and a big decline for graduates.

What can be done about all of this? Many of the solutions are obvious, if difficult to accomplish. The medical system should be overhauled to put a higher priority on health than on wealth for people who work in the industry, Case and Deaton argue. (And that doesnt necessarily mean a mandatory version of Medicare, they add.)

The federal government should do a better job of keeping big business from maximizing profits at the expense of their workers, by enforcing antitrust laws and encouraging new kinds of labor unions. Governments at all levels should help more people earn college degrees, both four-year degrees (like B.A.s) and meaningful vocational degrees.

Other economic research has found that a college degree isnt simply a marker. Students who attend and graduate from college do better in life than otherwise similar students who didnt get the same opportunities. Graduates are more likely to be employed, earn more, marry and stay married, be satisfied with their lives, be healthy and live longer. These findings suggest that college itself  both the classroom learning and the experience of successfully navigating college  brings long-term benefits.

The focus of Case and Deatons book isnt education, but it lingers as the backdrop to all of their findings. This B.A./non-B.A. divide, Deaton says, just comes up again and again and again.
FILE PHOTO: British Airways logos are seen on tail fins at Heathrow Airport in west London

LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways on Monday said it was cancelling some flights from London to the United States to match reduced demand for flying due to the impact of a new coronavirus on consumer sentiment.

BA owner IAG last week said that the spread of the virus would hit earnings this year but it could not tell by how much as the outbreak forces airlines to reduce services.

"To match reduced demand due to the continuing coronavirus issue, we are merging a number of flights between March 16 and March 28," the airline said in a statement.

"We will be contacting customers on cancelled flights so we can discuss their travel options, including rebooking onto other carriers where possible, full refunds or booking with BA for a later date of travel."

The cancellations effect twelve flights from Heathrow to New York's JFK airport over the period.

The airline has previously cancelled flights to mainland China and some flights to and from Italy, Singapore and South Korea due to the outbreak.

On Monday, the airline said it was also cancelling some more short-haul flights to Italy, as well as to France, Germany and other European destinations that are served from London's Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports.

The move affects 171 short haul roundtrip flights from Heathrow, seven from Gatwick and 26 from London City.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
Malaysia's anti-corruption chief, who had been investigating scandal-hit state fund 1MDB, said Friday she had resigned after a reformist government collapsed and a graft-tainted party took power. The "Pact of Hope" alliance, which stormed to a historic victory in 2018 and ousted a long-ruling coalition, fell apart amid infighting last week and prime minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned. Mahathir, 94, then sought to return as premier but unexpectedly lost to ex-interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who heads a coalition dominated by the multi-ethnic country's Malay Muslim majority. Latheefa Koya, a leading human rights activist who had been head of the anti-corruption commission since June, said she had informed Muhyiddin she was quitting earlier this week but insisted she was not pressured. "I also briefed the prime minister about our ongoing actions and efforts for the recovery of the stolen 1MDB monies from abroad," she said in a statement. "He was fully supportive of these actions." Last week, Malaysia's attorney general Tommy Thomas, who had brought corruption charges against ex-premier Najib Razak over the 1MDB controversy, also resigned. Billions of dollars were stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad and spent on everything from a super-yacht to pricey artworks, in a fraud allegedly involving Najib and his cronies. Najib's coalition, which had governed Malaysia for six decades, was ejected from power in 2018 in large part due to the 1MDB allegations, and he is on trial for corruption. Mahathir's government had started recovering money from overseas allegedly looted from the fund. But the new ruling coalition includes Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, and there are concerns his trial and others linked to the 1MDB scandal could be affected.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A University of New Mexico professor already suspended for one year after the school found he exchanged sexually explicit emails and texts with a graduate student has now been accused of manipulating the media to get back at the alleged victim in his case.

UNM has launched an investigation into that allegation, and the inquest has included university officials attempting to pry details from reporters about how they gathered information in their stories.

The professors attorney calls the investigation alarming and has amended the professors lawsuit against UNM because of it. University officials, meanwhile, say theyre just trying to get all sides of the story from people who might have information relevant to a civil rights investigation.

When (the UNM Office of Equal Opportunity) conducts an investigation, the due diligence includes reaching out to any individuals who may have relevant information. UNM takes civil rights concerns very seriously and works to address those concerns according to its policies and procedures, said Cinnamon Blair, a spokeswoman for the university. No one is compelled to participate in an OEO investigation; its completely voluntary.

Professor Nick Flor filed a lawsuit against UNM after being suspended for all of 2020, and his case has been the subject of local and national news stories in recent months.

Now, officials with the OEO at the university have launched an additional investigation into Flor after the graduate student filed a second complaint against him, this time accusing Flor of retaliation for allegedly directing the media coverage from behind the scenes, said Nick Hart, Flors attorney.

I have no idea why the university accepted jurisdiction of this complaint, Hart said.

He called it alarming for the UNM office tasked with rooting out sexual misconduct on campus to take such action.

OEO contacts media

Flors lawsuit in federal court alleges that UNM violated his due process rights, along with other university policies, when he was suspended for an entire calendar year after an OEO investigation into his brief but salacious correspondence with Eva Chavez, a UNM graduate student who never studied or worked directly with Flor.

The lawsuit alleges that after meeting briefly in May 2018, Flor and Chavez started emailing each other. Flor said that the two exchanged more than 5,000 emails and that more than 100 were sexual in nature, as well as text messages. Flor also conceded that at one point during the exchanges he discussed the possibility that Chavez could do paid research opportunities, though that job never materialized, according to his lawsuit.

Flors lawsuit says that after he stopped messaging her, the relationship soured and Flor reported the encounter to officials in the Anderson School of Management, where Flor was a professor.

Both a faculty member acting on Flors behalf and Chavez filed complaints to the OEO.

The investigation into those complaints found Flor guilty of violating the universitys sexual harassment and retaliation policies and led to his suspension, which also prevents him from working elsewhere during his hiatus from the university.

After Flor filed a lawsuit against the university, Reason magazine, a national Libertarian publication; Diane Dimond, who writes a syndicated column about crime and justice; and the Albuquerque Journal published stories about the case.

After the stories were published, Chavez filed another complaint with OEO, which launched an additional investigation, Hart said.

UNM attorneys have said complaints to the OEO are exempt from public records laws.

Chavez couldnt be reached for comment.

The allegation, and none of this is true, is that Dr. Flor is talking to the media  and that he is providing false information to the news publications and that those reporters are biased and are friends of his, Hart said. And (the journalists) are then engaging in improper contact with her at his direction.

Both the editor who wrote the Reason article and Dimond were contacted by the OEO, and they each declined to answer questions. The Journal was not contacted.

Dimond told the Journal she was asked about how she got reports she referred to in her reporting.

I firmly and politely asked her if UNM REALLY thought an investigative reporter was going to reveal sources, Dimond said in an email.

Flor last week filed an amended complaint to his suit. The new complaint for the first time names Chavez as a defendant  she was previously called Jane Doe and was not a defendant in the case  and accuses her of malicious abuse of process. It accuses her of filing false complaints against Flor and other UNM officials when she did not get what she wanted from those individuals.

In the meantime, Hart said that Flor has exhausted his internal appeals within the university. He plans to file a motion for a restraining order and a preliminary injunction to stop the suspension from continuing in place while the case is litigated, Hart said.

This (OEO) investigation is very alarming to me that a professor could be investigated for potentially violating university policy because the media has covered his lawsuit against the university, Hart said.
The High Court in London has published rulings relating to the legal battle between Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his former wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussain of Jordan.

Here is a timeline of events in the case.

July 15, 1949 - Sheikh Mohammed is born in Dubai.

May 3, 1974 - Princess Haya born in Amman, Jordan.

August 15, 1981 - Princess Shamsa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is born to Sheikh Mohammed, who has several wives.

December 5, 1985 - Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is born.

Summer 2000 - During a visit to England, Shamsa runs away from her family and seeks immigration advice to try and stay in the UK.

August 2000 - Shamsa is taken from the streets of Cambridge by men working for her father.

She is taken to her father's home in Newmarket, before being taken by helicopter to France and then to Dubai. She has not been seen in public since.

March 2001 - A woman claiming to be Shamsa contacts Cambridgeshire Police, saying she has been taken from England to Dubai.

December 2001 - The Guardian publishes an article suggesting Shamsa has been abducted from the UK.

April 2004 - Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya are married.

December 2, 2007 - Al Jalila born.

January 7, 2012 - Zayed born.

February/March 2018 - A video of Latifa is uploaded to the internet, in which she gives a detailed account of important events in her life. She also describes what she knows about her sister Shamsa's time in England and her subsequent abduction.

December 6, 2018 - The BBC broadcasts a documentary called Escape From Dubai: The Mystery Of The Missing Princess.

February 7, 2019 - Sheikh Mohammed divorces Princess Haya under sharia law without her knowledge. She says this date, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of her father's death, is deliberately chosen to 'maximise insult and upset to her'.

April 15 - Princess Haya travels to the UK with Jalila and Zayed.

May 14 - Sheikh Mohammed issues proceedings at the High Court in London seeking the summary return of his two children with Princess Haya to Dubai.

May 22 - First High Court hearing before Mr Justice Moor - the media, who are unaware of the hearing or even the proceedings, do not attend.

July 16 - On the eve of a 'scoping hearing' to consider media issues before Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division of the High Court, Princess Haya issues applications to make the children wards of court, for a forced marriage protection order and for a non-molestation order.

July 17 - Three journalists attend and lawyers for Sheikh Mohammed apply for them to be excluded. Sir Andrew says the hearing is relatively short while those in court 'simply scope out what lies before us' and to consider what information, if any, should be given to the media. The judge adds that the parties will issue a short statement explaining the nature of the proceedings.

July 18 - With the permission of the court, the parties release the following statement: 'The parties to these proceedings are HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances.'

July 30 - At a hearing to work out issues, including the question of media reporting and to how to proceed to a final hearing to determine the welfare issues, Sir Andrew allows the media to report that Sheikh Mohammed has applied for the summary return of the children to Dubai, and that Princess Haya has applied for the children to be made wards of court, for a non-molestation order and a forced marriage protection order.

November 12-13 - Sir Andrew conducts a hearing to make findings of fact in relation to Princess Haya's allegations against Sheikh Mohammed.

December 11 - The judge delivers his ruling on the fact-finding hearing. However, strict reporting restrictions preventing its publication remain in force.

January 17, 2020 - The judge delivers a ruling on a series of 'assurances and waivers' given by Sheikh Mohammed to Princess Haya. He also conducts a hearing to determine whether his earlier rulings should be made public.

January 27 - Sir Andrew concludes that his earlier rulings should be published, but the publication is postponed pending a Court of Appeal challenge by Sheikh Mohammed to this decision.

February 26 - The Court of Appeal hears Sheikh Mohammed's challenge.

February 28 - Three leading judges dismiss his appeal and refuse to grant him permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. The stay on publication remains in force to give the father chance to make a fresh challenge to the Supreme Court.

March 5 - The Supreme Court announces that it has refused permission to appeal and all previous rulings are made public.

The judge's conclusions are that Princess Haya was subjected to a sustained campaign of fear and intimidation by her former husband. He also finds that Shamsa and Latifa were abducted on their father's orders.
Greece has turned back nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said yesterday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on February 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the EU.

Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four migrants, a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on Wednesday.

Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne province bordering Greece yesterday and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants toward its territory. Mr Soylu accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing back nearly 5,000 into Turkey.

Greece yesterday banned vessels from sailing around the Aegean islands of Chios, Lesbos and Samos. They are all close to the Turkish coast and a regular target for dinghies packed with migrants trying to enter the EU. The ban exempts merchant ships and vessels of the EU's border agency Frontex.

The Aegean Sea remained choppy yesterday and there were no further sightings of dinghies carrying migrants.

Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps.

The situation at the Kastanies border crossing was calm yesterday. Migrants - many of whom are from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Syria and other Arab nations - huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border. Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since February 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said.

Migrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on Wednesday. He said migrants who entered Greece before January 1, 2019, and are living on its Aegean islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days.

Athens announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies.

"It's very sad that we have seen again human beings treated as political weapons... This is unacceptable," said Francesco Rocca, head of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
New Delhi: Tech giant Intel and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to digitally empower nearly one lakh students with Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in India`s education system.

Initiatives include the roll-out of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum framework for grades VIII, IX and X for 22,000 schools, with the aim to empower one lakh students within 2020, the company said in a statement.

The curriculum is based on `Intel AI For Youth`, which is an immersive, hands-on learning programme using experiential methodologies covering both social and technological skills.

"AI has become a strategic imperative for worldwide economic growth and will continue to be one of the most crucial technologies of the future," said Shweta Khurana, Director-Programmes, Partnerships and Policy Group at Intel India.

"Our collaboration with CBSE is a meaningful step towards enabling our youth to become digitally-empowered and effectively utilize emerging technologies such as AI to solve pressing local and global challenges," Khurana added.

The MoU also stated that Intel along with CBSE will soon be launching a `National AI Olympiad` to motivate young students to showcase their meaningful social impact solutions as evidence of achievement.

According to the company, it has been estimated that by 2030, AI, in all its applications, is predicted to contribute US$15.7 trillion to the global economy.

India`s own AI strategy identified artificial intelligence as an opportunity and solution provider for inclusive economic growth and social development.

The comprehensive programme called `Intel AI For Youth,` aimed at empowering the young generation to become AI-ready.

Together with CBSE, Chip-making giant has curated an outcome-oriented AI curriculum for students of grade VIII and above.

The curriculum was piloted with eight schools, training youth to create AI projects focused on social impact in 2019, with the aim to empower 1,00,000 students with AI-readiness skills in 2020.

"Our collaboration with Intel has helped us empower the youth with AI skills in an inclusive way and we hope to take this journey ahead in a big way in the coming years," said Biswajit Saha, Director, Skill Education and Training, CBSE.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 05:13:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIRUT, March 6 (Xinhua) -- French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher said that the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab is the only chance for Lebanon to solve its financial and economic crises.

"Paris has decided to deal with Diab's cabinet as Lebanon is going through a very dangerous crisis, and the priority is to solve the country's issues as soon as possible," Foucher was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper, on Friday.

Foucher said that French companies are looking forward to returning to work in Lebanon in sectors, including oil and gas.

The ambassador added that France will help Lebanon, in response to a demand by director general of the Health Ministry, to fight against COVID-19 by supplying the country with equipment to restrict the spread of the virus.

Lebanon has been facing multiple challenges lately, most importantly, its incapacity to repay its public debt, which has reached an alarming level of over 90 billion U.S. dollars.

The country needs to implement serious structural reforms in a bid to be able to curb its budget deficit and public debt.
The Delhi government has directed schools in the national capital to suspend morning assembly as a precautionary measure for coronavirus, officials said on Friday.

The Directorate of (DoE) has also advised schools to withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders.

"Do not hold school assembly. Also withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders," the DoE has said in a letter to principals of all government and private schools.

The primary classes of all schools in the national capital have been closed till March 31, but students of secondary classes and staff are required to attend school.

India has till now reported 31 coronavirus cases of which three are from Delhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jaigaon, Indo-Bhutan Border, Mar 6 (UNI) The Bhutanese government has imposed restriction on visiting tourists to this Himalayan kingdom for two weeks with immediate effect after a US tourist was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The ministry of Health of Royal Bhutan in a release today said in the wake of confirmed first COVID-19 case in Bhutan after an American tourist tested positive for the virus, the government

has ordered restriction on foreign travellers visiting the country for at least two weeks from now.
The award was granted to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi three years ago.

The City of London Corporation (CLC) on Thursday revoked an honour granted to Aung San Suu Kyi over the treatment of minority Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Elected representatives on the body that runs Londons historic centre and financial district voted to revoke the freedom of the city granted to Suu Kyi three years ago.

This move in the United Kingdom followed Suu Kyis appearance, as Myanmars civilian leader, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in December to personally defend her country against allegations of rape, arson and mass killings against Rohingya victims.





Todays unprecedented decision reflects the City Corporations condemnation of the humanitarian abuses carried out in Myanmar, said David Wootton, chair of the CLC committee that deals with Honorary Freedoms.

The argument for the removal of the award had been much strengthened by Aung San Suu Kyis close association with Myanmars government at the [Hague] hearing, as well as her lack of response [to the committees letters], he said.

Suu Kyi was originally awarded the honour, which dates back to 1237, in May 2017 in recognition of her non-violent struggle over many years for democracy and her steadfast dedication to create a society where people can live in peace, security and freedom.

She attended the award ceremony herself during a tour of Europe, but faced protests even then at the plight of the Rohingya.

Previous recipients of the honour include Britains wartime leader Winston Churchill, anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, and scientist Stephen Hawking.

Denying genocide charges

In December Suu Kyi told the ICJ the military-led clearance operation in western Rakhine State against the Rohingya was a response to alleged coordinated Rohingya attacks against dozens of police stations in August 2017.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said Myanmar actively investigates, prosecutes and punishes soldiers and officers that are accused of wrongdoing and argued the tribunal, also known as the World Court, should not have jurisdiction.

She described the conflict as an internal one and said if human rights violations had occurred, they did not rise to the level of genocide.

In January the ICJ ordered Myanmar to prevent the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine. Myanmars government rejected the ruling, saying it was based on a distorted picture of the situation.
(Newser)  Rep. Tulsi Gabbard hasn't been onstage for the past five Democratic presidential debates. She faces long odds for the next one, too. The Democratic National Committee announced Friday that to qualify, candidates will need to have won at least 20 percent of the pledged delegates by March 15, when the debate is being held in Phoenix. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will meet that threshold and would have the stage to themselves, Politico reports, but Gabbard has just two delegates0.1 percent of the total available. Another 352 delegates are available in primaries Tuesday; even a sweep would leave her still a distant third, far behind Biden and Sanders, per NBC. Gabbard hasn't been eligible for a debate since November, but the DNC said Friday that another one, the 12th, is being planned.

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Although her visibility has been low, Gabbard is still in the Democratic race. She'll be campaigning in Nevada this weekend, per CNN. Despite not breaking 1% in recent polls, Gabbard has said she's staying in until the convention, per Business Insider. The race has changed quickly, the Hill notes: Five of the seven candidates who participated in the last debate before this week's Super Tuesday primaries have now dropped out. (Read more Tulsi Gabbard 2020 stories.)
Activist Gene Stilp likes to show his displeasure with President Donald Trump by setting things on fire.

Usually, he torches flags.

A heath and safety ordinance of the City of Harrisburg doesnt allow him to ignite anything in a public venue, however.

Thats a violation of his fee speech rights, Stilp claims in a newly filed federal lawsuit.

Stilp, who describes himself as a prominent political activist, contends in the U.S. Middle District Court complaint that his right to political expression should trump the restrictions of the citys burn ordinance.

The case marks Stilps second legal attack on that measure.

Last month, he convinced a district judge in Harrisburg to throw out a citation he was issued for violating the burn ordinance during a one-man anti-Trump protest he staged at the state Capitol Complex in December. District Judge David OLeary voided the citation after concluding the ordinance is so broad it could squelch political free speech.

Stilp, a Middle Paxton Township resident who has mounted failed bids for public office, makes the same argument in his federal court complaint.

The case centers on what happened near the Capitol fountain on Dec. 5. Stilp secured a permit from the state Department of General Services to burn three flags in a steel trash can that day. One was a Trump campaign flag sewn together with a Nazi flag, the second was a Trump flag sewn to a flag of the defunct Soviet Union and the third was a Trump banner bearing the words, No More Bull----.

It was windy that day, however, and a Capitol Police officer told Stilp not to strike his match. Stilp says the cop told him he was barring the burning under the terms of the city ordinance, which the officer claimed applies to the Capitol grounds.

When Stilp torched one of his flags anyway, the cop promptly doused the flames with a fire extinguisher and issued the citation Stilp fought before OLeary.

Despite OLearys decision Stilp fears conducting further protests in flag burning in public places in the City of Harrisburg, the suit filed by attorney Aaron D.Martin states. He is asking Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to rule that the citys regulation violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

He also seeks unspecified financial damages from the city and the general services department. Stilp wants them to pay his legal fees, too.
Mr. Sanders sent a Telex to the cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, who then headed the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship and Cultural Contacts. The agency oversaw sister-city contacts in the Soviet Union.

The trip was ultimately approved, and the Yaroslavl delegation went to Burlington a few months later, in October 1988.

Information-Propaganda Work
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said she was confident that Parliament would pass pass the amendments to the companies law with focus on decriminalisation of various provisions.

Earlier this weak, the cabinet approved 72 changes to the companies law as the government aims further improvement in the companies law.

"I am sure Parliament in its wisdom will pass it...," the minister said at the inaugural session of colloquium on 'Judicial Sensitisation on Insolvency Law and Associated Best Practices' organised by National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).

Sitharaman, who is also the Corporate Affairs Minister, further said it is the commitment of the government that wealth creators - small, medium, big or large - will be treated with respect.

"...there shall be trust of the government in these entrepreneurs," she added.

The amendments in the Companies Act, 2013, also aims at reduction in penalties for certain offences as well as in timeline for rights issues, relaxation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) compliance requirements and creation of separate benches at the NCLAT.

Sitharaman further said India made a big difference to itself by passing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) three years ago.

"In passing this legislation, one thing was kept in mind and also made sure was that associated, related institutions were simultaneously quickly placed on ground.

"...So if you really want to talk about India crossing that threshold of being nimble at bringing in legislations and related institutions also, IBC is a classic example," the minister said.

A bill to further to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, is listed in the Lok Sabha for passage and consideration.
With the third case of coronavirus detected in Delhi, authorities on Friday intensified efforts to augment facilities in the national capital by adding more isolation wards for COVID-19 patients and directed schools in the city to suspend morning assembly.

A health official of the Delhi government said 11 people, including seven family members of the man who tested positive for coronavirus after his visit to Thailand, have been quarantined at their residence.

The Delhi health department has also come up with a containment plan that includes preparing a buffer zone of five kilometres by the Delhi Geospatial Delhi Ltd around the cases reported so far, a bulletin said.

A surveillance of 50 households has been done in the vicinity of the residence of the fresh case to check if there has been any infection, it added.

The 25-year-old man, who also travelled to Malaysia, has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the national capital to three.

"The family of the patient comprising his wife, parents, brother, sister-in-law and their two kids has been home quarantined. Their samples have been taken for testing," the official said.

The office of the patient, who has been shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital for treatment, is in Gurgaon but he operated from his residence.

A Paytm employee who tested positive for coronavirus is also a resident of west Delhi.

So far, 31 people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Augmenting the health facilities, Southwest Delhi District Magistrate Rahul Singh issued an order, asking all government and private hospitals to create such facility for COVID-19 patients.

"As you are aware that there is an emergency situation of COVID-19 in Delhi. Therefore, all government and private hospitals need to create the facility of isolation beds for COVID-19 patients, that is 10 per cent of the total bed capacity of all government and private hospitals under SWD," the order stated.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) said it was also preparing to have separate wards Kasturba, Rajan Babu, Maharishi Valmiki and Smt Giridhar Lal hospitals of the North Delhi civic body.

It has already set up a separate ward with 14 beds for coronavirus patients at the Bara Hindurao hospital run by it.

Officials said meetings are being held with resident welfare associations (RWAs) for awareness and prevention of coronavirus.

Adequate number of masks are available in all the hospitals, the north municipal corporation said.

The zonal health officers have been directed to run awareness programmes on how to prevent spread of the virus. Hoardings and banners have also been displayed at vantage points under NDMC areas, it added.

The chairman of Medical Assistance and Public Health Committee of NDMC, Vineet Vohra, reviewed preparations for prevention of the virus in a meeting with health officers of the civic body on Friday.

The Delhi government has also directed schools in the national capital to suspend morning assembly as a precautionary measure for coronavirus.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) has also advised schools to withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders.

"Do not hold school assembly. Also withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders," the DoE has said in a letter to principals of all government and private schools.

On Thursday, the Delhi government had directed closure of all primary schools till March 31.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said anganwadis and government child-care centres have also been closed in view of the coronavirus scare.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oil prices plummeted on Friday after major producers failed to reach an agreement to reduce production, as concerns about coronaviruss impact on the economy spread across the globe.

The meeting was supposed to reflect Saudi Arabias deft management of an oversupply of oil on world markets. But Russias unwillingness to go along with a take-it-or-leave-it offer threatens to unleash a gusher of oil on world markets  good news in the short term for consumers, with severe financial costs for the industry.

Brent crude fell by more than 9 percent, as low as $45.18 a barrel, a two-and-a-half-year low. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, was as low as $41.11 a barrel.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers, including Russia, were trying to steady prices by reducing output beyond cuts that were already approved. But the oil powers struggled to reach an agreement during the meetings, which were in their third day on Friday.
When the retrospectives are written in the aftermath of the election this coming November, in the spirit of Theodore Whites Making of the President series, a big chapter may well be titled, 72 Hours.
High pressure wire tower at sunset at dusk

Concerns surrounding the coronavirus have had a disastrous impact on the markets in the past few weeks. And while all sectors have felt the impact, there are some stocks that investors can put in their portfolios that should be able to weather the storm better than others. Here are two stocks that can be great additions to your portfolio and that can minimize your exposure to a downturn and market crash:

Emera Incorporated (TSX:EMA) is a good stock to own for a few reasons. For one, its a utility stock that provides necessary services to people whether they are traveling or not, and regardless of whether theyre cutting back on spending or not; utilities are a necessity.

The company released its year-end results in February. Emera recorded $6.1 billion for 2019, which was down from the $6.5 billion it generated in the prior year. However, the company blames weak market conditions in the New England market as part of the reason for the lacklustre results but President and CEO Scott Balfour is optimistic for the future. In 2020, we look forward to the closing of the Emera Maine transaction, and redeploying capital from our asset sales into our businesses which are driving a rate base growth forecast of 7% through to 2022.

The company currently pays investors a quarterly dividend of $0.6125, good for an annual yield of 4.2%. That can be especially important at a time when stocks are not doing well as it can help maximize the stocks returns. With a beta value of just 0.3, investors shouldnt expect the same volatility from the stock that weve seen in the markets. Thats good news because it means that the market may not drag Emera down along with it.

Waste Connections Inc (TSX:WCN)(NYSE:WCN) is another stock that provides a necessary service for customers and that pays a dividend as well. Waste management may not be a popular service, but its crucial to our day-to-day lives. Waste is unavoidable and thats made the stock a great recession-proof investment to hold over years and probably even decades, just like utility stocks.

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The companys grown via acquisition and with strong free cash flow, itll continue to have opportunities to grow and expand into new markets. Last year was the second consecutive year where Waste Connections generated free cash flow of more than US$860 million. Its dividend is a much more modest yield of just 0.7% but it can still be important in helping add some important cash flow for your portfolio.

Its a bit of an expensive buy, trading at close to 50 times earnings, but as investors look for safer investments to hold, its value may continue to rise.

Bottom line

When it comes to protecting your portfolio, its important to diversify and hold stocks that arent very volatile. Both these stocks have performed very well over the years, especially when compared against the TSX:

WCN data by YCharts

Adding a dividend on top of those returns makes these stocks even better buys today. Recession or not, these stocks always look to be good long-term investments.

The post Market Crash 2020: 2 Stocks to Buy Right Now to Protect Your Portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

More reading

Fool contributor David Jagielski 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
Belarus and Russia have tried several times to resolve what is ostensibly a pricing dispute but is really about Minsk dragging its feet on joining a federation with Russia, a move that would (de facto or de jure) eliminate Belaruss independence

Belarus continues to scramble in search of alternate oil sources two months after its traditional Russian suppliers halted flows through the Druzhba Pipeline. The five suppliers that have provided Belarus with 90 percent of its oil for years cut off their exports on January 1. Since then, Belaruss state oil company Belneftkhim has signed purchasing agreements with companies from Azerbaijan and Norwayand with non-traditional Russian suppliersto try to make up the 18 million tons of crude a year it is losing.

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR has already agreed to supply 160,000 tons of oil to Belarus, and Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas met with SOCAR officials on March 2 to discuss additional purchases. Belarus will import SOCARs crude through a pipeline running from Ukraines main Black Sea port of Odesa to Brody in northwestern Ukraine. The oil will then be sent north to Belaruss Mozyr refinery, a joint venture of the Russian oil giants Rosneft and Gazpromneft.

Belarus and Russia have tried several times to resolve what is ostensibly a pricing dispute but is really about Minsk dragging its feet on joining a federation with Russia, a move that would (de facto or de jure) eliminate Belaruss independence. The talks have included several one-on-one meetings between Presidents Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Vladimir Putin.

Belarus wants its traditional suppliers, such as Rosneft, Gazpromneft, Surgutneftegaz and Tatneft, to remove a $10-per-barrel premium on the price they charge for crude. The four demanded the premium after Moscow exempted Belarus from paying export fees on Russian oil. At one point, the Russian exporters were losing $10 a barrel from having to absorb the export fees themselves. But Russia has since shifted its tax on crude from exporters to producers, prompting Belarus to contend that the premium it has continued to pay is no longer necessary.

Belarus used to receive Russian crude at prices far lower than the rate Moscow charged all other global customers. But it has raised prices to the point that Belarus says its discount is now only 17 percent. This means Russia should eliminate the premium, Minsk maintains. Putin appeared to offer a $2-per-barrel discount in a February 21 phone conversation with Lukashenka, but different interpretations of his proposal mean the price standoff has persisted.

Although Belarus and Russia have had many oil and gas price disputes in recent years, the current Druzhba supply disruption is now the longest since 2004. A curious wrinkle, however, is that the Kremlin is allowing non-traditional Russian suppliers to deliver some of the supply that Belarus has lost.

First to step in were the sister companies owned by oil magnate Mikhail Gucheriev. His firms Safmar and Neftis agreed, on January 2, to send 750,000 tons to Belneftkhim. They have delivered some of the oil through the Druzhba Pipeline and some by rail. Since then, Russias RIA Novosti news organization has reported that UDS NEFT, Yanqpur and Tatneft also want to supply up to 1 million barrels of crude a day to Belarus.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo told Lukashenko in a meeting in Minsk, on February 1, that the United States would supply all of the oil and natural gas Belarus needs to help it maintain its independence from Moscow. In turn, Lukashenka expressed hope that the US would arrange low-cost loans for an oil pipeline running from the Baltic Sea through the Baltic States and into Belarus.

Belarus is also working with Ukraine to bring the OdesaBrody Pipeline online again. It has been idle since 2011 because oil delivered through it would have been much more expensive than oil pumped through the Druzhba. In a sign of how serious Belarus is about restarting the OdesaBrody route, Minsk has established a fee schedule for the 40-kilometer stretch of pipeline that would need to be built from Brody to the Mozyr refinery.

Since the Russian shutoff on January 1, Belarus has been able to find limited alternative crude supplies for its refineries, whose exports of finished petroleum products are the lifeblood of the Belarusian economy. But the price of crude from those new sources has, in every case, been much higher than from Belaruss traditional Russian suppliers. In addition, the volumes procured from those alternative sources has not been high enough to keep Belaruss refineries at Mozyr and Naftan running at capacity. In January and February, the two processed 1.8 million tons of oilhalf of what they did during the same period in 2019. The price standoff with Moscow is also depriving Belarus of income from the 6 million tons of Russian oil a day that it usually re-exports. Finally, the contracts with alternative suppliers have so far all been short term, a sign that Belarus does not intend to replace Russian deliveries for good. As long as all that remains the case, Moscow will be able to maintain a tough position in the price talks, perceiving that Minsk lacks leverage.

Read the full article here.
The measure, proposed in the House by Del. Marcus B. Simon (D-Fairfax) and Del. Joshua G. Cole (D-Fredericksburg), is the latest in a string of landmark LGBTQ rights measures to pass the General Assembly this year, landing on the governors desk with the backing of Democratic majorities in the House and Senate  a level of dominance Democrats have not enjoyed for a generation. The vote on the measure split along party lines in both chambers of the General Assembly.
5 of Europe's most environmentally-friendly cities

Enjoy the best of Europe's green getaways

Environmentally conscious travellers, worry no more. We've compiled a list of our favourite eco-friendly cities...

1. Lisbon, Portugal

The European Commission's Green Capital 2020 was a natural choice. Electric vehicles are a common site in the Portuguese city with one of the largest charging point networks in the world. Locals tend to travel more sociably however, as over 93% of Lisboans live within 300 metres of a frequent public transport service. Tourists can get around with help of an electric bike sharing scheme and rest their head in one of the many eco hotels available.

2. Hamburg, Germany

A short ride from Hamburg Airport's on the S-bahn train (which is powered entirely from renewable energy) gets you to 2011's European Green Capital. Regular car-free Sundays ban petrol and diesel guzzling vehicles to make way for free public transport, including the city's bike sharing scheme. Huge public parks, a network of winding canals and nearby beaches are easily accessible for those looking to escape the usual urban scenery.

3. Vienna, Austria

When recent research measured Europe's capital cities' green credentials, the Austrian city came out on top of them all. The capital was judged to have the highest water and air quality out of 25 cities and it's no surprise thanks to a scenic location beside the Alps. Fresh spring water is said to flow from the mountain range to locals' taps in just 36 hours.

4. Malmo, Sweden

Sweden's third largest city is the jewel in the nation's eco-friendly crown, home to one of the world's largest windfarms, a robust cycle network and acres of parks and green spaces. A development in the city's western harbour relies on 100% renewable energy. Solar power, wind power and clever water harvesting make clean living a reality for 10,000 Malmo locals.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

The 2013 European Green Capital continues to lead the way in eco-friendly urban living. The city's Cycle Super Highways clock up 894,000 miles every day from pedal pushing Copenhageners and the outdoor lifestyle plays a big part in locals' leisure time too. Open-air swimming at the pristine harbour pools are open all year and the world's first carbon-neutral theme park provides a guilt-free white knuckle ride.

Booking a green getaway?

At World First we offer thoughtful European travel insurance that gives you peace of mind during your eco-friendly getaway.
Former finance minister P Chidambaram has criticised present Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for blaming the UPA government for the YES Bank debacle.

In a series of tweets, he criticised the BJP government for not taking enough initiatives to regulate financial institutions.

He also said that the incumbent government did nothing to stop the crisis that started in 2017.

"It is obvious that the crisis has been in the making since 2017 and the government did practically nothing except "talk to the RBI"," Chidamabram tweeted. "As expected, the FM has indirectly blamed the UPA for the near collapse of YES Bank contrary to her own claim that the crisis started in 2017."





Listened to FMs address to the media. It is obvious that the crisis has been in the making since 2017 and the government did practically nothing except talk to the RBI.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

As expected, the FM has indirectly blamed the UPA for the near collapse of YES Bank contrary to her own claim that the crisis started in 2017.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

Chidambaram sought explanations as to how YES Bank's loan book jumped from Rs 55,633 crore on FY2014 to Rs 2,41,999 crore in FY2019.

Did you notice that the FM did not acknowledge the numbers of the loan book of YES Bank? Did you notice that FM did not explain how the loan book miraculously jumped from Rs 55,633 crore in March 2014 to Rs 2,41,999 crore in March 2019?  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

"FM was focused on what happened during the UPA. What happened was UPA did not allow any bank to reach a state of collapse. Under UPA, weak banks were merged with other banks well in time to avoid a crisis."

FM was focused on what happened during the UPA. What happened was UPA did not allow any bank to reach a state of collapse. Under UPA, weak banks were merged with other banks well in time to avoid a crisis.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

Chidambaram also pointed out that the BJP government was itself trying to merge 'weak public sector banks with stronger public sector banks' to save the financial sector.

The decisions to merge were taken by RBI Governors Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Y V Reddy. Why doesnt the FM call them and ask them to explain their decisions? She might find that the decisions were correct and taken by competent Governors.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

What is the government doing today? Is the government not merging weak public sector banks with stronger public sector banks?



Naturally, FM blamed the legacy of UPA. She will say that for the rest of the tenure of the BJP government!  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

In earlier tweets today, Chidambaram had questioned the State Bank of India's decision to explore investment opportunities in YES Bank. "SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned," he said.

Sitharaman during a press conference today said that RBI had noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at the bank, along with wrong asset classification and risky credit decision.

The RBI on Thursday had put YES Bank under a moratorium due to the huge losses the bank was facing. It took over YES Bank's board for the next 30 days and put a Rs 50,000 cap on cash withdrawals.

Also Read: RBI announces restructuring of Yes Bank; SBI likely to hold 49% stake

Also Read: Yes Bank employees' jobs secured for at least a year
CHICAGO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- To show their solidarity with the Chinese people against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an elementary school in the U.S. city of Chicago has donated 5,760 surgical masks, 250 sets of isolation suits.

During a donation ceremony held in the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago on Wednesday, Nimisha Bhatt, executive director of Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School, handed over the supplies to Zhao Jian, Chinese Consul General in Chicago.

These medical supplies were purchased with some 3,000 U.S. dollars raised by the children through selling hot chocolate at a charity event organized by the school.

"In the past two weeks, these 18 students work hard to show their love and support for China," said Ji Xiang, a Chinese language teacher at the school.

After the students heard about the coronavirus situation in China at their Chinese class, everyone wanted to do something to help, she said.

"The students offered to sell hot chocolate to raise money in order to purchase medical supplies sent to Wuhan. I saw it's a great idea. Students good at mathematics find the most cost effective supplies; students good at arts designed beautiful posters," Ji said.

She said the students did this because they love China and Chinese culture.

"Most of the students here started learning Chinese from age of three and they all participated in programs in China before. The students showed appreciation of Chinese culture," Ji said. "The students also wrote a letter to China's minister of education, to express our hope that we will have the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture in Chinese schools and exchange ideas with Chinese students face to face."

Ava Moore, a 6th grader at the school, recalled her experience of traveling in Beijing and Chengdu. She said China is beautiful and she has many Chinese friends.

"On hearing the coronavirus situation in China through my teacher, I'm so worried that I decided to do something to support China. I must go back to China in the future, making more friends there," Moore said in Chinese.

"Thank you for bringing your love and your solidarity to the Chinese People. It has been a very touching movement watching you students doing those great things for the Chinese people and for the fight against the virus," Zhao said while addressing the donation ceremony.
Samsung started rolling out a new firmware update for their Galaxy S20 series to improve the camera and gestures. This is the 2nd update the device has received even though it still has not been officially released yet.

Despite being impressive on paper, reviews for the Galaxy S20 series have been mixed. The camera has some flaws that have left some reviewers scratching their head. Basic tasks like auto-focus taking way longer than it should are plaguing the lineup. With the camera being a key upgrade, these bugs left most early users with a lukewarm taste in their mouths.

Firmware Fix Needed

Samsung, aware of these complaints, has promised to fix these issues with a software firmware update. Initially released in Korea, Samsung responded quickly to complaints with a 253 megabyte update. The hope is that Samsung is likely racing to get the update out globally shortly.

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During their Unpacked 2020 event Samsung released 3 versions of their Galaxy S series. Samsung only released two models at launch, usually the standard S model and a Galaxy S+ model.

This year Samsung went all in with an Ultra model of their phone with some super high-end specs. The Ultra included specs like an industry leading camera with 108 megapixels and 100x space zoom. For good measure the phone also comes with a 40 megapixel selfie camera and a 5,000mAh battery.

All three models included upgraded cameras with the Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus coming with a 64-megapixel telephoto lens. In addition to the now standard 4K video recording, the full lineup now comes armed with a future proofing 8K recording ability.

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Galaxy S20, Impressive but Flawed

Camera execution is not the only issue tarnishing the flagship lineup. The design of the new phones is also controversial. Unlike the beautiful curves on the Galaxy S10 series, the S20 series is much flatter.

Price has been a major issue with consumers. The price of all three models have gone up significantly across the board. Sales of the Galaxy S20 series have been down since pre-orders started which Samsung blames on coronavirus.

Samsung has ignored all complaints thus far around price. They have heard however the complaints about the camera quality. Thankfully they have been relatively quick to react and come up with some improvements before release.

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Currently the Galaxy S20 series in on pre-order through carriers and Samsung directly. March 6th, 2020 is the release date globally for all models of the Galaxy S20. Once unboxed, there will already be two firmware updates waiting.
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Fifty-seven people related to the flights a Japanese passenger with SARS-CoV-2 boarding have been put under quarantine, the disease control centre of Ho Chi Minh City said on March 5.

A worker fumigates an ambulance carrying people to a concentrated quarantine centre in Khanh Hoa province

This Japanese passenger flew from Siem Reap (Cambodia) on flight VN814 and arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport of HCM City at 10:30pm on March 3. Right on that night, the passenger boarded flight VN340 to go to Japan and was tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 there.

The crew and plane of flight VN340 returned to Vietnam on March 4 with their flight coded VN341.

After receiving this information on March 4 afternoon, the citys disease prevention and control system immediately took response measures while flight VN341 was preparing to land.

As this flight hadnt been disinfected before returning to Vietnam, the 13 crew members and 22 passengers entering the country (all are Vietnamese, including adults and children) were sent to the citys concentrated quarantine wards in Nha Be and Cu Chi districts on late March 4. The aircraft was sterilised in line with regulations.

Regarding flight VN814, relevant agencies also quarantined six crew members right on late March 4. Among the six passengers who boarded this flight and entered Vietnam, five are foreigners (one Filipino, three French and one Australian), and they exited the country on March 4.

The other is a Vietnamese residing in District 1 of HCM City, and this person was also sent to a concentrated quarantine centre on March 5 morning. Meanwhile, relatives having contact with this passenger were asked to quarantine themselves at home.

Nine staff members of Tan Son Nhat airport who met the infected Japanese passenger on March 3 night have also been quarantined since March 4 night.

Additionally, before leaving Vietnam for Bangkok (Thailand), the three French on flight VN814 stayed at a hotel in District 1. Six hotel employees having contact with them are kept in quarantine at present. The hotel has also been disinfected.

In the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, a Vietnamese returning from the Republic of Korea, where the number of COVID-19 cases is surging, died on March 5 morning, but he was tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

The 65-year-old man became unconscious and was hospitalised on March 4 afternoon. He suffered from septic shock caused by pneumonia, acute kidney failure and diabetes.

Nearly 1,800 people quarantined on South Korea flights to Van Don airport

Passengers at Van Don International Airport

Nearly 1,800 people who arrived at the northern province of Quang Ninh's Van Don International Airport from South Korea have been quarantined for SARS-CoV-2 prevention.

On March 1-3, Van Don Airport served 10 flights, transporting 1,932 passengers from South Korea, including 1,788 Vietnamese and 144 foreigners who are from Japan, Russia and Canada.

The flights were conducted by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and budget carrier VietJet Air.

After being given with temperature checks and sterilisation, the Vietnamese passengers were directly transported to quarantine areas in northern provinces such as Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh and Hoa Binh, while 144 foreigners were taken to a hotel in Halong City in Quang Ninh to be monitored.

Van Don International Airport provided free masks for passengers.

The airport has arranged a separate landing area for flights from South Korea.

The flight crew and ground service staff have to wear safety clothes for the virus prevention.

On these flights, passengers are not served meals, magazines and blanket to minimise their exposure to inflight objects.

Nguyen Trong Dien, director of Quang Ninh Province's Department of Health, said that local authorities have prepared different scenarios to welcome flights from South Korea such as what should be done when passengers have a fever or they do not co-operate with the quarantine plan./.Dtinews/VNA

Visiting quarantine zone in Khanh Hoa Vietnamese citizens coming back from the RoK are quarantined in army barracks and military schools in Khanh Hoa province.
5:40 p.m. In Fort Bend County, two more people from a group who traveled to Egypt were identified as having presumptive coronavirus, according to officials.

The Fort Bend County Health & Human Services said specimens from two women in their 60s, both of whom had recently traveled to the Middle Eastern nation, were tested in Houston and will be sent to the CDC for further examination.

One of the women is self-quaratined, and her symptoms have since resolved. The other woman is "experiencing mild symptoms" and is also self-quarantined.

5:34 p.m. In Montgomery County, public officials said Friday that they have at least one person under investigation for a possible coronavirus infection. The number of people was not specified.

Montgomery County Public Health District spokeswoman Misti Willingham said the criteria for testing requires that the individual have had "relevant travel history." As of 4:30 p.m., the county had not had any confirmed cases, she said.

5:00 p.m. The University of Houston is considering contigency plans for school should the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the area increase.

Canceling classes and replacing them with online courses would be the next step, school officials said.

"Should we face a large-scale outbreak, as an alternative to conducting in-person, face-to-face classes, the University of Houston will require all faculty instructors to teach their current spring 2020 classes employing a remote, online format," provost Paula Short said in an email to faculty members.

4:48 p.m. The Rice University employee who tested positive for coronavirus was on campus on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, and he wore a face mask on those days, school officials said.

The employee's time on campus was limited to a secured suite on the first floor of Keck Hall, not classrooms. That area has been "thoroughly sanitized multiple times," officials said.

Regardless, classes in Keck Hall will be moved to other buildings through March 11, at the earliest.

"We believe there is low risk for anybody working or studying in Keck Hall based on the substantial cleanings of Keck that have been undertaken, the limited lifespan of the virus and the ongoing self-quarantine of the employees and students who came in contact with the affected employee," the school said in an email.

Employees can continue working in Keck Hall, officials said.

4:15 p.m. The annual South by Southwest festival slated for Austin was canceled Friday amid coronavirus fears, city officials said.

Mayor Steve Adler issued the order that the event  slated to start March 13 and continue until March 22  be canceled. In a statement, SXSW organizers said they would consider rescheduling it.

This situation evolved rapidly, and we honor and respect the City of Austins decision, SXSW organizers said in a statement.

The festival would have brought in an estimated $356 million boost to Austin's economy.

3:49 p.m. Fort Bend County officials have asked some 10 people to self-quarantine who were in close contact with the elderly man who has a presumptive positive test for the new coronavirus.

Authorities asked those who were potentially infected to stay in quarantine for two weeks, said Yaneth Calderon, spokesperson for Fort Bend County Health and Human Services.

Close contacts can include family, co-workers and emergency responders, according to a county press release. Authorities will watch to see if they develop symptoms.

3:27 p.m. Houston buses and trains are getting the once-over to ward off any risks to COVID-19 spreading, according to officials with Metropolitan Transit Authority.

In a release, the transit agency said while it has not been directed to take an additional precautions, crews are "putting an even greater emphasis on disinfecting surfaces frequently touched by the public during our daily bus and rail cleaning ."

Posters and safety messages via the announcement system at rail stations and transit centers are also advocating people take greater care in protecting themselves and others with good hygiene practices.

2:55 p.m. As some national conferences are kiboshed by COVID-19, one of the largest ones coming the Houston area in the coming months is on -- for now.

The 2020 National Planning Conference by the American Planning Association will take place April 25-28 in Houston as planned, organizers said.

"APA, the city of Houston, and our vendors are taking precautions to provide a safe and healthy environment for all conference attendees," organizers said in statement.

The announcement comes as officials in the city confirmed a second case in Houston on Friday, making the sixth in the Gulf region.

In the past week, officials with IHS Markit canceled the annual CERA Week conference. That's led to some worries about the effect the virus will have on the area's hotels.

Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

2:30 p.m. Texas' top leaders are warning retailers not to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis. Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday afternoon issued rare joint statement reminding businesses predatory increases in prices could lead to criminal charges.

Price-gouging is un-Texan and will not be tolerated in our state, Abbott and Paxton said in the statement. The state of Texas will work to ensure that anyone who engages in this act is held to account. As we work to address the coronavirus, it is essential that the public has access to health and wellness supplies that can help mitigate any potential spread. We will work to combat any attempt to exploit public health and safety for monetary gain.

Under Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, Abbott can declare a health emergency that gives the Texas Attorney General broader powers to prosecute these cases.

Texans who suspect a case of price-gouging in connection to the potential coronavirus threat should file a consumer complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.

12:51 p.m. Fear of an outbreak does not seem to be having an effect on the stampede of people through the gates of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Andrea Leinfelder reported.

Friday marked day four of the 20-day marathon. Sheldon Baldwin, captain of the Livestock Committee that directs traffic (cattle and people) inside NRG Center and helps exhibitors get in and out of the show arena, said all of his volunteers showed up for their shifts.

We do this every year, he said. We enjoy what we do. I dont think anybody has thought anything different this year with the virus going on.

And while some vendors inside NRG Center said foot traffic had been slower than usual for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeos first few days, they were hesitant to say it was because of COVID-19 fears. Maybe its the lineup, speculated Martha Speer, owner of Centennial, Colo.-based Cactus Rose, which sells apparel.

She noted the COVID-19 cases were predominantly travel related, and she felt it could be contained. Looking around, she noted that people have to go to work and continue their lives. And the students have worked hard for the past year raising animals that theyll show in the coming weeks.

Unless there is a severe outbreak, she said, I dont think it will affect people coming.

Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

12:08 p.m. Houston Health Department says it has a second case of COVID-19.

City officials in a release said the woman was part of the same travel group from Egypt and is hospitalized and stable.

There remains no evidence of community spread, no need to alter our normal activity in Houston and certainly no reason to let fear grip our lives," Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement.

The diagnosis was made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prior to the city having the ability to conduct its own tests, Houston officials said.

11:46 a.m. Advocates and health experts are warning that while coronavirus risk to children is low, combined with their exposure to older adults and influenza, hazards remain.

"So far in China and pretty much here... young people don't seem to get sick from this virus," said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and co-director of the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.

Still, Dr. Bob Sanborn, president of Children at Risk, warned parents to have a plan for how coronavirus and the flu will affect them,

"That doesnt mean their families are not going to be impacted," Sanborn said of the virus risk.

While health officials have urged calm and said no cases of transmission occurring in the Houston have been reported, Sanborn and others said there remains a chance schools could close to protect both the students and the population at large.

"The difference with the coronavirus is it could be sustained," said Allison Winnike, president of The Immunization Partnership. "It would be something parents need to plan ahead."

Sanborn said school districts need to consider how they could keep educating children via online.

"If indeed these schools close down, you are going to see teachers working remotely," Sanborn said. "You are going to see others working remotely and there are some big challenges ahead for schools."

Closing schools to reduce risk occurs occasionally in Texas, Winnike said. Flu outbreaks led to the closure of about 30 districts statewide last year.

"We are still in the peak of flu season. A child in Houston is much more likely to into contact with the flu," said Dr. Sanghamitra Misra, medical director of mobile clinics at Texas Childrens Hospital.

Children below 19 should be vaccinated against the flu, according to health officials.

"This may be a once in a century type of crisis, but we are going to need to respond to it accordingly," Sanborn said.

With the federal government clearing the way for public funding, Sanborn urged elected officials to use some of that money to ensure anyone suspected of having the virus is tested.

"Make sure everyone, documented, undocumented, covered or uncovered, gets this treatment and testing," he said. "This is a threat to public health so we don't want anyone to hesitate getting tested."

10:56 a.m. There's a chance the risk from coronavirus could hit school districts in the pocketbook, Shelby Webb reports.

In Fort Bend ISD, Superintendent Charles Dupre said many more families in his district travel abroad to vacation and visit extended family during breaks. In a video message, he said district officials would make every effort to support students and staff who decide to self quarantine after returning from Spring Break for a variety of reasons, whether they have preexisting conditions such as asthma, traveled to an effected area, are experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed.

We are consulting with the Texas Education Agency to determine whether these absences would be counted against a students compulsory attendance requirement, Dupre said. Based on their response, we will form a district plan to address excessive absences that may occur.

The Texas Education Agency is expected to give districts more guidance on how to handle COVID-19 later on Friday. In an interview with the Texas Tribune on Friday morning, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the district has fielded 180 questions from districts about the new coronavirus. The TEA said in February that 50 schools across the state had already closed this flu season due to high absenteeism, but, Morath said, the potential absences due to students self-quarantining due to COVID-19 may prove more challenging to handle.

Thats because Texas schools are funded by daily attendance numbers. Morath said if 10 percent of a districts students self-quarantine for 14 days at a time, how do you fund those schools?

10:03 a.m. Coming back from Spring Break, some students might take some extra time out of the classroom.

8:45 a.m. At area churches, rituals are changing slightly so COVID-19 is not also with you, writes Peggy O'Hare.

During the sign of peace  when Catholics usually turn to each other and shake hands  Carol White gave a friendly wave to Sister Lucero Romero, who sat a short distance away on the same pew at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in San Antonio.

The break in tradition stemmed from the Archdiocese of San Antonios new guidelines to help protect clergy and churchgoers from the novel coronavirus creeping slowly across the country.

Such precautions are among the ways clergy members are reassuring their congregations.

I dont think people should be afraid to come to church, said Father Kevin Fausz, a priest at three Catholic churches and a licensed registered nurse. I dont think we should quit living and quit going out and being around people.

Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

8:36 a.m. A day after Fort Bend County officials confirmed that a man in his 70s had tested presumptively positive for the new coronavirus, more than 60 older residents packed their local community center in Sugar Land to find out more information about the illness and what they can do to protect themselves. Reporter Brooke Lewis was there.

This is the population that needs to be talking, said Dr. Joe A. Anzaldua, a Sugar Land physician, who did a Q&A session Thursday in Sugar Land.

Senior citizens tend to have more medical problems, take more medications and also have a weakened immune system, the doctor stressed. He also noted that older residents tend to live in groups, citing the large number of residential facilities in Sugar Land.

Meanwhile Harris County health officials are filling in some of the gaps in terms of the terminology.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

8:27 a.m. Rice University students have bigger things to think about than the coronavirus, reporter Robert Downen said. Matthew Burns, a junior physics major at Rice, said the mood on campus has been calm since the announcement on Thursday.

Like others who were rushing to classes Friday morning, Burns said that he wasnt too concerned, but that he was also waiting to hear if there were other people who had contact with the person who was confirmed as having coronavirus on campus.

Emre Yurtbay, a senior majoring in statistics, said he was not concerned because the person who was affected was tangentially involved with the school.

8:12 a.m. Some things are bigger than fear.

7:50 a.m. The Houston region remains at five confirmed cases of COVID-19, as officials work to tamp down worry while encouraging people to brush up on proper hygiene.

At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Sylvester Turner urged people to minimize foreign travel, the common denominator in the cases. He said that this would be an excellent time for people to engage in staycations, especially with spring break coming up.

Meanwhile those in the vacation business are bracing for a rough season, according to reporter Nancy Sarnoff.

At least two large conferences have been called off in the wake of the virus, which has spread to the Houston area with at least three cases confirmed in the past two days. There were an estimated 11,719 room nights booked at area hotels for CERAWeek, a major oil and gas industry conference that was expected to bring 5,500 attendees from some 80 countries to downtown and the George R. Brown Convention Center, according to Holly Clapham, chief marketing officer for Houston First Corp, the citys convention arm.

Still, it has led to a change in what is available at the concierge desk. Downtowns Four Seasons Hotel has face masks and protective gear also available for guests should they need them, spokeswoman Jessica Meyerson said.
For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

The White House scrapped President Donald Trump's visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta Friday, saying the president didn't want to "interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."

But during the signing of a bill to spend $8.3 billion to fight the virus at the White House, the president contradicted that message. He said the trip to the CDC had been canceled over concern about a possible infection there, but that the person tested negative.

"We may go," Trump said. "They thought there was a problem at CDC, somebody that had the virus."

COVID-19 so far has killed more than a dozen people in the U.S., most of them in Washington state.

Trump had planned to sign the coronavirus response funding bill at the CDC. Instead he signed it at the White House before his departure to travel to view tornado damage in Tennessee.

We have very low numbers compared to major countries throughout the world. Our numbers are lower than just about anybody," Trump said about cases of the virus, which have rocked financial markets, interrupted travel and threatens to affect everyday life in the United States.

"It's an unforeseen problem," Trump said about the virus. It came out of nowhere. We're taking care of it.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:


Prince Philip had a health emergency around Christmas time. He was taken to King Edward VII hospital in central London where he stayed for a few days. Now, experts are warning that the Duke of Edinburgh might not be in his best shape as he nears his 99th birthday.

A Gift to Great Grandparents

Dickie Arbiter, former Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, revealed that the Duke is very frail. He also warned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to bring home Prince Archie to the U.K. so that his great grandparents can see him.

"If they don't do it soon, they might not have the chance to," Arbiter said.

During his interview with "Nine News Australia," Arbiter said that Prince Philip will be celebrating his 99th birthday in June and is "not going to be here much longer."

The Duke of Edinburgh was in the hospital around Christmas time, and that should say a lot about his health condition. The former press secretary went on to say that the Duke was already frail when he got out of the hospital and has been in Sandringham palace ever since.

"Nobody has seen him. He is frail. Everybody gets frail at that age," Arbiter added. He emphasized that it would be a great pity if his great grandparents will not get the chance to spend time with Prince Archie, who is currently residing in Canada after his parents moved there.

Although Prince Harry and Meghan are currently in the U.K. for the final round of their royal duties before their separation to the royal family, baby Archie was left in Canada under the care of his nanny and Meghan's BFF.

Royal experts believe that Prince Harry and Meghan should seriously consider bringing Prince Archie back to the U.K. Even for a short while, the young prince would be able to spend time with his great grandparents before they pass on. It would definitely be a great gift.

The Royal Stress

The Duke of Edinburgh has retired from his royal duties in 2017. He spends most of his time in Norfolk on the Queen's Sandringham estate.

Royal experts believe that Prince Philip's health condition could be adding to the stress the Queen has been dealing with.

Angela Mollard, a royal expert, believes that this situation might be "annus horribilis part 2." She added that Philip's poor health condition at the moment is on a long list of things that cause insurmountable stress for the Queen.

While discussing the situation of Prince Andrew, Mollard told New Idea's "ROYALS" podcast that "it's all very stressful for the Queen."

The Queen is already turning 94 this year and it is not like she is not doing other things. There is the Megxit, royal divorces, royal scandal, and an ailing husband to top it all off. Mollard previously said that Prince Philip's health will be one of the Queen's challenges this year.

The Queen definitely has a lot on her plate this 2020, but she has survived far worst scenarios in the past. In her 67 years of reign and counting, her Majesty remains to be one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world.
More than half a million volunteers have now signed up to take part in the Great British Spring Clean.

The milestone figure was surpassed yesterday  two weeks before the campaign, which is backed by the Daily Mail, officially kicks off on March 20.

From schoolchildren to pensioners, you have answered the call to spruce up streets, parks and beaches and help rid our planet of the waste harming wildlife and the environment.

The scene left by fly-tippers off the A48 in Coedkernew, Newport, where rubbish has been left

Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy which has organised the campaign, said: Wow! I am blown away by the response weve had to this years campaign. To have reached 500,000 volunteers in just six weeks is as astonishing as it is inspiring.

A huge thank you to every one of the public who have pledged their support, the Daily Mail and all the partners and sponsors who have helped make this happen.

If you havent yet, its not too late to get involved. Whether you can do five minutes or five hours, every piece of litter picked up during the Great British Spring Clean can make a big difference to our planet.

In a significant boost, tourist boards and hotel groups have also rallied around to pledge hundreds of hours to picking up discarded rubbish.

VisitBritain has thrown its weight behind the campaign by sending guidance to thousands of members including B&B owners, attractions, hoteliers and cafe owners on how to organise litter pick events.

Meanwhile, VisitScotland hopes the campaign will encourage a clean-up on beaches and riverbanks.

Rubbish has been illegally fly-tipped on this abandoned retail centre in Alperton, London

A spokesman said: This year we would like to see a growing family of beach lovers roll up their sleeves to help rid the worlds beaches of marine litter and plastic pollution. Every piece of litter removed from the beach matters.

Hotel groups up and down the country have also offered to provide guests with litter pickers in hotel lobbies  alongside umbrellas and wellington boots.

Hotelier Peter de Savary, who with his wife Lana owns six hotels in the south of England, said: We hate litter but love our beautiful countryside and try hard to help keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy.

Litter pickers along with gloves and bins are to be provided for Mr Savarys guests going for walks.

A beach cleaning event for staff and guests is to be held near the Cary Arms in Babbacombe Bay in Dorset on March 20, and the Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne in Dorset is also organising a clean-up.

The up-and-coming budget hotel group, OYO Hotels, with more than 200 franchises across the country, has also pledged to contribute more than 200 hours of litter picking towards the campaign which runs until April 13.

Rubbish abandoned on a countryside verge in Britain. The chancellor is to propose a 9million budget to help clean up Britain's streets

And Pride of Britain Hotels, a group of 50 top hotels including Bovey Castle in Devon and Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, has signalled its support. The campaign now has 508,185 volunteers with 12,994 events registered.

Compared to last year, we are three weeks ahead in hitting the same milestone figure. The boost in numbers is thanks to the likes of Lloyds, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover and McDonalds, who have all pledged their thousands of staff to take part.

Girlguiding UK also promised an incredible 100,000 members to help tackle the blight of litter across Britain, and the National Trust has sent out reminders to over five million subscribers.

Last weekend we revealed over 100,000 schoolchildren between nursery age and 18 have signed up. Many of these will come from the 20,000 eco-schools now registered in the UK.
Local health officials are reporting three more travel-related cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the area total to eight.

All three patients -- women in their 60s -- were exposed to the virus as part of a trip to Egypt also made by the other five people in the Houston area diagnosed earlier this week with the pneumonia-like disease. The travelers returned from the trip in late February.
The CPI(M) on Friday said it was "scandalous" that the Indian Parliament was refusing to discuss the Delhi riots while the British House of Commons discussed the communal violence three days back.

At least 53 people have died in the violence that gripped northeast Delhi as clashes erupted in the area last week over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

"The party is outraged by the failure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to discuss the ghastly communal violence in North East Delhi. The failure to discuss such a humongous tragedy with law and order under the charge of the Union Government is shameful. This has officially cost 53 lives so far and the numbers continue to grow. It is also not clear what will be the fate of the large number of missing people," it said.

The party also accused the government of using the Holi festival as an excuse to refuse urgency for being accountable to the legislature.

"It is also shameful that the government has passed the buck onto the presiding officers of the two houses to allow matters to come to this pass. We believe that this is not acceptable to the people of a functioning democracy," it said.

The leftist party also described as "scandalous" the Parliament's "failure" to discuss the riots in the light of the fact that the British House of Commons, the lower house of UK's Parliament, discussed the Delhi violence three days back.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Preeja Prasad By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The city has been seeing an increase in the number of cases of rape on false promises of marriage. This year, 14 cases have been registered in the first two months alone.

A senior crime branch officer said that under the section By promising love/marriage is a means for individuals to cheat their partner.

The partner would promise that he would marry the woman in the near future and engage in a physical relationship which is not consensual. It is a cheating case which comes under rape, he explains.

With an average of seven cases per month, counsellors at the Vanitha Sahayavani helpline feel that such cases also need to be inspected carefully to understand the genuineness of the complaint. In most of the cases, the relationship would be consensual and is also difficult to deem it as rape though there is a provision under the law, says Rani Shetty, in-charge of the helpline.

The Supreme Court has held that every breach of promise to marry cannot be a false promise, making a man culpable under the rape charge if he has sexual relations with a woman.

Under the law, a man can be convicted of rape if it is established that he had sexual intercourse with a woman on the pretext of a false promise of marriage.

Clarifying the legal position in this regard, the apex court held that in every case, a man cannot be held guilty when he fails to marry a woman despite a promise.

Recently, a married woman complained that her paramour raped her after promising to marry her.

After the complaint, the man and his parents spent time in jail.

In another case, the Banaswadi police in Bengaluru arrested a dance teacher from the city for allegedly raping a 23-year-old student, after promising to marry her.
NASHVILLE  It was two tornadoes that tore across Middle Tennessee on Tuesday killing more than two dozen people and sending at least 150 people to hospitals in five counties, the National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed Thursday.

The first tornado began 3.6 miles west of John C. Tune Airport, then tracked across Metro Nashville, John Cohen, a meteorologist with the NWS in Nashville, said.

The tornado, which reached speeds up to 165 mph, then spun through North Nashville, across Germantown, into East Nashville and through Donelson. It then traveled east into Wilson County where it traveled through Mt. Juliet and through Lebanon.

From there it continued east into Smith County, where meteorologists determined it eventually stopped exactly 3.7 miles west of Gordonsville.

Smith County reported some damage in Gordonsville. "But it appears to be minimal at this time," Cohen said Thursday.

The second tornado impacted Putnam County, the hardest hit area in all five counties, and reached speeds of 175 mph in Cookeville.

"That tornado's exact starting point and ending point is expected to be determined later today," Cohen said.

A survey team, he said, is slated to head back to Putnam County again today to determine it's exact path there.

A report is anticipated sometime later on Thursday.

Here's how fast the winds were going in Middle Tennessee at their heights:

John C Tune area: EF-3 (165 mph)

North Nashville/Germantown: EF-2 (125 mph)

East Nashville/Five Points: EF-3 (136-140 mph)

Donelson: EF-3 (160-165 mph)

Mt. Juliet in Wilson County: EF-3 (155-160 mph)

Lebanon in Wilson County : EF-1 (Unknown mph)

Cookville in Putnam County: EF-4 (175 mph)



Natalie Neysa Alund of The Tennessean wrote this story.

2020 Oak Ridger, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Visit Oak Ridger, Oak Ridge, Tenn. at www.oakridger.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alderwoman Lisa Modrick and her attorney presented her side of a dispute with Mayor Steve Allender and Rapid City's airport board president just days before she could be removed from office by the City Council at a public hearing.

Were here because this matter has been handled poorly from the get-go, and I think its important that the people of Rapid City know the problem that occurred  and I take it all back to (Mayor Steve Allender), said her attorney, Steven Beardsley, at a press conference. The reason I say that is that there are requirements that are supposed to be done under South Dakota law, under reasonableness and under the suggestion of the attorney for (Airport Board President Darren) Haar.

Beardsley alleges Allender and others in city administration have an agenda to demean Modricks employer, Westjet Air Services, and remove Modrick from office.

Modrick is facing a public hearing Tuesday for an alleged violation of the Rapid City Councils Code of Conduct. Haar and his attorney David Lust filed the complaint against Modrick on Feb. 6. In the complaint, Lust writes Modrick and others made many unfounded and outrageous allegations against Haar following a Dec. 10, 2019 meeting between Haar and Modrick.

Haar recorded the Dec. 10 meeting, unbeknownst to Modrick.

Modrick claimed Haar threatened her and her employer, Westjet Air Services, during the private meeting on Dec. 10. Modrick called Allender on Jan. 2 to request a meeting about her Dec. 10 interaction with Haar.

Westjet Air Services President Linda Rydstrom initiated an FBI report related to the alleged threat on Jan. 3, prior to a Jan. 6 meeting with Allender and other city officials.

Also on Jan. 6, Lust sent a letter to Modrick and Allender suggesting a meeting to resolve the concerns.

Beardsley claims Modrick is an employee of the city because she receives pay for her duties as an elected member of City Council. As such, Beardsley claims that Allender is Modricks supervisor and that the mayor did not follow appropriate procedures outlined in the city's Non-Union Employee Guide.

"In this instance it's a little unique because it's a City Councilperson, you think now who would you discuss this with," Beardsley said. "The Non-Union Handbook describes who you go to. You go to your supervisor. In this instance, who is the supervisor to a City Councilperson? Well, there's a good argument that the mayor is."

In a another news conference Thursday, City Attorney Joel Landeen and the city Human Resources Director Nick Stroot said Modrick is not an employee of the city and the claim that Allender is Modrick's supervisor is inaccurate.

"Clearly the mayor is not Alderman Modrick's supervisor. He does not direct her work. She does not answer to him. He cannot terminate her. He cannot discipline her. He has no control over Alderman Modrick and what she is doing," Landeen said. "Aldermen are not employees of the city. Mr. Stroot has issued an opinion, and I concur with that opinion.

"We've also done an analysis of South Dakota law and I don't think that is supported. In addition, I disagree with the assertion that Alderman Modrick is covered under the Non-union Employee Guide. I think that Mr. Beardsley has cherry-picked out certain language and certain words and tried to shoehorn that into Alderman Modrick's situation."

Beardsley said Allender should have handled the complaints by Modrick and Haar "in-house" and that it should not have been divulged in public or through the media.

Beardsley claimed Allender "ran to the newspaper" (The Journal) and "went to the media to fight their case so that they can set up Lisa Modrick and Westjet Air Center."

"I don't think the proper place is to go to the press as opposed to what's required by South Dakota law and the handbook that sets forth where South Dakota law would go to," Beardsley said.

Beardsley's claim that Allender initiated contact with The Journal about the incident is false. The Journal has been investigating operations at Rapid City Regional Airport since August 2019.

The Journal followed South Dakota's open records law and requested documents related to complaints involving the airport. It is through the continuing open records request that the Journal obtained the documents and correspondence related to Modrick and Haar.

Allender was not available for comment Thursday as he is out of the country and will return Monday.

"It doesn't surprise me that Alderman Modrick's attorney wishes this was handled privately and kept quiet. That, unfortunately, was not the way it was handled," Landeen said. "There are a lot of allegations about who went to the media and the reality is that Westjet  whether Lisa Modrick was specifically involved in that, I don't know  but Westjet was approaching media and trying to get them to write stories regarding the issues at the airport. They had approached the Journal, and the Journal reached out to us and made requests.

"Rather than just piecemeal it, we provided the whole story because, frankly, this is a long-running dispute. It's very complicated and we wanted to provide the entire picture and not just piecemeal pictures of what's going on."

Contact Assistant Managing Editor Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will bring in a reconstruction plan for Yes Bank within the moratorium period of 30 days so that the depositors do not face any issues.

"While our government is committed so that the interests of the depositors are completely safeguarded, equally we want the RBI to ensure that the due process of law is followed to ensure that who led to this problem in Yes Bank," she told reporters at a press conference here.

Sitharaman said that State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed a willingness to invest in Yes Bank. "The deposits and liabilities will continue unaffected as before. Employment and salaries are assured for at least one year."

Sitharaman said that the RBI has been monitoring issues relating to Yes Bank since 2017.

"The RBI noticed that governance issues were of serious concern. There was definitely a culture of weak compliance. There were wrong asset classifications together with risky credit decisions. Since RBI started getting clear indicators, they took some concrete steps which they have informed about," she added.

Since 2004 when Yes Bank was formed, it has been under the same management. In September 2018, RBI said that the leadership should change. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 as a result.

Also, the cleaning up of the bank started. The promoter who was asked to let go of his shares had asked for more time.

"He was compelled to let go of his shares on the insistence of RBI. In the meanwhile, investigative agencies pointed out malpractices of some of the members of their top leadership. A member resigned after CBI tightened the noose," said Sitharaman.

In March 2019, the new CEO started working in collaboration with RBI to clean up the bank. A Rs 1 crore fine was levied on Yes Bank in March 2019. SEBI also started an investigation in September 2019.

A former deputy governor of RBI was appointed on the board of Yes Bank. A Chief Financial Officer was also newly appointed. By September 2019 the stakes were completely sold by ex-promoters, she added.

"All this while, promises were made by Yes Bank that they are making efforts at equity infusion but nothing materialised. Periodically, RBI was also informing us that they have given them more time so that the bank's healths may be restored," said Sitharaman.

"But once in November 2019, when it was clear that there is no hope for them to get any more money and when Chairman of the Audit Committee also resigned in January 2020, that is the time we actively engaged with the RBI," she added.

"I have asked RBI to assess where the problem is in this issue. I have also asked the RBI to tell me about the adequacy of the extent of regulatory norms and supervisory norms. I have also asked the RBI to act so that the due process of law takes its course with a sense of urgency."

Sitharaman named Ambani Group, Essel Group, DHFL, IL & FS, Vodafone as some of the stressed corporates that Yes Bank was exposed to even before 2014. She also pointed out the UPA regime's shortcomings in the 2004-14 period which led to the crisis in the Indian banking system.

"I say this as the opposition is pointing a finger at us. The Indian banking system has had severe crises, thanks to the UPA government that functioned between 2004-2014. I have reasons to put the blame on that regime," said Sitharaman.

"The so-called self-appointed competent doctors are blaming us today but they handled the United Western Bank in their regime. It was on the verge of collapse in 2006. It was forcefully merged with IDBI then," she said.

"Their solution led to IDBI Bank also losing its moorings. Global Trust Bank was merged with the Oriental Bank of Commerce in July 2004. How many people did the UPA government take action on," she asked.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photo credit: Caroline Brehman - Getty Images

From ELLE

By the time the justices took their seats on Wednesday morning, the cavernous marble hall of the Supreme Court of the United States was jammed. From the packed press section, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was nothing but a sliver of forehead and slicked-back grey hair hovering over the varnish of the long wooden bench. But you couldnt miss Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the newest member of the court, sitting tall in his black leather seat at the far end. He was the real reason we were there, waiting to hear arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, a high-stakes Louisiana case with the potential to reshape abortion rights across America.



If abortion feels like it shouldve been a settled legal issue decades ago, the case at hand feels especially like deja vuthe court decided a nearly identical case just four years ago, striking down a restrictive Texas abortion law like the one Louisiana is currently defending. In that 2016 case, the court found the Texas law, which shuttered half of the states clinics by requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at hospitals, unconstitutional.

But the court that decided that case no longer sits on the bench. In place of Justice Anthony Kennedy, a broadly conservative justice who voted to strike down the Texas law and retired in 2018, we have Kavanaugha conservative widely viewed as hostile to abortion rights.

June Medical Services v. Russo is the first abortion lawsuit to be heard by this new court transformed by President Donald Trump, and its outcome could carry serious implications for the future of Roe.

The case pits Louisiana against one of the states last three abortion clinics, Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, and two of its last five abortion doctors. The lawwhich only took effect briefly before it was blocked by a federal judgewould force doctors to obtain admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of the clinics where they work. The district court found that the states four doctors without privileges applied to 15 hospitals over one and half years and were rejected by them all. (Hospitals can reject doctors for a variety of reasons unrelated to competency.) If the law is upheld, Louisiana would be left with one provider for a state where roughly 8,000 abortions were performed in 2018.

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But its repercussions could ripple across the country. Abortion rights advocates say it would mean open season for anti-abortion states to pass similarly restrictive laws that gut access. And it would signal a new court keen to revisit past abortion precedentsthe most likely way the anti-abortion movement will succeed in overturning Roe.

At base, the case hinges on a simple question: Can whats unconstitutional in Texas be constitutional just four years later in Louisiana?

This case is about respect for the Court's precedent, began Julie Rikelman, counsel for the clinic and a lawyer with the legal non-profit the Center for Reproductive Rights. There really is no way to apply Whole Woman's Health and uphold this law, there just isn't, Rikelman had said in a call with reporters a few weeks before the arguments.

Before the court, she argued that a second question posed in the case presents an even more profound challenge to decades of abortion precedents: whether abortion providers have the right to sue on behalf of their patients.

Photo credit: OLIVIER DOULIERY - Getty Images

The state argues that providers dont have close enough relationships with their patients to sue on their behalf through whats called third-party standing, a claim Justice Samuel Alito seemed to support.

Thats amazing! Alito responded more than once to Rikelmans repeated assurance that abortion doctors have standing in the case regardless of any alleged conflict of interest. (Louisiana has argued abortion doctors, by virtue of challenging a law the state claims will protect womens health, are at odds with their patients well being). Later, Justice Stephen Breyer would note that at least eight previous Supreme Court precedents established third-party standing for abortion providers. Hed even suggested that if the Court were to undo these precedents, why not go all the way back and overturn rulings from centuries ago?

I dont want to go back to 1789, Jeffrey Wall, another lawyer arguing Louisianas case, responded.

You want to go back for 40 years? Breyer countereda reference to Roe v. Wade. Wall answered that previous abortion precedents hadnt taken up the question of doctor-patient conflicts of interest.

The issue could wreak havoc on reproductive rights jurisprudence, knee-capping the vast majority of abortion rights cases, which are brought by clinics and doctors. (The Center for Reproductive Rights alone has 31 ongoing cases in 17 states.)

But it didnt steal all the oxygen, and none of the other conservative justices jumped on that line of questioning. (Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas asked no questions at all.)

Instead, the bulk of the debate hinged on two points: Were Louisianas doctors truly unable to obtain admitting privileges, or did they sabotage their applications, as the lawyer for the state, Solicitor General Liz Murrill, argued. And was the courts previous ruling that admitting privileges provide no medical benefit in Texas somehow limited to Texas, or could it apply to all such laws in every state?

The courts liberal justices interrogated Murrill over her arguments that abortion providers didnt make the effort to gain admitting privileges and the need for the rule at all, given that abortions are exceedingly safe procedures .

At one point, Justice Elena Kagan noted that Whole Womans Health found that a state can't say it's doing this for credentialing purposes if the hospital's reasons for denying admitting privileges have nothing to do with the doctor's quality. Like Texas, Louisiana's record showed admissions privileges rest on many things. It could rest on qualifications, but it could rest on the number of patients a doctor has. It could rest on whether a particular hospital needs more providers. It could rest, too, on a general view that they don't want abortion providers in that hospital.

Is it right that there is evidence in the record that Hope Clinic has served over 3,000 women annually for 23 years, so that's around 70,000 women, and has transferred only four patients ever to a hospital? Justice Kagan then asked Murrill.

Its four that they know of, Murrill countered.

Justice Ginsburg repeatedly questioned the logic of a 30-mile limit for admitting privileges, given that most abortion complications occur when women have gone homeespecially for medication abortionsthat could put them hundreds of miles away from the clinic.

Its not clear what Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative with a long record of voting to uphold anti-abortion laws, made of the case, though he suggested at one point there is no state where admitting privileges for abortion doctors could offer any health benefits. But his role will be pivotalRoberts voted with the Courts four liberal justices to bar Louisianas law from taking effect last year after it was upheld by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and hes viewed as the key vote that will decide this case, which will likely fall along ideological lines.

Outside the Court, anti-abortion and reproductive rights groups had been rallying since 8 a.m, with the latter group dwarfing the former by nearly two to one. Their chants blended together under a cloudless blue sky at the foot of the courts towering stone pillars.

At the anti-abortion rally, speakers painted abortion providers as profit-hungry to the point of endangering womens health. Katrina Jackson, the anti-abortion Louisiana Democrat who authored the law, told ELLE.com it had been an emotional day. You literally, you just fall into prayer, and you hope and pray that they protect women, she told me.

Photo credit: Sarah Silbiger - Getty Images

In a move that seemed destined to shift the news cycle away from the substance of the case, Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, sparked a political uproar and drew condemnation from the Chief Justice for attacking Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, Trumps appointments to the bench, on the courts steps.You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price, he said. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.

Chief Justice Roberts called the comments inappropriate and dangerous. All members of the court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter, he said .

Optimism pervaded both sides after the arguments. Each praised their lawyers performance before the Court. Both sides hoped the justices would do the right thing. They each have a handful of anxious months ahead, waiting for a decision expected in June.

Its high time that we realize that rights given blindly can be easily taken away, Lakeesha Harris, an activist for reproductive justice for women of color in Louisiana, told the rally of abortion-rights supporters. We ask that everyone pay attention to whats going on in Louisiana as not just something thats happening down there. It is whats happening in our nation.

Kathaleen Pittman, the administrator of the Hope clinic in Shreveport, was moved by the crowd, she said.

When we became part of this case six years ago, I never imagined we would be at the Supreme Court today, she shouted to a sea of supporters. "I cannot tell you how moving it is to see all of you here, all of these faces rallying behind us, behind a small independent clinic in northwest Louisiana."

Of course, this case is about more than Hope. This case is bigger than Louisiana. This case is about women across the country being able to access abortion in a real way, not just in theory, she said. We all know a right you cannot access is no right at all.

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SEATTLE  Federal authorities announced an investigation of the Seattle-area nursing home at the center of an outbreak of the new coronavirus.

At the same time, the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 12 on Thursday, with all but one of the victims in Washington state, and the number of infections swelled to over 200, scattered across 17 states. Nine of the dead were from the same Seattle nursing home

Seema Verma, head of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the agency is sending inspectors to Life Care Center, a nursing home in Kirkland, a suburb east of Seattle, to figure out what happened and determine whether the nursing home followed guidelines for preventing infections.

Last April, the state fined Life Care $67,000 over infection-control deficiencies following two flu outbreaks that affected 17 patients and staff. An unannounced follow-up inspection in June determined that Life Care had corrected the problems, Verma said.

Meanwhile, public officials in Washington came under pressure to take more aggressive steps against the outbreak, including closing schools and canceling large events. While the state and Seattle have declared emergencies, giving leaders broad powers to suspend activities, they have not issued any orders to do so.

We have encouraged people who are responsible for large gatherings to give consideration whether it really makes sense to carry those on right now, Gov. Jay Inslee said. Right now, we are deferring to the judgment  of these organizations.

While some individual schools and businesses have shut down, the governor said large-scale school closings have not been ordered because there are so many ramifications for families and businesses, especially for health care workers who might not be able to go to work because of child care responsibilities.

Local and state health officials have not recommended school closings unless the schools have had a confirmed case of the disease.

Jennifer Hayles, 41, of Kirkland, said she was appalled that Inslee and health officials havent canceled next weeks Emerald City Comic Con. The four-day cosplay and pop-culture event draws close to 100,000 people each year, and some participants, including D.C. Comics and Penguin Random House, have pulled out over the virus.

Also Thursday, a contract medical worker who was conducting screenings at the Los Angeles main airport tested positive for the virus. The person wore protective equipment while on the job so it was unclear how the worker contracted the virus, Homeland Security officials said.

In New York, health officials put hundreds of residents in self-quarantine after members of two families in the New York City suburb of New Rochelle were diagnosed with the virus. The new results brought the number of confirmed cases in the state to 11. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the disease appeared to have spread from a lawyer to his wife, two children, a neighbor and two others.

In New Jersey, officials announced late Wednesday that a 32-year-old man from Fort Lee tested positive for the new coronavirus, which would make him the states first officially confirmed case. It was not immediately clear whether the New Jersey mans illness was linked to any of the cases in New York.

Gene Johnson, Rachel La Cirte and Martha Bellisle are Associated Press writers.
The Chinese province of Hubei has passed a law to ban the eating of wild animals completely, including those bred or raised by people.

Experts believe that the country's deadly coronavirus outbreak, which started in Hubei, was caused by the practice.

China's central government last month blocked all trade and consumption of wildlife, but it did not specify if farm-raised ones would be covered.

The government of China's Hubei Province has banned the eating of wild animal species, including those bred and raised by people. The file photo taken on January 17 shows the Huanan Seafood Whole Market, which is believed to be the origin of the coronavirus outbreak

The law forbids the consumption of all wild animals on land as well as endangered and protected wild aquatic species. In the file photo taken on January 5, 2004, workers collect civets in Xinyuan wildlife market to prevent a possible spread of SARS in Guangzhou

The news comes as Hubei province, which has around 58million residents, has reported no new daily cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan for the first time since the outbreak started late last year.

The wildlife protection law from the local lawmakers took effect from yesterday and covers wildlife and wildlife products.

It forbids the consumption of all wild animals on land as well as endangered and protected wild aquatic species.

Globally, at least 3,300 people have died and more than 98,000 have contracted the infection

No organisations or individuals are allowed to produce, process, use or conduct commercial operations with wildlife or wildlife products which are banned by the document, officials say

The directive also cracks down on the wildlife trade.

No organisations or individuals are allowed to produce, process, use or conduct commercial operations with wildlife or wildlife products which are banned by the document, officials say.

Any related hunting, breeding, transporting, trading, carrying or mailing is illegal.

Citizens are forbidden from encouraging or persuading others to eat or conduct illegal trading of wild animals. Such activities include releasing advertisements, installing relevant signboards and publishing recipes.

Scientific and medical teams must undergo strict applications and quarantine inspections should they need to use wild animals for non-food-related work purposes.

The regulations were passed yesterday at a conference by local lawmakers, the Standing Committee of People's Congress of Hubei Province.

Viral footage purports to show a fashionable Chinese young woman biting one of the wings of a cooked bat at a fancy restaurant. The deadly coronavirus could come from the animal

Pictures emerging on Twitter shows soup cooked with a bat. Bats are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a series of illness, including coughing, malaria and gonorrhea

China's top legislative committee passed new legislation to ban all trade and consumption of wild animals on February 24.

Beijing is yet to revise its wild animal protection law, but the passage of the proposal was 'essential' and 'urgent' in helping the country win its war against the epidemic, wrote state newspaper People's Daily.

The exact source of the new coronavirus remains unconfirmed. Experts speculate that it originated in bats, snakes, pangolins, or some other animal.

Chinese workers wear protective masks and suits before entering the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan to carry out thorough disinfection works on March 4

Hazmat-clad cleaners are tasked to sanitise stalls and safely dispose of the remaining stock

Scientists from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention claim that humans caught the virus from animals sold as food at a market in Wuhan.

The once-popular Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market was shut in early January in the wake of the epidemic.

Wuhan and the majority parts of Hubei have been on lockdown for more than a month to stop the spread of the disease.

In China alone, the health crisis has claimed at least 3,042 lives and infected more than 80,500 people.

Globally, at least 3,300 people have died and more than 98,000 have contracted the infection.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 05:11:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. space agency NASA on Thursday named its next-generation Mars rover "Perseverance." The rover is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life and is scheduled to be launched in July to August this year.

The name, submitted by seventh grader Alexander Mather from Virginia, was chosen from 28,000 entries from K-12 students in the United States. Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of the NASA Science Mission Directorate, hosted a naming event at Mather's school.

"Alex's entry captured the spirit of exploration," said Zurbuchen. "Like every exploration mission before, our rover is going to face challenges ... that inspiring work will always require perseverance. We can't wait to see that nameplate on Mars."

The rover is part of NASA's larger exploration program that includes missions to the moon as a way to prepare for human missions to the Red Planet.

Perseverance, expected to land on Mars in February of 2021 at the site of an ancient river delta in a lake that once filled Jezero Crater, will collect and store rock and soil samples in sealed tubes, and will search for signs of past microbial life

The rover is about 3 meters long, 2.7 meters wide and 2.2 meters tall, and weighs 1,025 kg. It will be powered by heat from the natural decay of plutonium-238 to generate electricity. Perseverance currently is undergoing final assembly and checkout at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to NASA.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Switzerland-based IMR Metallurgical Resources AG has proposed to set up a major steel plant in Kadapa district with an investment of more than Rs 12,000 crore. IMR representatives called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office on Thursday and informed him about their interest to set up a steel plant with an annual capacity of 10 million tonnes.

IMRAG is involved in mining of gold, coal and iron as well as in power production and steel industries in Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, Ukraine and India, among other nations.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the government was ready to provide all basic infrastructure facilities for the plant. He said Krishnapatnam Port, railway connectivity and highways were readily available for transportation, and the facility would provide better employment opportunities to the local people. IMR representatives said the steel plant would help transform the region into a steel hub.

Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, Industries Special Chief Secretary (Industries and Commerce) Rajat Bhargav, IMR-AG Chairman Hans Radolf Weld, company director Anirudh Misra, project president Arindam De, Finance Director Sanjay Sinha, and AP Integrated Steel Managing Director P Madhusudhan were present during the talks.
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. officials are dragging Europes technology industry more deeply into a trade war with China, threatening the regions ability to create its own semiconductor giants.

The Committee on Foreign Investment is urging President Trump to block Infineon Technologies AGs $8.7 billion acquisition of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., claiming it poses a risk to national security, Bloomberg News first reported Thursday. Although it wasnt clear what spooked Cfius, both Infineon and Cypress have Chinese customers including Huawei Technologies Co. Cfius is sensitive about deals allowing Chinese buyers to get their hands on advanced American technology.

QuickTake: All About CFIUS, Trumps Watchdog on China Dealmaking

Europes tech firms have tried to stay neutral in the power struggle. Semiconductor makers said earlier this year that theyd keep supplying Huawei after after a Trumps administration order in May demanding U.S.-based companies stop. At the time a spokesman for Infineon said the majority of products it delivers to Huawei were not subject to U.S. restrictions.

In recent months European lawmakers have pushed back against Trumps calls to cut Huawei out of European telecom infrastructure. The U.K., France, and Germany are all looking to keep the door open to the Chinese telecom giant in some way, nubbing the U.S. view that Huawei could be a security risk. Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Switzerland have signed partnerships with Huawei.

Huawei is Infineons sixth-largest customer accounting for about 2.4% of sales, according to supply chain data compiled by Bloomberg. Other Chinese buyers of Infineon products include iPhone-assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Obviously national security considerations are very important, said Keily Blair, Partner at law firm Orrick. It would be good to see an evidence-based approach in the U.S., similar to what we have seen in the U.K. with Huawei.

Story continues

In 2017, Cfius blocked Infineons proposed deal for Wolfspeed, a semiconductor unit of U.S.-based Cree Inc. Aixtron SEs planned sale to a Chinese-backed company collapsed in 2016 after U.S. opposition. Trump has also blocked Broadcom Inc.s hostile takeover of Qualcomm Inc.

We have always been less sure about the regulatory approvals than Infineon management, said Citigroup Inc. analyst Amit Harchandani, given the number of recent cross-border deals failing to clear the regulatory hurdle.

The U.S. is also trying to dictate who European firms do business with. Dutch chip gear-maker ASML Holding NV has had difficulty renewing an export license to China following U.S. political pressure. The company wants to sell equipment to China that would help the company produce its own next-generation chips and help it wean itself off foreign imports.

In January, U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra told Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad that ASMLs technology doesnt belong in certain places, suggesting China. The Chinese ambassador, Xu Hong, had warned days earlier in the same paper that the relationship between the Netherlands and China was at risk if the government blocks EUV machine exports.

Other European tech deals are now in focus. British chip designer Dialog Semiconductor is another key figure in the European tech supply chain with Chinese customers and American acquisition targets. In February, it said itd agreed to buy Santa Clara, California-based Adesto Technologies Corp. for about $380 million.

Dialogs biggest customer is Apple Inc., but Huawei is its third-largest with an exposure of about 2.1%. Dialog CEO Jalal Bagherli declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg on Friday.Although Cypresss share price has collapsed following the report that Cfius is interested in the deal, some analysts believe all is not lost. We believe mitigation conditions might still be an option and it would be premature to assume the deal is off, said Citis Harchandani.

We believe worst-case we have a delay until the closing, Vijay Rakesh, analyst at Mizuho Sescurites, said. A potential delay or divestiture would be par for the course, but we see deal as mostly consummated.

--With assistance from Nate Lanxon.

To contact the reporters on this story: Giles Turner in London at gturner35@bloomberg.net;Sarah Syed in London at ssyed35@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Nate Lanxon, Amy Thomson

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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Since then, however, circumstances have changed  drastically. Now the payroll tax isnt a small addendum to the federal budget: As Social Security has evolved, it has grown to encompass 35 percent of federal revenue. Moreover, in 2019, 68 percent of taxpayers were projected to pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes. Maybe equally important, as an increasing share of the workforce enters the gig economy, fewer workers have an employer with whom to split the cost. General Motors today covers 50 percent of the payroll tax assessed to an employee working on an assembly line, but an Uber or Lyft driver, considered a contractor rather than an employee, must cover the whole nut. In other words, not only does the payroll tax worsen inequality, it discourages economic activity by inflating hiring costs and depressing job growth.
Cathay Pacific is to close its final cabin crew base in Canada as part of its ongoing business review, putting 147 jobs at risk.

Flight attendants are expected to meet with the airline on Friday and into the weekend, however, sources told the Post the airline planned to close its Vancouver base on June 26.

As part of our ongoing business review, we have made the decision to close down our Vancouver cabin crew base. We are communicating with the union, a spokeswoman for the airline said.

A memo to the affected Vancouver crew from the airlines senior managers in Hong Kong cited the coronavirus epidemic for having accelerated the decision to close the base.

The viability of the crew base was thought to be vulnerable with the loss-making Vancouver-New York route, which flew on from Hong Kong, signposted for closure at the end of March. But with the virus impacting travel around the world its closure had been brought forward to last month.

The expected job losses highlight the challenges facing the worlds airlines during the coronavirus epidemic, which has seen several rounds of emergency cost cutting.

On Thursday, the International Air Transport Association warned that the speed and breadth of the deadly outbreak could cost airlines US$113 billion in revenue.

Cathay closed its Toronto base last year, affecting 120 people. Some crews had been offered transfers to Vancouver at the time as part of avoiding job losses.

The jobs lost in Toronto came as part of a restructuring of overseas staffing at the airline, which was said to have affected several hundred employees worldwide.

Cathays last major jobs cuts came in 2017 when the airline restructured its Hong Kong headquarters, shedding 600 head office jobs.

A memo to crew, signed by Jeanette Mao, the airlines general manager for the in-flight services department, said the axe had been a possibility for quite some time.

Story continues

The commercial viability of the Vancouver cabin crew base has been a concern to us for some time, Mao said.

Starting from early 2019, we have been engaging with your union...to discuss the long-term sustainability of the base. Unfortunately we have been unable to reach any agreement.

She added: With the current business environment and changes to our operations globally and to Vancouver the decision could not be postponed further.

I am afraid we have now reached the point where we can no longer foresee circumstances in which it is possible for us to sustain this way of operating the base.

Cathay Pacific employs about 13,000 flight attendants and outside of Hong Kong, it has overseas bases employing cabin crew locally in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Bangkok and Singapore.

The airlines contract negotiations with Vancouver crew started around the same time it announced the closure of the Toronto base in February last year.

As part of the negotiations, Cathay was only willing to offer a two-year contract, with no pay rise over the period, plus it removed overtime payments and cut pension contributions by four per cent.

Vancouver has become an important long-haul destination over the years for Cathay. At its peak, the airline operated 17 flights a week. The deep cuts in the airlines flight schedules saw that reduced to a daily service.

Cathay has had a tough week after announcing the suspension of cadet pilot training, before overturning its decisions hours later on Monday. It was also fined 500,000 for a massive data breach in 2018.

The airline, one of the carriers worst hit by the spread of Covid-19, is already cutting back on flights by 75 per cent in March, and 25,000 employees have agreed to take three weeks of unpaid leave, among other savings measures.

It has frozen hiring and halted non-critical spending and pressed suppliers for cost savings.

This article Cathay Pacific to close Vancouver base in June as part of ongoing business review putting 147 jobs at risk first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
Pompeo Says Afghanistan Violence 'Must Be Reduced' For Peace Process To Move Forward

By RFE/RL March 05, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has voiced frustration with renewed violence in Afghanistan, saying the Afghan parties to the conflict need to take advantage of a peace deal signed over the weekend.

"Violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward," Pompeo told reporters on March 5. "Do not squander this opportunity."

The comments came after the Pentagon said U.S. forces conducted a "defensive" air strike against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan on March 4, as attacks by the militants left at least 32 Afghan security-force members dead in at least three provinces.

The wave of violence is threatening to unravel a February 29 agreement signed in Doha between the United States and the Taliban and aimed at ending the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The deal would allow allied forces to leave the country within 14 months in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Afghan government -- which the militant group so far has refused to do.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned he was not committed to a key clause in the deal involving the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners.

The Taliban said it would not take part in intra-Afghan talks until that provision was met.

"What we have urged the parties to do is stop posturing," Pompeo told his press conference in Washington, adding that this includes moving ahead with prisoner releases and sitting down to talk.

"We still have confidence the Taliban leadership is working to deliver on its commitments. We are working on ours," he also said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told a Senate panel on March 4 that the Taliban is honoring the agreement by not attacking U.S. and coalition forces, "but not in terms of sustaining the reduction in violence."

"Keeping that group of people on board is a challenge. They've got their range of hard-liners and soft-liners and so they're wrestling with that too, I think," Esper added.

Esper, who was in Kabul with Afghan leaders while the peace agreement was signed in Qatar, told senators that the deal allows the U.S. military to act to defend Afghan forces.

"It's the commitment I made to the Afghans when I was there. We would continue to defend the Afghans," he said.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told lawmakers that "there were significant numbers of attacks, small attacks," adding that the assaults "were all beaten back."

Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, did not refer to the U.S. strike in a series of Twitter comments. But he said: "Increasing violence is a threat to the peace agreement and must be reduced immediately."

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said in a tweet that "according to the plan, [the Taliban] is implementing all parts of the agreement one after another in order to keep the fighting reduced."

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-defense-chiefs -taliban-mostly-adhere-peace -deal-afghanistan/30469553.html

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

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NUR-SULTAN, March 5 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan will bar entry to nationals of South Korea from March 8 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, deputy industry minister Berik Kamaliyev said on Thursday.

Healthcare minister Yelzhan Birtanov told the same briefing that the Central Asian nation stood ready to deport foreigners who arrived from South Korea and other countries such as China from where it has banned nationals from entering Kazakhstan due to the virus. (Reporting by Tamara Vaal Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Pakistani Christian man tortured to death for bathing in well water; family wants justice

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A 22-year-old Christian man was beaten to death in Pakistans Punjab province by men who accused him of contaminating water in a well owned by a Muslim farmer.

Sources have told human rights organizations that Christian laborer Saleem Masih from the Kasur district of Punjab was chained, dragged, and beaten with rods by a landowner and four other men around Feb. 25.

Masih died from his injuries on Feb. 28 at Lahore General Hospital, according to the U.K.-based Centre for Legal Aid, Assitance and Settlement.

Masihs older brother told the Union of Catholic Asia News that Masih was tortured for two hours for washing himself off in a tube well owned by a Muslim landowner who has been identified as Sher Doga.

We have to take a bath after unloading husk from a trolley. Even the cold weather doesnt matter. The itching from chaff, stuck in our clothes, disturbs our sleep, Nadeem Masih was quoted as saying.

They threatened him with dire consequences when he cleaned himself after unloading a vehicle last week. They accused him of desecrating their water. He was already being warned about making TikTok videos in farms belonging to Muslim landlords.

Masih was discovered lying in Dogas cattle farm with serious injuries on Feb. 25 in Bhagiana village, where many Christians work as farm laborers.

Nadeem Masih said local women informed him that they heard Masih moaning in pain around 7 a.m.

He told the police about being chained, beaten and electrocuted by four men, Nadeem Masih said. They rolled a thick iron rod over his entire body. He was like a crushed sugar cane from a juice machine.

Although Masih was taken to a hospital for surgery, he died from organ failure.

According to UCANews, Doga was arrested but later released. The high court in Lahore accepted a bail petition from the suspects who accused the Masih of stealing.

CLAAS Director Nasir Sayeed said in a press release that Doga summoned the police himself. Sayeed accused Doga of bribing police since police pressed Masihs family to settle the matter.

According to Sayeed, Doga justified the crime by saying that Masih "committed a crime by dirtying" the well water.

The Masih family had to plead with the landowner to free Saleem Masih so they could take him to a hospital for medical treatment, Sayeed reported.

Ghafoor Masih told CLAAS that he wants justice for his son.

Those who have killed my son must be punished for taking the law into their own hands and killing him for nothing but for being Christian, Ghafoor Masih was quoted as saying.

According to Sayeed, it will not be easy to get justice for Masih because the perpetrators are so influential.

The Pakistani police is often biased when it comes to the matter Muslims and non-Muslims, Sayeed said.

Michelle Chaudhry, president of the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation, said in a statement that the horrific act of violence is once again a grim reminder that intolerance in the name of religion in Pakistan has escalated beyond the rule of law.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, when it comes to the religious minorities anyone is free to act as a prosecutor, judge and executor, Chaudhry explained. We cannot allow this to go on; impunity around violence against religious minorities in Pakistan has to end.

Pakistan is ranked as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. Christians have often been victimized by societal persecution in the predominantly Muslim country.

In 2014, two Christians from Kasur were burned alive in a brick kiln by a Muslim mob after they were accused of desecrating a copy of the Quran.

It is unacceptable that Christians in Pakistan still face discrimination and hatred on account of their religious identity, CSW Executive Mervyn Thomas said in a statement.

The government of Pakistan must take decisive action against the perpetrators of hate and those who carry out such crimes. We also urge the authorities to fully commit to the long-term work of overcoming the prejudiced mindset toward religious minorities in society.

In a Feb. 26 tweet, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that " anyone in Pakistan targeting our non-Muslim citizens or their places of worship will be dealt with strictly."

"Our minorities are equal citizens of this country," Khan wrote.

According to UCA News, over 1,000 Christians attended Saleem Masihs funeral held at an evangelical church in front of his home. Reportedly among those in attendance was Ejaz Alam, Punjabs minister on human rights and minority affairs.



Masih's killing has inspired the social media hashtag #JusticeForSaleemMasih.
The Russian and Turkish presidents have met in Moscow to discuss the recent escalation of tensions in Syria's Idlib province. The flare-up was triggered by intensified attacks by local terrorists against Syrian forces and latters retaliatory strikes, in which Turkish troops were caught in the crossfire, resulting in casualties on their part, Sputnik reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he has negotiated an agreement to resolve the ongoing tensions in Idlib province with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two countries have agreed following "uneasy, but productive" talks that they should not reduce their efforts in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed their adherence to the Astana format for resolving the crisis in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that his country will be sending additional forces to Idlib province under a new agreement with Russia, but that the status of Turkeys Operation Spring Shield will be "changed". Erdogan added that starting at midnight between 5 and 6 March a ceasefire regime will be established in Idlib for both Turkish and Syrian forces. The Turkish president said that the army reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions of the Syrian forces, but assured that otherwise Turkish troops will simply be monitoring that the ceasefire regime is abided by.

"We have established observation posts to reduce tensions in Idlib. These posts have pledged to only monitor the ceasefire regime's implementation, but not to control the field", he clarified.

Commenting on the recent events that prompted the escalation of violence in Syria's Idlib, Putin accused militants based in the province of restarting the hostilities in the region, which have led to casualties among the civilian population, the Syrian Army, as well as Turkish forces.

The Russian president added that Moscow doesn't always see eye to eye with Turkey when it comes to Syria, but noted that the two countries have always managed to find common ground in the end.

"Each time, in critical moments, we have always managed to find areas of common interest on existing issues and figured out acceptable solutions to them, while relying on the high level of our bilateral relations", Putin said.
A file image of Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. (PA)

A child at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital has tested positive for coronavirus, the BBC has reported.

The case was said to be one of two new positive tests confirmed by Liverpool City Council on Thursday.

The age or sex of the child has not been revealed.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said she couldnt comment on individual cases when approached by Yahoo News UK on Friday morning.

In its statement, Liverpool council said of the two cases: One is a known contact of an existing patient and the other has recently returned from Italy. The patients are now receiving specialist treatment.

On Thursday, a patient with underlying health conditions became the first person to die in the UK after contracting coronavirus.

The person, reported to be a woman in her 70s, had been admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday night.

Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die from the virus.

Meanwhile Sir Patrick Vallance, the governments chief scientific adviser, has said he does not think a working vaccine will be produced in time for the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: UK's strategy explained

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Friday morning: I dont think we will get the vaccine for this outbreak.

Sir Patrick added: We have been looking at this right from the outset with very sophisticated mathematical modelling, and we are confident of refining the death rate, the mortality rate, down. We really think 1% is probably the most accurate figure at the moment.

It may be lower.

More than 160 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, in the largest day-on-day increase.

In total, 163 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 9am on Friday, up from 115 cases reported at the same time on Thursday.
I dont know about you, but the election results this week filled me with more hope than Ive felt in years. It felt like somebody turning down the volume.

The angry and putrid shouting that has marked the last four years  and that would mark a Trump vs. Sanders campaign  might actually come to an end. Suddenly we got a glimpse of a world in which we can hear each other talk, in which actual governance can happen, in which gridlock can be avoided and actual change can come.

But the results carried a more portentous message as well. For those of us who believe in our political system, its put up or shut up time. The establishment gets one last chance.

If Joe Biden wins the nomination but loses to Donald Trump in the general election, young progressives will turn on the Democratic establishment with unprecedented fury. See? We were right again! theyll say. And maybe theyll have a point.
Devastating scenes in BBC documentary Hospital show anxious parents insist there 'will be a time' their son recovers - hours before he passes away.

Jack, 22, was born healthy but suffered a catastrophic brain injury at the age of eight, after he was hit by a car outside his house as he crossed the road.

The youngster was left with severe disabilities and very little cognitive function.

His life was saved by medics at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, and Jack's parents have since devoted their lives to caring for him at home. But just before Christmas Jack was re-admitted to the hospital after suffering renal failure and a chest infection.

As his health deteriorated, the heartbreaking hours before his death were captured on camera, during which his tearful parents comforted each other and clung onto the hope that there would be a time their son 'gets better'.

Jack, 22, pictured in hospital, was born healthy but suffered a catastrophic brain injury at the age of eight, after he was hit by a car outside his house as he crossed the road

Jack developed severe cerebral palsy as well as a slew of other ailments as a result of his tragic accident.

His father recalled: 'It was a Saturday, Liverpool were playing Fulham. Sharon phoned me first, but I couldn't understand a word, she was frantic, she was screaming.

'Someone took the phone off her and told me what had happened. He was on the left-hand side of the road, it wasn't a terribly busy road.

'He was facing away and the traffic was coming up behind him, and anyway, Jack turned around and was hit by the car.

'At the time it was like he was dead. He was lost and we were lost.'

Jack's parents have devoted their lives to caring for him at home, but he was admitted to hospital after suffering renal failure and a chest infection

Jack, pictured left before, developed severe cerebral palsy as well as a slew of other ailments as a result of his tragic accident (pictured right after)

Jack is one of over 30 'children' over the age of 18 at Alder Hey with 'extremely complex' needs and who haven't managed to transition to adult care and require input from many different specialities.

Jack and others like him are currently on an 'exemption' register at the hospital, which allows them to continue to be treated while their move to adult services is discussed.

His mum Sharon explained: 'He could be in four different hospitals. He's in the best place for me, it's a children hospital. They give that bit more... and even though Jack's 22, I still class him as my baby.'

Later Jack's health took a turn for the worst as he developed further chest and lung infections.

Discussing the day of his son's accident, Jack's father told how his wife Sharon rang him frantic after he was hit by the car

Jack's father battled to compose himself as his son took a turn for the worst during the programme

His doctor explained: 'I was told when he came in this morning that Jack had an apnea episode, which means he stopped breathing at some point over night.





'I think it was initially for a few seconds, then the episodes got more frequent. So at about five o'clock, they had to take him down to the high intensity unit, so we are supporting him to the maximum at the moment. But I'm still very worried about him.'





In tears, the parents hugged before his dad insisted: 'There will be a time he gets better. There will be.'





The following morning, Jack's doctor revealed that he had tragically passed away, and expressed her sadness that he wouldn't be home to spend Christmas with his family.

Jack's tearful parents comforted each other and clung onto the hope that there would be a time their son 'gets better'

She said: 'Saturday morning Jack deteriorated very quickly. I think he just went into cardiac and respiratory arrest and despite 20 minutes of trying to bring him back, we lost him.

'I really didn't foresee this coming so quickly. It doesn't look like there's anything else we could have done.'

Becoming emotional, she went on: 'Saturday morning was really sad. The first thing I thought was that his mum has decorated his room for Christmas and he won't be there, the room will be empty.'

The following morning, Jack's doctor revealed that he had tragically passed away, and expressed her sadness that he wouldn't be home to spend Christmas with his family

Viewers were left distraught by the tragic moment, with many taking to Twitter to praise Jack's brave parents and the compassionate staff at Alder Hey Hospital.

One tweeted: 'The magnificent doctors and nurses #hospital work with professionalism, and humility in the most challenges of all situations. RIP Jack you beautiful young man.'

Another admitted: 'Poor Jack - I shouldn't watch #hospital it always makes me cry.'

And one wrote: 'Jack [broken heart emoji] one thing's for sure, all of their parents are just amazing good people.'
Mike Bloomberg is already putting his money where his mouth is - as he released a new campaign ad Thursday on behalf of Joe Biden.

The new ad, which encourages Americans to #DumpTrump and to #GoJoe, uses a number of movie and television clips to take on President Trump.

The ad begins with footage of the president saying, 'The Democrats are trying to win 2020.'

Michael Bloomberg paid for a new anti-Donald Trump ad on the heels of his decision to leave the presidential race and back Democrat Joe Biden

The ad encourages Americans to #GoJoe, as Michael Bloomberg promised to use his billions to finance Joe Biden's campaign

The ad also tells people they should #DumpTrump. President Trump ridiculed Mike Bloomberg for his campaign, that only saw him winning American Samoa

Yoda made an appearance in Michael Bloomberg's new anti-Trump ad. Michael Bloomberg and President Trump have been tweeting 'Star Wars' and 'Space Balls' references in recent tweets

Julia Roberts' 'Pretty Woman' character laughs at President Trump in the ad that was released by Mike Bloomberg on Thursday

He's quickly clapped back by the likes of Yoda from the 'Star Wars' movies.

'There is no try,' Yoda says.

The next clip features actress Jennifer Aniston adding, 'There is only do.'

'This November we're going to take back the House, we're going to hold the Senate and we are going to keep the White House,' the ad shows Trump claiming.

Then is cuts to Julia Roberts' hysterical laugh from 'Pretty Woman' and actress Kim Cattrall's Samantha Jones character from 'Sex and the City,' adding, 'not going to happen.'

The ad features a number of famous faces: Tom Hanks, Jane Lynch, Alec Baldwin - who played Trump on 'Saturday Night Live' - Steve Carell and Rachel McAdams playing Regina George in 'Mean Girls.'

The late James Gandolfini is also featured, as is the late Dolores O'Riordan, the frontwoman of The Cranberries. The new Bloomberg ad briefly features the music video 'Zombie.'

The inclusion of Yoda in the new ad isn't surprising, as Bloomberg and Trump have been using 'Star Wars' and 'Space Balls' clips to troll each other since the Democratic billionaire dropped out of the presidential race Wednesday, after a disappointing 'Super Tuesday' result. Bloomberg immediately backed Biden - the moderate of the two main Democratic hopefuls left - as he pulled out.

He then went on Twitter and shared a 'Star Wars' clip of Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting Darth Vader at the end of 'Star Wars: A New Hope.'

'See you soon, Donald,' Bloomberg wrote.

In response, Trump shared a clip from 'Space Balls' - the 1987 Mel Brooks 'Star Wars' spoof, in which actor Bill Pullman's Lone Starr character holds off Rick Moranis' Dark Helmst by holding onto the top of said helmet.

'Miki Mike, you're easy!' Trump wrote.

On Thursday, Bloomberg also announced he was launching a new independent expenditure group where hundreds of his presidential campaign staffers will move in order to help elect the Democrats' nominee.

The group will be a vehicle that allows Bloomberg to spend money on advertising against Trump, according to the Washington Post.
Photoacoustic imaging has gained global attention for capturing images without causing pains or using ionizing radiation. Recently, many researchers have heavily studied on observing deep tissues to apply the photoacoustic imaging to clinical diagnosis and practices.

Prof. Chulhong Kim of Creative IT Engineering from POSTECH and his student, Byullee Park conducted joint research with Prof. Hyungwoo Kim and Kyung Min Lee of Cheonnam National University and proposed a new contrast agent for the photoacoustic imaging of deep tissues. They used a nickel-based nanoparticle as a contrast agent that absorbs light at 1,064 nm wavelength. They obtained images of the tissues penetrated in maximum 3.4 cm depth in live animals which is the deepest image observed using this wavelength compared to the previous studies.

The principle of photoacoustic imaging is that it allows lights to be absorbed by tissues which then causes a thermoelastic expansion of the tissues of the organs instantly. This generates sound wave (photoacoustic) signals that are detected as ultrasound wave sensors, producing images. The conventional optical microscopic imaging technologies only allow observing tissues in 1 mm depth. On the other hand, the photoacoustic imaging system produces images of the deep tissues in animals and humans based on optical contrast.

However, the photoacoustic imaging is challenging despite of intense research activities to observe deep tissues in various organs more closely. It is difficult to deliver enough light at 650~900nm short-wavelength with an affordable cost to deep tissues in the body. For this reason, the commercial and clinical translation of photoacoustic imaging are challenging.

To improve this limitation of the photoacoustic imaging, the research team introduced a nanoparticle nickel-based contrast agent, that absorbs light specifically and strongly at 1,064 nm wavelength, to observe deep tissues. They verified biocompatibility of nickel-based nanoparticles and obtained photoacoustic images in deep tissues (3.4cm depth) of lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tracts, bladders of live rats by inserting the nanoparticles.

The first author of the paper, Byullee Park said, "This research is different from the previous studies that used short wavelength. We used long wavelength lasers and were able to minimize damages in the tissues. We were also able to obtain images of deep tissues by delivering lights to organs located in deep inside of the animal."

When this newly developed photoacoustic imaging technique is applied to clinical practices, it can help diagnosis of diseases related to deep organs by producing images noninvasively and without a risk of explosion to radiation unlike other imaging methods that need radiations such as computed tomography (CT). Furthermore, lasers of 1,064 nm wavelength are comparatively economical, and can be used with other commercial ultrasound machines, which bring anticipation of its early clinical applications.

Our research is the first example of imaging the deepest tissues in the body among all the research papers on photoacoustic imaging so far. It is very meaningful that it has taken a step further to clinical feasibility of photoacoustic imaging." Prof. Chulhong Kim, the corresponding author of the paper

This research was financially supported by ICT Consilience Creative Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Health Technology R&D Project funded by the Ministry of Health, and Welfare and the Pioneer Project sponsored by the National Research Foundation. Details and conclusions of this research was introduced as the cover story in the international journal of nanoparticle imaging diagnosis and treatment, Theranostics.
Furious Tories today condemned the 'no platforming' of ex-MP Amber Rudd by Oxford University students.

Ms Rudd was due to speak at the UN Women Oxford event last night - but was told when she arrived that the event to mark International Women's Day had been cancelled.

It followed pressure from some students who claimed Ms Rudd's immigration policies had marginalised minority groups, citing the Government's treatment of the Windrush generation as an example.

Ms Rudd said the extraordinary snub was 'badly judged and rude', saying her critics should 'stop hiding and engage'.

Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg waded into the row today, branding the students 'snowflake central'.

Ms Rudd's daughter Flora also joined the backlash, saying: 'This is not how women should treat each other.'

Amber Rudd (pictured with student organiser Felicity Graham) was due to speak to young women about engaging in politics at Oxford University

Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg also waded into the row today branding the students 'snowflake central'

Ms Rudd's daughter Flora also joined the backlash against the extraordinary snub

'Free speech is the bedrock of a democracy and Oxford University ought to lead the way rather than being snowflake central,' he tweeted.

The group had invited Ms Rudd to speak about her experience of being a woman in Parliament, while also promising an 'honest and frank discussion' about the impact of her policies.

But the former minister arrived last night to an empty hall after Felicity Graham, president of the UNWomen Oxford society, which organised the event, was forced to cancel amid severe criticism from fellow members and students.

The UNWomen Oxford society's 13-strong committee approved sending an invitation to Miss Rudd in Janaury.

Ms Graham told the Mail she was adamant the event should go ahead, but received a call 30 minutes before the event was due to start last night from the committee which said they no longer supported the invitation.

Ms Graham said: 'It was ultimately my decision but every single person on the committee was against and I was given no choice.

'I was adamant we weren't going to cancel because I think she was a great feminist to be platforming and because she has worked on UN campaigns, it seemed right. It was the Oxford African and Caribbean Society - who hold a lot of power - who really applied the pressure and forced us to cancel.'

UN Women Oxford posted on its Facebook page: 'Following a majority vote in committee, tonight's event with speaker Amber Rudd has been cancelled.

'We are deeply sorry for all and any hurt caused to our members and other wom*n and non binary people in Oxford over this event.'

The snub is the latest in a series of figures being 'no-platformed' - denied a chance to speak - at universities across the UK by students who deem them too controversial.

Event organisers were forced to cancel after they were inundated with complaints about the former Home Secretary's links to the 2018 Windrush Scandal (pictured, Jamaican immigrants arriving at Tibury Docks in Essex, June 1948, coming to Britain escaping unemployment)

Ms Rudd, who also served as minister for women and equalities, tweeted: 'Badly judged & rude of some students last night at Oxford to decide to 'no platform' me 30 mins before an event I had been invited to for #IWD2020 to encourage young women into politics. They should stop hiding and start engaging.'

Her journalist daughter Flora added: 'Can not believe mum was no-platformed at my old Uni yesterday.

'Mum doesn't need the platform and travelled to talk for FREE for International Womens Day - proceeds to FGM charity.

'I don't care if you disagree with her. Its f***ing rude.'

A number of current and former MPs also came to Ms Rudd's defence.

Dehenna Davison, the newly-elected Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, tweeted: 'Outrageous. Academic institutions are where you are exposed to ideas you don't agree with, and where you can challenge them through rigorous debate.

'No platforming the former Home Secretary (and Women and Equalities Minister!) is very badly judged.'

Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson posted: 'If you're trying to silence Amber Rudd you really are being anti-democratic.'

And former Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP Dr Sarah Wollaston tweeted: 'No platforming of @AmberRuddUK by Oxford is absurd & worrying. Why are universities allowing ideological fringes to crush freedom of speech in our centres of excellence?'
All three major political parties in Delhi have reasons to be embarrassed with regard to their inglorious conduct during and after the communal violence in the capital last week, particularly the fact that they were missing in action at its peak.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s dilemma is particularly grave. Being in power at the Centre with jurisdiction over law and order in Delhi, it must be seen to follow through on the mandate and has no valid excuse for its failure to do so. However, belated action against the rabble-rousers (like Kapil Mishra) within its ranks may alienate hardline supporters, who hold those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) culpable for the violence.

The incompetent handling of the CAA imbroglio not only embarrassed the government, but created a cleavage within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP. The contradictory statements on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) emanating from the top leadership and the deployment of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Delhi were necessary optics: substituting an emollient narrative for a polarising one.

But behind the scenes, discomfort with the outcomes of the hardline approach is palpable and found expression in RSS no. 3 Dattatreya Hosabale's observation, post the riots, that 'maryada' (civility) of language in political life must be maintained. The statement is widely seen as an implied criticism of hate speeches.

With so much egg on its face, the BJP naturally hopes public memory will prove to be short. Its leaders, including the area MP, avoided the riot-hit parts, preferring to visit the victims in hospital. The field tours were left to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the NSA.

The BJP's big blunder in Delhi would ordinarily have offered the Opposition a club with which to beat the ruling party. If they have not used the opportunity, it is because their role has hardly been commendable.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal found himself under fire from former friends on the Left for having failed to make his presence felt in the riot-affected areas, until prompted to do so by the high court. When he finally did, after the violence had died down, he went to the fringes and did not point fingers at either the central government or the Delhi police.

He lost no time in sacking AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, booked in the brutal murder of Intelligence Bureau operative Ankit Sharma, whose body was found after the riots. He followed it up by green-lighting the prosecution of Communist Party of India leader Kanhaiya Kumar in a long-pending sedition case.

AAP has shed its activist avatar, because taking sides in a highly polarised scenario would be counterproductive. To attack the BJP at this stage would be to align itself with the anti-CAA protests, thereby annoying the majority community (an issue Kejriwal studiously avoided during the Delhi election campaign recently, with excellent results).

If the debate intensifies, 'Hanumanbhakt' Kejriwal may well find himself targeted by the likes of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Bannerjee who has dubbed the riots as a planned genocide. He would prefer to put the contretemps behind him and focus, instead, on winning the 2022 municipal elections.

The Congress response was so delayed as to render it virtually irrelevant. A peace march was held in Lutyens, Delhi and a delegation of senior leaders called on the President to demand home minister Amit Shah's resignation. But the party waited until its Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi had returned from his foreign tour before visiting the affected areas  a full week after the riots.

Congress MP K Suresh then proceeded to further embarrass the party by declaring that the tour of north-east Delhi had been undertaken under "tremendous pressure", as leaders of other parties like the Indian Union Muslim League and CPI had already been there.

Rahul Gandhi confined his visit to a school that had been vandalised during the riots and made a statement which, for him, was quite nuanced: Violence and hate are enemies of development."

The party's confusion is understandable: politicising the issue may wrest the minority vote from AAP and underline the government's failure; on the other hand, it may straitjacket the Congress into a framework that has proved electorally unproductive in the past.

The Congress has now decided to debate the Delhi violence in Parliament. This will serve to embarrass both the Treasury and the Opposition benches, given the ignoble behaviour of all parties concerned.

(The author is a senior journalist. Views are personal)
OTTAWA - A Canadian patient newly diagnosed with COVID-19 recently travelled to Las Vegas and used public transit in Toronto for several days before he was tested for the virus, says the Toronto public health authority.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - A Canadian patient newly diagnosed with COVID-19 recently travelled to Las Vegas and used public transit in Toronto for several days before he was tested for the virus, says the Toronto public health authority.

The man, who is in his 40s, was one of the two most recently confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Toronto.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

"This information is being provided out of an abundance of caution. We're talking about low-risk situations," Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's top public health doctor, told a briefing Friday.

Transit riders without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to seek medical help, de Villa said, unless they get a call from her unit.

The other Toronto case, a man in his 50s, recently returned to Canada from Iran. Both men are isolating themselves in their homes.

In Peel Region just west of Toronto, a couple who had been on the Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco was diagnosed after returning home to Mississauga, Ont.

Peel Public Health is asking passengers in rows 18 to 22 on WestJet Flight 1199 on Feb. 28 to self-isolate, but says the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low.

Another 237 Canadians have been forbidden from leaving the ship after a subsequent cruise while some of the thousands of passengers aboard now are tested, says a spokesperson for Princess Cruises.

The Public Health Agency of Canada was trying to find more than 260 Canadians who were on the last voyage of the Grand Princess cruise ship after fellow Canadian passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19 following their cruise.

Three of Canada's 54 confirmed or presumptive cases of the virus are among passengers who were on the vessel from Feb. 11 to 21. The cruise began and ended in San Francisco.

The ship is off the coast of California with 237 Canadians on board and forbidden from leaving, the cruise line says, and some of the thousands of passengers on board are being tested for the virus.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said most of the cases in Canada so far have been mild, and the patients are self isolating at home. About seven people are in hospital, but that does not necessarily mean those patients are severely ill, she said.

"We've been having these plans, we've rehearsed them, we've been through a previous pandemic, we've been through co-ordination for Ebola response, for example. So each individual player in the federal and provincial system knows how those co-ordination mechanisms work," Tam told a news conference Friday.

So far in Ontario, all of the 28 patients known to be sick had recently travelled outside the country or were in close contact with another patient who had.

However, Canada's first apparent case of community transmission was reported in British Columbia on Thursday night, when officials announced eight new cases of the illness.

They say a woman in the Vancouver area was diagnosed with COVID-19, even though she had not travelled recently and had no known contact with anyone else diagnosed with the virus.

Quebec has two confirmed cases and one presumptive diagnosis that still has to be confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. Alberta has reported two presumptive cases of the illness.

Health officials in Ontario, British Columbia and across Canada have said the risk posed by COVID-19 in this country remains low.

But they've been preparing for weeks for a possible outbreak similar to the ones seen in Iran, South Korea, Italy and China  where the virus originated.

Canada is increasing its funding for COVID-19 research by $20 million, Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced Friday, after concluding that the $7 million it had planned to spend isn't enough.

The applications for the initial amount were "overwhelming," Hajdu said.

Forty-seven research teams will now get backing from the federal government for work to "inform clinical and public health responses, develop and evaluate diagnostic tools and vaccines, as well as create strategies to tackle misinformation, stigma, and fear."

"It also allows Canada to be at the ground level of this research so that when a vaccine is developed we are partners with other countries, that we can access that vaccine or that treatment quickly," Hajdu said.

Meanwhile, the 129 Canadians who were quarantined after returning to Canada from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan have finally been allowed to return home.

The Canadians were mostly confined to their rooms for two weeks aboard the Diamond Princess docked at Yokohama, Japan. The ship contained the largest outbreak outside of China at the time.

The Canadian government repatriated those without signs of the virus and put them under a further 14-day quarantine at the Nav Centre in Cornwall, Ont.

"These individuals remained asymptomatic for COVID-19 throughout the 14-day quarantine period and, as a result, they pose no risk to others and can safely return to their communities and to their usual activities," Tam said in a written statement.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced the province is activating its provincial pandemic plan to deal with COVID-19, with a committee of deputy ministers overseeing the province's response to the virus.

About about 2,000 people have already been tested and the province now has four labs to do the testing, Horgan said.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is ready to use emergency powers to protect the population, health workers, and the health system's capacity to help patients with other problems.

The B.C. government is also preparing for how it will function if large numbers of public employees get sick, Dix said, adding the plan is to be ready to operate under an outbreak that lasts up to four months.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.

With files from Nicole Thompson and Michelle McQuigge in Toronto, and Laura Kane in Vancouver.
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Fri, March 6, 2020 18:41 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068d9a83 1 National umrah,Saudi-Arabia,umrah-pilgrims,travel-ban,West-Java,coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak Free

The West Java Religious Affairs Office has confirmed that the 90 umrah (minor haj) pilgrims who left for Saudi Arabia on Feb. 27 from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport had safely returned to Indonesia.

"The latest information we've received is that the 90 pilgrims had indeed departed [for Saudi Arabia], but they have [since] returned," the offices haj and umrah head, Ajam Mustajam, told The Jakarta Post by phone on Thursday, seven days after the pilgrims were reported as "missing".

The 90 Indonesians had departed on umrah one day before Saudi Arabia announced a temporary ban on all umrah pilgrims in a measure to "limit the spread of the coronavirus epidemic and prevent its access to the Two Holy Mosques", as quoted in TIME.

On Feb. 28, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia listed Indonesia as one of the countries whose citizens were barred from visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as part of its prevention measures.

The decision left thousands of Indonesians stranded  some already en route to Saudi Arabia and others who had already checked in at airports around the country.

Ajam said that 790 umrah pilgrims from West Java were initially scheduled to depart on Feb. 27. When he was contacted again on March 3, however, Ajam said that only 700 had returned to the country and claimed not to know the whereabouts of the other 90 pilgrims.

Ajam clarified on March 5 that the 90 Indonesians had used the services of a travel agency in West Java, and were not part of the official group of pilgrims from the province.

It is not because of an error in the system," he stressed, referring to the integrated umrah and haj computerized system that maintains records on all pilgrims traveling on the government-sponsored program.

Their whereabouts were being tracked, but the regional office received the information late, he said.

Ajam said that the office was now focusing on serving people who needed the required haj documents and extending or issuing new for umrah and haj permits at the 187 umrah and haj travel agencies in the province. (eyc)
In Kelly Reichardts lovely new movie First Cow, set way out on the 1820s Oregon frontier, Cookie Figowitz (John Magaro) and his friend King-Lu (Orion Lee) rake in the dough thanks to, well, dough. Cookie, a onetime bakers assistant, cooks oily cakes, and entrepreneurial King-Lu sells them to the trappers and soldiers at Fort Tillicum for piles of silver pieces, company scrip, and beads. The wild men of the wild frontier go, if possible, even wilder for the oily cakes, treasuring the taste of something soft and sweet in so hard and bitter a place. Even the local governor, played by Toby Jones, loves the cakes. When he nibbles one (sold to him at double the sticker price by King-Lu), he looks into the distance and says, with wonder, It tastes of England. The secret ingredient in these oily cakes? The milk that Cookie and King-Lu purloin late at night from the governors own cow (played by breakout newcomer Evie), the first in the territory.

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History hasnt gotten here yet, King-Lu says, and neither have cookbooks, so what recipe did Cookie follow for his delicious-looking fried doughnuts, reminiscent of malasadas or zeppole? I wanted to try those oily cakes and see if they would please my sugar-addled 21st-century palate as it did those grizzled men of the West. Luckily, Reichardt shared the ingredient list, developed by the writer-director and her co-writer, Jonathan Raymond, from historical recipes of the time.

After watching Magaro work his magic on screen, I felt ready to make my own oily cakes. First step: illicitly milk a cow. Unfortunately, the dairy that delivers our familys milk each Tuesday rebuffed my requests to take one of their herd in hand. Its just that if you dont have a lot of experience milking cows, the cow might react poorly and someone could get hurt, South Mountain Creamerys customer service rep told me apologetically, noting also that this is a pretty weird request.

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Instead, I shoplifted a quart of whole milk from the Harris Teeter. That was after I asked a Harris Teeter employee where they kept the lard and she replied, Lard, huh? Thats a real old-time ingredient. Exactly! Unfortunately, they had not stocked lard in some years. Instead I bought three large containers of Goya lardjust an incredible amount of lardat a nearby Latin market, where the cashier asked me if I was making carnitas, and, rather than attempt to explain the whole stupid thing, I said yes.

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I mixed up all the ingredients, including the quick-rise yeast that the production substituted for era-appropriate pate a choux, the French pastry base whose high moisture content helps eclairs rise. Meanwhile, I melted every single bit of the horrifying amount of lard in a big Dutch oven. Apparently the First Cow production used a candy thermometer to ensure the lard was the right temperature, but I did not, because 1) they did not have candy thermometers in 1820, 2) I did not have a candy thermometer, and 3) Kelly Reichardt did not actually tell me what temperature they cooked at. Instead I just waited until the lard was really freaking hot, hot enough to insta-brown a dollop of batter, then dropped big spoonfuls into the lard and let it bubble away.

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The first few oily cakes were good, but not life-changing, even to a frontiersman. They were flattened blobs rather than spheres, and they werent as puffy as I would have liked. Then I realized I forgot the eggs, so the next batch was really great! Deep-fried puffy spheres with crunchy little tails, steaming and delicious drizzled with (as in the movie) a little honey and a little cinnamon. (Where did people in 1820s Oregon get cinnamon?! Who knows.) My friend Jonathan, a poet and teacher, picked one up, and I said: Its 1820! Youre a rugged, bearded dude trapped among a bunch of other dudes! No one appreciates artthey just want furs and silver! You havent eaten anything that isnt hardtack or squirrel in like five years! Would it blow his mind? Jonathan wiped his mouth and said, These are good! He now owes me five pieces of silver.

Evies Tasty Oily Cakes

Adapted from Kelly Reichardts First Cow

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 1 cup whole milk, warm, preferably stolen in dark of night

 1 packet instant active dry yeast

 1/3 cup warm water

 2 whole large eggs, lightly beaten with a whisk made of reeds plucked from the rivers edge

 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

 1/4 cup sugar

 4 cups all-purpose flour

 1/2 teaspoon salt

 48 oz animal lardjust an astonishing amount of lardfor frying

 cinnamon and honey for finishing

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Pour the packet of yeast into the warm water and let sit for five minutes.

Meanwhile, scoop all 48 ounces of lardyes, all of itinto a big Dutch oven. Heat on medium-high until the lard is melted and really, really, really hot. When you drop a tiny bit of dough into it, it should sizzle and start to brown pretty quick.

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In a big mixing bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, and eggs until combined. Add the yeast and water and stir.

In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Add a little more milk if it doesnt seem as thin as the dough Cookie used.

Drop little 1/3-cup spoonfuls into the hot oil. Use a big slotted metal spoon or other frying tool to poke them around as they bubble. Turn em over if one side is getting dark faster than the other. Scoop them out and place them on a paper towelcovered plate.

Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon, and hope the governor never asks why they taste so good.
As Bernie Sanders became one of the front-runners in the presidential race, journalists in the Moscow bureau of The New York Times began thinking about the days he spent in the Soviet Union in 1988, when he was the mayor of Burlington, Vt.

His visit to a Russian sauna with Soviet officials, singing This Land Is Your Land, had already been well told. And residents of Yaroslavl, the city a few hours northeast of Moscow where Mr. Sanders had traveled, had already gone public in 2016 with their positive views of him.

But was there more?

No Russians or government officials encouraged us to look into Mr. Sanders. Driven by our own curiosity, I hopped on a train last week to Yaroslavl as Oleg Matsnev, a researcher in our bureau, checked to see what I might find.

There was a wealth of documents in Yaroslavl, he said, and while it might take time to get access, I think it is worth it.
The trial is scheduled to start in the Netherlands on March 9.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says all countries have a responsibility to fully cooperate with efforts to ensure justice for the 298 victims killed in the downing of MH17 over Russia-occupied Donbas in July 2014.

"I welcome the start of the criminal trial for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. This trial is an important milestone in the efforts to ensure justice for the 298 victims and their families," he said in a statement on March 6.

Read alsoMH17 case: Think tank predicts Russia's stance during trial

"I welcome the commitment of the Joint Investigation Team to establish the facts of the case and I have full confidence in the independence and professionalism of the Dutch legal system. It remains essential to establish truth, accountability and justice for the downing of flight MH17, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166. All countries have a responsibility to fully cooperate with these efforts," he said.

UNIAN memo. Malaysia Airlines' MH17 Boeing 777 heading from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Russia-occupied territory in Donetsk region. All 298 people on board who were citizens of 10 countries were killed in the crash. The majority of the victims, 196, were citizens of the Netherlands. The Dutch Safety Board October 13, 2015, issued a report on the causes of the accident. It was revealed that the plane had been shot down by a Buk anti-aircraft missile system. The Joint Investigation Team in its report published on September 28, 2016, confirmed that the plane had been downed by a Russian-made Buk brought to Ukraine from Russia. On June 19, 2019, JIT investigators accused four Russia-controlled military intelligence officers of involvement in a missile attack that shot down MH17. The first four suspects in the MH17 case are Russian terrorist Igor Girkin (AKA "Strelkov"), who in the summer of 2014 was the so-called "Minister of Defense of the Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR"); Russian General Sergei Dubinsky (nom de guerre "Khmuryi"), who led the "DPR intelligence;" Oleg Pulatov (nom de guerre "Gyurza"), who in 2014 headed of "the 2nd division of the GRU of the DPR;" as well as Leonid Kharchenko (nom de guerre "Krot"), who was a leader of the "reconnaissance battalion" of Russia-led forces.

The trial is scheduled to start in the Netherlands on Monday, March 9.
A man has died after he was decapitated in an industrial accident at a chicken processing plant in Alabama.

Carlos Lynn died while cleaning equipment inside the plant owned by Tyson Foods, which is the worlds second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork.

The 39-year-old was contracted by a third party company to clean the equipment. During the cleaning process, he was caught in a pinch-point in the machine, Barbour County Coroner Sidney Chapman told TV network WRBL.

Lynn died at 5.50pm on Tuesday. Mr Chapman said the cause of death was decapitation.

A Tyson Foods spokesman said in a statement: Were investigating an accident at our Eufaula, Alabama facility yesterday that involved a worker employed by an outside contractor and will provide more information when we can.

Were grateful for the swift response and assistance of local emergency personnel.

According to WSFA12, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into the incident.

OSHA defines a pinch-point as any point at which is it possible for a person or part of a persons body to be caught between moving parts of a machine, or between the moving and stationary parts of a machine, or between material and any part of a machine.
Starbucks customers have been banned from using personal re-usable cups in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

A spokesperson told The Independent: "Out an abundance of caution, we are pausing the use of personal cups or tumblers in our stores across the UK."

All drinks purchased at the high street coffee chain will be served in disposable cups instead.

Branches will also suspend the use of for here mugs and cups for customers staying in-store.

The same precaution has been rolled out across the US and Canada.

Starbucks Executive Vice President and President of US and Canada operated businesses Rossann Williams announced the decision in an open letter to shareholders.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

In the letter, Mr Williams wrote: First and foremost, the health and well-being of our partners and customers remains top of mind and our highest priority, and we will continue to act thoughtfully and courageously despite the disruption and uncertainty Covid-19 brings to our daily lives.

As part of communities worldwide, we are navigating this situation with nimbleness, learning and adapting as new information is made available.

However, the letter stated that customers will still receive a 10 cents discount (25p) for bringing their own cup.

The release also stated that the company is restricting all business-related air travel, both domestic and international until the end of the month.

The chain introduced a discount for customers choosing to bring in reusable cups in a bid to reduce waste from their single-use disposable cups.

The company did not provide a projected end date for the pause in the use of reusable cups in the letter to shareholders but said they were optimistic this will be a temporary situation.

The UK currently has 116 confirmed cases of coronavirus and the first death in a UK hospital was confirmed on Thursday.
It is unlikely that the Indian market will have any respite on March 6 as fears of rising coronavirus cases and its impact on the global economy are getting stronger day by day.

Asian shares suffered losses on March 6 following another Wall Street rout as disruptions to global business from the coronavirus beyond China worsened, stoking fears of a prolonged world economic slowdown.

Trends on SGX Nifty indicate a gap down opening for the index in India. SGX Nifty was down 400 points at 10,836 around 08:40 hours IST.

Sensex and Nifty ended with small gains on March 5, as investors remained cautious amid reports of rising coronavirus cases in India.

Signs of improvement in the global cues offered little relief and the equity barometer Sensex ended with a modest gain of 61 points, or 0.16 percent, at 38,470.61, while Nifty settled 18 points, or 0.16 percent, up at 11,269.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices outperformed benchmark Sensex, closing 0.31 percent and 0.29 percent higher, respectively.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said that the funds allocated by IMF and easing monetary measures are marginally supporting global markets but India is underperforming due to coronavirus cases.

He said foreign investors are selling with a notion that the effect of the epidemic will be more on emerging markets. In his views, volatility is expected to persist and issues related to telecom and weak asset quality of banks could hurt the market in the short to medium-term.

The rupee snapped its four-session losing run on Thursday to close 6 paise higher at 73.33 against the US dollar amid hopes that efforts by countries and global agencies would offset financial damage from the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth Rs 2,476.75 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares of worth Rs 2,510.89 crore in the Indian equity market on March 5, provisional data available on the NSE showed.

Technical view:

Nifty closed off the day's high but could not hold 11,300 and formed a bearish candle on daily charts again on March 5, as the closing was lower than the opening level.

The index did not participate in but global rally, but it also did not break crucial support of 11,000. It closed above its five-day simple moving average.

These are pointers to volatility continuing in coming sessions but the downsides may be limited, as the index has already corrected more than 8 percent from its record high, experts say.

They asked positional traders with a high-risk appetite to take long side exposure in small quantities, with a stop below 11,030 on the closing basis.

As long as the Nifty sustains above 11,036 on the closing basis, one can retain a positive stance, said Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist  Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in.

However, strength in the indices shall emerge only on a close above 11,433, which can pave the way for a sustainable upside with an initial target of 11,536, he added.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank effective March 5, restricting the withdrawal of deposits to Rs 50,000. Any withdrawal over the amount will require the permission of the Reserve Bank of India.

The moratorium will be applicable from 6:00 pm on March 5 to April 3, 2020.

In a press release, the RBI said, the financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering the invocation of bonds covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits.

Three levels to watch out for: 11,245, 11,350, 11,388.

Max Call OI: 11,800, 11,500

Max Put OI: 11,000, 11,300

Stocks in the news:

M&M: February production down 56 percent to 25,643 units, sales down 43 percent to 30,083 units YoY.

JSW Steel: Moody's has changed the outlook on the company's ratings to stable from positive; affirmed Ba2 ratings.

Yes Bank: SBI, LIC likely to pick up 24.5 percent stake each in the bank - CNBC-TV18 sources.

Pidilite: Company incorporates JV to carry on construction business using C-Techos Wall Tech.

Lupin: Company launched generic Vimovo tablets in the USA.

Technical recommendations:

We spoke to Rudra Shares & Stock Brokers and heres what they have to recommend:

JSW Steel futures | Sell | CMP: Rs 247.85 | Target: Rs 237 | Stop loss: Rs 255 | Downside: 4%

Escorts futures | Sell | CMP: Rs 834.95 | Target: Rs 793 | Stop loss: Rs 856 | Downside: 5%

Bata India | Buy | CMP: Rs 1,605 | Target: Rs 1,685 | Stop loss: Rs 1,565 | Upside: 5%

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Nestle SA will be starting a reforestation campaign of planting more than 3 million trees. The target location of the tree planting project is in Mexico. The company plans to start the project a year and a half from now. This project aims to affect carbon neutrality by 2020, says an article from Yahoo Finance.

Corporate Social Responsibility for Carbon Emissions

Nestle adds to the list of large corporations taking ambitious goals involving the reduction of carbon emissions. These goals are often carried out by big companies due to the increasing demand of stakeholders to combat climate change.

Nestle's products include KitKat Chocolate, Poland Spring bottled water, Nescafe coffee, and Cheerios Cereal. The company had signed an agreement with the United Nations. The agreement includes a target of controlling and minimizing the rise of temperature. Also, it included a promise of transforming the business processes of the company to prioritize renewable energy, carbon absorption, and substitute packaging materials.

The Plan for the Reforestation Project

The cost of planting one tree is $1 to $15. The forecasted cost of planting will total $45 million. This total is not inclusive of the other expenses needed to accomplish the tree planting project.

The Chief Executive for the Americas of Nestle, Laurent Freixe, said the project is the beginning of the many efforts of the company to help protect the environment, especially in places like Mexico. The company gets dairy products, cocoa, sugar, and coffee in Mexico.

According to Freixe, there is a need to invest in the protection of the environment to sustain the economy of Mexico and the business operations of Nestle in the country. Additionally, there is a need to improve biodiversity in the country.

Collaboration with One Tree Planted

Currently, the company is partnering with One Tree Planted, a not-for-profit organization. The company is requesting the assistance of One Tree Planted to determine the type of trees to plant and where to plant them.

The Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz are some of the two places targeted by the tree planting project.

The New Coffee Processing Plant in Veracruz

A coffee processing plant of the company will start its operations in October in Veracruz. The first 1 million trees of the project will be enough to capture the carbon emissions of their new coffee processing plant in Veracruz, said the head of operations of Nestle Magdi Batato.

The plant costs the company $154 million to make. It is expected that it will process 20,000 tons of coffee every year. Also, it will directly provide jobs to 250 people. The factory will be created by the company will be an exemplary model of the succeeding factories of Nestle. It aims to use new technologies, new automated features, and clean energy.

Support from President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and His Administration

The president of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had expressed his support to the project of Nestle in 2018. It was the first major investment of the president and his administration. His decision to support Nestle had resulted in direct and indirect work opportunities for many Mexicans. These efforts had made Mexico as Nestle's top coffee supplier.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - The president of Uzbekistan has abolished state regulation of cotton production and sales  a move seen as a significant step toward ending decades of forced labour in the countrys cotton harvest.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs order on Friday ends state-established production targets. Jonas Astrup, an adviser for the International Labor Organization in Uzbekistan, told The Associated Press that local governments and other organizations were ordered to produce certain amounts and that they used forced labour to meet those targets.

Under dictator Islam Karimov, who died in 2016, more than 2 million Uzbeks were forced to work in the annual cotton harvest. It is a significant export that Uzbeks often call white gold.

Mirziyoyev has implemented reforms since succeeding Karimov, but more than 100,000 forced labourers worked in last years harvest, according to the ILO.

Uzbek cotton has been subject to boycotts by a number of international textile producers and countries, including the United States and the European Union. In 2007, a group of human rights organisations founded the Cotton Campaign, which aims to end human rights violations in Uzbekistans fields.

The Cotton Campaign will meet at the end of March to decide whether to end the boycott.
Bangladeshi women work at a garments factory in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, Oct. 30, 2019.

Bangladeshs garment industry, the engine of the South Asian nations economy, has suffered huge losses with disruptions in the supply chain of fabrics imported from China as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak, factory owners and economists said Thursday.

The epidemic has claimed more than 3,000 lives worldwide in less than three months, although no cases have been confirmed yet on Bangladeshi soil. The virus was first detected in Wuhan, a city in central China, the main supplier of yarn, cotton and other raw materials for Bangladeshs ready-made garment (RMG) industry, which employs about 4 million, mostly women.

The coronavirus epidemic in China has hugely impacted the supply line of raw materials for Bangladeshs RMG sector, Siddiqur Rahman, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The BGMEA, the industrys most powerful trade group, represents factory owners across Bangladesh.

Our ready-made garment industry has been hit by the coronavirus, he said. But we cannot provide any figures at this stage.

Procuring raw materials from other countries has proven difficult, Rahman said, after the viral outbreak hammered the capacity of China to supply goods as swathes of factories remain shuttered.

We can find a market for raw material supplies as an alternative to China, he said, but what is the benefit of producing when there is no customer and demand?

The sector generated $34.1 billion in 2019, according to the BGMEA. Since 2014, the garment sector has also registered more than 80 percent annually of the gross domestic product (GDP) for Bangladesh, the worlds second-largest apparel exporter of fashion brands after China, according to the World Bank.

Britain  which gives preferential access to Bangladeshi garments and is one of the main destinations of clothing made in Dhaka  on Thursday moved into the second of four phases in its battle plans to tackle the spread of the virus after registering 90 confirmed cases, officials in London said.

At high risk

But Bangladesh has not yet reported a case of the COVID-19 illness, which currently has no approved vaccines and has infected more than 93,000 people in 77 countries, according to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Bangladesh, however, remains at high risk of experiencing the virus because of the nations connectivity with nations where cases of the epidemic have been confirmed, authorities said.

In 2015, the United States, Britain, Germany and France were Bangladeshs top textiles trading partners, according to the World Bank, which has repeatedly pushed Dhaka to diversify its economy beyond garment exports and remittances to sustain growth.

We are at high risk of the coronavirus spread, which has compelled us to urgently act to take preventive measures, Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director for disease control and research at the nations Institute of Epidemiology, told reporters Wednesday.

Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told BenarNews that the virus would be expected to deliver an adverse impact to the garments industry, but authorities could only decipher its economic impact in May this year.

We do not know how long coronavirus situation in China will continue, he said, as he expressed hope that the supply chain could be restored soon.

It would be difficult for Bangladesh to immediately gauge the economic loss inflicted by the viral outbreak, Ahsan Mansur, executive director of the Dhaka-based nonprofit Policy Research Institute, told BenarNews.

Actually, the RMG factories have been preparing the orders placed for the summer season in the Western countries. But they will see orders crunch for the next fall, he said. Then we can understand the loss.

Bangladesh factories order about $5 billion of raw materials, mainly from China each year, Mansur said. So, it is very difficult to import those items from other countries, he said.

We can seize the opportunity

But the virus might also have opened up a silver lining for Bangladesh.

The whole world suffers from the lockdown in China. So, a majority of the investors will now try to relocate their factories from China, he said. We can seize the opportunity.

Abdul Wadud, owner of Knitvalley Ltd. in Dhaka, told BenarNews that production of knitted clothing at his factory went down by 20 percent, while production of other garments has so far suffered a 40-percent loss.

The factory imports at least 50 percent of yarn, cotton, chemicals and other raw materials from China, Wadud said.

First of all, some buyers would not buy apparel made of yarn and cotton from China, he said. At the same time, Bangladesh government has imposed some restriction on imports from China.

But, he said, the epidemic would unlikely be so severe in Europe and in the United States, the main markets of Bangladeshs ready-made garments,

This is because the U.S. and European countries have better capacity than the Chinese to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, he said.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh will boost infrastructure at ten towns along international borders, particularly with China, to prevent the migration of villagers.

There has been a rapid migration of villagers to state capital Itanagar and other towns over the past few years. The scarcity of food and basic amenities due to lack of terrestrial access are believed to be the reasons.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu agreed the matter was of grave concern given that Arunachal shares its border not only with China (1,200 km) but also Bhutan (550 km) and Myanmar (150 km).

He informed the Assembly that the state government had sought a special package of Rs.460 crore from the Centre for infrastructure development in border areas. To begin with, he said the government would boost infrastructure at ten border towns.

Once the project is cleared by the Centre, we believe we can thwart the migration of the people by developing the border areas with all amenities, he said.

Former Arunachal MP, Takam Sanjay, had once said that incursions by the Chinese soldiers were less of a worry than the locals migrations from border areas. People settled in border areas are considered the first line of defence.

An Army officer, who has served in Arunachal, told this newspaper that it was of utmost importance to develop the border areas  migration or no migration.

Development is in progress in Arunachals border areas but the pace of it has been hampered due to issues relating to weather, roads etc, he said.

We must have our populations on our land but the problem is our border areas are underdeveloped. We have to have a rapid pace of infrastructure and technological development so that the people dont need to go elsewhere for food, the officer said.

He felt the government has a huge challenge to prevent the migration of the villagers. The government will be able to stop them from migrating only by putting in place the required infrastructure, he added.
Nearly 90 percent of the world's population -- of every gender -- holds some prejudice against women, according to a UN study published Thursday, ahead of International Women's Day. The United Nations Development Programme studied 75 countries representing 80 percent of the world's population and found that nine in 10 people -- including women -- hold such beliefs. The prejudiced views include: that men are better politicians and business leaders than women; that going to university is more important for men than women; and that men should get preferential treatment in competitive job markets. The percentage of those holding at least one sexist bias was largest in Pakistan -- where 99.81 percent of people held similar prejudices -- followed by Qatar and Nigeria, both at 99.73 percent. Countries with the lowest population of those with sexist beliefs were Andorra, at 27.01 percent, Sweden with 30.01 percent and the Netherlands, 39.75 percent. France, Britain and the United States each came in with similar scores, 56 percent, 54.6 percent and 57.31 percent of people respectively holding at least one sexist belief. The numbers show "new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality" despite "decades of progress," the UN Development Programme said in a statement accompanying the report. "The work that has been so effective in ensuring an end to gaps in health or education must now evolve to address something far more challenging: a deeply ingrained bias -- among both men and women -- against genuine equality," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said. The agency called on governments and institutions to change discriminatory beliefs and practices through education. Beyond inequalities in education, health and the economy, the statement also called out one of the report's most chilling findings: 28 percent of people believe it is okay for a man to beat his wife. Nearly 90 percent of the world's population hold a sexist belief, such as that men make better politicians than women, according to a UN report
Fluorspars sluggish global value chain could be boosted by the impacts of coronavirus in China, reports Michael Greenfield

The supply chain in the fluorine market has been disrupted since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) in China. Factories and mines in the country have been slow to restart their operations after the extended Lunar New Year break because employees were told not to return to their workplaces in order to help contain the outbreak.



Limitations on logistics movements were also put in place. Trucks and their drivers could not cross provincial borders, making supply chain logistics particularly difficult. The global market is well supplied, with many non-Chinese consumers reporting to Fastmarkets that they have stocks left over from 2019 because sales did not reach expected levels. This caused one non-Chinese consumer to continue to run his factory at 60-70% of capacity.



Similarly, some factories are not operating at nameplate capacity because of poor pricing and demand in key acidspar end markets, such as fluoropolymers and refrigerants. The limited activity in the fluorspar market, both upstream and downstream, could help rebalance the market.



The border between China and Mongolia is closed, a source told Fastmarkets. The traffic restrictions in China have been largely lifted and when the traffic gradually returns to normal in the whole country in April, the whole fluoride industrial chain will rise by 5-10% or more, one Chinese fluorspar producer said.



The supply of downstream companies to their customers will not be affected too much in March since fluorspar consumers have enough stock, but end market prices have begun to rise, a seller source said. The slowing of the logistics supply chain could tighten supply.



Mongolia produces large volumes of fluorspar and the majority of the material makes its way into China to either be consumed or exported. Mongolia exports all of its fluorspar, which in 2018 totaled around 550,000 tonnes. More than 350,000 tonnes of this went to China, with the remainder going to Russia, according to data from Mongolias Ministry of Mining.



Global fluorspar supply is just shy of 6 million tonnes, according to industry consultant Roskill. The global fluorspar market has also been impacted by weaker demand for fluorine-derived products.



In the latest round of contract talks, consumers were able to negotiate prices down against last years contract prices.



Fastmarkets price assessment for fluorspar, acidspar, 97% CaF2, wet filtercake, fob Durban, was $350-410 per tonne on Thursday January 30, down from $400-450 per tonne in the previous assessment on December 26 and off from $440-490 per tonne in late November. The November price had been largely unchanged for nearly a year, only widening downward by $10 per tonne in March. Year on year, the price has declined by $90 per tonne, or 19.1%, based on the current midpoint of $380 versus the midpoint of $470 on Jan 31, 2019.



The price reduction was due to weak end-market demand and pricing. "The acidspar producers kept prices as high as they could, but the aluminium fluoride [AlF3] prices went very low, so there was a need for an adjustment in the raw material price," an aluminium fluoride producer said. "We have seen a decrease of 20-25% [in the price of fluorspar]. $100 per tonne looks a little too big of a jump, but considering prices were close to $500 per tonne last year, it might be about right," this source added.



Historically, Chinese acidspar had always commanded the highest price because its quality was usually guaranteed and Chinese suppliers had the volume to supply the international market. While it is still the case that Chinese material is the most expensive, the premium which it commands over acidspar from other locations has diminished.



Mexican material was typically cheaper by comparison due to high arsenic content, which made it unsuitable for many consumers due to the increased downtime it causes for the consuming plant.



Fastmarkets price assessment for fluorspar, acidspar, 97% CaF2, wet filtercake, fob China was at $400-450 per tonne on February 20. Fastmarkets assessment for fluorspar, acidspar, 97% CaF2, wet filtercake, fob Tampico was at $380-450 per tonne. The two prices are almost identical.



Prices two years earlier were $480-520 per tonne for Chinese acidspar and $360-380 per tonne for Mexican material, marking a $100-per-tonne differential between the top end of Mexican and the bottom end of Chinese fluorspar. These price movements have brought a convergence of global prices.



Prices for Mexican material have increased because the market was undersupplied last year and the sole producer in Mexico managed to maintain its price level, citing good long-term demand for fluorspar despite the short-term weakness. Chinese acidspar prices have softened after reaching record highs following the environmental inspections, which created tightness in the market.



Should the current situation in China continue, it could further tighten supply. This would place upward pressure on the fob China price. But this might boost the downstream industries that have performed badly in the past 12 months due to oversupply and illegal refrigerant trade, which has hurt many of the refrigerant producers sales.



To view the entire issue, please click here.
Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump sought to shift blame on to the Obama administration for a nationwide coronavirus test kit shortage.

Related: Elizabeth Warren drops out of Democratic presidential race - live

The president on Wednesday blamed a federal agency decision during Barack Obamas presidency, which Trump said made it harder to quickly roll out testing for the virus.

The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what were doing, and we undid that decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place in a much more accurate and rapid fashion, he told reporters during a White House meeting with airline executives, whom he had called to discuss the economic effects of the outbreak.

That was a decision we disagreed with, he said. I dont think we would have made it, but for some reason, it was made.

It was unclear what decision Trump was referring to. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said private laboratories used to be able to develop clinical tests but in the previous administration that became regulated. For someone to do that they had to file with the FDA, Redfield said.

But experts on lab testing have said they are unaware of an Obama administration rule that would have hindered the use of tests developed at university or private labs in an emergency.

The responsibility for the coronavirus test kit shortage appears to lie with the CDCs choice to develop and distribute its own kit rather than use the one recommended by the World Health Organization, according to ProPublica. But the CDCs tests didnt work, falsely flagging harmless samples that contained viruses other than Covid-19.

Moreover, Trump ordered the dissolution of the National Security Councils global health security unit and reassigned its head. The former national security adviser John Bolton also pressured the teams counterpart at the Department of Homeland Security to resign.

Story continues

Trump attacked Democrats for warning of the seriousness of the crisis while spreading disinformation and downplaying the outbreak, his critics have said.

Two days before he was announced as a member of the White House taskforce on coronavirus, Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, declared coronavirus contained in the US, despite a plethora of data that suggested it was not.

I wont say airtight, but its pretty close to airtight, Kudlow told CNBC, swaddling himself in a comforting narrative that was probably destroyed in his first meeting with the task force.

Last week, a senior health department official alleged that she was retaliated against after raising concerns that staff had been sent to assist Americans evacuated from China because of coronavirus without proper training or appropriate protective gear.

If efforts are being made to muzzle them, to control messaging so that it suits the political needs of the administration, Michael Carome of Public Citizen, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy organization, said, thats ultimately going to endanger the public.
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Does the Book of Revelation predict the coronavirus? Is it one of the prophesied, end-time plagues? If so, does that mean that this is just a harbinger of much worse things to come?

There is no denying the seriousness of the virus.

As Bill Gates noted in the New England Journal of Medicine on February 28, In the past week, Covid-19 has started behaving a lot like the once-in-a-century pathogen weve been worried about. And even at this early stage, Covid-19 has already caused 10 times as many cases as SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] in a quarter of the time.

And evangelical commentator Michael Snyder included the coronavirus in his list of 10 plagues that are hitting our planet simultaneously.

The plagues were: 1) Armies Of Locusts; 2) Extremely Bizarre Weather Patterns; 3) Unprecedented Flooding; 4) Major Earthquakes; 5) Unusual Volcanic Eruptions; 6) The Coronavirus; 7) The African Swine Fever; 8) The H1N1 Swine Flu; 9) The H5N1 Bird Flu; 10) The H5N8 Bird Flu.

Does that suggest, then, that Covid-19 is one the end-time judgments described in Revelation?

Al Mohler noted that, We are also reminded of Revelation 6:7-8 in which we read, When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come and see. So I looked and behold a pale horse, and the name of him who sat on it was Death and Hades followed with him. That fourth horseman has often been associated with plague, with illness, with a violent death by means of this kind of disease, which we now identify primarily with deadly viruses spreading across the human population.

But neither Mohler nor Snyder are suggesting that the virus is one of the final plagues of Revelation. And Gates is certainly not thinking in these terms.

To the contrary, the fact that Gates can describe Covid-19 as a once-in-a-century pathogen indicates that it is hardly an apocalyptic plague, no matter how deadly it may be.

As underscored by Robert Bartholomew in Psychology Today, The Chinese Coronavirus Is Not the Zombie Apocalypse.

He wrote, I am not downplaying the seriousness of the new Coronavirus that has been spreading around the world. People are dying and every death is a tragedy. But it is not the end of civilization as we know it  contrary to some media outlets, which risk causing undue alarm and panic.

In stark contrast, if the Book of Revelation does, indeed, describe a series of terrifying, end-time plagues, those plagues will mark the end of civilization as we know it, along with the ushering in of a glorious new age.

Again, Im not minimizing the serious of the virus. And, certainly, every death is a tragedy.

In fact, as I write these words, Im returning home from Australia via Hong Kong. And I passed through Hong Kong just a few days ago on the way to Australia.

The vast majority of people at the airport in Hong Kong were wearing masks, as was the entire crew during the whole flight. And before you passed through airport security, a wand was held near your forehead to check for fever.

So, again, I recognize the seriousness of this virus. But we minimize the intensity of end-time biblical prophecy by imagining this deadly virus to be an apocalyptic plague.

More importantly, we forget that biblical judgments are connected with clear words of warning.

Judgment is coming! Repent! Dont let sin destroy you! Turn to God for mercy!

I did not hear such warnings in the months leading up to Covid-19.

Of course, Christian leaders have been sounding warnings like this for centuries, as did biblical prophets in the centuries before them.

But I personally believe that, as we approach the end of the age, the warnings will become much clearer, calling for specific change in light of specific prophecies, as opposed to a virus just popping up out of the blue.

To be sure, there are many biblical scholars who do not interpret Revelation in this way at all. In their minds, many of the events of the book already took place, described in the highly graphic language called apocalyptic.

Others would argue that most of the events are yet future, but they are cloaked in symbolism and should not be taken literally.

My own understanding is that there will be massive upheaval before the end of the world, in the midst of which there will also be a mighty spiritual outpouring.

But either way, what is clear to me is that we should not view the coronavirus as a prophesied, end-time plague.

Instead, we should view it in the same way we have viewed many other epidemics and pandemics in world history. They are tragic reminders of the broken state of our world and of the frailty of our race. And while doing all we can to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19, we should pray for the mercy of God.

The final shaking will be far more intense than this.
New Delhi: Suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain who was arrested by the Delhi Police from a court where he had come to surrender, was on Friday sent to 7-day police custody.

On March 5, Delhi's Karkardooma court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of expelled Tahir, observing that nobody had appeared from the accused side. Tahir, who is an accused in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during last week`s violence in north-east Delhi, was arrested following the rejection of his surrender application.

District and Sessions Judge Sudhir Kumar Jain said that none appeared for applicant Tahir Hussain.

The court had called up the matter four to five times. Tahir Hussain had on Tuesday filed an anticipatory bail plea in an FIR lodged against him. Many lawyers were present inside the court complex, insisting that he should not be granted bail.

Anticipatory bail means that an individual can seek or request to the court to get bail in anticipation or in expectation of being named or accused of having committed a non-bailable offence.

Ankit Sharma's body was recovered from a drain in Chand Bagh on February 26 during the violence in north-east Delhi.

"We are taking appropriate legal action against Tahir Hussain. We will soon present him before the law," Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava told reporters after the arrest.

Delhi Police is likely to produce Hussain in the Karkardooma court to seek remand.

At least 47 people lost their lives and more than 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for four days in north-east Delhi.
Shanghai has reported three new coronavirus cases in Chinese nationals who caught the virus abroad, as the countrys health authorities warn of the number of imported cases increasing.

According to state media, all three new infections were found in students studying abroad in Iran and were confirmed on Friday.

A total of 17 new cases were confirmed in mainland China, outside the Hubei province, as of Thursday.

Chinese health officials told reporters the country must remain vigilant and keep up epidemic prevention and control measures as the number of imported cases has increased.

Mi Feng, an official with the National Health Commission, said there were a total of 36 imported COVID-19 cases in the country.

Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty

He was quoted by Xinhua as saying: We should continue to deepen international cooperation, share information and experience with the World Health Organisation and relevant countries in a timely manner, and jointly fight the epidemic.

In Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, authorities plan to ease restrictions on the lockdown when the situation improves.

Ding Xiangying, vice secretary general at the State Council, told a media briefing on Friday in Wuhan that winter had passed and the day everyone was looking forward to would not be far away.

The announcement comes as the central province of Hubei, excluding its provincial capital Wuhan, reported zero new cases over 24 hours for the first time since the outbreak began.

The epidemic, which started at the end of 2019, has resulted in nearly 100,000 people infected with coronavirus and more than 3,300 deaths worldwide. Mainland China accounted for more than 3,000 deaths.

Additional reporting by agencies
The authorities at Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) in Kolkata on Friday lodged police complaint against four young men and a young woman for allegedly entering the campus during pre-Holi celebrations on Thursdays and writing obscene words on their bodies with vermilion of different shades. The youths, who are all students from different colleges, live in Hooghly district.

Photographs of these people were uploaded on social media and it triggered strong reactions. In one of the photographs that went viral, four women in yellow sarees were seen standing side by side with each of them showing one word from a line from a Tagore song written on the back. The original words were however replaced with obscene ones.

RBU students rounded up the youths when they entered the campus on Friday afternoon. They are all outsiders. We have lodged a police complaint. This is deplorable. Such a thing never happened in the history of RBU, said vice -chancellor Sabyasachi Basu Roychaudhury.

The accused youths made contradictory statements. While some said they came to the campus on Friday to apologise, the others claimed the photographs seen on social media were morphed. Officers from Sinthee police station, where the complaint was lodged, took them away for questioning.

More such photos and even videos, showing young boys and girls singing Tagores songs in extremely obscene languages, started surfacing after Friday afternoon with intellectuals and citizens writing posts in condemnation. Writing a strong note a Facebook, a user posted a video showing teenage girls in school uniform singing a Tagore song using unmentionable words.

These people certainly cannot be students. This is an attack on our culture and society. Let the police probe these cases and take action according to law, said Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee.

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A Japanese woman and her daughter and her son arrive at her work place in Tokyo on March 6, 2020. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Feds Urge Schools to Address Coronavirus-Fueled Bullying of Asian Students

The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is urging teachers across the nation to address the troubling rise of harassment and bullying of Asian students amid the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

There has been an increasing number of news reports regarding stereotyping, harassment, and bullying directed at persons perceived to be of Chinese American or, more generally, Asian descent, including students, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kenneth L. Marcus wrote in a Mar. 4 letter to educators. Marcus said the rise of such incidents is a particular concern of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Some individuals may regrettably turn toward racial or ethnic stereotypes. Worse, ethnic harassment or bullying exacerbates hatred, harms students, and is never justified, Marcus wrote. These incidents can create a climate of misunderstanding and fear. This hurts all of us.

The OCR advised that schools, colleges, and universities to follow to recommendations from the Education Department and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to avoid bias when making health-related decisions. It also reminded the schools that in some circumstances, they might need to investigate and take reasonable steps to end bullying and harassment as required by the federal law.

In a guidance released this week, the CDC noted the fact that some individuals in American colleges and universities are experiencing stigma and discrimination related to COVID-19, including those with Asian, especially Chinese, ancestry, as well as some returning travelers and emergency responders who may have been exposed to the virus.

It is important for IHE to provide accurate and timely information about COVID-19 to students, staff, and faculty to minimize the potential for stigma on college and university campuses, the CDC guidance reads, with a link to a section of its website dedicated to dealing with the stigmatization of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, people with Asian ancestry are not at greater or lesser risk of spreading COVID-19 than other Americans, as long as they do not live in or have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 or have not been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.

Please do not let fear or panic guide your actions, said Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, during a Jan. 31 telebriefing. Please do not assume that just because someone is of Asian descent that they have this new coronavirus. There are about 4 million Chinese-Americans in this country. We recognize the uncertainty of the current situation.
This Thursday, the NT News, a local newspaper in Australias Northern Territory, printed an extra eight blank pages for readers to use in a pinch, as a way to mock the pointless toilet paper hoarding caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

Run out of loo paper? The NT News cares, the front page of the special edition newspaper read. Thats why weve printed an eight-page special liftout inside, complete with handy cut lines, for you to use in an emergency. Get your limited edition one-ply toilet newspaper sheets.

The fun gag was inspired by la recent toilet paper buying spree throughout Australian supermarkets, as shoppers concerned about the possibility of a coronavirus-driven shortage simply ravaged toilet paper shelves. The generalized rush to buy toilet paper has led supermarket chains like Woolworths to implement a four-unit limit for toilet paper on individual purchases.

The weirdest thing of all is that the Retailers Association and other organizations have come out and said that there is no risk of Australia running out of toilet paper even in the case of a coronavirus epidemic. Well, just in case that ever happens, you now have extra paper from NT News.



Just so you know, plumbers warn against throwing regular paper like newspapers in the toilet, because it can clog up plumbing, leading to expensive repairs. So only use the blank NT News pages when you have no other alternative.
The University of Dayton and The Entrepreneurs Center today announce PNC Bank as the premier partner of the innovation hub at the Dayton Arcade, now named The Hub Powered by PNC Bank. The partnership will expand programming at The Hub to immerse students in the business community and help entrepreneurs from across the greater Dayton community bring their ideas to life.

The investment by PNC is designed to boost the local economy by encouraging students to remain in the area upon graduation and to help local entrepreneurs lay the foundation for Daytons future.

The Hub Powered by PNC Bank will bring together students, faculty and staff, regional entrepreneurs, local business leaders and global experts to form collaborative ideas and groundbreaking solutions to benefit the Dayton area, said David Melin, PNC regional president for Dayton. PNC is excited to assist the University of Dayton and The Entrepreneurs Center as they work to strengthen the regions future.

The Hub Powered by PNC Bank, expected to open in late 2020, will occupy 95,000 square feet in the downtown Dayton Arcade with academic programs from the University of Dayton; comprehensive business, venture creation and commercialization support services from The Entrepreneurs Center; and working space for small businesses and startups with everything from open desks to private offices to larger tenant spaces, along with meeting rooms, conference areas, high-speed internet and other amenities.

In addition, PNC will:

Offer financial education, business planning, and banking and finance workshops to support students, entrepreneurs and startups;

Support expansion of the Universitys Flyer Pitch competition, one of the countrys largest business plan competitions at the collegiate level, awarding more than $90,000 in cash prizes and $100,000 of in-kind prizes;

Host a variety of thought leadership events; and

Support Entrepreneurs at the Table, in which local executives, entrepreneurs and students work toward solutions for challenges and issues in business, twice a semester.

PNC Banks partnership will help us achieve our vision for The Hub as a vibrant place where students, faculty and staff from across UDs campus work alongside local entrepreneurs on innovative ideas that drive our community forward, said University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina. The Hub was born out of the relationship between UD and The Entrepreneurs Center and in collaboration with several organizations on campus, including the Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the School of Engineering Innovation Center, the Department of Art and Design, and the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation. Its success lies in strong partnerships with the community and we are happy that PNC is helping us move our mission forward.

Added Scott Koorndyk, president of The Entrepreneurs Center: Entrepreneurs have long been at the forefront of innovation and prosperity in the Dayton region. PNC Bank recognizes the importance of new venture creation and shares our collective vision for The Hub to catalyze entrepreneurial activity and, in turn, our regional economy. The Hub presents a unique and exciting opportunity for big business to support small business and PNC Bank's visionary leadership has stepped up for the benefit of our entire community. Dayton's next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs will be better served through the very best programs and resources thanks to PNC Bank.
Architects rendering of the refurbished Open Campus Site in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The refurbished St. Vincent and the Grenadines Open Campus Country Site will be re-opened on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm,at the Sites Murrays Road location in Kingstown.





The refurbished Site will be officially re-opened by Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves and Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.





Dr Gonsalves will deliver the main address, while representatives of The UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles, Dr Luz Longsworth, representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank, and Global Affairs Canada will also give remarks.





The site was renovated with funding provided by the Caribbean Development Bank, The UWI, Global Affairs Canada and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines under the SDEC Project.
Projections for the health of the states cash reserve, called the rainy day fund, have improved since just a year ago.

During a conference call with local constituents, District 48 State Sen. John Stinner of Gering said the fund has replenished itself in just one legislative session.

The boost was helped along by the most recent numbers from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, announced last month. The board projected an increase of $70 million in sales and use taxes for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

At the start of the last biennial legislative session in 2019, the rainy day fund stood at $726 million. By the end of the session, it was down to a projected $322 million.

Today, the fund has replenished itself by over $400 million, Stinner said. From a fiscal posture, our state probably is as fiscally strong as its ever been.

Stinner added that even with strong growth, the legislature is trying to hold spending growth at 3% or under. Normal growth is in the 4.2% range.

With about 25 days left in the current legislative session, Stinner said that senators are now in all-day debates, often lasting as late as 10 p.m.
U.S. Supreme Court justices hear a major abortion case on the legality of a Republican-backed Louisiana law that imposes restrictions on abortion doctors, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Its a rare day when two of three attorneys at a US Supreme Court oral argument are women and a sea of chanting ladies is flooding the streets outside the courthouse. But today was one such occasion because, of course, abortion.

The justices are considering a Louisiana law that severely limits access to abortion and is modeled on Texas legislation the high court found unconstitutional in 2016. It requires abortion providers to be associated with local hospitals and is ostensibly designed to protect womens health but in practice severely restricts services.

A Louisiana federal district court found the law unduly burdened women without advancing a legitimate governmental interest. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision, distinguishing the facts in Louisiana from the Texas case, and the high court now has to decide who is correct.

Activists on the left and right are on fire. The case, June Medical Services v. Russo, is significant because its about abortion, one of the most hotly debated topics in American culture and politics, and because its a test of this bench. It represents the first opportunity for a newly-constituted Supreme Court, now including conservative justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, to overrule precedent on a classically supremely divisive issue.

The Texas case was decided by an eight-justice panel before either of them was appointed, and they might take the opportunity to overrule the precedent or distinguish this case, making it easy for states to restrict abortion access. Theoretically, it would be easy to do. Conservatives John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito were in the minority on the Texas case, and the conservatives presumably now have a majority.

However, the presumption is premised on an assumption, which makes it an arguably faulty structure. It assumes chief justice Roberts wants to advance a conservative cultural agenda more than he wants order in the court. Based on the chiefs general emphasis on the importance of impartiality and as his fair and fairly unrevealing question at arguments today showed, that doesnt necessarily seem to be the case.

Story continues

He may yet take the Zen masters middle path and walk the walk of moderation that he talks, becoming that critical swing vote as so many people hope or fear.

Respecting the precedent

Abortion providers challenging the law were represented by Julie Rikelman while Louisiana solicitor general Elizabeth Murrill argued for the state. Rikelman, as the lawyer for the petitioner, began the hearing and she strategically chose to do so with a simple and poignant line designed for a Roberts sore spot.

Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the court: This case is about respect for the courts precedent.

If he does want to rule against her clients, hell have to ignore a lot of law, overlooking not only his courts 2016 ruling but also the district courts factual findings. Thats problematic because a trial courts conclusions of fact are generally granted great deference by appellate judges because thats where the record is created, witnesses are heard, and evidence is presented.

In reversing the district courts decision, the Fifth Circuit committed two fundamental errors, Rikelman argued. First, it usurped the role of the district court and disregarded nearly all of its factual findings. Second, the Fifth Circuit accepted legal arguments that this court rejected four years ago. Nothing, however, has changed that would justify such a legal about-face.

Technically, thats correct. From a legal perspective, yes, nothing has changed since 2016. Politically and culturally, however, ours is a brave new world and this is a newly-reconstituted bench that is, maybe, playing a whole new ballgame.

Roberts first question for Rikelman seemed to indicate the Texas precedent didnt dictate a ruling on the Louisiana law. He asked, Counsel, do you agree that the inquiry  is a factual one that has to proceed state-by-state?

When she countered that there were no material differences between the laws or their effects here, the chief interrupted impatiently. No, no, I know, but  the results could be different in different states?

Hypotheticals

Kavanaugh, inspired by Roberts, interrupted Rikelmans response, pressing the chiefs point. [A]ssume all the doctors who currently perform abortions can obtain admitting privileges, could you say that the law still imposes an undue burden, even if there were no effect?

She countered that there is an effect. The Louisiana law would leave just one clinic in one state to serve about 10,000 people per year. And that would mean that hundreds of thousands of women would now live more than 150 miles from the closest provider. And the burdens were actually more severe than this Court found in [the Texas case], Rikelman said.

She added that laws requiring clinic doctors to have associations with hospitals do not advance health interests, and on this point, she found staunch allies in Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. Throughout the hearing, Ginsburg continually pressed the practical points that the vast majority of abortions dont lead to complications and the few that do tend to arise when a woman is already home.

In those rare situations, a patient is going to the closest hospital, not the one associated with her clinic doctor. Moreover, most of the procedures arent even surgical but just involve taking two pills, as she put it.

As Sotomayor tried to make a point about the burdensome effects of the Louisiana law on women and the impossibility of fulfilling the states hospital admitting privileges requirements, Kavanaugh interrupted her. Could I he pleaded.

He could not. She went through the various obstacles each doctor in the case faced trying to fulfill Louisianas requirements until he interjected again.

Can I follow up on the chief justices earlier question and mine as well, he insisted. Are you saying that admitting privileges laws are always unconstitutional, such that we dont have to look at the facts state by state? Or are you saying that actually you do look at the facts state by state, and in some states, admitting privileges laws could be constitutional, if they impose no burdens?

Although the courtroom was packed, with press stacked in tight rows in back like sardines, it was easy to imagine the junior justice starry-eyed, dreaming of drafting a narrow majority opinion fully pretending to respect the precedent but ruling for Louisiana on factual grounds.

Kavanaugh pressed Rikelman: So your view is that theyre unconstitutional in any state, regardless of the facts?

Sorry not sorry

Louisianas lawyer, Murrill, sweetened delivery of an alarming argument with a southern drawl. The law was put in place based on abundant evidence of life-threatening health and safety violations, she explained. The state needs to keep an eye on doctors!

Ginsburg was utterly unmoved. She matter-of-factly returned to her practical refrain, challenging the alleged health concerns until Roberts chimed in, also keeping to a theme.

He asked Murrill the opposite question hed asked her opponent. Do you agree that the benefits inquiry under the law is going to be the same in every case, regardless of which state were talking about? Where before hed pressed the petitioners counsel to admit facts matter, here he was pushing the respondent to admit that, though the facts may change case-to-case thus dictating different outcomes potentially, the rules do not.

Murrill didnt give, though, and may have missed the point when replying, No. She argued that a states regulatory structure might make a law more beneficial in one state than another. But thats a factual matter. It doesnt change the test the court will use to weigh the burdens and benefits, just how much weight one might give a particular regulatory structure.

Sotomayor cut Murrill off, saying Im sorry but sounding not at all apologetic. She asked:

There are laws that require credentialing to be done by the state with respect to these doctors, correct? They have to get a license and they have to have certain competencies to get the license. And the license is suspended if they are convicted of a criminal act. Youre making it sound like there is no state licensing of these doctors. They are licensed. They are regulated.

With this, Murrill was finally forced to concede a point. She tried to argue that the state was concerned with continuity of care for women after treatment in clinics, hence the insistence on hospitals admitting privileges but that claim seemed to anger Elena Kagan.

Kagan rejected the states contention that additional requirements serve a medical need. Is it right that there is evidence in the record that Hope Clinic has served over 3,000 women annually for 23 years, so thats around 70,000 women, and has transferred only four patients ever to a hospital?

The lawyer tried to argue it wasnt quite right, saying the clinic doesnt really know because it doesnt track complications. They know whether they have transferred women to a hospital, and its four, the justice replied curtly.

Sitting the bench

Clarence Thomas said nothing, as ever, but hes a reliable conservative, and Neil Gorsuch did not tip his hand, which is not unheard of. Gorsuch doesnt always talk, though hes certainly not averse. Still, his non participation in what was such an obviously consequential matter may well have been strategic, rather than based on boredom, say.

Samuel Alito, on the other hand, was riled up about an issue thats a bit of an aside. Unusually emotional, he twice exclaimed Thats amazing! at the petitioners argument that doctors who serve women at clinics can sue on behalf of their patients in a law that regulates the caregivers activities. Alito sees a conflict of interest, with doctors offering a commercial service and women their potential victims apparently.

However, as Stephen Breyer noted, its entirely common practice for doctors to sue in cases like this and would require ignoring at least four prior rulings to decide on standing grounds as Alito suggests. Standing governs who can and cannot sue in a given matter and its usually raised at the start of litigation. Louisiana is now claiming that doctors cant sue over a law designed to protect women but it didnt raise the claim before.

The federal government argued as a friend of the court siding with Louisiana, and picked up on Alitos point. But Sotomayor put principal deputy solicitor general Jeffrey Wall of the Justice Department in his place pretty handily, asking, what sane woman who supports abortion is going to have a conflict with a doctor who wants to protect that right  I dont see a conflict with that.

The court is struggling

In the end, it was Breyer who summed it up best. The problem is not standing or benefits or burdens or doctor certification concerns, or not in the big picture. The issue is that the nation is divided over a moral question and, as he puts it, people have very strong feelings about abortion.

[A] lot of people morally think its wrong and a lot of people morally think the opposite is wrong, he said. And  I think personally the court is struggling with the problem of what kind of rule of law do you have in a country that contains both sorts of people.

It was a refreshingly honest assessment, one that didnt attempt to ignore the fact that the law has a cultural impact and that activists on the courthouse steps could be heard shouting competing pro-choice and pro-life slogans as advocates argued aside. Roberts was not as effusive as Breyerwhich is par for the course, he never isbut he and others surely shared his anguish.

There was evidence of this when he issued statement this afternoon, chiding senator Chuck Schumer of New York for his activism. It was a rare declaration from Roberts, providing:

This morning senator Schumer spoke at a rally in front of the Supreme Court while a case was being argued inside. [He] referred to two Members of the court by name [Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh] and said he wanted to tell them that You have released a whirlwind and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with those awful decisions. Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All members of the court will continue to do their job without fear or favor, from whatever quarter.

The court should issue a decision by terms end in June. But no matter how it rules, you can be sure the abortion war will rage on for years to come.

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Islamabad: Terrorist Masood Azhar has welcomed the peace agreement between the US and Afghanistan's terrorist organization Taliban after long years of fighting. Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed issued a statement praising the peace deal. Jaish congratulated the former and current leadership of the Taliban on this agreement.

"There is no need to fear Corona, but next 8 days are very important", says Uddhav Thackeray

The US and Afghan Taliban have worked on the initiative to end the 18-year long bloodshed. However, Jaish has said in his released statement that congratulations to the martyrs, congratulations to the Mujahideen and Ghazis, congratulations to Hazrat Sheikh Haqqani, Haqqi. This statement of Masood has been released through Telegram channel. On February 29, a peace agreement was signed in Qatar's capital Doha between the US and Afghanistan terrorist organization Taliban.

This officer got the post of spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs

Masood Azhar said that there was a day when America was walking like a wolf wandering in Afghanistan, today is the day in Qatar, Doha where trust is high, jihad is alive, hope is smiling, wolf's tail is cut And his teeth are falling apart. Masud's statement has come at a time when earlier, Pakistan's economic affairs minister Hammad Azhar had said that Azhar is missing from the country.

Parliamentary committee says shocking thing on NPR
A labourer from Assam was stabbed in a busy area close to the main market at Iewduh in Meghalayas capital on Thursday afternoon, police said, less than a week after clashes between tribals and non-tribals over the amended citizenship law claimed three lives.

Sanidul Islam, (21), a resident of Barpeta district in western Assam, has been admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital with head and abdomen injuries and is reportedly out of danger, a police statement said. A case has been registered and investigation is underway.

On Thursday, police escorted about 247 labourers from Assam out of Meghalaya in a bid to prevent any possible attack on them.

Other labourers, who are still in the state, will be given safe passage over the next few days, said a senior official at the state secretariat who is closely monitoring the situation.

On Thursday afternoon, three Congress members of Assam legislative assembly (MLAs) met Meghalaya home minister Lahkmen Rymbui seeking assurance from his government for safe passage to all migrant workers from the neighbouring state in light of the prevailing law and order situation in the tribal-dominated state.

The visiting Assam MLAs expressed a common concern such as restoration of peace and normalcy in the state and the region, said Congress leader Mukul Sangma and leader of opposition in state assembly, after the meeting his party lawmakers from Assam.

However, the police said the situation was normal and internet service in the five districts of the eastern part of the state was restored on Thursday afternoon after five days.

Curfew has been relaxed for certain periods in different parts of Shillong by the district administration, officials said.

Two persons were killed in the violence that erupted after Khasi Students Union (KSU) member Lurshai Hynniewta was killed by a mob during a protest rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and seeking implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in Ichamati in Meghalaya last Friday.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with the attack, police said.
AccuWeather meteorologists say the waters near northern Australia may be ripe for tropical development during the middle and latter part of this week.

"A tropical low pressure area is forecast to develop in a zone stretching roughly from the Top End of Australia to the Cape York Peninsula early this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said. "There will be a higher chance of development or strengthening as it moves eastward, most likely across the Gulf of Carpentaria, Tuesday and Wednesday."

This zone of unsettled weather will be in an area of warm water and light winds in the atmosphere, factors which are conducive for tropical development.

"Although the timing of the development, track and strength of the potential tropical cyclone still has a lot of question marks at this juncture, the takeaway at this point is that there will be the risk for rounds of showers and thunderstorms from all the tropical moisture," Houk said. "That can lead to flooding and aggravation of any ongoing river flooding from the Top End through the Cape York Peninsula."

The path of the brewing cyclone is not expected to mirror Esther's track. After making landfall as a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian intensity scale on Feb. 24, Esther moved westward across northern Australia before meandering southeastward across the country as a tropical rainstorm.

Esther's moisture hit Melbourne around the middle of this week, over a week after the cyclone moved inland near the border between Queensland and Northern Territory. Melbourne Airport received over 55 mm (2.17 inches) of rainfall, which is the most rainfall in March since 1929 and above the monthly average of 50.1 mm (1.97 inches), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Assuming this next tropical concern crosses the Cape York Peninsula, it would then move into the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia and potentially curve southward along and near the coast," Houk said.

Story continues

Such a path would heighten the risk of flooding in communities such as Cairns, Townsville and Mackay later next week.

There is the potential for rainfall totals in excess of 152 mm (6 inches) and approaching 305 mm (12 inches) across the Cape York Peninsula and into coastal areas of northeastern Queensland.

"Interaction with land should help keep the system from becoming a strong tropical cyclone, meaning at this point, the risk of any widespread destructive winds, would remain low," Houk said.

Forecasters will also be monitoring the potential for a small storm to spin up south of Indonesia's Java island. If this storm develops, it could follow a path toward the northwest coast of Australia.

The next two tropical cyclones that form within the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's area of responsibility will be given the names Gretel and Harold in the order that they develop.

The Australia cyclone season officially runs from November to April.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Samsung Electronics' office in Seoul / Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung's compliance committee has selected three issues  the company's union, management succession and communication with civic organizations  for its agenda to improve the conglomerate's business compliance.



The committee held a third meeting Thursday, which lasted for approximately seven hours, before announcing its conclusions on moving the company forward.



"The committee is determined to discuss Samsung Group's issues such as its union; management succession and communication with civic organizations and will deliver our recommendations asking the Samsung Group to be more forward thinking on these issues," the committee said.



The three topics have long been seen as Samsung's "Achilles heel"  weak points which have caused many potential business partners to hesitate in investing in one of the world's leading electronics manufacturers.



The committee's recommendations are intended to improve anti-corruption efforts by the Samsung Group, following investors' continued requests for it to be business compliant.



Samsung Group created the compliance committee in January in response to these requests. The top conglomerate employed former Supreme Court Justice Kim Ji-hyung as head of the committee, which was given full independence.





Kim Ji-hyung, chief of Samsung Group's compliance committee and a former Supreme Court justice, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Jan. 9. The committee had its third meeting Thursday and will draw up recommendations to improve Samsung's business compliance. / Yonhap
HAIFA, Israel and MIAMI, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- INSIGHTEC, a commercial-stage medical technology company, announced today the signing of definitive agreements for a Series F investment round of up to $150 million at a post-money valuation of $1.3 billion. Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), a subsidiary of Koch Industries, focused on finding and funding innovative and emerging companies, is leading the round and has committed to invest $100 million at an initial closing to follow shareholder approval. This is KDT's second direct investment in INSIGHTEC.

INSIGHTEC's Exablate Neuro incisionless neurosurgery platform is the first MR-guided focused ultrasound device approved by the FDA to treat certain movement disorders in patients suffering from essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease who have not responded to medications. The financing will support continued research to evaluate focused ultrasound to treat these and other disorders.

"Our partnership with KDT and other investors is helping to fuel our momentum as a rapidly growing number of medical institutions adopt our focused ultrasound technology," said Maurice R. Ferre, MD, INSIGHTEC's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. "This new investment demonstrates our investors' commitment to help drive the next generation of focused ultrasound."

"INSIGHTEC's focused ultrasound technology is disrupting the way surgery has been performed for generations," commented Chase Koch, President of Koch Disruptive Technologies. "KDT is focused on empowering innovative companies and helping them realize their potential to improve the lives of millions of people. "

There is wide adoption of Exablate Neuro, with more than 65 medical centers around the globe routinely treating essential tremor patients, and the volume of these treatments has more than doubled in the past year. The essential tremor treatment is now approved for reimbursement coverage in the USA and a number of other countries.

About INSIGHTEC

INSIGHTEC is a global medical technology innovator transforming patient lives through incisionless brain surgery using focused ultrasound guided by MR imaging. The company's award-winning Exablate Neuro device is FDA-approved to treat medication-refractory essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease. Research for future applications in the neuroscience space is underway in partnership with leading academic and medical institutions. INSIGHTEC is headquartered in Haifa, Israel, and Miami, Florida, with offices in Dallas, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter or visit www.insightec.com for more information.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, plans, expectations, and future events. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the following words: "may," "can," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "promise," "continue," "ongoing," or the negative of these terms. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to INSIGHTEC as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to INSIGHTEC are qualified by this caution. INSIGHTEC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in INSIGHTEC's expectations.

"Exablate," and "Exablate Neuro," as well as the "INSIGHTEC" logo, whether standing alone or in connection with the word " INSIGHTEC", are protected trademarks of INSIGHTEC.

INSIGHTEC Media Contact

G&S Business Communications for INSIGHTEC

Lyndsay Isaksen

+1.917.595.3032

[email protected]

SOURCE INSIGHTEC
BY: Charles Benoni Okine with additional files from the ITU

Category: General News
BOSTON - At some point, the stars have to align and the Boston Celtics will have a team on the floor that isnt covering for someone whos injured.

Right?

That day could come next week, as Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward, both of whom are out for tonights game against the Utah Jazz, work their way back from injuries.

Haywards injury is less severe than Browns, and he could return from his knee bruise as soon as Sunday. Brad Stevens wouldnt commit to a timetable, though, and simply said Hayward is day-to-day.

He got some treatment today, did some work on the court yesterday," Stevens said. He felt pretty good when he was moving around but stopping and cutting, he didnt feel 100 percent so hes not going to do anything on the court today. Theyll retest him tomorrow.

Brown was on the floor as the media entered the Auerbach Center after the teams shoot around. He was going through some light shooting and he was optimistic about his hamstring injury.

It could be worse, thats how I see it, he said. Just trying to get better every single day and get back out there.

The initial plan was to reevaluate him in a week. The injury happened in Tuesdays loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and in this timeline he could be back for next Fridays game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Brown, though, hopes he can be back before then.

I feel good about the last 48 hours so I guess Wednesday might be the mark, he said. Well see about Monday or Tuesday. We will play it by ear.

The Celtics have managed their way through injuries better than anyone expected. They are a game-and-a-half behind the Toronto Raptors fighting for the second seed in the East. Theyre also on a pace for a win total in the mid-50s, despite playing most of the year without a fully healthy team.

I think if you would have told me at the start of the year were where we are, I would have assumed we had better health," Stevens said. "I thought the other day our bench... we had a number of guys make big plays that helped us win.

The contributions of guys off the bench, the emergence of Jayson Tatum as a top scoring option, and increased production from whichever players are healthy have made dealing injuries better for Boston. Kemba Walker will be back for tonights game, and his minutes restriction has decreased, allowing him to play a little more than he did on Tuesday. So while Brown is anxious to return, hes not going to push it and risk re-injury.

I want to make sure this isnt a reoccurring thing or keep happening, he said. So (Im) really going to be really anal about every ingle detail of my recovery.
New Delhi: The Crime Branch on Friday (March 6) said that they have identified some of the rioters who had attacked police in Chand Bagh area near Gokulpuri during violence in Delhi on February 24. The accused will be arrested soon, police said.



The police are conducting raids to arrest the people who were part of the mob that attacked a police troop in which a head constable was killed while Shahdara DCP Amit Sharma and ACP Anuj were left grievously injured.

Meanwhile, the PWD department of Delhi government is yet to share the CCTV footage of the violence-affected areas with the Crime Branch's Special Investigation Team.

In a recently released video, the rioters are seen beating up a group of police officers with stones which resulted in the death of Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal.

On February 24, clashes erupted between two groups, people who were in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and others opposing it. While the police were called in to bring the situation under control, the people turned against the officers and some were severely injured in the ensuing violence.

As many as 48 people were killed and more than 250 were injured in these clashes. About 92 houses, 57 shops, 500 vehicles, 6 godowns, 2 schools, 4 factories and 4 religious places were burnt down during the riots. The Delhi Chamber of Commerce has projected that the initial loss caused by the violence is nearly Rs 25,000 crore.
A senior British diplomat intervened on behalf of Sheikh Maktoum just months after his ex-wife Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein fled to London in fear for her life, the High Court heard.

British ambassador to Jordan since 2015 Edward Oakden approached Princess Haya's brother, Prince Ali, last July, 'threatening, in effect, to render Her Royal Highness persona non grata', the princess's lawyers claimed at a private hearing last year.

Princess Haya's barrister Charles Geekie QC described Mr Oakden's alleged approach as an 'extraordinary intervention', adding that it 'can only, we say, have come about as a result of pressure from Dubai'.

The allegation was made in November during Princess Haya's legal battle with the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 70, over their two children, Al Jalila, 12, and Zayed, eight.

It can be reported for the first time after the Supreme Court this week rejected a last-ditch attempt by the sheikh to prevent publication of damning High Court judgments ordered by the most senior family judge in England and Wales.

British ambassador to Jordan since 2015 Edward Oakden (pictured) approached Princess Haya's brother, Prince Ali, last July, 'threatening, in effect, to render Her Royal Highness persona non grata', the princess's lawyers claimed at a private hearing last year

Sir Andrew McFarlane found Sheikh Mohammed conducted a 'campaign of fear and intimidation' against Princess Haya, forcing her to flee to London with their two children last April.

The judge also found Sheikh Mohammed 'ordered and orchestrated' the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart.

Sheikha Shamsa, then 19, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge in August 2000, while her sister Sheikha Latifa was forcibly returned to Dubai twice, in 2002 and again in 2018.

In his ruling, which was published on Thursday, Sir Andrew stated Princess Haya had initially contested the High Court's jurisdiction in relation to Sheikh Mohammed's application for the summary return of their two children to Dubai.

But he said that on July 16 2019, Princess Haya 'abandoned her claim to diplomatic immunity... in part, she asserts, as a result of extreme pressure, diplomatic and otherwise, brought to bear on her by the father (Sheikh Mohammed)'.

It can now be reported that Mr Oakden allegedly approached Princess Haya's brother less than two weeks prior to her abandoning her claim to diplomatic immunity.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein arrives the Royal Courts of Justice in London, February 26

At a November hearing, Mr Geekie said Mr Oakden had told Prince Ali in early July: 'Either your sister's diplomatic immunity is withdrawn for the purposes of this case... or we request the Jordanian government withdraw her as a diplomat.'

The revelation could place further pressure on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which has been accused of intervening in Cambridgeshire Police's investigation into the disappearance of Shamsa in 2000.

DCI David Beck, who led that investigation, previously told the BBC that he applied to visit Dubai with the intention of speaking to Shamsa but his request was rejected in 2001, adding: 'I was never given a reason why.'

At the same hearing in November, Mr Geekie said Mr Beck's evidence made clear there had been 'interference' in the police inquiry, adding: 'We have it directly that the Foreign Office were plainly engaged back in 2000 with a direct interest being expressed by the foreign secretary and we have it from Mr Beck's statement... permission to pursue the investigation in Dubai was refused.'

In his judgment, Sir Andrew said the FCO had confirmed it held 'information relating to the investigation of Shamsa's alleged kidnapping'.

The allegation was made in November during Princess Haya's legal battle with the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

But the FCO refused to disclose it, saying 'releasing information on this issue would increase public knowledge about our relations with UAE' and 'would reduce the UK Government's ability to protect and promote UK interests through its relations with UAE which would not be in the public interest'.

Sir Andrew concluded: 'It is not possible to find on the balance of probability that permission for Mr Beck to visit Dubai was refused because of the direct intervention of the FCO, nor, moving further still from the basic known facts, that any intervention by the FCO had been triggered by the father or the government of Dubai.

'Insofar as the mother alleges that the father has directly used diplomatic links to neutralise or remove her diplomatic immunity, I am unable to make such a finding.

'I am however fully satisfied that the father, the state of Dubai and the UAE are afforded significant international respect and have, accordingly, great influence.'

As of this Tuesday, Princess Haya is still listed as a first secretary to the Jordanian embassy in London on the London Diplomatic List, which lists all representatives of foreign embassies who are entitled to diplomatic immunity.

In a separate judgment, also published on Thursday, Sir Andrew said assurances provided by Sheikh Mohammed and the UAE waiving his immunity from English court orders 'failed to afford the children any significant level of protection from the risk of abduction within England and Wales'.

The judge found there was no 'independent diplomatic or legal forum which might be deployed to ensure compliance in the event of an alleged breach' of a court order, for example by removing the children from the UK if Sheikh Mohammed was granted contact with them.

Sir Andrew added: 'There is a total absence of evidence relating to the UK's likely response to any breach. In the circumstances, it is difficult to have confidence that the UK would seek to enforce compliance by the UAE through diplomatic channels if this court were to find that a breach had occurred at some future point.'
simpson33/iStock(ATMORE, Ala.) -- The controversial execution of Nathaniel Woods was carried out late Thursday in Alabama just minutes after the Supreme Court denied a temporary stay, issued only hours earlier.



Woods was pronounced dead at 9:01 p.m. local time, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.



Advocates had argued Woods, who was convicted in the murder of three police officers in 2004, did not directly take part in the slayings and should have his execution delayed.



The decision came after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey reviewed the letter requesting a reprieve from the death sentence, but said she would allow the execution to proceed.



"Governor Ivey does not presently intend to exercise her powers of commutation or reprieve in this case," general counsel William G. Parker Jr. wrote. "While Governor Ivey reserves the right to grant clemency at any time before an execution is carried out, she has determined, based on her review of the complete record, including the matters presented in your letter, that clemency for Mr. Woods at this hour is unwarranted."



Woods, 44, was killed by lethal injection at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.



"The fight is far from over. Nathaniel is an innocent man, and that will always be the truth. We are not giving up," the family said in a statement provided to ABC News.



Supporters were calling for Ivey to grant a reprieve. As of Thursday morning, Ivey offered no sign that she would intervene in Williams' case and it appeared the execution would go as planned.



But late Thursday, Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas issued a temporary stay in the minutes leading up to the execution of Woods, who was convicted of capital murder in the 2004 killings of three Birmingham, Alabama, police officers.



He already requested his final meal of sweet potatoes, spinach, chicken patty, chicken leg quarter, cooked apples, fries, two oranges and an orange flavored drink, according to a statement from the Alabama Department of Corrections. However, he only took one bite of the chicken and left the rest of his meal untouched, the statement read.



Woods also made calls earlier that day to his father, sister, daughter and mother, as well as friends. His imam was expected to be the only person present at the execution.



At news of the temporary stay, the son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., who had joined a chorus of calls to halt the execution, praised the move.



"Amazing news!! The Supreme Court has issued a stay of execution for Nathaniel Woods!! Great work everyone!" Martin Luther King III wrote on Twitter.



Following the execution, King called it a "mockery of justice."



A spokeswoman with the Alabama Department of Corrections told ABC News that the execution warrant did not run out until 11:59 p.m., meaning they had until then to carry out the execution once the court decided to lift the temporary stay.



On Tuesday, King sent a letter to Ivey, a Republican, reading, "I stand with hundreds of thousands of Americans across Alabama and the nation, pleading with you not to execute Nathaniel Woods."



In his letter, King, who was born in Alabama, told Ivey her state was "set to kill a man who is very likely innocent."



King told Fox News Thursday, "If a person is innocent, they should not be killed in this country. People have been killed and [hanged] for doing nothing. And in this context, if that is the prospect, we ought to at least go through the facts, go through the information, give the system the opportunity to work if it did not work."



As of Thursday afternoon, more than 91,000 people had signed a petition on the website Change.org to stop the execution of Woods, who would become the first person executed in Alabama this year and the 67th since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Ivey noted two Alabama citizens had been executed since 1983 as being accomplices to capital murder.



Woods' alleged accomplice, Kerry Spencer, confessed to being the sole gunman who killed the officers with a high-powered weapon, but separate juries convicted him and Woods of four capital murder charges, including killing the officers in the course of committing another crime.



"The state offered the testimony of 39 witnesses at Woods' capital murder trial, including Officer Michael Collins, 25 other law enforcement officers, and forensic experts," Ivey wrote in a lengthy statement announcing Woods' execution. "There is no evidence, and no argument has been made, that Nathaniel Woods tried to stop the gunman from committing these heinous crimes. In fact, he later bragged about his participation in these horrific murders. As such, the jury did not view Woods' acts as those of an innocent bystander; they believed that he was a fully engaged participant."



Spencer's trial was held before Woods' case was heard by a jury, but his execution date has yet to be set.



During both trials, prosecutors presented the juries the theory that Woods and Spencer acted in tandem to lure the officers into the apartment to kill them.



On June 17, 2004, Birmingham police officers Carlos Owen, Harley Chisholm III and Charles Bennett were shot to death while executing a misdemeanor assault warrant for Woods at a suspected crack house in Birmingham. A fourth officer was also shot, but survived and testified against Woods.



A jury convicted Woods in December 2005, and in a nonunanimous verdict of 10-2 recommended a sentence of death.



Chisholm's sister has come out against the execution, saying in a statement to ABC News provided by Wood's family: "I am writing to express my sincere wishes for Governor Ivey to stop the execution of Nathaniel Woods. I am the sister of Harley Chisholm III. I do not think that Nathaniel is guilty of murder. I urge Governor Ivey to reconsider her decision not to intervene."



"There is no harm in allowing more time for the courts to investigate," the statement added. "I want the new evidence to be brought forward and evaluated by new attorneys. Please do not move forward with the hasty decision to execute Nathaniel. My conscience will not let me live with this if he dies. I beg you to have mercy on him."



Alabama State Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement Wednesday that Woods was "correctly found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers."



"The only injustice in the case of Nathaniel Woods is that which was inflicted on those four policemen that terrible day in 2004," Marshall said in the statement.



Woods appealed his conviction, arguing his lawyer gave him inadequate representation by misinforming him that he could not be convicted of capital murder as an accomplice and convincing him to reject a plea deal prosecutors offered him of 20 to 25 years in prison, according to court records.



"A jury of Mr. Woods' peers convicted him of four counts of capital murder," Ivey wrote Thursday night. "In the past 15 years, his conviction has been reviewed at least nine times, and no court has found any reason to overturn the jury's decision."



Woods' appeal was denied by the Alabama Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.



In his letter to Ivey, King stated that Woods "has never had a fair trial" and has not gotten the opportunity to present new evidence since his conviction bolstering his claim that Spencer acted alone and that there was never a plan to lure the officers into an ambush.



The case has also garnered the attention of celebrities like Kim Kardashian West, who has become an advocate for criminal justice reform. She tweeted Thursday, Woods "is scheduled to be executed in Alabama TONIGHT for murders he did NOT commit. Join the broad coalition- including members of the jury and relatives of the victims  in urging @GovernorKayIvey and @AGSteveMarshall to stay Nate's execution."



Following Ivey's inaction, which allowed Woods' execution to proceed, West said her heart goes out to Woods' family and those who worked to "save his life."



"This is a tragic example of injustice in the system," she tweeted. "Nate will die for a crime another man confessed to and says Nate had nothing to do with."



West met with President Donald Trump Wednesday at the White House to talk criminal justice reform along with women the president recently commuted.

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
2017 winner Lydia Bilton on assignment for NBN News

The 2020 Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship has opened applications for tertiary students dreaming of a career in the broadcast industry.

Now in its eighth year, the 14-week journalism placement within Nine includes a $10,500 stipend, and is supported by Anita Jacoby, the Walkley Foundation, Nine News and AFTRS.

It is open to university students or recent graduates aged 28 or under with a passion for broadcast journalism.

The scholarship winner will spend time alongside top journalists at Nine News in Sydney, including at 60 Minutes, Nine News, A Current Affair, Today and 9news.com.au.

Judges this year include: Anita Jacoby, Alex Needs (Partnerships & Strategy Director, News & Current Affairs, Nine), Jenny Brockie (Insight host, SBS), and for the first time, both Tracy Vo (Today news presenter, Nine) and Hugh Riminton (National Affairs Editor, TEN News First).

Its incredibly rewarding seeing winners and finalists using the scholarship as a springboard to forge successful careers. In setting up the scholarship, it was always my hope that it would pave the way for new faces, giving them that vital foot in the door and a way to break into journalism, founder and producer Anita Jacoby said.

Walkley Foundation chief executive, Louisa Graham, said: The Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship is a supported media placement that gives winners such a unique opportunity, with the chance to experience a newsroom environment and program-making up close. For the Walkley Foundation, its a brilliant scholarship to be part of and showcases whats possible when philanthropy and the industry come together.

Nines Alex Needs said: At Nine were always on the lookout for the next generation of passionate journalists. Were pleased to again partner with Anita Jacoby and the Walkley Foundation on this scholarship that has been the launching pad for many great careers.

Established in 2013 and supported by award-winning producer Anita Jacoby, the scholarship recognises the legacy of her father, Phillip Jacoby, a pioneer in the Australian communications and electronics industries.

The Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship has resulted in a number of young journalists  both winners and finalists  making their way in the broadcast industry, including 2017 winner Lydia Bilton, pictured on assignment in Newcastle this summer for NBN News (Nines regional affiliate in Northern NSW), dolphin-watching. Lydia has been working with Nine for two years.

The winner receives a $10,500 stipend to cover living expenses for the 14 weeks of the scholarship, during which they undertake:

 A 10-week placement in the Nine Networks News & Current Affairs department in Sydney (including in the newsroom and at 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Today and 9News.com.au)

 A four-week placement at the Walkley Foundation, in the lead up to the Walkley Awards

They will also receive a $1,000 course gift voucher towards participation in an AFTRS short course at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday April 26.
Smaller EU member states hit out on Friday after Germany, France and the Czech Republic blocked the export of some medical supplies that could help slow the novel coronavirus outbreak.

EU health ministers are meeting to plan a coordinated response to the epidemic, but Germany has banned exports of face masks and gloves and France has requisitioned all its own stocks.

Some EU members -- notably Italy, where at least 148 people have died -- have been hit harder than others and some ministers think precious resources should be shared.

"I think that in fact we should show our solidarity, for example in the distribution of protective resources," said Belgian health minister Maggie de Block.

"There are two countries that block all exports ... and that's not in the spirit of the EU."



Dutch minister for medical care Bruno Bruins agreed, telling the crisis meeting: "In times of scarcity it is even more important to show solidarity, especially within the EU.

"I understand that some countries are now taking national measures to safeguard their own stocks. I believe that such measures are not a solution to the scarcity that is currently affecting the whole of Europe."



Austria's Rudolf Anschober said he did not want to discuss this policy "in front of the cameras".

On Wednesday, Germany's interior minister said it had banned the export of medical protection gear such as masks and gloves to ensure local health workers have enough.

President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will requisition all face masks produced there, a de facto export ban, and Czech health minister Adam Vojtech has halted disinfectant exports.

An EU spokesman confirmed France and Germany had notified the European Commission of their decisions, but would not be drawn on whether they met EU single market rules.

EU officials have stressed the importance of a coordinated response -- health commissioner Stella Kyriakides saying she was focused not only the readiness of individual states but also "the need for solidarity".

But German health minister Jens Spahn urged his colleagues to try to understand why Berlin, Paris and Italy are acting as they are, given their bigger and older outbreaks.

"I sometimes have the impression that some of you think: 'Typical, once again the big guys, France, Germany and Italy are going their own way," he said.

"The reason we are upping the pressure is because the situation is different in our countries than the others. We are in a different phase than those countries who are still detecting and containing cases.

"Once the outbreak develops inside a country, measures at the border won't help."



He said the German decision was an "imperfect measure" and not an export ban as such, but a request for producers to obtain a licence to ship gear that might be better used elsewhere.

Vojtech said supplies of protective suits and masks were limited and that European health workers should be first in line as production is ramped up.

"We're trying to negotiate with producers to supply the market, but production is limited. The demand is much higher than the supply worldwide. It is not easy," he said.

The novel coronavirus strain that erupted in China this year and causes the COVID-19 disease has killed more than 3,300 people and infected nearly 100,000 in about 90 nations.

Europe has not been hit as hard as China, but the virus is spreading across the continent and Italy in particular has a major outbreak, with 148 dead in just over two weeks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hanan Jaber Abdallah (seated at left) poses for a photo with her five children as they hold up their hard-won Sudanese citizenship documents.  UNHCR/Mohamed Elfatih Elnaiem

When South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, Hanan Jaber Abdallah had no idea the historic move would make her five children invisible, by rendering them stateless. But like thousands of people with parents of mixed South Sudanese and Sudanese descent, they lost their Sudanese nationality immediately after the split.

Hanan herself is Sudanese, but Sudanese nationality laws did not give mothers the right to automatically pass citizenship on to their children. Her husband, originally from the south of Sudan, was unable to establish his own nationality in either country. And so their children, whose birth certificates said they were born in Sudan, found themselves stateless<.

I couldnt pass on my nationality to them, Hanan said. We didnt think they would need another identity document.

I could not sleep at night. I was afraid I wouldnt complete my education.

It was Hanans eldest daughter, Benazir, who first came to the grim realization that she and her siblings were no longer citizens. It was 2012, and Benazir was ready to take her national high school exams but lacked the required ID. Her mother tried to apply for a national identification number for her, but it was rejected by the governments Civil Registry.

Benazir was devastated. I could not sleep at night, she recalled. I was afraid I wouldnt complete my education.

She continued school, but had to register as a foreigner, as did her younger siblings. Her school fees were more than ten times higher than for Sudanese students, and her family had to borrow money from relatives.

See also: Ending Statelessness

I even dropped out for a year because my parents could not afford the fees, Benazir said. I missed an internship opportunity as a researcher in a government laboratory.

After learning from a community volunteer that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, provided legal aid to those facing statelessness, Benazir urged her mother to ask for help. For the next seven years, Hanans sole mission was to secure her childrens nationality  and their future. Through her own determination, and support from UNHCR, she learned to navigate the complex legal system, meeting regularly with a lawyer to prepare for court appearances. She visited the Civil Registry at least ten times. But the travel and effort took a toll on her finances and her health. Her children suffered too.

My heart is full of joy and I feel like a new dawn is breaking."

A breakthrough came on 15 December 2019, when Hanan finally received the nationality certificate for which she had fought. Her childrens lives immediately changed. Benazir, who had entered university, gained peace of mind, knowing she can get a job when she graduates. Her sister can enter university without paying exorbitant fees. A younger sister in elementary school no longer has to worry about the cost. The entire family told UNHCR they were relieved and felt their dignity had been restored.

My heart is full of joy and I feel like a new dawn is breaking in my life, Hanan said. Even so, she remains determined to continue advocating for mothers in similar circumstances. She shares her story whenever she can, hoping to inspire other women to fight for documentation and a future for their own children.

Hanans perseverance and the legal aid and representation in courts by our partners brought about this change, said Eman Awad Naser, a UNHCR protection official based in Khartoum. Eman added that Hanans resolve impressed officials at the Sudanese Civil Registry, which has helped some 1,300 Sudanese women pass citizenship to their children since 2018. UNHCR, for its part, has provided legal aid to over 500 families who lost their Sudanese nationality and were unable to obtain South Sudanese nationality following South Sudans independence in 2011.

Upon learning that her children were stateless, Hanan Jaber Abdallah, 43, embarked on a seven-year struggle to secure their Sudanese nationality. Legal support from UNHCR and its partner, and a change in the nationality law, helped her succeed.  UNHCR/Mohamed Elfatih Elnaiem

Sudan has made strides in changing its nationality laws. However, it remains one of 25 countries that do not yet allow women to pass their nationality on to their children the same way men can. Hanans case illustrates how legal, administrative and procedural barriers can thwart mothers like her for years.

Sudan is also a signatory to the 2017 Brazzaville Declaration on Eradication of Statelessness in the Great Lakes Region, which includes 11 commitments to eliminate statelessness. Among them are the reform of nationality-related laws and policies to ensure compatibility with international principles on statelessness, accession to UN statelessness conventions and the removal of gender discrimination in nationality laws and policies.

Gender discrimination in the transfer of nationality is one of the leading causes of statelessness globally. When fathers cannot, or will not, pass on their nationality to their children, mothers in these countries have no options. There are millions of stateless people around the world who lack access to fundamental rights, such as education, health care and opportunities for employment. Things most people take for granted  like getting married, opening a bank account or even travelling  can be impossible for them. Children who are stateless often face discrimination not only from institutions and the state, but even their own families.

Five years ago, UNHCR launched the IBelong campaign to end statelessness around the world by 2024.
At least 15 people were injured in an attack on a Shiite memorial ceremony in Kabul, which was beig attended by the chief executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, said Afghanistan Health ministry on Friday.

"Fifteen people were injured in the accident," Health Ministry Spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told Sputnik. According to Abdullah's spokesman Mujiburahman Rahimi, the chief executive was not harmed in the attack.

However, the interior ministry said that 18 civilians were injured and were taken to a hospital.

Taliban have denied any involvement in the attack.

The Afghan security forces have taken control of the area in Kabul where the attack took place.

The attack occurred during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Shiite Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari that was attended by many senior politicians including Abdullah Abdullah.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United Way of Olmsted County promotes volunteerism in Southeastern Minnesota through our Get Connected online tool. Get Connected is made available to nonprofit agencies in our region to post volunteer opportunities. This tool allows individuals to view these volunteer opportunities. Go to volunteer.uwolmsted.org for more information or call 507-287-1533.

Spring carnival volunteers

Listos is hosting its third annual spring carnival on Saturday, March 21. The event is for families with children ages 2 to 9. Volunteers are needed to run the various carnival games and the concession stand. Funds from the event help support tuition assistance and bilingual programming. Email director@listoskids.org or call 507-226-8490 for more information or to volunteer with Listos Preschool and Childcare.

Dental clinic volunteer

We are looking for volunteers willing to assist those with too little or no health insurance in getting the emergent dental care they need to get out of pain and back to their lives. Volunteers both with and without dental experience are needed. Students interested in dental school or health administration are welcome. Tasks include assisting our dentists with tooth care, triaging patients when they first arrive, and working our reception desk to schedule patient appointments. Email rebecca.snapp@usc.salvationarmy.org or call 507-288-3663 for more information or to volunteer with Rochester Salvation Army.

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Common Good Retired & Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Program

Our program engages people ages 55 and older with opportunities to engage in health and wellness programs and contribute to the common good. Whether youre new to the community or youre simply looking for a new cause to champion, our specialists can connect you with a venture that matters to you. We match volunteers with local and national organizations, giving you countless opportunities. Email sdegallier@ccsomn.org or call 507-454-2270 for more information or to volunteer with Common Good Retired & Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Program  Catholic Charities.

Hospitality services

Volunteers enhance the patient experience by visiting designated hospital units offering conversation and a variety of comfort items. Email rstvolunteermanagers@mayo.edu or call 507-255-9912 for more information or to volunteer with Mayo Clinic Volunteer Programs.
The FAA certified the Max in 2017, and airlines began using it later that year. A Max jet operated by Indonesias Lion Air crashed in October 2018, and another flown by Ethiopian Airlines crashed five months later, in March 2019. Regulators around the world grounded the plane days after the second crash. Boeing hopes to win approval of changes it is making to the plane around midyear.
by Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo*

As of 28 February the vicar of Jerusalem has been in isolation, returning from a trip to Italy. Free time used to "read, pray, write and put my library and archives in order". The new guidelines of the Latin patriarchate for Bethlehem. In Israel 16 confirmed cases, about 70,000 people in quarantine.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - On February 28, the vicar of the Latin Church of Jerusalem, in the context of the measures taken by the Israeli government to counter the spread of coronavirus, Msgr. Giancinto-Boulos Marcuzzo was quarantined on his return from a trip to Italy. An occasion, he writes, to "read, pray, write and put my library and archives in order ". Together with Msgr. Marcuzzo, a similar restrictive provision also concerns the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land Fr. Francesco Patton.

Yesterday in a note the Latin patriarchate issued new guidelines against the epidemic for the pastoral region of Bethlehem. They recall a provision of the Palestinian Ministry of Health which orders the closure of schools, mosques and churches for 14 days. The danger, writes Msgr. Pizzaballa, "is already among us" and "with a sense of responsibility we must all work together". The directive provides that churches are open for individual prayer, even on Sundays; masses only for groups not exceeding 15 and keeping distances; communion only in hand, remove holy water and funerals in cemeteries, with a reduced number of people. Parish priests have the task of celebrating mass streams where possible.

Meanwhile in Israel there are 16 confirmed cases of new coronavirus, while people in quarantine are between 60 and 70 thousand. The authorities banned gatherings of over 5,000 people. Four contagions for Covid-19 in Palestine.

Here is the testimony of Msgr. Marcuzzo sahred with AsiaNews:

Dear sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends,

I wish you a happy Lent, our time of preparation for Easter, that is, preparation for resurrection to new life.

As you know, I usually write to you for large celebrations, family occasions or to share some extraordinary experiences with you, very simply and to make you a little part of my life. I begin with an adventure, small and successful, I hope, that I am experiencing right now.

From February 28 at noon I am at home quarantine because of the infamous coronavirus! For heaven's sake, I assure you right away that, thank God, I'm fine. But you have to obey the ordinances of authority. Do not be afraid! Here is my little adventure.

As you know, I was in Rome for the CELRA (Conference of Latin Bishops of the Middle East) with 12 other bishops from different Middle Eastern countries. After the conference, having two free days, I wanted to go to the Carmelites in Lodi for masses and conferences in the Lodi area. But the Carmelites, at the last moment, called me: "It is prudent not to come, we are all isolated because of the coronavirus, here you will not be able to celebrate masses or have meetings!". I changed my plane ticket and returned to Israel on Saturday evening 22nd. So did Fr. Pietro Felet who is our secretary. Everything was normal at the airport in Rome and Tel Aviv, and in Jerusalem where I continued my normal life of meetings, celebrations, meetings with pilgrims.

On February 28, the sudden change: they informed me that the Ministry of Health had issued new provisions on Thursday 27/2: closed space for flights from Italy, and if for some good reason they do arrive, Italians will be sent back, Israelis and foreigners with residence permits are accepted (this is my case), but in 'ministerial' (official) quarantine or home quarantine for 14 days. This is exactly what happened to our apostolic administrator Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who returned yesterday with the custodian of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, now he too is under house quarantine in in the patriarchate.

As for me, given that I returned to Israel on February 22, a week ago? Retroactive effect! For all those who entered Israel after February 16, quarantine for 14 days with interval surveillance, under penalty of three years in prison or expulsion from the country. I assure you that I am fine, but I have to respect the ordinances of the authorities, as the legal expression says: "Dura lex, sed lex", "is a hard law, but it is a law. Even if for a week I had led my normal life, not having being told anything on arrival.

For exactly two weeks I have therefore been in quarantine in my patriarchate study, until Sunday 8 March. I had to cancel or postpone or change all the commitments this week. I am "putting on a good face in times of bad luck", or rather" I make a virtue of necessity ". I abstain from all external contacts (celebrations, reunions, meetings with groups of pilgrims ...). I must respect certain other precautions: disinfect the room, study and where I went (also the chapel), use a mask, stay five meters from any person (if it is really necessary), do not shake hands, wipe your hands and the face continuously with the hygienic gel. I am constantly and I also eat in my study, I take a few steps in the corridor when nobody is there, I read a lot (finally), I pray (a lot for all those who really suffer from this situation worldwide), I write, I organize my library and archives, listening to conferences or music.

However, we carry on the absolutely necessary work by telephone and computer, even with Msgr. Pizzaballa who lives in the adjoining room. I too must learn to handle such a situation, because I realize that I was not used to living without commitments. I consider it a good obligatory, almost providential holiday. All in all, as you can see, there is nothing particularly serious, thank God, but it is an unusual experience, in which you have to know how to keep your nerves and minds well and get used, despite everything, to see things positively.

We pray for all those who fall involuntarily victims of this situation which causes much damage, suffering and even bereavement. At the beginning of Lent, it is an excellent warning from the Lord.

Happy Lent, however, to all of you and friends. Many greetings and best wishes for every good, I embrace you all (only virtually).

With my blessing.

* Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, auxiliary bishop and patriarchal vicar of Jerusalem
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on March 3 approved the state-run NBCCs proposal to acquire debt-ridden realtor Jaypee Infratech (JIL), bringing relief to around 20,000 homebuyers in Noida and Greater Noida.

NCLT, which cleared the insolvency process with modifications, also said the Rs 750 crore deposited by Jaiprakash Associates, the parent company of JIL, will be utilised to complete the homes.

Here are the highlights of the NCLT order:

What are these modifications?

1) NCLT has said Rs 750 crore belongs to the corporate debtor (JIL) and is part of the NBCCs resolution plan. It rejected the contention that the money should go back to JAL as it is no longer obliged to complete JIL projects.

In the order, uploaded on its website on March 5, the NCLT also rejected the submission that Rs 750 crore has not gone into the books of JIL, therefore it cannot be treated as the assets of JIL.

2) NCLT has asked JAL to immediately pay Rs 274 crore to JIL. For other claims, both JAL and JIL have been asked to reconcile statements and make payments to each other.

Significant amounts and land banks that were contingent receivables of JIL under the NBCC resolution plan have now been crystallised and being paid or delivered to JIL/ NBCC. This includes the Rs 750 crore plus interest collected by SC from JAL and the 858 acres of prime land that the Supreme Court has held was a fraudulent preference and therefore belongs to JIL.

"In addition, NCLT has directed JAL to pay an additional amount of Rs 274 crore to JIL immediately. All these together make JIL a great value proposition for NBCC and it should now put processes and plans in place for early delivery of flats to homebuyers who have fought fierce battles in courts to achieve a resolution for JIL Abhishek Dubey, a legal expert, said.

3) Payment to ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank is a dissenting financial creditor because of the Rs 750-crore issue. Under the resolution plan, the dissenting financial creditors ICICI--are not entitled to payment except an equity in expressway special purpose vehicle (SPV) and land parcels, as decided by NBCC.

Expression payment in this case means payment of the amount and not a payment in kind (equity). Therefore, NCLT directed that NBCC pay to ICICI an amount that the private lender is entitled under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in 12 equal instalments along with interest.

The payment has to be made from the seventh month to the 18th month of the date of the NCLT order, Dubey said.

In its final bid, NBCC offered 1,526 acre to lenders under a land-debt swap deal. It offered to transfer the road asset to lenders but before that, it would take a loan of around Rs 2,500 crore against toll revenue to fund construction spend.

It remains to be seen how payment to ICICI is dealt with, say legal experts.

4)

YEIDA

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) told NCLT that since the project was for a public cause, it had no objection to the NBCC resolution plan, provided changes were made by removing fall outs relating to the concession agreement.

To the question if JIL or homebuyers are to pay additional compensation of 62.7% to farmers?

As and when the claim crystalises, YEIDA will have the right to collect the additional acquisition cost from the land bank SPV and the Expressway SPV but not from homebuyers, NCLT said.

On additional compensation to farmers, an arbitral award held that JIL is not liable to pay such amount. YEIDA has challenged it in the Delhi High Court. NCLT held that this withdrawal requirement cannot be thrust upon YEIDA under a resolution plan, Dubey said.

The order says the bench cannot nullify the rights of YEIDA against the corporate debtor emanating from the concessionaire agreement. On the extension of the concession period, NCLT says it is for YEIDA to decide whether such an extension should be given.

This issue may delay construction, legal experts say.

5) Income tax liabilities: All such liabilities of JIL will stand extinguished. This relates to the claim of Rs 33,000 crore by the income-tax authorities treating transfer of land parcels under the concession agreement as revenue subsidy.

6) Payment of stamp duty payable by NBCC is waived as permitted by law.

7) Any non-compliance arising out of past claims before the insolvency resolution process shall not have any bearing on the corporate debtor. This too is positive.

8) All prior claims placed before the resolution professional and any criminal proceedings appurtenant to those claims have also been extinguished.

9) NBCC reserves its right to terminate the contracts for the development of land by JAL. As to the claims, if any, the resolution applicant has the right to take appropriate action against JAL. This means that NBCC has the right to review the existing construction contracts.

10) Time granted: The resolution applicant is granted 12 months from the approved date to ensure compliance of applicable laws by the corporate debtor or of its subsidiary about any period up to the approval date and licences if any, to be obtained.

The next few days will be important to see whether ICICI or JAL will challenge the order. If they do, it will delay the handover of JIL to NBCC and consequently, the delivery timelines of flats, say legal experts.
Photo: Yelp Maria Ezzati

Botox parties at private Vancouver homes have been targeted by the provinces medical regulator as it continues to crack down on unlicensed medical practices involving the popular cosmetic product.

Maria Ezzati, who the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. said is not a registered or licensed health professional, had been ordered in 2017 to stop administering Botox or dermal fillers.

On Feb. 20, after a private investigation, the college and police raided Ezzati with aid of a court order on suspicion she was storing cosmetic medical injectables.

The raid came after investigators attended a Botox and filler party at a private residence where video evidence was found of Ezzati allegedly injecting three different individuals and of allegedly taking cash payments for the service.

The college said Ezzatis alleged conduct is a violation of the 2017 order, adding it would pursue contempt of court proceedings against her.

While the college did not say what had been allegedly found on Ezzatis premises, it did say botulinum toxin is listed in the federal Drug Schedules Regulation and cannot be sold or administered without a prescription.

Further, it said, hyaluronic acid and lidocaine are the primary medical components of dermal fillers, and also listed in the regulation. Only a licensed pharmacist can sell the products to the public

Receiving an injection of a prescription drug from an unlicensed practitioner is risky and has the potential for complications, including reaction to agents, infections, or greater harm due to human error, college registrar and CEO Heidi Oetter said. There is no assurance that the practitioner is competent or qualified to provide treatment or that the instruments and products being used were provided by a licensed manufacturer.

The college said it would seek a court order to dispose of the drugs, products and instruments allegedly found during the search, materials it says relate to the practice of medicine.

This isnt the first action the college has taken against such practices in the past year.

In July 2019, a B.C. Botox- and cosmetic filler-provider known as Dr. Lip job was jailed by the B.C. Supreme Court for 60 days for practicing medicine contrary to a court injunction.

The court ordered Rajdeep Kaur Khakh jailed for 30 days, a sentence she had avoided after being given a suspended sentence after having been found guilty of contempt in January. The court added a further 30 days for further actions in February in violation of a court order.

She had been ordered to stop holding herself out as a medical professional.

Kamran Asgari of Ideal Skin Laser and Wellness Inc. in Burnaby had been using the titles Dr. and doctor and providing Botox procedures despite not being a registered member of the college, according to a B.C. Supreme Court application filed by the college in January 2019. Asgari was ordered to stop.

Two months later, BC Supreme Court granted a permanent injunction to the college against Minoo Iromloo of Lions Bay restraining her from administering the use of Botox and dermal fillers.

The college has repeatedly advised members of the public who have received Botox or dermal filler injections by an unlicensed practitioner to consult with their family physician to review treatments theyve received to ensure that there are no complications.
On a day its global CEO Nick Read held parleys with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Vodafone Idea on Friday said its self-assessment on pending AGR dues for FY07-FY19 stood at Rs 21,533 crore, contrary to the Department of Telecom's demand of Rs 53,500 crore. The company said the amount includes Rs 6,854 crore worth of principal amount up to FY19 and interest up to February 2020.

The telco, in a statement today, said: "The self-assessment discloses the Company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crores including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crores for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020."

ALSO READ:AGR crisis: Vodafone Idea wants call rates, internet data prices hiked up to 8 times

Of this, the company has already paid Rs 2,500 crore on February 17 and Rs 1,000 crore on February 20, taking the entire paid-up amount to Rs 3,500 crore.

Nick Read, the global Chief Executive Officer of the Vodafone Group, also called on Sitharaman on Friday. Though he avoided giving his comments to media after the meeting, it's believed he requested the government to save the loss-making telco in wake of the AGR crisis. Read had earlier said that Vodafone Idea would head for "liquidation" if the government did not offer relief to the telcos.

Bharti Airtel on March 3 had also self-assessed its AGR dues at Rs 13,004 crore contrary to the government's assessment of Rs 35,586 crore. Of this, Airtel has paid Rs 18,004 crore already.

ALSO READ:Airtel does its own math on AGR, finds total dues to be much less

Vodafone Idea had earlier said it needed 15 years to pay pending statutory AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues worth Rs 53,000 crore sought by the DoT. In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog, the telco had sought Rs 8,000 crore worth GST (Goods and Services Tax) refund in licence fees and spectrum usage charges amid pressure from the government as well as the Supreme Court.

Vodafone Idea, which pays 8 per cent AGR as licence fee, wanted the DoT to reduce it to 3 per cent. It also said the government should also reduce spectrum usage charges from 3-5 per cent to 1 per cent.

ALSO READ:Spectrum dues: Vodafone Idea pays Rs 3,042 crore; Airtel gives Rs 1,950 crore to DoT
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, on Friday swore in Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.

This swearing-in followed Mrs Dongban-Mensems appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa retired as she clocked the statutory mandatory retirement age of 70 years as Justice of Appeal Court.

Swearing her in, Mr Muhammad urged Mrs Dongbon-Mensem to continue to discharge her duties diligently, noting that hardworking and discipline earned her the new position.

As a seasoned judicial officer, there is nothing to tell her but just to work very well.

She has been doing her job satisfactorily well and it is as a result of this hard work, character, and attitude that enticed the Court of Appeal and the National Judicial Council to uplift her as Acting President Court of Appeal.

I urge you to continue to with your charisma, both attitude and ability, to carry out all the tasks and assignments you are given to.

Our expectation will never fall short of this kind of testimony from the public. Please continue to bear that testimony and the sky will be your limit, Mr Muhammad said.

Mr Muhammad urged her to carry along her colleagues, pointing out that consultation was important in discharging her duty.

Speaking to journalists after the swearing-in session, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau expressed confidence in Mrs Dongban-Mensems ability to serve meritoriously.

Mr Lalong said the appointment was an indication that the judiciary is taking its rightful place.

Mrs Dongban-Mensem, who is from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau, was the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Jos division.

Mrs Dongban-Mensem, in 2015, headed a five-man appeal panel that upheld the ruling of the governorship election tribunal in Rivers, which ordered the sacking of Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party and a rerun within 90 days.

Mrs Dongban-Mensem received LL.B and LL.M degrees from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She is the daughter of a retired Appeal Court judge, M.B. Douglas-Mensem.

(NAN)
Business leaders have called for support for the tourism industry, depreciation allowances to encourage investment and incentives for people to buy new cars as part of the federal government's stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Drinks giant Coca-Cola Amatil boss Alison Watkins said a broad-based business investment allowance that "encourages and accelerates investment", and helps boost productivity and economic growth would be a significant aid to business. "Outside of the mining industry, investment has been really quite weak over almost 10 years now. And we really would love to see an acceleration of that investment, because ultimately it's that that will underpin growth for our economy, jobs and wages growth," she told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Coca-Cola Amatil boss Alison Watkins says that excluding the mining sector, business investment in Australia has been weak for nearly a decade. Credit:Louie Douvis "With that kind of investment allowance it could be structured in a number of different ways but it should be a pretty broad-based one. So let's not put too many constraints around it," Ms Watkins said. An accelerated depreciation allowance could stimulate business investment fairly quickly and produce near term, medium term and long term benefits, she said.

Loading Qantas and Virgin Australia have called for support that boosts tourism as the virus continues to decimate airlines and the tourism sector. Australia generated almost $60 billion in direct tourism GDP in 2017-18, according to the latest figures from Tourism Australia. "We are very keen to see the government stimulate and we're supportive of measures that reassure travellers that it's okay to travel, particularly domestically," Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah said. A Qantas spokesman said: "Anything that supports broader economic activity is ultimately good for the travel industry, but specific support for tourism given the challenges many operators are facing from coronavirus on top of bushfires would be very well received." Australia's listed car retailer AP Eagers called for a "cash for clunkers" scheme which would offer a cash payment for consumers selling their old cars for a new one. The company wants the scheme to be included in the federal government's stimulus package to be announced next week. "We do believe that after these 23 months of decline and the further headwinds ahead, that we can't see any catalysts at the moment for the 23 months not becoming 30 months," chief executive Martin Ward said.
By Express News Service

On Thursday, the RBI effectively took control of Yes Bank and appointed an administrator from SBI to overlook operations. The central bank also assured depositors not to panic as the banking regulator along with the central government has been preparing a rescue plan, which is expected to be announced soon.

On Friday, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das reiterated that a solution will be found 'very shortly,' and that the 30-day moratorium imposed by the central government was the outer time limit which means that the central bank hopes to resolve the crisis in less than a month. Here are a few things you should know.

ALSO READ| Yes Bank resolution to be done 'very swiftly'; 30 days outer limit: RBI governor Shaktikanta Das

What's a moratorium?

It means the bank's normal operations including lending and deposit mobilization are restricted. Under Section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, the one-month moratorium imposed on Yes Bank came into effect from March 5 and will be on till April, 6. During this period, deposit withdrawals are capped, while the bank cannot give fresh loans or renew existing loans besides others.

If you are a depositor:

Starting Friday till April 6, you can withdraw only Rs 50,000 even if you have multiple accounts with the bank. However, you can draw up to Rs 5 lakh in case of medical emergencies or unavoidable circumstances such as payment for marriages, higher education etc.

ALSO READ| Interest of Yes Bank depositors will be protected: CEA Krishnamurthy Subramanian

What happens to digital transactions?

Unfortunately, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has unplugged Yes Bank from its payments networks. It means the bank's 8.27 lakh credit cardholders and over 28 lakh debit cardholders won't be able to make any electronic transactions until further notice. This is a significant blow to customers. Worse, they won't be able to transact even at the point of sale terminals. Ubiquitous digital transactions including paying while dining out or purchasing groceries aren't allowed until further instructions.

Yes Bank was the UPI partner for about 20 apps such as Phonepe, Swiggy etc and accounted for 40 per cent of UPI transactions in January 2020. In absolute numbers, it stood at 514 million transactions, out of the total 1.31 billion transactions.

Users can, however, use Google Pay and Paytm Payments Bank to execute digital transactions.

What happens with your money?

Though there are limits on withdrawals, there's no need to panic as depositors' money will be safe. In any case, deposits are guaranteed under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) to the tune of Rs 5 lakh including interest per account.

However, this will come into effect only if a bank fails, and as things stand now, both the government and the RBI have given repeated assurances that no Indian bank will be allowed to fail under their watch. "The RBI assures the depositors of the bank that their interest be fully protected and there is no need to panic," the central bank said in a statement on Thursday.

It further added, "In terms of the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, the Reserve Bank will explore and draw up a scheme in the next few days for the bank's reconstruction or amalgamation and with the approval of the central government, put the same place well before the period of moratorium of 30 days ends so that the depositors are not put to hardship for a long period of time."

For account holders

If you use an Yes Bank account to make monthly EMIs on home, auto or any other loans, or use it for SIP or mutual fund investments, paying insurance premiums and other utility bills such as electricity bills and others, it's time to make essential changes.

First inform the receiving party, which could be a bank, mutual fund house, insurer, broker and others to redirect your accounts to any other existing bank.

In some cases where you have given standing instructions for periodic payments such as auto renewal for your DTH service provider, you can terminate the ECS facility or electronic clearance service immediately.

Similarly, accounts linked to payments for SIPs, or to receive redemption or dividend proceeds from mutual funds, most of the fund houses were rather quick to react offering customers an option to switch to other bank accounts.

ALSO READ | Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar takes charge as Yes Bank administrator

What's the way forward?

Clearly, as RBI said, the bank will undergo a reconstruction scheme or will be amalgamated with another bank. As we speak, the country's largest lender SBI is studying the prospects of investing in Yes Bank. In a board meeting held Thursday, SBI said its board gave an in-principle approval to look at investment opportunity in Yes Bank.

Why is Yes Bank important?

It's the country's fourth largest private sector lender and has a sizeable retail franchisee. According to RBI data, Yes bank has 28 lakh debit cards holders and has deposits in excess of Rs 2 lakh crore. As on September 2019, deposits of retail and small business customers stood at Rs 80,000 crore.

Of this, 7 per cent or Rs 5,400 crore worth deposits are linked to a salary or savings account. The remaining Rs 75,000 crore comprise savings and fixed deposits.
By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Azerbaijans second largest city Ganja have signed an agreement on the implementation of a pilot project on the development of the citys infrastructure, the official website of the EBRD reported on March 4.

The contract was signed between the EBRD First Vice President Jurgen Rigterink and head of Ganja Executive Authorities Niyazi Bayramov in Baku.

According to Rigterink, the EBRD is ready to support Azerbaijan in developing urban infrastructure and improving the environment.

Rigterink said that the bank has reached an agreement to implement a pilot project in Ganja city.

Even last year, we proposed a green project worth $ 350 million to Azerbaijani government. I would like to note that, in my opinion, now Azerbaijani government is very interested in improving environment and reducing waste. We, in turn, offered the government support in this area, since we have the necessary experience in this area, the EBRD First Vice President said.

As he stated, EBRD mission will arrive in Ganja soon to get acquainted with the city and determine the direction of activity.

Ganja will become the 40th city to join our Green Cities programme. As part of the project, the EBRD is ready to assist Ganja in the operation of an Action Plan for setting priorities and solving environmental problems. The Bank is also willing to finance the modernization of street lighting, urban transport, water supply and wastewater services, solid waste management, district heating and renewable energy infrastructure, Rigterink stressed.

More than 300,000 people living in Azerbaijans second-largest city could benefit from improvements in their urban environment, thanks to a partnership between the District Executive Authority and the EBRD, the official website of the ERBD informed.

Improving infrastructure and lives in Ganja was the focus of a meeting between and the EBRD First Vice President and the chief executive of Ganja.

It was mentioned that Ganja expressed its interest in joining the EBRD Green Cities, a successful urban sustainability programme that is already helping transform 40 cities across economies where the Bank invests.

The EBRD Green Cities project was conceived to offer tangible support that helps cities improve the quality of life of their residents. All participating cities embark on a trigger project to improve their local environment. Then, with the EBRD help, they develop an action plan to identify further investments and policy changes that are best suited to their needs.

Cities, which account for 70 percent of energy use and 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, represent a big opportunity to tackle climate change and environmental degradation. This is particularly true of cities in the EBRD regions, where obsolete urban infrastructure is degrading the quality of life, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing communities from adapting to climate change.

The programme was launched in 2016 with just 250 million of funding.

EBRD has set out the following priorities in Azerbaijan for 2020-2024:

1) The Bank will continue its efforts to help diversify Azerbaijans economy by supporting the development of the private sector in non-oil sectors and strengthening governance of private and state-owned companies.

2) The EBRD will work to further expand access to finance for local businesses by encouraging lending by banks and non-bank financial institutions as well as by helping develop local currency and capital markets.

3) The Bank will step up its support to the countrys green economy, including financing for renewable energy sources, increased energy efficiency and cleaner transport and sustainable infrastructure.

The EBRD is an important institutional investor in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has been a member of the EBRD since 1992. To date, the Bank has invested 3.3 billion through 170 projects in the country. It also provides business advice to local small and medium-sized enterprises and has helped more than 1,000 firms to improve their performance and growth.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz


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Hussein Sheikholeslam, an Iranian diplomat, on Friday morning died of coronavirus in a hospital in the countrys capital city, Tehran.

Sheikholeslam(67), was an advisor to Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian foreign minister, who described him as a friend and always fair-minded diplomat.

The deceased served as a deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997 and was also a former ambassador to Syria.

Read Also: Coronavirus: Pregnant Katy Perry Postpones Marriage With Orlando Bloom

Since the outbreak of the disease in the country, top government officials, including Seyed Mohammad Mir-Mohammadi, an advisor of the supreme leader, and Mohammad Ali Dastak, a member of the Iranian parliament have died from the virus.

On Tuesday, Reza Misri, deputy speaker of Irans parliament, disclosed that 23 of his colleagues have also tested positive for coronavirus.

As of Thursday, more than 3,500 people have been infected with coronavirus with 107 deaths recorded in the country. Although, the death toll is suspected to be higher.

Among those infected are Irans vice-president for women and family affairs, and its deputy health minister.
Although the bitcoin markets recent volatility may feel familiar to industry veterans, the circumstances are very different in 2020 than they were when bitcoin (BTC) surged to nearly $20,000 in late 2017.

Namely, theres now Wall Street infrastructure for sophisticated bitcoin trading and holding, from Fidelity Investments to Bakkt. For another example, the brokerage startup Tagomi, co-founded in 2018 by Union Square Ventures alum Jennifer Campbell and backed by Peter Thiels Founders Fund, also offers institutional investors the options for trading between platforms without moving the price. Until recently, limited price spreads restricted market activity.

During the last bull run there were a lot of trading desks with a pretty website, but behind the scenes there was a lot of sausage making, Campbell said, describing how some funds literally just operated with one persons personal exchange account.

Related: Bitcoin News Roundup for March 6, 2020

These days, over in San Francisco, deliberately conservative exchanges like the bitcoin-focused startup River Financial have attracted talent such as Union Bank of Switzerland alum Zev Mintz. Mintz said the combination of a robust lending market with margin trading will be a huge driver of liquidity in 2020, as well as the growing payments system use case.

Indeed, merchant adoption remains modest yet consistent, according to Coinbase. Meanwhile, OKEx Financial Markets Director Lennix Lai said derivatives now make up nearly 66 percent of the platforms daily global volume, more than $2 billion in options alone.

Yet, its not the sheer number of trading platforms that differentiates this prospective bull run. Incumbents like BitMEX and Binance continue to churn volumes that dwarf those of OKEx.

We were getting questions all the time about what can we do, can we buy bitcoin? Mintz said of his former clients at UBS. A lot of what Im going to be doing in the next year [at River Financial] is building on some of these [dollar-cost-averaging] tools, giving users more insights and analytics into how their holdings are working and being as transparent as possible.

Story continues

Related: Crypto Exchange OKCoin Appoints New CEO to Drive US Expansion

These days, Campbell says, its easier to give more accurate price information from a variety of exchange platforms, in addition to better ways for people to margin for shorts and lends.

The over-the-counter market has changed a lot.  It was really a couple of guys pressing buy behind the scenes, she said, comparing 2017 to 2020. Its moved from a dealer-driven market to one where people know how to execute trades through a prime broker, using algorithms or other strategies.

Its the presence of both Wild West options and regulator-friendly alternatives that differentiates 2020.

Whale szn

Its cheaper now than its ever been to move large bitcoin trades in and out of a market.

By spreading trades across exchanges, institutional buyers avoid tipping the scales against their trades on platforms with limited spreads.

A lot of the trading strategies that were too expensive before are now possible, said Tagomis Campbell. A lot of the strategies before were just arbitraging between exchanges, but that very quickly got subpoenaed away.

She declined to comment on the startups work with more than 40 hedge funds, family offices and other institutional clients. Yet, Tagomis warm relations with companies like Facebook and Bakkt suggest the long-prophesied arrival of institutional investors, which bitcoin advocates claimed in previous years would boost bitcoin prices to the moon, may have already started as a whisper, not a bang.

For example, Lai estimated that 1 percent of OKExs clients in 2020 are the institutional traders that drive nearly 70 percent of the platforms volumes.

The 2017 bitcoin market was retail driven. The cryptocurrency market, in general, may still be predominantly retail but bitcoin is much less so than before. OKExs Lai explained the appeal of bitcoin derivatives, trusting a company for traditional guarantees, attracts buyers who arent yet comfortable with independent custody of bitcoin itself. This can be especially true in emerging markets like India, where the Supreme Court recently ruled banks can work with crypto businesses and the demand for derivatives is surging.

Because the volatility of bitcoin is particularly higher than a regular asset class, Lai said. Traders feel more safe that way, they deposit a lot more money.

If bitcoin doesnt become a mass-market product, then investor interest may eventually simmer down. (For his part, River Financials Mintz envisions bitcoin for everyday payments thanks to the Lightning Network.)

Still, it looks as though institutions around the world now routinely trade millions of dollars worth of bitcoin every day. Thats no longer a rare whale call, its the status quo.

Those are the two components that are really important, Mintz said, regarding how institutional interest and retail usage must coincide to drive demand beyond speculative trading. Institutions can now choose whether to trade bitcoin itself or representative options, both at scale.

When youre shorting on our platform, youre actually borrowing bitcoin from someone else, Tagomis Campbell added. Theres physical bitcoin being exchanged. The same thing with margins  its all backed by physical assets, which is very different than trading futures [in 2017].

Related Stories
By IANS

JAIPUR: A total of 26,456 passengers at Jaipur airport have been screened till Thursday out of which 118 are suspected patients, confirmed health officials here on Friday.

The screening facility started on January 28, and passengers of a total of 180 flights have been screened till Thursday.

Six international flights arrive here at this airport which include Thai Smile, Air Arabia, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Oman Air and Air Asia and they come from Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat and Bangkok.

ALSO READ | Coronavirus scare: Toddler among 16 more quarantined in Rajasthan

Two teams of five doctors and an equal number of nursing staff has been deputed here since January. They have been screening patients with non-contact infrared thermometer.

A 30-bed isolation ward has been available in SMS Hospital which is a separate wing from main building.

Similarly, a separate facility has also been provided in medical college and district hospitals, said officials highlighting the precautionary measures being taken by the department in the wake of outbreak of coronavirus.

A total of 299 people were traced who had come in contact with an Italian patient who had tested positive for COVID-19 virus.

Out of these, 111 samples were collected which were from SMS ICU - 36, Fortis - 18, Jodhpur- 1, Udaipur-7, Hotel Ramadaa- 5, Jhunhunua- 41, Bikanera- 2 and Jaisalmer- 1. At least 67 samples tested negative while reports are awaited for 44.

The Italian traveller has visited six districts of the state namely Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jaipur. In Jaipur, he stayed in Hotel Ramada and thereafter, he was admitted in Fortis while later he was shifted to SMS Hospital where his samples tested positive for coronavirus.

Since January, a total of 516 travellers from China were identified suspected from 31 districts of the state and 235 out of them were found healthy who after completing their surveillance period of 28 days have flown to their native places while 267 are still under surveillance period.

A total of 26 of these passengers had come from Wuhan while remaining 490 had come from its different states. All 26 patients from Wuhan's samples were collected in January which came negative.

Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told IANS that 16 passengers were quarantined on Thursday. "We are leaving no chances and are getting the suspected cases quarantined to ensure there is no spread of the virus and it gets checked, he added.
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Two workers were killed and 104 rescued after methane flooded a coal mine in northwest Russia's Komi Republic, local media reported Friday.

There were 106 people working underground at the Vorkutinskaya mine when the accident happened, according to the reports.

Production at the mine has been suspended for an investigation into the cause of the accident. There is no threat of a methane explosion.
Greece has repelled nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross into its territory illegally for a week, the Greek government said on Thursday. Theyre on the move since Turkey canceled its agreement with the EU to block them.

Ankara claims Greek forces shot dead four migrants, a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border.

Some groups have said the situation at the border is unacceptable and claim that migrants rights have been violated. Every country, every institutionlike the European Unionhas the right to set up policies, but these policies must never affect the dignity of the human beings, said Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, during a visit at the border.

Last Thursday, Turkey said it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal with the EU to halt illegal migration flows to Europe in return for billions of euros in aid.

On Wednesday, EU interior ministers met in Brussels for emergency talks. In a statement, the ministers said, illegal crossings will not be tolerated and it will take all necessary measures.

Additionally, it promised Greece 700 million euros ($780 million) to help manage the situation.

The EU accuses Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money and to support its position in the Syrian civil war.

Is necessary that everybody stands by their commitments and fulfills their commitments. We do not play with the lives of women and men who can take all the risk in a desire to emigrate towards Europe, said French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

On Wednesday, the German parliament rejected the proposal to take in 5,000 migrants, mostly women and children, from overcrowded Greek camps. Germanys Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said there needs to be a European solution.

Turkey already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, and faces another influx due to an upsurge in fighting in northwest Syria. It says it cannot take in any more, saying that EU aid is too little.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a moratorium on YES Bank and seized control of the capital-starved bank. The operations of the bank have been restricted, withdrawals by account holders are capped at Rs 50,000 per account as the RBI puts a bailout plan in place. The RBI said in a statement that it has superseded the board of the private sector bank because of the serious deterioration in the financial position of the Bank. YES Bank in trouble isnt only bad news for account holders. As it turns out, YES Bank was a dominant player in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) space, at least till the situation changed late yesterday. What does this mean?

That is perhaps best summarised by PhonePes co-founder and CEO Sameer Nigam who in an early morning tweet today said, Dear @PhonePe_customers. We sincerely regret the long outage. Our partner bank (Yes Bank) was placed under moratorium by RBI. Entire team's been working all night to get services back up asap. We hope to be live in a few hours. It turns out that PhonePe isnt the only payment platform that will have to migrate accounts and payment infrastructure. The numbers speak for themselves. YES Bank processed 514 million of the total 1.3 billion UPI transactions in January 2020. YES Bank lead the way, ahead of SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. The NPCI data also indicates that in January, YES Bank users initiated as many as 14891345 mobile transactions in the month amounting to a total of Rs 77673216.03 in value.

YES Bank processed 514 million of the total 1.3 billion UPI transactions in January 2020.

A cursory glance at the 3rd party apps list on the National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI) suggests that it is not just PhonePe which relies on YES Bank for allowing digital payments. The other popular platforms that will be impacted right now include Swiggy, Flipkart, Makemytrip, Airtel, Jabong, Myntra, PVR, Cleartrip, Redbus and Hungerbox. Only Google Pay and Truecaller Pay have multiple UPI partners in India. Google Pay is using UPI services with Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India. Truecaller Pay has ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda signed on as partners for the UPI transactions.

If you are using any of these apps regularly for shopping, digital transactions or even to pay for bills, you may face issues with UPI as a payment method till these apps have other UPI partners in place. The new WhatsApp Pay service uses ICICI Bank for the UPI payments.
Irelands only consumer event for older people is scheduled to go ahead this weekend, while visiting restrictions have been put in place in nursing homes across the country in a bid to contain coronavirus.

Event organisers of the 50 Plus Expo at Corks City Hall are taking measures to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, a spokesperson said, and are focusing in particular on good hygiene practices.

Paul Moynihan, director of services for corporate and international affairs at Cork City Council, said organisers were acting on government advice not to cancel mass gatherings.

However, restrictions are in place at nursing homes nationwide with all non-essential visits, children, and groups banned. Nursing Homes Ireland announced the decision in a bid to protect residents as confirmed cases of Covid-19 more than doubled on Thursday, with the first case of community transmission confirmed in Cork.

Nursing Homes Ireland advised people to only visit residents in urgent circumstances and asked them to contact the nursing home before attending.

In a statement, Nursing Homes Ireland said: The virus presents an unprecedented situation for our nursing homes and the care provided within them.

We urge prospective visitors to nursing homes to be cognisant and understanding of the measure that is required in the interest of resident and staff safety.

Dr Nuala OConnor, a Cork GP and Irish College of General Practitioners spokesperson on Covid-19, has urged the elderly and those in contact with them to remain calm but vigilant.

She said it is prudent that as the weeks progress and it transpires that we do have a lot more coronavirus circulating in the community, then elderly people need to stay away from groups of people  things like Mass.

Dr OConnor advised anyone with symptoms of a respiratory tract infection  such as a fever, cough, cold or shortness of breath  irrespective of whether they think they have coronavirus or not  to stay away from elderly relatives and friends.
OTTAWA - The Royal Canadian Navy's maintenance facilities are having an increasingly tougher time fixing Canada's warships because of staff shortages, lack of spare parts and the age of the fleet, according to an internal Defence Department study.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Cyclone helicopter flies over HMCS Fredericton as its crew leaves the Halifax Harbour for a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as part of NATO's Operation Reassurance in Halifax on January 20, 2020. An internal Defence Department study has found that the Royal Canadian Navy's maintenance facilities are having a harder time fixing Canada's warships because of staff shortages, lack of spare parts and the overall age of the fleet. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

OTTAWA - The Royal Canadian Navy's maintenance facilities are having an increasingly tougher time fixing Canada's warships because of staff shortages, lack of spare parts and the age of the fleet, according to an internal Defence Department study.

The navy was also found to be critically short of sonar and sensor operators for its frigates while ongoing challenges in getting Canada's submarines into the water are hurting the navy's ability to train new submariners to crew them.

The study's findings were written last year but only published by the Defence Department this week. The Canadian Press recently reported on navy and Canadian Coast Guard needing hundreds more sailors between them to get up to strength.

The study found the navy was able to conduct nearly all of its overseas missions despite the challenges, in part by moving people and equipment around to where they were needed most. The exception was Canada's trouble-plagued submarines.

Navy officials also told those conducting the study that they were working on plans to address the underlying problems, including putting more money and staff into the fleet maintenance facilities in Victoria and Halifax.

The findings nonetheless reiterate the importance of addressing those personnel shortfalls both in terms of sailors and maintenance staff while underscoring the importance of preventing any further delays in the long-running effort to replace Canada's warship fleets.

The difficulties facing the maintenance facilities figured prominently in the study findings, which said the facilities "have been increasingly challenged to sustain the aging platforms and increasingly obsolete systems of the Halifax-class frigates and Victoria-class submarines."

The challenges were even found to extend to some systems only recently installed aboard the 1980s-era frigates as part of a major upgrade that is intended to keep them operating until new warships arrive, which is currently expected to happen in the late 2020s and early in the next decade.

In the meantime, "the obsolescence of certain parts and systems, including some recently installed (Halifax-class modernization) systems, and the growing age of the platforms themselves, remain significant issues," the study found.

The maintenance facilities were also found to have lost about 10 per cent of their staff over the past few years even as the demand for repairs steadily increased. The study did not say why staff were leaving.

Complicating matters was availability of spare parts, again part due to the age of the ships. In some cases, parts had to be taken from one ship or submarine that was docked in extended maintenance periods and put in another needing less work to get it out the door faster.

Despite the challenges, the navy was found to have been able to largely meet its requirements in terms of conducting overseas missions and having enough vessels ready to respond to emergencies.

However, the study was particularly hard on Canada's submarines, which were found to have not been able to operate as often as the government expected, in part due to problems with hull welds and the vessels' batteries and diesel generators.

None of the four vessels have operated since 2018, though the navy has said it expects some of the boats back in the water this year.

The government has said it plans to extend the lives of the four submarines, which Canada bought second-hand from Britain in 1998, at an estimated cost of more than $2 billion. But some have questioned whether Canada should just buy new submarines instead.

As for the shortage of sonar and sensor operators for Canada's frigates, the study attributed the issue to challenges in recruiting  a problem that was highlighted by Navy commander Vice-Admiral Art McDonald in an interview with The Canadian Press last month.

McDonald said at the time one of his priorities since taking over command of the navy last year has been getting more young men and women to sign up to sail with the navy, which is short roughly 850 members.

While McDonald said the shortfall is manageable now, the concern is what would happen should the navy find itself needing to dramatically ramp up its operations  something that can't be ruled out given the current state of the world.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that land acquisition proceedings initiated under an earlier law, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 (1894 Act), will not lapse even if compensation is not deposited by the government in court after owners declined to accept the money, as long the compensation has been tendered into the government treasury.

Once the compensation amount is tendered in the treasury, the states obligation is complete with respect to the payment of compensation, a five-judge Constitution Bench held in a judgment.

At the crux of the controversy, was the interpretation of Section 24 of the new land acquisition law of 2013, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (2013 Act). Section 24(2) of this Act provided for deemed lapse of land acquisition proceedings initiated under the 1894 Act provided certain conditions are satisfied.

The deemed lapse was intended to benefit landowners who could be allowed to claim lapse of proceedings which were initiated under the 1894 Act so that they could be subject to the more favourable proceedings under the 2013 Act.

The expression paid in the main part of Section 24(2) of the Act of 2013 does not include a deposit of compensation in court.Non-deposit of compensation (in court) does not result in the lapse of land acquisition proceedings, the bench headed by justice Arun Mishra ruled.

The bench therefore, concluded that landowners, who had refused to accept the compensation under the earlier Act, cannot take benefit of deemed lapse of acquisition under Section 24 of the new act of 2013.

The obligation to pay is complete by tendering the amount under Section 31(1). Land owners who had refused to accept compensation or who sought reference for higher compensation, cannot claim that the acquisition proceedings had lapsed under Section 24(2) of the Act of 2013, the court held. Importantly, the court held that the proceedings under the 1894 Act will lapse as provided in section 24(2) of the new act only if the award of compensation under the earlier act was made five years prior to the date of commencement of the new act. Thus, if either the possession was taken by the government or compensation was tendered, the landowners will not be entitled to fresh acquisition proceedings under the new law. All previous judgments by the Supreme Court in this regard, were overruled by the court.

The laws

In the 1894 Act, Section 31 provided for payment of compensation or deposit of the same in the court. This provision required that the Collector should tender payment of compensation to the persons interested who are entitled to compensation. Section 18 provided for reference to court if landowner has any objection to the award of compensation.

If due to any contingency contemplated in Section 31(2), the compensation has not been paid, the Collector should deposit the amount of compensation in the court to which the reference can be made.

The 2013 Act put in place an entirely new regime for compulsory acquisition of land and provided for a new scheme of compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to the affected families whose land has been acquired or is proposed to be acquired .

Background

In 2014, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising justices RM Lodha, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph held even if the award of compensation has been made under the 1894 act, unless the compensation is paid to the landowners or deposited before the court, the land acquisition will lapse as provided in section 24(2) of 2013 Act. Deposit of compensation amount in the treasury will not be sufficient to discharge the obligation, the court ruled .

However, another three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, in February 2018, delivered a judgment in which it took a view opposite to that ruling.

It held that non-deposit of compensation in court under section 31(2) of the 1894 Act will not result in a lapse of acquisition under section 24(2) of the Act of 2013. Due to the failure of deposit in court, the only consequence at the most in appropriate cases may be of a higher rate of interest on compensation and not lapse of acquisition.

Controversy

This 2018 judgment created a controversy because it held the earlier 2014 judgment to be per incuriam, that is, a judgment delivered ignoring the law. As per the established legal principles, if a bench disagrees with the judgment of another bench of equal strength, it should be referred to a larger bench which was not adhered to in this matter.

In fact, immediately after the judgment was delivered similar matters came up before a bench comprising justices Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph who were on the bench which had delivered the 2014 judgment. They took strong objection to the 2018 judgment. Justice Dipak Misra, who was then the Chief Justice of India, formed a Constitution bench to settle the issue.

Due to this judgment, the benefit of the new Act might not go to the landowners under the previous regime. The object of Section 24(2), which was to bring landowners from the previous regime under ambit of the more favourable new regime of 2013 Act, might be hit, Supreme Court advocate Balaji Srinivasan told HT.

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UPPER THUMB -- The Sanilac County Historical Society (SCHS) is inviting all Sanilac County third graders to participate in the Name the Beetle contest.

Shirley Schmidt, research chair at SCHS, explains, "The Coconut Rhonoceros Beetle was brought to us in the mid 1900s from Costa Rica, by Captain Stanley Harrison, who lived here in the Loop-Harrison Mansion. The Rhinoceros Beetle is one of the strongest insects in the world, capable of lifting 850 times its body weight. That would be the equivalent of a human lifting an elephant!"
A mother-of-two who attacked three flight attendants after being denied six Bloody Marys on a while flying first class to check herself into rehab was spared jail today.

Emma Langford, 47, had to be handcuffed and strapped to her seat while on the British Airways flight following the rampage, which left cabin crew shocked and the aircraft littered with broken plates and glasses.

She demanded six Bloody Marys within 15 minutes of taking off and rapidly became violent after she was refused more alcohol when she was obviously drunk, proceeding to punch and kicked staff in the legs, screaming: You have a massive a***!

The mother, who taunted them about the 8,000 return fare, asking if they could ever afford to pay for the luxury seats, had been travelling from Heathrow to Cape Town in South Africa with her son to attend a rehabilitation clinic.

Langford, of Old Basing, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to three charges of assault, one of criminal damage, and one of being drunk on an aircraft, and behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting and disorderly manner towards cabin crew.

Emma Langford, 47, demanded six Bloody Marys within 15 minutes of taking off and rapidly became violent after she was refused more alcohol when she was obviously drunk

Judge Nicholas Wood handed down a prison sentence of 12 months, suspended for 18 months for all of the charges to run concurrently at Isleworth Crown Court today.

An earlier hearing was told how just 35 minutes after take-off Langford approached members of staff, saying she was 'thirsty' and demanded huge amounts of alcohol.

After being given a Bloody Mary, she returned to her seat but came back and launched a tirade of abuse, calling two female stewards 'fat'.

The mother then punched customer service manager Matthew Richardson and then another member of cabin crew, Poppy Haynes.

She later shoved a third member of staff, Monique Foulger, against the aircraft door before throwing a tray of plates and glasses to the floor - with one of the shards cutting Miss Foulger's leg.

Sentencing her today, Judge Wood said: 'You have accepted that your behaviour was appalling and also very frightening.

'There is no escape route at 30,000 feet. It was a comparatively long haul flight.

'I have no doubt whatsoever there were passengers on that plane that were fearful of their lives and of what you might do.

'On that alone, this court would be perfectly entitled to send you to prison today.'

Judge Nicholas Wood handed down a prison sentence of 12 months, suspended for 18 months for all of the charges to run concurrently at Isleworth Crown Court

Guy Wyatt, in mitigation, said Langford had spent 129 days sober after being fitted with a SCRAM bracelet and is accompanied by a 24-hour sober companion.

He said: 'There are a great many factors in favour of suspension.

'There are many clues even in the time of the offending that has some insight into her offending which arise absolutely from her alcoholism and possibly from being biopolar, which has been diagnosed.

'She was en route to South Africa to get into residential rehabilitation at the time of the offending.

'Her anxiety about flying and various other maters got the better of her.

'Her anxieties got the better of her and she lost control of herself catastrophically.

'She apologises and expresses her contrition towards cabin crew, other passengers, and everyone involved.'

The court heard the bracelet, which monitors blood alcohol levels in sweat every 30 minutes, has confirmed Langford has stayed sober.

He said: 'She's got clean scores ever since she started doing it.

'It's something that she values.

'Some people would see that as intrusive, spying on them, as a burden, as a shackle.

'She says it's like a trusted friend that helps keep her out of trouble. She's interested in benefiting from a SCRAM bracelet in the future.'

Mr Wyatt had said that Langford had completed her unpaid work requirement and has returned to volunteer at the project.

He said: 'Her motivation is strong. I don't say there is no risk of relapse.. An addict is an addict for life no matter the addiction.

'She tells me she is 129 days sober. Any prison sentence imposed is likely to have a huge destabilising effect on her.

'In terms of managing her future risk, in terms of protecting the public from her in future, your honour might feel that carrying on as she is is doing more good than what would be a comparatively short period in custody.'

Langford wore an all black outfit of trousers and jumper sat quietly throughout the hearing occasionally wiping away a tear.

Isleworth Crown Court heard she had previous drink drive convictions, the last of which was in October 2019.

Langford had to be handcuffed and strapped to her seat while on the British Airways flight following the rampage, which left cabin crew shocked and the aircraft littered with broken plates and glasses (file image)

He said: 'You've had severe alcoholic problems since 2007 and you have bipolar disorder.

'On one hand being drunk on a plane is an aggravating feature of the offence but having biopolar might reduce your culpability.

'It was a very difficult time in your life which would have been no comfort to the people on that plane.

'You were flying ironically to South Africa to get cure and help for your alcoholic addiction.

'It was only when you returned to this country when you were arrested and you minimised your behaviour and involvement.

'However I have read a great deal that is good and encouraging about you. You have fought back and fought hard to conquer your addiction.

'You are 129 days dry which is a feat in itself.'

He added: 'It seems to me there is a powerful argument that sending you into custody for a relatively short period of time would disrupt [your children's] upbringing in a disproportionate way.

'This is a serious matter. It seems to me the interest of the children are a very powerful factor to allow this court to suspend the sentence in this case.

'It's a borderline case. I can assure you Ms Langford that you get drunk and commit further offences I doubt any court will have mercy.

'Accordingly, I propose to suspend the sentence for 18 months. As long as you stay out of trouble, that sentence will expire.'

Judge Wood also said: 'I think you should pay compensation to the air crew and I think you should pay them 1000 each as they shouldn't have had to deal with that.

'You'll also pay costs of 1,000. That is a total of 4,000.'
Cyanobacteria - colloquially also called blue-green algae - can produce oil from water and carbon dioxide with the help of light. This is shown by a recent study by the University of Bonn. The result is unexpected: Until now, it was believed that this ability was reserved for plants. It is possible that blue-green algae will now also become interesting as suppliers of feed or fuel, especially since they do not require arable land.

What do rapeseed, avocado and olive tree have in common? They are all used by humans as producers of oil or fat. However, the ability to produce oil from water and carbon dioxide with the help of light is something that is essentially common to all plants, from unicellular algae to the giant sequoia trees. "We have now shown for the first time that cyanobacteria can do the same," explains biologist Prof. Dr. Peter Dormann from the Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants (IMBIO) at the University of Bonn. "This was a complete surprise, not only to us."

Until now, experts had assumed that cyanobacteria lack this property. After all, they are actually bacteria, even if their trivial name "blue-green algae" suggests otherwise. They therefore differ considerably from plants in many respects: Cyanobacteria are closer related to the intestinal bacterium E. coli than to an olive tree. "There are indeed ancient reports in the literature that cyanobacteria can contain oil," says Dormann. "But these have never been verified."

The scientist has been working at IMBIO for many years on an enzyme that catalyzes one of the steps in oil synthesis in plants. The enzyme is active in the chloroplasts, the green-colored cell components that are responsible for photosynthesis. It is thanks to these that plants can produce energy-rich chemical compounds with the help of sunlight.

Many scientists suspect that chloroplasts originally come from cyanobacteria. This is because they, unlike all other groups of bacteria, also master the photosynthesis typical of plants, with the release of oxygen. According to this theory, more than a billion years ago, a primordial plant cell "swallowed" a cyanobacterium. The bacterium then lived on in the cell and supplied it with photosynthesis products. "If this endosymbiont hypothesis is correct, then the oil synthesis enzyme of the chloroplasts might originally come from cyanobacteria," explains Dormann.

Oil synthesis enzyme similar to that of plants

He pursued this possibility together with his doctoral student Mohammed Aizouq. The scientists searched the genomes of various cyanobacteria for a gene that is similar to the genetic make-up of the enzyme involved in plant oil synthesis. With success: They found a gene for a so-called acyltransferase in the blue-green algae; the plant enzyme also belongs to this group. Further tests showed that cyanobacteria do actually produce oil with this enzyme, even if only in small quantities.

The result is on the one hand interesting from an evolutionary-biological point of view: It shows that a certain part of the oil synthesis machinery in the chloroplasts of the plants probably originates from cyanobacteria. However, plants today mainly use other metabolic pathways to produce oil. Furthermore, the result may open up new possibilities for producing animal feed or biofuels. This is because, unlike oil plants such as rapeseed, cyanobacteria do not need arable land to grow - a container with culture medium and sufficient light and heat is enough for them.

This may make them suitable for deserts, for example, where they can be used to produce oils for car engines without competing with food crops. Especially since combustion would only release the carbon dioxide that the cyanobacteria had previously extracted from the air during oil production. The microorganisms would thus make a contribution to climate protection. In any case, the cyanobacteria living in the world's oceans bind considerable quantities of the greenhouse gas. It is estimated that without their contribution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be twice as high.

"Similar experiments are already underway with green algae," explains Dormann. "However, these are more difficult to maintain; moreover, they cannot be easily biotechnologically optimized to achieve the highest possible oil production rate." This could be different with cyanobacteria. The species studied at the University of Bonn produces only very small amounts of oil. "It is nevertheless quite possible that other species are considerably more productive," says the biologist. Furthermore, blue-green algae can be genetically modified relatively easily, similar to other bacteria. "It is therefore certainly possible that the oil yield could be significantly increased again with biotechnological means."
There's hard core, and then there's Elon Musk.

Musk called an all-hands meeting at his SpaceX spacecraft factory in Boca Chica Beach, Texas  at 1 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, according to a story published Thursday by Ars Technica.

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The billionaire SpaceX and Tesla boss is known for setting outlandish goals (and sometimes missing them). And in the wee hours of the Sunday, he wanted to know from his team why his factory wasn't running 24-7 to build the Starship rocket system (which will eventually take crew and cargo to Mars).

Musk's engineering team explained they needed more people to take shifts. So over the next 48 hours, SpaceX hired 252 workers, doubling the workforce at that factory, Ars Technica reported.

The vignette is telling about what it is like to work for Musk.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell joined the rocket company in 2002 as employee No. 7. A decade and a half later, she said she still loved working for Musk. But she also admitted it is intense.

"There's no question that Elon is very aggressive on his timelines, but frankly, that drives us to do things better and faster," Shotwell said in a 2018 TED talk. "I think all the time and all the money in the world does not yield the best solution, and so putting that pressure on the team to move quickly is really important."

Shotwell said she had to learn to listen and to think before rejecting Musk's bold goals.
A two-legged Treeing Walker Coonhound from Ohio is a finalist to be the next Cadbury bunny.

The little dog, named Lieutenant Dan, has been walking with only his front two legs for most of his life. His rear legs were removed shortly after birth.

But that doesn't stop Lieutenant Dan, named after the "Forrest Gump" character who lost his legs in a Vietnam ambush.

"I was born a little different, but that doesn't stop me! I know how to live life to the fullest!" the dog's Instagram bio reads.

Lieutenant Dan was chosen as one of 10 finalists competing for a national commercial spot for Cadbury.

Cadbury, one of the nation's top Easter brands, issued a casting call for all pets, each vying for the opportunity to be in this year's iconic Cadbury Clucking Bunny Easter commercial.

Thousands of household pets from across the nation applied. But only a few were chosen as finalists.

"The Cadbury Clucking Bunny commercial has been a perennial Easter favorite for over 30 years. After last year's newest edition, featuring Henri the bulldog, and the overwhelming positive feedback we've received, we decided to bring back the bunny tryouts," said Ethan Mandel, associate brand manager for Cadbury.

This year, fans will have the chance to cast their vote to help select the newest and cutest commercial sensation.

Not only will the lucky winner grace screens across America as the new star of the iconic Cadbury Clucking Bunny commercial, but they will also receive a $5,000 cash prize.

You can cast your vote here.




San Francisco, March 6 : At a time when the world is reeling under the threat of coronavirus, tech giant Facebook has recommended all its Bay Area employees to work from home.

The social media-giant said it is "strongly recommending" all its workers in the Bay Area to work from home Friday due to the new coronavirus, formally named COVID-19. The company has several offices and thousands of employees across the region, according to a report in CNBC.

However, some of the platform security teams will be asked to remain onsite, reports added.

Earlier this week, Microsoft allowed employees in Seattle and San Francisco to work from home till March 25 as the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread in the US.

The tech giant has also recommended that those who are feeling sick, have a compromised immune system, or have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 should work from home.

The company employs nearly 54,000 people in the Seattle region.

The latest precautions come after San Francisco announced its first two coronavirus cases on Thursday.

The company previously said it was closing its Seattle, Washington office until Monday after one its contractors was confirmed to be infected with the virus.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Union Cabinet on 4 March 2020 approved the consolidation of ten public sector banks (PSBs) into four big banks and the merger will take effect from 1 April 2020.

Eight public sector banks on Thursday (5 March) announced the share-swap ratios for their proposed mergers.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) said its board reached consensus on the share-exchange ratio after a meeting on Thursday. According to the swap ratio, 1,150 equity shares of PNB are to be exchanged for every 1,000 equity shares of Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), while 121 equity shares of PNB are to be swapped for every 1,000 equity shares of United Bank of India (UBI). The merged entity will be 2nd largest PSU bank in India. The three banks have set 25 March 2020 as the record date for share allotment.

Shares of OBC rose 2.76% to Rs 48.35, PNB fell 5.79% to Rs 42.30 and those of UBI tumbled 19.92% to Rs 5.99.

Meanwhile, for Syndicate Bank's merger with Canara Bank, the share swap is 158 equity shares of Canara Bank for every 1,000 equity shares of Syndicate Bank. The merged entity will be 4th largest PSU bank in India.

Syndicate Bank shares lost 3.33% to Rs 20.30 while those of Canara Bank lost 6.45% to Rs 130.45.

For the amalgamation of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank of India, share swap ratio stands at 325 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Andhra Bank and 330 shares of Union Bank of India for every 1,000 shares of Corporation Bank. The merged entity will be 5th largest PSU bank in India.

Shares of Andhra Bank slumped 8.06% to Rs 12.43, those of Corporation Bank crashed 19.95% to Rs 15.25 and those of Union Bank of India fell 6.73% to Rs 36.70.

Further, Allahabad Bank on Thursday said its board of directors has approved the swap ratio for the its amalgamation into Indian Bank. For every 1,000 equity shares of Allahabad Bank, investors will get 115 equity shares of Indian Bank. The merged entity will be 7th largest PSU bank in India.

Allahabad Bank shares lost 17.21% to Rs 10.73 while those of Indian Bank slipped 3.33% to Rs 69.60.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Icon has generated interest from the federal government, including NASA and the Defense Department, whose Defense Innovation Unit is focused on strengthening national security with new commercial technology. The unit (which has an Austin office) is working under a contract with Icon to train Marines and develop prototype structures that can be built quickly for its military and humanitarian needs. In late January, about a dozen Marines trained for a week at Icon. Further training is planned later this year at Camp Pendleton in California.
RTHK: Turkey, Russia begin ceasefire in Syria's Idlib

A ceasefire in northern Syria agreed between Russia and Turkey came into force on Friday, aiming to halt intense fighting that has sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing.

The deal struck between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan comes after an escalation of violence in Idlib, the northwestern province of Syria where Ankara is battling Moscow-backed government forces.

Nearly a million civilians have fled their homes due to the bloodshed and dozens of Turkish soldiers have been killed.

Putin and Erdogan agreed on the ceasefire from midnight on Friday (2200 GMT) after more than six hours of talks in Moscow.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "hopes that this agreement will lead to an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities that ensures the protection of civilians in northwest Syria", his spokesman said in a statement on Thursday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, which had reported bombings just minutes before the midnight deadline, said there was "relative" calm in the region after the ceasefire came into operation.

The Britain-based Observatory reported that Russian and Syrian air strikes had halted but said there was "artillery fire... by Syrian regime forces on the positions of insurgent groups" in areas controlled by jihadists in parts of Aleppo and Hama bordering Idlib.

The situation in Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in Syria's nine-year civil war, had become critical as Ankara for the first time launched a direct offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Earlier, Putin told a joint press conference that the agreement would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting" in Idlib.

Erdogan, however, added that Turkey reserved the right to "retaliate with all its strength against any attack" by Damascus.

The agreement will also create a security corridor along the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces will launch joint patrols from March 15.

But there was scepticism over the deal among those displaced by the fighting.

"I don't think this will last long," Mouawiya Agha, originally from Sarmin in the south of the province, told the AFP news agency.

"It will end like the ones before," said the 33-year-old father of four, referring to an agreement reached in the Russian city of Sochi in 2018 that created a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib.

Turkey has long backed certain rebel groups against Assad but its priority now is to stop an influx of refugees among those fleeing an offensive the regime has been pressing on Idlib since December.

Ankara has demanded the European Union support its actions in Syria and last week opened its border with EU member Greece to migrants - a move decried by some in the bloc as "blackmail".

In the run-up to Thursday's talks, Russia and Turkey had traded accusations of violating the deal.

Ankara said Russia was not fulfilling part of the agreement that guaranteed no attacks on Idlib and the status quo on the ground.

Moscow, in turn, said Turkey was breaching the agreement by supporting "illegal armed groups" and accused Turkish forces of mingling with "terrorists" in Idlib.

Turkey officially declared an operation against the Assad government over the weekend, after 34 Turkish soldiers died in an air strike blamed on Damascus.

It has since downed three Syrian warplanes and killed dozens of soldiers and allied fighters, according to monitors.

Two more Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian regime fire in Idlib, the defence ministry said, just hours before the ceasefire took effect.

The deal leaves open the fate of the Turkish observation posts in Idlib, which have been surrounded since Damascus launched its offensive.

But it does mark the first time Russian and Turkish forces will operate jointly in Idlib.

The security corridor along the M4 highway, which connects the second city of Aleppo to the coast through Idlib, will run six kilometres (around four miles) deep both north and south of the highway.

The joint Russian-Turkish patrols will operate between the town of Tronba in Idlib and a village in Latakia province, a regime stronghold.

Fighting continued elsewhere in Idlib on Thursday, with Russian air strikes killing at least 15 civilians gathered outside the town of Maaret Misrin, the Observatory said.

Erdogan warned Europe on Wednesday that it must support Turkey's "political and humanitarian solutions in Syria" if it wants to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis.

Thousands of migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border since Erdogan gave them the green light to try to enter Europe, leading to clashes with Greek police.

Turkey hosts roughly 3.6 million refugees from Syria - and hundreds of thousands from elsewhere - and Erdogan's move has sparked concern in Europe of a renewed influx of migrants. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Manama

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Bahrains precautionary measures to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect public health. Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President, Head of the National Task Force for Combating COVID-19 Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa hailed the WHO appreciation, paying tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his royal directives to heed citizens and residents health.

He lauded the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, hailing the dedicated efforts exerted by the National Task Force, which contributed to containing the virus. He reiterated task forces keenness on pursuing strenuous efforts to promote the national interest and the safety of citizens and residents by implementing all world-standard precautionary measures to combat COVID-19.

He welcomed the report which was issued by WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, commending Bahrains strenuous efforts and precautionary measures combat the coronavirus citing particularly the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to contain and prevent the spread of the virus, led by HRH the Crown Prince. Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh also commended WHO keenness on following up COVID-19 developments in all countries of the region and the world, adding that the report issued by the regional officer for East Mediterranean acknowledges the continuous efforts made by all members of the national task force to ensure the health and safety of all citizens and residents.

She paid tribute to HM the Kings royal directives and HRH the Crown Princes keen follow-up. The report cited the measures which were undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain, setting up a national task force to develop a strategy aimed at containing any COVID-19 outbreak.
At her suburban Detroit home, Jill Warren spent Thursday morning glued to her phone, searching for news about the woman she fiercely believed should be the next president of the United States: Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Voter Warren had known that candidate Warren (no relation) would likely drop out. Still, the news of the Massachusetts senator's departure from the presidential primaries was devastating  not only because of how the senator's message had resonated with her, but because the exit was a final blow to hopes that a woman would be chosen to face President Donald Trump in November.

"It's a day for many people of mourning, just true mourning and grieving," said Jill Warren, a 61-year-old semi-retired nonprofit consultant.

"The ascendancy of old white dudes is not over," she said.

Elizabeth Warren's exit brought home a new and painful reality to some voters: If 2019 was the Year of the Woman, with a record number of women sworn into Congress and a record number launching presidential campaigns, 2020 was another Year of the Man in presidential politics.

Polling during the primaries revealed that at least half of Democratic primary voters believe a woman would have a harder time than a man beating Trump, according to AP VoteCast polling in four states that voted Tuesday. What's more, women are somewhat more likely than men to say so. That comes even as solid majorities of those voters say it's important to elect a woman president in their lifetime.

The message is clear: We want a woman, but not this time.

As she announced her departure Thursday, Warren's voice cracked when she talked about meeting so many little girls while campaigning around the country the past year, knowing they "are going to have to wait four more years," at least, to see a woman in the White House.

How different things looked back in the summer, when Warren and five other women  a record number  appeared on the primary debate stage in late June, demonstrating the depth and diversity of the female field. Warren and California Sen. Kamala Harris earned top reviews for their debate skills.

At the time, Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, had ventured to hope the female candidates could shake up the electability question left hanging by Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump in 2016: Is the country ready to elect a woman president?

This week, Walsh was left to muse on how early Democratic primary voters were acting out of fear and caution and were buying "a false narrative out there that women candidates are too risky."

"This was the year that the Democrats were hell-bent on winning," Walsh said. "A woman was defeated in 2016. There was all this talk after that, trying to explain, 'How did Donald Trump happen?' And this caution and fear has largely motivated us to the place we are right now."

All this, Walsh said, despite the great political success by female candidates in 2018, in Congress and in statewide races, showing that "as we have always said, when women run they win at about the same rate as men do in comparable races. We saw it across the board in 2018 and frankly in 2016, when more people voted for Clinton than Trump."

The women in the race this time could not compete. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar peaked with a third-place finish in New Hampshire. Warren's third-place showing in Iowa was her best. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has picked up only two delegates.

Warren in particular came to embrace her role as the choice for voters, particularly female voters, who thought it time for a woman to be president. But there was little evidence that female voters were prioritizing gender this time around; former Vice President Joe Biden pulled ahead with female voters in most states Tuesday  including in Massachusetts, Warren's home state.

Many voters say progress has been made, even though a woman won't be at the top of the ticket. And there is a broad expectation that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Biden will feel pressure to name a woman as their running mate.

Still, the frustration among voters was palpable. A younger Warren supporter, LaShyra Nolen, the first black woman to be elected student council president at Harvard Medical School, said it's not enough to have women on the ballot. Voters then need to step up and support them, she said.

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

"I still do believe we are living in a society that is ridden by patriarchal control and inequality," said Nolen, 24, of Los Angeles.

For some, the dimming of women's political fortunes felt like a marker of a fading movement. The #MeToo movement may have toppled powerful figures across industries, but some of the momentum behind gender equality is tapering off, believes Kaitlin Cornuelle, a 29-year-old director and writer in Los Angeles.

That may have an impact on how engaged women  voters critical to Democrats' calculus in November  will be next fall, she said.

"It makes me really frustrated that we have three men who are in their late 70s, early 80s that cannot relate to me and cannot relate to most of the people in this crowd," Cornuelle said, referring to those gathered around her at a Warren rally ahead of Super Tuesday.

Others were quick to point out one of Warren's clear contributions to the race  a sharp confrontation with billionaire former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg over his treatment of female employees.

"Of course, she was the one to eviscerate Bloomberg," said Iris Williamson, a 26-year-old teacher from Brooklyn, who noted that Warren didn't seem to get credit with voters for the move. "Leave it to women to expose people for who they are and then not be rewarded for their work."

Williamson worried how students at her all-girls school will process the results of the primaries. "I think they would question why there is such a bent toward choosing a white man all the time," she said.

Lucienne Beard, executive director of the Alice Paul Institute, a Mount Laurel, N.J., nonprofit, feels that female presidential candidates still struggle to attract the same money, visibility and media coverage as men. And when they do, the focus is too often on their delivery.

"It just seems like we can't accept hearing a woman's voice talking about these things. Instead we focus on her presentation: 'Is she a nasty boss?' Or being 'too teacherly?' It's like we can't win for trying," she said. "I wish I could say it surprised me. The further we come, the goalposts just keep moving. We'll elect anything before a woman."

If anyone knows about painful losses, it might be Clinton, who won popular vote in 2016 but not the job.

"There still is a double standard. There are still a lot of biases about women becoming president. But I made a lot of progress, and I was thrilled that so many women ran this time," Clinton told The Associated Press Wednesday. "We just have to keep going until we crack that final big glass ceiling."
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When Streetcar Developments founder Les Mallins opened the Broadview Hotel on Queen Street East in 2017, he stole a longtime employee of the Queen Street West arts hub at the Gladstone Hotel.

It was an attempt to infuse a new hotel with some of the Gladstones cultural spice.

A day after the announcement that Streetcar with its partner Dream Unlimited has purchased the Gladstone, Mallins offered reassurances that he sees the Gladstones character and culture as a big asset to the acquisition.

The Gladstone is a successful thriving operation that is already an anchor of the community and the things that happen in the Gladstone are already a reflection of the things that make West Queen West so great, he said on Thursday.

No condo conversions, additions or rooftop terraces are being contemplated for the 131-year-old Victorian that was designed by George Miller, the architect of Massey Hall, Annesley Hall and many of Parkdales old residences.

The citys oldest continually operating hotel will go on providing hospitality as the bathrooms are renovated, the sound attenuation challenges addressed and the HVAC replaced.

As for the Gladstones signature concept of 37 individual artist-designed guest rooms, it will be modernized and reinvented. Mallins said he will be consulting the artists and staff about their ideas on how to reinterpret the original idea realized by the Zeidler family that is selling the property after 17 years of building its reputation as an arts hub.

Theres a lot of regulars, specifically in the LGBTQ community, that probably have a lot of input into what works and what needs tweaking, he said.

Built in the ornate Richardsonian Romanesque style, the Gladstone started as a railway hotel near the Parkdale station on the old Grand Trunk Railway. As its fortunes faded it served as a rooming house and a dive bar before its revival became a passion project for architect Eberhard Zeidler, who is now 90 and the father of the Gladstones president Christina Zeidler.

The new owners, who take possession at the end of this month, expect it will take about a year to refresh the guest rooms. They will move on to the structural and mechanical issues early next year.

Christina Zeidler has known Mallins since he used to stop in for coffee while he was doing a mixed-use development on Gladstone Avenue, between 2009 and 2014. Zeidler says the new owner was always curious and marvelling at the hotels activity.

This opportunity for him is so win-win. He gets the secret sauce, she said.

A filmmaker and artist who turned 50 this year, Zeidler calls herself an accidental hotelier who is ready to turn her attention to other projects. But she expects to continue participating in the Gladstones arts events.

I live three blocks away. I might need to stay off property for a month so I dont come in and rearrange the furniture all the time, she said. But, she added, I really feel like Im a phone call or a coffee away.

All of our arts programming is staying in place, Zeidler said. That includes the eighth annual Grow Op from March 12 to 15, where all the hotels public spaces and galleries showcase a themed exhibition by a group of artists. This years theme is weather.

Its a cool time when you can come and see the hotel really activated and what we do best, she said.

The reassurance will be a relief to the Gladstones patrons, said urbanist author Shawn Micallef, and a contributing columnist for the Star, who says he has attended at least two weddings and countless arts events at the Gladstone.

There are so many different communities that use it as a hub. Its an interesting place that you bump into people from other scenes, he said.

RELATED STORIES GTA Torontos Gladstone Hotel sold to development teams behind Broadview Hotel and Distillery District

Micallef said he often kicks off or ends the annual Nuit Blanche arts crawl at the Gladstone.

You could count on it being crammed to the rafters with all kinds of people, he said.

The Gladstone became a hub for the LGBTQ community that emanated out from the Gay Village near Church and Wellesley streets to turn Queen West into Queer West, Micallef said.

What the Zeidlers did with the Gladstone and what Christina Zeidler did keeping it open to so many subcultures should be commended. I hope the new owners see the importance of that, he said.

Everybody feels like its their place, Zeidler said. I dont think anyone minds if you redo a bathroom. I think they get worried that the soul of it is going to change.

This is a nice moment ... its going to continue, the legacy is going to keep going.
Migrants continue to wait near Turkey's northwestern border with Greece for a chance to cross to the European Union. Turkey said Thursday it would deploy special forces along its land border with Greece to prevent Greek authorities from pushing back migrants trying to cross into Europe, after Turkey declared its previously guarded gateways to Europe open.

Thousands of migrants and refugees have tried to cross into Greece from the Turkish land and sea border in the past week.

Clashes have been frequent, with Greek police firing tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to repel thousands of people trying to breach the border.

Greek authorities say Turkish police have also fired tear gas at them in an effort to disperse border guards.

Turkey's interior minister asserted that more than 130,000 migrants had crossed into Greece since February 27, when Turkey made good on a threat to open its borders and allow migrants and refugees to head for Europe.

He said around 20-25% of those who reached Greece were Syrians.

There was no evidence to support the claim.

Although hundreds of people have managed to cross, most appear to have been caught by Greek authorities.

Many have said they have been summarily pushed back into Turkey after being detained.
With the excitement of Bostons first recreational marijuana shop opening Monday, there will also be a level of chaos, officials said Friday.

Pure Oasis is getting ready to open its doors for marijuana sales in the Grove Hall part of Dorchester at 11 a.m. on Monday, preparing for crowds of people to line up, ready to purchase marijuana flower, edibles and other products.

We want to have a good business opening but we also want to measure that against not being detrimental to the community, said Kobie Evans, who co-owns the business with Kevin Hart.

To help make things run as smoothly as possible, Evans and Hart have been working closely with Boston city officials to plan for crowd and traffic control.

Its going to be crazy, Walsh said. Theres gonna be lines, theres gonna be cars, theres gonna be traffic, theres gonna be chaos, theres gonna be confusion, he said, adding that the city in partnership with Pure Oasis will do its best to limit those things.

As Pure Oasis gets ready to open its doors, a 3,000-square-foot space at 430 Blue Hill Ave., heres what consumers and people who live near Grove Hall need to know:

Officials ask customers to use public transportation

Evans and Hart at a press conference on Friday with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross encouraged people planning to shop at Pure Oasis on Monday to take public transportation, walk or bike.

The owners are asking people who dont take public transportation to utilize municipal lots. Theres a municipal parking lot behind the restaurant Flames, which is at 469 Blue Hill Ave.

In front of Pure Oasis, there will be enough space for four cars to stop for quick drop-offs and pick-ups, officials said.

Walsh said the city plans to monitor the opening hour-by-hour to make sure those who live in the neighborhood arent being inconvenienced.

Boston police will be in the area as the store opens.

We as the Boston Police Department are completely rooted in community policing. We support all businesses and what they bring to the table," Gross said.

Anyone who has concerns can call 311 and speak to a representative, Walsh said.

Evans and Hart reminded customers that they must be 21 years old and have a valid ID to get inside. They also reminded people that public consumption of marijuana is illegal.

What will be available?

For now, all of Pure Oasis products are wholesale. The dispensary will be selling flower, edibles, tinctures, vapes and other products on Monday.

Customers will be limited to 1/8 of flower on Monday, Evans and Hart said.

Right now, they are not asking for customers to make appointments.

If its complete pandemonium, which we would hope for, we might think about our operations and our plan moving forward, Hart said.

There is no guess on how many customers will show up, but officials said without a doubt there will be a line.

Promoting equity in the neighborhood

In addition to being Bostons first marijuana shop, Pure Oasis is also the first economic empowerment applicant to open. The states economic empowerment program was created to help racial minorities, people with drug convictions and people who live or work in areas disproportionately affected by the war on drugs get a jump start on opening a marijuana business.

Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman said that while the first economic empowerment business opening is encouraging, we still have a long way to go.

The war on drugs has been harsh on our community in so many ways, said Evans, noting that the opening of Pure Oasis can help share the benefits of marijuana and break the stigma.

Pure Oasis has worked to hire people from the neighborhood and is focused on being a good neighbor, Hart and Evans said.

Im proud that Boston is now home to the first economic empowerment operator in the state and one of the first in the entire country, Walsh said. Like all businesses, Pure Oasis is going to create new jobs. Its going to bring economic activity into our neighborhoods. Its going to attract customers. We expect theres going to be plenty of interest when the doors open here on Monday and were going to be ready for that excitement.

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At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in San Antonio, Juanita Mancilla turned to dip her fingers into the holy water only to find the receptacle empty at Thursdays 9 a.m. Mass.

During the sign of peace  when Catholics usually turn to each other and shake hands  Carol White gave a friendly wave to Sister Lucero Romero, who sat a short distance away on the same pew.

The break in tradition stemmed from the Archdiocese of San Antonios new guidelines to help protect clergy and churchgoers from the novel coronavirus creeping slowly across the country.

Such precautions are among the ways clergy members are reassuring their congregations.

I dont think people should be afraid to come to church, said Father Kevin Fausz, a priest at three Catholic churches and a licensed registered nurse. I dont think we should quit living and quit going out and being around people.

Just like with the flu, he said, People who might be feeling ill (should) also be prudent and do what they need to do to take care of their health and not jeopardize the health of others.

San Antonio and Bexar County officials declared a public health emergency earlier this week after learning a patient who had been quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was mistakenly released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before a test showed she still had the virus in her system.

She left a hospital, checked into a San Antonio hotel and visited North Star Mall before she was placed back into isolation.

So far, there has been no community spread of the illness in San Antonio.

WHAT WE KNOW: As Houston's list of infected grows, here's what we know so far.

Despite the publics concerns, Fausz said he hasnt noticed any decline in attendance at Sunday Mass or daily Mass at any of his three parishes  Holy Redeemer, St. Michael and Our Lady of Perpetual Help  or at Our Lady of the Lake University, where he serves as chaplain.

The archdiocese recommended earlier this week that churches make minor changes to traditional practices during Mass as a precaution, such as removing holy water from receptacles, temporarily halting the serving of wine during Holy Communion and placing the Eucharist in peoples hands instead of their mouths.

While Catholics usually shake hands during the sign of peace and sometimes join hands while saying the Lords Prayer, the archdiocese urged them to avoid physical contact.

Other Catholic dioceses in Texas and across the country also have adopted these temporary measures, local archdiocese officials said.

Fausz said he now invites people to offer each other a gesture of peace, but nobody tries to shake hands.

People are kind of turning and kind of bowing toward each other, a slight head nod, to acknowledge the other persons presence. And they smile, he said.

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas released recommendations Wednesday for its churches to consider adjusting some traditional practices, such as encouraging worshippers to drink from the chalice during the Eucharist instead of dipping the bread into the wine.

Proper safeguards call for the chalice to be turned slightly as each person steps forward. Church members also simply may acknowledge the cup with a bow rather than drinking from it.

CORONAVIRUS IN HOUSTON: Expert says you should prepare like it's a hurricane

Another recommendation: Episcopalian churches should invite worshippers who are uncomfortable shaking hands or hugging to instead wave, smile, bow or make a peace sign during the passing of the peace.

The situation does not currently warrant canceling worship services or closing church schools, the diocese stated. However, clergy and lay leaders should actively collaborate with local health departments regarding how and when such decisions might be made.

Bishop David Reed said he hasnt received any reports of declining attendance at churches in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas since news of the coronavirus broke.

He said local clergy members are in the best position to decide what steps are necessary after consulting with their leadership and their congregation.

We dont want people to be panicked or fearful, Reed said. We want them to be reasonable. I think our recommendations are mostly about just taking care of basic good practices.

Peggye Williams Mills, 81, who regularly attends St. Paul United Methodist Church east of downtown, said public fears of the coronavirus wont keep her from going to services. She underwent a liver transplant 22 years ago and always has to be watchful of situations that could affect her suppressed immune system.

OPINION: SXSW is the perfect place to spread coronavirus. Cancel it.

If Im going to avoid crowds, church would be the last one I would give up, Mills said Thursday, noting she was speaking for herself and not her church. I believe that my faith will carry me through  Ive been in a lot of situations that could put me at risk. But somehow or another, I have survived.

This is not the first pandemic crisis we have been through. We went to extraordinary measures when there was H1N1.  When we buy into these panics, it makes me doubt whether our faith is as strong as we claim it is.

Community Bible Church, one of the largest nondenominational churches in San Antonio, also has taken precautions. In a message posted on the churchs website, lead pastor Ed Newton said the church has added hand sanitation stations throughout its facilities and will deep clean buildings daily.

The church has also temporarily discontinued its traditional practice of holding hands at the close of services until the threat of the virus goes away.

Church members expressed support for those changes on the churchs Facebook page and thanked Newton for being proactive.

Peggy OHare reports on the census, demographics and occasionally crime and general assignments in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on mySA.com and ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare
KASTANIES, Greece  Clashes between Greek riot police and migrants attempting to cross the border from Turkey erupted anew Friday as European Union foreign ministers took aim at what they called Turkeys use of migratory pressure for political purposes.

Greek riot police used tear gas and a water cannon to drive back people trying to cross the land border from Turkey in the morning. Turkish police fired volleys of tear gas back toward Greece in an ongoing standoff between Ankara and the EU over who should care for migrants and refugees.

Similar clashes erupted later Friday, and fires were seen burning on the Turkish side of the border that Greek officials said were lit by migrants.

Thousands of refugees and other migrants have been trying to get into Greece through the countrys eastern land and sea borders in the past week after Turkey declared its previously guarded borders with Europe were open.

Following through after months of threats, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week his country, which already houses more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, would no longer be Europes gatekeeper.

He has demanded Europe shoulder more of the burden of caring for refugees. But the EU insists it is abiding by a 2016 deal in which it disbursed billions of euros in refugee aid in return for Turkey keeping refugees on its soil.

Erdogan on Friday held a telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during which he told her that the Turkey-EU migration arrangements are no longer working and need to be revised, according to a statement from Erdogans office.

Erdogans border decision has alarmed EU countries, which are still seeing political fallout from mass migration five years ago.

EU foreign ministers met in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday to discuss the Greece-Turkey border situation and events in Syria, where Turkish troops are fighting. Erdogan has cited a potential new wave of refugees from Syria as part of his reasoning for opening the border to EU-member Greece.

The ministers acknowledged Turkeys role in hosting millions of migrants and refugees, but said the EU strongly rejects Turkeys use of migratory pressure for political purposes. This situation at the EU external border is not acceptable.

In a joint statement after the emergency meeting, the ministers expressed full solidarity with Greece, which faces an unprecedented situation.

The EUs border agency Frontex is to deploy reinforcements to Greece, where it already has 509 officers along with 11 boats, one airplane and 10 vans with thermal imaging technology.

Costas Kantouris and Elena Becatoros are Associated Press writers.
Representative image

India is scrambling to counter an outbreak of novel coronavirus after over two dozen cases were reported various regions across the country.

The virus, which started in Chinas Wuhan on December 31, 2019, has now reached 85 countries and territories with the number of cases rose to 97,510, including 3,345 deaths.

As of March 5, a total of 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19 was reported in India. Of these, 17 cases were in Jaipur, six in Agra, three in Kerala, four in Delhi and one in Telangana. Hospital isolation of the cases, tracing and home quarantine of the contacts are ongoing in these localities.

The government of India is constantly assuring that with the collective efforts of the central ministries and states and Union territories, precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The government further assured that the measures have not only been taken for people residing in India, but Indian Embassies across the world are on the job wherever there has been an outbreak of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is personally taking a lot of interest in the preparedness of India to deal with the situation, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar has 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



There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020

The PM has also appealed the people to not panic. "There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection," he has tweeted.

How the government is dealing with the situation?

With the number of positive cases of coronavirus in India climbing to 29, a sense of alarm seems to have set in among the government circles.

In the wake of the situation, the Union Health Ministry said India has imposed additional visa restrictions on people travelling from or having visited Italy and South Korea, making it mandatory for them to submit the certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from laboratories authorised by the health authorities of their countries.

The government has also suspended visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals who have not yet entered India.

Regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5, were suspended earlier. It remains in force.

Besides, the health ministry has mandated screening of all foreign nationals since March 4 and has started in most airports from March 4.

In Pics | Coronavirus: Here's all you need to know; precautions to take

Earlier, travellers from only 12 countries were being screened at airports.

Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Sadanand Gowda has assured there is no shortage of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) for at least three months. APIs are the raw materials required to produce medicines. They are also referred to as bulk drugs.

The Union Health Ministry on March 5 asked states to form rapid response teams at the district, block and village levels, stating cases of community transmission have been observed.

A look at state-level preparedness:

Delhi

As concerns mounted over spike in coronavirus cases, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has formed a task force, each has been constituted in all 11 districts, and said efforts are on to screen the people who came in contact with the infected Delhi man and 16 Italian tourists.

Isolation wards in 19 government and six private hospitals are being readied in case of need across the national capital and thermal scanning of all passengers landing from abroad is being conducted at the airport, Kejriwal said.

A coronavirus testing lab will be set up at the Lady Hardinge Hospital and also at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital if necessary, the chief minister said.

The Delhi government has also advised head of departments (HoDs), autonomous bodies and municipal corporations to suspend the biometric attendance system in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, an official told news agency PTI.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said it would increase the frequency of cleaning on its premises in view of the coronavirus outbreak. It has also issued dos and donts in both English and Hindi regarding the virus.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has set up an 18-member committee led by the health minister to monitor the overall situation in the state amid coronavirus scare. Strict directives were also issued to all the districts asking them to maintain round the clock vigil to identify any suspected case of the virus in the state.

Special screening is being maintained as per the directives of the central government at the airports and also in districts on the Indo- Nepal border, sources said, adding that isolation wards have been setup at all the district hospitals, medical colleges and other hospitals and they have been equipped to deal with any emergency situation.

Medical teams with ambulances have been posted at all the border chowkis of seven districts on the Indo-Nepal border namely Bahraich, Lakhimpur Khiri, Shravasti, Maharajganj, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur and Pilibhit.

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, of the 167 travellers quarantined since January upon landing at the Mumbai airport, only nine are currently admitted to isolation wards. The state has not reported any confirmed case of virus infection.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked people not to panic over the coronavirus situation in the state, adding the next eight days are crucial and people need to remain cautious.

The CM said he is reviewing the situation on a daily basis since the last one month. Testing facilities have been put in place in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune, he said.

The state has further instructed authorities to provide masks and required clothing to cleaning staff of international flights when they land in different airports of the state.

Hotel managements have also been instructed to check if foreign tourists coming to their hotels have undergone thermal screening, said the chief minister.

Bihar

Bihar houses Bodh Gaya Being, which is being the place where Buddha had attained enlightenment, attracts Buddhist pilgrims from far and wide including the Far East where adherents of the faith live in large numbers and which is among the regions worst- affected by Covid-19 disease.

Similarly, the Nepal border is also a route that travellers from adjoining countries like China are known to take for entering Bihar.

Considering all these factors, the Bihar government is taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and called upon the people to be aware while avoiding panic.

Goa

A British national was quarantined for suspected coronavirus infection in Goa on March 5.

To date, six suspected coronavirus patients were quarantined at ward 113 of the state-run GMCH. "Four of them tested negative and were discharged. Reports of other two are awaited," said the dean of the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Dr Shivanand Bandekar.

Meanwhile, to fight against the deadly virus, the Goa government has set up ten-bed isolation ward each at three facilities to deal with suspected cases of the novel coronavirus, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said, adding that the state is following the guidelines on coronavirus issued by the World Health Organisation.

Besides these states, other states are also taking steps on their level to prevent the spread of the virus. For instance, the Arunachal Pradesh government has set up a control room and also activated rapid response teams amid the coronavirus scare. Also, isolation wards have been set up in Srinagar.

Myths on coronavirus

While the central and state government are taking efforts to prevent the virus, it is important for the public to not decide whether they are infected through the information available online, but go for tests in specialised labs that are certified to do so.

Also, they are advised to not believe in myths related to the disease.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said it is important for people to access authentic and credible sources of information regarding the disease.

One of such myths is that the virus spreads in low temperature. However, Indian Council of Medical Research director-general Balram Bhargava has said the change in weather will not have any impact on the spread of novel coronavirus. There is no relation between the decline in temperature and the spread of the virus, he has said, adding that the virus does not spread through the air but human contact.

There are several other myths which are doing the rounds, like taking a hot bath prevents the virus, it can be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or through mosquito bites, ultraviolet disinfection lamp or hand dryers are effective in killing the virus, spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the virus, pets at home spread the virus, vaccines against pneumonia protect against the virus, eating garlic help prevent infection, and more. However, they are NOT TRUE! The World Health Organisation (WHO) has clearly said that these are just myths and has no effect in preventing infection from the novel coronavirus.

Politics

Just like the myths, political slugfest over coronavirus is also buzzing.

Amid the assurance given by the government that it is taking all the steps to check the spread, Opposition has slammed the action taken.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi likened the assurance by the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan that the government has the coronavirus crisis under control to the Titanic captain telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable.



The Health Minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control, is like the Capt of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable. It's time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 5, 2020

Gandhi has been raising concerns over the coronavirus infection since long. In a February 12 tweet, he had said coronavirus is an extremely serious threat to "our people and our economy".

"My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously. Timely action is critical," he had said.

Meanwhile, another furore arose after a Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP, Hanuman Beniwal, gave the Lok Sabha some explosive coronavirus advice on March 5, as he asked to test Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The remark did not go well with the Congress members, who stormed the Well of Lok Sabha strongly protesting and shouting slogans, tearing papers and throwing some on the table of the Speaker.

The Congress further said Beniwal made the remark at the behest of PM Modi.

Meanwhile, as the virus has marked its presence in India, what are the challenges that India face? Take a look:

Population

India has the second-largest population in the world, next to China, which is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus. As per latest reports, China currently has 80,409 cases, of which 3,012 are fatal. The country has seen 139 new infections and 31 deaths between March 4 and March 5.

In the wake of the 31 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection in India, the government is taking all possible measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. But given the size of Indias population, this task is gigantic. Faced with this new reality, the authorities will have to be on their toes, with active public participation holding the key.

Myth busters and awareness programmes

There are several myths surrounding the virus, as mentioned in this article, which need to be busted so that it doesnt cause panic.

Although the ministers of the Centre and state governments are appealing to people regarding the same, more needs to be done.

For instance, the way the government of India is planning to launch an awareness programme about Census 2021 and update of National Population Register (NPR), the same could be done in case of coronavirus.

In the programme, the government should aware people about the personal hygiene to be taken care of to prevent the virus, symptoms of the viral infection and educate them to reach to the nearest medical facility in case they see any said symptoms for early detection of the infection.

Cleanliness at government facilities

The reports about the poor level of cleanliness at government health facilities have been widely reported at times. As the most important prevention of the deadly flu is cleanliness, it is important for the Union and state health ministries to make sure the isolation wards and quarantined facilities maintain hygiene.

Impact on Indian economy

The coronavirus may not impact India directly as much, but the Indian economy, which is just about showing some signs of recovery, may not escape unscathed, Abhishek Goenka, Founder and CEO of IFA Global stated in an article.

Trade deficit prints may be lower for the next couple of months, thus the country may see the price of consumer durables inch higher. This would drive core inflation higher, which is showing signs of bottoming out, he said.
Newark will increase the size of its Emergency Services Unit, which includes SWAT, following the December deaths of four people in a bias shooting in Jersey City, one a police officer, Newark officials said.

Additional personnel will be added to the unit, and it will respond to all violent incidents in the city, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said in a statement Thursday.

The SWAT unit was previously used during hostage situations or other major violent emergencies, Ambrose said. The increase in SWATs presence will add another dimension of assurance to the public that we are remaining very vigilant.'

"The recent uptick in active shooter incidents poses a credible threat to our residents, visitors, corporations and businesses, houses of worship, and to our school children and college students, Ambrose said. "Due to an increase in shootings nationwide, its imperative that we increase our security measures to preserve lives.

Three civilians and a Jersey City police Detective Joseph Seals were killed in the Dec. 10 attack that ended in a Kosher deli in Jersey Citys Greenville neighborhood. The attackers, David Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50, were killed by law enforcement following several exchanges of gunfire.

Anderson and Graham were killed before they could detonate an explosive device police found in their van, which had the ability to kill or injure people within a 500-foot radius, officials said.

Officials said the shooting stemmed from a hatred of Jewish people and law enforcement, and has been characterized as a bias crime.

Newark SWAT officers train at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in this 2016 file photo.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Sheriff's deputies have responded to a disturbance at a California Costco that ran out of key items, as the franchise reveals sales are up 12.4% with anxious shoppers stocking up amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Deputies responded to the Chino Hills Costco Thursday morning after receiving a report of a disturbance, a San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman told DailyMaill.com.

On the scene, deputies learned that 'a large group of customers were upset' that items such as toilet paper, paper towels, and bottled water were out of stock, said Public Information Officer Cindy Bachman.

Stores across the country are grappling to keep up with increased demand, with long lines forming at registers on Thursday. On Friday morning, stocks were replenished in several stores, but items were beginning to be rationed.

One Miami Costco enforced a rule that customers could only purchase five packs of toilet paper and five packs of bottled water. Meanwhile, cleaning wipes were limited to two packs per customer.

Shoppers in all 50 states fear they could be quarantined due to the coronavirus, prompting them to load up on essential items - and boost Costco profits in the process.

On Thursday it was reported that Costco sales for the month of February are up a whopping 12.4% on last year.

'Members are turning to us for a variety of items associated with preparing for and dealing with a virus,' Costco CFO Richard Galanti told analysts Thursday, according to KTLA-TV.

The profits are expected to push over into March, with an analyst from investment bank UBS stating: 'As consumers prioritize a dwindling number of trips to stores, [Costco] will likely be at the top of the list. Over the long-term, we think the stock-ups will help accelerate [Costcos] share gains.'

Customers at a Costco in Los Feliz, California were anxious to stock up on supplies Thursday before they ran out. Bottled water, toilet paper and alcohol wipes were top of the list for many

Panicked Californians continued to stock up on supplies Thursday, amid the growing coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: A customer inside a Los Feliz Costco loading up on bottled water, paper cups and toilet paper

Anxious customers at a Los Feliz Costco were taking no precautions Wednesday, loaded up on bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels

Two women waited in line to check out their groceries at a Costco in Los Feliz. Like all the others in line, their cart was full of bottled water and toilet paper

Lines for the cashier stretched back deep inside the store at a Los Feliz Costco Thursday, after California declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak

Relieved that they had secured items in scare supply, customers waited patiently in line to pay for the items and take them home at a Los Feliz Costco

Canned foods, such as Spam, were a popular choice for shoppers at the Los Feliz Costco. In just hours, the store's stocks were low

California

While cops were called to The Chino Hills store for a disturbance, other Costco customers in California were keeping calm as they waited in line to pay for their supplies.

Lines for the cashier snaked back deep into a Costco outlet in Los Feliz, with carts full of bottled water, toilet paper and paper towles.

Many customers wore face masks in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus - a day after California declared a state of emergency after a resident died in relation to the illness.

As of Friday morning, 66 Californians had tested positive to COVID-19.

One shopper was taking no precaution, wearing a face mask as he paid for items at the cash register

Sales for the month of February up 12.4% on last year at Costco stores, and the boost is likely to push through into March

One shopper pushed a pallet full of supplies out of a store in Novato, California

Shoppers are pictured at a Costco in Novato, near San Francisco. The northern part of California has been hard hit by the coronavirus

One lady struggled to keep her items contained in her cart as she left a Novato Costco and headed to her car

Californians flood a Costco Wholesale store in Los Feliz, California on Thursday. Deputies were called to another California Costco to respond to a disturbance by customers who were upset that water and toilet paper were sold out

New York State

With more diagnoses confirmed in New York Thursday, shoppers flooded a Costco in Brooklyn.

The store warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday. Amazon is also warning same-day grocery customers that delivery may be limited.

22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of 'community spread' occurring on Long Island.

The new cause panicked shoppers to run on stores across Suffolk County, where Walmart and Target were depleted of cold medication and disinfecting wipes.

Employees at a CVS store in Manhattan put up a sign for customers, who have been constantly asking about the whereabouts of masks and sanitizer

Empty shelves of cleaning supplies at a CVS store in Manhattan are pictured on Friday morning

It wasn't just CVS that was short of stock in Manhattan. A nearby Duane Reade had also run out of popular cleaning products

At bustling Penn Station- one of Manhattan's largest commuter hubs - a well-protected employee helped a resident with directions. Many locals are on the way to load up on supplies as the number of coroanvirus cases skyrockets across the country

In the heart of Manhattan, residents were taking precautions as they took the subway to the store to stock up on supplies Friday morning

A commuter donned a protective mask as he made his way through the 14th Street subway station in Manhattan Friday morning. Many residents are forced to take the subway to visit stores and load up on supplies

Panic buying continues at the Brooklyn Costco (above) where the store has put up signs limiting the amount of high turn over items that customers have been buying in bulk

Customers crowd into the Brooklyn Costco where the store has put up signs limiting the amount water per person Thursday

A pallet of disinfecting wipes was being depleted inside a Brooklyn Costco Thursday

A sign that says 'DUE TO CURRENT SUPPLY ISSUES EACH WATER ITEM WILL HAVE A LIMIT OF 5' is posted on the shelves of cases of bottled water as shoppers load their shopping carts with water and other supplies in Teterboro, New Jersey

Brooklyn Costco warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday

Despite rations for bottled water, several pallets were empty at the Brooklyn Costco Thursday

A mask-wearing shopper inside Brooklyn Costco battled against the crowds as she tried to fill up her cart

After a man tested positive for coronavirus on Long Island, shoppers descended on stores across Suffolk Count. In Target, shelves that used to house toilet paper, were empty

Empty shelves at a Target in Suffolk County, Long Island, that used to house disinfectant wipes

Only a few boxes of latex gloves remained at a Walmart in Suffolk County late Thursday

22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of 'community spread' occurring on Long Island

Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

In neighboring Connecticut, a Costco in Norwalk was bustling Thursday, despite the state having no residents test positive to coronavirus.

He purchased Red Bull, Gatroade, zip lock bags and tinned tomatoes, appearing to anticipate the fact he may soon be quarantined in his home and unable to make it to the local grocer.

Meanwhile, shoppers in New Jersey made a dash to Costco, after a resident tested positive to COVID-19 in their state.

As in New York, popular items were rationed in a bid to ensure there was enough for each customer.

Elsewhere in the Northeast, a Costco store at King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania was low on supplies, after customers raided the shelves.

One Costco shopper in Norwalk, Connecticut looked ready to bunker down,with Gatorade, Red Bull and large tubs of peanut butter

Women's sanitary items have also been flying off the shelves, with shoppers fearing they'll be quarantined inside their homes and unable to make it to the local grocery store due to the threat of coronavirus

An elderly customer tired to protect himself with a face mask, as he prepared to head into the Norwalk Costco and fill up his cart with essentials

Despite putting limits on the number of items customers were able to buy, Norwalk Costco was running out of bottled water

Customers shopping at Costco in Norwalk, Connecticut. Supplies were running low as everyone was stocking up up water and kitchen towels as they had run out of toilet rolls

Empty shelves are pictured in the Norwalk Costco. The store had run out of toilet paper

The line for the cashier at Norwalk Costco is pictured. It was a familiar scene at grocery stores across the country Thursday

At a Costco at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ashopper walks past a sign above bags of sugar limiting purchase of 5 units per day

Despite the rations, the shelves were stripped of stock in Pennsylvania. The Costco at King of Prussia Mall is pictured

A woman examines the meager supplies at a Target in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania on Thursday

Stocks were still low at a Walmart in Exton, Pennsylvania on Friday morning. Campbell's stocks are up as many people snap up canned soup

A woman lifts a one of the remaining cases of water into her cart at a Walmart store in Prussia on Friday

In New Jersey shopper stockpiled bottled water on Thursday as the death toll from coronavirus hits 11 in the US

Miami and Georgia

While the northwest may be the part of the country currently hardest hit by the coronavirus, state's in the southeast have also been affected.

With four cases confirmed in Florida, and two in Georgia, shoppers in those states were not taking any chances.

Video showed long lines at a Costco in Miami, where one worker confirmed to the DailyMail.com they only get two palates a day of Clorox Disinfecting wipes per store.

Meanwhile, residents in Georgia were seen loading up their pick-ups with toilet paper and bottled water.

Sales of hand sanitizers alone were up 73 percent in the four weeks ending February 22 compared to the same period a year ago, according to market research firm Nielsen.

Most if not all pharmacies and supermarkets have been out of face masks for more than a month, with little hope of restocking anytime soon as the US faces a shortage.

Supplies were replenished Friday morning at a Costco in Miami, but rations were in place

Early morning shoppers got ahead of the crowds at Costco in Miami, which had replenished their stocks overnight

Disinfectant wipes were limited to two per customer Friday morning at this Miami Costco

Costco was limiting toilet paper and water packs to five per customer in an effort to keep items in supply

Going, going, gone! A Costco employee unloads boxes of Clorox wipes for waiting customers

Coronavirus panic buying in Costco store in Miami on Thursday. Shoppers lined up to stock up on essential supplies

Despite their panic, customers kept their calm and formed orderly lines at a Costco in Miami

A shopper at Sam's Club wholesale in Georgia stocks up on key supplies on Thursday

Jim Benton, 72, of Marietta, GA loads his pickup with a load of bath tissue and paper towels at a Sam's Club wholesale store. 'I couldn't get alcohol wipes or face masks, but I'll keep looking. This virus thing might keep us housebound for a while,' he said

Empty shelves where isopropyl alcohol are normally kept at Marietta, GA Walmart. As hand-sanitizer supplies vanished in recent days, people are making their own sanitizing liquid with alcohol and Aloe vera juice, a pharmacist explained

A shopper at a Costco in Kennesaw, GA loads up supplies at fears of virus increase
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 10:01:20|Editor: yhy

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CANBERRA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian National University (ANU) has planned financial assistance for the international students impacted by the ongoing novel coronavirus travel ban by the Australian government.

ANU has estimated that 4,000 of its 5,000 Chinese students had not been able to enter Australia in time for the start of the beginning of semester as a result of Australia's travel ban that began on Feb. 1.

Under the ANU Travel Restrictions Relief Bursary announced on Thursday night, each student who could not arrive in time for the first semester of 2020 but who remains enrolled for semester two will be eligible for up to 5,000 Australian dollars (3,308 U.S. dollars) in compensation.

"This bursary is to assist you with costs reasonably incurred due to the travel restrictions, including self-isolation, travel, accommodation and other related expenses," deputy Vice-Chancellor Grady Venville wrote in an email to Chinese students.

"We will assess each grant application on a case-by-case basis and will continue to show the same generosity and flexibility that we have applied to all students affected by the travel restrictions."

"We are thinking of you all and can't wait to welcome you back to our campus. We are one community. We are one ANU. And together we will help each other work through these exceptionally tough times and circumstances."
Nearly 300 million students worldwide missing class due to coronavirus outbreak: UNESCO

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 3:02 PM

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says the new coronavirus outbreak has deprived nearly 300 million students of their schooling, as the highly-contagious disease has so far infected more than 95,000 people worldwide.

The UN agency said on Thursday that these students were told to stay at home as authorities closed schools in over a dozen countries in an attempt to combat the spread of the disease, known as COVID-19, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

"The global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled and, if prolonged, could threaten the right to education," said Audrey Azoulay, director-general of Paris-based UNESCO.

More than 95,000 cases have been confirmed in some 80 nations and the number of deaths from the virus has exceeded 3,200 globally, although most of them remain confined to China, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a sign of how fast the new coronavirus has spread, China was two weeks ago the sole country where school closures were mandated.

UNESCO said nine other countries have also implemented localized school closures, warning that an additional 180 million students would temporarily miss their classes if these countries also ordered nationwide closures.

Coronavirus damage to airlines could top $100 billion

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned on Thursday that coronavirus epidemic could rob passenger airlines of up to $113 billion in revenue this year, more than three times a projection it made just two weeks ago as the virus continues to spread around the world.

The warning came as British regional carrier Flybe became the first big casualty of the slump in travel demand due to the crisis.

Norwegian Air also scrapped its profit forecast for 2020, while US budget carrier Southwest predicted a $200-300 million hit to its first-quarter operating revenues.

"There are lots of airlines that have got relatively narrow profit margins and lots of debt, and a cash flow shock like this could certainly send some into a very difficult situation," IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce told a media event in Singapore.

Airlines across the globe are rushing to cut flights and costs, and warning of a hit to earnings, as a new virus that started in China spreads, raising fears of a pandemic that could plunge the global economy into recession.

IATA projected the hit to passenger airlines in lost revenue from the crisis could be anywhere between $63 billion and $113 billion this year, depending on the virus's progression. On February 20, it had forecast a hit of $29 billion.

The latest estimates equate to a drop of between 11 percent and 19 percent compared with its 2020 industry revenue forecast in December.

Infections may drop to zero by end-March in Wuhan: Expert

Zhang Boli, an expert with China's top panel on battling the illness, said on Thursday that Wuhan, the epicenter of China's coronavirus epidemic, would likely see new infections drop to zero by the end of this month.

He estimated that other cities in Hubei, whose provincial capital Wuhan was the birthplace of the new coronavirus, would hit such a target by mid-March, based on data on how the outbreak has evolved, but did not give details.

China had 139 new confirmed cases as of Wednesday, the National Health Commission (NHC) said, bringing the total accumulated number of cases to 80,409. Authorities reported 119 new cases the previous day and 125 the day before that.

New infections in Wuhan climbed to 131 from 114 a day earlier.

Chinese authorities have also turned their attention to stopping the virus being brought in from new coronavirus hot spots abroad.

South Korea declares new 'special care zone' as coronavirus spreads

Additionally on Thursday, South Korea declared a "special care zone" around a second city hit hard by the coronavirus and the US military confirmed two new cases among relatives of its troops in the country, which is battling the biggest outbreak outside China.

The government declared a "special care zone" around Gyeongsan, a city of about 275,000 people 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, promising extra resources such as face masks.

Gyeongsan has seen a spike in cases in recent days, many of them linked to a fringe Christian group at the center of South Korea's outbreak. Similar zones have been declared around neighboring Daegu city and Cheongdo County.

About 75 percent of all cases in South Korea are in and around Daegu, its fourth-largest city, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

"Every day is sad and tough like a war. But our Daegu citizens are showing surprise wisdom and courage," Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin told reporters on Thursday.

About 2,120 patients were waiting for hospital beds in Daegu, city officials said. Dozens of newly commissioned military nurses were due to begin work in the city on Thursday, the health ministry said.

The KCDC reported five more deaths from the virus, bringing the total to 37. The flu-like virus that emerged from China late last year has infected more than 95,300 people and killed almost 3,300 around the world, mostly in China, according to a Reuters tally.

South Korea also said it was banning the export of face masks, stepping up their production and would ration them to limit individual purchases to two a week, in a bid to ease shortages and curb hoarding.

People have flocked to supermarkets, pharmacies and online distributors to buy masks and other supplies, with hundreds lining up at some stores every morning.

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N.J. State Troopers Pull Man Out of a Burning Truck Moments Before It Explodes in Dramatic Video

Two New Jersey state troopers are being hailed as heroes for saving a man from a fiery wreckage.

On Monday, Lt. Edward Ryer and Trooper Robert Tarleton rescued a truck driver from a burning tractor-trailer moments before it exploded  and their valiant act was captured on video.

As seen in footage captured on Tarletons body camera, the state trooper was making a routine traffic stop on Interstate 287 in Bridgewater Township when a semi truck nearby slammed into a guardrail and caught on fire with its driver still inside.

In the video, Tarleton immediately jumps into action, hopping into his car to request for fire and emergency responders before speeding toward the burning truck.

RELATED: Dashcam Footage Captures Moment Calif. Police Officer Saves Man from Burning Car After Crash

After Tarleton gets out of the car and runs over to the wreck, Ryer  who happened to be driving on the same interstate when he witnessed the crash  is already by the semi attempting to pull a man out from the blazing vehicle.

Go! Go! Tarleton can be heard saying in the video. You gotta go! We gotta go!

In the dramatic footage, Ryer and Tarleton both grab the driver by the arm and drag him to safety. A large explosion can be heard off-camera seconds later.

Are you alright? Tarleton asks the driver, before advising the group that they should retreat further away from the truck as the vehicle continues to be engulfed in flames.

New Jersey State Police Edward Ryer and truck driver

RELATED: Florida Man Rescues Unconscious Woman from Sinking Car in Canal: I Jumped in as Quickly as Possible

The New Jersey State Troopers have since praised Tarleton and Ryer for their quick thinking heroic action, writing on their Facebook account on Tuesday, Yesterday, Lieutenant Edward Ryer and Trooper Robert Tarleton pulled a man out of a burning tractor-trailer on Interstate 287 in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County just seconds before it exploded.

They continued, Their quick and decisive actions are a credit to the Division and exemplify our core values of Honor, Duty, Fidelity.

Story continues

While authorities did not name the driver in their statement, WPVI identified the man as Ron Hickman, a 63-year-old husband, father and grandfather from Ohio.

He told me he felt real dizzy, lightheaded. He remembers putting the blinker on to get onto the side of the road and the next thing he remembers is waking up on the side of the street, Hickmans daughter, Tabitha Finnegan, told the local news outlet. My dad was extremely lucky.

Following the crash, Hickman was transported Morristown Medical Center where doctors determined he had only suffered minor injuries, according to NBC10.

Thank you for being the heroes you are, Hickemans family wrote in a statement to the troopers, per the outlet. Our family still has a husband, a father and papa because of you.
She left the car and saw a crowd of people and police officers descend on the scene. Onlookers began snapping photos of the assailants body parts strewn across the road, she said. She reported seeing two police officers who looked to be gravely wounded lying on the ground, and ambulances soon arrived to carry them to a hospital. One of them died.
The Supreme Court Friday stayed the Karnataka High Court order granting bail to 21 PFI members accused of indulging in violence at Mangaluru on December 19 during anti-CAA protests.

The High Court had, on February 17, granted bail to the accused on the pleas filed by Mohammed Ashik and 20 others hailing from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant issued notice to the accused after taking note of the appeal filed by Karnataka government against the grant of bail by the high court.

"Issue notice. In the meantime, there shall be an ad-interim stay of operation of the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court if the respondents-accused are still in custody," the bench ordered.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, assailed the high court order saying that as many as 56 policemen got injured during the violent protests.

"The rioters attacked the police station and set that ablaze," the law officer said, adding that two persons died during that violent protests.

The High Court, while granting bail, had said that the records produced indicate that the "identity of the accused involved in the alleged incident appear to have been fixed on the basis of their affiliation to Popular Front of India (PFI) and they being members of the Muslim community".

Two persons received bullet injuries in police firing and they later succumbed at a hospital on December 19 last year as protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent in Mangaluru.

Police had lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge and fired in the air to disperse anti-CAA protesters in Mangaluru, as thousands of demonstrators had hit the streets in many cities and towns across Karnataka on December 19 last year defying prohibitory orders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) may be all in for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the 2020 Democratic primary, but on Thursday the congresswoman committed to supporting whoever wins the partys nomination.

Ive said throughout this entire process that what is so important is that we ultimately unite behind who that Democratic nominee is, Ocasio-Cortez told Late Night host Seth Meyers.

The results of the Super Tuesday primaries effectively mean the race is now between Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.

And I think its a two-way street, Ocasio-Cortez said. Ive been concerned by some folks that say if Bernies the nominee, they wont support him, and the other way around.

This is more important than all of us, she added. We really need to make sure that we defeat Donald Trump at the polls, assuming, and knowing, how insane its going to get between now and then.

Ocasio-Cortez formally endorsed Sanders, who she has previously credited with inspiring her for getting into politics, in October.

We deserve a president who understands that the corporate assault on our lives existed before Trump and it will exist after Trump, she said at the time.

Sanders, meanwhile, pledged at a rally in Arizona on Thursday that hed support Biden if he became the nominee.

Joe Biden is a decent guy, and I know if he wins the nomination, I will be there for him, he said. And if I win, he will be there for me.

Check out the interview above.

Continue reading on HuffPost
By PTI

New Delhi, Mar 6 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said it was unfair and unfortunate that a section of the media "ignored" an important debate in Rajya Sabha on the spread of coronavirus.

Naidu, who is the Chairman of the Upper House of Parliament, made his observation on the matter before taking up regular business of the House.

"I have to make an observation. The other day the Minister for Health had made a detailed statement about the steps that are being taken, were taken or will be taken with regard to the spread of coronavirus. Members also gave their valuable suggestions.

"But unfortunately sections of the media, they did not focus on the important issue and they were showing more interest in making other things as their headlines ignoring this," he said.

Naidu said picking headlines is the media's prerogative and "we can't help it. But ignoring such a vital, important aspect concerning the people of the country that is not fair".

Coronavirus LIVE UPDATES | Confirmed cases in India reach 31; vessel from China anchored off Vizag coast

He expressed hope that the media will take care in future while reporting such important issues.

Rajya Sabha was later adjourned for the day due to protests by Opposition members over the riots in Delhi.

Making a statement on the situation after new cases of coronavirus surfaced, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said in Rajya Sabha that India was in touch with Iran on possible evacuation of Indian pilgrims and students stuck in that country.

"The government is taking all necessary measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in India," Vardhan said.

The government has carried out two evacuation missions, bringing back a total of 767 from China.

All of them have been kept in quarantine and have so far tested negative for the virus, he had said.

A man from Delhi with a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia has tested positive for COVID19, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India to 31, health ministry officials said on Friday.

Sixteen members of a tourist group from Italy and their Indian guide were among those infected with the virus.
BOISE, Idaho, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Albertsons Companies, Inc. announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering consisting of common stock to be sold by certain of its stockholders and the issuance by the company of Series A mandatory convertible preferred stock.

The amount of securities offered will be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. The number of shares of stock to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the proposed common stock offering. Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Securities, Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities are acting as book-running managers for the proposed common stock offering. BMO Capital Markets, Evercore ISI, Guggenheim Securities, Oppenheimer & Co., RBC Capital Markets, Telsey Advisory Group, MUFG, Academy Securities and Blaylock Van, LLC are acting as co-managers for the proposed common stock offering.

BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the proposed preferred stock offering. Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Securities, Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities are acting as book-running managers for the proposed preferred stock offering. BMO Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets and MUFG are acting as co-managers for the proposed preferred stock offering.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from: BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attn: Prospectus Department, Email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Prospectus Department, Telephone 866-471-2526, Facsimile: 212-902-9316, Email: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Telephone 866-803-9204, Email: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Telephone 800-831-9146.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc. is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. Albertsons Cos. operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaws, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.

Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements regarding the Companys expectations, perspectives and projected financial performance, are forward looking statements. The words expect, believe, estimate, intend, plan and similar expressions, when related to the Company and its subsidiaries, indicate forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on the Companys current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding our current expectations and beliefs as to our ability to consummate the initial public offering, the intended use of proceeds thereof, other pending transactions, and other future events. The Company cautions that actual results could differ materially from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements. The Company also cautions that undue reliance should not be placed on any of the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no responsibility to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect actual outcomes. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's filings with Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the most recently filed Forms 10-Q and 10-K and the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, including the preliminary prospectus, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2020.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.  President Donald Trump on Friday toured a neighborhood reduced to rubble by a tornado earlier this week and marveled at the tremendous heart he witnessed. He also offered a message for survivors and those who lost family members: We love them, theyre special people, he said.

Trump assumed the role of national consoler as he traveled to Tennessee. Trump surveyed devastated communities in Putnam County, where a tornado tore a 2-mile-long path, killing 18 people, including five children under 13. Many more people were injured, some critically.

Statewide, the death toll stood at 24 from a pair of storms.

Trump was met upon his arrival by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and other top officials.

Its been a painful, tragic week for our state, Lee said after surveying with Trump a street where eight people were killed.

The street was filled with debris where houses once stood. Limbs were crudely snapped from trees. A white laundry basket, chairs from a dining table, cinder blocks and a step ladder dotted the landscape.

Trump then met with survivors and volunteers at a local church filled with boxes of emergency supplies, pallets of water and tables filled with clothes.

When you have those who lost somebody, thats a very tough situation, Trump said during the nearly 40-minute stop. We are with you all the way.

He posed for pictures and shook hands with people before speaking to emergency personnel. Nobodys seen what you had to go through, Trump said.

Such trips have become familiar for the president, who has visited numerous scenes of disaster and tragedy after hurricanes, mass shootings and wildfires during the past three years.

The Republican president won the heavily GOP state by 26 percentage points in the 2016 election, and trounced Democrat Hillary Clinton in Putnam County by a margin of more than 2-to-1. Davidson County, the other Tennessee region devastated by tornadoes, is a Democratic enclave in the reliably Republican red state.

Trump will also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, which is leading efforts to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. He will end the day at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, attending a pair of fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party and his reelection campaign.



Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann and Kevin Freking contributed to this report from Washington.



Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap
MENLO PARK, Calif., March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PACB), a leading provider of high-quality sequencing of genomes, transcriptomes and epigenomes, today announced that industry veteran Christian Henry has been appointed to serve as Chairman of its Board of Directors.



As part of its annual review of the leadership structure of Pacific Biosciences, the Board of Directors decided to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions in alignment with best practices.

Mr. Henry will become Chairman of the Board, effective immediately and Dr. Michael Hunkapiller will continue to serve as President and Chief Executive of the Company, as well as an active member of the board.

Previously, Dr. Michael Hunkapiller held the combined roles of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Biosciences, and William Ericson, founding partner at Wildcat Venture Partners, held the role of Lead Independent Director of Pacific Biosciences. With the appointment of Christian Henry as the independent Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ericson will step down as Lead Independent Director, and will also continue to serve as a member of the companys board.

Henry, who has over 20 years of leadership experience and was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Illumina, joined the board in July 2018 and has served on its Compensation Committee since June 2019.

Christians deep domain expertise has been a valuable addition to our Board, stated Dr. Hunkapiller. Having an independent board chair is considered a corporate governance best practice, and Christians experience at Illumina will serve him well in that role.

I am pleased and honored to take on the role of Chairman, said Mr. Henry. I joined the Board because of my enthusiasm for PacBios truly unique SMRT Sequencing technology and commercial potential. I look forward to continuing to work with the companys board and management team to drive even greater adoption of PacBios products in the global sequencing market.

Story continues

About Pacific Biosciences

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PACB) offers sequencing systems to help scientists resolve genetically complex problems. Based on its novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology, Pacific Biosciences products enable: de novo genome assembly to finish genomes in order to more fully identify, annotate and decipher genomic structures; full-length transcript analysis to improve annotations in reference genomes, characterize alternatively spliced isoforms in important gene families, and find novel genes; targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic variations; and real-time kinetic information for epigenome characterization. Pacific Biosciences technology provides high accuracy, ultra-long reads, uniform coverage, and the ability to simultaneously detect epigenetic changes. PacBio sequencing systems, including consumables and software, provide a simple, fast, end-to-end workflow for SMRT Sequencing. More information is available at www.pacb.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to commercialization or market adoption, availability, uses, accuracy, quality or performance of, or benefits of using, products or technologies, the suitability or utility of methods, products or technologies for particular applications or projects, and other future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Pacific Biosciences control and could cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in this press release. Factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in Pacific Biosciences most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Pacific Biosciences most recent reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q, and include those listed under the caption Risk Factors. Pacific Biosciences undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this press release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Contacts

Media:

Nicole Litchfield

415.793.6468

nicole@bioscribe.com

Investors:

Trevin Rard

650.521.8450

ir@pacificbiosciences.com
In his post about Bernie Sanderss pro-Cuba sentiments, John concluded:

Sanders is either an evil man, or a profoundly stupid one. No wonder the Democratic Party establishment wants to go with Joe Biden, who is undeniably stupid, but, at least arguably, not evil.

I dont consider Biden evil, but hes a nasty piece of work. I have heard this not just from conservatives, but also from some on the left who stood in his way on particular matters.

Kevin Williamson presents his indictment in an article called Joe Biden: Not a Socialist, Just a Scoundrel. Williamson writes:

[Biden] is a vicious self-serving political hack, for one thing, one whose ambition leads him from time to time into shocking indecency. You may have heard that Biden lost his wife and daughter in a horrifying drunk-driving wreck, the fault of a monster of a man who irresponsibly drank his lunch, as Biden puts it. Never happened. Bidens wife and daughter did, in fact, die in a car wreck. That is true. It is not true that the driver of the other car was drunk, that he had been drinking, or that there was any reason to believe he was drunk or had been drinking  or even that he was at fault. The late Mrs. Biden drove into the path of [the] tractor-trailer, the police report says. But Biden, like every other third-rate ward-heeler of his ilk, thinks and speaks only in terms of good guys and bad guys, white hats and black hats  and if something bad happens to good people, then it must be because somebody in a black hat did something nefarious. The driver of that truck went to his grave haunted by Bidens lies, to the point where his children were forced to beg the vice president to stop defaming their late father. The casual cruelty with which Biden is willing to subordinate the lives of ordinary people to his political ambitions  for the sake of a petty tear-jerker line in one of his occasionally plagiarized stump speeches  is remarkable.

(Emphasis added)

Unfortunately, its also in character:

A man who can lightly misrepresent the circumstances surrounding the death of his wife and infant daughter is liable to be just as cavalier when it comes to, say, slavery, telling a largely black audience that Mitt Romney  Mitt Romney!  wants to put yall back in chains. (Oh, that yall!) Cynical doesnt begin to cover it. One of the worst features of our political life is the ugly and dishonest fights we have over Supreme Court nominations  a habit that can be laid squarely at the feet of Joe Biden, who along with Ted Kennedy, that pillar of human decency, organized one of the worst smear campaigns in modern American political history against Robert Bork, whose great crime against humanity was taking the extremist position that the Constitution actually says what it says rather than what anybody with power wishes it would say at any given moment. . . . Dont like the way Merrick Garland was treated? Mitch McConnell didnt start that game  he is just better at it than his contemporary Democratic colleagues are. For lying partisan viciousness in the modern mode, Joe Biden is your man.

(Emphasis added)
The police chief who led Scotland Yard's bungled VIP child sex abuse inquiry failed to investigate two lying conspiracy theorists to save his force from embarrassment, it was claimed last night.

The pair made false statements backing claims by fantasist 'Nick', real name Carl Beech, about a murderous Westminster paedophile ring that the Met had described as 'credible and true'.

Their testimony in 2015 prolonged Operation Midland and the agony of those falsely accused by Beech for months.

Ex-Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Steve Rodhouse later conceded during an inquiry into Midland that the accusers - known as A and B - had told 'deliberate' lies to his officers.

Pictured: Ex-Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Steve Rodhouse

Judge blasts 'Nick the fantasist' police whitewash: Fury at watchdog who cleared officers of misconduct in sex abuse case Pictured: Sir Richard Henriques, 2000 By Stephen Wright for the Daily Mail The police watchdogs who cleared five 'Nick' scandal detectives are savaged by a former High Court judge. Sir Richard Henriques says 'no effective interrogations' were carried out during the 'flawed' inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Calling on Home Secretary Priti Patel to take action, he expresses alarm at the watchdog's 'lack of knowledge of criminal procedure'. In an article in the Daily Mail, Sir Richard accuses the agency of 'gross and inexcusable delays' in a 'lamentable and inadequate' inquiry. Sir Richard, who spent several months investigating Scotland Yard over Operation Midland before demanding five officers face a misconduct probe, reveals the IOPC waited 20 months before taking a statement from him. Advertisement

Yet no action was taken against the pair, who have appalling criminal records, even after ex-High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques said in his scathing report on the VIP abuse inquiry that an outside force should investigate them for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Rodhouse, who was in charge of Midland, had also previously decided not to investigate paedophile Beech for telling lies. When Operation Midland closed without any arrests or charges in March 2016, the Met said in a statement authorised by the shamed police chief there was no evidence Beech had 'knowingly misled' officers.

This was despite clear indications that Beech had lied about VIP sex abuse and murder, damaging the reputations of former Tory home secretary Leon Brittan, ex-Armed Forces chief Lord Bramall and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor.

In compliance with the wishes of Sir Richard, Beech was referred by the Met to an independent force and is now serving 18 years in prison for perverting the course of justice and other offences.

Yet the Met ignored the retired judge's recommendation that the two other serial liars be investigated over their dishonest statements. Had they been prosecuted, it would have heaped further shame on the Met, which has faced unprecedented criticism over Midland. A senior legal source with knowledge of the Nick scandal said last night: 'I can see no possible justifiable explanation for not referring A and B to an independent force. The Met knew they had attempted to pervert the course of justice and wasted months of police time.

'The cost to the police was considerable - over 20 officers for several months.

'Sir Richard's report was accepted in its entirety by [then] Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe. Who decided to disagree? And on what grounds when a criminal act has been so blatantly committed?'

Pictured: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

Pictured: Steve Rodhouse and Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan gives evidence in front of the Home Affairs Select Committee at the House of Commons, October 2015

Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor (left), Lord Bramall (centre), and late ex-home secretary Lord Brittan (right) who had their homes raided during Operation Midland

Pictured: Harvey Proctor who has called for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to 'consider her position' in the wake of the botched Westminster VIP paedophile ring investigation

118m child sex abuse inquiry finds no evidence of Westminster paedophile network at the heart of government despite Tom Watson's 2012 claims from Nick the Fantasist Pictured: Carl Beech, aka 'Nick', 2019 By Martin Robinson for MailOnline Britain's 118million child abuse inquiry concluded Tom Watson's 'sensational' claims about a VIP paedophile ring operating at the heart of Westminster were completely false. Mr Watson's backing for convicted child abuse fantasist Carl Beech, who was called 'Nick' by police, was 'a significant factor' in setting up the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA). But the inquiry's damning report said there was 'no evidence' to back the former Labour MP's 2012 claims about 'clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to parliament and No 10'. The IICSA report said: 'Despite the inquiry engaging in an extensive evidence-gathering process, we have seen no material indicating the existence of a Westminster "paedophile ring". Similarly, no evidence of any attempts to cover up or suppress information about the existence of such a ring was found at MI5, SIS, GCHQ or in Metropolitan Police Special Branch records.' Advertisement

Mr Proctor, who lost his home and job as a result of Midland and has lodged an official complaint about the Met's handling of A and B, said: 'My solicitors reported Carl Beech for wasting police time and perverting the course of justice by making false allegations against me. Steve Rodhouse refused to record it as a crime, still less investigate.

'Now I find out that Rodhouse did not investigate A and B, two further witnesses against me within Operation Midland which Rodhouse said he knew had lied. We know Beech went on to commit paedophile offences after Midland closed, which Rodhouse could have prevented.

'Rodhouse's failure to investigate Beech and A and B was about protecting his own skin and saving his force from embarrassment.'

Mr Rodhouse also led a disastrous probe into a false rape claim against Lord Brittan and a botched inquiry into Jimmy Savile.

According to reports, the Commons home affairs committee will soon call the officer - now head of operations at the National Crime Agency on 245,000 a year - to answer questions over the Nick scandal.

In his 2016 report, Sir Richard noted that both A and B had significant criminal records and described their evidence as 'worthless'.

He added: 'It is not suggested by any officer in the case that either A or B could possibly be relied upon. Both deliberately lied.'

Scotland Yard declined to say which officer decided to ignore Sir Richard's recommendation that they be investigated.

It said records show evidence of 'a clear rationale for not commencing an investigation but not of the explicit recording of this to the standard required'.

It added a complaint against the Met had therefore 'been recorded and voluntarily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct [and] it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.'

Mr Rodhouse declined to answer questions from the Mail.
According to Ayubi, the armed insurgents attacked a security checkpoint in Bakhmal Kucha area of the restive district early morning, killing four police and wounding two others.

The governor of Imam Sahib district Mahboubullah Sayedi has confirmed the incident without providing details.

The violent incidents had drastically decreased during a seven-day reduction in violence agreed by the Taliban on February 22, followed by the US-Taliban peace deal inked on February 29 to end the war in Afghanistan and pave the way for a withdrawal of the US forces.

However, Taliban militants, according to local media reports resumed fighting shortly after the deal was signed and began clashing with Afghan security forces.

At least 19 Afghan security personnel and several Taliban militants were killed in the northern Kunduz and the neighboring Takhar and Baghlan provinces on March 4.
The National Weather Service said that was an EF-4 tornado, categorized as extreme, with winds between 166 and 200 mph. Local officials have said it was on the ground for about 2 miles (3 kilometers).
"Lack of talent." Unlikable. "Mean." President Donald Trump laced into former Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren on Friday, insisting that sexism wasn't to blame for the end of the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign, even as he used attacks often directed at female politicians.

Speaking to reporters as he signed an emergency $8.3 billion funding package to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak, Trump was asked whether he thought sexism had anything to do with Warren's departure from the Democratic presidential race.

"No, I think lack of talent was her problem. She has a tremendous lack of talent," Trump responded. The president commended her debate performances, saying she "was a good debater" who had "destroyed" the candidacy of former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg "like it was nothing."



"But people don't like her," he went on to say.

"She's a very mean person. ... People don't want that. They like a person like me, that's not mean."



It's the kind of attack often directed at female politicians, including when former President Barack Obama condescendingly called his then-rival Hillary Clinton "likable enough" during the 2008 Democratic primary campaign.

And Trump, of course, has a long history of making less-than-kind comments himself. While he has defended himself as an equal-opportunity insulter, Trump has made particularly harsh comments about women, going after their physical appearances, comparing them to animals and seeming to dwell on their attacks on him.

After moderator Megyn Kelly confronted Trump during the first Republican debate of the 2016 cycle over his comments about women, Trump later said of her: "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."



Warren dropped out of the race Thursday after a disappointing showing in early-state voting, including failing to win a single Super Tuesday state. Trump's campaign had once seen her a potentially formidable challenger, and Trump went after her early, derisively labelling her "Pocahontas" over her claims of Native American heritage.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
File Photo: A security guard stands outside a closed Yes Bank branch in New Delhi

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded troubled private sector lender Yes Bank's board with immediate effect from on March 5.

The central bank has also appointed former State Bank of India (SBI) CFO Prashant Kumar as the bank administrator. For customers especially, this is the second instance where the RBI had to supersede the board (after Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank).

It has also imposed a moratorium on the private lender till April 3, 2020, limiting deposit withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per customer.

In a press release, RBI said the financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits.

The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years, which have led to a steady decline of the bank, it added.

For latest developments on the Yes Bank follow our LIVE Blog

Granted banking licence in 2003-04 along with Kotak Mahindra Bank. Yes Bank was headed by veteran banker Rana Kapoor. Kapoor owned 26 percent stake in the bank while Rabobank held 20 percent stake.

The bank emerged at a time when customers had limited options  state-owned public sector banks and a few old generation private banks. In the next 10 years, Yes Bank rose to be among Indias top five private banks and was viewed favourably by analysts and experts.

Here is a timeline of how the events went down:

August 30, 2018: RBI green lights Rana Kapoor continuing as MD and CEO of Yes Bank.

September 25, 2018: Yes Bank board seeks extension of Kapoors term till April 2019. Says it will form a committee to find a successor.

October 11, 2018: Korn Ferry advisory appointed to search for new CEO.

October 17, 2018: Kapoors term extension denied by RBI. Board is given time till February 2019 to find a successor. Bank responds with a commitment to finish recruitment by mid-December.

November 14, 2018: Board member Ashok Chawla and independent director Vasant Gujarathi resign.

November 27, 2018: Moodys downgrades Yes Bank. Cites resignations and boards concern over corporate governance as reasons.

November 28, 2018: Reports emerge about Kapoors transactions through investment vehicles being under regulator lens. Bank denies involvement management of these vehicles.

March 1, 2019: Ravneet Gill appointed MD and CEO.

April 1, 2019: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) reportedly starts probe over potential insider trading. Rumours of top management revamp under Gill gain steam

July 18, 2019: Kapoor pledges entire stake in the bank.

September 21, 2019: Kapoor sells 2.75 percent stake through the open market, reduces equity to 6.89 percent.

: The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville won the 2019 Contractor of the Year, its fifth in seven years and second straight, at the American Fence Association's FENCETECH/METALfab 2020 in Salt Lake City.

Michael Smith (left) and Derek Smith (right) are the 2nd and 3rd generation owners of RGF

"Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville exemplifies what a professional fence company is supposed to be. RGF places a tremendous value on their employee relationships, steadfast focus on safety, and their attention to detail on every project they install," said Tony Thornton, Executive Director, American Fence Association. "As a professional fence company, RGF raises the standards of excellence by promoting the latest products and technology, and this, in return, is recognized by other companies that elevate their desire to be better as well. The American Fence Association is proud to have Rio Grande Fence Co. as a member, and we appreciate their efforts in supporting our industry in a positive manner."

"Our fifth in seven years and second straight AFA Contractor of the Year Award confirms our unwavering commitment to continuous excellence in all we do," said Derek Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville. "We lead the fence industry in professional installations, client and community relations, and employee-driven safety and satisfaction, and we are constantly improving upon the high standards we already meet."

About Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville

Since 1958, Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville has provided businesses and contractors with perimeter security solutions and peace of mind. In 2019, Rio Grande's employee-driven safety culture led to a perfect record of zero OSHA recordable incidents. All installation, operations, and sales team members carry a minimum OSHA-10 certification. Rio's employees lead weekly, company-wide safety meetings and AFA University-style training meetings that offer 10-minute weekly mini-sessions on industry topics. Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville proudly self-performs all fence installations, repairs, and rentals.

About The American Fence Association

The American Fence Association has been serving the fence, deck, railing, and security industry since 1962. AFA is the largest and most comprehensive resource in the industry for the latest developments, tools, materials, standards, trends, and discounts.

Media Contact:

Mark Dunn

Phone: 615-244-4766

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

afa-contractor-of-the-year-award.jpg

AFA Contractor of the Year Award Winners - Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville

Michael Smith (left) and Derek Smith (right) are the 2nd and 3rd generation owners of RGF

Related Links

RGF YouTube Channel

RGF Website

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQBgTkBDtY8

SOURCE Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville

Related Links

https://www.rgfence.com


Opening first center in West Bloomington with up to nine additional centers planned

West Bloomington, Minn., March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Bloomington, Minn. (March 5, 2020)As the need for autism services continues to rise, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers is expanding into Minnesota to bring higher quality care and more convenient options to the states families. Backed by more than a decade of experience, Hopebridge will open its first location at 6300 W Old Shakopee Road, Suite 102 in West Bloomington, with approximately 10 locations planned throughout Minnesota over the next 12 to 18 months.

Hopebridges Minnesota centers will ultimately create more than 550 new jobs to ensure every child receives one-on-one, intensive therapy. The coordinated, complementary teams will consist of top Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA), registered behavior technicians (RBT), clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and other industry professionals.

Ensuring children with autism have the best chance at the life they deserve is the driving force behind everything we do. said Hopebridge CEO Dennis May. By combining the proven, effective treatment of ABA therapy with other life-changing services under one roof, we have created hope for thousands of kids and are thrilled to make it accessible for so many more Minnesota families.

Market research shows more than 75 percent of Minnesotas children with autism get enrolled in occupational and/or speech therapy. To meet this need, Hopebridge plans to add occupational, speech and feeding therapies within the centers in the near future. This multidisciplinary approach, Hopebridge360TM, allows the team to create personalized plans of care aimed at improving patients communication, social behaviors and adaptive living skills.

Hopebridges center-based care offers a wide range of benefits to the Minnesota autism community, including:

Diagnostic and applied behavior analysis evaluations  Now Scheduling

State-of-the-art facilities designed specifically to enhance pediatric therapy for a spectrum of functioning levels

Centers with approximately 20 rooms designed to reduce distractions and enhance therapy sessions, including specific rooms to focus on integration into a school environment

Large gyms and playrooms to build gross and fine motor skills

Socialization with peers to target specific social and pragmatic goals

Parent training and education specifically designed to maximize the effects of therapy outside center walls

A full-service Care and Benefits team to help families navigate their insurance coverage

Story continues

Born and raised in St. Paul, Dr. Tamer Fawzy, Hopebridges Minnesota clinical psychologist, has been working with children on the autism spectrum for over a decade. Early identification and diagnosis at a young age can have a significant impact on outcomes for children with autism, said Dr. Fawzy. With Hopebridge bringing its center-based therapy model to Minnesota, this will help address the growing need for autism services in the community.

Early identification and intervention for children impacted by autism is critical for the success of the child. The new Hopebridge centers will ensure hundreds of children touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will have the chance to receive life-changing therapies they deserve. In an effort to reduce wait times, the West Bloomington location is currently scheduling diagnostic assessments and evaluations for applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). The center will launch full-time and part-time ABA therapy programs in April 2020.

To schedule a diagnostic appointment or a private tour of a Hopebridge center, please visit at hopebridge.com/contact.

For a complete list of Hopebridge centers and services, visit hopebridge.com/centers.

About Hopebridge

Hopebridge was founded in 2005 to serve the growing need for autism treatment services and to improve the lives of affected children and families. Hopebridge is committed to providing personalized outpatient ABA, occupational, speech and feeding therapies for children touched by autism spectrum disorder and behavioral, physical, social, communication and sensory challenges. Hopebridge provides a trusted place where they can receive the care, support and hope they deserve. More than a decade later, Hopebridge continues to open state-of-the-art autism therapy centers in new communities to reach patients and families who need services. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Hopebridge operates in seven states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota and Ohio.

###

Attachment

Sophie Shock

Hopebridge

317.436.1965

sshock@hopebridge.com


The coronavirus outbreak that began in Wuhan, China in December of 2019, is suspected to have origininated from a live market in their local community.

The World Health Organization's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee has announced a PHEIC or a public health emergency of international concern external icon.

The authorities in the United States have responded by making their move to aid the healthcare of the country.

According to a source, the total cases of the coronavirus has reached over 95,488 and 53,689 have recovered.

The majority of these cases are from China.

The virus has already spread in 78 countries in the world such as Italy, South Korea, Japan, and more and has affected a lot of people. In the United States, a total of 17 confirmed cases and 11 deaths has been recorded.

The death toll outside mainland China has reached around 270 deaths from 80 countries.

A person from Texas has tested positive of coronavirus and was confined in Fort Bend County for quarantine. The patient had recently traveled from abroad.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, the commissioner for the Department of State Health Services stated that the coronavirus has significantly spread and grown since it has already reached Texas, but he also believes that there is no need for a state emergency since the risk in Texas is still low.

He advises all travelers to practice and maintain their hygiene since it is the most basic and effective method to prevent acquiring the virus and any other infections.

The patient was tested in Houston's public health lab and the results will be tested by the authorities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

KP George, the Fort Bend County Judge, announced that they are working twenty-four-seven along with all authorities from all levels in the state to aid and keep an eye on the issue. They will also be informing the whole state in case they find anything significant.

As stated by the CDC, several states in the U.S. have confirmed 80 cases of the virus. All these patients did not travel recently from abroad. 16 of these patients were infected through person-to-person contact, the 24 have connections to travel, and the rest are still being examined.

Meanwhile, explorers should never consider traveling to countries China, Italy, the Republic of Korea, and Iran since they have the highest cases of the coronavirus. They advised people returning from any of these countries to undergo a mandatory quarantine for at least 2 weeks.

As the coronavirus has slowly spread around the world, people should always make their health and hygiene their priority. One should take care of oneself when sick and should be responsible enough to see health experts when they are experiencing symptoms similar to the virus.

Humans are too focused on looking for stocks of face masks and have forgotten that the practice on basic hygiene could help them more than wearing a face mask.

Health experts advised everyone to follow proper handwashing since it is the easiest and most effective method.
Jonathan Caine is a Conservative peer and former special adviser at the Northern Ireland Office.

In the autumn of 2015 I was immersed, along with a number of others, in talks at Stormont aimed at preventing the possible collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Those talks ultimately led to the Fresh Start Agreement; power sharing continued for just over a further year until the next crisis brought about its collapse.

The main catalyst for those talks was the then crisis in the Executives finances, caused principally by Sinn Feins opposition to welfare reform. That issue was finally resolved by Sinn Fein performing a herculean U-turn and agreeing to allow a Conservative Government at Westminster to legislate for welfare reform, a devolved issue, at Stormont.

Yet there was a further backdrop to the talks. In May 2015 a prominent member of the Republican Movement, Jock Davison, had been gunned down in the Markets area of Belfast. (Davison was the man who allegedly gave the signal for the brutal murder of Robert McCartney at a Belfast pub a decade earlier). His death was quickly followed in August by the reprisal killing of another well-known republican, Kevin McGuigan, in the Short Strand area of Belfast.

A few days later at a press conference in which they appealed for calm and no retaliation, the Police Service of Northern Ireland dropped the following bombshell: One of our major lines of enquiry is that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in this murder.

While the police refused to speculate on whether it was sanctioned at command level, others were less reticent. As Ed Moloney, the leading authority on the IRA, put it: In practice, nothing happens in the IRA without the approval and knowledge of the IRAs military and political leadership.

I well remember the immediate impact of that PSNI statement. Within the Northern Ireland Office there was incredulity among officials, fearful of the possible implications for the political process, that the police could have stated such a thing publicly. Unionists were unsurprisingly outraged. The Ulster Unionist Party left the Northern Ireland Executive and went into Opposition. The then First Minister, Peter Robinson, pulled the majority of his ministers out of the Executive, leaving just Arlene Foster, the then Finance Minister, in place. Devolution had, Robinson claimed, been pushed to the brink.

In response Theresa Villiers, the then Northern Ireland Secretary, commissioned a reluctant MI5 and the PSNI to conduct a review of the structure, roles and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. I should add that she made clear her and the Governments firm view that there was absolutely no justification for the existence of such groups, all of which remain illegal, either then or at any time in the past.

The report, which covered both republican and loyalist groups, was published on 20 October 2015. In respect of the Provisional IRA it confirmed that individual members remain involved in criminal activity, including large-scale smuggling and some murders. It concluded, however, that:

The PIRA of the Troubles era is well beyond recall. It is our firm assessment that PIRAs leadership remains committed to the peace process and its aim of achieving a united Ireland by political means.

Yet the report also contained the following. Confirming that the structures of the IRA remained in place (albeit in a reduced form), including a senior leadership, the Provisional Army Council and some departments, it stated:

PIRA members believe that the PAC oversees both PIRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy, although it had a wholly political focus.

All of this made for deeply uncomfortable reading at the time. It did, though, give just sufficient cover for the Democratic Unionists not to crash out of Stormont, and the Executive survived until January 2017.

The Fresh Start Agreement, which dealt with welfare and finance issues, also contained new commitments by the Executive to tackle paramilitary activity (regrettably stalled for three years due to the lack of an Executive), this despite the Executive containing a party inextricably linked to a paramilitary group, some of whose members were involved in criminality.

Indeed in December 2015, the month after the Fresh Start Agreement, I attended a meeting in Dublin of the British Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Irish Government to agree a new task force to tackle cross-border organised crime.

One of those representing the Executive meeting was the then deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. This was four days after one Slab Murphy had been convicted at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, despite the support of Gerry Adams, who described Murphy as a good republican who had been treated unfairly. The irony of Mr McGuinnesss position was not lost on most of us in the room.

All of that was over five years ago, though I have no reason to believe that the assessment of the IRA has changed. Under the terms of the 1998 Agreement and on account of their democratic mandate in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein have ministerial representation in a devolved government within the United Kingdom. As a result of their democratic mandate gained a few weeks ago it now seems likely that they will form part of a sovereign government in the Republic of Ireland.

I would hesitate to tread into internal Dublin politics, though it would seem illogical  given their mandate and their position in government in Northern Ireland  not to say counter-productive, to seek to exclude Sinn Fein from office. For many years Unionists have been irritated by the double standard that Sinn Fein are somehow fit to be in government in Stormont but not Dublin.

It remains, however, deeply disturbing for many that a modern European democracy, and our closest neighbour, might shortly contain, or even be led, by a party that continues to have its strategy overseen by an Army Council.

I have spent more time in meetings with Sinn Fein than any other Conservative in British history. I will never agree with them about the past or ever condone what the IRA did. I can, though, acknowledge the moves they have made away from violence to politics.

However, too many ambiguities remain. These include as attempts to shield sex offenders, cover up murders, and glorify terrorists. Some of the celebrations of Sinn Fein candidates after the Irish election, chanting IRA slogans, will have caused many across the island of Ireland to shudder.

If they are to begin convincing people, therefore, that the journey to exclusively peaceful means is now complete it is surely time for the structures of the IRA, including its Army Council, to go for good.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  The Health Department is scouting for other options where Filipinos on board a docked cruise ship in the United States may be quarantined.

Health Assistant Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday told CNN Philippines preparations are underway for the possible repatriation of around 530 to 540 Filipino crew on board the MV Grand Princess, where one man died due to coronavirus.

"Definitely we are preparing other quarantine facilities," she said.

The Filipinos previously brought home from China's Wuhan province were quarantined in the New Clark City in Tarlac. Over 400 Filipino crew members from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are set to complete their 14-day quarantine on March 11 in the same facility.

Vergeire said there is no formal request of repatriation from the MV Grand Princess yet.

Coronavirus testing is underway for cruise ship passengers and crew aboard the vessel anchored in San Francisco, California, a passenger told CNN on Friday. Nearly 100 passengers have been identified as needing to be tested, including guests and staff.

Almost 3,500  2,383 passengers and 1,100 crew members  are quarantined inside the cruise ship after the vessel wasn't allowed to dock anytime soon; the 15-day trip was scheduled to return to US on Saturday.

The Grand Princess previously carried a passenger who has become the first person to die from coronavirus in California. Its operator, Princess Cruises, said there is currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus on the ship.

This situation is compared with the case of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked for 14 days in Japan after a few people were infected with coronavirus. More than 700 people on board became infected with coronavirus.
The SBI board has given the largest lender an "in-principle" approval to invest in the capital-starved Yes Bank.

IMAGE: SBI hairman Rajnish Kumar. Photograph: Karma Sonam Bhutia / ANI Photo.

The central board of SBI discussed the matter at a meeting on Thursday, it informed the exchanges.

The announcement came hours after Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

"The matter in regard to Yes Bank was discussed at the meeting of the central board of bank on Thursday and an in-principle approval has been given by the board to explore investment opportunity in the bank," the SBI board informed the bourses late in the evening.

According to reports, the government has asked SBI and life insurance behemoth LIC to collectively pick up a 49 per cent stake in Yes Bank.

Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year, SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar said Yes Bank, which had over Rs 2 lakh crore in deposits as of September, will not be allowed to go down.

Appreciating its investments in technology, he said the bank has a strong brand.

Earlier, Kumar also suggested that Yes Bank's rival Kotak Mahindra Bank is best placed to take over the lender.

Reports of the takeover led to a 25 per cent jump in Yes Bank in trading on Thursday, while the SBI scrip closed 1.05 per cent up at Rs 288.30 a piece at the end of trade.
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HARTFORD  A newly registered lobbying group opposed to mandatory childhood vaccinations is threatening legal action against state lawmakers who have been critical of their tactics.

The CT Freedom Alliance, in a statement, charged that Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and Sen. Mary Dougherty Abrams, co-chairman of the legislative Public Health Committee, mischaracterized the groups funding sources.
International Womens Day isnt without its issues (Shouldnt every day be International Womens Day? And wouldnt it be nice if we lived in a world where such a day wasnt needed?) but its a welcome opportunity to reflect on womens rights and those who fought, and continue to fight, to defend them.

Of course, its also a good time to consider the inequalities that affect women around the world.

In the US, this International Womens Day  which falls this Sunday 8 March  has a special flavour, as its been a century since the 19th Amendment granted women across the country the right to vote. Ratified on 18 August, 1920, the 19th Amendment makes it unconstitutional to deny citizens rights to vote on the basis of sex.

Many landmark decisions have followed since then, such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Supreme Courts Roe v Wade ruling protecting abortion rights across the US.

Despite these achievements, women still face inequality in many respects in the US. Here are eight facts to ponder this International Womens Day:

The wage gap hasnt gone away

Far from it. According to the ACLU, women in the US make 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. The situation is worse for black women and Latinas, who make 64 and 54 cents respectively on every mans dollar.

Maternity leave policies are lacking, to say the least

In December 2019, the Pew Research Center published a handy ranking of 41 countries based on their parental leave policies  more specifically, the number of weeks of paid leave available to a new parent, multiplied by the average reimbursement during those weeks off.

At the bottom of the ranking? The US, aka the only country out of 41 not to mandate any paid parental leave.

Its worth noting, however, that some states, such as New York, New Jersey and California, have chosen to enact their own policies guaranteeing some amount of paid family leave.

Were still bumping against the glass ceiling

The US ranked 22 out of 29 in The Economists latest glass ceiling index, published on 4 March. On a scale of zero to 100, with 100 representing the best environment for working women, the US achieved an index of less than 60  below the OECD average.

Women of colour disproportionately die during or in the aftermath of pregnancy

The pregnancy mortality rate increased in the US between 1987 and 2016  jumping from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births to 16.9 deaths, according to the CDC.

Black women are significantly more likely to die during or after pregnancy: between 2011 and 2016, there were 42.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for black, non-Hispanic women, based on the CDCs numbers. For American Indian and Alaskan Native non-Hispanic women, the number of deaths reached 30.4. There were 14.1 deaths per 100,000 live births for Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic women; 13 deaths per 100,000 live births for white non-Hispanic women; and 11.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Hispanic women.

A sixth of American women have been raped or have experienced an attempted rape

According to RAINN, one in six American women has either been raped of been the victim of an attempted rape in her lifetime. Their risk of being confronted to sexual violence increases if they become college students: 33.4% of female undergraduate students have experienced non-consensual sexual contact involving force, incapacitation, coercion or the absence of position consent, according to a 2015 study.

Transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence

At least 26 transgender or gender-non-conforming people were fatally shot or killed by other violent means in 2019, according to the Human Rights Campaign, and 91% of them were black women. Since 2013, at least 137 transgender women have been victims of fatal violence, according to the organisation.

For many women, violence leads to homelessness

According to research compiled in 2016 by the US Department of Health and Human Services, between 22 and 57% of homeless women say they became homeless as a direct result of domestic violence  and 38% of domestic violence victims experience homelessness.

Abortions rights are under constant threat

Despite the Supreme Courts decision to affirm reproductive rights in 1973 through Roe v Wade, conservative states have made a renewed push to restrict access to abortion services.

The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. If the law is upheld, only one of Louisianas three abortion clinics would likely remain open.
North Korea said Friday it has released about 220 foreigners from a quarantine imposed as part of its vigilant prevention efforts to avoid an outbreak of the coronavirus that has spread around the world.

The country has not publicly disclosed any cases of COVID-19, but outsiders are skeptical it escaped the virus that erupted in its neighbor and closest ally China and has infected more than 98,000 people globally.

About 380 foreigners in North Korea had been placed under medical surveillance, state radio had previously reported.

The Korean Central Agency said Friday that 221 of them were freed from strict confined medical observation." It gave no further details.

Some foreign media outlets including Russia's state-run Tass agency have reported some foreigners in Pyongyang were to be evacuated soon.

North Korea has said at least 7,000 of its people were in medical surveillance as well.

It has said it was strengthening its screening of those who came back from overseas trips or had contacts with foreigners.

COVID-19 has proven challenging to identify, contain and treat in well-off countries, and experts worry an outbreak could be devastating in impoverished North Korea, which has a malnourished population and a chronic shortage of medical supplies.

The country has banned foreign tourists, virtually closed off its borders, delayed the school year and mobilized tens of thousands of government workers every day for disease-prevention efforts. It has closed a liaison office with South Korea indefinitely.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered a stronger quarantine campaign and warned of "serious consequences" if the illness spreads to the North. KCNA said North Korea was taking top-class anti-epidemic measures in response to recent Politburo decisions.

South Korea has the world's second-biggest outbreak, with 6,284 cases. Most are in the southeastern city of Daegu, where a cluster was connected to a local church. Escalating outbreaks around the world prompted the World Health Organization chief to call on governments to pull out all the stops to slow the epidemic.

Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva.

Italy, the epicenter of Europe's outbreak, restricted visits to nursing homes and urged the elderly not to go outside unless absolutely necessary. Italy has the world's second-oldest population after Japan.

Research in China has shown COVID-19 to be more severe in the elderly.

Iran also closed schools and universities and introduced checkpoints to limit travel between major cities.

President Hassan Rouhani urged state television to offer happier programs to entertain those stuck at home.

Palestinian officials closed the storied Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem indefinitely, weeks ahead of the Easter holiday.

And virus fears may dull India's vibrantly colorful spring festival of Holi. Japan on Friday canceled this year's memorial for victims of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.

In the United States, where 12 have died from COVID-19, hundreds of people were in self-quarantines due to infections in a New York suburb.

A cruise ship off California was ordered to stay put until its passengers and crew could be tested for the virus after four cases were confirmed in previous travelers.

China still has more than 80 per cent of the world's cases, though its outbreak is steadying.

On Friday, it reported 143 new infections and 30 new deaths, almost all in the epicenter city of Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province.

China now has 3,042 deaths and 80,552 cases.

More and more patients are being released from the virus-dedicated hospitals hastily built at the peak of its crisis.

It has released 53,726 people who were declared cured, while about 6,000 virus patients are still hospitalised in serious condition.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 12:21:15|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Bruce Aylward, team leader of the China-WHO joint mission on COVID-19, commended China's counterattack against the epidemic, saying that it can be replicated but requires speed, money, imagination and political courage, a U.S. newspaper reported.

The containment is still possible if countries act quickly "because we don't have a global pandemic -- we have outbreaks occurring globally," Aylward was quoted as saying by the New York Times.

Aylward, who visited China for two weeks in early February, dismissed suspicion that COVID-19 cases in China is not going down.

"It peaked at 46,000 people asking for tests a day; when we left, it was 13,000. Hospitals had empty beds," said Aylward.

"Back of the envelope, it's hundreds of thousands of people in China that did not get COVID-19 because of this aggressive response," said Aylward.

Aylward said China moved half of its medical care online, so "if you needed prescriptions like insulin or heart medications, they could prescribe and deliver it."

Also, the virus testing is free and if it was COVID-19, when patients' insurance ended, the government will pay a larger share of their medical bills for their ensuing treatment, said Aylward.

Aylward also praised China's ability of mobilization, noting that about 40,000 people were dispatched to Hubei province and many of them are volunteers.

"They're mobilized, like in a war, and it's fear of the virus that was driving them. They really saw themselves as on the front lines of protecting the rest of China. And the world," said Aylward.
The Punjab government on Friday night said COVID19 has not been declared an "epidemic" in the state.

It said the health department had merely issued a precautionary advisory under The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which provides for special measures to prevent outbreak or spread of any dangerous epidemic disease.

The clarification came after an earlier statement quoted Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu as saying that the Punjab government has notified COVID19 as an "epidemic disease".

An official spokesperson said the previous statement issued by the health department inadvertently described COVID19 as an epidemic disease. The spokesman asserted that there was absolutely no 'epidemic' in the state.

The spokesman clarified the health department issued the advisory under the said Act only as a "temporary regulation" to combat the threat of the virus. He said there was no cause for panic at present and the situation was totally under control.

As of now, samples of two of the three persons who came from Italy to Hoshiarpur had been admitted in GMCH Amritsar after they tested positive in the preliminary report of AIIMS-Delhi, he said.

However, the final reports were awaited from NIV-Pune, the spokesperson said.

He made it clear that while the advisory, listing the preventive and precautionary measures, was issued in line with the decisions taken by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to ensure that the disease does not spread in the state, the government had not taken any decision to declare the disease an epidemic.

According to the spokesman, under The Epidemic Diseases Act, the government has taken a series of preventive initiatives, including screening of suspected cases, recording of travel history in case of travel to country/area where COVID-19 has been reported, and 14-day home quarantine of person with such history found asymptomatic.

If the person with such a travel history, in the past 14 days, is, however, found to be symptomatic as per case definition of COVID-19, he/she must be isolated in a hospital as per protocol and will be tested for COVID-19, according to the advisory.

Health Minister Sidhu said 71,900 people have been screened for COVID19 across the state so far, including 48,867 people at Amritsar airport, 5,116 at Mohali international airport, 5,401 at Wagah-Attari Border and 12,516 at Dera Baba Nanak checkpost.

As authorities urge people take precautions to avoid contracting the virus, the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department said it has postponed the International Punjabi Film Festival, which was slated for this month, due to the threat.

Sidhu said no private laboratory has been authorised to take or test samples for COVID-19 in Punjab.

Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore held a high-level meeting to review preparedness of the state machinery to respond to coronavirus outbreak in the state.

Badnore appealed to residents to avoid public gatherings in view of the Holi festival. He ordered all government/private organisations to suspend bio-metric attendance system and adopt manual marking of attendance till further orders.

Police department was also directed to stop the usage of breath analyser being used for checking alcohol level as a containment measure in controlling the spread of disease till further orders.

Meanwhile, the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal said it has cancelled four rallies slated in March, keeping in mind the safety of people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Receives bids for 225.09 crore shares

The initial public offer (IPO) of SBI Cards and Payment Services ended with robust subscription on Thursday (5 March). The issue received bids for 225.09 crore shares, as against 10.02 crore shares on offer. The issue was subscribed 22.45 times.

The issue opened for bidding on Monday, 2 March 2020. It closed for qualified institutional bidders (QIBs) on Wednesday (4 March) and it closed on Thursday (5 March) for all other investors. The price band was set at Rs 750 to Rs 755 per share.

On Wednesday, the quota reserved for QIBs was oversubscribed 57.18 times with total bids for 138.52 crore shares as against 2.42 crore shares on offer for them.

On Thursday, the non-institutional investors category was subscribed 45.23 times. The retail individual investors (RIIs) category was subscribed 2.50 times. The employees category was subscribed 4.74 times. The shareholders category was subscribed 25.36 times.

The company on 28 February 2020 raised Rs 2,769 crore from anchor investors, ahead of its initial share sale. The company allotted 3.66 crore shares to a total of 74 anchor investors, including 12 mutual funds, through 48 schemes, at the upper end of the price band at Rs 755.

SBI Cards and Payment Services is the second-largest credit card issuer in India with a 18.1% market share of the Indian credit card market in terms of the number of credit cards outstanding end November 2019 and 17.9% market share in total credit card spends in the eight months ended November 2019. The company offers an extensive credit card portfolio to individual cardholders and corporate clients, which includes lifestyle, rewards, travel and fuel, shopping, banking partnership cards and corporate cards covering all major cardholder segments in terms of income profiles and lifestyles.

The issue consisted of a fresh issue of equity shares (0.66-0.66 crore shares) aggregating up to Rs 500 crore and offer for sale of equity shares 13.05 crore equity shares aggregating up to Rs 9789.50-9854.80 crore.

The offer for sale comprised 3.72 crore shares by the promoter selling shareholder and 9.32 crore share by the investor selling shareholder.

The net proceeds of the fresh issue are proposed to be utilized for augmenting capital base to meet future capital requirements. The net proceeds of the fresh issue are proposed to be deployed in the FY2020. Further, there will be the benefits of listing of the equity shares on the stock exchanges, enhancement of the brand name and creation of a public market for equity shares in India.

The offer comprised of employee reservation portion of up to 18,64,669 equity shares and SBI shareholders reservation portion up to 1,30,52,680 equity shares. A discount of Rs 75 per equity share was offered to eligible employees bidding in the employee reservation portion.

SBI Cards and Payment Services reported net profit of Rs 1161.21 crore and total income of Rs 7240.16 crore in the nine-months ended December 2019.

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / In 2019, the biennial census of people living without permanent housing in Sacramento County reached its highest-ever number, estimating a total of 5,570 individuals experiencing homelessness -- a 19 percent increase from the previous count, setting a tragic new record. In response, local nonprofits and local government agencies have invested and coordinated resources to help assist with this growing homeless population and the public health implications it presents. Among those organizations working to help combat the crisis in California and throughout the nation is Kaiser Permanente, which recently announced its commitment of $32 million to assist with housing insecurity and improve community health in Sacramento, California.

Left to right: Bechara Choucair, MD, SVP and Chief Health Officer; US Rep. Doris Matsui; Sacramento Mayor Darryl Steinberg; Dr. Cynthia Telles, Community Health Committee Chair for the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Boards of Directors; Janet Liang, EVP, Group President and Chief Operating Officer for Care Delivery

"As a nonprofit integrated health system, we strive to create total health for our members and our communities, and we know without a place to call home it is nearly impossible to maintain health," said Dr. Cynthia Telles, Community Health Committee Chair for the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Boards of Directors.

As supported by data cited by Kaiser Permanente and other organizations in the public health sector, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), homelessness is closely connected to declines in physical and mental health. In her role of Community Health Committee Chair, Dr. Cynthia Telles champions serving the needs of underserved communities by expanding access to quality physical and mental health care to all individuals, despite economic barriers or socio-economic status. Kaiser Permanente's investment in Sacramento, California will both establish new affordable housing and help preserve existing affordable housing.

"Ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing is one of the most difficult challenges facing communities in Sacramento, California and we recognize the enormous effect housing insecurity has on health," said Dr. Cynthia Telles. "In order to improve the well-being of our communities, we need to build stable housing options and resources to not only help people obtain a home, but keep it."

Kaiser Permanente's financial investment is funding its strategic approach to advancing community health in Sacramento. Of the $32 million commitment, $25 million will be allocated toward affordable housing. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is investing $5 million to expand emergency shelters in Sacramento and committing $2 million to work with national partners to support cross-functional systems change.

"Too often, individuals are prevented from getting the care they need because of a lack of either resources or availability of fundamental services," said Dr. Cynthia Telles. "At Kaiser Permanente, we view good health as fundamental, and our team is working with community leaders and local government to ensure we are doing all we can to improve health across communities in Sacramento."

Kaiser Permanente's investment in Sacramento, California is part of its larger Thriving Communities Fund launched in 2018. The Fund commits to invest up to $200 million in affordable housing. Prior to the initiative in Sacramento, the Thriving Communities Fund produced and preserved 780 units for individuals who classified as financially challenged or low-income, seniors, veterans, and families who were formerly homeless. With this fund, Kaiser Permanente has supported housing security in Washington D.C., Maryland, Colorado and California.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente's community health work, review the organization's most recent Community Health Needs Assessments at https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/static/health/annual_reports/chsnapshot2018/ or reach out to John Nelson at John.E.Nelson@kp.org.

SOURCE: Kaiser Permanente

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579528/Cynthia-Telles-Improving-Housing-Security-in-Sacramento-Supports-Community-Health
NOVATO (BCN)

Novato police arrested two men Tuesday on suspicion of conspiring to sell marijuana to high school students.

A Novato police school resource officer received information about marijuana sales on campus. An investigation by the Novato Response Team and the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force revealed two men apparently conspired to sell the marijuana to students.

Diego Kane-Sorto, 19, of Petaluma and Miguel Moises, 22, of Richmond were identified as the suspects and booked in the county jail for conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, loitering to commit a drug offense and violation of probation, police said.

More than 140 marijuana plants, packaging materials and evidence of drug sales were seized during searches at homes Petaluma and Richmond, according to police.

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Two teenagers accused of being part of the mob that lynched dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in 2017 have been held guilty by Alwars Juvenile Justice Board, defence lawyer Adarsh Yadav said on Friday.

Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, was mercilessly thrashed by suspected cow vigilantes in 2017 who thought he was smuggling cattle.

Six men who were accused of having led the attack on 55-year-old Pehlu Khan, who belonged to Haryanas Nuh district were acquitted in August last year. The state government has filed an appeal against the ruling in the Rajasthan high court.

Vipin Yadav, Ravindra Yadav, Kalu Ram Yadav, Dayanand Yadav, Yogesh Khati and Bhim Rathi were given the benefit of doubt after having been tried on charges of murder, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restrain, damage to property and theft.

The two juveniles, the first to be convicted in this case that had sparked nationwide outrage, will be sentenced on Saturday. But they can only be held in custody for a maximum period of three years under the countrys juvenile law.

Lawyer Yadav said he wasnt clear about the grounds for the verdict by JJBs principal magistrate Sarita Dhakad because he hadnt seen a copy of the order.

We will know the grounds only after the sentencing, he said.

Another juvenile, who is older than 16 years, is facing trial in another court. The JJB hears cases against people who are below the age of 16.

Khan was attacked on the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Behror in Alwar district on suspicion of smuggling cows when he was transporting cattle bought from a weekly market in Jaipur to his home in Nuh with his two sons. He died in hospital on April 3, 2017.

Additional public prosecutor in the ADJs court, Yogendra Khatana, said he was unaware of the evidence used in the hearing before the JJB. I can comment on the conviction only after going through the order, he added. Maybe the lapses in the main case were addressed during trial in the juvenile court.

The defence counsel in the ADJs court, Hukum Chand Sharma, said the judgment of the JJB juvenile court will have no bearing on the main case, in which his clients have been acquitted.

In Jaipur, additional advocate general RP Singh who will argue the appeal against the acquittal in the high court, called the JJBs ruling an important development. We will definitely use it during the hearing of the review petition, he said.

After the acquittal of the six men by the lower court, the state government formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the factors that led to the verdict. The team recommended that new evidence be gathered and the suspects named or identified by earlier investigating officers be probed because a charge sheet against a juvenile delinquent hadnt yet been filed.

Khatana said the prosecution in the juvenile court may have looked at such new evidence, leading to the two juveniles conviction.

The SIT was formed on August 17 and gave its 84-page report to director general of police Bhupendra Singh on September 5. SIT pointed to loopholes in probes conducted by each of the four investigating officers of the lynching case.
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) a non-profit and an international organization based in the U.S. has gained popular support because of its advocacy and program to recruit volunteer bikers that create and provide a system of support for kids who are victims of abuse.

They have been working this program for the last twenty years and are now earning due recognition and commendation for the support they provide, especially for abused children.

BACA organizations are present and operate all over the world in places like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. The members are well-trained and undergo background checks.

They go through extensive training in managing and handling sensitive situations and cases. This organization of motorcyle lovers is creative and adept in creating child sensitive and friendly programs.

One of the more famous traditions is giving "child victims" their own names and BACA vests. They assist the abused children by extending up close supervision and security, and watch over those who are afraid to go back to their homes for fear of their abusers.

In some instances, BACA members assist abused children in court especially those who are afraid to testify on the witness stand. They have been doing, and will continue to do, this noble act for free.

The members are so generous that sometimes they shell out money from their pocket to buy clothes for sexually abused children in attempts to boost the youth's confidence.

BACA's advocacy as a volunteer group has become widely known especially in countries they are present. They are now better known among children and the young particularly those who experienced abuse, and they have tagged the term "nobody messes with bikers".

They are branded as courageous and defenders of children who feel powerless and helpless in their families and in their society.

There was this case of a young boy back in 1995, attended by Professor John Paul Lilly, a clinical social worker, in which the boy experienced so much bullying outside that he was too afraid to leave his house.

The professor could understand that the boy was abused, but he got the Bikers protecting him and befriended him and eventually allowed him to feel secure again and regain his confidence and self-esteem.

Bikers became the boy's family and gave him back what he lost as a child, the utmost security, love, protection and care.

BACA bikers have soft spots for kids according to Lilly who was a biker himself and been riding since he was a teenager.

Lilly figured that some of the bikers also experienced abuses in the past at that point in their lives.

Now they want to step in to help the children who experience the same and provide necessary protection for these children especially those who have never experienced love and care in their families.

This act of the bikers is nothing but becoming something inherent and natural for them because of similar experiences.

BACA becomes greatly known because of this special advocacy and protective program for children.

A lot of people around the world support them and believe in them because of their courage and noble act to help the abused children around the globe.
Australia will spend one billion dollars to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday as the cases of the deadly infection in the country touched 61 on Friday.

Morrison said the federal government will go 50-50 with the states to meet the public health cost of the coronavirus treatment.

In an official statement on Friday, Morrison said 1 billion Australian dollars will be immediately available with more funds to be released from the Federal Government coffers as necessary.

Morrison said measures to respond to the outbreak would cost "at least'' 1 billion Australian dollars and that it would be spread between federal, state and the territory governments.

Meanwhile, a boys high school in Sydney was shut down after a diagnosis of coronavirus in a 16-year-old student, the ninth case within about a six-kilometre square distance, according to media reports.

Earlier in the week, a 95-year-old woman resident of the nursing home died due to the infection, while four people at the facility have been quarantined.

The total cases across New South Wales have reached 26 till Friday.

In Queensland, almost 3,000 people have been issued voluntary notices to self-isolate by health authorities since the global outbreak.

A 20-year-old Chinese man became Brisbane's first confirmed case of coronavirus after testing positive on Tuesday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had "some concerns" about the veracity of overseas isolation, but it was a matter for the federal government to examine any quarantine loopholes.

A 52-year-old tourist become the Northern Territory's first confirmed case of the coronavirus while Victoria recorded its 10th case.

On Friday, a Victorian high school asked 16 students and their families to self-isolate at home as it awaits the coronavirus test results of two Indonesians on an exchange visit.

Australia's national airline Qantas has also announced further reduction in its numbers of flights in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The airlines on Friday said it would reduce its frequency of flights to Japan in the coming weeks after cancelling dozens of other flights through to the end of March, including eight return Sydney-Hong Kong services and five return Melbourne-Auckland services.

Prime Minister Morrison on Thursday announced travel ban on South Korea in an attempt to minimise the spread of the disease.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Greys Anatomy Leave a Light On Season 16 Episode 16 Editors Rating 3 stars * * *  Previous Next  Photo: Gilles Mingasson/ABC

Um, hello Greys friends. Hi. Hello. I am standing up. I am sitting down. I am processing the big farewell to Alex Karev. I am processing the fact that Dr. Alex Karev up and left his wife, his person, his friends, his job to live on a farm in Kansas with Izzie Stevens. ISOBEL STEVENS, CUTTER OF LVADS. I am processing.

All I could think about while watching Leave a Light On is how sad I was that the good-bye to a beloved character who had been with us since the very beginning was just a clip show. Because, I have to tell you friends, Alex abandoning his wife  who I dont even like  wouldve gone down a whole lot smoother if we couldve seen him reunited with Izzie and MEETING HIS CHILDREN. What a time. What a world.

But heres the thing. Because Justin Chambers left so abruptly, the team behind Greys Anatomy only had so much to work with. If they couldnt have him back to film anything new, and they couldnt travel back in time to plant some seeds, there were limited options. Have I ever wished death on a character I love as hard as I was ahead of this episode? It just felt like Alex dying, although tragic, wouldve been the only way to write the character off that made sense after everything he went through. Over 16 seasons, we watched Alex Karev grow up. He was but a garbage dumpster of a human being when he first walked into the OR as an intern, but by the grace of Jo and Meredith and Bailey and Webber and Arizona, he became one of the good guys. One of the best! He could never just leave his wife and his people. He knew the pain of being left! The Alex Karev weve watched for  holy hell, almost two decades if were rounding up  wouldnt do that. So, he would have to be killed off. Except, as we learned tonight, he wasnt killed off. He did leave his people. We should get into it, right? I am processing, but we should get into it. Because honestly, it almost works.

Four hand-written letters arrive in Seattle  one each to Meredith, Jo, Bailey, and Webber  in envelopes labeled with a return address from Alex Karev, in Kansas. Okay, Merediths return address simply says Evil Spawn which is a delight for like two seconds until you remember that this is definitely a good-bye letter. The episode is basically split into four sections, with each person reading their letter  well, Webber throws out his letter but he does discuss it in his AA meeting  amid montages of that characters best moments with Alex. After weeks of speculation, Greys doesnt wait long to make the big reveal: Alex has left Seattle for good to be with Izzie Stevens and their two kids. Yes, friends! Their two kids.

In the midst of what must have been chaos trying to figure out how to wrap up this story, how hard did the Greys Anatomy team celebrate when they remembered they did an entire storyline in season 12 about Jo finding out Alex and Izzie froze embryos during Izzies chemo in season five? I mean, the actual freezing of the embryos was a huge storyline back in that season, and we do get to relive one of my favorite Alex and Meredith scenes, when they are in the on-call room and hes working through having children with Izzie this way and Meredith lets him rant and just responds I know, and anyway, its a perfect scene. But having made the callback to those embryos existing in season 12, and Alex signing away his rights to them, the idea that Izzie wouldve used them to have kids on her own and not tell Alex feels a little less out of nowhere.

As Alex explains in his letter to Meredith, when he was calling up people to write letters and testify on Merediths behalf during her trial for her medical license, he called Izzie. This is another little bending of Greys history that actually fits really well here. You guys, all they had was retconning! When Alex called her, it was like nothing had changed between them. And then she told him about her kids. Their kids. Five-year-old twins named Eli and Alexis. I mean, the boy shouldve obviously been named George, but sure, FINE.

Alex tells both Meredith and Jo that once he saw his children, he loved them, and there was no way he could leave them. He barely had one parent growing up, and he was going to be a father to these kids. As he explains, again to both Mer and Jo, if it was just about the two women he loves, hed stay with his wife. But it became about more than just that. He wanted a life with his kids. And honestly the idea of Alex not wanting to miss a second with his children, to be a great dad, that all makes sense. Alex not being mad for one single second about the fact that Izzie had secret kids five years ago and never told him? That makes a little less sense.

Lets relax a minute here and remind ourselves that yeah, obviously, Alex couldve, I dont know, maybe asked if Jo wanted to move with him so he could be around his children? So, like, it was definitely ALSO about the two women he loves and who he wants to be with. Let us not kid ourselves.

But those are the basic facts about Alexs fate. Aside from explaining where he is and his decision to stay there in each of his letters, he also reflects on his relationship with each person hes writing to. Again, Richard doesnt read his aloud, but he does talk a lot about how much being a teacher to Alex meant to him and how angry he is at Alex for walking away from working with the best surgeons and not even saying good-bye. However, he also knows how much he missed out on with Maggie and understands his decision. Im sorry, Richards speech is lovely and all, but hes acting like he cant just go to Kansas and see the guy. Richard thrives on that drama, you guys.

In his letter to Bailey, Alex thanks her for being the only teacher in his life who pushed him to be better, to do better. Honestly, I could watch a montage of Bailey yelling at Alex all day long. It keeps me young. She asked more of him than anyone else. She helped him grow up. Now, you can BELIEVE that Bailey is seething when she reads this letter and realizes that Alex Dont Tempt Me Karev is abandoning his wife and friends and job, but it also helps Bailey and Ben put the whole Joey situation into perspective. Its a miracle that Alex ended up the way he did, and that doesnt always happen. Bailey and Ben are finally both on the same page about Joey. So, thats nice.

Meredith gets the best letter out of all them, which isnt surprising. She is the only person who could ever set him straight, and thats exactly why he cant do this in person or on the phone  he knows shed yell at him until he stayed. And like Cristina did as she left Seattle, Alex tells his best friend something that she needs to hear. Cristina reminded Meredith that Derek is not the sun, Meredith is. Alex tells her shes always been [her] own person. That she is a freaking force of nature. Meredith is like, please dont leave me, but also tell me more.

And then there is Jo. Poor Jo! And poor me for having to sympathize with a character I cant stand, you know? Jos letter truly sucks. Alex says very nice things about how when he said he loved her and that it would be them forever he meant it and that she deserves the very best things  but also, hes in love with Izzie. Seriously, this letter is dumb and we all know there is no world in which Alex would leave Jo, except for the world in which the actor portraying Alex had to suddenly leave the show. Thats it, that is the only world.

And I guess thats what it comes down to in the end. That this ending is really the best we could hope for under these circumstances, with only old clips and voice-overs to rely on. Alex is happy and loved and has the family hes always dreamed of  but it is legitimately wild that Alex Karev is running off to be with Izzie Stevens after all this time. The show does its very best to try and justify it with all the kid stuff and with the final montage of Alex and Izzies (very compelling!) love story throughout Greys Anatomys run. It is a valiant effort! And yet, the episode ends with Meredith opining that theres really no good way to say good-bye which seems like the shows version of the shrug emoji. Under these circumstances, there really was no great way of saying good-bye to a character who has been with us since the beginning, who had truly one of the best and most consistent character development arcs on this show up until now. It is fine? Its fine. I am still processing.

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BOISE  Four Boise State University international students are in self-isolation for 14 days after clearing a health screening for coronavirus COVID-19 upon their arrival to Seattle on Monday.

According to Boise State officials, none of the students have shown any signs or symptoms of illness. Based on recommendations from federal and state public health experts, Boise State has instituted procedures for self isolating students visiting or returning from countries with Level-3 travel warnings, according to a press release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created three levels to categorize the risk travelers could face. Level-3 asks travelers to avoid nonessential travel to South Korea, China, Italy and Iran due to the coronavirus.

Public health experts have assured us that the chances of any instance or spread of the illness are very low, said Boise State spokesman Greg Hahn. Out of an abundance of caution we want to do all we can to support and ensure the health and safety of everyone in our campus community.

Boise States actions mirror other precautionary measures being taken by agencies across the state.

Boise State University adopts CDC recommendations

In an email to students on Thursday, Boise State administration officials explained that they are adopting the CDCs recommendation to impose a 14-day isolation period for Boise State community members returning from Level-3 countries. In addition, students are asked to be cautious as they make plans for the upcoming spring break and check in with their managers and trip sponsors to discuss whether university-sponsored travel should be canceled, delayed or continue as planned.

Boise State leaders are preparing for multiple possibilities in the event the outbreak escalates locally and federal and state institutions call for further action, the email reads. Including restricting group events, further suspending travel, moving more classes to an online format, and expanding telecommuting.

Boise State has also created a webpage to include frequently asked questions regarding the coronavirus, its symptoms and additional public concerns.

City of Boise task force

Earlier Thursday morning, Mayor Lauren McLean and acting Boise Fire Chief Romeo Gervais announced a Boise Coronavirus Task Force.

Its important to remember that the individual risk to Idaho is low, but we want to be prepared as a city if there is an outbreak to address it quickly and efficiently. This task force will ensure we can do that, McLean said in a press release.

The task force, made up of seven Boise Police, Boise Fire and City Council members, will focus on coordinating and planning for an outbreak with other state and local entities, and will report to the mayor on efforts and on coordination with local, regional and state agencies, according to the press release.

Local call centers for coronavirus concerns

In addition, Central District Health (covering Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties) announced Thursday that it is starting an Information Call Center in response to the volume of coronavirus-related calls.

The call center will operate weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 208-321-2222.

Similarly, Southwest District Health (covering Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington counties) is also operating its call center for coronavirus response weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 208-455-5411 for information.
A jailed Hong Kong politician who advocated "separation" between the former British colony and mainland China has been transferred to a maximum security prison after receiving a Christmas card from a supporter deemed to have "sensitive" content, local media and politicians reported.



Edward Leung, who is serving a six-year jail term for "rioting" after taking part in the 2016 "fishball revolution" in Mong Kok, was transferred from Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island to a category A facility, reports said.



Leung once headed the now-defunct political group Hong Kong Indigenous, which campaigned for Hong Kong to be allowed to maintain its separation from mainland China.



He is credited with coining the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution in Our Time," during his 2016 Legislative Council election campaign, a cry which became the rallying cry of the anti-extradition and pro-democracy movement that rocked the city for several months beginning last June.



Widely regarded as the "spiritual leader" of the current protest movement, Leung had been the recipient of huge numbers of Christmas cards last year from supporters, and it is one of those that is being used to justify his transfer, according to the news website HK01.



"The inmate was transferred to the highest security level, Category A, after receiving these cards," lawmaker Cheng Chung Tai said in a post to his Facebook page. Such facilities are generally reserved for prisoners serving terms of more than 12 years.



A fellow activist close to Leung told RFA by text that he is currently in a good physical and mental state, but declined to comment further.



'The government is beginning to be afraid'



Leung was convicted of "assaulting a police officer" and "rioting" during the Mong Kok unrest, and subsequently appealed. More than 500 supporters showed up for the appeal.



A frontline protester who gave only a nickname A Ming said Leung remains the spiritual leader of the protest movement in Hong Kong.



"The fact that he has now been transferred to a maximum security jail just strengthens our beliefs," A Ming said. "His transfer to a top security prison shows that what we are doing is the right thing."



"The government is beginning to be afraid of what we are doing."



Former politics professor and pro-democracy activist Joseph Cheng said the move will make everyone doubt the rationale behind it.



"One would hope that he would be treated fairly and humanely as a leader of the democratic movement, regardless of whether they agree with his opinions or not," Cheng told RFA.



"This will now cause speculation as to whether this is discriminatory treatment."



"Everyone will worry about whether this is the start of [political] persecution," he said.



Concern in Beijing



The move comes after Luo Huining, a hardline figure and key ally of the Chinese president, took over as director of Beijing's Central Liaison Office in Hong Kong after months of mass protest shook the city.



A former director of the Correctional Services Department, Ng Kwong-ming, said the move is likely in response to concern over Leung's alleged pro-independence views, which are anathema to the ruling Chinese Communist Party.



The Correctional Services Department said it wouldn't respond to questions about individual prisoners. But it said officials consider the charges of which prisoners are convicted, their length of sentence, and the potential security risks posed by prisoners when deciding whether to transfer them.



Hong Kong Indigenous was founded to campaign for "separation" between Hong Kong and mainland China, but Beijing has put pressure on Hong Kong officials in recent years to ensure that no one advocating greater independence or autonomy for the city can take part in public life.



Plans by Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam to allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China sparked mass street protests starting in early June that were soon followed by widespread public anger at police use of force against peaceful demonstrators, and demands for fully democratic elections.



Lam has since formally withdrawn the hated amendments to the city's extradition laws, but has stopped short of meeting protesters' demands for an amnesty for arrestees, an independent public inquiry into police violence and abuse of power, an end to the description of protesters as "rioters," and fully democratic elections.



A January opinion poll by Reuters found that most of Hong Kong's residents supported the five demands of the protest movement, with more than one third of respondents saying they had attended a protest.



Only 30 percent said they were opposed, compared with 59 percent of those polled who supported the movement.



Reported by Gao Feng and Man Hoi-tsan for RFA's Cantonese and Mandarin Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The detective who tried to investigate a princesss kidnapping says his inquiry was shut down to save official embarrassment.

David Beck was investigating the 2000 abduction of teenage Princess Shamsa from Cambridge by her father, the ruler of Dubai, when the case was shelved amid alleged meddling from the Foreign Office.

It is claimed that Labour foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, was involved in the decision as a diplomatic favour to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum.

Cambridgeshire police now say they will review the case following a damning High Court judgment that Sheikh Mohammed, 70, was behind the abduction and forced return to Dubai of his daughter Shamsa, as well as the 2018 kidnap of her sister Latifa.

Princess Shamsa was abducted in 2000 in Cambridge. Police were called but the case was shelved due to 'sensitivities'

Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Robin Cook outside the Houses of Parliament, London, October 1993. It is claimed that Labour foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, was involved in the decision as a diplomatic favour to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum

Her Highness Princess Latifa al-Maktoum (pictured) was kidnapped from a boat off the Indian Ocean two years ago

Mr Beck, 65, a retired detective superintendent, said he was not directly aware of political interference but he was told that the case was being shelved because of significant sensitivities. To him that meant someone is going to get embarrassed  well, personal embarrassment is not a reason for withholding the truth, he said.

Had they said national security is at risk, then of course I may have considered differently. But they didnt. They just said significant sensitivities, and I dont agree with bullying.

The High Court ruling followed a 10-month custody battle between the sheikh, worth 9 billion, and his sixth and youngest wife, Princess Haya, 45.

He launched the case to demand the summary return of his son and daughter but it backfired spectacularly. He lost his children, his wife, and his international standing after Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, found he had conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against Princess Haya, forcing her to flee to London with their two children last April.

Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (right) and his wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussein arrive for the first day of the Royal Ascot race meeting June 16, 2009

The judge also found the sheikh ordered and orchestrated the kidnap of Princess Latifa, who was snatched from a boat in the Arabian Sea in 2018. She and Shamsa are still captive in Dubai.

Sir Andrew said the sheikhs actions, on balance of probabilities, ran contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales, international law and internationally accepted human rights norms. The sheikh, who did not attend court, denies any wrongdoing. He repeatedly tried to keep the findings secret but the case was ruled to be in the public interest.

Mr Beck said he had never forgotten the plight of Princess Shamsa, who ran away at 19 because of her fathers oppressive treatment of women and girls.

She fled his Surrey estate, but after weeks on the run she says that after visiting a pub in Cambridge she was grabbed by four of armed heavies, injected with sedatives and taken back to Dubai.

In mid-July 2000 the headstrong then 19-year-old princess  reportedly angry her father wouldnt let her go to university and disgusted by Dubais human rights record  evaded high-security at her fathers sprawling Longcross estate (pictured) in Surrey, where the family spent most summers

Yesterday, both Tony Blair, who was prime minister in 2000, and Jack Straw, who became foreign secretary in 2001, denied any knowledge of the case. And Number 10 sources insisted the Foreign Office had no role in the investigation or outcome. But Labours Shami Chakrabarti, shadow attorney general, said: This is clearly a shocking judgment. She called for an urgent probe into why a criminal inquiry into a kidnap in Cambridge appears to have been impeded.

Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke backed calls for a probe and Kate Allen of Amnesty International said: No one is above the law. Announcing a review yesterday, Cambridgeshire Police said their investigations in 2001 and 2017, were called off due to insufficient evidence.

The British Horseracing Authority faces calls to review the sheikhs registration. He owns hundreds of horses through his Godolphin stables in Newmarket, Suffolk.
The newly planted live oaks at Willis Woods Cemetery are only about waist-high right now. But someday, they may be majestic giants whose sprawling branches welcome visitors to one of northwest Houstons unsung historical treasures.

Woods Cemetery in the Lakewood Forest subdivision is what remains of a historic Black community that settled the area in the 1870s.

Related: Lone Star College-CyFair group uncovers history of African-American cemetery

The cemetery is managed by the Kohrville Community Association. The KCA  through its nonprofit, Kohrville Community Amos Cemetery Association  works to beautify and maintain three historic cemeteries in which ancestors of the Kohrville community are buried.

In addition to Woods, the association manages cemeteries on the east and west side of Hufsmith-Kohrville Road known collectively as the Amos Cemetery.

The KCA was joined March 2 by local officials and residents for the planting of a legacy tree at Willis Woods. The tree was one of five live oaks that were planted along the cemeterys north border as part of Harris County Precinct 4s Legacy Trees Project. The program collects cuttings and seeds from historic Texas trees to plant at sites across the precinct.

Related: Volunteers beautify Houston National Cemetery despite delays from Imelda

The hardy live oak is an iconic tree of the south, explained Pct. 4 Parks Arborist Laura Medick. Its limbs can span up to 100 feet and trunks can grow to more than four feet in diameter. But, she pointed out, the trees at Woods Cemetery are not just any other live oak tree. Theyre descendants of the old Battle Oaks in Austin.

We find the mother tree at the UT campus, Medick said. It is a grove of live oak trees. Theres history that goes back during the Civil War. The story goes that soldiers would harvest the wood to build a fortress and protect the Capital.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle and State Rep. Sam Harless were among those present for the tree planting. Cagle read a proclamation calling the historic Battle Oak trees a gift to enrich the lives of our citizens and stand tall for many years to come.

The oaks are one result of a partnership between the KCA and Pct. 4. The entities have been working together for more than a year to enhance the aesthetic and accessibility of Willis Woods Cemetery.

Part of our mission is to ensure that we preserve and beautify, and educate our young people and people in the surrounding areas so that they will see and know what we do; just to give them an idea of how long weve been here and how much work has been done to keep things going through these years, said Cathyrine Stewart, KCA president.

Preserving history

KCA historian Joanne Green said that because African American history was loosely documented, Kohrvilles ancestral history has been passed down orally and gleaned from what documentation does exist, such as property deeds.

After the American Civil War, people who were formerly enslaved moved from Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina to a community in west Houston called Piney Point. Families left Piney Point in the early 1870s in search of more farmland. They settled in an area known then as the Bottoms, around Faulkey Gully in present day Lakewood Forest.

Greens ancestor, Willis Woods, was among the settlers who purchased land along Cypress Creek. Woods donated one acre for a family cemetery, which became the Willis Woods Cemetery. The settlement also included a church and a schoolhouse.

The Bottoms was prone to flooding and families eventually sought residence elsewhere. Woods moved north across Spring Cypress Road on Hufsmith-Kohrville Road in the Tomball area. He married Sarah Amos of the Amos family in Kohrville. The school and church were moved north to Kohrville as well, leaving behind the Woods Cemetery.

Years later when we form the Kohrville Community Association and began the beautification of the cemetery, we found it was landlocked, Green said. That is when we reached out to Harris County Pct. 4 to assist us with retaining our cemetery with dignity.

The need for easements is a common issue with old cemeteries, explained Pct. 4s assistant director of community outreach Landon Reed. Over time, land surrounding the cemetery is sold and getting legal access to the site can be a challenge.

A lot of cemeteries run into this problem, so they get interlocal agreements in line where they can get there  not only to maintain, but if theres a couple family members that still wish to maybe be buried back here, Reed said. The next step is going to be the interlocal agreement were going to get for them. Thisll be from Flood Control and Pct. 4 and the MUD that has this trail right here. That way theyll always have that legal documentation, no matter how many years pass, (as proof that) We are allowed to do this.

A community effort

Only some of the cemeterys graves are marked and over time a few of the weathered headstones have broken into fragments. But easements or no, the cemetery hasnt gone untended. Community members like longtime Lakewood Forest resident Joe Beatty have been helping the KCA with maintenance since well before the precincts involvement.

Beatty has lived next to the cemetery for decades.

Over the 40 years, weve maintained it, but then after the Harvey flood, thats when we got a lot of debris and weed seeds and just general trash floated into the cemetery and then it was wet for a period of time and just got ahead of us, Beatty said. So, we had a live brush problem then that just grew up.

In the past 10 months or so, Beatty said, efforts to beautify the cemetery have redoubled. He enlisted the help of Cy Creek High School JROTC student Cadet Lt. Col. Haley Kopp and Eagle Scout Matthew McCown. Both Kopp and McCown organized groups to aid in brush clearing efforts. McCown and his fellow scouts helped repair headstones through a method Beatty had seen used at another cemetery.

Related: Aldine ISD students compete to redesign Metros Greenspoint Transit Center

They had restored some of those old headstones that were broken in fragments and they just cased them in a concrete matrix, so the Eagle Scouts did that on some of these broken headstones, Beatty said.

Groups from Lone Star College have also joined the effort to preserve the cemeterys historical legacy, including students from the LSC-University Park Office of Student Life and Black Student Union who plan to clean the cemetery later this month for their Day of Service project.

Pct. 4 has been helping the KCA with the Willis Woods Cemetery project for about a year-and-a-half, Reed said. And the fruits of this partnership wont stop at legacy trees and easements.

In two years, he said, a trail section should be complete that will link the site to Pct. 4s greenway system.

Thatll hook up to here and then youll be able to go to Kickerillo, 100 Acre Woods, and Matzke (parks) all from this place, and then well have kiosks saying where the historical cemetery is, Reed said.

In the more immediate future, after removing some overgrown brush and debris, a new fence and historical marker will be installed at the cemetery. Green hopes to have the marker in place this summer.

The historical marker will be right here by this tree, Reed said.

Significance of the Battle Oaks

Out of several different mother trees Pct. 4 uses for the Legacy Tree Project, the KCA chose the Battle Oaks for Willis Woods Cemetery.

Green visited UT in Austin to see the Battle Oaks, which surround a statue of Barbara Jordan.

In 1966, Jordan became the first Black woman elected to the Texas Senate and the first Black state senator elected in the nation since 1883. In 1972, she was among the first Black U.S. Congressmembers elected from the deep south since 1898 and was the first ever Black woman from the deep south elected to Congress, according to the U.S. Houses History, Art & Archives website.

Jordans work as a member of the Judiciary Committee during President Richard Nixons impeachment proceeding garnered national attention. She strove to expand civil rights protections and was a respected orator known for her elocution.

The trees all around her statue up there, right at the school as soon as you come into the entryway, shes right there and it just looks strong and inviting and like shes manning the station, Green said.

The Battle Oaks are three in what used to be a larger grove of trees. Despite many of the groves trees reportedly being chopped down to build a fortress, the namesake of the remaining oaks isnt tied to combat.

The University of Texas was planning construction of a new laboratory building in the 1920s, according to TX A&Ms Famous Trees of Texas website. The facilitys original plans called for the removal of the campus oldest live oak trees.

William Battle, who served as chair of the Faculty Building Committee, advocated on behalf of students and staff wanting to save the trees. Because of his actions, the facilitys location was moved, and the historic live oaks now bear his name.

The statue of trailblazer Barbara Jordan surrounded by the resilient Battle Oaks reflects something Green sees in her own community and in efforts to preserve Woods Cemetery.

Perseverance, Green said. We felt like thats kind of the way we are here, just on a local level. The perseverance and strength in what youre trying to do in life; you have hurdles, but you just keep going until you figure out how to get over them.

mfeuk@hcnonline.com
The billionaire ruler of Dubai arranged the kidnapping of two of his adult daughters and forcibly returned them to the Gulf state after they attempted to flee abroad, a UK court has found.

In a case described by the judge as extraordinary, the family division of the High Court in London also found that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his former wife, Jordanian Princess Haya bint al-Hussein.

The court determined that the sheikh organized abductions of his two daughters on three occasionsincluding one from the historic UK city of Cambridge and another in international waters off the coast of India.

The findings were revealed after a series of hearings in London involving Princess Haya and can now be disclosed after reporting restrictions were lifted.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, the UK most senior family judge, established as fact that Sheika Shamsa, one of the sheikhs daughters by another wife, ran away from her family in the summer of 2000 while visiting the UK. She was later abducted and forced into a car in Cambridge by men working for her father, before being driven to property owned by the sheikh. There, she was put on helicopter to Deauville in France and then on a jet back to Dubai.

Another daughter, Sheika Latifa, had twice tried to escape her Emirati family but was forced back, once in 2002 from the border of Dubai with Oman, and in 2018 by an armed commando assault at sea in international waters near the coast of India, the judge found.

With respect to both Shamsa and Latifa it is asserted that following their return to the custody of the fathers family they have been deprived of their liberty, the judgement says, finding the assertion to be true.

Sheikh Mohammedthe 70-year-old vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emiratessaid the courts assessment was a one-sided account.

This case concerns highly personal and private matters relating to our children. The appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected, he said in a statement issued by his representatives.

As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the courts fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a fact-finding judgment which inevitably tells only one side of the story. I ask that the media respect the privacy of our children and do not intrude into their lives in the UK.

The judgment said the sheikh, had he wished, was fully able to take part in the hearings and that his account did not contradict the evidence in regards to the abductions.

Indeed, his account confirms that he, together with Shamsas mother, decided to organize a search for her. The other evidence indicates that the operation to remove Shamsa from Cambridge and thence to Dubai was undertaken by those working for, or assisting the father and his staff, the judge noted.

In his ruling published Thursday, McFarlane also found that the sheikh conducted a sustained campaign of fear, intimidation and harassment of Princess Haya.

The court determined that the princess had begun an adulterous relationship with one of her male bodyguards, which was all part of a deteriorating relationship with the sheikh, who without her knowledge, divorced her under Sharia law in 2019.

The judge found that the princess received several threats, including a series of anonymous notes, left in her bedroom or elsewhere, making threats, for example: We will take your sonyour daughter is oursyour life is over, and warning her to be careful.

Believing she was unsafe, Princess Haya fled Dubai for London with her two children by the sheikh. The princess, who was the sheikhs sixth wife and is not the mother of the abducted daughters, brought the case to seek wardship for the two children, aged eight and 12, fearing they too would be kidnapped.

Giving testimony last year, she told the court: Its not just him Im worried about. Its the people around him, people that I know. I know how they operate. I have seen what has happened to their sisters and I cant face the fact that the same might happen to them.

In the early stages of the nine-month proceedings, the sheikh denied Princess Hayas allegations. Last October, he dropped his opposition to the wardship and attempted to prevent the fact-finding element of the case going ahead. But the judge ruled it should proceed anyway, and its findings can inform any future legal action.

Allegations of Torture

In 2018, Latifa recorded a video, uploaded to YouTube, in which she alleged her father had her imprisoned for over three years, during which she was tortured. I went in June 2002 and I came out in October 2005 It was constant torture, constant torture, even when they werent physically beating me up, they were torturing me, she alleged.

The judge said that he did not have enough evidence to allegations of torture as true, though he made clear he also did not have evidence to establish them as untrue.

In December 2018, Latifa was visited by the former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson. Latifa was seen in grainy photographs alongside Robinson, a former President of Ireland, who said later that Latifa was troubled and regretted her attempts to escape. Robinsons account was criticized by human rights activists.

Princess Haya, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the half-sister of the King of Jordan, is a well-known international figure. She is close friends with the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The princess, 45, studied politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University and is a keen equestrian, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

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For weeks, Joseph Zuie and his siblings watched anxiously from a world away, glued to their phones for news of their parents.

The North York couple had been in Iran visiting family since November, long before anyone had heard of COVID-19.

But the coronavirus outbreak soon became all their family back in Canada could think of.

On Wednesday, Joseph got the news no child wants to hear: His father had died in a hospital in Tehran.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread rapidly in Iran, at least 200 Canadians remain stuck there, stranded as flights out are cancelled and land borders shut  weeks after evacuations ware organized for citizens stuck inside the quarantine in Wuhan, China, and for Canadians on the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship.

On Thursday, Ottawa upgraded its travel advisory for Iran to the highest level warning against all travel there. But for the families of the dozens of Canadians left in the country, efforts to help their loved ones can get out have become increasingly difficult  a challenge made even more complicated by the fact that Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012.

Josephs dad, Alireza Zuie, was a retired toothbrush manufacturer and father of three. He was 63 and, according to his son, did not have any underlying health conditions.

It happened quickly, Joseph said. According to his mother, Fatemeh, his father was taken to the ICU on Wednesday night local time with what appeared to be a lung infection. He tested negative for the novel coronavirus and his official cause of death was listed as a heart attack.

The death certificate also says, suspected to be infected with COVID-19, Zuie said in a brief phone interview after learning of his fathers death. They dont give you clear answers, he said.

Many families in Iran are now finding themselves in a similar spot, he said, watching relatives die of symptoms that seem related to coronavirus, but appear not to be officially listed.

Josephs mother still in Tehran and doesnt want to go to the hospital because she is worried might get sick.

Its a tough time, he said. Im just hoping that I can bring back my mom safe and healthy.

As of Friday, Iran had officially announced 4,747 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 124 deaths.

Researchers at the University of Toronto say the high number of cases exported from Iran to other countries suggest the actual toll of the outbreak is far higher. (The research, published in late February before the official toll had begun to rise, estimated that the true number of cases was at that time closer to 18,000).

Many of Canadas nearly 50 confirmed cases have been linked to travel to Iran, or contact with a traveller from Iran, including at least 11 in Ontario.

And reports from Iran itself are hardly reassuring: This week, state media reported about eight per cent of members of the countrys parliament have now tested positive.

Pouyan Tabasinejad, vice-president of the Iranian Canadian Congress, says his group has emails indicating at least 200 Canadians are trying to get out of the country.

The congress has been calling for a secure airlift and quarantine of Canadians trapped in Iran, similar to what was done for citizens in Wuhan or on the Diamond Princess.

This is not only the right thing to do, Tabasinejad said, it makes good public health sense. Otherwise, he said, a few people will find their way back to Canada using less safe channels.

Instead of a controlled evacuation, were getting a constant trickle of, one person here one person there, and theyre infected, he said.

Theyre just going to come if theyre left to their own devices, its extremely dangerous.

Many of Canadas nearly 50 cases have been linked to travel to Iran. On Friday officials announced s a man in his 50s who had travelled to Iran and arrived back in Toronto on Feb. 27 had tested positive.

Canada has one of the largest populations of Iranians outside of Iran, especially clustered around Toronto, where the community is nearly 100,000 strong, according to the 2016 census.

There are no direct flights between Tehran and Toronto, so any prospective travellers must first transit through other countries.

Natasha Nystrom, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said in an email that their thoughts are with the family and friends of the Canadian citizen who died in Iran.

She said consular officials are providing assistance to the persons family, but did not provide more information, citing the Privacy Act.

There are 722 Canadians in Iran who have voluntarily registered with the Canadians Abroad service, and Ottawa has received 225 inquiries relating to the current situation in Iran, she said.

Given the current geographic spread of COVID-19, Canada does not intend to provide any additional charter flights for assisted departure operations, Nystrom said,

She also urged people to consider leaving by commercial means while these are still available.

Canadian citizens leaving Iran must carefully check entry and exit requirements for the countries through which they may be transiting, she said. If a Canadian citizen should develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19, they should contact their health care provider or local public health authorities as soon as possible. The sooner health care providers are contacted, the better the chances are for recovery.

Canadians in Iran can contact the Canadian embassy in Ankara, Turkey, or call Global Affairss 24-hour emergency hotline in Ottawa, she said.

Canadians in other virus hot spots, such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy, can still find flights home.

Meanwhile, a second cruise ship, the Grand Princess, has 235 Canadians on the manifest and has seen passengers test positive. It remains docked of San Francisco.

Zuie said he has not heard back Global Affairs in Ankara since he informed them of his fathers death.

Earlier in the week, before his fathers death, Zuie told the Star the situation in Iran was getting worse every minute.

He said his parents had told him supplies, including prescription medications, had become very hard to find, forcing his mother to search from pharmacy to pharmacy. People were trying to stay inside and self-isolate, he said, and a public ambulance company had refused to take his dad to the hospital over fears about the virus.

If they waited too long, God forbid we might lose him, he said at the time.

Joseph relayed the news of his fathers death in an email to the Star Thursday morning.

I guess our story didnt have a happy ending, he wrote.

Clarification March 9, 2020: This article has been updated to clarify the situation of flights between Tehran and Toronto.

With files from Tonda MacCharles

Read more about:
Stocks in the news today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in Friday's trading session based on latest developments.

YES Bank: JP Morgan has given 'Under weight' rating YES Bank share and cut its target price to Re 1 as the reserahc firm believes that lender's net worth will be largely impaired post the bailout from SBI. Prior to this, JP Morgan has given a target price of Rs 55. Futher, Macquarie Capital Securities has also passed a similar rating to the private lender and said that State Bank of India and other PSU banks need not pay more than Re 1 for the lender's share as the its net worth is zero and there is lack of clarity on the bank's deposit franchise due to the solvency issues.

Cadila Healthcare: Zydus Cadila today announced that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved its New Drug Application (NDA) for Saroglitazar for the treatment of Non-Cirrhotic Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH) in India. With this, it has become the world's first drug manufacturer to announce a treatment of Non-Cirrhotic NASH.

Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores: The company board has approved an interim dividend of Rs 5.

Tata Power: Jaguar Land Rover India has partnered with Tata Power for end-to-end charging solutions for its range of electrified vehicles to be launched in India.

Union Bank: The lender has approved the share exchange ratio for a merger with Andhra Bank & Corporation Bank. Share swap ratio, as per the filing stands at 325 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Andhra Bank & 330 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Corporation Bank.

Punjab National Bank: The lender board has approved the share exchange ratio for the merger with OBC & United Bank. As per the filing, the board has approved exchange of 1,150 shares Of PNB for every 1,000 shares of OBC. Further PNB board has also approved an exchange of 121 shares of the bank 1,000 shares of United Bank.

JSW Energy: Company informed the exchanges BSE and NSE that promoters of the firm have created pledge on 1.25 crore shares (0.75% Eq) of JSW Energy from Feb 27 to Mar 3, 2020.

The pharma major has launched the authorized generic for Horizon Therapeutics PLC's Vimovo in the US market, which is used for the treatment of arthritis & gastric ulcers.
Holiday plans of thousands of Britons have been thrown into jeopardy due to Italy's ongoing coronavirus crisis after the UK foreign office changed its advice for travellers to Italy.

British holidaymakers who have booked trips to Italy feel 'torn' on whether or not they should go on their trips and risk catching the coronavirus or stay home and lose their money.

New travel advice from the UK government, announced Thursday night, warned anyone returning from the entire country feeling ill should self isolate.

Previously the warning had been just for the north of Italy.

Its advice against all but essential travel to ten small towns in Lombardy which have been isolated by Italian authorities due to the Covid 19 outbreak remains in place.

However the Foreign Office did not go as far as telling people not to visit Italy, resulting in many holidaymakers being unsure on how to proceed with their trips. Questioning whether or not to stay at home and lose their money or go ahead with their trips and worry about catching the disease.

There are currently over 3,800 cases of the virus in Italy and schools and businesses have been put into lock down.

The outbreak in Italy could have a severe impact on its economy and knock it into recession. Northern Italy is a huge earning engine for the country with its gross domestic product per capita being more than 7,000 more than the rest of the country per year.

Operators of the 'Napoli Servizi' city services fumigate the Church of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples to counteract the danger of a contagion from the coronavirus, Naples

Tourist with protective face mask looks on in the Piazza San Marco in Venice this afternoon

Italian healthcare staff of the infectious diseases department of the Padova Hospital wear protective suits and face masks as they swab people waiting in line in front of a Civil Protection tent due to the Covid 19 Coronavirus outbreak in Padua

British Airways (plane above) is offering customers the option to swap and change some of their flights

Approximately three millions British nationals visit Italy every year.

Travel expert Nicholas Cooper today told MailOnline that many families are watching and waiting as they prepare to go on their Italian breaks.

Mr Cooper, who is the head of market for Holiday Pirates said: 'There are a lot of families who are watching the situation develop and are feeling a bit torn about what to do.

'They are obviously really looking forward to going on holiday but are now really unsure about whether they can still go, or even whether they should'.

He said that many passengers had been left in a 'grey area' following the government advice.

Even people booked on trips to nearby Milan or Verona wont be able to cancel and neither will customers who are booked on trips to Tenerife.

A gondolier talks with a police officer in Venice this afternoon as the streets remained relatively empty

Tourist walks near the Rialto bridge wearing a protective face mask while walking around Venice

WHAT ARE THE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS? The virus, called COVID-19, is transmitted from person to person via droplets when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces such as door handles or railings. Coronavirus infections have a wide range of symptoms, including fever, coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Mild cases can cause cold-like symptoms including a sore throat, headache, fever, cough or trouble breathing. Severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory illness, kidney failure and death. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Advertisement

Despite this advice from various travel companies, one single mother faces losing hundreds of pounds after she booked her daughter on a school trip to northern Italy.

Amanda Clarke's 10-year-old daughter, Amelia Taylor-Clarke had been due to go to Bormio in Lombardy on March 21, which Amanda said she has 'spent all year saving 750 for'.

Amelia attends the Mab Lane Primary School in Liverpool and her mother said parents have been given the difficult choice of losing the money or sending their children to the virus hit area.

The mother, from Dovecot, said it has been 'extremely hard' to save up for the trip.

She said: 'Since the news of the outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy was released a group of mothers from Liverpool, including myself, have scrambled for a bit of hope that we would be refunded for the trip we have paid nearly 750 for.

'We fully understand about the borders needing to be closed to be eligible for a full refund, but what sort of position does that leave a parent in?'

Amanda Clarke's 10-year-old daughter, Amelia Taylor-Clarke has a place on a trip to Italy later this month. Her mother is being forced to chose whether to send her on the trip and risk her becoming ill - or keeping her at home and losing hundreds of pounds

Tourists, one wearing a respiratory mask, talk while respecting security distance, as they visit the Colosseum in Rome

Italian healthcare staff of the infectious diseases department of the Padova Hospital wear protective suits and face masks as they swab people waiting in line in front of a Civil Protection tent due to the Covid 19 Coronavirus outbreak in Padua

Single mother faces losing hundreds of pounds on ski trip for her 10-year-old daughter to virus-hit Northern Italy Amanda Clarke's 10-year-old daughter, Amelia Taylor-Clarke had been due to go to Bormio in Lombardy on March 21, which Amanda said she has 'spent all year saving 750 for'. Amelia attends the Mab Lane Primary School in Liverpool and her mother said parents have been given the difficult choice of losing the money or sending their children to the virus hit area. Amanda Clarke and Amelia Taylor-Clarke are pictured together above at their home in Liverpool The mother, from Dovecot, said it has been 'extremely hard' to save up for the trip. She said: 'Since the news of the outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy was released a group of mothers from Liverpool, including myself, have scrambled for a bit of hope that we would be refunded for the trip we have paid nearly 750 for. 'We fully understand about the borders needing to be closed to be eligible for a full refund, but what sort of position does that leave a parent in?' She added: 'I want all of my money back that I've saved hard for all year round for. Why should I have to lose half my money when this is going on all over the world? 'We're all trying to do as much as we can.' Amanda also has a two-year-old son and worried that it could be detrimental to him if Amelia was forced to self-isolate for two weeks. The council said the parents would receive a part refund, but Amanda admitted that the school's hands had been tied on the matter. A council spokeswoman said advice remains that travel is still allowed to these areas, but they understand if parents want to withdraw their children from going abroad. But Amanda said she was terrified the borders would close while her daughter was away if the coronavirus situation worsens in the coming weeks, and the year six pupil would be stuck. She said: I believe no parent would send their 10-year-old child to strange country where people are dying daily and the numbers are rising rapidly. Advertisement

She added: 'I want all of my money back that I've saved hard for all year round for. Why should I have to lose half my money when this is going on all over the world?

'We're all trying to do as much as we can.'

Amanda also has a two-year-old son and worried that it could be detrimental to him if Amelia was forced to self-isolate for two weeks.

The council said the parents would receive a part refund, but Amanda admitted that the school's hands had been tied on the matter.

It comes as data from TravelSupermarket shows holiday searches for Italy are down, Venice is down -78 per cent and Rome down -75 per cent, year on year.

This is while managing director of Kirker Holidays, Ted Wake, said there is a risk of going abroad but there is also a risk of staying at home.

He told MailOnline today that many people travelling to Italy are getting the 'red carpet treatment' and being upgraded.

'In terms of value for money there has never been a better time to go'.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended all but non-essential trips to Italy after it raised its level warning to Level 3.

Airlines are not obliged to change flights as government advice does not specify on airports.

British Airways had previously cancelled some flights to Milan and had offered swaps last month.

It has now waived the change fee for customers who book during the next two weeks to allow them to 'book with confidence'.

In addition it has rebooking policies in place for customers travelling to Hong Kong and cities across Northern Italy (Milan (Linate and Malpensa), Turin, Bologna, Venice, Bergamo and Verona) who want to delay their travel to a later date.

If the company cancels a flight it will offer them re-booking options or a full refund.

The Foreign Office state: 'The FCO advise against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) and one in Veneto (Vo' Euganeo), which have been isolated by the Italian authorities due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).'

'The government of Italy introduced extraordinary measures that allow regions to implement civil protection measures in response to coronavirus, including the isolation of the towns above.

'These measures were extended on March 1 and include school closures and changes to sporting fixtures in the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna, as well as in provinces closest to the outbreaks.'

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 'People are understandably concerned about how their travel plans will be impacted by coronavirus, and a lack of clear and timely information has left many travellers confused about their options.

'While the government has now updated its advice to cover the Italian locations that have experienced an outbreak, those travelling to nearby cities like Milan or Verona still won't be able to cancel and claim on their travel insurance, nor will those travelling to Tenerife. However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be able to cancel and claim on your travel insurance based on advice from your doctor.

People stand in Piazza di Spagna square, after the government decree to close schools, cinemas, and urge people to work from home and not stand closer than one metre to each other in Rome,

A picture shows the deserted Piazza Duomo in Milan this week as Italy closed all schools and universities

A woman is seen wearing a protective mask in Milan as just a few other tourists are seen around her

'With thousands of holidaymakers already worrying about whether to cancel upcoming holidays, the government must ensure it is reacting quickly to developments in the spread of the virus to avoid any further confusion for travellers.'

In a statement TUI said it was aware of the reported outbreaks across the world.

'Please be advised that local authorities may have introduced additional screening measures and travel restrictions at airports.

'Our usual terms and conditions for amendments and cancellations apply. However, should the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice change to advise against travel to the country you are visiting or due to visit, we will contact you to discuss your options. We will look to offer an alternative holiday arrangement or if a significant change is involved, a full refund will be offered.

'If you are unable to travel due to travel restrictions that are in place for your destination, or for medical reasons you are advised to speak to your holiday insurance company.'
Kuncherias father, Joshi Kuncheria, said he was happy to see his sons efforts had finally come to fruition. He said he and his wife were unsure in the beginning whether Justin would be able to balance the program goals with his school work and extra-curriculars, but they knew he was focused and passionate about what he was doing.
An inmate was allegedly bashed to death after he fought back when a prison gang demanded he hand over an ornate skull ring.

Mark Pollard, 48, died in hospital after a violent attack at Port Phillip prison, in Melbourne's west on February 26.

The prisoner, who has distinctive horns tattooed on the top of his head, was on remand for theft and due to be released shortly after the bashing.

Pollard was allegedly attacked by a gang of African and Pacific Islander prisoners who laid into him when he refused to give them his jewellery.

Mark Pollard, 48, died in hospital after a violent attack at Port Phillip prison, in Melbourne's west on February 26

His sister Amanda Pollard told the Herald Sun she's confused, angry and broken by the incident that saw her brother killed at the maximum security facility.

'He was ambushed in his cell and gang attacked, they stole his runners and a ring,' she said.

She said he suffered for hours - having been ambushed between 4pm and 6pm but not being hospitalize until 4am the next morning.

The attackers are thought to have gone into Pollard's cell when he was out in search of the piece of jewellery, but couldn't find it because it was on his finger.

The attackers are thought to have gone into Pollard's cell when he was out in search of the piece of jewellery, but couldn't find it because it was on his finger (stock image)

After discovering his belongings had been rifled through, a source told the Herald Sun Pollard got into a fight with about three or four inmates because he refused to hand over the ring.

The leader of the gang is said to have moved into the unit recently after intimidating prisoners in another section of the jail.

The gang was reportedly been involved in a string of violent offences, including one that involved a bashing so brutal the prisoner's teeth had to be picked up off the floor after the assault.

That incident involved attacking a prisoner who was mistakenly believed to be a sex offender.

Mark Pollard, 48, (pictured) died in hospital after a violent bashing at Port Phillip prison, in Melbourne's west on February 26

Mark Pollard, 48, was bashed to death at the Port Phillip prison (pictured) on February 26

Family members visited the prison on Wednesday to collect his belongings where they were told his runners and ring had been taken.

The Homicide squad is investigating the death however because it occurred in his cell there is no CCTV footage.

Pollard's family are considering legal action against the prison over claims they failed in their duty of care for the deceased inmate.
SAN FRANCISO, Calif. - A cruise ship in limbo off the California coast with thousands aboard should learn more about its fate Friday when officials get results from dozens of coronavirus tests.

The Grand Princess ship about 60 miles southwest of San Francisco as of Friday morning, according to CruiseMapper website.

Among those passengers, a couple from Paradise, Steven and Michele Smith.

Were feeling super healthy and happy on the ship because theyre taking great care of us, Michele said.

Steven and Michele Smith of Paradise are among the 3,500 passengers and crew waiting and wondering when theyll be allowed to return to land.

Were confident in the powers that be the ability to handle and monitor the situation, Steven said. Were not seeing any panic on the ship.

Thats despite learning that an elderly man from Placer County was on the Grand Princess ship in February when it departed from San Francisco to Mexico.

The California National Guard flew in test kits to the Grand Princess on Thursday. About 100 passengers were identified for testing. Results could come in sometime Friday.

In the meantime, we are all passengers are to stay in our state rooms for safety, Michele said. Were very happy with the cleanliness of Princess and the instructions theyve given us.

In San Francisco, Thursday  City, state and federal officials are trying to figure out what to do with the ship and its passengers. Until then its not being allowed back to its homeport of San Francisco.

Once we have results from the tests the CDC and the state will determine the most appropriate location for the ship to berth, Department of Emergency Management, Mary Ellen Carroll said. The location needs to provide for the safety of the surrounding community as well as the passengers and crew.

In the meantime, the smiths of Paradise are remaining positive.

"Obviously we're all concerned but we're doing what the captain asked us to do, Steven said. "We're hoping we get some quick results and that we're able to go about our business and get back to Paradise."

Now even though about 100 passengers were identified for testing  only about 30 or so had shown symptoms of the virus.
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Linkedin Toh Ting Wei (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Singapore  Fri, March 6, 2020 17:58 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068d6766 2 News Singapore-Airlines,Milan,Italy,Airlines,travel,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19 Free

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Friday that it has cancelled all flights to and from Milan till end-May, following restrictions imposed on travelers from northern Italy.

The cancellation comes two days after news emerged that a passenger who was later confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 had flown in to Singapore on the airline's SQ355 service from Milan.

This adds on to the slew of recent flight cancellations by SIA which will cut its capacity by 12.5 percent, compared with what it had originally scheduled from February to end-May.

SIA had announced significant flight cuts on Tuesday to several destinations, including Milan, South Korea and Japan, amid the growing spread of the coronavirus.

The carrier and other airlines around the world have been hard hit by the outbreak, with the International Air Transport Association (Iata) saying that it could cost airlines as much as US$113 billion (S$157 billion) in revenue this year.

Many would-be travelers are now avoiding or cancelling flights to all other countries, even to those with very few coronavirus cases.

An SIA spokesman said: "In view of the latest travel restrictions, all flights services to and from Milan have been cancelled from now till May 31."

The Milan-Malpensa Airport which SIA flies to is in the Lombardy administrative region in the northern Italy, and travelers from there would thus be affected by travel restrictions announced by the Ministry of Health.

Since 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday, all new visitors with recent travel history to Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transit through it. These areas have all been hit hard by the outbreak.

SIA had previously operated return flights to Milan daily.

Read also: COVID-19: Seat occupancy on flights to Bandung from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur drops 50%

One of these flights, the SQ377 service, which usually flies from Barcelona to Singapore with a layover at the Milan-Malpensa Airport three times weekly, had been converted into a direct flight since Wednesday.

SIA earlier said that this was due to the developing Covid-19 outbreak in northern Italy.

It also said that when flights are reinstated to Milan, there are plans to implement similar precautions to those taken for flights to mainland China.

These temporary measures include placing in-flight items on seats instead of giving them out during flights where possible and suspending in-flight sales.

Many other airlines worldwide have also announced significant flight cuts mainly due to falling demand from the coronavirus outbreak or to avoid travel to heavily affected areas.

For example, German airline Lufthansa has announced that it expects to reduce its flights by up to 25 per cent in the coming weeks.

One of Britain's biggest airlines, Flybe, collapsed on Thursday with all its flights grounded after its financial problems were compounded by the impact of the outbreak.

Separately, SIA said on Thursday that it has fogged an aircraft and taken extra measures to clean the SQ355 plane that had flown the Milan-Singapore route, after a passenger who subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 was found to have traveled on the flight on Feb 24.

The passenger had landed at Changi Airport on Feb 25, where she transited to Air New Zealand flight NZ283, a code-share service with SIA which was also carrying SIA passengers, to fly to Auckland.

Air NZ said she was confirmed to have the infection on Wednesday.

Pilots and cabin crew on the SQ355 flight have been asked to go on a leave of absence and monitor their health. SIA is also working with relevant authorities to identify the passengers and crew who were on board the flight.

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This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
Non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 bpd to the overall extra cut, OPEC ministers said. But Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of OPEC+, said they had not yet agreed to the deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016, Reuters reported.

On Thursday OPEC pushed for crude output by OPEC and its allies  a group known as OPEC+ - to be cut by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in total until the end of 2020. The call came ahead of an OPEC+ meeting scheduled for Friday in Vienna.

A Russian high-level source told Reuters on Friday that Moscow would not back an OPEC call for extra reductions in oil output and would agree only to an extension of existing cuts by OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+.

The selling pressure was strong enough to take out Brent crude oils earlier weekly low, driving prices to their lowest levels since 2015. WTI crude oil, held its weekly low at $43.85, just slightly above its January 20, 2016 main bottom at $43.55.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark crude oil futures are down more than 6% on Friday after Russia said it will not agree to steeper oil production cuts by OPEC and its allies to support prices in the face of a huge decline in oil demand due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark crude oil futures are down more than 6% on Friday after Russia said it will not agree to steeper oil production cuts by OPEC and its allies to support prices in the face of a huge decline in oil demand due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported.

The selling pressure was strong enough to take out Brent crude oils earlier weekly low, driving prices to their lowest levels since 2015. WTI crude oil, held its weekly low at $43.85, just slightly above its January 20, 2016 main bottom at $43.55.

A Russian high-level source told Reuters on Friday that Moscow would not back an OPEC call for extra reductions in oil output and would agree only to an extension of existing cuts by OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+.

Most Analysts Not Surprised by Russian Rejection of Plan

On Thursday OPEC pushed for crude output by OPEC and its allies  a group known as OPEC+ - to be cut by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in total until the end of 2020. The call came ahead of an OPEC+ meeting scheduled for Friday in Vienna.

Non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 bpd to the overall extra cut, OPEC ministers said. But Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of OPEC+, said they had not yet agreed to the deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016, Reuters reported.

Early in the session of Friday, crude oil prices were plunging because some traders were increasing bets that the proposed deal would collapse, but some believed Moscow would ultimately endorse the agreement. These traders turned into sellers after Reuters reported Russias rejection of the deal.

Putin Power Grab May Be Motive Behind Russias Decision

Timothy Ash, senior emerging markets strategist at Bluebay Asset Management, said in a research note that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely want to take this to the brink, to maximize his own geopolitical leverage to get OPEC Middle Eastern countries coming to him begging to agree to cuts.

I guess then he will ask for concessions elsewhere, e.g. Gulf financing for Syria reconstruction, Ash said.

Earlier in the week, Putin said that Russia can cope with the recent decline in oil prices as the coronavirus has spread internationally but offered a chink of light to OPEC as the producer group pushes for deeper supply cuts.

Moscow had been resisting further curbs, arguing that reduced output by OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, will not necessarily revive demand, sources said.

I want to stress that for the Russian budget, for our economy, the current oil prices level is acceptable, Putin told a meeting with Russian energy officials and producers to discuss the coronavirus and its implications.

He added, however, that this does not set aside the need for action, including together with foreign partners.

Meanwhile, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that Moscow is evaluating the smaller oil production cut proposal made by OPEC+, adding it had not received a proposal for deeper cuts.

Weekly Technical Analysis

Theres not a lot to analyze in a market that is being driven by strong downside momentum. Picking a bottom is not suggested and too risky. Selling weakness is also a risky proposition because of the possibility of a quick reversal to the upside. The best strategy is to sell rallies since the main trend is down.

If looking to sell weakness then look for sell stops to be triggered under the January 20, 2016 main bottom at $43.55. However, be quick to exit if prices regain this level. When it comes to trading momentum, one has to remember that its momentum in, and momentum out. Youre shorting because the momentum is trending lower, and youre out when the downside momentum shifts back to the upside. The trade is not so much about price levels.

If the downside momentum stops at or above $43.85 to $43.55 then consider this the first sign that the selling is getting weaker, or the counter-trend buying stronger. Overcoming $45.92 will indicate the buying is getting stronger. This could trigger a further rally into a short-term 50% level at $50.16.

Overcoming $50.16 will indicate the buying is getting stronger. Dont get too excited about the markets upside potential, however, since the main trend wont change to up unless buyers can take out the last swing top at $54.66.

Bearish traders have two choices. They can sell weakness under $43.55 or they can wait for a counter-trend retracement into $50.16.
For the fifth day in a row, the opposition Congress party on Friday continued to pile pressure on the government over the recent Delhi riots. The seven suspended Congress Members of Parliament (MP) sat down to protest outside the Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Donning black cloth armbands, Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, benny Behanan, Manickam Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Friday morning sat down with a placard demanding the resignation of Amit Shah.

On Thursday, the seven Congress MPs had been suspended, for unruly behaviour, from Lok Sabha till the remainder of the current session which ends on April 3.

The current session of Parliament which resumed on March 2 has witnessed frequent adjournments due to opposition, primarily the Congress party, protests over the violence that erupted on February 23 in several localities across North East Delhi. The Congress party has been demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah resign in this regard.
Testing for the novel coronavirus is rapidly expanding in Ontario, with the provinces public health agency actively searching for missed COVID-19 cases at hospitals in six cities and, likely soon, in doctors offices too.

So far, all of Ontarios 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been travel-related: the patients recently returned from countries or cruise ships where the infection is rampant, or are close contacts of those people. There has been no sign yet that the virus is circulating locally within the province.

But if local transmission is already occurring, we will likely find out soon. British Columbia announced its first apparent community transmission case Thursday evening, a woman with no recent travel history who was caught through precisely the same type of program Ontario is now rolling out.

Though it might be anxiety-provoking, any new cases detected by the expanded testing program would be a sign the system is working, said Amy Greer, Canada research chair in population disease modelling at the University of Guelph.

I dont think it would be evidence the situation is out of control. I would actually find it comforting to some degree, says Greer, a sign our health-care system is catching those cases early unlike in the U.S. where late detection has in some cases been lethal.

Once we know community transmission has started, then we can make better decisions about how we implement control measures, Greer said.

Last Thursday, Public Health Ontarios Toronto lab began testing for COVID-19 in samples taken from patients hospitalized in Toronto with acute respiratory illness. Those patients were already being tested for seasonal influenza, which shares some symptoms with COVID-19.

A subset of those flu tests were also tested for COVID-19. Of the 181 that had been processed as of Wednesday morning, all were negative.

So far, so good, says Vanessa Allen, chief of medical microbiology at the Public Health Ontario lab.

Now that program is being rolled out across Ontario, testing a subset of samples swabbed from suspected flu patients hospitalized in Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton, Sudbury, and London, Allen says.

She says that the lab is also actively exploring piggybacking on an existing flu-monitoring program to start collecting samples from people who show up at their doctors offices with flu-like symptoms  a group likelier to have only mild illness.

Capturing people with mild symptoms who may have COVID-19 is particularly important, but also particularly difficult.

Data from China shows that the majority of people who catch the virus  around 80 per cent  only ever get mild to moderate symptoms. Those people are less likely to show up at hospital, because they arent very sick. But they are still capable of shedding the virus and spreading the disease, including to older people and those with underlying health conditions, the group most likely to suffer a severe course of illness and, in some cases, death.

Health officials in Washington state only recently discovered there was community transmission of COVID-19 when a small number of cases were detected, only to be quickly followed by a rash of deaths tied to a nursing home. Genetic analysis of the virus suggested that it had likely been circulating for weeks, potentially infecting hundreds of people who had gone undetected.

Experts have partly blamed limitations on testing for the unrecognized spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. Until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped reporting numbers earlier this week, it had processed fewer COVID-19 tests than Ontario, which has a fraction of the population.

Allen says the provincial lab is hoping to use an existing program designed to track how well the flu vaccine works, the Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network, to help reach Ontarians with milder respiratory symptoms. Family doctors and nurses voluntarily sign up to be part of the program every year, and send samples to be tested weekly from patients who have flu-like symptoms.

By testing some of those for COVID-19, the lab can hunt for mild coronavirus cases that have flown under the radar, and would never show up at a hospital. The program is likely to be finalized soon.

Because this is something we want to know sooner rather than later, were building on existing infrastructure in the province, Allen says.

Expanding such active surveillance programs  proactively searching for missed cases  has to be balanced against the increasing demand for testing in patients who have travelled to affected countries and are actively under investigation for COVID-19, experts say. Running too many unnecessary tests can bog down the whole system and make it harder to get accurate results for actual cases.

The lab has also increased its capacity it recent days and is working to increase it further. COVID-19 testing is beginning at Public Health Ontarios lab sites in Kingston and Hamilton, Allen says, so that tests can be done elsewhere in the province besides Toronto.

Positive tests also no longer need to be sent to Canadas national lab in Winnipeg for confirmation, saving time, and the lab is hoping to bundle a set of two tests that are carried out on each sample into one run, doubling capacity.
Kim Jong-un sent a 'message of comfort' to the South Korean people who are battling against coronavirus. (AP)

Kim Jong-un has offered the hand of friendship to South Korea as the country suffers from a major coronavirus outbreak.

The North Korean leader sent South Korean president Moon Jae-in a message of comfort to the South Korean people who are battling against the outbreak of Covid-19, according to Moons senior secretary for public communication, Yoon Do-han.

See latest coronavirus news and updates

Kim expressed confidence that South Korea, which has confirmed over 5,000 cases of the illness, would prevail in this fight without fail and offered his unwavering friendship and trust.

The message is in stark contrast to Kims younger sisters recent comments to South Korea, after they protested against the Norths latest live-fire exercises.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (front right) talks to a president of Daegu Medical Center, You Wansik, at the Daegu Medical Center in Daegu, South Korea. (AP)

Kim Yo-jong is in charge of propaganda affairs for North Korea and has frequently appeared at her brother's major public events including summits with Donald Trump and other regional leaders.

But her statement carried by state media was the first of its kind and indicated a further elevation of her political status.

South Korean army soldiers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus on a street in Seoul, South Korea. (AP)

In the statement issued on Tuesday night, she criticised South Korea's presidential Blue House for expressing strong concerns over the North's firing drills and urging it to stop acts that do not help reduce military animosities.

Read more: Millions of children are currently out of school because of coronavirus

"As far as I know, the South side is also fond of joint military exercises and it is preoccupied with all the disgusting acts like purchasing ultra-modern military hardware," Ms Kim said.

"They meant they need to get militarily prepared but we should be discouraged from military exercises.

Kim Yo-jong directed insults at South Korea on Tuesday. (AP)

"Such a gangster-like assertion can never be expected from those with normal way of thinking.

Describing the Blue House as "a mere child" and "a burnt child dreading fire", she questioned how its words and actions could be "so perfectly foolish in detail.

Read more: Here are the four phases of the government's coronavirus action plan

Story continues

Ms Kim did not name liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whom she has met several times.

She only said: "The South side's response is so regretful and disappointing but it is somewhat fortunate that it was not direct statement of the president.

Read more: First Brit to contract coronavirus describes symptoms

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said it has no specific comment on Ms Kim's statement.

But spokesman Yoh Sang-key said the two Koreas should maintain mutual respect while working toward establishing a peace on the Korean Peninsula.

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NASA Mars mission now has a name  Perseverance. The path-breaking mission will land on Mars in early 2021, and will remain on the red planet for about one Mars year, or 687 Earth days. During this time, it will collect data that will attempt to identify traces of ancient life on Mars, test new technologies that may one day sustain life on Mars, and also collect the first rock samples that will be brought back to Earth from Mars. To take on these tasks, Perseverance has been earmarked for launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida between July 17 and August 5, and is scheduled to land on Mars on February 18, 2021.

The NASA Perseverance rover features many new technology breakthroughs made by the space agency in a bid to improve the rover's ability to navigate the Martian surface. Of many critical elements in the mission, the Mars 2020 mission will see Perseverance to attempt producing oxygen from the carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere, or what remains of it. The rover also has a new, intelligent landing technology integrated in its computers, which will enable it to take photographs of the surface while landing, identify the topography of its terrain, compare it to pre-installed orbital maps, and divert its landing process if necessary.

Call me Perseverance.I'm headed for Mars: driven to search for signs of ancient life, test new tech to help future human explorers, and collect the first rock samples for future return to Earth.Follow me. Let's go. https://t.co/7w3rbvbyoL#Mars2020 NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 5, 2020

Furthermore, Perseverance is enabled to capture the first audio samples from Mars, with multiple onboard microphones programmed to record the sound of the rover's descent to the surface, and also the workings of the rover. It will also undertake the first ever drilling procedure on Martian surface, procuring rocks from Mars and storing it in order to bring it back to Earth. To support all of these ventures, the Perseverance rover now gets a new set of wheels that come with a modified shape that maximises rover performance, offers better traction to help climb steeper slopes and are more durable on overall terms.

An illustration of all the scientific equipment that will be on-board NASA's Perseverance rover slated to land on Mars in February 2021. (Image: NASA)

The NASA Perseverance rover will be the first to bring back a chunk of Martian rock to Earth, and also record audio from the Martian surface.

Interestingly, NASA hosted a 'name the rover' contest for school students in USA, the prestige of which was won by Virginia-based seventh grade student Alexander Mather. Following the announcement of its official name, Twitter has been abuzz with anticipation of what the mission would bring to the table. NASA has been keeping busy of late, recently flagging off its latest recruitment drive for new astronauts as part of the Artemis generation of space missions.

The programme, which is slated to receive applications through March 31, aims to add to the present roster of 48 astronauts, and will include members who would represent mankind's return to the lunar surface for the first time since the much-romanticised Apollo moon missions of the 1970s. With missions to the moon and Mars scheduled through 2030, it is an exciting time for observers of space advancements, and answers that Perseverance can bring to the table.
City employees in Seattle might be required to work from home if the coronavirus outbreak worsens, Mayor Jenny Durkan told CNBC on Friday.

"If people don't have to come into work and can work from home, we're encouraging that and we may go to a mandatory state of that," Durkan said on "Squawk Alley."

The city of Seattle employs more than 15,000 people, Durkan said.

King County, where Seattle is located, has the most coronavirus cases in the U.S. with 51 as of Friday morning, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Twelve of the 14 deaths in the U.S. are in King County.

Snohomish County, which sits just north of King County, also has 18 cases.

There are more than 100,000 cases of the coronavirus globally and more than 230 in the U.S.

Durkan's comments Friday come one day after Seattle's City Council approved an emergency declaration, giving the mayor broad authority to respond to the outbreak.

Seattle also has offices for large corporations such as Microsoft and Amazon, with which the city has been closely communicating regarding work policies, Durkan said.

After an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, Amazon on Thursday asked employees at its offices in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, to work from home if they can until the end of March.

Two Microsoft employees in Washington state have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the company said Thursday.

The tech giant on Wednesday told employees in the Puget Sound area in Washington and California's Bay Area to work from home if they can until March 25. Microsoft also has restricted employee travel.

The University of Washington, which is based in Seattle, on Friday announced all classes and exams would be conducted remotely until March 20, when the current academic quarter concludes. The school plans to resume in-person classes on March 30.

According to Seattle law, an emergency declaration gives Durkan the ability to impose curfews, restrict access to certain streets and order businesses to close. Durkan did not suggest the outbreak could get to that point.

But Durkan said she was particularly concerned about the small businesses and gig economy workers in Seattle who are ill-suited to handle declining economic activity or outright work stoppages. She said she discussed the issue Thursday with Vice President Mike Pence, who was in Washington state.

"Our large companies have a lot of resiliency built into them," Durkan said. "But we're seeing a number of small businesses that may be impaired ... I want to get as much direct federal relief as we can into the hands of those businesses."
Mysuru: The COVID-19 scare has not only increased the price of N 95 masks but also created a scarcity in Mysuru as well as neighbouring districts sharing a border with Kerala.

After some cases tested positive in Kerala, masks are going out of stock in the city, which is frequented by foreign tourists. Chemists are advising people to use scarves to cover their faces.

Pradeep, a chemist said, "Masks are not available even in the wholesale market."

Another chemist said companies are hiking the price of masks irrationally. "Earlier we used to get a face mask for Rs 2 wholesale and we used to sell it for Rs 5. But now the companies themselves have increased the cost to Rs 20-23. So we have stopped getting them," he said.

An official in the health department said they are in consultation with manufacturing companies who have capacity to supply within a short notice.

Additional chief secretary of the health department, Javed Akthar, said in a media statement that strict action will be taken if someone tries to create a shortage of face masks.
Provinces in the Mekong Delta are taking prompt actions to help local residents adapt to drought and saltwater intrusion during the dry season.

Xuan Hoa Sluice in Tien Giang Provinces Cho Gao District.

Every year, severe saltwater intrusion occurs in Tien Giang Provinces Tan Phu Dong District, which is located at the lower section of Tien River and between the river mouths of Tieu and Dai, according to Nguyen Quoc Khanh, chairman of the district Peoples Committee.

The province has allocated more than VND26 billion (US$1.1 million) for irrigation systems to protect production and the life of local residents.

The capital is being used to dredge a total of 3,000 metres of eight canals that will be used to store fresh water, and build three new sluices that will prevent saltwater intrusion in Tan Thoi and Phu Dong communes.

It is also being used to upgrade three embankments to protect nearly 5,560 hectares of land for production, including 2,950 hectares of coconuts and more than 1,250 hectares of fruit, among others.

District authorities have urged farmers to use methods that adapt to climate change and to expand areas for vegetable cultivation in paddy fields so that water can be saved.

In areas near sea and embankments, farmers have upgraded more than 320 hectares for shrimp breeding.

In Tra Vinh Province, the Centre for Fresh Water and Rural Environmental Hygiene has built works connecting tap water supply systems and has provided devices containing fresh water for residents in areas affected by drought and saltwater intrusion.

Bui Van Mung, the centres director, said that more than 4,600 households lacked fresh water, most of them in remote areas in Chau Thanh, Cau Ke, and Cang Long districts.

The areas affected by saline intrusion do not have enough tap water supply stations or systems. Saltwater intrusion has increased since February, while all main sluices in the province have been closed to store fresh water and prevent saline intrusion.

Local resident Thach Sa Ri of Da Loc Commune in Chau Thanh District has been using drilled well water, but "the well has gone dry because of the lack of rain".

Mung said that the province has allocated nearly VND12 billion to expand fresh water supply systems for areas affected by drought and saltwater intrusion.

The system will provide tap water to nearly 4,000 households in the districts of Cang Long and Chau Thanh by the second quarter of the year.

For households in areas where the systems pipeline cannot access, the centre will provide devices to contain water.

Ben Tre Province has 4,962 households that lack devices to store fresh water. Its authorities have suggested that the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee provide drinking water jugs for the poor.

Vinh Long Province has an irrigation system with more than 5,000 canals and others, more than 400 embankments and more than 6,000 sluices to ensure water for agricultural production.



The province needs VND200 billion to dredge the La Ghi-Tra Con Canal in Tra On District to serve 30,000 hectares and another VND250 billion for the Cai Ca- May Tuc irrigation system in Vung Liem District to serve 45,000 hectares. It has petitioned the Government for the assistance.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, saltwater intrusion is forecast to increase from March 7 to 15 due to high tides and be at the highest level since the beginning of the dry season.  VNS

Mekong Delta saline intrusion to be worse this year The General Water Resources Directorate has predicted that saline intrusion in Mekong Delta this year will come earlier and be more serious than in 2015-2016.

Drought, saltwater intrusion loom in Vietnam's Mekong Delta The Mekong Delta plans to grow this years winter  spring rice crop early since drought and saltwater intrusion are forecast to be severe in the dry season starting at the end of this year.
Former US president Bill Clinton, recalling the sex scandal that led to his impeachment in 1998, says in a new documentary series that his extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky was a way of "managing my anxieties."

The four-part documentary series, Hillary, which was released on Friday in the US on Hulu, focuses on Hillary Clinton's life, her marriage to Bill Clinton and her unsuccessful campaign for president in 2016.

In the series, Bill Clinton, 73, is asked by the director, Nanette Burstein, why he engaged in an affair with Lewinsky, then a White House intern, and whether he weighed the risks.

"Nobody sits down and thinks, 'I think I'll take a really irresponsible risk,'" Clinton says. "It's bad for my family, bad for my country, bad for the people who work with me."
Aaron Schock, the Republican who resigned from Congress in 2015 as he faced questions about his adherence to spending rules, came out as gay Thursday, writing in a lengthy post on his website about the challenges of growing up in a religious household and saying he was wrong to oppose same-sex marriage.

The fact that I am gay is just one of those things in my life in need of explicit affirmation, to remove any doubt and to finally validate who I am as a person, Schock wrote.

Schock, of Peoria, was elected to Congress in 2008 to represent a district that included Jacksonville and the surrounding area, and was once seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. He came under criticism in 2015 for lavish spending, including a redesign of his Capitol Hill office. It included blood-red walls, a crystal chandelier and a plume of pheasant feathers and was rumored to have been inspired by a room on Downton Abbey.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2016 on 24 counts, including wire fraud and theft of government funds. Federal prosecutors reached an agreement in March 2019 to drop the charges. Schock vowed to pay back taxes and reimburse his campaign.

In the post Thursday, Schock lashed out at prosecutors, saying they had weaponized questions about my personal life and used innuendo in an attempt to cast me as a person of deceptive habit and questionable character. Schock also reiterated that he had never watched Downton Abbey, saying it was used as a dog whistle to tease him about his sexuality.

Schock could not immediately be reached for comment.

His post comes at a moment when more openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are running for seats in Congress and winning in record numbers. Schock said he hoped that sharing his story could shine a light for young people, raised the way I was, looking for a path out of darkness and shame.

But many people were quick to criticize Schock on social media, noting that he had opposed LGBTQ causes a number of times, including votes against the legalization of same-sex marriage and the repeal of the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, and that he did not apologize for those stances in his announcement. The Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group, gave Schock a zero score in a 2014 report assessing lawmakers support for LGBTQ issues.

Schock wrote in the post that other gay people in politics had told him that his announcement may not be well-received in the LGBTQ community.

Where was I, they will ask, when I was in a position to help advance issues important to gay Americans? he wrote.

Schock wrote that if I were in Congress today, I would support LGBTQ rights in every way I could.

In his announcement, Schock described being raised in a religious household in the rural Midwest. He wrote that he memorized Bible verses and attended church services at least twice a week.

I got older and first felt myself drawn in the direction of my natural orientation, I didnt want to think about it, he wrote. I always preferred to force my thoughts in other directions, leaving a final answer about that for another day.

He said he did not reveal his sexuality to his constituents after he was elected to Congress. I put my ambition over the truth, he said, which not only hurt me, but others as well.
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In the first conviction for the horrific lynching of Pehlu Khan in 2017, two minors have been found guilty in the case by a Juvenile Justice Board in Alwar, a senior police official said.

"The board convicted two minors on Thursday. Sentencing will be pronounced on Saturday," IG Jaipur S Sengathir said.

The two minors were part of a mob that allegedly lynched the 55-year-old dairy farmer in 2017.

In August last year, six men who were accused of lynching Khan were acquitted by a lower court in Alwar and this is the first conviction in the case.

The six accused -- Vipin Yadav, Ravindra Kumar, Kaluram, Dayanand, Yogesh Kumar and Bheem Rathi -- were given the benefit of doubt and were acquitted.

The state government filed an appeal against the court order in the high court in October.

Khan, his two sons and a few others were transporting cows from Jaipur when they were intercepted and thrashed by cow vigilantes near Alwar's Behror on April 1, 2017.

Khan succumbed to his injuries on April 3 in a hospital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
I am grieved and angry that the most qualified candidate who, like Hillary Clinton, is a woman, has been forced by squeamish voters to bow out. She was hampered by the steady drumbeat of media analysis in which she was either treated as an also-ran or ignored completely. There is ample evidence pointing to the ingrained misogyny and sexism that is the fallback position in this country, but which is routinely dismissed as a victim mentality by those whose interests are most threatened at the prospect of a woman in power.  Barbara Harman, Minnesota

Warren was the most qualified and talented presidential candidate this country has had in my lifetime. Wicked smart, passionate, a master communicator, a fighter for average Americans, empathetic, kind and an absolute star of a public servant. She would have made a superb president if not for American pettiness, misogyny, and cultured ignorance.

She suffered the proverbial fate of Adlai Stevenson, who, when a supporter told him that, Every thinking person in America will be voting for you, sir, replied, Im afraid that wont do  I need a majority. I hope Senator Warren remains in public service for a long time. America needs her.  Socrates, Downtown Verona, N.J.

Im sad to see Elizabeth Warren bow out. In many ways, she has been the candidate with the highest character and the best set of ideas and policies to carry out the kind of transformational change the country needs. A return to so-called normalcy would be a nice relief after the destructive madness and corruption of Trump but would not in itself do anything to resolve the many problems we face, from health care to immigration reform to growing economic and social inequality. She is the most decent, thoughtful and fitting person to lead the country. Her departure says most about the continuing polarization, dysfunction and gender inequality in the country.

Someone else in this section cited Warrens supposed dishonesty, but thats a gross distortion along with a dishonest take in viewing male vs. female candidates. Her claim to some Native American heritage was not a ruse, and her explanation should have settled it. I was disappointed that she didnt answer the question about whether middle income people would see a tax increase under her plans  not just a net benefit after all factors are calculated  but she did not alienate sensible and progressive voters overall. Those who seek to disparage her by cherry-picking three or four supposedly damning aspects of her candidacy are looking for easy excuses and hiding their gender bias. Warren deserves to be president and would have done an excellent job when we really need it.  TRJ, Los Angeles

I thank Elizabeth Warren for providing inspiration to millions of people, especially young women and girls

Many readers saw Ms. Warren as a barrier-breaking candidate and an inspiration to young women who might want to pursue politics in the future.

Our country has missed an incredible opportunity. Elizabeth Warren would have made a brilliant president. She has it all. Im sad that we, as a nation, are too fearful to reach out for the big, structural change we clearly need. I thank Elizabeth Warren for providing inspiration to millions of people, especially young women and girls.  Ann, Massachusetts
The parents of two teenagers killed in a car crash are suing the Florida Highway Patrol and others, claiming the bodies of their daughters were and switched and organs were taken from the wrong body.

The lawsuits follow a July 29 crash in the Pensacola area involving four friends. Two of them were killed: Deleigha 'Leigha' Gibson, 18, and Samara Cooks, 15.

Despite their age difference and different physical characteristics, according the lawsuits their identities were switched.

The body of Samara Cooks, 15, left, somehow got swapped with Deleigha 'Leigha' Gibson, 18, right and sent to the wrong funeral home. Gibson was an organ donor, but Cooks' were taken

Deleigha, 18, was killed alongside three of her friends in a July 29 car crash

Samara Cooks, 15, left, is pictured alongside her mother Ranada Cooks. 'I'm not at peace. I'm not at peace. I feel like I haven't had a chance to mourn,' she said

The girls were killed alongside two of their friends on July 29, 2019, after striking a utility pole

One was also an organ donor and the other was not, leading to a mix-up in harvesting organs, according to the lawsuits.

Deleigha's father, Demetrius Gibson, said it's been hard for the family to deal with not only the car crash but also the problem in identifying the bodies.

'Basically, we were heartbroken about that. We are just trying to get everything right and give her a proper burial,' he said in an interview Friday.

'I'm not at peace. I'm not at peace. I feel like I haven't had a chance to mourn,' said Ranada Cooks, Samara's mother to CBS News.

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages from the FHP, several Escambia County officials and two funeral homes. FHP did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. The funeral homes declined comment.

There were four teenagers in the car that night. The parents said they were known as the 'Four Amigos' and spent many hours together.

Deleigha's father, Demetrius Gibson, pictured far right, said it's been hard for the family to deal with not only the car crash but also the problem in identifying the bodies. Tammy Gibson, Deleigha's mother, is pictured center while Ranada Cooks is seated, far left

Their car veered out of control at about 1:30am on July 29, hit a utility pole and then skidded into trees. Two of them died.

The mother of Samara Cooks, Ranada Cooks, said she traveled from her Atlanta home to verify her daughter's remains. What she found shocked her as well as Gibson's mother, Tammy.

'I walked in to see my daughter, and I saw Tammys daughter. Precious moments were taken away from us that we deserved to have,' she said.

'That's when I noticed that it was not Samara and it was a mix-up. I was thinking, 'Well maybe there's a chance that she's still alive.'

According to the lawsuits, the local medical examiner released the wrong bodies to the wrong funeral homes, which embalmed the wrong bodies without authorization.

One of the teenagers, Gibson, had signed up to be an organ donor in the case of her death. Instead, authorities apparently harvested organs from Cooks, who had not given consent.

The lawsuit also said that when Cooks' mother brought clothes to one of the funeral homes, the funeral home staff told her 'that she needed even larger clothes because they would not fit Samara Cooks.'

Ranada Cooks, left, said she traveled from her Atlanta home to verify her daughter's remains. What she found were the remains Demetrius Gibson's, left, daughter, Deleigha

That was because the body in the funeral home was that of Deleigha Gibson.

'I don't sleep. I think about what happened or I try to put the puzzles together,' Ranada Cooks said.

'And I didn't get the joy of laying her to rest the way we really wanted to,' Demetrius Gibson said.

'I don't want this to ever happen to any other parents. No one should go through this,' Cooks said.

The lawsuits were filed by the Gibson and Cooks families in Escambia County Circuit Court.

The Florida Highway Patrol said, 'Due to the nature of this crash involving multiple ejections, positive identifications at the scene were not made.'

The FHP said a further review of the case is ongoing to verify additional information.

Both sets of parents are demanding a jury trial although no trial date has been scheduled.
A protester at left, is held back by Biden adviser Symone Sanders, wearing stripes, face unseen, and Jill Biden, second from right, as Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden stands, at right, during a primary election night rally, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Los Angeles. Read more

I dont know Jill Biden. But I know Jill Biden.

All of us Philly girls know Jill Biden.

We are Jill Biden.

We female Fightins take care of the job. Just as, on a Super Tuesday stage behind a speechifying former Vice President Joe Biden this week, his raised-right-down-Broad-Street-into-Willow-Grove wife did exactly that: She got into a Philadelphia Eagles lineman defensive crouch and laid her hands on a vegan-activist-protester storming a stage in Los Angeles behind the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

I watched this viral moment and had just one thought, one Philly girl to another:

Of COURSE you take care of business this way.

OF COURSE you then turn around in your skirt and jacket and take even more control by shouting: Were OK! And, OF COURSE you clap your hands as if nothing just happened, letting the crowd resume chanting for the guy who just scored huge primary nomination wins. No sweat.

No surprise in my zip code, at least, that Jills body-block reverberated across social media. The former Jill Jacobs, Upper Moreland High School Class of 1969, had just done what a Philly Girl does. No matter that she has spent years as an English professor with a Ph.D. and other advanced degrees.

Jill. Is. No. Snowflake.

A few days earlier, shed caught my attention by helping remove a pretty sizable male heckler from a New Hampshire rally. When asked about that one, her response to reporters was, with a laugh: Im a good Philly girl.

No kidding.

Joe surely knows where this grit comes from. He was once a young boy from Scranton, Pa. (Dont know Scranton? Look up Philadelphia, add coal mines and mountains.) At a California fund-raiser Wednesday night, he shot out this zinger about his wifes Tuesday tussle on stage in front of rolling cameras:

"Im probably the only candidate running for president whose wife is my Secret Service, the former U.S. senator and No. 2 to President Barack Obama said, according to The Hill. Whoa. You dont screw around with a Philly girl, Ill tell you what.

Willow Grove, on a map, is in a belt of Philly suburbs that share with one another a certain old-school, working-to-middle-class cultural DNA. To test this theory, I drove there to talk with a wise man of Jills generation.

Hes wiseacre Jerry DiMarzio, Upper Moreland Class of 70  just a year behind Jill. His family has run the Willow Inn since after his mother had a priest come to the former brothel to bless and douse it with holy water so she could turn it into an Italian restaurant and pub.

He still talks about how Jills dad gave him his first mortgage. How he was the kind of man who enjoyed a game of pool and darts.

Im gonna say most of the girls here were nice girls, but they werent wearing silk and lace or that, said DiMarzio, who at 69 is quick with a one-liner.

Back then, the small single houses around here were full of former Philly folks like Jerrys mom, from Germantown, or blue-collar carpenters who became big-time builders with all the open land out there.

The girls around there, Jerry said, they wouldnt take any crap. But they wouldnt give you any crap if it wasnt called for.

I knew it.

He and I talked in a vintage-red tavern booth in a building thats more than a century old.

Im here," I told Jerry, "because I have a theory. Told him how I grew up in Upper Darby. The Philly Girl reflex, I told him, seems baked in us.

Its in the DNA, I said. What do you think?

DiMarzio, a 5-foot-4 sparkle of gab whos married to a 6-foot-tall brunette named Jan, leaned back and thought about it. Only after smiling did he offer his own theory: Lets call it wooder.

This hunt-or-be-hunted stuff, though, isnt in everyone. It was forged in the non-silver-spoon zip codes in and around Philly, back when union folks lived out there. Places like Willow Grove and Horsham, Oxford Circle or Southwest Philly, Upper Darby (Go UDHS Class of 88!) or Aston.

These places branded you with unmistakable characteristics: 1) A no-nonsense Philly accent that sounds like a schoolyard challenge at all times. 2) An always-be-alert defensive reflex that, at least as it came out of the mouths of my own public school classmates, went like this: Ill kick your a.

In an email the New York Times obtained and published earlier this year while profiling Jill, she mentioned these ordinary-kid roots. She was writing to a colleague at Northern Virginia Community College, where she taught until a few months ago. The Times got the emails through a records request. Heres what the Times reported:

In January 2017, Dr. Biden wrote about the personal transition that came with her husbands departure from public office.

I am currently living in 3 houses! wrote Dr. Biden, whose emails show up as Jill Tracy. I cant find a thing!!! I have my DE home, our new rental, and the Vice Presidents Residence all this for a middle class girl. Amazing.

Jerry and I laughed when I pulled out my iPhone and zoomed in on the photo of Jill with her hand gripping the protester. He always remembered Jill as more refined. Then again, this was Upper Moreland.

Would a woman raised in Rittenhouse Square," I asked, have had the same moves as Jill on that stage?

This time, no pause from Jerry.

If you get her silver spoon out of her mouth on time, he said. Again, though, a smile. Thats a different kind of cloth.

Exactly my point. Bless the girls with the grit.
Specialty Coatings for Digital Just Got Better With 100% variable messaging and imaging, we can use known customer preferences to maximize customer response, Ferruzza said. Instant make-ready times and short cycle times mean that mailings reach target customers at exactly the right moment.

American Litho, one of the nations fastest growing print and cross-channel marketing strategists, has added a custom coating system to its HP T240 HD digital press suite, greatly increasing the speed and design flexibility offered for all clients.

The new coater is the only one of its kind in the world, according to Tyler Grostic, lead installation engineer in charge of service and training for Harris & Bruno International, the systems manufacturer.

This is a fully custom, high-speed system that handles a broad range of specialty coatings, including UV and aqueous coatings, Grostic explained. It works in duplex, applying coatings to both sides of the press sheet, and is compatible with an incredible array of paper stocks.

The coater works with up to 7 ink colors, keeping pace with the amazing speed of HPs digital presses, he added.

During the installation, Grostic and the ALitho team ran a full series of tests with various inks and substrates to how the system would perform under different conditions. After making all the needed adjustments, ALitho now has a high-powered working solution, he stated.

The team ran into a slight power source-related issue, but the system immediately sent data to HPs support team and the matter was quickly resolved. This speaks to the strong relationship American Litho has with HP, Grostic added.

Harris & Bruno has been building integrated coaters and primers that are compatible with high-end presses for the last 8 years, Grostic reports. We are seeing a lot of growth in this area as companies prepare for larger campaigns with tougher specs and more aggressive schedules, he said. We are here to assure American Litho can deliver on its quality promises.

Tony Ferruzza, head of digital production for ALitho, is enthusiastic about what the new system can do for clients in retail (in-store and on-line), travel, med tech, financial services, education and more.

In addition to speed, accuracy and design flexibility, the system lays down coatings that have better resistance to scuffing or rubbing, Ferruzza explained. This matters a great deal, especially for catalogs and pieces that move through the mail. You want the piece to look amazing when it reaches the customers hands, so durability matters.

Ferruzza is proud that ALitho has been recognized by HP for running the highest volume of digital impressions on HP equipment of any startup printer in the nation. We are fully committed to HP, with plans to add another T240 HD system later this year, he noted.

Specialty coatings add incredible visual and sensory appeal, Ferruzza noted, citing studies that show a significant lift in response rates when gloss, matte and textured effects are added to direct mail pieces.

With 100% variable messaging and imaging, we can use known customer preferences to maximize customer response, Ferruzza said. Instant make-ready times and short cycle times mean that mailings reach target customers at exactly the right moment.

Recently the company added a new coater from Tec Lighting to its HP 12000 system so that all digital campaigns can incorporate specialty coatings at top speed.

We can add a gloss on one side of the piece and a matte finish on the other. The design possibilities really are endless. And were very proud that were running these sophisticated digital jobs twice as fast as any of our competitors Ferruzza noted.

American Litho, Inc. is a privately held company providing brand-building services for retail, insurance, financial services, manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, non-profit development and many other industries. A talented team of hundreds work in the companys 350,000-square-foot headquarters in Carol Stream, Illinois, with additional team members around the country. View the full roster of American Lithos capabilities at alitho.com.

To read more about the new coater visit: https://www.alitho.com/blog/specialty-coatings-for-digital-just-got-better/
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Spywizz.com scored 62 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 19 Aug 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

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PAGE TITLE How To Easily Spy On Whatsapp Messages! DESCRIPTION Want learn the best and most undetectable Whatsapp spy methods? We' ll show you how you can spy on any phone' s Whatsapp messages within minutes from KEYWORDS whatsapp spy, spy on whatsapp, messages, mac, windows, software OTHER KEYWORDS whatsapp, messages, you can, whatsapp messages, phone, need to, device



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 URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United States) UTF-8English (United States) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER nginx/1.6.1 OPERATIVE SYSTEM

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NEW YORK, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of VMware, Inc. (VMware or the Company) (NYSE: VMW). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether VMware 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 February 27, 2019, VMware disclosed a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into its backlog of unfilled orders. Specifically, VMware advised investors that the SEC requested a series of documents and information related to the Companys backlog and associated accounting and disclosures in December 2019.

On this news, VMwares stock price fell $15.11 per share, or 11.14%, to close at $120.52 per share on February 28, 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.
Iran opening 14 new hospitals amid coronavirus surge

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 04 March 2020 6:07 PM

Iran's health ministry is taking the delivery of 14 new hospitals across the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases that has increased the need for treatment facilities.

Iranian minister for Roads and Urban Development said on Wednesday that three out of the 14 new hospitals had already been handed over to the health ministry.

Mohammad Eslami said those facilities are located in the cities in center, north and northwest of the country and have a total 547 beds.

Eslami added that three more new hospitals in southeast, northwest and north of Iran with 603 beds will be handed over to the ministry of health once administrative hurdles are cleared.

The minister said construction for another group of hospitals in eight Iranian cities with 1,100 beds will finish until the end of the current Iranian calendar year on March 19.

The construction of the new hospitals comes as Iran struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has killed nearly 100 people and infected around 3,000 more.

Health authorities have said that there would be a need for more hospitals if the infection spreads to more people and areas across Iran.

Some local authorities in the Iranian provinces have already moved to set up new hospitals using prefabricated buildings.

That comes as more than 1,200 hospitals and clinics across Iran have been ordered to process and treat patients suspected of having coronavirus.

Iranian authorities had said in November that the number of new hospital beds added to the country's health system in the current calendar year would be a record high in four decades of 8,100.

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A wealthy businessman has been forced to moved out of his 1.3million mansion after he drunkenly threatened to kill his wife when he couldn't get into his house after a night out.

Construction boss Anthony Roberts, 51, had been out for drinks and curry with a friend but struggled to get his front door key in the lock when he arrived home.

Wife Joanne, 49, answered his knocking at 12.30am and asked him why he was not using his key but Roberts, believing he had been locked out, had a meltdown and retorted: 'You're an absolute p****, you're a p****.'

Anthony Roberts appeared outside Manchester Magistrates' Court after he threatened to kill his Joanne in a drunken outburst after he couldn't get his key into the lock of their home

As she burst into tears, the company managing director added: 'F*** off before I f***ing stab you, you p****.

He then said: 'Do you know what your life is? I'm going to make your life so much hell. I'm going to kill you. You're going to die, you're going to die.'

During the incident Mrs Roberts used her mobile phone to record the foul mouthed tirade and was heard weeping in the background as she begged her husband to stop.

She later forwarded the recording to her mother saying: 'Listen to this.'

It emerged the couple's house in Bowdon, Cheshire had previously been targeted in an armed robbery and Mrs Roberts was already in a state of panic when she heard her drunken husband's bungled efforts to gain entry.

He has since moved out of the five bedroomed property which he had put in his wife's name for 'tax purposes.'

In an unusual legal move Roberts' lawyer also tried to persuade a judge to grant him anonymity - but the request was refused.

In a statement Mrs Roberts told police: 'I was really scared of him at the time he made these threats. There was also a knock on effect and now even when I get a call or message from him, I'm scared and don't know what to do.

'I don't know what he is going to say or threaten next. I'm scared to be in the same room with him on my own.'

Joanne Roberts was terrified and said she was living in fear of her wealthy husband Anthony

At Manchester magistrates court, Roberts, now of Hale, near Altrincham, faced trial accused of making a threat to kill his now estranged wife which can fetch a maximum sentence of ten years in jail.

But his guilty plea to the lesser charge of common assault which only has a maximum of six months imprisonment was accepted by prosecutors.

He was banned from contacting his wife for two years under the terms of a restraining order after her recording of the incident on November 29 last year was played at the hearing.

The court heard the couple had been going through the throes of divorce but had agreed to live under the same roof and 'tensions' had been building between them.

They boiled over after Roberts went to see a client but then went out for drinks and then a curry with a friend.

Prosecutor Miss Samira Choudhry said: 'He returned home at 12:30 at night and there were issues with him getting into the property.

'The complainant comes down to help him and that is when he speaks to her in a certain manner when she asked him: 'Why are you knocking at the door when you can get in?'.'

The prosecutor added: 'On the night itself she didn't call 999 because she was worried police would arrive with sirens on so she called 111.

'The next morning she did see the defendant in the kitchen. She advised him she had called the police but he said: 'good' and 'isn't it a good thing they didn't show up.'

Officers then came the next day and a full statement was provided. It is a serious offence - you have heard the recording itself.'

The court heard Roberts had a previous public order conviction from 1986.

In mitigation defence lawyer Elizabeth Ridgway said: 'He accepted he had done something very wrong and accepted he was due to be punished and we were trying to find the right offence for him to plead guilty to.

'He accepts his behaviour put the complainant in fear. This took place in the very early hours and within a week he moved out.'

She added: 'After divorce proceedings had started they had both been advised not to leave the premises. Fortunately it is a very luxurious property with enough rooms and space for the two of them to live independently.

'But he felt this was an accident waiting to happen and very sadly that accident did happen.

'He went out for the evening with friends for drinks at the local wine bar and afterwards he couldn't get back into the address. The house had previously been subject to a very serious armed robbery in which a whole lot of men with balaclavas on came in.

'On this occasion the complainant was starting to panic clearly when she heard banging whilst upstairs.

'My client is the first to accept his behaviour is totally unacceptable but he had been outside for 15 minutes and it was cold wet November evening. He actually wondered if she had done it on purpose locking him out.

'He didn't know he was being recorded and clearly she texted the recording to her mother saying: 'listen to this.'

'He didn't grab her, he didn't have her in the corner or anything like that they were stood near each other.

'They had a normal breakfast the next morning and she didn't phone the police at all that night.

'He stayed in the house on Saturday and isn't arrested until Sunday.

'He accepts these words never should have been said - and for his sins this court process has been a significant punishment.

'However the parties seem to have moved on and both were recently at a large church service and were sat in the same pew.

'Whilst it was a very unpleasant incident that should never have happened, he had a moment of madness.'

A probation report read to the court said: 'The couple have been going through a protracted divorce living in the same premises and there are naturally going to be tensions.

The property is a large expensive property fully in the name of his wife for tax purposes.

'He has his own business since 2011 and they are financially secure. The money is tied up in property.

'Mr Roberts does express his deep regret at what he has done and he is deeply apologetic.

'He describes having a perfectly standard day. He came home then had to go back to a client's house and then met a friend at an Indian restaurant.

'He had five or six bottles of Peroni and he doesn't usually drink.

'The beer is 4.7 per cent and for somebody who doesn't drink a lot it is quite strong. This has been a one off incident although deeply unpleasant.'

Roberts was also ordered to complete a 12 month community order, 220 hours unpaid work and pay costs and surcharges of 710.

District Judge John Temperley told him: Your words incited in your former wife a fear of serious injury. The time and location are aggravating factors and you were in drink.'
By Edward Escobar

Uber has a lucrative business model, but it has one problem: It relies on pushing its drivers into poverty.

The courts are still skeptical  however politicians are experiencing an awakening to the reality of the impact of the gig economy on the workforce, as corporations, specifically the Silicon Valley Tech Titans, such as Uber and Lyft, are finding ways to skirt the laws and put their corporate profits before people  stating they are not in the transportation industry, do not have drivers and are confident that the current employment classifications do not apply to their business model.

For, you, the public, its important to understand how it all works: Uber and Lyft pretend that its employee drivers are actually independent contractors. That allows them to stick us with every cost, make sure we have no protections or benefits, and continually reduce our earnings. They control and set the ride fares  and its in their interests to constantly cut them. A REAL independent contractor sets their own rates, terms and conditions unlike whats imposed on the drivers under the extreme control mechanisms of these corporations.

How does this play out for drivers? Heres one example: A driver from San Francisco drives to the airport, and waits nearly an hour to pick up a ride from an arriving flight. He drives the passenger across the peninsula and through the city of San Francisco - drops him off and unloads his luggage near the last entrance of the Bay Bridge. The drivers earnings for all that time and work? $12.08 and no tip. Six years ago, that driver would have made $55. That driver has to pay a car payment, gas, insurance, and constant car maintenance and upkeep, depreciation of vehicles value, meaning this ride actually cost him money. Its what we call a negative ride, and it is increasingly common.

That figure continues to drop, because Uber constantly offers steep discounts to riders  these discounts are on the backs of drivers - while Uber increases their profitable commissions deducted from the fare. We drivers are loss leaders for these corporations, which are worth billions-with-a-B of dollars. And its all because theyve figured out how to get drivers to routinely work for them for free!

This is how the crisis of economic inequality happened.

When drivers experience racism, harassment, or discrimination on the job from Uber, we have no recourse or due process. If we were not subjected to misclassification of employment, we would have protections. As fares go down, our wages go down, and so does the ride quality and safety for everyone. Drivers constantly give up and quit in frustration, so Uber constantly churn through many new drivers  lowering the quality and safety of the service with fewer qualified drivers working for diminishing returns as wages drop further. The result is that bad apples will find their way into the system.

Finally, this is a disaster not just for drivers and passengers, but the community. Why does our transportation system have to make our economy worse and our society less fair or safe? It doesnt! We deserve justice. We deserve to be properly classified in our work, along with the protections that it conveys.

We need politicians to hold Uber and Lyft accountable - forcing them to treat their workers and passengers in a fair, just and equitable manner. At the state level, the legislative leadership is turning the tide in favor of workers rights, slowly but surely, in several states. California, for example, recently passed AB5, codifying the Dynamex ruling, which applies the ABC Test" to clarify what a real independent contractor is.

In New Jersey, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, authored The Worker Misclassification Bill (S4204), a pro-worker bill that codifies into law existing regulations, that are already in place, to help protect workers against misclassification.

Nationally, Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) announced the Gig Is Up Act bill at the nations Capitol, in December. Its endorsed by the Social Security Works and our Alliance for Independent Workers #DriversUnite Movement and requires these corporations to cover Social Security and Medicare contributions for its workers  saving taxpayers a great financial burden.

We can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution  none of us should sit idly by while a companies like Uber, Lyft, Doordash & other corporations make billions from manufacturing poverty.

Edward Escobar is the founder of The ALLIANCE for Independent Workers.

The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
CATA Names New Development Director

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Community Access to the Arts has appointed Alexandra Heddinger as the nonprofit's new development director.



Heddinger's hiring comes at a pivotal moment for the organization as they prepare to open their new, fully accessible arts center and implement a strategic expansion of the nonprofits innovative arts programs for people with disabilities.



Heddinger comes to CATA from Berkshire Country Day School, where she served as director of admission and marketing, and the Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y., where she worked for 17 years, most recently as director of advancement. Heddinger has deep ties to the local arts community, having started her career as a stage manager for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.



Heddinger will work with Executive Director Margaret Keller to expand CATA's fundraising activities and oversee the organization's donor relations program, furthering its mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through the arts. She will also work closely with Kate Harding, CATA's recently hired development associate, a Texas native with a BFA in dance and BA in communication studies, who has interned at Jacobs Pillow and the American Dance Festival in Durham, N.C.
You were the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic. Why did that dispensation collapse?

It collapsed because General Ibrahim Babangida was bent on self-succession. He was already military president; he had started as head of state but later turned himself into a military president. If you recall the way he handled the then Chief of Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, when there was an altercation between him and the then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sani Abacha, you could see the exercise of power in an absolute form. It was obvious that Babangida would have loved to continue in office, but it was the pressure of the civil society, the pressure of Nigerians generally that he should return the country to democracy that led him into all the experiments, such as the formation of two parties, which were described as a little to the right and a little to the left and to be funded by no one but the government, which is an aberration itself, when you talk of democratic dealings. But I think it is his own love of power and the need to cling to power without being questioned by anyone that laid the foundation for the collapse of the Third Republic. If you take a cursory look at my book, Clapping With One Hand, you will see a trajectory there; he tried as much as possible to get the National Assembly to pass a resolution, asking him not to handover or not to conduct an election at a particular time. We frustrated that. If he had got that resolution, it would have been a perfect opportunity for him to say that, well, after all, we are talking of democracy and the democratic institution on the ground has asked him not to handover. But, all that did not take place because we organised ourselves in such a way that, at the end of the day, he had to step aside for the interim government. This brought confusion because that was an interim government that was not elected. In fact, the interim government had within military structures that could still engineer final decisions. One other interesting calculation was that he (Babangida) had always thought that it was an easy cake and that he would get the resolution he was looking for. But when he couldnt get that resolution and Abacha in fact was already stoking a fire under him, for Abacha himself was interested in power. Of course, Abacha is dead now. Babangida who is alive has not written any book. But we understand that when he managed to survive the Gideon Orkar coup and the role Abacha played was so significant that they had an unwritten understanding that he (Abacha) would be the one to succeed him (Babangida). He is alive, he can a lie to that. So, when things were not going smoothly, Abacha started stoking fire under him and of course, we in the House led the onslaught that he must organise an election to fill the position of the president. After the June 12 election, which again he annulled, we were certain in our minds that the thing to do was to reinstate that election. Nevertheless, the National Assembly itself was also susceptible to manipulation because he (Babangida) was influencing it to jettison that election. A section of the National Assembly, however, was insisting that the election must be upheld. Today, we must look back and appreciate the vital role of certain individuals in ensuring that we could stand up to the military at that time. These are people like Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Bola Tinubu, the Speaker Aniekwe, his deputy Rabiu Kwankwaso. So, in a way, we were able to put a structure that was not easily accessible to being pushed to take a decision to allow self-succession by Babangida. But the House itself was worked upon on a continual basis and weakened. That was why when we get to meetings, you will find all sorts of positions; there were people who wanted us to allow him (Babangida) to continue in office. But, having said that, Abacha was himself very desperate to take over power and he was also working through all the structures. Up to Abachas coup, in November 1993, was deliberate; it was planned. I mean once Babangida had left and handed over to Ernest Shonekan, it was more of a contraption. Shonekan lacked the gut, lacked the spine to stand up to the military. Other than Col. Abubakar Umar and maybe a few other officers, all the other officers like David Mark had their own agenda as well. They didnt want an Abacha, but they would have loved the continuation of military rule. Umar and a few of his friends were the ones insistent that the democratic process had started and should never be aborted. Eventually, they paid the price because you could see that they were retired prematurely.

Do you regret not serving as deputy governor of Ogun State?

No, I was never offered that position. Nobody contests for the position of deputy governor; youre picked by a governorship candidate to run on a joint ticket. I was never offered, so I cant be talking of any regret. Though when I was invited to Ogun from Lagos by my constituents, it was on the basis that there were discussions with a candidate who is likely to come Ogun Central and the deputy position has been zoned to Ogun East and in Ogun East, it has been decided that the position would go to my own constituency. Of course, we worked on the primary together for the emergence of the candidate, but the truth was that I was never at any time asked by the candidate to be his deputy. No!

In retrospect, would you say the political class, particularly the leadership of the SDP, made the right decision in supporting Abacha?

You cannot speak of the leadership of the SDP because it was a perfidious section of that leadership. At the time of Abachas palace coup, the SDP had its own internal problems. At the time, Abiola had emerged as the president-elect and for the first time, there was a prospect that that position would be taken up by somebody that is not of northern origin. Abiola could not have become the president-elect without the support of people like the former governor of Kano, Abubakar Rimi, Balarabe Musa and others; they were strong hands in the campaign. But the moment that election was annulled by Babangida, they were compelled to buy the idea that it was the Lords making, let him (Abiola) accept it. If those who had backed him for the presidency in the north had maintained their support, it would have been much more difficult for the annulment to succeed. Of course, the military would do whatever it had to do, but it could fail. And, dont forget that Shehu YarAdua was an interested party. He wanted to be president, but the same Babangida thwarted the bid, by cancelling all the primaries that were held. When that failed, YarAdua wanted Atiku (Abubakar) badly to become the vice president. For one reason or the other, Abiola reneged because the SDP governors at that time preferred to have a (Babagana) Kingibe. They were insistent and Abiola had the task of selecting Atiku, based on a previous understanding between the two parties. This would have meant displeasing all the SDP governors  many of them are still alive  who backed Kingibe. The governors wanted to be relevant. They knew that if the agreement between Abiola and YarAdua eventually sailed through, they would become irrelevant in the scheme of things. But, fundamentally, I believe that YarAdua and Anthony Anenih played a very perfidious role. I was at the meeting in Sheraton Hotel, where the two parties were brought together and more or less told to accept the formation of the interim government. Kwankwaso and I sat next to each other and we shared notes that night. But I remember that the former governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido who was then secretary of the party (SDP) was so vehement that the structure that met did not authorise them to go and sell out Abiolas victory. Kwankwaso and I kept exchanging notes and also passing notes to Sule Lamido. But Shehu YarAdua and Tony Anenih were so overwhelming in stating that they were in support of that move. In fact, it got to a point in which Nwodo  I dont remember one among them  was so rude to Lamido, by saying: your party leaders are here and you are talking. The NRC knew they have lost the election and didnt mind an interim government, because of Babangidas promise that there would be another election. That night we left Sheraton Hotel in amazement, wondering who authorized YarAdua and Anenih to negotiate away our victory.

Supporters of Abiola heard beforehand that the man would be killed. Why did they not act to avert the doom?

You cant say that nothing was done; maybe it was done unsuccessfully. I think he was killed on July 8. A week before he was killed, Makin Soyinka and I were the last persons to leave Radio Kudirat Studio that day. All of a sudden, the fax machine came alive, with a message from an unknown person in Nigeria, stating that Abiola would be killed, that the killing of Abiola was to settle Abachas death or something like that. We were taken aback. Immediately, we recalled Radio Kudirat operatives, because they had closed for the day. We also called Makins father, Professor Wole Soyinka, who immediately called the then United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. It was Annan who externalized it. May be the only lapse on our side was that Radio Kudirat did not start making a big noise out of it. What happened, I wouldnt know; everybody was tired. May be we didnt believe that it was a possibility. But, I do know that Prof. Soyinka made an issue of it. It was more of a big consternation when it eventually took place.

Aremo Olusegun Osoba said you didnt capture his involvement very well and that he is not happy

Prof. Akinyemi in the preface to one of my books said recorders of history only record what they have seen. So, I have recorded what I saw regarding all the people I mentioned in my book. If there is anybody who feels he is under-reported, he can do the reporting himself. But, the truth is that history will always be history; actual events will always be actual events, but interpretation may vary. What I try to do in my writings is to look at the facts. Most times, I just present the facts and let people draw their own interpretations. When you are compiling history, you are given the right to interpret.

When you reflect, as a member of Afenifere and NADECO, doesnt it appear as if your efforts were in vain?

Looking at the struggle, with the benefit of hindsight, Nigeria has been going down the drain. A country measures its development by economic growth, economic development, by the measure of security that is available  because these are things you can see or perceive. Of course, you cannot speak of economic growth and development without talking of employment. So, if you take all of these in its context, have Nigerians been better off? I think an observer, a participant, a Nigerian himself would tell you that it could be better. We have not got there at all; we still have a lot of work to do. The employment rate is not at the level where it should be; that you can see from the high level of unemployment. Then, look at education, health, social infrastructure: are we where we should be? If I want to play politics, I will you that we are trying and we would get there. But, the simple truth is that looking at the number of children out of school, unemployment, coupled with the level of insecurity; it is obvious we are not there at all. Everybody is talking about insecurity today. The president recently owned up that he didnt know that it was this bad. In my view, nobody should be entitled to police escort in Nigeria, except the president and the governors. Maybe if we get to that level, everybody that has the power to do something will start doing something. If the speaker knows that he can be picked up like any other person, he is likely to be more responsive in his office. Most times, you see them going about with police escort, so how can they be concerned about insecurity.

How does it feel to be 70?

I feel very happy that I am turning 70 in good health, in good grace and I am thankful to the Lord for His grace. I feel as I have always felt, even as a younger person. I thank God for giving me good health at this age. I feel good; thats the word.

Youre from Ogun State. How come Lagos Mainland has become your political base?

If you look at the trajectory of any upwardly mobile Yoruba man, whether in terms of sourcing of education, in terms of birth, in terms of the diverse education  whether secondary, university or whatever  you will find a lot of movement in between. My grandfather was known in our community in Ijebu as Baba Eko; meaning the Baba from Lagos. He did well for himself; he was a wealthy man, by the standard of their days. My father also lived a substantial part of his life in Lagos; aside from the days he spent in Ilorin, Ibadan and I think Enugu during his working life. So, I grew up studying in Ijebu and Ibadan. My primary school days were in Ijebu and my secondary and university education was in Ibadan. Of course, there was a small stint at Ijebu Ode Grammar School, for six months, when I went for my A Levels, before I was admitted for prelim at the University of Ibadan. So, for my working life, right from day one, I have been in Lagos; because my parents were living and working in Lagos. I had lived with them in Thomas Street, in Lagos Island, but when they moved to their own house in Abule Ijesha, in 1968, we all moved. I have lived in Abule Ijesha ever since and that is the heart of Lagos Mainland. But, interestingly, after leaving the service, I went into private life; I also decided to go into politics. At that time, there were no parties, because Nigeria was an experimental ground at that time in the hands of the military. My first contestation for office was for the position of Lagos Mainland Council chairman in 1987. But the breakthrough came in 1988 when I won my first election, into the Constituent Assembly to represent Lagos Mainland. This is to say that Ive been here practically all the time. If you observe any Ijebu person who has a pedigree and has done well for himself, they rarely leave their homestead. So, Im equally visible in Ogun.
Two months ago, all 400 inhabitants of the Malian village Toou grabbed a few belongings and fled fighting between armed groups, leaving their homes behind among the ghosts of the country's war.

Today, they sleep in an abandoned school in Sevare near the regional capital Mopti, packed into two buildings among vacant lots and a dirt road.

The men live in the building to the right; the women and children in the one to the left.

Toou's residents have joined a mass of more than a million people displaced by the violence in the centre of the Sahel, in particular in Mali and neighbouring Burkina Faso.

Toou's residents have joined a mass of more than a million people displaced by the violence in the centre of the Sahel, in particular in Mali and neighbouring Burkina Faso. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

"The day is fine, but in the evening, there are people everywhere: here, there, over there and there. There are 10 of us sleeping in the same room," says Housseini Karembe, 65, waving his hand over the cramped living space.

Karembe and the others left Toou on January 5 when months of tension between traditional Dogon hunters and jihadists finally reached the village, spelling its doom.

Summoned by the jihadists and ordered to leave, the entire village's population -- 400 men, women and children -- fled with almost nothing, and walked the 26 kilometres (16 miles) to Sevare through the bush and blazing sun.

Displaced women live in one building with the children; the men stay in another. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

Karembe sits, leaning against the wall, in an old classroom where the chalk-marked blackboard is a reminder of the children who once studied there. Beside him crackles an old radio.

"We need tents, we can't stay like this in a school," said Karembe, a marabout or village elder, who taught young people the Koran before they fled.

After escaping with little more than cooking pots, some are embarrassed about their situation.

"We have a roof over our heads and we have something to eat," said one resident. "We mustn't complain too much."

The growing war

Mali's war erupted in 2012 when Tuareg rebels supported by armed Islamists took over the desert north of the country. The rebels were then outmanoeuvred by their Islamist allies and the French military intervened to push them back.

The conflict has since swept into the centre of Mali and spilled into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, inflaming ethnic tensions along the way.

Troops of the Malian army have been fighting jihadists since 2012. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

More than 5,000 French troops, a regional G5 Sahel military cooperation deal and a UN peacekeeper mission in Mali have not been enough to contain the violence.

For Toou's 400 residents, that meant leaving their lives and homes behind.

Toou inhabitants receive coupons from the World Food Programme each month to buy food. A few pots the group use to cook sit in the school courtyard.

"These are the only objects we were able to take when we fled. Things to cook with," says Telemo Sombor Ga, 55, the brother of the village chief.

For months, Toou had been caught between the jihadists and the dozos, the traditional Dogon hunters who have united into a militia claiming to defend the population against jihadists in the absence of the state.

The families walked 26 kilometres from their village to Sevare. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

The dozo militia has styled itself as the bulwark against the jihadists led by Amadou Koufa, a Fulani imam who took up arms in 2015 and trained hundreds of young people under the banner of Al-Qaeda.

Direct clashes, sporadic in the past, have become more frequent. Before, jihadists often passed through Toou to preach, but "they left us alone," says Telemo Sombor Ga.

'Caught in the crossfire'

Everything changed when the dozo militiamen settled on the hill not far from Toou on September 18. From then, tensions only increased.

"We were caught in the crossfire," Ga says. "Even women could not go into the bush, no one could go out. We were stranded."

Caught in crossfire, the families fled leaving almost everything behind. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

Soon the jihadists attacked the dozo camp on motorcycles and shots echoed from the hill. In Toou, residents hoped to stay out of the conflict.

But the jihadists later descended on the village, telling residents to leave.

"Toou no longer exists today," said one old man.

In the school, a semblance of life has resumed. Dozens of children run around playing, the women are busy around the pots. But all wonder about their future.

"We feel foreign here," says Aminata Karembe, 18, granddaughter of the marabout. She followed his Koranic education, dreaming of continuing in the family business one day.

"For now, it's a wasted dream."
The Coastal Community Resilience Challenges focus on: Flood Management, Data Analytics, Protection of Buildings, Re-establishing Critical Utilities, Reconnecting Neighborhoods, and Urban Mobility. Each Challenge addresses actual problems in southeastern Virginia and seeks novel solutions replicable in other coastal communities.

The RISE Urban Mobility Challenge offers up to $500,000 to create a next generation traffic app that offers drivers real-time flooding and rerouting information. June 1, 2020 is the deadline.

The Challenge is in partnership with cities of Houston, Miami, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, in addition to WAZE, Esri, Sentara and CHKD Hospitals, the Port of Virginia, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

"These partnerships provide guidance to the teams to help refine their solutions and make them applicable to other coastal communities," said Dr. Katerina Oskarsson, RISE's Chief Strategy Officer.



"Our past recipients' progress so far is exciting," said Dr. Paul Robinson, RISE's Executive Director. "Our established resilience hub of innovators in coastal Virginia is looking forward to more entrepreneurs bringing their novel solutions to test here in our flood prone community that can be scalable for implementation in coastal communities around the world."

In addition to this no-risk funding, RISE provides access to real world infrastructure with pilot sites in coastal Virginia cities. RISE also offers co-working office space, fabrication and testing work space in Norfolk, an insightful entrepreneurial community, and valuable support of experts in regulatory TA and permitting, in addition to applied science and commercialization.

Link to photos. Permission to use granted. Credit: City of Norfolk

Contact for information:

Paul Robinson (757) 258-0500 [email protected]

Katerina Oskarsson (757) 258-0500 [email protected]

Jayna Eller (757) 773-1250 [email protected]

SOURCE RISE Resilience Innovations

Related Links

https://riseresilience.org


A national writers conference will open its doors to the public today for $5 after coronavirus fears decimated its lineup and attendance.

The days schedule includes a couple of events that will spotlight San Antonio.

Initially, the AWP Conference & Bookfair was offering $5 passes for the day to the bookfair, which features hundreds of small presses, university presses, journals, literary magazines and more. Now, the passes will provide admission to the full conference.

Weve decided because weve had all these things happening, we would like to open up all of Saturday for community day, said Cynthia Sherman, executive co-director of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, a national organization dedicated to advancing the art of writing.

As many as 10,000 writers, editors, publishers and educators were expected to attend the event, the largest literary conference in North America.

About 40 percent decided not to come, though, because of concerns about the novel coronavirus after news broke that a virus-infected evacuee was released from quarantine here and spent time at North Star Mall and a hotel near the airport.

The conference has been scaled back as a result, with about half of the 400 scheduled panels canceled or rescheduled.

On ExpressNews.com: Coronavirus is sending shivers through convention-goers

Still on the schedule today is a reading titled A Celebration of the Alebrijes de San Antonio featuring Norma Cantu, Liliana Valenzuela, Luis J. Rodriguez and John Philip Santos. All are past participants in the Macondo Writers Workshop founded by Sandra Cisneros.

Author and playwright Gregg Barrios, who will moderate, said the authors, like alebrijes  fantastical Mexican folk-art creatures made up of parts from different animals  erase boundaries.

What were going to do on the panel is show how these writers use that philosophy of writing across genres and worlds in their own unique way, Barrios said.

The reading, a collaboration between Macondo and Gemini Ink, will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Lila Cockrell Theatre.

Gemini Ink, along with the city, is sponsoring another Saturday event, Laureates for a Pueblo on a River. Carmen Tafolla, the citys first poet laureate, and Octavio Quintanilla, who currently holds the post, will talk about their work and read their poetry.

Jim LaVilla-Havelin, who edits the poetry feature in the Sunday San Antonio Express-News, will moderate the event, which starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the Cockrell Theatre.

At the bookfair today, a lineup of more than 20 San Antonio and South Texas writers and musicians will read and perform from noon to 2:30 p.m. off the main lobby at the Convention Center.

Find a full schedule of events at awpwriter.org. Passes will be for sale today at the registration desk in the lobby of the Convention Center.

Jim Kiest is the arts and entertainment editor for the San Antonio Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jkiest@express-news.net | Twitter: @jimik64
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra on Friday tabled its first budget worth Rs 4.34 lakh crore in the state legislature, which aims at pleasing all its core constituencies especially the farmers.

Maharashtras finance minister Ajit Pawar, who presented the budget, announced Rs 22,000 crore for farmers under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Loan waiver scheme.

The scheme has now been expanded to include agriculturists with outstanding loans of more than Rs 200,000 and an incentive of Rs 50,000 for those who repay them on time.

The state government has also envisaged an employment generation scheme for the educated unemployed, which will help train those between 21 to 28 years of age. It also plans to pay a stipend to these youngsters.

The overall budget of the scheme is Rs 6000 crore and it plans to train 10 lakh youth in five years. Pawar also announced a special law to ensure priority to locals in jobs.

By announcing sops for farmers and unemployed youth, the MVA government has delivered on the two core promises made in its manifestos ahead of the state assembly polls.

Thackerays pet scheme of offering subsidised food to the poor, the Rs 10 thali, has been allocated Rs 150 crore for this year and will now feed 100,000 people.

For the urban middle class, the budget has some promises on one hand and pinched their pockets on the other.

Ajit Pawar announced a cut of 1% on stamp duty on all real estate deals for homebuyers in Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune and Nagpur for two years.

This will translate into a relief of Rs 100,000 for a home priced at Rs 1 crore. The state had a stamp duty of 5% and an additional surcharge of 1% on such deals.

However, the finance department has increased the price of petrol and diesel across the state by Re 1 per litre to create a Green Fund aimed at tackling climate change.

This, the finance minister said, will mop up resources worth Rs 1800 crore which will be used only for green initiatives.

There are several other feel-good measures in the budget that aims at some sop or announcement for every section of the society.

These include a special scheme to construct 1500 ideal public schools with state of the art infrastructure at Rs 5000 crore for five years, revamping for state transport buses at Rs 1600 crore, women-only police stations in every district and tourism initiatives, including a modern aquarium in Worli.

Sena minister and Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackerays tourism department has been allocated Rs 1000 crore.

Overall, we have tried to consider every section of the society mainly farmers, youth and women. The state is witnessing economic slowdown and there are challenges in employment so we have tried to give some concession to the industry by reducing power rates and real estate industry and homebuyers by slashing the stamp duty, said Pawar.

He admitted the loan waiver for farmers along with the seventh pay commission had burdened the state exchequer and this was expected to take the debt to Rs 5.20 lakh crore by the end of this fiscal.

The revenue deficit in 2020-21 is estimated at Rs 9510 crore, while the fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 54,618 crore.

The revised estimates for the year 2019-20 show the strain on the state coffers.

The revenue deficit has been revised to Rs 31,443 crore from Rs 20,292 crore while the fiscal deficit has been revised to Rs 78,616 crore from Rs 61,669 crore.

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The leaders of the Norths main unionist parties have given contrasting reactions to the idea of building a tunnel to Scotland.

First Minister and Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster described the suggestion as positive while Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken insisted the tens of billions that would be required would be better spent on other more pressing concerns in the province.

The politicians were asked to respond to comments from Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, who on Thursday said he favoured a tunnel rather than a bridge as a way to link the two nations.

Mr Jack told a parliamentary committee in Scotland that Boris Johnson is on the same page as him, despite the British Prime Minister having previously strongly advocated for a bridge.

Critics have raised multiple concerns about the practicalities of building any sort of road link between Scotland and Northern Ireland, insisting the idea is just not realistic.

As well as the major costs, which are estimated at between 20bn (22.9bn) and 30bn (34.4bn), there is a huge Second World War munitions dump at the bottom of Beauforts Dyke in the Irish Sea.

Mr Jack said the munitions dump would not be an issue with a tunnel and said he had been told by a number of engineers going underground would cost less than building a bridge.

Reacting at Stormont on Friday, Mrs Foster said the importance of connecting Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom had been demonstrated by the collapse of Flybe and the loss of several key routes from Belfast City Airport to Great Britain.

This is about connections, she said.

I think it is important that we do have those connections. We have seen during the week how we can be disconnected by what happened to Flybe.

If we look at a feasibility study about a bridge or a tunnel I think those are positive things to look at.

On the prospect of a tunnel, she added: It wouldnt be impacted by the weather or indeed Beauforts Dyke either I think as well. We await to see what the Government comes forward with.

Mr Aiken was more sceptical about the proposal.

I would like to fly on a direct flight out of Belfast City Airport to either Edinburgh and Glasgow and I think thats the priority at the minute, he said.

And if we can miraculously find 20 billion or 30 billion for a tunnel under the Irish Sea Id much rather spend it on sorting out our water infrastructure, our health system, our own roads, our power grid and getting ourselves ready for the challenge of climate change.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (TSX-V: NVO; OTCQX: NSRPF) announces that Eric Sprott, one of the Companys directors, has retired as a member of the board. Mr. Sprott has been a Novo shareholder since 2011 and has served as a director of the Company since November 2017. The Company would like to thank Mr. Sprott for his invaluable contributions and support throughout his tenure as a director and wishes him well in his well-deserved retirement from his final public company directorship.



Eric has been part of the Novo story from the beginning, commented Dr. Quinton Hennigh, President and Chairman of Novo. He has been there every time we needed financing, and more recently, has provided direct support and guidance as a director during Novos recent ascent to becoming one of the foremost gold explorers in the mining industry. It takes vision to do all that Novo has done, and Eric has played an invaluable part. I am truly appreciative of all of the support and guidance he has provided me and the Company over the years.

Novo has been and will continue to be a leading gold explorer, and I wholeheartedly support the Companys goals to deliver significant value to its shareholders, commented Mr. Sprott. I recently turned 75 and I am focused on pursuing other priorities in life, but I plan to remain an engaged shareholder of the Company.

About Novo Resources Corp.

Novos focus is to explore and develop gold projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and Novo has built up a significant land package covering approximately 13,000 sq km with varying ownership interests. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com



On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

Quinton Hennigh

Quinton Hennigh

President and Chairman

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Hilary Rosen, a Democratic strategist, is under fire after she told Senator Bernie Sanders' campaign co-chair - a black woman - that she didn't have the 'standing' to quote Martin Luther King Jr. when talking about Joe Biden's record.

The tense exchange between the strategist and Nina Turner took place on a Thursday night episode of Cuomo Prime Time after the co-chair made comments referencing the 1963 letter MLK Jr wrote from jail.

Turner had mentioned the letter when arguing that Sanders speaks of a Democratic Socialism that follows the 'tradition' of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Scroll down for video

The tense exchange between the strategist Hilary Rosen and Nina Turner took place on a Thursday night episode of Cuomo Prime Time

'It's in the spirit of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who, in his letter to the Birmingham jail, warned us  us being the black community  about white moderates,' Turner said in the clip obtained by Mediaite.

Rosen would circle back to Turner's MLK quote, asserting that that was not what the civil right's icon said.

'What he said was we should be worried about silence of white moderates,' Rosen claimed.

Turner was clearly shocked by the woman's remarks. She retorted: 'How are you going to tell me about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Are you kidding me?'

Martin Luther King Jr.'s remarks about the white moderate in his letter from a Birmingham jail cell in 1963 The full letter can be found here:

'I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a 'more convenient season.' Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.' Advertisement

Rosen continued with her remarks by arguing that Biden had not been silent on a variety of issues over the years, which she claimed supported her sentiment that he was not the moderate MLK Jr was referring to.

'He said it is the point that the white moderate wants things to be comfortable,' Turner declared. 'And instead of focusing in on that, the bigger threat is not necessarily the white KKK member but more the white moderate that is more comfortable with keeping things the same.'

It was then that Rosen lambasted Turner for invoking Martin Luther King Jr. when talking about Biden.

'You know what? Don't use Martin Luther king against Joe Biden!' Rosen stated. 'You don't have that standing. I'm sorry. You don't!'

A disgusted Turner shot back: 'Don't tell me what kind of standing I have as a black woman in America!'

She later added: 'I didn't attack anybody. You're taking it that way,' Turner said. 'Listen, don't dip into what I have to say about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! How dare you, as a white woman, sit up here and try to tell me what I'm supposed to feel, and what I'm doing right now!'

Chris Cuomo then condemned Turner's tone, insinuating that she was showing the division that was plaguing the Democratic party.

The fallout from the segment was immense, with people demanding that Rosen not be allowed back on CNN while also condemning Cuomo's tone when addressing Turner.

The critiques prompted a response from Rosen, who took to her Twitter to offer a half apology while suggesting that Turner was like 'angry black women'

She said in a follow up tweet: 'Good morning. I have nothing but the upmost respect for Nina, her experience as a person of color, and the fight she's waging in this election. Wake up this morning to this: I apologized + I take full responsibility. I look forward to the rest of the primary seeking common ground'

The critiques prompted a response from Rosen, who took to her Twitter to offer a half apology while suggesting that Turner was like 'angry black women'.

'On air thurs I said my colleague @ninaturner didn't have standing to use MLK Jr.That was wrong,' she said in a Friday morning tweet. 'I am sorry for saying those words. Pls no need to defend me and attack angry black women. They have standing. I always need to listen more than I talk. We rise together.'

She said in a follow up tweet: 'Good morning. I have nothing but the upmost respect for Nina, her experience as a person of color, and the fight she's waging in this election. Wake up this morning to this: I apologized + I take full responsibility. I look forward to the rest of the primary seeking common ground.'

Prior to those tweets, Rosen tweeted that MLK Jr's letter said 'to be afraid of white moderates who prefer peace over justice.'

'You know Hilary, you didn't just talk over me,' Turner said on Twitter. 'Go back & watch the segment. You said among other things that I did not have standing. Wrap your mind around that. The Rev. Dr. MLK I speak of challenged the status quo. He spoke out against militarism, materialism, poverty & racism.'

Turner responded to and shared tweets from other activists pointing out the problems with Rosen's statements

She also said: 'As she further made clear that I had no standing! It must be nice to have the power to decide who has standing and who does not.'

'That isn't what you said,' Rosen added.

Turner, meanwhile, responded to and shared tweets from other activists pointing out the problems with Rosen's statements.

'You know Hilary, you didn't just talk over me,' she said. 'Go back & watch the segment. You said among other things that I did not have standing. Wrap your mind around that. The Rev. Dr. MLK I speak of challenged the status quo. He spoke out against militarism, materialism, poverty & racism.'

Turner also said: 'As she further made clear that I had no standing! It must be nice to have the power to decide who has standing and who does not.'

She would later post a book written by Cornell West that highlights how radical the civil rights icon actually was.
LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - Britain's parliamentary defence

committee will investigate the security of the country's 5G

mobile network, the group of lawmakers said on Friday, amid

continued concerns about the role of Chinese company Huawei

.

In January, Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to grant

Huawei a limited role in Britain's 5G mobile network,

frustrating a global bid by the United States to exclude the

firm from the West's next-generation communications systems.

The security of 5G will now be subject to an inquiry by a

sub-committee of the parliamentary defence committee, it said.

Lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, launching the inquiry, said that

once 5G was introduced it will be an "unextractable" part of

British infrastructure.

"It is paramount that, as we negotiate this new technology,

we ask the uncomfortable questions about the possibility of

abuse," he said on Twitter.

Huawei Vice President Victor Zhang said in an emailed

statement that the company would work with the committee to

answer their questions.

"Over the last 18 months, the government and two

parliamentary committees have conducted detailed assessments of

the facts and concluded there is no reason to ban Huawei from

supplying 5G equipment on cyber security grounds," he added.

(Reporting by Sarah Young;

Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Chinese peacekeeping doctor examines a villager at a medical station. (Photo by Sun Shuai)

By Sun Shuai

BEIRUT, Mar.6 -- Medical staff from the Level I hospital of the 18th Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineer contingent to Lebanon regularly provide medical service and medicines, all for free, to improve the medical conditions of local residents in southern Lebanon.

The southern Lebanon has been devastated by the 2006 Lebanon War. Gun holes left in wartime are still obvious on walls of many houses. Village clinics are in poor condition and drug shortage.

Learning about the situation, the 18th Chinese peacekeeping contingent decided to dispatch medical staff to three villages near their barrack for medical assistance on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Now, on every date of the Chinese medics arrival, the villagers will line up early at the medical stations.

"We will transfer the patients with trauma or severe symptoms to Chinese barrack for detailed examination and more professional treatment. The medical stations are mainly for distributing medicines, " doctor Zhang Bin introduced.

It is learnt that the 18th Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineer contingent to Lebanon has conducted more than 90 medical visits and treated more than 3,300 person-times since its deployment to the mission area at the end of May last year.
With coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases rising in the country, some states have approached Kerala to find out how the state managed to contain Indias first three cases and has so far reported no other instances.

A team from Telangana comprising doctors and health officials arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to study the states monitoring and surveillance system. Teams from Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are also expected to arrive soon, a Kerala health ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

The Telangana team met state health minister, KK Shailaja, and visited some of the hospitals and attended review meetings in the state capital. During the discussion, health officials described the protocol, surveillance and contact-tracing methods used.

Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has asked all states to follow the Kerala model in tackling the virus. Union cabinet secretary, Rajiv Gauba, has also lauded the states efforts in containing the virus.

Indias first three cases of Covid-19 were reported in the state and all three patients, who were students back from China, were discharged after being cured. Effective isolation and monitoring mechanism and strict adherence to guidelines issued during the Nipah virus outbreak two years ago helped the state to tide over the crisis.

We are happy to share our experience and strategy with other states. Though there is some let up in the situation, we are maintaining strict alert. We are holding review meetings every day and video conference with all district medical officers, said Shailaja, adding it is still premature for the state to lower its guard. She said Kerala has extended help to other states.

The state was in battle-mode after the detection of the first case on Jan 30. Isolation wards in at least 200 hospitals were ready in a few days and health workers were trained for barrier nursing to prevent secondary infection.

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Thefirst budget of the Maha Vikas



Aghadi (MVA) government, presented in the assembly on Friday, seeks to provide a fillip to infrastructuredevelopment in the state by proposing an outlay of over Rs30,000 crore.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, said the government intends to develop an economic corridor of international standards in Satara district under the Bengaluru-MumbaiEconomic Corridor (BMEC), project, which is on the lines of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

Alongwith Satara, the adjoining Sangli and Solapur districts will also benefit from the proposed economic corridor, he said, adding the estimated costof the project is Rs 4,000 crore.

Pawar saida provision of Rs 3,500 crorehas been made to complete the Konkan marine highway in three years.

He saidthe marine highwaywas planned keepingin view transportation requirements of the coastal region, but the highway project has still not materialised.

The Revas-Reddy stretch of the marine highway is still under development, he said, adding the entire highway will be concretised and bridges over creeks at Bankot, Kelshi,Dabhol and Jaigad will be constructed.

"The government plans to complete the work in the next three years. Funds will be made available to complete the work through Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in a time-bound manner," the finance minister said.

A 170-km-long ring road has been proposed to divert traffic coming to Pune from Nashik, Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, and make vehicles pass from outside the city, Pawar said.

For this purpose, an expenditure of Rs 15,000 crore is expected, including land acquisition, he said.

"Work will start in the current year and the road will be completed in the next four years by MSRDC," Pawar said.

The government also proposes to implement a urban roadscheme forupgrading, widening and beautifying main market streets in all cities coming under the jurisdiction of municipal corporations, councils and municipal panchayats, he said.

A sum of Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the urban roadscheme, Pawar said.

He informed that Rs 1,657 crorewill be made available for metro projects in the state for 2020-21.

In addition to the Maan-Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar route under Pune Metro, two new lines - Shivajinagar-Shevalewadi and Maan-Pirangut will also be started, Pawar said.

Along with this, the new Pune Metro line from Vanaz to Ramwadi will be expandedby extending the length of the line from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi, he said.

The length of the metro line from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate will be increased and extended from Swargate to Katraj and from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Nigdi, Pawar said.

More funds will be provided this year than the amounts earmarked in the last five years for Pune Metro, said the MLA from Baramati in Pune district.

Under a new rural road development scheme, 4,0000 km of roads will be taken up for construction and completedby 2025, the minister said.

An outlay of Rs 1,501 crorehas been proposedfor this scheme forthe year 2020-21.

He said 'in-principle' approvalhas been given for expenditureof Rs 86 crore for launch of passenger transport from Mira Bhayander to Dombivli onVasai-Thane-Kalyan route.

An outlay of Rs 50 crore has been proposed in 2020-21 for the construction of a jetty at Radio Club, Colaba, under Sagarmala programme for passenger transport and tourists, Pawar said.

He said under the Sagarmala programme, construction of jettiesfor Ro Ro service in the coastal ports at Vasai, Bhayander, Kharwadeshwari, Manori, Ghodbunder, Narangi, Malvan, Borivali, Gorai and Ambadveis in progress and an outlay of Rs 65 crore has been proposed for this work during 2020-21.

For the next fiscal year,an outlay of Rs 276 crore has been proposed for port development schemes, Pawar said.

Funds will be made available for construction of airports in Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Akola and Amravati districts, he said.

New airports will be constructed at Solapur and Pune for which an outlay of Rs 78 crore has been proposed during 2020-21, the finance minister said.

A sum of Rs 401 crore has been proposed for purchasing 1,600 new buses to replace the old ones and for modernisation of bus stations of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), he said.

The government has provided additional equity of Rs 8,500 crorefor the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Corridoras a result of which Rs 2,500 crorehas been saved from interest on project finance, Pawar added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Miles K. Jones, photographed on the day of his preliminary hearing in February, is charged two counts of criminal homicide. He is accused of killing Eric Braxton, 41, and Arthur Hill, 46, at an Upper Bucks County campground in October. Read more

Bucks County prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Miles K. Jones, a North Philadelphia man accused of killing two Philadelphia men during an argument at a family reunion at a campground last fall.

Jones, 41, is charged with two counts of criminal homicide, possessing a gun without a license, possessing an instrument of crime, and 13 counts of reckless endangerment. It was his first arrest, according to investigators.

Deputy District Attorney Edward Louka said Friday during Jones arraignment in County Court that his office would seek the death penalty. Jones entered a not-guilty plea.

Louka said the death penalty was appropriate because of the circumstances of the shooting, which took place as 15 family members and friends gathered for a reunion at a rural campground in the northern part of the county.

He couldve killed more people, Louka said. He basically was firing indiscriminately after firing the first time. More people couldve easily been hurt.

Investigators said Jones shot Eric Braxton, 41, in the chest after Braxton tried to stop him from returning to the campsite after an argument with his girlfriend, with whom he was sharing a tent. He then allegedly shot Arthur Hill, 46, in the back as he tried to flee the chaos with his son.

Jones attorney, Kenneth Hone, has said Jones fired in self-defense after being punched by one of Hills sons when they went to break up the fight between Jones and his girlfriend.

But Louka has disputed that, saying that Jones acted with murder on his mind that night.

After the initial confrontation with Hill and his sons, Jones went back to his car, telling the group, This isnt over. Nobodys safe, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. He later returned with a 9mm handgun and opened fire, then remained at the campground until police arrived.

Jones trial is tentatively scheduled for June.

Only three people have been executed in Pennsylvania since capital punishment was reinstated in 1978, the last of them in 1999.
That pleasantness is heavily underwritten by a vast digital underclass. Many services that allow you to stay at home work only when others have to be out in the world on your behalf. Worried the grocery store is a petri dish? A contract Instacart grocery shopper will go in your place. That overpriced Purell you panic purchased today from Amazon will show up at your door tomorrow thanks to a small army of humans who showed up at work because they cant afford not to. Same goes for the instructor leading the on-demand high intensity interval training spin class that saved you from dealing with that guy who wont stop coughing by the free weights at the gym. He may not be a gig worker, but he cant lead your class from his home.

This is by no means exclusive to tech. Turns out, a pandemic offers a great way to examine American class inequities. Theres something especially clarifying as it pertains to the gig economy. Silicon Valley has long faced criticism for building products for itself, which is to say, products aimed at solving problems of upper middle class men who spend far too much time working and crave microefficiencies and greater convenience. Much has been reported on how that convenience has created a precarious under-economy of contract workers, dangerous working conditions and same-day delivery environmental concerns.

Its unsurprising then that Silicon Valley seems well poised to deal with the creeping pandemic. Microsoft, Amazon, and Twitter were among the first major companies to encourage workers to stay home (to be clear, this is a responsible way to approach a viral epidemic). Many have led the way on backing out of work travel to conferences. Recently, BuzzFeed News reported that tech companies are looking at the outbreak as a test case for the long-gestating but never-arriving moment when working remotely will broadly replace working in person.

Should Covid-19 usher in a newfound work-from-home movement, it could intensify these inequities. Working from home is a privilege afforded almost exclusively to knowledge workers. More flexible work could take the burden of some families with regard to child care and make part-time careers or balancing work and family life easier. But scaling back on physical workplaces could also mean fewer stable building facilities jobs. Those employees could then be forced into a gig economy with few labor protections that expands to fill the needs of an increasingly homebound work force.

Of course it doesnt have to happen this way. As the Timess editorial board wrote this week, Congress can help by mandating that workers receive paid time off if they fall ill, or if they need to care for an ailing family member. Companies  especially those in the gig economy  can do the same by offering paid sick leave, by relying less on contractors and by allowing employees to unionize for protections so they arent forced ignore advice to stay home.
Transparency International's recently released Corruption Perceptions Index report for 2019 reveals that an overwhelming number of countries have fallen short on battling corruption. In West Africa, the numbers are even more staggering. Of the 16 countries spanning across the region, Nigeria had the lowest score: a meagre 26 out of 100 and ranked higher than only 28 countries out of the 180 that were included in the analysis. Cape Verde, while scoring highest in West Africa with a 58 out of 100, still failed to rank in the top 40%.

As the World Bank Institute acknowledges in a report, corruption distorts economic and social development, by engendering wrong choices and by encouraging competition in bribery rather than in the quality and price of goods and services and, all too often, it means that the world's poorest must pay for the corruption of their own officials and of multinationals' agents.

The media, as watchdogs over public spending and enablers of public participation in governance, transparency and accountability, have a crucial role to play in the fight against corruption in the region. But how has the media fared on this crucial area of governance and what have been the obstacles to their crucial role in this endeavour? In this analysis, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) dissects four key factors that challenge the media's role in fighting corruption.

A new wave of media repression

In the democracies that comprise West Africa, a deep-rooted trend has manifested itself into a harrowing reality: politicians in power are finding new ways to repress journalists from reportage that goes against the governments they lead.

Numerous reports have shown that government resistance to freedom of expression has led to a limited number of reporting in several countries. For instance, in Cote d'Ivoire, investigative journalist, Assale Tiemoko, received death threats after publishing an article on economic malfeasance and corruption within a customs agency. The report further exposed a sector of the country's government that fraudulently allowed the clearance of luxury vehicles to be imported into the country, which resulted in shortfalls in tax revenues. Though the report led to the arrest and detention of the customs agency's Managing Director, the journalist began to receive threatening messages including one that read We are going to shoot you. You cannot escape.

More recently, in Nigeria, military soldiers stormed the Borno State Secretariat of the National Union of Journalists and arrested Daily Trust reporter, Tunji Omirin, who wrote a story about the insurgence of Boko Haram. The journalist was eventually released, but not before being detained and interrogated for almost three hours.

In 2019, the MFWA collected and analysed violations against journalists and compiled the findings in a report. By the end of September alone, 37 violations in nine countries were reported, including the death of Ahmed Hussein Suale, a Ghanaian investigative journalist who shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Accra on January 16, 2019. On repeated occasions, the MFWA condemned the unwarranted and disproportionate use of force and assaults by government officials on journalists. Such incidences of attacks, intimidation and repression refrain some media institutions to report critically, which essentially distorts journalists from dealing with issues of corruption.

Economic woes plaguing the region

Media institutions across the region have had to systematically find new ways to fund operations, projects and salaries for the journalists they employ. Financial instability, poor means of communication and inadequate infrastructure continue to pose a threat to the sustainability of these media institutions and increasingly, local newspapers, radio stations and television networks have had to close their doors. The reasons are wide-ranging, including dwindling advertising dollars, which have gone mostly to digital platforms, specifically social media and online publications.

One African journalist confirmed these issues. Simon Allison self-financed a trip where he succumbed to lodge in flea-ridden hostels at a refugee camp. On his last day of gathering facts for his report, foreign correspondents from international media outlets flew in and out, filing the story within just two hours. He further explained that a member of the media institution's team informed him that they paid an exorbitant amount of money to hire a plane for the morning. To me, this was an unimaginable sum: their morning cost more than four times my entire two weeks in South Sudan.

Further research reveals that several other confrontations plague many countries on the continent. For example, a joint Reuters Institute Fellowship Paper in conjunction with the University of Oxford reports that in Ethiopia, newspapers must be able to maintain a bank balance of Br 10,000 (US$1,250) as collateral against any offences their journalists might commit. And in Ghana, a once-thriving television station was recently hit with employees calling a strike over unpaid salaries. The station was left dead for almost 12 hours as its CEO scrambled to maintain order.

Control the money, control the media

Another challenge media institutions face is financial squeezes in government. In many countries across West Africa, governments control up to 80% of media advertising. As outlets suffer to maintain economic stability, some senior executives, unfortunately, are swayed to mislead, fabricate or cover-up wrongdoing among corrupt administrations out of fear of losing advertising revenues.

There are four main categories of financial strategies and tactics that authorities use to dominate the media sector: public funding for state-administered media, state advertising, state subsidies and market-disruption measures, according to an analysis written by Marius Dragomir, the Director at the Centre for Media, Data and Society at the Marius Dragomir, the Director at the Centre for Media, Data and Society at Central European University. The first three types of financial stratagems are in essence forms of direct funding, Dragomir writes. The last category encompasses strategies, financial in nature aimed at distorting the market logic, hurting the financial health of unaligned, critical media or bankrolling media that are chummy with governments.

Do journalists have the capacity?

Reporting on adverse issues involving corruption and other malfeasances in government requires well-informed and meticulous media personnel who can report stories accurately, effectively and without error. As debts within media institutions skyrocket, the funding allocated to properly train journalists has become a practice of the past, leaving far too many journalists uninformed about procurement laws, how to analyze complex government data, how to back claims using reliable sources, and how to report with critical analysis.

However, several non-profit and civic society organizations, including the MFWA, have been helping in diverse ways to help deals with these issues. But more needs to be done. Media institutions must be empowered to become efficient on their platforms to enhance training efforts and engagement between citizens and authorities on governance issues.

To be clear, the incapacity for some African journalists to critically report on issues is of little to no fault of their own. What undermines journalists is their inability to receive the proper training from designated media houses that are scrounging for money to keep their businesses afloat.

When those fighting corruption become corrupt themselves

The financial challenges facing the media sector in West Africa trickles down to journalists, some of whom can sometimes be swayed into unethical practices in order to feed themselves and their families. Brown envelope journalism, a practice where journalists are paid to write favourably about issues or kill negative ones, has become so deeply entrenched within the media landscape that it has led to erroneous and misleading coverage on a wide array of governance issues.

In one survey, 200 journalists in Ghana's Brong Ahafo region were questioned to track whether they had ever engaged in brown envelope journalism. The study showed that 74 percent of participants admitted to accepting money and 81 percent said they did not ask for it, but took it anyway. The reasons for accepting the money were widespread, but among them, the three most significant factors were because of poor pay, unpaid salaries and inadequate resources to perform their jobs.

It leads some to question whether some journalists often feel motivated to accurately report on stories. Lack of funding and the means to survive could stifle the integrity of reporting, allowing corruption to run rampant on both sides of media and governance.

How is the MFWA responding?

The MFWA understands that there is a substantial amount of issues that hinder the media's role in fighting corruption and we have made efforts to curtail these issues.

In the fight against repression, we track daily incidences across the region through our monitoring and reporting on violations of freedom of expression rights in West Africa and have done so for over two decades. We regularly condemn attacks on journalists and have consistently demanded justice and redress for the abuses made towards journalists. In 2015, we partnered with some 155 journalists from over 40 media organisations across Ghana to petition former President John Dramani Mahama to demand sanctions against his staffer, Stan Dodge, who assaulted a journalist and destroyed his recording equipment.

To help with economic hardships that affect the media, we have created initiatives to support journalists in producing critical, independent and high-quality reports on issues of corruption, transparency, accountability, and service delivery in the target countries. The funding opportunity formed part of activities under the MFWA's project titled Enhancing Public Participation and Demand for Accountability in Governance through Effective Media and Governance Dialogue Platforms. The project sought to strengthen the capacity of media organisations in Ghana, Senegal and Burkina Faso to report more effectively on governance, transparency and accountability issues. It also aimed at empowering the media to become efficient platforms for citizens'-authorities' engagement on governance issues.

We also collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fund Ghanaian journalists in supporting quality and thorough reporting that focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. The project formed part of activities under MFWA's Mainstreaming the SDGs in Development Reporting, which sought to advance public knowledge on the SDGs to ensure inclusive and participatory delivery of the goals in Ghana.

To help build the capacity of journalists in West Africa, we have supported several media institutions in increasing their awareness about institutional and external issues. In Benin, we hired a consultant for Banouto, an online media house based in the city of Cotonou. The consultant assessed the media organization and provided feedback on ways to improve their reporting. Through MFWA's support, the media house was taught how to properly develop marketing and communication strategies, in addition to learning ways to increase engagement on their website.

In Ghana, we held a series of forums on the recently passed Right to Information (RTI) bill for journalists and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Northern regions. The forum sought to increase knowledge and understanding of the law among the MMDCEs as well as to educate them on their obligations. Close to 200 senior journalists across the three regions learned more about their rights and obligations under the law; how it would facilitate their work and how it would make them better citizens' educators of the law.

For the past three years, we held the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA), an initiative aimed to promote media excellence in the sub-region. The conference brought together close to 300 journalists to reflect on the challenges and changing trends in the areas of free expression, media development and access to information, and to develop strategies in tackling these challenges to promote good governance, regional integration and peace in West Africa. The awards ceremony rewarded and inspired journalism excellence in West Africa as well as honoured West African journalists who have produced compelling works that have had a significant impact on society.

Last but not least, we facilitated a year-long series of multi-stakeholder engagements, which led to the adoption of a framework by the Ghana Police Service to promote relations between the Service and the media, enhancing the safety of journalists and countering impunity for crimes against journalists in Ghana. UNESCO, OSIWA and IFEX provided funding support.

---citinewsroom
Speaking in a manner bracingly unusual in this city, Haley minced no words: The American system is capitalism. Although the Founders never used the word, they gave us capitalism in all but the name, because capitalism is another word for freedom. And it springs from Americas most cherished ideals. The Founders understood something the Supreme Court has forgotten for eight decades: Economic freedom is, like freedom of speech and free exercise of religion, a fundamental right. Capitalism has lifted up more people, unlocked more progress and unleashed more prosperity than any other system, yet many people avoid saying that word, including some conservatives and business leaders.
M att Hancock has vowed to ensure UK supermarkets will not run out of food as the coronavirus outbreak escalates.

Speaking on BBC's Question Time, the Health Secretary sought to reassure the public following panic-buying in some areas during which shelves have been cleared of essentials such as toilet roll and paracetamol.

Mr Hancock said the Government is working with supermarkets to ensure food supplies with the number of people self-isolating with coronavirus set to rise.

It comes as an older patient, reported to be a woman in her 70s, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus as the toll of UK cases hit 116.

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock gestures as he talks about coronavirus at the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce in London / REUTERS

Mr Hancock said: "The Government has supplies of the key things that are needed, and, within the food supply, we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

"And, crucially, we are working to makes sure that if people are self isolating, they will be able to get the food and supplies that they need."

He said there was "absolutely no need" for individual people "to go round buying more than they need."

He added: "The very, very strong advice from the scientists, from the medics, is that people should not go buying more than they need."

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

Mr Hancock also told anyone self-isolating with coronavirus to stay away from their own family members as much as possible, and to wipe down shared surfaces such as in bathrooms.

He said: "People should try to self-isolate from their families, not only go home, try not to go out shopping, definitely don't use public transport, but within your own home you should also try to self-isolate."

He said that, as the father of three children, he understood that "can be difficult and some people have caring responsibilities", but people should try to keep to themselves as much as possible.

On Thursday evening, the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading said the older patient who died had been "in and out of hospital" for other reasons but was admitted on Wednesday evening and tested positive.

Matt Hancock talks about the Covid-19 outbreak on Question Time / BBC Question Time

It came during a day of several key developments, with the number of UK cases of Covid-19 surging to 116 - more than double the total 48 hours earlier - and Downing Street warning it was "highly likely" the virus would spread "in a significant way".

Health chiefs also said people diagnosed with coronavirus who show only "very minimal" symptoms should self-isolate at home rather than in hospital, while new advice was issued to travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Italy that they should self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Coronavirus: Patient in UK dies after testing positive for Covid-19

Following the news of the UK death, Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his sympathy to the family of the patient, while England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was "very sorry" to report the news.

He added: "We believe they contracted the virus in the UK and contact tracing is already under way."

Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die from the virus.

At a press conference on Thursday evening, Prof Whitty revealed that 18 people have so far recovered from coronavirus in the UK and 45 are being treated at home.

"We have moved to a situation where people have very minimal symptoms and we think they are clinically safe and they are able to self-isolate. We think it is actually safer for them, as well as more pleasant, if they can self-isolate in their own homes," he said.

In terms of national prevention measures, Mr Hancock said Prof Whitty told him that stopping flights into the UK would only delay the arrival of the disease "by a matter of days".

He added that halting flights to the UK would also make it "much harder" to get medicines into the country because they are produced abroad.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday had okayed the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks to create four large state-owned lenders with effect from 1 April, 2020

New Delhi: With the March-end deadline for the biggest-ever amalgamation scheme is approaching, ten state-owned banks on Thursday announced swap ratios for the proposed mergers.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) in a regulatory filing announced the share exchange ratio in accordance with the scheme of amalgamation, as it is set to merge the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and the United Bank of India (UBI) into itself with effect from 1 April. PNB's board in its meeting on Thursday has approved for amalgamation of OBC and UBI, Punjab National Bank said in a BSE filing.

According to the swap ratio, 1,150 equity shares of PNB are to be exchanged for every 1,000 equity shares of Oriental Bank of Commerce, while 121 equity shares of PNB are to be swapped for every 1,000 equity shares of UBI.

A Grievance Redressal Committee headed by Vijay Kumar Vyas, a retired judge of Rajasthan High Court, has been set up to address the grievances of shareholders. The committee is intended to address those shareholders who either individually or collectively hold at least 1 percent of the equity capital of any of PNB, OBC or UBI; or 100 shareholders acting collectively, of any of PNB, OBC or UBI.

"The board of directors of the bank...have fixed Wednesday, 25 March, 2020, as the record date for issuing and allotting equity shares of the PNB to the shareholders of OBC and UBI as per the share exchange ratio," PNB said in the filing.

Meanwhile, Andhra Bank on Thursday also announced the swap ratio for its merger, it said in a filing. Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank are to be amalgamated into Union Bank of India with effect from 1 April, 2020.

Andhra Bank said, "Further, the board of directors of the bank at its meeting held on 5 March, 2020, has approved the equity share exchange ratio for amalgamation of Andhra Bank into Union Bank of India for 325 equity shares in Union Bank of India for every 1,000 equity shares in Andhra Bank."

Union Bank in a separate exchange filing said its board at its meeting on Thursday has also approved the equity share exchange ratio. It includes 325 equity shares of Union Bank of India for every 1,000 shares in Andhra Bank and 330 shares in Union Bank for every 1,000 equity shares in Corporation Bank.

Also, for Syndicate Bank's merger into Canara Bank, the share swap is 158 equity shares of Canara Bank for every 1,000 equity shares of Syndicate Bank.

The lenders in their respective filings to the exchange said their boards have approved the amalgamation of Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank. For these two banks, an expert committee (Grievance Redressal Committee ) is to be headed by K N Keshavanarayana, a former judge of the High Court of Karnataka, to address the grievances of minority shareholders.

Meanwhile, Allahabad Bank on Thursday also said that as per its amalgamation into Indian Bank, its board of directors approved the swap ratio. It said, "115 equity shares of Rs 10.00 each of Indian Bank (transferee bank) for every 1,000 (one thousand) equity shares of Rs 10.00 each of Allahabad Bank (transferor bank)."

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday had okayed the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks to create four large state-owned lenders with effect from 1 April, 2020.

According to the mega consolidation plan, OBC and UBI will merge into PNB; Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank; Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank of India; and Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank. After the mergers, there will be seven large public sector banks (PSBs) and five smaller ones.

Last year, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank were merged with Bank of Baroda. Prior to this, the government had merged five associate banks of SBI and Bharatiya Mahila Bank with the State Bank of India.

The anchor bank Punjab National Bank will become the country's second-largest bank, with business size of Rs 17.94 lakh crore, after SBI which has a business of over Rs 52 lakh crore.

Bank of Baroda will become the third-largest bank, followed by Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, and Indian Bank. The other PSBs are Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and Punjab and Sind Bank.

The stock of PNB on Thursday closed at Rs 44.90 on the BSE, up 1.01 percent from the previous close, while Union Bank of India's shares jumped 8.25 percent to Rs 39.35 apiece. Canara Bank rose marginally by 0.40 percent to close at 139.45 apiece.
After working Paris Fashion Week, DNA Model Kaia Gerber flew back home to California on Thursday where she braved the busy LAX Airport amid coronavirus panic.

The 18-year-old Malibu native wore a chic brown trench coat over a white sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and grey New Balance sneakers for her 12-hour trans-Atlantic flight.

The nepotistically-privileged daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber just returned from France where she stormed the runways of Miu Miu, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Valentino.

Home sweet home! After working Paris Fashion Week, DNA Model Kaia Gerber flew to California on Thursday where she braved the busy LAX Airport amid coronavirus panic

Globetrotter: The 18-year-old Malibu native wore a chic brown trench coat over sweats and New Balance sneakers for her 12-hour trans-Atlantic flight

On Wednesday, Kaia shared 'highlights from the last month' with her 5.6M social media following including a meme from NBC's The Office captioned: 'If I don't have some cake soon, I might die.'

Gerber posted snaps of her gnarly Paris Fashion Week ankle blisters and two men squeezing her into a tight PVC ensemble backstage.

In another shot, the 5ft9in catwalker wore both an eye mask and a face mask while seated at a window seat in Delta One class.

The Louis Vuitton brand ambassador also shared a picture of false eyelashes resting above her belly button and a snap of her head looking distorted.

It Girl: The nepotistically-privileged daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber just returned from France where she stormed the runways of Miu Miu (L), Chanel (M), Alexander McQueen (R), Givenchy, and Valentino

'If I don't have some cake soon, I might die': On Wednesday, Kaia shared 'highlights from the last month' with her 5.6M social media following including a meme from NBC's The Office

No pain, no glory! Gerber posted snaps of her gnarly Paris Fashion Week ankle blisters and two men squeezing her into a tight PVC ensemble backstage

Shielded: In another shot, the 5ft9in catwalker wore both an eye mask and a face mask while seated at a window seat in Delta One class

Sense of humor: The Louis Vuitton brand ambassador also shared a picture of false eyelashes resting above her belly button and a snap of her head looking distorted

Kaia's sighting came a week after her ex-boyfriend - Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson - discussing their December break-up with Charlamagne Tha God.

'We were dating for a few months,' the 26-year-old Staten Island native explained.

'She's very young, and I'm f***ing going through a lot and it was before I went to [Arizona rehab Sierra Tucson over the holidays].

'It's just like, she should be having fun. She shouldn't have to worry about some dude that just has issues and s***. She should be enjoying her work.'

'We were dating for a few months': Kaia's sighting came a week after her ex-boyfriend - Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson (R) - discussing their December break-up with Charlamagne Tha God (L)

The 26-year-old Staten Island native explained: 'She's very young, and I'm f***ing going through a lot and it was before I went to [Arizona rehab Sierra Tucson over the holidays]' (pictured November 23)

The girl-crazy comedian added: 'It's just like, she should be having fun. She shouldn't have to worry about some dude that just has issues and s***. She should be enjoying her work' (pictured October 20)

Before Gerber, the girl-crazy comedian dated similarly-slim brunettes Kate Beckinsale and Margaret Qualley after ending his four-month engagement to pop diva Ariana Grande.

'Unless I meet the love of my life. I'm pretty done with [dating],' Pete vowed.

'I'm going to try and stay away from that. It's just a lot.'
Elon Musk is best known as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX but way before his success in Silicon Valley, he worked odd jobs to get by.

At 17, Musk left his home in South Africa and headed to Canada, where he became a citizen (hismother, Maye, was born there) and stayed with his cousin, according to the book Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance.

At first, Musk worked at his cousins farm in Waldeck, Saskatchewan (a village that as of 2016 had a population offewer than 300 people), tending to vegetables and shoveling grain bins, according to the book Elon Musk.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/03/odd-jobs-elon-musk-had-when-he-was-younger.html

Then Musk learned to cut logs with a chainsaw in Vancouver, British Columbia, according to the book.

However, after asking at the unemployment office what jobs paid the best, Musk took on his hardest gig yet: cleaning out the boiler room of a lumber mill.

For $18 an hour, Musk said in the biography that he had to put on this hazmat suit and then shimmy through this little tunnel that you can barely fit in. Then, you have to shovel, and you take the sand and goop and other residue, which is still steaming hot, and you have to shovel it through the same hole you came in through.

There is no escape, Musk said. Someone else on the other side has to shovel it into a wheelbarrow. If you stay in there for more than 30 minutes, you get too hot and die.

Thirty people started out at the beginning of the week with Musk, according to the book. By the third day, five people were left. By the end of the week, Musk was left with only two other people to do the work.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/03/odd-jobs-elon-musk-had-when-he-was-younger.html?
There are currently more than 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide, with more than 80,000 of those recorded in China where the virus originated.

According to world statistic website, Worldometer, there have been a total of 100,383 cases worldwide since the virus first made itself known. Of those cases, a total of 55,991 have recovered, with 3,408 deaths recorded worldwide.

There are currently 40,984 active cases of the virus worldwide with 34,698 (85%) of those reported to be mild cases and only 15% (6,286) reported to be serious or critical.

In Ireland there are currently 13 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, with seven of those coming to light just yesterday evening.

The first case was confirmed on Saturday last with a male student in the east of the country who had travelled from an affected area in northern Italy being diagnosed.

A school in Dublin has closed for 14 days in a bid to contain the virus following the positive diagnosis of the student.

Read also: Visitor restrictions announced by Nursing Homes Ireland as Coronavirus cases increase

The second confirmed case of the virus was announced on Tuesday, with a woman in the east of the country being diagnosed. She also travelled from northern Italy but was not connected to the student who had previously been diagnosed.

Four more cases of the virus were confirmed in the west of the country on Wednesday after a family travelled from an affected area in northern Italy. Three schools are on lock-down in county Clare as a result. The father of the family, a healthcare professional, had gone to work in University Hospital Limerick's emergency department before he was diagnosed.

Yesterday evening, seven more cases of the virus were confirmed, one of which was diagnosed in the south of the country. The patient in question had not been out of the country and officials are unsure of how he contracted the disease. More than 60 staff at Cork University Hospital have been asked to self isolate following the diagnosis and a St Patrick's Day parade in Youghal, Co Cork, has been cancelled.

Four males in the east of the country who had travelled from northern Italy and two females in the west of the country who came into contact with a confirmed case brought the total number of cases in Ireland to 13.

The number of cases is expected to increase over the coming weeks.

Read also: Coronavirus fears lead to surge in sales of hand gels and face masks in Longford
On Wednesday, the nine members of Colorados congressional delegation sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to request an extension of grant funding for a half dozen programs to enable Colorados response to coronavirus.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Friday endorsed Joe Biden in the Democratic battle to face President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Patrick said the former vice president and Delaware senator is a leader prepared to unify the country at a time when our democracy is at risk.

Patrick, who launched his own White House bid before becoming one of several Democrats to exit the race after failing to pick up steam, said he worked closely with the Obama-Biden administration when he was governor.

I saw firsthand Joes essential role in passing historic health care reform, saving the American auto industry and our country from another depression, leading our troops home from war and championing historic civil rights and LGBTQ equality, Patrick said. He was my go-to contact on stimulus spending, the very spending that enabled us to invest in our schools, help our students achieve nation-leading academic performance, and close achievement gaps. And his and the Presidents relationships with other leaders around the world paved a smoother way for our own state-level trade missions on behalf of business leaders, workers and educators.

Biden has risen in national polling after winning 10 states on Super Tuesday and a commanding victory in South Carolina. He is now essentially in a two-way race with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, idealistically more aligned with Sanders but someone who pitched herself as more capable of getting things done, suspended her campaign on Thursday but declined to endorse anyone.
Governors of the six states in North-east Nigeria on Thursday held an unusual regional meeting in Gombe State where they discussed the prevailing security and socio-economic challenges facing their zone.

The governors asked their attorneys general to meet with security agencies and work out an approach to enhance regional security within the ambits of the law.

The governors of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states held the meeting in Gombe town where they brainstormed and proffered possible solutions that could address the problems.

The one-day meeting, which started in the afternoon, dragged into the night after which a communique was issued.

Before the meeting, relevant government agencies including the Northeast Development Commission (NEDCO) briefed the governor on the real situation of things in the region and how they could go about providing lasting solutions.

The host governor, Inuwa Yahaya, read out a 14 point communique at the end of the meeting, which he said will henceforth hold every quarter.

READ ALSO:

Excerpts on the communique reads-

We, the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Bauchi, Gombe Taraba, and Yobe states met in Gombe today 5th March 2020, in order to brainstorm on the challenges facing the Northeast subregion with a view to offering solutions towards solving them.

After exhaustive deliberations, we resolved as follows:

The forum noted with satisfaction the formation of Northeast Development Commission and thanked Mr. President, the Assembly, and all Nigerians for their humanitarian support for the region.

The forum is committed to providing all the necessary support to the commission with a view to achieving its objectives.

The forum directed all the Attorney Generals of the Northeast state to meet with the security agents and possibility of enhancing security in the sub region within the ambits of the law.

The forum demands that all projects that have to be implemented by the NEDC will be delivered in a demand-driven approach that takes into consideration our needs and priorities.

The Forum agreed that local content development is key to our success and we are committed to supporting local content initiatives with all development programs.

We agree to support the initiatives that will ensure the agreed Mambilla Hydro Power Projects in order to ensure improved productivity and Nigeria at large.

We agree with the possibility of regional power generation and to examine the ownership of the Electricity Distribution Companies among other things.

The forum praised the federal government of Nigeria on the ongoing oil exploration and thanked the National Assembly and Nigerians at large on the real interest of finding oil in the Northeast sub region.

The forum agreed to establish a technical working committee to implement all the actions agreed upon and agreed to meet quarterly.
A Delhi court Friday sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to 7-day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi.

Duty Magistrate Rakesh Kumar passed the order after Hussain was produced before him by Delhi Police which said that his custodial interrogation was required to unearth larger conspiracy, Hussains advocate Mukesh Kalia said.

Hussain was produced before the duty magistrate amid tight security late in the evening and neither the media nor any lawyer, other then those connected with the case, was allowed inside the courtroom.

Hussain was arrested on Thursday after a court here dismissed his plea seeking to surrender before it in connection with the case.

The court rejected his plea saying that the relief sought by him was outside its jurisdiction.

Hussain moved the surrender application before the court saying that he was willing to join the investigation and wanted to surrender in the case.

Advocate Kalia argued before the court that there was a grave apprehension of threat to his life and therefore he has not surrendered before competent court as there is charged environment in Karkardooma District court.

The lawyer said Hussain has been falsely implicated in the case and sought protection for his life and property.

As the court dismissed Hussains plea, a Delhi Police team, which had already arrived, arrested him and took him into custody.

Hussain has been booked in the murder case of the IB staffer in northeast Delhi amid violence over the new citizenship law last week.

Delhis ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had then suspended him for alleged involvement in the violence which has left at least 42 people dead and around 200 injured.

The family of Sharma (26), who was found dead in a drain near his home in northeast Delhis riot-hit Chand Bagh area, has accused Hussain of being behind the killing.

On the complaint of Sharmas father, the police registered an FIR against Hussain, who has rejected the charge. Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi four days ago after violence between anti-and-pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control.

Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 19:46:42|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The outbreak of novel coronavirus in Iran has killed 124 people, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Friday.

Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Center of the ministry, said that the total number of confirmed cases reached 4,747 in Iran, out of whom 913 people have been recovered, according to official IRNA news agency.

A total of 1,413 cases of infection are from the capital Tehran. The central city of Qom reported 523 cases, said Jahanpur.

He said that travels to northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran might be banned as Iran's new year holidays approach.

He also advised people to avoid inter-city trips.

Iran announced the first cases of viral infection in the central Qom city on Feb. 19.
Beijing reported four new cases of coronavirus on March 5, all imported from Italy, the citys municipal health commission said in a statement on Friday.

The city now has a total of 422 cases. Coronavirus cases are now rising across the globe at a more rapid rate than inside China.

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Findings of a recent study found that people who live in places with an increase air pollution level may have a higher risk for kidney disease particularly chronic kidney disease. The research was published in JASN, the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and it assessed the information gathered from 10,997 adults in four areas in the United States, spanning the periods of 1996 to 1998 and up to 2016.

The researchers are from the School of Medicine of Johns Hopkins University. The study participants were aged 63 on the average at the beginning of the study, and their condition was followed for 18 to 20 years.

The exposure of the participants to fine particulate matter was assessed in the study. These particulate matter are known as PM2.5, since their diameter is less than 2.5 microns. The study estimated the average PM2.5 monthly levels of the areas where the participants lived, basing it on their home addresses.

The researchers' findings showed that the subjects who were exposed to high amounts of these PM2.5 particles were more prone to albuminuria, which is an indication of kidney dysfunction. The researchers noted this occurrence at the beginning of the study and followed its development during the course of the study. They found that albuminuria was linked to a higher risk for the development of chronic kidney disease with time.

PM2.5 is produced from the burning of fossil fuels in vehicle exhausts as well as industrial and power plant activities. They also come from natural sources, including the recent Australian wildfires and other forest fires that have been occurring on Indonesia and many other countries and throughout history. This is already linked to several health conditions, which include heart disease, high blood pressure, higher chronic lung disease risk, and poorer bone health. The study was conducted because the effects of air pollution has not been considered on the health of the kidneys.

The rates and incidences of kidney diseases all over the world is on the rise. According to the study's lead author, Dr. Matthew F. Blum, it is crucial that we understand whether or not kidney disease is associated with increased exposure to air pollution, and if so, how the pathophysiological mechanisms work to produce this effect.

It has been known for some time that living in areas with dangerously high air pollution levels could have detrimental effects on one's health. It is also known that these deleterious effects extend beyond lung health. However, there have been too few studies that associate these air pollutants with the main filters of the body's blood, the kidneys.

The authors also add that their study's findings may be of even more importance for countries like India and China, where unusually higher PM2.5 levels are present. The levels in these countries are five to 10 times greater than in the United States. Further studies on this subject could focus on the significance of better health with improving air quality, particularly in reducing the rates of chronic kidney disease incidences.
Turkey "neutralized" 21 Syrian troops in Syria's Idlib in response to a death of a Turkish soldier earlier this week, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported citing the country's Defense Ministry.

According to the agency, one Turkish soldier was killed on Wednesday, another one on Thursday, but before Moscow and Ankara agreed on a ceasefire in Idlib.

The Turkish Defense Ministry reportedly said that the response attack was carried out by drones on Thursday at about 4 p.m. local time (13:00). The drones "neutralized" 21 troops and destroyed some military equipment.

The ceasefire agreed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took effect on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MADRID, Spain Ugandas Medical Doctor, Irene Kyamumi a famous promoter of the Child Health Project (CHEP), which provides care for Kampalas most vulnerable children was Thursday night conferred with the Harambee 2020 award for the Promotion and Equality of African Women.

The award announcement about Doctor Kyamumis recognition for the Promotion and Equality of African Women given to her on Thursday night at a colorful event in Madrid, Spain.

The award acknowledges Doctor Kyamumis work as an ardent promoter of the Child Health Project (CHEP) which supports some of the most vulnerable children in Kampala.

Kyamumi studied medicine at Makerere University and then worked on projects in favour of low-income families, first in Kenya and then in Uganda.

In particular, she has collaborated on initiatives that support children suffering from tuberculosis as well as improving the living conditions of over 5,000 sick children.

With the Prize, sponsored by the Rene Furterer Laboratorios, Kyamumi will be able to contribute more to the reduction of child mortality in the suburbs of Kampala through targeted health care programs.

Ugandas CHEP Project also involves schools and, through them, families, because education is seen as essential to preventing and ensuring a healthier life for Ugandans vulnerable children.

Harambee Africa International has been carrying out development projects in the field of education and training in Sub-Saharan Africa since 2002.

Harambee is also involved in information and awareness-raising initiatives to contribute to the diffusion of a more in-depth image of the African Continent, beyond stereotypes. Harambee committees operate in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland and the United States.

The headquarters is in Rome

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Australia has launched its first vending machine that dispenses Zooper Dooper ice blocks - turning every childhood dream into a reality.

Fans of the iconic brand can now enjoy a refreshing ice block with just the touch of a button at Castle Hill metro train station, north-west of Sydney.

Many commuters have rushed to get their hands on the $1 iconic frozen treat after a picture of the vending machine emerged on Twitter.

'This is not a drill, today I saw a Zooper Dooper vending machine,' the woman wrote on February 27.

Zooper Dooper vending machine (pictured) has popped up at Castle Hill train station in Sydney

Commuters praised the new invention, with many saying that they couldn't wait to visit the vending machine.

'All my dreams have come true,' one person wrote on Facebook.

'Finally we get something good,' another said. 'This is a game changer,' one person agreed.

Sydneysiders rushed to enjoy the frozen iceblock treat for just $1 after a local shared the news to Twitter

However, it seems the invention wasn't the idea of Zooper Dooper's manufacturer Lion, who told 10 Daily they don't approve of the individual selling.

'We are very proud of our iconic Zooper Doopers manufactured at our Smithfield site in Sydney, but we do not sell them as a single unit as they don't have all the mandatory food labelling requirements,' a spokesperson said.

'Whilst we love the passion, we are not behind this particular activation,' they said.

The company sell Zooper Doopers in a mixed flavoured pack of 24 for $5.80 at major supermarket stores - meaning they only cost 24 cents individually.
An Osogbo Chief Magistrates Court in Osun on Friday ordered the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to appear in court over an alleged assault.

Ruling in an application, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, ordered the police to put the traditional ruler on notice before date would be fixed for hearing of the matter.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Soji Oyetayo, approached the court for an order on motion exparte in order to file an application against the Oluwo.

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The Oluwo is accused of attacking another monarch, Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Oba Dhikrulahi Akinropo, during a peace meeting on Feb. 14.

The meeting was called to settle a land tussle in Iwo land between the monarchs.

The peace meeting was convened by the Assistant-Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Bashir Makama, in his Office where the incident allegedly occurred.

(NAN)
A leading anti-gangs adviser has hit out at police after a judge threw out charges he faked a burglary at his flat.

Gwenton Sloley, 36, had already begun legal action against the Met after drugs police wrongly raided his home on October 22, 2018 and officers carried out a second raid on January 22 last year.

Following an 18-month investigation, Mr Sloley was charged with intent to pervert the course of justice by making a false allegation of burglary two weeks before the initial police raid.

The ex-gang member was also accused of having 1,985 at his home which police alleged was criminal property.

But on Monday, Judge Keith Raynor upheld a defence application to dismiss the charges following legal arguments at Woolwich crown court. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would not challenge the decision.

Mr Sloley, who has been lauded by the Home Office, trained law enforcers, health workers and faith groups on how to identify and engage with gangs. After being cleared, he told the Standard: The case was nonsense. There was never any evidence to take me to court. This was nothing more than a vendetta.

These officers unlawfully raided my house and tried to create a case around it. I have been hospitalised twice due to the stress. My family are now traumatised each time the door knocks.

The Standard told last year how detectives forced entry to Mr Sloleys Lewisham property as they looked for a crack cocaine dealer who moved out five years before he lived there.

The hunt saw four properties linked to Myles Prospere, 25, searched. As a result, Mr Sloley was blacklisted and NHS trusts and councils cancelled projects with his Crying Sons consultancy.

Mr Sloley, who helped set up the London Gang Exit programme, is seeking 3 million from the Met for defamation and 140,000 in lost earnings. At the time of the first search, Mr Sloley was in Manchester advising police. Police then raided the property a second time looking for Class A drugs. None was found.

Mr Sloleys solicitor Tricia OSullivan, of Imran Khan & Partners, said: Our client is delighted that ... the charges against him have been dismissed.

We now intend to give consideration to the commencement of civil proceedings against the appropriate body.

The CPS said: We carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and concluded that the evidential test was met. We respect the decision of the court.

Scotland Yard declined to comment on Mr Sloleys claims but said: A complaint in relation to damage of reputation and character was received on October 30, 2018. A subsequent complaint was received in July 2019. Matters remain under investigation by the directorate of professional standards.
Staff members across London's financial district have been sent home as the coronavirus continues to rock the industry with one company banning its workers from using the tube to get into the office.

Over 1,200 staff members at US group S&P Global Platts were sent home yesterday afternoon after it was discovered a visitor to the Canary Wharf site had been diagnosed with Covid-19.

It comes as HSBC also told 100 staff members not to come in after one of its workers tested positively for the disease.

With many finance workers based in Canary Wharf, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now said that all companies need to have contingency plans in place.

Over 1,200 staff members at US group S&P Global Platts (office building, left) were sent home, as were staff members from the 10th floor of HSBC (right)

Greg Coffey (pictured above) is alleged to have told staff members at his Knightsbridge office to get a taxi to work

According to the Telegraph, hedge fund manager Greg Coffey also told workers he would pay for their taxis to and from the office in a bid to stop them catching the virus.

Mr Coffrey, formerly dubbed the 'Wizard of Oz' from his days at the hedge fund GLG Partners reportedly told staff at his Kirkoswald Capital firm to not take the tube to the office in Knightsbridge and to instead get taxis into work.

S&P employees in Canary Wharf were told yesterday to work from home until further notice.

In a company statement a spokesperson said: 'Platts has a robust business continuity plan to ensure there are no disruptions to our MOC (market-on-close) price assessment process and the essential commodity market intelligence our customers rely on across news and analytics'.

There are now 90 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain, after three more were confirmed in Scotland this morning

The site is home to 1,200 employees, and the 20 Canada Square address is also shared with the trading operation of oil and gas giant BP.

A spokesperson said they were monitoring the situation and it is believed that staff are still today working in the office building.

Yesterday HSBC evacuated part of its Canary Wharf HQ after a worker tested positive for the virus.

The firm cleared the 10th floor for cleaning and advised staff not to come to work after an employee self-isolated after contracting the disease.

The remaining floors of its Canada Square office building remained open.

JP Morgan also said it would be sending some of its London staff to back up sites.

JP Morgan has offices Canary Wharf as well as a base in Blackfriars, where the firm's asset management arm is based.

Britain has so far registered 116 cases and reported its first death from the coronavirus on Thursday.

MailOnline has contacted Kirkoswald Capital.
The Alabama evangelist who pleaded guilty to more than two dozen sex crimes in Etowah County appears poised to settle similar charges in Jefferson County.

Acton Bowen, 39, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Thursday morning. In December 2019, Bowen entered guilty pleas to 28 counts of sexual abuse involving six male victims ages 13 to 16.

Bowen was sentenced to 1,008 years on the Etowah County cases, but still faced three charges in Jefferson County of traveling to meet a child for sex, enticing a child for a sexual act and sodomy.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May on Thursday entered a court order setting a plea date for Friday at 11 a.m. May wrote he was informed that an agreement between the State of Alabama and the defendant had been reached. Therefore, case is set for plea and sentencing on March 6 at 11 a.m.

Bowens trial on the Hoover cases was scheduled to begin April 20. Effort to reach Jefferson County prosecutors and Bowens attorney for comment werent immediately successful.

Hoover was the first law enforcement agency to lodge charges against Bowen, arresting him in April 2018. Police have said the victim in that case is a Hoover boy younger than 16 but older than 12 who is a family acquaintance of Bowen. Court records in the Jefferson County case say Bowen engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with the teen boy, and also enticed him into getting into a 2010 Jeep Wrangler for the purpose of sodomy.

A week after his arrest in Hoover, Etowah County sheriff's officials on April 17, 2018 arrested Bowen on the multiple charges there to which he later pleaded guilty. The Etowah County charges dealt with young boys who told investigators that after they met Bowen through his ministry, they were abused in several ways not only in Etowah County but during trips to different states and abroad. The victims told investigators the misconduct lasted months, and sometimes years.

One of the victims said Bowen exposed him to deviate sexual intercourse from 2006 through 2009. Another victim claimed the abuse happened from 2014 through 2017 and yet another reported to lawmen that he suffered the abuse in 2018.

Authorities later noted in court filings that at least one of the victims had been contacted directly by Bowen via text message or email while Bowen was in the Etowah County Detention Center. The state reviewed jail records which confirmed the victims report, Griffith wrote. The defendants messages also appear to indicate that there has been contact with other victims, either directly or indirectly, while the cases were pending.

Jail records show eight messages were sent from Bowen to the victim over a two-month period, records state. The contents of the messages clearly indicate an intent to influence the victims feelings, and potentially his testimonyand to discourage the victim from cooperating with prosecution of this case, Griffith wrote.

Also in 2018, the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Florida issued a warrant for Bowen's arrest for "lewd and lascivious battery of a child under 16," which is defined as engaging in sexual activity with a child older than 12 but younger than 16 by Florida law. The alleged crime that led to the charge was reported to Florida officials May 23. A warrant for Bowen's arrest was issued May 24. Authorities said reports indicate the incident happened between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2016.

Bowen was the founder of Acton Bowen Outreach Ministries. He served for 12 years in a local church, led a citywide student Bible study in Gadsden and was also the host of xlroads TV, a worldwide broadcast viewed weekly by millions of teens and adults in every city in America and over 170 countries around the world.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  The San Juan City government has temporarily closed the prayer hall at Greenhills Shopping Center following confirmation that the country's latest coronavirus case frequented the place.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said the Muslim prayer area will remain shut "until the [Department of Health] gives the go signal for it to open."

Zamora said the prayer room was sanitized and disinfected immediately after the Department of Health confirmed that a 62-year-old Filipino man who regularly visited the place has been found to have the coronavirus disease officially known as COVID-19.

The man has no history of travel outside the Philippines, making him the country's first local case, Health Secretary Franisco Duque said in a media briefing. Duque was quick to clarify that this does not necessarily mark the start of community spread since this is just a single case.

Zamora also ordered the postponement of all planned public activities in the city this weekend and next week.

Zamora clarified that the man is not from San Juan, but confirmed that he was confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in the city and diagnosed with severe pneumonia. The man was transferred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine after testing positive for the virus on March 5.

The management of Cardinal Santos Medical Center said those who handled the coronavirus patient have not exhibited red-flag symptoms for coronavirus infection.

"CSMS has taken all the necessary precautionary measures that all those who had contact with the patients have been processed following the protocols of DOH on quarantine, monitoring, and observation," the hospital said in a statement.

Zamora said local authorities are working closely with DOH, which has been doing contact tracing, to identify the people who had been in contact with the coronavirus patient. He said the patient's wife is giving them information.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said one relative who had been with the patient has shown flu-like symptoms. She said the relative was quarantined in a hospital and tested for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Greenhills Mall management said they are coordinating with the DOH and local government to ensure the safety of all shoppers, tenants, and employees. Zamora said the management has agreed to disinfect the entire shopping center "just to have extra precautionary measures"  even if the prayer hall is not located in the main "tiangge" area.

Zamora added that the Greenhills Muslim Traders Association, which runs the prayer hall, has been cooperating with the government.

The decision to close the area was made even as the World Health Organization said there is no need to do so over one confirmed case.

During a media briefing, Health Secretary Franciso Duque urged those who visited the worship area who have fever or respiratory symptoms to call the DOH hotline at (02)8-651-7800.

The Philippines now has five confirmed coronavirus cases following DOH's announcement Friday that two Filipinos contracted the virus. The other confirmed case is a 48-year-old man who visited Tokyo, Japan.

Earlier, three Chinese visitors have been infected with the virus  one of them died, while the remaining two have since recovered and left the country.

The new coronavirus has killed more than 3,300 people, mostly in China, since the outbreak began in Wuhan City in Hubei province in December last year. It has spread to at least 87 countries and territories, with nearly 98,000 people infected.
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Friday, March 6, and forensic genealogy isnt just identifying murder suspects  but murder victims. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Two Air National Guard helicopters delivered coronavirus test kits Thursday to the Grand Princess, a San Francisco-bound cruise ship carrying 3,400 people that officials held for a second day 70 miles off the coast of California.

After the testing, the kits were flown back Thursday afternoon to a California Department of Public Health laboratory in Richmond, where officials expect to have results Friday. Those being tested included passengers who remained on board after a prior trip the ship took in February, which included an elderly man who died Wednesday in Placer County after testing positive for coronavirus. He likely got the infection on the ship, officials said.

Neil Kran, a 69-year-old Sausalito resident, said he had been relaxing aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship with his wife for days until a piece of paper was slipped beneath their door Wednesday morning, informing them the ship would skip its last stop because of the Placer County mans death.

The mood of people weve talked to is just kind of somber, Kran said. Were caught up and theres not much we can do about it.

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

Meanwhile, throughout the Bay Area and across the country, transit agencies are laying out emergency plans and bracing for possible exposure to the virus. BART plans to isolate and quarantine any train cars visited by a person suspected or confirmed to have the illness.

At Muni, managers are reviewing procedures to see if they can increase scrubbings of vehicles, which now happen nightly. Read more about transit preparations from Rachel Swan.

Latest updates and more:

 California orders insurers to waive out-of-pocket costs for coronavirus testing.

 What residents need to know.

 Why some coronavirus patients are getting inconsistent test results.

 Amid San Franciscos first two confirmed cases, SF General nurses, doctors argue hospitals understaffing will hurt efforts to handle coronavirus outbreak.

 All of our coverage and our California coronavirus case tracker.

Its a trap question

Steven Senne / Associated Press

Once again, America will not elect a female president this year.

After Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the race on Thursday, the Democrats likely choice is down to two white men in their 70s, one of whom will face off in November against another white man in his 70s.

Warren said Thursday that she thought there would be room for her candidacy, which was somewhere between Sen. Bernie Sanders progressivism and former Vice President Joe Bidens more traditional liberalism. But evidently I was wrong, she said.

Some women and advocates say Warrens gender played a part in her candidacys demise. Joe Garofoli looks at the political and cultural reverberations of Warrens exit from the race.

Read more.

Cold case opened

Chronicle photo illustration

Twenty-three years after Kelly Gene Perry went missing, the Hayward mans murder investigation is beginning in earnest.

Melissa Moore, his ex-fiancee, suspected the worst when she found the couples shared car had been driven, vandalized and abandoned.

But she never heard about the unidentified remains found in unincorporated Livermore three months after he went missing. And until last year, detectives investigating those remains had never heard of Kelly Gene Perry.

Read more from reporter Megan Cassidy.

Around the Bay

 $57.65 billion: PG&Es exit from bankruptcy could be one of the most expensive of its kind.

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.

 New gig: SF homeless chief to take over citys troubled encampment street operation.

 Hes back: Stephen Curry gives fans a reason to cheer in Warriors loss to Raptors.

 On way to a hearing: S.F. public defender Mano Raju, District Attorney Chesa Boudin condemn ICE courthouse arrest.

 From the Culture Desk: After 11 years on Mission Street, hackerspace Noisebridge searching for new home.

 Restaurant review: Soulful pastas to sing about at Oaklands Belotti Ristorante.

In case you missed it

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

The world of arts organizations, like just about everything else, is all about affordable housing. Rental units are unreliable except for the reliability of the rent moving ever upward. The only way out is to build and own housing or lease it from another arts organization.

Thats why in August, for the first time in its 87-year history, the San Francisco Ballet School is offering students a dormitory option with full room and board.

The ability to house its students is urgent because the 300 enrolled in the ballet school  the oldest in the country  are the primary feeder for the San Francisco Ballet, constituting 65% of the company. The dance company and its school enjoy a worldwide reputation, but it often fails in competition because of housing.

Read more from reporter Sam Whiting.

More stories:

 Skier shreds SFs hills  yes, without snow  in new film, The Kook.

 The Chronicles Top 100 Restaurants.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 00:16:38|Editor: yhy

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Indian security personnel wear face masks at a Metro station in Bangalore, India, March 5, 2020. So far as many as 30 positive COVID-19 cases have been detected in India. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry Thursday said the total number of novel coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 30.

The latest case is a man from Gaziabad with travel history to Iran, according to Sanjeeva Kumar, special secretary of ministry of health.

"He developed symptoms on March 3, tested on March 4 and reported positive today (Thursday)," said Kumar.

According to Kumar, three of his household contacts have been identified and other contacts were being traced.

The local government in Delhi Thursday ordered to shut all primary schools until March 31 as a precautionary measure in wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Health officials said they have started screening of all the passengers at airports.

The federal health ministry has launched a 24x7 helpline number to provide support to people regarding queries on novel coronavirus. The health ministry is also circulating the precautionary measures recommended by WHO for the prevention of novel coronavirus in India.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS)has secured extra supplies if 'robust' screening is needed to cope with coronavirus in jails and is also considering 'enhanced screening' of staff, new prisoners and visitors, according to Laois TD and Minister Justice Charlie Flanagan.

With 4,193 prisoners in custody and many working in jails the Minister set out how the IPS is preparing during a special debate on the response to the coronavirus / Covid-19. More than a quarter of prisoners are jailed in Portlaoise's prison complex in Minister Flanagan's Laois Offaly constituency.

"The Irish Prison Service (IPS) continues to work closely with the HSE in developing contingency plans specifically for the management of Covid-19 should it present in prisons, in line with best international practice to reduce the risk of exposure to staff, prisoners, visitors and to people in the wider community. This includes maintaining safe prisons with all essential services including inter alia staffing, healthcare, catering provision and the maintenance of plant and equipment.

"The Irish Prison Service has dedicated its Executive Clinical Lead, Infection Control Manager to COVID-19 preparedness, along with additional resources. The Irish Prison Service has adapted the HSE/HPSC Guidance to a prison setting and this is checked on a daily basis and updated as necessary.

"A comprehensive information pack on COVID-19 has been made available to all Irish Prison Service staff and an educational module on COVID-19 has been completed and rolled out to all staff in the most at risk prisons. Furthermore, hygiene control training for all staff in all prisons will be completed within the next week.

"The Irish Prison Service has secured hygiene supplies should a need arise for the introduction of more robust screening procedures, possible suspect or confirmed cases in prisons. The IPS is also coordinating its efforts with the justice agencies that it interacts with.

"Finally, the Irish Prison Service are currently considering various options for enhanced screening processes for newly committed prisoners, visitors, staff, contractors and in-reach service providers to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection arising at prison level," said the Minister.

Full statement below

DAIL STATEMENTS ON COVID-19 PREPARTIONS IN THE JUSTICE SECTOR

Speech by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD 5 March, 2020

A Ceann Comhairle, Deputies,

I welcome the opportunity to brief members of this House and the wider public on the very important and sensitive issue of the COVID-19 crisis. I believe it is very valuable to have these statements taking place in the Dail today and I look forward to hearing the contributions of Deputies.

As we have seen around the world, the COVID-19 crisis can change day-to-day life in unprecedented ways for people, bringing both practical and emotional challenges. For many organisations, business as usual is not an option.

I wish to take this opportunity to set out the procedures in place across a number of key agencies and services under my Departments remit, namely: the Immigration Services, An Garda Siochana, the Courts Service and the Irish Prison Service. One essential characteristic that all of these services have in common is the high degree of interaction between their personnel and members of the public. Therefore, in the context of COVID-19, particular care is needed.

My Department has established a cross-functional COVID-19 response team comprising senior officials from within the Department and from the key agencies Ive mentioned. This team, in turn, inputs to national structures established to manage the risk of COVID-19. Its focus is to put in place a coordinated approach to COVID-19 response in relation to, for example, employees health, welfare and the ability to perform their roles; the provision of information on good respiratory and hand hygiene practices; contingency planning; and response for service provision aligned with HSE guidance, interagency coordination and communication.

I will now touch on the arrangements being put in place at this time as across our services.

Immigration Services

The current EU advice is for borders to remain open and for persons to follow the travel advice issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

From an immigration perspective there are a number of aspects of the system which involves engagement with persons moving into the State or non-EEA nationals who engage with the system. Obviously, the most visible of these is at Dublin Airport where Border Management immigration officers of my Department immigrate approximately 16 million persons per annum.

There is a very close working relationship between staff at the Airport, the DAA and the HSE. Immigration personnel closely follow all advice from the HSE and, in the event that a suspected case arises, the clear protocols laid down are carefully followed.

The immigration services of my Department are also working closely with the HSE on a daily basis across a number of areas, including accommodation centres for international protection applicants, the public offices used for registration of immigration permissions, and the international protection offices. Along with guidelines on good respiratory and hand-hygiene practices, hand-sanitisers have been provided. COVID-19 risk assessments have been issued to each of these service areas and, together with the HSE my officials are ensuring information is kept updated on a daily basis and any changing circumstances are responded to effectively.

With regards to the visa regime, in line with other EU Member States and overall Chinese Government policy, the public offices to accept visa applications in China remain closed until 16th March and the matter will be reviewed prior to that date.

Finally, in accordance with best practice, contingency planning is also in hand to ensure that priority immigration services can continue to be provided, should circumstances change.

An Garda Siochana

An Garda Siochana are, likewise, closely following HSE and Department of Health Guidelines when issuing advice via An Garda Siochanas CMO to staff on this matter and will continue to do so. Garda management have plans in place to manage on a case by case basis any issues that arise in their workforce, which totals over 17,500 people.

An Garda Siochana have been attending meetings of the Health Threat Co-ordination Group on a weekly basis and monitors any updates received from these meetings and the Department of Health/CMO.

An Garda Siochana continues to operate as normal and will keep their procedures when dealing with members of the public under constant review.

Courts Services

The Courts Service has established a contingency planning group to review its plans to meet the challenges caused by the arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland. Business continuity plans for courthouses and buildings are being updated and reviewed and official HSE guidance is now issued to staff. Communications plans are being developed for Judges, staff and court users.

An extensive ICT contingency plan is being prepared in the event of Courts Service buildings being unavailable and the issues associated with closing services, if deemed necessary, are being examined. Additional sanitisation of public offices and courtrooms have been arranged and hygiene supplies for public offices and hand sanitisers for public areas will be installed in the coming days.

Irish Prison Services

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) continues to work closely with the HSE in developing contingency plans specifically for the management of Covid-19 should it present in prisons, in line with best international practice to reduce the risk of exposure to staff, prisoners, visitors and to people in the wider community. This includes maintaining safe prisons with all essential services including inter alia staffing, healthcare, catering provision and the maintenance of plant and equipment.

The Irish Prison Service has dedicated its Executive Clinical Lead, Infection Control Manager to COVID-19 preparedness, along with additional resources. The Irish Prison Service has adapted the HSE/HPSC Guidance to a prison setting and this is checked on a daily basis and updated as necessary.

A comprehensive information pack on COVID-19 has been made available to all Irish Prison Service staff and an educational module on COVID-19 has been completed and rolled out to all staff in the most at risk prisons. Furthermore, hygiene control training for all staff in all prisons will be completed within the next week.

The Irish Prison Service has secured hygiene supplies should a need arise for the introduction of more robust screening procedures, possible suspect or confirmed cases in prisons. The IPS is also coordinating its efforts with the justice agencies that it interacts with.

Finally, the Irish Prison Service are currently considering various options for enhanced screening processes for newly committed prisoners, visitors, staff, contractors and in-reach service providers to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection arising at prison level.

Conclusion

Ceann Comhairle, all these efforts have a clear purpose: to continue to deliver the best possible services to help ensure a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. I wish to commend all of our officials and staff working on the front line to deliver these public services at such a challenging time.
Korea-China summit in Beijing, December 2019 Yonhap



By Do Je-hae



The national chaos over the COVID-19 outbreak is feared to result in setbacks to President Moon Jae-in's planned summits this year.

Cheong Wa Dae announced March 4 that it has decided not to proceed with a presidential tour of the UAE, Turkey and Egypt, initially planned to take place later this month. The office explained that the cancelation was due to the President's decision to focus on dealing with the viral epidemic.

The three nations are not Korea's diplomatic priorities and the delay of summits may not pose a great setback to the government's foreign policy. Koreans are more interested in the possible impact the epidemic could have on Moon's planned summit here with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Since the previous Moon-Xi summit in Beijing on Dec. 23, 2019, Cheong Wa Dae has been eager to host Xi in Korea in the early half of this year. After the December summit, a presidential aide had said that Xi's visit in the "early half" of the year was almost certain.

But there are rising speculations that the highly-anticipated visit could be pushed back as the COVID-19 epidemic is unlikely to subside here in the near future, and the Chinese leader is also preoccupied with dealing with the virus outbreak in his own country.

On Thursday, the Japanese government announced that Xi's state visit to Japan, planned to take place from April 6 to 10, had been postponed, with the new date likely to be after the Tokyo Olympics in the summer. The announcement from Tokyo has triggered concerns that a delay in Xi's visit to Korea may also be inevitable.





President Moon at Cheong Wa Dae event on March 5 Yonhap



"If the situation is not settled, there could be an impact on Xi's visit to Korea," a foreign ministry official told reporters, Tuesday.

The delay, if made, would be a huge blow for President Moon, who has eyed Xi's visit in the early half as an utmost priority for a much-needed diplomatic achievement, amid mounting difficulties with other major powers such as the U.S. and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday that his county will restrict travel to and from South Korea for two weeks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Korea-Japan relations have already been strained due to disputes over trade and their shared history during the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Lack of Beijing's eagerness



The postponement of Xi's visit also looms large when considering Beijing has not shown Seoul's level of eagerness with respect to any such presidential visit. The Chinese leader has not been to Korea since July 2014 when the two countries' relations soured over a dispute on the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in early 2017. He has yet to reciprocate Moon's visit to China in December 2017.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has avoided explicitly mentioning Xi's visit to Korea in its official statements after the December summit in Beijing, and after a phone call between the two leaders last month. But after each of these occasions, Cheong Wa Dae's statements clearly underlined Moon's invitation to Xi.





Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium at the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing, March 2. Xinhua-Yonhap



"Under these circumstances, even if Xi does visit Seoul, the Chinese side may misinterpret Xi's visit itself as a sufficient diplomatic gift for Korea," Lee Seong-hyon, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute, wrote in a recent column. "On the other hand, the summit gift that China will demand from Korea could include issues regarding Seoul's siding between Washington and Beijing, amid the deepening U.S.-China rivalry."

Cheong Wa Dae has sought to ensure that Xi's visit will take place as early as possible in the first half despite the virus. The President called the Chinese leader on Feb. 20 and offered consolation over the virus, saying "China's suffering is Korea's suffering."
A Rice University research staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced Thursday  marking the Houston areas third confirmed case of coronavirus.

The employee, who was self-quarantined, tested positive after health officials on Monday sent swabs to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rest assured that we are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of our community, Rice President David Leebron wrote in a statement to the campus Thursday evening. The affected staff member is under hospital care and thankfully reported to be in stable condition.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Officials confirm first 2 cases of coronavirus in Harris County

Harris County officials announced Thursday afternoon that one man and one woman in the unincorporated area of northwest Harris County  one of whom is the Rice employee  and one Fort Bend man tested positive for the same coronavirus after traveling to Egypt together. Egypt is not currently on the CDCs restricted travel list.

Rice spokesman Jeff Falk said the trip was not a university-sponsored trip and no students attended.

After coming in limited contact with the employee on Feb. 24-25, 14 Rice doctoral students, faculty and staff have been in self-quarantine away from campus. They have all been notified, the university said Thursday, and none have reported symptoms.

The university previously reported that 17 people were in self-quarantine. Falk said Rice initially over counted the number of impacted people.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Rice sends employee nasal swab to CDC for coronavirus testing

The self-quarantine should end next week if no symptoms occur, Leebron said. In the meantime, he advised university members to be mindful of hygiene and supportive of people who might have loved ones in countries facing the virus.

The universitys crisis management team continues to work closely with Harris County Public Health and the Houston Health Department.

Leebron, who has postponed or canceled his own travel for the next couple months, added that the team will give updates on future action Friday.

There are no plans to suspend campus operations or classes. The university did, however, suspend all Rice-sponsored student travel and spring break international trips, as well as faculty travel to countries on the CDC restricted list. Rice also created a travel registry that requires documentation of any international travel by students, faculty or staff.

brittany.britto@chron.com
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over probe into alleged irregularities in the investment of over 4,100 crore Employees Provident Fund of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd in the scam-hit Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL), officials said on Friday.

The agency has named Praveen Kumar Gupta, then secretary of the UP Power Sector Employees Trust, and Sudhanshu Dwivedi, then Director Finance of UPPCL, in its FIR registered on Thursday evening for criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery. Gupta and Dwivedi were arrested by UP Police in November 2019.

The CBI has been asked to investigate the scam considering inter-state ramification as DHFL is a company with pan-India presence and tracking of funds will require expertise of company laws and accounting and an in-depth investigation which only CBI can do, according to justification given by UP government while referring CBI probe.

Former UPPCL MD A P Mishra was also arrested in the case. CBI will now take their custody.

Sharing details of irregularities, an official said, Starting March 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Power Sector Employees Trust, formed in 2006 to handle the state-run power companys provident fund contributions, invested 4,122.5 crore in multiple short-term fixed deposits. Till September, 1,854.3 crore had been recovered on the maturation of FDs. This does not include the dividends that were paid as interest on the investments. However, 2,268 crore remains with the private firm that came under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate in October 2019 over its alleged ties to Iqbal Mirchi, Dawood Ibrahims aide.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested an accountant from Delhi in January in connection with the case. The arrested accused was identified as Lalit.

While 4,100 crore was invested in DHFL as unsecured term deposits by the two trusts managing the provident fund of the power corporation employees between March 2017 and December 2018, about 2,267 crore is still to be repaid by the company, which has been barred by the Bombay High Court from making fresh repayments.
Can you see and hear me OK? I said for at least the eighth time that day.

I was talking into my laptop. This was in Thailand, where I had moved after college to teach schoolchildren during the day and, for extra money, teach English online to Japanese and Korean adults in the evening.

I had hoped my student would cancel, but here he was. He looked to be about my age, 23, with a handsome, gentle face. Soon he was talking excitedly about his masters degree in corn. Corn is everywhere, he said. Its part of everything. Even your clothes!

I was expecting to have to fake laugh a lot during the 25-minute lesson, which I do to ensure good ratings, but he was genuinely making me smile. Most of my students were Japanese businessmen in expensive suits who said mundane things like, My hobby is watching movies.

Can I ask you something personal? he said.

Sure. I assumed he would ask if I was married, a common question in these conversational lessons.
Soil contamination at the West Gate Tunnels most-polluted site is hundreds of times worse than a threshold set by Victoria's environmental watchdog.

Secret borehole tests reveal PFAS contamination in soil near Coode Island  where a toxic inferno was triggered by a chemical explosion in 1991  is so severe that dumping the waste in landfills would be impossible without very expensive treatment.

Contaminated soil on the West Gate Tunnel's construction site on New Street, South Kingsville. Credit:Joe Armao

Toll road giant Transurban has kept data on the $6.7 billion projects PFAS contamination under wraps for more than a year, even as the West Gate Tunnels toxic waste crisis threatens to sink the project.

PFAS is a group of potentially carcinogenic chemicals now considered so hazardous that its prolonged use ultimately shut down the CFA Fiskville training college.
Sushmitha Ramakrishnan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Many private schools in the city have started taking precautions against the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) over the last few days by issuing advisories and conducting awareness campaigns. Some schools have also installed soaps and sanitisers in the washrooms and classrooms. The private schools have further urged the Tamil Nadu government to issue a circular to all schools, urging them to take precautions.

As the school-going children are susceptible to infection and this is a crucial time for children given the end of the academic year and the ongoing examinations, some school managements called for immediate measures. A member from the management of Maharishi Vidya Mandir Group of Schools said their schools already have soaps in bathrooms. We have a message broadcast system through which we communicate with parents and students. We have asked students to be careful and posted advisories on notice boards as well, the member said.

We have installed soap solution dispensers in all bathrooms of schools and sanitisers in classrooms. We have also conducted awareness for students asking them to wash hands, said KR Nandakumar, president of private schools association, who is also a part of the management of Sri Sankara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pammal. A principal of another popular CBSE school in the city on condition of anonymity said that the efforts to take precautions will be futile if only a few schools are doing it. Students go to tuition centres after school hours.

Many of our students are writing public exams in another schools. We can prevent an epidemic only if all schools take such efforts at the same time, she said. However, the Tamil Nadu School Education department is yet to issue any advisory asking schools to take precautions. We have not received any communication from the Health department. So we have not issued any advisory, said S Kannappan, director of the department. While the CBSE recently issued a statement that it would allow students to wear masks to public exams, the state government has not taken any stand in this regard. While Kannappan said the decision to permit students to wear masks to exam halls will be taken by the Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), officials from the DGE said it is the School Education department that has to take a call on the subject.

The Central government has, however, been more proactive on the matter. In a letter addressed to chief secretaries of all states and union territories and Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education, HRD Ministry Secretary Amit Khare said such awareness along with preventive interventions would help stop and reduce transmission of not only COVID-19 but also other communicable diseases, including flu-like illness. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Wednesday said, The National Commission, as per its functions under section 13 (d) of CRPC Act, 2005, requests and recommends that state education departments in consultation with state health departments take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection among school children.

Companies encourage staff to work from home

Information Technology majors and corporate companies across the country have started encouraging employees to work from home. However, the trend is yet to pick up in Tamil Nadu. In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, cloud services firm Zoho Corporation has asked its employees to work from home as a matter of precaution. We have adopted work-from-home as the default for all our offices worldwide as a matter of precaution, though we have not had any cases, company Founder-CEO Sridhar Vembu said. Twitter has advised employees across the world to work from home as well.
A MALE model is accused of attempting to smuggle criminal proceeds out of Northern Ireland after he was allegedly found with 180,000 in two brown envelopes in his hand luggage while waiting to board a flight from Belfast to Spain.

Mark Andrew Adams (40) was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant at his Dublin home today and brought before the High Court, where the authorities here are seeking to have him surrendered for extradition to Northern Ireland.

Mr Justice Donald Binchy adjourned the case for an bail application and extradition hearings later this month. The father-of-one remains in custody pending these hearings.

Mr Adams is wanted in Northern Ireland for three alleged offences - two are that he concealed 180,550 in his hand luggage knowing or suspecting it to be criminal property and attempted to remove this cash from Northern Ireland, at Belfast International Airport on May 9, 2018.

He is also accused of entering into or becoming concerned in an arrangement to remove criminal property from Northern Ireland between May 13, 2013 and May 10, 2018.

Detective Garda Eoin Kane told the court he arrested the respondent, Mr Adams, at his home address at Castleheath, Malahide, at 10.11am today. He cautioned him after he confirmed that he was the person on the warrant.

The garda gave him a copy of the warrant and informed him of his rights. He read over the summary of the offences alleged and asked Mr Adams if he knew what they were about.

He replied yes, Det Gda Kane told the court.

Mr Adams was taken to Coolock Garda Station, then to court. A barrister for the state said there was an objection to bail and Diarmuid Collins BL, for Mr Adams, said he was not making a bail application yet.

Mr Collins said his client was due to attend a residential treatment programme but Det Gda Kane said the treatment centre was not taking any residencies this weekend because of the Coronavirus.

Judge Binchy advised Mr Adams that he could decide at any time to surrender himself to the authorities in Northern Ireland and was entitled to do so.

The bail application will be heard on March 12, with the extradition hearing on March 25.

The warrant states that on May 9, 2018, border force officers stopped Mr Adams at Belfast International Airport, where he was due to take an outbound flight to Alicante.

Mr Adams was travelling with only hand luggage and confirmed to officers that he had packed the bag himself.

When asked whether anyone had given him anything to take out of the country, he replied: yes, 180,000.

Two brown envelopes in his hand luggage were found to contain a total of 180,550 in cash, the warrant states.

Mr Adams was interviewed under caution on May 10, 2018 and was asked where he was travelling to and the purpose of his trip, personal background, employment status and financial position. He made no comment. He also made no comment in relation to the cash found.

According to the warrant, investigators confirmed that Mr Adams booked 497 international flights into or out of the UK between May 14, 2014 and May 9, 2018, and that on 64 occasions, the outward and return flights were within a matter of hours.

A money laundering expert, Det Sgt Adrian Ward of South Yorkshire Police is quoted as saying this was consistent with the act of someone transporting or delivering something between one place and another, and that there were elements of a money laundering system identified within the evidence consistent with Mr Adams acting as part of that system, attempting to smuggle cash as a courier.

During interview, Mr Adams was asked about his travel history and gave no comment, the warrant states. Following interview under caution, Mr Adams was released on police bail to return on August 1, 2018 and to date has failed to return, it concludes.

Mr Adams, dressed in a navy blazer, open-necked white shirt and grey jeans, was not required to speak during the hearing.
A woman activist has written to the United Nations seeking that March 20, 2020, the day when the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case are scheduled to be hanged, be designated as 'Rape Prevention Day'.

In her letter, Yogita Bhayana said this will help sensitise people towards the cause of women's security.

"Declaring March 20 as 'Rape Prevention Day' shall help every Indian to understand what Nirbhaya and their family had endured, and reaffirm their vow to the vision of a rape-free India.

"This shall mark as a strong step towards social justice and will have a huge impact on Indian society. The date of execution should not be seen as an end to a case, but mark a new era in India," the letter stated.

Bhayana, who runs an NGO, People Against Rapes in India (PARI), said the government is doing its job by making laws to prevent rapes but more efforts are needed to make women feel safe and help them lead a life full of respect and security at the grassroots level.

A Delhi court on Thursday fixed March 20 as the date for the execution of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya case -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31).

This is the fourth time that death warrants have been issued. The earlier three had to deferred pending the exhaustion of legal remedies by the convicts.

A 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and brutalised in a moving bus in south Delhi by six persons, including the four convicts and a juvenile, on December 16, 2012. She had died after a fortnight.

One of the accused persons, Ram Singh, allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail.

The juvenile was convicted and released from a reformation home after serving a three-year term.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oil majors including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc are facing uphill battles to convince U.S. courts to enforce multi-billion dollar arbitration awards they secured against Nigerias state oil company.

The companies accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. of taking more crude than it was entitled to under four deals that were signed in 1993 to incentivise them to develop deep offshore blocks. Those projects today account for about 30% of the countrys 2 million barrels of daily output.

Independent arbitration tribunals seated in Nigeria sided with the companies and awarded them damages. But the NNPC successfully challenged the awards in the Nigerian courts, which ruled the disagreements were either tax disputes and not subject to arbitration, or the tribunals had no right to impose the penalties.

INTERNATIONAL: Papua New Guinea calls off talks with Exxon

In September last year, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed a lawsuit filed by Exxon and Shell units that aimed at enforcing a 2011 arbitration ruling requiring NNPC to pay them $1.8 billion for a contractual breach. Judge William Pauley noted that the companies had multiple appeals pending in Nigeria.

No Justice

The companies have appealed the U.S. judgment, saying the Nigerian courts denied them due process by annulling the award and they are now owed $2.7 billion with accrued interest.

The case was filed in the U.S. because Nigerias courts have never ordered NNPC to pay monetary damages to a foreign plaintiff over two decades and lack the political independence to render impartial judgments in a high-value dispute, the companies said in a court filing. It could take at least a decade for Nigerias Supreme Court to adjudicate in the appeals process, which renders the prospect of justice so illusory as to amount to no justice at all, they said.

Umar Gwandu, a spokesman for Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, didnt respond to a request for comment. NNPC must file its response to the U.S. appeal by April 10.

DEMAND: IEA plans to revise down oil demand forecasts due to virus

The companies face a formidable challenge to persuade a U.S. judge to reinstate damages already set aside by a Nigerian court, said Tafadzwa Pasipanodya, a Washington-based partner in Foley Hoag LLPs international litigation and arbitration department.

Read more about another legal dispute has with the oil majors.

Separate tribunals in Nigeria instructed NNPC to pay a Shell-led consortium $1.4 billion in damages in 2013, and Eni SpA more than $500 million the following year, while Chevron Corp. and Equinor ASA secured a $1 billion award in 2015. Those awards were also set aside by the local courts.

Chevron and Equinor initiated their own proceedings in the Southern District of New York in March 2018 to enforce their award, with oral argument scheduled to be heard on April 20. Eni approached the same court in mid-2017, but suspended its legal action in November while Nigerias Federal High Court considers the matter.

While U.S. courts can enforce arbitration awards made and subsequently overturned in other countries, they apply a strong presumption in favor of following the foreign courts ruling, according to Jonathan Blackman, New York-based senior counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

The parties must show the decisions of the Nigerian judiciary were repugnant to basic U.S. principles of justice and fairness or due process, he said. This is a difficult -- but not impossible -- standard to meet.

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Industry Support

The case brought by Exxon and Shell meets that threshold, according to the American Petroleum Institute, which filed a brief in support of the companies appeal. The conduct of Nigerias courts runs contrary to central concepts of justice in the United States, it said.

Spokesmen for Exxon, Chevron and Equinor said their companies dont comment on ongoing litigation. Representatives of Shell, Eni and NNPC didnt respond to requests for comment.

There is an example of an arbitration decision that went against Nigeria being enforced in the U.K., which threatens to put further strain on the nations already stretched finances.

In September, a British judge ruled that Process & Industrial Developments Ltd. can collect on a compensation award for losses incurred on an aborted gas-processing project in Nigeria -- a claim that now stands at $9.6 billion, or more than a quarter of the nations foreign reserves. Nigerias government, which is appealing that ruling, alleges the company paid bribes to secure the contract. P&ID denies any wrongdoing.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
YEREVAN.  On March 6, at about 5:30 am, the Azerbaijani military launched an attempt of sabotage infiltration in the direction of one of Armenias combat positions located in a northeasterly direction.

But thanks to the competent actions of the Armenian military-position holders, the adversary was driven back to its starting position, suffering casualties, and leaving ammunition and a landmine detector behind, the Armenian Ministry of Defense informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The Armenian side has no casualties, but one soldier sustained minor injuries.

Details of the incident are being clarified.

The analysis of the operations shows that the adversary has carried out serious preparatory work for this sabotage infiltration attempt carried out by appropriately trained personnel. It is noteworthy that a German-made landmine detector was used to open holes in the landmine fields.
Updated at 10 a.m. March 4 - As the race for the Democratic presidential nominee narrows, Missouri voters will weigh in on Tuesday with their preference. While most of the attention is focused on the heated Democratic primary, voters can choose to cast a ballot for the Republican, Libertarian, Green or Constitution party nominee.
With no output curbs as coronavirus hammers demand, oil prices could go into free fall, say analysts.

Talks between OPEC and its allies collapsed and oil plunged 10 percent on Friday as a meeting in Vienna ended in acrimony between the cartel and Russia, marking a dramatic about-face for a diplomatic alliance that has held considerable sway over global oil prices for three years.

The Saudi Arabia-led Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has reportedly been pressing Russia for weeks to agree to a dramatic cut in oil production to offset dented demand as coronavirus idles business activity in China and beyond.

But Moscow has refused to get on board with that strategy. In response, OPEC said on Friday it would remove all limits on the cartels crude production  a course of action that could flood an already oversupplied global oil market at a time when demand is falling.

Im a little shocked frankly because [the Russians] are really playing with fire, Samantha Gross, a fellow in the Cross-Brookings Initiative on Energy and Climate, told Al Jazeera. This could really ruin the alliance that has kept the prices up for so long.

In the wake of the meeting, global benchmark Brent crude fell more than 10 percent on the news to fall below $46 a barrel on Friday, before recovering slightly.

On Thursday, OPEC ministers citing an unprecedented situation agreed to cut output by 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd)  or 1.5 percent of global demand- until the end of 2020. They also agreed to extend cuts agreed to in December between the cartel and its allies  a grouping known as OPEC+, beyond the end of this month.

But the cartel could not overcome Russian resistance  a major blow to OPECs de facto leader and biggest producer, Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom needs oil to fetch $83 a barrel to balance its state budget. Moscow can break even if crude clocks in as low as $42 a barrel.

The Kremlin said on Friday that President Vladimir Putin had no plans to talk to the Saudi leadership, dashing hopes that a deal could be salvaged at the very top.

This is an unexpected development that falls far below our worst-case scenario and in our view will create one of the most severe oil price crisis in history, Bjoernar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy, told Al Jazeera.

The decision risks sending oil prices into a free fall with the fundamental floor for prices, as in 2016, determined by the cost of completing US shale DUCs [drilled but uncompleted wells], which is now as low as $25 per barrel.

Global stock markets continued to plummet on Friday as coronavirus worries intensified.

The total number of confirmed infections worldwide surpassed 100,000 on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University, while more than 3400 people have died from COVID-19, mostly in mainland China.

China is the worlds largest oil importer, but its appetite for crude has fallen sharply as authorities shut down cities and factories and quarantine millions to contain the outbreak.

As the virus spreads beyond China, tourism, travel, and trade sectors have all taken a major hit. United States stock markets extended their losses on Friday while European shares also tumbled sharply.

Some analysts say the worst is yet to come for global markets and for oil demand.

I dont know what the Russians end game is, said Gross. This could have some real serious repercussions. This isnt some fake emergency. The demand shock is happening.
BERKELEY, Calif. (JTA)For the casual observer, Sen. Bernie Sanders recent pronouncement that he is skipping the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee out of a concern[] about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights might seem like a political earthquake. Prominent Democratsfirst Sen. Elizabeth Warren, then Sandershave now declared they will skip the annual AIPAC conference.

Is this a harbinger of a sea change in American views about Israel?

Not quite. Despite a few high-profile critics of Israel in the Democratic Party, Americans remain generally supportive of Israel. The snubbing of AIPAC by Democratic leaders does not so much reflect a change in the partys positions on Israelboth Warren and Sanders remain supporters of a two-state solutionas it does the fact that as American politics has changed, the even-keeled AIPAC has struggled to adapt. And if the Israel lobbying group doesnt right course soon, it is on the path to becoming irrelevant.

Fearsome reputation notwithstanding, AIPAC historically has avoided narrow orthodoxies around Israel, instead centering its organizing model on relationships and compromise. The organization prides itself on maintaining open lines of communication with politicians carrying diverse views about proper U.S.-Israel relations. But a series of high-profile, one-sided political interventions, such as the groups opposition to the Iran deal, have severely damaged AIPACs veneer of bipartisanshipand Democrats are taking notice.

While much has been written about the evolution in progressive attitudes toward Israel and the pro-Israel community over the past few years, there is a parallel shift in right-wing views. There is a conservative effort to convert Israel into a wedge issue via an insistence that pro-Israel only corresponds to a particular, far-right vision for the stateexemplified by President Donald Trumps remark that Jews who vote for Democrats demonstrate either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.

What has often been overlooked is how this evolution has altered the way the right relates to hitherto centrist pro-Israel organizations. Rather than stay within the confines of a broad tent, right-wing pro-Israel activists are out to draw bloodinsisting that all pro-Israel organizations must adopt their hard, uncompromising line and punish deviations from dogma. The only acceptable pro-Israel position is a Greater Israel that reaches from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Well before Democrats began questioning whether they should attend AIPAC conventions, many Republicans had concluded that the organization was unreliable and politically mushy. The GOP might still show up at the conference, but in terms of tangible policy influence, AIPACs standing on the right has long been eclipsed by more avowedly right-wing organizations like Christians United for Israel or the Zionist Organization of America.

The right is not satisfied by AIPAC showering praise on Trumps Israel policy. It wants more: It is maddened that AIPAC has not labeled the Democratic Party an outright threat to Israel. Hating Democrats and endorsing perpetual occupation is the new right-wing litmus for what qualifies as pro-Israel.

Thus AIPAC is under tremendous pressure from a right flank that will only accept the group as legitimate if it starts knee-capping the left. The fruit of this pressure campaign was seen in a recent ad campaign launched by AIPAC that accused the radicals in the Democratic Party of pushing their anti-Semitic and anti-Israel policies down the throats of the American people, and even suggested that Democratic politicians were more dangerous than Hamas and ISIS.

AIPAC apologized when the ads came to light, but tellingly did not reveal who had approved them or what steps had been taken to ensure nothing similar would recur. And even this half-measure came at a costthe right was livid that AIPAC caved.

Meanwhile, for many Democrats, these ads were a particularly visceral illustration of a deeper rot. AIPAC, despite its nominal bipartisanship, had fallen into a trap I warned about years ago: It has treated Democrats as second-class friends.

While its true that AIPAC does not align with the political right on every issueit supports a two-state solution, for instanceit is obvious that AIPAC does not pursue those issues with quite the same enthusiasm that it exhibits when attacking Democrats. AIPAC may murmur support for an eventual Palestinian state in a news release, but you will never see it drop tens of millions in a public campaign of opposition to Trumps idea of a peace plan, as AIPAC-backed groups did in an effort to sink the Iran deal in 2015. AIPAC may not overtly favor infinite settlement expansion, but it wouldnt dare run ads accusing Greater Israel-aligned Republicans of being tantamount to terrorists.

AIPACs aggressive interventions in defense of conservative pro-Israel priorities would be much less aggravating if there were even the slightest chance it would do the same for the issues on which it nominally aligns with progressives. It is this failure of bipartisanshippunching down at the left while treating the right with kid glovesthat ultimately has generated the crisis that AIPAC faces today.

AIPAC made a calculated gamblethat it needed to appease Republicans and could take Democrats for granted. The gamble did not pay off. And now debts have come due.

Simply continuing to invite high-profile Democrats to the AIPAC conference, and paying lip service to a few progressive shibboleths, is no longer sufficient to preserve AIPACs bipartisan character. As the right is questioning the usefulness of any Israel organization that isnt formally committed to burning down the Democratic Party, progressives are wondering what AIPAC has to offer in terms of ending the occupation and creating a lasting and just peace. What has AIPAC actually done concretely to support a two-state solution beyond saying we support it?

Can AIPAC right the course? Theres reason to be skeptical: AIPAC is a battleship that doesnt turn easily. An organization of its size and longevity simply may not have the ability to adapt to the present before its too late.

In this not far off universe, AIPAC simply becomes the avowedly right-wing organization the left has long thought it was and the right demands it must be. That would be a catastrophe for the state of pro-Israel politics in America.

But if there is hope for a different outcome, it comes from those progressives who still attend or work at AIPAC. Its no longer going to be enough simply to show up. The progressive contingent within AIPAC must start insisting on tangible actionreal efforts and real investment in the areas that pro-Israel progressives care aboutand demand it with equal force and urgency as have their counterparts on the right.

Will it work? Its too early to say. But if nothing else, Sanders and Warren have delivered a wake-up call. AIPAC will either adapt to the new political terrainor it will cease to be relevant.

David Schraub is a lecturer in law and senior research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He blogs regularly at The Debate Link. Follow him on Twitter @schraubd.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
Queensland's disaster management authorities have gone into war mode to prepare for a potential outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

Sessions involving multiple government departments have covered all scenarios, as 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Queensland by Friday night.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. Credit:AAP/Dan Peled

A second man who recently returned from Iran has become the state's latest case. The 28-year-old Brisbane man has been taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

An 81-year-old man who returned from Thailand and a 29-year-old woman who travelled from London with a stopover in Singapore were also confirmed to have COVID-19 on Thursday.
When Oprah Winfrey selected American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins as her January book club pick, the novel seemed poised to be one of the years major releases. It follows a mother and son fleeing Mexico for the United States to escape cartel violence and was described by its publisher as a modern-day version of The Grapes of Wrath.

But the conversation surrounding the book quickly turned sour. After a scathing review by the writer Myriam Gurba, who said it relied on racist stereotypes, other Latinx writers and community members expressed similar criticism. American Dirt became a best seller, but its publisher, Flatiron, canceled a planned book tour and more than 100 writers signed an open letter asking Winfrey to reconsider her pick.

Winfrey decided instead to lean in to the conversation, she said. In an episode of her Apple TV Plus series, Oprahs Book Club, that became available on Friday, she addressed the book, her decision to feature it and the backlash to both.

The two-part episode features Cummins in conversation with Winfrey, but in a departure from most Oprahs Book Club episodes, it includes three Latina writers critical of the book: Julissa Arce, an activist and author of My (Underground) American Dream; Esther Cepeda, a syndicated Washington Post columnist; and Reyna Grande, who has written several books about her experience crossing the border, including the memoir The Distance Between Us.
Life-giving water is surging through rivers in far western NSW on its way to the Lower Darling River, which has been dry for more than a year, where a million fish died in stagnant pools between December 2018 and November 2019.

Heavy rain has fallen over parched northern NSW for several weeks and is now making the 2000 kilometre journey through the tributaries into the Barwon River, which flows into the Darling River, which runs into Menindee Lakes.

The first flow in several years breaks over the Brewarrina weir, in the Barwon River, on its way to Menindee Lakes. In a weeks time the dried-out water bodies will receive their first inflows since January 2017. Credit:Mark Evans.

A flow of 20 billion litres is expected to pour into the storages built into Menindee Lakes by March 14.

Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb will be standing on the local weir watching the water roll in. It will be the first inflow for the lake system since January 2017, which has been baked by drought for three years.
President Akufo-Addo presenting a gift to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowrey

06.03.2020 LISTEN

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley, arrived yesterday for the country's 63rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

His visit is at the invitation of President Akufo-Addo as special guest of honour for the national celebration scheduled to take place today in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.

It is the second time the anniversary is being celebrated out of the capital, Accra; the first being in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, in 2019.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House during which the two discussed issues of mutual interest among them  the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Ghana and the Caribbean region.

This is expected to restore direct flights from the Trinidadian capital, Port of Spain, to Accra, as it existed during the Ghana Airways era.

Once we establish a mutual Air Services Agreement and establish direct air service between the Caribbean and Africa, we believe that there is tremendous potential there for economic growth, for businesses to flourish, taxes to be made, investments to be made and for recreational purposes, Rowley emphasised.

To this end, he said Trinidad is anxiously waiting for Ghana to revive its national carrier, and certainly the Port of Spain and Accra will be established.

Keith Rowley raised the issue about food security which he said was a major concern as far as the Caribbean and Africa are concerned.

He bemoaned the over dependence of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean on goods and services from the Northern hemisphere of the world, adding that it is time for Ghana and Trinidad to partner in the area of agriculture in order to guarantee food security for their peoples, the African continent and the Caribbean as a whole.

President Akufo-Addo agreed to the need to restore the Air Services Agreement between their respective countries, saying it is the one major gap in the architecture between our two countries and our two regions; going to London before coming here, really, there is no need for that

---Daily Guide
Iran receives more int'l aid over COVID-19, criticizing U.S. for sanctions

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:45, March 05, 2020

TEHRAN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran announced on Wednesday that the international community has contributed its aid to the country's health efforts over novel coronavirus, Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry has already sent a list of Iran's medical needs to the United Nations, its relevant bodies and to the Iranian missions abroad, the ministry's spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, adding that accordingly a large consignment was shipped to Iran from the World Health Organization.

In addition, the UNICEF, China, Turkey and Austria, as well as the European countries have contributed their medical supplies, said Mousavi.

A remarkable number of other countries are also considering the list of Iran's needs and are preparing to deliver their aid, the spokesman noted.

"The aid will complement the constant and effectual efforts made by Iran's administration and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to control the situation," Mousavi said.

On Wednesday, official IRNA news agency reported that the first consignment of humanitarian aid from the French government was handed over to Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education earlier in the day.

The French authorities show their solidarity with the Iranian government and nation over the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Iran, Philippe Thiebaud, French ambassador to Tehran, told IRNA on the sideline of the ceremony held in capital Tehran.

The consignment includes items requested by the Iranian authorities like screening test equipment and kits, boots, protective clothing, and gloves for medical personnel, Thiebaud said.

The French envoy added that France, Germany and Britain will also send additional aid to Iran worth nearly five million euros (5.56 million U.S. dollars) through the WHO and other UN agencies.

In the meantime, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday slammed the U.S. sanctions against the country, saying that if the United States really wants to help Iran in fighting against novel coronavirus, it should lift sanctions against Iran including the bans on the imports of medical supplies, state TV reported.

"Washington has been taking the most sinister of actions against the Iranians over the past two years by reimposing sanctions on their supplies of food and medicine, and is now hiding behind a mask of sympathy claiming that it seeks to assist the Iranian nation," said Rouhani.

"If you are really telling the truth, you should at least lift your sanctions on medicine," Rouhani added.

Besides, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that "the conditions created by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country have further laid bare the negative impacts of the U.S. illegal sanctions on the people of Iran, particularly on the vulnerable groups," Mousavi said.

Iran announced the first cases of COVID-19 in the central city of Qom on Feb. 19.

The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education said Wednesday that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Iran has infected 2,922 people across the country, 92 of whom have died.

A total of 552 people have recovered and left hospital, said the ministry statement.

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Rajkumar Mohanty By

Express News Service

PURI: With the Yes Bank placed under moratorium, the Sri Jagannath Temple administration is in a spot as over Rs 547 crore belonging to the temple is parked with the private bank. The temple had withdrawn Rs 47 crore.

The Reserve Bank of India's decision to supersede the private bank board and restrict withdrawal to a maximum of Rs 50,000 has now led to uncertainty over temple deposits. The term deposit was to mature this month and the temple managing body had resolved, in its last meeting, to withdraw funds after its

maturity and to shift the funds to nationalised banks.

The YES Bank, in a written letter, had informed the temple administration to return the total assured fund in three phases this month on March 19, March 23 and March 29. But the central banks action has put a big question mark on repayment of the temple fund.

This has triggered sharp reactions from various quarters as to why such huge amounts were deposited in the private bank.

Ramchandra Das Mahapatra, a temple managing body member, servitor leaders Binayak Dasmahapatra and Rajat Kumar Pratihari told mediapersons that they were doubtful about the security of temple fund in YES Bank. "Will the bank be able to return the assured amount within the specified period must be answered by the temple administration," they said.

They said that the decision to place such huge funds with the private bank and the circumstance under which this was passed by the temple managing body violating guidelines to park deposits in nationalised banks must be investigated.

Former Revenue Minister and BJD leader Maheswar Mohanty said steps would be taken at the higher level of the government to ensure return of temple fund.
USAA announced this week its discontinuing its trust services business, a decision that will cost 26 San Antonio employees their jobs.

The San Antonio financial services, insurance and banking company notified the Texas Workforce Commission in a letter that the layoffs will begin in May and continue through early 2023.

The employees work in the USAA Federal Savings Bank building at 10750 McDermott Freeway. Two other employees, including one in Phoenix, also will be let go. The displaced workers could find other roles at USAA, spokesman Matt Hartwig said.

On ExpressNews.com: Compensation climbs for USAA execs in 2019

USAA said in a statement that ending the trust services business is part its strategy to simplify our business and focus on core products and services in insurance and banking.

As part of the announcement, USAA signed an agreement with Charles Schwab Corp. to provide as many members as possible with the opportunity to transition their trust services accounts to Schwab.

Those USAA members who choose not to go with Schwab will have time to find another provider or trustee, USAA said on its website.

The arrangement with Schwab is unrelated to the announcement last summer that USAA would sell its investment management business, including brokerage and managed portfolio accounts, to Schwab for $1.8 billion.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

Schwabs acquisition of USAA Investment Management Co. assets includes more than 1 million brokerage and managed portfolio accounts with about $90 billion in client assets. The deal is expected to close mid-year, pending regulatory approvals.

USAA said it has fewer than 2,000 accounts in its trust services business, but declined to disclose the total amount of assets. It will begin transitioning those accounts in mid-2020. It may take up to three years to transition all of the accounts.

A trust is an arrangement that allows a trustee or third party to hold assets for beneficiaries.

USAA has made several changes to focus on its core businesses.

In July, it completed the sale of its asset management business to Victory Capital Holdings in a deal valued at $850 million. The transaction included USAA's portfolio of 47 mutual funds and six exchange-traded funds. Victory has moved its headquarters to San Antonio from Ohio.

On ExpressNews.com: USAA ending car-buying service, ties to TrueCar

Last month, USAA said it would discontinue its car-buying service and end its relationship with TrueCar Inc. effective Oct. 1. TrueCar, based in Santa Monica, Calif., has maintained a website for USAA to assist its members in the car-buying process.

USAA also had a change at the helm, with Wayne Peacock taking over as CEO on Feb. 1 following the retirement of Stuart Parker. Peacock had been president of USAAs Property & Casualty Insurance Group.

About 19,000 of USAAs 35,000-person workforce are based in San Antonio, serving about 13 million members, comprising current and former members of the military and family members.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Israel is a country that has known more than its share of national emergencies. Over time its citizens have weathered Arab invasions, ballistic missiles and terror bombing campaigns. In every case, Israelis have counted on three essential beliefs: a mortal enemy is determined to destroy the Jewish state; there is a military solution to the threat; and their elected leaders can be counted on to do the right thing.

The sudden attack of coronavirus is something new. Military hardware cant repel the virus, and nor can it be blamed on the usual suspects. For once, we and the rest of the world are on the same side. As for the elected leadership, that is an open question.

In the first stages of the virus, Israels aggressive instincts have kicked in. It has adopted emergency measures exceeded only by those of China. Tourists from countries affected by the virus have been sent home. Foreigners from contagious nations such as Italy, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau and China itself were banned.

This week, the blacklist expanded to visitors from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France and Austria.

Israelis who visited these banned countries in the last two weeks are now under mandatory self-quarantine in their own homes for 14 days after their return. Also quarantined are those who may have come in contact with suspected carriers. In all, an estimated 70,000 Israelis are presently confined  a staggering number for a nation of 9 million  and the number is growing exponentially.

So far, Israel is coping. Last Monday, it became the first country to hold elections in the time of corona. Special polls were set up in isolated tents to accommodate the sick and confined. This was an impressive display of Israels commitment to democracy, but the video of vote-counters in special antiviral suits signaled panic. So did the ruling by Israel's chief rabbi that people should no longer ritually touch or kiss the mezuzah on the doorpost of their homes.

Story continues

Avoiding panic is central to the governments strategy. Officials want to contain the virus as much as possible to avoid a breakout that would overwhelm the public health infrastructure. It appears to be working. No Israelis have yet died from coronavirus and less than two dozen are hospitalized.

We are in control of the situation, thanks to the great caution we have adopted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country on Wednesday. We have been forced to take very severe steps to slow the spread of the virus in Israel and that is what has happened. We have ordered quarantines and mass checkups that many other countries havent done.

This boast is vintage Netanyahu, and predictably it has caused a backlash. Critics point to the small number of victims as proof that the government has overreacted and the price has been high. The tourist industry, one of the pillars of the national economy, has collapsed. Technology executives who travel back and forth to Europe and the Far East find themselves unable to do business.

Parents are also unhappy that many schools have sent home seemingly healthy children on suspicion that they may have been exposed to a carrier. This is especially bad timing. Purim, Israels happiest childrens holiday, is threatened by the virus. It will not be celebrated this year with the customary parades and public festivities. There is a ban on events of more than 5,000 people (the reason for that particular number is unclear) and parental concern will put a damper on smaller gatherings.

Critics are perhaps right to say that the hard-line virus defense policy is exaggerated. But like all security decisions, that is unknowable in advance. The direction, duration or precise lethality of the virus is a mystery. Risking lives to placate treasury officials, tourist agencies, business travelers or disappointed children is a step responsible officials cant contemplate.

Unhappily, Israeli politicians cannot be accused of a similar sense of responsibility. A national emergency such as this requires a united national leadership that is wholly absent in the contentious aftermath of yet another stalemated election.

Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party, campaigned on a promise not to serve in a Netanyahu-led government. But circumstances alter courses. He needs to break his promise and join with Netanyahu in a broad, temporary government coalition. Unless he does so, the governing stalemate threatens to undermine public confidence and the effectiveness of a caretaker government.

There is no alternative. Gantz has no chance of forming a government on his own and Netanyahus chances are hardly better. If they remain dug into mutual hostility, the result will likely be yet another bitter, divisive and ultimately inconclusive election.

The public, left on its own in the face of such selfish disregard, will never forgive either one of them. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, the time has come for the two rivals to hang together for the good of the country. If they refuse, they will hang separately, and they will deserve to.

To contact the author of this story: Zev Chafets at zchafets@gmail.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Therese Raphael at traphael4@bloomberg.net

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Zev Chafets is a journalist and author of 14 books. He was a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the founding managing editor of the Jerusalem Report Magazine.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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The government has knocked on the doors of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to join a State Bank of India (SBI) led consortium to infuse capital in the cash-starved private lender Yes Bank.

The SBI and LIC together are likely to pick up a 49% stake in the private sector lender, where both will acquire a 24.5% stake each by procuring preferential shares at Rs 2 per share.

Collectively, LIC and SBI will acquire the 49% stake for Rs 490 crore, according to a report in the Economic Times.

Also Read: YES Bank Crisis Live Updates: Cash-strapped lender to be revived in few days, say top RBI sources

The stake acquisition has been approved by the RBI to rescue Yes Bank.

The SBI board had late on Thursday also given the (SBI) bank an "in-principle" approval to invest in the capital-starved Yes Bank. The central board of SBI discussed the matter at a meeting (on Thursday), it informed the exchanges. The announcement came shortly after Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

"The matter in regard to Yes Bank was discussed at the meeting of the central board of bank on Thursday and an in-principle approval has been given by the board to explore investment opportunity in the bank," the SBI board informed the bourses late in the evening.

Also Read: YES Bank said 'Yes' to all bad boys of Indian banking

Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year, SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar said Yes Bank, which had over Rs 2 lakh crore in deposits as of September, will not be allowed to go down. Appreciating its investments in technology, he said the bank has a strong brand.

Earlier, Kumar also suggested that Yes Bank's rival Kotak Mahindra Bank is best placed to take over the lender.

On Thursday evening, the RBI imposed a moratorium on YES Bank, superseded its board, and imposed a withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000. The central bank said it was "satisfied that in order to protect the interest of the depositors and in public interest, it is necessary to issue certain directions to YES Bank".

Also Read: Yes Bank withdrawal limit Rs 50,000 after RBI action

Also Read: Is LIC being pushed to the brink? NPAs double to Rs 30,000 crore in 5 years
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian received today Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The sides exchanged views on the cooperation between Armenia and Russia in various areas.

Ambassador Kopyrkin thanked for the recent evening of Russian romance organized at the Armenian Presidential Palace within the frames of presidential series of concerts, which was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory of Great Patriotic War. The officials also considered the possibility to hold joint events on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory.

The Armenian President and the Russian Ambassador also discussed expanding the cooperation in the fields of science, education and new technologies.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
White House officials and senior lawmakers are operating under the assumption that Israel will soon begin annexing areas of the West Bank, according to a Senate source familiar with recent conversations.

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and top Middle East peace envoy, briefed senators on Wednesday behind closed doors about efforts between the United States and Israel to continue implementing pieces of the White House's recently unveiled peace plan.

That plan features a map that includes a Palestinian state that is spread across various parts of Israel. Like the rest of the proposed peace framework, Palestinian leaders quickly rejected it.

They are refusing to begin negotiations after the US president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during an elaborate White House ceremony earlier this year to roll out the plan, offered to start a new round of talks with the new proposal as the starting point.

Without the Palestinian side at the table, however, the Trump and Netanyahu administrations are seizing the moment. A joint group met recently in Jerusalem to discuss areas in the West Bank that Washington could soon recognise as part of Israel, Axios reported.

The area long has been the site of tensions and violence between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority.

Axios also reported that a "path could soon be cleared for Israel to annex areas of the West Bank envisioned as part of Israel under the plan."

A Senate source told The Independent that during the Wednesday briefing with senators, "Kushner certainly did not present an annexation endorsement."

But even shy of the words leaving the presidential son-in-law's mouth, the source said "it was certainly understood by everyone in the room that the administration acknowledges this is what is most likely to happen."

Notably, the source offered an insider's account of one moment from the Wednesday briefing.

"When asked directly by a member about annexation, Kushner cited his previous public pushback against it as well as the criticisms he endured from within Israel after he made those comments," the Senate source said.

A White House official did not push back on the notion that administration officials have signalled to Netanyahu that the White House would not be opposed to the start of an annexation round on the West Bank.
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Linkedin Denpasar (The Jakarta Post) Ni Komang Erviani  Fri, March 6, 2020 09:11 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068afaaf 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,Bali-tourism,outbreak,outbreak-in-Indonesia Free

When Ketut Suarsa Dipa, 41, heard about an outbreak caused by a new strain of coronavirus in China in January, he was not particularly concerned.

But as the virus, later called SARS-CoV-2 which causes the COVID-19 disease, spread fast across the globe and dramatically reduced the number of foreign tourists coming to Bali, the freelance driver began to worry about whether he would earn enough for his family and perhaps even the possibility of getting infected himself.

Many customers have decided to cancel their trips to Bali. Most of them say that they decided to stay at home, because of worries about the virus, said Suarsa, who is a father of three.

The Bali Immigration Office recorded 392,824 tourists arriving in February, a 33 percent drop from January, after the government imposed travel bans to and from mainland China on Feb. 5 to curb the spread of the outbreak. Australians replaced Chinese as the biggest number of foreign tourists last month, followed by India and Japan.

Only 4,820 Chinese tourists remained in Bali in February, decreasing significantly from 113,745 people the previous month.

Suarsa said that it was not only Chinese travelers who had stopped traveling to the island. My customers [who had booked] from India, Bangladesh and South Korea also canceled their trips, he said.

Suarsa said he felt grateful that tourists from Australia were still coming but given the wider travel restrictions imposed by Indonesia and other countries he is not sure that he can make a living driving tourists in the upcoming months.

Wayan Juni, 31, a resident of Kuta, voiced similar concerns as guests canceled bookings at her family homestay. Guests from Australia currently occupy two out of four rooms in her building, the two others have been empty since two guests from South Korea and the United States canceled their trips.

[The homestay] is usually fully booked in March, she said.

Tourism areas such as Kuta, Legian and Seminyak appear to be quiet. Many hotel staff members say they are worried about layoffs, as fewer guests are arriving.

Deputy Bali Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati said several hotels had reduced shifts to cut employment costs. We understand this is because some hotels depend on Chinese tourists, and the occupancy rates have dropped to only 5 percent, and even zero, said Ardana, who is also the chairman of Bali Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI Bali).

He said the drop in foreign tourist numbers has cost the tourist sector Rp 50 billion (US$3.53 million) per day, and he fears that the worst is yet to come.

Im worried that other countries will ban travel to Indonesia, said Ardana, hoping that Australia would not impose any travel restrictions on Bali.

Bali Tourism Agency head Putu Astawa said that aside from Australia, tourists from Europe were still coming and they mostly stayed in Sanur.

A Chinese man tested positive for the virus early in February, eight days after returning from Bali. He departed on Lion Air flight JT2618 from Wuhan  the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak  to Bali on Jan. 22. He took Garuda Indonesia flight GA858 from Denpasar to Shanghai on Jan. 28 and checked into a hotel in Shanghai at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 29.

The Indonesian authorities have played down the possibility that he was infected with the virus while on the island.

We also know that he got in a taxi or other public transportation upon returning to Shanghai on Jan. 28. He might have been infected there, said Achmad Yurianto, a Health Ministry spokesperson.

The provincial administration, however, has since increased surveillance to keep the island free from the virus. It has prepared mitigation systems and applied World Health Organization standards.

With three hospitalsSanglah Hospital in Denpasar, Sanjiwani Hospital in Gianyar, and Tabanan Hospital in Tabananearmarked for treating coronavirus patients, two Indonesians and 10 foreign nationals are under observation in a total of five hospitals. The two other hospitals being Mangusada Hospital and Siloam Hospital, all in Badung, each treating one patient with suspected symptoms.

We are waiting for the COVID-19 test results [for the patients], said Bali Health Agency head Ketut Suarjaya.

He said the administration was also preparing Udayana Hospital in Jimbaran as an isolation hospital if a large number of cases emerged.

Suarjaya said thermal screening was being applied at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Those who show symptoms like fever and a high temperature will be sent to the hospitals isolation unit and will be observed for at least 14 days, Suarjaya said.
(CNN)  Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the presidential race following another round of disappointing finishes in primary contests across the country on Super Tuesday.

The Massachusetts senator, who centered her bid on a promise to wipe out corruption in Washington, announced her decision on a staff call Thursday morning and later held a news conference outside of her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"I announced this morning that I am suspending my campaign for president," Warren told reporters.

She continued: "I say this with a deep sense of gratitude for every single person who got in this fight, every single person who tried out a new idea, every single person who just moved a little in their notion of what a President of the United States should look like."

The senator said while she will no longer seek the Democratic nomination, "I guarantee I will stay in the fight for the hardworking folks across the country who have gotten the short end of the stick over and over."

Warren said she was not going to make an announcement about endorsing another candidate for president on Thursday.

"I need some space around this," Warren said, "and I want to take a little time to think a little more."

Warren's path to the nomination has been narrowing since the first round of voting in Iowa, where she placed third. In subsequent contests in New Hampshire and Nevada, she dropped down to fourth. In South Carolina, she came in a distant fifth.

The New York Times first reported that Warren is exiting the race.

Despite the mounting setbacks, Warren's campaign was as recently as Sunday touting a plan to amass delegates through the late spring and make a play for the nomination, as a unity candidate, during the Democratic National Convention this summer. But those hopes were effectively dashed on Super Tuesday, when she failed to win her home state of Massachusetts, finishing third behind former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and mostly underperformed in a series of key states.

Her exit officially leaves Biden and Sanders as the final top contenders for the Democratic nomination.

Her departure follows those of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the latter of whom finished ahead of Warren in each of the four early state contests. Their rush to Biden, and the moderate consolidation that followed, combined with Sanders' lock on progressive voters left Warren in a political no-man's land. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg exited the race on Wednesday.

Both Klobuchar and Buttigieg endorsed Biden on Monday. Warren, a respected progressive leader who has been fiercely critical of the former vice president and, at least until the current campaign heated up, a friend and ally of Sanders, has not yet indicated who she will support moving forward. Sanders said he spoke to Warren on Wednesday, but did not share any details from their conversation.

Once considered a leading contender for the nomination, Warren's plummet began months before the first ballots were cast in what was a crowded primary field that saw multiple candidates shoot up in the polls before being batted down by their rivals. Of those who dropped out of the race before her, she was endorsed only by former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro. He threw his support to Warren in early January, about a month before Iowa, but despite his passionate advocacy, failed to arrest her slide.

Warren was, at first, tripped up by the controversy surrounding her decision to publicize a DNA test meant to prove her Native American ancestry. She apologized to Native American leaders for both the DNA test and her controversial past claims.

She swore off big donors and began a trail tradition that became one her trademarks: a "selfie" line that followed her events and allowed voters to share a brief but intimate moment with the candidate

Warren touted her grassroots fundraising efforts by posting clips online of her calls to small dollar contributors and began doing a "pinkie promise" with some of her youngest female supporters, "so that they'll remember that running for president is what girls do."

Her campaign really took off in the spring and summer 2019 as she rolled out a comprehensive suite of what would eventually add up to more than 70 policy plans, addressing everything from anti-corruption legislation to the Green New Deal.

By the fall, she was leading in a number of early state polls and appeared to have gained a foothold with liberal voters around the country. They embraced her as the candidate with "a plan for that" -- an identity the campaign embraced and ran with -- and, in some progressive circles, was viewed as the more electable option over fellow favorite Sanders.

But her standing began to slip in the fall, when her support for "Medicare for All," the universal, government-run medical insurance program, came under stricter scrutiny from moderate rivals like Biden, Klobuchar and Buttigieg. In response, she released a pair of proposals: one to finance Medicare for All without raising any taxes on middle class voters and another that would have effectively broken up the bill into two pieces.

Warren's attempts to quiet the critics backfired. Opponents of Medicare for All, boosted by an industry spending campaign designed to drive down its popularity, continued their attacks. Progressives, too, became dissatisfied, voicing concerns over the senator's commitment to passing the legislation.

By the Iowa caucuses, Warren had fallen behind Sanders and had begun to see a sizable number of her more moderate supporters flock to Buttigieg, who, despite their political differences, also appealed to more affluent, white college-educated voters.

But the crushing blow likely came later, in South Carolina, where she finished a distant fifth.

Throughout the campaign, Warren kept up a concerted effort to directly address the African-American community. Her targeted plans-within-plans sought to combat economic and social inequality with proposals that acknowledged and offered policy solutions that she argued would begin to undo generations of systemic discrimination in everything from housing to health and business. But when the contest arrived in down South, her attempts to make inroads into the community fell flat.

Despite those setbacks, the campaign continued to argue that Warren was the only candidate who could bridge the Democratic Party's divisions -- a progressive with the credentials and charisma to win over voters across the ideological spectrum.

By February, though, the campaign -- which had spent its dollars in anticipation of a long nomination fight -- was in a cash crunch. She got a fundraising boost after a lauded debate performance in Las Vegas, where she targeted Bloomberg over the billionaire's past treatment of women at his company and his support for "stop and frisk" during his time as mayor of New York City.

But because of high early voting in Nevada, which happened before the debate, the bump that followed didn't translate into a surge of support in the state's caucuses days later.

In the final weeks of her campaign, Warren also relented on her long-standing refusal to accept the support of a super PAC, which ended up spending heavily -- in excess of $13 million during its brief run -- across the Super Tuesday map, arguing that she would not unilaterally disarm in an increasing expensive campaign.

As her prospects dwindled, Warren increasingly turned her fire on Sanders, arguing that, for all their policy agreements, he was -- unlike her -- an ineffectual legislator with a short resume of accomplishments during three decades in Congress. The turn began to upset some progressives who worried that her criticism would damage the Vermont senator at a time when moderates were coalescing around Biden.

But there is no clear sign that Warren's departure, without a vocal endorsement and energetic campaigning on his behalf, will benefit Sanders. Her coalition of support was ultimately too thin to vault her into the upper tier of the primary, but its ideological diversity likely means that it will splinter among the remaining candidates.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Elizabeth Warren ends her US presidential campaign"
M otorola's new G8 smartphone has officially launched in Brazil today, boasting 4GB of RAM and three rear cameras.

Rather confusingly, the G8 follows the release of the Moto G8 Plus and the G8 Play, which both launched last October, followed by the Moto G8 Power arriving in February.

Motorola describes the phone as 'providing the ultimate on-the-go entertainment experience. With films, TV and games Looking and sounding better than ever on its HD+ 6.4 display".

While this new handset has three rear cameras and a whopping 6.4-inch screen, compared to the other G8 phones it's a slightly more basic, though that is reflected in the cheaper price.

It uses the same fast mid-range Snapdragon 665 chipset found in many Andriod handsets and the Moto G8 Plus.

Here's what you need to know about the new Moto G8:

Moto G8 Specs

Inside the phone, there the Qualcomm mid-range Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which can be upgraded with an SD card.

To complement the processor, there's a powerful 4000mAh battery which will have you leaving your backup charger at home.

The Moto G8 comes in Neon Blue or Pearl White / Moto

Moto G8 is designed to last up to 40 hours on a single charge. Hope you're listening, Apple

There's also Motorola's gesture controls, including three-finger screenshots and lift to unlock.

Moto G8 design

No notches to be seen here, the Moto G8 has an upgraded look from the last year's G7, thanks to a small punch-hole dot in the top left-hand corner of the screen to house the front camera.

The rest of the beautiful 6.4" HD+ screen is devoid of clutter, giving the phone a lovely sheen.

Moto G8 comes with a water-repellent design that keeps your phone protected inside and out, and is powered by a bloatware-free and ultra-clean version of Android 10.

The company is offering the G8 in two colours, the stunning Peal White and the vibrant Neon Blue.

Moto G8 Camera

Capture the perfect shot no matter where you go thanks to the versatile AI camera system on the Moto G8.

With four cameras in total, three cameras on the back and one on the front, you'll have plenty of options to mess around with.

Hello, Moto G8's four cameras / MOTO

There's a 16MP fast-focusing main sensor, a 2MP macro-vision camera which promises to get you five times closer to the subject and an ultra-wide lens.

With the main lens, you can take sharp photos even in low light thanks to the fast-focusing camera.

For more expressive and panoramic photos, or when you want to squeeze all the action into one shot, then the ultra-wide sensor allows you to fit four times more in your frame than a normal wide lens.

Moto G8 software

The Moto G8 runs on Android 10, the same as the Google Pixel phones. It's a more refined version of the Android software, skipping out on the bloatware that occurs with other phones such as double the amount of app stores and email apps for instance.

Android 10 is also a dream to use, thanks to some impressive features, including native screen recording as well as a system-wide dark theme.

Moto G8 UK price and release date

As of Friday, March 6, the Moto G8 is already available in Brazil.

The handset will eventually roll out over the coming weeks in elsewhere in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

According to Motorola, it will be listed on Amazon, Argos and John Lewis for 179.
To receive Steve Gutterman's Week In Russia each week via e-mail, subscribe by clicking here.

The Russian Constitution is often called the Basic Law. It's about to get less basic.



Before the end of April, the post-Soviet constitution will be will be altered more substantially than at any time since its adoption in 1993, when President Boris Yeltsin pushed it through two years after the Soviet collapse.



It will include changes set out broadly in a January address by Yeltsin's successor, Vladimir Putin, who remains in power in part thanks to one of the biggest changes made to this day  the extension of the presidential term to six years instead of four in 2008.



These alterations mainly involve shifts in Russia's power structure: rebalancing the authority held by president, parliament, and prime minister, handing a meatier role to a largely symbolic body called the State Council.



And these changes are widely seen as a way for Putin to keep a hold on power after 2024, when the current constitution bars him from running for a fifth presidential term  or at least to have the option of staying in power if he wants to.



Putin signaled on March 6 that he would not use the State Council as a vehicle to maintain power  but he did not rule out other potential pathways, and the guessing game is likely to go on.

In fact, his remarks about term limits and the need for stability may only deepen speculation that he is plotting to remain at the helm.

Then there are the so-called "social" amendments, which really means economic amendments dealing with pensions, wages, and such. These were also outlined by Putin in January and will add a level of detail most constitutions lack -- for better or for worse.



Echoing existing law in some cases, they are widely seen as a way to attract voters, and votes, when the constitutional changes are put to a nationwide ballot -- kind of a legislative version of the free food on offer to draw Soviet citizens, and Russians after them, to polling places for elections whose results have often been a foregone conclusion.



And now there is a slew of proposed amendments that were ostensibly conceived by officials, lawmakers, clerics, and ordinary citizens -- but received Putin's imprimatur when he submitted them to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, on March 2.



Crowded Constitution



All the proposed alterations are virtually certain to pass a crucial "second-reading" vote in the Duma and end up back on Putin's desk within a week or so.

He is expected to sign a law approving them on March 18, the anniversary of the day Russia considers that it absorbed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, and the popular vote that would put them into effect is scheduled for April 22.



This third group of proposed amendments addresses such sensitive and potentially divisive issues as god, ethnicity, and same-sex marriage.



They reflect a turn toward social conservatism that analysts say Putin has both pushed himself and harnessed over 20 years in power  and particularly since he returned to the presidency in 2012 after four years as prime minister.

But their wording as leaked by ruling-party lawmakers suggests that Putin is acting in a cautious or even calculated fashion, going just as far as he thinks he can without risking a big blowup or backlash.



Take the move to put in a mention of God, for example. The Russian Orthodox Church called for the inclusion of such a reference. And there it is: wording that says Russia will preserve "the memory of our ancestors, who bequeathed to us [their] ideals and faith in God."



But what does that really mean? In formal or legal terms, possibly nothing.



The current constitution says that "Russia is a secular state" and that all religious associations "shall be equal before the law  and there has been no indication that this will be jettisoned. Unless that changes, it is hard to imagine what formal effect the new wording could have -- even on the dominant Russian Orthodox Church or other faiths.



Safety In Numbers



Another addition will apparently be wording describing ethnic Russians as the "state-forming" group. What that would change in legal terms, if anything, is unclear. And unless there is additional wording on this issue and that of religion, the changes may be largely symbolic -- a cosmetic change that might please millions -- and displease millions of others  but would have little formal effect.



Yet another change would state that marriage is between "a man and a woman."



Here, Putin seems more comfortable with unequivocal wording. He has spoken out against same-sex unions in the past, and gender identity has been one of his go-to themes for snarky remarks to captive audiences. Plus, public opinion is such that he can score points with those who believe he is too liberal while facing little or no risk of negative consequences.

But while Putin may be wording the constitutional changes in a way that protects him and those who help keep him in power, members of groups that could be marginalized by the changes  or further marginalized, in many cases  may not be so safe.



One of the main criticisms of some of the laws passed under Putin -- governing counterterrorism efforts, for example, or regulating the Internet -- is that they are open to selective application and used as a cudgel against perceived opponents of the authorities at all levels.



Laws also send signals to ordinary people in addition to government officials. After Putin signed a law in 2013 that banned the distribution of so-called gay "propaganda" among minors, activists said violence against members of the LGBT community increased.



And even if vague language about God and ethnicity has little formal effect, minority groups that it appears to leave out may be wary that it could encourage bias against them -- both from those who hold power and those who do not hold power but happen to be in the majority.



'On Standby' In Syria



If Putin moves cautiously at home, going as far as he thinks he can and then halting until he sees a new opening, he also tends to do so abroad -- even if it may not seem so.



The cease-fire agreement he reached with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Syria's Idlib province on March 5 with Turkish may represent one such moment: a pause to regroup before pushing much further toward the goal.



The "goal for Putinis to install [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad] fully as a Russian client, and to keep Turkey as weak ally - to prevent a Turkish realignment with the West," foreign policy analyst Ulrich Speck wrote on Twitter. "And then to move on to Libya, with Syria as a template."

But with the deal reached in Moscow, Speck wrote, Putin "slows down the reconquest of Syria because he doesn't want to alienate Erdogan -- who is deeply concerned about new refugee waves."



In an article in Al-Monitor, Maxim Suchkov wrote that deal "to bring an end to fighting in Idlib puts the saga over this issue on standby," adding that the fundamental disagreements that Moscow and Ankara have over Syria have yet to be overcome."



Putin, essentially, may be buying time in Syria. Which is what many believe he is doing with the constitutional amendments at home.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 04:05:49|Editor: zyl

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File photo taken on Feb. 19, 2020 shows U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts speaking during an interview after the Democratic Party's ninth presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, campaigning as a progressive Democrat, said on March 5 that she is dropping out of 2020 U.S. presidential race. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who campaigned as a progressive Democrat, said Thursday that she is dropping out of 2020 U.S. presidential race.

"I want you to hear it straight from me: Today, I'm suspending our campaign for president," Warren said in a call to her campaign staff on Thursday morning.

Speaking to reporters outside her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts later, Warren said she will "stay in the fight," despite her exit from the nomination battle.

The announcement came two days after Democratic primary's "Super Tuesday," in which Warren won no states and lost her home-state Massachusetts to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

A moderate political veteran, Biden won 10 of 14 states voting on Tuesday. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a progressive, finished second by wining the other four.

Biden and Sanders are the last two viable Democratic candidates standing this election cycle. U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is still in the race but has trailed well behind them.

Warren's ideological stance aligns more closely with Sanders, but she said she will not be making an endorsement right away. "I need some space around this and want to take a little time to think a little more."

Warren, 70, announced her White House bid in February 2019 and had been considered a top-tier candidate ever since.

The former Harvard University law professor and a second-term senator had campaigned on progressive proposals like free college, canceling student loans, and a Medicare-for-All health care system, and surged to the top of the polls in late 2019.

Sanders tweeted Thursday that Warren "has run an extraordinary campaign of ideas."

"Without her, the progressive movement would not be nearly as strong as it is today," Sanders wrote.

Biden, in his tweet, said they needed Warren's voice in the race and that they "need her continued work in the Senate."

Sitting President Donald Trump, a Republican, also reacted to Warren's departure, claiming she was dropping out "THREE DAYS TOO LATE."

"She cost Crazy Bernie, at least Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. Probably cost him the nomination!" Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to the Super Tuesday primary.

The next Democratic primaries will take place on March 10 for voters of six states to cast ballots for their preferred presidential candidate this year.

The 2020 U.S. presidential election will be held on Nov. 3.
He says the lack of water there may result in a humanitarian disaster on the Crimean peninsula.

Newly appointed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that Crimea is Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens live there, and the water supply to them should not be blocked.

"The issue of supplying water to occupied Crimea is not a matter of trade with the occupying state, it is not a matter of a certain business  it is a matter of humanitarian responsibility before people who live in Crimea," he said on TV late on Thursday.

Read alsoUkraine's NSDC: Impossible to supply water to Crimea amid Russian occupation

Shmyhal emphasized that "the lack of water there will lead to a humanitarian disaster."

"Ukrainians live there  Ukrainians live in Crimea. We will not block the water supply for Ukrainians. Period. Crimea is Ukraine. We are not going to supply water to other place but Ukraine  Crimea is Ukraine ... The occupying state is unable to take responsibility for the Ukrainians who live there," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction David Arakhamia said on a Ukrainian TV channel on February 11 he would personally agree if water were supplied from mainland Ukraine to Russia-occupied Crimea in exchange for full control of the Ukrainian border in Donbas.

Yet, he said, it was his personal opinion rather than the position as the parliamentary faction's head. Later, he apologized to Ukrainians for his words, saying they were "taken out of context."
The Delhi high court on Friday listed for March 12 multiple pleas related to violence in northeast Delhi including the ones seeking filing of first information reports against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra for allegedly making hate speeches.

IMAGE: A man sits in front of burnt out properties in a riot affected area following the clashes in New Delhi. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

The pleas also include a separate petition alleging hate speeches by other political figures including Congress party's Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The high court had on February 27 listed all such matters for hearing on April 13, but the Supreme Court on March 4 observed that such a long date 'was not necessary and was not justified'.

The apex court asked the high court to hear on March 6 the matters related to the violence and alleged hate speeches and dispose them of 'as expeditiously as possible'.

As a result, a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar took up all the petitions seeking lodging of FIRs on the violence which has left at least 44 people dead and over 200 injured, and against political leaders for making hate speeches.

The plea against the three BJP leaders has alleged that hate speeches by them led to eruption of violence related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

The bench asked the Centre and Delhi Police to file their replies by March 12, the next date of hearing.

While passing the order, the bench said that as the Supreme Court has asked it to hear all connected matters together it was listing them all on the same day.

A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh on February 26 had expressed anguish over the police failure to register FIR against Thakur, Verma and Mishra -- over their alleged hate speeches and had asked the police commissioner to take a 'conscious decision' on it by the next day.

The next day the matter was heard by a bench of Chief Justice Patel and Justice Shankar, as it deals with public interest litigations, which gave the Centre and police four weeks to file their replies to the petition demanding action against the BJP leaders and listed for hearing on April 13.

On March 4, the Supreme Court had asked the Delhi high court to hear on March 6 the pleas seeking lodging of FIRs against some BJP leaders for alleged hate speeches.

"Adjournment by the high court for such a long period was not necessary and was not justified," the apex court had said.

Apart from the petitions and applications already before the high court, one matter has been sent from the apex court and two others have been filed by Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Brinda Karat.

Karat in one petition has sought directions to make public the list of persons arrested in connection with the recent violence in the northeast part of the city.

In her other plea, she has challenged a trial court order deferring decision on her complaint seeking direction to police to lodge FIRs against the BJP leaders who allegedly gave hate speeches.

During the hearing, senior advocate A S Chandhiok told the court that drains there were full of bodies and urged the court to pass directions to clear them.

On this, Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra said that steps have been taken by police along with the Jal Board and irrigation department to clear the bodies from the drain.

Thereafter, Delhi government additional standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose sought directions from the bench to provide police security in the relief camp set up at Idgah here and to provide police assistance to those persons who wish to recover their belongings from their homes in the riot-hit areas.

The death toll in northeast Delhi's communal violence stands at 44, with over 200 injured.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Acharya assured the court that police will provide all necessary assistance.

The ASG's assurance on behalf of the police, led to Mehra remarking that he is the one who is representing the agency and not her.

He further said that as long as he is the standing counsel (criminal) appointed by a full court of the high court, he would be representing the police as has been held by a Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court.

Mehra also said that if the police did not want him to represent it in any specific case, all they have to do is send an official letter requesting him not to appear in the matter.

"Can't they show me that much dignity," he added.

Subsequently, the ASG said that Mehra was behaving like a politician which led him to burst out and say 'I am sorry I cannot accept this statement. Such a remark is unacceptable'.

He, then, pointed towards the ASG and the central government standing counsels (CGSCs) in the court and said 'each one of them is a politician'.

His remark led to a strong outburst from the CGSCs who opposed his statement saying it was unacceptable.

Apart from the three BJP leaders and the Gandhis, the pleas filed in the high court have also sought lodging of FIRs against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, former AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker and radio jockey Sayema for alleged hate speeches by them.
Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva is activively participating in the ongoing OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria. He is among the Oil Czars meeting to reach consensus on oil cut. He has been holding series of private meetings and promoting energy relations.
(CNN)  An Australian newspaper has printed an extra eight pages to be used as toilet paper after coronavirus fears prompted customers to bulk buy supplies, leaving some supermarket shelves bare.

In a bid to tackle the shortage, The NT News provided a practical  if unconventional  solution.

Australians living in the Northern Territories would have noticed on Thursday that eight pages in the paper had been left bare, except for watermarks and a cut-out guide edition.

"Run out of loo paper? The NT News cares," the newspaper read.

"That's why we've printed an eight-page special liftout inside, complete with handy cut lines, for you to use in an emergency."

The editor of NT News, Matt Williams, said in an interview with the Guardian Australia that it was "certainly not a crappy edition."

Australians are buying so much toilet paper that some supermarkets have been left with empty shelves and Kleenex has told customers not to panic. CNN saw empty shelves when visiting a supermarket in the city of Brisbane on Wednesday.

Australia's largest supermarket announced on Wednesday that it would be limiting customers to four packs of toilet roll per transaction -- both in-store and online -- "to ensure more customers can access stock."

Woolworths said the move was in response to "higher than usual demand."

Australia's chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, has also urged people not to panic buy supplies.

Meanwhile, Americans across the country have been stocking up on hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, toilet paper and other products to prepare for the spread of coronavirus.

Long lines have accumulated at stores and retailers have become stretched in a bid to to keep up with the demand for cleaning products.
The Pakistan Bar Council has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Lahore High Court's order to quash the death penalty of self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf in a treason case, a media report said on Friday.

A special court in Islamabad on December 17 last year handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general Musharraf, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him.

However, on January 13 Musharraf's trial in the high treason case was declared as "unconstitutional" by the LHC, leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the former president.

The Pakistan Bar Council on Thursday filed a petition against the LHC order.

The petition filed on behalf of PBC vice chairman Abid Saqi and supported by Supreme Court Bar Association president Syed Qalb-e-Hassan among others has sought the apex court to set aside the LHC judgement, and questioned whether high court enjoys territorial jurisdiction to entertain ex-president's plea, the Dawn reported.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

The LHC in its January 13 order declared that the formation of the special court was "unconstitutional" and that the treason case against Musharraf was not prepared in accordance with the law.

"The petition questioned whether the LHC enjoyed territorial jurisdiction to entertain a constitutional petition filed by Musharraf against an order passed by the special court - a court beyond the LHC's territorial jurisdiction," the report said.

The LHC should have stayed proceedings on the petition as the Islamabad High Court was already seized with a similar one, the PBC argued.

The petition sought to know whether the special court, established under the Criminal Laws Amendment (Special Court) Act 1976, was a person performing functions in connection with the affairs of the federation, a province or a local authority, the report said.

The PBC petition also asked whether a high court has jurisdiction to entertain a constitutional petition, especially before conclusion of a trial, and whether the court can assume jurisdiction against an order which was appealable before the Supreme Court only.

Emphasising that the petition described the January 13 LHC order as contrary to the principles of res-judicata ( respect and finality to the Judicial decisions), the petitioners asked whether the LHC erred in law by entertaining the constitutional petition filed by Musharraf, especially when it was an established principle of law that the jurisdiction of the high court under Article 199 was a discretionary relief and can only be granted to a person who approaches the court with clean hands.

"But in the present case, the petitioner before the high court (Musharraf) was an absconder who had been evading the law for a number of years," the PBC petition observed.

Former president's attorney Salman Safdar had filed an appeal earlier, stating that the requirement of surrendering Musharraf is not applicable owing to his health condition.

It also mentioned that the former military dictator tried to return to Pakistan but was unable to because of his deteriorating health.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was the first military dictator convicted for subverting the Constitution.

The former military ruler, who has been living in Dubai since March 2016, left Pakistan for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons.

According to Pakistani media reports, Musharraf suffers from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by the build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues in the body.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If it's on WhatsApp, it must be true. Or is it?

WhatsApp, India's most popular messaging platform, has been on high alert after the number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to more than 15,000. The epidemic has spread to more than two hundred countries since December, including India, and globally the number has crossed 2.2 million. The first case of Coronavirus in India was reported in Kerala, earlier this year and two more Indians were recently tested positive.

Soon after, Indians were bombarded with messages on WhatsApp which claimed to contain "helpful" information related to the disease, along with home remedies which could keep the virus at bay. A quick glance at the WhatsApp forwards that have come our way show that most of these messages try to explain what the deadly coronavirus epidemic is all about and are usually coupled with absurd and highly unscientific measures to counter it.

Take a look at this message, for example:

Forwarded message screenshot

The WhatsApp message claims that an "old Chinese doctor" had found a cure to coronavirus, and that's one bowl of garlic. But the WHO has clearly specified that there is no scientific evidence to study this. Bad news for those hoarding garlic cloves to fight off the virus. Just like vampires, the humble garlic has no effect on a virus that has already claimed over 3,000 lives around the world.

Or, take this one for example.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, has debunked the claim that drinking water every fifteen minutes can prevent you from catching the virus. That is really not how coronavirus works. For those who've been drinking copious amounts of water just to ward off the disease, all this is doing is keeping you hydrated.

Another message on WhatsApp claims that consumption of Vitamin C will kill the virus even if you've contracted it. "Tell yourself and your children that they are all supposed to be HIV positive and don't touch anyone and don't regret it," the message reads in bold. Uh, no. While scientists in China are trying to understand if Vitamin C has any effect on coronavirus, there's no study to prove the same yet.

One of the most common misconceptions that have led to an "infodemic" of sorts on WhatsApp is the notion that masks can prevent coronavirus. Messages like these are to be blamed:

It's probably because of messages like these that people around the world, and India, have resorted to panic buying of masks. People are stocking up on masks and sanitizers because they feel it'll keep them safe from the disease.

However, what these messages conveniently fail to include is that normal surgical masks won't do the trick. Only masks known as N95 respirators would come in handy. Similarly, your regular sanitizers won't really kill the virus unless there's 60 percent or more alcohol in them.

WHO has indeed issued a detailed advisory on what can actually be done to prevent the virus. For example, washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose while sneezing, maintaining a 1 metre distance from someone who's coughing are just some precautionary measures the WHO has listed.

More importantly, the WHO asks you to read up on COVID-19, and actually keep yourself updated with the news. Maybe that'll be more effective than forwarding WhatsApp messages.

Apart from these factually incorrect messages, WhatsApp has also seen a surge in the obviously stereotypical jokes and memes. For example, there's this joke about Bengalis:

And of course, there are marriage jokes, that borders on sexism.

While WhatsApp may prove to be an immensely useful method of communication, it has quite the record as far as fake news is concerned. The reason? All it takes is one click to forward a message. Anyone with access to the internet and a smartphone can start a trend on the Facebook-owned platform and if the topic is sensational enough, it doesn't take long for something to go viral on WhatsApp.

Ironically, WhatsApp's parent company, Facebook, has introduced a ban on false information pertaining to coronavirus. But the same measures cannot be extended to WhatsApp owing to end-to-end encryption which means that the messages can be read-only by the recipients and the senders.

In India, the Delhi government has recently introduced guidelines which state that people spreading fake news on WhatsApp (which could directly or indirectly incite violence, lead to tension or friction and may contain false information) could land in jail for three years.

Are these guidelines really enough? The government urges users to report false information and those spreading it and even offers a reward in return. Yet, can that really stop panic from spreading faster than the virus? We highly doubt it.

The question arises, why do people believe or forward these WhatsApp messages even though they're so obviously fake?

A study conducted revealed that people are more likely to hit the "forward" button if they feel that the message they received is genuine - this also means they wouldn't stop to verify it. The same study also showed that younger people, who've grown up with technology at their fingertips, will probably refrain from sharing a message without actually checking its authenticity. Others, on the contrary, are only too willing to pass on information.

Even as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rises rapidly in the country, what's more, worrying is the rate at which fake news about the disease is being spread on WhatsApp.
We should be prepared at all times for any eventuality, we had Ebola, now we have Coronavirus, nobody knows what will happen next.
Vice President Mike Pence said in a Friday press conference that 21 people on the Grand Princess cruise ship being held off the California coast tested positive for coronavirus, including 19 crew members and two passengers.

"Working in close consultation with Governor Gavin Newsom and the State of California, we have developed a process for addressing our findings and resolving the circumstances facing Americans and people from around the world and the crew on the Grand Princess," Pence said.

Among the 3,500 people on the ship, 46 people were swabbed Thursday and test results arrived Friday. 21 tested positive for the coronavirus, 24 tested negative, and one test was inconclusive. Pence said the plan is to now test everyone on the ship and quarantine or treat as needed.

Federal officials have been working with the state and we have developed a plan to bring the ship to a non-commercial port," Pence said. All passengers and crew will be tested for the virus. Those that will need to be quarantined will be quarantined. Those who will require medical help will receive it.

Confined to their cabins, passengers aboard a mammoth cruise ship off the California coast awaited coronavirus test results Friday amid evidence the vessel was the breeding ground for a deadly cluster of at least 10 cases during its previous voyage.

On Thursday, a California Air National Guard helicopter crew lowered test kits onto the 951-foot Grand Princess by rope and later retrieved them for analysis as the vessel waited off San Francisco, under orders to keep its distance from shore.

The ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

Health officials trying to establish whether the virus is circulating on the Grand Princess undertook the testing after reporting that a passenger on a previous voyage of the same ship, February 11 to 21, died of the disease.

In the past few days, health authorities disclosed that at least nine other people who were on the same journey were also found to be infected. And some passengers on that trip stayed aboard for the current voyage.

While the risk to Americans in general remains low, "if you are an individual with a serious health condition or are elderly, it is important to take precautions and use commons sense," Pence said, adding "cruise ships present a unique challenge for health officials and so we would ask elderly Americans to use common sense and caution in planning and cruise ship travel in the future."

Another Princess cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan, last month because of the virus, and ultimately about 700 of the 3,700 people aboard became infected in what experts pronounced a public-health failure, with the vessel essentially becoming a floating germ factory.

An epidemiologist who studies the spread of virus particles said the recirculated air from a cruise ships ventilation system, plus the close quarters and communal settings, make passengers vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Theyre not designed as quarantine facilities, to put it mildly, said Don Milton of the University of Maryland. Youre going to amplify the infection by keeping people on the boat.

He said the fallout from the ship quarantined in Japan demonstrates the urgent need to move people off the ship.

My advice is to get people off and into a safer quarantine environment than a cruise ship, Milton said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Amy Graff is a digital editor for SFGATE. Email her news tips at agraff@sfgate.com.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:


The Delhi High Court on Friday sought responses from the Delhi government and the police on a PIL by CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat seeking directions to make public the list of persons arrested in connection with the recent violence in the northeast part of the city.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel ad Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Delhi government and the police on Karat's plea which has sought that a list of the arrested persons be put up outside the police control room and police stations in the district and updated on a case-by-case basis.

It also urged the court to call for a status report containing the names and numbers of the persons detained and arrested by the Delhi Police in relation to the violence that killed at least 44 people and left around 200 injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Description

GIS - 06 March, 2020: Investigator II, a new multi-purpose support vessel to support important training and research in the blue economy, was officially launched, yesterday, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Quay E, Mer Rouge. The vessel, co-funded by the Australian and Mauritian governments, will be used by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute, the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy and other Government institutions. Investigator II, a new multi-purpose support vessel to support important training and research in the blue economy, was officially launched, yesterday, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Quay E, Mer Rouge. The vessel, co-funded by the Australian and Mauritian governments, will be used by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute, the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy and other Government institutions.

Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Jugnauth underlined that the fisheries sector is a priority area for Mauritius in view of our large Exclusive Economic Zone which spans over 2.3 million square kilometres. He added that the blue economy, which has an immense potential for Mauritius, can drive the country to another stage of its development. Hence, the need for necessary expertise, state-of-the-art tools, appropriate technology and the required framework.

He reiterated Governments commitment to making the blue economy an important industry to sustain economic diversification, job creation and wealth generation adding that the fisheries sector is one of the mainstays of the blue economy. He recalled that in order to provide fisheries operators with new facilities, the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) is investing some Rs 2.2 billion in another breakwater at Fort William which will allow for the safe mooring of some 120 ocean-going fishing vessels, thus creating a fully functional fishing port. Moreover, the navigational channel will be dredged further to a depth of 18 metres to make Port Louis the deepest port in the region, he said.

Furthermore, the MPA will be setting up a Maritime Single Window for the processing of vessel clearances which would facilitate the arrival and departure of vessels at the Port of Port-Louis, enhancing its competitiveness in the region. Other measures include : the setting up of an online and physical fish auction market which will act as an interface between local fishers, fishing companies and buyers, both local and international; and increase in daily rate of Bad Weather Allowance to assist fishers who have not been able to go fishing due to bad weather conditions from Rs 310 to Rs 365.

Since regional cooperation in fisheries management and development, and marine conservation, is of utmost importance to small island States, Mauritius will actively participate in the activities of the relevant Regional Fisheries Organisations such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, stated the Prime Minister.

Also present on the occasion, the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, stated that Investigator II will help his Ministry in assessing marine resources and providing better facilities to enhance fish production through sustainable exploitation of untapped resources especially on the banks.

For her part, Australias High Commissioner to Mauritius, Ms Jenny Dee highlighted that the launching the multi-purpose vessel coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Mauritius and Australia. According to her, the sustainable use of marine resources is critical for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region, and hinges on strong regional cooperation, sound research and innovative technologies.

Investigator II

The 61 ft Investigator II which will be operated by the Fisheries Training and Extension Centre of the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for the conduct of exploratory surveys, fisheries research, oceanography projects, placing of Fish Aggregating Devices and their maintenance as well as training of fishers and skippers, in order to develop the fisheries sector. It is also fitted with sophisticated equipment to carry out acoustic surveys for the stock assessment of unexploited demersal fish on the banks and slopes drop-offs.

Investigator II will also be used to undertake a stock assessment to better manage and protect species such as lobsters, squid and other small commercial pelagic fish. The results of these studies will consolidate knowledge and facilitate the diversification of our fisheries and seafood industry.

The total cost for the acquisition of the multipurpose support vessel is estimated at Rs 57 M and the Government of Australia has provided Rs 20 M under the Australian Food Aid Programme for the purchase of the vessel.
SCRANTON, Pa. - President Donald Trump jetted into Joe Biden's boyhood hometown days after the former vice president secured front-runner status in the race to challenge Trump in November.

During an hour-long Fox News-hosted town hall here, Trump twice defended his divisive rhetoric as a key to his political success, questioned Biden's mental acuity and predicted a coming together post-election.

Before a friendly audience, Trump faced some pointed, if gently phrased, questions from his own backers. One man who was identified as a Trump supporter asked the president if "we can deliver your message without the controversial rhetoric."

A notably subdued Trump twice said that he appreciated the question, but defended how he communicates as his way of responding to criticism.

"When they hit us, we have to hit back," Trump said. "I could turn my cheek, but I wouldn't be sitting up here if I turned my cheek."

Trump later mocked Biden over a series of verbal gaffes, pausing for the audience's laughter, and said, "there's something going on there." The president also argued that the House impeachment over his asking a foreign leader to investigate Biden damaged the former vice president more than it did him.

"They aimed at Trump and they took Biden down," Trump said.

Trump chose Scranton, Pennsylvania, his chief rival's birthplace, to hold the event, according to Fox News, which said it has let other presidential candidates select the locations for their town halls.

The presidential motorcade sped by an electronic billboard that read "Scranton is Joe Biden country," and Trump was greeted by dozens of protesters near the Scranton Cultural Center, the venue for the town hall.

But inside, Trump faced a much friendlier welcome, as the audience greeted him with warm applause and repeatedly chanted "four more years!" during a commercial break. Kellyanne Conway, the White House counselor, was similarly greeted with applause by supporters before the event began.

If Biden is the Democratic nominee, northeast Pennsylvania will be a hard-fought area. In 2016, Trump held a rally in Scranton the night before Election Day. He overperformed expectations in that region, leading to his surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in the state.

Trump said he'd been prepping for a run against Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., but now was resetting his sights on Biden. He blamed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who suspended her candidacy for the presidential nomination earlier Thursday, for siphoning votes from Sanders by staying in the race beyond Super Tuesday.

He was echoing a criticism relayed by some liberals upset that their flank of the party did not unite behind a candidate like the moderates did behind Biden shortly before Tuesday's primaries.

"If she's a true progressive, which probably she is, she probably should've dropped out three days ago," Trump said. "Bernie Sanders would've won five, six, seven states, would've won Minnesota. . . . So when you look at it, she did him no favors. That was not a good friendship."

On the subject of friendship, Trump was asked in a lightning round to name his closest friend in Washington. He demurred, saying there were too many, but that he's close to Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress, even Democrats.

"We have great people in Washington and great Democrats, too. I speak to the Democrats, too, believe it or not," Trump said. "We have great, great people in Washington. It's going to come together. And it's going to be sooner than you think."

The president sounded a similar, uncharacteristically collegial note when a woman wearing a sparkling Trump pin told him people in her life don't speak to her because she's a supporter of his. She asked him how he would bring the country together.

Trump reiterated his answer from earlier about how he has to fight back, but also said, "I really believe we are going to win this next election, and when we do, the other side is going to say, 'OK, that's it, let's get along.' "

It's similar to a claim often made by Biden that his victory would soften the partisan polarization.

While the town hall touched on issues from health care to immigration to foreign policy, other questions forced the president to offer some personal introspection.

Trump said he missed being able to walk down the street or into a store where he'd be recognized, but he could still do it.

"I miss that sort of free life, and this is not a free life," Trump said. "But I love what we are doing, because we are accomplishing more than anybody has ever - I view it as we're saving this country, this country was going wrong."
Australia Confirms 2nd Coronavirus Death

By Phil Mercer March 05, 2020

Australia has confirmed its second death from the coronavirus. The latest victim is a 95-year-old woman who died at a nursing home in Sydney. Australia now has more than 40 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The woman, Australia's second coronavirus victim, died Tuesday at a facility in Sydney. Another elderly resident at the aged care center has also tested positive for the virus.

A 78-year-old man died in Perth over the weekend. He was a passenger onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was on lockdown in the Japanese port of Yokohama before being flown home.

The number of COVID-19 infections in Australia has risen sharply in recent days.

But Australia's chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra that 80 percent of people infected with the coronavirus show "such mild symptoms they barely notice it and that is particularly the case in children."

Australians are being urged to stop the panic buying of household essentials in fear over the spread of the disease. Supermarket shelves have been emptied of toilet paper, tissues and hand sanitizers despite government pleas for calm.

There has been high demand, too, for rice, frozen meals and pet food.

Psychologists call it "herd behavior" and it has prompted shops to ration certain products as customers scramble to get what they want, or believe they will need, to outlast the crisis.

"Everything was gone," said a women.

"Well, there are signs inside with limits of how much bread, milk and toilet paper you can buy, which I have never seen before," said another shopper. "The teller actually mentioned people are maybe stocking up, panic buying."

Is it panic-buying, or simply being well-prepared for potential shortages? Either way, the authorities in Australia say stock-piling is not necessary as many manufacturers of toilet paper, for example, are increasing production.

Australia has more than 40 confirmed coronavirus cases. Medical officials have warned that it is no longer possible to stop the disease entering the country despite a ban on foreign nationals traveling from China and Iran. Those restrictions now apply to travelers arriving in Australia from South Korea.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  The Department of Health will trace individuals who may have come into contact with foreigners who tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after traveling to the Philippines.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing Friday the Health Department has formed teams which will track down these foreign nationals to know if they have transmitted COVID-19 to others.

We have mobilized our epidemiologic and surveillance unit and our Metro Manila Center for Health Development para i-lead itong teams na ito para magawa natin ang contact tracing for all of these identified individuals, Vergeire added.

The health official was referring to the 38-year-old Taiwanese male who visited the Philippines from February 28 to March 3, the 44-year-old Japanese male who spent some time in Metro Manila from February 21 to 28, and a 60-year-old female with travel history to Pangasinan and Manila between February 13 and March 2. There was another report that a person who traveled from the Philippines was also admitted in a COVID-19 ward in a hospital in India, but Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he has not been made aware of this.

Vergeire said the contact tracing protocols will still be the same, which means once contacts are tracked down, they will be advised to undergo self-quarantine. And if and when they develop COVID-19 symptoms, they will be admitted to a hospital and tested for the viral disease.

Did they contract the virus in the Philippines?

Health experts said it is possible the Japanese man contracted COVID-19 in other countries as he had gone to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan, which all have reported confirmed cases, prior to his travel to the Philippines.

The infection could have happened in any one of these countries, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, World Health Organization country representative to the Philippines, said.

The extensive travel history of the patient suggests possible contraction of the disease in another country, Duque said.

Meanwhile, Duque said for the Taiwanese man, all points to possible infection before the patient traveled to the Philippines. He noted the person developed abdominal discomfort and diarrhea on March 2, and experienced sore throat, fever, and malaise on March 3. The patient consulted at an outpatient clinic in Taiwan on March 4, and was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on March 5.

As for the case involving a female from Australia, DOH is still verifying information with the International Health Regulations National Focal Point Australia.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has gone up to five, with one fatality. Three of them were Chinese nationals from Wuhan  China's city that is at the epicenter of the outbreak. Two of them were Filipino men - a 48-year-old with travel history to Japan and a 62-year-old Filipino man with no known history of travel," Duque said. The 62-year-old man is the first confirmed local case in the Philippines. One of his relatives is also being tested for the COVID-19 after manifesting common signs of the viral illness, Vergeire said.

There are nearly 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases globally with over 3,000 deaths, data from the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering show. The John Hopkins University map follows COVID-19 cases across the world.
A seafood salesman has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence after smuggling more than 53 million worth of endangered live eels out of the UK.

Gilbert Khoo transported the rare elvers from London to Hong Kong, hidden underneath chilled fish, between 2015 and 2017, Londons Southwark Crown Court heard.

Khoo, of Chessington in southwest London, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment on each of three counts of evasion of a prohibition on the export of goods. Each sentence was suspended for two years.

He was also found guilty of three counts of failure to notify of the movement of animals.

But no penalty was imposed on him at todays sentencing because hearings to retrieve the proceeds of crime will take place in the future.

World's most endangered animals Show all 17 1 /17 World's most endangered animals World's most endangered animals Amur Leopard Endemic to the far east of Russia, the Amur Leopard has a population of around 84 and is critically endangered. Here follows every species that the WWF lists as critically endangered. Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Elephant The Sumatran elephant population now stands at only 2400-2800 Getty World's most endangered animals Yangtze Finless Porpoise Endemic to China's Yangtze River, the Yangtze finless porpoise has an estimated population of 1000-1800 Kenichi Nobusue World's most endangered animals South China Tiger When discovered in the 1950s, the South China tiger population was estimated to be 4000, by 1996 it was estimated to be only 30-80. Scientists consider the tiger to be "functionally extinct" as one has not been sighted for over 25 years World's most endangered animals Sumatran Orangutan The Sumatran orangutan was once found across the island of Sumatra and even further south on Java. Today it is found only in the island's north and its population stands at 14,613 Getty World's most endangered animals Western Lowland Gorilla Though it is the most populous of all gorilla subspecies, the western lowland gorilla is still critically endangered and its population has declined by 60% in the last quarter century Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Rhinoceros The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of the surviving rhinoceros species. Only 80 are known to be living today. The last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia died on 28 May 2019 Willem V Strien World's most endangered animals Sumatran Tiger There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left today. They are severely threatened by deforestation and poaching Getty World's most endangered animals Eastern Lowland Gorilla Half of the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo in which these gorillas live has been destroyed the past 50 years. There were 17,000 Eastern Lowland gorillas in the 1990s but scientists estimate their population has declined by over 50% since then Getty World's most endangered animals Vaquita The world's rarest marine animal has a population of only 30. They were discovered in 1958 and are endemic to Mexico's Gulf of California Paula Olson / NOAA World's most endangered animals Javan Rhino The most threatened of all rhino species, there are only an estimated 58-68 Javan rhinos left Reuters World's most endangered animals Saola The saola was first sighted in 1992, being the first large mammal to be discovered in over 50 years. Scientists have only sighted saola in the wild four times and it is considered critically endangered World's most endangered animals Malayan Tiger The Malayan Tiger population now stands at only 250-300 Getty World's most endangered animals Hawksbill Turtle The population of the Hawksbill Turtle has declined by more than 80% in the last century. They are threatened by black market poachers who kill them for their shell Getty World's most endangered animals Black Rhino The population of the black rhino dropped by 98% in the years 1960-1995 due to poaching, it stands today at around 5000 Getty World's most endangered animals Cross River Gorilla The population of the Cross River gorilla has been damaged by deforestation and poaching, it now stands at 200-300 Julie Langford World's most endangered animals Bornean Orangutan The population of the Bornean orangutan has been reduced by over 50% in the past 60 years, now standing at around 104,700. Their habitat has been reduced by at least 50% in the 21st century Getty

Khoo was caught after Border Force officers found 200kg of the European glass eels, which are on the verge of extinction, at Heathrow Airport, in the first seizure of its kind in the UK.

The prosecution said the crimes took place over a two-year period, and involved 16 consignments with an estimated retail value of 53,265,000 in the illegal market for them in Asia.

Khoo kept the live eels, imported from countries within the European Union, in a barn in Gloucestershire, before repackaging them to be exported to Asia.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden, queens counsel, who also ordered Khoo to do 240 hours of unpaid work for the community, said: In my view you played a leading role in this country in what was a large commercial operation driven by others, the purchasers abroad, where the desire for the glass eels was

abundant.

The judge said he had no doubt at all that Khoos criminal operation had a significant environmental impact upon the European glass eel, which has a 30-year life cycle.

Glass eels are threatened with extinction unless the threat against them is closely controlled, the court heard.

The judge also said he was certain that Khoo had an expertise both in these eels and the fish market in general.

He added that Khoo had used sophisticated techniques to try to avoid detection.
Veteran Tamil actor Suryakanth's son, Vijay Harish has been arrested by the Tiruvottiyur All-Women Police for allegedly raping a college girl in Virugambakkam.

The 25-year-old Vijay Harish of Anna Nagar, has also been charged for threatening the girl of uploading the rape video online. According to police, Vijay raped a 20-year-old college girl from North Chennai. The victim made a complaint against Vijay Harish, post which he got arrested.

The victim said that Vijay raped her earlier in January when they were in an apartment in Virugambakkam, Chennai. Vijay Harish offered her a drink in which he put sedatives without her knowledge. Soon after she got unconscious, Vijay raped her. The report published in a portal states that the incident occurred on January 2. Vijay filmed the entire act and threatened the woman that he would leak the video on the internet.

A case against him has been registered under Sections 328, 354 B, 354 C, 376 and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and remanded to judicial custody.

For those who are unaware, Vijay Harish is an aspiring actor and working for Naangalum Nallavangathan. Vijay's father Suryakanth has worked in many movies and is also an AIADMK speaker.
L.A. County Declares State of Emergency for Coronavirus

Stressing that they were acting out of an abundance of caution and not panic, Los Angeles city and county officials today declared a state of emergency for the novel coronavirus, as six new cases of the disease were revealed in the county in the last 48 hours.

Appearing at a morning news conference attended by L.A. Department of Public Health officials, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisors Hilda Solis, Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn, the officials said the declarations would allow greater coordination among various levels of government, with more local cases expected to be discovered in the near future.

The six new cases were confirmed Tuesday night with positive lab results and were linked to an assumed known exposure, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, head of the county health department.

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Theres either a travel history to an area with an outbreak, theres exposure to known travelers coming from areas where theres an outbreak, or the person is in close contact with a confirmed case, she said.

This means as of today, we still dont have known cases of community transmission.

One of the six new victims is in the hospital, while the others are being treated in isolation at home and monitored by the health department, according to Ferrer.

Three of the new cases were travelers who were traveling together in Italy, two of the new cases are family members who are in close contact with another family member who does not live in L.A. County but (has the virus) and the last new case is a person whose job at the time exposed them to travelers from other countries who may have been infectious.

County health officials later confirmed that the job-related patient was a contract worker who was conducting medical screenings of passengers at Los Angeles International Airport. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement Wednesday saying a medical professional who was screening passengers for coronavirus at LAX had tested positive for the illness.

This individual is currently under self-quarantine at home with mild symptoms and under medical supervision, according to a DHS statement to NBC News, which first reported the case. Their immediate family is also under home quarantine.

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DHS officials said the person last performed screenings at the airport on Feb. 21. County sources said that was seven days before the worker showed any symptoms of the virus, and there is no concern the person may have transmitted the disease to any airport passengers.

Ferrer laid out a series of steps the department will be taking in the days and weeks ahead.

We are increasing our capacity for testing at our local public health lab. (It is) among 10 California health labs that have received CDC test kits and we have additional kits on the way. We are currently testing and have been since last Wednesday, Ferrer said.

We will ensure that people who test positive for the novel coronavirus and their close contacts are quickly identified and closely monitored and supported while they are in isolation and/or quarantine.

County residents can expect more confirmed cases in the near future, according to Ferrer. She urged people to follow basic sanitary practices such as frequent and thorough hand washing, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding other people if they are sick, but also plan for the possibility of more extensive social distancing requirements, including verbal salutations instead of handshakes, and whenever possible, trying to stay at least six feet away from strangers at public events.

We do need folks to plan for the possibility of business disruptions, school closures, and modifications or cancellations of select public events. We will be working closely with schools and public event venues and businesses before decisions are made to close.

If at any point we think that theres good reason for us to be worried about extensive, extensive community transmission  we may ask for modifications at large public events, she added. This could be that games are played but there are no spectators. This could be that there are limits to how people are going to gather at public events. But I want to reassure everyone we are not there today.

Italys government took the extreme step Wednesday of banning the public from attending sporting events, and temporarily closed that nations schools and universities. Italy has seen at least 79 deaths from COVID-19, the worst outbreak anywhere outside Asia.

Ferrer also said the department will begin daily radio briefings Thursday on three different stations, and is posting new guidelines for childcare facilities, schools, colleges and universities, employers, hotels, public safety responders, shelters, and parents on how they can prepare for and slow the spread of the virus, officially known as COVID-19.

Additionally, the department is sending out technical assistance teams on site visits to interim housing facilities to make sure all necessary precautions are taken.

The countys pandemic response plan for COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Garcetti said the city has activated its emergency management department at level 3 for the past week, which is the lowest level, to coordinate the citys efforts with the countys, and to direct each city department to examine their plans should things get worse.

The health directors of Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments, said they both planned to declare public health emergencies later Wednesday, even though neither city currently has any known cases of the virus.

A few hours after Wednesdays news conference in Los Angeles, officials in Placer County announced the first California death from COVID-19, an elderly adult with underlying health conditions.

The patient tested presumptively positive on Tuesday at a California lab and was likely exposed during international travel from Feb. 11-21 on a Princess cruise ship that departed from San Francisco to Mexico. The patient was in isolation at Kaiser Permanente Roseville.

On Tuesday night, officials with Kaiser Permanente confirmed to various media outlets that it was treating a newly diagnosed coronavirus patient in Los Angeles.

Kaiser Permanente is overseeing the care of a coronavirus patient who is home in self-isolation and being treated on an outpatient basis, according to a Kaiser statement. We are in touch with and monitoring the patient.

No other details were released about the patient or how the person may have been exposed to the illness that has killed more than 3,100 people worldwide, mostly in China. Eleven deaths have been reported in the United States, 10 in Washington state and the one in Placer County. More than 93,000 cases of the illness have been confirmed around the globe.

A previous confirmed coronavirus patient in Los Angeles County has since recovered and been released from treatment.

News of the new Los Angeles cases came on the heels of Orange County health officials announcing Tuesday that two more residents there had tested positive locally for the virus. Those diagnoses were still awaiting confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Orange County also had a previous coronavirus patient who has also recovered.

The newest Orange County patients are a man in his 60s and a woman in her 30s who had recently traveled to countries with widespread outbreaks of COVID-19. One media report indicated that the pair had both traveled  separately  to Italy.

Dr. Nichole Quick, Orange Countys health officer, credited the discovery of the new patients to increased local testing ability.

The more you look for something, the more likely you are to find it, she said.  Now that our Public Health Laboratory is able to perform COVID-19 testing, we expect to see more cases here in Orange County. Our residents should take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like covering your coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching your face, and washing your hands frequently.

More information about the countys efforts can be found at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.
DUSHANBE -- Austrian authorities have extradited a Tajik asylum seeker to Tajikistan on Dushanbe's request despite warnings from activists that the man may face torture and an unfair judicial process there.

The Tajik Prosecutor-General's Office said in a March 5 statement that Hizbullo Shovalizoda was arrested upon arrival at Dushanbe's airport following his extradition.

According to the statement, Shovalizoda is suspected of being a member of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) and participating in an attempt to overthrow the government by force.

The IRPT, long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament, was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015.

Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned, drawing criticism from human rights groups.

The IRPT said on March 6 that Shovalizoda had never been one of its members.



"Shovalizoda is most likely to be subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and unfair trial. He, as in previous similar situations, may be forced to testify against himself and other people under torture," the party said in a statement.

Exiled Tajik opposition activists told RFE/RL that they had urged Austrian authorities not to extradite Shovalizoda, as he was not a member of any political opposition group or party.

Shovalizoda has not commented on his case but Vaisaiddin Odinaev, a Tajik political activist abroad, told RFE/RL on February 27 that the 29-year-old arrived in Austria a year ago but was not granted asylum as he sought, but instead was placed under arrest on January 22.

According to Odinaev, although Shovalizoda is not a member of any political party, he used to be a supporter of the United Tajik opposition and openly supports the National Alliance of Tajikistan (PMT), which unites several Tajik opposition political parties and movements in exile.

In October, Tajikistan's Supreme Court labeled PMT a terrorist and extremist organization.

The PMT was established in Warsaw in September 2018 at a gathering of Tajik opposition activists living in various countries of the European Union.

Tajik authorities have been criticized for cracking down on dissent for years.

In 2014, the opposition movement Group 24 was labeled as terrorist and extremist and banned. In March 2015, the movement's founder, Umarali Quvatov, was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey.
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief executive officer Jamie Dimon is recovering following emergency heart surgery, the bank said in a letter to employees, shareholders and clients Thursday evening. 'We want to let you know that Jamie experienced an acute aortic dissection this morning. He underwent successful emergency heart surgery to repair the dissection. The good news is that it was caught early and the surgery was successful. He is awake, alert and recovering well,' the company's Co-Presidents Gordon Smith and Daniel Pinto said in the letter. Dimon has been CEO of JPMorgan since 2005, and chairman of the board since 2006. JPMorgan board has asked Daniel and Gordon to lead the company during this period, as Dimon recuperates. Daniel and Gordon said in the letter that the bank will continue to execute on all of its plans as usual. 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.
Appointment

6 March 2020

Megan MacEachen was previously complex director of revenue management for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where she was responsible for establishing and implementing revenue strategies at multiple properties. Prior to this, Ms. MacEachen served as area director of revenue management for Dolce Hotels & Resorts. Earlier in her career she held on-property revenue management positions for Aspen Meadows Resort of Aspen, Colorado.

Ms. MacEachen is a graduate of Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Business. She is the recipient of several revenue management awards from both Wyndham and Dolce. She resides in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with her husband and two children.
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Even as no positive case of



coronavirus has been found in Gujarat so far, the state government has decided to postpone all the Women's Day events, earlier scheduled to be held in the state on March 8, as a precautionary measure, an official said on Friday.

The postponement of programmes is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Centre's guidelines to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the official said.

"Out of the 38 samples of suspected cases collected so far in Gujarat, 37 samples tested negative for coronavirus, while the test results of another is pending," Principal Secretary of the state Health Department, Jayanti Ravi, said here.

In the advisory sent to all the states on March 5, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had said that "mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed till the disease spread is contained".

"Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has decided to postpone all the Women's Day programmes. The ministry has issued an advisory appealing people to avoid going to crowded places," Ravi told reporters, adding that no positive case of coronavirus has been found in the state so far.

The IAS officer said that the government would next week take a call on the visitors coming to Gandhinagar to witness the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly.

On an average, around 2,000 persons visit Assembly everyday.

As advised by the Centre, passengers arriving at Ahmedabad and Surat international airports from other countries are being screened using thermal scanners, Ravi said.

"Over 16,400 passengers have been scanned at Ahmedabad international airport till now," she added.

"As many as 1,454 crew members and passengers on board 24 ships were also scanned at different ports of Gujarat. We have kept aside 576 isolation beds and 204 ventilators in government hospitals across the state to deal with any emergency," she said.

According to her, experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies are in Gujarat to train doctors and medical students in fighting possible outbreak, she said.

Urging the people not to panic, Ravi said there is no need to wear masks or use only hand sanitizer as washing hands using soaps was enough.

"There is no such advisory which mandates everyone to wear masks. People should avoid visiting crowded places" she said.

A special homeopathy medicine meant to increase immunity, will be distributed to the people through over 270 homeopathic dispensaries, she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than a dozen life-size, animatronic dragons have made their way into town and are staying in an enchanted forest at the Houston Zoo.

The Houston Zoo's brand new dragons exhibit features mythical, animatronic creatures of air, land and sea that are hidden among a sprawling magical forest, according to a release. Visitors can come face to face with beasts such as the 35-foot-tall towering East Asian dragon, the Western dragon and the Manticore. All of the dragons move and roar, providing for a thrilling experience for families and kids of all ages.
Three days after Grand Central Publishing announced that it would publish director Woody Allen's forthcoming memoir Apropos of Nothing, employees at the imprint and at Little, Brown, a sister imprint at Hachette Book Group, staged a walkout in protest of the acquisition. The walkouts, which have affected both the New York and Boston offices, have been joined by select HBG employees at other imprints as well, including Basic, Hachette Books, Forever, and Orbit. Allen has been accused by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, of molesting her in 1992, when she was seven years old.

"This afternoon, Grand Central Publishing employees are walking out of the Hachette New York office in protest of the publication of Woody Allen's memoir," an email auto-reply from Grand Central employees' email addresses stated on Thursday afternoon. "We stand in solidarity with Ronan Farrow, Dylan Farrow, and survivors of sexual assault."

Little, Brown is the publisher of Ronan Farrow, the author of the bestselling Harvey Weinstein expose Catch and Kill and Allen's estranged son, who has staunchly defended his sister and stood by her allegations in spite of Allen's consistent denials. In a post on Twitter on March 3, Farrow severed his ties with the publisher.

"I was disappointed to learn that Hachette, my publisher, acquired Woody Allen's memoir after other major publishers refused to do so and concealed the decision from me and its own employees while we were working on Catch and Killa book about how powerful men, including Woody Allen, avoid accountability for sexual abuse," Farrow wrote in his March 3 post.

He continued: "Hachette did not fact check the Woody Allen book. My sister Dylan has never been contacted to respond to any denial or mischaracterization of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Woody Allena credible allegation, maintained for almost three decades, backed up by contemporaneous accounts and evidence. It's wildly unprofessional in multiple obvious directions for Hachette to behave this way. But it also shows a lack of ethics and compassion for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of any personal connection or breach of trust here. I've encouraged Hachette, out of respect for its readers, authors, and reputation, to conduct a thorough fact check of Woody Allen's account, in particular any claim that implies my sister is not telling the truth. I've also told Hachette that a publisher that would conduct itself in this way is one I can't work with in good conscience."

Representatives of the walkout, who were gathered outside the Hachette offices in protest late Thursday afternoon, have yet to respond to requests for comment. One Hachette staffer, who requested anonymity, told PW that the protestors' demands included the cancellation of the book and apologies from both Hachette CEO Michael Pietsch and Grand Central senior v-p and publisher Ben Sevier, who acquired the manuscript. On Friday morning, another source, who also requested anonymity, said that a number of employees were working from home, although that source was not under the impression that they were on strike. The source added that, to their knowledge, the higher-ups at Hachette were meeting to discuss a solution, but had yet to announce any decision to staff.

"We respect and understand the perspective of our employees, who have decided to express their concern over the publication of this book," Pietsch said in a statement about the walkout on Thursday. "We will engage our staff in a fuller discussion about this at the earliest opportunity."

In a conversation with the New York Times on Tuesday, Pietsch told the paper that HBG stands by Grand Central's decision. We do not allow anyones publishing program to interfere with anyone elses, he said. Grand Central publishing believes strongly that theres a large audience that wants to hear the story of Woody Allens life as told by Woody Allen himself. Thats what theyve chosen to publish.

According to the New York Post, employees went to Hachette's human resources department to lodge formal complaints this afternoon around 3:00 p.m., at which point Pietsch attempted to call a town hall. None of the senior leadership would stand with him and the staff walked out of the offices, a source told the Post. The staff felt so strongly about this and wanted to do this for Ronan, Dylan and all survivors of sexual assault.

News of the acquisition comes ten months after the Times published a story detailing Allen's attempts to shop the memoir despite a lack of interest from publishers. While the agent John Burnham has long represented Allen for ICM Partners, Hachette declined to comment to PW on which agency, let alone agent, sold Sevier the manuscript.

This story has been updated with further information.
I had reached part 4 in my series We now know: FISA court must go when events permitted a break. Today I return on the occasion of the March 4 Opinion and Order entered by FISA court Chief Judge James Boasberg (embedded below). Under the terms of the order, as Catherine Herridge and Mellissa Quinn report in their CBS News story, Surveillance court judge bars some DOJ and FBI officials from warrant process. Here is the opening of their story:

A federal judge on the governments secretive surveillance court said Justice Department and FBI personnel who are under scrutiny for their conduct in a case involving a former Trump campaign aide are barred from participating in the surveillance warrant application process. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, the presiding judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), issued an order Wednesday setting out an additional framework for the Justice Department and FBI to follow in future FISA proceedings. The order specifies that no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting, verifying, verifying, reviewing or submitting such applications to the court. Boasbergs order requires any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications to be swiftly reported to the surveillance court. The court also ordered the Justice Department and FBI to include in applications representation from agency lawyers attesting to the information they contain, a further indication of mistrust in the Justice Department and FBI.

This seems to me little ado about the biggest scandal in American political history. It is a scandal involving a plot to take down a presidential candidate and president. How many FBI and DoJ officials involved in the Russia hoax remain at their desks inside the FBI and the Department of Justice doing their thing? The number should be few, but it would be a service if you would kindly let us know.

So far as we can tell, every one of the four Carter Page FISA warrants relies in substantial part on the Clinton campaigns Steele Dossier. On their face these warrant applications appear to lack verification of the allegations deriving from the Steele Dossier. Each of the applications is heavily redacted, yet we know that this is the case with respect to the third and fourth applications based on the Horowitz IG report. The first and second applications cant have been much better. The applications are shot through with hearsay upon hearsay. And it gets worse. See generally Opinion and Order at pages 4-7 (Problems with the Carter Page applications).

Did any of the four judges who signed off on the applications notice? Has the court undertaken a review of its own role in this matter? Again, it would be a service if you would kindly let us know.

The body of Judge Boasbergs Opinion and Order is devoted to procedural improvements undertaken or to be undertaken by the FBI and the DoJ. Procedures are to be tweaked. Training is to be enhanced. Accuracy is to be assured. And so on and on. See generally Opinion and Order at pages 8-19.

In the meantime, no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications [Ed.: whoever they are] shall participate in drafting, verifying, reviewing, or submitting such applications to the Court. Any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications shall be promptly reported to the Court.

Gee, thanks.

We are faced with two serious questions: (1) what meaningful consequences are to be visited upon the perpetrators of this hoax?, and (2) what is to be done with the FISA court?

This is not a case in which mistakes were made, is not dotted and ts not crossed. The FISA court itself now stands revealed as an accomplice of those involved in the wrongdoing against Carter Page and everyone else whose communications with him were seized under the illegal surveillance authorized by the court. The target was of course Donald J. Trump. What we have here is a theatrical production of the sound and fury variety.

NOTE: Judge Boasberg also had trouble with the basic facts of the case. See Jerry Dunleavys Washington Examiner column FISA court mistakenly says Fusion GPS was digging up dirt on Hillary Clinton, not Trump.

Misc 19 02 Opinion and Order PJ JEB 200304 by Scott Johnson on Scribd
The police in Volta Region has arrested some three persons in connection with the murder of the Sogakope Assemblymember.

The individuals between age 18 and 27 were picked up earlier today but have been sent to the Volta Regional capital, Ho where they are being interrogated.

Reports further suggest that it is believed the three are part of a gang of robbers who have been terrorising the community.

The Volta Region Parliamentary Caucus today visited the family of the late Assemblymember, Marcus Mawutor Azahli.

They, however, expressed disappointment with the Police's handling of the murder scene.

The caucus led by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa visited the home of the late Assemblymember but says the police might not get enough evidence due to their poor handling of the murder scene.

He also announced that the caucus has placed a 15,000 Ghana Cedis bounty on the perpetrators of the act.

"The caucus went to the Divisional Police Commander and we presented 15k to support the ransom already placed on the killers".

The late Assemblymember, Marcus Mawutor Azahli, a mobile money merchant in Sogakope, was shot and stabbed to death at his residence, while some unknown amount of money contained in a safe was stolen.

His wife sustained an injury from a knock on her head with a gun barrel and was stabbed on the shoulder, while their child was shot at.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has also offered an amount of GH25,000 cedis to anyone that will provide relevant information which will lead to the arrest of the killers of the Assemblymember.

---Primenewsgh
Xiaomi recently launched the Mi 10 smartphone in China, and now the company is all set to bring the smartphone to India. This news comes courtesy of known tipster, Ishan Agarwal, who shared the information exclusively with 91Mobiles.

The report does not give a date of launch but does confirm that the smartphone will be launched in India in two variants: 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB. The report also talks about the colour variants, which according to the tipster that will be Coral Green and Twilight Grey.

Talking about the two phones, the Mi 10 series gets a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with curved edges working at a refresh rate of 90Hz. Both the phones get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset with 5G support. This has been paired with either 8GB and 12GB RAM.

The cameras are the big highlight of the device, with the Mi 10 Pro getting a 108-megapixel main camera with an F1.6 lens that's paired with a 20-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 12-megapixel depth camera.

The phone also uses a 20-megapixel selfie camera sitting in the punch-hole cutout. The Mi 10 also brings to the table a 4780mAh battery that comes with 50W fast wired charging but you can use a 65W fast charger for faster refills.

The Mi 10 Pro pricing starts at CNY 4999 (approximately Rs 50,500) for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. For CNY 5499 (approximately Rs 55,500), you can get 12GB RAM and 256GB storage in the Mi 10 Pro. The top-end variant comes at CNY 5999 (approximately Rs 60,500) and it gets 12GB RAM as well as 512GB storage.

The Mi 10 series phones, for now, have been launched in China and are soon expected to make their way to Indian shores. A hint at this was also given by the company's India head, Manu Kumar Jain, who took to Twitter earlier to introduce the phone to Mi fans in India.
A South Korean soldier adjusts his glasses as he sprays disinfectant on the street to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus (AFP)

Berlin: Researchers have identified a protein present in the human body which they claim is important for the entry of the novel coronavirus into lung cells, an advance that may lead to a novel drug target for preventing the deadly disease.

The researchers, including those from Deutsches Primatenzentrum in Germany, said the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread worldwide, causing respiratory disease called COVID-19 in people -- leading to over 3,000 deaths, and infecting more than 90,000 individuals.

According to the study, published in the journal Cell, the virus has been spreading since December 2019, and is closely related to the SARS coronavirus that caused the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome pandemic in 2002-2003.

It noted that currently no vaccines or drugs are available to combat these viruses.

The scientists sought to find out how the new coronavirus entered host cells, and how this process can be blocked.

They identified a cellular protein that is important for the entry of the novel coronavirus into lung cells.

"Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 requires the protease TMPRSS2, which is present in the human body, to enter cells," said Stefan Pohlmann, study co-author from the German Primate Center.

"This protease is a potential target for therapeutic intervention," Pohlmann said.

The researchers said a drug camostat mesilate -- approved in Japan for use in pancreatic inflammation -- is known to inhibit the protease TMPRSS2.

They investigated whether this drug can also prevent COVID-19.

"We have tested SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient and found that camostat mesilate blocks entry of the virus into lung cells," said Markus Hoffmann, another co-author of the study.

"Our results suggest that camostat mesilate might also protect against COVID-19. This should be investigated in clinical trials," Hoffmann said.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Businessman Deripaskas business reputation suit against Navalny set for May

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

10:33 06/03/2020

MOSCOW, March 6 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court has scheduled preliminary hearing of a lawsuit over protection of business reputation filed by businessman Oleg Deripaska against Alexey Navalny for May 14, according to court records.

The applicant seeks to oblige the defendant to refute information distributed in several videos on the Youtube-channel of Navalny. Moreover, the tycoon demands a 1-ruble moral compensation from the blogger.

The hearing date has not been set yet.

Earlier, Navalny filed a petition with Russias Supreme Court challenging an order to remove and refute information on the Crimean meat processing plant Druzhba Narodov he had distributed.

Earlier, the Moscow District Commercial Court dismissed Navalnys cassation appeal in this defamation dispute. Navalny challenged the Moscow Commercial Courts ruling of February 2019, and the July 2019, ruling of the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals.

The Moscow Commercial Court ruled in favor of Druzhba Narodov on February 12, 2019. The court declared information distributed by Navalny in one of his videos untrue and discrediting the plants business standing.

The statements read that the meat processing plant inflated prices for food products purveyed for the National Guard, delivered bad quality goods and accused the plant employees of embezzlement during supplies.

According to the court ruling, the defendant did not furnish evidence of credibility of the disseminated information.

On July 26, 2019, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.




With Joe Biden ascendant, at least for the moment, in the Democratic primary, Robert Bork has been on my mind. As I wrote in my column welcoming Biden to the front of the pack, the former vice presidents lunch-bucket shtick masks  is intended to mask  the fact that he is one of the great poisoners of American politics and political discourse, who, together with the sanctified Teddy Kennedy, organized and executed the smear campaign against Judge Bork when he was nominated to the Supreme Court.

Criticism of Bork  at the time and, in my inbox, as recently as Thursday morning  always has followed a predictable pattern of intellectual dishonesty. Borks judicial view (it is not quite a philosophy) is that the law says what it says, and that the interpretive task of judges is to operate within the boundaries of what the law actually says, guided in part by what the words were meant to indicate at the time the law was enacted, rather than to begin with their own idea of justice, their own preferred outcome, and then try to shoehorn their own preferences into the language of the statutes and the Constitution. If we are to have the rule of law in a meaningful sense, then judges are obliged to do this even when they disagree with the law in question or believe it to be unjust. The alternative is Senator Sanderss favorite word: oligarchy, in this case a nine-headed Caesar (Antonin Scalias memorable phrase) empowered to overrule the democratically elected lawmaking bodies and the Constitution itself any time five of its members wish.

And so Bork was tarred with every objectionable or outrageous outcome that was, in his view, permissible under the law, irrespective of whether he believed it to be wise or just. Hence the litany of Robert Borks America, in which all manner of injustice would be permitted so far as the Supreme Court is concerned. Never mind that the responsibility for making laws falls on Congress, not on the Supreme Court. And never mind that the Constitution explicitly permitted such horrors as slavery and such injustices as the disenfranchisement of women until it was amended to address these.

Story continues

There are two ways of considering an unjust law.

The first is the Bork model: The law as written would allow for unjust outcome x, and when a case involving x is put before a judge, that judge must uphold the law, irrespective of the justice of x or his opinion of it. Where the law is clear or silent, the judge is bound  over to you, Congress.

The second model is the model of what we sometimes call judicial activism. The law as written would allow for unjust outcome x, but the judge sets aside the law and prohibits x anyway, believing that the demands of justice here supersede the claim of the law. The judge may in fact be in the right as a matter of justice, but he is in the wrong as a matter of law, and in choosing the former over the latter he has ceased to be a judge and has become a revolutionary  because if the law is illegitimate, the legislature and the legislative process must be illegitimate as well.

There is a case  a very fine and honorable one that is dear to my heart  for disobeying unjust laws. It is necessary to make fine distinctions, of course, because setting aside the law is a serious and dangerous thing. It is not a thing for judges to do: John Brown and John McLean may have had the same view of slavery, but Justice McLean was in the law business and John Brown was in the outlaw business.

Those who engage in such civil disobedience must always be prepared to pay the price  rather than, say, cowering behind lifetime tenure on a high court. As Mohandas K. Gandhi put it:

The law-breaker breaks the law surreptitiously and tries to avoid the penalty; not so the civil resister. He ever obeys the laws of the state to which he belongs, not out of fear of the sanctions, but because he considers them to be good for the welfare of society. But there come occasions, generally rare, when he considers certain laws to be so unjust as to render obedience to them a dishonour. He then openly and civilly breaks them and quietly suffers the penalty for their breach. And in order to register his protest against the action of the law-givers, it is open to him to withdraw his co-operation from the state by disobeying such other laws whose breach does not involve moral turpitude.

Judge Lois Forer provided an example of what to do when the law conflicts with a judges sense of justice. When she was obliged to impose a sentence that she believed to be draconian and inappropriate  a sentence demanded by a 1984 crime bill advocated by Senator Joe Biden and Senator Strom Thurmond  she did the honest thing and resigned, writing:

I was faced with a legal and moral dilemma. As a judge, I had sworn to uphold the law, and I could find no legal grounds for violating an order of the Supreme Court. Yet five years imprisonment was grossly disproportionate to the offense. . . . Given the choice between defying a court order or my conscience, I decided to leave the bench where I had sat for 16 years.

The Supreme Court is considering a Louisiana law regulating abortion providers. There is not one word about abortion in the Constitution, pro or con, but since the 1973 Roe decision, in which the Court ignored the law and imposed its own preferred outcome as a previously undiscovered constitutional mandate, abortion has been treated by progressives as a constitutionally self-evident question, practically on par with the First Amendment. (Dont ask them about the Second.) Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is out there threatening Supreme Court justices by name, individually and collectively  thats how strongly Democrats object to the notion that the law says what the law says, and not what people with transient political power wish for it to say at any given moment in any given situation. Their fear of that simple principle is telling. It says more than they intend about their conception of government, law, and liberty.

Perhaps Justices Ginsberg, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Breyer believe that to follow the law in this case would be to impose an unjust outcome. Perhaps they are correct.

If so, they should know what to do. Judge Forer did.

More from National Review
SEATTLE  The University of Washington said on Friday that it would cancel in-person classes and have students take courses and finals remotely while the Seattle area grapples with a growing coronavirus outbreak, in a move that other colleges around the country are preparing to follow if the virus becomes more widespread.

Over the last few days, a growing number of universities have mobilized emergency planning teams to envision what a shutdown would look like, especially if students bring the virus back with them from spring break, which starts Friday on many campuses.

Already, some students have been warned that they should be prepared to learn online, as many students studying abroad in Europe and Asia have been forced to do. At Stanford University, officials announced late Friday that classes would not meet in person as of Monday, and that any looming exams would be changed to a take-home format.

The level of concern rose on Thursday with the announcement that a junior at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee who had been studying in Italy had tested positive for the virus after his study abroad program was canceled and he returned to his hometown, Chicago. The University of California, Los Angeles, also said three of its students were being tested and self-isolating off campus.
A father allegedly stopped bystanders from intervening as his son allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old boy.

Shocking footage has emerged of a vicious attack at the intersection of Scarborough and Young streets at Southport, in the Gold Coast, about 3.30pm Tuesday, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

The video shows a young boy cowering on the cement as he is allegedly brutally pummelled by another teenager.

A man, confirmed to be the father by police, can be seen blocking off bystanders as his son allegedly brutally assaults another young boy

The father and son can be seen standing over the other boy as he lays on the ground covering his head with his arms.

Two bystanders eventually rushed to the boys aid and the father and son quickly walked away.

The son, 13, and the father, 48, have both been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

A police spokeswoman said the two teenagers are known to each other and had arranged to meet at the corner when a fight allegedly ensued.

She said witnesses told police the father allegedly prevented bystanders from approaching as they attempted to break up the fight.

The man allegedly only tried to stop the fight when it appeared his son was losing.

He will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on March 17.
Suicide attackers struck outside the US embassy in the Tunisian capital on Friday, killing a police officer, wounding five other people and shaking a city repeatedly hit by jihadist violence.

The latest attack comes despite a state of emergency imposed in the North African nation in 2015 following a string of bloody assaults claimed by the Islamic State group.

An explosion rocked the Berges du Lac district where the highly fortified embassy is located at around midday Friday, causing panic among pedestrians and motorists in the area.

"Two individuals targeted a security patrol... in the street leading to the American embassy," the interior ministry said in a statement.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Police at the scene said the assailants drove to the area on a motorcycle and detonated their explosive devices as officers deployed at a roundabout leading to the embassy approached them.

"The operation led to the death of two assailants, wounded five police and lightly injured a civilian," the interior ministry said in an initial toll.

It later announced that one of the police officers, identified as Lieutenant Taoufik Mohammed El Nissaoui, had died of his injuries.

"All the security units are on high alert," the ministry said.

After the blast police dispatched reinforcements to the area, including forensic experts, as a helicopter buzzed over the Berges du Lac, a district protected round-the-clock by security forces.

"It's tough to have to go on working when your colleagues have been wounded," a police officer at the scene said.

Office worker Haykel Boukraa spoke of widespread panic.

"Our office is 300 metres (yards) from (the blast scene), but the explosion was so loud that the windows in our building shook," the 49-year-old told AFP.

"There was total panic. Some colleagues even had a fit of anxiety. We didn't know if we should stay put or leave the office," he said.

Earlier police had said one of the two assailants had tried to enter the diplomatic mission but was prevented by police guarding it.

Body parts were seen strewn on the ground.

The US embassy said in a statement posted on Twitter: "Emergency personnel are responding to an explosion that occurred near the US Embassy in Tunis.

"Please avoid the area and monitor local media for updates." Tunisia faced a rise in jihadist activity after its 2011 revolution, with attacks killing dozens of security personnel, civilians and foreign tourists.

While the security situation has significantly improved since a series of deadly attacks in 2015, Tunisia has maintained a state of emergency as assaults on security forces have persisted namely in remote areas along the border with Algeria.

Before Friday the last attacks were in June 2019, when twin bombings targeted a police station on the outskirts of Tunis and a police vehicle on the capital's main thoroughfare.

A civilian and a policeman were killed in those attacks, while seven were wounded. In 2018 six members of Tunisia's security forces were killed when their cars were targeted by an explosive device near the border with Algeria.

That same year an unemployed female graduate blew herself up in the busy upmarket Avenue Habib Bourguiba in central Tunis, killing herself and wounding at least 26 people, mostly police officers.

An attack at the capital's Bardo museum in March 2015 killed 21 foreign tourists and a security guard.

In June the same year, 38 foreign tourists were killed in a shooting rampage at the coastal resort of Sousse.

And in November 2015, a bomb blast on a bus in central Tunis killed 12 presidential guards.

All three attacks committed that year were claimed by the Islamic State group.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
So how did Matrix and Whittingham first get involved in hospitality insurance?

While working in London for five years, one of my key areas of focus was the late-night leisure industry; nightclubs, bars, taverns and venues, recalled Whittingham. I really enjoyed the buzz of the hospitality industry and it was an area of insurance I could really relate to.

When Whittingham returned to Australia in 2008, his observation was that insurance for hospitality establishments, particularly smaller places in regional areas, needed to change.

It was obvious there wasnt enough choice for publicans, and they felt that the big corporates didnt really get their business and that cover wasnt tailored to their specific business needs, Whittingham explained. Protecting these hotels to ensure theyre covered correctly is very rewarding  theyre part of the fabric of our great Australian culture.

Read more: With the Sydney lockout laws changing, will insurance too?

Hotels and pubs such as these certainly do face unique challenges when it comes to insurance, said Whittingham. He explained that challenges include areas of: construction, the geographical position of places away from resources, those situated in bushfire prone areas, the old age of the building, poor building quality and maintenance, presence of asbestos and those in cyclone exposed coastal townships.

Similarly, the uniqueness between establishments means that it is hard to create a one-size-fits-all policy.

Most hotels and pubs are placed into the Lloyds of London market, said Whittingham. Each venue is different from one another and each face different challenges, so its demonstrating to Lloyds markets that each one needs to be looked at and underwritten on its own merit and risk profile.

Underinsurance is also a real problem. Whittingham explained that it is often a challenging topic of conversation with publicans, but a very important one.

It is critical to ensure asset values reflect reasonable replacement values to ensure policies will respond when relied on, he explained. The help of Google maps, satellite imagery and building replacement calculators is significant, but with the rising cost of insurance premiums in the property sector and heavy taxes and emergency levies in some states this presents an ongoing challenge.

Insurers are looking closely at hotel and pub building replacement values and will sometimes request professional building replacement valuations, or even refrain from quoting if they feel a building may be underinsured, he added. One piece of advice for publicans is that they need to ensure the replacement value reflects the structure or contents that they have there currently, not what they would build in the event of a total loss.

Having worked closely with Matrixs clients, and recently gone to meet-up with those in regional Australia, Whittingham is well aware of the history of each place, and the unique story it has to share.

Many of the hotels that we insure are over 120 years old and hold many stories and memories  they are a real community hub and meeting place for locals, tourists and passers-by, said Whittingham. Many of the older ones hold a Heritage listing, which preserves the look and feel of the hotel and town.

One thing is for sure, the more remote the pub, the better the beer seems to taste after a long drive. Im still working on convincing my family and friends that when Im off on another country pub road trip that I am actually working!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6th, 2020 KendraHQ Phone: 020-67732007 Email: enquiries@kendrahq.com Pune, Maharashtra: KendraHQ today announced that Girish Patil has joined KendraHQ as their Chief Executive Officer in Pune (India). Girish's employment with KendraHQ commenced in early January 2020. Girish has more than 20 years of senior management experience, including 6 years of strategic development, testing and vendor relationship management at UBS Bank, most recently as their Risk IT APAC QA Head. Prior to that, 
The number of U.S. cases of the coronavirus topped 280 on Friday, up from the 64 reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one week earlier.

As more Americans have been tested for the virus, the number of cases has steadily risen. President Trump has continued to portray the situation as under control.

I think were in great shape, I mean I think were in great shape, he told reporters gathered at the White House on Friday.

Trump added that his decision to halt travel between the United States and China had prevented further spread of the virus. We made a good move. We closed it down. We stopped it, he said.

The Trump administration announced its China travel restrictions on Jan. 31. By then, the virus had sickened nearly 10,000 people in China and killed 213. A study published Friday in the journal Science found that while international travel bans have delayed the spread of the virus, they have ultimately failed to prevent the rise in new cases.

During a Feb. 27 press conference at the White House, when the number of known cases in the U.S. had risen to 60, Trump asserted that the figure was going very substantially down, not up, and that within a couple of days the tally would be down close to zero.

Since that press conference, 15 Americans have died in the U.S. of the virus, which has infected over 100,000 people worldwide and resulted in more than 3,300 deaths around the world.

The administration has continued to give a rosy assessment of the health risks to the country.

What I am pleased to report, is that the 14 deaths so far, that are completely tragic and very sad, in this country shows that this is being contained because the president took action, counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway told reporters Friday at the White House.

Earlier in the day, White House national economic director Larry Kudlow described the outbreak in the U.S. in similar terms.

We dont actually know what the magnitude of the virus is going to be, although frankly so far it looks relatively contained, Kudlow said in an interview with CNBC.

Story continues

As businesses across the country have begun canceling scheduled events and telling employees to work from home, Kudlow, who has been named a member of the Coronavirus Task Force, offered opposing advice.

I dont want to downplay anything. Worry about the effect on human beings, for heavens sake. But Im just saying, lets not overreact. In many ways, America should stay at work, Kudlow said.

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow at the White House on Friday. (Evan Vucci/AP)

When asked about Googles decision to cancel its annual conference due to the threat posed by the coronavirus, Trump also sought to find a silver lining.

Thats up to them. Hey, let them stay in the United States. If they dont travel, if they stay here, thats not a bad thing for us. I  Ive been saying for a long time people should do that.

Calling in to Sean Hannitys Fox News program on Wednesday, Trump disputed the World Health Organizations estimate that the coronavirus death rate could be as high as 3.4 percent, and seemed to say that while hundreds of thousands of Americans might be infected with the virus, workplace exposure was not a primary concern.

So if, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better, just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work  some of them go to work but they get better, Trump said.

The president later disputed that he had encouraged anyone feeling sick to go to work.

I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work. This is just more Fake News and disinformation put out by the Democrats, in particular MSDNC. Comcast covers the CoronaVirus situation horribly, only looking to do harm to the incredible & successful effort being made!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020

Health officials agree on the need for widespread testing.

Vice President Mike Pence vowed that roughly 1.5 million tests would be available this week, but the Atlantic reported Friday that it could verify the test had been given to just 1,895 people in the U.S. so far. Of that number, 10 percent had tested positive for the virus.

The CDCs initial test was found to be flawed, resulting in false negatives.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
[March 06, 2020] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of CIRCOR International, Inc. (CIR) on Behalf of Investors

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of CIRCOR International, Inc. ("CIRCOR" or the "Company") (NYSE: CIR) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your CIRCOR investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information here or contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, via email [email protected] or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On March 2, 2020, CIRCOR reported that it could not timely file its fiscal 2019 annualreport because the Company needed additional time to evaluate the impact of certain material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. CIRCOR also announced an "independent investigation into certain accounting and financial reporting matters at one of its domestic business units . . . to determine whether there are any matters which could have a material impact on the Company's financial results."



On this news, CIRCOR's stock price fell sharply during intraday trading on March 3, 2020. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding CIRCOR should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected]. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters (News - Alert), the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005060/en/

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T he Governments Chief Scientific Adviser said the Government is looking at isolating whole houses in a bid to slow the coronavirus outbreak.

Sir Patrick Vallance today told Sky News what measures can be taken to slow down the spread of Covid-19.

It comes after a woman in her 70s became the first person in Britain to die after testing positive for the illness, with the number of cases in the UK now standing at 116.

Speaking about people isolating themselves in their rooms, Sir Patrick said that whole homes could be closed off.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

He said: "There are then more extreme versions when you think about households isolating as well.

"Self-isolation is possibly usually within houses, it means that you stay in your room, you get things delivered to it and stay there for 14 days.

"Household isolation would mean the household - that's obviously an more extreme move.

"Again, we're modelling that we're looking at that in terms of what the options might be."

Worldwide almost 100,000 people have been confirmed to have the virus and more than 3,000 people have died.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 6 assured YES Bank customers about the safety of their deposits.

"I am constantly in contact with the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and the steps being taken are in the interest of depositors, bank and the economy," she said.

Track this blog for latest updates on YES Bank

She said that the RBI was fully in charge of the matter and assured a quick resolution.

The priority of the government now was to help depositors, the FM said. Sitharaman said she is not in a position to share details of resolution plan immediately.

The RBI on March 5 said it is superseding the board of troubled private sector lender YES Bank with immediate effect.

"This has been done to quickly restore depositors' confidence in the bank, including by putting in place a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation," the RBI said in a statement.

The central bank has also imposed a moratorium on the private lender till April 3, 2020. Withdrawals from the bank have been capped at Rs 50,000 per depositor.

The move by RBI comes nearly six months after it did the same with Mumbai-based Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank.

YES Bank has been grappling with mounting bad loans and has been struggling to raise fresh capital.
Senior Tories are seeking to ban Huawei from a role in the UK's mobile networks by 2023 - a move that might inflict the first parliamentary defeat on Boris Johnson since the general election.

Led by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a group is seeking to amend government legislation to ensure "high-risk vendors" are not used beyond 31 December, 2022.

It follows the controversial decision by Mr Johnson to allow Huawei to build parts of the UK's 5G networks.

Critics allege the firm has close links to the Chinese government and its equipment could be used for espionage purposes - something the company has always denied.

Sir Iain's amendment has been tabled to the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill and could be put to a vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

It is being supported by former Cabinet ministers Owen Paterson, David Davis and Damian Green, as well as Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers.

Following his general election victory in December, at least 40 Conservative MPs would have to rebel against the government to inflict a parliamentary defeat on Mr Johnson.

Bob Seely, another Tory MP supporting the amendment, played down the prospects of this happening on Tuesday and said the move was instead aimed at "laying down a marker" ahead of other legislation later in the year.

"We want to work with the government, not to defeat it," he told the PA news agency.

"We want to co-operate with the government to get a better solution."

Huawei has been designated a "high-risk vendor" by the National Cyber Security Centre.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

In January, Mr Johnson confirmed Huawei would be able to build "non-core" parts of the UK's 5G networks.

But a series of conditions will be attached on the company's involvement, including a 35% cap on "high-risk" vendors accessing non-sensitive parts of the network.

Story continues

US President Donald Trump has previously suggested future intelligence-sharing co-operation with America's "Five Eyes" allies - the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - could be put at risk if the UK worked with the firm.

A spokesman for the prime minister said on Friday: "We've always been clear that we want to get to a position where we do not have to use high risk vendors in our telecoms network but we will continue to keep the 35% cap under review.

"Our intention is for this share to reduce as market diversification takes place."

They added: "We've been clear that our world-leading cyber security experts are satisfied with our approach and it won't impact on our ability to share intelligence."

Earlier this week, Sir Iain told a parliamentary debate that allowing Huawei to be involved in 5G infrastructure was like Britain having allowed Nazis to be involved in the development of radar in 1939.
The Seattle Seahawks know they need to improve their pass rush in 2020 after posting just 28 sacks (31st in the NFL) during the 2019 season.

The Seahawks want to re-sign edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but they may also to add another edge player in the form of Jacksonville Jaguars Yannick Ngakoue during the upcoming free agency period. The Jaguars reportedly will place the franchise tag on Ngakoue, but Ngakoue has said hes not interested in re-signing with the team in 2020 and wants out.

The Jaguars are aware I no longer have interest in signing a long term contract in Jacksonville. Duval, I love you and gave you guys everything I got. Im thankful for the journey and look forward to continuing my career elsewhere. -91  Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) March 2, 2020

The Jaguars will likely have to trade Ngakoue, and the Seahawks are interested in pursuing a trade, according to a report.

Regardless of whether the Seahawks can re-sign Clowney - a big if, based on his reported contract demands - adding Ngakoue would certainly help the pass rush. The 24-year-old Ngakoue has posted 37.5 sacks during his first four seasons in the league.

The Seahawks faced a similar scenario last season when they acquired Clowney. Clowney refused to sign the franchise tender until the Houston Texans worked out the trade that sent him to the Seahawks. If the Seahawks can re-sign Clowney and add Ngakoue, their pass rush could potentially be one of the best in the NFL.

Heres a few other free agency news and rumors:

 Those Tom Brady-to-the-49ers rumors just wont go away.

 Some 49ers players come to the defense of incumbent AB Jimmy Garoppolo:

RB Jeff Wilson, TE George Kittle

 Former Oregon State star OG Mike Remmers wont re-sign with the New York Giants.

 Dallas Cowboys WR Amari Cooper says he wants to be a Cowboy for life.

 Dallas Cowboys DB Byron Jones expected to attract plenty of interest.

 Kansas City will allow RB LeSean McCoy to hit the market.

 Los Angeles Chargers RB Melvin Gordon expected to test market.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
BEIRUT, Lebanon  A court in Britain has found that Dubais ruler kidnapped and confined two grown daughters, then threatened one of his many wives when she began to question his treatment of them, according to British court documents released on Thursday.

The ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, has been under scrutiny since allegations emerged in late 2018 that the daughters, Sheikha Latifa Mohammed al-Maktoum and Sheikha Shamsa al-Maktoum, had each tried to escape their restricted lives, only to be abducted and returned to house arrest in Dubai, the gleaming financial hub of the United Arab Emirates. The wife who said she had been threatened, Princess Haya of Jordan, fled months later with her two young children to Britain.

None of the allegations had been proven or legally adjudicated until now, after Princess Haya raised them before Britains high court in a child custody case against her husband. Sheikh Mohammed is unlikely to face legal consequences. But the stark descriptions of how the sheikh wielded his wealth and absolute power against his own family may prove hard to shake.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has found the Berejiklian government's contentious new planning laws dealing with emissions from coal exports should not go ahead as they are proposed.

The finding will put Planning Minister Rob Stokes under pressure to rethink the so-called scope 3 legislation, which has been heavily criticised by environmental groups and scientists.

The Independent Planning Commission rejected a plan to develop a coal mine in the Bylong Valley. Credit:Brendan Esposito

The laws would stop planning authorities from approving new mines with a condition related to emissions of exported Australian coal. Greenhouse gas emissions would still be considered when determining and assessing the project.

The bill was referred to the planning and environment committee for an inquiry, which recommended on Friday that the bill "not proceed in its current form".
The district health department officials on Friday said that they have roped in several teams and also alerted health officers in Hapur, Meerut and Bulandshahr, whose residents came in direct or indirect contact with a 57-year-old Ghaziabad businessman who tested positive for Novel Coronavirus.

The businessman is presently admitted at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. He had returned to India from Tehran on February 23 and the state officials received information about his travel on March 1. The Ghaziabad health department sent his samples for testing on March 3. The man tested positive for the virus a day later.

We have come to know about 38 persons with whom he came in direct and indirect contact. Eleven of them came in direct contact with him. Apart from Ghaziabad, he had contact with people from Bulandshahr, Hapur and Meerut. Teams of World Health Organisation along with our health department are trying to trace people who came in his contact since he arrived in India, said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer (CMO).

We have conveyed the information to the CMOs of three districts and have also shared details of people who came in contact with the patient after he landed in India. The samples of his wife and son have also been sent for testing. Besides this, we have also sent samples of two staff who took the man in an advanced life-support (ALS) ambulance to Delhi. His other local contacts  in his office and otherwise  are also being closely monitored, Dr Gupta added.

The officials said that they have also dedicated one 108 and one ALS ambulances to ferry patients suspected to have coronavirus to Delhi.

We have sent 15 samples for testing and two of them include minors who travelled with their parents to Kuwait and returned to Indian 2 to 3 days ago. Both had developed symptoms of fever, cough and cold and went for a checkup to a private doctor. Their information was referred to us and samples were taken. We are also awaiting test results for a 20-year-old man who came in contact with a Delhi based patient who was found positive after travelling back to India from Italy, said GK Mishra, district malaria officer.

So far, the Ghaziabad health department officials said that 200 people have been screened, 40 of who are still under surveillance. Of the 15 samples sent so far, reports of seven were found negative for the virus, while one man has tested positive.

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Dr Simone Keizer-Beache, Chief Medical Officer, emphasised that much of what this country has decided on as measures to deal with the coronavirus, is community-based focused.

The general public is being encouraged to become more aware of their surroundings, in light of the confirmation the COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, is in the region.





Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache, in an interview with THE VINCENTIAN, explained that there is now increased surveillance at the community level, which was among the new strategies adopted to deal with containing the virus, if any cases were to be confirmed here.





The measures follow the meeting chaired by Barbadian Prime Minister and CARICOM chair Mia Mottley on March 1 involving the regions health ministers and other senior health officials, which was convened after three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Dominican Republic, two in St Maarten and one in St Barts.





"So, its basically as Prime Minister Mottley said we are into detection, containment and management, the CMO said.





"What we are moving into even more now is working on increasing the capacity to manage and to contain, she continued.





This included the ramping up of surveillance at the community level.





"Because if you notice, a lot of the cases that turned up in the States, in the Dominican Republic, those are persons that had returned from Italy, they were already within the community. They were not picked up at any airport or seaport.





Therefore, the focus is on community health services and the general public, Keizer-Beache stressed.





Persons now have to be more aware of other persons within their immediate communities, who might have coughs and colds, Keize-Beache encouraged.





With regard to the issue as it relates to the designation of a site to treat potential infected persons, Keizer-Beache said that health officials were trying to identify possible areas where cases could be managed, i.e. persons who may be ill or quarantined.





On the ground





About 80 percent of the cases of individuals who showed flu like symptoms were mild and, according to Keizer-Beache, did not require hospitalization.





Those cases, she pointed out, would be the sort of cases that would be managed within the community, at the individuals home.





She further noted that measures were being taken to protect health care workers and that supplies of protective wear and masks were being stored in abundant supply.





Up to March 4, 20 persons had been quarantined, with 17 already completing the 14-day period.





The remaining three were expected to complete the 14-day quarantine period between March 7 and 8, the CMO said.





Cruise ships and COVID 19 countries





Keizer-Beache explained that ways of increasing the amount of information that countries get from cruise ships was discussed at the reference CARICOM meeting.





It was noted by some CARICOM member states that there was a challenge in that the information did not arrive in the 12 to 24-hour period as is required.





The CMO noted that that was not an issue here, but assured that the required time for information to get in will be enforced.





It is expected from here on, that cruise ships will include additional information about travel history for persons of interest.





"That will at least allow for greater prep, the CMO said.





Caribbean countries were also given the all clear to implement any further measures and restrictions so, for example, Keizer-Beache informed that St Vincent and the Grenadines has placed quarantine requirements for individuals coming from Italy, China, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. (DD)
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Experts are watching the region as a key to the presidential race.



By MIKE CATALINI

Associated Press

BENSALEM, Pa.  A shop selling President Donald Trump-themed merchandise in a suburban Philadelphia strip mall has emerged as a magnet for the president's backers and a reflection of Pennsylvania's status as a political battleground this year.

The Trump Store in Bensalem specializes in gear fit for the president's biggest fans  T-shirts promoting a border wall, hats, beanies, mugs with his cartoon face, even an inflatable innertube with Trump's head flashing two thumbs up. On a recent weekday afternoon, it did steady business over about three hours, with two to three customers continually streaming in and out.





. . .
Full moon party cancelled due to COVID-19 threat

THAILAND: The world-famous full-moon party in Surat Thanis Koh Phangan island has been cancelled until further notice, as has the well-known Wan Lai water festival in Chon Buris Bang Saen district in a move to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthSafetytourism

By Bangkok Post

Friday 6 March 2020, 01:00PM

The world-famous full-moon party in Surat Thanis Koh Phangan island has fallen victim to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Photo: Bangkok Post

As four new COVID-19 cases were reported yesterday (Mar 5), acting Koh Phangan district chief Somchai Somwong announced the party on Rin beach will be called off as the gathering of tourists can increase the risk of a coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Somchai said the parties will be held again as soon as things return to normal, adding that tour agents and hoteliers have been informed of the suspension.

A full-moon party is held on the island every month, and the one for March was slated to be held on Sunday (Mar 8). The event usually draws thousands of tourists.

Narongchai Kunplome, mayor of Muang Saen Suk municipality in Chon Buri, where a distinctly different version of the Songkran Festival called Wan Lai Bang Saen is held every year on April 16-17, also announced the cancellation of the event yesterday. He added that all events involving large groups of people will also be banned.

The spread of the virus has motivated public health authorities to ramp up responses, as the Public Health Ministry yesterday reported four new local COVID-19 cases - men aged between 20 and 42 who had arrived from Iran and Italy over the past week. (See story here.)

Meanwhile, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun and Buri Ram have also cancelled their well-known Songkran festivities, while Bangkok and other key provinces are expected to follow suit.

All official celebrations in Patong for the Songkran Thai New Year have been cancelled, it was announced yesterday. (See story here.)

Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, falls on April 13-15 this year.

These moves came after Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a teleconference with the Interior Ministry and provincial governors that they had the authority to decide which events should be banned for the sake of COVID-19 containment.

Khon Kaen mayor Thirasak Thikhayuphan said his province has decided to trade in the 200 million baht in cash flow from celebrations for public safety.

He said the event has been cancelled even though the preparations are nearly 90% complete.

Suebsak Iamwichan, governor of Phetchabun, has cancelled bathing rites for the elderly and ordered the provincial office of the National Office of Buddhism to advise all temples in the province to refrain from conducting Songkran bathing rites this year.

Veteran politician Newin Chidchob posted on his Facebook page that Buri Ram would cancel its Songkran celebrations as a COVID-19 containment measure.

The province has also called off its Thailand Grand Prix, scheduled to take place on March 22. It has now been rescheduled for Oct 4. (See story here.)

In Bangkok, Sa-nga Ruangwatthakun, president of the association of business operators on Khao San Road, said he expects Khao Sans famous Songkran celebrations to be cancelled as well.

Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said he has yet to order any measures regarding Songkran events as he needs to hear recommendations from the Public Health Ministry and cabinet.

However, his ministry has postponed all scheduled concerts and performances as well as overseas art and cultural shows.
Baker Hughes (NYSE: BKR) announced today that the Baker Hughes international rig count for February 2020 was 1,085, up 7 from the 1,078 counted in January 2020, and up 58 from the 1,027 counted in February 2019. The international offshore rig count for February 2020 was 245, unchanged from the 245 counted in January 2020, and down 5 from the 250 counted in February 2019.

The average U.S. rig count for February 2020 was 791, unchanged from the 791 counted in January 2020, and down 258 from the 1,049 counted in February 2019. The average Canadian rig count for February 2020 was 249, up 45 from the 204 counted in January 2020, and up 19 from the 230 counted in February 2019.

The worldwide rig count for February 2020 was 2,125, up 52 from the 2,073 counted in January 2020, and down 181 from the 2,306 counted in February 2019.

February 2020 Rig Counts

February 2020 January 2020 February 2019 Land Offshore Total Month Variance Land Offshore Total Land Offshore Total Latin America 147 37 184 5 145 34 179 156 26 182 Europe 98 32 130 -3 97 36 133 58 36 94 Africa 89 31 120 6 88 26 114 88 25 113 Middle East 373 54 427 -3 372 58 430 340 58 398 Asia Pacific 133 91 224 2 131 91 222 135 105 240 International 840 245 1,085 7 833 245 1,078 777 250 1,027 United States 768 23 791 0 770 21 791 1,029 20 1,049 Canada 247 2 249 45 202 2 204 228 2 230 North America 1,015 25 1,040 45 972 23 995 1,257 22 1,279 Worldwide 1,855 270 2,125 52 1,805 268 2,073 2,034 272 2,306

About the Baker Hughes Rig Counts

The Baker Hughes rig counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the U.S., Canada and international markets. The Company has issued the rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of the U.S. and Canadian drilling activity. The monthly international rig count was initiated in 1975.

The North American rig count is scheduled to be released at noon Central Time on the last working day of each week. The international rig count is scheduled to be released on the last working day of the first week of the month at 5:00 a.m. Central Time. Additional detailed information on the Baker Hughes rig counts is available on our website.

About Baker Hughes:

Baker Hughes (NYSE: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and with operations in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005003/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

Melanie Kania, +1 713-879-1088

melanie.kania@bakerhughes.com

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Allow Tirupati temple to exchange Rs 8.29 crore old notes says plea in SC

As two chairmen lock horns, who will win the battle at Tirupathi

Did TTD foresee Yes Bank crisis? Tirumala temple trust withdrew Rs 1300 cr recently

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh quite recently withdrew deposits of Rs 1,300 crore from Yes Bank. It was in October last year that the TTD Trust Board held a meeting and decided to withdraw and the money and invest it elsewhere.

During the regime of the previous TDP government, the TTD deposited its funds with four banks including Yes Bank.

It is reported that TTD Board chairman YV Subba Reddy had foreseen the situation after going through performance reports of certain banks in which TTD has deposits.

The RBI has capped withdrawals from Yes Bank at Rs 50,000 for the next one month and imposed strict limits on operations after the cash-starved lender faced "regular outflow of liquidity" following an effort to raise new capital failed.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 21:01 [IST]
Highlights Mata Amritanandamais darshans have been suspended due to coronavirus threat Ashram said suspension in line with a directive from state health authorities Foreigners and Indians have been stopped from Darshans

In the wake of growing COVID-19 scare in various parts of the country the hugging saint of Kerala, Mata Amritanandamai, has stopped giving darshan to her followers in her ashram in Vallikavu in Kollam district.

A message to this effect was published on the website of the mutt on Friday saying it was advised to do so by the state health department for the time being.

We are sorry to inform you that due to extremely heightened restrictions by the health department, including mandatory quarantine and other protocols, currently the ashram cannot allow anyone to Amritapuri. This includes Indian nationals as well as foreign passport holders (including OCI holders). This includes both day visits and overnight stays. This policy is irrespective of any amount of time the individual may have been within the nation of India, read the message posted on the website.

The statement also said darshan will resume once the health ministry gives its nod. Foreigners form a major chunk of teeming devotees at the ashram. A senior health ministry official, who did not want to get identified, said an advisory was sent to the ashram after the South Korea incident came to light. In Seoul, a priest of a Christian sect had held a big mass in a closed church which is suspected to have spiked the infections in the country. Later authorities had booked the priest and other office-bearers of the church.

In Ammas ashram (Amritanandamais popular name) the main attraction is her darshan, where she hugs and blesses devotees. Thousands throng the ashram for her darshan and bhajan every day. A recipient of many awards including the Gandhi King Award, Ammas ashram has branches all over the world. The mutt also runs a chain of educational institutions and hospitals.

Meanwhile, the government is keeping its fingers crossed over Attukal Pongala, to be celebrated on March 9. On the ninth day of the festival, lakhs of women throng the state capital to offer pongala (a gruel made of rice, jaggery, ghee and coconut) to the presiding deity, Attukal Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Kannaki. Usually, two to three million women take part in pongala festival- a festival of women. The government has asked devotees to take extreme care. We dont want to create panic. But we should be careful, said state health minister KK Shailaja.
Passenger Debbi Loftus watched as Coast Guard helicopters airlifted coronavirus test kits to the Grand Princess cruise ship just off the coast near San Francisco.

More than 20 passengers are sick, and Loftus told WISN-TV on Thursday that all the passengers have now been confined to their rooms.

"Evidently, there are 21 people on board who have symptoms -- 10 crew, 11 passengers," Loftus said.

The California National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing, along with federal partners and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention medical personnel, were involved in a joint mission to provide COVID-19 test kits to passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship.

Currently, the Grand Princess remains off the California coast, west of the Bay Area.

Loftus and her parents were nearing the end of a 15-day cruise to Hawaii when they first learned Wednesday afternoon about the emergency.



Their meals are being delivered to them in their rooms.



A statement from Princess Cruises said: "While the U.S. CDC continues to investigate the small cluster of cases involving guests who had traveled on our previous voyage, in an abundance of caution, today they have asked us to implement additional recommendations. These include all guests practicing 'social distancing,' which means making a best effort to maintain a distance of about 6 feet  or 2 meters  from other guests. We have also canceled group and social gatherings, along with closing the gym, casino, bars, boutiques and other public places.



"The CDC has also recommended that guests should remain in their staterooms for the remainder of the cruise. Until we are advised further by the CDC, we will then transition to having all future meals delivered by room service."
Thousands of Yes Bank customers on Friday scampered to withdraw all or part of the Rs 50,000 a month they are allowed to take out of the beleaguered bank  the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clamped the moratorium on Thursday night  even as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured depositors that their money was safe.

By Friday evening, State Bank of India had stepped in with a rescue plan that, if approved, will see it buying a 49% stake in Yes Bank for around Rs 2,450 crore. The proposed draft reconstruction scheme says the banks authorised capital will be increased to Rs 5,000 crore from the current 800 crore and that SBI will buy shares at a minimum price of Rs 10 each. It also says SBI will not reduce its holding in the bank to below 26% for three years.

Later on Friday, the Enforcement Directorate raided the Mumbai residence of Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor in connection with a money laundering investigation. According to an official who asked not to be named, the raids were in connection with an investigation into the Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL), which is accused of misappropriating thousands of crores of rupees.

RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said earlier in the day that the crisis at one of Indias largest private lenders would be resolved within 30 days. This will be resolved very speedily and restructuring of the bank will happen, Sitharaman said Friday evening. She promised that salaries and jobs will be assured for at least a year.

Still, the moratorium, and the fact that Yes Banks credit and debit cards, and automated teller machines (ATMs) werent working on Friday caused some panic. Late on Friday, the bank said its ATMs are now functional.

On Thursday night, RBI also superseded the board of the bank. That will now be reconstituted.

Theres already been some political signalling over the crisis. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter: No Yes Bank. [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi and his ideas have destroyed Indias economy.

Finance minister Sitharaman sought to link the Yes Bank crisis to alleged crony capitalism under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliances rule between 2004 and 2014 saying, in comments to reporters outside Parliament, that this was bound to happen if Chacha-Bhatija (uncles and nephews) were being given loans.

Later, at her press conference on Friday evening, she said:  The Indian banking system has had several crises, thanks to the UPA government . I have reasons to put the blame on that regime.

Still, in many ways, the crisis at Yes Bank had been long foretold. The bank, especially under its promoter and former chairman Rana Kapoor, who was asked by RBI to relinquish his post in late 2018, lent money aggressively, and not always to the right companies.

Some of its loans went to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), Dewan Housing Finance, Jet Airways, Altico Finance, CG Power, Cox & Kings India, and Cafe Coffee Day, all companies that have been in the news over the past 18 months for the wrong reasons. And around a fourth of its loans have been to companies in real estate, engineering, and financial services  the worst hit by the ongoing economic slowdown.

At her press conference, Sitharaman named stressed corporations and listed companies belonging to the Anil Ambani Group, Essel Group, Dewan Housing, IL&FS and Vodafone as the reason for the banks troubles.

Among the other provisions of the draft restructuring scheme is the removal of powers of the promoters (Rana Kapoor and Madhu Kapur) to recommend appointments of independent directors and the chairman and CEO.

Around Rs 30,000 of its loan book is below investment grade (or junk grade) corporate debt. That number is higher than its net worth of around Rs 25,000 crore.

Its core capital is at 8.7% of risk-weighted assets, marginally higher than RBIs threshold of 8%, but its non-performing assets were at 7.4% of advances (of around Rs 300,000 crore). And it has around Rs 2.1 trillion of deposits which means the government will have a big hole to fill in case of a run on the bank.

Much of the crisis can be attributed to the banks inability to raise money, roughly $2-2.5 billion, that it needs. After Kapoors exit, and after he and his family sold all of their stake in the bank, the new management has held forth the promise of a white knight, but none has come forward.

RBI itself has known about the crisis for at least a year and has had a nominee on the board.

Government agencies will determine circumstances that led to the fall of the bank and fix individual responsibilities, Sitharaman said.

RBI will act with sense of urgency... I have asked RBI to assess what is the role of various people in creating the problems and not resolving them, she added.

The moratorium on withdrawals  RBI has said it will allow up to Rs 5 lakh in special cases, including for education, marriage, or medical reasons  has also spooked mutual funds (they have around Rs 3,300 crore of investments in Yes Bank bonds and shares).

On Friday, shares of Yes Bank closed at Rs 16.20, down 56%, after falling to as less as Rs 5.5.

Because of its linkages to the payment systems of several fin-tech companies, the crisis at Yes Bank partially disrupted operations at companies such as RazorPay and PhonePe, adding to the confusion in the financial system.

Analysts are worried that the near-collapse of a reasonably important bank (which has been on life-support for some time), could result in contagion across the broader financial system.

The bank was being monitored since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis, Sitharaman said.

The restructuring scheme of Yes Bank will be fully effective within the moratorium period of 30 days, she added.

Significantly, the only losers are those who have invested in the so-called AT1 capital (or additional tier 1 capital) of the bank which, according to the scheme will stand fully written down.
A second passenger in the Toyota, described by authorities as an 18-year-old woman who was riding in a rear seat, was quoted in the report as telling investigators that she and Crews told Owens to pull over when he first drove from the attempted traffic stop, but he refused because he did not have a license.
NEW HAVEN - The city confirmed a person here has been exposed to another individual who had coronavirus, or COVID-19.

New Haven is working to monitor the developments around the spread of COVID-19 and is sharing details related to an individual currently in New Haven who has been exposed to another individual who had COVID-19, according to a release Friday.

The individual in New Haven does not have any symptoms. The individual is part of the Bach Choir, a group currently visiting New Haven to participate with Yale musical groups in a five-city tour.

While the individual is showing no symptoms of the disease, given the individuals contact history, they have been asked to self-isolate in New Haven and are doing so, the release said. The City is in direct contact with the individual and with the State Department of Health and will continue to monitor the individual daily.

Gage Frank, a spokesman for the city, said the person who was exposed to the virus had traveled here from London and called the emergency health line the city set up. The request for that person to self-isolate was a precautionary measure, he said.

We just have to be ready for it, Frank said.

The five-city tour of English Musical Splendor, which was to feature the Yale Philharmonia and Yale Schola Cantorum with The Bach Choir, of London, has been canceled, Yale University said in a release.

The decision centered on the increase of cases of COVID-19 in New York City (where one of the performances was to have taken place) and elsewhere, and on the fact of exposure in London to the virus by a member of the Bach Choir. The choir member, who is self-isolating in New Haven, does not have any flu-like symptoms, nor have any such symptoms been reported by any other members of the choir, which arrived in New Haven on March 4, the release said.

I am of course disappointed that this tour must be canceled, Robert Blocker, dean of the Yale School of Music, who was to have performed as a piano soloist on the tour, said in the Yale release. But we have a responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of our students and guests and the public. It is my great hope that we can find a way to perform together in the future.

The City has been notified that a Bach choir member was exposed to someone with COVID-19 in London. The person is not symptomatic of the virus, and is self-isolating as a precautionary measure. Due to privacy concerns, the City is not releasing the details of this person of interest, but we assure the public that we will let them know should anything change, Mayor Justin Elicker said in the city release.

We are in communication with the individual and our local partners, Health Director Maritza Bond said in the release.

As of right now they are asymptomatic of the virus, and should the situation change, we will let the public know, Bond said. If you or someone has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, or you have traveled to a country of interest, please call the Health Department Emergency Line at (203) 946-4949.

Rick Fontana, New Haven director of emergency operations, said the city prepared a response during a tabletop exercise last month.

In terms of actual response, though, Fontana said theres not a whole lot were doing because there havent been any diagnosed cases in the state.

I think everybody collectively is staying as much on top of it as we can, but as you know things change pretty often, he said. If people follow those steps the mayor has recommended, those steps are giving people the best chance of not contracting any illness.

Should someone in the Elm City begin to show symptoms, Fontana said, there is a procedure in place to provide transportation and medical care, which is the role of emergency operations. The public health response is handled by Bond and the citys health department.

Earlier Friday, Elicker delivered a resounding message to city residents at a press conference: if you develop flu-like symptoms and have been in contact with someone known to have COVID-19, stay home and call the city. New Haven officials will work with you.

Such individuals should contact their health providers and the New Haven Health Department, as should anyone who has recently traveled to countries where the virus is widespread, like Italy or South Korea, the mayor said.

Although there are currently no confirmed cases in New Haven, the mayor said his team fully expect[s] that there will be - not only because COVID-19 is spreading across the country, but because the city has a fluid population, with many college students who are set to travel for spring break this month.

The citys team is in constant communication with agencies at the state and federal level, to monitor the situation and ensure preparedness, Elicker said.

Local health departments also are sharing resources and information with one another, according to Bond.

The mayor spoke of various steps residents can take to prepare for the virus.

First, he emphasized that residents should focus on personal hygiene, taking precautions to reduce their risk of exposure, such as frequent hand-washing.

One thing that were encouraging other people to do is to stop shaking hands and hugging people for the time being, he said.

The mayor also urged city residents to prepare to stay home for an extended period of time by stocking up on food and medical supplies.

Similar to what people do to prepare for storms, the measure is precautionary, Bond said after the press conference, adding that it is meant to ensure people with symptoms can self-isolate if needed.

When asked what people who struggle to put food on the table today and may not be able to stock up should do, the mayor said the city is constantly communicating with various organizations to fill gaps in resources.

For example, he pointed to the reality that many children rely on subsidized meals at schools.

If there is a situation where a student in our schools have COVID-19, we may end up choosing to close that school, Elicker said. His team is in discussions with non-profits such as United Way to ensure that students who rely on school meals will still get resources, he said.

New Haven is also publishing guides as to what certain communities, including daycares, long-term care facilities and the homeless population, need to know to prepare for a possible outbreak, according to Bond. She expected to release that information Friday, she said.

The city is actively meeting with agencies, including the Fire Department and American Medical Response, whose employees will be on the frontlines of any crisis, Bond said.

As an outbreak would impact first responders, the city is working to ensure they have the proper tools and information to stay safe, according to police chief Otoniel Reyes.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief John Alston had his own message for residents: The real mantra of the day is patience, not panic.

Reporters Brian Zahn and Meghan Friedmann contributed to this story.
KELOWNA, British Columbia, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two Hat Security supports legislation announced on Thursday aimed at preventing the spread of online child sexual abuse imagery that would take an important step towards removing legal protections for technology companies that fail to flag and report illegal content on their platforms. The announcement came alongside the creation of a separate, international initiative, pushing the technology industry to embrace a voluntary code to further combat this offensive material online.





Two Hat is at the forefront of supporting safety by design and working with communities to improve child protection through content moderation and site image filtration. This multinational approach to protecting children and families is a smart integrated approach.





We welcome this solution and feel as though it is a vital piece to the puzzle in preventing the spread of child sexual abuse material, said Chris Priebe, CEO and founder of Two Hat Security. This is an important step in fighting for a safe online experience for the most vulnerable web users around the world. The industry has a moral obligation of preventing the spread of such materials through content moderation and Two Hat is proud to stand alongside these countries in speaking out against child exploitation.





Two Hat has worked with the U.S. Congress (COPPA Act 2 legislation) and Canadian Government including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in regard to similar issues. The company is also actively advising the UK Government and Parliament on its Online Harms regulatory scheme and have met many times with the Australian E-Safety Office. Two Hat also has an understanding of the work of New Zealand officials in the wake of the Christchurch massacre.





The fight against online child sexual abuse imagery cannot be a solitary effort. Removing child abuse material from the internet and protecting kids is a responsibility that we all share, regardless of sector, and we hope that others follow suit, said Priebe.





For more information on Two Hat, please visit TwoHat.com.

###
Videos showing residents at the centre of China's coronavirus epidemic haranguing a top Chinese official have highlighted persistent anger at how authorities have handled the crisis.

The clips, which have been circulating online since Thursday, show occupants of an apartment block in the city of Wuhan yelling "it's all fake" from windows during an official neighbourhood inspection by Vice Premier Sun Chunlan.

According to Chinese media, the complaints were an outcry against the community's property management, who were allegedly only pretending to have volunteers deliver vegetables and meat to inhabitants of the towers in the lockdowned city.

Surprisingly, China's censors, usually quick to scrub any criticism of government officials, have allowed the homemade videos to remain on Weibo, the country's Twitter-like social media platform.

But the central government appears to be seizing on the videos to craft a narrative that Beijing is listening to the demands of its people and that local authorities are to blame for the mistakes.

State agency Xinhua reported late Thursday that Sun has asked for "in-depth investigations" to address problems raised by Wuhan residents, although there is no mention of the video.

The People's Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece, shared an edited version of one clip on Twitter, though it deleted the post on its English account while the Chinese version was still online.

With no end in sight to the quarantine, which began in the city of 11 million people on January 23, many residents are depending on online group-buying services to get food.

Supermarkets and neighbourhood committees have scrambled to fill orders as demand rocketed, but some residents have told AFP that not everyone has been happy with the price and quality of mass-purchased food.

Families have had to depend on themselves for resources, despite official reassurances that supplies were being channeled to the struggling city.

The nationalistic Global Times said Friday that the local government in Wuhan has been ordered to "investigate and solve the problem immediately".

It added that a central government guiding group for the epidemic urged local authorities to ensure there are supplies for residents soon after the incident.

Meanwhile, Wuhan has launched an investigation in the community of over 3,000 to understand their concerns, added the Global Times.

Observers said the edited video tweeted by People's Daily seemed to be downplaying discontent.

Carl Minzner, an expert on Chinese law at Fordham Law School, tweeted Friday that the clip suggested only one resident was shouting, instead of more heard in a longer version of the video circulating online.

He added that this suggests Party authorities were "sufficiently worried" about the original clip and suggestions of mass discontent in Wuhan that they came up with an alternative narrative.

China has been making rare exceptions to allow for criticism online in the epidemic, but mostly when directed at local officials, as the Communist Party attempts to shield itself from public rage.

In February, the death of whistleblowing doctor Li Wenliang, who had contracted the virus, had unleashed a wave of anger at how officials handled the crisis.

People on Weibo voiced support for Wuhan residents, with one saying "I hope this has an effect".

Another questioned why she could not find more information about the incident on social media despite official media reporting about it, wondering if it would make Weibo's "hot search" list.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The National Weather Service in Lubbock will host the 14th annual Severe Weather Awareness day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Science Spectrum.

The event will feature a Skywarn Spotter Training session at 1:30 p.m. and lots of severe weather activities. There will be hands-on activities for people of all ages, live weather demonstrations with tornado and lightning simulators, information about severe weather preparedness and door prizes, according to a news release from the NWS Lubbock office.
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On March 5, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ended the prolonged uncertainty on the future of private sector lender Yes Bank by imposing a month-long moratorium and restricting certain business transactions.

The central bank assured that these actions are being taken to protect the interests of depositors.

Despite the assurance, there has been some amount of panic visible among customers who, according to reports, had begun queuing up before ATMs to withdraw their money from March 5 itself.

The moot question is how will the crisis at Yes Bank and RBI action impact its corporate clients and employees now?

To catch all live updates on this developing story, click here....

It is too early to say. In the event of distress mergers, there is a possibility that the acquiring entity may seek to cut cost and look at trimming overlapping functions in the target bank. This may involve letting some employees go. But there is no need to panic at this stage as the call is yet to be taken by the acquirer.

Impact on its corporate customers

More clarity is required from the new management. But senior bankers said those companies, which have a line of credit from Yes Bank or have bank guarantees, may face difficulties. Bankers told Moneycontrol that corporate clients and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) should seek alternate options to avoid liquidity problems.

In a normal scenario, the bank has to honour its commitments on the guarantees that it has issued. Breaching this will permanently damage its reputation in the market. But in Yes Banks case, what will happen is a question, said a former senior banker.

RBI has capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account till April 3. This will impact certain category of customers, for example retirees, who may have deposited their entire life savings in the bank and are drawing monthly interest payments.

Regular banking transactions are likely to remain unaffected including fund transfer, cheque clearances and EMI debits. But all cash outgoes will be within the Rs 50,000 limit.

Will the withdrawal limit be raised?

In the case of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank, the initial withdrawal limit was Rs 1,000. This was gradually increased to Rs 1 lakh. In the case of Yes Bank too, RBI may relax restrictions after a while when more clarity emerges on the banks future.

Will the deposit insurance scheme come into play?

The deposit insurance scheme ensures that a customer receives up to Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation in the event of a total collapse of a bank. In Yes Banks case too, this provision will be triggered if all efforts to revive the bank fails. But bankers said it is highly unlikely that things will worsen to that stage.

What happens in the event of a merger with another bank?

This will be good news for Yes Bank's customers. Takeover by a bigger bank, like State Bank of India, will ensure that every penny of depositors money in Yes Bank is safe and normalcy is restored. The acquiring bank will take care of the commitments of the acquired entity.
Photo: Anthony DELANOIX/Unsplash

Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Boston. BU mourning death of unofficial mascot, Rhett, whose smile brought joy to many Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston. Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville coming to Boston Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston. Architect who helped transform Boston skyline dies at age 93 Read the full story on WCVB Channel 5 Boston. Where Boston housing prices have increased the most since 2014 Read the full story on Curbed Boston. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

Boston University is mourning the death of its unofficial mascot, Rhett, whose smiling face brought joy to many on the Commonwealth Avenue campus over the years, according to the schools student-run newspaper.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant is coming to Boston. The popular Mexican restaurant chain is planning to open a location somewhere in the city this summer.

Henry N. Cobb, whose career spanned seven decades, died Monday at his Manhattan home.
People line up to buy masks at a pharmacy in Jongno District, Seoul, Friday. /Yonhap



By Kim Se-jeong



On Friday morning, people outside a pharmacy in Mapo District, Seoul, had their identity cards ready as they waited in line to buy masks.



The use of identity cards for the purchase of masks is part of the government's new restrictions.



According to the government, on Fridays, only people who were born on a year ending in a zero or five can buy masks. Mondays are for those whose birth year ends with the number one or six; Tuesday for those with a two or seven; Wednesday for people with a three or eight; and Thursday with a four or nine. On weekends, anyone who did not purchase masks during the week may buy them.



The new system is the latest measure taken by the government in an attempt to ensure the fair distribution of limited masks. A skyrocketing number of COVID-19 cases and the resulting public alarm led to a shortage of masks nationally, and the government is now intervening in production and distribution.



People in cities can buy them at pharmacies, while those who live in Daegu, Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province and other small counties can also buy them at post offices and NongHyup Bank's Hanaro stores.



Even with the new restrictions, the masks at the pharmacy in Mapo didn't last very long. In less than 30 minutes, the masks ran out and the pharmacist had to turn people away.



Many are dissatisfied with the new requirement.



"It's nonsense that I need my ID card to buy masks," a lady in her 60s told Yonhap News Agency outside the pharmacy. "I wanted to buy some for my husband because he's at work, but they didn't allow me to do that. This is quite frustrating."



People with young children and sick family members were not happy with the ID requirement, either.



"This is a bad idea. Does it mean old people with knee problems have to stand in line for hours to buy masks?" one Naver user with the ID sksc**** said. The new government policy doesn't allow people to buy masks on behalf of others.



Starting from next Monday, people will only be allowed to purchase two masks per week. The pharmacies began registering purchases using ID cards, meaning they will be notified if someone attempts to buy more than two.



Meanwhile, the government has been cracking down on companies stockpiling masks, raiding ten mask producers and trading companies on Friday which had allegedly hoarded the in-demand item. With revised legislation in place, violators can be punished with up to five years in prison or a fine of 50 million won.



The government's intervention in the mask market is upsetting producers who argue they are losing money.



One mask producer announced Friday that the company would close down its production lines.



"The government reached out to us to buy what we had produced, but they offered an extremely low price and forced us to accept it. We had to hire another employee and run the machine for 24 hours a day without a break, but we produced the masks because of the crisis. We've lost motivation now. We're shutting it down," the owner said to a local media outlet.




A Delhi court Friday sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to seven-day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of IB official Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi

New Delhi: A Delhi court Friday sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to 7-day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi.

Duty Magistrate Rakesh Kumar passed the order after Hussain was produced before him by Delhi Police which said that his custodial interrogation was required to unearth larger conspiracy, Hussain's advocate Mukesh Kalia said.

Hussain was produced before the duty magistrate amid tight security late in the evening and neither the media nor any lawyer, other then those connected with the case, was allowed inside the courtroom.

Hussain was arrested on Thursday after a court here dismissed his plea seeking to surrender before it in connection with the case.

The court rejected his plea saying that the relief sought by him was outside its jurisdiction.

Hussain moved the surrender application before the court saying that he was willing to join the investigation and wanted to surrender in the case.

Advocate Kalia argued before the court that there was a grave apprehension of threat to his life and therefore he has not surrendered before competent court as there is "charged environment" in Karkardooma District court.

The lawyer said Hussain has been falsely implicated in the case and sought protection for his life and property.

As the court dismissed Hussain's plea, a Delhi Police team, which had already arrived, arrested him and took him into custody.

Hussain has been booked in the murder case of the IB staffer in northeast Delhi amid violence over the new citizenship law last week.

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had then suspended him for alleged involvement in the violence which has left at least 42 people dead and around 200 injured.

The family of Sharma (26), who was found dead in a drain near his home in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area, has accused Hussain of being behind the killing.

On the complaint of Sharma's father, the police registered an FIR against Hussain, who has rejected the charge. Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi four days ago after violence between anti-and-pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control.

Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel.

PTI UK SA 03061910 NNNN
A British woman believed to be in Fiji has been missing for more than a week.

Lydia OSullivan, 23, has been travelling for the past two years and had been living and working in Auckland, New Zealand.

She is believed to have recently travelled from New Zealand to Fiji.

Ms OSullivan, of Whitehaven, Cumbria normally messages her family daily. However, she has not been heard from or seen since February 28.

Cumbria Police said it is working with Lydias family plus authorities in a bid to find her.

It is urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact it immediately.

Ms OSullivan is described as around 5ft with blue eyes, long brown hair and a petite build.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 20:11:37|Editor: xuxin

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SEOUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said on Friday that the country will impose entry restriction on people from Japan in response to Japan's similar entry restrictions due to the COVID-19 spread.

Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young told local reporters at the foreign ministry's headquarters in Seoul that South Korea will suspend its visa-free entry program and annul the already-issued visa for Japanese people as of midnight on March 9, according to local media reports.

The visa-free entry program allows Japanese people to travel to South Korea for less than 90 days without visas.

Seoul will also impose special procedures, including the procedure of medical checkup, on all foreigners from Japan.

The country planned to raise its travel alert towards Japan by one notch to discourage people from traveling to the neighboring country, which will be effective from midnight on March 9.

The entry restriction came a day after Japan said people from South Korea will be quarantined for up to two weeks at designated facilities, halting the visa-free entry program for South Korean people.

The presidential Blue House of South Korea expressed strong regret over Japan's entry restriction earlier in the day, saying Japan's unreasonable actions, taken without first consulting with South Korea, were not understandable.

The Blue House statement said Japan lost its faith from the international community because of its ambiguous and passive quarantine efforts, while South Korea sternly controlled the COVID-19 outbreak through its scientific and transparent quarantine system that is highly evaluated by the rest of the world.

As of Friday afternoon, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have reached 6,593.
By Richa Naidu and Praveen Paramasivam

(Reuters) - Beyond Meat Inc <BYND.O> on Thursday missed quarterly earnings expectations due to higher costs, and said Executive Chairman Seth Goldman would give up his executive status, while remaining chair of the board, sending shares down 10% in after-hours trade.

The plant-based meat company said deals with retailers and restaurants substantially narrowed its loss and boosted sales. But Beyond Meat reported a 1 cent per share loss during the period, versus analyst expectations of a 1 cent profit, according to according to Refinitiv IBES data. Beyond Meat has never recorded a yearly profit due to spending on R&D, marketing and its fast-paced international expansion. In the most recent quarter, the company's restructuring and some administrative costs were higher.

The El Segundo, California-based company - whose Beyond Burgers and Sausages are driving a global craze for plant-based meat products - struck several high-profile deals last year with fast-food chains including McDonald's Corp <MCD.N> and Dunkin' Brands Group Inc <DNKN.O>. As consumers grow increasingly health-conscious and concerned about the environmental impact of industrial animal farming, the plant-based meat market is expected to expand to $140 billion.

The company's share price has risen four-fold since its IPO in May, but short sellers and many investors view the stock as overvalued following its massive surge, now trading at 232.8 times expected earnings.

"There were very high expectations for BYND going into this earnings release," CFRA Research analyst Arun Sundaram said. "However, we wouldnat be surprised if the stock bounced back a bit tomorrow once the market opens."

"Seth Goldman's step down as executive chair is a bit shocking to us. You don't typically see one of the early pioneers of the company shedding responsibilities during the very critical growth stage of company," Sundaram said. Goldman joined Beyond Meat as executive chair and as a member of the company's board in February 2013.

Story continues

Beyond Meat's products are sold by grocers including Walmart Inc <WMT.N> and Amazon.com Inc's <AMZN.O> Whole Foods. Its deals with restaurants include Starbucks Corp's <SBUX.N> recent announcement that it will soon sell a Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich across Canada.

But while Beyond Meat and its main rival Impossible Foods race to sign on major global restaurant chains, there have been some signs of issues including Canadian restaurant chain Tim Hortons dropping Beyond Meat's products from its menu, saying they were not "embraced" by customers during a trial. Last month, Burger King began cutting the price of its Impossible Burgers, adding them to its value menu.

Initial feedback on the Beyond Burger has been largely positive, based on checks with some Ontario-based McDonald's currently testing the plant-based burgers in Canada, Bernstein analyst Alexia Howard wrote last month in a note. Howard said, however, that it seemed the McDonald's trial had not yet been a blowout success that justified an immediate nationwide rollout across both Canada and the United States.

Net revenue grew to $98.5 million from $31.5 million a year ago, beating estimates of about $80 million, in the period ended Dec. 31. Beyond Meat said it expects net revenue of $490 million to $510 million this year, an increase of 64%-71% from 2019, about in line with expectations. Beyond Meat's net loss narrowed substantially to $0.5 million, or a loss of 1 cent per common share.

"We have a kind of cannibalistic approach to innovation where we're trying to take out our existing products and there's a lot of pride in doing that," Chief Executive Ethan Brown said in an interview on Thursday.

Boosted by rising sales the company's full-year loss has narrowed since 2017, even as it spends on a new facility in the Netherlands and is working to start production in Asia by the end of this year. In recent months, the coronavirus outbreak has slowed manufacturing in China. Beyond Meat said its goal remains to produce in the region by end of year, pending abatement of the coronavirus.

"We're looking, like everyone else, at when things are going to clear ... but it's not something we're wringing our hands about it here," Brown said.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu in Chicago; Additional reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru and Noel Randewich in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Matthew Lewis)
The national strike of university workers poses critical questions about the defence of education as a social right against its transformation into a market serving private financial interests.

These issues have been fought out in a series of strikes and protests over the past decade. The government, the employers and the University and College Union (UCU) have worked to limit these disputes to single issues, fundamentally undermining the fight that must be waged. Attacks on pensions, pay and conditions are the symptoms of a deep-going assault on the entire system of higher education and must be fought on that understanding.

Variable tuition fees, the removal of the cap on student numbers and the withdrawal of government funding for universities have created a lucrative market in higher education, ripe for private profiteering. In 2017-18, just 20 percent of the sectors 38.2 billion income came directly from the government, down 74 percent in real terms compared with 2011-12, leaving 80 percent in private hands.

The way was prepared by the last Labour government. Tuition fees were introduced in 1998 and variable fees, paid for through loans, in 2004. A system of fees and loans was chosen over a graduate tax because this would facilitate marketisation. In 2009, head of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Peter Mandelson published a report titled Higher Ambitions outlining a goal of entrepreneurial universities less reliant on central funding.

Mandelsons report set the stage for the Browne Review, begun under the Labour government in 2010, which introduced the fundamentals of the system in place today. Its programme was escalated by the Coalition and Conservative governments, through the significant reduction of government funding, the tripling of tuition fees to 9,000 a year in 2012, the scrapping of any cap on student numbers at individual universities in 2015, and the scrapping of maintenance grants in 2016.

In 2017, the Higher Education and Research Act established the framework for the wholesale marketisation and privatisation of the sector. The Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Fair Access were replaced with the Office for Students (OfS), whose mandate was to act as a market regulator and competition authority. It oversees the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) surveywhich rates universities Gold, Silver or Bronzedesigned to enforce market pressures. The OfS was also empowered to make grants, loans or other payments to the governing body of an eligible higher education provider and to grant degree-awarding powers to new education providers, opening the market to private institutions.

The result is a winners and losers system incentivising universities to engage in wasteful and corrosive competition for student numbers and private sources of income. Universities, which traditionally received public funding, have been thrown into the melee with purely private institutions as part of the level playing field established by the OfS. The body has no obligation to support universities in financial difficulties.

To compete for students, higher education institutions have increasingly turned to advertising and real estate spending, gaming the university admissions system, and private finance. This has greatly benefitted the corporate investors and education multinationals intimately involved in the formation of higher education policy for the last two decades.

In the 1990s, Labour worked with NatWest, Nationwide and Deutsche Bank to sell off student loans. David Willetts, then Conservative Minister for Universities, held 12 meetings with representatives of these interests before publishing the formative 2011 Higher Education White Paperall organised by Hawkpoint, a corporate finance adviser specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Companies represented at these meetings included Pearson, Kaplan, Duke Street, Sovereign Capital, Warburg Pincus and A4E.

Immense efforts have been made to meet the demands of these potential investors. Universities advertising costs have grown rapidly. In the year 2017-18, the University of Central Lancashire spent 3.4 million on marketing, The University of West England spent 3 million, Middlesex 2.6 million, Gloucestershire 1.9 million, East London 1.3 million and Anglia Ruskin 1.19 million.

These expenditures are driven to extreme limits by the more prestigious institutions lowering their entrance offers to attract more students, leading to overcrowding on their campuses and taking students away from other universities. The biggest spenders on advertising are those considered lower or mid-tier providers.

The same concerns underlie ballooning real estate spending. Universities in England were due to spend 14.6 billion on expanding and improving their estates in 2017-2020, after already investing 40 billion over the previous 15 years. Universities are looking to use state-of-the-art facilities to attract high-value international students, who pay fees of at least 12,000 per year for their degrees. Students from outside the UK now make up 20 percent of the student body and university accommodation is big business. In 2017, $16 billion were invested in student housing in the US, UK and Western Europe, quadruple the value a decade ago.

The cost of these competitive efforts is increasingly being met by private investors. Between 2013 and 2018, 4.4 billion worth of bonds were issued by British universities. Pricoa, a subsidy of US asset manager Prudential, lent UK universities 750 million in 2015-18 alone. The European Investment Bank lent 300 million in 2015-17. The sectors total borrowing stands at 12 billion, or 35 percent of annual income, up from 21.9 percent in 2010-11. Institutions are given credit scores by ratings agencies like Moodys and Standard and Poors.

The higher education sector is being moved into the orbit of global finance and subjected to its demands. The intended outcome is a destructive reformation of the sector. In a recent report by the Policy Exchange think tank, thought to be close to government thinking, one chair of a university council was quoted as saying:

Monasteries seemed inviolable before Henry VIII abolished them: even though there was some resistance, it was overcome. Universities are well interwoven into the social fabric, and less of a target than monasteries, but they remain dependent on public funding and broad-based political support.

The same document argues that due to all the funding and competitive pressures on the sector, higher education is a sitting duck [for the Conservative government] unless it takes more radical action to be more financially sustainable.

Large sections of higher education are set to be scrapped, with high-quality, rounded education made the preserve of an elite few and bare-necessity education to be delivered efficiently for the rest. A quarter of higher education institutions are now in deficit, with many more barely in surplus and several reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy.

Two determining pressures have been created in higher education: the need to compete for student funding and the need to meet the demands of private investors. These pressures have forced the destruction of the pay, conditions and pensions of staff, the sweating of university assetsfor example through exorbitant rent increases for student hallsand the degradation of educational standards and provision for students.

Pensions are considered serious liabilities by potential investors. Universities are pushing to devalue these commitments to respond more effectively to market pressures. In a 2017 policy document, Universities UK (UUK) declared:

It is evident that uniform pension solutions are no longer suitable for an increasingly divergent higher education sector. Institutions have different strategic priorities, with some wanting more flexibility in the reward package they are able to offer ...

The recent report of the Joint Expert Panel of UCU and UUK representatives advocated consideration of a tiered pension scheme, or a 50:50 scheme where members pay half the standard level of contributions for half the accrual. Under the current arrangements, UUK insist on raising members contributions. The same cost-cutting, market-oriented motivations are behind the attacks on pay and conditions.

This dire situation is explained in countless articles and known to every striking academic. Yet it finds no mention in the statements of the UCU, who continue to organise a series of limited and ineffectual disputes. They cannot oppose the immense financial interests involved, because their aim is to secure for themselves the right to negotiate constant concessions as a well-paid industrial police force for the employers and the government.

The Socialist Equality Party has explained that university staff are not only in a struggle against the employers, but against Boris Johnsons governmenta political fight that the UCU will not wage. Neither can any trust be placed in the Labour Party, which opposed any mobilisation of the working class under the supposedly left leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and has now embarked on a forced march to the right.

Education workers must establish rank-and-file committees, outside of the UCUs control, to unite workers and students based on the struggle for a new socialist political movement to defend high-quality, publicly funded education as a universal right. The Socialist Equality Party will lend every assistance possible to these efforts.
WTF?! Not everyone is a lover of modern smartphones, longing instead for the days when phones came with rotary dials. A space engineer who hates todays gadgets has taken a stand against texting by building a handset that combines old with new.

Justine Haupt, an astronomy instrumentation engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, has spent three years creating a working cell phone that uses a rotary dial. She was inspired to create the device because of her dislike of smartphones and texting.

I work in technology but I dont like the culture around smartphones, she said. I dont like the hyper-connected thing. I dont like the idea of being at someones beck and call every moment, and I dont need to have that level of access to the internet. Whenever I want to look something up, Im more than happy to do so when I am at my computer. Ive never texted, and building this phone was in part so that I would have a good excuse for not texting. Now I can hold up this phone and say, 'No, I cant text.'

Haupt started by securing a rotary dial from an old Trimline telephone, making sure it was small enough to fit on a pocket-sized phone. She then bought a cell phone radio development board from hardware company Adafruit to create a proof-of-concept.

The next step was to slim everything down and encase it in a 3D-printed case that included quick-dial buttons for calling her husband, David Van Popering, and her mother, Lorraine.

If I want to call my husband, I can call him by pushing a single button, says Haupt. I can call people more quickly on this phone than on my old phone. In rare cases when I want to call a new number, I do use the rotary dial and it is a fun, tactile experience.

The phone works with an AT&T prepaid SIM card, but thats not its only piece of modern technology. Haupt added an e-paper display so she can see messages and missed calls.

Its actual e-paper, the same material that you find on Kindles. Those kinds of displays are cool and are under-utilised in technology.

Measuring 4 inches in height, 3 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, the phones battery will last between 24 and 30 hours. Its proved so popular that Haupt is selling a $170 kit for people to build one themselves, though theyll have to source their own rotary dial. The creator did add that shes looking at making a more inclusive kit that will come with all the parts.

This wont be the first 'mobile' phone with a rotary dial. Some of the earliest models, such as the Canyon MK900 IMTS (below) and those in vehicles, used the dials. Weve come a long way.
NASA on Thursday declared the Mars 2020 rover would be named Perseverance.

NASA held a nationwide naming contest for the rover, set to launch between July 17 and Aug. 5 and then land on Mars Feb. 18, 2021. More than 28,000 students submitted essays that proposed a name. Nine finalists were open to an online poll before Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, made the final selection: Perseverance, suggested by Alexander Mather, a 7th grade student at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Va.

A recent Mars landing: NASAs InSight Lander touches down on Mars, the first landing on the Red Planet in six years

There has never been exploration, never been making history, without perseverance," Zurbuchen said Thursday during a livestreamed announcement. "Perseverance and Curiosity together is what exploration is all about.

Curiosity is the name of the rover that landed on Mars Aug. 5, 2012.

The Perseverance rover will help researchers better understand the geology of Mars by spending at least one Martian year (about 687 Earth days) on the planet. It will also search for signs of ancient life -- some rocks are known to preserve signs of life over time -- and collect samples that could be returned to Earth in the future, potentially 2031. President Donald Trump's proposed NASA budget for fiscal year 2021 would include funding to return these samples.

And in a recent interview, Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer said theres a good chance those samples would be returned to Houston, which is home to samples from other exploration missions including the moon.

The car-sized Perseverance rover is about 10 feet long (not including the arm), 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall. It weighs 2,260 pounds and will be used to demonstrate technology for future robotic and human exploration. Notable technology includes an autopilot for avoiding hazards, sensors for gathering data during the landing and an autonomous navigation system that will allow the rover to drive faster in challenging terrain.

More on the proposed budget: Trump proposes big boost in NASA funding to get back to the moon

Here is the text from Alexander Mather's winning essay:

"Curiosity. InSight. Spirit. Opportunity. If you think about it, all of these names of past Mars rovers are qualities we possess as humans. We are always curious, and seek opportunity. We have the spirit and insight to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. But, if rovers are to be the qualities of us as a race, we missed the most important thing. Perseverance. We as humans evolved as creatures who could learn to adapt to any situation, no matter how harsh. We are a species of explorers, and we will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere. We, not as a nation but as humans, will not give up. Even faced with bitter losses such as Opportunity and Vikram 2, the human race will always persevere into the future."

Mather said he went to space camp and fell in love with space upon seeing a model of the Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the moon.

11-year-old me saw that and lost his mind," Mather said Friday. "I immediately knew that space was something I was doing for the rest of my life.
James Wilburn, Jr. is a motivational speaker, consultant, accomplished musician, and co-founder of Wilburn and Associates, LLC, a consulting business that provides diversity training, intervention, and cultural awareness programs who is married to Dr. Roberta Wilburn, with whom he shares three children and two grandchildren. He has published his latest book My Journey through the Black Sacred Cosmos: an illuminating portrait of the Black experience in America from the twentieth-century through the present.

Growing up in the Jim Crow South, surviving three fires, degradation, discrimination, and marginalization while learning to thrive in a world that was not designed for African Americans could only happen due to ones journey through the Black Sacred Cosmos. My Journey Through the Black Sacred Cosmos is a memoir that chronicles the life of one individuals experiences from adolescence until adulthood. Jamess parents and schoolteachers taught him socially and academically how to take care of himself in a hostile world. Yet once he left home for college, he began to realize how difficult it would be to fit in a world outside of his Sacred Cosmos. In order to survive, he had to search out who he was as an African American. Many things were excluded from his educational experience concerning his history and cultural identity, and he was left questioning why he was hated so much for the color of his skin. This caused him to delve deep within himself, trying to understand what it really meant to be an African American, as well as the deeper, rarely discussed, issues of race and racism.

The education system is failing a large percentage of children because it refuses to change its one-size-fits-all curriculum. Teachers are certified to educate from a Eurocentric perspective instead of approaching children with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. Like James, many of African American children have experienced complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) which often hinders their ability to succeed in schools with teachers who focus solely on academic content without consideration of the overall needs of their students. Teachers, counselors, and administrators must be able to identify children with ACEs and understand how to adapt their teaching style to address the social-emotional learning needs of children starting with early childhood education and continuing throughout their academic career.

James was protected and educated in his Black Sacred Cosmos, and it was only after he learned to know and love himself that he could better understand and love others. Children today cannot wait as long as he did, because the world is much different now. It is hoped that this book clarifies some complex issues children often face by peering into the window of what James had to endure and the importance of how the unseen hands within the Black Sacred Cosmos guided him through life.

Published by Page Publishing, James Wilburn, Jr.s engrossing book is searing true story recalling the authors life in the Jim Crow South and the important role of his faith in helping him overcome persistent adversity.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase My Journey through the Black Sacred Cosmos at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues to focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Church of the Nativity shuttered in Bethlehem after coronavirus infections

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The Palestinian Authority announced Thursday that the Church of the Nativity, a site revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, as well as all other tourism and archaeological sites in the West Bank, have been closed after at least seven hotel workers in Bethlehem were infected with the coronavirus by a group of Greek tourists.

Hours after the announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also declared a 30-day state of emergency.

We have decided to declare a state of emergency in all Palestinian areas to confront the danger of the coronavirus and prevent it from spreading, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said, reading from a decree from the president, Reuters reported.

Shtayyeh said he was given full authority to oversee implementation of the PAs coronavirus response and that a decision was also made to close all schools, colleges, and kindergartens as well as cancel foreign tourist reservations.

According to The Times of Israel, the tourists who are from Greece were diagnosed with the virus on their return home. Israels Health Ministry said the tourists visited Israel and the West Bank between Feb. 19 and Feb. 27.

At least 40 people, including 14 American citizens, as well as about 25 Palestinian guests and employees, are currently quarantined at The Angel Hotel, in mostly Christian Beit Jala, The Jerusalem Post reported. The seven infected people are the first known cases of coronavirus in the Palestinian Authority.

The Americans left the hotel this morning, but the Palestinian Tourism Police brought them back because they could not secure [another lodging] place in the Bethlehem area, Maryana al-Arja, the manager of the hotel, noted in the report. The seven people who are infected or suspected of being infected are inside the hotel.

Arja said PA health officials were making arrangements to get medical care for the guests at the hotel.

The American [guests] are aware of the situation and are in contact with their country's embassy, Arja noted. Israeli authorities have asked that the Americans be quarantined for 14 days before being admitted to Israel. So far, no samples have been taken from the Americans. We call on health officials to inform us of their plan.

In a rare move, Israel and the PA have also decided to work together to respond to the new coronavirus, Haaretz reported, including to cooperate on epidemiologic investigations, particularly those involving tourists who visited both Israel and the PA-controlled West Bank.

On Friday, more than 100,000 cases of coronavirus infections as well as 3,408 resultant deaths were confirmed globally as countries struggle to keep the epidemic in check, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The death toll in the U.S. jumped to 14, Friday from 233 cases in at least 18 states.

President Donald Trump on Friday morning signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to combat the virus.

Were doing well, but its an unforeseen problem, the president said as he signed the legislation in the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room, MSN News reported.

He also noted that he did not think Americans were too worried about the potential effects of the coronavirus.

"I don't think they're panicking," Trump said. "It'll go away."
One German and two Azerbaijani Shi'a scholars have contracted the deadly Covid-19, Baku announced on Thursday, March 5.

The two had entered Azerbaijan from Iran, where they were studying at a Shi'ite seminary.

Earlier, Baku had announced that two Azerbaijani and one Russian citizen who had returned from Iran also tested positive. Therefore, the number of persons with the novel coronavirus in Azerbaijan has increased to six cases.

Meanwhile, Baku declared that nearly 500 Iranian citizens who have entered Azerbaijan were in quarantine.

Since February 29, Azerbaijan has banned Iranian citizens from entering its territory.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, Azerbaijan banned trucks coming from Iran to cross its borders.

A day earlier, Iraq had also stopped its imports from its eastern neighbor, Iran.

Moreover, Tehran's embassy in Baku officially declared in a statement that it had suspended all celebrations related to the new Iranian year, beginning March 21.

Currently, Iranians in Azerbaijan are allowed to return home.

"Azerbaijan is ensuring the return of its citizens who are in Iran," the operational headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers said in a statement on Wednesday, adding, "In this regard, the appeals of Azerbaijani citizens received through the hotlines of the embassy in Tehran and the consulate general in Tabriz are registered."

The statement also said, "Azerbaijani citizens arriving from Iran are on quarantine for a period from 14 to 29 days."

in the meantime, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has suspended flights between Baku and Tehran, while Iran Air has also announced halting its flights into Heydar Aliyev Airport in Baku.
Some people whom Ukraine wants to exchange may have already died.

Ukraine is seeking the release of over 200 detainees, having sent their list to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for Donbas in Minsk, Belarus.

"The Ukrainian party in Minsk submitted a list of more than 200 surnames for the future mutual release of detained persons. This was reported by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Turkish TV channel TRT," the presidential press service said.

"In Minsk, we have submitted a list of more than 200 people. It is very important. We found out the names of these people, their whereabouts. We do not know when and from which regions we will return these people, but we definitely strive for that," the press service quoted Zelensky as saying.

According to him, some people whom Ukraine wants to exchange may have already died.

"Some of them were tortured, we do not know who is [alive] there. But, unfortunately, we know that we can only return the bodies of some of those people. There are people in the Minsk group working on all these issues," he said.

In addition, according to the president, the issue of Crimean Tatars' rights in occupied Crimea is under discussion with Russia.

Read alsoRFE/RL: Court in Russia-controlled Crimea sends Jehovah's Witness to prison for six years

All diplomatic means should be used to end the war and return people, he said.

"It is very important to speak about disengagement sites. I mean, last year we selected three humanitarian disengagement sites. There are three new sites we are discussing," he said.

Yet, Zelensky says, the issue of Crimea remains the most difficult one in the negotiations, but it is impossible to speak about the territorial integrity of Ukraine without it.

"When I took part in the Normandy meeting [on December 9, 2019], I raised this issue, but everyone talked about Donbas, about how to stop the war in Donbas. There was no Crimea in any agreement. Crimea is a strategic issue for us. We cannot speak about the territorial integrity of Ukraine without discussing the issue of Crimea," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, on March 1 met with deputy head of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Administration Dmitry Kozak in Minsk, Belarus, to discuss a swap of prisoners in the all-for-all format.

This was agreed by greed by the Normandy Four leaders (Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany) at their summit in Paris in December 2019.
Lucknow: The Lucknow police on Friday (March 6) placed hoardings of 53 people accused of vandalism and arson during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) violence in the city on December 19, 2019.

The district administration and Lucknow police started collecting photos of the 53 accused - 13 people from Trans Gomti, 24 from Hazratganj and 16 rioters from of Old Lucknow.

A total of 100 hoardings will be put up at all major crossings across the city.

The accused rioters have already been issued recovery notices for damaging public property worth Rs 1.55 crore. In case of failure to pay the recovery amount, the properties of the accused would be confiscated.
NEW YORK, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading luxury and experiential travel network Virtuoso has been closely monitoring the impact of coronavirus, collaborating and consulting with its travel agency members across the world as well as its preferred partners. Since COVID-19 first surfaced late last year in Wuhan, China, the virus has become a global epidemic and a disruption to the travel industry as well as the global economy. To date, people have tested positive for the virus in 84 countries , including the United States; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new Travel Health Notices to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea; and travel plans for many are in disarray.

For those who have a vacation booked in the coming days, weeks or months, it's valid to feel some trepidation. Fears of contracting the virus, or even being quarantined, are valid. Virtuoso agency owner Josh Bush agrees and says the biggest concern his clients express is not getting sick, it's getting stuck.

Ultimately, choosing to go forth with your travel plans is a personal call. But how do you sort through the information to make the right decision? These really are the moments when having a travel advisor is key. Seamless trip planning and travel perks aside, an advisor is a traveler's number-one advocate. Through years, if not decades, of personal relationships, advisors have access to real-time information and can arm their clients with the facts needed to make confident decisions, provide informed answers to any "What would you do?" concerns, and handle the logistics that sometimes can't be avoided, from last-minute flight changes to spring break contingency plans.

Virtuoso took the opportunity to consult with some of its 22,000 affiliated travel advisors worldwide, to get their insights into what travelers should know as they assess their options.

"Right now, we're letting travelers know we're here to support them in making the best decision for their family and giving them the facts to help make that decision," says Virtuoso agency owner Cristina Buaas.

Here's what Virtuoso advisors are doing: They are not panicking. They're staying positive, because this too shall pass. They're carrying on with their own travel plans  responsibly, of course, by heeding CDC warnings and being extra diligent about hygiene (wash those hands!). Most importantly, they are dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak by taking care of their clients. Here is what they want you to know:

Protect your travel investment as you would any other  by seeking professional advice.

"It's important to give my clients all of the facts about their trip, their destination, and the policies of their travel supplier," says Virtuoso agency executive Amanda Klimak. "I then help them make a decision about travel based on the facts. I also recommend they speak to their personal physician to discuss the risks based on their medical history. Then I let them know I'm here to help, no matter what they decide."

A travel advisor knows if or when airlines, hotels, cruise lines and tour operators have waived change and cancellation fees (many have): "The entire travel industry is in uncharted territory now due to coronavirus," says Virtuoso agency executive Mary Kleen. "As travel advisors, our current role is to listen to travelers' concerns and provide the most up-to-date options so they can make informed decisions at a minimal cost."

It's still OK to travel.

While advisors have seen an increase in postponed or cancelled trips to Italy and Asia, travel has not come to a screeching halt. Travelers are choosing closer-to-home locations, including the Caribbean, Costa Rica , and Mexico . "I do have some clients switching from Northern Italy to Spain, but other than that, if it's not on the Department of State list, they're going," says Virtuoso agency executive Tania Swasbrook.

"One couple exchanged a tour to Italy for a great one in New Orleans ," Wallace says. "My recommendations include a Natural Habitat Adventures polar-bear expedition in Churchill, Canada, this fall; the national parks; a healthy stay at Canyon Ranch , Miraval , or another wellness resort; a Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain combo trip; or somewhere in South America  the Galapagos Islands, Colombia and Peru are all fun places to explore with lots of outside time and low crowds."

Base decisions on timelines, not headlines.

Buaas recently suggested the wait-and-see approach for a traveler planning to take her children to Greece this summer. The situation is evolving rapidly  if you're traveling to Europe in June and your tour, cruise, or hotel has a 30-day cancellation policy, for example, you don't have to make a decision until May.

"Our advisors have spent 60 percent of their time in the past week fielding questions about COVID-19," says Bush. "Very few of those conversations result in cancelations, and that's because the situation is so fluid and not definite. We are advising travelers to wait and see, especially if there is little or no financial risk to do so."

Plan now, travel later.

"Traveling is meant to be fun and educational," says Virtuoso agency executive Ange Wallace. "If you're going to be worried and anxious about your trip, find something that you'll be comfortable with and enjoy. If that means you sit out travel in the short term, that's fine. But while you're waiting, look forward to the recovery, because it will come, and you'll need to be ready to jump on that trip you've been drooling over."

To avoid losing out on future travel opportunities, Wallace reminds her clients to start planning now. "Book 2021-2022 trips now, because everyone else is and you will have trouble finding space. Many travel companies have relaxed deposits, cancellation penalties and cancel for any reason waivers to encourage those willing to start thinking about the next window of opportunity."

Travel insurance is always a good idea.

While "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) travel insurance policies may partially cover trip cancellations and adjustments related to the novel coronavirus outbreak, there are some restrictions, and the policy has to be purchased within 21 days of making an initial trip deposit. (Ask your travel advisor to check with your travel insurance provider to confirm.) If you want to book a trip for later this summer, advisors recommend that CFAR policy. But for those who already have the trip on the books and are outside of the policy's 21-day window, it's not too late to at least add some travel insurance: "For those who are still planning on traveling, make sure you have travel insurance that will cover medical expenses should you become ill while traveling," Klimak advises.

Practice good travel hygiene.

Wash your hands! As soon as you get through security at the airport, make a beeline to the restroom to scrub, Swasbrook advises. Cash frequently changes hands, so she also recommends using credit cards that you can wipe down with a sanitizing cloth. While at it, wipe down airplane surfaces and wash your hands before and after using the restroom on the plane.

As a rule, Wallace recommends taking veranda accommodations on any cruise and requesting hotel rooms with a balcony or outside terrace so that you have access to fresh air.

Be prepared.

Buaas refers travelers to the CDC and U.S. Department of State websites for the latest information, and Klimak tells her travelers to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , which shares your contact information with the nearest U.S. embassy and sends travel alert notifications. The STEP app is worth downloading prior to traveling  and while you're at it, you can swipe that phone with an antibacterial wipe.

For more information or to find a Virtuoso travel advisor, go to www.Virtuoso.com/travel-advisors.

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the leading international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,100 travel agency locations with more than 22,000 elite travel advisors in over 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with more than 2,000 of the world's best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. (U.S.) $30 billion in annual travel sales make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Media Contacts:



Misty Belles Lauren Wintemberg Managing Director, Global Public Relations Account Director Virtuoso Alice Marshall Public Relations Phone: +1.202.553.8817 Phone: +1.212.861.4031 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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Turkey and Russia agreed to establish a secure corridor along a key east-west highway in Syria's Idlib and hold joint patrols on it as of March 15, the two sides said in a statement after talks in Moscow yesterday to ease tensions in the region.

In a joint statement read out by the Turkish and Russian foreign ministers, the two sides said the secure corridor would stretch 6 km (3.7 miles) to the north and 6 km to the south of the M4 highway.

They said their defence ministers would agree on the parameters of the corridor within seven days.

The joint patrols will begin along the M4 from the Trumba settlement just west of the strategic town of Saraqeb, and run to the Ain al Havr settlement, the statement said.

The agreement came about after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew to Moscow yesterday for talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Russian air strikes have propelled a push by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces to retake the last large rebel-held territory in the north-west.

That has sparked what the United Nations says may be the worst humanitarian crisis in a nine-year war that has driven millions from their homes and killed hundreds of thousands.

Turkey, which has the second-largest army in Nato, has funnelled troops and equipment into the region in recent weeks to resist the government advance and avoid a wave of refugees over its southern border.

The fighting has killed some 60 Turkish troops since early February and raised the prospect of a direct clash between Russia and Turkey, which operate on opposing sides of the front lines.

A Turkish security official said overnight clashes were "low in intensity for the first time in a while" ahead of the Moscow meeting, but Idlib residents reported heavy shelling by Turkish troops and air strikes by Russian and Syrian forces.

At least 16 civilians were killed when Russian air strikes hit a gathering of internally displaced people near the town of Maarat Misrin in Idlib, according to civil defence workers helping to clear the rubble and search for survivors.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency said the strikes hit civilians sheltering in a farm.

Two witnesses also reported seeing more Turkish military reinforcements deploying into Idlib.

The Turkish defence ministry said that in the last 24 hours its forces had destroyed four tanks, five rocket launchers and a dozen military vehicles in artillery and air strikes.

Turkey hosts some 3.6 million Syrian refugees and says it cannot handle more.

To extract more funding and support from Europe over Idlib, Ankara said it would not abide by a 2016 deal in which it stopped migrants crossing into the EU in return for billions of euro in aid.

Turkey wants Russia to "use its influence to ensure the attacks stop, a ceasefire is established and the Sochi agreement is re-established", another Turkish official said of the 2018 deal signed by Moscow and Ankara establishing a demilitarized zone on the edge of the Idlib region.

The official added that US counterparts on Wednesday pledged Washington's "unconditional" support for Turkish military and humanitarian activities in Idlib.
Muzaffarnagar, March 6 : Calling suspended AAP councillor, Tahir Hussain a "terrorist", BJP MLA Sangeet Som has said that people like Hussain "should be shot dead publicly".

"Aise log (Tahir Hussain) aatankwadi hai, aise logon ko chaurahe par khada karke goli maar deni chahiye (Tahir Hussain is a terrorist. He should be made to stand on a crossing and shot dead)," Som told reporters on Thursday.

Hussain, who has been made an accused in the murder of IB official, Ankit Sharma, during the riots in Delhi, was arrested on Thursday.

Som further said, "Whoever killed Ankit Sharma will get strong punishment. The government will also not take back CAA, no matter how much anyone opposes." Som, an MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Sardhana constituency, is accused of inciting mob with fiery speeches in the run up to Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013. The communal clashes had left at least 60 dead, and displaced thousands.

His lawyer Anil Jindal said, "Sangeet Som was booked under IT Act in 2013 at Khatauli police station. The court has now fixed April 15 as the next date of hearing in the matter."
An additional person has been tested for coronavirus in Bergen County, an official said Friday afternoon.

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, speaking at a press event, described the person as elderly and hospitalized.

"The person has been tested but we do not have the results of that test back, Tedesco said at a media briefing Friday afternoon.

The county executive further described the patient as a Bergen County resident in one of the six hospitals in Bergen County who has exhibited pneumonia-like symptoms. He declined to provide additional information, including what municipality the person was from and in which hospital the person is being treated.

Tedesco did not know when the test results would be back for this person.

Two of the three people whove tested positive in New Jersey for coronavirus, COVID-19, are in Bergen County, the most populous county in the state, with an estimated population of 948,406, according to Census Bureau statistics. Later Friday, officials in Camden County announced a third, positive test.

The states first case, a 32-year-old Fort Lee man, was hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center suffering from coronavirus symptoms. He later tested positive for presumptive COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus infection.

The Fort Lee man is a health care worker who lives and worked in New York, but maintains an apartment in Fort Lee, Mayor Mark Sokolich said. The man had traveled to Fort Lee alone on Sunday and had no contact with any other people while in town, the mayor said.

On Thursday, state officials announced a woman in her 30s, also a Bergen County resident, had tested positive for the illness while at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Shes since been released to her home, where she is self-quarantined and being monitored by the state Department of Health.

Both people visited the same unidentified walk-in urgent clinic in Bergen County, Tedesco said. He declined to identify the facility. He said the two people, now patients, did not cross paths at the facility. Although Tedesco did not say where the facility was, he said it was not in a residential neighborhood.

"It was a coincidence, said Tedesco.

The facility, which is open and operating, would likely not be identified, he said.

The female patient, in Englewood, is in isolation at her home, which means she cannot have contact with her housemates, Tedesco said.

While the Englewood woman was asymptomatic, showing no symptoms of the virus, the Fort Lee man had been coughing and had a fever, said Tedesco. As of Thursday night, the Fort Lee man was still in the hospital, he said.

Officials at the press event also announced that COVID-19 tool kits would be distributed to municipalities in the count.

In light of recent price gouging for disinfectant and sanitizing products throughout the country, the countys Director of Consumer Affairs Christina DAloia said that any residents who see a 10 percent or higher price increase on such products should report it immediately.

Despite the three cases statewide and a third person being tested in Bergen County, Tedesco assured that the risk to Bergen County was still manageable.

Its still very very low risk to the people that live here, he said.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon.
The Grace Farms Foundation recently convened a major symposium titled Partnerships to Combat Modern Slavery, that brought together 150 law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and survivors of the issue of human trafficking. The goal of the symposium was to train law enforcement personnel to identify the signs of human trafficking, and child exploitation, and work together to combat it. The daylong symposium was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Grace Farms in New Canaan, and was attended by representatives of the United States Attorneys Office in Connecticut, the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, the Department of Homeland Security, (HSI), the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, and the foundation.

This weeks symposium is a tremendous example of GFFs collaborative and interdisciplinary model to combat human trafficking, said Grace Farms Chief Accountability Officer and Justice Initiative Director Rod Khattabi. Our partnership approach ensures that government entities, law enforcement officials, and survivors of human trafficking and child exploitation will have their perspectives represented and their voices heard. This is critical to raising awareness of these crimes and working together to eradicate these injustices, he said.

This symposium highlights valuable information we each bring to the table to aid in the fight against human trafficking, said acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina of HSI Boston. HSI is proud to participate and share our global experience and wide-ranging resources with our law enforcement and NGO, (Non-Governmental Organizations), partners, he said.

In 1994, The U.S. Secret Service was mandated by Congress to lend its forensic resources to law enforcement agencies in support of cases involving missing and exploited children, stated the U.S. Secret Service. We are excited to participate in this symposium to illustrate our capabilities. Our unwavering commitment to reduce child exploitation comes from a relentless compassion to educate and protect our nations children.

Collaboration is particularly important in identifying human trafficking enterprises, and I sincerely thank Grace Farms for coordinating and hosting this important conference, said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham. Fortunately, Connecticut law enforcement agencies have a long history of working together to address threats to the publics safety and well-being. Connecticuts U.S. Attorneys Office will continue to work closely with our municipal, state, and federal counterparts, and numerous non-governmental organizations, to identify, investigate, and prosecute aggressively those who prey on the vulnerable victims of human trafficking, he said.

Its essential to include survivors with life experience for the work of anti-trafficking globally, said Shandra Woworuntu, founder and CEO of the human trafficking survivor empowerment program Mentari, and survivor adviser to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, (ODIHR), - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, (OSCE), who was also a keynote speaker at the symposium. Survivors give significant input and recommendations to establish trust between law enforcement and survivors, to build trauma-informed frameworks that are critical to the process of identifying those involved in human trafficking, and to help develop best practices to help survivors fulfill their needs.

Partnerships to Combat Modern Slavery focused on all aspects of combating modern slavery, from the investigative phase through prosecution of crimes and supporting survivors of these crimes. In the past three years, the Grace Farms Foundation has held more than 30 national and international trainings and symposiums with more than 2,000 officials in attendance.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A 12-member team from Telangana on Friday visited Kerala to study how the state contained the spread of novel coronavirus.

Interacting with the team, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said, "The team will be given a presentation at National Health Mission and they will visit Alappuzha district to know how the health facilities are set up by Kerala Health Department on the grassroots level."

"The team comprising doctors and senior health officials will visit the control room set up by the Health Department and also will attend daily review meetings. They will also visit an isolation ward in the hospital and interact with doctors and nurses, the minister said.

She added, All states are working together and the country as a whole is fighting the coronavirus. They are sharing our experience. All of India is standing together. Contact tracing and isolation is the most important part."

Dr Mahaboob Khan, part of the Telangana team said that the discussion with the health minister was fruitful.

"Kerala was the first state in India where a positive coronavirus case was reported. All three positive cases reported have been discharged after testing negative. So we wanted to study how Kerala was able to contain it and the health system in place here, he said.
On preSuper Tuesday Monday, the Democratic establishment came together with one voice, to the extent such a thing is possible, and to the extent that Beto ORourke is part of the Democratic establishment, to tell voters that Joe Biden will beat Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders might not. On Tuesday, a potentially race-swinging portion of those voters demonstrated how important this calculation was to them (and, for some reason, how much they still trust the Democratic establishment after Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and Al Gore). Youve probably heard the reasoning yourself: Getting Trump out is the top priority, and someone like Biden would get things back to normal.

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What does that mean? What is it about Trump, precisely, that makes it so important to get him out? And which of the harms he creates could a Biden administration reasonably be expected to address both immediately and in the future? Can Joe Biden make it 2008 again through policy, demeanor, science, or magic?

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Lets go through the things that bother Democrats about Trump in order of most to least likely to be restored to normalcy under a Biden administration.

Trump:

 Keeps trying to repeal Obamacare and has left the Paris Agreement and Iran deal. Biden would murder you without thinking twice for even looking askance at a printed copy of the Affordable Care Act. Obamacare is safe under the Joe administration, and he will do his damndest, Senate willing, to get things back to status quo with the climate accords and Iran detente process. Normalcy restoration rating: 10

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 Staffs the executive branch with zero-experience MAGA ding-dongs. If the Obama administration is a fair model, the people who work in Bidens Cabinet and in other top roles will likely have experience and expertise in the areas they cover. He will probably not hire a college student to help purge purportedly disloyal White House staff members, and if he does, it will be a child-genius college student who won the Intel Science Fair when she was 10 and graduated from high school when she was 12. That said, Biden is more closely allied than Obama was to favor-trading, corruption-adjacent politicians like Pennsylvanias Ed Rendell and New Yorks Andrew Cuomo. He will probably have some operators on staff who dont necessarily only have the publics best interests in mind. Normalcy restoration rating: 8

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 Enacts extreme and inhumane immigration policies. Biden was part of the administration that carried out large-scale deportations during Obamas first term, and before that he was even more hard-linenot too long ago, a video from 2006 made the rounds in which he brags about voting to put up a 700-mile border fence. That said, Bidens career shows him to be a guy who follows the beliefs of the median Democratic voter, and right now the median Democratic voter is against border fortifications and family separation, so Biden probably will be too. Normalcy restoration rating: 8, which is not necessarily something to be super proud of.

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 Is incapable of performing the symbolic, national morale parts of his job. This seems like the part of the presidency that Biden is most excited for: being inspiring and dignified during national disasters and foreign summits. As a former vice president, hes prepared for the grave photo-op faces and mastery of fork-related etiquette that the top job will require. However, he will likely occasionally confuse his wife for Angela Merkel, and his public tone during the 2020 cycle has tended toward confused/confusing agitation rather than gravitas. Normalcy restoration rating: 7

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 Is crude, racist, and sexist. Biden can, unfortunately, be expected to say things that are borderline racist and sexist as presidentalbeit not, as Trump does, with the intent of humiliating women and people of color. Good? Normalcy restoration rating: 6

 Has filled the judiciary branch with underqualified right-wingers. Biden cant get rid of the judges Trump has appointed. But his history of support for Senate blue slip norms and his participation in the unsuccessful effort to shame Republicans into confirming an Obama Supreme Court nominee by picking a moderate judge (Merrick Garland) suggest that he also likely wont attempt any kind of hardball brinksmanship to get his own judges through in the event that Republicans hold the Senate. Normalcy restoration rating: 5, and he may lose in 2024 because the Supreme Court rules that its unconstitutional for Democrats to vote.

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 Encourages the Republican Party to ignore any law it doesnt like. Same deal, here. Trump has taken the norm-violating cat out of the democracy-stewarding bag when it comes to ignoring subpoenas, issuing pardons to political allies who are unquestionably guilty of the crimes they were convicted of, diverting military funds to build a pointless wall in Texas, trying to rewrite the Census in a way that will cause Democrats to lose House seats and then lying about it, etc. Bidens repeatedly stated expectation that the GOP will have an epiphany after Trump leaves office provides little reason to hope that he is interested in using his potential mandate to pass structural reforms or to lead the kind of salted-earth attack against the Republican Partys electoral power that would motivate it to become less extreme. Normalcy restoration rating: 4

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 Lies all the time. Bidens 1988 presidential campaign crashed because it turned out a story hed been telling about how he came from a coal-mining family was plagiarized from a British politicianand that he (Biden) was not even from a coal-mining family himself. During this cycle hes told almost entirely fabricated anecdotes about war heroism in Afghanistan and getting arrested while trying to meet Nelson Mandela. President Joe Biden will make things upless often, and less destructively, but itll happen. Normalcy restoration rating: 3

 Abuses the tools of government to benefit himself personally. The president, through Attorney General William Barr and Rudy Giuliani, has leaned on the departments of Justice and State to go easy on his associates and to attack his political rivals. Nothing in Bidens career suggests that he would do anything like this; the irony of Trumps Ukraine allegations against him is that Bidens involvement in pushing out the Ukrainian prosecutor whod investigated the company that was paying his son Hunter (Burisma) is that it probably made Burisma more likely to face charges rather than less.

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However, the fact that one of Bidens top campaign advisers lobbied against the Obama administrations student-protection efforts on behalf of a for-profit college suggests that the people with whom he surrounds himself may be less than scrupulous about greasing the ol revolving door. (That adviser, Anita Dunn, reportedly later gave Harvey Weinstein advice about how to do damage control when the New York Times ran its expose about his history of sexual assault.) So does Bidens history with the Delaware credit card/banking company MBNA, which paid Hunter Biden for consulting during the early 2000s period in which his father repeatedly voted against predatory lending protections proposed by other Democrats.

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That said, its actually very common to see people who served in Democratic administrations seeking out post-government windfall jobs doing PR and networking for multinational corporations. So in a sense Biden actually will probably get things back to where they were before, in a way thats also bad. Normalcy restoration rating: N/A because the real crime is whats legal.

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 Has a nationalist, almost exclusively white base of hardcore supporters for whom the expression of symbolic cultural power is the top, even only, political priority. This is the really tough one. As fond as we are, here, of criticizing Democrats for their lack of ambition, there is no evidence that any other political approachbe it Bernie Sanders populism, Elizabeth Warrens FDR liberalism, or Pete Buttigiegs Obama-inspired inspiringnesswas going to result in anything other than another bitterly narrow Electoral College battle against Trump. The president has inspired dozens of younger imitators in his party, including at least one in his own family. They will be readycompletely ignorant of the actual details of governing, but fully trained in the nasty, contemptuous art of cultural warfareto take his place when he moves on to the big sharia-free zone in the sky. Maybe good-government reforms and large-scale public spending would undermine the economic anxiety and drain the swamp resentments that fuel MAGA ralliesbut is there anything any Democrat could do, in the near term, to neutralize the clearly substantial bloc of Trumpists who are in it for the racial fascism?

Damn, this post got depressing! Normalcy restoration rating: 1, with a skull emoji.

So  is that normal enough?

For more analysis of the Democratic raceand Joe Bidens big Super Tuesdaylisten to this weeks Political Gabfest.
Gurugram, March 6 : The coronavirus scare deepened here with another MNC employee being found positive for the disease, officials said on Friday.

Chief Medical Officer B.K. Rajora said that the patient, a 29-year-old man had returned from Thailand and Malaysia last month.

"After his return from Thailand, he rejoined the office located in Udyog Vihar on February 7 but was sent on leave. He stayed in the office for just two hours and returned home to Delhi's Uttam Nagar. We had quarantined him and taken his blood sample as soon as we learnt about his foreign journey. His report came in today from Pune and he was found Covid-19 positive," he said.

"After the report, we immediately alerted the Union Health Ministry and took him to the isolated ward in the AIIMS trauma centre in Delhi," Rajora added.

"As the victim met some of the colleges in his office, we have also identified them taken to isolated wards under close observation of expert doctors. They will be discharged only after their reports come," the CMO said.

"Our Delhi counterparts also taking care of victim's father, mother, wife and children. They are also under isolation and blood samples have been taken for lab test," Rajora added.

This is the second case of a coronavirus infected patient in Gurugram. Beside, 14 infected Italian tourists are also admitted in city's top hospital.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
When the rare leucistic moose appeared before his camera, photographer Anders Tedeholm captured the magic.

You may remember several years ago when a video of a rare white moose in Sweden made the rounds. It went completely viral, for obvious reasons  like, it was the most majestic thing ever caught on camera, for starters.

But now we have something equally majestic, just in still form: A shot of this magnificent member of the deer family, taken by photographer Anders Tedeholm. Seriously, who needs unicorns when this moose exists?

The story behind the white moose photo

We chatted with Anders by email and he told us a bit about the shot. Anders lives in a place called Hammaro, Sweden, which is around 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the enchanted forest that the moose calls home. He confirms that it is the same moose made famous by the video. Anders says that he has met him several times now.

When we asked how the photo came about, Anders told us,

I had heard that the moose had been seen close to a village in the area the day before, so I went there to try to get some photos of him. I was driving around on the small roads in the area, and suddenly he was standing there.



We dare say, an apparition! And we wouldn't want it any other way.

The photo is so fairytale perfect that we wondered if there were any Photoshop shenanigans at hand. Anders shared the original files with us to compare, and we can confirm that aside from minimal adjustments, this is the actual magic that happened.

For the record, it's not an "albino" moose

Despite the distinct lack of color, the moose's wan hue is not from albinism. Albinism is a genetic condition in which there is an absence of melanin, the stuff responsible for giving color to the skin, hair, eyes, et cetera. Our moose here  like many of the snowy peacocks and cream-colored giraffes of the world  has leucism, which is a mutation resulting in reduced pigment. A true albino moose would have pink or red eyes; animals with leucism have dark eyes.

How rare are white moose?

While this ivory creature may be magical and mystical, there are others of his ilk. Sightings of white moose have been reported in Norway, as well as Canada and Alaska. Goran Ericsson, a "professor of elk and moose" (dream job) for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences told National Geographic that while the condition is rare, its possible the prevalence of white moose is increasing.

Hunters have chosen to not kill any moose that are light, said Ericsson. Which means that they are essentially being protected, and thus, natural selection has the opportunity to make them more common. It is kind of like dog breeding, he said. They choose to select for traits that otherwise wouldnt have occurred.

A world with more white moose? Bring it on. And can we get some unicorns in there while we're at it?

Thank you to Anders for sharing this exquisite shot; you can see more of his magic at his website.
SOMERSET, Ky. - An FBI agent serving a federal arrest warrant in Kentucky was treated at a hospital Friday after being wounded in a shooting, authorities said.

Agents were attempting to arrest two county constables in Pulaski County when the shooting occurred, according to news reports. A suspect wounded in the shooting was in stable condition on Friday, and the agent had been released from the hospital, the FBI said.

The FBI has not identified the agents or the suspects, but an attorney, Robert Norfleet, told media outlets that his client, Constable Mike Wally Wallace, was arrested Friday morning. Constables are elected positions in Kentucky and are able to make arrests and serve warrants.

An indictment against Wallace and another man, Gary Baldock, was handed down by a federal grand jury in London on Feb. 27. It was unsealed by the court on Friday. The indictment said Wallace and Baldock conspired to injure, oppress, threaten and intimidate people in Pulaski County and deprived them of their constitutional right to be free from unreasonable search and seizures.

Wallace is the countys fifth district constable, according to his Facebook page, which features a photo of him in a constable uniform and has posts about drug arrests in the county.

The shooting is being investigated by the FBIs Inspection Division. Authorities will thoroughly review the shooting as expeditiously as possible, a statement said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As discrimination and hate crimes continue to make headlines across the region, and throughout the country as a whole, a new workshop developed by the Wagner College Holocaust Center is educating the boroughs youth on how to identify and combat hate within their communities.

On Friday, the Wagner College Holocaust Center, in conjunction with District Attorney Michael McMahons Office and Egbert Intermediate School (I.S. 2), hosted the first in a series of workshops titled Youth Stand Up to Hate: Anti-Semitism, Racism, Islamophobia.

We want a different image for Staten Island. We want you to help us create a Staten Island that has a reputation as a borough of empathy and kindness," said Dr. Lori Weintrob, director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center. We need your ideas about how that can happen. We dont want to be the forgotten borough anymore, and we certainly dont want to be a borough known for its intolerance. Instead, we want all of you to be part of this Youth Stand Up to Hate and become a model for the rest of the country.

McMahon addressed the students to explain the seriousness of hate crimes, noting that even though the number of incidents is down on Staten Island, its still a major issue.

When we talk about hate crimes, you have to understand, not only are they bad because they hurt other people and are a blemish on our society, but under the law, its also treated much more seriously, McMahon said. On Staten Island, unfortunately, over the past few years, weve had hate crimes occur because of somebodys color, their origin or their religion.

Even though hate crimes in New York City are up 41% last year to this year, because of the great work of people like Ms. Weintrob, your teachers, the Police Department, your families, hate crimes are actually down on Staten Island when we look at statistics. However, they are still occurring, he continued.

He went on to discuss the importance of rejecting bullying, which often leads to the development of hateful, discriminatory beliefs at a young age.

In our everyday lives here at I.S. 2, when we see certain things happen, when someone does something mean to another person, we may use a different word than hate crime, right? Its bullying, McMahon said.

Students participated in an interactive workshop on identity, discussing the ways in which people can be discriminated against based on religion, race, gender and sexual orientation. After discussing ways in which theyve seen or experienced discrimination, students from Wagner College led a discussion on how young people can stand up and be an ally, advocate and activist in addressing hate.

Multiple speakers, representing various groups within the community that face discrimination, shared their stories with the students to put a face to the ways in which Staten Islanders are affected by hate.

Fern Zagor, a second-generation Holocaust survivor, shared her parents story of living through the Holocaust, offering lessons to the students that she had learned on how to combat discrimination.

I learned a lot from my parents. Lessons that I try to pass down to my children, my grandchildren and hopefully to you all as well, Zagor said. From my dad, the resistance fighter, and my mom, the activist and scholar, be bold and willing to take action. My mom would say, Although there is evil, goodness will prevail. But we must fight for it'."

Dolores Morris, daughter of WWII veteran William Morris, discussed the book she wrote, The Soldier That Wagged Her Tail, detailing the discrimination her father faced as an African-American sergeant serving in the military.

I wrote this book not only to tell my dads story in the war, but to have you young people understand war, segregation, humanity and hope, Morris said.

Cesar Vargas, the first undocumented New York resident to become a lawyer, spoke about his journey immigrating from Mexico to the United States at 5 years old, and how, despite where we come from, we all represent the ideals of the United States.

Look at each other. We all come from different places, different backgrounds. But at the end of the day, you all represent I.S. 2, you all represent Staten Island and you all represent the beautiful colors of the American flag and this country. So dont let hate win, Vargas said.

Imam Tahir Kukaj, vice president of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, discussed the importance of celebrating our similarities instead of fighting over our differences.

We have the same source, the same creator, we are His best creation. Instead of looking at each other as something different, we have so much in common that we should cherish and be grateful for, he said.

Alexander Korkhov, of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, emphasized that all New Yorkers are protected by law from discrimination.

Each and every one of you can become an agent in fighting discrimination. How do you do it? You call us if you see something thats offensive or if you experience discrimination," Korkhov said.

The NYC Commission on Human Rights can be reached by calling 311. The Staten Island Community Service Center for the NYC Commission on Human Rights is located at 60 Bay St. and can be reached directly at 718-390-8506.
Call yourself a feminist? No, really, do you? And if you don't, why not? It's International Women's Day tomorrow, with the annual march for female rights in Belfast city centre, so it seems a good time to ask the question.

Personally, I have always referred to myself as a feminist, because I believe in gender equality and equality of opportunity. Simple as that.

I think that women should be free to do whatever they want to do, to be whoever they want to be, in exactly the same way as men, unconstrained by prejudice, bigotry or discrimination and regardless of what anyone else thinks. Honestly, who could disagree with that?

These days, only the real nuts, weirdos and assorted misogynistic losers on the margins of society think that women are lesser human beings than men.

Right now, feminism is having a big media moment. The MeToo movement against sexual harassment has blasted a trail through Hollywood and right around the world, smoking out leches and creeps who think it's okay to treat a woman like a piece of meat.

We have seen female celebrities falling over themselves to wave their feminist credentials in our faces.

Harvey Weinstein, the once all-powerful film titan whose grotesque actions were the starting point of MeToo, has been found guilty of rape and led away in handcuffs.

And yet there's this ongoing problem with the F-word.

A great many women, and vast numbers of men, are unwilling to describe themselves as feminist.

Last year, the BBC reported that fewer than one in five young women, in both the UK and the US, would choose to identify this way.

True, there's been a small rise in the overall number of British women who say they are feminists: a 2018 YouGov poll found that 34% of women in the UK said yes, compared with 27% in 2013. But that still leaves two thirds of the female population giving the cause a definite thumbs down.

Why? Well, for a start, there remains a deeply engrained cultural perception that to be a proper, card-carrying feminist you must sport extremely hairy legs, reject make-up and despise men.

None of these are necessary requirements, of course, but old stereotypes are difficult to dispel.

While we're on the subject of appearance, however, it certainly remains the case that women - particularly those in politics, the media or the public domain - are judged far more harshly for the way that they look compared to their male counterparts.

Seriously, how many female TV presenters have you seen who are fat, have wonky teeth, or are over 60? Barely any, right? Yet there are plenty of male presenters that fall into those categories.

I'm not saying that those men should be condemned for their looks. I'm simply saying that there remains an insidious double standard at work, in which women are expected to be decorative and men aren't.

You can't blame the patriarchy for everything, though. If mainstream feminism wants to recruit more people to the cause, I think it should take a good, hard look at itself in the mirror.

It seems to me that feminism has become obsessed with victimhood, focusing too often on what women can't do, as opposed to what they can.

Girls and women are seen as passive victims, crushed by male oppression, as though victimhood is somehow an important status in itself. This strips them of agency.

Aren't we supposed to be empowering young women, firing them up with confidence, drive and ambition, not treating them like delicate, easily wounded children, in need of constant protection by the state from the predations of evil men?

You may not like being wolf-whistled, for instance, though some women do, but it needn't destroy your life.

Feminism has become far too pinch-lipped and puritanical, like a religion, with too many rules about what women should think, say and do. Dissent is not tolerated.

For example, when the French actor Catherine Deneuve and Margaret Atwood, the author of The Handmaid's Tale, both dared to express concerns about the more hardline aspects of the MeToo campaign, they were immediately branded traitors and mentally deranged rape enablers who were suffering from "interiorised misogyny".Not very sisterly.

I believe that International Women's Day remains an important focus point for women's rights.

Domestic abuse, which is at horrifically high levels in Northern Ireland, the gender pay gap, reproductive rights: these are all issues of deep, ongoing concern. There are many battles left to fight.

But if we want more women to call themselves feminists, we have to listen first to why they hate the word.
It is just the start of the month and YES Bank customers are up for a crude shock. From electricity, water, phone and credit call bills to EMIs, insurance premiums and SIPs, it's time to make all monthly payments, but their money is stuck. On one hand, online banking is down, on the other, there are long queues at bank branches. Moreover, you cannot withdraw more than Rs 50,000 until April 3. This includes your ECS mandates such as SIPs and EMIs. While you will have to make alternative arrangements for the short-term, you must know your money in the YES Bank account is safe. We have answered some key questions that must be troubling you:

Will you lose your deposits?

Unlikely. Although comparisons have been drawn with the PMC Bank where depositors' fate is still hanging in balance, you must know your deposits are insured under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). DICGC does honour the payments. In FY19 alone until September 30, 2019, DICGC has either settled claims or given in-principal approval for payment of deposit insurance to the depositors in case of nine co-operative banks.

As for YES Bank, it is being a scheduled commercial bank, the government and the regulator RBI are unlikely to let it go bust.

"Unlike cooperative banks, where there is dual regulation, in case of scheduled commercial banks, RBI is the sole regulator. Going by past acquisitions (Oriental Bank of Commerce's acquisition of Global Trust Bank, IDBI's acquisition of United Western Bank, ICICI Bank's acquisition of Bank of Rajasthan and Sangli Bank), depositors didn't lose money in any of those acquisitions and eventually the acquiring bank honoured all the commitments," says foreign brokerage Macquarie in a note.

ALSO READ:Why did Yes Bank collapse? Here are 6 main reasons

What Rs 50,000 limit means?

YES Bank is under moratorium for thirty days until April 3 during which you can not withdraw more than Rs 50,000. The limit includes all transactions, be it withdrawal from your savings account, fixed deposits or ECS mandates for loans and SIPs. So, if you make SIP payments of Rs 10,000 now on, you will only left with Rs 40,000 to withdraw. Please note any payments towards bills received for collection on or before 5 March 2020 won't be included in this limit.

"The regulator is acting in the best interest of retail customers and to protect all deposits. The withdrawal norms are likely to be relaxed in the future, as we've seen in past episodes of this kind," says BankBazaar CEO Adhil Shetty.

Servers down; how to withdraw money?

Most YES Bank customers have not been able to withdraw money from its own or third party ATMs, nor are they able to transfer the money online, given the website and the smartphone application have gone kaput.

"Currently, YES Bank customers can do little other than withdrawing Rs 50,000 till the RBI comes out with fresh announcements regarding the moratorium. They have to visit YES Bank branches to make withdrawals from the cash counters," says Naveen Kukreja - CEO and Co-founder, Paisabazaar.com.

ALSO READ:Yes Bank LIVE Updates: RBI, SBI, govt breathe life into dying lender

How to get your EMIs funded?

For shifting your loan payments, you may simply reach out to your lender for the relevant forms to initiate a new ECS mandate and get it approved by the bank you wish to shift to because in case you fail to make payment, it will impact your credit score and onus will lay on you to get it fixed.

"Missed EMIs and credit card payments will certainly hurt your credit score and it's to be seen if lenders will provide any leeway to customers who hold accounts with YES Bank. A single late payment has the potential to reduce your credit score by more than a hundred points. It will only be fixed through several months of timely repayments. Credit bureaus are unlikely to entertain disputes raised by late payers linked to YES Bank. The onus is on customers to ensure timely repayments," says Shetty of BankBazaar.com.

What about SIPs and insurance premiums?

Asset management firms such as Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company and Edelweiss Mutual Fund have already announced that redemption payouts will not be made to YES Bank accounts from Friday onwards. Now you must cancel existing mandates with YES Bank at the earliest and initiate new ones with your other bank. "SIP payments are best managed online. You can at any point change the bank account from which your SIP payments happen," says Shetty.

ALSO READ:Yes Bank customers unable to withdraw cash at ATMs or make online transfer

What lies ahead?

In an attempt to bail out the bank, the government has granted approval to a consortium led by State Bank of India to buy stake in the YES bank.

"SBI is a great bank brand and we look forward to hearing how we can get YES Bank to full operating levels across assets and liabilities," says Shetty.

Experts believe there could be a merger of the bank with the SBI. "If SBI indeed takes over YES Bank, it will be a win-win situation for all YES Bank stakeholders, including depositors. They will be treated as SBI customers thereon."

All eyes are on the RBI for further notification on the issue. On Friday, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said that the central bank will take a swift action to put in place a scheme to revive YES Bank.

What lesson do you learn?

As the saying goes, 'don't put all your eggs in the same basket', it is better to maintain two bank accounts in the current digital age for if there is an technical or operational issue with one account, you may resort to another.

ALSO READ:YES Bank said 'Yes' to all bad boys of Indian banking
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  Controlled fires will be set this month in the Huron-Manistee National Forest to help reduce wildfire risks and to help native species.

The U.S. Forest Service will provide alerts of specific fires on the U.S. Forest Service Huron-Manistee NFs Facebook page. Some roads and trails may be temporarily closed as a result.

The prescribed fires will be set in areas of Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Lake, Mason, Wexford, Manistee, Alcona, Crawford and Wexford counties, according to a notice released by the U.S. Forest Service.

Prescribed fires reduce hazardous fuels that increase the danger of wildfires and allow fire to play its natural part of many ecosystems on the Huron-Manistee National Forests, East Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer John Norton-Jensen said in a prepared statement. Species such as white-tailed deer, turkey, butterflies, songbirds, grouse and turtles use burned areas for food, cover and a place to raise their young.

The Forest Service advises that smoke may be seen and smelled many miles away and for several days during and after a controlled burn. Logs and stumps could burn for a few days after the burn is done, and firefighters will continue monitoring fires until they are extinguished.

Project locations are selected based upon a variety of parameters, including wind speed and direction, relative humidity and temperature, fire danger and seasonal restrictions, and potential smoke impacts in order to best reach the identified resource objectives specific for the project area, Norton-Jensen said.

Among the benefits of controlled burns cited by the Forest Service are encouragement of certain plant growth and discouragement of others, increasing the rate of solar warming of soil, exposing mineral soils for better seed germination and increasing biological diversity.

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History

Pathfinders: A History of Aboriginal Trackers in NSW

Michael Bennett

NewSouth Publishing, $34.99

Sometimes the smallest details reveal the biggest crimes. When some Aboriginal trackers and their captain were investigating the disappearance of a convict ticket-of-leave holder near Maitland in December 1845, one of the trackers discerned an ant labouring under the weight of a large maggot. This, the tracker knew, indicated that putrid flesh was nearby. Not far off a busy ant colony by a stump hole revealed the burial site of the missing man.

Tracker Alec Riley. Credit:Macquarie Regional Library

Cases like this, detailed by Michael Bennett, offer fascinating insights into the lives of trackers in New South Wales during more than a century of their employment in policing.

It is no coincidence that Bennett, whose book Pathfinders is the first to recognise the skills, dedication, courage, and service of Aboriginal trackers across New South Wales, developed an avid interest in the topic. Growing up in Dubbo, Bennett learned about the exploits of Tracker Alec Riley, a modest man whom the author describes as the most revered tracker in NSW. Following Tracker Rileys death in 1970, mounted police officers accompanied his funeral procession down Dubbos main street. It was a rare public honour for an Aboriginal man.
All government and private hospitals in southwest Delhi have been directed to reserve 10 per cent beds for coronavirus patients, according to an official order issued on Friday.

Southwest Delhi District Magistrate Rahul Singh on Friday issued the order, asking all government and private hospitals to create such facility for COVID-19 patients.

"As you are aware that there is an emergency situation of COVID-19 in Delhi. Therefore, all government and private hospitals need to create the facility of isolation beds for COVID-19 patients, that is 10 per cent of the total bed capacity of all government and private hospitals under SWD," the order stated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2020) - West Kirkland Mining Inc. (TSXV: WKM) ("West Kirkland" or "Company") announces that the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") has accepted the Hasbrouck Gold Project's Mine Plan of Operations ("MPO") and will commence the analysis of the MPO under an Environmental Assessment ("EA"). Public comments on the MPO and the BLM's analysis must be sought before the BLM will make a final decision in accordance with Code of Federal Regulation ("CFR") Title 43 3809.411(d).

This decision follows a 28-month process involving multiple BLM specialists who analysed the MPO. Construction level drawings, plans, and schedules have been developed for the project as part of the permitting process.

The Company's flagship Hasbrouck Gold Project consists of the 75% owned Hasbrouck and Three Hills properties. The first phase of the Hasbrouck Gold Project is the Three Hills Mine which received a federal permit in November 2015. The BLM's decision to analyse the MPO for the second phase Hasbrouck Mine under an EA rather than under the lengthier and more expensive Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") allows West Kirkland to expect that a federal permit for the Hasbrouck Mine may be issued in Q2 2020.

The Company is pleased to receive the BLMs decision to commence the analysis of the Hasbrouck Mine pit and facilities under an EA and anticipates having federal permits for both the first and second phases of the Hasbrouck Gold Project in the near future. A federal (BLM) permit for the Phase 2 Hasbrouck Mine reduces project execution risk as a shovel-ready gold project in the US South-west. In an independent Pre-Feasibility Study completed for the Hasbrouck Gold Project in 2016, a sensitivity analysis at $1,500 gold resulted in an estimated after-tax IRR of 65% and a US$200M NPV(5) (see MDAs Technical Report dated September 14, 2016, filed at www.sedar.com).

Story continues

About the NEPA and EA Process

The BLM's analysis of the Hasbrouck Mine MPO is required under the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"). NEPA defines the procedural requirements for all federal governmental agencies to prepare environmental assessments in response to proposed major activities on federal lands. Part of Hasbrouck Mine is on federal lands administered by the BLM, therefore NEPA requires the BLM to analyse potential environmental consequences of the planned project and any reasonable alternatives. The BLM will analyse an MPO under either an Environmental Assessment ("EA") if it deems the project will not significantly impact the environment, or under an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") if it deems there could be a significant impact on the environment. Once the BLM has completed its analysis under an EA, it is required to publish the MPO and analysis for 30 days and respond to any comments received.

In addition to the NEPA analysis, a Reclamation Cost Estimate ("RCE") must be submitted and approved by the BLM and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection before final approval of the MPO can be made. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Mining and Reclamation ("NDEP-BMRR") is required to review the MPO to ensure compliance with NDEP-BMRR requirements.

Various state permits and a federal eagle take permit are also required for construction and operation at Phase 2 of the Hasbrouck Gold Project. These permits will conform to the federally permitted project and are planned to be acquired during the 3 years of initial construction and mining at Phase 1 Three Hills Mine of the Hasbrouck gold project.

About the Hasbrouck Gold Project

The Hasbrouck Gold Project contains Proven & Probable Reserves of 784,000 gold equivalent oz (45,270,000 tons at 0.017 Au oz/t for 762,000 contained Au oz; 0.233 Ag oz/t for 10,569,000 contained Ag ounces) (Technical Report and Updated Preliminary Feasibility Study for The Hasbrouck and Three Hills Gold-Silver Project, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA, Report Date: September 14, 2016 prepared by Thomas L. Dyer, P.E. and Paul Tietz, C.P.G. of Mine Development Associates (MDA)).

Waterton Precious Metals Fund II Cayman, LP holds a 25% interest in the Hasbrouck Gold Project and is participating (pro rata) in project expenditures.

About West Kirkland Mining Inc.

West Kirkland is focused on advancing the Hasbrouck Gold Project in Tonopah, Nevada. The Company owns a 75% interest in, and a 1.1% net smelter return royalty over, the Hasbrouck Gold Project and is working towards completing full permitting for the projects gold reserves while keeping corporate G&A costs lean and efficient.

On behalf of West Kirkland Mining Inc.

"R. Michael Jones"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please see the Company's website at www.wkmining.com or contact us by email at info@wkmining.com.

Investor Relations:

Sandy McVey, P.Eng, PMP

(778) 388 2464 / smcvey@wkmining.com

Authors and Qualified Persons Statement

Sandy McVey, P.Eng, Chief Operating Officer for West Kirkland, and a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release and has verified the relevant data. Quality Control and Assay information is as previously disclosed in the Company's technical reports.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, discussion of permitting status and the timing thereof and other statements that are not historical facts. Information about details contained in the Pre-Feasibility Study are also forward-looking statements in that they reflect a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered, and the results of mining it, if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although West Kirkland believes that such information as set out in this press release is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and estimates will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the market for gold or other minerals that may be produced generally, significant increases in any of the machinery, equipment or supplies required to develop and operate a mine, a significant change in the availability or cost of the labor force required to operate a mine, a significant increases in the cost of transportation for the Company's products, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding the Use of Mining Terms

This press release has been prepared in accordance with the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resources and reserve estimates reported by the Company in relation to the 2016 Updated Pre-Feasibility Study have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Industry Guide 7, and resource or reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, "resources" and "reserves" established under NI 43-101 standards may not qualify as "resources" and "reserves" under U.S. standards. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. In addition, under U.S. standards, a "Final" or "Bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth in this press release may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53162
Warning: The above video may disturb viewers.

The New York Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying those involved in an attack on a 15-year-old girl on Thursday afternoon in Brooklyn.

Police say the group chased the girl, attacked her and stole her sneakers, phone and debit card.

The girl was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. News12.com reported that investigators said she had major bruising and swelling to her face.

"OUTRAGE," police said on social media, adding, "this is sickening video of a 15 year old girl viciously attacked by a group of school children."

Police said the community can't allow this kind of behavior to happen.



"This little girl couldve lost her life," salon worker Carlita Gorden told WCBS-TV. "Its really sad."
A 18-year-old who killed his mother during an argument last year was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday, after his attorney spoke of the teens good character and his father begged the judge for leniency.

You still have a life. Your mother does not. Its up to you to make the most of it, Judge Wendel E. Daniels told Edgar Diaz, of Manchester Township, during sentencing in Superior Court in Ocean County.

Diaz, who pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in January, was 17 when he slashed his mother with a homemade knife and then smashed her head into the pavement as she tried to escape him, authorities said.

Assistant Prosecutor Madeline Buczynski asked the judge for a 20-year sentence, noting that Edgar Diaz admitted he lost it on the day he killed his mother over a simple argument.

He felt his mother, Margarita Diaz, was overprotective and overly strict, Buczynski said. They argued at their home on Aug. 7, 2019 because he was talking to a stranger on the internet, she said, and the dispute continued in the car as his mother drove him and his little brother to the Deer Chase Professional Park in Toms River, where his father was working.

He attacked her when they were parked in the parking lot, Buczynski said.

The defendant in response to this conversation pulls out a crude homemade knife with two prongs, wrapped with duct tape or black tape, and proceeds to slash his mothers face, the assistant prosecutor said.

Margarita Diaz fled the car but her son followed her outside and slammed her head into the pavement so hard that he compressed her brain column, causing her death, Buczynski said.

After the crime the defendant initially lied to police, telling them a strange man attacked his mother, Buczynski noted.

Edgar Diaz, who killed his mother in front of his younger brother last summer, wipes away a tear during his sentencing at the Ocean County Justice Complex March 6, 2020. March 6, 2020 Noah K. Murray | For NJ Advance MediaNoah K. Murray | For NJ Advance

Given a chance to speak in court, Edgar Diaz said he wanted to apologize to his family and the community for what happened. "When I come in here in court and hear about my charges, I wish I could just wake up from this nightmare, he said.

He pushed his black-rimmed glass up his nose with a shackled hand as he read from a letter to the judge, describing a recent dream in which his mother called him.

I told her, Mom, I love you so much I hope you know that. She said, I love you too.' Diaz said, his voice breaking as he fought back tears. I told her that Im sorry and asked her, Do you forgive me? She said, Yes.'

His attorney, Bill Smith, asked for a 10-year sentence. He said Edgar Diaz was a former student of the month at Manchester Township High School.

In letters to the judge, Smith said, family and friends described him as gentle, kind, loving, hardworking and not at all aggressive or violent.

His father tearfully told the judge that his other son keeps asking when his big brother will be home. Were just asking you to grant him a second chance at life, he said through an interpreter.

He wept when the judge announced the 18-year sentence. Before he will be eligible for parole, Edgar Diaz will have to serve 85%, or over 15 years, of the sentence.

Daniels noted that there is a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer that Diaz will be subject to when he completes his sentence.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Linkedin Apriza Pinandita and Riza Roidila Mufti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020

The government announced on Thursday new travel restrictions for people with a history of travel from coronavirus-hit regions of Iran, South Korea and Italy in the wake of a significant surge of COVID-19 cases globally.

The temporary ban, which will come into effect on Sunday, would prevent people who had visited certain regions in the three countries in the last 14 days from visiting or transiting in Indonesia, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said.

After reviewing a report from the World Health Organization, there has been an increase of cases outside China, especially in three countries: Iran, Italy and South Korea, Retno told journalists in her office on Thursday.

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The IT Compliance Experts James Waryck, CEO of Strategic Technology Solutions shared, Im very honored by this amazing accomplishment that our team has been awarded with and recognized for. It truly takes a team and we have worked effortlessly to create a business of value and integrity, making a difference in our industry

Strategic Technology Solutions Ranks No. 138th on the inaugural 2020 Inc. 5000 Series: California

With Two-Year Revenue Growth of 173% Percent

Inc. magazine revealed that Strategic Technology Solutions is No. 138 on its inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: California list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing California-based private companies. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the California economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses.

James Waryck, CEO of Strategic Technology Solutions shared, Im very honored by this amazing accomplishment that our team has been awarded with and recognized for. It truly takes a team and we have worked effortlessly to create a business of value and integrity, making a difference in our industry and the businesses that we support day in and day out.

The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in California. Between 2016 and 2018, these 250 private companies had an average growth rate of 422 percent and, in 2018 alone, they employed more than 49,000 people and added $5.6 billion to the California economy. Companies based in the largest metro areasLos Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diegobrought in the highest revenue overall.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Series: California, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/inc5000-series-california-2020 starting February 19, 2020.

The companies on this list demonstrate just how much the small-business sector impacts Californias economy, says Inc. editor in chief Scott Omelianuk. Across every single industry, these businesses have posted revenue and growth rates that are beyond impressive, further proving the tenacity of their founders and CEOs.

The Inc. 5000 Series: California Summit & Awards event to honor the companies on the list will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at The LINE Los Angeles (3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90010).

About Strategic Technology Solutions

Based in Los Angeles, California, Strategic Technology Solutions is the premier provider of trusted IT solutions for professional service firms throughout Southern California. Nationally ranked winner of Channel Futures prestigious 2019 MSP501 and backed by over 40 years of experience solving the IT challenges of professional service firms, Strategic Technology Solutions are the IT Compliance Experts. Through standardized discipline and operational excellence, they empower executives and organizations to get the job done more efficiently, keep pace with compliance requirements, manage risk and boost strategic growth more successfully than anyone else in the industry. For more information, visit http://www.stspartner.com

CONTACT: Sylvia Milu

M: 800-377-1648

E: smilu@stspartner.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regional Series

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 Regional Series is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
A Beijing-based company was ordered by the United States on March 6 to divest all interests from a Maryland-based company that China acquired back in September 2018.

President Donald Trump ordered Beijing Shiji Information Technology to divest all interests in StayNTouch, a hotel property management software company, over national security concerns. The Chinese Communist Party requires most of the companies in their country to share information with the partys intelligence sector.

In the order, Trump said there was credible evidence that led him to believe that Shiji might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States. The order prohibits the acquisition of StayNTouch or any of its assets. Shiji is an IT company that provides software to different industries.

The divestiture must be completed within 120 days, according to written conditions from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The order also states that Shiji and any of its other subsidiaries or affiliates must immediately refrain from accessing, hotel guest data through StayNTouch.

StayNTouch lists Shiji as their parent company on its website. StayNTouch states that they were was founded in 2013 by Jos Schaap. The company describes itself as a mobile hotel property management system (PMS) company focused on developing solutions that help hotels raise service levels, drive revenues, reduce costs, and ultimately change the way hotels can captivate their guests.

The website also states that the Shiji Group acquired StayNTouch in September of 2018, after an initial investment in the companys 2016 Series A fundraiser. StayNTouch did not respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times on the new order.

Trumps order comes at a time when U.S. officials and politicians from both parties are expressing concern over Chinas growing influence and lead in different technologies. There have been a number of recent hearings regarding Chinas influence in 5G networks and big tech companies.

Days ago, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), urged the UK Parliament to reconsider its decision to allow Chinas Huawei a role in British 5G telecommunications networks amid a slew of security concerns.

Nearly two dozen lawmakers called on the United Kingdom to work closely with the United States and to take steps to mitigate the risks posed by Huawei, including the fact that the regime in Beijing requires its companies to share its information with the Chinese Communist Partys intelligence sector.

Given the significant security, privacy, and economic threats posed by Huawei, we strongly urge the United Kingdom to revisit its recent decision, they wrote in the letter, addressed to the House of Commons, on March 3.

In January, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Huawei will supply up to 35 percent of the countrys 5G communications infrastructure.

U.S. lawmakers said in the letter that, while banning Huawei from core 5G infrastructure could address some security risks, it would be very challenging, if not impossible, to separate core equipment from that considered to be on the periphery.

Washington has repeatedly stated that Huaweifounded in 1987 by a former Peoples Liberation Army engineeris an extension of the Chinese regime and that it assists Chinese intelligence in stealing secrets. Huawei denies the assertion.

From The Epoch Times
New Delhi: The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police on Thursday (March 5, 2020) busted a Pakistan-linked fake "Kaun Banega Crorepati" scam and arrested three members of the gang from Bihar's Gopalganj.

The gang used to fool people over a lottery scheme named 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'.



The accused were working at the behest of gang's kingpin Rana Pratap who used to control it from Pakistan.

During the interrogation of the arrested persons, it emerged that the money generated by the lottery scheme was being sent to Pakistan through Hawala transactions.

The police came to know about the racket after a man in Odisha's Kalahandi committed suicide in January 2020.

The three detainees - Imtiyaz, Imran and Santosh - became part of the Rana Pratap-led gang in March 2019.

According to the police, a woman from Najafgarh had filed a complaint alleging a fraud of Rs 40 lakh.

The accused lured her to transfer the money in their bank account and then convinced her to delete the back up of the WhatsApp chat.

The woman told the police that the text she got on her WhatsApp was from a Pakistani mobile number, in which the sender had claimed that she will win the lottery.

The group had its network spread all over the country.
By Akbar Mammadov

The World Bank is supporting Azerbaijan in its transition to efficient budgeting mechanism, the Country Manager of World Bank for Azerbaijan, Navid Naqvi, has said.

He made the remarks during the seminar on Development of sector strategic plans in the context of transition to efficient budgetary planning held as part of the World Banks technical assistance project Strengthening Medium-Term Planning" in Azerbaijan on March 4.

World Bank is consecutively rendering support to Ministry of Finance to realize the transition to efficient budgeting mechanism and implementation of middle-term expenditure framework in accordance with the technical assistance project for Strengthening Medium-Term Planning in Azerbaijan, Navid Naqvi said.

Vusal Gasimli, The Managing Director of Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, and the Deputy Minister of Education Idris Isayev noted that this new mechanism will allow the country to use and allocate financial resources for programs and concrete results.

Speaking at the event, Naqvi pointed out to reforms implemented by the organization together with the Azerbaijani government, as well as the Ministry of Finance.

Deputy Minister of Finance Azer Bayramov spoke about reforms on public finance management implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan. He also noted that such seminars play a considerable role in raising the welfare of citizens, increasing the effectiveness of state regulation and transparency in the economy.

The Deputy Minister also gave detailed information about the Rule of Preparation of Middle-Term Expenditure Framework, and according to other relevant documents, implementations on the transition to efficient budgeting mechanism ensuring the increase of efficiency and targeting of public expenditures by Ministry of Finance in accordance with tasks set related to the preparation of middle-term expenditure framework.

Representatives of President Administration of Azerbaijan, Cabinet of Ministers, Finance, Economy, Agriculture, Education, Ecology and Natural Resources ministries and international organizations, economist-scientists and specialists participated in the event.

As the continuation of the workshop, World Banks experts in its Country Office in Azerbaijan and Ministry of Finance will advance the initial projects of these plans and organize training for sub-working groups on the preparation of sector strategic plans of ministries of Education, Agriculture, and Ecology and Natural Resources on 5-6 March.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

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Mammootty, the megastar of Malayalam cinema is all set to turn politician once again, for the upcoming movie One. The project is directed by Santhosh Viswanath, the Chirakodinja Kinavukal fame director. As per the latest updates, the second official teaser of One, which is an out-and-out political thriller, will be revealed soon.

The makers revealed the exciting news through the official social media pages of the political thriller, recently. According to the latest updates, the second official teaser of One will be released through the social media handles of its lead actor Mammootty on March 7, Saturday, at 5 PM.

The first official teaser of the Santhosh Viswanath directorial, which introduced Mammootty's character Kadakkal Chandran, the Chief Minister of Kerala, had taken the social media by storm. If the reports are to be believed, the second teaser of One, which is slated to be released during the occasion of the International Women's Day, has something very special in store for the audiences.

One is touted to be a complete political thriller that revolves around the clash of different political ideologies and discusses the duties of an ideal Chief Minister. Mammootty is playing the role of Kadakkal Chandran, the senior politician who gets appointed as the Chief Minister of Kerala under a sensitive circumstance in the movie.

The political thriller is penned by the National award-winning scenarist duo Bobby-Sanjay. The highly popular scriptwriters are joining hands with both the lead actor Mammootty and director Santhosh Viswanath, for the first time in their careers.

One features an extensive star cast including Joju George, Murali Gopy, Sreenivasan, Balachandra Menon, Ranjith, Mamukoya, Salim Kumar, Suresh Krishna, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Sudev Nair, Vishnu Unnikrishnan, Nimisha Sajayan, Gayathri Arun, debutante Ishaani Krishna, and so on. The political thriller is slated to hit the theatres by the first week of April as Mammootty's Vishu special release.
Spurt in Coronavirus Cases Prompts India to Take New Precautions

By Anjana Pasricha March 05, 2020

For weeks India, the world's second most populous country, stayed alert but hopeful that it was escaping the worst of the coronavirus outbreak  only three cases had been detected in a southern state among students who returned from China.

That optimism was shattered when the number of cases jumped this week to 29 including 16 Italian tourists.

The spurt in cases has prompted authorities to announce extra precautions.

Primary schools in the capital New Delhi have been shut till the end of the month.

Screening will be stepped up at airports to cover all passengers arriving in the country instead of those from 12 countries listed earlier. "

The government has initiated measures to contain the virus," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told parliament on Thursday saying that there is no need to panic.

The potential for rapid spread of the virus in India given the country's dense population has been a focus of serious concern for health experts.

Intensive efforts are on to identify and isolate the hundreds of people who came in touch with those who are infected with the virus including the Italian tourists who travelled widely in the northern state of Rajasthan.

"With the increasing global spread of the disease, we are confronted with new challenges. The contact tracing of positive cases requires the tracing of hundreds of contacts in multiple locations and monitoring their health," Vardhan told reporters earlier.

Agra, home to the famous Taj Mahal, was among the places put on alert after six cases were identified from the city.

A summit of India and the European Union scheduled to be held on March 20 in Brussels has also been postponed in view of the coronavirus outbreak. "Health authorities of both the countries suggested that travelling must not take place at present," Foreign Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

India, a key supplier of generic drugs to the world, this week also announced restrictions on export of some common medicines raising fears of creating shortages in other countries. They include the widely-used pain reliever paracetamol, certain antibiotics and vitamins.

India's drug industry, that imports nearly 70 % of the raw ingredients from China, is struggling to get stocks amid disruptions in production and supply chains in China. The restriction on 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them were announced to ensure adequate domestic stocks.

Meanwhile, the spurt in cases of coronavirus is casting a dampener on the country's much-loved Hindu festival of Holi when people throw brightly colored powdered paint on each other to mark the advent of spring.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to send out the message that Holi events to be held next Tuesday should be avoided. "

Experts across the world have advised authorities to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID19 Novel Coronavirus," Modi said in a tweet on Wednesday. "Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan (meeting) program."

Holi festivities at the presidential palace were also canceled.

Even before the advise to skip large gatherings went out, social media had been abuzz with claims that Chinese goods imported for the Holi festival should be avoided because they are infected with the coronavirus. Experts have reassured people that it was a misleading claim.

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More than 100 Britons are stranded on board a cruise ship off the coast of California where medics are testing passengers for coronavirus, it emerged last night.

Princess Cruises said 142 UK nationals - made up of 121 passengers and 21 crew - were on board the Grand Princess which is carrying a total of 3,533 people.

Guests have been confined to their cabins in the latest cruise ship virus scare after a US tourist from a previous voyage died of coronavirus in California and at least four other people were infected.

The US Coast Guard was yesterday airlifting coronavirus test kits to the cruise ship, with dozens of passengers now facing medical tests.

More than 100 Britons are stranded on board a cruise ship off the coast of California where medics are testing passengers for coronavirus, it emerged last night

The US Coast Guard delivered coronavirus test kits on Thursday to the Grand Princess cruise ship that is being held 400 miles off the California coast amid fears of a suspected outbreak

The Coast Guard approaches the Grand Princess cruise ship to deliver test kits to more than 3,500 people stranded on the ship about 400 miles of the coast of San Francisco

An initial group of 45 people have been identified for testing, Princess Cruises said last night.

They include passengers from last month's Mexico voyage - on which the man who later died had travelled last month - who stayed on for the current Hawaii trip.

Guests 'who have experienced influenza-like illness symptoms on this voyage, and guests currently under care for respiratory illness' are also among the patients due to be tested.

The California National Guard said it had flown test kits to the ship Thursday morning and the findings were expected to be announced early Friday.

A military helicopter yesterday lowered the test kits onto the deck of the ship by rope and later retrieved them to be sent to a lab in Richmond, California.

Dozens of passengers have had flu-like symptoms over the past two weeks or so, said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco's emergency department.

'Once we have results from the tests,' she said, authorities 'will determine the best location for the ship to berth.'

California governor Gavin Newsom said that 'the ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers'.

One passenger, Carolyn Wright, said passengers had initially been free to roam about the ship but yesterday were told after lunch to remain in their cabins.

'I think it's all closing the barn after the horse has left,' she said. 'I'm not really worried. If you look at the odds, our risk is pretty low.'

An employee sprays down the common areas of the Grand Princess cruise ship with disinfectant

Those being tested include passengers from the earlier Mexico voyage - on which the man who later died had travelled last month - who stayed on for the current Hawaii trip

Wright said the passengers - most of them between 60 and 90 years old - were in good spirits 'although that may change if we are stuck in our cabins for too long.'

Health officials said it was unclear when or where the ship would be allowed to dock.

Authorities raised the alarm after the 71-year-old California man who sailed on the ship in February died of coronavirus, becoming the state's first fatal case.

Two other passengers from that voyage have been taken to hospital with the virus in California, while two Canadians who recently travelled on the ship have also tested positive after returning home.

Officials say the dead man and another sick patient are likely to have contracted the virus while they were aboard the ocean liner.

The second patient, from the San Francisco Bay area, was described by California governor Newsom as gravely sick.

However, the cruise line says there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 among the passengers currently on board the ship.

'Public health officials have advised that no guests will be permitted to disembark until all results have been received,' it said.

'Out of an abundance of caution, all guests who have been identified for testing have been asked to remain in their staterooms.'

Overall, there are 3,533 people currently on board the Grand Princess, including 2,422 guests and 1,111 crew, of 54 nationalities.

The majority of the guests - 2,016 of them - are US nationals. There are also ten American crew members.

The ship off California was returning to San Francisco after visiting Hawaii. Some of the passengers remained on board after sailing on its previous voyage, to the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

The Grand Princess is currently 400 miles off San Francisco and heading for port having returned from Hawaii after 11 passengers and 10 crew reported symptoms of coronavirus

The number of cases rose above 96,000 worldwide with over 3,300 deaths in some 85 countries

Health authorities have had a suspicious eye on cruise ships in recent weeks after a number of voyages were disrupted by virus scares.

In the most serious case, 705 people tested positive for the virus on board the Diamond Princess during a two-week lockdown in Japan.

Japanese authorities said last week that a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess had died after contracting coronavirus.

On Thursday, a patient with underlying health conditions became the first person in the UK to die after also testing positive for the virus.

Separately, the cruise ship Westerdam was turned away at five ports last month before it finally arrived in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville. There were no cases on board.

Several other ships have had their journeys disrupted by the virus after passengers required urgent tests or countries refused them permission to dock.

Experts have highlighted a number of reasons why cruise ships are vulnerable to the spread of disease, including the large number of elderly passengers in a confined space.

There have also been fears that air-conditioning systems could spread the virus, with experts pointing out that ventilation systems were previously linked to the spread of SARS.

Some passengers have started to cancel cruise ship bookings or abandon plans to make them as the virus continues to spread around the world.

Cruise ships have also taken preventative measures themselves, with Royal Caribbean turning away guests with passports from China, Hong Kong and Macau and guarding against arrivals from Italy, Iran and South Korea.
Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  From a skin care line formulated to help urban dwellers to a literary magazine, here are five things we cant stop talking and thinking about this week.

Junji Itos graphic novels

Come for the terrifying imagery, stay for the alluring nihilism. The Japanese manga artists story collections and graphic novels are notorious for their brutal body and cosmic horror. In these stories, humans face an inescapable fate, whether its as simple as an undead fish or a slumbering power that claims a whole town every few centuries or so. Itos works are influenced by the horror writer H. P. Lovecraft as well as manga masters such as Kazuo Umezu and Hideshi Hino. Highly recommended titles are Smashed, which features a mysterious nectar that flattens people who eat it, and Uzumaki, about a town infested with spirals. His books are available at Fully Booked.  Don Jaucian

Aesops Parsley seed line

Fans of the Australian hair, skin, and body care brand celebrated when news came about an Aesop store finally opening in Manila. Previously, you could get Aesop products only by ordering online or when you were abroad. The Manila store opened its door to little fanfare in February at a quiet corner of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. Its scent is unmistakable, though, as with any Aesop store elsewhere around the world. If youre curious or wondering what to get, the store has shop assistants who can talk to you about your skin and your skin care regimen, and recommend the right products for you. Aesop is highlighting the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Skin Care line, which is perfect for those who live in big cities where pollution, poor sleep, and stress are just as normal as breathing. The skin care line ranges from a facial cleanser (for oily skin and warmer climates) and masque (if youre looking for a deeper clean) to a hydrator (a lotion-textured anti-oxidant) for a sustained skin care routine.  DJ

Granta Magazine

Granta has been around since 1979 as a quarterly literary magazine. But copies come few and far between here in Manila; Booksale is your best bet if you want to collect back issues. The magazine has published some of the best and biggest writers today, such as Haruki Murakami, Stephen King, Hilary Mantel, and Zadie Smith. I was able to score four back issues of Granta at the recent Big Bad Wolf Book Sale: one issue focused on Japanese writing, one on Indian writing, and two issues on travel. Its always a joy going around the world through the perspectives of different writers, and these unexpected finds at the sale are treasures that Ill be poring over in months to come (each issue is as thick as a book).  DJ

Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019)

I have neither seen any of the previous Little Women films nor read the book, so I went into Greta Gerwigs adaptation not really knowing anything. I had no idea who the original ships were, which sister was supposed to be what, or where the whole film was even supposed to take place. The only thing I knew going into it was that the film was supposed to be about a group of sisters, one of whom is a tomboy.

When I was telling someone about my complete lack of Little Women experience, she told me that she wished she could have gone into this film with the same advantage, to have been able to experience the work entirely through Gerwigs viewpoint and no one elses. Off the bat a theme common to the directors works is already evident: This is a film about women coming into their own. Although I found the film dragging at times (which I guess is something to be expected when one is trying to tackle four different narratives at once), what I loved most about it was Jo Marchs journey of becoming: the constant yet familiar struggles between creating vs. attending to familial duties, selling out vs. staying true to ones voice, and instantaneous monetary gain vs. the rights to ownership and investing in yourself in the long run.  Samantha Lee

Uniqlos Spring/Summer 2020 collection

Uniqlo recently previewed its newest collection, which includes the J. W. Anderson Collection, the Hana Tajima collaboration, and a new AIRism line. Theres also a new LifeWear collection for summer with outdoors, work and craft, and art and design categories featuring shiny parachute fabrics, jogger cargo pants, and kando jackets. The line is inspired by sustainable city living with pieces that can go from workwear to office attire.  DJ
Both leaders had underlined the need for an agreement at the start of the Kremlin talks, which lasted more than six hours. One goal had been to prevent damaging their bilateral relations and blossoming trade. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "took note" of the ceasefire agreement and hoped it would lead "to an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities that ensures the protection of civilians in north-west Syria, who have already endured enormous suffering," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. An Afghan man makes traditional bread at a makeshift camp for refugees and migrants in Lesvos. Credit:Getty Images Guterres also called for a return to the UN-facilitated political process, aimed at ending the conflict, Dujarric said. Until the latest crisis, Putin and Erdogan had managed to coordinate their interests in Syria even though Moscow backed Assad while Ankara supported the rebels. Both Russia and Turkey wanted to avoid a showdown but the sharply conflicting interests in Idlib province, where thousands of displaced people have been pushed towards the Turkish border, made it difficult to negotiate a mutually acceptable compromise.

The Syrian offensive in Idlib has resulted in Turkey sending in thousands of troops to repel the Syrian army. Loading Clashes on the ground and in the air have left dozens dead on both sides. Russia, which has helped Assad reclaim most of the country's territory, has signalled it won't sit by while Turkey routs his troops. The fighting has pushed nearly 1 million Syrian civilians towards Turkey, which already hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees. Erdogan responded by opening his borders to Europe in an apparent bid to persuade the West to offer more support to Ankara. He maintains that the European Union has not upheld its end of a more than 6 billion ($10 billion) deal designed to stem the flow of migrants after more than 1 million people entered the EU in 2015.

Putin discussed the situation in Idlib with European Council head Charles Michel, who met with Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday. The Kremlin said Michel informed Putin about the EU's efforts to block the flow of migrants. Loading Putin offered Erdogan his condolences over Turkish military losses but noted that Syrian troops also suffered heavy casualties. "The world's eyes are on us," Erdogan had said. "The steps we will take, the right decisions we will take here today will help ease [concerns in] the region and our countries." After Turkey had downed several Syrian jets, Moscow warned Ankara on Sunday that its aircraft would be unsafe if entering Syrian airspace.

Opposition activists in Idlib blamed Russia for Thursday's strike on a rebel-held village that they said killed at least 15 people, including children, and wounded several others. The Russian military had no immediate comment, but it has denied similar claims by insisting it hasn't targeted residential areas. The fighting in Idlib is the most severe test of Russia-Turkey ties since Turkey's downed a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in November 2015. Russia responded then with sweeping economic sanctions, cutting the flow of its tourists to Turkey and banning most Turkish exports - a punishment that eventually forced Turkey to back off. Turkey can't afford a replay of that costly crisis, much less a military conflict with a nuclear power, but it has a strong bargaining position. Moscow needs Ankara as a partner in a Syrian settlement, and Russia's supply routes for its forces in Syria lie through the Turkish Straits.

Moscow also hopes to use Ankara in its standoff with the West. Last year, Turkey became the first NATO country to take delivery of sophisticated Russian air defence missile systems, angering Washington. Turkey has put its deployment on hold amid the crisis in Idlib. The talks in Moscow marked the 10th meeting in just over a year between Putin and Erdogan, who call each other "dear friend" and have polished a fine art of bargaining. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Credit:AP In October, they agreed to deploy their forces across Syria's north-eastern border to fill the void left by President Donald Trump's abrupt withdrawal of US forces. Before that, they had negotiated deals that saw opposition fighters from various areas in Syria move into Idlib, and in 2018 carved out a deescalation zone in Idlib. They blamed one another for the collapse of the Idlib deal, with Moscow holding Ankara responsible for letting al-Qaeda-linked militants launch attacks from the area and Turkey accusing Moscow of failing to rein in Assad.

The Russian and Turkish foreign ministers said Thursday's the ceasefire would be enforced along existing battle lines. The deal also envisages setting up a 12-kilometre security corridor along the M4 highway to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting on March 15. A security corridor along the M4 that crosses Idlib to reach the Mediterranean province of Latakia, where Russia has its main base, will help solidify Assad's gains and strengthen his control. Earlier this year, Assad retook control of the M5 highway linking Damascus with Aleppo, the country's commercial capital. As part of their latest offensive, Assad's forces have pushed back the militants who were blocking it. Earlier this week, Russian military police deployed to the strategic town of Saraqeb, sitting on the junction of the two highways, to ward off any Turkish attempt to retake it. In the deal with Erdogan, Putin appeared to accept the presence of Turkey-backed militants in areas alongside the border and put brakes for now on Assad's attempts to claim full control over Idlib. That compromise will allow Turkey to secure its stake in Syria and prevent refugees from fleeing across the border.

Soner Cagaptay, an expert on Turkey at the Washington Institute, said the agreement "freezes the conflict on the ground." The fighting was not expected to flare up again until "the next moment when Putin feels emboldened enough to push further," Cagaptay said. For his part, Erdogan avoided a situation where Turkey's borders would be overwhelmed by refugees, while also preventing a rupture with Russia, the analyst said. Cagaptay also said Assad did not emerge the winner. "His military capabilities have been undermined by Turkey," he said. "We witnessed a NATO country pummelling Assad's third-rate army."
A principal at a Louisiana high school has sparked controversy when she sent a text message requiring all girls attending prom to send her photos of themselves in their party outfits for pre-approval.

Parents of students at Southwood High School in Shreveport received a text message this week from Principal Dr Kim Pendleton instructing their daughters - as well as their sons' female dates who do not attend the school - to run their attire choices by her before purchase.

'This message is for any female attending Southwoods prom. Boys, this also applies to your off-campus dates. As you begin shopping for your attire, please make sure you do not purchase any clothes that are sheer or revealing in any manner,' Pendleton wrote in the text first reported on by KTAL.

Fashion police: Dr Kim Pendleton, principal at Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, recently has sent a text message addressed to 'any female' attending the prom, instructing girls to send her photos of their attire for pre-approval

'Also, make sure we not see excess cleavage or skin. Prior to purchasing an outfit, I will need you to send me a picture of you in the outfit with your name and grade. Once I approve the outfit, you may purchase it. The approved outfit is the only one you will be allowed to wear to prom.'

Pendleton, who took over as principal at Southwood High School in December, said in a statement to NBC News that her decision to send the text was informed by feedback from staff members and parents raising concerns about inappropriate attire at previous school events.

In response to critics who have accused her of singling out female prom attendees, Pendleton stressed that feedback from past events did not raise concerns about male attire.

The principal said that so far, she has not disqualified any student's dress choice. She further stated that parents have been reaching out to her to say they were 'proud of the school for taking a stand to ensure prom is an encouraging, wholesome event.'

Southwood will host its annual senior prom in April. Last year's theme was midnight masquerade. Photos from the 2019 celebration posted on the school's official website show a wide array of frocks with plunging necklines and high slits, strapless gowns, dresses with sheer tops and midriff-baring two-piece getups.

The school's official dress code states in part: 'students are to dress in apparel that is modest, tasteful, and that does not interfere with or distract from the educational process or rights of others.'

The dress code crackdown has divided the Southwood High School (pictured) community, with some supporting the strict enforcement and others calling it intrusive and sexist for singling out girls

The principal's crackdown on inappropriate female prom attire has divided the school community, with some labeling the new dress pre-approval requirement as overly intrusive, and others defending it as necessary.

'I think its sad that she felt she had to do this, but I was looking for my oldest daughter n [sic] some of the dresses were a bit skimpy,' one mother wrote on Facebook.

Another vehemently disagreed, writing: 'Ain't NOBODY but me determining what my child wears an she dang sure ain't sending anyone pics of herself in a dress . . Nope.'

Some commenters took Pendleton to task for focusing exclusively on girls' fashion choices.

'I hate dress codes,' one Facebook user opined. 'They are 99% of the time directed toward girls and imply that boys are innocent little flowers that must be protected from us dirty h**s either that or sex-crazed maniacs that can't see a bare shoulder without losing all their good sense. It's gross and insulting to both genders. If private parts are covered, the rest should be up to the child's parents.'

Students will have an opportunity to express their concerns about the principals policy at an upcoming assembly, according to a statement released Tuesday by Caddo Parish Public Schools.
Sarah Scoles spent months in an intense dive into the UFO community. She talked with true believers. She pondered the deeper meanings of the UFO faith. She departed with a sympathetic view for those who look into the sky and see invading planes and creatures.

But Im not a, like, believer, she says from the kitchen table of her apartment on Denvers Capitol Hill. I dont know if theres life in the universe or not, but I dont think they drove spaceships here. I never heard a story when I said, That sounds truly incredible and I believe what you say.

The UFO era began in earnest June 24, 1947. Kenneth Arnold was flying his CallAir A-2 near Mount Rainier in Washington when (he said) he saw a fleet of flying objects whizzing along at 1,000 miles per hour.

A craze had begun. Or maybe Scoles has the better word: epidemic.

Soon, thousands of Americans started seeing flying saucers, a trend that never halted. Americans reported 121,000 UFO sightings from 2001-2015. And thats likely only a fraction of the sightings. Most go unreported.

All of a sudden, were starting to see this thing that we are starting to make ourselves, but a better version, Scoles says. The same spaceships we are making at the same time we are doing it. ... We are always projecting our own technology up into space.

Scoles wrote They Are Already Here, UFO Culture and Why See Saucers, a book released last week. Its a difficult book to describe, and I mean that as a compliment. Its both a celebration and skeptical examination of the UFO movement. Scoles is a scientist, but shes also an artist. With words, I mean.

Seeing a UFO, and interpreting it as something extraordinary, seems a little bit like the doomed, lost kind of romantic love, she writes. It comes along when youre not looking for it. It amps up your ordinary experience, invigorates you every day. ... And its not the kind of thing you can ever really explain satisfactorily to anyone who wasnt there. Its not even an experience you can really experience yourself, once its gone.

I join Scoles in her UFO skepticism. Ive spent dozens of hours driving the darkest roads in America. In West Texas. In New Mexico. In Nevada. In Colorados San Luis Valley. While staring into those dark nights, the stars seem poised to jump out of the sky. Its a great show, but Ive never spotted an object from another galaxy.

If you are not a believer in the possibility of UFOs and visitors from somewhere far away, youre unlikely to ever be swayed into belief. If resistant, you remain resistant.

But if you look into the skies with the expectation you will see something strange and fantastic and wonderful, you probably will find it.

UFO belief, Scoles writes, is not just similar to religion; it is one.

It is a New Age religion, she writes. Its not a science, its not a hobby, its a faith system.

Does belief in UFOs seem a bit, well, wacky? Sure, Scoles says. But the concept of Christianity, if it landed fresh and untold in 2020, would sound wacky, too. The Son of God sent to Earth in a complicated and tragic crusade to save mankind? Thats a wild, and wondrous, tale. Dont get me wrong. Im a Christian, but its important to remember any faith system requires a leap from mere logic.

I have no friends who have shared UFO experiences, but its not as if these Americans are rare. According to a Gallup poll released in September, 16 percent of Americans believe they have seen a UFO and just under 34 percent  34 percent of men, 33 percent of women  believe in alien spacecraft.

Do aliens walk among us? I dont know about that. Do UFO believers reside in your neighborhood? Oh, yes.

I wanted to write a book where I wasnt being mean to people or making fun of people who believe what I dont believe, Scoles says as she looks out her window.

She succeeded. Not all of us look at those dark skies in the same way, or with the same expectations.
TORONTO, ON // MARCH 6, 2020  In 2019, JF Launier arrived at the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo with Anvil, a 1964 Pontiac Acadian. And when it was time to pack up and head back home to Osoyoos, BC, he did so with the Motorama Grand Champion Award and the winners cheque for $5,000.00.

For the sixth edition of the Motorama show, running March 13, 14 & 15, 2020 at Torontos International Centre, Launier will not only be an invited Motorama celebrity guest, but he will also be making another attempt to claim the shows top prize. This year, hes looking to a true driver, a black 1967 GTO built as a feature project on History Channels Rust Valley Restorers to get him back on the Pintys Stage on Sunday afternoon, holding another big cheque.

This car has a few body changes, nothing drastic, and is painted dead black, said Launier. Under the hood is a big block Chevy and the interior is bright red. With the windows blacked out, this is one sinister looking car!

When not assisting his Rust Valley Restorers TV co-stars Mike and Avery, Launier  a self-proclaimed Imagineer  owns and manages his own business, JF Kustoms. Operating under the motto We build the cars, so you can drive the wheels off of them, Launier has earned his reputation as one of the top custom builders in the industry.

He shot to stardom in large part thanks to the 1964 Buick Riviera, dubbed Rivision, which won the prestigious Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama in 2014. That car took more than six years to create and forced Launier to re-mortgage his house to get it done.

The car was later sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction for $290,000. In addition to his big wins at Detroit and Toronto, Launiers previous builds have won Best in Show awards in Europe, in Quebec and across North America.

Never content to rest on his laurels, Launier currently had a shop full of on-going projects.

Weve got a bunch of stuff going on; maybe too much. Theres a late 60s Bronco and a Cougar from about the same era, on the floor. Were also working on 1965 Acadian. There are also a couple of top-secret projects tucked away.

When not taking part in various discussion panels and VIP Meet & Greet sessions at this years Motorama show, Launier will be holding court in the Rousseau Metals / FestiDrag and SilverWax displays, in Hall 1. The booth will also feature a van built by Chip Foose and a Toolkit, courtesy of Rousseau Metals, that will be awarded to one lucky showgoer at Motorama.

I connected with Rousseau at SEMA and saw that they had a great line of products. I wanted to work with them because I believe in supporting Canadian companies. Thats the same reason I work with SilverWax. Theyre based in Quebec and I have faith in their product line, as well. I wont trust my work to just any detailing products.

Launier admitted to being excited about coming back to the east to be part of the 2020 Motorama show. Last year, we came away from Quebec (Sports Auto Show) with the Best in Class and Most Outstanding Street Machine awards. We won a Great 8 award in Detroit. And then we came to Motorama and won the Grand Champion Award. I dont know if we can repeat that this year, but its always a lot fun to meet with the Ontario fans and to share their stories and memories of their custom cars. This might just become a tradition!

ABOUT ROUSSEAU METALS: Based in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, QC, Rousseau Metals is the leading North American designer and manufacturer of flexible and high-quality storage solutions. Continually developing products and improving manufacturing processes by integrating the latest technology, Rousseau understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solutions, that is why their product lines, be it a customized cabinet, shelving system or work station, allow for custom configurations. To see the full line of Rousseau Metal products, visit their website at www.rousseaumetals.com.

ABOUT SILVERWAX: The mission of Quebec-based SilverWax is to allow people to discover and master the art of taking care of their cars. Through a friendly and educational approach, SilverWax makes car care accessible, simple and appealing to everyone. From beginner to expert, SilverWax is the name to remember when it comes to high quality products and professional advice. To view their full line of automotive, motorcycle, marine or RV products visit the website www.silverwax.ca.

ABOUT THE MOTORAMA CUSTOM CAR & MOTORSPORTS EXPO: The sixth annual Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo takes place March 13, 14 & 15, 2020 at The International Centre, across from Torontos Pearson International Airport. The show features more than 330,000 square feet of custom cars, hot rods, racing vehicles of all kinds, tuners, displays and exhibitors. Motorama is Canadas biggest late-winter celebration of automobiles and motorsports. For information about the show, including tickets, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more, call (416) 962-7223, email info@MotoramaShow.com or visit www.MotoramaShow.com.
The Papal Nuncio to Ireland replied to a letter about equality in the church by only addressing the male coordinator.

We are Church Ireland, a Catholic activist group who work to improve womens rights within the Church, wrote to the pope's diplomatic representative in Ireland informing him they would be holding a "peaceful and prayerful gathering" outside his residence for International Women's Day on Sunday.

The meeting is one of 20 being held globally outside Cathedrals or other Catholic institutions calling for women's "full recognition of women's equality and dignity within the church".

The group are calling for a full overhaul of the church institutions to tackle the patriarchal system which does not allow for women's full involvement within the organisation.

The two joint coordinators of the group Ursula Halligan and Colm Holmes, clearly signed the letter which was sent in late February.

The group say they were shocked the receive a reply just days later from Archbishop Jude Thaddeus, in which he only addressed the letter "Dear Mr Holmes", with no mention of Ms Halligan whatsoever.

He went on to say he would not be able to meet them because of mass in the city, but they could leave their correspondence and wished them well.

The group say the letter is a stark example of how ingrained sexism is in the church, and goes as far as to prove the point the group were trying to make.

Nothing could better demonstrate the ingrained habit of ignoring women in the all male, hierarchical Catholic Church, than this reply from the Papal Nuncio," Ursula Halligan said.

"The irony is, we were alerting him to International Women's Day, and were trying to point out women's invisibility in the church and he blanks me.

"Its all the more shocking, given that the letter I co-signed, was informing the Papal Nuncio about an event to promote the full recognition of womens equality and dignity in the church.

The Papal Nuncio to Ireland's office has been contacted for comment.
The Indian Army has scaled up its contribution in the fight against coronavirus with a decision to set up facilities to quarantine 1500 people across the country, reports agency ANI. The army was already running a quarantine camp in Haryanas Manesar, close to the national capital.

India has 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far and around 30,000 people under watch for the illness either at different quarantine facilities, at hospital or at their homes.

The health minister said that till Thursday, 28,529 people with a history of travel to a Covid-19-affected country, or contact with a positive case, have been brought under community surveillance and monitoring.

The need for expanding the quarantine facilities is a part of the preparation to deal with a possible escalation in the number of suspected cases.

The rising global spread of the disease has also not helped matters as passengers coming from countries affected by Coronavirus also need screening and quarantining if found with matching symptoms.

About one lakh people have been infected worldwide including over 3,300 who died due to the disease.

Over 6.5 lakh passengers from over 6,500 flights had been screened for signs of coronavirus infection till Thursday.

Army has identified Jaisalmer, Suratgarh, Secundrabad, Chennai and Kolkata as venues for the new quarantine facilities.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is also running a camp in Chhawla near Delhi, where Indians evacuated from Wuhan were kept before they were discharged.

Also Read- Over 20 Italian nationals undergo coronavirus screening at ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla
The police are asking the public for more information after dozens of lambs were stolen from a Monmouthshire farm earlier this week.

Livestock rustlers cut the farm's gates open before stealing 47 lambs, Gwent Police's Rural Crime Team said.

The animals were stolen from a farm in Llandenny between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning (3-5 March).

The police believe a lorry was involved in the incident, adding that this is the second livestock rustling crime reported in the last month.

It comes as new figures reveal that livestock worth 3 million were stolen from UK farms in 2019.

Livestock rustling is the third most costly crime for British farmers after agricultural vehicle and machinery theft

Gwent Police are appealing to the public for more information by contacting them by calling 101, quoting reference number 200080648.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Migrants, who are part of a group who arrived in the previous days after crossing part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece, wait for an identification process before being transported to the mainland on a Greek Navy vessel from the port of Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, Greece, March 5, 2020. (Elias Marcou/Reuters)

Greece Blocks 35,000 Immigrants, Plans to Deport Arrivals After March 1

KASTANIES, Greece/EDIRNE, TurkeyGreece has repulsed nearly 35,000 immigrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on March 5, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Thousands of immigrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on Feb. 28 that it would let immigrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union.

Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four immigrants, a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the immigrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on March 4.

Turkeys interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne Province, bordering Greece, on March 4 and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants into its territory.

Soylu, who said on March 4 that Turkey was preparing a case at the European Court of Human Rights over Greeces treatment of immigrants, accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing nearly 5,000 back into Turkey.

Greece on March 5 banned most vessels from sailing around the Aegean islands of Chios, Lesbos, and Samos. They are all close to the Turkish coast and a regular target for dinghies packed with immigrants trying to enter the EU.

Choppy seas discouraged dinghies from making the crossing on March 4, though in the evening, a boat carrying 42 mostly Afghan immigrants reached Lesbos. The UN refugee agency handed out snacks and blankets to the group, which included about 10 children.

Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps.

The situation at the Kastanies land border crossing in northern Greece was calm on March 5.

Immigrants, who include Syrians, Afghans, Pakistanis, and Africans, huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border. Others stood in line to receive food packages from aid agencies.

Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since Feb. 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said.

Immigrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on March 4.

Our aim is to return them to their countries, he told the Athens News Agency.

Mitarachi said immigrants who entered Greece prior to Jan. 1, 2019 and are living on its Aegean Islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days.

Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the immigrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankaras geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict.

Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx amid increased fighting in northwest Syria, says it cannot take in any more people.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the immigrant issue with senior EU officials in Ankara on March 4, but his spokesman said the Europeans had made no concrete proposition on how to resolve the crisis.

By Lefteris Papadimas & Bulent Usta
This is the shocking moment an Uber driver refuses to let four men travel in his car because they are Italians and he is 'worried for his safety'.

One of the men, Dylan Bastonini, 19, posted the video, which he filmed after a trip to London Zoo, on a Facebook group on Thursday evening.

Footage shows him and one of his companions arguing with the driver, who admits that he has cancelled the men's journey because of where they are from.

He appears to be scared of catching coronavirus from the men, with several people in the comments on the video joking that they should 'cough' on the driver.

There have been more than 3,000 cases of the virus in Italy, with 148 people confirmed dead in the country so far.

This is the shocking moment an Uber driver refuses to let two men travel in his car 'because they are Italians'. One of the Italian men, Dylan Bastonini, posted the video on a Facebook group on Thursday evening. It is unclear where the video was filmed

The video begins with Mr Bastonini holding open the rear passenger door of the taxi and saying, 'so we can't stay here?'

When the driver then says, 'I cancel it', Mr Bastonini asks, 'because we are Italian?'

He then adds: 'We were waiting for you for like five minutes.'

However, the unapologetic Uber driver says, 'Yes, yes and I can't.'

A shocked Mr Bastonini then asks if the driver has canceled the trip because he and his companions are Italian and, attempting to dismiss any fears that they could have coronavirus, adds that they have been in the UK since September.

'Yes,' the driver says, before telling them that they can complain to the taxi firm if he wants to.

But a defiant Mr Bastonini tells him, 'because you are racist?'

The driver initially confirms that he is before he says that he has refused to allow the men into his car because he is worried about his safety.

The understandably angry companion who is with Mr Bastonini then blasts at him, 'you know you are as ignorant as f***!'

The driver is then seen reaching with his arm to pull the door closed.

Mr Bastonini said that he and his friends at first thought that the driver had refused their journey because their clothes were wet from the rain.

He told MailOnline: 'We were outside of the London Zoo, it was raining. I thought that the reason was our wet clothes.

'Nope. I started to shake a little bit by the anger, but as you can see before replying to him I started to record.'

'We left our stuff in the back of the car and then he asked us our nationality [before] cancelling the trip.

After the video was posted on social media, one Facebook user joked, 'you should have coughed on him!'

Another added: 'You should have got back in and coughed!'

However a third man argued that the driver had to 'protect himself' from getting sick.'

Other users were simply shocked at the driver's behaviour.

One man said: 'The world is going nuts. This is insane. It's just going to tear everyone apart which is the last thing the world needs.'

Another said: 'Absolutely disgusting behaviour, you poor thing!'

A third added: 'That's horrible. I hope he got reported.'

Further down in the comments on the video, Mr Bastonini confirmed he had reported the driver.

He said: 'I've already reported him to Uber but if any of you is a lawyer you're welcome.'

An Uber spokesman told MailOnline: 'What has been described is totally unacceptable.

'Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination and we are currently investigating this incident.

They added that the situation around the coronavirus outbreak was 'rapidly evolving' and that they have offered all their drivers free insurance coverage for if they fall ill.

The shocking video comes just four days after an Uber driver near Watford Junction, in Hertfordshire, refused to give a ride to a blind man's guide dog.

Mohammed Hafiz Raja was filmed saying 'I ain't going to take your dog' before driving away in his blue BMW in June last year.

Colin Perreira, 24, from Hemel Hempstead, and his six-year-old guide dog Sid had booked a ride to his father's home in King's Lynn, six miles away.

Raja, from Watford, was convicted of breaching the Equality Act and fined 1,700 at Westminster magistrates' court last month. He has also been banned from offering rides through the app.

Uber said in a statement their driver's behaviour was 'totally unacceptable'.
Lori Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, the mother of two Idaho children missing since September, was arrested in Hawaii on Feb. 20, 2020. (Kauai Police Department)

FBI Releases Photo Showing Lori Vallows Daughter on Day She Went Missing

The FBI has released a new photo of the daughter of Lori Vallow, the Idaho woman who faces multiple charges and is suspected in the disappearance of two children.

A photo showing Vallows daughter Tylee Ryan, 17, was captured on the day she went missing at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming in September 2019. The picture shows Ryan holding Vallows other 7-year-old child, Joshua JJ Vallow, who has autism.

Another photo showing Vallow, 46, and JJ was also released by the federal law enforcement agency on Friday. JJ hasnt been seen since Vallow told the school she was home-schooling him, according to CNN, citing a court affidavit.

Lori Vallow and her 7-year-old son JJ, taken at Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 8. (FBI)

Tylee Ryan, 17, holds her brother JJ Vallow, 7, at Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 8. (FBI)

The FBIs Salt Lake City field office, along with the Rexburg Police Department, posted a request on social media to the public to submit footage or images from Yellowstone on Sept. 8 that might include the Vallow family or a relative, Alex Cox. The images or videos can be submitted via the FBIs website.

Other than the photos of the children, an image of a Ford truck registered in Arizona was also posted by the FBI.

Earlier this week, Lori Vallow was transferred from Hawaii back to Idaho, where she is due in court soon.

Vallow and her husband, Chad Daybell, have not been cooperating in the case, according to Rexburg police officials.

It is astonishing that rather than work with law enforcement to help us locate her own children, Lori Vallow has chosen instead to leave the state with her new husband, the department said in a press release last year.

The #FBI, @RexburgPolice are asking any visitors to @YellowstoneNPS on 9/8/19 submit multimedia that may show missing kids, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, their mother Lori Vallow and uncle, Alex Cox. Photos/videos can be submitted online at https://t.co/8jl2wJCAza. pic.twitter.com/LyujbanGh6  FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) March 5, 2020

The Idaho woman faces charges of desertion and nonsupport. She was also charged with contempt for allegedly ignoring a court order to cooperate with investigators, according to CNN.

Police have said that Daybell and Vallow fled their Idaho home when investigators started probing the whereabouts of Tylee and JJ. Daybell isnt facing any charges in connection to the case.

Joshua JJ Vallow (L) and Tylee Ryan. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children via AP)

Vallows attorney said in court last week that she chose to waive extradition to Idaho in an attempt to expedite her return there so she can defend herself against these accusations.
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has scored a major court victory against the Trump administration, whose officials have been hostile to land acquisitions for reasons that even a federal judge found baffling.

In a 53-page decision , Judge Trevor N. McFadden said the Bureau of Indian Affairs was wrong to deny the tribe's fee-to-trust applications for two sites in Michigan. Congress vested the tribe -- not the federal government -- with the authority to decide how and where to reclaim its homelands, the ruling stated.

"This case is about who decides whether an Indian tribe acquired land for a permissible purposethe federal government or tribal leaders, McFadden, who was appointed to the bench by President Donald Trump, wrote on Thursday. "Finding that Congress vested tribal leaders with that decision here, the court sets aside the governments refusal to take land into trust for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians."

The law at the heart of the case is Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act . In 1997, Congress created a fund with which the tribe could acquire lands to replace those which were essentially stolen by the United States in the 1800s.

"The United States had paid the Chippewa bands $1.8 million for land worth $12.1 million," McFadden said in explaining how the Sault Tribe was mistreated by the federal government during negotiations of an 1836 treaty.

Chairperson Aaron Payment of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, center right, poses with former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke at the National Congress of American Indians mid-year session in Uncasville, Connecticut, in June 2017, a month before the tribe's land-into-trust applications were rejected. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

In correcting what the Indian Claims Commission called " unconscionable ," Congress put the tribe in control of its own destiny, McFadden noted. "The tribes board of directors is the 'trustee' of this fund and 'shall administer the fund,'" the decision stated.

Further, once the tribe decides which lands to acquire with settlement funds, the BIA "shall" place those lands in trust, the decision read. The acquisition is "mandatory," McFadden said of the obligations imposed on the Secretary of the Interior by the 1997 law.

"By its plain language, this provision imposes a mandatory duty on the Secretary to take land into trust on just one condition: that the tribe acquired the land 'using amounts from interest or other income' of the fund," the ruling read.

Despite siding with the tribe, however, McFadden said he would not order the Trump administration to place the property at issue in trust. He instead directed the BIA to examine whether the tribe acquired the lands with settlement funds -- something that never happened because officials at the Department of the Interior took a different approach to the issue for reasons that remain unexplained.

"This is a situation in which the agency mistakenly thought it was unnecessary to decide the relevant issue," McFadden concluded. "Any additional delay will be at its own peril."

Provisions in the Michigan Indian Land Claim Settlement Act authorize the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to acquire lands using a "self-sufficiency fund." The law dictates that such lands "shall" be held in trust. Source: Public Law 105143

The tribe submitted the land-into-trust applications for a site in Lansing and another in Sibley in 2014, during the Barack Obama era. The BIA never gave the tribe an answer -- until the Trump team showed up in 2017, telling the tribe that year that the land was too far from the reservation to be placed in trust.

"Here, the distances are even greater - the tribe's headquarters is approximately 260 miles (287 miles by road) from the Lansing parcels, and approximately 305 miles (356 miles by road) from the Sibley parcel," Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason wrote in the July 2017 decision letter

Nearly three years later, the lengthy process has taken a toll on the tribe's financial dreams. The Lansing parcel -- where a lucrative gaming facility was once planned -- is in the process of being reconveyed back to the city, according to a notice filed in court in January , as a result of the long wait for a favorable decision from Washington.

The tribe was the first victim of a disjointed homelands policy that emerged at the dawn of the Trump era. Despite court rulings to the contrary, the new administration told Indian Country that uncertainties in the process required the establishment of new regulations governing land acquisitions.

"To my mind, we are trying to streamline the process," John Tahsuda , a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe who previously served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, told tribes during a contentious meeting later in 2017.

Tribes complained that the proposed regulations did the opposite. They argued that it would make it nearly impossible for them to acquire lands away from existing reservations despite the existence of laws like the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act that were intended to create opportunities instead of hurdles.

Following the complaints, the Trump administration declined to move forward with the changes to the Fee-to-Trust Regulations (25 CFR 151) Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced he was pulling the plug a year ago.

I have no interest in modifying our 151 regulations unless you want them changed so we are not going to go forward with that matter," Bernhardt told the National Congress of American Indians , where Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment serves as Vice President, shortly before being confirmed as the leader, of the Department of the Interior, the federal agency with the most responsibilities in Indian Country.

Tribes, however, have detected yet another swing of the policy pendulum. During NCAi's winter session last month, they expressed alarms about the Trump administration's efforts to undo a legal opinion that addressed uncertainties in the homelands process following the devastating U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar

In response to blistering criticism at the meeting in D.C., Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney all but confirmed that the Office of the Solicitor at Interior, whose leader was formally installed just a few months ago , was the one calling the shots on key Indian policy issues such as the fee-to-trust process.

Chairman Aaron Payment of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians: We survived Andrew Jackson so we can survive anything. #StandWithMashpee pic.twitter.com/mfBnfsZyDw  indianz.com (@indianz) November 14, 2018

"I have to tell you that the Solicitor's Office sets the position for the department," Sweeney told tribal leaders, essentially abdicating her authority to the legal arm of her agency. "My role is one of advocacy, and advocacy for clarity and decision-making."

"In my discussions with the Solicitor, I continue to advocate that Indian Country deserves to have transparency in the process," Sweeney continued. "Indian Country deserves to have decisions rendered in a timely manner and that there's clarity in how we make decisions."

The response wasn't satisfactory for tribal leaders.

We didn't quite get answers," NCAI President Fawn Sharp said a day later . "We are committed at the National Congress of American Indians to ensure that those questions do no go unanswered."

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney addresses the executive council winter session of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2020. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

With the doubts lingering, the Department of the Interior has undergone some shifts in power. Following Tara Sweeney's arrival in D.C. in 2018, John Tahsuda left the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. He now works as a policy adviser to Secretary David Bernhardt.

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs position remains unfilled to this day, leaving Sweeney without a key member of her leadership team. Amid the void, Washington insiders have noted that the Office of the Solicitor -- the same entity that asserted control over tribal homelands policy in the lower 48 and in Alaska -- has detailed some of its employees to her office.

"The Devil's at her doorstep," one insider told Indianz.Com.

As for Jim Cason, he continues to hold the title of Associate Deputy Secretary. But he no longer plays a significant role in Indian policy, having stepped back in late 2018, shortly after Sweeney was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.

The Indian Affairs portfolio is now primarily in the hands of Gregg Renkes , a former attorney general of Alaska who serves as a policy adviser to Secretary Bernhardt, according to employees at Interior and tribal advocates who work closely with the department.

WOW. A day after hailing the "historic" addition of an Alaska Native to the team, the Trump administration has withdrawn -- pending "further review" -- an Obama-era legal opinion that affirmed the rights of tribes in Alaska to restore their homelands https://t.co/q89IVhGRpi pic.twitter.com/1i4KrcDMRo  indianz.com (@indianz) June 29, 2018

The presence of Renkes is notable, as Alaska has long opposed the ability of tribes in the state to benefit from the fee-to-trust process at the BIA.

The Trump administration -- without prior consultation or notice -- put a hold on all land-into-trust applications in Alaska in the summer of 2018, before Sweeney had a chance to be installed in her position, depriving her of a say in the matter. The hold has yet to be lifted.

"The land-into-trust issue with respect to Alaska is still under review," Sweeney said of a process that was initiated by the legal arm of Interior more than 18 months ago, to no apparent conclusion. "I don't have any other information to provide you at this time."

"I wish I could give you a different answer but you know that I will always give you an answer," Sweeney said at NCAI's winter session on February 11. "It may not be one that we agree on -- but you're going to get an answer from me."

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the tribal homelands case, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Bernhardt

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(SIMON WEISENTHAL CENTRE)

A new document containing the details of 12,000 Nazis who fled to Argentina has been published after it was discovered in an old storage space in Buenos Aires.

The US-based Simon Weisenthal Institute, which has been instrumental in tracking down Nazis, published a few pages of the document on Monday.

The NYC based centre says that many of the people listed had Swiss bank accounts - shining new light on the finances of war criminals who are said to have stolen from persecuted jews.

In a statement, the centre said: We believe that these long-dormant accounts hold monies looted from Jewish victims.

Soldiers from the US Army hold items of looted art treasures hidden by the Nazis. (Getty Images)

Following the collapse of the dictatorship, known Nazis fled mainland Europe to avoid being brought to justice for their crimes - with many heading to Argentina.

What were the Ratlines?

The "Ratlines" were a system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe in the aftermath of World War II.

In 1930-1932 Argentina had a pro-Nazi military regime led by President Jose Felix Uriburu - nicknamed "Von Pepe" - and his successor Agustin Pedro Justo from 1932-1938.

Read more: The fearless, forgotten hero who humiliated the Nazis on horseback

Argentine army general Juan Peron, who later became President for three terms, secretly ordered diplomats and intelligence officers to establish escape routes - which later became nicknamed ratlines.

The routes were designed to go through ports in Spain and Italy, in order to smuggle thousands of former SS officers and Nazi party members out of Europe to South America.

The Simon Weisenthal Center claims the newly unearthed documents show Credit Suisse could have held the accounts of thousands of Nazi sympathisers and SS members. (PA)

Argentina: The Nazis' "Cape of Last Hope"

Argentina had an affiliation with the Axis of dictators in Europe, because of the countrys close cultural ties with Germany, Spain, and Italy, with many of the countrys citizens of European descent.

Reports and archives states claim wealthy Germans and Argentine businessmen of German heritage were willing to pay the way for escaping Nazis.

Read more: The Hanau shooting shows how Germany is returning to its Nazi past

Story continues

The Weisenthal Centre, which published the documents, it alleges that Argentine banks with ties to Germany took the money stolen from the regime's victims and transferred them to what was then called Schweizerische Kreditanstalt - now known as Credit Suisse.

In response to a request from AFP, Credit Suisse said that between 1997 and 1999, an independent commission of experts, chaired by Paul A. Volcker, investigated Credit Suisse and sixty other Swiss banks with the aim of identifying accounts that may or may have belonged to victims of Nazi persecution.

Josef Mengele fled to Argentina after the collapse of the Third Reich. (Getty Images)

A host of top ranking figures in the Nazi regime sought to escape South America.

Josef Mengele, the doctor nicknamed the Angel of Death, who conducted experiments among the prisoners at the Auschwitz death camp, fled to the country.

Read more: Jewish-German pensioner 'lived next door to Hitler' during rise of Nazi Party

Josef Schwammberger, a leading SS commander in charge of three labor camps in the Jewish ghettoes of Nazi-occupied Poland during WWII, also escaped to Argentina.

Walther Rauff, who invented the infamous gas chambers used to kills millions of Jews, fled using the ratline to Quito, Ecuador, before arriving in Chile.

Adolf Eichmann Who Is One Of The Founders Of Gas Chambers And Other Extermination Equipment In Oswiecim (Auschwitz) After Arrest In Israel. World War Ii. (Photo by: Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Were they brought to justice?

Most of the Nazis who went to Argentina looked to remain low key, fearing repercussions if they were too vocal or visible from hunters. dedicated to tracking down war criminals.

Many high profile figures in Hitlers regime were among those who entered Argentina.

Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects behind the Holocaust, was snatched off a street in Buenos Aires by a team of Mossad agents and whisked off to Israel where he was tried and executed.

Read more: Former neo-Nazi leader arrested in swatting scheme

Other wanted war criminals remained cautious: Josef Mengele drowned in Brazil in 1979 after having been the object of a widespread manhunt for decades.

But unfortunately, some escaped their crimes altogether.

West Germany requested the extradition of Walter Rauff in 1963 but the request was expired under Chile's statute of limitations. Rauff became a wealthy food producer and died of a heart attack on May 14, 1984.

POPE PIUS XII - UNDATED - (AP-PHOTO)

What's happening today?

There is speculation that the Catholic Church turned a blind eye to the Nazi regime, with some claiming the church helped to facilitate the escape of Nazi war criminals to South America.

Critics say Pope Pius XII - labelled "Hitler's Pope" during his tenure at the time of WWII - knew Nazi Germany was murdering Jews but failed to act.

But on Monday, church historian Hubert Wolf together with a team of historians said they planned to spend the next four months combing through archived Vatican documents from the papacy of Pius XII.

An employee opens the Vatican Secret Archives area on the pontificate of Pope Pius XII in Vatican City, Vatican. (Getty Images)

It is the first time the Holy See has published the archives from Pius' tenure - with some hoping it will offer a chance to investigate the role of the church in the escape of Nazis from Europe when the Third Reich collapse.

The University of Munster professor told DW."It's an incredible opportunity to answer several pending questions from the era, and a huge challenge. We're talking about 300,000 - 400,000 documents of 1,000 pages each."

"It may transpire that the pope knew nothing of any concrete help and that some people ruthlessly exploited that. Or Pius knew all about it, and turned a blind eye.
Power cuts during Californias devastating wildfire season have boosted demand for combined solar panels and battery storage solutions as businesses look to mitigate economic damage from future blackouts.

Billions of dollars in economic activity were lost from mass power shutoffs during wildfires in California last year. The blackouts, which were aimed at preventing live wires from sparking more fires during high winds, caused widespread disruption for Californians at the end of last year and forced schools and business to shut.

Were seeing more tenders for solar-storage combinations in areas where there are reliability issues, in California for instance, where blackouts this autumn boosted demand, Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Engie SAs head of renewables division, said in an interview Tuesday. Were also seeing demand on islands, with tenders in Hawaii for solar-storage combinations.

The need for a more reliable supply of electricity coincides with a push by companies, governments and investors for cleaner power as part of efforts to mitigate climate change, which is partly to blame for recent giant blazes from Australia to Portugal.

Engie, which signed a deal last September to supply Microsoft Corp. with electricity from a mix of wind and solar, wants to boost the number of power purchase agreements which would combine various types of low-carbon energy with storage devices, Avice-Huet said.

Whats happening in the U.S. will take place elsewhere, she said. Well be able to export these solutions in other geographies by mixing technologies.

The French utility is among a growing list of companies offering relief from weather-related blackouts and power shortages. Options include solar and battery combinations from Sunrun Inc. and Tesla Inc., and natural gas or diesel-fueled micro-power plants from Generac Holdings Inc.

Engie quadrupled its commissions of wind and solar farms last year, to 3 gigawatts, and it wants to maintain that rate this year and again in 2021 with expansion across the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.

The company has stakes in 26.9 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, comprising about 28% of its power generation assets. The utility said last week it wants to increase that to 58% by 2030.

To grow faster in capital-intensive areas, Engie is in the process of buying hydro-electric dams in Portugal. Its also forming a joint venture in offshore wind with Portuguese utility EDP Renovaveis SA, which is developing a giant project at sea off the coast of Massachusetts.

Were interested a lot in the U.S. because of the size of its projects, Huet said. Engie, which is building wind farms in Belgian and Scottish waters and developing projects in France, is also interested in upcoming offshore tenders in the Netherlands, Poland and the U.K., she said.

To fund growth in clean power, Engie has sold stakes in projects in France, India and Mexico. The company may continue to shed assets in France, and is also considering doing so in the U.S. and Australia, Huet said.

Its a balance to find, Huet said. She added Engie will consider whether to sell assets geography by geography, and project by project.

With assistance from Joe Ryan and Christopher Martin.

Source: Newswire
Every Friday, The Citizen features a pet available for adoption from the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York. This week, we spotlight Gray Lady.

AGE: Senior citizen, about 8 years old

BREED: Domestic shorthair, gray

COMMENTS: Madam Gray Lady came to the shelter a few weeks ago. The circumstances surrounding her arrival are unfortunate to say the least. Her owner was no longer able to care for her, and there were no friends or family to take over her care, so the shelter was her only option. It's tough on a senior citizen  feline, canine or human  to suddenly lose the only home they have ever known. However, we have made Gray Lady comfortable and are working hard to find her a foster home so that she can regain some of her feelings of security and love that she lost.

Gray Lady is a senior girl. As far as we can tell, she's not much interested in running crazy around the house. She was born with a paw anomaly that makes running somewhat difficult anyway. However, it does not inhibit her ability to walk, use her litter box faithfully and behave like a cat in any other way. She's a very sweet girl and all she is looking for is a quiet and safe place and a nice human to call her own again.

Gray Lady is looking for a foster home! As such, the shelter will cover her expenses. She is up to date on all vaccinations (rabies, distemper, feline kennel cough), she is negative for FIV/FeLV, and she is spayed.

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: Well, I did have a BFF but she got very sick and had to move far away  without me. Frankly, that was a very traumatic experience for both of us. I'm still trying to recover, but I'm doing well and making awesome progress. So, as far as BFFs are concerned, I'm saving myself for my new human, although I am really fond of the lady who gives me treats every morning. She's pretty cool.

Q: Do you have a bucket list, and if so, what's numero uno?

A: Numero uno on my bucket list would be for a very kind person to take me home and let me live a comfortable life for the years I have left. I hope there are many of them  years, that is. Yes, I do have some issues, but nothing that can't be dealt with fairly easily. My shelter people will be happy to talk with you about me and what my needs are. They are actually very simple. All I want is a warm lap or a sunny spot to snooze on. I'm easy to please.

Q: If you could meet someone famous, who would that be?

A: I know exactly who that would be. There is this man called the Cat Daddy, aka Jackson Galaxy, and I would love to meet him. He is a cat behaviorist and always full of good advice about why your feline friends are acting in a particular way. I am trying to talk my shelter people into having Mr. Galaxy do a consultation here so he can tell them how to help some of the naughty cats in here  and they know who they are! Haha!

Q: So, tell us something interesting about you!

A: Well, I don't mean to sound big-headed or anything, but I am a cat and everything about me is interesting! I mean, have you ever known a boring cat? Right, didn't think so.

Q: What has been your best experience?

A: I'm hoping that my best experience is about to happen. My shelter folks are looking for a "foster" person for me. That means that I will go home with this kind person and that my shelter people will continue to cover my expenses. That's right! Just give me a place to call home, love me for as long as I live and it won't cost you a cent! Hate to say this, but I'm cheap and easy! Please, make my best experience happen soon!

Q: Do you have an interesting fact to share?

A: I do! Have you ever heard the word "digitigrade"? That's a mouthful, but let me tell you what that means. We felines are "digitigrade" mammals, meaning that we walk on our toes! Conversely, humans are plantigrade mammals because you walk on the soles of your feet, with your toes only touching the ground briefly toward the end of each step. Now that I have "planted" that little seed you can spend the rest of your day watching your favorite feline walk! LOL!

Q: How would you describe yourself?

A: For an old girl I am still pretty good-looking. No wrinkles that you can see, and I still have my schoolgirl figure. Sometimes I have an intense look on my face but I am actually pretty laid back. But maybe that's a look of worry. I'm worried about my future.

Q: Do you have any advice for our good Citizen readers?

A: Of course I do! Dear good Citizen readers! If you really care about your fur-family members, please ensure that there is a safety net for them should something happen to you. That would mean that there is someone to care for your pets if you should get sick, go on vacation, or worse. My shelter people have to deal with those situations every day. Coming here is so hard on us after living in a home with family, we get stressed, get sick and otherwise don't do well at all. Don't get me wrong, my shelter people are very good to us, but there's no place like home. Thank you and much love and many licks, Gray Lady and friends.

The Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York is a New York state-registered shelter/rescue, registration No. RR-181. Pursuant to Article 26-A, Section 408 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, the registrant is authorized to operate as a registered pet rescue, in compliance with such law.

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Update, March 6, 2020: Hachette Book Group has canceled the publication of Woody Allens memoir and says it will return the rights to Allen.

On Monday, Hachette Book Groups Grand Central Publishing announced that director Woody Allens memoir, Apropos of Nothing, will hit bookstores on April 7. The news came as a surprise, and not just because the book had been rejected from multiple major publishing houses over allegations that Allen sexually abused Dylan Farrow as a child (allegations that Allen has repeatedly denied). Last year, another division of Hachette published Ronan Farrows bestseller Catch and Killa book that Ronan has since described as being about how powerful men, including Woody Allen, avoid accountability for sexual abuse. In a statement on Tuesday, Ronan announced his intention to cut ties with Hachette over the news, writing that the publishers decision to publish Allens book demonstrated a lack of ethics and compassion for victims of sexual abuse.

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On Thursday, at 3 p.m. EST, a group of Hachette employees walked out of the companys New York City headquarters in support of Ronan and Dylan Farrow and all survivors of sexual assault, according to a statement that employees tweeted out and shared in automated email responses from their work accounts. The walkouts timing coincided with a town hall meeting that Hachette Book Group CEO Michael Pietsch had scheduled that afternoon to answer questions about the decision-making process behind acquiring and publishing Allens memoir. Instead of attending, protestorsmany of them from the imprint that had published Farrows book, Little, Brownstood outside for around an hour, then went home.

Others within the publishing industry, including authors who have published books with Hachettes various imprints, shared their support for the walkout, including Ronan Farrow, who retweeted the protesting employees statements. Dylan Farrow also expressed her gratitude.

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Unbelievably overwhelmed and so incredibly grateful for the solidarity demonstrated by @HachetteUS and @littlebrown employees today. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Dylan Farrow (@RealDylanFarrow) March 5, 2020

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In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Hachette Book Group said that it respect[s] and understand[s] the perspective of our employees who have decided to express their concern over the publication of this book. We will engage our staff in a fuller discussion about this at the earliest opportunity.

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To learn more about the internal response to the Allen memoir, how the walkout was organized, and what Hachette employees hope it will achieve, Slate spoke to an associate publicist at Little, Brown who wishes to remain anonymous. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Slate: Tell me more about the walkout. How was it planned?

Hachette employee: It was kind of just word-of-mouth whispers. The walkout wasnt fully planned until earlier this afternoon. Obviously we werent going to be emailing each other, just because we didnt want to implicate ourselves, I guess. Not that theres anything wrong with what we did, but you never know. It was really pretty quiet. Some people were passing around sheets of paper that had just one sentence and it was really straightforward. I think it stems from frustration that the CEO was holding a town hall and instead of going to a town hall where theyll try to placate us, we decided to walk out.

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Why didnt you want to hear what he had to say at the town hall?

The general sentiment is that he has been very defensive, and the town hall did not seem to come from an honest place. More a due diligence. He obviously knows how everyone feels already.

When did you find out that Grand Central Publishing would be publishing Woody Allens memoir?

I am not directly involved in Grand Central Publishing. I work at Little, Brown, which is where Ronan Farrows book Catch and Kill was published in October. Nobody in the entire imprint of Little, Brownat least the people I knowheard about it until the Associated Press wrote about it. It was a big-time secret even to the highest editors and publicists in our division. I think the general mood when everybody found out was confusion. Nobody knows why it is happening still, and thats part of why we did this, to push for its cancellation. It was a very big secret from everyone at Little, Brown. And the excuse wassince Grand Central is publishing itthat Little, Brown isnt involved, which isnt a very good excuse [for not telling the employees] because its the same company.

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When the news broke, what was the internal discussion like?

Again, we also found out about it with the AP piece, and it wasnt news of the acquisition. The acquisition was done last year, but there was no deal announcement [at the time], which usually happens. We found out a month before its being published, so this book already physically exists somewhere. Thats also part of the problem and a lot of the reason a lot of people at Little, Brown and everybody at the company felt betrayed. It was a complete secret up until it was produced and made into a bound book.

When would you normally be informed that Hachette is publishing a memoir by a celebrity like Woody Allen?

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Usually for an acquisition for a celebrity memoir that isnt written by someone as deeply problematic and terrible, [we would know] as soon as the contract was signed. Its exciting when you get any other celebrity who hasnt done terrible, awful things, you want to tell everybody: We bought their memoir. Were publishing it and we just signed a contract. Stay tuned next year because youre going to be able to buy it. Because why wouldnt you want to announce this amazing thing that you just bought that your readers are going to get to have? Obviously, they mustve known that they were doing something wrong, because they didnt tell anybody when it was acquired. And the book had been shopped a couple of years ago and nobody wanted it, which I find unsurprising, personally.

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Do you see any value in publishing the book?

I do not. Perhaps [Allen] still has fans, but I dont think any of that matters in the slightest considering the things hes been accused of doing.

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How many people walked out?

Around 75. It wasnt just from Little, Brown. There were people from Grand Central and Orbit, but the majority of the people were from Little, Brown. Most of my team walked out. The people I work with are so amazing. Normally in publishing, wed be told to defend the company, but my entire publicity team is women, and our director supported us in walking out. Especially in publishing, which is historically older white men and problematic, its nice to know theres a team like this.

What do you hope the walkout will accomplish?

We want the book to be canceled. Its going to be expensive, but its the right thing to do. We want a public apology from the CEO. This has ruined a really amazing relationship that Little, Brown had with Ronan Farrow, whos been in touch with us and sent us support. The least they can do is cancel the book.
The Duchess of Sussex showcased a make-up look worthy of the red carpet as she joined Prince Harry at the Endeavour Awards last night.

London-based make-up artist Laura Kay noted Meghan used a classic combination of a darker lip, contoured cheeks and 'A-list brow' to create a showstopping look.

The royal enhanced her radiant complexion with a 950 Victoria Beckham dress in a stunning shade of azure blue.

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Radiant: The Duchess of Sussex showcased a make-up look worthy of the red carpet as she joined Prince Harry at the Endeavour Awards last night, pictured

Splash of color: The royal enhanced her radiant complexion with a 950 Victoria Beckham dress in a stunning shade of azure blue as she joined Prince Harry at the awards, pictured

Speaking to FEMAIL about the stunning look, Laura said: 'The royal look has gone straight out of the window and in its place is Meghans new A-list makeover.

'Meghan is definitely making a statement with her makeup choices for her last official British royal engagement.

'Her eye makeup is smoldering and skin is more radiant and dewier than ever. She is glowing! The Duchess appears to have contoured her cheekbones with a liquid bronzer which plays off a Mediterranean inspiration.

'She opted for a glossy deep pink lipstick which really suits her complexion. I think she will play with brighter lip colors in the future.'

Red carpet glamour: London-based make-up artist Laura Kay noted Meghan used a classic combination of a darker lip, contoured cheeks and 'A-list brow' to create a showstopping look

Flying the flag for British fashion! Meghan triumphs UK designers The Duchess of Sussex gave a masterclass in diplomatic dressing as she stepped out for the Endeavour Awards in London last night. Meghan, 38, wore a dress, handbag and bracelet by British designers as she joined Harry, 35, for their first engagement since 'Megxit'. The royal brought a splash of color to a rainy London evening in a stunning 950 azure blue dress by Victoria Beckham, which she accessorized with a Lucia Plexi Clutch by Stella McCartney. Supporting smaller labels, Meghan chose the 9,500 Chi Chi Rose Gold and Diamond Bracelet by Jessica McCormack. However Meghan turned to a Spanish name when it came to her shoes, plumping for tried-and-tested Manolo Blahniks. Great British designers! The royal brought a splash of color to a rainy London evening in a stunning $1200 azure blue dress by Victoria Beckham, pictured All in the details: Meghan accessorized with a Lucia Plexi Clutch by Stella McCartney and a 9,500 Rose Gold and Diamond Bracelet by Jessica McCormack, pictured Advertisement

'Meghan usually opts for soft natural eyebrows but her brows are the most noticeable update and transforms her look into serious A-lister.'

Bridget O'Keeffe, founder of Blush and Blow London, agreed: 'Meghans eyes are heavier than we are used to seeing from Royals. A dark brown kohl has been used around her whole eye, smudged in with matt dark brown shadow. Glossy lips and contoured cheeks add to the drama of her look.'

Both experts agreed it could be a sign of how Meghan will choose to style herself going forward.

Bridget said: 'This look is slightly less fresh than we are used to seeing from her, perhaps showing us that she is ready to start separating herself from the "royal grooming guidelines" we are used to the Duchess of Cambridge following.

'Although these are mainly unwritten rules; demure, fresh and understated is expected. This look is back to what we once saw from her red carpet glam days.'

Power move: Laura noted that Meghan's entire look is 'sexier' than we have previously seen and suggests a level of confidence in her current position in life

Next chapter: Laura said: The royal look has gone straight out of the window and in its place is Meghans new A-list makeover'. Pictured, the Duchess of Sussex at the event

A-list beauty: The royal forewent her usual low key make-up for a glamorous lip and a dark smokey eye for the award's event

'My guess is, Meghan is sending the world a message and her new look is a teaser of what style we can expect to see in the future,' Laura continued. 'She will most definitely be wanting to become known for her own individual style.

'Her statement yesterday appears to be I am here". Going forward Meghan might be more adventurous with her makeup. Heading into spring she might wear more of a shimmery look and more sparkle on her lip. I can see her opting for more of a defined eyeliner in the future.'

Last night marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' first official outing in the UK since announcing they would be stepping back as senior royals.

The couple have a number of appearances scheduled this weekend, culminating on Monday when they will join senior royals including the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Commonwealth Day service in London.

It is thought these will be Harry and Meghan's last official duties before their royal roles officially come to an end on March 31.
Completing hundred days in office, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has managed to walk a tightrope so far, deftly handling issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens and the Muslim quota, while heading the alliance between his pro-Hindutva Shiv Sena party and the secular Congress-NCP.

Mumbai: Completing hundred days in office, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has managed to walk a tightrope so far, deftly handling issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens and the Muslim quota, while heading the alliance between his pro-Hindutva Shiv Sena party and the secular Congress-NCP.

Thackeray, who had never held any position in any government before he was sworn in as chief minister on 28 November, 2019, seems to have settled in his new role quickly, mainly owing to his calm manner and capacity to take along the heavyweights in his cabinet, observers say.

The unlikely coalition came to power after long-time allies Shiv Sena and BJP parted ways over the chief minister's post despite winning the Assembly polls.

After taking over as the chief minister, Thackeray admitted in the legislature that he was inexperienced.

Interestingly, he chose not to keep major portfolios with him, instead distributing them among his experienced colleagues such as Sena's Eknath Shinde, NCP's Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Congress' Balasaheb Thorat.

A senior minister said Thackeray gives space to all senior leaders in his cabinet. "He favours decision-making by consensus, taking every one along," the leader said.

He also enjoys a good rapport with NCP president Sharad Pawar, who is seen as the architect of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of the three parties.

Owing to different ideologies of its constituents, the government has dealt with some thorny issues such as the stand on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Population Register, and reservations for Muslims.

But Thackeray did not allow the Opposition BJP to corner him on any of these issues.

On CAA and NPR, he initially said there was nothing objectionable about these measures, but then set up a cabinet sub-committee to "study and advise" the state government on what stand should be taken.

When the NCP and Congress announced that they supported reservations for Muslims in education, something which the Sena had opposed in the past, Thackeray sidestepped the issue saying the proposal had not come up before him yet.

When the BJP tried to corner him over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's uncharitable comments about Savarkar whom the Sena reveres, Thackeray asked why the BJP failed to confer Bharat Ratna on the Hindutva ideologue in the last five years.

To counter BJP's allegation that he compromised on Hindutva to gain power, Thackeray announced that he will visit Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Ram on completion of 100 days in office.

When the BJP demanded that Aurangabad in central Maharashtra, a city which derives its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, be renamed as Sambhajinagar, the government quickly renamed the Aurangabad airport after Chhatrapati Sambhaji, warrior king Shivaji's elder son.

Thackeray avoided direct confrontation with the Centre over the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima caste violence case.

Pawar had earlier demanded inquiry into the way Pune Police, who arrested several rights activists in the case, went about the probe.

Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh had opposed the Center's decision to take over the probe. But in Pune court, the government gave its nod for the NIA's take-over.

Thackeray defended the U-turn saying that the Bhima Koregaon caste violence and Elgar Parishad were different cases and the NIA had taken over only the latter.

Thackeray has never contested an election in his life. Now he would need to contest one, to become a member of either the state Assembly or the Legislative Council.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 14:58:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China has disposed of 123,000 tonnes of medical waste since late January amid the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), said the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) Friday.

As of March 3, China's medical waste disposal capacity had reached 5,948.5 tonnes per day, increasing by 1,045.7 tonnes each day from before the outbreak.

The disposal capacity of Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, rose to 663.7 tonnes per day, showed the MEE data.

In addition, environmental authorities monitored the country's 11,474 drinking water sources and did not find any impact from the epidemic on the quality of the sources, the ministry said.
Donald Trump slammed Chuck Schumer for his threats against Supreme Court justices for their rulings on abortion, saying if a Republican had done that they would be in prison.

'If a Republican did what Schumer did, they would be in jail right now,' he said Thursday night at his Fox News town hall.

Schumer has come under heavy fire for his remarks at an abortion rights rally made before the steps of the Supreme Court building.

Donald Trump slammed Chuck Schumer for his threats against Supreme Court justices

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tore into his colleague Sen. Charles Schumer in a floor speech Thursday  accusing the top Senate Democrat of an inherent 'threat of violence' against Supreme Court justices.

McConnell spoke hours after Schumer told justices they had 'released the whirlwind' with their rulings and would 'pay the price.

McConnell called the comments 'shameful' and said the remarks carried the 'inherent threat of violence.' He called the comments 'completely irresponsible.'

'I fully anticipated our colleague would withdraw his comments and apologize,' McConnell said.

'Thats what even reliably liberal legal experts have publicly urged. Instead, our colleague doubled down. Doubled down. He tried to gaslight the entire country and stated that he was actually threatening fellow senators. As though that would be much better. But thats a fiction. And then a few hours later the Democratic Leader tripled down,' McConnell said.

McConnell said he expected Schumer would take a sober look at his comments after suffering an extraordinary rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unloaded on colleague Charles Schumer for his comments about the Supreme Court

McConnell apologized for having to read Schumer's comments into the record.

'First, he prompted a crowd of left-wing activists to boo two of the associate justices, as though Supreme Court justices were professional athletes and senator Schumer were jeering from the stands,' McConnell said. 'And then, the senior senator from New York said this: "I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you've released a whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' he said, quoting Schumer.

McConnell said the statement was a threat, and 'there is absolutely no question to whom, to whom it was directed.

'The United States Senator threatened the Supreme Court justices. Period. Theres no other way to interpret that,' he continued. 'At the very best his comments were astonishingly reckless and completely irresponsible,' McConnell added.

Minutes after McConnell spoke, Schumer took to the floor to accuse McConnell and fellow Republicans of using the courts as a back door way to ban abortion  then made his way admitting he shouldn't have used the language he did.

'I should not have used the words I used yesterday. They didnt come out the way I intended to,' Schumer said.

'My point was there would be political consequences  political consequence  for president Trump and Senate Republicans,' he said, explicitly denying any intention to incite violence.

'Of course I didnt intend to suggest anything other than political and public opinion consequences for the Supreme Court and it is a gross distortion to imply otherwise,' he said.

''Im from Brooklyn. We speak in strong language. I shouldnt have used the words I did but in no way was I making a threat. I never, never would do such a thing and leader McConnell knows that,' Schumer said.

His Wednesday comments, made outside the Supreme Court, drew outrage just as Joe Biden was consolidating support from former rivals in his fight for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Schumer's longtime roommate and deputy, Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, also took to the floor to defend him.

Trump again blasted Schumer's remarks following McConnell's floor statement

'It is not in Chuck Schumers nature to physically threaten anyone or create a dangerous situation for any person. That is just not Chuck Schumer,' said Durbin.

Durbin also scoffed at President Trump dressing down Schumer over the comments. 'Being admonished by President Trump for his use of words. It just takes your breath away,' he said. He brought up that it was McConnell who drew up the strategy to block President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, judge Merrick Garland, from ever getting a Senate hearing. Trump ended up filling the seat after he got elected.

Schumer began his remarks with what he called a 'glaring omission' by McConnell.

'He did not mention what the rally yesterday or my speech or the case before the court was about  a womans constitutional right to choose,' he said. He accused GOP senators and the courts with 'working hand in glove to take down Roe v. Wade.'

McConell's searing comments came after President Trump blasted Schumer over remarks he made about Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch on Wednesday.

Schumer's remarks came at a rally outside the high court while a high-profile abortion case was being argued inside.

'You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' Schumer said, naming the two Trump appointees, according to video of the rally available online.

'It's a disgrace that he was able to say that,' Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday evening. 'That was a terrible thing he said  I was amazed by it.'

President Donald Trump has fired back at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer over remarks he made about Supreme Court Justices

'You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' Schumer said at this rally

The abortion case in front of the Supreme Court is the first to be heard since Donald Trump appointed Neil Gorsuch (left) and Brett Kavanaugh (right) as justices

Trump said that Schumer had delivered his remarks to a 'on the streets in front of a rough crowd' and that if a Republican had said something similar they would 'see very bad things happen.'

Earlier, Trump tweeted: 'This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW!'

'There can be few things worse in a civilized, law abiding nation, than a United States Senator openly, and for all to see and hear, threatening the Supreme Court or its Justices. This is what Chuck Schumer just did. He must pay a severe price for this!' Trump tweeted.

The justices are currently weighing a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

A federal judge found that just one of Louisiana's three abortion clinics would remain open if the law is allowed to take effect.

Roberts, who in 2018 rebuked Trump for the president's criticism of an 'Obama judge,' had jumped to his colleagues' defense after Schumer's remarks.

'Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous,' Roberts said in a statement.

'It's a disgrace that he was able to say that,' Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity (above) on Wednesday evening. 'That was a terrible thing he said'

In a statement Wednesday, Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman criticized Roberts, saying that 'to follow the right win's deliberate misinterpretation of what Sen. Schumer said' shows the chief justice 'does not just call balls and strikes.'

Goodman said Schumer's comments 'were a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court, and a warning that the justices will unleash a major grassroots movement on the issue of reproductive rights against the decision.'

He noted that the chief justice remained quiet in recent weeks when Trump questioned the impartiality of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor.
The International Indian Film Academy Awards 2020 (IIFA) has been postponed, in the wake of the coronavirus scare. The award function was scheduled to be held in March end in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The organisers have said they will soon announce a fresh date.

An official statement from the IIFA organisers said, With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFAs fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, the IIFA management, and stakeholders from the film industry it has been decided to postpone to a later date the much-awaited IIFA Weekend and Awards 2020 celebrations which were originally scheduled at the end of March 2020.

Also read: Janhvi Kapoor remembers how mom Sridevi would decorate her room on birthdays and make everything feel special

A fresh date and plans for hosting IIFA in Madhya Pradesh will be announced at the earliest. IIFA is fully committed to ensure the safety of the citizens and legions of IIFA fans who travel from across the globe to attend and experience the magic of IIFA.We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused, and hope that all concerned understand the sensitivity of the situation, it further stated.

After a pre-event, scheduled for March 21 in Bhopal, the actual three-day IIFA 2020 was set to take place in Indore from March 27 to 29.

Recently, Deepika Padukoen cancelled her Paris trip due to coronavirus scare. Deepika Padukone was scheduled to travel to France to attend Louis Vuittons FW2020 Show at the ongoing Paris Fashion Week but she had to cancel the trip due to the worsening of the coronavirus situation in France, her official spokesperson had told IANS.

The total number of coronavirus positive cases in India reached 31 on Friday after a man from Delhis Uttam Nagar tested positive for coronavirus.

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A VCCI (Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry) report released in late 2019 showed that the privileges to crony businesses have decreased, but not enough to ensure equal competition among businesses.

The report on the implementation of the governments Resolution No 02/2019 and Resolution No 35/2016 pointed out that the preferences to businesses decreased slightly from 77 percent in 2015 to 70 percent in 2018.





In the last four years of monitoring, the proportion was never lower than 70 percent.



According to Le Cao Doan from the Vietnam Economics Institute, it is very difficult to assess the scale and activities of crony businesses. There is no official definition about crony businesses, or back-door businesses, and there is no official research work about the size of the group of businesses.

The report on the implementation of the governments Resolution No 02/2019 and Resolution No 35/2016 pointed out that the preferences to businesses decreased slightly from 77 percent in 2015 to 70 percent in 2018.

By nature, crony businesses are understood as the enterprises which live in the shadow of state-owned or private enterprises to hide relations and collude with state management agencies to obtain privileges that other businesses cannot obtain.



The activities of crony businesses, like the underground economy, are carried out in the dark, so it is difficult to discover them.



However, Doan affirmed that crony businesses exist, creating the discriminatory treatment among businesses.



This generates hindrances and distorts the market. They are dangerous because they do not encourage economic development based on the development of science and technology and good management, but on the basis of relations with management agencies.



The existence of these crony businesses will result in the loss of resources, while cumulative value of the economy cannot be generated, because the benefits from crony businesses wont be transferred to the state budget, but fall into the pockets of interest groups.



Doan pointed out that the bigger the proportion of privileges for crony businesses, the bigger negative impact they will have on the economy.



In developed economies, cronyism also exists, but it is considered illegal and like the behavior of evading tax, it is heavily punished.



Bui Ngoc Son from the Institute for the World Economics and Politics Research Institute commented that though there is no official definition about crony businesses, everyone believes that this type of businesses is very popular in Vietnam.



They are so popular that there is a saying that it is necessary to establish relations first before establishing businesses, he said.



Many private enterprises in Vietnam develop thanks to the privileges they can enjoy in exploiting natural resources, such as forests, minerals and land. The legal loopholes and the mismanagement give the opportunities to these enterprises to get rich at a lightening speed.



The growth of the enterprises is based on relations with management agencies which grant them privileges, not on their real capability and creativity.

Linh Ha

Twelve SOEs report losses in 2019 The Ministry of Finance has revealed that twelve out of 136 wholly state-owned enterprises had posted losses of $31 million in the first half of last year, and six others faced warnings regarding financial security.
Paul Macneill, honorary associate professor at the University of Sydney, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on March 6, 2020. (NTD Television)

SYDNEYThe world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts has almost completed its first week of performances at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia, where Paul Macneill, an honorary associate professor in Ethics and Law at the University of Sydney, had an elevating experience on March 6, 2020.

In one sense its ethereal, but I dont want to use that word in a loose way. Its elevating. I have to say its elevating. For me, its real art. Its a form of art Im not familiar with, but I feel very privileged to have been introduced to it, Macneill said.

The dancers of the New York-based company made a strong impression on the associate professor.

I think the delicacy of the movement, I mean its incredibly physical movement, but its done with such grace. Obviously, they are very very well-trained dancers but the way they perform is so controlled and yet flowing, and I just think its aesthetic, he said.

Classical Chinese dance is a complex system, on par with ballet, which has been developed over thousands of years. It emphasizes not only on the external physical movements but also the inner feelings that drive the dancers body into motion.

The movements in classical Chinese dance are rich and varied and capable of expressing joy, sorrow, anger, the emotions that come with parting and reuniting, insanity, sickness, solemnity, as well as civil, military, and other personalities.

Macneill said that the animated backdrops gave him an understanding of the cultural background and found the mission of Shen Yun to be enlightening.

I think the whole project is very enlightening. I understand the story that this is a group thats trying to maintain the thousand years old tradition, which may have suffered under communist rule in China, and I really respect that commitment to the art, the associate professor said.

The performance also conveyed a divinely inspired theme that stood out to him.

I see it as divinely inspired. And for me divinely inspired doesnt mean that its not earthy, because divinity and Earth meet beautifully in this context. These people are grounded and elevated. Its the Heaven and the Earth coming together. I really understand that, he said.

I want to write emails as soon as I get home! I dont know how many nights are left but Id love for my friends to see this. I had no idea that it would be this good, Macneill continued.

With reporting by NTD Television and Alan Cheung.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
Tim Hortons is temporarily banning the use of reusable cups at its restaurants due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the company said Friday. (Getty)

Tim Hortons is temporarily banning the use of reusable cups at its restaurants due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the company said Friday.

The decision complicates the companys revamped Roll Up the Rim contest, which begins next week.

Encouraging the use of reusable cups is a key part of the coffee and doughnut chains new Roll Up the Rim contest. Throughout the duration of the contest, which begins March 11, any customer that brings in a reusable cup and uses the app will receive three rolls on the app. Tim Hortons also planned on giving away 1.8 million reusable cups for free, a move the company said was part of its 10-year commitment to change consumer perceptions and habits towards using reusable cups.

The company said Friday it will still give customers who bring in a reusable cup three rolls on the app, but guests will be provided a recyclable paper cup. The reusable cup giveaway is being delayed until later this year.

Although experts continue to indicate a low risk in Canada, we are taking a measured, reasonable approach and will continue to monitor, evaluate and update our procedures should it become warranted, the company said in a statement Friday.

Tim Hortons also said that it is sourcing extra gloves, hand sanitization gel and other cleaning materials should we need them in the coming months.

Both Starbucks and Second Cup said Thursday that they are temporarily banning reusable cups, but would continue to honour any discounts associated with the environmentally friendly measure.

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UPDATE: After bad news coverage, Trump changed his mind and is now going to the CDC.

Trump has been telling Americans that the coronavirus was nothing for weeks, but he canceled his trip to the CDC out of fear of catching the virus.

Trump told reporters when asked why he canceled his trip to the CDC, They thought there was a problem at CDC, somebody that had the virus. It turned out negative, so well see what we can do. Yesterday afternoon we were informed there may have been a person with the virus. And they now find out that that was a negative test. They tested the person fully, and it was a negative test. So I may be going. Were going to see if they can turn it around. We may be going.

Video:

After spending weeks minimizing the coronavirus outbreak, Trump cancels his trip to the CDC because he is worried about getting coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/EdjoblPWce  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 6, 2020

On Wednesday night, Trump claimed that the fatality statistics from coronavirus were false and made up his own fake number. By Friday, Trump is canceling his trip to the CDC in Atlanta because he is afraid that he might catch the virus.

Trump is facing withering criticism for his canceled trip. In a time of crisis, a president is supposed to reassure the nation, not add to the panic.

Donald Trumps canceled trip is a big reminder to voters that the only thing that this president cares about is himself.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

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New Delhi, March 6 : Donating hair is a great way to show our support to people battling cancer and in one such noble initiative 80 girl students of a private college in Tamil Nadu have donated a portion of their hair which has left netizens impressed.

A report doing the rounds on social media stated that around 80 girl students of a college in Coimbatore donated a portion of their hair which will be used to make wigs for cancer patients and will be given to the cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.

Tamil Nadu Pradesh Mahila Congress applauded the students for their efforts and wrote, "Giving is not just making a donation but it's about making a difference. 80 college students from Coimbatore donated a part of their hair towards cancer patients. This act of kindness will definitely go a long way even though it isn't financial help. Way to go girls." As the news surfaced on the Internet, Twitterati have flooded social media with their reactions.

A user wrote, "It's 'Shakti' always comes as the DEVI for the betterment/wellbeing of mankind." Another wrote, "Sacrifice their so valuable things...Salute." A post read, "Laudable...Oh sisters you are doing a commendable job for our society." "Those girls sacrifice their so valuable things...Salute to them" a user remarked.

The World Cancer Report said that according to the estimated cancer burden in India in 2018, there are about 1.16 million new cancer cases, 784,800 cancer deaths, and 2.26 million five-year prevalent cases in India's population of 1.35 billion.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 00:15:36|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2018 shows the reflection of the Capitol Hill on an ambulance's door in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Washington loves to brag about press freedom. The facts, however, tell us otherwise.

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department has recently announced a cap on the number of staffers for Chinese media based in the United States.

Such a peremptory move represents the latest step in an escalating political crackdown by Washington on Chinese media outlets in the United States, and has seriously disturbed the normal reporting activities of these organizations.

Furthermore, the policy tarnishes the credibility of these news outlets, hinders regular people-to-people exchanges, and fully exposes the two-faced nature of America's so-called freedom of the press.

Washington loves to brag about press freedom. The facts, however, tell us otherwise.

Journalists work inside the media booth during a UN plenary meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, on Sept. 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one," A. J. Liebling, a writer for The New Yorker, once said, accurately revealing how in the United States freedom of press is reserved for deep-pockets, vested interests groups and the powerful.

In recent years, this U.S. government has been on a systemic offensive against press freedom and media bodies, seeking to portray those unfriendly media as "fake news" makers.

While Washington has kept a tight leash on media reporting domestically, it has used the news media as a weapon against countries around the world it deems either unfriendly or challenging.

Journalists take photos of the first public hearing held by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States, on Dec. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)



U.S. daily Wall Street Journal recently published an article, tagging China as the "real sick man of Asia" while the country was bravely fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has insisted on defending the newspaper's ignorance and racism, while ignoring the opposition of the Chinese government and its people.

And in the U.S. media's coverage of countries like Syria and Venezuela, the absence of unbiased reporting and journalistic objectivity have been too conspicuous to deny.

Edward Snowden is seen on the screen during a live remote interview at CeBIT 2015, the world's top trade fair for information and communication technology, in Hanover, Germany, on March 18, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

These abuses of its superpower status have unequivocally revealed Washington's Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice. For those harboring a zero-sum mentality in Washington, China is a threat that needs to be dealt with.

In a newly released book "Fake Fear: America and China Relations," author Xin Jiyan argues that "Washington is currently besieged by hawkish policy makers, who consider China as indeed a cause for fear ... although China-bashing is not new, it is increasingly jeopardizing normal exchanges, mutual trust and cooperation between China and the United States."

The United States has long boasted about its own brand of democracy and freedom, a "Shining city on a hill."

Yet such self-aggrandizement only serves to bolster Washington's naked hegemonic desire to rule the world supreme, utilizing domestic news media in the process. It reveals that America's resolute belief in freedom of the press is anything but. 
(CNN)  Starbucks is expecting significantly lower sales in its Chinese stores in the second quarter because of the deadly coronavirus.

In February, sales at stores open at least 13 months in China dropped 78% compared to the prior year because of temporary store closures, reduced hours of operation and a sharp decline in customer traffic, CEO Kevin Johnson and CFO Patrick Grismer noted in a letter to stakeholders Thursday.

The disruption means that Starbucks has had to significantly adjust its second-quarter outlook in China.

Before the outbreak, the company expected sales at stores open at least 13 months to jump by 3%. Now, it estimates a 50% decline, and a hit of between $400 million to $430 million to its revenue in the country compared to earlier expectations. And it may delay opening some stores in the country.

The coffee chain closed about 80% of its Chinese locations in February.

Since then, it has reopened most of its locations. Today, more than 90% of Starbucks stores in China are open for business. But things aren't back to normal at those locations. The open stores still have reduced hours and are limiting seating to keep customers at a distance from one another. Some cafes are just offering delivery. The company expects 95% of stores to be open by the end of the second quarter, but with this type of limited service.

Starbucks is taking other measures to help curtail the spread of the virus, which has sickened more than 95,000 and killed over 3,300 people worldwide. Most victims are in China, where the outbreak originated.

Employees wear masks, and undergo temperature checks daily. They also avoid touching customers by using "contactless" service.

The financial impacts are "temporary," Johnson and Grismer said in the letter. "We remain confident in the strength of the Starbucks brand and the long-term profitability and growth potential of our business in China." They added that the signs of recovery in China are "encouraging."

As the virus continues to spread, the company has also started making adjustments to its North America business. On Wednesday, Starbucks announced that it is pausing use of personal mugs at its stores. Generally, employees fill personal mugs instead of paper cups upon request, and grant a small discount to customers who bring in reusable cups. The chain has been trying for years to reduce waste from its cups.

The company is also enhancing cleaning in its North American stores. The virus has not impacted business in the United States at this point.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Starbucks predicts a 50% sales drop in China because of coronavirus"
Interest in the new ganja dispensation now turns to see how many ganja cultivators will be granted Certificates of Amnesty.

The amnesty period for persons engaged in the illegal production of marijuana got underway on Tuesday March 3 and will run until March 2, 2021.





This information was confirmed to THE VINCENTIAN by an official at the Medical Cannabis Authority (MCA).





The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act, passed in Parliament in December 2018, allows those who are presently growing marijuana illegally to hand over their crop and not face prosecution.





The Act also makes provisions for the crop to be sold for medicinal use.

While presenting the Bill in Parliament, Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar explained that the first draft specified a date for the commencement of the amnesty.





He explained, however, that this had been revised to have no specific date, and for it to be appointed by the Minister of Legal Affairs  Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.





"The intention is that those persons who have cannabis currently cultivated and who have cannabis cultivated on the date that will be gazetted, that those persons will be allowed and the opportunity will be there for them, to bring their cannabis in and regulations will be drafted as to how that cannabis can be tested and possibly sold or disposed. Thats basically what is taking place here, Caesar said then.





Under the Act, persons seeking amnesty are required to submit information including name, address, I.D number, location of the land being cultivated and/or the premises where the cannabis is being stored.





A statement indicating the quantity that is being cultivated or harvested and the quantity in storage is also required.





And the cannabis is subject to inspection with the Cannabis Authority being the agency responsible for making recommendations to the minister for the issuance of a Certificate of Amnesty.





A person granted an amnesty is not allowed to continue cultivating cannabis during the period unless they are harvesting the said crop and after except they are doing so under a licence.
Stunning skyline: Models Thalia wears a red tiered dress by Essentiel Antwerp, (285) and Emily wears a blue maxi dress by DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, (245) from Arnotts SS20 collection. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

The skyline of Dublin witnessed a Scandi fashion take-over yesterday as Arnotts showcased their new Spring/Summer 2020 designer collections.

International designer names and Irish fashion talents featured in their 90s-look, breakfast catwalk show in the Henry Street department store.

However, the action then moved on to the rooftops overlooking Middle Abbey Street where many of the vibrant looks shared one common thread - from Scandinavian brands.

Maybe it's a northern European light thing, but they all delivered strong, saturated hues and the show yesterday showcased streamlined styles inspired by far-away destinations.

There's a big focus on fashion coming out of Copenhagen this season and three out of four of the new labels at Arnotts come from the Danish capital.

Storm & Marie, which may be new to shoppers, focuses on responsible design and clean silhouettes. It is named after the children of founders Signe Elizabeth Vedel and Kim Vedel Hansen.

Expand Close Timeless: Models Mary, Bronwyn and Appiok wear clothes from the new collections at Arnotts. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland / Facebook

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Whatsapp Timeless: Models Mary, Bronwyn and Appiok wear clothes from the new collections at Arnotts. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen was founded by Keld Mikkelsen and offers contemporary silhouettes with elegant tailoring.

Sanne Sehested wanted to create a brand inspired by her own wardrobe so she started Gestuz.

The fourth new label to the Dublin store is Ghost London. The breakfast-time showcase opened with a blue-and-white ditsy floral print dress, full of boho cutenes with its generous puffed sleeve and high neckline.

Irish designers were not forgotten and the show included versatile occasion wear by Aideen Bodkin and Fee G, who fuse intricate detailing with blooming floral prints in a spectrum of soft delicate tones.

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Queen of the soft drape, designer Roisin Linnane is working with a romantic champagne silk this season.

For sheer wow factor, prize of the day had to go to red ruffle front dress from the Sisters by Caroline Kilkenny label. The knee-length dress, pictured left worn by model Appiok, costs 200.

The demand for lean and sleek suits continues and model Mary, who works in fashion at Arnotts, wore a dark pink Fabienne Chapot trouser suit and shirt which in total 520 in price.

Model Bronwyn wore a Claudia Strater orange blazer (259.95) over a Ghost London dress (150), Jaeger wide-brimmed straw hat, (70) and LK Bennett basket (115).

Buyer Mary Claffey said they were very excited to introduce new brands that are chic, modern and emblematic of a new era. "This summer is all about introducing bold colours and updated silhouettes to your wardrobe while still maintaining a timeless sensibility."
The Royal Australian College of Physicians has shot down calls for a national inquiry into hormone therapy for transgender children, instead calling on the federal government to increase access to gender services for young Australians.

Federal health minister Greg Hunt asked the college to "provide advice" to his office about the treatment of gender dysphoria in August, after receiving complaints from a group of doctors who oppose the so-called "affirmation model" under which children are supported towards their preferred gender.

The peak body for specialist doctors has shot down calls for an inquiry into transgender treatment. Credit:Daniel O'Brien

In a letter to the minister sent on Thursday and seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the college, president Mark Lane said it "strongly supports expert clinical care that is non-judgmental, supportive and welcoming for children, adolescents and their families experiencing gender dysphoria".

"A fundamental principle of medical care is the need to ensure that care and treatment is provided in the best interests of the patient, and that doctors do not harm those who request care through either their action or inaction," the letter said.
Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock was the kind of Marine that would inspire generations of warfighters. He engaged in sniper duels and came out on top every time. He hunted Viet Cong and North Vietnamese officers through the jungles and grasses of Vietnam.

An animation from The Infographics Show tells Hathcocks story as a cartoon.

Hathcock was an Arkansas native who grew up hunting in order to help feed his poor family. He aspired to military service, and specifically the Marine Corps, and enlisted soon after he turned 17. He was soon competing in marksmanship competitions with the Marine Corps and won some prestigious competitions including the Wimbledon Cup.

So, when he was deployed to Vietnam, he could've stuck to his military police job but opted to volunteer as a sniper instead. His hard-earned ability to sneak up on game combined with his talent for shooting made him a natural in the brush and jungle, and he quickly proved himself one of the most lethal men in theater.

From a base in Vietnam, he achieved the longest sniper shot up to that point in history, and he did it with a .50-cal. machine gun in single-shot mode. He waged an extended sniper duel against the "The Apache," a female Viet Cong platoon leader who tortured Marines, eventually dropping her from 700 yards when she got lazy and peed in the open.

He hit her with his first shot even though he had been switching rifles when he spotted her. After the first shot dropped her, he scored a second hit, just to be certain.

In another engagement, Hathcock and a spotter saw a green platoon of North Vietnamese Army troops. Hathcock hit the lead officer, and his spotter dropped the officer at the back. There was a third leader who tried to escape across a rice paddy, and so the Americans dropped him too. In order to protect their position from discovery, the sniper team stopped firing.

Instead, Hathcock and his partner called artillery, moved positions, and wiped out the enemy force.

He killed an enemy officer after four days of crawling to the target. (Hathcock believed it was an enemy general, though the NVA never acknowledged losing a general at the time and place that Hathcock scored his kill.)

He hunted down an enemy sniper sent to kill him, shooting his foe through the scope just moments before the Vietnamese sniper would've hit him.

So, yeah, there were lots of reasons that he was a legend. Check out the cartoon at top to learn more.

MORE POSTS FROM WE ARE THE MIGHTY:

This Marine made history's 5th longest sniper kill with a machine gun

This Marine Was The 'American Sniper' Of The Vietnam War

5 rituals warriors used to prepare for battle

We Are The Mighty (WATM) celebrates service with stories that inspire. WATM is made in Hollywood by veterans. It's military life presented like never before. Check it out at We Are the Mighty.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday the U.S. economy might take a hit from the coronavirus outbreak but predicted the challenge would eventually pass and defended his handling of the crisis. The spreading coronavirus has led to a steep downturn in the stock market and fanned fears of an economic dip just as the Republican president asks Americans for a second term.

Asked if the coronavirus outbreak hurt the economy, Trump said: "It certainly might have an impact. At the same time, I have to say people are now staying in the United States spending their money in the U.S., and I like that." "It's going to all work out. Everybody has to be calm," he said. "We have plans for every single possibility and I think that's what we have to do. We hope it doesn't last too long."

Trump repeated his assertion that the travel restrictions he imposed on China early in the crisis had helped limit the outbreak in the United States. The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus rose to 12 on Thursday and 53 new cases broke out across the country.. More than 3,200 people worldwide have died from the respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia. Trump has faced criticism from Democrats for not having the country properly prepared for the possibility of a pandemic.

"I think people are viewing us as having done a very good job. What we have to do is do a professional job. Nobody is blaming us for the virus," he said. "This started in China." The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak, a day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it. The bill now goes to Trump for his signature.

Asked about his reputation as a germophobe and how he is responding to doctors' recommendations to avoid shaking hands to guard against the spread of the coronavirus, Trump said nobody could operate as a politician without shaking people's hands. "The bottom line is I shake anybody's hand now. I'm proud of it," Trump said. "You know, you're hearing a lot of stuff about trying not to shake hands. ... It hasn't stopped me at all."

'WAS ALL SET FOR BERNIE'

Trump also weighed in on the race for the Democratic presidential nomination to face him in the Nov. 3 election. That contest took a sharp turn on Super Tuesday this week, with former Vice President Joe Biden surging ahead of Senator Bernie Sanders in what has become a two-man battle.

"I was all set for Bernie," Trump said, adding that Sanders would have benefited if fellow liberal Senator Elizabeth Warren had dropped out sooner. She withdrew from the race on Thursday.

Democratic moderates, including former presidential candidates Michael Bloomberg, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, have rallied behind Biden in recent days amid concerns that nominating Sanders, a self-avowed democratic socialist, would harm the party's chances in November.

Asked whether his polarizing style deepened the U.S. political divide, Trump defended how he conducted his personal messaging through tweeting and the like. "When they hit us, we have to hit back. I really feel that. ... I wouldn't be here if I had turned the other cheek," he said.

Also read: Wall Street major indexes drop 3% over COVID-19 scare; banking, travel shares tumble

Also read: Coronavirus panic crash wipes out $5 trillion wealth off world stocks
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, volunteers all over China have been mobilized to the front line of epidemic prevention.

Their jobs include carrying out epidemic prevention publicity, providing voluntary services to the citizens, and carrying forward the spirit of dedication, love as well as mutual assistance with their true feelings and deeds.
 Flash

Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours.

The ceasefire becomes effective from 00:01 on Friday, according to the protocol read after the talks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Russia and Turkey also agreed to create a safety corridor 6 km to the north and 6 km to the south from the strategic M4 highway, which connects Aleppo in northern Syria with Latakia in the northwest.

Concrete parameters of the functioning of the safety corridor will be agreed on between Russian and Turkish defense ministries within seven days, the protocol said.

Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrolling of the M4 highway on March 15, 2020, said the protocol signed by the two countries' defense ministers.

According to the protocol, Russia and Turkey confirmed their fidelity to maintenance of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

They also confirmed their determination to fight against all manifestations of terrorism and to destroy all the terrorist groups, recognized as such by the United Nations Security Council.

The parties stressed that the Syrian conflict has no military solution and must be settled by a political process led and implemented by the Syrians themselves with an assistance of the United Nations in accordance with the Resolution 2254 of its Security Council.

Russia and Turkey underlined the importance of further improvement of the humanitarian situation of the Syrians, provision of humanitarian assistance to all needy without advancing preliminary conditions and discrimination, as well as preventing forced transfer of people and contributing to safe and voluntary return of the refugees and internally displaced persons to places of their permanent residence in Syria, the protocol said.
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK:FDIT) owner of Findit.com, a full service social networking management platform which provides online marketing services, is featuring Findit member Select Floors who provides professional residential and commercial carpet, tile, laminate, luxury vinyl and hardwood flooring installation services to homeowners and business owners across Greater Atlanta.

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About Select Floors Select Floors has been in business over fifteen years. In the last ten years, we have served over 5,000 homeowners. By offering turnkey service, you can rest assured that from the moment you walk into our showroom until the moment our installers leave your home, every aspect of the process is complete and just as you would expect it to be. Our knowledgeable sales staff will explain all your options for selecting the type of flooring that is right for you. Our professional certified installers have been with our company for over ten years. They are trained to work and handle all of your belongings. Select Floors has been featured in Best of Atlanta magazine.

About Findit, Inc. Findit, Inc., owns Findit.com which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increase in brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc., trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTCPinksheets.

Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed.

Contact:

Clark St. Amant

404-443-3224

SOURCE: Findit, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579449/Findit-Featured-Member-Select-Floors-Offers-Professional-Residential-and-Commercial-Flooring-Installation-Services-Across-Greater-Atlanta
(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of his first commons rebellion since the general election over his decision to allow Huawei Technologies Co Ltd a role in building the UK's 5G network.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has tabled an amendment which would ban "high-risk vendors" like the Chinese tech giant from the network after 2022.

The move has the backing of a number of prominent Conservative MPs including former cabinet ministers Damian Green and David Davis, the chair of the commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat and the chair of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee Graham Brady.

Supporters, however, played down the prospect that the government a which has a commons majority of 80 a could be defeated if the amendment is called at the report stage of the Telecoms Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill in the commons on Tuesday.

Instead, Tory backbencher Bob Seely, one of the MPs behind the move, said they were "laying down a marker" ahead of other legislation later in the year to establish a comprehensive telecoms security regime.

He said there was "growing momentum" within the party with "three or four MPs" expressing concern to the whips for every one likely to vote for the amendment next week.

"We want to work with the government, not to defeat it. We want to co-operate with the government to get a better solution," he told the PA news agency.

The move reflects misgivings across the Conservative Party at the decision, with fears that it could give China a "backdoor" to spy on the UK's telecoms network.

It has also imposed strains on relations with the US, with an "apoplectic" Donald Trump reportedly venting his fury during a telephone call with Johnson.

In a commons Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, Iain said the decision had left Britain "friendless" among its Five Eyes security allies.

He compared it to letting "Nazi companies in Germany" to become involved in developing Britain's radar systems at the start of the Second World War in 1939.

Both Labour and the SNP a the two largest opposition parties a echoed the concerns, with Shadow Business Minister Chi Onwurah saying they shared a "deep commitment to British security".

The government has sought to allay criticism, insisting that Huawei's involvement would be restricted to providing 35% of the network's "non-core" elements.

Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman told MPs the government's "long-term goal" was to reduce their reliance on high-risk vendors.

However, he said they were currently faced with a "very narrow choice of suppliers" and that any timetable "must be contingent of diversification in the market".

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We have been clear that our world-leading cyber security experts are satisfied with our approach and it won't affect our ability to share intelligence."

source: PA

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A tour operator in downtown Hanoi fears her business may have to close due to the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic.

Nguyen Thi Huyen has been working as a sales manager at The Travel House travel agency for four years.

This time of the year is normally the peak season for the tourism industry. But Huyen is having difficulties making sales as her customers keep cancelling their travel plans.

She told Viet Nam News: Based on my experience, I think we have lost about 80 per cent of our customers and bookings. It cant be lower than that. It must be even more than 80 per cent.

Customers who booked tours with us months ago cancelled all their bookings when knowing the coronavirus had spread to Vietnam, which is very near China. This is very sad.

Normally we also make a lot of sales from walk-in customers, but now we dont have any.

We are not making money from the tours while the offices rent is very high. So were worried that if the epidemic is not going to pass soon, we will probably have to close down.

An empty travel agency in downtown Hanoi. Tourism businesses are losing customers due to the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic.  VNS Photos Alex McNab



Going to work during this time causes Huyen another concern.

My colleagues, my staff and I are all afraid of getting infected through customers that come from countries where the virus has spread to. But we still come into work, because its work, she said.

We use masks and hand sanitisers and other safety measures.

About 3.6 million tourists visited Hanoi in the first two months of the year, a decrease of 25 per cent compared to the same period of last year, according to the citys Department of Tourism. Only 844,000 of them came from other countries.

The citys tourism sector will suffer losses of US$5.9-7 billion in the next three months, according to the department.

Vietnam is at risk of losing foreign customers who are interested in Asian travel, it said.

Notes on coronavirus prevention stuck outside a travel agency in Hanoi.



A number of hotels and hostels in Hanoi were reportedly closed due to the lack of customers, a factor that made them unable to afford to maintain operations.

Luckier than others, Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, a manager at Luxury Backpackers hostel, said her business is going on as usual.

She said: Our hostel was lucky since we got quite high rankings online, so we are able to keep our rooms in operation. I dont think other hostels are that lucky.

At our hostel everything is going on as usual. We havent fired anyone, our staff are working normally, 28 days a month. They still get paid the salaries and other benefits, no cuts.

But its also clear to Hien that it could have been better if it was not for the deadly virus.

The epidemic has had a major impact on the tourism industry and our business, she said.

This time of the year is our peak season, and in previous years our rooms were either fully booked or overbooked.

But now only 60-70 per cent of our rooms are occupied, and a lot of bookings made a long time ago have been cancelled.

In contrast to businesses worries, COVID-19 seems to have made travel easier and more enjoyable for some tourists in Hanoi.

Foreign tourists visit a shop in downtown Hanoi. Only 844,000 out of 3.6 million tourists visiting the city in the first two months of the year come from other countries.



Sometimes, there are more people with some masks on, but for us, especially as travellers, its even better, said Norman Fischer, a German tourist.

We see something, some places where there are not so much people like before the coronavirus, and for this, I think, for us, its perfect.

In Germany now in the moment, the coronavirus is getting up. There are more people infected since the last week, and actually maybe, its there more dangerous in the moment than here in Southeast Asia or in Vietnam.

Chris Clark from Australia said: Airports and stuff are pretty empty. It actually made it easier to get the flights.

Things have been a lot easier because theres less tourists around, so theres less queues, less time to wait. Its actually theres more panic in Australia at the moment than in Vietnam. VNS

Hanoi tourist street ignores coronavirus fears Ta Hien Street in Hanoi Old Quarter has become crowded again after being quiet for around one month due to coronavirus.
The Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev looked chic in white as she promoted her movie Run This Town in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday.

The Bulgarian-born, Toronto-raised 31-year-old donned a $6,900 Gabriela Hearst 'Ares' shirt-dress fastened with a brown belt and matching By Far high-heel boots selected by stylist Kate Young.

Dobrev (born Nikolina Dobreva) accessorized her day look with $295 Kate Young for Tura 'Dylan' sunglasses and Jennifer Fisher Jewelry.

White hot! The Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev looked chic in white as she promoted her movie Run This Town in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday

Hairstylist Danielle Priano made sure Nina's raven middle-parted locks were extra shiny for her talk show appearances.

Make-up artist Tobi Henney brought out the Lucky Day star's pretty brown eyes with mascara and bronze shadow as well as defining her brows.

In Run This Town, Dobrev plays the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's sexually-harassed political aide Ashley Pollock during his turbulent final year.

'I felt like it was a really important story,' the Fam actress told Today.

Boots were made for walking: The Bulgarian-born, Toronto-raised 31-year-old donned a $6,900 Gabriela Hearst 'Ares' shirt-dress fastened with a brown belt and By Far boots

Shades: Dobrev (born Nikolina Dobreva) accessorized her day look with $295 Kate Young for Tura 'Dylan' sunglasses and Jennifer Fisher Jewelry

Sitting pretty: Hairstylist Danielle Priano made sure Nina's raven middle-parted locks were extra shiny for her talk show appearances

Natural beauty: Make-up artist Tobi Henney brought out the Lucky Day star's pretty brown eyes with mascara and bronze shadow as well as defining her brows

'Especially right now in the political climate that we have here. [Ford] was almost like a precurser to what's going on in the United States. He was extremely polarizing.

'People either loved him or they hated him. They thought he was entertaining and they thought that he said a lot of outlandish things. So it's pretty similar in that way.'

Ricky Tollman's drama - hitting select US/Canada theaters and VOD this Friday - also features Ben Platt, Mena Massoud, Damian Lewis, Jennifer Ehle, and Scott Speedman.

Joining Nina in New York City was her angel-voiced 26-year-old co-star, who plays investigative journalist Bram Shriver in the 64% Rotten Tomatoes-rated flick.

'#MeToo': In Run This Town, Dobrev plays the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's sexually-harassed political aide Ashley Pollock during his turbulent final year

The Fam actress told Today: 'I felt like it was a really important story. Especially right now in the political climate that we have here. [Ford] was almost like a precurser to what's going on in the United States [with Trump]'

Hitting select US/Canada theaters and VOD this Friday! Ricky Tollman's drama also features Ben Platt (M), Mena Massoud (L), Damian Lewis, Jennifer Ehle, and Scott Speedman

64% Rotten Tomatoes-rated flick: Joining Nina in New York City was her angel-voiced 26-year-old co-star, who plays investigative journalist Bram Shriver

Ben - who's an Oscar away from elite EGOT status - wore a dusty rose-colored Marco de Vincenzo ensemble selected by stylist Jason Rembert and he was groomed by Melissa DeZarate.

Dobrev and Platt puckered up while promoting Run This Town at SiriusXM and Pandora radio stations.

The acting pair also stopped by People TV where they discussed the movie with hosts Andrea Boehlke and Jeremy Parsons.

Bell bottoms: Ben - who's an Oscar away from elite EGOT status - wore a dusty rose-colored Marco de Vincenzo ensemble selected by stylist Jason Rembert

Smooches! Dobrev and Platt puckered up while promoting Run This Town at SiriusXM and Pandora radio stations

In the hot seat: The acting pair also stopped by People TV where they discussed the movie with hosts Andrea Boehlke (2-R) and Jeremy Parsons (R)

If looks could kill! While backstage, the Ryerson University drop-out thought it would be hilarious to sneak up and startle The Politician actor

Nina laughed via Instastory: 'And then the friendship ended ... it was fun while it lasted'

While backstage, the Ryerson University drop-out thought it would be hilarious to sneak up and startle The Politician actor, who shot her a look that could kill.

'And then the friendship ended,' Nina - who boasts 32.1M social media followers - laughed via Instastory.

'It was fun while it lasted.'
By Nathan Frandino

AUSTIN, Texas, March 5 (Reuters) - The global coronavirus outbreak may have erased $5 trillion in world stock values last week, but it is providing a windfall for Roman Zrazhevskiy and his family-owned company that makes and distributes gas masks and other protective gear.

The demand for respirators, hazmat suits and other safety equipment, fueled by growing concern about a possible global COVID-19 pandemic, is dwarfing a January sales spike triggered by a U.S. air strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, which prompted fears of retaliation.

"What's currently going on now with the coronavirus is making that look like a drop in the water," Zrazhevskiy said.

His Austin, Texas-based company, MIRA Safety, ships protective gear to the general public that its website says is the same equipment used by law enforcement agencies and the military.

The two-year-old private company falls into the middle of a handful of global gas-mask makers, spokesman Adam Handelsman said. 3M Co and Honeywell International Inc are among the biggest, but "we're not in that realm," he said.

MIRA Safety is flooded with orders, with backlogs of up to 12 weeks on some products, Zrazhevskiy said. The first batch of its new ParticleMax P3 virus filter, which attaches to gas masks, sold out within two hours of its launch in February, he added.

"People typically order respirators for their family," he said. "They order hazmat suits as well, gloves and boots - pretty much everything they need to protect themselves head to toe from CBRN agents." CBRN refers to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material.

The World Health Organization said this week the coronavirus outbreak has created global shortages of some protective equipment, resulting in price hikes. Prices of surgical masks have increased sixfold, tripled for N95 respirators, and doubled for protective gowns, it said.

Story continues

Handelsman said MIRA Safety has not raised its prices even as sales have jumped more than 2,000% in the past two months and as production facilities operate around the clock.

Despite the clamor for masks, the Centers for Disease Control and other health professionals do not recommend them as coronavirus protection under ordinary circumstances, said Dr. Rama Thyagarajan of the University of Texas Dell Medical School.

Caretakers for people who are infected would be the only exception, she said.

"Even if you get a mask," Thyagarajan said, "if you don't know how to use it, how to dispose of it and how to keep your hands clean while you're touching your nose, you're really not doing a good enough job of protecting yourself."

While Zrazhevskiy said his products can block 99.99995% of coronavirus particulates, he said hand-washing is the first line of defense against the disease.

"You should consider personal protective equipment as a second line of defense," he added. "Isolation is the best thing." (Writing and additional reporting by Peter Szekely; Editing by Frank McGurty and Richard Chang)
ICC clears way for probe of alleged Afghanistan war crimes FILE PHOTO: The entrance of the ICC is seen in The Hague

By Stephanie van den Berg

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court will investigate whether war crimes were committed in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and U.S. forces after an appeals panel said on Thursday the "truth-seeking" inquiry should go ahead.

The ICC decision, which came days after the United States agreed to pull its troops from the long-running conflict, opens the way for prosecutors to launch a full investigation, despite U.S. government opposition.

"The appeals chamber considers it appropriate to...authorise the investigation," presiding Judge Piotr Hofmanski said at the court in The Hague. He said prosecutors' preliminary examination in 2017 had found reasonable grounds to believe war crimes were committed in Afghanistan and that the ICC has jurisdiction.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly condemned the decision as "a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body".

"It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal on Afghanistan  the best chance for peace in a generation," he said.

"The United States...will take all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade, so-called court."

Afghanistan is a member of the ICC, though Kabul has argued that any war crimes should be prosecuted locally.

The U.S. government has never been a member of the court, which was established in 2002. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration imposed travel restrictions and other sanctions against ICC employees a year ago.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda wants to investigate possible crimes committed between 2003 and 2014, including alleged mass killings of civilians by the Taliban, as well as the alleged torture of prisoners by Afghan authorities and, to a lesser extent, by U.S. forces and the CIA.

"The many victims of atrocities committed in the context of the conflict in Afghanistan deserve to finally have justice," Bensouda said after the ruling. "Today they are one step closer."

Story continues

UNCERTAIN CHANCES

A pre-trial panel last year had rejected her request to open an investigation. It argued that the odds of success were low, given the passage of time and the lack of cooperation from Kabul and Washington, and said that an investigation would not "serve the interests of justice."

ICC prosecutors' initial examination concluded there was a "reasonable basis to believe" U.S. forces had committed "crimes of torture, outrages upon personal dignity and rape and other forms of sexual violence". The examination cited cases in Afghanistan as well as at secret Central Intelligence Agency facilities in Poland, Romania and Lithuania.

Human rights groups welcomed Thursday's ruling.

"Too many ICC states have cooperated with the U.S. to set up the global torture programme, we now call on these same states to cooperate with the ICC prosecutor's investigation," said Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights.

U.S. forces and other foreign troops entered Afghanistan in 2001 after the Sept. 11 al Qaeda attacks on the United States, and overthrew the Taliban government, which had been protecting al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

In what has become the United States' longest war, about 13,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan.

The United States and the Taliban signed an agreement on Saturday to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops, but Washington carried out an air strike on Taliban fighters on Wednesday.

The ICC was set up to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. It has jurisdiction only if a member state is unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities itself.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Toby Sterling, and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Anthony Deutsch, Mark Heinrich and Alex Richardson)
Background

As Ghana marks its 63rd Republic Day, the question most people ask today remains if the country deserves a hurray for the milestone attained. Though we still have numerous setbacks, we must sincerely thank the almighty God for how far He has brought us as a nation amidst the troubles and diseases outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

In reflection, this was the day that the country Ghana has totally weaned itself from the British Colonial Rule and the contribution of all the Senior Citizens of this country who played significant roles in the struggle for freedom and nation-building especially in the field of education are saluted today.

It was all joy how 63 years ago, Ghana marked this event with profound historical and political significance and we continue to remember this freedom every March, 6th in different stunning ways.

However, we must be quick to add that, our beloved nation still faces challenges such as corruption, unemployment, diseases, severe poverty, lack of social amenities, lawlessness, child labour, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, chieftaincy disputes, armed-robbery, illiteracy, poor and inadequate infrastructure and libraries etc.

Education has been said to be the bedrock of every society since it relies on the transfer of information that is aimed at changing behaviour yet at 63, Ghana still struggles with most of the basic amenities that could facilitate a comprehensive education.

Most school pupils cannot read and write and since the reading materials in most of our public schools are limited. Three to six pupils are likely to be seen sharing the same reading materials though UNESCO recommended One Pupil, One Textbook as the best way forward.

Most Ghanaian school pupils cannot read either in their L1 (first language) or L2 (second language) yet it has been generally agreed that reading guarantees good learning habits and a child who cannot read is not likely to do well in the subjects that require in-depth reading.

Most pupils do not benefit from lessons taught at school as a result of not understanding English Language which is mostly used as the medium of instruction at school.

In an interview with Mr Mathias Tulasi, the Chief Executive Officer of Literacy Ambassadors Ghana (LAG), a Non-Governmental Literacy Organisation, interested in developing the habit of reading in Pupils has said it has become necessary for all stakeholders to join forces in order to reduce illiteracy among Ghanaians.

He said there is a misconception that schools are responsible for Literacy that is why any literacy challenge of a child is attributed to the inefficiency of the teacher, adding that a broad range of actors from parents, peers and health services shape literacy development especially parents attitude and literacy practices have a very significant influence on their children's literacy development throughout school.

Mr Tulasi said it has never been too late to do anything about literacy problems after children finish primary school since thousands of children enter secondary school with reading problems but with specialized support, these young ones can develop good literacy skills.

Everyone who struggles with reading and writing could develop adequate literacy skills when given the right and needed support, he said.

He said as Ghana celebrates its 63rd Republic Day, all stakeholders have to do their best in promoting reading culture among students because a reading nation is a winning nation.

Recommendations

The government must, therefore, make the supply of textbooks on the Standard-Based Curriculum to schools a topmost priority so that every pupil can have access to a textbook during the teaching and learning process.

Our libraries have to be revived by stocking them with good and extremely interesting books by Ghanaian authors.

Ghana at 63, reducing illiteracy through reading promotion should be the way forward because we need to raise more avid readers as a country and thereby reducing illiteracy.
Asteroid Bennu's most prominent boulder, a rock chunk jutting out 71 ft (21.7 m) from the asteroid's southern hemisphere, finally has a name. The boulder - which is so large that it was initially detected from Earth - is officially designated Benben Saxum after the primordial hill that first arose from the dark waters in an ancient Egyptian creation myth.

Benben Saxum and 11 other features on the asteroid are the first to receive official Bennu feature names approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features. The accepted names were proposed by NASA's OSIRIS-REx team members, who have been mapping the asteroid in detail over the last year. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, NASA's first asteroid sample return mission, is currently visiting the asteroid and is scheduled to collect a sample from Bennu's surface this summer.

"Since arriving at the asteroid, the OSIRIS-REx team has become incredibly familiar with all of the geological features on Bennu," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. "These features are providing us with insight into Bennu's history, and their new names symbolize the essence of the mission - studying the past to both discover our origins and understand our future," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

The approved Bennu surface feature names are listed below. Bennu's diverse terrain types - including regiones (broad geographic regions), craters, dorsa (ridges), fossae (grooves or trenches) and saxa (rocks and boulders) - will be named after birds and bird-like creatures in mythology, and the places associated with them.

Tlanuwa Regio is named for the giant birds who scattered the Earth with pieces of a serpent that turned into standing pillars of rocks in Cherokee mythology. Tlanuwa Regio is an area covered by large boulders in Bennu's southern hemisphere.

Benben Saxum is named for an ancient Egyptian mound that arose from the primordial waters Nu. In Egyptian mythology, the god Atum settled upon Benben to create the world after his flight over the waters in the form of the Bennu bird. Benben Saxum is the tallest boulder on Bennu.

Roc Saxum is named for the Roc, an enormous bird of prey in Arabian mythology of the Middle East. Roc Saxum is the largest boulder feature on Bennu.

Simurgh Saxum is named for the benevolent, mythological bird in Persian mythology. The Simurgh was said to possess all knowledge, and Simurgh Saxum defines the prime meridian on Bennu and is the basis for the asteroid's coordinate system.

Huginn Saxum and Muninn Saxum are adjacent boulders named for the two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who accompany the god Odin in Norse mythology.

Ocypete Saxum is named for one of the Greek harpies, the half-maiden and half-bird personification of storm winds that would snatch and carry things away from Earth. Ocypete Saxum is located near the origin of the Jan. 19, 2019, particle ejection event on Bennu.

Strix Saxum is named for the Strix bird of ill-omen from Roman mythology. Strix Saxum is a large boulder flanking the OSIRIS-REx mission's backup sample collection site.

Amihan Saxum is named for the Tagalog (Philippines) mythological deity, who is depicted as a bird and was the first creature to inhabit the universe. This large, flat boulder appears to be partly buried and is located in Tlanuwa Regio, which has an unusually high concentration of large boulders.

Pouakai Saxum is named for the monstrous bird who kills and eat humans in Maori (Polynesia) mythology. Pouakai Saxum is a 55 ft (10.6 m)-wide boulder located in Bennu's southern hemisphere, slightly north of Benben Saxum.

Aetos Saxum is named for the childhood playmate of the supreme god Zeus, who was turned into an eagle by Hera in Greek mythology. Aetos Saxum is a conspicuously flat boulder, with a general wing-like shape located near Bennu's equator.

Gargoyle Saxum is named for the French dragon-like monster with wings, bird-like neck, and the ability to breathe fire. Gargoyle Saxum is a large prominent boulder near the mission's backup sample site that is one of the darkest objects on the surface.

###

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland provides overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator, and the University of Arizona also leads the science team and the mission's science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built the spacecraft and is providing flight operations. Goddard and KinetX Aerospace are responsible for navigating the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program, which is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex

and

https://www.asteroidmission.org
Geneva [Switzerland], Mar 7 (ANI): In a major embarrassment to Pakistan, Senge H Sering a political activist from Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday (local time) urged India to acquire control of the region to save its people from the "brutal colonial reign of Pakistan".



He also said that people of Gilgit-Baltistan are under constant threat of terrorism perpetuated by the Pakistani military.

"People of Gilgit-Baltistan, who are constitutional citizens of India as part of the union territory of Ladakh, are under constant threat of terrorism perpetuated by the Pakistani military," Sering, Director of Institute of Gilgit-Baltistan Studies, said during the 43rd session of United Nations Human Rights Council here.

He added, "70 years ago, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) asked India to station troops in Jammu and Kashmir to protect locals. Today, as a native of Gilgit-Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir, I request India to resume constitutional responsibility and acquire the control of Gilgit-Baltistan to save us from the brutal colonial reign of Pakistan."

Further, Sering said that the locals who are trying to protect natural resources peacefully are threatened with abduction, genocide and economic blockade.

"Locals who are trying to protect the natural resources peacefully are threatened with abduction, genocide and economic blockade as it happened recently when pro-Taliban Pakistani citizens called for a massacre of Shias and Ismailis of Gilgit-Baltistan travelling through their district," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Sering told the UNHRC during his intervention, "The people of Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan continue to face torture, sedition and terrorism charges and life-imprisonment for opposing onslaught on their resources and cultural identity. Locals are losing battle against worst demographic engineering due to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor that encourages illegal settlements of Pakistanis and Chinese". (ANI)


Description

GIS - 06 March, 2020: Government has taken all necessary measures to strengthen the level of preparedness and response to the Novel Coronavirus threat by adopting a collective, co-ordinated and comprehensive approach, engaging all stakeholders. As at now, there is no reported case of COVID-19 in the Republic of Mauritius.

The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this statement, today, in the National Assembly in reply to a Private Notice Question on the measures and the proportionate approach taken by Government to the health and economic risks of the COVID-19.

Prime Minster Jugnauth reaffirmed that Government will spare no efforts in preventing the entry of the virus in the country and will act aggressively to isolate and contain its spread. The population, he said, is being sensitised on the symptoms and the ways to protect themselves against the COVID-19.

Speaking on the sanitary measures, he indicated that the testing capacity has been increased and the workforce at the hospital is prepared to cope effectively with the threat. The issues of essential supplies, training and protection of health workers have already been addressed and the situation is being monitored on a daily basis, he added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Government has acted promptly on the call of the World Health Organization (WHO) to have a preparedness plan so as to deal with the threats posed by the Novel Coronavirus and has therefore expediently reinforced surveillance at the port and airport in order to ensure that the virus does not enter the Mauritian territory.

Consequently, he said, an Operational Plan on COVID-19 has been prepared and circulated to all stakeholders including the media, private sector, ministries and departments in particular the port and the airport. The Plan comprises policy response framework; coordination, monitoring and assessment; prevention and containment; health service response; and communications. It also presents a collection of protocols to be used by all stakeholders involved in controlling the COVID-19. He further stated that the operational plan, which has been endorsed by the WHO will also be applicable in case of a pandemic.

With regard to coordination among governmental bodies, Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that an inter-sectoral committee and a management committee have been established at the level of the Ministry of Health and Wellness to monitor the daily activities pertaining to the operational plan and to review the situation as well as to issue interim guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Among the main measures are: surveillance at the airport and at the Seaport; and putting on alert a multi-sectoral team and a rapid response team.

Additionally, Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that he chaired four meetings of the High Level Committee on COVID-19 to review the situation pertaining to the outbreak of the disease while highlighting that a number of policy decisions has been taken to restrict trade and travel from a number of high risk countries such as China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.

On the domestic front, Prime Minister Jugnauth underscored that all sectors would be impacted and the most vulnerable ones are Tourism, Manufacturing, Trade, Financial Sector and Construction.

He also highlighted that the Economic Development Board (EDB) has conducted an economic impact assessment of COVID-19 based on a Computable General Equilibrium model under different scenarios. He added that under the baseline scenario, which takes into consideration current travel and trade restrictions that have already been imposed by Government, the negative impact of COVID-19 on GDP growth is estimated to be at least 0.9 % for 2020 depending on the duration and depth of the crisis.

The Prime Minister furthermore elaborated on the Working Group set up at the level of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development (MOFED) with different stakeholders to assess the impact on the various sectors of the economy and come up with a package of mitigating measures. Additionally, he emphasised that a core team of specialists from the MOFED, the EDB, Statistics Mauritius, Mauritius Revenue Authority and the Bank of Mauritius are working together on a daily basis to monitor the situation.

Concerning public expenditure, he said, Government has already provided additional funds to the Ministry of Health and Wellness to acquire necessary equipment and medical accessories to cope with COVID-19 and which will not compromise Government policy to exercise strict control on budgetary allocation. As regards overseas mission, he mentioned that Government will significantly reduce expenditure under that vote item.

Moreover, the Prime Minister pointed out that Ministries and Public Sector Bodies are expected to achieve efficiency gains of at least 10 % on their recurrent expenditure. The expenditure relating to the National Day celebrations has been significantly reduced and the budget of the Prime Ministers Office has been reduced from Rs 12 million to Rs 2 million, he added.

Speaking on COVID-19, he stated that according to statistics from the World Health Organization, as at this morning, there were some 98,429 reported confirmed cases of Coronavirus across the world with 3,387 deaths and 55,641 recovered from the infection. There are currently some 40,000 active cases spread across 90 countries worldwide.
Industry Update

External Article

6 March 2020

Trump Blocks Chinese Deal for U.S. Software Firm StayNTouch

share this article 1 min

President Donald Trump ordered the Chinese acquisition of a hotel property management software company reversed on national security grounds. Trump ordered Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. to unwind its 2018 acquisition of StayNTouch Inc., the White House said in a statement on Friday. Trump said there was "credible evidence" the Chinese company "might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States." The order marked the third time Trump has blocked a foreign takeover of a U.S. company on national security grounds, and just the sixth time a U.S. president has done so in three decades. The Trump administration has ramped up scrutiny of Chinese acquisitions of American businesses over risks to national security. The panel that reviews foreign investments in U.S. firms, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., has thwarted a number of Chinese deals, especially for technology companies.

Read the full article at Bloomberg

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Shiji Group Opens New Office in Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area to Continue Expansion in the Americas 10 April 2019  Shiji Group has recently expanded in the Americas by opening a new office in Bethesda, Maryland. With the first US office based in Atlanta, Georgia, the new office in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area will serve the growing number of US-based Shiji customers. Read more

How Alibaba-Backed Shiji Is Expanding Its Tech Sales to Hotels Outside of China 16 October 2018  Shiji, the hospitality tech giant of China, has been expanding its global push since February  when it announced a $486 million investment from e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba Group. Read more
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials have arrested a 55-year-old Bolivian woman for allegedly smuggling 312 grams of cocaine estimated to be worth 1.5 crore. The drugs were tightly packed in 13 condoms and were consumed by the accused to conceal it.

The Bolivian national, Ribera A Delicia, was intercepted at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday after she arrived here from Addis Ababa.

Based on suspicion, she was sent to JJ Hospital for medical examination. At the hospital, she ejected 13 tightly tied condoms stuffed with high-quality cocaine in liquid form. When these condoms were cut open, 312 grams of cocaine was recovered. She was placed under arrest on Friday after she was discharged, said a DRI official.

Smuggling cocaine in such a way is very dangerous. A few years ago, a Nigerian woman had died while smuggling cocaine in packets inside her body. Few packets got torn and she died of an overdose, an officer said.

Delicia admitted to having smuggled the cocaine on the direction of a Nigerian national based in Brazil. The Nigerian national had offered her money for the task. She was given an option of smuggling the drugs either to India or Macau. She was well aware that smuggling drugs is a criminal act, a DRI source said.

On Friday a local court sent her to judicial custody. She has been charged under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal on Friday said that the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is safe and will complete its term.

Hitting out at BJP, while speaking about Congress MLA Hardeep Singh Dang's resignation, Venugopal said, "Nothing will happen in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is very safe and will complete five years. The entire country is facing the Coronavirus issue and economic slowdown and people are in distress, but the BJP is interested in horse-trading."

"BJP is trying to topple the elected government in Madhya Pradesh. They are offering big money. But their attempt is not going to be successful," he said.

When asked about the suspension of seven Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha for the current budget session, the Congress leader said, "I don't know where this government is taking our democracy. Do they want India to become a banana republic? It is the fundamental right of MPs to raise the issue concerning people in the House."

"When Parliament is meeting, the issue of Delhi violence should be discussed. Why are they running away from the discussion? They are afraid of free and fair discussion over the incident. They have a guilty conscious. That's why they running away. They cannot prevent us from raising the issue," he said.

"There should be a concrete discussion. Those who are responsible should be punished. We will press for discussion and government cannot suppress us," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A nalysts today warned of more airline collapses to follow yesterdays failure of Flybe as data shows that the fall off in passenger bookings is even bigger than during recent terrorism scares.

ForwardKeys revealed that intercontinental arrivals into Europe fell almost 26 per cent between February 24-29 alone, leaving the year to date 10.5 per cent below the same period last year.

Olivier Ponti, VP Insights at ForwardKeys, said: The drop-off in bookings to Italy is even worse than we have seen in the past for disruptive events such as terror attacks. This appears to be disproportionate, as parts of Europe other than Italy are experiencing very substantial declines in visitor interest.

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: Its an extremely tough time for aviation and travel in general. To some extent the writing was already on the wall with Flybe but its still a massive blow to the travel industry.

If the virus continues to spread, I fear this might not be the only travel company to suffer such a devastating blow.

It came after Scottish airline Loganair announced plans to take on 16 routes operated by Flybe.

The routes, from existing Loganair base airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Newcastle, will be launched over the next four months.

They include services between Aberdeen and Belfast City, Edinburgh and Manchester and Glasgow and Exeter.
Mission College on Friday will hold its third annual Women in Leadership: Changing the World Conference at the college's campus in Santa Clara, college officials said.

The conference gets underway at 9 a.m. and last until 2 p.m..

Workshops, which are open to the public, will be held in the Gillmor Center from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Interested participants can RSVP at history.missioncollege.edu.

A 74-year-old man died in a crash Thursday morning in unincorporated Monterey County near the community of Nashua, officials with the California Highway Patrol said.

At 11:03 a.m. the man was driving a 2008 Honda Element north on state Highway 1 approaching Nashua Road when the SUV drifted into the center median and struck a concrete bridge support.

CHP officials said they are unsure whether the man suffered a medical emergency and died before the crash or he died because of the crash. The man was not wearing a seatbelt when he was found inside the vehicle.

No one else was in the SUV. CHP officials believe neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the crash.

Seven public safety officers from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety are at home Thursday night after they gave CPR to a person who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and later died, officials with the department said.

"We're just being extra careful," Chief Phan Ngo said Thursday evening at a news briefing.

The officers were quarantined after the potential exposure and will be at home for as long as county health officials prescribe. The person who died was 72 years old and had recently been on a cruise with two people who were suspected of having COVID-19.

Public safety spokesman Capt. Craig Anderson said officers responded Thursday to a call involving a person having some sort of cardiac emergency.

The officers gave CPR but no mouth-to-mouth contact was made, Anderson said.

Former Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick renewed her criticism of federal police monitor Robert Warshaw at a news conference on Thursday at which she also announced that she will file a lawsuit against the city over her recent firing.

Howard Jordan, another former Oakland police chief, and City Councilman Noel Gallo joined Kirkpatrick in calling for Warshaw, who has been monitoring the Police Department for 10 years, to be fired from his lucrative position, for which he and his staff are paid $100,000 a month, according to Kirkpatrick.

Warshaw is monitoring the department for U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick, who is overseeing reforms to the department that were mandated in a police misconduct case settlement in 2003.

Speaking at a news conference at an Oakland law office, Kirkpatrick said her suit against the city will be filed by well-known San Francisco attorney John Keker, who first gained fame in the late 1980s when he prosecuted Lt. Col. Oliver North for the Iran-Contra scandal.

Kirkpatrick said the suit will state several causes of action but wasn't specific.

Asian American leaders in the Bay Area are activating their networks to spread the message that billions of dollars tied to the upcoming U.S. Census count are at stake.

A group of Asian American leaders from around the Bay Area and Central Valley met in San Francisco Thursday to make that point and unravel the complexities that surround the process.

"The census is the linchpin of our democracy," said Hong Mei Pang, director of advocacy for Chinese for Affirmative Action, a 50-year-old civil rights and social justice organization that hosted the event along with Ethnic Media Services.

Pang and several other speakers stressed the importance of a full count, noting that billions of dollars in federal spending is tied to census numbers. They are working to be sure that every person of Asian descent is counted in the decennial effort to quantify exactly who lives in the U.S. and where they reside.

In 2016 alone, the state received roughly $115 billion in federal money that was directly tied to its population count, according to a 2019 report by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Novato police arrested two men Tuesday on suspicion of conspiring to sell marijuana to high school students.

A Novato police school resource officer received information about marijuana sales on campus. An investigation by the Novato Response Team and the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force revealed two men apparently conspired to sell the marijuana to students.

Diego Kane-Sorto, 19, of Petaluma and Miguel Moises, 22, of Richmond were identified as the suspects and booked in the county jail for conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, loitering to commit a drug offense and violation of probation, police said.

More than 140 marijuana plants, packaging materials and evidence of drug sales were seized during searches at homes Petaluma and Richmond, according to police.

Friday will be mostly cloudy. Highs will be in the mid 50s to the lower 60s. West winds will be 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night will be cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows will be in the upper 40s. West winds will be 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday will be cloudy with showers likely in the morning. There will be a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs will be in the 50s. West winds will be 10 to 20 mph.

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.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan does not want any security role for India in Afghanistan as he accused New Delhi of playing the role of a "spoiler" in the war-torn country, according to a media report.

After months of negotiations, the US and Taliban signed a landmark peace deal in Qatari capital Doha on Saturday, effectively drawing curtains on the United States' 18-year war in Afghanistan since 2001.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Qureshi said that Pakistan neither desires any security role of India in Afghanistan nor wants presence of militant organisations Al-Qaeda and the ISIS in the landlocked country, The Nation reported.

The foreign minister told the Upper House that India had always played role of a spoiler, the report said.

There were spoilers in the past and they are even today, within and outside Afghanistan, who want to get their own objectives," Qureshi said.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan as it had already spent around USD 2 billion in reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

India has been maintaining that care should be taken to ensure that any peace process does not lead to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and their proxies can relocate.

Ahead of the peace deal, India conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terror networks operating from its soil must be kept up though Islamabad's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan is crucial.

Qureshi on Sunday also warned that "spoilers" could try to sabotage the peace process in Afghanistan.

He also said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all issues with Afghanistan bilaterally.

Reiterating that Pakistan was never part of the peace talks and their role has always been and will always be that of a facilitator, the minister said Pakistan cannot give guarantee or take responsibility to peace in Afghanistan.

"This is a shared responsibility, and all (stakeholders) will have to play their role. There are many powers, interests and motives (involved), he said.

He said that the true test of the Afghan leadership begins now as Afghan people want peace.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
City swears in new fire chief

The city of Hendersonville has a new fire chief.

D. James Miller was sworn in as chief of the fire department during a regular meeting of the City Council on Thursday night. Active in the fire service since 1991, Miller has served as a Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic with assignments in special operations as a boat captain and rescue diver. He served as a Type 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Special Operations Toxicological Paramedic, and Gold Team member of a Division of Forestry Incident Management Team. Previous supervisory and administrative assignments have included the roles of lieutenant, administrative captain, battalion chief and division chief. Prior to joining the Hendersonville Fire Department, Chief Miller served as the assistant chief for training, special operations and EMS at the North Charleston, South Carolina, Fire Department. Hired as deputy chief in August 2016, he has served as interim fire chief since Chief Joe Vindigni resigned last November.



Chief Miller is a public servant and leader with an extensive and varied history with the fire service, City Manager John Connet said in a news release. He has proven to be an effective leader as deputy chief and interim chief during a time of great growth for our fire department. Chief Miller brings a wide range of experience, along with a heart for his team and strength in collaborating with other organizations, that will serve the department and the citizens of the city of Hendersonville well.

Miller holds an associate of science degree in aviation management from Manatee Community College, a bachelor's of science in business administration from International University and is pursuing an MBA from Columbia Southern University. He serves as a board member for Edneyville Volunteer Fire & Rescue. He and his wife, Morgan, together have six adult children and three dogs. The public is invited to drop in and meet the chief on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fire Station 2 632 Sugarloaf Road.
Mr. Netanyahu will still be given the chance to form a government since the Likud party is the largest in the new parliament. He may try to induce a few individual members of the rival center-left alliance, led by the Blue and White party, to defect, or persuade Blue and White to form a broad unity government. But Blue and White and its leader, Benny Gantz, are likely to stick to the position that the party will not join any government under Mr. Netanyahu as prime minister because of his indictment and upcoming trial on corruption charges.
Kim Kardashian has shared her anger and disappointment that an Alabama death row inmate has been executed despite her best efforts to save him.

The 39-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star is training to be a lawyer and is campaigning for criminal justice reform and had championed the case of Nathaniel Woods in a high-profile campaign to save his life.

The 44-year-old convict had been sentenced in 2005 for his role in the fatal shootings of three police officers in Birmingham, Alabama.



Kim had been urging officials to halt the execution because Woods co-defendant, Kerry Spencer, had admitted to pulling the trigger.

He had also denied that Woods had been involved but Kims bid to save him from execution ultimately failed.

Just before the death was confirmed, the reality star had tweeted her feelings as she claimed an innocent man was going to die.

She wrote: The court has lifted the temporary stay of execution for #NathanielWoods. The governor will NOT save his life. My heart and prayers are with Nate and his family.

This is a tragic example of injustice in the system  in a few minutes Nate may die for a crime he did not commit.

Nate will die for a crime another man confessed to and says Nate had nothing to do with. My heart and prayers are with Nate and his family and all the advocates who worked tirelessly to save his life.

Kim had been joined by West had been joined by Martin Luther King III, the son of the famed civil rights leader, in a bid to halt the execution.

There had been claims that Woods had not been given adequate legal advice when the original trial took place.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 20:00:52|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- During the talk show "The Five" this week, Fox News host Jesse Watters said he'd like to ask "the Chinese for a formal apology," arguing that the novel coronavirus "originated in China."

Watters' bizarre and racist remarks left his five colleagues at the roundtable embarrassed and shaking their heads.

In this ongoing battle against the epidemic, China owes no one an apology.

For starters, tracking the origins of the virus is a highly complicated affair that requires time and credible scientific evidence. Despite the outbreak first occurring in China, no one knows where the virus originated.

Watters and other like-minded individuals turn a blind eye to what China has done to contain the epidemic. The country and its people have sacrificed a great deal, allowing the world to better prepare for the outbreak.

Leaders from more than 170 countries and heads of more than 40 international and regional organizations have voiced their support and appreciation for China's efforts.

"The world is grateful for your efforts to discover how to best treat (patients) and prevent the spread of the virus," said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in early February.

In this era of globalization, an infectious disease outbreak if not properly handled can quickly go global. Defeating an epidemic demands everyone's input.

Watters' remarks wrongly shame China and fuel xenophobia. But for Watters, racism is par for the course. Back in 2016, he conducted a series of mocking interviews of Asian-Americans in New York City's Chinatown that provoked a storm of criticism. Old habits, it seems, die hard.

These recurrent attacks by Watters and those alike reveal their deep-rooted and stereotyped prejudice against the Chinese and East Asian communities.

Comments like Watters' inspire hatred and are more toxic than the pathogen as they cloud facts. If anyone should apologize, it should be Watters.

While the international community is working to contain the epidemic, a parallel battle is being waged.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet decried the "disturbing wave of prejudice against people of Chinese and East Asian ethnicity," and called on member states to "do their utmost to combat this and other forms of discrimination."

Countries around the globe should get ready to wrestle with the specters of isolationism, nationalism and racism. It is also a fight that must be won.
President Donald Trump said he will continue to shake hands with people despite fears of the Coronavirus.

I love the people of this country and you cannot be a politician and not shake hands, he said during his Fox News town hall Thursday night.

I'll be shaking hands with people and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you, I don't care. You have to do that, he added.

President Trump started off his first town hall meeting of the election year by defending his administrations response to the Coronavirus

President Donald Trump with his hand on his chin during a meeting with the pharmaceutical executives on Monday; he said he was joking when he said he hadn't touched his face in weeks

He said the warnings that the Coronavirus could be spread by hand-to-hand contact wouldnt stop him.

Now the concept of shaking hands since this, you're hearing a lot of stuff about trying not to shake hands and has not stopped me at all, he noted.

He also said he was joking when he said on Wednesday he hadnt touched his face in weeks.

You know, I heard the other day you're not supposed to touch your face so I went on camera and I said, I've not touched my camera in weeks. And I miss my face, he said. Obviously I was joking.

In a meeting with airline executives, Trump said: 'I havent touched my face in weeks. In weeks. I miss it.'

But on Monday, during a meeting with the pharmaceutical executives about the outbreak, the president was seen with his hand on his chin.

Trump started off his first town hall meeting of the election year by defending his administrations response to the Coronavirus and again blaming President Barack Obama for the lack of testing kits, a claim that has been debunked.

I don't blame anybody, he said when asked why he blamed Obama. I want to get everybody to understand they made some decisions which were not good decisions. We inherited decisions they made and that's fine. We undid some of the regulations that made it very difficult.

Trump, who has occupied the White House for three years, tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

And Vice President Mike Pence admitted on Thursday the administration will not be able to follow meet its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

'We don't have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward,' Pence said during a visit to a 3M Company plant in Minnesota Thursday afternoon.

President Trump greets attendees at a Fox News town hall in Scranton, Pa

President Donald Trump speaks during a FOX News Channel Town Hall, co-moderated by FNC's chief political anchor Bret Baier of Special Report and The Story anchor Martha MacCallum

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, seen with David Urban, who ran Trump's Pennsylvania campaign in 2016, at the president's town hall Thursday night

Trump, at his town hall, argued the United States has a low number of cases and deaths compared to the rest of the world.

Right now -- it's a lot of people but it's still 11 people versus tremendous numbers of thousands of people that have died all over the world. We have 11. We have 149 cases as of this moment, it's 129, I just see right now it's 100,000 cases around the world, he said.

And he pointed out the White House was working on other issues too.

Were thinking about a lot of other things too, trade and millions of other things, he said of his administration.

It's going to all work out, everybody has to be calm, it's going to work out, he added.

President Trump repeated his criticism of Elizabeth Warren staying in the presidential race through Super Tuesday. Warren exited the contest on Thursday. Trump argued Bernie Sanders would have done better in Tuesdays 15 contests if she was not in the contest.

If she's a true progressive which probably she is, she should have dropped out three days ago. It would've been a whole different race, he said. Bernie Sanders would have won five, six, seven states. Would have won Minnesota, would have won at least another two or three states. When you look at it, she did him no favors, that was not a good friendship.

He added: She didn't even have to endorse him, if she just dropped out of the race without an endorsement, he would've won a tremendous number of states that he lost, he lost states by not very much and she got enough votes that it would've made a big difference. I think he would be leading by a lot right now had she not been in the race.

He said he was prepared to run against Bernie Sanders this fall.

I was all set for Bernie because I thought it was going to happen. We get ready for things, mentally I'm all set for Bernie, the communist, I had everything down. I was all set, he said.

He argued the Vermont senator would be the tougher candidate because of his strong base of supporters.

I think in a certain way, Bernie would be tougher because he's got a base. It's a smaller base than my base, he said. I was all set for Bernie. I don't think I'm running against Bernie. I think it's going to be very hard for him to come back, he said.

President Trump repeated his criticism of Elizabeth Warren staying in the Democratic race through Super Tuesday, saying it hurt Bernie Sanders

President Trump also said he was prepared to run against Bernie Sanders in the general election

But Trump conceded he was probably going to face Joe Biden in November

He also blasted Democrats for their impeachment inquiry saying: It was a fake impeachment. The line earned him enormous applause from the crowd.

Trump also attacked Joe Biden, who was born in the Scranton, the site of Thursdays town hall, and slammed Hunter Bidens work on the board of Ukrainian gas company and with a Chinese investment firm.

During the first commercial break, the crowd yelled four more years, four more years and one person yelled to Trump: Thank you Mr. President.

The president also shrugged off a question on whether or not the country is divided and politics is too vitriol.

I think the country is far more united than people think and ultimately what is uniting the country's success. We are having more success than we have ever had, he said.

Before the town hall started, White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, a Philadelphia Eagles fan with strong ties to the state, was given a round of applause when she walked into the hall with David Urban, who ran Trumps Pennsylvania campaign during the 2016 election.

Thanks for taking care of our president, Kellyanne, one person yelled.

Conway took several selfies with people before taking her seat. The hall was filled with about 600 people.

Protesters lined the streets ahead of the Scranton Cultural Center to yell at the presidents motorcade. They waved miniature baby Trump blimp balloons and held up signs that read Trump is Putins puppet, Dump Trump, and Weld 2020, in reference to former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who is also running for the Republican presidential nomination.

A large billboard with a photo of Joe Biden, reading Scranton is Biden Country, also greeted the president.

Trump's campaign picked the Scranton location for his Thursday night town hall - taking the presidential battle to Joe Biden's home town as the former vice president surged to the lead for the Democratic nomination.

Fox News confirmed to DailyMail.com that it was Trump's team that picked the city for the town hall and that the location is always the candidate's choice whether that person is a Democratic contender or Republican one.

Pennsylvania helped hand Trump the presidency in 2016 and he needs it in his column again this November.

President Trump's campaign picked the Scranton location for his Thursday night town hall

Scranton is Joe Biden's home town and Trump heads there as Biden surged to the front of the Democratic primary race

Trump was the first Republican candidate for president to carry Pennsylvania since George H. W. Bush in 1988. He won the state by just 44,000 votes.

'Theres not a very likely path to the presidency without Pennsylvania,' a source close to the Trump campaign told DailyMail.com.

Thursday's town hall is the first such event of Trump's re-election campaign. And while Trump has publicly stated he's indifferent to whom he faces in November, many Republicans see Biden as the strongest challenger to the president thanks to both men's appeal to the blue-collar voters who make up the industrial MidWest.

Biden has not yet held a town hall with Fox News and his front runner status grew stronger on Thursday after Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the Democratic race although she has declined to endorse a candidate yet.

And the former vice president is investing heavily in Pennsylvania, headquartering his campaign in Philadelphia, and he held his the first rally of his presidential campaign in Scranton last year.

'I think the one thing the president doesn't want to do, from the very beginning, is face me. Because I will beat him  period. Period. He's done everything in his power, he's even risked his presidency, because he doesn't want to face me,' Biden told NBC's 'Today Show' on Thursday morning.

'Have you ever, ever seen a sitting president get so involved in a Democratic primary and focus so much attention on not wanting a single person  me  to become the nominee. The president does not want me to be the nominee,' he added.

But the source close to the Trump campaign argued Sanders' has his strengths too as the person took a knock at one of Biden's strengths - his service with Barack Obama.

The enthusiasm of the Bernie Sanders voters is much more frightening than the establishment of Joe Biden, the source said. Joe Biden is running on a third term as Barack Obama.

For Thursday night's town hall, audience members submitted the questions ahead of time and a Fox News team picks the ones asked, the network confirmed, with no input from the White House or the Trump campaign.

Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the event at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The town hall comes less than 24 hours after the president called into Fox News Wednesday night to talk to Sean Hannity about a variety of topics, including his administration's handling of the Coronavirus outbreak and the 2020 presidential field.

Trump used the interview to rehash some of his favorite attack lines on the former vice president, including criticism of Hunter Biden's work in the Ukraine.

The president and his allies allege Biden, as vice president, pushed the Ukrainian government's removal of a prosecutor to help a gas company that had Hunter on its board. Biden said he was following recommendations of both the Obama White House and international governments - all of whom were concerned the prosecutor in question was not doing enough to fight corruption.

Neither Biden has been charged with any wrong doing.

On Wednesday, Trump accused the Democratic Party of engaging in a coverup for Biden.

'Its not a campaign issue for the Democrats. They dont want to bring it up. They were obviously told you cant bring that up,' he told Fox News.

But he vowed to keep the issue front and center.

'That will be a major issue in the campaign. I will bring that up all the time, because I dont see any way out. I dont see any way for them, I dont see how they can answer those questions,' he said.

The president also has been a repeated commentator and handicapper of the Democratic field.

He's accused the party of trying to deny Bernie Sanders the nomination, reviving anger from the 2016 contest when Sanders supporters were furious that party worked to ensure Hillary Clinton was the nominee.

Many Democratic officials worry Sanders's progressive policy positions would turn off blue-collar voters in the general election.

'Well, I think there's no question the establishment - the Democrat establishment - is trying to take it away from Bernie Sanders. There's no question about that in my mind,' Trump said Tuesday outside the White House as voters from 14 states and American Samoa head to the polls for Super Tuesday.

President Trump's town hall comes 24 hours after he called into Sean Hannity's Fox News program, where he vowed to keep criticizing Joe and Hunter Biden

President Trump accused the Democratic Party of engaging in a coverup for Joe and Hunter Biden

Biden sweep most of the contests on Super Tuesday and emerged with front runner status even though Sanders won the night's biggest prize - California.

The former vice president also solidified his support among his formal rivals, gaining endorsements from Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke and Mike Bloomberg.

Trump on Tuesday shrugged off a question about which Democratic contender he'd prefer to see across from him on the debate stage this fall.

'Whoever it is, I don't care, I really don't care,' he said.
Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security -- along with government counterparts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom -- published guidelines to help the tech industry fight online child exploitation. The principles were developed "in consultation" with Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Roblox, Snap and Twitter, after all six companies agreed to tackling the online child sexual abuse epidemic.

The document, Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, includes 11 principles. It covers themes like targeting online grooming, preventing searches of child sexual abuse material and responding to evolving threats. According to a statement published by the DOJ, the principles are "intended to have sufficient flexibility to ensure effective implementation."

"We hope the Voluntary Principles will spur collective action on the part of industry to stop one of the most horrendous crimes impacting some of the most vulnerable members of society," said US Attorney General William Barr.

Many tech companies already have at least some measures to combat child exploitation. Recently, Facebook made its algorithms for flagging harmful photos and videos open-source and available on GitHub. Microsoft has shared its tool for reviewing chat-based conversations and detecting online grooming. Still, online child exploitation is a widespread and devastating problem.
MUSKEGON, MI  A $6 million four-story residential and commercial building is planned for a vacant lot with Muskegon Lake views on West Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon.

Plans have been drawn up  but not yet finalized  for the building at 593 W. Western Ave. that will house a mix of commercial and residential condo units, according to Mark Besteman, co-owner of Besteman Properties Group, the Realtor on the project.

The site was once home to the Muskegon Hotel, which was torn down by the city in 2008 after years of deterioration. The new condo project will use that historic hotel as its architectural inspiration, said Besteman.

The Five93 Lakeview Place project is being developed by David Mulder, operating as Mulder Western LLC. Mulder, who recently moved to Muskegon from the Chicago area, bought the property from Muskegon Lakeview Condos LLC, a project of Grand-Haven based developer Murray Swiftney, in January of 2019, according to public records.

Mulder told MLive that he anticipates the project will cost $6 million.

The first floor of the proposed new building will include two commercial units of 1,700-2,000 square feet, and an indoor parking lot with space for 10 cars. The top two stories will each hold five 2,200-square-foot units, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, said Besteman. Three units per floor will look out past the Muskegon Union Depot and onto Muskegon Lake. The other two will face the back.

The second floor will hold either commercial offices, or additional condos, depending on residential demand, said Besteman.

Ive probably received 10 calls already, so there is some demand, he said. I think the difference in this condo (project), as opposed to some of the others downtown, is the views of the lake.

There may also be a rooftop area installed, said Mulder.

No groundbreaking has yet been planned, but Besteman said he expected the residential units to be move-in ready by spring 2021.

Condos are expected to start at $360,000 apiece.

Pacillo Builders & Remodeling, a Spring Lake-based construction company, will oversee the construction.

Muskegon Hotel opened in February of 1914, according to records held by the Muskegon Heritage Association. The property was purchased by the city in 1997, and sold to private developers in 1999, who could not muster sufficient tenant interest to justify redevelopment, the Muskegon Chronicle reported at the time.

In the meantime, the building slowly deteriorated as downtown Muskegon radically transformed, following the demolition of the Muskegon Mall in 2001.

According to public records, Swiftney purchased the hotel, which was by then considered a public hazard, in February of 2007 for $100,000. He announced plans to build condos on the site shortly thereafter.

But Swiftney told MLive that the timing  right around the global recession and the collapse of the U.S. housing market  wasnt right.

I just couldnt get the deal done and the economy crashed, he said on Thursday.

At the time that Swiftney purchased the property, it was part of a state Renaissance Zone, the same series of tax credits that sparked the building of Renaissance Place, an apartment complex for seniors directly behind the former Muskegon Hotel. This credit applies to both developers and future residents.

When his company sold the property to Mulder  for $140,000 last January, according to public records  that credit was still in place, which Besteman said is undergirding its development now.

It would not be happening if it was not an opportunity zone, he said.

Mulder, whose career in Chicago was in autobody restoration, co-owns All Speed Customs, an auto shop at 143 W. Sherman Blvd. in Muskegon Heights. He is fairly new to residential development, though hes worked on a few projects in Illinois, and has some others in the hopper in the Detroit area.

Most of the stuff in downtown that was built for residents is apartments, but they were spoken for well before they even finished building, he said. I think the condos will be the same way if theyre done properly. We think this will attract people from outside the area, from Grand Rapids or Holland, into this area.

He said that the lot is strategically located, close to the downtown dog park and a cruise ship drop-off point, and with lake views.

I think the turnaround [downtown] is fantastic, he added. Theyre making progress  I think the best is yet to come.

Read more on MLive:

Hometown developers plan for future of downtown Muskegon

State funding boost approved for delayed downtown Muskegon mixed-use building

14 new condos under construction near Muskegon Farmers Market
Tom Hanks loved C.S. Forester's 1955 novel "The Good Shepherd" so much that he wrote a screenplay based on the book so he could star in a movie version.

Set in 1942, the movie features Hanks as newly minted U.S. Navy Cmdr. Ernest Krause, whose first mission is leading a convoy of 37 ships across the Atlantic. This would be a simple task, if not for the wolf packs of Nazi U-boats tasked with sinking every one of those Allied boats.

The trailer just debuted online.

The trailer shows how difficult the mission will be and how treacherous Atlantic crossings were back in the day when ships had to spend days with no radio contact as they traveled the ocean.

Hanks is joined by the always-excellent English actor Stephen Graham (Tony Provenzano in "The Irishman," Al Capone in "Boardwalk Empire"), who appears to portray the destroyer's XO and also seems to be taking on a Southern accent this time around. Elisabeth Shue plays Krause's wife; the movie's director is Aaron Schneider.

Forester's novels have been excellent source material for Hollywood, providing the basis for movies such as "The African Queen" and "Captain Horatio Hornblower, R.N." More recently, his Hornblower novels inspired a series of excellent TV movies in the U.K. back at the turn of the century.

Tom Hanks commands a WWII destroyer in "Greyhound." (Sony Pictures)

"Greyhound" looks to be the kind of big-budget war movie that studios are hesitant to make these days. Hanks used his considerable clout to get this one made. The movie opens June 12 and gets a 12-day window before "Top Gun: Maverick" lands in theaters. Here's hoping that "Greyhound" lives up to the promise of the trailer.
The revelations come as the Morrison government and Home Affairs brace for the tabling of what is expected to be a scathing report about the handling of contracts that underpin Australia's controversial offshore detention regime. Multiple warnings Throughout 2019, Mr Pezzullo was adamant: no records could be found to suggest anyone in his department was aware of any improper approaches to Paladin from PNG politicians or officials. On April 4, he initally told the estimates committee his department had no information about corruption concerns in PNG. Later that day, Mr Pezzullo said he would ask for the net be cast a little bit more widely to uncover any suggestion of inducement, extortion, bribery, corruption or misconduct. Months later on October 21, despite Mr Stewart's April email to Mr Nockels, Mr Pezzullo said: We denied it in April and Ive not seen anything since ...". Asked if Mr Nockels had received any information about demands from PNG officials, Pezzullo said: "Not as at the last time we checked."

And last Monday, Mr Pezzullo was back before the same Senate committee and facing more questions about Paladin and PNG. There it was revealed that two days after Mr Pezzullos October 21 denial, the head of Operation Sovereign Borders, Major General Craig Furini, was told about a report from Paladin received in July by the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby of an improper request for a payment made by a top PNG government official. Back on April 4, Mr Stewart did more than just email Mr Nockels. He spoke to him several times before and during Mr Pezzullo's Senate estimates appearance. He also provided Mr Nockels with other emails he had sent to various Home Affairs officials in which he raised concerns about pressure from PNG officials. In an email to Paladin CEO, Mr Saul, Mr Stewart explained his reason for contacting Mr Nockels: Following Secretary Pezzullos comments, I immediately rang David Nockels and advised him that it was not true we hadnt been approached and I reminded him of our earlier conversation, Mr Stewart wrote. When Labor senators on Monday sought to question Mr Nockels, they were told he had been sent overseas for work and would not be back in time.

Labor's Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally on Friday called on Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to order an exhaustive search of all his department's emails to determine exactly what his officials were told by Paladin about potential corruption and when. 'We will not be thanked ...' In late 2017, Paladin was scrambling to get a workforce together in order to fulfil the Manus Island garrison support contract it had been awarded earlier in the year. The company needed visas for its workers from PNGs Immigration department. Mr Stewart attended meetings with various PNG Immigration officials to press Paladins case. Soon after, he was contacted on his mobile phone by one of the most senior figures in PNGs government. According to a detailed email Mr Stewart sent to Mr Saul on October 29 last year, the powerful official said he was in a position to "help Paladin out in return for a payment". He asks for a cultural payment to help a body repatriation from Lae. We make this payment into a BSP (Bank South Pacific) bank account in good faith  it is around PGK 5-10k ($2200 to $4400 Australian dollars)," Mr Stewart wrote.

I discuss making the payment with [fellow Paladin director] Craig Thrupp and we agree we can do it and we agree we can do it if it is a) not a bribe, b) not a facilitation payment and that there is no more payments required and no expectation of support from this payment. But that payment created a problem for Paladin and Mr Stewart: the same official continued to use his position within PNGs government to make improper demands. Mr Stewart made an audio recording of the man he believes is the same senior PNG official asking him in June last year for another $15,000 payment. The man talking to Mr Stewart was armed with inside knowledge about a yet-to-be-announced agreement between the Australian and PNG governments for Paladins contract to be extended. Mr Stewart has provided a copy of this recording to Paladin and Paladin reported the matter to PNG police, its CEO has said. The PNG official in question has denied requesting bribes. Paladin reported the matter to PNG police and believes Mr Stewart was approached by fraudsters pretending to be senior officials. The Age and Herald have decided not to name the official Mr Stewart believes approached him for legal reasons.
A United Nations women's group urged an Oxford University society not to invite Amber Rudd to speak at the university ahead of her being "no platformed" at an event.

UN Women UK warned of the "risk and conflict" it might cause.

Ms Rudd, who quit her job as an MP last year, was due to take part in an interview with a group calling themselves UN Women Oxford Student Society about her work as minister for women and equalities.

But she announced on her Twitter account on Thursday evening that the event had been cancelled just half an hour before it was due to begin, with a decision "no platform" her.

She described the cancellation as "badly judged and rude" in the post.

Claire Barnett, a spokesperson for UN Women UK, which aims to push for "gender equality", told the Evening Standard the Oxford society did not respond to repeated requests to speak ahead of the event.

Ms Barnett said that although the Oxford society supported the work of UN Women UK, the groups were not formally affiliated.

She added: "We have now asked them to stop using our name and suspended any connection with the society."

Ms Barnett also said that despite warning the Oxford society against inviting Ms Rudd, UN Women UK did not condone the cancellation of the event.

She continued: "The UK Government is an important funding and strategic partner for UN Women and insisting on inviting a UK politician in our name, despite our requests following risks raised by their own members, and then denying them the right to speak is not something we can or will condone."

The Oxford society said on its Facebook page that a majority of its organising committee had voted to cancel the event, following feedback from members.

Organisers continued: We are deeply sorry for all and any hurt caused to our members and other wom*n [sic] and non-binary people in Oxford over this event.

Amber Rudd / Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd

Ms Rudd resigned as Home Secretary following the Windrush scandal, when it was revealed that tens of people living legally in the UK had been detained and deported unfairly.

She inadvertently gave incorrect information to a House of Commons committee about the number of people in question.

And one of the event organisers told the Mail Online that she had been forced to cancel the event by the university's Afro-Caribbean society.

But the Afro-Caribbean society hit back with a statement on Twitter denying this.

The Afro-Caribbean society said that although it privately shared the concerns of some of its members over Ms Rudd's invitation, it "did not call for Ms Rudd's speech to be cancelled" or "'force'" the organisers to cancel the event.

Oxford University criticised the cancellation of the event.

The university said: "We strongly disapprove of the decision by the UNWomen Oxford UK Society to disinvite Amber Rudd after she had been asked to speak.

"Oxford is committed to freedom of speech & opposes no-platforming.

"We will be taking steps to ensure that this situation doesn't happen in future.

Amber Rudd / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Education minister Gavin Williamson slammed the students for the cancellation.

Mr Williamson said: "It is not enough to adopt free speech codes if they are not enforced.

I expect the University of Oxford to take robust action over these incidents  and if universities are not prepared to defend free speech, the government will.

The event's cancellation was also met with criticism online.

The Oxford University student union has been contacted for comment. The National Union of Students declined to comment.

An event with Selina Todd, a history professor at the university, was cancelled last week over allegations that she holds transphobic views.
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TROY  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is urging students and staff not to travel outside North America or on cruise ships over spring break, which begins this weekend.

The Troy school notified the campus community Thursday that it has updated its travel restrictions in light of the upcoming break, as novel coronavirus is now being reported in over 80 countries worldwide.
BILOXI, Mississippi -- NASA legend and Biloxi native Fred Haise will be honored with a two-day celebration commemorating his flight aboard Apollo 13 in April 1970.

The City of Biloxi has announced banquet in Haises honor will be held on Friday, April 10. The following day, at 1:13 p.m. (13:13 in military time) -- the precise moment Apollo 13 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center 50 years ago -- Haise and others will gather south of the Biloxi lighthouse to unveil The Launching Pad, a replica of the base of the Saturn V rocket which powered Apollo 13 and all other Apollo missions.

That episode back in April 1970 is huge in the annals of history, Biloxi Mayor Andrew FoFo Gilich said. It captured the attention of the entire world, and to think that someone from Biloxi was right in the middle of it and performed so remarkably under such pressure is tremendous.

"Fred made this city, this state and this country very proud, and now were going to make sure we commemorate this event in a fitting manner.

Haise, the lunar module pilot, along with mission commander Jim Lovell and command module pilot Jack Swigert -- a late substitution for Ken Mattingly -- lifted off on April 11 as what was intended to be the third mission to land on the moon.

The moon landing was aborted, however, after an explosion of the oxygen tank in the service module, causing the tanks contents to vent into space. As a result, the command module had to be shut down to conserve resources needed for reentry and the crew survived inside the lunar module until returning to the command module for reentry and splash down on April 17, 1970.

Haise, now 86, graduated from Biloxi High School in 1950 and from what was then Perkinston Junior College in 1952 with an Associate of Arts degree. Eligible for the draft, Haise joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and underwent training from 1952 to 1954, serving as a Marine Corps fighter pilot from 1954 to 1956.

After his service in the Marine Corps, Haise earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1959, doing so while serving in the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a fighter pilot with the 185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

He later served 10 months as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and saw duty during the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

In 1966, Haise was one of 19 candidates selected for NASA Astronaut Group 5, having already spent several years working with NASA as a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut from his class to be assigned to a mission, serving as a backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 8, the first mission to orbit the moon, and Apollo 11, the first mission to make a lunar landing.

Despite being aborted, the Apollo 13 flight holds the record for flying the furthest distance from the Earth, due to the distance between the Earth and the moon during the mission.

Had the mission not been aborted, Haise would have become the sixth man to walk on the moon.

Although he never flew in space again, Haise went on to serve as the backup commander for Apollo 16 and its believed he would have commanded Apollo 19, but that mission was cancelled due to Congressional budget cuts. He would later serve as a test pilot for the space shuttle program, piloting the shuttle through approach and landing tests.

Haise left NASA in 1979 to become a test pilot and executive with Grumman Aerospace Corporation, from which he retired in 1996.

Haise has been honored numerous times through his life, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.

He is a member of the International Space Hall of Fame and the Aerospace Walk of Honor. Haise was also one of 24 Apollo astronauts inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in October 1997.

Haise is slated to speak at the April 10 banquet, set for 6 p.m. at the Biloxi Community Center. Tickets are $25 and available at the Biloxi Visitors Center or the City of Biloxi website.

The City also announced a statue of Haise will be unveiled in April 2021 and the boardwalk along the beachfront from Porter Avenue to Benachi Avenue will be reshaped and known as The Moonwalk in Haises honor.
File image

Rahul Gandhi led a protest of senior Congress leaders on the Parliament premises on March 6 against the suspension of seven party MPs from the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha suspended seven Congress members on March 5 for the remaining period of the Budget Session for "gross misconduct" and "utter disregard" for House rules after they snatched papers from the speaker's table.

As soon as the Lok Sabha reassembled at 3 pm following an adjournment, Meenakshi Lekhi, who was presiding the House, named Gaurav Gogoi, T N Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Manicka Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Benny Behanan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

Wearing black bands, Congress leaders including Gogoi and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue and alleged that the members were suspended from the House to scare the grand old party.

"But we will not be scared. We will not be scared to demand a discussion on the violence in Delhi, we will raise the issue continuously," Gogoi said as the Congress leaders raised slogans demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:00:51|Editor: huaxia

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VOX POP: How people on New York streets view coronavirus spread?

(Video by Xinhua Reporters Wei Ying and Zhang Mocheng)

Working around the clock to contain COVID-19 and educate the public ...



NEW YORK, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases from some 20 U.S. states has topped 200 with at least 12 deaths by Thursday evening, according to the databases set up by several major U.S. media outlets.

The numbers updated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 4 p.m. on Thursday show a total of 148 confirmed COVID-19 cases and a death toll of 10.

"With more and more testing done at states, these numbers (persons under investigation) would not be representative of the testing being done nationally...states are reporting results quickly and in the event of a discrepancy between CDC and state case counts, the state case counts should always be considered more up to date," said the CDC.

Tourists look around at Times Square in New York, the United States, March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

States are scrambling to get approval from the federal government to conduct tests locally so as to speed diagnosis. In the state of Texas, Houston's public health lab on Wednesday gained a single test kit to analyze samples, and reported on Thursday two more confirmed cases in Harris County.

These are the second and third cases in Greater Houston Area as well as in Texas. The two cases, a man and a woman, are travel-related and have shown no evidence of community spread, Harris County Public Health Department said in a release.

The test kit has the capacity to test 700 specimens suspected of carrying the virus, enough for about 200 to 400 patients, health officials said.

Tourists look around at Times Square in New York, the United States, March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Also on Thursday, Illinois authorities reported the fifth COVID-19 patient in the Midwestern state. Governor J.B. Pritzker told a press conference that the patient is a man in his 20s who was probably infected during a recent travel to Italy.

The patient has been hospitalized in isolation and is reportedly in stable condition.

"The state of Illinois is working around the clock to contain COVID-19 and educate the public," said the governor, adding that the risk of COVID-19 to the general public in Illinois "remains low."

"But we encourage the public to be vigilant and take extra care with the normal precautions you should take during flu season," said Pritzker.

A customer wearing a face mask shops in a supermarket in Los Angeles, California, the United States, March 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

In Los Angeles, a medical screener who worked at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for checking passenger's health situation, has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting more tests for other workers.

The local NBC news channel reported Thursday that the patient was described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a medical screener who "wore all the correct protective equipment and took necessary protections on the job."

The DHS noted that they did not know if this case was a result from community spread or through their work as a medical screener, saying "there have been no positive COVID-19 detections reported from the LAX screened travelers. "

A man with face mask walks out of metro platform in Manhattan of New York, the United States, March 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

In the state of New York, the number of confirmed cases doubled that of the previous day, reaching 22. Eight of the new cases are in Westchester County and all related to the state's second case reported on Tuesday, who is an attorney living in Westchester County and working in Manhattan.

During a press conference on Thursday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that the newly added COVID-19 cases have shown more evidence of community spread.

"What we do know is when you have a community spread dynamic, you have to assume it could be anywhere in the city. So we're going to work on an assumption of intense vigilance," said the mayor.

He called on all New Yorkers who returned from a country or a region where there is a COVID-19 outbreak to isolate themselves for 14 days as a precaution.

A passenger with face mask is seen in a metro train in Manhattan of New York, the United States, March 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Currently in New York City, over 2,700 people are in home isolation and self-quarantine, city health officials have said.

On Thursday evening, the state of Maryland declared a state of emergency as three Montgomery County residents tested positive for COVID-19.

State officials said the patients, a couple in their 70s and a woman in her 50s, contracted the virus while traveling abroad. They are in good condition and are isolated in their homes.

These cases could be the closest so far to Washington, D.C., which has not reported any cases yet.

(Article by Xinhua Reporters Chang Yuan, Gao Lu, Huang Heng and Wang Qiang)
Hall died in August 1863, and shortly after his mother received a letter from Whitman, a stranger to her. It read: I write you this letter because I would do something at least in his memory  his fate was a hard one, to die so  He is one of the thousands of our unknown young American men in the ranks about whom there is no record or fame, no fuss about their dying so unknown, but I find them the real precious & royal ones. ... Poor dear son, though you were not my son, I felt to love you as a son, what short time I saw you sick & dying there.
First Savings Bank funds Habitat for Humanity Chicago home project. "Businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the communities they serve," said Weldon Riggs, SVP. "Providing a family with a home of their own brings stability and the means for a better future."

First Savings Bank announced its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, where, as a corporate sponsor, the bank funded $150,000 for its first home building project that broke ground in Chicago at the end of February 2020.

Six representatives from the local Chicago branch of First Savings Bank spent the afternoon at the construction site on S. Union Avenue. They participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking dig and later toured the sites of other Habitat homes on S. Union and S. Emerald Avenues. The homes under construction will be purchased by Chicagoans who qualify for Habitat Chicagos Affordable Homeownership Program.

The Chicago project is the first of several Habitat for Humanity home builds that First Savings Bank will sponsor and cover the entire cost for. Additional projects are scheduled for each city the bank has a branch in, including one more in Chicago, two in Detroit, and one each in Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, Houston, Cranston, Rhode Island, Cincinnati, Tampa, Sunrise, Florida, Louisville, Ann Arbor, and Clarksville, Indiana.

"Businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the communities they serve," said Weldon Riggs, SVP, wholesale lending director for E2 Lending, which is powered by First Savings Bank. "Providing a family with a home of their own brings stability and the means for a better future, which are the causes that First Savings Bank proudly stands behind.

First Savings Bank is a trusted partner whose strong community values align with our organizations mission, said David Chudy, corporate partnerships manager for Habitat for Humanity Chicago. With each new home that is built, thanks to First Savings Banks funding, many low-income families, and the communities where their homes are being built will be able to thrive and flourish."

About First Savings Bank

First Savings Financial Group, Inc. is the holding company for First Savings Bank. Its mission is to create a higher quality of life for its customers, employees, communities, and shareholders. The bank is committed to building customer relationships, conducting business with integrity, and providing the best customer service. It has received several accolades, including receiving the Best Place to Work 2017 Reader's Choice Award.

First Savings Bank is the largest local community bank with retail offices located in Southern Indiana. With over $1.2 billion in assets, the Bank has a lending footprint in 49 states. Locally, there are 15 convenient locations in the Indiana communities of Clarksville, Charlestown, Corydon, English, Elizabeth, Georgetown, Jeffersonville, Lanesville, Marengo, New Albany, Salem and Sellersburg. First Savings Bank offers a complete line of personal and business banking products, and investment services. Access to First Savings Bank accounts, including online banking and electronic bill payments, is available anywhere with internet access through the banks website at http://www.fsbbank.net or mobile app.

About Habitat for Humanity Chicago

Habitat for Humanity Chicago serves families and communities in the city of Chicago by building new, affordable homes for low-and moderate-income households; providing funding to community residents to execute block improvement projects; offering year-round home care workshops to help Chicagoans maintain and add value to their homes; facilitating positive community action and affordable housing policy advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.habitatchicago.org.
Virgin Australia has put plans in place to operate three charter flights for stranded Chinese students if the Australian government relaxes its coronavirus travel ban.

Universities face major financial losses after the government's ongoing ban on non-citizens travelling from China prevented 100,000 students from arriving in Australia for the start of the academic year.

Virgin Australia has made plans for three charter flights to bring Chinese students to Australia. Credit:Philip Gostelow

The vast majority of the students remain stuck in China although some have been arriving in Australia after waiting out their 14-day isolation period in third countries. The window is rapidly closing for students to arrive in time to participate in first semester studies on the ground in Australia.

The government has been considering easing the ban for students, subject to public safety assurances, and already airlines are preparing special flights to bring their students to Australia.
An adorable Chow Chow dog has become famous on the internet thanks to his striking resemblance to a huge teddy bear.

Chowder, six, from the Philippines, is a cute and 'very lazy' Chow Chow who has gained thousands of followers on social media thanks to his big snout and round chubby face, which make him look like a 20kg teddy bear.

Owner Bernice Lozano, says Chowder attracts everyone's attention when he visits the shopping mall thanks to his adorable features.

Bernice said: 'He just really has bear-like features. A big part of it is how he is groomed, but other than that it's also the colour of his fur and the shape of his round snout.

Chowder, six,from the Philippines is a social media sensation. The Chow chow that looks like a cuddle teddy bear has more than 427,000 followers

Chowder's owner Bernice Lozano said the pup loved to lounge around the house and eat chicken

Chowder is one very popular pooch on Instagram, where he counts more than 427,000 followers.

And he also steals heart in real life, whenever Bernice takes him out.

'The most common line we hear from people when they meet Chowder is "Oh my God he looks like a teddy bear".'

The stunner has strangers stopping Bernice wherever she goes to gush over his features.

Next to his cuddly toy, Chowder's big snout and round face make him look like a happy teddy bear

Who could resist this face? Chowder (pictured) stops people in their tracks whenever he goes out

'Whenever we're in the mall, everyone stops to look at him because he's just so adorable and they take photos or videos of him.'

Bernice also said that Chowder is not a particularly active dog, and likes to eat and relax all day long.

Bernice said: 'He is a very lazy dog, he just loves to eat and lounge around the house all day.

The big dog loves to play with his soft toys, including this tiny Chow Chow, but he also loves to go outside

Paw-ddington! Chowder looks like the most adorable bear cub when he slouches on the floor (pictured)

While he prefers to stay at home and lounge around the house, Chowder don't mind going to the mall with Bernice either

Chowder, who is extremely popular on social media, looks like the happiest pooch on Earth when he sticks his tongue out

Waiting for a treat? Bernice said cheeky Chowder loves to play hide-and-seek during their play time

But like any dog, Chowder also enjoys walks and playtime, and even has a favourite game.

'However, he does love to go to the mall or outside the house to walk around.

'His favourite food is definitely chicken breast, and his favourite game hide-and-seek with his humans.'

Bernice said strangers gushed over Chowder every time she steps outside, and always said he looks like a bear

Bear with me: An adorable picture (above) shows what fluffy Chowder looked like as a cuddly puppy

Good boy alert! Whenever Bernice goes to the mall, people will ask her for pictures of her adorable pup
How suitably some writers come named. Muriel Spark, of the scorching short fiction. Judy Blume, of stories of young girls coming of age. Ann Patchett, in whose work families desperately try to repair their tattered ties. Then there is Hilary Mantel, the author of several books, including an acclaimed suite of novels set in Tudor England, in whose own name can be discerned her themes  of cloaking and secrecy, the weight of responsibility  and, as it happens, the particular pleasure of submitting to her lavish and gory imagination. When a hawk makes a kill, it drapes ...
CHICAGO  A second Wall Street credit ratings agency is offering a tepid response to the $42 billion state budget plan Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker laid out last month.

S&P Global issued an analysis Friday that called Pritzkers spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1 a very small step toward improving fiscal stability.

The governors plan  a starting point for negotiations with lawmakers  relies on $1.4 billion in new revenue from a graduated-rate income tax that must be approved by voters in November. If voters reject amending the Illinois Constitution to eliminate its flat-rate incomes tax requirement, Pritzker would hold back that amount, lowering a spending increase for public education and delaying payment of some state employee health insurance costs, among other measures.

Proposing a budget with this level of revenue uncertainty raises credit risks, but the passage of the graduated income tax is the administrations primary goal, according to the S&P analysis.

Passage of the amendment would be a further step toward fiscal progress, the ratings agency says, but failure would push some costs and credit risk to school districts and other units of government under Pritzkers proposal.

Plan to make daylight saving time permanent in Illinois (no more changing clocks) stalls  An effort in Illinois to prevent biannual clock changes  such as the one Sunday moving time forward one hour  appears stalled.

Echoing an analysis from Fitch Ratings days earlier, S&P warned that Pritzkers budget plan wouldnt do enough to address two of the states biggest financial challenges: its $7 billion backlog of unpaid bills and chronic underfunding of its pension systems, which together have roughly $137 billion in unfunded liabilities.

Both agencies, which rate the states credit one notch above junk status, take issue with the contributions required by state law because they are lower than what third-party actuaries say the payments should be. Because of that, S&P said it does not consider Pritzkers proposal to be balanced.

The lower the states credit rating, the more expensive it is to borrow money, ultimately resulting in higher costs for taxpayers.

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If voters approve the graduated income tax and higher rates on higher earners kick in Jan. 1, Pritzker proposes devoting an additional $100 million to pensions next budget year and an additional $200 million in future years.

With the states contribution next year expected to be $8.6 billion, or roughly 20% of the overall operating budget, however, Pritzkers proposal falls short of making any significant progress, S&P says.

Pritzker put a positive spin on the assessments of his spending plan Friday at an unrelated event in Bensenville. The budget was actually hailed and called out as a successful proposal by both of the rating agencies that put out statements about it, he said.

Ive never said that we would solve all the problems in one years budget, Pritzker said. But I have said that its important that we are consistent and persistent at addressing the challenges that we have in the state.

S&P also noted that there has been no word from a task force Pritzker created more than a year ago to recommend state assets that could be sold or transferred to infuse cash into the five statewide pension systems.

Pritzker said the group is still working on crafting legislation that would allow those transfers to take place.

It isnt the case today that you could just take an asset and move it into the five pension systems, he said.

Some of the new Illinois laws for 2020

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Port-Gentil, Gabon, (PANA) - Port-Gentil, Gabons economic capital and the countrys second biggest city, on Friday hosted a sensitization meeting on the coronavirus pandemic, at the Regional hospital Center, official sources told PANA
Anuja Susan Varghese By

Express News Service

KOCHI: Ragaranjini and her group of friends were elated when they were offered jobs with Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) in 2017. Being from the transgender community and having to eke out a living on their own, this gesture by KMRL through the Kudumbashree Mission came as a blessing for almost all of them.

Three years down the line, most of the 23-member group have quit owing to various reasons, including lack of viable accommodation facilities in Kochi and low salary.KMRL has signed a three-year contract with Kudumbashree to ensure jobs for women and transgenders. The transgenders were appointed in several departments ranging from ticketing to housekeeping.

KMRL employs over 700 women staff. Of the 23 transgender persons hired in the first phase, only six are working now, said Ragaranjini. A major factor working against the transgender employees was the costly accommodation in the city. Coupled with the hardly considerable hike in salary over the years, this factor took a toll on them.

At present, we are getting `14,000 per month in hand. Of this, a major chunk is spent on, leaving us with barely enough. However, since our contract gets renewed this year, we are hopeful of getting better pay, said Ragaranjini.

Faisal C, aka Faisu, a former transgender employee of KMRL, said he has been able to earn more from working in UberEats. Since we were hired on contract, the salary was less. Our salary was `13,000, which reduced to `9,000 after all the deductions, including Provident Fund. It is difficult to meet our monthly expenses with the amount. This was one of the reasons why most of us quit, he said.

KMRL says

Kochi Metro has always welcomed transgenders and we always try to maintain a balance. There are 11 transgenders working with us now and a total of 650 women staff, said a KMRL spokesperson.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 05:35:54|Editor: huaxia

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Peruvian Health Minister Elizabeth Hinostroza (C) speaks at a press conference in Lima, Peru, on March 6, 2020. Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced on Friday the country's first confirmed case of COVID-19. (Peruvian Ministry of Health Press/Handout via Xinhua)

LIMA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced on Friday the country's first confirmed case of COVID-19.

The president stated that the patient diagnosed with the disease is 25 years old and had recently returned from a visit to Spain, France, and the Czech Republic.

"Through the Ministry of Health, we have arranged all the corresponding measures from the medical point of view so that this patient is stable and has comprehensive care," he said.

Vizcarra also stated that security protocols have been activated to confront the disease through the provision of designated spaces, specialists, and medicines.
More than 1,000 people gathered as the first rays of daylight met the sky to remember the Alamo and the early morning battle that generates controversy 184 years later.

The hour-long Dawn at the Alamo ceremony, live-streamed for the first time early Friday, combined music, narration, re-enactment vignettes, placement of wreaths and lighting of candles to commemorate the battle that ended a 13-day siege in San Antonio, then a strategically coveted frontier village in the Texas Revolution.

At least 189 Texians and Tejanos from 22 American states and six foreign countries defended the fort while delegates met 100 miles to the east to declare Texas a republic, independent from Mexico.

All of the defenders were killed in the 90-minute battle or executed afterward. Historians today believe about 70 Mexican troops also died and 300 were wounded. But it was the sacrifice of the Alamo defenders that Texans and history enthusiasts from around the world gather each year to honor.

On ExpressNews.com: Lt. Gov. voices concern over Alamo project

While it still seems early to many, at this hour, the battle would have been over, Alamo CEO Douglass W. McDonald told the crowd at the ceremonys conclusion. But the history of Texas would go on forever, and will go on forever. And the history of this place and this time will forever be remembered.

The annual ceremony, held in historic Alamo Plaza since the late 1980s, rounded out a turbulent week in San Antonio that included a coronavirus scare at the North Star Mall and a bitterly contested primary election on Tuesday marked by long lines at the polls and a long delay in releasing the vote tallies.

Then on Thursday, the eve of the battles anniversary, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasted the carefully negotiated plans to overhaul Alamo Plaza. Patrick said he opposes relocating the 1930s Alamo Cenotaph, a key element of the makeover. He also asserted that a planned museum and visitor center should focus only on the famed battle.

Local and state planners have been working on a project they believe will transform Alamo Plaza into a place of learning and reflection that honors early missionaries, indigenous people and fallen combatants on both sides of the siege.

Patrick also said that if the Texas General Land Office, which oversees the site, cannot handle this important job, and to date it does not appear it can, I will recommend we identify another entity to provide oversight.

But Friday morning there was no talk of disagreements. The focus was on those who defended liberty 184 years ago.

Filmmaker and historical re-enactor Gary Foreman said it was humbling to ponder the courage of the Alamo defenders and the Mexican soldiers who charged the fort in a predawn assault.

I think what draws people to the Alamo is not what pop culture brings to our attention, but its whats in the inner spirit of the human being. And that life is precious, said Foreman, whose company, Native Sun Productions, captured the ceremony on three cameras for a video live-stream.

And when you sacrifice your life for a bigger cause, it becomes even greater than that, he said. When we realize the value of human life and what it means to lose it, then you can grasp what happened here 184 years ago.

Todays Alamo site is at the center of a different kind of battle, with a $450 million, public-private project in the works to restore the mission and battleground to more closely reflect their state in 1836. Since then, the site has been engulfed by San Antonios urban growth.

Two groups have sued the General Land Office, hoping to slow the project out of concern that construction in Alamo Plaza will disturb a cemetery that holds remains from the 1700s and 1800s.

Archaeological excavations in the Alamo church, aimed at assessing the buildings stability and preservation needs, have unearthed human bones, bone fragments and at least three sets of skeletal remains. Remains were found in two areas of the nave and in the temporary sacristy, a side chamber also known as the Monks Burial Room.

The latest known discovery, on Jan. 22 in the south transept of the nave, revealed a partial skull, leg and foot bones of a young individual. Areas in the church where remains were found are now closed and screened from public view.

Meanwhile, the Land Office is seeking a permit from the Texas Historical Commission to relocate the Cenotaph as part of the projects first phase, a $15 million, city-funded overhaul of the south end of the plaza. That portion of the project will include closure of streets to traffic and planting of trees near the historic Menger Hotel.

The historical commission is set to meet March 24-25 in Houston.

At about 5:30 a.m. on March 6, 1836, some 1,500 Mexican troops attacked the fortified former mission, penetrating its north wall and southwest corner after two failed attempts. The youngest known defender, William Philip King, 15, had volunteered to go to the Alamo so his father could stay in Gonzales with his younger siblings.

Gregorio Esparza, one of several Tejano Alamo defenders, had been given a choice to flee with his family during the siege. But he and his wife, Ana, decided to stay, according to accounts from his son, Enrique Esparza, who lived until 1917 and was the battles last living eyewitness.

The elder Esparza manned a cannon in the roofless Alamo church and struck down one of his foes as he died fighting, his son told the San Antonio Daily Express in 1907. Enrique Esparza, who was about 8 during the battle, described images of the conflict being burned into my brain.

Neither age nor infirmity could make me forget, for the scene was one of such horror that it could never be forgotten, he told the newspaper.

Mexican Lt. Jose Maria Torres died changing the colors that flew over the fort that morning. He replaced the banner of the New Orleans Grays on the roof of the Long Barrack with a Mexican tricolor right before falling from a fatal shot.

Also critical to the battl, were the deeds of Brig. Gen. Juan Valentin Amador, who led the first Mexican troops over a 12-foot section of the north wall, challenging his men to follow. Once inside, they found a postern and swung it open for Mexican troops to stream through, forcing the defenders to fall back into the Long Barrack, where some died in hand-to-hand fighting.

From that moment, the outcome of the assault was never in doubt, historian Stephen L. Hardin wrote in his book, Texian Iliad.

On ExpressNews.com: Words of famous letter echo through Alamo Plaza

During the dawn ceremony, City Councilman Roberto Trevino read an eulogy for the defenders delivered by Col. Juan Seguin in 1837. Thats when the ashes of the defenders, whose bodies had been burned in funeral pyres, were given a proper burial more than a year after the battle.

They preferred to die 1,000 times rather than submit themselves to the tyrants yoke, Trevino said.

The Alamo Society, an organization of Alamo devotees with about 450 dues-paying members from all 50 states and nine foreign countries, expects about 300 people at its annual Alamo symposium on Saturday. Its 1,500 non-paying members who follow the group online are from 20 nations, including Nigeria, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.

Many of the Alamo followers come to San Antonio for the battle anniversary, including a group of Europeans who travel here from from Sweden. That group has grown in recent years from four to 16, said the Alamo Societys president, Brian L. Gibson, who lives in Michigan. About 10 are Swedish, while others are from Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and other European nations.

And thats the largest contingent from overseas in one group, Gibson said.

Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
Chinese gaming company Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd is close to signing an agreement to sell popular gay dating app Grindr LLC to a group of investors, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move comes after a U.S. government panel ordered Kunlun to divest Grindr, which it has owned since 2016.

The panel, dubbed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), was concerned that the personal information of millions of Americans, such as private messages and HIV status, was at risk of falling into the wrong hands.

One of the investors in the group that is nearing a deal to acquire Grindr is James Lu, a former executive at Chinese search engine giant Baidu, three of the sources said.

The identity of the other investors in the consortium could not immediately be learned.

The deal price that Kunlun is agreeable to for Grindr could also not be learned, but the negotiations during the sale process were based on a valuation of Grindr of around US$500 million, one of the sources said.

The sources cautioned that there is no certainty a deal will be struck and requested anonymity ahead of an official announcement.

Grindr declined to comment, while Kunlun and Lu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Based in West Hollywood, California, Grindr has over 4.5 million daily active users, and describes itself as the worlds largest social networking app for gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

Kunlun said in a filing with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in January that Grindrs revenue hit a record high in 2019, as its number of active users continued to grow. It did not disclose the revenue figure in the filing.

Kunlun first acquired 60 percent of Grindr in 2016 for $93 million, amid a wave of acquisitions of U.S. technology companies by Chinese firms.

At the time CFIUS focused on traditional national security concerns, such as the use of technology for potential military applications.

It bought the remainder of Grindr in 2018. That same year, CFIUS, which scrutinizes foreign acquisitions of U.S. companies, started looking into the Grindr deal to see whether it raised any national security risks, Reuters previously reported.

Following talks with CFIUS, Kunlun said in May 2019 it would divest Grindr by June 2020.

CFIUS intervention in the Grindr deal underscored its focus on the safety of personal data, after it blocked the acquisitions of U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc and mobile marketing firm AppLovin by Chinese bidders.

Previous examples of the United States ordering the divestment of a company after the acquirer did not file for CFIUS review include China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporations acquisition of Seattle-based aircraft component maker Mamco in 1990, Ralls Corporations divestment of four wind farms in Oregon in 2012, and Ironshore Incs sale of Wright & Co, a provider of professional liability coverage to U.S. government employees such as law enforcement personnel and national security officials, to Starr Companies in 2016.

Ring-fencing Grindr from Kunlun

Reuters reported last year that Kunlun shifted a significant portion of Grindrs operations to Beijing and gave some of its Beijing-based engineers access to the social media apps database.

After CFIUS asked Kunlun to divest Grindr, the Chinese firm started to separate its operations from Grindr, and told the panel the Beijing teams access to Grindrs database had been restricted.

Kunlun also shut down Grindrs Beijing office, parting ways with some of the roughly two dozen employees there, Reuters reported.

Lu, who also worked for Amazon.com Incs web services division, told website Tencent News in 2018 that he was raising private equity funds. In the last few months, he had contacted family offices to seek financing for the acquisition of Grindr, according to three of the sources.

Kunlun is one of Chinas largest mobile gaming companies. It was part of a buyout consortium that acquired Norwegian internet browser business Opera Ltd for $600 million in 2016.

Founded in 2008 by Tsinghua University graduate Zhou Yahui, Kunlun also owns Xianlai Huyu, a Chinese mobile gaming company.
A public order unit garda who assaulted a RTE cameraman during street protests has received a fully suspended one-year prison sentence.

Judge Melanie Greally said that the assault by Garda Sean Lucey (aged 42) during anti-racism protests in Dublin city centre in February 2016 was an unjustified act of aggression.

Lucey stepped forward from a line of public order unit gardai and struck the camera of Colm Hand, an experienced RTE cameraman covering the protests.

He then again swung his baton with full force and struck Mr Hand to the groin.The victim sustained significant bruising and pain.

Judge Greally rejected a characterisation by Lucey of the assault on Colm Hand as an error of judgement and excessive conduct.

She said that Lucey's statement of regret fell short of an apology and that an offer to make a donation to a charity of Lucey's choosing did not represent a suitable gesture of remorse to the victim.

She said:

There are public interest issues at play in this case. A transgression of this kind must be seen to carry serious consequences.

She said she would suspend the prison sentence on the basis of Lucey's absence of previous offending and his unblemished record of service with the Gardai.

Judge Greally said given these facts, she viewed Lucey's offending as an aberration.

Gda Lucey, who has been stationed at Crumlin Village and Sundrive Road garda stations, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of assault causing harm to Mr Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera.

Following a five-day trial last December a jury convicted him of assaulting Mr Hand and acquitted him of criminal damage.

Lucey was detailed to a public order unit to deal with confrontations between anti-racism protesters and gardai who were trying to prevent protesters from getting to supporters of a far right group.

Mr Hand told the court in his victim impact statement that he had been in the area as part of his work for the public service broadcaster and did not pose a threat to anyone. He outlined the effects the incident and subsequent trial process had on him including sleeplessness, worry and stress.

What happened that day shattered my confidence and I have never really recovered, he told the court.

Judge Greally said that on the day in question, there was an element in the groups gathering that was intent on having a violent confrontation and gardai were under intense pressure.

She said she had the highest respect for the work of gardai. She said the public rely on gardai and the public order unit to exercise their significant powers with restraint and self-control.

She said that assessing the necessary use of force at public order events was easier said than done, but she rejected Lucey's description of his actions as an error of judgement.

Judge Greally said that Mr Hand was conspicuously engaging in the job he was hired to do and did not at any time present a threat to anyone.

She said the fleeting lapse of control by Lucey involved a blow being struck at full force into the victim's groin. She said the blow had the potential to cause serious physical injury and did indeed result in a deterioration in physiological and emotional well being and qualify of life of Mr Hand.

In determining her sentence, Judge Greally said she was also taking into consideration Lucey's family circumstances, the possible consequences of a criminal conviction for his career, and favourable character references.
Mondays Q&A takes a look at our schooling system and ask: Is it up to scratch?

Are Aussie kids getting the education they need? Our global education ranking has plunged , our students results in reading, maths and science are in serious decline, and a toxic culture of sexism and bullying persists in too many of our high schools.

Joining Hamish MacDonald live from the ABC Studios in Sydney:

Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Education

Adrian Piccoli, Director, Gonski Institute and former Deputy Leader, NSW Nationals

Eddie Woo, High School Maths Teacher and Internet Sensation

John Collier, Principal, St Andrews Cathedral School Sydney

Vy Tran, Year 12 Student at Mac.Robertson High School Melbourne

9:35pm Monday on ABC.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- The Indiana State Board of Education released the overall letter grades for school corporations. Due to the "Hold Harmless" bill, the grades released are the highest grade of two separate tests, taken last year and this year. Some schools in our area still struggled but educators in those schools say the letter grade isn't a fair assessment.

Lafayette School Corporation's overall grade was C, Tippecanoe School Corporation's grade was a B, West Lafayette Community School Corporations grade was an, A and Benton Community School Corporations grade was a B.

While none of the districts were given failing grades, one school corporation had a high school in their district that was given an F.

"When you look at the letter grades it is based on the English and math of those buildings and it leaves out a whole lot of things that every school in Indiana is doing well, said Les Huddle Lafayette School Corporations Superintendent.

Oakland High School was the only school in the Lafayette School corporation receiving an overall grade of "F." Principal David Walker says the grade doesn't take into account the size of their school.

"The sample size is very small so typically our class sizes are in the teens, said David Walker Principal, Oakland High School. So last year's testing group was 15 and obviously if one or two of those aren't going to make it, it will bring the percentages down."

Principal Walker says he wasn't surprised by the grade Oakland High School was given.

"With the emphasis on performance and students coming to us later in their High School careers it is going to be a challenge for us to have students ready by their 10th grade year when our whole focus is to get them ready to graduate by their 12th grade year. "

Superintendent Les Huddle says he thinks the state should perform school evaluations differently.

"We would like to see this annual report come out more of a state dashboard if you will that tells the whole story of the school not just one little slice of one little assessment that we took," said Huddle

To see the letter grade for a school your child may attend click here and then click on the area that says 2018-19 School Letter Grades.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Yusif Aghayev - Trend:

A decision was made at the meeting of the World Bank Board of Directors on March 5 to provide Azerbaijan with a loan worth $100 million for projects related to supporting employment, Trend reports referring to the WB.

This loan is issued for a period of 14 years with a four-year grace period. As a result of the project implementation, the working conditions of about 5,000 people will improve annually.

This project will focus on the development of self-employment in Azerbaijan, Teymur Ibrahimov, deputy head of the Baku Employment Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, told Trend.

During the implementation of this project, self-employment of low-income individuals in micro and small business will be ensured, Ibrahimov added. The project will be mainly aimed at young people and women who do not have stable jobs, but having skills in certain spheres of entrepreneurship.

This project has been successfully implemented in several countries, and we hope that its implementation in Azerbaijan will effectively complement the country's self-employment program, one of the heads of the project Maddalena Honorati said.
HARTFORD  As many as 700,000 state residents could obtain less-expensive health care coverage under this years version of the state-administered public option for small businesses, nonprofit agencies and unions.

Its a modified version of a plan that Democrats rolled out last year, only to see it blow up at the end of the legislative session as private heath insurers objected and one of them, Cigna, the Bloomfield-based giant health management company, made veiled threats to leave Connecticut.

State Comptroller Kevin Lembo on Thursday joined Democratic lawmakers, business owners and doctors in supporting the bill during a public hearing before the General Assemblys Insurance and Real Estate Committee. Republicans, insurers and the states largest business organization opposed the bill.

Lembo said that at a time when unemployment is low, many jobs have either no insurance benefits or offer health plans with unacceptably high deductibles that become obvious only when employees need the coverage.

The official term, and I hate to say this in this building, is crappy coverage, Lembo told the committee. Whats the quality of those jobs? Lembo asked. Theyre horrible.

Under the proposal, the voluntary program would be available through Lembos office, offering participants the states buying power to cut costs. If not this, then what? Lembo asked Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, ranking member of the committee, who stressed that he is skeptical that a government program could improve on the private sector in a state famous for its insurance industry.

The Connecticut economy has failed to perform for the middle class, Kelly said during a 45-minute review of the bill with Lembo. Kelly stressed that the states version of the federal Affordable Care Act hasnt been good. The experience in Connecticut has been the two largest tax increases and the middle class is screaming.

Former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy did enact two large tax increases, though not the largest in state history, and the tax increases were overwhelmingly unrelated to Obamacare.

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said that better health coverage could help revive the states economy. There is no more critical issue today, Looney said during a news conference prior to the committee hearing. This is something thats holding the state back.

State Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the committee, called this years version new and improved plan. He said Gov. Ned Lamont, whose support last year was mixed, seems open, although he has recently indicated that he has problems with the bill. Hes interested in having more discussions, Lesser said.

I think we can get him to yes, Lembo said.

Chris McClure, a spokesman for the governors budget office, said Thursday Lamont remains committed to reducing the costs of health care, as indicated in one of his early executive orders to study cost issues, plus drug reimportation through Canada and cost containments.

The rising cost of healthcare is an issue that hits countless families across our state, McClure said. At this time, the most important thing we can to improve America's health care system is to reduce the underlying cost of care, without compromising its high quality.

Under the proposal, new participants would become a third platform under the Connecticut Partnership plans that are administered by the state to cover employees of municipalities and local school boards. Lembo believes that participants can get lower prices because the profit incentives of private insurance, as well as highly paid executives, would be taken out of the equation.

Dr. Robert McLean, a New Haven rheumatologist who is national president of the 159,000-member American College of Physicians, said universal access to affordable health care has been the organizations goal for the last 30 years.

There are actually two pathways that can get us to achieve such a system, McLean said. A public option to be offered along with regulated private insurance, or a single-payer finance system. So I am absolutely delighted that the public option is being introduced in this bill here today. The status quo has led to ever-increasing premiums, deductibles, co-payments and surprise bills.

The industry continues to object. The proposal could jeopardize as many as 25,000 Hartford-area health-related jobs, said Steve Jewett, spokesman for a coalition of insurance groups.

We want to keep Connecticut the insurance capital of the world, Jewett said. The proposed state government option bill will only put those jobs at risk and few people believe that state government will be more efficient in running Connecticuts healthcare system. As a state, we need to stay competitive and support the growth of the health industry here, which includes pushing back against legislation that says government run health care is a better model.

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association also testified against the legislation.

Lembo admitted the current form of the bill needs revisions before the end of the legislative session on May 6. And Kelly, the ranking Republican, said some reform may be in order.

I believe if there is one issue at the top of the minds for all voters, its health care, Kelly told Lembo. I am going to keep an open mind, but I want to get more detail. As a Republican I have an innate contempt for government, but at the same time I have similar questions about corporate America.

kdixon@ctpost.com
Iraq will halt border trade with Iran and Kuwait between March 8 and 15 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the countrys health minister Jaafar Sadiq Allawi said in a televised press conference.

Sea- and air-borne trade will continue as long as personnel and goods involved have the necessary paperwork from their originating countries to show that they are free from the disease, the minister said.

Iraq, OPECs second biggest producer, is also barring travellers from France and Spain from entering the country. The move brings to a total of 11 countries it has imposed such curbs on.

Schools and other educational institutions remain closed until March 21.

According to the health ministry, Iraq has a total of 38 coronavirus cases so far, including two deaths.

Read more about:
Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia on Friday slammed the government for uploading the state budget for 2020-21 fiscal on the finance department's website before being tabled in the House.

The Congress leader questioned how people can repose faith on the government which "cannot protect the secrecy" of the state budget.

"The state government is now engaging in a damage- control exercise but the question is how much confidence people can repose on a government which cannot protect the secrecy of such an important document," he said.

Hours before Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the state budget for 2020-21 fiscal in the Assembly on Friday, his speech was uploaded on the official website of the department but pulled down later.

Saikia quoted First Secretary in first Lok Sabha M N Kaul and former Chief Election Commissioner S L Shakdher on 'Practice and Procedure of Parliament', saying that "the prevailing view is that until the financial proposals are placed before the House, they are an official secret...

"Though the leakage of the budget proposals may not constitute a breach of privilege of the House, Parliament has ample power to inquire into the conduct of a minister in suitable proceedings in relation to the leakage and the circumstances in which the leakage occurred."



Saikia said it is unfortunate that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was present in the House on Friday, "did not attach any importance to this serious issue".

"On behalf of the Assam Congress Legislature Party, I demand an enquiry by an all-party House Committee into today's leakage of the budget and the committee should be empowered to recommend measures against those found responsible for this lapse," Saikia added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[March 06, 2020] Connectyx Technologies Holdings Group announces Shareholder Update

BOCA RATON, FL, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Connectyx Technologies Holdings Group (OTC PINK: CTYX) issued a shareholder update today regarding recent corporate developments including management and Board of Director changes.

SunMed Advisors, LLC has recently acquired majority control of CTYX through the purchase of Series A Preferred stock from the two principal holders of CTYX. Jon Pevzner, former President and Director, has resigned and Paul M. Michaels was appointed Interim CEO and Director. Mr. Michaels has business and investment experience in Japan and the U.S. with noteworthy expertise in the Life Sciences sector. He has completed transactions involving companies such as Celgene Corporation, Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals, Nobelpharma Co., Ltd, Teva Pharmaceuticals, ICOS, Neurocrine, Cell Therapeutics and Gilead Sciences. Dr. Barry A. Ginsberg and Brandon Michaels join Mr. Michaels on the Board. CTYX is currently in the process of updating financials to become compliant with OTCMarkets and has appointed Jonathan D. Leinwand, PA as Legal Counsel. CTYX will continue to update shareholders on a new business plan through news releases, website updates and OTCMarkets filings as the company moves forward. Investor Database for Future Press Releases and Industry Updates Interested investors and shareholers are invited to be added to the corporate e-mail database for corporate press releases and periodic industry updates by sending an e-mail to: [email protected]



About SunMed Advisors, LLC ( https://sunmedadvisors.com/ ) SunMed Advisors is a Life Science and Technology consulting firm that helps create maximum corporate value with strategic initiatives and a leading advisor on Pre-Commercial and Commercial-Stage licensing deals. SunMed brings value to all stages of licensing transactions, from sourcing through closing.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. CTYX has great potential but is not yet generating revenues. Although forward-looking statements in this release reflect the good faith judgment of management, forward-looking statements are inherently subjected to known, unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our ability to maintain our website and associated computer systems, our ability to generate sufficient market acceptance for our products and services, our ability to generate sufficient operating cash flow, and general economic conditions. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with OTC Markets from time to time which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one of more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. Contact:

SunMed Advisors, LLC

Paul M. Michaels

561-418-7725

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Jessica Alba is not only an actress-turned-CEO, but also a mother to three children.

And the 38-year-old put her motherly instincts at the forefront on Friday afternoon, when she arrived to the Baby2Baby headquarters in Los Angeles.

Alba, who serves as an ambassador for the non-profit organization, cut a chic figure for her day of business in a vintage inspired fitted blazer and black denim.

Business first: Jessica Alba cut a chic figure in a vintage inspired blazer and fitted denim jeans, as she arrived to the Baby2Baby headquarters in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon

Her brunette tresses were parted neatly in the center, allowing her strands to flow down evenly onto her shoulders.

Alba paired her brown blazer with a white v-neck tee and gave the look a tinge of glamour by layering up some gold chains around her neck.

Jessica rounded out her silhouette with a pair of nude-toned Mary Jane heels.

Once inside the Baby2Baby facility, the Fantastic 4 star took to her Instagram page to give her nearly 18million followers a behind-the-scenes look at the impact the charity has had on the community.

Big shot: Alba, who is currently an ambassador for the non-profit charity Baby2Baby, completed her day's attire with a pair of nude Mary Jane heels and an oversized brown leather handbag

Doing her part: The 38-year-old actress took to her Instagram page to document the daily dealings inside the Baby2Baby headquarters located in Los Angeles

Alba explained, in a string of clips shared to her Instagram story, that hundreds of social workers working in the Los Angeles area frequent the Baby2Baby headquarters in order to gather clothing and supplies for children in need.

'They collect gently used items...and even new items...like these toys,' narrated Alba who gestured to seemingly endless buckets of merchandise displayed on racks located among the vast warehouse.

She continued: 'There is clothing, cleaning products, hygiene products...so they get to go through [the items in the warehouse] and gather items for family's in need.

'In honor of International Women's Day, there are a lot of women [working for Baby2Baby ] that are helping a lot of women...and families'

Informative: With Baby2Baby representative Kelly Sawyer (right) by her side, the actress explained to her nearly 18million Instagram followers that there are items ranging from 'cleaning supplies' to 'toys' available for family's in need at the facility in Los Angeles

Alba kept her cellphone camera in selfie mode as she continued to tour the headquarters alongside Baby2Baby representative, Kelly Sawyer.

'We are really doing our best to treat people how we would want to be treated if we were born into unfortunate circumstances,' expressed Alba genuinely, before urging her followers to head to the Baby2Baby website.

Back in December, Jessica spearheaded the Baby2Baby Holiday donation campaign and spoke candidly about her inherent desire to aid families in need.

'As a Baby2Baby Board Member, Ambassador and mom of three, I am committed to helping children living in poverty receive the basic essentials they deserve. Families should never have to choose between diapers, providing food and other basic necessities for their family,' said Alba of her reasons for showing such undying support for Baby2Baby.

The mission: 'We are really doing out best to treat people how we would want to be treated if we were born into unfortunate circumstances,' explained Alba of the non-profit's mission

Helping out: Jessica explained that social workers can visit the facility and pick out as many items as necessary for needy families

The Sin City actress shares daughters Honor, 11, and Haven, eight, and son Hayes, two, with husband of nearly 12-years, Cash Warren. In 2008, she married Warren after four years of dating.

On Wednesday, Deadline.com reported that the mother of three would be hosting and producing a new documentary series for the Disney+ streaming service.

The series titled Parenting Without Borders will explore 'beliefs and practices shaping families today.'

It's based on the book Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us by Christine Gross-Loh that was published in 2013.
The World Health Organization has issued a warning that handling money may spread coronavirus and is urging people to stop using cash when they can.

In a warning this week, WHO reminded people that money picks up the disease which can stay on surfaces for hours if not days.

'We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses and things like that.

'We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes, and avoid touching their face.

The World Health Organization is urging people to avoid using cash where they can and instead make contactless payments to avoid the spread of coronavirus

There are now 278 cases of coronavirus in the US including 15 deaths

'When possible its a good idea to use contactless payments,' a spokesman told The Telegraph earlier this week.

US doctors are emphasizing the advice now. This is a droplet-born disease.

'Its by contact with objects that someone else has touched, and that is primarily the biggest way of transmission,' Baptist Health Dr. John Braden said.

Experts say the coronavirus could latch onto currency in the same way that it is able to live on hard surfaces like door handles, handrails and toilet handles.

People are being urged to hand sanitize as much as possible, not to shake hands and to avoid touching their faces.

There are ongoing concerns about how the government is handling the crisis.

As the death toll in the US reached 15 on Friday, many travelers took to Twitter to share stories about returning to America from the high risk countries with minimal to no screening.

Many said the only question they were asked was if they had traveled recently to China.

In addition to fears over how flights are being screened, there is growing criticism of the federal government's response to testing.
In the background of the Yes Bank crisis, the state government has decided to deposit its funds only in nationalised banks and not private ones.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the decision was taken to secure the funds. The chief minister has taken a decision and has conveyed it to the chief secretary that all government funds should be deposited in the nationalised banks protected by the central government, said Pawar.

In the face of the banks financial downfall, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) restricted the withdrawals from Yes Bank to ~ 50,000 for a month on Thursday.

There has already been a controversy over salary accounts of police personnel transferred to Axis Bank. It became a political issue as then chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss wife Amruta holds a senior position in the bank.Since the start of his tenure, Thackeray has opined that such funds should not be rested with private lenders and should be with Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks.

There were also reports of the CM being unhappy with the constant criticism by Amruta against his government on Twitter and this has only hastened his decision.
MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Editorial Advisory and Securities Review Committee of BetterInvesting Magazine today announced Gray Television (NYSE: GTN) as its May 2020 "Stock to Study" and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (NYSE: RCL) as its May 2020 "Undervalued Stock" for investors' informational and educational use.

"The committee selected Gray Television as the Stock to Study based on both an attractive current valuation and acquisitions leading to a better negotiating position with its largest customers," said Sam Levine, CFA, CMT, acting executive editor of BetterInvesting Magazine. "The committee selected Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as the Undervalued Stock selection for May after its stock price fell by over 50% from its recent peak, which the committee believes is an overreaction to any revenue impact from the novel coronavirus."

Check BetterInvesting's May issue for more details about these selections. Go to the trial version of BetterInvesting's online tools to study the investment potential of Gray Television and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines by viewing their fundamental data and applying judgments.

Committee members are Robert M. Bilkie, Jr., CFA; Daniel J. Boyle, CFA; Marisa Bradbury, CFA; Philip S. Dano, CFA; and Walter J. Kirchberger, CFA.

As stated, the BetterInvesting committee's Stock to Study and Undervalued Stock choices are for the informational and educational uses of investors and are not intended as investment recommendations. BetterInvesting urges investors to educate themselves about the stock market so they can make informed decisions about stock purchases.

About BetterInvesting

BetterInvesting is a national nonprofit organization that has been empowering individual investors since 1951. Founded in Detroit, the association (formerly known as National Association of Investors Corporation) was borne of the conviction that anyone can become a successful long-term investor by following common-sense investing practices. BetterInvesting has helped more than 5 million people become better, more informed investors by providing webinars, in-person events, easy-to-use online tools for analyzing stocks, a monthly magazine and a community of volunteers and like-minded investors. For more information about BetterInvesting, visit its website at www.betterinvesting.org or call toll free (877) 275-6242.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE BetterInvesting

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CHARLOTTE, Mich. - A man who is one of three people charged in the 2002 slaying of a Michigan man has been sentenced to at least 15 years in prison.

The charred remains of Robert Caraballo werent identified until 2015, years after they were discovered in a foot locker in a blueberry field, 90 miles (145 kilometres) away from Eaton County.

Christopher McMillan pleaded guilty in October to second-degree murder and was sentenced Thursday. Hes expected to help prosecutors in the case against two co-defendants, Beverly McCallum and her daughter Dineane Ducharme.

McCallum was married to the victim. She was recently captured in Italy and is facing extradition to the U.S.

Investigators said Caraballo was attacked and suffocated in the basement of a house in Charlotte. McMillan will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in prison.
The AAP government will launch a two-day mega drive on Saturday to verify the claims of riot victims for compensation, as the police said it has so far registered over 600 cases in connection with the deadly communal violence in northeast Delhi.

Although the Delhi government has maintained that 53 people were killed in the violence last week, it has not provided a break-up of the death toll yet.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Gopal Rai visited the EIdgah in Mustafabad and interacted with locals besides taking stock of facilities being provided by the government at relief camps.

According to CBSE, more than 98 per cent students appeared for Class XII exam in riot-hit northeast Delhi on Friday.

There were 2,698 centres for 1,99,763 registered candidates for the Central Board Secondary Exam Class XII Political Science exam in India, including in the entire Delhi, and foreign countries.

"It is encouraging to note that more than 98 per cent students appeared in the exam from northeast Delhi," an officials said.

Delhi Waqf Board on Friday released Rs 50 lakh for repair and renovation of houses and shops of violence-affected people.

The Board will help the affected people in repair of their houses and shops, irrespective of their faith, said Delhi Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan.

"The Construction Committee of Delhi Waqf Board will undertake repair work from Saturday. The houses and shops of affected people, no matter which religion they belong to will be repaired by the Waqf Board and an amount of Rs 50 lakh was released for the purpose," Khan said.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia said the government will launch a two-day mega drive to verify the claims of riot victims for compensation from Saturday.

He said the verification process, to be headed by six senior IAS officers, will be an important exercise to determine the claimants as the government is facing the issue of duplication of claim forms.

The government wants the verification process to complete at the earliest so that the victims can get compensation as soon as possible, Sisodia said.

Rs 88 lakh has been released as compensation to the riot victims, he said, adding that the government has received around 1,700 compensation forms from the victims of violence.

The Delhi Police said out of 683 cases registered, 48 were related to the Arms Act.

In total, 1,983 people have been either detained or arrested so far in connection with the communal violence, the police said. A total of 251 meetings with Aman Committee have been conducted across the national capital, an official said.

A day after heavy rains caused waterlogging and difficulty for riot-hit victims at the Eidgah relief camp in Mustafabad, it got a new lease of life with new folding beds and wooden planks on Friday.

According to Ranjana Prasad, member of Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who is there at the camp, the wooden planks and plastic sheets were procured in less than 24 hours and placed underneath the mattresses.

"We have also ordered 500 folding beds which will reach the camp soon," she said. Prasad also said the Anganwadi has also set up a camp there where infants aged between zero to six are provided care.

The Indian Youth Congress held a peace march in Delhi on Friday to restore communal harmony in the city.

The march, 'Sadhbhavana Tiranga Yatra', started from Rajendra Prasad Road and concluded at Tees January Marg. IYC president Srinivas B V led the march which saw the participants carry a long tricolour.

"The country will gain nothing from the Hindu-Muslim divide. Unity is the need of the hour for the growth and prosperity of the nation.

"The nation doesn't need a leadership of division, it needs a leadership which promotes harmony and spirit of common brotherhood in the country," Srinivas said.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi led a protest of senior Congress leaders on the Parliament premises on Friday against the suspension of seven party MPs from the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha suspended seven Congress members on Thursday for the remaining period of the Budget Session for "gross misconduct" and "utter disregard" for House rules after they snatched papers from the speaker's table.

After his visit at a camp in Mustafabad, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that around 90 percent of the riot victims have filled up forms for compensation.

Rai said it has been reported that many riot-affected people are finding it difficult to lodge complaints with police.

He said he has spoken to station house officers and deputy commissioners of police to address the same.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Photo : Photo by Sorin Sirbu on Unsplash) Starbucks Doesn't Want Your Coronavirus, Do NOT Bring Reusable Mugs! (Photo : TR on Unsplash) Starbucks Doesn't Want Your Coronavirus, Do NOT Bring Reusable Mugs!

Calling all coffee lovers-- or specifically Starbucks coffee lovers out there, here's a news for you. All Starbucks stores located in all parts of North America will no longer accept your personal mugs or reusable tumblers in the stores. This is part of their movement to protect all customers and their staffs against the spread of Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.

No more personal mugs, please! Starbucks stops accepting reusable mugs due to COVID-19

Starting on Wednesday, Mar. 4, all stores that are located in North America will temporarily stop accepting personal mugs from their customers as a part of their counter-action against the spread of Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the country.

Starbucks management said that customers that want to avail their beverages might have to settle first in paper cups until the issue of Coronavirus subsides or totally goes away for good.

"As North America began experiencing heightened concerns, we quickly initiated a regular cadence of communications with our store partners to ensure they have the support they need," said Starbucks press release.

If you are thinking of whether your discount for the reusable cup is still valid even without the reusable cup, Starbucks said that customers can always avail of the 10-cent discount. Just show your reusable cup, and the store will credit the discount, but they will no longer use the cup.

Rossann Williams, Starbucks' president of company-operated businesses in the United States and Canada, is optimistic that the issue of Coronavirus would be gone soon, and this situation will only be temporary for their customers.

Starbucks has a new health and cleanliness protocol in all of its stores

Since the emergence of COVID-19, Starbucks said that they already implemented a lot of new health protocols in all their stores in order to protect not just their customers, but also their staffs.

Here are some of their newly implemented guidelines in accordance with Coronavirus prevention, as written on their website:

Starbucks is taking guidance from the CDC and local health authorities, they increased cleaning and sanitizing for all company-operated stores to help prevent the spread of all germs, adding paid time for their partners supporting this work.

Starbucks provided scenario-based procedural information to their store teams on how to report and support anyone that may express they've been impacted by the virus, including store closure decision making support.

Starbucks restricted all business-related air travel, domestic and international through Mar. 31.

Starbucks modified or postponed large meetings across our offices in the U.S. and Canada.

Starbucks has been giving discounts for all of its customers that will use their mugs since 1985. Since then, the number of plastic cups that are widely used all over the world was lessened, and Starbucks obviously made a significant contribution to this action.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
March 06 : Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Katrik Aaryan, Jacqueline Fernandez and more have been hosting press-confernce across the nation for promote forthcoming IIFA awards in association with NEXA, to be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. But unfortunately in the wake of Corona virus epidemic the IIFA has been postponed.

We will be back with new plans in Madhya Pradesh!



Please take the necessary precautions and stay safe.#IIFA #IIFA2020 pic.twitter.com/aUcufJqggz  IIFA Awards (@IIFA) March 6, 2020

The official of IIFA 2020 just issued a statement, which read, With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFAs fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, the IIFA management, and stakeholders from the film industry it has been decided to postpone to a later date the much-awaited IIFA Weekend and Awards 2020 celebrations which were originally scheduled at the end of March 2020

A fresh date and plans for hosting IIFA in Madhya Pradesh will be announced at the earliest. IIFA is fully committed to ensure the safety of the citizens and legions of IIFA fans who travel from across the globe to attend and experience the magic of IIFA. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused, and hope that all concerned understand the sensitivity of the situation

The new date for award show hasnt been announced as yet, but it will be take place on the original date.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Relatives of a Vermont woman whose obituary drew national attention for its discussion of her opioid addiction filed a lawsuit Thursday in which they accuse police and jail staff of denying her proper medical care and causing her death.

The family of Madelyn Linsenmeir, who had a young son, alleges in the federal lawsuit filed in western Massachusetts that law enforcement ignored the 30-year-old mother's repeated pleas for medical help.

In a shocking video from her arrest, the young mother can be heard telling police she needs to go to hospital as it feels like her chest is caving in.

They ignored her requests and she died several days later in October 2018 from an infected heart valve.

The family has filed the lawsuit against the city of Springfield and the Hampden County Sheriff's Department.

Linsenmeir's obituary written by her family was shared widely for its candid discussion of her struggle with drug addiction. It was even shared by Ivanka Trumo who commended the family's 'generous act'.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Madelyn Linsenmeir who died in police custody in October 2018 pictured with her young son

Madelyn Linsenmeir is heard asking for water and claiming that her chest is caving in

The young mother appears in distress as she is booked into a Vermont jail

Ivanka Trump was among those who thanked Madelyn's family for sharing her story

'Madelyn's illness was treatable. Her life could have been saved; her suffering could have been spared,' says the lawsuit.

Springfield's city solicitor didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

The sheriff's department said in an emailed statement that it cannot comment on a specific death but 'always aims to provide the best healthcare available' to those in its custody.

Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir, 30, died on October 7 in Burlington, Vermont, after a lengthy battle with addiction which began when she was in high school.

She had a toddler son named Ayden.

In her Burlington Free Press obituary, the family initially made no effort to conceal what claimed her life but have now sued the police after the revealing video showing her treatment.

She was arrested in September 2018 and charged with being a fugitive from a warrant in New Hampshire and giving a false name, the family argues in the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts.

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the family of Madelyn Linsenmeir after she died while in custody of the Hampden County Sheriff's department in October 2018

Madelyn Linsenmeir is refused help but dies several days later from an infected heart valve

The video shows the 30-year-old heaped onto the desk as she is booked into the jail

She had been on probation for a drug-related offense, which she was supposed to complete in Vermont. Instead, she left for Massachusetts, and the arrest warrant was issued, the family says.

Video of Linsenmeir after her arrest shows her asking for water and telling police that it felt like her chest was caving in and that she was in pain.

'I might need to go the hospital,' she said.

Instead of being taken to the hospital, Linsenmeir was taken to the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center, the family says.

The family says she repeatedly told staff there she was sick and needed medical help but was told 'the situation was her own fault for using drugs'.

On October 4, 2018, medical staff saw that she was in distress, and she was taken to the hospital, according to the lawsuit.

She died days later at the hospital while in the custody of the sheriff's department, the lawsuit says.

'In Maddies name, we will continue to advocate for the humane treatment of people everywhere who struggle with substance use disorder, especially those who are at the mercy of a criminal justice system that is clearly not equipped to respond to the opioid crisis,' her family said in an emailed statement.

Maddie's family brought her home in the summer of 2018 to try to help her kick her disease. She was there for 12 days. She is pictured during that time with her father, right

Hampden County Sheriff's Department is being sued by Maddie's family over her death

Linsenmeir's obituary said she tried to stay sober but was always overcome by her addiction, eventually losing custody of her young son.

'While her death was unexpected, Madelyn suffered from drug addiction, and for years we feared her addiction would claim her life. We are grateful that when she died she was safe and she was with her family,' it read.

Despite her efforts, she lost custody of her son in 2016 and her addiction spiraled.

It was fueled, the family explained, by the deadly circle of shame and self-punishment which addicts are prone to.

In the summer of 2018, after plummeting to 'places of incredible darkness', she went home to her family's house to try to get clean.

Over 12 days, she remained sober for the most part and her family hoped she would be able to stick to it.

Her addiction however 'stalked' her and they said it was only quenched by her death.

'Though we would have paid any ransom to have her back, any price in the world, this disease would not let her go until she was gone,' the family said.

The obituary goes on to urge anyone who may reserve judgement towards drug addicts to reconsider their attitude and offer compassion or empathy instead.

It was shared by Ivanka Trump and many others.
These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194, the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.
Ecuador's attorney general Diana Salazar Thursday called for a seven-year jail term for former president Rafael Correa who is on trial in absentia for corruption connected to his 2013 election campaign. Correa, 56, is accused of accepting funds from private businesses for his campaign in return for state contracts. Salazar asked the court to impose "the maximum penalty envisaged for the offense of corruption and considered as aggravating, for Rafael C., as an indirect perpetrator, and for other officials and businessmen, as direct perpetrators," the prosecution said on Twitter. Correa, who lives in exile in Belgium, and 19 other defendants, including former vice president Jorge Glas, face between five and seven years in prison if they are found guilty. Glas is already serving a six-year sentence for receiving bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. All are accused of corruption for having received about $7 million from companies in exchange for state contracts, according to the prosecution. "A structure was created to receive bribes in exchange for contracts. It has been determined that former president Rafael Correa Delgado was at the top of the structure," the attorney general told reporters. Salazar said she was also requesting a total of $1 billion in reparations for the state. A conviction would spell the end of Correa's political career as the Ecuadoran constitution bars those convicted of fraud, corruption or illegal enrichment from standing for election. Correa was implicated in the case by a $6,000 payment made to his private account. The leftist former leader says it was a personal loan. Correa, who has lived in Belgium with his family since he left office in 2017, is considered a fugitive by the Ecuadoran courts, which have issued arrest warrants in two cases. Correa, who was president from 2007 to 2017, is also involved in another court case in which he is accused of involvement in the kidnapping of an opposition lawmaker in 2012. However under Ecuadoran law he cannot be tried in absentia on this charge. Ecuador's former president Rafael Correa is on trial in absentia for illicit campaign funding
New Delhi, March 6 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea against the NCLAT order, which allowed JSW Steel to acquire Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd for Rs 19,700 crore and shielded it from prosecution by the Enforcement Directorate.

A bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, however, declined to put the sale on hold.

The top court said the appeals are admitted, and noted senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Committee of Creditors, submits that in case, money is received then the same will be returned within two months, if appeals were to succeed.

The top court has posted the matter for further hearing on April 15.

A two-member bench of the National Company Law Apellate Tribunal headed by its Chairman, Justice (retd) S.J. Mukhopadhaya, had ruled JSW Steel will be immune from the acts done by the former promoters of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL).

The appellate tribunal also rejected the petitions filed by the operational creditors, who sought higher claims. On October 10, the Enforcement Directorate had attached assets worth over Rs 4,025 crore of debt-ridden BPSL following its probe into money laundering connected to an alleged bank loan fraud by its former promoters.

The appellate tribunal had said the prosecution against the former promoters under the money laundering can continue.

--IANS ss/vd

A
In the 2018-19 election, Maharashtra became the leading state in terms of disbursement of loans under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY). The economic survey tabled in Maharashtra assembly claims that loans to the tune of Rs 25,742 crore were distributed as Mudra loans to more than 43 lakh beneficiaries in one year's time when the state was gearing up for elections.

Maharashtra assembly elections were conducted in October 2019 and BJP-Shiv Sena alliance was contesting to retain the state. But after the election results were declared BJP and Shiv Sena parted ways even after getting full majority. Now the incumbent government is raising questions over the motive behind this massive distribution of loans.

"Where is the data of these beneficiaries? Who were benefited and have they used the money for proper use? This data is not available with employment and self employment exchange of the state. How do we know if people who actually needed money were benefited or it was distributed as bribe to voters as state was going for elections?" asked Nawab Malik , Minister for Skill Development.

Interestingly the distribution of Mudra loans is monitored by state-level bankers' committee (SLBC). MD and CEO of Bank of Maharashtra is the convener of the committee and meeting of the SLBC are attended by representatives of the state government including the chief minister from time to time and central government officials. In the earlier meetings in 2019 the Additional Chief Secretary, Planning of Maharashtra had informed that they were closely monitoring the progress under Mudra loans in the state. He had also urged bankers to provide borrower-wise, granular data as and when needed by the state government.

However BJP is saying that allegation such as Malik's are illogical. "Mudra scheme is directly under Union Finance Ministry and entire data is transparently maintained with them. If any one has any doubts they can approach union finance ministry instead of illogical allegations," said Ram Kadam, BJP MLA and party spokesperson.

As per the economic survey of the state, out of 43.86 lakh Mudra beneficiaries in the state 37.51 lakh people received loans under Shishu (up to Rs 50,000), 5.10 lakh under Kishore (Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh) and 1.25 lakh under Tarun (Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh) categories. Mudra yojana is a Government of India scheme that enables a small borrower to borrow from banks, MFIs, NBFCs for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for non-farm income generating activities. Generally, loans up to Rs 10 lakh issued by banks under Micro Small Enterprises are given without collaterals.

Also read: Women's Day: Finance Ministry lists 6 schemes that have benefitted women

Also read: Modi's Ujjwala LPG scheme faces 'affordability' problem, not 'availability': SBI Ecowrap
Egypt detected 12 new cases Friday of the novel coronavirus among workers aboard a Nile cruise boat heading from Aswan to Luxor, a health ministry statement said.

"Twelve new cases tested positive for the coronavirus among Egyptian staff on the cruise boat without showing any symptoms," the joint statement with the World Health Organization said.

Authorities were alerted after it was found that a Taiwanese tourist of "American origin" who travelled on the ship had caused the virus to spread, they said.

WHO had alerted Egyptian officials that tests revealed that the tourist, a woman, was the "main case that infected other cases", the statement added.

It was not clear where the tourist contracted the virus and if she had gone back to Taiwan or another country.

The 12 workers were quarantined after they were suspected of contracting the coronavirus and tested positive on the last day of their 14-day isolation.

Other people who were on the boat and had come in contact with the tourist were also quarantined for 14 days.

Earlier this week, authorities said they had detected a third case of the virus, in a 44-year-old Egyptian man who had returned from Serbia after a 12 hour transit in France.

Initially the man had shown no symptoms but a few days after his return home he checked himself into a hospital after experiencing some minor symptoms, officials said.

The first person infected in Egypt was a Chinese national who has since recovered.

The novel coronavirus originated in China last year and has so far killed over 3,385 people worldwide and infected over 98,000.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Laura Whitmore, Amanda Holden and Kate Garraway are among celebrities who attended the Global Awards 2020. (Getty mages)

Yahoo Lifestyle is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Amanda Holden, Laura Whitmore, Kate Garraway and Kelly Brooke were among a long list of celebrities who attended the Global Awards 2020 last night.

The event was sponsored by Very.co.uk, which meant a number of the guests wore pieces from the online retailer.

The Good Morning Britain presenter wore the V by Very Lace Ruffle Front Maxi Dress for the star-studded bash, while

Whitmore wore the Talulah dress. as she presented the Best Female award at the event, alongside Mark Wright.

Vogue Williams opted for a muted colour palette and she wore a Faux Leather Camel Dress from In The Style, which retails for 45.

Nadine Coyle and Michelle Keegan opted for vibrant ensembles from Very for the Global Awards 2020. (Getty Images)

Nadine Coyle upped the ante in the Love and Lemons purple, one shoulder, Madeleine Sequin Dress to the bash.

Our Girl actor, Michelle Keegan, opted for a bold colour-block ensemble from her collection with Very, which is coming soon.

Similarly, former TOWIE star, Kate Ferdinand, also showcased her upcoming drop with Very in the evening, as she wore a double breasted wrap blazer with matching trousers.

However, The Britains Got Talent judge bucked the trend and wore the flared Hailey jumpsuit from Nadine Merabi.

While Kelly Brook opted for a metallic printed midi dress, with balloon sleeves, from House of CB, which will set you back 159.

Shoppers who are looking to recreate the celebrity red carpet look can do so, as we have found the exact designs the stars wore.

Shop the three best celebrity looks from the Global Awards 2020

Laura Whitmore wore a red Talulah dress to the Global awards 2020. (Getty Images)

In true Whitmore style, the presenter wore a feminine mini dress to the annual awards ceremony, which she accessorised with black platform heels, a black croc print belt and a black cross body bag.

The floral crochet design boasts a scallop hem and 3/4 length sleeves.

Talulah Lady Of Lucury Daisy Crochet Long Sleeve Dress | 200 from Very

Story continues

Talulah Lady Of Lucury Daisy Crochet Long Sleeve Dress

Kate Garraway wore a green tiered lace dress from Very at the awards show. (Getty Images)

Garraway, 52, proved red carpet style can be affordable as she wore a figure hugging lace ruffle dress to the Global Awards, which retails for just 75.

She paid extra attention to detail as the GMB presenter wore multicoloured strap heels.

V by Very Lace Ruffle Front Maxi Dress | 75 from Very

V by Very Lace Ruffle Front Maxi Dress

Amanda Holden packs on the glamour in an embellished jumpsuit. (Getty Images)

Holden never fails to turn heads with her outfits, and her outfit for the Global Awards was no different.

The 49-year-old presenter wore the Hailey jumpsuit from Nadine Merabi, which features a flare trouser, as well as hand embroidered sequins and metallic thread.

Hailey jumpsuit from Nadine Merabi | 315 from Nadine Merabi
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Disease Analysis: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Latest Key Takeaways



Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and does not involve the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). The research estimates that in 2018 there were 2.1 million incident cases and 8.6 million five-year prevalent cases of breast cancer worldwide. By 2027, incident and prevalent cases of breast cancer are expected to increase to 2.3 million and 9.3 million cases, respectively.



The TNBC market will experience rapid growth over the next 10 years across the US, Japan, and five major European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). The primary drivers for this growth are the approval and subsequent uptake of new targeted therapies and immunotherapies. The market for triple-negative breast cancer is also becoming increasingly segmented by biomarker status, creating fierce competition among both approved and pipeline therapies for small patient populations.



There will likely be reimbursement issues as payers may initially hesitate to reimburse new treatments based on novel biomarkers. Additionally, payers may be unwilling to reimburse expensive therapies with only incremental improvements in patient outcomes.



Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) targeted monoclonal antibodies for TNBC are forecast to become the best-selling class of drugs for this indication. Tecentriq in combination with Abraxane was the first immunotherapy approved for TNBC patients in the first-line setting, although the label was restricted to patients with PD-L1-positive tumors. Roche and Chugai are pursuing label expansions for Tecentriq in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Keytruda is expected to be approved regardless of biomarker status in the lucrative neoadjuvant/adjuvant market and is also forecast to compete with Tecentriq in the first-line market.



Although approved poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors Lynparza and Talzenna are restricted to the relatively small germline BRCA1/2 mutated (gBRCAm) population, they are forecast to dominate within this patient segment. An expected label expansion into the adjuvant treatment setting for gBRCAm patients will add to Lynparza's sales, making it one of the highest-selling TNBC therapies over the next 10 years.



Avastin's relatively poor risk-to-benefit profile has led to removal from the US market and difficulties with reimbursement in the UK, where it was also removed from the Cancer Drugs Fund. Additionally, Avastin will face biosimilar competition from 2019 onward.



Abraxane is a preferred treatment regimen in cases of hypersensitivity to paclitaxel, and has demonstrated efficacy as a first- and second-line monotherapy treatment. The recent approval in combination with Tecentriq has boosted Abraxane's clinical and commercial potential, although it is forecast to steadily lose market share after the introduction of generics in 2022.



Halaven has become a standard of care for third-line and later treatment of TNBC since its approval, despite encountering challenges with reimbursement. Additionally, Halaven's market share may increase with a potential label for use with the chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) inhibitor balixafortide. The combination has received Fast Track status after showing promising early efficacy results in a Phase Ib study. The commercial potential of this combination will help to offset the decline in Halaven's revenues caused by competition from a number of recently approved and current pipeline drugs.



The target population for the pipeline protein kinase B alpha (Akt) inhibitors ipatasertib and capivasertib will likely be limited to patients who present with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)/AKT-altered tumors. Both are in development in combination with paclitaxel, and the anticipated competition between these drugs may make it difficult for one to dominate in this segment.



Key recent events include a number of Phase III trial topline results, such as Keytruda's Phase III success as a neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy in KEYNOTE-119 and its Phase III failure as a monotherapy for second-line or later treatment in KEYNOTE-522.



Key upcoming catalysts for 2020 include topline results for the Phase III ASCENT study of sacituzumab govitecan, the Phase III IPATunity130 study of ipatasertib and paclitaxel, and the Phase III IMpassion031 and IMpassion131 studies of Tecentriq.



The overall likelihood of approval of a Phase I breast cancer asset is 9.2%, and the average probability a drug advances from Phase III is 59.2%. Breast cancer drugs, on average, take 9.9 years from Phase I to approval, compared to 9.3 years in the overall oncology space.



The $6.9bn agreement signed in March 2019 between AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo regarding the development and commercialization of trastuzumab deruxtecan is the largest deal for a breast cancer therapy.



Key Topics Covered:



1. OVERVIEW

Latest key takeaways

2. DISEASE BACKGROUND

Definition

Risk factors

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Patient segmentation

Prognosis

3. TREATMENT

Referral patterns

Operable Stage I-III TNBC

Inoperable Stage III TNBC

Recommended neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy regimens

Treatment guidelines for Stage IV or recurrent TNBC

4. EPIDEMIOLOGY

Breast cancer subtypes

5. MARKETED DRUGS



6. PIPELINE DRUGS



7. KEY REGULATORY EVENTS

Mid-2020 Will Be Decisive For Immunomedics' Sacituzumab Govitecan

England's NICE Rejects Tecentriq In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Tecentriq Takes EU Lead In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Roche Wins Two French Early Access Programs In Breast Cancer

Roche's Tecentriq Steals Lead In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

8. PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS



9. LICENSING AND ASSET ACQUISITION DEALS

Deals Shaping The Medical Industry, January 2020

Deals Shaping The Medical Industry, January 2020

Deals Shaping The Medical Industry, November 2019

Boost For Daiichi's Oncology Ambitions As AZ Agrees Huge $6.9bn Deal For Lead ADC Asset

10. CLINICAL TRIAL LANDSCAPE

Sponsors by status

Sponsors by phase

Recent events

11. DRUG ASSESSMENT MODEL



12. MARKET DYNAMICS



13. FUTURE TRENDS

Approvals and subsequent uptake for new targeted therapies and immunotherapies will drive growth in the TNBC market over the forecast period

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors will be the top-selling class for TNBC during the forecast period

PARP inhibitors will see significant use in the TNBC market over the forecast period

ADCs will have a moderate share of the TNBC market over the forecast period

14. CONSENSUS FORECASTS



15. RECENT EVENTS AND ANALYST OPINION

Leronlimab for Breast Cancer (January 31, 2020)

Pegilodecakin for Breast Cancer (January 30, 2020)

Perjeta/Herceptin SQ FDC for Breast Cancer (December 12, 2019)

Enhertu for Breast Cancer (December 11, 2019)

Tucatinib for Breast Cancer (December 11, 2019)

Imprime PGG for Breast Cancer (December 11, 2019)

MCLA-128 for Breast Cancer (October 23, 2019)

Margetuximab for Breast Cancer (October 22, 2019)

Keytruda for Breast Cancer (September 29, 2019)

Trilaciclib for Breast Cancer (September 28, 2019)

Keytruda for Breast Cancer (September 28, 2019)

Oraxol for Breast Cancer (August 7, 2019)

ZEN-3694 for Breast Cancer (August 6, 2019)

Keytruda for Breast Cancer (July 29, 2019)

Mavorixafor for Breast Cancer (July 17, 2019)

MGA012 for Breast Cancer (July 2, 2019)

Multiple Drugs for Breast Cancer (June 25, 2019)

Trilaciclib for Breast Cancer (June 18, 2019)

Talzenna for Breast Cancer (June 3, 2019)

TAVO for Breast Cancer (May 22, 2019)

Keytruda for Breast Cancer (May 20, 2019)

Sacituzumab Govitecan for Breast Cancer (April 29, 2019)

Multiple Drugs for Breast Cancer (March 7, 2019)

16. KEY UPCOMING EVENTS



17. KEY OPINION LEADER INSIGHTS



18. UNMET NEEDS



19. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Prescription information

20. APPENDIX



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/or8uq

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
An Azerbaijani soldier was killed on the state border with Armenia, the press service of Azerbaijans State Border Service said.



On March 5, at 19:10 local time, Azerbaijani border guard, soldier Orkhan Pashazade was injured as a result of sniper shelling in the direction of Gushchu Ayrim village of Azerbaijans Gazakh district.

He was immediately taken to the Gazakh Diagnostic Center, but doctors could not save his life, RIA Novosti reported.
Turkey and Russia agreed on Thursday to halt fighting in northern Syria that has sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing, with a ceasefire due to take effect within hours.

After more than six hours of talks in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the ceasefire from midnight on Friday.

The agreement will also create a security corridor along the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces will launch joint patrols from March 15.

The deal aims to put a stop to intense fighting in Idlib, the northwestern province of Syria where Ankara is battling Moscow-backed government forces.-

Nearly a million civilians have fled their homes due to the violence and dozens of Turkish soldiers have been killed.

Putin told a joint press conference after the talks that the agreement would serve as a good basis for ending fighting in Idlib and for stopping the suffering of the civilian population.

The object is to avoid the humanitarian crisis getting worse, Erdogan said, though he added that Turkey reserved the right to retaliate with all its strength against any attack by Damascus.

The situation in Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in Syrias nine-year civil war, had become critical as Ankara for the first time launched a direct offensive against President Bashar al-Assads forces.

 More Turkish soldiers killed 

Turkey has long backed certain rebel groups against Assad but its priority now is to stop an influx of refugees among those fleeing an offensive the regime has been pressing on Idlib since December.

Ankara has demanded the European Union support its actions in Syria and last week opened its border with EU member Greece to migrants  a move decried by some in the bloc as blackmail.

Despite supporting opposing sides in the war, Russia and Turkey have worked to try to resolve the conflict and avoid direct confrontation.

The two countries agreed a deal in the southern Russian city of Sochi in 2018 that created a de-escalation zone in Idlib and allowed for the deployment of 12 Turkish observation posts.

In the run-up to Thursdays talks, the two sides had traded accusations of violating the deal.

Ankara said Russia was not fulfilling part of the agreement that guaranteed no attacks on Idlib and the status quo on the ground.

Moscow in turn said Turkey was breaching the agreement by supporting illegal armed groups and accused Turkish forces of mingling with terrorists in Idlib.

Turkey officially declared an operation against the Assad government over the weekend, after 34 Turkish soldiers died in an air strike blamed on Damascus.

It has since downed three Syrian warplanes and killed dozens of soldiers and allied fighters, according to monitors.

Two more Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian regime fire in Idlib, the defence ministry said, just hours before the ceasefire was due to take effect.

 Migrants mass on border 

The deal leaves open the fate of the Turkish observation posts in Idlib, which have been surrounded since Damascus launched its offensive.

But it does mark the first time Russian and Turkish forces will operate jointly in Idlib.

The security corridor along the M4 highway, which connects second city Aleppo to the coast through Idlib, will run six kilometres deep both north and south of the highway.

The joint Russian-Turkish patrols will operate between the town of Tronba in Idlib and a village in Latakia province, a regime stronghold.

Fighting continued elsewhere in Idlib on Thursday, with Russian air strikes killing at least 15 civilians gathered outside the town of Maaret Misrin, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

Erdogan warned Europe on Wednesday that it must support Turkeys political and humanitarian solutions in Syria if it wants to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis.

Thousands of migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border since Erdogan gave them the green light to try to enter Europe, leading to clashes with Greek police.

Turkey hosts roughly 3.6 million refugees from Syria  and hundreds of thousands from elsewhere  and Erdogans move has sparked concern in Europe of a renewed influx of migrants.

SOURCE: AFP
Iran's Zarif says fight against coronavirus is a collective one

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 11:36 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the international community has a duty to help the country's fight against coronavirus.

Zarif said in a post on Twitter on Thursday that Iran's efforts to contain the coronavirus would only succeed if countries in the region and around the world do their share of responsibilities and cooperate with Tehran.

"We either win together or lose together," said Zarif, adding, "Global & regional coop imperative."

The top Iranian diplomat said that Iran is closely cooperating with international agencies, like the World Health Organization, to contain the spread of the disease both inside Iran and into other countries.

He also attached a video clip to his tweet showing that travelers arriving in the Iranian airports were going through strict controls and checks to spot any infection.

"Strict preventive measuresincluding screening of air travelers at departure gatesare being implemented," read part of Zarif's tweet.

A total of 107 people have died of coronavirus in Iran while the total number of confirmed cases was put at 3,513 as of Thursday noon local time.

Iran has been battling the virus amid a series of economic woes caused by the American sanctions on the country.

That comes as the sanctions have hampered Iran's access to medicine and medical gear.

China, the country where coronavirus originated more than two months ago, said on Thursday that US bans on Iran were against the spirit of humanity, calling on Washington to remove the sanctions.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Washington should stop hampering efforts both by Iran and the international community to stop the spread of coronavirus.

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India has limited integration with the global value chain, which "insulates" its economy from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, Governor said on Friday.

Das also pitched for launch of a "non-stigmatised currency swap line" by the (IMF) to provide liquidity to countries, and added that India's "robust" forex reserves of over $460 billion will ensure it does not face a liquidity problem.

Over 3,000 people have been killed globally because of the epidemic which has spread to about 60 countries, starting with China.

The comments from Das come days after the assuaged markets that it will do all it can to minimise the coronavirus impact.

Das said central bank governors of the IMF's member countries had held a teleconference, where it was decided to have a globally coordinated response to the crisis.

"India is not that much integrated into the global value chain as some of the other countries. To that extent, India remains insulated," Das said, addressing a summit by industry lobby Assocham here. He said in India, there will be limited sectoral impact on industries that depend on Chinese raw materials or inputs, and added that sufficient measures are being taken to mitigate the same. "I am sure India will be able to respond to the challenges," he said.

At the global level, there is a need for the currency swap line to help nations access the international capital markets by providing the necessary liquidity, he said.

Pitching for the IMF to take the lead in the same, he said "this is also a part of IMF's mandate to maintain oversight of the international monetary and financial system." He said while "robust" forex reserves will help India, the presence of such a line will prove to be the second line of defence for the country.

Das further said there has been a welcome increase in port activities in China in the last two weeks and it needs to be checked if the same can be sustained. He added that the Chinese authorities are saying the coronavirus problem has peaked and it is now receding.

"What is important is a globally coordinated action and how we respond to the challenges. I am sure India will be able to respond to the challenges," he said.

In a statement earlier this week, the had said it is "monitoring global and domestic developments closely and continuously and stands ready to take appropriate actions to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets, maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability.


It's a given that actors consider a lot of things before signing up for a movie but sometimes, even they tend to make rookie mistakes like a normal human and like all of us, end up regretting their decisions.

Here are 6 actors who dissed their own movies and honestly, surprised their fans with their confessions:

1. Emraan Hashmi

The serial kisser of Bollywood has always been vocal about his opinions around anything. Be it coming on Koffee with Karan and openly dissing fellow celebs or being honest about how he took some movies just to earn some quick money, Emraan has always been honest.

In fact, in an interview with MensXP, he spoke about how hes not very proud of doing Good Boy Bad Boy.

2. Katrina Kaif

A super A-lister in the B-town circle who has managed to make her mark and do movies with every big production house in the country, Katrina worked her way up in Bollywood and has been quite vocal about how she was not happy with how her debut movie Boom was perceived and released.

She mentioned that she was living in the UK when she signed for the movie and had no clue that it won't cater to the Indian masses.

3. Ranbir Kapoor



One of the best actors in the industry who has not had a big hit in a long time and has been MIA for a while, is Ranbir Kapoor.

The man who has given a string of amazing performances in movies like Rockstar and Barfi, expressed his regret on doing Roy, a movie which was liked by his true fans but left the critics super confused.

4. Shahid Kapoor



2019 turned out to be a huge year for him, courtesy his multi-crore hit Kabir Singh, but there was a time when he was still an amateur making common mistakes like many other actors have in the past.

Shahid has expressed his two cents on some of his movies which he personally didnt like and the list includes Shandaar and Chup Chup Ke.

5. Kangana Ranaut

The OG Queen of Bollywood is loved for having no filters in her speech and doesnt think twice before calling a spade a spade.

When she was interviewed by Rajat Sharma, she expressed her dismay on doing Ungli, a commercial and a critical flop of her career.

6. Saif Ali Khan



He is one actor who is not just loved for his work but is also loved for his opinions and brutal honesty.

In an interview with a tabloid, Saif dissed and expressed his regret on working in the Sajid Khan directorial venture Humshakals which was a complete dud.




AIM-listed Indigovision sells CCTV and video security systems to customers such as prisons, casinos, airports

What is it?

An AIM-listed group that sells CCTV and video security systems to customers such as prisons, casinos, airports and shopping centres.

Edinburgh-based Indigovision supplies everything from body-worn cameras to security management software.

What's the latest?

Revenue rose 9 per cent last year and it swung from a 490,000 loss in 2018 to a 997,000 profit.

In November it completed its first-ever acquisition, buying a Portuguese company called Agorasys for 2.6million that integrates security systems from different manufacturers.

Who backs it?

Activist investor New Pistoia Income is the largest shareholder with a 28.2 per cent stake.

Former Volvo boss Peter Gyllenhammar has a 4.4 per cent holding, while other backers include Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays Wealth.

Why should you invest?

The company recently reinstated its dividend and it plans to hand more money back to investors through share buybacks or one-off payments.

Why you shouldn't you?

The coronavirus outbreak could disrupt manufacturing for some of its suppliers.
AIB is to cut 1,500 jobs over the next two years.

The job cuts will be made by the end of 2022.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The Yes Bank collapse has found its echoes in the Sri Jagannath Temple with uncertainty looming large over the Rs 545 crore funds parked with the private bank. A day after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded Indias fourth-largest private bank, a panic-struck Odisha Government is all set to take up the matter directly with the central bank.

ALSO READ | Here is all you need to know about the Yes Bank moratorium

Sources said, the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) discussed the matter with the Government which will write directly to the RBI seeking a resolution to the emotive issue.

After the RBI took over the private bank board and Centre restricted withdrawal to Rs 50,000 during the one-month moratorium period, there were sharp reactions among servitor leaders and politicians on the temple administrations decision to park such huge volume of funds in the private bank.

Law Minister Pratap Jena, curiously, waded into the controversy stating that Rs 545 crore deposited with Yes Bank is safe. The restriction on withdrawal imposed by the Centre is for savings bank accounts only whereas the temple funds are parked in fixed deposits. There is no danger to it and we would be able

to shift it out once the maturity period comes to a close, he told mediapersons without even seeking to verify the facts.

Last year in March, SJTA had deposited Rs 592 crore with Yes Bank of which Rs 47 crore was parked in Flexi bonds which was withdrawn. However, the rest Rs 545 crore in two fixed deposits await mature on March 16 and 29. The temple funds are collections from donations to the shrine.

ALSO READ | Puri Sri Jagannath Temple's deposits worth Rs 547 crore with Yes Bank under cloud now

In fact, the decision taken by an earlier temple dispensation to park all the funds with a private bank has been at the centre of controversy. There are three decision-making bodies of the Jagannath Temple. SJTA apart, there is Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee which is the apex entity while there is a Finance Committee which deals with these issues.

Sources said the Finance Committee, in early 2019, had gone in favour of parking the funds with Yes Bank. This panel has a chartered accountant firm on board to advise on matters of finance.

Later last year, the SJTA reviewed the matter and wanted to withdraw the funds from Yes Bank and park it with a nationalized bank as national economic slowdown created a concern. It had even shot off a letter to the bank and floated a tender in December but it was shot down by the managing committee as well as finance panel on the grounds that pre-mature withdrawal would lead to loss of interest.

ALSO READ | Yes Bank administrator says working to revive bank 'well before' moratorium period ends

After arrest of an IAS officer of Agriculture Department on similar issues of parking funds with the Yes Bank added to controversy, the managing committee changed its mind. It gave a nod to withdrawal of Rs 545 crore from the two term-deposits after maturity and park half the amount with a nationalized bank which would offer the highest interest rate through an auction process. The rest would be divided between two PSU banks on similar rates because putting all eggs in one basket amounted to bad financial judgement in the first place. This was to happen by month end but before that Yes Bank went south.
Campbell Soup is ordering more ingredients to ensure it can keep enough soups, sauces and snacks on hand to meet growing demand from retailers as U.S. consumers hoard food in preparation for potential coronavirus quarantines.

Over the weekend, a few retail customers began stepping up orders, Campbell Chief Executive Mark Clouse told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

The company had already begun building inventory for ingredients that are usually stockpiled during natural disasters, including canned soups, snacks and Prego pasta sauces.

'We're working very closely with folks to make sure that we keep them in stock,' Clouse said, adding that 'honestly before this weekend we had not seen much' higher demand.

'There's no question that we're seeing some uptick (in demand) - it's just hard for me yet to know the level of sustained need,' Clouse said.

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Campbell's Soup, the Camden, New Jersey-based canned food maker, has seen its products fly off the shelves in recent weeks thanks to the panic induced by the spread of coronavirus

Campbell Soup's stock price since the coronavirus began to spread more rapidly in the United States has climbed to more than $53 a share

The Campbell Soup, the maker of its namesake canned soups as well as crackers, cookies, and other dry goods, has seen its sales rebound in the last few weeks.

On Tuesday, the Camden, New Jersey-based company reported better-than-expected quarterly sales and profit. These figures closed on January 26 - before coronavirus spread in the U.S.

The outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people globally and is in nearly 80 countries and territories.

In the United States, people have been stocking their pantries in case they cannot leave their homes.

A few state health departments have urged residents to stock up on non-perishable foods, prescription medications and sanitary supplies.

Some worry supply chains could be strained and store shelves of major retailers such as Walmart and Kroger.

US retailer Target Corp said on Tuesday it was seeing a surge in store traffic due to the virus.

Data firm Nielsen has reported that demand for some consumer products - such as pretzels and fruit snacks - was up 5-7 per cent in January and February.

SpaghettiOs canned pasta and Swanson canned chicken are also seeing higher demand, he added.

The 150-year-old company has been working to revitalize its canned soup business, rolling out new recipes, eliminating preservatives and ramping up marketing to lure back health-conscious customers.

Campbell's stock has gained about 24 per cent since late 2018 when Clouse was hired to turn the company around.

In the United States, people have been stocking their pantries in case they cannot leave their homes. The above image shows a woman in a face mask walking in downtown New York City on Thursday

The company is looking for alternatives to ingredients it buys from places where supply chains are being disrupted.

Yet Clouse, who sold the fresh food unit and some international brands to focus on the US business, noted that the company is far less exposed to global supply chain disruptions than it was before.

'Only about 10 per cent of our total ingredients come from outside of North America, with China under 2 per cent.'
He was immediately harassed and harangued by the true believers in junk science with such vehemence that one had to be escorted out of the room. Others shouted citations of studies that he had shown were discredited. Incidents such as this are why he described the debate as asymmetrical, because its difficult to match the devotion and energy of conspiracy theorists. He dismissed these as junk and tried to prove it using facts, but the protesters wouldnt hear of it.
Amidst a nationwide scare over oronavirus, a cargo ship coming from China has been kept off shore of Bay of Bengal by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust authorities on Friday, pending a thorough medical screening of the crew of the ship.

The bulk carrier vessel  Fortune Hero  from China, carrying 17 Chinese and five Myanmar nationals on board, reached Visakhapatnam around midnight on Wednesday, but was not allowed to enter the port, though it had booked a berth well in advance.

As per the official protocol issued in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus across the world, ships coming from affected countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangkok are not supposed to be allowed into the port for disembarking passengers or unloading material, unless the crew are thoroughly screened for the virus, Visakhapatnam Port Trust deputy chairman P L Harinath told Hindustan Times.

Particularly, if the duration of travel is less than 14 days, there is a possibility of the crew of the ships carrying the virus and so, they would not be permitted to enter the port and they would be quarantined. Only after 15 days, when we ensure that there are no virus-affected people in the ship, we shall give them a berth, he said.

The cargo vessel Fortune Hero arrived from China within 14 days. So, we did not allow it into the port for one day and it has anchored deep in the sea, about four to five kilometres away from the shore. Later, as per protocol, the master of the cargo ship sent a declaration to the port authorities stating that none of the 22 people on board were infected with Coronavirus, the port official said.

On Friday, a senior health official belonging to the Visakhapatnam Port Trust left for the ship to personally crosscheck the details furnished by the ships master that none of the crew was infected.

The health official was given full protection cover and was equipped with a thermal gun and other material to test the Coronavirus. He would thoroughly examine each person on board and only after he certified that all the people were not suffering from Coronavirus, shall we allow the ship to enter the port at the allotted berth, Harinath said.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government issued a health bulletin in the afternoon saying out of 24 samples tested till date, 20 samples had tested negative. The results of the four samples sent for test on Friday, were awaited.

In all, 361 passengers who arrived from virus-affected countries have been identified till now and were placed under surveillance. Of them, 130 people are under home isolation and 218 people have completed the 28 days observation period and they have all been declared unaffected. Another 13 passengers are in hospital with symptoms but tested negative.

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The government has reconstituted the Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) with Union Home Minister as its chairperson and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, among others, as its members.

The NPDRR is a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral decision making body on

In a notification, the home ministry said the functions of the NPDRR will be to review the progress made in the field of from time to time, appraise the extent and manner in which the policy has been implemented by the central and state governments, and other agencies concerned, and advise on coordination between the central and state governments.

The minister of state in-charge of disaster management in the home ministry and the vice-chairman of the Disaster Management Authority will be the NPDRR's vice chairpersons.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri are among its members.

The minister of each state government and union territory dealing with disaster management, a member of the state disaster management authority, mayors of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, and municipal commissioners of these cities will also be its members.

Ten chairpersons of urban local bodies, to be nominated by the urban development ministry, 10 representatives of Panchayat Raj Institutions, to be nominated by the panchayat raj ministry, four Lok Sabha members, two Rajya Sabha members, and the Union home secretary and secretaries of departments concerned will be the NPDRR's ex-officio members, the notification said.

The Lok Sabha members will be nominated by the speaker and those from the Rajya Sabha by the chairman.




Telugu star Allu Arjun is celebrating 9 years of blissful marriage with wife Sneha Reddy on March 6. To wish his better-half on the special occasion, the Sarrainodu actor shared a throwback picture from his wedding day.

He posted the endearing snap along with a self-penned note that reads, 9 years of marriage. Time is getting over fast. But love grows every day.

He shared a story on the Instagram, where the couple is seen celebrating the day with their children.

The photo brought back nostalgic memories for the couple who tied the knot in 2011. Arjun and Sneha first met at a common friends wedding, where the Arya 2 actor fell in love with the Southern beauty.

They are among the best-looking couples in Tollywood and are a fans favourite. Arjun and Sneha are blessed with two loveable kids, daughter Allu Arha, 3, and five-year-old son Allu Ayaan.

Seeing Arjuns love for his spouse on the special day, fans poured their hearts out in the comments section.

Sneha also took to the social media app to celebrate their 9th anniversary. She posted an image of Ayaans adorable present to his parents. The kid penned anniversary wish to mom and dad with crayons.

This year, Allu Arjun starred in the blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, opposite Pooja Hegde. He has also signed Sukumars AA20 alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles.
Sara Davies doesn't look, talk or dress like one of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs.

Her craft supplies company has annual sales of more than 30m, she has an MBE and is the new star on Dragons' Den, one of the BBC's most enduringly popular shows, which returns this week.

Yet she's a hugger  everyone is greeted with a squeeze  who favours high-street shops over Chanel and has spent most of the past week sleeping badly in her in-laws' caravan on a Peterborough campsite for half-term.

'Yesterday morning I was charging off to the shower block with a towel under my arm in my mother-in-law's dressing gown hoping no one would spot me,' she chortles in her Geordie accent.

Sara Davies' craft supplies company has annual sales of more than 30m yet she favours high-street shops over Chanel and has spent most of the past week sleeping badly in her in-laws' caravan on a Peterborough campsite for half-term. She will return to Dragons' Den tomorrow

The caravan was a compromise though, allowing her to do some work for the Peterborough-based shopping channel that sells her latest products while also spending time with her children, Oliver, six, and Charlie, three.

Today she's in London for our interview, but after that she'll be heading back to the north-east, where her company Crafter's Companion, which employs nearly 200 people, is based.

Sara, 35, was an immediate hit when she first appeared on Dragons' Den last August with her firm but fair attitude towards the entrepreneurs.

The youngest ever Dragon, she had planned to go in as the smiley one  but quickly realised that wasn't going to work.

'When I used to watch it I'd think, 'Wow, those Dragons can really give the pitchers a hard time, I'll be the nice one,' she recalls.

'So I had the big smiles and warm body language, but some of the pitchers are so arrogant they really need a reality check, and I think by the end I became quite Dragon-y.

Sara revealed that she was approached by researchers with the possibility of appearing on the show, when she was starting her business. Pictured: Sara getting her MBE from the Duke of Cambridge in 2016

'I'm not going to give someone 100,000 just to see them fritter it away. I don't want to be nasty or harsh, but sometimes you have to be truthful too.'

That said, she ends up as the biggest spender of the current series  which began in August and resumes tomorrow for six weeks  investing 525,000 in fledgling businesses.

Sara was still at college when Dragons' Den was first screened in 2005  and she almost entered an early series.

'It started when I was in my last year of university and I immediately loved it,' she says.

'I was starting my business when the first series was on and, ahead of the second one, researchers from the show called to ask me on.

'But it was when they asked, 'How much money do you need?' that we ran into difficulties. I didn't need any money at that time  I was already making a profit.

Born in the former pit village of Coundon, County Durham, Sara comes from a family of entrepreneurs, although she says, 'I'd never have called them that  it's such a fancy word.'

Her mother owned a paint and wallpaper shop while her dad turned his hand to most things. She was working in her mum's shop as soon as she could walk.

'I never knew any other life than one where you're running things  where you live, sleep and breathe your business,' she says.

Sara who has an office for her company Crafter's Companion, in America, revealed she would never move county or country. Pictured: Dragon's Den stars (left-right) Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden, Tej Lalvani, Peter Jones

Sara always knew she'd follow in her parents' footsteps, but she needed an idea. In the meantime she went to study business at York University and it was while on a work placement at a craft supplies firm during her degree that she had her lightbulb moment.

She realised crafters who make greetings cards need suitable envelopes for them, so with her dad's help she came up with The Enveloper, a device that allows you to make envelopes of different sizes.

Within two months of appearing on a shopping channel with her invention she'd sold 30,000 of them, and her company now sells everything from sewing essentials to cake decorating equipment.

She met her husband Simon, who's a co-director of Crafter's Companion, when they were in their teens and neither is the type to forget where they came from.

'I do a lot of business in America and have an office there, but I'd never leave the county, let alone the country,' says Sara.

'We're determined that the children aren't spoilt either. If they're lucky they get to go to Disneyland, but most of the time we go camping.'

Dragons' Den, tomorrow, 9pm, BBC2.
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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 08:40 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068ae229 1 Business omnibus-law,omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,Airlangga-Hartarto,job-creation,omnibus-bill Free

The government is preparing derivative regulations that will support the implementation of the omnibus bill on job creation once the bill is passed into law, a senior minister has said.

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Thursday that the regulations would consist of 36 government regulations and seven presidential decrees.

Read also: BPJS Ketenagakerjaan needs government help to pay compensation to laid-off workers

He said discussions on the regulations would be carried out simultaneously with the deliberations of the omnibus bill at the House of Representatives.

All related ministries and government institutions are working on the regulations drafts and the implementation will then be adjusted to the paragraphs the House agrees upon [in the bill's] deliberations, Airlangga told the press in Jakarta.

The government proposed the 1,028-page bill to the House as part of its efforts to cut red tape and improve the ease of doing business as it struggles to attract extra investment to boost economic growth.

Once the bill is passed into law, the government will ask regional administrations to revise their regulations, in particular those concerning business operations, licensing and sanctions in an effort to harmonize bylaws with the omnibus law, he continued.

Read also: Unions, students, CSOs gear up for protests against omnibus bill on job creation

The Home Affairs Ministry is currently analyzing which regional regulations need to be revised to be brought in line with the omnibus bill on job creation, said Airlangga.

At the same time, the ministry is also working to analyze regional regulations that could hamper investment growth and job creation.

The government will only harmonize the norms, standards, procedures and criteria of regional regulations in line with the omnibus law, he said.
Federal investigators on Thursday recovered a loaded gun that had been smuggled into the notorious Manhattan jail where Jeffrey Epstein killed himself last summer.

The weapon was found at the Metropolitan Correctional Center after a weeklong lockdown that turned up other contraband, including cellphones and drugs, and led to a criminal investigation into guard misconduct, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons.

The handgun was located by Bureau of Prisons officers inside a housing unit at the jail, prison officials said in a statement to the AP.

It marked a massive breach of protocol and raised serious questions about the security practices in place at the Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for more than 175,000 federal inmates, and specifically at the jail, which had been billed as one of the most secure in America.

Officials have not said where specifically the gun had been found, or how it had been smuggled inside the jail.

Bureau of Prisons officers found a smuggled gun inside a housing unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on Thursday, after a six-day lockdown

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into potential misconduct by jailers, focusing on the flow of contraband into the lockup uncovered during the search for the gun, three people familiar with the matter told the AP.

Attorney General William Barr named a new director last week to take charge of the agency, which has been the subject of intense scrutiny since Epstein, 66, committed suicide while in custody in August. But the agency has been plagued for years by serious misconduct, violence and a chronic staffing shortage

The investigation and search at the jail began last week after officials got a tip that a gun may have been smuggled into the lockup and placed the jail on lockdown 'in order to protect the public, staff and inmates until a comprehensive search could be completed,' the agency said in a statement.

Since then, officials have been keeping inmates locked down in their cells without access to their lawyers and canceled all visitation at the jail, which houses about 700 inmates.

In the past few days, officers have searched the facility and uncovered a sizable amount of contraband, including cellphones, narcotics and homemade weapons, the Bureau of Prisons said.

'All of these items pose a significant threat to the safety and security of the facility as well as the public,' the agency said in a statement.

Investigators were planning to continue searching the jail throughout the night Thursday, looking for any additional contraband, and the lockdown was expected to continue.

Two correctional officers who were responsible for guarding Jeffrey Epstein on the night he hanged himself were allegedly shopping online for furniture and napping

Federal prosecutors are trying to determine how the it has all been entering the facility and the Bureau of Prisons said it notified the Justice Department's inspector general and the FBI.

'The BOP is committed to the safety of staff, inmates and the public while continuing to ensure that those responsible for misconduct and criminal activity are held accountable,' the statement said.

All visitors and inmates are searched before entering the facility and go through metal detectors. They are supposed to leave personal belongings outside the jail. All mail is also screened by correctional staff.

The Bureau of Prisons said the jail has been on 'modified operations' because of the investigation and didn't provide an estimate for when normal operations could resume. Defense attorneys have raised concerns because the jail houses pretrial inmates while their cases are ongoing.

David Patton, executive director and chief attorney of the Federal Defenders of New York, said it's a violation of inmates' constitutional rights to deny them visits with their lawyers. He also said it has affected legal proceedings.

'Sentencings are being delayed. Hearings are being delayed,' Patton said. 'But the MCC acts as though it's perfectly fine for them to just shut down the entire institution to look for contraband. It's just not acceptable. They've got to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.'

The agency said Thursday that it arranged for additional staff from other parts of the US to assist in the investigation and ensure there is appropriate staffing at the jail.

The agency said it 'has maintained communication with stakeholders as needed' and held a meeting with the chief federal judge and public defender in Manhattan, along with prosecutors, the Marshals Service and probation officials.

The agency also said it has discussed a plan to resume legal visits at the jail on Friday and expects to allow full legal visitation by next week. Visits with family members could resume as soon as this week, officials added.

The Manhattan jail currently houses disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti, who was convicted last month of trying to extort more than $20million from Nike

'The Bureau has been working closely with the stakeholders throughout this period to ensure those defendants with imminent court deadlines have the legal visits with their legal counsel as needed,' the statement said.

Inmates are being locked down for 24 hours a day, and lawyers have been told that on some units the prisoners are being denied showers and being given cold meals in their cells. One inmate reported receiving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for every meal since last Thursday.

The bureau said inmates are on a periodic shower rotation, except for those in special housing units, who remain on a regular schedule.

'All inmates have access to medical care and appointments and medical staff continue normal rounds on every floor,' the Bureau of Prisons said.

It is just the latest crisis at the jail, which houses a number of high-profile inmates, including attorney Michael Avenatti, who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving President Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors allege that the two correctional officers assigned to watch Epstein's unit were snoozing and shopping for furniture on the internet when he hanged himself in his cell on August 10, and later forged records to make it look like they checked in on him.

After they discovered the high-profile inmate dead, the officers allegedly told a supervisor they had 'messed up' and 'didn't do any checks' in the hours before he killed himself.

Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself on August 10 in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges

The two guards are accused of repeatedly signing false certifications saying that they had conducted multiple counts of inmates during their shift.

The prisoners were not checked on for eight hours, according to the indictment. The guards discovered Epstein's body at 6.30am.

Epstein hanged himself on August 10 in his cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

His death has triggered investigations by the FBI, the US Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which runs the detention facility.

It also prompted outrage and disbelief over how such a high-profile prisoner, known for socializing with powerful people including presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, could have been left without surveillance at the federal facility.

Epstein's suicide occurred despite a previous attempt on July 23 when he was found on the floor of his cell with bruises on his neck.
New Delhi: The resignation letter of Hardeep Singh Dang, one of the four Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh who went 'missing', has become a subject of intense discussion and debate on various social media sites. In this letter, addressed to the speaker of the MP assembly, Dang has levelled allegations of corruption against the Congress government and claimed that no minister wants to work.

The Suwasara MLA has alleged that the present government has repeatedly humiliated him. I was the only Congress MLA elected from our parliamentary constituency in 2013, despite that I was given no ministerial berth. Neither were development works approved in my area, nor did I get respect. I was not even given a respectable place to stay in Bhopal, Dang writes in his resignation letter.

He finally signs off saying that hes resigning from the assembly but his struggle for farmers issues will continue. In a state where Congress is on a wafer-thin majority, the Speaker is likely to take time before announcing his decision on Dangs resignation.

In July last year, 13 Congress-JD(S) MLAs had tendered their resignation from the Karnataka assembly in similar fashion. But the resignation of 8 out of the 13 MLAs was not accepted because the speaker found the format of those resignations faulty. Ramesh Kumar, the speaker, had reportedly said, As members of the assembly dont they know the format in which they should submit resignations...So things arise in my mind. One is, they are ignorant. I pity them. The second is, they have done it deliberately just to pretend."

So what exactly is the procedure of resigning from a state assembly, and on what grounds can a speaker reject or accept them?

There are two conditions for an MLA or an MP if they want to tender their resignation. First, the resignation has to be drafted in the official format. It has to be very brief. Secondly, the resignation shouldn't be tendered under pressure, constitutional experts say.

The resignation letter has to be a simple statement of intent expressed by the MLA that he/she is resigning from membership of that particular assembly with immediate effect. Any extra word, describing ones reasons for resigning etc, will make the resignation letter unacceptable.

Secondly, if the resignation is written by hand and handed over to the speaker personally by the MLA, the speaker can make enquiries on whether the member is resigning under duress. After fully satisfying himself/herself the speaker can accept the resignation.

However if the letter is typed and sent by a medium, the speaker will be in his/her right to call on the person to make enquiries about the reasons for resignation.

On what basis could a speaker reject a resignation?

If the speaker has any reasons to believe that a particular member resigned in stress or under any external pressure, he may not accept the resignations. The speaker could also reject the resignation if he gets any information from his sources, in police etc, that the member is not putting down his or her papers voluntarily.

Resigning from an assembly means that the particular MLAs constituency will be unrepresented for some time. So the speaker has been given these powers by the Constitution farmers to satisfy himself/herself thoroughly before taking a decision on the subject.

Could an MLA challenge a speakers decision in court?

In principle, an MLA could challenge the decision to not accept his/her resignation by the speaker, in court. However, since the Constitution in Article 190, for assembly, and 101, for Parliament, gives absolute discretion to the speaker, it is unlikely that a court could intervene except check the procedure that a speaker has followed.

The speaker's opinion in this regard are understood to be absolutely final and binding. There is no precedent of a court overturning speakers decision on such matters.

Hardeep Dang along with Raghuraj Kansana, Bisahulal Singh and independent member Shera Bhaiya had two days ago been reported missing. There were rumours, although former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan denied them, that they were put up at a five-star hotel in BJP-ruled Karnataka in an attempt to topple the government.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has said that he has received information about Hardeep Singh Dang's resignation but I have not yet received any letter from him or discussed the matter in person. Until I meet him personally, making comments over it will not be appropriate," Kamal Nath said.

The Congress-led government has 120 MLAs -- four over the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member assembly. Of them, 114 are from the Congress, two from the BSP, one from the Samajwadi Party and four independents. The BJP has 107 MLAs and two seats are currently vacant. If the three other missing MLAs resign, it would bring down the number in the assembly to 224 and the majority mark to 113.
on Friday hit back at senior Congress leader for his jibe over crisis-hit Yes Bank's loan book swelling five times under BJP rule, saying "self-appointed competent doctors" created more problems in handling crisis at three banks during the UPA regime.

She blamed Chidambaram for the crisis at Global Trust Bank in July 2004 and the problems at IDBI which had to merge with on-the-verge of collapsing United Western Bank in 2006.

The Congress-led UPA had come to power in May 2004 and Chidambaram was the

Addressing a press conference after the RBI superseded the board of and placed withdrawal restrictions, she said the crisis-hit lender's exposure to stressed corporates dates before 2014.

"The exposure of to some of the very stressed corporates has been before 2014. These are public domain names and I am not violating any customer privacy Anil Ambani (Group), Essel Group, DHFL, IL&FS (and) Vodafone are some of the very stressed corporate to whom has been exposed," she said.

Sitharaman said she is revealing these names as the opposition parties were "very keen to point fingers".

"I am not here to continue carrying the stories of legacy. Yes, the Indian system has had severe challenges thanks to the way in which the government which existed between 2004-14 had handled the matter. I have reasons to put the blame on them," she said.

Sitharaman went on to question Chidambaram's handling of the crisis at two banks under the UPA-1 rule.

"So-called self-appointed competent doctors" were in charge when United Western Bank was "almost on the verge of collapse in 2006 and was forcefully merged with IDBI," she said. "Today if I have problems restoring good health of IDBI, I am giving you good examples of how self-appointed competent doctors had handled UWB merger with IDBI."





IDBI, she said, went down because of UWB. "That was the treatment offered by those who speak today."



"We have ensured that the interest of customers is kept safe, we are doing that. Their solution for UWB has resulted in IDBI also losing" its base, she said adding Global Trust Bank was merged with OBC and Ganesh Bank of Kurudher was merged with a private bank.

"Easy merge it and wash your hands off," she said. "In all three you merged and washed your hands off."



The former Chidambaram had in a series of tweets questioning the crisis at Yes Bank and asked why should state-owned State Bank of India (SBI) invest in the beleaguered lender.

When overall bank credit between 2014 and 2019 grew by about 10 per cent, Yes Bank's loan book grew by about 35 per cent, he said. "Who knows, FM may blame the UPA for the miraculous jump between 2014 and 2019 !!!"



FM is a short form of finance minister.

"I understand FM has made a statement blaming the UPA. That's normal for a government living in ignorance. Does the FM know the numbers that I have tweeted? If she does, will she please explain how the loan book jumped in five years from Rs 55,633 crore to Rs 2,41,499 crore?"



In another tweet, Chidambaram said, "SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned."



Sitharaman said she has repeatedly said that she will not allow any institution to fall off a cliff.

"I do remember I said in the context of non- finance companies and we have been a daily basis monitoring the and shadow banking institutions," she said.

Questioning Chidambaram's handling of banks, she asked action against how many people were taken by the UPA to task for the problems at banks.

"And here you see them quickly jump to say 'oh no no you don't know what you are doing? You don't know how you are handling the economic affairs'," she said. "We are ensuring the customers' interest is intact, we are ensuring that depositors are assured and money is safe. You forcefully merge it off, let go off offenders and now ask questions uncomfortable for yourself."



Stating that she has no problem answering questions on the handling of the economy, the minister said her government's approach so ensures institutions don't collapse and that they are kept in good health and interest of customers and depositors are kept safe.

"We assure all the depositors that their money is safe. We shall ensure that speedily this will be resolved and restructuring will happen in the interest of depositors and economy," she added.
Andrew Bailey has come under fire over his leadership of the City watchdog just days before taking over at the Bank of England.

MPs on the Treasury select committee said they believe he was qualified to succeed Mark Carney as central bank Governor on March 16.

But they raised 'serious concerns' about his time at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). On his watch, they said, the regulator failed to act quickly enough on a series of scandals.

MPs on the Treasury Select Committee raised 'serious concerns' about Andrew Bailey's time at the FCA. On his watch, they said it failed to act quickly enough on a series of scandals

The shot across the bows came after Bailey fielded difficult questions in Parliament on Wednesday, when MPs examined his suitability for the new job.

Last night Tory MP Mel Stride, chairman of the committee, said: 'The Treasury committee has raised a number of serious concerns regarding the performance of the FCA both before and during his time as its chief executive.

'Many of these concerns  around culture, transparency and insufficient speed of action  will remain a key focus for the committee.'

Stride said MPs would now focus on improving the FCA's performance and warned that its next prospective boss would face 'rigorous' questioning.

Bailey, 60, took over as chief executive of the regulator in 2016, having previously been at the Bank since 1985.

On his watch, the watchdog has been criticised for doing nothing to help thousands of stranded investors who were denied access to their money when Neil Woodford froze his failing flagship fund.

There were also calls for a probe into the FCA after the collapse of London Capital & Finance with 236million of savers' money.

And it has long been criticised for its handling of toxic RBS turnaround unit Global Restructuring Group, which was accused of destroying small businesses and seizing their assets.

Bailey said the FCA had tackled high-cost consumer credit and launched insider trading cases which resulted in convictions.
Criminals are using the coronavirus outbreak to try and bait people into clicking suspicious links in a bid to hack into their computers and steal personal information.

Cyber-security researchers have identified several campaigns where hackers pretend to be legitimate health organisations to ensnare victims.

Users are being urged by experts to not click on any link that seems suspicious and instead only click on information directly via official routes.

The virus has infected more than 100,000 people around the world, including 163 in the UK, and killed 3,400 people.

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Users are being urged by experts to not click on any link they believe may be suspect and instead only click on information directly via official routes. The virus has infected more than 100,000 people around the world, including 163 in the UK, and killed 3,400 people

Phishing experts at cyber-security firm Cofense identified two phishing campaigns that have emerged in the wake of the devastating outbreak.

Criminals are claiming to be officials from healthcare groups such as The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

They purport to offer guidance and information on the COVID-19 outbreak but instead hope to insert malware and harvest the credentials of unsuspecting users.

Kyle Duncan and Ashley Tran, internet security researchers from the Cofense Phishing Defense Center in the US, write in a blog post: 'Since news of the coronavirus hit national headlines, many threat actors have played on its infamy to target unsuspecting users.'

One email scam appears to be from The Centers for Disease Control and states coronavirus has officially become airborne and there are confirmed cases nearby (pictured). This specific scam has the subject line 'COVID-19  Now Airborne, Increased Community Transmission' and the spoofed display name, CDC INFO, makes it an impressive forgery, the researchers note

One email scam appears to be from The Centers for Disease Control and states coronavirus has officially become airborne and there are confirmed cases nearby.

The researchers add: 'While there are numerous phishing campaigns raving about the latest safety measures, all claiming to be reputable health organisations or doctors, this email differs in its methods, weaponising fear to panic users into clicking malicious links.'

It mentions the only way to minimise risk of infection is by avoiding high-risk areas that are listed on a page. They provide a hyperlink to this page in their email.

The sites then take the recipient through to are run by hackers.

This specific scam originated from a British IP address but tricks computers in the US into thinking it is from an @cdc.gov email address, making it appear trustworthy.

Combined with reasonable spelling and grammar, as well as a subject line of 'COVID-19  Now Airborne, Increased Community Transmission' and the spoofed display name, CDC INFO, makes it an impressive forgery, the researchers note.

All this is designed to lull the potential victim into a false sense of security. The link goes through to one of three links, all of which are malicious.

It is thought this scam is being run by a single person.

Another scam identified by the same company claims to be from the World Health Organization (WHO) and has the subject line 'Attention: List Of Companies Affected With Coronavirus March 02, 2020.' (pictured). Its attachment is a sophisticated piece of malware

'Clues point to a single threat actor carrying out these attacks,' the experts write.

'Further observation may soon reveal the actor's identity or at least a general attack vector that can be monitored for and blocked by network firewalls.'

Another scam identified by the same company claims to be from the World Health Organization (WHO) and has the subject line 'Attention: List Of Companies Affected With Coronavirus March 02, 2020.'

These scare tactics are compounded with an attachment titled 'SAFETY PRECAUTIONS' and has a .exe extension.

It disguises itself as an excel file but instead hides a piece of malicious software called Agent Tesla keylogger.

This relays detailed information on keyboard input as well as sending automatic screenshots, including of passwords, to the criminals.

An unrelated scam circulating in Italy is tricking targets into opening links that claim to be from the WHO containing 'safety measure' information.

An unrelated scam circulating in Italy is tricking targets into opening links that claim to be from the WHO containing 'safety measure' information. Experts at SophosLabs tracked this scam campaign in Italy, a country which has seen almost 4,000 cases of COVID-19

The email, with the subject line 'coronavirus: informazioni importanti su precauzioni'  purportedly from a 'Dr. Penelope Marchetti' states in Italian: 'Due to the fact that cases of coronavirus infection are documented in your area, the World Health Organization has prepared a document that includes all necessary precautions against coronavirus infection

Experts at SophosLabs tracked this scam campaign in Italy, a country which has seen almost 4,000 cases of COVID-19.

The email, with the subject line 'coronavirus: informazioni importanti su precauzioni'  purportedly from a 'Dr. Penelope Marchetti' states in Italian: 'Due to the fact that cases of coronavirus infection are documented in your area, the World Health Organization has prepared a document that includes all necessary precautions against coronavirus infection.

'We strongly recommend that you read the document attached to this message!'

The attached document opens a word document which, if a user clicks 'enable editing', infects the computer and sends criminals sensitive information stored on the computer.

Criminals are using the coronavirus outbreak to try and bait people into clicking suspicious links in a bid to hack into their computers and steal personal information. Cyber-security researchers have identified several campaigns where hackers pretend to be legitimate health organisations to ensnare victims (stock)

Bill Santos, president of Cerberus Sentinel, a self-described 'elite team of security experts', told MailOnline: 'The smartest approach to this is to avoid any inbound emails on this topic completely and instead go to the known good sources of information like World Health Organization (www.who.int) and the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov) as well as local government agencies for any information regarding this situation.

'Bad actors are preying on fear; the best strategy is to ignore them completely.'

Hugo Van den Toorn, manager of offensive security at Outpost24, adds: 'This is an example of how well-informed criminals are and how cunning they operate these days.

'To increase the likelihood of phishing campaign to succeed, criminals often change their modus operandi and scenarios based on relevant events, such as: Public holidays, tax filing deadlines, political situations and apparently the outbreak of a deadly virus.

'Criminals utilise these events to make their messages look less suspicious, add more authority, apply time-pressure to their request, to play onto the recipients health or mental state or any other psychological triggers that underly the success of phishing attacks.

'Criminals will literally do anything to increase the odds of their phishing attacks succeeding.'
BEREA, Ohio -- International diplomacy can be a difficult endeavor, but the Berea-Midpark Middle School Junior Model United Nations team recently proved it was up to the challenge.

Berea City Council and Mayor Cyril Kleem honored the team and its award-winning participants by presenting them with a resolution of commendation during councils March 2 meeting.

Students spent two days in January at John Carroll University as part of the 2020 Cleveland Council on World Affairs Junior Model United Nations Conference. They became delegates for numerous countries and debated a variety of humanitarian issues, from child trafficking, child soldiers and refugee conditions to ethnic cleansing and the use of chemical weapons.

Model UN adviser Stacey Jennings initially started the Berea City School District extracurricular program seven years ago at the middle school. This years 25 team members met weekly to hone their parliamentary procedure skills and to practice debate tactics in mock simulations.

They competed against 400 other middle school students from 16 area schools, with 11 BMMS participants taking home awards.

"It was a very impressive group this year," Jennings told council. "It's been a really strong program that we've built now from grades 6 through 12. Diplomacy is a lot of work, and it doesn't come easy."

Ellie Conner (UNESCO-North Korea) won the Gavel Award, the conference's highest achievement, for exhibiting exemplary knowledge and diplomatic abilities.

This program really grew my public speaking skills, Ellie said, acknowledging that her role as the North Korea delegate meant facing a lot of opposition from other countries.

It really helped me to learn how to think on my feet. We only had one ally (Russia) throughout the entire committee. It really tested my endurance and patience.

But it was all worth it, she added.

At the end of the day, I was glad to display great diplomacy and represent my school, Ellie said.

Other award winners were Elizabeth Chen and Sophia Savchenko (UNICEF-Japan) for Best Position Paper; Christina Calvis and Alexa Daulton (Refugees-South Africa) for Excellent Delegation; Nate Barrett and Henry Maxwell (UNICEF-Sweden), Honorable Mention; Owen Dettmer and Quinn DiCillo (Security Council-Poland), Honorable Mention; and Hannah Elsehaly and Aubrey Trzebuckowski (Environment-Haiti), Honorable Mention.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
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President Donald Trump traveled to Tennessee on Friday to tour neighborhoods where lives and homes were destroyed by tornadoes that swept through parts of the state earlier this week.

Trump, who is notoriously germaphobic, was pictured shaking hands with survivors one day after the first coronavirus patient in the state was quarantined.

Trump is touring hard hit communities in Putnam County, where a tornado tore a two-mile-long path, killing 18 people, including five children under 13. Many more people were injured, some critically.

Statewide, the death toll stood at 24 from a pair of storms.

Trump said he marveled at 'the tremendous heart' he witnessed. He also offered a message for survivors and those who lost family members: 'We love them, they're special people,' he said.

President Donald Trump talks with first responders at the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ disaster relief distribution center in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Friday

Trump was welcomed by locals in Cookeville. He said he was impressed by 'the tremendous heart' that he witnessed. The President made a special effort to shake as many hands as possible during his time in the area

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to tour damage from Tuesday's tornadoes, at Berry Field Air National Guard Base

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he steps off Air Force One during arrival at Berry Field Air National Guard Base

President Donald Trump speaks with Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee as he arrives at Berry Field Air National Guard Base

President Donald Trump is greeted by Nashville Mayor John Cooper, second from left in Nashville,Tennessee

President Donald Trump is greeted by Nashville Mayor John Cooper, second from left in Nashville,Tennessee

US President Donald Trump tours an area damaged in a tornado in Cookeville, Tennessee

Tornadoes ripped through Tennessee earlier in the week, leaving at least 25 people dead, destroying homes and powerlines

Tornadoes ripped through Tennessee earlier in the week, leaving at least 25 people dead, destroying homes and powerlines

President Donald Trump speaks Mike Herrick, with Putnam County Rescue Squad, as he tours damage from the tornadoes

The tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements. At least 25 people were killed

U.S. President Donald Trump tours damage from Tuesday's tornadoes and meets with federal and local response officials

Marine One, with President Donald Trump aboard, left, flies over damage after a recent tornado, Friday, March 6,

US President Donald Trump flies in Marine One over an area damaged in a tornado in Cookeville, Tennessee

Tornadoes ripped through Tennessee earlier in the week, leaving at least 25 people dead, destroying buildings and toppling power lines hours before the southern US state voted in Super Tuesday primaries

Trump encountered a flattened landscape of shredded homes, snapped trees as he flew over the devastation

Trump was met upon his arrival by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and other top officials.

'It's been a painful, tragic week for our state,' Lee said after surveying with Trump a street where eight people were killed.

The street was filled with debris where houses once stood. Limbs were crudely snapped from trees. A white laundry basket, chairs from a dining table, cinder blocks and a step ladder dotted the landscape.

Such trips have become familiar for the president, who has visited numerous scenes of disaster and tragedy after hurricanes, mass shootings and wildfires during the past three years.

Trump said the Tennessee tornadoes were 'horrible' and 'vicious.'

'Our hearts are full of sorrow for the lives that were lost,' he told a meeting of county officials from across the U.S.

Trump encountered a flattened landscape of shredded homes, snapped trees as he flew over the devastation

Tornadoes ripped through Tennessee earlier in the week, leaving at least 25 people dead, destroying buildings and toppling power lines hours before the southern US state voted in Super Tuesday primaries

The remains of homes shattered by storms are scattered near Cookeville, Tennessee

President Donald Trump flies over and sees damage after a recent tornado

An area damaged by Tuesday's tornadoes is seen as US President Donald Trump tours the damages near Nashville, Tennessee

The tornadoes left a trail of devastation as it passed through Camden, Cookeville and Mt Juliet. Downtown Nashville was also severely damaged

US President Donald Trump tours tornado damage with Putnam County Rescue Squad member Mike Herrick in Cookeville

The President is left standing amidst the devastation caused by the powerful tornadoes that ravaged the area

Trump wore his Keep America Great hat as hewas greeted by state and local officials after landing in Nashville

The visit comes a day after Trump declared a major disaster declaration for the state, and ordered federal aid to supplement local recovery efforts in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson Counties

'Those tornadoes -- I've seen many of them during a three-year period, and I've gotten to see the results. And they are vicious if you're in their path.'

'This is real devastation like you'll hopefully never see again,' the president said. 'You're great people, it's a great state,' Trump continued.

'They're wiped out. They have nothing,' Trump said to reporters. 'We're going to be with them all the way.'

'We're gonna take care of what they need,' Trump said while touring the wreckage in Putnam County.

'I love them. I love them very much,' Trump said referring to the people of Tennessee. 'That's why I'm here. Some people wouldn't be here.'

During his time meeting the victims, Trump took time to shake hands with as many people as possibly despite being a germaphobe and also recent advice from the CDC regarding the coronavirus outbreak not to shake hands with people.

'You can't be a politician and not shake hands,' Trump said earlier in the week.

'I always felt the concept wasn't good,' he said during a Fox News town hall. 'You read a lot of medical reports  it's not good now.

'If there was ever a time that you could convince people not to shake hands, this would be it... I love the people of this country and you can be a politician and not shake hands and I'll be shaking hands with people and if they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you, I don't care.'

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee, center, speaks with residents Matt and Angela Suggs as they tour damage from a recent tornado

The officials emphasized the suddenness of the tornadoes, and also praised the administration's response

Trump was told how there was a good deal of cooperation between federal and local officials

White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner takes a cell phone photo of damage from Tuesday's tornadoes

Trump spoke to residents who had lost everything in the storm. Residents bundled up in coats and hats offered a warm reception, clapping for him and thanking him for coming.

Secret Service officers stand watch as US President Donald Trump tours an area damaged in a tornado in Cookeville

Trump approved a disaster declaration Thursday, making federal funding available to those affected by the storms in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties, the White House said. More assistance may be designated as damage assessments continue.

The first tornado began early Tuesday morning, creating a more than 50-mile trail of destruction well after midnight. A second tornado then exploded through communities farther east of Nashville, causing in most of the deaths.

The Republican president won the heavily GOP state by 26 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election, and trounced Democrat Hillary Clinton in Putnam County by a margin of more than 2-to-1. Davidson County, the other Tennessee region devastated by tornadoes, is a Democratic enclave in the reliably Republican red state.

Locals look on as US President Donald Trump tours an area damaged in a tornado in Cookeville, Tennessee

Trump told reporters of stories he had heard of the victims, including one boy who had been ripped out of his home by the storm and landed two blocks away

'This is real devastation,' Trump said, surrounded by mountains of broken lumber and splintered drywall

President Donald Trump speaks Mike Herrick, with Putnam County Rescue Squad, as he tours the damage

U.S. President Donald Trump tours damage from Tuesday's tornadoes and meets with federal and local response officials

Trump told reporters he planned to speak with more survivors gathered in a nearby church

Trump said he felt 'love' for the people of Tennessee. 'I love them. I love them very much,' Trump said. 'That's why I'm here. Some people wouldn't be here.'

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with local residents and first responders at the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ relief distribution center in Cookeville, Tennessee

'We're gonna take care of what they need,' Trump said while touring the wreckage in Putnam County

Trump mets with residents and first responders at makeshift supply center

Residents came out to greet the president who shook their hands while at the supply center

The president shook hands with smiling residents standing behind plastic tables

The President also posed for a photograph with the first responders and those involved in the rescue on Tuesday

US President Donald Trump spoke to dozens of people gathered in a gym turned makeshift supply center

Children held out their hands in the hope of receiving a handshake from the famously germophobic president

US President Donald Trump speaks with locals at the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ disaster relief distribution center

'We love 'em, they are special people,' Trump said, referring to the residents of Tennessee

President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn. and Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee, speak with residents as they tour damage from the recent tornadoes
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Former Democratic presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lashed out at current first lady Melania Trumps Be Best program, criticizing the White House program for being hypocritical.

Considering the many ways that Trumps husband, President Donald Trump, has behaved in office so far, its not hard to see why Clinton made the comments she did.

Appearing this week on the Bravo program Watch What Happens Live with host Andy Cohen, Clinton was asked to give her views on Trumps signature program as first lady.

I think she should look closer to home, Clinton said of Trumps efforts.

According to the White Houses website, The mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major issues facing children today, including, among other traits, encouraging kids to live with kindness in their day-to-day lives.

It is our responsibility as adults to educate and reinforce to them that when they are using their voiceswhether verbally or onlinethey must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion, the program states.

However, critics have often lambasted the Be Best program for failing to address one of the biggest perpetrators of bullying (online and offline) that currently works in Washington D.C.  President Trump himself.

Trumps examples of bullying behavior are too numerous to write out. He has, for example, complained and led crowds in booing climate activist Greta Thunberg after she won TIME magazines Person of the Year honors, besting him for the award.

Trump also tweeted out what many considered to be racist comments about four congresswomen of color, telling them they should go back to their countries of origin, to fix their problems first, before complaining about what hes doing as president (three of the four women were born in the United States).

.and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why dont they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019

And he frequently belittles lawmakers he disagrees with by issuing them out childish nicknames on Twitter.

Melania Trump has said in the past that she understood when she started the Be Best program that critics would make their voices heard.

It is not news or surprising to me that critics in the media have chosen to ridicule me for speaking out on this issue and thats OK, she said in 2018.
WPKN 89.5-FM is hosting Music Mash 20-Record Fair at Reads Artspace in Bridgeport Saturday, March 7.

The station said the event will include some of the regions top dealers/vendors, with music ranging from rock, jazz, blues, garage, psychedelia, country, soul, new wave and punk, reggae, ska to ephemera.

Once again programmers from the independent, non-profit community station will be DJing live sets. Past events have featured Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club (Frantz also hosts the monthly show Chris Frantz-The Talking Head on WPKN.), Hilton Valentine from The Animals and Rusty Ford of Lothar and the Hand People.

Opened in 1925, Reads Artspace is a transformed urban landmark building that once housed Reads Department Store, hailed as the finest department store between New York and Boston.

Now it is home to several hundred artists and contains a very large and well-lighted gallery space that is roughly the same size as the debut show we held at the Fairfield Theatre Company in 2013, Mark Mushin, WPKNs director of press and publicity, said in a news release. Its a few minutes walk from the Metro North Bridgeport train station (easy access from NYC and New Haven) as well as The Port Jefferson Ferry. Theres also plenty of free on street parking and a free lot across from the event.

Steve di Costanzo, the events founder, is also the GM at WPKN. Our first event back in 2013 at what today is the Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company was a big hit, and for the fourth consecutive year were back in Bridgeport. Each year is bigger with about 1,000 people expected.

John Bastone from Record Riots said, Weve been helping this event since the beginning and all the vendor tables sold within three hours.

In the release WPKN thanked supporters Two Roads Brewing Company and the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District.
The UK has reported its first death related to the Covid-19 coronavirus, as officials warn the nation is more likely than not to experience an epidemic.

The first person in the UK to die after contracting the virus, an elderly woman in her 70s with an underlying health condition, passed away at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading after being diagnosed on Wednesday evening.

She is understood to be among the 116 UK cases confirmed by the Department of Health, with all seven NHS regions reporting at least one instance on Thursday.

Describing the death as terribly sad news, the health secretary Matt Hancock said: My sincere condolences to their family and loved ones. We will work tirelessly to protect the public from this disease.

It came as senior government officials warned the nation to prepare for a steep increase in cases of the virus, which has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people worldwide and infected more than 95,000.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said it was now more likely than not that the UK would see an epidemic while setting out significant changes in the way the government is planning to fight the disease.

Patients who test positive for coronavirus and who have only mild symptoms will no longer be treated in hospitals but are instead being asked to stay at home. Currently, of the 115 positive cases 45 patients have been told to stay at home and self-isolate.

The government has also extended advice to people returning from Italy, including all of Italy in the advice to self-isolate if they have symptoms. Previously only people who had been north of Florence and Pisa were affected by this advice.

We have moved to a situation where people have very minimal symptoms and we think theyre clinically safe and they are able to self isolate, Prof Whitty told a press conference at the Department of Healths London headquarters. We think this is actually safer for them as well as more pleasant.

NHS England medical director Steve Powis added: We know in the vast majority of people, this is a mild, moderate illness, rather like cold or flu, and that can be managed in the home environment.

And so it is perfectly reasonable and sensible for people with those mild symptoms to self-isolate at home, and not to have to have the inconvenience of coming into a hospital setting.

Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty

Also on Thursday, ministers were presented with potential courses of action at a Cobra emergency committee, as the government prepared to move away from containing the virus and towards delaying its spread to limit the impact on the NHS and allow time for science to better understand Covid-19.

We are signalling the direction of travel, Professor Whitty added. The planning is now going at full tilt for the delay stage.

It is understood the move to the delay phase of the governments response will not begin until next week at the earliest unless a significant spike in cases occurs. Officials will now spend the coming days deciding on measures to be taken to slow the spread of the virus.

While the containment phase focused on identifying and isolating those who may have come into contact with virus carriers, a delay-based approach would involve more wide-ranging interventions while still initially falling short of mass school closures as seen in Italy and China.

Globally the virus has continued its spread  with Italy, the worst afflicted region in Europe, announcing an additional 31 deaths and almost 800 cases in a 24-hour period.

In Iran, which has been accused of covering up the scale of the issue within its borders, 107 people have died, prompting a limit on inter-city travel and a push from the government for citizens to reduce their use of paper bank notes.

Meanwhile South Koreans, who have seen the highest infection rates outside of the diseases epicentre in China, have been inundated with mobile phone alerts announcing where infected people had been and when.

According to the European Centre for Disease Control, 35 people have died in the country while 5,766 have been infected.
The Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang has said the ministry asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin, Germany, to work with the host authorities to ensure legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.

Illustrative image (Photo: Yonhap)

She said that the Ministry stays ready to conducts citizen protection measures if necessary.

She made the statement during the ministrys regular press conference in Hanoi on March 5 in reply to reporters question about Vietnams stance on the recent bust of a Vietnamese migrant smuggling ring in Germany.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Germany reported on March 3 that the police raided 32 sites in Berlin and the states of Hessen, Sachsen, Niedersachsen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Wurttemberg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The investigation was launched by Berlin prosecution agency, German and European police after the German police found a lorry carrying illegal Vietnamese immigrants on the border with the Czech Republic in December 2018. The German police have arrested six suspects and detained about 30 others to verify their identity and residence status, and collected some evidence.

Upon hearing the news, the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin contacted German police to acquire information about Vietnamese arrestees, and soon arrange a consular visit to them. The German side has received the request and will offer suitable response, she said.

Regarding five Vietnamese citizens missing in the fire of a fishing vessel in the Republic of Korea, Hang said the incident occurred at 3:18am on March 4 (local time), about 70km southeast of Udo island, Seogwipo city, Jeju, leaving six crewmembers missing, five of them are Vietnamese citizens.

The Vietnamese Embassy later contacted coast guards in Seogwipo region to get further information.

The Korean coast guards are conducting search and rescue and investigating the cause of the incident.

RoK Prime Minister Chong Se-kyun directed agencies concerned to pool every resource for the effort.

The same day, the Foreign Ministry directed the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK to continue keeping a close watch on the case, and work closely with the host authorities to step up search and take necessary citizen protection measures.

She said the Foreign Ministry asked foreign affairs offices to learn about aspirations of the victims families, adding that more information will be publicised in the near future./.VNA
The board of India's top lender, State Bank of India, agreed on Thursday to conduct a viability assessment into buying a stake in troubled private sector Yes Bank Ltd., a source said. Yes Bank shares surged more than 25% after reports emerged that a group led by SBI will inject capital into the bank. "The board has recommended to undertake a viability study before taking a decision on Yes Bank," the source, who attended the board meeting, told Reuters.

SBI had been authorised to pick other members of the consortium in the plan approved by the Indian government, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Two senior finance ministry officials, directly involved in the matter, said "the commercial decision would be taken by the SBI board" and different options were on the table. "We have not so far received the proposal from the SBI," one of the finance ministry officials, who declined to be named as the discussions were private, told reporters. SBI shares fell as much as 5.4% on the report, before reversing course to close 1% higher.

After the capital infusion, it is likely that the current management, including the Managing Director & CEO Ravneet Gill, may also be replaced, sources told Reuters. Gill and Yes Bank did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Yes Bank said in a filing with the stock exchanges that it was not aware of any such decision, while SBI said it would abide by timelines for disclosures. The Finance Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Also read: Why did Yes Bank collapse? Here are 6 main reasons

"The cost of not bailing out Yes Bank for the economy and banking system is far higher than bailing out and hence under the current circumstances this looks to be the only option as investor interest in the stock is very low," Macquarie Research said in a note.

Also read: YES Bank customer? Here's what you should do

Yes Bank has struggled to raise capital it needs to stay above regulatory requirements as it battles high levels of bad loans. India's fifth-largest private sector lender has been trying to raise $2 billion in fresh capital since late last year, and in February delayed its December-quarter results.

"The more the delay in capital raising, more is the systemic risk engendered by Yes Bank's failure," Macquarie said. In January, the bank said it had rejected a $1.2 billion investment offer from Canadian investor Erwin Singh Braich and Hong Kong-based SPGP Holdings - an offer about which many analysts had expressed doubt.

Also read: Yes Bank withdrawal limit Rs 50,000 after RBI action
Iran Closes Schools, Takes Other Measures As Virus Toll Rises Further

By RFE/RL March 05, 2020

Iran has closed all schools and adopted a series of other new measures as it battles the worst outbreak of coronavirus outside of China.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki said on March 5 that all schools and universities will remain closed until the end of the Iranian calendar year on March 20, and that checkpoints will be used to limit travel between major cities.

"People should not consider this as an opportunity to go travelling. They should stay home and take our warnings seriously," Namaki said at a televised press conference.

The moves come after authorities said the death toll in Iran from COVID-19, the illness sparked by the coronavirus had risen to 107, while the number of confirmed cases had reached 3,513.

The coronavirus has been found in almost all of Iran's provinces, President Hassan Rohani said on March 4, and many experts fear the real toll of both the dead and the infected could be much higher.

Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran, accused the Iranian leadership of "not being transparent" over the extent of the outbreak.

"Iran lied to its own people about the coronavirus," Hook told reporters. "It told them it was not anything to worry about but at the same time the virus was spreading throughout Iran."

Hook said the United States offered humanitarian assistance to help Iran deal with its outbreak but "the regime rejected the offer."

Friday Prayers in all Iranian provincial capitals this week have been canceled because of the outbreak.

Namaki listed several measures that Iranians could take to help impede the spread of the coronavirus, including a reduction of the use of paper money.

He also said people should remain in their vehicles when filling up at the gas station and instead allow attendants to do the job.

In a sign of the growing nervousness across the region over the outbreak, Palestinian authorities on March 5 said the storied Nativity Church in the biblical city of Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Iraq's Health Ministry announced the country's first two confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.

There have been more than 3,740 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Middle East, many of which have links to Iran.

The outbreak has disrupted Islamic worship throughout the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia on March 4 banned its citizens and other residents of the kingdom from performing the pilgrimage in Mecca, which attracts millions of people each year.

The move expands a previous ban on foreigners visiting Mecca and Medina, home to the holiest sites in Islam.

COVID-19 has killed more than 3,000 people and infected tens of thousands more, mainly in China.

The disease has now spread to more than 60 other countries, leading to multiple travel and other restrictions.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AP, Reuters, and CNN

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/coronavirus- iran-closes-schools-other- measures/30470194.html

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

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Railway contractors association Indian Railway Infrastructure Providers Association (IRIPA) observed a nationwide one-day strike on Friday claiming that bills amounting to nearly 25,000 crore are yet to be cleared by the national transporter.

Around 40 railway contractors from Pune staged a protest at the Pune divisional railway manager (DRM) office and gave a memorandum to the DRM Pune. The dues of the contractors in Pune have gone up to Rs 30 crore and if the dues are not paid till March 10 then contractors have threatened to go on an indefinite stop work protest.

All the contract works across Pune railway division were stopped by the association on Friday. There are around 40 members of the association under Pune railway division.

We have a national level railway contactors association, who has called for a nationwide stop work protest on Friday in regards to the issue of not getting payments from the railway administration. Accordingly, we gave a letter of memorandum to the Pune DRM today and demanded to release our dues of around Rs 30 crore by March 10. If the payment is not given then we will go on an indefinite stop work strike. All civil works related to railway engineering department we have stopped today, including station building, repair works, new platform work and track work. said Pune association president Rahul Chaudhary.

Talking about the issue, Pune railway divisional manager Renu Sharma said, We are working on clearing the pending dues of the contractors and in next week I personally will be taking a meeting with them. We dont want any miscommunication between us and want to work together to give better service to our passengers.
Ministers helped a billionaire sheikh get away with the kidnap of his daughter from the streets of Britain, the High Court has heard, and now British authorities are facing pressure to bring the Gulf state monarch to justice.

The ruler of Dubai, a friend of the Queen and close UK ally, ordered henchmen to abduct Princess Shamsa from Cambridge in 2000, a judge found.

The teenager said armed bodyguards grabbed her, injected her with sedatives and rendered her to Dubai, where she was tortured.

Yet when Cambridgeshire police launched a criminal probe, it was allegedly shut down amid 'interference' by the Foreign Office  as a diplomatic favour.

In an astonishing ruling, Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, one of the world's richest men, is today also exposed as having waged a campaign of 'fear and intimidation' against his youngest wife, Princess Haya, who fled to Britain last year fearing that he would kill her.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attend Derby day at Epsom Derby festival at Epsom Downs on June 3, 2017 in Epsom

The High Court said billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - a friend of the Queen - had Princess Shamsa (pictured) abducted from Cambridge after she went on the run in 2000

Then PM Gordon Brown greets Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid in Downing Street in 2007 - Now for the first time, an alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported.

Princess, aged 11, was being lined up for forced marriage to notorious crown prince Princess Haya with her daughter Jalila (with face obscured), at Epsom racecourse in June 2018 A princess aged 11 was being lined up for a forced marriage to the notorious crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, the court heard. Known as MBS in the desert kingdom, Bin Salman allegedly ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. And in January of this year, he was accused of hacking the phone of the worlds richest man, Amazon owner Jeff Bezos. Princess Jalilass father Sheikh Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, allegedly discussed arrangements to force her into an arranged marriage with Bin Salman in February 2019, according to her mother Princess Haya, who said it was a key reason she fled to the UK with both of her children. Bin Salman, 34, who already has one wife, was at the centre of international outrage after he was blamed for the horrific killing of regime critic Mr Khashoggi, who was butchered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Sheikh Maktoum strenuously denied the claims. His QC, Alex Verdan, told the court: None of his children have forced marriages or were betrothed at this age. There has never been such a plan, a person to whom Jalila is betrothed. There have been no forced marriages. That is not what this father does with his daughters  there are about 13 of them  at this age. Advertisement

The court found he masterminded behaviour which, on the balance of probabilities, potentially runs 'contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales, international law and internationally accepted human rights norms'.

Now for the first time, the alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported.

At the time, Labour was supposedly pursuing an 'ethical foreign policy'. But now it is alleged the then foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, effectively shut down a serious criminal inquiry into a helpless girl's kidnapping.

Shamsa had begged British detectives to save her, but they were forced to drop the case.

In an explosive ruling following a 10-month High Court child custody battle between the sheikh and Princess Haya, it can be revealed:

The court found the sheikh responsible for kidnapping Shamsa from Cambridge in 2000.

He also sent commandos to abduct another runaway daughter, Princess Latifa, during her escape bid in 2018, the court found.

Both princesses were locked in a Dubai palace and remain imprisoned to this day.

Oxford-educated Princess Haya fled with their two young children to London after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa.

She feared her daughter Princess Jalila was being lined up for a forced marriage aged 11 to the notorious Saudi crown prince accused of killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sheikh Maktoum also discovered his wife was having an affair with her British bodyguard.

Public officials are now facing pressure to bring the sheikh to justice, after a judge found that he orchestrated the abduction.

Following the judge's ruling, Shami Chakrabarti, Labour shadow attorney general, said: 'This is clearly a shocking judgment. Both Priti Patel and Dominic Raab must urgently investigate why a criminal inquiry into a kidnap in Cambridge appears to have been impeded.'

The British lawyer for Princess Latifa, David Haigh told the Guardian he would be submitting the judgment to the United Nations' working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances.

'We are delighted with the judgment,' he said. 'It's vindication for everything we have been saying, vindication for Shamsa, Latifa and Haya.'

Haigh added that he and Latifa's close friend Tiina Jauhiainen were interviewed by Cambridge police in late 2019.

He said: 'It is now clear to see why Sheikh Mohammed did not want these judgments to be made available to the world. They show him as someone unfit to be in charge of children, let alone a state that is an ally of the UK.'

Now it is alleged the then foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, effectively shut down a serious criminal inquiry into a helpless girl's kidnapping

Sheikh Maktoum is pictured shaking hands with the Queen at Ascot racecourse in June 2016 alongside his ex-wife Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein

Princess Haya is pictured at the Court of Appeal with Baroness Fiona Shackleton, February 28

First the High Court, then the Appeal Court and then the Supreme Court all threw out his bid for secrecy, ruling the world should know what Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family division of the High Court, had concluded about his 'criminal' behaviour

Today's bombshell revelations come after Sheikh Maktoum lost a desperate bid to keep the case secret. He hired eight top British QCs at enormous cost but they have not been able to stop his humiliation.

First the High Court, then the Appeal Court and then the Supreme Court all threw out his bid for secrecy, ruling the world should know what Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family division of the High Court, had concluded about his 'criminal' behaviour.

In a victory for open justice, it can be revealed that the Gulf ruler's own ex-wife fought against him for the public's right to know the 'evil' secrets of the Dubai royal family.

A million Britons visit the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, each year. The 70-year-old sheikh owns Godolphin stables, a favourite of the Queen, in Newmarket, Suffolk. He and Princess Haya, 45, his sixth and youngest wife, are regulars at Royal Ascot.

Last April, Princess Haya fled in their private Boeing 737 to Britain with their children, Princess Jalila, 12, and Prince Zayed, eight. They are now holed up in an 85million mansion in central London.

The sheikh  who is worth 14billion  launched a High Court case to demand the 'summary return' of his son and daughter, but it has backfired spectacularly, with him losing his children and his wife, and his standing as an international statesman.

Oxford-educated Princess Haya mounted her own escape from Dubai after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa

Now for the first time, the alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported

Oxford-educated Princess Haya mounted her own escape from Dubai after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa.

Sir Andrew heard evidence from former Cambridgeshire Detective Chief Inspector David Beck who investigated Shamsa's abduction and had requested official permission to visit Dubai to interview her.

Charles Geekie, a QC for Princess Haya, told the High Court there was 'interference' in the police inquiry and 'a direct interest being expressed by the foreign secretary'.

The Foreign Office has since admitted it 'does hold relevant information' on the case, but claimed it 'would be likely to prejudice relations between the UK and other states if it was disclosed'.

In his ruling, Sir Andrew said: 'The allegations that the father ordered and orchestrated the kidnap and rendition to Dubai of his daughters Shamsa and Latifa are of a very high order of seriousness. I have found he continues to maintain a regime whereby both of these young women are deprived of their liberty.'

Sir Andrew said Haya wanted him to conclude Dubai had 'made representations' to the Foreign Office 'to bring an end to the investigation' but it was not possible to prove this.

The sheikh did not appear or call any witnesses during the court case, and has not appealed against the findings.

Last night he said: 'This case concerns highly personal and private matters relating to our children. The appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected. As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the court's fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a ''fact-finding'' judgment which inevitably only tells one side.'

A dramatic escape, an affair with a bodyguard and a 5.2m battle royal: How British-schooled Olympic horsewoman Haya bint al-Hussein took on her potentate husband Sheikh al-Maktoum after fleeing to the UK

It was a cloudless evening in April last year when a luxury private jet glided in to land at Farnborough airport near London.

Her Royal Highness Haya bint al-Hussein stepped off the opulently-appointed Boeing 737  and became the third princess to flee one of the worlds richest and most powerful families.

And so far Princess Haya, the glamorous 45-year-old Oxford-educated youngest wife of the ruler of Dubai, is the only one to have successfully escaped.

Disembarking into the crisp British air after the seven-hour flight from Dubai, she kept her two young children close.

Princess Haya of Jordan. The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen

Her Royal Highness Haya bint al-Hussein, the glamorous 45-year-old Oxford-educated youngest wife of the ruler of Dubai, is the third princess to flee one of the worlds richest and most powerful families

By car, they were whisked into central London where, shortly before midnight, they swept through the black iron gates of an 85million mansion in central London which she had bought in February 2018 without her husband.

The daughter of Jordans late King Hussein, Princess Haya was quite unlike any of Sheikh al-Maktoums five other wives.

Her mother, Queen Alia of Jordan, died in a helicopter crash when she was two, and she was sent to England to board at 30,000-a-year Bryanston.

She went up to Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics at St Hildas College, where she met open-minded people who were prepared to debate anything.

The princess competed in showjumping at the 2000 Olympics for her country and has been a goodwill ambassador for the UN world food programme.

The sheikh now has to suffer details being made public of his young wifes extramarital affair with her British bodyguard, former infantry soldier Russell Flowers (circled)

She also had a fun side, confessing to a penchant for raunchy Jilly Cooper novels and mixing a love of Chanel with high street clothes.

Last year the sheikh  unaware his wife was fleeing him in fear of her life  had been waiting for her and their children at his sprawling estate in Newmarket, Suffolk, one of several enormous homes the 70-year-old monarch owns in the UK. They never turned up.

Russell Flowers at Royal Ascot in June 2018

The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen.

His Godolphin stables at Newmarket are one of the worlds most successful racing organisations, and she is a racehorse owner in her own right.

It was only hours before the sheikh twigged that his young wife  once the liberal face of the monarchy in Dubai but who had drifted into an affair with her British bodyguard  had left him.

Worse, from his perspective, she had taken their daughter Princess Jalila, then 11, and son Prince Zayed, then seven.

Ensconced behind the walls of their bullet-proof London mansion, Princess Haya received a cryptic message from one of her husbands associates about a wife being slaughtered in anger.

It was part of a sinister campaign of fear and intimidation the sheikh had been waging against his young wife. The couple had not enjoyed an intimate relationship with each other for a significant period of time, according to yesterdays judgment, but it was Hayas discovering the truth about her husbands torture of his two older daughters, Shamsa and Latifa, that split them apart.

It was Hayas discovering the truth about her husbands torture of his two older daughters, Shamsa (pictured) and Latifa, that split them apart

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, June 16, 2016 in Ascot

Her husband  who once told her nothing happens here if I dont know or command it  did not welcome her interest in the princesses, she said. Twice she found a gun on her bed which she took as a death threat.

In early February last year, there was a chilling telephone conversation with the sheikh in which he cruelly suggested Zayed was a desert boy  in a few months we will take him from you, you will see.

Then in March, he told his youngest children: We dont need your mum any more, do we? The children replied: Yes we do, the court ruling revealed. Sheikh Maktoum responded: No, we dont need her.

On March 11, a helicopter landed on Hayas lawn, and one of the security guards told Zayed: Bubba is angry with Momma. He is going to send her to the jail. The princess said her young son clung to her leg with terror. It was a warning, the court heard.

Princess Haya's husband  who once told her nothing happens here if I dont know or command it  did not welcome her interest in the princesses, she said, one of whom was Latifa (pictured)

On April 15, in utter terror, Haya took her children and fled to the UK in fear of her life.

Today a team of smartly-dressed bodyguards wearing earpieces accompany her and the children everywhere, on the infrequent occasions they dare leave the safety of their mansion.

One of the former British police chiefs responsible for her protection was himself threatened by a representative of the ruler of Dubai in London.

The High Court ruling says that, despite his significant experience, the officer was seriously troubled and concerned about the threats. In public, nothing was said about the seismic rupture between two of the most powerful ruling dynasties in the Middle East and the ramifications for diplomatic relations within the region and between Britain and the United Arab Emirates.

Less than a month after her midnight flit, the fugitive princess was meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle. A month after that, in June, it was the sheikhs turn to join Her Majesty, at Royal Ascot.

But behind the scenes, a menacing domestic drama was unfolding as the sheikh  trained at Sandhurst-precursor Mons Officer Cadet School  sent an army of top-flight British lawyers to the Royal Courts of Justice in London to demand the summary return of his children. The millionaire princess recruited her own fearsome legal squad.

The lifting of the veil of secrecy shrouding the case means the details of the extraordinary marital feud have burst into the open.

Just as humiliatingly for the sheikh, he also now has to suffer details being made public of his young wifes extramarital affair with her British bodyguard, former infantry soldier Russell Flowers.

The relationship began at some stage in 2017/18. Matters did not come to a head until early 2019 when Haya claims her husband phoned her and said: I have received bad news about you. I have heard that you are sitting in the palace with the British security (a reference to the bodyguard). I am starting to doubt you.

The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen. Pictured: The sheikh and Haya at Ascot in 2012

Sir Andrew said in his ruling: The effect of this call on the mother (Haya) was chilling. She says, I was terrified.

After she fled to Britain in May that year she claimed her husband sent her a message saying: You and the children will never be safe in England.

Haya asked the High Court for, and was granted, a non-molestation order  a law designed to help victims of domestic violence.

The couples unprecedented London court clash cost 5.2million, it is estimated.

The sheikh hired Lady Helen Ward, who handled Guy Ritchies split from Madonna. On Princess Hayas side was Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, known as the Steel Magnolia, who represented the Prince of Wales in his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales.

As the case unfolded, Haya attended every hearing, flanked by flamboyantly-dressed Baroness Shackleton, and did not flinch when she climbed into the witness box to swear her oath on the Koran.

Even before his estranged wife took the stand, the sheikh was desperately looking for a way out. He had started the High Court case, but had rapidly lost control of it.

His children were formally made wards of the court, meaning all significant decisions in their lives were now in the hands of the judge.

He was apparently aghast at the prospect of being dragged into the court. As with most family court hearings, the judge wanted the father to give evidence in person.

Under no circumstances, the message came back loud and clear, was this Arab statesman going to subject himself to such a spectacle.

With reverse gears crunching, the sheikh tried to pull out of the case. It could not be reported at the time, but he completely abandoned his demand for the summary return of his children.

Yet still the case went on, with Sir Andrew refusing his permission to withdraw and making clear he still had to make findings of fact in order to inform future decisions about the childrens welfare.

During the ensuing fact-finding hearing, Hayas claims went uncontested because the sheikhs entire legal team walked out of court.

Eventually the case would backfire on the sheikh spectacularly, leading him to lose his children, his wife  and his standing as an international statesman.

How '1m' prizefighter QC fought for Dubai ruler against team led by Prince Charles's divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton in '5.2m' courtroom battle royale

The ruler of Dubai hired 'prizefighter' top QC Lord Pannick for a bumper 1million, the Daily Mail understands.

The astonishing amount for Lord Pannick QC, one of the best lawyers in Britain, was agreed when he was recruited by the ruler to revive his case.

He is one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms.

The legal costs for all sides in the case  which has involved some 17 QCs  is estimated to be 5.2million.

Lord Pannick, described in a profile in The Times as a 'prizefighting legal titan' successfully represented businesswoman Gina Miller in her Supreme Court challenge last year about the government's prolonged prorogation of parliament.

David Pannick QC arrives at the Supreme Court in central London, on the second day of the hearing into the decision by the government to prorogue parliament on September 18, 2019. He is one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire sheikh, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms

When asked to comment on claims that he was receiving a 1million fee, Lord Pannick said to the Mail: 'I never comment on my fees  whether what you have said is accurate or inaccurate.'

On the other side of the courtroom, Princess Haya, the Sheikh's ex-wife and opponent, headed her team with Charles Geekie QC, a leading family law silk, with a focus on matters involving children.

According to the Legal 500, a directory of barristers in the UK, Mr Geekie is 'renowned for his handling of extremely complex and sensitive children matters.'

'[He] routinely engages in cases relating to sexual, emotional and physical abuse,' the review adds.

Instructing Mr Geekie was Princess Haya's solicitor, Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who represented Prince Charles in his 1996 divorce of Princess Diana.

Baroness Shackleton's fees for divorce cases have been reported at over 500 per hour.

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the wife of Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and her lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton arrive at the High Court in London, Britain at the end of February

In addition to the royal divorce, Baroness Shackleton represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills in 2008, where legal bills exceeded 100,000.

One of Shackleton's former clients revealed the Baroness had charged 95,000 for advice on a child support case. The case was later dropped and the client paid his own costs.

Princess Haya, 45, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is wealthy in her own right, was in court to apply for her children to be made wards of court.

She also asked the High Court in London to make a series of findings of fact about Sheikh Mohammed, in particular in relation to the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart.

She was also applying for a forced marriage protection order in relation to Princess Jalila and a non-molestation order for her own protection.

The princess studied philosophy and economics at Oxford University and is a keen equestrian, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, who abducted and detained two of his adult daughters against their will almost two decades apart, a High Court judge has found

The mother-of-three attended almost every hearing, flanked by Baroness Shackleton and a security detail, but Sheikh Mohammed did not attend one.

Sheikh Mohammed's legal team insisted prior to the fact-finding hearing that the ruler 'could not and would not' attend to give evidence.

Lord Pannick told the court that, if the fact-finding went ahead, Sheikh Mohammed's lawyers would 'play no active part in these proceedings'.

But Sir Andrew refused to allow him to withdraw, after Mr Geekie told the court that it would not be right that 'the father's wish to avoid the scrutiny of the court should deployed in order to reduce the protection that is available to the children'.
Call 2 Worship  March 5

West Angeles Church of God in Christ plans its Spring Revival on March 15, at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., at the Cathedral, 3600 S. Crenshaw Blvd., in Los Angeles, said Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor. The revival continues on March 16-18, at 7 p.m., at the North Campus sanctuary, 3045 S. Crenshaw Blvd., in L.A. The revivalist is Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Patterson. On March 21, at 9 a.m., the Brotherhood Organization presents Super Saturday. Bishop Charles Blake, Sr., Earvin Magic Johnson, Princeton Parker and Romell Witherspoon will discuss transitional career paths, personal financial planning and money management, overcoming challenges and conflicts to move to success, and more. Visit westa.org for details.

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First United Methodist Church of Compton offers fish dinners available every Friday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 1025 S. Long Beach Blvd., in Compton, said Pastor Arnetha Inge. The United Methodist Men sponsors the event. A choice of catfish or red snapper is offered, along with side dishes, for a donation of $10. For information or pre-orders, call (310) 678-0875.

AME Community Lenten Caravan, hosted by eight AME churches, continues on March 18, at 7 p.m., at Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church, 3719 W. Slauson Ave., in Los Angeles, said the Rev. Dr. Mary S. Minor, host pastor. The Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell, pastor of First AME  Pasadena, will deliver the sermon. To learn more, call (323) 296-5610.

PrayerCare America presents Heal Your Life on March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Life Enrichment Ministries, 823 Manchester Ave., in Los Angeles, said Dr. Cheryl Y. Price, founder. Heal Your Life offers prayer to boost and correct our bodys natural healing systems, as well as education in natural healing modalities, self-care practices, and preventative health care. To learn more, email [email protected]

Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre holds a special Shabbat service on March 20, at 8 p.m., at 8440 Wilshire Blvd., in Beverly Hills, said Rabbi David Baron. The event will address anti-Semitism and racism in our society and how to unite as communities of faith. The City of Refuges Spirit of David gospel choir, directed by Patrick Bolton and Greater Zion Church Familys Voices of Destiny will perform. The public is invited to attend. For details, call (323) 658-9100.

Walking in the Spirit Ministries of Norwalk, CA celebrates its 12th anniversary on March 22, at 11 a.m., at the Doubletree Hotels Vinter Room, 13111 Sycamore Drive in Norwalk, said Pastors Tim and Leshia Brooks. Free breakfast will be served. For information, email [email protected]

The Company International sponsors the 9th Annual Womens Empowerment Conference opens March 26 to March 28, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa. Apostle Beverly Bam Crawford, TCI founder/president and pastor of Bible Enrichment Fellowship International in Inglewood, and Gabrianna Crawford, TCI vice president who also performs as the artist, Punky G, will host the event. The theme is Personal Signature: Making My Peace With Me. The presenters include Dr. Jeshana Avent-Johnson, Dr. Kristi Funk, nutritionist Jayme Sachii, and entrepreneur Darlyn Turner. For registration and more information, call (310) 863-1907 or visit thecompanyinternational.com.

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Sally Bell Mentor Group observes the 24th anniversary of April is Poetry Month with an essay and poetry competition. The contest takes place throughout April and features cash prizes. The deadline for submissions is April 30. For rules and entry form, email [email protected].
VIENNA - OPEC and key ally Russia failed to agree Friday on a cut to oil production that would have contained the plunge in the price of crude caused by the new coronavirus outbreak's massive disruption to world business.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Austrian rescue personnel checks the body temperature of persons before a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and non OPEC members at their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Friday, March 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

VIENNA - OPEC and key ally Russia failed to agree Friday on a cut to oil production that would have contained the plunge in the price of crude caused by the new coronavirus outbreak's massive disruption to world business.

The price of oil fell sharply in international markets as a result, with the international benchmark plunging 9.4%, down by a third since the start of the year.

While cheaper oil will translate into more affordable energy for consumers and businesses, it hurts producing countries and companies. Thousands of workers have already been laid off in the U.S. oil patch.

The unraveling of the talks in Vienna also underscores the limited power of the cartel to influence world energy markets, unlike its heyday in the 1970s. The United States recently became the world's biggest oil producer and keeps on pumping at full capacity.

The 14 OPEC countries had wanted to cut output by 1.5 million barrels a day, or about 1.5% of world production. OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran say they need non-member allies like Russia to take 500,000 barrels of that cut on themselves.

Russia, however, proved reluctant and OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo of Nigeria said Friday that the meeting had been adjourned.

At the end of the day, there was the general painful decision of the joint conference to adjourn the meeting, Barkindo said. He said informal talks would continue because the situation was urgent.

The numbers are clear: The demand destruction is real, he said.

Barkindo said one or two non-OPEC countries at the talks Friday had been reluctant to agree to the proposed cuts.

Russia and other non-OPEC countries have been working with the cartel in recent years and agreed on earlier cuts. However, Russia can tolerate low oil prices better than Saudi Arabia can and appears reluctant to slash output of its main revenue-making export.

While Saudi Arabia can produce oil cheaply, it needs $83.60 per barrel to balance its state budget, according to the International Monetary Fund, as it is almost exclusively dependent on oil revenue. Russia needs only $42.40 a barrel.

Analysts say OPEC may struggle to keep oil prices from falling further, particularly as the full impact of the virus outbreak on the global economy has yet to be understood.

There is still too much uncertainty regarding the amount of demand destruction, analysts at research firm Petromatrix said in a note to investors.

The spread of the coronavirus has sharply reduced air travel and thus the demand for fuel, while industry in China, the world's second largest economy, has been severely disrupted through shutdowns and travel restrictions. German airline Lufthansa said Friday it and its subsidiaries will reduce their capacity over the coming weeks to as little as 50% of the level before the coronavirus crisis started.

Some economists think the global economy may shrink in the first quarter for the first time since the financial crisis, sapping demand for energy.

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The international benchmark for crude oil fell $4.72 to settle at $45.27 a barrel on Friday. It had been trading over $50 in recent days, and is down from $69 as recently as early January, before the outbreak.

The U.S. benchmark WTI plunged $4.62, or 10.1%, to settle at $41.28 a barrel. With oil under $50 a barrel, U.S. producers, including oil giants such as Exxon, are scaling back drilling as their profits get hit. The oil patch has already been shedding thousands of jobs and suffering through a surge of bankruptcies, and lower prices will exacerbate those problems.

Barkindo said OPEC was determined to avoid a repeat of the big market slump that began in 2014, when the cartel held off production cuts in order to not lose market share to a resurgent U.S. oil industry. That led to a fall in the price of oil from over $100 a barrel to below $40 by 2015.

Even if OPEC and its allies agree on a production cut in the coming days or weeks, analysts say prices are unlikely to rise much. That's because the global economy is slowing rapidly. But also because the the U.S., which is not part of OPEC and unlike Russia does not co-operate in its output decisions, has ramped up in recent years, flooding the market and keeping prices down.

___

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany. AP Business Writer Cathy Bussewitz contributed from New York.
By Laman Ismayilova

Women all over the world celebrate International Women's Day on March 8.

Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, it is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of all women.

The idea of celebration came from German activist Clara Zetkin at an International Conference of women-socialists, held in Copenhagen.

The conference was attended by 100 women from 17 countries. They agreed on her suggestion unanimously.

The day was first celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

Today, International Women's Day is widely celebrated in many countries, including Azerbaijan.

The day started to be marked in Azerbaijan since 1917. Moreover, Azerbaijan was the first country in the East that provided women with the right to vote.

Today, Azerbaijani women play a major place in modern society and are closely involved in the country's political economic, cultural and other areas.

The State Committee on Family, Women and Childrens Problems was established in Azerbaijan in 1998.

In close cooperation with NGO Alliance for Children Rights, the committee has worked on combating domestic violence in the democratic society, an education campaign conducted among the children needed in special care for prevention of violence human trafficking, exploitation of children labor, early marriages, etc.

The theme of International Womens Day 2020 is, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Womens Rights. The theme is aligned with UN Womens new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The theme is focused on equal pay, sharing of unpaid care and domestic work and equal participation in political life and in decision-making in all areas of life.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
When Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis was sworn in to Washington's Supreme Court earlier this month, she became the second Native American person to serve on a state Supreme Court.

"This was never something I really planned on or expected to happen," Montoya-Lewis tells Kveller via phone from her offices in Olympia.

Upon hearing of her appointment by Gov. Jay Inslee, her reaction was "disbelief," she says. You see, Montoya-Lewis never intended to be a lawyer or a judge.

"My intention when I went to law school was to study how institutions impact people," she says. "The law was something that I looked at as being an institution that had incredibly widespread impact. My goal was to be a professor rather than be a lawyer."

Montoya-Lewis was born in Spain in 1968 to a Native American father and an Australian-Jewish mother. Growing up, the importance of education was instilled in her by her parents.

"From both sides of my family, [there is] a very heavy emphasis on the importance of education, which is something that has really been the key to my ability to do what I've done," she says. "To take my education seriously, and to be able to go to college and beyond that has absolutely been foundational to my success.

"I think that [my] story is an unusual story and also a very American story," she explains. "My father grew up in the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico, and joined the Air Force as a means of being able to go to college. He never really had a plan of staying in the Air Force long term, but that was what he ended up doing. He loved the military."

Due to her father's career, the family moved around. Some of the stops: Spain, England, Texas and South Carolina. But they always returned to New Mexico to the family's reservation for important times in her life. Her father retired when she was a junior in high school, and they moved to New Mexico permanently. (He passed away about 14 years ago.)

Moving to New Mexico "was an opportunity for me to really connect with my Native community," she says. "Growing up, I had a lot of connection with my culturally Jewish heritage from my mother's side of the family."

Montoya-Lewis sees an overlap of her Jewish and Native identities-namely, persistence and resilience, which is something she hopes to transmit to her own children, ages 14 and 17.

"On both sides of my family, governments, other entities, really sought to wipe us out," she says. "My father really instilled in me the importance of recognizing that I came from people who persisted, people who were lucky enough to survive, and that my existence is dependent upon those people's persistence and resilience. That's something I hope I pass on to my own children. I hope they pass it on to their [children] because that's a very important concept for both the Jewish side of my family and the Native side of my family."

As it happens, there are very few Native American Jewish people.

"I have met maybe three others," Montoya-Lewis says. "So I certainly can't call that number a community. But we do exist, and I think that those communities have a lot in common with respect to those awful histories and those powerful histories of survival."

Her favorite Jewish tradition is displaying the menorah in the window at Hanukkah.

"There's a lot of power in the menorah in the window," she says. "I really felt that strongly this past holiday season. After the horrible events in New York, I really felt it was really important to be visible in that way. I like the idea of having a presence that says that we're still here."

And her favorite Pueblo tradition is at "the essence of what it means to be Native," as she calls it: a feast day.

"On those days, many homes are open to anyone-not just tribal members-who can come in, and sit at what are typically very long tables set up in the biggest room of the house, and take a seat and eat with everyone else. It's been my experience over my life when I've done that, that you are always sitting with people you don't know, and often in houses where you don't know the people who are feeding you," Montoya-Lewis says. "That tradition, to me, is kind of the essence of what it means to be Native: Our homes are open, our hearts are open and we feed people. The spirit of that is something that's very important to me."

Her judicial career began with her own tribe. Montoya-Lewis graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1992, then she earned a master's degree in social work. After graduating, however, she quickly started her judicial career.

"I was asked by my own tribe to hear one case, a very complex civil litigation case that the tribal court didn't have a judge with my kind of legal training to hear it," she recalls. "It was really advised by my father, as well as Justice Pamela Minzner, the justice I had clerked for right after law school and before I started practicing law, that I needed more time to be a lawyer before I became a judge. And that was good advice.

"But I didn't take that advice," she adds, laughing. "I chose to do it anyway."

It started out with just one case, then another, and eventually being a tribal judge became a consistent part of Montoya-Lewis' work.

While working as a tribal judge, Montoya-Lewis also taught at the University of New Mexico Law School. She then ended up in Washington as a professor at Western Washington University.

"I, again, didn't really have any intention to continue being a judge," she says. But soon enough, in Washington, she served as a chief judge for the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, as well as an appellate judge for the Nisqually Tribe and the Northwest Intertribal Court System.

It is rare for tribal judges to enter the state and federal court systems. In fact, she says, "It's completely atypical."

According to Montoya-Lewis, there are only a handful of state court judges who are Native Americans, and "maybe one other" who worked for tribes then moved to the state court system. And in the federal court system, Montoya-Lewis named the two other Native people she knows of currently working: Diane Humetewa, a U.S. District Judge who is currently in Arizona, and Anne McKeig, a justice in Minnesota who has Native heritage and is currently on the Minnesota State Supreme Court. (Michael Burrage, a member of the Choctaw nation, served as a federal judge from 1994 to 2001.)

"And then there's me," Montoya-Lewis says.

"When I applied for appointment to Superior Court-which is the trial level in Washington state where we do civil trials and criminal felony trials, among other things-there really was no example that I could see in the country of someone having had a career working for tribes and tribal courts making the leap to the state court side," she says. (Montoya-Lewis served on the Whatcom County Superior Court from 2015 until she started on Washington's Supreme Court in January.) "It was not something I ever expected to happen because I think it really took some courage and vision on the part of Governor Inslee, who made [my] initial appointment to Superior Court, to imagine that not only that I could do it, but that the community I was going to work with would recognize I was capable of doing that work."

Montoya-Lewis had no role models when she moved from the tribal court system to the state courts. But now her career is paving the way for others to follow.

"When I've looked for my own role models and people I wanted to model my career after, it certainly took some imagination and some leaps of faith," she says. "I'm hopeful that what I'm doing will be an example, but I also think it's important that I am actually out there actively mentoring people who are interested in this path, who think that there is not a way for them."

Montoya-Lewis is acutely aware of the struggles facing many Native Americans in the judicial system. While Native judges are rare, Native Americans are "disproportionately represented on every level of the criminal justice system," she says. In her new role, she is continuing her commitment to justice for all.

"Before you called, I was downstairs by the Supreme Court courtroom, and there was a classroom of third- or fourth-graders, getting a lesson on the way the court system works," Montoya-Lewis says. "It gives me hope that those kids will see themselves as having any courthouse in their own communities as being a place where they belong. What gives me hope is that there are many doors that are opening that have been closed."

This story originally appeared on Kveller.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Saturday will launch a two-day mega drive for release of compensation to victims of the Delhi violence, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

The government wants the verification exercise at the earliest so that victims get compensation as soon as possible, Sisodia told a press conference.

The drive will be headed by six senior IAS officers, he said.

Sisodia said that the government has so far received around 1,700 compensation forms.

Earlier in the day, Sisodia and Environment Minister Gopal Rai visited northeast Delhi's Idgah area in Mustfabad and interacted with locals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 02:20:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here are the latest developments:

-- Some vaccines against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are expected to enter clinical trials by mid-April or even earlier. Chinese scientists are racing to carry out scientific and technological breakthroughs in epidemic prevention and control by adopting five technological approaches, Ding Xiangyang, deputy secretary-general of the State Council, said Friday.

-- About 827,000 people who returned to Beijing from an extended Lunar New Year holiday are currently undergoing a 14-day home observation. Zhang Tongjun, deputy head of the city's epidemic control office, said the city's anti-epidemic battle has entered a critical and also difficult period as pressure from coronavirus spreading from both outside and within Beijing is still high.

A total of 161,000 property management staffers and security guards are on duty for grassroots prevention and control around the clock. The municipal government has dispatched 842,000 masks, 27,000 thermometers and 4,350 items of protective gear to aid the fight at community and village levels citywide.

-- China has expanded and optimized the utilization of drugs and therapies in the treatment of the COVID-19 to block the conversion of mild cases to severe cases and save critically ill patients.

Tocilizumab, with the common brand name Actemra, has been included in China's latest version of diagnosis and treatment guidelines on COVID-19. Currently, the drug is under clinical trials in 14 hospitals in Wuhan.

-- Researchers in China's Shenzhen have observed the appearance of the novel coronavirus after inactivation using frozen electron microscopy and captured the intermediate state of the virus infecting host cells.

-- Nearly 90 research institutes, associations, theme parks and resorts, and travel companies from both home and abroad teamed up Friday to form a cooperation mechanism in a bid to revive the epidemic-hit tourism industry in China.

Initiated by the China Travel Academy, China Tourist Attractions Association and China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the newly established mechanism called for strengthened epidemic-control measures while resuming operation, timely exchange of information and mutual assistance between all its members.

-- Mi Feng, an official with the National Health Commission, said Friday that China must not relax its vigilance or lower the level of work in epidemic prevention and control as the number of imported cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increases.

The Chinese mainland reported 17 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday outside Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Of them, 16 cases, including 11 in Gansu, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai, were from outside the mainland. By the end of Thursday, 36 imported cases had been reported.

-- Beijing is seeking legal safeguards to promote public-spirited behaviors and deter bad habits through regulations. Basic etiquette like covering one's nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask when diagnosed with flu or respiratory diseases and obeying regulations prohibiting the consumption and trade of wildlife are likely to rise to legal norms.

-- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has downgraded its emergency response toward the novel coronavirus outbreak. The regional government lowered the local emergency response from the top level to the second level, which will enter effect on Saturday. Certain areas will be managed under the requirements of the third level.

-- More than 90 percent of self-employed business owners have resumed work in south China's Guangdong Province, which has the largest number of individual industrial and commercial businesses in the country, with about 7.1 million self-employed people.

-- A total of 143 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 30 deaths were reported on Thursday on the Chinese mainland. Among the deaths, 29 were in Hubei Province and one in Hainan Province.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,552 by the end of Thursday, including 23,784 patients who were still being treated, 53,726 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 3,042 people who had died of the disease.

-- Three Chinese medical experts from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan on Wednesday shared their experiences treating the novel coronavirus disease with their Italian peers who made inquiries on a video call.

Enrico Ammirati, a cardiologist in the department of anesthesia and ICU of Niguarda Hospital, raised questions concerning the criterion of wards, treatment schemes of cytokine storm and COVID-19, as well as protection of medics.

-- The Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Thursday called for local legislations that fit the actual situations of corresponding places to curb the COVID-19.

Local legislatures should listen to the suggestions from professional personnel and the public to improve the quality of legislation, said the commission.
Opec ministers have taken a high-risk gamble, recommending a large production cut to offset the hit on demand caused by the coronavirus, without first overcoming Russian opposition first.

The cartel members tried to paint Moscow into a corner, warning that if Russia does not join them in reducing production by 1.5 million barrels a day, Opec would not act at all - an outcome that would almost guarantee a crash in oil prices.

If Russian oil minister Alexander Novak doesn't accept the proposal today "there will be no deal", his Iranian counterpart, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, said yesterday.

The ultimatum is unprecedented since Saudi Arabia, Russia and nearly two dozen other nations created the Opec+ alliance in 2016 to collectively manage oil supply.

The risk for the Saudis is that if the gamble backfires, Riyadh has more to lose because it needs higher oil prices to fund its budget than Russia does.

Bloomberg
KABUL -- Gunmen have opened fire at a ceremony in Kabul, killing at least 32 people in the first major attack in the Afghan capital since the United States and Taliban agreed to a troop withdrawal.

The Health Ministry said that 58 people were also wounded in the March 6 attack, which was claimed by Islamic State (IS) militants, according to the extremist group's Amaq news agency.



Five women were among those killed in the attack targeting a memorial marking the anniversary of the death of a Shi'ite leader that was attended by several high-level officials, including Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who escaped unharmed.



IS militants, who see Shi'a as heretics, claimed responsibility for a similar assault at the same memorial last year.



The Interior Ministry said the March 6 attack triggered sporadic clashes between special police forces and gunmen in the area. "Three terrorists" were killed and the area was "cleared," it later said.

The IS group said two brothers had targeted the gathering with machine guns, hand grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades.



Police said gunfire had erupted from a construction site near the event.



The Taliban, which signed a deal with the United States last week aimed at putting an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan, immediately denied responsibility for the assault.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attack unacceptable" and said that "those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable," according to spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"The attack is an inhuman crime against the national unity of Afghanistan," President Ashraf Ghani said on Twitter.

"The security forces will deal decisively with the culprits of this event," he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that Washington "condemns in the strongest terms today's despicable" attack.



"Attacking the innocent and defenseless at a memorial event is a sign of weakness, not a show of strength. Our thoughts are with victims and their families, as well as the brave Afghan security forces who defended against the terrorists," he said.

The attendees had been commemorating the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed in 1995 after being taken prisoner by the militants.

Abdullah, runner-up in the last three Afghan presidential elections, has served as chief executive of a coalition government since 2014. He has disputed all three election losses.

With reporting by Reuters,AFP, and Tolo News
John Gillooly

Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named John Gillooly, senior vice president of data + analytics. Gillooly comes to H+K from Athena Global Advisors, where he served as managing director. He was previously vice president, strategic planning, analytics & research at Voce Communications and senior manager, digital analytics at MSLGROUP. As part of his new position, Gillooly joins H+Ks New York-based Innovation + Creative Hub, a team of specialists that works alongside client leads. Johns wealth of data experience and his passion for technology will bring fresh thinking to this function, further fueling our growth in the U.S., said H+K global president Richard Millar.

Rebecca Gardy

Campbell Soup Company has appointed Rebecca Gardy as vice president, investor relations, effective March 30. Gardy joins Campbell from financial tech company GreenSky, where she was senior vice president, investor relations, public relations and corporate communications. She previously served as investor relations officer for SecureWorks, a Dell Technologies company, and senior director of global investor relations at Nike. In her new post, Gardy will lead Campells investor relations function and serve as the primary liaison between the company and the investment community.

Heather Rowe Armstrong

Arcus Biotherapeutics has brought on Heather Rowe Armstrong as vice president of investor relations and corporate communications. Armstrong joins the company from Dynavax Technologies, where she also held the position of vice president, investor relations and corporate communications. She has also served as senior director of investor relations and corporate communications at Five Prime Therapeutics and held positions in investor relations and communications at KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Allos Therapeutics and Janus Capital Group. In her new post, Armstrong will be responsible for communicating Arcutis business objectives and accomplishments to all key stakeholders.

Maria Meadows

Model B has added Maria Meadows to its executive leadership team as partner and president. Meadows joins Model B from Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK, where she most recently served as division president, strategic accounts. In her new post, she will be tasked with helping the agencys executive team advance its core technologies while also working with clients on growth and influence initiatives. Model B co-founder and partner Abtin Buergari cited her ability to use digital marketing technology to deepen an organizations influence.
Its no secret that state judges generally get the kid-glove treatment from Louisiana lawmakers, in no small measure because so many legislators are lawyers. The kumbaya between leges and jurists may be ending, however  and if it is, judges will only have some of their own to blame.

The list of errant judges in the news recently is not long, but it is eye-catching.

Assumption Parish Judge Jessie LeBlanc resigned Feb. 27 after admitting that she used a racial slur in text messages with her estranged lover, a former top Assumption Parish sheriffs deputy. In an acrid resignation letter, LeBlanc played the victim card; she alleged a smear campaign by the local District Attorneys office over her rulings against prosecutors.

+2 Clancy DuBos: Tort reform, wages among the fights brewing in upcoming legislative session More than a third of legislators will be brand new when the Louisiana Legislature convenes March 9.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III recently became the subject of a complaint to the Judiciary Commission because of an allegation that he offered money to a former Hammond city councilman to switch sides in last years special election to the Supreme Court. Hughes acknowledged visiting the councilman but denied offering him money.

Judges are barred from discussing pending or impending cases as well as from getting involved in politics (other than having to run for office). If judges could talk publicly about LeBlanc and Hughes, theyd no doubt say those two are outliers  and by all accounts theyd be correct. Thats beside the point, however, when it comes to public perception, which brings us to the budding showdown between the judicial and legislative branches.

In the wake of stories about the secrecy surrounding complaints against Hughes while he was a district judge, the Louisiana Judiciary Commission proposed several changes to its confidentiality rules. Some lawmakers feel the commission isnt doing enough.

Clancy DuBos: Hard Rock Hotel disaster spawns multiple scandals Two building inspectors tasked with checking work at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel are suspended.

State Rep. Jerome Zeringue and state Sen. Jay Morris have introduced bills in the legislative session that begins next week to give the public significantly greater access to information about unruly judges. If passed into law, their proposed legislation would trigger a constitutional showdown over the separation of powers.

Let me disclose now that Im a lawyer, though I havent actively practiced in more than a decade. That said, I feel comfortable opining that if theres going to be a fight over the separation of powers, one side is holding all the trump cards: the Supreme Court.

Not just because of the doctrine of judicial review, but also because the Louisiana Constitution specifically empowers the high court  not the Legislature  to police judges.

On the other hand, legislators are not constrained from speaking out about judges behaving badly  and many Louisiana judges have to run for re-election in November.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove disputed allegations that Justice Jeff Hughes III had a conflict of interest in a hotly contested domestic case while he was a district judge in 1999.
Weather Alert

SUB-ZERO WIND CHILLS LATE TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING Wind chills of near 0 to 10 below zero are likely late tonight into Tuesday morning. This will be from temperatures around 5 to 10 degrees across the interior areas combined with northwest winds of around 10 to 15 mph. For coastal areas, this will be from temperatures around 10 degrees combined with northwest winds of around 15 to 20 mph. If you need to be outside, be prepared for the wind and cold, and dress in layers and wear a hat, heavy coat, as well as gloves or mittens. Frostbite can occur in a short amount of time, so dress in layers and make sure all exposed skin is protected.
Customs agencies are still not properly screening travelers arriving in the US from coronavirus hot-spot countries Italy, Iran and South Korea, with scores of passengers saying they're able to saunter through major airports like JFK and LAX.

On March 1, President Trump vowed that anyone returning from 'high risk countries' would be screened both before they boarded planes and once they had returned to the US.

On Monday, Vice President Pence said: 'Anyone traveling on a direct flight to the United States of America receives multiple screenings at all airports in Italy and South Korea.'

But the CDC is only insisting on screening passengers who arrive in the country from China and Iran.

As the death toll in the US reached 14 on Friday, many travelers took to Twitter to share stories about returning to America from the high risk countries with minimal to no screening.

Many said the only question they were asked was if they had traveled recently to China.

In addition to fears over how flights are being screened, there is growing criticism of the federal government's response to testing.

Some passengers are reporting being able to walk through customs without being screened after returning from hot spot corona-virus countries. Above, a passenger arriving at JFK from a flight from China earlier this week

As the death toll in the US reached 14 on Friday, many travelers took to Twitter to share stories about returning to America from the high risk countries with minimal to no screening

The FDA is yet to approve a test that would be able to tell a person if they had the virus or not within 15 minutes.

It is a US test that has been developed by a private company and is already being used in Japan, but is yet to pass grade here.

A Vice News journalist said she was able to walk through customs at JFK without being questioned despite having traveled to Milan and Lombardy - the center of the outbreak in Italy - to report on it.

'I just landed at JFK after reporting on #coronavirus in Milan and Lombardy the epicenter of Italys outbreak for Vice News. I walked right through US customs.

'They didnt ask me where in Italy I went or if I came into contact with sick people. They didnt ask me anything,' she said.

She added that she was now following CDC guidelines, which dictate that anyone who has just returned from Italy must stay home for 14 days.

On Friday morning, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House coronavirus expert, said what was being reported about screening in airports was not what was meant to be happening.

'I don't know hat happened there but that does not sound like it's the way it should have been,' he said, referring to the Vice journalist who was able to arrive back from Milan without questions or screening.

Passengers from China and Iran are being screened, but the CDC is still insisting on others on flights from Italy, South Korea and Japan being tested before they get on planes - and it's unclear if that is happening

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House's expert on the disease , said people from flights from northern Italy ought to be being tested

15-minute coronavirus test being used in China, Italy and Japan  but NOT the UK or US because health officials haven't approved it yet A 15-minute coronavirus blood test is not being used in the UK, despite China, Italy and Japan diagnosing patients with it. The test, which takes a blood droplet from a finger prick, allegedly shows the severity of coronavirus infection in a patient even if they don't show symptoms. Results are displayed in a similar fashion to those of an at-home pregnancy test within minutes and could potentially save delays in diagnosis. Currently, swab tests used by Public Health England take 24 to 48 hours to be read by a specialist in a lab. In that time, suspected patients could be spreading germs to other people. BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field PHE confirmed they were not using the advanced blood test because it was not accurate enough, and are hoping to develop their own. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also yet to approve it. A former PHE strategist said he was 'not confident' the test could produce correct results and is therefore unlikely to be rolled out. However, the method was desirable. A small study by Biomedomics showed the test produced a correct response 80 per cent of the time. On March 5, BioMedomics claimed its 'quick and easy' test was ready and being used in South Korea, Japan, Italy, China and some countries in the Middle East. The BioMedomics test - called COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test - takes a human finger-prick or venous blood sample. It can be read similarly to a pregnancy test, with one line for a negative test, two signifying it's positive for either early or late antibodies, and three when the sample is positive for both A blood sample is collected, inserted into the reader, a buffer is combined, and results come back within 15 minutes, the company claims After the sample of blood is collected, a technician injects it into the analysis device - which is about the size of an Apple TV or Roku remote - along with some buffer, and waits 15 minutes. Results are displayed in a similar fashion to those of an at-home pregnancy test. But instead of a 'yes' or 'no' answer, it can reveal at what stage of disease the infected person is at. One line means negative, two lines in a spread-out configuration means the sample contains antibodies that the body starts making shortly after infection Two lines closer together mean the person is positive for the later-stage antibodies, and three lines mean the patient is positive for both types of antibodies. Advertisement

Trump said on Sunday that passengers would be screened if they arrive back from high risk countries

'Well obviously, first of all, the flights that come in from Northern Italy need to get screened. Particularly, flights from northern Italy are very tightly screened,' he added.

But the CDC has not mandated for people from Italy, South Korea or Japan to be checked once they land back in the US.

Instead, they are relying on passengers being checked in the departure country.

Passengers arriving back in Atlanta from South Korea and Italy are not being screened, nor are passengers at Chicago O'Hare Airport. according to NBC and CBS.

JFK pointed to a travel advisory which said she should have had her temperature checked in Italy, where no one will be able to board with a temperature of 99 degrees or more.

But it's unclear whether people's temperatures are being taken before they get on the flights, or even how effective it would be. One group of friends recently returned from a ski trip in Italy to the US and 15 of them now have the virus.

Not all of them have symptoms.

Others said they were able to enter the country from Iran without being questioned or having their temperature checked.

There are now 267 confirmed cases of the virus in the US, including 14 people who have died

'My moms friend just came back from Iran. At LAX she asked if she needed to be tested for corona virus. They asked her if she had a fever. She said no.

'So they let her pass through. Hearing many other similar stories about people coming from Iran,' Arash Karami said.

The CDC has not included Japan on its list of high risk countries, but New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has.

On Thursday, he asked all New Yorkers who had returned 'recently' from one of the five countries to self-quarantine as a precaution.

But it remains unclear how he or anyone else in federal government intends to enforce such self-quarantine.

It is also unclear what lengths customs agents are going to to determine whether or not people arriving back from China and Iran actually have the virus.

On Thursday, a health official who joined de Blasio at a press conference about the issue said passengers were being issued information pamphlets with a phone number on it that they should call if they start experiencing symptoms.

The official said no one had yet called.

On its website, the CDC says it has banned any foreign national who is coming to the US on flights from Iran or China.

A US citizen, lawful resident and their families will be 'redirected to one of 11 airports to undergo health screening.'

'Depending on their health and travel history, they will have some level of restrictions on their movements for 14 days from the time they left China or Iran,' the guidance says.

It is unknown just how many flights are still arriving in the US from China and Iran every day, let alone from Italy, South Korea and Japan.

WHAT IS TAKING THE US SO LONG TO TEST PATIENTS FOR CORONAVIRUS?

Within days of shipping its tests, several states reported that the CDC's diagnostic was returning 'inconclusive' results. The agency was forced to re-make one of the test components are reissue kits.

Even since the CDC started to address this issue, delays have continued.

US officials previously promised a million tests could be run by the end of this week, but Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar admitted 'we currently have capacity to send tests for 15,000 people' on Thursday.

Vice President Pence reiterated the woe of US doctors Thursday, but said that the US has tested the patients it absolutely needs to.

'We dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward,' he admitted after a meeting with 3M, which is expected to help ramp up mask production.

'For those that we believe have been exposed, for those who are showing symptoms, weve been able to provide the testing.

The US coronavirus task force promised Monday that, by the end of the week, about a million coronavirus tests would be available.

Now, it's clear that goal won't be nearly met.

Secretary Azar explained Thursday the three steps that stand in the way to broader, faster testing.

He said that even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself developed a test, it had to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before distributing it.

That request was submitted February 3 and approved February 4.

The CDC didn't start shipping its first batch of tests until February 6.

Shortly after those tests arrived to labs, it was discovered a reagent was flawed, forcing the CDC to reissue the test.

Right now, doctors have to call in to one of just over 70 labs in the US, describe the patient they suspect may have coronavirus, get approval for a test to be sent to them, then test the patient, and send the kit back to one of those 70 labs.

On Saturday, the FDA gave approval for other states, companies and research institutions to make their own coronavirus tests to expedite increase the number of people who can be tested.

CDC's own manufacturer, IDT, is ramping up production, and Azar thinks that they'll distribute enough kits to test about 75,000 people for the virus.

With the addition of outside tests, Azar estimated that enough tests will be sent out to screen about 400,000 people - because two of the nearly one million tests to be shipped have to be used to test each patient under current guidelines.

He thinks that will happen by the end of the weekend.

But even then, it could be 'a week, a week-and-a-half, two weeks' before they are 'up and running.'

Data to allow the CDC to 'validate' the tests has to be sent within 15 days of when these labs started administering them.

So far, University of Washington scientists have begun using their own test, and is running samples 24-hours a day.

They believe they'll soon be processing some 1,000 samples each day.

New York state - where at least 22 people now have coronavirus - as well as partner labs at Northwell Health and Stonybrook are now working on their own test, as well. New York was the first state to get authorization to start distributing its test.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has quickly created an entire public testing lab network across the US to help the state - where so far four positive tests have been confirmed - to help expedite the process.

He said so far half of the labs spread across 10 US cities are functional and ready to begin testing.
T he first person in the UK to die after testing positive for coronavirus caught the deadly illness in Britain, it is believed.

Reported to be a woman in her 70s, they had underlying health conditions and had been "in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, health officials said.

The patient was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday and was diagnosed. They are thought to have caught the virus in the UK, said the country's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty.

The death came on a day of several key developments. The number of UK cases of Covid-19 surged to 116 - more than double the total 48 hours earlier - and Downing Street warned it was "highly likely" the virus would spread "in a significant way".

Professor Chris Whitty talks to the Health Select Committee about the coronavirus covid-19 outbreak / Parliament TV

Health chiefs said people diagnosed with coronavirus who show only "very minimal" symptoms should self-isolate at home rather than in hospital.

New advice was also issued to travellers returning to the UK from Italy, which has become the epicentre of the outbreak in Europe. Those who have returned from anywhere in the country are now being advised to self-isolate if they develop symptoms of the killer virus.

Following the news of the UK death, Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his sympathy to the family of the patient, while Prof Whitty, said he was "very sorry" to report the news.

He added: "We believe they contracted the virus in the UK and contact tracing is already under way."

PM expresses sympathy as first person in the UK dies after positive coronavirus test

Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die from the virus.

At a press conference on Thursday evening, Prof Whitty revealed that 18 people have so far recovered from coronavirus in the UK and 45 people are being treated at home.

"We have moved to a situation where people have very minimal symptoms and we think they are clinically safe and they are able to self-isolate, we think it is actually safer for them as well as more pleasant if they can self-isolate in their own homes," he said.

"Anybody who needs hospitalisation will be hospitalised."

He had earlier warned that critical care beds in the NHS could come under intense pressure during a coronavirus epidemic, and told MPs the UK had mainly moved to the delay stage of tackling the virus, which could include measures such as school closures, encouraging greater home working, and reducing the number of large-scale gatherings.

But the PM stressed it was important not to "fire your shots too early" in escalating measures to tackle the illness.

"In something like this, what the scientists say is you've got a range of things that you can do to arrest or check the spread of a disease," he said.

"But you can't fire your shots too early, it's all about the timing and the progression."

He added: "The situation is pretty much as it has been in the sense that we are still in the contain phase, though now our scientists and medical advisers are making preparations for the delay phase."

An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of the Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures in Northern Ireland / PA

Meanwhile, Government advice was updated to urge people who have returned to the UK in the past fortnight from any part of Italy - rather than just the northern regions - to call 111 or self-isolate if they feel unwell.

Those who have returned from "lockdown" areas in northern Italy in the past 14 days are advised to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms.

A total of 25 new cases in England were announced on Thursday - 17 of whom had recently travelled from countries or clusters already under investigation, and eight of whom contracted the virus in the UK.

One more case was confirmed in Wales, while three more were reported in Scotland.

Giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee, Prof Whitty said it would be "lucky" to get a vaccine for Covid-19 in the next year, but it would "not get us out of a hole now", although other treatments may work.

He acknowledged that people needing oxygen would stretch the health service, and said some "things may be considerably less well done" during the peak of an epidemic.

Half of all coronavirus cases in the UK are most likely to occur in just a three-week period, with 95% of them over a nine-week period, he said.

Prof Whitty said he had a "reasonably high degree of confidence" that 1 per cent is at the "upper limit" of the mortality rate for coronavirus, although Wuhan in China, which has a weaker health system, had seen an 8 per cent to 9 per cent mortality rate for those aged 80 and over.

Elderly people should not self-isolate yet, he added, and neither should those with conditions such as asthma, saying there was no evidence of "deep harm" in children with asthma.
BETHALTO  Two awards recently have been presented to 1st MidAmerica Credit Union for extending cyber security efforts to members.

The Louise Herring Award was presented by the Illinois Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association for putting the credit union philosophy of people helping people into action.
At CES 2020, a point cloud taken with SiLCs 4D+ Vision Chip detects a rooftop security camera post at 190m and a lamp post at 250 meters.

SiLC Technologies, Inc., a Monrovia, Calif.-based developer of integrated single-chip FMCW LiDAR solutions, closed a $12m seed funding round.

The round was led by Dell Technologies Capital, with participation from Decent Capital, ITIC Ventures, and several angel investors.

The company will use the funding to scale its R&D and operations to develop its frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) silicon photonic 4D+ Vision Chip platform.

Founded in 2018 by CEO Mehdi Asghari, SiLC Technologies is a provider of highly integrated FMCW LiDAR solutions focused on its integrated 4D+ Vision Chip, which has demonstrated a range of beyond 300 meters and applicable to a wide range of applications. The company utilizes a proprietary silicon-based semiconductor fabrication process to manufacture its chips and standard, automated IC style assembly processes, enabling robust, cost-effective and compact solutions.

FinSMEs

06/03/2020
The deepening COVID-19 or coronavirus crisis in Iran continues to take the lives of prominent political and religious leaders. The latest casualty is Ayatollah Mohsen Habibi, the custodian of a seminary in Tehran and a deputy to the head of Irans Judiciary., Ali Khalafi.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has expressed his condolences to the family of Ayatollah Habibi in a statement published on his official website. The head of Irans Judiciary, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raeesi also has extended his condolences for the death of his deputy.

So far, Iran has announced over 100 coronavirus deaths, but a disproportionate number of victims are from the elite. This has raised questions if the official death toll is well below the real number.

On March 5, Iranian media announced the death of Hossein Sheikholeslam, a former diplomat and one of the revolutionaries who took American diplomats hostage for 444 days in 1979-1981.

More than twenty members of the Iranian parliament are diagnosed with coronavirus. One newly elected lawmaker also died of the disease last week. Three former and current members of the Revolutionary Guard have also fallen victim to the virus.

The chairman of Irans Central Bank has issued a statement expressing regret for the death of six banking officials who succumbed to coronavirus.
Thirty-one cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in India so far, with the latest being reported in Delhi on Friday. This is the second case to have been confirmed in Delhi this week. The person infected, who is a resident of Uttam Nagar, has a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia. The number of cases being reported in India has increased exponentially this week.

On Monday, two fresh cases of coronavirus were reported, one in Delhi and the other in Telangana. The Delhi patient had returned from Iran on February 25. The Telangana patient had a history of travel to Dubai.

Six family members of the Delhi man have tested positive for the virus. They have been quarantined at New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Two schools have been closed in Noida, some students of these schools had attended the birthday party of the child of the Delhi patient.

The largest batch of fresh cases was reported on Wednesday when 15 Italian Tourists were tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi's ITBP quarantine facility. The Italian nationals were in India touring Rajasthan when two among them were tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur. The authorities had then sent the entire group of Italian tourists for testing to Delhi.

Also on Wednesday, a Paytm employee from Gurugram was tested positive for coronavirus. Paytm has shut its offices in Gurugram and Noida for a couple of days to be sanitised. The employee had visited Italy recently. A Ghaziabad man was also tested positive with coronavirus on Thursday.

In response to the increasing number of cases, the Health Ministry has decided to start universal screening at all airports for all passengers coming to India from any country. Earlier, only passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia were being checked.

The Health Ministry has made special restrictions for passengers coming from Iran and South Korea, two of the worst-hit countries in the world. Passengers from these countries would have to carry 'No COVID-19' certificate before they are allowed to enter India. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that a total of 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance.

According to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, till now over 6 lakh people have been screened at 21 international airports. Over one million people coming through the open borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar have also been screened for the coronavirus.

The COVID -19 outbreak has infected more than 94,000 people across the globe. The virus till now has claimed 3,222 lives. The number of cases have been receding in China but have been increasing in other countries such as Italy, Iran, and India.

Also Read: Coronavirus scare: COVID-19 infected man attended jam packed rock concert in New Zealand's Auckland

Also Read: Coronavirus: Bulk demand for masks, sanitisers, gloves skyrocket 300%
Cometh the hour, cometh Chris Whitty.

The calmly spoken, exceedingly qualified scientist has become the face of the governments fight against coronavirus.

In the process, he has become a social media hero for his straight-talking performances in front of camera.

Avoiding confusing medical jargon, the 53-year-old Oxford graduate has been very clear in his messaging  admitting there will be 'a lot more' cases and the NHS would come under 'very high pressure' as a result.

The over-80s, as he put it, should not believe that they were all 'goners' despite the coronavirus being most deadly in the elderly.

Hundreds of Brits watching his no-nonsense performances on live TV hailed his attitude, calling him the new James Bond, asking if he should be in charge of Brexit negotiations and revealing they would trust him with their life.

Leading media commentators also gushed praise on Professor Whitty, who spent his childhood in Nigeria, for delivering a 'masterclass in level-headedness' while addressing the House of Commons amid rising levels of panic in the UK.

England's chief medical officer Professor Christ Whitty has become an unlikely social media star as he leads the fight against coronavirus

Brits praised the unlikely hero for his refreshing no-nonsense approach to the escalating situation in the UK. Those watching his straight-talking performances in front of the camera commended his attitude, calling him the new James Bond and Lady Hale

WHAT HAS PROFESSOR WHITTY SAID? As coronavirus cases step up daily in the UK, what exactly has Professor Whitty said in response? Over 80s are not 'goners' Professor Chris Whitty said that, even for high-risk age groups, catching coronavirus did not mean you would be 'a goner'. He said: 'I think it's easy to get a perception that if you are older and you get this virus then you're a goner - absolutely not, the great majority of people will recover from this virus, even if they are in their 80s.' The UK is likely to see spread Professor Whitty has been honest on more than one occasion and said it was 'likely' but not definite that the spread of the coronavirus would become an epidemic in the UK. He said on March 4: 'At this point in time we think it is likely, not definite, that we will move into onward transmission and an epidemic here in the UK.' The fit and healthy are at risk, too Asked if fit and healthy people could die from coronavirus, Prof Whitty told MPs: 'Yes. Fit and healthy people can die from virtually anything. But it is incredibly rare to happen.' Smokers - stop now Professor Whitty said if people wanted to quit smoking, they should do it while coronavirus is spreading. He told MPs: 'To be clear on smokers, my recommendation is that they stop smoking. If you are going to give up smoking, this is a very good moment to do it. I'm just highlighting that as an additional vulnerability for people who are otherwise healthy.' Masks will not work Professor Whitty told Sky News on March 4 that wearing a face mask had almost no effect on reducing the risk of contracting the illness. He said: 'In terms of wearing a mask, our advice is clear: that wearing a mask if you don't have an infection reduces the risk almost not at all. So we do not advise that.' Community transmission is happening On March 4, Professor Whitty said community transmission of coronavirus is likely to be happening already: 'It is likely that will be happening, if not now, but soon. I think it's likely to be happening at the moment, not definite.' Think about travel On March 3, Professor Whitty was hailed for telling Brits to 'think' about whether it was wise for them to travel abroad to countries with health services weaker than the NHS. He said: 'If you happen to be in a place with a very weak health service at the peak of their epidemic, weaker than the NHS, that obviously might be more problematic - and this is particularly an issue for people who are older or have pre-existing health conditions.' Advertisement

Professor Whitty, 53, has been in the role of England's top doctor for only five months, but has been thrust in the limelight to inform panicked Britons of the coronavirus risk.

Whereas Dame Sally was branded the 'nanny-in-chief' for her call to ban eating on public transport, Professor Whitty has been hailed by colleagues across the board for being 'calm and collected'.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Number 10 has been accused of secrecy by refusing to give clear, concise updates. And the Department of Health and Social Care was criticised said they would 'no longer be tweeting information on the location of each new case'.

In contrast, Professor Whitty's straight-talking approach has been praised by ordinary Britons. He was described as the 'voice of calm and reason in the coronavirus hysteria' by one user on Twitter, while another said they would 'trust him with my life'.

On Tuesday, Professor Whitty was hailed for telling Brits to 'think' about whether it was wise for them to travel abroad to countries with health services weaker than the NHS.

He's warned smokers it's a good time to kick the habit - because those who are less healthy are more vulnerable to succumb to coronavirus - and that face masks probably aren't that effective.

The scientist and 'modern medic' has given hope that the outbreak will be controlled in the UK, as supermarkets and pharmacies see chaotic customers stockpile in case of a worst-case scenario.

There have even been calls to replace the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take charge of Brexit negotiations following his impressive communication.

Yesterday, the Nigera-raised Professor Whitty flanked Boris Johnson as the PM announced the Government's drastic 'battle plan', which could see troops deployed on streets if the coronavirus takes hold in the UK.

He later answered questions from the Commons health committee for 90 minutes on the coronavirus outbreak.

'No notes, no sprawling entourage,' MailOnline columnist Henry Deedes observed.

'He didn't so much as require a replenishing tumbler of Highland Spring as he delivered a masterclass in level-headedness and straight speaking.

'His appearance, too, is mildly alarming. He has mad scientist hair and poached-egg eyes which bulge disconcertingly. But his ability to speak clearly and directly was oddly soothing.'

Quentin Letts, a political sketch writer for The Times, praised Professor Whitty for speaking with a 'level, relatable manner'.

'The over-80s, as he put it, should not believe that they were all "goners". Death from coronavirus was very, very unlikely.

'Cometh the hour, cometh the mild-mannered Englishman, most improbable of heroes, to stand up to the wailing Jeremiahs and steer us to safety.'

Mr Letts said Professor Whitty was 'the sort of doc you would want for your prostate check'.

Professor Chris Whitty was little known outside of medical circles before his appointment as England's top doctor. But now, the Oxford University graduate has become a favourite to lead the nation

John Crace is The Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer, said Professor Whitty's words 'flow with liquid intelligence'.

He added: 'There's no one who wouldn't rather listen to a few minutes of Whitty than half an hour of Boris's bullsh*t.

'The geeks have inherited the Earth. And the Geek-in-Chief, whom everyone now regards as the country's de facto prime minister, is Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer.

'His command of his subject and his ability to communicate that knowledge is near-total.

'There was something undeniably refreshing about his honesty and directness. Here was a man willing to treat the country as adults and didn't feel the need to lie about the severity of the situation.'

Bryony Gordon said she hoped Professor Whitty would get acknowledged for his work by getting a place on Strictly Come Dancing

WHAT DO PROFESSOR WHITTY'S COLLEAGUES THINK ABOUT HIM? AND WHAT OTHER ROLES HAS HE HAD IN THE GOVERNMENT? Professor Whitty's colleagues were also quick to praise their fellow medic, describing him as patient, courteous, confident and clever. Professor Robin Grimes, the former chief scientist at the Foreign Office, was mentored by Professor Whitty when he joined the civil service. He told MailOnline: 'At that time Chris was chief scientist in DfID. He was an immensely helpful and patient teacher. 'His calm and thoughtful approach to explaining what the evidence says and does not say are coming through as strongly in the current circumstances are they always have.' Professor Simon Wessely, chair of psychological medicine at Kings College London, added that Whitty was 'made for the post' of chief medical advisor. He added that he is 'calm, collected, courteous, confident and clever.' Before being appointed as England's most senior medical advisor to the Government, Professor Whitty was the chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care. And between 2009 and 2015, he held the same job at the Department for International Development. Before this, he lectured at the University of Malawi and returned to the UK to teach and take up a role as a consultant physician at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2005. Advertisement

Professor Chris Whitty, who was born in a quiet Surrey village, Limpsfield, but spent most of his childhood in Nigeria, was little known outside of medical circles before his appointment as England's top doctor.

But now, the Oxford University graduate, who has spent decades researching Ebola, AIDS and even the plague, has become a favourite to lead Britain.

One man said on Twitter: 'This Chris Whitty fella is good. Clear, authoritative, focused, objective. Puts the government into stark contrast.'

Another wrote: 'Cancel the PM. Just show Chris Whitty. We need level heads, not blonde idiots.'

Professor Robin Grimes, the former chief scientist at the Foreign Office, was mentored by Professor Whitty when he joined the civil service.

He told MailOnline: 'At that time Chris was chief scientist in DfID [Department for International Development]. He was an immensely helpful and patient teacher.

'His calm and thoughtful approach to explaining what the evidence says and does not say are coming through as strongly in the current circumstances are they always have.'

Professor Simon Wessely, chair of psychological medicine at Kings College London, added that Whitty was 'made for the post' of chief medical advisor.

He added that he is 'calm, collected, courteous, confident and clever.'

Before being appointed as England's most senior medical advisor to the Government, Professor Whitty was the chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care.

And between 2009 and 2015, he held the same job at the Department for International Development.

Before this, he lectured at the University of Malawi and returned to the UK to teach and take up a role as a consultant physician at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2005.

Professor Whitty fails to shy away from alarming messages about the scale of the outbreak while speaking with facts, which has impressed Britons

The professor with poached-egg eyes was oddly soothing: HENRY DEEDES observes Chris Whitty, the very cool hombre who charged with defeating coronavirus

They say scary times call for steady heads. Fortunately, Professor Chris Whitty is one weirdly cool hombre.

For 90 minutes yesterday, England's Chief Medical Officer answered questions from the Commons health committee on the coronavirus outbreak. No notes, no sprawling entourage.

He didn't so much as require a replenishing tumbler of Highland Spring as he delivered a masterclass in level-headedness and straight speaking. We don't see civil servants such as Professor Whitty in the committee rooms nowadays. Usually they squirm, they obfuscate, and they speak in ghastly jargon, using words such as 'upskilling' or refer constantly to matters 'going forward'.

The Prof, by contrast, didn't pause, hesitate or even deviate for a second. The man would be a demon on Radio 4's Just A Minute.

Some of what Whitty had to say was undeniably stark. Some 600,000 people in the UK could perish from the virus.

His appearance, too, is mildly alarming. He has mad scientist hair and poached-egg eyes which bulge disconcertingly. But his ability to speak clearly and directly was oddly soothing. Indeed, it reminded me of Ian McDonald, the deadpan Ministry of Defence official with the Ronnie Corbett specs, whose daily bulletins during the Falklands War viewers found similarly comforting.

Giving evidence to the Health Select Committee, Prof Chris Whitty (pictured) said: 'I'm expecting the number only to go up.' Henry Deedes says the Prof is one 'weirdly cool hombre'

Prof Whitty warned 'community transmission' was happening in the UK, and the government's focus had moved from the 'contain' phase to focus on efforts to 'delay' the spread

Whitty arrived at the Thatcher Room in Portcullis House at 9am, where he was greeted by committee chairman Jeremy Hunt.

Someone politely observed that he must be exhausted considering recent events. Whitty replied with a nonplussed shrug of the shoulders.

Hunt and his team wisely allowed their guest to do much of the talking. Customarily, committees take on a snippy nature as members play for the cameras but yesterday they listened intently to a man fully on top of his brief.

Coronavirus is here, Whitty declared. It lives among us and the Government's hopes of containment are over.

We have entered the phase of delaying its spread as long as we can until a vaccine is found, which is likely to be more than a year away.

What we were hearing was the stuff of disaster movies, that key juncture when the President orders his Joint Chiefs to move the Defcon alert state to three (out of five).

Yet Whitty managed to convey his views as coolly as the calming crackle of the captain's voice when a plane enters heavy turbulence.

One lazily worded statement in situations such as these could prompt widespread panic and mass looting on the high street. But each answer he gave was more carefully crafted than a Faberge egg.

Every now and again, a little hedge was slipped in, such as 'there's a 'but' to that' or 'that may change but that is my current view'.

He dismissed any panicked measures. Closing schools, he said, was pointless for the time being. Nor did he see reason to disband Parliament. (Was that a mild whiff of disappointment I detected among the committee as he said that?)

As for stockpiling food, it simply made no sense. Dealing with this virus, he pointed out, would be a 'marathon, not a sprint'.

Someone raised the handshaking issue. 'If someone coughs in front of you, whether or not there was coronavirus, I would advise you to avoid taking that hand,' he said, smiling.

At that point, the committee broke into smirks as Whitty had a coughing fit of his own. Hand-scrubbing, he reiterated, was the key to avoidance.

Oh, and that revolting hand gunk everyone is using? Nothing beats a bit of old-fashioned soap and water, apparently.

Labour's Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry NW) asked about pregnant women. 'Pregnant women needn't start worrying,' Whitty remarked with a dismissive wave of the hand. Laura Trott (Con, Sevenoaks) wondered about smokers. 'Well, now's as good a time as any to give up,' the Prof advised dryly.

By now the committee had relaxed a bit, like patients who've discovered their prognosis wasn't as grim as they'd feared, requiring nothing more than a day's rest and a generous tot of whisky. But then they had witnessed a performance so reassuringly devoid of hysteria. Knee-jerk nanny syndrome in reverse.

A timely reminder, if needed, that science must lead the battle against this potential pandemic, not politics.

Cases of coronavirus worldwide tipped 101,000 today. More than 3,450 people have died

The calm, collected scientist leading UK's fight against coronavirus: New chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty is a plague expert raised in Nigeria whose life was scarred as a teenager when his father was shot dead

Hes only been in the job for five months, but now he has been thrust into the limelight as he leads Britains fight against the killer coronavirus.

Professor Chris Whitty, who was born in a quiet Surrey village but spent most of his childhood in Nigeria, was little known outside of medical circles before his appointment as Englands top doctor.

But as fears of a coronavirus crisis have grown, his calm, considered updates have impressed. Some people have even called for the 53-year-old chief medical officer to take over the Prime Ministers outbreak updates.

Britons have praised the Oxford University graduate for his no-nonsense approach, with him admitting on live TV yesterday there would be a lot more cases in the UK.

In front of MPs of all stripes today, Professor Whitty  who has spent decades researching Ebola, AIDS and even the plague  reassured a parliament committee that older people are not necessarily a goner if they get infected.

And on Tuesday he was hailed for telling Brits to 'think' about whether it was wise for them to travel abroad to countries with health services weaker than the NHS.

Earlier that day, Professor Whitty flanked Boris Johnson as the PM announced the Governments drastic battle plan, which could see troops deployed on streets if the outbreak takes hold in the UK.

Whereas Dame Sally was branded the 'nanny-in-chief' for her call to ban eating on public transport, Professor Whitty has been hailed by colleagues across the board for being 'calm' and 'collected'.

England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty, who has only been in the job for five months, has been catapulted into the public consciousness as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

Professor Whitty, the youngest of four boys, spent much of his childhood in northern Nigeria after being born in Limpsfield, 11miles (18km) south of Croydon.

As a teenager in 1984, he tragically lost his father  who worked for the British Council  when he was shot three times in the head while driving in Athens.

The New York Times reported at the time that his 44-year-old father, Kenneth, was flagged down by a gunman at an intersection who asked him to roll down his window.

After studying at Pembroke College, Oxford, Professor Whitty worked as a doctor across Africa and Asia, where he treated malaria patients and published a vast array of academic papers at the same time.

The hard-working medic also somehow found time to study for an Open University diploma in Economics and gained an MBA from Heriott-Watt University.

Eyebrows were raised by the security service when he first joined the government, as the chief scientific adviser for the Department for International Development in 2009.

On Wednesday, the medical chief said on live TV that there would be 'a lot more' coronavirus in the UK and that deaths should expected

Intelligence chiefs allegedly questioned why he wasnt married. But his phenomenal work output, would certainly have left little room for a family life.

As a researcher, Professor Whitty was awarded $40million (31mn) by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for malaria research.

According to academic search engine Microsoft Scholar, the professor is named as an author on more than 200 scientific papers.

Topics range from the overdiagnosis of malaria in Tanzania, the use of steroids to treat meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa, and the death rate for mothers who undergo C-sections in Malawi.

During his time treating AIDS victims in Malawi, Professor Whitty began to gain a reputation for saying what he regards as uncomfortable truths.

In an academic article written in 1999, he said public health is 'not a branch of morality' and that 'taking a stern moral line can sometimes be highly effective'.

Whitty's straight-talking approach has been praised by ordinary Britons, who took the chance to lay into Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Government

He wrote medics should 'differentiate sharply' between stigmatising a pattern of behaviour  which 'can often be justified'  and stigmatising a person with a medical problem.

And Professor Whitty added that any doctor who argues that 'stigma' should never be used to try to 'back up a public health message' is being 'profoundly naive'.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Number 10 has been accused of lacking transparency by refusing to give clear, concise updates.

And the Department of Health and Social Care was criticised said they would 'no longer be tweeting information on the location of each new case.'

In contrast, Professor Whitty's straight-talking approach has been praised by ordinary Britons, who took the chance to lay into Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Government.

One man said on Twitter: 'This Chris Whitty fella is good. Clear, authoritative, focused, objective. Puts the government into stark contrast.'

Another wrote: 'Cancel the PM. Just show Chris Whitty. We need level heads, not blonde idiots.'

On Wednesday, the chief medical officer said on live TV that there would be 'a lot more' coronavirus in the UK and that deaths should expected.

He went on to tell Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain that the country will likely end up in the grip of a 'significant epidemic'.

And he warned Britons that there is no point in them wearing masks because they won't have a 'significant effect' in guarding against the virus, he said.

And today Professor Whitty hinted that there might not be enough space in mortuaries to cope with deaths and also warned that Britain has moved to a 'delay' phase in tackling the virus.

Professor Whitty's colleagues were also quick to praise their fellow medic, describing him as patient, courteous, confident and clever.

Professor Robin Grimes, the former chief scientist at the Foreign Office, was mentored by Professor Whitty when he joined the civil service.

He told MailOnline: 'At that time Chris was chief scientist in DfID. He was an immensely helpful and patient teacher.

'His calm and thoughtful approach to explaining what the evidence says and does not say are coming through as strongly in the current circumstances are they always have.'

Professor Simon Wessely, chair of psychological medicine at Kings College London, added that Whitty was 'made for the post' of chief medical advisor.

He added that he is 'calm, collected, courteous, confident and clever.'

Before being appointed as England's most senior medical advisor to the Government, Professor Whitty was the chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care.

And between 2009 and 2015, he held the same job at the Department for International Development.

Before this, he lectured at the University of Malawi and returned to the UK to teach and take up a role as a consultant physician at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2005.
I debated whether to write something for International Womens Day.

But as we struggled to represent women in our daily coverage, as well as people of colour, we learned how women often think doing their primary job is more important than speaking publicly in their professional sphere. Since men generally dont feel that same compunction, its challenging to include female voices on panels, in interviews and stories. Even more challenging than it already is, with so few women in positions of power in the organizations we often report on: as CEOs, on boards, in the justice system, in politics.

When you dont see those faces and hear those voices, you get a skewed sense of who matters in society, and who decides what matters. You get a skewed sense of what leadership looks like, sounds like, and acts like. And that can turn into structural beliefs that impact everything from jury assumptions on how assaulted women are supposed to react to who can effectively run a meeting, a company, or a country.

We ask our newsroom to work harder at expanding their source list so women are heard and seen. We want women to feel comfortable speaking as experts in their field, or about their issue, to be the quote in the story.

So it felt wrong to ask women to speak and not do so myself.

I dont presume to speak for women as a group and wouldnt want to. What I write is doubly true for people of colour and triply so for women of colour.

When the status quo and perceptions of leadership do not resemble you, there are challenges and benefits.

Benefits: When you have difficultly being heard, it can make you a better listener. When you are not raised to assume you may be the smartest person in the room, it can help you hear others ideas.

Those are also why female voices in stories are important. You have heard and learned. That means you can also teach.

Challenges: You may find actual results do not matter as much as the perception of results if your style does not match an image of success. Glass ceilings and glass cliffs are not imaginary. Too often high-profile female leadership is still an aberration, gamely and briefly tried before scooting back to the safety of the status quo. So when women speak authoritatively, it helps normalize that women can and should be in those positions. It makes it harder to see it as an aberration. It expands the status quo.

Getting there at all can be a challenge. Think of two people aiming to reach the end of a 50-metre stretch, the path of one of them strewn with things to jump over, duck under or leap through. These are not insurmountable but require energy, ingenuity and will. Upon reaching the 50-metre mark, that person may be surprised that some didnt see those obstacles at all. The society or organization rolls along like they didnt exist. If you overcame those obstacles, you now have the choice to join in that pretense, or spend part of your days showing they exist and people are still stumbling all over them. It becomes part of your workload, pointing out hurdles others do not or choose not to see.

This can be exhausting for women and people of colour in their jobs. But when hurdles are addressed publicly in stories or panels or discussion papers, that burden is shared. It helps make obstacles just a little more visible, a step toward clearing them.

Women sometimes discover people have opinions about how they should speak, look, or act. You may hear you talk too fast, or slow, too much or little, too softly or loudly. Male leaders can also talk too slow or fast, loud or soft, and nonetheless speak with the assumption that everyone around them will lean in or out to hear them better. The impetus to change is on the audience.

So keep your voice. It only stands out now because it is less familiar. When enough women keep their loud, soft, slow, fast voices, that variety becomes the expectation. When others hear your voice, it can help them feel more confident in their own.

More personally, three prominent female Canadian journalists died recently. When colleagues wrote or spoke about them, they focused on their insistence to speak up. To not settle.

The media landscape is different today than when these women fought their way through. There is more room for women in all aspects of the business, as in all areas of society, but maybe less for any individual voice to sound so clearly.

I worry that younger women in journalism may feel they are not now  and will never be  the one others look to.

I know this is not true. Journalism bursts with brilliant female editors, reporters, columnists. Society is filled with brilliant women in all fields. Because you are there, speaking in your voice, you ensure those who come after you see they are part of what the professional and societal landscape looks like.

You are expanding the perception of who and what matters.
Its here. The coronavirus is in Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf has confirmed at least two people have tested positive in our state, and there could be more in the days ahead.

Understandably, there are lots of questions. Who are they people infected? Where are they? How did they get the virus? Did they expose anyone else to the virus? And are they walking the streets and spreading the disease?

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, and PEMA officials provide an update on the coronavirus known as COVID-19 and outline steps Pennsylvanians can take to keep themselves healthy. on March 6, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

At this point, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine is counting on those who have contracted the virus  and their families -- to self-quarantine, checking on them throughout the day. Officials say they are confident of full cooperation from everyone, but they are not releasing any information about the identities of those impacted or exactly where they are located.

They have provided general information. We do know one person who has tested positive for the coronavirus is from Wayne County and recently traveled to an infected country. The other is from Delaware County and also recently traveled to an infected area in the United States.

Its understandable why state officials are not providing more specific information now. They need to protect the medical privacy of the people involved, as law requires. But as cases mount and people try to determine how to protect themselves and their families, they will demand more details about the specific locations exposed to the coronavirus. And they will need assurances everyone exposed is fully cooperating and not going to work or public places where they will spread the virus.

We applaud Gov. Wolf, Secretary Levine and the fine staff of medical experts for quickly calling a press conference to inform the public about the cases in Pennsylvania. It also is commendable they have posted information about the coronavirus on the governors and the Department of Healths websites.

They have pledged to be as transparent and as timely as possible in providing updates about new cases and developments. This is good. What is not good is limiting the medias access to information, as U.S. Rep. Scott Perry is doing on Monday when he holds a briefing with officials at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Hes forbidden media representatives from being in the room during the briefing, but says he will answer questions afterward.

It is imperative all officials uphold a pledge to cooperate with the media and communicate quickly and clearly to the people of Pennsylvania during this crisis. In the coming days, it will be important for all officials with information to honestly answer as many questions as possible about the location of coronavirus cases and the number of people impacted.

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, and PEMA officials provide an update on the coronavirus known as COVID-19 and outline steps Pennsylvanians can take to keep themselves healthy. on March 6, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

In times of emergency, some officials have a tendency to withhold information, especially if it is unpleasant, fearing the publics reaction. But the less official information the government provides about this medical crisis, the more people will be tempted to turn to online sources and social rumor mills that will only spread disinformation and panic.

The governor and his team must provide at least daily updates through as many media sources as possible in the coming days. If developments occur quickly, they should gear up to provide updates throughout the day.

People will want to know immediately if conditions of any of the people affected worsen; especially if someone dies.

They will want to know about test kits, as well as where they should get tested and how much it will cost.

President Donald Trump, left, listens to Vice President Mike Pence, right, as he pauses while speaking to members of the media to address the nation about the coronavirus threat in the Brady Press Briefing room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP

The one thing people will want to know is when a vaccine will become available, which experts say is unlikely to be soon, despite some of the messages coming from the nations capital.

But if we arent getting clear messages from Washington, Pennsylvanians will be reassured to know they have another place to turn  to the capable team of medical professionals working with the governor and Dr. Levine in Harrisburg.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

And please subscribe to Battleground PA to stay abreast of the issues in the 2020 elections!
Attorney General William Barrs wildly inappropriate campaign to spin the Mueller report in Donald Trumps favor last year may have finally backfired. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ordered Barr to submit the full, unredacted report so he could assess whether the Department of Justices redactions comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Waltons remarkable order noted that Barrs misleading public statements about the report raise the possibility that his redactions are tainted and self-servingand, by extension, illegal.

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On March 24, Barr notoriously provided a summary of the 381-page Mueller report just two days after receiving it. He cited special counsel Robert Muellers report as saying that the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities, leaving out the damaging first half of that sentence. Barr also wrote that he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had concluded that the evidence developed during the Special Counsels investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense. In reality, Mueller had determined that he would not offer an opinion on the matter but that the evidence gathered was not sufficient to clear Trump of obstruction of justice.

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Three days after Barr released his summary, Mueller sent a letter to the attorney general stating that the summary did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of the report. When members of Congress asked Barr about Muellers possible objections to his summary, he flatly lied. And on April 18, Barr delivered a stunningly dishonest press conference effectively announcing that the report exonerated the president.

In his Thursday order, Walton took issue with both the summary and the press conference. Barrs initial summary, he wrote, distorted the findings in the Mueller Report in at least two ways. First, Barr failed to indicate that Mueller identified multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and individuals with ties to the Russian government. Second, he excluded the fact that Mueller determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment about Trumps alleged obstruction of justice, falsely implying that the report found no obstruction.

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Walton wrote that he was troubled by Barrs hurried release of his March 24, 2019 letter well in advance of when the redacted version of the Mueller Report was ultimately made available to the public. He questioned whether Attorney General Barrs intent was to create a one-sided narrative about the Mueller Reporta narrative that is clearly in some respects substantively at odds with the redacted version of the Mueller Report. Walton simply could not reconcile certain public representations made by Attorney General Barr with the findings in the Mueller Report. And he feared that Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary.

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The attorney generals lack of candor and misleading public statements, Walton concluded, undermine his credibility, and the credibility of the DOJ. Walton demanded an opportunity to ensure that the redactions were not tainted or self-serving. He directed the DOJ to submit an unredacted copy of the report for him to review in chambers to ensure that each redaction truly falls into a lawful FOIA exception. Adherence to the FOIAs objective of keeping the American public informed of what its government is up to, Walton concluded, demands nothing less.

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The FOIA request at issue was submitted by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Jason Leopold, and BuzzFeed. Given that Barrs Justice Department will not even submit an unredacted Mueller report to the House of Representatives, its safe to assume the agency will appeal Waltons ruling. But no matter the eventual outcome of this dispute, his order constitutes a rare and extraordinary judicial rebuke of the nations chief law enforcement officer. Barrs crusade to frame the Mueller report as an exoneration may have muffled its impact. But the attorney generals relentless mendacity may have undercut his efforts to protect the president by keeping many of Muellers findings a secret.
Doja Cat alleged that Dickies rejected her request for a custom outfit because she's "too sexy."

Earlier this week, Billboard published an interview with Doja and her stylist Brett Alan Nelson in which they discussed a handful of her most iconic fashion moments. However, while discussing her "millennial 'Sk8er Boi'" look in the music video for Hot Pink's "Bottom Bitch," the duo revealed that Dickies blocked her from wearing the brand  something they attributed to her "sexy" image.

"Dickies originally gave me logo clearance and they're a very church-going, Trump-supporting, Texas-based company," Nelson told the publication. "They thought Doja was too sexy for their brand. I said, 'You literally approved your logo with me. I made a custom outfit."

Thankfully though, Nelson came up with a pretty slick (and extremely on brand) solution. Following the rejection, he said that he "wanted to take a jab at them," so he ended up "coloring out the '-IES' and colored in where the horseshoe is" on their logo.

"Her whole entire outfit just said 'dick.' You can't see it, but I asked legal what we can get away with. They said if we changed the logo at least 50 percent, then it's fine," he explained, before adding, "Doja makes so many sexual innuendos here and there in her music. There's a quirkiness that's very intelligent behind what she does, so it's nice to do little tricks... dicks."

As for Dickies, in response to Billboard's request for comment, the company said that they "did initially speak to Brett when he reached out to use the logo, but Brett's team never provided a clear letter of intent to use the logo, as requested."

"There were no further conversations after that," they added. "Dickies respects Doja Cat's artistry, and is happy she is also a fan of the brand and wishes her much success."

Read Doja and Nelson's interview in full, here.
To the Editor,

I am writing this letter in support of the upcoming Caseville School bond proposal. My children attended public schools for 30 years and 25 of those were at the Caseville Public Schools.

The small school setting is hard to describe, but the word that I keep coming back to is "unique." The smaller class sizes allow the teaches to reach out to all students and the camaraderie of the students and teachers is very obvious. The teachers do a very good job as many of our graduates have gone on to excel at some of the countries most prestigious Universities including Harvard, Brown, Wharton School of Business, University of Michigan, Kettering and Michigan Tech. Many of our graduates have gone on to become local business owners as well.

Along with the quality of the education our students receive, other advantages deal with local property taxes because our milage rate is so much lower than larger districts. Consolidation with a larger school district due to students leaving because of a lack of school technology, classroom supplies or safe buses would lead to an INCREASED property tax rate based on the much higher milage rate of the larger school district.

I am now and always will be proud to support the Caseville Public Schools and their efforts towards making our community a better place.

Thank you very much for your time.

Kathy Meyer
(Newser)  Despite his misgivings, Sen. Mitt Romney has decided to vote next week to subpoena records about Hunter Biden's employment for a Ukrainian energy company. As recently as Thursday, Romney had said the Senate Homeland Security Committee shouldn't be investigating Joe Biden's son, Politico reports. A Romney spokeswoman said Friday the committee chairman had assured Romney that if the committee interviews Hunter Biden, it would be "in a closed setting without a hearing or public spectacle." Romney's support means Republicans have enough votes to issue the subpoena; they control the committee, 8-6. If Romney were to vote against it, the subpoena would be rejected on a tie vote, per the Deseret News.

story continues below

Romney had said the investigation had the appearance of being political, which Democrats maintain; President Trump said this week he would bring up the Burisma issue in his reelection campaign if Joe Biden is his opponent. "I would prefer that investigations are done by an independent, nonpolitical body," Romney had said. Sen. Ron Johnson, the committee chairman, had said the committee's work has no connection to the upcoming election. But the day after Biden's Super Tuesday victories, Johnson said he hopes to release an interim report on Hunter Biden's involvement with the company in a month or so. "If I were a Democrat primary voter, I'd want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote," the Wisconsin Republican said. (Romney has taken heat from his party over voting to convict Trump in his impeachment trial.)
Queen Letizia of Spain cut a stylish figure in a satin pink suit today she attended a conference in Madrid today.

The Spanish royal, 47, wore the elegant ensemble as she met with workers from the APRAMP charity which protects sex worker in Spain.

The Queen appeared in good spirits at the event as she commanded attention by pairing the cigarette trousers with an oversized blazer and white satin shirt.

Queen Letizia of Spain cut a stylish figure in a satin pink suit today she attended a conference in Madrid today

Proving her sartorial prowess, the mother-of-two opted for matching chunky slingback heels and minimal jewellery at the event.

Highlighting her natural beauty, Letizia sported lashes of bronzer while sporting a natural look with a light layer of mascara and a thin line of black eyeliner.

The Queen kept accessories to a minimum, opting to show off just her wedding ring and a dainty pair of earrings.

The goal of the Association for the Prevention, Reintegration and Care of Prostituted Women (APRAMP) is for victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking recover their freedom and dignity and autonomy to begin a life outside of sex work.

The Spanish royal, 47, wore the elegant ensemble as she met with workers from the APRAMP charity which protects sex worker in Spain

The Queen appeared in good spirits at the event as she commanded attention by pairing the cigarette trousers with an oversized blazer and white satin shirt

Highlighting her natural beauty, Letizia sported lashes of bronzer while sporting a natural look with a light layer of mascara and a thin line of black eyeliner

The royal wore her hair in soft blow dry, and added a touch of glamour to her outfit with statement buttons on her blazer.

It comes just a day after the Spanish royal sported another stylish pink ensemble at the event at the headquarters of the Spanish bank BBVA to mark World Rare Disease Day where she gave a speech and presented awards.

Queen Letizia appeared relaxed at the event, pairing the business-like shirt with a trendy ombre pleated skirt in a similar shade from British brand Reiss.

The former journalist is one of the directors of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER), and was attending today's event to support the cause.

The Queen kept accessories to a minimum, opting to show off just her wedding ring and a dainty pair of earrings

It comes amid a busy week for the royal who attended a funeral for Spanish businessman Placido Arango alongside her husband King Felipe on Wednesday.

The couple, who have been married since 2004, were unusually tactile as they comforted each other over the loss of their friend.

And earlier this week, the royal attended an awards ceremony to celebrate the latest Honorary Brand Ambassadors of Spain.

The royal wore her hair in soft blow dry, and added a touch of glamour to her outfit with statement buttons on her blazer

Left to right: Minister of Equality Irene Montero, and Queen Letizia of Spain and APRAM president Rocio Nieto attend a meeting with APRAMP (Prostitution Women Association)

The Queen married King Felipe at the Almudena Cathedral at Royal Palace, Madrid, in May 2004.

The couple are parents to Princesses Leonor, 13, and Sofia, 11.

Before marrying into the royal family, Letizia had previously worked as a reporter for the news channel 24 Horas where she held a weekly anchor position on the show Informe Semanal and also a position on the daily morning news programme.

Before marrying into the royal family, Letizia had previously worked as a reporter for the news channel 24 Horas where she held a weekly anchor position on the show Informe Semanal and also a position on the daily morning news programme. She is pictured today
Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of his first Commons rebellion since the general election over his decision to allow Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has tabled an amendment that would ban 'high-risk vendors' like the Chinese tech giant from the network after 2022.

The move has the backing of a number of prominent Conservative MPs including former cabinet ministers Damian Green and David Davis, the chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat and the chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady.

However, supporters played down the prospect that the Government - which has a huge Commons majority of 80 - could be defeated if the amendment is called on Tuesday, saying their intention is to 'lay down a marker'.

Meanwhile, the Defence Select Committee has launched an inquiry into the security implications of using Huawei for the communications upgrade.

Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of his first Commons rebellion since the general election over his decision to allow Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network

Mr Johnson (pictured at the Welsh Conservative conference today) has been coming under pressure to reconsider the decision, with warnings that it could give China a 'backdoor' to spy on the UK's telecoms network

Mr Johnson has been coming under pressure to reconsider the decision, with warnings that it could give China a 'backdoor' to spy on the UK's telecoms network.

It has also imposed strains on relations with the United States, with an 'apoplectic' Donald Trump reportedly venting his fury during a telephone call with Mr Johnson.

In a Commons Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, Sir Iain said the decision had left Britain 'friendless' among its Five Eyes security allies.

He compared it to letting 'Nazi companies in Germany' to become involved in developing Britain's radar systems at the start of the Second World War in 1939.

Both Labour and the SNP - the two largest opposition parties - echoed the concerns, with shadow business minister Chi Onwurah saying they shared a 'deep commitment to British security'.

The Government has sought to allay criticism, insisting that Huawei's involvement would be restricted to providing 35 per cent of the network's 'non-core' elements.

Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman told MPs the Government's 'long-term goal' was to reduce their reliance on high-risk vendors.

However, he said they were currently faced with a 'very narrow choice of suppliers' and that any timetable 'must be contingent of diversification in the market'.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'We have been clear that our world-leading cyber security experts are satisfied with our approach and it won't affect our ability to share intelligence.'

The Speaker will decide whether to call the amendment at the report stage of the Telecoms Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill in the Commons on Tuesday.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured in Parliament this week) has tabled an amendment that would ban 'high-risk vendors' like the Chinese tech giant from the network after 2022

Tory backbencher Bob Seely, one of the MPs behind the move, said they were 'laying down a marker' ahead of other legislation later in the year to establish a comprehensive telecoms security regime.

He said there was 'growing momentum' within the party with 'three or four MPs' expressing concern to the whips for every one likely to vote for the amendment next week.

'We want to work with the Government, not to defeat it. We want to co-operate with the Government to get a better solution,' he said.

The Defence Committee inquiry will consider the 'risks to the UK's 5G infrastructure, along with options for mitigation'.

Chairman Tobias Ellwood said: 'We will work to understand the legitimate concerns around the Government's decision to allow Huawei to contribute to the 5G network in the UK.

'A decision of this magnitude must be made with eyes wide open, and we will not shy away from tackling the public's concerns head on.'
Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested three East Bay residents Monday for alleged drug and weapons violations at a residence west of Cotati.

Deputies went to a home in the 5100 block of Blank Road in unincorporated Sonoma County around 4:50 p.m. to check on the welfare of two toddlers, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia said.

The deputies had information that apparently a wanted felon, identified as Olympus Pereira of Hayward, was staying at the residence. When deputies knocked on the door and announced their presence, they heard loud moving noises inside and glass breaking in the back of the house, Valencia said.

Two males, identified as DeMaria Adger, 24, of Oakland, and Marcus Samuels, 29, of Antioch, apparently jumped out of a window. Adger threw a pistol over a fence and both men fled, Valencia said.

Samuels was found hiding in a creek bed on Paulson Lane by a Petaluma police dog and Adger was found by a Santa Rosa police dog. Both men surrendered, and a California Highway Patrol officer found and detained Pereira, Valencia said.

The toddlers were found to be in good health, Valencia said.

Pereira was arrested for allegedly obstructing an officer and possession for sale of oxycodone pills found in his vehicle, Valencia said.

Samuels was arrested on suspicion of having a large capacity magazine, possession of a firearm without a serial number and obstructing an officer.

Adger was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a gun and ammunition, possession of a stolen gun in public and obstructing an officer, Valencia said.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
A ball of fire and smoke rises above buildings during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip after a slew of 14 rockets were launched towards southern Israel, on Feb. 24, 2020.

(JNS)-At least 14 Palestinian rockets rained down on southwestern Israel on Monday, with one striking and damaging a playground in the town of Sderot and another shattering a car windshield in Nir Am.

Twelve of the rockets intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air-defense system, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The rocket fire was a continuation of Sunday's attacks, which saw some 30 projectiles launched at Israel. The attacks were claimed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Iron Dome is only activated when an incoming missile is predicted to be heading towards a populated area.

The rocket launches sent thousands of residents of Sderot, Sha'ar HaNegev and Netiv Ha'asara scrambling for bomb shelters.

Due to the Sunday night attacks, the IDF on Monday morning had already ordered closures of areas and roads adjacent to the Gaza border fence, as well as Zikim Beach between Ashkelon and Gaza.

Following a directive from Israel's Home Front Command, school was canceled on Monday for 55,000 students in Ashkelon, Netivot, Sderot, Hof Ashkelon, Eshkol Regional Council and Sha'ar HaNegev.

Israelis were allowed to go work as usual, provided that shelters were immediately available.

Israel responded to the attacks by launching airstrikes on PIJ sites in both the Gaza Strip and Syria, reportedly killing two members outside Damascus and another four pro-Iranian militants.

"IDF fighter jets struck terror sites belonging to the PIJ terror group south of Damascus in Syria, as well as dozens of PIJ sites throughout the Gaza Strip," the IDF said in a statement.

According to initial reports, the IDF apparently did not target Hamas sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Radio Jerusalem on Monday morning that Israel might have no choice but to launch a major military operation, bigger even than 2014's "Operation Protective Edge."

"If Israel is in the position of entering a large-scale military operation, we will have to deal a bigger blow than 'Cast Lead,' 'Pillar of Smoke' and 'Protective Edge,' " he said. "It could very well be that we may have to carry out-I don't really want to say it, but 'the mother of all operations.' "

The rocket fire comes after Israeli troops killed two Gazans on Sunday who were attempting to plant a bomb along the Israel-Gaza border. Video uploaded to social media showed IDF troops using a military bulldozer to retrieve the terrorists' bodies, under a hail of stones from Palestinian rioters. The Israeli military argues that the bodies of terrorists can be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with Gaza terror organizations, which currently hold two Israeli civilian hostages, along with the bodies of two IDF soldiers.

"I am sick of the hypocritical left-wing criticism of the 'inhumanity' of using a bulldozer to bring us the body of a terrorist who tried to murder (!) Israelis," Israeli Defense Minister Bennett wrote on Twitter.

"Hamas is holding the bodies of [fallen soldiers] Hadar Goldin and Oron [Shaul]," he said. "I back the IDF [forces] that killed the terrorists and collected the body. This is how we should and will act."
Texas Southern Universitys law school is still not meeting admissions standards set by the American Bar Association, the bar wrote in a published report.

The bar reviewed the Thurgood Marshall School of Laws process of admitting students  assessing accepted test scores of entering students, student attrition rates, bar passage rates of graduates, and the effectiveness of the schools academic support program  and found that TSU was not in compliance with its admissions process.

The ABA, a national agency that accredits law schools, made its assessment about the law school following a three-day meeting with college officials in February  held amid controversy and fallout at the historically black university.

In its published decision, the ABA said TSU was not in compliance with its standards that require a law school to only admit applicants who appear capable of satisfactorily completing its program of legal education and being admitted to the bar.

The rules also state that a school must consider an applicants full resume when deciding admissions, including test scores, course of study, grade point average, work experience, extracurricular activities, past performance, relevant skills and past obstacles.

Joan Bullock, Thurgood Marshalls dean, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The law school is required to submit a report to the ABA by April 1 and to appear before its legal education and admissions council in May, when the accrediting body will decide whether to impose sanctions, including removal of approval, the ABA said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas Southern law school hires first female dean

In November, TSUs board announced that there was an investigation into admissions improprieties.

A Houston Chronicle investigation revealed that Bullock, who was appointed last July, fired the assistant dean of law school admissions, Edward Rene, in September over concerns about the qualifications of students he had admitted to the law school.

Bullock informed the ABA of certain admissions irregularities and the institutions response to them in a Nov. 25 letter.

As a consequence of my oversight, I terminated the assistant dean of admissions, Bullock wrote Barry Currier, the ABAs managing director of accreditation and legal education. I had no trust or confidence in his ability to lead and manage the office because of his failure to follow all the rules and procedures required for transparency and for fair consideration of all applicants in compliance with ABA (standards).

Currier did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On HoustonChronicle.com: TSU officials say student who sparked admissions scandal failed to disclose arrests

A law school applicant who failed to disclose his arrest record became a key witness in a monthslong investigation into admissions improprieties that shocked TSU, cost Rene his job and led to a six-figure buyout and the departure of former university President Austin Lane.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas Southern University approves settlement ending President Austin Lanes contract

TSUs law school has shown improvement since 2017 when the bar association determined it didnt meet standards in several areas. The school was publicly censured and required to pay a fine and provide the bar a plan of action toward compliance.

The law schools bar exam passage rates, however, still remain low, according to the Texas Board of Law Examiners.

Thurgood Marshalls pass rate was the lowest of the 10 Texas law schools in 2018 and 2019. It had a 57.64 percent pass rate in July 2019  a clear improvement from its 28.57 percent pass rate in February 2019  but still lower than the overall statewide rate of 68.47 percent. Data from the February 2020 state bar exam is not yet available.

brittany.britto@chron.com
A MAN who is accused of stealing more than 10,000 from a number of vulnerable pensioners has been refused bail.

Denis Igoe, 26, who has an address at Station Road, Ennis, County Clare appeared before a special court sitting in Newcastle West after he was charged in relation to 30 offences which are alleged to have occurred at locations in Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Cork.

Detective Garda Aine McWilliams told Judge Mary Larkin the defendant was arrested at his home shortly before 8am on Thursday and that he replied Im sorry when a number of the charges were put to him.

The offences, she said, are alleged to have occurred on various dates between February 18, and March 2.

Opposing bail, the detective said it will be alleged the defendant called to the homes of elderly men and woman posing as a salesman for a well-known security company for which he previously worked.

She said some of the victims knew Mr Igoe as they dealt with him previously when security systems were installed in their homes.

Judge Larkin was told it will be alleged that Mr Igoe fraudulently offered to upgrade the security systems and that when the homeowners agreed, he obtained their PIN codes and stole their bank cards.

The defendant, who told gardai he has a cocaine addiction, is accused of then using the stolen cards to withdraw thousands of euro in cash at ATMs in Limerick and elsewhere.

He is also accused of using one of the stolen cards to buy jewellery worth 1,750 at a store in Cork city.

Detective Garda McWilliams said the defendant made some admissions following his arrest and she expressed concerns that he represents a flight risk as he has connections in both Romania and Spain.

Solicitor Con Barry said his client has cooperated with gardai following his arrest and he said he has strong connections in Ireland  including his partner and young child.

He said Mr Igoe was willing to surrender his passport and that he would abide by any bail conditions imposed by the court.

Refusing bail, Judge Larkin said the charges are very serious and that she was concerned the defendant would not appear in court if released.

The matter was adjourned to next Tuesday for DPPs directions.
As about 60 residents gathered at a Sugar Land senior center this week, hands shot up when Dr. Joe Anzaldua opened the room to questions about the risks posed by the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

The gathering came hours after Fort Bend County officials confirmed that a man in his 70s had tested presumptively positive for the new coronavirus. Residents had lots of questions:

Is there a vaccine for coronavirus? Where did the infected man livea home or apartment complex? Who did the man come in contact with?

This is the population that needs to be talking, Dr. Joe A. Anzaldua, a Sugar Land physician, told the gathering at T.E. Harmon Center.

The meeting reflected the growing anxiety among seniors in Fort Bend and the Houston area as more cases are reported locally.

Senior citizens tend to have more medical problems, take more medications and also have a weakened immune system, the doctor stressed. He also noted that older residents tend to live in groups, citing the large number of residential facilities in Sugar Land. In Kirkland, Wash., seven residents died at a nursing home because of a coronavirus outbreak.

Across Fort Bend, senior centers and residential facilities were taking precautions to make sure residents were properly protected.

A senior center in Katy placed hand sanitizers throughout the facility, and the staff was reminding residents to make sure they were washing hands and covering their mouths when they coughed. Inside a Fulshear community center, tables were being wiped down with Clorox and hand sanitizers were being distributed to older residents before they ate snacks. At an assisted living facility in Missouri City, the temperatures of residents and employees were being taken daily and workers were being required to take an online course about coronavirus.

This may get worse

The announcement of the first Fort Bend County case came Wednesday evening. The elderly man, who had recently traveled abroad, was hospitalized and in stable condition, officials said Thursday.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Thursday that the Fort Bend County patient had traveled to Egypt, along with two others from neighboring Harris County who wee diagnosed with the illness that same day.

Two more presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus were identified Friday in Fort Bend County, bringing the total number of Houston-area cases to eight.

At the Thursday meeting with residents, Anzaldua offered practical health tips, including avoiding those who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms and being aware when attending large gatherings. He advised residents who experience symptoms to call ahead to their doctor and describe whats going on before going to the emergency room or physicians office, where there could be more germs to spread. He said postponing a routine doctors visit, like an eye exam, might be a good idea.

Those living in nursing homes should avoid eating in community settings and try to have food brought up to their room, he said. He also advised the older residents to get flu and pneumonia shots, if they havent already.

This may get worse before it gets better, said Anzaldua. We dont know this virus. This virus is unknown to the human body. So, we have no immunity against it. We dont know what its going to do.

At The Fussell Senior Citizen Center in Katy, residents have remained at ease in the wake of the reported new local cases, said Peggy Dimmick, the centers director.

Theyre aware of it, but theyre not overly stressed at this time, said Dimmick, who says roughly 120 seniors use the center daily.

Dimmick said a visitor became concerned when a woman coughed a lot during class. Staff pulled the coughing woman aside and explained the importance of using hand sanitizer.

At the Irene Stern Community Center in Fulshear, seniors gather each week for a couple hours to play bingo, cards and dominoes.

Loraine Henderson, the program coordinator, said the roughly 25 seniors she oversees have also remained calm.

At the Avenues of Fort Bend, a senior living community in Missouri City, visitors with a cough or runny nose are asked not to visit the community, according to Kristee Thomas, operations specialist. If an employee at the facility calls in sick, then they have to get cleared by a physician before returning to work.

The Crescent, a nursing home in Sugar Land, said in a statement that it is working on a daily basis to prevent the spread of any illnesses among residents, including COVID-19.

While the immediate threat to our residents, and those who work in and visit our communities, remains small, we firmly believe that we must be prepared at all times to try and prevent Coronavirus and other common viruses from occurring and spreading, especially given the senior population we are privileged to serve, said David Eriksen, general counsel and compliance officer for The Crescent, in a statement.

Caroline Farmer, 69, who attended the meeting in Sugar Land on Thursday, said she wasnt panicking, but wasnt going to any concerts right now.

I think that we have a better medical community to treat this if they catch it, (as) opposed to some of the other countries that dont have good medical facilities to take care of this, Farmer said.

She said she was going about her daily routine, including teaching dance at the senior center.

Alycia Gorman, 75, went to the meeting because she wanted to get information from someone, rather than absorb the hype from TV news.

She also still planned to take part in Gormans dance class.

Im coming, Gorman said with a laugh.

Karma Gumbert, who has been going to the center for the last three years, happened to be there when the meeting with Dr. Anzaldua began.

The 71-year-old said she is remaining calm and just following recommended tips such as washing her hands.

You cant get into a hysteria, said Gumbert. Its not going to help anybody.

brooke.lewis@chron.com
Ayodhya, March 6 : Shiv Sainiks have started pouring into Ayodhya, ahead of their party President and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's scheduled visit to the holy city on Saturday.

A special train bringing Shiv Sainiks from Mumbai will be reaching Ayodhya on Friday evening while Shiv Sainiks from various districts in UP have started reaching Ayodhya.

Uddhav Thackeray will be visiting Ayodhya on Saturday to offer prayers on completing of his 100 days in office. He is expected to be accompanied by wife Rashmi Thackeray and son and minister Aditya Thackeray.

Thackeray, who assumed office on November 28, 2019, is visiting Ayodhya, a month after the Centre constituted a trust to oversee construction of a Ram temple at the once disputed site in the town.

Sena sources said that some more ministers and party functionaries will be coming to Ayodhya along with the chief minister.

Political analysts opine that by visiting Ayodhya after becoming chief minister , Uddhav Thackeray wants to send a clear message that he has not given up on his Hindutva agenda even though he runs a government in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress.

The state unit of Shiv Sena, meanwhile, said that the Thackeray family would be arriving on Saturday morning by a state aircraft and would go straight to the Ram Janambhoomi temple to offer prayers.

The Maharashtra chief minister may address a press conference before returning to Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the special train bringing Shiv Sainiks from Mumbai has been booked by an individual through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) from Mumbai to Ayodhya and return.

The return train will leave for Mumbai on Saturday night.

WhatsApp messages were in circulation among Shiv Sainiks asking party members to board the special train at designated halts if they wanted to visit Ayodhya.

In November 2018, Uddhav Thackeray had first visited Ayodhya with his family. At that time, his party had booked two special trains - one from Mumbai and another from Nashik -- for bringing Shiv Sainiks.
For six years they have gathered in their local church hall to calm their minds and gently work their bodies through the centuries-old practice of yoga.

But now the group of middle-aged yogis and their teacher have been booted out by Rev Dan Brown after his wife Sarah decided the sessions were an offence to Christianity and not physical enough.

Mrs Brown joined the class to investigate after her husband became alarmed by references to what he termed Hindu practices on teacher Sarah Wilsons website.

The group of middle-aged yogis and their teacher have been booted out by Rev Dan Brown after his wife Sarah (pictured above) decided the sessions were an offence to Christianity and not physical enough

During the class the vicars wife texted on her phone, did her own exercises and refused to meditate, saying it was against her Christian beliefs.

A yoga enthusiast who insists that the practice should be stripped of its spiritual roots to be a gym-style workout, she dismissed the session as more like a nice lie-down than exercise.

Mrs Brown joined the class to investigate after her husband became alarmed by references to what he termed Hindu practices on teacher Sarah Wilsons website. The yoga teacher is pictured above

After being briefed by his wife, Mr Brown emailed Miss Wilson to pull the plug on her class.

He wrote: We find the style of yoga used doesnt go along with our Christian values or constitution of the Church of England. There are lot of active Christians in the church who attend other yoga groups which are just about the physical exercise without the spiritual dynamic.

The church is a Christian venue and cannot be used for other religious practices in the same way you would not hold communion in a mosque.

The 20-strong class has been forced to leave Wadsley Church Hall in Sheffield and move to a smaller community centre.

Miss Wilson, who also works as a nurse, said she was stunned and outraged by Mrs Browns behaviour at her class and rejected the vicars criticism of unchristian spiritual practices.

She said: We use joss sticks because the church hall often smells of old dinners or bleach. I may do a bit of chanting sometimes but thats it.

The vicar does not think yoga and Christianity are compatible. To me, spiritual practice is about looking after yourself and being connected to nature.

She added she told a zumba instructor who uses the hall that they wont be liking you either  swinging your hips in a skimpy top, it is too provocative.

Class member Lesley Brindley, 57, said: I am a Christian and I do not see a conflict. Whats happened is just wrong. I am going to complain to the bishop.

Mr Brown was defiant, saying: Yoga exercise was fine but we did not want Buddhist or Hindu practices in the church because it is a Christian building.

Mrs Brown, an RE teacher, rejected complaints about her behaviour during the try-out session, insisting she was bullied by a room of 20 women.

She said: I love yoga but this was not exercise. If people want to meditate it is fine, but it is not what we Christians would do.
tech2 News Staff

Oppo is all geared up to launch its two flagship smartphones - Oppo Find X2 and Oppo Find X2 Pro along with its Oppo Watch in China today. Previously, these launches were slated to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress that was to be held last month but got called off due to concerns over coronavirus.

As per the official images shared by Oppo, the Oppo Watch will look just like Apple Watch, since it has almost the same shape and design.

Oppo launch event: How to watch it live

The Oppo event will begin at 10.30 CET in China, which means you can catch the Livestream at 3.00 pm in India. You can visit the company's YouTube page to get all the live updates of the event. You can also tap on the link below to watch the Livestream.



Oppo Find X2 expected specifications

As per the official teaser, Oppo Find X2 will feature an HDR10+ 3K display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. According to a report by XDA Developers, Oppo Find X2 is likely to be powered by Snapdragon 865 chipset.

Going by a WinFuture report, Oppo Find X2 might sport a 6.7 inch OLED touchscreen with a 20:9 aspect ratio. It might house a 4,200 mAh battery that supports 65 W fast charge. It is likely to charge the phone in just 38 minutes.

In the camera department, the smartphone is expected to come with a 48 MP Sony IMX 586 primary sensor, a 12 MP ultra wide angle lens and a 13 MP telephoto lens with 3X optical and 20X digital zoom.

Oppo Find X2 Pro expected specifications

As per the WinFuture report, tt might feature a 6.7 inch OLED display that comes with a 1,440 x 3,168 pixel resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and 20:9 aspect ratio. Oppo Find X2 Pro is likely to come with a 32 MP punch hole camera.

The smartphone is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 865 processor and offer up to 12 GB RAM and 512 GB internal storage. It is speculated to house a 4,200 mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging tech.

On the camera front, Oppo Find X2 Pro is likely to come with a 48 MP Sony IMX689 sensor, a 48 MP IMX586 sensor, 13 MP zoom sensor that might offer 5X optical zoom, 10X hybrid zoom and 60X digital zoom.

Oppo Watch expected specifications

As per the officially teased images, the watch will come in two colour options  black and white. It will have a squarish screen that is surrounded by a metallic frame. While the Apple Watch has a dial, the Oppo Watch has buttons. It seems like you will be able to send and receive calls and messages via the Watch.

Oppo official Brian Shen revealed in a tweet that the Oppo Watch will feature a curved screen and 3D glass. As per a Weibo post, this watch is likely to run on Google's WatchOS.


>>> PM receives US-ASEAN Business Council delegation

At the meeting, Binh expressed his pleasure with the sound development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in areas, thus bringing big benefits to both countries peoples.

He highlighted Vietnams determination and outcomes in combating the COVID-19 outbreak through drastic measures as well as support and involvement of Vietnamese people. He said ASEANs activities in 2020, when Vietnam serves the role of Chair of ASEAN Chair, will still take place as scheduled, despite impacts of the outbreak.

On the occasion, the two sides discussed issues on institutions, socio-economic development of Vietnam, mechanisms, recommendations in the fields that US businesses are interested in such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy and science-technology.

The US delegation affirmed to continue closely coordinating with the Vietnamese Party and Government, and contributing to promoting economic ties, trade and investment between the two countries in the coming time.
After he died in 2004, I was determined that her life would not be ruined. I arranged something for us to look forward to every afternoon: watching Gilmore Girls; getting a hot chocolate.

She and my husband, Frank, were very close. I worked full-time [then as principal at Sydneys Woollahra Public School] and he worked from home, so he was her primary carer when she was young. After he was diagnosed in 2003 with leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, I had to tell her that it was terminal because he couldnt do it. It is the hardest thing Ive ever done.

MAUREEN: Johanna was born early, at 29 weeks, and suffered a lung haemorrhage at day three. We didnt know if she would survive. As a result, I suffer from dreadful separation anxiety. She came home at two months and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 12 months.

Johanna on her mother Maureen: "Knowing how much Mum believes in me spurs me on. I had low self-esteem as a kid, and Mum would always build my confidence." Credit:Peter Braig

It was always a battle to get her included in things at school. In 2007, the mean girls wouldnt sell her a ticket to the year 10 formal as they didnt believe anyone would want to take her. I was furious, so I arranged for a family friend to take her. When she was in year 10, the school told me she had to leave because it would be too hard for her to do the Higher School Certificate. I said, Thats not an option. She is going to do the HSC. She ended up doing her HSC over two years, partly at school, and partly at TAFE.

In 2011 she started uni, doing a course in communications and media. I was thrilled that shed chosen her own direction. In 2014, she went on a six-month exchange program to Minnesota University. I had met Keith [Maureens current husband] by then and we flew over to get her settled in. She was worried about being away from me for so long. When we left, she was sobbing. I wasnt; I dont do that in front of her. She ended up loving it so much that she wanted to do another six months.

She came home with a more positive view of my relationship with Keith. Shed always loved him, but she was concerned that I might abandon her for him. She returned more comfortable about her place in our relationship, and confident in her own ability to go anywhere.

I realised that while she will always be there, Im capable of doing things on my own. Johanna Garvin

We share the same values. We are both committed to social justice. We both love the theatre. Shes the most unmaterialistic person Ive ever met, whereas I love fashion, and nice things. Im a blabber; shes more of a listener. If theres one thing Id change about her, Id like to see her be more of an advocate for herself.
This picture taken on March 4, 2020 shows Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arriving to attend a upper house budget committee session at parliament in Tokyo. - Japan will quarantine people coming from China and South Korea for two weeks on arrival to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the country's prime minister said on March 5. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)



Japan will quarantine people coming from China and South Korea for two weeks on arrival to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the country's prime minister said Thursday.



"We will strengthen immigration quarantines on people from the two countries," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a cabinet-level taskforce meeting on the virus.



"We will ask them to stay in designated areas for two weeks and not to use public transport in the country," Abe added, saying the measures would come into force from March 9 and last at least until the end of the month.



Abe said the measures were aimed at "relieving people's concerns" and preventing a further spread of the virus.



The government is calling for tourists from China, where the virus emerged, and South Korea, which has been hard hit by the outbreak, to put off travel to Japan and will cancel visas for travelers from the two countries, Abe said.






HOUSTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) will release its first quarter 2020 results on April 28, 2020 after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the Company will host a conference call, which will be webcast, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central.

What: MRC Global First Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call



When: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central



How: Via phone -- Dial 412-902-0003 and ask for the MRC Global call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or webcast -- at http://www.mrcglobal.com

A replay will be available through May 13, 2020 by dialing 201-612-7415 using pass code 13699943#. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.mrcglobal.com for 90 days.

About MRC Global Inc.

MRC Global is the largest distributor of pipe, valves and fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to the energy industry, based on sales. Through approximately 260 service locations worldwide, approximately 3,200 employees and with nearly 100 years of history, MRC Global provides innovative supply chain solutions and technical product expertise to customers globally across diversified end-markets including the upstream, transmission and gathering, gas utilities and downstream (including industrials). MRC Global manages a complex network of over 200,000 SKUs and 10,000 suppliers simplifying the supply chain for its over 14,000 customers. With a focus on technical products, value-added services, a global network of valve and engineering centers and an unmatched quality assurance program, MRC Global is the trusted PVF expert. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com .

Contact:

Monica Broughton

Investor Relations

MRC Global Inc.

[email protected]

832-308-2847

SOURCE MRC Global Inc.

Related Links

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Telecom major Vodafone Idea has pegged its self-assessed adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues at Rs 21,533 crore, the company said in an exchange filing.

This makes the dues less than half the Rs 53,000 crore estimated by the telecom department.

Vodafone Idea said on March 6 that it has filed the self-assessment of its AGR liabilities with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

In a statement, the company said it had already paid Rs 2,500 crore on February 17 and another Rs 1,000 crore on February 20 towards the AGR liabilities.

"The self-assessment discloses the Company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crores including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crores for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020," Vodafone Idea added.

On March 4, the government asked Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telcos to make payments towards their remaining AGR dues without delay, in accordance with the Supreme Court order. As per reports, the government has received about Rs 26,000 crore in AGR payments so far.
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The coronavirus outbreak disrupted Islamic worship in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia banned its citizens and other residents of the kingdom from performing the pilgrimage in Mecca, while Iran cancelled Friday prayers in major cities. The decisions in Riyadh and Tehran affected both Sunni and Shiite Muslims alike. (Image: Twitter)
Srinagar police on Thursday arrested a drug peddler who was in possession of contraband apparently charas.

The accused identified as Sajad Ahmad Khan, a plumber by profession, was apprehended and 250 grams of charas was recovered from his possession during a Naka checking at Jehangir Chowk.

The accused was arrested on the spot, police said.

An FIR has been registered at the Shaheed Gunj police station and an investigation is currently underway.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The St Patricks Day festival in Dublin is still set to go ahead despite the Coronavirus outbreak.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed on Friday afternoon after a COVID-19 stakeholder meeting that the government had no plans to limit mass gatherings.

In terms of events, were not recommending that any major events be cancelled, but that of course will be kept under review, Mr Varadkar said.

Patricks day is still on. Ireland still in containment phase but inevitable more people will catch Coronavirus, says Leo Varadkar. pic.twitter.com/inwE7AudCk  aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) March 6, 2020

Wed also ask people not to act unilaterally, whether that's school principals or creche owners or business owners or event organisers, that causes problems in itself.

We need to act in concert and if the response needs to be escalated we escalate all together.

Concerns have also been flagged about the ability of hospitals to respond of Irelands situation gets worse.

Mr Varadkar said that the government were looking into having some retired medical staff come out of retirement in order to help relieve pressure on staff.

Mr Varadkar also said that suggestions such as banning flights from affected areas have proved to be ineffective and Ireland would not be implementing them.

If you look at the kind of measures we are putting in place in Ireland, theyre very similar to those being put in place in the United Kingdom, or other countries that have many more cases than we do, he added.

We are in a different situation to northern Italy or China. What we are doing is very similar to what's happening in other European countries.

Ireland was still that in containment phase on Friday with 13 confirmed cases and Mr Varadkar along with Chief Medical Officer Tony Houlohan moved to calm fears about Irelands reaction to the issue.

All of the measures that are appropriate to this country, in relation to this to the pattern of disease that we're in, are there, he said.

Mr Varadkar said as of now he will go ahead with his travel plans to attend America next week. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has cancelled her visit due to a Coronavirus outbreak at her childrens school.

Earlier: 'We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled'

- By Joel Slattery, with reporting by Press Association

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said mass public gatherings such as St Patricks Day parades will not be cancelled amid the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking following a stakeholder meeting with health officials on Friday, he said: We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled but this of course will be kept under review.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan did acknowledge that it is a fast-changing situation.

Dr Holohan said that Ireland is doing things suitable to our country.

Regarding his tradition trip to the United States for St Patricks Day, the Taoiseach said he still plans on travelling on Tuesday but he is continuing to monitor the situation.

The Taoiseach said that measures being taken in Ireland are similar to UK and other European countries that have more cases of Covid-19.

Our situation is different to northern Italy and China, Mr Varadkar said.

Mr Varadkar also said that there would be clarity regarding income support for people who have to self-isolate on Monday.

We want to make sure that nobody who is given medical advice and is told to self-isolate doesn't do so for fear of financial loss, he said.
Lee student Zachary Laspina, left, is pictured with Dr. Parris and the Winterfest discipleship book

Lee students are pictured here with Dr. Randall Parris holding the Winterfest discipleship book for which they wrote lessons. Shown are Julia Close, David W. Hall, Dr. Parris, and Jamie Savley.

Seven Lee University youth ministry majors recently developed youth ministry lessons that were published in the Winterfest Discipleship 108 book, a devotional book created for Winterfests spiritual retreats.

I was happy to invite these Lee University youth ministry majors to make a contribution, said Dr. Randall Parris, international coordinator of global youth leadership for the Church of God international youth and discipleship department.

These young authors helped provide student pastors and youth leaders with high quality, doctrinally sound, and relevant discipleship material. They used their passion and skill to ultimately influence the hearts, minds, and souls of thousands of students through this discipleship resource.

The students who created the lessons include Julia Close, Valerie Fuqua, David W. Hall, Robby Hirschman, Zachary Laspina, Josiah Liljekvist, and Jamie Savley. Dr. Lorinda Roberts, assistant professor of youth and family ministry at Lee, also created one of the lessons while assisting the students in their research and development of the project.



This publication is the eighth edition in the Church of God Youth and Discipleships commitment to develop our own unique youth discipleship curriculum, said Dr. Parris. This resource was developed with youth leaders and students in mind.



The Bible studies follow the books focus on four areas of a students spiritual journey: belief, discipleship, servanthood, and transformation. The books are provided free of charge to every youth pastor/leader who attends a Winterfest Youth Retreat and are available online.



Dr. Parris also plans to translate the book into several languages including French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Dutch.


Chinese gaming company Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd said on Friday that it has agreed to sell Grindr LLC, a popular gay dating app it acquired in 2016, for about $608.5 million. The deal comes after a US government panel asked Kunlun to divest itself of Grindr. The panel, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), has not disclosed its concerns about Kunlun's ownership of Grindr. However, the United States has been increasingly scrutinizing app developers over the safety of personal data they handle, especially if some of it involves US military or ...
Mumbai, March 6 : As the Reserve Bank of India and the government step up to resurrect Yes Bank, its new administrator Prashant Kumar on Friday said a solution is being worked upon to revive the bank well before the 30-day moratorium period ends.

"The current moratorium has been brought into effect keeping the depositors' interest in mind and for restoring their confidence. A solution is being worked upon to revive the bank well before the moratorium period of 30 days ends. The bank is also taking necessary steps to ensure seamless transactions for the customers.

"We assure the depositors that their money is safe and there is absolutely no reason to panic. Look forward to the continued support from the depositors" as an advisory to customers," Prashant Kumar, who has been appointed administrator for Yes Bank by the RBI, said in a statement released by the bank.

The moratorium started on Thursday and will continue for a month. From Friday, depositors at India's fourth largest private lender will not be able to withdraw more than Rs 50,000 of their own hard-earned money.

The RBI imposed these restrictions late on Thursday in a move which some say was overdue, leaving the depositors in a tizzy. For the next 30 days, Yes Bank will also not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

The financial position of Yes Bank underwent a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering panic among the investors.

The annual report of the bank for 2018-19 showed that its capital adequacy ratio was the lowest in three years as of March 2019 at 16.5 per cent. This ratio further fell to 16.3 per cent by the end of September 2019.

The mess ran deep in Yes Bank. The RBI has said that Yes Bank experienced "serious governance issues and practices" in recent years which led to the steady decline of the bank. There was the famous fall out between the two co-promoter families to begin with, where Rana Kapoor and his sister-in-law Madhu Kapur fought a public battle over the control of the bank.

Then came bad loans and as of March 2019, the bank had under-reported these by over Rs 3,000 crore. As an independent director, Uttam Prakash Agarwal resigned this January after citing corporate governance issues at the bank. Before that, the RBI had unceremoniously asked Rana Kapoor to leave the board of the private lender.

Earlier, RBI had put the draft scheme for the revival of Yes Bank in public. India's biggest lender State Bank of India has expressed its willingness to make investments in Yes Bank and participate in its reconstruction scheme, the RBI said.

Earlier in the day, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had assured Yes Bank depositors that a resolution plan will be announced in 30 days. RBI placed Yes Bank under a moratorium on Thursday, saying it was taking control of the bank for 30 days and would work on a revival plan.

"SBI has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank. Strategic investor bank cannot reduce its holding in Yes Bank below 26 per cent before three years," RBI said in the draft proposal.

The RBI had invited suggestions and comments from members of the public, including the banks' shareholders, depositors and creditors on the draft scheme. The draft scheme has also been sent to Yes Bank and SBI for their comments. RBI will receive suggestions up to March 9 and thereafter take a final call.

As per the scheme, the authorised capital shall stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and number of equity shares will stand altered to Rs 2,400 crore of Rs 2 each.

The investor bank shall not reduce its holding below 26 per cent before completion of three years from the date of infusion of the capital into Yes Bank.
Those not near enough to walls or furniture to rest their weary bodies closed their eyes and briefly napped where they stood, jolted awake not by movement on the line but by reflex when their heads nodded too far forward.

Many had already spent eight hours on their feet at work and were now facing another five to seven hours standing in line to vote in the Super Tuesday primary. Suddenly, a test of civic duty had become a test of endurance.

Some older voters were forced to leave because of health concerns while waiting in overheated hallways and others had to exit to meet the demands of work and family. Still, there were those who stayed.

Hervis Rogers and Carla Reed, who persevered to cast the last Super Tuesday ballots at Texas Southern University  after 1 a.m. Wednesday, more than six hours after the polls had closed  have rightfully become patriotic folk heroes.

If I say Im going to vote, Im going to vote and Im not going to cry about it, Reed told the editorial board Thursday, adding that she was also proud of clocking in on time for her 6 a.m. job with FedEx. Im definitely going to vote for my opinion to be heard. If I was in line, I was in line to the end. If someone puts a wall to stop people from voting, Im going to stand there until we can take the wall down.

If only those in charge of running the election showed as much gumption in getting it right. Whether you view voting mostly as a right, a privilege or a duty, we can all agree that it should not look like a Survivor elimination challenge.

A 2014 bipartisan presidential commission on election reform said that No citizen should have to wait more than 30 minutes to vote, and that the problem of long lines could be solved through a combination of planning ... and the efficient allocation of resources.

It is clear that both of those solutions were lacking in Harris County on Super Tuesday. Long lines and delays were reported in big cities such as Dallas and Los Angeles, but nothing like what happened to Houston-area voters.

Heavy turnout, technical glitches and human error all contributed to the delays, as always. But there were two significant problems that made things so much worse in Harris County.

First, there were not enough polling sites in heavily Democratic areas. This is a side effect of the move from precinct to countywide voting and is likely to require a change in state law or bipartisan cooperation that has been mostly absent. Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman, a Democrat presiding over her first presidential primary, had maintained that the best way to mitigate the issue was by holding a joint primary in which both parties used the same machines. Republicans, as is their right, said no.

The other big problem of the night was an insufficient number of Democratic voting machines in heavily Democratic areas. Thats all on Trautman.

She decided to evenly divide the machines at each center though early voting predicted Democratic turnout could be 30-to-1 over Republicans in some areas, given the competitive presidential race.

You couldnt short either party or they would cry discrimination, Trautman said in a radio interview with Houston Public Media on Thursday.

But Harris County GOP Chairman Paul Simpson said he was baffled by Trautmans plan, noting that his party requested 2,319 voting machines from the county but got 4,147. At TSU, where the longest waits to vote were recorded, Republicans said they had asked for four voting machines but were given 10, the same as Democrats.

This is a massive failure of planning and execution, and something Trautman can, and must, correct. First, she has to take responsibility and stop blaming Republicans. Some of Tuesdays problems arent likely in November, when all voters use the same machines, but now is the time to address all the failures that are pushing wait times well beyond 30 minutes.

People have sacrificed so much for our right to vote. People should not have to suffer for hours in line to exercise it.
How do you relate a unique custom like stroganina to a primarily American audience?

I remember first trying it on a trip last year to Siberia and thinking, Wow, how is this not a super hip dish in Brooklyn? People all over the world love sushi, and many Times readers love raw fish. Who knew you could take it, freeze it, and it becomes a totally different delicacy? When I first tried it, I immediately thought, I have to write about this someday.

Was there anything from your reporting you wanted to include but couldnt find room for?

In the dispatch I mention that people in that region are frustrated by pollution caused by the oil and gas industry thats becoming more active in the Russian Arctic. On the other side you have the fact that this oil and gas exploration brings untold sums of money to these regions. That was striking, seeing how high the quality of life was in these towns. That economic aspect is something we typically put in the forefront of stories, but I wanted to put the cultural and personal stories in the forefront here.

When I started this job I asked one of our editors, What kind of stories do you want? And the response was: Tell us how people live in Russia. We write about Putin, politics, and will continue to, but we also want to tell stories of people. The food people eat is a core component of the human existence.

Does climate change have greater implications for stroganina?

Thats another theory I had when reporting this that I didnt end up including. The colder it is, the faster the fish or meat freezes and the better the flavor. At the end of the day, people notice climate change, but no one said it affected stroganina. But there is the thawing of the permafrost that endangers the infrastructure. There are places that have found themselves cut off from the mainland for much longer than usual because the ice isnt hardening fast enough.
When Brittany Pettersen, a Colorado state senator, gave birth to a boy in January, she became only the second lawmaker in the state to have a baby during a legislative season.

The first, Sen. Barbara Holme, delivered just two days before lawmakers adjourned nearly 30 years ago. But because she was part of a Democratic minority at the time, no one worried much about the votes Holme was missing, much less her need for paid maternity leave.

"That was the year I was born," said Pettersen, also a Democrat. "Unfortunately, we haven't come very far from 1981."

Despite the inroads women have made entering the workforce and politics, paid family and medical leave remains a heavy lift in Colorado and across much of the country. For each of the past six years, the Colorado legislature has considered bills to establish a statewide paid leave program, but none have passed. Yet this year, with a Democratic governor, Democratic control of both the state House and Senate, plus more female legislators than ever before, many thought it would be the best chance for a paid leave bill in the 30 years since Holme had her baby.

Pettersen has become something of a poster child  perhaps, a poster mom  for this year's legislative push. While undoubtedly many male lawmakers have had children while serving, her fellow senators may find Pettersen's example hard to ignore if a paid leave bill comes to the floor.

"This is our opportunity to help Coloradans. And we're going through it, even in our workplace," said Pettersen, who took one month of paid leave from her legislative work. (Colorado legislators are allowed to take up to 40 days of fully compensated leave, but their salary is reduced if they're out longer for anything other than a medical illness.)

Still, even after a bipartisan task force came to broad consensus this year for a mandatory paid family leave benefit run by the state and funded through payroll taxes, Coloradans may have to settle for something far less ambitious if anything passes at all. The fight illustrates just how divisive paid family leave can be when determining how to pay for it.

Legislative hurdles

Under federal law, employers with 50 or more employees are required to grant workers time off to deal with family or medical issues, including the birth of a child or the care of an aging parent. But companies are not required to pay workers for that time off.

Many of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have backed paid leave, and President Donald Trump's budget envisioned a paid family leave program. Congress is now considering the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, which would provide workers up to 12 weeks of partial income for family leave regardless of the company's size, funded through a payroll tax of 2 cents per $10 in wages. Congress passed a bill last year that will grant 12 weeks of paid family leave to federal employees beginning in October.

Some states have sought to fill the gaps and, so far, eight states  California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington  along with the District of Columbia have established paid family leave programs, funded through payroll taxes. For a while, at least, Colorado looked poised to join them.

Colorado Republicans have killed paid leave bills in years past. But last year, when Democrats took control, paid leave looked like a possibility.

"That's also when all the details really started to matter," said Kathy White, deputy director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute, a nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization, which backed a paid leave benefit.

As a result, the 2019 paid leave bill was the most lobbied legislation in Colorado that session, according to backers, with more than 200 lobbyists registered as working on it. But, ultimately, lawmakers were unable to come to an agreement and instead established a task force to study the issue.

A broad consensus

The 13-member bipartisan panel spent months poring through examples from other states and studies that looked at the costs and benefits of providing family and medical leave. They reviewed more than 1,000 public comments submitted in just 30 days.

In January, the task force issued its final recommendations with broad consensus among its members. It backed what's called a state-run social insurance model to levy a small payroll tax to cover the paychecks of those taking paid leave.

"This has become a really big issue because the research is becoming so clear," White said. "We can see the difference between those who have leave and those who don't have leave or have to take unpaid leave for caregiving needs."

A state-commissioned review found strong evidence that paid leave decreased infant mortality by 10% to 13%, increased the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months, increased childhood immunization rates and improved maternal mental health.

But the task force recommendations were met with objections from various lawmakers, as well as Gov. Jared Polis. He had asked the task force to consider paid leave models other than a state-run program.

Some opposed the new payroll taxes, while others were concerned about the state's potential costs if payroll taxes don't collect enough. Critics have argued that paid leave mandates offer employers little flexibility to meet an employee's specific needs  and can create an economic burden for businesses.

By February, bill sponsors had shifted to a compromise that would require companies to offer paid family and medical time off but would leave it up to employers to determine how to provide that.

It's not nearly the benefit that paid-leave advocates had hoped for.

"I would have preferred a social insurance plan," said Democratic Sen. Faith Winter, the bill's lead sponsor. "Ultimately, you could have a perfect bill that doesn't pass, or you could have a good bill that passes."

Waning support

Now it's unclear whether the compromise bill has given up too much ground to pass. Already, two of Winter's Democratic co-sponsors have dropped their names from the revised bill, calling into question whether it will have enough votes.

"It's a big program with lots of details, and it impacts every person in the state," Winter said. "When you start moving things that affect everyone and every business, that means everyone cares."

The coalition of nonprofits and advocacy groups pushing for paid family and medical leave does have a backstop. Early this year, proponents registered two paid leave ballot measures for the November elections.

"Colorado families overwhelmingly want and expect the legislature to move forward with a plan to provide family and medical leave this year," said Lynea Hansen, a spokesperson for Colorado Families First, a nonprofit that has been lobbying in favor of a paid leave bill. "If the legislature is unsuccessful at passing a comprehensive policy, we plan to take this initiative to the voters."

It's unknown whether the backers of the ballot measure would continue to press the issue if the legislature passes the compromise bill instead of the full state-run benefit advocates sought.

"What happens if the legislature does do something and it's still not good enough for the advocates?" asked Loren Furman, senior vice president of state and federal relations for the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, which has been supportive of a paid leave bill. "Are they then going to continue down the path of the ballot initiative?"

If nothing else, the additional time it took to rework the bill has allowed Pettersen to be back from her one-month maternity leave in time for debate on the bill. The Democrats hold a slim 19-16 margin in the Senate and cannot count on a strict party-line vote because some party members are wavering in their support for the new approach.

Pettersen has pledged to bring her infant son, Davis, to the chamber floor for the crucial vote  a tangible display of what's at stake.

"It's just another reminder," she said. "There are numerous moms that have been elected. But absolutely, having the experience of someone going through it right now is going to impact what we're talking about."
Scientists at Uppsala University have proposed an addition to the theory of evolution that can explain how and why genes move on chromosomes. The hypothesis, called the SNAP Hypothesis, is presented in the scientific journal PLOS Genetics.

Life originated on earth almost four billion years ago and diversified into a vast array of species. How has this diversification occurred? The Theory of Evolution together with the discovery of DNA and how it replicates provide an answer and a mechanism. Mutations in DNA occur from generation to generation and can be selected if they help individuals to adapt better to their environment. Over time, this has led to the separation of organisms into the different species that now inhabit all the different ecosystems of the planet.

Current theory (that evolution involves mistakes made when replicating a gene) explains how genes can mutate over time and acquire new meanings. However, a mystery in biology is that the relative locations of genes on chromosomes also changes over time. This is very obvious in bacteria, where different species often have the same genes in very different relative locations. Since the origin of life, genes have apparently been changing location. The questions are, how and why do genes move their relative locations?

Now, scientists at Uppsala University have proposed an addition to the theory of evolution that can explain how and why genes move on chromosomes. The hypothesis, called the SNAP Hypothesis, is based on the observation that tandem duplications of sections of chromosome occur very frequently in bacteria (more than a million times more frequently than most mutations). These duplications are lost spontaneously unless they are selected. Selection to maintain a duplication can occur whenever bacteria find themselves in a sub-optimal environment, where having two copies of a particular gene could increase fitness (for example, if the duplicated region includes a gene that increases growth rate on a poor nutrient).

Duplications typically contain hundreds of genes, even if only one is selected. The scientists Gerrit Brandis and Diarmaid Hughes argue that mutations can quickly accumulate in the hundreds of non-selected genes, including genes that are normally essential when there is only a single copy in the chromosome. Once two different essential genes are inactivated, one in each copy of the duplication, the duplication can no longer be lost. From this point on, the bacteria will have many genes unnecessarily duplicated, and mutations to inactivate or delete them will be positively selected because they increase fitness.

Over time, all of the unnecessary duplicated genes may be lost by mutation, but this will happen randomly in each copy of the duplication. By this process of random loss of unnecessary duplicated genes in each copy of the duplication, the relative order of the remaining genes can be completely changed. The SNAP process can rearrange gene order very rapidly and it may contribute to separating different species.
GREENWICH  Greenwich Catholic School buzzed with activity Thursday as students completed creative activities to fill baskets for the residents of Malta House in Norwalk.

For the schools second annual Together in Kindness Service Day, students from preschool to eighth grade were partnered with their buddies. Throughout the day they wrote and decorated cards of encouragement, wrapped baby gifts and assembled diaper bags.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the crisis in Yes Bank is not something which has cropped up suddenly. We had been keeping an eye on the bank since 2017, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press briefing on Friday evening.

She said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recommended after a thorough scrutiny in 2018 that the current leadership (MD and CEO) of Yes Bank cannot continue. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 as a result. Cleaning up of bank started since then, said Sitharaman adding that Rs 1 crore was levied as fine on the bank.

Sebi also started investigation from September 2019 on insider trading related matter, said the finance minister.

Also read: Nirmala Sitharamans message to Yes Bank depositors in need of urgent funds

The management kept telling us that efforts are being made genuinely for fresh infusion of cash, but nothing materialised, said Sitharaman giving a timeline of the issues with the beleaguered financial institution.

She also said that the RBI has taken certain steps to contain the crisis and protect the interests of the depositors. Among them, the central bank was put under moratorium, withdrawal limit was capped, a new administrator was brought in by superseding the management, and a scheme prepared by the RBI to restructure the bank, said Sitharaman.

Watch | Yes Bank crisis: RBI caps withdrawal at 50,000, people queue up outside ATMs

She also said that employment will be protected for one year, the RBI has assured. We have been monitoring the bank every day since the last six months, said Sitharaman.

Earlier in the day, the finance minister had assured the depositors that the government is constantly coordinating with the RBI to ensure that depositors are not troubled. We have been monitoring the situation. Now that RBI has come up with a plan, a resolution will be found at the earliest. I want to assure the depositors and investors that both the RBI and the government are looking into the issue. There is no need to panic, their money is safe, Sitharaman had said.

We have taken a course which will be in everybodys interest. RBI has assured that a resolution will be found as soon as possible, she added.

Also read: If you are Yes Bank customer, heres all you need to know

The minister also said that though there is a cap of Rs 50,000, the RBI has already announced that if people need more funds for exigencies, they can follow the guidelines given by the central bank.

RBI governor Shaktikanta Das had said earlier in the day that Yes Bank resolution will be done very swiftly and that 30 days is an outer limit.

On Thursday evening, the central bank put Yes Bank under moratorium and capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account till further orders. The central bank had taken over the Mumbai-based banks board for 30 days amid a serious deterioration in Indias fifth-largest private sector lenders financial position.

The governor said that the decision was at a larger level and not at the individual entity level. The move is aimed at ensuring the safety of financial system, he added.

Yes Bank shares tumbled 60 per cent as markets took a hit and banking stocks came under pressure after RBI actions over the crisis.
Sixty Saginaw Valley State University students will continue their predecessors' tradition of spending spring break week providing support and good will to in-need communities across the nation.

SVSU's Alternative Breaks program organized six groups -- with 10 students participating in each -- set to begin traveling when spring break week begins Saturday, Feb. 29.

When they arrive at their destinations, each team will spend the week supporting agencies and nonprofits engaging a variety of issues including providing shelter for those in need, empowering communities to overcome racism, and educating children about HIV and AIDS.

The following is a list of the planned Alternative Breaks trips and objectives:

At the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association in Grantville, Pennsylvania, SVSU students will support individuals with special needs and disabilities by exploring non-traditional therapies that could benefit them. At the nonprofit, that "non-traditional therapy" often involves connecting visitors with animals such as horses, goats and cats.

In Memphis, SVSU volunteers will provide education about HIV and AIDS to children at Hope House Memphis, a nonprofit that works with families affected by HIV and poverty.

Students will join the effort to eliminate substandard housing and provide shelter for the homeless with the nonprofit known as Sussex County Habitat for Humanity in Georgetown, Delaware.

With the help of Sisu Integrated Early Learning -- a nonprofit in Gainesville, Georgia -- students will advocate for education and literacy to the region's youth.

SVSU volunteers will support women both recovering from drug addiction and suffering from mental health disorders at the Nashville organization known as Mending Hearts Inc.

In St. Louis, students will assist LifeWise STL, a nonprofit that helps in-need individuals and families prosper financially by addressing systemic barriers in society such as racism.

Alternative Breaks is a student-run organization that has organized volunteer efforts during breaks in SVSU's school scheduling -- including the winter break -- since 2004.

Social media users can follow the SVSU Alternative Breaks group updates via Facebook at www.facebook.com/svsuAlternativeBreaks and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ab_svsu.
Opposition BJP created an uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly over the Prime Minister crop insurance scheme, saying the state did not pay its share of the premium.

The House was adjourned for one hour after the BJP members trooped into the Well.

The BJP members cornered the government for not depositing the state's share of premium for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana by December 31, 2019.

They alleged that due to the negligence of the government, the farmers will not get benefit of the insurance scheme.

Replying to a question asked by BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani, Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria said eligible farmers are getting benefits as per the provisions of the crop loan scheme.

He also informed the House about the number of farmers who were insured since 2017.

He said the scheme has been in force in the state since kharif season 2016 as per the guidelines of the Government of India. The crops of farmers were insured from kharif 2017 to rabi 2019-20.

The minister also informed the House about the number of policies done in kharif 2017 (58.45 lakh), rabi 2017-18 (35.48 lakh), kharif 2018 (42.05 lakh), rabi 2018-19 (29.75 lakh), kharif 2019 (44.49 lakh) and rabi 2019-20 (38.24 lakh).

Not satisfied with the answer, BJP members said the farmers will not get benefits because the Rajasthan government failed to deposit its share of premium by due date.

BJP MLA Devnani told reporters outside the Assembly that the Centre deposited its share of Rs 2,115 crore but the state government did not pay its share of premium by due date, which was December 31, 2019.

"Farmers who suffer loss will not get the benefit of the scheme because the state government has not deposited its share of premium. The Congress government is 'anti-farmer' and the chief minister and the agriculture minister should resign," he said.

When the House met again, the Agriculture Minister informed the Assembly the cut-off date for paying insurance premium was only for farmers and not for the state.

He said the state government has deposited state's complete share of premium for rabi crops 2018-19 and kharif crop 2018 and part payment of Rs 400 crore was also done against kharif 2019 and rabi 2019-20.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States Government has strongly supported the Southern Gas Corridor for more than a decade because of the contribution it will make to European energy security and to the political and economic integration of the Caspian region with the West, Nathan Reich, Energy Diplomacy Officer, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State, told local media.

He pointed out that by just about any standard, the project is a major political and commercial accomplishment.

"Once completed, it will stretch 3,600 kilometers and connect six countries  Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Albania, and Italy. It will have involved a dozen or so major international oil and gas companies and investments of around $40 billion deployed over many years, as well as cooperation across cultural, business, and political lines, technological innovation, and coordinated strategic thinking from Washington D.C. and Brussels to Rome, Tirana, Sofia, Athens, Ankara, Tbilisi, and Baku," said the energy diplomacy officer.

Reich believes that through the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, the Corridor could also significantly diversify the gas imports of European countries that are among the most reliant on Russia and consequently most vulnerable to a disruption in those supplies.

"We should keep in mind that the Corridor is expandable. If additional natural gas resources are developed in Azerbaijan, in Central Asia, Iraq, or elsewhere in the region, they too could be exported to European markets via this route. This would contribute to European energy security while generating new long-term sources of export revenue for suppliers.

So where are we in terms of progress? Part of the Corridor was commissioned in summer of 2018, when first gas flowed from Baku through an expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline in Azerbaijan and Georgia into the Trans Anatolian Pipeline, or, TANAP, which brought the gas to Eskisehir in Turkey. TANAP has now been fully commissioned and last month Greece and Turkey celebrated the commissioning of the first part of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, or, TAP, the final leg in the Corridor. If everything stays on track, the remaining portion of that pipeline  which connects Greece to Italy via Albania  will be commissioned by the end of 2020. The interconnector from Greece to Bulgaria, after several delays, also appears to be making progress and could be completed in early 2021," he noted.

Reich said that there have been hiccups and there still may be challenges to overcome, but on balance the US Government is very pleased with the significant progress that has and continues to be made on the Southern Gas Corridor and associated infrastructure.

The Southern Gas Corridor project aims to increase and diversify European energy supply by bringing gas resources from the Caspian Sea to markets in Europe.

The Southern Gas Corridor comprises the following four projects: (i) operation of Shah Deniz natural gas-condensate field ("SD1" project) and its full-field development ("SD2'" project), (ii) the operation of the South Caucasus Pipeline ("SCP" project) and its expansion ("SCPX" project), (iii) the construction of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline ("TANAP" project) and (iv) the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline ("TAP" project) (SD2, SCPX, TANAP and TAP collectively, the "Projects").

The Projects have an estimated investment cost of approximately $40 billion. Upon completion, the SD2 project will add a further 16 bcm of natural gas per annum to 10.9 bcma (maximum production capacity) already produced under SD1 project.

Total length of the newly constructed SCPX, TANAP and TAP pipelines will be more than 3,200 kilometres.

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The Lee University Chorale, led by Dr. William Green, recently toured and performed throughout Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. The group was invited to perform in Vienna for the last concert of the citys International Advent Sing Festival in December. This is the second time Lee has been invited to perform at the festival.The trip was designed to give students a chance to discover the culture of the area, but also to visit places that are specifically important to us as musicians, said Dr.Green. We sang at the City Hall in Vienna, and it was packed with people who wanted to hear Christmas music. Ensembles were there from many places around the world and even though we didnt speak the same language there was a common bond in our language of music.During Chorales nine-day tour, the students visited a variety of cities including Halle, the birthplace of Handel, and Leipzig, a town where Bach lived and worked. Students presented concerts in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, at the Frauenkirche in Dresden, at St. Vitus in Prague and with the Norfolk Christian School Choir at St. Nicholas Church. In Vienna, they performed at Schonbrunn Palace, at the Melk Abbey and closed out the tour with the final concert at the Vienna City Hall.Our trip to Austria was such a manifestation of Gods goodness, said Chorale student Meagan Schlabach. There were multiple instances during this trip where I was brought to tears because I was overwhelmed by the presence of God. One specific instance was when we were touring a cathedral in Prague, and we spontaneously broke out into worship. In that moment, even though there were people surrounding us, our only audience member was the Lord. There wasnt a dry eye in the room. I am so thankful for these priceless memories.The students also had the chance to explore the culture of each country, visiting various castles, attending the Sergei Prokofievs opera Lamour des Trois Oranges in Prague and taking waltz lessons at one of the local studios in Vienna.This experience with Chorale was unexpected and life changing, said student Austin Lee. We had the opportunity to sing in beautiful churches and cathedrals all over Germany, Czech Republic and Vienna. However, the true beauty of the trip was molded by the relationships that came to fruition among the choir.In addition to directing the Lee University Chorale, Dr. Green serves as dean of Lees School of Music and a professor of choral music. He has collaborated with many of todays leading conductors and has led performances of many of the major works for chorus and orchestra.Lee University Chorale is known for the breadth of its repertoire, which ranges from sacred classical works and spirituals to vibrant cultural pieces. The ensemble has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall and has traveled across Europe, performing at the Vatican, St. Marks Cathedral in Venice and St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin.
Some teachers in the Philadelphia School District - with struggles to equip all schools with adequate supplies - worry the school system is unprepared for cases of coronavirus. Read more

Like organizations around the United States, the Philadelphia School District is preparing for a possible outbreak of coronavirus and issuing guidelines to its families: Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. Sneeze or cough into an elbow. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.

But some teachers are worried about the practicality of carrying out that advice, given the realities of a large, cash-strapped district that struggles to provide supplies for 130,000 students in 200-plus schools.

The school system is monitoring the situation and working directly with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to keep abreast of the latest information on coronavirus, said Monica Lewis, a district spokesperson, who noted that the district has ordered additional cases of hand sanitizer and expects enough to supply school entrances and cafeterias. In addition, its bringing in sanitizing wipes, though they will be primarily used by cleaning staff.

But bathrooms in some schools dont reliably have hot water, and at this point in the year, school-provided supplies are in short stock, teachers say. To keep germ-spreading to a minimum, many teachers are buying extra cleaning supplies, if they can find things like wipes on store shelves. Schools also are asking parents for donations.

The lack of supplies of either sanitizer or soap throughout buildings is a persistent problem, said Jerry Jordan, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president. When fears spiked around H1N1 in 2009, he said, the district installed hand-sanitizer dispensers in schools, but after a few refills, most have remained empty. Now that there is a national shortage of hand sanitizer," Jordan said, "the district is in the problematic position of being behind the curve in terms of preparedness.

Matthew Fischetti hasnt yet seen any district-provided hand sanitizer at Central High School, where he teaches Spanish. He spent at least $75 on wipes, Lysol spray, and soap for the three classrooms he uses every day.

Philadelphia teachers are reimbursed for $100 worth of supplies, a sum hes long since gone past, but being sick four times so far this year has made Fischetti extra vigilant, he said.

Im in all these different rooms, with 33 kids in every class, and I move around, said Fischetti. Its a recipe for disaster.

Fischetti wipes down everything someone else might have touched, from the remote control to his classroom projector to student desks. Sometimes hell even offer to disinfect students cellphones.

Kids are kids, and theyll cough into their hands, Fischetti said.

At this point in the school year, any supplies her school was able to provide are gone, said Kristin Luebbert, a teacher at the U School in North Philadelphia.

I keep my surfaces as clean as possible, wipe down tables every day, and use sanitizer, but it becomes an expense, because the district doesnt give us wipes or sanitizer for our classrooms," said Luebbert. Its just a worry  whats the plan and how are we going to be safe?

Lewis, the district spokesperson, said that school cleaning crews are being directed to disinfect doorknobs, desks, counters, and other hard surfaces.

School officials from around the city gathered Thursday to discuss how the virus might affect district and charter schools, including who would be considered essential employees if schools need to close and getting adequate supplies into schools.

We can teach our kids  especially the little ones  how to wash their hands," said Arlene Kempin, the PFT vice president who attended the meeting. "But if you dont have hot water and soap, what good is it?
Restaurants were able to post their second consecutive month of positive same-store sales growth during February; though growth may not be described as anything more than modest. Sales growth was 0.3% during the month, coming on the heels of the 2.2% headline-grabbing growth we saw last month as a consequence of the unusually warm winter. Favorable weather is likely playing a part in Februarys small positive growth, but this factors effect seems to have somewhat moderated. This update comes from Black Box Intelligence (formerly TDn2K) data based on its Financial Intelligence from over 47,000 restaurants and $75 billion in annual sales.

Restaurants have now achieved positive sales growth during 5 of the last 6 months. As encouraging as that sounds, restaurant sales are far from strong, which is not surprising for an industry that continues to struggle with declining guest counts, cautioned Victor Fernandez, vice president of insights and knowledge for Black Box Intelligence. The average same-store sales growth for the last 6 months is 0.4% but, if Januarys artificially high results are excluded, the average for the period is flat sales growth year over year. Furthermore, same-store sales dropped by 0.2 percentage points during February compared with the same month 2 years ago. This was only the second time in the last 12 months that 2-year stacked growth was negative.

Guest Counts Remain a Weakness; But not for All Restaurants

Traffic growth was -2.0% in February. On the surface, this seems a relatively strong result for an industry that has struggled heavily with declining guest counts. By comparison, traffic growth for all of 2019 was -3.1%. However, Februarys traffic result was achieved by lapping over a weak February last year that experienced traffic growth of -3.7%.

While the norm is for restaurant brands to be facing declining guest counts year over year, Black Box Intelligence research has revealed that brands that have consistently been able to grow their guest counts over the last 2 years received better service scores in guest ratings and excel in providing a superior overall dining experience, which includes higher ambiance guest sentiment. Although strong positive to-go same-store sales growth is relatively widespread in the industry right now, those brands growing their traffic are outperforming not only in the dine-in category but also growing their to-go sales at a much faster pace.

Positive Effect of Favorable Weather Decreasing

7 of the 11 regions of the country were able to achieve positive same-store sales during February. As was the case last month, the regions where restaurant sales are typically most negatively impacted by severe winter weather are among those with strong sales growth during February. The Midwest, New York-New Jersey, New England, Mid-Atlantic and Mountain Plains all posted same-store sales better than 1.5% during the month.

The winter has been very mild this year and undoubtedly that continues to be a tailwind for restaurant sales. However, while those aforementioned regions experienced sales growth around 4.0% in January, growth rates for each of these regions declined the following month.

Full-Service Restaurants Outperforming on Sales Growth

Similar to what occurred in January, it seems warmer weather in February has created some incremental sales, particularly for those brands founded on dine-in, experience-based occasions. The top-performing industry segments based on same-store sales growth during the month were fine dining, casual dining and upscale casual, ranked in order of highest to lowest sales growth rates.

Economic Slowdown Fears Fueled by Coronavirus

When it comes to the economy, it is all about the coronavirus, so the past may not be prologue, commented Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors and Black Box Intelligence economist. That is especially true since growth remained decent through February. The data have yet to show any ill effects of the virus, despite the quarantines in China and the signs of it spreading to other parts of the world. That is not a surprise, as the numbers were not expected to reflect the impact until spring and summer. Given that a vaccine could be a year out, it has to be assumed the coronavirus will spread across the United States. The key issue will be the fear factor it triggers. Not only will people shy away from any activity where there are groups, but frightened populations demand drastic action. That would exacerbate the slowdown.

Currently, it looks like the spring and summer quarters will be largely flat or even negative. Recession estimates are in the 60% probability range. The restaurant industry would be hit not only by the economic slowdown but also the fear of congregating with others. The only good news is that once the virus is contained, people should go back to living normal lives quickly and the recovery could be rapid and strong.

Unfilled Restaurant Positions Increase, Amid Rising Turnover Rates

Besides the declining guest counts, the other challenge that has remained unrelenting for restaurants in recent years has been growing staffing difficulties. There is no denying this is an industry based on people. This need for employees continues to increase relative to the rest of the economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in foodservice and drinking places has grown by an average 2.4% year over year for each of the last 5 years. The growth in overall employment in the economy during the same period has been only 1.7% per year.

That is the net growth in employees in the industry, but of course, staffing difficulties include the replacement of all those employees that are quitting their current restaurant jobs. Turnover rates continue at historically high levels for the industry. Additionally, both restaurant non-management and management rolling 12-month turnover rates increased again in January based on Black Box Intelligences latest published results.

As a result of the skyrocketing turnover rates, the number of unfilled positions in restaurants continues to be a problem. Black Box Intelligences Workforce Index reported that in Q4 2019, 38% of restaurant companies reported an increase in the number of their unfilled restaurant hourly employee positions. 30% of restaurant companies experienced an increase in unfilled management positions during the quarter.

Looking Ahead

Economists are beginning to revise their economic growth estimates downward for the year, as a major unforeseen obstacle in the form of the coronavirus scare threatens to hinder the global economy. Earlier estimates were already pointing towards a slowdown in economic growth compared with the previous year. The uncertainty of an election year does not help either.

The first quarter of 2020 is expected to show positive same-store sales growth for restaurants, unquestionably aided by the extremely favorable weather conditions this year and their significant effect on Januarys sales particularly.

Nonetheless, March could prove to be challenging. On one hand, sales growth was strong during that month last year (same-store sales growth in March 2019 was 1.2%), which provides for a tougher comparison when calculating sales growth. For reference, Februarys sales growth rate in 2019 was -0.6% and yet the industry was only able to post a small positive increase last month. On the other hand, as news of more cases of coronavirus become more prevalent and continue to be shared, some negative effect on restaurant sales becomes unavoidable. We are already hearing from major corporate gatherings being canceled due to illness-related fears. Those markets typically labeled as travel destinations, be it for spring break vacations or for corporate events, will probably be hit first as traveling winds down as a precaution. Just how big an impact this will have, it is too early to tell.

Black Box Intelligence (formerly TDn2K) is the leading data and insights provider of workforce, guest, consumer and financial performance benchmarks for the hospitality industry. The Black Box Intelligence product suite is the industry standard for operators seeking to achieve best-in-class performance results. With the largest and most reliable set of real restaurant data in the marketplace, Black Box Intelligence currently tracks and analyzes more than 300 companies, over 2.8 million employees, 47,000 restaurant units and $75 billion in annual sales revenue. Black Box Intelligence is also the producer of the Global Best Practices Conference held annually in Dallas, Texas.
OTTAWAThere are 235 Canadians on the passenger manifest for a cruise ship that is being held off the coast of California for coronavirus testing.

Global Affairs Canada says there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus on the ship.

But the federal department says previous passengers of the Grand Princess cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19, which is the respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that first appeared in China last year.

The federal department says it is in contact with the cruise line and local authorities and is monitoring developments closely.

Any Canadians who need emergency assistance are being asked to call the Canadian consulate general in San Francisco.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "knee-jerk" reactions to the outbreak will not keep people safe as he defended Canada's decision not to close its borders to foreign nationals coming from regions where the outbreak is spreading.

Misinformation being spread about the virus, which can cause a respiratory disease known as COVID-19, is having negative impacts on some communities' ability to keep their populations safe, Trudeau warned while speaking to reporters in Toronto.

"We're going to stay focused on doing the things that actually matter: on empowering Canadians to make the right decisions for their own health, for their families' health, listening to experts, working to co-ordinate with health authorities across the country, including in all provinces and territories and ensuring that our response is active and up to date every step of the way."

Australia has banned travellers from South Korea who aren't Australian citizens or permanent residents, following similar bans for China and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump boasted on Twitter Thursday that U.S. border restrictions, which includes a travel ban on any foreign national who has travelled to Iran, are the reason U.S. illnesses and deaths related to COVID-19 has remained low.

Trump characterized his country's border measures as "quick action on closing our borders."

Other countries have a right to make different decisions in dealing with this outbreak, Trudeau said, but Canada is taking its lead from the World Health Organization and other health experts here and abroad.

"We know that keeping Canadians safe needs to be done in the right way and we're going to keep doing the things that actually keep Canadians safe," he said. "There is a lot of misinformation out there, there is a lot of knee-jerk reaction that isn't keeping people safe, that is having real challenging impacts on communities and on community safety."

The WHO has advised against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries dealing with COVID-19 cases, citing evidence showing that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations and may have a significant economic and social impact.

However, the federal government is stepping up its travel advice for Canadians  now warning against all travel to Iran due to COVID-19 concerns.

Global Affairs Canada posted a new alert Thursday morning, upgrading an advisory against non-essential travel to say that nobody should go.

The warning says that travel restrictions imposed to control the spread of the new coronavirus are making it increasingly difficult to leave Iran.

And because Iran doesn't recognize dual citizenship, Iranian-Canadians who might go for a visit likely wouldn't be able to get any help from Canadian officials to leave.

The Canadian government has warned against non-essential travel to China and all travel to the province where the new virus first broke out.

It also says to be extremely cautious about travel to Japan.
Passengers on some major cruise ships will have their temperatures taken before they are allowed to board cruise ships.

The new health screenings are being implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney.

According to a letter sent to people with upcoming cruises, passengers and crew will have their temperatures taken with a digital, no-touch thermometer.

If somebodys temperature is above 100.4 degrees, they and anyone else in their party will undergo a secondary health screening.

Passengers who are required to undergo secondary screenings will have their temperature checked again. They will undergo a pulse oximetry reading, which means a small device will be placed on their finger to measure their oxygen level. Then, a medical professional will check the passenger for flu-like symptoms, respiratory illness, etc. That person would make a final assessment to understand if they are fit to sail.

If a person is denied boarding, the person will receive a 100% future cruise credit.

The Cruise Line International Association said earlier this week that it has added safety guidelines for all cruises, screening each and every person prior to boarding.

Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland American Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, which use Port Tampa Bay, are part of CLIA and the new regulations.

Passengers are not allowed to cruise if theyve traveled through airports in China, South Korea, Iran or parts of Italy in the last two weeks. Passengers are also not allowed on the ship if they are currently being monitored for the virus or have been in contact with someone diagnosed within the past 14 days.

Vice President Mike Pence will meet with cruise line officials this weekend to discuss safety precautions amid the outbreak.
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin after the cardinal's conviction was overturned in French appeals court for protecting a priest who molested children, according to a statement released by the archdiocese of Lyon on Friday.

Barbarin, 69, will now vacate his post as Archbishop of Lyon. He was initally given a six-month suspended sentence for not reporting pedophile priest Bernard Preynat who preyed on dozens of boy scouts in the 1970s and 1980s.

Francis had initially refused to accept Barbarin's resignation in March 2019, when he was initially convicted with a six-month suspended sentence, saying he preferred to await the appeal decision. At the time of the case, Francis allowed Barbarin to turn over daily duties to his deputy at the archdiocese.

The appeals court said in January that Barbarin should have reported the priest, but could not be criminally held liable. The cardinal said that he dealt with the case as per instructions from the Vatican.

Barbarin said after he was acquitted that he hoped the Pontiff would accept his resignation, adding that his resignation could open a new chapter at the archdiocese of Lyon with new authority at the helm.

Victims of Preynat accuse Barbarin and other church authorities of complicity.
By Express News Service

MYSURU: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was stabbed to death during his birthday party in the city on the wee hours of Friday.

Anand, a BJP Slum Morcha member and a resident of Janathanagar in the city was stabbed with a broken beer bottle by unknown persons at a service apartment in Kuvempunagar.

According to police sources, Anand, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday had arranged a party for his friends at a service apartment late night.

Police sources revealed that Anand was a rowdy-sheeter and had involved in a murder that took place in Janthanagar several years back.

Besides being a member of the BJP party, he was also into real estate business and there are suspects of old rivalry for the murder.

However, a few alleged that he would have been killed due to a verbal spat between him and his friends during the party.

Following the incident, an ambulance was called to get him treated and police were informed about the crime. City Police commissioner Dr Chandragupta along with DCP Prakash Gowda and others inspected the crime scene.

Chandragupta said, The murder is said to have taken place at around 3 or 4 am on Friday. Further investigations are on to ascertain the motive for the crime and to find those who are behind the killing.

Former corporator attacked by lethal weapons

In another incident reported on Thursday late night, Rajani Annaiah, a former corporator and a close aide of Narasimharaja constituency MLA Tanveer Sait were attacked with lethal weapons during a village fair near Yaraganahalli in Mysuru.

Annaiah, who took part in a fair held at a temple in the village was allegedly attacked by two youths over political rivalry. Annaiah was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment while the gathering was successful in nabbing Mahadev, one of the accused while other person managed to escape.
Michel Cojot was a key figure and unsung hero in the 1976 rescue of hostages from the Entebbe airport in Uganda.

(MELBOURNE, FL)-The world held its breath for seven days In 1976, after an Air France airplane carrying 250 passengers to Paris from Tel Aviv was hijacked by terrorists. The Israeli mission to rescue them, known as Operation Thunderbolt, is just one of the many moving events depicted in the new documentary film, "Cojot," which will be screened at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at the Premiere Theaters Oaks 10 in Melbourne. "Cojot," a film by Boaz Dvir, is narrated by actor Judd Nelson and tells the little known story of Michel Cojot, a Holocaust survivor who set out to kill his father's Auschwitz Nazi executioner, former Nazi officer Klaus Barbie, and ended up playing a key role in the 1976 daring hostage rescue at the Entebbe airport in Uganda.

The Jewish Federation of Brevard will host a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-released film at the theater located at 1800 West Hibiscus Boulevard. Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Brevard, Jerry Trachtman is certain Space Coast film-goers will find "Cojot" both inspiring and compelling.

Filmmaker and author Boaz Dvir will be in attendance and will take questions from the audience at the conclusion of "Cojot."

"I'm excited to return to this wonderful community," said Dvir. "I'm honored to present 'Cojot' in Brevard County and also sign copies of my current book, 'Saving Israel.' I very much look forward to reconnecting with friends and hearing their feedback."

"This is the second time we have hosted award-winning filmmaker Boaz Dvir," said Trachtman. "He has spent over a decade researching these historic events and the stories that have emerged are not to be missed. The Jewish Federation of Brevard is privileged to screen 'Cojot' prior to its release to the public, and is honored that Boaz Dvir will be joining us at the theater for a discussion and book signing immediately following the film."

University of Florida professor and historical consultant for the film, Gayle Zachmann, will be on hand during the Q&A portion of the event. Dvir will also be signing copies of his latest book, "Saving Israel," based on the story of World War II aviators who helped Israel win its war of Independence in 1948.

$10 tickets may be purchased in advance from the Jewish Federation of Brevard or at the theater door. Proceeds from the screening of "Cojot" by the Jewish Federation of Brevard will go to support community programs and local philanthropic outreach. The Jewish Federation of Brevard identifies, supports and addresses a full range of social service issues, supports programs for all ages and sustains the Jewish community in Brevard County, Florida.

For more information, visit JewishFederationBrevard.com or call 321-951-1836.
Mr. Vizcarra explained that a series of immediate measures were taken to prevent, detect, and treat possible cases in the country as soon as the coronavirus broke out in China.

"In the last few days and weeks, the virus has spread not only to Europe and other parts of the world, but also to neighboring countries like Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The possibility to reach Peru was always there," he stated.

According to the Peruvian leader, people must face this situation quite calmly and, at the same time, united and in solidarity with one another.

The Government he continued will spare no effort to satisfy the fundamental objective of protecting all Peruvians' health, wherever they are.

Presidente @MartinVizcarraC : Esta es una situacion que debemos asumir con mucha serenidad. Debemos mantener la calma, confiar en las capacidades de nuestro sistema de salud, y continuar con las acciones de prevencion, como lo venimos haciendo, tanto autoridades como ciudadanos. pic.twitter.com/gAi23z2N1a

Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Se confirmo, en el pais, el primer caso de infeccion por #Coronavirus en un paciente varon que estuvo en Espana, Francia y Republica Checa.Hemos dispuesto, a traves del @Minsa_Peru, las medidas que corresponden para que cuente con atencion integral. pic.twitter.com/98jkeezNRY
At least 31 people, including 16 Italian nationals, infected with COVID-19 as India scrambles to contain its spread.

New Delhi, India  The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased sharply from six to 31 this week, as the epidemic that originated in China has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide.

Authorities in the capital, New Delhi, on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of primary schools until March 31 to prevent local transmission, while the central government made universal screening mandatory for all international passengers arriving in India.

The government also imposed travel restrictions on people from badly affected nations such as Italy, Iran and South Korea, adding to the previous screening of travellers from countries including China and Japan.

According to the World Health Organizations (WHO) latest tally, more than 98,200 confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 3,272 deaths have been reported globally.

More than 14,500 cases of the virus have been confirmed in 79 countries outside China, with Italy, Iran and South Korea recording nearly 270 deaths.

More than 3,000 have died in China with more than 80,400 cases since the disease known as COVID-19 was first reported last December in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

Travel advisory

Indias travel advisory came after 16 Italian nationals tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

The southern city of Bengaluru  an IT hub  New Delhi and its satellite cities, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, reported one case each.

The patient in Ghaziabad had recently travelled to Iran, which has seen more than 100 deaths and 3,000 infections so far, becoming the worst-affected nation in the Middle East.

Indias Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told Parliament on Thursday that stranded Indian pilgrims and students in Iran were a major concern. Government of India is following up with Iran authorities for their wellbeing and to tie up evacuation as per need, he said.

Last month, New Delhi airlifted its nationals from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.

Two private schools in Noida, a satellite city of New Delhi located in Uttar Pradesh state, were also shut down. The authorities maintained that the closure was a precautionary measure and not a government directive.

The health ministry has said that cases of local transmission have also been observed.

It has been decided to involve district collectors and states have been asked to form rapid response teams at the district, block and village levels. Private sector shall also be engaged for COVID-19 management, Health Minister Vardhan said in a statement.

Need for preparedness

As India braces for impact, the main concerns emerging within public health circles include weak surveillance capacity and laboratory strength in the country of a billion-plus people.

All countries with weak health systems will face challenges in dealing with a widespread outbreak. That is why WHO has been underlining the need for preparedness  surveillance and proper use of data, training of health care workers, referral systems, laboratory capacity, health information systems and community engagement, said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO.

In India, there is wide variability between states in health system capacity and urgent attention needs to be paid to the weaker states.

To date, only government laboratories have the approval to test for COVID-19, a situation which may change with an increase in cases. Clinical samples can be handled by 15 government laboratories, and another 19 laboratories are being prepared to test samples to ensure adequate geographical spread across the country.

People are getting creative to deal with face mask shortages amid #coronavirus fears  pic.twitter.com/EjoyGkovQ7  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 6, 2020

With the number of cases rising, the health ministry is considering creating, a pool of beds in private hospitals, and collaborating with private laboratories for testing samples, according to the health ministry.

The government has identified 35 private laboratories, and plans to expand it to 100 in coming days, it said in a statement.

I feel if we took the common-sense precautions that apply to infectious diseases, we should be able to get past this without calamitous impact on the population. I am worried more about the hoarding of masks, gloves, etc, which health workers need to respond to the crisis, said Dr Giridhara R Babu, Professor of epidemiology at Indian Institute of Public Health based in Bengaluru.

My second concern is that weaker health systems, in cases of all kinds of outbreaks, have a heavier toll. Shortages of doctors, hospital beds, ventilators, etc will hamstring out efforts to respond to the epidemic, he said.

Dr Babu also expressed his concerns over the lack of a robust surveillance system in India. Our response will be as good as our surveillance.

Weak health system

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh together account for 1.7 billion people, making South Asia the most-populated part of the world. All have weak health systems.

Containing the outbreak in Southeast Asia is also emerging as a serious concern for global health authorities.

Five of the 11 countries in both of these regions have confirmed COVID-19 cases  Thailand, 43; India, 31; Indonesia, two; and Sri Lanka and Nepal, one each.

On Wednesday, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO Southeast Asia region, said more cases were likely.

More cases can be expected. Rapidly identifying these cases, isolating them and following their contacts are important initiatives to help limit person-to-person transmission. The speed of our response is critical, which is only possible if we are prepared, she said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The coronavirus spreads from person to person in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.

WHO has asked countries in Southeast Asia region to strengthen preparedness for all possible scenarios and ensure early containment measures.

Contain local transmission

As the Indian government moves to contain local transmission of the deadly virus, regular and e-visas granted to nationals from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan have been suspended.

Passengers arriving via flights from 12 countries  Italy, Iran, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia  have to undergo compulsory screening at 21 airports across the country.

The Indian health ministry has directed state governments to identify isolation facilities, and strengthen laboratory diagnosis facilities, as the South Asian country braces for a further surge in cases.

The government said it is confident of measures being taken to control the epidemic. Health authorities will check and sensitise every household within a three-km radius of the house of the infected person  Vardhan, the health minister, said.

Using the approach, the government was able to trace people who had come into contact with the infected Delhi patient.

On conducting contact tracing of the person tested positive in Delhi, we came to know that he infected six members of his family who are based in Agra. All six members tested positive for coronavirus, Vardhan said in a news briefing.

No Holi celebrations

The Gurgaon patient, an employee of an e-commerce firm, is stable and the company has shut down its office to undertake a sanitisation process.

The Indian health minister added that all patients who tested positive were currently stable.





Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other political leaders have tweeted that they would not participate in celebrations for Holi  a spring festival of colours  as social distancing is one of the preventive measures advised by health experts.

On Tuesday, WHO issued a warning that severe disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment (PPE)  caused by rising demand, panic buying, hoarding and misuse  is putting lives at risk.

The shortages of medical supplies like gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons are leaving doctors, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped.

Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real. Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding. We cant stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first, said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The WHO has supplied nearly 300,000 pieces of PPE such as caps, goggles, surgical masks, gloves and gowns to South Asian nations, and nearly 200,000 more pieces are being procured.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, the Indian government on Tuesday banned the export of 26 active pharmaceuticals ingredients (APIs) or basic chemicals, including paracetamol, antibiotics and some vitamins, due to the spread of coronavirus.

It also sought to allay fears of scarcity, saying the present stock of APIs may be sufficient for two or three months to manufacture formulations.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday that collective wisdom of scientists and policy makers is required to deal with the challenges of coronavirus.

He also said every citizen can also help in dealing with this disease.

Coronavirus, which has been spreading rapidly around the world, is throwing serious challenges to public health to all countries, he said here at The Hindu BusinessLine Changemaker Awards.

"It will require the collective wisdom of scientists, policy makers and everyone to tackle this challenge. It also requires citizens to do their duty. Follow some sort of discipline. We should become alert, we should not be hyper-sensitive and do things which will create panic among the people," he added.

Till Thursday in India, there were 30 positive cases, including 16 tourists from Italy and their Indian guide.

The Vice President also asked organisations to move towards digital transformation as it can help in resolving issues.

He said the world is moving faster, things are changing, population is increasing and income disparities are there.

"Every organisation must move towards digital transformation," he said adding that "the way forward is online, everything online. You apply online and get reply online, so that you need not stand in line".

Citing example of Government e-Marketplace (GeM), a public procurement portal, the Vice President said it has brought transparency in the public buying and has also increased ease of doing business.

He also said business also needs to be promoted and protected.

"If you create wealth, you can distribute wealth, without creating wealth if you start distributing, you will become popper, that is what many people are trying to do," he added.

He said business is part of the country's developmental story and the government is taking steps to promote industry.

Speaking at the event, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the GeM portal will become a national procurement portal as it provides huge business opportunities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
March 5, 2020

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace

Pentagon Press Secretary Alyssa Farah provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace today at the Pentagon to reaffirm the strategic defense relationship between our two nations.

The leaders discussed mutual security concerns, including Russia, China, and the security situation in the Middle East, Africa, and Afghanistan.

They also addressed a broad range of defense issues, including the transatlantic relationship, and the United States' and United Kingdom's parallel nuclear defense capability modernization programs. They agreed to work together to further reduce the presence of high-risk vendors in telecom infrastructure.

Secretary Esper expressed appreciation for the United Kingdom's leadership role in several areas, including at NATO, and for its ongoing contributions to international missions, in particular the International Maritime Security Construct.

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2103176/

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President Donald Trump gets into an exchange with CNN reporter Jim Acosta during a news conference a day after the midterm elections on November 7, 2018 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump's reelection campaign sued CNN on Friday for libel, following similar lawsuits against The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia where CNN has its headquarters, cited a June opinion article written by Larry Noble, a former Federal Election Commission general counsel.

Noble argued in the article that former special counsel Robert Mueller should have charged the president for soliciting help from Russia in his 2016 campaign. Noble also wrote that the campaign "assessed the potential risks and benefits of again seeking Russia's help in 2020 and has decided to leave that option on the table."

In a statement announcing the suit, Trump campaign senior legal advisor Jenna Ellis called that claim "100 percent false and defamatory."

The Trump campaign lawsuit says that there is "extensive evidence" of bias against the president from both Noble and CNN. The suit claims that the president's legal team asked CNN to retract the article in February, and that CNN declined to do so.

"Noble has written numerous articles accusing the President of criminal activity, and of campaign finance and ethics violations, and has lodged a complaint against a Super-PAC which supports the President," the complaint reads. "CNN clearly had a malicious motive in publishing the Defamatory Article, and acted with reckless disregard for the truth."

A spokesperson for CNN declined to comment.

The Trump campaign in recent weeks has filed similar lawsuits against The New York Times and The Washington Post over alleged defamation contained in opinion articles. All three lawsuits claim damages worth millions of dollars.

Generally speaking, it is more difficult to succeed in libel suits when the allegedly libelous statements are presented as opinions, rather than facts.

Trump has had a combative relationship with the press, which he has dubbed the "enemy of the people." In 2018, the White House yanked the press pass of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, sparking a legal fight that ultimately ended when the administration relented and restored Acosta's credential.

Ellis, the Trump campaign advisor, said the new lawsuits against the media companies were meant "to hold the publishers accountable for their reckless false reporting and also to establish the truth: that the campaign did not have an agreement, quid pro quo, or collusion with Russia, as the Mueller Report concluded."

CNN, a 24-hour news network and digital media company, is a subsidiary of WarnerMedia, whose parent is AT&T. It is based in Atlanta.
When Singapore's Yung Raja remixed "Gucci Gang" by US rapper Lil Pump, he swapped the original's flashy cars and a prowling tiger for a beer can and Tamil food in a viral YouTube video that reeled in hip-hop label Def Jam. His 2018 version -- "Poori Gang" -- was a trial run for the "concoction of Tamil and English" the 24-year-old says defines his flow. The overnight success, even among non-Tamil speakers in ethnically diverse Singapore, proved to Yung Raja that he could embrace his own identity without copying other Western artists he admired. He is among a growing number of artists from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines snapped up by the label behind superstars from LL Cool J to Jay-Z and Rihanna. Def Jam is hoping to capitalise on a new wave of regional rap stars from the untapped Southeast Asian market where streaming platforms are flourishing. "It's just exploding," says Yung Raja, who has drawn comparisons to US superstar Kendrick Lamar. Moving from DIY passion projects to big stage shows, regional rappers are now touring beyond their borders, delivering verses in slick videos streamed online. - 'Put your hands up' - In a secluded patch of forest on Bangkok's outskirts, Thai-American DaBoyWay is shooting "Baby You". Bonfires and dancers illustrate verses about being cast under a spell for a track from his new album -- due March 6 -- that will be Def Jam's first major Southeast Asian test. A pioneer of Thailand's rap scene, DaBoyWay raps in both Thai and English, in a nod to his US background. Singles on the album vary from the gritty "Gangsh!t" to the more club-friendly "Kaow Ma", which means "Welcome" in Thai. The 39-year-old -- who now has a million Instagram followers -- remembers the early struggles of a genre that rubbed against Thailand's conservative norms, where fans had to be prodded into letting go at concerts. "They would not move until you tell them it's okay to move," he tells AFP at a studio in Chonburi province, near the resort town of Pattaya. Fast forward to 2018 and popular Thai talent show "The Rapper" racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube in its first season. That same year a collective of underground artists known as R.A.D. -- or Rap Against Dictatorship -- released searing verses criticising the country's military that drew well over 60 million views on YouTube. Fan Pornchai Puthinarabul, who attended a recent DaBoyWay show, credits his "idol" for the genre's growth in Thailand. "He's opened a market for us Thais," Pornchai told AFP before re-joining concert-goers jammed into a popular Bangkok bar. Asia's dominant music-streaming platforms like Tencent-owned JOOX have been swift to take notice. In 2020 its user base reached 290 million in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong, according to company data. Hip-hop became the second most popular genre, after pop, on JOOX in Thailand late last year. - Gamelans and traffic jams - The new roster of rap artists weave heritage, local culture, and their roots into their music. Asked for his influences Singapore's Yung Raja ticks off a melange spanning continents, from Canadian artist Drake to famed Indian actor Rajinikanth. Jakarta-born artist A. Nayaka, the first Indonesian rapper signed to Def Jam, has rhymed about the Indonesian capital's gruelling traffic and other local landmarks in a longstanding hip-hop tradition of name-checking neighbourhoods, streets, and communities. "Basically if Jakarta kids heard my lyrics they're gonna say, 'oh my god, that's that,'" he tells AFP. The diversity of Southeast Asia -- with dozens of languages, religions, cultures and ethnicities -- is its strength, according to Joe Flizzow, a Malaysian considered the godfather of the region's rap scene and a Def Jam executive. Whether snatching samples from the traditional gamelan -- a brass glockenspiel-like instrument -- or with lyrics touching on corruption and oppression, artists are representing their origins in different ways. "You are not going to see some Bentleys and Rolls Royces," he says. "You are gonna see some Honda NSXs and GTRs... we want to be unique."
(TNS)  While Louisiana didnt pay a ransom demanded by hackers who launched a cyberattack against state government servers last fall, the state has paid $2.3 million responding to that and other cyberattacks across the state over the past year.The Division of Administration, which oversees the technology office that dispatches staffers throughout the state to respond to various cyberattacks, spent the money on five incidents over the past year, according to figures provided by the division.Jacques Berry, an administration spokesman, said the vast majority of the costs were from paying for staffers to who went to various school districts, state agencies and New Orleans to help reimage computers afflicted with ransomware.The vast majority is human assets, he said. Along with that there were some equipment software licensing costs for upgrades here and there that we took advantage of the situation to go ahead and do.The state spent the bulk of the money  about $1.7 million  responding to the ransomware attack on state government in November, which crippled the state Office of Motor Vehicles for weeks.The state also spent about $333,000 responding to cyberattacks against seven school districts last summer in north Louisiana, $65,348 on the ransomware attack against New Orleans city government, $61,268 on an attack in St. Helena Parish and $184,985 on an attack against the St. Landry Parish School Board.Gov. John Bel Edwards administration is seeking to recoup the costs in a supplemental budget bill that will be debated by lawmakers this spring. That bill spends the excess tax collections from the current fiscal year.New Orleans city government said last month it would spend more than $7 million in past and future costs responding to the ransomware attack that hit City Hall in December. Those costs came primarily from fixing city email services and networking infrastructure.The $2.3 million figure does not include any future plans to modernize agencies' computer systems, which Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne suggested would need to be funded in the coming years during a budget hearing last month.Cyberattacks, in which hackers gain access to government computers and lock users out unless they pay a ransom, have proliferated in Louisiana in recent months and caused headaches for a host of state and local agencies. Gov. Edwards created a cybersecurity commission to respond to the attacks and last month warned local officials such ransomware attacks would inevitably come for them.Dardenne, in a budget hearing last month, said many state agencies are in the dark ages operating on outdated computer systems that need replacing.The state Office of Motor Vehicles, which had locations shuttered for weeks after the ransomware attack in November, has a 45-year-old computer system that is in the middle of being updated.Karen St. Germain, commissioner of the OMV, said the agency is about nine months into a three-to-four-year project updating the computer systems. So far, the agency has spent nearly $2.4 million on that project, she said.The biggest obstacle is getting the information moved from the system its in now and thats really the lengthy part into something thats at least 20th century instead of 19th century, St. Germain said.Dardenne told lawmakers last month the administration also plans to create a pot of around $10 million to serve as a cybersecurity emergency response fund to deal with cyberattacks. He also said various agencies have old computer systems that need upgrades.We have addressed that and its a big, big challenge, Dardenne said. Well have to make collective decisions on where we put that money. Its a growing concern and its not going away.
Airlines rush to boost demand as coronavirus shreds playbook for crisis management FILE PHOTO: People wearing protective face masks walk as they arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris

By Tracy Rucinski and Jamie Freed

CHICAGO/SYDNEY (Reuters) - The rapid spread of coronavirus cases worldwide is complicating a standard strategy used by airlines when disease, disaster or conflict hit travel destinations: lower fares and redirect flights to trouble-free areas.

For now, some airlines have resorted to suspending change fees for new ticket reservations in the hope of winning over hesitant travelers until it becomes clearer where coronavirus outbreaks are localized and which routes could benefit from price drops.

While lower fares have proven effective in the past in reviving demand, aviation consultant Samuel Engel said, "The pocketbook only works so far against emotion."

The coronavirus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, has spread around the world, with more new cases now appearing outside China than inside.

JetBlue Airways Corp <JBLU.O>, which does not fly to Asia, was the first airline to launch free rebooking options last week, as it became clear that cases were not isolated to China. JetBlue pulled together and announced its plan in a matter of hours, President Joanna Geraghty told Reuters.

"We tried to put ourselves in the shoes of our customers and think about what we would want if we were, for example, booking a spring-break trip right now," Geraghty said.

U.S. majors have since followed suit with varying waivers on change fees for new reservations to many destinations, a switch from a previous policy that covered only pre-booked flights to areas hardest-hit by the coronavirus.

In Latin America, Peruvian low-cost carrier Viva Air was holding a board meeting on Wednesday to discuss measures, Declan Ryan, executive chairman of the board of directors, told Reuters.

But with none of the offers so far guaranteeing money-back refunds, travelers say the policies are not enough.

"I understand that there are a lot of question marks right now for the industry on how this will unfold, but I don't feel like there's a truly customer-friendly policy out here," said Amanda Elman-Kolb of Chicago, who has put on hold plans for a family trip to Europe in August.

Story continues

Declining demand to fly abroad is not limited to U.S. travelers. International travel to the United States will fall 6% over the next three months amid coronavirus concerns, the largest decline since the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the U.S. Travel Association forecast on Tuesday.

With extra widebody jets on hand after suspending flights to China, South Korea, Japan and northern Italy, major U.S. airlines are deploying them on domestic routes, a process known as upgauging. American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O>, for example, is flying passengers from Chicago to San Francisco on a 787 Dreamliner, rather than just the usual narrowbody like a 737 or an A321.

DEFLATED BOOKINGS

Europe's biggest carriers warned on Tuesday that the epidemic was upsetting growth, with Ryanair <RYA.I> Chief Executive Michael O'Leary forecasting a "very deflated booking environment" for the next two to three weeks before recovering.

"After Easter if things have settled down, temperatures in Europe are rising, I think there will be a significant decline in the spread of the virus. Airlines will then respond with seat promotions, seat sales that will get people back traveling very quickly," he told Reuters.

In the Asia-Pacific region, offers are under way.

Malaysian budget airline AirAsia X <AIRX.KL>, which was struggling financially even before coronavirus, launched a 499 ringgit ($119.09) one-year pass for unlimited trips to Australia, Japan, Korea, China and India, excluding taxes and fees on each trip - a move that CEO Benyamin Ismail called "unprecedented."

Fares are softening too on routes not directly affected by travel bans, with Australia to Los Angeles 25% lower in the three weeks ended Feb. 26 compared with the same period last year, data provided to Reuters by Skyscanner showed.

In perhaps the most vivid example, Vietnam Airlines JSC <HVN.HM> last week said it would offer $0 round-trip fares from Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, excluding taxes and fees, to help stimulate tourism through the end of May.

"Airlines have historically shown little hesitance to reduce prices to get volume," said Wolfe Research analyst Hunter Keay. "One thing we know about leisure air travel demand, it can be very easily stimulated."

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski in Chicago and Jamie Freed in Sydney; Additional reporting by Laurence Frost in Brussels, Alistair Smout in London, Conor Humphries in Dublin, and Maria Cervantes in Lima; Editing by Tim Hepher and Matthew Lewis)
A San Antonio man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a teenager's murder that went unsolved for almost 24 years.

On April 16, 1996, Joseph Johnson, 18, was found stabbed to death in an abandoned brick structure near the 700 block of W. Mistletoe on the North Side. Johnson was stabbed multiple times and left for dead, an arrest affidavit said. A list of possible suspects and witnesses were identified, but were never interviewed by police at the time, the affidavit said.

In October, San Antonio detectives decided to look into the case again and were able to bring in one of the witnesses on the list for questioning.

The witness said he was at the scene before the incident, and that Johnson was alive when he left. He said two other people were also at the scene  a second witness and 41-year-old Francisco Rangel.

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Detectives flew to Florida in January to interview the second witness, who said he saw Rangel stab Johnson in the stomach. At the time, the witness was only 15 years old and said he got scared and ran. He identified Rangel by his nickname "bone crusher."

Rangel was arrested Wednesday. Detectives discovered that at the time of the incident, Rangel lived only a block away from the crime scene.

His bail was set at $250,000.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Oak Brook, Ill., March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Global HOPE (Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence), a program of Texas Childrens Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, are pleased to announce a new partnership to improve childhood cancer survival rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nearly 80% of children with cancer live in low- or middle-income countries where, tragically, only 10% of children survive cancer. In higher-income countries such as Canada, Japan, and the United States, more than 80% of children with cancer survive. The good news is the world can be more successful at curing cancer in children. However, much work needs to be done to improve access to drugs and treatment, train healthcare providers, improve facilities and technology, and address socio-cultural barriers to improve global survival rates.

Launched in 2017, Global HOPE is a transformational initiative that is improving the standard of care for children with cancer. In May 2019, the LCIF Board of Trustees approved a two-year strategic partnership in order to build long-term capacity in Africa to treat and dramatically improve the prognosis for children with cancer and blood disorders in Botswana, Malawi, and Uganda. This partnership will help strengthen the local healthcare infrastructure to effectively provide the multi-disciplinary care that is needed to care for children with cancer and blood disorders.

We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside LCIF in our fight against pediatric cancer and blood disorders in sub-Saharan Africa, said Dr. David Poplack, director of Global HOPE. These relationships are critical for the growth of our program, and we look forward to the impact we will make working together.

The partnership includes three components:

LCIF funding support of US$2 million over two years to support the development of infrastructure at Global HOPEs centers of excellence Engagement of local Lions in Global HOPE activities at the country level Joint fundraising to expand the project impact through the addition of new partners

You can help make a difference, too! To learn more and support this life-changing partnership, visit lionsclubs.org/globalhope.
The French health ministry reported Thursday two more deaths from coronavirus infections, bringing the country's total to six, and 92 new cases since Wednesday.

It was the biggest one-day jump in the number of French cases since the outbreak began, raising the total to 377.

One 73-year-old victim was in the Oise department north of Paris where a cluster of cases has been reported, the other a 64-year-old from the nearby Aisne department, the ministry said.

President Emmanuel Macron was meeting Thursday with top researchers leading the efforts to fight an outbreak that has seen authorities close around 150 schools.

Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said Wednesday that officials would probably have to raise the country's epidemic alert to the maximum of level three, potentially leading to travel restrictions and clampdowns on public activities.

"Slowing the spread will dampen the impact on the population when we go to level three, and limit the epidemic's peak," the health ministry said.

On Thursday, Paris metro operator RATP reported that a station agent had tested positive for the virus, and had worked for several days before being hospitalised.

A RATP union official said the woman had taken part in an evangelical rally last month in the eastern city of Mulhouse, where officials have said several other participants had come down with the disease.
Delhi riots: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had initially banned the 2 Malayalam news channels - Asianet News and Media One  for 48 hours over biased coverage last week's communal riots in north-east Delhi. The ban on Asianet News was revoked in the early hours of Saturday while the ban on MediaOne was cancelled by Saturday morning.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Saturday revoked its 48-hour ban on Malayalam news channels Asianet News and MediaOne within 12 hours of taking the unprecedented decision to ban the two channels for critical coverage on the lapses in the riots that have killed 53 people in North-East Delhi. Reports said Asianet News was back on air before 2 am on Saturday and MediaOne by 8 am. The decision of the Central government had been decried by journalists, the Opposition Congress and the CPM. Reports said both the channels made representations to the government asking for the revocation of the order.

The 48-hour ban was announced by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar on Friday at 7.30 pm. In its order, the IB Ministry said 2 channels which covered the Delhi violence on February 25 in such a manner that it shows attacks on places of worship and was found to be totally biased towards a particular community.

The IB Ministrys order also questioned channels for leveling baseless allegations against the RSS, ruling BJPs ideology parent, and the Delhi Police for inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards the Delhi Police and the RSS, reads the order.

I&B Ministry order copy regarding the telecast ban of Media One channel 2/2 pic.twitter.com/Ysno96nw91  vinaya p s (@vinayapsps) March 6, 2020

Noting news channels anchors and reporters way of presentation, the government said such reporting may lead to nationwide communal disharmony when the situation was highly volatile.

Also read: Coronavirus in India: How to make hand sanitizers at home?

Also read: Coronavirus in India: KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan says players, spectators health first

The ministry said both channels had violated two provisions under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994  one prohibiting coverage of attacks on religions, and another prohibiting coverage that could incite violence or promote anti-national attitudes or disturb law and order.

The governments decision to ban the news channels left social media in shock and people started trolling and questioning the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Look at a few reactions:

Asianet is one of the oldest private television channel, they are critical of RSS, banned for 48 hours for their coverage on Delhi Riots. Why was a warning notice not issued but direct ban? While godi channels falsehood of nano chips in notes was rewarded with interview of PM pic.twitter.com/tNnmn6mHFl  Abhinav (@abhinavaazad) March 6, 2020

Govt banned two Malayalam Channel #AsianetNews and #MediaOne because they dared to show the reality of Delhi Pogroms. Hypocrites get offended by the truth. The Modi govt allows Freedom of Hate Expression and ban the sane voices. Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.  Kashif Ahmed Faraz (@kkkash_if) March 6, 2020

Lift the ban on Mediaone

The number One truthful and righteous channel in Kerala

Ban on it means Malayalees are in darkness of falsehood and speculations

It is Fascism#Resistmediaban#Delhigenocide pic.twitter.com/23gvj5mRZP  Basheer Aalath (@AalathB) March 6, 2020

48 hour ban on Malayalam news channel imposed by Ministry of information and broadcasting. Order says news shown in a manner which highlighted attack on particular community and places of workship. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/kOLGc44Yfi  Arshdeep (@arsh_kaur7) March 6, 2020

Reason to ban found from Tharoor's own admission :

1) South Indian channel 2) didnot inflame communal passion 3) fine and independent Verdict : Guilty Let discuss this after Holi Holidays and Corona sickdays  Toknow (@Toknow86969453) March 6, 2020

For all the latest National News, download NewsX App
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:14:18|Editor: yhy

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MANILA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines government reported on Friday that two more Filipinos tested positive of the COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to five.

Health Secretary of the Philippines Francisco Duque told a news conference that the two new cases were a 48-year-old Filipino male with a travel history to Japan and a 62-year-old Filipino male with no travel history.

Prior to the two cases, the Philippines has three confirmed COVID-19 cases. Two of them recovered while one died.

Duque said that the Department of Health has started contact tracing to look for people who have interacted with the two new cases.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 08:17:51|Editor: xuxin

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Ji Xiang, a Chinese language teacher at Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School, speaks during a donation ceremony held in Chicago, the United States, on March 4, 2020. To show their solidarity with the Chinese people against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School has donated 5,760 surgical masks, 250 sets of isolation suits. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

CHICAGO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- To show their solidarity with the Chinese people against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an elementary school in the U.S. city of Chicago has donated 5,760 surgical masks, 250 sets of isolation suits.

During a donation ceremony held in the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago on Wednesday, Nimisha Bhatt, executive director of Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School, handed over the supplies to Zhao Jian, Chinese Consul General in Chicago.

These medical supplies were purchased with some 3,000 U.S. dollars raised by the children through selling hot chocolate at a charity event organized by the school.

"In the past two weeks, these 18 students work hard to show their love and support for China," said Ji Xiang, a Chinese language teacher at the school.

After the students heard about the coronavirus situation in China at their Chinese class, everyone wanted to do something to help, she said.

"The students offered to sell hot chocolate to raise money in order to purchase medical supplies sent to Wuhan. I saw it's a great idea. Students good at mathematics find the most cost effective supplies; students good at arts designed beautiful posters," Ji said.

She said the students did this because they love China and Chinese culture.

"Most of the students here started learning Chinese from age of three and they all participated in programs in China before. The students showed appreciation of Chinese culture," Ji said. "The students also wrote a letter to China's minister of education, to express our hope that we will have the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture in Chinese schools and exchange ideas with Chinese students face to face."

Ava Moore, a 6th grader at the school, recalled her experience of traveling in Beijing and Chengdu. She said China is beautiful and she has many Chinese friends.

"On hearing the coronavirus situation in China through my teacher, I'm so worried that I decided to do something to support China. I must go back to China in the future, making more friends there," Moore said in Chinese.

"Thank you for bringing your love and your solidarity to the Chinese People. It has been a very touching movement watching you students doing those great things for the Chinese people and for the fight against the virus," Zhao said while addressing the donation ceremony.
My friends deaths prevented more death. Was some silent god watching, and so demanded the sacrifice of three people in order to keep us from committing moral and political mayhem? A massacre at Fort Dix would have moved us to a place from which there would have been no return: Along with numerous deaths and injuries, we would have triggered widespread government repression against the larger peace movement; millions of Americans would have turned against it as well.

We were white, middle-class, college-educated kids  many of us, like Ted, Terry and myself, Jewish. All of us were overcome both by grief over this countrys violence and by shame at not being able to stop the war. That shame also emanated from our class and racial privilege: We werent the ones being carpet-bombed in Vietnam or confronting racist mobs and sheriffs of Mississippi. Growing up in the shadow of World War II, we had asked ourselves repeatedly whether we had the strength of character to overcome indifference and denial and to act to stop clear moral evils. We refused to be, as we said back then, Good Germans.

Our grief and shame combined to warp not only our morality, but our common sense. We forgot that those soldiers and their dates at Fort Dix were our neighbors and fellow citizens, people to whom we were and still are inextricably linked. Some years after the townhouse explosion, I heard the Dalai Lama field a question about why he doesnt hate the Chinese for what theyre doing to his country. Theyre our neighbors, he replied, and when this is all over well have to live with them.

In time most of us pulled back from the edge, committing ourselves to socially useful lives. For 30 years I served as a community college instructor, teaching basic math and reading. Had my friends lived, I have no doubt they would have joined us: Diana had been a volunteer teacher in Guatemala and had worked at an innovative preschool in Michigan; Ted, an S.D.S. leader at Columbia, taught public school in New York City and organized support for community control of local schools; Terry had been a gifted organizer for S.D.S., including at Kent State University.

Over the decades Ive reversed my understanding of social and political change: I now recognize that nonviolence is the one essential strategy to achieve positive social change, an ironclad fact that the black civil rights movement understood well.
"I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole we had entire training courses." This is a line from a speech made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Texas.

Following a burst of laughter from the audience as a response to that line, Pompeo hastened to add: "It reminds you of the glory of the American experiment."

If lying, cheating and stealing do not sound outrageous for someone working at the CIA, what makes it less sensible though is that after becoming Secretary of State, Pompeo has done little to change what he's learned from those "training courses," but carried the practice even further.

His attacks on China are exact proof of that. At all times and in all places, Pompeo never forgets to lash out at China, using nothing other than lying and cheating as his weapon.

For example, he alleged that Chinese investments in Africa pose a risk to the sovereignty of African states, pushing them into a debt trap and breeding corruption and dependency. He criticized China's Xinjiang policies by claiming that China is "trying to erase Muslim culture and religion" and also noted that China is an unreliable partner that spreads chaos in Latin America. While in Munich, he accused China of encroaching on the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. And in many other places, he said Huawei is dangerous and a "Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence".

Trump's campaign slogan was "Make America Great Again," but what his Secretary of State has done so far makes people look at it with disbelief.

First, lying undermines the foundation of international relations. The concept of bona fide in international law, meaning good faith, is a universally recognized principle that underpins the formation and fulfillment of international legal obligations and lays the bedrock for international exchanges.

Playing the role of foreign minister, the U.S. secretary of state is, supposedly, responsible for promoting relations between the U.S. and other states. However, Pompeo, on top of his lack of good faith and integrity, is also a habitual liar that is bent on stoking up conflicts around the world. He is exactly the one who is hindering the U.S. from getting along with other countries.

Currently, the U.S. relations are strained not only with world powers such as China and Russia, but its relations with almost all its allies including Britain, Germany, France are also tainted by constant discordance. Pompeo, the chief U.S. diplomat, is undeniably responsible for that. Given such an international environment, how could America be great again?

Second, Pompeo has poisoned America's international trade environment. In international relations, politics and economy are two sides of the same coin. In the Munich Security Conference, Pompeo, on the one hand, blatantly sold his lie that "the West is winning," and on the other hand, he aggressively pressured its Western allies in issues related to Huawei's 5G network, threatening sanctions on Nord Stream 2, a natural gas pipeline project involving Germany. No wonder Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council, once made the sharp remark that "With friends like that [i.e. America] who needs enemies?"

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends a daily briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 7, 2018. /Xinhua

Pompeo recently made a three-nation trip to Africa. In the face of numerous China-Africa cooperation projects and facts, he even denigrated China's aid to Africa as "empty promises." African leaders categorically refuted his nonsense.

As the second largest economy in the world, China has contributed over 30 percent to global growth for 13 consecutive years. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, China's imports and exports to the U.S. totaled 3.73 trillion yuan in 2019. The two countries are economically complementary, with China being the third largest market for U.S. exports of goods and services. With its economy deeply intertwined with that of China, the U.S. would hardly achieve significant economic growth without trading with China.

However, Pompeo still clings to the Cold War mentality and keeps throwing mud at China, or even demonizing China, seriously damaging the trade relations between the two countries.

Today, globalization is intensifying the division of labor around the world. How could America be great again without the contribution made by its global trade partners including China?

Third, lying runs counter to American cultural traditions, upending the world's perception of the U.S. culture. In the U.S., lying and cheating are offenses. For people across the world, the image of the hard-working Uncle Sam is widely associated with America.

After the Cold War, as the only global superpower, the U. S. has gained its cultural dominance in the world. Integrity, being part of the American culture, is also one of the most important virtues shared by nations worldwide. Benjamin Franklin once said: "A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over." Confucius, a sage in ancient China, also said: "If a person lacks trustworthiness, I don't know what s/he can be good for." What the Chinese people believe is: "Be true to your words and be resolute in your action."

As the chief U.S. diplomat, Pompeo spews lies at will. How could he be trusted by anyone who has dealings with him?

As a state of ceremonies, China attaches great importance to diplomatic etiquette. Thanks to Pompeo's repeated lies, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the following statement at the Munich Conference: "I'd only like to say that all his accusations against China are lies. They are not true. But if the U.S. was the accused, then all this would be true."

More than a century ago, then U.S. President Abraham Lincoln said: "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."

Hope Pompeo, whose lies have repeatedly fallen flat across the world, could one day realize that lying will not make America great again.
Short-term holiday rental website Airbnb has signed a partnership to share its data with the European Commission.

The agreement to provide data on lettings to Eurostat, the EU's statistics agency, will give public authorities in Europe access to independently published data on short-term rentals on Airbnb and other platforms.

"The agreement will for the first time permit access to reliable data about holiday and other short-stay accommodation offered via these collaborative economy platforms," the European Commission said.

Shared data will include the number of guests using short-term rental platforms and the number of nights booked.
The top Republican in each chamber of the Oregon Legislature issued statements Thursday that their caucuses are willing to return to the Capitol on Sunday, the final day lawmakers can do business this session, to approve emergency budget bills.

But Democrats almost certainly wont take them up on the offer. They have already stated repeatedly that they will only waive the rules to allow emergency votes on all pending bills, not a select few.

Democrats are pretty strong about if theres a rules suspension its universal, Sen. Mark Hass told The Oregonian/OregonLive Wednesday.

Democrats have said since before the session began on Feb. 3 that their top priority is to pass a climate protection bill, which Republicans vehemently oppose.

Republicans would love to vote on emergency bills to allow state millions to flow toward flood relief, wildfire prevention, college construction projects, homelessness relief and more, for at least two reasons. First, it would prevent Democrats from campaigning against them on grounds they refused to show up for work until the end. Perhaps more importantly, they could get badly needed money flowing to projects in their hometowns and districts.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan made a point of saying Democrats have listed their priority budget bills -- and Republicans in the House are willing to go along.

The House Republican Caucus broadly agrees with the funding priorities identified in yesterdays press release from Speaker Kotek and President Courtney, she wrote in her statement. "House Republicans will provide a quorum and the rules suspensions necessary to pass these funding priorities on Sunday, March 8th, before the legislature is constitutionally required to adjourn.

Oregon Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertshiger Jr. said in a statement: After a tumultuous session, Senate Republicans are willing to attend the Sunday floor session to pass emergency budget bills, for example, the relief for flood victims in Eastern Oregon." Baertshiger, who represents a southern Oregon district centered on Grants Pass, continued, The intent of the short session was to make budget adjustments, and that is what we expect to work on while being fiscally responsible with the hard-earned taxpayer dollars."

Democrats have won supermajorities in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature, so they can pass bills including tax bills without a single Republican vote. The only power Republicans have to deny Democrats from passing legislation is to stay away, in House members cases, in defiance of subpoenas to return.

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Several years ago, Camila Diaz left her native El Salvador and went to the United States, looking for a place where she would be safer as a transgender woman.

But she failed to find a sympathetic ear. Deported back to San Salvador, the nations capital, she was killed just over a year later.

Diaz, 30, was one of 138 Salvadorans deported from the United States who have been killed upon returning to their country since 2013, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.

As the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump steps up efforts to block asylum, the report reflect a bleak picture created in part by gang violence in El Salvador and struggling law enforcement agencies there, some experts say.

El Salvador is a small country, a poor country, a very violent country and so the police are stretched, said Meg Galas, Country Director of Northern Central America for the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid organization.

When people are deported they are deported right back into the violence and the fear that they left, she said.

International law does not allow countries to send refugees back to a place where they fear persecution. Some activists claim that, under Trump, the U.S. is not following its own procedures of giving asylum seekers a chance to explain their complicated situations and is, instead, blocking their right to be heard.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE, said Friday that migrants placed in removal proceedings receive all appropriate legal process before the federal immigration courts. The agency only deports people in accordance with federal laws as passed by Congress, said an agency spokesperson who declined to be named in line with agency protocols.

Asylum has always been a long shot for migrants, with many claims denied. It has become even harder in the Trump administration, which has focused on making asylum increasingly difficult to obtain. The Justice Department has said that the goal is to prevent immigrants from overwhelming the nations immigration system and endangering national security.

More than 144,000 Salvadorans were deported to their home country from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2019, according to ICE data.

Diaz left El Salvador in 2014 after suffering a beating that left her with a dislocated jaw; she had filed a criminal complaint against her attacker, with no result.

After a while in Mexico, Diaz returned to El Salvador, where she found work in a bar in a tough neighbourhood in San Salvador. But gang death threats followed her, and in 2016 she once again left the country.

This time, at a migrant shelter in the southern Mexico city of Tapachula, she met Leticia, a fellow Salvadoran transgender woman.

Leticia, who asked that her real name not be used for fear of persecution, told her story to The Associated Press.

Leticia and Diaz lived in Mexico for a year and a half. They got asylum papers in Tapachula, but they felt harassed in southern Mexico, so they decided to travel to Mexico City, in the centre of the country.

Because we were trans, and the way we dressed, they wouldnt give us jobs. We were discriminated against all the time, Leticia recalled. We resorted to prostitution in order to survive.

Desperate, they travelled to the U.S. border, where they turned themselves in to U.S. immigration authorities.

Diaz was held for a couple of months at an immigration detention centre in San Diego, California before she was deported.

Leticia was held there, too, for nine months, as she appealed, until she, too, was deported in May 2018.

Camila never put up with harassment. Even though she told them over and over again that our lives were in danger, they deported her first, Leticia said. I kept fighting, but in the end they deported me. Now she is dead.

Diaz disappeared the night of Jan. 30, 2019 as she worked the streets of San Salvador and she was found the next day, badly beaten but still alive.

Emergency personnel took her to the Rosales hospital, where she died on Feb. 3.

Monica Linares, an activist with the rights group Arcoiris Trans (Rainbow Trans) said the group had demanded authorities investigate her killing. What followed was the arrest of three policemen who, according to investigations, had stopped Diaz in the street, and later threw her from a moving police vehicle on a highway on the east side of San Salvador.

The policemen are waiting for a judges decision on whether to prosecute them.

El Salvadors murder rate has declined sharply since 2015, when more than 6,000 people were killed. But the country continues to have one of the worlds highest homicide rates, in large part due to gang violence.

Meanwhile, the number of Salvadorans seeking asylum in the United States grew tenfold between 2012 and 2017. Many cited gang threats in their asylum claims, but only about 18% saw their asylum requests approved.

Human Rights Watch said the real number of people killed after being deported may be much higher than 138.

Salvadoran Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco told reporters that some of the returning Salvadorans who had been killed were gang members themselves. But she also acknowledged that deportees face a social stigma in their home country.

The deaths reported in the Human Rights Watch report occurred during both the administrations of Trump and Barack Obama.

Trump has made limiting immigration a centerpiece of his policies, including making Central American asylum seekers wait in Mexico while their cases are being considered.

Human Rights Watch has called on the U.S. government to drop the remain in Mexico policy, and drop restrictions that make it harder to seek asylum because of gang threats or gender violence. The Department of Homeland Security, however, says it is trying to make the asylum process more efficient and eliminate fraudulent claims.

Despite the hardening of U.S. policies, Leticia, Diazs friend, plans to try to return to the United States this month.

I want to undertake the journey again, to see what fate holds for me, she said.

______

Torrens reported from New York.

Associated Press journalist Ben Fox contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.
Coronavirus has hit the coffee industry.

Coffee retailer Starbucks has placed a temporary moratorium on the use of reusable personal mugs over concerns they could transmit coronavirus.

In an open letter, company exec Rossann Williams said the use of personal cups is being suspended as one of a series of precautionary steps in response to this emerging public health impact. Starbucks will continue to honor the 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in their own cup.

"Our focus remains on two key priorities: Caring for the health and well-being of our partners and customers and playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus," Williams said.

The chain said it has also increased the cleaning and sanitizing of its stores and restricted all business-related air travel, domestic and international, through March 31.

Coronavirus in Pensacola, Florida and Tennessee

Tennessee has its first case of coronavirus.

Gov. Bill Lee announced Thursday morning testing had confirmed a case in Williamson County, Tennessee. Williamson County is located south of Nashville, close to the area currently dealing with deadly tornadoes that swept through middle Tennessee earlier this week.

Another presumptive case of the virus has been reported in Pensacola, Florida.

The patient is being treated at Baptist Hospital. No information is being provided as to where or if the patient had recently traveled or his age.

Earlier in the day, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an elderly man in Santa Rosa County, Florida was a presumptive positive for the virus. The man, who has underlying medical conditions, had traveled internationally but no information was provided on where he had gone.

Baptists back off mission trips

The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions is recommending against international mission trips by students and others.

Based upon the current situation, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions has determined that the better part of wisdom is not to endorse any international mission trips by students and others, until further notice, the group said in a statement.

The guidance follows that of the International Mission Board, the group said.

The focus of the student summer missions will be upon the partnership projects we have in North America (the United States and Canada). An intentional focus will be on serving in Alabama and the rest of the southern part of the United States, it added.

Death toll at 14

The number of Americans killed by coronavirus is 14. Eleven of the deaths were at Evergreen Health Medical Center in King County, Washington.

Trump trip back on

President Trumps visit to the Centers for Disease Control is back on.

The White House scheduled and then canceled a trip before announcing it would visit the Atlanta agency Friday afternoon.

The president said Friday the trip was canceled because of a suspected case of coronavirus at CDC headquarters. Tests later showed the person didnt have coronavirus and the trip was rescheduled.

The president had previously visited the National Institutes of Health.

Trump is set to visit tornado-hit areas of Nashville today.

I will be going to the Great State of Tennessee on Friday. The USA stands with the people of Tennessee 100%, whatever they need! The tornadoes were of record size & velocity. God bless your loved ones & all of the families affected! Thanks to @GovBillLee & @MarshaBlackburn  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2020

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Austria confirmed two cases, and Spain, Switzerland, Croatia and Italy one

Coronavirus outbreak has peaked in China, says World Health Organization

But WHO warns that world should prepare for a pandemic

Health advisor warns that Covid-19 could be the feared Disease X

Hundreds of tourists reportedly tested in Tenerife hotel after confirmed case

Five European nations have confirmed new coronavirus cases as authorities claimed the disease has now peaked in China.

In Austria, a local authority health spokeswoman said there were two cases declared in the Tyrol region.

Meanwhile, the Spanish health ministry confirmed that a woman in Barcelona who went to northern Italy recently has tested positive.

Switzerland and Croatia and the Italian island of Sicily have also confirmed their first cases.

Earlier on Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press conference that they believed the outbreak has peaked in China.

A specialist team sent to China found that the epidemic peaked and plateaued between 23 January and 2 February.

Passengers wearing masks outside Seoul Railway Station in South Korea (Reuters)

However, the WHO warned that the world must prepare for a potential coronavirus pandemic. This is when an infectious diseases spreads easily in many parts of the world.

It has also warned that the coronavirus outbreak could be the feared Disease X.

Meanwhile, there are reports that hundreds of guests at a hotel in Tenerife were being tested after a confirmed case of coronavirus on the Canary Island.

The tests come after an Italian doctor tested positive for coronavirus.

Health experts have warned that time is running out to prevent a pandemic, while there has been fierce debate over whether or not it has already reached that stage.

Bank workers sanitise cash to kill the coronavirus in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (Getty)

The WHOs director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told a press conference in Geneva on Monday there had been a steady decline in cases in the past two weeks.

A total of 77,658 cases of the virus, which causes respiratory disease Covid-19, have been declared in China, including 2,663 deaths.

Story continues

Read more: Downing Street says UK prepared for all coronavirus eventualities

Dr Ghebreyesus said the WHO was encouraged by the continued decline in cases in China, but he warned that the virus has the potential to cause a pandemic.

"The past few weeks has demonstrated just how quickly a new virus can spread around the world and cause widespread fear and disruption," he said.

WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaks at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland (Reuters)

For the moment we're not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus."

In February 2018, the WHO said it was preparing for an unknown epidemic, dubbed Disease X by health officials.

Professor Marion Koopmans, a professor of viroscience at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, said the spread of Covid-19 is "rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the Disease X category".

Elsewhere, hundreds of tourists at a hotel in Tenerife in the Canary Islands were reportedly being tested for coronavirus.

Spains El Pais newspaper said guests are being quarantined and tests are being carried out in the resort of Adeje, which is popular with Britons.

It comes after an Italian tourist was admitted to hospital on the island and has since tested positive for Covid-19.

A British guest at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife, who did not want to be named, told Sky News: "All we have been told is to stay in our rooms."

There have been more than 1,200 cases in about 30 other countries and more than 20 deaths. Four more deaths were reported in Italy on Monday, raising its total to seven.

Police manned checkpoints around a dozen quarantined northern towns in Italy, where there have been 229 cases.

Austria temporarily halted rail traffic across its border with Italy and Slovenia and Croatia, popular getaways for Italians, were holding crisis meetings.

Stock markets around the world have plunged in reaction to the spread of the virus.

A tourist in Piazza del Santo in Padua, Italy, wears a protective mask (Getty)

China reported 508 new cases and another 71 deaths on Tuesday, 68 of them in the central city of Wuhan, where the epidemic was first detected in December.

Read more: Cruise ship coronavirus patients post pictures from hospital

South Korea now has the second-most cases in the world with 893 and has had a near 15-fold increase in reported infections in a week, with 60 new cases reported on Tuesday.

As South Korea reported its eighth fatality, health workers continued to find batches in the south-eastern city of Daegu and nearby areas, where panic has brought towns to a standstill.

In Iran, schools were closed for a second day, and daily sanitising of public buses and the Tehran metro, which is used by some three million people a day, has started.

Iraq and Afghanistan closed their borders with Iran in an effort to stop the further spread while Bahrain announced a 48-hour suspension of flights to and from Dubai, the world's busiest international airport.
It was also found that southbound traffic stopped on Broadwell Avenue at Third Street can back up across the railroad tracks, with some drivers stopping on the tracks.

One average, the preliminary study said, the annual cost of those delays and crashes is $233,500 annually.

Collins said Thursdays meeting was a primary environmental assessment, which is the first step in getting the necessary funding for a project that meets federal approval. The federal government would pay 90% of the projects cost.

He said it could take up to five years before the project could get started.

We are talking about putting an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad at Broadwell Avenue, he said. It wont necessarily go directly over Broadwell. It could go a few block in either direction, depending on how we could have the least impact on the businesses. But it would be in the general area of where the crossing exists today.

Grand Island has two underpasses that allow for a better flow of traffic over the UPRR tracks at Eddy Street and Sycamore Street. But Collins said they are a lot more expensive to maintain compared to an overpass.
Jacom Stephens / Getty Images

The Maui Police Department on Thursday arrested a woman on suspicion of abducting her 9-year-old son, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

A public transit driver recognized Autumn Stone, 38, and the boy from alerts as they boarded a bus about 9 a.m. and called authorities, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia said.
Ashley Graham made headlines last week when she changed her one-month old son Isaac Menelik Giovanni in the middle of a Staples store in New York City.

Graham, 32, said it was her first, 'diaper blow up while running errands with no restroom in sight,' adding she was thankful that she put the changing mat in the diaper bag.

While several famous mothers applauded her on Instagram, such as Amy Schumer and Sara Foster, the 55-year-old Williams was not a fan of what Graham did.

Headlines: Ashley Graham made headlines last week when she changed her one-month old son Isaac Menelik Giovanni in the middle of a Staples store in Los Angeles

During the Hot Topics segment of the show, Williams made it clear that she is a fan of Graham, who has been on the show and who she's seen 'socially.'

Williams added, 'she's being mommy-shamed by me because I don't like what she did, changing her seven-week son in the middle of the store.

'So they're at the the Staples and he does an explosive, so she changed him in the aisle. Now, personally speaking, I don't wanna see this,' Williams said.

Fan: During the Hot Topics segment of the show, Williams made it clear that she is a fan of Graham, who has been on the show and who she's seen 'socially'

Personally: 'So they're at the the Staples and he does an explosive, so she changed him in the aisle. Now, personally speaking, I don't wanna see this,' Williams said

Williams explained that, 'Mothers are looking at it saying, "Well if she can do it, I can do it too." No the hell you can't.'

She then asked, 'Why didn't she just take the baby to the car?' as the audience applauded her question.

Williams added that her other thing was, 'If you have a seven-week-old child, I just wish she did something different.'

Wendy speaks: Williams explained that, 'Mothers are looking at it saying, "Well if she can do it, I can do it too." No the hell you can't'

To the car: She then asked, 'Why didn't she just take the baby to the car?' as the audience applauded her question

Williams added that it is 'not cool' and, 'I don't know why we have to know about it on her Instagram.'

'This is not hot. Ashley, I like you, this is not hot, this is sending a bad message,' Williams said.

The host asked one of her producers if she has ever changed her child in the middle of the store, but she said she did something a bit different.

Not cool: Williams added that it is 'not cool' and, 'I don't know why we have to know about it on her Instagram'

The producer added she had never changed her child in the middle of a store, but she would take the child, 'outside to the car, or, honestly, I would find some grass to lay him down and change him.'

'I would not have changed the baby in the aisle,' the producer added.

Graham has yet to respond to Williams' statement.
This article by Paul Szoldra originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues.

The Marine Corps has canceled a reunion of surviving Iwo Jima veterans set to take place later this month on the small Japanese island over coronavirus fears, Task & Purpose has learned.

The event marking the 75th anniversary of the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima was canceled "out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 outbreak," said Lt. Col. Kelly Frushour, a Marine spokeswoman.

Nearly two dozen veterans of the battle and their companions were set to visit the island of Iwo To on March 28, where they were to spend about eight hours exploring the former battlefield, now a Japanese military base. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and other dignitaries were also expected to attend.

The annual gathering known as the Reunion of Honor first began on Feb. 19, 1980 to mark the 40th anniversary of the battle. American and Japanese veterans who returned to the island placed a memorial that said both sides "met again on these same sands, this time in peace and friendship."

"We pray together that our sacrifices on Iwo Jima will always be remembered and never repeated," it said.

The reunion has been canceled just one other time, after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the coast of Japan in 2011, said Lt. Col. Raul "Art" Sifuentes (Ret.), executive director of Iwo Jima Association of America. Sifuentes told Task & Purpose the group is considering commemorating the anniversary on the island sometime at a later date.

The Iwo Jima veterans had planned to fly to Guam and then on to Iwo Jima, where they were to visit Mount Suribachi -- immortalized by the iconic photo of Marines raising the American flag -- and conduct a memorial service on the black sand beach where the landings took place on Feb. 19, 1945.

The World War II battle, which lasted 37 days, pitted hundreds of thousands of Americans against some 20,000 Japanese defenders that had prepared defenses for months. More than 19,000 Americans were wounded, and nearly 7,000 killed.

Elsewhere in Japan, the production line for the F-35 fighter will be paused for a week at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries amid virus concerns.

The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread to nearly 80 countries since it was first detected in Wuhan, China earlier this year.

There have been nearly 100,000 cases reported and more than 3,300 deaths from the virus worldwide, according to The World Health Organization. Japan has reported 349 cases of the virus so far.

Although the Corps canceled the Iwo Jima reunion, it did go forward with its annual Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, which ends Friday. The exercise brought together thousands of troops from the U.S., Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea.

"So far [there have been] no big impacts," Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger said Monday on whether the virus had impacted training or readiness across the force. "The biggest impact so far has been on the command post exercise in Korea, which had to be tailored way back because of the spread of the disease."

A 23-year-old soldier stationed in South Korea recently became the first American service member infected by coronavirus. So far, South Korea has had more than 5,700 cases and 35 deaths.

"I think it's important to recognize the Defense Department has been doing pandemic planning for the last 20 years," Bob Salesses, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, told reporters on Wednesday. "We have a very robust planning effort, as you know, in the Defense Department, and we been planning for pandemics for a long time."

More articles from Task & Purpose:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:30:50|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The cease-fire agreed upon by Russia and Turkey preserves the progress made by the Syrian army in the northwestern Idlib province, some analysts said.

After the two-month Syrian military operation in Idlib, the Turkey-backed rebels lost key areas to the Syrian army, who managed to capture areas near the M5 strategic highway linking the southern region in Syria with its north.

Turkey gave the Syrian army a deadline to withdraw from areas it recently advanced to. Moreover, Turkey engaged in direct confrontation with the Syrian army in Idlib.

After a serious escalation between both sides and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians from the battle zones, Russia and Turkey agreed on a cease-fire in the hope of defusing the tension and quelling the waves of displacement.

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan lasted for about six hours in Moscow on Thursday.

The cease-fire went into effect at 00:01 a.m. local time on Friday (2201 GMT Thursday), according to the protocol read after the talks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Some analysts in Damascus agreed that the cease-fire comes in the interest of the Syrian army.

Muhammad al-Omari, political analyst, told Xinhua that the Turkish-Russian agreement on Thursday didn't stipulate the withdrawal of the Syrian army from areas it advanced into in the recent battles.

Thus, Turkey cannot ask the Syrian forces to withdraw and neither can it attack again, he said.

"Russia managed to reduce the ceiling of the Turkish demands after Turkey threatened the Syrian army with a massive operation if it didn't withdraw from certain areas in Idlib," al-Omari said.

Still, Omari seemed suspicious about the viability of the cease-fire and its prospects as previous cease-fires crumbled and the fighting had continued.

Ali al-Salman, another analyst, told Xinhua that the Syrian side has always abided by previous cease-fires "unlike the other party which didn't."

He hoped that the cease-fire will hold, adding that a successful cease-fire could be a prelude to further understandings regarding the final situation in Idlib.

For the Syrian government, leaving Idlib, the last rebel stronghold controlled by ultra-radical rebels, mainly the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is the umbrella of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, is out of the question.

On Thursday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with the RT-24 TV that Idlib is a priority for the Syrian army, adding that after Idlib, the second goal will be areas controlled by the Kurdish militia in northeastern Syria.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When the highest-ranking official at the Indian Health Service addressed tribal leaders here last month, he opened with what could best be described as a dad joke

"So they tell us that if you wear this blue outfit, you are immune to coronavirus," Michael Weahkee , the principal deputy director at IHS, said at the National Congress of American Indians winter session on February 11.

Weahkee, a citizen of the Pueblo of Zuni , was wearing the operational dress uniform of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps on the afternoon of his address. He also sported it a day prior, when he attended the State of Indian Nations , which was delivered by Fawn Sharp , NCAI's new president.

But as the Trump administration rushes to respond to the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) , the agency charged with providing health care to 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) once again finds itself in a familiar state. Despite Weahkee's appearance of being ready for duty, he has yet to be confirmed as the permanent director of the IHS.

"What happened?" one tribal leader asked of Indianz.Com as NCAI's big week was winding down.

Our people and my ancestors paid for services with our lives, Anita Jackson of Warm Springs Tribes tells Michael Weahkee of Indian Health Service to secure more funding, as current level only covers 30 percent of need. #ECWS2020 @IHSgov @IHSDirector #HonorTheTreaties @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/ZzmHNm1rXa  indianz.com (@indianz) February 11, 2020

The same tribal leader pointed out that the Trump administration, just a couple of months ago, presented Weahkee's nomination as director of the IHS as an urgent matter. The agency has gone without a permanent leader for five years, all while dealing with high-profile crises like the coronavirus and a predatory physician who was found guilty for abusing young patients on two reservations.

Indian Country took the White House's request as sincere, and responded in kind. The National Indian Health Board , the Association of American Indian Physicians , the United South and Eastern Tribes and dozens of tribal nations, tribal organizations and Indian health entities flooded Congress with declarations of support for Weahkee in hopes of ending the long-running leadership void at IHS.

"We rushed to send letters, pass resolutions, we all did our part to get him confirmed," recalled the tribal leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive dealings with the Trump administration. "And now what?"

But, as with most situations in the Trump era, finding out what has happened with the Rear Admiral (RADM) Weahkee and his nomination has been an exercise in near futility. It seems that official Washington does not want Indian Country to know what is going on with the IHS. Or maybe official Washington doesn't know either.

When asked about the status of the nomination a week before NCAI, the IHS had a short response: "For questions regarding RADM Weahkees confirmation, please contact the Senate Indian Affairs Committee." The implication was that the process was out of the executive branch's hands.

Michael Weahkee, the principal deputy director of the Indian Health Service, is seen in his blue operational dress uniform following the State of Indian Nations in Washington, D.C., on February 10, 2020. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

The legislative branch, however, indicated otherwise. According to the Republican majority staff on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs , Weahkee has yet to respond to all of the inquiries posed to him following his nomination hearing in early December.

"The committee is waiting on follow up material from the nominee in order to finalize the record," a spokesperson for the Republican leadership on the panel told Indianz.Com. "Once all information is received, a business meeting will be scheduled to vote RAMR Weahkee through the committee onto Senate floor consideration."

Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), the Democratic vice chairman of the committee, had voiced support Weahkee, who also hails from New Mexico, during the confirmation hearing on December 11. But he too wasn't entirely sure what was going on when asked about the timeline by Indianz.Com.

"It's unclear," Udall said in an interview during NCAI, where he received a special recognition for his decades of service to the public and to Indian Country

"He's running the Indian Health Service right now," Udall said of Weahkee, who is indeed the highest-ranking official at the agency.

"It's important that we get him in but we need to do the paperwork, the vetting," Udall added.

Decisions made for Indians by Indians produce the best outcomes, Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) tells the National Congress of American Indians in Washington DC. Udall serves as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. #ECWS2020 @SenatorTomUdall @ncai1944 pic.twitter.com/TSHISUjfHE  indianz.com (@indianz) February 11, 2020

Whatever the reason for the delay, Udall stressed that it was important to fill the top leadership position at the IHS. The last person who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as director was Yvette Roubideaux , a citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe who had to step down from the role in February 2015, five years ago . That was during the Barack Obama era.

"I think its important to have a Senate-approved person, no matter when it happens," Udall told Indianz.Com.

To Byron Dorgan , a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs who investigated the substandard level of care at the IHS, the lack of a permanent director speaks of Donald Trump's lack of commitment to tribes and their citizens. During a recent interview, he noted the length of time it took for Weahkee's nomination to surface -- near the end of the president's third year in office.

"In short, this administration has largely ignored the needs of Native Americans," Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota, told Indianz.Com a few days before Weahkee's confirmation hearing.

"it's a matter of will," added Dorgan, who founded the Center for Native American Youth to help improve the health, safety and well-being of young people in tribal communities.

"If they had the will to do it, they would," Dorgan said of Trump and his team.

Trump's record when it comes to choosing a leader of the IHS has not been a great one. His first pick proved to be a disastrous one -- so much so that the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs never even held a confirmation hearing for Robert Weaver in light of significant questions about his background and his experience.

Almost no one in Indian Country stood up for Weaver during a process that played out in late 2017 and early 2018. It was different for Michael Weahkee, who has won praise for his years of leadership within the IHS.

"In his current capacity as Principal Deputy Director, RADM Weahkee has demonstrated solid and capable leadership, determination, and commitment to honoring the federal Trust responsibility for health and towards raising the health status of AI/AN Peoples to the highest level," Victoria Kitcheyan, a citizen of the Winnebago Tribe who serves as chairperson of the National Indian Health Board, wrote in a letter of support

The Association of American Indian Physicians was quick to "congratulate" Weaver after he had been nominated director but the organization pointed that he did not meet its "minimal qualifications" for the job. Weahkee was another story entirely.

"Association of American Indian Physicians' Executive Board and the Policy and Legislative Committee recently interviewed Rear Admiral Weahkee regarding his excellent qualifications for the position and endorse his appointment," a letter from AAIP President Walt Hollow, a citizen of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, stated.

The Sovereignty Protection Fund of the United South and Eastern Tribes, whose members are meeting in Washington in two weeks, described Weahkee as someone who "been a commendable advocate for AI/ANs and ensuring our people have access to quality healthcare." The resolution also sought "expeditious Senate confirmation" for the nominee.

Michael Weahkee, the principal deputy director of the Indian Health Service, addresses the National Congress of American Indians in his operational dress uniform during the organization's winter session in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2020. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

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Yes, Democrats are divided over Bernie Sanders revolution versus Joe Bidens restoration of status quo Obama. Yes, they are divided over what that means in terms of policy, like Sanders Medicare for All versus Bidens tweaked Obamacare.

But there is a deeper cultural gap behind the Bernie-Biden battle. And it will not be resolved by the primary fight, and perhaps not even by Novembers election.

Some small indicators: Biden rallies often begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Its a brief ritual that seems so basic it might not stand out in anyones memory. But its not done at Sanders events.

Why? When some of Sanders supporters say they want a revolution, they really mean it. Here is what one of those supporters  not a college student, but a 68-year-old man  told me at a Sanders rally outside Charleston, South Carolina:

[Sanders] wants to make real changes to make America a good country. I mean, America has never been a good country, since the get-go. Weve been brainwashed. Our founders are so great, right? George Washington and all these guys? What they did was they came and committed genocide against the natives, stole their land, kidnapped Africans and enslaved them, and founded our great nation. Our nation is rotten to the core. We need a good re-foundation. We need to have love among all people. Weve got to start over again.

Thats not a recite-the-pledge, hand-over-the-heart kind of feeling.

By the way, 15% of the electorate in South Carolina served in the military. They chose Biden over Sanders 54% to 19%, according to exit polls.

Then there is religion. In his successful forays into the South, Biden has laid on the religion to please the African-American ministers whose support he seeks. Bidens victory rally in South Carolina, for example, began with an invocation. That would be unimaginable at a Sanders gathering.

The Washington Examiners Tim Carney walked around a Sanders rally in South Carolina asking participants if they were religious. They werent. One man answered relig-ish  that is, kinda, sorta  but thats as far as they went.

In the South Carolina exit polls, people who attended religious services once a week or more, or even just occasionally, supported Biden by a 56% to 15% margin. Voters who never attended church supported Sanders 36% to 24%.

Obviously the Biden approach worked better in South Carolina. But in states with larger percentages of woke progressives, Sanders remains strong.

A Biden rally looks like a Democratic rally. A Sanders rally looks like ... something else. It features a motley crew of characters on the left  the fire-breathing pols, the old socialist brothers-in-arms, the self-described undocumented, queer and unashamed, the rappers, AOC, Ilhan Omar  quite a medley.

Of course, the Sanders coalition can feature internal contradictions of its own. At a cold outdoor rally recently, Sanders brought on the Texas-based rap duo Blackillac. They delivered the standard fare, and then were immediately followed on the PA system by Simon and Garfunkels lilting America. It was a jarring and bizarre juxtaposition, even for Sanders. But it represents two not entirely harmonious sides of the Sanders crowd.

Add to the Sanders-Biden cultural gulf the sense of grievance, dating from the 2016 primary fight with Hillary Clinton, that many Sanders supporters still feel against the Democratic Party. It used to be focused on Clinton. Now its focused on the party, but could easily be solely directed toward Biden, if Sanders supporters believe he is the partys vehicle for stealing the nomination from Bernie.

Democrats are even divided about being divided. A recent Gallup poll asked the simple question, Would you describe the Democratic Party today as united or divided? Among Democrats, 51 percent said united, while 49 percent said divided. They split virtually down the middle.

Everyone else sees Democrats as deeply divided. Sixty-seven percent of independents and 78% of Republicans described the Democratic Party that way.

All the candidates, and especially Biden and Sanders, sell themselves as the one who can unite the Democratic Party. But the fact is, theres a real possibility that no one can unite the party  and that includes their real opponent, President Donald Trump  as November approaches.

Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.
Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Amarillo, Texas for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 7 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Amarillo, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Amarillo with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Amarillo. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Amarillo, Texas please visit

https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-amarillo-tx/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Amarillo, Texas (in alphabetical order)

Adult & Teen Challenge of Texas

3850 South Loop 1604 West

San Antonio, TX 78264

866-913-4181

Amarillo Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

803 South Rusk

Amarillo, TX 79106

806 374-6688

Amarillo Recovery from Alcohol & Drugs

1001 Wallace Boulevard

Amarillo, TX 79109

806-350-2723

Dailey Recovery Services

2412 Southwest 8th Avenue

Amarillo, TX 79106

806-803-9640

Life Challenge of Amarillo

6500 Hope Road

Amarillo, TX 79119

806-352-0385

Serenity House

150 Orange Street

Abilene, TX 79601

325-603-4067

WTCR Programs

2300 Line Avenue

Amarillo, TX 79106

866-286-9827

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.orgs team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday said that party leader Rahul Gandhi was screened, like others, at the airport on his way back from his foreign tour, reportedly to Italy, and that he was clean of any coronavirus symptoms. The party said he was screened on February 29.

This comes in the wake of the BJP's sharp digs at the former Congress chief that he may be carrying the deadly virus as he had travelled to Italy, which has emerged as one of the global coronavirus hotspots.

Referring to Gandhi, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri said, "Many people from Italy had tested positive for the virus and hence Rahul Gandhi should be checked for coronavirus. Rahul Gandhi returned from Italy just six days ago, so he should be checked for coronavirus."

Earlier, independent MP Hanuman Beniwal also raised the topic in Parliament, creating a massive row.

The number of coronavirus affected people in India has jumped to 31 on Friday.

The first case in Delhi was detected on Monday. Six suspected cases were also detected in Agra, after these persons came in contact with the person from Delhi found to be infected.

Amid the coronavirus scare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cancelled his upcoming Brussels trip for the scheduled India-EU Summit later this month.
UMKC combats declining enrollment UMKC is trying new tactics to combat its declining enrollment numbers. The university's enrollment dropped 1.8% last semester compared to fall 2015, according to figures from UMKC's data and records website. College enrollment is also down across the nation. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, national enrollment is down 1.3%.

The City College fights a national trend as the declining middle-class gives up on college in search of a quicker payday. Here's a loo at local efforts to sell the benefits of a better education when benefits might not be immediately realized . . . Read more:
Later today Oppo will unveil its brand-spanking new flagship smartphones, the Find X2 and Find X2 Pro. And now, mere hours before the event, their full specs have leaked alongside press images and European pricing - because yes, these models are headed to the EU. Let's see what we can expect.

Oppo Find X2 Pro

The Pro version comes with a 6.7-inch 1440x3168 OLED touchscreen with 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 6 on top. There's a punch-hole 32 MP selfie camera in the top left of that screen.

On the back the Find X2 Pro will be available in ceramic (for the Ceramic Black colorway) and there's also going to be an orange version with vegan leather. No glass here. The ceramic iteration will weigh 207g, while the leather one tips the scales at 200g.



Oppo Find X2 Pro in Ceramic Black and orange leather

The phone's dimensions are 165.2 x 74.4 mm. Its thickness is 8.8 mm for the ceramic version, and 9.5 mm if you go with leather on the back.

The Find X2 Pro has the Snapdragon 865 chipset at the helm, aided by 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage that isn't expandable. 5G support is baked in, as is a 4,260 mAh battery that goes from zero to full in just 38 minutes with the included 65W charger.

The phone runs Android 10 with the latest ColorOS skin on top, and features IP65 water and dust resistance. This means it's "dust tight", but can only withstand being subjected to water jets, not being submerged.

The main feature is the camera system on the rear. There's a new 48 MP main Sony IMX689 1/1.43" sensor with 1.12 m pixel size, dual-pixel autofocus, and OIS. We expect this to be a Quad-Bayer sensor, which means it will spit out 12 MP images with an equivalent pixel size of 2.24 m. That's quite impressive.

But wait, there's a second 48 MP sensor in the Find X2 Pro too, this one the IMX586, as well as a 13 MP zoom camera with OIS and 1 m pixel size. This enables 5x optical zoom, while combined with the other sensors you get 10x hybrid zoom. Digital zoom will take you all the way up to 60x.

The Find X2 Pro will cost a whopping 1,199 in the EU, which is a lot - but still 50 less than the 5G version of the Samsung Galaxy S20+ with an equivalent 512GB of storage, for what it's worth. Oh, and it's 350 less than the S20 Ultra with 512GB of storage. Still, this is a big gamble for Oppo, because it definitely lacks Samsung's brand recognition in the continent.

Oppo Find X2

The X2 is a toned down version of the Pro, basically. It has the exact same screen, but its back is Gorilla Glass 6 and not fancy ceramic or leather. From this point on we'll only list where the X2 differs from the X2 Pro.

The Find X2 has 256GB of non-expandable UFS 3.0 storage, its color options are black and blue, and the battery is 4,200 mAh - though it charges just as quick as the Pro's in 38 minutes. Dimensions are 164.9 x 74.5 x 8 mm, and it weighs 196g.



Oppo Find X2 in black and blue

This model only has IP54 certification, which means it's dust protected (but not dust tight), and can only withstand splashes of water.

The camera system is different too. The main sensor is the 48 MP Sony IMX 586, accompanied by a 12 MP ultrawide with 1.4m pixel size, and a 13 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and 20x max digital zoom.

The Oppo Find X2 will be priced at 999, which is exactly as much as the Galaxy S20 with 5G and 128GB of storage, but 100 less than the S20+ with 128GB and 350 less than the S20 Ultra.

Source (in German)
An Islamic centre in Vaughan has taken the unprecedented step of shutting down three of its centres this week as a precaution, as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the region.

The Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat (ISIJ) of Toronto posted a message on its website on Tuesday, alerting its members, which number in the thousands, that after much deliberation, and with the best interest of our community in mind, the centres would be shut temporarily.

Most notably, the ISIJ said it would remain closed during its five daily prayers and for the Friday congregational prayer.

The decision to close the centres was not made lightly and was made with the best interest of the safety of our community members and attendees in mind, said ISIJ in a release on the centres website.

We shall monitor and update the community as the situation unfolds, it said.

As of Friday, there were 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, with at least six in York Region. Many of those infected had recently travelled to the GTA from China, Iran, and Egypt.

The overall consideration was prevention, precaution and safety for our community members, said Shafiq Ebrahim, the vice-president of the ISIJ of Toronto.

Ebrahim said there was concern around the growing number of cases in York Region, and that with some members travelling abroad for pilgrimage to holy sites in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria, it would be difficult to monitor who was coming in and out of the centre.

We just dont know who would be symptomatic, and we dont have the processes, or the logistics to stand at all of our entrances and have people monitored 24-7, he said.

Pictures of a near empty Grand Mosque in Mecca, and in particular the Kaaba, went viral on social media this week, as Saudi authorities took drastic measures to protect against the coronavirus.

Authorities later confirmed that it had temporarily emptied the Grand Mosque, usually filled with millions of people, for sterilization  and would continue to do so daily.

Locally, other religious groups have also started taking precautions in light of the virus.

The Anglican bishop of Toronto advised churchgoers in a letter this week to refrain from shaking hands or offering hugs during mass when peace offerings are exchanged. The church is suspending the sharing of wine in the communal cup.

Similar measures were put into place in 2003, during the SARS outbreak.

Prior to the closure, the centre had put out a list of safety precautions, such as limiting physical contact and asking worshippers to bring their own prayer mats, said Ebrahim.

He said that the centre has formed a COVID-19 Task Force, made up of medical professionals to assess and review the current health climate and who will ultimately decide when the centres will re-open.

Ebrahim said while some members have felt inconvenienced, most have appreciated the move.

One could argue that this move is over the top, he said. But our view is that we would rather be cautious. It only needs one person who gets infected, and it spreads and then you have a problem.

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The centre is tasked with managing and operating resources and professional activities to support health clinics in receiving, quarantining, diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients directly or online.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said that Vietnam is well controlling the COVID-19, with no fatalities and no infected health workers recorded so far.

However, it is necessary to anticipate possible situations of a large-scale outbreak with many serious cases, Long stated, adding that the birth of the centre aims to provide professional support for lower-level hospitals and health clinics, especially in far-flung areas.

Through the support of information technology, experts and doctors at the central level can see patients as well as medical parameters and conditions of patients and their health developments from respiration and electrocardiogram so that they can make recommendations on mechanical ventilation and infusion for lower-level colleagues.

One of the problems of the disease is that the longer of time the caregiver comes into contact with the patient, the higher the infection rate is. Therefore, the centre is expected to help reduce the contact between health workers and patients, Long stated.

Director of the Health Ministrys Department for Medical Examination and Treatment Luong Ngoc Khue said that the application of information technology in telemedicine will help improve the medical systems capacity of dealing with the disease.

In case a health clinic records a COVID-19 patient, the telemedicine centre will provide professional support for the clinic to avoid the unnecessary transfer of the patient to the upper-level hospital, Khue added.

The telemedicine centre is able to connect with 23 key disease prevention places and over 1,400 hospitals across Vietnam. It uses various smart medical solutions, including teleconferencing, electronic medical records, and the cloud-based Picture Archiving and Communication System (Cloud PACS).

On this occasion, the Department for Medical Examination and Treatment released a set of documents to serve COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment.
During the Giyani Activation Constitution Awareness Campaign, Brand South Africa was promoting freedom of expression and identity using the platform of South African language and the culture of reading.

The campaign was in honour of the late Moses Mtileni, who obtained three Masters degrees in African languages. DMs office in collaboration with Brand South Africa hosted a reading competition in Giyani, Limpopo for five schools who were represented by their top 10 vernacular learners per school. The activation was to host 50 grade four learners in the format of an adjudicated reading competition.Phase one of the competition:The learners competed by putting together a puzzle of South Africa. The school that finishes first wins the competition.Phase two of the competition:The five schools paired into groups were given as many as possible letters of the alphabet from A-Z. The learners then had to create as many words as possible from the letters given. Every time the learners made up a word, the adjudicator had to record each word and the learners continue building other words. The school that came up with the most words spelt correctly won the first phase of the competition.Phase three of the competition:During this phase of the competition, the adjudicators gave a word to the learners, each learner then puts their hand up representing their school and had to spell the given word correctly. If the learner got it right, their school remained in the competition, if the word is spelt incorrectly, the school gets disqualified. This phase was the knockout phase.The fourth and final phase of the competition:The school learners then had to use all the words they got in phase two to compile those words into a story. The school with the nicest story won this round and the story was then read by the adjudicator.The event culminated on 28 February 2020 at the Tomu Village in Giyani, Limpopo. Besides the learners, teachers, members of the DMs office, Mayors office, the District and Brand South Africa team attended a celebratory lunch to acknowledge the winners of the Giyani Activation Constitution Awareness Campaign.
A senior Eton master charged with sexual assault against three pupils can be named today.

A court order had banned identification of Matthew Mowbray but it was lifted after applications from news organisations.

The 48-year-old geography teacher will face trial next month on seven counts of sexual assault, three of making indecent photographs of children and one of voyeurism.

Mowbray, who is married with two children, had taught for many years at the 40,000-a-year school that counts Boris Johnson and Princes William and Harry as former pupils.

Matthew Mowbraya, a senior Eton master, has been charged with sexual assault against three pupils. The 48-year-old Geography teacher will face trial next month

Mowbray, who is married and has two children, taught at the school for many years

He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in May last year and suspended from his job while police trawled through his computer and cameras. He has since been dismissed from his post.

The South African-born teacher appeared before Slough magistrates on Tuesday charged with 11 offences, including seven counts of sexual assault relating to three victims.

He is also charged with three counts of making indecent photographs or images of children, some of which are in the most serious category, and one count of voyeurism.

Judge Heather Norton yesterday lifted reporting restrictions on identifying Mowbray. He will face trial next month, according to a letter from Eton headmaster Simon Henderson to parents.

Mr Henderson said: The welfare and the wellbeing of the boys is my top priority. We stand firmly behind those boys and families directly involved, who have acted with great dignity and courage throughout.

He was arrested in May last year and suspended from the school as police trawled his camera

He added: I appreciate that many of you were very close [to him] and that you trusted him.

I know that you and your sons will be shocked and upset by this news and we wish to do all we can to support you.

A meeting was held at the school earlier this week to discuss the circumstances of the case and a further meeting will be held this weekend.

Mr Henderson said the 1,300 boys at the school had been told about the allegations. He is also writing to former pupils and their parents. The school has brought in a child safeguarding officer from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to support the victims.

The college has deleted all mention of Mowbray from its website.

Eton said in a statement: Eton College can confirm that, as a result of information passed by the school to the local authority designated officer and to the police, a member of staff was arrested in May 2019, suspended from work and subsequently dismissed.

A spokesman for Eton College confirmed a 'member of staff was arrested in May 2019, suspended from work and subsequently dismissed' (file photo)

He has been charged with a number of criminal offences and given the ongoing criminal proceedings, we cannot comment further about the details of this case.

The welfare and wellbeing of our pupils is Etons top priority and when appropriate, as in this case, we always work very closely with the relevant external agencies, in line with our established procedures.

Mowbray, who lives in the village of Locks Heath near Southampton, was granted bail and will next appear at Reading Crown Court for a hearing on March 31.

Eton has a reputation as one of the worlds best schools. It has taught 20 former and serving prime ministers in its 600-year history.

Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, it is renowned for its academic excellence. Almost all of the boys go on to study at leading universities, with a third attending Oxford or Cambridge.

Facilities include a 400-seat theatre, a lake which hosted the 2012 Olympic rowing events, two swimming pools, 30 cricket pitches and 24 football and hockey pitches.

It also has two libraries, a vast collection of fine and decorative art including works by Joshua Reynolds and JMW Turner and three musuems. There are 1,200 applicants for the 250 places each year.
After a series of terrible incidents of police violence  think Botham Jean in Dallas, Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Worth, and others  police are under a microscope. Why does it seem like some officers are on a hair trigger, ready to use deadly force with little provocation? Increasingly, critics of police point to what we call the mindset: peoples belief that police (despite low crime rates) think that American streets are a battlefield, that they are surrounded by potential enemies, and that every civilian encounter is a struggle to be won.

Not every police officer has the mindset; the best dont. One of us is a former prosecutor, the other a former police officer who has studied policing for more than 20 years. We know that the mindset is real and the root cause of many of these tragedies. But it isnt inevitable. Instead, police recruits are trained in that attitude and even incentivized to maintain such attitude. Can they be untrained, or trained differently? We think they can  and believe conservatives especially ought to support efforts to reform police training.

The mindset has roots in the drug war, where politicians of all stripes encouraged the militarization of police equipment, tactics, and attitudes. It starts in the police academies. Most use a stress model resembling military boot camps, emphasizing drills, intense physical demands, public discipline, and immediate reaction to infractions; substantively, academy training focuses on investigation skills, weapons training, and tactics. But there is little emphasis on the profession of policing, on how to relate to the public, or on developing emotional-intelligence skills. Meanwhile, the average recruit gets less than ten hours of training in de-escalation techniques; 34 states require no training in de-escalation.

But academy training is only part of the issue, since most officers are largely trained on the job. There, rookie police learn that the most prestigious, glamorous, and exciting assignment in policing is the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team. These paramilitary policing units began to form in the 1970s. By the late 1990s, nearly 90 percent (almost double the rate in the mid-1980s) of departments in cities with more than 50,000 people had them. Smaller jurisdictions are in on the action too: By 2007, 80 percent of agencies in towns with 25,000 to 50,000 people had SWAT teams, up from 20 percent in the 1980s.

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As they have proliferated, SWAT teams are increasingly used in standard, on-duty policing activities. In a 2014 analysis, the ACLU, which has done excellent statistical work on this issue, found that 79 percent of the 50,000 annual SWAT callouts were for executing a search warrant, most commonly in drug investigations; only 7 percent were for hostage, barricade, or active-shooter scenarios. At least 60 percent of those operations featured the use of no-knock entries and/or (potentially deadly) flash-bang grenades. The Pentagons infamous 1033 Program  which distributes cast-off military equipment such as armored personnel carriers, weaponry, and helicopters to local police  has also helped to drive this phenomenon.

When you change an institutions tactics, tools, and training, you will change its culture. The ACLU has noted that police-recruiting materials have become markedly more militaristic in recent decades, with insignia and mottos totally unsuited to civilian agencies. (Examples: Hunter of men, We get up early, to BEAT the crowds, Baby Daddy Removal Team, and Narcotics: You huff and you puff and well blow your door down.) It doesnt seem like a leap to suggest that the mindset that normalizes these sentiments is related to recent incidents of police violence.

Changes in weapons, tactics, and training birthed the mindset. Reforming all three could help to combat it. To start, the dispersion of cheap military weaponry to police departments must stop. Police ought to be put to the discipline of deciding whether their local situation really justifies the cost of armored personnel carriers.

Better training is also key. Police training should incorporate graduate schooltype elements, with an emphasis on academic training, scenario-based role-playing, and developing mentormentee relationships between experienced officers and recruits and junior officers. However, better training will go only so far  we need to ensure that we select the best officers to be trained. Emphasis should be placed on selection criteria consistent with the hiring (and promotion) of officers who are in tune with de-escalation techniques, helpers, and calm personalities.

Finally, we need real, sustained de-escalation training in police academies and among active officers. Departments should accept that, within reason, the onus is on the officer to defuse potentially explosive incidents, slow the pace of policecivilian encounters, and take the time to resolve encounters before they turn violent.

Opponents of policing reform often counter: You cant blame the police for their reactions in split-second, life-or-death moments. Sometimes, those decisions do have to be made. But that simply highlights the need for training that heads encounters off before they get to that point. We need training that gives police the tools needed to critically analyze situations and distinguish between those that truly are life-and-death and those that become life-and-death only because an officer overreacted.

Nothing can be more corrosive to the legitimacy of police in a democracy than the pervasive sense that they view the public as the enemy. Were all safer with police that every law-abiding American can trust.

Arthur Rizer, the director of criminal-justice and civil-liberties policy at the R Street Institute, is a former federal prosecutor, military police officer, and police officer. Brett Tolman, the former U.S. Attorney for Utah and the former chief counsel for crime and terrorism in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, founded the Tolman Group and focuses on public policy and reforming government.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 18:31:39|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Calm has prevailed in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern Idlib province on Friday after a Turkey, Russia-backed cease-fire went into effect at midnight, a war monitor reported.

Friday started with no airstrikes from Russian or Syrian warplanes in Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The observatory added that 150 Turkish military vehicles entered Turkish observation points in Idlib on Friday, apparently as part of the Thursday's agreement with Russia.

Russia and Turkey agreed on a cease-fire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib on Thursday, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours.

The cease-fire went into effect at 00:01 a.m. local time on Friday (2201 GMT Thursday), according to the protocol read after the talks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The agreement comes after direct confrontation between Turkey and Syrian forces which took place several times in Idlib over the past two months since the Syrian forces launched a campaign against the Turkey-backed rebel groups in Idlib.

The Syrian army started the operation in Idlib after Turkey failed to live up to previous pledges made during the Sochi agreement in 2018 between Russia and Turkey.

Under the previous deal, the rebels should have withdrawn from certain areas around the M5 and M4 highways in northern Syria.

Turkey was also supposed to disarm ultra-radical rebel groups in certain areas in Idlib, which didn't happen.

The current cease-fire is seen as a chance to quell the recent confrontation in Idlib, mainly to allow humanitarian help for Syrian refugees who left their areas during the recent military showdown.

However, it's not yet clear whether the current cease-fire would hold.
DECATUR  Students at Decatur Public Schools have big plans and ambitions, but in the meantime, they need some cash.

I'm looking for a customer service job, where I'm helping people and talking to people, said Anaudia Williams, a senior at MacArthur High School. One of the main ones I'm looking at is the (Decatur) Park District, with the water park and the splash park. Or working in the hospital and being able to do a job that involves talking to people and helping them.

Decatur Public Schools' annual job fair was held at both MacArthur and Eisenhower high schools this week and is in its third year, said Leslie Risby, Innovative Programs coordinator. The job fair is for sophomores through seniors who are looking for summer or part-time jobs, or full-time jobs for seniors after they graduate.

We just want to make sure we make the resources available to them, Risby said. Most of our students want to work, they want to make money, so we've had a nice response from our business partners in the community.

A lot of them are in need of help, so this is a wonderful opportunity for them to come out and make themselves available to our students.

Chontez Burton plans to be a child psychologist and just received his acceptance letter from Tennessee State University.

I feel like I can get a great start with the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club or the park district, where I can be around kids, Burton said. I just want to get experience with children."

Mateo Sanchez is interested in journalism and communications for a career and is planning to work his way through college. He hopes to go to Millikin University, so if he finds a job that will let him work and go to school at the same time, that would be ideal, he said.

Students were able to ask questions, fill out job applications and even, in some cases, have preliminary interviews at the job fair, and most had dressed for job interviews, too. The event is not only a place to look for a job, but a learning experience about how to find job opportunities and what options are available.

Kyleah Clark has an internship at Caterpillar Inc. in her field of choice, human resources, which is giving her good mentors and experience, she said.

I was talking to (Decatur Memorial Hospital) and (HSHS) St. Mary's here, Clark said, The DMH lady is actually from human resources there, and she told me it's a great position and I should go for it.

Jaydiona Eubanks hopes to find something where she can be outdoors a lot. She wants to be a forensic pathologist and plans to get her general education credits at Richland while she determines where to go after that.

I want to be the person who does autopsies, she said. I wanted to be a nurse, but after I got older, I got more interested in the bodies, and I was watching videos about how they do autopsies and I got interested in that.

_____________________________________________________________

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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CloudConnect Makes Next Gen Communications Possible for SMEs

CloudConnect Communications, a start-up MVNO based in India is focused on changing how businesses communicate. In particular its working to help small businesses in the country to thrive.

From powerful and reliable collaboration tools, to mobile network solutions, it wants to help these smaller businesses quickly accelerate and transform via modern, digital channels.

As the countrys first fully regulatory compliant mobile-first virtual network operator, CloudConnect Communications main focus is on helping the SME community to do away with old traditional PBX communications so they can communicate faster, better and conduct business from anywhere.

The company launched its commercial end-to-end cloud-based PBX and unified communication system for SMEs and very small businesses recently. The services provided include audio/video conferencing, call location tracking, click2call and much more.

Because smaller companies typically dont have the capital to invest in new solutions they shy away from learning about the benefits that next gen communications can offer.

CloudConnect Communications cloud-based, mobile PBX plus / Unified Communication system via a PaaS model puts next-gen business communications solutions that are secure, seamless, scalable and simple in reach for these smaller companies.

The company also recently announced the launch of a new CloudConnect Business Communication App makes it possible for mobile workers to gain access to business features from their devices and regardless of their location. Keep in touch with clients, employees and boost productivity across multiple offices.

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Edited by Maurice Nagle
In the March 6 episode of In The News podcast, host Anvita Bansal gets in conversation with Shraddha Sharma and Ruchira Kondepudi to find out the top news of the day.

Sharma begins by giving us key incites about the Yes Bank crisis and mainly how it is affecting customers. In addition to this, she discusses the Coronavirus outbreak as cases in India jump to 31 with another Delhi resident tests positive.

Later, we have Kondepudi talking about the CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the investment of over Rs 4,100 crore Employees Provident Fund (EPF) of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), the state-owned power firm, in the scam-tainted Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL).
Weekly briefing: Tornadoes ravage Tennessee, Supreme Court hears abortion case, coronavirus spreads in US

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We've compiled the top stories of the week. Here's what you need to know:

Tornadoes ravage Nashville, kill dozens

At least 25 people died after two tornadoes devastated Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, this week.

Many Christian artists who reside in Nashville posted reactions and photos, expressing heartache as well as a resolve to rebuild together.

Along with the aid of churches and charities, residents have been quick to help out their neighbors and volunteer to clean up and help the state recover.

Supreme Court hears first abortion case with Trumps appointees

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week surrounding a Louisiana law that requires abortion clinics to have admitting privileges to local hospitals. Its the courts first major abortion case since President Donald Trump appointed two justices.

We know that it's all going to come down to the pro-life movement for the 2020 election, that we are very close to achieving our phase one goal of reversing Roe, sending the decision back to the states where we will then fight state by state to make abortion illegal as well as unthinkable.  Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America

The court is expected to make a decision on the constitutionality of the law by the end of June. The case is June Medical Services v. Russo.

Coronavirus cases surpass 100,000; more than 225 in US

As the number of coronavirus cases surpassed 100,000 worldwide and 225 in the U.S., President Trump signed an $8.3 billion bill to fight the outbreak, with funds going toward research and vaccine development as well as response efforts.

More states have confirmed persons who tested positive for COVID-19. Schools, businesses and churches are taking measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading by closing doors or avoiding close contact.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was mocked by some for praying with the coronavirus task force. You can read responses to the criticism here and here.

Commentary on the implications of the coronavirus can be found here, here and here.

Super Tuesday: Joe Biden wins big, Bernie Sanders still strong

Joe Biden took the lead in the Democratic presidential primaries following Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states and one U.S. territory went to the polls.

Most of the candidates have now dropped out of the race, leaving Biden, Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard  who is far behind the leading two.

Viral TikTok videos show teens laughing during abortion, drag queen performing for young girl

Two TikTok videos have gone viral in recent weeks. One shows a teen girl laughing and having fun as she is about to undergo her second abortion.

"Our ability to be cruel is endless. When society celebrates abortion, should we be surprised to see this kind of cruelty? My heart breaks for this little helpless baby, killed on camera, his young mother joking about it. And it breaks for her, who will live with this all her life.  Lila Rose, founder of Live Action

Another shows a drag performer suggestively dancing in front of a young girl while adults clap and smile as they watch.

Both videos have sparked outrage.

Check out CPs coverage of the NRB 2020 Christian Media Convention

AG William Barr denounces progressives push toward tyranny, driving religion out of public square

Andrew Brunson: US increasingly hostile to Christianity, following Jesus will come at personal risk

Christians must rely on Holy Spirits power amid moral and spiritual free fall: Anne Graham Lotz

Lois Evans faithfulness until death reminds Christians to focus on Christ, says son

Listen to CPs latest podcast: Former Mormon on the burden to live the perfect Christian life

Pray for

Christians in northeastern Kenya, who have been threatened by al-Shabaab to leave

New releases

Albums:

All Glory (Live) by Phil King (March 6)

Roar (Live from Passion 2020) by Passion (March 6)

Books:

Enough about Me: Find Lasting Joy in the Age of Self by Jen Oshman (March 3)

Saving Christianity?: The Danger in Undermining Our Faith  and What You Can Do about It by Michael Youssef (March 3)
SWAT Team in Standoff With 10-Year-Old Boy, He Later Surrenders

The San Diego SWAT team was in a standoff with a 10-year-old child who had been barricaded in a shed behind his home after allegedly firing several shots at officers.

San Diego police said the boy turned himself in to police hours later, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper.

The incident took place after 9:10 a.m. when the boys parents called saying he was having an emotional crisis, according to Lt. Shawn Takeuchi. He said the boy grabbed a knife and a hammer, and when police arrived, he went into the shed and grabbed a shotgun before firing rounds at police.

Negotiators and SWAT officers were called to the scene. One home was evacuated, and a school was temporarily placed on lockdown, officials said.

The boy turned himself in to police about two hours later. He will be taken into protective custody for an evaluation, said Takeuchi.

We have a juvenile who barricaded himself in a shed, San Diego Police Officer Billy Hernandez told KSWB during the standoff. He has a knife and a shotgun.

San Diego police Officer Scott Lockwood told KUSI that the standoff occurred in the 4000 block of Boston Avenue, east of South 40th Street (Google Maps)

According to KSWB, officers blocked roads around the home.

The unnamed boys family members were home during the incident, but investigators didnt immediately provide more details about the standoff.

San Diego police told KUSI that the standoff occurred on the 4000 block of Boston Avenue, east of South 40th Street.
Tomorrow (6 March) will be the official Samsung Galaxy S20 series launch in Malaysia and in case you missed the news, the Galaxy S20 series Roadshow will be pretty awesome! Depending on how early you're there (#hinthint), the offers are unlike anything we've seen before and the roadshow will last throughout the weekend.

Previously, we reported that early birds will be able to bring home a 50-inch Smart TV or an RM400 rebate for trading in their old cameras and phones on the spot. That's not all, there is also a 128GB microSD memory card and a wireless charger pad to be given away for free with each purchase. Want to know more about what you can get out of the roadshow? Read below to find out more!

The early birds get the worm 50-inch Smart TV (worth RM2599)

Starting with the grandest gift of them all, this is Samsung Malaysia's best yet as up to 220 early birds will get a brand new smart TV. This is a 50-inch 4K Smart UHD TV, so not just any smart TV! As there are 5 locations running the roadshow, each location will have a different amount of units for the early birds. You can check out the details below:

Mid Valley, Megamall, Kuala Lumpur - 220 units

Queensbay Mall, Penang - 120 units

Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru - 80 units

IMAGO Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - 50 units

East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang - 30 units

If you can't get a smart TV, don't fret. Those who purchase either one of the Galaxy S20 series phones will get a complimentary 128GB microSD Memory Card (worth RM139) and a wireless charger pad (worth RM239). Now that's what I call a deal!

Trade-in your old camera or smartphone for RM400 rebate

Samsung also wants to reward customers with additional trade-in value as a token of appreciation for being a loyal Samsung user. So alternatively, if you have an old digital camera, you can bring in one to the roadshow and enjoy a rebate of RM400! Just like the smart TV, there are a limited number of units that Samsung Malaysia will accept. That also means that you have to be one of the early birds for this rebate! You may refer to the details below:

Mid Valley, Megamall, Kuala Lumpur - 220 units

Queensbay Mall, Penang - 120 units

Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru - 80 units

IMAGO Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - 50 units

East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang - 30 units

Model Actual Price GALAXY NOTE 8 64GB RM1010 GALAXY NOTE 9 128GB RM1395 GALAXY NOTE 9 512GB RM1530 GALAXY NOTE 10 256GB RM1945 GALAXY NOTE 10+ 256GB RM2255 GALAXY NOTE 10+ 512GB RM2565 GALAXY S8 64GB RM865 GALAXY S8+ 64GB RM920 GALAXY S9 64GB RM970 GALAXY S9+ 64GB RM1100 GALAXY S9+ 128GB RM1120 GALAXY S9+ 256GB RM1145 GALAXY S10e 128GB RM1345 GALAXY S10 128GB RM1615 GALAXY S10+ 128GB RM1695

By the way, you may also trade-in your old smartphone as well! Samsung Malaysia accepts all Galaxy phones starting from S8 and Note 8 series in good working condition or damaged. However, do take note that the non-working condition will have a lower rebate value. You can check out the value of your smartphone you plan on trading up in the table above!

Rate plan by our local Telcos

If you prefer having an instalment plan for the latest Samsung smartphones, our local Telcos will be stationed at the roadshow to help you out. There are Maxis, Celcom, Digi, U Mobile and YES 4G for the customers to choose from with a different set of package plans each. Below is a brief summary of what each Telco offers:

Maxis - Customers can purchase 2 Galaxy S20 or S20+ from just RM189/month with their 2 Phones 1 Price bundle promo, or existing customers can upgrade yearly from just RM129/month for the S20 Ultra with Zerolution360. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with Maxis, visit the official site here.

Celcom - The new Mega Postpaid plan offers the latest Galaxy S20 series from as low as RM99/month. In addition, customers can also enjoy up to 100GB Internet data, free-roaming and more. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with Celcom, visit the website here.

Digi - Go ALL-IN with Digi PhoneFreedom 365 from just RM98/month including a monthly phone + plan payment. There is also RM0 upfront payment on the Galaxy S20 series, as well as up to 200GB, free-roaming and IDD, Free Phone Upgrade and Free Digi Shield. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with Digi, - Go ALL-IN with Digi PhoneFreedom 365 from just RM98/month including a monthly phone + plan payment. There is also RM0 upfront payment on the Galaxy S20 series, as well as up to 200GB, free-roaming and IDD, Free Phone Upgrade and Free Digi Shield. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with Digi, go ALL-IN here

U Mobile - With the Unlimited HERO postpaid plan, customers can get the latest Samsung flagship from as low as RM109/month, Unlimited high-speed data, free network calls and free data for roaming. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with U Mobile, visit their site here .

YES 4G - Finally, customers can bring home an S20 Ultra 5G with RM1200 off from Konfem Unlimited Talk Postpaid. Get a Galaxy S20 series phone for RM79/month with 50GB Internet data and unlimited network calls. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with U Mobile, visit - Finally, customers can bring home an S20 Ultra 5G with RM1200 off from Konfem Unlimited Talk Postpaid. Get a Galaxy S20 series phone for RM79/month with 50GB Internet data and unlimited network calls. To know more about the Galaxy S20 plans with U Mobile, visit the website here .

To refresh your memory, the Galaxy S20 and S20+ start from RM3599 and RM3999 respectively and feature the same Exynos 990 chipset, a 12MP (ultrawide) + 12MP (wide) + 64MP (telephoto lens) triple rear camera setup (and an extra DepthVision sensor for the latter), up to 30x camera zoom, 8GB + 128GB memory capacity and more. As for the S20 Ultra, the ultimate one starts from RM4999 sporting a 108MP quad rear camera setup, 100x Space Zoom, 5000mAh battery, 12GB + 128GB memory capacity, 5G support and more.

So there you have it, this is everything you need to know at the Samsung Galaxy S20 Roadshow! Each outlet will start from 10AM to 10PM (except for Queensbay Mall from 10.30AM to 10.30PM) and if you happen to drop by, do check out the new flagships and get to know more about the next Galaxy innovation at each respective roadshow. Book yourself for the weekend and have fun!

Stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.
By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

Azerbaijani State Oil Company (SOCAR) has sent first tanker of Azerbaijani oil to the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim Concern) by tankers from the Turkish port of Ceyhan to Belarus, Ibrahim Ahmadov, Deputy Head of the SOCAR Public Relations and Event Management Department told, local media reported.

He noted that 90,000 tons of Azeri LT (light oil) was shipped on the night of March 5.

SOCAR confirmed the agreement on the delivery of batch of Azerbaijani oil to Belneftekhim Concern.

According to him, the second tanker of nearly 85,000 tons of oil will be sent by March 20.

As it was reported earlier, it is planned to ship a second tanker from the Georgian port of Supsa with a volume of about 85,000 tons.

Belneftekhim spokesperson Alexander Tishchenko said earlier that SOCAR will send two oil tankers to Belarus with the volume of 160,000 tons to the Odessa port in March, with its further transportation via the Odessa-Brody pipeline.

Azerbaijani oil will be delivered from Ukraine to the Mozyr oil refinery in Belarus via the Odessa-Brody pipeline.

In addition, recently, the Chairman of the Belneftekhim Concern Andrey Ribakov stated that SOCAR may supply up to 1 million tons of oil to Belarus in 2020.

Volumes will increase from year to year. This year, we are talking about the volume of up to 1 million tons of oil. This will be determined every month based on economic, logistical factors. However, it will be defined on a permanent basis, Ribakov said.

Note that PM of Belarus Sergei Roumas and SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev met on March 2 in Belarus, with which the agreement in principle has been reached on strategic cooperation both in the current year and in subsequent years.

The head of the concern recalled that Belarus has long-standing ties with SOCAR, since Belarusian refineries have already refined Azerbaijani oil: Colleagues confirmed the possibility of continuing this strategic cooperation in the current year and subsequent years. It is, in a sense, international collaboration, as it will involve the pipeline system of Ukraine. It will ensure transportation of oil to the Mozyr Oil Refinery, including its refining and supply of oil products to Ukraine, Belarus, as well, Ribakov stated.

The expansion of the Azerbaijani companies participation in investment projects in Belarus was also discussed with the management of SOCAR. The special unit of SOCAR is already working at the Mozyr Oil Refinery, Ribakov recalled.

They [SOCAR] have established themselves as high-quality, reliable partners, fulfilling all their commitments on time. Therefore, the possible participation of SOCAR in projects at Naftan and other enterprises in the Belneftekhim concern system, as well as in projects in other sectors, was discussed, he underlined.

It is worthy to note that Belarus purchased oil from SOCAR in 2011 and 2016 and the Azerbaijani side also purchases Belarusian oil products.

Recently, it was informed that the infrastructure is almost ready for the transportation of Azerbaijani oil to the Mozyr Oil Refinery in Belarus from Ukraine through the Odessa-Brody pipeline.

Belneftekhim, which was established in 1997 performs a full cycle of works related to crude oil exploration and production, its transportation, refining and oil product sales.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Two more persons, including the one who procured chemicals online for making the IED used in the Pulwama attack, were arrested by the NIA in the case on Friday, an official said.



Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in the deadly terror attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama district last year after a suicide bomber rammed an explosive laden car in the paramilitary force's convoy.

Waiz-ul-Islam (19) of Srinagar's Bagh-e-Mehtab locality and Mohammad Abbass Rather (32) of Hakripora village in Pulwama district were arrested by the Investigation Agency (NIA), the official said.

The number of people arrested in the case now stands at five. Earlier, a father-daughter duo and a close aide of the suicide bomber were arrested in two separate operations.

During initial interrogation, Islam disclosed that he used his Amazon online shopping account to procure chemicals for making IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), batteries and other accessories on the directions of Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, the official said.

He said Islam personally delivered the items to JeM terrorists after procuring the incriminating material online from the delivery portal as a part of the conspiracy to carry out the

Rather is an old over-ground worker (OGW) of the JeM. He has disclosed that he gave shelter at his home to Jaish terrorist and IED expert Mohd Umar after he came to Kashmir in April-May 2018, the official said.

Rather also harboured JeM terrorists suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, Sameer Ahmed Dar and Kamran, a Pakistani -- at his house a number of times in the run up to the Pulwama attack, he said.

He also facilitated safe shelter for the JeM terrorists, including Adil, at the house of accused Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan of Hakripora, who were arrested on March 3, the official said.

He said Islam and Rather will be produced before the NIA special court in Jammu on Saturday, while further investigation in the case continues.

The NIA took over the case to probe the conspiracy behind the February 14, 2019, attack in Pulwama. The last video of Adil, which was released by the JeM from Pakistan after the terror attack, was filmed at the residence of Tariq Ahmed Shah.

On February 28, the NIA achieved a major breakthrough in the case when it arrested 22-year-old Shakir Bashir Magrey, a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal in Pulwama's Kakapora.

Magrey had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to suicide bomber Adil. He was introduced to Adil in mid- 2018 by Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq and he became a full-time OGW of the JeM.

The explosives used in the attack were determined through forensic probe to be ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerin and RDX.

During investigation into the attack, the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar was confirmed through DNA matching with that of his father.

The other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be JeM's south Kashmir divisional commander Muddasir Ahmad Khan, killed in an operation by security forces on March 11 last year; Pakistani terrorists Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, both killed on March 29 last year; the owner of the car Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Anantnag who was killed on June 16 last year; and Qari Yassir, JeM's commander for Kashmir who was killed on January 25 this year.
Amid a slight decline in temperature after rains lashed Delhi-NCR on Thursday, Indian Council of Medical Research director general Balram Bhargava said the change in weather will not have any impact on the spread of novel coronavirus.

Thirty people have tested positive for the virus so far with the latest being a man from Ghaziabad with a recent travel history to Iran.

Refuting claims that the virus spreads in low temperature, Bhargava told PTI that no such finding has been proven till now.

There is no relation between decline in temperature and the spread of the virus, he said, adding that the virus does not spread through air but human contact.

He advised people to take care of themselves against cough and cold with the change in weather.

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 mercury in the national capital dropped slightly on Thursday due to overcast skies and rains in parts of the city. Delhi recorded a minimum of 14.4 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 27 degrees Celsius, around two notches less than that on Wednesday.
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VANCOUVER, CANADA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / CubicFarm Systems Corp. (TSXV:CUB) ("CubicFarms" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Tim Fernback has joined the Company as its interim Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective immediately. Mr. Fernback replaces outgoing interim CFO Rodrigo Santana as he resumes his role as Chief Operating Officer ("COO").Mr. Fernback has over 25 years of finance experience as a director and officer of public and private technology, natural resources, health and biosciences companies. In the past, he has held senior executive positions within the investment banking and venture capital industries, as well as progressively senior executive officer positions within growing businesses, including ModoHR Technologies, Upstream Biosciences and Ronin8 Technologies.In addition to these senior finance and operations positions, Mr. Fernback has successfully worked as a consultant in a variety of industries including biotechnology, SaaS, software, hospitality, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and real estate development.Mr. Fernback has served on the board of numerous companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). He currently holds directorships in TSXV-listed Deep-South Resources, Nevada Energy Metals, Surge Exploration and Tri Capital Opportunities.He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from McMaster University and a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in Finance from the University of British Columbia. He is also a designated Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.CubicFarms CEO Dave Dinesen commented: "We are excited to have Tim join the CubicFarms team. He brings a wealth of experience providing financial leadership to high-growth technology companies. His in-depth knowledge of corporate finance, operations management, strategic go-to-market initiatives, supply chain management, and mergers and acquisitions, will be immensely valuable during this critical period as we focus on our share offering announced yesterday, and ongoing scale-up of the business to serve our customers in the fresh produce and nutritious livestock feed space."We also thank Rodrigo for stepping up and acting as interim CFO, providing leadership and guidance on our first financial statement filings, and for his contributions to our preparations for the offering - in addition to his day-to-day COO responsibilities. We look forward to his continued leadership in enhancing our operational capabilities and innovative technologies to support our growth objectives." Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.About CubicFarm Systems Corp.CubicFarm Systems Corp. ("CubicFarms") is a technology company that is developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary technologies enable farmers around the world to grow high-quality, predictable crop yields. CubicFarms has two distinct technologies that address two distinct markets. The first technology is its patented CubicFarm System, which contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops. Using its unique, undulating-path growing system, the Company addresses the main challenges within the indoor farming industry by significantly reducing the need for physical labour and energy, and maximizing yield per cubic foot. CubicFarms leverages its patented technology by operating its own R&D facility in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, selling the System to farmers, licensing its technology and providing industry-leading vertical farming expertise to its customers.The second technology is CubicFarms' HydroGreen System for growing nutritious livestock feed. This system utilizes a unique process to sprout grains, such as barley and wheat, in a controlled environment with minimal use of land, labour and water. The HydroGreen System is fully automated and performs all growing functions including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding - all with the push of a button - to deliver nutritious livestock feed without the typical investment in fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, field equipment and transportation. The HydroGreen System not only provides superior nutritious feed to benefit the animal, but also enables significant environmental benefits to the farm.Information contactKimberly Limkimberly@ cubicfarms.com Phone: +1-236-858-6491SOURCE: CubicFarm Systems Corp
Two persons were killed and 10



injured when a borewell truck turned turtle near Khambataki tunnel on Pune-Satara Highway in the early hours of Friday, police said.

The incident took place at around 6 am, when the borewell truck was taking a turn at a bend near the tunnel, but hit the concrete railing and flipped over instead, an official said.

"Two persons died on the spot, while three are grievously injured and seven have sustained minor injuries," a station duty officer of the Khandala police station said.

The injured men have been rushed to a hospital in Satara, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Activists of the Dal Khalsa, a Sikh hardliner group, on Friday entered into a scuffle with members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force over the release of the original version of Nanakshahi calendar from the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar.

The calendar carried a photograph of the Kartarpur corridor opening ceremony being addressed by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Takht secretariat incharge intervened and allowed the Dal Khalsa members to release the calendar from the outside platform of the secretariat.

The Nanakshahi calendar format was accepted by the SGPC general house and ratified by the Akal Takht in 2003 but was rejected by the apex gurdwara body in 2010 saying it needed to be amended.
A special CBI court on Thursday held a head constable with the Chandigarh traffic police guilty in a July 2014 graft case.

Head constable Dalbir Singh was convicted of taking 1,500 bribe from the president of a local auto-rickshaw drivers union for not harassing and challaning auto drivers.

He was held guilty under Sections 7 and 13 (1) (d) read with 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Friday.

A case was registered against the head constable on July 17, 2014 following a complaint by Jora Singh, a resident of Dadumajra Colony, Sector 38 (West).

As per CBI investigation, Dalbir was transferred to Traffic Lines, Sector 29, in May 2012. On July 16, 2014, he was deputed at the PGIMER roundabout to check traffic violations.

The same day, Jora Singh, president of Kranti Auto-Rickshaw Union, Sector 22, approached the CBI with a complaint that the head constable was demanding 3,000 for not challaning auto-rickshaw drivers of his union. Eventually, a deal was struck at 1,500. CBI sleuths later laid a trap and caught Dalbir red-handed while accepting 1,500.
The Lagos State Government on Thursday night revealed that three Coronavirus suspects are currently being quarantined at its facility i...



We now have 3 suspected cases under isolation in our containment facility in Yaba. One from France, one from England and one from China. Their samples have been taken and results are been expected @jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @SegsDr pic.twitter.com/xhR8I9sjvx Breaking! #COVID19Lagos We now have 3 suspected cases under isolation in our containment facility in Yaba. One from France, one from England and one from China. Their samples have been taken and results are been expected #ForAGreaterLagos March 5, 2020

Earlier on Thursday, A Nigerian man who returned from France was quarantined in Lagos over Coronavirus after he developed headache and respiratory symptoms.However, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a tweet late Thursday night said two new suspected cases were being attended to and that they had been isolated at the containment facility in Yaba.He said the two came from England and China.The commissioner added that it was now three cases altogether. He said the samples of the two persons had been taken for tests to ascertain if they have Coronavirus or not.Breaking! #COVID19Lagos: We now have 3 suspected cases under isolation in our containment facility in Yaba. One from France, one from England and one from China. Their samples have been taken and results are being expected, he wrote on his twitter handle.Earlier, Abayomi said a Nigerian, who had been isolated in Yaba, travelled to France seven days ago and just returned to Lagos three days ago.According to him, the man developed severe headache and respiratory symptom at a private hospital and was referred to the government for advice.He said the state government decided to isolate him because he had a history of travelling to France, one of the Coronavirus hit countries.The commissioner said test samples had been collected and that the result of the test would be out tonight to ascertain if he was positive or negative to Coronavirus.However, Abayomi, said the index case, an Italian was seriously responding to treatment at the isolation centre, as his clinical situation was stable.He stated that the Italian was in high spirit, but that he required psycho-social support as he was getting depressed for being in isolation alone, adding that the patient was in touch with his family and friends in Italy.Abayomi, however, said the level of viral load in his body had gone down and that if that continued, in the next few days, he might be discharged if he tested negative to the disease.He said government would not just release him immediately he tested negative to the disease, but would still keep him and run a second test in few days to ascertained he was completely free of the disease before letting him go back to his country.On the people who alighted from the Turkish Airline on arrival in Lagos, he said government had been able to trace 13 of the remaining 15 contacts, leaving only two that had not been reached, saying that if at the end of today, they could not be reached, he would release their names to the media declaring them wanted.
Teacher Unions in the Bono East, Bono and Ahafo Regions have asked government to suspend the Pre-Tertiary Education Bill which has been laid before Parliament.

The Bill has become topical with teachers in the country calling for its withdrawal.

According to the Chairman for Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Michael Nsiah Agyapong, the leadership of the teacher unions should have been consulted extensively before the Bill was laid before Parliament.

You realize that there were not enough broad consultations. So there are some aspects that we feel will not help the teaching profession if the Bill comes into law. And we are putting all the educational units under the district assembly. Meanwhile, the assemblies are even constrained with resources, let alone being able to cater for the needs of the teachers.

We anticipate a lack of job security because parts of the Bill talks about internal transfer and that the President in consultation will appoint a Director-General and other senior staff. We know that has been done already. And if it becomes political, there will be no job security, he lamented.

In other regions

The teacher unions in other parts of the country have also been making the same calls.

Those in the Northern, Savannah and North East regions had earlier on asked Parliament to suspend discussions on the Pre-Tertiary Education Bill.

At a press conference in Tamale, the Teacher Unions made up of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) said the Bill in its current state will be inimical to the education sector.

In the Western and Western North Regions, they have sworn to resist the passage of the Bill in its current form.

---citinewsroom
Poverty continues to be a reality for far too many children in Manitoba. A recent report on child poverty, released by Campaign 2000, a non-partisan research and advocacy network focused on addressing child and family poverty, found Manitoba had the highest rate of child poverty in the country at 27.9 per cent. Quebec, in contrast had the lowest rate, at 15.2 per cent.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Poverty continues to be a reality for far too many children in Manitoba. A recent report on child poverty, released by Campaign 2000, a non-partisan research and advocacy network focused on addressing child and family poverty, found Manitoba had the highest rate of child poverty in the country at 27.9 per cent. Quebec, in contrast had the lowest rate, at 15.2 per cent.

That depressing number masks striking regional disparity. For example: the child-poverty rate stood at 63.5 per cent in the federal riding of Churchill-Keewatinook Aski. Think about that. Winnipeg Centre, at 40.5 per cent, is also far above the national average.

One result of poverty is that children may not get enough to eat at home. A lack of proper nourishment introduces a host of other problems for kids; malnutrition in childhood can result in developmental and immunity issues that follow children well into adulthood. Charles Mueller, a professor of nutrition at New York University, argues, "If you have a kid who has been chronically malnourished in the first six months of their life, the damage that is done neurologically is lifelong."

Poverty may result in children going to school hungry. Once there, hunger affects students performance and behaviour. Children who go to school hungry are more likely to have low math scores and to repeat a grade. Theyre also more likely to arrive at school late or miss school entirely. Hunger in childhood can have long-lasting health consequences, and it also can handicap kids performance in school and thus their overall life prospects.

One way to address the specific problem of poverty affecting childrens performance and behaviour at school is to provide school meals. Hot-breakfast programs can effectively reverse these problems. One can find many high-quality academic studies (primarily from the United States) that demonstrate such breakfast programs boost kids academic performance (especially in math), can result in fewer behavioural and psychological issues, and improve school attendance.

There are many possible ways for governments to alleviate poverty among children, but many of these measures address children indirectly via their parent or parents. School meal programs are different in that they are direct investments in children; if taxpayers want to invest directly and effectively into childrens well-being, then school meal programs are a good way to do so.

Last week, NDP Leader Wab Kinew called for a universal hot-breakfast program for all school-aged children in Manitoba, at a cost of $30 million per year. Kinew declared that under such a program, every child who needs a nutritious breakfast would receive one. The cost is based on the price tag attached to similar programs in other provinces, and seems reasonable.

Its important to remember there are already meals and snacks provided to students in Manitoba schools. These result from a patchwork of programs and partnerships run by Manitoba Education, school boards and even individual students. Donations often help to fund these programs.

The problem with such a patchwork approach is that its not clear what proportion of kids receive meals or snacks. Many are undoubtedly falling between the cracks or not receiving the nutrition they need.

Kinews proposal is appealing precisely because of its commitment to universality and predictability: every kid who needs a breakfast will receive one.

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Tory MLA James Teitsma criticized Kinews proposal, arguing that children benefit from eating breakfast with their families and that school breakfast programs will take kids away from their families. Teitsma cited studies which showed how kids benefit from spending time with family members, including during meal time. Premier Brian Pallister supported Teitsmas argument this week, saying, "You dont take the meal and give it to an institution and take it away from a single mom so she doesnt get time with her child."

Teitsma and Pallister are correct that kids benefit enormously from eating meals with and otherwise spending time with family. And families that share meals together should continue to do so, no matter what meal programs are introduced. But this will be little comfort to children living in poverty who go to school hungry every day.

It simply isnt clear how providing school meals will compel parents to stop spending time with their kids; indeed, the opposite is more likely the case. Transfers to low-income families, such as breakfast programs, can lighten the load on these families, boosting the time available for children and parents to be together.

If Pallister is so concerned about this, then he should look at ways to ensure low-income children are fed, without requiring parents to grind through yet another part-time job that takes them out of the home and away from their kids.

Children dont choose to be poor, and they shouldnt suffer the often-lifelong educational consequences of poverty. Hot-breakfast programs in Manitoba schools could go a long way toward ensuring our children do not suffer those consequences.

Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the political studies department at the University of Manitoba.
Suspended Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi (C), T N Prathapan (2L), Dean Kuriakose (R), Manicka Tagore (2R) and Gurjeet Singh Aujla (R) stage a protest at Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session, in New Delhi (PTI)

New Delhi: Opposition members in Lok Sabha on Friday said the decision to suspend seven Congress MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session for unruly behaviour should be reversed as the punishment was disproportionate.

Soon after the House reassembled at 12 noon after an adjournment, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he did not even know the basis on which the seven were suspended.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), Dayanidhi Maran (DMK) and Supriya Sule (NCP) said the decision to suspend the seven members should be recalled as the punishment was disproportionate.

Lok Sabha had on Thursday passed a motion suspending the seven Congress members for the remaining period of the Budget Session for their gross misconduct and utter disregard for House rules after they snatched papers from the Speaker's table.

Gaurav Gogoi, T N Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Manicka Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Benny Behanan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla were suspended on a motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
Polish president Andrzej Duda plans to arrive in Ukraine and honor the memory of the victims of Katyn tragedy. Piotr Glinski, theDepty Prime Minister of Poland said so as quoted by TVN24.

The main events dedicated to the tribute to those who perished in Katyn will take place at Pilsudsky square in Warsaw. All names of the victims will be read aloud.

On April 13, the President is in Kharkiv, because there's Katyn cemetery, too. He will be in Kharkiv, as crimes were committed in several - at least four - place", Glinski said.

The information about Duda's visit to Kharkiv has not yet been confirmed by his representative Blazej Spychalski. He admitted that the details of the president's tour on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Katyn massacre will be made public on the press conference next week.

Earlier, Duda claimed Russia clearly and consistently violated the rules of international law.

"Therefore, we cannot say that it is a reliable state that peacefully realizes its interests. We are an absolute supporter of observance of international law, while it is clearly and consistently being violated by Russia. We have repeatedly protested against this, defending Ukraine or Georgia. Of course, Moscow does not like it," he said.
The headlines these days are scary. And all the commotion at the grocery store is unsettling.

Theres one thing you can do that sure to help settle nerves: Make a double batch of hearty soup. That will give you some comforting to eat right now, and something to put in your freezer to have on hand if someone in your household gets sick and you need to self-quarantine. Or even if you just get stuck at home.

Its fair to say were obsessed with soup here at The Oregonian and OregonLive. Over the years, weve shared hundreds of soup recipes, including many that are comforting to for chilly late-winter and early-spring evenings. These bowls are hearty enough to be a complete meal.

Turmeric chicken soup

Chicken, Turmeric and Ginger Noodle Soup.

Chicken soup has been scientifically proven to relieve congestion thanks to the mucus-busting properties of cysteine. This cold-busting soup from Ivy Manning starts with lower-sodium canned broth, and features carrots, celery and a bay leaf to boost the flavor. Ground turmeric gives the soup an extra healing touch, and its active compound curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation.

Recipe: Chicken, Turmeric and Ginger Noodle Soup.

Mushroom-quinoa soup

Many Mushrooms and Quinoa Soup.LC- Dina Avila

This protein-packed twist on traditional mushroom and barley soup comes from Portland cookbook author Ivy Manning. Quinoa gives it a boost of protein, while mushrooms provide earthy richness.

Recipe: Many Mushroom and Quinoa Soup.

Cabbage and bacon soup

Cabbage and Bacon Soup.LC- The Oregonian

St. Patricks Day is right around the corner, so its the perfect time to make this simple soup from Irish chef Clodagh McKenna. It can be served as a main dish -- with chunks of buttered bread.

Recipe: Cabbage and Bacon Soup.

Giadas turkey and kale soup

Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup.

Food Network host and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis came up with this healthy and hearty combo as a way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but its so good youll want to roast a turkey breast for dinner one night, just so you can make this soup the next. And it freezes beautifully.

Recipe: Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup.

Hearty white bean stew

White Bean and Fennel Stew With Spicy Italian Sausage.

This hearty bean stew from Kitchen Scoops Alicia Ross with the spicy flavors of hot Italian sausage and piquant fennel is so simple to make, yet immensely complex in flavor.

Recipe: White Bean and Fennel Stew With Spicy Italian Sausage.

Moroccan lamb meatball soup

Lamb Meatball, Garbanzo Bean, Lentil and Tomato Soup.LC- Dina Avila

This hearty lamb, garbanzo bean and lentil soup is traditionally served in the evening, after everyone has fasted all day during the holy month of Ramadan. The soup is seasoned with harissa, a fiery red-chile-and-spice paste found in colorful tubes and small cans in international grocery stores and online.

Recipe: Lamb Meatball, Garbanzo Bean, Lentil and Tomato Soup.

Gingery chicken soup

Gingered Chicken and Rice Soup.

Kitchen Scoops Alicia Ross specifically came up with this great chicken soup for people who are feeling under the weather. It only takes 30 minutes to make, and has plenty of ginger and garlic, which help get the bodys metabolism going and ward away the sniffles.

Recipe: Gingered Chicken and Rice Soup.

French lentil soup

French Lentil Soup With Garlic Croutons.

Matthew Card came up with this versatile soup, which can be varied by mixing in wilted spinach, roasted red peppers, cubes of roasted eggplant, or pickled onions. Roasted or braised chicken or pork also tastes quite good in the soup, as well as cubed-and-browned Andouille or chorizo sausage.

Recipe: French Lentil Soup With Garlic Croutons.

Chickpea-Tomato Soup

Chickpea-Tomato Soup.

Nothing comforts quite like tomato soup. This recipe was created by Oregonian Morgan Eccleston created, and it comes together in a flash. It tastes like a fresh version of that creamy tomato soup you grew up with (but with no cans, and a lot less salt and no ingredients you cant pronounce).

Recipe: Chickpea-Tomato Soup.

Italian bean soup

Easy Italian Sausage and Bean Soup.

Heres a stick-to-your-ribs soup from Joanna Cismarus 30-Minute One-Pot Meals. Its loaded with Italian sausage, veggies and beans, making it a hearty, complete meal.

Recipe: Easy Italian Sausage and Bean Soup.

Butternut Laksa

Butternut and Tofu Laksa.LC-

Laksa, which is Chinese-Malay in origin, is truly a meal itself. It comes in various styles. This version is known as a curry laksa, and its defining features are the rice noodles, fried tofu, the laksa paste and the coconut sauce. Fried into puffs, tofu takes on a great texture and being rather subtle-tasting, it absorbs other flavors extremely well. Some natural food stores and Asian specialty markets sell fried tofu cubes. If you cant find it, buy a block of tofu, cut it into cubes, and deep-fry it until golden brown.

Recipe: Butternut and Tofu Laksa.

Tunisian bean soup

Lablabi (Tunisian Garbanzo Bean Soup).

In her landmark cookbook The Heart of the Plate, Vegetarian cooking icon Mollie Katzen combines garbanzo beans, cumin, onion, garlic, olive oil and lemon into a perfect soup. Its inspired by similar soups found in Tunisian restaurants, where its sometimes served for breakfast.

Recipe: Lablabi (Tunisian Garbanzo Bean Soup).

Fast chicken noodle soup

Chicken Noodle Soup With Carrots and Asparagus.

Kitchen Scoop columnist Alicia Ross came up with this 20-minute soup thats a complete meal. She uses macaroni, but you can use any bite-sized pasta you like.

Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup With Carrots and Asparagus.

Hearty minestrone

Ma's Minestrone.

This hearty Italian soup is great way to use up staples you probably already have on hand, like cartons of broth, canned beans, frozen vegetables and pasta. You can stretch it even further by adding any odds and ends you have in your vegetable bin.

Recipe: Ma's Minestrone.

Hearty barley soup

Nanny Annie's Barley-Mushroom Soup.

In her book Soup For Two, author Joanna Pruess describes how a Jewish grandmother would serve this soup when her family broke the fast after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It can be made with any kind of stock, including vegetable or mushroom, as a vegan soup. Double the recipe so you have enough to freeze.

Recipe: Nanny Annies Barley-Mushroom Soup.

-- Grant Butler

gbutler@oregonian.com

503-221-8566; @grantbutler

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
By Akira Tomoshige and Chang-Ran Kim

TOKYO (Reuters) - At Stella Kids daycare in central Tokyo, school children spend the day sitting at separate individual tables, spaced far apart, and facing away from their peers.

They sit there for hours playing, studying and eating in the same seat from as early as 8 a.m. until their parents come to pick them up after work in the afternoon or evening.

The extreme measures are a result of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's request that all schools in Japan be closed starting this week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The policy has been roundly criticised as counterintuitive, disruptive and risky given it has pushed tens of thousands of pupils into daycare centres instead.

That's left many private and publicly subsidised after-school care facilities, called "gakudo", improvising measures to try to stop children contracting the illness.

"We have the children spend all day at the same seat, eating their snacks and lunches there too," Ikuyo Kamimura, Stella Kids manager, told Reuters. "They face the same direction so they don't get infected by droplets," she said.

About 1.3 million children across Japan are registered to use "gakudo", according to the government, and it is unclear how each centre is handling the situation.

In big cities, where real estate prices are high, dozens of children can share a single room playing with communal toys, and not allowed outdoors due to a shortage of staff to supervise them. And children are now potentially in those small, shared spaces for several hours longer than usual.

Parents, caretakers, medical experts and politicians were left gobsmacked when Abe announced the nationwide school closure on Feb. 27. Some municipalities have chosen not to comply, but the majority of schools across the country have agreed to the request to stay closed until the new academic year starts in early April.

"The classrooms are empty but the children are packing into after-school care facilities. What's the point?" Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, asked Abe in parliament this week.

Story continues

Abe repeated the government's stance that it took the drastic step to contain the virus over the critical one to two-week period.

DADDY DAYCARE

Japan has recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus cases - the majority from a cruise ship quarantined last month and a handful of children - and six deaths excluding those from the ship.

Abe has been criticised for Japan's seemingly slow response to contain the outbreak, including a failure to administer tests to detect the virus fast enough. A state visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping due next month has been postponed and Tokyo has announced tighter travel restrictions on visitors from China and South Korea. However, Abe has insisted the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo will go ahead as planned.

On television, social media and around town, parents worried about children falling behind in school, or infecting the more vulnerable elderly tasked with babysitting their grandchildren for a month.

"There was no consultation as to whether (school closures) would be effective," Nobuhiko Okabe, an epidemiologist and head of Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health who is on a council set up to advise the government on coronavirus issues. "It was a political decision."

Meanwhile, parents who were able to work from home had their own worries.

"It's good my company is letting me work from home, but I was befuddled at first because I wasn't sure how to look after my son all day," Koji Ishii told Reuters between housework, looking after his 6-year-old son and working on his laptop in a city east of Tokyo. "I'm concerned about the constraint on my son's daily life."

(Reporting by Akira Tomoshige, Akiko Okamoto, Yasuteru Ueda and Chang-Ran Kim; editing by Jane Wardell)
Boston Public Schools drafted a policy that officials say institutes training and restricts when student incident reports can be shared with outside law enforcement, including immigration authorities. Yet multiple details remain unanswered as school officials who promoted the policy proposal declined to share a key document that lays out the policys protocols.

Its unclear whether a minor lunchroom scuffle would be resolved internally or escalated to the Boston Police Department, where such investigations could potentially trigger immigration proceedings. In 2018, a lunchroom scuffle that a school police officer shared ultimately led to the deportation of an East Boston High School student to his native El Salvador.

When MassLive asked what threshold such conflicts would need to meet to be escalated, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said those details would be explained in a new superintendents circular that would be submitted as part of the policy to the Boston School Committee on Wednesday. She declined to make the document available beforehand.

Theres a whole set of FAQs that will come with this policy and a superintendent circular that will outline a lot of those questions, and then the really important piece will be in the training. We will train for and make sure that our personnel know which category of an incident goes to the highest level or whether there will be a report or not a report, Cassellius told reporters during a press briefing Thursday afternoon.

Cassellius and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh say school officials are undergoing training on student privacy. It is unclear whether this training is the same type of training referenced in the draft policy. The policy would need to be approved by the Boston School Committee before it could be codified into law and fully enforceable.

BPS came under scrutiny in January after Lawyers for Civil Rights said more than 100 student incident reports had been shared with the Boston Regional Information Center, an information-sharing network created in 2005 that aims to reduce crime and prevent terrorism. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has access to the database.

An East Boston High School student named Orlando, who was deported in 2018 had come onto ICEs radar because a school resource officer shared a report about a lunchroom scuffle with the BRIC. Orlando was accused of being involved in a gang, which his attorney says he vehemently denies.

Cassellius said Thursday that school police officers dont work directly with the BRIC and that they dont share records with the network. Yet a pile of roughly 135 redacted student incident reports between September 2014 and February 2019 suggest otherwise. In some reports obtained by MassLive, officers explicitly wrote the report would be shared with BRIC in cases where they suspected gang or otherwise criminal activity.

The student incident reports ranged from students having sharp objects on school grounds to altercation that was resolved within the school. Many of the reports came from East Boston High School, which is in a neighborhood with a high Central American population.

Immigrant rights advocates blasted the policy plans, saying they werent allowed proper input in the drafting of the policy. They said the announcement had few details.

Nothing has changed. The new so-called policy is nothing more than an announcement that the City of Boston, BPS, and BPD have yet to develop an actual protocol to govern the disclosure of student records to the BRIC," said Janelle Dempsey, an attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights, who is suing the school district. City, school, and police officials may claim that they do not share student information with ICE via the BRIC, but not even the policy affirmatively says that. The loop-hole remains wide open, and student records are still at risk of being shared.

Lena Papagiannis, a Boston Public Schools teacher and a co-chair of Unafraid Educators, also said the drafted policy fails to outline whether immigration authorities could access student information.

It is imperative that we are very clear about what counts as a matter to be shared with law enforcement versus what is something that school communities need to deal with through disciplinary procedures, restorative practices, counseling measures ... that can happen within the school community, she said.

Members of Unafraid Educators and the Student Immigrant Movement said they plan to testify about their concerns at the school committees March 18 meeting.

When asked about advocacy groups concerns about input, Cassellius said school officials have had multiple meetings with advocacy groups throughout the process.

They have been at the table with this policy to inform the policy, she said. They have not yet seen the policy, and that is because I have not even presented it to the school committee.

Immigration and Customs Enforcements federal policy states that agents do not conduct business in schools, hospital or places of worship, which the agency considers sensitive locations. Those guidelines do not include any restrictions on data or records of foreign-born students.

The reports shared with the BRIC ranged from student altercations that were resolved within the schools to students with sharp objects and weapons. Many of the reports came from East Boston High School.

In January, BPS said it had updated its superintendents circular on how school police officers share student incident reports with other law enforcement agencies, including BRIC. The superintendents circular directs school officers not to share those reports with any outside agency unless the Boston Police Department School Unit investigates possible criminal activity. In those cases, officers need approval from the police chief to share a report with another agency.

The proposal includes an official policy with an updated superintendents circular that would need to be approved by the school committee to become codified, Cassellius said.

Under the policy proposal, school police and officials will have to use the approved student information system to document student conduct.

Boston School Police records are not student education records that have privacy restrictions under the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. But the district would determine what school police records could be shared with outside departments such as the Boston Police Department and the MBTA Transit Police.

It would be up to officials in the districts central office, including the superintendent, to authorize the release of school police records, not the school police chief.

The policy also states that school police reports that include any information from a students education record  other than information on the districts directory  would be considered a student education record and would face privacy restrictions under FERPA and state law.

The policy lists a number of exemptions where Boston School Police records could be shared with outside law enforcement agencies without clearance from the Central Office. They include health or safety emergencies if consistent with law; Boston police investigations into homicides, sexual assaults, robbery or other crimes the city department has sole jurisdiction over; and reports of suspected abuse or neglect of a child.

These types of offenses do occur in the school system, from assault and battery, robbery, unfortunately, sexual assault and violent crime, said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. What if youre a parent and that happens to be your child thats a victim? We should be working collaborative to make sure that the victims receive justice.

Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364.

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KABUL, Afghanistan  Two gunmen opened fire on a crowded event in Kabul attended by the opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah on Friday, and officials said at least 32 civilians were killed and dozens wounded. The attackers struck Afghanistans capital less than a week after the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement aimed at ending the 18-year-old war.

Mr. Abdullah escaped injury in the attack, his aides confirmed. But it took Afghan security forces five hours to hunt down the assailants, who had used a nearby high-rise to fire into the crowd, before the government declared the attack over.

The countrys health ministry said at least 58 people were wounded. Dawod Danish, head of the main hospital nearby, said 26 bodies and 20 wounded people had been brought to his facility alone.

The attack came at a particularly delicate time in Afghanistan. Political tensions have been at high pitch in recent weeks, with Mr. Abdullah challenging the results of an election that declared the incumbent president, Ashraf Ghani, the winner of another five-year term in office. Mr. Abdullah also declared victory, and had threatened to hold a rival inauguration at the same time as Mr. Ghanis if it went ahead as scheduled.
Budgetary cuts to the Department of Atomic Energy could affect nuclear fuel imports, payments to vendors of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and other critical projects, according to a top official's response to a parliamentary panel that has termed the shortfall in financial allocation as a "cause for grave concern".

The parliamentary standing committee on Science & Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, which tabled its report in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, looked into the Demands of Grant of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

The DAE had made a projected demand of Rs 40,259.05 crore but was allocated Rs 26,691.70 crore, a reduction of 33.70 per cent.

"The Committee was informed that the Department (DAE) had made a projected demand of Rs 40,259.05 crore for budgetary estimate 2020-21 against which an amount of Rs 26,691.70 crore has been allocated, registering an overall reduction of Rs 13,567.35 crore i.e., 33.70 per cent less than the projected demand of the department," the panel said, observing that the insufficient budgetary allocation for DAE was a "cause for a grave concern".

It further said, "Approximately, 41 per cent of this shortfall amount of Rs 13,567.35 crore is the revenue expenditure and 59 per cent affects the projected capital expenditure."



The panel, headed by former and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, asked the DAE about the impact on account of shortfall in budgetary allocation.

In response, the DAE secretary said revenue expenditure shortfall will mainly affect fuel imports from M/s Kazatomprom, M/s Cameco, producers and sellers of uranium based in Kazakhstan and Canada respectively.

India imports uranium from Kazakhstan and Canada for domestic reactors under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The revenue expenditure also includes India's contribution to the international ITER project that involves 35 countries for nuclear fusion research and related engineering works.

The official added that the capital expenditure shortfall of Rs 7988.49 crore will affect payment to vendors of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP units 5 and 6) and the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PWHR) programme under which 10 more 700 MW power reactors are being built.

This also includes the ambitious Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and capital projects like the National Fuel Complex in Kota, Russian state credit and different research and development activities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam, Riau Islands  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:58 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068ce9f2 1 National Galang-Island,Batam,ex-Vietnamese-refugees-camp,hospital,COVID-19,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,COVID-19-Indonesian-patients,Tourist Free

Tourists may no longer be able to visit a former Vietnamese refugee camp on Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands because the government has built a hospital for COVID-19 patients on the site.

Each month, about 6,000 people usually visit the 80-hectare former refugee camp. Most of them were once camp inmates who had become successful in their new countries.

The camp's field coordinator, Said Adnan, said so far there had not been any official instruction to close the former refugee camp to tourists. However, he said tourists might no longer want to visit the camp since the government constructed a hospital for COVID-19 patients in the area.

Read also: 'They should ask us first': Locals demur as govt plans infectious diseases hospital

"Indonesian military commanders have visited the camp several times, but so far there has not been an order to close the camp to the public. We still have no idea whether there would be a special area designated for the hospital or not, but tourists would certainly be hesitant to visit the camp once the hospital starts operating," Said told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The camp was used between 1975 and 1996 to house 250,000 Vietnamese refugees who fled their homeland in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

Read also: Police chief aims to persuade locals over COVID-19 hospital plan in Batam

More than 12 million South Vietnamese fled after the war ended and sought political asylum in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, but many were cast ashore on the islands of Indonesia.

Initially managed by the United Nations during the refugee crisis, Galang Refugee Camp is now under the management of the Batam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam). Said explained that in 2000, BP Batam turned the camp into a humanitarian tourist attraction.

"Former Vietnamese refugees visit the site regularly. Each year they came here several times in large groups," Said said.

He said at the end of 2019, about 200 former camp inmates held a reunion on the site. Such reunions have been organized since 2005, attended by hundreds of former refugees each time.

"They came here to visit the graves of their parents, families, or friends," he said. (nal)
Maldives: Scientific mission to uncharted depths of Indian Ocean

March 06,2020 | Source: Outlook India

In a first, a deep-sea scientific mission to uncharted depths of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives and Seychelles will gather valuable data to support the Commonwealth Blue Charter on ocean action and train local scientists. The ground-breaking multidisciplinary research mission, First Descent: Midnight Zone, was officially launched at the Commonwealth headquarters in London on Thursday. The newest Commonwealth member country, Maldives, has joined Seychelles to launch a major joint scientific expedition to investigate unexplored depths. Led by the UK research institute Nekton, the goal is to boost the sustainable governance of Seychelles and Maldivian waters, including the protection of 629,000 sq km of ocean. It supports the Commonwealth Blue Charter -- a shared commitment by 54 member countries to protect the ocean from the effects of climate change, pollution and overfishing.



Maldives Minister for Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Zaha Waheed, said in a statement: "It is vital to comprehensively understand what lies beneath our waters in order for us to be informed enough to take necessary actions towards a healthy and prosperous ocean." "This mission will, for the first time, show a glimpse of what the deep sea features and the biodiversity it holds. It will also contribute to the wider goal of marine spatial planning and ocean governance." A 50-person crew will set sail on March 16, using the world''s most advanced deep diving submersible, equipped with a suite of research tools including sensor and mapping technology. The data they collect will help countries define conservation and management priorities and map out marine protected areas. It will also help measure the impact of climate change and human activity in the area.



Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: "We cannot protect what we don''t know and we cannot govern what we don''t understand. With 95 per cent of the ocean still unexplored by humans, we are only just beginning to grasp its profound influence on life, including its effect on global climate and ecosystems." The expedition will focus on undersea mountains or ''seamounts'' in the Midnight Zone -- depths from 1,000 to 4,000 metres, where biodiversity peaks. This zone holds critical indicators to measure the impact of the climate crisis, fisheries management, heat absorption, acidification, ocean carbon cycle, and plastic, agricultural and industrial pollution. The damage or overexploitation of seamounts can have widespread consequences on ocean health, food security, and other benefits the ocean provides, such as the discovery of new medicines.
WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases

Can pet animals spread coronavirus?

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 06: Amid coronavirus scare, a dog owned by a covid-19 positive person in Hong Kong has been found infected with the novel virus.

The post was shared on Twitter by one of the leading media outlets in China with the caption, "World's 1st pet dog infected with #COVID19 has been confirmed in #HongKong, a Pomeranian tested 'weak positive' three times, a local health official said Wed, raising concerns of human-to-animal transmission."

The authorities have quarantined the pet dog after its nasal and oral samples tested "weak positive" three times for the virus, a media report said. Meanwhile, the report also said the Hong Kong medical authorities have advised citizens to not kiss their pet dogs.

Coronavirus: Air travellers coming from Italy, South Korea to carry medical certificate

Earlier, there were reports that the virus of the deadly covid-19 was being found in animals in China, following which, a number of pet owners in the most affected areas of China had thrown their pets from their balconies.

However, scientists have suggested that pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus on to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owners.

That's the conclusion of Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department after a dog in quarantine tested weak positive for the virus February 27, February 28 and March 2, using the canine's nasal and oral cavity samples.

"There is currently no evidence that pet animals can be a source of infection of COVID-19 or that they become sick."

In first human-to-animal transmission, pet dog infected with COVID-19 in Hong kong

Scientists suspect the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease originated in bats before passing it on to another species, possibly a small wild mammal, that passed it on to humans.

However, experts from the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have unanimously agreed that the dog has a low-level of infection and it is "likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission".

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

The dog, and another also in quarantine which has tested negative for the virus, will be tested again before being released. The department suggested any pets, including dogs and cats, from households where someone has tested positive for the virus should be put into quarantine.

In general, pet owners should maintain good hygiene, including washing hands before and after handling animals, their food and supplies and no kissing them. People who are sick should avoid contact with pets and a veterinarian's advice should be sought if changes in a pet's health conditions are detected.

Coronavirus: Hong Kong confirms death of patient

"Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets," the spokesman said.
At the races: Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein and her then husband, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, at Royal Ascot in 2010

The ruler of Dubai conducted a "campaign of fear and intimidation" against his former wife, forcing her to flee to London with their two children, the UK High Court has found.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's sixth wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (45), fled the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last April having become "terrified" of her husband.

The 70-year-old vice president and prime minister of the UAE, who is said to be on "respectful and friendly terms" with the British royal family, soon after applied for the summary return to Dubai of their two children, daughter Al Jalila (12) and son Zayed (8).

But Princess Haya, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, applied for the children to be made wards of court, as well as in July applying for a forced marriage protection order in relation to Jalila and a non-molestation order for her own protection.

Expand Close Legal fight: Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein (right) leaves the High Court in London with her lawyer / Facebook

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She asked the High Court to make a series of findings of fact about Sheikh Mohammed, in particular in relation to the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart.

Princess Haya also alleged that there had been a "campaign of fear and intimidation" against her since the start of last year.

In a judgment published yesterday, Andrew McFarlane, the most senior family judge in England and Wales, found Sheikh Mohammed had "ordered and orchestrated" the abduction and forced return to Dubai of Sheikha Shamsa (then 19) in 2000 and of her sister Sheikha Latifa twice, in 2002 and again in 2018.

The judge found that Shamsa (now 38) was abducted from the streets of Cambridge and "has been deprived of her liberty for much if not all of the past two decades".

Judge McFarlane also found Latifa (35) was held "on the instructions of her father" for more than three years after her first escape attempt in 2002 before being released in October 2005.

Latifa's second attempted escape from the UAE made headlines around the world after the publication in March 2018 of a video which she said would be released only if "I'm dead, or I'm in a very, very, very bad situation".

Judge McFarlane found proved claims by Tiina Jauhiainen, Latifa's friend who tried to help her escape the UAE, that Indian special forces boarded a boat in international waters off the coast of Goa on March 4, 2018, before Latifa was taken back to Dubai against her will.

Princess Haya's barrister, Charles Geekie QC, told the court in November about a number of "appalling acts" perpetrated against his client, including anonymous notes being left in her bedroom, one of which read: "We will take your son - your daughter is ours - your life is over."

The court heard that Sheikh Mohammed divorced Princess Haya - without her knowledge - on February 7, 2019, the 20th anniversary of the death of her father, the late King Hussein of Jordan.

Judge McFarlane said Princess Haya was "clear that the date will have been chosen by the father (Sheikh Mohammed) to maximise insult and upset to her".

In her evidence, Princess Haya described "one of the longest and most frightening days I ever remember living" in March 2019, when a helicopter landed outside her house and a pilot told her that he had come to take one passenger "to Awir", the site of a prison in the desert.

Judge McFarlane said he agreed with Mr Geekie's contention that the events between 2000 and the present day showed "a number of common themes, at the core of which is the use of the state and its apparatus to threaten, intimidate, mistreat and oppress with a total disregard for the rule of law".

He added: "I also accept Mr Geekie's submission that these findings, taken together, demonstrate a consistent course of conduct over two decades where, if he deems it necessary to do so, the father will use the very substantial powers at his disposal to achieve his particular aims."

All the findings of fact, which are vehemently denied by Sheikh Mohammed, have been found to the civil standard of proof on the balance of probabilities.

In a statement issued after the judgments were published, Sheikh Mohammed said: "The appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected.

"As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the court's fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a 'fact-finding' judgment which inevitably only tells one side of the story.

"I ask that the media respect the privacy of our children and do not intrude into their lives in the UK."

Princess Haya also alleged that Sheikh Mohammed had made arrangements for Jalila - then aged 11 - to be married to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

But Judge McFarlane said the hearsay evidence for that allegation fell "well short of the required standard" of proof.

Further details of the hearings, which have been held in London since last year, can be reported for the first time after the Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch attempt by Sheikh Mohammed to prevent publication of the judgments.

Sheikh Mohammed attempted to withdraw his application for contact with his children in November, and argued it was unnecessary to conduct a fact-finding exercise. But Judge McFarlane refused to allow him to do so.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR in Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) provident fund investment scam.

The FIR was registered under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

At least 17 people, including UPPCL Managing Director (MD) AP Mishra, were arrested in connection with the alleged investment of UPPCL employees' provident fund money in the scam-hit housing finance company DHFL.

According to available records, over Rs 2,600 crore of employees' provident fund was invested in the scam-hit company.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- In South-Africa, the first case of coronavirus was confirmed from a 38-year-old man who had travelled to Italy

- A total of 16 members of one family tested positive for the virus in Algeria after hosting relatives from France

- As of Thursday, March 5, there were 27 cases of COVID-19 in Africa but no fatalities reported yet

Cases of coronavirus are spiking in Africa with South Africa and Algeria being the latest nations to confirm new cases of the deadly virus.

On Thursday, March 5, South Africa health minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed the country had tested its first positive case after a 38-year-old got infected with COVID-19.

READ ALSO: Nairobi Water company reaches out to Raila for more funding

Medics in protective clothing. A 38-year-old man tested positive for the virus in South Africa. Photo: New York Times.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Nairobi Water company reaches out to Raila for more funding

According to the minister, the patient had travelled to Italy together with his wife and he started experiencing coughs, fever and sore throat and visited a medical facility where he has been in isolation.

"The patient is part of a group of 10 people who arrived back to South Africa on March 1," Mkhize said.

READ ALSO: Governor Ali Roba says Jubaland soldiers have entered Mandera town, appeals for government intervention

Algeria's new cases also heightened after 16 members of one family tested positive for the virus with the number of confirmed cases in the North African country hitting 17.

The family members are said to have hosted relatives from France who also tested positive for the virus.

So far, the total number of coronavirus infections in Africa as at Thursday, March 5, stood at 27.

Despite the spiking in infection in the continent, ccientists said they were puzzled that the disease had not taken a toll on Africa as they had expected.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had also declared the outbreak a global health emergency because of fears that poorer countries may not be able to cope with the virus.

The virus has killed more than 3,000 people globally and infected more than 90,000 others.

It broke out in Wuhan city, China which has been on lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2020) - David Wolfin, President and CEO of Avino Silver & Gold talks about the 16 million ounces of silver equivalent the company has produced since reopening its mine in 2011.





If you cannot view the video above, please visit:

https://www.b-tv.com/avino-silver-and-gold-mine-in-mexico-ceo-clip-90sec/

Avino Silver & Gold Mines is being featured on BNN Bloomberg on March 7th - March 8th, 2020, throughout the day and evenings.

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE: ASM)

www.avino.com



About CEO Clips:

CEO Clips is the largest library of publicly traded company CEO videos in Canada and the US. These 90 second video profiles broadcast on national TV and online via 15 top financial sites including: Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, Yahoo! Finance and Stockhouse.com.

BTV - Business Television/CEO Clips Contact: Trina Schlingmann (604) 664-7401 x 5 trina@b-tv.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53194
A State of Emergency was declared in Middle Tennessee after two powerful tornadoes ripped across Davidson, Wilson and Putnam Counties.

According to the National Weather Service, the deadly tornado that hit Putnam County was rated an EF-4 with 175 mph winds. Currently, Putnam County officials have confirmed eighteen victims lost their lives due to the storm.

Another tornado, rated an EF-3 with 155 mph winds, touched down a few miles from the State Capitol, and the hotel I was staying at in Davidson County.According to reports around Nashville, the EF-3 tornado was on the ground for a little over an hour, knocking over power lines, ripping roofs off apartments and homes, and destroying many small businesses and communities in East Nashville.

Devastating natural disasters that come with little or no warning like these are sobering reminders to always have a plan in place in the unlikely event that an emergency takes place.

Yesterday marks the first day in the long road to recovery for many people and businesses in Middle Tennessee. It was encouraging to see so many people from different backgrounds coming together to help one another; they don't call this the Volunteer State for nothing.

If you wish to help those affected by the devastating storm, I strongly encourage donating to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. If you want to have a more hands-on impact on the affected communities, Hands-On Nashville and the American Red Cross is coordinating volunteer services.



https://www.cfmt.org/story/middle-tennessee-emergency-response-fund/

https://www.redcross.org/local/tennessee.html

https://www.salvationarmynashville.org

https://www.hon.org/

https://www.tn.gov/tema/get-involved/flooding-and-severe-weather-response.html



Yusuf Hakeem

House District 28
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) A business idea can strike at any second, but it takes the right combination of time, energy, and resources to plan out and pull off a worthwhile venture.

These three Filipinas' entrepreneurial journeys became much more meaningful when they added purpose to the mix.

As the world celebrates international womens month this March, CNN Philippines puts the spotlight on Filipinas who take the lead in promoting their causewhile helping out fellow countrymen in the process.

Helping out Yakan weavers

Looie Lobregat spent ten fruitful years in the banking industry, but an inner creative streak pushed her to pursue a road in fashion entrepreneurship.

In 2016, Lobregattogether with her friend and current Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte launched the retail business Linea Etnika, which specializes in indigenous, hand-woven clothing materials.

In conceptualizing the brand, Lobregat wanted to form a social enterprise that would not only cater to the needs of the marketbut also support local weavers in the process.

In my case, I always wanted to work with the Yakan tribe in Zamboanga since my family is from there, Lobregat said in an interview with The Source on Friday.

To give justice to the Yakan weavers Every time people hear about Zamboanga City, they have this... is it dangerous there? I wanted to do my own bit to be able to help the City of Zamboanga, she added.

Dubbed as the hearts and hands of the clothing line, the Yakan weavers spend at least three months to complete one product. Placing the thread in a backyard loom takes four days, while weaving one meter of fabric will go on for another five days, Lobregat added.

Heres a look at some of their products, which the company describes as contemporary classic wardrobe staples that exude effortless sophistication.

Supporting Ilocano artisans

While Linea Etnika tapped an indigenous tribe from the South, two Filipinas meanwhile focused their attention on a group of local artisans in Ilocos.

A trip to the North led best friends Danielle Tan and Christine Tiu to conceptualize AMAMI, a jewelry line which seeks to revive the traditional gold filigree industry while providing sustainable livelihood for local plateros.

It was so different when we first met the artisans. The situation, it was sad, Tiu said in the same interview. So we stayed with them for three weeks, we helped them do the costing, analyze how they are earning money.

Right now we actually want to tap more communities, seeing the impact we've made in one We're really trying to make it more modern but at the same time still integrating the traditional elements of it, Tan added.

The partnership has grown to be a successful one for both parties, with the local artisans now earning thrice as much from the products.
A server at a Mexican restaurant in Cincinnati is gaining praise nationwide for spreading kindness to two customers who came to the restaurant to enjoy a meal.

Ashley White caught the precious moment on camera. She said two elderly gentlemen with special needs came into Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant. When their food came out, the server, who also happens to be the restaurant's owner, sat down with them and helped them with anything they needed so that they could enjoy their meal.
Finland's Nokia announces 5G partnership with Intel FILE PHOTO: Visitors gather outside the Nokia booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's Nokia Oyj <NOKIA.HE> has entered into partnership with Intel <INTC.O> to accelerate its so-far sluggish shift to 5G, the company said on Thursday, a day after announcing a similar deal with Marvell Technology <MRVL.O>.

Nokia has struggled with slower-than-expected development of its Reefshark system on chips (SoC), which allow a single chip to carry an entire computer system, enabling Nokia to produce equipment more cheaply.

"Nokia is working with multiple partners to support its ReefShark family of chipsets, which are used in many basestation elements," the Finnish firm said.

(Reporting by Tarmo Virki; editing by David Evans)
Over the past three years, the most forward-thinking organizations deployed security to bolster the network edge, an attackable flank that is quickly expanding due to the continued pervasiveness of mobility, IoT and 5G, says Quade.

Social media platform Twitter has urged its employees to work from home, as part of its efforts to limit the further spread of the coronavirus.

Tech giant Google and investment bank JPMorgan are also among the companies reportedly testing out remote working policies as a precaution.

Only a third of people in the U.S. currently work remotely, according to a survey of 2,613 full-time workers in America by platform Workhuman, published on Wednesday.

However, a global poll from 2018 by data and insights company Kantar found that of 33,000 people, 32% valued a job where they could work from home.

Joe Hirsh, a leadership and communication expert, told CNBC that he believed the outbreak of the coronavirus has the potential to make working from home more common practice.

He argued that if more companies follow in the footsteps of Twitter and Google, this could "shift workplace dynamics."

Jon Addison, vice president of talent solutions EMEA at LinkedIn, agreed that businesses would inevitably find it more challenging to continue with "business as usual" under the current circumstances, if they lack the technology infrastructure to work remotely or flexible working policies.

For some, he said, the coronavirus outbreak could act as a "wake-up call" to enact this change.

He said that working from home could actually prove advantageous for certain tasks, such as those which require "deep focus or privacy due to the sensitive nature of what's being worked on."

Stephen Shih, who is a partner at global management consulting firm Bain & Company and is based in the company's Shanghai office, believed the coronavirus was one of a number of factors driving the increase in remote working.

He argued that the development of cheaper and more widely available video-conferencing technology and collaboration tools also played a role. In addition, the pressure to offer more flexible working to retain talent and have a greater consideration for individuals' carbon footprints, were other factors propelling change in company policies.

However, he added that the outbreak of COVID-19 was accelerating this trend.

Bob Cordran, partner at international law firm Dorsey & Whitney, said companies may also be forced to become more lenient about working from home, with some workers having to take on childcare duties amid school closures.

"This may require some flexibility since homeworking arrangements often stipulate that the employee is not caring for children (particularly young ones) while working from home," he explained.
Nathaniel Woods faces the death penalty on 5 March, 2020, as an accomplice to the 2004 murder of three police officers and the attempted murder of a fourth: Alabama Department of Corrections

On Thursday evening, the state of Alabama is scheduled to execute a man for capital murder in a case in which even prosecutors acknowledge that he did not kill the three victims.

A group led by family members is asking the governor for an eleventh hour stay of execution.

In 2005, condemned inmate Nathaniel Woods was found guilty for his role in the 2004 deaths of three police officers in Birmingham, Alabama, and the attempted murder of a fourth. Another man, Kerry Spencer, was also convicted of the crime and is also on death row.

Mr Woods, prosecutors say, drew the four officers to an apartment where he and Spencer sold crack cocaine. It was there that Spencer, not Woods, shot the officers.

Officers Carlos Owen, Harley Chisholm III and Charles Bennett were killed, and officer Michael Collins was wounded.

In Alabama, being an accomplice in a murder can also result in a death sentence.

On Wednesday, Mr Woods father and sister came to the state Capitol in Montgomery to proclaim his innocence.

AL.com reports that they were joined by Molly Cole, an advocate for Mr Woods, who delivered letters to Governor Kay Iveys office asking to halt the execution.

Speaking outside the Capitol, Pamela Woods said: We really just want people to see that he really is innocent, that he didnt have anything to do with the murders of those officers.

We do feel really bad for what happened that day. We dont wish that on anyone, for their family to have to deal with that. It was very unfortunate that the shooter did what he did. But the main point is, is that Nathaniel had no parts in those actions of another man, Kerry Spencer.

Adding his voice to calls for a reprieve is Martin Luther King III, who has written a letter to Governor Ivey after a request to speak with her was denied.

He said: Killing this African American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice. Are you willing to allow a potentially innocent man to be executed?

Story continues

WE NEED YOUR HELP. Nate Woods is about to be executed in Alabama. This is an injustice, and we need to make sure the public is aware. Please retweet, tag @GovernorKayIvey, and use the hashtag #SaveNate. This is my letter to the Governor after she denied my phone call. pic.twitter.com/JNUIMhxV4O  Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) March 3, 2020

He added that information has been brought forward which has yet to be accurately reviewed and considered and that Mr Woods did not have a fair trial. It has been argued that Mr Woods was not adequately represented. In addition, Spencer admitted to shooting the officers, but the presiding judge would not allow the assertion at trial that he said it was in self-defence because they were assaulting Mr Woods.

Upon his conviction, two jurors voted against applying the death penalty to Mr Woods conviction, but their objection was not enough as Alabama is unique in not requiring a unanimous verdict for a death sentence.

The governor is yet to respond to the family nor Mr King, but Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement concerning the calls to halt the execution.

Said Mr Marshall: There is a last-minute movement afoot to save cop-killer Nathaniel Woods from his just punishment. The message of that movement is encapsulated by the headline of a press release sent out today, which declared: Surrendered and Innocent Man Set to Die. That headline contains two falsehoods and one truth. The falsehoods are the descriptors surrendered and innocent: neither apply whatsoever to Nathaniel Woods, whose actions directly caused the deaths of three policemen and injury to another.

He continues: The truth is set to die: Nathaniel Woods was correctly found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers, and that sentence is set to be carried out tomorrow; that is, justice is set to be carried out tomorrow. The only injustice in the case of Nathaniel Woods is that which was inflicted on those four policemen that terrible day in 2004.

On Monday a stay of execution was denied by US District Judge Emily Marks.

Mr Woods is set to die at 6pm on Thursday by lethal injection. He is the first person scheduled for execution in Alabama this year, and the 67th since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Read more

Man accused of killing Amie Harwick could get death penalty

Trump claims 'powerful death penalty' would reduce US drug charges

Trump losing support for death penalty despite vows to revive it

Man could face seventh trial in death penalty case

Most Americans support life in prison over death penalty
Who Was Korah?

Readers immediately run into an issue with this question right off the bat. Not because we have no Korah in the Bible, but because we see three different Korahs mentioned, explains Got Questions. The article mentions four, but the first and second Korah mentioned appear to be one and the same person.

The first Korah was the son of a woman named Oholibamah (Genesis 36:5), one of the wives of Esau, a grandson of Abraham. Oholibamah comes from a group of people known as the Hivites, a branch of the Hitties. Korah later becomes a chief (Genesis 36:18). We dont know much else about this man.

The second Korah hails from 1 Chronicles 2:34, a son of a man named Hebron. Aside from that, readers have no other details about this Korah.

The third and final Korah seems to be the one the sons hail from in the Psalms. Sons can have a different meaning in the Bible than a biological son  it can also mean descendants. For instance, Belshazzar is called Nebuchadnezzars son in the Bible, but really, hes his grandson (Daniel 5).

Now, although Korahs descendants may have written a portion of the Psalms, Korah himself actually earned infamy in Numbers 16.

In this passage, Korah gathers a group of 250 men and attempts to bully Moses and Aaron about the fact they had chose the Levites in particular to carry out the holy duties of the Lord. This happens during the years Israel had wandered in the desert. Not only does Korah question Moses decision here, but Gods as well.

In a similar fashion to Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Moses decides to put Korah and his 250 men to the test. He tells them to return the next day with something known as a censer  essentially a vessel filled with incense.

The next day, at the Tabernacle, the earth opens and swallows Korah, two other rebels named Dathan and Abiram, and their families. Fire from heaven then consumes the other 250 rebels who had followed Korah and questioned God.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Anyaberkut
The supply of water to Crimea will allow Russia to have free money for the financing of military, law enforcers

Open source

Representative Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Crimea responded to the words of new Prime Minister Denys Shmygal about water supply to annexed peninsula. It is stated that no water supply is possible until complete de-occupation as Deputy Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva reported on Facebook.

The position of the representative office of the president of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has not changed. We believe that the state-occupant (Russia) is fully responsible for the citizens of Ukraine living in the peninsula. No water to Crimea until complete de-occupation of the peninsula from the enemy, Tasheva stated.

Tasheva believes that Shmyhal is out of the context of Crimea and the representative office will inform the government on Crimean issues, particularly, water supply.

There is no such a decision, from our side, we will inform position about the water and other principal issues on Crimea, Tasheva noted.

She explained that the discussion about caring for citizens takes place not for the first time. It took place at the beginning of this year and a few years ago.

There are two reasons: the Russian narrative and absence of the awareness of the situation in Crimea, insufficient knowledge of the international law, analysis of what will happen to our citizens if the water is supplied (more pressure and repressions because Russias money will be free to enhance military and law enforcers, the message said.

Tasheva added that she will resign if the decision is made.

During the talk show Denys Shmygal stated that Ukraine should supply water to Crimea. Otherwise, the humanitarian catastrophe will take place on the peninsula.

Later, he stated that the government of Ukraine cannot supply water to Crimea annexed by Russia until its de-occupation and return to Ukraine. He explained that this thesis was lost during the discussion at the talk show.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) is concerned about the trickling pace of promised aid from the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund and the potentially irreparable damage to the countrys competitiveness as a result. While all other sources of help contributed decisively to the resilience and recovery of the economy of Sint Maarten, the aid from the trust fund has been limited from the beginning. In fact, only 34.8 million out of the pledged 550 million dollars has been disbursed over a period of 2.5 years since hurricane Irma has passed over Sint Maarten, stated CBCS interim president Dr. Jose Jardim, while also noting that the amount actually spent is even less. The economic recovery of Sint Maarten could have been faster, and geared more toward better resiliency for future natural disasters. Dr. Jardim emphasized the CBCSs willingness to support the government and the trust fund in accelerating the pace of recovery.

Hurricane Irma devastated Sint Maarten in September 2017. The hurricane severely damaged the countrys vital economic infrastructure, such as its airport and major hotels. The damage caused a sharp and painful drop in economic activity along with higher unemployment. It is incomprehensible that more than two years have passed since the hurricane, yet less than 7% of the promised aid has been disbursed, Dr. Jardim commented.

Economically, Sint Maarten has been left to its own lot, the interim CBCS president lamented. Dr. Jardim cautioned that merely allocating funds to the countrys economic recovery is not enough. Instead, effective use of the funds is necessary to continue the recovery. The people of Sint Maarten can see for themselves how funds that had been promised to alleviate their economic and emotional suffering have been taken hostage by the bureaucracy and conditions surrounding the trust fund. This transformed a show of solidarity within the kingdom into a major disappointment, Dr. Jardim stated.

Nevertheless, the CBCS interim president remarked that Sint Maarten once again proved its resilience by starting an economic recovery in 2019. The economy grew last year about 5.5%. The economy of Sint Maarten is expected to continue its recovery in 2020, however, at a slower pace. Although this is an impressive recovery, the economy of Sint Maarten has not yet fully recovered to pre-hurricane



levels. Only by the end of 2022 is Sint Maarten expected to have fully recovered, Dr. Jardim noted if the current pace is continued.

Solidarity should have led to a faster and less onerous recovery. The delays in disbursing the aid and the sole focus on those sources, while deviating attention from other actions, may permanently haunt Sint Maarten. This calls for an open and sincere dialogue between the Netherlands and Sint Maarten to achieve a workable outcome to the benefit of the people of Sint Maarten, the CBCS interim president added.

Dr. Jardim suggested too, however, that the Sint Maarten government should also accelerate its project proposals toward the National Recovery and Planning Bureau (NRPB) to better facilitate the release of much needed funding. He concluded by stating that the CBCS will do its utmost to assist the Sint Maarten government in realizing the full potential of the trust fund for the Sint Maarten people.
The coronavirus outbreak is set to lead to shortages of goods such as computers, phones, pharmaceuticals and cars because of the disruption to the global supply chain, Cabinet ministers have been told.

A confidential memo prepared for ministers this week warns that the unprecedented nature of the global Covid-19 outbreak makes it "simply not possible" to define a worst-case scenario for the Irish economy.

It states that the decline in production in China has already "transmitted rapidly" around the world given its key role in global supply chains.

China is a key producer of intermediate goods, particularly those in computers, phones, pharmaceuticals and cars.

Ministers were told the impact of the slowdown in China is already affecting the production of cars in Germany and Italy.

"A slowdown in the Chinese economy will have a major impact elsewhere," the memo states.

The outbreak is described as a supply-side shock, with disruption to supply chains leading to possible factory closures, quarantined workers, inspection delays, transport issues and more customs controls.

Fragile

It also identifies a "broader contagion scenario" which would take 1.5 percentage points off the growth rate, but says this is not the worst-case scenario.

"Because this is an unprecedented event, it is simply not possible to define a 'worst case'," the memo adds.

The impact could also compound current difficulties in the eurozone economy and would be a "shock" to the already "extremely fragile" global economy, according to the memo.

Ministers were also told that several large global firms, including some which have significant operations in Ireland, "have already announced that trading conditions have deteriorated and that profit expectations for this year are being revised downwards".

Ministers were told consumers and businesses in many parts of the world are likely to take a more cautious approach than would otherwise have been the case as a result of the outbreak.

While it says that "Ireland is less directly vulnerable to a slowdown in the Chinese economy" it adds that up to 80bn in annual contract manufacturing exports could potentially be adversely affected.

Contract manufacturing exports are goods recorded as exports from Ireland, but produced in, and exported from, other countries, notably China.

"If the lost output and sales are not recovered by year end, it could also affect corporation tax receipts," the briefing states.
South Africa: PEAC meeting to focus on reindustrialisation

South Africas reindustrialisation programme is set to come into sharp focus at the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) meeting held at the Union Buildings on Friday.

Todays meeting, chaired by the President, is expected to focus on global trends and South Africas reindustrialisation programme. It will further reflect on the States role in driving mission-oriented, challenge-led projects, including advancing a new energy paradigm for the country, said the Presidents office on Friday.

The meeting will review and refine South Africas collective response to current economic and development challenges.

Inaugurated in October 2019, the PEAC serves as a forum for in-depth and structured discussions on emerging global and domestic development, economic and development policies, and to facilitate socialisation and diligent execution of Council resolutions by government and social partners.

The Council comprises local and international economic thought leaders, prominent economists and technical experts drawn from academia, private sector, labour, community, think tanks and other constituencies.

The Council serves as a sounding board on options for reducing inequality through, among others, inclusively growing the agricultural sector and dealing with rising national debt.

The President has urged the advisory council to focus its energies on areas that require the greatest attention and which are likely to have the greatest impact.

We need to firstly, fix the fundamentals; secondly, pursue vital areas of growth and thirdly, aim for excellence in planning and execution, said the President.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Assam government on Friday issued a high alert in the state after the American tourist who visited the state before going to Bhutan, tested positive for Coronavirus. According to reports, the 76-year-old tourist had reached Assam on an Indigo flight on February 22. Later, on March 2, he reached Bhutan where he was tested positive.

Further, reports stated that the Assam government is initiating steps to track the travel itinerary of the tourist and his partner. Reportedly, the tourist's partner, eight Indians and other passengers who travelled to Bhutan on the same flight have been quarantined by officials in Assam.

Coronavirus cases rise in India

According to reports, around 31 people have been tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus in India. According to the Health Minister, out of these 16 were Italian Nationals. They have been sent to Indo-Tibetan Border Police's (ITBP) quarantine facility in Chhawla. Following this, two more cases have come to light, including an employee of Paytm.

The infected persons also include six family members of the Delhi man who was infected with coronavirus who were also tested positive for the virus that has killed more than 3,000 people globally so far.

Read: 'CM Uddhav won't participate in Ganga aarti amid Coronavirus concerns': Sanjay Raut

UN releases fund

United Nations has released $15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help fund global efforts to contain the novel coronavirus COVID-19. UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock announced the release of the fund after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the alert to very high - its top level of risk assessment.

Read: Telangana govt steps up prevention measures for coronavirus, Normalcy returns to I-T corridor

The UN funding has been released for the WHO and the UNICEF to help essential activities including monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases, and the operation of national laboratories. The WHO has called for $675 million in funding to combat the deadly virus. WHO Director-General said that the biggest concern is the countries with weaker health systems.

Read: Amid Coronavirus scare, fisheries department says consumption of fish safe

Read: Mamata says no positive Coronavirus case in Bengal, urges people not to panic

(Image Source: PTI)
International Criminal Court Allows Afghanistan War Crimes Probe

By Ayaz Gul March 05, 2020

The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Thursday that an investigation can go ahead into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the United States and other warring parties to the conflict in Afghanistan

The global court in the Hague overturned an April 2019 rejection of the probe.

"The Appeals Chamber considers it appropriate to amend the appealed decision to the effect that the prosecutor is authorized to commence an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Afghanistan since May 1, 2003," Presiding Judge Piotr Hofmanski said.

The ruling will allow ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to examine the actions of U.S. armed forces and members of the CIA, the Taliban insurgency, Afghan government security forces and other armed groups operating in Afghanistan.

Bensouda has been seeking a formal investigation into the alleged crimes since 2017.

Washington is not a signatory of the ICC and disputes its authority over American citizens. Afghanistan, however, is a member of the global court.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last year that the Trump administration would revoke or deny visas to ICC staff seeking to investigate alleged war crimes and other abuses committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan or elsewhere.

The Afghan government has also opposed the investigation.

Thursday's ICC ruling came just days after the United States and the Taliban signed a landmark agreement to try to bring an end to the Afghan war, now in its 19th year.

Rights groups welcome ruling

Afghan and global rights groups hailed the ICC for upholding the rights of victims to accountability, and paving the way for the United States to be held to account for the first time for its actions.

"ICC Appeals Chamber's decision to green-light an investigation of brutal crimes in Afghanistan despite extreme pressure reaffirms the court's essential role for victims when all other doors to justice are closed," noted Param-Preet Singh, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch.

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) welcomed Thursday's decision as an "important step for justice in Afghanistan.

"Today, the International Criminal Court breathed new life into the mantra that 'no one is above the law' and restored some hope that justice can be available  and applied  to all," said Katherine Gallagher, senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and ICC Victims Legal Representative.

"In authorizing this critical and much-delayed investigation into crimes in and related to Afghanistan, the Court made clear that political interference in judicial proceedings will not be tolerated," noted Gallagher.

A 2016 ICC report focusing on Afghan hostilities concluded there was a reasonable basis to believe that the U.S. military, Afghan government and the Taliban committed war crimes.

Prosecutor Bensouda alleged while arguing before the judges last year that members of the U.S. military and intelligence agencies "committed acts of torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, rape and sexual violence against conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan and other locations, principally in the 2003-2004 period."

She said the Taliban and other militant groups have killed thousands of Afghan civilians since 2009 in attacks, including targeted killings. The report blamed Afghan security forces for allegedly torturing prisoners at government detention centers.

At a hearing before the Appellate Chamber in December, the Afghan government said it objected to the investigation and has set up a special unit to investigate war crimes.

There was no official U.S. delegation at the hearing, but President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, appeared on behalf of the European branch of the American Center for Law and Justice and told judges that the U.S. position wouldn't change.

He told appeals judges that "it is not in the interests of justice to waste the court's resources while ignoring the reality of principled non-cooperation."

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(Natural News) Earlier this week, in yet another attempt to prove what abortion zealot he is, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer attended a pro-death rally on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building and, in the eyes of many, blatantly broke the law.

Specifically, Schumer directed a threat at two of the high courts justices, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh  both of whom, notably, were nominated by President Donald Trump.

As The National Sentinel reported, the New York Democrat said theyll pay the price if they take a legal position he doesnt like in a case addressing the credentialing of doctors who perform abortions.

I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price, he said, specifically naming them. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.

What, exactly, did Schumer mean by pay the price?

What exactly did he mean by saying, You wont know what hit you?

Any reasonable person would view these statements as a legitimate threat. And in fact, many did, including noted constitutional expert Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University.

Schumers threat to the Court that you will pay the price is a direct attack on the integrity of our courts, Turley said in a tweet. I criticized Trump for his reckless comments about the courts. Where is the chorus of condemnation of Schumer? Schumer sounded more like a stalker than a statesman.

Schumer's threat to the Court that "you will pay the price" is a direct attack on the integrity of our courts. I criticized Trump for his reckless comments about the courts. Where is the chorus of condemnation of Schumer? Schumer sounded more like a stalker than a statesman.  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) March 4, 2020

The president himself also noted that Schumer stepped way over the line, and probably legally.

This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW! he demanded on Twitter.

This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW! https://t.co/WqQUbyzaJU  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020

Even Chief Justice John Roberts agrees, as he said in a rare public rebuke.

Theres a law against this

Lamely, Schumers office claimed that he was actually talking about Republicans  the GOP would pay the price at the polls in November if the high court ruled in favor of a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to be credentialed with a hospital no more than 30 miles from their clinics so they can treat their patients if there is a problem during the procedure. This is basic healthcare, not taking away abortion rights.

Nobody with a couple of brain cells to rub together and who isnt afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome believes that, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

He literally directed the statement to the justices, by name. And he said, quote, if you go forward with these awful decisions, which could only apply to the court itself. The minority leader of the United States Senate threatened two associate justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Period, McConnell said on the floor of the chamber Thursday afternoon.

Schumer has kinda, sorta apologized, blaming his threatening words on the fact that hes from Brooklyn  as though being a native New Yorker somehow excuses bad taste, stupidity, lousy judgment, and a potential violation of the law.

And which law would that be? How about 40 United States Code, which contains provisions making it a federal crime to use threatening language on Supreme Court grounds?

Specifically, 40 USC ?6134 notes: It is unlawful to discharge a firearm, firework or explosive, set fire to a combustible, make a harangue or oration, or utter loud, threatening, or abusive language in the Supreme Court Building or grounds.

The penalty for violations  fines and/or imprisonment for 60 days.

Who wouldnt enjoy seeing Charles Schumer spend a couple of months behind bars, after the stunt he pulled?

But even if you wouldnt, consider this: If his threats are okay, then a Republican threat someday is just as okay  right?

No, thats not right.

Sources include:

TheNationalSentinel.com

law.Cornell.Edu

LifeSiteNews.com
Former Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren has spoken out about the abuse she and others have received from supporters of Bernie Sanders, describing it as organised nastiness and calling on all candidates to find new ways to stop it.

In an interview on the same day she dropped out of the presidential contest, MSNBCs Rachel Maddow brought up the fact that Mr Sanders has previously had to apologise for and condemn behaviour by certain of his supporters, including towards Ms Warren herself.

Asked to what extent she was aware of the level of antipathy levelled at her during the primary by some Sanders supporters online, Ms Warren said the problem affected many more people than just the candidates.

Its not just about me, said Ms Warren. I think theres a real problem with this online bullying and sort of organised nastiness. And Im not just talking about who said mean things, Im talking about some really ugly stuff that went on.

Describing events in Nevada after a union there took exception to Mr Sanderss healthcare plans, Ms Warren said that some Sanders supporters went well beyond vigorous disagreement.

Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters

You can be clever and find clever ways to be kind of mean sometimes, okay, I get that part too.

But they actually published the phone numbers and home addresses of two women, the executive director and the communications director  women of colour, immigrant women  and really put them in fear for their families.

These are tough women, tough women whove run labour organising campaigns and really earned their jobs in their union  I mean the hard way  and yet said for the first time, because of this onslaught of online threats that they felt really under attack.

Ever since Mr Sanders ran in the Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton in 2016, certain elements among his millions of supporters have gained a reputation for highly aggressive online and offline behaviour.

Their targets have included personal attacks on not just Sanderss political opponents but on the supporters of other candidates and journalists who produce unflattering coverage.

While Mr Sanders has several times reiterated that he disowns any unpleasant or threatening behaviour conducted in his name, he has also suggested that some of the unpleasant online activity attributed to his supporters might in fact be attributable to foreign election interference.

Expounding on what she thinks needs to be done, Ms Warren suggested a more intensive approach by candidates and their campaigns.

Has the time come for us to just start to try to think more creatively about how to do this?

Do you set up something, for example, from the campaign, that every single day answers back to this with the authority of that persons campaign, And says: Were not doing this, Im flagging these, we dont like this, we dont want this, we dont want any part of this, we condemn it, how many times do I have to say this?

With Ms Warren now out of the running, the Democratic primary is now a two-man race between Mr Sanders and Joe Biden, who is currently the prohibitive frontrunner after winning the majority of states and delegates on Super Tuesday.
Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Allow Remain in Mexico Policy to Continue

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to allow the United States to continue to enforce a policy that would send illegal immigrants to Mexico while they wait for a court to process their claims.

The Justice Department (DOJ) filed a request to the top court to lift a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court against one of the administrations key immigration policies, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), pending a petition of a writ of certiorari. The Department also asked the court to allow the United States to enforce its policy while the court considers its request.

The filing came after the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 9th Circuit upheld a district courts decision to grant the preliminary injunction that put a hold on the MPP. In the 2-1 ruling, the judges ruled that the MPP is invalid in its entirety because it was inconsistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), while adding that the challengers to the policy have shown a likelihood of success on their claim that the MPP does not comply with our treaty-based obligations to not force refugees or asylum seekers to return to a country where they are liable to be subjected to persecution. The judges also added that the policy is likely to cause irreparable harm to the challengers as well.

Hours later, the same court suspended its own ruling from earlier in the day by granting the administrations motion for an emergency stay. The court also ordered the administration and the challengers to file written briefs arguing their case. The 9th Circuit then issued an order on March 4, saying that they had ruled correctly on their Feb. 28 ruling, but acknowledged that their judgment had caused intense and active controversy. As a result, the court said it would limit the operation of its ruling, for now, insofar as it operates within the Ninth Circuitmeaning the border states of California and Arizona. That ruling is scheduled to take effect on March 12.

While we regard the merits of our decision  as clearly correct, we do not have the same level of confidence with respect to the scope of the injunction entered by the district court, the judges said (pdf). We, therefore, stay the injunction insofar as it operates outside the geographical boundaries of the Ninth Circuit.

The MPP, more commonly known as the Remain in Mexico policy, was enacted in January 2019 as an attempt to curb the flow of illegal immigration into the United States and prevent fraudulent or nonmeritorious cases. It sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico while they wait for the cases to be heard. The policy aims to end loopholes in the current catch and release policy, under which asylum seekers are released into the interior of the country as they await a court hearing, often never to be seen again.

After the rule was announced, several organizations and individuals sued the Trump administration to halt enforcement of the policy, arguing that the MPP was inconsistent with the INA.

Solicitor General Noel Francisco wrote in his filing on Friday that relief from this court is  urgently needed, asking the top court to grant a stay to stop the injunction in its entirety. He also argued that, at a minimum, the injunction should be stayed to the extent that it applies beyond the named plaintiffs and the specified asylum seekers in the case.

Francisco said a stay is warranted because the district court injunction and the 9th circuits decision to uphold it nullify an essential effort by the government to address the unprecedented number of migrants arriving at our Southwest border and seeking protection against removal, often without a legal basis.

[T]he decision below interferes with the U.S. governments ongoing diplomatic engagement with the government of Mexico to address the crisis at the Southwest border, and it drastically curtails the governments ability to use the contiguous-territory-return authority that Congress expressly provided in the INA, he added.

The injunction is guaranteed to cause irreparable harm as it would prompt a rush on the border and potentially requiring the government to allow into the United States and detain thousands of aliens who lack any entitlement to enter this country, or else to release them into the interior where many will simply disappear, Francisco argued.

He said that immediately after the 9th Circuit Feb. 28 decision, hundreds of asylum seekers presented themselves at the border seeking to enter the United States. He said that if the 9th Circuits March 4 decision is allowed to take effect, immigrants waiting in Mexico will simply travel to ports of entry and seek admission (or cross the border illegally) in Arizona or California.

The MPP, which is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is an unprecedented move aimed at addressing the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border, former DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in January last year, when the policy first went into effect.

The policy was expanded in June last year after the United States and Mexico reached a deal to curb the influx of illegal immigration at the United States southern border.

During a press conference on March 5, Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said the MPP is based and rooted in current immigration law and that it makes the immigration process more efficient in stemming the flow of illegal immigration.

[The MPP] allows us to be more effectively administer our immigration laws, including assisting with legitimate asylum seekers, while also simultaneously ensuring aliens with nonmeritorious or even fraudulent claims no longer have the incentive to make their journey, Morgan said.

Morgan said rulings like the one made in the 9th Circuit threatens the administrations progress and only serves to incentivize the smugglers to go right back to exploiting the same migrants that we took out of their hands. He warned that the ruling could drive another surge of illegal immigration at the southern border, while overwhelming resources of border patrol agents.

Its just gonna re-energize the pull factors of illegal immigration putting everyone once again at risk. And the only winners, be clear on this, the only winners on this are going to be the [transnational criminal organizations] and smuggling organizations as they continue to get more money and more power put in their bank accounts on the backs of these migrants, he said.

Additional reporting by Charlotte Cuthbertson.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  Israeli police revealed Feb. 25 the arrests of 58 Palestinians suspected of belonging to a network that transforms airsoft guns into assault rifles. The police claimed that some of these rifles were used during attacks against Israelis in the West Bank and Israel.

The Jerusalem Post cited the Israeli police spokesman as saying that most detainees hailed from Hebron in the southern West Bank. So far, seven of them have been indicted and 300,000 shekels ($87,000) have been frozen in bank accounts, according to the paper. Two airsoft weapon shops in Kfar Kinna within the Green Line and Kafarakab near Ramallah have been shut down.

Israeli police accused those arrested of purchasing airsoft weapons from Israel and buying parts online from abroad to convert airsoft weapons into M16s in underground labs.

The police clarified that they had seized, in cooperation with the Israeli Tax Authority, a product container that reached Ashdod Port through the United States carrying electrical devices and toys. Upon searching the container, they found hundreds of hidden M16 parts and combat equipment that a citizen from Adna in Hebron had purchased.

As per the 2017 decision of the Central Command unit in the Israeli army in 2017, security forces have beefed up their search of airsoft rifles since 2017, after they were increasingly being converted into real weapons to wage attacks on soldiers and settlers. The decision banned the acquisition of devices, including those that could be turned into weapons.

Weapons in the West Bank are used for two different purposes: weapons used in attacks against Israel, which are few and locally made due to ongoing pursuit from the Israeli army and the Palestinian security forces, and automatic machine guns like Kalashnikovs and M16s that families and tribes mostly use in internal disputes and that are smuggled from Israel.

Fadi Nahas, a researcher of Israeli national security and army affairs at the Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies, told Al-Monitor that the Israeli armys strategy aims at banning any weapon production, through security coordination with Palestinian security forces.

Nahas added that Israel refuses any attempts at primitive weapons production because it is well aware the weapons might be used against it.

Since October 2015, when the Jerusalem uprising broke out, Israel has been waging a campaign on hundreds of carpentry and lathe workshops in the West Bank, under the pretext that they are attempting to turn toys into rifles and manufacture local weapons known as Carlo rifles, whose production Israel is trying to halt. Lathe machines were confiscated from a carpentry workshop in Hebron Feb. 26.

Carlo rifles are local imitations of the Swedish Carl Gustaf submachine guns. Palestinians used them in several operations against Israeli soldiers, with the Jerusalem intifada onset. They turned airsoft rifles into regular ones and manufactured the Carlo because it is not costly and is easy to make compared to other weapons like the M16 or Kalashnikov, which are rare and could cost up to $20,000.

Meanwhile, supporters of Palestinian factions in the West Bank have been producing personal weapons or bombs or even trying to manufacture simple versions of rockets locally to conduct operations against Israel. Israeli Channel 12 revealed Sept. 23, 2019, that the Palestinian Authority foiled attempts by Palestinian Islamic Jihad to manufacture rockets in Tulkarm in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian and Israeli traders, especially within the Green Line, have not stopped smuggling arms from and into the West Bank in exchange for large sums of money. The Israeli police reported Jan. 27 that 22 people were arrested, including six soldiers from the Israeli army, eight Israelis from within the Green Line and eight Palestinians, for their alleged involvement in a weapons smuggling network from the West Bank to the Israeli territories. The soldiers at the inspection checkpoints were suspected of being bribed with thousands of shekels to allow the passage of merchandise.

Israel is the main source of arms for the West Bank since it controls all crossings and outlets. Still, some attempts to smuggle weapons from Jordan to the West Bank exist.

In April 2019, Israel announced that it foiled the smuggling of weapons (31 guns and automatic rifles) from Jordan to the West Bank and arrested four people in Al-Aghwar after they took the weapons from a Jordanian citizen.

In February 2019, Israeli police seized 37 guns that were being smuggled from the northern Jordan Valley to the West Bank.

Palestinian police spokesperson Louay Erzikat told Al-Monitor, Security forces want to seize unlicensed weapons and hold their owners and traders accountable because they are arbitrary weapons used in weddings [for celebratory fire], family feuds and crimes, and we are trying to control their spread.

Erzikat added that Israel is the source of weapons in the West Bank since it controls the borders and crossings. Weapons enter the West Bank through arm traders within the Green Line.

He noted that Israeli authorities are turning a blind eye to arms smuggling to the West Bank, especially those used in internal Palestinian disputes. He explained, The southern area of Hebron has been the stage of almost daily armed disputes between families that often occur before the eyes of the Israeli army. The clashes are only a few meters away from settlers; still, the Israeli army neither interferes nor allows Palestinian security forces to enter the area to control the situation. The Israeli army is also overlooking weapons traders and entry of weapons to Palestine for local use.

In May 2019, Erzikat said that the Palestinian security forces were confiscating on average 600 to 1,000 weapons per year.

The Israeli armys quest to confiscate weapons in the West Bank reflects security concerns in Israel as well as fears of the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank and a new uprising in the next months with the implementation of the provisions of the US peace plan.
J ulia Gillard thought her work would be done by now. Its been eight years since the former Australian Prime Minister gave her poised and powerful speech that exposed the misogyny at the centre of the political system.

I did naively think when I was younger that gender equality was on the way to being fixed and wouldnt be a feature of much of my life, says Gillard, aged 58, on the phone from her house in Adelaide where she is looking after her nieces dogs Pepper and Lebowski. I wish I could tell my younger self that wasnt right.

Its rare for Gillard to be at home  since she stood down as PM in 2013 she has travelled the world speaking about gender equality. This weekend shes on a panel at the Women of the World Festival at the Southbank Centre. Shes in London regularly, as Chair of the Global Institute for Womens Leadership at Kings College London.

She has also worked with Meghan Markle, who she thinks is an example of how gender stereotyping affects every woman no matter what life she leads. It affects all women in the royal family but its only Meghan who has experienced that interrelationship between gender and race discrimination. Gillard knitted a baby kangaroo for Markles nephew, Prince George, when he came to Australia and still knits. Its rhythmic nature is calming.

Gillard speaks with the same focused anger that drove her 2012 speech, which has been viewed half a million times on YouTube. I didnt know I was going to give the speech until I gave it, she recalls. It was a response to leader of the opposition Tony Abbott talking about whether the speaker should stay in office after sending sexist text messages  but it became a rallying cry, spanning everything from comments about Gillards appearance to extreme bullying: she was called barren for not having children, and an opposition fundraising dinner included the Julia Gillard quail, small breasts, huge thighs and a big red box. I wrote the notes that became the speech while Tony Abbott was talking. I felt a sense of cool anger from many days in my prime ministership where Id tolerated sexist remarks without reply. Afterwards I had to go back to my office and work. By the time I got there it was clear the speech was having an impact beyond Parliament. People were starting to ring in.

Gillard was elected in 2010. She thought the sexism was a reaction to me being the first woman prime minister in Australia. I thought things would normalise but instead it grew the longer I was PM. It made me wish I had pointed out the sexist incidents earlier when they were a bit more benign.

She knew political culture in Australia was robust but felt it was important to show that a woman could stand in an environment like that in politics and hold her own. Her partner, Tim Mathieson, was the one who worried. Your family feel the slings and arrows more than you do, so they are protective and supportive as a result, she said.

(Left to right) Annie Lennox, British model Adwoa Aboah, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Julia Gillard and Camfed Regional Director Zimbabwe's Angeline Murimirwa attend a panel discussion convened by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust to mark last year's International Women's Day / Getty Images

As PM, Gillard fought for greener policy, which made her unpopular. Although, after the fires in Australia this summer, more people are realising her actions were necessary.

We did introduce a scheme to reduce emissions but it was repealed by the government elected afterwards. The peril to our planet is increasing and the tragic summer weve had in Australia has increased hunger for change. How does the political culture in the UK compare? Im delighted to see more women MPs in Westminster, especially after so many resigned before the election because the situation was so toxic. Nicky Morgan and Heidi Allen going was a loss. Are there particularly female leadership qualities? Im writing a book about that with my friend [Nigerian economist] Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. I dont believe babies are born with inherent leadership styles. Women are socialised differently. She remembers not being allowed to do woodwork at school and the girls being the ones who had to do the washing up.

As we strive for more equality it impacts men too, says Gillard. Men still tell her theyve asked the women in their lives to watch her speech. Theres an increasing recognition that a gender equal world will be better for women and men.
Colonie

Iranian photographer David Rostambakhsh's pictures of homelessness and child labor enraged SEPAH, the Iran Revolutionary Guard. During one arrest, he says, guardsmen beat him and smashed his nose so badly he couldn't breathe through it for three years. But he continued exhibiting work, so the beatings became routine.

"SEPAH accused me of working for CNN and training Iranians to be journalists," he said recently from his Colonie home. "I denied it. They always accused me of being a Jew  which I denied for my father's safety."

Rostambakhsh and his family are Jews. And his family had kept that secret for decades to try to protect themselves from the extremist Muslims in power in Iran.

Each one of the hundreds of refugees in the Capital Region has a saga he or she can tell about the journey to America. Rostambakhsh's happens to be a love story.

He won't divulge all the details about how he got out of Iran and into Turkey in late 2013 for fear of endangering others. But when Iran gave him permission to go to Dubai for educational reasons, he grabbed that chance to travel, and then to get to Turkey. There, he could file for refugee status with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Turkish officials assigned him to live in the small, isolated city of Artvin flanked by the Black Sea and steep mountains thick with forests. Other refugees were in Artvin waiting for word on visas. While shooting photos in Istanbul, he met Albany native Kerri Schultz who changed his luck and his life.

"I went to Turkey back in 2010 when I was 19," she said. "It was an adventure."

She says that she became fluent while she was in Turkey.

"There are so few Americans who are fluent in Turkish that there's a huge demand for translators. I was able to get work as a business consultant. Executives would ask my advice about marketing."

That did not mean she was able to get paid what she was owed or navigate the legal system to sue over unpaid fees. When she met Rostambakhsh, she describes herself as being "almost destitute after a Turkish company suddenly decided not to pay me what they owed me. David helped me in a time when no one else was there, and we barely even knew each other."

He found enough work to pay rent on a small apartment in Istanbul which he invited her to see. It was decorated with American flags. A friendship was forming. She offered to help him navigate the Byzantine refugee visa process. Even though Schultz was barely out of her teens the quest imbued her with poise.

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

Schultz had worked at the U.S. consulate as a translator and her contacts were willing to help smooth out tangled red tape occasionally. Schultz could explain arcane paperwork problems to both American and Turkish officials.

Meanwhile, Rostambakhsh kept finding work as a photographer. He worked on a documentary about the murder of New Yorker Sarai Sierra in Istanbul. As Rostambakhsh and Schultz helped each other, their affection blossomed into love.

"I decided to stay in Turkey until we could go back to the U.S. together," she said.

He got his visa. Rostambakhsh and Schultz arrived in New York in December 2016.

They live together now in a Colonie apartment that also serves as Rostambakhsh's studio. Schultz is now a full time student at University at Albany majoring in biology and globalization. Rostambakhsh has shown his work at the Ohav Shalom Synagogue and currently has an exhibition of his work at the Branded Saloon in Brooklyn. He's now editing the documentary on Sierra and has plans to submit it to film festivals.
Britons are being advised to 'plan ahead' in case they are told to self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Public Health England (PHE) has asked members of the public to consider stocking up on enough supplies and food to last them during a potential two-week quarantine.

Health bosses say people should be prepared to be asked to self-isolate as the Government moves into the 'delay' phase of its four-stage battle plan.

But critics say the advice sends 'mixed messages' and risks fuelling more panic-buying - which the Government has been discouraging all week.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases soared past triple digits to 164. Two people have died from the virus on British soil.

The Government has risked causing even more panic buying as it tells people to stock up and 'plan ahead' in case they have to self-isolate for weeks despite previously pleading with people to stop hoarding. Pictured, empty shelves in London

On its website, PHE told people to consider older relatives and neighbours and 'get some food in so that they would have supplies for a week if required'. Pictured, empty shelves in London

Soup shelves had been cleared in a Sainsbury's branch in Crayford, London, today

The new advice came just hours after Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour'

Shelves which normally stock hand gels and soaps are seen stripped bare at Asda in Chandler's Ford, Southampton  companies producing the sanitisers say they are ramping up production because of 'exceptional demand'

This Sainsbury's store in Crayford, south-east London, had been all but stripped of toilet roll supplies as Britons admit to panic-buying essentials for fear of a demand and supply crisis if there's an outbreak

In total, 163 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 9am on Friday, up from 115 cases reported at the same time on Thursday. Northern Ireland then confirmed its fourth case later on Friday, bringing the total to 164

On its website, PHE said people should 'consider how you or your family would manage if you had to self-isolate for a couple of weeks'.

It set out a series of questions people should ask themselves, including: 'Do you have friends or neighbours who could bring food to your house or run errands, or could you do online shopping?

'Could you talk to your employer about opportunities to work from home if this became necessary?'

Coronavirus patients are told to recover at HOME: People who have just mild symptoms will not be hospitalised Coronavirus patients are no longer all being admitted to hospital, British health officials have confirmed. Anyone confirmed to have the virus who is not seriously unwell or at risk of becoming more dangerously infected can recover at home. At least 45 people out of the 116 confirmed in the UK have already been instructed to stay in their own houses and wait for their illness to blow over. Until the new rule was drafted  it is not clear when it began  all confirmed patients had to be taken to a specialist hospital unit in one of five locations around the country, some hundreds of miles from their hometowns. An extra 29 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in the UK today, bringing the total to 116  105 in England, six in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and two in Wales. Officials said it was 'perfectly reasonable' for people to recover at home because COVID-19 is a 'mild illness'. Chief medical officer for the government, Professor Chris Whitty, said that most people with minor cases of the virus will no longer be hospitalised. Instead they will be asked to stay at home, where they pose less of a risk to other people. Advertisement

People who are elderly or 'vulnerable to severe symptoms', were also asked to think how they would manage and whether they could work from home.

The website asks people to think about friends, family or neighbours who might need extra help.

It said: 'Everyone has a part to play, and we're asking people to think about what they do in a typical week, how they could limit contact with others if asked to, and how they could help people in their community, who might need support if certain social-distancing measures were put in place.

'This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them, or arranging for online delivery if they needed it.'

But Public Health England this evening clarified that such measures should only be followed if social distancing is recommended.

Dr Susan Hopkins, PHE's COVID-19 incident director, said: 'Public Health England is not advising people to stockpile. Our advice is to live your life as normal but wash your hands more often, and do start to think about how the spread of coronavirus might impact your life over the next few weeks.

'The government has a clear action plan to tackle this virus and we need everyone to do what they can to help stop the spread.'

Leading infectious diseases expert Paul Hunter, a professor at the University of East Anglia, said on the face of it the advice seemed to 'send mixed messages'.

But he said that it may well be a 'sensible precaution' particularly for vulnerable and elderly people who have not been given strong guidance about what to do in the event of an outbreak.

He told MailOnline: 'If this is a real change in policy it follows on from quite a few statements from governments and others (probably including myself) about the importance of not panic buying.

'However, the phrasing used in the document is, 'This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them or arranging for online delivery if they needed it'.

'So this does not seem to be a real change in advice to the general public but a sensible precaution for particularly vulnerable elderly people who would certainly struggle to cope in a tight self-isolation situation.

A commuter on the London Underground wears a gas mask on Friday morning as the capital was gripped by coronavirus fears after the UK's first death

Many people have taken to wearing face masks on public transport. One many was pictured wearing his headphones over the mask (left) while another was pictured on the tube this morning wearing the full face covering (right)

'One of the important things about the epidemic that is, in my view, not being adequately addressed or at least communication is what do we do about the most vulnerable people in society?

'How are we going to adequately care for elderly neighbours and relatives, what should these people do during the peak of the epidemic?'

The updated advice came just hours after Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour'.

Speaking on Question Time on Thursday night, Mr Hancock insisted the Government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases continues to grow.

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

Customers queue outside Boots in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this morning, amid reports that supermarkets and shops across the UK are running out of hand sanitiser

A back log of customers outside Costco in Croydon as shoppers were given hand sanitiser on entrance

BRITONS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED TO ANY PART OF ITALY WHO FEEL ILL WILL BE TOLD TO SELF-ISOLATE Public Health England has announced that Britons returning from the whole of Italy are to self-isolate if they develop symptoms of the deadly coronavirus. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty told a press conference today that the current advice for those returning from northern Italy is to be extended to the whole of the country. While confirming that the government was still in the phase of containing the virus, entering the delay process is the 'direction of travel' for the future, Professor Whitty said. Since the coronavirus reached British shores, the government and health bodies have been in the 'contain' phase, trying to stop the infection's ability to spread. In recent days, with evidence of community transmission, it is thought that PHE could attempt to push a major epidemic back to the summer in the hopes of slowing the rate of infections. COVID-19, which has infected 115 in the UK, is thought to spread faster in the cold. Advertisement

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together. We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

But supermarkets today casted doubts on Mr Hancock's assurances and said they had not discussed getting food to homes.

An executive told the BBC: 'Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets. We haven't heard anything from government directly.'

He added that sales of cupboard basics such as pasta and tinned goods have 'gone through the roof'.

PHE also warned today that even those who are not asked to quarantine may in future need to use 'social distancing' measures such as not going to cinemas, pubs or sporting events.

PHE said social distancing and more self-isolation will only be implemented 'if scientists and experts, including the UK's chief medical officers, decide they are necessary and proportionate'.

But it said people could be asked to stay home for up to 14 days. 'If the virus is spreading quickly, we may ask whole households to self-quarantine, if anyone in the home has symptoms,' it added.

PHE said most cases of Covid-19 will be treatable at home, adding that 'being asked to self-isolate could be inconvenient, frustrating or boring, particularly if you have mild symptoms'.

However, it may be necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus, 'protect people who are vulnerable and help the NHS manage capacity'.

The public is also urged to think about how it uses NHS services, and to only call 999 in a genuine emergency.
A California nurse who complained of symptoms consistent with coronavirus has hit out at the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) for allegedly failing to test them and other nurses.

In an anonymous letter distributed by National Nurses United, the nurse describes how after volunteering to be on the care team for a patient who had tested positive for the virus, they themselves started to develop symptoms.

After being put on a 14-day self-quarantine, their doctor ordered a coronavirus test.

However, they allege, the CDC then refused to initiate testing on the basis that if I were wearing the recommended protective equipment, then I wouldnt have the coronavirus.

What kind of science-based answer is that? What a ridiculous and uneducated response from the department that is in charge of our health in this country.

The nurse says the agency then called back and told them that the CDC prioritise running samples by illness severity and that there are only so many to give out each day. So I have to wait in line to find out the results.

She found this outrageous. This is not the ticket dispenser at the deli counter; its a public health emergency! I am a registered nurse, and I need to know if I am positive before going back to caring for patients.

The nurse goes on to stress that this is not an individual story. I am appalled at the level of bureaucracy thats preventing nurses from getting tested. That is a health care decision my doctor and my county health department agree with. Delaying this test puts the whole community at risk.

Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty

I have the backing of my union. Nurses arent going to stand by and let this testing delay continue; we are going to stand together to make sure we can protect our patientsby being protected ourselves.

The CDC told The Hill that while it would not comment on the individual case, it would most definitely recommend that a health worker who had come into contact with a coronavirus patient be tested, and that Our clinical team working with state and local health departments to assess Persons Under investigation has not said no to any request for testing.

The writer of the letter is a nurse at a California Kaiser facility in the north of the state, which declared a state of emergency after confirming the USs first coronavirus death outside of Washington state.

The authorities are trying to trace passengers who disembarked from a cruise ship, the Grand Princess, on which several thousand people are thought to have been exposed. The ship has been held near the coast of San Francisco.
The new coronavirus knows no national borders or social boundaries. That doesnt mean that social boundaries dont exist.

En route to Paris, Gwyneth Paltrow wrote on Instagram last week, beneath a shot of herself on an airplane heading to Paris Fashion Week and wearing a black face mask. Ive already been in this movie, she added, referring to her role in the 2011 disease thriller Contagion. Stay safe.

Paltrow did not pose with just any mask, unlike, say, Kate Hudson and Bella Hadid, who also recently posted selfies wearing cheaper, disposable masks. The Goop founder and influencer of influencers instead opted for a sleek urban air mask by a Swedish company, Airinum, which features five layers of filtration and an ultrasmooth and skin-friendly finish.

Never mind that the surgeon general, Jerome Adams, begged people to refrain from indulging in mask mania on Twitter last weekend. Priced from $69 to $99 (U.S., or about $93-$133 Canadian), the Airinum mask, which has been popping up on Instagram stylistas, is sold out on its website until April. (The New York Museum of Modern Arts Design Store, which carried the mask, is also sold out.)

At C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, a venerable pharmacy in Greenwich Village, New York, N95 face masks that can filter for viruses have been sold out for weeks, said Justin OConnor, who works in the stores surgical department. There is a waiting list of 300 people.

A lot of big names come into C.O. Bigelow; theyre usually pretty humble, OConnor said. Now some people are trying to name-drop their way into snagging masks. Theyll be like, Do you know who I work for? but were never impressed, he said.

Cambridge Mask Co., a British company that uses what it calls particulate filtering layers and military-grade carbon, has seen demand for its $30 masks spike 20 to 30 times normal levels, said Christopher Dobbing, its founder.

The rich are sparing no expense when it comes to minimizing their experience with the coronavirus.

Business executives are ditching first class for private planes. Jet-setters are redirecting their travel plans to more insular destinations. And wealthy clients are consulting with concierge doctors and other VIP health care services.

Why spend $3.79 on a bottle of hand sanitizer from Target when Byredo, a European luxury brand, makes what it calls a rinse-free hand wash with floral notes of pear and bergamot for $35 (although that, too, is sold out)?

You may have more luck with Olika, a company that makes a hand sanitizer shaped like a modernist baby chick and costs $14.62 for a three-pack. Alastair Dorward, the chief executive of Olika, said that the company is getting multiple orders per minute, adding, Its not clear how many more days the rest of our product will be in stock.

Dorward said that customers were seeking to buy large batches of the companys Birdie and Minnie dispensers. The pattern of ordering has changed significantly, and people are looking to grab product while they can, he said.

Demand has also shot up for the preparedness kits sold by Judy, a startup led by Simon Huck, a publicist and noted friend of Kim Kardashian West. As of Monday, the company had sold out of its fanny pack survival kits ($50) and larger Mover bags ($150), which contain a first-aid kit, biohazard bag, Wet Wipes, hand sanitizer, batteries, a flashlight and other gear.

We launched 40 days ago, and three weeks into our launch we have a global pandemic, Huck said.

Flying the virus-free skies

Even in the best of times, there are germs on airplanes. We scrub our hands in the cramped aircraft lavatories, avoid eating the Biscoff cookie that falls on the tray table, and if were really fussy, wipe the armrests with Wet Wipes. You know, just to be sure.

These are not the best of times.

At a time when every stray cough from three rows back sounds like a ghostly greeting from Typhoid Mary, those who can afford it are paying extra to sidestep crowded security lines and jam-packed planes and flying private  which might be an attractive option for those who wish to flee the teeming cities for, say, a safe house in Telluride, Colorado.

Some wealthy people have told Bloomberg that they have been staying in their Hamptons homes and are prepared to jet off to cabins in Idaho if things get worse. And The Guardian reported that executives have chartered jets for evacuation flights out of China and other affected areas.

For some private jet companies, fear equals opportunity. Southern Jet, a charter jet company in Boca Raton, Florida, recently sent out a limited test marketing email with the tag line: Avoid coronavirus by flying private  Request a quote today!

The company got a bounce in requests for flights (which can run about $20,000 for a trip on a mid-size jet from Florida to New York) but also a couple of responses calling the campaign repugnant and in poor taste, said Eric Sanchez, the companys sales director.

We were not attempting to incite fear with this email, Sanchez said. We simply wanted to show the coronavirus may be a serious threat to the public, and we are glad we can offer a service that can possibly provide extra safety.

Other well-heeled travellers who were planning vacations in affected countries, like Italy, are instead opting for the seaborne isolation of yachts, to lounge in the Mediterranean sunshine far from the infected shores.

Jennifer Saia, the president of B&B Yacht Charter in Newport, Rhode Island, said that one longtime client, a retired telecommunications executive, had booked a villa for his family in Florence, Italy, for April but is now chartering a yacht in the Bahamas instead.

It totally makes sense, Saia said. Youre keeping your family contained in a very small, should-be-clean environment. And going from your car to your FBO  meaning fixed base operator, or private jet terminal  to your private jet right onto the tarmac. And from there, right onto your yacht, and not having to deal with the public.

But where to go? The social calendars of the well-to-do have been thrown into disarray, as art festivals, luxury fairs and invitation-only retreats are postponed or cancelled.

Last week, the luxury watch industry cancelled two of its biggest events of the year: the Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly SIHH) and Baselworld.

Baselworld was founded in 1917, during (the First World War), and between 1917 and this year, it had never been cancelled, said Joe Thompson, the executive editor of Hodinkee, a watch site and retailer. And that includes crises like (the Second World War), the SARS virus of 2003 and various other downturns. So this is unprecedented.

Art Basel Hong Kong was cancelled, and Art Dubai has been postponed. The Armory Show opens in New York City on March 5, even as the first coronavirus cases emerged in New York state in recent days.

Jerry Saltz, the art critic for New York magazine, said he expects fairgoers to continue to enjoy the art, though they may touch elbows as a germ-free hello. Dispensing with handshakes and elaborate greetings is fine for the bashful among us, Saltz said. I always think I am doing the double-cheek kiss wrong anyway.

Other postponed or cancelled events include the Geneva Auto show, the Milan Furniture Fair, the Singapore Yacht Show and the Dubai International Boat Show. For now, the Cannes Film Festival is still scheduled for May, but organizers are monitoring developments. We try to, but we cannot anticipate all the things that might happen, said Aida Belloulid, a spokeswoman for the festival.

On March 3, Tim Ferriss, the bestselling author and longtime Silicon Valley angel investor who lives in Austin, Texas, implored the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler, to carefully consider the downsides of pushing forward with the South by Southwest festival, tweeting: After much thought, Ive cancelled my attendance at SXSW. I love SXSW, but I dont believe the novel coronavirus can be contained.

Amazon Studios, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter have all pulled out of the festival, which is scheduled  for now  to begin March 13.

An emergency room of ones own

Another thing people try to avoid, even in the best of times? Emergency rooms. The well-heeled who wish for round-the-clock access to doctors, expedited appointments with specialists and members-only hospital amenities are turning to concierge medical services. One New York provider, Sollis Health, offers family memberships for about $8,000 a year, with facilities  basically, VIP emergency rooms  on the Upper East Side of Manhattan (where a Chuck Close original hangs in the lobby), Tribeca and, in summer, a house call service in the Hamptons.

Since coronavirus fears arrived in the United States, membership inquiries have spiked, said Dr. Ben Stein, the medical director of Sollis. Anxiety among current members has some of them stocking up on antiviral medications including Tamiflu and Xofluza for the flu, respiratory medications like Albuterol inhalers and Sudafed, and antibiotics like Levaquin and Azithromycin.

They are also calling with concerns about hospitals being overrun and face masks running out, Stein said.

He said that one member, an actress, called about her anxieties involving a trip to Japan, where she was scheduled to shoot a kissing scene. She wanted to make sure she could avoid crowded emergency rooms should she return with flu-like symptoms.

Are such measures overkill? Waris Ahluwalia, a designer and actor who is a member of Sollis, is not taking any chances in the face of so many uncertainties.

In preparation for a wellness retreat at Le Sirenuse hotel in Positano, Italy, Ahluwalia called Sollis to request a home delivery of masks, along with a precautionary prescription of Xofluza, even though his doctors told him that it may not be effective against coronavirus. (There is no antiviral treatment currently recommended for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.)

Clearly, no one really knows whats going on, Ahluwalia said. But then you also have to have a certain sense that where theres smoke, there may be fire.

The house call came with a custom mask fitting, which is of no small issue for Ahluwalia, who is Sikh and wears a thick, flowing beard that would certainly violate the comically detailed list of acceptable facial hairstyles for wearing a respirator mask circulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To test the fit, Ahluwalia said, the Sollis doctor placed a hood, similar to those worn by beekeepers, over his head and sprayed the inside with peppermint. No smell, apparently, no leakage.

But then, there was a coronavirus outbreak in Italy and the Positano retreat was cancelled. His next business trip is to Istanbul in a couple of weeks. He may or may not go, he said.

I dont know if this too shall pass, or its the beginning of the end, Ahluwalia said. Id be really bummed if its the beginning of the end, because Ive got a lot of things Im working on.

A germ-free panic room

A Gulfstream IV jet or 150-foot superyacht may make for a fine temporary sanctuary for plutocrats who wish to travel in style in a world of swirling microbes. But for those who really want to bunker down as global infections mount, a well-stocked home bunker represents the ultimate luxury.

A luxe bunker, it seems, can take many forms.

Stein said that another Sollis member, an heiress in Southampton, New York, built a medical isolation room complete with a ventilation system.

The word room, however, hardly captures it. Stein said it is equipped with a negative pressure system to restrict the circulation of pathogens, and is basically an isolated guest wing consisting of a bedroom and kitchen stocked with IV hydration, medicines, lab supplies, gloves, gowns, masks, oxygen and food, as well as a set of dishes and linens.

In certain pockets of Silicon Valley, where tech-elite survivalists drool over abandoned missile silos that were converted into luxury bunkers, coronavirus is precisely the doomsday scenario theyve been preparing for.

Marvin Liao, a former partner at the venture capital firm 500 Startups, has been stocking up on canned food, water, hand sanitizer and toilet paper in anticipation of an outbreak, and has lately been scoping out a high-end air purifier called Molekule Air, which costs $799.

I dont know if youre ever ready for this, Liao said of coronavirus. But I think that youre probably better prepared than a lot of people, because at least youve thought about it and at least youve stocked up. Worse comes to worse youll have a lot more cushion than a lot more people out there.

Jon Stokes, a former Silicon Valley prepper who left Silicon Valley for prepping reasons (he lives in Colorado now), echoed that sentiment. He said that he had stockpiled about four months worth of food, and recently purchased a stethoscope and a pulse oximeter that measures the oxygen saturation in red blood cells to monitor his family for signs of the virus.

This exact situation is precisely what preppers prep for, Stokes said. Aside from the NatGeo or History Channel doomsday prepper, for ordinary preppers, this is kind of it for us: a pandemic, a shelter-in-place sort of thing, where you have to be self-sufficient for a few weeks or for a month or two. Thats what we do.
A white van and a red Hyundai crashed early Friday morning on Route 57 in Washington Township, Warren County, injuring three people, police report.

Robert Ryczaj, 63, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was turning left just after 6:30 a.m. onto Route 57 from Employee Road and collided with the Hyundai driven by Diane Scwabe, 69, of Washington, township police Lt. John Kaufmann said.

Scwabe had to be cut from the car by the Washington Emergency Squad and was driven by ambulance to Morristown Memorial Hospital, Kaufmann said.

Ryczaj and a female passenger in the van were taken to Hackettstown Medical Center, Kaufmann said.

The road was shut for about 90 minutes, he said. The investigation is ongoing, he added.

Washington Township and Washington firefighters as well as Mansfield Emergency Medical Services also assisted at the scene, Kaufmann said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Yeshiva University student wears a face mask on the grounds of the university in New York City on March 4, 2020. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Rabbi of Synagogue at Center of NY Coronavirus Outbreak Tests Positive

A rabbi at the synagogue linked to the cluster of coronavirus cases in New York has tested positive for the new virus.

Its at least the 18th case linked to a man who attended the synagogue with his family in a cluster that includes the mans children and wife, a neighbor who drove him to the hospital, and a friend he spent time with, as well as the friends children and wife.

The new patient is Rabbi Reuven Fink, the rabbi of Young Israel of New Rochelle in Westchester County.

The rabbi has been in self-quarantine due to his contact with the 50-year-old lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, said on Friday. The rabbi announced to his congregation that he tested positive, according to a notice Berman sent to students and staff members.

Fink teaches two classes at Yeshiva Universitys Washington Heights campus and officials have reached out to his students to recommend they self-quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer (C) and New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson (R) are surrounded by the press as they have lunch at Eden Wok Kosher Chinese in the New Rochelle Wykagyl area of New Rochelle, New York on March 5, 2020. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Classes were halted at the universitys campus in northern and Midtown Manhattan after the lawyers 20-year-old son, a student at the school, tested positive for the virus. Services were suspended at the Young Israel synagogue this week based on guidance from Westchester County officials.

Members of the synagogue who attended a bar mitzvah and a funeral late last month were told to isolate themselves until at least March 8. Hundreds of New Rochelle residents, primarily members of the synagogue, have been quarantined to limit the spread of the virus, according to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.

Other schools have also shut down, including SAR High School in New York Citys Bronx borough and all the schools in the Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District and Mount Vernon City School District in Westchester.

The Mount Vernon district said two students, one at Columbus School and one at Rebecca Turner Elementary School, were under quarantine for possible exposure to the new coronavirus.

Out of an abundance of caution, the district has closed all school buildings and offices effective immediately and the schools will be completely cleaned and disinfected. It is anticipated that the buildings will reopen on Monday under a normal schedule, once the cleaning program is complete, it told parents and staff members.

A man walks past SAR High School, which has been shut down due to the new coronavirus, in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York on March 3, 2020. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

The students under suspicion would be out of school for at least the next two weeks, it added.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters on Thursday that state officials expect more cases to be confirmed because more people are being tested.

The number will continue to go up, Cuomo said at a press conference. It must, because we are continuing to test more and more. The more you test the higher number you will have.

There were 22 confirmed cases in the state of of Thursday.

The New York City Department of Health said that thousands of people are isolated at home, mostly under self-quarantine. Most of those isolated recently returned from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, or Japan.

People walk through Manhattan with surgical masks in New York City, on March 4, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

We, along with our state partners and various jurisdictions across the country, are taking the approach of providing them information when they get off the planes, giving them our phone number, what symptoms to look out for, and then we reach out to them on a daily basis to make sure that they are not developing symptoms, New York City health commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot told reporters.Its what we call voluntary home isolation. And so, they have a phone number to call us if and when they develop symptoms.

None have called so far, she said.

At least two New Yorkers, a female healthcare worker who tested positive for the virus after visiting Iran, and her husband, who tested negative, are under mandatory quarantine,

City officials said Thursday that two more patients tested positive, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s. Both were at the hospital in intensive care, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Thursday refuted a Fox News host's demand for an apology from China over the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, saying it shows the host's "arrogance and ignorance" of China.

"Disease is the common enemy of mankind, and all people who suffer from it are victims. It's hard to know where to start with this 'apology theory,'" he said.

Zhao said, at present, countries are working together to fight the epidemic, as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus briefed to the media earlier: "Stigma is more dangerous than the virus itself."

Zhao asked: "What is the intention of (certain TV host) spreading such groundless claims at this moment?" In addition, he pointed out that "the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak in the U.S. spread to 214 countries and regions, which killed at least 18,449 people that year. Who asked the United States to apologize?"

The origin of the virus is still inconclusive, so no matter where the virus came from, China, like other countries, is the victim of the virus, he noted.

At the press conference, Zhao said Chinese people have made huge sacrifices as well as made significant contributions for the health and safety of people around the world.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at a press conference that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with other countries to fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

Ma said the Chinese government has shared timely information and engaged in close cooperation with the global community.
SARASOTA, Fla., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New data from a clinical trial of Alzheimer's Disease using a drug called Nilvadipine identified by researchers at the Roskamp Institute show that patients with very mild (very early stage) Alzheimer's disease show less cognitive decline over an 18-month period than placebo-treated patients. On the key clinical measure of memory, the very early stage Alzheimer cases who were taking Nilvadipine performed better than their placebo-treated counterparts. For patients with mild Alzheimer's (a slightly more advanced stage), the use of language was better preserved after Nilvadipine treatment. In overall measures of mental ability in very early stage patients, compared to placebo, there was a nearly 50 percent reduction in the rate of decline in those taking Nilvadipine, which has been previously used to treat hypertension in many European countries and Japan, though not approved in the United States. The new analysis was a follow up of data collected by a European network of collaborators with the Roskamp Institute scientists in a study called NILVAD and headed by Dr. Brian Lawlor at Trinity College Dublin.

In other studies, the Roskamp Institute's researchers have shown that Nilvadipine can lower the levels of two toxic proteins (called amyloid and tau) in the brains of mice that spontaneously develop Alzheimer pathology. Importantly, these findings are consistent with those in the human clinical trial where examination of cerebrospinal fluid samples from Alzheimer patients suggested that the improved mental functioning was associated with increased release of toxic amyloid out of the brain.

However, scientists strongly cautioned that the study also showed that the drug was not helpful, and may have even increased cognitive decline, in individuals who began the treatment much later in the disease process. "Understanding how this drug may be beneficial in very early stage patients is obviously important for further development of new treatments for Alzheimer's Disease," says Dr. Michael Mullan, Executive Director of the Roskamp Institute. The Institute's scientists have been awarded National Institutes of Health funding to develop second-generation drugs designed to replicate the potential beneficial effects of Nilvadipine without some of the unwanted side effects such as unnecessary lowering of blood pressure. Dr. Mullan added, "the development of drugs for Alzheimer's Disease has been fraught with multiple late-stage clinical failures, but one area of consensus which has emerged is that for effectiveness of many experimental drugs the treatment must start very early in the disease process. I believe we are seeing the same effect with this treatment, and we must endeavor to increase both the potency and early use of such medicines."

Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School who is familiar with the results commented, "The possibility that Nilvadipine may impact the three main pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (amyloid, tau and neuroinflammation) makes it potentially very useful among current therapies. While more trials are needed, the hope is this drug will ultimately be effective for both presymptomatic prevention and treating early-stage patients."

The results are published today in the scientific journal Frontiers in Neurology.

More than 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's Diseasewhich is the 6th leading cause of death, according to the Alzheimer's Associationand is the most expensive disease in the country, costing $21 million per hour. The study took place over 18 months in nine European countries and was largely funded by the European Commission.

ABOUT THE ROSKAMP INSTITUTE

The Roskamp Institute's mission is understanding causes and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and addictions. The Institute utilizes a broad range of highly advanced scientific approaches to understand the causes of, and potential therapies for, these disorders. From this work, novel treatments developed by the Roskamp Institute have been clinically tested in Europe and the U.S. If you wish to sponsor or learn more about our critical research, please visit www.roskampinstitute.org.

The Roskamp Institute, a not for profit public charity located in Sarasota, Florida, is a state of the art scientific research and clinical facility. The Institute is funded by peer reviewed grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration and charitable donations.

SOURCE Roskamp Institute

Related Links

http://www.roskampinstitute.org


Highlights Indian Army will build quarantine facilities all over the country in the waking of rising coronavirus cases. Tentative locations include Jaisalmer, Suratgarh, Secunderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Service personnel have also been asked to utilise shopping complex facilities within cantonments and military stations.

The Indian Army will establish quarantine facilities for 1,500 people at different locations across the country in the wake of rising cases of novel coronavirus infections outside China, two officials familiar with the move said on Friday.

The tentative locations where such facilities will come up as part of the governments overall efforts to control the spread of Covid-19 include Jaisalmer, Suratgarh, Secunderabad, Chennai and Kolkata, said one of the officials cited above.

Service personnel have also been asked to utilise shopping complex facilities within cantonments and military stations and avoid visits to crowded areas, including shopping malls and movie halls, the second official said on condition of anonymity. The army has also asked its personnel to avoid non-essential foreign travel.

In consonance with various advisories issued by the government, the Army Headquarters has issued detailed instructions with respect to preparations and emergency response in tackling Covid-19, said the first official. The latest advisory includes detailed instructions for actions at various military stations, army formations and service hospitals.

Local military authorities have been asked to exercise control to avoid or postpone non-essential public gatherings, the second official said. The advisory has asked military hospitals to establish isolation wards and have separate out-patient departments for screening of symptomatic cases to prevent avoidable transmission. These hospitals will work in synergy with local civil medical authorities and designated Indian Council of Medical Research laboratories. Also, regular health education and counselling activities will be carried out at all military stations.

The Indian Air Force has also issued guidelines to all HQs on dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. A circular issued on Wednesday said all social, official and welfare gatherings should be postponed or cancelled. Personnel have also been told to avoid non-essential travel. Earlier this week, the navy postponed its biggest maritime exercise called Milan due to the spread of coronavirus. The multi-nation naval drills were to be staged off the Vishakhapatnam coast from March 18 to 28. The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses deferred a key security conference scheduled for next week due to the Covid 19 scare that was scheduled to take place in New Delhi on March 12-13.

Lieutenant General BK Chopra (retd), a former Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, said, From natural calamities to outbreak of communicable diseases such as the coronavirus, you can count on armed forces to deliver in an effective and systematic manner.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Talk about having a lot of gas.

A Georgia man is accused of swindling a supplier out of $85,000 worth of high-quality gasoline  about 35,000 gallons - and selling the fuel at a cut rate to a Staten Island company.

Decarlos Butler, 34, pulled off the scheme last spring, prosecutors allege.

Heres how it worked:

The defendant claimed to be the owner of a business called Great Lakes Commodities, said prosecutors.

While Butler has a bank account in that name, it is basically his personal account, prosecutors said.

Last April, Butler contacted staff at United Metro Energy and sought to obtain, on credit, high-quality gas valued at $85,000, prosecutors said.

The fuel is the type sold at gas stations.

According to its Web site, United Metro supplies gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel and biofuel throughout the city, Long Island and Westchester county.

Billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis, a former Republican Party mayoral candidate, owns the company.

Butler was to sell the gas and not pay back the $85,000, said prosecutors.

Staff at United Metro confused Great Lakes Commodities with a similarly-named company and accidentally approved his credit application, prosecutors said.

Great Lakes Commodities owns no trucks, so Butler arranged for another company to pick up the gasoline and transport it to Clean Water of New York, which is based in Mariners Harbor.

Clean Water is a barge-cleaning and maritime waste-removal company.

There are no allegations of wrongdoing against Clean Water.

Butler, who didnt have the connections to sell the gas to service stations for a profit, sold it to Clean Water for $10,000, said prosecutors.

Clean Water offered Butler that amount because the gas was of a different quality than the company typically buys, prosecutors said.

Butler was under pressure to unload the gas, as his agreement with United Metro called for him to pay back his $85,000 bill within a few days.

The transactions occurred between May 30 and June 7, said an indictment.

Clean Water wired the agreed-upon $10,000 to Great Lakes Commodities bank account, but Butler never paid United Metro or the transportation company, prosecutors said.

He withdrew the money from the account several days after receiving it, said prosecutors.

Butler has been indicted on charges of grand larceny, stolen-property possession and scheme to defraud.

He had pleaded not guilty; the case is pending in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Butlers lawyer did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the case.

Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Curiale is prosecuting it.
The involvement of teenagers in acts offensive to the law, continue to occupy the attention of the Royal SVG Police Force.





In a release earlier this week, the Police informed that they had arrested and charged a 15-year-old student and a 17-year-old mechanic, both of Green Hill, for unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on a 56-year-old farmer also of the same address.





In a police report on the incident which occurred on February 2 at Green Hill, the young men are said to have beaten the farmer about his body with a piece of steel.





The teenagers appeared before the Family Court on Monday 2nd March to answer to the charges. They pleaded not guilty and were granted station bail and ordered not to contact the virtual complainant.





The matter was adjourned to June 26, 2020.
PEMBERVILLE, OH  Authorities say a 19-year-old Michigan man shot and killed an Ohio teenager in her home before turning the gun on himself.

The Associated Press reports Lukas Miller, 19, of Clay Township and Cierra McCrory, 17, of Pemberville, Ohio were both found in a home in the city around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, March 5.

An initial investigation by the Wood County Sheriffs Department found the deaths were from an apparent murder-suicide, but they are still working to determine what relationship McCrory and Miller had and what spurred the shooting.

McCrory was junior at Eastwood High School, where grief counselors have been brought in to help fellow students deal with the tragedy.

Miller had also been a student at Eastwood, withdrawing about three years ago, according to the Associated Press.
Kim Kardashian had a grocery run with none other than David Letterman on Thursday.

The reality star, 39, was seen pushing a cart full of shopping bags from CVS/Pharmacy outside of the Calabasas store alongside the late night icon, 72.

A film crew accompanied the famous duo as they stocked up on some essentials together.

Stocking up! Kim Kardashian had a grocery run with none other than David Letterman on Thursday

While Kim was dressed to the nines in her black leather skirt, David kept it very casual in a dark blue button down shirt and khakis.

Kim was looking fabulous in a yellow blouse, clear high heels, and head full of loose, long waves.

The businesswoman was a vision with her complexion expertly done up.

A swipe of peachy blush, lashes, and lip gloss accentuated her naturally gorgeous complexion.

Having a chat: David walked in sync with Kim, and at one point shared a moment with her as he held onto her hands, seemingly sharing some important words with her

Walk this way: Kim worked a clear pair of high heels for the grocery outing

What did you get? Kim's cart was packed with several full bags

David walked in sync with Kim, and at one point shared a moment with her as he held onto her hands, seemingly sharing some important words with her.

It seems as though the pair had accomplished quite a bit of shopping, with Kim's cart carrying several full bags, including a plunger.

A cameraman followed the pair as they walked outside of the shop together.

It's likely Kim was filming another segment for her upcoming appearance on David's Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

She needs no introduction! It's likely Kim was filming another segment for her upcoming appearance on David's Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction

Lights, camera, action: Kim won't be the first West to appear on the show, as her husband Kanye West had previously appeared on the show as well

Glammed up: Kim was looking fabulous in a yellow blouse, clear high heels, and head full of loose, long waves

Kim was seen at the studio filming his show back in February.

Kim won't be the first West to appear on the show, as her husband Kanye West had previously appeared on the show as well.

The appearance comes just hours after Kim was in Washington D.C. to speak with President Trump once again about criminal justice reform on Wednesday.

Following along: A cameraman followed the pair as they walked outside of the shop together

Kim brought with her Alice Johnson, who she helped get released from prison in 2018, and three newly-freed prisoners.

Kim is currently studying to become a lawyer, and is gearing up to take the California bar exam.

Though Kim is not attending law school, she is eligible to take the bar through an alternative path known as 'reading the law', apprenticing through a practicing lawyer or judge.

Kim revealed to Vogue back in April she had been mentoring with practicing attorneys with the hopes of taking the infamously difficult test in 2022.
Strong consumer spending has been driving up freight volumes in El Paso, Texas, and New Mexico ports of entry the past several weeks.

As American consumers keep spending money, factories in Juarez, Mexico, keep producing goods such as computers, televisions, medical equipment, cars and auto parts, industry insiders said.

Juarez is across the U.S.-Mexico border from the Port of El Paso and the Port of Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

"The Port of Santa Teresa and El Paso are tied to the global economy," Jerry Pacheco, president of the Border Industrial Association in Santa Teresa, said in an interview with FreightWaves. "If consumer confidence is good, factories in Juarez keep producing and trucks keep moving."

U.S. import volumes from Mexico (CSTM.MEXUSA) are up 33% month-over-month, contributing to a 23.6% year-over-year (OTVIY.ELP) and a 36.8% month-over-month (OTVIM.ELP) increase in outbound truckload volumes, according to statistics from FreightWaves SONAR.

U.S. imports from Mexico are up 33% month-over-month, contributing to a 36.8% month-over-month increase in outbound truckload volumes from El Paso, Texas. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR

Outbound tender rejection rates in El Paso tripled in the past week to 7.53% before dropping back to 5.63% Wednesday.

Driver wait times (WAIT.ELP) in El Paso are averaging 2.5 hours per load but usually increase to around five hours in midsummer during the peak produce season from Mexico.

The Santa Teresa port of entry is 13 miles from El Paso and sees the same imports moving across the border from Juarez.

"Factories in Juarez make everything: Dell laptop computers, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, medical devices, car parts  anything that goes on the inside of a car is made in Juarez," Pacheco said. "El Paso and Santa Teresa keep benefiting from their proximity to Juarez, which he called "the king of maquiladoras."

There are around 330 maquiladoras  factories in Mexico owned by foreign companies  with more than 250,000 workers. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Lear, Aptiv, Siemens and Foxconn have manufacturing facilities in Juarez.

Story continues

"Foxconn is one of the biggest companies in the world; the factory in Juarez produces 70,000 Dell laptops every day," Pacheco said.

Commercial imports for February are up 16.58% at the Santa Teresa port of entry, compared to February 2019, according to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

For the year-to-date, commercial imports in Santa Teresa are up 23.7%, compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Image Sourced from Pixabay

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Coronavirus in India updates: As the count of cases of COVID-19 has increased to 31, all state governments as well as the Centre has jumped into action. The Lok Sabha has also issued an advisory to the MPs. The advisory mentions how to prevent coronavirus, including avoiding large gatherings. The Indian Army has also issued detailed instructions to all the army officers. It has asked military hospitals to establish isolation wards and has said that it will establish quarantine facilities for 1,500 personnel. Additionally, the UGC has also asked universities to stop large gatherings.

Also read: Coronavirus in India: Number of confirmed cases reaches 31

Follow the latest coronavirus news updates here:

4:55 pm: Netherlands reported first death due to coronavirus

"An 86-year-old man with COVID-19 who was admitted to the Ikazia hospital in Rotterdam has died. This is the first patient in the Netherlands to die of the coronavirus," the National Institute for Public Health said in a statement.

4:50 pm: Serbia reports first case of COVID-19

Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said on Friday that a 43-year-old man who travelled to Budapest has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

4:45 pm: Morning assembly of schools in Delhi has been stopped

4:36 pm: Strict action should be taken against shopkeepers who charge extra for masks: Health Minister

"There is no need to create panic about the need to wear masks. Strict action should be taken against shopkeepers who are charging more than the fixed price for masks," said Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

4:35 pm: Vatican reports its first case of coronavirus

4:32 pm: No case of coronavirus in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

"I have held a meeting with all concerned officers. Till today, no positive case of #Coronavirus detected in West Bengal. There is no need to panic," said CM Mamata Banerjee.

4:28 pm: Iran foreign minister's adviser dies of coronavirus

Iranian foreign minister's adviser dies of coronavirus. Hossein Sheikholeslam took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis. He was also a former ambassador to Syria. He served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997.

4:15 pm: Govt suspends biometric attendance for its employees

#CoronaVirusUpdate:



As a precautionary measure, #DoPT has issued guidance regarding Biometric Attendance for Govt employees, till 31st March 2020.#CoronaOutbreak #SwasthaBharat #HealthForAll #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/njTEM3wiuS Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 6, 2020 4:06 pm: Samsung suspends work at South Korea factory Samsung Electronics suspended operations at its smartphone factory in South Korea's southeastern city of Gumi again on Friday after another worker tested positive for coronavirus, a spokeswoman said. The plant will resume production on Saturday, she said. 4:05 pm: Netherlands reports its first coronavirus case 4:00 pm: NRAI postpones Shooting World Cup National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has said that the Shooting World Cup that was scheduled to be held between March 15 and 26 has been postponed. "Fresh dates will be announced shortly," said NRAI. 3:55 pm: Sale of meat in open areas banned in Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate Selva Kumari J has issued order to ban sale of meat, semi-cooked meat, fish and chopped vegetable & fruit in open areas in the district in view of coronavirus. 3:43 pm: Haryana on alert "The administration and all hospitals are on alert. We will avoid/postpone all non-essential mass gatherings till the situation improves," said Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. 3:41 pm: UGC issues advisories to universities "Avoid large gathering on campus, any student/staff with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries or in contact with an infected person in last 28 days should be home quarantined for 14 days," stated UGC in its advisory. 3:30 pm: Indian Army jumps into action in fight against coronavirus Indian Army has issued detailed instructions with respect to preparations and emergency response against COVID-19 fight. Military hospitals would establish isolation wards and have separate OPSs to screen symptomatic cases. These hospitals will work along with civil medical authorities and designated Indian Council of Medical Research labs. The Army will also establish quarantine facilities for 1,500 personnel in Jaisalmer, Suratgarh, Secundrabad, Chennai and Kolkata. 3:15 pm: Central armed forces cancel Holi Milan events As a preventive measure, all Central armed forces have cancelled their Holi Milan programmes. Earlier PM Modi had also stated that he would not join any Holi events this year. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has postponed Raising Day, which was to be held next week. 3:10 pm: Parliament issues advisory for MPs Lok Sabha issues advisory for Members of Parliament (MPs) and visitors, over #CoronaVirus. pic.twitter.com/BqdwpLcZOY ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020 2:55 pm: Tata Motors say JLR profits to be hit "Recognizing the present situation is highly uncertain and could change, the reduction in China sales resulting from the coronavirus presently is estimated to reduce Jaguar Land Rover's full year EBIT margin by about 1%," said Tata Motors. 2:31 pm: Trump to announce $8.3 billion to fight coronavirus President Donald Trump is expected to sign an $8.3 billion measure to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The legislation would provide federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, and help state and local governments prepare for and respond to the threat. 2:29 pm: Health Minister reviews preparedness Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today held review meeting with States over preparedness for Coronavirus. He stressed on the importance of keeping the testing&quarantine facilities, isolation wards, labs, in active readiness. pic.twitter.com/0Wl0y4EST0 ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020 2:25 pm: Australia announces $1 billion to fight coronavirus Australia will spend $1 billion to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday as the cases of the deadly infection in the country touched 61 on Friday. Morrison said the federal government will go 50-50 with the states to meet the public health cost of the coronavirus treatment. 2:17 pm: None of the Amritsar tourists have symptoms: SDM Punjab: 13 Italian nationals have been kept in isolation at a hotel in Amritsar, keeping in view the Coronavirus situation. Vikas Heera, SDM says, "None of the 13 people have symptoms for Coronavirus. They all are healthy. They have been isolated as a precautionary measure". pic.twitter.com/UdGeuEqd2T ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

2:15 pm: 'No coronavirus in Tamil Nadu,' says Health Minister

Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said, "There is no Coronavirus infection in the state. People should not panic but at the same time do not be careless as it is an airborne disease. We are doing 24x7 screening in Chennai. We also have dedicated ambulances on standby."

2:12 pm: Govt in talks with Iran to bring back Indians

The government is in talks with Iranian authorities to bring back Indians from the Persian Gulf country, senior officials said on Friday. A flight from Iran is expected to land in the country tonight and would be bringing around 300 swabs of Indians there who are suspected of having coronavirus, they said.

2:11 pm: IIFA postponed due to coronavirus

Coronavirus threat impacts the schedule of the 20th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) and the Lotus Makeup India Fashion Week (LMIFW), which now stand postponed: PTI.

2:08 pm: Coronavirus cases rise to 97,510: WHO

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the world rose to 97,510, including 3,345 deaths, across 85 countries and territories by 1700 GMT Thursday, according to a report compiled by AFP from official sources. Since 1700 GMT Wednesday, 2,699 new contaminations and 100 new deaths were identified.

2:06 pm: Day-long training on COVID-19 organised

Day-long national level training on Covid-19 has been organized by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and WHO. This was inaugurated by Health Secretary Preeti Sudan. It was attended by 280 health officials from all states, and hospitals of railways, defence, and paramilitary forces. It was also virtually attended by 1,000 nodes across the country.

2:00 pm: RBI Governor predicts slowdown due to COVID-19

"We expect global growth to slow down due to coronavirus; all central banks are resolved to work in close coordination," said RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

1:55 pm: "This is not a drill," says WHO

World health officials have warned that countries are not taking the coronavirus crisis seriously enough, as outbreaks surged across Europe and in the United States where medical workers sounded warnings over a "disturbing" lack of hospital preparedness. "This is not a drill. This epidemic is a threat for every country, rich and poor," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

1:50 pm: Bhutan bans tourists after first case

"The government will impose two weeks restriction on all incoming tourists with immediate effect. This is to enable rigorous monitoring, source assessment of infection and mitigate the situation," stated a notification issued by the Bhutan government. The country detected its first case in an Armenian entered the country via India.

1:45 pm: Govt issues travel advisory

"It is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed till the disease spread is contained. In the case of any such gatherings, States may take necessary action to guide organizers on precautions to be taken," stated an advisory issued by the health ministry.

1:40 pm: Google, Facebook ask employees to work from home in US

Social media giant Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google on Thursday recommended their San Francisco Bay area employees work from home to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Facebook said it is "strongly recommending that all Bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting Friday."

1:35 pm: Asian Development Bank predicts a slowdown

Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that the outbreak could slash global gross domestic product by 0.1 to 0.4%, with financial losses forecast to reach between $77 billion and $347 billion.

1:30 pm: Iranian group quarantined at Amritsar hotel

A group of 13 people from Iran have been quarantined at an Amritsar Hotel. They have been isolated in their rooms and medical examinations are being conducted. They have been asked not to go out till their medical examination is over.
The Illinois Department of Public Health recently took a big step in a wise direction when it acquired the ability to conduct in-state tests for coronavirus. The disease originated in China in the city of Wuhan, located in the province of Hubei, and quickly became enough of a concern the World Health Organization branded it a global health emergency, is justifiably the subject of widespread media reports as well as public speculation.

Although we understand and agree with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its assessment risk to the American public remains low at this time, that doesnt take away from the fact two Illinoisans have already tested positive, a woman who recently traveled to Wuhan and her husband. Nearly 50 other residents have been tested, though no other cases have been confirmed.

With the ability to test in house, state officials can cut wait times for results down to about 24 hours, which will be helpful not just to folks displaying symptoms but also in keeping the public informed and, hopefully, unafraid. After all, the faster a result is received the easier it will be to either contain those with confirmed cases or allow test subjects to return to their normal lives.

At the time of the IDPH announcement, Illinois was the first state to be able to conduct tests without shipping lap specimens elsewhere. Plans are to get testing online at state labs in Springfield and Carbondale. Not everyone with a respiratory condition is eligible, the state is looking for criteria such as having traveled to China or hitting other exposure check marks. The current thought is symptoms show up two to 14 days after exposure and that transmission of the virus doesnt happen before a person develops symptoms.

Those conditions are further evidence why the IDPH was wise to react so quickly to develop a testing protocol. We are hopeful the coronavirus concern is only temporary and presume state health officials are closely monitoring the need to maintain this ability and balancing expense against the benefit to the general welfare of state residents.

A virus such as this shouldnt be taken lightly. Already more than 1,000 people have died. Nearly all those deaths have been in China, and the disease has barely 2 percent fatality rate so far, but we dont get a second chance to control a pandemic, so prudent investment in containment is easily justified.

The CDC is recommending an avoidance of all nonessential to China, a logical suggestion at this point. Beyond that, concerns about coronavirus in Illinois can be directed to IDPHs new hotline  call 800-889-3931  or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. Furthermore, employ good personal hygiene practices and take the same precautions health experts are already recommending due to an active flu season.

Were glad to know state officials are taking this concern seriously and hope readers find a measure of comfort in the governments response. Information is essential.

 News-Tribune, LaSalle
An Irish woman, suspected to be infected with coronavirus, who was reported missing from a government hospital in Odisha, has been found at a hotel in state capital Bhubaneswar. Officials in Bhubaneswar hospital where she was initially referred to refuted reports that the foreign national refused to get admitted in SCB Medical College and hospital in Cuttack.

Live Updates: Tracking the Spread of Coronavirus

She was at Biju Patnaik International airport in Bhubaneswar on Thursday after showing flu-like symptoms and was taken to citys Capital Hospital. The woman was then referred to isolation ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack along with a person who was accompanying him, said B Maharana emergency officer of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the test reports of blood and swab samples of a couple from Kanpur who had arrived at Paradip port on March 3 in a Singapore ship has tested negative for Covid-19. Director of State health department, Ajit Mohanty, said that the couple will remain in isolation ward for next one week.

However, the test reports of a youth of Sonepur district, who returned from Dubai on February 27 and showed symptoms of coronavirus infection, is yet to be received. The youth been admitted to a special ward at VIMSAR medical college and hospital in Sambalpur district and kept in isolation.

Odisha health minister Naba Kishore Das has urged Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to set up a coronavirus testing laboratory at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The ministry of health and family welfare has already notified the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar as a laboratory for Covid-19. In the absence of a testing lab, the blood sample of the patients are being sent to the virology institute in Pune.

The total number of coronavirus positive cases in India reached 31 on Friday after a man from Delhis Uttam Nagar tested positive for coronavirus. The patient had travelled to Malaysia and Thailand, the health ministry said in a statement.

The virus started spreading in China in late December, but is now recording an exponential spike outside of the country. Iran, South Korea and Italy are among the nations where the outbreak is now most serious.

We are calling on every country to act with speed, scale and clear-minded determination, WHOs director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing at the UN health agencys Geneva headquarters.

India has activated its massive health care machinery to trace and isolate new infections, tapping into a network of more than 3,00,000 workers who are deployed across the country. India also revised its travel advisory and asked passengers from South Korea and Italy to produce a certificate saying they are Covid-19 free.
The recently found attitude of boycotting by former president John Dramani Mahama should be brought to book, condemned and used against him in 2020 by well-meaning Ghanaians.

His attitude, posture, speeches and exhibitions seriously take his name out of the books of statesmanship and the character a titled statesman should portray.

If nothing at all, to have boycotted and still boycotting very sensitive national events such as the recent State Of Nation Address (SONA) and the 63rd Independence Anniversary Celebration are and could only be described as improvident, nitwitted and irresponsible.

It is also vividly clear that John Mahama's boycott of the 63rd Independence Anniversary Celebration is out of passionate hatred towards the Asante Kingdom, the Asantehene and the people of Kumasi. He is angry that Kumasi, the Asante Kingdom and Asantehene for that matter hosted such a colorful event.

This hatred traces its roots back to the speech delivered by the Asantehene at the UN General Assembly which relates to the Otumfuor's mediation role which compelled he, John Mahama to concede defeat in the 2016 general election.

Former President John Dramani Mahama is by all indications surrounded by an advisory team led by an Ahithophel and in this case he, John Mahama has become a patchy, misinformed and misled about by very ridiculous, Ahithophelically possessed counselors.

The NDC at this point should be worried about their state of affairs and how bad John Mahama's leadership as flagbearer is pulling down the little fortunes left of the party.

2020 is definitely a lose-lose game for the NDC owing to the unrepentant misbehavior of their flag bearer and his Ahithophelic counsel of elders. John Mahama should be counseled against his skin pain boycotts of national events knowing he is an ex-president and for that matter a statesman.

A statesman must definitely be a responsible person acting as such and he, John Mahama lacks this merit. This giddy-brained attitude, certainly, is not statesmanship.

Reindolf Amankwa

Member, CTI-Middle Belt
The opposition BJP MLAs on Friday protested in the Jharkhand Assembly over the delay in designating Babulal Marandi, who was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party recently, as the Leader of Opposition.

Marandi had merged his Jharkhand Vikas Morcha - Prajatantrik (JVM-P) with the BJP last month and was elected the leader of the saffron party's legislature group. However, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto has still not designated Marandi, the first chief minister of the state, as the Leader of Opposition.

BJP MLAs have been disrupting the proceedings of the House on the issue since Saturday last.

The BJP members on Friday trooped into the well and staged a sit-in in the first session. They came to the House in the second half, covering their mouth with a saffron cloth.

As the speaker continued with the business of the House, the BJP members clapped before staging a walkout.

Earlier in the first session, the Speaker said that there would be no compromise with the question hour and took up some questions.

"Please allow the House in order, I pray to you. If you refuse my prayer then it will be an unfortunate situation," the speaker lamented and adjourned the House till noon after 45 minutes into the first session.

Former minister and BJP MLA Randhir Kumar Singh knelt and prostrated in the well, urging the speaker to take an early decision on LoP, prompting the speaker to ask the protesting members not to indulge contrary to behaviour.

The Speaker has been repeatedly urging the opposition members to give him some time to look into the legal process.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Ukrainian side in the Minsk Trilateral Group submitted a list of more than 200 people to be released during the next prisoner swap.

We have submitted a list of more than 200 people in Minsk. It is very important. We found out the names of these people, where they are. We do not know when and from which regions we will return these people, but we definitely strive for that, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Turkish TV channel "TRT", the press service of the Head of State reports.

The President notes that some people whom Ukraine wants to exchange may have already died.

"Some of them were tortured, we do not know who is there. But, unfortunately, we know that we can only return the bodies of some of these people. There are people in the Minsk group working on all these issues, he said.

In addition, according to the President, the issue of the rights of the Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea is discussed with Russia.

The Head of State said that all diplomatic means should be used to end the war and return people.

It is very important to speak about the areas of disengagement of forces. I mean, last year we determined three humanitarian disengagement areas. There are three other sites that we discuss, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

At the same time, according to him, the issue of Crimea remains the most difficult in the negotiations, but it is impossible to speak about the territorial integrity of Ukraine without it.

When I participated in the Normandy format meeting, I raised this issue, but everyone talked about Donbas, about how to stop the war in Donbas. There was no Crimea in any agreement. Crimea is a strategic issue for us. We cannot speak about the territorial integrity of Ukraine without discussing the issue of Crimea, the President said.

ol
The Bhutan Prime Ministers Office (PMO) on Friday morning announced that a 76-year-old American tourist who entered the country from India has tested positive for the deadly novel coronavirus in the countrys first reported case since the outbreak in China. The PMO made the announcement on its social media page on Facebook and Twitter.

Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering also addressed the nation at 9 am. It was telecast live.

The PMO said that eight Indian passengers who travelled with the American on the same plane from Guwahati to Paro have been quarantined.

As a precautionary measure, the Himalayan country has imposed restriction on movement of tourists into the country for two weeks. The PMO said that the affected American, who had been kept in isolation and was on oxygen support, came into close contact with at least 90 people and efforts were on to trace them.

In a long press release posted on the Bhutan Prime Ministers Facebook page, the government said, The patient is a 76-year-old from the United States of America, who had come to Bhutan as a tourist. He had entered the country from Paro International Airport, after embarking Drukair flight KB241 from Guwahati, India on March 2.

The patient was touring India from February 21 to March 1. He had started his travel from Washington, DC on February 18. The patient was travelling with his partner, aged 59. There were 10 passengers on board, of which eight others were Indian nationals. At the Paro International Airport, the patients health declaration form was assessed. He had indicated negative against all conditions. He did not have a sign of fever, the statement said.

It further said that the tourist complained of bloaty abdomen and nausea when he reached Thimpu and went to a hospital. The patient and his partner stayed at Le Meridien on the first night. The following day, he stayed indoor most of the time and went to the hospital again around 3.30 pm for stomach upset and diarrhoea. The next day, he travelled to Punakha, with two stops on the way for tea and lunch. He had stayed at Densa Boutique Resort. That evening, he had walked until the Bazam next to Punakha Dzong, and returned to the room, the statement said.

The tourist went to the hospital again on Thursday and tests confirmed the infection. Upon confirmation, he has been isolated in the Covid-19 hospital. Considering his age and underlying conditions, the patient is on oxygen support.

At the time of the press release, over 90 contacts have been traced. Health officials and other relevant agencies are in the process of carrying out primary disease management and contact tracing, the statement said.

The eight Indian passengers have also been quarantined. The government is closely working with the Indian Embassy, said the statement.

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By Sarah Young and Kate Holton LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Flybe collapsed on Thursday after a plunge in travel demand, making the long-struggling regional airline one of the first big corporate casualties of the coronavirus outbreak. The failure of an airline that connects all corners of the United Kingdom with major European destinations not only puts around 2,400 jobs at risk but could also see some airports struggle and regional economies hit. 'All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect,' Flybe said after the government walked away from a rescue package agreed in January.

By Sarah Young and Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Flybe collapsed on Thursday after a plunge in travel demand, making the long-struggling regional airline one of the first big corporate casualties of the coronavirus outbreak.

The failure of an airline that connects all corners of the United Kingdom with major European destinations not only puts around 2,400 jobs at risk but could also see some airports struggle and regional economies hit.

"All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect," Flybe said after the government walked away from a rescue package agreed in January.

Airlines around the world have been cancelling flights and warning of a hit to profitability after coronavirus first emerged in China, hitting flights across Asia, before it spread to Europe and beyond.

British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air and United Airlines are among those warning on the impact of a virus that looks set to hit the industry harder than the 2003 SARS outbreak.

Flybe's collapse will also cause more problems for Prime Minister Boris Johnson who had promised to "level up" Britain by investing in regional transport links.

His government had agreed a rescue deal for the 41-year-old airline in January, saying it was important to maintain connections across the country for its eight million passengers. It said on Thursday there was nothing more it could do.

"We are also urgently working with industry to identify how key routes can be re-established by other airlines as soon as possible," Transport Minister Grant Shapps said.

Scotland's Loganair, another regional airline, has committed to maintaining 16 Flybe routes, a junior minister told parliament, adding that the government "stands ready" to support regional airports by working with industry to keep others going.

But while some Flybe routes might be attractive to airlines with smaller planes like Loganair, many do not have enough passengers to attract airlines like easyJet and Ryanair, which operate bigger planes, aviation expert John Strickland said.

"There will be some routes which will get left uncovered because they simply are too small and not economically viable unless they're flown as subsidised routes," Strickland said.

Flybe, the largest independent regional airline in Europe, operated between 81 airports and was owned by Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital.

The owners said they had ploughed more than 135 million pounds ($174 million) into the business in the last 14 months, including around 25 million pounds pledged in January.

FINANCIAL TROUBLE

January's rescue deal had seen the government agree to match the owners' support for Flybe with a potential loan, a deferral of taxes and a review of local flight tax rules.

That briefly formed part of Johnson's plan to try to boost the regions of Britain beyond London. Without Flybe though, some regional airports like Exeter, Birmingham and Southampton will have much poorer connections.

However, rival airlines complained that the state should not prop up failing companies and environmental campaigners argued any move to reduce the cost of flying did not fit with the government's aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Flybe's 68 aircraft flew to airports including Belfast City in Northern Ireland, Jersey in the Channel Islands, Birmingham in central England and Scotland's Inverness and provided more than half of UK domestic flights outside London.

The pilot's union said airline staff had been betrayed by the owners and the government.

In a sign of the ripple effect the virus can have, Britain's biggest commercial free-to-air broadcaster ITV warned on Thursday its advertising revenue had already been hit by travel companies pulling spending.

Stobart and Virgin Atlantic said they were deeply disappointed with the outcome.

"Sadly, despite the efforts of all involved to turn the airline around, not least the people of Flybe, the impact of COVID-19 on Flybe's trading means that the consortium can no longer commit to continued financial support," they said.

It is the second major British airline to go bust in six months after the world's oldest travel firm Thomas Cook collapsed in September, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers and sparking the largest peacetime repatriation effort in British history.

The country's broader airline strategy was also thrown into disarray last week when a court ruled a plan to expand Europe's biggest airport Heathrow was unlawful.

($1 = 0.7755 pounds)

(Writing by Sarah Young and Kate Holton in London, additional reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Alexander Smith and Mark Potter)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Chubb Appoints Head of Claims, Complex Claims

Chubb has expanded its North America claims leadership team with two new appointments: Bill Hazelton was named head of Chubb North America Claims, and Megan Watt has been appointed to a newly created position, head of North America complex claims.

Hazelton will oversee the strategy for Chubbs commercial and personal lines claims operations.

Watt will lead a team designed to complement Chubbs underwriters and business partners, Chubb said. She has experience in casualty, mass tort and other complex claims, the company said.

Hazelton will report to Global Claims Officer Mike Smith. He will be based in Jersey City, N.J.

Hazelton joined Chubb in 2005. Previously, he served as practice leader for Chubbs Environmental, Excess Casualty and Construction Industry team. He received a Master of Arts degree in History from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History from James Madison University.

Watt will report to Hazelton and remain based in Basking Ridge, N.J. She has close to three decades of insurance and leadership experience. Watt received her juris doctor from New York Law School and graduated from Barnard College-Columbia University. She is a member of the New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Illinois Bar Associations.

Topa Hires Claims Auditor

Topa Insurance Company has hired Kari Stern as director of claims auditing and compliance.

Stern, based in Calabasis, Calif., is responsible for department-wide legal and regulatory compliance. She is the main liaison between Topas claims department and the California Department of Insurance. She manages the internal and external claims and compliance audits, and is responsible for managing the relationships with all third party-administrators.

Stern has 30 years expertise in litigation, risk management, and regulatory compliance for multiple lines including Commercial General Liability, Cyber, and Employment Practices Liability, Topa said.

Most recently, Stern was a senior claim manager at Tokio Marine, where she managed 20 claims personnel, completed risk assessment and reporting to re-insurance clients, and was an integral part of their Reinsurance Program Development Team. She had also worked for Western General Insurance Co. and Unitrins Speciality Lines Division.

Topa, which is headquartered founded in Southern California in 1981, describes itself as a boutique insurance carrier. John E. Anderson purchased the carrier in 1984 from Baldwin United Corp. and folded it into his Topa Equities Ltd., which is a privately-held conglomerate with business interests in automobile dealerships, beer and beverage distribution, real estate, property management, consumer finance and insurance with operations in California, Nevada, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Greenberg Traurig Adds 3 Insurance Attorneys

The Greenberg Traurig law firm has expanded its Insurance and Litigation practices with the appointment of shareholder Jon T. Neuman and of cousel Aaron J. Lockwood in Phoenix and Lisa M. Petrovsky in Los Angeles.

Neumann has represented insurers and other clients in complex disputes in federal and state courts, as well as in varied domestic and international arbitral forums, the law firm said.Neumann represents health insurers in health-benefits litigation and other high-stakes disputes with health care providers. He guides insurers through the legal aspects of complex coverage disputes, including class actions involving institutional bad faith claims, national insurance claim-handling programs, and computerized evaluation tools. He provides coordinating counsel services for the national defense of institutional claim-handling programs and offers counseling services to help insurers avoid litigation and minimize bad-faith exposure. Neumann also advises on the efficient and fair management of claim-handling operations.

Lockwood represents insurers in disputes arising from insurance coverage, claim handling, and alleged insurer bad faith, as well as other complex business disputes, the Greenberg firm said. He regularly represents insurance companies against contractual, extra-contractual, and punitive damages claims involving a range of insurance products. Lockwood represents health insurers in virtually all aspects of benefits litigation, as well as in high-stakes disputes with providers. He also advises corporate clients in a variety of complex litigation matters in state and federal courts and in arbitral forums around the country.

Petrovsky focuses her practice on the representation of insurance companies in complex arbitrations and litigation before federal and state courts. She advises on a wide range of coverage disputes, including products liability and toxic tort matters, issues involving property damage, and health insurance payor/provider matters. Petrovsky has experience in general commercial litigation and defends corporate clients in environmental and products liability cases.

The global law firm said it is expanding its litigation practice in response to client demand.The firm said it has added more than 75 attorneys to its Los Angeles and Phoenix offices collectively, including more than 25 in Litigation, more than 15 in Corporate, and 15 in Real Estate.
Extending AGL's ailing Liddell power station beyond the already delayed closure date of 2023 could pose a "major concern" for the health and safety of workers at the plant.

Matt Kean, the NSW Energy and Environment Minister, told budget estimates in Sydney on Friday the Hunter Valley coal-fired power plant was "a very old bit of kit" that "obviously becomes more dangerous" as it ages.

The pulverising mills at Liddell Power Station in the Hunter Valley. Credit:Janie Barrett

"It requires more investment in maintenance just to make it safe, let alone do its function, which is to provide electricity," Mr Kean, said.

The 1680-megawatt plant was "the oldest operating coal-fired power station of its type in the world. Even Russia has more modern coal-fired power stations", he said.
A London-based contemporary art gallery start-up is to expand in the capital by investing in opening a second site.

Unit London, founded by artists-turned- gallerists Joe Kennedy and Jonny Burt in Chiswick in 2013, has signed a lease with FTSE 250 West End landlord Shaftesbury to open a new concept space at 40 Earlham Street in Seven Dials.

The firm, which has exhibited work from artists such as Jake Wood-Evans and Zhuang Hong Yi, said the new 5500 sq ft of space will house Unit X from April.

Unit X will showcase exhibitions but also offer events, such as workshops, panel discussions and new product launches. Artist tie-ups with brands could also be on show.

Unit Londons Kennedy said it is a fresh and unique gallery concept.

Samantha Bain-Mollison, head of retail at Shaftesbury, said: This is a wholly bespoke and distinctive space in the heart of Londons West End, and now newly-refurbished, it lends itself perfectly to the immersive and creative offering that will be Unit X.
A man with pre-existing health conditions has contracted the coronavirus having never travelled to one of the hot zones abroad such as northern Italy.

The case, in Co Cork, is thought to be the first in the country of community spread of the virus and came as the number of confirmed cases in Ireland jumped last night by seven to 13.

It has also emerged a GP who has been struck down with the virus may have exposed hundreds of patients to the infection after he continued to work after returning from northern Italy.

It's understood two of yesterday's newly identified cases, announced at a briefing by the Department of Health, are linked to the GP and his family in the west.

Infectious

The GP from north Clare, whose wife and two children have also been diagnosed with the virus, carried out normal practice surgery on several days, out-of-hours duty and also did a shift in a busy hospital emergency department.

It is understood he also treated patients in a nursing home.

The four positive tests on Wednesday sparked an urgent hunt by public health doctors for patients who could have been exposed to the virus after the doctor became infectious.

The parents, their daughter and son are being treated in a hospital in the west of Ireland.

It is understood that while all are positive, it is just one of the children who has symptoms.

Of the seven new cases identified yesterday, four are travel-related from northern Italy, four males from the east of the country.

Two schools -a primary and secondary 10km apart - have been shut until March 18 and pupils have been told to restrict their movements. A number of children in a third school were also asked to go into isolation.

The doctor also did a shift in a west of Ireland hospital emergency department last week with a high number of patients on trolleys.

An emergency meeting took place at the hospital yesterday and student doctors were told to urgently self-isolate until March 12.

Following news of the positive test on Wednesday night, protocols were implemented and a section of the emergency department was closed.

A room or facility where a person who has tested positive for the virus has been disinfected. Patients were transferred out of the unit to allow for the cleaning.

Ambulance staff were informed not to transport patients to the emergency department while the cleaning was under way. Parents were yesterday coming to terms with the worrying news.

A text to parents said: "A person in your school has tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

"As a precaution, the school will be closed until March 18. The Department of Public Health HSE Mid-West will be in contact with you tomorrow with further information.

"This is the text the HSE has asked to have sent out to all parents and staff."

In a follow-up message to parents yesterday, they were asked to come and pick up textbooks this morning and tomorrow up to lunchtime.

"Take care and we will keep you posted," it said.

The third school, also a second level institution, was closed by school management pending advice from the HSE.

Tough

A handwritten sign on the front door of the school yesterday said it would "remain closed today pending advice from the HSE re: Covid-19 virus".

One parent of a child attending the primary school said: "We all got a text tonight confirming that a child in the school had been confirmed as testing positive for the virus.

"We really don't know what to do now. There's been a lot of talk on the parent's WhatsApp group and we haven't a clue what will happen next.

"My child is off school for the next two weeks, which means I'll have to stay at home and take time off my job. That's going to be very, very tough.

"I can't really ask someone else to mind him in case he has picked it up. I don't know what do."

The father of a secondary school student said: "The worrying thing is all the talk and rumours."
A Syrian rights watchdog and activists are reporting "relative calm" in Idlib Province after a cease-fire agreed to by the leaders of Turkey and Russia went into effect at midnight, although they said violence continued right up to the start of the truce.



The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in the early morning hours of March 6 that a cautious calm was prevailing on major fronts in Idlib.



An activist who lives in Idlib city also told the German dpa news agency that the situation was calm on all fronts around the war-torn city.



Shortly before the midnight cease-fire took effect, however, the observatory reported that air strikes by Russian warplanes and shelling by allied Syrian government forces had targeted the countryside of Idlib and areas near Hama.



It reported that two Turkish soldiers had been killed in shelling west of the city of Saraqeb.



Early on March 6, the Turkish Defense Ministry said its drones "neutralized" 21 Syrian regime troops in strikes hours before the cease-fire took effect in retaliation for the soldiers who were killed.



Following six hours of talks in Moscow on March 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced they had agreed to a cease-fire to begin at midnight for northwestern Idlib Province, as they sought to ease tensions over a recent flare-up of violence.



The cease-fire is to be enforced along existing battle lines and envisages setting up a 12-kilometer-wide security corridor along the M4 highway. The corridor is to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting on March 15.



The meeting came amid tensions in Idlib, Syria's last rebel stronghold, in recent weeks as Turkey launched an offensive against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russia.



A previous cease-fire deal for Idlib quickly fell apart, with Moscow and Ankara accusing each other of failing to adhere to that agreement.



After his meeting with Erdogan in Moscow, Putin expressed hope that the new agreement will "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population."



Erdogan said Turkey "reserves the right to retaliate with all its strength against any attack" by Syrian government forces.



On February 27, Ankara reported the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike blamed on Syria. That led to retaliation and, on March 1, Turkey killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes and shot down two government warplanes.



Turkey and Russia -- which back opposing sides in the conflict -- have avoided direct confrontation so far, but the latest incidents have led many observers to express concerns that NATO member Turkey and Russia could become embroiled in an armed conflict.



Ankara wants Assad's forces -- which have launched an assault on Idlib -- to pull back behind lines agreed under a 2018 deal brokered with Moscow.



Erdogan in late February told Putin that Russia should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces alone.



But Moscow, which has backed Assad with crucial air support in the past five years, has said the Syrian government should be able to assert full control over the country, which has been torn apart by civil war since 2011.



The United States has expressed strong support for Ankara, saying that "we stand by our NATO ally Turkey" and demanded that Syria and Russia end their "despicable" offensive in Idlib.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Interfax, dpa, and AP
A British judge ruled on Thursday that Dubais ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered the abduction of two of his daughters and orchestrated a campaign of intimidation against his former wife.

Judge Andrew McFarlane said he accepted as proved a series of allegations made by Mohammeds former wife, Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, 45, half-sister of Jordans King Abdullah, during a custody battle over their two children at Londons High Court.

Princess Latifa, one of the daughter of the Dubai ruler, had planned her great escape from Dubai, and the eventual plan was like a plot from a movie.

According to news agency Reuters, Princess Latifa had confided in her fitness trainer and Finnish national Tiina Jauhiainen and asked her to contact former French naval officer and spy Herve Jaubert who had written the book Escape from Dubai. It took six months for them to plot the escape.

On February 24, 2018, Latifa was dropped off by her driver at a cafe in downtown Dubai where she and Jauhiainen had been meeting regularly for breakfast. Inside, she went to the bathroom to change her clothes, dumped her mobile phone and the pair set off on a six-hour drive from Dubai through Oman to its coastal capital Muscat, according to Reuters.

She then took a dinghy and rode jet skis to a waiting boat which was to take the princess and her companion to freedom. They were heading to Goa.

But on March 4, they were intercepted by commando units from India and the United Arab Emirates, Jauhiainen said.

We had Indian coastguard boats surrounding us, there were helicopters, aeroplanes, the whole boat was filled with smoke, she told Reuters. They looted the boat, they beat the crew. Latifa was kidnapped kicking and screaming and the rest of us were kidnapped as well and taken to UAE.

Jaubert said he captained the vessel and witnessed the raid. He said Indian navy commandos attacked and Latifa was taken off the boat by an Emirati officer. He added that he was beaten for 45 minutes, but did not specify by whom.

Reuters tried to contact Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, but he did not respond to a request for comment on Indias alleged role in the operation.

Princess Haya had described this incident to the British judge who upheld her allegation that Latifa, whos now 35, was abducted by an armed Indian commando team at sea, reported Bloomberg.
In its maiden budget, the Maha vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra on Friday announced sops for farmers, proposed to increase VAT on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre and reduced electricity duty for industries

Mumbai: In its maiden budget, the Maha vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra on Friday announced sops for farmers, proposed to increase VAT on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre and reduced electricity duty for industries.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a revenue deficit budget of Rs 9,511 crore and proposed the size of annual plan 2020-21 at Rs 1,15,000 crore in the assembly.

The budget estimates put the fiscal deficit at Rs 54618.38 crore.

Tabling the first budget of the MVA government, which completed 100 days in office on Friday, Pawar also announced tax concession proposals.

This included 1 percent stamp duty concession for the next two years and other related charges applicable on registration of documents in the areas falling under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and municipal corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur.

He proposed to reduce electricity duty on industrial use from 9. 3 percent to 7.5 percent of consumption charges.

Pawar said the concession in stamp duty will help promote the real estate sector in the wake of slowdown.

The reduction in electricity duty will help promote industries in the state, the finance minister said.

Due to the tax concessions, it is expected that there will be yearly revenue loss of around Rs 2,500 crore.

Similarly, Pawar proposed to increase VAT (value-added tax) on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre.

This will enrich the state exchequer by an additional Rs 1,800 crore, the finance minister told the assembly.

He announced a one-time settlement scheme for farmers whose crop loan is more than Rs 2 lakh, including principle and interest, from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.

The government will transfer Rs 2 lakh in bank accounts of eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above Rs 2 lakh, as on September 30, 2019, is repaid by them, Pawar said.

Similarly, farmers who will regularly repay their dues up to June 30, 2020 and for crop loan taken by them during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, a maximum of Rs 50,000 will be given to them as incentive for the amount of crop loan taken during 2018-19, the finance minister said.

He said the government has set a target of feeding one lakh people through its 'Shiv Bhojan' meal scheme.

The finance minister made a provision of Rs 150 crore for the subsidised food scheme for the poor.

Pawar said the budget proposals focus on tackling challenges of economic slowdown and creation of employment.

He said the government will create a dedicated fund, called "Green fund", which will be utilised for conservation of the environment.

Money from this special fund will be specifically used for projects related to sewage disposal and waste management, the finance minister said.

Pawar said the tax revenue as per revised estimates for the year 2019-20 is expected to be Rs 2,16,824 crore.

He said in 2019-20, budget revenue receipt of Rs 3,14,640 crore was expected.

However, due to a decrease in receipt of state share in central taxes by Rs 8,543 crore, the revenue receipts have been revised to Rs 3,09,000 crore, he said.

In budget 2020-21, the revenue receipt is estimated at Rs 3,47,457 crore and revenue expenditure at Rs 3,56,968 crore.

"As a result, a revenue deficit of Rs 9,511 crore is indicated," he said.

Pawar said the total amount of outstanding debt and liabilities at the end of January 2020 stood at Rs 4,33,00,901 crore.

During the last five years, the state raised loans of Rs 2,82,448 crore, he said.

The cost of infrastructure projects undertaken by the government is Rs 2,78,271 crore and the state has to bear direct and indirect liability of these projects, Pawar said.
When the second installment of Lara Jean's love story was released onto Netflix last month, we were excited, then swooning, and finally, were left wanting more. Now, Netflix has delivered, giving POPSUGAR a first look at the behind-the-scenes bloopers from the filming of To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, where the cast just couldn't hold back their laughter.

In the exclusive clip, we get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of exactly what happens when the cameras are rolling. From a lantern spontaneously exploding in Noah Centineo's hands, to Lana Condor laughing at the most inappropriate moments (and Jordan Fisher trying valiantly to turn the scene around), to the sweet offscreen dynamic of onscreen sisters, played by Condor and Anna Cathcart, watch the sweet clip above, and just try to keep it together through the whole thing - we dare you.
PHILADELPHIA, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Anytime Fitness, the world's fastest-growing fitness franchise, recently announced plans to introduce over 25 new gyms in targeted areas throughout Pennsylvania. The community-focused brand will ramp up growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next three years.

Currently, there are nearly 80 thriving Anytime Fitness locations open throughout the state. Kickstarting this Pennsylvania development push have been two recent gym openings in Philadelphia, three throughout the Pittsburgh area, and one in Bradford. With an open real estate market, multiple successful existing franchisees, and a favorable competitive landscape, Pennsylvania is an obvious and attractive area for continued growth. Specifically, the world's leading fitness brand is looking for motivated franchise partners to develop new locations throughout Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Altoona, Scranton, and Allentown  all through single or multi-unit agreements.

Finding success in Pennsylvania are multi-unit operators Larry Appell and David Sabo who joined the franchise system in 2013 and now own more than 20 Anytime Fitness gyms, three of which are open and operating in Pennsylvania. The duo also owns eight additional licenses across the state with recent lease signings in Clearfield and Huntingdon.

"We believe in the customer-oriented approach to the fitness industry that Anytime Fitness embodies. Many other boutique facilities under-service their customers through limited engagement, limited services, etc. whereas we believe there is an obligation to our members to help guide them to achieve their health and wellness goals," said Sabo. "We're in the people business, building connections in our communities, and we're seeing tremendous success with the support of the franchise team."

The franchise development team at the corporate headquarters of Anytime Fitness (in Woodbury, MN) are looking for other qualified franchisees who share Sabo's desire to help others.

"With proof of concept in the region and a neighborhood-focused culture that resonates perfectly with the supportive atmosphere of our gyms, we're posed for explosive growth throughout the state," said Tom Gilles, Director of Sales and Real Estate for Self Esteem Brands, "Growing our presence in Pennsylvania provides an opportunity to build on our existing success while welcoming new franchisees looking to create a supportive gym community that helps members achieve their health and wellness goals."

When members join one Anytime Fitness gym, they gain access to all 4,800 Anytime Fitness gyms worldwide, at no extra cost. Gyms are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are equipped with state-of-the-art strength training and cardio equipment, personal training sessions, and small group programs. Through support and guidance from trainers and staff, and encouragement from a community of members, Anytime Fitness aims to motivate individuals, no matter where they live or their physical fitness level.

"We're not looking to simply grow a franchise brand  we're looking to grow and help individuals reach their specific goals and achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle," said Chuck Runyon, co-founder and CEO Anytime Fitness. "We're searching for local entrepreneurs who share our passion for building relationships and helping others so that we can achieve that vision in communities across the state."

For more information on the Anytime Fitness franchise opportunity, visit www.anytimefitness.com/franchise or call (800) 704-5004.

Interested franchisees who purchase Pennsylvania territories prior to the end of March 2020 will receive a 25 percent discount on the franchise fee, a $10,000 savings on a single territory purchase. Additionally, those who sign prior to March 27 will receive almost $5,000 in free equipment to help get off the ground and running in furnishing their new facilities.

About Anytime Fitness

For 12 consecutive years, Anytime Fitness has been the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world, averaging 300 new gyms per year while serving 4,000,000 members at 4,800 gyms on all seven continents. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and friendly, personal service in well-maintained facilities which feature top-quality exercise equipment. Anytime Fitness gyms are now open in nearly 40 countries. All franchised gyms are individually owned and operated. Join one gym and use them all. For more information about Anytime Fitness and its franchise opportunities, please visit www.anytimefitness.com.

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YEREVAN, 6 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 6 March, USD exchange rate is up by 0.22 drams to 479.82 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 6.05 drams to 541.96 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.19 drams to 7.04 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 3.55 drams to 623.29 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 285.43 drams to 25601.93 drams. Silver price is down by 0.65 drams to 265.34 drams. Platinum price is down by 163.49 drams to 13359.41 drams.
MANILA, Philippines  Nine Korean nationals who are wanted by authorities in their country have been arrested, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

In a statement issued Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Korean fugitives, who were wanted for telecommunication fraud, were arrested on Wednesday night.

The nine arrested were confirmed by Korean authorities to be fugitives from justice, all facing criminal cases in their homelands, Morente said.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. added that the subjects were wanted in Korea for voice phishing, who preyed on their fellow Koreans.

Manahan said they launched the operation upon receiving information from Korean authorities.

Commissioner Morente immediately issued a Mission Order for the arrest of these wanted criminals upon confirmation of their location, he added.

The foreigners were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the bureaus Intelligence Division, the Quezon City Police Department and the Korean police.

This is the result of coordination with our foreign counterparts, as well as local law enforcement agencies, he added.

Those arrested will undergo booking procedures and will be endorsed to the bureaus Legal Division for initiation of deportation proceedings.

The post 9 Korean fugitives arrested in PH  BI appeared first on UNTV News.
About 8.27 lakh people who returned to Beijing from an extended Chinese Lunar New Year holiday are currently undergoing a 14-day home quarantine to help contain the deadly new coronavirus, the city's epidemic control office said on Friday.

The Chinese capital has so far reported 422 coronavirus cases, including eight deaths.

Zhang Tongjun, deputy head of the epidemic control office, said Beijing's anti-epidemic battle has entered a critical and difficult period as the possibility of further COVID-19 infection from both outside and within the city is still high.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) on Friday said the death toll in the novel coronavirus outbreak has touched 3,042 in the country, while the confirmed cases have risen to 80,552 amid signs that the dreaded viral infection was stabilising, including in the epicentre Hubei province.

With the virus spreading across the globe, China is concerned about "imported cases" meaning those coming from abroad who could carry the infection resulting in new wave of cases.

On Thursday, the NHC said 16 imported cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported on the mainland, including 11 in Gansu Province, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai. By the end of Thursday, 36 imported cases had been reported.

Zhang said 1.61 lakh property management staffers and security guards are on duty for grassroots prevention and control around the clock.

The municipal government has dispatched 8.42 lakh masks, 27,000 thermometers and 4,350 items of protective gear to aid the fight at community and village levels citywide, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Meanwhile, China has stepped up production of medical protective supplies like masks, which became scarce after the new coronavirus infection surfaced in the country since December last year.

During the initial stages, basic medical gear like masks and medical suits were in short supply in the coronavirus epicentre Wuhan city and Hubei province, prompting China to make a global appeal to rush supplies.

China's daily output of medical protective products skyrocketed from the beginning of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Wang Jiangping, vice minister of industry and information technology said.

The output of protective clothing has increased to 500,000 pieces per day from less than 20,000 pieces, Wang said.

Meanwhile, about 1.6 million N95-rated medical masks were produced to ensure medical staff at the forefront of the battle against the epidemic are well-equipped, while the daily output of regular masks reached 100 million units, the vice minister said.

With the efforts of work resumption, production of other supplies and medical equipment has also seen a robust growth, Wang said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Theres nothing quite like a taste of your own medicine.

Yesterday, former home secretary Amber Rudd was uninvited by a student society at the University of Oxford, to whom she was billed to deliver a talk, over criticism of her role as architect of the Windrush scandal, and her support of austerity policies which impacted Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and working-class women.

The UNWomen society extended the invitation to Rudd to share her experiences in her earlier role as minister for women and equalities, encouraging young women into politics in the run-up to International Womens Day. However, a majority vote cast last minute by the student societys committee cancelled the event thirty minutes before it was due to begin.

In a stellar example of the politician who cried wolf, Rudd tweeted this morning: Badly judged & rude of some students last night at Oxford to decide to no platform me 30 minutes before an event I had been invited to for #IWD2020.

With female members in the House of Commons still woefully underrepresented at 34%; with disturbing levels of online misogynistic vitriol targeting female politicians from Nicky Morgan to Dianne Abbott (the latter of whom receives nearly half of abusive tweets directed at female MPs); in a world where politics remains stubbornly pale, male and stale, Id be the first person to advocate platforming female politicians across the political spectrum.

However, as actress Susan Sarandon said in 2016 when asked why she refused to back Hillary Clinton: I dont vote with my vagina. Nor I with mine.

Sure, Amber Rudd is not comparable to the far-right figures more often denied platforms. Yet her ignominious political career makes it entirely understandable why the Oxford society reneged their offer.

Any ounce of political integrity Rudd demonstrated as minister for women she lost instantly with the Windrush scandal. Rudds subsequent resignation and deep regret (despite her admission that she lied about enforced deportation targets) did little to mitigate the crisis she oversaw, which left 5,000 individuals jobless or homeless, 164 wrongfully deported and 11 dead. Two years on, the effects of Windrush are still being felt, with deportation flights leaving for Jamaica as recently as last month, despite more than 170 MPs called for the flight to be halted. Rudd is no champion of women  she is the architect of a hostile environment that victimised the most vulnerable in our society.

Theres no doubt Toby Youngs Free Speech Union will soon rear its ugly head, decrying the illiberal liberalism of authoritarian snowflakes to defend figures like Rudd who are victims of the woke brigade threatening to destroy their liberty.

However, the problem our country faces is not that some university students wish to deplatform those whose behaviour they conclude are beyond the pale. The problem is the impunity with which politicians promote racist policies such as the hostile environment, with which they whitewash hateful rhetoric such as the prime ministers.

As the censuring of BBC presenter Naga Munchetty painfully proved, racism is not subjective. It is not an opinion. If your politics are built on my oppression, there is no dialogue to be had.
BELGRADE, Serbia - Europes leading human rights organization has welcomed Serbias adoption of a law aiming to shed light on the fate of hundreds of children feared stolen from birth clinics.

The Council of Europes Committee of Ministers, which oversees the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, expressed in a statement published Friday great satisfaction over the passing of the law in Serbias parliament last weekend. It urged the laws swift implementation.

The chilling scandal first erupted years ago when parents went public with suspicions their babies hadnt been stillborn or died at birth, as they were told, but had been kidnapped as part of an organized crime scheme.

The new law resulted from a 2013 ruling against Serbia by the Strasbourg-based court which obliged the country to create a mechanism for providing answers to parents seeking information about their children.

The new law envisages that the childrens fate be investigated and offers compensation where facts cannot be established with certainty. Last-minute additions also included forming a special commission with the parents representatives and a guarantee that cases could be reopened if new evidence surfaces.

The committee urged Serbia to quickly set up an envisaged DNA database and start training investigative judges and police.

Officials have warned finding out the truth could be hard as the so-called missing babies cases date back decades ago, to the era before the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslav federation in the 1990s. One of the former Yugoslav republics, Serbia is seeking European Union membership.

The Council of Europe, Europes leading human rights body based in Strasbourg, France, is open to all European countries, regardless of whether they are in the EU or not.
Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Walmart Inc's Flipkart faces a further anti-trust probe in India after an appellate tribunal asked the competition watchdog to investigate whether the company had abused its dominant position in e-commerce.

The All India Online Vendors Association filed the appeal at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in 2018 said that Flipkart and the local unit of Amazon.com Inc did not breach anti-trust rules.

The NCLAT, in its order published on Thursday, said the "CCI is directed to direct the Director General to cause an investigation" into the matter.

It was not immediately clear how soon the CCI could start a probe.

The order is another headache for Flipkart, which along with Amazon's India unit has faced mounting criticism from brick-and-mortar retailers which accuse the firms of funding steep discounts and discriminating against small sellers.

Both companies have denied the allegations.

"It's a massive victory for all online sellers, since there is no ongoing probe against Flipkart," Chanakya Basa, a lawyer for AIOWA, told Reuters.

"This order could pave a way for other online sellers to take their grievances against online platforms to the CCI."

A spokeswoman for Flipkart said the company was awaiting a copy of the order.

The CCI, in a separate case this year, ordered a probe into Amazon and Flipkart over an alleged violation of anti-trust law and discounting. That probe was stayed by a court order last month.

(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal; editing by Nick Macfie)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
China says research on coronavirus vaccines is well under way, and some will be available for emergency and clinical research use next month.

Zheng Zhongwei, director of the National Health Commissions Science and Technology Development Centre, said the five approaches to vaccines were being pursued and advancing steadily.

But China was still learning more about the new coronavirus, and difficulties were expected during the research, he said.

Separately, Ding Xiangyang, a central government official who is part of the team overseeing coronavirus containment in Hubei province, the epicentre of the epidemic, said applications would be made next month for some vaccines to advance to clinical trials.

Children at same risk as adults

Children are as likely to be infected by the new coronavirus as adults, according to scientists analysing infection data from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The researchers found a household attack rate  the probability of disease transmission from an infected household member  of 15 per cent, much higher than the population average of 7.9 per cent. But the same study found the rate of infection in children aged under 10 was very similar to the population as a whole, at 7.4 per cent.

There was no significant association between the probability of infection and age of the index case, the researchers said, after studying data from 391 confirmed cases in Shenzhen, from January 14 to February 12, as well as 1,286 people who had been in close contact with patients.

The researchers  from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen and Peng Cheng Laboratory in Shenzhen  published their preprint paper on medRxiv, an online sharing resource for the medical and scientific communities.

The paper said only nine per cent of the 391 cases were severe, with most patients in either mild or moderate condition, but 84 per cent of cases presented with fever at their initial assessment.

Story continues

New Hubei infections confined to Wuhan

For the first time since China started publishing national infection data for Covid-19  the disease caused by the coronavirus  there were no new infections in Hubei province outside its capital Wuhan, where the outbreak originated.

Chinas National Health Commission said on Friday all of the 126 new cases in the province were in Wuhan. There were 29 new deaths in Hubei, of which 23 were in the provincial capital, bringing the provinces total death toll to 2,931.

The latest figures follow a prediction on Thursday by senior Chinese researcher Zhang Boli  one of the 14 members on a research team working to control the outbreak  who said he expected cases in Hubei to peak in mid-March.

According to our analysis of the statistics, we expect cities other than Wuhan in Hubei province to be basically free of coronavirus patients in the middle of March, Zhang was quoted as saying by Peoples Daily. The hope is that Wuhan wont have daily new cases in late March.

Overall, there were 143 new cases and 30 new deaths on mainland China, bringing total infections to 80,552 and deaths to 3,042.

Cases surge in Malaysia

Malaysia had its biggest one-day jump in Covid-19 cases on Friday, with 28 new infections reported to take the total to 83. The countrys patient numbers remained just below 30 until this week.

Health ministry officials said patient 26, a top official with Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah, was linked to at least 21 cases. Authorities have traced 258 of his close contacts.

Meanwhile, Indonesia announced two more new coronavirus cases, bringing its total to four. The two new patients are aged 33 and 34 and are Indonesian citizens. All four virus patients are being treated at Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in Jakarta, and the results of tests on five other suspected patients are pending.

First local case for the Philippines

The Philippines reported its first case of local transmission of the new coronavirus on Friday, a 62-year-old Filipino man who had not travelled outside the country. Another Filipino patient, a 48-year-old man who had visited Tokyo, was also confirmed to be infected.

Before these latest cases, the Philippines had three confirmed infections, all involving Chinese visitors, one of whom became the first fatality from the disease to be recorded outside China.

Virus sparks US drug shortage fears

The coronavirus outbreak is sparking fears of drug shortages in the US, largely due to its disruption of pharmaceutical supplies from China and India. The Food and Drug Administration has warned of shortages in one unnamed drug due to the virus, while penicillin shipments from China have dried up.

A majority of the raw ingredients used to manufacture pharmaceuticals come from China, where many factories have temporarily closed because of the outbreak, but the head of a pharmaceutical non-profit in the US said there was no need for individuals to take action at the moment.

Ron Piervincenzi, CEO of US Pharmacopeia, which sets drug standards throughout the word, said antibiotics were particularly at risk  with about 85 per cent of their ingredients coming from China  but institutions, such as hospitals and health care systems, were already taking steps to shore up their supplies.

Hubei city eases restrictions

Chibi became the first city in Hubei province to remove checkpoints from 10am on Friday morning  a sign the coronavirus-hit region may be gradually returning to normal. The decision to remove internal checkpoints followed 19 consecutive days with no new infections in the city.

A notice from Chibis coronavirus control command said checkpoints stopping communication between Chibi and its neighbouring cities would remain but that internal traffic could now move freely, for the sake of spring ploughing, commodities transport, business and other normal daily needs.

Chibi is a county-level city in the southeastern part of Hubei which shares a border with Wuhan to its north. It has been in lockdown since midnight on January 23 and has reported 200 infections and five deaths, to date.

Wildlife off the menu in Hubei province ban

Hubei province banned the trade and consumption of wild animals on Thursday in the wake of the deadly coronavirus epidemic.

The source of the outbreak is believed to be the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Hubeis provincial capital Wuhan, though a study published by a team of Chinese scientists in February suggested the virus had been introduced from somewhere else.

First community infection in Canada

Canada has suffered its first case of community infection of Covid-19  the disease caused by the new coronavirus  involving a woman in British Columbia who had not recently travelled and had no known contact with another identified patient.

The woman was among eight new patients in BC announced by provincial health minister Adrian Dix and Dr Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, on Thursday afternoon.

Also among the cases was the first known case in Canada involving a visitor from the US. That patient was a woman who had travelled from Washington state, which is emerging as a new hotspot for the disease.

French legislator in intensive care

A member of Frances National Assembly is in intensive care after contracting Covid-19, the lower house of parliament said on Thursday. A snack bar worker in the building had also contracted the virus and was confined at home, while another worker in the lawmakers dining hall had been hospitalised with a suspected case of the illness.

The Assembly statement did not name the legislator but said all lawmakers and personnel had been informed. France has recorded 423 cases of the virus, as of late Thursday, up by 138 in one day, according to the national health service. There have been seven deaths so far in France.

South Korea protests as cases rise

South Korea has strongly protested Japans decision to impose a two-week quarantine on visitors from the country, which has 6,593 infections.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday ordered a two-week quarantine for people arriving from South Korea while barring arrivals from highly affected areas starting on Saturday.

Seoul described the decision on Friday as unreasonable, excessive and extremely regrettable. The foreign ministry said it would summon the Japanese ambassador on Friday to lodge a complaint, after calling in a senior diplomat late on Thursday for explanation.

Japans government defended its new, tighter travel restrictions on visitors from China and South Korea, saying they were not too late to help slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was the result of a comprehensive review of the information available about the situation in other countries and the effects of other measures, chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference on Friday. I think the timing is appropriate.

Italian grandparents ignore warnings

Italian grandparents are ignoring a government plea to stay at home to contain the spread of the new coronavirus and are instead stepping in as last-minute babysitters after schools were closed nationwide on Wednesday, leaving 9.4 million students with no place to go for the next two weeks.

Italy, with 148 deaths from Covid-19, is the worst affected country in Europe and also has the worlds oldest population after Japan. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to the new virus but they are turning out with their grandchildren at Romes playgrounds in an unintended effect of the school closures.

One grandfather, Lorenzo Romano, said he was happy to look after his grandchildren, regardless of the risk to his health, because he wanted them around him more.

Scientists get closer look at coronavirus

Chinese scientists have isolated and amplified the novel coronavirus to get a closer look at the shape and structure of the pathogen. The researchers said previous studies had focused on the spike protein  essential to gaining entry into host cells  and had only examined proteins engineered in the laboratory, not the real virus.

Chinese scientists have isolated and amplified the novel coronavirus to get a closer look at its shape and structure. Photo: Handout

They added that their analysis of the whole structure of the virus could provide a foundation for further research into how it infected people. The results were published on the website bioRxiv, an open access preprint server for biology, on Thursday.

Additional reporting by Reuters, Associated Press and Bloomberg

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced a decision by the International Criminal Court to allow an investigation of U.S. personnel for war crimes in Afghanistan just days after American officials signed a peace deal with the Taliban paving the way for a full withdrawal of troops.

In a Thursday statement, Pompeo called the timing of the ruling a "breathtaking action."

"It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal on Afghanistan  the best chance for peace in a generation," Pompeo said, noting the Afghan government asked the ICC not to take this step.

The ICC is looking into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban, Afghan forces and CIA personnel. The investigation marks the first time the court's prosecutor has been authorized to investigate U.S. forces.

Pompeo noted the United States is not "a party" to the ICC and indicated Washington will continue its refusal to cooperate with the court.

"This is yet another reminder of what happens when multilateral bodies lack oversight and responsible leadership and become instead a vehicle for political vendettas," Pompeo said. "The ICC has today stumbled into a sorry affirmation of every denunciation made by its harshest critics over the past three decades."
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Full-Length Video Archives Now Available: Standard Chartered Bank's Anton Chan and John Tan, NOAH Holding's William Ma and Guotai Junan's Eva Shen live at The Greenwich Economic ForumNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Equities News announces the releases of Anton Chan, William Ma, John Tan and Eva Shen discussing Opportunities in China panel video archives from the Greenwich Economic Forum. See full-length video archive coverage of this dynamic session with top venture capital leaders. The Greenwich Economic Forum is a global alternative investment industry conference that convenes some of the brightest minds in global finance for discussions on global trade, capital markets and, investing - representing more than $17 trillion AUM.HighlightsGreater Bay Area (GBA) in Southern China has a population of 68 million with GDP of $1.5 trillionIn 2018, global investors poured an estimated $81 billion into Chinese start upsInternet and tech. deals have accounted for approx. 85% of China's PE growth over the past 5 yearsWatch video: See Full-length CoverageEvent DetailsEvent: Greenwich Economic ForumGuests: Anton Chan, William Ma, John Tan and Eva ShenRelease Dates: Mar 6, 2020Location: Greenwich, ConnecticutNetwork: Equities NewsShow: Traders Network ShowExecutive Producer: Matt BirdYouTube Archive: Click HereAbout Greenwich Economic ForumThe Greenwich Economic Forum is an elite international gathering of leaders in global finance.Founded in 2018 by Wall Street veterans Bruce McGuire and Jim Aiello, GEF convenes some of the brightest minds in global finance, business, media and Government for discussion and debate on the defining issues of our times. Topics on the agenda of the Forum include central bank policy, global markets & asset allocation, international trade policy, ESG investing, and the bilateral relationship between the US and China.Greenwich is famous as the "hedge fund capital of the world" and many of the leading hedge fund and private equity firms are represented at the Forum. While a finance conference at its core, GEF strives to promote diversity of connectivity and thought and we welcome cultural influencers to join the discussion.About Traders Network ShowThe Traders Network Show (an Equities News original program) is a not-for-profit business news program covering full-length economic development and impact events around the Greenwich; Greenwich Economic Forum, OECD, EU Parliament, Vatican, U.S. Department of Commerce, United Nations and more.Hosted by Matt Bird and David Nelson, the Traders Network Show interviews the front-page titans, government officials, CEO's, influencers and power executives making headlines today on how economic development and impact strategy is shaping our emerging growth economies.Follow: www.tradersnetworkshow.com| Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | InstagramAbout Equities News | Equities.com Equities News ( www.equities.com) is a digital news agency - a leading producer, aggregator, and provider of full-length video and editorial coverage of financial, economic development, policy, sustainability, and impact events worldwide. The Equities News network reaches more than 40 million households with its original content syndicated across all four major news networks and dozens of financial and business portals, magazines, and newspapers. Equities News operates five news bureaus: New York, Los Angeles, Vatican City, Baku, and Brussels. Equities provides turn-key hosted and monetized business news solutions for publishers worldwide.For more information: Equities.com | Instagram |Facebook | LinkedIn*Equities News are proud supporters of the UN SDGs and Humanity 2.0CONTACTS:Business & Strategic Partnerships Contact:Matt BirdPresidentEquities News | Equities.com C: +1 646.401.4499E: matt@ equities.com Matt Bird's LinkedInMedia Contact:Nicole LiddyCommunication CoordinatorEquities News | Equities.com C: +1 848.702.4173E: nicole.liddy@equities.com SOURCE: Equities News
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram hit out at the government on Friday, saying its "ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed".

The comments came a day after Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping deposit withdrawals at the bank at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

The bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment during the period.

For the next month, Yes Bank will be led by RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, a former chief financial officer of the State Bank of India (SBI).

"BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed. First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?" Chidambaram said in a tweet.

He also came up with a formula to resolve the crisis.

Is it correct that SBI is exploring investment opportunity in YES Bank?Why should SBI invest in YES Bank? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned, he said.

The former finance minister wondered if the BJP-led government would confirm that the loan book of Yes Bank had grown under its watch from Rs 55,000 crore in FY 2014 to Rs 2, 41,000 core in FY 2019.

"When overall bank credit during the above period grew by about 10 per cent, how did YES BANK's loan book grow by about 35 per cent?" he asked.
JOHNSON COUNTY, KS (KCTV) - The bitter dispute between the Shawnee Mission School District and its teachers over the status of a teaching contract may be coming to a temporary end. A statement issued by the district Thursday evening claimed school officials and representatives with the teachers union reached a tentative agreement for a contract for the 2019-2020 school year.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 6, 2020) - American Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: ABC) (the "Company" or "American Battery" or "we") is pleased to announce that we have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") to acquire (the "Transaction") Fenix Gold Inc., a private company ("Fenix"), further to our press releases of February 27 and 28, 2020.

Under the terms of the Definitive Agreement, American Battery will issue 29,000,000 common shares to the shareholders of Fenix as consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fenix (the "Consideration Shares"). In addition, an aggregate of 3,846,785 outstanding warrants of Fenix will be replaced with 4,006,095 common share purchase warrants (the "Replacement Warrants") of American Battery exercisable at a price of $0.20 until the date that is two years from closing date of the Transaction. In addition, the Company paid USD$250,000 to Fenix on signing of the Definitive Agreement, refundable to the Company if the Transaction is terminated in accordance with the terms of the Definitive Agreement. These funds will be used immediately to maintain and advance the momentum and value being added by the exploration program at Abriaqui. The launch of the Phase 1 exploration program includes ground geophysics, soil sampling, and rock chip sampling of newly encountered areas of mineralization both at surface and in historical adits. These activities will be valuable data to enhance and fine-tune drill targets, which is scheduled to commence end of Q2.

The Transaction will be completed by way of an amalgamation of Fenix with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and remains subject to the customary closing conditions including the approval of the shareholders of Fenix and the Canadian Securities Exchange. This represents a fundamental change for the Company although with no contractual obligations for management or Board representation with Fenix shareholders representing 47% of the pro-forma Company.

The Company will also issue, on the closing of the Transaction, 2,000,000 common shares (the "Finder's Fee Shares" and together with the Consideration Shares, the "Transaction Shares") to certain parties for their work in arranging the Transaction.

The Company expects to complete the Transaction immediately upon the receipt of all required approvals (the "Closing Date"). On the Closing Date, the Company will have approximately 62,000,000 common shares outstanding after issuance of the Transaction Shares.

The Transaction Shares will be subject to escrow and released as to 50% on the date that is four months following the Closing Date (the "Initial Release Date") and an additional 10% every 30 days following the Initial Release Date. In addition, certain Transaction Shares may also be subject to the escrow provisions of the Canadian Securities Exchange policies applicable to the Transaction.

Jeremy Poirier, President & CEO of American Battery Metals, commented, "The signing of the definitive agreement represents a significant milestone towards closing this transaction next month. The advance of funds to Fenix will help to jump-start the exploration efforts and places the Company in the position to expedite the planned drill program once the transaction has been completed. Given its location and the geologic similarities between Fenix's Abriaqui and the neighboring world-class Buritica project, we are very excited about the project's exploration potential."

About Fenix Gold Inc.

Fenix Gold Inc. is a private Canadian company focused on acquiring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. Fenix's flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is located 15 km west of Continental Gold's Buritica project in Antioquia State at the northern end of the Mid-Cauca gold belt, a geological trend which has seen multiple large gold discoveries in the past 10 years including Buritica and Anglo Gold's Nuevo Chaquiro and La Colosa. As documented in "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Abriaqui project Antioquia State, Colombia" (December 5, 2019). Abriaqui has not yet been drilled but surface and underground geological mapping and sampling as well as a preliminary magnetometry survey have been completed. The property is drill-ready pending finalization of the government permitting process.

Fenix's VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the discovery team at Buritica for Continental Gold in 2007-2011. The Buritica Mine currently contains measured plus indicated resources of 5.32 million ounces of gold (16.02 Mt grading 10.32 g/t) plus a 6.02 million ounce inferred resource (21.87 Mt grading 8.56 g/t) for a total of 11.34 million ounces of gold resources. Buritica is scheduled to commence production in 2020 with annual average production of 250,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of approximately US$600 per ounce. Resources, cost and production data are taken from Continental Gold's "NI 43-101 Buritica Mineral Resource 2019-01, Antioquia, Colombia, 18 March, 2019"). Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion.

Technical Information

The comparison between Abriaqui and the nearby Buritica project is meant only to indicate the similarities between the two in terms of geological setting. American Battery Metals Corp. does not imply that exploration results and/or economic characteristics of a potential future mine at Abriaqui will be similar to those seen at Buritica. The samples were prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratories in Medellin and Lima respectively. Samples were taken, prepared, shipped and analyzed following industry standard QA/QC protocols and were submitted with certified reference standards.

Stuart A Moller, P. Geol. (British Colombia) Vice President of Exploration of Fenix Gold Inc. and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained within this press release. Mr, Moller is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in world-wide mineral exploration including 10 years in Colombia.

About American Battery Metals Corp.

American Battery Metals Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating natural resource properties. The Company has an option to acquire a 50% interest in the Fish Lake property located in Esmeralda County in the state of Nevada, USA.

Jeremy Poirier

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Phone: 604.722.9842

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of American Battery's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the Definitive Agreement, the Transaction, including but not limited to the anticipated Closing Date, the advance of funds to Fenix and the potential refund of this advance" and the characterization of the Transaction as a significant transaction by the Canadian Securities Exchange and certain shareholder and regulatory requirements. Although American Battery believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. In particular, there is no guarantee that that the parties will successfully complete the Transaction on the terms contemplated herein or at all, that either will be satisfied with the results of their proposed due diligence, or that any required shareholder or regulatory approvals will be obtained. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and American Battery does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to U.S. newswire services

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53224
President Trump is sure that people think the government is doing "a very good job" handling the coronavirus outbreak, and while no one knows how it started, "it's gonna all work out."

Trump was asked about the coronavirus during a Fox News Town Hall Thursday evening in Scranton, Pennsylvania. There have been 12 coronavirus deaths in the United States, and Trump said it's important for people to "be calm" and also think about not shaking hands with others. "If there was ever a time you could convince people not to shake hands, this could be it," he declared.

Because Americans are worried about being exposed to the coronavirus in hot spots like China and Italy, they are "now staying in the United States, spending their money in the United States, and I like that," Trump said. "You know, I've been after that for a long time. I've been saying, 'Let's stay in the U.S., spend your money here.' It's sort of enforced doing that."

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:22:37|Editor: xuxin

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BRATISLAVA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia on Friday confirmed the first case of COVID-19 infection in the country.

"A 52-year-old man is infected. He appears to have been infected by so-called secondary transmission," said Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini at a press conference.

"The patient has no history of travel, has not been abroad," Pellegrini explained, adding "His son was in Venice, but although he himself shows no symptoms, his father may have been infected by him, but the details are being investigated."

Pellegrini confirmed that the patient is now hospitalized and isolated at the Infectology Clinic of the University Hospital Bratislava in Kramare. "He went straight to this clinic when he felt the symptoms. He wasn't in contact with other hospital patients," said the prime minister.

But the Chief Health Officer of the Slovak Republic Jan Mikas said an investigation into the patient's contact people is currently underway. He recommended those who have suspicious symptoms to call the relevant infoline or contact their family doctor by phone.
Ukraine's Cabinet reshuffle may delay start of new IMF program  expert

13:20, 06.03.20 581

The new prime minister and finance minister must confirm their agreement with the terms of the loan program.
Author

Sheryl F. Kline is the deputy dean of Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the Aramark Chaired Professor in the Department of Hospitality Business Management at the University of Delaware. Before joining UD, she served as interim dean and associate dean in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Kline developed her research interests while at Purdue University where she held the position of C. B. Smith Professor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and was the director for the Center for the Study of Lodging Operations. Her research focuses on organizational behavior and training in the hospitality, meeting and event industry. Dr. Kline is ranked in the top 25 most productive scholars in the field of hospitality management (Way et al., 2012). She began her academic career at Widener Universitys School of Hospitality Management. Before joining academia, she had a successful career as a manager in the casino, hotel and resort industry and has over a decade of hospitality industry experience. Dr. Kline teaches courses in hospitality management at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and enjoys mentoring graduate students and doing research. She is an active member of industry associations, including the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE), the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Delaware Restaurant Association and has served on their boards. Dr. Kline is a recipient of several teaching and research awards including the I-CHRIE John Wiley and Sons Award for Innovation in Teaching and the McCool Breakthrough Award in Hospitality Education. While at USC, she was selected as an Academic Leadership Fellow for the South Eastern Conference. Most recently, she was recognized as one of 40 women in the state of Delaware as Delaware Business Women of the Year by Delaware Today Magazine.

More about Sheryl F. Kline
On March 3, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged two traders in connection with a long running international insider trading scheme. The traders allegedly generated profits of more than $4 million trading in the securities of U.S. public companies in advance of news that these companies had been targeted for acquisition.

According to the SEC's complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan, Tomer Feingold and Dov Malnik, both Israeli citizens who reside in Switzerland, participated in an international insider trading scheme between 2013 and 2015. The complaint alleges that Feingold and Malnik indirectly obtained nonpublic information about impending corporate transactions from Benjamin Taylor and Darina Windsor, London-based investment bankers, both of whom the SEC charged in October 2019. Feingold and Malnik allegedly used the information to net over $4 million in illicit profits trading the securities of at least seven different companies through their individual accounts and through brokerage accounts in the names of entities that they controlled.

The case originated from the SEC Market Abuse Unit's Analysis and Detection Center, which uses data analysis tools to detect suspicious patterns, such as improbably successful trading across different securities over time. Enhanced detection capabilities enabled SEC Enforcement staff to spot the unusual trading activities alleged in the SEC's complaint.

The SEC's complaint charges Feingold and Malnik with violations of the antifraud provisions of Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3 thereunder. The complaint also names Adamas Healthcare Fund, Amiservice Development Limited, Bravo Business Limited, Kuray Investments Limited, Mignon Group Limited and Upbeat Worldwide Investments Limited, entities controlled by Feingold and/or Malnik, as relief defendants. The SEC seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus interest, penalties, and injunctive relief.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Caitlyn M. Campbell, David Makol, John Rymas, and Assunta Vivolo, of the Market Abuse Unit, Michael Foster of the Chicago Regional Office and Rua Kelly of the Boston Regional Office, with assistance from Darren Boerner of the Market Abuse Unit, James D'Avino of the New York Regional Office, and Carlos Costa-Rodrigues, Marlee Miller and Matthew Greiner in the Office of International Affairs. This case has been supervised by Joseph G. Sansone, Chief of the Market Abuse Unit. The litigation will be led by Mr. Foster and Ms. Kelly.
President Donald Trumps visit to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has been called off because of concerns that a staff member may have been infected by Covid-19.

Mr Trump told reporters that concerns were raised Thursday about one person who was potentially infected who worked at the CDC.

Because of the one person they didnt want me going, he added, explaining why a planned stop at the agency, which is working with state and local officials to help combat the spread of the new virus, was left off his schedule.

A Centres for Disease Control and Prevention logo at the agencys federal headquarters in Atlanta (David Goldman/AP)

Mr Trump said the person has since tested negative for the new virus.

He said he still hopes to visit the agency.

Covid-19 so far has killed 12 people in the US, most of them in Washington state.

Mr Trump had planned to sign an 8.3 billion US dollar coronavirus response funding bill at the CDC.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar looks on as President Donald Trump shows a spending bill to combat Covid-19 (Evan Vucci/AP)

Instead he signed it at the White House before his departure to travel to view tornado damage in Tennessee.

The White House said in a statement that Mr Trump would no longer visit the agency because he does not want to interfere with the CDCs mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency.
Click here to read the full article.

With French events organizer Reed Midem pulling the plug on MipTV for the first time since its formation in 1964, the realities of keeping businesses ticking in the face of a potential global pandemic are quickly emerging for the TV industry, with a range of contingency plans furiously in the works, including a drive towards virtual meet-ups and digital rights platforms.

Most businesses were always going to send small contingents to MipTV because of a Palais-centralized reboot and pre-market business secured via U.K. Screenings and other events. However, the lack of a spring market will manifest in myriad ways  and points to more serious long-term consequences relating to the spread of coronavirus.

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Pamela Martinez Martinez, founder of Barcelona-based Almost Fashionable: A Film about Travis distributor Limonero Films, says the string of coronavirus-related event cancellations and postponements this quarter will be disastrous for boutique outfits.

As a small distributor, its key for us to have a presence at these events. We wont be able to make as many sales or find as many new projects to represent from our office, says Martinez Martinez.

The cancellation of MipTV and non-fiction sidebar MipDoc, which takes place the weekend before the market, will have a big impact on our deal-making, she says. As a small company without a lot of revenue for advertising, we rely on the impact of face-to-face meetings. MipDoc, especially, is great for new leads and buyers.

However, Lilla Hurst, co-founder of London-based distributor Drive, says the impact of the cancellation will be minimal for more nimble mid-sized businesses.

Drive, which began life as a specialist pre-sales and co-production firm before expanding into distribution, is setting up a virtual MIP event to make up for any lost meetings and sales discussions.

Story continues

Similarly, Avi Armozas ITV Studios-backed Armoza Formats is going ahead with a virtual marketplace entitled ArmozaFest. The two-week long virtual event kicks off March 23 and will showcase the firms new format launches, allowing clients to meet with the sales team screen to screen.

Meanwhile, for Asian online rights marketplace Vuulr, the markets cancellation is providing something of a boon for business.

Ian McKee, CEO of the Singapore-headquartered firm, tells Variety: The changes in the marketplace (mean) you need to move from a solely face-to-face deal structure where youre doing a few high-value deals in person to looking at how digital can come in and complement that to give you the global reach you couldnt otherwise get.

When the ability to do things the traditional way is removed, it could be the impetus for the industry to accelerate its movement towards doing (deals) online, he says.

Vuulr has seen an uptick in registrations from buyers who are self-isolating and following travel ban directives from their companies, but still needing to secure hours of content to keep business going.

Overall, however, industry reaction around MipTVs cancellation, particularly for larger firms, has been muted. Martin Moszkowicz, executive chairman of Germanys Constantin Film, tells Variety, I dont think anybody has a problem with the cancellation, while Ghislain Barrois, CEO of Mediterraneo, the sales arm of Spains Mediaset Espana, also doesnt foresee large repercussions.

Nowadays with Internet and all the means we have at hand, we can still be in the international market and make deals, he says.

Danny Fenton, CEO of London-based producer Zig Zag, says MipTVs cancellation is a big blow as it sets up an uneasy precedent for Reed Midem: It ultimately makes it easier for people next year to look back and say, Well our business survived not going.

Fenton warns, however, that the broader impact of coronavirus is indeed taking a toll.

There are more TV executives than you can imagine who have been self-isolating, says Fenton. A lot of buyers, broadcasters and streamers are asking, What is your contingency plan if this becomes a pandemic? Staff are also asking what the plan is and whether they can work from home.

Wider concerns revolve around coronavirus

Fenton predicts the real impact for producers will stem from knock-on effects on advertising revenues, which will then dent broadcasters budgets.

In its results Thursday, ITV forecast a further downswing in advertising revenues in the next few months, citing an impact from travel advertising deferments in March and April relating to the coronavirus.

Rajiv Chilaka, founder and CEO of Indias Kalari Kids producer Green Gold Animation, says the global impact of the virus has thrown a wrench across the industrys plans, but ultimately, TV will have an easier time riding out the outbreak compared to theatrical.

The (TV) industrys distribution and broadcast avenues are multiple. However, the theatrical releases will definitely see a dip in attendance as precautions and regulations regarding public gatherings come into effect.

Similarly, Mediterraneos Barrios has far more concerns about how COVID-19 could wreak havoc with upcoming release schedules and cinema attendance.

MGM, Eon and Universal postponed the release of No Time to Die until Nov. 25 in Spain, when it will go face to face with Telecinco Cinemas Way Down, one of the biggest Spanish releases of the year.

Weve seen Italian authorities shutting down cinemas and the impact it has  and will have in the future  on cinema-going. How long will it take the audience to get back into the habit of going to the movies? Barrois adds.

In Spain, Telefonica, the telco parent company of Movistar Plus, announced its first COVID-19 case Wednesday night at a work center in Northern Madrid. Meanwhile, both Beta Film and Movistar Plus were both locked in emergency meetings Thursday morning regarding coronavirus.

Elsewhere, production out of Italy, the hardest hit country in Europe so far, has ground to a halt.

Once Paramount announced they had postponed a planned three-week shoot in Venice for Tom Cruises new Mission: Impossible, filming of Netflixs big-budget Dwayne Johnson movie Red Notice  an imminent shoot estimated to be worth 50 million in spend  is now in doubt.

Red Notice producers Legendary Pictured are reportedly exploring other location options. Production of Zero, another local Netflix Original about black Italian youths, has been put on hold, though Netflix declined to comment.

John Hopewell, Nick Vivarelli, Naman Ramachandran and Leo Barraclough contributed to this report.

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UPDATE: This story is from March 6. Read the latest on travel advisories, bans and policies here.

Coronavirus is widespread and showing no signs of slowing down, which is causing many to question if they should cancel upcoming trips or not. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that has already lead to the deaths of 3,460 people worldwide, according to John Hopkins University. More than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally.

For those looking to travel, it brings a dilemma. Do you stay or do you go? Heres a look at the travel advisories in place, what airports are doing to keep themselves safe and what airlines, cruise lines, train and bus companies are offering refund policies.

Should you travel?

The CDC says you should avoid non-essential travel if youre going to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. The CDC also recommends that older adults or those with chronic medical conditions avoid travelling to Japan. This includes layovers. If you do have a layover in one of these countries, the CDC recommends not leaving the airport. Also, note that you will probably have to undergo additional screening and monitoring when you return to the United States.

The CDC also recommends reconsidering cruises that go to or travel within Asia.

What are airports doing?

Many airports are in contact with the CDC and local health departments.

The Philadelphia International Airport isnt a screener airport according to the CDC because it doesnt accept flights from China. Because of that its not implementing enhanced health screening procedures, however, Customs and Border Protection will still conduct health screenings for travelers who are showing visible signs of illness and have spent time in Wuhan, China during the past 14 days.

The airport also regularly sanitizes surfaces, with custodial staff using Envirox Critical Care, a chemical cleaner that, in just 30 seconds, can disinfect and area. It has 24 hour bacterial killing capabilities. Every night the staff wipe down high touch areas like escalators, handrails and handles. Each terminal also has hand sanitizer dispensers at each terminal on both the public and private sides of the airport.

Pittsburgh International Airport has added new travel protocols geared towards enhancing deep cleaning routines. Its staff will ensure that restrooms are cleaned a minimum of once every two hours and that trains will be cleaned four times daily. Its also installing hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipe stations at entrances to the trains and approximately 30 hand sanitizing stations within the terminals themselves. Custodial staff are also using hospital-grade and environmentally friendly disinfectant.

Its business as usual at Harrisburg International Airport, although airport staff encourage everyone to do their part to stop the spread of germs by washing hands often.

How dangerous is air travel with COVID-19?

The CDC says that the risk of infection on an airplane is low because of how the air circulates and is filtered. However, it does recommend you still avoid contact with sick passengers, wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer.

If a passenger is sick on your plane, the pilot has to report it to the CDC. If the CDC considers that person to be a public health risk it will find a way to contact all passengers and crew exposed to that person. You can make this easier on the CDC by providing your airline correct and current contact information when you book your ticket.

I just got back from a trip. Now what?

If you traveled to or from or had layovers in China, Iran, Italy or South Korea, the CDC says you need to stay home for 14 days from the time you left that country -- that means not going to school or work. During that time you need to monitor your temperature by taking your temperature with a thermometer twice a day. You also should pay attention if you start coughing, have trouble breathing or get a fever. You also should not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares and avoid crowded places. Stay about six feet away from others as well. If you get sick call your doctors office and tell them about your symptoms and recent travel before you go into the office.

Already booked your journey?

Or planning to book one? Heres what you need to know, based on who is getting you there.

Train

Amtrak

Amtrak has increased the frequency of cleaning efforts on both trains and stations -- in some cases having cleaning occur on an hourly basis. This includes disinfecting and wiping down handrails, handles and doorknobs. Amtrak is also adding more antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers to its trains and stations. The travel company is also increasing its stocks of gloves, antibacterial products and more for staff.

Amtrak is waiving change fees for all existing and new reservations that were made before April 30, 2020 -- noting that this policy could be adjusted in the future as COVID-19 continues to spread. To change your reservation go to amtrak.com and click modify trip. You may still have to pay an additional amount if the new fare is more than the old one. If youd prefer to just cancel your trip, call 1-800-872-7245. Learn more at amtrak.com.

Bus

Greyhound

As of March 6, there are no cancellations or travel restrictions for Greyhound buses because of the coronavirus. However, that doesnt mean Greyhound isnt doing anything to combat the spread of COVID-19. Greyhound has, in its words, enhanced the sanitation procedures on our buses and in our privately owned terminals.

Its also waiving change fees for those looking to postpone their trips because of concerns related to COVID-19. This offer is only valid for those who booked an Economy or Economy Extra fare between March 5 and March 17, 2020 for travel between March 5 and May 31, 2020. Youll be able to postpone your trip without the change fee if you rebook to travel between March 18 and Dec. 31, 2020. If you wish to take advantage of this offer call 800-231-2222 to speak to a Greyhound customer care agent.

Stay up to date on service alert changes at greyhound.com/en/service-alert.

Plane

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is waiving change and cancellation fees for those who bought tickets between Feb. 27 and March 31, 2020 for travel through Feb. 28, 2021 for those worried about the coronavirus. You may still have to pay a fare difference if the flight you change to is more expensive than the one you were on. The waiving of fees applies to Saver Fares as well. Learn more at alaskaair.com.

The airline is enhancing its cleaning procedures. It also will not be refilling used cups during its beverage service. Flight attendants may wear gloves. Those flying first class will not have the warm towel service either. The airline urges all guests who are sick with an acute respiratory illness to refrain from traveling.

American Airlines

American Airlines has suspended flights between Seoul, South Korea and Dallas-Fort Worth through April 24. It has suspended flights between Milan, Italy and New York City and Miami through April 24. It has also suspended flights to Hong Kong and mainland China from both Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles. Flights to mainland China and to Hong Kong via Los Angeles are suspended through April 24, with flights between Hong Kong and Dallas Fort-Worth suspended through April 23. Customers impacted by the flight cancellations will be contacted directly by the airline, unless they booked through a travel agent, at which point the travel agent will be informed. If your flight has been cancelled you can get a full refund by going to aa.com/refunds.

American Airlines is waiving change fees for those who purchase travel through March 31, including for those who booked non-refundable fares. The tickets must have been purchased between March 1 and March 31.

The airline is also waiving change fees for passengers who were traveling to, through or from several cities in Italy, South Korea, Hong Kong, China. Italian cities impacted are Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Turin, Venice and Verona. In some cases you can even cancel your trip and get a full refund. You can see the exact terms of the policy, including what travel dates are applicable for the offer, at aa.com. You can also contact the airlines reservations department by calling 800-433-7300.

American Airlines says that its cleaning efforts have always met or exceeded guidelines from the CDC. That being said, its enhancing its cleaning procedures on international flights and plants that are kept overnight at an airport. This includes more thorough cleaning of hard surfaces like tray tables and armrests. Most American Airlines planes have a high-efficiency particulate air filter that completely changes the air in a cabin approximately 15 to 30 times per hour. International flights are also having their catering equipment undergo additional disinfection procedures. Certain international flights will have the elimination of self-serve snack options and fruit baskets, with guests having to ask for food and beverage items. The airline encourages all to travel with hand sanitizer and to not travel when sick with an acute respiratory illness.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is waiving change fees for all tickets purchased between March 1-31, 2020 who planned on travelling between March 1, 2020 and Feb. 25, 2021. You must re-book your travel no later than Feb. 28, 2021 to take advantage of the offer.

If you wish to cancel your flight, you can apply any unused value of the ticket towards buying a new ticket. To change or cancel your flight, just go to My Trips on delta.com. Learn more at delta.com.

JetBlue

JetBlue will be waiving future change and cancel fees to all customers who purchase a flight between March 6 and March 31, 2020 for flights through Sept. 8, 2020. It is also waiving change and cancel fees for bookings made between Feb. 27 and March 5, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020. These policies apply to all JetBlue tickets, including Blue Basic. Learn more at jetblue.com/travel-alerts.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has enhanced its overnight cleaning procedures. Its planes are also equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, which filters out recirculated air on planes. Southwest does not charge fees for changing or cancelling flights. If you wish to cancel your flight, the money spent on the initial flight can be used up to one year from the original purchase date for a new flight. Learn more at southwest.com.

United Airlines

United Airlines is waiving change fees for a year for those who purchase flights between March 3 and March 31, 2020. You may have to pay a fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. This applies to all tickets and all destinations. Learn more at united.com.

United Airlines has suspended flights between the U.S. and Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Shanghai through April 30. Its also suspending some flights that go to Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Singapore and Seoul.

United Airlines is waiving change fees and, in some cases, offering full refunds for those travelling to or from Wuhan, Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai in China, Hong Kong, Seoul in South Korea and Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Trieste, Turin, Venice and Verona -- all in Italy. To see details and to see if your trip is included in this offer visit united.com.

Cruise Ship

Carnival

The cruise line asks that you contact them at 1-800-227-64825 if you have travelled to or through China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea and parts of Italy that are under quarantine in the 14 days leading up to the beginning of the cruise. You should also call that number if you have been in contact with another person who is suspected of having COVID-19.

You will be subjected to additional medical screening, including having your temperature checked, if you have visited Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam in the 14 days leading up to the trip.

All guests will have to go through a pre-boarding health reporting. There will also be enhanced sanitation measures taken. Any guest who shows signs of either flu or an upper respiratory infection with a fever may also be isolated. Learn more at help.carnival.com.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Lines is implementing several new policies in an effort to keep travelers safe. Anyone who has visited or had layovers in China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Iran or a place in Italy under quarantine within 14 days of the trip will not be allowed to board. The same goes for their travel companions who plan to share the same stateroom. Those guests will be given a refund.

The cruise line will also be conducting pre-boarding health evaluations, including non-touch temperature screenings. Anyone with a temperature detected at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be denied boarding. Any guest with symptoms of a respiratory illness while on board will also be screened and could be subject to potential quarantine. They also may be told to disembark.

The cruise line has new cleaning and disinfection protocols as well. Learn more at ncl.com.

Princess Cruises

Those scheduled for a cruise that would depart April 3, 2020 or earlier can cancel up to 72 hours before sailing to receive a future cruise credit for 100 percent of cancellation fees. You can get the same deal if your trip was for between April 4 and May 31, 2020 and cancel by March 31. If your cruise begins June 1 through June 30, 2020, the final payment is now due 60 days prior to sailing.

If you wish to keep your booking and its between March 6 and May 31, you will get $100 in onboard credit per stateroom for 3 and 4 days cruises; $150 in onboard credit for 5 day cruises and $200 in onboard credit for six day or longer cruises. Learn more at princess.com.

Any one who has traveled to, through or from China, Macau, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran or the quarantined areas in Italy within 14 days of the start of the cruise will be denied boarding. The same goes for any individual who has come into contact with someone suspected of having or with COVID-19 within 14 days of the cruise. Guests who have traveled in areas that have community spread of COVID-19 or who are feeling unwell will also have to undergo additional pre-boarding screening, including temperature checks.

Anyone who visits the onboard Medical Center with symptoms of respiratory illness or fever will be screened for COVID-19.

Princess Cruises also encourages all guests to pack 14 days worth of extra medication, as well as a list of the names, strengths and dosages of medications in case you need to get a refill. It also encourages guests to provide an emergency contact and travel protection. Learn more at princess.com.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has cancelled or changed trips in Asia through mid-March. Any guest who had a cruise in Asia that was to leave before March 23, 2020 can rebook their trip without penalty at a later time.

Royal Caribbean will be denying boarding to any guest who has traveled to, from or through China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea and Italy within 15 days of the trip. The same goes for any guest who was within six feet of someone who has done that within 15 days, as well as any guest who came into contact with someone with COVID-19.

Mandatory health screenings will be done any guest who reports feeling unwell or shows flu-like symptoms, has travelled from, to or through Japan or Thailand within 15 days and guests who are not sure if they came into contact with someone who was in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Thailand or Italy within 15 days. You will be denied boarding if you have a fever or low blood oximetry during these screenings.

If you are denied boarding because of these policies will receive a full refund.

Learn more royalcaribbean.com.

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This story has been updated with information from Pittsburgh International Airport and Harrisburg International Airport.
South Africa: Coronavirus patient stable, family unaffected

South Africas first confirmed Coronavirus patient is in a stable condition at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, where he is being treated.

The unnamed 38-year-old man was on Thursday hospitalised after being in self-quarantine following a doctors visit, which picked up a suspected infection.

Briefing reporters on Friday, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, commended the doctor who referred the case to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID), saying that she had acted according to the stipulated protocol. The Minister once again emphasised that there was no need to panic, as South Africa continues to monitor pedantically developments around Coronavirus.

[The doctor] diagnosed the patient via what we call an index of high suspicion. She did the examinations and sent the specimen for testing and in the process, advised the patient to voluntarily quarantine. That is what we do ordinarily and that is what happened, Mkhize said.

The patient, said the Minister, travelled into the country from Italy via Dubai to the King Shaka International Airport (Durban) on Sunday.

When he came into the country, he did not have any symptoms or fever at our port of entry. There was nothing untoward recorded about this particular individual. This was on 1 March, said Mkhize.

However, two days later, the man developed symptoms and consulted a general practitioner.

We have been looking at a number of passengers that come from various points of entry, recording each ones history to make sure that we follow up if there is a situation that needs follow-ups, the Minister said.

In this case, this is a man, who has a wife and two children at home.

A team of epidemiologists and environmentalists have already visited the patients family.

On Friday, the Minister, accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal MECs for Health and Education, briefed parents at Cowan House, the school that the Coronavirus patients two children attend. The school was closed on Friday as a precautionary measure.

We have explained to the parents and the community here that the approach is we work in concentric circles of contacts. The first at the centre is the person who has symptoms and everyone this person has been in contact with over the past few days becomes part of the contacts.

Until this person is tested positive, we observe those in the immediate ring of the individual. As soon as the person is tested positive, we then take all those who were in close contact for testing and surveillance and encourage them to voluntarily quarantine, Mkhize said.

Depending on the severity of the case, individuals may be taken out of the area.

The Department of Health has already tested the mans family, who is negative but in quarantine.

Systems in place

South Africa, Mkhize emphasised, has recorded only one case.

We are on top of the situation. The people [who will be repatriated] from Wuhan, none of them have tested positive. None of them are sick and we dont expect an increase in risk, he said.

He reiterated that it is not necessary for Cowan House or any other school in the area to close.

During the meeting with parents, Mkhize said parents were given the travel history of the patient, as well as the context of the virus globally.

We had been on the lookout and we had heightened our surveillance over our shores and ports of entry, just to be able to spot any of these cases, so that we can act immediately, he said.

The department, the Minister said, developed a rapid response team that is dealing with the case.

We activated our system such that the person was hospitalised at Greys Hospital, he said.

KwaZulu-Natal has identified four hospitals which have been chosen for Coronavirus screening: Greys, Addington, Ngwelezane and Manguzi.

All personnel at these hospitals, including doctors, nurses and cleaners, are correctly trained and capable of implementing infection control procedures.

Infection control procedures including administrative rules and engineering controls, environmental hygiene, correct work practices, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are all necessary to prevent infections from spreading during healthcare delivery.

PPE includes gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns and aprons. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 6

Trend:

Armed Forces of Armenia flagrantly violated the ceasefire on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on March 5, the press service of Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, Trend reports.

As a result of sniper fire in the direction of the Gushchu Airim village of the Gazakh district, Border Guard Orkhan Pashazade was killed.

This bloody incident is deliberately provocative and the occupying Armenia is fully responsible for this crime, said in statement.

Killing of our soldier, defending the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, clearly shows that the calls for a peaceful settlement of Armenia - are nothing more than lies and hypocrisy. Such criminal and destructive activities of the military-political leadership of Armenia directly impede the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiations and the efforts of the international community represented by the OSCE Minsk Group, the ministrys press service stated.
Lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday over a lack of information on why the electronic health record (EHR) system needs an additional billion dollars and why military clinics are closing to retirees and families.

House Committee on Appropriations members were blunt in voicing their concerns on these two topics during a discussion on the military health system's (MHS) budget request for fiscal 2021.

As all military treatment facilities (MTFs) transition to the Defense Health Agency's management, staff and services have been pegged for cuts in the name of efficiency. In some cases, retirees and military families have already been turned away from base clinics.

Committee member Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, said Congress has not received enough details from Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery.

Related: Military Health Record Milestone Delayed as VA Requests $1 Billion Increase

"How [do] you expect us to do due diligence .... [or] appropriate necessary funds to reorganize the military's treatment facilities when we haven't seen a comprehensive, transparent plan from the department on what, when or how this restructuring will be implemented?" she asked.

McCaffery insisted his department included those details in a report sent to Congress on Feb. 19. That report states changes will begin no less than 90 days after transmittal to Congress.

"That language to me, and to many, sounds [as] though the department believes it does not require congressional approval prior to moving forward with the implementation," McCollum said, adding Congress needs to see McCaffery's documents supporting the decision.

"If you are not ready to transmit to us a comprehensive and transparent plan, why not just ask for a delay of the reorganization so we can get it right and not cause any confusion for Congress in appropriating its funds or when your patients -- our soldiers, [sailors], airmen and Marines -- ask us what is happening to them and their families."

McCaffery assured McCollum there will be no immediate changes, along with a promise to follow up on her request for more information.

Committee Chairwoman Rep. Nita M. Lowey, D-New York, said her greatest frustration is the request to increase the EHR modernization budget by another $1 billion.

The EHR is a joint venture between the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a digitized health record that will follow service members for life -- from the DoD to the VA. The project has been plagued by delays and increasing costs.

"Another billion dollars; why can't you get this right?" Lowey asked panelist Bill Tinston, the Defense Healthcare Management Systems program executive officer working on the EHR. "I know it's difficult, but frankly, our service members and their families have been waiting for far too long and the taxpayers have invested too much to continue with problems and delays."

Tinston said the primary issue has been staff training on the new program. Last month, the VA delayed training its staff over concerns that going live on the original deadline would eliminate too many features, such as online prescription refills.

"I don't get it," Lowey said. "If this happened in the private sector, they'd probably be out of business. But you are too valuable -- no way can you be out of business. But I don't understand why we can't get this done."

-- Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at dorothy.mills-gregg@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DMillsGregg.

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SOLON, Ohio -- Solon voters have an opportunity to approve a zoning classification that would be unique to Northeast Ohio -- and possibly beyond Ohio -- in the March 17 primary election.

Issue 19 would create a new zoning district in the city, a multi-family residential and special needs classification called R-3-C. It would be implemented for properties at the southwest corner of Aurora Road and Portz Parkway, the site of the proposed Solon Community Living project.

Solon also has Issue 18 on the March 17 ballot. This measure would amend the zoning code to standardize permitted restaurant-type uses among each of the citys major commercial zoning districts.

In Orange, Issue 30 is a 0.95-mill renewal levy for the purpose of operating and maintaining Orange Community and Recreation programming and facilities.

Issue 19: Special needs zoning

Solon Mayor Ed Kraus and Rob Frankland, the citys planning director, both said they are not aware of any other municipalities in the country that have the type of special needs zoning Solon would have if Issue 19 passes.

The R-3-C district is intended to promote development designed to meet the specific needs of people who have disabilities. An affirmative vote both citywide and in the affected Ward 6 is needed for passage.

Its something that I would hope other communities would take a look at, Kraus said. You have to respond to the housing needs of your community.

According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, more than 500 Solon residents have special needs.

That population includes the two adult children of Ara and Leslie Bagdasarian, co-founders of Solon Community Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to create a safe and community-accessible neighborhood for those who have disabilities.

Their daughter, Julie, 28, and son, Alex, 26, both have Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes a range of developmental issues, including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

We came up with the idea for this specific project about five years ago, Ara Bagdasarian said. But it goes back to the early 2000s, when we said we need to figure out what is the future for our son and daughter going to be when were not here.

We looked at the options that were out there, and we knew that we needed to create something different.

Leslie Bagdasarian said she and Ara had looked at traditional group homes, apartment buildings that house some residents with special needs, and even an institution in Chicago with a campus for people who have disabilities, but none of those options seemed like the right fit for their children.

Knowing our kids like we do, we thought this type of neighborhood (where the proposed Solon Community Living site is located) would be the most advantageous for them, she said.

Our goal is to create a safe, sustainable neighborhood for those who have special needs, especially when were not here to take care of our children.

Vacant land was available

The R-3-C zoning is proposed to be implemented on 8.84 acres of city-owned land at Aurora Road and Portz Parkway. Frankland said the development would likely cover about four acres.

This is vacant land, which we believe was purchased by the city for the possibility of putting in a fire station, Leslie Bagdasarian said. But they decided to keep the fire station in the center of town, so they have this land, which has been vacant for over 15 years.

Kraus confirmed that the city purchased the land many years ago with the idea of possibly building its Fire Station 2 there, but the station was built instead at Bainbridge and SOM Center roads.

It fulfills a need in the community, Kraus said of the special needs zoning. We have adults who have disabilities, and like everyone else, they need good, accessible, supportive housing and living arrangements.

Their parents are getting older and will not be here forever, and its incumbent upon all of us to make sure their needs are met. And this is not the 1950s. This is the 21st century, and these people have every right to live in nice housing, with 24-hour care.

The Bagdasarians noted that the proposed site is well located, in that its close to the Solon Community Center, the public library, Community Park and the Giant Eagle Market District.

They will be able to access some of our public spaces, and were going to be reconfiguring Aurora Road with walking lanes and multipurpose paths, so they will be able to access those and exercise, Kraus said.

The newly created road would connect the Carrington Court apartments to Portz Parkway, Ara Bagdasarian noted.

We had this wonderful opportunity for these accessible sites nearby all these amenities, he said.

Leslie Bagdasarian said one reason she and Ara moved to Solon in 1997 was the citys strong special education programs.

They had a lot of kids with special needs coming here for school, she said. So as a result, there are a lot of kids with special needs who still live here.

The Solon Community Center is home to the Blue Ribbon Adapted Recreational Program, serving more than 300 individuals who have disabilities.

Leslie Bagdasarian is president of the Fragile X Alliance of Ohio support group, which she and Ara co-founded in 1997. Ara Bagdasarian served 12 years on the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He stepped down from the board due to term limits at the end of last year.

Ara Bagdasarian, left, and his wife, Leslie, complete their vote-by-mail ballots for the March 17 primary election at their home in Solon. (Ed Wittenberg, special to cleveland.com)

Would fill gap in zoning

The land where Solon Community Living would be built is currently zoned for single-family homes.

In order to get multiple buildings on the property, it would have to go to multi-family (zoning), Leslie Bagdasarian said. So (the city) took zoning that already existed for senior multi-family housing and tweaked the language a little bit, gearing it toward special needs or disabilities.

The R-3-C zoning classification would be a natural extension of the citys zoning code, Ara Bagdasarian said. He noted that the city has R-3-B zoning, for senior citizens age 55 and older, and R-3-A zoning, for those 50 and older. Both are multi-family districts.

But theres no zoning that permits those under 50 who have disabilities to have any kind of special place to live, he said. Theres a gap in the zoning, and (the city) drafted it very much to meet what were talking about here.

City Council approved legislation Dec. 2 to place the two zoning issues -- the special needs zoning and the restaurant zoning -- on the March 17 ballot. Councils support of both issues was unanimous.

(City Law Director) Tom Lobe laid out for us what would have to happen to make it on the March ballot at a meeting in July, Ara Bagdasarian said. The support we had from the mayor and the law director to get where we are was very helpful.

Frankland, who drafted the zoning ordinances that council and the citys Planning Commission approved, said only people with ADA disabilities and associated specialist caregivers would be permitted to live within an R-3-C development.

A preliminary site plan for the project shows 10 to 12 two-bedroom units of about 1,000 square feet each. There would be five buildings on the site, with a one-car garage for each unit.

There will be trained staff on the property 24-7, as well as caregivers for the individual residents, Leslie Bagdasarian said.

Solon Community Living would partner with Welcome House, an agency that has served people who have disabilities for nearly 50 years, for property management and service coordination.

Grassroots campaign

The Bagdasarians have led a grassroots ballot campaign to publicize the issue to residents.

Were trying to reach people in the way they get their news, Leslie Bagdasarian said. One piece of it was social media.

Weve also been speaking to local groups, seniors and clubs, because a lot of people dont read the newspaper. We created campaign literature, which weve been mailing, we had lawn signs made, and just word of mouth -- neighbors have been very supportive.

Estimated cost of the project is $3 million. Solon Community Living has secured about $700,000 in start-up donations, Ara Bagdasarian said.

If 10 families contribute a stakeholder fee of $150,000 (each), thats $1.5 million, he said. That leaves $830,000 to be funded either through grants, donations or financing. What we have in hand is about $1 million in funding, so were about one-third of the way.

The Bagdasarians said theyre optimistic about Issue 19s chances based on the positive feedback theyve received.

The stakes are too high to be cocky or confident, but we feel good about the support, and were working hard to make sure that it happens, Ara Bagdasarian said. If this is successful, it could pave the way for many more families to have other options for those who have disabilities.

Kraus: Issue 18 long overdue

Issue 18 proposes broadening restaurant uses permitted within Solons existing C-2 (restricted commercial) and C-6 (general commercial) zoning districts. If it passes, all of the citys major commercial zoning districts would allow the full range of restaurant-use types.

The amendment would add fast-food restaurants as a permitted use within the C-2 district, which covers the Uptown Solon Shopping Center and its vicinity on Kruse Drive.

It would also add sit-down, casual and fast-food restaurants as permitted uses within the C-6 district, which currently allows no restaurant uses. This district covers the area of Aldi, Hobby Lobby and Marcs on SOM Center Road and the west side of Solon Road, between Bainbridge and Aurora roads.

Its something that probably should have been done a long time ago, Kraus said. When you have a retail or commercial plaza, its unthinkable in this day and age that certain types of restaurants would not be permitted there.

This will standardize all the plazas where you can have all types of restaurants -- they could be casual, sit-down, drive-thru, whatever the market bears at that location.

Oranges Issue 30 is not tax increase

Issue 30 is described on the ballot as being for the benefit of the Orange City School District, but that is because the Orange Board of Education oversees Orange Community Education and Recreation. All funds from the levy would go to OCER.

If Issue 30 passes, it would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $28 per year. But this is not a tax increase; it is a renewal.

The levy was first passed in 1975 and has been renewed every five years since then.

According to Jill Korsok, director of OCER, the levy is designed to provide about 25 percent of the funds needed to operate OCER. The remaining 75 percent is derived from the fees participants pay to take a class, along with grants and donations.

OCER offers such programs as Youth Recreation, Open Door Before/After School Care, Orange Youth Sports, Orange Early Childhood Preschool, Stagecrafters Theatre, Adaptive Recreation, Orange Art Center, Orange Senior Center, and Adult Education and Discovery.

The passage of Issue 30 is important, because it will allow Orange Community Education and Recreation to continue providing the opportunities, programs and events that the residents of the Orange City School District have come to love, Korsok said in an email.

Studies show that prospective homebuyers consistently choose safe communities with strong schools and recreational opportunities. We are proud to play an integral role in this community by providing those recreational opportunities.

Last year, OCER served more than 13,000 participants, from preschool students to senior adults, Korsok said.

The department has successfully operated on the same 0.95-mill renewable levy funding, with no increases, since 1995.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
The Special Investigation Service and the Prosecutor Generals Office of Armenia have shown an innovative approach, as a result of which injured parties have been found during the trial over the case of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and other ex-officials. This is what attorney Aram Vardevanyan told reporters today.

The attorney stressed that either the entire population of the country or the Constitution can be injured parties under the case of overthrow of constitutional order (this refers to the presence of the relatives of the victims of the events of March 1, 2008, even though the circumstances behind the deaths of people arent considered during a trial-ed.)

Talking about the denial of the motion for self-recusal of Judge Anna Danibekyan, Aram Vardevanyan stressed that in the motions the attorneys had indicated the facts that make an objective observer have doubts about the judges objectivity. To justify, the attorney indicated the fact that the name or case of Robert Kocharyan wasnt mentioned during the incident connected with Mutafyan and Ohanjanyan, and proof of this is the video posted on the Internet.
And I absolutely understand and appreciate the concern and the sensitivity around this issue in Pilsen and other neighborhoods across the city," Lightfoot added. But what we have been doing  and my words I think are followed up by actual concrete deeds  is making sure we learn the lessons of the past, and that we are very sure we are involved, we are engaged, so that longtime residents can remain in their neighborhoods.
A new global study carried out in 27 countries by Ipsos MORI in the UK, in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College London for International Women's Day shows men and women remain divided about gender equality in the workplace. The online survey of carried out with 20,204 adults aged 16-74 year olds finds:

Only 30% of online South Africans think that the workplace treats men and women equally.





The majority of online South Africans (69%) think we need more female leaders in business and government to achieve equality.





Majority of online South Africans agree that equality wont be achieved without men also taking action.

In South Africa, the majority (68%) do not think the workplace treats men and women equally compared with just less than a third (30%) who do;



SA men and women have very different perceptions about gender equality in the workplace, with 4 of 10 (40%) of South African men who believe there is gender equality in the workplace compared with just 3 in 10 South African women (31%).

Globally, almost half of men (49%) agree that there is gender equality in the workplace in their country compared with just three in ten women (32%).



Countries where inequality in the workplace is felt to be greatest are Brazil (72%), Japan (71%) and France (69%). Conversely, those in Malaysia (68%), China (60%) and India (54%) are most likely to agree there is equality in the workplace between men and women.

Almost 7 in 10 South Africans (69%) agree that women wont achieve equality with men unless there are more female leaders in business and government.



Many more South African women (75%) agree with this statement than South African men (62%), however South African men rank third in terms of agreement with this statement.

Close to six in ten people (58%) agree that women wont achieve equality with men unless there are more female leaders in business and government, a third (36%) disagree.



However, the gender gap persists: two-thirds of women agree (65%) compared with half (51%) of men.



There is strongest agreement with this statement in India (69%), South Africa (69%) and Japan (68%) whereas those most likely to disagree are people in China (61%), Russia (49%) and South Korea (47%).

South Africans top the charts (80%) in terms of agreement with the statement that women will not achieve equality unless men start taking actions to support womens rights too. Although there are more women who support the statement (83%), more than three-quarters of South African men agree (78%)  highest across all markets surveyed.

The majority of people surveyed (68%) believe that equality wont be achieved between men and women unless men take actions to support women too although close to three in ten (27%) disagree.



Here there is much less of gender divide between the sexes: three-quarters (74%) of women agree as do six in ten men (62%).



Respondents most likely to agree that men need to play their part in achieving equality in other countries, include India (78%) and Hungary (77%). At the other end, countries where people are least likely to say that men should play their part are the Netherlands (53%), Russia (49%) and China (42%).

16-74 in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Sweden;



18-74 in Canada, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States of America;



19-74 in South Korea.

The study is conducted online and therefore only includes views of connected South Africans, which means that most are likely to be active in the workplace.These are the findings of a survey conducted in 27 countries via Global Advisor, the online survey platform of Ipsos, between 24 January - 7 February 2020.For this survey, Ipsos interviewed a total ofadults aged:The sample consists of 1,000+ individuals in each of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the US, and of 500+ individuals in each of the other countries surveyed.The data is weighted so each countrys sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of its adult population according to the most recent census data, and to give each country an equal weight in the total global sample.Online surveys can be taken as representative of the general working-age population in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Online samples in other countries surveyed are more urban, more educated and/or more affluent than the general population and the results should be viewed as reflecting the views of a more connected population.Sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. The precision of online surveys conducted on Global Advisor is measured using a Bayesian Credibility Interval. Here, the poll has a credibility interval of +/-3.5 percentage points for countries where the sample is 1,000+ and +/- 4.8 points for countries where the sample is 500+. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please go to https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2017-03/IpsosPA_CredibilityIntervals.pdf Senior Client OfficerIpsos South AfricaService Line Manager, Public Affairs
Houston is home to some of the most talented fashion designers making their mark in the industry with their creative and unique designs.

Sought after designers are coming up in the ranks and making Houston a fashion hub where once only places like New York, Milan, or Paris held that title.

In recent years, we have seen not only a rise in several H-Town designers, but new boutiques popping up with their personal labels being sold not only in Texas but making their way down the fashion runways of international fashion capitals .

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: VIP view: Houston Chronicle co-hosts Neiman Marcus spring fashion cocktail party in the Galleria

In 2010, Houston Fashion Week debuted as the first of its kind in the Space City highlighting up-and-coming talent in the fashion world. Since then, the event has grown in capacity to include not only homegrown H-Town designers but nationally, and internally acclaimed fashion designers as well unveiling their awe-inspiring collections.

Take Chloe Dao who discovered her inner fashionista at the age of 10. You may know her from her Project Runway Season 2 win that skyrocketed her to fame as she went from a local immigrant designer to an international superstar living out her American dream, as shared on her website. Her boutique in town features many of her own signature designs created to flatter any body type with their elegant, modern, and chic styles to compliment any wardrobe.

Cesar Galindo is a Houston native designer with 30-plus years under his belt working in the fashion industry. Galindo grew up in Houston's East End and even at a young age demonstrated the tremendous talent we have seen today in red-carpet looks. His collections have graced the runways of New Yorks Fashion Week for many years now. The New York-based designer has created designs for artist such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, and most recently the design director for Kimora Lee Simmon's contemporary women's line.

HOUSTON FASHION: Wild fashions, homemade dresses wow crowd at Inspire Film Festival

How about Avant-garde fashion designer Enid Almanza, the Mexican-born fashion designer who brings his visions to life by exploring different art forms through his collections with notes of romanticism to gothic that create stories and scenarios shown throughout his photo shoots.

Fashion designer Theresa Pham's struggle with infertility inspired her one of a kind mother-daughter collection  TP MiniMe (Theresa Pham Designs). Style and quality that are designed to look as if they were made uniquely for you.

Then there's Luisa Nadarajah eco-friendly collection who shares on her website that she knew at an early age that she was in this world to make it beautiful and extraordinary.

Our slideshow highlights a collection of veteran and up and coming designers setting the Houston fashion scene on fire with their distinctive and individual styles that sets them apart.

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Three members of the Springfield Public Schools staff are under a two-week quarantine for possible exposure to coronavirus.

The three employees recently traveled to Italy. They were sent home and told to follow self-quarantine protocols. None reported symptoms connected to the virus.

This step is taken as a precautionary measure and based solely on the state guidelines put forward yesterday afternoon by the MA DPH, said Springfield Public Schools spokesperson Azell Cavaan in a statement to MassLive.

The employees positions within Springfield Public Schools or where theyre based was not disclosed but all the families have been informed, Cavaan said.

One of the staffers was based at Boland Elementary School, according to a letter sent to parents and guardians and shared with MassLive. The letter, sent by Boland Principal Lisa M Bakowski, stated that the staff member had been gone home because of his trip to Italy.

The letter also detailed that the school custodians have been disinfecting and sanitizing the building since the start of the cold and flu season.

Although the risk of getting coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the U.S. remains low, public health officials state its not clear how easily this new disease spreads from person to person.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus cases.

Symptoms may appear as soon as two days after exposure or up to two weeks after. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

As of Wednesday, at least 719 people in Massachusetts have self-quarantined after showing possible symptoms, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. Officials said that its at the discretion of local boards of health to monitor symptoms of the virus and make decisions with respect to quarantining individuals within their localities.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:57:47|Editor: xuxin

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ADDIS ABABA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Friday rejected the latest resolution made by the Arab League concerning the disputing Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia notes with dismay the "Resolution" of the Executive Council of the Arab League concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issued on March 5, 2020. Ethiopia rejects the "Resolution" in its entirety," the ministry said in a statement issued on Friday.

The ministry also stressed that the resolution "gives blind support to a member state without taking into consideration key facts at the center of the GERD talks," while emphasizing that Ethiopia's relations with the peoples' and governments of member states of the Arab League "are longstanding based on common values, deep-rooted cultural ties and traditions."

"The relationship demonstrated the power of justice in the face of adversity, sanctuary in the face of persecution, cooperation at the time of need, and friendly relations during alienation," the ministry said, adding "as an institution composed of sovereign countries, the League is expected to follow an approach that allows an accurate representation of facts and balances all interests involved."

The ministry also reiterated the East African country's "longstanding and firm position as expressed by successive governments that it has the right to use its Nile water resources to meet the needs of the present and future generations."

"As the Nile is a transboundary water resource Ethiopia is committed to the principles of equitable and reasonable use, not causing significant harm and that of cooperation," the statement read.

The ministry further reiterated that Ethiopia "firmly believe that through continued open and transparent dialogue there is great potential to arrive at an amicable solution," while indicating that "hegemonic posturing is unproductive and need not have a place in our interdependent global order."

Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday expressed their rejection of harming Egypt's historical rights to the Nile River water by the construction of the GERD.

"The water security of Egypt is an integral part of the Arab national security," said the Arab top diplomats during a meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo.

"The Council announces rejection of any unilateral measures that might be taken by Ethiopia, including starting filling the GERD reservoir, without reaching a comprehensive agreement governing the dam filling process and organizing its operation," said an AL resolution issued following the meeting.

Filling the reservoir, whose total capacity is 74 billion cubic meters, may take several years. Egypt seeks to prolong the period to avoid the negative effects of water shortage, which is a main point of the talks.

Ethiopia, Africa's second populous nation with an estimated 107 million total population and an upstream Nile Basin country, started building its grand hydropower dam in 2011 on the Blue Nile, a major tributary to the River Nile, while downstream Egypt has been since then expressing its concern that Ethiopia's dam might affect its share of the Nile water.

The East African country argued that the construction GERD, which is expected to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity and become Africa's largest hydropower dam upon completion, would drive its development aspiration, without harming the downstream Nile Basin countries, mainly Sudan and Egypt.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar on Friday said there is no need to panic on account of developments in the Yes Bank. "What's there to panic, no need to panic, all depositors are safe RBI governor has said also, just be patient, everything will be fine," Kumar told reporters.

Yes Bank shares were down to 15.10 from Rs 21.70 (58.97 per cent). State Bank of India in a late night information on Thursday to exchanges said its board has given in-principle approval to explore an investment opportunity in Yes Bank.

ALSO READ| Yes Bank resolution to be done 'very swiftly'; 30 days outer limit: RBI governor Shaktikanta Das

Earlier RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank will come out with a scheme very shortly to revive Yes Bank within 30 days. "We took the step (of putting it under moratorium) when we found that Yes Bank efforts were not working. Depositors' interests will be fully protected. A decision has been taken not only to deal with the problem in the individual entity but also to maintain the resilience of the Indian financial sector."

He said that the RBI's decision on Yes Bank will help maintain the resilience of the financial sector. He said that the Yes Bank issue's resolution will be done very swiftly, within 30 days as the outer time limit. On Thursday, the RBI superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator, putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month.

ALSO READ| Here is all you need to know about the Yes Bank moratorium

The RBI said that the bank's board was superseded "owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the Bank". Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator of Yes Bank.
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket rolls out to the launch pad at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana for the VS23 mission, on Dec. 12, 2019.

A sharp-eyed satellite's launch has been pushed back from its expected Thursday (March 5) launch date until no earlier than April due to a rocket problem, according to a media report.

Arianespace, which will be providing the launch from French Guiana, has not disclosed a reason for the delay. Nor did it release a new launch date for Falcon Eye 2, which is a high-performance optical observation satellite for commercial and military users in the United Arab Emirates.

"The launch vehicle and its satellite payload have been placed in stand-by mode and maintained in fully safe conditions," the European company said in a brief statement.

Related: Space calendar 2020: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more!

Media reports concerning the United Arab Emirates mission, however, point to an issue with the Fregat upper stage of the Soyuz ST-A rocket as the reason for the delay. As this is not the first issue with a Fregat, the reports suggest engineers are (out of caution) completely replacing this mission's upper stage, as opposed to trying to fix the Fregat mounted on the Soyuz ST-A rocket.

It was just six weeks ago that Falcon Eye 2 was moved from a Vega rocket launch to the Soyuz, according to SpaceNews. The Arianespace Vega line remains grounded while the company works to address a launch failure in 2019 that destroyed the Falcon Eye 1 satellite. Coincidentally, both Arianespace and satellite manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space told SpaceNews that the switch was meant to avoid delays to the mission. With Fregat now posing issues, however, Falcon Eye 2 will be sidelined for several weeks at the least, media reports suggest.

"[A] Russian industry source said that the mission was postponed until early April due to [the] customer's demand to replace [the] Fregat upper stage on the rocket, even though Russian specialists proposed to fix the problem on the current booster," said RussianSpaceWeb, which follows the Russian space industry.

Engineers plan to replace the upper stage by swapping in another Fregat meant to be used for the French Optical Space Component (CSO-2) satellite, which is scheduled to launch April 10, RussianSpaceWeb added. This procedure, however, forced Falcon Eye 2's Soyuz rocket to return to the vehicle processing building, where it was prepared for launch.

Such procedures typically delay launches by days or weeks, since the rocket must be unhooked from connections at the launchpad, moved back to the building for processing, returned to the launchpad and then prepared again for launch. It's unclear from the RussianSpaceWeb report if CSO-2 will also be delayed, if CSO-2's Fregat is reassigned to Falcon Eye 2.

An unnamed Russian source, quoted in state news outlet TASS, also mentioned Fregat problems on Tuesday (March 5). "A problem in one of the booster's cables was revealed during the pre-launch tests of the carrier rocket's electrical equipment," the source told TASS. The media report suggested the launch would be delayed at least 24 hours.

Fregat has been troublesome in the past. For example: an ambitious Martian moon mission known as Phobos-Grunt never made it to its destination in 2011 due to a Fregat failure, instead lingering uselessly in Earth's orbit for two months before crashing back to our planet. And in 2014, two fully operational Galileo navigation satellites were stranded in the wrong orbit due to Fregat issues.

The Russian space industry has been criticized for its rate of launch failures in general. In March 2018, the website Parabolic Arc calculated that during the past 30 years, there have been an average of two failures annually of Russian launch vehicles. That October, a Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft carrying two people to the International Space Station aborted, the first such incident in more than three decades.

Analysts briefly worried about the impact on the International Space Station program since only Soyuz spacecraft can launch astronauts into space (until U.S. commercial crew vehicles are ready, which could happen in 2020.) The Russians, however, swiftly traced the problem to a deformed sensor, allowing the next launch to the International Space Station to proceed a little early, in December 2018.

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett has recognized that the conversation on marijuana has taken on a whole new trend.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett recognizes the changes that are taking place with respect to the marijuana issue.





"Whether we like it or not, the whole conversation on marijuana is changing. While the law remains, the Court is listening. Parliament is also doing certain things, Burnett commented at the Kingstown Magistrates Court on Monday, after Kerwin Pierre pleaded guilty to possession of 471 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.





He made it clear that he was speaking for himself.





After the facts were read earlier, the Senior Magistrate asked Pierre, "There is a debate going on right now about marijuana; do you know about it?





Pierre replied, "I heard about it.





When the Magistrate asked what he heard, he said he heard the views regarding the medicinal and recreational aspects of the herb, and that persons were applying for licences to cultivate medical marijuana. He added that he also heard that persons who never planted marijuana before are now doing so.





Members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) had nabbed Pierre at Rose Place, Kingstown on February 28.





A search of a knapsack he was carrying revealed two brown taped packages which, when cut open, were found to contain marijuana.





When cautioned, Pierre replied, "Officer, is weed to sell.





Pierre was fined $500 to be paid by April 30, or one month in prison.




A drunk cyclist with a lengthy criminal history who stole a bike before throwing a wine goon bag at a female police officer has received a suspended jail sentence.

William Thomas Mow, 29, pleaded guilty to a string of charges when he faced Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, including assaulting a police officer and riding a bike under the influence.

Other charges included contravening a police direction, obstructing police, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, not wearing a helmet and failing to appear to court.

The court heard Mow was attempting to flee from police in Townsville in the early hours of January 5, when he threw a wine goon at a female's officer so hard that it exploded in fer face, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

A drunk cyclist with a lengthy criminal history who stole a bike before throwing a wine goon bag at a female police officer has received a suspended jail sentence (stock image)

Mow later told police he threw the projectile in an attempt to slow officers down so they couldn't catch up to him, the court heard.

'When police caught up with you, you broke free when (the officer) took hold of you and then you threw a wine bladder at her face  and it exploded on her face and her clothes,' Magistrate Cathy Wadley summed up the claims in court.

Mow's lawyer Margaret Crowther said her client didn't intentionally throw the wine cask at the officers face and later apologised to the policewoman, the court heard.

She also added Mow was in Townsville at the time trying to find work but had moved to Halifax to help his former partner raise their baby, the publication reported.

Magistrate Wadley noted Mow's 17-page criminal history, which included multiple assault, and traffic convictions.

They included 18 prior convictions for failing to wear a helmet and while another 14 were for failing to appear in court.

Mow was jailed for two months for assaulting the police officer and and one month failing to appear he was jailed for one month, to be served cumulatively.

He also coMow was jailed for seven days on the charge of unlawful possession of the bicycle and seven days for obstructing police, to be served concurrently.

Magistrate Wadley suspended the three-month jail sentence for a year and fined Mow $500.
Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Gautam Sawang on Friday informed of the various initiatives taken by the police to ensure a safer environment for women in the state.

"We are changing women police stations into Disha stations. As of now, six Disha police stations have been started, 12 more Disha police stations will be started on March 8," said the DGP during a press conference.

"In 51 Disha cases, charge-sheets were filed within a week. Disha SOS App is also a hit. Almost 2 lakh people have downloaded the App so far. The concept of Zero FIR has also been introduced in the state and till date, 206 Zero FIRs are filed. Two forensic labs will also be set up at Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. We will thrive to make AP a role model for women safety," he added.

Last year, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed two Disha Bills which enable the death penalty for rape besides taking stringent action for crimes on women by setting up of special courts to deal with such offences.

M. Deepika, the Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act added, "A special command control room has been set up for Disha call centre. The call centre received 14,000 calls. Most of them were about harassment by the husband."

The law was brought in the backdrop of the barbaric and dastardly gang-rape and murder of a woman veterinarian in Telangana.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NORWALK  Though few in number, residents opposed to a plan to extend the geographical area in which a set of tax incentives would apply brought a plethora of concerns forward at a public hearing Thursday night at City Hall.

Currently, Norwalks Enterprise Zone encompasses the South Norwalk neighborhood. The plan would see it expand to include West Avenue and Wall Street. At the Planning Committee of the Common Council meeting, three residents spoke out against the proposal, questioning its efficacy in spurring development amid rising city taxes.

I just think its a bad idea because were having a hard time paying our own taxes, former Common Council member Richard Bonenfant said. You guys passed a budget. I get it, there was school pressures to keep the school system afloat and do good things there. But in the end, all our taxes are going to go up about 4 or 500 bucks, and now you want us to pay someone elses taxes in the middle of town.

Developers who improve a property within the Enterprise Zone become eligible to have their real estate assessment fixed for a period of seven years. In the first and second years, 100 percent of the assessment increase would be deferred. That rate of deferral would continue to decrease incrementally until it reached 10 percent in the seventh year.

For a neighborhood to be eligible, 25 percent or more of residents must be under the poverty level, 25 percent or more of families must receive public assistance or welfare income, or the unemployment rate must be 200 percent the states average.

According to a news release disseminated before the meeting by Chief of Economic and Community Development Jessica Casey, the West Avenue/Wall Street area was chosen because it meets two of the three criteria. With 24.2 percent of residents below the poverty level, it nearly meets all three.

One resident, Diane Cece, who is a member of the East Norwalk Neighborhood Association, questioned the broadness of the criteria.

It seems to be very liberal in terms of it just needs to be one of several criteria regarding the economic activity in an area, Cece said. I think it should be much more stringent than that.

The statewide Enterprise Zone program was enacted in 1982 by Connecticut and offers 10 types of zones, each of which offers incentives for different kinds of development. The expansion of the Enterprise Zone in Norwalk is just one approach to economic development meant to support the citys Plan of Conservation and Development that was approved in December.

The Enterprise Zone as mapped would overlap with Norwalks three Opportunity Zones, a federal tax incentive that offers tax deferrals on capital gains in designated low-income neighborhoods.

Donna Smirniotopoulos, a local blogger, characterized the overlap of Opportunity and Enterprise zones redundant and questioned whether the expansion had been advocated by prominent developers in Norwalk.

To me, this seems redundant. I realize its a different kind of tax advantage. ... I think for bigger entities, larger developers, the Opportunity Fund should be sufficient, Smirniotopoulos said. I would imagine, if I had to guess, there are probably a couple of those top five developers who have been asking for this and who have said were not going to do what we said were going to do if you dont give this to us. ... I think there are other ways we can encourage developers to come in.

The committee did not discuss the plan, which will be on the agenda at the groups next meeting, before eventually being advanced to the full Common Council.

I think we all believe that the Wall Street area missed the bus, as far as development is concerned, decade after decade, Planning Committee Chair John Kydes said. Maybe Enterprise Zone is the answer, maybe not. So, to be continued.

justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586
Amanda Holden put on an extremely playful display with her Heart Radio co-host Jamie Theakston on Thursday, when she attempted to grab his manhood at the 2020 Global Awards.

The presenter, 49, larked about on stage during the awards show, and joked that she had a new way to greet him Jamie to avoid shaking his hand, amid ongoing fears surrounding the coronavirus.

It came after Amanda put on an effortlessly chic display in a fitted black jumpsuit with a diamante detailing, as she walked the star-studded blue carpet.

Scroll down for video

Cheeky! Amanda Holden playfully attempted to grab her co-host Jamie Theakston's manhood on Thursday, as they took to the stage at the 2020 Global Awards

At the beginning of the show, Amanda and Jamie were in high spirits as they exchanged some playful quips.

Amanda told the audience that residents in France were being told to steer clear of shaking each other's hands to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

She said: 'There is a new way in France of how we're supposed to greet people. It starts like this...'

Funny: The presenter, 49, larked about on stage during the awards show, after joking she had a new way to greet Jamie in a bid to avoid the ongoing fears surrounding the coronavirus

Larking about: At the beginning of the show, Amanda and Jamie were in high spirits as they exchanged some playful quips

Larking about: Amanda told the audience that residents in France were being told to steer clear of shaking each other's hands to avoid spreading the coronavirus

Joking: Amanda then tapped elbows with Jamie, and then stuck out her foot to touch his, before playfully moving to grab his private parts

Fun: Shouting in protest, the presenter swerved just in time, leaving Amanda in fits of giggles

Amanda then tapped elbows with Jamie, and then stuck out her foot to touch his, before playfully moving to grab his private parts.

Shouting in protest, the presenter swerved just in time, leaving Amanda in fits of giggles.

Luckily the entire moment appeared to be taken in good humour, and Jamie and Amanda quickly moved on to present the award for Best British Act.

On Sunday, France's director general of health Jerome Salomon reaffirmed that French residents should avoid shaking hands or kissing, in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Turning heads: Ahead of the star-studded awards show, Amanda Holden maintained her typically chic style sense as she attended the Global Awards

So far more than 100,000 people have been infected with the virus worldwide, with the number of UK cases jumping to 163 on Friday.

Ahead of the star-studded awards show, Amanda maintained her typically chic style sense.

The TV and radio host looked sensational as she highlighted her youthful-looking figure in a bedazzled black jumpsuit, which featured a sweetheart neckline.

All in the details: The TV and radio host looked sensational as she highlighted her youthful-looking figure in a bedazzled black jumpsuit, which featured a sweetheart neckline

Ensuring focus remained on her sparkling outfit, the Britain's Got Talent judge boosted her frame in a pair of classic heels.

The media personality coordinated with her ensemble in the accessory department as she was decked out in a selection of diamond jewellery.

With her shoulder-length tresses dressed into loose waves, Amanda accentuated her out-of-this-world beauty with a matte, neutral-toned make-up look.

Following a wild night at the awards show, Amanda was spotted leaving the awards in her glitzy jumpsuit.

The star was helped to her car by a smartly-dressed man as she made her way out of the raucous awards ceremony.

But she had to pause momentarily after dropping what appeared to be a make-up compact on the ground which she quickly scooped up.

Oops! Amanda made her way out of the raucous awards ceremony but was forced to pause momentarily after dropping a make-up compact on the ground
Foxx withdrew from the case last year in what she termed a colloquial recusal, then assigned her top deputy to handle the matter, which Toomin said rendered the entire prosecution invalid. Foxx had the right to step away but did not have the right to name her successor, the judge said.
Lisa Browns latest book showcases the author-illustrators familiar cartoon style, but its also a departure. The Phantom Twin (First Second) is Browns first graphic novel. Set at an early 20th-century sideshow, the story follows the fate of conjoined twins, who were sold by their parents to a carnival owner when they were toddlers. Now 16, the (slightly) older, bossy sister, Jane, presses Isabel into undergoing experimental surgery so they can lead separate, normal lives, something Isabel isnt sure she wants. Tragically, Jane dies as a result of the operation. Her ghost then haunts Isabel as she struggles with being alone for the first time in her life. Brown spoke with us from her home in San Francisco, which she shares with her husband Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket).

Your style seems well-suited for this format, but is this the first graphic novel youve ever attempted?

It is, although Ive done a lot of comics. The difference is that they are rarely more than five pages long. In fact, I guess I actually started out with comics because in college I did a comic strip for the student newspaper.

It seems like an enormous amount of work. Did it take years to finish?

It is a ton of work. I had been thinking about this story for probably 10 years before I was really ready to embark on such a huge undertaking. I did sort of investigations into a lot of the characters to start. I did maybe 10 of those, two-to-three page comics about each one, but then I put it away for a while.

Do you remember where you came up with the original idea?

There was not really any specific incident, but a lot of my work has to do with ghosts and Ive always loved carnivals and circus sideshow-type things. The more research I did, the more interested I got.

Are some of the characters in Phantom Twin based on real historical figures?

All of them are, pretty much, but they are pastiches, of course. There was a bearded lady who was married to an alligator-skinned man. They ended up opening their own sideshow and then retiring to Gibsonton in Florida, where the laws on having exotic animals as pets were really lax so the town drew a lot of former circus people. I dont have a giant in my book, but there was a giant who married the half lady, Jeanie Tomaini.

Were the twins based on real people?

Jane and Isabel were inspired by the Hilton sisters, Daisy and Violet, who were huge stars in the 1920s and 30s. They starred in Freaks by Tod Browning, which was the seminal film about carnival performers because it starred real people with disabilities. The Hilton sisters had a really hard life. They were exploited by people who stole their money. They got married, divorced. They really lost everything in the end except for each other.

But they never underwent surgery to try to separate them?

No. One of the things I tried to explore with Isabel and Jane is the ableist assumption that conjoined twins necessarily want to be separated. Whos to say that apart is better than together and who gets to make that decision? In this day and age, the assumption is being separate, being normal is better, but thats an assumption that you have to check. Its akin to intersex people. It used to be that when an intersex person was born, the doctor made the decision at birth about which gender you would be. How is that fair?

After Janes death, Isabel wants to go back to the sideshow. Is that because it was really the only life she had known?

The more research I did, the more I learned that some of the performers differences gave them enormous agency that they wouldnt have had if they did anything else with their lives. Some would never have been able to earn a living or leave their homes, but in the sideshow they were full members of a group, even if it was a group of outsiders. It was not true for all of them, but it made me think about those who really wanted to be in the sideshow. What if that was where you felt most at home? So the heart of the book, to me, is not the sideshow but the idea of conquering loneliness and finding where you belong. If you are a conjoined twin whose sister died and you are haunted by her ghost, at least youre not alone. If you have some sort of difference in a world that objects to that, you need to be in a community of like-minded people. I really thought that idea would work in a book for teens because at that age teens always think everyone is staring at them.

Are there any sideshows still in operation?

There have been sideshows throughout the early 2000s. There was one at Coney Island that had its own bearded lady. I dont think the appeal is all about exploitation. I read this book, Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination [by Rachel Adams]. [The author] says that the act of going to see a sideshow may actually be empowering to a person who feels different themselves because they see freaks being celebrated for their difference. Theyre putting their difference on display and theyre not afraid.

You use the word freaks. Would sideshow performers be offended by that?

My impression is that it has been embraced like the word queer has. Its a term that was initially pejorative but has been reclaimed. Its not an insider term. Its something like, Were freaks and were proud of it.

The underpinnings of this graphic novel are very much rooted in reality, but then there is the ghost. What was behind the choice to add this fantasy element?

Well, Im into ghosts. And I wasnt trying to have a realistic story about the history of sideshows, because to talk about any history of that is really problematic. But that doesnt mean you cant explore it. Its a complicated, fraught story. What I hope is that in telling the story of sideshow performers, itll bring up stuff for teens to think about and create some empathy not only for these fictional performers but for other, real people, who are different. It feels like maybe it will be really relatable to teenagers because they are all sure they are different from everybody else.

Would you say theres an equivalent to finding your group in high school? There was a girl in my sons class who was a bit of an outcast because she wore kitty ears to school every single day. Then another girl showed up with kitty ears and a tail and they became instant best friends.

Yes! I had a student [Brown teaches illustration at California College of the Arts] who wore ears and a tail every day and only drew wolves. Where my son goes to school, everyone has their own thing. Its a whole school of iconoclasts. Everybodys an outsider in one way or another.

Do you think youll do another graphic novel?

Totally. But they do take a lot of time. If I manage to come up with a series, there goes the rest of my life.

The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown. First Second, $17.99 March ISBN 978-1-62672-924-7
/ -- Paragon Testing Enterprises expands the availability of the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP-General) and the Canadian Academic English Language Test Computer Edition (CAEL CE) to more locations in India.

Paragon partnered with MeritTrac Services to open Paragon Test Centres in several locations across India.

Dr. Donald Wehrung, CEO and President at Paragon, said, "We are very pleased to partner with MeritTrac to expand the availability of the CELPIP-General and CAEL CE Tests in India. Previously, we had one location in Chandigarh, but have had a lot of demand from test takers in India requesting additional locations. We are excited that test takers will now have greater access to our high-quality tests to prove their English language proficiency for immigration to Canada or study in Canada."



Shawn Lepper, National Director of Business Development at MeritTrac stated, "We are delighted to deliver the CELPIP-General and CAEL CE Tests, and we are confident that they will be successful. Test takers at our test centre will experience a professional computerized testing environment."



The first location with MeritTrac is now open in New Delhi with several test sittings for the CELPIP-General Test being administered every month. CAEL CE is currently available in Chandigarh along with our CELPIP-General Test, but MeritTrac will soon be delivering CAEL CE as well. Throughout 2020, MeritTrac will deliver the tests at several more locations throughout India.

Since Paragon's founding in 2009, the company has rapidly expanded and now includes over 70 test centres across Canada. More recently, Paragon has extended its network of test centres internationally to keys areas in India, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. In addition, CAEL CE is available in mainland China. The company plans to continue expanding internationally to areas of high demand.

About CELPIP-General



CELPIP-General is Canada's leading English language proficiency test for immigration purposes. It is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for use by individuals who are applying for permanent resident status in Canada and Canadian citizenship. Learn more about CELPIP at celpip.ca.

About CAEL CE



CAEL CE is Canada's leading academic English language proficiency test. The test is currently accepted by more than 180 Canadian universities and colleges for admission to their academic programs. Learn more about CAEL CE at cael.ca.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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.

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Boris Johnsons government has been accused of keeping the public in the dark over the true cost of Brexit, as new figures show that Whitehall departments have spent at least 4.4bn on preparations for withdrawal from the EU.

And there were warnings that the figure will only increase as the prospect looms of new border checks and controls at the end of the transition period in December.

The National Audit Office study found that more than 22,000 civil servants across 18 government departments were working on Brexit preparations by the end of last year, with the task consuming 12 per cent of all senior mandarins and 5 per cent of the total workforce. If the staff working on Brexit had been gathered in one department, it would have been the sixth largest in Whitehall.

The massive bureaucratic burden of Brexit reversed an austerity drive to reduce staffing numbers on Whitehall, with the total number of senior civil servants now 9 per cent higher than in 2010.

Around 1.9bn was spent on staffing, 288m on external consultants and lawyers and 1.5bn on new infrastructure, computer systems and advertising. Some 92m was classed as losses, including 50m paid to ferry companies and 33m to Eurotunnel as part of the abortive efforts to provide extra cross-Channel capacity in the case of hold-ups in Dover in a no-deal situation.

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

Brexit preparations soaked up 1 out of every 100 of planned government spending, at a time when many departments were experiencing real-terms cuts.

But the NAO figure does not include spending after 1 January this year, losses caused by diverting staff and resources away from departmental responsibilities or future costs such as the 30bn divorce settlement and the ongoing bill for additional red tape. And it does not cover additional costs to businesses and individuals from EU withdrawal.

The report said that departments had made little information public on how they spent the funds set aside for Brexit preparations, and NAO boss Gareth Davies said it exposed limitations in the way ministers monitored the spending.

The chair of the European Movement, former Conservative cabinet minister Stephen Dorrell, said the report highlighted the astounding cost of Brexit that has been hidden from the public.

The lack of detail and limited data contained in the report is indicative of the secretive way that the government is delivering Brexit, said Mr Dorrell.

Boris Johnson is insisting on delivering one of the greatest constitutional changes in half a century behind smoke and mirrors, without the democratic accountability we expect of our government.

The chair of the influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, Meg Hillier, said: The public has been kept in the dark as to what the government has been doing. Data is limited, and the Treasury seem unconcerned by the lack of transparency.

And Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Alistair Carmichael called on ministers to come clean on exactly how the Brexit billions were spent.

"Billions of pounds have been thrown away in a bid to paper over the Tories' Brexit mess, said Mr Carmichael. The public have a right to know where it is all going. In the face of major floods and the coronavirus threat, we have to ask if the government knows its own spending priorities.

Chancellors Philip Hammond and Sajid Javid made a total of 6.3bn available to government departments and devolved administrations between June 2016 and March 2020 to prepare for EU exit, including 2bn for the eventuality of no-deal.

With no-deal Brexit still a strong possibility, and prime minister Boris Johnson indicating that he may decide as early as June to quit on World Trade Organisation terms, it is unclear how much of this money will eventually be spent.

The government staged trials of traffic management systems to prepare for a no-deal Brexit (Rex)

Naomi Smith, the chief executive of the Best for Britain campaign, said: "An awful lot of money has been spent by government departments on the process of leaving the EU.

"And those costs will only soar as we approach June without the government budging at all on its negotiating stance.

"We've spent billions on this when to be frank there are other priorities we should be focusing on. With coronavirus looking like it will wreak havoc for months to come, let's support our NHS at this critical time instead."

Biggest Whitehall spenders on Brexit preparations were the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which spent 871m; the Home Office (803m); and HM Revenue & Customs (748m). The Cabinet Office reported a communications spend of 49m, including funding for the "Get ready for Brexit" campaign in the run-up to the 31 October deadline for withdrawal, which was missed.

Major infrastructure spending included the Operation Brock system to manage traffic disruption in Kent, which was forecast to reach 69m by the end of 2019-20.

Eleven departments spent more than their allocation in 2017-18 and 12 in 2018-19, forcing them to divert a total of 301m from existing budgets. More than 1,500 civil servants were moved between departments as part of the process.
(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MARCH 6 - The number of migrants who are travelling through central areas of Turkey to reach the border with Greece and cross into the EU has risen to 142,175, according to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. The Turkish government announced a week ago that it would not be stopping them anymore.



Soylu on Thursday spoke about 138,000 people.



Athens has so far confirmed that it has prevented about 35,000 attempts to illegally cross the border. (ANSAmed)
Deliveroo and supermarket delivery staff are being urged to take steps to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

It comes as trade unions urged the Northern Ireland Executive to step in and take measures to protect workers rights.

Assistant General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Owen Reidy has written to the ministers for the Economy, Communities, Health, Finance as well as the Executive Office appealing to them to protect workers and their incomes in the event of a major outbreak.

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Companies including Asda and Deliveroo have issued advice to delivery drivers in a move to protect them from contracting the virus.

Deliveroo riders have been sent official guidelines based on the advice of the NHS and public health bodies, which include what to do if they thing they may have symptoms and how to stay safe when delivering an order.

They've also been asked to get in contact directly with the company if they test positive for the coronavirus so they can take precautionary steps.

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The company said it is in touch with health authorities on a daily basis to seek advice and guidance.

For Asda workers, home delivery staff are being advised to follow government advice, including guidance on hand-washing.

It's understood delivery drivers are unlikely to contract the disease as official advice indicates those in close contact with patients fall into the low-risk category.

Close contact is considered either face-to-face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person.

While Asda delivery drivers do not have ready access to a sink to regularly wash their hands, they do carry cleaning equipment in their vans.

Even for those who are eligible, the payment is still too low at just 94.25 a week Owen Reidy

The Northern Ireland committee of the ICTU has called for Stormont to make a case for stronger action on protecting workers. It said proposals considered at Westminster did not go far enough saying the NI Executive has the power to act.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to introduce sick pay from day one of someone self-isolating.

A letter from the ICTU to the Executive pointed toward government planning indicating a fifth of the work force could be off sick as the outbreak takes hold and highlighted how Northern Ireland had a disproportionate number of low-paid workers not eligible for sick pay.

"We must also acknowledge the warnings from the Department of Health that it is highly likely that the spread of this virus could significantly increase," Owen Reidy wrote.

"Even for those who are eligible, the payment is still too low at just 94.25 a week."

Read More

He said the measures may lead to workers not taking the appropriate time off work if they fall ill.

Mr Reidy called for emergency legislation to ensure universal sick pay for all workers, with a lower threshold to ensure anyone is entitled no matter how much they earn - and for sick pay to be increased to the Real Living wage of the weekly equivalent of 9.30 an hour.

He also called for workers who have been required by their employer to self-isolate are treated as at work and therefore receive full pay.
Ng Han Guan/Associated Press

En espanol | Just as medical experts are learning more each day about how the new coronavirus (dubbed SARS-CoV-2) impacts the health of humans, theyre also studying its effects on animals. And what theyve discovered is that although the virus primarily spreads from person to person, it can spread from people to pets in some situations.

A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

Cats appear to be the most susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and can even develop symptoms of the disease, preliminary studies show. They also seem to be able to spread the virus to other cats. (Laboratory studies have found that ferrets and golden or Syrian hamsters can spread the infection to other animals of the same species as well.)

How to protect your pets



Keeping your four-legged family members safe during the coronavirus pandemic looks a lot like how you might go about protecting the humans in your family.

Physical distancing is a key preventative measure. Public health experts recommend keeping your pet away from other people and animals outside the household.

Avoid dog parks and public spaces where dogs gather to play, and when on walks, keep your dog at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Cats should be kept indoors when possible to limit their interaction with other people and pets, the CDC advises.

If you or someone in your family is sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pets  this includes petting, snuggling and smooching. If possible, have another member of your household care for your pet while you are sick, the CDC says. Also: Be sure to wear a cloth face covering if and when you are around your pet, and dont forget to wash your hands before and after touching any animal. This helps to keep you and your pet healthy.

If you are concerned that your pet has been exposed to the coronavirus, contact your veterinarian. Just like with people, its better to call first to limit the risk of exposing others to the virus.
The extra measures for the prevention of Covid-19 coronavirus spread are assumed in Kyiv. The holding of cultural and mass events in enclosed spaces is restricted as Permanent Commission on technogenic environmental security and emergency of Kyiv City State Administration reported.

The Department of education of and science, Department of youth and sports, Department of social policy, Department of culture, district state administrations of Kyiv, heads of higher educational establishments should restrict the holding of cultural and mass events in enclosed spaces and dormitories, the message said.

Besides, the wet cleaning with the use of disinfectants will take place as well as frequent regular cross ventilation of rooms will take place.

In the hospitals, the patients with the signs of acute respiratory viral infections will be admitted separately from other patients. The specialists of the ambulance, healthcare facilities should be provided with pulse oximeters and non-invasive lung ventilation machines.

The Department of healthcare and Farmatsia public utility enterprise are ordered to provide the medical facilities with the stock of the antiviral drugs, disinfectants and personal protection equipment. The network of pharmacies should have a sufficient number of antiviral, medicinal and vitamin drugs, nonspecific means of prophylaxis of flu and acute respiratory viral infections, as well as personal protection equipment and their continues, sell.

First Deputy Chair of Kyiv City State Administration Mykola Povoroznyk promised that the city will create extra filters at the airports.

We are ready and we act according to the situation. I urge everyone not to spread panic, stick to the sanitary and hygienic norms and be responsible for your own health and health of people around you. At the slightest sign of the disease, appeal to your family doctor, Povoroznyk said.

Kyiv metro and Kyivpastrans should reinforce current disinfection measures at the stops, the metro stations, rolling stock, train carriages, at entrance halls and rooms of metro stations. Besides, the employees should be provided with the personal hygiene means and personal protection equipment (antiseptics, single-use medical masks) and hold daily control over their health state not to admit people with the signs of respiratory viral infections for work.

Heads of the institutions, enterprises, organizations should enhance the regime of current disinfection in the place were large numbers of people present such as train stations, trade facilities, cultural facilities and trade and entertaining places, cinemas and so on. The workers of the institutions should be provided with necessary conditions for observation of the rules of personal hygiene, hold proper training on the prevention of the spread of coronavirus infection.

As we reported, as of March 6, in Ukraine, nine people are suspected of being infected with coronavirus.
A mother-of-three has revealed how undergoing 'pain-free' vaginal tightening therapy has helped her regain her confidence and saved her relationship.

Robyn, 30, from London, recalled how she couldn't 'laugh, sneeze or cough' without 'leaking urine', and the lack of bladder control began affecting her confidence and sex life.

The stay-at-home mum, who shares children Monty, 6, Hugo, 3, and Bertie, 2, with husband George, 30, said that despite doing her pelvic floor exercises throughout her twenties, the problem became worse with every birth - and she was even forced to wear incontinence pads daily.

Eventually, Robyn dreaded even leaving the house 'for fear of an accident', and when it started affecting her relationship, she decided to take action.

Robyn tried the new non-invasive Emsella chair treatment, which delivers thousands of contractions into the pelvic floor to tighten it and allow better support bladder control - and after six sessions, she can run around with her kids without anxiety.

Robyn, 30, from London, recalled how she couldn't 'laugh, sneeze or cough' without 'leaking urine', and the lack of bladder control began affecting her confidence and sex life

Recalling the journey, Robyn explained: 'I have had three children vaginally and I was totally unprepared for what my bladder control would be like afterwards.

'Despite having straightforward deliveries with my children in my twenties and doing my pelvic floor exercises, my urine leakage got worse after each birth and by the time I had had my third baby, at just 28, I was needing to wear incontinence pads daily.'

She continued: 'Laughing, sneezing or coughing would inevitably cause me to leak urine, and I would dread day trips because I would constantly be thinking about where the nearest toilet was.

'Gym or any form of physical exercise was a no, and in fact even picking up my children could cause me to wet myself.'

Robyn admitted: 'My confidence dwindled because I avoided leaving the house for fear of an accident, and my sex life also suffered. I didn't feel sexy and I was worried about leaking urine during intercourse.'

The stay-at-home mum, who shares children Monty, 6, Hugo, 3, and Bertie, 2, with husband George, 30, said that despite doing her pelvic floor exercises throughout her twenties, the problem became worse with every birth - and she was even forced to wear incontinence pads daily

Robyn dreaded even leaving the house 'for fear of an accident' and when it started affecting her relationship withher husband, seen, she decided to take action and undergo treatment

Robyn decided to speak to her friends, who swept her concerns aside as 'something mums have to live with'.

'I spoke to friends and family who also have children, and also to my GP,' she said.

'Although they were supportive, the general feeling was that this was just part of being a mum and something women had to 'live with.

'There is no treatment available on the NHS other than extreme surgery, which apparently my case was not severe enough to warrant.'

Robyn read about the problems mesh surgery on the NHS could cause, a procedure where a plastic implants are implanted to repair damaged or weakened tissue in the vagina wall, which faced a ban after women described the horrifying side effects - and saw some women left walking on crutches.

Eventually, Robyn dreaded even leaving the house 'for fear of an accident' and when it started affecting her relationship, she decided to take action and undergo treatment - and she says her releationship is better than ever

Robyn, seen with her two eldest children, said it got worse after her last son and decided to speak to her friends, who swept her concerns aside as 'something mums have to live with'

She said: 'There have been a lot of problems with the 'mesh' surgery so that isn't something I would want in any case. I really did think that this was something that I just had to put up with.'

Robyn then came across the new non-invasive Emsella chair treatment at Apprentice winner Dr Leah's new Baker Street clinic, which delivers thousands of contractions into the pelvic floor to tighten it and allow better support bladder control - while the client is fully dressed.

Robyn said: 'I had initial appointment with a female doctor who talked me through the treatment and what it would involve and what to expect, I felt comfortable and at ease and no examination was required.

'I had six sessions in total over the course of a three-week period and each treatment session was 28 minutes in length, there was no recovery time at all. The sessions themselves were so easy, and all I had to do was sit on a chair, fully clothed. It was nice to be able to just sit down for 30 minutes with a cup of coffee!'

She added: 'It was entirely pain free, you know something is going on but it isn't painful - it feels like contractions going into the vagina and there is no pain afterwards and you can return to normal life with no restrictions.

Robyn then came across the new non-invasive 'Emsella' chair treatment at Apprentice winner Dr Leah's new Baker Street clinic, which delivers thousands of contractions into the pelvic floor to tighten it and allow better support bladder control - while the client is fully dressed

Robyn, seen with her husband and two children, then came across the new non-invasive 'Emsella' chair treatment at Apprentice winner Dr Leah's new Baker Street clinic, which delivers thousands of contractions into the pelvic floor to tighten it and allow better support bladder control - while the client is fully dressed

'After the third session I already felt things were improving and I was having less leakage, after my 6th session and things are so much better.'

Having completed the treatment, Robyn is thrilled with the results, admitting: 'It's impacted my life so much for the better.

'I can run around with my kids, coughing and sneezing isn't an issue anymore and I don't have anxiety about where the nearest toilet is. I'm no longer making mental notes of where the nearest toilets are when I'm out and about, it's such a relief not suffering from that anxiety anymore.'

She added: 'I don't need to wear pads daily, I feel like me again, my confidence and my sex life are back. This treatment has saved my relationship.

'The Dr Leah pelvic floor tightening chair has made it possible to regain my dignity, I would urge anyone who was going through what I was going through to not just suffer it, treatment is available.'

Dr Leah Totton, 30, originally from Ireland, won The Apprentice in 2013

Celebrities including Danielle Lloyd and Ferme McCann have recently spoken about their bladder control issues after childbirth.

Speaking about the treatment, medical doctor Leah Totton said: 'Female stress incontinence affects millions of women in the UK.

'Urine leakage at any age is not simply something women should 'live with', the latest advancements in technology mean that safe and effective treatment is now available without the need for intimate examination or invasive procedures.

'For many years we have advised women on the importance of Kegel's pelvic floor exercises, but compliance with these exercises is low as women often lead busy and hectic live.'

Describing her clinic's new treatment, she continued: 'Each Emsella chair treatment is the equivalent of 11,000 pelvic floor clenches, which most women do not complete in their lifetime. Scientific research has shown that 95 per cent of patients who underwent this treatment reported significant improvement in their quality of life'.

Dr Leah owns a multi-million pound business with Alan Sugar in London, and they are seen examining the Emsella chair at the new Baker Street clinic
A Brownsville man with a long history of misusing pyrotechnics is facing federal charges of manufacturing firearms and explosives after authorities were tipped off by a magazine article.

Kenneth Ray Miller, 58, has been indicted on one federal count each of manufacturing and dealing explosive materials, transporting explosives, Illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms.

Miller made his initial appearance Wednesday before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in U.S. District Court in St. Paul.

U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said Miller is accused of engaging in the business of importing, manufacturing, dealing and transporting explosive materials, including smoke-generating devices containing electric igniters (also known as electric matches) and a chlorate explosive mixture.

According to court records, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Miller after an article in Popular Science titled This pyrotechnics expert turned his Minnesota backyard into a DIY fireworks testing ground was published May 7, 2019.

The article contains photos, including one of him launching a red signal flare that includes the caption, Miller launches a red signal flare, which can rocket up to 1,200 feet, off the hood of his poor truck and into the foggy night. He buys the devices from industrial suppliers and typically harvests their innards for their own projects.

Authorities say harvesting the innards of flares and using them to make explosives that are later sold is illegal. More photos with the Popular Science story showed additional evidence of illegal activity, according to court records.

Miller was also the subject of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources investigation into a wildfire that started March 23, 2019. According to court records, the fire occurred near Millers property on 3392 County Road 249 in Brownsville, and the DNR investigator saw numerous parachutes like the ones used in Millers rockets both in the trees where the fire started and on Millers land.

Miller told authorities that his teenage son started the fire while playing with a plastic 12-gauge flare gun.

Miller also told investigators that he sells his products privately and to a gun show dealer, but that he does not have a website because he does not have the organizational skills, according to court records.

Miller also was investigated in 2000 after his employee, Howard Snelson, died as a result of an explosion due to smoke inhalation and thermal burns.

Miller was charged with possessing three firearms, including a Smith & Wesson Model 19-6 revolver, a Winchester Model 1200, 12-gauge shotgun and a Norinco SKS Sporter rifle. Because Miller has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing explosives or firearms.

ATF agents and Houston County sheriffs deputies executed search warrants on Millers property Tuesday and in June 2019.

Although Millers address is listed as Brownsville, he was occupying property on County Road 249, east of Freeburg, Houston County Sheriff Mark Inglett said.

Miller was previously convicted in federal court in 1986 of illegally manufacturing explosives without a license and again in 1993 for felon in possession of a firearm.

In 2011, he was sued by Perry Richardson, who claimed that he and members of his family were severely injured when a smoke chimney  a low-explosive pyrotechnic composition  exploded. According to court documents, the explosion blew Perry Richardson from his feet and onto his back and blew shrapnel through and into his right eye.

Richardson lost his eye due to the explosion, which also blew off much of his hand and blew a hole through his abdomen and stomach, according to court records.

Jourdan Vian can be reached at jvian@lacrossetribune.com or follow her on Twitter @Jourdan_LCT.

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by Nirmala Carvalho

Hindu extremists beat up hospital staff. Arrested official was denied bail. This is another attack on Catholic institutions. Christians help those who attack and abuse them.

Mandya (AsiaNews)  Members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a radical Hindu group, on Monday stormed the Sanjo Hospital, Mandya district (Karnataka), and beat up Simon George, a public relations officer, and Sister Nirmal Jose the hospital administrator.

The extremists claim that the two denigrated Hindu deities. Instead of helping the victims of the attack, police took Simon George into custody. He applied for bail but the court turned him down.

For Fr Josekutty Kalayil, who takes care of the hospital's legal affairs, the incident stems from the hospitalisation on Sunday of an elderly Hindu with high blood pressure.

Just before he was discharged, the man asked why there was a Bible in his room. Simon George, who was doing a routine tour, replied that he could read it if he was interested. This was followed shortly afterwards by the attack.

According to Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the hospital was attacked because it is run by Christian religious, even though it serves everyone, regardless of faith or caste.

"Christian missionaries who work in the medical and educational field are targeted every day by extremists who try to discredit their altruistic work, which is to get people the 'beneficial touch' of Jesus, George explained.

In his view, the charges against the Sanjo Hospital staff are false. There is nothing criminal or illegal about keeping a Bible in a hospital room; no Hindu deity has been offended, he noted.

The Christian community Mandya district is very small, about 9,000 people out of a population of 1.8 million, but it is under constant threat from extremist groups.

Our Christian institutions serve mostly those who attack, abuse and assault us. May God forgive them for they know not what they do, was Georges laconic comment.
Even though poaching is illegal in many countries, animals are still killed for their tusks, horns and skin. Sadly, Botswana recently legalised the killing of 70 elephants.

Many times wildlife photographers come across animals who have seen terrible fates. And that is what Shannon Wild, who calls herself a wildlife photographer, came across recently.

Instagram

On her Instagram, she posted a picture of a poached Southern White Rhino who seems to have been brutally decapitated for its horn. She shared the image with the caption, Unfortunately this job isn't all positive encounters. Part of this work is confronting the tragedy that these beautiful creatures face... including poaching.

She further wrote, This poor Southern White Rhino had its life brutally cut short by greed and miseducation. Rhino horn does not cure cancer, and it certainly should not be seen as a status symbol by those who use it (which it currently is due to its huge black market value), instead those who are involved should be ashamed because this is what you leave in your wake.

The time and location of the image are not known but Shannon has credited the image to another wildlife photographer Josh Guyan. This is how some people reacted to the image.

Instagram

White rhinos are the second largest land mammal. A majority of southern white rhinos are found in just four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. These mammals are classified as 'near threatened.'

It is sad that an animal that is close to endangerment is killed for only one part of its body. Human greed knows no bound.
The Jewish Family Services Restock Challenge food drive is here once again (through April 15, 2020). JFS Orlando challenges you to make your donation stretch further! During the Restock Challenge, The Weiner Family and The Winter Park Wealth Group will generously match $0.50 for every $1 or pound of nonperishable food you donate to restock JFS Orlandos Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry, with a total match up to $10,000. Are you up to the challenge?

Last year, the Restock Challenge collected enough donations to feed more than 900 families. Please consider participating and joining JFS Orlando in fighting hunger in Central Florida.

To participate, simply pick up some of the nonperishable food items listed below (no expired, open, or used items, please) and drop them off at JFS Orlando or a participating synagogue, Jewish agency, or community partner:

Pasta, soup, canned fruit, peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, snack items or tuna.

Turn your $50 into $75! Monetary donations can be dropped off or mailed to JFS OrlandoThe George & Madeline Wolly Center, 2100 Lee Road Winter Park, FL 32789 or made online at http://www.JFSorlando.org/Give. Thank you for participating and joining the fight against hunger in Central Florida!

Established in 1978 as a non-profit human service agency, JFS Orlando provides social programs and services to children and families of all faiths in the Central Florida community. JFS supports efforts to prevent hunger and homelessness as well as providing mental health counseling. For more information on JFS and its programs, please visit http://www.JFSorlando.org or follow them on social media @JFSorlando.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

NASA is testing a telework day for many employees today (March 6) to prepare for a scenario in which the coronavirus outbreak gets much worse, the agency said on its website.

NASA  along with the U.S. Air Force, according to Politico  is running the test as a precautionary measure. The World Health Organization has not classified the current coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic, but there have been more than 100,000 cases worldwide, mostly in China, according to data from Johns Hopkins University .

"The purpose of this exercise is to test our capabilities, resources and preparedness for large-scale teleworking," NASA Associate Administrator Steve Jurczyk said in a message posted to employees on a public website . "I encourage civil servants and onsite contractors who are telework-eligible to participate by working from an alternate location Friday."

Related: 12 coronavirus myths busted by science

Jurczyk gave instructions on which equipment to take home and urged telework-eligible employees to make a habit of carrying essential items home with them every night. "I encourage you to begin taking your government-issued laptop computer and other essential items home daily," Jurczyk said. "If the situation progresses, we will move to more frequent telework. If so, employees may not be allowed onsite to obtain necessary items."

A NASA telework program document posted online states that most positions may telework "at least on an occasional basis," although there are exceptions for certain mission duties, face-to-face discussions and jobs that require special facilities, material or equipment. NASA also has a website that gives employees regular updates on the coronavirus situation.

While Jurczyk did not list which employees are eligible, in general, it appears that some categories of workers would have more difficulties. Those who prepare hardware for spaceflight, for example, must be on-site because such work requires clean-room conditions. This category would include the team that is getting the newly named Mars 2020 Perseverance rover ready for launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this July.

Another category would be employees who communicate with satellites or with International Space Station crews, since such communications generally require secure lines and specialized equipment. Few employees from the famous Mission Control Center and its back rooms at Houston's Johnson Space Center, for example, might be able to work from home.

Some other space agencies are also taking precautions for coronavirus, although the approach varies by region. The European Space Agency has restricted the number of external visitors to its centers and is assessing whether to cancel larger events, such as conferences and workshops, on a case-by-case basis, according to the agency's coronavirus web page .

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) closed all of its field centers and exhibits to visitors on Feb. 28, and those sites will remain shuttered until at least March 15, JAXA wrote on the web page that lists its centers . China is working to resume regular launches amid heightened quarantine measures, according to media reports , while the Russian space agency (Roscosmos) recently told state news website TASS that the coronavirus has not affected its work in China.

The Canadian Space Agency's website doesn't mention any coronavirus measures, but a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada says government officials are watching the situation closely and "will provide updates as new information becomes available."

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .
Update: More than 60 staff at Cork University Hospital have been asked to self-isolate due to coronavirus.

A crisis management team has been launched at the hospital where a middle-aged male patient is being treated in isolation for Covid-19.

The patient presented at CUH a number of days ago, according to Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health.

The HSEs national director of acute operations, Liam Woods, has issued an appeal to the public not to call emergency numbers 999 or 112 when seeking information about the coronavirus.

He told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the emergency numbers should be for emergencies only and that anyone seeking information should phone 1850 24 1850 or to use the live chat facility on www.hse.ie.

Mr Woods said that it is now likely that more cases will be diagnosed, but he said that the majority of people will be able to cope with the virus in their own home environment.

Contact tracing in the first case of community transmission in Cork has been completed, he said, and people who were in contact with the patient have gone into voluntary self isolation.

He said that while all 13 cases in Ireland are at present being treated in hospital as per European Centre for Disease Control guidelines, should numbers grow that position will be reversed. The majority can manage the condition at home.

Mr Woods said that all hospitals have plans in place having carried out risk assessments and that the health service will create capacity when and where necessary. Contingency planning will make sure that there is adequate space, he added.

Health care workers who may have been in infectious areas in other countries are being asked to self isolate and measures are in place to ensure that hospitals have the necessary equipment to do their job, he said.

Meanwhile, Irish-born microbiologist and head of life sciences at Nottingham University, James McInerney, told Morning Ireland that he would cancel public events such as St Patricks Day parades.

He said he has stopped shaking hands and that people need to be mindful to stop such contact.

Vivienne Clarke

Covid-19: Race to track CUH case as infections rise to 13

A major operation is underway to trace those who came in contact with the first case of Covid-19 confirmed in Cork, the first community-acquired case of the virus in the country.

Trinity College Dublin has also confirmed one of the seven new cases of coronavirus revealed last night in the Republic was diagnosed at its campus.

At Cork University Hospital (CUH) a crisis management team has been launched where a middle-aged male patient is being treated in isolation.

The man has not travelled to an affected area, and so far the public health team has not been able to identify any contact he may have had with a confirmed case, the National Public Health Emergency Team confirmed last night.

The patient presented at CUH a number of days ago, according to Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health.

During the period of [his] admission, the diagnosis was made after a number of days, said Dr Holohan. The question of potential contact with healthcare workers and others has arisen.

Some days lapsed after his admission before the diagnosis was made, meaning that healthcare workers may potentially be contacts, he said, adding that a risk assessment is underway.

Other patients within the hospital who may have been in contact with the man are also included in this exercise, which is being carried out by clinical staff and public health officials.

Medical staff at CUH who are known to have come into contact with the man have been sent home and instructed to be self-isolated, the National Public Health Emergency Team confirmed.

Last night, seven new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed; aside from the confirmed case in Cork, four men in the east of the country are being treated in hospital. Their conditions relate to travel from northern Italy.

Trinity College Dublin said it has been informed of a positive case of coronavirus on its campus.

In a letter to staff and students, the university says the HSE will trace anyone who's been in contact with the affected person.

Some areas of the campus have been closed as a precaution.

Two further cases involve females in the west of the country and are associated with close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.

This brings the total number of cases so far confirmed in the Republic to 13, with 16 cases confirmed so far on the island of Ireland.

Of the previously confirmed existing cases, two are in the east and there is a cluster of four in the west. Each of these are associated with travel from the same affected area in northern Italy.

However, there are no plans to introduce a travel ban, the National Public Health Emergency Team confirmed last night.

Thursday saw major developments in the global spread of Covid-19:

The UK reported its first death from the virus, with 116 cases confirmed so far. The patient, a woman in her 70s, had an underlying medical condition;

The World Health Organisation said the current outbreak is not yet at pandemic level, but there are very concerning signs;

The Central Bank in Dublin confirmed that one of its employees was being tested for the virus;

The University of Limerick told students it is likely to restrict numbers on campus in future. Separately, staff at University College Cork were advised the university is rolling out a contingency plan.

Strict visitor restrictions have now been introduced at Cork University Hospital (CUH), where the patient is being treated in isolation in the Intensive Care Unit. Critical patients are continuing to be seen but outpatient appointments were cancelled today.

The Cork patient is understood to have presented at CUH a number of days ago with complications arising from an existing underlying health condition.

When his condition did not improve, new tests were ordered, including a test for Covid-19. It returned positive. An extensive contact tracing exercise is now underway to identify close contacts, including the mans family members, medical staff, patients, and medical students.

In a statement last night, CUH said it had introduced strict visitor rules as a precautionary measure.

We are advised by our experts that in the interest of patient safety we are currently restricting access to the hospitals facilities to patients only, a spokesperson said.

This is in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent the spread of infections within the hospital.

Meanwhile, fear dominated financial markets again yesterday and US stocks fell sharply on worries about the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak.

It is the latest shudder in Wall Streets wildest week in over eight years.

Major US indexes lost roughly 3.5% and Treasury yields touched more record lows.

The slide nearly wiped out the surge that stocks had ridden just a day earlier, which came in part on hopes that moves by authorities around the world could cushion the economic fallout.

These vicious swings are likely only to continue, as long as the number of new infections continues to accelerate, many analysts and professional investors say.

The global financial uncertainty took its toll on Europes largest regional airline, Flybe, which yesterday finally collapsed into administration, threatening thousands of jobs and the future viability of a number of airports across the UK.

Flybes demise, announced early yesterday and blamed in part on a drop in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak, sparked fierce condemnation from unions and opposition politicians, who criticised both the airlines owners and the Government for failing to act to save it.

British transport secretary Grant Shapps said everyone was gutted about the news but said: We really tried to do everything we could back at the turn of the year.

Unfortunately, with the situation that has developed with (coronavirus), an already weak company, Im afraid, just hasnt been able to survive, he said

The carrier narrowly avoided going bust in January but has continued to lose money since then.

It operated one flight out of Cork Airport, to Cardiff.

Useful information The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

Eoin English, Sean O'Riordan, Jess Casey
The second person in New Jersey to test presumptive positive for coronavirus has been released from a hospital and is self-quarantined.

"We can confirm that we tested a patient for COVID-19 at the request of the [state Department of Health], an Englewood Health spokesperson said Thursday evening.

Today the patients test came back presumptive positive. The patient has been released and is currently self-quarantined. Proper protocols provided by the [federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] were followed. Due to patient confidentiality we cannot share any personal information.

Later Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphys office identified the patient as a Bergen County woman in her 30s.

The individual, who has mild symptoms, had her specimen collected at Englewood Hospital and is isolating at home until the New Jersey Department of Health deems her medically cleared, the statement said.

On Wednesday night, Englewoods mayor spoke to the patient. He declined to identify the person, citing confidentiality protocols.

Mayor Michael Wildes said the Englewood resident called him and asked for help speeding up the results of the test. Even while recovering from recent surgery for a tumor, Gov. Murphy helped Wildes shepherd the new patient through the proper channels, he said.

[The patient] called me and explained that they wanted the results expedited, Wildes said. The governor put somebody on it."

In an earlier interview, the mayor described the persons family as strong people."

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who is acting governor while Murphy recovers, announced the patients positive test result.

On Wednesday, officials announced the states first case, a 32-year-old Fort Lee man who was hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center suffering from coronavirus symptoms. The man later tested positive for presumptive COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus infection.

The Fort Lee man was a health care worker who lived and worked in New York, but maintained an apartment in Fort Lee, Mayor Mark Sokolich said. The man had traveled to Fort Lee alone on Sunday and had no contact with any other people while in town, the mayor said.

In an email late Wednesday to hospital staffers, Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Physician Dr. Daniel W. Varga said the Fort Lee man is resting comfortably and doing well.

Editors Note: This story has been updated with the gender of the second presumptive patient.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Wellington, New Zealand  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:46 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068cb503 2 Entertainment concert,New-Zealand,moshpit,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,Tool Free

Metal fans who attended a packed concert in New Zealand were warned Friday they may have been exposed to coronavirus.

A man who watched the American band Tool from the standing area in Christchurch on February 28, was confirmed as the nation's fourth case of the virus, local health officials said.

Read also: Coronavirus: Air New Zealand confirms case of infection on Singapore-Auckland flight

"We encourage all people who were in the general admission standing area to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19," New Zealand Ministry of Health director-general Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.

He stressed all those in the standing zone -- often referred to as a moshpit -- only needed to monitor for symptoms at this stage and the risk of transmission was very low for all others outside the area.

Over 12,000 fans of the progressive metal group packed Spark Arena to hear the Los Angeles band's latest album "Fear Inoculum".

The man in his 30s had recently returned from the virus hotspot of Northern Italy with his partner, who has also tested positive for the virus.

The man has been isolated since Wednesday.

Meanwhile, eight passengers from a cruise ship now quarantined off the coast of California have also returned to New Zealand, and three currently under testing for the virus.
Journalists across South East Asia express solidarity with more than 10,000 ABS-CBN media workers that may be left unemployed if the ABS-CBN franchise is not renewed. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the South East Asia Journalists Unions (SEAJU) call on Congress to pass the ABS-CBN franchise extension.

The Republic Act 7966, which granted ABS-CBN's franchise a 25-year license from March 30, 1995, will expire shortly. While earlier expectations were that CBS-ABNs licence would expire on March 30, it is now thought that the current licence could remain in place until May 4, 2020. Since 2014, several bills to renew ABS-CBN franchise for the next 25 years were filed in the House of Representatives but none have been deliberated on. Once the bill has passed through the Philippines Congress, it must then go to the president, Rodrigo Duterte, for final sign-off.

An investigation by Rappler revealed that Congress gave quick approval for all national broadcast firms, except for ABS-CBN. Dutertes well-known personal vendetta against ABS-CBN has been amplified by noted threats that ABS-CBN will be out in 2020.

Solicitor General Jose Calida, one of Dutertes campaign managers in his 2016 election run, recently filed a challenge before the Supreme Court to cancel the ABS-CBN franchise agreement, alleging the broadcaster had unlawfully exercised its franchise.

On February 24, Senator Christopher Go, Duterte's former aide, revealed Dutertes political motivations to shut down ABS-CBN stemmed from the companys discretion to make its own decisions on what political ads it would air during the 2016 campaign. If you are mean to the President, he will be meaner to you. If you are nice to the President, then he will be nicer to you. If you want fair reporting, then you ought to report the truth about why the President was hurt, Go said.At the Senate hearing, Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN's CEO, apologized to the president and clarified that the media giant was able to air all the national ads ordered by Duterte's campaign team and that the anti-Duterte ad paid for by Antonio Trillanes IV was covered by the Fair Election Act. Duterte later said that he would accept the apology but that he was leaving the ABS-CBN franchise issue to Congress.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), a member of the SEAJU network, has led a nationwide campaign alongside journalists, activists and students to demand the renewal of ABS-CBN. NUJP has submitted a partial list of petitioners calling for the franchise renewal to the House of Representatives. The partial list contains at least 200,000 signatures from petitioners in Metro Manila and an online petition.

SEAJU said: The anger of one person, even if he happens to be the most powerful in the land, is no justification for closure and, as far as we know, negative campaign ads are legal. The closure of ABS-CBN will doubtless create a chilling effect through the Philippine media community that will dampen critical reporting and greatly diminishing the quality of information delivered to the people.

The IFJ said: Any attempt by Congress to delay the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise is a public attack on press freedom. The whole world is now watching on the outcome of this significant press freedom case. The IFJ encourages the government to promptly renew the franchise to prevent unnecessary stress on journalists and their families.
The event highlighted some of America's talented up and coming entrepreneurs and placed particular emphasis on the issues and barriers that small businesses and startups face at every stage. A key objective was to emphasize the unique challenges that women and minority business founders encounter.

Visiting entrepreneurs began their day with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. The 40+ participants at the roundtable included senior policymakers and influencers who focus on entrepreneurship or business cultivation including representatives from Rise of the Rest, Black Girl Ventures, NextGen Chamber of Commerce, Generation Titans, and Georgia State University's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute.

The conversation was led by staff from Committee Chairman Marco Rubio and Ranking Member Ben Cardin's offices. Entrepreneurs discussed their personal experiences and challenges with starting a business, and stakeholders were able to add their institutional knowledge and expertise to inform policy that is being drafted by the committee. One particular point of policy that dominated the discussion was access to capital and government oversight of lending structures.

Several entrepreneurs had the opportunity to also meet one-on-one with their representatives in Congress and share their entrepreneurial journeys.

"Envolve's mission is to be an advocate for aspiring and burgeoning entrepreneurs. We seek to ensure that America's startup ecosystem properly reflects America's rich diversity. Direct collaboration between entrepreneurs from diverse communities and governmental officials is important to achieve this goal and yet it is unfortunately uncommon. Our day of action on Capitol Hill we believe will establish pathways to new and stronger collaborations. We are very proud of our grantees and the AnitaB.org PitcHER competition finalists who had much to share and suggest," said Envolve's CEO, Christopher R. Upperman.

"At AnitaB.org, we work to advance systems of support for women as technical leaders, and that includes tech entrepreneurship. It is critical that women subject matter experts have the opportunity to raise the issues that matter in their lived experiences, including nuances specific to the realities and horizon of technical innovation, as well as navigating and thriving as woman entrepreneurs. We thank the Committee as well as the attendees for elevating this important discussion," said Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez, VP Policy & Engagement at AnitaB.org.

About Envolve Entrepreneurship

Envolve Entrepreneurship is a business support organization, founded by the Libra Group, that provides resources, education and award programs for start-up businesses. Its flagship program-the Envolve Award-has declared 30 winners since 2016 in the USA, supporting job creation and economic growth. With the help of the many organizations who have stepped up to lend their support, Envolve seeks to cultivate a global entrepreneurial ecosystem with particular focus on underserved communities and diverse founders. Envolve Entrepreneurship is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About AnitaB.org

AnitaB.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise committed to increasing the representation of women technologists in the global technical workforce. AnitaB.org engages with tens of thousands of women and leading organizations around the world to build diverse and inclusive workplace cultures. Founded in 1997 by our namesake, computer science visionary Anita Borg, our organization works toward a future where the teams that create technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Well known for the world-renowned women in technology conference, the Grace Hopper Celebration, AnitaB.org provides year-round services for technical women and allies, the systems that educate them, and the employers that value their talents.

To learn more about Envolve and the Envolve Award USA, please visit http://EnvolveGlobal.org.

To learn more about AnitaB.org's programs for women in tech, please visit https://anitab.org

To learn more about the Libra Group's other social responsibility programs, please visit http://libra.social

SOURCE Envolve Entrepreneurship
As companies start to prepare for the increased likelihood that the coronavirus outbreak may become more widespread, several big tech companies have started to tell employees they should work from home. Twitter, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon have all given their employees instructions to work remotely for the time being if they can do so.

For example, Twitter has asked all 5,000 of its employees to work from home and has made it mandatory for employees in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. While the company's San Francisco headquarters will stay open for employees who feel they need to come in for work, the company has canceled all business travel and backed out of SXSW.

Amazon's headquarters is in Seattle, an area that has seen several deaths from the virus, and the company announced that a worker there tested positive. Amazon is currently notifying others who may have had contact with that employee and has asked its Seattle employees to work from home.

And those aren't the only companies sending team members home for the foreseeable future. Microsoft is encouraging its Seattle and San Francisco employees to work from home in addition to those working in South Korea and Singapore. Google has halted all international travel and has recommended its Seattle-area employees work remotely.

The move doesn't only affect the way employees at those companies work--it also affects potential employees. Facebook, for example, has started conducting interviews via videoconferencing instead of in person. The company has also asked employees who do come to the office not to bring guests, a move Google has put in place as well.

Deciding whether to encourage your team to work from home can be a challenge. If you don't have systems in place to support their work and keep everyone connected, suddenly working remotely can create a number of problems. At the same time, keeping your team healthy and productive should be equal priorities, especially since beyond just your responsibility to the people who work for you, a sick workforce isn't a particularly productive one.

Fortunately, several of those same companies are offering free versions of their team collaboration tools for the next few months. Microsoft and Google, for example, are making their fully featured tiers of Teams and Hangouts Chat, respectively, available as a free trial for the next few months.

In reality, most small businesses don't have plans to respond to public health concerns, but now is the time to start considering how your company might respond should a more widespread outbreak occur. That plan should include both when it makes sense for employees to work remotely, as well as what tools you'll need to keep your team connected.
Trump asserted that the Bidens' actions were "totally corrupt" and that the media did not sufficiently scrutinize them.

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled he would make the dealings of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter in Ukraine a major issue during the presidential campaign should Biden win the Democratic nomination.

"That will be a major issue in the campaign. I will bring that up all the time because I don't see any way out," Trump told Fox News earlier this week, according to The Hill. "I don't believe they'll be able to answer those questions."

The host specifically asked Trump whether he would make allegations of corruption on the part of Biden and his family in Ukraine an issue on the campaign trail.

Trump and his allies have amplified discredited allegations that Biden, as vice president, pushed for the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor in order to help shield his son, who at the time was working for Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings, from scrutiny, the report reads.

Read alsoCNN: U.S. Justice Department puts Brooklyn prosecutor atop Ukraine probes

Trump in July urged Ukraine's president to investigate the Bidens in a call that ultimately led to Trump's impeachment in the Democrat-controlled House, but the allegations have seemed to fade from public attention since the conclusion of the impeachment trial last month. Trump was acquitted of both charges  abuse of power and obstruction of Congress  by the GOP-controlled Senate in two near party-line votes.

Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong in his actions, accusing Democrats of a partisan "witch hunt" meant to damage his election prospects.

Trump asserted Wednesday that the Bidens' actions were "totally corrupt" and that the media did not sufficiently scrutinize them.

Trump's remarks as Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson told reporters he would likely release an interim report on his committee's investigation of Hunter Biden's dealings with Burisma within the next one to two months.

Johnson said the timing of the investigation had nothing to do with the election but that, if he were a Democratic primary voter, he would "want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote," according to Politico.

Biden is viewed as the new front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president after a strong showing on Super Tuesday.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine wants to move on in its relationship with the U.S. after the country was pulled into domestic politics during the impeachment process of President Donald Trump, Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's former foreign minister, said while still in office.

The Ukrainian government is "happy that the whole investigation, the whole impeachment part, is over," he told Bloomberg Television in New York. "We hope that nobody will poke their nose in our elections. That's what we are trying to do here, staying away from your local affairs, with your elections, especially in the electoral year."
Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Alvarez was charged with two counts of simple assault for alleged domestic violence. Read more

A 29-year-old Philadelphia police officer was charged Thursday in a domestic-violence case, authorities said.

Officer Jesse Alvarez, who has been with the department for four years and was assigned to the 35th District, was arrested Thursday by the Internal Affairs Division and charged by the District Attorneys Office with two counts of simple assault.

Alvarez was suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss by Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.

The District Attorneys Office said the charges are based on two incidents in November involving a woman who allegedly was physically injured and threatened by Alvarez. The woman was in a relationship with the officer.

The Philadelphia DAs Office will hold all domestic abusers equally accountable, including police officers who harm their intimate partners off duty, District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement. I am grateful to the Philadelphia Police Department for holding accountable their own in this disciplinary proceeding, which confirms that the PPD is standing against domestic abuse committed by its officers.
In this respect, a supporter of the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK/PMOI) provided a moving report about the spread of illness in this province. The source preferred to be anonymous. Notably, the report is relevant to Wednesday, March 4.

I am from Khuzestan, but now, I work in [Bandar-e] Kangan. The corona[virus] has been extended everywhere, but [officials] announced Bushehr is the sole place that remained safe from [COVID-19]. Of course, they announce in [the state-run] media, but we are witnessing [the symptoms of corona] in this area.

The source also pointed out the economic importance of Bushehr province for the mullahs, saying, We, who are working here, know the [coronavirus] has come to this province. Today, my partner narrated, Employers shut down the thirteenth phase due to illness among several workers. However, [officials] dont inform the people. They conceal the news because [this province] is one of the economic poles of the country. No worker certainly remains if they are aware the coronavirus has spread here. Therefore, [officials] falsely say that the virus didnt come to Bushehr province.

The head of the Medical Sciences University of Bushehr, previously, acknowledged that we didnt track any coronavirus case in Bushehr province so far. Also, Bushehr governor Abdulkarim Gravand said that we have prepared the Khalij-e Fars hospital for therapy for the infected people with COVID-19, however, we didnt have a positive test in Bushehr province.

However, activists reported that since Tuesday, March 3, at least twelve patients were hospitalized in the hospital due to their positive testing.

#CoronaVirusUpdate

While Bushehr governor claimed that they didnt track any #coronavirus case in this province, reports provided by @Iranazadi1395 reveal at least 12 patients who had #COVID19 have been hospitalized in Khalij-e Fars hospital in #Bushehr, S #Iran! pic.twitter.com/zUqdN8TZ1d  Ali Latifi (@alilatifi684) March 5, 2020

Besides the news about the coronavirus outbreak in different cities, the people suffer from a lack of basic precautionary items such as face masks, gloves, and disinfectant gel. In this context, many citizens spend hours in front of pharmacies for a few masks or gels, which has prompted public anger against the mismanagement of the mullahs in this emergence state.

Nonetheless, there were reports over exporting a huge cargo of face masks from Bushehr port. An activist uploaded a video in this respect, saying, Given that we are exporting hundreds of packages of masks abroad, we shouldnt certainly fall in shortage of face masks. Because we had enough masks that enabled us to contribute to other nations!

How about this @JZarif? Bushehr, S #Iran

Voice says boxes are filled w/ masks for export out of Iran. Hopefully Bushehr Province will not face a mask shortage, he says.

Two others at the site ask him to not take any footage.#CoronaOutbreak CC: @WHOpic.twitter.com/KH2SmGt9TX  Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) March 2, 2020

The fact is the Iranian regime not only did not take necessary actions to control the virus outbreak, but also its profiteering institutions which are linked to the government abuse this situation to line their pockets at the expense of the people. This inhuman behavior will undoubtedly be responded to by Iranians who are the main victims of the mullahs corruption and opportunism.
With COVID-19, the new coronavirus, continuing to spread across the globe and finding its way to the United States, there is no better time to remind ourselves of how hospitals and other healthcare facilities are already well prepared for possible cases, and what you can do to help.

Here at Nuvance Health, COVID-19 preparedness activities began well over a month ago and continue to be refined on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Please rest assured knowing that we have developed and practiced detailed processes to reduce the risk of spreading the virus if individuals with COVID-19 symptoms present at any of our locations, including office practices, ambulatory diagnostic sites and emergency departments.

Our experts in global health, infectious disease, infection control, emergency preparedness and communications have been working in collaboration with local and state health departments. We are staying abreast of the frequently updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other global and federal agencies and organizations. We are meeting with community leaders to develop comprehensive emergency preparedness programs for our communities.

We are fully prepared for possible COVID-19 cases, while as of this writing, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any Nuvance Health site. Nuvance Health preparedness includes:

We have implemented provisions for all personnel within the health system who might see an infected patient, in order to have a thorough understanding of the appropriate guidelines for care.

We have an adequate number of required rooms and supplies  including ventilators, disposable N95 masks, disposable gloves, disposable gowns, and more than 100 negative pressure rooms (NPR). NPRs are used to contain airborne contaminants within the room. We also have the capacity to expand isolation based on demand.

We are providing our home care agency with additional resources so that, if appropriate, patients can be managed at home.

As for how many admitted COVID-19 patients we have the capacity to treat at each hospital, that depends on how sick each person is. One of the many benefits of being part of a health system with seven hospitals is that we can work together to help balance and accommodate a shifting census if we see an influx in patients.

According to the most recent reports by the CDC, the majority of people infected with COVID-19 are recovering from the virus similar to how most recover from the flu  by resting and treating the symptoms, such as taking acetaminophen for fever. Elderly people and people with existing health issues, such as lung disease, may require more intensive care.

Its very important for residents in our communities to know what to do if they think they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, which include persistent coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Steps include:

Limit your interactions with others as much as possible. For example, dont go into work if youre not feeling well.

Call your local health department for a phone consultation before going to your doctors office, or another medical facility. Tell the health department about your symptoms, if you traveled to China, Italy, Iran, Japan or South Korea in the last 14 days, or if youve had close contact with someone who has recently traveled to these countries. If you meet the clinical criteria for possible infection with COVID-19, your health department will ask you to call your doctors office to make arrangements to have you get tested for COVID-19. Testing is done through the state Department of Health (DOH).

Please do not go to your doctors office, urgent care, or the hospital without calling ahead. Please also do not go to the emergency department, unless you are experiencing worrisome symptoms such as shortness of breath. This is so that we can limit the spread of possible infections to other patients and healthcare workers.

Remaining vigilant is the best way to avoid contracting this new coronavirus, and also the flu. Like with the flu, the best precautions to take to reduce the risk of getting sick include frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, and refraining from touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Further, follow travel recommendations by the CDC found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

travelers/index.html

We routinely plan and drill for different scenarios that could possibly affect our communities so that we are ready if something actually occurs. This is what we do, and who we are. And we pledge to keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Dr. John Murphy is President and CEO of Nuvance Health, which includes Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Sharon Hospital, and Western Connecticut Medical Group in Connecticut; and Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and Health Quest Medical Practice in New York.
Mumbai/New Delhi, March 6 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case and carried out searches at the residence of the bank's founder Rana Kapoor, officials said.

The central financial probe agency also issued a look out circular against Kapoor, so that he does not leaves the country.

A senior ED official told IANS, "Yes, the agency registered a case of money laundering in the Yes Bank matter." Confirming the searches carried out at Kapoor's residence in Mumbai by the central financial probe agency, the official said, "Yes, the searches started late in the evening at his residence." Another ED official, also related to the probe said the agency has issued LOC against Kapoor, so that the does not leaves the country. The copy of the LOC has been sent to the airport's with details of his passport.

The ED's action comes a day after the RBI superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator, putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month.

The RBI said that the bank's board was superseded "owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the bank". Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator of Yes Bank.

Yes Bank has over 1,000 branches and 1,800-plus ATMs across the country which are under severe stress after the crisis erupted last night.

Earlier in the day, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the bank was put under watch since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis.

"Since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions," the Finance Minister said.

The bank took many risky credit decisions, and the RBI had advised change in management, she said, adding such decisions were taken in the interest of the bank's health. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 and clean up of the bank started and the investigative agencies too found irregularities, she said.

Sitharaman said the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals.

The restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days, she said, adding that the State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.
Members of the Trinamool Congress, DMK and NCP on Friday joined the Congress in seeking revocation of suspension of seven Congress MPs who were named by the Chair on Thursday, while the JD-U said that the members of the Opposition should assure the Speaker that misconduct of snatching papers will not be repeated.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said in the Lok Sabha it is not the intention of the government to keep the Opposition members out but the action of Congress members was unprecedented and amounted to gross misconduct.

Opposition members said that the situation could have been averted if the government had agreed to their demand for an immediate discussion on Delhi violence, which is a critical issue.

Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggested that the government may have exerted pressure on the Speaker for suspending seven MPs for remaining part of the budget session.

Bandyopadhyay, who is into his fifth term as Lok Sabha MP, said suspension from the House has happened in the past.

"Such incidents have happened but ultimately in a day or two the matters are normally settled," he said.

"We must admit we have not seen arrogance from Speaker's chair till now. He has always shown patience towards MPs and the beginning was very good. I apprehend whether the government is creating pressure upon the Speaker's office," he said.

He urged the Speaker to withdraw the decision, saying suspension from the entire session was a very "unwanted decision".

DMK member Dayanidhi Maran also demanded that action against seven Congress MPs should be withdrawn.

He said Opposition members cooperated when Health Minister Harsh Vardhan made a statement on coronavirus.

Maran said over 50 people had died in "communal violence" in Delhi and Home Minister has not come to the House to respond.

"Naturally, members will get agitated. We have been trying to get the attention of the Chair all these days," he said.

NCP member Supriya Sule said that what was happening was not a pleasurable experience and "we are not setting a good example in the country either".

"We would have never reached this logjam provided the discussion was allowed for all the issues that the Opposition is raising because Delhi issue and riots are an exceptionally critical issue," she said.

She said the Opposition was pressing for discussion to find a via-media

"India is going through a difficult challenge. We are taking a beating. There is uneasiness in the country. So have a healthy discussion in the larger interest of the nation. I request the treasury benches to walk an extra mile and allow us. I think the suspension is totally disproportionate," she said.

JD-U's Rajiv Ranjan Singh said an unprecedented situation has been created and the Speaker was forced to take a decision.

"Whatever happened, I do not think there was a need for it. There was opposition to the government earlier. We protested in well of the House. The developments have been recorded on CCTV."

"The decision has to be taken by the Chair but the Opposition has to assure that they will not repeat the mistake again," he said.

BJP's Nishikant Dubey said the party had resorted to protests during UPA rule and the government got several bills passed in the din but they never went to the Speaker's podium.

He said the rules that a member will be suspended for misconduct were framed when Congress was in power.

Dubey said a joint committee should be formed and if any member resorts to such indiscipline, he should be terminated for his entire term.

Joshi said he wants to make it clear on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Leader of the House Rajnath Singh that there is no desire to keep the Opposition members out.

Noting that when he was a member of the Opposition, Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee had checked him once for crossing over to the other side and party leader LK Advani also echoed it. He said Advani had also checked a member who had gone up a few stairs towards the Speaker's podium during a protest.

"What happened has never happened in 70 years," he said.

As party member Ramesh Bidhuri sought to respond to protests by Congress members, Joshi asked him to stop speaking.

Joshi said that there had been incidents of gross indiscipline including tearing papers related to the House and throwing of papers towards the Speaker.

He said 45 members were suspended when Meira Kumar was Speaker during the UPA rule.

Joshi said Speaker Om Birla had warned members with suspension if they go to the other side but Opposition members still did that. He said papers were thrown towards the Chair.

Noting that 18 bills were hurriedly passed during UPA rule, he said they had made a request to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury that there were two ordinances for which bills have to be passed and they wanted cooperation.

Chowdhury told them to take one bill on Thursday and the other on Friday. We accepted his suggestion. "When it was yet to be passed, they snatched papers from Speaker's table."

Referring to Rasthtriya Loktrantrik Party MP Hanuman Beniwal's pertaining to Congress leaders, he said these were immediately expunged.

"Several members make objectionable remarks. These are expunged," he said, adding that Congress leaders have spoken in harsh terms against the Prime Minister and Home Minister many times.

He said Prime Minister and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the leader of the House, have said that the decision of the Speaker will be acceptable to the government but there should not be such misbehaviour in the House.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said seven members have been suspended for an entire session and extraordinary precedent has been created.

He sought revocation of the decision and said a pickpocket cannot be sent to the gallows.

"Seven MPs were suspended together on what basis, I do not have information. There were so many MPs here, so many Opposition members. On what basis seven were suspended and that too for the remaining part of the budget session I do not have information," he said.

Chowdhury said the suspension was painful and everything was in the media glare and in CCTV footage.

"We have been demanding that there should be a discussion on Delhi riots," he said.

Chowdhury cited a book and said that rules provide that a member who is named will be suspended for five consecutive sittings or the remaining period of session whichever is less.

"Suspension of seven MPs is not a small thing. The Speaker can terminate the suspension," he said.

The Congress leader said members of the House will be always paying their honour, reverence to the Chair.

"We always regard the Chair as Pope of the Vatican. You could be resembling as the Pope of the Vatican," he said.

Chowdhury said the members never have any intention to dishonour the chair.

He said that remarks of BJP members when they were in Opposition were also in the records and the entire session had been washed out during their protests.

Chowdhury referred to Beniwal's remarks about party leaders which were expunged by the chair.

"It was said Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi have brought coronavirus from Italy. The Congress members got angry. There was a trigger. But no action was taken against him. We protest and action was taken is against us. This is not right," he said.

Chowdhury later said that Congress members wore black bands to protest against suspension of seven MPs.

Chowdhury's 'pickpocket cannot be sent to gallows' remark drew jibes from Joshi and Singh.

Singh said by referring to pickpockets, Chowdhury was accepting that Congress members had made a mistake.

Joshi rubbed in the point further during his speech and said Chowdhury "comparing" the suspended Congress members to pickpockets was strange and most unfortunate.

"Comparing these people with pickpockets is not right, I don't agree with that," the minister said.

Seven Congress members - Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Benny Behanan, Manickam Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Gurjeet Singh Aujla - were suspended on Thursday for remaining part of the budget session for "gross misconduct.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first two San Francisco-based cases of COVID-19  which has claimed the lives of 12 U.S. victims  were announced today by Mayor London Breed, who said that the two patients are contained" in separate San Francisco hospitals. One is a man in his 90s; the other, a woman in her 40s.

Grant Colfax, director of the Department of Public Health, said at a news conference that the two new cases were "indicative of community transmission," with no known sources as of yet.

Meanwhile, Lowell High School (1101 Eucalyptus Dr.) is set to close for at least a day and a half, after school officials learned that a family member of a student is being treated for the novel coronavirus.

Out of an abundance of caution, the [SFUSD] has decided to close Lowell High School for the remainder of today and Friday 3/6 to conduct a deep-cleaning, reads a statement on Lowell Highs website.

Calls to the school were not answered. Laura Dudnick, spokesperson for the San Francisco Unified School District, declined to answer further questions, directing a reporter to a release on the SFUSD website that said the school would remain closed for the time being.

In the release, the SFUSD said that the school has assessed the student, and that there was no confirmation they had COVID-19.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health said it has no plans to close other schools right now, noting that the Centers For Disease Control has not recommended such an action.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a school, the Department of Public Health will work with the school and the district to determine the best measures, including potential school closure, the SFDPH said in a statement.

The new COVID-19 patients are technically San Francisco's third and fourth; a husband and wife from San Benito County, both 57, had previously been transported to UCSF for COVID-19 treatment. Elsewhere in the Bay Area, 20 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Santa Clara County as of yesterday.

I want to be clear that we have been planning this for weeks, and so we are prepared as a city, Breed said during a news conference at City Hall.

The SFDPH again reminded locals of ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;

Cover your cough or sneeze;

Stay home if you are sick;

Get your flu shot to protect against flu or symptoms similar to COVID-19;

Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave;

If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.

For those who are not ill, officials also do not recommend wearing masks for prevention at this time. Locals can visit the SFDPH and SF emergency preparedness websites for guidance and updates on the situation.
A squatter who claimed a Sydney home as his own and spent years renting it out has managed to sell it for $1.4million without paying a cent.

Property Developer Bill Gertos came across the freestanding three-bedroom house in Ashbury, in the city's inner-west, in 1998 when he was visiting a client.

Mr Gertos learnt the elderly woman who owned the home had died and decided to take it as his own, changing the locks and adding $35,000 worth of renovations.

He spent the last two decades renting out the home after he was granted ownership under bizarre 'squatters rights' laws that state a 'squatter' can own a home if they've lived there for 12 years - even without permission of the owners.

The property developer came across the freestanding house in Ashbury in the city's inner-west in 1998 when he was visiting a client

Bill Gertos (pictured) claimed the house as his own after learning the previous owner had died

The sale followed a lengthy legal battle that stemmed back to November 2017, when the Downie family learnt their relative Henry Thompson Downie had bought the home in 1927.

Mr Downie's 95-year-old daughter Joyce was the last surviving member of the previous owner's immediate family, and her nephew Grahame said at the time the decision to grant ownership to Mr Gertos should be overturned.

'This is the family home and it's lost, so it's pretty devastating really. We didn't know that our grandfather owned [the house] until a policeman knocked on our door in November 2017,' Graeme told A Current Affair in March.

The family claimed to be the rightful owners and applied for an injunction, arguing Mr Gertos' acquisition of the property was not 'open', a criteria which was stipulated in the conditions for squatters rights.

The three-bedroom home on 6 Malleny Street sold for $1.4million

Mr Gertos spent $35,000 on renovations for the home and rented it out for two decades

Mr Gertos said he offered the family $300,000 to drop their claim of ownership over the house.

'I was flexible and I do wish this matter resolved, but unfortunately they did not see it that way,' he said.

He said without his intervention the house would have become a 'rat-infested squalor'.

Mr Henry Downie was the last owner of the property, (Pictured: his descendants)

In June this year, Mr Gertos won a Supreme Court case to keep the home at 6 Malleny Street.

The home was listed for rent in February last year for $550 per week, CoreLogic records reveal, News.com.au reported.

Mr Gertos had also spent $180,000 on renovations in 2014 to give the home a new kitchen and bathroom.
TEL AVIV (JTA)-"Where's the Chagall?" asked a visitor to this city's Gordon Gallery on a January morning in 1996, hoping to glimpse one of the prize lots being auctioned days later by the gallery.

The painting, titled "Jacob's Ladder," was prominently on display, but still a gallery employee walked the prospective buyer over. When they arrived at the work's designated spot on the wall, all that remained was a bent nail. The Chagall was gone.

For nearly two decades, the painting remained missing. Now it's on public view for the first time in 24 years, again as part of a pre-auction exhibition, this time at the Tiroche Auction House in Herzliya. The small, biblically themed canvas that will be offered for sale this week as Lot 99 is notably installed in a glass case in Tiroche's showroom north of Tel Aviv, one of hundreds of works that are part of the auction house's Israeli and International Art Sale.

The painting by the famed Jewish modernist Marc Chagall is roughly the size of a standard sheet of office paper. When it was stolen in '96, Gordon Gallery owner Shaya Yariv speculated that it may have been smuggled out under someone's raincoat.

"I think the painting is eating oysters in Paris or Moscow by now," Yariv told the media at the time.

(The current gallery owner, Amon Yariv, said the incident was the only theft ever at the Gordon, which in 1975 held the first art auction in Israel.)

It's unclear whether "Jacob's Ladder" ever made it to France or Russia, but it was ultimately found in Jerusalem in 2015. When an elderly woman died in the city that year, she bequeathed the painting-never hung, and always stored in her vault-to her nephew.

"Nobody knew anything about this painting, even close family members," said Amitai Hazan Tiroche, a third-generation auctioneer at the family-run auction house. "When [the nephew] came to claim it-on the one hand, it was a dream scenario because he inherited something that could be very valuable."

The nephew approached a local art dealer who informed him that the work was likely a Chagall but he would need confirmation from Comite Marc Chagall, the organization founded by the Russian-French artist's heirs to determine the authenticity of art attributed to Chagall. When the nephew approached the group, it immediately recognized the work as stolen and contacted the authorities.

Migdal Insurance, which paid the 1996 claim on the stolen Chagall, demanded custody of the painting and a court case ensued. A Tel Aviv court ruled in 2015 that the painting be transferred to Migdal following a precedent set by a 2003 Israeli Supreme Court decision. The High Court returned two stolen paintings bought in good faith at a Tel Aviv flea market to the U.S. government, which had paid an insurance claim on them after they disappeared in transit from New York to Tel Aviv.

"There aren't a lot of cases like this," Tiroche said. "It's definitely one of the few cases in the Israeli art world."

Migdal is now offering the work for sale to recoup the money it paid to the painting's previous owner. The company's desire to close the case likely explains the relatively modest projection for the painting of $130,000 to $180,000, nearly identical to what Gordon estimated as its worth 24 years ago.

The estimate doesn't reflect the increase in value of Chagall works over the past two decades. Though sale prices vary according to the period of an artist's career, subject matter and ownership history, among other variables, Chagall's "Les Amoureux" sold at Sotheby's in New York in 2017 for $28.45 million-a record for the artist.

"If we were to follow absolute values, then Chagall's prices have almost doubled over the past 20 years," Tiroche said. "We want the opening price here to be relatively attractive to buyers in Israel and overseas because if the estimate is too high, people may decide not to bid. And also the insurance company wants to finish the saga of the money they paid out over 20 years ago."

The opening bid at the auction, taking place this Saturday evening, has been set at $110,000.

Prospective bidders will have to figure out the provenance of "Jacob's Ladder" for themselves. Though the general practice is to publicize the full provenance of art offered for sale, in part to prevent stolen works from circulating on the open market, the Tiroche catalog does not contain such information for the Chagall-information Tiroche described as "gossip-oriented" and unsuitable for inclusion in the catalog.

Besides, Tiroche said, everyone knows the story anyway. His principal concern is just ensuring the painting stays in the showroom long enough to make it to the auction block.

"The painting isn't big, but now it's also in a heavy, big frame," Tiroche said. "This place is secured. Touch wood, in 27 years we haven't had a single incident of theft or anything like that. Everything should be OK."
A complex storm system is gaining strength over the Midwest as two storms will combine to dump snow from Missouri to Maine this week.

"A strong winter storm will bring the heaviest snow from the Great Lakes into New England, including cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo," said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen.

There are more than 20 million people under winter storm alerts issued by the National Weather Service.

Monday's forecast models were predicting significant snow for Chicago. Forecasts now call for the snow band to setup farther south, leaving the city with far less snow than initially predicted.

Track the snowstorm >>>

"Chicago will likely see 3 to 6 inches in the city, with more substantial amounts south of town," Hennen says. "Detroit could pick up 8 to 10 inches, while parts of Canada could see 2 feet."

Snow will develop Tuesday and Tuesday night across parts of the Midwest and will continue into Wednesday in the Great Lakes.

The most snowfall is currently expected across southeast Michigan where 6 inches or more could fall, according to the weather service.

"Travel impacts are likely to be the most significant during the Wednesday morning and potentially afternoon commutes," the Chicago National Weather Service office said.

Snowfall rates could exceed more than 1 inch per hour in some areas Tuesday into Wednesday, leading to dangerous travel due to deteriorating road conditions and severely reduced visibility.

The storm will likely affect air travel throughout the Midwest on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Get more weather news from around the world >>>

Strong winds with 35 mph gusts or higher could lead to further reduced visibility.

These strong northerly winds will bring gusts up to 40 mph across Lake Michigan, increasing the possibility of lakeshore flooding. Waves of 8 to 14 feet will develop Tuesday and continue through Wednesday evening.

The weather service has issued a flood warning that covers almost 7 million people from Chicago towards South Bend, Indiana.

On Wednesday, moderate snow along with some light freezing rain is likely across northern New York and northern New England with rain near the Interstate 95 corridor, the weather service said.
The NSA called upon the young police officers to change the impression that the police was meant only for the privileged few.

New Delhi: National Security advisor Ajit Doval has stressed on the need for the police to be seen as credible and fair by the public since if it fails to enforce the rule of law then the democracy fails. While addressing a conference of superintendents of police from across the country, organised by the Bureau of Polcie Research and Development, the NSA called upon the young police officers to change the impression that the police was meant only for the privileged few.

NSAs remarks assume significance as they come close on the heels of unprecedented violence in North-East Delhi last week in which more than 40 people were killed.

If the police personnel are not able to enforce the law, then framing of that law is immaterial. A law is as good as it is executed on the ground. If you fail the democracy fails. Law-making is the most sacrosanct job in a democracy. It is not done by an imperial ruler or from the pulpit of a religious leader but by the representatives of the people and you are the enforcers of that law, the NSA added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Doval recalled his long association of more than 50-years with the Indian Police Service (IPS) which he joined 1968 before retiring as the chief of Intelligence Bureau.

The NSA was of the view that the perception created by a policeman was very important as it gave confidence to the common man which in turn increased the trust level between a police force and the general public. ``The society feels secure if the public feels that they have a police force which is efficient, alert, honest, objective, professionally competent and friendly, the NSA remarked.

Mr Doval called upon the young IPS officer to work for that section of the society which feels most neglected and unprivileged and have an impression that their complaint will never reach the police.

The police force, he added, bring more teeth to the law by executing it properly while at the same time public also needs to realise that it is the police for which they are paying, it is the police which is there to serve their best interests. ``Though this realisation has already started coming it will take some more time to be accepted by everyone, he said. While the NSA maintained that there was no lack of leadership in the police forces, he called upon the police officers to be innovative in finding solutions to new challenges.
The PSNI has yet to see any plans for new measures to investigate Northern Ireland's troubled past, the Chief Constable has said.

As part of the deal to restore the Assembly, the Government agreed to implement the 2015 Stormont House Agreement within 100 days.

This includes introducing legislation for an Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), which would operate independently of the PSNI.

At a meeting of the Policing Board on Thursday Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly pressed PSNI chief Simon Byrne on why there had been no developments after 54 days.

Mr Byrne said: "As things stand today, no one has been in touch with us in terms of putting legislation in front of us or sense of a plan.

"I was able to raise this personally with the Secretary of State on Thursday evening, who gave some reassurance that legislation would be forthcoming before the 100-day deadline, but I can't say yet what's in it and therefore what our response would be."

Mr Byrne said it was a well-rehearsed argument that the PSNI wanted to be removed from the responsibility of investigating legacy crime.

Speaking after the meeting, he said legacy was a major barrier to building trust and recruitment, especially among the Catholic community.

"We have to be realistic," he said. "This isn't going to happen overnight so we have to manage current investigations as well as the transition to a new body and answer questions about who is going to lead it, how it will work, where it will be based and what's the breadth of the terms of reference and what sort of enquiries it will undertake."

A UK Government spokesman said earlier this week: "The Government is focused on delivering its commitments as agreed as part of the New Decade, New Approach deal, including introducing legislation on legacy."

The Chief Constable also told the board he wasn't hopeful he would see the cash promised in the New Decade, New Approach deal to bring his officer numbers up to 7,500.

"I have no confidence that we are going to see the money this side of the settlement," he said.

"Even if we were given the money in April, we would struggle to recruit at pace between the 6,900 we are at now to 7,500," he added.
Chloe Aftel / Special to The Chronicle

More than three years after federal authorities urged San Francisco police to undertake a host of reforms to address institutional racism and excessive force, the department has adopted less than 15% of their recommendations. At this rate, the force should be shipshape in about two decades.

Its no wonder the California Department of Justice advised the department to pursue the reforms with a greater sense of urgency than it has so far. State officials are concerned that SFPDs progress is too slow, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Nancy Beninati wrote in a letter to Chief Bill Scott this week. The failure to implement a greater number of the recommendations is delaying the SFPDs fulfillment of its promise to the community to get this work done.
OSHA is the only agency in the federal government authorized to enforce safe working conditions for the nations workers  including those in health care facilities, wrote Adams and Scott, who is chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. As we enter into what is likely to be the greatest infectious disease crisis this country has faced in over a century, it is in the national interest that OSHA be on the forefront of protecting workers essential to the countrys health care system.
BUDAPEST, Hungary  No entry, says Hungary. Not all at once, says Greece. Watch out, says Croatia: They might have the coronavirus.

This week, thousands of asylum-seekers sit at the intersection of a pair of fast-moving news stories  a spike in migration in Europe and uncertainty about the global spread of the new and sometimes deadly virus. They have found themselves trapped between two worlds, at the mercy of political machinations and governments that are telling them in no uncertain terms: We dont want you here.

The complex situation, which has commanded the attention of rights advocates across Europe and anti-immigration extremists on the ground in at least one nation, is a product of something that happens ever more frequently in todays globalized world: a collision of high-profile global events that places the powerless in a situation far beyond their control.

The current wave of migrants is not a threat only with the direct risk of terrorism. Most of the illegal migrants are arriving from territories like Iran, which is also a focal point of the coronavirus, said Istvan Hollik, the communications director of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz party.

We cannot put at risk the security of the Hungarian people, so we continue to say no to immigration and we protect the Hungarian borders, Hollik said in a video posted Wednesday on Facebook.

Worries about the potential spread of the new virus by migrants and refugees have also been mentioned as a risk factor by officials in Greece and Croatia. In varying degrees, they have identified migrants as security threats and  also in varying degrees  linked them directly to coronavirus fears.

Hungary has also suspended admitting asylum-seekers into a pair of transit zones on the Serbian border, where they file their asylum claims, because of the concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Officials said the indefinite suspension was done to protect Hungary and the 321 asylum-seekers already in the transit zones.

Four cases of the new virus have been identified in Hungary thus far  including a pair of Iranian students who recently visited their homeland.

Rights advocates in Hungary arent happy with the approach. They say the government decision to bar asylum-seekers from the border transit zones was part of a hate campaign demonizing refugees.

From the point of view of the epidemic risk, this is only an act to keep up appearances, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said in a statement. It noted that people applying for asylum at the transit zones have to wait in Serbia for extended periods, even years, before being allowed into the transit zones.

No coronavirus testing is carried on travelers arriving from Serbia at the border crossing a few hundreds yards from the transit zone at Roszke, the group said. As of midday Friday, Serbia had a single confirmed case of the new virus, a 43-year-old man who made several recent trips to Budapest.

Since asylum applications in Hungary can only be made in the transit zones, preventing migrants from entering the complexes built from shipping containers amounts to the total denial of access to the asylum procedure, the group said.

In Greece last week, before a migrant crisis on the border with Turkey began, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he planned to step up border security in light of the new virus. He told a cabinet meeting that his approach was informed by the presence of migrants from Afghanistan and particularly Iran, where many cases have been reported. He also outlined plans to build new migrant detention centers on Greeces eastern islands to replace existing ones that are overcrowded and squalid.

Our islands, which already face public health problems, must be doubly protected, Mitsotakis said. To put it simply, we must do whatever we can to prevent the coronavirus appearing  especially (on the islands).

Iranians make up less than 3% of migrant arrivals in Greece, with Afghans accounting for one in two.

In Croatia, Health Minister Vili Beros said the migrants represent a potential risk of spreading the coronavirus, adding that the European Union will find a solution for the problem. So far, Croatia has recorded 10 confirmed cases.

And in Serbia, theres also growing anti-migrant sentiment amid the coronavirus spread and the potential of another wave of migrants coming north from Greece. Extremists have organized evening foot patrols in the capital city, Belgrade, threatening migrants, telling them how to behave, where to go and not to touch Serbian women.

Serbias populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, has pledged that he will not allow his country, considered only a transit area for the migrants attempting to reach the EU, to become a parking lot for migrants. Far-right parties have even suggested that some 6,000 migrants currently in the Balkan country be kicked out.

On Friday, Serbia recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, and the government ordered the health ministry to establish a quarantine for migrants.

The government of ethnically divided Cyprus last week shut four of nine crossing points along a U.N. controlled buffer zone, saying it wanted to better check for potential carriers of the coronavirus traversing from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north to the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.

Cyprus is beset by its own migrant issues. It says it can no longer cope with a stream of migrants who enter the island mainly from the north to seek asylum in the south. The Cypriot government accuses Turkey of channeling migrants to the south to purposely alter the countrys demographic character.

Cypriot government officials insist the crossing point closings have nothing to do either with the migration issue or the complex politics of the island nations ethnic divide. The 120 mile-long buffer zone is notoriously porous and many migrants cross southward from unguarded areas. They said the measure is a temporary one enacted solely to protect from the possible spread of the virus.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades dismissed criticism of the closures as unjustified, saying the government is obligated to protect all Cypriot citizens.

Hungarian officials have also noted the rising number of migrants caught at their borders in recent months. The governments stringent anti-immigration policies led to the construction in 2015 of fences protected with razor wire on the southern border with Serbia. In 2015, over 400,000 migrants passed through Hungary before the fences were erected.

Orban began expressing increasingly anti-immigration views in early 2015. His 2018 re-election campaign  which saw his Fidesz party win its third consecutive two-thirds majority in parliament  was based on his opposition to immigration, especially by Muslims, whose arrival in large numbers he said would end Europes Christian culture.

Since the 2015 migrant crisis, Hungary has taken repeated measures to reduce the number of asylum-seekers received in the country. Speaking last month in Rome, Orban noted that there is not a single Muslim migrant in Hungary.

___

Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Greece, Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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For more coverage, please visit: https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak
Apple Inc. warned retail employees about shortages of replacement iPhones, another sign the coronavirus outbreak is straining the companys supply chain.

The company recently told technical support staff at stores that replacement iPhones for heavily damaged devices will be in short supply for as long as two to four weeks, according to Apple Store employees.

The workers, known as Geniuses, were advised in a memo that they can offer to mail replacement iPhones to customers and provide loaner devices to ease delays.

CAUTION: Apple pulls out of SXSW 2020 over coronavirus concerns

Some Apple stores have also noticed a shortage of individual parts, according to the employees, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. An Apple spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

When a user brings in a damaged iPhone to an Apple store, the company can replaces individual parts such as the screen or camera. If the device is beyond repair, the company often provides a replacement phone rather than a brand new model.

The dearth of iPhone repair parts is one of the first visible effects from the virus on Apples operations. The company has begun to see shortages for the iPad Pro, Bloomberg News reported recently, while the supply of the iPhone 11 has begun to slightly tighten internationally. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has also restricted employee travel to China, South Korea, and Italy, and has encouraged sick employees take leave. Its also asking employees to have meetings virtually.

RELEASE NOTES: Sign up for Dwight Silverman's weekly tech newsletter

Apple is also rapidly re-opening its stores in China after being forced to temporarily shut all 42 of the locations due to the virus. The company has opened 38 stores as of Wednesday, according to a review of its retail website.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called Taliban fighters "warriors" and said the extremist group's leader has a difficult task in trying to get them to end their violent attacks.



"They are warriors, fighters, and have been doing this for thousands of years," Trump said during a question-and-answer session televised by Fox News on March 5.



"It's not the easiest leadership position," Trump said, in an apparent reference to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a Taliban co-founder and the militant group's political chief.



The U.S. president said there were many "tribes" in Afghanistan and that the Taliban had trouble maintaining control over them.



Trump on March 3 said he had spoken by phone with the Taliban leader, saying it was a "very good" discussion.



"I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today. We had a good conversation. We've agreed there is no violence," Trump told reporters at the White House.



"We had, actually, a very good talk with the leader of the Taliban," he added after the call.



Meanwhile, other U.S. officials voiced frustration with renewed violence in Afghanistan, saying the Afghan parties to the conflict needed to take advantage of a peace deal signed over the weekend.



"Violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters on March 5. "Do not squander this opportunity."



Nevertheless, Pompeo said that "we have seen the senior Taliban leadership working diligently to reduce violence from previous levels."



"So we still have confidence the Taliban leadership is working to deliver on its commitments. We're working to deliver on ours," he said.



"What we have urged the parties to do is stop posturing," he said.



The comments came after the Pentagon said U.S. forces conducted a "defensive" air strike against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan on March 4, as attacks by the militants left at least 32 Afghan security force members dead in at least three provinces.



The wave of violence is threatening to unravel a February 29 agreement signed in Doha between the United States and the Taliban and aimed at ending the 18-year war in Afghanistan.



The deal would allow allied forces to leave the country within 14 months in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Afghan government -- which the militant group so far has refused to do.



Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned he was not committed to a key clause in the deal involving the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners.



The Taliban said it would not take part in intra-Afghan talks until that provision was met, and Pompeo urged both sides to move forward with prisoner releases.

The United States plans to seek UN Security Council backing for the peace deal, according to AP.



A U.S. draft resolution, seen by the news agency, would welcome the February 28 announcement of the agreement and would encourage "the sustained support" of the UN and international partners for the efforts toward peace in Afghanistan.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg told AFP in an interview that "it is a very difficult situation, and the Taliban must honor their commitment. We need to see reduction in violence."

With reporting by dpa, Fox, AP, Reuters, AFP, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
The subpoena vote, set for Wednesday, comes as Trump and his Republican allies refocus their attention on Bidens connections to Ukraine after his sudden surge in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Trump said in a Fox News Channel interview Wednesday that he planned to make those connections a major issue in the presidential race should Biden win the nomination.
GENOA CITY  Charles Schuren always wanted to join his local American Legion, but an eligibility rule prevented the Genoa City military veteran from becoming a member.

It meant quite a bit to him, legion member Ed Duesing said. He wanted to join for a long time.

Now, with a change in the eligibility requirements for American Legion membership, Schuren, 85, finally has joined his fellow veterans in the Genoa City legion organization.

Legion representatives brought Schuren on Jan. 25 to the 332 Fellows Bar and Grill, where they surprised him with an official membership in Sponholtz-Deignan Post 183 of the American Legion. The group even paid Schurens legion dues for him.

Schurens daughter, Heidi Crow, said her father has always felt passionately about living in Genoa City and about having served in the U.S. Army.

Those are the two great loves of his life, Crow said, and are the things that made him the proudest.

Schuren is battling health issues and could not be reached for comment.

According to his daughter, Shuren served in the U.S. Army just after the Korean War and was stationed in Germany.

Because he did not serve during wartime, he was ineligible to join the American Legion.

The membership requirements, however, were changed in 2019 after a measure passed through Congress and was signed by President Trump. The change opened up legion membership and benefits to all veterans who have served since 1941.

Lynn Allen, commander of Sponholtz-Deignan Post 184, credited Trump with rectifying the situation for veterans like Schuren.

The legion has been trying for 20 years to change this deal, Allen said. It just took the right president to sign the paperwork.

For Schuren, it is recognition for a veteran who not only served his country, but also who has devoted decades to his community of Genoa City.

Schuren, known to friends as Chuck, served for 12 years as village president of Genoa City.

He also has been active in the Genoa City Lions Club, helping to organize an eyeglasses donation drive, and selling tickets for a motorcycle raffle. He was one of the founders of the Genoa City Days summer festival.

He always had the best interest of the village of Genoa City and the people of Genoa City in the forefront in his mind in what he did, fellow Lions Club member Bill Thornburgh said.

When his chance came to join the American Legion, Schuren was surprised by Allen and Duesing, along with fellow legion members Patrick Holden III and Chester Juszcyk.

The group sprang a new membership on Schuren at the 332 Fellows Bar and Grill, which once housed the legion hall.

We told him that he was eligible to join, Allen recalled. And he says, Where do I get my card?

Noting Schurens activism in Genoa City, Allen said whenever there is a program for military veterans, Schuren seems to be in attendance.

The man is worth joining the legion, Allen said. He has done a lot for this town, and he would have probably done a lot for the legion if he would have gotten in.

Schuren and his wife, Barbara, were married for 30 years before she passed away. Both were active together in Genoa City.

He really cares about this town a lot, his daughter said. And he helped anyone who needed help, as well as doing anything for the Lions Club or the town.

Thornburgh agreed, saying: They supported everybody and everything in Genoa City. You couldnt find a better person than Chuck and his wife.

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A Northern Irish man alleged to have delivered the trailer in which 39 migrants were found dead in Essex last year, will launch a legal challenge to his pending extradition in May.

Eamon Harrison, 22, from Mayobridge, Co Down, is wanted to face 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UKs Modern Slavery Act.

It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer, in which the bodies of eight females and 31 males were found in an industrial park in Grays, Esssex on October 23 last, to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain. The cargo was recorded as biscuits.

The High Court in Dublin has heard that the sealed refrigeration unit was not turned on and that the people inside died from oxygen starvation. Temperatures inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it steadily reduced, and police discovered bloody hand prints inside.

Ordering Mr Harrisons extradition to the UK in January, Mr Justice Donald Binchy said the British-Irish citizen is alleged to have been involved in transporting illegal migrants on two previous occasions, and that the trailer at the centre of the Essex discover was used on one of those occasions.

Lawyers for Mr Harrison were granted leave to appeal their clients pending extradition on grounds that the case raised issues in law.

The Court of Appeal fixed May 7 next, as the date for the hearing of the challenge today.

Mr Harrison was not in court for the case management procedure.

In his judgment ordering Mr Harrisons surrender in January, Mr Justice Binchy said other information regarding the activities of Mr Harrison had been provided to the High Court. These included allegations that Mr Harrison was previously involved in the transportation of illegal migrants from Zeebrugge Port in Belgium to Purfleet Port in Essex, England, on October 10th/11th 2019 and again on October 17th/18th, 2019.

On the latter occasion, the same trailer as that used to transport the deceased migrants on 22nd/23rd October, 2019 was used. The respondent [Mr Harrison] was identified as being the driver, the judge stated.

Mr Justice Binchy also said its alleged that the available evidence for all three of the operations in October 2019 indicate that the illegal migrants were not free to walk away on their arrival into the UK; that they were collected by cars on their arrival, suggesting an intention to exploit those persons.

The judge further noted that it's alleged that: on 9th May, 2018, the respondent [Mr Harrison] was stopped at Coquelles, France, driving a trailer unit in which 18 Vietnamese migrants were discovered.

In relation to the present alleged offence, Mr Justice Binchy said paramedics arrived at the scene in Essex to discover 39 bodies in the back of the trailer and all were dead. Mr [Maurice] Robinson was arrested on suspicion of murder. After Mr Robinsons arrest, on the same day, [another named man] made a number of phone calls to the respondent [Eamon Harrison]. It is stated in the additional information that [this man] recruited Mr Robinson and the respondent in his haulage business.

Maurice Robinson, 25, from Craigavon, Co Armagh, was arrested by Essex police at the scene and has admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property - namely cash.
PISCATAWAY, N.J., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Novadoz Pharmaceuticals, the U.S based sales & marketing affiliate for MSN Labs, based in Hyderabad India, received FDA approval for their generic version of Thiotepa 15mg and 100mg vials for injection. The product is supplied as a powder for solution in single-dose vials for intravenous, intracavitary, or intravesical use. The company expects shipping of the product to commence shortly. The combined Thiotepa brand and generic sales are trending over $36.5mil during the previous 12 months according to recent published sales data.

Thiotepa for injection is indicated for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the breast or ovary. The recommended dose of Thiotepa for injection for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the breast or ovary is 0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg intravenously. Doses should be given at 1 to 4 week intervals. Initially the higher dose in the given range is commonly administered. The maintenance dose should be adjusted weekly based on pretreatment control blood counts and subsequent blood counts. Maintenance doses should not be administered more frequently than weekly. Healthcare professionals should refer to the company's prescribing information prior to administering this medication.

Seshu Akula, Novadoz President North America Generics, quotes, "MSN's approval for generic Thiotepa 15mg & 100mg vials for injection, increases the company's basket of specialty injectable products, moving forward our commitment to the generic oncology space. As a first generic to the market, the 100mg vial will provide a substantial cost savings to oncology clinics, hospitals, and patients under a treatment regimen with the product. Novadoz expects to add several more specialty injectables to our portfolio by the end of 2020."

MSN Labs is engaged in the development and manufacturing of API (active pharmaceutical ingredients), KSMs (key starting materials), and product intermediates. MSN is the global leader in this category. Additionally, the company also manufactures oral solids, liquids, and specialty injectable products in sixty-five markets throughout the world, doing business in the U.S as Novadoz Pharmaceuticals.

For more information, visit the company's websites at NovadozPharma.com & MSNLabs.com.

CONTACT:

Tom DeStefano

Novadoz Pharmaceuticals

Vice President Sales and Marketing

(848) 200-1909

SOURCE Novadoz Pharmaceuticals

Related Links

http://www.NovadozPharma.com


EMPEROR Naruhito of Japan was blessed to celebrate his 60th birthday last Feb. 23. For Japan and the Philippines, it is another occasion to celebrate the long-standing friendship between both countries, and particularly so for our Queen City. Every year for the Japanese Emperors birthday, the Consular Office of Japan here hosts a reception to connect with local government officials, corporate partners, media and other friends in Cebu. This years gathering at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu filled the function room nearly to capacity, upon the invitation of Counsellor Hiroshi Watanabe of the Consular Office of Japan in Cebu, with the Consul General of the Embassy of Japan, Atsushi Kuwabara, flying in from Manila to join the event.

Consul Kuwabara and Andrei Red Duterte, Provincial Board member representing Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, each led cordial toasts to the partnerships between Japan and Cebu. Consul Kuwabara shared that financials are being worked out for a fourth bridge for Mactan, and that over 600,000 Filipinos visited Japan last year alone. Hon. Duterte shared his admiration for the Japanese people and their culture when he took a short course there.

For both speeches, His Majestys birthday, and all the wonderful reasons to celebrate our friendshipKanpai!
As panicky depositors rushed to withdraw money from Yes Bank whose control was seized by the RBI in a dramatic late-night move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday assured depositors that their money is safe and said the RBI has been asked to assess reasons for the crisis and fix responsibilities.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday evening capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 for the next one month and imposed strict limits on operations at the country's fourth-largest private lender that faced "regular outflow of liquidity" after an effort to raise new capital failed.

"I am in continuous interaction with the RBI. The RBI is fully seized of the matter and has assured they will give a quick resolution," Sitharaman said here.

She said no depositor will lose his or her money and insisted that the immediate priority is to ensure Yes Bank customers are able to withdraw money within the stipulated cap.

"I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe," she said. "I am constantly in contact with the RBI and the steps that are taken are taken in the interest of depositors, banks and economy. We are fully seized of the development."



Addressing a press conference here, the minister said the RBI had been since 2017 closely scrutinising Yes Bank where "it noticed governance issues of serious concern, weak compliance, and wrong asset classification together with risky credit decisions".

Upon getting clear indications, the RBI took concrete steps including changing the CEO in 2018 and asking promoter to let go of their shares, she said adding promoters sold down their shares in September last year.

Investigating agencies also saw "malpractices of some of their chairman and top-order people," she said without elaborating.

Sitharaman said the failure of attempts to get new equity infusion and the resignation of the chairman of the audit committee of the bank in January this year led to things getting serious.

"I have asked the RBI now to go into assessing what actually has caused this difficulty in Yes Bank and also clearly identify the role played by various individuals in the problems -- in creating and not so comprehensively addressing the problem," she said.

The RBI has also been asked to report on the adequacy of extant regulatory and supervisory norms. "And if found inadequate where and why. I have asked them to report this," she said.

The minister said the RBI has also been asked to act so that the due process of law takes its course with a sense of urgency.

"The government is committed to ensure the depositors' interest is completely safeguarded and also RBI to ensure that due process of law is set to roll with a sense of urgency so that we should find out that who led to this problem of this size and magnitude in Yes Bank," she said.

The restructuring scheme, announced by the RBI for induction of a new partner in the bank, will be fully effective within the moratorium period of 30 days, she said. "SBI has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank and invest in equity in the restructuring process."



Earlier in the day, State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar met her.

On Thursday, the SBI board gave its "in-principle" approval to exploring investment opportunities in Yes Bank.

"So I repeat, the depositors can be assured that their money is safe," she said.

Soon after the RBI takeover, depositors thronged Yes Bank ATMs to withdraw money and the police had to be deployed in some places to control the crowds.

Yes Bank has 1,000 branches across the country.

Refusing to elaborate on her meeting with the SBI chairman, the minister said that "was on a completely different matter".

"RBI governor has given me assurance that there will be an appropriate resolution soon. No depositor will lose (money)," she said. "Reserve Bank has taken cognizance of the problem."



The central bank, she said, has gone through the "process over and over again to find out an amicable solution".

"And that has been over the last couple of months. So it is not as if they have come in suddenly now. We have been monitoring the situation," she said adding the RBI has appointed an administrator who previously was with the SBI.

"Both the RBI and the government are looking at this with all the details before them, not just today. I have personally monitored the situation over the last couple of months with the RBI. Therefore we have taken a course which will be in everybody's interest," she added.

Yes Bank had been seeking new capital since last year to bolster its ratios and quell questions about its stability due to its exposure to the non-banking finance industry entangled in a prolonged crunch in the local credit market.

The SBI chairman said the resolution to the Yes Bank crisis will come "very shortly".

"This is not a sectoral problem. It is a bank-specific problem," he said. "The RBI will take all steps to ensure financial stability."



On SBI picking up a stake in Yes Bank, he said the lender already has an in-principle approval for doing so.

"If SBI has to pick up a stake in Yes Bank, we have an in-principle approval for that," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 09:55:53|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland reported 17 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday outside Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, down from 890 on Feb. 3, according to the National Health Commission Friday.

Of them, 16 cases, including 11 in Gansu, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai, were imported from outside the Chinese mainland. The Chinese mainland saw a total of 36 imported COVID-19 cases as of the end of Thursday, showed the commission figures.

The commission said it received reports of 143 new confirmed cases Thursday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, including 126 from Hubei.
The national elections in Israel failed to deliver decisive results yet again with no political alliance ending up with a clear majority, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.

What Happened

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is headed to win 36 seats in the 120 seats Israeli parliament Knesset, per the Jerusalem Post.

Allies, including right-wing Yamina and religious parties United Torah Judaism and Shas, together would add another 22 seats. This means that the 58 seats total of the alliance will fall three shy of the 61 seats required to make a claim to form the government.

The centrist and liberal alliance Blue and White emerged as the second-largest faction with 33 seats, well short of a clear majority with no feasible chance to form a government.

The Arab-majority political party Joint List gained the third-largest number of seats at 15.

Even though about 99% of the votes have been counted, the official results won't be available until Monday.

Why It Matters

This was the fourth parliamentary election in less than a year in Israel. Previous elections in April and September last year failed to similarly give conclusive results.

The latest election has proved to be yet another impasse as any possible coalition combination would require the concerned political parties to make ideological compromises and could result in a fourth vote to elect the members of Knesset who ultimately choose the country's prime minister, the highest executive authority in Israel.

See more from Benzinga

 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
A former police dog who was sacked from the force has found a new home chasing birds away from planes.

Ozzie, a male German Shepherd, was part of the 'O' litter that was born and trained by Queensland Police Service in 2018.

But it soon emerged that the 18-month-old was not aggressive enough for the force and while he loved chasing balls he was useless at chasing criminals.

Luckily Ozzie found a new home at Brisbane Airport and now lives with his handler Jackson Ring.

A former police dog who was sacked from the force has found a new home chasing birds away from planes (Ozzie pictured with his handler Jackson Ring)

Ozzie was part of the 'O' litter that was born and trained by Queensland Police Service in 2018

'Ozzie didn't portray all the necessary traits of a police canine - but he is perfect for what we want, which is introducing a predator into the environment,' Mr Ring told Daily Mail Australia.

Ozzie's job is to scare away birds from highly frequented areas of the airport in order to not interfere with aircraft on the runways.

Mr Ring said the team have used cars with sirens and pyrotechnics to scare animals away in the past.

However the birds, which pose a danger to aircrafts if they get sucked into the plane's engine, have become acclimatised to the sounds.

Since the airport employed Ozzie birds are too terrified to come near the planes making take off and landing much safer for all concerned.

Thankfully since the airport employed Ozzie, birds are too terrified to come near the planes making take off and landing much safer for all concerned.

'His priorities in life are ball, then breathing and then everything else below that,' Mr Ring said.

'He's perfect for us though because of his love of balls. He goes out and he's so happy to run around.

'He has got so much energy. He will do whatever we want as long as he can come back and play with his ball.'

Mr Ring said Ozzie's number one priority in life is playing with balls, closely followed by breathing

Ozzie's day can consists of daily exercise and lots of positive reinforcement from his handlers.

He will then come to work and the handlers will look at the wildlife statistics of the area before taking him out to the 1,700-hectare airfield to patrols - which will grow another 360 hectares in July.

Mr Ring said that would be an active day, but on quieter days they take Ozzie off site to parks where there are lots of birds and they can practice drills.

Mr Ring said he sometimes takes Ozzie off site to parks where there are lots of birds and they can practice drills

He also said the team absolutely loves having Ozzie around.

'I love him and the team loves him. He is the biggest morale boost in the world,' he said.

'His duties out on the airfield and his training is one thing but another benefit of having a dog is he is amazing companion.

'We have formed an incredible bond. Everyone loves him. He's such a great bundle of energy and positivity running around.'

Ozzie is not the first dog to work at an airport. Gold Coast also used a Labrador named Joe for seven years before he died in 2018.
Amid Yes Bank crisis, former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday slammed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said that UPA did not allow any bank to reach a state of collapse.

Soon after Sitharaman addressed the media over the Yes Bank crisis, Chidambaram in a series of tweets wrote, "Listened to Finance Minister's address to the media. It is obvious that the crisis has been in the making since 2017 and the government did practically nothing except 'talk to the RBI'."

He added, "As expected, the Finance Minister has indirectly blamed the UPA for the near collapse of Yes Bank contrary to her own claim that the crisis started in 2017. Did you notice that the Finance Minister did not acknowledge the numbers of the loan book of Yes Bank? Did you notice that Finance Minister did not explain how the loan book miraculously jumped from Rs 55,633 crore in March 2014 to Rs 2,41,999 crore in March 2019?"

Chidambaram said that Sitharaman was focused on what happened during the UPA regime while addressing the media.

"What happened was UPA did not allow any bank to reach a state of collapse. Under UPA, weak banks were merged with other banks well in time to avoid a crisis... The decisions to merge were taken by RBI Governors Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Y V Reddy. Why doesn't the Finance Minister call them and ask them to explain their decisions? She might find that the decisions were correct and taken by competent Governors," Chidambaram tweeted.

He added, "What is the government doing today? Is the government not merging weak public sector banks with stronger public sector banks? Naturally, Finance Minister blamed the 'legacy' of UPA. She will say that for the rest of the tenure of the BJP government!"

Earlier today, Sitharaman said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will bring in a reconstruction plan for Yes Bank within the moratorium period of 30 days so that the depositors do not face any issues.

"While our government is committed so that the interests of the depositors are completely safeguarded, equally we want the RBI to ensure that the due process of law is followed to ensure that who led to this problem in Yes Bank," she said.

Sitharaman said that State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed a willingness to invest in Yes Bank. "The deposits and liabilities will continue unaffected as before. Employment and salaries are assured for at least one year."

She said that the RBI has been monitoring issues relating to Yes Bank since 2017. "The RBI noticed that governance issues were of serious concern. There was definitely a culture of weak compliance. There were wrong asset classifications together with risky credit decisions. Since RBI started getting clear indicators, they took some concrete steps which they have informed about," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A former teacher has been charged with more than 30 sexual offences.

Ben Breakwell, of Monkgate, York, is accused of committing the offences while he was a teacher at a school in Hammersmith, west London.

These include multiple charges relating to alleged sexual activity with three girls aged between 13 and 16.

There are also two counts of taking and another two of making indecent images of children.

The Met Police began investigating Breakwell in 2017 with the probe led by specialist officers.

Breakwell, 39, is accused of committing the offences between October 2014 and November 2017.
The first positive case of COVID-19, commonly called coronavirus, was confirmed in Marion County on March 6.

The Indiana State Department of Health made the announcement at a press conference with Gov. Eric Holcomb.

The male patient has been in quarantine since arriving in Indianapolis from a trip to Boston, and the risk to the public is low, health department Commissioner Kris Box said.

The patient is presumptive positive, meaning the patient tested positive at the health department laboratories, and the samples will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

The patient first went to Community Hospital North, but officials said he was carefully transported and there is no risk to other patients.

This mornings swift response from our state and local health experts was the result of preparation and collaboration, Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement. I want to thank Governor Eric Holcomb for the leadership shown in todays public health emergency declaration, and Indianapolis remains committed to assisting our federal, state, and Marion County partners as we monitor this situation.

Officials say the best thing to do to keep the virus from spreading is to take basic hygiene steps such as washing your hands and covering coughs and sneezes.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, officials recommend calling a hospital or the health department instead of going to a hospital immediately, since that would increase the likelihood of spreading the virus.

News In Brief
United Nations report released on March 5 made a revelation that nearly 90 per cent of the world's population of every gender holds some biases against women. Ahead of International Women's Day, UN has crashed the notion that some countries might have reached gender parity, instead, it said that women continue to face enormous struggles in large parts of the world in order to get their human rights recognised against the deeply ingrained bias.

The UN Development Programme studied 75 countries representing 80 per cent of the world's population and found that nine out of 10 people including women, hold such beliefs. Moreover, according to the report, the prejudice views include that men are better politicians and business leaders than women, that going to university is more important for men than women, and that men should get preferential treatment in competitive job markets.

Read - UN Food Aid Chief Fears For Africa, Mideast Amid New Crises

Read - Former UN Chief Javier Perez De Cuellar Passes Away At The Age Of 100

28 per cent say it's okay to beat wife

According to the official website, the Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) measured how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education, and contains data from over 70 countries. According to the same index, nearly half of the world's men and women feel that men make better politicians and over 40 per cent feel that men make better business executives. What can seem more in unprecedented UN finding is that 28 per cent people think it is justified for a man to beat his wife.

The percentage of those that hold at least one sexist bias was largest in Pakistan where 99.81 per cent of people held similar prejudices, then followed by Qatar and Nigeria, both ar 99.73 per cent. Countries with the lowest population and with sexist beliefs included Andorra at 27.01 per cent, Sweden at 30.01 per cent, and the Netherlands at 39.75 per cent.

Olding at least one sexist belief, France, Britain and the United States came in with similar scores of 56 per cent, 54.6 per cent, 57.31 per cent of the people respectively. The UN Development Programme said in a statement that the numbers reveal new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality even after decades of progress.

The UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner has also said that a deeply ingrained bias among both men and women still exists to disrupt genuine equality. The agency has also called on governments and institutions to change discriminatory beliefs and practices through education.

Read - 2-term UN Chief Perez De Cuellar Dies At 100

Read - Iran Says 'no Obligation' To Grant UN Nuclear Watchdog Access To Nuclear Sites
Geneva, March 6 : The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that it's launching a new social media campaign urging people to be safe, smart and informed when faced by the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We know people are afraid, and that's normal and appropriate ... That fear can be managed and moderated with accurate information," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a daily briefing, the Xinhua news agency reported.

That's why the WHO is launching a new social media campaign called "Be Ready for COVID-19," he said. "If you feel overwhelmed by fear, reach out to those around you. Find out what your community's emergency response plans are, how you fit in and how you can help." "There's still a lot we don't know, but every day we're learning more, and we're working around the clock to fill in the gaps in our knowledge." Tedros said. "Ultimately, how deadly this virus will be depends not only on the virus itself, but on how we respond to it." He reiterated the importance of solidarity in fighting the outbreak and urged all to protect those who are vulnerable in their communities.

"We're all responsible for reducing our own risk of infection, and if we're infected, for reducing our risk of infecting others," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Nearshore excavation with newly developed barge system at biblical port of Tel Dor, Israel, by researchers at the University of Haifa and the University of Californian San Diego's Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology.

(JNS)-The University of California San Diego has announced a gift of more than $1.3 million from the Koret Foundation to support joint research on marine archaeology between UC San Diego's Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology and the University of Haifa's Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies in Israel.

The three-year award will facilitate scientific exploration of coastal environments in Israel, which offer the most sensitive deep-time records for how humans have adapted to climate and environmental change over the past 11,000 years. The relatively new field of marine archaeology offers new ways of investigating these issues through the ages. Through this collaboration, UC San Diego and the University of Haifa will deepen a long-term research and teaching collaboration along Israel's Carmel Coast.

"The world's oceans and seas are the last great frontier of archaeological exploration, and the Mediterranean Sea holds the oldest and most densely traversed maritime network in the world," explained Professor Thomas Levy, distinguished professor in the Department of Anthropology at UC San Diego and co-director of SCMA. "This new California-Israel collaboration will provide students and faculty from both the U.S. and Israel with unique opportunities for original research concerning climate, environmental and culture change."

Anita Friedman, president of the Koret Foundation, said "this partnership will further strengthen the bonds between the U.S. and Israel, reinforcing the close ties between our two countries to respond to some of today's most pressing environmental issues."

The Koret Foundation's U.S.-Israel bridge-building Initiative aims to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship in diverse ways by supporting organizational collaborations, educational and humanitarian programs, as well as opportunities for cooperation and exchange. In addition to its support of this project, Koret has supported other high-level collaborations among Stanford University, UC Berkeley and Tel Aviv University, and the Rambam Medical Center. These academic collaborations both advance critical scientific research, while simultaneously creating opportunity for deep relationships to develop between leading scholars from Israel and the United States.

The collaboration between Recanati and SCMA, co-led by SCMA, has the potential to advance the study of climate and environmental science by utilizing the rich archeology of the eastern Mediterranean. Israel's Carmel Coast provides an exceptional case study for investigating these problems because of its rich, submerged cultural heritage.

Over the past century, Scripps Oceanography has developed cutting-edge research tools to study environmental change involving marine geology and geophysics, coastal processes, paleomagnetism, paleobiology and climate science. SCMA researchers will utilize these tools and work in tandem with the University of Haifa to create a state-of-the-art research facility in Akko, Israel, where qualified scientific diver students will come on annual field-school seminars.

"The Koret Foundation's gift enables SCMA to marshal the excellence in marine and environmental science at Scripps Institution of Oceanography with more than 50 years of underwater archaeology expertise from the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies," said John Hildebrand, distinguished professor of oceanography at Scripps and co-director of SCMA. "We see this as a unique opportunity to build up SCMA's international presence, as well as to bring the tool-kit we develop home to San Diego and apply it off the beach here in La Jolla."

Assaf Yasur-Landau, director of the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa, noted that "along the coast of Israel, submerged settlements, ancient harbors and sunken ships tell a unique story of 11,000 years of human resilience and adaptation. The exploration of this frontier can only be done with cutting-edge technologies and innovative training programs for archaeologists."

Levy and Hildebrand anticipate that this joint project in Israel will have significant public and scientific impact, bringing to light new discoveries, including ancient shipwrecks and submerged villages, ports and cities from the past 10,000 years in the Mediterranean region.
New Delhi, March 6 : Putting the onus of GST portal performance solely on Infosys, the government on Friday asked the IT service provider to ensure systems related grievances of taxpayers are resolved immediately.

"The grievances of taxpayers are utmost priority and onus of its resolving lies on the Infosys," Infosys was told by the government during a meeting here.

Infosys presented the status on business statistics, trend of filing returns, preparedness of the system vis-a-vis the facilities required to be launched and measures taken to address GST Portal's capacity and to resolve difficulties being faced by taxpayers.

The high-level meeting was chaired by Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey and attended by Commissioners of State Tax and Zonal Chief Commissioners of Central Tax.

As per a GST Council Secretariat statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also joined the meeting and intensively discussed the status of GST portal to address grievances of taxpayers.

The senior officers discussed various measures for streamlining the GST return filing process, enhancing revenue and focused compliance management.

In the meeting, it was decided that measures should be taken immediately to curb passing on input tax credit (ITC) by new taxpayers.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for blocking and unblocking of ITCs has to be also developed and implemented.

The other decisions include examining measures to check export valuation including capping of value for calculating export and a SOP for physical spot verification of risky taxpayers.
He's an acclaimed actor and producer with two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes and one Emmy to his name.

And on Thursday, Michael Douglas added to his collection of trophies when he was presented with an India Catalina Award by the Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival in Bolivar, Colombia.

The veteran Hollywood star, 75, was honored for his life and work at the oldest film festival in Latin America, now in its 54th year.

Feted: Michael Douglas was honored for his life and work at the Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival in Bolivar, Colombia, on Thursday

Douglas attended the festival ceremony wearing a tropical shirt and sporting heavy stubble.

He was also presented with a Panama hat, which he donned as he gave remarks to the audience.

His appearance came one month to the day since the death of his legendary actor father Kirk, who died on February 5 at the age of 103.

Lifetime achievement: The veteran Hollywood star, 75, was presented with an India Catalina Award by Latin America's oldest film festival, now in its 54th year

Douglas attended the festival wearing a tropical shirt and sporting heavy stubble. He was also presented with a Panama hat, which he donned as he gave remarks to the audience

Recently bereaved: His appearance came one month to the day since the death of his legendary actor father Kirk, who died on February 5 at the age of 103

Douglas arrived in Colombia after spending time at his stunning estate on the Balearic island of Majorca.

He shared a photo from his home there a week ago in which he's seen in profile against a wooded coastal view through an adjacent open window.

'Last week in SEstaca...one of my favorite spots in the (world),' he wrote in the caption on Instagram.

Spanish hideaway: Douglas arrived in Colombia after spending time at his stunning estate on the Balearic island of Majorca. He shared this photo from his home there a week ago

Most recently the actor has starred in two seasons of the Netflix series the Kominsky Method with Alan Arkin,

He also plays Dr. Hank Pym in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies starting with 2015's Ant-Man.

Douglas has been married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones since 2000 and they share two children - son Dylan, 19, and daughter Carys, 16.
I once heard a pastor say from the pulpit, there are two things we shouldnt talk about as Christians: politics and religion. I remember feeling a sense of unease when I heard this. Well no wonder, I thought to myself, no wonder I have no idea how to think about politics as a Christian if peoplelike the preacher is encouragingdont even talk about it in the first place!

When it comes to politics, Christians dont seem to be any better at talking about it than non-Christians. This is alarming, seeing as 2020 is an election year in New Zealand. And like every election year, there will be the usual online debates, dinner-table discussions and social media trolling.

Christian confusion

In our post-truth climate of ten second soundbites and opinion pieces masquerading as genuine newsit is not an easy time to think about how we as Christians should engage in the political process.

This question is as pertinent as ever seeing as Christians can supposedly find representation right across the political spectrum. I believe this has led to many other 20-somethings like myself being downright confused about what to do with our right to vote.

Which way to go?

I have had three elections since I was legally allowed to vote. I think my story is emblematic of many other Christians.

In the first election I was a young and questioning teenager who had inherited a certain political leaning from my family. Naturally, I thought this was the best (and God-directed) political leaning. I dismissed opposing points of view. In fact, I was so zealous that I ended up going even further in my views along the political spectrum. I didnt end up voting as I could not be bothered driving out to the voting booth, (did I mention I was a teenager?)

During the second election I had gotten a university degree, moved away from home (and like many others, returned back), while working more than a few meaningless jobs for awful bosses. My political views, as a result, were shaped by these experiences and I was drawn to a different party to vote for. This time I had a beat-up Mitsubishi Lancer and no excuse to not vote.

By the third election, I was married, had relocated to central Auckland, become a pastor, and had stopped studying. My priorities had changed remarkably and so did my voting preference. For the third time in as many elections my vote went to a different party.

Picking and choosing

What I have learnt from these three previous elections encourages me. It encourages me because of something a lecturer at Bible College once shared with us in one of his lectures on politics.

He claimed, and I think rightly, that Millennials (and Gen Z no doubt), do not simply vote according to party lines like our Gen X and Baby Boomer predecessors. We are not simply liberal or conservative on every single issues.

Instead of being someone whose views are either left or right, we tend to pick and choose different politicians and parties based on our preference for environmental issues, justice issues, moral issues, social issues and so on. Although we may support some polices, we dont have to support all of them.

Never the twain shall meet

Due to our preferential nature, voting should therefore be a more freeing and, dare I say it, enjoyable task. It is not simply about picking the right party over the wrong partythe God-chosen party over the non-God-chosen party.

Ultimately, I believe that the preacher had a point when they talked about the mix between religion and politics. Religion should not mix so much with politics that it can no longer be differentiated. The opposite is true also. Humans have shown throughout history that the two should never truly mix.

This is because Christians hold onto a vision of hope that can never be fully realized by any government at any time in history. This is a hope in a King and His Kingdom that at once is already elected to power, and yet, still awaiting his final coronation.

With this knowledge, vote for the party and politicians by all means, but do not place all your eggs in their political baskets. Maybe then a miracle might happen andunlike the preachers messagemaybe Christians will be better at talking about politics.
The East Ridge Police Department would like to invite all residents and business owners to a community meeting they are hosting from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at the East Ridge Community Center.

"There have been a lot of change at the police department since the beginning of the year, and this is a chance for us to get to know you better, as well as a chance for you to get to know us better," organizers said. "We will introduce some planned upcoming initiatives and we would welcome your input as to where you would like to see us improve.

"Our mission is to create a safer East Ridge for our citizens and visitors by reducing crime, preserving the peace and protecting lives and property. We will be asking for your ideas on how we get there together."
The Fort Lee patient arrived in the emergency room Tuesday, having felt sick for two days.

Doctors and nurses evaluated and admitted the 32-year-old man at Hackensack University Medical Center, encountering a brand new threat  the first of New Jerseys two coronavirus cases. A dedicated team of medical personnel whisked him to a negative pressure isolation room, where it continues to treat him.

And each time they do, those medical workers risk exposure.

They wear protective gear, including N95 respirators and face and eye coverings  measures to prevent fissures in the system from infecting them or allowing the novel virus to spread.

Physicians and residents are most on the front lines, and the ones (patients) are most likely to see when they are sick, said Dr. Henry Fraimow, an epidemiologist at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

Medical workers often face the highest risk during an outbreak. This was clear when the coronavirus began sweeping through Wuhan, China  the epicenter of the global crisis  in December, infecting nearly 3,400 healthcare workers by Feb. 24, according to Chinese health authorities.

As New Jersey grapples with the likelihood of many more COVID-19 patients, hospitals are closely following safety protocols, not only to treat possible cases but to protect their staffs from infection.

The safety of medical workers is paramount. Maybe the biggest fear hospital officials have is losing a percentage of their staff while their facilities are overwhelmed with patients.

The risk is low if we are able to identify, isolate, and evaluate quickly and while observing respiratory precautions, said Dr. Daniel W. Varga, chief physician at Hackensack Meridian Health.

But health officials have made it clear: There will be many more cases in the state. And that will increase the complexity of medical staff safety.

COVID-19 is more virulent than the flu. It is spread through droplets from a sneeze or cough that can travel six feet and remain on surfaces, putting healthcare workers in danger.

Theres certainly risk  being in six feet of the patient and getting coughed and sneezed on, said Dr. David Cennimo, infectious disease expert at Rutgers University Medical School.

But Cennimo said there is less fear among those on the ground, actually facing and treating patients.

We assume these risks every year, he added.

More than 93,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, leading to more than 3,100 deaths, mostly in China. The virus has infected more than 120 people in the U.S. and killed 11.

The staff at Hackensack University Medical Center has been drilling for similar scenarios since the Ebola epidemic of 2014, said Dr. Ihor Sawczuk, regional president for Hackensack Meridian Health, at a Thursday press conference.

"We are well aware of what it takes to manage these patients, he said.

The Fort Lee man tested presumptive-positive for COVID-19 and remains in stable condition. He is a health care worker who lives with his family in Manhattan, but maintains an apartment in Fort Lee, according to borough Mayor Mark Sokolich.

The unidentified man developed symptoms Sunday, said New Jersey health commissioner Judith Persichilli. He went to an urgent care facility in Bergen County, which sent him to Hackensack University Medical Center.

As of Thursday evening, officials were still waiting for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to confirm the diagnoses of the states two cases.

The Fort Lee man is in isolation at the hospital resting comfortably and doing well, according to Varga, who added that the patient has been placed on visitor restrictions and that the hospital is complying with all CDC guidelines.

The U.S. has had the benefit of witnessing how the outbreak unfolded in China before any cases cropped up on American shores.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

What happened in Wuhan  the hospitals were very quickly overwhelmed  In fact, a lot of people were catching their exposure in the hospitals, Fraimow said. And I think they also quickly ran out of equipment, and in the beginning, were not as rigorous using the precautions we are using now.

One of the biggest issues, Fraimow said, is access to testing. Its another issue that risks exposure to staff and everyone else in a hospital.

We cant test as readily as we would like to and dont have a system in place to test people out of the environment, at least in New Jersey at this time, he said.

The states laboratory in West Trenton is the only one currently authorized to test for COVID-19.

A patient who comes to a medical facility may have to wait there, lingering longer than they would otherwise if testing capacity was higher.

Theres no mechanisms at least in our area to get these people tested and potentially expose other people, Fraimow said. Thats not good for them. Thats not good for the other people waiting, and thats not good for staff.

Cennimo said much is in the publics control to help health care workers, just like with the flu.

One of the most important things the public can do is to self identify, he said. So if youre coming to a health care facility and youre ill with coronavirus, if at all possible, call ahead.

"But as soon as you get in the door, you should be looking for and asking for the masks, and that will drop the risk to everybody else significantly.

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An Irish national, who was suspected of being exposed to coronavirus and had fled from SCB Medical College and hospital in Cuttack, was on Friday traced by police in a hotel at Bhubaneswar.

"The Irish had been brought to the hospital because his body temperature was found to be slightly higher than normal when he was screened at the Bhubaneswar airport," read an official statement.

After screening, he was sent to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and was later referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for supervision and treatment.

"However, he managed to sneak out of the hospital on Thursday night with his attendant. Unable to track him, the hospital authorities informed Manglabad Police station and lodged a complaint," it added.

Emergency Officer of SCB Hospital College Bhuban Moharana said, "A foreign was referred from Capital Hospital to SCB. The doctor was informed by the attendant that the Irish is waiting at the ground floor. Later the attendant found him missing."

Moharana said that later the hospital authorities informed the police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defending the timing of Yes Bank's moratorium, Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday assured swift resolution to the issues concerning the beleaguered lender.

IMAGE: Account holders stand in a queue to withdraw money from Yes Bank at Vashi in Navi Mumbai, on March 6, 2020. Photograph: PTI Photo.

The resolution (to Yes Bank) will be done very swiftly, it will be done very fast. 30 days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see a very swift action from RBI, Das told reporters in Mumbai.

The decision on Yes Bank was taken at a larger level, not only to deal with the problem in an individual entity, but also to maintain stability and resilience of the Indian financial and banking sector, he said.

Let me assure you that our banking sector continues to be sound and safe," Das said, adding that RBI was ready to effectively deal with the challenge ahead.

"We stand committed to maintaining stability of financial and banking sector, he said.

On the timing of the action on Yes Bank, he said there is always debate over RBI acting prematurely or taking too long to act.

A market-led and bank-led resolution of the problem is always preferable. You have to give time to the bank management to take step and efforts. And the bank did take efforts. When we found that we cannot wait and should not wait any longer, we decided to intervene.

I think the timing is appropriate. I can assure you that RBI will come out with a scheme very shortly, Das said.

Yes Bank was on Thursday placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

The bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

For the next month, Yes Bank will led by the RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, an ex-chief financial officer of SBI.

Depositors money safe: CEA

Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian on Friday said all options are under consideration for restructuring Yes Bank and assured that depositors' money was safe.

His remarks come a day after the cash-starved lender was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board with immediate effect.

"The RBI has taken right steps. Yes Bank depositors' money is safe," he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Asserting that the interest of Yes Bank customers will be protected, Subramanian said all options are under consideration for restructuring Yes Bank.

With the RBI superseding Yes Bank board, the troubled lender will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

The board of country's largest lender State Bank of India has given "in-principle" approval to invest in Yes Bank.

Yes Bank has been struggling to execute a capital raising plan for the last six months. Its core equity tier-I ratio has slipped to 8.7 per cent as of September. The bank has also delayed its December quarter results.

Problem bank-specific: SBI chairman

A day after the RBI superseded the board of India's fourth-largest private sector lender Yes Bank, State Bank of India chairman Rajnish Kumar on Friday said the problem at hand is lender-specific and not sectoral.

On Thursday, the SBI board gave its "in-principle" approval to exploring investment opportunities in Yes Bank.

"The RBI has said they will come out with a restructuring plan (for Yes Bank)," Kumar told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The resolution will come "very shortly," he said without elaborating.

The Reserve Bank on Thursday placed Yes Bank under a moratorium and imposed limits on withdrawals.

"This is not a sectoral problem. It is a bank-specific problem," he said. "The RBI will take all steps to ensure financial stability."

On SBI picking up a stake in Yes Bank, he said the lender already has an in-principle approval for doing so.

"If SBI has to pick up a stake in Yes Bank, we have an in-principle approval for that," he said.

The RBI has capped withdrawals from Yes Bank at Rs 50,000 for the next one month and imposed strict limits on operations after the cash-starved lender faced "regular outflow of liquidity" after an effort to raise new capital failed.
It doesnt seem like doomsday mom Lori Vallow is ready to answer any questions about her missing children.

At a brief hearing Hawaii before Vallow was extradited to Idaho on a red-eye flight late Wednesday, her attorney said he was invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination and she should not be questioned on the trip.

The judge noted that once Idaho officials take custody of Vallow, her court no longer has any jurisdiction over the case.

Yes, but I want to make a record of that so her Idaho attorney can suppress any statements they may try to elicit, defense lawyer Craig De Costa said.

Vallow, wearing an orange jumpsuit, stood next to De Costa, her ankles shackled.

Bizarre Email Is Latest Clue in Saga of Doomsday Couple With Missing Kids

A team from Idaho traveled to Kauai this week to take Vallow back to Rexburg, where she is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday. Video showed her, handcuffed, after she landed in Los Angeles following the flight from Hawaii.

Vallow is charged with desertion of 17-year-old Tylee and 7-year-old J.J., who have not been seen since September; contempt of a court order to produce the children; and promoting a criminal act for allegedly asking a friend to falsely tell police she was watching J.J.

Rexburg police have said they believe Tylee and J.J. are in danger but have not provided details on why they think so. They do say that Vallow and her new husband, doomsday author Chad Daybell, have not cooperated in the hunt for the kids.

In a brief statement issued weeks ago by their Idaho attorney, Vallow and Daybell denied any wrongdoing. Vallows Hawaii lawyer claimed she did not produce the children because she did not want them to go into foster carebut that does not explain why she allegedly lied to police who came to the house to check on them.

The childrens disappearance also focused scrutiny on the deaths of Vallows and Daybells previous spouses: Charles Vallow was shot to death in July by Loris brother, Alex Cox, who claimed self-defense; and Daybells wife Tammy died of unknown causes in October and her body has since been exhumed.

Story continues

Vallow, 46, and Daybell, 51, both members of a community of doomsday preppers, married weeks after he was widowed.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Universities in Michigan are establishing protocol to prevent the spread of coronavirus on their campuses after students and faculty members return from countries affected by the outbreak.

Three people associated with Eastern Michigan University recently returned from Italy and showed symptoms, but tested negative for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, said Susan Ringer-Cerniglia, a spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Health Department. The three remained under self-quarantine until a two-week period ends, she said, in accordance with guidelines form the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for travelers returning from areas with community transmission of the virus.

Those tested were part of a group returning from study abroad programs who went into self-quarantine, defined by the CDC as separation of people who have reasonably believed to been exposed but not yet symptomatic. The practice is also called social distancing.

Students and instructors returning from Italy can return to campus on March 15 as long as they dont have symptoms, according to an EMU community-wide email.

University officials offered a dorm, Phelps Hall, as an option for self-quarantine, but none opted to use it, according to the email.

EMU also suspended study abroad programs that were scheduled to begin later this semester in China, Italy and South Korea, effective Monday.

No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Michigan.

Other large universities in the state are following CDC guidelines for community spread prevention. University of Michigan and Michigan State University placed travel restrictions for level three travel notice countries: China, South Korea, Iran and Italy.

Self-isolation is currently not recommended for those who only traveled through an airport in a country under the Level 3 Travel Notice, according to a UM update.

Dan Olsen, deputy spokesperson for MSU, said the university will offer students and faculty who are social-distancing themselves to work or take class remotely. Individuals who need medical accommodations, such as if they are immunosuppressed, can speak to an academic adviser to set up a plan.

Personal prevention methods mirror cold and flu prevention tactics, experts say. That includes staying away from people who are sick, washing your hands and avoiding touching your face.

The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Avoid touching your mouth or face unless your hands are clean.

Use household cleaners to disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces. Use disinfectant wipes to clean your hands or surfaces such as shopping-cart handles when out in public.

Face masks should only worn by people showing symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the diseases spread, according to the CDC. Face masks are needed for health care workers and people taking care of someone else in close settings, such as a home or healthcare facility.

MORE ON MLIVE:

How to make hand sanitizer at home as stocks run low due to coronavirus

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Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will on June 20, 2020, lead a one million march in Washington USA, against alleged religious persecution, enslavement and oppression of Biafrans in various parts of Nigeria.

IPOB, in a statement on Friday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stated that the march would target on the liberation of victims of neo-colonial subjugation in Nigeria.

It said the US authorities and law enforcement agencies had already granted permission for this once in a lifetime march to draw global attention to the unspeakable human misery and rivers of blood flowing throughout Biafraland and Nigeria at large.



According to the statement Our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his entourage will lead this march of Biafrans, the forcefully dispossessed, all victims of Fulani religious persecution, the enslaved and oppressed minorities in Northern Nigeria, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world on the match towards the liberation of victims of neo-colonial subjugation in Nigeria on that fateful day near Capitol Hill Washington USA.

We are delighted to announce that we have sought and have been granted relevant permits by the various US state and federal law enforcement agencies in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia as millions of Biafrans and non-Biafran persecuted Christian communities from across the globe are expected to storm Washington DC for this once in a lifetime march to draw global attention to the unspeakable human misery and rivers of blood flowing throughout Biafraland and Nigeria at large.

IPOBs determination to set free all captives trapped in the British created Zoo is unwavering and relentless. We have reached many and are continuing to reach out to all representatives, groups and associations of marginalised, oppressed and subdued communities across Nigeria domiciled in the USA to be part of subdued communities across Nigeria domiciled in the USA to be part of this historic event.

This unique event in Washington DC will bring home to politicians and policymakers in Capitol Hill the true state of deplorable human rights abuses, lawlessness and premeditated genocide of the Abba Kyari led regime of Fulani cabals in Nigeria ruling in the name of the late Buhari.

The reign of Fulani terrorism, despotism, impunity, genocide against Judeo-Christian ethnic groups and judicial rascality of the Supreme Court of Nigeria will lay bare for the American audience to fully grasp the level of evil going on in Nigeria.

It would also afford IPOB an opportunity to demonstrate our unsurpassed global might and prove to the entire world how serious, determined and focus we are towards the enthronement of universal freedom, democracy and rule of law for all not just for Biafrans alone.

Only after this march will the world finally appreciate the level of human misery and pain inflicted by cattle herding, uneducable and violent minority from the core Sharia Arewa North on the rest of the populations unfortunate enough to find themselves trapped in the British Colonial Experiment (BCE) gone wrong called Nigeria.

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Primary Health Care workers from Offaly Traveller Movement received certificates for completing a money-management community education course with Tullamore Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) last week. The course aimed at promoting sustainable money management in the community and improving access into MABS.



The community education programme was a joint initiative between organisations that provide crucial services to the local community. The Primary Health Care team in Offaly Traveller Movement is a community development peer-led health initiative. It provides a range of health information, advocacy and advice to members of the Travelling community. MABS is a free, independent, confidential, and non-judgemental advice service for people who are having difficulties managing money or are in debt.



Mary Errity, Money Advice Coordinator for South Leinster (Tullamore) MABS, facilitated four sessions with a group of 6 Primary Health Care workers. The training covered money management, budgeting for households, saving, borrowing and dealing with debt. It also included a visit from Offaly Citizens Information Centre where participants got the opportunity to ask an Information Officer questions about how rent is calculated, different grants that are available, welfare, and the Citizens Information service. Participants on the course said: The best thing about this course was that it was so clear and easy to understand, and Now that we have done the course we are better able to help Travellers in debt and more likely to advise them to use the MABS service because we met the people and we trust them.



Mary Errity from Tullamore MABS said I found the group to be extremely welcoming, interactive and open to discussion. I learned a lot about financial difficulties encountered by some members of the Traveller community, particularly the very high energy costs. Many people are reliant on gas for heat and cooking with the large cylinders, taking a huge chunk out of any weekly income or payment. It was a pleasure to work with this group and I hope that after our sessions the Primary Health Care Workers feel comfortable referring others to the MABS service.



Community education has been a cornerstone of the work of MABS for more than twenty years. It is key to building positive relationships between MABS and the local community, and can also play an important role in preventing families or individuals from getting into financial difficulties.
Tata Steel expects its branded



steel sales to retail and MSME sector to grow by 10 per cent in the current fiscal, amid slowdown in the economy, officials said on Friday.

The company's branded products, about 4.4 million tonne, are sold through distributors and dealers network.

Consumption is almost equally distributed among both retail and MSMEs.

"Our branded steel business is growing at 10 per cent even though the sector is expanding by only 5 per cent," Tata Steel chief marketing and sales (branded products) Sanjay S Sahni told PTI.

"We will finish the year with a 10 per cent growth in FY'20 and we expect similar growth in the next year also," he said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of Manufacturing & MSME Conclave, organised by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce.

Approximately 8,000 Tata Steel MSME customers consume 2.4 million tonne of steel per year.

Sahni said the total distributed (branded) steel business is worth Rs 20,000 crore and the company is continuously deepening product portfolio to suit customer demand.

"We will be adding three more products in the coated segment as the demand is rising," he said. Sahni said the coronavirus scare should end by March.

Tata Steel offers hosts of brands for retail and MSMEs.

The company also offers a platform for finance and supply chain planning fort MSMEs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson will be forced to issue graphic warnings about the health risks associated with its pelvic mesh products, as the Federal Court cracks down on the company and its affiliates following a multimillion-dollar class action.

On Friday, Justice Anna Katzmann read out a detailed warning that the company and its affiliates in Switzerland and America, Ethicon Sarl and Ethicon Inc, must provide in patient information leaflets and promotional material if it wishes to continue selling a number of "prolene" polypropylene pelvic mesh products in Australia after March 20.

Women hug outside court after the findings in the pelvic mesh judgment were delivered in November. Credit:Louie Douvis

It follows her decision on Tuesday awarding $2.6 million in damages to three women at the centre of a class action against the companies, in the first wave of compensation.

The mesh products were designed to be used in cases of stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse but the court heard the devices had caused a range of serious complications including chronic pain, infections and damage to surrounding organs.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 00:17:09|Editor: yhy

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FREETOWN, March 5 (Xinhua)-- The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday presented a certificate of solidarity to the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang, in a bid to show its support for China's fight against COVID-19.

"The Parliament of Sierra Leone does not have material support to give to the people of China in order to defeat the coronavirus, but it has a responsibility as a representative body to express solidarity through the award of a certificate to China," said the speaker of Parliament Abass Chernor Bundu, adding that it is the best the Parliament of Sierra Leone could offer at the moment.

"During this difficult period, Sierra Leone Parliament stands in full solidarity with China and support China's efforts to combat COVID-19," he said.

Receiving the certificate, Hu expressed sincere appreciation to the speaker of parliament and the entire membership of the House, saying it is a kind gesture demonstrated by the Parliament of Sierra Leone.

China has taken robust measures to contain the coronavirus in light of disease preventions and controls, said Hu, adding that the Chinese government and people are concerned about the well-being of foreigners including Sierra Leoneans.

He assured that the Chinese government will require all Chinese traveling to Sierra Leone to follow the prevention and control measures being instituted such as tracking or isolation.
pnp chief gamboa

MANILA, Philippines  Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Gamboa assured the public he is okay after surviving a chopper crash in Laguna.

In a video message released by the PNP, Gamboa said he wasnt seriously injured in the crash and that he will return to work on Monday.

Sa ating mga kababayan at lalo na sa ating mga kapulisan, ako eh lumabas ngayon dito para ipakita sa inyo na okay ako, na hindi naman ako nasaktan. As a matter of fact, Im going back to office on Monday, the PNP chief said.

The top cop, who appeared in the recorded video with a cast on his right arm and lying on a hospital bed, also appealed to the public to pray for police officials who are still in hospital and to refrain from sharing online any more photos of the accident.

Tulungan niyo na lang kami na ipagdasal yung mga nasa ospital pa, he said.

Gamboa and seven others police top officials were injured after the Bell 429 chopper they were riding in crashed shortly after take-off in San Pedro, Laguna. They were in Laguna to inspect the vehicle impounding compound of the Highway Patrol Group.

Gamboa was with Directorate for Comptrollership Major General Jovic Ramos, Directorate for Intelligence Major General Mariel Magaway, and PNP Spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac. Two pilots, Gamboas aide, and a technician were also on board the helicopter.

The top cop, Banac and four others only sustained minor injuries from the crash, but generals Ramos and Magaway are both in critical conditions.

Wag natin kalimutan na ng pagpunta ko doon sa kung saan nilagay yung mga sasakyan ay may rason at kasama talaga yon sa aking biyahe papuntang Calabarzon, again, to give warning to everyone that no matter what the Philippine National Police will always enforce the law, no matter what it takes, Gamboa said.

In a separate press briefing, Police Major General Benigno Durana, Director for Police Community Relations, said Gamboa and six others are now recuperating from their injuries at St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig.

Story continues

The PNP chief is also planning to visit Magaway and Ramos who are being treated in separate hospitals in Binan, Laguna.

Para matingnan personally ang kanilang kalagayan but he was dissuaded by the doctors kasi he needs to rest also for the next 48 hours. Under observation pa rin po sila although all medical procedures, examination and test ay napagdaanan na po nila, Durana said.

Gamboa has also designated Brigadier Generals Jesus Cambay Jr. and Ronnie Olay to temporarily assume the tasks of Magaway and Ramos.



He (Gamboa) is in high spirits but again ang concern nya po ay ang total recovery ng pito nyang kasamahan, Durana said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano earlier said that Police General Camilo Cascolan, Deputy Chief for Administration, will serve as PNPs officer-in-charge until Gamboa returns to full duty status.

Ano also assured an investigation is being launched into the chopper crash to prevent any similar incidents in the future.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operation Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has been tasked to lead the probe into the crash.

The PNP has ordered the temporary grounding of its entire fleet of rotary-wing aircraft pending the result of the investigation.

The post PNP chief Gamboa says hes okay, will return to work on Monday after chopper crash appeared first on UNTV News.
NASA has unveiled a breathtaking panorama shot of Mars surface, by stitching together thousands of individual images, captured by its Curiosity rover.

What makes the image unique is that it comprises of nearly 1.8 billion pixels, reported New York Post.

The staggering image resolution gives the shot a hyper-realistic feel.

A recent press release by NASA explains that the masterpiece is made by stitching together in excess of 1,000 images clicked between November 24 and December 1, 2019.

The photograph that depicts Mars's "Glenn Torridon" region was assembled over a course few months right after its component images were captured, the release stated further.

In a video about the seemingly surreal image on the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's YouTube page, NASA scientist Ashwin Vasavada says that "panoramas like this are like a window to another world."

"This is the first time during the mission we've dedicated our operations to a stereo 360-degree panorama," he added.

According to the New York Post, during its 7 year-long stint on the red planet, Curiosity also captured a 1.3 billion pixel panorama back in 2013.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mainstream media, including the Missoulian, often feature the falling stock market more than the health effects of the coronavirus. Donald Trump blames the media and Democrats for alarming people and causing the stock market decline just to hurt his image before the election. Money  the economy  rules, and as Greta Thunburg emphasized at the September United Nations Climate Change Summit, We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!

In 2014, Naomi Klein, in "This Changes Everything," wrote that climate change is the wake-up call that capitalism, based on growth of production, profit and consumerism, is unsustainable. We must change.

Many Missoulians have made personal commitments to consume less, limit purchases to necessities, buy locally, eat less meat, limit driving, avoid buying plastic, and reuse and recycle everything possible. Some of us find this kind of lifestyle easy, enjoyable and economical.

But  if everybody consumed less, what would happen to the economy? Our capitalist system depends on consumption! Would your job disappear? Would the economy tank? Would local producers and businesses be hurt?

The news of a trade agreement with China to buy American beef is an example of the conundrum. While this may be good news for the economy and Montanas cattle industry, beef production has a high carbon cost, and trade on the global market requires massive fossil fuel-burning transportation. Is the cattle industry made up of Montana landowners or is it actually dominated by wealthy corporations? Like coal, should global trade and beef production be phased out? To even ask the question invites condemnation and outrage.

Trump denies climate change in order to protect the corporate 1% wealthy who profit from the system. He has rolled back decades of environmental protection gains and demolished the Environmental Protection Agency. He apparently convinces his base that his actions protect their jobs because the economy, measured by stock market and employment figures, is booming.

Greed drives the system: the producers, who want to keep their wealth and amass more, depend on consumers. Most consumers depend on jobs, and fear losing them. The general populace accepts reports of a strong economy, even though most have little or no investment in the market, and too many barely make it financially from paycheck to paycheck.

Answers are not easy. Change is not easy. Many people deny the climate crisis; some believe it but ignore or hide from it. Feeling powerless, too many of us are giving up. But where does that leave our grandchildren?

Hope is sustained by activism, and Missoula has many opportunities locally to engage. The City employs a countywide energy conservation and climate action coordinator, Chase Jones, and has a Zero by Fifty waste management plan. The Citys Missoula in Motion promotes sustainable travel. Climate Smart Missoula is among many groups working to slow down climate warming, including 350 Missoula, the Sierra Club, Families for a Livable Climate, Sunrise Movement Missoula, and Montana Conservation Voters.

Can we change our national vision from Trumps great again and America first to Were all in this together; love thy neighbor? Can we reject Trumps me first capitalism in favor of a progressive platform of the planet and people first? We must elect a president and Congress who will work to restore environmental protections and support programs for the 99%. We must reject the current egotist who works for his own and wealthy corporate supporters.

And just for today, can we all be less materialistic and selfish, and try to live simply so others may simply live?

Ethel MacDonald of Missoula is a longtime peace, justice and environmental activist who rarely drives her 1986 Subaru and has two great-grandchildren.

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Linkedin Shim Woo-hyun (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:17 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c9964 2 Science & Tech Samsung,Galaxy-S20,smartphone Free

Samsung Electronics on Friday launched its flagship smartphone Galaxy S20 models in 20 nations, including Indonesia, the US, Canada, Singapore, Vietnam, Puerto Rico and others -- with plans to release them in 130 nations by end-March.

The new smartphone model comes in three types: 6.2-inch Galaxy S20, 6.7-inch S20 Plus and the 6.9-inch S20 Ultra. All the three variants support 5G network and camera system that utilizes artificial intelligence technology and the companys high-end image sensor.

However, the 6.2-inch Galaxy S20 does not have mmWave module, which is specifically designed to support 5G cellular network at higher frequencies from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The 6.2-inch model has the lowest-end camera array among the three.

Read also: Samsungs Z Flip sells out in 9 minutes in China despite slow market

The S20 Plus and the S20 Ultra have one extra camera each and come with mmWave modules for 5G networks.

All the models that have been launched in Korea do not come with mmWave modules as the nation has not built network infrastructure that uses the millimeter wave spectrum.

In Korea, customers can get free Bixby-enabled smart speaker Galaxy Home Mini or portable printer Nemonic Mini, when purchasing S20 models on Samsungs official website or other online shopping platforms, the company said.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
Proceedings of Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day amid continued protests by the Opposition over the Delhi violence and other issues.

The House was adjourned after the passage of two Bills -- the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill.

The House will reassemble on Wednesday (March 11) after the Holi break.

Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned twice briefly following protests by Opposition members over the recent communal violence in northeast Delhi, which claimed 53 lives and left over 200 injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MBABANE  Should this be a cause for concern? The World Health Organisation has left the Kingdom of Eswatini out of the list of countries to benefit from personal protective equipment (PPE) being distributed in light of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.



The PPE includes gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns and aprons.

This is unprecedented because with previous similar outbreaks such as Ebola and Swine Flu (H1N1), the country benefitted just like other African States.



However, this time, Eswatini is not part of those countries that have benefitted and this happens at a time when the kingdoms immediate neighbour, South Africa, has recorded its first case of the disease that has killed more than 3 400 people so far and more than 100 000 individuals infected worldwide.



African countries that were given PPE include Senegal, Algeria, Ethiopia, Togo, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.



Updated



In the WHO website, which is updated on a daily basis, Eswatini does not appear on the list that was posted on Tuesday.

Other regions that were covered in the distribution of the equipment are in Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean and Southern Asia, covering about 47 countries in total.



The equipment was distributed since the outbreak of the disease, which WHO has declared a global crisis.

Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi said the exclusion was because Eswatini was not considered to be a poor country in this regard.

She explained that the WHO was targeting poor countries and those that have already had confirmed cases of coronavirus.



WHO will assist us in other aspects such as providing us with a laboratory and also training of staff, Nkosi said.

She said the country was hoping to get a grant directed to the fight against coronavirus from the World Bank.



Beneficiaries



While government views the countrys exclusion from the list of beneficiaries as an innocent decision, nurses understand it to be politically motivated.



Bheki Mamba, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), said there was influence from certain political players that led to WHO not considering Eswatini.



He said it was not true that Eswatini had suddenly elevated from the bracket it was classified under at the time when the WHO assisted it to fight diseases like Swine Flu, which were almost similar to this one.



We fully understand what is happening behind the scenes; unfortunately, this is affecting us nurses. By the look of things we are far from being ready to handle the disease, especially with the budget of a mere E100 million, he said.



Mamba said should push come to a shove, they would definitely advise nurses not to expose themselves because there was no equipment to deal with the virus.



Shortage



Meanwhile, the WHO has also announced acute shortage of the supply of PPE worldwide, attributing this to rising demand, panic buying, hoarding and misuse.

The health organisation has since requested industries and governments to increase manufacturing by 40 per cent to meet the rising demand.



The World Health Organisation has warned that severe and mounting disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment (PPE)  caused by rising demand, panic buying, hoarding and misuse  is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases.



WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as having said: Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real. Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding. We cant stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first.

It was also noted that since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, prices have surged up to six times while prices of gowns and respirators have tripled.



The close to 500 000 sets of PPE that has been distributed to 47 countries has not been enough as an estimated 89 million medical masks are required for the COVID-19 response each month.

For examination gloves, that figure goes up to 76 million, while international demand for goggles stands at 1.6 million per month.



UNICEF on the other hand has flown in 13 tonnes of supplies, including protective suits, masks, goggles and gloves for use by health workers since January 29, 2020. It is also making means to carry out additional shipment to key locations.



Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, countries that have received WHO PPE supplies include:

Western Pacific region: Cambodia, Fiji, Kiribati, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea,

Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Philippines

l Southeast Asia region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste

l Eastern Mediterranean region: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Lebanon, Somalia, Pakistan, Sudan, Jordan, Morocco and Iran

l Africa region: Senegal, Algeria, Ethiopia, Togo, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.
WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday the upsurge in violence in Afghanistan in recent days is unacceptable and said it must cease immediately for the peace process to move forward.

Speaking at a news conference at the State Department, Pompeo said all sides should stop posturing and prepare for negotiations, including practical discussions about prisoner releases. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and David Brunnstrom)
The city managers office at Laredo City Hall had been empty for 13 months. But on the desk Thursday were balloons, bowls of candy, a couple potted plants and standing a few feet away, a new city manager  Robert Eads.

READ MORE: Laredo chicken finger restaurant estimated to complete construction in November

Eads was appointed to the position late Wednesday, marking the end of a long, laborious process that involved an ad-hoc search committee, a headhunter, dozens of applications, hours of meetings, interviews and deliberations. Now-Deputy City Manager Rosario Cabello, who led the ad-hoc committee meetings, wiped away tears of relief when City Council finally cast their vote this week.

Eads and Cabello had shared the helm of the city as co-interim city managers during this period. They divided up the departments that would report to them, complete as much as they could on their own and then go over everything together, Eads said.

Now the process will move much more quickly, he said; Eads will have the duty to make final decisions, sifted through Cabellos experience and background. This will allow them to move much more efficiently, Eads said.

Were going to be driving at a different speed. Obviously (theres) the speed of government that were always challenged with. But were going to challenge our departments, our staff, including this management team, to be even more responsive to the needs of the constituents, to tourists, to investors, to the community, Eads said.

He thinks a lot of this can be accomplished through technology. For example the building department is now going paperless for plan submissions, Eads said.

Another top priority is to fill the two assistant city manager seats that have been vacant during this process. Once hired, these assistant city managers will then split the oversight of the citys departments. Cabello will focus on people and money, Eads said.

Five months into the fiscal year, the City of Laredo is already experiencing a $1 million budget shortfall due to slowing bridge traffic. Management is tapping the breaks on hiring across the board, but Eads plans to move forward with filling the assistant city manager roles.

He also wants to undertake a strategic two-day planning session soon, so staff, council and management can align their goals and priorities. Traffic congestion issues, new road projects, budget forecasting and what-if scenarios such as the closure of the border are some of the topics he would like to go over.

A year ago, several City Council members were dead-set on finding a city manager from a nationwide pool. After the last three city managers moved up from within the citys ranks, and subsequently retired not long into their role, council embarked on this lengthy search process.

Council members George Altgelt and Nelly Vielma voted against Eads appointment on Wednesday, and Mayor Pete Saenz vetoed councils selection. It was immediately overridden by the six council members who voted in his favor.

But he and Saenz had a good conversation Thursday morning, Eads said. Fostering unity on council has to be accomplished through the actions of everyday conversation, he said.

I expect, and I hope that theres still healthy dialogue. When you have a council thats 100% singing the same and voting every time the same, I dont know if thats necessarily healthy, Eads said.

And with Altgelt, for instance, hes hoping to compartmentalize their differences and work together.

Saenz voiced on Wednesday night that he was hoping for an outside candidate simply because past city managers have expressed favoritism among council members, and he wanted to start this new administration on a level playing field.

Some council members are at City Hall daily talking to city staff and management; some communicate mainly through email or text. Eads said he cant stop council members from coming in every day, but that he plans to share access and information equally.

Well get a request from certain individuals, and if its not district-specific, when we respond well put it to the nine, he said.

READ MORE: See social scenes from the Pocahontas Ball and WBCA Dinner with the President

Council met briefly in executive session to discuss Eads contract on Wednesday, but negotiations will not begin until the next City Council meeting. Still, Councilman Alberto Torres said he wanted to avoid an opportunity for Eads to exit with a golden parachute, as has happened with the last three city managers. The City of Laredo spent nearly $2 million total on payouts including severance, unused vacation and sick days, and deferred compensation plans.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver next Wednesday's Budget against the most uncertain economic backdrop since the financial crisis.

Sunak would like his time at the Treasury to be known for delivering lower, fairer and flatter taxes.

But the pall cast over financial markets and the global economy by Covid-19 virus will almost certainly mean that the longer-term reforms  of the kind delivered by successive Thatcherite Chancellors  may have to wait.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will likely have to put his long-term budget plans on hold due to the damage the Covid-19 virus has been causing to financial markets and the global economy

Some of the biggest tax decisions already are baked in the shape of the manifesto. Sunak will seek to create up to 20.5bililon of extra headroom for spending over the next five years by freezing corporation tax at 19 per cent, reversing the commitment of one his predecessors, George Osborne, to lower it to 17 per cent.

This will help pay for the Tory commitment to take large numbers of lower paid workers out of the tax system by raising the threshold at which national insurance is paid.

There are also pledges for increased tax reliefs for research and development and more help on business rates as an interim measure as the whole system of commercial property taxation is reviewed.

There is some uncertainty as to whether Sunak will go it alone with a digital services tax on all online market transactions.

If he presses ahead, it may cause a rift with Washington  which is protective of the digital giants  at a moment when the UK is seeking to negotiate a trade deal.

Sunak's immediate predecessor, Sajid Javid, already has set the parameters for spending over the next Parliament.

He raised the limits for public investment on projects such as roads and buses for the North and HS2, to 3 per cent of national output from 2 per cent. That represents a big increase.

He also moved out the deadline for balancing the current budget for another three years, giving Boris Johnson's government the flexibility to spend more on the NHS, education and social care.

In spite of election and other pledges Boris Johnson's government has been slow in unveiling plans for full reform of social care which is putting enormous strain on the finances of local authorities  the main providers.

The background to the post-election Budget (there is a fuller budget planned for November) has been enormously complicated by the coronavirus effect.

Sunak will have hoped to have gone into his first Budget with a growing economy secured by the 'Boris Bounce' which saw every part of the economy  services, construction and manufacturing  growing in the first two months of the year.

This would have created more spending headroom. But the clouds over the economy cast by the coronavirus will almost certainly lead the independent Office for Budget Responsibility to build extra caution into its forecasts, which in turn will mean lower tax receipts and less room for manoeuvre.

The pre-virus IMF forecasts showed the UK economy growing at 1.4 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year in spite of ongoing Brexit worries.

In spite of election pledges Boris Johnson's government has been slow in unveiling plans for full reform of social care which is putting enormous strain on the finances of local authorities

With the Paris-based OECD suggesting that Covid-19 could halve the output of the developed world that would mean the British economy stagnating rather than expanding.

Sunak, together with the Bank of England, could counter the concerns by tearing up the fiscal rules again  they have been changed almost every year for the last 15 years  and by going bold as some analysts are advocating.

A package of measures to ease the pain of smaller enterprises faced with supply and cash flow problems would help.

He could also bring forward future infrastructure spend but there will be serious questions about capacity.

If the Chancellor decides to borrow more, Sunak will be helped by the benign market for UK government bonds or gilts.

Demand from UK institutions such as banks and insurers and foreign buyers has driven the yield on the ten-year bond down from 4.5 per cent at the time of the financial crisis to just 0.5 per cent now.

The bond funds have become much more tolerant of deficit spending in recent times giving the Chancellor extra room to manoeuvre should he seek to surprise everyone by putting his foot down on government spending.
Worldwide coronavirus cases have topped 100,000, with more than 3,400 deaths.

Here are three things you need to know about coronavirus in Connecticut right now.

1. 200 people are being monitored in Connecticut

There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Connecticut, but the state is monitoring 200 people for the disease, Gov. Ned Lamont was told in a Thursday briefing.

According to the governor, the state laboratory has conducted 18 tests, 14 of which camame back negative. An update is expected today on the remaining tests.

Lamont is holding a press conference on coronavirus Friday morning, to provide Connecticut residents with the most up-to-date info, he said on Twitter.

2. There are 22 confirmed cases in New York

A 50-year-old New Rochelle lawyer was hospitalized for the disease, which prompted a rash of testing among his friends, family and neighbors. The result was a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed cases in New York, particularly in Westchester.

Many of the 22 confirmed coronavirus cases are in patients with mild or no symptoms.

Not all are in Westchester County. The two most recent cases were found in New York City, in patients who had not travelled to virus hotspots. One case is on Long Island.

The number will continue to go up" as testing increases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned, adding that he expected "significant" spread through the public.

3. Connecticut has asked for more test kits

Lamont sent a letter late Thursday to the CDC asking for more test kits, and for clarity on the agencys testing guidelines.

The state has a single test kit, capable of testing as many as 600 patients, and Lamont has asked for more.

I am concerned that the most recent guidelines issued by CDC cast too broad a net at this point in time and will not ensure that the right people are being tested, Lamont said in his letter.

Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist, told Lamont during a Thursday briefing that its possible there are positive cases in Connecticut.

There could very well be people that have it, that havent been tested because of CDC guidelines, Cartter said.

Hearst Connecticut Media reporter Kaitlyn Krasselt and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Oregonians are settling into what may be a new normal for the near future: Daily updates about coronavirus cases, deaths and measures to mitigate the spread of a virus that has infected more than 90,000 people worldwide and killed 3,000.

The number of coronavirus cases in Oregon has climbed to three since Feb. 28, and officials expect that count to rise. Health officials believe the virus, also called COVID-19, has already been circulating within the state and that hundreds of people may be infected with the virus.

Though little is known about the new virus, officials have said most people who contract the virus will weather it. Many people may have, or had, the virus already. Knowledge about the virus is still evolving, and officials arent certain how long the virus is contagious or how long it can survive.

The collective uncertainty has left many Oregonians to consider how coronavirus might affect them. The Oregonian/Oregonlive reached out to readers to learn more about the steps they are taking. Their stories show how the virus is already impacting peoples lives and sheds light on the ways people are making important choices with limited information.

***

By the time coronavirus arrived in Oregon, Sohelia Azadi was intently tracking it.

Azadi is Iranian, and she heard from family and friends about the rapid spread of the virus in her home country and the havoc it wreaked.

The virus has traveled across the globe since it was first reported in China in December. Iran has become a concentrated area of infection, where an estimated 2,336 people contracted the disease and 77 died. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned against any non-essential travel to the country

Azadi said her parents havent left their home 18 days. She heard stories about people unable to work, and tales of friends and neighbors contracting the virus.

It spread very quickly in Iran, said Azadi. We know someone that died at the age of twenty, she was a nurse.

When she learned the virus was in Oregon, Azadi said, she panicked.

All of a sudden I was in this panic mode, Azadi said.

She kept her family home. She went shopping to prepare, stocking up on hand sanitizer, face masks and disinfectants. She started doing all her shopping online. She limited her socializing and her family skipped a birthday party they were invited to.

I think I learned from what was happening Iran, Azadi said. I think staying at home as much as you possible is important, and when you are in contact with people stay at least one meter away from them.

Recent news of negative test results has calmed her.

We did go out yesterday, but avoided any place we could see people, Azadi said. We went into nature, we went outside.

Still, she plans to be cautious. She brought hand sanitizer and constantly applied it.

The only question I have is how long will it last, Azadi said.

****

Two days after the first coronavirus case was announced in Oregon, Kelly Banister got sick.

It was Sunday, the same day officials confirmed Oregons second presumed case. Banister developed a fever and dry coughnot a terrible cough, but she didnt feel that great.

The Portland resident wondered if she had COVID-19.

When she called her doctor, she was told that a flood of patients  three times more than usual  had called in with upper respiratory problems and concerns they had contracted the virus. So many people, that the doctor stopped receiving patients with upper respiratory problems and couldnt see her.

Even if she had gone, Banister noted, they likely couldnt test her for coronavirus anyway.

While the Oregon Health Authority has monitored more than 300 people for symptoms, so far only 48 have been tested. If there were so few tests, Banister wondered, how could officials know how widespread the virus is?

On Tuesday, she decided to self-quarantine. Just in case. She canceled volunteer arrangements and skipped two puppy school classes. Her husband is doing the grocery shopping.

Im trying to be a responsible citizen, and its hard to find the balance of being responsible but not over-reactionary, Banister said.

Banister plans to wait 48 hours after her fever breaks before going out.

I wish really badly I just knew if this was the common cold or if it was more serious, said Banister. I wish there was more testing.

***

Shannon Mickelson Campbell, a research analyst from Portland, recalls getting intensely sick in January, racked with a dry cough and lung pain. While she was sick, officials diagnosed the first coronavirus case in Washington, and Mickelson Campbell wondered if she had the virus.

Im sure Im overreacting, she remembered thinking. I havent been to China.

Now, shes better but is taking precautions. She decided not to take her daughter to a community pool. She did extra shopping and fixed and froze some extra meals in case of a quarantine.

For Campbell, the uncertainty about what will happen with the virus is unnerving. She cant know what the risk is to her family and friends. Campbell has tickets to go on vacation in April and wonders if shell be able to go.

I think the strangest part is thinking about how others are going to respond, Campbell said.

What if my kids daycare shuts down?

***

Matthew McPherson is taking precautions to limit his risk of contracting coronavirus while he works as an Uber Eats driver.

Ive been carrying a lot of sanitizer and soap, said McPherson, of Portland.

He now wipes down his steering wheel and shifter with sanitizer after each delivery. If restaurants are particularly busy during his shift, he doesnt take the delivery so he can avoid being in a crowded public place.

He isnt concerned about his own health. He is worried about the vulnerability of people with existing conditionshis parents both have serious health conditions. Since the virus has been confirmed in Oregon, both are avoiding leaving the house, and when they do they are vigilant about hygiene, said McPherson.

Im concerned about spreading to people who can pass away, McPherson said.

-- Piper McDaniel

pmcdaniel@oregonian.com

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A giant Francis Bacon triptych is set to fetch more than 46 million (60 million US dollars) at auction.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus was painted in the final decade of the Irish-born artists career in 1981, when he was in his 70s.

It will go under the hammer at Sothebys Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York.

Described as a monumental work, each panel is more than 6ft (almost 2m) tall.

This just in  Francis Bacons monumental Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus' will be offered as a highlight of our Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York this May, with an estimate in excess of $60M #SothebysContemporary pic.twitter.com/9yRDkWepf4  Sotheby's (@Sothebys) March 6, 2020

Another Bacon Triptych, Three Studies Of Lucian Freud, set an auction record for any work of art in 2013 when it sold for 142.2 million US dollars (110 million).

The record was later eclipsed, but Sothebys said Bacon remains the most valuable British artist of all time.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus draws on the artists tumultuous relationship with his parents.

The Greek tragedy in the title of the painting tells the story of a man who kills his mother in revenge for the murder of his father.

Bacons father is said to have despised his sons effeminate manner.

When the artist was a teenager, he is said to have been thrown out of the family home when his father discovered him wearing his mothers underwear while admiring himself in the mirror.

Experts say the painting is one of the most ambitious, enigmatic, and important works of Bacons oeuvre.

Story continues

Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus, 1981 by Francis Bacon during a preview at Sothebys in London ahead of it being auctioned in New York (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Alex Branczik, head of contemporary art for Sothebys Europe, said: Francis Bacon is the great tragedian of his age.

In this ambitious triptych, the painter confronts Aeschylus, the progenitor of tragedy, so that the timeless power of the ancient Greek genre is brought to bear on the human condition in the 20th century.

The result is an arresting and original vision, a true masterpiece that confirms Bacons standing in the pantheon of modern masters.

Billionaire Norwegian collector and businessman Hans Rasmus Astrup bought the painting in 1984.

The work has been in the care of a private museum he founded, Astrup Fearnley Museet, in Oslo, Norway.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to secure long-term funding of the museum, including the funding of future acquisitions.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus by Francis Bacon will go under the hammer at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York on May 13
Mumbai, March 6 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon come out with a scheme to revive the capital-starved Yes Bank, RBI Governor Shakti Kanta Das said on Friday.

"We took the step (of putting it under moratorium) when we found that Yes Bank efforts were not working. Depositors' interests will be fully protected," Das told the media here.

A decision has been taken not only to deal with the problem in the individual entity but also to maintain resilience of the Indian financial sector, Das maintained.

He said that the RBI's decison on Yes Bank will help maintain the resilience of financial sector.

The RBI Governor said that the global growth was expected to slow down due to coronavirus outbreak and all central banks are resolved to work in close coordination.

The RBI is ready to intervene in whatever way required to respond to epidemic challenges, he said.

"We have robust forex reserves, but non-stigmatised currency swap lines need to be launched by the IMF to ease liquidity pressures globally," Das noted.

He said that the Yes Bank issue's resolution will be done very swiftly, with 30 days as the outer time limit.

"There is always a question that the RBI acted prematurely, or we have acted late. We have a market-led resolution to the problem, an investor-led resolution," the RBI chief remarked.

On Thursday, the RBI superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator, putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month.

The RBI said that the bank's board was superseded "owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the Bank". Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator of Yes Bank.
President Donald Trump on Friday said the Taliban could "possibly" overrun the Afghan government after the United States withdraws from the country.

"Countries have to take care of themselves," Trump told reporters at the White House. "You can only hold someone's hand for so long." Asked if the Taliban could eventually seize power, Trump said it's "not supposed to happen that way but it possibly will.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], Mar 5 (ANI): India has asked China to ensure its entities do not engage in activities that could contribute to "proliferation" following the seizure of an 'autoclave' from a Pakistan-bound Chinese vessel, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.



"Our authorities had detained a Chinese vessel "Da Cui Yan" when it berthed in Kandla Port in early February, as it had mis-declared the item that is was carrying. Our examination has revealed that the item is an 'autoclave' that is controlled under our Dual-Use Export Control lists," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a weekly briefing.

"Therefore the item has been seized by our authorities as per our legal procedure. It has also been ascertained by our examination that this item has military applications. We have conveyed our concerns on this issue to the Chinese side and have highlighted that as a friendly country the Chinese government will take appropriate measures to ensure that the Chinese entities do not engage in activities that can contribute to proliferation," he added.

ANI had reported last month that a team of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists was inspecting equipment which is presumed to be an autoclave machine used for making front section ballistic missiles, on a Karachi-bound merchant vessel at Kandla port in Gujarat.

"From the shape and dimension of the equipment, it is primarily being suspected to be an autoclave machine which is used in aerospace industry especially to make high-performance composites which can be used for making front section ballistic missiles," government sources had said.

"This has raised suspicions of the proliferation of nuclear arms. DRDO has fielded a team of scientists working in its missile and explosive related laboratories," the sources had added. (ANI)
WASHINGTON -- In recognition of March 8, International Womens Day, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) continues to promote and celebrate the contributions of women who make headlines.

Our female journalists are central to our work, said RFE/RL President Jamie Fly. Across our coverage area, they are reporting from the frontlines on issues as diverse as economics, war, and extremism. They are leading many of our language services and helping to ensure that we shine a light on human stories that will hopefully inspire future generations of women to be leaders in their societies, and perhaps even become journalists.

To reflect this mission, RFE/RL this week published a set of videos in which successful women offered Advice to My Younger Self. The series includes testimonials from women from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Media tend to portray women as victims. But they're much more, said RFE/RL Vice President and Editor in Chief Daisy Sindelar. "They are leaders in their fields -- entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes, and artists. They are moral standard-bearers in RFE/RL's communities and countries. Connecting with our female audience is a priority not only on March 8. It is our mission every day of the year."

In Bulgaria, for example, where RFE/RL resumed reporting last year after closing its bureau in 2004, women journalists have led the Services efforts to investigate high-level corruption. The Ukrainian Services Schemes team is led by a courageous group of women who have for over five years withstood threats and harassment to uncover abuses of public office in Ukraine.

RFE/RL women journalists are at the forefront of programs by the Balkan Service to combat extremism -- and they contend with a constant onslaught of cyberbullying and harassment as a result. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, they have been vilified online and labeled with expletives when their reporting has challenged official narratives or revealed policy failures, corruption, and cronyism among powerful elites.

RFE/RLs Russian-language services have reported extensively on authorities' lack of commitment to combating violence against women and domestic abuse. Current Time, the 24/7 Russian language network, has used its unique documentary film platform to promote independent women filmmakers and tell womens stories for global Russian-speaking audiences.

Persistent coverage by the Georgian Service of domestic abuse and gender-based political violence in the countrys patriarchal society has earned it a Facebook audience that is 65 percent female, with overall female engagement on the Services digital platforms commanding 63 percent.

RFE/RLs services to Afghanistan and Pakistan have long placed womens rights at the center of their journalistic mission. Both have numerous programs dedicated to womens health and education, and platforms where women can engage each other on issues that they choose. While active on digital platforms, both services rely on radio to reach women who may live in remote areas without internet, or who lack the money or status to have access to an electronic device. The Afghan Service is monitoring current negotiations with the Taliban to discern their implications for the countrys women, and has launched a new fellowship to mentor young Afghan women journalists in Kabul.

Radio Farda, RFE/RLs Iranian Service, continues to break down gender stereotypes while breaking through the governments information blockade with reporting on women professionals, women protesters, and women political prisoners.

About RFE/RL

RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people in 26 languages and 22 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed over 3.6 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2019. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

----

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joanna Levison in Prague (levisonj@rferl.org, +420.221.122.080)

Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948)
The Pittsylvania County administrators proposed budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year includes budget increases of $6.2 million from the previous year despite modest revenue growth of just under $2 million.

The total proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1, is $186.1 million.

Just like in many previous years, the County continues to underfund known and planned expenses, which will ultimately require new revenue or service reduction, county administrator David Smitherman wrote in the proposed budget.

The finance committee approved advertising the proposed budget in a local paper Thursday. After several public hearings and community meetings, the board of supervisors will approve a final budget on April 2.

During that time period, the board of supervisors can make changes within the existing framework.

This budget cannot increase  but [the board] can certainly do things within that figure between now and April 2, said Pittsylvania County Finance Director Kim Vanderhyde.

Of the proposed general fund expenditures, 28% will go toward each of justice/public safety and education. General government and debt services make up another 14% each.

In the past five years, local funding for Pittsylvania County Schools has increased by more than 16%. Smithermans proposed budget calls for directing more than $19.4 million toward the school division. The number of students enrolled in the school system, which determines state level funding, has dropped by 5% to a total of 8,273, according to data from the Virginia Department of Education.

County staff received $5.5 million in departmental requests that could not be funded, including increased hours for county library branches, new consoles for 911 dispatchers, and new vehicles for several departments.

A financially healthy government of Pittsylvania Countys size should have an unrestricted general fund balance equivalent to 20% of annual operating cost, which equates to $14.6 million, according to the budget proposal. The county has an unrestricted fund balance of 2.4%, which is slightly less than last years budget.

County officials are attempting to add $1 million to the general fund annually to slowly bring that fund back up.

We are slowly building it back up, Smitherman said.

Since changing the mindset of the board two years ago we have increased our fund balance by $1 million each year, said Bob Warren, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Its apparent that we have a better fiscal mindset than we did.

Per the proposed budget, the board of supervisors would have approximately $750,000 to fund their choice of several budget requests. This list features requests of varying amounts from varying departments, including a grant match for the Ringgold Rail Trail, implementation of the second phase of a salary study for the sheriffs department, salary for an EMS coordinator, land for a new jail and a new electoral board facility.

The State Compensation Board funds positions for the five constitutional offices  sheriff, treasurer, commissioner of the revenue, commonwealth attorney and clerk of circuit court. But those that money does not fund all the necessary positions or provide sufficient salary, so the county has budgeted $9 million extra to compensate these five offices.

The slight increases in revenue have come from growth in real estate and personal property taxes that total less than $1 million. The current real estate tax rate of 62-cents per $100 of assessed value has been in place since 2018.

County leadership had expected the construction and operation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project, which would run 75 miles from Chatham into North Carolina, to generate upward of $1 million in revenue annually, but construction still has yet to begin. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission essentially approved the project with its final environmental impact statement, which the commission released in mid-February.

Joe Davis, supervisor for the Dan River district, said the county cant bank on something that hasnt come to fruition.

We need something a little more solid, he said.

Construction of the $468 million project is slated to start later this year.

After funding increases of nearly $500,000 to fire and rescue during the 2019-20 fiscal year, no increases are proposed in the current budget. County staff had been planning a $750,000 contribution to the economic development reserves fund  used for providing incentives and infrastructure development  but the proposed budget recommends just $250,000.

County leadership are hopeful that the property reassessment will provide more tax revenue beginning in the 2023 revenue. If that doesnt happen, the county will either have to scale back services or find another source of revenue.

Were going to need some revenue in order to continue on the path that were presently tracking, Smitherman said.

In the coming weeks, county leadership will host community meetings to provide information and receive public input. These meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on the following days at these locations:

 Monday at Tunstall High School

 Tuesday at Gretna High School

 March 16 at Dan River High School

 March 19 at Chatham High School

Ayers reports for the Register & Bee. Reach him at (434) 791-7981.

Ayers reports for the Register & Bee. Reach him at (434) 791-7981.

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CITY HALL -- As fears grow, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Staten Islands two private hospitals will get any resources they need to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Island is the only borough that is not part of the citys Health and Hospitals public healthcare system and instead relies on two private hospitals: Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital.

If theres something needed on Staten Island and we have it, will they get it? The answer is yes. If theres a specific that any of the healthcare providers of Staten Island feel they have a need for, they should raise it immediately with my colleagues, the mayor told reporters at a press conference at City Hall.

But the mayor could not say specifically what types of resources the city has given private hospitals like the ones on Staten Island to date.

Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said the city has a robust network of public and non-public health systems that the department meets with on a regular basis.

Barbot said the agency conducted frequent calls with healthcare providers to ensure they are up to date on new protocols and communicating with them about patients that may need to be tested for the coronavirus.

We query them on a regular basis to make sure that their supplies are up to date of the citys coordination with private hospitals. Beyond that, we have a health alert network where we send out written guidance to thousands of providers across the city who may not be connected to a healthcare system, but maybe in solo independent practices, Barbot said.

As of Thursday afternoon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were a total of 22 coronavirus cases across the state.

ROSE VOWS TO NOT POLITICIZE CORONAVIRUS

On Tuesday, Rep. Max Rose and fellow lawmakers, part of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, met with Vice President Mike Pence and Ambassador Deborah L. Birx in the situation room to discuss the federal governments efforts.

Speaking to the Advance after the meeting, Rose said he and other lawmakers were working to ensure the outbreak does not get politicized and trying to get a $8.3 billion coronavirus spending package passed in the U.S. House, which eventually was approved on Wednesday and is now on its way to the Senate.

What we have to make sure is that we do not allow for the response from Congress or from the president to be politicized, Rose said. The virus does not ask beforehand, Are you a Democrat or a Republican?'"

In terms of tackling this, we cant address it like that either, and Im confident that were going to prevent that from happening, he continued.

Rose said officials did not address coronavirus preparedness specifically in New York or New York City, but that the administration is working to ensure coronavirus test kits are manufactured and sent to local governments.

So far, Rose said 1.5 million test kits have been produced and the federal government is working to send those out to local governments.

Rose also said lawmakers urged the federal government to centralize information about the coronavirus on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website and hold regular press briefings on the governments response to the outbreak.

However, Rose stopped short of saying whether he was pleased by the administrations overall response to the coronavirus.

This is not to say that things might not be perfect and I will certainly stand up and express my criticism, Rose said. My allegiance to the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn not to any political party not to any administration but that also means that we have to be fair and we have to continually look forward and try to make sure we are prepared and well resourced to address this and that we are communicating this effectively so that people are not overly fearful.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lost weeks that could have been used to track the spread of the coronavirus in the United States because it insisted on coming up with its own test, according to a report from ProPublica.

The federal agency instead, set out to make its own more complicated tests, which instead flagged the presence of other viruses in harmless samples, ProPublica found.

As a result, New York Citys only started to conduct its own testing for the coronavirus this week and could not rely on previous tests for accurate results, the Health Department told ProPublica.

TESTING NOW BEING DONE HERE

The mayor said Wednesday the city now has the testing kits it needs and that private labs will soon have them too. But currently, he said the city can only test dozens of samples, not hundreds, which he hopes the city will have the capacity to test next week.

Currently, the Health Department said the coronavirus is being tested locally at the citys public health lab and then verified by the CDC lab in Atlanta.

The mayor bashed the Trump administrations response to the coronavirus on the heels of the Washington State Department of Health confirming 10 coronavirus related deaths this week.

Its very frustrating to think about six weeks ago, localities were saying empower us to do this testing and then we can stay ahead of this, de Blasio said. I strongly believe . that if Washington State had had the capacity to do local testing, the trajectory out there would have been different.

I think the central story here is the federal government waited a hell of a long time to act and there was some denialism about the extent of the problem and were all paying for it now, he continued.

This week, the executive director of laboratory services at Northwell Health, said testing for COVID-19 could begin on Staten Island as soon as this week.

Globally there are currently a total of 90,893 reported cases of COVID-19 in 21 countries and 3,110 deaths, according to the WHO.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.
SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which on Friday (March 6, 2020) arrested two more persons in connection with the Pulwama attack case, claimed that an Amazon online shopping account was used to procure chemicals for making IEDs.

One of two men arrested by the NIA disclosed that he used his Amazon online shopping account to procure chemicals for making IEDs, batteries and other accessories on the directions of his Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) handlers.

The anti-terror probe agency had arrested two more accused - Waiz ul Islam and Mohd Abbas Rathar - in Kashmir in connection with the Pulwama attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Waiz-ul-Islam (19) hails from Srinagar's Bagh-e-Mehtab locality while Mohammad Abbass Rather (32) is from Hakripora village in Pulwama. With their arrest, the number of those arrested in the case in the past week has risen to five.

During initial interrogation, accused Waiz ul Islam disclosed that he also personally delivered the items to the JeM terrorists after procuring the incriminating material online as a part of the conspiracy to carry out the Pulwama attack.

Accused Mohd Abbas Rather is an old Over-Ground Worker (OGW) of JeM. He has also admitted to having given shelter to Jaish terrorist Mohd Umar (IED expert) at his home.

He also harboured JeM terrorists Adil Ahmad Dar, Sameer Ahmed Dar and Kamran (Pakistani) at his house a number of times in the run-up to the Pulwama attack.

Rathar also facilitated safe shelter for the JeM terrorists, including the suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar and others, at the house of the accused Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan of Hakripora, Pulwama, who have already been arrested by the agency.

The two accused will be produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu on Saturday.
spacex CEO Elon Musk has had his heart set on colonizing Mars for quite some time and the billionaire wants to build 1,000 Starships to make it happen.

An Ars Technica reporter took a trip to SpaceX in Texas where they learned the firm could soon develop a new craft every 72 hours to meet the goal.

Musk also noted that each ship would be reusable and have a capacity of more than 90,000 pounds.

SpaceX has also added an additional 225 people to its staff at the South Texas Launch Site in order to construct the factory that will churn out the rockets  bringing to total over 500.

Scroll down for video

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has had his heart set on colonizing Mars for quite some time and the billionaire wants to build 1,000 Starships to make it happen. An Ars Technica reporter took a trip to SpaceX in Texas where they learned the firm could soon develop a new craft every 72 hours to meet the goal

Eric Berger with Ars Technica spent the day at the South Texas site to sit in on an all-hand meeting with the CEO himself where he learned of SpaceX's latest Mars mission plan.

'He wanted to know why the Starship factory wasn't humming at all hours,' Berger wrote.

'Why steel sheets weren't getting welded into domes and fuel tanks, why tanks were not being stacked into rockets, why things weren't going as fast as he wanted.'

This is not the first time Musk has made, what some may call, an outlandish announcement regarding his colonization of Mars.

January he aimed to put a million people on the Red Planet by 2050, which means, according to his calculations, will require three flights a day  a totally of 1,000 a year.

In the recent meeting Musk told his crew: 'I think we need, probably, on the order of 1,000 ships, and each of those ships would have more payload than the Saturn Vand be reusable' (pictured is an artist impression of a Starship leaving the Mars colony

And in 2017, the tech tycoon revealed plans to send two cargo ships to Mars in 2022, followed by four further vessels - two with cargo and two with human settlers - in 2024.

In the recent meeting Musk told his crew: 'I think we need, probably, on the order of 1,000 ships, and each of those ships would have more payload than the Saturn Vand be reusable.'

The Saturn V was the rocket that took people to the moon and the most powerful during its time  it was designed with a capacity for 90,000 pounds.

Musk continued to explain that in order to live on more than one planet, all of the settlements must be stable and sustainable -this is because ships carrying supplies will be delayed at times and these new homes will need to survive.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have taken a lot of heat over their decision to leave the monarchy. With the couple set to become financially independent and live out their days in North America, its anyones guess what they will do next. Despite all this, there is one royal expert who believes Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was too good to be true for the royal family from the very beginning.

Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Royal expert thought Meghan Markle would have to leave alone

Meghan experienced a rough adjustment period after she tied the knot with Harry. Although Meghan came from Hollywood, being in the royal spotlight proved difficult for the Duchess of Sussex.

After battling negative headlines for two years, royal author Hilary Mantel confessed that she was surprised that Meghan left the royal family with Harry at her side. Mantel expected that Harry would remain with his family no matter what the cost.

According to Express, Mantel stated that she thought Meghan Markle would be forced to quit the monarchy without Harry. Luckily, that did not happen and the two have managed to preserve their marriage throughout the Megxit drama.

Im pleased that its the marriage thats surviving and the connection with the monarchy that has to go because I think almost all of us would have bet that if she [the Duchess of Sussex] left, shed have to leave alone, Mantel explained.

Meghan and Harry announced their departure at the beginning of the year. The move shocked royal watchers around the world, and the rest of the royals are still dealing with the fallout. This includes taking on more responsibilities and doing their best to move past the drama.

Queen Elizabeth says Harry and Meghan are always welcome back

Although Meghan and Harrys decision has rocked the royal family, this might not be the end of the road for the couple.

Inside sources claim that Queen Elizabeth hosted a lunch with Harry this past week, where she discussed the possibility of him returning to his royal duties at a later date. The two allegedly met for over four hours, with Her Majesty assuring Harry that he is always welcome back.

The Queen had a lot to talk to Harry about and this was the ideal time for them to both say their piece, the insider stated. When Harry and Meghan announced they wanted to quit it all happened very quickly and it was very stressful for all concerned.

The lunch meeting comes weeks after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry and Meghan are no longer going to use their royal titles. This means that the couple will have to end their charitable foundation, Sussex Royal, starting on March 31.

Harry has not commented on the reports surrounding his current visit to the UK. He and Meghan are scheduled to appear at the Commonwealth Day service next week in what will be one of their final public appearances as members of the royal family.

Was Meghan Markle too good to be true?

As part of their plan to leave the monarchy, Harry and Meghan will be spending most of their time in North America as they seek to become financially independent from the crown. The two have not revealed where they plan on moving in North America, though Canada, Los Angeles, and New York City are likely landing spots.

There is still a lot of mystery regarding the logistics of Harry and Meghans exit. But as far as Mantel is concerned, the couples decision to leave was bound to happen from the very start.

I think that Meghan Markle was too good to be true, Mantel shared. She was a smiling face in a dull institution, she cheered the nation up no end, or at least men and women of goodwill.

The Duchess of Sussex has been spending the past few months in a rental house on Vancouver Island with her and Harrys son, Archie Harrison. She recently returned to the UK for a round of public appearances with Harry, though she reportedly left Archie back in Canada.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex return to the U.K.

With Harry and Meghan back in the United Kingdom, royal watchers are eager to see them return to action one last time. The Duchess of Sussex has a few public appearances lined up, including the Endeavor Fund Awards, followed by the Mountbatten Festival of Music this weekend.

Next week, the Sussexes will appear at the Commonwealth Day service, which is being held at Westminster Abbey. Several members of the royal family are scheduled to attend, including Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.

This will likely be the last time we see the Sussexes and the Cambridges at a royal event for quite a while. Once Harry and Meghans exit becomes official on March 31, they will no longer appear in public on behalf of Queen Elizabeth.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not commented on the many reports surrounding their decision to leave the royal family.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Monday that it sanctioned two Chinese nationals for their role in laundering funds tied to a multi-million dollar crypto exchange hack.

According to OFAC's statement, Tian Yinyin and Li Jiadong played a role in moving money that was allegedly derived from the actions of the so-called Lazarus Group, which is itself tied to the North Korean government. Hackers supported by North Korea are believed to have hacked billions of dollars in cryptocurrency, as previously reported, in the past couple of years.

As OFAC noted on Monday:

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) trains cyber actors to target and launder stolen funds from financial institutions. Tian and Li received from DPRK-controlled accounts approximately $91 million stolen in an April 2018 hack of a cryptocurrency exchange (referred to hereinafter as 'the exchange'), as well as an additional $9.5 million from a hack of another exchange. Tian and Li transferred the currency among addresses they held, obfuscating the origin of the funds."

The particular hack in question is said to have taken place in April 2018, resulting in the theft of $250 million worth of cryptocurrency and "accounting for nearly half of the DPRKs estimated virtual currency heists that year."

"Tian ultimately moved the equivalent of more than $34 million of these illicit funds through a newly added bank account linked to his exchange account. Tian also transferred nearly $1.4 million dollars' worth of Bitcoin into prepaid Apple iTunes gift cards, which at certain exchanges can be used for the purchase of additional Bitcoin," OFAC explained.

It's not clear which exchange was targeted, based on a review of publicly-known attacks that took place throughout 2018.

South Korea-based exchange Coinrail reported a $40 million hack in June of that year. Other exchanges known to have been targeted by Lazarus or hackers tied to North Korea include Bithumb and Youbit, both based in South Korea, though those attacks took place in 2017.

Story continues

OFAC additionally added 20 bitcoin addresses to its sanctions list, all of which are tied to Tian and Li.

"The North Korean regime has continued its widespread campaign of extensive cyber-attacks on financial institutions to steal funds," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "The United States will continue to protect the global financial system by holding accountable those who help North Korea engage in cyber-crime."

Separarely, court orders indicate that the U.S. government is seeking to take possession of more than one hundred cryptocurrency addresses on the bitcoin and ethereum networks.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 02:15:13|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the novel coronavirus prevention and control, talks with staff members and learns about body temperature monitoring at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2020. Li inspected the Beijing Capital International Airport and a distribution center of SF Express on Friday. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Friday stressed enhancing international cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control to prevent cross-border spread of the epidemic.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee who also leads a central leading group of China's COVID-19 response, made the remarks while inspecting the Capital International Airport in Beijing.

He also inspected the aviation distribution center of SF Holding, China's courier giant, where he emphasized the importance of striving for smooth logistics to advance economic and social progress.

At the airport, Li heard reports on topics such as flight operation, personnel of exit and entry and goods flow since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Noting that the COVID-19 is showing a trend of rapidly spreading overseas, Li said it is a common challenge for the international community to cope with the epidemic.

Cooperation with international organizations, relevant countries and regions, especially in the field of air transportation, should be strengthened to contain the disease, Li said.

While inspecting SF Holding, Li stressed the logistics is an important basis for the orderly resumption of business and required efforts to ensure daily necessities for people's life.

He also called for more international cargo flights to offer efficient, convenient and stable logistics to support economic development and satisfy people's living demands.

At the aviation distribution center, Li greeted the deliverymen and asked them to improve self-protection.
MANILA (Updated) -- The Philippines now has five confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Friday, March 6.

The two new cases involved a 48-year-old and 62-year-old Filipinos, both male.

The 48-year-old Filipino recently visited Tokyo, Japan and returned to the Philippines on February 25. He experienced chills and fever on March 3 and was tested positive for Covid-19 on March 5.

"He is currently stable and admitted at the RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine)," said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The 62-year-old Filipino, on the other hand, is suffering from severe pneumonia. He has hypertension and diabetes mellitus and he experienced cough last February 25.

He sought medical consultation last March 1 in a hospital in Manila and was admitted at the RITM. Specimens were collected on March 4 and he tested positive for the new virus on March 5, added Duque.

The DOH said contact tracing is now being done for the two new cases and samples have already been collected from those who had close contacts with the fourth and fifth cases.

Local transmission

Duque said the fifth case has no known history of travel outside the country, but stressed that it is still premature to say that there is local or community transmission in the Philippines.

"There is no transmission to speak of as of yet because we only have one. That's why we are doing contact tracing so as to establish whether or not there are cases or clustering of cases. But now, it's premature to say there is a local transmission," said Duque.

"As soon as we do get confirmation of more positive cases, that's the time that we can say there is local transmission," he added.

World Health Organization Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, however, believes that local transmission may have already occurred in the country.

"Even the fifth case is a local transmission. But getting another case in a very close contact does not mean wide spread transmission. We know that this disease is transmitted upon close contact," Abeyasinghe said.

Story continues

Contact tracing

Duque said the fifth case is known to have regularly visited a Muslim prayer hall in Barangay Greenhills, San Juan City, Manila, thus the DOH called on previous visitors of the prayer hall who are presenting fever and respiratory symptoms to call the DOH hotline (02) 8-651-7800 local 1149 to 1150 for proper referral to appropriate health facility.

"DOH is also in close coordination with the concerned local government units for concerted action on identifying persons who had interaction with the confirmed cases and strengthening infection prevention and control protocols," Duque said.

"The priority intervention is the contact tracing. We will have to wait for the results of the contact tracing and coordination with local government units," he added.

DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, for her part, said one relative and close contact of the fifth case already showed symptoms of the new virus and has already been admitted.

"We already have one relative, which has been with the patient all throughout, who has experienced symptoms, and is now with him in our referral hospital. The specimen was collected and we're just awaiting results," said Vergeire.

"These recent developments are significant but we are prepared to respond to its potential consequences. Our priority is to protect our health workers and the most vulnerable populations. We can still contain the spread of the virus in the country, that is why we are encouraging the public to practice proper handwashing, social distancing, and cough etiquette," Duque said.

He also called on the public to be vigilant and continue to do their part in containing the disease.

The Philippines' first three confirmed cases involved three Chinese nationals.

The first two cases were a 38-year-old female Chinese national and his 44-year-old boyfriend who visited Cebu, Dumaguete and Manila in January. The boyfriend died in Manila due to severe pneumonia.

The third case involved a 60-year-old Chinese national who traveled to Bohol and Cebu.

Both the 38-year-old and 60-year-old patients were discharged from hospitals after they tested negative for the virus. (LMY/HDT/SunStar Philippines)
A damning new report by an international group of scientists indicates the dolphin population of the Indian Ocean has been decimated, with almost 90 per cent of the animals wiped out by industrial fishing since 1980.

The study suggests this extraordinary extermination is due to the widespread use of huge gillnets used to catch tuna.

Gillnets are walls of netting that are hung in the water column and are either allowed to drift from floating buoys, or can be fixed in one place. They range in size from 100m to more than 30km in length, and operate from less than 5m to more than 20m in depth.

Their use is illegal on the high seas, but the laws are routinely ignored.

The size of the holes in the netting are designed so tuna can get only their head through the netting but not their whole body. The fishs gills then become caught in the mesh as it tries to back out of the net. As the fish struggles to free itself, it becomes more and more entangled.

Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated Show all 13 1 /13 Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated Mom and calf humpback whales make their way toward the surface in Tonga. Getty Images Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated salto della megattera durante whale watching in islanda, salto della balena, incredibile Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated An aerial photo of humpback whales in a pod Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated Humpback mother and calf, with a snorkeler, in Tonga. Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated Humpback Whale breaching out of water in the morning light in Iceland Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated humpback whales playing on surface in the blue between Tahiti and Moorea Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated A beached grey whale which died after an effort by local fishermen to pull her back out to sea. San Juanico, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated White Beluga Whale is looking at the camera from underwater. Getty Images/iStockphoto Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated An orca chases herrings on January 17, 2019, in the Reisafjorden fjord region, near the Norwegian northern city of Tromso in the Arctic Circle. (Photo by Olivier MORIN / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated TOPSHOT - An orca chases herrings on January 14, 2019, in the Reisafjorden fjord region, near the Norwegian northern city of Tromso in the Arctic Circle. (Photo by Olivier MORIN / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated A Humpback whale jumps in the surface of the Pacific Ocean at the Uramba Bahia Malaga National Natural Park in Colombia, on August 12, 2018. - Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually from the Antarctic Peninsula to peek into the Colombian Pacific Ocean coast, with an approximate distance of 8,500 km, to give birth and nurse their young. Humpback whales have a life cycle of 50 years or so and is about 18 meters long. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated A Humpback whale jumps in the surface of the Pacific Ocean at the Uramba Bahia Malaga National Natural Park in Colombia, on August 12, 2018. - Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually from the Antarctic Peninsula to peek into the Colombian Pacific Ocean coast, with an approximate distance of 8,500 km, to give birth and nurse their young. Humpback whales have a life cycle of 50 years or so and is about 18 meters long. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Whale intelligence continues to be underestimated A whale surfaces on July 8, 2018 just east of Montauk, New York in the Block Island Sound. Getty Images

Though the nets are designed to target specific species  as smaller fish can slip through the holes and larger fish are supposedly repelled  in practice the nets, particularly drift gillnets, are deadly to an array of species, including sharks, turtles, sea lions, whales and dolphins.

Dr Putu Mustika, from James Cook University in Australia, who was among the scientists working on the study, said despite much of the official data on bycatch being unreliable, scientists had nonetheless been able to come up with a credible picture of the dolphin catch.

We combined results from 10 bycatch sampling programmes between 1981 and 2016 in Australia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan to estimate bycatch rates for cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) across all Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries, she said.

The vast majority of the cetacean bycatch is dolphins. Estimated cetacean bycatch peaked at almost 100,000 a year during 20042006, but has declined to 80,000 animals a year, despite an increase in the tuna gillnet fishing effort.

Dr Mustika said the research indicated the gillnets deployed in the Indian Ocean had killed about 4.1 million small cetaceans between 1950 and 2018 as fishers pursued tuna.

But she said the true figures may be substantially higher as the available records take little or no account of factors such as delayed mortality of cetaceans which escape from the nets or mortality associated with ghost nets  those nets lost at sea.

The declining cetacean bycatch rates shown by what we can measure suggest current mortality rates are not sustainable. The estimates we have developed show that average small cetacean abundance may currently be 13 per cent of the 1980 levels, Dr Mustika said.

She warned the UNs existing ban on gillnets on the high seas is hard to enforce and tuna fishers are allowed to use gillnets within the territorial waters of states bordering the ocean.

Cetacean bycatch in Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries has been a concern for decades but has been poorly studied, reflecting the political reality that hundreds of thousands of relatively poor fishermen and their families rely on gillnet fisheries, she said.

The current cetacean bycatch rate may be in the order of 175 cetaceans per 1000 tonnes of tuna, down from an estimate of 600 in the late 1970s, the study suggested.

The countries with the largest current gillnet catches of tuna and likely to have the largest cetacean bycatch are (in order): Iran, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, UAE and Tanzania.

Iran and Indonesia have no national monitoring of cetacean bycatch.

The research team was led by Dr Charles Anderson of the Manta Marine organisation in the Maldives. The scientists said there is a need for improvements in monitoring, analysis and governance and for changes to fishing practices if dolphin numbers are to recover.
PARIS  Crossing more borders, the new coronavirus hit a milestone Friday, infecting more than 100,000 people worldwide as it wove itself deeper into the daily lives of millions, infecting the powerful, the unprotected poor and vast masses in between.

The virus, which has killed more than 3,400 people, emerged in at least four new countries and even breached the halls of the Vatican, where one case was reported. It forced mosques in Iran and beyond to halt weekly Muslim prayers, blocked pilgrims from Jesus birthplace in Bethlehem and upended Japans plans for the Olympic torch parade.

As financial markets dived again, repercussions from the virus also rattled livelihoods.

Who is going to feed their families? asked Elias al-Arja, head of a hotel owners union in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where tourists have been banned and the storied Church of the Nativity was shuttered.

In Geneva, the U.N. health agency said it had received applications for 40 possible virus tests, had 20 vaccine candidates in development and reported that numerous clinical trials of experimental drugs for the new coronavirus were under way.

Were all in this together. We all have a role to play, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the World Health Organization, urging more global cooperation from the business world and solidarity with the poorest.

Yet even as COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, reached 90 countries, more than half of those who contracted the virus have now recovered. Its retreating in China, where it first emerged, and in nearby South Korea.

Questions swirled around whether Iran could control its outbreak, as the number of reported infections jumped beyond 4,700 on Friday, with 124 deaths. Iran set up checkpoints to limit travel and had firefighters spray disinfectant on an 11-mile stretch of Tehrans most prominent avenue.

The 100,000 figure of global infections is largely symbolic, but dwarfs other major outbreaks in recent decades, such as SARS, MERS and Ebola. The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics, which result in up to 5 million annual severe cases around the world and from 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually, according to WHO.

But the epidemics economic impact snowballed, with world stocks and the price of oil dropping sharply again Friday.

The head of the U.N.s food agency, the World Food Program, warned of potential for absolute devastation as the outbreaks effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East. India scrambled to stave off an epidemic that could overwhelm its under-funded, under-staffed health care system, which lacks enough labs or hospitals for its 1.3 billion people.

Were seeing more countries affected with lower incomes, with weaker health systems and thats more concerning, WHO chief Ghebreyesus said.

Angela Charlton and Matt Sedensky are Associated Press writers.
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Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian on Friday said all options are under consideration for restructuring Yes Bank and assured that depositors' money is safe.

His remarks come a day after the cash-starved lender was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board with immediate effect.

"The RBI has taken right steps. Yes Bank depositors' money is safe," he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Asserting that the interest of Yes Bank customers will be protected, Subramanian said all options are under consideration for restructuring Yes Bank.

With the RBI superseding Yes Bank board, the troubled lender will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

The board of country's largest lender State Bank of India has given "in-principle" approval to invest in Yes Bank.

Yes Bank has been struggling to execute a capital raising plan for the last six months. Its core equity tier-I ratio has slipped to 8.7 per cent as of September. The bank has also delayed its December quarter results.
Amid the ongoing political drama



over the alleged poaching attempt to destablise the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, a state minister on Friday said the ruling dispensation will face a crisis if it "neglects and disrespects" senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The statement of Labour Minister Mahendra Singh Sisodiya, a staunch supporter of Scindia, comes at a time when the Kamal Nath government is faced with an alleged poaching bid ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled later this month.

"BJP is doing this of pressure. But I would definitely say that Kamal Nath ji's government will face a crisis only when it neglects and disrespects our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. Black clouds will certainly descend on the Madhya Pradesh government then," Sisodiya said in a video statement sent from Guna, about 180 kms from the state capital.

Scindia had lost last year's Lok Sabha elections from Guna constituency, considered the pocket borough of his family.

Since then, Scindia's supporters have been demanding that he be appointed as the state Congress chief. They have also been urging the party leadership to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha, as three seats of the Upper House of Parliament from the state are going to be vacated in April this year.

One of these seats is currently represented by party veteran Digvijaya Singh, while two others by the BJP.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections is scheduled on March 26.

Scindia has often taken on the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, a move considered as a result of friction within the state unit.

He had last month threatened to take to the streets if the Madhya Pradesh government led by his party failed to meet the demands of protesting guest teachers. Chief Minister Kamal Nath had later virtually dared him to do so.

On Tuesday, in a late-night political drama in the state, the Congress claimed that the opposition BJP took eight MLAs to a hotel in Haryana as part of a conspiracy to topple the Kamal Nath-led government.

On Thursday morning, the Congress held a press conference in New Delhi, in which it claimed that the BJP "abducted 14 MLAs" to bring down its government in Madhya Pradesh.

However, the BJP attributed the entire political drama to the internal bickering of the Congress, saying that the saffron party has nothing to do with this.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Independent State of Papua New Guinea(PNG) is a country in Oceania. During the outbreak of COVID-19, officials of PNG express support for China in its fight against the outbreak.
President Trump was rightly critical of the deal struck with Cuba during the Obama administration when he said the communist Cuban government got everything they wanted, and the U.S. got nothing in exchange. He has thankfully been reversing some of those unilateral concessions.

Let's apply his standard to the recently announced "peace deal" with the Taliban. Under terms of the agreement, as reported in The Washington Times, "The U.S. will free 5,000 Taliban prisoners and begin to remove sanctions on top Taliban leaders."

What does the U.S. get in return? The agreement, reportedly, asserts that we start calling them the Islamic Emirate, even though the U.S. doesn't recognize it as a state. They have agreed to release "1,000 people from 'the other side' held by the militant group, all before March 10."

Also in exchange for removing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, a goal long sought by the president, the Taliban has agreed to permanently cut all ties with terrorist groups, including al Qaida, and to never allow Afghanistan to again become the center for extremist organizations. How do they do that when they have been involved in terrorism  some of it supported by the Iranian regime  that has caused the deaths of many American troops?
Noel Jackson, General Secretary of the National Workers Movement is optimistic that promised proposals will reach him by the end of March.

At least one social commentator has described the state of affairs at the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) as shameful and scandalous.





"It is absolutely shameful that  I mean I read in this article for example - that some people been working at the Lotteries for 2 decades and cant get $2000 ah month; and yet you hear that the Lotteries raked in last year 70 million dollars? Theres something very scandalous about that.. , Jerry George said when making contribution to BOOM 106.9s OMG in the Morning.





Georges rejoinder came moments after National Workers Movement (NWM) General Secretary Noel Jackson ended his contribution to the same show, which had highlighted the threatened industrial action by NLA staff, as reported in an annsvg.com article.





At the crux of this issue is the NLAs "tardiness, as the NWM characterizes it.





Jackson reports his union as representing at least 80% of the NLAs work force, including workers at Victoria Park, security personnel, janitors, collection officers/sales agents, general staff at its Kingstown headquarters, persons employed at local cable channel VC3, and those stationed at sundry sport venues currently supervised by the Authority.





The unionized staff authorized the NWM to negotiate with the NLA to correct the "anomalies where remuneration was concerned.





Understanding not fulfilled





When both parties left the table in an earlier time, among the proposals were to roll out a (workers) reclassification exercise, and to implement the 19-year-old promised pension plan by July 2019. To date, neither has been forthcoming.





Jackson also advised the NLA Board to find a professional, someone versed in the science of human resource reclassification, but the Board opted to delegate the task to its accounting department.





Then, the NLA had to be warned by the NWM, in a letter dated January 9, 2020, of the danger of arbitrarily awarding increases to individual staff members.





"Instead of meeting with the Union, the Union wrote, "the company has gone ahead and selected some workers for increases on criteria unknown to their colleagues and the Union.





The Union was livid that there was no discussion with it prior to this action by the NLA.





"We are very disappointed in the companys approach to industrial relations and the interest of its employees, especially since it is a Quasi-Government institution. You have brought us to the point where we may be close to a public confrontation, that could have negative consequences for the company and its officials, the Unions letter to the NLA said, and went on to invite the NLA to meet with it before January 15, 2020.





The letter referenced, which was copied to the Labour Commissioner, the Minister of Labour, the National Labour Congress and the Prime Minister, was ignored.





Jackson confirmed that "they (top brass at the NLA) left and went overseas without even replying to the letter.

In fact, while the silence ensued from the quarters of the NLA, two of the top brass reportedly found the time to visit Trinidad and Tobago for that countrys carnival.





Jackson confirmed "they left and went overseas without even replying to the letter.





New threats





Incensed with the blatant disregard, the NWM issued a final demand, indicating that a meeting of employees of the NLA on Thursday 20th February 2020, decided that if by the 24th February 2020, a meeting was not convened to settle the outstanding issues, the union would lead its members into Industrial Action.





No meeting was convened as requested, and the three union delegates on staff instigated a go slow at about 2:00 p.m. last week Tuesday.





By 2:30 p.m. a staff meeting was convened with union delegates at the NWM office in Pauls Avenue. The meeting opted to start a sick-out until the NLA management could be brought to the table.





Staff was already committed to stay away from their jobs all day Wednesday and Thursday, when the top brass agreed to meet on Thursday (least week) at 10:00am.





Noel Jackson told The Vincentian Newspaper mid-Thursday afternoon, "We had a fairly good meeting.





Proposals for the pension plan and the reclassification are to reach Jackson by March 23 and the end of March respectively.





Industrial action was averted.








WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 12 people in the U.S. and infected more than 200.

The legislation provides federal public health agencies with money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments and helps state and local governments prepare and respond to the threat. The rapid spread of the virus has rocked financial markets, interrupted travel and threatens to affect everyday life in the United States.

Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Vice President Mike Pence said late Thursday on his trip to Washington state, where 11 of the victims have died. But the White House said Friday that Trump would no longer visit the agency because he "does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."

The Senate passed the $8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government's response to the virus. Its rapid spread is threatening to upend everyday life in the U.S. and across the globe.

The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day, sending financial markets spiraling again Thursday, disrupting travel and potentially threatening the U.S. economy's decade-long expansion.

Thursday's sweeping 96-1 vote sends the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., cast the sole "no" vote. The House passed the bill Wednesday by a 415-2 vote.

The plan would more than triple the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago. The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members of Congress from both parties. Instead, the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure and other provisions of the legislation in a burst of bipartisan cooperation that's common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington.

"In situations like this, I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people, and in crafting this package none was," said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala. "It's an aggressive plan, a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction."

Trump was sure to sign the measure, which has almost universal support. It is intended to project confidence and calm as anxiety builds over the impact of the virus, which has claimed 12 lives in the U.S.

"The American people are looking for leadership and want assurance that their government is up to the task of protecting their health and safety," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

The impact of the outbreak continues to mount. The British government is considering suspending Parliament for five months in hope of limiting the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom.

The legislation would provide federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, including $300 million to deliver such drugs to those who need it. More than $2 billion would go to help federal, state and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat. An additional $1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas. There's also funding to subsidize $7 billion in small business loans.

Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidize treatment by community health centers. Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote "telehealth" consultations whereby sick people could to get treatment without visiting a doctor.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., whose state is at the center of the crisis, praised the bill because it "will increase access for public lab testing, help pay for isolation and quarantine, help pay for sanitizing in public areas, better track the virus and those who might come into contact with it, help labs who are trying to identify hot spots, and limit exposure."

The legislation contains a hard-won compromise that aims to protect against potential price gouging by drug manufacturers for vaccines and other medicines developed with taxpayer funds. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable. Azar is a former drug industry lobbyist.

Democrats said other steps may be needed if the outbreak continues to worsen.

"This may be a first step because we have issues that relate to unemployment insurance for people who are put out of work." Pelosi said as she signed the bill to send it to Trump.

"We have only about 27% of people in this country who have paid sick days. So if they have to go home what is going to happen to them and their families?" said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.

DeLauro said Pence responded that he would raise the issue with the president.

The bill seeks to restore $136 million that the Department of Health and Human Services cut from other accounts such as heating subsidies for the poor to battle the virus.

The legislation comes as carping over the administration's response to the outbreak is quieting down. Lawmakers in both parties had faulted a shortage of tests for the virus and contrasting messages from Trump and his subordinates. In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Wednesday, Trump downplayed the lethality of the virus, saying the World Health Organization's updated estimate of a 3.4% death rate in coronavirus cases is "a false number."

"Now you're starting to see rapid deployment of tests, which makes me feel better, quite honestly," said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., a doctor. "I think their communications are a little better. As long as the president doesn't contradict the experts and the scientists who know what they're doing, things will get better."
ONTARIO, Calif., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Platt College Ontario today announced that nine students from its School of Graphic Design, as well as three instructors from the college have won American Advertising Awards (or ADDYs) from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) for their creative work in advertising.

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 35,000 entries each year. Conducted annually by the AAF, the local Inland Empire phase is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY Awards -- recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local ADDY winners compete with winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards.

The American Advertising Awards are comprised of two divisions: the Student Division and the Professional Division.

Platt College Ontario's School of Graphic Design offers both an A ssociate Degree program in Graphic Design , as well as a Bachelor's Degree program in Visual Communication . The college's nine student winners (judged in the Student Division) include:

Rudy Alvarad , Graphic Design, Associate of Arts

, Graphic Design, Associate of Arts Cesar Anaya , Graphic Design, Associate of Arts

, Graphic Design, Associate of Arts Michelle Figueroa , Graphic Design, Associate of Arts

, Graphic Design, Associate of Arts Ruben Gonzalez , Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts

, Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts Christianne Tolentino , Graphic Design, Associate of Arts

, Graphic Design, Associate of Arts Christopher Rogers , Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts

, Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts Milika Williams , Graphic Design, Associate of Arts

, Graphic Design, Associate of Arts Mariella Zabala , Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts

, Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts Bryan Zeron , Visual Communications, Bachelor of Arts

Platt College Ontario's three faculty winners (judged in the Professional Division) include:

Karlie Kawa

Mary Holmes (from the Platt College Alhambra campus )

(from the ) Patricia Denys

Last year, Kawa, Holmes and Denys collectively won Gold in the competition's local division and Silver in the district division.

"The creativity put forth in these materials is so impressive. I could not be more proud of our students and faculty on receiving these prestigious awards," said Richard Kwon, Campus President, Platt College Ontario. "I wish them the best of luck progressing through this competition."

The categories of Bronze, Silver and Gold winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner March 13, at the Riverside Mission Inn.

About Platt College Los Angeles, LLC

Founded in 1985, Platt College Los Angeles, LLC serves students in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire with campus locations in Alhambra, Ontario, Riverside and Anaheim. Platt College Los Angeles, LLC offers associate and bachelor's degree programs in the areas of legal, business, medical, information technology, and graphic design (although not all programs are offered at all campus locations). Platt College Los Angeles, LLC is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, dedicated to ensuring a quality education for more than 150,000 students who annually pursue career education at over 650 accredited institutions. In 2019, the college's Anaheim location was recognized as a "School of Distinction" and its Riverside location was recognized as a "School of Excellence" by ACCSC. To learn more, please visit www.plattcollege.edu .

Contact: Karen Kalil for Platt College Los Angeles, LLC

Phone: (714) 371-6783

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Platt College

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ABritish military operation targeted at preventing a planned car bomb attack in Gibraltar was intercepted by undercover members of the Special Airforce Services (SAS) on Sunday 6 March 1988. Three members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Sean Savage, Daniel McCann, and Mairead Farrell, were killed on the forecourt of a petrol station during the controversial Operation Flavius.

SUR in English reported on the incident. / SUR

Spanish police had tracked the trio from when they arrived in Malaga in preparation for an attack on governor's residence following information received from the British authorities.

McCann and Farrell were observed crossing the border from Spain into the British Overseas Territory at around 2.30pm. According to the official account of the operation, Savage entered Gibraltar undetected in a white Renault 5. He was later recognised by an MI5 officer while parking the car, which was treated as a suspected bomb.

The shootings led to accusations that the British government had conspired to murder the three terrorists, as they were subsequently found to be unarmed and the Renault contained no explosives. However, following further enquiries resulting from keys found on one of the terrorists, police discovered a Ford Escort packed with 64 kilos of explosives in a car park in Marbella.

The authorities claimed that, had the unit succeeded, the explosion would have caused considerable carnage and probably killed hundreds of tourists gathered for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

A few months after the incident, a documentary called 'Death on the Rock' broadcast on British Television explored the possibility that the three IRA members had been unlawfully killed. A subsequent inquest into the deaths returned a verdict of lawful killing, although the European Court of Human Rights decided that the operation had been in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Low number of live turtles in latest Phuket hatching raises concern

PHUKET: A clutch of leatherback baby turtle eggs hatched at Sai Kaew Beach, in the north of Phuket, yesterday (Mar 5). However, only 25 of the 94 eggs hatched with baby turtles making their way to the sea. The remaining 69 eggs were either infertile or the embryos had died in their shells, Phuket marine experts have explained.

marineanimalsenvironmentnatural-resources

By Khunanya Wanchanwet

Friday 6 March 2020, 01:27PM

The hatchlings were from a nest laid on the beach on Jan 19 (see story here), confirmed Prarop Plangngarn, Chief of Phuket Marine National Park Operations Center 2.



Our officers saw the sand above where the eggs were laid start to sink at about 7:30am. They watched and waited, and about two hours later 13 baby turtles came out from the nest and headed to the sea, Mr Prarop explained.



We kept monitoring the site as we knew there were more turtles coming, and 12 more baby turtles came out at about 10:30pm, he added.



The officers continued to watch and wait, but by about midnight, concerned for the hatchlings, the officers dug the sand away from the nest, Mr Praprop said.



They found that 47 of the eggs were infertile and that the remaining 22 eggs did not form correctly, meaning that the embryos had died.



The unhatched eggs were taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre PMBC to be examined, he added.



The high number of eggs that failed to produce offspring is a concern, as the nest that hatched on Nai Yang Beach on Tuesday last week (Mar 3) saw 79 baby turtles hatch. Of those, 43 were strong enough to be escorted into the sea and the remaining 36 were taken into care and observation. (See story here.)



Mr Prarop said that of the turtle nests laid on Phuket beaches in recent months, the nest laid on Mai Khao Beach on Feb 7 (see story here) was expected to hatch next.



That nest is expected to hatch around April 7, he said.
Blue Ocean, a world-leader in customer care solutions, was awarded a Silver Stevie Award in the Customer Service Team of the Year category at the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

This is Blue Oceans third Stevie Award. The company won a Bronze Stevie in 2017 and a Silver Stevie in 2019.

Blue Oceans winning entry highlighted the incredible success of one of the companys tech support teams. Their success story is focused on the challenges of launching a new consumer line of products designed at increasing brand awareness and gaining market share. The Tier 2 team achieved 95% customer satisfaction for 12 months straight  validated by an impressive 40% response rate to post-contact CSAT surveys.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the worlds top honors for customer service, contact center, business development, and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organization stages seven of the worlds leading business awards programs, including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards.

The awards were presented to honorees during a gala banquet on Friday, February 28 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 700 executives from the U.S. and several other nations attended.

More than 2,600 nominations from organizations across 48 nations and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 180 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees.

Our consumer cybersecurity team members are true A-players at Blue Ocean. They consistently deliver a best-in-class customer experience that produces brand loyalty for our client. Were thrilled to earn this distinguished award in recognition of the work they do every day, comments Andrew OBrien, President and COO of Blue Ocean.

Blue Ocean thanks the Stevie organization for this honor and for recognizing the mission-critical work of our team.

All of the Stevie Award winners should be very proud of their achievements. Independent professionals around the world have agreed that their accomplishments are worthy of public recognition, said Stevie Awards President and Founder, Michael Gallagher.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/sales.

About Blue Ocean

Blue Ocean is an award-winning provider of innovative customer care solutions that enhance the relationships clients have with their customers. Headquartered in Atlantic Canada, the company has been supporting brands that are leaders in their categories from education to insurance, from CPG to technology since 1994.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German 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.
As many as 60 firefighters and other emergency personnel searched the Lehigh River and its surroundings Thursday night in Northampton before finding a missing woman along the shore, the borough fire chief said.

The first call at 7:16 p.m. was for a search but when firefighters reached the call location along Canal Street, they learned it was for a river rescue, Chief Keith Knoblach said.

Several of the responding departments launched boats into the cold river while other emergency personnel on ATVs and foot joined the systematic search on land, Knoblach said. The area extended about a half-mile, the chief said.

The woman was eventually found up on the shore line, Knoblach said.

Looks like woman they were looking for has been brought up from river on stretcher, ending water search/rescue off Canal Street in Northampton Borough. pic.twitter.com/ibrRA3ZTmn  Andrew Scott (@AScottmcall) March 6, 2020

A Stokes basket was used to lift the woman up from the river bank and she was taken to an area hospital for treatment, Knoblach said. He wasnt certain is she was hurt or just went for observation.

Borough firefighters train for such responses in the river town, Knoblach said.

No responders were hurt, he added.

Responders from Bethlehem Township, Whitehall Township, Lehighton, Allen Township, East Allen Township, Coplay, Lehigh Township, Lehigh County Technical Rescue and Northampton Regional EMS took part in the effort, Knoblach said, hoping he didnt miss anyone. Pennsylvania Water Rescue was called but canceled before arriving when the woman was found, Knoblach said.

Borough police couldnt immediately be reached for more details on the woman.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Published March 6, 2020

This article is a collaboration between the Houston Chronicle and ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.

The Rev. Jose Antonio Pinal, a young priest from Mexico, arrived at his first parish in rural Northern California in 1980, fresh out of seminary. The priest befriended the Torres family, helping the parents, also immigrants from Mexico, to fill out an application for food stamps. Pinal became an occasional dinner guest and took the children to theme parks and on road trips along the Pacific coast. He encouraged 15-year-old Ricardo Torres to become an altar boy.

But in the priests quarters at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the small city of Gridley, Torres said, Pinal, then 30, gave him alcohol, showed him movies with sex and nudity, and groped and raped him. The teenager told another priest in 1989, and the family was assured by lawyers for the diocese that Pinal would not be allowed around children, Torres said.

Thirty years later, in the spring of 2019, the Diocese of Sacramento put Pinals name on its list of credibly accused priests. The list had five allegations of sexual abuse against Pinal dating to the late 1980s.

Pinal had fled to Mexico, according to the list, and the diocese had prohibited him from performing priestly work in public in the 20 counties that make up the diocese. But an investigation by ProPublica and the Houston Chronicle shows the Catholic Church allowed or aided dozens of priests  including Pinal  to serve abroad as priests after being credibly accused of abuse in the United States.

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ProPublica and the Chronicle analyzed lists published by 52 U.S. dioceses  encompassing the top 30 in terms of the number of credibly accused living clergy and those located in states along the U.S.-Mexico border. Reporters found 51 clergy who, after allegations of abuse in the U.S., were able to work as priests or religious brothers in a host of countries, from Ireland to Nigeria to the Philippines. At least 40 had worked in U.S. states along the southern border, including 11 in Texas. No country was a more common destination than Mexico, where at least 21 credibly accused clergy found refuge.

Using social media, a reporter easily located Pinal, who lives in Cuernavaca, about 55 miles south of Mexico City.

In an interview at his home and in a subsequent series of email exchanges, Pinal repeatedly denied sexually abusing Torres or that he fled California. But in some of the emails, he referred to what happened between him and Torres, and in an email sent Wednesday night, about a trip he took with Torres, Pinal said, It was screwed up, but whatever happened was consensual.

Just months after the allegations in California, Pinal resumed priestly work, ministering in indigenous villages in and around Tepoztlan, a small town near Mexico City known for archaeological sites, and he went on to serve for decades in parishes in the Diocese of Cuernavaca.

Now 68, he ministers from his home, where he has letters showing the church in Sacramento kept him on the payroll as it helped him find a new assignment. Pinal enjoyed a warm correspondence with the then-Sacramento bishop and officials in charge of Hispanic ministry, who in the months after the allegations advised him to work in Mexico for a long period (5-6 years) before returning to the U.S. Letters from the bishop were signed con carino, or with affection.

This was a grave failure of judgment and a betrayal of trust, the current Sacramento bishop, Jaime Soto, said after correspondence between his predecessor and Pinal was released to Torres attorney through litigation. The safety of children is our highest priority. In 1989, those in leadership failed to do so. I must own and atone for this.

After being contacted by reporters, the Diocese of Sacramento acknowledged that the characterization that Pinal fled to Mexico is incorrect, and in recent days, the diocese revised the list to more accurately reflect the circumstances of his 1989 departure.

Since 2018, many Catholic dioceses and religious orders in the U.S., including Sacramento, have released lists of clergy deemed credibly accused of abusing children. Others updated and expanded lists they had already made public. For the church, the wave of disclosures has been a belated reckoning with the extent of the sexual abuse crisis that was exposed two decades ago.

But the 178 lists made public as of January and compiled into a searchable database by ProPublica revealed a web of incomplete and often inconsistent information.

Often the lists didnt specify clergys current status and location. And while dioceses frequently claim to know nothing about a priests whereabouts, reporters with ProPublica and the Chronicle found them on church websites, in religious publications and on social media. Church leaders often failed to report allegations to police, to pursue permanent restrictions within the church, or to heed or offer warnings about priests facing allegations. In at least four cases, church leaders facilitated priests moving abroad.

The omissions, inconsistencies and other shortcomings undercut the churchs professed desire to repair its relationship with millions of disaffected Catholics, said Anthony M. DeMarco, a California lawyer who has handled hundreds of child sex abuse cases.

Every bit of hedging that they do to protect a pedophile just undermines completely any level of trust theyre trying to build, he said.

Pinal keeps stacks of photo albums and papers documenting the nearly 10 years he spent at the Diocese of Sacramento, which covers the capital city and large swaths of rural Northern California.

It was a nice time, Pinal recalled wistfully.

In one letter Pinal has saved, Bishop Francis Quinn told Pinal he will be of whatever assistance is necessary in supporting your efforts to seek a new diocese. The letter was written in 1990, the year after Pinals alleged abuse was reported to the church.

When the bishop for Cuernavaca offered Pinal a permanent appointment, Quinn (who died last year) was enthusiastic.

I am happy to hear that you have found such a fulfilling ministry, the bishop wrote.

The prior year, Pinal had assailed his accuser in a letter to officials in charge of Hispanic ministry, saying Torres bore responsibility for what happened.

The Rev. Jose Antonio Pinal, left, with Bishop Francis Quinn of Sacramento, who aided Pinal in continuing his ministry in Mexico after Pinal was accused of sexual abuse. (Courtesy of Law Offices of Joseph C. George)

With this boy, what happened happened because he brought it about; and, if I am worried about his recovery, its not because I feel at fault for his trauma but because of the friendship I had with his family, Pinal wrote.

Pinal said Torres was reluctant to talk to clergy about this because he was at fault.

If he refuses to talk with any priest, I dont think its because he is rejecting me but because he knows that he is not innocent of the situation he wants to blame me for completely. His only advantage over me is that when this happened, he was a minor; so, legally, I am screwed. Because of this I had to leave the diocese and the United States, as you mentioned, for a long period of time (5-6 years).

Last October, Torres filed suit against the diocese again, this time under Californias new Child Victims Act, which provides a three-year window for victims of child abuse to bring lawsuits that otherwise would have been outside the statute of limitations. The lawsuit alleges, among other counts, that the dioceses negligence enabled Pinal to molest Torres and that the diocese failed to report the abuse to relevant authorities.

Torres said the church mollified his family by misleading them about the steps taken to curtail Pinals ability to minister.

This was supposed to be the most trustworthy person, Torres said of Pinal. He was supposed to be next to God.

The past is the past

For decades, the Catholic Church in the United States concealed abuse by clergy, transferring priests from parish to parish, sometimes cloaking reasons for moves in code, such as family and health reasons. The demand for Spanish-speaking clergy in the U.S.  driven by an increase of about 45 million Catholics since the 1950s, with the largest growth among Latino faithful  made it easier for priests to cross international lines, experts said, but harder to hold them accountable.

It is all that much harder to track them when theyre in another country, said Erin Gallagher, an investigator for the International Criminal Court in The Hague who helped track down fugitive priests in the early 2000s when she was working in the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. They are pariahs here and they can go live someplace else anonymously.

The ProPublica-Chronicle investigation found that the churchs ability to track abusive priests was even more limited internationally than within U.S. borders. Because the Vatican does not dictate what bishops must disclose about accused clergy, either within the church or to the public, bishops in many countries have released even less information than those in the U.S.

No diocese in Mexico, which is home to about 90 million Catholics, has published a list of credibly accused priests, though Mexican church officials reported in January that 271 priests have been investigated in the past decade in connection with sexual abuse allegations. An advocacy group for abuse victims in Mexico compiled a list of accused priests in 2010.

In the U.S., some offenders were laicized  stripped of the power to be a priest. But others left their dioceses and resumed priestly work in Mexico, ProPublica and the Chronicle found. Some crisscrossed the border with ease after being accused of sexual abuse, securing new posts even after being sent for treatment by the church. Others settled into parishes south of the border decades ago, delivering sermons and blessing babies as the statute of limitations for prosecution in the U.S. expired.

The Rev. Jose Luis Urbina is still wanted on a 3-decade-old warrant issued in California, Yuba County Deputy District Attorney Shiloh Sorbello said. Urbina, after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a child in 1989, fled the country before he could be sentenced and then served as a priest in his hometown of Navojoa, Mexico, where the Dallas Morning News tracked him down in 2005. The paper said that in a phone interview, the priest admitted his guilt. Authorities in the U.S. sought to extradite Urbina that year, but the Mexican government declined to send him back, Sorbello said. The warrant was renewed in 2019 in case Urbina tried to return to the U.S., Sorbello said.

Murder cases usually get top billing for extradition, Sorbello said. We dont have any resources to have people go to Mexico to locate this man. And the Mexican authorities probably dont have much incentive to do our work for us.

Urbina was removed from the priesthood by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, according to the Diocese of Sacrementos list.

One of the most notorious cases of an accused priest moving across international borders was the Rev. Nicolas Aguilar Rivera. After abuse allegations first surfaced in 1987 in the southern Mexican city of Tehuacan, he was attacked by parishioners and then sent by church leaders to Los Angeles. Less than a year after arriving in California, he faced similar allegations, which eventually led to charges that he molested 10 boys. Church leaders confronted Aguilar before notifying police and he returned to Mexico, where he continued to abuse minors, according to lawsuits and criminal complaints filed in Mexico.

Years later, lawyers suing the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on behalf of abuse victims questioned Cardinal Norberto Rivera, the Mexico City archbishop, about whether church leaders used code words  family and health reasons  to cloak the true reason for the transfers abroad. As the bishop of Tehuacan, Rivera had helped transfer Aguilar to the U.S. Aguilar needed to attend to the problem I suspected he had, which was a health problem, the cardinal explained in a deposition. To be specific, homosexuality.

The Archdiocese of Mexico City said Aguilar is believed to be deceased and that it is not aware of any complaints against him. The archdiocese did not respond to questions about Riveras statements.

Some priests served for decades in Mexico and retired or died before being named on any list.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio included the Rev. Jose Luis Contreras on its list of credibly accused priests released in 2019  more than 30 years after he was accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old male patient while serving as a chaplain at a San Antonio hospital, according to the archdiocese.

Contreras was sent for treatment in 1987 and barred from working in San Antonio-area churches again, according to the list, which stated that Contreras returned to Mexico to be with his sister in Guadalajara.

But Contreras was able to work as priest in both the U.S. and Mexico after the allegation.

Robert F. Vasa, the current bishop in Santa Rosa, Calif., said Contreras served in parishes there between 1995 and 2000, providing the Diocese of Santa Rosa with a letter of recommendation from the Diocese of Tepic, located in the western state of Nayarit, Mexico.

Vasa said he found no indication of the Texas abuse allegation in Contreras paperwork, copies of which he declined to share. But there was also a letter of support from a Santa Rosa priest that mentioned the five years Contreras spent in San Antonio  work history that was missing from Contreras resume.

Should that have been spotted? Vasa said of the five-year gap. Now looking back, sure.

Nothing in the file, Vasa said, reveals whether the prior bishop or his staff noticed the discrepancy.

To spot that discrepancy would entail a prior suspicion, and unfortunately in those days they were not suspicious enough about many things, he said. Even had the bishop or his staff noticed the inconsistency, Vasa said he isnt sure it would have prevented Contreras from gaining a position in Santa Rosa.

I cant say what would raise red flags in 1994 and what wouldnt, he said. Were much more suspicious now.

Contreras retired shortly after celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination in a ceremony at a parish in Colima, a small state in western Mexico, in 2017.

After reporters sent the diocese a copy of the list and specific questions about Contreras, officials responded with a statement declining comment, citing the distrust and danger that unfortunately prevails throughout Mexico. The Rev. Jesus Ramos Hueso, vicar general in Colima, said recently that no one in his diocese was aware of the allegations lodged against Contreras in San Antonio.

Contreras faces little risk of legal repercussions in the U.S. A reporter found no record that the allegation against him was reported to law enforcement. Regardless, prosecuting Contreras would be impossible now, as the Texas statute of limitations on the allegation ran out decades ago, officials said.

Contreras, reached by phone, declined to hear the specific allegation against him and later blocked a reporter from contacting him.

Ive already delivered myself to the Lord, Contreras said. For me, the past is a blessing from God and nothing else. For me, the past is the past.

I wasnt a saint

On a balmy Sunday morning in early November in Tijuana, Mexico, worshippers at Our Lady of the Incarnation greeted one another with hugs, handshakes and smiles. The church, on the west side of Tijuanas Camino Verde neighborhood, was abuzz before Mass. Taxis lined the streets letting out customers;merchants laid out religious material as nortena music blared from speakers.

In the church courtyard, where dozens of children laughed and played, a reporter found Rev. Jeffrey David Newell, the churchs pastor.

According to the credibly accused list published in 2018 by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Newell is inactive  suggesting he no longer serves as a priest. But a Google search by reporters revealed Newells name on the Archdiocese of Tijuanas website, listing him as the pastor at Our Lady of the Incarnation.

Newell, 58, was accused nearly 30 years ago of sexually abusing a teenager in Los Angeles, according to interviews and a lawsuit filed a decade ago. (The lawsuit has since been dismissed because it wasnt filed within the statute of limitations.) The boy met Newell in 1984 when he was a lay youth minister at St. Catherine of Siena School.

The teenager said the abuse started in 1986, when he was 15, and went on for years. In 1991, he told officials in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles about the abuse and was promised Newell would be removed from the priesthood and no longer able to sexually abuse children, according to the lawsuit.

Newell, interviewed briefly at the church in Tijuana, said he confessed to church leaders decades ago and had multiple rounds of treatment and therapy.

It happened, he said. I admitted it. I made a mistake.

He disputed only the age of the victim at the time of the encounters: Newell said the victim was 17, not 15.

In response to questions from ProPublica and the Chronicle, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said Newell admitted in 1991 to the relationship with a 17-year-old.

After an adult made a report of sexual misconduct against Fr. Newell in May 1991, he was sent for evaluation and treatment from May to November 1991, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said. He admitted to having an inappropriate relationship which began before he was ordained (when the alleged victim was 17 years old) and continued while he was priest (when the alleged victim was an adult).

The archdiocese said Newells status is listed as inactive on its list because the status descriptions are intended to pertain only to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Newell said hes not the same person he was back then.

I dont know how you were when you were 23 years old, Newell said. I wasnt a saint; I dont know how many people are. Thats my job, working with sinners of all levels, and yet people expect something of us that is superhuman.

In response to questions from ProPublica and the Chronicle, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said Newell went to Tijuana for a retreat in 1993 and has remained there without permission. The archdiocese said it has repeatedly asked the Archdiocese of Tijuana to not allow Newell to minister. The response does not explain why the archdiocese didnt seek to have the Vatican strip Newell of the power to be a priest.

The archdiocese also provided two letters it sent to the police, in 2008 and 2014, reporting the allegations against Newell. Asked why the allegation was not reported to the police in 1991, a spokesman for the archdiocese, Adrian Alarcon, said the victim was an adult in 1991 and that the diocese reported it to the police only after the victim came forward again, in 2008, and indicated that he had been a minor at the time of the alleged abuse. The 2008 letter to the police suggests one reason the police may not have been contacted.

Our records indicate that the victim contacted the Diocese in 1991, prior to clergy becoming mandated reporters, the letter said. Our records do not indicate whether or not he reported the matter to law enforcement at that time.

A man whose allegations match those detailed in the 2010 lawsuit reported Newell to law enforcement in 2014, according to a case summary from the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. Newell was interviewed by police in 2015, the archdiocese said. Police presented the case to prosecutors the same year, but they said they could not pursue charges against Newell because the statute of limitations had run out.

Newell told ProPublica and the Chronicle in November that he would rather leave the priesthood than continue to be a distraction.

Theres nothing I could say, he said. Theres just no defense ... its better not to talk about it.

Newell said he hasnt abused any other children.

But in February, another man filed a lawsuit in California against the archdiocese, saying Newell sexually abused him. The man said the abuse began in 1993.

The archdiocese said it has yet to be served with the lawsuit.

Newell had been removed from his assignment and sent to a Maryland treatment center after the 1991 abuse allegation, according to the lawsuit. In 1993, the lawsuit says, the church allowed Newell to perform parish ministry in Tijuana, an assertion the archdiocese denies.

The plaintiff, who filed the lawsuit as a John Doe, spoke to ProPublica on the condition that he not be identified. He said he was 13 or 14 when he met Newell in Tijuana. The priest soon began asking him to stay after Mass to help him, he said, and to assist with religious education programs. The boys mother, who was ill, encouraged him to listen to Newell, he said.

Thats when he started getting closer to me, the man said. Lets go here, lets go there, the man recalled Newell saying. Newell asked him what he and his family needed financially and started buying him clothes.

He was always talking about God and the missions that God had for me, he said.

One night, the man said, Newell asked for help at his home, where Newell had the teen perform oral sex on him.

The man said Newell also took him on trips from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area, where he continued to abuse him.

Newell denied the abuse allegations and that he took any trips to the Los Angeles area. The priest says he didnt leave Tijuana once he moved there in the early 1990s.

In a follow-up interview last month, a reporter showed the priest a photo taken in the 1990s of Newell with the boy who later accused him of abuse.

Newell said he sees thousands of people and that he didnt know the child.

That is totally absurd, he said. Everyone who knows me will tell you its absurd. Totally ridiculous. That is simply a way to get money from the church.

In 2004, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles named 211 priests who were credibly accused of sexual abuse. Newell was not on that list. He also did not appear on the next list, released a year later.

It wasnt until 2008 that Newells name was included. The archdiocese would only say Newell was added when additional information revealed that the misconduct may have occurred when the victim was a minor.

The archdiocese said that church officials in Rome are determining whether Newell is still part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese and that if they find that he is, the archdiocese will pursue his removal from the priesthood.

The man who filed the lawsuit in February sobbed as he recounted his allegations against Newell.

He had one request for the Catholic Church: for him to no longer have access, the power and the influence he has over kids to do this in the name of God.

Its never gonna go away

For Torres, who said he was abused by Pinal, the priest who befriended his parents, the breaking point came after Pinal invited him on a trip to Mexico in the summer of 1983 or 1984. Torres said he didnt want to go, but his parents were won over by Pinals persistence. Eventually, he gave in.

Newell with a boy and the boys father, whose faces are blurred to protect their identities, in the early 1990s in Tijuana. The boy, who was 13 or 14 at the time, accused Newell in a February lawsuit of sexually abusing him for years. Newell denies the allegations. (Courtesy of Law Office of Anthony M. DeMarco)

The priest raped him on the monthlong trip, Torres said. In one photo, snapped some 30 years ago on a hillside in Mexico, the priest leans on a rock, looking away from the camera, his expression inscrutable. Torres, tall but boyish, appears to frown.

During the trip, Torres, who was in high school, said he started wearing a swimsuit even when he wasnt planning on getting into the water. That way, he said, he could tie it tight at the waist so the priest could not pull it down.

On a stop in Acapulco, Torres stopped talking to Pinal.

Whats going on, why arent you talking to me, dont you know that I love you? Torres recalled Pinal saying.

He said the priest stopped paying for his food and he had to stretch his own money for the rest of the trip.

In an email responding to a reporters questions about the trip, Pinal denied Torres claims that he stopped paying for his food or that he provided the teenager with alcohol. But pressed about his references to what happened between them, Pinal sent the email on Wednesday night in which he said, It was screwed up, but whatever happened was consensual, and in which he added that it was only in Acapulco.

Back in California, Torres says he began to avoid Pinal, attending church with his family but no longer serving as an altar boy. He was consumed with angst and blamed himself for the abuse.

I was just like a walking zombie, Torres said.

Everything started falling apart when he started college, Torres said. He went to see Pinal in Winters, Calif., another rural town with a large Latino population where the priest was ministering. Torres said he meant to confront Pinal, to hurt him. But instead, after a brief visit, Torres left.

Soon after, Torres went to his home parish, Sacred Heart in Gridley, to report the abuse to another priest. A therapist hired by the diocese diagnosed Torres with post-traumatic stress disorder, and a psychiatrist said he had an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, according to church documents.

Church officials in Sacramento told Pinal they would not impose canonical penalties if he saw a therapist and kept them posted on his progress, according to letters reviewed by reporters. And they supported his work at a Mexican diocese, so long as its leaders protect the diocese of Sacramento against any financial liability for any acts committed by you while working in that diocese.

Correspondence contained in his personnel file does not mention the possibility of laicization. The documents were released to Torres attorney during a lawsuit. It also omits many of the documents a reporter reviewed in Pinals home, which show suggestions and guidance from top diocesan officials.

Torres said he knew little about what happened to Pinal until 2002, when local police contacted him. The diocese had finally reported Pinal to police, and they were pursuing a case. They told Torres they needed his help.

He agreed to cooperate, and prosecutors filed charges against the priest in California. The Diocese of Sacramento contacted the diocese in Cuernavaca, this time urging it to have Pinal return to the United States to face the charges.

Officials in Cuernavaca demurred. With documentation, Father Antonio has shown that the case is not as you are presenting it, Bishop Florencio Olvera Ochoa wrote in a letter to the Sacramento diocese.

Cuernavaca Bishop Responds to the Diocese of Sacramento

The original letter is in Spanish. In English it reads, With documentation, Father Antonio has shown that the case is not as you are presenting it. He is legitimately and canonically assigned to this Diocese, and I cannot, after reviewing said documents, go against a matter that my predecessor, a Doctor in Cannon Law, left completely sorted out. Read the full letter.

In a statement, the Diocese of Cuernavaca reiterated that the matter was concluded with Pinal joining the diocese in 1991.

Pinal had marshaled Sacramentos own letters to support his claims of innocence. He never returned to the U.S. in connection with the charges, which were later dismissed when the United States Supreme Court overturned Californias retroactive extension of statutes of limitations. Pinal continued to serve as a priest.

But police had Torres call Pinal as they investigated in 2002.

The priest again admitted having done those acts of abuse against the child, Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto wrote to his counterparts in Cuernavaca in 2010, adding that the priest did not express remorse.

Bishop Relays the Police Investigation to the Diocese of Cuernavaca

The original letter is in Spanish. In English it reads, During the 2002 police investigation into Father Pinal, he was contacted by telephone by his victim in regards to his acts of abuse (with investigators listening in on the call). The priest again admitted having done those acts of abuse against the child. According to the reports, Father Pinal never expressed regret regarding the violence he committed against his victim. Read the full letter.

In 2005, Pinal celebrated his silver anniversary  25 years of being a priest. His friend Gerardo Beltran, another priest who served in rural communities near Sacramento and now appears on the accused clergy list  and on the FBIs Most Wanted  joined in the ceremony.

Five years later, in 2010, Pinals name appeared on a list of priests accused of sexually abusing children released by SNAP Mexico, a now-independent offshoot of the U.S.-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. And in 2019, the Diocese of Sacramento put him on its own list, saying that it had five credible allegations against the priest  three of them from the same year Torres came forward.

Accusation No. 1, reported in 1989: sexual touching and fondling, masturbation, sodomy/penetration. The next three accusations on the list involving more teenage boys are all identical: Admitted to abuse of minor; details unknown. A woman accused Pinal of oral copulation in 2016, reporting that it occurred when she was under 14 years old, according to the list.

I never admitted what they say, Pinal told ProPublica. And what happened was never an abuse.

Correspondence between the Dioceses of Sacramento and Cuernavaca, reviewed by reporters, does not mention the additional abuse accusations.

Pinal said he was swept up in allegations by people looking for payouts.

There were many priests in various parts of the U.S. who were being attacked, he said in an interview in his home in September. Everyone who worked with me in the United States and knew me knew I would never do anything bad.

But Torres said the effects of the abuse follow him to this day.

When he lost his job during the Great Recession, Torres decided to tackle his trauma. He dipped into his retirement plan and spent seven months in residential treatment in Mississippi and Florida. Getting help became a full-time job, said Torres, who now works for the state government in Sacramento.

For the first time, Torres was able to really talk about what happened. And for the first time, he said, he began to believe that it wasnt his fault.

Pinal celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination. (Courtesy of Law Offices of Joseph C. George)

Its never gonna go away, he said, but at least now I have some tools to cope with the stress.

Around the same time, his marriage ended in divorce. Torres has fallen out of touch with his kids, now teens and young adults. After the divorce, he didnt speak to them for two or three years. More recently, theyve come to visit.

His relationship with his parents has never fully recovered. After spending time in the Bay Area and in rehab, he moved back to Gridley, where he says the abuse began. But he and his parents dont talk about what happened.

My mom was probably the closest. She says, I love you, Im sorry, he said.

One day, Torres said, he wants to tell his parents he doesnt blame them, that its not their fault.

***

Nicole Hensley

Nicole Hensley is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering crime.

Nicole.Hensley@chron.com

@nkhensley

713-362-2521

Topher Sanders

Topher Sanders is a reporter at ProPublica covering race, inequality and the justice system.

Topher.Sanders@propublica.org

@reportertopher

Katie Zavadski

Katie Zavadski is ProPublicas research editor.

Katie.Zavadski@propublica.org

@KatieZavadski

917-512-0277

Lilia Saul, Lomi Kriel, Stephanie Lamm and Gabriela Martinez contributed reporting.

Designed by Jasmine Goldband

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***
The court cited a lack of material for a prima facie case of sedition. "What the children have expressed is that they will have to leave the country if they do not produce the documents and except that, there is nothing to show that the school has committed the offence of sedition," district judge Managoli Premavathi observed while granting bail to members ...

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Digital Editor
By Akbar Mammadov

Several events and workshop were held within the framework of the Second International Cyber Security Week held in Baku on 3-5 March.

On March 3, as part of the 2nd International Cyber Security Week, AzInTelecom LLC organized an event on the topic of Secure Government Cloud.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Elmir Velizade said that the government cloud in international practice is a qualitatively new stage in the development of e-government among advanced technologies.

The government cloud is a cloud computing technology that creates the prerequisite for reliable, flexible, secure operation with optimized costs of government information systems in a single data infrastructure meeting international standards, provides the use of cloud services and enables data access from anywhere.

The deputy minister also mentioned that the creation of a government cloud in the country and provision of its activities is one of the important tasks, which is reflected in the Action Plan of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Telecommunication and Information Technologies in the Republic of Azerbaijan approved by the presidential decree dating December 6, 2016.

The concept of the government cloud revealing the essence of the government cloud and determining the basis for its construction has been developed and approved, said Elmir Velizade.

The developed concept serves to ensure the sustainable development, safe and effective e-government infrastructure in the country, prompt, seamless access to information resources of government agencies, cost reduction needed to create and provide e-services, expanding e-services and meeting the growing demand for services and information.

Making a presentation on the topic Studying cloud technologies and the government cloud about the companys activities in the field of international voice traffic, certification and Azcloud services, Head of the Commercial Department of AzInTelecom LLC Ruslan Aliyev provided detailed information on the types of cloud services, backup services, Trend MicroDeep Security, customer services, Azcloud government solutions, trends in IT spending and the migration from traditional IT infrastructure to the cloud.

Head of the Government Cloud project Enver Abbasov said that the first G-Cloud, as well as an archive centre will be built in Azerbaijan in 2021.

Noting the increase in the number of cases of virtual thefts since 2017, Head of the Critical Infrastructure and Internet Security Department of the Special State Security Service Tural Mammadov informed the participants of the event about cyber attacks, the methods used to fight them, data of interest to hackers, and statistical indicators.

A workshop for cybersecurity professionals working in the public and banking sectors was held on March 3 as part of the 2nd International Cybersecurity Week.

Speaking at the event, Co-founder of Information Security Solutions Azamat Zilokov emphasized the importance of information security issues.

A representative of Information Security Solutions, well-known Russian specialist and researcher on cybersecurity Yury Gurkin spoke about the pentest  tests on information security, types of attacks, their methodology, types of threats, pros and cons of traditional cybersecurity solutions used. The specialist also gave recommendations on the prevention of threats, as well as architectural solutions for the banking system.

The speaker also informed in detail the participants about the rules for preparing a pentest document, pros and cons of using certified solutions, web threats, manuals, automatic tests and other important topics.

The 2nd Cyber Security Week is organized by the Ministry of Transport on March 2, Communications and High Technologies with the aim of enhancing effectiveness of coordinated activities and increase the level of education in the relevant field.

Event titled "Digital Law: Protection of Personal Information was held on March 5 jointly with local and international organizations, as well as licensed companies.

The main objective of the event is to strengthen cooperation with individuals representing the categories of owners and operators of personal data and to enhance the protection of personal data at the national level, through their awareness and use of international experience.

The event was attended by government agencies, NGOs, representatives of banking sector, international organizations and representations, internet service providers, mobile operators, educational institutions, insurance companies, healthcare providers and persons responsible for personal data protection of other organizations, as well as experts from the Council of Europe, Moldova, Israel and other countries.

"Personal data is considered an integral part of cyberattacks, that is, attacks are aimed at obtaining more personal and other potential data," said Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technology Elmir Velizadeh addressing the event.

He noted that the government carries out work on improvement of the law on personal data adopted in our country.

Kestutis Jankauskas, Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, emphasized that the improvement of cyberspace rules, protection of information in the area of cybersecurity, including the rule of law and solution of other issues are among the priorities in the activity of the European Union. Noting the importance of the measures taken in this direction with the countries of the Eastern Partnership, including Azerbaijan, he expressed their support for the work carried out in Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the event, the head of the Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Faig Farmanov noted that the Electronic Security Service started functioning seven years ago.

The development of information and communication technologies will lead to the expansion of personal data, which will eventually require the formation of new views, he said.

Later, Peter Kimpian, a consultant for the Data Protection Group of the Council of Europe, delivered a report titled "Convention 108: Global Information Security Standard".

Kapelushnik Nir, Chief Technical Officer of Prosol CJSC, made a report on personal data protection.

The implementation of laws and regulations, rising awareness by government, and taking preventive measures to protect existing personal data are very important, he said.

At the event, several representatives from various organizations made a speech on different topics about the Digital law: the protection of personal information.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
A spokeswoman for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, Michelle Forman, said there were about 72 public health laboratories that are presently testing for the new coronavirus. We are not aware of any widespread testing shortages, she said.

For weeks, New York and other cities around the nation had been hampered in their ability to rapidly test people for the coronavirus. All testing was initially done by the C.D.C. in its headquarters in Atlanta, with narrow criteria for who qualified.

People who returned from abroad with possible symptoms have often been rebuffed when they sought testing. Doctors and hospitals have also faced an uphill battle with the government when they try to get patients tested for the coronavirus.

There were also problems with faulty test kits being distributed by the C.D.C. And this week, one nurse in California who is sick after treating a coronavirus patient released a statement describing the difficulties she has had trying to get tested.

On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence, who previously vowed that any American could be tested, conceded that we dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward.

New York has now begun its own tests: Last weekend, the states public health laboratory in Albany, the Wadsworth Center, received federal approval to begin testing.

On Monday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he hoped that within the week the state and city would be conducting 1,000 tests a day.
President Trump recently declared that he wants to include China in the next nuclear-arms-control treaty, an objective consistent with his National Security Strategy (NSS) and his Pentagons National Defense Strategy (NDS). While this seems like a policy goal that arms-control and U.S. nuclear-disarmament advocates would embrace wholeheartedly, they didnt. Why?

When the White House released the NSS in December 2017, it marked the first time since the Cold War that the United States recognized that the era of strategic competition with a peer rival has returned, with the Russian Federation largely displaced by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The NSS stated: For decades, U.S. policy was rooted in the belief that support for Chinas rise and for its integration into the post-war international order would liberalize the Chinese Communist Party. Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others. A new Cold War? Not quite. A return to great-power rivalry? Yes, and one that had actually been underway for some time.

The NDS, released in January 2018, shortly after the NSS, was also a revolutionary document. It announced that the era of the postCold War peace dividend, in which the United States and the West would have to worry only about small terrorist movements, was over. It stated, The central challenge to U.S. prosperity and security is the reemergence of long-term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers, which includes the PRC.

The strategies were not criticized when issued. In fact, a bipartisan commission of Republican and Democratic graybeards charged by Congress to evaluate the strategy widely praised its central premise: the long-term security competition of powers like the PRC.

The NSS recognized the many tools available to the United States to ensure the security of the American people  and that arms control could be one. At the same time, the administration has made clear in words and deeds that arms control would not be considered sacrosanct.

Story continues

For example, when it came to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with the Russian Federation, President Trump spent years trying to find deals that better served American security, and when improvements couldnt be made or even basic compliance enforced, he withdrew.

At the same time, President Trump directed his administration to develop options to bring the PRC into nuclear-arms control because, as a long-term strategic competitor, its nuclear forces could not be allowed to continue to grow without limits.

One U.S. nuclear-disarmament advocate wrote in The New Republic that, while Chinas ever-advancing capabilities are a cause for concern, proposals to trilateralize nuclear arms control are nothing more than a poison pill and will be a wild goose chase. But how can this be?

In a lengthy, unclassified statement in May 2019 at Hudson Institute, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) director Lieutenant General Robert Ashley described the activities of the key nuclear-weapons actors in the world, including the Russian Federation and the Peoples Republic of China.

It is unusual for a senior leader of the intelligence community to give such public remarks about nuclear-weapons programs of adversaries. But his remarks were part of a campaign to educate the American people, on behalf of the entire U.S. intelligence community, about why the president felt it was important to begin to focus on Chinas nuclear arms.

General Ashley stated, Over the next decade, China will likely at least double the size of its nuclear stockpile in the course of implementing the most rapid expansion and diversification of its nuclear arsenal in Chinas history. He also noted that China will soon field its own version of a nuclear triad and its military will be fully transformed into a first-tier force by 2050.

A first-tier force? Double the size of its nuclear stockpile? Based on these statements, not only should the PRC be included in nuclear-arms control but, in fact, it must be. And controlling the growth of this nuclear stockpile should be a primary goal of all who claim to be concerned by proliferation of nuclear weapons.

However, instead of praising the presidents move, the nuclear-disarmament clerisy  a very small, but very loud and well-funded D.C. interest group  is focused on the extension of the New START Treaty and is fearful that talk of including the PRC is somehow an effort to kill it. But New START doesnt expire until February 2021, and focus on it shouldnt come at the expense of controlling growing nuclear stockpiles of the United States key strategic competitor. If and when President Trump makes a decision to extend the treaty, it can be done quickly and with no new negotiation.

The president is entirely right to try to bring the PRC into nuclear-arms control. It is already a party to the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention and a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. So, while its not opposed to arms control, the PRC has enjoyed a free ride on nuclear-arms control for too long. The United States and its allies cannot afford to wait until China goes from approximately 400 warheads to 800 warheads or 1,500 warheads before bringing the Chinese to the table.

Arms control is supposed to be about limiting threats to the United States and allies, not simply extending agreements that ignore major new threats. By standing in opposition to bringing China to the table, the U.S. nuclear-disarmament community runs the risk of undermining its core belief that arms control is a central pillar of national security. Because if the nuclear-disarmament community believes it isnt a top national-security priority to bring the PRC into nuclear-arms control, maybe nuclear-arms control isnt a national-security priority for it after all.

More from National Review
President Moon Jae-in



By Oh Young-jin





My Top 10 list is not about the best of things but the worst of them in the fight against the coronavirus by Korea and the world.



I don't think anybody will feel upset if they are not included on this list of follies and foibles. But its purpose is to put ourselves into perspective, detaching us from our daily viral battle.



Seriously as we may take this fight and determined as we should be in our collective pursuit of victory, it won't hurt to look back and laugh about deeds we did. Perhaps that is where we can derive our energy to raise ourselves up and get back into fight. If size matters, we are millions of times bigger than that infinitesimal coronavirus. Now, without further ado but with no drum roll, and in no particular order, I begin:



1) It (coronavirus) is not made in China: Xi Jinping



We know that the Chinese are copycats, suspected pilferers of technology that hoover up anything that can make them money. Of course, I am denying the glory of the ancient Chinese civilization but at least modern China has relied on "copy and paste" on an industrial scale to become the world's No. 2 economy and global factory.



That makes the Chinese covet any chance to claim originality. But Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to pass on the opportunity this time. Is it a stratagem to avoid responsibility for the loss of lives around the world and the suspension of the global economy that is causing misery for hundreds of millions of people?





Chinese President Xi Jinping



Is Xi seeking a scapegoat for his mishandling of the epidemic so as to prolong his hold on power? The burden of proof is on the Chinese leader, who compares himself to Mao Zedong, another mistaken choice of leader that resulted in the death of millions of people.



Xi, please jog your short memory and remember Wuhan, a Hubei city and epicenter of the virus outbreak. And the late Li Wenliang, a Chinese ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, who warned of the emergence of the SARS-like virus late last year but was disciplined for speaking out, depriving China and the rest of the world of a precious chance to fight it at an early stage.



When the worst of it is over, Xi should be held responsible for causing the epidemic's spread, with reparations to be in the trillions of dollars, making Gustav Bauer and German signatories to the Treaty of Versailles blanche at the fact that the Chinese will pay more (of course not just in an aggregate sum but also in the amount per head).



2) Buy the dip: Who else  U.S. President Donald Trump



Trump says the epidemic is just like the flu and it will disappear like magic. But the latest seasonal flu in the U.S. has afflicted hundreds of thousands, with a significant number of casualties. What about the 1918 Spanish flu that decimated the global population? Which version of flu is he talking about?



Then, when he uttered the "M" word, was he thinking of  perhaps the Rat-Catcher of Hamelin? We are fighting the deadly virus and the pivotal weapon of choice is science, not unscientific wishful thinking. Remember, very little is known about it, with at least one expert I know saying it is developing a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, making it an even more potent public health enemy.



Then, he praises U.S. health authorities for their job so far, starting with blocking the onslaught of the disease with the prompt ban on the entry of Chinese. Reports have it that first responders were ill-equipped to deal with confirmed cases and that the U.S. lacks stocks of masks and other basic anti-epidemic tools. Trump's view appears far from reality. Somebody has to get some sense into his head. After all, he is the leader of the U.S., which has served as leader of the free world  and the rest of the world after the demise of the communists.





A puppet of U.S. President Trump



Lack of knowledge, I understand as his attribute. But his recommendation to buy stocks at low prices brought about by the coronavirus chill is extremely crass, making carpetbaggers out of the world. A couple of observations: 1) He understandably wants to keep the U.S. economy going to avoid a recession or worse. 2) That may be good for the world and will certainly be good for his re-election bid.



But he is a demeaning person and the effect emanating from his high perch is highly contagious in demeaning everyone else as well. We are all too human to succumb to temptations of creature comforts and the tendency to selfishly pursue one's own gains, but sometimes at a time of crisis we go beyond the call of duty or basic instincts to commiserate over others' plight, do something for others and forge common goals. Will Trump compensate for losses made by those following his recommendation, by the way?



3) The worst is over: Korea's president



The present, when it turns into the past, has a peculiar way of catching up with you. President Moon Jae-in gave a pep talk to a nation weary of the onset of the coronavirus epidemic. But that was just before mass infections occurred among members of the religious sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The cult, centering on its founder Lee Man-hee, and its close-knit organization proved to be a hotbed for COVID-19, making Korea second only to China in the ignominious global rankings of confirmed cases.



Moon's intentions were no doubt good but the prematurity of his "everything is well" message has haunted him and raised questions about his leadership. However, he is not the first leader to suffer from such a remark. Remember George W. Bush declaring "mission accomplished" in his Iraq war after the 9/11 terror attack on May 1, 2003. He made the comment aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln less than two months after the operation began.



The Iraq war remains unfinished. True, Bush may argue that the completion of the war was not the mission he claimed was accomplished but he can't deny that it was a bogus war he sold via the trusted Colin Powell to the rest of the world, as well as the U.S., to mitigate Americans' collective calls for justice. If that doesn't comfort Moon, it shouldn't.



4) WHO  is it who, like in who the hell, or The Who, the band?



Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, its Ethiopian WHO director-general, has occupational habit (hazard) of praising China. He has done so when there were claims of cover-up by Chinese in the early stage of the Wuhan pneumonia. He was still speaking well of Beijing when China took drastic containment measures, which was only possible in an authoritarian country. His critics wonder that he is in one of China's pocket. The way he delays labeling the coronavirus a pandemic  as it has already become  is an act of incompetent vacillation, another word for it being willful negligence. Do we need the WHO as it is under him? Check out Dr. Hakim Djaballah, a contributor to The Korea Times on the current virus epidemic, at https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/03/119_285623.html .





World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
At least two school districts are closing and another is sending students home early to give their staff time to plan for what to do if the district is forced to shut down because of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

Officials in the Mount Olive school district said on Friday there would be no school this Monday. And in South Brunswick, the decision was made to dismiss students early Monday . Cranford schools will be closed on Monday, March 16.

While there is no current directive to close schools, officials in Cranford and South Brunswick said they needed time to develop a plan that will allow students to continue learning if the districts have to be closed as a precautionary measure during a potential coronavirus outbreak. Such a decision would be made by local or state health officers, they said.

It is important to be prepared and doing so should not correlate to increased concern, Cranford Superintendent Scott Rubin said in a letter posted to the districts website and sent to parents.

As of Friday, there were four positive cases of coronavirus in New Jersey  three in Bergen County and one in Camden County.

We want to make plans that actually work, South Brunswick School District Superintendent Scott Feder told NJ Advance Media on Friday. We do not want to just check off the box that said we have plans because that is easy to do. If we have to go through this, we actually want learning to be maintained.

Superintendents across New Jersey were informed in a memo sent Thursday evening that they must create and submit a plan to the county superintendents of how theyd provide equitable instruction. Some districts began sending out surveys to the community on Friday to see if families had access to computers and internet at home.

If the state Department of Health or another health officer deems a district is to shut down in the interest of public health, students can be taught at home and not force the extension of the school year, school officials were told. A private high school in Bergen County was closed Friday as a precaution after students were potentially exposed to the virus.

In a March 5 letter sent to parents in Middlesex County, Feder said the early release day was also being used to make sure the students educational well-being was in mind, and that the district would use the time to provide additional disinfection of its buildings and school buses.

As always, the students and staff of South Brunswick are our number one priority, and we want to do what is right for our students and be prepared should a school dismissal become necessary, Feder wrote in the letter.

Feder added the district already utilizes online platforms such as Google Classroom as part of its education strategy and is looking for ways for younger students to access educational content while away from their classroom.

The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) said a scenario involving home instruction and planning would require careful coordination.

We would be in uncharted territory, said Steve Baker, spokesman for the NJEA.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

Editors Note: This post was updated to reflect the correct date of Cranford schools closure.

Adam Clark contributed to this report. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.
International Women's Day Press Release: Embrace your Unique Female Body this International Women's Day Using washable menstrual pads can lead to a host of benefits for women's health and help the environment. Media Contacts: ?Sovanvotey Hok, +855 70800931, sovanvoteyhok[at]gmail.com Monika Noun, +855 87977739 monika.nuon1[at]gmail.com (Berlin / Phnom Pehn, 6 March) Green Lady Cambodia wants to send every Asian woman a message this International Women's Day: Each and every part of your body is unique to you - 
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Friday (March 6) said that it has registered over 600 cases in connection with last week's riots in northeast Delhi, officials said. Out of 683 cases registered, at least 53 were related to the Arms Act, it said in a statement. In total, 1,983 people have been either detained or arrested so far in connection with the communal violence, the police said.

Total 251 meetings with Aman Committee have been conducted across the national capital, a senior police officer said.

The communal violence, that sparked from protests over the amended Citizenship Act in northeast Delhi on February 24, has so far claimed lives of at least 53 people and left almost 300 injured, according to a PTI report.

Earlier in the day, the police told the Delhi High Court that efforts were on to recover bodies from drains in northeast Delhi where riots over the amended citizenship law. Several bodies, believed to be riot causalities, have been recovered from the drains in Shiv Vihar and other violence-hit areas, and have been kept at RML Hospital.

In the meantime, suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who was produced before Delhi's Karkardooma court amid tight security on March 6, was sent to 7-day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the violence in northeast Delhi. Hussain was produced before the duty magistrate and neither the media nor any lawyer, other than those connected with the case, was allowed inside the courtroom.



Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi four days ago after violence between anti-and-pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel.
A few weeks after Fariaz Rabbani proposed to Allison Tyndall, he took her to a bank in Queens, where he opened a safe deposit box filled with jewelry once worn by his mother.

The jewelry was meant to be given to my future wife, as my mother was not sure if she would ever meet her, said Mr. Rabbani, 35, recalling that bittersweet day in August 2019. In fact, my mother wasnt quite sure if she would ever see me again.

His mother, Fatema Rabbani, is alive and well in her native Bangladesh, as is his father, Golam Rabbani. They live in Barisal, one of the oldest municipalities and river ports in the country.

I call them once a month just to say hello, said Dr. Tyndall, 39, an English teacher at Regis High School in Manhattan. They are such beautiful people.
Accusing the Central government of disrupting Parliament and not allowing discussion over Delhi violence, TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien on Friday said he will find a way to speak in the House today as capital needs "urgent healing" and his party will not remain silent.

"Day5 since Parliament resumed. Today too Mo-Sha (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah) government will disrupt Parliament and not allow discussion on Delhi Genocide. BJP government wants to discuss it after March 11. Delhi needs urgent healing." Derek tweeted.

"Trinamool will not be silenced. I will find a way to speak on Delhi in Parliament today!" he added.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma on Friday gave a Suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 over the need to "provide relief to riot-affected families in Delhi and to set up an independent inquiry commission."

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have continued to witness ruckus for the past several days as lawmakers from Opposition parties protested against the government over violence in northeast Delhi. The government has repeatedly stated that it is ready to discuss the issue after Holi.

The Delhi violence has claimed 53 lives and left around 200 grievously injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
T he chief executive of London City airport on Friday urged the government to look at a tax holiday for airlines, in the wake of Flybe collapsing and coronavirus hurting the sector.

Robert Sinclair made the plea a day after regional carrier Flybe failed, putting 2400 jobs at risk. His airport had around 70 Flybe arrivals and departures each week.

Sinclair said: We are very supportive of the government saying earlier this year it would review air passenger duty. But, in light of Flybes demise and the coronavirus outbreak I think more urgent action is needed.

He added: I think the Treasury should give airlines an APD holiday for domestic flights for at least the next few months. That would be massively positive and signal that the government wants to help carriers while they grapple with difficult months ahead.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the trade body representing UK-registered airlines, said: Weve spoken privately to Government about an APD holiday, not just for domestic routes but across the board. It would certainly help, although its impact would clearly be short term.

The collapse of Flybe yesterday came just two months after it narrowly avoided going under, thanks to the Government deferring its air passenger duty bill. The government said at the time that ahead of the Budget the Treasury would review APD.

But despite the APD help, Flybe continued to struggle with currency headwinds, softer customer demand and the coronavirus outbreak. The International Air Transport Association has warned the virus could cost the airline sector up to $113 billion in lost revenue from passengers this year.

EY is handling the Flybe administration.

Virgin Atlantic, logistics group Stobart and private equity group Cyrus Capital formed Connect Airways to buy the struggling airline in a rescue deal last year. They claim to have invested more than 135 million to keep it flying.
F rance is one of the European countries worst-affected by coronavirus. There have been more than 1,700 cases and more than 30 deaths.

The hardest hit areas are Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comte in the west of the country as well as Brittany in the north.

However, the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travelling to France, despite the outbreak.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that it is just the start of the health epidemic as Culture Minister Franck Reister tested positive for the virus and all top league football matches will be played without spectators.

Below the Standard looks at travel advice for France...

Paris St-Germain are set to play their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund behind closed doors on March 11 / REUTERS

Is it safe to travel to France?

The Foreign Office has not said that Brits should not travel to France, but has advised following local guidelines to avoid spreading the virus.

The French health ministry holds daily press conferences every day to inform the public about new developments.

"The virus is present on the national territory, with in particular several zones of regrouping of cases called 'clusters,'" the government wrote on its website.

It added that the country has moved into stage two of the government's action plan which "aims to prevent and limit the circulation of the virus".

Tourists wear face masks in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris / AFP via Getty Images

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are shortness of breath, a dry cough, fever, and fatigue. Less common symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing.

In the worst cases coronavirus can progress to pneumonia and multiple organ failure, and can be fatal. Older people and people with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable.

There have now been more than 100,000 coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, with thousands more deaths.

Coronavirus cases: The spread outside China

What measures should be taken to prevent the virus spreading?

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged the public to self-isolate if returning from northern Italy, Iran and parts of South Korea.

He said in a statement: Every single person can do something to try to help this country avoid this virus becoming big and that is to wash your hands. If you sneeze to make sure you cover it up, catch it, kill it and bin it.

Mr Hancock dismissed calls for a ban on flights to the UK from countries worst affected by coronavirus.

Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP

Scientists believe swift quarantine action, rather than trying to rely on travel restrictions, are key to containing the virus.

People waiting for the results of tests for coronavirus infection have been told to self-isolate rather than being admitted to hospital.

Self-isolation lasts 14 days if you have been to one of the hardest-hit areas, even if you have no symptoms.

Those in quarantine are told not to dispose of their rubbish until tests come back negative, and to make sure food and supplies are left outside their door so they avoid human contact.

To avoid spreading the disease, scientists advise regularly washing hands with soap and water or sanitiser, especially after using public transport.

Is there a treatment for coronavirus?

Coronavirus currently has no treatment. Antibiotics will not help cure it as they do not work against viruses.

Coronavirus symptoms can be treated, however, while your body fights the illness.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 6 : Condemning the ban on the telecast of two Kerala based TV channels, the ruling CPI-M and the Congress party on Friday termed the decision of the Union government undemocratic and said it should be opposed by all.

The order banning Asianet News and Media One for 48 hours starting Friday 7.30 p.m. came from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after their coverage of the recent violence in the national capital last month.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists -- the biggest trade union of the journalists in the state -- also condemned this act and has called for a protest march to the General Post office on Saturday morning.

State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in a statement issued here on Friday night said this is nothing but a ploy of the Centre to threaten the media for coming out with truths.

"The Centre is silent on the perpetrators of the violence and also the Delhi Police for allowing things to drift in this manner. Instead of taking action against such forces, the Centre has tried to take on the media, which exposed things. This reveals the fascist face of the Centre. This is not acceptable in a democracy," said Balakrishnan.

Leader of opposition and Congress veteran Ramesh Chennithala said that the Centre is taking on the media for revealing the truth of what happened in Delhi.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to silence the media as the fascist forces now want the media to bow before them. This act of gagging the media is totally undemocratic and unacceptable," wrote Chennithala in his Face book.

C.L.Thomas, Editor-in-chief of Media One Channel said they have paid the price of reporting news exactly the way it happened.

"This is nothing but a blatant attack on the freedom of the press. The I&B Ministry says that we reported against the RSS and the Delhi Police and we also reported that no FIR was filed by the police against the speech of BJP leader Kapil Mishra. Even during the Emergency days, such acts never took place," said Thomas.

Asianet News is the first news channel that was launched in Kerala in the mid nineties, while Media One was launched a few years back.
In its 16 seasons, Greys Anatomy has seen characters come and go, and tonights episode will bid farewell to Justin Chambers Dr. Alex Karev, one of the few remaining originals. Ellen Pompeos Dr. Meredith Grey is the star, but fans were still shaken when Chambers made what seemed like an out-of-the-blue announcement in January, saying that he was leaving Greys Anatomy.

In a statement given to Deadline, Chambers said, Theres no good time to say goodbye to a show and character thats defined so much of my life for the past 15 years, adding, For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time.

Chambers also thanked his colleagues: As I move on from Greys Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family, Shonda Rimes, original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride."

(How to watch Greys Anatomy": The medical drama airs at 9 p.m. Thursdays on ABC. No cable or antenna? Live stream Greys Anatomy" on Hulu + Live TV. You can also catch up on episodes you may have missed on Hulu.)

The timing of the statement was puzzling, because Chambers had been part of the long-running hit since the start. Fans wondered why there wasnt more of a fuss made over Dr. Karevs departure. Instead, as the Deadline piece noted, Chambers was last seen on the Greys Anatomy episode that aired on Nov. 14, 2019.

We say goodbye to Dr. Alex Karev this Thursday. #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/J8lyigTDnj  Greys Anatomy (@GreysABC) March 4, 2020

According to reports, tonights episode will explain just where Dr. Karev has been -- he has been absent from the show, supposedly away to care for his ill mother. Chambers isnt expected to appear in any new scenes. Instead, the episode sounds like it will feature flashbacks, as characters remember Alex Karev.

Greys Anatomy airs at 9 p.m. tonight on ABC.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Jordan Aidarbek Toumatov held a working meeting with Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of this country Dr. Muhyieddeen Touq, Trend reports citing Kazinform.

As the press service of the Kazakh Embassy in Amman informed, the sides discussed the aspects of enhancing the two countries' cooperation in education, including student exchange programmes.

The parties agreed to draft amendments to the Intergovernmental Aagreement on Cooperation in Education and Science signed in 2006. This issue will be discussed in detail during the upcoming 5th meeting of the intergovernmental commission, slated for early April 2020 in Amman.
The ambassadors to the European Union from the 27 members cancelled their Friday meeting after their chairwoman, Croatia's envoy, chose to isolate herself after working alongside a novel coronavirus victim.

Croatia holds the rotating EU presidency and Ambassador Irena Andrassy was working earlier this week with a European Council official who has since tested positive for the virus, diplomats told AFP.

She has shown no symptoms herself, but chose to quarantine herself on Tuesday as a precaution and will undergo a test.

"If she is not there next week, Germany would head the next meeting, because they are next in the round of presidencies," one diplomat said.

Another said all diplomats and staff that spent more than 15 minutes working within two metres (six feet) of the infected official have been asked to isolate themselves and get tested.

There have now been at least three cases of novel coronavirus among staff at the various EU institutions in Brussels, disrupting but not halting work, and the European Parliament has cancelled several meetings.

Next week's parliamentary plenary session in Strasbourg has been postponed, and MEPs will meet instead in their second chamber in Brussels, which has been closed to the public.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Blida, March 05, 2020 (SPS) - Sahrawi students in Algeria expressed, on Sunday in Blida, their attachment to the fight to wrest their right to liberty and independence and recover the sovereignty of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (RASD) across all of its territories.

Students declared on the sidelines of the festivities celebrating the 44th anniversary of the proclamation of the SADR, hosted by the "Saad Dahleb" university that they were "optimistic about the outcome of the Saharawi question, especially after the last decisions taken during the 33rd African Union (AU) summit held on February 10 in Addis Ababa and the 15th congress of the Frente POLISARIO held for almost three months.

In this context, Sid Mehdi Chemat, member of the office of the Sahrawi student center in Algeria indicated "there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon announcing the settlement of the Sahrawi question soon. There is no choice for the international community, except to play its role to allow the Saharawi people to have their right to self-determination, "he said.

Organized on the initiative of the "Chahid Zerka Hamoud" section of Sahrawi students in Algeria, the celebration of the 44th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (RASD) at the "Saad Dahleb" university in Blida notably included holding exhibitions highlighting the Sahrawi culture and its political and diplomatic struggle.

Algerian and Saharawi students from numerous national universities occasionally attended communications highlighting the solidarity and brotherhood binding the two peoples, in addition to the screening of a documentary film on the history of the Saharawi cause. SPS

125/090/TRQ
The US & Britain Edge Closer To An Agreement On Huawei

Britain has averted a full-blown confrontation with the White House over Huawei, after the UK government also designated the Chinese technology firm a high-risk vendor and imposed a cap on its involvement in building the UKs 5G telecoms network.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has now said he has had "candid" conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace on the subject, although without elaborating on what form the further reduction would take, although but he emphasised the importance of the intelligence-sharing agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Five Eyes partners.

Esper said US officials want to work with the United Kingdom on a way forward that results in the exclusion of untrusted vendor components for 5G networks in the UK and elsewhere. Both secretaries said their nations disagreement about Huawei was not over the nature of the threat of Chinese-manufactured telecom equipment, but about the best ways to deal with the threat.

While the US is reportedly still disappointed with the decision to allow an untrusted vendor into the UK market, the security and economic relationship between the two countries was too important to jeopardise in a row over mobile phone technology.

The United States has pushed for an outright and total ban on Huawei and other Chinese telecom providers. The British government has taken a less extreme position and while Huawei is banned from networks that the government considers to essential to national security, such as for government use or infrastructure, the government has allowed Huawei to take a position in the commercial market, a position capped at 35% of that market, with the ultimate goal of eventually cutting them out of the market entirely, a position Wallace referred to as Ban, cap, and cut.

The UK has a lot of experience probing Chinese telecommunications gear. In 2010, the government established the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre, or HCSEC, Oversight Board to better understand its threats to customer data and national security. Last March, the Center published a report that described serious and systematic defects in Huaweis software engineering and cyber security competence. Huawei was formally deemed a high risk vendor because its Chinese ownership meant Beijing could in theory force it to carry out surveillance of British citizens in the future.

There is no evidence of deliberate security flaws in the companys equipment but an official British assessment said: The Chinese state has carried out and will likely continue to carry out cyber-attacks against the UK and our interests.

Britains spy agencies have long argued that any risks from using Huawei can be contained, and that US calls for a total ban are disproportionate.

The decision comes at a critical moment in the relationship with the White House, as the UK Prime Minister prepares to press for a post-Brexit trade deal and has already irritated Washington by pressing ahead with plans to implement a digital sales tax on global internet firms, but despite that the White House has been reluctant to link the decision to future trade talks. The UK Government should reduce Chinese telecoms company Huaweis involvement in the UKs 5G mobile network to zero by 2023, former Conservative Party Leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said.

Huawei is not the only contentious issue threatening the British-American relationship. British diplomats are also fretting over differences with Washington over Britains plans for a digital services tax that would hit large American corporations like Google and Amazon, and its policy toward Iran.

Defense One: Guardian: Express and Star: New York Times:

You Might Also Read:

US Increases Pressure To Stop Huawei 5G In Britain:
While older adults are not a monolith, they face unique challenges and risks with respect to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Older adults, especially those with certain chronic health conditions, look to be more vulnerable.

In my Philadelphia-based nonprofit that serves adults in their retirement years, Penns Village in Central Philadelphia  along with East Falls Village and Northwest Village Network  we are wondering how our communities can thrive as we all confront the pending arrival of the coronavirus. We need to prepare ourselves as best we can, as we keep connected and engaged with each other.

Here are issues that might affect older adults most:

Health implications: Older adults and those with disabilities are often at greater risk of contracting a disease, especially if they already have chronic medical conditions. In such cases, there may be added prevention and/or treatment guidelines for these groups. But according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this is not currently the case for COVID-19.

Prescription renewals: In case communities have to self-quarantine, the American Red Cross and other public health sources are encouraging us to order a 30-day supply of prescriptions, and for those prescriptions not yet eligible for renewal, to note the earliest date at which they can be renewed.

Scams: Sadly, older adults are the group most likely to be preyed upon by scammers taking advantage of the coronavirus, such as online promotions for unproven treatments or vaccines. To avoid these scams, Carolyn Rosenblatt recommends in Forbes that you never accept an online offer for a coronavirus vaccine or click on a link from a source you do not know; dont buy masks, medicines, or sprays purporting to protect against the coronavirus; seek sources you trust instead for information and supplies; and dont fall for offers suggesting that you invest in securities supposed to give a breakthrough treatment or cure.

As with everyone else, we encourage older adults to follow the basic rules for hygiene promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and other reliable sources. Tips include: avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay home if youre sick yourself; dont touch your eyes, nose, and mouth; wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and cough or sneeze ideally into tissue, though failing that you can do so into your arm.

Symptoms of COVID-19 generally occur two to 14 days after exposure and start as a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to the common cold. Symptoms to watch for, the CDC says, are fever, fatigue, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Should you become sick with those warning signs, contact your health-care provider immediately.

At Penns Village and our sister organizations, we support our members to live independently in their own homes. But some of these recommendations are especially crucial for older adults who live in retirement homes where a lot of individuals share close quarters.

Penns Village plans to stay vigilant and supportive of our members, their friends, and their families. Right now, we are focusing on volunteer services for our members and the programs we sponsor to bring older adults together to socialize, educate, and encourage connection and engagement with neighbors. In times of stress, we rely even more than usual on these networks. We at Penns Village  along with our colleagues at the other villages  are here as always for our members.

Jane Eleey is the executive director of Penns Village. jane@pennsvillage.org
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In the United States, the death toll from the coronavirus has risen, with new cases reported in at least four new states from Colorado to Texas.

On Thursday (March 5) families outside of a nursing home in Washington - where six people have died from the virus - demanded answers from US officials and staff.

Kevin Connelly, son-in-law of one of the residents spoke to the press:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SON-IN-LAW OF NURSERY HOME RESIDENT, KEVIN CONNOLLY, SAYING:

"I don't think that the Life Care Center of Kirkland have done a particularly good job but I don't think they are equipped or trained to deal with this. Whomever the people are who are supposed to fly in and deal with this highly infectious and deadly disease they are the people that I am personally incredibly angry with."

Vice President Pence tried to soothe fears, and visited health workers in Seattle.

But he did admit there were serious shortfalls in the number of testing kits.

In the background, Congress quickly approved more than $8 billion to fight the outbreak.

Meanwhile, out at sea a helicopter flew in testing kits to a cruise ship off the coast of California after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard.

The cruiseliner has been barred from docking in San Francisco.

Across the globe, South Korea has reported a rise in cases, tallying to nearly 6,300 cases on Friday (March 6).

India's total hit over 30, and Bhutan reported its first case of infection and banned the entry of tourists for two weeks.

But for China's central province of Hubei, excluding the provincial capital Wuhan where the outbreak began, it reported zero new cases of coronavirus over 24 hours for the first time since the outbreak.
Early on, I repeated an assumption about coronavirus that proved to be incorrect, that children werent very susceptible to becoming infected and hence werent prime transmitters the way they were for seasonal flus.

A preprint of a paper based on a study of coronavirus incidence and transmission in Shezen found that children do contract coronavirus, albeit typically getting mild cases, and can transmit it. Weve embedded the full article at the end of this post. The sample size is large, 391 cases, and the contact tracking looks to be good.

Key sections:

Attack rates were similar across infectee age categories (Table 3), though there is some indication of elevated attack rates in older age groups (Figure 1). Notably, the rate of infection inchildren under 10 (7.4%) was similar to the population average (7.9%). There was no significant association between probability of infection and age of the index case.

Weve had confirmation in the US. The Mayor of White Plains put out a press release yesterday stating that three children has tested positive for coronavirus and their school will be closed until at least March 16:

According to the Westchester County Department of Health there are now up to 18 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Westchester County. As has been widely reported, there are three confirmed cases associated with a private school in White Plains, Westchester Torah Academy. The three students who tested positive are the children of the man who is a friend of and spent time with the original patient. Westchester Torah Academy has been closed until March 16 and the NY State Department of Health has required all students, faculty, and staff to isolate themselves at home through that date. The re-opening of the school is conditional on whether any new positive COVID-19 cases are identified.

Those who get sick are sick for a while:

Based on 228 cases with known outcomes, we estimate that the median time to recovery is 32 days (95% CI 31,33) in 50-59 year olds, and is estimated to be significantly shorter in younger adults (e.g., 27 days in 20-29 year olds), and significantly longer in older groups (e.g., 36 days in those aged 70 or older). In multiple regression models including sex, age, baseline severity and method of detection, in addition to age, baseline severity was associated with time to recovery. Compared to those with mild symptoms, those with moderate symptoms wereassociated with a 19% (95% CI, 17%,22%) increase in time to recovery, and severe symptomswere associated with a 58% (95% CI, 55%, 61%) increase. Thus far, only three have died.These occurred 35-44 days from symptom onset and 27-33 days from confirmation.

The median incubation period was 4.8 days and in this sample, there were more female cases than male.

An important new preprint finds that children are just as likely as adults to be infected. This is a key piece of data that may support school closures as an effective intervention. https://t.co/w5E0N0InTU  Caitlin Rivers, PhD (@cmyeaton) March 5, 2020

Needless to say, this work supports the logic of school closures in Italy and ones underway in the US. An update from CivilEats:

The rapidly growing spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has forced the closure of schools in 22 countries on three different continents, according to UNESCO. In the U.S., as of Thursday, just a small number of schools are closed in Washington, California, and New Yorkso farbut 13 countries have taken the drastic step of closing all their schools nationwide. As a result, nearly 300 million school children are at home right now, with some able to keep up with their studies remotely while others are surely losing educational ground. Earlier this week, when Los Angeles declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, parents in the nations second-largest school district were told to plan for school closures. In Washington state, where 11 people have so far died from the illness, a number of schools were closed temporarily for deep cleaning, while others will remain closed for the next two weeks. And in New Yorks Westchester County, four schools recently closed after a local man there tested positive for the virus.

As much as this is a prudent public health measure, its also a nightmare for families and communities. How are working parents supposed to take care of children who are too young to be left home alone? Most families have working wives. Generally speaking, only the relatively affluent have the slack in their schedule or the disposable dollars to adjust without too much pain to minding their housebound kids.

The BBC reports that Italian parents, faced with nation-wide school closures, are stressed. Even parents who dont have scheduling frictions are finding it hard to cope, in part because they feel they cant ask elderly parents and relatives to help:

At the San Cosimato playground in Rome, parents have that unmistakeable look of how on Earth am I going to entertain them? The perennial problem has struck early this year: with schools and universities now closed across Italy until at least 15 March, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, some 8.4 million children are out of class well before the Easter break. Its an unprecedented response by Europes worst-hit country. Malvina Diletti watches her eight-year-old, Edoardo, play on the climbing frame. We think 10 days off is totally useless, its not even enough to discover if youre sick, she says. They are heading home for lunch with six other children, as parents are taking it in turn to host, sharing the babysitting load during this difficult period. Its so we avoid grandparents having to stay with us, Malvina tells me, because if more elderly got sick, hospitals would just crash.

Some schools say web-based teaching is filling the gap, but Im not sure how well this would work with elementary-school aged children. Again from the BBC:

In the northern town of Busto Arsizio, part of the region worst hit by the virus, the Tosi High School is using web-learning to stream classes. Our lessons continue uninterrupted, says Amanda Ferrario, the headteacher. The teacher enters a virtual classroom, does the roll call and can see students connected on their devices. They can work in groups, make presentations and show videos. Some schools are recording entire lessons on WhatsApp, while others are incorporating the news into their lessons, one teacher telling an Italian newspaper that shed asked pupils to come up with stories about the monster of coronavirus.

The New York Times gave a broader view:

The speed and scale of the educational tumult  which now affects 290.5 million students worldwide, the United Nations says  has little parallel in modern history, educators and economists contend. Schools provide structure and support for families, communities and entire economies. The effect of closing them for days, weeks and sometimes even months could have untold repercussions for children and societies at large. Theyre always saying, When can we go out to play? When can we go to school? said Gao Mengxian, a security guard in Hong Kong whose two daughters have been stuck at home because school has been suspended since January. In some countries, older students have missed crucial study sessions for college admissions exams, while younger ones have risked falling behind in reading and math. Parents have lost wages, tried to work at home or scrambled to find child care. Some have moved children to new schools in areas unaffected by the coronavirus, and lost milestones like graduation ceremonies or last days of school. Governments are trying to help. Japan is offering subsidies to help companies offset the cost of parents taking time off. France has promised 14 days of paid sick leave to parents of children who must self-isolate, if they have no choice but to watch their children. But the burdens are widespread, touching corners of society seemingly unconnected to education. In Japan, schools have canceled bulk food deliveries for lunches they will no longer serve, hurting farmers and suppliers. In Hong Kong, an army of domestic helpers has been left unemployed after wealthy families enrolled their children in schools overseas.

In our stingy US, what happens to the pay of teachers and school administrators and workers, like bus drivers and janitors, who are temporarily furloughed? If they get full or reduced pay, what happens to school budgets when terms are extended to make up for lost days? Parents at home with children might engage in a level of homeschooling, or give their children special projects, but in most cases, that wont make up for class time.

One consequence in the US will be hunger. Again from CivilEats:

But missing school can mean more than lost instructional time; it can also deprive children of critically needed nutrition. In this country, more than two-thirds of the 31 million students who regularly eat school lunch are economically dependent upon the meal, and low-income kids similarly constitute the majority of the 14.6 million who eat school breakfast and the 1.3 million who receive an after-school supper. So what will happen to at-risk children if this school-based social safety net falls prey to the growing pandemic?

Yet in communities where the school closures havent started, Im picking up signs of freakout. A friend in Westchester County who used to attend one of the afflicted synagogues was doing a frantic mental scan of recent contacts (the Torah Academy is orthodox and hence does not overlap with her social circles). Her concern is that one of her close family members is pregnant, and pregnancy increases the odds of contracting lung infections like pneumonia.

So social stresses look set to become more acute, and the US, with its hollowed out communities and threadbare safety nets, does not look positioned to cope well.
UPDATE

Toronto police chief Mark Saunders said the investigation into the abduction of 14-year old Shammah Jolayemi is still ongoing as officers are still looking for the person, or persons, responsible.

No stone was...unturned with this investigation, Saunders said at a press conference on Friday. There is a fantastic opportunity to find those people.

The police chief said at around 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, Jolayemi was found in Brampton. He appeared disheveled but is now safe with his parents. Officers have yet to interview the teen.

Saunders confirmed that police have not had any contact with the abductors but have been in limited contact with Jolayemis older stepbrother. They do not know where he is but Saunder said he is not in the GTA, and officials are uncertain if the stepbrother is in the province.

When asked if the boy and his family are safe with the abductors still out there, Sunder said Jolayemi is probably...the most watched man in Toronto someone would be more than a fool to target the 14-year-old or his family at this point.

Toronto police continue to seek any tips from the public to assist in the investigation.

The role he would play is a witness and he would have a strong idea of who is involved and what the involvement was, Saunders said. Abductions are not done in vacuums, there was a lot of public exposure.I think the breadcrumbs will lead us right to who was involved.

___

NEWS UPDATE: The Toronto Police have located Shammah Jolayemi, age 14. He is safe and being taken for a medical checkup. A news conference will be held tomorrow / Friday morning at Toronto Police Headquarters. Time is TBC. GO460088 #GoodNews ^ams  Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 6, 2020

Earlier on Thursday, officers revealed Jolayemi was abducted as retribution for cocaine theft involving his stepbrother.

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We believe that Shammah was abducted as retribution for an unpaid drug debt, Toronto Police Supt. Steve Watts said in a news conference Thursday. Investigators believe that Shammahs brother, Olalekan Osikoya, owes a large debt in relation to a multi-kilo cocaine cocaine rip that has since flooded the GTA.

Watts said police are alleging that two to three males forced Shammah into a dark coloured Jeep Rangler around 8:31 a.m. on Wednesday

Its believed the drug theft happened in 2019 and involved approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated $4 million.

You need to release Shammah, Watts said before it was announced that the boy has been found. This is a 14-year-old, innocent child...he is not part of that lifestyle.

Officials said they were extremely concerned for his safety, after Jolayemi went missing from the Jane St. and Driftwood Ave. area of the city on Wednesday at 8:25 a.m.

A 14-year-old boy was observed to be screaming, Help me! Help me! and to be forced into a black Jeep Wrangler by two males, Insp. Jim Gotell said in a news conference.

The Toronto District School Board has confirmed that four members of the Newtonbrook Secondary School are on home assignment after the boys parents were only notified at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday that their son did not show up at school.

TDSBs formal procedure requires teachers to report attendance at each period. The information is entered electronically at Newtonbrook Secondary School and automated absence calls are made at around 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day.

We have confirmed that attendance information from the morning was not entered by the 11:00 a.m. cut-off time as it should have been and as a result, this information was shifted to the second call the TDSB confirmed to Yahoo Canada in an email statement. Were still confirming details, however if its found that there is culpable behaviour then that can result in disciplinary action.

Staff at the school board have been communicating with Jolayemis family throughout the day to provide support.

Officers were looking for a black Jeep with oversized front tires and a front push bar with round fog lights. Watts said a vehicle matching the description was found in Caledon, Ont.

Anyone with any information can call Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers at 222-TIPS.
Passengers line up as workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak, in the departure terminal at the Rafik Hariri International Airport, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The airline industry, already hit hard by COVID-19, could lose up to US$113 billion in revenues if the spread of the virus continues around the world.

Thats according to new analysis released Thursday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an industry group representing 290 airlines around the world, including Air Canada and WestJet.

IATA forecast the financial impact of COVID-19 on the airline industry based on two scenarios: one where spread of the virus is limited and begins to sharply fall, and another where the virus continues to spread globally.

In the worst-case scenario, passenger demand in Canada and the United States is expected to fall by 10 per cent, resulting in a $21.1 billion loss in revenues. Globally, the continued spread of the virus could result in a 19 per cent decline in passenger demand, amounting to losses of $113 billion.

In the event that the virus is contained in the near-term, the impact is lessened, but still pronounced, according to IATA. Passenger demand around the world would fall by 11 per cent, resulting in losses of $63 billion. China would see the most significant impact, with demand falling 23 per cent, amounting to $22 billion.

IATAs chief executive officer Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement that regardless of which scenario plays out, this is a crisis.

The turn of events as a result of COVID-19 is almost without precedent. In little over two months, the industrys prospects in much of the world have taken a dramatic turn for the worse, de Juniac said.

Airlines around the world have began to cut capacity and take emergency measures in order to reduce costs as more travellers opt to stay home amid fears of the spread of the virus. According to IATA, passenger demand has fallen by double-digit figures and traffic on some routes has collapsed.

Both Air Canada and WestJet have waived change fees in light of concerns about the virus.

Air Canada said a one-time change is permitted within two weeks of travel for tickets purchases from the airline between March 4 and March 31 for travel within 12 months. WestJet also said it will allow a one-time change fee waiver within two weeks of travel to new bookings made between March 3 and March 17.

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IATA has urged governments around the world to consider providing financial assistance to the airline industry through relief on taxes, charges and slot allocation.

Aircraft are being parked and employees are being asked to take unpaid leave, de Juniac said in a statement released this week.

In this emergency, governments need to consider the maintenance of air transport links in their response.

The Canadian government is mulling potential financial help to ease the burden of the coronavirus on businesses and individuals, deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland said this week. A cabinet committee, lead by Freeland, has been formed to monitor the health impacts of the virus and the governments response.

With files from the Canadian Press

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Jatilda Ambris has not been heard from since she left for St. Lucia in September last year.

A teenage Vincentian girl who moved to Saint Lucia last year has gone missing.





A relative of 19-year-old Jatilda Ambris of Stubbs, told St. Lucian media that the young lady left her country for Saint Lucia in September last year, to live with a lady, but no one has heard from her since.





"We have no form of contact for her. The last contact we had for the people she is living with is coming up unavailable, the relative told St. Lucia News online.





To compound the situation, Ambris is said to be very active on social media. but since she left St Vincent, her account has gone dormant.





The relative is now appealing for assistance from people in Saint Lucia. "I hope it gets some attention and the family gets to hear from her soon, she said.





Tamara Cumberbatch, a close friend of the missing girl, expressed deep concern about Jatildas whereabouts because the young lady is challenged.





"Jatilda didnt go to a normal school like most children; she went to the School for Children with Special Needs and her mom has mental issues, Cumberbatch shared.





Cumberbatch said that Jatilda has had something akin to a roving life.





"She grew up with her grandmother before moving to live with an aunt in Diamonds. She also lived with her great aunt in Bottom Stubbs, but when her aunt went to St. Croix to stay for a while, she lived with me in Carapan. The aunt eventually returned and Jatilda moved back into her home, she said.





Jatilda, according to Cumberbatch, turned 19 in December, and she was in regular telephone contact with her and her daughter until last August, when all communication ceased.




The owner of a 100-year old Indian restaurant in Singapore was found guilty on Friday of hiring a hitman to attack with knife an employee from a rival eatery.

The owner of Zam Zam, 49-year-old Zackeer Abbass Khan, conspired with several others to have Victory restaurant supervisor Liakath Ali Mohamed Ibrahim slashed and scarred, reported Channel Asia.

He had instructed his business associate Anwer Ambiya Kadir Maideen, 50, to procure an attack on the victim, offering money to get the job done.

Anwer then hired a hitman, Joshua Navindran Surainthiran, to slash the victim's face with a knife on August 26, 2015.

The victim was left with a permanent scar, and Joshua was sentenced to six-and-a-half years' jail and six strokes of the cane in 2016 for several charges in relation to the case.

Both the eateries are among the oldest Indian-origin food-service businesses serving a wide range of South Indian dishes including biryani and murtabak, a non-veg filled pratha, a popular pan-fried chapati-type serving in Singapore and Malaysia originating from South Indian cuisines.

District Judge Mathew Joseph found both Zackeer and Anwer guilty of conspiring to voluntarily cause grievous hurt after a long-running trial, saying the prosecution had proven its case.

Zackeer was convicted of an additional charge of criminal intimidation, while Anwer faces other charges of being in a secret society.

Judge Joseph noted that the case was all about business rivalry.

"Business rivalry is a common occurrence," he said. "It's part of everyday commerce and it is to be taken in its stride. In the case of Victory and Zam Zam restaurants, both are household names in Singapore," the judge said, adding that their rivalry has spanned almost 100 years.

"This is not surprising as murtabak is a very popular and tasty food item eaten at all times of the day and night in Singapore."



The judge said it was unfortunate that the feud had erupted over a failed business venture, and the two restaurants began engaging in the "persistent touting of patrons".

This resulted in more tensions between the management and staff at both restaurants.

The prosecution had said the enmity between Zackeer and the victim was deep-rooted and transcended the business rivalry between the two restaurants.

It dated back to 2005, when both men were business partners. The business failed and Zackeer blamed the victim for being sued and "cheated" of SGD 80,000.

When the victim joined the rival Victory restaurant, he created problems for Zackeer's new business, pulling customers away and reporting his staff to authorities.

Things came to a head on August 22, 2015, when the police went to both restaurants and advised them to refrain from touting among patrons who would line up to pick-up pre-packaged food, some even by roadside in their cars on the North Bridge Road, a thorough fare.

Both parties will return to court for sentencing on April 13, according to the Channel report.

The penalties for voluntarily cause grievous hurt by a cutting instrument are life imprisonment, or up to 15 years' jail, with the possibility of caning and a fine.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Africa: Ward delimitation consultations head for Gauteng

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says South Africa will monitor pedantically developments around Coronavirus after confirming the first positive case of COVID-19. Briefing the media on Thursday afternoon following the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in the country, Mkhize said there is no need to panic as medical authorities... See more
A novel class of antimalarial compounds that can effectively kill malaria parasites has been developed by Australian and US researchers.

In preclinical testing, the compounds were effective against different species of malaria parasites, including the deadly Plasmodium falciparum, and at multiple stages of the parasite lifecycle. The compounds target a previously unexplored parasite pathway and could overcome existing issues of parasite drug resistance, an ongoing and increasingly urgent problem.

The researchers hope that drugs based on these early compounds will soon enter phase 1 clinical trials.

The research, a collaboration between the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and global pharmaceutical company MSD, was published in Cell Host & Microbe.

Exciting new development

Professor Alan Cowman, an international malaria expert and deputy director at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, led the Australian research team, alongside MSD scientist and US team lead Dr David Olsen.

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"This is an exciting new class of antimalarial compounds that could fill a critical and widening gap in our efforts to control and eliminate malaria," Professor Cowman said.

"In preclinical testing, the lead compound WM382 inhibited growth of the malaria parasite in the host and prevented transmission back to the mosquito. These results indicate that this class of compounds is very promising as a potent new treatment for malaria. We hope that drugs based on these compounds will soon progress to human phase I clinical trials."

WM382 not only killed malaria parasites in the blood, it also killed parasites in the liver and prevented parasites in the blood being transmitted to mosquitoes, he said.

"This novel class of compounds has the potential to not only cure people with malaria, but also prevent transfer of the parasite to the mosquito and, consequently, halt further transmission of the disease. This is an exciting prospect, as current antimalarial drugs kill the malaria parasite in the blood but do not fully prevent transmission," Professor Cowman said.

An emerging crisis

A major problem with current antimalarial drugs is that malaria parasites evolve and develop resistance to the drugs over time.

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"Much like antibiotic resistance, malaria resistance is an emerging crisis," Professor Cowman said.

"Effective antimalarial drugs are not just critical for the infected individual, they are also critical for breaking the cycle of infection and an important way for us to reach our goal of eliminating malaria from highly endemic regions."

Once parasite resistance emerges, it can quickly spread through a region, or even globally. "In some areas, parasites are resistant to all three frontline malaria treatments. So novel drugs are urgently needed," he said.

In recent years, the focus of international efforts to develop new malaria drugs have centred on two criteria; they must target a novel process or pathway to avoid pre-existing resistance to current drugs; and they must be active at multiple stages of the parasite lifecycle.

Professor Cowman said WM382 successfully met both of these criteria.

"An exciting feature of WM382 is that it kills the malaria parasite in a very different way to current antimalarial drugs. In preclinical testing, malaria parasites that were resistant to the lethal effects of current antimalarial drugs were fully susceptible to WM382. It was also very difficult to induce resistance to this compound in malaria parasites in the lab. This is uncommon in drug discovery, and is a positive sign, as it suggests it will be harder for malaria parasites to acquire resistance in the field," Professor Cowman said.

Combatting malaria

More than 600,000 people -- predominantly pregnant women and children under the age of five -- die from malaria every year. According to the World Health Organization, one child in Africa continues to die from malaria every two minutes.

The malaria parasite has a complex lifecycle. Humans are infected by the bite of an infected mosquito. The parasites migrate to the liver to grow and divide undetected. It is then released into the blood, where it can be transmitted back to a mosquito and passed on to their next victim.

Professor Cowman said WM382 targeted two crucial enzymes in the malaria parasite, blocking their function and killing the parasite. "This compound has a two-pronged approach to disable the parasite, which helps explain its potency and effectiveness," Professor Cowman said. "It targets plasmepsin IX (PMIX) and plasmepsin X (PMX), two 'master regulators' that are critical for parasite survival. PMIX and PMX are involved in multiple stages of the parasite lifecycle and, because the compound hits both these targets, it is harder for parasites to develop resistance."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 6

By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:

Uzbekistan has become a member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Trend reports with reference to the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice.

Till now, the conference united 83 participants (82 states and the European Union), and after the accession of the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan the number grew to 85.

Membership will ensure the country's participation in the procedure of unification of the norms of international family and private laws, further development of the legal system taking into account world standards, and more effective protection of the rights and interests of citizens abroad, the report said.

Uzbekistan is already a party to three Hague conventions including the Convention on Civil Procedure (1954), the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961) and the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980).

Uzbekistan's membership in HCCH will entail a number of changes in national legislation that will facilitate international legal assistance and cooperation to assist migrants abroad. International civil law disputes will be resolved faster and more efficiently, the message said.

In addition, the country expects that this will allow Uzbekistan to reflect national interests in future international documents that will have a positive impact on national legislation and law enforcement practice.

In 2018, a Fund with a budget of $26 million to support migrant workers and an external labor migration agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations were established to assist the Uzbek citizens working abroad.

Furthermore, in 2019, a department for the protection of rights and support for Uzbek citizens working temporarily abroad and national commission on foreign labor migration were set up.
Patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus wait to be transferred from Wuhan No.5 Hospital to Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built hospital for the COVID-19 coronavirus patients in Wuhan, China on March 3, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Patient Dies of Coronavirus After Initial Recovery and Discharge From Hospital

Makeshift hospitals in the central Chinese city of Wuhan have stopped discharging patients, after one suddenly died of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, upon being released.

Set up in more than a dozen stadiums, school gyms, and exhibition centers across the citywhere the outbreak first emerged in ChinaWuhan authorities have designated makeshift hospitals to treat patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Some patients have reported limited medical treatment and unsanitary conditions at such facilities.

Meanwhile, hospitals across China have found that some people who recovered from the virus later relapse.

Song Tie, deputy director of the Guangdong province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Feb. 25 press conference that within the southern Chinese province, 14 percent of coronavirus patients who were discharged from hospitals later relapsed. The relapsed patients can spread the virus to others, Song added.

Sudden Death

The case of Li Liang raised the alarm.

He died on March 2 at the age of 36. He lived in Qiaokou district of Wuhan.

Lis wife Mei shared with local media Lis death certificate released by the citys health commission. His cause of death was marked as COVID-19, which caused respiratory failure, blocked airways, and sudden death.

Mei also explained to Chinese media The Paper how Li became infected.

Li received a CT scan on Feb. 4, in which his doctor found that both his lungs had inflammation and suspected that he was infected with the novel coronavirus.

After being diagnosed with the virus by a diagnostic kit, Li was admitted to the Hanyang makeshift hospital on Feb. 12. By Feb. 23, another CT scan showed that the majority of his lungs were damaged by the virus.

But after 13 days of treatment, his body temperature became normal for more than three days, while diagnostic testing came back negative for the virus for two consecutive days. The hospital thus discharged him on Feb. 26, according to a note from the facility that Mei shared with local media.

After his release, Li was sent to a quarantine center at the Vienna Hotel located at Hanxi San Road in Qiaokou district. As per new regulations by Wuhan authorities, all discharged patients are required to be placed at quarantine centers for medical observation and isolation for 14 days. If they are deemed to have fully recovered at the end of 14 days, they may be released home.

Mei said Li told her via phone calls that he started to feel thirsty and stomach flatulence beginning on Feb. 28.

On the morning of March 2, Li said he was very weak and couldnt stand. He claimed that he was not hungry, although he didnt eat the whole day. Mei was worried about Li, but she wasnt allowed to enter the quarantine center.

After roughly 10 a.m., Mei called Li again, and had the chance to speak with a doctor who worked at the quarantine center. The doctor told Mei that its possible Li was feeling too stressed.

In the afternoon, Li was sent to a nearby hospital and died there at 5:08 p.m.

Hospitals Actions

On March 5, several Chinese media outlets, including Jiemian, reported that makeshift hospitals in Wuhan have stopped releasing patients.

Jiemian quoted a person in charge of the Guobo makeshift hospital in Hanyang district, who said it was a decision made by the newly setup command center in Wuhan to combat the outbreak.

The Guobo manager said that medical staff will release patients only if they meet the following four criteria: their body temperatures have been normal for seven days; two diagnostic kits show negative results; CT scans show the lungs condition are improved; and the blood oxygen saturation levels must be 95 percent or higher.

The Paper also reposted a report originally published by an online website run by the Fujian provincial government, Dongnan Net.

The report cited an urgent notice issued by the Jiangan makeshift hospital on March 4: Recently, there are many relapsed patients who were later treated at hospitals again. To reduce relapses and reach the goal of Zero Relapse, our hospital has decided to monitor the virus antibody Ig-M and Ig-G for all patients who will be released.

The hospital will only release patients with negative Ig-M and Ig-G levels, the report quoted a person in charge of the Jiangan hospital as saying.

The virus antibodies Ig-M and Ig-G were first mentioned by Zhong Nanshan, Chinas top Chinese virology expert, at a Feb. 27 press conference. Zhong said: Testing positive for the virus antibody Ig-M means the patient was recently infected. Testing positive for the virus antibody Ig-G means the patient has been infected for a longer time.
New Delhi: The world reels from the new coronavirus threat and India is not an exception. The deadly disease, officially termed COVID-19 by the WHO, has now killed more than 3,300 people worldwide and infected more than 90,000. Alarmingly, it has also reached India with 30 positive cases  the majority reside in Delhi; a group of Italian tourists who had recently travelled to Rajasthan and a Paytm employee with travel history to Italy.

As the virus spread causes concern among the public, CNN-News18 spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on how well-prepared the city is, to tackle this threat. Excerpts from the interview:

How well-prepared is the state government to tackle this crisis? Especially since it is India's capital and has a lot of influx of migrant population from abroad as well as the country.

In Delhi all preparations have been made. For now there are only two patients in the city, who are from Delhi itself. (Since this interview, one more Delhi resident has tested positive for coronavirus.) The Delhi government has deployed its staff at the airport, screening every traveller who is coming from abroad. Earlier, we were scanning only travellers from four countries but now everyone is being scanned. If we find any coronavirus symptoms in them, we check and isolate them for further testing and observation.

Is Delhi government staff carrying out the checking proceedure?

We are working in collaboration with the Central government but we have deployed our staff, as well.

The thermal checking that is being conducted, is it absolutely effective?

Checking is checking. Thermal scanning lets us know whether a person has a symptom like fever, if they don't, they are clear and can pass. This is why it is effective. Apart from this we have made arrangements in Delhi hospitals. Apart from the two nodal hospitals; Safdarjung and RML, the Delhi government  with its 19 government hospitals and 6 private hospitals  have arranged 230 isolation beds. If need comes, people can be admitted there. Till now, no patient has been admitted under us.

Training of doctors and staff is ongoing. The Delhi government has hospital-owned masks and medicines. We are prepared for a crisis. But I want to specify that coronavirus patients do not get any specific treatment; only symptoms can be treated. However, there is no need to panic, as nothing as of yet has happened to maximum people with the disease; it takes time but they get better.

You said that masks, protective gear and sanitisers are available with you in the hospitals but there has been a shortage of the same in markets, as people have also complained.

The primary solution is to wash your hands again and again with soap and water. Don't touch your mouth, eyes and nose with unclean hands. Suppose droplets from an infected person's land on a table's surface, the virus survive for sometime  4 to 6 days  and if you touch it, you will get it on your hands.

However, even if you get the virus on your hands, it won't enter your body as there are only three ways it can get inside someone  their mouth, eyes and nose. If someone cannot wash their hands at a certain moment, then hand-sanitisers come into play. That's why sanitisers are not the primary solution. Many think that only sanitisers kill the virus, but soap and water also do the trick.

Is the government taking any steps to prevent the hoarding of sanitisers from medical shops and stores?

It's matter of two to three days. Suppose the old stock gets over tomorrow or day after tomorrow, then after two to three days there will be flood of new stock in the market. What's a sanitiser? It's alcohol mixed with water and packed for sale.

Are you assuring us that there will be no shortage of sanitisers in the market?

No, there will be no shortage and even if that happens, soap and water is aplenty. Hand-sanitisers are mainly required by health personnel, general people do not need to rely on them so much. If you are not a regular user of hand-sanitisers, then you don't need to start now. I was watching one news channel yesterday, where one person was shown as having purchased a 100 hand sanitisers. If suppose you need only two, what's the need of buying a 100?

Such actions create unnecessary panic and I would suggest people to stick to soap and water. The person who got sick; we checked all the 88 people who came in contact with him. We have told them to stay at home and have started treatment and checking for them. If you do fall sick, try not to come in contact with other people.

Greet people with 'Namaste' and avoid shaking hands. Avoid large gatherings, as well. Maintain distance from sick people; if they sneeze and you are close then the droplets can infect you. Such simple hygiene measures are taught to children from the starting.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said two more testing labs would get ready. What's the update on that, how many labs does Delhi have for testing, till now?

In Delhi right now three labs are working  NCDC, AIIMS and Lady Hardinge. We are working on the fourth one. There is no work load as of now, the labs are working as per capacity. Doctors are deciding who needs to get tested. Just because you have a light cough and cold, doesn't mean you'll have to get tested.

Just try to avoid close contact with people. The virus is not indigenous, it is coming from outside. Avoid foreign travel and participating in mass gatherings. Follow these precautions for another one to two weeks. In about one-and-a-half months only two Delhi residents have tested positive, so the threat should pass soon.

You said the second patient came into close contact with 88 people and it is a difficult task to trace those people and check them for clearance. How is Delhi government doing this? What is the mechanism and protocol it follows?

The Delhi government talks to the patient and asks them about who all they have met. After that, teams are sent to these people and discussions are carried out with them. As you mentioned, it is difficult but we are doing it. If we let these people free, then a lot many might get infected.

We have sealed the hotel rooms/rooms where these people stayed at, and they will only be opened after thorough disinfection. We are focused on limiting the virus' spread, because no particular treatment has been assigned to it yet.

It's being highlighted on social media that homeopathy works as treatment. Is this true?

One should do things that are good for their health and immunity; take good food, exercise and drink water. Immunity is important as nothing happens to 90 per cent of the people even after getting infected. Do what you think is good for maintaining your immunity as there is no specific treatment for coronavirus till now.
City sacks firefighter charged with setting roadside fires in Polk County

Timothy Wayne Stewart

A Hendersonville firefighter charged with setting roadside fires in Polk County has been fired from the city department, Fire Chief James Miller said in a statement Thursday night.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that it had filed nine misdemeanor charges against Timothy Wayne Stewart, 33, of Columbus, after a joint investigation involving the county fire marshal and the N.C. Forest Service. Hours later, Miller, who had just been sworn in as Hendersonville's new fire chief, released a statement saying Stewart had been discharged.

"The alleged actions of Mr. Stewart are unacceptable and do not align with the mission of the Hendersonville Fire Department," Miller said. "We have cooperated with the Polk County Sheriffs Office and other agencies during their investigation. Upon notification of the charges facing Mr. Stewart, we acted efficiently, and his termination from our department became effective on March 5, 2020."

Stewart, who was also a former Mill Spring volunteer firefighter and had been a paid firefighter with the Columbus Fire Department, is charged with setting fire to woods/lands/fields.
A federal judge last week threw out a lawsuit filed by a woman wishing to discuss the public records settlement she reached the state.

The judge found that the law she was contesting, one that stops the disclosure of settlement documents for 180 days, did not prohibit her from discussing the contents of those documents. The judge also pointed out that the District Attorneys Office had no plans to prosecute anyone for violations of the statute in question. He said the issue was moot.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed into law a proposal that does away with the confidentiality period and allows the immediate release of state settlements.

We disagreed with the way the judge viewed the case, however we achieved our overall goal which was to put pressure on the state to get this law changed, said Ken Stalter, the plaintiffs attorney.

Months ago, the state settled a public records lawsuit with the plaintiff, Shani Madden, triggering the automatic confidentiality period. Her federal lawsuit was an attempt to have the law thrown out.
In an attempt to curb misinformation, Apple is cracking down on apps related to Coronavirus or COVID-19. From here on, Apple will only take apps from developers who are backed by hospitals or government organisations. The message has been reportedly conveyed to iOS developers by Apple.

"Apps with information about current medical information need to be submitted by a recognized institution", one of the developers who has been told about the new Apple guidelines told CNBC.

Google is also cracking down on apps related to Coronavirus in its Play Store. Searching for apps using term "Coronavirus" on Google Play Store returns zero app results. Google has done this to shield Android users from misinformation as well as scammers who may use the opportunity to swindle people.

This move by the tech giants come after reports of rampant misinformation related to Coronavirus on social media. The misinformation not only helps scammers but may also lead to panic.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier in a statement emphasised saying that he was focussed on making sure everyone could access credible and accurate information. He stated that Facebook would remove content which gives importance to conspiracy theories.

We're also focused on stopping hoaxes and harmful misinformation. It's important that everyone has a place to share their experiences and talk about the outbreak, but as our community standards make clear, it's not okay to share something that puts people in danger,'' Zuckerberg said. So we're removing false claims and conspiracy theories that have been flagged by leading global health organisations. We're also blocking people from running ads that try to exploit the situation, for example, claiming that their product can cure the disease

According to reports, Google too has banned ads for anti-Coronavirus products. Twitter, also, announced bans on Coronavirus misinformation. Amazon, too, is currently dealing sternly with misinformation.

While checking misinformation is one part, the move from tech giants also raises the question of fairness as far as app store restrictions are concerned. Google has a set of existing policies against apps that deny the existence of major tragic events, apps that lack reasonable sensitivity towards or apps that exploit a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death or other tragic events, or towards apps that appear to profit from a tragic event with no discernible benefit to the victims.

Earlier this week, Chinese messaging app, WeChat blocked all keywords relating to Coronavirus and COVID-19. However, this move seemed different compared to what Silicon Valley companies have done so far. The blacklisted keyword combinations on WeChat mainly revolve around discussions of Chinese responses to the endemic, government policies on curbing the outbreak and references to Li Wenliang.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 01:59:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday refuted a U.S. media report about a Chinese navy destroyer firing laser at a P-8A reconnaissance aircraft of the U.S. armed forces from the Philippine Sea.

Spokesman Ren Guoqiang said the U.S. media report did not accord with the reality, when responding to a query about the alleged incident.

On Feb. 17, when Chinese navy fleet formation was conducting routine exercises in the international waters, the American P-8A aircraft carried out long-period circling reconnaissance at low-altitude despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side, said Ren.

The Chinese warship's operation was safe and professional, which was also in line with relevant international laws and common practices, while the American aircraft's behavior was unfriendly in intention and unprofessional by operation, which severely threatened the safety of the vessels, aircraft and crew of both sides, he said.

China firmly opposes such act of the U.S. side and had lodged solemn representations to the U.S., Ren said.

"We demand that the U.S. side should immediately stop such provocative and dangerous acts, and cease making groundless accusations and smearing against China in order not to harm the overall relations between the two countries and armed forces," Ren stressed.
Rana Kapoor sent in judicial custody ; lawyer fears he may get COVID19

RBI defends Yes Bank moratorium, sets deadline of 30 days

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: Defending the timing of Yes Bank's moratorium, Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday assured swift resolution to the issues concerning the beleaguered lender.

"The resolution (to Yes Bank) will be done very swiftly, it will be done very fast. 30 days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see a very swift action from RBI," Das told reportters here.

The decision on Yes Bank was taken at a larger level, not only to deal with the problem in an individual entity, but also to maintain stability and resilience of the Indian financial and banking sector, he said.

Security enhanced at Yes Bank branches, ATMs

"Let me assure you that our banking sector continues to be sound and safe," Das said, adding that RBI was ready to effectively deal with the challenge ahead.

"We stand committed to maintaining stability of financial and banking sector," he said.

On the timing of the action on Yes Bank, he said there is always debate over RBI acting prematurely or taking too long to act.

"A market-led and bank-led resolution of the problem is always preferable. You have to give time to the bank management to take step and efforts. And the bank did take efforts. When we found that we cannot wait and should not wait any longer, we decided to intervene.

"I think the timing is appropriate. I can assure you that RBI will come out with a scheme very shortly," Das said.

Yes Bank was on Thursday placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

Your money safe: Nirmala Sithraman assures Yes Bank depositors

The bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

For the next month, Yes Bank will led by the RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, an ex-chief financial officer of SBI.

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Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 15:39 [IST]
BUDAPEST, Hungary - No entry, says Hungary. Not all at once, says Greece. Watch out, says Croatia: They might have the coronavirus.

This week, thousands of asylum-seekers sit at the intersection of a pair of fast-moving news stories  a spike in migration in Europe and uncertainty about the global spread of the new and sometimes deadly virus. They have found themselves trapped between two worlds, at the mercy of political machinations and governments that are telling them in no uncertain terms: We dont want you here.

The complex situation, which has commanded the attention of rights advocates across Europe and anti-immigration extremists on the ground in at least one nation, is a product of something that happens ever more frequently in todays globalized world: a collision of high-profile global events that places the powerless in a situation far beyond their control.

The current wave of migrants is not a threat only with the direct risk of terrorism. Most of the illegal migrants are arriving from territories like Iran, which is also a focal point of the coronavirus, said Istvan Hollik, the communications director of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz party.

We cannot put at risk the security of the Hungarian people, so we continue to say no to immigration and we protect the Hungarian borders, Hollik said in a video posted Wednesday on Facebook.

Worries about the potential spread of the new virus by migrants and refugees have also been mentioned as a risk factor by officials in Greece and Croatia. In varying degrees, they have identified migrants as security threats and  also in varying degrees  linked them directly to coronavirus fears.

Hungary has also suspended admitting asylum-seekers into a pair of transit zones on the Serbian border, where they file their asylum claims, because of the concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Officials said the indefinite suspension was done to protect Hungary and the 321 asylum-seekers already in the transit zones.

Four cases of the new virus have been identified in Hungary thus far  including a pair of Iranian students who recently visited their homeland.

Rights advocates in Hungary arent happy with the approach. They say the government decision to bar asylum-seekers from the border transit zones was part of a hate campaign demonizing refugees.

From the point of view of the epidemic risk, this is only an act to keep up appearances, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said in a statement. It noted that people applying for asylum at the transit zones have to wait in Serbia for extended periods, even years, before being allowed into the transit zones.

No coronavirus testing is carried on travellers arriving from Serbia at the border crossing a few hundreds yards from the transit zone at Roszke, the group said. As of midday Friday, Serbia had a single confirmed case of the new virus, a 43-year-old man who made several recent trips to Budapest.

Since asylum applications in Hungary can only be made in the transit zones, preventing migrants from entering the complexes built from shipping containers amounts to the total denial of access to the asylum procedure, the group said.

In Greece last week, before a migrant crisis on the border with Turkey began, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he planned to step up border security in light of the new virus. He told a cabinet meeting that his approach was informed by the presence of migrants from Afghanistan and particularly Iran, where many cases have been reported. He also outlined plans to build new migrant detention centres on Greeces eastern islands to replace existing ones that are overcrowded and squalid.

Our islands, which already face public health problems, must be doubly protected, Mitsotakis said. To put it simply, we must do whatever we can to prevent the coronavirus appearing  especially (on the islands).

Iranians make up less than 3% of migrant arrivals in Greece, with Afghans accounting for one in two.

In Croatia, Health Minister Vili Beros said the migrants represent a potential risk of spreading the coronavirus, adding that the European Union will find a solution for the problem. So far, Croatia has recorded 10 confirmed cases.

And in Serbia, theres also growing anti-migrant sentiment amid the coronavirus spread and the potential of another wave of migrants coming north from Greece. Extremists have organized evening foot patrols in the capital city, Belgrade, threatening migrants, telling them how to behave, where to go and not to touch Serbian women.

Serbias populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, has pledged that he will not allow his country, considered only a transit area for the migrants attempting to reach the EU, to become a parking lot for migrants. Far-right parties have even suggested that some 6,000 migrants currently in the Balkan country be kicked out.

On Friday, Serbia recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, and the government ordered the health ministry to establish a quarantine for migrants.

The government of ethnically divided Cyprus last week shut four of nine crossing points along a U.N. controlled buffer zone, saying it wanted to better check for potential carriers of the coronavirus traversing from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north to the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.

Cyprus is beset by its own migrant issues. It says it can no longer cope with a stream of migrants who enter the island mainly from the north to seek asylum in the south. The Cypriot government accuses Turkey of channeling migrants to the south to purposely alter the countrys demographic character.

Cypriot government officials insist the crossing point closings have nothing to do either with the migration issue or the complex politics of the island nations ethnic divide. The 120 mile-long buffer zone is notoriously porous and many migrants cross southward from unguarded areas. They said the measure is a temporary one enacted solely to protect from the possible spread of the virus.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades dismissed criticism of the closures as unjustified, saying the government is obligated to protect all Cypriot citizens.

Hungarian officials have also noted the rising number of migrants caught at their borders in recent months. The governments stringent anti-immigration policies led to the construction in 2015 of fences protected with razor wire on the southern border with Serbia. In 2015, over 400,000 migrants passed through Hungary before the fences were erected.

Orban began expressing increasingly anti-immigration views in early 2015. His 2018 re-election campaign  which saw his Fidesz party win its third consecutive two-thirds majority in parliament  was based on his opposition to immigration, especially by Muslims, whose arrival in large numbers he said would end Europes Christian culture.

Since the 2015 migrant crisis, Hungary has taken repeated measures to reduce the number of asylum-seekers received in the country. Speaking last month in Rome, Orban noted that there is not a single Muslim migrant in Hungary.

___

Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Greece, Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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For more coverage, please visit: https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak
A Vietnamese ethnic minority Montagnard jailed for almost 16 years for demanding land rights and religious freedom has completed his prison term and returned home in failing health, the Central Highlands resident said, speaking to RFA on Thursday.



Y Ngun Knul was sentenced in in 2004 in Vietnams Dak Lak province to an 18-year term, later reduced, for launching protests calling for a Protestant church shut down by authorities to be reopened and for the members of his community to be allowed to live according to their traditions.



As those rights were being taken away, people were becoming upset, and so I called on everyone to take part in the protests. As a result, I was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison, Knul said, speaking to RFAs Vietnamese Service.



Held at Nam Ha and Thanh Chuong prisons in faraway Nghe An province, Knul was visited by his family only four times during his time behind bars, he said.



His family meanwhile lost their house and land. And now, suffering from poor health because of his time in prison, he is unsure about his future, he said.



I have kidney failure and high blood pressure and had a gastrointestinal hemorrhage, he said, adding, Now I can eat only bowl of rice per day because I have stomach problems that make it hard for me to breathe.



My foot is swelling, too, making it hard for me to move.



I would like to go to a hospital for treatment, but I have no money now, he said.



Many die after release



Also speaking to RFA, Nguyen Van Haia U.S.-based blogger held for a time with Knul at the Thanh Chuong prisonsaid that prisoners from Vietnams Central Highlands see their families only rarely, and that many who suffer ill health in prison live for only a few weeks after their release.



Knul himself was beaten by guards, who kicked him in the stomach, and his body bore many scars, Nguyen said.



Writing on her Facebook page on Feb. 28, Nguyen Thi Kim Thanhwife of jailed journalist Truong Minh Duc, also held at Thanh Chuongappealed for financial support for Knul and his wife and children, saying the family is now homeless and has been abused by local authorities.



During the Vietnam War, the Montagnards fought alongside U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam's remote Central Highlands.



Hundreds have fled their country in recent years and crossed the border into Cambodia, citing oppression by the Vietnamese government, religious persecution of the mainly Christian minority, and expropriation of their land.



Many have since been forced home, ending their hopes for resettlement and a better life.



In the lead-up to a European Union-Vietnam human rights dialogue held in February, Human Rights Watch called for EU attention to the plight of the Montagnards, describing them as subject to "constant surveillance and other forms of intimidation, public criticism, arbitrary arrest, and mistreatment in security force custody."



"In detention, the authorities question them about their religious and political activities and any efforts to flee Vietnam," HRW said.



Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Huynh Le. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has been accused of hypocrisy for supporting her friend who slapped his wife despite her opposition to violence against women.

Ms Hanson-Young's friend pleaded guilty to pushing his wife onto the sofa and hitting her 'with an open hand on the left side of the face' during a drunken argument on 23 December.

But after Ms Hanson-Young gave him a glowing character reference on Thursday, the man was let off with a good behaviour order and no conviction.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young (pictured) has been accused of hypocrisy for supporting her friend who slapped his wife despite her opposition to violence against women

The 38-year-old senator, who has long campaigned against violence against women, has been accused of hypocrisy by voters and women's campaigners.

Twitter user Alan Green wrote: 'How could Sarah Hanson-Young not hear the Giant Hypocrisy Alarm Bells going off?'

Another added sarcastically: 'Domestic violence is wrong. Except if your friend is a Greens senator.'

In a statement on Friday, the senator stood by her character reference.

She said: 'I was shocked and appalled by the man's behaviour. He was right to own up to it and plead guilty.

'I was asked to give a character reference with the support of both parties to help the family move on with their lives.

'I stand by my reference that his criminal conduct  which he admitted  is inconsistent with his good character.

Ms Hanson-Young's friend pleaded guilty to pushing his wife onto the sofa. Pictured: Ms Hanson-Young

'I do not and have never condoned or excused domestic violence, any suggestion otherwise is absurd. In the interest of the family concerned and their privacy, I don't intend to make any further comments.'

In her character statement, Ms Hanson-Young told the court in Canberra: 'I do not know the precise details of the incident, but I can confirm I have never seen, nor heard of, any behaviour by [him] that is remotely violent or otherwise aggressive,' she told the court.

'[He] is now back loving in the family home and things are going well, he has told me. I understand that he [and his partner] have reconciled but I do not know any details.

'Obviously [he] has told me that he has no intention of reoffending in the future, and given of what I know of his character, I am confident that no re-offense will occur.

'As someone who works in politics, I understand what reputation means in public life. In my view, a criminal conviction would have a severe and unwarranted impact on his reputation and consequently on his work.'

Ms Hanson-Young, 38, became a South Australian senator in 2007 aged 25 and has been a vocal campaigner for women's rights and anti-violence.
SAN DIEGOThe conventional thinking has long been that the San Diego region faces less danger from a devastating earthquake than the Los Angeles or San Francisco areas.

But a new landmark study shows just how a fault running through the heart of San Diego poses a much more serious threat than believed a generation ago.

Researchers examined the effects of the Rose Canyon fault producing a plausible magnitude 6.9 earthquake, threatening the civic and financial centre of Californias second-largest city and the countrys fourth-biggest naval base, causing liquefaction and landslides.

Such a quake could damage 120,000 of San Diego Countys 700,000 structures and cause $38 billion (U.S.) in economic losses from just building and infrastructure damage and $5.2 billion in lost income from business interruptions, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institutes San Diego chapter on the first day of the National Earthquake Conference at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.

San Diego could be disrupted for years. Yet most people in San Diego either know nothing about the Rose Canyon fault or think its still not active, even though it has been 30 years since experts confirmed it was not dormant, said California Seismic Safety Commissioner Jorge Meneses, president of the institutes local chapter and a geotechnical engineer.

This type of mentality needs to change, said Meneses, whose organization has been working on the report for five years. We have a seismic source here, running through downtown.

Particularly troubling are the many decades the San Diego area was built to lower seismic standards than the ones applied to Los Angeles or San Francisco, based on the belief that San Diego had a lower seismic risk.

It was only after the discovery of the Rose Canyon faults activity that the minimum building codes for this region were raised to Seismic Zone 4, the highest level, and the same as that of Los Angeles and San Francisco, said Heidi Tremayne, executive director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, a non-profit based in Oakland.

Many older, more seismically vulnerable buildings constructed before modern seismic design provisions were in place, including several key City of San Diego facilities, may be severely damaged, with multiple older buildings potentially suffering partial to total collapse, the report said. It did not specify which buildings.

There could be many deaths, as the San Diego region has relatively weak local laws requiring retrofits of vulnerable buildings compared to cities like Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The San Diego region is estimated to have thousands of apartment buildings with flimsy ground floors, hundreds of potential brittle concrete buildings that can be particularly deadly if they collapse and scores of possibly vulnerable steel-frame office and hotel buildings.

None of those buildings described above are required to be retrofitted in the city. And for another particularly deadly class of buildings, old brick buildings, San Diego only required limited partial retrofits, according to the report.

The authors expressed great concern that the collapse or damage of these old brick buildings  which have been ordered retrofitted or demolished in other cities like L.A.  would dramatically worsen emergency response. Several hundred of them are believed to remain in places like downtown San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Oceanside and unincorporated areas of the county.

Many of San Diegos civic institutions may end up being crippled, including police and fire stations and city offices, as first responders are called to perhaps hundreds of fires. The researchers estimate that nearly half of county schools and hospitals would be running at partial capacity for days.

Military facilities around San Diego Bay would suffer from severe ground shaking and liquefaction. And a large share of San Diegos housing would be damaged, worsening the affordability crisis.

And with land on the western side of the fault lurching to the northwest relative to the eastern side, many pipelines, cables, bridges and railroads could be severed or otherwise disrupted. Water, wastewater and gas lines serving west of the fault, from La Jolla through Coronado, may be cut off for months after the quake. Coronado firefighters could find themselves without functioning water pumps to fight fires.

San Diego International Airport could find itself hamstrung as land underneath it acts like quicksand when shaken, damaging the runway, taxiways and buildings. A western section of the fault passes directly under the runway, and a quake would render it temporarily inoperative.

Gas line breaks and a loss of water pressure would make firefighting even more difficult.

And while the Coronado Bay Bridge has been retrofitted to withstand collapse, the experts said they expect land on one side of the fault to lurch up to about a metre from the other side. Damage could render the bridge unusable for weeks, months or possibly years.

For decades, there had been no scientific work that had been done demonstrating the Rose Canyon fault was active. Then, in 1985, the first hint appeared during an excavation at Broadway and 14th Street, where a section of active fault was discovered, said Tom Rockwell, professor of geology at San Diego State.

The big discovery came in 1990, when trenches were dug across the fault in Rose Canyon. It showed the land on the western side of the fault had lurched to the northwest almost 10 metres over various earthquakes in the past 8,000 years, convincing evidence that the fault was alive, Rockwell said.

Today, its believed the Rose Canyon fault ruptures in a big earthquake of something approaching a magnitude 7 on average about every 700 years  give or take 400 years or so. The last such major quake is believed to happened between 1700 and 1750, Rockwell said, before the Spanish founded their first California mission in San Diego in 1769.

Between those big quakes, quakes in the range of magnitude 6 can strike. Such a quake ruptured on the fault right through Old Town in 1862, causing what the Los Angeles Star declared the Day of Terror in San Diego, Rockwell said.

Today, its known that the Rose Canyon fault is actually the southern continuation of the Newport-Inglewood fault, which caused southern Californias deadliest earthquake on record, the magnitude 6.4 Long Beach earthquake of 1933 that killed 120 people.

(Its possible the Newport-Inglewood/Rose Canyon fault system could rupture in the same earthquake, from the Westside of L.A. through Long Beach to San Diego. The energy released from that quake would be rated magnitude 7.4.)

Without a major change in San Diegos psyche about earthquakes, the city could end up facing the fate of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Many people in Christchurch also thought of themselves as relatively safe from earthquakes, as the city was also quite a distance from the South Alpine fault, the South Islands version of the San Andreas fault.

So when a magnitude 6.3 quake ruptured under the city in 2011, the damage was catastrophic: the central business district downtown was left in ruins and 185 people died, mostly from the collapse of unretrofitted brick buildings and two brittle concrete buildings.

Having spent a decade working down there and knowing how people felt about the risk before and now, this is still such a shock to them, said Laurie Johnson, the president of the research institute and an urban planner.

San Diego can avoid this future if theres a concerted regional effort to retrofit vulnerable buildings and infrastructure before such a quake hits. The authors recommend a committee of government officials, earthquake experts, utilities and others to identify county seismic hazards and suggest actions.

Without that advanced mitigation work, we are worried it could jeopardize the economic vibrancy of the region, Tremayne said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein attend day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England on June 17, 2014. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)

Dubai Ruler Abducted Daughters and Threatened Ex-wife, UK Court Finds

The billionaire ruler of Dubai arranged the kidnapping of two of his adult daughters and forcibly returned them to the Gulf state after they attempted to flee abroad, a UK court has found.

In a case described by the judge as extraordinary, the family division of the High Court in London also found that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his former wife, Jordanian Princess Haya bint al-Hussein.

The court determined that the sheikh organized abductions of his two daughters on three occasionsincluding one from the historic UK city of Cambridge and another in international waters off the coast of India.

The findings were revealed after a series of hearings in London involving Princess Haya and can now be disclosed after reporting restrictions were lifted.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, the UK most senior family judge, established as fact that Sheika Shamsa, one of the sheikhs daughters by another wife, ran away from her family in the summer of 2000 while visiting the UK. She was later abducted and forced into a car in Cambridge by men working for her father, before being driven to property owned by the sheikh. There, she was put on helicopter to Deauville in France and then on a jet back to Dubai.

Another daughter, Sheika Latifa, had twice tried to escape her Emirati family but was forced back, once in 2002 from the border of Dubai with Oman, and in 2018 by an armed commando assault at sea in international waters near the coast of India, the judge found.

Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein arrives with her lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton at the High Court in London, England, on Feb. 28, 2020. (Pete Summers/Getty Images)

With respect to both Shamsa and Latifa it is asserted that following their return to the custody of the fathers family they have been deprived of their liberty, the judgement says, finding the assertion to be true.

Sheikh Mohammedthe 70-year-old vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emiratessaid the courts assessment was a one-sided account.

This case concerns highly personal and private matters relating to our children. The appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected, he said in a statement issued by his representatives.

As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the courts fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a fact-finding judgment which inevitably tells only one side of the story. I ask that the media respect the privacy of our children and do not intrude into their lives in the UK.

The judgment said the sheikh, had he wished, was fully able to take part in the hearings and that his account did not contradict the evidence in regards to the abductions.

Indeed, his account confirms that he, together with Shamsas mother, decided to organize a search for her. The other evidence indicates that the operation to remove Shamsa from Cambridge and thence to Dubai was undertaken by those working for, or assisting the father and his staff, the judge noted.

In his ruling published Thursday, McFarlane also found that the sheikh conducted a sustained campaign of fear, intimidation and harassment of Princess Haya.

The court determined that the princess had begun an adulterous relationship with one of her male bodyguards, which was all part of a deteriorating relationship with the sheikh, who without her knowledge, divorced her under Sharia law in 2019.

The judge found that the princess received several threats, including a series of anonymous notes, left in her bedroom or elsewhere, making threats, for example: We will take your sonyour daughter is oursyour life is over, and warning her to be careful.

Believing she was unsafe, Princess Haya fled Dubai for London with her two children by the sheikh. The princess, who was the sheikhs sixth wife and is not the mother of the abducted daughters, brought the case to seek wardship for the two children, aged eight and 12, fearing they too would be kidnapped.

Giving testimony last year, she told the court: Its not just him Im worried about. Its the people around him, people that I know. I know how they operate. I have seen what has happened to their sisters and I cant face the fact that the same might happen to them.

In the early stages of the nine-month proceedings, the sheikh denied Princess Hayas allegations. Last October, he dropped his opposition to the wardship and attempted to prevent the fact-finding element of the case going ahead. But the judge ruled it should proceed anyway, and its findings can inform any future legal action.

Allegations of Torture

In 2018, Latifa recorded a video, uploaded to YouTube, in which she alleged her father had her imprisoned for over three years, during which she was tortured. I went in June 2002 and I came out in October 2005 It was constant torture, constant torture, even when they werent physically beating me up, they were torturing me, she alleged.

The judge said that he did not have enough evidence to allegations of torture as true, though he made clear he also did not have evidence to establish them as untrue.

In December 2018, Latifa was visited by the former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson. Latifa was seen in grainy photographs alongside Robinson, a former President of Ireland, who said later that Latifa was troubled and regretted her attempts to escape. Robinsons account was criticized by human rights activists.

Princess Haya, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the half-sister of the King of Jordan, is a well-known international figure. She is close friends with the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The princess, 45, studied politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University and is a keen equestrian, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

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NEW HAVEN  Northland Investment Corp. will pay $18.75 million to settle a class-action suit benefiting an estimated 1,000 former residents of the now-razed Church Street South housing project in the Hill neighborhood.

Attorney David Rosen, who represented an estimated 300 of the former tenants at the long-troubled complex, said payouts will range from $5,000 to $17,000 depending on how long a tenant was there between December 2013 and December 2016.

In addition, Northland will pay up to $200,000 for administrative fees and expenses for guardian ad litems for minors and disabled tenants. As a part of the $18.75 million, Rosens firm gets $2.850 million in attorneys fees and expenses for experts.

Both parties credited former Superior Court Judge Jonathan Silbert with helping them reach a compromise after he was called in as a mediator 15 months ago.

The hard-fought litigation originally was filed in December 2016 and could have gone on for many more years except for his intervention, Rosen and Henry Sullivan, the attorney for Northland, agreed in a press conference Thursday in Rosens office.

It was the first time that Rosen and Larry Gottesdiener, the chief executive and chairman of the board at Northland, had met in person.

Silbert, who retired as a Superior Court judge seven years ago, said it was a very difficult case. ... The variety of factual, legal and procedural hurdles for both sides were immense. He called it the greatest challenge he has had since he took on the role of mediator full time.

This was not a slam dunk for either party, the former two-decade judge said.

The agreement was filed in Superior Court Friday morning where Superior Court Judge Linda Lager will review it, with payouts to the clients likely to start at the end of summer.

Rent records show that there are 956 tenants from December 2013 through December 2016, 450 of whom were minors. While Northland bought the property in 2008 at the urging of then-Mayor John DeStefano Jr., the suit could not reach back further because of the statute of limitations.

Both Rosen and Gottesdiener said they were proud of the settlement.

Others who can prove they were tenants at that time will be added to the list.

Each tenant will get a baseline payment of $5,000, Rosen said. Those on the rent rolls would get an additional $3,000 for each year they lived at the complex during the agreed-upon time period.

Rosen calculated that if someone was there for more than a year-and-a-half, they are counted for two years, so they get $5,000, plus $6,000 which is a payment of $11,000. If they are there another year they get $5,000 plus $9,000, which is $14,000. Tenants there for another year get $5,000 plus $12,000, for a total of $17,000.

The total money for the class to be paid by Northland is $18,750,000. The base payments to tenants following the guidelines recited by Rosen is $13,250,000 of the $18,750,000. If the payouts dont exhaust that fund, the balance can be used for additional administrative costs.

Still part of the $18.75 million is a $2,650,000 pot which will be allocated to those suffering from alleged mold-related injuries. These additional payments will be decided by three local special masters to be hired by the court. Those tenants whose furniture was destroyed as the result of water and mold issues will also be eligible for payment from this portion of the settlement.

The settlement could be moot if 26 or more individuals opt out of the deal. Alternatively, Northland could keep the settlement, and receive a pro rata reimbursement from the funds for each opt-out over 25. Rosen said tenants who decided to file individual suits have not been successful.

Those who opt out get the chance to fight with a well educated, well funded and highly determined adversary, Rosen said. It really makes sense to take this agreement. The deadline to opt out is June 9.

Silbert said it took a lot of hard work and compromise by everyone involved. Silbert said both parties had comparable  equal but opposite arguments. In addition, Northland had a piece of property it wanted to develop, but couldnt because of the suit.

There was a lot to be gained by reaching this resolution, Silbert said. Trials are risks. ... There is a great benefit to certainty of an outcome. Before Silbert came in, it was unsupervised combat, Rosen said. Appropriately so, Sullivan added.

Gottesdiener said there might be different views on who caused this, who is at fault, is anybody at fault? But no one is arguing that these families suffered disruption and distress. That is indisputable and once it was clear there was an opportunity to fairly compensate them for that ... we really worked together to keep that at the forefront of our minds.

Sullivan said it was worth waiting for.

Sullivan said members of the class have to file claims to get the payout. They have the names of 956 former tenants. The notices will be sent out by April 15 and tenants have to file with the settlement administrator by early summer. The back-and-forth between the parties was cordial as they exchanged compliments.

Rosen said he was happy to obtain a measure of justice for his clients. We think we have taken a very good step to getting them relief we are convinced they fully deserve.

He said he was sure Northland entered into the agreement as part of a sober, rational business analysis, but that is not anything to be taken for granted. For a business person to allow a thoughtful analysis of what is best for his business and the people he is responsible for and what is best for a community that he wants to be a part of is not a small thing. We very much appreciate our choice of adversary in this case, because we could not have achieved what we consider to be a real measure of justice without our litigation adversaries and negotiating partners coming together with us for this agreement.

Gottesdiener said under the circumstances, that was the kindest thing you could possibly say and we really appreciate it.

Barbara Goren, Rosens legal partner and spouse, said without Silberts persistence, his wisdom, his patience and his guidance, without that I am not sure we would be where we are today.

Silbert said on the one hand the plaintiffs won significant monetary payments, plus other benefits for the former Church Street South tenants, while for both there was the certainty of an outcome rather than what looked like up to seven more years of litigation given appeals.

Two of the early plaintiffs in the case said Thursday they were grateful to Rosen, Goren and the team of paraprofessionals who saw them through the process from the time they left Church Street South until the settlement.

They both said they will use the money to help their children. Yomaly Rivera has five children ranging in age from 7 to 17; Rosa Rodriguez has four, most of whom are young adults now. They both concluded, however, that the money is not everything.

It is not going to cover what we went through. It is not. But it will definitely help us in the future, Rodriguez said

She said she will help her daughter, who at some point may use her culinary skills to open a pastry shop. She also mentioned a son who is advancing his manufacturing skills.

Rivera, who lived there for two years, said she was happy it (the suit) was coming to an end.

Asked to describe what she remembered in her apartment, There was a lot of mold. Every time it rained, it would be like water coming through the walls, Rivera said. She said her kids are asthmatic.

Rodriguez described similar problems that started with a leaking boiler. She said her 19-year-old daughter will be taking medication for the rest of her life because of the inside allergies she experiences. Rodriguez said she had to wash the sheets and curtains three times a week to make it more comfortable for her daughter.

Both women love the apartments they now rent using Section 8 vouchers. Rodriguez said the managers are awsome.

The former tenants get priority in applying for new units that Northland plans to build on the old site. Rivera said her kids dont want to go back to that part of the city, while Rodriguez said she would definitely consider moving to a newly built apartment. She said her children still have friends and cousins there.

Rivera works now at the Amazon warehouse in North Haven, while Rodriguez is the office manager/accountant at the Grove Street Cemetery. For 11 years before that, she was a department head at the Schick factory in Milford.

The suit charged that Northland allowed conditions at the Church Street South complex to become uninhabitable beyond repair after which it planned to raze it to build upscale housing in its place. Northland denied the company was operating under the guise of demolition by neglect, purposefully allowing it to deteriorate, although there always was a plan to replace the housing.

Part of the settlement is that no party makes any admissions and the settlement assigns no blame or liability to any party. They have pledged to not disparage each other.

That is only right, Rosen said. After you settle a lawsuit you dont badmouth the other people. ... We want to look forward.

Sullivan said the parties disagree on the facts, disagree on the law, but they have agreed on a solution. That is the story today. It is a solution. It is a good one. It is a good one for Davids clients, it is a good one for the community and it is good for Northland, Sullivan said.

The extent of the deterioration at Church Street South was highlighted in a series of actions by the New Haven Legal Assistance Association, who represented clients with asthma or who were living in apartments with mold and structural issues. The Building Official also stepped in requiring repairs or declaring the units unsafe.

This culminated in a thorough inspection by the U.S. Department of Urban Development in 2015 when it found that Northland had failed to provide decent, safe and sanitary conditions for the tenants, giving it a score of 20 out of 100 when it assessed the conditions at the complex.

After that, tenants, as part of the New Haven Legal Assistance Association complaints, were moved into hotels until the apartments could be fixed.

Northland soon agreed to turn over its HUD payments to other landlords. The complex started to empty out in 2015, but was not completely ready for demolition until May 2018.

The general plan now is to construct an estimated 1,000 apartments on the 13-acre desirable space across from the train station. Years ago, Northland promised to designate 30 percent as affordable, a plan that has been stalled by the suit, even as the company has been working with the city.

There is a funding gap in the $500 million replacement project, where most of the apartments will be market rate, as state money for affordable housing has dried up.

Northland estimated it paid millions in security deposits to the new landlords, as well as in hotel bills where tenants stayed after vacating their units before finding new apartments. Other costs involved storage fees and security at Church Street South as the number of tenants dwindled.

As part of the the settlement, Northland will return those security fees to the tenants, if they move from their new apartments in the future.

The mediation route was suggested by Lager, who has been overseeing the case in the complex litigation court in Waterbury.

There were a total of 200 court filings with the parties exchanging 400,000 pages of documents in addition to retaining multiple medical, and construction experts and producing extensive briefings and arguments in court on the topic of class certification, which was the heart of the case.

Rosen said he would not have settled if he thought he could have gotten more money out of Northland.

It is up to Lager to approve or reject the settlement, but both sides were confident it will be approved with multiple administrative steps to be taken in the next few months.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577
Mutual funds schemes holding bonds issued by Yes Bank are expected to mark them down and may create segregated portfolios in case rating agencies downgrade the rating of such instruments to below-investment-grade (BBB).

According to Value Research data, as of January 31, 2020, 31 schemes held bonds issued by Yes Bank, totally valued at Rs 2783 crore. Five schemes of Nippon India Asset Management Company (NIAMC) have Rs 1770 crore invested in the securities of Yes Bank.

In terms of exposure to Yes Bank at a scheme level, Baroda Treasury Advantage (26.87 per cent), Nippon India Strategic Debt (22.8 per cent) and IDBI Credit Risk (12.09 per cent) funds top the chart. These numbers are as per the month-end filing of mutual funds for January 2020. This may have changed if any fund house had sold its investments. For example, Mahindra AMC has confirmed that its Mahindra Credit Risk Yojana has no exposure to Yes Bank bonds as on February 28, 2020.

Marking down the exposure

The largest investor in Yes Bank bonds among mutual funds, NIAMC, has announced that it has marked down the value of investments in Yes Bank to zero. Put simply, the net asset values of the schemes of NIAMC holding Yes Bonds stand reduced to the extent of its exposure to the bonds. NIAMC has also restricted subscription to the schemes having exposure to Yes Bank bonds to Rs 2 lakh.

Segregated portfolios

Mutual fund houses also have the option to carve out the bond exposure to Yes Bank. The financial market regulator  Securities Exchange Board of India has allowed the fund houses to create segregated portfolios if the rating of a bond falls below the investment grade  BBB. As of now, there is no communication from rating agencies pertaining to the credit rating of Yes Bank, which currently stands at BBB. No AMC so far has segregated the portfolio. Nippon India AMC's spokesperson said, "While Yes Bank exposure has been marked down to zero, no segregation has been done. Segregation or side-pocketing is allowed only if SEBI-defined triggers take place."

If the credit rating is downgraded and fund houses choose to create segregated portfolios, then investors will be the allotted the same number of units of the segregated portfolios as they hold in base scheme. Both the units will have net asset values and the investors can transact in the units of base scheme. Though segregated portfolios are listed on the stock exchange, they seldom trade. Investors cannot sell them back to the AMC. Investors of the segregated portfolios are paid when the AMC recovers its dues from the issuer.

What should investors do?

There is little that you can do with your existing investments in the schemes holding Yes Bank bonds, as the damage has already taken place. Ashish Shanker, head  investment advisory, Motilal Oswal Private Wealth Management expects fund houses to announce side pockets (segregated portfolios) in the affected schemes. "As more clarity emerges on the resolution plan of Yes Bank, investors will get more clarity about the future of their troubled investments. For the time being, investors should hold on to their investments. After the segregated portfolios are created, investors can exit the units allotted in base scheme," Shanker adds.

Deepak Chhabria, founder and managing director of Axiom Financial Services says, The writing was on the wall for a long time when it comes to Yes Bank. Despite that the funds are seen holding on to its bonds. Mutual funds scored low on risk management in this case. Liquidity of these bonds has been low in the secondary market and the same needed to be factored in by the fund managers at the time of investments."

As the economy is slowing down and there is a lot of uncertainty in the global markets after the Corona Virus epidemic, mutual fund investors need to exercise caution. Chhabria advises steering clear of all credit-risk funds. He recommends investments in liquid , overnight and banking & PSU bond funds that invest in short-term papers, till the dust settles.

For fresh investments in bond funds, Shanker recommends sticking to high credit quality options such as banking and PSU and corporate bond funds, given the elevated risks in the financial markets.

If your MF account is linked to Yes Bank, change to a different bank while redeeming units. You can update details of a new bank account online by submitting a copy of a cheque. You also have the option of updating your new bank account details offline by filling a form.
The union environment and forest ministry has told a House panel that its efforts to check pollution will be affected because it has received 30% less funds than what it demanded in the annual budget. The ministry maintained that the paucity of funds is going to impact the activities under pollution control, especially taking up 20 more non-attainment cities in addition to the existing 102, under the National Clean Air Programme.

Last August, 20 more cities across eight states were added by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to its list of polluted cities that do not meet the national ambient air quality standard NAAQS. Dubbed as non-attainment cities, these places are the top priority for the Centre in controlling pollution.

The report of the parliamentary standing committee on Demand for Grants of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change revealed that the ministry wanted Rs 600 crore for Control of Pollution during 2020-21 but got Rs 460 crore. It was going to impact the activities under pollution control, especially taking up 20 more non-attainment cities in addition to the existing 102, under the National Clean Air Programme, it said.

The panel led by former environment minister Jairam Ramesh suggested that the Centre must give topmost priority to control air pollution and provide additional funds in the coming months. The allocation of additional funds would help support additional 22 non-attainment cities under Control of Pollution scheme. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry must be provided the requisite allocation as sought by the Ministry with respect to these two programmes at the RE stage.

Last year, in post-Diwali Delhi, pollution reached an alarming level. AQI touched 494 on November 3, the most hazardous level since 2016. A blanket of smog covered Delhi and people complained of breathlessness and burning sensation in their eyes before wind blew away pollutants, showing how the Capital was defenceless against unfavourable weather conditions that exacerbate the impact of local sources of pollution and farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.

Overall too, the ministry has received lower funds than its projected expenses for FY20-21. During a meeting between ministry officials and panel members on February 18, 2020, it was discussed that the ministry had projected a demand of Rs 4,295.44 crore for FY2020-21 but received an allocation of Rs 3,100 crore.

The committee asked the ministry about the bare minimum increase required in the budgetary allocations for the year 2020-21 to sustain its key programmes. In response, the ministry stated that they require at least Rs 600 crore additional funds to sustain its key programmes/schemes during the year, the report added.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also earmarked Rs 4400 crore to the urban development ministry for providing clean air in cities with above one million population in her budget. The panel said that since this fund is more than the entire annual budget of the environment ministry, the 46 Indian cities with above 1 million people should be kept out of the list of 102 non-attainment cities to help the environment ministry cope with the shortfall of funds

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OTTAWAOttawa and Ontario are shaking up their tourism strategies with revised plans to step up marketing to Canadian and U.S. visitors as the spread of the novel coronavirus dampens international travel.

The growing spread of the virus from China to Europe and now North America is prompting businesses to scrap corporate travel and tourists to cancel vacation plans, which could all prove costly for Canadas travel market.

Thats prompted Ottawa and Queens Park to rethink plans to woo visitors to avoid a sharp downturn in the busy summer travel season.

People are worried. Now we are in low season so the big question is whether we are able to save the summer season, said Melanie Joly, the federal minister of economic development and official languages, who has responsibility for tourism.

Joly said that marketing dollars earmarked for China could be diverted to domestic or U.S. ad campaigns. These are the things we are looking at, said Joly, who sits on the newly created cabinet committee to steer Ottawas response to the health and economic issues around COVID-19.

That was echoed by Lisa MacLeod, Ontarios minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries, who met with her deputy minister Thursday to revise Ontarios strategy to attract visitors.

We are starting to redirect away from China at the moment and directing into other areas, including domestic, MacLeod said in an interview.

She said that so far, the tourism market has not been hit like it was during the SARS health crisis in 2003, which she credits to the provincial and federal health response. There hasnt been the impact immediately that we saw in 2003 so I think thats great news, she said.

The two ministers spoke Thursday to discuss the potential fallout on the tourism market and possible contingency plans. We need to mitigate the economic impact and also plan for the recovery, Joly told the Star Thursday.

Both said that assurances by provincial and federal public health officials that the situation is in hand here in Canada could reassure tourists wary of travelling to other jurisdictions like Italy, which has 2,502 cases of novel coronavirus and 80 deaths.

I think there is a silver lining and I think there is opportunity and at the same time, I think we want to mitigate any risks, MacLeod said.

And for Canadians now rethinking plans to go abroad, they pitched domestic travel as an alternative. Canada is big and beautiful so this is an opportunity to travel the country, Joly said.

She cited the example of one B.C. resort owner who has seen an increase in visitors from Canada who cancelled trips to ski in Europe. That has made up for cancellations from abroad, she said. He has not seen a downturn in his ski season because of that phenomenon, Joly said.

People are taking their decisions on a risk assessment and one of the biggest risks in the tourism sector has always been the health risk.

People want to be feeling safe and sound and were the best country to offer that. So there is an opportunity

The disruption to global travel could break a string of record-breaking years for Canadas tourism industry. Canada saw 22.1 million international tourists in 2019, the sixth consecutive year of growth in visitors from the U.S. and overseas, according to Statistics Canada.

U.S. visitors made up the majority of those visitors  15 million  and tourism marketers are hoping to boost that number higher this year to compensate for a potential loss of tourists from overseas countries, which totalled 7.1 million.

The Chinese market is certain to have been hit hard. The initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Hubei province forced travel restrictions and flight cancellations.

But diplomatic tensions between Canada and China in recent years could be behind a decline in visitors down almost 10 per cent in 2019 to 571,000 trips, according to Statistics Canada.

The dropping demand for travel is taking a toll on the airline industry as carriers cancel flights and in some cases, ground aircraft.

Global passenger traffic was up 2.4 per cent in January, the lowest monthly increase in almost a decade and experts fear worse news to come given that major travel restrictions in China didnt kick in until near the end of the month.

January was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the traffic impacts we are seeing owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, Alexandre de Juniac, the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, said in a statement.

The organization has predicted that revenue losses for passenger carriers could range between $63 billion U.S. and $113 billion U.S., depending on the spread of the virus.

Air Canada has suspended direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai until at least April 10. Spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said Thursday that the airline is monitoring the situation but has made no further additional schedule changes. In 2018, international passengers made up 48 per cent of the airlines revenue.

WestJet has so far experienced only limited impacts on operations and bookings, spokesperson Morgan Bell said.

We have seen isolated cancellations on certain flights, which has had limited impact on our overall guest loads at this time. At this point we have not made any changes to planned flight schedules, but continue to monitor the situation, she said.

Read more about:
Here are the latest updates and maps of where the virus has spread.

Some recent developments:

Test results could be released today for some of those aboard a cruise ship that has been held off San Francisco, after two former passengers were found to be infected.

Hubei, the Chinese province at the center of the outbreak, reported today that it had no new infections outside its capital, Wuhan. The news is a milestone in the Chinese governments campaign to combat the epidemic.

The number of confirmed cases in New York has doubled to 22, and more than 2,700 people are isolated at home.

Some health care workers in California and Washington State say they lack the protective gear and protocols to keep themselves and their patients safe.

In Japan, public anger is mounting over Prime Minister Shinzo Abes clumsy response to the outbreak.

A mathematician who studies the spread of disease explained some coronavirus figures.

Related: Dont touch your face has become a common piece of advice, but its not an easy habit to break. Keeping tissues handy and keeping your hands busy are among the tricks to help you stop.

Read more about symptoms and the prospects for vaccines and treatments. For an informed guide to the outbreak, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

The economic toll of the coronavirus

Just as the disease poses a particular threat to older patients, it could be especially dangerous for more mature economies, writes Austan Goolsbee, an economics professor and a former adviser to President Barack Obama.

Thats because economies like the U.S. are dominated by face-to-face service industries, which are damaged when people stay home.
Reserve Bank of India has announced a reconstruction scheme for YES Bank; SBI has agreed to help the beleaguered private lender. Public shareholders of YES Bank have lost Rs 9,691 crore since December after RBI took control of private sector lender. Tata Motors said the outbreak of coronavirus and the resultant shutdown of various parts of China has led to a steep 85 per cent fall in sales of its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover in February. Read for more top stories from the world of business and economy:

1. RBI announces restructuring of Yes Bank; SBI likely to hold 49% stake

Yes Bank crisis: RBI said that the investor bank or SBI will invest in the equity of Yes Bank to the extent that it holds 49 per cent shareholding post the infusion.

2. Yes Bank crisis: 'I have no clue, have not been involved for 13 months,' says Rana Kapoor

Under Kapoor's watch, YES Bank rose from scratch to an asset book worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore in just a decade.

3. Public shareholders lose Rs 9,691 crore amid RBI action on YES Bank

Public shareholders incurred a loss of Rs 9,691 crore today after YES Bank stock price fell to its intra day low of Rs 5.5 on BSE.

4. Vodafone CEO Nick Read meets FM Sitharaman amid AGR crisis

Vodafone Group CEO Nick Reed met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of AGR hearing in Supreme Court on March 17.

5. Coronavirus fallout: Tata Motors' JLR hit by 85% sales dip in China

China accounts for almost a quarter of JLR's global sales, which in turn accounts for almost 73 per cent of Tata Motor's annual turnover of around $41 billion.
India is in discussions with Iran for evacuation of Indians, while a ferry flight will soon reach the national capital from Tehran with around 300 swab samples of Indians suspected of having coronavirus infection.

IMAGE: Passengers wearing protective face masks arrive from Iran, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, at Najaf airport in Iraq. Photograph: Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters

The flight is expected to land in the national capital on Friday, according to officials.

The flight, to be operated by Iran's Mahan Air, would not have any passengers and Iranians in India would be taken back in the return flight.

There are around 2,000 Indians in Iran, one of the countries which has been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

A similar number of Indians are also there in the Persian Gulf country.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola on Friday said the first flight from Iran would be carrying the swabs.

"We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, hourly basis... it will be a ferry flight coming with swabs," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference in New Delhi.

The minister also said evacuation of Indians from Iran is being planned in consultation with the health ministry and the Iran government.

As the government looks at bringing back Indians from coronavirus-hit countries, Kharola said while Indians come here, it should be made sure that they are in a healthy condition.

The health ministry is planning to set up advanced testing facilities in Iran itself. Before they board the flight, a test can be done for these passengers, he added.

A team of medical experts has reached Iran and it would be setting up a basic medical testing facility there.

"Another option is that we are trying to collect the samples, swabs... on the first flight that comes to India, these swabs will be brought.

"They will be tested in India and within a day.... the results will be known," Kharola noted.

Aviation regulator DGCA's chief Arun Kumar said 300 swabs are expected to be come in the Mahan Air flight.

Based on the outcome of the tests, those passengers who test negative would be allowed to come to the country later, he added.

Many of the Indians currently in Iran are pilgrims, he said.

Last month, India suspended flights from Iran in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Iranian carriers were operating three flights a week to both Delhi and Mumbai.

"We will allow temporarily Iran to bring in their flights and when they go back, they will be evacuating their people stranded here (India)," Kharola said.

Currently, screening of passengers coming from all parts of the world is being carried out at 30 airports. As many as 6,49,452 passengers were screened from 6,550 flights till 10 am on March 5, Puri said.

Further, the minister said airlines have been instructed for making in-flight announcements as per the directions of the health ministry.

All the international passengers are also being asked to fill the 'Self Reporting Form' in duplicate, as per the instructions of the health ministry.

"Necessary instructions have been issued to the airlines by DGCA to carry the nCOV samples to the designated ICMR-NIV Pune Lab for testing," Puri said.

The government has already evacuated hundreds of Indians from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as many who onboard on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan.
A double suicide attack shook the Tunisian capital on Friday as assailants wounded six people including police guarding the US embassy, authorities said.

An explosion rocked the Berges du Lac district where the embassy is located around midday, causing panic among pedestrians and motorists in the area.

Two assailants died in the attack, the first to hit the capital since June 2019, according to officials.

Police said one attacker tried to enter the diplomatic mission but was prevented by police guarding it.

A policeman who witnessed the attack said a suicide bomber who was travelling on a motorcycle was also killed.

Body parts were seen strewn on the ground.

"The operation led to the death of two assailants, wounded five police and lightly injured a civilian," the interior ministry said in a statement without giving further details.

Police dispatched reinforcements to the area, including forensic experts as a helicopter flew overhead.

"It's tough to have to go on working when your colleagues have been wounded," a police officer at the scene of the attack said.

The US embassy said in a statement posted on Twitter: "Emergency personnel are responding to an explosion that occurred near the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.

"Please avoid the area and monitor local media for updates." faced a rise in jihadist activity after its 2011 revolution, with attacks killing dozens of security personnel, civilians and foreign tourists.

While the security situation has significantly improved since a series of deadly attacks in 2015, has maintained a state of emergency for four years and assaults against security forces have persisted.

Before Friday the last attacks were in June 2019, when twin bombings targeted a police station on the outskirts of Tunis and a police vehicle on the capital's main thoroughfare.

A civilian and a policeman were killed in those attacks, while seven were wounded. An attack at the capital's Bardo museum in March 2015 killed 21 foreign tourists and a security guard.

In June the same year, 38 foreign tourists were killed in a shooting rampage at the coastal resort of Sousse.
South Africa: Three arrested for cash heist, police murder

The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, has commended the Hawks and the Special Task Force rapid response team that arrested five cash heist suspects, who also allegedly shot and killed two officers in Mahikeng, North West.

Cele on Friday expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of the two deceased members.

"The apprehension of the five suspects, with three fatally shot and two injured, can only bring cold comfort to those who lived and worked with the slain members. We are, however, hoping that it will bring some kind of closure to the bereaved families," the Minister said in the statement.

Cele has urged the tracing and investigating teams to leave no stone unturned in their effort to find the remaining suspects.

On Thursday, the Hawks were dealt a major below when two of its members were shot dead in a confrontation with an armed group of cash-in-transit robbers in Mahikeng, North West.

During the gun-battle, three of the gang members were shot dead and four others arrested. The hunt for the remaining suspects has been intensified and the National Commissioner has ordered all police tracing teams to leave no stone unturned to bring these murderous perpetrators to justice, Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, said.

It is reported that on Thursday, Special Task Force members engaged suspects around Mahikeng, who were in three vehicles.

The Hawks said the armed gang had shot and forced a cash security van off the road.

The suspects were confronted as they blew open the van. The suspects retaliated and took off in different directions. In their attempt to escape, two of the vehicles faced off with members from Technical Operations Management Section (TOMS) of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Mulaudzi said.

During the shootout, Detective Warrant Officer Delene Grobelaar (44) was fatally shot. The suspects managed to flee and a manhunt ensued in earnest. Later in the day, one suspect was tracked and arrested at a Johannesburg hospital.

Immediately thereafter, a follow up operation was launched in Coligny, where the wanted suspects were confronted at a filling station by TOMS members.

The suspects retaliated with AK 47 rifles, fatally wounding Detective Sergeant Wynand Herbst (42), he said.

Three suspects were fatally wounded and two seriously injured during the gun battle. Later in the evening, a further two suspects were traced to Ventersdorp. However, they managed to escape.

Mulaudzi said police have so far seized three AK 47 rifles, two 9mm pistols, a bakkie and a minibus connected to the crime.

The National Hawks Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, has expressed sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues the deceased members.

We shall hunt the members of that organised criminal group that attacked the cash-in-transit vehicle and caused the death of our members.

We have recently assembled a bigger team under an experienced Brigadier to deal with these matters. Those who have information should provide same to the investigators or the police in general, said Lebeya.

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner has applauded the team for the successful implementation of the 72-hour Activation Plan.

"I am satisfied with the speedy response by our members to the brazen robbery and subsequent killing of our colleagues yesterday. The search for more suspects is continuing and I have urged our policemen and women to relentlessly continue searching for the remaining suspects, whilst maintaining their own safety, said General Khehla Sitole.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
President Assad Interview - Russia 24 TV

"Ask ourselves, why are Turkish soldiers being killed in Syria? What is the cause they are fighting for? What is the dispute?"

March 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Damascus, SANA-President Bashar al-Assad affirmed that Head of the Turkish regime, Erdogan, fights beside terrorists out of his brotherhood ideology, so even Erdogan himself is unable to tell the Turks why he is sending his army to fight in Syria. The single reason is the Muslim Brotherhood and it has nothing to do with Turkish national interests.

The President added in an interview given to Russia 24 TV that in a militarily view, the priority now is Idlib, this is why we see Erdogan using all his force and no doubt under American directives. This is because by liberating Idlib we will be able to move towards liberating the eastern regions.

Following is the full text of the interview;

Journalist: Hello! This is International Review with Yevgeny Primakov. Today, we are in Damascus, in our temporary studio. His Excellency, President Bashar al-Assad, is not our guest in the studio; rather, we are his guests. Mr. President, thank you very much for receiving us and giving us the time to conduct this interview. We are happy to be with you and to see that you are in a good health in these difficult circumstances.

President Assad: You are welcome. I am very happy to receive a Russian national television station.

Question 1: Thank you very much Mr. President. Clearly, the most important topic now, besides the war on terrorism that your country is waging, are the events in the Idlib governorate, and the danger of confrontation between the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey. The Turkish forces are directly supporting what is called the opposition, although we see in their ranks elements which belong to terrorist organizations, which are affiliated to Al Qaeda and other organizations. Turkish troops are also taking part in attacks against Syrian forces. The question is: what has changed in the relations between you and Erdogan, between Syria and Turkey? Before 2011, Erdogan used to call you brother, and your two families were friends. What has changed and pushed things to where they are now?

President Assad: The core of the issue is American policy. At a point in time, the United States decided that secular governments in the region were no longer able to implement the plans and roles designated to them; of course, I am referring to the countries which were allies of the United States and not those like Syria which are not. They decided to replace these regimes with Muslim Brotherhood regimes that use religion to lead the public.

In doing this, things would become easier for American plans and Western plans in general. This process of replacement started with the so-called Arab Spring. Of course, at the time, the only Muslim Brotherhood-led country in the region was Turkey, through Erdogan himself and his Brotherhood affiliation. Prior to this, our relations with them were good in both the political and economic fields; we even had security and military cooperation. There were no problems at all between Syria and Turkey. We didnt do anything against them and we didnt support any forces hostile to them. We believed them to be neighbours and brothers. But Erdogans Muslim Brotherhood affiliation is much stronger than all of this and he returned to his original identity and built his policies with Syria according to this ideology.

It is well-known that the Muslim Brotherhood were the first organisation to endorse violence and use religion to gain power. Now, if we ask ourselves, why are Turkish soldiers being killed in Syria? What is the cause they are fighting for? What is the dispute? There is no cause, even Erdogan himself is unable to tell the Turks why he is sending his army to fight in Syria.

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The single reason is the Muslim Brotherhood and it has nothing to do with Turkish national interests. It is related to Erdogans ideology and consequently the Turkish people have to die for this ideology. Thats why he is unable to explain to the Turkish people why his soldiers are being killed in Syria.

Question 2: Is there any hope of establishing any kind of communication between Turkey and Syria gradually, at least between the military and the intelligence, and in the future, maybe, diplomatic relations?

President Assad: During the past two years, numerous intensive meetings took place between Russian and Turkish officials, and despite the Turkish aggression a few meetings were held between Syrian and Turkish security officials. Our shared objective with the Russians was to move Turkey away from supporting terrorists and bring it back to its natural place. For Syria, and for you also, Turkey is a neighbouring country. It is natural to have sound relations with a neighboring country; it is unnatural under any pretext or any circumstance to have bad relations. So, as to your question, is it possible? Of course it is, but we cant achieve this outcome while Erdogan continues to support the terrorists. He has to stop supporting terrorism, at which point things can return to normal because there is no hostility between the two peoples. The hostility is caused by political actions or policies based on vested interests. On the level of the Syrian nation and the Turkish nation, there are neither differences nor conflicts of interests. So, yes, these relations should return to normal.

Question 3: Is this your message to the Turkish people, that there is no hostility against them? Have I understood you correctly?

President Assad: Of course, we used to describe them as brotherly people, even now, I ask the Turkish people: what is your issue with Syria? What is the issue for which a Turkish citizen deserves to die? What is the hostile act, small or large, carried out by Syria against Turkey during or before the war? There is none. There are mixed marriages and families, and daily interactions and interests between Syria and Turkey. In Turkey, there are groups of Syrian Arab origin and there are groups in Syria of Turkish origin. These interactions have existed throughout history; it is not logical that there is a dispute between us.

Question 4: Mr. President, I realize that I am talking to a head of state; nevertheless, I cant but ask about the human dimension. This person [Erdogan] shook your hand, was your guest, you received him, and he called you a brother and a friend, etc.. Now, he allows himself to say all these things. How does that affect you emotionally?

President Assad: I have met people who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood from different countries. He is one of them from Turkey, there were some from Egypt, Palestine and others; they have all done the same thing. They used to say nice things about Syria or about their personal relationship with me, but when things change, they turn against the person. Thats how the Muslim Brotherhood are: they have no political, social, or religious ethics. For them, religion is not a form of good, it is violence; this is their principle. Erdogan is a member of the opportunistic Muslim Brotherhood and so it is normal for him to do what he has done. The lack of clarity and endless lying are part of their nature.

Question 5: The war in your country has been going on for nine years. It is twice as long as the World War II, the Great Patriotic War, and soon we will mark the 75th anniversary of our victory in it, which is a very important event for Russia. What strength does the Syrian people store that enables them to survive and triumph and avoid despair? What is the secret? Is it an internal strength, or something else? Or is it simply that you have better weapons?

President Assad: There are several factors which should be considered. The fact that we are a small country, means these factors make us a strong country in this war. First and foremost, national awareness and public opinion. Without the widespread awareness of the Syrian people that what is happening is the result of a Western conspiracy against their country, Syria might have perished or been destroyed very quickly. This popular realization produced a national unity despite different political leanings or different cultural and social affiliations  ethnic, religious or sectarian groups. This awareness created unity with the state in confronting terrorism; this is a very important factor.

The second factor is the Syrian peoples legendary capacity for sacrifice, which we have witnessed primarily through the Syrian Arab Army. Under normal circumstances, one would believe that these sacrifices can only be found in movies or novels, while in fact they were apparent in every battle and this is what protected the country.

In addition to the sacrifices of the army, the people themselves sacrificed. They have been living in extremely difficult circumstances: continuous shelling, sanctions and bad economic conditions. Nevertheless, the people remained steadfast with their country.

The third factor is the public sector, which has played an important role in keeping the state together. In the worst of circumstances, salaries continued to be paid, schools kept running and daily essential services were provided to citizens. Bottom line services continued to be provided so that life continues.

In addition to these factors, there is the fact that our friends have supported us, particularly Russia and Iran. They have supported us politically, militarily, and economically. All these factors together have helped Syria remain steadfast up until now.

Question 6: If you dont mind, Ill dwell on these factors for more details, and we will start with the Syrian society and what you have said about its diverse culture and tolerance among its different ethnic, cultural and religious groups. The extremist terrorists have struck a severe blow to this Syrian characteristic by promoting extremist demands and an extremist ideology. Yesterday, we were in the Old City of Damascus, and we couldnt imagine what the situation would be like if the black flag of the caliphate appeared in Damascus, something which can only be imagined with horror. To what extent is Syria ready to rebuild itself as a multicultural state, tolerant, secular, etc.?

President Assad: What Im about to say may sound exaggerated, but by nature I speak in real terms and do not like exaggeration. In actual fact, Syrian society today in terms of coherence and the social integration of its different segments, is better than it was before the war. This is for a simple reason: war is a very important lesson to any society, a lesson that extremism is destructive and that not accepting the other is dangerous. As a result, these segments within our society came together.

If you go to the Old City or to any area under government control, you will not see this problem at all. On the contrary, as I mentioned, things are better than before. The problem is in the areas which were outside government control. Thats why Im not concerned at all in this regard, despite the attempted Western narrative to show that the war in Syria is between sects, which is not true. A war between sects means that you come today to this area and find one colour, and in another area you find another colour, and in another place a third and a fourth colour; this is not the case. You will see all the colours of Syria, without exception, in the state-controlled areas. Whereas in the terrorist-controlled areas, they are not looking for a colour, but for parts of one colour, which is the extremist colour. This is because only extremists at the far end of extremism could live with them and that is why a large number of people fled the terrorist-controlled areas to state-controlled areas. That is why Im not concerned at all in this regard. The challenge, however, will be in the areas which were occupied by the terrorists.

Question 7: This raises the question of the possibility of granting an amnesty. There are many people who were misled by the propaganda of the terrorists and extremists. Some of them committed crimes. Others were members of armed groups which committed terrorist acts. But there are those who did not carry weapons, or carried them without killing people. What are the grounds on which the government can reach out to them? And can there be compromises through which such people can be forgiven? This is a very important moral question. And in addition to the moral dimension, there are legal aspects as to resolving their status and integrating them in society, and maybe in the army as well.

President Assad: In this type of war, amnesty must be a core element of domestic policy. We cannot restore stability if we do not grant amnesty for the mistakes that have been made. From the very beginning of the war, we have regularly enacted amnesty decrees pardoning all those who acted against the national interest. In the areas which were controlled by the militants, we have conducted what we call local reconciliations that have resulted in the state legally pardoning individuals; all those who hand in their weapons, receive amnesty provided that they return to their normal civil life under the authority of the state and the rule of law. This process has been very successful and restored stability to a large number of areas, and we are continuing to implement this policy.

There are very limited cases which cannot be granted amnesty, for example those who committed criminal acts and premeditatedly killed large numbers of people; most of these are terrorist leaders. However, in terms of the broader situation, I believe that most people want to return to the state, because a large number of them who carried weapons were actually forced to do so. They had no choice: either you carry weapons or you are killed. These people are not necessarily extremists. They do not have a terrorist past. They are ordinary people who were forced to carry weapons.

Similarly, there are those who had to take political or public positions in the media in favour of the terrorists for the same reasons, we know this for a fact. Thats why I believe that most of these people do support the state and were cooperating and communicating with us throughout. So, I fully agree with you, we must continue providing amnesty and we must continue with this process in the new areas we liberate, especially since we want most Syrians inside and outside Syria to return to their country.

Question 8: Now, we will talk about rebuilding the state, but the state always consists of people. When we talk about terrorists, we either force them to drop their weapons or persuade them to drop them and go back to their senses. Conversely, there are those who have their perceptions of justice; and you certainly meet state officials, whether in the security or police agencies, who have to reach out and resolve the status of those who became terrorists on the other side. These officials might resent that and find it difficult to accept. For instance, if I see this individual who used to aim his weapon at me living with me now on the same street and buying bread from the same bakery as I do, how should I behave? What do you say to state supporters who are not always prepared to accept such an amnesty or such an act of forgiveness?

President Assad: At the beginning of the war we used to see such cases. I recall when I passed the first amnesty decree, many Syrians resented it not only within the government, but also the broader public because some may have lost a family member from the terrorism. In the beginning, it was not easy to tell them that we will grant amnesty in order to restore stability. However, this was the case for the first few months only. Today, if you ask anybody or at least those who support the state, regardless of whether they work in the government or not, this is now accepted because they have seen the results. In fact, in many cases they are the ones pushing for an amnesty and a settlement, which helps greatly. So, there are no longer different viewpoints, because the facts on the ground have shown that this is the right thing to do and that it is good for Syria.

Question 9: As to the situation on the ground, Ill not talk about who controls this or that area, because the situation on the ground is fluid and ever-changing and should be left to the military. But it is clear now that the state has restored large areas in southern Idlib governorate. Here, peaceful life will return, as happened in other areas, in Eastern Ghouta, Deir Ezzor, and the other areas liberated previously. What will the state do when it goes into the liberated areas? Where will it start its work? And what is the most important aspect to restoring peaceful life?

President Assad: In many of the areas we have liberated, there are no civilians since most had left when the terrorists arrived. The first thing we do is to restore the infrastructure in order to enable the local population to return. The first thing they need is electricity, water, roads, police, municipalities, and other services. They need all these service providers; this is the first challenge. The second, which is equally important, is rebuilding schools so that they are able to receive students. If the infrastructure is available and I cant send my children to school, whats the point, it means I cant go back to this area. So, schools and health services are fundamental after the exit of terrorists and the restoration of security. Later, of course, we engage with the local community to identify who was involved with the terrorists through various actions. As I mentioned earlier, this is an important step towards reconciliation and resolving the status of these people in order to restore normal life to the city.

Question 10: What are the difficulties which emerge during this process? And are there sleeper cells which undermine the process of reconstruction? What are the problems facing you?

President Assad: When I mentioned that the pardons and reconciliations have been successful, this doesnt mean that the success was a hundred percent; nothing is perfect. Some of these people still have terrorist leanings and extremist ideology, and are still cooperating with extremist groups in other areas and carrying out terrorist acts. In the past few weeks, there have been a number of explosive devices planted in different places or under cars. These terrorist acts have claimed the lives of many victims. However, this doesnt mean that we stop the process of reconciliations, but rather we need to hunt down these sleeper cells. We have been able to arrest a large number of them, but there are others that are still active. One sleeper cell might carry out a number of acts giving the impression that a full organisation exists. Whereas in fact it is one cell made up of a group of individuals and by arresting them you are able to restore safety and security. However, this challenge will remain, because terrorism still exists in Syria and outside support in the form of weapons and money is still at large. Therefore, we do not expect to eliminate these sleeper cells in the foreseeable future. We will continue to eliminate cells and others will appear, until things return to normal in Syria.

Question 11: Mr. President, in two months time, if Im not mistaken, the country will hold parliamentary elections, in these difficult circumstances. How difficult will that be? Or, would they proceed according to plan, and nothing will stop or obstruct them?

President Assad: There is a constitution and we are governed by it. We do not give in to Western threats or Western wishes, and we do not consider any factor other than the constitution. The issue of postponing constitutional deadlines, whether for presidential or parliamentary elections, was raised with us several times and we refused to do so during the war. Parliamentary elections will be held in a few months and we will proceed according to the constitutional agenda regardless of anything else.

Question 12: We talked about the domestic situation, lets now talk about the outer environment. The Syrian Arab Republic has been subjected since 2011 to tightly-enforced isolation, not only by the Americans and the Europeans, which was expected, but also by the Arab League and its member states, including the Arab Gulf states. We know that the UAE embassy was reopened, and that Oman did not close its embassy and continued to work as usual. Do you see a positive change on the part of the Arab world, or is the situation still as it was, and that isolation persists? And what are the prospects of your contacts with the European Union? Ill not ask about the Americans, for everything regarding them is unfortunately clear.

President Assad: Most Arab countries have maintained their relations with Syria, but not publicly for fear of pressure. These countries have expressed their support for Syria and their wishes for us to defeat terrorism. However, Western pressure and American in particular, was severe on these countries to remain distant and not to open their embassies in Syria, particularly the Gulf states. Europe however, is completely different. In fact, for us, Europe for more than two decades and even before this war, has been absent on the global political arena. Europe has ceased to exist since 2003, after the American invasion of Iraq. Europe surrendered completely to the United States and its role was limited to implementing what it was charged with by the American administration.

So, whether they communicate with us or not, the result is the same. Whether they open embassies or not, there is no value. We have met with a number of security officials from most European countries and they have been reasonable but they are unable to change course. Some have frankly said, we are unable to change, our politicians cannot change their policies because the European policy is linked to the American policy. They climbed the tree and are simply unable to come down. Thats why we do not waste our time talking about a European role and European policy. The master is the American. We can talk about the Americans and this automatically includes the Europeans.

But in answer to your question, yes, there is a change. There are clear convictions that this war has not achieved what those countries, or some of the colonialist countries wanted, that the Syrian people have paid the price, that stability has paid the price and now the Europeans are paying the price. The problem of refugees in Europe is huge, but they will not change in the near future. This is my conviction.

Question 13: Now, Turkey is blackmailing Europe by using the migrants. And this is what Erdogan is doing right now.

President Assad: Turkey started sending the second wave of refugees to Europe as a form of blackmail. Erdogan had threatened that he would send refugees. Yesterday, there were videos on various media outlets about the beginning of a migrant movement towards Europe.

Question 14: In one of your answers, you touched on the relation with Russia. We consider it a relation of partnership. But this relation went through difficult years when Russia limited its presence in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Many people saw that as a betrayal, and that Russia turned its back on its old allies and partners. Now, how do you describe these relations which have been strengthened naturally during nine years of war? Since our aforementioned opponents, including the Europeans and the Americans, who are evil tongues as we say in Russia, claim that Syria is under Russian control. Is that true in reality. For our part, we look at this relation as a partnership and an alliance.

President Assad: Our relations with you span more than six decades; this is not a short period of time and it covers several generations. We know each other very well and this relationship has been through various experiences. Through the different circumstances, including the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, our relations with Russia have always been based on mutual respect, a peer-to-peer relationship. We have never felt at any time, even during this war, that Russia is trying to impose its views on us. They have always treated us with respect; even when we differed, they respected the views of the Syrian government. This is a general rule that has governed the past decades and hasnt changed because it is based on Russian customs, traditions, and perspectives. So, on a bilateral level the relationship between Syria and Russia is clearly a partnership, particularly now after the war, this partnership has become stronger and more reliable.

However, if we wanted to view our relationship with Russia from a different perspective, which is Russias international role, the issue is different. Today, many small countries and even countries of medium strength around the world, look towards Russia and rely to a large extent on its role, because it is Russias duty today to restore international balance to the global arena. The presence of the Russian military base in Syria is not only aimed at fighting terrorism but also at creating an international political balance in the Security Council, as well as a military balance in different areas with a view of restoring the Russian role. Restoring this role is in the interest of all states, including Syria and other small and medium-sized countries as I mentioned. Therefore, we view this relationship from two perspectives: a partnership on the bilateral level and a relationship based on this international role, which we hope will continue to increase as has been the case since President Putin came to power in 2000 and restored Russias position.

Question 15: Now we are talking about military and political support. What about the economy? Going back to rebuilding Syria, are there large Russian  or non-Russian  projects which help in reconstruction? Is there a state or a company which is prepared to come and invest in the Syrian economy without fear of sanctions or political problems caused by the United States and Europe? For instance, there used to be a flourishing pharmaceutical industry in Aleppo, which used to export its products throughout the Middle East, and you, as a doctor, know that. Are there any ideas to restore industrial production in the pharmaceutical field or other fields? And to what extent the lack of resources will affect these economic projects, considering that oil is now outside state control and is controlled by a power, which came from beyond the Atlantic and built its bases there under the pretext of protecting oil?

President Assad: When we built our infrastructure in Syria in the 1970s and the 1980s, we did not have oil at that time. It was built with Syrian money and with Syrian capabilities. So, we know we have the capabilities and can provide the resources. There is a lot of Syrian capital within Syria and mostly abroad and should most certainly take part in this process.

Since 2018, there has been a great interest from big companies outside of Syria  Arab and non-Arab, to participate in the reconstruction. However, whats happening is that the Americans are applying huge pressure and threatening individuals and companies alike; this has no doubt frightened some of these companies. This is happening even with regard to Russian companies. There are several Russian companies which want to invest in Syria but fear taking any step. Chinese companies have the same problem.

However, every problem has a solution. Most recently, a number of large international companies have started to come to Syria using different methods which enable them to evade the sanctions. So, there is a possibility now for these companies to work in Syria without facing sanctions. Of course, I cannot discuss these methods, but we have started to see a return of foreign investment. It is true that the movement is slow, but I believe it is a good start  a promising start, to support the reconstruction process which we have started. We did not wait; we have begun in some areas and in order to expand there must be a larger number of companies and investments.

Question 16: What are the areas which you consider priorities or most attractive to investors?

President Assad: Of course, the most important is rebuilding the destroyed suburbs. I think this will be of high interest for investment companies and several have already expressed interest; this is certainly a profitable area. Another sector is oil and gas, which is also profitable. There are already a number of Russian companies that have started operating in Syria during the past few years and are now planning to increase production. The biggest obstacle preventing expansion in this sector is the terrorist and American occupation of the most important sites of oil wells in Syria. The Americans know this of course, and thats why they continue to occupy the oil wells and obstruct the reconstruction process. In short, these are the most important sectors. Of course, there are many other areas which any society needs, but are less important for international companies.

Question 17: As we know, there is a big problem caused by freezing Syrian funds in foreign banks. Is it difficult to finance some contracts because of that?

President Assad: Thats true. This is robbery in every sense of the word; but if the money is stolen it doesnt mean that as a state and as a society we should stop creating wealth. We have many capabilities and this is one of the reasons why we have survived nine years of war. They are well aware that if the war stopped completely, Syrian society is capable of rising in a strong manner and that we will be stronger economically than we were before the war. This is why they have resorted to threatening Syrian and foreign companies. In other words, if a Syrian citizen wants to invest in Syria, they will likely be sanctioned, or oil revenues are prevented from returning to Syria. The more important factor is the ongoing war, which discourages companies and prevents them from coming to Syria. If these three factors are eliminated, we have no problem in rebuilding the country. We have strong human and material resources in Syria and we also have faithful friends like Russia and Iran who will help us.

Question 18: Mr. President, we talked about Idlib in general, and touched on the oil fields east of the Euphrates river controlled by the Americans, and we know that there is a power outage every four hours, and we know that power plants are mostly fueled by oil products. This factor  controlling oil and oil products  is crucial for Syrian economy. Do you have any plans to restore control over the areas east of the Euphrates? How are you going to proceed in that direction?

President Assad: Militarily the priority now is Idlib, this is why we see Erdogan using all his force and no doubt under American directives. This is because by liberating Idlib we will be able to move towards liberating the eastern regions. As I have said on several occasions, for them, Idlib militarily is an advanced post. They have used all their power to obstruct the liberation of Idlib, so that we do not move eastward. However, despite not yet advancing towards the eastern region, we are still in direct communication with the population there. There is a great deal of anger and resentment on their part against the American occupation and against the groups acting on behalf of the Americans.

I believe that this anger will build up gradually and there will be resistance operations against the occupiers. It is the national and constitutional duty of the state to support any act against an occupying power. As time goes by, the Americans will not have a population supporting them but a population standing against the American occupation. They will not be able to stay, neither for the oil nor to support terrorists like ISIS and al-Nusra or any other reason. The same of course, applies to the Turks who are occupying the northern part of Syrian territories. If they do not leave through political negotiations, they must leave by force. This is what we will do. This is also our patriotic duty as Syrians.

Question 19: Its good that we have arrived at this difficult issue. If we talk about the Kurds who live in the east and northeast of the country, and who might not be happy with the Americans and the Turks, particularly the Turks, with whom they have a longstanding enmity. Their relationship with Damascus is difficult because they are separatists and supported the United States at one point and became its allies. The question here is about reunifying the Syrian Arab Republic and reintegrating its territories within its legal borders. How are you going to build your policy regarding the Kurds, taking into account that Damascus has almost accused them of treason because they signed an agreement with the Americans. Do you have a plan in that regard? Whats the price for integrating them? What can you give the Kurds? And what are the things which you cannot give them?

President Assad: We are in contact with the Kurdish political groups in northern Syria, the problem is that some of these groups, not all of them, operate under American authority. We do not say the Kurds because the larger part of the Kurds are patriotic groups or tribes which support the state; however, these groups have no voice. Those who control the area are small groups acting with the Americans.

As to what is sometimes referred to as the Kurdish cause, there is no such cause in Syria for a simple reason. Historically, there are Kurds who live in Syria; these groups which came to the north did so during the last century and only as a result of the Turkish oppression. We have hosted them in Syria. Kurds, Armenians and other groups came to Syria and we had no problem with that. For example, there is no Syrian-Armenian issue. There is a great diversity in Syria and we do not have an issue with that diversity, so why would we have a problem with the Kurds?! The problem is with the groups that started to promote separatist propositions a few decades ago, mainly in the early 1980s. Yet despite this, when the Turkish state during various periods oppressed and killed the Kurds in Turkey, we supported them. We havent stood against their cause, if they call it a cause. In Syria, they were given a nationality, even though they were not Syrian. We have always been positive regarding the Kurdish issue. Therefore, what is called the Kurdish cause is an incorrect title, a false title.

The problem right now is dealing with the Americans. The Americans are occupiers; they occupied our lands. The Americans are thieves stealing our oil. You cannot play both sides: between those who protect the law and those who break it. You cannot stand with the police and the thief at the same time, this is impossible. You are either with the police or the thief. So, we cannot reach results in any dialogue with them, even if we were to meet thousands of times, unless they take a clear position, a patriotic position: to be against the Americans, against occupation and against the Turks because they too are occupiers.

Quite simply, this is our demand. This is a national position and as a government we are responsible for the constitution and for our national interests. The whole Syrian people accept nothing less than them taking a stand against the occupation. As for anything else, if they have other demands, the Syrian people have demands too. How do we achieve results? We engage in discussions and then we can decide: do we change the constitution? Do we change the law? Or any other measure, this is all possible. This is a Syrian-Syrian dialogue. However, the government in Syria does not own the constitution; the people own the constitution and therefore they are the ones who can change the constitution.

Question 20: If we take into account what is happening in Idlib, which we talked about at the beginning of the interview, and that Turkey is one of the main opponents of the Kurds, does the idea of reaching a reconciliation with the Kurds tempt you on these grounds? You can choose not to answer this question if you like.

President Assad: On the contrary, this is a logical question. These Kurdish groups which claim to be against Turkish occupation and issue statements that they will fight, did not fire a single bullet when the Turks invaded. Why? Because the Americans identified which area the Turks would enter and the boundaries that they should reach, as well as the areas that these groups should leave. So, do we agree on statements or on actions? We want to agree on the actions. In their statements, they have said that they are against the Turks, but they are not doing anything against them at all. They are neutral. They are moving in line with the Americans and the Turks. Only the Syrian government and other segments of Syrian society are fighting the Turks and losing martyrs every day. Other than that, I agree with you. If they were to say we will agree with you against the Turks, my response would be, we are ready, send your fighters so that together we can defend our land.

Question 21: In this region, there is also a very old enemy of the Syrian Arab Republic, which always reminds people of itself, Israel, or the Zionist entity as you call it. How do you see the great Deal of the Century, the gift given to us by American President Donald Trump? Where might it take us? I dont mean to influence your answer in any way. Im only recalling what is being discussed in Russia, that the deal as a solution for the Palestinian cause is simply a dead end.

President Assad: Our relations with the United States were restored during the Nixon administration in 1974. Since that time, we have met with numerous American officials in the administration, with presidents and members of Congress, and we have learned one thing only: anything an American politician does, is first and foremost to serve his personal interests in relation to the next elections. They do not think of higher national American interests. They do not think of world stability, or of international law, or the rights of peoples. This doesnt exist in their policies. They only think of their elections and nothing else.

As to the deal of the century, this proposition was made at this particular time only for the next American elections. The presidential elections will be held at the end of this year. So, the idea is meaningless, an empty shell. The idea, if applied, is not harmful, but rather destructive to the Middle East and the peace process which started in the early 1990s. However, when would their idea succeed and when would it fail? It succeeds if the people of this region agree that it should succeed. If you review all political and official statements, as well as public opinion on social media, you will find a total rejection of this plan, including from states and governments allied with America and those that have relations with Israel. So, its safe to say that it is a stillborn plan. Trump might be able to use it in his next elections in order to please the Israeli lobby in the United States. But after that, we will probably not hear about the deal of the century until the next elections. At which point there will be another and worse plan presented for the next elections.

Question 22: Thank you very much Mr. President. I have one final question, maybe a more emotional question. To what extent have these past nine years been difficult psychologically for you? To what extent have they been difficult to your family? Your wife has founded and manages one of the biggest charities in Syria which provides a great deal to children, to the wounded, and to restoration of normal life. I realize that I might be asking embarrassing questions, and I apologize for that, but to what extent have you suffered from what is happening within your family? And when you look back at what you have done during the past nine years, do you say to yourself that you havent done what you should have done on certain issues, or that a mistake was made in this regard and the right thing was done on another issue, and more should have been done?

President Assad: There are two sides to this question: one is the formal, when I think about this war in my official capacity within the state and the other is the personal.

As an official, the first thing you think of in this situation is protecting the country; this is your duty as a head of state. Here we can take as an example something that lives on as a tradition, which is the Great Patriotic War in Russia. Your relations with Germany, like any other country, were good. You had normal relations: agreements, engagements, meetings and you had not done anything against Germany. Nevertheless, the Nazis attacked Russia and you lost 26 million martyrs, maybe more. Was there any other choice but to defend your country? No, that was the only choice. The decision taken by the Russian leadership at the time was the right decision supported by the Russian people who defended their country. Were there mistakes? Of course, there are mistakes in every action. Are there political or military decisions which could have been better? Certainly, for everything has flaws and errors. The same applies to us in Syria. The decisions which we took from day one, were to preserve the sovereignty of Syria and to fight terrorists until the end, and we are still doing that. After nine years, I believe that had we taken a different direction, we would have lost our country from day one. Thats why this decision was the right one. As to the mistakes made in daily matters, they are always there, of course. Every time there is a mistake, we should correct it and change the decision. This is the normal thing to do.

On a personal level, here I am like any other citizen; every individual has ambitions for his country. Especially that before the war, we were advancing and achieving significant growth, and the country was developing at a fast pace. It is true that we had many problems because when the reform process moves quickly, it has negative aspects, maybe in the form of corruption or policy mistakes. But by and large, our national capabilities were improving and developing. After nine years, when you see how far behind you are economically, technologically, culturally and educationally, of course there is a sense of frustration at times at a personal level. Certainly, in the end, any war regardless of its causes or outcomes, is a very bad thing. You cannot have a positive feeling towards any war. You will always feel pain and frustration. On a daily basis, you are losing good people and draining your resources. So, there is certainly a kind of pain that you feel on a daily basis on a personal level. However, at the same time, this pain should be the motivation and the incentive for you to do more and to have confidence and hope that you are capable of becoming stronger and better than before.

Journalist: You have confirmed once again that a person like you can only have one position, the position of the statesman, because the views you have expressed are the views and the position of a statesman.

Mr. President, thank you very much for agreeing to give us this interview. Today we have been with President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad, and this was International Review. I am Yevgeny Primakov, wishing you all the best.

President Assad: Thank you.

" Source "
The Delhi High Court on Friday bid farewell to Justice G S Sistani, the second senior most judge, whose retirement brings down the total number of judges in the court to 33 as against the sanctioned strength of 60.

The High Court organised a farewell for Justice Sistani, who will retire on March 10, on Friday owing to the Holi break on March 9 and 10.

Once Justice Subramonium Prasad, transferred here from the Madras High Court, takes charge as an additional judge, the strength would go up to 34.

Earlier in the day, when Justice Sistani was part of a bench headed by Chief Justice D N Patel, as is the practice on the last day of a judge before he retires, lawyers in the courtroom expressed their gratitude and respect for him.

Additional Solicitor General Maninder Acharya and central government standing counsel Anil Soni said even adverse orders against them "did not pinch" because of the smile on Justice Sistani's face.

The same view was echoed by others present in the courtroom.

In response to it, Justice Sistani said nobody ever shouted in his court so he never had to shout back either.

A farewell was also organised for him by the Delhi High Court Bar Association where large number of lawyers gathered to bid him goodbye.

Justice Sistani enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1982 and he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court with effect from May 29, 2006, and was confirmed as a permanent judge a year later on August 29, 2007.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations informs that today as of 08:30 some roads are closed in Armenia.

The ministry told Armenpress that the roads leading to the Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari will remain closed for uncertain time.

Vardenyats Pass and Sotk-Karvachar highway are closed for trailer trucks, but are open for passenger vehicles.

The Georgian side reported that the Stepanstminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

Drivers are urged to use snow tires.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
At least 13 persons, including women and children, were killed and five critically wounded when an SUV collided with a car that had crashed against a road divider moments ago near Kunigal in Tumakuru district of Karnataka in the early hours of Friday, police said.

Of the victims, while 12 died on the spot, a child breathed his last in a hospital, they added.

The injured were admitted to the hospital, the police said.

Among the dead, 10 were from Tamil Nadu and three from Bengaluru. All of them were pilgrims who were on their way to Dharmasthala in Karnataka.

There were five women and two children among the dead, the police said.

"Thirteen persons have died. The incident occurred post midnight. A car crashed against the road divider and another car collided with it," Tumakuru Superintendent of Police (SP) K Vamsi Krishna told PTI.

The police had to struggle to pull the bodies out from the mangled vehicles.

On learning about the incident, relatives of the victims rushed to the spot.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DENVER  Eight people were being kept in isolation on Friday after testing positive for the new coronavirus in Colorado, marking the states first cases in the global outbreak.

On Friday, Denver health officials said two residents of the city had tested positive. They were displaying symptoms but were not hospitalized, Denver Public Health & Environment said.

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment said one of the cases involved a man in his 40s, with the investigation ongoing. The second involved a woman in her 70s who was exposed during international travel.

In Douglas County outside Denver, a woman in her 40s who recently traveled to Italy and a student who recently visited the Philippines tested positive, according to the state and Tri-County health departments.

Both have mild illnesses and are isolated at home, Tri-County executive director John Douglas said in a statement Friday. The student did not attend classes after returning from the Philippines, he said.

Also Friday, El Paso County Public Health said a man in his 40s who recently traveled to California had tested positive. The man was in stable condition and in isolation, the department said.

An Eagle County woman in her 50s who recently traveled abroad tested positive, state officials said.

The states first two cases  a man in his 30s visiting Colorado on a ski vacation and an elderly Douglas County woman who had been on an international cruise  were announced by Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday.

Denver Public Health & Environment warned that the number of people testing positive is expected to rise because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is now allowing providers to test patients on their own without help from county health departments.

The man on the ski vacation checked into a hospital in Frisco, near many of Colorados ski resorts, because of a possible respiratory illness. The man had traveled to Italy but did not show any symptoms when he flew to Colorado Feb. 29, Polis said.

The man who came to Colorado to ski stayed in a condominium with his fiancee and two friends, Polis said. All three are under a quarantine order.

Health officials dont believe that he exposed any other travelers, Polis said. Summit County and state health officials were investigating to see if anyone else was in close contact with the man.

The man is recovering in isolation in Jefferson County outside of Denver and is feeling well, the governor said. He will likely be in isolation for two to three weeks.

The elderly Douglas County woman who tested positive after returning from a cruise is isolated at home with limited contact with relatives and health care providers, the Tri-County Health Department said.

Colorado was relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct tests. But the state health department has said it can now test up to 160 samples a day at its laboratory with results expected within 24 hours.

The state also is testing specimens from patients who have symptoms and have either been in contact with someone else confirmed to have the virus or have traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high.
PHOENIX, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nancy Padberg, President and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona, shared, "We are happy to announce that we now serve the Disabled/Displaced students that qualify for the corporate tax credit. Our Catholic schools provide a safe and welcoming environment and instill in students the value of service to others."

Credit 341 or Corporate Contribution to School Tuition Organizations for Displaced Students or Students with Disabilities is the legal description. Disabled and Displaced funds are distributed to students with a MET, IEP, 504 plan or students that have at one point been in the Arizona foster care system.

June 30, 2020 is the corporate tax commitment deadline. Since 2006, Corporations filing as an S or C Corp, LLCs filing as an S Corp and insurance companies that pay premium tax can direct up to 100% of their state tax liability to Low Income and recently Disabled/Displaced scholarships through Catholic Education Arizona. This is a tax credit, not a donation. Catholic Education Arizona partners with large companies such as APS, GCU, Sprouts, Earnhardt Auto Centers and BBVA to small firms such as attorneys, dentists and general contractors.

"We are grateful for our teachers and school administration for their commitment to the students, families and communities in serving all students," said Deb Preach, Chief Development Officer.

The Diocese of Phoenix Catholic High Schools boast:

99% graduation rate

97% of graduates matriculate to higher education or military service

1000s of hours of community service are conducted annually

"As Catholic schools embrace their mission and serve all students that desire a Catholic Education, the Disabled/Displaced scholarship will open doors for more families," shared Colleen McCoy-Cejka, Director of Strategic Partnerships.

Catholic Education Arizona has a new address, located at 5353 N 16th Street Suite 330 Phoenix, Arizona 85016.

Catholic Education Arizona is the largest provider of scholarships to underserved families attending private schools. FY22 they will provide Disabled/Displaced Scholarships for students. Last year $18.3 million in tax credit contributions were made to assist 45% of Arizona's Catholic school students. Since 1998, over $230 million in tuition scholarships has been awarded to 125,000 families. Changing lives one scholarship at a time. www.ceaz.org 602-218-6542

Contact: Debra Preach, Chief Development Officer

Catholic Education Arizona

[email protected]

(602) 469-4594

SOURCE Catholic Education Arizona

Related Links

www.ceaz.org


CED Awards Adaptiv Networks Funds to Further SD-WAN Innovation

By Maurice Nagle , Web Editor

As SD-WAN deployments litter the globe, this quickly maturing technology is still evolving to better meet the demands of the modern enterprise. The cloud era is at hand, digital transformation is no longer optional and offering companies a leg up in this transition is managed SD-WAN services.







Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) announced that it awarded Adaptiv Networks (News - Alert) with a $400,000 repayable contribution to further its SD-WAN development efforts. The funding is very much in line with CEDs goal to assist Canadian businesses with moving into the modern economy.

Helping businesses to grow and innovate so they can enhance their competitiveness and create good jobs is at the heart of our priorities. This is why we are providing our support to Adaptiv Networks, whose success is raising the profile of the entire Gatineau region and Canadian economy. We are here to support workers and Canadian SMEs; we are helping businesses to equip themselves adequately to remain competitive, The Honourable Melanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED explained.

The contribution comes under CEDs Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. The program was put in place to support local entrepreneurs leaning on innovation to better compete and accelerate business growth.

Adaptiv Networks is working in a fast-growing field, where the competition is fierce. CED is a key partner for Adaptiv Networks, supporting our plans for hyper-growth to make the business a world leader in its field, noted Bernard Breton (News - Alert), CEO, Adaptiv Networks.

Adaptiv Networks and Breton were on display at SD-WAN Expo 2020, offering attendees insight from a leader in the managed SD-WAN space  and based on this weeks announcement, no signs of slowing down.

Whats in your WAN?

Edited by Maurice Nagle
Click here to read the full article.

You are the white Mandela, says a ham-faced warden, all but spitting in the face of anti-apartheid activist Tim Jenkin upon his arrival at Pretoria Local Prison in 1978. Its not intended as a compliment: The most deluded of them all, the warden adds, lest it be taken as such. As clunkily deployed in the script for Escape from Pretoria, however, the line acts as a shortcut to nobility, in a tight genre exercise that has scant time for such elaborate niceties as character development and social context. Adapted from Jenkins memoir of his time served  and resourcefully cut short  as a South African political prisoner in the countrys darkest days of white supremacy, Francis Annans film works effectively as a straight-up jailbreak thriller, well-oiled in greasy B-movie tradition. Its when it shoots for more historical import that it falls somewhat short.

Jenkins book of the same title was published in 1987, when he was still living as a fugitive from nominal justice in London. Its surprising that its taken this long to reach the screen, given how sveltely his gripping story fits into a genre-film uniform. The last 30-odd years have seen such a wealth of diverse, resonant personal histories emerge from the ashes of apartheid  not least that of the actual, not-white Mandela  that Escape from Pretoria could well have missed its moment entirely.

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As it is, its been done cheaply and (sort of) cheerfully as an Australian production by British writer-director Francis Annan, focusing heavily on suspense mechanics as if to modestly understate its factual heft. The casting of Daniel Radcliffe as Jenkin lends it some marquee appeal, but this still feels like efficient VOD fodder, sure to age as memorably as Stander, that other blandly internationalized biographical romp pulled from the same passage of South African history. Meanwhile, it may struggle to find much of a fanbase in its own country of setting, where audiences might reasonably wonder why at least one South African actor couldnt have been cast in a principal role.

Story continues

Sporting a squirrelly shag wig and a valiantly attempted but wayward Cape Town accent, Radcliffe plays Jenkin, a middle-class sociology student turned underground activist for the African National Congress, with his own brand of puppyish but righteous commitment. Given the limited backstory filled in by Annan and L.H. Adams workaday screenplay, the actors signature anxious-earnest mien is leaned on a lot here, as is his overly explanatory voiceover, which provides a broad primer on apartheid for any uninformed viewers, along with a reminder that freedom and equality should be fought for at all costs.

For Jenkin, that cost is a 12-year prison sentence, handed down after he and his best friend Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber, tersely charismatic in a thin part) were caught planting a leaflet bomb to distribute ANC protest flyers in central Cape Town. Banished to the vast prison complex of Pretoria, the countrys administrative capital, Jenkin and Lee are protectively counseled by veteran liberal political prisoner Denis Goldberg (British veteran Ian Hart, giving the character a geezer-y air), who advises them to keep their heads down and to serve their time with dignity as prisoners of conscience. The youngsters, countering that they are instead prisoners of war, immediately set about an escape plan regardless. Jenkin hatches a plan to whittle wooden facsimiles of the keys to every door separating them from the outside world  an almost naively simple scheme that necessitates a complex network of hiding places and bluffs, as vindictive guards begin to suspect something is afoot.

The real-life Goldberg was much more supportively involved in the prison-break strategy; if the script does him something of a disservice for the purposes of greater narrative friction, thats not the fastest and loosest it plays with facts. The third partner in the escape, Egyptian-born activist Alex Moumbaris, has been fictionalized as enigmatic Frenchman Leonard (Mark Leonard Winter), who has no discernible history or motivation at all, while two black allies in the plan are marginal presences at best. Characterization takes a distant back seat to the ingenious practicalities of the mission itself. Once the plan is set in motion, the film itself feels unlocked: As a re-eenacted chapter of anti-apartheid history, Escape from Pretoria may not feel entirely authentic, but it knows its prison-movie terrain, from Alcatraz to Shawshank, inside out.

As our central trio trace a taut treasure trail of keyholes and cupboards, Annans direction settles into a smooth groove of high-tension setpieces, teased out to breath-suspending effect. Shooting on location in Adelaide, Australia  a handsome but none-too-convincing stand-in for the South African highveld in exterior scenes  DP Geoffrey Hall keeps the camera moves antsy but not fussy. Nick Fentons editing, meanwhile, maintains a keen sense of physical space and strain, not least in one comically queasy scene where a dropped key must be retrieved with the aid of a broomstick and chewing gum. Sketchy as it is on human details, Escape from Pretoria gets by on such practical nuts and bolts.

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At least 27 people were killed and 29 others were wounded after gunmen attacked a remembrance ceremony for a minority Shiite leader in Afghanistan's capital on March 6. The attack took place while Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was addressing the crowd. Country's Interior Ministry spokesperson Nusrat Rahimi reportedly said that Abdullah managed to escape unhurt. Several other prominent leaders had also attended the event but managed to leave the site as Afghan security forces reportedly cordoned off the area.

According to reports, the security forces also tried to target the gunmen who were hiding in a half-finished apartment building. However, Taliban has denied any involvement in the latest attack but it came just days after the militant group had signed a peace accord with the United States that laid out the conditions-based path to the full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan over the course of 14 months. However, fighting has raged across the country even after the momentous signing of the peace deal.

Video: The moment gunmen attacked a gathering of Afghan politicians in the west of Kabul. Dozens of civilians also attended the event. pic.twitter.com/lWC6jT2PKV  TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) March 6, 2020

Read - Pakistan Against India's Security Role In Afghanistan On The Backdrop Of US-Taliban Deal

Read - Resumption Of Violence In Afghanistan 'unacceptable,' Must Be Reduced: Pompeo

Ghani condemns attack

Soon after the attack took place, according to reports, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called it 'a crime against humanity'. The Islamic State group has attacked the Afghan Shiites in the past along with the views of the religious minority as heretics. The ceremony where the attack took place on March 6 was held in the mainly Shiite Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul. The memorial reportedly marked the 25 years since the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of Afghanistan's minority ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims. He was killed in 1995 by the Taliban as they reportedly moved to take control of Afghanistan's capital which had been destroyed by the civil war among mujahedeen groups, including Mazari's.

Read - ICC Appeals Chamber Authorises Investigation Into War Crimes In Afghanistan

Read - International Court Approves Afghanistan Investigation

(With agency inputs)
An Indonesian maid was jailed for two years in Singapore Thursday for giving money to an Islamic State-linked terror outfit blamed for a string of attacks in her home country. The affluent city-state is home to over 250,000 maids from neighbouring Indonesia, and has seen a string of cases where foreign domestic helpers have allegedly been radicalised. Anindia Afiyantari donated Sg$130 (US$94) last year to charities used as fronts by Indonesia-based Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), described by prosecutors as among "the most dangerous terrorist organisations" in Southeast Asia. It has been blamed for attacks, including the stabbing of President Joko Widodo's chief security minister Wiranto and deadly suicide bombings at several churches. "The accused's actions of plotting to finance terrorist acts... strike at the very heart of Singapore's harmony," prosecutors said, according to court documents. The 33-year-old -- who earned Sg$600 a month -- was introduced to radical religious teachings by other Indonesian domestic helpers in Singapore. As well as donating to charities, she uploaded videos of bombings and killings by the Islamic State group on Facebook and created new accounts when her posts were blocked, prosecutors said. The jihadists controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria until their defeat last year. Two other Indonesian maids were jailed in Singapore last month -- one for 18 months and the other 45 months -- after pleading guilty to charges of financing terrorism. mba/sr/fox FACEBOOK
BMI, UMG, Sony, WMG, ICM Join Growing List Of SXSW Cancellations

BMI has officially canceled its presence at SXSW, the performing rights said in a statement, joining a growing list of companies pulling out over coronavirus concerns.

Out of an abundance of caution, BMI has decided to cancel its planned events at this years SXSW Festival, the PRO said on Friday. The health and safety of our team members and our songwriters is of paramount importance, and we regret any inconvenience this may cause.

UMG, Sony and WMGs exit from SXSW did not come in a press release, but rather in similar memos to all staffers advising them not to attend. The advisory allows for exceptions but, as one company source told Variety it, no one has asked for one yet.

Major agency ICM Partners has canceled its Austin plans, Deadline confirmed.

Earlier in the week rival agency CAA banned virtually all travel by its employees for at least two weeks. CAA agents have also been asked to hold virtual meetings instead of bringing clients to its offices.

Other major companies canceling include Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Vevo, Intel, TikTok and Twitter

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Refugee women from the Democratic Republic of the Congo walk towards the market in Mantapala Settlement, Zambia.  UNHCR/Will Swanson

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are urgently appealing for US$621 million to support refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who have sought safety in neighbouring countries as well as to assist hosting communities.

The DRC Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) 2020-2021 launched today by UNHCR and its partners covers humanitarian activities for 66 organizations and seeks to provide immediate protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees as well as help to rebuild lives in the surrounding countries of asylum.

Uganda currently hosts the majority of Congolese refugees with nearly 400,000 people. Others are in Burundi (over 84,000), Rwanda and Tanzania (more than 75,000 each), Zambia (50,000), Angola (23,000) and the Republic of Congo (21,000).

The situation in DRC remains one of the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crises in Africa. Urgent resources are needed to support countries in the Southern Africa and the Great Lakes regions that host more than 900,000 Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers. DRC refugees are seeking safety in locations where hosting communities are already under pressure with meagre resources.

Although a peaceful transition of power followed the presidential elections in December 2018, concerns remain over the deterioration of the humanitarian and security situations, mainly in the eastern part of the country. On-going armed conflicts roiling much of eastern DRC in the past years, as well as inter-communal violence, continue to uproot Congolese both internally and across the nations borders.

Recurrent violent attacks have resulted in tragic loss of human lives and destruction of communities. Eastern parts of the country are witnessing worsening security situations with rampant targeting of civilians while frequent violations of human rights continue to be perpetrated by various armed actors.

DR Congo has more than five million internally displaced people in the country, with some who have been repeatedly displaced. More than two million people have been newly displaced in North and South Kivu, as well as Ituri provinces in the last 18 months. A separate Humanitarian Response Plan for DRC itself was launched recently targeting some 8.1 million people in need inside the country. The country also continues to host over 500,000 refugees from Burundi, the Central African Republic, Rwanda and South Sudan, who fled their countries in search of international protection.

As a result of violence, tens of thousands of new refugees have fled across borders since the beginning of 2019. Although countries in the Southern and Great Lakes regions of Africa generously host nearly a million Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers, resources have been decreasing in recent years and do not adequately meet protection, shelter, food security, health and other basic needs or minimum humanitarian standards. In many countries of asylum, refugee settlements and camps are already at full capacity. Support for livelihood interventions are limited, prolonging refugees dependence on humanitarian assistance.

The 2019 Regional Refugee Response Plan of US$720 million for the DRC situation was just 22 per cent funded.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Situated in the north-east of the country, Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Queensland has had a close relationship with China. During the COVID-19 outbreak, people from all walks of life in Queensland express support for China in its fight against the virus.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A widely shared social media video showing a passenger spraying Febreze at an Asian man on an MTA train sparked outrage and concerns.

The video, which has received 1.1 million views, shows an upset man yelling at a woman tell him to move," referring to the Asian man.

The man then proceeds to grab a Febreze bottle at starts spraying the substance at the Asian man repeatedly telling him to move.

Posted by Doris Au on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

A second video shows the Asian man confronting the other man, asking him why he cant sit next to him.

You gotta move, the man responds. You are being dumb right now.

Posted by Doris Au on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

On Wednesday morning at around 9 a.m. an individual [..] was standing next to an Asian individual and started spraying Febreze around his feet and around him, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said during a press conference on Thursday.

Harrison said police received a 911 call for an emotional disturbed person on the N train near 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. Upon arrival, the train had already left the station and police were unable to take an official report.

We received a social media post,'' Harrison said. "We are investigating right now. Our hate crime task force is reviewing the incident and it is an ongoing investigation.

The MTA also weighed in on the incident.

What works in stopping the spread of coronavirus: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds; cough and sneeze into your elbow; stay home if youre sick," the MTA tweeted. What doesnt work: Racism.

What works in stopping the spread of Coronavirus:

1. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

2. Cough and sneeze into your elbow

3. Stay home if you're sick



What doesn't work:

1. Racism https://t.co/wBrkkBe7yP  MTA (@MTA) March 5, 2020

As the coronavirus started spreading world wide, so did attacks against the Asian population around the world.

In London a student from Singapore was beaten, CNN reported, and two men yelling Chinese tried to push a woman off her bike in the Netherlands, according to BuzzFeed.
SPRINGFIELD  In a room filled with family, friends and fellow police officers, seven Springfield police officers were center stage Friday during a pinning ceremony to mark their promotions.

Gaining the rank of lieutenant were Michael Kervick and Daniel Reigner. Promoted to the rank sergeant were James Donovan, Mark Kenney II, Naomi Reyes, Richard Rief and Karen Simmons.

Reyes becomes the departments first Hispanic female supervisor. Donovan, Kenney and Reigner are the sons of retired police officers. Simmons is a breast cancer survivor.

My congratulations and thanks to all of our brave and dedicated Police Officers and their families, Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement. These promotions are well earned and deserved, and in holding true to my administrations record of continuing to promote the diversity of our departments, once again we have another first in our citys history. From Commissioner (Cheryl) Clapprood becoming the first female police commissioner, to Rupert Daniel serving as the citys first African-American Deputy Chief, we now have our citys first Hispanic female supervisor in the Police Departments history. Congratulations to all of our newly promoted officers. God Speed!

Clapprood remarked, Every one of these officers promoted has demonstrated excellent work ethic throughout their many years of service. Their experience will be a big advantage in mentoring our young officers.

The promotions take effect Sunday.
This announcement brings the total cases in the country to 15

Egypt has said it has detected 12 new coronavirus cases on a Nile cruise ship coming from Aswan to Luxor, a joint statement by the health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said, bringing the total number of cases observed in the country to 15.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said the detection came after information from WHO that a Taiwanese-American tourist, who was on board the cruise, had tested positive after returning home end February.

She has been confirmed as an index case, a first documented patient in the onset of an epidemiological investigation carried out by Egypt on the cruise ship.

Egypt had previously provided, in an epidemiological inquiry into recent reported cases in several countries, a breakdown of the nationalities of passengers who were aboard the ship from 5-19 February, including 11 from France, 31 from the US, seven from Canada, three from China, two from Malaysia and one from Bangladesh.

A security source told Al-Ahram Arabic website on Friday that the Nile cruise ship has been evacuated in order to sterilise and disinfect it.

The process is being carried out in the El-Baghdadi area, which is located 20 kilometres from the city of Luxor.

The source said that the detected cases were now in Luxor, ahead of the planned transfer to an isolation hospital.

The ship had arrived in Luxor on Thursday following a three-day trip in Aswan.

While in Aswan, the passengers had visited several historical sites in the city, including Kom Ombo and Edfu, before travelling to Esna and Luxor. However, the 12 cases, all Egyptian workers on the ship, tested positive after a PCR test was carried out following the conclusion of the 14-day incubation period.

Megahed said the ministry has followed up on medical conditions of those who were in contact with the tourist over the past 14 days and they did not show any symptoms.

The 12 cases are set to be referred to an isolation hospital, with others believed to be in contact with them currently placed in quarantine for 14 days, to follow up on their health conditions.

The statement didn't clarify how many passengers were on the cruise at the time of detection or their nationalities.

Friday's announcement comes one day after Egypt announced the first confirmed case in the country of an Egyptian, a recent returnee from Europe.

The two previous cases were both foreign nationals; one has since recovered.

John Jabbour, the WHO representative in Egypt, said the detection of the cases confirms the efficiency of Egypt's preventive plan to combat the disease and deal with infected cases following their detection.

He praised Egypt's transparency and fast response in notifying the WHO about the cases, the statement said.

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As spring break approaches, international travel is restricted or prohibited at Houstons colleges and universities and in some cases personal international travel must be reported in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

All campuses urge good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces like desks, keyboards, counters and cell phones.

Heres a breakdown by institution on travel guidelines:

University of Houston System

University of Houston students, faculty and staff who plan to travel internationally for spring break must report so in a UH international travel registry.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas colleges ramp up coronavirus travel restrictions, cancellations

Whether for a vacation or returning home, the university asks everyone traveling internationally to know that situations and conditions surrounding COVID-19 are dynamic and could change while you are traveling, potentially complicating return logistics.

More Information Travel health notices scale Level 1 (Watch) - Exercise normal precautions. This includes being up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. Level 2 (Alert) - Practice enhanced precautions. Defines a specific at-risk population Level 3 (Warning) - Avoid nonessential travel. The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention See More Collapse

Classes have not been impacted by COVID-19, but in a page of frequently asked questions, UH officials explain why some people on campus are wearing masks.

It is common in many cultures, including in the U.S., for individuals to choose to wear masks as a way to minimize direct contact with airborne pathogens. The wearing of a mask is voluntary and should not be interpreted as an indication that the wearer is ill.

Baylor College of Medicine

College-sponsored international travel is restricted as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, according to the medical schools updated coronavirus preparedness plan. And anyone who has planned personal travel will be subject to a 14-day furlough if they have traveled to Japan, Mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy.

Baylor is requiring all clinical faculty to take a continuing medical education course on COVID-19. Residents and fellows at the medical college will not be involved in the direct care of patients with COVID-19 in either in-patient or out-patient settings at this time. This is the same procedure we followed when there was an Ebola epidemic in 2014-2016, according to the colleges coronavirus guidelines.

Rice University

This week Rice suspended all university-sponsored student travel and spring break trips to foreign countries until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifts travel restrictions related to coronavirus.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Keep up-to-date on coronavirus in the Houston metro area

A Rice University research associate is one of five coronavirus patients in the Houston metro area. All of the cases are linked to foreign travel, local health officials say. The Rice employee, who had limited contact with 14 Rice doctoral students, faculty and staff, recently visited Egypt.

After coming in limited contact with the employee Feb. 24-25, the 14 have been in self-quarantine away from campus. None have reported symptoms and the quarantine is expected to be lifted next week if no symptons occur, Rice President David Leebron said in a statement Thursday.

Houston Community College

Spring break season is near and many HCC students, faculty, and staff are expected to travel during that time. It is best to practice healthy habits including frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact with sick people, the colleges coronavirus webpage advises.

HCC has a self-reporting form for any student, faculty or staff to complete if they have coronavirus symptoms.

Lone Star College System

Lone Star College is closely tracking the outbreak, and will continue to monitor the situation, its campus alert says. The system also encourages proper hygeine and follows CDC safety guidelines.

Texas Southern University

Texas Southern modified a study abroad program based in China so staff and students will not travel to East Asia this summer, a university official said.

Texas A&M University System

The A&M system created a mandatory travel registry for all individuals who travel internationally. Spring break travel poses a particular concern, according to the universitys coronavirus alert.

Prairie View A&M canceled and postponed remaining spring break study abroad trips until later in the semester, a university spokeswoman said.

The system is canceling all university-sponsored student study abroad spring programs to Level 1, 2 and 3 countries. For faculty and staff, only mission-critical travel to countries Level 1 or above will be considered and will require prior high-level institutional approval.

In addition to registering on the website, anyone who has international travel must self quarantine off campus for two weeks.

Texas A&M campuses remain open and are operating on a normal schedule, the university said in its March 5 update. We understand the increased anxiety on our campuses and throughout the community. TAMU administration is actively monitoring and responding to the situation and will continue to follow the guidance of public health agencies.

University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas in Houston canceled study abroad trips to Argentina and Jamaica, spokeswoman Sandra Soliz this week . The university will continue to monitor planned destinations for summer studies abroad, she said.

Baylor University

Baylor has postponed university-sponsored travel to Italy, China and South Korea. And any faculty, staff or student who travels internationally on Baylor funds or business must register with the universitys Center for Global Engagement.

Staff writers Brittany Britto and Robert Downen contributed to this report.
Photo credit: Jamie Grill - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

For years and years, my father and mother battled about cleaning out the house. She was a keeper and he was a thrower-outer. The huge walk-in closet in our guest room housed many of my art projects from elementary school, toys my brother and I played with as children, my amazing Barbie camper van, my Crissy doll with adjustable hair length. (It is important to note  for my mothers legacy  that while she was a keeper, she was a clean and tidy one! The closets were jammed but thoughtfully organized and the living areas impeccable. The 35-year-old baby clothes were washed every other year to prevent musty odors!)

Growing up in wartime Germany, my father became accustomed to minimalist living. He likes neat surfaces, ironed pajamas, closets from which things dont fall on your head when you open their doors. He donated clothes every year and asked that we not buy him cards for birthdays or Fathers Day, as he considered them clutter. The yin and yang of keeper vs. thrower-outer led to some fascinating discussions about value  both emotional (as with, say, a childs old bike) and monetary  and often some heated arguments. My mothers emphatic stomping-off closing statement always included something like "When I am gone you can throw it all away."



When my amazing mother did pass away 10 years ago, instead of just tossing or donating everything, my father, my brother and I made the decision to hold a garage sale. After all, we had wanted to have one for years, but it had always been vetoed by my mother. Having had garage sale envy all my life, I had somewhat glamorized the notion. I imagined a magnificently sunny day, my kids selling thirst-quenching lemonade, a steady flow of visitors and a completely empty driveway at the end of the day. Turning all our junk into cold, hard cash  lots and lots of dollar bills in our pockets.



We dug deep in our family home to uncover many garage sale items and some forgotten memories. There was the dusty orange circular birdcage my father had bought for me when I was 6 and had found a helpless, wounded bird. That bird eventually died, but the cage stayed. There was also a 20-year-old boom box that sat handsomely on my mothers nightstand. Shed played cassettes at night and listened to the radio while she put away the laundry. Wed convinced ourselves to keep it all these years because it worked and was "vintage" and with the ever-popular idea "It could be worth a lot of money someday." And then there was the Pinocchio bank Id gotten at Disney World when I was 7. This bank had smiled at me when I had been banished to my room and given me money to buy treats from the ice cream truck.

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Photo credit: Courtesy of author

These were all items of comfort. And now these were all items that served no actual purpose for us anymore. Still, it was hard to decide what got a price tag and what stayed. So I asked myself, How often will I use this? Do I need this item for the memory, or could I take a picture of it from which I could garner the same joy? When I stumbled upon something that would have made my mother remark "This could be worth money someday," I knew it was likely a sign that I should sell it now and not "someday."

Months after we began chiseling away at the decades of my familys stuff, garage sale day came, and promptly at 8 a.m., the cars began to pull up. It wasnt exactly the vision Id imagined. It was sunny, but also sticky and humid. There were no children with a thirst-quenching lemonade stand. We did manage to make $214 while clearing out a lot from the house.

But as I watched a silver-haired woman carry away my beloved birdcage, I knew it was OK to say goodbye. I realized that emotional attachment was not enough to allow something to clutter your home or life. Happiness comes from the using of an object, not the owning of it.

Thats why that Pinocchio bank now sits prominently in my childrens bedroom, so they can save their pennies and treasure it as much as I did.

This story was originally published in the March 2020 issue of Good Housekeeping.

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Cultural shifts, technological disruptions, rising cost of delivering quality education along with students expectations have changed the way higher education used to work earlier, hence, the subject of this conference is important, said D P Singh, chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC). He was speaking via video conference at the inauguration of the 4th International Conference on Transcending National Boundaries at Symbiosis International University, Lavale.

The two-day conference, with the theme Diversity and Inclusion is organised by Symbiosis International (deemed) University (SIU) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU) was inaugurated on Friday.

UGC chairman DP Singh and Delhi deputy chief minister and education minister Manish Sisodia attended via video conference. The guest of honour for the event was prof Yusara Mouzughi, vice-chancellor, Muscat University, Oman.

Singh further said, As we embrace the trade-driven economy, the fourth industrial revolution, our universities need to change with the pace which is unfamiliar to the higher education. And our institutions must meet the challenges of digital revolution through internationalisation.

Sisodia said that changing technology and increase in cost of education has left students dissatisfied. In India we are seeing dissatisfaction among students, not only with the way we engage with them in the classrooms but in their day-to-day life. So we need to make collective commitment to all youth, stating that the society will offer high quality education to all, he said.

There is an urgent need to change the track in school and higher education, to rediscover the purpose of education system. The entire focus of education system worldwide is shifted to making a living, whereas the most important question-what maks a good life.. is left unexplored. This has created more problems in the society such as wide-spread hatred, corruption and environmental disasters. So we need to make our students responsible global citizens.

Mouzughi said, The topic of the conference is important and unfortunately forgotten. Today, we are dealing from problems of crime to corona. The role of diversity and inclusion is at a primary importance to me. Till now, I was at the receiving end of internationalisation, today, being a vice-chancellor, I have the opportunity to make an impact. Oman and India both are very welcoming countries and links between both go back to 5,000 years.

Prof SB Mujumdar, chancellor, SIU; Vidya Yeravdekar, pro-chancellor, SIU; Rajani Gupte, vice-chancellor, SIU and M M Salunkhe, president, AIU were present on the occasion.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Since the botched coup attempt of July 2016, a widespread skepticism of the U.S. has pushed Turkish policy makers to conceptualize a world order where Ankara would carve out a sizeable degree of strategic autonomy from the Westdespite Turkeys membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This line of thinking has led to a burgeoning relationship with Russia, crowned by the purchase of the S-400 missile-defense system.

But the escalating conflict over Idlib, where Turkey is seeking to protect its zone of influence against the advance of the Russian-backed Syrian army, has put the feasibility of this vision to the severest of tests.

The hard clash with reality came with the shocking loss of 34 Turkish soldiers to a joint attack by a Syrian and Russian squadron. Ankaras reaction has been to seek the political solidarity of its NATO allies. A few hours after this incident, Turkey called for consultations under the Article 4 of the treaty. Timely Western support was important for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of his meeting today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to discuss the fate of Idlib.

But even beyond the political context, the struggle for Idlib has demonstrated in many other ways the benefits to Turkeys NATO membership. The success of the counteroffensive carried out by Turkish forces after the air strikes against its troops is closely related to a NATO-enabled military posture and Ankaras participation in the Euro-Atlantic defense ecosystem.

One key example is the way the Turkish army has capitalized on network-centric warfare assets against standalone Syrian army units. A single Turkish F-16 was able to down two Syrian Su-24 jets, not in a dogfight but beyond visual range. An airborne early-warning and control (AWAC) aircraft acquired the targets, relayed the location and other critical information in real time to the F-16 through the NATO standard Datalink. This information was then relayed to the F-16s air-to-air AMRAAM missiles as they headed toward their targets.

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This level of interoperability, coupled with the ability to take full advantage of the network-centric features of strike assets, has given the Turkish army a clear advantage over rival forces in northwest Syria. Turkeys battlefield advantage even extended against Syrias modern Pantsir air-defense systems, supplied by Russia. Turkish armed drones have been able to take out these assets with the help of advanced electronic warfare systems.

The next phase of the conflict over Idlib will be shaped by the sustainability of any ceasefire emerging from the Erdogan-Putin meeting in Moscow today. But in reality, there is little likelihood that a ceasefire will turn into a permanent peace. Turkish and Russian goals in Idlib are irreconcilable. Moscow wants to hand over the control of the territory to the Syrian regime; Ankara wants maintain its presence there, to prevent the aggravation of a humanitarian disaster, but also as a leverage for the eventual negotiations over a political settlement in Syria.

Complicating the equation is the issue of Turkeys proxy groups, some of them linked to jihadi entities, which are considered by Russia and Syrian regime as terrorists. Idlibs future will be shaped by these ongoing disagreements, and the Turkey-Russia dispute will remain prone to new conflicts.

As a result, Turkish policy makers may be forced to review their position on Turkeys fast expanding military cooperation with Russia. Of key importance will be the fate of the S-400. It is difficult to imagine that Ankara would fully operationalize this system, triggering U.S. sanctions, at a time when the relationship with Russia has entered a conflictual phase, at least over Syria.

But whether Turkey will take the next step and mothball this strategic weapons system to totally eliminate the threat of sanctions is still unclear. More certain is the emerging appreciation in Ankara of the risks of half-baked attempts at strategic autonomy in a region where the threat environment militates for Turkeys stronger attachment to the institutions of transatlantic security.

To contact the author of this story: Sinan Ulgen at sulgen@edam.org.tr

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Bobby Ghosh at aghosh73@bloomberg.net

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Sinan Ulgen is the executive chairman of Istanbul-based think tank EDAM and a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe in Brussels.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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Debbie Loftus and her parents were meant to be touring the beauty of Ensenada, in Baja California, Mexico on Thursday, at one of the ports of call for their cruise aboard the Grand Princess.

Instead, the highlight of their day was watching Black Hawk helicopters arriving to drop off kits to test for COVID-19. Loftus and 3,500 other passengers and crew members are currently anchored off the coast of San Francisco after news broke that a passenger who sailed on a previous voyage had died from the deadly infection. The Grand Princess is the latest cruise ship caught up in the outbreak, which has infected nearly 100,000 and killed almost 3,400 people worldwide.

Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking on this link, and please send any tips, leads, and stories to virus@time.com.

For now, Loftus is keeping a positive attitude. It was kind of exciting when the helicopters came. We all ran up to get some pictures of that, says Loftus, a 60-year-old retired physical therapist from Germantown, Wisc.

Shortly after watching the helicopters leave, the passengers returned to their rooms, where theyve been confined since Thursday afternoon local time. Crew, in masks and gloves, delivered dinner to their cabins.

Loftus says shes calm, but shes worried about her parents. Theyre in their 80sa high-risk group for COVID-19and her mother has asthma. I dont want to say it, but if she contracts it, that could be the end for her unfortunately, Loftus says. Theres a lot of concern, but were not talking about it because we dont want to worry her too much.

Dinner is delivered to a passenger cabin on Mar. 5, 2020. | Bill Pearce

Threats of a coronavirus outbreak on the Grand Princess have hung over the luxury cruise since Wednesday, when everyone aboard learned that a California man who had been a passenger on a previous voyage died after contracting the coronavirus. The 71-year-old boarded the San Francisco-to-Mexico round-trip cruise on Feb. 11, disembarking on Feb. 21. On Thursday, a second former passenger of the Grand Princess died of a suspected COVID-19 in California.

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Read more: Should You Cancel Travel Plans Amid COVID-19 Concerns? Heres What to Consider

Officials said 62 passengers stayed on the ship after Feb. 21 for the round-trip cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii that was meant to return via Mexico. As of Thursday, at least 35 people are experiencing symptoms, according to Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Franciscos Department of Emergency Management.

Princess Cruises said in a statement that samples have been collected from 45 people, meaning that not all the passengers who were on the cruise with the 71-year-old man were tested.

Test results are expected to be announced Friday. Until then, passengers are living in limbo, unsure of whether their cruise is virus-strickenand if they will have to be quarantined.

Loftus says no one on board appears to be panicking, but she suspects that if any of the COVID-19 tests return positive, they will be quarantined.

Another Princes Cruises ship revealed just how quickly the virus can spread on board. Passengers on the Diamond Princess, docked in Japan last month, were stuck in their rooms for 14 days after the cruise learned an earlier passenger had contracted the virus. More than 700 people out of some 3,700 were diagnosed, prompting criticism about the effectiveness of a quarantine that ended with almost one in five people infected. At least six people from the Diamond Princess died.

A crew member serves passenger food at a buffet on Grand Princess on Mar. 5, 2020. | Bill Pearce

Loftus believes health authorities and the cruise company have learned from the experience and would do a better job of quarantining passengers if it has to happen again.

For now, though, passengers are anxious about more practical concerns, says passenger Bill Pearce, from Lafayette, Calif. Some are worried about being away from work if there is an outbreak on board. Others arent sure if they would be able to get a flight back home.

If we are quarantined, I think the major options would be to stay on the ship for a period of time, or they could bus us out to Travis base, he says, referring to the U.S. Air Force base in California that has housed other U.S. coronavirus evacuees under quarantine. But if theyre not sufficient for everybody, I dont know what theyre going to do.

Read more: The Time for Containment Is Over. Welcome to the Next Phase of Coronavirus

Since reports that a previous passenger died of coronavirus, the cruise line has been working to lower the chances of potential transmission. At lunch on Thursday, their last meal before all passengers were sent to their rooms, there were no more shared bread rolls or salt and pepper shakers on dining tablesif you wanted condiments, crew members came around sprinkled them on for you. At buffets, instead of passengers helping themselves at food counters, crew members were on hand to serve food so passengers wouldnt all be touching the same pair of tongs.

Outside the restaurants, crew were making sure you wash your hands at the hand washing stations, and use the Purell dispensers, Pearce, a 54-year-old software engineer on board with his wife says. Before, he adds, passengers could probably get away with walking straight into the restaurants without sanitizing.

And while Loftus appreciates the new measures, she was sad to see that the baralong with many other facilities on the shipwas already closed on Thursday morning when she tried to buy a bottle of wine.

We already bought an extra bottle yesterday, she says. But we thought we might want to get a bit more if were quarantined for 14 days.
Yelp San Antonio has canceled its Fiesta medal event this weekend over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Yelp San Antonio planned to give out its 2020 Fiesta medal from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Fiesta Store on Broadway. Any mention of Fiesta and free medals typically brings out throngs of people. An update on the event's official Yelp page said the decision was made with the health and wellbeing of the community in mind as the disease continues to spread globally.

The first 100 people in attendance at the event were promised a discount at the Fiesta Store and complimentary margaritas.

The online notice also said official Yelp Events scheduled through the month of March will be postponed.

RELATED: Amid coronavirus fears, 2020 AWP writers conference and bookfair in San Antonio open to public for $5 on Saturday

"We will continue to plan ahead for plenty of five-star fun in the future and will keep you posted," the local community manager said online.

More than 3,000 people worldwide have died of the virus. Fourteen of those deaths have been in the U.S. San Antonio has reported 11 coronavirus cases, all of which were evacuees hosted in the city from the Wuhan and Diamond Princess cruise ship. No community-spread cases in San Antonio have been reported.

On Thursday, The Self Storage Association decided to cancel its March 17-19 conference planned at the Convention Center amid concerns about the outbreak. About 1,200 people were planning to attend the conference and trade show, according to officials. The Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference and Bookfair, the third largest of its kind in the country, is currently underway at the venue. About 40 percent of the 10,000 guests were expected to skip the event, according to a previous San Antonio Express-News report.

Local large events, like Fiesta, are still expected to go on as scheduled.

Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye
In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the movement of visitors and their entry into Parliament will be restricted when it reassembles after Holi on 11 March.

New Delhi: In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the movement of visitors and their entry into Parliament will be restricted when it reassembles after Holi on 11 March.

Starting next week, Members of Parliament from both Houses will not be able to meet their visitors inside the Parliament. Neither will they be able to take their visitors on a tour of the Parliament house when Parliament will resume on Wednesday after Holi break.

In the directions issued to both Houses, the movement of the visitors is likely to witness strict restrictions over the inflow and movement. This has been done keeping in mind the security of the Members of the Parliament against the 'deadly' coronavirus.

Those coming to meet the MPs at the reception will be allowed to stay only for one hour and this restriction must be strictly adhered to, informed a source.

Follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak

In wake of several advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding precautions to be taken against the deadly novel coronavirus, steps are being taken to prevent the spread of infection among public and MPs.

"These measures include personal and respiratory hygiene and must be practised. Large gatherings within the premises of the Parliament House Estate may be avoided. Visitors other than those, which are essential for official/operational reasons, maybe strictly restricted," stated the directions that have come to the offices of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and circulated to the office of every political party having its office inside the premises.

To reduce overcrowding in the Parliament, where scores of visitors throng the premises, in the wake of coronavirus and also to ensure the security of the MPs, the Lok Sabha has issued a circular to keep the visitors away from parliamentary party offices. For this specific purpose, the passes too have been colour-coded.

"The Public Gallery pass which is for visitors to watch the proceedings of the House will be in white colour and these visitors are not permitted in any other area of the Parliament. The security personnel have been directed to ensure the exit of the visitors form the building soon after the proceedings are over," reads the directions issued.

The circular further states, "The casual visitors will have a blue colour pass. These are people visiting party offices and MPs and will be issued a pass only for outer precincts of the Parliament house and in non-restricted areas only. These visitors are not permitted to enter through building gates of Parliament house. The MPs are requested to meet them at outer precincts or at the reception."

As for those who have an appointment with the chairman, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, secretary-general, Speaker, prime minister, deputy speakers, ministers and ministry of parliamentary affairs shall be issued passes to their respective offices and permitted through authorised gates. This pass will be red in colour.
With Womens History Month underway and International Womens Day approaching on March 8, classrooms and museums across the United States will be focusing on famous women who shaped the world we live in. But not everyone who did so has gotten the recognition she deserved. This week, TIME is telling the stories of women who might have earned the title Person of the Year  a centurys worth of the women who most shaped each year, for good or for ill.

In addition, to shed light on other lesser-known female history-makers, we asked historians to name a woman from the American past whose story should be better known. Here are their picks.

Emilia Casanova de Villaverde

Portrait of Emilia Casanova de Villaverde, 1874. | The New York Public Library

Emilia Casanova de Villaverde is known as a patriot in Cuba, but lived most of her life in New York City. An ardent abolitionist and activist leader, she supported Cubas independence from Spain during the last half of the 19th century. As the Ten Years War (1868-1878) raged in Cuba, she formed the first womens club, La Liga de las Hijas de Cuba, to raise funds and sustain the elderly, the widows and orphans who took refuge from the war in New York. She addressed the Congress of the United States about Cubas situation, and on several occasions personally sought the aid of President Ulysses S. Grant.

From her baronial coastal mansion in the South Bronx, where a network of vaults concealed the crates of munitions Emilia collected for the liberation army, she organized numerous clandestine expeditions to Cuba. Denounced in the conservative press, ridiculed in political cartoons, and burned in effigy in her hometown, she continued to form womens clubs for the cause until her death in 1897  the year before the Spanish-Cuban-American War would change the course of history for Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Virginia Sanchez Korrol, co-editor of Latinas in the United States: A Historical Encyclopedia with Vicki L. Ruiz, and Professor Emerita at Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Story continues

Mary Ware Dennett

Mary Ware Dennett at home on March 3, 1930. | Bettmann ArchiveGetty Images

She was an artist, suffragist, birth-control reformer and anti-war advocate. She began her reform career at the National American Woman Suffrage Association where she served as literature coordinator and wrote a number of influential essays for the movement. In 1915, she founded the first birth control organization in the United States, the National Birth Control League (later renamed the Voluntary Parenthood League).

She and Margaret Sanger were the leaders of the birth-control reform movement in the 1920s, but her vision of legalizing birth control for everyone who wanted to use it was much more expansive than Sangers. Sanger wanted to ensure that birth control remained under the control of physicians and thought medicalizing it was the best path for social acceptance. She successfully quashed Dennetts vision  birth control as a fundamental right  and today, we know Sanger and not Dennett as a reproductive rights leader. But it is interesting to think about how our understanding of contraception and reproductive rights might be different had Dennett prevailed.

Lauren MacIvor Thompson, author of Battle for Birth Control: Mary Dennett, Margaret Sanger, and the Rivalry That Shaped a Movement and faculty fellow at the Center for Law, Health & Society at Georgia State University

Dorothea Dix

A circa 1868 portrait of Dorothea Dix. | Three LionsGetty Images

A history-making woman Im trying to know better is Dorothea Dix (1802-1887). The white Bostonian became internationally known for her activism on behalf of asylum and prison reform, and later leader of Union nurses during the Civil War. She traveled tens of thousands of miles, almost always alone, inspecting prisons, jails, poorhouses and almshouses. The conditions she conveyed in her numerous exposes were horrendous. Local officials purportedly shook with fear when she showed up on their doorsteps demanding admittance. Due to her efforts, every state in the ever-expanding United States allocated land, money and legislative attention to the creation and improvement of insane asylums. Yet despite working with prominent male abolitionists, she remained explicitly racist and resisted abolitionism. The denial of the rights of the institutionalized, the overwhelming ability of husbands to institutionalize their wives as insane, the inequalities of racially segregated asylums, and the published exposes of ex-asylum inmates who sought to bring attention to asylum abuses simply did not exist and/or did not matter in Dixs world. Like all of us, shes a bundle of contradictions  but unlike most of us, her contradictions had impact.

Kim E. Nielsen, author of A Disability History of the United States and Professor of Disability Studies, History, and Womens & Gender Studies at the University of Toledo

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

Claudia Jones

Trinidad-born journalist and activist Claudia Jones at the Brixton, London, offices of the newspaper she founded, The West Indian Gazette in 1962. | FPG/Archive PhotosGetty Images

Claudia Jones was one of the most influential black radical and feminist intellectuals of the 20th century. Born in Trinidad in 1915, Jones migrated to Harlem during the 1920s and became an active member of the Communist Party. A gifted writer and journalist, Jones worked to broaden Marxist theory by centering women, gender and race. Her groundbreaking article, An End to the Neglect of the Problems of the Negro Woman, published in 1949, emphasized the triple oppression of race, class, and genderlaying the foundation for what Kimberle Crenshaw later termed intersectionality.

Keisha N. Blain, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh and President of the African American Intellectual History Society and a W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow at Harvard University

Laura Cornelius Kellogg

Laura Cornelius Kellogg | History and Art CollectionAlamy

Laura Cornelius Kellogg was an Oneida activist, author, orator and policy reformer, and she was one of the founding members of the Society of American Indians (SAI) in 1911. SAI was the first national American Indian rights organization run by and for American Indians. Other organizations believed that total assimilation into American society was the only way to save the Indians, but many Progressive Era Indians and members of SAI fought to preserve Native rights and sovereignty. Kellogg was an advocate against increasingly stringent federal Indian policies that, among other things, sent Native children to boarding schools and sought to eradicate Native languages, cultures, and political, economic and social systems. Kellogg left a controversial legacy  one contemporary called her a cyclone, while another called her a woman of brilliance  but hers is a fascinating story of a Native woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Katrina Phillips, assistant professor of history at Macalester College and an enrolled member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe

Mary Tape

An 1884 portrait of the Tape family, including Joseph Tape, Emily Tape, Frank Tape, Mamie Tape, and Mary Tape. | Smith Collection/GadoGetty Images

Little is known of Mary Tapes life in China. In 1868, the 11-year-old Mary immigrates to the United States and ends up as a servant in a brothel in San Francisco. She runs away and takes shelter at the Ladies Protection and Relief Society, where she is raised and takes the name of Mary McGladery. One day Mary meets another young Chinese immigrant, a boy who drives a milk wagon and calls himself Joseph Tape. They marry, and the ambitious Joseph establishes his own prosperous transportation and immigration brokering business.

But the Tapes wealth cannot inoculate them from racial discrimination during this time of anti-Chinese exclusion and racial hostility. In 1884, their daughter Mamie is denied admission to a local school because she is Chinese. Mary Tape is incensed. She writes a an impassioned letter and the Tapes sue the principal and the San Francisco Board of Education. They win the landmark case Tape v. Hurley, which guarantees Chinese children the right to a public school education. However, Mamie never enrolls at her local school. After the court decision, the school district builds a Chinese Primary School, suitable for Mongolian children. The Tape case and the states reaction foreshadows the separate but equal doctrine soon to become law in the 1896 decision Plessy v. Ferguson.

Renee Tajima-Pena, Series Producer of the upcoming PBS series Asian Americans and a Professor of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles

Mamie Till-Bradley

Mamie Till-Bradley, mother of lynched teenager Emmett Till, cries as she recounts her son's death on Oct. 22, 1955, in Washington D.C. | Afro American Newspapers/GadoGetty Images

Photos of the badly disfigured corpse of Emmett Till  the Chicago 14-year-old lynched while visiting family in Mississippi in August 1955  rocked the globe, but we wouldnt have seen any of those images if his mother hadnt insisted on an open-casket funeral for him. She was an everyday black woman who had been confronted with this horrific tragedy, and made a crucial decision that helped to set off this movement. She had to go through so many hurdles, calling on politicians to help her re-claim his body; they were ready to just quickly bury her son to cover the whole thing up, but she wanted to expose the brutality. Emmett Tills death and those images were a spark that finally set the civil rights movement ablaze. In spite of death threats, Mamie Till-Bradley then went on a speaking tour to raise awareness about her sons death. Even after they are denied justice  Tills killers were acquitted  she continued to be an activist.

Kali Nicole Gross, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of History at Rutgers University and co-author of A Black Womens History of the United States with Daina Ramey Berry.

Maggie Lena Walker

Maggie L. Walker, standing in the parlor of her home. | National Park Service Museum Collections

Maggie Lena Walker played an important role in making Richmond the cradle of black capitalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Walker is best known as the first black woman bank president in the United States. She organized and led the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank from its founding in 1903 to her death in 1934. The bank was part of her vision for the Independent Order of St. Luke, a secret society founded in the 1850s by a free woman of color. The IOSL and St. Luke Bank formed the foundation of a financial powerhouse that, at its height in the 1920s, provided financial services to 100,000 members and others in more than 20 states. Before the Great Depression, the IOSL was arguably the largest employer of professional, white-collar black women in the country. Walker battled public misfortune and private pain in a life lived in the public eye. In 2017, the city of Richmond dedicated a memorial statue of Walker on Broad Street. Walkers memory endures as a staunch crusader for black economic and political rights, especially for black women.

Shennette M. Garrett-Scott, Associate Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi and author of Banking on Freedom: Black Women in U.S. Finance Before the New Deal

Jane Cooke Wright

A photo in the Dec. 24, 1956, issue of LIFE magazine shows Dr. Jane Wright (L), head of cancer research, examining a patient at the Manhattan hospital Bellevue. | Margaret Bourke-White/The LIFE Picture CollectionGetty Images

A physician and researcher, Jane Cooke Wright is credited as having been among the cancer researchers to discover chemotherapy. She was the daughter and granddaughter of African American physicians. In 1964, Wright was the only woman among seven physicians who helped to found the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and in 1971, she was the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society. Wright was appointed associate dean and head of the Cancer Chemotherapy Department at New York Medical College in 1967, apparently the highest ranked African American physician at a prominent medical college at the time, and certainly the highest ranked African American woman physician. She was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board (aka the National Cancer Advisory Council) from 1966 to 1970 and the Presidents Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, and Stroke from 1964 to 1965.

Martha S. Jones, the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University and the author of the forthcoming Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All
The New South Wales government has announced that homeowners who lost their houses due to the bushfires can waive their stamp duties when they buy a new home.

In a statement, Revenue NSW said a stamp duty relief of up to $55,000 will be available to bushfire victims. The relief will be available to those who intend to purchase in another location instead of just rebuilding. Under the grant, stamp duty will be waived for properties with values of up to $1.25m.

The exemption will also be available for those who already bought a house during the bushfire season.

The state government of Victoria also announced similar tax relief in January.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) said that it welcomed the NSW government's move; however, it maintains its stance on stamp duty as a major hurdle for aspiring homeowners.

"Taxes such as stamp duty are a major impediment to people buying their own home and by significantly reducing these fees, people will be able to get into a new house sooner and hopefully get their lives back on track with as little angst as possible," said David Bare, executive director at HIA NSW.

Further details and information about the tax relief will be available in the next few days, according to Revenue NSW.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet pressured the federal government early last month to act on tax reforms, including scrapping the stamp duty.

"It's very hard to embark on reform if every two years we have a new prime minister in this country. We need political stability to provide a better reform for now and into the future," Perrottet said in a TV interview for Sky News.

Perrottet garnered support from several groups, including the Australian Taxpayers' Alliance.

"Australians have become disillusioned with the housing market thanks to a lack of affordability and the high cost of making transactions. With the exception of the Hong Kong, Sydneysiders cop the least affordable homes in the world," said Julia Kokic, a research associate at ATA.
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California on Thursday became the latest state to order insurance companies to waive out-of-pocket costs for coronavirus testing.

The California Department of Insurance and Department of Managed Health Care ordered all full-service commercial and Medi-Cal plans to immediately reduce cost-sharing  including, but not limited to, co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance  to zero for all medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19, including hospital, emergency department, urgent care and provider office visits where the purpose of the visit is to be screened and/or tested for COVID-19.

It also directed them to let their contracted health care providers and customer service agents know of the change.

Washingtons state insurance commissioner issued a similar order on Thursday, as did New York regulators on Monday.

Earlier this week, White House and public health officials sought to reassure Americans that their health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid will cover the cost of testing and treating the new coronavirus. But that wont encourage people who have no insurance or large deductibles or co-payments to seek help needed to prevent them from infecting others.

About 9% of the U.S. population, and 7% in California, lacked health insurance in 2018, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. However, many people with private insurance have large deductibles.

If you have a $7,000 deductible and dont have $7,000, you are essentially uninsured, said Jennifer Tolbert, the foundations director of state health reform. Thats a problem when you are trying to address a crisis like this.

Californias action should encourage those with insurance to seek testing, although it didnt promise any relief from out-of-pocket costs for treatment if needed. It also wont encourage those without insurance to get tested.

On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a directive by the State Department of Financial Services that prohibits New York health insurers from imposing cost-sharing on customers who visit an in-network doctors office or urgent care center or any emergency room to be tested for COVID-19.

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a bill providing $8.3 billion to fight and prevent the coronavirus both at home and abroad. The House passed it Wednesday. Most of the money, $6.5 billion, goes to agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including $2.2 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost $1 billion of the CDC money is earmarked for state and local preparedness response. State and local agencies must submit a plan on how they will spend that money to the CDC within 45 days. Each state will get at least $4 million, but the bill doesnt specify how much each state will get. Some of that will depend on where its needed the most.

Nothing in the bill provides money to help individuals who cant afford to pay for testing or treatment. Nor does it provide any money to help insurance companies subsidize the cost of coronavirus testing or treatment.

More Information Who has health insurance? About 9% of the U.S. population, and 7% in California, lack health insurance that would pay for treatment of the coronavirus Type of insurance National California Employer 49 47 Individual (non-group) 6 7 Medicaid (Medi-Cal) 20 26 Medicare 14 11 Military 1 1 Uninsured 9 7 Data as of 2018 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation See More Collapse

Its a needed infusion of cash into the public health system as opposed to a health care delivery model, said Evan Hollander, a spokesman for the House appropriations committee.

Kristine Grow, speaking for the Americas Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, said she could not speak to the uninsured population. But for people who have health insurance coverage with high deductibles, they should not hesitate to seek treatment because of concerns about costs. Health insurers are working with federal, state and local officials to protect people from out-of-pocket costs. We do not want financial concerns to be a barrier.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for California after a 71-year-old Placer County man died from the coronavirus that he likely contracted on a cruise ship that left from San Francisco Feb. 11 and returned Feb. 21.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

The state of emergency provided no funding for coronavirus treatment or testing.

Money is not the issue for the state of California, Newsom said in a news conference.

He did say California is getting $37 million from the federal coronavirus bill. On Monday, Newsom asked the Legislature to make up to $20 million available from the Disaster Response Emergency Operations Account, which will allow state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19. This will be an early action item for the 2020-2021 budget, according to a news release. It didnt specify how the money would be spent.

The CDC has been paying for the coronavirus test itself. On Wednesday, the White House announced that 1.5 million more test kits would be going out this week.

In California, 10 public laboratories can now do testing. The CDC will not, however, pay for any doctors visit that may be required to get the test. Thats up to individuals, and their insurance if they have it. If testing was expanded to private labs, its not clear whether the CDC would pay for that.

Under existing federal regulations, the CDC can decide whether to cover bills related to patients who are placed in isolation or quarantine in a hospital. During the Ebola outbreak, it did cover those costs. It has not yet said whether it will cover those costs for coronavirus, Hollander said.

The CDC did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender
Supreme Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to social activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde, accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, till March 16.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra granted interim protection from arrest to the two till March 16, when the apex court will hear the matter again.

Bombay High Court had, on February 14, rejected their anticipatory bail plea filed by the two in connection with the case and granted them four weeks' time to approach the Supreme Court.

Navlakha and Teltumbde were booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following the violence at Koregaon Bhima village in Pune on January 1, 2018.

Earlier, a Pune Sessions court had transferred all the records and further proceedings of the case to the special Investigation Agency (NIA) Court, Mumbai.

The NIA had earlier filed a petition in the Pune sessions court on January 29 seeking transfer of the case to the agency's court in Mumbai.

On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Akin also said there was no record of Donnelly sending any money to Oberweis congressional campaign and that there was no authorization for anyone in the campaign to propose such an exchange. Akin said Oberweis has put $500,000 of his own money into his campaign and it would be political malfeasance for him to have done what Rezin alleges.
City workers walk under the clocks of Nash Court in Reuters Plaza to commute to work in Canary Wharf financial district London, England, United Kingdom. (In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

Investment bankers and traders used to plush central London offices face being relocated to the suburbs, as banks take precautions over the spread of coronavirus.

Bankers have been testing back-up offices in places like Croydon, South London, and the Hampshire town of Farnborough in recent weeks in case staff need to quickly be relocated.

Major investment bank offices house thousands of staff and the fear is that if even a single employee catches COVID-19, it could spread rapidly throughout the building. With thousands of people passing daily through Canary Wharf, Londons financial centre, any infection could also spread rapidly beyond a single company.

Concerns heightened on Thursday after an employee at HSBC tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Staff on the relevant floor of HSBCs (HSBA.L) tower block headquarters were evacuated and a deep clean ordered.

The same day, 1,200 employees at nearby S&P Global Platts, a commodity pricing agency, were told to work from home after a visitor was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Read more: HSBC deep cleaning Canary Wharf office after coronavirus case

Most banks have already banned non-essential travel and relaxed rules on working from home in response to the spread of the virus, but some are ramping up precautions.

JP Morgan (JPM) yesterday asked some staff to relocate to different offices from Monday. The bank hasnt yet recorded COVID-19 cases but isnt taking any chances. Sales and trading teams will be split up and some asked to work at back-up offices in locations such as Basingstoke, a Hampshire town 50 miles west of London.

London's Canary Wharf financial district. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Regulators require banks to maintain disaster recover plans to ensure they can continue to operate in the event of a terrorist attack or earthquake, for example. The idea is to limit the economic fallout of any disaster by ensuring businesses can continue to get access to credit and other financial products. These plans are now being dusted off in response to coronavirus.

Story continues

A key plank of most plans is a back up office, ready to go in the event the main headquarters is taken offline.

Goldman Sachs (GS) has a backup office in Croydon, South London; Nomura (NMR) has a back up facility in Farnborough, 40 miles west of London; Barclays (BARC.L) has a second site in Northolt in the suburbs of west London; and UBS (UBS) has a spare office in Hayes, on the outskirts of London.

The locations are a far cry from the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Farnborough his best known for its annual air show and Surrey Live last year said the number one reason to live there is the local Vue cinema. Northolt is partly a conservation area, home to a village green and Saxon church.

Read more: JP Morgan moves London staff as coronavirus precaution

Back-up offices in these locations usually lie dormant, manned by a small number of security staff, but bank employees have been visiting in recent weeks to ensure they are properly set up. Goldman sent hundreds to Croydon this week to make sure they could log on to systems.

Much of the testing is mundane: do building passes work? Can people log on to computers there? Can they get on to internal work systems once on the computer? Is software up to date?

You dont want to go there, log on, and see: you have 57 updates and itll take 3 hours, said one person familiar with preparation work at a major European investment bank.

The Basingstoke Canal in Basingstoke, where JP Morgan has its back-up office. (PA)

Barclays, Goldman Sachs, and Nomura declined to comment when contacted by Yahoo Finance UK about disaster recovery plans and coronavirus precautions.

A spokesperson for HSBC said: We do not expect any change to the support and services provided by HSBC. The size and structure of HSBC allows us to support our clients from multiple sites. We have well practiced contingency measures that ensure critical processes continue to be maintained.

A spokesperson for Deutsche Bank (DBK.DE) said it is taking active steps to protect staff and clients and ensure continuity of operations across all our businesses.

We have well-prepared contingency plans in place, and management teams that are monitoring the situation very closely.

A spokesperson for UBS said: "The health and safety of our employees and clients is always our main priority. We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close contact with the relevant authorities.
Three people who attended a meeting in Boston for Biogen, a Cambridge-based biotech company, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the company confirmed Thursday.

Biogen said three attendees who were at the meeting started feeling flu-like symptoms after last weeks meeting. Three attendees tested positive for COVID-19 to date.

At the present time, these individuals are doing well, improving and under the care of their health care providers, the company said in a statement.

Biogen instructed all employees who attended the meeting to stay home for two weeks, whether they presented symptoms or not. The company has decided to restrict travel through the end of March.

Another Boston-related coronavirus surfaced Thursday. The Tennessee Department of Health announced that the states first positive diagnosis of the respiratory infection came from a person who had traveled from Boston Logan International Airport to Nashville. The person was asymptomatic while traveling.

Three Springfield Public Schools employees are under a two-week quarantine for possible exposure to coronavirus. They had recently traveled to Italy, though none reported symptoms.

The U.S. now has at least 197 confirmed coronavirus cases and 12 deaths, following another death in Washington state Thursday.

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JUNCTION CITY, Kan. -- Retired CSM Roger A. Wang Sr., 67, Junction City passed away at his home Friday, Feb. 21, 2020.

CSM Wang was born July 24, 1952, in Viroqua, to Leif E. and Irene (Paulsrud) Wang and was raised in Westby. He graduated Cashton High School class of 1970.

He joined the U.S. Army in October 1971, was a Vietnam and Panama veteran. His basic training/IAIT was completed at Ft. Ord, Calif. CSM Wang served with the 172nd Arctic Light Infantry Brigade in Alaska, Drill Sergeant at Ft. Jackson, S.C, Project NCO Ft. Benning Training Development, 509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy, USMA West Point and with the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Ft. Polk, La., as Platoon, Intelligence and First Sergeants. While with the 5th Infantry, he personally took the company from Ft. Polk to Panama and captured Noriega's headquarters. He was the National Guard/Reserve Component Advisor at Readiness Group Ft. McCoy, Wis.; SGM for NWTC Ft. Greely, Alaska; CSM, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry (Iron Rangers), 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One), Ft. Riley, Kan., and lastly Brigade CSM, 1st Regional Training Brigade, Ft. Carson, Colo.

For his excellence in service to his country, CSM Wang earned many awards and decorations that include: Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon numeral 3, Master Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Canadian parachutist Wings Badge, Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), Arctic Skills Patch, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, Senior Parachutist Badge with Combat Distinguishing Device, 1 Bronze Service Star, and Expert Infantryman's Badge.

He retired after 27 years serving his country proudly and with honor.

CSM Wang is survived by his loving family, ex-wife, Gerri Wang of Junction City; daughter, Joline (Jill Greer) Wang of Kansas City, Mo.; son, LTC Roger A. (Dalela Ivory) Wang Jr. of Fort Bragg, N.C.; two grandsons, Erik and Evan; two brothers, Larry Wang of Toulon, Il., Frederick Wang of Westby; two sisters, Beverly Wang (Verle) Erickson of Viroqua, Kathy Wang (Wally) Hemmersbach of Cashton; and a host of loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Deborah Irene Wang.

Services were held in Junction City, Feb. 27.

Memorials are suggested to: Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758-517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.
DANBURY  A New York resident who recently worked shifts as an employee at Norwalk and Danbury hospitals has tested positive for coronavirus.

This is not unexpected, Gov. Ned Lamont said at a news conference Friday night at Danbury City Hall. Weve been prepared for this  well prepared for this.

Kerry Eaton, chief operating officer for Nuvance Health, the parent company of the hospitals, said it is believed the employee contracted the disease in New York. She is now in Westchester County under self-quarantine, Eaton said.

The employee went into self-quarantine on Wednesday when she was notified by New York officials that she may have come into contact with someone with the virus, Eaton said.

Eaton said the employee worked in a relatively isolated part of Norwalk and Danbury hospitals and came into contact with a limited number of employees and patients. The employees were notified Friday and furloughed for 14 days, Eaton said.

The two hospitals are part of the Western Connecticut Health Network, which includes New Milford and Sharon hospitals. That group is part of Nuvance Health, with seven hospitals in total, based in the Hudson Valley.

Eaton said hospital officials have been preparing for a possible case of the coronavirus since mid-January and expressed confidence in staffers ability to handle the situation, noting that employees deal with infectious diseases every day.

Renee Coleman-Mitchell, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, said during Friday nights news conference that 42 possible cases of coronavirus have been tested at the state lab in Rocky Hill. All have come back negative. Another 11 samples are set to be examined, she said.

The state has one examination kit, allowing for 600 tests to be conducted, Coleman-Mitchell said.

Lamont has requested another kit from the federal government, which could be obtained by early next week, she said.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the case highlighted the need for federal action and support.

This unfortunate news highlights the need for heightened preparedness  swift and strategic action to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further. The CDC should immediately provide Connecticut with tests already promised now more necessary than ever, Blumenthal said. Other federal support should follow, such as reimbursement for local and state expenses, assistance for local health officials and first responders, and aid for small businesses. My thoughts are with the patient and prayers for a swift and complete recovery.

Hospitals across Connecticut spent Friday preparing for an influx of people wondering whether theyve contracted coronavirus by making plans for triage centers outside their main buildings.

The centers could be tents in hospital parking lots, or temporary trailers or office space, not necessarily near the hospitals that would open them.

The extra infrastructure would be used primarily for screening and testing, not treatment, to keep people who think they may have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus out of waiting rooms and emergency departments where people with otherwise compromised immune systems might be.

If you dont have a hospital in your neighborhood, a testing site that is isolated from everything else to reduce the contamination of other people and the other health care workers, said Dr. John Rodis, president of St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.

Hospitals are in the early stages of preparations, but the need may increase rapidly in the coming days. Officials in New Haven have confirmed a person has been exposed to someone who had the virus, and a number of cases have been detected in Westchester County, including Port Chester, N.Y.

If we cant get it right here in Connecticut, who can, Lamont said during a news conference at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center on Friday morning. Were prepared, weve been preparing for this for a while ... probably its going to look like a bad flu season.

Rodis said many hospitals already have hazmat tents that can be set up on short notice, and that hospitals are working with the Department of Public Health for approvals and to determine if and when its necessary, to keep people from inundating emergency departments.

The tents and other temporary facilities would not need full certificates of need from the public health department  a process that can take many months for regular construction.

Within our hospital we have about 40 isolation rooms that the air is changed six to 12 times an hour. We also have emergency tents, most of us do, just for hazmat spills and chemical exposures. So we could set up a hazmat tent outside our ED (emergency department), and we have done that because we have had hazmat spills back in the anthrax days and that kind of thing, so we can pop up a tent in an incredibly short time.

Av Harris, communications director for the state Department of Public Health, said hospitals are isolating screening and testing for coronavirus because there is no vaccine or treatment medication, and the virus is highly contagious. Thats in comparison to the annual flu, he said, for which all health care workers are vaccinated, and anti-viral medications are available.

Josh Geballe, the chief operating officer, said the addition of triage centers will be handled by each hospital depending on the need and infrastructure they have available. Geballe said the hospitals will be responsible for incurring the cost of the additional infrastructure for the time being.

This could look like a tent in a parking lot across the street, Geballe said. I know one hospital in Connecticut is in the process of setting up (shipping) containers and theyre putting negative air compression in those and they will be collecting samples in those. Youre going to see a lot of creativity in our hospital systems.

While the Connecticut State Health Lab in Rocky Hill has limited testing capacity, Quest Diagnostics, a private provider of diagnostic information services, announced it will begin to offer testing for the virus nationwide on Monday, pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Thats a big deal because that significantly expands the national capacity for processing tests, Geballe said. Many of our larger hospitals are also going through an FDA process right now in order to be able to do their own testing on site, so we are days away from having dramatically increased capacity to process tests.

Those tests will require health care providers to take the swabbed samples from patients  which could put pressure on hospitals and physicians offices.

Then the bottleneck shifts to collecting the specimens from potential patients and so thats the concept of alternative testing sites, Geballe said. That is keeping people who are not critically ill away from our EDs, preserving our most critical resources, which are the beds for the people who are critically ill.

Associated editor and columnist Dan Haar contributed to this story. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
The on Friday agreed to hear a plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act filed by a journalist.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant issued notice to the Centre on journalist Saket Gokhale's plea and tagged them along with over 160 petitions challenging the CAA which are listed for hearing this month.

The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution.

The top court, on December 18 last year, had decided to examine the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), while refusing to stay its operation.

Hearing a batch of 143 petitions, the top court, had on January 22, made it clear that the operation of the CAA will not be stayed and gave the government four weeks to respond to the pleas.

The court had also said that pleas concerning Tripura and Assam, as well as the matters related to Uttar Pradesh, which is going ahead with the implementation of CAA without framing any rules, can be dealt with separately.

It had also said the modalities of hearing the batch of petitions on the CAA will be decided in-chamber and the court may fix them for day-to-day hearing after four weeks. President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12, turning it into an Act.

Several petitions have been filed, challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA. Among those who have filed pleas are the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

The IUML said in its plea that the CAA violates the fundamental right to equality and intends to grant citizenship to a section of illegal immigrants by making an exclusion on the basis of religion.

The petition had alleged that the government's CAA was against the basic structure of the Constitution and intended to explicitly discriminate against Muslims as the Act extended benefits only to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.

The plea filed by Ramesh said the Act is a "brazen attack" on the core fundamental rights envisaged under the Constitution and treats "equals as unequal".

The other petitioners include the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the All Assam Students Union (AASU), the Peace Party, the CPI, NGOs Rihai Manch and Citizens Against Hate, advocate M L Sharma, and law students.
Cuban Jews founded the Cuban Hebrew Congregation in Miami Beach, Fla., as a way to preserve their culture.

MIAMI BEACH (JTA)-Palm trees line the entrance to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation, where on a recent Saturday morning, about a dozen elderly people gathered for services.

Congregants greeted each other in Spanish inside the building, whose Western facade features an impressive Gaudi-esque wall with irregularly shaped stained glass windows. At the front of the sanctuary, the flag of Cuba hung from a pole beside those of Israel and the United States.

Cuban Jews founded this congregation in 1961 as immigration from the island nation surged following Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959. Membership peaked in 1980, when more than 1,000 people were affiliated. But the membership has since dropped precipitously to just about 180 today, calling the synagogue's future into question.

"It had a lot of members at one time but they got older, so they passed away or they moved away or they moved to where the children are," said Rachel Dubelman, 71, the synagogue's president.

As its membership shrunk, the congregation struggled financially. Seeking alternative income sources, the synagogue offered tours and rental space to outside groups. A museum about Cuban-Jewish history also is under consideration.

"Everything is a challenge," said Gena Gutman, who became involved with the synagogue shortly after moving from Cuba to Miami in 1965. "We have to manage and we have to survive, and we have to leave this legacy to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and that's what moves us to continue."

Cuba was once home to a diverse Jewish community. Sephardi Jews from Turkey and Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe settled there in the early 20th century. More Jews arrived seeking refuge during the Holocaust. Before the 1959 revolution, about 20,000 Jews called the country home.

But the vast majority departed in the early 1960s after Castro declared the country communist. Ruth Behar, a Havana-born anthropologist and author of the memoir "An Island Called Home: Returning to Jewish Cuba," said they left because Castro's nationalization program cost many their businesses. Jews also worried about their ability to freely practice their religion under a communist government.

Most of the emigres settled in New York or Miami Beach, which was a far cry from the luxury tourist destination it is today.

"When they arrived, it was still an area that was very affordable and there were lots of rental apartments," said Behar, an anthropology professor at the University of Michigan.

Gutman, 85, remembers the struggles her family faced when they arrived in Miami in 1965. She and her husband opened a store "the size of a closet," first selling clothes and later electronics.

"The youngest of my children had to sleep on the floor in schmattas while I was working and my husband was outside trying to get us some merchandise," she recalled, using a Yiddish word for rags.

Still, things were much better than in her native country, where Gutman struggled to find basic necessities.

"We didn't had food, we didn't had medication. When a child gets sick, nothing to do," she recalled. "It was hard and at that time -thanks God my husband and me were young, strong-and we decided we had to do whatever is the best for my family."

The Cuban Jewish community had been a tight-knit one, and many who arrived in Miami Beach settled near one another in an effort to re-create the community they had lost. In 1961, they founded Circulo Cubano-Hebreo de Miami, a social group for Cuban Jews. El Circulo, as it was called, eventually became the Cuban Hebrew Congregation.

"It was a place that anchored all of the Jews so that they have a place to go," said Dubelman, whose family left Cuba in 1961 for New York and later moved to Florida.

The Cuban Hebrew Congregation, which is affiliated with the Conservative movement, was founded by Ashkenazi Jews, which Behar says make up the larger portion of Cuban Jews. Sephardi Cubans founded their own synagogue, today known as Temple Moses Sephardic Congregation of Miami.

The establishment of Cuban synagogues was driven in part by a desire to recapture something of island Jewish life in America. But the new arrivals also weren't exactly welcomed with open arms by the existing Jewish community.

"They formed the Cuban Hebrew Congregation precisely because they were having a hard time fitting into the Jewish community in Miami," Behar said.

"There wasn't really a concept yet of Jewish multiculturalism, so I think the first reaction [from American Jews] was, 'Are these people really Jews?' They spoke Spanish, they ate black beans, they had very different customs from American Jews."

Josefin Dolsten Gena Gutman (second from right), together with other Cuban Jews who are involved with the congregation.

Today, many of the children of the original immigrants have assimilated into the larger American Jewish community. Some have moved away, while others have joined synagogues locally.

"A lot of synagogues [here], even if they're not completely Cuban Jewish, they have a lot of Cuban Jews integrating" Gutman said. "The ones that moved out belong to other synagogues. It's a mix of the American Jews and the Cuban Jews, and we mix very well with everybody."

Despite the economic struggles Gutman, who volunteers in the synagogue office, said she doesn't spend too much time worrying about its future. Instead, she focuses on making sure she can make it to services as much as possible.

"I don't miss a Shabbat for nothing in the world, unless I'm sick," Gutman said. "I feel I'm home, that's what I feel. I feel it's mine, it's a part of me."
Think marijuana isnt addictive? Former users say think again
A paedophile who sexually assaulted a seven-year-old girl after taking her from a Kmart store should spend more time behind bars before being eligible for parole, a Brisbane court has been told.

Sterling Mervyn Free will be able to apply for parole in less than two years after he was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in October.

Sterling Free had pleaded guilty to deprivation of liberty, taking a child for immoral purposes and indecent treatment of a child under 12. Credit:Facebook

He pleaded guilty to taking a child for immoral purposes, deprivation of liberty and the indecent treatment.

He took the girl from the toy aisle of the Westfield North Lakes store on December 18, 2018, abused her in bushland about 30 minutes away and then returned her to the shopping centre.
The Hope Medical Group for Women clinic in Shreveport, which has been operating for 23 years, treats about 3,000 women a year. In all that time, it says, only four patients required hospital care. Even in such instances, women are likely to visit the closest emergency room, where medical personnel will treat their complications. The doctor who performed the abortion would not normally be called in, even if she were nearby.
More than 50 people were given electro-convulsive therapy without their consent in 2018, according to a new study.

In its report on the Administration of Electro-Convulsive Therapy in Approved Centres, the Mental Health Commission has also claimed that those treated with ECT did not understand why they were having it.

The report also says that while fewer people are being treated with ECT, it remains a largely successful form of treatment despite being stigmatized by the so-called Hollywood effect.

This is the portrayal in films like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, where ECT is seen as a brutal punishment for unruly mental health patients.

In 2018, the report says, 516 individual treatments of ECT were administered without consent.

The number of treatments, which were slightly down on the previous year, related to a total of 53 individual patients.

Since the commencement of the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015, ECT can only be administered with the written consent of the patient.

However, if the patient is unable to consent, it can be administered with the approval of the responsible consultant psychiatrist and a second consultant psychiatrist.

The same act also stipulates that ECT cannot be administered without consent to a voluntary patient.

The two consultants must be satisfied, following assessment, the patient is not capable of understanding the nature, purpose and likely effects of the proposed treatment.

Some 19% of ECT programmes had one or more treatments without consent in both 2017 and 2018.

The report has also revealed the number of patients who received ECT in 2018 has decreased compared to 10 years previously. The number of residents undergoing ECT treatment has fallen from 396 in 2008 to 282 in 2018.

In addition, there is also an overall decrease in the number of ECT treatment programmes over the same period, from 407 in 2008 to 365 in 2018.

Other findings in the report show the ratio of female to male residents undergoing ECT treatment over the 10-year period stayed at approximately two to one.

The report states the higher number of women being administered ECT may be related to the relatively higher rate of diagnosed depressive disorders in females than males in Ireland.

John Farrelly, chief executive of the Mental Health Commission, said ECT treatment generally has a positive effect on those being treated.

In 2018, 81% of people receiving the treatment indicated improvement as a reason for concluding a programme of ECT.

ECT is a procedure that has been stigmatised throughout history, partly because of the way it has been portrayed on screen, and partly because of a general disconnect that still exists between a patient and public perspectives on ECT therapy, he said.

Studies have shown that the Hollywood version of ECT has left the impression the treatment is negative, cruel and brutal, with no therapeutic benefit.

In fact, the portrayal of ECT in films rarely depicts modern ECT practice and experience. What this has done is served to distort public opinion of ECT, and further added to the stigma for those who undergo such treatments.
YPSILANTI, MI  Seven victims. Two doctors. One message for the University of Michigan.

Be the example.

Wolverines live to surpass their rivals on the field, on the ice and on the court, said Kaylee Lorincz, a survivor of former Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar. Im asking that (UM) make that same commitment to be better than MSU where it really matters. Beat them at accountability, at transparency, at human decency.

At a press conference Thursday, three victims of late UM doctor Robert Anderson -- accused by dozens of men of sexual abuse during medical examinations, sat between four survivors of Nassar -- convicted of abusing hundreds of women.

Robert Stone initially spoke out last month about abuse at the hands of Anderson. JP DesCamp and Michael Connelley opened up to the public for the first time Thursday.

After 31 phone calls to hotline, former patient calls late UM doctor serial molester

DesCamp was neither a student nor an athlete at UM, but instead was sent to Anderson by his employer, General Motors, in 1973 for a standard physical exam to continue his flight duties out of a Detroit airport. He showed up to Andersons office as a 22-year-old and the only patient in the office.

Things got weird with Dr. Anderson as he had me lay on his examination table face-up while he removed my undershorts, DesCamp said. He donned his examination gloves and began an intense rectal examination with one hand, while he used his other hand to stimulate my penis.

DesCamp didnt want to elaborate further on the abuse but said he felt highly vulnerable and never returned to Andersons office, even after Anderson offered to help schedule future appointments.

However, during one of DesCamps flights at GM, a coworker spoke of Anderson with an extremely derogatory tone, saying none of the line pilots should go to Anderson for their flight physicals.

Instead, they went to a good guy in Plymouth and paid for these flight physicals out of their own pocket, DesCamp said. My word about Drop your drawers Anderson was out, but seldom discussed within the pilot group.

Multiple UM staffers heard rumors of abusive doctor, including one who thought he fired him

Connelley said he was sexually abused by Anderson for many years, starting at age 18. He was referred to Anderson by a friend and the abuse started when he saw Anderson for a sore throat.

My life has greatly been affected by the abuse I suffered Connelley said, not wanting to further discuss specifics of his abuse. I was forced to overcome obstacles I should have never encountered I do not accept an apology from the University of Michigan because its coming way too little, way too late and way not enough.

Anderson worked at UM from 1968 to 2003 and is now being investigated after a 2018 letter from former wrestler Tad Deluca detailed instances of sexual abuse in 1970s, which included unwarranted hernia and prostate checks during medical exams.

Three former UM wrestlers speak out on sexual abuse allegations against late doctor

Other students and athletes endured similar abuse, which included instances described as fondling, and Anderson exposing himself during examinations, according to an extensive police report compiled by UM police. The Washtenaw County Prosecutors office declined to issue any charges in the case, noting that Anderson died in 2008.

At a March 4 press conference, attorneys Parker Stinar, Michael Nimmo and Dan Sloane, who represent more than 50 victims of Robert Anderson, called on Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to open an investigation into UM and Anderson.

California attorney John Manly said he is representing another 50 victims and also called on Nessel to open an investigation.

Nessel said Thursday that wont happen unless UM fully cooperates and waives privileges such as attorney-client confidentiality.

AG Nessel would investigate University of Michigan doctors sexual abuse only if school cooperates

To attorney Mick Grewal of Grewal Law, which representing victims of both Anderson and Nassar, that would mean doing the opposite of what MSU did in the Nassar investigation.

They share all the documentation. They share all the records. Theres no such thing as attorney-client privilege issues, Grewal said. The university has to be transparent and an external investigation has to be done because theres really nothing to hide.

Lawyers of Larry Nassar victims hired in University of Michigan doctor sexual misconduct case

Livonia attorney Mike Cox filed five lawsuits this week on behalf of five more anonymous victims of Anderson.

Stinar and his team said they wont be filing a lawsuit and hope to accomplish the goals of their clients by meeting with the UM representatives.

First lawsuit filed against University of Michigan over late doctor sexual abuse allegations

Manly said he hopes to achieve three goals for his clients without filing a lawsuit: Revealing the truth, ensuring accountability and achieving justice.

Going through the civil litigation process is essentially verbal and written combat. In combat, there are casualties, and we dont want casualties again, Manly said.

UM spokesperson Kim Broekhuizen said the university has committed to share the independent investigation being conducted by Washington, D.C.-based law firm Steptoe and Johnson, and encourages all witnesses and former patients to share their stories.

We share the same goal of gathering all the facts, including understanding the full scope of the harm caused by Dr. Anderson and the institutional failings of the university, Broekhuizen said.

Manly said there are two paths for the UM Board of Regents. One path is the Michigan State path, a harmful one, and the other is the right road, were the regents can make it right.

What these regents can do is step up and make Michigan the shining example for this phenomenon, which is not just happening here, its happening all over the country, Manly said. (UM) is one of the best medical institutions in the world. Embrace it. Own it. Make it right.

Messages seeking comment were left with a spokesperson for Michigan State University.

Live: Dr. Anderson Victim Press Conference Three victims of UM Dr. Robert Anderson speak out at press conference Posted by MLive.com on Thursday, March 5, 2020

MORE UM NEWS:

Late UM doctor needlessly probed patients, was known as Dr. Drop Your Drawers,' former students say

More than 100 complaints now logged against former University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson

Starting at 17, former UM wrestler was abused by athletic doctor 35 times, lawsuit claims

Lawyers representing dozens of victims liken UM doctor abuse case to Larry Nassar, OSU scandals
AFP via Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West has announced her support for a man facing execution in Alabama and has called for officials to stay the execution.

Posting on Twitter, the reality TV star asked her 63.7 million followers to join a coalition calling for Nathaniel Woods to be saved.

The tweet read: #NathanielWoods is scheduled to be executed in Alabama TONIGHT for murders he did NOT commit. Join the broad coalition- including members of the jury and relatives of the victims  in urging @GovernorKayIvey and @AGSteveMarshall to stay Nates execution.

The state of Alabama is scheduled to execute Woods for capital murder in a case in which even prosecutors acknowledge that he did not kill the three victims.

The group referenced in Kardashian Wests tweet is being led by family members is asking the governor for an eleventh hour stay of execution.

#NathanielWoods is scheduled to be executed in Alabama TONIGHT for murders he did NOT commit. Join the broad coalition- including members of the jury and relatives of the victims  in urging @GovernorKayIvey and @AGSteveMarshall to stay Nates execution.  Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 5, 2020

The tweet tags both Alabama attorney general Steve Marshall governor Kay Ivey.

In 2005 Mr Woods was found guilty for his role in the 2004 deaths of three police officers in Birmingham, Alabama, and the attempted murder of a fourth. Another man, Kerry Spencer, was also convicted of the crime and is also on death row.

Kardashian West also retweeted a post from an account @FreeRodneyReed again urging people to call Alabama Governor Kay Ivey at 334-242-7100.

Story continues

EmergencyPlease call Alabama Governor Kay Ivey at 334-242-7100 and ask her to STOP the execution of #NathanielWoods TOMORROW 3-5-20. You can help stop this. Nathaniel Woods execution: Alabama inmate says Woods is '100% innocent' - CNNPolitics https://t.co/g9ZmH6AVe9  Rodney Reed (@FreeRodneyReed) March 5, 2020

Prosecutors say, Mr Woods drew the four officers to an apartment where he and Spencer sold crack cocaine. It was there that Spencer, not Woods, shot the officers.

Officers Carlos Owen, Harley Chisholm III and Charles Bennett were killed, and officer Michael Collins was wounded.

On Wednesday, Mr Woods father and sister came to the state Capitol in Montgomery to proclaim his innocence.

Speaking outside the Capitol, Pamela Woods said: We really just want people to see that he really is innocent, that he didnt have anything to do with the murders of those officers.

We do feel really bad for what happened that day. We dont wish that on anyone, for their family to have to deal with that. It was very unfortunate that the shooter did what he did. But the main point is, is that Nathaniel had no parts in those actions of another man, Kerry Spencer.

Upon his conviction, two jurors voted against applying the death penalty to Mr Woods conviction, but their objection was not enough as Alabama is unique in not requiring a unanimous verdict for a death sentence.

The governor is yet to respond to the family nor Mr King, but attorney general Steve Marshall issued a statement concerning the calls to halt the execution.

Said Mr Marshall: There is a last-minute movement afoot to save cop-killer Nathaniel Woods from his just punishment. The message of that movement is encapsulated by the headline of a press release sent out today, which declared: Surrendered and Innocent Man Set to Die. That headline contains two falsehoods and one truth. The falsehoods are the descriptors surrendered and innocent: neither apply whatsoever to Nathaniel Woods, whose actions directly caused the deaths of three policemen and injury to another.

He continued: The truth is set to die: Nathaniel Woods was correctly found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers, and that sentence is set to be carried out tomorrow; that is, justice is set to be carried out tomorrow. The only injustice in the case of Nathaniel Woods is that which was inflicted on those four policemen that terrible day in 2004.

On Monday a stay of execution was denied by US District Judge Emily Marks.

Mr Woods is set to die at 6pm local time on Thursday by lethal injection. He is the first person scheduled for execution in Alabama this year, and the 67th since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Chairman Deepak Parekh termed panic in the market over Yes Bank as unnecessary and an overreaction.

The public is reacting as if this is the end of the world. It is a temporary overreaction, which is unnecessary. Panic in the market to the moratorium is completely an overreaction, Parekh told CNBC-TV18.

He said the problem is bank-specific and not sectoral.

Stating that our financial system is strong, he said, One company going under or having temporary problems due to lack of capital cannot destroy the system.

He added that RBI has taken a timely call and that the central bank has the right to 'do whatever it needs to protect depositors'. RBI has taken a timely call with this move. If they (RBI) had waited till March 14, there would have been a run on the bank. The bank (Yes Bank) needs capital and needs it as soon as possible. There could be a rights issue where some of us may be asked to participate, he noted.

To catch all live updates on this developing story, click here....

Allaying concerns as to why the process is taking so long, Parekh said, "If SBI needs to put in equity in Yes Bank, they need a few days for approvals. If SBI invites other investors, I am sure other banks will join in to protect the financial system. All plans are still being worked out "

Explaining the rationale of State Bank of India (SBI) participation, Parekh said: Large number of foreign funds have discussed various options with RBI. Most of these investors are prominent international players that do not have any investment in India. RBI may have needed comfort of an institution like SBI.

When asked if he was aware of any private player participating in the Yes Bank investment process, he said, Initially it is SBI's call, if they need anyone to participate they will ask.

The veteran banker felt panicking depositors had no reason to worry. I am convinced that Yes Bank depositors will get all their money bank."

He also allayed depositors' fears with regards to the security of their deposits in case of a merger, saying: "The government wants to run Yes Bank as an independent entity. It is better to run Yes Bank independently and revive it."

However, he felt that the bank's depositors should have conducted proper due diligence while investing their money. "IL&FS was not an accident, but a disaster waiting to happen. Even Yes Bank was a disaster waiting to happen. It was known that the bank's loans would not come back. Yes Bank could have turned around themselves, but now a drastic steps had to be taken by RBI. People should take precaution investing in such companies," he said.
Local suppliers of overseas fashion brands may have a bumpy road ahead as materials from China have been blocked due to COVID-19.

Manufacturers of textiles and garments are struggling to keep up with production due to supply shortages.

Contrary to the performance of previous years, the new collection from Swedish fashion brand H&M is expected to be launched at only one store, at Vincom Centre Dong Khoi in Ho Chi Minh City, instead of all units across the country.

A shortage of goods from Vietnamese suppliers is being cited as the main reason behind new products not covering all outlets. H&M is now working with 30 suppliers and 40 tailor shops in Vietnam which account for 30 per cent of its total supplies globally. However, we estimate COVID-19 will not cause any sizeable delays in the manufacturing process, an H&M representative told VIR.

Running retail and production in the same market like we do in Vietnam has supported our operations at the current time. If H&M has to change its business plan, we will attach special importance to the major concerns of suppliers to figure out the best solutions, he said.

H&M, as well as other fashion brands, have been in a deadlock because of shortcomings in material supplies from China. This has resulted in delays of several months for orders from local partners in Vietnam such as Garment 10 Corporation, Saigon 3 Garment JSC, and Viettien, among others.

According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), about 60 per cent of local garment supplies originate from China. As a result, the epidemic has far-reaching implications on domestic textile makers.

The import-export turnover in garments and textiles saw a reduction in the first two months of 2020 due in part to the COVID-19 epidemic, with the export value at $4.5 billion, down 1.7 per cent, while the import value of cloth hit $1.6 billion, down 10.5 per cent on-year.

Last year, the bilateral trade value in the sector between Vietnam and China was $15.7 billion, $4.2 billion of which was export turnover and the remaining $11.5 billion was the import value.

According to analysis by the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Textile, Embroidery and Knitting, businesses are facing a lack of raw materials in April and May. The shortage mainly focuses on enterprises specialising in export production. For small- and medium-sized enterprises with a 50/50 ratio of export and domestic consumption, the raw materials for production depend heavily on large enterprises.

The lack of materials caused by the COVID-19 epidemic has caused and textile producers difficulties in delivering orders for international fashion brands like Gap and Nike in time with enough quantity. Even large-scale producers only have enough materials to maintain manufacturing into the next two months at best.

Nguyen Chi Trung, board chairman at Gia Dinh Group, a supplier of world-famous brands like Nike, Adidas, The North Face, Polo, and Vagabond, said, COVID-19 has greatly affected Vietnamese businesses, especially footwear enterprises. Before the Lunar New Year, they imported enough raw materials to produce in the first quarter. However, the following months will be difficult.

Other suppliers of fashion brands also expressed concerns about the lack of materials. A local supplier of Gap and Tommy Hilfiger, Garment 10 Corporation JSC  which imports 50 per cent of its materials from China  is struggling to complete orders due for delivery in March and April.

Furthermore, Saigon 3 Garment JSC, which specialises in supplying goods for UNIQLO and Nike, is reported to be able to only keep its workshops running through March.

Truong Van Cam, vice chairman of the VITAS, said that almost all members reserved enough materials to last until early April. Thus, after this time, if the epidemic is not controlled, enterprises may have to arrange an alternative timetable for staff or suspend their operation due to lacking materials.

Even though more than half of raw material factories in China have resumed production, Cam explained that it will take time for them to get back up to full speed. Producers have been looking for alternative supply sources from India, Bangladesh, and Brazil to make up for the shortage of materials. However, it is sure that China could not be replaced as the main supplier by anyone else due to its much lower costs, Cam said. VIR

Textile and garment companies need more orders for 2020 The number of orders that textile and garment companies have received for 2020 is just equal to 80 percent of that in the same period last year.
Samsung to shift some smartphone production to Vietnam due to coronavirus

A worker wipes a glass panel bearing the logo of Samsung Electronics at its office building in Seoul, South Korea January 7, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji.

Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) said on Friday that it would temporarily move some smartphone production to Vietnam from South Korea.

The announcement was made after another of its Korean staff tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing it to close a factory.

A company spokeswoman said the group had suspended operations at its factory in the southern city of Gumi in South Korea after a worker tested positive for the virus.

The plant, which makes Samsungs premium phones like S20 and Z Flip foldable phones, will resume production on Saturday, she said.

Since late February, a total of six workers have tested positive at the factory complex in Gumi, close to the city of Daegu - the epicentre of South Koreas virus outbreak - leading to previous temporary closures at the plant.

The move to shift output of "some premium smartphones" to Vietnam "intends to supply products to consumers in more effective, stable and timely manner," Samsung said in a statement.

"Once the COVID-19 situation stabilises, we plan to move back the output to Gumi," it said.

Samsung has already shifted much of its smartphone production to Vietnam over the past decade, where it makes over 50 percent of its phones and has so far seen little production disruption. Its Gumi factory makes up for a small portion of its total output.

Samsung on Friday launched its S20 flagship smartphones globally as scheduled amid concerns that the virus would dent demand for premium phones at home and overseas markets.
Congratulations, alkenana.net got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site:

Alkenana.net scored 79 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 4/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 5 Dec 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

alkenana.net is very popular in Facebook. It has 8 twitter followers. Furthermore its facebook page has 1167 likes.

The total number of people who shared the alkenana homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the alkenana homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the alkenana homepage on Twitter + the total number of alkenana followers (if alkenana has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the alkenana homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if alkenana has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the alkenana homepage on Delicious.

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Referring domains for alkenana.net by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

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FACEBOOK PAGE LINK FOUND FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/154029381462055 DESCRIPTION Saber Agency For Advertising ART if you have any inquiry. . . please contact us info@saberagency.com or Call us : (+2) 01222530405 LIKES 1167 PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT 1 PAGE TYPE News/media website TIMELINE PAGE TIMELINE

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TWITTER PAGE LINK FOUND TWITTER PAGE twitter.com/#!/SaberAgency DESCRIPTION ACCOUNT CREATED ON 03 Sep 2013 LOCATION TWEETS 0 FOLLOWERS 8 LISTED 0




Haiti - FLASH : The USA puts Haiti on the Black List of countries to Avoid (level 4 maximum)





Thursday, when more than 20 people have been shot and killed in the past 6 days, the American administration again put Haiti on the black list of level 4 (Maximum) of the countries where one should not travel at the same rank as countries like Iraq, Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and Libya...



Thursday the "Travel-State Department" in a notice to travelers indicates "Do not travel to Haiti due to crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping."



"[...] Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Kidnapping is widespread. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities. Victims have included U.S. citizens.



Demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent.



Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. Robbers and carjackers have attacked private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women driving alone.



The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Haiti.



If you decide to travel to Haiti :





Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.



Arrange airport transfers and hotels in advance, or have your host meet you upon arrival.



Do not provide personal information to unauthorized individuals (i.e. people without official uniforms or credentials) located in the immigration, customs, or other areas inside or near any airports.



If you are being followed as you leave the airport, drive to the nearest police station immediately.



Travel by vehicle to minimize walking in public.



Travel in groups of at least two people.



Always keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed when driving.



Exercise caution and alertness, especially when driving through markets and other traffic congested areas.



Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.



Purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance ahead of time.



Review information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.



Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.



Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.



Review the Overseas Security Advisory Council report on Haiti.



Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Travelers Checklist.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30067-haiti-flash-france-recommends-to-postpone-any-trip-to-haiti-until-further-notice.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29970-flash-canada-travelers-update-avoid-traveling-to-haiti.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















In a new study published on March 5th, 2020, in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, researchers claim that the meticulous application of best practices for infection control does protect healthcare workers from the COVID-19 illness.

With news that multiple patients from Wuhan were presenting with pneumonia, the response of the 43 public hospitals was to tighten their infection control protocol. One step was to intensify screening measures by including more eligibility criteria, including a visit to a hospital in mainland China. Any patient who screened positive for this virus was placed in an isolation room designed to prevent airborne infections, but a few were kept in a ward where patients had a meter or more of space between them.

The hospitals also stepped up training for staff on infection control measures. The staff was shown and trained on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff meetings were held to discuss infection control. Personal educational discussions were also held. The hospital also evaluated handwashing measures regularly.

Also, the staff were instructed to use PPE more consistently, that is, when carrying out any procedure that could give rise to an aerosol, such as inserting a tube into the trachea or open suctioning, rather than only when the patient was suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 illness.

Coronavirus COVID-19 infected patient in quarantine. Image Credit: Mongkolchon Akesin / Shutterstock

The study

The researchers at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong looked at the number of healthcare workers who contracted COVID-19 during the period of study. There were 1275 screenings for suspected cases, and 42 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed and treated during this time. Among these cases, only 1 of 13 confirmed cases in the first 32 days (6 weeks) from the beginning of the outbreak, when surveillance measures were put in place, was locally acquired.

In the next 29 cases, 27 were locally acquired and presented in the next ten days (days 33 to 42). Of these local cases, 28 belonged to one of 8 family clusters. And 11 were probably caught during a single gathering for sharing food, called hot pot, where the attendees used spoons or other utensils possibly contaminated with saliva to dip into serving pots. Among these cases were a child and a 91-year-old woman who were positive for the virus on testing but remained asymptomatic throughout.

413 healthcare workers were treating these cases, of which 11 were exposed without proper or adequate protection. All 11 were placed in a 14-day quarantine.

The investigators also took air samples from the area close to the mouth of a confirmed case, a patient with a moderate level of coronavirus in the blood. The samples were taken at different times: while speaking, while breathing normally, during heavy breathing, and while coughing.

They also looked for the presence of the virus at various locations inside the room.

The findings

None of the healthcare workers exposed to the infection became ill. That fact shows that careful adherence to best practices of protection can successfully stave off the transmission of coronavirus in a healthcare setting.

Secondly, the samples taken from the environmental air close to the mouth of a patient with the virus were, surprisingly, all negative, no matter how the patient was breathing, coughing, or speaking. The swabs from various objects and surfaces around the same room also proved negative, except for a window bench.

An expert interpreted these findings as reassuring. Says infectious disease specialist Gonzalo Bearman (not part of the current study), The descriptive study employed unique environmental and air samples with the results suggesting that environmental transmission may play less of a role than person to person transmission in disease propagation.

Person to person spread occurs between people in close contact, which is defined as within 6 feet or so. Another route of spread was thought to be through airborne droplets of respiratory secretion that fly through the air when a patient with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes. However, this latter mode of spread appears to be not a likely scenario in the current study. Most people are thought to be the most contagious if they are clearly sick with COVID-19. Asymptomatic cases may not spread it as quickly, and neither does it spread through fomites, or by touching surfaces with the virus on it, according to the current study.

The scientists conclude: Appropriate hospital infection control measures can prevent healthcare-associated transmission of the coronavirus. Vigilance in hand-hygiene practice, wearing surgical masks in the hospital, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment in patient care, especially when performing aerosol-generating procedures, are the key infection control measures to prevent hospital transmission of the virus.
In an Acta Paediatrica study, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 3 months was linked with a lower risk of respiratory allergies and asthma when children reached 6 years of age.

In the study of 1,177 mother-infant pairs, a third of the children were exclusively breastfed until the age of 3 months. By the age of 6 years, 20.8% of children had been diagnosed with respiratory allergies and 11.3% with asthma.

Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months was associated with a 23% lower relative risk of respiratory allergies at the age of 6 years. It was also associated with a 34% lower relative risk of asthma, but only if the children did not have a family history of asthma.

Breastfeeding for 3 months, but not exclusively, was insufficient to reduce the risk of respiratory allergies or asthma.

"Airway disorders such as respiratory allergies and some asthma may be prevented in some cases by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months, as human milk was potentially beneficial in reducing the risk of airway disorders among children," said author Galya Bigman, PhD, of the University of Maryland, Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine.
One of the city's best-known public art installations has raised a record-breaking $3 million to fund Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital's Addiction Care Team with a single heart sculpture.

Kaiser Permanente extended the sizable grant to the ACT  a healthcare initiative fusing traditional medical care, addiction treatment and community support  earlier last month in support of their behavioral and mental healthcare initiatives. Last year, they donated $1 million to the foundation.

The gift will go toward expanding the team's staff  namely by hiring a full-time physician, another patient navigator (a guide who helps patients through the healthcare system), and a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, according to a press release from the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. The team also plans to build upon their emergency care facilities and open an outpatient clinic for patients after they have been discharged  an initiative that foundation says would increase the teams capacity of patient care by 30 percent.

Of the hundreds of hearts dotting downtown sidewalks, parks and plazas, the five-foot-tall sculpture selected by Kaiser was artist Marguerite Bradley's scenic design featuring a dreamy blue-and-green landscape plastered with California poppies. Passionate about her use of re-purposed materials to shape new and imaginative works of art, the 3-D poppies covering Bradley's sculpture were made from recycled sheet metal.

Through its consultation services, the ACT found that at least 33 percent of their patients were struggling with a substance abuse disorder. Nearly half of them were unhoused and/or disconnected from community care, and the team's lack of funding left them unable to extend care to all of these patients  only those on "select hospital teams," according to their website.

MORE: Amazon starts health care service for Seattle employees

In the statement, Kaiser's group President and Chief Operating Officer Janet Liang said it was the "growing visibility of substance abuse, addiction and mental illness" on San Francisco's streets that compelled the healthcare giant to take action.

Our contribution underscores the importance hospitalization plays when it comes to intervening and addressing the mental health of some of the most vulnerable people in the San Francisco community," said Liang.

This news comes just a few months after thousands of Kaiser's mental health workers went on strike across California, taking aim against its lack of quality mental healthcare services  including lengthy appointment wait times and understaffed clinics.

The San Francisco General Hospital Foundation's Hearts in SF initiative raised $4.5 million at this year's Hearts in SF fundraising event. It will all go toward mental healthcare programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett
Who killed Flybe?

Life for a regional airline  connecting the corners and cities of the UK with each other and assorted nearby continental locations  is never meant to be easy.

The tightrope between planes too empty and fares too low is especially tricky when you operate smaller aircraft on thinner routes; all the more so when there is a half-decent rail alternative, with fickle customers happy to abandon you at the drop of a fare.

Occupying the junior half of the aviation food chain makes regional airlines especially vulnerable to their bigger brethren with larger planes. When a route becomes well established, with plenty of passengers, the giants muscle in.

Flybe made some odd choices in its own flightpath. In aviation, one size fits well. Ryanair has exclusively Boeing 737-800 jets, while easyJet remains true to the Airbus A320 family. With more than one aircraft type, costs mushroom and flexibility plummets. Yet Flybe chose a mixed-up fleet.

The rush of cash following a highly successful flotation in 2010 went to the airlines head. Flybe ordered a shiny new fleet of Embraer jets.

They are splendid planes, but ridiculously fancy for a network of short hops averaging 270 miles and taking less than an hour. Each type needs its own pilots, engineers and spares. And when an Embraer breaks, its duties cant easily be replaced by a Bombardier propeller plane: the passengers wont all fit. To the bitter end, each Brazilian-made jet proved an unfortunate encumbrance.

Ive had lots of luck, said Rod Eddington, when he left his role as CEO of British Airways. All of it bad. The last few incumbents at the helm of Flybe must feel equally unpatronised by fortune. Sterling slumped after the EU referendum in 2016. A large slab of Flybes costs were in dollars, while the vast majority of its earnings were in sterling (unlike easyJet and Ryanair, who earn plenty of euros.)

But Flybe has proved an unerring author of its own misfortune.

In 2017 the carrier inexplicably chose to challenge the smaller regional airline Loganair on some of the thinnest routes in Europe: from the Scottish mainland to the Western and Northern Isles.

Airlines that went bust Show all 12 1 /12 Airlines that went bust Airlines that went bust Air Berlin Air Berlin, which operated flights to and from Berlin Tegel, went bankrupt in 2017 Getty Airlines that went bust Small Planet Lithuanian airline Small Planet filed for insolvency at the end of 2018 Igor Dvurekov Airlines that went bust Monarch Airlines The airline ceased operations in October 2017 AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust VLM Antwerp-based VLM went bankrupt in September 2018 Flo Weiss Airlines that went bust Germania German airline Germania filed for insolvency in February 2019 Getty Airlines that went bust Kingfisher Founded in 2005 ceased flying in October 2012 AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust Cobalt Cobalt, based in Larnaca, Cyprus, stopped flying in October 2018 Steve Lynes Airlines that went bust Mexicana An airline that had been in operation since 1921, went bust in August 2010. It was Mexico's largest airline AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust WOW Air Icelandic Wow Air ceased operation in March 2019 Getty Airlines that went bust Primera Primera, known for its cheap transatlantic fares, went bust in October 2018 Getty Airlines that went bust Transaero A privately-owened airline founded in Russia, 1990 lasted until October 2015 Getty Airlines that went bust Malev After 66 years, Hungary's national airline went stopped flying in 2012 AFP/Getty

Attacking the incumbent triggered the sort of self-destructive carnage of the kind practised on the extreme wings of the Labour and Conservative parties.

Six months and millions of pounds worse off, Flybe finally flew south.

Never pick a fight with someone who cant afford to lose, was the retrospective advice from one of the participants. Its bad enough losing out to bigger rivals, let alone smaller foes.

Who killed Flybe? Misfortune and misadventure. But for four decades the airline and its predecessors flew many millions of us safely, providing essential lift for the industry of human happiness.

It will be a long, cold summer without Flybe.
MONROE  Online buyers and sellers can now take advantage of the police departments newly-added safe exchange zone, the agency announced Thursday.

Police said the zone is outside the police departments main entrance, which faces Church Street. The area is marked with a sign that indicates it is under video surveillance.

The zone is under constant police security cameras daily.

Police said residents are encouraged to use the area for sales and purchases through online sites like Craigslist and EBay.

With this new zone in action, police also provided some tips to residents.

Police said buyers and sellers should only work with local residents and should never show up alone for a transaction.

Make sure a friend or family member is aware of the transaction details, police said. Insist on meeting in a public area like a designated safety zone.

Residents should never invite a buyer or seller into their home and should never go into a buyer or sellers home, police said.

Police said transaction should be completed during daylight hours.

When a purchase includes valuable items, including vehicles or jewelry, police said residents should be extra cautious.

Trust your instinct. If it sounds like a scam, it probably is, police said. If someone is not willing to come to the police department to conduct a transaction, then it is likely not a legitimate transaction.
To combat the national shortage of diagnostic tests for the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) gave authorization to UW Medicine to test patient specimens provided by physicians and health care providers, according to two UW Medicine scientists involved in developing the test and ensuring its accuracy.

The UW Medicine virology laboratory has the capacity to dramatically speed up the time it takes to determine if someone has the virus.

State Department of Health (DOH) officials had earlier acknowledged a problem with the federally approved testing kits initially supplied last month to state public health laboratories across the nation. Those problems stymied testing for  and recognition of  the viruss spread in Washington.

The UW Medicine lab got the green light to begin testing on Saturday. As of Tuesday, scientists had tested about 200 specimens, said Dr. Alex Greninger, the labs assistant director who headed the team that began working on a SARS-CoV-2 test in January, as soon as the viruss genetic sequences had been mapped and made available to scientists around the world.

Greninger said the lab has capacity to test 1,000 samples a day, and is working to increase that number to 4,000 or 5,000 a day as the epidemic worsens, which its expected to do. The test is based on one developed by the World Health Organization.

Previously, the Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline was the only local agency authorized to test for the virus, but that lab only has capacity to test up to 200 samples a day. By partnering with the UW Medicine virology lab, health officials are able to increase testing capacity as the virus spreads.

The state lab was built for the purpose of understanding the epidemiology of transmission. Were built for large volume testing for people around the Puget Sound and around the country, said Dr. Keith Jerome, the head of the virology division within the UW School of Medicines department of laboratory medicine.

The poorly functioning kits to test for SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19  required the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to manufacture new kits that only began arriving in labs late last week. The delay meant the spread of novel coronavirus largely went undetected for weeks until new kits became available, public health officials and infectious disease experts told The Seattle Times.

Until last week, the DOH had been sending potential coronavirus samples to the CDC in Atlanta as part of a cumbersome testing process that took up to five days to yield results.

The UW Medicine lab is aiming for an eight-hour turnaround on test results. And while the lab will currently accept samples from anywhere in the country, Jerome said that could change at a moments notice and priority will be given to UW Medicine patients and local residents. Ten people have died in Washington from the virus as of Wednesday afternoon. California reported its first fatality on Wednesday, The Washington Post reported.

Known as the UW SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 assay, all tests that are presumed positive or inconclusive for the virus will be sent from the UW lab to the public health lab and the CDC for further testing. Each test performed by the UW Medicine lab costs about $200, in line with tests for other respiratory viruses.

At a Wednesday news conference to announce the new test, members of the media were asked not to publicize the labs location in order to maintain the safety of the specimens stored there.

This is a respiratory pathogen that seems to cause significant disease. This is one of the most challenging ones Ive seen in my lifetime, Greninger said. Seattle and the West Coast are the front lines of this virus and we will do whatever we can to protect the rest of the United States.

That includes sending positive specimens to labs in other states so scientists have access to the viruss genome before it appears in their communities, and working with manufacturers for a hoped-for future vaccine.

Were sharing everything. Theres a huge spirit of collaboration, Jerome said of the national scientific effort to understand how the virus manifests and is transmitted. No one is hoarding their keys right now.

Working with researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Jerome said UW Medicine has collaborated with colleagues at the University of Nebraska and the New York Department of Health and worked closely with officials at the FDA and CDC.

Im very humbled by this virus. We are not winning against this virus and its likely this epidemic is growing so our work is nowhere near done, Jerome said.

After getting federal approval to begin testing, Jerome commended the heroic effort of the labs 60 employees, who worked until 2 a.m. Wednesday and were back by 7 a.m. to get test results out to doctors and patients as quickly as possible.

Testing is the main weapon against this virus ... Until we have a vaccine, this is our major tool. Were working around the clock, he said.

Healthy people dont need to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 and should continue washing their hands, avoiding crowds and isolating themselves as much as possible, Jerome said. Doctors who see patients who present with a dry cough and a fever of 101 F or higher can submit specimens for testing.

Greninger said the coronaviruss long incubation period has been a major challenge in controlling its spread. But luckily, he said, it has a very large ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome and since it has only recently emerged in humans, its genetic diversity is limited in comparison to other viruses. There are currently three known genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2.

He said the UW Medicine lab has taken steps to make sure patient identifiers are accurately matched to samples to avoid problems like those seen in San Diego, where an infected woman was mistakenly released from isolation to general quarantine before she was told to return.

Greninger explained that doctors or health care providers send the lab specimens swabbed from deep inside the nose and throat as well as liquid from the lower respiratory tract. The samples are placed in large, automated extractors which extract nucleic acid, which contains the viruss genome. Then, using a process known as a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, scientists are able to amplify a small section of the genome. He said the coronavirus has 30,000 nucleotides  the basic structural units in DNA and RNA  and the UW test targets 100 of them specific to SARS-CoV-2.

Two distinct regions of the viruss genome  the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and the E gene  are what the tests are meant to detect. If both genes are detected, a test is positive. If only one is detected, the test is considered inconclusive. If neither is detected, the test is presumed negative.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid the ongoing tussle between him and the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led state government. Dhankhar met Shah at the latter's office at the Parliament complex here, an official said.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the governor, who was appointed to the Constitutional post nearly eight months ago.

It comes within a week of Shah's visit to Kolkata. At a rally in the city, the Union minister had expressed "anguish" over the law and order situation in West Bengal.

Dhankhar has been engaged in a bitter acrimony with the West Bengal government over a host of issues since assuming charge in July last year.

The governor "will avail the opportunity of this meeting by apprising the Union Home Minister about various issues that are relevant and critical to governance in the state. He would obviously advert to areas of concern as also of challenge," said a Raj Bhavan statement issued in Kolkata on Thursday.
FILE PHOTO: Thyssenkrupp's logo is seen outside elevator test tower in Rottweil

FRANKFURT/DUESSELDORF/BRASILIA (Reuters) - A consortium formed by Germany's Thyssenkrupp AG <TKAG.DE> and Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA <EMBR3.SA> signed a deal on Thursday to deliver four frigates to Brazil's navy between 2025 and 2028, the companies said in a statement.

The contract signed in Rio de Janeiro is part of Brazil's drive to modernize its navy so it can patrol off-shore resources in the Atlantic, such as Brazil's vast pre-salt oil reserves.

The companies did not disclose the price tag. The Brazilian navy website said the four-ship program will cost about $2 billion (1.55 billion pounds).

Last year, the companies had been selected as preferred suppliers for the contract to deliver four Tamandare class corvettes, but the original design was enlarged and the navy says they are frigates.

The program is the first large investment decided by the government of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has boosted defence spending and appointed military officers to his Cabinet.

The ships will be totally built in Brazil, at the naval shipyard of Itajai in Santa Catarina State, with local content rates above 30% for the first vessel and 40% for the others. Thyssenkrupp will supply the technology.

"The Tamandare Class Programme will strengthen our ties by transferring technology and generating highly qualified jobs for the country," said Rolf Wirtz, CEO of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

A majority stake in TKMS, which has an enterprise value of about 525 million euros ($587 million) according to Credit Suisse estimates, could be sold in an ongoing restructuring process of the group, Thyssenkrupp has said.

TKMS is Germany's second-largest defence group after Rheinmetall <RHMG.DE>, which, along with France's Naval Group, has been mentioned as a potential buyer of the unit in the past.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt and Tom Kaeckenhoff in Duesseldorf; Additional reporting by Anthony Boadle in Brazil; Editing by Thomas Seythal and Matthew Lewis)
In the gallery above, find images showing the virus' impact on communities across the globe. For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

The number of COVID-19 cases around the world surpassed 100,000 Friday, according to the World Health Organization. The pneumonia-like virus has killed nearly 3,400 people worldwide.

While new cases reported in Wuhan, China, the origin of the outbreak, continue to decline, the number of impacted patients is multiplying in North America and Europe.

The countries with the most reported cases include mainland China with 80,573, South Korea with 6,593, Iran with 4,474 and Italy with 4,636.

This is not a drill, said WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a Thursday press conference. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops.

In the gallery above, you'll see the spreading outbreak is bringing scenes of disruption to Europe and North America like the ones that played out in Asia: runs on household basics, canceled public events and a cruise ship ordered to stay at sea over virus fears.

The United States has 240 cases, according to the WHO. So far, 14 people have died in the United States from the virus, most at a nursing home in Washington state, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some passengers and crew members aboard a cruise ship held off the California coast were awaiting test results Friday to know if they are infected with the virus. A traveler from a previous voyage on the Grand Princess died of COVID-19 disease and at least four others became infected. As results were expected Friday, more than 3,500 people were trapped aboard the vessel being held about 60 miles off the state's central coast.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it looks like the U.K. will face a substantial period of disruption from the new coronavirus outbreak and the government plans to put aid for affected businesses in the national budget. The number of people in Britain infected with the virus increased to 163, the government reported Friday. A woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions who died Thursday became the countrys first casualty of the COVID-19 disease.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday France will likely move to the highest level of epidemic alert in the coming days as the new coronavirus keeps spreading. French Health authorities on Friday reported 577 confirmed cases of the virus, including nine deaths.

The Dutch public health institute has reported the Netherlands' first coronavirus death. An 86-year-old man died in a hospital in Rotterdam. It is not known where he contracted the virus. The Netherlands currently has 82 known infections.

Serbia and Slovakia confirmed their first cases of the virus. The 43-year-old man now infected in Serbia had visited Budapest, the Hungarian capital. The 52-year-old man hospitalized in Slovakia didnt travel abroad but his son had returned recently from Venice. Italy, with 148 virus deaths and over 3,800 infections, is the epicenter of Europe's virus outbreak.

Elsewhere, Germany's confirmed virus cases topped 530 and the government-run Robert Koch Institute announced it has added Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige region to the list of "risk areas" where community transmission of the virus is suspected. The German-speaking region in northern Italy is popular with German tourists.

The U.N. human rights chief is calling on governments and businesses to help alleviate the effect of lockdowns, quarantines and other measures aimed to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says measures to fight the virus should comply with human rights standards, and says efforts should be made to protect the most vulnerable and neglected people in society.

Bachelets office said school closures like those instituted in some countries could force parents to stay home from work, a measure that is likely to disproportionately affect women. It said workers who self-isolate could face lost pay or jobs, and pointed to the impact on trade  which could trickle down to employees.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:


Mitt Romney could block a key part of the Republican probe into Hunter Biden's Ukraine activities after he called the investigation politically motivated.

Senators are to vote next Wednesday on a subpoena for evidence about Hunter Biden's position on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma while his father was serving as vice president.

Romney, the only Republican who voted to impeach President Donald Trump, said the probe led by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson would be better pursued by the FBI or another federal agency 'if there's something of significance that needs to be evaluated.'

Romney added: 'There's no question but that the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political. And I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations.'

Romney's vote is pivotal in the committee where Republicans hold an 8-6 majority. If he chose to defect to the Democrat side, this could result in a 7-7 stalemate.

Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict President Donald Trump of abuse of power following his impeachment. Trump has called the senator a 'low life'

Hunter Biden introduces his father Vice President Joe Biden during the World Food Program USA's 2016 McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at the Organization of American States on April 12, 2016

The president and his allies allege Joe Biden, as vice president, pushed the Ukrainian government's removal of a prosecutor to help Burisma, Hunter Biden's gas company.

Joe Biden said he was following recommendations of both the Obama White House and international governments - all of whom were concerned the prosecutor in question was not doing enough to fight corruption.

Trump was impeached on abuse-of-power and obstruction charges in the Democratic-led House of Representatives after he asked Ukraine to investigate the Bidens in July. He was acquitted of the charges by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Trump furiously referred to Romney as a 'low life' for defecting to the Democrat side in the vote.

Democrats alleged Trump abused his powers to smear his political rival Biden. The former vice president has shot out as the front-runner after this week's Super Tuesday triumph.

Last night Trump doubled down on his claims about Joe Biden in the face of his Democratic rival's glowing win.

When asked about Hunter Biden's position at Burisma the president told Fox News Wednesday night, 'That will be a major issue in the campaign.

'I will bring that up all the time because I dont see any way out. I dont see any way for them, I dont see how they can answer those questions.'

Romney's comments suggested that Johnson could have difficulty getting the Senate committee to approve a subpoena for documents and an interview from Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian diplomat and consultant for Blue Star Strategies, a Democrat lobbying and consulting firm.

Johnson alleges that Blue Star sought to leverage Hunter Biden's Burisma role to make inroads with the State Department.

Johnson declined to comment directly on Romney's views but said he there is 'no reason why anybody would object' to the subpoena. It would mark the first such subpoena as part of the committee's probe into Hunter Biden's activities.

Chairman Ron Johnson speaks at the start of a Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday

Johnson said he plans to have the committee vote next week on whether to issue the subpoena. Romney declined to say how he would cast his ballot.

Democrats have poured scorn on Johnson's effort and said the probe into Hunter Biden is founded on Russian disinformation.

Senator Gary Peters, the committee's top Democrat and Johnson's counterpart, said: 'Quite frankly, the Homeland Security Committee should be focusing on issues related to homeland security.'

Asked if he believed he could defeat the Republican's next week, Peters said: 'I think its uncertain. I dont know how its going to go right now.'

He said he had not spoken to Romney about the vote but expected to before Wednesday.

Republican Senator from Utah Mitt Romney (C) arrives to attend Senate luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 03 March 2020

One other potential swing voter is Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) who said he wants to support Johnson but also 'be sure that we're getting the right information.'

Portman voted to acquit Trump in the impeachment trial but made criticisms of the president's conduct.

However, a source told Politico that Portman was planning on backing his Republican colleagues next week.

Johnson has assured the committee that his intent is solely to gather information.
If you've been suffering from severe allergies lately, you're not alone.

As of Thursday morning, Houston ranks No. 1 for the highest pollen hot spots in the nation, according to The Weather Channel's Allergy Tracker. The tracker ranks pollen levels from low to very high and uses data compiled on a routine basis from the Houston Health Department. According to the Weather Channel, Houston's tree pollen count on Thursday is set at 780 per cubic meter of air. For comparison, the city's health department designates any tree pollen count from 90 to 1499 per cubic meter of air as "heavy."

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: How to navigate Houstons endless allergy season

Officials with the Houston Health Department explained the city's mild winter and surrounding vegetation coupled wind from area counties have contributed to a more severe allergy season.

"There is a possibility that allergy sufferers are going to think of it as one of the worst years they ever suffered," Porfirio Villarreal, public information officer for the Houston Health Department, said. "When we have mild winters, thats when more people are just miserable."

Houston's tree pollen allergy season typically starts as early as mid-January and runs through mid-April, Villarreal said. Grass pollen starts to pick up in April and May, and then high ragweed counts will start to appear in September.

NEED RELIEF? Houston doctor offers tips to combat seasonal allergies

"We have a lot of trees and there is a lot of pollen that just kind of drifts into Houston," Villarreal said. "Combine those two, the moderate weather and the vegetation, and we have peaks [in allergy season]."

One of the most helpful ways for allergy sufferers to alleviate their symptoms is to limit their exposure outside, especially during the early morning to midday when pollen counts are higher, Villarreal said. Residents should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from pollen, close their home and car windows, take a shower before going to bed and should not sleep with pets that could be covered with pollen.

Allergy sufferers that start to experience symptoms that are "out of the ordinary" should consider visiting a doctor, Villarreal said. Above all, he recommends checking the city's daily report to plan how much time they should spend outside.

"It's beautiful outside and you feel like you want to be outside, but it can be the most miserable time of the year for allergy sufferers," he said.

The Weather Channel's allergy forecast predicts Houston will see high pollen counts through Tuesday, March 10.

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com
It would have been a blessing in many ways, although Im pretty sure I would have wanted them to be my parents when it suited me, and not be my parents when it didnt. Doting grandparents at ones disposal, but not meddling ones. How would we have negotiated all that?

I havent had parents for such a long time I can only imagine what it would have been like to go through my own young adulthood, two marriages, child-rearing years, career crossroads, with Mum and Dad in the next room or out the back, ever present. And how would those husbands have felt? (I can picture my practical father eyeing off their bungling attempts at DIY; my mother with a raised eyebrow as she overhears a marital row or a child sobbing.)

The horror, you might say. Or the joy. Family life has a way of being both feverishly complicated and blood simple, lurching between Modern Family and Electra, contingent on stage of life or time of day or whether you dont mind being told how to stack the dishwasher. Only some people want to extend the lease.

Then there are the happy families who actually like the idea of several generations living in the same household, day after day. Sometimes for decades.

Happy home: children Manning and Audrey with mother Zoe Flanagan-Field, Zoes parents, Robin and Warwick Mosman, and father Craig Field, outside the home they share in the Blue Mountains. Credit:Jennifer Soo

It is not true, as Tolstoy declared, that all happy families are alike. Some happy families, for example, know the only way to stay happy is not to live together any longer than strictly necessary. For them, the extended-family holiday that ran a little too long, the clan barbecue that ended in a clash, the unsolicited advice about where theyre going wrong on raising children, all stand as sobering reminders of why, when it comes to relatives, distance lends enchantment to the view.

So if you spoke to your friends and said, Mums annoying me today, they might say, Well, of course, why did you let her move in? Whereas if you were in China, friends would be sympathetic and give you tips and normalise it. So we dont always have the social supports. It can be seen as quite a negative thing to do, which means you can feel a bit out on a limb.

There are great advantages to living together, says Elisabeth Shaw, a psychologist and CEO of Relationships Australia NSW. Weve just got to be aware that many of us who are very entrenched in a Western society dont have a framework for understanding and accepting it.

The best thing about living with extended family? Theres always someone there. The worst thing? Theres always someone there.

And more than 40 per cent of children in their early 20s  and almost 20 per cent in their late 20s  are still living at home, according to a recent Australian Institute of Family Studies report, including the so-called boomerang children who leave and return home because they cant afford to live elsewhere or because of some life shock, like divorce.

While more people than ever, especially the elderly, are living alone  about 25 per cent of households on latest figures  its also true that about 20 per cent of people who live in Australia live in a multi-generational household (when defined as more than one generation of related adults), according to research by Edgar Liu, senior research fellow at the University of NSWs faculty of Built Environments City Futures Research Centre .

I realise were having a very Anglo-centric conversation. In southern Europe, many parts of Asia and the Middle East, its perfectly normal for extended families to live together, as it once was here. They take the rough with the smooth, even if its in tiny apartments with only one bathroom. Many families with those cultural roots keep up the practice here  and maybe thats reminded nuclear families what theyre missing out on. Add in housing affordability, dual careers, childcare, the frightening quality of a lot of aged care, and its starting to seem like a fine idea, even if it does come with a few inconveniences.

I tell a friend in his 60s that Im writing about what appears to be a renewed trend for several generations to live together. What a great thing, he says. The family compound. Communal living. There should be more of it! He goes on for a bit about the sterile existence of the nuclear family. Children encouraged to leave as soon as they can, parents rattling around empty houses, doomed to loiter in a post-child twilight, elders cruelly put out on the ice. How did we come to that, he laments. So hed like to be living with his kids and grandkids then? Actually, no. I just like the idea.

In the case of boomerang children, it also changes the parent-child relationship. Some parents said to us, I now need to see my child as an adult and not as my child. So it shifts to something more like friendship and that can be quite tricky to navigate because at the end of the day, you are still their parent.

Within the household, there tends to be one person whos related to everybody, Liu explains. With three generations, it could be the mother who is related to the grandparents and the children, and the husband has married into the family. So the mother might be the person who cops all of the criticism and all the whingeing.

Psychologist Anne Hollonds says attitudes to multi-generational living are changing. In the days when I left home, you never dreamt of going back. Its different now." Credit:Peter Rae

Whatever the reasons, it certainly changes the relationships. Often for the better, although theres also plenty of opportunity for triangulation  where two generations, or two parties, play each other off or gang up. And its not unusual for some hapless family member to end up playing a role between UN peacemaker and whipping boy, just like in a nuclear family, only worse.

Some families choose to be together, even building housing for the purpose; others are thrown together. Living together can be tricky if the reasons are tinged with something else, Shaw says. For example, if something has gone wrong financially and theyre forced into it, or theres no one else to care for mum or dad and someone ends up feeling lumped with it.

Theres often a sweet spot in life when a shared arrangement best suits everyones needs, says Shaw. For example, while you might be really pleased to have your parents live there when youve got littlies, by the time your children are teenagers, maybe everybody doesnt want the grandparents input. Or youre now dealing with both elderly parents and teenagers acting up, and you can feel squeezed. So what went very well at one life stage can start to become more difficult.

But even for those raised in more communal cultures, privacy is the biggest loss. Researcher Edgar Liu tells the story of the interview subject who, asked what he liked most about living with extended family, said, Theres always someone there. The worst thing? Theres always someone there.

Hollonds feels attitudes are changing. In the days when I left home, you never dreamt of going back. Its different now and the stigma about it is going.

If you can work out how to live in the same household as adults, under the same roof it bodes well for the future.

Even close families need to develop a certain saintly tolerance. Its not a parent-child relationship in the same way it was. Its adults sharing a house, allowing for privacy, showing respect, and being able to compromise.

There are tremendous benefits on the whole, for all three generations, she says. Of course, there are some families where it would never be a possibility because of the level of conflict and disagreement and perhaps past resentments.

Then there are questions of inheritance. If a parent buys a house with one child with a view to shared living, what happens when the parent dies? How does the other sibling, for example, get their half? Do they even get a half? I heard of one case where an elderly parent paid for changes to her sons house so she could be accommodated, then changed her mind about moving in and wanted to get her money out. Some families dot every i and cross every t; others leave it to goodwill.

Less obvious, perhaps, is the way this kind of shared arrangement can change the landscape outside the household. Particularly if there are siblings involved, says Liu. A lot of people we interviewed said things like, Yeah, my mother lives with me but my brother now expects me to take care of everything. Pay for all her needs, all her food, look after all her emotional support. Theres often this idea, Oh, Mum lives with you, so its great that you get free childcare all the time and I dont need to do anything. 

Robin Mosman, at left, in her apartments kitchen. The door into the kitchen of daughter Zoes family is the junction between the two homes. Credit:Jennifer Soo

At the first, a man in his 40s answers with the polite but harried air of someone who was in the middle of something. This must be Craig, the son-in-law, a musician and music producer, and this must be his sound-proofed studio, and this must happen to him a lot. He not only works from home; he also lives in a family compound.

I know Im at the right house because its the only one with a huge banner on the fence that reads Grandparents for Climate Action Now. The right house, a big weatherboard in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, with a 79-year-old activist somewhere inside, but not the right door. Three doors run down the side entrance and theres nothing to tell them apart.

For all of that, it says something about love and kinship that, even if the decision to live together is prompted by financial considerations, the main benefit people list has nothing to do with money. According to Lius research, its a much more precious commodity: companionship and support.

In an ideal world, advises Elisabeth Shaw, people would spend time conjuring up worst-case scenarios before they went into any shared arrangement. No ones in the firing line at that point, she says. So let your imagination run wild about all the things that could happen ... Do we formally ask you to babysit or just assume that if youre home, youre it? What if we need breathing space? Is there a sunset clause?

The boomerang-child phenomenon, she argues, is actually working as a useful social training ground. If you can work out how to live in the same household as adults, under the same roof  and its not easy for anybody, really  it bodes well for the future in terms of mutual support up and down the generations.

Craig Field lives here with his wife, Zoe Flanagan-Field, their three children, aged 8, 10 and 14, and Zoes parents, Robin and Warwick Mosman. Robin, 79, is the activist. Warwick, 83, is a retired builder. Theirs is a success story in shared living, given the two families have been here for 10 years.

The younger generations occupy the much bigger, rambling part, and Warwick and Robin are settled in a spacious, purpose-built apartment joined onto the back: a tasteful model of late-life serenity with its own kitchen, laundry, living area, bedroom and study. It became clear early on that everyone needed their own space.

Zoe and Craig bought the house in a 50-50 split with her parents and Warwick set about extensively renovating it to suit. Its very good, Warwick says. Each part of the house is self-contained, so we can go weeks without saying a word to them if we choose. 

Not that we do, Robin adds.

A shared door between the kitchens is the entry into each half. The door is never locked and when the kids were younger, Robin says, they were always popping in. Id had the impression from an earlier conversation that the adults would text first, or at least knock, but apparently its more a matter of sticking a head through the door and seeing if anyone is there. Its an informal arrangement that sounds excellent if you need a cup of sugar or some company, but that could suit some of the parties more than others, depending on age and what youre likely to be up to.

On both sides were very respectful of each others privacy, Robin says when I ask her about it. We dont go barging in. Sometimes, people walk around half-naked or that sort of thing. Also, you dont want to go barging in on a personal conversation.

We did ask Mum to knock at one stage, Zoe says later, when I meet her and Craig separately, and she did for a while. I dont knock but I dont think it bothers them. Its different for them.

Who gets to be the decider of things that affect everybody? Can parents pull rank?

The generations happiest about shared living tend to be the young and the old. Its the middle generation who, while grateful for the help, can miss their privacy more acutely, feel its all too much, or wonder what it means for their independence or their own happiness, aside from their childrens.

While it suits her and Craig, Zoe agrees that many friends her age cant imagine living like this. Their general view is, Better you than me. I couldnt live with my parents. Its different for Mum. A lot of her friends envy her. They think, Wow, youve got a great set-up. I dont think any of the grandmothers think, Id never do that. 

Robin and Warwick have another daughter, who lives nearby with her family. Is the joint investment in this property likely to complicate questions of inheritance? I dont see it being a problem, Robin says. Its not spelt out but I know theres not going to be any fight over each ones share of this part of the house. Theyre very loving of each other and have great integrity.

I ask Zoe how it would play out if, say, she and Craig were to divorce. Is that complicated splitting of assets something theyve thought about? Were not planning to get divorced, Zoe says firmly. Shes already gone through one trauma. The first time her parents raised the idea of her moving in with them, she was 35, with a new baby, and had just lost her first husband to cancer. Dad had suggested it then, Zoe says, but it didnt feel like the right time.

Craig met her when she was still fragile and he quickly realised how much her family meant to her. Even when we were courting and engaged, Zoes whole focus was her family, her parents and her sister, Craig says. When the idea of buying a house together came up, I was all for it.

Zoe wasnt as sold on the idea. I didnt want to feel like I was just moving back in with my parents. Part of what made me get over that was the fact we were going halves and we were getting our own space.

There are many things to navigate in multi-generational households  such as whether pets are allowed. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

I knew I loved them and could deal with any quirks they had, the location was handy and it seemed crazy to be living in separate houses, to-ing and fro-ing. I just wasnt sure if that was enough to make me commit to it. In the end, Craigs willingness made me up for it.

Theyre obviously a close, loving family, but, like any household, it has the occasional strained moment. Take, for example, the puppy I notice leaping out of its basket in Zoe and Craigs section of the house. Innocent enough, but apparently the source of some debate. Who gets to be the decider of things that affect everybody? Can parents pull rank?

Well, they can try. Robin and Warwick had always been opposed to a dog on the property, Zoe says, yet here one is, even if Warwick is still waging a small war of resistance by declining to install a back gate. (He has, however, agreed to a system of dog-confining electric flags on the lawn. Compromise!)

Naturally, there have been other minor tugs-of-war. Zoe is still smarting over losing a long-ago battle over the exterior paint colour. The painter agreed with my parents, she says. We had to accept things like that. A little thing but also a big thing, because its your house.

But is it their house, when owned 50-50? Thats where its very blurred, Craig says. Zoe has said a few times, I feel like Im living in my mothers house but those kind of tensions can happen at any Christmas lunch. Theyre pretty normal. Its like a marriage. Youve just got to make it work and its not all about you.

When I come back into Robin and Warwicks apartment, the children and a cousin are piled happily on a sofa, their devoted elders looking on as the kids watch a video. The scene is idyllic: the spread of ages, their ease with each other. The way more of us should be living?

Close encounters

There isnt much loving parents wont do for their children at any age. Even so, I can think of a few who might baulk at the idea of giving up their own three-bedroom house for their adult daughter and her family to live in, and moving themselves into a 20-square-metre dwelling in the backyard. This little space has to accommodate a kitchenette, small dining table, window seat, bedroom, bathroom and two people. A stylish caravan comes to mind.

You have to admire inner-city couple Emma and Jims* sense of sacrifice, not least because the tiny house has also replaced Jims shed. Yet the pair, who dont wish to be identified, seem sanguine about this being home for the foreseeable future. Then again, theyve only been in it for three weeks when I visit.

Im sure there are things we do that annoy them. I try not to be a hovering grandmother but its hard not to get it wrong some of the time. Emma*

They actually handed over the big house a few years back, when their daughter was about to give birth to her second child and her family had to move out of their rental property at short notice.

It made more sense for them to have it, Emma says. They didnt want to do it at first but we talked them into it, as a way of giving them stability for a while, to see how it went. We rented a house around the corner. They effectively paid our rent on the smaller semi.

Building the tiny house was, as they see it, the next logical step. No rent, environmentally sustainable, closer to the family. A lot closer. In fact, only five or six metres away.

Its a noble experiment, Emma says. But weve also put some of the furniture into storage, so we havent totally burnt our bridges. If anything, their greatest worry seems to be about imposing on their daughter and her family by living on the same block, even though they own it. A couple of times Emma talks about her fear of being too on top of them here.

Thats why theres a blind on this window that looks towards the house. Well only ever use the back entrance. We havent set any rules. If our door is open and the grandkids want to come in, they can, but we dont go in there unless we send a text or have some arrangement.

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If it doesnt work out, she says, theyll sell the lot, get themselves something else tiny and give the kids the money.

They have another daughter. Shes very happy with this arrangement, Emma says. She knows we havent given the house to her sister. Thats been made very clear.

Still, inheritance aside, I cant help thinking that the size of their quarters puts quite a lot of pressure on the older couples own relationship. Its been all right so far, Emma says, glancing at Jim, a retiring man who is happy to let his wife do the talking. We still like each other.

Both of them like being so near to the grandchildren, being able to help with breakfasts, school runs, etc. But for the middle generation? Im sure there are things we do that annoy them ... I try not to be a hovering grandmother but its hard not to get it wrong some of the time.

In the end, this arrangement was more about love than practicalities. Weve never been good thinking about things in a financial way, or weve chosen not to. This is an investment in the fabric of our family.

* Not their real names.

Space: the final frontier

Talk to anyone about the key to successful shared housing and the answer is one word: space. California-born Leah Salo, 47, and her Australian husband Tim, 43, took that to heart. When they couldnt find a suitable house to buy, they built one, on the Gold Coast.

An enormous one, even for six people. The floor space is 550 square metres, with a separate self-contained wing downstairs for her parents, shared family spaces on that floor, and an entire upper floor  essentially, a self-contained four-bedroom house in itself  for Leah, her husband and their two daughters, now 10 and 11.

Leah Salo (second from right) with husband Tim, her parents Mark and Dixie, and kids Annalia (at left) and Savanna at their Gold Coast home, which incorporates shared and separate family spaces. Credit:Paul Harris

Her parents moved out here from the US about 10 years ago, in their 60s.

We actually bought some land for them on our street before they emigrated, Leah says. We built them a custom-made house four houses away, so that way we couldnt see each other but we were close by. But it meant we each had a five-bedroom, triple-bathroom house. We were thinking, This is crazy: between us weve got 10 bedrooms, four refrigerators, two internet bills, two energy bills. Why are we doing this? And we spent half the time together anyway.

They tested the waters by renting a house together for a year. It didnt put them off the idea, but they realised the house was too small and not designed for shared living.

The biggest thing we learnt in talking to people about it was that every generation has different needs. So my parents need to have a private area of their own  their own offices, their own en suite and bedroom. They need an area where we dont go and we need the same, and my children need the same.

Its my parents giving to us now what we would have inherited from them, but they live in it, so they have a great standard of living. Leah Salo

Leah put a lot of thought into setting up the financial side. Youve got two ways. Everybody owns 25 per cent, or the last one standing gets it. The first way, everybody has a percentage. The other way is that everyone owns the property and when one person dies, three people own it, when the next dies, two own it.

Then its the last one standing. Her parents paid a bit more than 50-50 towards the house  because they could, Leah says. Basically, its my parents giving to us now what we would have inherited from them, but they live in it, so they have a great standard of living.

She acknowledges that siblings can complicate matters and she herself has a brother who lives in the US. But hes not worried because hes independently wealthy. And, of course, in years to come, it means the care of her parents is most likely to fall to her. Shes already factored that in with wide hallways for mobility equipment.

What about her husbands equity, given they are her parents, not his? We set up a prenuptial agreement when we were first married to determine what the split would be. At that time, my parents had given me some money to get my first house. It wasnt so much to protect my assets as to protect my parents assets. Wed seen other couples get divorced and fight over money.

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Do they spend much time together communally? Probably not a lot, to be honest. Thats part of us trying to be respectful of everybody and their own space. We try to find a nice balance.

The biggest plus, hands down, she says, is the time her children get to have with their grandparents. And when her parents need it, shell be there to care for them. It wasnt abnormal to live like this 50 years ago. Were just going back to what works.

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.
The most sought-after foods tend to divide opinion  and for good reason. The truffle, pulled from the dirt, often by a pig, can be overwhelming, caviar leaves many cold, and its best not to think about how foie gras is produced.

The oyster is summed up by author Jonathan Swift: He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.

But Im not so sure about that. Standing at the waters edge at Jerseys Royal Bay of Grouville, in the torrential rain, Im looking forward to trying one and learning about its unique taste and texture.

Mont Orgueil Castle in Jersey, where 3D images of the Queen adorn the walls

Im visiting the islands largest oyster farm, Seymour Oyster, run by John and Shannon Le Seelleur. It has beds extending over 13 hectares and comprises around 14 million oysters.

John, a 17th-generation farmer and island native, says working the sea is just like working the land. Looking at the uniform rows of oyster beds running along the beach, its difficult to disagree.

Johns rock oysters go to the Dorchester, Borough Market, France and beyond.

Theyre salty, fresh and, while perhaps not an aphrodisiac, theyre certainly energising.

John explains the two-to-three-year process from seed to harvest, as Shannon teaches me how to shuck an oyster  wiggle, dont push. John likes to eat his plain, or grilled on the barbecue so they steam inside their shells, then brushed with garlic butter. Shannon adds balsamic vinegar, red shallots and chillies to hers.

Jersey is also home to the rarer, rounder, sweeter native oysters. Sadly, 95 per cent of all UK natives disappeared due to over-fishing in the 19th century, but re-cultivation efforts are now under way. After our tour, we visit spectacular Mont Orgueil Castle, where 3D images of the Queen adorn the walls.

St Brelade's Bay, which shares a seafront with the Winston Churchill Memorial Park

They were created from portraits by local photographer Chris Levine in 2004 to celebrate 800 years since Jersey split from the Duchy of Normandy.

Being British but removed from the mainland puts Jersey and its 106,000 inhabitants in an interesting position.

Its not part of the UK, but it is a British isle, governed by its own parliament  the States Assembly.

During World War II, it was the only part of the British Isles to be occupied.

The island waited long after D-Day, until May 1945, for liberation, but no one seems to hold a grudge.

Delicacy: Oysters are a part of Jersey's culinary scene. Seymour Oyster farm has over 13 hectares of beds with around 14 million oysters

Indeed, St Brelades Bay Hotel, where we are staying, shares a seafront with the Winston Churchill Memorial Park. It also overlooks one of south Jerseys sweeping crescent moon beaches. Its a real charmer.

When, one morning, I saunter through reception in my swimming trunks, heading to the beach for a dip, and passing a sea of anoraks, umbrellas and waterproof trousers, no one bats an eyelid.

Naturally, in the evenings, we sample the Seymour oysters in two excellent restaurants, Sumas and The Oyster Box, both of which have views over the 14-mile stretch of sea that separates Jersey and Normandy.

On our final day, solid rain draws in, but it doesnt trouble us. The weather in Jersey may be changeable, but the oysters are always reliable.
Brian Pallister should butt out of Indigenous affairs, Swan Lake First Nation Chief Francine Meeches said after the premier announced a plan to ban smoking in First Nations' VLT lounges.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brian Pallister should butt out of Indigenous affairs, Swan Lake First Nation Chief Francine Meeches said after the premier announced a plan to ban smoking in First Nations' VLT lounges.

Pallister said Wednesday he wants to put a stop to smoking in approximately 30 First Nations VLT lounges, but he prefers to do it through consultation rather than legislation.

Pallister cited health concerns as the reason behind his directive to Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton to prohibit smoking in all gaming facilities in Manitoba.

Chief Meeches rejected Pallisters reasoning.

"If he was concerned about the health of our people, he will do something about the health system in Manitoba," she said Thursday.

"All our money comes from Health Canada," she said. "Has he ever offered to try and help us in our health system? No, he hasn't."

Swan Lake First Nation has a VLT gaming facility on its main reserve, which is located about 165 km southwest of Winnipeg.

Pallister said he's already raised the smoking issue with regional chiefs in Manitoba.

"I'm not proposing to act unilaterally. I want to be very clear on that," he told reporters.

But Meeches said she has never heard of Pallisters plan.

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"Nobody has ever brought this up. So, if he had had that discussion before, maybe it was (with) one or two (chiefs)," she said.

"If he's saying he spoke to chiefs, why (doesnt) he tell me what chiefs he spoke to?"

She accused Pallister of trying to disrupt Indigenous people all the time. "(Pallister is) trying to nitpick at different groups  minority groups," she said. "He needs to focus on more important things in Manitoba."

She noted Swan Lake First Nation is a Treaty One First Nation.

"We are federally run, federally funded," she said. "He needs to keep his nose out of our business."

city.desk@freepress.mb.ca
Activist Harsh Mander told the Supreme Court on Friday that his December 16, 2019 speech delivered at Jamia Milia, allegedly containing derogatory remarks against the Supreme Court, is neither objectionable nor contemptuous.

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Mander told the court that the Delhi police had submitted a truncated version of the speech and demanded the police to clearly explain which part of the speech was objectionable.

The speech attributed to him is not contemptuous. I have gone through the speech. Which part of the speech is objectionable, Dave asked.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Delhi Police told the court that they are in possession of a copy of one more speech by Mander which is contemptuous.

We have found one more speech by the very same person which is contemptuous, he said.

Dave, however, alleged that the government was attempting to shoot the messenger by raising these allegations thereby curtailing Manders right to move the court.

It is a serious issue. My right to move the court is being curtailed. The government wants to shoot the messenger, he submitted.

The court asked Mander to file his response to the allegations and kept the case for hearing on April 15.

Mander had moved the Delhi High Court seeking registration of FIRs against BJP leaders including Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur for hate speech which he claimed instigated the riots and violence in north-east Delhi.

The high court had adjourned his plea for April prompting Mander to challenge that order in Supreme Court.

When the matter came up for hearing before the top court on March 4, SG Tushar Mehta had pointed out a speech made by Mander to a crowd protesting against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in which the activist allegedly claimed that he does not believe in Supreme Court and the battle against CAA will have to be fought on streets.

The Supreme Court had taken a serious view of Mehtas arguments and asked the police to file transcripts of the speech. The Delhi police filed the same on affidavit on Wednesday evening.

The speech brings this court into disrepute, the solicitor general told the court on Friday when the matter came up for hearing again.

There is nothing in the speech which brings the court into disrepute, Dave countered.

Dave also urged Mehta to file similar affidavits against leaders responsible for instigating violence in the national capital.

I beseech you to file similar affidavits against other leaders too, Dave said.
Tourists who arrive in Australia appearing ill will be sent directly to hospitals for testing, but serious questions remain over the states' ability to track and quarantine international travellers who do not develop symptoms of the potentially deadly coronavirus until later.

More than 300,000 punters, including thousands of international tourists, will flock to the Australian Grand Prix next week in Melbourne, despite widespread fears over the global coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 3000 and infected around 100,000 people worldwide. Australia has had 62 confirmed cases.

People wearing masks arrive at Sydney Airport on Thursday on a flight from Malaysia. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Earlier this week, Attorney-General Christian Porter revealed the government was activating sweeping powers under the Biosecurity Act that could be used to forcibly detain people in fever clinics.

The federal government has declared that self-isolation and quarantine measures to curb the spread of the virus were the responsibility of each individual state and territory.
Enterprises have begun changing their production. Three or four enterprises which specialize in exporting woodchips have bought equipment to make MDF

Nguyen Ton Quyen, former deputy chair of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (Vifores), said Vietnam needs to change production and business methods as woodchip exports to China have decreased sharply amid the Covid-19 epidemic.





However, Quyen believes that this is the opportunity for the wood processing industry. Vietnam needs to boost the export of processed products. Woodchip exports dont bring high value or contribute to sustainable development.



Once woodchip exports decrease, domestic woodwork workshops will have more materials to make artificial boards, MDF (medium density fibreboard) to create products with higher added value, he said.

Vietnam needs to change production and business methods as woodchip exports to China have decreased sharply amid the Covid-19 epidemic.

Enterprises have begun changing their production. Three or four enterprises which specialize in exporting woodchips have bought equipment to make MDF, according to Quyen.



The seafood sector is one of the worst hit by Covid-19. Chinese importers have asked Vietnamese enterprises to halt the delivery until February 9, or until there is information about the resumption of activities from the Chinese government.



Meanwhile, the suspension of flights between Vietnam and China, plus the difficulties n transportation have caused problem for the operation of enterprises of both countries.



According to Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy secretary general of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), there has been no cancellation of orders because of the Covid-19 epidemic, but there have been notices about order adjustments or delivery delays.



Chinese partners have promised to receive deliveries from February 16. Meanwhile, some large shipping firms have stopped orders to carry goods to China. Large customers in Japan have requested not to ship goods to China.



However, Nam can see two opportunities in the difficulties. First, Vietnams enterprises now can boost the export of canned and frozen products.



It is expected that consumers habits will change after three to five months. The demand for fresh products may decrease, while the demand for frozen and canned food may increase.



Second, Vietnams tuna exporters now have an opportunity to boost sales. China is one of five biggest tuna sellers. However, because of the epidemic, other countries have stopped buying Chinese products.



According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Vietnam and China cannot continue negotiations for opening farm produce markets.

Meanwhile, the export of farm produce across border gates is stuck because of the strict measures taken by the two sides to control the epidemic.



However, he said if farmers and enterprises can increase the cold storage of produce, processing and apply measures to consume 30,000 tons of fruits a month, the problems will not be too serious.

Linh Ha

The farm produce rescue method Some retailers have reportedto the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) that there is no more farm produce to rescue. But farmers still complain that their farm produce remains unsalable.
Ahead of meetings with non-OPEC allies in Vienna Friday, the UAE's energy minister appeared confident that Russia would agree to proposed production cuts.

OPEC members on Thursday agreed to lower output by 1.5 million barrels a day until the end of the year in response to falling oil prices, which have been under pressure since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

But that proposal will need approval from the group's allies  most prominently, Russia  a non-OPEC leader.

"We are hoping. Russia is a very important member," UAE's Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei told reporters, when asked about whether Moscow will accept the cuts.

"I cannot see us not agreeing because that's very important for the market and everyone is keen," he said.

The minister also added that OPEC will not act without its non-member allies. "I cannot see us, unilaterally as OPEC, doing a deal," he said.
PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- An inventor from Nashville, Tennessee, has developed a MEDICAL ASSIST WALKER HEADREST, a device designed to be used with a walker to provide individuals with head support for safety, stability and security. A prototype is available.

"I have an aging family and aging friends. Also, when hired to perform caregiving duties, I see a present and future usefulness," said the inventor.

The MEDICAL ASSIST WALKER HEADREST ensures a user has support for his/her upper body and head. It provides stability and may reduce the incidence of individuals falling or fainting. This device quickly and easily attaches to a walker. It offers an adjustable design that can also be rotated out of the way when not in use. This device may ultimately provide users and family members with peace of mind.

The original design was submitted to the Nashville sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 18-NMJ-440, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com


Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov, founder of TCS Group, has been charged with filing false tax returns, the U.S. Department of Justice said, and could face a maximum of six years in prison if extradited to the United States, Market Screener writes in the article U.S. charges Russian businessman Tinkov with tax fraud, seeks extradition. TCS is the parent company of Tinkoff Bank, a pioneer of online banking technology with more than 10 million customers in Russia and the country's second-largest credit card issuer after the market leader Sberbank.

Tinkov allegedly concealed $1 billion in assets and incomes when renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2013, the justice department said in a statement on Thursday. It said he faces two counts of making false tax claims, both of which carry a maximum sentence of three years, and could also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

The Justice Department indictment alleges that, following TCS' initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange in October 2013, Tinkov "beneficially owned more than $1 billion worth of the bank's shares."

Tinkov, who became a naturalised U.S. citizen on Sept 10, 1996, the indictment said, renounced his U.S. citizenship shortly after the IPO without reporting the constructive sale of his worldwide assets to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Justice Department said its international affairs department was assisting with his extradition.

In his book published two years ago Tinkov, now 52, said he decided to found the TCS Group in November 2005 during a visit to the British Virgin Islands, where he stayed with his friend and chairman of Virgin Group Richard Branson, on the Briton's privately-owned Necker Island. Market players have always kept an eye on Tinkov, known for his eccentric behaviour and sometimes provocative public comments, often made via social networks, as he still owns a 40.4% stake in the group, with the remainder held mainly by large western funds. "The indictment increases the risk that Oleg Tinkov will be forced to sell his TCS shares," BCS Global Markets said in a note. At current market value, Tinkov's stake is worth $1.8 billion, according to Reuters calculations. By 0945 GMT, shares in TCS were down 9.9% in London.

Tinkov was arrested in London last week in connection with the indictment, but TCS said he was released on bail and was expected to remain in London while taking part in court hearings initiated by the IRS. The court hearings do not affect the functioning of either TCS's board of directors or the management board of Tinkoff Bank, TCS said, because Tinkov is attending the proceedings in his capacity as a private individual.

***

Today, Tinkovs representative issued a statement on the businessmans serious illness: I have been diagnosed with acute leukemia. I was diagnosed in October and have already undergone several chemotherapy courses. I have had to fight for myself and my business, but now I am fighting for the main thing - for life itself ... This is the most difficult stage in my rough life, but I rely on God, my body, friends and your support ... As for the US inquiry on my taxes in the past, lawyers work on them, giving me an opportunity to fight my main enemy. "

Amid news of Tinkovs disease, TCS Groups global depositary receipts fell by 26%. The reports on the disease may become a ground for refusal to extradite Oleg Tinkov from the UK to the United States.
Tom Wentz and Troy Zukowski-Serlin are Michigan residents passionate about wanting President Trump voted out of office.

But Wentz and Zukowski-Serlin have different theories on how to make that happen.

Wentz, a 38-year-old Hillsdale resident, thinks the Democrats need Bernie Sanders as their candidate. Only Sanders can channel the passion and populist fervor that got Trump elected in 2016, he says.

If its not Bernie, Trump wins. I strongly believe that, Wentz said. Sanders brings out voters who otherwise dont give a s***.

Wentz said hed have a hard time voting for Joe Biden, Sanders main competitor for the Democratic nomination.

As an establishment candidate, Biden is "the complete opposite of Bernie, Wentz said. I thought we wanted to vote for change.

Zukowski-Serlin, a 56-year-old Portage resident, has the opposite view.

In a country exhausted by the Trump presidency, he sees Biden as an experienced, well-respected leader who can beat Trump in November by promising a return to normalcy and stability.

By contrast, Zukowski-Serlin thinks Sanders would be a disastrous selection, a candidate who would not only lose the presidency but negatively impact other Democrats on the ballot.

I think hes a good man, Zukowski-Serlin said about Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist. But his policies are too far out of the mainstream.

As Michigan Democrats weigh their options for the states presidential primary on Tuesday, its largely come down to Sanders vs. Biden.

And the biggest question for many isnt the difference in their platforms, but their ability to defeat Trump. Thats a particularly critical question in Michigan, a must-win state for the Democrats.

Thats whats important this election, more than making sure that your favorite got through the primary," Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes said. "We got to get this done. We have to win.

But choosing between Biden and Sanders based on electability may be easier said than done.

"If anyone tells you they know who is more electable, either theyre lying to you or theyre lying to themselves, said John Clark, a political scientist at Western Michigan University. Theres so much thats going to happen between now and Election Day that its hard to predict the dynamics of the race.

In the five polls taken since Jan. 1 comparing how Trump would do in Michigan against the Democratic frontrunners, Sanders averaged 5.3 points ahead of Trump and Biden averaged 5.2 points, according to RealClearPolitics.

But the most recent of those polls was taken in mid-February, before the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday contests that saw a surge of support for Biden and a number of other candidates leaving the race.

The changing political climate was evident in a new poll released this week by Detroit News/WDIV-TV, which gave Biden a 7-point lead over Sanders in Michigans March 10 election.

Glengariff Group conducted the poll by surveying 150 Michigan Democratic likely voters each day from Feb. 28 to March 2. Feb. 29 -- the day of the South Carolina primary -- was a turning point in the Biden campaign, which Glengariff founder Richard Czuba said they were tracking in real time.

We were literally catching the wind as we did this survey, from the first night where we had Bernie Sanders leading, to Saturday, where we saw the race poll even, Czuba said. Then we just saw Biden surge, and we literally said, What the hell is going on here? It really was one of the most dramatic shifts Ive seen in such a short period.

In total, the survey showed 69% of Democrats view Biden favorably, and 16% unfavorably, a ratio of 4.8 to 1. That compares to 61% who view Sanders favorably and 26% unfavorably, a ratio of 2.3 to 1.

Bidens biggest supporters were African-Americans and voters age 50 and older, the survey showed. Sanders base is white voters under 50 and college-educated men.

David Dulio, a political scientist at Oakland University, said the momentum towards Biden nationwide is all about Democrats "trying to find their best chance in November.

I think it was a realization among a pretty wide swath of the Democratic Party: 'Is Bernie Sanders our best chance to beat Donald Trump?  Dulio said. And maybe they decided he wasnt."

Dulio said hes "always been of the opinion that Trump would prefer to run against Sanders, because he could beat the socialism drum over and over and over again. Right now in the United States, I dont think socialism is a winning message in a general election.

While Clark said that its unclear which candidate can beat Trump, he agrees Biden has the stronger case.

Hes a more traditional Democrat," with wider appeal, Clark said. "Hes got a lot of accomplishments that he can point to. He IS a Democrat, which Bernie Sanders isnt.

The case for Sanders, Clark said, is the Vermont senator appeals to a similar kind of disaffected voter that Trump appeals to. If theres a Democratic candidate who could eat away at the populist support for Trump, maybe its him,"

Sanders appeal among progressive voters helps explain why he scored an upset over Hillary Clinton in Michigans 2016 presidential primary, Clark said. It also helps explain Sanders successes this campaign season, including his impressive ability to generate campaign donation.

But the Sanders candidacy also has a flip side -- and thats the number of voters repelled by Sanders embrace of democratic socialism.

I think thats definitely a problem for him, Clark said. It would make it a tough pitch in a general election to more traditional Democrats.

Those concerns are reflected in the Glengariff Group poll. Only 5% of Democrats polled said they would not support Biden if he was the nominee, compared to 9% who said they could not support Sanders.

Mark Grebner, a Democrat who operates Practical Political Consulting in East Lansing, says hes relieved by the surge of support for Biden, which includes a slew of endorsements in recent days.

Grebner described himself as among the Democrats having trouble sleeping because we were just terrified that Bernie was gonna screw the whole thing up.

While Sanders has a very passionate base, Grebner said, its not big enough to win in a general election. He suggested the Super Tuesday primaries revealed the ceiling of Sanders support, noting that Biden won upsets in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Maine where he didnt even campaign.

While Sanders consistently has won primary voters who call themselves very liberal, they make up only a quarter of Democratic voters. Meanwhile, Biden has dominated among moderate or somewhat liberal Democrats, who comprise about two-thirds of party voters.

Grebner said he isnt buying the theory that Bernie is going to win the election by turning out non-existent hordes of young leftists who somehow have been hiding from the polls so far, the people who would vote if only there was someone on the ballot who was harder left."

Grebner acknowledged that Biden isnt a perfect candidate either. A politician long prone to gaffes, its an issue thats gotten worse as Biden has gotten older, Grebner said. He seemed to be transforming from Uncle Joe to Grandpa Joe, where we need to take away the car keys."

The worries about Bidens age havent evaporated, he said. But many view four more years of Trump as infinitely worse than a scenario in which Biden cant finish out a presidential term for health reasons.

I hate to use a Republican slogan from 1920, but Biden represents a return to normalcy, Grebner said. "Like not having a president says crude things in public. A president who doesnt lie openly all the time. A president who doesnt claim that Canadian steel is a threat to American security. A president who isnt an obvious puppet of a foreign dictator.

With mainstream Democrats coalescing around Biden, Grebner is predicting the former vice president will win the Michigan primary as well as the Democratic nomination. Its all over, he said. The decision has been made. There isnt any more movement."

Thats not what Wentz, the Hillsdale Democrat, wants to hear. To him, Sanders represents the best chance for true change. Wentz wants Medicare for All. He wants policies that boost wages. He wants to see a system that benefits people like himself instead of corporations.

We are capitalists, but we have no ethics, said Wentz, who works as a commercial painter. I dont like that greed is running rampant in this country.

But Zukowski-Serlin says now is not the time to gamble on a progressive candidate who would scare many voters away.

For Democrats, the No. 1 goal is just dislodging Trump from office, Zukowski-Serlin said. Everything that comes after that, well get to it. But unless Trump is defeated, everything else is moot.

Read more on MLive:

Bernie Sanders could seize second Michigan presidential primary win, this time as Democratic front-runner

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Elizabeth Warren tells Michigan shes the woman to beat Donald Trump at Super Tuesday campaign rally

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary
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Linkedin Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali  Sat, March 7, 2020 06:06 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068e524a 1 National coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,cruise-ship,Bali-tourism,COVID-19,East-Java,surabaya,Semarang,Central-Java Free

The Bali administration has decided to abort a plan to welcome the MV Viking Sun cruise ship and its passengers to the resort island on Sunday, as authorities prioritize public health amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The 800 tourists from the United States and Australia aboard the cruise ship, which was initially scheduled to dock at Balis Benoa Port on Sunday, will therefore not be able to set foot on the island.

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster announced the decision following a meeting with relevant authorities in the provincial capital of Denpasar on Friday.

We had to make a decision on whether we would allow [the cruise ship] to dock or not, and decided to scrap [the plan], Koster said.

The governor said that authorities wanted to protect the island from the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, saying that they had to be careful and prioritize public health so as to prevent any possible negative impacts on Balis tourism.

The resort island, which has experienced a decline in foreign tourist arrivals following the coronavirus outbreak, has not recorded any COVID-19 cases to date.

As the best tourist destination in the world, we are very prone to health issues. Thus, we have to be careful, Koster said, We dont want to chase a small amount money if it could have a major negative impact on tourism, the backbone of Balis economy.

Previously, authorities in East Java turned away the MV Viking Sun and its 1,395 passengers and crew when it sought to dock at Tanjung Perak Port in the provincial capital of Surabaya on Friday.

Surabaya Mayor Tri Risma Rismaharini claimed to have received information that two passengers aboard the ship were suffering from a cold and fever. The passengers recently traveled to New Caledonia and Australia, which have recorded confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The Norwegian-flagged cruise ship was allowed to moor in Tanjung Emas Port in Central Javas provincial capital on Thursday, but only to restock its supplies. The passengers were prohibited from disembarking.

Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra said authorities in Bali had also taken the decisions of the Central Java and East Java administrations into account when they decided to turn the cruise ship away.

Although health officials have already been deployed at the port to inspect all passengers entering the island, Rai Mantra said that they did not want to jeopardize the health of locals by granting entry to the cruise ship passengers.

We hope the decision will make our residents feel safe, he said on Friday.

The MV Viking Sun previously docked in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, where health authorities screened all passengers and crew upon arrival. The ships captain stated in the ships maritime declaration of health that everyone aboard the ship had been declared healthy.

According to state-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Pelindo III), the MV Viking was initially scheduled to dock at Benoa until Mar. 10 and sail to Lombok the next day, before returning to Surabaya on Mar. 14. After that, the ship would sail to Sri Lanka, where it is scheduled to arrive on Mar. 20.
Striking new photos show an 88-year-old woman speaking to her husband through a window as he sits in isolation at a Washington state nursing home where at least five people have died from coronavirus.

Dorothy Campbell was pictured looking through the glass at her husband of more than 60 years, Gene Campbell, at the Life Care Center in Kirkland. The Seattle-area nursing home is at the epicenter of the state's coronavirus outbreak and a focal point as the virus spreads nationwide.

Image: Campbell waves while talking through a window to her husband at a long-term care facility linked to several confirmed coronavirus cases in the state in Kirkland (DAVID RYDER / Reuters)

Campbell's son, Charlie, a retired nurse from New Mexico, had taken her to visit her husband, one of the home's 100-plus residents who are in quarantine there.

According to the King County Public Health Department, at least five elderly residents of the long-term care facility have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Overall, 13 people in Washington state have died, according to NBC News' latest numbers.

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

Outside the building on Thursday, several families held a rally and press conference to air their concerns about the facility.

US-HEALTH-VIRUS (AFP via Getty Images)

"We have been complaining for days about the lack of information," Kevin Connolly, whose father-in-law is a resident at the center, told local NBC affiliate KING-TV. He added many families had learned about the outbreak on the news.

Campbell, wearing slippers and using a cane, appeared to use a phone to talk her husband through the window Thursday. Campbell lives in Bothell, Washington, about 8 miles north of where her husband lives at the long-term care facility.

Image: US-HEALTH-VIRUS (JASON REDMOND / AFP - Getty Images)

Life Care Center issued a statement on Thursday, saying staff is "continuing to provide care for our residents, the facility's highest priority, and our associates, who are our greatest resource in delivering the care."

"We grieve with the families who have lost loved ones; people who were important members of our professional family," Beecher Hunter, the president of Life Care Centers of America, said in the statement. "Life is sacred and precious, and when it is lost, a little bit of those in their circle of friends dies with them."
An innocent stop at a conference booth unwittingly ignited a furious debate on the social media network LinkedIn over how to spell the slang word for hydraulic fracturing.

I opened Pandoras box during a visit last month to the Society of Petroleum Engineers Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in The Woodlands.

Everything was routine, but a stop at a booth sponsored by the Austin frac sand and engineering firm Lonquist & Co. would later go viral on my LinkedIn. The companys booth offered several souvenir stickers, including one that said Make Fracing Great Again.

I asked the guy at the booth about the spelling.

Youve been spelling it wrong, he told me with a coy smile.

Reporters Notebook: Energy sector wins big when bipartisanship works

Hydraulic fracturing is an industry technique to extract oil and natural gas by injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals into geological formations. Journalists spell the informal word for hydraulic fracturing as fracking. The AP Stylebook, the final word for reporters and editors on such matters, established the use of fracking in a pair of rules in March 2012.

Nonetheless, members of the industry insist the word should be spelled without the k as fracing. Both sides of the spelling debate have their staunch defenders and their detractors. That became evident when I posted a picture of the Make Fracing Great Again bumper sticker to my LinkedIn page and asked my followers to chime in.

And they did not hold back.

The post went viral, getting tens of thousands of views, nearly 200 comments and dozens of shares. Some people got emotional and a little bit carried away, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments about whether or not the word should be spelled as fracking or fracing. Sound arguments were made on both sides.

Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox

Those in the industry use frac when discussing the process of hydraulic fracturing, those outside the industry add the k, wrote oil field water expert Brian Bohm. Frack came to popularity with the anti-development and keep it in the ground groups so the k has been seen as having a negative connotation.

Environmentalists did not dispute that claim.

Game over, Earthworks communications director Alan Septoff wrote. Its been hashtag #fracking for more than a decade. My org Earthworks put the K in there, and appropriately so.

But if you look at the issue from a linguists perspective, the debate could be the result of the English alphabet. As a language, English has 24 consonant and 20 vowel sounds but our alphabet has only 26 letters  leaving a lot of room for disagreements over spelling.

Completion consultant Sean Smith wrote that grammatically, fracking fits the pattern for other English words that end with c such as traffic and trafficking or panic and panicking, but other oil industry readers insisted it should be spelled as frac and fracing.

There is no K in FRACTURING, wrote Kevin McDonald, executive vice president of NexTier Oilfield Solutions. It is spelled FRAC.

McDonald has a point. Although hydraulic fracturing is referred to informally as fracking by the media, the Houston Chronicle and other outlets refer to the sand used in the process as frac sand and the workers and equipment in the field as frac crews or frac fleets.

Reporters Notebook: Memories of Venezuela

As it turns out, the use and spelling of fracking in the media may go back longer than most people think. Petroleum engineer Don Nelson shared a screenshot from a Dec. 31, 1954, article in the Pampa (Texas) Daily News that used the word fracking to describe a new process being used on an oil well in the Panhandle.

I searched the Houston Chronicles online archives, which go back to the late-1980s, and the word fracking began to appear regularly in news stories after February 2010, when horizontal drilling was paired with hydraulic fracturing to create the shale revolution, which unlocked previously unrecoverable oil and natural gas reserves in formations across the United States.

Shale Magazine editor and Forbes contributor David Blackmon sided with the use of fracking.

Its fracking, Blackmon wrote. Its also frac job, not frack job. Fracing is pronounced fraysing. It is not a word. Not a word at all.

More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com

Lonquist & Co. filed to trademark Make Fracing Great Again in August 2017, but not all the posts about the companys bumper sticker were polarized.

Some readers made light of the debate with references to the sci-fi TV series Battlestar Galactica, which coined the use of the words frak and fraking and the phrase what the frak? to skirt censors and create a curse word substitute that was acceptable for a general audience.

Jerris Johnson offered a third option to fracking and fracing.

I have started using fracturing, Johnson wrote. It removes the controversy among the industry types but confuses the media types even further.

Former Houston Chronicle business columnist Loren Steffy diffused some tense posts with humor.

After much study, Im going with deep earth rock massage, he wrote.

sergio.chapa@chron.com

twitter.com/sergiochapa
A group of students in Limerick have been told to self isolate following confirmation this Thursday that there are four patients with the coronavirus receiving treatment in a local hospital.

In a notice circulated, students from a specific course have been told to self isolate immediately until Thursday March 12.

The students are asked to please await further instructions and the message states that there is currently an emergency hospital meeting regarding same.

While there is no indication that any of these students have the coronavirus, the Limerick Leader understands that they may have come into contact with someone with the virus.

It was confirmed today that four people with the coronavirus are being treated at the University Hospital Limerick in Dooradoyle.

The two males and two females are understood to be in an isolated unit.

There are seven cases of the virus now confirmed in Ireland. The other two are being treated in the Isolation Unit in Dublin. Another is being treated in Cork.

For advice and updates on Covid-19 log onto the Department of Health Website
UN Resident Coordinator in Iran Ugochi Daniels has expressed solidarity with the families of coronavirus victims and said that the United Nations will do what it can to help battle the virus, Trend reports with reference to IRNA.

According to the UN Office in Iran, she added that as the World Health Organization raised the COVID-19 global risk assessment to a very high level last week, today, over 90,000 people in 58 countries tested positive.

Unfortunately, Iran is one of the countries severely affected and the UN reiterates that all the Iranians should observe all the guidelines recommended by the National Headquarters for Managing Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, WHO representative in Iran Christoph Hamelmann warned about the situation in Iran, saying that UN agencies including WHO are providing Iran with basic medical items technical services.
MOSCOW  The presidents of Russia and Turkey said they reached agreement on a cease-fire to take effect at midnight Thursday in northwestern Syria, where escalating fighting had threatened to put forces from the two countries into a direct military conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said the deal envisions setting up a security corridor along a strategic highway in Idlib province.

Putin voiced hope the deal will serve as a good basis for ending the fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone, put an end to suffering of civilian population and contain a growing humanitarian crisis.

Erdogan said he and Putin agreed to help refugees return to their homes. More than 900,000 people have been displaced by the fighting since the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad launched an offensive in December.

Both leaders had underlined the need to reach agreement at the start of the Kremlin talks, which lasted more than six hours. One goal had been to prevent damage to their bilateral relations and blossoming Russia-Turkey trade.

The Russian and Turkish foreign ministers said the agreement involves a cease-fire that must be enforced, starting at midnight along existing battle lines. The deal also envisages setting up a 7-mile-wide security corridor along the M4 highway. The corridor will be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting March 15.

Until the latest crisis, Putin and Erdogan had managed to coordinate their interests in Syria even though Moscow backed Assad while Ankara supported the governments foes throughout Syrias nine-year war. Both Russia and Turkey were eager to avoid a showdown but the sharply conflicting interests in Idlib province made it difficult to negotiate a mutually acceptable compromise.

A Russia-backed Syrian offensive to regain control over Idlib  the last opposition-controlled region in the country  has resulted in Turkey sending thousands of troops into Idlib to repel the Syrian army. Clashes on the ground and in the air have left dozens dead on both sides. Russia, which has helped Assad reclaim most of the countrys territory, has signaled it wont sit by while Turkey routs his troops now.

The fighting has also pushed nearly 1 million Syrian civilians toward Turkey.

Vladimir Isachenkov is an Associated Press writer.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, can support decarbonization in South-East Europe, Luca Schieppati, TAP Managing Director, said, Trend reports.

He made the remarks during the 43rd Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) of the Energy Charter in Tirana, hosted by TAP.

Schieppati highlighted TAP's benefits for the South-Eastern Europe and the significant role that natural gas infrastructure can play in achieving a carbon-neutral energy sector.

He underlined that the natural gas provided and facilitated by TAP can support decarbonisation in South-Eastern Europe, where the energy sector is overly reliant on the use of heavy fossil fuels for power generation.

Renewables and natural gas are the perfect partners, given the intermittent nature of solar or wind energy, he added.

Discussions focused on the transition to a low-carbon energy system and the role of the Energy Charter Treaty, the future role of energy infrastructure, as well as strategies and market rules for a climate-neutral energy sector. Participants talked at length about diversification of energy supplies in Europe, support for public financial institutions for the development of the energy market in Albania, strategies for carbon neutrality and risk management and prospects and challenges for gas infrastructure, reads the message.

TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.

Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network.

The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016.

Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.

TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
A cruise ship was turned away by Thailand over coronavirus fears today after authorities raised the alarm over dozens of Italian passengers.

The Costa Fortuna was denied permission to dock on the island of Phuket because 64 people on board had been in Italy in the last 14 days, Thai media said.

The cruise operator says there are no cases on board but health authorities around the world have become wary of ocean liners after a spate of virus scares at sea.

Thailand added Italy to a list of 'dangerous communicable disease areas' in a tightening of restrictions just yesterday.

The cruise ship Costa Fortuna (file photo) was denied permission to dock on the island of Phuket because 64 people on board had been in Italy in the last 14 days, Thai media said

Egypt finds 12 cases on a Nile cruise boat Egypt has today detected 12 new cases of coronavirus among workers aboard a Nile cruise boat, officials said. The 12 patients tested positive but did not show any symptoms, a joint statement with the World Health organisation said. Authorities were alerted after it was found that a Taiwanese tourist who travelled on the ship had caused the virus to spread, they said. The individuals are all Egyptian workers on the ship, officials say. The boat had been heading down the Nile from Aswan to the southern city of Luxor. Egypt had previously confirmed three virus cases. Advertisement

According to Phuket News, the Costa Fortuna is carrying 2,615 people including 282 Italians.

Of those, 64 were found to have been in Italy within the last two weeks, meaning they were denied entry into Thailand.

Thai officials also refused permission for the other passengers to dock, fearing that any infected Italians could have passed on the virus to their fellow tourists.

'They must stay on the ship, and the ship must remain about two nautical miles from shore,' Thai police officer Narong Chanaphaikul said.

Genoa-based cruise operator Costa Crociere says the passengers are 'all healthy' and there are no suspected cases on board, according to Sky Italia.

'The health situation on board is clear and there is no suspected case on the ship among Italian or other nationalities,' a statement said.

'In a constantly changing situation, we confirm that the safety of our guests and crew members is a top priority.'

It is not yet clear where the ship, which reportedly has a total of 1,631 passengers and 984 crew on board, will go next.

As well as the Italians there are 151 French nationals, 230 Germans, three Chinese and two Singaporeans on board, among others.

Thailand had yesterday announced compulsory quarantine measures for several virus hotspots including Italy.

Arrivals from South Korea, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran will have to provide authorities with their address and travel plan before isolating themselves for 14 days.

Thai health workers have started disinfecting packages from abroad (pictured in Bangkok yesterday), although there have been no cases of people being infected through the mail

The four countries and two Chinese territories were classified as 'dangerous communicable disease areas' in an official announcement.

'Thais and foreigners who came from these places will have to go through self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel room, where they have to report themselves to the authorities every day or officials will come to check on them,' health ministry spokesman Rungrueng Kitphati said.

Those who breach the quarantine rules will face a 20,000 baht (480) fine, Rungrueng said.

Arrivals who display coronavirus symptoms will be sent directly to government hospitals.

The order will be effective from Friday.

Thailand has also prepared facilities for the 14-day quarantine of thousands of Thai workers gradually returning from the South Korean province of Gyeongsang and the city of Daegu, currently epicenters of the virus outbreak, the government said.

The country has recorded a total of 47 coronavirus cases since January, with one fatality.

Thirty-one of the coronavirus patients have recovered and returned home, while 15 are still being treated in hospitals.

Among the other latest measures taken by the Thai authorities to halt the spread of the flu-like disease is the plan to disinfect packages from overseas.

Thai officials have imposed the new restriction even though there have been no reports of the virus being contracted from the mail.

'Thailand's post offices will disinfect every package arriving from overseas, at headquarters, including at Suvarnabhumi airport, Lak Si post offices, express mail service and delivery trucks,' Thailand Post CEO Korkij Danchaivichit, told reporters.

In a separate cruise ship scare, testing kits have been delivered to the Grand Princess by helicopter (pictured) off the coast of California after a former passenger died of coronavirus

In advice to the public posted on its website, the WHO says: 'People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus.

'From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.'

Health authorities have had a suspicious eye on cruise ships in recent weeks after a number of voyages were disrupted by virus scares.

In the most serious case, 705 people tested positive for the virus on board the Diamond Princess during a two-week lockdown in Japan.

Japanese authorities said last week that a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess had died after contracting coronavirus.

Another ship, the Grand Princess, is being held off the coast of California with testing kits flown in by helicopter after a former passenger died of the virus.

Separately, the cruise ship Westerdam was turned away at five ports last month before it finally arrived in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville. There were no cases on board.

Several other ships have had their journeys disrupted by the virus after passengers required urgent tests or countries refused them permission to dock.

Experts have highlighted a number of reasons why cruise ships are vulnerable to the spread of disease, including the large number of elderly passengers in a confined space.

Some passengers have started to cancel cruise ship bookings or abandon plans to make them as the virus continues to spread around the world.

Cruise ships have also taken preventative measures themselves, with Royal Caribbean turning away guests with passports from China, Hong Kong and Macau and guarding against arrivals from Italy, Iran and South Korea.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Friday that there is no need to create panic about the need to wear masks, as India has put in place stringent measures to fight the spread of coronavirus. He also said that strict action should be taken against shopkeepers who are charging more than the fixed price for masks.

Live Updates: Tackling Coronavirus Spread in India

This comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra started regulating the sale and storage of coronavirus kits to prevent hoarding and overpricing.

FDA commissioner Arun Unhale said that the Maharashtra government and FDA had received several complaints of chemists selling PPE kits and N-95 masks at prices higher than the MRP.

The FDA directed chemists to sell PPE kits and masks only on doctors prescription. This states health department had said on Thursday that it said it is not essential for the general population to use masks at the current moment.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain had also said that there is no need for panic buying of masks. People do not need to buy hand sanitisers and masks. The hand sanitiser is not the cure; hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water is in fact much better. As for masks, only people working in hospitals, caring for those who have Covid-19 need a mask. People in the community do not need it, Jain had said on Thursday.

Since the day the novel strain of the virus broke out in Wuhan province of China in December last year, there has been a surge in the demand for masks which are believed to be effective in controlling the spread of the virus. Many people started wearing masks as a precaution to ward off infection.

Members of Parliament have also started wearing masks. In fact, independent member from Maharashtras Amravati, Navneet Ravi Rana, on Thursday asked a question in Lok Sabha wearing a mask.

Some security staff too were wearing masks and gloves while scanning visitors in Parliament on Thursday.

Due to the surge in demand, the price of masks has shot up multiple times as people are resorting to panic buying. There is panic among the people about coronavirus and demand for masks has increased, due to which the price of them have inflated. The N-95 mask which used to sell at 50-60 but now it has been selling at the rate of 280-300, said Mohit Goyal, the treasurer of chemist association in New Delhis Nai Basti.

The situation is same across the world. South Korea, which has the highest number of infections outside China, announced strict controls on face masks, which have been in such high demand that people have stood in line for hours to buy them. Beginning Friday, exports of masks will be prohibited and South Koreans will be limited to buying two masks a week, and only on specific days determined by the year of their birth. A new risk is always scarier than one were familiar with because it has elements of the unknown, said David Ropeik, who authored the book How Risky Is It, Really?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also said that people should wear a mask only if they are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection, the WHO said.

Close to one lakh people worldwide have been infected with the novel strain of the coronavirus, the vast majority of them in China where the outbreak originated. More than 3,200 people have died, but 51,000 have recovered after being treated. In India, the number of infected people has reached 31.
"I am thrilled to bring DRT's unique capabilities for developing sustainable ingredients to Firmenich. This proposed combination builds on our business partnership of more than 30 years and our established track record of successful co-development in a long-standing joint venture," said Patrick Firmenich, Chairman of the Board, Firmenich. "We thank Ardian and Tikehau Capital for their strong stewardship and we are delighted to welcome all DRT colleagues to Firmenich. We share the same passion for our customers, sustainability, as well as strong family values."

"Firmenich would be the ideal home for DRT," said Thibault Basquin, Head of Americas Investment and Managing Director at Ardian Buyout. "I would like to warmly thank Laurent Labatut and his team for our partnership over the past few years. Ardian has enabled DRT to accelerate its growth, invest in new projects and enhance its sustainability approach. Firmenich has been an important strategic partner for DRT for many years and would be uniquely positioned to bring DRT's product development capabilities to the next level. As a family-owned business that is committed to innovation, Firmenich will provide a great environment for DRT's colleagues."

Emmanuel Laillier, Head of Private Equity at Tikehau Capital added: "Tikehau Capital has supported DRT's growth strategy and global development for six years. We are today very pleased to help bring DRT and Firmenich together, which is a key step for the continuation of its development."

"DRT would further strengthen our leading Perfumery & Ingredients business enabling us to offer our customers the world's best palette of renewable and sustainable ingredients," said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO, Firmenich. "DRT would bring new capabilities in health & nutrition, cosmetics, as well as a number of new markets, including adhesives, coatings and agriculture. This acquisition reinforces our presence in France, which is our second largest market where we have been established for more than 120 years. I look forward to partnering with all our customers to support their transformation for a sustainable future."

"We share a long-standing relationship with Firmenich as it is one of our main partners," explains Laurent Labatut, CEO of DRT. "Firmenich is renowned for its cutting-edge research that feeds into the broadest and finest ingredients palette. Our joint innovation capabilities would open up new opportunities to support our clients across our entire product portfolio. Together we look forward to opening a new chapter with a shared ambition to design best-in-class sustainable ingredients for our customers."

DRT is at the forefront of developing sustainable, renewable and naturally-derived ingredients from terpenes and rosin derivatives. DRT offers green alternatives for a range of applications and markets. Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Dax, France, DRT developed a unique, backward integrated business model over many decades, including access to sustainable raw materials, best-in-class extraction and distillation capabilities and advanced innovation processes. DRT has been a family-owned company for most of its history and has grown thanks to its commitment to long-standing relationships with its suppliers and its customers.

DRT has a turnover in excess of 550 million, employs more than 1,500 people around the world and is operating through a global footprint with four production sites located in France, two in the USA, two in India and one in China.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The proposed transaction remains subject to several conditions including the consultation of the relevant employee representatives and customary approvals by the antitrust authorities.

Firmenich was advised by Goldman Sachs International, Raphael Financial Advisory and Bredin Prat. Ardian was advised by Citigroup, Rothschild & Co, Latham & Watkins and White & Case.

About Firmenich

Firmenich is the world's largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895. Driven by its purpose to create positive emotions to enhance wellbeing, naturally, Firmenich has designed many of the world's best-known perfumes and tastes, bringing delight to over four billion consumers every day. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, each year, Firmenich invests 10% of its turnover in R&D to understand and share the best that nature has to offer responsibly. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.9 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2019. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com.

About DRT

Founded in 1932, DRT specializes in the development of gum rosin and turpentine extracted from pine resin. DRT's head office is located in Dax, France and sells its products around the world. DRT has a diversified product portfolio of more than 300 ingredients addressing a variety of end markets. DRT operates 9 manufacturing facilities either directly or with joint venture partners. More information about DRT is available at www.drt.fr.

About Ardian

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$96bn managed or advised in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base. Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian's activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 680 employees working from fifteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). It manages funds on behalf of around 1,000 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt. More information about Ardian is available at https://www.ardian.com/fr.

About Tikehau Capital

Tikehau Capital is an asset management and investment group which manages 25.8bn of assets under management (as at 31 December 2019) and shareholders' equity of 3.1 billion (as at 30 June 2019). The Group invests in various asset classes (private debt, real-estate, private equity, capital markets strategies), including through its asset management subsidiaries, on behalf of institutional and private investors. Controlled by its managers, alongside leading institutional partners, Tikehau Capital employs more than 500 staff (as at 30 September 2019) in its Paris, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxemburg, Madrid, Milan, New York, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo offices.

Tikehau Capital is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris, Compartment A (ISIN code: FR0013230612; Ticker: TKO.FP) More information about Tikehau Capital is available at www.tikehaucapital.com.

SOURCE Firmenich

Related Links

https://www.firmenich.com


(Photo : Screenshot from Twitter of @jwdew) (Photo : Screenshot from Twitter of @engadget)

Nokia partners up with James Bond actress Lashana Lynch to unveil their very first 5G phone. As James Bond once again prepares to come out of retirement one last time this will be the fifth and final installment of Daniel Craig which promises to be a memorable one indeed.

Read More About: READ! Coronavirus Has Two Strains Which Will Make it Even More Difficult to Contain Since The Other Half Doesn't Know They Are Infected Until It's Too Late

The latest installment and the last one for actor Daniel Craig to play the part of Double 007, No Time to Die, will hit theatres now in November instead of the planned release date of April due to the coronavirus. You will most probably be treated with Nokia's first 5G phone in the movie since it will be used by the companions of the super-spy.

The Commercial In Question

The featured commercial will, of course, feature Nokias 5G phone and the beautiful Lashana Lynch's character in the movie, 00 agent Nomi. Who completed a mission using the assistance of Nokia's new phone, HMD Global has plans to explain more of the device on March 19th. As amazing as the commercial is we still do not know if it's just agent Nomi who is going to use the device but what about the main protagonist?

Read More About: 10 Ways to Greet Someone in Style Without Getting Sick From Deadly Coronavirus

What Phones Be Featured In The Movie

HMD Global has told the press that the Nokia 7.2 and 3310 will make guest appearances in the upcoming James Bond movie. The Nokia 7.2 comes with a powerful processor, storage capacity for the modern age, camera to be envious but unfortunately lacks in the battery department that only has about 3,500 mAh5, thankfully supports USB-C charging. As for the 3310, this is the updated version from the widely popular 3310 way back in the year 2000. Maintaining the design but making it possible to do modern things with the phone but still, overall a good phone to have and own for nostalgia purposes or maybe for your kids, who knows.

via GIPHY

Trouble in Paradise?

If you will watch this movie in November, you are a fan of James Bond films and you should also know that he only uses the best of the best. Funny thing though, Sony reportedly wanted to pay Craig $5 million to pose for some photos with the Xperia Z4 in hand. Craig, however, declined. To add insult to injury a leaked email stating that "James Bond only uses the 'best...' the Sony phone is not the 'best.'" Talk about a big oof!

If ever Craig uses a Nokia phone it would be put his last James Bond appearance come full circle as his first-ever appearance as the iconic protagonist in 2006's Casino Royale, he used a Nokia 8800. Talk about a fitting end for his time as the super-spy.

Read More About: Guide to Proper Smartphone Cases Cleaning to Prevent Spread of Germs and Virus Like Coronavirus

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Crossing more borders, the new hit a milestone Friday, infecting more than 100,000 people worldwide as it wove itself deeper into the daily lives of millions, infecting the powerful, the unprotected poor and the vast masses in between.

The virus, which has killed nearly 3,400 people, edged into more and more US states, popped up in at least four new countries and even breached the halls of the Vatican. It forced mosques in Iran and beyond to halt weekly Muslim prayers.

It brought Israeli and Palestinian authorities together to block pilgrims from Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem. And it upended Japan's plans for the Olympic torch parade.

"Who is going to feed their families? asked Elias al-Arja, head of a hotel owners' union in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where tourists have been banned and the storied Church of the Nativity shuttered.



Questions swirled around whether Iran could control its outbreak, as the number of reported infections jumped beyond 4,700 on Friday, with 124 deaths. Iran planned to set up checkpoints to limit travel, urged people to stop using paper money and had firefighters spray disinfectant on an 18-kilometer (11-mile) length of Tehran's most famous avenue.

"It would be great if they did it every day," grocery store owner Reza Razaienejad said after firefighters sprayed outside his shop. It should not be just a one-time thing.

The 100,000 figure of global infections is largely symbolic but dwarfs other major outbreaks in recent decades. SARS, MERS and Ebola affected far fewer people but had higher mortality rates.



Seoul: Soldiers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant in alleyways as a precaution against the new in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. AP/PTI

The economic impact grew along with the number of infected people. World stocks and the price of oil dropped sharply again Friday. A sharp drop in travel and a broader economic downturn linked to the outbreak threatened to hit already-struggling communities for months to come.

The head of the UN's food agency, the World Food Program, warned of the potential for absolute devastation as the outbreak's effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East.

India scrambled to stave off an epidemic that could overwhelm its under-funded and under-staffed health care system, with not nearly enough labs or hospitals for its 1.3 billion people.

Yet even as COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, reached new territory, it was retreating in China, where it first emerged late last year, and slowing in South Korea, another major epicenter.

More than half of those who contracted the virus have now recovered, and US health officials said they expect a far lower death rate than the World Health Organization's international estimate of 3.4 per cent a high rate that doesn't account for mild cases that go uncounted.

The fear and the crackdowns that swept through are now shifting westward, as workers in Europe and the US stay home, authorities vigorously sanitize public places and consumers flock to stores for household staples.



South Korean soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant in Daegu. Photo: AP/PTI

"The Western world is now following some of China's playbook, said Chris Beauchamp, a market analyst at the financial firm IG.

The spectacle of a cruise ship ordered to stay at sea off the California coast over virus fears replicated ones weeks ago on the other side of the globe in which hundreds of people were infected on a ship even during a quarantine.

Thailand on Friday blocked a separate cruise ship from docking, worried that it carried dozens of passengers from Italy, the center of Europe's epidemic, which has 148 virus deaths. No one on that ship was known to be infected.

In the US the number of cases passed 230 people scattered across 18 states. President Donald Trump canceled a trip to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta even as he prepared to sign a USD 8.3 billion bill for vaccines, tests, potential treatments, and to help state and local governments.

reported 143 new cases Friday, the same as a day earlier and about one-third what the country was seeing a week ago. Just a month ago, was reporting several thousand new cases a day. The problem has now flipped, with the outbreak moving to Europe where Italy, Germany and France had the most cases and beyond.

South Korea reported 505 additional cases Friday, down from a high of 851 on Tuesday.

The new virus has spread to about 90 countries. The Netherlands reported its first virus death Friday while Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Cameroon announced their first infections. Even Vatican City was hit, with the tiny city-state confirming its first case Friday but not saying who was infected. The Vatican has insisted that 83-year-old Pope Francis, who has been sick, only has a cold.

The new is known to affect the elderly more than other groups. And in the United States, officials in Washington state are so concerned about having space to care for the sick they were expected to close a USD 4 million deal Friday to take over a roadside motel. The plan to turn the 84-room EconoLodge into a quarantine facility was not sitting well with everyone, including the police chief.

To the south, cruise passengers awaited test results aboard the Grand Princess ship. The vessel, with 3,500 aboard, was ordered to stay at sea after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the coronavirus and at least four others were infected.

The cruise line said samples were collected from 45 passengers and crew members and results were expected later Friday.

The Grand Princess is operated by the same line as the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at a Japanese port last month. More than 700 people on board were infected.

In a sign of hope, a woman infected with the virus gave birth to a girl in Qom, the Iranian Shiite holy city particularly hard-hit by the virus.
With Opposition in disarray, snap polls in Sri Lanka are likely to help Rajapaksas tighten grip on power.





President Gotabaya Rajapaksas decision to dismiss parliament six months ahead of schedule and call for fresh elections was expected. Ever since he swept the presidential polls in November, Gotabaya has consolidated his political position and is now seeking to establish control over parliament as well. Sri Lankas Constitution allows the president to declare elections ahead of schedule only after parliament completes four-and-a-half years of its tenure, which it just did. With Gotabayas popularity on the rise and the Opposition in disarray, the Rajapaksas  Gotabaya and his brother and former president, Mahinda  seem well-placed ahead of the elections.













The present ad hoc arrangement wherein Mahinda heads a minority government as prime minister in a parliament dominated by the Opposition, has clearly run its course. Gotabaya would want his party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, to have a majority in parliament so that the necessary constitutional amendments could be made to restore full authority to the presidency. Under the previous president, Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lanka had amended its constitution to reduce the concentration of power in the presidents office. This arrangement failed to deliver on governance mainly because Sirisena, who won the presidential polls as the joint Opposition candidate against Mahinda, and the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, could not work together. The Easter terror bombings by a local Islamist group that claimed over 250 lives exemplified the failure in administration as the two offices blamed each other for neglecting security alerts. The bombings, the first major incident of terrorism since the days of the LTTE, were a setback for the Sri Lankan economy that had not fully recovered from the long years of civil war, but they shifted popular opinion in favour of a strong unitarian government, and against a federal arrangement. The upcoming parliamentary elections will coincide with the first anniversary of the Easter bombings; hopefully, it will not become a polarising issue in the elections.





The Opposition has announced an alliance, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, with Sajith Premadasa, who lost the presidential polls in November, as the prime ministerial candidate. While Premadasa is backed by a broad spectrum of groups, including some Tamil and Muslim parties, he needs to win over his own party colleagues, for instance, Wickremesinghe. The Tamil and Muslim parties will first need to consolidate their strength in the north and the east before they can carve out space in a polity that is increasingly unconcerned about the minorities.





Courtesy: The Indian Express
Many people know of Tony Danza as the actor who starred in "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss?" on the small screen. But did you know that the television star also spent a year co-instructing a 10th-grade English class at Northeast High School in Philadelphia from 2009-2010?

Breakthrough Houston's 400 "Envision a Bright Future" luncheon-goers do.

After two years of tapping heavy-hitting locals such as Dr. Renu Khator, President of the University of Houston, and Scott McClelland, President of H-E-B, to deliver the event's keynote address, 2020's luncheon co-chairs Kelli Kickerillo and Todd Forester, Sarah and Richard Punches, and Vicky and Gordon Wight went the Hollywood route. And last week, what audience members at St. John's School got was an entertaining, Hollywood-type performance.

Danza began his speech by explaining the motivation behind his teaching stint.

"Arthur Miller said, 'Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets,'" he said, quoting the late American playwright. "I was closing in on my 60th birthday and had just lost what I thought was my dream job."

So Danza told his friends of his intentions to try his hand at education in hopes that they would hold him accountable. Then he reached out to Teach for America for help getting placed with a school. Lastly, he mentioned his plans to a reality television producer - and 20 minutes later, the A&E Network expressed interest in creating a show around his experience.

Which is how camera crews wound up following Danza around the halls of Northeast High School during his first semester.

"Once, I caught students cheating by reviewing the film," he told the crowd with a wink. "Teach: Tony Danza" lasted one season. "After the show got canceled, I spent the rest of the year becoming the teacher my students deserved. Because they only get to take 10th-grade English once."

In 2012, Danza published the book "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had" based on his year of teaching. "Those 180 days in the classroom gave me a different perspective."

Breakthrough Houston utilizes a two-step approach to tackling the city's unique educational challenges: increase academic opportunities for high-performing, under-served students and training the next generation of educators. The non-profit organization serves 700 students annually and trains more than 150 teaching fellows and volunteers. Last summer, Breakthrough Houston opened its third location at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center; programs offered there, in addition to St. John's School and Connect Community schools, are tuition-free.

And that's partially thanks to support from luncheon-goers, who raised $200,000 toward educational equity in Houston.

"Just because they qualify for free lunch doesn't mean they aren't gifted and talented students," said Breakthrough Houston's Executive Director Kathy Heinzerling before introducing Rice University senior and teaching fellow Daniel Koh.

Koh, in turn, stressed the importance of person-to-person contact and mentioned that the organization is looking for area families to host teaching fellows during the summer's six-week intensive session.

"I taught my students to make the best of a bad situation," Danza said in closing. "They face poverty and inequality issues every day, and education is the only way to solve either of those problems."
[Sign up here to receive Love Letter, a weekly newsletter about relationship highs, lows and woes, in your inbox every Friday.]

Love is unpredictable and often unexpected. For Mackenzie Scibetta, who taught English lessons online to Japanese and Korean adults while working as a schoolteacher in Thailand, perhaps an even more unexpected place to find love was during one of her lessons. It started as typical banter designed to help her student (who happened to be about her age and handsome) master the various nuances of English. It quickly shifted when he asked: What is love? She didnt have an answer at the time but was willing to risk her job to find out.
A leading lecturer in retail management has warned people not to panic and stockpile goods in the context of the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Damien OReilly of Technological University Dublin has warned there is absolutely no need for panic-buying of goods like toiletries or food.

In recent days, there has been a widespread spike in sales of items such as hand sanitiser and face masks, with some products impossible to find on Irish shelves.

It follows similar patterns that have emerged in other countries. New data released by Kantar Worldpanel showed sales of hand sanitiser increasing sharply in the UK last month.

In February, sales soared by 255%, while liquid soap sales increased by 7% and sales of household cleaning products rose by 10%.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: Given the media focus around the outbreak of Covid-19 in February, its unsurprising to see shoppers prudently protecting themselves from illness.

Similar scenes have emerged in some Irish supermarkets recently, with hand sanitiser all but disappearing from the shelves of several retail chains.

However, Mr OReilly, a lecturer in Retail Management at TU Dublin, urged people to be calm.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1, Mr OReilly spoke of a herd mentality and the fear of the unknown creeping into shoppers minds.

He said the image of empty shelves will, in itself, cause a panic as shoppers believe they have missed out on something they should have bought earlier.

Its the fear that a dramatic event warrants a dramatic response, he said.

Certain items  tinned foods, toilet paper, water there is an increase in those, but big manufacturers and retailers know what they are doing. They have had simulations for pandemics, Brexit or other situations where there would be a scarcity of supply.

Mr OReilly said they will have models in place that will mitigate against a loss of supply. Among the suggested strategies is a reduction in the range of goods available. For example, instead of there being several brands and sizes of a product, this might be focused on one standard size to ensure supply.

A high-level meeting of Government officials and representatives of the grocery sector took place earlier this week to discuss contingency plans in the event that the virus spreads widely.

It was chaired by enterprise minister Heather Humphreys, who moved quickly to assure the public that panic-buying was unnecessary.

Ms Humphreys said that she was assured that grocery supply chains are well stocked and there is ample supply to meet demand.

She said retailers and suppliers were working on contingency plans and are following the public health advice provided by Government on a daily basis, so that health is prioritised for employees and consumers, and food supply chains can continue to function with minimal disruption.
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Devastated family and friends of a three-year-old boy who died after being abandoned in the back of a sweltering minibus in Cairns have gathered at his funeral.

Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, was found slumped in the back of a Goodstart Early Learning bus after being picked up from his family home on the morning of February 18.

His tiny white coffin was adorned with colourful, summer flowers and a touching array of pale blue balloons.

Around 500 mourners came to say goodbye to the youngster, who was supposed to be spending the day at the childcare centre in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton when tragedy struck.

Scroll down for video

A little girl (pictured) looks on at the funeral of the three-year-old boy who died after being left in a sweltering childcare minibus in Cairns on February 18

Three-year-old Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, was found slumped in the back of a Goodstart Early Learning bus after being picked up from his family home on the morning of February 18

The little boy's tiny white coffin (pictured) was taken to the funeral home as he was laid to rest on Friday afternoon surrounded by friends and family

Family and friends of Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, turned out in their droves to attend his funeral on Friday (pictured)

On the sweltering 36C day, temperatures could have risen to fatal levels in the car, as an investigation was launched into his death.

Meeky's shattered family later said they had been left 'distressed' by the tragic incident, as two childcare workers were charged over his death.

'We all grieve our loss in circumstances that should never have happened, his great-grandmother Shireen Malamoo said in tribute, according to the Cairns Post.

'We will carry this grief for our life times. It is on our watch to ensure that justice prevails.

'You must ethically, legally, financially acknowledge that the child care system is broken.

'We seek justice for Maliq.'

His tiny white coffin was loaded into a hearse and surrounded by colourful flowers and blue balloons (pictured) for his funeral on Friday

Around 500 people from the local community in Edmonton, Cairns, turned out to show support for Meeky's family (pictured) at his funeral on Friday

Family and friends of Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, turned out in their droves to attend his funeral on Friday (pictured)

THE TRAGIC TIMELINE OF THE BOY'S DEATH: 7.35am: Edmonton Goodstart Early Learning Centre manager Michael Glenn Lewis 'fraudulently' checks in the boy on the electric sign-in system. 8.30am: The boy's mother calls to ask if he can be picked up, as he was not collected on the initial morning run. 9.15am: Lewis and his colleague Dionne Batrice Grills collect the boy from his home on the minibus. 9.33am: The bus pulls into the daycare carpark, but the boy - who is strapped into a baby seat, two seats away from the front door - never gets off, despite being clearly visible. **During the day the temperature rises to 36C in the Cairns area. 2.45pm: The bus leaves for the afternoon run, with the boy still in his seat. 3pm: Lewis makes a desperate call to Triple-0, telling the operator: 'Oh my God, this kid is dead' Advertisement

In a moving speech full of love for her son, Meeky's mother Muriel said her only son was her 'true love'.

Last week, his uncle Nick said his family were 'trying to come to terms' with the huge hole he has left in their lives, after Goodstart staff Dionne Batrice Grills and Michael Glenn Lewis fronted a Queensland court over the death.

'As you can imagine the sudden loss of our little boy has been distressing for the family,' his uncle said.

'It has left many of us with the difficult task of trying to come to terms with his loss.

'He was a three-year-old boy who was deeply connected to his siblings, his peers and older children and he played a big part in a really close-knitted family.'

On February 25, Cairns Magistrate Court heard how the three-year-old was left strapped in a babyseat inside the bus for six hours.

It was only when Lewis, the centre's director, returned to the bus that afternoon that the boy's body was discovered.

The court heard that in the moments that followed Lewis made a distressing call to triple-0 and told an operator: 'I've left a child on the bus... this kid is dead.'

Lewis, 44, and his colleague Grills, 35, have both been charged with one count of manslaughter over the child's death.

The boy's family were in court for the emotional hearing last Tuesday, saying they are in desperate need for 'answers' about the tragedy.

Around 500 people from the local community in Edmonton, Cairns, turned out to show support for Meeky's family (pictured) at his funeral on Friday

Hundreds of mourners gathered to celebrate the life of Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, who was found slumped in the back of a minibus

Family and friends of Maliq Namok-Malamoo, known by loved ones as Meeky, turned out in their droves to attend his funeral on Friday (pictured)

At present, our families are working through a very difficult time in our lives by supporting and encouraging and looking out for each other,' the boy's uncle Nick said.

'For us as a family this is an unprecedented incident and consequently it's affected the lives of the community.

'That's been demonstrated by the support our families have received and we would like to thank everyone for their help, their love and their prayers so from our family we thank you.'

During the hearing, Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Maynard Marcum told harrowing details of how the boy had allegedly been put in a child restraint just two seats away from the driver and front door.

Yet when the minibus being driven by Lewis arrived at the daycare centre, he and his colleague Grills allegedly left the vehicle - but did not take the boy with them.

Edmonton Goodstart Early Learning Centre director Michael Glenn Lewis (left) 45, and worker Dionne Batrice Grills (right) 34, both faced court on Tuesday, each charged with manslaughter

He allegedly spent the next six hours sweltering inside the bus as the mercury rose to 36C.

At 2.45pm, Lewis returned to the bus to begin the afternoon drop off run, but the court heard it wasn't until 3pm that he discovered the lifeless boy.

THE TRAGIC TIMELINE OF THE BOY'S DEATH: 7.35am: Edmonton Goodstart Early Learning Centre manager Michael Glenn Lewis 'fraudulently' checks in the boy on the electric sign-in system. 8.30am: The boy's mother calls to ask if he can be picked up, as he was not collected on the initial morning run. 9.15am: Lewis and his colleague Dionne Batrice Grills collect the boy from his home on the minibus. 9.33am: The bus pulls into the daycare carpark, but the boy - who is strapped into a baby seat, two seats away from the front door - never gets off, despite being clearly visible. **During the day the temperature rises to 36C in the Cairns area. 2.45pm: The bus leaves for the afternoon run, with the boy still in his seat. 3pm: Lewis makes a desperate call to Triple-0, telling the operator: 'Oh my God, this kid is dead' Advertisement

He then called Triple-0 and said: 'I've left a child on the bus... my life is over'.

'Oh my God, this kid is dead,' Lewis could be heard saying on the recording.

'Oh my God, I'm the director of the childcare centre... the child was left on the bus all day.

'I've just opened up the bus and he's here, dead... I'm so sorry buddy.

'I'm going to jail, this is all my fault. Oh my God. My whole life is over.'

The court also heard allegations that the accused pair had 'fraudulently' signed in the young boy more than two hours before the bus arrived at the daycare centre.

Police allege Grills was on the bus with Lewis for the morning run, before the centre manager made the grim discovery when he returned to the vehicle later that afternoon.

The court heard that Ms Grills had been employed at the daycare centre for less than a month when the incident occurred.

Ms Grills was granted strict conditional bail and is forbidden from contacting her ex- colleagues, her co-accused or the dead child's family, except through her lawyers.

She was ordered to return to court on March 18.

Police will allege that Mr Lewis - who was granted bail by the Magistrates Court - was obtaining taxpayer-funded benefits as part of the 'fraudulent' sign-in process.
New York, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Smart Gas Market by Component, Device Type, and End User : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05869011/?utm_source=GNW



The smart gas technology uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance safety and operations across numerous industries. In addition, smart gas technology involves smart meters that comprises in-home displays, which allows residential and commercial users to better understand their energy usage and further helps in keeping track of their gas usage. Moreover, smart gas technology for industries provides the real-time status of cathodic protection, pressure changes, and visualization of inside of pipeline. Furthermore, the features such as, accurate bills and remote meter reading further eliminates the necessity for manual reading and detect meter issues allowing the cost savings on labor and truck rolls.



Factors such as increase in need to enhance urban safety is the key factor driving the market growth for the smart gas industry. In addition, rise in investment in smart gas pipeline and smart grid network is also fueling the market growth. Moreover, rise in urbanization globally is also propelling the demand for smart gas solutions across commercial and residential users. However, lack of awareness of smart gas systems among people is expected to impede the market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, increasing investment and initiatives for smart energy management by government is anticipated to provide major growth opportunities for the smart gas market in upcoming years.



The global smart gas market is segmented based on component, device type, end user, and region. Based on component, the market is bifurcated into solutions and services. Based on device type, the market is divided into Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI). Based on end user, the market is classified into commercial & industrial, and residential. Based on region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.



The report analyzes the profiles of key players operating in the market. These include ABB, Capgemini, Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG, General Electric, Itron Inc., Landis+Gyr, Oracle, Schneider Electric, Sensus, a Xylem brand, Verizon.



KEY BENEFITS

 The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global smart gas market, outlining current trends, key driving factors, and potential areas for product investments.

 Key players are analyzed with respect to their primary offerings, recent investments, and future development strategies.

 Porters five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the industry.

 The quantitative analysis of the global smart gas market from 2018 to 2026 is provided to determine the market potential.



KEY MARKET SEGMENTS



BY COMPONENT

 Solutions

 Services



BY DEVICE TYPE

 Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)

 Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)



BY END USER

 Commercial & Industrial

 Residential



BY REGION

 North America

o U.S.

o Canada



 Europe

o UK

o Germany

o France

o Rest of Europe



 Asia-Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

o South Korea

o Australia

o Rest of Asia-Pacific



 LAMEA

o Latin America

o Middle East

o Africa



KEY MARKET PLAYERS PROFILED IN THE REPORT

 ABB

 Capgemini

 Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG

 General Electric

 Itron Inc.

 Landis+Gyr

 Oracle

 Sensus, a Xylem brand

 Schneider Electric

 Verizon



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05869011/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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I'm both a huge homebody and a huge traveler. I love exploring exotic places and just hanging out in my own backyard. But throughout my both near and far travels, I have one place that will always win for my absolute favorite place on Earth. And that's Dingle, Ireland. I lived in Ireland for two-and-a-half years after college and fell in love with the entire country, but Dingle in particular. For anyone who's been there, you know just how breathtakingly beautiful it is. And for those who haven't, it's 100 percent a see-it-before-you-die bucket-list destination.

Dingle is a small port town situated on Ireland's southwest coast that's known for its rugged scenery, beautiful sandy beaches, and rolling green hills. It's so quaint and charming, and it truly encompasses what people want to experience when they go to Ireland - friendly Irish people, good Irish food (try Out of the Blue), live Irish music, cozy pubs (head to Dick Mack's or Foxy John's), comfy B&Bs, and the greenest of green landscapes.

Whenever anyone asks me what towns they should visit when traveling to Ireland, I always tell them to make Dingle a priority. While it takes a bit of effort to get there (it's a four-hour drive from Galway), it's so, so worth it. Not only is there so much to do - check out Conor Pass, Slea Head Drive (which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way), Dunquin Pier, Inch Beach, and more - but just being there will make you feel calm, grounded, and happy. It's a feeling I've never been able to accurately describe.

Dingle is just one of those places that stays with you long after you leave it, and I think everyone should see it at least once. So, whether you are planning a trip to Ireland or have never considered it until right now, keep reading for 12 photos that will further convince you that Dingle is a little piece of heaven on Earth.

Related: I Moved to Ireland and Fell in Love Like in P.S. I Love You, and Yep, It Was Magic
Happy March, beer friends!

It's warming up outside, which means one thing: patio beers. If you're headed to Eli's in Oakland for some sun, keep an eye out for the hot weather-friendly Montucky Cold Snacks, a new-to-the-Bay light lager gradually replacing PBR and other mass-produced beers around town. It's catching on fast, selling out across the East Bay, and it's headed next to San Francisco. What's the deal with this very popular newcomer? We talked to Montucky Bill about how this beer has grown so big, so fast.

Fans of Faction's beer but not of its out-of-the-way location will catch a break this summer when the Alameda Spirits Alley-based brewery opens a second taproom in Oakland's Temescal District. Per co-owner Claudia Pamparana, the new space will feature a kitchen and 24 taps of beer and wine. Says Pamparana, "We are really excited to have a location close to BART that will be accessible to more people."

Speaking of new openings, Dokkaebier, a Korean-style beer pop-up that opened with a limited menu created by former Saison chef de cuisine Daniel Wright during SF Beer Week, is now fully open, according to its owner Youngwon Lee. As Lee told me at the time, "I wanted to do something unique and different ... Our tagline is Eat, drink, play, so I want this place to be [where you] come meet, drink and just hang out in a fun place."

Also finally at full capacity is Seven Stills, which is celebrating its Hooper facility's true grand opening with a party later this month. It's been a tumultuous 2020 so far for the brewery, but being able to distill and brew in the new space in the Mission means the company is hitting a major milestone. At the event on March 21, the event listing says, "We will be setting up whiskey tasting stations throughout the facility and will be encouraging guests to grab a whiskey and get a behind the scenes look at our distillery and rick house." Details here.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGate digital editor. Email: alyssa.pereira@sfgate.com | Twitter: @alyspereira


President Donald Trump spent little time discussing Joe Biden during a town hall Thursday in Bidens hometown of Scranton, Pa.

Some of his most disparaging words regarding Biden focused on Bidens son, with Trump depicting Hunter Biden as a neer-do-well who reaped a windfall from a board position with the Ukraine gas company at the center of Trumps impeachment by the U.S. House.

Trump, who received applause when referring to the impeachment as fake and totally made up, said the impeachment ended up hurting Joe Biden.

I think Biden has been damaged, said Trump, adding people have told him Democrats aimed at Trump but they took Biden down.

The hour-long event was hosted by Fox News and held at a packed Scranton Cultural Center. The event coincided with a dramatic turnaround in Bidens presidential prospects over the past week.

It was Trumps first visit to Pennsylvania this year as well as his first town hall of the 2020 campaign season. He held a rally at a packed Giant Center in Hershey in December and has held several events in Pennsylvania, one of the swing states that could decide the 2020 election.

Biden has long been a favored son of Scranton, where he lived for about ten years before his family moved to Delaware. Just a few weeks ago, his campaign was faltering after disappointing results in the early contests..

His revival began Saturday when he ran away with the South Carolina primary. He cemented his resurgence on Super Tuesday when he won contests in 10 of the 14 states. That left Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders as the last viable Democratic candidates.

Bidens prospects to win the Democratic nomination were further bolstered when three former top-tier candidates - Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Mike Bloomberg - threw their support to Biden. The backing of Buttigieg and Klobuchar gave Biden added momentum; Bloombergs support offers the promise of much-needed money for the months ahead.

Trump fielded questions from Foxs Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum and from the audience. He referenced Biden when analyzing the Democratic primary race, arguing Sanders could well have bested Biden if not for votes taken away by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the race Thursday.

Trump said he had been preparing to face Sanders in the general election.

I think in a certain way Bernie would be tougher because he has a base, Trump said.

In another reference to Biden, Trump said the long-time U.S. Senator and former vice president made the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump called the worst deal ever made.

Before the event, Fox News commentators referred to Pennsylvania as ground zero in its importance to Trump winning the 2020 election.

The latest polls show Trump trailing Sanders in Pennsylvania, and trailing or tied with Biden.

A Feb. 20 poll by Quinnipiac University found Biden leading Trump 50 percent to 42 percent, and Sanders leading Trump 48 percent to 44 percent.

The situation looked better for Trump in a Feb. 27 poll by the Allentown Morning Call and Muhlenberg College, which found him tied with Biden at 47 percent, but trailing Sanders 49 percent to 46 percent. But that poll was conducted days before Super Tuesday and Bidens resurgence.

Moreover, the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area was critical to enabling Trump to flip Pennsylvania and win the 2016 election. The cities are located in counties long considered Democratic strongholds.

In 2012, Barack Obama easily won both Lackawanna County, where Scranton is located, and Luzerne County, home to Wilkes-Barre. But in 2016, many of those voters shifted to Trump, who nearly won Lackawanna and ran away with Luzerne.

Trump spent most of the evening fielding questions about topics including foreign policy, health care, immigration and the economy. To sum it up, he claimed credit for more first-term achievements than any previous president, an all-time great economy and rebuilding a military he said was depleted when he took office.

The Fox moderators pressed him on the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak, especially on the problem-plagued roll out of tests need to diagnose coronavirus.

He insisted his administrations response has been flawless, and took credit for great foresight in restricting travelers from China, where the outbreak began, saying, I closed them down early, against the advice of everyone.

The evenings lightest moment came when, Trump, a well-known germaphobe, was asked whether he will limit his hand shaking because of the coronavirus.

Its a little bit of a problem, but I got over it, he said. The bottom line is I shake everybodys hand. Im proud of it.

More from PennLive

Heres PennLives full coverage of the coronavirus

More than 20,000 Pa. voters sign up to vote by mail

In Pa., non-voters lean to Trump, new study shows

Listen to the latest episode of PennLives political podcast, Battleground Pa., on your favorite app, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts. Battleground Pa. examines the political climate across the Keystone State leading up to November.
Tesco delivery drivers have advised each other to take their employer to court if they have to deliver food to people who 'they are aware of being in self-isolation' at home due to the coronavirus.

In a forum for Tesco employees, the drivers questioned whether or not it was a fair request to be asked to take food shopping into the homes of those who may have Covid 19.

One driver said there had been a letter distributed around various stores that stated drivers would still have to deliver to customers who had been told to self-isolate.

In response another employee urged them to take the company to court as they claimed it was a breech of its duty of care.

Tesco delivery drivers have advised each other to take their employer to court if they have to deliver food to people who are in self isolation (pictured above a Tesco delivery van)

People on the forum were discussing a letter which was alleged to have been sent around by the company

'It's a public health and safety violation if Tesco are endorsing these actions. Drivers will definitely be able to cite many breeches of duty of care to a judge if they get reprimanded for not delivering', they said.

The employees stated that if someone was in isolation then they were 'high risk' and said it wouldn't be fair for them to deliver goods to the properties as they were still 'members of the public' and were also susceptible to the disease.

Some drivers on the forum questioned how they would know if they had been sent to a house where someone was in self isolation.

The government's current advice to those who are self isolating is to order their shopping online.

The comments from the employees come as one disabled woman claimed a Tesco delivery driver refused to bring shopping into her property because of the corona virus.

Ms Green said there were lots of substitutes in her shopping. People are pictured above getting shopping from a Tesco store

One user on the forum questioned how many drivers had been sent the letter, claiming that no one at their store had seen it

Posting to Facebook Maxine Green said she had been left 'crying on the floor in a lot of pain' after a delivery driver refused to bring in her shopping.

She said Tesco drivers now can't help customers unload groceries 'because of the coronavirus'.

Tesco's currently policy regarding home delivery is that it is trying to phase out the use of plastic bags and instead using containers to deliver the shopping - claiming its drivers will be given more time to help them inside.

But Ms Green said one driver told her he was unable to go into her home with the shopping.

Today, March 6, saw the biggest one-day jump in the number of people confirmed to have the coronavirus  there were 47 new cases, bringing the UK's new total from 116 to 163

Maxine Green posted to Facebook that Tesco drivers were no longer able to take delivers inside properties

'What is NOT advertised anywhere I could see on the website is that current 'anti-coronavirus' policy means that (at least according to the driver I spoke with today) drivers are in fact NOT allowed to enter your house to help unpack goods, NOT EVEN FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

'This is supposed to reduce the risk of infection... despite the fact that infection is most likely to be conveyed by touch, and we're still expected to touch the same boxes, the same products, and the same electronic device in order to sign the delivery receipt, and delivery drivers gloves are very obviously neither washable nor disposable.

'So it's a policy that disproportionately impacts on disabled customers while being utterly ineffectual at achieving its stated purpose'.

She said the driver had been extremely apologetic but that he was only able to take the crates to her door step and watch her struggle with the items.

Ms Green slammed the company and its policies and said she would not be using its services again.

There are now 90 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain, after three more were confirmed in Scotland this morning

Ms Green continued in her post that this policy would hit disabled people the most

'Tesco you are badly letting down your disabled customers - and presumably your elderly, infirm, single parent, and otherwise less able ones too.

'I'm shocked and disgusted by the thoughtlessness of your company policies, and I won't be using your services again unless I'm one hundred percent certain that these issues have been resolved fully. I really hope your management read this and learn.'

Tesco were unable to comment this afternoon.

It comes as the UK had its first death from the coronavirus yesterday.

Another patient in his 80s today was feared to have become Britain's second coronavirus death.

The unnamed man is thought to have succumbed to the illness at Milton Keynes University Hospital last night.

The number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK has now tripled in the space of three days, with just 51 cases confirmed on Tuesday. Forty-seven cases were announced today  the UK's largest daily toll.
Amish Acres, a landmark tourist destination in northern Indiana that's been visited by Region residents for more than five decades, is rebranding itself as The Barns at Nappanee-Home of Amish Acres.

New owners, who bought the closed attraction at auction last month, announced they plan to revive the Round Barn Theatre, the collection of historic barns and the annual Arts & Crafts Festival, carrying on the legacy of the tourist site south of Elkhart, billed as the only Amish farm listed in The National Register of Historic Places.

Owners Jason Bontrager, Marlin Stutzman and John Kruse said they would keep "Amish Acres" as part of the brand, but rechristen it as The Barns at Nappanee to "give it a fresh focus and highlight the historic barns that have been enjoyed by so many people for so long."

They plan to put more focus on weddings and special events, like company Christmas parties, to take advantage of its "inescapable charm" and "natural romance."

The owners also are partnering with the Legacy Theatre Group, which will manage the Round Barn Theatre. The group will produce repertoire plays and original stage productions, as well as bring in outside acts and shows.
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The Pentagon.

Getty

The Department of Defense is making plans for a possible coronavirus outbreak at the Pentagon, the secretary of defense said Thursday.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters that the department is looking at strategies that have proven effective for US Forces Korea, where there have only been six USFK-related infections, despite South Korea's high number of cases.

"We have a lot of capabilities in this building," Esper said. "Our national military command center has the capability go for weeks at a time ... if we have some type of outbreak."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Department of Defense is planning for a possible coronavirus outbreak at the Pentagon, the world's largest office building, the secretary of defense said Thursday afternoon.

The US has had 11 coronavirus deaths among more than 220 cases of infection. None of those infections or deaths have been close to the Pentagon, where more than 20,000 people work, but DoD wants to be prepared just in case.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Thursday that he expects to receive a proposal next week on prevention and mitigation measures "should we have somebody come up positive or display symptoms."

"Some of the things we are considering," he told reporters, have "already proven out in US Forces Korea," where there have only been six USFK-related cases, despite South Korea being the country hardest hit by the coronavirus outside of China.

To combat the spread of the deadly virus that originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, USFK has prohibited a number of off-base activities like shopping, seeing a movie, or dining out and instructed US military personnel to "avoid handshaking and unnecessary contact with others."

Esper explained that "simple things" like wiping down doorknobs and changing the norms for social interactions and physical contact "are things we can begin now doing to try and prevent the spread." He said the department may also need to look at travel.

Story continues

"There's a number of things," he added. "Those will be coming to me next week, and we should, I hope by the end of next week, start putting in some measures to address prevention."

The secretary stressed, though, that the Pentagon is a hardened structure capable of withstanding situations like this.

"We have a lot of capabilities in this building," he said.

"Our national military command center has the capability go for weeks at a time if they have to be locked down inside the building if we have some type of outbreak," Esper explained.

"We're fully confident that we can continue to perform the functions that the Pentagon needs to perform if we have some type of outbreak in the building."

While this is not an issue yet, he said, "we want to be prepared for everything, and we're taking a variety of measures."

Read the original article on Business Insider
W hen Malorie Blackman published her novel Noughts + Crosses 19 years ago, Jack Rowan and Masali Baduza, stars of the BBCs new TV adaptation, were both four years old.

Unlike many of their peers, neither read the book growing up, but unbeknown to them, both were living the opposite of their future on-screen reality: Rowan as a free white man in a tolerant, multicultural London; Baduza as an othered black woman in a post-apartheid South Africa racked by racial tensions.

The star-studded series, filmed in Cape Town but set in a fictional London known as Albion, flips these realities on their head. For anyone unfamiliar with Blackmans award-winning novel, the story follows star-crossed lovers Callum and Sephy in an alternate world where white people (Noughts) are the oppressed underclass and black people (Crosses) are the ruling one per cent.

Newcomer Baduza, 23, plays Sephy, a Cross and daughter of uncompromising Home Secretary Kamal Hadley; Peaky Blinders star Rowan, 23, plays Callum, a Nought and son of the Hadley familys housekeeper.

Author Malorie Blackman attending the Noughts and Crosses premiere earlier this week / Getty Images

Im grateful for the experience, Rowan tells me, a year on from filming and the day after the series premiere in Brixton. Filming gave him a taste of what it was like to be on the other side: in one scene, his character is the only Nought at a military training camp of Crosses.

Even though it was fictional, man you could feel it, he says, seriously. It was the first time hed ever been the only one of something and it showed him what it might feel like when the things you get isolated for are things you cant change: your voice, your accent, your skin tone.

For Baduza, filming also hit her hard  for opposite reasons. It felt like a therapy session, she says.

Noughts And Crosses Trailer

Living as a black woman in this world, my lived experience has been being treated as someone less than. At school, she had to wear her hair in cornrows because her natural hair was seen as unprofessional and unkempt. On screen, she wears regal, vibrant clothes and natural afro hair.

Filming the series in her native South Africa was moving. Its only been 24 years since the end of apartheid so everythings still raw, you can still feel it, she says, recalling how filming riot and political scenes in reverse there felt intense.

She enjoyed showing the rest of the cast around her hometown, and for Rowan, staying 12 hours away from home for six months brought him closer to the rest of the cast, which included Mamma Mias Josh Dylan as Callums brother and Cold Feets Helen Baxendale as his mother. Stormzy even makes a cameo appearance as a newspaper editor.

Hes how youd imagine him to be and more: a very sweet, humble, hardworking guy, smiles Rowan, who shares a scene with the grime star in one episode. I wasnt on set that day but I made sure I met him, laughs Baduza.

Baduzas character begins the series with a boyfriend, and Callum joins the army, neither of which are in the book, so fans familiar with the original storyline will be kept on their toes.

Central couple: Rowan and Baduza in the hotly-anticipated series / BBC/Mammoth Screen/Ilze Kitshoff

Both Rowan and Baduza watched the first episode live on BBC 1 last night because theres that added magic when the rest of the world is watching it, and they are excited to hear fans reactions, both good and bad, because its when we are uncomfortable that real growth and change can occur, says Baduza.

People will be uncomfortable seeing themselves in a light theyve never seen themselves in, but I think itll really challenge peoples mindsets and perception of reality. Ultimately, thats what we want.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that there are now 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York state, with five people hospitalised.

The additional cases are all connected to the lawyer from Westchester County, who was admitted to hospital earlier in the week.

Among those that tested positive are the rabbi of the Young Israel synagogue in New Rochelle, who also teaches at Yeshiva University in Washington Heights. He was already in self-quarantine. The family of the lawyer attended services at the synagogue, and the elder son is a student at Yeshiva.

Given the community spread nature of the cluster in Westchester County, Governor Cuomo said at earlier press conference on Wednesday that he expects many more cases.

There are going to be hundreds [of cases] in Westchester, the governor said. The number of people who will be infected will continue to increase. It is going to be dozens and dozens and dozens.

In an attempt to prevent the further spread of the virus, the governor also said that 4,000 people across the state are in quarantine as a precaution  2,700 in New York City, 1,000 in Westchester, and 70 in Nassau County.

Of that total, 44 people are in mandatory quarantine, including 33 in Westchester, nine in NYC and one in Nassau County.

Among the new confirmed cases are a man in his 50s living in Manhattan who has mild symptoms, and a 42-year-old man in Uniondale, Nassau County, who is hospitalised.

Two other New York City residents confirmed to have the virus are a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s, both are in a critical condition in hospital and have pre-existing conditions the man has respiratory issues said to be related to smoking and vaping, and the issues related to her age.

Meanwhile, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada and New Jersey have reported their first cases of coronavirus as President Donald Trump yet again erroneously claimed that the spread of the virus had been stopped.

Speaking at the White House after signing the $8.3 billion emergency bill to counter the spread of the virus, Mr Trump urged people to be calm and said: It will go away.

In terms of cases, its very, very few because we have been very strong at the borders. He added: This came unexpectedly, it came out of China, we closed it down, we stopped it, it was a very early shut down.

In reality, the number of US cases now stands at 231 in 22 states. This grew by almost 70 cases on Thursday and 35 on Wednesday, according to figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health agencies, and hospitals, collated by The New York Times. The total number of dead has held steady at 14, one in California, and 13 in Washington state.

The uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis continues to roil markets, which closed on Friday after a third turbulent week as traders attempt to assess how bad the economic fallout will be, and how long it will last.

Bond yields fell to more record lows as investors continued to demand safety and unload stocks. The price of oil fell 10%, its worst drop in more than five years.

Not even a buoyant jobs report could steady the Dow Jones, which closed at 25,864.78, down 1 per cent on the day, having clawed back some of its earlier losses in the last hour of trading. It was only 12 February when the market peaked at 29,551.42 points.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday advised fans to wash hands regularly and properly to fight coronavirus outbreak.

The Master Blaster took to Twitter and posted a video in which he is explains the correct technique of handwashing.

Tendulkar, an ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) urged people to never forget washing their hands for 20 seconds after putting soap on the hands.

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One more person tested positive for coronavirus on Friday in Delhi which took the tally of people infected with the deadly virus to 31 in the country. The patient had a travel history of Thailand and Malaysia.

The novel coronavirus disease was first detected in Wuhan, China's Hubei province, in late December 2019, and has since spread worldwide. The death toll from coronavirus in China reached 3,042 with the number of people infected with a deadly virus in the country increased to 80,552 on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 5, 2020 (Morning Star News)  The families of three Christian schoolteachers killed by Islamic extremists in northeastern Kenya have suffered loss beyond words, but aid from donors in Ireland is helping to compensate for lost income, they said.

Somalia-based Al Shabaab militants on Jan. 13 killed Titus Sasaka, a member of the New Testament Church of God who was deputy head teacher of the primary boarding school in Kamuthe, Garissa County that the Islamist terrorists attacked at about 2:30 a.m.

Sasakas widow, 27-year-old Judith Katima, and mother, Rose Sasaka, could not hold back tears as the family gratefully received a donation to start a small business. They were also thankful for funds to cover school fees for their 7-year-old son.

The aid for them and the bereaved families of two other slain Christian teachers came from an undisclosed church in Ireland matched by a gift from Irish charity Church in Chains, which coordinated the aid in response to coverage by Morning Star News.

The principal of the school told Morning Star News that the late Sasaka had played the keyboards for worship at the Anglican Church of Kenya in Garissa town the Sunday before his death.

Sasakas father, Peter Sasaka, said his son was shot in the neck, cheek, shoulders and legs, breaking them. The attack was planned to target Christians, he said.

A survivor of the attack told Morning Star News that the assailants arrived at the school as the teachers were sleeping, ordered them out of their rooms and separated out the non-local ones who had come from other parts of Kenya  assumed to be Christian as they were not ethnic Somali Muslims predominant in the region near Somalias border.

One of the attackers said, We cannot allow infidels to teach our children, and there and then fired at three teachers as I managed to escape through the window, the source said.

Al Shabaab, which took responsibility for the killings on its official website on Jan. 13, also killed Samuel Muthui Kyunzu, a Catholic who was shot in the head and legs, which were also broken from the impact, said his father, Bernard Kimanzi.

The support we have received will go a long way in support of the school fees of my two children who were being supported by our son who was brutally murdered by the Al Shabaab, Kimanzi told Morning Star News. We are very grateful for the generosity of our brothers and sisters who responded in meeting this particular need.

Surviving family members of Caleb Muthangya Mutua, a 29-year-old member of the African Inland Church who died from gunshots to his chest and legs, were also grateful.

We appreciate the support from our well-wishers that has helped our children, who had left school for lack of school fees, to go back to school again, his father, Mutua Musya, told Morning Star News. We lack words to say thank you to you.

Al Shabaab, which is allied with Al Qaeda, or Al Shabaab sympathizers have killed several non-local people in northern Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenyas coast. Al Shabaab militants were suspected in the killing of two Christian teachers on Oct. 10, 2018.

On Dec. 6, 2019 in Wajir County, in northern Kenya, suspected members of Somali Islamic extremist group Al Shabaab intercepted a bus, separated out those who were not local ethnic Somali Muslims and executed them.

On April 2, 2015, 148 people at Garissa University College lost their lives in an attack by Al Shabaab, and several attacks on churches and Christians have taken place in Garissa.

Somalias constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the U.S. State Department. It also requires that laws comply with sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims.

Kenya is ranked 44th on Christian support group Open Doors 2020 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian; Somalia is ranked 3rd.

If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.

If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?

Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission.

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Natanael Ginting
THE number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland has risen to 18, it has been confirmed.

At a media briefing this Friday evening, The National Public Health Emergency Team, said an additional five cases were identified earlier in the day.

One of the new cases, relates to a female in the west of Ireland and is associated with close contact with a confirmed case.

Another case relates to a female healthcare worker in the south of the country and is also associated with close contact with a confirmed case.

Two of the new cases are associated with travel to northern Italy.

One the cases relates to a male in the east of the country while the second relates to a female in the south of the country.

The fifth case of Covid-19 confirmed this Friday relates to a male in the south of the country and is again associated with travel but not to an affected region.

Read also: UL Hospitals Group cancels all elective surgeries and outpatient appointments following coronavirus cases

The HSE says it is working rapidly to identify any contacts any of the five patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health, is appealing for organisations and groups not to panic and to heed the advice.

We ask that no organisation, school or health service provider acts unilaterally. We need to respond to the threat of COVID-19 in unison, following the advice of public health.

Read also: No current plans to cancel large gatherings in Limerick over coronavirus

Liam Woods, HSE director of acute operations, said: Healthcare workers are at the frontline of this virus outbreak. The Department of Health and the HSE are equally dedicated to protecting and supporting this vital group of people.

Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said: The past number of weeks have been challenging for everyone in our healthcare system. This challenge is going escalate as the number of cases here rise. We must prioritise the protection of our frontline healthcare staff and as part of this the National Public Health Emergency Team has established a sub-group to identify and implement appropriate measures to protect them.

Any person who has travelled from an affected region in the last 14 days, or who has come in contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days, and is concerned that they may have symptoms of Covid-19 should immediately isolate themselves from others and phone their GP.

The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health.

____________________________________________________________________________________

For the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak, visit the dedicated section of our website - click here
Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Friday said it has set up isolation wards with five beds each at Shastri Nagar Hospital, in Dombivli (West) and Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan (West). Alongside this, doctors have received training in diagnosing and taking necessary precautions related to the coronavirus.

Commissioner of KDMC Dr Vijay Suryavanshi stressed there is no need for the public to panic. We are just taking measures to be prepared. We will be sharing pamphlets with everyone that mention the basic precautions that need to be taken. Everyone needs to be alert about the symptoms and if need be, consult a doctor immediately and advise the same to those who are unwell around you. We shall also be putting up hoardings that will highlight precautionary measures, he said.

Among other measures being taken by KDMC are training sessions for doctors and community health workers will visit rural areas as well as slums to create awareness about coronavirus. If any patient shows symptoms, they will first be screened and if necessary, they will be admitted to an isolation ward.

KDMC has chosen to postpone womens day celebrations that were scheduled for next week, I have also refused invitations to social gatherings. It is advisable to avoid [large] gatherings or conferences. If we postpone such meetings, we create awareness among those who come for permission for events also. We shall request the police to do the same, said Suryavanshi.

Meanwhile, the Thane district collector Rajesh Narvekar on Friday asked all hotels and lodges in the district to keep an eye out for tourists showing symptoms of coronavirus. We have alerted all hospitals to be prepared. If any tourist in hotels or lodges seeks medical help, it needs to be alerted immediately, said Narvekar, adding that there was no cause for panic.
AUSTIN, Texas, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Academic and Commercial Reference Laboratory Executives met with Vice President, Mike Pence and members of the White House's Coronavirus Task Force to collectively discuss diagnostic testing availability for COVID-19.

Jerry Hussong, MD, MBA, the Chief Executive Officer of Sonic Healthcare USA (Sonic), was among those who met on behalf of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) with key government officials, the CDC, and the FDA. At the meeting, key stakeholders discussed the role of state and local public health and commercial laboratories, hospitals, and academic medical centers to increase access to testing for the Coronavirus. "Our main goal, as a commercial laboratory, is to ensure those patients in need or at high-risk can access testing. By working together, we can accelerate those efforts with a coordinated and comprehensive approach," said Dr. Hussong.

Dr. Hussong added, "Sonic Healthcare is working with its Medical, Scientific and Operational Leadership to make patient testing available through its network of commercial laboratories in the United States and will follow the FDA guidelines for Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs)." The FDA has recently updated its policy, thus providing an expedited pathway for the availability of diagnostics for COVID-19.

Sonic Healthcare will continue to lead and collaborate with colleagues, government officials, and our local medical communities in response to this immediate public health crisis.

Read the ACLA Statement on COVID-19 Testing

About Sonic Healthcare USA

Sonic Healthcare USA is a subsidiary of Sonic Healthcare Limited, one of the world's largest medical diagnostic companies, providing laboratory services to medical practitioners, hospitals and community health services, with operations in eight countries, on three continents and providing care to over 100 million patients each year. Sonic Healthcare USA is a leading provider of state-of-the-art laboratory services and pathology practices throughout the USA with nine operating divisions and nearly eight thousand US based employees. Sonic Healthcare USA utilizes a federated business model that emphasizes medical leadership and community based testing services to provide outstanding quality and service to the doctors and patients that they serve. For more information, visit the Sonic Healthcare website at www.sonichealthcareusa.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sonic Healthcare USA

Dr. Jerry Hussong, MD, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

512.531.2216

SOURCE Sonic Healthcare USA

Related Links

http://www.sonichealthcareusa.com


Advance visit briefing for officials from ASEAN member states and New Zealand (Photo: VNA)

The delegation comprised 80 officials from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand and some 150 others from subcommittees of the ASEAN 2020 National Committee.

The summits are scheduled to take place in the central city of Da Nang in early April.

Representatives of the subcommittees informed the delegation on preparations in all aspects such as reception, logistics, security and healthcare.

A representative of the citys Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented preparations for the prevention and control of the acute respiratory disease caused by new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in order to ensure safety for delegates to the summits right from the Da Nang International Airport to hotels and meeting venues.

The delegation highly appreciated Da Nangs careful preparations for the summits.

As scheduled, the delegation will make fact-finding trips to related places such as hotels, the International Media Centre and the Da Nang International Airport.
After the touch, and the vision, one of the first things the Manchester United players noticed about Bruno Fernandes was the voice.

He has immediately been very vocal in training. There was no initial trepidation, as often happens when foreign players arrive in the United dressing room.

A natural response to that, of course, is that this isnt a normal United dressing room. It is younger and much less success-laden than pretty much any time in the last few decades.

But this is something else that Fernandes has started to change  the very atmosphere in the dressing room. Training is also said to have gone up a level.

Certainly Bruno has fitted in great on the pitch, and is as important around the pitch and in the dressing room, assistant manager Michael Carrick says. He has got a real presence about him and the lads have taken to him well. Importantly he has settled in well, but more importantly, he has lifted the standard and the spirit within the squad.

Such assertiveness, of course, has been most visible on the pitch. The easiest way to put it is that Fernandes has just made United a much more dangerous prospect.

The stats say even more. Since his debut, Fernandes has provided more assists (two), created more chances (seven) and had more shots (10) than any other United player in the Premier League. As much as anything, Fernandes just imposes an attacking plan on the team, in the absence of one before.

It is a little like a lower-key version of what Luka Modric and Toni Kroos did for Real Madrid six years ago. Their game intelligence together instantly lifted the whole team, setting a pattern of what to do in possession. It similarly helps that Fernandes has developed an instant connection with players like Juan Mata.

Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring (AFP)

United just have more cohesion and creativity. It helps explain why their form  and particularly that against the more defensive-minded bottom-half clubs  has taken a sudden upward turn.

If it is fairly elementary that signing very good attacker makes team better, and something that should have been obvious to United long before this, there is naturally a bit more to it. It is also why this Sundays Manchester derby, and these next 10 days, may yet represent a bit of a referendum on this regime.

Sources say it still isnt inconceivable that the club change manager this summer, especially with Mauricio Pochettino available, although executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is desperate for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to succeed.

As to what success would be, Champions League qualification and a domestic cup  to go with an ongoing internal restructuring  would certainly fit the requirements. And this is why these league games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are so crucial, and Fernandes signing so timely.

While Solskjaer obviously has qualities as a manager, its fair to say that his organisation of an attack is some way short of best practice like that of Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp. There just arent the same structure or patterns. The pressing is nowhere near as frenetic or co-ordinated. It is all a bit more open-ended, and looser. Some at United maintain this is intentional, in order to allow a certain freedom, and would point to the impact of a player like Fernandes.

One counter is that Guardiola has perfectly shown how to integrate individualism into collective co-ordination, and this is now a prerequisite for getting the best out of the best players. Another counter is the example of his predecessor, and his next opponent in the league: Jose Mourinho. Solskjaers approach to attack isnt as laissez-faire as the Portugueses, but is certainly closer to that than the rigour of Klopp or Guardiola.

The impact United have got out of Fernandes is at least comparable  in principle  to that which Mourinho got out of Eden Hazard and other creative players. The idea is generally to just let them play their game, and produce.

Fernandes has rejuvenated the atmosphere at the club (Reuters)

Mourinho, for his part, had an academic rationale for it. The idea is called guided discovery, which is when players are encouraged to figure out solutions for themselves.

This is fine when players are on form and firing, as happened with the first few months of Chelseas 2014-15 team or Fernandes now. The problems come when there is disruption, or form drops, or players drop out through injury or suspension. Its when you see greater breakdowns, as happened with that Chelsea in the last few months of Mourinhos reign, and as arguably happened to United without Paul Pogba before Fernandes arrived. The players suddenly find that, without the kind of flow that comes from form, there is nothing to fall back on. They start to look aimless and without structure. Again, a classic example was Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night against Norwich City. That is what may still test United.

Fernandes has had an immense impact. There is a new assertiveness to the side, as could be seen with the penalties hes taken. No discussion. Just putting it down, and putting it in. The question is how sustainable his impact alone is. This weekend will start to give voice to that.
The first budget of Maharashtra's MVA government, presented in the assembly on Friday, has made a provision of Rs 7,000 crore for the ambitious Mahatma Jyotirao Phule waiver scheme, the total outlay for which is Rs 22,000 crore.

The outlay for the scheme, which aims to write off crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh pending as on September 30, 2019, for the current fiscal was 15,000 crore. The budget for 2020- 21 has provided Rs 7,000 crore for the scheme.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the budget for 2020-21.

So far, a sum of Rs 9,035 crore has been transferred to the accounts of farmers, Pawar told the Assembly.

Announcing two additional schemes, he said farmers having arrears of more than Rs 2 lakh, taken during the period from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019, will be given a Rs 2 lakh benefit with respect to loan outstanding as on September 30, 2019 as a one-time settlement.

Under this scheme, the state government will pay Rs 2 lakh to eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above Rs 2 lakh is paid by them.

Farmers who will make regular payments till June 30, 2020, will get a benefit of Rs 50,000 for the crop loan taken in 2018-19, and if the amount taken by the farmer is less than Rs 50,000, then he he will be given an incentive equal to the loan amount taken.

Pawar said the Centre had approved only Rs 956.13 crore to be paid as compensation to farmers who faced crop loss due to monsoonal floods in July-August last year and untimely rains during October-November.

The finance minister said the state had demanded Rs 14,496 crore for the purpose from the Centre and maintained the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had provided assistance to farmers from its own coffers.

The budget has also made an outlay of Rs 3,254 crore for agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries, while a special programme, called 'Chief Minister Water Conservation Scheme', will be implemented at a cost of Rs 450 crore.

Pawar told the House lack of repairs and maintenance was affecting water storage, adding that creation of 8,000 water conservation works will rejuvenate reservoirs, increase ground water levels and raise irrigation capacity.

A subsidy scheme, of 80 per cent to small and marginal farmers and 75 per cent to multiple land holders, for drip irrigation for crops will be extended to across the state from the few talukas it is currently in place.

He said the government intended to bring sugarcane under drip irrigation system in the next three to four years by getting sugar mills to take part in the scheme, and giving relief on interest to participating farmers.

A total of five lakh agricultural solar pumps will be set up over the next five years at a total cost of Rs 10,000 crore, for which a provision of Rs 670 crore has been proposed in the 2020-21 budget.
IOTA op postponed due to coronavirus

Members of the Nara DX Association Japan (NDXA) who were planning an IOTA DXpedition to OC-253 (Murilo Island, Hall Islands) this year have announced the following:

Thank you for your showing an interest in our next V6J IOTA trip. Although we received many mails asking about our trip to OC-253, we decided to postpone OC-253 until 2021 or later. We hope the propagation will be better then. We hope spreading of coronaviruses will be stopped right away. We pray for the people who got infected with coronaviruses..

We look forward to meeting you on the air in 2021 or later.....

Best regards,

V6J Team
New Delhi, March 6 : Indian origin Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is in the eye of a storm after she said that 'Hinduphobia' is real in the US. Following the comment, Gabbard is facing criticism and has been asked to drop out of the Democratic Presidential race after being accused of 'fascism'.

"Unfortunately, Hinduphobia is very real. I've experienced it directly in each of my campaigns for Congress & in this presidential race. Here's just one example of what Hindus face every day in our country. Sadly, our political leaders & media not only tolerate it, but foment it," Gabbard had posted on Twitter.

Gabbard is the sole remaining woman in the Democratic presidential primaries in the US.

Citing an example, Gabbard retweeted someone quoting a Facebook post about a confrontation with an Uber driver accusing Indians of murdering Muslims during the recent violence in Delhi.

Following the post, some critics hit out at the Hindu-American Congresswoman and accused her of 'fascism' over her alleged support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ideology of Hindutva.

"She is a fascist and needs to drop out," said a supporter of Bernie Sanders.

Rutgers professor Audrey Truschke hit out as well, saying that Gabbard being a Hindu is not the issue, but her "being a Hindu nationalist is horrifying and disqualifying", and that she has "yet to comment on the Hindu nationalist pogrom in Delhi last week that left more than 45 people dead."
The military veteran who left Meghan Markle teary-eyed after proposing to his girlfriend at the Endeavour Fund Awards was left struggling with his mental health after being involved in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan.

Danny Holland, 29, from Wrexham in North Wales, who popped the question to girlfriend Lauren Price, 24, was the first winner of the night at the ceremony, which took place at Mansion House in London.

He took home the award for Recognising Achievement, having been nominated by Mission Motorsport.

As part of his rehabilitation, Danny, from the Welsh Guards, became a driver who has since achieved wins and spots on podiums at national and international races.

Scroll down for video



Danny Holland, 29, from Wrexham in North Wales, popped the question to girlfriend Lauren Price, 24 (pictured together) after he won at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on Thursday

Danny, from the Welsh Guards, took home the award for Recognising Achievement, having been nominated by Mission Motorsport. Pictured, with Lauren following his proposal

The military veteran (pictured accepting his award) was left struggling with his mental health after being involved in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan

Meghan Markle (pictured with Prince Harry) could be seen applauding and cheering following the proposal on stage on Thursday

Now, Danny is working to get an instructor qualification, aiming to pass on his knowledge and experience to others on their way to recovery.

He had just been presented with his award, when, after an emotional speech, he paid tribute to Lauren and produced a ring.

Meghan Markle was visibly overcome with emotion following the proposal, and could be seen cheering and applauding Danny.

Stunned Lauren was then led onto the stage where Danny got down on one knee - and she said yes.

As part of his rehabilitation, Danny (pictured with Lauren) became a driver who has since achieved wins and spots on podiums at national and international races

Danny has just been presented with his award, when, after an emotional speech, he paid tribute to Lauren and produced a ring (pictured with Lauren)

There was an audible gasp from the audience, while Meghan - sitting just meters away on the front row sandwiched between her husband and Ross Kemp - grinned and clasped her hands together in the middle of her chest.

She and Harry vigorously applauded the couple, while the duchess turned to her husband and looked to say: 'Oh my God!'

Meanwhile actor Ross, known for his tough guy image, could be seen wiping tears from his eyes at the sweet moment.

Grinning Harry began laughing delightedly as the happy couple embraced before leaving the stage.

Following Danny's proposal, there was an audible gasp from the audience, while Meghan grinned and clasped her hands together in the middle of her chest. Pictured, Danny and Lauren

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex vigorously applauded the couple (pictured), while Meghan turned to her husband and looked to say: 'Oh my God!'
Rana Kapoor sent in judicial custody ; lawyer fears he may get COVID19

Yes Bank crisis: Deposits won't be affected, withdrawal cap temporary, says Nirmala Sitharaman

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: A day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a moratorium on debt-ridden Yes Bank, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the crisis in Yes Bank is not something which has cropped up suddenly.

"We had been keeping an eye on the bank since 2017," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press briefing on Friday evening.

She said that the RBI recommended after a thorough scrutiny in 2018 that the current leadership (MD and CEO) of Yes Bank cannot continue. "A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 as a result. Cleaning up of bank started since then," said Sitharaman adding that Rs 1 crore was levied as fine on the bank.

Your money safe: Nirmala Sithraman assures Yes Bank depositors

"Sebi also started investigation from September 2019 on insider trading related matter," said the finance minister.

She also said that the RBI has taken certain steps to contain the crisis and protect the interests of the depositors.'

"Among them, the central bank was put under moratorium, withdrawal limit was capped, a new administrator was brought in by superseding the management, and a scheme prepared by the RBI to restructure the bank," said Sitharaman.

She also said,''SBI has expressed a willingness to invest in Yes Bank. Deposits and liabilities will remain unaffected, will be honoured. Yes Bank jobs and salary is assured at least for 1 year.''

RBI defends Yes Bank moratorium, sets deadline of 30 days

Earlier, the RBI unveiled a 'scheme of reconstruction' for the crisis-ridden Yes Bank, a day after the central bank imposed a moratorium on the capital-starved bank, capping withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 17:30 [IST]
A determined cafe owner refused to let a motorist who had parked on the premises for a week leave without paying for the privilege in a hilarious stand-off.

Paul Stenson, 39, from Dublin, noticed the man had parked his Audi outside the Charleville Lodge and White Moose Cafe from 7am to 5pm for several days despite not being a customer of either business.

The manager gave the brazen motorist a chance to pay without confrontation - leaving polite messages on his windshield and driver's door which asked him to pay what was due - before resorting to more dramatic methods.

In the video, filmed on February 28, Mr Stenson is seen sitting inside the Phibsborough hotel as he explains the situation.

A brazen motorist (pictured) was captured on CCTV parking in a private car park in Dublin without paying for 'at least a week'

'We have a situation here in Charleville Lodge where we have noticed a man park in our car park for at least a week.

'He comes in at 7.30am, leaves at 5pm and doesn't even come near reception he thinks our car park is a free for all.'

Mr Stenson then shows CCTV footage of the man in question as he exits his vehicle on the morning of the previous Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a mask over his face.

The clip goes on to show the man park his car in the private car park on Tuesday and Monday.

'The man's car is currently parked out there at the moment,' Mr Stenson continues. 'Rather than clamping him or blocking him in we're going to give him the opportunity to come up and resolve it.'

'We're going to put a letter on his windscreen'.

Paul Stenson (left), who runs the Charleville Lodge and White Moose Cafe, left a note on the motorist's windshield (right) asking him to come to reception

Mr Stenson explains that he will drive out in his Jeep to block the exit of the car park should the man decide not to head into the hotel to pay for his parking

The cafe owner then places a note underneath the man's windscreen wiper, which reads: 'Dear guest, we would be very grateful if you could come to the reception desk to discuss the parking of your vehicle before you leave the premises today'.

'When the man comes back to his car he will do one of two things,' Mr Stenson continued. 'He will either come to reception and pay what he owes or he will take the letter, put it in his car and drive off.'

'If the man drives off, my Jeep will be waiting'.

Mr Stenson then explains that he will drive out in his Jeep to block the exit of the car park should the man decide not to head into the hotel to pay for his parking.

He then films the motorist as he returns to his car, and takes the note from his windshield.

In the clip, the motorist begins to drive forward - prompting Mr Stenson to quickly block his exit

The man then backs his car into the parking space again and heads into the hotel, and Mr Stenson plays a recording of a conversation had inside the reception

The motorist then begins to drive forward - prompting Mr Stenson to quickly block his exit.

As he does, the hotel owner rolls down his window to speak to the man.

'You might want to just pay a visit to reception if you don't mind,' Mr Stenson says. 'Would you mind just going up to reception?'

The man then backs his car into the parking space again and heads into the hotel, and Mr Stenson plays an audio recording of a conversation had inside the reception.

'Hello, you want to pay for parking?' an employee asks the motorist.

'I didn't know I had to,' he replies, before the reception worker explains there is a fee for the Charleville Lodge car park.

The motorist then explains that he wasn't aware there was a fee for the car park.

Later, the motorist was seen approaching his car again alongside a second man who is the driver of the car parked beside his

'I didn't see anything, I didn't see any signs,' he says, as Mr Stenson zooms in on a sign that reads 'car park to be used strictly by residents only' and another stating 'no parking'.

The hotel owner then shows CCTV from inside the reception, where the motorist is still in conversation with the receptionist.

'I'm not paying for parking, I'm only there two days I'm not paying,' he said. 'I have not been on that site for a week'.

The receptionist offers to show him security footage, to which he replies 'I don't care what you show me'.

Later, the motorist was seen approaching his car again alongside a second man who is the driver of the car parked beside his.

'Then we see the man talking to another gentleman who is parked beside him', Mr Stenson says. 'The two gentlemen return to their vehicles as if Mr Audi will get out when we let the SUV driver out.'

'However I don't delay on blocking the Audi driver in while the SUV driver leaves.'

Eventually, the stubborn motorist pays for the parking and is allowed to leave the car park as the video comes to an end.
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli successfully underwent his second kidney transplant surgery at a hospital in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old prime minister's condition was stable and kept under medical supervision at a post-operative ward in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in the capital city of Kathmandu, his Press Advisor Surya Thapa said.

"Oli underwent a renal transplant today. The surgery has been successful," said Dr. Arun Sayami from TUTH.

Oli's niece Samikshya Sangraula donated one of her kidneys to the prime minister. The conditions of Oli and the kidney donor are normal, doctors said.

A team of doctors, led by Dr Prem Raj Gyawali, a consultant urologist and kidney transplant surgeon performed the renal transplant, which took five hours to complete.

Oli, who is also the chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, was hospitalised on Monday.

He underwent dialysis on Tuesday to remove toxins ahead of the transplant.

This was Oli's second kidney transplant. The first was performed in India in 2007, after both his kidneys failed.

He has been visiting hospitals abroad for health check-ups ever since. Oli also underwent an appendicitis surgery in November last year.
New Delhi: Yes Bank shares on Friday (March 6) tanked 25 per cent at Rs 27.60 after the central bank took control of the private lender and capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account till further orders. The RBI on late Thursday took this decision because of a serious deterioration in the bank's financial position.

Shares of India`s fifth-largest private sector lender tumbled to their lowest in over a decade on Friday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday placed Yes Bank under a moratorium.

Shares of SBI tumbled 12 per cent today in their biggest intraday drop since October 2012.

Moody`s report said the moratorium was credit negative as it affects timely repayment of depositors and creditors, adding that the lack of coordinated, timely action on the lender highlights continued uncertainty over bank resolutions in India.

State Bank of India, however, on late Thursday said that its board had given its in-principle nod to explore an investment in Yes Bank.

The RBI statement on Thursday said, "The financial position of Yes Bank Ltd. (the bank) has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits."

The statement further said, "The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years which have led to a steady decline of the bank. The Reserve Bank has been in constant engagement with the bank`s management to find ways to strengthen its balance sheet and liquidity."

(With Agency Inputs)
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Spouse of the Armenian prime minister Anna Hakobyan, chairwoman of the Board of Trustee of My Step charitable foundation, and the executive director of the foundation Hovhannes Ghazaryan met on March 4 with Assistant Administrator for USAIDs Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Brock Bierman in Washington D.C., Mrs. Hakobyans Office told Armenpress.

Mrs. Hakobyan thanked Mr. Bierman for the support provided to Armenia since independence aimed at the countrys democratic development. The sides discussed the cooperation opportunities within the activity of the foundation. In particular, they discussed the projects aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle in public schools, strengthening cultural centers in provinces and protecting the environment.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
FBI

The FBI has released photos of doomsday mom Lori Vallow, her two now-missing children, and her brother during a Sept. 8 visit to Yellowstone National Park, and appealed to the public to submit any other video or photos from that day that could be helpful.

The trip may have been the last time that Vallows daughter Tylee Ryan, 17, was seen. Her stepbrother, 7-year-old J.J., was last seen Sept. 23.

The hunt for more clues related to the Yellowstone visit comes as Vallow, 46, is scheduled to appear Friday in an Idaho courtroom for a preliminary hearing on charges tied to the childrens disappearance.

She and her new husband, Chad Daybell, have refused to cooperate with the police investigation and she ignored a court order to produce the kidswhich resulted in her arrest on charges of child desertion and contempt of court.

The FBI set up a mobile command unit in Rexburg, Idaho, this week and then on Thursday invited people who were in Yellowstone on Sept. 8 to submit any images, video, or other information that may assist in the investigation.

Bizarre Email Is Latest Clue in Saga of Doomsday Couple With Missing Kids

The photos the FBI released show Vallow and J.J. mugging for the camera in one shot, and Tylee hugging J.J. while Vallows brother, Alex Cox, looked on in another.

Two months earlier, Cox shot dead Vallows then-husband, Charles Vallow, in what was initially described as a domestic dispute and a case of self-defense. Cox has since died himself of unknown causes.

Vallow married Daybell, the author of apocalyptic novels for a Mormon audience, in Novemberweeks after his wife, Tammy, died. Her death was listed as natural after he declined an autopsy, but after the kids vanished, authorities exhumed her body to determine if there was foul play.

In a post on a doomsday prepper forum after Tammys death, Daybell wrote that it came as a shock, East Idaho News reported.

I couldnt believe I hadnt been awakened somehow, but all indications are her spirit simply slipped away in the night, he wrote.

Story continues

The post was titled: Moving into the Second Half of my Life.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 07:05:25|Editor: Lu Hui

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UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed the hope that the latest ceasefire agreement between Russia and Turkey to end fighting across Syria's stricken Idlib region would lead to "an immediate and lasting cessation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to begin the cessation of hostilities around Idlib at midnight on Thursday, local time, as well as to establish a security corridor and joint patrols, media reported.

In 2018, the two countries agreed on a deal in the southern Russian city of Sochi, which created a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib and allowed for the deployment of 12 Turkish observation posts. However, the "de-escalation" zone has been repeatedly violated.

More than 30 Turkish soldiers were killed last month around the area during an operation of the Syrian government, which Russia backs. The operation was attempting to regain control of the final rebel stronghold in the country after nearly nine years of war.

In response, Turkey targeted Syrian positions with aircraft, drones and artillery, raising fears of a direct military confrontation between Russia and Turkey.

"The secretary-general hopes that this agreement will lead to an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities that ensures the protection of civilians in northwest Syria, who have already endured enormous suffering," said a statement issued on behalf of Guterres.

He called for a return to the UN-facilitated political process mandated by a 2015 Security Council resolution.

Since March 2011, Syria has been in the throes of a conflict that has forced more than half of all Syrians to leave their homes.

According to the UN humanitarian wing, OCHA, an estimated five million Syrians have fled the country, six million others are internally displaced, over 13 million people need assistance and an untold number of men, women and children are suffering greatly.
A beloved independent childrens bookstore in midtown Toronto  a vanishing breed across Canada  is facing imminent closure because its proprietor says she cannot afford a 70 per cent rent increase demanded by the new owner.

Eleanor LeFave, who runs Mabels Fables at 662 Mount Pleasant Road, said her business was already feeling the pinch  with an estimated 20 per cent drop in sales  from the LRT construction chaos along nearby Eglinton Avenue. The province recently announced the Eglinton LRT was behind schedule and would not open until 2022.

The bottom line is sales are down and then our building was bought by property speculators, LeFave said.

She said negotiations continue, but that closure is imminent if a deal cannot be reached.

But LeFave said shes been buoyed by the communitys response, including from kids authors such as Kenneth Oppel, Barbara Reid and Kevin Sylvester, who joined a Twitter campaign, as well as from Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow, whos called a community meeting for March 10.

Im feeling encouraged because so many people are upset and they dont want us to go, LeFave said.

I look on this as an opportunity to shine a light on what a lot of independent retailers are coping with. My question is: what kind of city do we want to have? she added.

For his part, Matlow called the dispute a David and Goliath struggle between one of Canadas last independent childrens bookstores and the new property owner, Maple Venture House Investments, which bought the property in October.

Mabels Fables has somehow withstood the big box bookstores, has navigated its way through the arrival of online shopping, said Matlow, adding it may now be forced out of business by the huge rent increase.

Mabels Fables is an important part of the character of midtown and Mount Pleasant Village. Its also a magical, iconic place that has hosted book launches and readings and countless children walking through rows of books and finding a love of reading, he added.

A notice sent out announcing the upcoming meeting at Eglinton Junior Public School at 223 Eglinton Avenue East at 7 p.m. on Tuesday received more than 1,800 responses within the first 24 hours, Matlow said.

The purpose of the meeting is to share stories and to come together to discuss realistic ways to save Mabels Fables, he said.

Matlow said he was rebuffed when he sought to meet with the landlord representative Marc Pourvahidi, vice-president of business development for Sky Property Group.

The Star made numerous requests for comment from Pourvahidi and company president and CEO Salim Henareh, but did not receive a response.

LeFave said the bookstore, opened 31 years ago, has individual sections based on age, including a baby department for ages 1, 2 and 3, right up to young teens.

We help people choose books that are very targeted and very age-appropriate. Thats very important to me that people spend their money wisely and they get books that their kids are just going to adore, LeFave said.

The store also holds sessions for young readers from different communities, music classes and, for more than 25 years, has played host to a childrens writing class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for George Brown College students.

For more than 20 years, the store has worked with Unison Health & Community Services, getting names of children from poorer families and encouraging customers to donate books that are gift-wrapped and delivered with an angel card prior to Christmas.

More recently, the store has taken part in a similar initiative called Kids Read North to provide books donated by customers to First Nations children in northern Ontario.
Update: He was found safe.

An autistic teen from Middletown was reported missing Thursday night after not returning from school, according to police.

Dillen Davar, 13, was last seen by his mother going to school at Middletown Area Middle School, Middletown Borough police said. He has not returned home.

Dillen is autistic and has other medical conditions that could put him at risk, police said.

Anyone with information on Dillen is asked to contact Middletown Borough Police through the Dauphin County Dispatch non-emergency line, 717-558-6900.

Read more on PennLive:
Femi Fani Kayode, a former minister for aviation and peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain has hailed the move by the South-South governors to launch their own regional security outfit.

Speaking via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the former minister stated that this is the only way out of the current insecurity rocking the country.

I commend the South-South Governors for finding the courage and mustering the resolve to set up a regional security outfit. That is the ONLY way forward! Welcome to the club!




By Baek Byung-yeul







SK hynix is strengthening its CMOS image sensor business to capitalize on the fast-growing smartphone camera market, the semiconductor arm of SK Group said Friday.







The company said it has developed four new CMOS image sensors under its new brand "Black Pearl." The chipmaker has begun supplying three of them to smartphone manufacturers and will begin mass production of the fourth this month.







CMOS stands for "complementary metal oxide semiconductor," an image sensor increasingly used in smart devices. SK hynix recently rebranded its CMOS image sensor enterprise as Black Pearl to strengthen its stance against rivals Sony and Samsung, which already have their own image sensor brands  Exmor and ISOCELL.







SK hynix converted part of its DRAM production line in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province into a production center for its CMOS image sensors. Sony and Samsung held market shares of 48 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in 2019, according to data by market researcher Techno System Research (TSR).







Smartphone manufacturers are increasing the number of cameras embedded into each of their products in order to offer users a high-end experience with enhanced picture quality. This market development has led SK hynix to up its efforts to strengthen its own CMOS image sensor business.







The average number of cameras on smartphones globally was estimated at 3.2 in 2019, and this figure will grow to 3.9 this year, SK hynix said. According to market researcher Techno System Research, the average number of cameras embedded into each smartphone will exceed four by 2023.


Senator Elizabeth Warrens decision to drop out of the Democratic primaries will make many women wonder what it will take to convince the major political parties to start running more female candidates. It is not as though Senator Warren was bested by an overwhelmingly superior male candidate.

Her departure a full eight months before the US presidential election reduces the race for the Democratic nomination to a contest between two septuagenarian white guys: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. With her gone, it is guaranteed that voters in November will choose between one of them and Donald Trump, also a septuagenarian white guy but one with a bad record on womens issues to boot.

Elizabeth Warren announces her decision this week to bow out of the race. Credit:AP

There is a parallel between Senator Warren and Hillary Clinton, who came so close to being elected the first female president of the United States. Senator Warren was a plausible candidate with an impressive career in the Senate and a record of strong leadership and blazed the trail for cleaning up US banks after the global financial crisis. For many women, her departure will be a body blow. As Senator Warren said on Thursday: One of the hardest parts of this is all those little girls who are going to have to wait four more years.

Of course, gender was not the only reason that she did not win the Democratic nomination. She made some mistakes by adopting complicated policies on key issues like healthcare which were hard to explain. But as with Mrs Clintons loss in 2016, gender certainly played a role in her defeat. Mr Trump was able to attack Mrs Clinton as a nasty mother-in-law using blatantly sexist stereotypes.
Maharashtras first-ever small bowel transplant was performed on a 27-year-old male in the city on Friday, the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC) Pune zone said.

The organ was transported from ZTCC Mumbai in the middle of the night and the transplant surgery on the patient from Thane was performed at around 3 am at Punes Jupiter hospital in Baner, said Aarati Gokhale, ZTCC Pune central coordinator.

We received the organs from ZTCC Mumbai through ROTTO (Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), Mumbai. The donor was from Fortis Hospital, Mulund and organs were allocated to us because we had two patients registered for small bowel transplants in our zone, Gokhale said.

According to Gokhale, it is the first-ever small bowel transplant in the state, after two such transplants in Chennai and Delhi. The transplant was successfully done with close coordination by traffic police teams from Mumbai, ZTCC Mumbai, Raigad highway, Pune rural and city police who created a green corridor last night. The distance of 138 km to transport the organ to be transplanted was covered in two hours because of the green corridor.

The recipient, a 27-year-old male, was suffering from short gut syndrome, a rare malabsorption disorder caused by a lack of functional small intestine. When the small intestines fail, transplant is the only option. Small bowel (intestine) transplant is the life-saving surgery performed on patients with irreversible intestinal failure. It is a complex surgery and requires expertise to perform, Gokhale said.

Once the intestine was allocated to the recipient, a team of surgeons from Jupiter hospital retrieved the small intestine from the donor and the recipient surgery started. Before the transplant, the patient was surviving on parenteral nutrition for three months. The length of the small intestine which was transplanted is 6 feet.

Explaining the transplant process, Dr Gaurav Chaubal, chief multi-organ transplant surgeon at Jupiter hospital, said, Small bowel or intestinal failure means that the bowel is unable to absorb from food, the nutrients, fluids and electrolytes that are essential to live. Due to short bowel syndrome the patient was provided nutrients by TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) that is nutrients were supplied directly into a vein (intravenous) in the form of liquid. Through the transplant, we replaced six feet of the diseased or shortened small bowel with a healthy donors bowel.

Dr Chaubal said that it would take about 2-3 weeks for the transplanted small bowel to function. The small bowel transplant is similar to any organ transplant, however the criteria for the donor are more strict as compared to other organs. The donor has to be younger and also not obese which is what makes it a rare condition. After transplant too we have to be sure that there is no infection or rejection from the body towards the organ.

The donor was a 48-year-old female who suffered brain death due to intracranial bleeding.

The multi-disciplinary team at Jupiter hospital that carried out the operation included Dr Aditya Nanawati, Dr S Bhalerao, Dr Apoorva Deshpande, Dr Hunaid Hatimi, Dr Abhijit Naik, Dr Pavan Hanchanale (gastroenterologist), Dr Shailesh Kakde (nephrologists), anaesthesiologists Dr Amit Bhargava, Dr Bhagyashree and intensivists Dr Vaishali Solao, Dr Jayant Shelgaonkar.
SEOUL - For one South Korean multinational company that makes smartphone components used by Apple Inc and LG Electronics Inc, the coronavirus epidemic is dealing blow after blow.

First, the initial outbreak forced its China factory to shut down for almost three weeks and caused supplies from China for its Vietnam plant to begin to dry up. Then when the virus spread to South Korea, travel restrictions prevented its workers from keeping an expansion at the plant, located in the port city of Hai Phong, on track.

Now the company, which declined to be named to protect business relationships, is looking at disruptions in its factory in the industrial hub of Gumi, less than an hours drive from Daegu, the epicenter of South Koreas coronavirus cases.

In addition to continued difficulties with sourcing from China, the supplier of smartphone screen parts and camera modules to LG firms has been hit by some worker quarantines and is fretting about the prospect of even more - problems likely to ripple through to end customers including Apple.

The virus has a domino effect on suppliers, a senior executive at the firm told Reuters. I just look up to the sky and sigh.

Its woes illustrate how the coronavirus crisis has shaken an Asian electronics supply chain still smarting from the U.S.-China trade war and the integral role played by Chinas ecosystem of factories. The problems also expose how Korea Incs strategy of investing heavily in Vietnam has not proven to be a fully successful hedge against risks in China.

Led by national champions LG and Samsung, Korean companies have been building their presence in Vietnam for years as the costs of manufacturing in China rose along with political risks and concerns about intellectual property theft.

While China remains the best source for many parts and materials and is the base for major Chinese tech companies and big customers like Apple, Vietnams proximity made it an obvious choice for offsetting risk.

Korean firms are the biggest foreign investors in Vietnam, with over 4,000 operating in the country. Interdependence runs deep: Samsung alone accounts for one-fourth of Vietnams exports and the Southeast Asian nation is South Koreas No. 3 export market as well as the fifth-biggest source of Korean imports.

Business is facilitated by a huge amount of travel. There were some 3.5 million arrivals from Korea in Vietnam in 2018, a 44 percent jump from a year earlier. South Korean and Vietnamese airlines flew routes between the two countries 538 times a week last year.

So when Vietnam began curtailing travel links, business plans went awry. Most flights between the two nations are currently suspended and starting Sunday, South Koreans entering Vietnam will have to undergo 14 days quarantine.

We are having a tough time, because we cant work there, said the chief executive of a different supplier to LG, which also declined to be named.

The company, which makes automation equipment for car navigation systems used by Honda Motor Co, BMW and Hyundai Motor Co and is also based in Gumi, is worried it will have to delay the installation of gear because it cant send engineers to Vietnam.

Should the crisis last two and three months, that will cause serious problems, the CEO said.

The personal presence of engineers to guide technology improvement and manage quality control can be crucial.

Managers can do video conferences, but production engineers have to go there for problem solving, said Park Ho-hwan, a business school professor at Ajou University who has studied Samsungs operations in Korea and Vietnam.

Apple takes notice

Two weeks ago, the biggest virus-related concern for Korean tech firms was keeping their Vietnam factories running. While Vietnam has reported very few COVID-19 cases, it moved quickly to close its border with China, blocking key supplies.

Samsung, for one, quickly scrambled to address logistics problems, including using air freight for urgent cargo instead of land routes, several people familiar with the operations told Reuters.

Those problems eased, but the virus explosion in South Korea, which now has more than 6,000 cases, poses an even bigger threat if swathes of workers are quarantined and factories are put on hiatus.

In recent weeks, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd temporarily suspended production at its smartphone factory in Gumi, while LG Display and LG Innotek also halted work for a few days.

Such is Samsungs concern, it has advised workers to refrain from weekend outings with family and friends, asked them to wear masks and maintain a distance of more than two meters when talking to each other.

We are making our best effort to minimize the impact on our operations, Samsung said in a statement.

Apple, which buys displays from LG Display, camera modules from LG Innotek and products including memory chips and displays from Samsung, has taken notice.

I think the focus in the last few days has (turned) off of China on to Korea and Italy, so I think its very important to see what happens there and whether something new comes out of that, Apple CEO Tim Cook said an interview with Fox News last week.

Our supply chain is relatively more important in China, but we have great businesses in Korea and we have suppliers in Korea as well and suppliers in Italy and great business there as well. We need to see as that unfolds.
As many as 1,614 children with special needs have been adopted in the country in the past five years, the Women and Child Development Ministry informed the Parliament.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, WCD Minister Smriti Irani said as per the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS), an online portal of the Central Adoption Resource Authority, 1,614 children with special needs had been placed in-country and inter-country adoptions during the past five years.

In the financial year 2019-20 till March 3, 160 children with special needs were adopted, while 402 such adoptions were seen in the previous fiscal, according to the data given by Irani.

In 2017-18, 391 children with special needs were adopted, while 291 adoptions were were seen in 2016-17, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iconic Australian department store Myer has been struggling with plunging profits for almost a decade.

Now the retail giant's new chief has revealed the brand's crucial mistake and how he plans to tackle the issue.

In the midst of the so-called department store wars Myer and its main rival David Jones sought to differentiate themselves in the battle for customer's hard-earned dollars.

In 2015, David Jones decided to concentrate on the higher end market, focusing on leading international and Australian designer brands, while Myer sought to capture the more mid-range market.

This, new Myer CEO John King says, is where the store began to lose its direction.

Myers shelves began to be stocked with brand after brand of similar mid-range labels while the customer experience of visiting the store was neglected.

Iconic Australian department store Myer has been struggling with plunging profits for almost a decade (pictured is brand ambassador Elyse Knowles walking the catwalk for the store)

In the midst of the so-called department store wars Myer and its main rival David Jones sought to differentiate themselves in the battle for customer's hard-earned dollars

The store's latest financial results posted on Thursday reflect this, showing total sales down 3.8 per cent to $1.6 billion.

With customers able to shop for almost anything by scrolling through their phones, retail stores, he says, need to make customers feel special and provide them with a reason to go there.

Myer's offering of affordable products provided shoppers with little reason to make the trip to a store - with the few attention grabbing international labels having only mid-range products on display.

'We kept on adding in more and more and more brands over time, and I think we made it confusing for the customer,' Mr King said, according the The Australian.

Luxury brands began leaving the shelves in droves, the most recent of which are the store's banner names Toni Maticenski and Alex Perry.

The rare high-end items found in the stores are also heavily security locked - hardly a way to make more aspirational shoppers feel welcome.

Customer service was also lacklustre with shoppers having to chase down scarce floor staff.

This combined with online shopping and the emergence of international fashion stores in Australia such as H&M and Sephora made things increasingly hard for the retailer.

Looking at the long term the figures paint a startling picture - in 2010, Myer posted a net profit after tax of $168.7 million.

Compare that with the most recent 2019 net profit after tax of $33.2 million.

In 2019, the retail franchise shut down stores in Sydney and Melbourne and cut 82 jobs.

Recently, the Top Ryde City store in NSW, and three small stand-alone specialty stores in Melbourne closed their doors.

In the last 12 months about 29,000 square metres of floor space has been closed by the store.

Mr King who joined the company in 2018 now wants to shake things up and make customers feel welcome again.

'We had designer at one end and basic essentials at the other, so I think we just need to hit the reset button,' he says.

He says the number of woman's clothing brands would need to be reduced while accessories brands, such as shoes and handbags, would need to be increased.

'We are looking at the total package and should start to see improvements in the product ranges, and you will see bigger and better brand installations as we move into the second half of the calendar year,' he said.

Myer now needs to establish its identity in the new retail landscape in order to save the brand and Mr King believes he has the strategy to do this.

Myer's new CEO says he knows how to save the struggling department store (pictured is Myer brand ambassador Elyse Knowles)




The crime branch sleuths of Arunachal Pradesh Police have been interrogating Sharjeel Imam, a JNU research scholar arrested on sedition charges in January, a



senior police officer informed here on Friday.

The police had on January 26 registered a case at crime branch police station here in connection with a video footage where Imam was purportedly heard instigating people to cut-off Assam and the northeastern states from India by blocking rail and road connections.

Imam was brought to the state capital on Thursday and the crime branch has been interrogating him since then, DIG (Crime) V J Chandran said.

During preliminary interrogation, he admitted that he had made the speech that is circulating on social media, the DIG said.

Imam came into limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh against the amended Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens, and was arrested from Bihar's Jehanabad on January 28 for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi and Aligarh.

A case had been registered against him on sedition and other charges on January 26 in this regard.

Besides Itanagar police, sleuths in Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya have also lodged FIRs against him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police scour the scene of the shooting in Coleraine. Pic Kevin McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Three people escaped injury after two homes were targeted in shooting attacks in Coleraine.

In the first incident a shot was fired through the front window of a house in Oakvale Park at around 4.30am on Friday.

A woman in her 40s, one man aged in his 30s and a teenage male were inside the property during the incident, but were not injured.

Shortly before 8.30am, it was reported to police that a number of shots had been fired at another property in the Oakvale Park area overnight.

No one was inside the property, but damage was reported to a living room window at the front of the property.

Detective Inspector Peter McKenna added: "These reckless acts in a residential area shows the complete disregard for members of the local community who live here. Those responsible have absolutely no justification for their actions and have no support within the area.

Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents.

We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 123 06/03/20. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous."
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The Duke of Sussex arrived in style at the Silverstone racetrack with Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton today to open a new museum showcasing the circuit's heritage.

Prince Harry was driven to the doors of The Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning in a 65,000 electric Mercedes EQC 400 AMG by six-time champion Hamilton.

The museum charts British motor racing through the years and is the new home of the British Racing Drivers' Club's archive, while it also boasts hands-on exhibits for visitors.

The prince was greeted by dignitaries including museum chief executive Sally Reynolds and former world champion F1 driver Damon Hill - who took the crown with the Williams team in 1996.

He also met some of the current crop of drivers, Williams' George Russell and Red Bull racer Alex Albon, and had a chance to get to grips with some of the interactive displays - including the pit gun challenge.

The Duke and Hamilton also met students from local schools in the Tech Lab section, learning more about the cutting-edge science and engineering that goes into motor racing.

The Experience is located inside a restored Second World War hangar, on the same site as the Silverstone race circuit itself, and starts with a pre-show called The Grid, which offers an insight into 70 years of motor racing.

Visitors can adjust the settings on a scale wind tunnel to understand aerodynamics, try out pedals to compare the force required to slow down an F1 car and turn a wheel to find out about gear ratios.

The visit marks a final run of royal duties for Harry, since he and the Duchess of Sussex announced they would be stepping down as senior royals on March 31  with only three further duties in the diary.

The Duke of Sussex walks with Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the Silverstone Experience today

Prince Harry hugs Lewis Hamilton as he officially opens The Silverstone Experience this morning

Officially opening the building, Harry said: 'There's nothing better than officially opening a building that is very much open'

Prince Harry shakes the hand of a member of the Air Training Corps at the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire today

In a speech today, Harry said: 'Thank you for really putting a marker down for what British motor racing means to the world'

Prince Harry gives a thumbs up to Lewis Hamilton following their visit to the Silverstone Experience this morning

Harry and Meghan are making their last official appearances alongside the rest of the Royal Family  including Prince William and Kate - at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on March 9.

Officially opening the building, Harry said: 'I'll keep this brief - there's nothing better than officially opening a building that is very much open.

Harry arrives in 65,000 e-Mercedes built by the Germans to take on Tesla The Duke of Sussex was driven to the doors of The Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning in an electric Mercedes EQC 400 AMG. Six-times Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton was behind the wheel of the car, costing at least 65,000. The Mercedes EQC 400 costs at least 65,000 (file image) The model is the German carmaker's first fully electric car and was first revealed in Stockholm in September 2018 as the manufacturer aims for top spot in the upscale battery cars market dominated by Tesla. The SUV has a 259-mile range, full-width rear light and clean-cut interiors  and Mercedes has boasted that there are 'extensive charging points across the UK' for the vehicle. The four-wheel drive packs more than 400 horsepower and seats five people, with a 85kWh lithium ion battery pack under the cabin floor. The EQC matches the Audi for claimed electric range, although loses out to both the Jaguar (up to 292 miles) and Tesla's longest-range Model X (314 miles). Advertisement

'Tomorrow marks two years since we were last here and I can't believe that you've manged to turn a World War Two hangar that was pretty cold, pretty dusty, two years ago into this remarkable experience.

'Thank you for being able to do that under a huge amount of pressure as well, thank you for providing so many of these opportunities for so many young people.

'And thank you for really putting a marker down for what British motor racing means to the world.'

He added: 'It's a long time coming, having walked through it now I am probably going to have to come back to actually really soak up the experience for myself.'

Hamilton, who drives for Mercedes, begins his bid to take a record-equalling seventh world title when the new Formula One season kicks off with the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Harry have both campaigned on environmental issues in recent months - with Hamilton urging fans to take up a vegan diet, and Harry launching the sustainable travel initiative Travalyst.

Hamilton was labelled a hypocrite by fellow racing driver Fernando Alonso after urging people to adopt plant-based diets in an emotional Instagram message he posted and then deleted last October.

Formula One's environmental impact is the subject of much debate, with bosses launching a plan last November to become net carbon neutral by 2030 and to have 'sustainable' races by 2025.

F1 calculated its total carbon emissions in 2018 at 256,551 tonnes, not including fans travelling to races. But only 0.7 per cent of this figure came from racing car emissions, while the logistics of shifting freight around the world by road, air and sea made up 45 per cent.

A further 27.7 per cent was down to personnel travel, 28 per cent for factories and facilities and 7 per cent for events.

Prince Harry leaves the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning after he visited the museum

The Duke and Lewis Hamilton chat as they leave after visiting the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire today

The visit to the Silverstone Experience today marks a final run of royal duties for Harry over the next few days

The Duke of Sussex smiles with Lewis Hamilton at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire this morning

Harry and Lewis Hamilton chat as they leave after a visit to officially open the Silverstone Experience this morning

Hamilton has previously said F1 is not doing enough to combat its carbon footprint, telling ESPN last December: 'I think for at least the next 50 years you are going to have the same questions being asked.

Lewis Hamilton and Harry share a common goal on environmental issues Lewis Hamilton and Prince Harry have both campaigned on environmental issues in recent months - with Hamilton urging fans to take up a vegan diet, and Harry launching the sustainable travel initiative Travalyst. Hamilton was labelled a hypocrite by fellow racing driver Fernando Alonso after urging people to adopt plant-based diets in an emotional Instagram message he posted and then deleted last October. The comments drew criticism, given that he flies around the world to race carbon-emitting cars, and Alonso said: 'I think I would keep my eating habits to myself. You can't send out a message on one day, and on the next day do the opposite. Hamilton sold his 25million private jet last year in a bid to reduce his own carbon footprint. Harry and Meghan faced criticism themselves last year for flying by private jet while campaigning on environmental issues. Their trips last August included four journeys in 11 days, including a visit to Sir Elton John's villa in the South of France. Advertisement

'The world is slow to change and I don't see it changing drastically any time soon. F1 is only implementing it [net carbon neutral status] in 10 years' time and I don't fully understand why that doesn't change sooner.

'These large corporations that have a lot of money and power behind them and can definitely make change happen quicker, but it's not their number one priority.'

The trip to Silverstone today comes after the Duke of Sussex last night told wounded, sick and injured members of the armed forces that 'hanging up your uniform is an incredibly hard thing to do'.

Prince Harry attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London yesterday to recognise the sporting and adventure achievements of the military.

The Duke thanked them for their support at the event, which was the first time he and wife Meghan have gone on a public royal duty together after the Megxit crisis.

And he told the veterans at a reception that he has 'always got your back' at one of his final events before he quits royal life with Meghan.

Harry, who served with the Blues and Royals and the Army Air Corps, spoke of the honour of serving his grandmother amid reports of tensions between the royals.

He said: 'Being able to serve Queen and Country is something we all are rightly proud of, and it never leaves us. Once served, always serving!

Prince Harry and Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton talks to children at the Silverstone Experience today

Prince Harry speaks with Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton during a visit to the Silverstone Experience today

Prince Harry meet Formula One drivers George Russell and Alex Albon at the Silverstone Experience this morning

Prince Harry speaks with Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton as he officially opens the Silverstone Experience today

The Duke of Sussex speaks with Lewis Hamilton as they look an old Formula One car during a visit to Silverstone today

The Duke of Sussex looks at an old Formula 1 car during a visit to Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire today

Prince Harry speaks with Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton during a visit to the Silverstone Experience today

How Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have spoken out over Formula One's carbon footprint Formula One's environmental impact is the subject of much debate, with bosses launching a plan last November to become net carbon neutral by 2030 and to have 'sustainable' races by 2025. F1 calculated its total carbon emissions in 2018 at 256,551 tonnes, not including fans travelling to races. But only 0.7 per cent of this figure came from racing car emissions, while the logistics of shifting freight around the world by road, air and sea made up 45 per cent. A further 27.7 per cent was down to personnel travel, 28 per cent for factories and facilities and 7 per cent for events. Hamilton has previously said F1 is not doing enough to combat its carbon footprint, telling ESPN last December: 'I think for at least the next 50 years you are going to have the same questions being asked. 'The world is slow to change and I don't see it changing drastically any time soon. F1 is only implementing it [net carbon neutral status] in 10 years' time and I don't fully understand why that doesn't change sooner. 'These large corporations that have a lot of money and power behind them and can definitely make change happen quicker, but it's not their number one priority.' Speaking about the importance of F1 leading attempts to combat climate change, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel told CNN last November: 'If we can be the formula to actually develop what the world can use and needs, that would be great. 'Because then any question or doubt you have about Formula One, whether it's necessary or not, if we can provide a solution to the future to make a giant leap forward, then that's great.' Advertisement

'Leaving the military and hanging up your uniform is - we know - an incredibly hard thing to do...unless of course it's blue in colour...

'But being forced to hang it up due to injury, beyond your control, can be even more difficult to accept.

'It can take time and effort to recognise the fact that it is something that happened to you, rather than something that's wrong with you - so please don't ever forget that.'

Harry added: 'I feel lucky to be able to count myself as one of you; and am deeply proud to have served among you as Captain Wales.

'A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back, well I'm also here to tell you, I've always got yours.'

The couple will step down as senior royals on March 31 following four further public appearances in the coming days, which will conclude next Monday.

Meghan and Harry were earlier pictured in London yesterday leaving the exclusive Goring Hotel - the Queen's favourite restaurant  after having lunch there.

And Harry waved to well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday as he was driven away in a Range Rover after a series of internal meetings with his team.

It came after they had a 'heart to heart' for four hours in her private apartments at Windsor Castle on Sunday about his imminent departure from the Royal Family.

Harry is said to have requested the meeting, and the Queen - who last saw her grandson during their showdown at Sandringham in January after Harry broke the news that he and Meghan were quitting - was happy to agree.

The Queen is believed to have told her grandson that she was keen to keep the door open for him and Meghan to return and stressed that he would be welcomed back from Canada at any time.

Harry, who has always enjoyed a warm relationship with his grandmother, was apparently keen to 'clear the air' before he and Meghan formally step down as working royals on March 31.

The Duke of Sussex and Lewis Hamilton arrive at Silverstone in Northamptonshire to open the Silverstone Experience today

Prince Harry arrives to open the Silverstone Experience with Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton today

Harry and Formula One driver Hamilton arrive to open the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire today

Harry and Hamilton arrive today to officially open the experience, a new immersive museum about British motor racing

Formula One world champion Hamilton drives Harry to the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning

The royal is touring The Silverstone Experience, a museum charting British motor racing over the years, with Hamilton today

Harry was driven to the doors of the new building in an electric Mercedes by Formula One world champion Hamilton today

The experience visited by Hamilton and Harry today is the new home of the British Racing Drivers' Club's archive

The Duke of Sussex arrived in style at the Silverstone racetrack today where he is opening a new museum

Harry and Hamilton are looking around the museum today which showcases the Silverstone circuit's heritage

Harry was driven today in an electric Mercedes by six-time Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton

Today's visit marks a final run of duties for Harry since he and Meghan announced they would step down as senior royals

Countdown to Megxit: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's final three events before they step down as senior royals Tomorrow: Mountbatten Music Festival (Harry and Meghan) Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, which see the Royal Marines showcase their musicianship and pageantry. The Duke of Sussex at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2019 The festival takes places over two days - today and tomorrow - at the venue in London, with the couple expected to attend tomorrow evening's performance. This event will also be Harry's last engagement as Captain-General of the Royal Marines, before he loses this title as he steps down as a senior royal. March 8: International Women's Day (Meghan) Meghan is expected to undertake an engagement to mark International Women's Day on March 8, although no specifics have yet been revealed. Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day last year, she said she would like her first child to be a feminist, regardless of whether they are a girl or a boy. Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day, Meghan said she had recently been watching a documentary on feminism. She told an audience at King's College London last March: 'One of the things they said during pregnancy was 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism'.' March 9: Commonwealth Service (Harry and Meghan) Harry and Meghan will both attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey the next day with the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family. Earlier this month it was revealed that the Queen had requested that Harry and Meghan attend the annual service with the rest of the royals. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (left) with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right) as they attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 11 last year The event will likely see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reunite with Prince William and Kate, a year after they were pictured smiling together at the 2019 service. But the Sussexes have severed professional ties with the Cambridges by pulling out of the Kensington Palace household and their joint charitable foundation. Advertisement

He has been staying at Frogmore Cottage, the couple's home on the Queen's Windsor estate, since returning to the UK last week to undertake a handful of final official engagements.

He and Meghan have agreed to pay back 2.4million in taxpayer funds used to rebuild the property in light of their decision to relocate to North America.

It is understood that he and his grandmother shared a light lunch and tea as they discussed his future on Sunday.

The Queen was left deeply upset after Harry and Meghan decided to suddenly announce their plans to step down and move abroad in early January in an apparent effort to bounce the Royal Family into agreeing to their demands to retain the trappings of royal life, while pursuing independent commercial careers.

And the couple were taken aback when Buckingham Palace made clear its displeasure and insisted that Harry would have to relinquish his HRH title as a non working royal and hand back their official patronages and his military positions, as well as dropping their plans to market themselves as 'Sussex Royal'.

The Queen is said to be 'very sad' that she sees so little of Harry and Meghan's son Archie, her great-grandson.

The meeting at the weekend was said to have been 'productive and positive'. One source said Harry was seen leaving 'deep in thought'.

But the couple have decided to leave Archie in Canada, meaning his British family haven't seen him for more than four months.

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

'It's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive,' she added. Meghan told presenter Tom Bradby: 'Not many people have asked if I'm OK.'

The Sussexes attended the previous annual Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony in February 2019, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie.

They had last been seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

A summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

Tonight, Harry will join Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience, a museum about British motor racing.

Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7 and the following day the duchess will mark International Women's Day.

The duke and duchess will join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on March 9, their last official appearance as HRHs.

Also during last night's speech, the Duke told the audience 'Meghan and I are so happy to be back with you', with both handing out awards during the evening.

Hamilton, who drives for Mercedes, begins his bid to take a record-equalling seventh world title next weekend

The royal is today touring The Silverstone Experience, a museum charting British motor racing through the years

Silverstone Experience chief executive Sally Reynolds greets Prince Harry and Lewis Hamilton at the museum today

The Duke of Sussex steps out of an electric Mercedes car as he arrives to officially open The Silverstone Experience today

The Experience where Harry and Hamilton are visiting today is the new home of the British Racing Drivers' Club's archive

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Prince Harry arrive to open The Silverstone Experience this morning

Prince Harry arrives with Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton to officially open the Silverstone Experience today

The Duke of Sussex and Lewis Hamilton arrive at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire to open the Experience today

Hamilton begins his bid to take a record-equalling seventh world title when the new F1 season kicks off in Australia

Prince Harry arrives to officially open The Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning

The Duke of Sussex steps out of an electric Mercedes car today to visit Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire

The Endeavour Fund is a body set up by the Royal Foundation to finance inspiring sporting and adventure projects aiding the recovery of veterans.

Security headache as Meghan leaves Archie behind in Canada The Duchess of Sussex is thought to have left her baby son Archie in Canada as she returned to the UK this week, causing an expensive headache for her police protection commanders. Metropolitan Police officers guarding them and Prince Harry have arranged major security operations in both nations  at huge cost to the British taxpayer. Canada, which has contributed towards the cost of protecting them since they moved to Vancouver Island last November, is withdrawing cover because of the couple's 'change in status'. This means the bill for providing round-the-clock protection for the family will fall entirely on British taxpayers. Experts say the Sussexes' decision to live abroad, as well as their insistence on retaining their official police protection, will see the bill for guarding them rocket  and prove a huge strain on manpower. The extra security cost of keeping nine-month-old Archie in Canada without his parents this week could be 50,000, the Sun on Sunday reported. It is also likely to be a disappointment to the Queen and senior royals, who haven't seen him for months. Advertisement

The duke added many of the servicemen and women had told him they 'had his back' and was keen to offer his own support.

He said: 'I feel lucky to be able to count myself as one of you; and am deeply proud to have served among you as Captain Wales.

'A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back, well I'm also here to tell you, I've always got yours.'

He added: 'You have all had to demonstrate physical and mental strength that I doubt you even realised you had.

'Never underestimate what your actions, your choices and your resilience means to others.

'You should all be tremendously proud of what you've achieved and the positive service you continue to provide to so many.

'To see you guys excelling and uplifting others while doing it makes me incredibly proud and grateful to all of you - because you don't have to do it, you choose to do it.'

Arriving at the venue, Meghan wore a bright blue Victoria Beckham dress and linked her arm under Harry's as he held an umbrella above their heads as they walked inside.

Meghan took to the stage to present the 'Celebrating Excellence' award, which is given to those who achieve excellence in their chosen sport or adventurous challenge.

She said: 'It is very nice to be back [at the event], it is the third year. As you all know I can feel it is just the most inspiring space.

Prince Harry speaks at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London last night

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Mansion House in London for last night's event

The Duke and Duchess pose for a group picture at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London last night

The Duchess of Sussex also spoke at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House last night

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex smiles and cheer during a marriage proposal last night

Prince Harry smiles as he takes the stage at the Endeavour Fund Awards reception last night

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sign the guestbook at the Endeavour Fund Awards last night

'I will say, watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada, we had the same moment as you, where each of us [said] 'how are we going to choose.'

Prior to the ceremony, the couple mingled with guests, which included television star Ross Kemp, during a reception event.

At times, the duke was very animated as he joked with award nominees, while Meghan asked questions and listened intently, clutching her purse by her side.

Ex-Royal Marine Lee Spencer, who holds the world record for the fastest unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean despite losing his right leg in an accident, won the award, which was collected by his wife.

The Duke of Sussex waves to well-wishers as he leaves Buckingham Palace in London yesterday afternoon following a series of internal meetings with his team

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured at Canada House in London during what was their last official royal engagement on January 7

Prince Harry (right) meets racing drivers Jenson Button (left), Lewis Hamilton (second right) and former F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart (second left) at Silverstone in July 2011

Prince Harry, his cousin George McCorquodale and his mother Princess Diana are shown the workings of a Williams F1 car at Silverstone by driver David Coulthard in July 1994

Meanwhile, Harry presented Army veteran Tom Oates with the final prize of the night, the Henry Worsley Award, which is given to an individual who has best inspired others through adversity.

Mr Oates lost his fiancee weeks after returning back from Afghanistan when she was struck by a car in front of him.

He now supports others with metal health difficulties and regularly speaks about his own experiences at events.

The Endeavour Fund's new community impact award was presented by actor and journalist Ross Kemp to the Superhero Tri Series, which provides swim, cycle and run events that are open to all people regardless of their age.

Rev up your downtime at the new 20m Silverstone Experience, where you can try F1 brake pedals, commentate on a race and marvel at motor sport cars old and new

You're meant to take your foot off the throttle in your downtime, but a new visitor attraction opening in Northamptonshire would prefer you to step on it.

Seven years in the making, The Silverstone Experience is located inside a restored World War Two hangar, on the same site as the Silverstone race circuit itself.

It aims to immerse visitors in the world of motor racing - from the past to the present.

There are 177 objects on display at The Silverstone Experience, from race cars and bikes to trophies and helmets

In the interactive Tech Lab visitors can get hands-on to learn about suspension, aerodynamics and engines

One of the race cars on display at the attraction and, right, a game where players race each other around the grand prix track

Visitors to The Silverstone Experience can learn about the science and design behind motor racing

A trip to the attraction starts with a pre-show called The Grid, which offers an insight into 70 years of motor racing. Then there are multiple interactive sections to explore.

Highlights include the Tech Lab, where a series of hands-on exhibits teach visitors about suspension, aerodynamics and engines.

Visitors will be able to adjust the settings on a scale wind tunnel to understand aerodynamics, try out pedals to compare the force required to slow down an F1 car compared to a family car, turn a wheel to find out about gear ratios, squeeze a motorcycle brake to see how temperature goes up as speed goes down and turn a tyre to learn about F1 tyre compounds.

Vehicles from the beginnings of motor racing are on display at The Silverstone Experience alongside more modern vehicles like Nigel Mansell's 1992 Williams FW14B

A Lewis Hamilton race suit and helmet is displayed at the attraction. Hamilton is considered to be one of the best drivers of his generation

A Suzuki bike is just one of the vehicles that visitors to The Silverstone Experience will be able to see up close

The write stuff: Signatures of famous drivers is on display at the attraction, which is open daily from 10am to 6pm

Then there's the special effects cinema, which will show a film called The Ultimate Lap of Silverstone, which splices together 16 of the most iconic Silverstone moments into a single lap.

Other big draws include a replica race car that visitors can sit in and an interactive area where they can learn about all the things that go on during a race weekend, have a go at commentating on a grand prix, and meet a hologram of motor sport legend Sir Jackie Stewart.

One of the most unusual interactive exhibits at the attraction will be a crawl space that visitors can squeeze through. Here they'll find out about the legend of the escape tunnel that was rumoured to run underneath the Silverstone site before it became a race track.

Barry Sheene's racing helmet with its Donald Duck logo is one of the exhibits

A re-created village pub tells the social history of local Silverstone residents. Visitors can play a Silverstone game at the pub table, too

An information point about race marshals. Every aspect of racing is explained at The Silverstone Experience

A huge collection of racing memorabilia will also be on display at the attraction. Racing fans will be able to see cars like Nigel Mansell's 1992 Williams FW14B, helmets worn by race greats like Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, and a range of trophies, race programmes and hundreds of photographs.

Visitors will also be able to head outside to a Heritage Track Trail where they'll get to stand on the start line of the first-ever British Grand Prix.

The Silverstone Experience will be open daily from 10am to 6pm. Advance tickets cost 10 for children, 20 for adults and 16 for concessions.

This article by Sarah Holt first appeared on MailOnline on October 25 last year
Yes Bank crisis: After the RBI put a limit Rs 50000 withdrawal limit on Yes Bank customers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference in New Delhi today and assured bank customers that their deposited money and liabilities are safe.

Taking cognizance of the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) decision to suspended the Yes Banks managing board and limit customers withdrawal to only Rs 50,000 for a month till April 3, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman on Friday, March 6, addressed a press conference to assure the bank customers that their deposits and liabilities wont get affected due to banks poor performance. She said the RBI was continuously monitoring Yes Banks governance and performance since 2017, and only after her permission, the RBI decided to put the restrictions asserting that bank customers dont need to worry as the situation would be normal soon.

FM also assured the employees of the Yes Bank that they no need to worry and assured them salaries for at least one year. She informed that Yes Bank lent hefty amounts to companies like Essel, DHFL, ILFS, Vodafone that are very stressed corporates and facing losses.

She also promised strict actions against the people responsible for the banks losses and situation adding that investigating agencies would not spare the culprits.

Before the Finance Ministers presser, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank would take swift measures to revive the banks business and situation.

Also read: Coronavirus in India: How to make hand sanitizers at home?

Also read: Coronavirus in India: KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan says players, spectators health first

RBI appointed Yes Bank Administrator, Prashant Kumar, told the media that the current moratorium has been brought into effect keeping the depositors interest in mind and these measures would help in restoring their confidence.

The central bank is trying to find a solution to revive the Bank before the moratorium period of 30 days ends. Soon the customers would be able to do seamless transactions and RBI assures the depositors that their money is safe and there is no need to panic or worry about their money.

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By Umit Bektas and Sergei Karazy

DIKILI, Turkey, March 6 (Reuters) - Turkey's coastguard rescued around 120 migrants trying to reach a Greek island on three dinghies early on Friday after they said their passage was blocked by Greek coastguard vessels.

Drifting in the darkness in the Aegean Sea and packed into one of the dinghies stranded without a functioning motor, migrants shouted as coastguard vessels approached them off the coast of western Turkey's Izmir province.

The migrants, including people from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and various African countries, held up small children to be rescued first by the crew of the coastguard vessel.

Last week, Ankara said it would no longer stop hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers on its territory from trying to reach Europe, after an air strike on Idlib in Syria killed 34 Turkish soldiers.

Since then, thousands of migrants have sought to reach European Union country Greece, either across the land border or by sea to various Greek islands.

Several migrants on two of the rescued dinghies said their boats' motors were disconnected by Greek coastguard vessels to prevent them reaching the island of Lesbos, a popular destination for migrants some 25 km (16 miles) from Turkey's coastal town of Dikili.

"They (the Greek coastguard) pulled us towards the Turkish part of the sea and left us there," said Ahmed, from the Deir al-Zor region of northeast Syria.

"We waited for three hours. There was no one around, then we called the Turkish coastguard and they came and got us," he told Reuters journalists accompanying the Turkish coastguard mission.

"WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY"

Turkey became one of the main launch points for migrants taking the sea route to the EU in 2015, many fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. The movement was curtailed by a 2016 accord between Ankara and the EU, which Turkey says Europe has not honoured.

Story continues

"We don't have enough (money) to survive in Syria," said Yasmin, a three-month pregnant woman, also from Deir al-Zor. "We left Syria and spent some time in Turkey in order to go to Europe."

One of those rescued by the coastguard said he was undaunted by his failed effort to reach EU territory.

"I will try. I will try again,' said Afghan migrant Husein Hasanzade. (Additional reporting by Yesim Dikmen Writing by Daren Butler Editing by Gareth Jones)
Family and friends of the woman accused of fatally stabbing her mother hugged each other outside a courtroom Wednesday after a judge ordered she be released from jail as her murder case moves forward.

But their joy may be short-lived.

Malika Jones, 22, who is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities say she fatally stabbed Inell Jones, 57, in Rahway, will remain in jail for the time being. Thats because Union County Assistant Prosecutor Armando Suarez asked for the decision to stayed as he appeals.

Superior Court Judge Lara K. DiFabrizio ruled the younger Jones could be released to two neighbors former neighbors with an electronic monitoring device. The judges decision came in a Union County courtroom after a lengthy detention hearing during which her attorney spoke highly of Malika Joness past attendance at Barnard College, which is affiliated with Columbia University.

The judge agreed too.

"She is a pillar of the community, said DiFabrizio, after referring to multiple letters she received in support of Malika Jones. "Shes every parents dream, leading up -- obviously -- to this incident. (She) was the belle of the ball, it appears, at college, getting really involved in makeup too. She was really good at makeup and helping people.

Malika Jones is incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, records show. It was not immediately clear how long it would take the states Appellate Division to make a ruling on the prosecutors motion.

We do not have any idea how long it will take except that it will be heard on an expedited basis, said one of Malika Jones defense attorneys, Raymond Hamlin.

Authorities say Malika Jones fatally stabbed her mom in the upper left chest on Feb. 16 after they argued over her school and living situation inside Inell Jones home.

Malika Jones attorney said she acted in self-defense and was struggling with the knife while it was in her mothers hand when the blade collided with her mom.

The cut Malika Jones sustained to her wrist was not self-inflicted, her attorney argued, but sustained during a struggle with the knife.

But the prosecutor said Malika Jones statements about what happened were self-serving and evolved when she spoke to police. She also waited 20 minutes before calling 911, Suarez said.

"There is a leap of faith that is required by this court to take to justify release based on a self-defense claim, Suarez said. It only comes from the defense -- Malika Jones, herself.

The younger Jones is enrolled in a dentistry program at a community college in New York after taking time off from Barnard College, her attorney previously said. Hamlin said his client had attended a private school in Bergen County and studied dentistry at Barnard College to appease her mother, who pushed her to become a doctor.

The younger Jones wanted to study theater instead, he said.

About two dozen people attended the Wednesday detention hearing, including her father, sister, paternal grandmother and several of her classmates from Barnard. Malika Jones peers and at least one former professor at the Ivy League school also wrote letters of support for her.

She is made of a rare, pure, kind love," the judge read from one letter.

The prosecutor, Suarez, argued in court Wednesday that release from jail is not recommended under the public safety assessment guidelines for a first-degree murder charge.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.
A 10-year-old boy surrendered to police Thursday after hiding out in a shed and firing a shotgun at them.

San Diego police said the unusual firefight began when the boys parents called the police because he was having an emotional and mental episode.

Police said the boy grabbed a hammer and a knife from his house. He initially spoke with police before running into a shed in his backyard, where a shotgun was stored, and began firing rounds off at police.

The San Diego Union Tribune reported gunshots kicked off a nearly two-hour standoff between the boy and San Diego police. Eventually SWAT officers and an armoured vehicle arrived on the scene.

During the stand-off, a nearby elementary school was put on lockdown and a home was evacuated.

Recommended UPS employee arrested after threatening mass shooting

The boy turned himself in to the police around 11.30am. Officers said the boy would be put in protective custody and given a mental health evaluation.

Lieutenant Shawn Takeuchi said the police responded to the situation like they would any other standoff, but assured that the police kept in consideration that they were dealing with a child.

He said responding officers were taking it slowly to reach a peaceful resolution.
Even as the RBI and the government are assuring the public of their money being safe in Yes Bank, depositors continue to queue up outside branches of the troubled private lender.

Several customers are now contemplating opening up new accounts in other banks.

There were cases of heated exchange between bank staff and customers, who failed to withdraw money.

On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the board of Yes Bank and imposed a 30-day moratorium after the Rana Kapoor-promoted bank failed to raise capital to address potential loan losses.

The bank's depositors are allowed to withdraw cash up to Rs 50,000 from their accounts during the 30-day moratorium period, according to a government gazette.

The withdrawal limit, however, can be relaxed up to Rs 5 lakh in case of medical emergencies, higher education and for expenses related to marriages, it said.

The rush to withdraw money from the bank continued despite Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian and Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das trying to allay the fear among the depositors.

"Our salary gets credited on 21st of every month. I am a little worried about my upcoming salary as I have a salary account with Yes Bank. I am going to provide details of my other bank account to HR today so that my money doesn't get blocked," said an MNC employee who was standing in a queue at one of the branches in suburban Mulund.

Pradeep Kumar, an engineer by profession, working with a large real estate developer, said, "I have some money right now but I have come to withdraw more since it is the beginning of the month and there are some payments lined up."



Kumar had tried to withdraw money yesterday night but ATM went dry before his turn came.

Yes Bank has 1,000 branches across the country.

To streamline the withdrawal process, some of the branches are giving limited tokens to the customers.

"The branch manager has refused to give me a token since I reached late. They are giving tokens to up to 130 people," said a customer who was seen fighting with the manager of the branch in suburban Mumbai.

Security was also tightened at the bank's headquarters, its branches and ATMs across the city. It's not just salaried customers, but entrepreneurs and small businessmen are also affected.

"We are a start-up having a current account with the bank. We recently raised money from investors which is lying in the account but we are unable to use it," said a customer who came to a branch in Powai to withdraw cash.

He said the company gave salaries to employees two days back but there are payments to be made to vendors.

"Our clients make payments to us which get deposited into our current account with the bank. We are now sending out communications to our clients not to make payments to our present account," said a visibly disturbed customer who has an IT hardware business.

Amidst all of this, she is also trying to get her current account open with other bank so that her clients can transfer the money.

One customer at the Kharghar branch said he hopes the country's largest lender State Bank of India will not allow the bank to fail.

On Thursday, the SBI board gave its "in-principle" approval to exploring investment opportunities in Yes Bank.

The customers said even the mobile and internet banking are shutdown.

There was a posse of security men outside the RBI headquarters at Mint Road, which has experienced protests by depositors during the PMC Bank crisis in the recent past.

Diagonally opposite, at a Yes Bank branch, a huge stream of depositors could be seen queued up to withdraw their money.

At a bank's branch in Colaba, there were similar scenes with a longish queue of depositors.

Yes Bank's share tanked 56 per cent to end at Rs 16.20 apiece on the BSE on Friday.

While talking to reporters in New Delhi, the Finance Minister said she was in continuous interaction with the RBI who are fully seized of the matter and has assured for a quick resolution.

"I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe," she said.

The RBI Governor said the resolution of the bank will be done very swiftly.

"Thirty days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see a very swift action from RBI to put in place a scheme to revive Yes Bank," Das told reporters here.

Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian also said all options are under consideration for restructuring Yes Bank and assured that depositors' money is safe.

This situation reminds one of the plights of depositors of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank six months ago.

The customers of Mumbai-based urban cooperative bank also went through a similar hardships after the RBI, in September 2019, had superseded the board and the management of the bank.

The central bank had put a six-month regulatory restriction on the cooperative bank after it found out certain financial irregularities, hiding and mis-reporting of loans given to real estate developer HDIL.

The restriction included barring PMC Bank from lending and accepting fresh deposits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday took stock of facilities being provided by the Delhi government at relief camps in Mustfabad for people affected in the last week riots.

People staying at a camp in Mustfabad had to face difficulties due to waterlogging following rains.

"The government has provided wooden planks after rains led to waterlogging at the camp on Thursday night," he said.

The minister said that about 90 percent of the riot victims have filled up forms for compensation.

Rai said that it has been reported that many riot-affected people are finding it difficult to lodge complaints with police.

He said that he has spoken to station house officers and deputy commissioners of police to address the same.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
We also have a problem with Arda which we are in partnership with when it demands that before we get a PPA, we must take three or four of its officials around the world to Israel and Cape Town to see our investor at our cost. We have said they can meet them here when they come very soon, but they insist we must take them to Israel which I think is not right, Ndiweni claimed.
Twelve high-school students are back in Winnipeg after their stay in Japan was cut short because of COVID-19.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Twelve high-school students are back in Winnipeg after their stay in Japan was cut short because of COVID-19.

They didn't have to be quarantined when they arrived, said Brandon Boone, spokeperson for Louis Riel School Division.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

"Before departing Japan, students went through government airport procedures and were cleared to fly home," he said. "They have cleared Canadian airport procedures as well."

"The students will not be entering into self-isolation unless it is required as outlined in the Public Health Agency of Canadas guidelines," Boone said.

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The government guidelines recommend all returning international travelers self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after returning to Canada, or since their last known contact or exposure. Only travellers from the Hubei province in China and from Iran are asked to be in self-isolation following landing in Canada.

The students from seven high schools within the division were visiting Kochi in southern Japan as part of an annual exchange program for several weeks.

The Japanese government decided to close all schools nationwide from Monday through the Japanese students spring break, which typically ends in early April, as the novel coronavirus cases continued to mount in the country. Japan has had at least 420 confirmed COVID-19 cases and six of those who were infected with the virus have died.

Boone said the school division is following both provincial and federal guidelines for screening.

"The division is continually monitoring the information provided by the Government of Canada," he said. "(We are) working closely with Manitoba health and education representatives to stay on top of the latest information and recommendations regarding COVID-19."
New Orleans police said they want to question a man in connection with the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man on New Year's Eve.

Detectives hope to speak with Samuel Evans in connection with the Dec. 31 shooting of Michael Hollins in the 1300 block of France Street in the 9th Ward.

Hollins was found on the street about 7:45 p.m. with two apparent gunshot wounds to the head, police said.

Police said they believe Evans may have "vital" information about the killing.

Four days later, another man, 25-year-old Alexander Hall, was shot and killed on the same street.

Authorities asked anyone with information on Evans's whereabouts to call NOPD Homicide Detective Maggie McCourt at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
We want to understand all of the activity, all of the comings and goings of these individuals. Phillips said. They have been extraordinarily cooperative. We want to understand the period of time when they returned from travel and when they had symptoms ... We want to understand where they went and who they interacted with, in order that we can conduct this investigation.
After going unraced as a rookie, Beyond Better made his pari-mutuel debut a winning on Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park for trainer Bob McIntosh.

Beyond Better, one of 77 sophomores that was nominated to the 2020 Pepsi North America Cup, entered Thursdays assignment with a pair of qualifiers under his belt and apparently those prep races were enough to have him primed for a sharp debut.

In rein to Trevor Henry, the son of Bettors Delight-Somethinincredible got away sixth from Post 7 while Teeter, Day Of Honor and Rocknrolls Shadow battled to the quarter pole in :27.1 before Teeter muscled his way to the lead. Teeter in command through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:26.1, but final turn pressure was applied by Cantfindabettorman.

Beyond Better slipped to the outside in the backstretch and tracked Cantfindabettormans cover before kicking off that ones back at the head of the lane. Beyond Better stormed home in :27.3 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Justa Bandit in 1:54.1. Cantfindabettorman took home third prize in the $15,000 conditioned event.

Sent off as the 2-1 favourite, Beyond Better scored at first asking for owners/breeders Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, C S X Stables and Dave Boyle. Beyond Better is the full-brother to OSS graduate, Thats Incredible (1:53 - $185,975).

Another hopeful for this years Pepsi North America Cup, Springbridge Jim, rallied to an impressive victory later on the card in a $17,000 conditioned event for the tandem of driver Bob McClure and co-owner/trainer Andrew Moore.

McClure got away sixth with the son of Big Jim-Stonebridge Vision, and they held that position through the opening half. With early fractions of :27.2 and :56.3 in front of him, McClure tipped Springbridge Jim into the flow on the way to the three-quarter pole. Springbridge Jim then roared home in :26.3 to win by a half-length margin over race favourite Darth Fader in 1:53.2.

Trainer Moore shares ownership on the pacer with Allan Moore, Tommy Godfrey and Charles Farrell. The partners watched the colt win for the third time this season and for the fourth time in his career. Hes stashed away more than $38,000 to date.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The building has a range of one- two-, and three-bedroom suites, all individually metered for hydro. Amenities include a roof-top terrace, gym, and multiple common areas and social rooms.

CAPREIT paid $43.5 million for the property financed in cash from its acquisition and operating credit facility. Occupancy at closing was 96.4%.

Adding newer and more modern properties to our portfolio remains a key focus of our growth strategy, said Mark Kenney, president and chief executive officer of CAPREIT. These properties generate higher rents, attract stronger residents, require much less capital spending, and serve to further strengthen and diversify our overall portfolio. Looking ahead we will continue to focus on purchasing newer properties that enhance our asset base.
PORTLAND, Ore.  One of Oregon's incumbent U.S. Senators says he will run for a third term this year, officially filing for re-election. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, was first elected to the Senate seat in 2008.

"I am running for reelection because I want to fully invest in a future where we stomp out corruption, invest in the building blocks for working families to succeed, and address climate chaos by building a clean energy economy," Sen. Merkley in a statement.

Merkley was born Myrtle Creek in Douglas County, but grew up in northeast Portland. He still lives in the same area.

Before serving as part of the state's Congressional delegation, Merkley was Speaker of the Oregon House.

More recently, Sen. Merkley stepped into the national limelight after posting video while being refused entry to a facility holding the children of immigrants detained at the Mexico border. The issue of the U.S. government's treatment of migrants at the border has since become a major part of his platform.

At present, three Republican challengers have filed their intent to run for the seat  now pitting one of them against the two-term Senator. Navy veteran Paul Romero and financial adviser Jo Rae Perkins have run for political office in Oregon before, though they have not won any elections at the state level. No information about the third candidate, Matthew Kulow, was immediately available.

Also up for grabs this year is the Representative slot for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District  a seat long held by Congressman Greg Walden, R-Hood River, who announced last Fall that he would retire from politics and not seek re-election.

The 2nd District race has become heated quickly  particularly for Republicans, who aim to keep the seat. It is the currently the only part of Oregon's Congressional delegation held by a Republican.
Thomas Zurbuchen, the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has announced the official name of its Mars 2020 rover-- 'Perseverance.'

The winning name was entered during a nationwide contest by Alexander Mather, a seventh-grade student in Virginia. The agency's 'Name the Rover' essay contest received overwhelming entries from 28,000 K-12 students from every US state and territory.

"Alex's entry captured the spirit of exploration. Like every exploration mission before, our rover is going to face challenges, and it's going to make amazing discoveries. It's already surmounted many obstacles to get us to the point where we are today -- processing for launch," said Zurbuchen on Thursday during a celebration at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia.

He added, "Alex and his classmates are the Artemis generation, and they're going to be taking the next steps into space that lead to Mars. That inspiring work will always require perseverance. We can't wait to see that nameplate on Mars."

Meanwhile, Mather said that this was a chance to help the agency that put humans on the Moon and will soon do it again.

"This Mars rover will help pave the way for the human presence there, and I wanted to try and help in any way I could. Refusal of the challenge was not an option," he said.

Along with forever being associated with the mission, Mather will also receive an invitation to travel with his family to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to witness the rover begin its journey when it launches this summer.

NASA's Perseverance rover is a robotic scientist weighing just under 2,300 pounds (1,043 kilograms).

"Managed for the agency by JPL, the rover's astrobiology mission includes searching for signs of past microbial life. It also will characterize the planet's climate and geology, and collect samples of Martian rocks and dust for a future Mars Sample Return mission to Earth while paving the way for human exploration of the Red Planet," read NASA's release.

NASA's Perseverance rover is a robotic scientist weighing just under 2,300 pounds (1,043 kilograms). Managed for the agency by JPL, the rover's astrobiology mission includes searching for signs of past microbial life. It also will characterize the planet's climate and geology, and collect samples of Martian rocks and dust for a future Mars Sample Return mission to Earth while paving the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, added the release.

Mars 2020 is part of a larger program that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Open source

In connection with the spread of cases of acute respiratory infections in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the causative agent of which is probably the coronavirus, by order of the commander of the combined forces at the checkpoints of entry and exit from the temporarily occupied territories from 7:00 on March 7, 2020, time limits regarding the intersection of the checkpoints, as the press service of the Joint Forces Operation headquarters reports.

"All persons who cross the line of demarcation through the checkpoints will undergo inspection and temperature scanning and, if signs are found that are similar to symptoms of coronavirus infection, restrictive measures will be applied to such persons to protect their health and prevent the entry of coronavirus into the territory Of Ukraine," - the report said.

The headquarters also noted that citizens of Ukraine who are registered in the territory controlled by the government of Ukraine, in case of suspected coronavirus infection, will be delivered to a specialized medical institution. For this, an ambulance with trained medical personnel will be on duty at each checkpoint.

"In the event that signs similar to coronavirus infection are detected in people coming from temporarily occupied territories and not registered in the territory controlled by Ukraine, such people will not be granted permission to pass through the checkpoint," - the headquarters said.

Citizens living in the territory of Donbas controlled by Ukraine, the command of the Joint Forces urges not to urgently visit the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions

As we reported before, One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, three more injured after the BMP detonated an unknown explosive device in the area of Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in the Luhansk region.
A heartless carer was caught on a hidden camera mocking and abusing a vulnerable dementia patient in a nursing home.

The footage shows Victoria Taylor, 41, taunting and threatening 87-year-old Michael Pearce after he soiled himself.

The former businessman  described as so sweet-natured and calm  was left for 40 minutes in his own faeces before being subjected to a barrage of callous comments at Lyndhurst Park care home in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Miss Taylors behaviour was only exposed after Mr Pearces resourceful nephew installed a secret camera in his room after becoming concerned for his uncles welfare.

Victoria Taylor (pictured in an undated photo) was caught on video abusing 87-year-old resident Michael Pearce after his son concealed a camera in the pensioner's room at the Lyndhurst Park Nursing Home, Weston-Super-Mare

The video  taken on August 3 last year  reveals how the ailing pensioner, who takes medication which can cause incontinence, was first discovered at 7.05am by a nurse.

She assured him he would be cleaned up in two minutes.

But the recording shows Mr Pearce, who has vascular dementia, was left lying in his own excrement for another 40 minutes before Miss Taylor and another carer arrived.

Miss Taylor is heard as she walks into the room saying: Oh my God. I think we need to take a photo. She can then be heard laughing.

She starts smiling when she turns to her colleague to say: Hes crying. Mr Pearce can be heard groaning while the carers gossip about Facebook and visiting Primark.

Miss Taylor tells Mr Pearce to stop with the stupid noise please when he complains he is in pain and dismisses him, saying: Well I can imagine it is irritating being covered in s***.

She then calls Mr Pearce a drama queen and threatens him if he vomits, saying: You f***ing puke over me mate, Im telling you. While Miss Taylor  who is paid around 8.50 per hour  also calls him darling and says sorry, her tone is impatient and disrespectful.

Victoria Taylor, 41, with Michael Pearce in background mirrorA HEARTLESS carer mocked and abused a vulnerable dementia sufferer in an award-winning nursing home.Footage taken on a hidden camera shows Michael Pearce, 87, taunted and threatened by a member of staff while he was covered in his own faeces

When Mr Peace is finally cleaned up and sitting upright in bed, he says: I wish I was dead.

Astonishingly, Lyndhurst Park was named the most attentive nursing home in the South West at last years GHP Healthcare and Pharmaceutical awards. A Care Quality Commission report from the previous month rated the home good and praised its compassionate staff. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 states that people must be treated with dignity and respect at all times while they are receiving care and treatment.

The CQC cannot prosecute for a breach of this regulation but it can impose conditions on a facility or suspend its registration.

The footage was captured on secret camera by Mr Pearces nephew, Ian Moss. He said he was shocked, disgusted and devastated, adding: I honestly did not think it would show what it showed. You think everythings OK, and it really isnt. He added: Michael is so sweet-natured and calm. It is very upsetting.

Mr Pearces care at Lyndhurst Park, which costs around 3,500 a month, was part-funded by the North Somerset Council. The home is run by Gordon and Margaret Butcher. The couple live in a 1.5million eight-bedroom house in the centre of Bristol and also own a property in Tampa, Florida. They said in a statement that they were devastated by the footage.

Michael Pearce is pictured in a 2014 file photograph. The former businessman  described as so sweet-natured and calm  was left for 40 minutes in his own faeces before being subjected to a barrage of callous comments at Lyndhurst Park care home in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

The three members of staff were suspended pending an investigation. Miss Taylor was dismissed and reported to the Disclosure and Barring Service. But it would not disclose the outcome of its investigation.

Her colleague was deemed less vocal and proactive during the abuse but was found to have neglected her duty to whistleblow. She was disciplined but reinstated with restrictions on working by herself.

The nurse who found Mr Pearce that morning was not disciplined.

North Somerset Council investigated Lyndhurst Park following the incident but no further abuse was identified. Last night, MPs and campaigners called for greater regulation of the care industry and called into question the CQCs inspection regime.

Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, said: The abuse that Mr Pearce went through is absolutely appalling. It is a concern that the CQC rated this nursing home as good a month prior to this incident. Many people will use this as an assurance of the quality of care they can expect to receive.

Kate Terroni, of the CQC, said: It is clear that the standard of care fell well short of what we demand. It is absolutely not acceptable for people in vulnerable situations to experience poor care.

Miss Taylor did not respond when approached for comment.
Aerial photographs show normally bustling spots from Mecca to Beijing thinned of people as coronavirus spreads.

Empty public squares, a ghostly train station and deserted holy sites  a series of striking satellite images have revealed the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on some of the worlds busiest spaces.

The aerial photographs, released by Colorado-based space technology firm Maxar Technologies, show normally bustling spots from Mecca to Beijing thinned of people.

One image shows a handful of pilgrims circling the granite Kaaba at Meccas Great Mosque  a sacred site usually thronged with worshippers from every corner of the Muslim world.

Saudi Arabian authorities have suspended the year-round Umrah pilgrimage to Islams holiest place, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus which has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide.

Umrah, which can be completed in a few hours, is a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of year, unlike the much more intensive and time-consuming Hajj  one of the five pillars of Islam performed during a few specific days each year.

The move was in line with the precautionary measures taken by Saudi authorities to prevent the spread of the virus in the Gulf state, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Last week, Saudi Arabia said it was preventing foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the building at the centre of the Great Mosque. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina.

This years Hajj, which usually brings about three million people to Mecca, is expected to take place from July 28 to August 2. Authorities have not yet announced any restrictive measures; more than 60,000 people have applied to participate in this years event already.

An image above the Hazrat Masumeh Shrine in Qom shows one of Irans most hallowed places virtually empty as its famed golden dome shimmers in the sunlight.

Streets and courtyards around the shrine are similarly vacant.

Iran is struggling to contain the virus, with a rising number of cases and deaths each day. As of Friday evening, those totalled 4,744 and 124, respectively.

Friday prayers in all provincial capitals have been halted.

Photos above Wuhan, China  the epicentre of the global outbreak  show dozens of trains parked up at the citys deserted Dongdamen Station.

With the city under lockdown and virtually cut off from the outside world since January 23, the usually bustling station has been transformed into a makeshift depot.

Elsewhere, Tiananmen square lives up to its name as the Gate of Heavenly Peace, with only a couple of dozen cars passing by and no pedestrians to be seen.
If the early morning blow of Yes Bank and in turn, my money landing in trouble wasnt enough, Ahmed Khan has successfully ruined my day completely. Early in the morning, when all the shops in the mall are shut, I was running towards the theatre to catch the screening of Baaghi 3 only to be left disappointed and furious over what I saw on the screens for a good two and a half hours.



 FoxStarHindi

In a nutshell, it feels like watching someone play PUBG for two and half hours. I understand the fact that a filmmaker wants to make a film that will entertain the audience and disconnect them from the monotonous patterns of their lives but you need to draw a line between entertaining the audience by giving them an entertainer and trying to ruin their day by giving them an absolutely illogical movie.



Not just the plot of the movie, but the writing too is equally shoddy and weak. The dialogues make you cringe and if you try to find logic in how a single man liberates Syria from ISIS (yes, you read it right), the entire experience can get even more daunting. Tiger Shroff, in the movie, is like a mixture of Singham, Simmba, and Soorvayanshi. He single handedly kills an entire town worth of men without any bullets. Heck, he even takes down helicopters and tanks like cakewalk - Marvel wouldnt need the avengers if they knew Tiger existed.



 FoxStarHindi

So, Tiger plays the role of Ronnie who is jobless but takes full responsibility for his brother Vikram (Riteish Deshmukh) as he has promised his father that he wont let anyone harm the latter.



Vikram gets into the police force after the death of their father (Jackie Shroff) who also was a police inspector. Interestingly, the two brothers take law and order in their hands and fix all the wrongs. In the process, Vikram lands himself in a big mess which involves ISISs head Abu Jalal and IPL whos a local thug who kidnaps families for Abu.



 FoxStarHindi

Since the movie warms you up well to the idea of not expecting anything logical, we werent surprised to see that whenever Vikram is in trouble, all he has to do is just call out Ronnies name. And when Vikram calls for Ronnie this time, he destroys all the terrorist camps of ISIS - told you, Avengers got nothing on him.



Wish our government knew of Ronnie, it would not only have saved the precious lives of our jawans but also a lot of money spent on defence weapons. Credit where its due though - Tiger is ripped and is seen flaunting his muscles in all the high-octane sequences. If you are a Tiger Shroff fan, you would love all his action sequences, but he fails to express anything in emotional and comic scenes. Riteish Deshmukh is then the saving grace of the film, but then he is also restricted to what the story demands of his character.



And if the lack of logic hadnt pushed you to wishing for death, enter Shraddha Kapoor who plays Ronnies love interest, Sia. With Shraddha, theres this one pattern - if a good director is anchoring the movie, you would get to see the real actor in her, but if the director goes wrong, Shraddha can rival a fridge when it comes to acting.



 FoxStarHindi

Ankita Lokhande is Sias sister and Vikrams wife. Well, theres nothing more that I can say about her because thats all there is to her character - a wife and a sister. Actually, both Shraddha and Ankita contribute to the plot in no way as they were reduced to just being caricatures. But the worst and perhaps the saddest bit is that Ahmed wasted remarkable talents like that of Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma, Satish Kaushik, and Virendra Saxena.



 FoxStarHindi

Before I end this review, I would like all of us to take a couple of minutes out of our lives to wonder - Baaghi and Baaghi 2 werent great either, then why did Ahmed feel the need for a third part? Lets just hope he isnt inspired by Avengers or any other eternity-long movie franchise.



 FoxStarHindi

If Ahmed Khan plans to make the fourth part, we wish he doesnt overlook a few very important aspects of filmmaking: a plot, better screenplay and at least some acting from his actors. You can catch a taste of it in the trailer below so that you can decide for yourself whether its worth investing two and a half hours in:



In a nutshell, watch the movie at your own risk. Leave your brains back at home and later, forget that you even had one, because your brain wont be able to handle the scars the movie can leave on you. All said and done, its still better than Housefull 4.
Advertisement

Customers at a Costco in south London are now being 'disinfected' at the front door as coronavirus fears continue to grip Britain after a woman in her 70s last night became the first patient to die in the UK.

A second person is feared to have died of the coronavirus in England as officials await test results from a man in his 80s who passed away last night at Milton Keynes Hospital.

Shoppers 'lined up obediently' at the Croydon store's entrance yesterday before being stopped by a staff member to be sprayed with a 'disinfectant-like liquid', the person who filmed the incident told MailOnline. Costco today denied the claims, saying only trolley handles were sprayed  not customers.

As coronavirus fears take hold in the UK now that 163 people her have been diagnosed and the virus is known to be spreading inside the UK, anxious Britons have resorted to wearing gas masks and blankets on public transport in desperate attempts to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, supermarkets up and down the country have again been left bare amid rushes to stockpile household goods such as hand soap, nappies and dried foods like pasta and rice.

Despite the panic surrounding the virus the government has urged people not to bulk buy products, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock vowing that supermarkets would not run out of food and Prime Minister Boris Johnson claiming that it was 'business as usual' after the first confirmed death of a UK patient with the virus.

MILTON KEYNES MAN FEARED TO BE SECOND UK VIRUS DEATH A second person is feared to have died of the coronavirus in England. Officials are awaiting test results from a man in his 80s after he died at Milton Keynes University Hospital last night. He has tested positive once already, MailOnline understands, but the NHS must carry out further testing to confirm the case and rule out a false positive. The final results are expected today. Advertisement

But customers don't seem to be taking much notice of the reassurances and bosses at online supermarket Ocado told customers they would have to place orders early due to a 'higher than usual demand'.

Mr Hancock claimed the Government was 'working with the supermarkets' to make sure that people who are told to self-isolate  who must stay at home for at least two weeks  will be able to get regular food deliveries. The Competition & Markets Authority yesterday warned that firms taking advantage of the panic by hiking prices of could be prosecuted or fined.

It comes after officials revealed yesterday that at least 45 of the UK's coronavirus patients have been sent home and told to stay locked up in their bedrooms for two weeks instead of being kept in hospital.

And people who die from the coronavirus will not have an inquest into their death, MailOnline understands, with it being classed as a natural death as one from the flu would be.

It seemed there was a back log of customers outside the Costco in Croydon as they were given hand sanitiser on entrance

Coronavirus fears have gripped Britons. A man on the central line of the London Underground this morning wore a gas mask

A commuter on the London Underground wears a gas mask on Friday morning as the capital was gripped by coronavirus fears after the UK's first death

An LBC radio producer photographed a passenger on the London Underground 'protecting' themselves from coronavirus by hiding underneath a quilt

Dried pasta has flown off the shelves and was in short supply at this Asda store in Southampton today, Friday

Shelves which normally stock hand gels and soaps are seen stripped bare at Asda in Chandler's Ford, Southampton  companies producing the sanitisers say they are ramping up production because of 'exceptional demand'

Many people have taken to wearing face masks on public transport. One many was pictured wearing his headphones over the mask (left) while another was pictured on the tube this morning wearing the full face covering (right)

Customers queue outside Boots in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this morning, amid reports that supermarkets and shops across the UK are running out of hand sanitiser

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pictured at a laboratory in Bedford today. He has announced a 46million funding boost to develop coronavirus testing kits

As drama unfolds around the UK, other developments in the coronavirus crisis at home and abroad include:

Two British Airways baggage handlers have tested positive for the coronavirus, the company has confirmed. It said the employees are isolated and recovering at home. Their locations are unknown

Around half of British coronavirus patients are recovering at home after the Government said there was no need for people with mild symptoms to be kept in hospital. 18 people have recovered already;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today had a phone call update from chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and a spokesperson said the Government is still in the first phase of its action plan, contrary to what Professor Whitty said yesterday;

Britons who feel ill after returning home from any part of Italy now told to self-isolate for two weeks to stop the spread of coronavirus  an escalation of advice which previously only applied to areas north of Pisa;

More than 100 Britons are stranded on board a cruise ship off the coast of California where medics are testing passengers for coronavirus;

An unnamed Coronation Street actor will return to work after two weeks in isolation which they took as a precaution following a holiday abroad;

More than 1,200 people working in London's Canary Wharf business district were evacuated from the US company S&P Global Platts yesterday after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus;

The UK's FTSE 100 stock index dropped 1.85 per cent this morning following news of the first person dying in the UK;

A 43-year-old British man has been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Bangkok, Thailand, after travelling there from Hong Kong, local authorities have confirmed;

World Health Organization and Chinese scientists published statistics showing men are 65 per cent more likely than women to die from coronavirus;

The Vatican reported its first case of the coronavirus, days after Pope Francis tested negative for the deadly infection which has infected 98,000 people worldwide;

The global death toll from coronavirus could reach 15million and $2.3trillion (1.77tn) could be wiped off the global economy in the case of a pandemic, said the Australian National University;

Hollywood is taking a hit as the release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, has been pushed back, film festivals have been cancelled and filming of a live-action remake of Mulan has been put-on hold;

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be held in empty stadiums amid fears large groups of people would trigger an outbreak, according to reports of a meeting between the World Health Organization and sports federation medical officers.

The incident at Costco in Croydon comes amid rising reports of bizarre events around the country as concerns about the coronavirus hit fever pitch now officials admit people are catching the virus within the UK.

A total of 163 people in the UK have now been confirmed to have the coronavirus in the UK  147 in England, 11 in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and two in Wales.

At least 45 of them are still infected but recovering at home, while 18 have recovered already, one has died and the remainder are believed to be in hospitals or also at home.

Speaking to the MailOnline, the person who filmed the incident at Costco said it was a 'peculiar situation' and that there had been no clear signs explaining what was happening or why the queue were longer than usual.

There were no available trolleys and by time I reached the top of the line I noticed the security guard/sales assistant had a translucent canister and he was spraying everyone as they walked in,' he said.

You would show your card and then receive a squirt of whatever was in there and then you would get a tissue.

He added that there had been a waste paper bin to drop the tissues into and claimed he questioned Costco staff on if these measures had been put in place because of the coronavirus to which they said yes.

The company said it was 'simply sanitising trolley handles as a precautionary measure'.

But the witness said it was definitely sprayed onto his hands, adding: 'Nobody seemed to question what was happening and everyone was just lining up obediently.

'The liquid was more fluid than hand sanitiser and it felt more water-based, it had a smell of disinfectant.'

He also claimed that customers were rationed to two tissue-based products each and that hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial products were also being rationed.

A man in his 80s with underlying health conditions is feared to have become Britain's second coronavirus death. The unnamed patient is thought to have succumbed to the illness at Milton Keynes University Hospital in Buckinghamshire last night

Customers were lined up outside the Croydon Costco (pictured above) and were given hand sanitiser

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO DIE OF THE CORONAVIRUS? Men are 65 per cent more likely than women to die from coronavirus, according to statistics. Figures from the World Health Organization and Chinese scientists have revealed that 1.7 per cent of women who catch the virus will die compared to 2.8 per cent of men, even though neither sex is more likely to catch it. More than 100,000 people around the world have now been diagnosed with the virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, and at least 3,383 have died. Some experts have put the higher risk among men down to higher smoking and drinking rates  both habits weaken the immune system, making people more likely to get ill. Figures from the World Health Organization and Chinese scientists has revealed that 1.7 per cent of woman who catch the virus will die compared to 2.8 per cent of men (pictured, a graphic showing those most likely at risk from the virus) The elderly and infirm have also been found to more at risk of coronavirus, with 10.5 per cent of heart disease patients expected to die if they catch the deadly virus. Death rates among people with diabetes  of which there are four million in the UK and 34m in the US  are expected to be around 7.3 per cent, while six per cent of patients who have high blood pressure might die if infected. Some 5.6 per cent of cancer sufferers infected with the coronavirus would be expected to die along with 6.3 per cent of people with long-term lung diseases. In the US, at least 233 people have now been confirmed to have the coronavirus, and 12 have died from it, while in the UK there has been one death among 163 cases. Those aged 80 years or older are most at risk, with 14.8 per cent of people catching the disease in that age bracket expected to die. Between 60 and 69 years old the death rate is around 3.6 per cent, while it is more like 1.3 per cent for those aged 50 to 59. For people in their 40s this drops to 0.4 per cent, and it's just 0.2 per cent for those in their 30s. Children do not seem to catch the virus very often, according to data from China, and there are no high-profile reports of children dying. Advertisement

Demand for hand sanitiser is skyrocketing  manufacturer PZ Cussons, which makes the Carex brand, said it had 'significantly increased' its production rate for hand gel and soaps because of 'exceptional demand', The Grocer reported.

And DCS Group, which is based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, said it was doubling its production of hand gels and was no churning them out 24 hours a day 'to meet demand'.

Customers in Marks & Spencer and some Boots stores are now being limited to the amount of hand sanitiser they are able to purchase  some to two bottles per person.

Despite stores panicking about customers spreading the virus in stores, the British Retail Consortium said there is unlikely to be a risk to customers shopping and browsing in stores  and definitely not from products imported from China.

'Current estimates suggest it can live up to 24-30 hours outside the body,' the BRC said.

'[This is] much less than the sea freight and air freight times (weeks) from China. In addition, the virus is temperature sensitive and would not tolerate the sub-zero low temperatures typically found in the cargo hold of an aeroplane.'

The organisation said that sales of hand sanitisers and other similar products had gone up and that businesses 'make sensible precautions' to stop the spread of the disease.

As the virus is transferred by water droplets transmission requires close proximity of around one to two metres.

But the concern is not people being in close proximity but the fact that individuals could smear the virus from their hands to their faces.

This could occur in stores if someone touches a product that has also been touched by a carrier of the virus - and then touches their face of mouth.

Chief medical officer for the Government, Professor Chris Whitty, yesterday said people can catch the illness by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their face.

And the coronavirus may stay contagious on hard metal or plastic surfaces like door handles or rails on buses or trains for as long as three days, he added.

Some scientists have even suggested the virus may be more likely to spread on the hands than it is through the air.

Speaking at a meeting with Government ministers yesterday, Professor Whitty said the virus would be 'largely gone by 48 hours and almost completely gone by 72 hours on a hard surface'.

Anyone who touches something a patient has contaminated is at risk of catching the virus if they then touch their face, he said  the virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, but not through the skin.

But, officials have made clear, the risk of catching the virus from people you pass in the street is low and that wearing masks in public will likely not protect anyone from the coronavirus.

Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, added in a comment: 'The risk is very low in situations where someone may have passed a patient on the street or in a shop.'

Members of the public, however, have still been using strange methods to try and protect themselves from the fast-spreading illness.

Commuters on trains in London have been seen wearing all manner of headgear to protect their mouths, noses and eyes  military gas masks, a blanket, a rain cover for a child's buggy, a lunchbox and carrier bags have all been pictured.

Professor Whitty said the risk of touching a contaminated surface declines as time passes, but there could still be a danger for days after an infected patient left their mark. Pictured, a Government ad campaign to promote hand hygiene

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk through Piccadilly Circus on Thursday- normally a bustling tourist hotspot - in central London

CORONAVIRUS PANIC-BUYERS RIPPED OFF TO THE TUNE OF 800,000 Fraudsters are cashing in on the coronavirus crisis, with victims' losses totalling more than 800,000 in a month. One person told police they had lost more than 15,000 after buying protective face masks which were never delivered. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has already identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus was mentioned since February. Police are warning numbers of scams are set to rise as the deadly virus spreads across the world. The figure includes ten scams where victims tried to buy protective masks from fraudsters. Other reports involved coronavirus-themed phishing emails designed to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive information. A common tactic used by scammers is to send messages purporting to be from research groups linked with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). They claim to be able to provide a list of people infected with Covid-19, which links to a malicious website or ask the victim to make a payment in Bitcoin. The City of London Police advised: 'Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.' Source: Press Association Advertisement

Britons have been panic buying with some even setting up 'isolation' rooms at home complete with camping toilets now the UK has 19 confirmed cases and one British citizen has died in Japan.

MailOnline readers sent in pictures their stockpiled provisions, which includes staples such as bottled water, bin liners, Calpol and pet food - or more eclectic essentials such as Pot Noodles, exfoliating face wash and litres of beer and wine.

David Wharton filled his boot with 15kg of penne, 48 bags of crisps, 16 tins of beans and litres of Dettol said: 'Better to be safe than sorry, if it all blows over won't need to go shopping for weeks'.

Mel Cross wrote: 'I've been stockpiling for weeks now. Had a feeling the situation would really get bad. Loads of toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, soaps, disinfectant, paracetamol. Been filling my cellar'.

But politicians are urging people to stop making rash purchases and to calm down and carry on with normal life.

Speaking on BBC's Question Time, Matt Hancock said: 'The Government has supplies of the key things that are needed, and, within the food supply, we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And, crucially, we are working to makes sure that if people are self isolating, they will be able to get the food and supplies that they need.'

He said there was 'absolutely no need' for individual people 'to go round buying more than they need'.

He added: 'The very, very strong advice from the scientists, from the medics, is that people should not go buying more than they need.'

His comments came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday said 'yes' he could guarantee that Britons would not run out of food in the event of a full-blown coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Johnson said a 'range of options' were being considered for how to respond and stressed that the government was being guided by leading scientists on what is needed to limit the impact of a major outbreak.

The PM insisted that 'draconian' measures such as banning large gatherings and telling elderly people to batten down the hatches at home 'wouldn't work as well as people think'.

Cereal has proven to be an in-demand staple among people doing big shops in case a full-blown crisis breaks out in the UK

Out of stock signs are posted on shelves formerly stacked with pasta and hand gels at Asda. Dried foods are being stockpiled and companies making hand soaps said they have had to 'significantly' increase production to cope with demand

Toilet roll stocks could not be replaced fast enough at Asda in Southampton. Supermarkets only keep a few days' worth of the essential in store because it is so large

A Sainsbury's store in Tooting, south London, is seen without any toilet paper on the shelves today, Friday

Coronavirus patients are told to recover at HOME: People who have just mild symptoms will not be hospitalised Coronavirus patients are no longer all being admitted to hospital, British health officials have confirmed. Anyone confirmed to have the virus who is not seriously unwell or at risk of becoming more dangerously infected can recover at home. At least 45 people out of the 163 confirmed in the UK have already been instructed to stay in their own houses and wait for their illness to blow over. Until the new rule was drafted  it is not clear when it began  all confirmed patients had to be taken to a specialist hospital unit in one of five locations around the country, some hundreds of miles from their hometowns. An extra 29 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in the UK today, bringing the total to 163  147 in England, 11 in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and two in Wales. Officials said it was 'perfectly reasonable' for people to recover at home because COVID-19 is a 'mild illness'. Chief medical officer for the government, Professor Chris Whitty, said that most people with minor cases of the virus will no longer be hospitalised. Instead they will be asked to stay at home, where they pose less of a risk to other people. Advertisement

Retail experts yesterday claimed that supermarkets would be preparing for riots as part of emergency plans to feed the nation as panic buying Brits started to strip shelves faster than they could be refilled this week.

Former Tesco supply chain director Bruno Monteyne said a major outbreak of the virus would result in 'panic buying, empty shelves and food riots' but that at this stage retailers would revert to 'feed the nation' status to avoid anyone going hungry.

Mr Monteyne, who now works for investment firm Alliance Bernstein, said the virus reaching pandemic status would lead to thousands of supermarket delivery drivers going off work, reducing the rate at which stores can be replenished.

Warehouses typically only hold one to two weeks of stock for non-refrigerated food products and only a few days for perishable goods and bulky items like toilet paper, so panic buying would rapidly lead to shortages.

At this point the industry's crisis-management mode would kick in, with supermarkets working together to ensure there is enough food to go round, Mr Monteyne said in a report.

The continuing panic surrounding the virus comes as the UK yesterday confirmed its first coronavirus death, believed to be in a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions.

The patient tested positive for the killer infection at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday before succumbing to the illness yesterday

In a statement, the NHS trust which runs the hospital said: 'Sadly, we can confirm that an older patient with underlying health conditions has died.

'The patient has previously been in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, but on this occasion was admitted and last night [Wednesday] tested positive for coronavirus.

'The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.'

The UK's first coronavirus death was an 'older patient who had underlying health conditions' who was being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading (pictured)

DEVON CHURCH CLOSED AFTER PARISHIONER TESTS POSITIVE A church in Devon has been closed after a parishioner was diagnosed with coronavirus, the Church of England has confirmed. The churchgoer tested positive after attending a Holy Communion service at St Mary's Church in the town of Churston Ferrers on Sunday. On Friday, the church was temporarily closed for a deep clean while members of the congregation have been told to contact Public Health England for advice. A pupil at a school in the same town has been diagnosed with the virus, leading to the Churston Ferrers Grammar School being closed. It is not known whether the cases are linked. The Church of England said it was offering 'full support' to those involved. The spokeswoman said the Reverend Professor Gina Radford, a vicar in South Devon who was deputy chief medical officer for England until 2019, had been advising the Church of England on its coronavirus guidance. Rev Radford said: 'We, as a church, are here to support people both spiritually and practically, to listen to concerns if they are worried and to affirm and confirm the official health guidance.' The announcement followed a pupil from the nearby Churston Ferrers grammar school tested positive for the virus on Monday. Advertisement

Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his sympathies to the patient's family yesterday, saying: 'Our sympathies are very much with the victim and their family.'

England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said he was 'very sorry' to report the news and offered his 'sincere condolences' to the family.

Health chiefs fear the patient, who had previously 'been in and out of hospital', caught the virus in the UK because they had not recently travelled abroad  eight of the 29 cases confirmed today were patients who got infected on British soil. Only 51 patients were known to have the infection two days ago.

Staff members across London's financial district were sent home yesterday as the coronavirus continues to rock the industry with one company banning its workers from using the tube to get into the office.

Over 1,200 staff members at US group S&P Global Platts were sent home yesterday afternoon after it was discovered a visitor to the Canary Wharf site had been diagnosed with Covid-19.

It comes as HSBC also told 100 staff members not to come in after one of its workers tested positively for the disease.

With many finance workers based in Canary Wharf, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now said that all companies need to have contingency plans in place.

In a company statement an S&P Platts spokesperson said: 'Platts has a robust business continuity plan to ensure there are no disruptions to our MOC (market-on-close) price assessment process and the essential commodity market intelligence our customers rely on across news and analytics'.

Employees in Canary Wharf were told yesterday to work from home until further notice.

A cybersecurity expert as warned that people going into self-isolation or working at home are more likely to have their computers hacked because their home internet security is likely worse than that in their office.

Dr Asma Adnane, a computer science lecturer at Loughborough University, said remotely accessing sensitive business data causes additional cybersecurity risks, and she encouraged anyone planning on working from home to speak to their IT department first.

She advises the use of secure connections such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which effectively encrypts data travelling between a user's computer and the work network.

'Working from home might be convenient and safer for you, but this might not be safer for the services and the data you are accessing remotely, especially if you are handling sensitive or personal data,' she said.

'There are many cybersecurity implications while working from home, you are basically connected to internet via an open and maybe non-secured networks - home wifi or any public wifi - so all services and files you are accessing become at high risk of attack.

'Cybersecurity threats are generally higher as you are not connected via the secured workplace networks, which have adequate security measures that you do not see such as web filtering, firewall and encryption of data.

'Indeed, if you access sensitive data through unsafe networks, your connections could be intercepted, and the data compromised.'

'People ARE panic buying': Question Time audience member challenges Matt Hancock over government's ability to keep shelves stocked

Matt Hancock last night faced demands to say how the government plans to stop coronavirus panic buying - as members of the public told him it is a real problem.

The Health Secretary tried to reassure the public on BBC Question Time after an audience member complained that supplied of toilet roll, pasta and paracetamol were running short in supermarkets.

But Mr Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour' and insisted the government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases continues to grow. Experts have warned the virus is now being transmitted between Britons, with the government's focus shifting to delaying the spread rather than preventing it altogether.

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

Matt Hancock (left) responded after he was challenged by an audience member (left) on the BBC's flagship Question Time programme

On the programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the reaction, asking 'how do we stop shortages by this?'

BEWARE DOOR HANDLES, AD CAMPAIGN WARNS Ministers have launched an advertising blitz featuring a dirty door handle, amid frantic efforts to halt the rise of coronavirus in the UK. The huge public information campaign will urge the public to wash their hands whenever they arrive somewhere. The drive is designed to change people's attitude to hygiene, amid fears the killer infection could become a seasonal problem. The ad campaign warns that the coronavirus virus can live on hard surfaces for hours Health chiefs decided to use the door handle picture after tests showed 96 per cent of people remembered the poster because of the disgust factor. In comparison, only 85 per cent could recall a poster that simply told people to wash their hands, The Times reports. A Government source told the newspaper: 'Just information works on a cognitive level. But disgust works on an emotional level.' Advertisement

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together.

'We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

Shoppers across the country have continued to scoop up household goods such as hand soap and disinfectant, nappies and baby wipes, as well as dried foods like pasta and rice.

Manufacturers have ramped up production and are working at 'full capacity' to ensure shelves can be re-stocked, while retailers are even considering rationing household essentials such as toilet paper in response to panic buying.

The exchange on Question Time came after Boris Johnson took to the ITV This Morning sofa yesterday to try to reassure Britons over key supplied.

The PM said he had faith in the ability of the public to see the 'balance of risk' with the disease, and he hoped they would carry on with 'business as usual' despite the number of infections soaring into triple digits.

Taking to the ITV This Morning sofa to reassure the country before the number of UK cases hit 116, Mr Johnson was asked if he could guarantee Britons will still be able to get food, and replied: 'Yes.'

Mr Hancock also told anyone self-isolating with coronavirus to stay away from their own family members as much as possible, and to wipe down shared surfaces such as in bathrooms.

He said: 'People should try to self-isolate from their families, not only go home, try not to go out shopping, definitely don't use public transport, but within your own home you should also try to self-isolate.'

He said that, as the father of three children, he understood that 'can be difficult and some people have caring responsibilities', but people should try to keep to themselves as much as possible.

Meanwhile, 142 people from the UK - including 121 passengers and 21 crew - are on the Grand Princess cruise ship currently quarantined off the coast of California.

Princess Cruises said it was following advice from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 'all guests have been asked to stay in their staterooms while test results are pending'.

It said in a statement: 'Guests are receiving meal deliveries in their staterooms by room service, and additional television and movie options have been added to in-room programming.

'Guests have also been provided complimentary internet service to stay in contact with their family and loved ones, and the ship's internet bandwidth has been increased.'

Overall, there are 3,533 people currently on board the Grand Princess, including 2,422 guests and 1,111 crew, of 54 nationalities.

On Thursday evening, the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading said the older patient who died had been 'in and out of hospital' for other reasons but was admitted on Wednesday evening and tested positive.

It came during a day of several key developments, with the number of UK cases of Covid-19 surging to 116 - more than double the total 48 hours earlier - and Downing Street warning it was 'highly likely' the virus would spread 'in a significant way'.

The UK's first coronavirus death was an 'older patient who had underlying health conditions' who was being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital

BRITONS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED TO ANY PART OF ITALY WHO FEEL ILL WILL BE TOLD TO SELF-ISOLATE Public Health England has announced that Britons returning from the whole of Italy are to self-isolate if they develop symptoms of the deadly coronavirus. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty told a press conference today that the current advice for those returning from northern Italy is to be extended to the whole of the country. While confirming that the government was still in the phase of containing the virus, entering the delay process is the 'direction of travel' for the future, Professor Whitty said. Since the coronavirus reached British shores, the government and health bodies have been in the 'contain' phase, trying to stop the infection's ability to spread. In recent days, with evidence of community transmission, it is thought that PHE could attempt to push a major epidemic back to the summer in the hopes of slowing the rate of infections. COVID-19, which has infected 163 in the UK, is thought to spread faster in the cold. Advertisement

Health chiefs also said people diagnosed with coronavirus who show only 'very minimal' symptoms should self-isolate at home rather than in hospital, while new advice was issued to travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Italy that they should self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Following the news of the UK death, Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his sympathy to the family of the patient, while England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was 'very sorry' to report the news.

He added: 'We believe they contracted the virus in the UK and contact tracing is already under way.'

Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die from the virus.

At a press conference on Thursday evening, Prof Whitty revealed that 18 people have so far recovered from coronavirus in the UK and 45 are being treated at home.

'We have moved to a situation where people have very minimal symptoms and we think they are clinically safe and they are able to self-isolate. We think it is actually safer for them, as well as more pleasant, if they can self-isolate in their own homes,' he said.

'Anybody who needs hospitalisation will be hospitalised.'

He had earlier warned that critical care beds in the NHS could come under intense pressure during a coronavirus epidemic, and told MPs the UK had mainly moved to the delay stage of tackling the virus.

This could include measures such as school closures, encouraging greater home working, and reducing the number of large-scale gatherings.

But the PM stressed it was important not to 'fire your shots too early' in escalating measures to tackle the illness.

'In something like this, what the scientists say is you've got a range of things that you can do to arrest or check the spread of a disease,' said Mr Johnson.

'But you can't fire your shots too early, it's all about the timing and the progression.'

In terms of national prevention measures, Mr Hancock said Prof Whitty told him that stopping flights into the UK would only delay the arrival of the disease 'by a matter of days'.

He added that halting flights to the UK would also make it 'much harder' to get medicines into the country because they are produced abroadProf Whitty has said half of all coronavirus cases in the UK are most likely to occur in just a three-week period, with 95% of them over a nine-week period.
By AFP

MADRID: The number of international tourist arrivals is expected to drop sharply this year due to the novel coronavirus, the World Tourism Organization said Friday, reversing a previous forecast for a substantial increase.

The Madrid-based United Nations body said in a statement that arrivals were now projected to fall by 1.0-3.0 percent in 2020, instead of the growth of 3.0-4.0 percent it forecast in January.

This will lead to an estimated loss of $30-50 billion (29-45 billion euros) in international tourism receipts, the Madrid-based body said.

If confirmed, this will be the first annual decline in the number of international tourist arrivals since 2009 when the global economic crisis hit the travel and tourism sector hard.

"This first assessment expects that Asia and the Pacific will be the worst affected region, with an anticipated fall in arrivals of 9.0 per cent to 12.0 per cent," the statement said.

"Estimates for other world regions are currently premature in view of the rapidly evolving situation."

The UN body said travel restrictions and flight cancellations had "significantly diminished the supply of travel services while demand continues to retract."

It advised governments against imposing travel restrictions to countries experiencing outbreaks of the deadly disease and called for "financial and political support for recovery measures aimed at tourism".

"Small and medium-sized enterprises make up around 80 per cent of the tourism sector and are particularly exposed with millions of livelihoods across the world, including within vulnerable communities, relying on tourism," the body's secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said.

International tourism arrivals rose by 4.0 per cent in 2019 to 1.5 billion, with France the world's most visited nation, followed by Spain and the United States. They generated around $1.5 trillion in receipts.

China, the world's top source market for international tourists, has imposed draconian quarantines and travel restrictions to keep large swathes of the population indoors to try to stop the spread of the disease.

The destinations which will be most affected by a drop in the arrival of Chinese tourists will likely be the United States, Thailand and Japan, according to the UN body.

Chinese tourists accounted for over a quarter of all international arrivals in Thailand and Japan last year and about four percent of all arrivals in the United States, it added.

Travel and tourism accounts for about 10 percent of total world employment, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a top industry association.

Leisure represents almost 80 percent of that total compared with 20 percent for business travel.

Many business travellers who normally fill the travel industry's slack during the winter months are staying home since companies have suspended employee travel globally for the coming weeks and authorities have axed trade fairs.

The UNWTO pointed out that while the travel sector also declined in 2003 due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which killed 774 people worldwide, it experienced a "strong and rapid recovery the following years".

The novel coronavirus strain that erupted in China this year and causes the COVID-19 disease has killed more than 3,400 people and infected over 100,000 in about 90 nations.
CHICAGO, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new research report "Internet of Things (IoT) in Retail Market by Platform (Device Management and Application Enablement), Hardware, Service, Application (Smart Shelf, Asset Management, Customer Experience Management, and Geomarketing), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the IoT in Retail Market to grow from USD 14.5 billion in 2020 to USD 35.5 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.6% during the forecast period.

Major factors expected to drive the growth of the IoT in Retail Market include rapidly declining cost of IoT-based sensors and connectivity, increasing adoption of smart payment solutions, and customer demand for a seamless shopping experience.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Internet of Things (IoT) in Retail Market"

115 - Tables

43 - Figures

157 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=43188550

By offering, the services segment to account for the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The demand for IoT in Retail Market services are driven by the growing number of customers each year, data transfer issues, and customer experience issues. Services in IoT in Retail Market provide security, and expert assurance, helping the entire business to be more productive. Professional services are important in the management of the entire lifecycle of a solution until its deployment. Managed services, on the other hand assess the business network, monitor health of the infrastructure, and perform remote maintenance activities.

By application, the customer experience management segment to account for the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The customer experience management segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increased use of applications through IoT. The use of IoT technology enables shoppers with customized in-store visit experiences by tracking their online journey via their choice of products. By implementing micro-location technologies and advanced retail mobility solutions, retailers gain insights about the consumer's recent online browsing history. IoT further provides smart payment and checkout systems for customers to make hassle-free transactions from anywhere and at any time.

Speak to Our Expert Analyst:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=43188550

Europe to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

In Europe, the number of active IoT connections in the retail sector is expected to increase over the years. As the retail sector is driving the economy, the region is adopting logical steps to make the retail sector more efficient in promoting the development of technologies for the same. The UK is the leading country in Europe in terms of online shopping penetrationEarly adoption of technology and presence of organized retail sector are the major factors driving the adoption of IoT in retail in the region.

Market Players

Major players in Internet of Things (IoT) in Retail Market include Cisco (US), IBM (US), Intel (US), Microsoft (US), PTC (US), Huawei (China), Sierra Wireless (Canada), AWS (US), SAP (Germany), Software AG (Germany), Bosch.IO (Germany), Google (US), NEC Corporation (Japan), Oracle (US), AT&T (US), Vodafone (UK), Happiest Minds (India), Telit (UK), and Allerin (India).

Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related report:

Blockchain in Retail Market by Provider, Application (Compliance Management, Identity Management, Loyalty & Rewards Management, Payment, Smart Contracts, and Supply Chain Management), Organization Size, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/blockchain-in-retail-market-79569008.html

Artificial Intelligence in Retail Market by Type (Online, Offline), Technology (Machine Learning and Deep Learning, NLP), Solution, Service (Professional, Managed), Deployment Mode (Cloud, On-Premises), Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2022

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/artificial-intelligence-ai-retail-market-36255973.html

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 03:47:07|Editor: Wang Yamei

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L) in Moscow, Russia, on March 5, 2020. Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours. (Sputnik/Handout via Xinhua)

MOSCOW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours.

The ceasefire becomes effective from 00:01 on Friday, according to the protocol read after the talks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Russia and Turkey also agreed to create a safety corridor 6 km to the north and 6 km to the south from the strategic M4 highway, which connects Aleppo in northern Syria with Latakia in the northwest.

Concrete parameters of the functioning of the safety corridor will be agreed on between Russian and Turkish defense ministries within seven days, the protocol said.

Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrolling of the M4 highway on March 15, 2020, said the protocol signed by the two countries' defense ministers.

According to the protocol, Russia and Turkey confirmed their fidelity to maintenance of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

They also confirmed their determination to fight against all manifestations of terrorism and to destroy all the terrorist groups, recognized as such by the United Nations Security Council.

The parties stressed that the Syrian conflict has no military solution and must be settled by a political process led and implemented by the Syrians themselves with an assistance of the United Nations in accordance with the Resolution 2254 of its Security Council.

Russia and Turkey underlined the importance of further improvement of the humanitarian situation of the Syrians, provision of humanitarian assistance to all needy without advancing preliminary conditions and discrimination, as well as preventing forced transfer of people and contributing to safe and voluntary return of the refugees and internally displaced persons to places of their permanent residence in Syria, the protocol said.
Women are slowly but surely making their presence known in the business world.

Ahead of International Women's Day tomorrow, the FTSE 100 welcomed its sixth female chief executive this week as Milena Mondini de Focatiis was named new boss of insurance group Admiral.

On the FTSE 350, women make up nearly a third of board members at 31.9 per cent, according to figures from the Hampton-Alexander Review, which was set up to increase female representation at director level.

Ahead of International Women's Day tomorrow, the FTSE 100 welcomed its sixth female chief executive this week as Milena Mondini de Focatiis was named boss of insurance group Admiral

But in the fund management industry, which is all-too-often driven by unfettered male ego, women are rare.

However given the downfall of Neil Woodford, who epitomised the cult of the macho investor taking risky bets, is it time for a female fund manager?

Despite the publicity around the likes of Dame Helena Morrissey, Nichola Pease and earlier, Nicola Horlick, only 105 of the UK's 1,496 open-ended funds are run by women. In the profession as a whole, only around 11 per cent of staff are female.

That might explain why fewer women than men are engaged with their savings and investments.

Almost a quarter of high-net worth women recently surveyed by Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management have no investment portfolio, while the same percentage (24 per cent) have no pension.

The figures for wealthy men are 14 per cent and 18 per cent.

Yet in a study of 2,800 British amateur investors conducted by Warwick Business School, women outperformed both the FTSE 100 and the men  because they tended to avoid speculative stocks and traded less frequently.

Separate research by Hargreaves Lansdown suggested a women's investment portfolio would be worth 25 per cent more than the men's over 30 years.

Ann Cairns, global co-chairman of the 30 per cent Club, which campaigns for gender diversity in business, believes that encouraging more women into fund management is a no-brainer.

Another 2018 Morningstar study showed that women-managed funds performed better long term.

Mixed-gender teams managing fixed-income funds performed better than male managers, but this position was reversed for equity funds.

Cairns says: 'The performance of diverse fund management teams speaks for itself. Fundamentally different individuals  in this instance, men and women  approach money and risk in different ways, which can benefit different strategies and asset classes.

'The industry needs more women, it's good for business.'

Cairns points out that in many households, women manage family finances. 'Women are good risk managers  they weigh up everything they do, from the smallest purchase to largest investment.

'They shop around more than men. That's why we should encourage women to consider fund management as a career.'

For savers, picking a female manager is one way to diversify and access a different way of thinking. Canaccord's research also indicated that women tend to be more concerned about investing in 'responsible' companies with reputations for being eco friendly and socially aware.

Despite the publicity around the likes of Dame Helena Morrissey (pictrued), Nichola Pease and earlier, Nicola Horlick, only 105 of the UK's 1,496 open-ended funds are run by women

Some female fund managers focus on this. Kirsteen Morrison manages the Impax Global Opportunities Fund, along with David Winborne.

She says: 'A diverse, gender-balanced workforce and inclusive culture enhances creativity, problem-solving and the quality of risk management and decision-making.'

In five years, her fund has grown investors' money by 88.8 per cent when the sector average is 60.6 per cent.

There are also a number of female-managed investment trusts, whose shares can be traded on the stock exchange.

The Herald Investment Trust, managed by Katie Potts at Herald Investment Management since its inception in 1994, has doubled investors' money over five years. Anyone who put 1,000 in at launch would now have 15,797.

Arlene Ewing, investment manager at wealth firm Brewin Dolphin, explains that the trust invests in strong but often unrecognised companies.

'It's an approach that has seen the trust consistently deliver positive returns for more than 25 years.'

Focusing on the UK, Abby Glennie is investment director of Standard Life Aberdeen Smaller Companies Income Trust.

After becoming the sole fund manager in 2018, she repositioned its portfolio to include companies with high-growth prospects, as well as those which are undervalued by the market.

Over five years, it has delivered growth of 83 per cent. Ewing frames improving diversity as an 'important challenge' for the industry but believes progress is being made.

If the research on women's investing prowess holds true, demand for more female-managed funds should certainly be there. It won't just be the female managers who benefit  savers will reap the rewards too.
Aggressive features in some small thyroid tumors increase the risk for metastasis

CHICAGO (March 6, 2020): Although papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common form of thyroid malignancy, it is considered to be an indolent disease that progresses slowly and has an excellent prognosis. Patients, therefore, may be monitored on a regular basis rather than undergo a surgical procedure at the outset. But results from a new large-scale study show that in nearly 20 percent of patients, papillary thyroid tumors less than 1 cm in size had pathological signs of more aggressive disease that increased the risk that these patients might develop distant metastasis (spread of the disease to other areas of the body away from the primary site of cancer). The study demonstrates the need for developing sophisticated tests that will find patients with these pathological signs early on and for them to be counseled on all treatment options, including immediate surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. The research study appears in an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print.



Thyroid carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, and the papillary form of the disease accounts for 70 to 90 percent of these malignancies. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is a specific subgroup of papillary thyroid carcinoma that accounts for 30 percent of all papillary thyroid malignancies.1,2



The prognosis for patients with PTMC is good; the disease is responsible for only 3 percent of all deaths from thyroid cancer and 5 percent of deaths of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.2 The indolent course of the disease is shown by the relatively high prevalence of PTMC in autopsies of individuals who died of other causes (3 to 36 percent) and comparable clinical outcomes for patients whether they underwent an operation or not.3 The American Thyroid Association's 2015 guidelines for treatment of PTMC support surgical removal of the thyroid gland of patients with PTMC. The guidelines also, however, discuss active surveillance or regular intensive monitoring and repeat testing, and at least one clinical trial recommended observation of patients with PTMC.4,5



Patients with suspected PTMC typically have preoperative ultrasound or biopsy. However, pathological features of aggressive disease can be found only on a full examination of tissue removed at the time of surgery.



"In general, PTMC tumors are not aggressive and not likely to affect overall survival. However, there are subsets within the patient population who may develop more serious cancers that could be life-threatening. With that in mind, we looked specifically at the risk of distant metastasis and the pathological profiles of patients with PTMC," said lead author of the study Zaid Al-Qurayshi, MD, MPH, department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.



The researchers retrospectively analyzed 30,180 adult patient records in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) who were treated for PTMC between 2010 and 2014. NCDB is a joint program of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons and the American Cancer Society. Among these patients, 5,628 (18.7 percent) exhibited pathological signs of advanced disease, such as central lymph node metastasis (8 percent), lateral lymph node metastasis (4.4 percent), microscopic disease outside of the thyroid (6.7 percent), gross disease outside the gland (0.3 percent), invasion of the lymphatics and blood vessels (4.4 percent), and distant metastasis (.04 percent).



The presence of some of these pathological features was associated with spread of the disease or a lower survival rate. "The death rate for patients with disease in the lymph nodes was 3 times higher, and it was 6 times higher for those with distant metastasis or spread to the lungs," said Emad Kandil, MD, FACS, a study coauthor and a professor of surgery in the department of surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.



"Having a lymph node metastasis triples the risk of having distant metastasis. Extrathyroidal extensive has a 5-fold risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and a 9-fold risk of distant metastasis. These factors are all connected," Dr. Kandil said.



"The study provides a good, general perspective about the landscape of PTMC. More granular, clinical data are needed to help understand the risk factors for advanced disease and develop a preoperative test that could identify these patients who have them," Dr. Al-Qurayshi said.



Dr. Kandil's laboratory is currently testing a panel of genes that may tell which cancers will progress and which will not. In the meantime, all patients with PTMC should be carefully counseled.



"We don't have enough information at this time to confirm how the disease may progress. However, we do need to let patients know about the possible presence of aggressive disease and all their options for treatment," Dr. Kandil concluded.



###

The other study coauthors are Naris Nilubol, MD, FACS, and Ralph P. Tufano, MD, FACS.



"FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.



This study was presented at the Southern Surgical Association 131st Annual Meeting, Hot Springs, VA, December 2019.



Authors have no disclosures related to this study.



Citation: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in the United States. Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

1Thyroid Cancer; National Cancer Institute (USA).

2Hay ID, Hutchinson ME, Gonzalez-Losada T, et al. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A study of 900 cases observed in a 60-year period. Surgery. 2008;144(6):980-7; discussion 987-8.

3Lim H, Devesa SS, Sosa JA, Check D, Kitahara CM. Trends in thyroid cancer incidence and mortality in the united states, 1974-2013. JAMA. 2017;317(13):1338-1348.

4Haugen BR, Alexander EK, Bible KC, et al. 2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: The American Thyroid Association guidelines task force on thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2016;26(1):1-133.

5Miyauchi A: Clinical trials of active surveillance of papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid, World J Surg. 2016; 40: 516-522. Published online 2016 Jan 7. doi: 10.1007/s00268-015-3392-y.



About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 82,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit http://www. facs. org .



About the National Cancer Database

The nationally recognized National Cancer Database (NCDB)--jointly sponsored by the American College of Surgeons and the American Cancer Society--is a clinical oncology database sourced from hospital registry data that are collected in more than 1,500 Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited facilities. NCDB data are used to analyze and track patients with malignant neoplastic diseases, their treatments, and outcomes. Data represent more than 70 percent of newly diagnosed cancer cases nationwide and more than 34 million historical records.

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
MBABANE  The term girlfriend allowance is known to mean a monthly stipend which a boyfriend should pay out to his girlfriend.



While this token of appreciation has always been one way, some boyfriends are also looking to their girlfriends to give them boyfriend allowance once in a while.



The frequency at which this money should be released or received is not standard, but during a discussion on gender equality at the Sibane Hotel yesterday, it came out that some men would like to be beneficiaries of this gesture.



Thembinkosi Dube from Diabetes Eswatini explained that his family had a lengthy discussion on whether one gender deserved this allowance more than the other. He said this during the International Womens Day commemoration at Sibane Hotel yesterday.



appreciation



The event was organised by the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO). We did not reach a consensus on this matter. The main thing that came out is that men pay out this money to their girlfriends in appreciation of the things they do for them like doing their laundry, cooking and cleaning the house, Dube said.



He said, however, it was high time that even men were given this money.

Dube pointed out that it was surprising that most of the women who demanded the so-called girlfriend allowance were those who were categorised as independent because they had well-paying jobs, rented their own flats and even had their own cars.

You then begin to wonder why they want to depend on men for this allowance when they can afford to live by their own means. I believe men also need boyfriend allowance.



Dube also raised a point on the murders related to love affairs, which he said could be a result of under-empowered men who feel threatened by over-empowered women.



He said it was important not to leave out men on issues of empowerment because it could result in a knowledge gap and ultimately create inferiority among men.
The number of new coronavirus cases rose sharply in the U.S. and Europe on Thursday, as stocks fell on both sides of the Atlantic and Britain and Switzerland reported their first fatalities.

On the Continent alone, the caseload rose in Italy to 3,858 from 3,089; in Germany to 482 from 262; in France to 423 from 285; and in the Netherlands to 82 from 38.

There are now more than 98,000 global cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Here are the latest updates and a breakdown of what some key figures mean.

California: A cruise ship with over 2,000 passengers on board is being held off the coast of San Francisco over coronavirus concerns, and health officials are expected to announce today the results of screenings of about 100 passengers and crew members, including 21 with symptoms. California so far has at least 54 of the more than 200 confirmed cases in the U.S., the most of any state.
Yahoo News Singapore file photo

SINGAPORE  Starting with the Singapore River and Ang Mo Kio, busking zones will be gradually introduced in Singapore, alongside initiatives that will make it easier for performers to busk.

Each zone comprises a cluster of busking locations, allowing buskers the flexibility to move between them. This offers a more varied busking experience for audiences and ensures equitable access to popular busking spots, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng in Parliament on Friday (6 March).

Speaking in Parliament during his ministrys Committee of Supply (COS) debate, Baey said that buskers will be able to access the first two busking zones from 1 April.

Buskers at the Singapore River will be able to busk at both locations at Read Bridge (along Singapore River) and Clarke Quay Central, instead of just a single location.

Buskers in Ang Mo Kio have the option of busking at three designated locations: outside Ang Mo Kio Hub (between Ang Mo Kio Hub entrance and McDonalds), open area between S11 food centre and Jubilee Square, and space near hawker centre (Blk 724).

Busking@*SCAPE

Meanwhile, the National Arts Council (NAC) is partnering *SCAPE to roll out Busking@*SCAPE. This will allow Singaporean youths between 15 and 35 years old to busk at *SCAPE without having to go through auditions or to be endorsed under NACs Busking Scheme. Inter-generational groups with at least one member between the ages of 15-35 are also encouraged to participate.

This provides an opportunity for youths to experience busking, showcase their talents in a supportive space and network with like-minded peers, said Baey.

A pilot run of Busking@*SCAPE has been conducted since October and will conclude at the end of March. About 63 youths, who are non-endorsed buskers, have participated in the scheme.

Following the successful pilot, Busking@*SCAPE will now be a regular fixture every Friday to Sunday, from 12pm  10pm, with two hours per slot.

Story continues

NAC will work with *SCAPE to offer capability development workshops for youths to hone their skills in performance and audience engagement. Efforts will also be stepped up to encourage youths from CCAs and performing arts groups to participate.

Digital scheduling tool

NAC will also progressively introduce a digital scheduling system for buskers to ballot for busking slots. This will provide buskers with fairer access to busking locations, especially popular ones, and allow members of the public to enjoy a greater variety of busking acts.

An ongoing pilot for the digital scheduling tool kicked off for Clarke Quay Central in end-November 2019. About 47 buskers have utilised 87 of 100 available busking slots.

The digital scheduling tool is in beta-testing and will be rolled out progressively to other key locations.

More Parliament stories

$100,000 fund for Singapore athletes, sports facilities upgraded

Singapore Philatelic Museum to become childrens museum in 2021

12th public general hospital to be built in the east by 2030: Gan Kim Yong

More than $60b over next decade to expand, renew rail network: Khaw

Transport projects may be further delayed by COVID-19 outbreak: Khaw

More than 1,300km of cycling paths islandwide by 2030: Lam Pin Min

Priority cabins on NEL trains for vulnerable commuters by end-2020
Jaipur, March 6 : The Italian tourist couple who tested positive for coronavirus are responding well to medical treatment, officials said here on Friday.

In a video conferencing with Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Additional Chief Health Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said that the Italian couple is responding well to medical treatment.

The oxygen supplied to the Italian male has been reduced and his condition is better. Both husband and wife are being given quality treatment here, he said.

Singh said that the World Health Organization is also monitoring all the places where the tourist group travelled in Rajasthan.

He also gave detailed information to the minister about the measures been taken in the state to check the spread of the dreaded virus.

A thorough screening is been done at Jaipur airport and all efforts are being taken to ensure that the virus is contained, he said informing that a total of 310 people have been screened till date in all districts where the infected Italian tourists had travelled.

Among these, 267 samples were sent for testing, however, only two have been found positive.

The rural development department has written to make people aware of the do's and dont's. Also 20,000 masks have been dispatched.

Reports are been collected by district collectors, CMHOs, and other officials. Even private hospitals have been instructed to remain on alert mode, he said.

Harsh Vardhan said that the virus can be defeated by following norms of quality hygiene adding that state governments should think of a mechanism to make villages, towns and cities aware of these measures.

Those states with international borders should further screen the passengers thoroughly. Also guidelines issued by central government and WHO should be followed, he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus, by Francis Bacon (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

A giant Francis Bacon triptych is set to fetch more than 46 million (60 million US dollars) at auction.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus was painted in the final decade of the Irish-born artists career in 1981, when he was in his 70s.

It will go under the hammer at Sothebys Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York.

Described as a monumental work, each panel is more than 6ft (almost 2m) tall.

This just in  Francis Bacons monumental Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus' will be offered as a highlight of our Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York this May, with an estimate in excess of $60M #SothebysContemporary pic.twitter.com/9yRDkWepf4  Sotheby's (@Sothebys) March 6, 2020

Another Bacon Triptych, Three Studies Of Lucian Freud, set an auction record for any work of art in 2013 when it sold for 142.2 million US dollars (110 million).

The record was later eclipsed, but Sothebys said Bacon remains the most valuable British artist of all time.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus draws on the artists tumultuous relationship with his parents.

The Greek tragedy in the title of the painting tells the story of a man who kills his mother in revenge for the murder of his father.

Bacons father is said to have despised his sons effeminate manner.

Video of the Day

When the artist was a teenager, he is said to have been thrown out of the family home when his father discovered him wearing his mothers underwear while admiring himself in the mirror.

Experts say the painting is one of the most ambitious, enigmatic, and important works of Bacons oeuvre.

Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus, 1981 by Francis Bacon during a preview at Sothebys in London ahead of it being auctioned in New York (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Alex Branczik, head of contemporary art for Sothebys Europe, said: Francis Bacon is the great tragedian of his age.

In this ambitious triptych, the painter confronts Aeschylus, the progenitor of tragedy, so that the timeless power of the ancient Greek genre is brought to bear on the human condition in the 20th century.

The result is an arresting and original vision, a true masterpiece that confirms Bacons standing in the pantheon of modern masters.

Billionaire Norwegian collector and businessman Hans Rasmus Astrup bought the painting in 1984.

The work has been in the care of a private museum he founded, Astrup Fearnley Museet, in Oslo, Norway.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to secure long-term funding of the museum, including the funding of future acquisitions.

Triptych Inspired By The Oresteia Of Aeschylus by Francis Bacon will go under the hammer at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York on May 13
Betsy DeVos speaks out on faith, schools: One-size-fits-all approach does not work

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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who is a key player in the nation's ongoing discussion about school choice and academic reform, is a devout Christian with a lifetime commitment to her faith.

And in a recent interview with "The Pure Flix Podcast," DeVos dove deep into her biblical roots, her passion for education and her perspective on potential reforms.

"I was fortunate enough to be born into a family that raised me to make my faith my own," she said. "I had exposure from my first memories to weekly church services."

WATCH: Stream Thousands of Faith and Family-Friendly TV Shows and Movies Today!

While DeVos was brought up in a Christian home, it wasn't until her teen years that her faith was more firmly rooted.

"My faith really became my own when I was a late teen, early 20s," she said, adding that she has since had continued challenges that have helped her learn and grow. "I'm grateful to have had that foundation."

The Trump-appointee went on to note that faith is "foundational to everything" she does, explaining how her views about individual value translate to the educational realm.

"I firmly believe every single child is a uniquely created individual with great potential and there are too many kids that are just not able to develop that full potential, because they are in a place that simply is not cultivating that for whatever reason," DeVos said.

Listen to DeVos share her faith journey and her passion for education:

She noted that there are many teachers across the U.S. who are doing a wonderful job, but added her belief that the system, as it currently stands, doesn't meet diverse needs.

"Kids are different," DeVos said. "They learn differently and a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach does not work."

READ ALSO: 15 Christian Religious Documentaries You Should Watch Now

She spoke to her own experience in K-12 education and expressed her wish that she had been more fervently challenged, and opened up about what led to her personal passion for reforming the contemporary educational system.

DeVos said it all started when she began to volunteer at a local Christian school and saw firsthand some of the "choice" issues at play.

"My passion around education really grew when my oldest son  who's just about 38  was starting kindergarten," she said. "My husband and I knew we were going to be able to send our children wherever we wanted to, but I started getting involved with a small Christian school [and] the more I did ... the more I realized that, for every family that had their child there, there were probably 10 or 20 other families in that neighborhood who longed to have their children in a place like that."

DeVos said she and her family soon started supporting scholarships to help students attend such schools, and that she realized it is a "policy issue," as many families simply lacked the economic ability to make the same choices.

READ ALSO: 7 Powerful Ben Carson Quotes About God And Faith

"[I realized] those families [didn't] have the economic means to be able to make that choice," she said. "And yet their children are every bit as special and precious as mine are. So that really spurred my interest in what I refer to as 'education freedom'  school choice, very broadly."

DeVos also spent 15 years as an in-school mentor for at-risk kids, an experience she said was "very formative" and beneficial. She's still in touch with one of the students  a girl she started working with in the first grade; she is now a college sophomore.

"I'm very proud of her," DeVos said. "I continue to encourage her to be everything God meant her to be."

These experiences helped inform DeVos' educational worldview and her penchant for reform. Her goal, she said, is academic freedom for all.

"We enjoy freedom in almost every other area of our life," she said. "And yet the K-12 years for almost a century and a half here have been very much a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach and it's time to change that."

DeVos added, "When you think about the fact that young people today represent 100 percent of our country's future ... we need to make sure that every single one of them has the opportunity to fully develop their gifts and talents innate in them."

While she said she never had any expectation that she would become U.S. education secretary, she didn't hesitate to take the opportunity when it arose.

But DeVos said making change is an uphill battle.

"Big, large complex systems and organizations don't change easily and they don't recognize uniqueness and they don't recognize differences in how you learn," she said. "It is a system that exists to really serve itself, not do what's best for individual children."

READ ALSO: The History Of Prayer Being Removed From Schools

DeVos also had a message about teachers who might find that the system they're working in "isn't working for them"  that they will be "highly valued in a system of freedom and choices."

As for the controversy that has surrounded her policy recommendations, she was candid and yet resolute.

"There have been a lot of misconceptions, misperceptions sown about me, but the reality is that my heart is with kids," DeVos said. "And I'm for them and for their futures and I'm for their parents to have the kind of opportunity to make the choices that I was able to make for my kids."

Be sure to check out powerful homeschooling resources and educational titles here.

This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider. Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows. You can get a free trial here.

Billy Hallowell, author of "The Armageddon Code," has contributed to TheBlaze, the Washington Post, Human Events, the Daily Caller, Mediaite, and the Huffington Post, among other news sites. Through journalism, media, public speaking appearances, and the blogosphere, Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade.
Brazil recalled its entire corps of diplomats and foreign service officials from Venezuela while ordering the government of Nicolas Maduro to reciprocate with its representatives in Brazil, a government source said on Thursday.

"No-one will remain in all of Venezuela," the source told AFP after the Official Journal revealed earlier on Thursday that four diplomats and 10 officials were ordered home from the Brazilian embassy and consulates in Venezuela.

It's the latest hardening of relations between Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and the government of radical leftist Maduro that he has branded a "dictatorship."



Maduro in return has called Bolsonaro a "fascist." Brazil is one of the more than 50 countries to have recognized the claim of Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido to be his country's acting president. Guaido made the proclamation early last year following the opposition-controlled parliament's branding of Maduro as a usurper over his 2018 re-election in a poll widely derided as rigged.

Brasilia has also recognized the ambassador to Brazil appointed by Guaido, Maria Teresa Belandria.

The source didn't say when the recall would be completed but Brazilian press say it will be done within two months.

However, the measure does not mean the embassy will be closed, the source said.

There are an estimated 10,000 Brazilians living in Venezuela who could be affected by the measure.

Recently, Maduro accused Bolsonaro of dragging Brazil's military "into an armed conflict with Venezuela." That was a reference to an attack by deserters on a military detachment in Venezuela's Bolivar state that borders Brazil, after which five Venezuelan military personnel claimed asylum in Brazil.

In November, around a dozen Guaido supporters invaded Venezuela's embassy in Brasilia but left 13 hours later under pressure from Brazilian authorities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Nina Ivy took to her Instastories to congratulate co-reality stars, Teddy A and Bam Bam on the birth of their first child.

Information Nigeria recalls Teddy A and Bambam welcomed a baby girl on Thursday and they received a lot of congratulatory message from family, friends and well-wishers.

Nina Ivy also sent in her own message as she shared a picture of the Teddy A holding his adorable daughter.

The pregnant actress, who recently tied the knot, captioned the photo;

Congratutions @iamteddya and @bammybestowed on your new bundle of joy, I am next on the line

Read Also: Teddy A Shares A Glimpse Of His Daughter

See the post below:
Nippon India on Friday said it has marked down the value of its investments to zero in bonds issued by troubled private sector lender

In addition, the fund house has imposed a limit of Rs 2 lakh on fresh inflows into the impacted schemes till further notice, Nippon India MF said in a statement.



This limit is imposed only on the new applications, switch-ins, systematic transfer plans and systematic investment plans received after March 5, it said.

The announcement came hours after was placed under a moratorium, with the Reserve Bank capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board. The central bank's action came after the bank failed to raise capital to address potential loan losses.

"Perpetual bonds of in the schemes of Nippon India MF have been marked down to zero," the fund house said.

"While Yes Bank has been marked down to zero, no segregation has been done. Segregation/side pocketing is only allowed on happening of Sebi defined triggers," the fund house spokesperson said.

Nippon India said it will review this decision on regular basis and take appropriate actions as clarity emerges on this matter.

"A limit on new applications, switch-ins, systematic transfer plans, systematic investment plans will help ensure that once clarity emerges, the interest of existing unitholders has not been significantly diluted in the interim through additional purchase activity while limiting the inconvenience to retail unitholders," the statement said.

"We continue to remain engaged with Yes Bank and closely monitor the developments in this matter," it added.

Schemes such as Nippon India Hybrid Bond Fund, Nippon India Credit Risk Fund, Nippon India Equity Hybrid Fund, Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund, Nippon India Retirement Fund- Wealth Creation and Nippon India Equity Savings Fund invested in perpetual bonds of the bank.

Earlier, many asset management companies have asked their clients, who have bank accounts with the troubled lender, to furnish details of alternate accounts for receiving redemption payouts.

The RBI, in a notification, on Thursday said the financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits.

The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years which have led to steady decline of the bank, it added. The central bank has appointed SBI's former CFO Prashant Kumar as an administrator.
A view of the street in front of St. Peter's Basilica (AFP or licensors)

As the Holy See considers measures to stem the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Vatican has closed its healthcare services after a patient tested positive for the disease.

By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told reporters on Friday morning that the Vaticans healthcare services have been temporarily shuttered to disinfect facilities used for outpatient services. The Emergency department remains open.

He said the measures were taken after a patient tested positive with the Covid-19 coronavirus on Thursday.

The Directorate of Health and Hygiene is informing the competent Italian authorities and, in the meantime, the planned health protocols have been initiated, he added.

Pope on the mend

Earlier, on Thursday evening, Mr. Bruni briefed the media on Pope Francis health, as he continues to recover from a common cold.

The cold with which the Holy Father was diagnosed is running its due course. He continues to celebrate Holy Mass daily and follow the Spiritual Exercises, as we have reported in recent days.

Vatican activities may be affected

Mr. Bruni also told reporters that the Vatican is considering ways to avoid spreading the Covid-19 coronavirus.

With regard to the upcoming activities of the Holy Father, the Holy See, and the Vatican City State, measures are being studied to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Any actions taken, he said, will be done in coordination with measures decreed by the Italian authorities.

Masses, charity continue in Rome

The Diocese of Rome has cancelled all non-sacramental activities until 15 March.

These include catechism classes, marriage preparation courses, retreats, pilgrimages, and most other group activities.

Eucharistic celebrations continue normally in Romes churches. But priests are discouraged from inviting the faithful to exchange the sign of peace. Holy Water fonts are also to be emptied.

Despite these precautionary measures, Caritas Rome says the Churchs acts of charity toward the poor will not stop.

Local churches are encouraged to keep soup kitchens open and to provide shelter for the homeless and refugees, while respecting Italian hygiene and sanitary directives.
When a Toronto judge fired off a scathing letter to Canadian Tire he was giving voice to a longstanding frustration over jury duty in Ontario.

There are far too many people who arent able to perform this important civic responsibility because their employers dont have to pay their salary while theyre in court. Some do, but many dont. And its an increasingly small pool of people who can afford to go without pay for any length of time.

So, when a Canadian Tire employee produced a letter  during the jury selection process for a murder trial  stating that he wouldnt be paid if he was chosen because its not a company benefit, Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein had clearly had enough.

Citizens who serve on juries are not receiving a benefit; they are doing a civic duty, Goldstein wrote in his letter. Trial by jury in serious criminal matters is a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy.

A handful of other companies whose employees said something similar also received letters from the judge.

A couple of them, including Canadian Tire, later indicated that in fact their policy is to compensate employees if theyre chosen for jury duty. But clearly those are policies that are either not well understood or not always enforced.

This issue has come up often enough that it should have been solved long before now.

By law, employers must give people time off work if theyre called for jury duty, but they dont have to pay them. Its a crazy half-system that isnt working.

Jury duty isnt a holiday; its a civic responsibility. And Ontario lags behind most provincial and territorial governments in making it financially possible.

Ontario provides no compensation at all for the first 10 days of jury duty. Jurors then receive $40 a day for days 11 through 49, and $100 a day after that.

Two weeks free labour and a pittance after that. Surely a cornerstone of our democracy is worth more than that.

The whole point of a jury trial is to be judged by members of the community. Juries dont need to look exactly like the accused, but they should be a fair representation of the diverse communities in which they live.

In the system we have now the only people likely to find that are those who are older, richer and whiter than society at large.

The Ford government clearly understands the importance of increasing the diversity of jury pools.

Last year it changed the primary source list for creating juries from property assessment rolls to the provinces health card database. That brings in tenants and others who dont own property and vastly expands the pool of potential jurors.

Thats an important step. Now the government needs to take the next one and make it financially possible for all Ontarians to do their civic duty if called on.

Two years ago the Commons justice committee concluded that no one should suffer psychologically or financially from performing this civic duty and encouraged provinces to offer psychological support programs to jurors and a daily allowance of at least $120.

That roughly equates to a $15 per hour wage. Its far better than what Ontario provides now.

The province could also require businesses over a certain size to pay their employees on jury duty. And an improved government-provided daily allowance could cover off employees at small businesses where the burden of paying a missing worker would be to great.

Judges are accustomed to addressing lawyers, witnesses and juries in court. When a judge makes the decision to speak up outside court its often born of extreme frustration and a real concern over the state of our justice system. We should pay attention.

Ontario needs to take the necessary steps to ensure the 12 men and women sitting in a jury box, deciding someones fate, more fairly reflect our communities.
Students of Presidency University who had blocked the city's crucial M G Road-College Street crossing, demanding quick renovation of three dilapidated wards of the institute's Hindu hostel, withdrew the blockade on Friday following requests from the police and locals.

The agitating students, around 30 in number, had blocked the crossing since Thursday evening.

The students had earlier demanded that Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia meets them and gives a "definite assurance" over their demand.

However, they called off their 22-hour blockade after holding a meeting among themselves and on requests from the police and locals.

According to police sources, the blockade was removed totally at 5 pm and vehicular movement at the M G Road-College Street crossing was normal.

West Bengal Higher Minister Partha Chatterjee said the government was ready to discuss with the students their demands, "but blocking the main thoroughfare near the Sealdah station and causing inconvenience for the public is not the way".

The university's vice-chancellor had earlier in the day said that she would hold talks with the demonstrators only after they lift the blockade.

"I had repeatedly told them (the agitating students) that it takes time to complete repair of all old rooms," Lohia said. "It is not in our hands. But still, we are ready to discuss the issue with them again. Let them lift the blockade first."



After being persuaded by locals and the police, the protesters initially cleared a portion of the road around 2 pm, allowing some vehicles to pass, while a substantial chunk of the traffic was being diverted through other routes, a traffic police officer said.

A student, Debnil Paul, said, "We lifted the blockade so that office-goers and the public are not inconvenienced."



Another agitator, Debabrata Mondal, said the blockade was also against the "autocratic dismissal" of eight casual staff of the hostel by the authorities, as they had supported the students' complaint about overcrowding in two wards and lack of basic amenities.

In the first week of February, the students had earlier gheraoed Lohia for over 30 hours. According to sources, she has not visited the main campus of the university on College Street since then.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Covid-19 has spread to 86 countries across the world, infecting over 98,000 people and killing over 3,300 globally as of Friday afternoon. In India, that number is 31, with the latest confirmation coming in just this morning, in a person from Delhi's Uttam Nagar.

Here's a lowdown on all the 31 cases in India and their current status:

Friday, March 6: The latest one to be tested positive for this novel coronavirus is a person from Delhi's Uttam Nagar, who has been kept under observation. The man in Uttam Nagar had reportedly travelled to Thailand and Malaysia recently. He is in quarantine as of now.

Thursday, March 5: A man in the National Capital Regions Ghaziabad area had tested positive and was placed in quarantine. According to media reports, the man had recently travelled to Iran.

Wednesday, March 4: A man employed with Paytm in Gurugram tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement, Paytm said, One of our colleagues based out of Gurgaon office, who recently returned from Italy has sadly been tested positive for Coronavirus. He is receiving appropriate treatment. As a precautionary measure, we have suggested his team members to get health tests done immediately. He is being treated at the Safdarjung hospital in the capital.

Students attend a coronavirus awareness campaign at a school in Kolkata. (Photo: Reuters)

Monday, March 2: Four people reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. Of these, one is a 24-year-old Hyderabad-based software engineer who was working in Bengaluru. He was reportedly suffering from cold and fever and had gone for treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad as an outpatient for over a week. Subsequently, he was referred to the government-run Gandhi Hospital on Sunday and was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Monday, and is still undergoing treatment there. According to the reports, he had recently travelled to Dubai.

The Karnataka health officials refused to divulge the name of the company which the engineer works for to avoid panic. 80 people who were in contact with the engineer, including fellow bus passengers from Bangalore, were tracked down by the government and placed under watch. We will keep them under observation and shift them to a quarantine facility if required, Dr Prakash Kumar BG, joint director, monitoring communicable diseases in the state reportedly said.

The authorities are taking no chances and are having designated lifts and access facilities at hospitals for coronavirus patients. (Photo: PTI)

The other person is a 45-year-old man and a resident of Mayur Vihar in Delhi. He has travel history from Italy. He flew to Delhi on a flight from Vienna, the passengers and crew members of which have also been notified of the case. The mans two children study in a school in Noida, and he had hosted a birthday party with his children three days before being diagnosed positive. Following this, there was a scare of other children contracting the disease, and the school was temporarily shut to prevent the spread of the infection. 40-odd children were examined and all of them tested negative for Covid-19.

However, the man had also visited his family in Agra before being diagnosed, and six of his family members whom he met in Agra have tested positive, and are now quarantined at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi.

The third and fourth cases that tested positive on Monday were an Italian tourist couple in Rajasthan. The couple had travelled from Delhi and the 69-year-old man first tested positive for Covid-19. Subsequently, his 57-year-old partner was examined the next day and she also tested positive for the virus.

14 other Italians and an Indian driver, who was in the same group as the affected Italian couple, also tested positive for the virus, according to the Health Ministry. The information from the ministry further confirmed that the foreigners are being treated at a private hospital in Gurgaon, while the Indian has been transferred to the Safdarjung hospital.

February 2 and 3: The second and third cases from India were respectively confirmed last month  all in Kerala. Both of them have since recovered from the infection and have been discharged from the hospital.

January 29: The country's first case was confirmed in a student who had returned from Wuhan University to Kerala. In an interview to India Today, the 20-year-old student said that she landed in India from Wuhan on January 24 and was asked to go home after testing negative for coronavirus. On January 27, however, she informed the authorities after noticing an uneasiness in her throat. On January 29, her samples tested positive for coronavirus. She was later discharged from hospital and asked to undergo 14 days of home-quarantine. The student has recovered, her home-quarantine period is over, and she is now waiting to go back to Wuhan once the situation is better.

The Indian government is taking no chances with this outbreak, and has decided to screen all passengers entering the country from abroad for the deadly virus. Earlier, only passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia were being checked.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said the government is also setting up additional laboratories where the confirmation test can be performed. Of these, 15 labs are already functional, and in the next phase, 19 new labs will be set up.

Also read: What to do if you cannot avoid travelling this coronavirus season
Organizers of the Seattle-based Emerald City Comic Con announced Friday they are pushing the event from its March 12 start to summer 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state.

"Our hearts go out to the entire Seattle community, everyone impacted by the COVID-19 virus, and all of you, the nearly 100,000 amazing human beings who look forward to this event each year," Reedpop, an offshoot of event organizer Reed Exhibitions, wrote in a statement Friday.

"Our team was incredibly excited to see you at Emerald City Comic Con next week, however, fans, artists, exhibitors and the rest of the community are what make Reedpop events so special and it is our duty to make sure that your safety comes first," it continued.

Earlier in the week, Reedpop stressed how a show like Emerald City can be a big driver of sales for local and traveling artists, who rely on conventions to grow their careers.

"We know that this decision is going to greatly impact many of our individual creators, small businesses and service workers," the company said Friday. "To those whose careers depend on ECCC - we will do everything that we can over the coming days and weeks to highlight your work and we ask that our entire community support you as we realize your personal livelihoods may be impacted."

Reedpop will be refunding all tickets for the event and is working with Visit Seattle and the Washington State Convention Center to find an alternate date for the convention during the summer.
The mid-season finale of Vikings left fans with more questions than answers. Where did the main characters end up at the conclusion of episode 10? Read on to find out. There are major spoilers ahead.

King Harald Finehair

Who will prevail in the battle to come? pic.twitter.com/OV9A63RFZZ  #Vikings (@HistoryVikings) February 3, 2020

King Harald (Peter Franzen) was made King of all Norway and he seems to be loving his new position. That is, until the Rus come with a vengeance. During the fighting, Harald is hurt and possibly seriously wounded to the point of death. Erik sees him and takes his crown from him, which only seems fitting after everything hes put his victims through.

Gunnhild

Gunnhild (Ragga Ragnars) lost her and Bjorns child and she mourns the loss still. She went into premature labor and consequently lost her son. She buries him herself and grieves for the life he could have had.

During the battle with the Rus, Gunnhild encounters Prince Oleg (Danila Kozlovsky) and slugs him for her efforts. She jumps in the water to safety, and she presumably made it out of there.

Ingrid

Harald always wants what Bjorn has, and when Bjorn marries Ingrid, its no different. He tries to get Ingrid (Lucy Martin) to be his wife and leave Bjorn, but when she doesnt reply with his request, he has her brought to him and he rapes her. Afterward, Ingrid finds comfort with Olaf (Steven Berkoff). Shes still alive and waiting to find out how the final battle plays out.

Bjorn Ironside

Alexander Ludwig | Jerod Harris/Getty Images for MGM Television

Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) lost the nomination to be King of Norway. Hes having a tough time, and things only get worse for him when he fights in the battle against the Rus. Somehow out of nowhere, Ivar stabs Bjorn during the battle and he falls. It seems like Bjorn may actually be dead, but this isnt technically confirmed yet.

Some Reddit users think that the battle may all have been in Bjorns head in preparation for what is to come.

Ivar the Boneless

Ivar (Alex Hgh Andersen) is still fighting and using his skills to win the battle on behalf of the Rus. He devises a way to scale the mountain and overtake the city in huge numbers. But somehow, at the same time, hes on the beach stabbing Bjorn. This is one of the reasons why fans think the episode was in Bjorns mind or just imagery.

Hvitserk

Hvitserk (Marco Ils) found his way back to Ivar once again after being apart from him. He killed Lagertha and somehow, Bjorn allowed him to go free and run straight back into the arms of Ivar. He is still alive and fighting for the Rus right by Ivars side.

Ubbe

Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) is still in Iceland. His wife Torvi (Georgia Hirst) barely survived the pregnancy after a very close call. Ubbe hopes to travel to the Golden Land that hes heard so much about. Hell get there in season 6B.

Prince Oleg

All of Prince Olegs scheming has paid off. His forces have descended on Scandinavia in full force and it appears theyve won the day. Who knows how he will choose to deal with the remaining and wounded warriors? With his ruthlessness, its hard to tell.

Fans still have so many questions about the fate of their favorite characters before Vikings fully concludes after season 6B.
Magewell to Launch Flexible 4K Decoder for NDI and SRT at 2020 NAB Show

New converter transforms 4K IP source streams in multiple production or distribution formats into high-quality HDMI output

Nanjing, China( )

Magewell will unveil its most powerful decoder hardware to date in booth SU5724 at the 2020 NAB Show (April 19-22 in Las Vegas). Believed to be the industrys first hardware decoder to support both Newteks NDI technology for production-grade media transport and the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol  developed and open-sourced by Haivision  for internet-delivered H.264 and H.265 streams, the Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI 4K transforms IP streams up to 4Kp60 for baseband output over HDMI.

The company is also simultaneously launching a second new model, the Pro Convert H.26x to HDMI 4K, which offers the same rich features as the Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI 4K for users who dont require NDI support. Both models also support additional streaming protocols including RTSP, RTMP, UDP, RTP and HTTP streaming.

The two new low-latency converters decode input streams up to 4196x2160 at full 60 frames per second for output to baseband monitors, projectors, production or distribution equipment via an HDMI 2.0 interface. Offering the high reliability, assured performance and compact size of dedicated hardware compared to software-based stream playout, they are perfect for applications including multi-site video distribution; image magnification (IMAG); video walls; digital signage; remote production; or bridging legacy and next-generation media infrastructures.

We have received considerable interest from customers wanting the flexibility of decoding either NDI streams from their internal networks or SRT streams from external sources over the public internet, said Nick Ma, CEO and CTO at Magewell. Each technology has its own distinct advantages for different applications, and we are seeing deployments of mixed infrastructures using multiple technologies to support specific production, display and distribution facets of the content chain. With support for NDI, SRT and even more protocols, the Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI 4K gives customers the versatility they need as their IP workflows evolve.

SRT was created to enable secure, reliable video transport over unpredictable networks such as the public internet, and we see it as complementary to IP media transport technologies such as NDI that are most commonly used for private networks in production or internal distribution workflows, said Jesus Carrillo, Director SRT Alliance at Haivision. Magewell has a tremendous reputation for delivering innovative yet practical solutions that empower its customers to leverage the benefits of the latest technologies. Were excited that it is developing multi-protocol, SRT Ready solutions that allow users to choose the best technology for their workflows.

Magewells extensive Pro Convert family of NDI converters have helped make the transition to IP-based workflows simple and cost-effective for countless media professionals ranging from educational facilities all the way up to high-end broadcasters, said Dr. Andrew Cross, president of R&D Vizrt Group. It has been a pleasure to work with Magewell on their NDI support, with their new decoders being a clear benefit for all customers interested in IP video.

The Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI 4K and Pro Convert H.26x to HDMI 4K can automatically optimize output parameters based on EDID metadata of the connected HDMI display, while FPGA-based video processing enables high-quality up/down-conversion between HD and 4K. The compact devices measure just 3.97 by 2.4 inches (100.9 by 60.2mm) with a height of 0.92 inches (23.3mm), and can be powered via external adapter or PoE. Users can manage advanced features of the devices via on-unit controls, a browser-based interface, or connected keyboard or mouse.

About the SRT Open Source Project & SRT Alliance  SRT is an open source video transport protocol and technology stack, developed and pioneered by Haivision, that optimizes streaming performance across unpredictable networks with secure streams and easy firewall traversal, bringing the best quality live video over the worst networks. The SRT Open Source Project, supported by the SRT Alliance, is a collaborative community of industry leaders and developers striving to achieve lower latency internet video transport by continuously improving open-source SRT. For more information about the project and how to join the SRT Alliance, visit srtalliance.org.

About NDI  NDI is a brand of Vizrt Group. NDI software is in the hands of millions of customers worldwide and allows multiple video systems to identify and communicate with one another over IP. NDI can encode, transmit and receive many streams of high quality, low latency, frame-accurate video and audio in real time. This benefits any network-connected video device, including cameras, converters, video mixers, graphics systems, capture cards, and many other production devices. #SDVS #NDIcentral #NDI.tv

About Magewell  Founded in 2011, Magewell (www.magewell.com) designs and develops hardware and software for video and audio capture, conversion and streaming. With guiding principles of continuous innovation and providing outstanding customer service, Magewell has earned a strong reputation for the exceptional quality, performance and reliability of its solutions. Distributed globally, Magewell products are used in professional video applications including live event streaming, broadcast, medical imaging, lecture capture, surveillance, video conferencing, gaming and more.

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Copyright 2020 Nanjing Magewell Electronics Co, Ltd. All rights reserved. NDI is a registered trademark of NewTek, Inc. in the United States and other countries. #NDIcentral
Representative Image

MA Kalam

During the last fortnight or so India has witnessed extraordinary statements from some judges of the Supreme Court of India  pronouncements that are both disturbing as also heartening. Justice Arun Mishra publicly praised and eulogised the Prime Minister at the inaugural session of the International Judicial Conference 2020, Judiciary and the Changing World.

The Supreme Court Bar Association of India roundly condemned Justice Mishras assertions and passed a resolution to the effect that such statements reflect(s) poorly on the independence of the judiciary.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice AP Shah was scathing in his criticism of Justice Mishra and remarked that This is astonishing and atrocious, what this judge is doing. Another former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju was at his sarcastic best when he tweeted in Hindi, Supreme Court ka judge kaisa ho? Arun Mishra jaisa ho.

Senior advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of India, Dushyant Dave, held that the Executive and the judiciary appear to be in tandem, something which was clearly not designed under the Constitution. He added, One thing is clear, the judiciary is fast eroding the hopes and aspirations of great men and women who sat in the Constituent Assembly debating and giving us the great document, the Constitution of India. Any correction, if at all, must come from within the judiciary.

One wonders if the title of the conference, Judiciary and the Changing World, did indeed signify how the judiciary itself could don a different avatar in the changing world! A clear pointer to what could be in store particularly so because Dave contends that it was clearly not designed under the Constitution.

On the positive side, we have also had very constructive and encouraging observations from Justices DY Chandrachud and Deepak Gupta. In his Justice PD Desai Memorial Lecture at the Gujarat High Court, Justice Chandrachud emphasised as to how dissent is important in a democratic setting. He also proclaimed that it is crucial to preserve the pluralistic heritage of India.

Justice Gupta, speaking at the function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association of India, pointed out that criticising the government is not the same as criticising the country. Further, he said that those dissenting peacefully against the government cannot be called anti-nationals; and that discouraging dissent harms democracy; if we discourage dissent, it has a chilling effect on free speech.

An incident  different from the realm of the Supreme Court judges, but in the legal domain all the same  is the hurried transfer of Justice S Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Muralidhar was in the midst of hearing petitions pertaining to the recent riots in Northeast Delhi and had come down rather heavily on the Delhi Police for not standing up to what was called for under the given circumstances, when overnight his transfer orders were passed.

Incidentally, apparently six of the eight assembly segments from where the BJP won in the recent elections to the Delhi Assembly happen to be from the areas severely affected during the riots.

What do we make of the issues alluded to above? Given the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act by Parliament on December 11, protests and dissent has spread almost all over India. In some states the agitation took an ugly turn due to the repressive stance adopted by the states and the loss of many a life.

It is not uncommon for courts at different levels, going right up to the Supreme Court, to observe in quite a few cases that they pay heed to the collective conscience or public conscience. Whether such subscription is called for or the accent has to be on purely legal matters is highly debatable. However, if such a stance is indeed adopted, it reflects on the fact that the judiciary is not completely bereft of what is happening around it in the society at large. Justice Mishras admiration for the PM has to be perceived in this light.

The comments of Justices Chandrachud and Gupta in their respective speeches/addresses too have to be seen from what is currently obtained as regards the widespread and gradually burgeoning agitations in India  the Shaheen Bagh protest in Delhi and the myriad other replica Shaheen Baghs that are mushrooming in different parts of India.
A mother of four was killed when she was struck on a coastal cycle path by a van being driven by a man who may have thought he was on the main road beside it, gardai believe.

Nuala Grant (40), from Bettyglen, Raheny, Dublin, was on the wide pathway that is shared by cyclists and walkers close to her home when she was hit by the white Renault van at 7pm on Wednesday.

The force of the collision flung her approximately 15ft down a rocky slope to the shore below.

It is understood the tide was out at the time.

Two walkers who laid flowers at the scene yesterday said the van appeared to have kept driving along the track, eventually coming to a stop around half a kilometre further on at a group of trees.

"We were walking in the direction of Howth and we first saw the van parked up on the grass verge and the passenger side was all damaged," one of the walkers said.

Expand Close Flowers are left at the scene of the fatal accident on the cycle and walkers track on James Larkin Road between Raheny and Kilbarrack. Photo: Steve Humphreys / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flowers are left at the scene of the fatal accident on the cycle and walkers track on James Larkin Road between Raheny and Kilbarrack. Photo: Steve Humphreys

"The man in the driver's seat seemed to be confused or distressed.

"Then we saw people further along the track and there was a lot of activity in one particular spot, and when we reached that part of the path we could see that there were people down on the flat part of the shore at the bottom of the slope and the woman was there," she added.

An initial assessment of the scene by gardai indicates the van driver may have driven down Kilbarrack Road towards the coast intending to turn right on to the coast road. But instead of turning on to the road he may have driven past the coastal stone wall and then turned right on to the wide tarmac cycleway which runs along the water's edge.

The distance from the entry point to where the man stopped is around one kilometre, and the glass and debris left scattered along the track indicates that the van struck Ms Grant around halfway between the Kilbarrack Road junction and the Raheny Road junction.

A massive Garda operation was launched immediately after the incident, with the coast guard helicopter involved in searching the coastline, assisting gardai on the ground.

One man who walked along the path yesterday said he was shocked on hearing the news of his neighbour's death.

"They are a lovely family and have been living there only a few years. It's an awful tragedy. I can't understand how it happened," he added.

Ms Grant was qualified in applied social studies and her career was in working with children. In 2017, she featured in an interview in the Irish Independent on women opting to give up work to stay at home to raise their family after having children.

She told how she had worked as a social worker on a child protection team in Dublin for 14 years and began a career break when her youngest child was a year old. "Someone said to me, 'you'll never regret spending time at home with the kids'," she had said in the interview.

Sources say the driver of the van may have suffered a medical episode while driving.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses, and road users with camera footage, to contact Raheny garda station on 01 6664300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla slammed Los Angeles County officials Thursday in the wake of an election night debacle that left some voters waiting for hours at polling places.

In a letter to county Registrar Dean Logan, Padilla expressed my deep concerns about how Los Angeles handled Tuesdays primary, the countys first use of a new system that consolidates polling places into centralized locations.

Reports from election observers and complaints to the states voter hotline make it clear that many Los Angeles County voters faced long wait times which could have been avoided, Padilla wrote.

Padilla was far from the only person with complaints about voting in Los Angeles County, whose 5.5 million registered voters account for more than a quarter of Californias total.

On election night, officials from Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign went to court in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade a judge to keep the polling places open an additional two hours to accommodate the long lines of voters.

New technology at the voting centers resulted in problems because of check-in stations not working and machine failures, with insufficient or overwhelmed tech support, the campaign wrote.

Padilla complained that the countys voting centers were understaffed and under-equipped, that support for the centers was inadequate, that some workers lacked training and that many centers had voting machines and check-in stations that werent being used.

With only eight months until the November election, it is critical that these issues are addressed in a timely and efficient manner, Padilla wrote.

While Los Angeles was one of 15 California counties that used the new Voters Choice Act model in the primary, it was the only one that experienced significant problems. It was also the only one that didnt mail ballots to every one of its registered voters.

I am calling on your office to take the necessary steps to mail every registered voter a ballot 29 days before the November election, Padilla wrote.

Logan was quick to push back, admitting there were problems but telling Padilla that its the county, not the state, that will decide what needs to be done.

Mailing ballots to the 2 million people who didnt request them must include an evaluation of the costs, contractual authority and reliability of the providers, Logan said in a statement.

Translation: This is going to take time to fix. But time is something Logan might not have.

Los Angeles County supervisors already are calling for an investigation into the voting problems. State Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, said Thursday that he would introduce legislation to require the county to mail ballots to all voters.

The Voters Choice Act system, which Padilla pushed through the Legislature in 2016, is designed to increase turnout and replace neighborhood polling places with a much smaller number of full-service centers open for days before the election. Residents from anywhere in the county can vote, change their registration or even register to vote and cast ballots on the same day.

In the Bay Area, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties signed on. Santa Clara replaced its 850 polling places with 110 vote centers.

Things went well in both counties.

It went as advertised, said Eric Kurhi, a Santa Clara County spokesman. We had few complaints.

It wasnt perfect, however. There were still some lines to vote, especially at colleges and universities like Stanford and San Jose State. At San Jose State, it took up to two hours to vote after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

The problem wasnt with the system, Kurhi said. There was a surprisingly large turnout at the schools, with many of the students registering to vote for the first time or changing their registrations.

If youre registered and want to vote, you can come right in, he said. But if you have to register first or make changes, it takes more time.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth
Think of a nonalcoholic drink you enjoy. Now put the word hard in front of it. Voila: You have a viable new product category.

You know hard cider. By now, you probably know hard seltzer. But theres also hard tea, hard coffee, hard kombucha, even hard water  and were not talking about whiskey  all rising in popularity. This comes as wine, a beverage thats always been hard, is lagging: Consumption in the U.S. was either flat or slightly down last year, depending on which source you trust.

The colossus, of course, is hard seltzer, sales of which reached $1.7 billion in the 52-week period ending Jan. 25, according to Nielsen. Thats a 215% year-over-year increase. Hard tea generated $441 million in sales in that same period (a 13.5% jump), hard kombucha $22 million (up 74%) and hard coffee just over $3 million. Dont even ask how big of an increase that hard coffee number represents, because it really wasnt around a year ago, says Danny Brager, Nielsens senior vice president for beverage alcohol.

Many of the players in this new arena are familiar names: Pabst is making hard coffee. Boston Beer Co. has introduced Wild Leaf hard tea  a highbrow follow-up to its Twisted Tea, which has been around since the stone age of 2001. The hard coffees and hard teas look to be taking cues from their nonalcoholic counterparts: sweet bottled teas (think Pure Leaf or Tejava) and creamy, vanilla-loaded, pre-packaged cold-brew coffee (like La Colombe, which incidentally has partnered with Molson Coors for a hard coffee, too). Meanwhile, virtually every major alcohol company has come out with a hard seltzer by now; the number of companies producing one will double in 2020, Brager has predicted.

Im most impressed by the ingenuity of the hard water category, possibly pioneered by Central Standard Craft Distillery in Milwaukee last summer. Derived from neutral spirit (not malt, as is the case with most of the hard seltzers on the market, like White Claw), it seems to be a boozed-up answer to Vitaminwater, with flavors like dragonfruit pear and berry. (Am I the only one who still associates hard water with the mineral levels in your citys drinking supply?)

So: Why are these drinks so popular? The first and most obvious reason is that they appeal to a wellness-minded drinker, drawn to their low-calorie, low-sugar, gluten-free promises. Seltzer and water sound so innocuous: Do they sound like free money for the calorie-conscious person who still wants a buzz? Tea and kombucha sound even better than innocuous; theyre supposed to be actually good for you. Even hard cider has been aggressively targeting the gluten-free set, which cant stomach beer. However, Im not sure how you square hard coffee with a wellness orientation. It sounds dangerously similar to the conceit of the original Four Loko.

But any cursory market analysis could tell you all that. Let me posit another reason why hard everything is on the rise  and one that might be lost on some wine purists. These hard-prefix drinks convey a sense of fun. Theyre in cute cans. They dont ask anything of you. Unlike wine, they dont require you to know what glassware to serve them in, or how long to decant them for. Unlike spirits, they dont require you to know what to mix them with.

Theyre here, fully formed, ready to be cracked: the liquids of your mundane daily life, jacked up and ready to party. To me, it isnt hard  no pun intended  to see why these drinks have taken off.

Where Im drinking

Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle

My column this week is about the rise in Latin American-owned bars in the Bay Area. Not only are bars like Elda, White Cap and Sobre Mesa creating welcoming spaces and offering opportunities for workers of color, but theyre also expanding our sense of what a Latin American bar can be. One prime example, which I discuss in the piece, is Junior (2545 24th St., San Francisco). I lived just half a block from Junior when it opened in 2017, and appreciate how it feels neighborhood-oriented but not dumbed down. Its owner, David Ruiz, who is Colombian American, is a mezcal fanatic but didnt want to pigeonhole Junior as a mezcal bar. So if you like mezcal, ask for some! (Maybe a taste of the Real Minero Largo, one of my favorites.) And if you dont, its still a great place for a simple, perfectly executed cocktail or a great craft beer.

What Im reading

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

 Heres How, a bar that I loved, has closed. The Oakland cocktail spot owned by Jennifer Colliau shut down after a protracted battle with its neighbors, who claimed it was disruptive. My colleague Justin Phillips has the details on the closing. (I wrote last summer about Colliaus clash with the neighbors.)

 Headline of the week goes to Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post: Just because you can age wine in bourbon barrels doesnt mean you should. I was expecting a rant, but McIntyre does a nice job of seriously engaging with this wine trend, which I have really struggled to understand.

 Bay Area restaurants are seeing cancelled reservations due to coronavirus fears, The Chronicles Janelle Bitker reports. And around the world, wine-industry trade shows are being canceled or postponed; Wine & Spirits magazine is keeping a full list.

 The tableside offer of freshly ground pepper: How did we get here? In Taste, Jamie Feldmar looks back at the history of this restaurant ritual, which now engenders disdain in some diners.

Drinking with Esther is a weekly newsletter from The Chronicles wine critic. Follow along on Twitter: @Esther_Mobley and Instagram: @esthermob
TORONTO, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV) (the "Company" or "Orvana") announced today that, at its annual shareholders' meeting (the "Meeting") held on March 5, 2020, the individuals noted below were elected as directors of the Company. The report on proxies provided by the Company's transfer agent indicated the following:

George Darling received 75,391,125 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast); Alan Edwards received 75,388,989 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast); Alfredo Garcia Gonzalez received 75,391,489 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast); Ed Guimaraes received 75,389,339 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast); Sara Magner received 75,389,489 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast); and Gordon Pridham received 75,389,489 votes (representing 97.78% of votes cast).

Mr. Gordon Pridham was re-appointed as chairman of the board of directors; Mr. Juan Gavidia was re-appointed Chief Executive Officer; Ms. Nuria Menendez was re-appointed Chief Financial Officer; and Mr. Binh Vu was re-appointed Corporate Secretary/VP Legal Affairs, immediately after the Meeting.

The Company also reports the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent auditor.

For full voting details please see Orvana's voting results as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

ABOUT ORVANA Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver company. Orvana's assets consist of the producing El Valle and Carles gold-copper-silver mines in northern Spain, and the Don Mario gold-silver property in Bolivia, currently in care and maintenance. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Cautionary Statements - Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made herein constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, potentials, future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "believes", "expects", "plans", "estimates", "intends" or "anticipates" or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "are projected to" be taken or achieved) are not statements of historical fact, but are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements herein relate to, among other things, Orvana's ability to achieve improvement in free cash flow; the potential to extend the mine life of El Valle and Don Mario beyond their current life-of-mine estimates including specifically, but not limited to in the case of Don Mario, the processing of the mineral stockpiles and the reprocessing of the tailings material; Orvana's ability to optimize its assets to deliver shareholder value; the Company's ability to optimize productivity at Don Mario and El Valle; estimates of future production, operating costs and capital expenditures; mineral resource and reserve estimates; statements and information regarding future feasibility studies and their results; future transactions; future metal prices; the ability to achieve additional growth and geographic diversification; future financial performance, including the ability to increase cash flow and profits; future financing requirements; and mine development plans.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of the Company contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in Orvana's most recently filed Management's Discussion & Analysis and Annual Information Form in respect of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year (the "Company Disclosures") or as otherwise expressly incorporated herein by reference as well as: there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; permitting, development, operations, expansion and acquisitions at El Valle and Don Mario being consistent with the Company's current expectations; political developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; certain price assumptions for gold, copper and silver; prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; production and cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Orvana's current expectations.

A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include fluctuations in the price of gold, silver and copper; the need to recalculate estimates of resources based on actual production experience; the failure to achieve production estimates; variations in the grade of ore mined; variations in the cost of operations; the availability of qualified personnel; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; the Company's ability to use cyanide in its mining operations; risks generally associated with mineral exploration and development, including the Company's ability to continue to operate the El Valle and/or Don Mario and/or ability to resume long-term operations at the Carles Mine; the Company's ability to successfully implement a sulphidization circuit and ancillary facilities to process the current oxides stockpiles at Don Mario; the Company's ability to acquire and develop mineral properties and to successfully integrate such acquisitions; the Company's ability to execute on its strategy; the Company's ability to obtain financing when required on terms that are acceptable to the Company; challenges to the Company's interests in its property and mineral rights; current, pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments or changes in political, social or economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates; general economic conditions worldwide; and the risks identified in the Company's disclosures. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's Disclosures for a description of additional risk factors.

Any forward-looking statements made herein with respect to the anticipated development and exploration of the Company's mineral projects are intended to provide an overview of management's expectations with respect to certain future activities of the Company and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Orvana Minerals Corp.

Related Links

www.orvana.com


TROY  The police department has lacked a captain to conduct internal affairs investigations for nearly two months -- and has had no civilian review for five years even though its mandated by city law.

The Troy Police Benevolent Association, which represents patrol officers, detective and sergeants, claims Mayor Patrick Maddens administration has caused the internal affairs problems by not promoting a sergeant to captain to fill the internal affairs post within 30 days.

On one hand he says he wants to create an objective review board and implement body cameras but wont promote a captain to take over internal affairs, PBA President and Officer Nick Laviano said.

The Troy Police Department conducts its own internal affairs investigation. On rare occasions the department has asked for FBI or State Police reviews.

The only immediate action in police oversight has been the City Council's approval to change of the civilian review component from "Police Objective Review Committee" to "Police Objective Review Board" as a way to eliminate the acronym of PORC, considered too close to the derogatory nickname for police officers.

Madden announced in October during the middle of his re-election campaign that he was restoring the civilian review board with new members. He solicited city residents to apply.

Were closing in on finalizing the list. Were still waiting from input from the Troy chapter of the NAACP, said John Salka, a spokesman for Madden.

The citys police review board is supposed to monitor police department operations and internal affairs investigations. The committee hears reports about internal investigations after they are completed. The committee can make recommendations to the mayor about internal affairs investigations, recruitment and training but it can't compel officers or witnesses to testify before it.

The internal affairs captains post has gone unfilled as the departments command structure wrestles with selecting one of the three top-ranked sergeants for the post. The internal affairs post is considered the least desirable to be filled by a captain. Generally, the newest captain takes the job.

There are two messages being sent. One is none of the three top candidates are qualified and the second message is that the mayor is hypocritical, Laviano said.

Sgt. Randall French is number one on the promotion list and the popular choice among department members, But French, who now commands the police drug unit, received a scalding internal affairs evaluation of his fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin during an April 2016 DWI stop. French also is facing a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against him and the city by Thevenins family.

French, Sgt. Stephen Seney and Sgt. Salvatore Carello were the top three on the previous civil service list and are again the three highest ranking sergeants on the list. The city certified a new list to find another sergeant to promote, which led to Sgt. Steven Barker being selected as a captain. But with the list good for three more years, French, Seney and Carello are the three candidates.

The mayor has the final say on who will be the next captain. Salka referred questions to the police department.

Were thoroughly evaluating the vacancy and the candidates. Were in discussions with City Hall about reaching a decision, Chief Brian Owens said.

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

Until theres an appointment, the low level complaints about officers are being handled by the platoon commanders. That is a captain for each of the three patrol platoons. The more serious complaints fall to Deputy Chief Dan DeWolf and Detective Capt. Adam Mason to investigate. DeWolf and Mason have each served as the internal affairs captain. Mason was the last to hold the post. He left it to take over the detective bureau when Capt. Joseph Centanni retired in January.

The mayor talks about police accountability in one breath but refuses to promote an interal affairs captain, Laviano said.

Centanni was the internal affairs captain who wrote the scathing report about French. Centannis report led the city to hire Michael D. Ranalli, a former Glenville police chief. Ranalli wrote a 19-page legal memorandum for the city evaluating Centannis findings that French lied about the circumstances that occurred when he fatally shot Thevenin.

Centannis report was made public during proceedings in the ongoing federal lawsuit. The city has refused to release Ranallis report.

The promotion of French to captain has been considered to be politically unacceptable in the city. The political flack is expected to mount if French ends up taking command of internal affairs, given the Thevenin investigation and lawsuit.

Once the city failed to name a replacement for Centannis captains position within 30 days, the Troy PBA filed a grievance. Its the second time the union has filed a grievance over the Madden administration not naming a captain. The city sued to prevent an arbitrator from hearing the unions grievance and lost the court case in July 2019. The city has since appealed the court decision.

Laviano said he has received no response from the city since filing the second grievance.

When asked about the new grievance and the appeal of courts decision, Salka said the city does not comment on personnel and litigation.
With the education ministers new mandate letter now released, educators are now awaiting details about a project fund and e-learnings future in the shadow of the province's K-12 review.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With the education ministers new mandate letter now released, educators are now awaiting details about a project fund and e-learnings future in the shadow of the province's K-12 review.

The province made public Premier Brian Pallisters mandates for his Progressive Conservative cabinets second term this week.

In a letter dated March 3, Pallister directed Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen to undertake  among many things  a "transformation" of the education system in response to the forthcoming recommendations from the K-12 review commission.

"The ministers clear: theyre going to be transformative to public education and were anxious to be a part of the conversation to see the implementation of these recommendations," said James Bedford, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society.

The review is top of mind for teachers and students across the province, Bedford said. Its expected to be released at the end of the month.

Goertzens list of duties include expanding Manitobas high school apprenticeships, enhancing online learning options and implementing a $25-million "teachers idea fund" for projects that improve literacy and numeracy, as well as student engagement and well-being.

"Members are asking me about the idea fund and when theyre going to see something concrete. Where do their suggestions go? How will the money be distributed? What theyre very anxious about is equity  They want to make sure that all classrooms across the province are going to benefit." he added.

Teachers are also concerned about the prospect of the province following Ontarios lead to make e-learning courses mandatory, as part of Goertzens mandate to enhance online learning.

"You can't replicate that teacher-to-student in-person scenario," said Chris Darazsi, president of the River East Transcona Teachers Association. "Thats the reality of it."

The department of education did not respond to questions Thursday about specific details about the teachers' idea fund or the possibility of making online courses mandatory.

Instead, Goertzen said in a prepared statement that "increased connectivity and improved technology provide more opportunity for students and teachers in the classroom.

"We look forward to hearing from teachers about ways that online learning can help achieve better outcomes."

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Ontario has since dialled back its mandatory online course requirements and has proposed getting rid of them altogether as teachers and provincial officials continue to bargain in that province.

Goertzens list also includes increasing treaty education, implementing province-wide bargaining for teachers and recruiting more international students.

The document cements a number of promises made by the Progressive Conservatives during their autumn re-election campaign. For one, Goertzen has been tasked with opening 20 new schools. For another, phasing out education property taxes once the provinces budget is balanced.

While Bedford acknowledged the mandate could hint at what the K-12 committee has recommended, he said he prefers to wait and see what the report suggests take place to improve public education.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
The controversial Amazon series means well but misses the mark.

Should killing Nazis be entertaining? Should we watch a shoot em up comic book stylized TV series about Holocaust survivors who try to hunt down and murder Nazis in 1970s America while they are trying to reconstitute a Fourth Reich? If your answer is no, then dont watch Hunters.

Hunters is a new Amazon Prime video series created by David Weil and executive produced by Jordan Peele. It follows Peter Parker-esque Jonah Heidelbaum whose Holocaust survivor grandmother is murdered. When he tries to find her killer he runs into wealthy and enigmatic Meyer Offerman (think Bruce Wayne meets your Zadie) and his motley crew of Nazi killers (think any bank heist movie). The whole thing is kind of like Quentin Tarantino meets Holocaust survivors.

But should Quentin Tarantino really be meeting Holocaust survivors? Spoiler alert: the answer is no.

Hunters is not based on a true story. Its about as fake as Al Pacinos Yiddish accent. But there are kernels of truth buried beneath the surface which unfortunately get lost. There were indeed Nazi hunters who existed after the war, the most famous of whom was Simon Wiesenthal who helped find Nazis including Franz Stangl, the commander of the Treblinka and Sobibor camps. In 1977 Rabbi Marvin Heir created the Simon Wiesenthal Center and hired Ephraim Zuroff as their resident Nazi hunter whose work helped lead to the trials of more than 40 Nazis and their collaborators. But the operative word there is trials. There was no revenge taking vigilante murders. There were trials by courts of law.

Hunters tries hard to cloak itself in Jewish values. In fact, at the outset of the series Meyer Offerman says as much: This is not murder, this is a mitzvah. Later, Mindy Markowitz, one of the gang of hunters tells Jonah, Your savta had no choice but to be involved in this because she went through the war, but you do Jonah. She chose the darkness so that you could have the light. But thats not the Jewish approach, is it? We never fostered a culture of Holocaust survivors bent on bloodthirsty revenge. Their best revenge has been to rebuild vibrant Jewish families with children and grandchildren who carry on the faith that the Nazis tried to snuff out.

But Hunters creator David Weil had other ideas. He said, ...to be able to show a Jewish superhero with might, with power, with strength, not just a Jew who is as the media often portrays us, as ineffectual or intellectual only or nebbishy... that was so important to me. Great idea, poor implementation.

Heres a thought: maybe there are lots of Jewish superheroes out there but people are just using the wrong definition of what makes a superhero.

Now, some anti-Semites out there might say, Of course theres a gang of bloodthirsty Jews seeking murderous revengeits called the Israeli Army! But we know how to answer those anti-Semites, dont we? Israel is the lone Jewish country in the middle of a sea of hostile Arab nations many of whom are committed to Israels destruction. There are countless terrorist groups operating inside Israels borders and the Israeli army has to do whatever is in its power to defend its citizens. Thats why the Israeli army is called the I.D.F.the Israeli Defense Forces. Mistakes surely happen in the fog of war, but even still the IDF is the most moral army in the world.

Well, our anti-Semite may retort, What about the film Munich that documents how the Mossad hunted down those responsible for killing the 11 Israeli Olympic athletes? Those terrorists were still actively engaged in operations against Jewish people. As the Talmud says, If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first. Jews dont believe in turning the other cheek. We practice robust self-defense, not vengeance. Thats the crucial difference.

The way we honor the memory of the six million is by committing ourselves never to forget. We rebuild our Jewish families and our Jewish state in their honor. We perform acts of loving kindness, not acts of vengeance. Thats the Jewish definition of a hero. And we want to be heroes, not hunters.

Gideon Silverstone writes for aish.com. The bio Aish.com gives is simply: he lives and works somewhere in North America.
WALTHAM, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Tecogen Inc. (TGEN), a clean energy company providing ultra-efficient, clean, natural gas powered on-site power, heating and cooling equipment, is pleased to announce that Tecogen President and COO, Robert Panora, will be exhibiting Tecogen's Ultera forklift emissions technology at the MODEX 2020 show being held March 9-12 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. MODEX is the leading trade show showcasing supply chain, manufacturing and distribution innovations.

Mr. Panora will be sharing booth #6273 with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). The booth will feature a forklift from Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Inc. (MCFA) that has been retrofit with the Ultera emissions technology to reduce tailpipe emission to near-zero emission levels as defined by CARB (California Air Resources Board) certification standards. Visitors to the booth will be able to see a prototype version of the Ultera technology installed on the forklift, with emissions data showing near elimination of harmful criteria pollutants such as CO and NOx.

"We are excited to exhibit alongside PERC at this trade show," commented Robert Panora. "PERC sponsored the initial project to achieve near-zero emissions on a propane forklift and has made the development of a super clean LPG forklift a priority. Retrofitting existing fleets of forklifts with Ultera is the most cost-effective way for the industry to significantly reduce emissions while keeping the advantages of propane power. We expect significant interest at MODEX as industries are increasingly focused on reducing their emission footprint, especially as it relates to maintaining the highest indoor air quality possible within their factories and warehouses."

Tecogen began working with MCFA through a PERC grant in 2016. The program was successful in adapting the Ultera process to the Class IV prototype forklift and was recently concluded following MCFA witnessed test trials of the prototype at the Company's factory. Plans to pursue engine certification to the California near-zero standard are underway.

Story continues

About Tecogen

Tecogen Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, installs and maintains high efficiency, ultra-clean, cogeneration products including natural gas engine-driven combined heat and power, air conditioning systems and high-efficiency water heaters for residential, commercial, recreational and industrial use. The company provides cost efficient, environmentally friendly and reliable products for energy production that, through patented technology, nearly eliminate criteria pollutants and significantly reduce a customer's carbon footprint.

In business for over 35 years, Tecogen has shipped more than 3,000 units, supported by an established network of engineering, sales and service personnel across the United States. For more information, please visit www.tecogen.com or contact us for a free Site Assessment.

Tecogen, InVerde e+, Ilios, Tecochill, and Ultera are registered or pending trademarks of Tecogen Inc.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which may describe strategies, goals, outlooks or other non-historical matters, or projected revenues, income, returns or other financial measures, that may include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "should," "could," "likely" or "may" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

In addition to those factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under "Risk Factors," among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from past and projected future results are the following: fluctuations in demand for our products and services, competing technological developments, issues relating to research and development, the availability of incentives, rebates and tax benefits relating to our products and services, changes in the regulatory environment relating to our products and services, integration of acquired business operations and the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms to fund existing operations and anticipated growth.

Tecogen Media & Investor Relations Contact Information:

Benjamin Locke, CEO

P: (781) 466-6402

E: Benjamin.Locke@Tecogen.com

SOURCE: Tecogen, Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/579450/Tecogen-Exhibiting-at-MODEX-2020




The greatest heist of the century continues, and boy, it gets better than ever!

Netflix drops La Casa de Papel's Season 4 trailer after almost eight months of waiting since the third installment last July 2019. The show, also known as "Money Heist," is a Spanish action series that follows the story of a group of notorious criminals, who teamed up for the greatest heist of all time.

The group, lead by The Professor (played by Alvaro Morte) first made their way to the Royal Mint of Spain intending to print billions of euro bills. The group is disguised in an iconic red jumpsuit and Dali masks together with their hostages to avoid revealing their identities.

Season 3 Recap

The crew managed to escape the Royal Mint of Spain with only Tokio, Nairobi, Rio, Denver, Helsinki, and their recruit Monica Gaztambide alive. Other members like Moscow, Oslo and Berlin died during the 11-day heist.

The survivors escaped and lived a normal life in different countries, but they were gathered back for another mission to rescue their fallen colleague Rio (Miguel Herran), who was captured by the Panama authorities.

The group created a stand-off at the Bank of Spain and managed to force the authorities to release Rio in exchange for several hostages. La Casa de Papel's Season 3 final episode showed how Nairobi was shot and the Professor's love interest Inspector Raquel Murillo being arrested.

El Professor declared a war against the authorities and ordered the crew to "act accordingly."

Season 3 ended with the rest of the gang blowing up the authorities' cars with a bazooka, leaving all of them still locked in the Bank of Spain.

The Heist Continues

Season 4 trailers open with Nairobi covered with blood on a stretcher and The Professor running and trying to escape from the forest, where he last heard a gunshot thinking Inspector Murillo was dead.

Narrating in the trailer, Takio says: "Our mastermind was losing his mind. And so were we."

As avid fans all know, Raquel is still alive, and the police just faked her assassination to play with The Professor's mind. In the trailer, Raquel -- who played as the heist negotiator in the first two seasons and eventually fell in love with The Professor -- was being offered by Inspector Alicia two options: her freedom or 30 years behind bars.

The bank's security chief Gandia, who was one of the hostages, managed to escape and disconnected The Professor's cameras inside the bank. He contacted authorities to help them sabotage the heist and captured Tokio.

Berlin in Flesh

The most intriguing and surprising part of the trailer is seeing Berlin (Pedro Alonso), who looks very much alive and threatening an unknown character telling him to "hold on." The question now is, is he alive and if so, how did he manage to survive the multiple gunshots at the end of season 2? Or is it just another flashback of The Professor's memories with him?

"Let the chaos begin," as what the trailer states. It looks like La Casa de Papel's fourth installment will create much bigger chaos than ever, which makes it more exciting for fans.
Good Morning, welcome to Information Nigerias Newspaper headlines for today, 6th March 2020.

Here are the major headlines.

President Buhari Appoints Bashir Jamoh As NIMASA Boss

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Bashir Jamoh as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

Court Sets Aside Suspension On Oshiomhole

A Federal High Court In Kano has set aside a ruling of FCT High Court suspending the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole.

Akeredolus Aide Walks Out On Opposition During Radio Show

Breeze Fm, Akure was thrown into drama on Thursday as, Gani Mohammed Ajowa, senior special assistant to Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu stormed out of the station over an insult during a live program.

How Coronavirus Almost Ruined My 83rd Birthday  Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that the case of coronavirus discovered in Lagos almost ruined his 83rd birthday ceremony as he had to adjust his birthday program because of the virus.

South-South Reveals Plans To Create Regional Security Of Region

Governors of south-south states have announced their plan to set up to a regional security outfit. This announcement was made by the governors in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday, while discussing ways to curb insecurity across the oil-rich region.

Another Nigerian Isolated For Fear Of Coronavirus

A Nigerian, who returned from France three days ago has been put in isolation centre over the fear of Coronavirus. This was made known by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, at a briefing on Wednesday.

Gov. Akeredolu Signs Amotekun Into Law

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has signed the bill establishing Amotekun into law. This came less than a day after lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly passed the bill into law.

Coronavirus: Why Italian Mans Identity Was Hidden

The federal government of Nigeria has disclosed that the identity of the Italian who brought coronavirus into Nigeria was not made public because it negates medical ethics.

Senate Approves Buharis Borrowing Plan Of $22.7bn

Ther senate has given President Muhammadu Buhari a nod in his quest to borrow $22.7 billion. The matter was debated on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, 5th March where it was met with strict opposition from some members among whom is Enyinnaya Abaribe, the minority leader.

Police Uncover Another Baby Factory In Ogun State

The police in Ogun State have discovered a suspected baby-making home and rescued 12 women, including six who are pregnant. The police said the proprietress of the home, Florence Ogbonna, was also arrested at the illicit facility located at Imedu Olori area of Mowe in Obafemi Owode Local government area of the state.
Princess Dianas former private secretary is sharing concerns he has about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Harry, Duke of Sussex as prepare for life after their time as senior members of the British royal family ends.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back as working royals in Jan. 2020 on the heels of a 6-week hiatus they spent in the U.S. and Canada with their 9-month-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, away from the harsh glare of the royal spotlight.

Patrick Jephson, who once worked for the late Diana, offered up his concerns about Meghan and Harrys exit in a Feb. 28 article for Vanity Fair. He discussed potential problems for them once they no longer have the resources they used to have as senior royals, many of which he saw Diana experience when she and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales separated in 1992 ahead of their highly publicized divorce in 1996.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may face similar challenges to Princess Diana

Jephson compared Harry and Meghans current struggle with that of the Duke of Sussexs late mother. He said try as they might theres no replacement for the royal familys management style.

The unwelcome reality is harsh but simple: to deliver the kind of humanitarian message associated with her brand, and to maintain the profile her philanthropic ambitions required, there was no substitute for the royal-style logistics that previously surrounded Diana, Jephson wrote in the article.

Patrick Jephson and Princess Diana on Sept. 10, 1989 | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

He continued, saying without her status  Diana had been stripped of her royal title Her Royal Highness when she and Charles divorced  money influenced her desires.

Deprived of full royal status, she inevitably fell back on the practical benefits  planes, limousine, and bodyguards  that only wealth could provide, he said.

Jephson went on, saying the same could surely happen to the Duke and Duchess Sussex. Meghan and Harry need things that come along with the royal lifestyle.

They need the stuff only wealth can provide, but chafe at the obligations and scrutiny of royalty, he wrote. Yet without royal status, their long-term earning potential could be in doubtand the power of their celebrity may also diminish the longer they stay away from Buckingham Palace.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend The Endeavour Fund Awards on March 05, 2020, in London, England | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Certainly, with Canada ceasing to pay for Meghan and Harrys security detail, theyll have to figure out a solution and fast. Some have wondered if Harrys father, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales will foot the bill meanwhile people in the U.K. have been signing a petition saying they dont want to pay for Meghan and Harrys security detail because they no longer live there.

Patrick Jephson says comforting routine will draw Prince Harry back to royal life

Jephson also commented on whether or not he thinks Harry and Meghan will stay steadfast in their decision to step down as senior royals. Dianas private secretary feels the comforting routine that comes with royal life will be something Harry misses in his new life. Ultimately, he feels its the routine that will make the Duke of Sussex return.

Not this year perhaps, or even next, but eventually the lost familiarity of habit, tradition, and a comforting routine may tug at the Dukes heart, he wrote before adding that slowly Dianas calendar became filled with activities she wanted to get away from.

Only time will tell how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex adapt to their new lives outside of the protection (and scrutiny) afforded to them as senior royals.
416pp, 799; Simon & Schuster

Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past, Karl Marx writes in The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte. The trajectory of the life of JBS Haldane, himself a Marxist, which Samanth Subramanian has beautifully captured in his biographical account, is a testimony to the quoted lines.

This book ought to be read not just because it sheds light on a fascinating twentieth century personality and his many contributions to science but because Haldanes actions and the circumstances he faced forces the reader to ask questions that are extremely relevant for our society, politics, and quest of knowledge. These are questions that have been relegated to the background today. Haldanes life story is awe-inspiring yet sobering at the same time because, brilliant as he was, much like everyone else, he wasnt perfect or infallible in his work and conduct.

At the age of 10, his father took him to a coal mine, where he realized, while unsuccessfully trying to recite Mark Antonys funeral oration from Julius Caesar, his body short of oxygen, that it was safer to breathe air near the ground. As methane is lighter than oxygen, it pooled near the ceiling. This, Subramanian argues made the young Haldane aware of the importance of the basic principles of science in the lives of the poorest people.

His professional life was a physical and intellectual struggle to make sure the benefits of science were made available to those who needed it the most. He did not care whether it involved locking himself up with rising carbon dioxide levels inside mini submarine models to advance safety in naval submarines or continuously criticizing the British government during the Second World War, even at the risk of being labelled as someone who was playing Hitlers games, to demand better bomb shelters.

And yet, his acts of omission are most glaring in his views on Soviet communism, the regime, which, according to him, was supposed to be championing equality, both intellectual and material. Haldane, who would not socialise with those who, even indirectly, supported fascism, refused to believe (true) allegations of Soviet purges of scientists made by his own wife. His view did evolve over time and he eventually quit the communist party in Britain, which kept asking him to lend his personal credibility to justify political propaganda. But then Haldane should have known. I began to realize that even if the professors leave politics alone, politics wont leave the professors alone, he had said years before.

Samanth Subramanian (Priyambad Pattanayak)

Though he ceased to be a card-carrying communist, his life always followed the socialist principle of from each according to his ability to each according to his need. Whether it was volunteering to go to Spain to assist the anti-fascist struggle or paying for the air tickets of his junior researchers at ISI Calcutta, he was willing to share and risk everything he had for the larger good. In these acts of rebellion he liked to see himself as challenging the decadent elite consensus which was inimical to larger social goals.

And yet, Haldane knew where, how and when exactly to rebel. While he attributed his resignation from University College, London, in 1956 to a British, French and Israeli attack on the Suez Canal, he had almost secured academic positions for him and his wife at ISI Kolkata, before resigning. He would give provocative speeches at road side meetings in London, asking crowds to almost lay siege to the government, and then go back to his research for days without even thinking about political activity. All his egalitarian and progressive ideas in public life did not prevent him from being extremely petty in private matters. It was perhaps Haldanes bitterness over not having a child of his own, which led to his scolding his sister, who had come seeking comfort after losing her child to meningitis. He instilled so much guilt in her that she crashed her car on the way back.

Watch: In conversation with Samanth Subramanian

The book also tells us a lot about the times in which Haldane lived. Though he was sharply critical of the government and espoused an ideology which was deemed suspicious, he advised the British government on some of the most strategic war-time efforts. Professionalism, which he brought to the war effort, was not sacrificed at the altar of political partisanship. This is a question which is relevant across the world today. Subramanian rightly notes that Haldanes evolution as a scientist and as a great public intellectual espousing the cause of science came from his diverse intellectual and social pursuits. The author rightly asks if todays educational practices, which equate excellence with acquiring more and more expertise in increasingly narrow areas, do justice to Haldanes view which saw a unity to all knowledge.

What has the world lost in these changes from Haldanes times? The book offers an account of Haldane evoking a tale from the Mahabharata to defend his refusal to critique Stalin. The moral, Haldane wrote, is the wholly admirable one that a man must not do an action which he regards as dishonourable even if ordered to by the chief of the gods in person.

A society which considers ideology as baggage also runs the risk of increasingly shortening the list of dishonourable actions. This, as Haldane believed, will never lead towards heaven.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 04:27:49|Editor: huaxia

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A woman wearing mask shops at a shopping center in northern Tehran, Iran, on March 5, 2020. Iran on Thursday launched a national plan to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, as its death toll climbed above 100. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

TEHRAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran announced the launch of a national plan on Thursday to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The move, called National Mobilization Plan to Combat COVID-19, will gather all the Iranian medical and health institutions as well as the Basij (volunteer) forces under the rubric of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education and will mobilize them closer to the households, Saeed Namaki, the health minister, was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying.

The plan will be initially implemented in the regions with high contamination rate of the virus, and it will be extended to Iran's other regions in the following days, Namaki said.

Based on the plan, family members suspicious of symptoms of the disease will be invited to the medical centers, he said, adding that in case they are diagnosed positive with the disease, they will receive instructions and medication while quarantined at their homes.

In case the patient is not recovered and their problems get acute, they will be hospitalized for further treatments, the Iranian minister noted.

He said that over the past days, country's medical centers have been equipped with supplies, and the management has become more efficient and organized.

Kianush Jahanpur, head of public relations and information center of the ministry, also said that the number of laboratories for testing the viral infection across the country has increased to 25 centers and it will be raised to 40 centers in the next week, according to IRNA.

On Thursday, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced that the outbreak of novel coronavirus has affected 3,513 people and 107 of them have died in Iran.

It said that a total of 1,352 cases of infection are from the capital Tehran. The central city of Qom reported 386 cases, the northern Rasht city 333, and Isfahan 180.

As a protective measure, the Iranian government on Thursday extended the closure of all schools and universities until March 19 which is the end of the current Iranian year, Tasnim news agency reported.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the university entrance exams for the master's and PhD degrees have been postponed.

Cinemas and theaters will also remain closed for another week, Iran's Culture and Islamic Guidance announced on Thursday.

Iran announced the first cases of viral infection in the central Qom city on Feb. 19.
Chennai, March 6 : Tamil star Vishal's first release of 2020 is going to be ''Chakra'', which will hit screens on May 1.

Directed by MS Anandan, ''Chakra'' also stars Shraddha Srinath and Regina Cassandra. The pictures from the film were released recently, and it seemed to show Vishal and Shraddha in intense avatars. The pictures taken in a police station suggest that they will be playing sincere individuals, who are on a mission to unlock a mystery. It is said to be a cyber-crime thriller.

In November 2019, the title and the first look posters were released by filmmaker Gautham Menon on his social media handle.

Speaking to Times Of India, director Anandan shared how he pitched the film to Vishal "I was so nervous the night before meeting him. It was a big opportunity for me, and I didn't want to waste it. But the way Vishal treated me boosted my confidence. He quietly listened to the whole story, and didn't even take a coffee break in between''.

He said, 'The story is good and the characterizations are strong. Don't change anything for me.' He believes in script and doesn't believe in promoting the hero and downgrading the villain. I think both of them have to be equally strong if the face-off sequences have to come out well."

Shraddha Srinath said ''When I shot my opening sequence, I was so nervous. I thought it would look unnatural for me to do stunts. I was wondering if I was even physically fit to do it. But Anbariv masters were so good. I've seen the edited scene, and I'm so excited to see the film for my own action sequence!''

The team had completed a schedule in Coimbatore then in Chennai. ''Chakra'' is said to have Vishal playing the role of an army officer. The music of the film is by Yuvan Shankar Raja and cinematography by Balasubramaniam. Produced by Vishal, under his banner Vishaal Film Factory, the film also has Srushti Dange, Manobala and Robo Shankar in important roles.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Massachusetts health officials on Thursday confirmed the states second presumptive positive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus.

The patient is a woman in her 60s and lives in Middlesex County. She recently traveled in Europe, including in northern Italy, according to the Department of Public Health.

Testing in that case started on Feb. 28. The woman was symptomatic, but did not require hospitalization, and is recovering at home, DPH said in a statement.

Specimens tested by the State Public Health Lab are considered presumptive positive and will be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The woman sought treatment through urgent care at South Shore Medical Center in Norwell, South Shore Health said in a statement.

Four employees who were in immediate contact with the patient have been asked to stay home for two weeks, according to the statement.

"It is important to note that the action taken today is a measure of precaution by recommendation of DPH and does not mean these employees will contract the virus, the statement read. As always, the safety of our staff, patients and families remains our highest priority. The privacy and confidentiality of this matter and these colleagues is also of utmost importance.

Health officials said the risk of COVID-19 remains low in Massachusetts.

We appreciate this patients cooperation, said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel. While the risk to Massachusetts remains low, residents should make sure they and their families are well-informed about COVID-19 and heed the CDCs updated international travel health alert.

This brings the total cases of COVID-19 cases in the state to three, health officials confirmed.

Since January, Massachusetts has tested 25 residents, including the first confirmed case and the first presumptive positive case.

The first case of coronavirus in Massachusetts was detected in a Boston resident and student in his 20s. He was diagnosed with the illness in late January after traveling to Wuhan, China, where the outbreak of coronavirus began last year. He was quarantined at his home until cleared by public health officials.

This week, a presumptive case of coronavirus was diagnosed in the state in a woman in her 20s who recently returned from a trip to Italy with a school group, officials said.

The woman from Norfolk County was showing symptoms of the virus, which is a respiratory illness. The State Public Health Laboratory tested the woman and results came back positive Monday evening for COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus.

Rhode Island officials said that woman went on a trip to Italy with Saint Raphael Academy, which is a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, school located on the Massachusetts border. Other people who went on that trip have tested positive or are being tested.

Earlier Thursday, health officials confirmed a coronavirus patient in Tennessee traveled from Boston Logan International Airport to Nashville.

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A Manitoba man whose arrest exposed years of sexual abuse at a Manitoba First Nation foster home has received a maximum youth sentence of three years in custody.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Manitoba man whose arrest exposed years of sexual abuse at a Manitoba First Nation foster home has received a maximum youth sentence of three years in custody.

The man, 21, pleaded guilty to abusing seven boys and girls at his grandparents foster home between 2011 and 2015, when he was a youth. The oldest victim was nine years old, the youngest was three.

"This is one of the most concerning (set of) facts I have witnessed in the many years I have been practising in the criminal justice system," provincial court Judge Sandy Chapman said Wednesday.

"It is with heartbreak that I say we have at least seven victims that are going to need significant help."

It is with heartbreak that I say we have at least seven victims that are going to need significant help. Judge Sandy Chapman

A publication ban prohibits the disclosure of any information that may lead to the identity of the offender or his victims.

The man, described in court as low-functioning, with an IQ below 70, is among a small number of youth offenders sentenced under the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision program.

The program allows participants access to one-on-one counselling, occupational therapy, tutoring, and other specialized services and supports.

While the public might "cry out" for a harsher sentence, a sentence under the program addresses the challenges posed by the mans "extreme deficits," Chapman said.

"Its clear to me that (this) offers a chance to protect the community from what could clearly be a dangerous offender down the road," the judge said. "Its hard not to want significant retribution (when sentencing) an accused for this type of behaviour, but we have to keep in mind that we are talking about an individual himself who is extremely vulnerable."

"Its hard not to want significant retribution (when sentencing) an accused for this type of behaviour, but we have to keep in mind that we are talking about an individual himself who is extremely vulnerable." Judge Sandy Chapman

The man was arrested last year, alongside his now-22-year-old brother, following a year-long RCMP investigation that also led to charges against their grandmother.

Following the first of three reports the older brother had abused a child, police interviewed dozens of children who had passed through the foster home, ultimately charging the brothers in connection to 17 victims. Charges involving several of the alleged victims were later stayed.

An agreed statement of facts provided to court alleges the mans grandmother knew of at least two sex assaults on the foster children.

After his assault on a nine-year-old boy in 2012, the mans grandmother "found out, yelled at him, and told him not to do it again," the statement said.

"The Crowns position moving forward is going to be that she was aware," Crown attorney Keri Anderson told court Wednesday.

It was unclear from proceedings Wednesday when Child and Family Services in the community became aware of the sex-abuse allegations.

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"Its highly disturbing that this was going on for a number of years before CFS was aware of it." Crown attorney Keri Anderson

"Its highly disturbing that this was going on for a number of years before CFS was aware of it," Anderson said. "I can tell you that this is being looked into."

The older male accused has pleaded guilty to numerous sex offences, and is awaiting sentencing.

The grandmother has been charged with offences under the Child and Family Services Act, including nine counts of causing a child to be in need of protection and eight counts of failing to report information as required, as well as three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of perjury.

She is set to go on trial this spring.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
At her home in suburban Detroit, Jill Warren spent her Thursday morning glued to the phone, searching for news about the woman she fiercely believed should be the next president of the United States: Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Voter Warren had known that candidate Warren (no relation) was lagging badly and would likely drop out. Still, the news of the Massachusetts senator's departure from the presidential primaries was devastating - not only because of how the senator's message had resonated with her but because the exit was a final blow to hopes, once so bright, that a woman would be chosen to face US President Donald Trump in November.

"It's a day for many people of mourning, just true mourning and grieving," says Jill Warren, a 61-year-old semi-retired nonprofit consultant. "The ascendancy of old white dudes is not over."

Elizabeth Warren's exit, coming after the one-time front-runner couldn't win a single Super Tuesday state, brought home a new and painful reality to some voters: If 2019 was the Year of the Woman, with a record number of women sworn into Congress and a record number launching presidential campaigns, 2020 was another Year of the Man in presidential politics.
Italian risk tourists see more than 2,000 stranded on cruise liner in Phuket

PHUKET: More than 2,000 passengers and crew on board the Costa Fortuna cruise liner that arrived in Patong Bay this morning (Mar 6) have been refused permission to come ashore. The ban follows officials confirming that 64 Italians on board left Italy in the past 14 days.

tourismCOVID-19Coronavirushealthimmigrationpatong

By The Phuket News

Friday 6 March 2020, 02:24PM

No passengers or crew on the Costa Fortuna have been allowed to come ashore in Patong. Photo; Supplied

The move follows the Thai government yesterday instituting a 14-day quarantine on all people arriving from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, Iran and Italy. (See story here.)

The Costa Fortuna arrived in Patong this morning on its scheduled overnight stop with 1,631 passengers and 984 crew and ship staff on board.

Of the passengers and crew on board are three Chinese, two Singaporeans, 151 French nationals, 230 Germans and 282 Italians, Phuket Immigration Chief Col Narong Chanaphaikul confirmed to The Phuket News.

The decision to not allow any persons to disembark in Phuket follows confirmation that 64 of the Italians on the ship are suspected of carrying COVID-19, Col Narong said.

While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the ship, all people on board are a health risk and they must remain in quarantine for 14 days, he said.

They must stay on the ship, and the ship must remain about two nautical miles from shore, Col Narong explained.

Next we will have to discuss what is to be done with other cruise ships scheduled to come to Phuket. We need to talk with the Phuket Governor before we can make any decisions regarding those, he said.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A sci-fi horror movie filmed entirely in Kalamazoo more than 30 years ago will finally be shown there, in a screening at the Kalamazoo State Theatre next month.

The 1980s production Housesitter... The Night They Saved Siegfrieds Brain will be on the big screen at the theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4. The long-awaited local screening comes after the original footage sat dormant for more than three decades.

The entire production was filmed in Kalamazoo. Much of the movie was filed at the Henderson Castle, though it also features scenes filmed at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, the Kalamazoo State Theatre and a few other bars and locations around town, said Terri Blanco from BSMT Productions.

The film was written and directed by WMU grad Robin Nuyen, produced by Marc Nuyen and created by Richard Gasparian, who also appears as a lead actor.

The film sat in the vault for a long time because the producers ran out of money while there was only a rough cut, Blanco said. That rough cut was screened at the Kalamazoo State Theatre long ago, she said, though the recently completed final cut enhanced the films overall quality.

Its retro, quirky, comedy and horror, Blanco said.

The new-and-improved Housesitter made its debut in October 2018 for the Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival in Grand Rapids.

The film tells the story of an Elvis-obsessed medical student determined to help mankind and change the face of modern science by perfecting his rat-to-rat brain transfer. It combines elements of 1980s horror films and 1950s sci-fi.

Viewers are invited to watch the mad scientist hunt down unsuspecting college students looking for human brains for his brain pyramid."

Decades after the production began, the film was completed with help with sound engineering firm Skywalker Sound and picture from the Paramount Pictures color department, the release said.

Tickets for the one-night event went on sale Friday, March 6, and are available online.

Also on MLive:

Kalamazoo horror film 30 years in the making to debut in Grand Rapids

La Familia brings authentic Mexican flavor to downtown Kalamazoo
A North Carolina woman celebrated her 100th birthday from the back of a police cruiser to complete part of her bucket list on Wednesday.

Ruth Bryant of Roxboro, spent the beginning of her milestone birthday at Cambridge Hills Assisted Living Center when Person County Sheriff's Office deputies visited the facility.

Are you Miss Bryant? a deputy asked the birthday girl while holding handcuffs.

She responded: It all depends on what you want!

Here's what I want, the same deputy said. I want you.

Ruth Byrant (pictured) celebrated her 100th birthday by getting arrested and going to jail in Roxboro, North Carolina

As the sheriffs deputies formally handcuffed Bryant, they helped her cross of an unusual item on her bucket list.

Bryant told WRAL that shed never been to jail, but she wanted to spend some time behind bars in honor of becoming a Centenarian.

She hammed up her performance as deputies arrested her on a fake public indecency charge for allegedly showing herself to authorities at the fire station.

Bryant even resisted arrest by playfully kicking at deputies, who threatened to add assault and resisting arrest to the charges.

Person County Sheriff's deputies handcuffed Bryant and drover her to the local jail on Wednesday to 'public indecency'

Per protocol, Bryant was ordered to take a mugshot, had one phone call and was given an organ prison suit

Don't kick me; I've got a bad knee! said one deputy, to which Bryant replied, I've got two bad knees!

Bryant also told deputies they should be tracking down another type of criminals when she exited the police cruiser.

Marian Oakley, Bryants daughter, was shocked at her mothers birthday party shenanigans.

I know that she is a hundred-years-old, but I didn't know that they'd be going this far, she said.

Pictured: Bryant smiling for her mugshot photo at the North Carolina jail center

'I'm in the jail-house now! I finally got here,' Bryant said of her 100th birthday experience in a North Caroline jail

The people who make these low damn seats in all these cars. You ought to arrest every one of them, she said.

Once inside the slammer, Bryant had her mugshot taken, one phone call and the one present she really wanted: an orange jumpsuit.

I'm in the jail-house now! I finally got here, said Bryant.

She didnt spend more than a few minutes inside a jail cell for her nontraditional celebration, and she later returned to her assisted living home to enjoy cake with loved ones.
A man is clinging to life after being shot while sitting in his car on a main suburban road in Melbourne's south-east.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, was sitting inside his car on Shrives Road in Narre Warren South about 5am on Saturday when he was shot in the upper body.

Police are investigating a shooting in Narre Warren South. Credit:Paul Sakkal

He was taken to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries where he remained on Saturday afternoon in a critical condition.

Shrives Road, which runs for two kilometres, was cordoned off by police, but reopened early Saturday afternoon.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider speaks during a news conference March 6, 2020 to discuss charges against former UAW President Gary Jones in Detroit.

A takeover of the United Auto Workers union by the U.S. government to eliminate a "culture of corruption and greed" remains an option, according to federal officials.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said Thursday a civil racketeering case similar to one that led to a takeover and decades-long oversight of the Teamsters union is "one of the options" as federal prosecutors continue investigating corruption in the highest ranks of the UAW.

Aside from implications for the union, a case under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, could have political ramifications for the Trump administration. While the UAW has historically supported Democrats, President Donald Trump has touted the support of blue-collar workers in unions such as the UAW.

For the union, government intervention could mean an upheaval of its leadership and operations and force the union into direct elections rather than caucuses, a process some believe has assisted the corruption.

"That has worked well for the Teamsters," Schneider said Thursday during a news conference in Detroit to discuss unsealed charges against ex-UAW President Gary Jones. "I think that's something we should all pay attention to and could potentially be a good model here."

Schneider said it would be "be premature" to comment any further as the investigation is ongoing. The multiyear probe has already led to convictions of 13 others, including 10 people affiliated with the union and three Fiat Chrysler executives.
Once dismissed as a novice when he arrived in Odisha in 1997 after the death of his father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik, the Doon School-educated Naveen Patnaik has proved to be nothing less than a phenomenon in Indian politics as he completed 20 years of his chief ministership on March 5.

Virtually unknown to everyone in Odisha during the lifetime of his hugely popular father, Patnaik arrived to take charge of the newly-formed Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in December 1997 to harness the sympathy generated by his fathers death. In March 2000, he was elected as the chief minister of Odisha as the BJD in association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the assembly polls.

Since then the novice Patnaik has turned a veteran in the world of politics, vanquishing his opponents and winning on a trot for the fifth time as he was elected chief minister of Odisha again in 2019 assembly polls.

So far, only three Indian politicians have a record better than PatnaikManik Sarkar of Tripura, Pawan Kumar Chamling of Sikkim and Jyoti Basu of West Bengal. Sarkar of CPI(M)-ruled Tripura for exactly 20 years between March 1998 and March 2018 when he lost power to the BJP. Basu left the office of CM of Bengal in 2000 after ruling the eastern state for 23 continuous years while Chamling lost the assembly polls in August 2019 after helming the Himalayan state for little more than 24 years. On Thursday, the 73-year-old Patnaik is all set to overtake Sarkars records.

In Odisha, as its longest-serving chief minister, the enigmatic Patnaik still remains the least understood politician as he rarely gives a clue as to what is playing in his mind. In the last two decades, he has changed the face of the state, but the jury is still out on his successes and failures.

Here are accounts of Patnaiks five successes and five failures.

Successes

1. Economy

When he took charge of the cyclone-battered Odisha in March 2000, the states finances were in tatters due to the profligacy of the previous regimes. By the end of 2001-02, the state had become a revenue deficit to the extent of 6.06% of its Gross State Domestic Product. The state was heavily dependent on Ways and Means advances and overdrafts of Reserve Bank of India for day to day cash requirements. The situation had become so bad that the 10th Finance Commission put Odisha under the category of fiscally stressed states. Things started looking up when the state government enacted Odisha Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act in June 2005 leading to large-scale fiscal consolidation.

After adhering to the FRBM Act, Odishas revenue deficit and fiscal deficit improved with the state becoming revenue surplus by 2009-10. In the last two decades, Odishas economy has grown 13 times as its GSDP reached Rs 5.34 lakh crore ($75 billion) in 2019-20 (an estimate) from Rs 46,756 crore in 2000-01. The per capita income of Odisha has also grown seven times from 10662 in 1999-2000 to Rs 101,587 in 2019-20. Between 1950 and 1980, Odisha grew just about at 2.77% while the country grew at 3.5%. Since 2012-13, Odishas GDP has been growing at an average annual rate of 8.10%, faster than the national GDP in the past seven years, except in 2014-15 and 2017-18. The state has managed to maintain an average revenue surplus (as a percentage of GSDP) ie 2.5% during the last five years.

Sitakanta Panda, assistant professor of economics at the department of liberal arts, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai, says between 2000 and 2013, Odisha economy saw the highest growth rate compared to 17 major states. But Panda adds: The rate of poverty reduction for the Scheduled Tribes and the Scheduled Castes has been dismal. Obviously its coincidental to the rule of Naveen Patnaik.

2. Poverty reduction/food security

Infamous for starvation deaths and child sale in much of the 80s and 90s, the image of Odisha evoked an image of emaciated men and women subsisting on morsels of food. During the 60s, hunger deaths of thousands of people were reported from the drought-hit Kalahandi- Koraput districts. But much of it changed after the government started providing rice at Rs 2 per kg to 55 lakh BPL families since 2008. In 2013, it lowered the rates to Rs 1 per kg of rice. In 2016, it started 158 Aahar centres in urban and rural areas where people get cooked rice and mix of lentil and vegetables at Rs 5.

Till 2004-05, Odisha had one of the highest incidences of poverty in the country but helped by high growth rates poverty in Odisha recorded the sharpest fall in India by 24.61% points between 2004-05 & 2011-12. The incidence of poverty too has come down from 47.15 % in 1999-2000 to 32.59 %, as per Niti Aayogs sustainable development goals India Index Baseline Report 2018. From being a state which was foodgrain deficit and dependent on foodgrains from Punjab and Haryana to feed its own people, Odisha is now is the countrys third-largest contributor to the PDS.

3. Empowerment of women

To make women self-reliant, Patnaik in 2001 started Mission Shakti, an initiative in which rural women form Self Help Groups and do their own business enterprise through low-interest bank loans. So far 70 lakh women through 6 lakh women self-help groups have benefitted through Mission Shakti with Rs 5000 crore savings and Rs 2000 crore annual credit exposure through banks. Other schemes like Mamata Yojana, a maternity benefit scheme, has helped cut down infant and maternal mortality.

More than five lakh tribal girls now live free of cost in government hostels while women get Rs 10 lakh health coverage under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. It has reserved 50% of the seats in panchayati raj or civic bodies for women through an amendment in the law. Last year, BJD gave 33% of the tickets in the Lok Sabha poll to women candidates.

4. Human Development Index

Through the administration of a host of social welfare schemes, the human development indices have improved. Maternal mortality rates(Maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births) in Odisha have come down to 168 in 2019 from 358 in 2001 though it is still significantly higher than the national average of 122. Similarly, the infant mortality rate has gone down to 40 now from 96 in 2000.

The literacy rates have grown to 73.5% in 2011 from 63.1% in 2001 while the dropout rates at the primary level have come down sharply from 41.8% in 2000-01 to 2.60% in 2010-11 at primary level and at upper primary level from about 57% in 2000-01 to 7.23% in 2010-11.

5. Natural disaster management

In 1999, in one of the worst cyclones of Indias meteorological history, more than 10,000 people were killed in 12 districts of Odisha as windspeed touching 300 km per hour pounded the coastline. Recovering from the epic mishandling of natural disaster, Odisha has subsequently kept the death toll in all-natural disasters in double digits including last years Cyclone Fani when 64 people died. The state has 879 multipurpose cyclone shelters. It was the first state in India to have its own disaster management authority and a specialised force called Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force that fans out to affected places to clear roadblocks and rescue people.

All vulnerable parts of the state have active Cyclone Management Centres, where the local sarpanch spearheads the preparedness. It has 16 district-level Disaster Management Planning Committees, which reach out to 155 block-level bodies and 22,000 village-level bodies. The United Nations now hails Odisha as a role model for disaster management.

Failures

1. Low agriculture yield

Though Odisha claimed to have clocked an average annual growth rate of about 4.5% between 2000-01 and 2016-17 in agriculture against a national average of 3.1%, the growth has been volatile. The state receives an average rainfall of more than 140cm, above the national average of 110cm. However, rainfall is quite erratic and unevenly distributed and in the absence of adequate irrigation coverage, the average yield in 2015-16 was 1738 kg per hectare against all-India average of 2056 kg per hectare.

A little over 43% of its cultivable land is covered by irrigation while the all-India average is 51.9%. Lack of adequate irrigation frequently results in crop failures and in famine-like situations. Despite the rise in Odishas productivity in major crops like paddy, groundnut, gram and lentils, it is still below those of some of the best states in India. It still imports a large part of potato, eggs, pulses and meat from neighbouring states. Potato Mission, launched a few years ago to make the state self-sufficient has been a non-starter.

2. Corruption in government

Despite Patnaiks avowed aversion for corruption, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its 2017 report showed Odisha registering the second-highest number of cases of corruption in government offices in the country after Maharashtra. While Maharashtra topped the list with the registration of 925 corruption cases in 2017, Odisha registered 494 such cases.

In 2016 too, Odisha was at second position after Maharashtra for registering maximum corruption cases in 2016. Though Odisha Vigilance claimed to have a conviction rate of 51% in 2018, a large number of corruption cases were pending trial in different courts. Till last year, 6817 corruption cases against Odisha government officials were pending trials.

Up to 2010, most disproportionate assets cases against government officials were not more than a few lakhs. But since last seven to eight years such assets tend to run in crores. Corruption in government offices of Odisha is rising, alleged Pradip Pradhan, an anti-corruption activist.

3. Unemployment

Despite the rise in industrialisation over the last two decades and clocking GDP growth over 8%, rising unemployment has taken the sheen off the high growth as thousands of educated youths continue to leave the state for jobs. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey done by the National Statistical Organisation between January and March 2019, Odisha had the highest unemployment rate of 32% among the youth in the 15-29 age group.

As per the annual economic survey 2018-19, the unemployment rate in Odisha was more pronounced in urban areas (8.4%) than rural areas (6.9%). Though the share of the services sector to Odishas GDP continued to rise, it did not see a commensurate rise in employment.

4. Mining scam/chit fund scam

In the last two decades, the state saw two of the biggest scams- mining scam and chit fund scam. The two scams brought out Patnaiks governments systemic inability in stopping the plunder of its precious natural resources and loot of peoples savings. Between 2004 and 2012, iron and manganese ores worth Rs 1.99 lakh crore were extracted from Odishas mines, but much of it was above the allowed limit set by the various government agencies like Indian Bureau of Mines and Odisha Pollution Control Board.

Though mining is a highly regulated sector, the justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry that probed into the irregularities, pegged the scam at Rs 59,000 crore. Similarly, about a million people in rural and urban Odisha lost about Rs 5000 crore as the 50-odd chit fund companies they had invested their lifes savings wound up leaving them high and dry. Many of the chit fund companies enjoyed the patronage of ruling party MLAs and MPs. In 2013, Odisha enacted a special act to protect the interest of small depositors and set up a corpus fund of Rs 300 crore to help the small investors, but it was a case of too little too late.

5. Rising crime against women

Women have been the principal supporters of Naveen Patnaik government over the last two decades, yet when it comes to their safety, Odisha lags behind other states. As per the latest statistics released by NCRB, crimes against women are on the rise in the state as 20,098 cases in 2017 as against 17,837 cases in 2016. With 94 complaints per one lakh population, Odisha recorded the second-highest number of crimes against women in the country after Assam in 2017.

Since 2014, Odisha is consistently topping the list in case of disrobing of women leaving the states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar far behind. In 2018, Odisha topped the list of states in cases of use of child pornography or storing child pornography material. As per NCRB, the conviction rate of crime against women in Odisha was a measly 6.2% against a national average of 18.7% in 2016.
The BJPs landslide victory in last years Lok Sabha elections was undoubtedly a motivating factor.

Until recently, many of those who hailed the advent of the Modi regime as some kind of a new dawn for India often sought to justify their allegiance by pointing to the absence of mass violence. That argument, never entirely credible, has lately been laid to rest in the national capital.

Beyond the fact that the anti-Muslim pogroms in New Delhi and the consequent violence on both sides were instigated by Kapil Mishra, who failed to win a seat on behalf of the BJP in last months legislative assembly elections, the chief culprit was the bigoted intolerance unleashed from on high.

The BJPs landslide victory in last years Lok Sabha elections was undoubtedly a motivating factor. The ruling partys intended trajectory should have been obvious long before then, but the popular endorsement enabled it to drop its unconvincing disguise. The fascist face of the RSS no longer needed to be concealed behind a mask.

The re-conquest and defenestration of Kashmir was barely contested in India. Perhaps the Modi government saw that as a green light for slithering forward with other items on its agenda. But the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens provoked widespread protests, compounded by a frequently vicious official backlash.

Delhi was, in many ways, a horror waiting to happen. Inevitably, the events of the past 10 days have evoked memories of the madness of Partition, as well as of the atrocities committed against Sikhs in New Delhi in 1984  endorsed back then by a different ruling party  and against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, when the states chief minister, Narendra Modi, preferred to look the other way.

Last week, as prime minister, he was initially too busy wrapping himself around the belly of the beast, so to speak, to pay any heed to the events unfolding all around him in Delhi. He skipped the press conference that concluded Donald Trumps visit, leaving the beast to assure everyone that his host wants people to have religious freedom, and very strongly.

Preferably not in India, though. But it would be pretty pointless trying to explain that to a US president who himself thrives on bigotry and the notion of divide and rule.

Even the darkest clouds, though, often appear with a silver lining. As Arundhati Roy, who has consistently been warning fellow Indians against the inexorable rise of fascist tendencies, noted in a speech on Sunday: People on both sides have shown themselves capable of horrifying brutality as well as unbelievable courage and kindness.

That was true even during the catastrophe that accompanied independence. In Delhi last week it manifested itself in plenty of instances of Hindus and Sikhs sheltering their Muslim neighbours or conveying them to safety, and vice versa. The news agency Reuters highlighted the story of Savitri Prasad, a 23-year-old bride in the Chand Bagh locality, whose wedding was cancelled as violence flared. But her father decided it would go ahead the following day. Today, none of our relatives could attend my daughters wedding, he told reporters. But our Muslim neighbours are here. They are our family.

There have been several reports about Delhi high court judge S. Muralidhar, who was promptly transferred after he questioned police inaction, as well as police superintendent Neeraj Jadaun, who took a risk by crossing the Uttar Pradesh state boundary to put himself and his team between a rampaging mob and the residents of Karawal Nagar. In Gokalpuri, Mohinder Singh and his son Inderjit made about 20 trips within an hour on their motorcycles to ferry up to 80 of their Muslim neighbours to Kardampuri.

There are, no doubt, numerous others whose names and specific deeds history may not record, but they are very much a part of the battle for Indias soul unleashed by the soulless Hindutva brigades.

On the other side of the border, there are those who interpret the irrational passions witnessed lately in Delhi as a vindication for Partition. They salute the prescience of the separatists in foreseeing the majoritarian path India would take.

Perhaps they should pause to wonder whether an India with a Muslim minority far larger than its present size might have been considerably less vulnerable to the toxic ideas propagated by the likes of Modi and Amit Shah. Perhaps they should think again about intellectually aligning themselves with the likes of Yogi Adityanath, the almost unbelievably retrograde UP chief minister who is keen on renaming Meerut after Mahatma Gandhis assassin, Nathuram Godse.

Pakistan has its own deplorable history of bigotry to reckon with, of course, and there were times when Indian-style secularism offered a possible antidote. But India has forged ahead in recent decades, and it is up to its citizens  registered or otherwise  to decide whether their nations march towards fascism can be halted before its too late.

By arrangement with Dawn
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y.  A teachers assistant at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES in New Hartford was arrested Friday for allegedly paying a student $50 to punch another student.

Lisa A. Hutchinson, 41, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Lisa A. Hutchinson Lisa A. Hutchinson

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol says Hutchinson paid the student, but the child did not follow through with her request to hit the other student.

Hutchinson was released on an appearance ticket.

She will return to New Hartford Town Court for arraignment at a later date.
[In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.]

For the last few days, a meme has been circulating on social media: It features an illustration of Senator Elizabeth Warren, arms outstretched, an American flag behind her. Shes electable if you vote for her, it reads, using an expletive.

But vote for her the public did not.

On Thursday, Warren dropped out of the Democratic race, after a devastating performance on Super Tuesday, when she failed to take even her home state of Massachusetts.

The decision came just days after Warren, once a front-runner, had shown off her political skills in a series of debate performances  exposing cracks in the candidacy of former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is also now out of the race.

And so, what was once the most diverse candidate pool in history is now a contest between two men: Joseph Biden, 77, and Bernie Sanders, 78.
Nick Reed, CEO of the Vodafone Group, on Friday called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accompanied by Vodafone Idea MD Ravinder Takkar.

Later in the day, he will also meet Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

His India visit comes ahead of final hearing of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue at the Supreme Court slated for March 17.

VIL has the maximum AGR dues of Rs 53,000 crore, of which it paid Rs 3,500 crore last month.

Recently, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has sent letters to all telcos asking them to submit remaining part of the dues ahead of the apex court hearing.

VIL has said it won't be able to meet the dues unless relief is given.

The company has written letter to TRAI for a significant hike of mobile data tariff and call charges at 6 paise per minute to be able to improve its balance sheet and pay its AGR dues.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of VIL, has said that without government relief his company may be forced to shut shop.

Last month, Birla met Sitharaman and Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash over these issues.

Last November, Read had said that "Vodafone wants to stay in India for a long time" and he was confident of India's prospects in the telecom sector and that the country was an important market for the Group.
Express News Service

Abhisha Chordia, entrepreneur

Going through a divorce and raising a child as a single parent isnt easy, I remember how my hands and feet trembled when I first entered the family court, but an inner voice always lingered in me, saying My life is my responsibility and no blame is allowed. That moment when you stand in front of the judge and you say that, Here I am standing in front of you as a responsible mother, seeking justice for my sons future  that moment makes you feel very empowered! It gave me the feeling that I am here to make it big in life! Now, looking back, I pat myself for whatever I have gone through and at the same time, I embrace my future with my son.

Mahak Samdaria, entrepreneur

Behind every successful woman, there is a tribe of very successful women who have always had her back and for me, it is my mother and grandmothers. Being a postgraduate in Biotechnology, after spending some time in scientific research, I felt the need to pursue my passion in life  cooking. I successfully took up the challenge of creating a vegetarian version of something new in my kitchen every day. So, now I feel highly empowered after having a homemade business of my own called Cakes and Bakes by Mahak and the ability to be able to stand on my own, with complete happiness, pride and accomplishment. It would not have been possible without these heroic ladies in my life. So I would say that being in my kitchen with my mother and grandmothers is my space of empowerment.

Farha Haseen, celebrity make-up artist

I love make-up. Everything about it. From buying it to using it for clients, to how it makes me feel proud of my work. Make-up is an immediate platform to show the world your creativity. While many people use it to enhance their features and skin, I use it to be bold and self-confident. I am the happiest woman inside when I wear make-up or apply it on my clients and it makes them feel bold and confident. I have been fascinated with make-up since I was a little girl. I remember playing with my moms lipstick and eyeshadow. Now, I can spend hours just experimenting, and putting on a full face of make-up, and nothing makes me feel more like an empowered woman.

Shri Mithraa, freelance artist

As a recent Masters graduate from the United Kingdom, it was always the night runs in London that was my most empowering space. I think it was the fresh air and the sort of high you get when you see your reflection on glass buildings. The reflection reminds you of so many things  youre fit, youre eating healthy, youre going places at work! And I guess, in the mind of a millennial, these are almost all that matters at one point! The fact that youre making a responsible choice by going for a run, tomorrow is a new day and youre super pumped to owning it from the moment you wake up is how I translate the feeling of being empowered! And then, theres the explosion of ideas, one after the other, making you feel like youre invincible! I swear by it and more people should try going for a run as it truly clears the mind and brings about clarity!

Shweta Sadani, anchor

I feel extremely empowered to be an emcee/anchor. The stage is the place where I find my happiness and get to be the real me. My job is to entertain people, sense their pulse and keep the crowd alive throughout an event. Speaking in front of thousands of people gives me a sense of pride, satisfaction and makes me feel complete as an individual, and empowered as a woman.

Reeni Lionel, CFO & head of Human Resources

The business that I co-manage with my husband is the space that makes me feel the most empowered. I joined this business with my husband because I wanted to have the best of both worlds  family life and a flourishing career. This space allows me to do that. I can work at my own pace because it is my firm. I dont have to report to anyone. I can also rely on my husband to take care of things when I am busy with other work. Im sure I would not have felt the same had I been working under someone else.

Tanvi Singhi, analyst

Dance empowers me, and when Im up on that stage I feel liberated, empowered and truly in my element. My experience with High Kicks, an all-girls dance ensemble, opened doors for me in numerous ways, shaping the woman that Ive grown to be today. During hard times, I could always fall back on them, dance it out, add meaning to my life and start all over again. Dancing and stage performances have become my sweet escape from all the jarring realities and noises of everyday life.

Shruthi Vasanth, radio jockey

Ive always been a woman with strong opinions, someone who has loved speaking my mind from a young age. Now a radio talk-show host with 94.3 Radio One, I feel most empowered in front of the mic at my studio, talking to the people of Chennai through my show. It is my safe space, a place where I am free to express my opinions and be unabashedly myself. The power to say what I feel and make my voice heard through the airwaves is a strong weapon to have, and I use it very wisely. I love the power it gives me and I know I can help make a difference. To me, nothing can be more empowering. Heres to us and all the firebrand women around us.

Angeline Barron, lecturer

Empowering is not about authority, its about helping someone achieve something you did. I always feel empowered in my classroom. Every day, when I walk into my noisy room, I keep in mind that my students are going to be learning something that my teachers taught me and sometimes something even more than that. Those kids look at me eagerly, waiting for me to deliver my morning lecture, and I feel responsible and empowered then. Its so beautiful because we are inspiring each other. Most of the time, we learn from my lesson plan; otherwise, we discuss how to deal with lifes most difficult situations. For me, empowering is a skill and if you can empower someone to be better than you, the happiness you get from that is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

Rashmi, scholar

I had to visit an all-women police station this time last year with my mother to lodge a domestic violence complaint against my father. We initially had a lot of inhibitions about going to a police station. Relatives and acquaintances said, Youd rather face your violent father than the menacing police. We still proceeded with it. To our surprise, the police were very appreciative that we stood up for our rights. One of the cops even shut down all that negativity that was surrounding us. They were extremely cooperative and helped us get justice. They made us realise our self-worth. Thats where I felt empowered  the all-women police station made me understand that empowerment starts from within.

Upasana Asrani, artist

My home is an absolute oasis of peace and calm. The interiors are a perfect blend of contemporary and modern aesthetics and its a pure labour of love creating this space. Its the only space I miss when Im away from home and its almost the centre of my universe. Its here that I find my empowerment. A beautiful environment is the one ingredient that gives me the feeling of being empowered. This space helps me reset, revive and rejuvenate after a long day of running around for work. Im very grateful to have such a space and be surrounded by such beauty.

Virginie Bompoil, chef

India. I feel more empowered in India than I do in France. Ive achieved a lot in the one year since I moved here. I started a company and its been picking up good business. I feel more empowered in this country than anywhere else because of the success Ive had here. So, thank you, India!

Avira Karky, journalist

My two-BHK rental house is where I feel empowered. It is a space where I can shed all the restrictions that I had to live with till my mid-20s, a place where I can be myself. From the simple pleasures of walking around the house without pants or doing my chores in the middle of the night with music playing loud to spending the night in the company of a man of my choice, it allows me to structure my life (at least a substantial part of it) the way I want. It is also a place where I can help my friends break free from the stereotypes and conditioning they are subjected to  from being a love nest for a few, a place to drink for others, a house to crash at after a movie night or late date, or just a safe place in times of need, it is a lot of things to a lot of people. That is one reason why I rented a two-bedroom house despite being a single occupant. Ive had help from like-minded friends when I was in need; now that I can turn around and offer the same for my people (any people, for that matter) is all the privilege I expect out of life (almost!).

Padmapriya Raja, educational consultant and public speaker

Empowerment is figuring out your lifes purpose and fixing your mind and thoughts on that purpose. As I was in the process of finding myself, I felt an obligation to make others feel empowered as well. Indeed it feels great to have control of your life but it feels the best when you inspire others. Being a public speaker, I feel empowered when Im on stage or in front of an audience, inspiring them.

Aasiya Hashim, entrepreneur

Conducting my culinary workshops at home, this is the space in which I feel most empowered. Im a food-lover and having spent so much time exploring it, I want to share my knowledge about food with the world. This transfer of knowledge is why I feel empowered. My workshops and sessions give me a chance to share all that I know about cooking. All my clients are mostly women; so, that makes it all the more special.

Inputs BY: Kannalmozhi Kabilan, Naaz Ghani, Roshne Balasubramanian, Shwetha Surendran, Vaishali Vijaykumar, Veena Mani
A Perth church youth leader has been charged with a string of child sex charges over the alleged abuse of a teenage girl in his care over two decades ago.

A WA Police spokeswoman said they would allege the man was a church youth group leader when he sexually assaulted a girl in October 1998.

The abuse of the girl, who was only 15 years old at the time, allegedly continued until December of the same year.

The man faces 15 charges over the abuse and will appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police said the investigation into the man's actions was ongoing and asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.
Contributed photo

HARWINTON  Har-Bur Middle School 7th graders Macy Peterson, Avery Rhinesmith and Austin Fish and 8th grader Nathan Misluk were recognized for volunteer service with the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

This award celebrates the spirit of youth volunteer service and recognizes students who have distinguished themselves by making a meaningful difference in their communities through volunteering. These four students, who are members of Har-Burs community service group Kids In The Middle, have demonstrated exemplary leadership at Har-Bur and in volunteerism in their local communities, according to a statement from the school.
The civil rights arm at the U.S. Department of Education has urged schools to address the harassment of certain students amid ongoing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

In a March 4 letter to educators, Asisstant Secretary for Civil Rights Kenneth L. Marcus wrote that schools should be paying careful attention to bullying and other unfair treatment of students who are perceived to be Chinese-American or otherwise of Asian descent. Marcus called such incidents a particular concern of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Some individuals may regrettably turn toward racial or ethnic stereotypes. Worse, ethnic harassment or bullying exacerbates hatred, harms students, and is never justified. These incidents can create a climate of misunderstanding and fear. This hurts all of us, Marcus wrote.

He also said that in some cases, the Civil Rights Act may require educational institutions to investigate bias incidents and take reasonable steps to end unlawful harassment, eliminate hostile environments, prevent the harassment from recurring, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.

See Our In-Depth Coverage: Coronavirus and Schools

The Education Department has taken similar steps in the past. For example, after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Education Department sent guidance to schools concerning bullying and other harassment of Muslim students .

Schools are at the center of many emerging stories about the coronavirus. In testimony before a Senate committee earlier this week, a CDC official said schools should aim to minimize disruption when responding to the coronavirus. Decisions to close schools require balancing safety and health concerns with significant costs to communities.

Read the full letter from Marcus below:

Dear Education Leader:

I write to request your careful attention to recent challenges that have been reported in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19). There has been an increasing number of news reports regarding stereotyping, harassment, and bullying directed at persons perceived to be of Chinese American or, more generally, Asian descent, including students. These reports are quite troubling and are of particular concern to Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Office for Civil Rights.

The Department appreciates that some institutions are taking prompt and forceful measures to protect the health and safety of students, instructors, and staff, consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Schools and educators should follow the recommendations in the CDC guidance and this Departments Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel, as these recommendations are the most effective precautions that can be taken to safeguard the health of our educational communities. In an environment of fear, however, some individuals may regrettably turn toward racial or ethnic stereotypes. Worse, ethnic harassment or bullying exacerbates hatred, harms students, and is never justified. These incidents can create a climate of misunderstanding and fear. This hurts all of us.

Educational institutions should take special care to ensure that all students are able to study and learn in an environment that is healthy, safe, and free from bias or discrimination. Discrimination can take many forms, ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks based on race, ancestry, or misunderstandings about cultural traditions. As education leaders working within our respective communities, we must ensure that harassment based on race or ethnicity is not tolerated.

The Department appreciates the efforts of educators who have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting all students from the harmful effects of bullying and harassment based on race and national origin. We also remind you that in some circumstances, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) may require educational institutions to investigate bias incidents and take reasonable steps to end unlawful harassment, eliminate hostile environments, prevent the harassment from recurring, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.

Through our own conduct, as well as through the language that we use to discuss this sensitive topic, we must demonstrate that health and tolerance are compatible values; they are both central elements of the educational excellence that our students deserve.

If you have questions or would like additional information or technical assistance, you may visit the website of the Department of Educations OCR at www.ed.gov/ocr or contact OCR at (800) 421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339) or at ocr@ed.gov. You may also contact OCRs Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN) Center at OPEN@ed.gov. For more information about your civil rights obligations, including the obligation to avoid discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin, please visit Ed.gov/OCR.

Thank you for your help in ensuring that our educational system is safe for all students.

Sincerely,

Kenneth L. Marcus

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Photo: A man walks his dog past barricades outside Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego, Ore., on Saturday Feb. 29, 2020 after an employee at the school was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Friday. The school in the Lake Oswego School District south of Portland, Ore., will be closed until Wednesday and other schools and schools buses in the district will be deep-cleaned this weekend. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa .
Last June the Public Prosecution Service decided to prosecute the four individuals.

The Dutch government has informed the United Nations Security Council that four fugitive suspects charged with the murder of 298 passengers and crew aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) downed over Russia-occupied Donbas in July 2014 will go on trial in the Netherlands on Monday.

"The criminal trial of four individuals suspected of downing flight MH17 begins on March 9, 2020. This is an important milestone that brings us a step closer to establishing the truth and achieving justice for the victims and their next of kin," the Dutch government said in an official statement on its website on March 6. "Today, the Netherlands notified the UN Security Council about the start of the trial, on behalf of all the countries in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT)  Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine."

Read alsoMH17 trial: Russia's GRU tried to hinder, influence probe on multiple fronts, Dutch report says

Last June the Public Prosecution Service decided to prosecute the four individuals, with the unanimous support of the investigative authorities in the other JIT countries. "The criminal investigation into the involvement of other persons is still in progress. In line with UN resolution 2166, the Netherlands calls on all countries, including the Russian Federation, to cooperate fully with the JIT's criminal investigation," it said.

"The trial will take time and require patience. The government has great respect for the way the next of kin are dealing with this situation. By tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for the downing of flight MH17, we are getting ever closer to establishing what happened. This remains the highest priority for the government. The deaths of 298 innocent people of 17 different nationalities cannot go unpunished. We are committed to this goal, together with the other JIT countries and with the broad support of the international community," the Dutch government said.

Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, said on Twitter that the five member states of the Joint Investigation Team  Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malaysia and Australia  had sent a joint letter to the President of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, informing them that the criminal trial in the downing of flight MH17 begins on March 9.

Five member states of the Joint Investigation Team - Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malaysia and Australia - send a joint letter to the President of #UNSC and #UNSG@antonioguterres informing them that the criminal trial in the downing of flight #MH17 begins on 9 March  pic.twitter.com/uNvxM8UFXL  Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) March 6, 2020

UNIAN memo. Malaysia Airlines' MH17 Boeing 777 heading from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Russia-occupied territory in Donetsk region. All 298 people on board who were citizens of 10 countries were killed in the crash. The majority of the victims, 196, were citizens of the Netherlands. The Dutch Safety Board October 13, 2015, issued a report on the causes of the accident. It was revealed that the plane had been shot down by a Buk anti-aircraft missile system. The Joint Investigation Team in its report published on September 28, 2016, confirmed that the plane had been downed by a Russian-made Buk brought to Ukraine from Russia. On June 19, 2019, JIT investigators accused four Russia-controlled military intelligence officers of involvement in a missile attack that shot down MH17. The first four suspects in the MH17 case are Russian terrorist Igor Girkin (AKA "Strelkov"), who in the summer of 2014 was the so-called "Minister of Defense of the Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR"); Russian General Sergei Dubinsky (nom de guerre "Khmuryi"), who led the "DPR intelligence;" Oleg Pulatov (nom de guerre "Gyurza"), who in 2014 headed of "the 2nd division of the GRU of the DPR;" as well as Leonid Kharchenko (nom de guerre "Krot"), who was a leader of the "reconnaissance battalion" of Russia-led forces.
Sunitha Natti By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The RBI's draft 'Yes Bank Ltd Reconstruction Scheme', 2020, announced on Friday said that the SBI has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.

It is likely to pick up a 49 per cent stake and pump in equity capital to revive the ailing private sector lender.

As per preliminary estimates, SBI may fork out roughly Rs 2,400 crore in lieu of the 49 per cent stake but cannot reduce its holding below 26 per cent for three years from the date of capital infusion.

As part of the proposed scheme, Yes Banks authorised capital will be altered to Rs 5,000 crore and paid-up capital to Rs 4,800 crore. For 49 per cent stake, SBI's proposed capital infusion will be roughly Rs 2,400 crore at not less than Rs 10 per share (premium of Rs 8 per share), as per RBI's draft reconstruction scheme.

According to sources, Yes Bank's capital requirements, which the previous management pegged at $2 billion, are unclear as the Q3 financials have not yet been disclosed. "We can expect a rights issue later if the investors find the need for more capital. New investors (SBI) will have to hold 26 per cent for three years, but it can dilute up to 23 per cent and raise capital," an official told Express.

READ| Distress calls, long queues at branches of Yes Bank post withdrawal limit

Interestingly, Yes Bank's Additional Tier 1 capital (roughly Rs 8,800 crore) issued under Basel III framework will be written off permanently and no account holder will be entitled for compensation from SBI.

These are bonds (otherwise debt) issued by banks to raise capital to meet the Basel III requirements. Essentially, when debt is written off, it'll become equity and in this instance, improve Yes Bank's core equity and reduce its capital requirement.

At about Rs 8,800 crore, they translate to 4 per cent of Yes Bank's capital ratio of risk-weighted assets, and a write-down bumps up the bank's capital adequacy ratio by 4 per cent.

Sources said this was one of the key conditions put forth by potential investors in the bank. Besides, investors also sought writing down tier-II bonds aggregating Rs 14,000 crore. "Good thing is, as per the draft scheme in the near-term, there's no redact on tier-II bonds," the official added.

Typically, additional tier-I bonds bear higher interest and come with high risk, where financially struggling banks don't repay bondholders.

Meanwhile, the RBI-appointed administrator on Yes Bank will step aside and a new board comprising a CEO & MD, one non-executive chairman, two non-executive directors and two nominee directors of the SBI will take over. The board members will continue in office for one year or until an alternate board is constituted by Yes Bank through the normal procedure laid down in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, whichever is later.

Announcing the scheme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there won't be any layoffs and all employees will continue on the prevailing terms and conditions. Similarly, there won't be any branch rationalization.

Meanwhile, Prashant Kumar, Administrator, Yes Bank, said the current moratorium was to protect depositors interest and restore confidence.

"A solution is being worked upon to revive the bank well before the moratorium period of thirty days ends. The bank is also taking necessary steps to ensure seamless transactions for customers. We assure the depositors that their money is safe and there is absolutely no reason to panic. Look forward to continued support from depositors," he said.
The Mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell has delivered an impassioned message on bold leadership while backing a substantial rates rise to cover for a past abject lack of courage in driving the city forward.

He says it is time to stop being rubbery-lipped about growth and drop the I dont want my sleeping little village to change tantrum.

The message came during a sometimes heated and passionate Tauranga City Council policy committee annual plan meeting where councillors arrived at a 12.6 per cent draft rates rise in support of $244 million of capital expenditure.

If the rise is adopted in the annual plan after public consultation, it could mean a median eight per cent increase or an extra four dollars a week for each residential householder.

The committee voted six-five in favour of the plan.

Much of what needed to be paid for is historical, says Tenby, pointing at past city administrations.

The plan was reached after three hours discussing the pressure the citys finances were under from the need to make massive infrastructure investments without breaching the debt to revenue ratio. The committee has also signaled the need to work with regional and central government on solutions to funding and financing challenges.

Businesses will be consulted about paying a higher proportion, considering the need for investment in transportation and other projects supporting the local economy.

Mayor Tenby Powell says a long-term solution was collectively being sought with regional and national partners, but strong leadership and bold decision-making was required now.

Its time for us to grow up  this is our chance to stand up on behalf of current and future residents.

People want to live here and to bring their businesses here and come here they will. Tauranga is a magnet city  not a walled medieval town.

The vote came after the meeting heard Tauranga faced serious challenges if the average residential rates increase was restricted to the 3.9 per cent that councillors had previously asked staff to budget for.

The council executive instead recommended a budget with an average rates rise of between 12.6 per cent and 17.6 per cent be taken to the community for consideration.

Their report said increasing capital project costs and budgets, weather tightness claims and the deferral of elder housing property sales had affected the councils ability to budget. Like other growth councils, Tauranga faced difficulties funding infrastructure to support population and industrial growth.

The council executive recommended prioritising projects like the Waiari water treatment plant, the Te Maunga waste water treatment plant, the Harington Street carpark, the kerbside rubbish collection and road renewals.

It said the adage that growth pays for growth was no longer true, partly because of long pay-back periods. This was backed by an Infrastructure New Zealand report that, nationally, it cost councils $50,000 to pay for the pipes and roads for every new house.

The meeting heard that the lack of housing and infrastructure in Tauranga was already holding back growth. Public consultation for the draft annual plan is expected to start on March 25.
Najaf: Representatives of Iraq's top Shiite cleric did not deliver his weekly sermon in Karbala on Friday, a first since the fall of Saddam Hussein, due to fears of spreading the novel coronavirus.

Religious authorities had already closed the shrine of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, where the sermon is usually delivered, to mitigate the risk of contagion.

On Friday, representatives who usually read Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani's address, broadcast live on state television, did not appear. The 89-year-old Sistani is based in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of Karbala, and never appears in public.

An official at the site in the holy city of Karbala said "the cancellation of Friday prayers at the Imam Hussein shrine is a first since 2003", the year an American-led invasion toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein.

Sources close to Sistani's office confirmed the unprecedented nature of the decision.

Iraq has reported three coronavirus deaths and 38 infections.

Authorities are particularly worried about coronavirus spreading via Shiite holy sites, which attract millions of pilgrims, including many from neighbouring Iran, which has seen the world's second-deadliest outbreak.

But on Friday numerous pilgrims flocked to the area near the Karbala mausoleum, and a road linking two shrines in the city was still open to pilgrims, said AFP journalists. Provincial authorities have barred non-residents from entering Karbala province from Friday.

Sistani had dedicated part of his last two sermons to the health situation in the country of 40 million. The virus has fuelled panic among Iraqis who say the war-ravaged country's health system cannot handle the epidemic.

In Najaf, the mausoleum of Imam Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad, was open to the public on Friday after Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr personally pushed for it to be re-opened. Hundreds of his supporters gathered for prayers in the nearby town of Kufa -- Sadr's birthplace -- on Friday. Sadr did not attend, but sent a representative to deliver his sermon.

In Samarra, another holy Shiite site north of Baghdad, religious authorities cancelled a second pilgrimage in the space of a week.
An Irishman, suspected of being infected with coronavirus, fled from a hospital here on Thursday but was traced to a hotel in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar where he has been kept in isolation with another person with whom he had come into contact, officials said.

In accordance with the protocol to manage coronavirus cases, they will be kept in mandatory isolation for 14 days.

The man fled from SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday night following which a complaint was lodged with Mangalabag police station.

He was on a business trip to India since February 26 and had checked into a hotel in Bhubaneswar.

The 37-year-old went to the Capital Hospital in the city with an associate on Thurday for a check-up as he had mild fever and runny nose for two days.

"When the consulting doctor advised him to remain in isolation for 14 days, the accompanying associate suggested that he be referred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack where better facilities are available," Dr Ashok Patnaik, the Director of the Capital Hospital, said.

The two then reached SCB Medical College and Hospital without any escort, officials said.

"After reaching here, when the associate learnt that he was also supposed to be admitted in the isolation ward along with the Irish national, both escaped," Emergency Officer at the facility Dr B N Maharana said.

When the matter was brought to the notice of police, an alert was sounded.

The authorities of Capital Hospital also got worried as they had allowed the two men to leave for Cuttack unescorted. They started looking for the two and found them at the Bhubaneswar hotel.

"Both are now kept in mandatory isolation in the hotel concerned after proper counselling. If required, there blood and swab samples would be collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for tests as per the protocol," the Director of Capital Hospital said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Iranian official claimed without evidence that the epidemic could be an American bioweapon, after some U.S. officials said the same about China. Saudi Arabia said its cases were Irans fault. South Korea lashed out at Japan over travel restrictions and responded in kind.

At a time of global crisis, when the new coronavirus has infected more than 100,000 people, killed more than 3,400, and all but shut down whole industries, the worlds scientists and public health officials are working together across ideological and national borders to try to stop the epidemic.

But as the virus continues its rapid spread, political leaders in many countries seem to have seized on a different question: Who can be blamed?

Outbreaks take place within the context of the real world, so of course theres always some level of politics going on, said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, a former assistant director general of the World Health Organization. But I think that what were seeing now is at a higher level of blame game than weve seen in the past.
Makeshift hospitals suspend discharges amid recovered patients testing positive

Global Times

By Xu Keyue and Wan Lin Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/5 23:03:41

Makeshift hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, have decided to suspend the discharge of patients, after some recovered cases tested positive again for COVID-19.

A doctor who worked in a Fang Cang makeshift hospital in Dongxihu district in Wuhan told the Global Times on Thursday that the hospital has suspended discharges to ensure that patients will only leave after they fully recover.

"The move won't last long," the doctor noted.

Several such makeshift hospitals have carried out similar moves in order to prevent relapses among discharged patients, media outlet Jiemian.com reported on Thursday.

A patient named Li Liang, 36, died during the 14-day quarantine period after testing negative twice and being discharged from a makeshift hospital, media outlet Caixin reported Thursday. The death reason was unclear.

Guo Yanhong, an official of China's National Health Commission, said earlier that some recovered patients in multiple provinces were found to have turned positive again in nucleic acid tests.

But Guo stressed there is no evidence that such patients could infect others and some were negative again in subsequent tests.

To ensure patients are fully cured before leaving, the Fang Cang makeshift hospital in Jiang'an district issued an emergency notice on Wednesday, announcing that it will add blood tests and tests for viral antibodies ig-M and ig-G on patients meeting the current discharge criteria, The Paper reported.

Whether to carry out the blood tests and tests for viral antibodies ig-M and ig-G at hospitals on a larger scale depends on whether being tested positive again is rare or not, Zhi Xiuyi, director of the Lung Cancer Center of Beijing United Family Hospital, told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that Li Liang's case could be an outlier.

To popularize the multiple tests is hard as the test kits and other related medical materials are limited, Zhi said.

If discharged patients test positive again, it doesn't indicate that they are infected again as the tests could be false negatives, which are common in such an emerging disease, Zhi said.

The COVID-19 is new, so medical staff have not fully grasped the virus' complexity. Neither can they be sure if the virus itself has a high relapse rate after treatment, he noted.

Zhi warned the public not to relax their vigilance and called on hospitals and patients to strictly follow the latest government manual.



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Aaron Schock, the Republican who resigned from Congress in 2015 as he faced questions about his adherence to spending rules, came out as gay Thursday, writing in a lengthy post on his website about the challenges of growing up in a religious household and saying he was wrong to oppose same-sex marriage.

The fact that I am gay is just one of those things in my life in need of explicit affirmation, to remove any doubt and to finally validate who I am as a person, Schock wrote.

Schock, of Peoria, Illinois, was elected to Congress in 2008, when he was 27, and was once seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. He came under criticism in 2015 for lavish spending, including a redesign of his Capitol Hill office. It included blood-red walls, a crystal chandelier and a plume of pheasant feathers, and was rumored to have been inspired by a room on Downton Abbey.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2016 on 24 counts, including wire fraud and theft of government funds. Federal prosecutors reached an agreement in March 2019 to drop the charges. Schock vowed to pay back taxes and reimburse his campaign.

In the post Thursday, Schock lashed out at prosecutors, saying they had weaponized questions about my personal life and used innuendo in an attempt to cast me as a person of deceptive habit and questionable character. Schock also reiterated that he had never watched Downton Abbey, saying it was used as a dog whistle to tease him about his sexuality.

Schock could not immediately be reached for comment.

His post comes at a moment when more openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are running for seats in Congress, and winning, in record numbers. Schock said he hoped that sharing his story could shine a light for young people, raised the way I was, looking for a path out of darkness and shame.

But many people were quick to criticize Schock on social media, noting that he had opposed LGBTQ causes a number of times, including votes against the legalization of same-sex marriage and the repeal of the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, and that he did not apologize for those stances in his announcement Thursday. The Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group, gave Schock a zero score in a 2014 report assessing lawmakers support for LGBTQ issues.

Schock wrote in the post that other gay people in politics had told him that his announcement may not be well-received in the LGBTQ community.

Where was I, they will ask, when I was in a position to help advance issues important to gay Americans? he wrote.

Schock wrote that if I were in Congress today, I would support LGBTQ rights in every way I could.

In his announcement, Schock described being raised in a religious household in the rural Midwest. He wrote that he memorized Bible verses and attended church services at least twice a week.

I got older and first felt myself drawn in the direction of my natural orientation, I didnt want to think about it, he wrote. I always preferred to force my thoughts in other directions, leaving a final answer about that for another day.

He said he did not reveal his sexuality to his constituents after he was elected to Congress. I put my ambition over the truth, he said, which not only hurt me, but others as well.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The growth of agriculture led to unprecedented cooperation in human societies, a team of researchers, has found, but it also led to a spike in violence, an insight that offers lessons for the present.

A new study out today in Environmental Archaeology by collaborators from UConn, the University of Utah, Troy University, and California State University, Sacramento examines the growth of agriculture in Eastern North America 7,500 to 5,000 years ago, and finds that while the domestication of plants fostered new cooperation among people, it also saw the rise of organized, intergroup violence.

"We were interested in understanding why people would make the shift from hunting and gathering to farming," says Elic Weitzel, a UConn Ph.D. student in anthropology. "Then I started to get interested in what happened in society after they made that shift and started farming on a larger scale."

The team used the "ideal free distribution" model to look at patterns of how individuals distribute themselves in an area, meaning places where people will begin occupying the best locations first. A number of factors make an area more suitable such as access to food, water, raw materials, and shelter. To measure suitability, the team looked at an indicator called "net primary productivity," which is a measure of available energy based on the plants in the area. In areas of higher net primary productivity, there were more people clustered together -- and more conflict.

"If you are living in a suitable area, you can lay claim and keep others from accessing what you have. That becomes a cooperative process, because one person is not as effective as a whole group is at defending a territory," says Weitzel.

A growing population can decrease the suitability of a location over time, but that does not always mean declining quality of life. To study this, the team also took into consideration the concept known as Allee's Principle, which states that individual fitness, or likelihood of survival and reproduction, increases as the density of the population increases due to cooperative behaviors. Weitzel explains that for something like a crop of plants, they represent something valuable, and the value of cooperative behavior becomes apparent.

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"The transition from a hunting and gathering society to an agricultural society is dependent on collaboration," says co-author Stephen Carmody, of Troy University. "The development of agriculture appears to only have happened in nine places around the world so Eastern North America is a unique part of the world to study. Agriculture was one of the most consequential transitions that happened in the past. It changed our whole economic situation."

Developments such as combined efforts for harvesting and defense, and possibly even sharing seeds among groups, could happen with interpersonal cooperation, which leads to greater chances of survival for the group.

As the saying goes, many hands make for lighter work and, Weitzel says, the research is about cooperation and competition at the same time.

"When a resource like domesticated crops is dense and predictable, that is when we expect that it would be defendable," he says. "Other groups may want access to your crop in case their crop failed, for example. There is cooperation and there are aspects of competition. Harvesting and defending."

Weitzel explains that this time period -- 7,500 to 5,000 years ago -- is not only when researchers found people aggregating and living cooperatively in high-quality locations, it is also when they saw an uptick in intergroup violence, as shown by skeletons showing the effects of "trophy-taking."

"Of course there are signs of violence throughout history, but trophy-taking is a different type of violence," Weitzel says. "The victor removes a part of the loser as a signal they won. They took scalps, hands, feet, heads -- that first evidence appears to have happened at the same time as plant management."

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This reflects the Allee Principle's limit: a point at which population density surpasses an optimum number, and suitability declines as a result.

"As the ideal free distribution and Allee effects predict, at a certain point, the benefits of cooperation start to wane and you see dispersal again. There are incentives to be around other people, but not too many other people," says Weitzel.

After the spike in trophy-taking violence, there was a period of time when the populations dispersed once again, although populations still aggregated. During the dispersal period, researchers found a corresponding decrease in trophy-taking violence.

"We see a lot of things that look modern to us, for example social inequality and climate change," Carmody says. "However, these are fundamental processes and large-scale issues. A lot of these issues tie back to the origin of agriculture."

By understanding early human interactions, Weitzel says this knowledge can help understand our present and even influence the way we think about the future.

"This is one of the ways archaeology is relevant to contemporary and future society," he says. "The modeling of human behaviors in society and our relationships can help us overcome current collective action problems. We are all better off if we cooperate."
Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari, along with other party colleagues on Friday visited the family of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma whose body was found in North East district's Chand Bagh during the recent violence.

Sharma's body was recovered from a drain in Chand Bagh on February 26 during the violence in the northeast Delhi.

His family has accused expelled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Councilor Tahir Hussain of his murder.

Hussain, was arrested by the police on Thursday. The police have lodged a case against under Sections 302,365,201,34 of the Indian Penal Code and are investigating it.

At least 53 people lost their lives and over 200 sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for four days in north-east Delhi last week.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After former Vice President Joe Biden revived his Democratic presidential candidacy with a win in South Carolina, Senate Republicans suddenly started making noise about an investigation into Biden's son Hunter and his work for Ukrainian gas company Burisma. Before Biden won 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he might try to subpoena documents on Hunter Biden's Burisma work, and he's now set a committee vote on the motion for next Wednesday.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) could derail the subpoena. And he suggested Thursday that he's seriously considering it. "I would prefer that investigations are done by an independent, nonpolitical body," he told The Washington Post. "There's no question the appearance is not good." Romney added that "looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political," and "I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations."

Romney indicated to me today that he is still weighing whether to vote for a subpoena in Burisma probe. (He could kill the effort if he votes 'no' on Wednesday.) "There's no question the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political," he said pic.twitter.com/YfeKYGM9v6  Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 5, 2020

The Homeland Security Committee has eight Republicans and six Democrats, and if Romney sides with the Democrats and causes a 7-7 split, the subpoena motion fails.

Joe Biden was the Obama administration's point person on Ukraine corruption when Burisma hired Hunter Biden, and Republicans are search for evidence that there was something corrupt in this arrangement, not just unseemly  like, say, overcharging the Secret Service to stay at your president-father's property, or profiting off a rule you pushed while working at your father-in-law's White House.

Romney is already a pariah in some Republican circles because he voted to convict Trump on one impeachment count  abuse of power for trying to get Ukraine to announce an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden  and in his speech explaining that vote, Romney made clear he thinks Hunter Biden "taking excessive advantage of his father's name is unsavory but also not a crime," adding: "There is no question in my mind that were their names not Biden, the president would never have done what he did." Trump has made clear he plans to make Burisma a campaign issue.

More stories from theweek.com

China's coronavirus recovery is 'all fake,' whistleblowers and residents claim

An ex-MI6 officer reportedly recruited by security contractor with Trump ties helped infiltrate a major teachers union

Trump says doctors keep asking how he knows so much about the coronavirus


YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Soon Armenia will launch large-scale live-fire military exercises, Ministry of Defense spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan told the Hayastani Hanrapetutyun newspaper.

He said the military will likely also use the new SU-30SM fighter jets in the drills.

Heavy equipment, including missiles, are used during large-scale exercises with live fire. During such exercises the SU-30SM fighter jets will also perhaps be used, he said.

Speaking about the multi-role fighter jets, which Armenia bought from Russia in December 2019, Hovhannisyan said that the acquisition has doubled Armenias military capabilities. This kind of an air force has multi-functional significance, both defensive and offensive, he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization announced that the mortality rate for the new COVID-19 coronavirus is higher than the original 2.3 percent estimate.

"Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have died; by comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. "While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity; that means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease."

President Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night that the WHO is probably wrong. "Well, I think the 3.4 percent is really a false number," he said. " Now, this is just my hunch, but based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this." Because 11 people have died in the U.S., "all of a sudden is seems like 3 or 4 percent, which is a very high number, as opposed to a fraction of 1 percent," Trump added. "Personally, I would say the number is way under 1 percent."

Trump to Hannity on WHO saying coronavirus death rate is 3.4%: "I think the 3.4% number is really a false number. Now this is just my hunch, but based on a lot of conversations ... personally, I'd say the number is way under 1%." Astoundingly irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/uC9c03zX31  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 5, 2020

Trump also explained why he wasn't concerned about the coronavirus at first, according to CNN's Daniel Dale.

Trump on the coronavirus: "It wasn't something that was going to affect us. You know, you don't think of it in terms -- when you first heard it in China, you don't think our country's gonna be affected."  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) March 5, 2020

At MSNBC, Chris Hayes discussed what the Trump administration failed to learn from China's coronavirus experience, primarily that "you have to be clear, honest, and transparent about the scope of the virus and the infection."

Story continues

You can watch the entire Trump interview at Fox News.

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Elizabeth Warren is optimistic there will be a woman president soon: 'We persist'


Read more: Montreal had the greatest luxury price growth across Canada last year

All six main areas of the Montreal census metropolitan area (CMA) registered an increase in transactions in February. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the South Shore, Laval and the North Shore stood out with respective sales increases of 33%, 30% 28%, and 23% Meanwhile, Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Island of Montreal registered more modest level of activity, as transactions rose by 18% and 17% respectively.

Broken down by property type, the number of single-family home transactions across the Montreal CMA rose by 23% (2,958 sales) in February. The number of condominium transactions also increased by 23% (1,942 sales), while plex transactions jumped by 31%.

The median price of single-family homes across the CMA also continued to increase sharply, rising by 13% compared to the February of 2019 to reach $360,000. Meanwhile the median price of condominiums and plexes also increased significantly compared to the same time last year, by 10%, to $275,000 and 13% to $597,750, respectively.

And for all property categories combined, median prices on the Island of Montreal, Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the South Shore, and the North Shore registered strong increases of 16%, 16%, 13%, and 9%, respectively. Meanwhile, price growth was slightly lower in the areas of Laval (7%) and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (6%).
In bid to help the cancer patients who have lost their hairs while undergoing treatment, as many as 80 girls of a private college in Coimbatore have donated a portion of their hair which will be used to make wigs for the cancer patients.

Many girl students told ANI that they cannot financially support the cancer patients but by donating hairs they are doing whatever they can to bring some happiness on the faces of such patients.

I am here to donate my hair to the patients who are suffering from cancer. This idea came to my mind as I couldnt support cancer patients economically, said Vinothini.

Tamil Nadu: Around 80 girl students of a college in Coimbatore donated portion of their hair which will be used to make wigs for cancer patients. Say, "We couldn't give financial support to cancer patients. If we donate hair,it'll bring happiness to some cancer patient out there" pic.twitter.com/J4NtQeRg7Y  ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

Minimum of 8 inches is cropped when we donate hair but I am going to donate more than that. Nearly 80 members have registered till now but many others will also enroll. Nearly 200 people will donate hairs, she added.

Students here donated a portion of their shiny and thick locks of hair which will be used to make wigs for cancer.

Heres how netizens reacted:

So sweet   Somesh... (@am781995) March 6, 2020

Sacrifice their so valuable things...

Salute  Monojit Mandal (@Monojit78324682) March 6, 2020

Laudable ...

Oh sisters ...  M k damodaran (@Mkdamodaran2) March 6, 2020

What do you think of this kind act?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  A Cebu town police chief was arrested for sleeping with a female detainee inside his room at the station, the Philippine National Police said Friday.

The newly-formed PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group said 46-year-old Argao police chief Major Idelfonso Miranda Jr. was caught Thursday evening sleeping with a 23-year-old female inmate in his quarter.

Another woman, a 40-year-old detainee, was also found in his office. The two women inmates were earlier nabbed for drug charges.

The two female inmates are supposed to be locked up at the police jail, not sleeping at the room of the police station commander, said Colonal Ronald Lee, director of the new integrity enforcement group, in a statement on Facebook.

Video courtesy of PRO7-IMEG

He said Miranda was already being monitored amid reports that he has been offering his airconditioned room to female inmates in exchange for sexual favors.

Miranda will be facing charges for bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and violation of Article 156 of the Revised Penal Code, the statement said. Those who shall remove a person from jail or help in an escape by means of violence, intimidation, bribery or other means shall face imprisonment of up to six months, it added.

Central Visayas police chief Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said Miranda's colleagues in the Argao police station will also be subjected to an investigation for connivance and tolerating an unlawful act committed by their station commander.

The Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group was formed last year to "conduct intelligence build-up and law enforcement operations" against police personnel involved in illegal activities.

Cebu-based journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report.
Liberia announced that it will strengthen its diplomatic presence in Morocco with the opening of a consulate in the southern city of Dakhla.

In addition to the embassy in Rabat and a consulate in Casablanca we intend to upgrade our relations with Morocco and extend our services to new regions of the Kingdom, Liberian Foreign minister, Gbehzohngar Findley, said Friday in Rabat, following talks with his Moroccan peer, Nasser Bourita.

The decision will further develop the long-standing bilateral relations between Liberia and Morocco, the Liberian top-diplomat added.

As of next week, all the formalities will be completed and I will return for the opening of the consulate, he said.

For his part, Bourita expressed Moroccos thanks to Liberia for its clear and unwavering support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara at the level of regional and international organizations.

Liberia has always been a reliable support for Morocco in all its diplomatic battles aimed at preserving its territorial integrity, Bourita pointed out.

Djibouti and Burundi were the latest African countries that opened consular services, respectively in Dakhla and Laayoune, on the footsteps of Cote dIvoire, the Comoros, Gabon, Central African Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, which opened consular missions in Laayoune, in addition to Gambia and Guinea which chose to open a consulate in Dakhla.
The US government said Thursday that it is deporting a 94-year-old German ex-Nazi who has been in the United States for decades.

An immigration judge ordered Friedrich Karl Berger's deportation on February 28 after a two-day trial in Memphis, authorities said. It's unclear when he will be removed. Berger, who's been living in Tennessee, has 30 days to appeal the ruling.

The government says Berger was an armed guard at a concentration camp near Meppen, Germany, in 1945.

The immigration judge found that the prisoners Berger guarded were held in atrocious conditions and were exploited for forced labor. Berger also was accused of guarding prisoners during a forced evacuation to a main camp that took two weeks and left 70 prisoners dead as they traveled in inhumane conditions, according to two government releases.

Berger acknowledged that he never requested a transfer from the concentration camp guard service and that he still gets a pension from Germany. He has been living in the U.S. since 1959.

The U.S. Department of Justice's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions unit launched an investigation into Berger in 2017. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center also investigated.

In August 2018, American authorities deported a 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard who had lived quietly in New York City for decades. The man died in Germany about five months later.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(TNS)  Philadelphia police have been quietly experimenting with Clearview AI, the controversial facial-recognition company that mines billions of images from social media and across the web, a department spokesperson said, confirming a recent BuzzFeed report The thousand or so searches the department ran last November were a test, according to the spokesperson, Staff Inspector Sekou Kinebrew. The department has not yet finished drafting a facial-recognition policy, he said, but one will be disseminated to staff in the near future.But facial recognition is already a reality in Philadelphia, where police have access to a database called the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET)  and it could be an even bigger part of the future. The Streets Department currently has a request for proposals to upgrade the citys 100,000 streetlights to smart LED lights. In addition to numerous benign features  light sensors, temperature gauges and humidity readings  smart-light capabilities include license plate readers , microphones, and cameras with facial recognition Philadelphia has not ruled out including any of those features in its eventual smart cities investment, a city spokesperson said. And the Police Department has not yet decided whether it will pursue a contract with Clearview AI.The investigative applications of facial recognition are numerous, Kinebrew said. But for civil-rights advocates, its also a new frontier of concern  one with potential constitutional implications.Clearview AI in particular has raised alarms. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal issued a blanket ban on its use in the state in January. That announcement followed a New York Times investigation that raised concerns about the security of the servers holding law-enforcement data. One expert warned, The weaponization possibilities of this are endless. The paper also revealed that the companys investors and clients used it to spy on dates and at business gatherings.Paul Hetznecker, a defense and civil-rights lawyer, said ubiquitous facial-recognition cameras could raise the same privacy concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court found unacceptable in Carpenter v. United States . The court in 2018 found that using cell-site records to track a persons movement over time was a privacy violation.With facial recognition, its even more dangerous and more invasive, Hetznecker said. Were moving toward a complete surveillance state.... It means your movement through public space becomes not a free and unfettered movement through a free society. It becomes something easily tracked and documented.A coalition of social-justice organizers called Philly Tech Justice is beginning to organize around digital surveillance, specifically facial recognition, said Devren Washington of the Media Mobilizing Project.A resolution before City Council calls for enhanced video surveillance near schools as a response to gun violence. To Washington, the intentions are good, but the technology is vulnerable to abuse  its like a high-tech answer to stop-and-frisk.They ended up using stop and frisk against a whole slew of people who are innocent of doing anything but looking suspicious," he said. These investments in surveillance technologies are at the expense of investments into wraparound services  for instance, job training and treatment programs  "which have been shown across the country to massively reduce crime.Kinebrew said facial recognition software is viewed only as an investigative tool, to be used in a discreet manner that limits the possibility of police action based on unverified results."In addition, he said in an email, Facial recognition software could be effective for identifying persons with Alzheimers or dementia, as well as unidentified homicide victim cases.JNET, the facial-recognition software in use by the department, can run comparisons with more than 35 million images, including PennDots database of driver photographs, as well as photos from state and county probation, parole, and prison databases. A brochure quotes Philadelphia Police Sgt. Andrew Callaghan from 2018 after a series of heroin and fentanyl arrests.This would not have happened without the magic of JNET," he said.
TDT | Manama

Two men who were arrested by the Interpol have had their imprisonments upheld by the Cassation Court. They have now exhausted all their options to challenge the initial verdict. The duo earlier received five years behind bars each. A third man stood in the same trial for helping the second defendant and was given three years in prison and his appeal was rejected by the Cassation Court too.

The first and second defendants were wanted in connection with security cases in 2011, but they managed to flee the Kingdom. The first suspect is said to have dressed and worn make-up to impersonate his sister, whose ID was used to facilitate his escape from the Kingdom. The second man reportedly used his cousins ID card, which had a picture similar to his face in his way out the country.

The pair went to Kuwait in a different period of time. However, the Interpol arrested them, although they tried to legalise their stay by leaving to UAE and then returning to Kuwait using their original IDs, according to Prosecutors. The first man, who posed like his sister, is said to have stayed in Kuwait for four years before he was arrested and extradited to Bahrain.

The first defendant told the police that he was helped by one of his sisters and her husband, both of whom drove him out of Bahrain. He revealed that his sister applied makeup on his face, so he could look like her, whose ID was used. However, neither the sister nor her husband were charged after they denied their involvement with his escape. The second escapee used the same plan to exit Bahrain. But he was captured after three years of fleeing in Kuwait too.

He was helped by his cousin who transported him to Kuwait and provided him with his ID to allow him to flee from the Kingdom and reach Saudi, then Kuwait. The cousin denied he was involved in helping him. However, the escapees, as well as the second mans cousin, were put on trial.
Tokyo is obliged to explain measures against Seoul



A diplomatic row between Seoul and Tokyo is looming large  yet again  over the latter's "unilateral" two-week quarantine plan for all visitors from South Korea over concerns about the new coronavirus.



Given it is a de facto entry ban for South Koreans, it was quite natural for the government to decide Friday to take similar measures against visitors from Japan based on the principle of diplomatic reciprocity. As a result, Seoul-Tokyo relations, which had shown signs of revival since the two nations reached a fragile compromise in late 2019 on a years-long row mainly over historical issues, are likely to be chilled again. It is regrettable that bilateral ties are deteriorating again at a time when they need close collaboration  now more than ever  to fight against the rapid spread of the new virus.



The prime responsibility for what is happening between the two countries is with Japan. Tokyo announced Thursday that visitors from South Korea and China will have to stay at designated facilities for two weeks to be checked for infections and refrain from using public transportation. It also plans to suspend the 90-day visa-free entry program for South Koreans. The measures will take effect Monday and last until the end of this month.



Japan has already banned the entry of people who have visited the southeastern city of Daegu and surrounding areas, where over 90 percent of cases in South Korea have occurred  most of them linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious group. It was a reasonable and understandably necessary measure for Japan in order to contain the spread of the virus.



But the latest anti-virus measures it took are hardly understandable, not only because their effectiveness in overcoming the virus is doubtful but because, according to Seoul officials, Tokyo didn't consult with the South Korean government in the course of drawing up those measures and announcing them. So it is natural for Seoul to regard them as a "provocation," and believe that they were created in consideration of politics rather than being based on science.



South Korea has limited travel restrictions to minimal levels for visitors not only from China but also from other countries in accordance with the guidance of the World Health Organization, while also strengthening health checks for inbound and outbound travelers, which means the latest Japanese measures are truly regretful. It is all the more so because imposing an entry ban on a certain country to stop the local spread of the virus has proven ineffective as has now been seen in Japan, the United States and other countries.



So it is natural to suspect that the Shinzo Abe administration is using South Korea to help circumvent domestic criticism for the government's poor handling of the ballooning virus outbreak in Japan. It is obliged to fully explain why and how it has drawn up such measures against South Korea if they are not political.


FILE PHOTO: Participants hold a British Union flag and an EU flag during a pro-EU referendum event at Parliament Square in London

By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union will launch talks next Monday on a new post-Brexit partnership due to start in 2021, but the two sides are already trading barbs on the scale and scope of their trade cooperation.

Britain says it wants a simple free trade agreement such as the EU has with Canada or Japan, which would mean significantly more trade frictions than there are currently between the world's largest trading bloc and its fifth biggest economy.

But the EU's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said on Wednesday that was not on offer without solid "level playing field" guarantees of fair competition ahead.

Here are the EU's arguments for refusing to grant Britain a plain trade deal.

PROXIMITY

Unlike Japan, Canada, Chile, South Korea or Mexico, which sit thousands of kilometers away from EU's borders, the UK is the bloc's immediate neighbor and so its ability to impact the continent's cherished internal market is exponentially bigger.

"The UK says that it wants Canada. But the problem with that is that the UK is not Canada," Barnier said.

TRADE VOLUMES

Unlike with the more distant countries, the EU says the UK will be its third-largest trading partner when the current transition period - during which Britain remains bound by EU laws and regulations - ends on Dec. 31.

The EU's 2018 imports from the UK amounted to 197 billion euros, more than the 125 billion euros worth of combined imports from Canada, Japan and South Korea, according to the executive European Commission.

HISTORIC INTEGRATION

The EU highlights "economic interconnectedness" with Britain, which ceased being a member of the bloc on Jan. 31 after nearly half a century. That makes the situation entirely different to that of other countries on other continents.

"The EU isn't a prison  you can leave, but there are many different consequences for many different people," Barnier told the European Parliament.

Story continues

"SINGAPORE ON THAMES"

That is why the EU demands strong guarantees of fair competition from Britain from 2021, especially given London's stated ambition to move away from EU rules on everything from environment and labor to competition, state aid and taxes.

The EU fears that a big, economically powerful close neighbor could adopt dumping practices and quickly become a "Singapore on Thames" that would undercut the bloc's own market.

Through closely monitoring the so-called rules of origin, the EU wants to make sure goods coming tariff- and quota-free from the UK are not just cheaper products from elsewhere in the world that get assembled in Britain.

WHAT IF NO DEAL BY END-2020?

Barnier said the EU would not seek a deal "at any price" but Brussels seems keen to keep Britain closer in the future than Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he wants.

Should the sides fail to seal a free trade deal or agree to extend the transition period, they would default to basic trading rules under the World Trade Organization, which would entail customs tariffs, quotas and cumbersome paperwork.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by John Chalmers and Gareth Jones)
Bengaluru, March 6 : The crisis-ridden agriculture sector in Karnataka got a budget boost with Rs 32,249 crore allocation for fiscal 2020-21, an official said on Friday.

"Agriculture remains the backbone of our rural economy as 60 per cent of the people depend on it and its allied sectors for a living though its contribution to the state gross domestic product (SGDP) is 3-4 per cent annually," a senior official told IANS here.

With drought and floods wreaking havoc over the years across the southern state, millions of farmers have been facing hardship, crop loss, poor returns and mounting debts, resulting in suicides and untold misery in the countryside.

"To mitigate hardship of farmers, ensure higher yields and returns, insure them against crop loss due to drought or flood and double their income by 2024, the budget has allotted huge amounts for soil improvement, water supply to fields, mechanical ploughing and harvesting, cold storages, minimum support price, direct access to market for domestic sales and exports," said the official.

Presenting the budget in the Assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa told the lawmakers that as agriculture was the basis for survival, others survive if only farmers survive.

"Agriculture, which is all pervasive, is the first occupation taken by man. Agriculture is the foundation for all professions. Trade, industry, commerce, manufacturing and services sustain if agriculture survives," said Yediyurappa quoting a Kannada adage.

Taking a leaf from the 2020-21 Union Budget, which allocated 9.5 per cent for the sector, Yediyurappa has earmarked huge amounts for farming, horticulture, food processing and allied sectors, especially irrigation projects to supply water to farmlands.

"On the Chief Minister's direction, we are drafting a new agriculture policy, with focus on water security, land bank, mass cultivation, micro irrigation farmers, processing of farm produce and marketing. The policy will also give agriculture and horticulture an industry status for more benefits and concessions," the official said.

Besides Rs 10,000 as annual financial aid, including Rs 6,000 from the Centre and Rs 4,000 from the state to small and marginal farmers, Kisan credit card will be provided to all farmers to prevent them from falling into debt trap of money lenders.

"A sum of Rs 900 crore has been allocated in the budget for crop loss due to drought, flood or adverse climate as the state's share in the Prime Minister's farm insurance scheme," the official said.

The state government will also encourage farmers to grow drought-resistant crops like millets, with Rs 10,000 incentive per hectare. It will be extended to grow Teff, Chia and Quinoa.

The Agriculture Department will provide chemically pre-processed and polymer smeared seeds to cut production cost and ensure higher germination.

"Under the new farm policy, mobile agriculture health clinics will be rolled out for soil and water testing in the agricultural filed and advising farmers on insecticides and diseases," noted the official.

To discourage use of chemicals, the budget has Rs 200 crore for promoting organic farming extensively across the state.

Farmers will be assisted in using water dissolvable fertilisers, micro nutrients and hydrogel to switch over to organic farming.

"For promoting horticulture and reduce the post-harvest loss, 10 more cold storages with 5,000 tonne capacity will be built under the public-private partnership in the agriculture produce markets across the state at a cost of Rs 75 crore," the official added.
Habibe Sacik sat at the banks of the Tigris River and wept.

I came to see my village one last time, she said a few days before the waters of the controversial Ilisu Dam inundated her village along with dozens of others. Wherever you go, how far you travel, home is home. You feel its loss.

Sacik is one of two women who tell the story of the region through the eyes of women, in a new documentary called Siya Ave, which means Shadow of the Water in Kurdish. Traveling along the banks of the Tigris River, the two women tell of their lives impacted by the Turkish governments pet project in southeastern Anatolia, the Ilisu Dam. Ilisu is Turkeys largest hydroelectric dam and the crown jewel of the Southeastern Anatolia Project. But it also submerges Hasankeyf, a 12,000-year-old town in the southeastern province of Batman and home to many of the civilizations of Mesopotamia. Some 80,000 people have already left their ancestors lands and reluctantly moved to the new settlements offered, some 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

Saciks village, Celtikbasi, is not in internationally known Hasankeyf but further into the east, in the Kurtalan district of Siirt. Located in the Tigris Valley, Celtikbasi, along with half a dozen nearby villages, was vacated last year, too.

Sacik, who has moved to Batman, visited her village one last time, along with her best friend from childhood, Firyaz Yoksu, who had moved to Istanbul decades ago. Yoksu is also the mother of the director of the documentary, journalist Metin Yoksu.

The 25-minute documentary shows how the women travel to their village and to other parts of the region one last time, sharing memories and telling their family history. We will not forget our village  not ever, Yoksu said on camera. But our grandchildren will not see it.

Sacik added, It was our great-grandfather who settled here, my parents were born here. I was cooking when I heard that the rising waters had reached the village next to us. So I came immediately, I knew I had little time to see it one last time.

While Sacik took a bus from the next town, Yoksu got her son to drive her from Istanbul, which took a whole day. I had to see it one last time, she said. I know I will carry the longing for my natal town to my grave.

The history of the controversial dam in the southeast goes back to the 1950s and more than 60 years of campaigning against its construction, despite the advantages it would bring to the water-scarce region. After much zigzagging from consecutive governments, the construction kicked off with a ceremony in 2006 attended by then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Eleven years later, in May 2017, the authorities relocated the mausoleum of the 15th-century warrior Zeynel Bey in a stage-managed spectacle designed to silence critics by supposedly showing that the government respects historical heritage.

For the residents, the move of the tomb was the final nail in the coffin. I knew that once the tomb was moved, nothing, no one could remain in Hasankeyf, said Sacide Yagan, who watched the move from the terrace of her old home, now underwater. I knew that we would have to move very, very soon  both the living and the dead, she told Al-Monitor.

More artifacts were moved, though some remained and residents were gradually moved to their own homes. The slowly rising waters started to swallow the valleys, then the nearby villages and finally the historical district.

Many of the women say they were the ones who minded most leaving behind their homes, where they have spent most of their lives. I lived in the same house for 50 years, brought up all my children there, Emine Demirkan, a 70-year-old resident of Hasankeyf, told Al-Monitor. We built this house ourselves, making improvements whenever we had a bit of money. Then we stopped because we realized that we had to leave the house. We will get 230,000 Turkish liras [$37,800] for this house. We did not want it at first but we would have to take it, what else can we do?The new house is far too small, we spent a good deal to make it habitable.

Another woman stood crying, I have so much to say, but no words, only pain. I do not want to leave my house, but what can I do? she sobbed, but shook her head when asked her name, reluctant to give it.

Not all the residents of Hasankeyf have been offered a new house in the new town, some 10 kilometers away. Those who did not apply in time were rejected on the grounds that there were no houses left for them.

Nilufer Iridil, 34, whose husband is unemployed, told Al-Monitor that she did not know what to do because they had been late in applying and got no house in the new town. This is my house and it is all I have. We have no jobs, no employers. We have three children. Where will we go? We will go live in caves if we have no choice.

Her mother, Remziye Celik, lived in the cave dwellings that surrounded the town and gave birth to her first child in the cave before moving to a house in old Hasankeyf, Iridil said. The Celik family now has a house in new Hasankeyf. But my mother is not happy, Iridil added. She misses the old town, the old neighborhood and she misses me.

Kadriye Atmaca, a 67-year-old mother of eight children, was packing up when Al-Monitor talked to her. We love our homes very much and it is with tears we leave. We only do that because we have to. We grew up here, we love it here. We do not go voluntarily. I will not forget Hasankey  my paradise  until I die. I will tell my grandchildren about it and show the photos, she said.
MIDDLETOWN  The Hamden police officer who briefly detained a missing Middletown man after he entered a womans State Street home the morning after he disappeared was issued a 20-day unpaid suspension from his job Thursday.

The whereabouts of Peter Recchia, 59, who went missing Oct. 3 and hasnt been seen since Oct. 4, are unknown.

The disciplinary action against Officer Stephen Phipps is the result of an internal affairs probe launched in October by the Hamden Police Department into possible mishandling of the case.

Hamden Deputy Police Chief John Sullivan said Thursday his department does not routinely talk about personnel issues, but did so in this case.

Officer Phipps was relieved of his duties March 5, and will return to work April 1. All Officer Phipps police powers have been suspended until he returns, Sullivan said.

A public hearing regarding the matter scheduled for Feb. 27 was canceled.

A Hamden woman called police Oct. 4 after Peter Recchia entered her home through an unlocked door in the early morning, Capt. Ronald Smith said in mid-October. The woman found Recchia sitting at her kitchen table and convinced him to leave the home, he added.

Authorities found Recchia walking south on State Street after the incident. The officer determined that Recchia wasnt a danger to himself or others. He was advised that he could leave, the chief said in October.

Recchia had not yet been reported missing at the time of the Hamden incident. The call to police came in at 4:15 a.m. Oct. 4, after he was spotted on camera passing by a State Street gas station. Middletown police issued a Silver Alert for him at about 8:30 p.m. that day.

The family has maintained throughout the ordeal that Recchia, who suffers from medical and mental health challenges, clearly was in need of medical attention after walking from Middletown to Hamden over a 15-hour period, according to his daughter Bunny Rodriguez.

For her part, Rodriguez is shocked at the results of the inquiry.

Recchias brother, Connecticut News 12 reporter Frank Recchia, said, Bunny and I are proud supporters of police. We thank every local, state and federal law enforcement official who has stood by us during this difficult time, and worked hard to help bring Peter home.

We salute Hamden police, in particular, for their amazing efforts to assist us. That said, if Hamden police have concluded that one of their officers, upon encountering Peter, could have handled the situation better, we stand by their determination and thank them for keeping us informed, he added.

Peter Recchia is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs around 150 pounds, and has gray hair, green eyes, and was wearing rectangular eyeglasses when he disappeared on foot that day. He was wearing a royal blue short-sleeved shirt, jeans, black belt and black sneakers, authorities said.

He was last seen by his daughter shortly before he disappeared. They texted at 7 a.m. that day, after the Hamden incident, Rodriguez said.

Police told Rodriguez her father indicated he was trying to save souls at the Hamden house he entered. It was his habit to walk around Middletown, talking to people about the Bible, she said.

While the family is still holding out hope theyll learn what exactly happened to Recchia, his daughter and brother have come to grips with the possibility he may never be found.

I know in my heart something happened, Rodriguez has said. I think it was an accident.

Its unlikely hes still alive, Frank Recchia told the press late last month.

There is a $1,000 reward for anyone with information that may lead to his discovery. People can message Rodriguez through the Help Us Find Bunny Rodriguezs Dad, Peter Recchia Pop-Pop  Facebook page or call Middletown police at 860-638-4000.
A Ukrainian chess champion and his girlfriend have been found dead in their flat after reportedly being poisoned by 'hippy crack', also known as laughing gas.

Stanislav Bogdanovich, 27, and Alexandra Vernigora, 18, who was also a professional chess player, were discovered in the property in Moscow, Russia, with balloons containing the nitrous oxide.

Miss Vernigora's father found her next to the body of Mr Bogdanovich's body, who had a bag over his head, kxan36news reported.

Officials said signs of a "violent death" were found.

Mr Bogdanovich, a speed chess champion, came under fire earlier this week for representing Russia in an internet chess match against Ukraine, which he won.

Afterwards he defended his decision to represent Russia, saying doing so helped "forge relations between the two countries".

He wrote on his Facebook page: "I answer those who do not understand why I played for Russia. First of all, Im grounded for this. I only do what is best for the business. While there were no donations, I honestly did not play for anyone. Secondly, I am now in Russia. It would be ugly, as a guest, to oppose those who provide a warm welcome. This is just a tribute.

"And the third. I believe that in this way I made my modest contribution to the peace between our countries. It is time for us to come to our senses and stop this feud. Perhaps if each of us had played for Russia only once, then any conflict would have been settled. I suggest that every Ukrainian and every Russian who reads this should send hugs in comments as a sign of our eternal friendship and brotherhood. Only in this way will it be right. Only this will be good.

I am now in Russia. It would be ugly, being a guest, to speak out against those who provide a warm welcome. It is time for us to recover and stop this infighting. Perhaps if each of us only once played in Russia, any conflict would already be exhausted.
Burma Detained Myanmar Journalists Physically Abused by Karen Border Guard Force

Naw Betty Han from Frontier Myanmar and Mar Naw from Myanmar Times were detained by the Border Guard Force in Karen State and released late Thursday evening. / Myanmar Free Press

MANDALAYTwo journalists who were abducted and released by Border Guard Force (BGF) troops in Myawaddy Township, Karen State said they were tortured by the soldiers during interrogation.

Naw Betty Han, a reporter for Frontier Myanmar, and Mar Naw, a photojournalist for Myanmar Times, were detained in the jungle for one day and released Thursday evening.

According to Naw Betty Han, the two were walking near a bridge at Border Gate 1 in Myawaddy and taking a picture of heavy machines building a new casino when the guards of the building compound, wearing black suits and armbands with Chinese letters, detained them.

They told us to delete the photos and later said we needed to meet a major and called a car, she said.

The guards forced the two journalists to cover their faces with black masks and drove them to a rubber plantation. There, armed men wearing fatigues with BGF logos on their armbands sat the reporters on the ground and interrogated them.

Mar Naw said the men hit him several times and kicked his face until his nose bled while others tried to cut his long hair and another held a bayonet near the journalists neck.

I apologized to them several times and asked them not to hit me but they didnt stop. One guy held a bayonet to my neck, said Mar Naw.

They hit and kicked Ko Mar Naw but they didnt hit me. But they aimed their guns at me and cocked the guns, Naw Betty Han explained to reporters in Myawaddy after she was released on Thursday.

The guard in plain clothes who stopped us at the construction site is the one who put us in this situation, Mar Naw added. We deleted the photos as [the guards] requested but they called the armed group and threatened us like this.

After the initial interrogation, the two journalists were handcuffed and put into another car, again with black masks covering their eyes. The armed men took them and locked them in a small prison enclosure in the jungle.

Naw Betty Han said she told the men that they were journalists and called out the names of BGF majors and officials who she had previously interviewed.

They slapped me in my face for calling out their majors name. They said we took photos of their army outpost. We explained ourselves but they didnt listen, she recalled. We were later put in a different enclosure at about 2 a.m. The next afternoon, they told us to get into the car, put the masks on and we were sent back to an office where we met with the BGF officers and were released.

Colonel Saw Chit Thu, head of the ethnic Karen BGF, told The Irrawaddy that they are taking action against those who were involved in the incident.

We gave no instructions to arrest or interrogate any reporters. We arrested the person who was involved in this incident, who went beyond official orders, and they will be punished. I also instructed the troops not to do this in the future, said Col. Saw Chit Thu.

The Karen State-based BGF, formed in 2010, is a splinter group of the defunct Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and is backed by the military. The group operates businesses in the area, including casinos, and is involved in building the Chinese-backed Shwe Kokko real estate development project. Naw Betty Han has written extensively about them.

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The National Chamber of the Transformation Industry Enoch Castellanos (CANACINTRA) has issued a warning against Mexico's National Energy Investment Plan, calling it "a simulation," according to an article by Mexico Business.

Even through the plan is yet to be announced by the federal government, CANACINTRA President Enoch Castellanos told reporters the chamber won't endorse it.

"We already said that as long bidding rounds for oil exploration, as long as there is no decisive action or explanation of what will replace the energy long-term auctions, we will not validate a simulation on energy," Castellanos said in an interview with the local press.

Initially announced to be ready by the end of January, the Energy Sector Investment Plan's launch was moved mid-February, yet the plan didn't take off and so far, there is not an official date for its publication.

The chamber president emphasized that there needs to be private investment since the current federal policies have failed.

"We need the opening [of the energy sector] to private investors, PEMEX exceeding MX$383 billion in losses is outrageous," Castellanos explained, stressing CANACINTRA's stand that the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and PEMEX can be strengthened, but not with public money.

In January, tensions also rose between CANACINTRA and the AMLO's administration as the chamber issued a rebuke of President Obrador's state-first energy policies, calling for the return of oil and gas bid rounds, according to an article by Natural Gas Intel.

The chamber stressed the importance of natural gas and electricity to the economy and warned against regulatory changes that favor Mexico's state-owned energy companies over their private sector competitors.

"We strictly oppose the historic regression that...the cancellation of bid rounds for hydrocarbon exploration and production blocks would represent," the group said.

CANACINTRA further called on the government to "strengthen the confidence of investors" through an energy policy based "on the framework of laws currently in effect."

They also warned that the government cannot boost the confidence of investors if they keep changing the rules from one day to the next.

For CANACINTRA, although Pemex and CFE played "a historic role" in Mexico's growth during the 20th century, the energy challenges of the modern world are too vast for state-run companies to take on alone.

Latest records show Mexican state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) has continued to plummet with a $18.3 billion net loss for 2019, nearly double compared to that of 2018, accoding to report by Latin Post.

Puebla takes a stand on renewable energy

Amidst the issues surrounding the energy sector, the state of Puebla has initiated its own efforts to practice the use of renewable energy.

With the objective of promoting the use of renewable energy, Puebla has launched its new Energy Agency, which presented a MX$40 billion project investment portfolio to be distributed in different areas of the energy sector.

The Mexican state also pushes for a more sustainable and safe consumption that allows economic development with the support from the private sector.

Of the MX$40 billion planned investment, almost MX$30 billion is allocated for electricity generation projects, MX$8.4 billion for natural gas and more than MX$1.2 billion for oil logistics. To generate electricity from natural gas, Pueblo will expand the supply coverage to four of 21 industrial parks, as well push for the conversion of public transport to gas.

Such initiatives are backed by CANACINTRA, the industrial sector body of Mexico that aims to help companies increase their competitiveness and productivity as well as make sure they become socially responsible innovative agents.
Odisha Minister Pratap Jena on Friday informed that the Jagannath Temple administration will withdraw the temple's fix deposits from Yes Bank after maturity and will put it in a nationalised bank.

When asked about reports of Rs 592 crore deposit of Jagannath Temple in Yes Bank, Jena said, "Fix deposits of the temple in the bank will mature on March 16 and 29. After that, temple administration will withdraw money and put it in a nationalised bank. Bar on money withdrawal is for saving accounts only."

On Thursday, the RBI said a moratorium has been imposed on Yes Bank, stressing that the bank's financial capability has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital.

During the period of moratorium, the Yes Bank Ltd will not, without the permission in writing of the Reserve Bank of India, make in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding Rs 50,000 lying to his credit in any savings, current or any other deposit account.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The March 2-6 exhibition takes place on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the UN Commission on Narcotics Drug (CND 63).

In his remarks, Ambassador Le Dung, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission, pointed out the increase in drug use among young people, as well as its impacts on public health and social stability.

He also highlighted the role of family and community in helping young addicts stop using drugs and recover their health and spirit.

The ambassador expressed his hope that through photos featuring home detoxification in such countries as Afghanistan, Cote dIvoire, Indonesia and Vietnam, the exhibition will provide insight into the significance of the treatment method.

Ambassador Darmansjah Djumala, head of the Indonesian permanent mission to the UN and other international organisations in Vienna, and head of the Japanese delegation to the CND 63 Hideo Eno lauded the initiative of the UNODC and the Vietnamese mission to organise the exhibition.

This is the third year the Vietnamese mission has joined hands with the UNODC in this activity.
State Bank of India , the country's largest lender, will take a 49 per cent stake in Yes Bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said late on Friday as it laid out a plan for the rescue of the troubled private lender. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a briefing in New Delhi on Friday said the restructuring plan would be implemented within 30 days. The RBI sharply increased Yes Bank's authorised share capital, paving the way for the bad-debt laden lender to receive a cash injection after it failed in its months-long attempt to raise enough money to meet regulatory ...
Gardai have made significant progress in tracking down those behind the abduction and torture of QIH director Kevin Lunney

Four members of the same family have been arrested in the cross-border investigation into the campaign of violence against the directors of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH).

This is the second series of arrests in the probe involving gardai and the PSNI since the abduction and torture of QIH director Kevin Lunney last September.

The Herald understands three members of the same family were arrested by the PSNI in Co Fermanagh, while a fourth was arrested by gardai in Co Cavan.

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Two men aged 23 and 61 and a woman aged 61 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and assisting offenders.

They were taken into custody at Omagh PSNI Station for questioning.

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Whatsapp Cordon close to where Mr Lunney is thought to have been attacked near Ballinagh, Co Cavan

In Cavan, gardai arrested a man in his 30s. He was detained at Cavan Garda Station.

The operation marks a new phase in the investigation, as gardai have made "major progress" and succeeded in un- covering the money trail used by the late border gang boss Cyril McGuinness.

The senior criminal was nicknamed Dublin Jimmy and died last November during a police raid in England.

It was recently revealed that the discovery of a number of bank accounts used by bogus front companies set up in the Republic on behalf of McGuinness may lead directly to the mysterious kingpin who paid him to orchestrate the campaign of violence.

The arrests also come in the wake of an attempted arson attack at the home of a relative of one of the QIH directors in Co Fermanagh last month, when two men tried to set fire to a nearby truck and an SUV.

However, the would-be arsonists were disturbed and sped off before any damage was done, and the incident was captured on CCTV.

Security chiefs fear the incident marked a resumption of the violence against the QIH executives, which had ceased following the abduction and torture of Mr Lunney.

There had been quiet opti- mism that the campaign of intimidation would end permanently following McGuinness' death.

In January, gardai informed the five directors of QIH who have been targeted, including Mr Lunney, that the threat level against each of them is "as high as it has ever been".

Chief Superintendent John O Reilly, of Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division, said yesterday: "Today's arrests demonstrate An Garda Siochana's ongoing commitment, working closely with the PSNI, and is a further significant step to ensuring that the perpetrators of this vicious attack will be brought to justice."
Prosecutors say they have reason to believe Glenn Eric Adams is now mentally competent to stand trial for allegedly killing a man in Longview 34 years ago.

Adams, 60, has tried to confess to killing Russel Lyle Haines while they were living in the Oregon Way Hotel in 1986. However, Cowlitz Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning dismissed the case in August when prosecutors agreed to drop their charges because two previous attempts to restore his competency had failed.

Adams was committed to Western State Hospital in Steilacoom for treatment, but at the time Warning said Adams would never going to be in a position to stand trial for any kind of criminal (charges), absent something very, very surprising.

But about a month ago, Cowlitz Deputy Prosecutor David Phelan learned that Adams treatment had progressed well and basically he was asymptomatic, meaning he was not showing signs of mental incompetency.

Prosecutors refiled their charges on Feb. 26 under the good faith basis that Adams mental problems were resolved, Phelan said. Longview police arrested Adams on a warrant Wednesday and returned him to the Cowlitz County jail. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges.

Adams still must be deemed mentally competent before he can be tried. In court Thursday, Judge Warning set a mental evaluation for March 26.

Phelan said he expects an exam to find Adams competent. Public Defense Director Thad Scudder, who is representing Adams, declined to comment about the case.

Adams tried to confess to murdering Haines four times, starting in July 2017. But he wasnt arrested until his last confession in July 2018 because his mental health problems and alcohol use kept him from making a credible statement. During his final try, he was sober and shared specific details about the case the only the killer could have known, according to local police.

Police found Haines body March 13, 1986, in his hotel room with a long sleeve shirt tied tightly around his neck and his pants pockets turned inside out, according to court documents. A coroner ruled he had been strangled.

In his final confession, Adams said he robbed Haines after an argument with his girlfriend about money. He knew Haines carried large amounts of cash on him, according to court documents.

During the robbery, Adams put Haines in a chokehold until he became unconscious, he told police. Then, he went through Haines pockets and took $400 from a wallet.

Haines started to wake up before Adams left, he said, so Adams grabbed some kind of cloth, believing it a towel or a shirt and tied it around Haines neck, restricting his airway and killing him.

Adams told police he just wants to right the wrong he has done, according to court documents.

Adams in the past indicated he wished to plead guilty, but judges deferred a plea to make sure Adams was competent to make such a decision. The courts twice sent Adams to Western State Hospital to attempt to restore his competency, but it didnt completely take, Phelan said.

In some reports from the restoration attempts, Adams expressed paranoia that he was being tortured by a secret government program that would only end if he pleaded guilty and asked for a death sentence.

He had been making progress at Western through the two restoration periods. Hed been getting better, but he just wasnt quite there, Phelan said.

I was thinking at some point he would be better enough, and we would be doing this again, Phelan added.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (March 6) will hear the case related to the speech given by social activist Harsh Mander, in which he allegedly said that he doesn`t have faith in the judiciary. The Delhi Police on Wednesday had filed an affidavit in the top court seeking the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the activist for his alleged "derogatory remarks" against the SC and its judges.

According to the police, Mander's speech not only instigated violence but also brought disrepute to the judiciary. In a six-page affidavit, Rajesh Deo, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police, Legal cell had claimed that Mander had instigated people to violence.

The affidavit said, "It is submitted that I have come across a video clip showing Harsh Mander delivering a speech which is not only instigating the violence but is also seriously contemptuous as it makes derogatory remarks against the Supreme Court of India to a huge gathering of people."

It further submitted, "This clip is freely available on social media. Harsh Mander is known for taking contemptuous stand and bringing the judiciary, as an institution and individual judges to disrepute."

While hearing the pleas filed by Harsh Mander demanding registration of FIR against BJP leaders who gave provocative speeches during Delhi riots, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Mander file a reply in the top court by Friday.

Meanwhile, the top court on Thursday denied a request of senior advocate Colin Gonsalves to intervene in the proceeding initiated against the social activist over his alleged remarks.

A bench of Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde asked Gonsalves to stay out of proceedings being initiated against Harsh Mander. Advocate Gonsalves said that he was the counsel of Mander in Delhi High Court and wants to put on record transcripts of speech, to which CJI Bobde said that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has already given the transcript.

Mehta had mentioned the alleged video of Mander during a hearing on Wednesday saying he (Mander) is seen calling on the people of India to streets for "real justice" and expressed no faith in the courts.

"If this is what he (Mander) feels about the court then we have to decide how to deal...," CJI Bobde had said.

Advocate Karuna Nandy, appearing for Mander, had said that his client did not make such a statement.

Notably, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Delhi High Court to hear on Friday the PIL filed by Delhi violence survivors seeking registration of FIR against political leaders over their hate speeches, which allegedly led to the riots in the national capital.

At least 50 people, including IB officer Ankit Sharma and Police Head Constable Rattan Lal, had died while around 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in north-east Delhi last week.
Lok Sabha on Friday gave its nod to the Mines and Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill amid sloganeering by Opposition members over the Delhi violence and other issues.

The Bill proposes to remove end-use restrictions for participating in coal mine auctions and will open up the coal sector fully for commercial mining for all domestic and global companies.

It would also pave the way for auctioning of iron ore mining leases which expire this month.

The process for the passage of the bill was underway on Thursday when the House was adjourned following protests by Opposition members over controversial remarks by a Rajasthan MP against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her family members.

The Bill was passed amid noisy scenes on Friday when the House reassembled at 12 noon following an adjournment.
Storyful

Supporters of world No.1 Novak Djokovic gathered outside a courthouse in Melbourne on January 10 as the player appealed against his deportation from Australia in the hope of staying to play in the Australian Open.According to court filings, Djokovics lawyers say he was granted a visa on November 18. An exemption certificate was issued by Tennis Australias chief medical officer on December 30, they said.The hearing on Monday was due to start at the Federal Circuit and Family Court at 10am but was delayed multiple times due to technical issues. According to local reports, Judge Anthony Kelly said a professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced and provided to the applicant a medical exemption.Further to that, that medical exemption and the basis on which it was given was separately given by a further independent expert specialist panel, established by the Victorian state government. And that document was in the hands of the delegate.And the point Im somewhat agitated about is, was what more could this man have done? Judge Kelly asked.Footage by Slobodan Bendjo shows fans waving Serbian flags and dancing outside the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne. Credit: Slobodan Bendjo via Storyful
[March 06, 2020] Consortium of Long Term Global Investors Enters into Exclusive Negotiations to Acquire Galileo Global Education

Galileo Global Education ("Galileo" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of higher education and Europe's largest higher education group, today announced that Providence Equity Partners (News - Alert) ("Providence"), a majority shareholder since 2011, has entered into exclusive negotiations for the sale of Galileo to a consortium comprised of global long-term institutional investors, including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPP Investments"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CPP Investment Board Europe S.a r.l., and Montagu, alongside existing shareholders Tethys Invest and Bpifrance. On completion of the transaction, CPP Investments and Tethys Invest, in an equal partnership, are each expected to hold ownership positions of approximately 40% in the Company. Marc-Francois Mignot Mahon, Chief Executive Officer of Galileo, said, "I want to thank Providence first for supporting us in becoming a global leader in just a few years and for handing over now to the most prestigious long-term institutional investors. I also want to thank Tethys Invest and Bpifrance for their unfaltering support. "Education needs long-term commitments, education deserves the most prestigious institutional investors, education is an investment like no other because it is an investment in women and men in their own development as well as in the development of tomorrow's society. Galileo is proud to welcome these major international institutions, both public and private, which join forces to support us in becoming the world leader in higher education and continue our mission at the service of society: to educate and train. "My thoughts go to the thousands of employees of Galileo who today must feel proud and recognized for their outstanding daily commitment to serving our students throughout the world." Alain Carrier, Senior Managing Director and Head of International at CPP Investments, said, "We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Marc-Francois, Tethys Invest, Montagu, and Bpifrance over the long-term to continue to deliver the highest quality education experience to students across global markets. CPP Investments looks for opportunities to work with and support best-in-class management teams to build long-term value for CPP contributors and beneficiaries." Ryan Selwood, Managing Director and Head of Direct Private Equity at CPP Investments, said, "Galileo, under Marc-Francois' leadership, has developed a unique global platform in the higher education sector, providing high-quality and innovative courses and qualifications for students around the world. The business and management team have the ambition, capacity and opportunity to build on its impressive growth trajectory well into the future. We will work with them to build on their success through expansion into new markets, enhancing the wide array of subjects and specialisms they offer to higher education students globally." Alexandre Benais, CEO of Tethys Invest, said, "Tethys Invest is looking forward to further supporting Galileo in its development, together with its management team and high-quality partners, in a sector where long term shareholding makes strong sense in order to enable the group to deploy its strategy." Guillaume Jabalot, Director at Montagu, said, "We are delighted to support the long-term plans of Marc-Francois Mignot Mahon and his very capable team who are committed to making Galileo the leading global provider of higher education." Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of Bpifrance, aid, "Marc-Francois Mignot Mahon and his teams have succeeded in creating a French champion in the field of higher education, with a global reach. We are extremely proud to further support Galileo in a new phase of its development, alongside the management team, Tethys Invest, and new prestigious long-term partners. Investing in education is a priority for Bpifrance, which is committed to contribute to the international expansion of French champions, with a focus on social responsibility and high-quality education services."



Karim Tabet, Managing Director at Providence Equity, said, "Our vision starting Galileo began in 2011 with a blank sheet of paper, where we saw an opportunity to create a leading international education platform that provides students an outstanding learning experience across innovation, creativity, the arts and culture. Working closely with Marc-Francois and his team, we successfully completed a number of strategic acquisitions and supported existing high-quality schools in their expansion to build Galileo into a European leader. Today's announcement represents an important milestone - the arrival of new long-term owners who are committed to taking Galileo to a new level and advancing its mission of improving the quality of higher education and its powerful force for good in the world." The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2020, subject to regulatory and customary approvals.

About Galileo Global Education Galileo Global Education brings together 42 benchmark schools on 80 campuses in 13 countries around the world, united around unique know-how: to enable its 110,000 students to be connected to the entire world, and to decompartmentalize the teaching of the major disciplines of management, arts and creation, marketing and technology in order to foster innovation in every field. The group's schools issue 56 certified titles. Its network includes pillars of excellence and prestigious schools in education, such as the Paris School of Business (PSB), Cours Florent, Penninghen, Strate and Atelier de Sevres in France, Instituto de Universitario in Mexico, Macromedia University in Germany and Istituto Marangoni in Italy. About CPP Investments Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to pay current benefits in the best interests of 20 million contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build diversified portfolios of assets, investments in public equities, private equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income instruments are made by CPP Investments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Sydney, CPP Investments is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. At December 31, 2019, the CPP Fund totalled C$420.4 billion. For more information about CPP Investments, please visit www.cppinvestments.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. About Tethys Invest Tethys Invest is the investment holding of the Bettencourt-Meyers family, dedicated to direct long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects, in particular in the healthcare and education fields. About Montagu Montagu is one of Europe's leading investors with over fifty years' investment experience. Montagu's investment strategy is focussed on supporting the management teams of high-quality companies operating in stable and growing sectors, providing products and services that their customers would otherwise badly miss. About Bpifrance Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses - at every stage of their development - through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extrafinancial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export). About Providence Equity Partners Providence is a premier global asset management firm with over $45 billion in aggregate capital commitments. Providence pioneered a sector-focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 200 companies and has become a leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education and information industries. Providence is headquartered in Providence, RI, and also has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit www.provequity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005407/en/

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Coronavirus testing kits have been airlifted to the Grand Princess after a passenger on a previous trip died after contracting the illness. (Picture: Getty)

Coronavirus testing kits are being airlifted to a cruise ship quarantined in waters off San Francisco with 140 Britons on board.

US officials ordered that the Grand Princess be held off the California coast after a passenger on an earlier trip died and at least one other was infected with Covid-19.

A Coast Guard helicopter was due to deliver test kits to the ship on Thursday once it reached waters off San Francisco, with test results expected on Friday.

The ship has a capacity of 3,650 passengers and crew but Princess Cruises said fewer than 100 had been identified for testing.

The cruise line said that no cases of the virus had been confirmed among those still on the ship but that some passengers had experienced flu-like symptoms.

Passenger Sharon Lane, from the UK, told CNN she was worried about the elderly guests on board who may be more vulnerable to coronavirus.

People are starting to get worried, and especially on this cruise, she said. On this cruise, it's mainly really elderly people.

Read more: 'Family cluster' among 13 new UK coronavirus cases

A fellow passenger from Granbury in Texas, told Radio 4s Today programme that she hadnt seen anyone who looked visibly ill.

She said: I dont see anybody walking around that appears sick. There may be some, if they are they must be in the medical area. Nobody is walking around sneezing and coughing

People are Im sure a little bit anxious but nobody has gone screaming mad yet.

The boat has been quarantined off the coast of San Francisco, California. (Picture: Getty)

The Grand Princess was on a 15-day trip that was cut short after news broke that a man who had been on a previous trip died after contracting the illness.

In a statement Princess Cruises said: Public health officials have advised that no guests will be permitted to disembark until all (test) results have been received.

While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently on board, the CDC has identified groups of guests and crew who will be tested before arrival into San Francisco.

Read more: Coronavirus: First person in UK dies after contracting virus

There are fewer than 100 guests and crew identified for testing, including all in-transit guests (guests who were on the previous Mexico voyage and remained onboard for the current Hawaii voyage), those guests and crew who have experienced influenza-like illness symptoms on this voyage, and guests currently under care for respiratory illness.
Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/Reuters

A culture of concealment, cost cutting and grossly insufficient oversight led to two fatal crashes of Boeing 737 Max aircraft that claimed 346 lives, a congressional report has concluded.

The preliminary findings, issued by Democrats on the House transportation committee, conclude that Boeing jeopardized the safety of the flying public in its attempts to get the Max approved by regulators.

In a blistering 13-page report the committee found Boeings Max design was marred by technical design failures, lack of transparency with both regulators and customers.

According to the report, in 2011 the manufacturer was under tremendous financial pressure to compete with its rival Airbuss A320neo aircraft. The speediest solution was to update its 737 fleet rather than develop a new plane.

As a result of those pressures, and in order to get the Max certified as quickly as possible, the manufacturer misled and withheld information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and even the very existence of the MCAS anti-stall software system, blamed for the crashes, from pilots.

Related: The only ones not paying for Boeings mistakes is Boeing': laid-off supply workers voice their anger

The report, based on internal documents, whistleblower testimony and public hearings, faults the FAA, too. The congressional committee cited conflicts of interest among Boeing employees who were authorized to perform certification work on behalf of the FAA and said Boeings influence over the FAAs oversight had resulted in FAA management rejecting safety concerns raised by the agencys own technical experts at the behest of Boeing.

The regulators oversight was grossly insufficient and it failed in its duty to both uncover critical problems and make sure Boeing fixed them, the committee found. The combination of these problems doomed the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights, the report concluded.

In one example of regulatory failure the committee reported that following the crash of a Lion Air Max, the FAA learned that Boeing had failed to fix an inoperable alert on an estimated 80% of the 737 Max fleet and decided not to inform the FAA or its customers about the non-functioning alert for more than 14 months, which should have raised concerns about Boeings transparency with the FAA.

Story continues

The report says its findings paint a disturbing picture of Boeings development and production of the 737 Max and the FAAs ability to provide appropriate oversight of Boeings 737 Max program. These issues must be addressed by both Boeing and the FAA in order to correct poor certification practices that have emerged, faulty analytical assumptions that have surfaced, notably insufficient transparency by Boeing, and inadequate oversight of Boeing by the FAA.

Boeing was forced to ground its entire fleet of Max airliners after the crashes of the Lion Air Max in 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines jet in 2019.

Lawmakers are now considering a range of options to combat what critics describe as failed safety culture at the company.

In a statement Boeing said: Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families that lost loved ones in these accidents. We have cooperated extensively for the past year with the committees investigation. We will review this preliminary report.
Washington, March 6 : Indian-American women have expressed their disappointment over Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren's exit from the Democratic presidential nominee race, setting the field for a straight ideological contest between two men, centrist former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-declared socialist.

Nikita Ahuja, a 36-year-old advertising professional from Massachusetts, had rooted for Warren because as a child of immigrant parents growing up in America, she had heard stories from her mother who left India during the early 70s when the country's first female Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was in office, the American Bazaar said in a report on Thursday.

"After I grew up and studied a bit on Indian politics, it struck me that for a generation of Indian women homemakers like my mom, to have a woman as a strong world leader meant a lot," Ahuja told the American Bazaar.

"India had it but America still hasn't had a woman President... It struck me as odd mostly because in many ways, the US remains ahead in terms of women's rights vis-a-vis India.

"With Warren exiting the race, the only fair chance of having a woman President in America is dashed," she added.

While a lot of immigrants from India who built their lives from scratch in the US were supporting Biden, their adult kids were looking at more progressive candidates like Sanders or Warren, the American Bazaar report said.

Diksha Shah, who is a sophomore in New Jersey, says: "Even though I am not yet eligible to vote, my sister who goes to a university informs me that a lot of 'desi' and brown girls liked SWarren for her grit and policies. It's sad to see her exit." Sama Kumar of Connecticut said: "We also felt drawn towards Warren because she was not just a woman candidate with no clear plan. She in fact charted out a clear Medicare for All plan with details on financial mechanism." With the Super Tuesday, changing the course of presidential campaigns once more, one would have to wait to see how the South Asian voters realign themselves.

On Thursday, Warren, who is from the party's left wing and performed poorly in the primaries, announced in front of her house in Massachusetts that she was leaving the race but not ready yet to endorse either Sanders or Biden.

She said that she was going to continue to fight for the middle class "as smartly and effectively as I can".

Three moderate candidates - Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg - have quit the race and endorsed Biden after poor performance in the party polls.

Another candidate, hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer, has also pulled out.

Of the candidates who have shown up nationally, only Hindu American member of the House of Representatives Tulsi Gabbard remains in the race, although she has polled around one per cent or less of the votes in the 18 states where the party polls have been held.
It has not been a very smooth ride for private sector lenders in the banking history of India with the latest case of Yes Bank falling into the RBI's interim management before a bigger sovereign structure is worked under the central bank's supervision.



Poor corporate governance and NPAs have been their Achilles' heel.



Way back in 2004, the crisis-ridden Global Trust Bank was merged with the Oriental Bank of Commerce by the Reserve Bank of India. since 2001, the GTB's name was associated with scams and controversies, thereby casting shadows over the credibility of the bank and its management.



Due to the over exposure to capital markets and huge NPAs, the bank was in a financial mess. When the GTB tried to cover up its monumental NPAs through under provisioning, the RBI - the central bank and the regulatory authority for banks in India, appointed an independent team to review the finances of the bank and this revealed various financial discrepancies kept covered by the bank.



The RBI had imposed a three month moratorium on GTB on the ground of "wrong financial disclosures" and within two days, the bank was merged with the public sector OBC and lost its separate identity.



On GTB issues, former RBI Governor Y.V. Reddy wrote in his memoirs "Advice & Dissent": "Soon after I joined as Governor in September 2003, I had to take a view on cleaning up GTB.



"GTB continued to be on the list of problem banks. We sounded leading private sector banks if they could take over GTB. Surprisingly, they did not evince interest. We decided to act before it is too late."



In yet another banking crisis, HDFC Bank had taken over the Centurion Bank of Punjab (CBoP) in an all-stock deal. HDFC Bank board, in 2008, approved the acquisition for Rs 9,510 crore in one of the largest mergers in the financial sector in India. CBoP shareholders got one share of HDFC Bank for every 29 shares held by them.



This was HDFC Bank's second acquisition after Times Bank and it strengthened HDFC Bank's distribution network in the northern and the southern regions. The entire process of the merger took four months for completion.



In the merged entity, Rana Talwar's Sabre Capital held less than 1 per cent stake against 3.48 in CBoP.



In the recent times, there was the PMC Bank crisis.



The RBI had superseded the board of crisis-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Ltd, Mumbai and appointed Jai Bhagwan Bhoria as its new administrator.



The alleged irregularities in the bank came to the fore when the RBI restrained the bank from doing business activities for six months and capped the withdrawal by the depositors at Rs 1,000 a day which subsequently increased to Rs 50,000. It sent shockwaves through the banking sector as the bank was catering to small depositors, and the curbs imposed by the RBI stoked the apprehension of another major scam in the country's banking sector.



Apart from institutions such as IDBI, ICICI, HDFC and UTI, the Centurion Bank, Bank of Punjab, Times Bank, Global Trust Bank and IndusInd Bank of the Hindujas were given licenses as private banks. Barring IndusInd, all the others have been merged into another bank.
The Only Way Is Essex star Danielle Armstrong has announced she is engaged (Ian West/PA)

The Only Way Is Essex star Danielle Armstrong has announced she is engaged.

Armstrong, who is pregnant, shared the news on Instagram, posting pictures from a Dubai holiday with boyfriend Tommy Edney.

Alongside snaps of the couple on a boat showing her diamond ring, she wrote: Feel Like The Luckiest Girl In The World Right Now I SAID YES.

On her Instagram Story, Armstrong, 31, told fans: So, I said yes! You done very well. I actually felt sick. Its not even the boat! Are you excited to marry me?

Mr Edney replied: I pulled it out of the bag didnt I? Mrs Edney to be!

Armstrongs Towie co-stars were among those congratulating the couple.

Kate Ferdinand, who found fame on the show, wrote: Ah amazing news. Very happy for u! Congratulations to u both.

Jess Wright commented: Awwwww dan woooooooo!!!!!!!! Im soooo happy for you!!!!!!!

And former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison said: OH MY GOD!!!! Congratulations missus!!!! So pleased for you.

Video of the Day

Armstrong and Mr Edney are expecting a daughter. In September, Armstrong said she had found love with her friend of 22 years.

She tweeted: Life has a funny way of working out just when I decided to give up on love my friend of 22 years swept me off my feet.
A 21-year-old man is accused of snatching a toddler boy of the steps of a Montgomery apartment building.

Demarcus Leonard Snead is charged with second-degree kidnapping. The incident happened Thursday morning outside a residence in the 3100 block of Virginia Downs.

According to charging documents, a 34-year-old woman was walking down the steps from her apartment with two children, ages 1 and 2. She encountered Snead walking up the stairs.

At that point, she said, Snead grabbed the womans 1-year-old nephew and she told him to put him down. Instead, Snead took the boy to his vehicle and fled the scene with the boy in his lap.

The woman told police she followed Snead in an attempt to get her nephew back, but said he was driving dangerously so she stopped and called police. The police report stated the woman does not know Snead and also stated Snead has no relationship to the kidnapped child.

Montgomery patrol officers located Snead and tried to conduct a traffic stop but he refused. A short time later, police said, Smith released the boy unharmed in the area of Narrow Lane Road and continued to flee.

Snead was ultimately taken into custody and booked in the Montgomery County Detention Facility. The child was reunited with his family.

Police have not released a motive, or additional details, in the abduction.
By Express News Service

ONGOLE: A suspected case of coronavirus was identified in Prakasam district on Thursday. A 25-year-old techie of 5th Lane in Ramnagar in the city returned from France via Germany, Muscat and Bengaluru five days ago. As he has been suffering from high fever, cough, cold and stomach upset after arriving home, he visited the Government General Hospital (RIMS). After examining him, the doctors admitted the techie in Novel Corona Isolation Ward set up at RIMS. As he is closely associated with his father, the doctors also admitted his father in the isolation ward as a precautionary measure though he is asymptomatic.

Having learnt about the suspected Covid-19 case, medical and health staff visited his house and took all precautionary measures like spraying sodium hypochlorite, and created awareness among his family members as well as neighbours about precautions to be taken. Swabs from throat and blood samples of the person with suspected coronavirus symptoms were collected and sent to Hyderabad for diagnosis. We are closely observing the patients health condition and symptomatic treatment is being given to him. As of now, he is stable. Bengaluru medical authorities are also visiting Ongole after being alerted about the suspected Covid-19 case, DMHO K Padmavathi told TNIE.

District Collector Pola Bhaskar directed the Medical and Health Department authorities to take all necessary precautions to combat coronavirus threat. He appealed to people not to be panic with the detection of a suspected coronavirus case in Ongole. The government is taking all necessary precautions to tackle the coronavirus threat, he said.
THE ISSUE:

Sen. Charles Schumer criticizes Supreme Court justices with threatening language.

THE STAKES:

The backlash should be a wake-up call to leaders who have been treating the courts as just another political tool.

Sen. Charles Schumer was wrong to threaten two Supreme Court justices. And while we'd like to say he was right to apologize for it, it's hard to give him any praise for parsing his attack even as he said he was sorry for it.

If you're waiting for a "but" that somehow excuses Mr. Schumer nonetheless, sorry to disappoint. The appropriate word is "and"  as in, the senator was wrong, and we all need to learn a lesson from the latest low our public discourse has sunk to.

Mr. Schumer, a New York Democrat and the Senate's minority leader, was outside the Supreme Court Wednesday speaking to abortion rights supporters while justices heard arguments on a Louisiana abortion case. Mr. Schumer singled out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, both nominated by President Donald Trump, who had once pledged that Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion nationally, would be "automatically" overturned if he was elected and picked new justices.

"I want to tell you, Gorsuch; I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price," Mr. Schumer said. "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."

What Mr. Schumer meant by such threatening language wasn't clear. In what started as a fine apology the next day but ended up sounding more like "Sorry you misunderstood me," Mr. Schumer said he meant it politically  that curtailing women's rights would spark a voter backlash. Chief Justice John Roberts called Mr. Schumer's comments "dangerous"; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opined that it was a call to violence. Over the top? Perhaps, but Mr. Schumer left himself wide open for the criticism.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

This is a new low point in a long race to the bottom when it comes to how politicians treat the courts. Americans have listened to President Trump bash the justice system for years, from his claim that a judge of Hispanic descent was biased against him on a case involving his fraudulent Trump University to his recent calls for liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to recuse themselves and his public attack on a judge and jury in the trial of his political henchman Roger Stone.

Mr. McConnell has hyperpoliticized the courts, too, refusing to even consider a Supreme Court nominee from Democratic President Barack Obama, and leading the Republican push to appoint conservative justices regardless of qualification. He has trashed constraints that once gave the judicial nomination process at least a measure of bipartisanship.

None of which is to excuse Mr. Schumer's behavior. It's disappointing to hear such talk from one of New York's own. And with these intemperate words coming from someone as normally thoughtful and circumspect as Mr. Schumer, the backlash should be a warning to politicians, pundits, and all those with a voice in our national dialogue to turn back from the dark road they are dragging our justice system down.
Social media giant Facebook Inc (FB.O) and Alphabet Incs (GOOGL.O) Google on Thursday recommended their San Francisco Bay area employees work from home to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Facebook said it is strongly recommending that all Bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting Friday.

The decision is based on the guidance from Santa Clara County on Thursday, Anthony Harrison, Facebook spokesperson, said in an emailed statement to Reuters.



Employees and contractors involved in the sites safety and security will continue to work on site, while all Bay Area events will remain canceled, according to the statement.

Separately, Google has offered a work-from-home option to employees in Bay Area offices, a spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) confirmed early on Friday that two of its employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

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Vodafone Idea on Friday submitted its self assessment of statutory dues to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) which stand at Rs 21,533 crore.

The company has filed its self-assessment of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities with the DoT, it said in regulatory filings at stock exchanges.

"The self-assessment discloses the company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crore including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crore for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020," said Vodafone Idea.

The company has so far paid a sum of Rs 3,500 crore to the DoT which is a fraction of the Rs 57,000 crore demanded by the government.

It paid a sum of Rs 2,500 crore on February 17 and a further sum of Rs 1,000 crore on February 20 towards this liability, it said.

On Wednesday, Vodafone Idea board of directors met to discuss the AGR issue. At 3 pm on Friday, its stock was trading nearly 7 per cent lower at Rs 3.34 apiece.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rajasthan Disaster Management and Relief Minister Bhanwar Lal Meghwal on Friday said farmers who have suffered more than 33 per cent crop losses due to rainfall and hailstorm will get full compensation.

The minister also informed the Rajastha assembly that compensation will be given to affected farmers after special 'girdarwari', assessment of losses, is completed in the next 10 to 15 days.

The government is serious towards the distress of farmers, he said while giving a statement on effect hailstorms and rainfall on crops in the state.

Meghwal informed the House that primary information about the damage to crops due to hailstorm and rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday were received from Alwar, Barmer, Bharatpur, Dausa, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Karauli and Sawaimadhopur.

He said that as per primary information, losses to crop in these districts were more than 33 per cent.

The minister informed that two women have been killed in lightning strike in Nagaur district and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for families of the deceased.

While Geetadevi died on Wednesday night in Udrasar village of Nagaur district, Bhanwari Devi died on Friday in lightening strike. PTI SDA



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Sandeep Singhhttp://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpgWe bring the World to you"Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.

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After the announcement of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's exit from royal life, there had been reports that the former actress has been receiving offers to return to the spotlight. Said offers are amounting to millions of dollars for a mere cameo.

But money does not seem that much of an issue for her, even if the offer was $1M for each second of her appearance as Rachel Zane in the series. However, Markle was not interested and did not call back.

The actress is apparently in demand since she received another offer from German cosmetics company Biotulin for a $5 M fee for five seconds on camera and her return to the role of Rachel Zane in "Suits."

Everyone knows how she dropped the role when her engagement to Prince Harry was official. After leaving royal life, one company wants her back on a weekly television show.

According to The Mirror, the $1 M fee was agreed at per second, which is a lot for 5 seconds of screen time.

The generous offer is rather tempting, but that will not be happening on the show since it got cancelled by the network which means that seeing her in that role is unlikely.

Will the cancelling of the show keep her off the big or small screen, some buzz got out that she was looking for prime superhero roles, which is a hot trend now.

Also read: Prince Philip Health Fears: Duke Not Getting Any Better, Worrying Queen Elizabeth

The Daily Mail reported from a source, that the former TV star is looking at a major blockbuster on the wings, as her acting agent Nick Collins might be able to score a major role in a film.

According to the Daily Mail's source, "He has said she wants her return to acting to be part of an ensemble cast in something like a superhero film."

The unknown source, also added, "Meghan is planning a series of meetings in Hollywood. She has already done the voiceover for Disney and now the word is out that she's looking for a superhero film, as a voiceover or even on screen."

Following ther annoucement to exit the Royal family, the Duke was seen talking to Disney CEO Bob Igar during the Lion King Premiere wherein it was revealed that Markle signed a deal with Disney for a voice over project.

Soon to come is the final curtain call for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as working royals later this week. Royal sources are remarking that it is a roller coaster ride for the younger Prince Harry.

Even with the impending exit of the two from royal life, the Queen is still holding out an olive branch to her grandson, as the royals met in Buckingham Palace last Sunday. The Queen said Harry is always welcome to return as a royal.

The younger Prince talked with his grandmother at Windsor Castle where both had a light lunch and tea as the discuss about Harry's future.

Reports indicate that the Queen had a lot to talk to Harry about and the setting was the ideal time for the pair to both say their piece.

Although Meghan Markle's "Suits" appearance is not happening, at least the couple still has a bright future ahead of them knowing that both are talented and the Queen is there to support them.

Related article: Meghan Markle's Biggest Disappointment with Ex-Husband

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Paul Buckowski/Times Union

ALBANY  On this week's edition of WMHT's "New York Now," Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, R-Oswego, talks about the state Legislature's response to the novel coronavirus, the state budget, bail reform and more.

Also this week: Dan Clark looks at the push to overhaul the state's laws on solitary confinement, and the Reporters Roundtable has Amanda Fries and Casey Seiler from the Times Union and Joseph Spector from the USA Today Network discussing the politics of coronavirus response.
The Bombay Bar Association on Thursday passed a resolution condemning senior judge of Supreme Court justice Arun Mishra for praising prime minister Narendra Modi at an international judicial conference last month. The resolution by the Bombay Bar Association comes on the heels of a similar one by the Supreme Court Bar Association. The resolution said that BBA deprecates the conduct of Justice Mishra for making obsequious remarks  which were improper and unnecessary.

On February 22, 2020, sitting judge of the Supreme Court justice Arun Mishra attended the inaugural ceremony of the International Judicial Conference. While delivering the vote of thanks he remarked, India is a responsible and most friendly member of the international community under the stewardship of internationally acclaimed, visionary prime minister, Shri Narendra Modi.He added: We thank the versatile genius who thinks globally and acts locally.

The executive committee of the Bar Association of India and Supreme Court Bar Association also reacted to his comment on the role of the judiciary. Mishra said: All three organs of the state have to work independently but in tandem to make the democracy successful, to visualise and for effective implementation of constitutional aspirations and its values.

On February 25, the executive committee expressed its concern and dismay and stated that such words, ..dilute the perception of impartiality and independence and diminishes the confidence of the general public.

The following day on February 26, the SC Bar Association, in a resolution, expressed its anguish and concern regarding the remarks by justice Mishra and strongly condemned the same

The BBA on Thursday passed a resolution which said, This association deprecates the conduct of a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India making such obsequious remarks about the head of the Executive, and believes that they are both improper and unnecessary... .
Newly qualified teachers report higher levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction compared to other graduates, but are more likely to say hard work in Britain is unrewarded, according to UCL research.

The study, published today in the British Journal of Educational Studies and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, also shows that newly qualified teachers work, on average, nine hours more a week compared to graduates in other professions.

Researchers from the UCL Institute of Education analysed data of around 16,000 people born in 1989-90 from the Next Steps cohort study. The study began in 2004 and has continued to track individuals into their twenties. By age 26 the final sample of teachers who had been in the job for up to three years was 291.

Teachers were asked questions about their wellbeing, health, working and social lives as well as whether they believed that hard work in Britain is rewarded.

Professor John Jerrim (UCL Institute of Education), lead author, said, "We are currently seeing a shortage of appropriately qualified teachers, particularly in secondary schools, and we wanted to find out why so many are leaving the profession.

"This is of particular concern because not only are teachers feeling undervalued, many school teachers and heads are saying this is directly affecting and harming the quality of education pupils receive."

Overall, teachers reported higher levels of life satisfaction and showed no evidence of worse mental health or less active social lives compared to others in the cohort For example, 37% said they were 'very satisfied' at ages 20 and 26, whereas 34% cent of those in office jobs (for example) said they were 'very satisfied' at age 20 compared to 25% at age 26.

Teachers were however less likely than their peers to believe that Britain is a place where hard work gets rewarded. Around 30 per cent of teachers agreed or strongly agreed that hard work is rewarded, compared to around 40% of health workers and lower-managerial workers and 45% of all graduates and over half of all office workers.

The findings also showed that compared to all graduates, teachers are paid around 22 more per week. However, teachers received 54 per week less than their peers working in health and 71 less than those in office jobs.

Professor Jerrim added: "If teachers are expected to work long hours, often for little extra pay - but do not feel that this effort is appreciated - it is little wonder why many end up choosing to leave the profession.

"More work needs to be done to understand exactly why young teachers in England feel this way, and education policymakers and school leaders need to make greater efforts to show junior teachers that their hard work and dedication to the job is highly valued and sincerely appreciated."

Cheryl Lloyd, Education Programme Head at the Nuffield Foundation, said: "It is reassuring that the early career teachers in this study reported relatively good life satisfaction and similar mental health to their peers.

"However, given the ongoing teacher supply crisis we must not be complacent, as less experienced teachers are more likely to leave the profession. New, returning and more experienced teachers have a vital role to play in education and it is important that we build a better understanding of how we can better attract and retain teachers."

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ADRIAN, MI  A police officer fired from his jobs with the Milan and Clinton police departments is going to prison for sexually assaulting a child 12 years ago.

Michael Gary Couture was sentenced Thursday, March 5, in Lenawee County Circuit Court to serve seven to 50 years in prison after pleading no contest to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, court records show.

He will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Milan police officer fired amid child sexual assault charges

Couture, 48, of Manchester, was initially charged on two felony counts each of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one felony count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, court records show.

His additional charges were dismissed as part of his no contest plea.

The charges, stemming from an investigation by Michigan State Police, involve an incident alleged to have occurred in 2008 with a minor younger than 13, court records show.

Couture, who was a full-time officer with the Milan Police Department, was fired from the department and his role as a Milan Area School liaison officer shortly after being charged, Milan Police Chief Don Tillery said.

Tillery and Milan Area Schools Superintendent Bryan Girbach confirmed the victim in Coutures case was not a student.

Couture was also a part-time officer for the Village of Clinton Police Department for more than 22 years until his arrest and subsequent termination from the department, Clinton Police Chief Tony Cuevas said.

More from The Ann Arbor News:

Former University of Michigan football, wrestling, hockey athletes file lawsuits claiming sexual assault

Anderson, Nassar victims tell UM to do the opposite of what MSU did

AG Nessel would investigate University of Michigan doctors sexual abuse only if school cooperates

Janitor charged with stealing from Ann Arbor Public Schools
Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis told the Jerusalem Post that Israeli scientists are on the cusp of developing the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. If all goes as planned, the vaccine could be ready within a few weeks and available in 90 days, according to a release.

Congratulations to MIGAL [The Galilee Research Institute] on this exciting breakthrough, Akunis said. I am confident there will be further rapid progress, enabling us to provide a needed response to the grave global COVID-19 threat, Akunis said, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Once the vaccine is developed, it will take at least 90 days to complete the regulatory process and potentially more to enter the marketplace.

Discovery pure luck

For the past four years, a team of MIGAL scientists has been developing a vaccine against infectious bronchitis virus, which causes a bronchial disease affecting poultry. The effectiveness of the vaccine has been proven in preclinical trials carried out at the Veterinary Institute.

In preclinical trials, the team demonstrated that the oral vaccination induces high levels of specific anti-IBV antibodies, Katz said.

Lets call it pure luck, he said. We decided to choose coronavirus as a model for our system just as a proof of concept for our technology.

But after scientists sequenced the DNA of the novel coronavirus causing the current worldwide outbreak, the MIGAL researchers examined it and found that the poultry coronavirus has high genetic similarity to the human one, and that it uses the same infection mechanism, which increases the likelihood of achieving an effective human vaccine in a very short period of time, Katz said.

All we need to do is adjust the system to the new sequence, he said. We are in the middle of this process, and hopefully in a few weeks we will have the vaccine in our hands. Yes, in a few weeks, if it all works, we would have a vaccine to prevent coronavirus.

MIGAL would be responsible for developing the new vaccine, but it would then have to go through a regulatory process, including clinical trials and large-scale production, Katz said.

Akunis said he has instructed his ministrys director-general to fast-track all approval processes with the goal of bringing the human vaccine to market as quickly as possible.

Given the urgent global need for a human coronavirus vaccine, we are doing everything we can to accelerate development, MIGAL CEO David Zigdon said. The vaccine could achieve safety approval in 90 days, he said.

It will be an oral vaccine, making it particularly accessible to the general public, Zigdon said.
: Lieutenant General C P Mohanty on



Friday said the forces should be prepared to deal with contemporary security challenges.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command, during his two-day visit of the State, made a courtesy call on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and discussed issues of mutual interest, a press release said.

Later, he visited Dakshin Bharat area headquarters and appreciated its efforts in helping civil authorities during floods.

He emphasised operational preparedness with realistic training to achieve a high-level of military professionalism, the release said.

He highlighted the constantly changing dynamics of modern warfare and said the forces should be prepared at all times to deal with contemporary security challenges arising in recent times.

During his visit, the Lieutenant General inaugurated a Rs 3.75-crore state-of-the-art military dental centre at Military Hospital here. PTI VIJ that has been built here at a cost of Rs 3.75 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australia's retail apocalypse has worsened with department store trade plunging as coronavirus threatens to cause the first recession in three decades.

Myer and its South African-owned rival David Jones have seen their profits dive as Australian consumers have also missed out on decent pay rises.

Now the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed the extent of the retail malaise with department store trade shrinking in January by 2.2 per cent, following a 3.5 per cent contraction in December.

Department store turnover has shrunk in seven of the past 12 months.

Scroll down for video

Australia's retail apocalypse has worsened with department store trade plunging as coronavirus threatens to cause the first recession in three decades. Pictured is Myer's Hornsby store in Sydney's north closing down in January 2020

The results were revealed on Friday, a day after Myer revealed its half-year statutory net profit for the six months to January 25 had plunged by 26.9 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.

It fell from $38.4million to $28.1million, under old lease accounting calculations.

The department store chain's chief executive John King told the Australian Securities Exchange the coronavirus was disrupting Chinese supply chains.

'Myer anticipates the challenging macro environment will continue in the second half, and the ongoing impact of the coronavirus on store traffic remains uncertain,' he said.

CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman said weak wages were hampering a recovery in department store trade.

'Certainly what we have seen is consumer caution,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.

'The sector's challenged at the moment as far as the bushfire, smoke haze crisis that we've had, now coronavirus.'

Now the Australia Bureau of Statistics has revealed the extent of the retail malaise with department store trade shrinking in January by 2.2 per cent, following a 3.5 per cent contraction in December. Pictured is Myer's old Hornsby store

Across all sectors, retail trade in Australia fell by 0.3 per cent in January, following a 0.7 per cent decline in December which was the biggest monthly plunge in nine years.

Australian department store trade February 2019: up 2.9 per cent March 2019: down 1.4 per cent April 2019: up 1.5 per cent May 2019: up 0.3 per cent June 2019: down 1.0 per cent July 2019: down 0.1 per cent August 2019: up 1.3 per cent September 2019: down 0.1 per cent October 2019: down 0.8 per cent November 2019: up 4.2 per cent December 2019: down 3.5 per cent January 2020: down 2.2 per cent Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade data for January 2020 - department stores Advertisement

In New South Wales, retail spending in January was 0.3 per cent weaker compared with a year ago, marking the worst annual growth pace in eight years.

Economists at the big four banks - Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ and NAB - are expecting the Australian economy to shrink in the March quarter.

Another contraction in the June quarter would see Australia fall into recession for the first time since 1991.

ANZ head of economics David Plank is forecasting a contraction in the March quarter and feared the June quarter could be 'very negative' as a result of coronavirus.

'The real question is really more about how long does it extend for and how bad does it get into the middle of the year? The level of uncertainty is enormous,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Treasurer Josh Frydenberg are expected to announce a multi-billion dollar stimulus package early next week, which could include wage subsidies to stop bosses from retrenching staff.

Economists at the big four banks - Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ and NAB - are expecting the Australian economy to shrink in the March quarter as a result of coronavirus. Pictured is a Woolworths store running out of toilet paper

'We'll be looking at a series of measures, I'm not confirming one way or another what those measures are today,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

The Liberal leader praised Queensland's Labor government for giving small and medium businesses a six-month payroll tax holiday.

'I commend the Queensland government for what they've done on the deferment of payroll tax. That is a good initiative,' Mr Morrison said.

Mr Felsman said the federal government needed to implement a stimulus package that encouraged businesses to keep employing staff.

'We need to support for businesses first and foremost so they don't lay people off and are more confident to invest and spend,' he said.

The CommSec economist also called for Canberra to subsidise state governments so they could give businesses payroll tax relief.

'The Queensland government approach is to be applauded,' Mr Felsman said.

'Certainly, co-ordinating with the federal government and announcing tax exemptions around payroll taxes would be very helpful.'
Here's the easy bit. The advice is against 'all but essential' travel to mainland China, parts of South Korea and ten towns in northern Italy, due to the coronavirus, while some countries, such as Israel, have started to impose their own travel bans.

But what about a holiday in other parts of Italy or if you're booked on a cruise? Or about to take a long-haul flight? What are the risks for worldwide travel? And is your travel insurance primed for the unexpected?

Here, we come up with the answers...

The advice is against 'all but essential' travel to mainland China, parts of South Korea and ten towns in northern Italy, due to the coronavirus

Where is safe to go?

Make the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice website your first port of call as it is regularly updated. Go to gov.uk and search for the country you are considering visiting or check the coronavirus section at gov.uk.

None of Italy's ski resorts are off limits at the moment.

Also check the National Travel Health Network & Centre website, travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.

If flights are axed can I get a refund?

Flights to affected areas are being cancelled based on FCO advice and some are solely due to a downturn in bookings.

If you booked directly with an airline, you are eligible for a refund or to rebook free of charge (although you may still have to pay any fare difference incurred).

If you booked through a third party, i.e. a travel agent, you will need to contact them to find out your options.

Hotel cancellations owing to the virus are mainly centred around mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with groups, such as Four Seasons, Hilton and Marriott wavering cancellation or change of booking fees.

What about any flight bookings?

Some airlines are offering incentives to travel, with flexibility on new bookings, including BA, which has waived its alteration fee on bookings made between now and Monday, March 16, and on pre-booked trips to Hong Kong and northern Italy.

Virgin Atlantic is waiving any penalties on changes to bookings issued throughout March.

What if I'm too scared to travel?

Airlines, tour operators and insurers are under no obligation to offer refunds based on panic.

So if you decide not to travel to anywhere outside the FCO travel risk list, you are unlikely to get anything back, although it's worth checking because some providers may allow you to move the booking as a gesture of goodwill.

Airlines, tour operators and insurers are under no obligation to offer refunds based on panic about the coronavirus

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says: 'Travel insurance is not designed to cover 'disinclination to travel' where the FCO advice has not changed to advise against travel.'

The only chance of claiming without your holiday being cancelled is on medical grounds, but this is done on a case-by-case basis and will require a letter from your GP.

What about our package holiday?

Tour operators, namely those that are ABTA or ATOL members, will offer an alternative holiday if yours is cancelled due to FCO advice, but if it is of significant difference to your original booking you are under no obligation to accept it. In these cases, a full refund will be offered.

A spokesperson for TUI says: 'In the event that we're unable to operate a holiday due to changes in travel restrictions, we will contact customers directly to discuss their options, including an amendment or full refund.'

If your trip isn't imminent, it's unlikely it will be cancelled yet, so speak to your tour operator to check.

Should I hold off on insurance?

The consensus on travel insurance is to book it at the same time as you book your trip

No, definitely not. The general consensus on travel insurance is to book it at the same time as you book your trip.

If you don't have it in place and your destination is later added to the FCO risk list, then you will not be eligible for compensation.

Am I insured for cancellations?

Speak directly to your airline, hotel or tour operator to see what they can offer.

If they can't help, you will most likely need to have travel disruption cover included in your policy.

AA, Co-op, LV and Virgin Money all have policies that will cover for cancellations based on FCO advice, and hotel costs should your flight be cancelled. You also have protection using a credit card if your booking was more than 100.

What if I end up in quarantine?

You will have to follow the rules of local authorities, which will probably involve a 14-day quarantine. It is unclear who will cover the cost of your journey home: either the UK Government could arrange a rescue flight or your travel insurance could cover your return.

Most insurance policies will cover medical costs should you become ill onboard, but make sure you check the small print.

If you've booked and simply don't want to travel because you're worried, you won't have grounds for compensation.

Should I book my holiday now?

If you're under 50 and healthy, you should remain positive about a well-deserved break. Summer holidays are still four months away

It's up to you. If you're medically vulnerable, you may be at higher risk and not wish to fly.

If you're under 50 and healthy, you should remain positive about a well-deserved break. Summer holidays are still four months away, but it's worth remembering that if you feel less keen nearer departure, you could lose your trip and money if your destination isn't on the FCO list.

Is it risky to go on a cruise?

Cruise ship quarantines and outbreaks onboard have caused a ripple effect across the industry, forcing liners to implement immediate precautions, including cancellations to restricted areas, alterations to schedules, and far more stringent screening of all passengers when boarding and disembarking.

Currently, sailings to mainland China and east Asia are the only ones that have been cancelled.

A spokesperson from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the governing body, says: 'Onboard, cruise ship crew are very experienced in sanitation protocols, and hand sanitisers are located in various locations throughout the ship which guests and crew use frequently.

'Cruise ships have strict protocols to clean, disinfect and decontaminate during and after each cruise.' Some, such as Saga and Fred Olsen, are removing cancellation fees on new bookings.

Is there any silver lining?

Possibly. Given that bookings for holidays have stagnated, cheaper tour operator packages and flights are likely later in the year, rather than now.

According to TravelSupermarket.com, 'Package holiday prices are holding steady, overall' but they are 'seeing discounts across long-haul destinations such as Thailand, St Lucia, Mauritius, Barbados and the Maldives'.

Ten nights at a four-star resort in Phuket, Thailand in June, including flights from Gatwick, costs from 449 pp, room only (travelsupermarket.com).

First Choice (firstchoice.co.uk) has some good savings, too, with a week in Tenerife in May, including flights and half-board accommodation, from 429pp, down from 672pp.

What about the Flybe collapse?

The tipping point for Flybe was said to be a drop in demand thanks to the coronavirus

Passengers won't get an automatic refund if they booked directly with Flybe as the airline is not covered by ATOL, although passengers whose flights were part of an ATOL package holiday should be entitled to a full refund.

Passengers who have travel insurance with a 'scheduled airline failure' clause should also be covered.

Anyone who booked using a credit card may be entitled to a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Those who paid on debit card can request a refund from their bank under so-called charge back rules, although this is not guaranteed.

How safe are other airlines?

The tipping point for Flybe was said to be a drop in demand thanks to the coronavirus.

And, with experts predicting a lull in people flying for fear of catching it, the aviation industry stands to lose more than 80 billion, which means we could see other carriers collapse in the coming weeks.

Rumours are swirling around Alitalia, with others said to follow.

Should I be scared of flying?

Most commercial aircraft have HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters to remove airborne contaminants.

David Powell, a medical adviser to IATA (International Air Transport Association), says: 'The virus can't survive long on seats or armrests, so physical contact with another person carries the greatest risk of infection on a flight.

'Masks and gloves do a better job of spreading bugs than stopping them.'
Gov. Charlie Baker plans to spend a week in Utah with his family starting tomorrow, according to his office, and has planned for daily briefings with staff and public health officials to monitor the state's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Baker will fly to Salt Lake City on Friday, and return to Massachusetts next Thursday, his office said.

The governor frequently travels to Utah this time of year, and has owned a time-share outside of Park City, Utah for some years.

Baker will be briefed daily while he is away by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Health and senior staff on the states coronavirus preparations, and his office said he will also continue to correspond with federal officials about what Massachusetts can and should be doing.- Matt Murphy/SHNS | 3/5/20 10:41 AM
The endorsement comes as the former vice presidents momentum appears to be soaring after winning 10 states on Super Tuesday and receiving the backing of former 2020 hopefuls Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.; and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was likely to frame a reconstruction plan for troubled private lender YES Bank and send it to the interested lenders shortly, official sources said on Friday. "The central bank will send the plan to the lenders or interested investors. The plan will then be sent to the central government for approval," one of the two people aware of the matter said.

The RBI will send the reconstruction plan to YES Bank and lenders who are interested. They will be given an opportunity to raise objections and give suggestions within a time period. The plan ...
CITY HALL -- It may look like a painting of a donkey and a hole below, but controversial Island artist Scott LoBaido said his latest painting he unveiled at City Hall Thursday has a deeper meaning behind it: It symbolizes Mayor Bill de Blasio.

I reached out to so many people to give me a description of [de Blasio], give me a couple of words of what you think of this mayor, describe him, so I could paint what the city feels and describes him as, and this is what I came up with, LoBaido said of the backstory of his latest painting.

Thats a crevice [below] also known as a hole and that up top is a donkey, a mule, also known as an ass, he continued.

Over the past year, LoBaido has rolled out a number of different pieces of art and efforts to attack the mayor.

They included painting a picture of de Blasio with a dollar sign and horns on his forehead to protest the citys speed cameras on Staten Island, driving around a President Donald Trump 2020 billboard, as well as a picture of the mayor dumping water on the NYPD emblem with one hand and stabbing the Big Apple with the other on the side of a U-Haul truck.

LoBaido said he plans to hold a rally on the steps of City Hall in the coming weeks to protest the mayor and speed cameras on the Island.

Im an artist, I portray culture, thats what artists do, portray society  Im a New Yorker and I hear it everyday  the Police Department is at its lowest morale, cops are killing themselves more than ever before  bail reform, Mets tickets, speed cams, LoBaido said.

[The mayor] has the audacity to say that Bloomberg doesnt have a connection to people -- this mayor has no connection to the people who built this city, the working people, the outer boroughs that worked their butts off and all they do is get their money sucked out of them now they want to stop idling? he said.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.
Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe is unqualified to become the next director of national intelligence.

He was unqualified last summer, when critics charged that he would politicize the office and a cold reception by Senate Republicans forced President Donald Trump to reconsider, and he is unqualified today. And yet, last week the president formally sent Ratcliffes nomination to head the intelligence community to the Senate.

The position, which was created after 9/11 to oversee more than a dozen civilian and military intelligence agencies, is the chief adviser for the president on all matters relating to intelligence as it affects national security. The men who have held the post, under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have been some of the most experienced intelligence leaders in the country.

John Negroponte was a longtime diplomat who served as ambassador to the United Nations and worked at the National Security Council. Michael McConnell was a vice admiral in the Navy and a former director of the National Security Agency. Dennis Blair led Pacific Command and served as associate director of the CIA. James Clapper headed the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, who was Trumps first DNI, had no direct intelligence experience but had served in the military, been an ambassador to Germany and was a member of Congress for almost 30 years who spent time on the intelligence committee.

You dont need to be a CIA analyst to see how Ratcliffe falls short.

The two-term congressman joined the House Intelligence Committee last year. He briefly served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, where investigations into his record show he overstated his involvement in immigration enforcement efforts and his association with a Dallas anti-terrorism case that he cited as part of his national security credentials.

What he lacks in experience, though, he makes up in unquestioning loyalty to the president. Ratcliffe has claimed there was a secret society at the Department of Justice and the FBI that wanted to keep Trump from the presidency. He has said that while there may have been Russian interference in the 2016 election, its chief beneficiary was Hillary Clinton. He gleefully went after former special counsel Robert Mueller during his public testimony and was a staunch partisan defender during the impeachment hearings, voting hell no and instead calling for an investigation into the whistleblower who disclosed the presidents efforts to extort Ukraine.

The president is entitled to senior advisers who are loyal to him and who share his broad policy objectives. But he also needs experienced counselors who are unafraid to tell him the truth even when it contradicts his views. Ratcliffe is the wrong man for a job whose mission is to provide timely, insightful, objective, and relevant intelligence. Under his leadership, the president can expect to hear only what he wants at the expense of keeping America safe in a dangerous world.

This is not empty speculation.

Coats consistently found himself at odds with the administration, contradicting the presidents claims on Russia and North Korea. According to the New York Times, a report by Coats on attempted Russian interference in the 2018 midterms was altered by the White House. Trump has reportedly wanted to get rid of him for months before he quit last July. His successor fared no better.

Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire was ousted last month after a staffer briefed the House Intelligence Committee that Russia is already interfering in the 2020 election, with a preference for Trump. He was replaced by Richard Grenell, whose principal qualification is that he is also a fierce ally of the president.

The administrations conceit that Maguire needed to be replaced by March 11 due to a law governing Cabinet vacancies is false, as he could continue to serve as long as the president nominated someone by the deadline. Trump could have put forth Ratcliffes name and allowed Maguire, who clearly showed the needed independence, to remain in charge.

Instead, the president has put the Senate in the impossible position of choosing between two yes men. If Ratcliffes nomination is left pending, Grenell can continue to serve almost indefinitely. Either way, Trump is left with his ideal choice: a sycophant who puts the presidents concerns over those of the country.

This kind of naked manipulation cannot be allowed to stand. The public and, whether he realizes it or not, the president deserve to have as director of national intelligence someone who is both fully qualified and has earned the legitimacy that comes with Senate confirmation.

The Senate must reject Ratcliffe and demand that a suitable nominee be put forward. A president who hates to hear hard truths needs an honest adviser most of all, not merely another yes man.
First positive Coronavirus case in Vatican City.

The Vatican announced on 6 March that a patient being treated by its health services has tested positive for Coronavirus.

The discovery was made on 5 March, according to Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni, who said that outpatient services in Vatican clinics have been suspended for sanitation purposes.

Bruni said emergency services will continue to operate in the tiny sovereign state, adding that the Vatican had informed Italian health authorities.

The news comes several days after Rome daily newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Pope Francis, suffering from a bad cold, tested negative for Coronavirus.

The Holy See dismissed the pontiff's illness as a mild indisposition.
New Delhi, March 6 : He insists that both narrative and documentary filmmaking have the same components and its just the 'take that is separates them. "Well, they have actors while we shoot real people. What is paramount is the skill to tell a story. Moreover, Ive never believed in this false divide, as the documentaries we make tend to cross it frequently. However, at this point of time, I feel its time for us to work on a narrative," says three-time National Award filmmaker Nandan Saxena (along with his filmmaker wife Kavita Bahl), who is now all set to make a feature film titled "Mrigtrishna" (The Mirage).

Saxena who already has a French producer and is looking for an Indian one, has signed Himanshu Joshi (of Indian Ocean) for the lead character is now planning to approach Alia Bhatt with a bound script to play the character of a young woman who loses her husband and goes to Vrindavan. "But that place imposes its own set of rules which are very regimented and claustrophobic. She finds herself in a glass menagerie and doesn't know what to do with her life anymore. Amidst women in white floating around like ghosts in a timeless mist, can she find love, and more importantly herself?" he says.

And the film is the reason the couple shifted base from Delhi where they had been living for more than 50 years, to Mumbai. "Delhi just doesn't have that kind of energy, ethos and culture. Out there, everybody is an island in himself. Despite so many of documentary filmmakers living in the Capital , we would meet only during festivals organised in places like Goa, Dharamsala and Mumbai. In Mumbai, we do an 'addabazi' of filmmakers, theatre artists, painters and musicians at least twice a week," he smiles.

Known for his documentaries like "I Cannot Give You My Forest", "Candles in the Wind" and "Cotton for My Shroud" which he co-directed with Behl - all of which won the National Award, the filmmakers recently completed a character driven documentary for Films Division titled "Laxman Rekha" which centres around Laxman Singh of Rajasthan, who has been instrumental in charging the water table of around 50 villages between Jaipur and Ajmer Sharif. Singh floated the organisation 'Gramin Vikas Navyuvak Mandal' that encourages villagers to revive ponds in order to recharge the water table.

Saxena elaborates: "This film too has been entered for the National Award. When Singh started doing it in his Lapodia village years ago, everyone took him for a fool. But after he and his friends repaired the village pond with help of some volunteers, the dried up wells got recharged and the villagers were able to cultivate two crops in a year instead one. He then spread the movement to other villages. Interestingly, he got the idea after reading Anupam Mishra's book 'Aaj Bhi Khare Hai Talab'." "With an oeuvre spanning domains of ecology, livelihoods, development and poetry films, and despite multiple National awards, funding still remains an issue. Awards are recognition that you're doing good work and they make it easy for our films to travel. People don't take pangas much, don't stop screenings, as they know we have a Censor certificate and a National Award. However, getting funds for a documentary is a constant struggle, and of course then comes the lack of a distribution network. Features still have commercial model. All other countries support documentaries more than feature films. In India, people are yet to realise that documentarians are chroniclers of the times. If we don't keep the facts alive, then tomorrow, any narrative, far from truth will emerge and nobody would be able to counter it." Mentioning how their films are distributed by unions, activists and farmers' association across the country including Andhra Pradesh, South India and Punjab, and he asserts: "We give them the prints to make copies, and also allow them to keep the money that comes from the sale. It is important that a large number of people get to know the ground situation. We have worked on the plight of cotton farmers, issues of widows of farmers who brought about the green revolution, and those who committed suicide. In so many families, there are double and triple suicides. We walked in villages in several districts of Punjab and shot the plight of suicide survivors. Believe me, Kavita and I felt that we would become depression patients." Despite the OTT revolution. Saxena does not feel that the platform is ready for the kind of content they produce. "We did speak to some senior at major platforms. They said they were following our work, but needed time. Frankly, what interests them at this point is travel and food, and of course sensational and racy documentaries produced by some outlets. As far as people like us, who work on human rights are concerned, well... The government calls us anti-national and urban naxals while corporates feel we are out to destroy them." While most governments in the west support documentary filmmakers considering, the filmmaker feels that in India, it makes sense not to expect anything.

"Here, we don't have pride. Now look at China, which is investing heavily in art and culture because they realise its potential. After filmmakers Shyam Benegal and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and critic Aruna Vasudev praised our work at different forums, the PSBT approached us. We made a film with them for Doordarshan for which they gave us six lakhs, while it costed us four times more. Do I say more?"
Shania Twain thought her days as a singer were over when her vocal cords were affected by a diagnosis of Lyme disease.

In an interview airing this weekend on Sunday TODAY, the 54-year-old country star spoke with Willie Geist about the emotional time when she was diagnosed with a vocal cord disorder in 2011 and then learned she had Lyme disease.

"It was devastating,'' she said. "I was very, very sad about it, to the point where ... I felt I had no other choice but to just accept it."

She feared her singing vocals might really be gone after she underwent a pair of throat surgeries when she began losing her voice.

Shania Twain (Mike Smith / TODAY)

"I was mourning,'' she said. "I was mourning the expression of my voice."

Twain eventually made it back with the support of her husband, Swiss businessman Frederic Thiebaud, whom she married in 2011 and leaned on during her difficult time away from music.

She eventually started to recover her voice, but it wasn't quite the same as before.

"The surgery's quite ... invasive,'' she said. "It's given me more room to play, to be honest. I have gravel.

"I think it's kind of sexy. I mean, it's there. I'm never gonna have my old voice again. I'm OK with that. I've found a new voice. And I like it."

Twain is now showing off her new voice at a Las Vegas residency called "Let's Go!"

"It's a dream show," she said. "I feel very privileged. I see it as a reward."

Twain also spoke with Willie about her overall journey of growing up poor in Canada, performing at local bars as an 8-year-old, and tragically losing both of her parents in a car accident when she was 22 and living in Nashville.

"I do every day look back at where I came from and where I am, and can't believe it,'' she said. "And then I look at all the hurdles. And then that's a whole other level of belief or disbelief that I've made it through them and over them. Everything that I've experienced has brought me to where I am, and it's a good place."
Americas Founding Fathers make great statues. Venerated in bronze or marble they remain impressively noble, eternally virtuous and supremely optimistic. As any writer will tell you, they also are a prime source of quotations. Whatever point you need to make, whichever side of a debate you choose to argue, one of them certainly said something applicable. In the recent impeachment proceedings both sides of the debate quoted extensively from the architects of our nation to support a given point of view.

Watching those impeachment debates while finishing our third book about a trial involving a legendary leader, John Adams Under Fire, we were reminded that it is a lot easier to be revered in metal or stone than it was to lead their lives at the time. They werent statues, they were flesh and bloodand their courage in standing up to the greatest military power in their world was truly awe-inspiring.

This March 5 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, when British soldiers shot and killed five colonists on a cold winters night. Many historians consider this Incident on King Street to be the spark that ignited the Revolution. John Adams agreeing to represent the despised soldiers in court was the ultimate example of an unpopular yet principled decision that would be remembered by history as brave and noble. At the time, however, it was considered by many to be deeply unpatriotic.

President Trumps attorney Alan Dershowitz invoked Adams to defend his own representation of the President: Look, to me my hero was John Adams, standing up for them, the  the murderers in the Boston Massacre, and  and accepting all the opprobrium that was heaped upon him because he said, I want to show the king of England that we, in America, believe that everybodys entitled to a defense. He defended them and it almost destroyed his career and his personal life. He did the right thing.

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While his point about the broader principle is well taken, the comparison really ends there. In 1770 John Adams was a young lawyer, readily accepting whatever cases came his way. He represented tax cheats and debtors, defended the well-known smuggler John Hancock and a Scottish seaman being sued by Paul Revere for enticing and seducing the silversmiths apprentice. The law practiced by Adams and his fellows of the bar was derived from a British system that had evolved over hundreds of years but at that time was being modified daily to fit the needs, the practices and the realities of life in the colonies. While Adams was not a wealthy man, his practice was successful and he and Abigail and their children had settled easily into the city.

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While Adams was a man of the law, his second cousin, Sam Adams, was involved in stirring dissent against British troops occupying the city to enforce harsh taxes levied by Parliament. There was a rancorous peace between the citizens and the soldiers; minor brawls, insults and assaults were common. But that situation was changed forever on the night of March 5, 1770. What caused the Boston Massacre to happen has been debated since that day, but what is known is that a line of soldiers, feeling threatened, opened fire on a mob. Five men were killed and more wounded. A greater riot was prevented only by the Acting Governor Hutchinson promising, The law shall have its course.

Eight soldiers and their commander, Captain Thomas Preston, were immediately arrested. The next day, after others refused, John Adams was prevailed upon to defend them.

That is quite distinct from agreeing to represent a President of the United States. Being one of President Trumps lawyers is seen as a badge of honor for many around the country. There was no community of support in Massachusetts or anywhere else in the country for the British soldiers Adams agreed to defend. They were the oppressors, the enemy; so accepting the case, standing for the law, required an act of remarkable courage. Defending the hated British troops would put his legal practice, his future and perhaps his family in jeopardy. Certain attorneys for President Trump will endure the slings of his rivals and opponents but there is no comparison to the price Adams had to pay.

Adams understood what was at stake, and put on an inspired defense in the trials that came out of the case, using the law as his weapon against the inflamed passions of the patriots. What he would not do, however, was impugn the residents of Boston.

Though Trumps team made some serious and at times compelling points about the hurried process and the standard for impeachment, other argumentsincluding one made by Dershowitz, asserting that if President Trump believes his own re-election is in the public interest, and does something that he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachmentwere little more than the sort of sophistry Adams steadfastly refused to engage in.

Adams helped define the concept of self-defense in American law; it was also in these Massacre trials that a jury was permitted the stated luxury of reasonable doubt for the first time. But it was Adams eloquent summation in the soldiers trial that has most echoed through courtrooms for more than two centuries.

Standing before a crowded courtroom, he told the jury, Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidenceThe law, in all vicissitudes of government, fluctuations of the passions or flights of enthusiasm, will preserve a steady undeviating course; it will not bend to the uncertain wishes, imaginations and wanton tempers of men.

Captain Preston and most of his men were acquitted, and Adams, rather than being punished for defending the enemy, went on to earn his marble.

Watching the politics of impeachment, it was impossible not to speculate what John Adams might have done in similar circumstancesand then wonder, as we remember what happened in Boston 250 years ago, what has been won in that time, and what has been lost.

Hanover Square Press

Dan Abrams and David Fisher are the authors of John Adams Under Fire: The Founding Fathers Fight for Justice in the Boston Massacre Murder Trial, available now from Hanover Square Press.

Correction, March 5

The original version of this article misstated the final result of the Boston Massacre cases. Most of the men were acquitted, not all of them.
Think, though, of the denizens of Girl From the North Country as evanescences of an American past, all now having vanished  as the neighborhood doctor (Robert Joy) tells us they have. In that spectral context, one that McPherson, a specialist in ghost stories, knows well, youre freed from too much concentration on why someone sings Idiot Wind or You Aint Goin Nowhere. Many songs, though, do feel as if theyre customized to character. The spectacular version of Like a Rolling Stone, for instance, delivered by Winninghams psychically lost Elizabeth, seems to emanate from an especially isolated soul. Then there is the stunning setting for Duquesne Whistle, performed with an almost mystical charisma by Almonds childlike Elias.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A 50-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries when a vehicle struck him in San Francisco's Mission District late Thursday night, according to police.

Around 11:05 p.m., officers learned of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian near 18th and Valencia streets, police said.

The victim was crossing the street when the driver struck him. The victim was taken to the hospital for his injuries, police said.

The driver, a 31-year-old, man, remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Investigators at this time do not suspect drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision, according to police.

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.
PLANO, Texas, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Financial Services (TFS) announced it is offering payment relief options to its customers affected by the recent tornados which struck Tennessee earlier this month. This broad outreach includes any Toyota Financial Services (TFS) or Lexus Financial Services (LFS) customer in the designated disaster areas.

Toyota Financial Services cares about the safety and well-being of its customers, and wants to help those impacted by these storms. Impacted lease and finance customers residing in the devastated areas may be eligible to take advantage of several payment relief options, some of which include:

extensions and lease deferred payments

redirecting billing statements

arranging phone or online payments

Toyota Financial Services will proactively attempt to contact customers in the affected areas, via email, to assess their needs and inform customers of the options available to them.

Customers who would like to discuss their account options are encouraged to contact TFS or LFS:

Toyota Financial Services customers may call 800-874-8822 or contact TFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into ToyotaFinancial.com.

Lexus Financial Services customers may call 800-874-7050 or contact LFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into LexusFinancial.com.

We extend our heartfelt thoughts to those affected by these devastating storms.

About Toyota Financial Services

Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand. TFS currently employs approximately 3,200 team members nationwide, and has assets totaling over $122 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our posts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial.

Points of Light has named TFS one of its Civic 50, which recognizes the most community-minded companies in the nation. For more information about the company's support of financial literacy, youth development programs, and other community initiatives, please visit www.tfsinthecommunity.com.

Media Contact: Vincent Bray 469-486-9065

SOURCE Toyota Financial Services

Related Links

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Radio Farda has learned from a source very closely involved with Iran's Coronavirus Combat Taskforce that the official death toll only covers deaths that have been confirmed by coroners, not the tally reported by hospitals across the country. The death toll is much higher, "at least twice as high, maybe even more" according to the source.

"The discrepancy between the official figures that are announced by the Health Ministry and the real figures lies in the fact that the Health Ministry announces the death toll based on death certificates issued by coroners," the source who is a health expert closely involved with the National Coronavirus Combat Taskforce told Radio Farda on Friday.

The expert who cannot be named for his safety explained that death certificates are issued by coroners and the Health Ministry can only announce the tally from death certificates they issue, not its own data.

"Hospitals and doctors indicate the cause of death on their reports but a coroner appointed by the Judiciary has to examine every single body. The cause of death which appears on the official death certificate reflects his view, not what the hospital has announced," he said and added that coroners on many cases put "respiratory failure, pneumonia, or flu" on death certificates to keep the real coronavirus death toll down.

According to this expert and other informed sources, coroners have only had time to examine some of the bodies in morgues. "As the number of coronavirus deaths grew, bodies started to pile up in morgues waiting to be examined, that's why the official figures do not reflect the reality of the situation which is really grave," the source told Radio Farda.

Video of the mortuary of a cemetery in Qom which shows tens of bodies lined up on the floor.

On Friday the Spokesman of Iran's Health Ministry said the death toll of coronavirus (COVID-19) has now gone up to 124 but a look at the sheer number of high-profile individuals whose death from coronavirus has been confirmed makes the official death toll very questionable to any observer.

Among the dead are several government officials, lawmakers, clerics, Revolutionary Guard members and medical staff as well as artists and a female athlete. Many more public figures have reported they have tested positive.

The death toll among ordinary people must be several times more than the authorities have admitted if the deadly virus could spread so fast among high echelon officials who have the best access to medical care and hygiene.

All of Iran's 31 provinces have now reported coronavirus cases but the number of deaths in each province are not being announced. The announcement made by the Health Ministry on Thursday also excluded the number of deaths in Tehran, Qom and Gilan provinces, the three hotspots of the coronavirus epidemic in the country. The number of confirmed cases in these provinces on Thursday stood at 1043, 253 and 218 respectively.

The narrator of the video says more than 80 coronavirus victims have been buried in this section of the Behesht-e Masoumeh cemetery of Qom.

Bodies have also piled up in mortuaries. A video widely circulated on social media which has been taken on March 2, shows the inside of the mortuary of Behesht-e Masoumeh Cemetery in Qom. A lawmaker from Qom last week said he had "horrific figures from cemeteries" of his constituency. The religious city of Qom was the epicenter of the outbreak where the first two coronavirus deaths were reported on February 19.

In the video, tens of bodies in black body bags and wooden boxes are seen on the floor of several rooms. One of these boxes the narrator of the video says holds the body of a prominent cleric, Ayatollah Seyyed Hadi Khosroshahi and the name is clearly seen on the box.

According to the narrator Khosroshahi's body has been waiting to be prepared for burial for several days. Khosroshahi, a former Iranian envoy to the Vatican, was one of the first clerics who passed away from coronavirus, on February 27, which corresponds with what the video says.

The video and what the narrator says sounds even more credible because according to the Deputy Prosecutor of Qom he was arrested the day after sharing the video on social media. The Judiciary official said he had published the video "without permission" but did not deny the content.

Other videos on social media show bulldozers digging mass graves in cemeteries in several Iranian cities including Gilan Province where the spread of the epidemic has become a serious cause for serious concern. In Qom and bodies being buried in rows of newly dug grave by people in special protective suits.

The results of a research published by a group of University of Toronto scientists and doctors on February 24 estimated that based on Coronavirus cases traveling from Iran to other countries it was statistically possible that 18,000 people are infected in the county.

The research was based on the volume of travel from Iran to other countries and proven cases of infected people arriving in other countries, such as Lebanon and Canada to date. The latest number of people infected by the virus which Iran's Health Ministry announced on March 6 stood at 4747.
M ary Grant is that rarest of creatures  a senior woman in the train game. (Some 16% of railway people are female.) But like all male gricers she knows her double transverse bogie from her cupola caboose and articulated pantograph. And so she must  she rents out locomotives and carriages for a living. Grant is the chief executive of Porterbrook, one of the three large rolling stock companies or Roscos, as theyre known in railway jargon.

From the 900-seater 60 million Ferrari that is the Eurostar Velaro to the Caliban of the railroad, the Pacer, Grant will do you a deal. Indeed, so unloved are the Pacers  the reviled Leyland bus adaptation from the early Eighties whose continued use saw Northern Rail stripped of its franchise in January  that Grantll let you take a couple off her hands gratis.

Britains railways arent a happy place. As they await the findings of the Williams Review  the umpteenth inquiry into the industrys woes  almost all stakeholders are fed up.

The train operating companies have operating margins of 3%, spend their lives warring with rail unions and take heavy incoming reputational fire day-in day-out. Network Rail and its late-running engineering works are permanently in the dog house. Shouty Controller Grant Schapps, the Transport Secretary, is throwing his weight around a la Cummings as he seeks the Great Levelling Up. And, most importantly, passengers are a huddled mass of discontent. Re- nationalising the railway was one of the few Labour policies to get any traction among fair-minded people in Decembers election.

Grant is unlikely to mourn Flybe, which provocatively used to have Faster Than Road or Rail tattooed down its aircraft fuselage. But where airlines made the Government millions in Air Passenger Duty, the Treasury subsidises the railway by around 7 billion annually.

The cost of running the UKs railways is 40% higher than it is in the rest of Europe, according to the 2011 McNulty report. The train in which you stand is owned by a bank, leased to a private company, which has a franchise from the Department for Transport to run it on this track owned by Network Rail, all regulated by another office, and all paid for by taxpayers or passengers. This is expensive and complex.

But Grant seems happy with her lot. In 2018 Porterbrook had revenue of 474 million and pre-tax profits of 148 million before some complex loan arrangements. Between 2012 and 2018 the three Roscos passed on a total of 1.2 billion to their parents in the form of dividend payments  in Porterbrooks case to EDF, Allianz Capital and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Grant appears, as presumably the highest paid director, to make a tidy 750,000 annually.

Indeed when asked if she could return to 1992 as John Majors Transport Secretary she says she would privatise British Rail in the same way. She maintains that its developed organically into the current public/private system. She points out that government covers 65% of rails costs and that her organisation is a responsible asset manager which has spent 3 billion on rolling stock since privatisation which isnt on HMGs balance sheet.

Actually when you talk to industry experts most say that we work our knackered old Victorian railway harder than any nation in the world. Passenger numbers have doubled since privatisation in the early Nineties and our trains are busier than at any time since WW1.

Grant, 50, is a farmers daughter from Biggar in the Scottish borders. She kicked off her career as a trainee wiping tables at Welcome Breaks South Mimms services, advancing to toilet brand manager after a while.

At 30 she was bidding as part of a failed attempted management buy-in for Road Chef  That was my first important business lesson: you can buy anything at any price.

Then, from 2003 she was at FirstGroup/Scot Rail doing trains and buses and is still recognised by Glasgow taxi drivers  she lives North of the border. After a short spell as boss of private equity-owned Phones4U she sorted Eurostars new trains as a consultant and ended up at Porterbrook in 2017.

She exudes a brisk confidence and has just returned from Tokyo where shes been spreading the investment word. Porterbrook has been developing a hydrogen-powered train plus a diesel hybrid that doesnt doesnt spray soot and nitrogen oxides into passengers lungs as it arrives under Marylebones canopy.

If Grant has a problem it is that train operators are demanding new carriages for passengers far faster than shed like. Some 7200 new trains have arrived on the rails since 2014 and the average age has reduced from 21 to 15 years. This has the potential to make a mess of Grants long-term numbers if shes left with a siding of middle-aged carriages on her hands.

Did she understand why the public was a bit fed up with the whole rail procurement process? How is it when a new project  Crossrail/HS2  is ordered contractors say, well do it for 50, then halfway through and already three years late they announce, Sorry, Mr Mug the Tax Payer, itll cost you 75 and then when everybody is already really hacked off their gambit is, You can walk away... or have it finished for 100. Rail is the unreliable iron horse boyfriend. Surely her own shareholders wouldnt tolerate broken promises?

I wouldnt tolerate it myself, she responds.  But its too easy to sit on the sidelines and have a go. I havent looked closely at the details of either but these are hugely complex projects and I think they tend to come out in the end roughly where everyone knew they would. Crossrail and HS2 will be hailed a huge success when theyre finished [Porterbrook has no direct involvement in either]. They are both the right thing to do.

When they work, trains are a far more civilised and eco way to travel than road or air.
all these messy gays on ontd today. bless

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Mte. First Aaron Schock, then Bad Bunny, now this?!

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i c juat u did there

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That name is almost offensively English like it cant be real

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Both parts are Scottish though?



Edit: My bad, looks like his last name is Irish. Either way, the Scots and the Irish very much don't appreciate being called English.



Edited at 2020-03-06 12:07 am (UTC)

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Oh wow thank you I never realised that. Do you think Scottish people want independence? And do you think it was difficult for the Irish to get theirs? Please mansplain some more

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die challenge @ Schock too

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Mayor Pete got the gays wylin

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This hate always comes from other gay men, I have no idea why were always so obsessed with tearing each other down. Its sad.





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I vaguely remember this dude...not enough to care

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He sounds narcissistic. Im always surprised (well actually Im not but whatever) that people like him without any talent or qualities manage to get book deals.

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LMAO please tell me the name of his memoir is not Eat, Gay, Love!

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it is

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LMAO

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LOL

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Hahaha

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loool

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LMAO

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He legit told the police he had 6 stitches and 3 broken teeth and only 2 days later when his mugshot was taken there literally wasnt a scratch

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the mugshot:

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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Stupid man with a stupid name.

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are you Tyler Mead OP

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i was like who? and thought it was another gay blogger beefing with mcfraud and then looked him up and it was actually the guy i used in the story who mcraud blocked.

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oh ya lol the tweet had like 6 likes so i wondered if it was u sis

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I was physically assaulted a few years ago and it was so fucking embarrassing. A drunk guy with a bunch of his drunk bros walked into me and got mad at me for getting in his way so he started punching me. This was in the West Village and there were tons of people around and no one did anything to help. Also I was on a date and the guy I was with also did nothing. After the drunk guys walked away, I was hunched over on the ground in pain and my date was like, "um... that was weird."

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I hope you're okay now. I'm also hoping that was the last time you saw that guy.

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KIRKLAND, Wash.  In the days before the Life Care Center nursing home became ground zero for coronavirus deaths in the U.S., there were few signs it was girding against an illness spreading rapidly around the world.

Visitors came in as they always did, sometimes without signing in. Staffers had only recently begun wearing face masks, but the frail residents and those who came to see them were not asked to do so. And organized events went on as planned, including a purple- and gold-festooned Mardi Gras party last week, where dozens of residents and visitors packed into a common room, passed plates of sausage, rice and king cake, and sang as a Dixieland band played When the Saints Go Marching In.

We were all eating, drinking, singing and clapping to the music, said Pat McCauley, who was there visiting a friend. In hindsight, it was a real germ-fest.

That was just three days before last Saturdays announcement that a Life Care health care worker in her 40s and a resident in her 70s had been diagnosed with the new virus. The news would be followed over the next few days by the first resident deaths: two men in their 70s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s.

Of the 16 deaths across the nation as of Saturday, at least 10 have been linked to the Seattle-area nursing home, along with dozens of other infections among residents, staff and family members.

A man in his 60s who died Thursday had been a visitor to the nursing home in Kirkland, public health officials announced late Friday.

As disease detectives try to solve the mystery of how exactly the coronavirus got inside Life Care, they also are questioning whether the 190-bed home that had been fined before over its handling of infections was as vigilant as it could have been in protecting its vulnerable patients against an outbreak that had already killed thousands in China and around the world.

A team of federal and state regulators planned to visit Life Care on Saturday, a move that could lead to sanctions, including a possible takeover of its management. The team will look at the homes practices, including infection control.

In an outbreak like this, its not business as usual, so business as usual is not going to be OK, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. There needs to be some sort of mobilization within the facility for enhanced adherence to procedures. Infection control and visitors logging in. These things need to be translated out across the country.

Life Care did not respond to questions from The Associated Press that were sent to an email address set up for news media inquiries. In the week since the outbreak began, the center has issued statements saying it grieves with the families who have lost loved ones. It also has noted that visits have been halted, staffers are being screened and residents with any kind of respiratory illness have been placed in isolation.

Several family members and friends who visited residents at Life Care over the past few weeks told the AP that they didnt notice any unusual precautions, and none said they were asked about their health or if they had visited China or any other countries struck by the virus.

Pat and Bob McCauley, who visited a friend eight times in two weeks before the outbreak, said they noticed some staff members wearing face masks during a visit on Feb. 26 that included the Mardi Gras party but didnt think much of it. They went to a common room with a half-dozen tables and began singing along with their friend as residents in wheelchairs bunched together to get clear view of the banjo, bass and washboard players.

As it became more crowded, we helped move patients into seats, move wheelchairs into places between tables, holding doors, adjusting tables and chairs to accommodate wheelchairs, Pat McCauley said. We had very close contact with numerous patients.

Two days later, when the couple arrived for another visit, they realized the reason for the masks. A staff member told them at the door that they would have to wear ones themselves because a respiratory virus had spread.

They turned around and went home.

Lori Spencer, whose 81-year-old mother is at Life Care, said she also noticed the masks on a visit that same Wednesday and how packed the place was.

The hallways were crowded with people. The place was buzzing, she said. All the doors to the rooms were open, and I could see there were multiple people in there. I kept thinking how people were on top of each other.

Spencer said that firefighters had just visited the place, too, and there were student nurses as well.

A union representative for the Kirkland firefighters said Thursday that all firefighters tested so far have come back negative for the coronavirus, but they want more testing.

Were cooking together and eating together, Evan Hurley said. Trying to actually trace this all back to whos been exposed is difficult.

Betsy McCaughey, chairwoman of the nonprofit Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, said that by the day the Mardi Gras party was held, the nursing home should have been doing more to protect its residents.

All these nursing facilities hold parties, she said. The issue is: Were attendees asked ahead of time, How are you feeling?  Have you traveled to one of the coronavirus hot spots? Has someone in your family traveled to a hot spot? Is there any illness in your family?'

McCaughey estimates 380,000 nursing homes residents die each year of infections, about half of them preventable. She said federal regulators are largely to blame for not holding nursing homes to the same standards as hospitals. While residents of nursing homes may need more social interaction than hospital patients, they shouldnt have to sacrifice their lives for it, she said.

Exactly how the virus made its way into the nursing home remains a mystery. One theory is that someone who became infected overseas brought it to Washington state and passed it on to others. Ordinarily in nursing homes, bedridden patients have the virus brought to them by visitors or staff members who are sick.

While Life Care generally has a good rating with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, state inspectors last April found infection-control deficiencies following two flu outbreaks that affected 17 residents and staff. Life Care was fined $67,000. A follow-up inspection found that it had corrected the problems.

As of Friday, 69 residents remained at Life Care after 15 were taken to the hospital within the past 24 hours. King County Executive Dow Constantine said the state has offered to help families set up home care if they want to move their loved ones out.

Dr. Stephen C. Morris, a University of Washington School of Medicine public health specialist who was sent into the nursing home to evaluate patients Thursday, said that in the midst of this crisis, the staff there needed help.

They need nurses who are better trained. They need doctors who are better trained, he said.

Family members said that since the nursing home has been locked down, they have agonized over leaving their loved ones inside and have resorted to communicating with them by tablet computers, cellphones and signs held up at the windows.

Patricia Herrick, whose 89-year-old mother died Thursday, said it was difficult to know that her mother was caught in the epicenter of the outbreak, in a room so nearby but completely inaccessible.

Knowing that she was in an environment that is dangerous and not being able to help  it was awful, she said. She said she wants her mother tested to see if she died of the virus.

Herrick said she noticed some staffers were wearing masks three days before the Mardi Gras party visit, but she didnt think much of it. She also said she walked right in that day without signing the visitors log. But she thinks the problem lies not with the staff of Life Care but with government health officials.

Even at the state level, the department of health should have dictated what these facilities should do: No parties. Anyone with respiratory problems goes into isolation, Herrick said.

This is a wake-up call. There are holes in our system.

___

Condon reported from New York. AP photographer Ted Warren in Kirkland contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

___

Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Association agreement with EU helped Ukrainian economy survive amid Russian aggression  Kuleba

10:00, 06.03.20 982

The top diplomat recalls that the European Union has become Ukraine's largest trading partner.
WATERLOO  Waterloo police are investigating a Friday morning shooting that damaged homes in the neighborhood.

Residents in the area of Knoll and Rock Island avenues called officers around 10:40 a.m. Friday after hearing gunfire and seeing vehicles leaving the area.

No injuries were reported, but several houses were hit by bullets, according to officers. Police found numerous spent shell casings from at least two different firearms in the street.

No arrests have been made in the shooting.

Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases

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Researchers have identified a protein present in the human body which they claim is important for the entry of the novel coronavirus into lung cells, an advance that may lead to a novel drug target for preventing the deadly disease. The researchers, including those from Deutsches Primatenzentrum in Germany, said the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread worldwide, causing respiratory disease called COVID-19 in people -- leading to over 3,000 deaths, and infecting more than 90,000 individuals.

According to the study, published in the journal Cell, the virus has been spreading since December 2019, and is closely related to the SARS coronavirus that caused the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome pandemic in 2002-2003.

It noted that currently no vaccines or drugs are available to combat these viruses.

The scientists sought to find out how the new coronavirus entered host cells, and how this process can be blocked.

They identified a cellular protein that is important for the entry of the novel coronavirus into lung cells.

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

"Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 requires the protease TMPRSS2, which is present in the human body, to enter cells," said Stefan Pohlmann, study co-author from the German Primate Center.

"This protease is a potential target for therapeutic intervention," Pohlmann said.

The researchers said a drug camostat mesilate -- approved in Japan for use in pancreatic inflammation -- is known to inhibit the protease TMPRSS2.

They investigated whether this drug can also prevent COVID-19.

"We have tested SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient and found that camostat mesilate blocks entry of the virus into lung cells," said Markus Hoffmann, another co-author of the study.

"Our results suggest that camostat mesilate might also protect against COVID-19. This should be investigated in clinical trials," Hoffmann said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday blamed China for putting the U.S. "behind the curve" in trying to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

In a CNBC interview, Pompeo said it has proven "incredibly frustrating" to work with the Chinese government to obtain data on the coronavirus, "which will ultimately be the solution to both getting the vaccine and attacking this risk."

"Remember, this is the Wuhan coronavirus that's caused this, and the information that we got at the front end of this thing wasn't perfect and has led us now to a place where much of the challenge we face today has put us behind the curve," Pompeo said in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box."

"That's not the way infectious disease doctors tell me it should work. It's not the way America works with transparency and openness and the sharing of the information that needs to take place."

Global cases of COVID-19 surpassed 100,000 on Friday, with at least 3,280 deaths. The vast majority of cases are still in China, where the virus originated in December.

The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. has risen to at least 14, with at least 233 cases reported around the country. California and Washington state have the largest number of the cases. Washington state has seen 13 of the fatalities. The other was in California.

Pompeo pushed back on any suggestion that the global outbreak of the coronavirus could have originated outside of China, a narrative pushed by the Chinese state-run media.

"No less authority than the Chinese Communist Party said it came from Wuhan," Pompeo said. "So don't take Mike Pompeo's word for it. We have pretty high confidence that we know where this began."

"We have high confidence, too, that there was information that could have been made available more quickly and data that could have been provided and shared among health professionals across the world," Pompeo added. "It's most unfortunate."

Pompeo said he believed in the U.S. government's ability to appropriately respond to the coronavirus. "I'm confident we can handle it here. I'm confident that we'll handle it better than any nation in the world."

Earlier in the outbreak, some people raised concerns over state and local capacity to test for the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later altered its testing guidelines to allow more clinician across the U.S. to test for the virus.

Pompeo said his work on combating the virus has focused more on America's response abroad, but he complimented domestic efforts to increase testing capacity.

"They're trying to get the private sector ramped up to get the rate right so that we can do all the testing that's needed," Pompeo said. "We have taken this incredibly seriously. We'll continue to do that. The testing kits are one element of America's effort to reduce risk."

Asked about specifically early missteps from the CDC, which sent potentially problematic test kits to public health labs around the country, Pompeo said, "We've got to get it right."
The moratorium on by Reserve Bank of India could have a rippling effect on the operating and of lakhs of workers associated with the industry just ahead of

According to jute industry sources, payments to mills got stuck in totality though 60 per cent of the payment is not associated with

The crisis has led to halting in payment release for the mills. The immediate fallout is a threat over and advance payments to mill workers just ahead of festival, jute sector sources told PTI.

Approximately two lakh workers are associated with the in West Bengal and a large section of them are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and is a major festival for them, the sources said.



In jute mills, are usually paid on the 7th and 21st of every month, mill officials said.

The directive allows a maximum amount of Rs 50,000 withdrawal by any account holder.

Transactions through debit cards, mobile apps and UPI payments through various fintechs have been blocked.

Indian Association in a letter to Jute Commissioner highlighted that payments for supplies to Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana are made through the escrow accounts of Yes Bank.

An official at the Jute Commissioners office said till Thursday payments from Yes Bank have been cleared and steps are being taken to resolve the problem.

Jute mills in West Bengal produce goods worth Rs 30 crore daily, jute industry sources said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has re-arraigned Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer to former Vice-President, over all...





The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has re-arraigned Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer to former Vice-President, over alleged money laundering.





Osagie was arrested on August 8, 2019, and arraigned alongside Erhunse Giwa-Osagie, his younger brother, on three counts of money laundering before Nicholas Oweibo, a judge of a federal high court in Lagos.





Upon the transfer of the case file from Oweibo, the suspects were re-arraigned before Chuka Obiozor, in October 2019.





On Friday, March 6, 2019, the defendants were brought before Chukwujekwu Aneke, a judge of the same court.





The EFCC accused the two brothers of making a cash payment of $2 million without going through a financial institution in the buildup to the 2019 general election.





The EFCC said the amount which exceeded what is authorised by law, was meant for the 2019 elections.





They both pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.





Following an application by Ahmed Raji, their lawyer, the Giwa-Osagie brothers were allowed to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted them by Oweibo, the former judge.





Meanwhile, the court has fixed March 9, for ruling on Atikus lawyers application for permission to travel to London for medical treatment.
Pakistan donated 7,000 surgical masks to its "all-weather friend" China, amid the global Coronavirus outbreak. Owing to its alliance with the neighbour, Pakistan reportedly donated its entire inventory of masks to China, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Previously, Pakistan used to import masks from China, however, following the outbreak it became the exporters to the country. Pakistan on Tuesday reported its fifth case of Coronavirus in the country.

On March 5, the Chinese government had notified that 62 countries and 7 international organisations had donated face masks, protective suits, and other supplies to China. This comes even as a scarcity of masks was reported inside Pakistan, wherein people complained of shortage and masks being sold at surged prices. So far, the cases reported in Pakistan have a history of travel to Iran. Pakistan has not closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, however, its borders with China continues to remain open.

READ| Coronavirus outbreak: Commuters wear storage boxes and plastic bags as panic spreads

Pak refuses to evacuate students

Islamabad was heavily condemned after it refused to airlift its students from China's Wuhan, instead, it sent its officials to the country. Pakistani students who were trapped in Wuhan had posted videos on social media pleading its government for help. Several countries, including India, have evacuated a majority of its citizens from Wuhan in special operations carried out by the governments.

Around 30,000 Pakistanis, including a large number of students, are based in China. Hundreds of them reside in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak that began late last year. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on February 7 told Rajya Sabha that New Delhi had offered all its neighbours - including Pakistan to fly out their students from the coronavirus-struck Wuhan province. He added that the only Maldives chose to take up India's offer as 7 Maldives nationals were transported along with the Indians in the province.

Pakistan has maintained that the 800 students in Wuhan and Quebec will not be evacuated for 'larger interests'. Many countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights to the country. In late January, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency in light of the epidemic.

READ| Iran Minister coughs, wipes sweat amid Coronavirus briefing, hours prior to his diagnosis

READ| Chinese man in Greater Noida locks himself up thinking he has Coronavirus, tests negative

(With PTI inputs)
Adams Oshiomhole, the embattled national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has stated that his recent travail at the Abuja high court was because of 2023.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock on Thursday, Oshiomhole described those behind his ordeal as politicians who are not grassroot like him.

Read Also: Court Sets Aside Oshiomhole Suspension Order

Im proud to say that I have done my best not only when I was a governor, I have done my best as chairman of this party, I have worked not only along members of the party and with support of the good people of Nigeria for the president to be re-elected, for us to have majority in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

I also worked hard to deliver my unit, my ward, I worked hard to deliver my local government, I worked hard to deliver my federal constituency three of them in my senatorial zone, I also worked hard to deliver my senatorial district.

Those fighting me just feel that if they cannot give me orders, then they must do everything to embarrass my person, but I believe that he who God stands with no man born of a woman can bring him down.
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[March 06, 2020] BlueCross To Cover Full Testing Costs for COVID-19

BlueCross will waive all member co-pays and cost-sharing on FDA-approved testing for the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). "We are committed to helping slow the spread and impact of this new coronavirus," said Dr. Andrea D. Willis, senior vice president and chief medical officer. "If a BlueCross member needs to get tested, we don't want them to worry about the cost." The company encourages anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 to call their health care provider before visiting an office or an emergency room. Their provider can evaluate their symptoms and make a recommendation about whether testing is appropriate. BlueCross members can also visit the company's website, bcbst.com, to get more information about coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatments. Tennessee officials confirmed the state's first case of COVID-19 on Thursday, March 5, and the Department of Health is working to establish a network of official testing centers statewide. BlueCross will coordinate with its thousands of in-network health care providers to direct members to the nearest testing facility as needed. BlueCross has been monitoring developments of COVID-19 and preparing to support its customers and communitiessince the disease entered the United States in January. The company has an established pandemic plan and is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with local and state health departments, to adapt its approach as the situation evolves.



"Our clinical teams have been in close communication with public health officials so we can support our communities and any members affected by COVID-19," said Dr. Willis. "And we know our members are concerned, so we're focused on acting and sharing information quickly to help bring them peace of mind." This coverage decision applies to BlueCross members in insured group, individual, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Employers who offer self-funded plans have the option to include COVID-19 testing as a preventive benefit without cost-sharing for their employees.

For ongoing updates about the BlueCross response to COVID-19, visit BCBSTnews.com. About BlueCross

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.5 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary of bringing peace of mind to its members and local communities. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's news center at bcbstnews.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005453/en/

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ROTTERDAM  A Schalmont Central School District spokesman said Friday that the two local households that are under quarantine after travel to a high-risk country are currently free of COVID-19 symptoms.

Marc DeNofio, the spokesman, was unable to say whether the students connected with the households had attended school following their potential exposure to novel coronavirus.

"I will have to verify that timeline with the school nurse," he said Friday morning, one day after a notice went out to parents, staff and others in the community. "She had the primary phone contact with the households. It should be noted and, probably most importantly, that they are symptom-free and have shown no signs of the virus. This was an elective precaution that the households took based on the travel to the identified high-risk countries."

The households include an unspecified number of students, who attend Schalmont High and Jefferson Elementary, according to the notice.

The district was "recently notified" about the travel and asked the students to voluntarily self-quarantine, the email said. It did not specify whether the students themselves had traveled abroad.

DeNofio did not respond to the question, saying only that he could not share specific identifiable information regarding the families or households.

A spokesperson for Schenectady County, which oversees quarantine precautions, said late Friday that 17 people in the county are being quarantined and that health officials are monitoring them.

However, the county's health spokesperson said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Schenectady County. The statement noted that officials "have no reason to believe that there is any elevated risk in Schenectady County for exposure to COVID-19 at this time. All actions we are taking regarding quarantine of individuals with travel history are erring on the side of caution."

The community notice from the school district indicated that school officials have been speaking directly to health department officials on the quarantine.

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

"We will be monitoring the situation and working with health officials to determine whether there is a need for any additional measures or steps to be taken," the community notice read. "If this becomes necessary, we will immediately notify parents and guardians so that the necessary arrangements can be made to care for children."

The notice said that the state Health Department, as of Thursday, is now mandating quarantine for anyone who has traveled to a known high-risk exposure area. High-risk countries include China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan. Within the U.S., the Seattle area has become a hotspot for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Other areas experiencing a surge in cases include Westchester County in New York and parts of California.

"It is very important that anyone; staff, student or parent who travels to a high-risk country notify the school district immediately prior to re-entering the school so we may assess the situation," the email said.

The high school, middle and elementary schools are all undergoing increased cleaning and sanitation to prevent any spread within the district. The district is also adding increased sanitation stations for hand-washing and signage on appropriate washing practices.
After our troubles in Iraq and Afghanistan, many Americans just want the United States out of the Middle East. But Syria is not Iraq. With just a few hundred soldiers and some help to our allies, the lives of millions can be spared from Assads cruel rule. And if we allow this slaughter, there will be more slaughters to come. We have a moral imperative to try to stop that.
Industry Update

Appointment

6 March 2020

Michaelene Sullivan

Promoted Director of Sales and Marketing

At Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego - CA, USA

Sullivan has been with Hyatt for 15 years, 10 of those years spent here at Grand Hyatt San Diego, shifting from her former role as Director of Group Sales. Sullivan is the Chair of the San Diego [email protected] chapter, a group dedicated to growing female leadership within Hyatt, and has spearheaded a two-day Hyatt Leadership Forum, discussing the cultivation of female leaders within the cooperation. As a result of her pioneering work, Sullivan was a finalist for San Diego Magazine's Women of the Year Awards. Sullivan was also named an Elite Performer 2018, an award given to the top 1% of sales team members globally and exceeded 100%+ of established goals each year. In her new position, she will oversee marketing initiatives and manage the sales department.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 20 premier brands. As of September 30, 2019, the Company's portfolio included more than 875 properties in over 60 countries across six continents. more information

Recent Appointments at Hyatt Sonale Zagade - General Manager 31 December 2021  A passionate hotelier, Sonale brings unmatched enthusiasm and a forward-thinking approach with her major strength in hotel operations and has strong business insights with a remarkable history of working with leading brands as Leela Kempinski, Starwood Hotels and have been with Hyatt from 2013. read more

Kristi Cotten-Morris - General Manager 14 December 2021  Kristi Cotten-Morris brings over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, 24 of which have been with Hyatt hotels. Since beginning her Hyatt career as a front desk agent at Hyatt Regency Hilton Head Island in 1997, Cotton-Morris has led Hyatt properties through rebrands, renovations, and openings, taking pride in leading with care in an inclusive environment that encourages team members to be their best. read more
Meghan Markle visited a comprehensive school in east London this afternoon on her second day back in the UK.

The Duchess of Sussex was filmed getting out of a car and greeting teachers outside Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham.

The visit comes a day after she made a secret trip to the National Theatre in London after returning to Britain from Canada for her final engagements as a senior royal.

She was seen back in the UK for the first time yesterday as she left the exclusive Goring Hotel - the Queen's favourite restaurant.

Her husband Harry was also spotted leaving the hotel just moments earlier as a member of the concierge team held an umbrella over his head in the rain.

The visit to Dagenham appeared to take many pupils by surprise, with some parents posting on social media that security had turned some away for not having the 'any ID'

The Duchess of Sussex was filmed getting out of a car and greeting teachers and staff outside Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham (left and right)

One wrote their child 'has been turned away from Robert Clack for not having any Id on him by the police and security because someone called Meghan (prince Harry's wife) is there this afternoon and no ID means you aint getting in.'

Others claimed pupils let out to attend appointments at the doctors were not being allowed back.

One pupil added: 'So the day I don't go to sixth form Meghan comes.'

Last night Meghan joined her husband Prince Harry at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on their first joint royal engagement since the Megxit crisis began. It is believed they have left Archie in Canada.

The annual event celebrates the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges.



The Duchess of Sussex was filmed getting out of a car and meeting teachers outside Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham this afternoon

Meghan Markle has this afternoon arrived at a comprehensive school in east London on her second day back in the UK

The Duchess of Sussex was filmed getting out of a car and greeting teachers outside Robert Clack Upper School (pictured) in Dagenham

Mothers said there children had been turned away from the school because they didn't have any identification

All eyes were on Meghan, 38, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen.

She presented the Celebrating Excellence Award during the event and said: 'Its very nice to be back. Its the third year I've had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here. It's just the most inspiring space.

'When we were watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada we had the same moment of "how are you going to choose?" Well, we've done our best.'

Last night's event is one of just a handful of engagements the couple are undertaking this weekend in the UK before returning to Canada to embark on their new life, ahead of their official departure on March 31.

Meghan was filmed arriving at the school in east London this afternoon

The Duchess of Sussex laughs during a visit to the National Theatre in London yesterday

The Duchess wore a Topshop blouse, a white bodycon pencil skirt, small gold hoop earrings and a gold coin pendant from Missoma for yesterday's trip to the Theatre, where she is patron

Harry today met Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton today to open a new museum showcasing the Silverstone racetrack heritage.

The Prince was driven to the doors of The Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire this morning in a 65,000 electric Mercedes EQC 400 AMG by six-time champion Hamilton.

Tomorrow duke and duchess will then attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, and Meghan will mark International Women's Day.

On Wednesday, Harry waved to well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace as he was driven away in a Range Rover after a series of internal meetings with his team.

It came after they had a 'heart to heart' for four hours in her private apartments at Windsor Castle on Sunday about his imminent departure from the Royal Family.

Harry is said to have requested the meeting, and the Queen - who last saw her grandson during their showdown at Sandringham in January after Harry broke the news that he and Meghan were quitting - was happy to agree.

The Queen is believed to have told her grandson that she was keen to keep the door open for him and Meghan to return and stressed that he would be welcomed back from Canada at any time.

Prince Harry and Meghan at Mansion House in London for last night's Endeavour Fund Awards

The Duchess of Sussex said it was 'very nice to be back' as she made her first public appearance in the UK last night

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House on Thursday, smiling broadly during the event

Harry, who has always enjoyed a warm relationship with his grandmother, was apparently keen to 'clear the air' before he and Meghan formally step down as working royals on March 31.

He has been staying at Frogmore Cottage, the couple's home on the Queen's Windsor estate, since returning to the UK last week to undertake a handful of final official engagements.

He and Meghan have agreed to pay back 2.4million in taxpayer funds used to rebuild the property in light of their decision to relocate to North America.

It is understood that he and his grandmother shared a light lunch and tea on Sunday as they discussed his future.

The Queen was left deeply upset after Harry and Meghan decided to suddenly announce their plans to step down and move abroad in early January in an apparent effort to bounce the Royal Family into agreeing to their demands to retain the trappings of royal life, while pursuing independent commercial careers.

Meghan will stay on as patron of the National Theatre, which is on London's Southbank (file)

And the couple were taken aback when Buckingham Palace made clear its displeasure and insisted that Harry would have to relinquish his HRH title as a non working royal and hand back their official patronages and his military positions, as well as dropping their plans to market themselves as 'Sussex Royal'.

The Queen is said to be 'very sad' that she sees so little of Harry and Meghan's son Archie, her great-grandson.

The meeting at the weekend was said to have been 'productive and positive'. One source said Harry was seen leaving 'deep in thought'.

But the couple have decided to leave Archie in Canada, meaning his British family haven't seen him for more than four months.

Officially opening the building at Silverstone today, Harry said: 'There's nothing better than officially opening a building that is very much open'

Prince Harry and Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton talks to children at the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire today as the Duke officially opens the museum

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

'It's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive,' she added. Meghan told presenter Tom Bradby: 'Not many people have asked if I'm OK.'

The Sussexes attended the previous annual Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony in February 2019, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie.

The Duke and Duchess were pictured leaving the exclusive Goring Hotel in London (file image)

They were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

A summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

Today, Harry joined Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience, a museum about British motor racing.

Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow and the following day Meghan will mark International Women's Day.

The duke and duchess will join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on Monday, their last official appearance as HRHs.
Starbucks Corporations SBUX China business is reeling under the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. However, the company stated that the pandemic disease hasnt impacted its U.S. business.



Starbucks had closed nearly 80% of its stores in China in early February due to Lunar New Year holiday and the coronavirus outbreak. However, the company announced that it has reopened 90% of the closed stores. Nevertheless, the stores are operating under elevated safety protocols.



These store closures have resulted in decline in comparable store sales. In February, Starbucks Chinas comparable store sales plunged 78%, year over year, primarily on account of store closures, reduced operating hours and customer traffic. In the second week of February, the company witnessed steepest decline in comparable store sales in China.



The company now expects comparable store sales in China to be down nearly 50% in second-quarter fiscal 2020 compared with the prior estimate of growth of approximately 3%. Consequently, the company anticipates the companys China revenues to be impacted by $400 million to $430 million due to the coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, the companys GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share for the second quarter is likely to be impacted in the range of 15 to 18 cents due to the deadly virus.



Shares of Starbucks have decreased 11.8% in the past month, compared with the industrys decline of 9.6%.





Global Impact of Coronavirus on Starbucks



Apart from China, the deadly virus has spread to countries including the United States, Italy, South Korea, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, France, Denmark and Japan. In fact, cases of coronavirus have been reported across 75 countries and territories.



Per management, its operations in Japan, South Korea and Italy have also been impacted by store closures and dismal traffic. However, the company is unable to estimate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in these markets as it is in early stage.



Other major restaurant companies like Yum China Holdings, Inc. YUMC, Papa John's International, Inc. PZZA and McDonald's Corporation MCD have also shutdown majority of their restaurants in China.



Starbucks currently carries a Zacks rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Story continues

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The five-member team, deputed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to visit the riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi, will submit its report to her soon, sources said Friday.

The report is likely to raise questions on police action during the violence, sources said.

According to sources, the report is ready and it can be submitted to Gandhi on Saturday or on Monday.

Gandhi had deputed the five-member team last Friday to visit the riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi and submit a report to her after which the delegation has visited several places and met with many victims of violence.

The team comprises All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Mukul Wasnik, AICC in-charge Delhi Shaktisinh Gohil, Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja, former MP Tariq Anwar and Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - LyondellBasell (LYB) said it signed definitive agreements to expand in China through a 50:50 joint venture with the Liaoning Bora Enterprise Group. As per the deals, the companies will form a Sino-foreign joint venture, the Bora LyondellBasell Petrochemical Co. Ltd, that will operate a 1.1 million metric tons per annum ethylene cracker and associated polyolefin derivatives complex in Panjin, China, with a total expected cost of about $2.6 billion. The complex will produce products that serve the growing demands of various industries in China, including packaging, transportation, building and construction, and healthcare and hygiene. LyondellBasell will market the polypropylene and high-density polyethylene which will be produced utilizing LyondellBasell licensed Spheripol, Spherizone polypropylene technologies and Hostalen ACP polyethylene technology. Start-up is expected in the second half of 2020. LyondellBasell expects to make its equity contribution in the coming months. The formation of the JV is subject to approvals by relevant government authorities. 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.
By PTI

MECCA: Saudi Arabia on Thursday emptied Islam's holiest site for sterilisation over fears of the new coronavirus, an unprecedented move after the kingdom suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage.

State television relayed stunning images of an empty white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba - a large black cube structure inside Mecca's Grand Mosque, which is usually packed with tens of thousands of pilgrims.

The move was a "temporary preventive measure" but the upper floors of the Grand Mosque were still open for prayers, a Saudi official told AFP.

He called the measure "unprecedented".

On Wednesday, the kingdom halted the umrah pilgrimage for its own citizens and residents.

The move came after authorities last week suspended visas for the umrah and barred citizens from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council from entering Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday declared three new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of reported infections to five.

The umrah, which refers to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year, attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe annually.

The decision to suspend the umrah comes ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan starting in late April, which is a favoured period for pilgrimage.

It is unclear how the coronavirus will affect the hajj, due to start in late July.

Some 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across the world in 2019 to take part in the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam as Muslim obligations are known.

The event is a massive logistical challenge for Saudi authorities, with colossal crowds cramming into relatively small holy sites, making attendees vulnerable to contagion.
I am told that polling in the Super Tuesday states found climate change to be the number two concern of voters, after health care. Given the massive propaganda barrage to which we have all been subjected, that could be true. Although most of those who profess concern about climate change are not willing to spend any significant amount of their own money to fight it.

Global warming hysteria is driving, among other things, the push to subsidize and mandate electric vehicles. Here in Minnesota, our governor has initiated a regulatory process to force Minnesotans to buy electric cars against their will, with more subsidies provided by those who dont comply. The initiative appears to be plainly illegal, as well as being terrible policy.

For a good short course on electric vehicles, check out this video by my friend Mark Mathis of the Clear Energy Alliance. Mark and his organization are doing some of the best work on issues relating to energy:

The liberals idea that batteries will somehow be the key to a petroleum-free economy is delusional at best. There is much more to be said on this subject, but this video is a good start.
March 05, 2020



In this day and age, technology is overtaking every aspect of society. To the delight of healthcare administration experts like Allen Park, Michigan's Phillip James McGuckin, medical facilities are more equipped than ever before to treat patients and research cures for ailments.







That said, technologys impact on the healthcare industry is not without challenges. Phillip James McGuckin notes that transitioning into a new world of technology can create gaps in training and software integration issues.

But despite all the challenges, many concede that technologys impact on healthcare is a positive one.

The Internet of Things in Healthcare

The 21st Century has healthcare tools at its disposal that industry experts would have never thought possible just a few decades ago.

From ingestible sensors to automated insulin delivery to 3D-printed organs, physicians have more technology at their disposal to treat and cure patients. Nurses and assistants may depend upon monitoring instruments to help them provide the best of care, including faster emergency response.

But it is not just physicians and their staff with the latest healthcare gadgets. Smart wearables and devices are helping patients monitor their health and take preventative steps to continue their recovery. These same healthcare devices are empowering healthy individuals to pursue even greater health, thus reducing the number of doctors visits and medications.

Healthcare and Big Data

Perhaps the greatest advancement in healthcare technology pertains to streamlined recordkeeping.

The digitalization of health records has reduced healthcare costs for hospitals, research, and patients all while being more environmentally friendly due to going paperless. Secure cloud storage empowers easy access to all healthcare professionals responsible for a patients care.

As a result, doctors can treat patients more quickly and accurately. Uncurable patients may benefit from more knowledgeable caregivers being able to keep their patients as comfortable as possible. Additionally, hospital staff are less likely to administer lethal treatments to patients since all relevant information is available immediately in emergency situations.

For hundreds of years, healthcare records stored on paper has led to major waste in the industry. Healthcare experts like Phillip James McGuckin have long been aware of this logistical nightmare. And technology is now able to address this problem in a sustainable way.

Cybersecurity Concerns

Whether medical data exists on physical or cloud servers makes a difference when it comes to cybersecurity and accessibility.

Physical, on-site drives may provide more dependable data recall, regardless of Internet bandwidth speeds. Generally speaking, data stored on-site is safer from cyberattack, and the organization owning the data can protect it more easily.

But maintaining physical hard drives on the premises is expensive and is more difficult to manage. Phillip James McGuckin notes that with the rise of cloud storage and software platforms, medical facilities have more storage capabilities and can save millions of dollars.

In many ways, hosting an entire organizations sensitive data on the cloud effectively outsources that organizations cybersecurity. Depending on how a hosting provider stores the data  there are shared and dedicated servers  an organizations medical records and research may or may not be as safe from cyberattack.

Aside from these cost and cybersecurity concerns, cloud hosting providers are growing more skilled at protecting their clients data. Additionally, these servers have a number of safety protocols in place to isolate and lock down servers that are compromised. These safety procedures keep data breach damage to a minimum and deny the cyber-attacker any meaningful access to sensitive information.

Blockchain Technology

For the last couple decades, altruistic programmers have been expanding the world of blockchain technology. And for the first time in history, tech experts have been able to decentralize information in a way that protects that information even better.

The cybersecurity challenges described above are relevant to centralized storage. With the all the data in one place, you can better protect that data. However, one security breach on that centralized server could mean a major loss of valuable data.

Blockchain technology splits apart every bit of information into a block, and all related blocks are held together in a chain. Each block possesses its own key to descramble the encrypted data. A breach attempt on one chain without the key will result in a security lock down on all blocks in the chain. Further, this digital log is unalterable, undeletable, and each entry is unknown to the block that stores it.

Even though blockchain technology is not yet ready for widespread use, healthcare organizations and banks are already looking for ways to increase their data security using the blockchain method once it becomes available.

Phillip James McGuckin concludes that technology is changing the world of healthcare. With the upcoming technology such as blockchain being on the horizon, the growth and development of technology within the industry is nowhere near stopping.
TDT | Manama

Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) has stressed its support for the overall national efforts in the Kingdom to tackle the emerging coronavirus (Covid 19), and focuses its humanitarian effort on mobilising and equipping volunteers to meet any national drive related to this virus and to complement and support government efforts in this regard.

The Acting-General Secretary of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society  Director General Mr Mubarak Khalifa Al Hadi, hailed the Kingdoms national efforts to prevent coronavirus and stressed the societys keenness to support those efforts by further building the capacities of volunteers and preparing them to be ready to provide any required support. Bahrain Red Crescent Society has continued its preparations to back the national efforts for tackling coronavirus, the society said in a statement issued.

Within this framework, the society held several events recently, and the management of the society held an open meeting with its volunteer members to strengthen their capabilities and preparedness to ensure effective humanitarian assistance promptly. The society stressed the importance of volunteers role spreading awareness of how to prevent coronavirus in different sectors. Training workshops were organised for the societys medics to train on how to protect themselves when dealing with infected cases and in-field scenarios were performed on how to deal with people infected with the virus, in addition to disinfecting of surfaces and disposal of waste properly, the society pointed out.

In the same context, the society reached out to the relevant authorities to prepare for the response in a way that complements and supports the government efforts in this regard. Communications were made with the relevant international bodies and receive from them the latest evidence-based developments regarding the virus, and how to bring the procedures of dealing with the virus into the mainstream of public awareness. Through communication with the global bodies that are specialised in first aid affairs, the paramedics of the society were keen on updating their information regarding first-aid programmes to get the latest developments and instructions related to the application of first aid either in theory or in practice.

To perform immediate response in emergencies, a plan was arranged for what the societys volunteers can do to tackle the virus. This includes listening to misleading rumours and questions about the virus and then encouraging awareness by using the knowledge learned and recommended IEC / ECV tools to provide accurate information. The society is preparing to develop contingency planning while seeking donations in personal protective equipment and preparing voluntary cadres capable to provide psychological and social support, Mr Al Hadi said.
China has said that some vaccines for the novel coronavirus could be in clinical use next month as the number of global coronavirus cases soared past 100,000.

The country's scientists are striving to develop immunisation products with five technologies simultaneously, according to officials.

'We estimate that in April - in line with country's relevant law and regulations  there is hope that some of the vaccines can enter the stage of clinical or emergency use,' said Zheng Zhongwei, director of the Technical Development and Research Centre of China's National Health Commission.

Chinese health officials have claimed the country's scientists are developing vaccines with five technologies. The picture shows an Israeli scientist working at a laboratory at the MIGAL Research Institute in Kiryat Shmona in the upper Galilee in northern Israel on March 1

China's National Health Commission expects the first vaccines to be in 'clinical or emergency use' next month. The picture shows China's President Xi learning about the progress on the vaccine development at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing on March 2

Mr Zheng added: 'The novel coronavirus is a new virus. We need a process to explore and understand it.

'The same applies to the development of vaccines. We need to solve problems gradually as we continue to explore and deepen [the research].'

Mr Zheng made the comments at a press conference today held by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council of China.

The official said a special team had been set up to take the charge of the development of vaccines for the coronavirus.

The news was delivered today at a press conference by Zheng Zhongwei (pictured), director of the Technical Development and Research Centre of China's National Health Commission

Multiple research teams have begun developing vaccines for the disease since an outbreak emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province late last year. The picture shows a researcher working on a vaccine at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in London

After reviewing dozens of companies, the team selected eight of them to create the first vaccines at the same time using five different methods.

One of the inoculation candidates is an inactivated vaccine. It uses the killed version of the germ that causes the disease to stimulate human bodies to create antibodies.

Another is a subunit vaccine. It enlists genetic engineering to replicate the Spike protein, or S protein, for stimulating therapeutic immune responses in human bodies.

A third possibility, a nucleic acid immunisation, includes two subtypes: an mRNA vaccine and a DNA vaccine.

The method injects encoded S protein into humans to prompt their bodies to produce more S protein. The process is expected to stimulate receivers to create antibodies.

The remaining two options are carrier vaccines, one with adenoviruses and the other with reduced influenza viruses.

Mr Zheng said experts were already testing the effectiveness and safety of all of the five vaccines on animals.

Globally, at least 3,402 people have died and more than 100,190 have contracted the infection

Coronaviruses are so named because their structure has jagged edges which look like a royal crown - corona is crown in Latin (Pictured, an illustration of the COVID-19 virus released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Professor Huang Jinhai from Tianjin University said he and his team had developed an oral vaccine and were looking for partners. The picture shows medics working in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital designated for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan on February 24

Last week, a team of Chinese scientists revealed that they had developed an oral vaccine for the coronavirus using baker's yeast.

The news was announced by Professor Huang Jinhai from the School of Life Sciences at Tianjin University and reported by state newspaper People's Daily.

Prof Huang claimed to have taken four doses of the drug without having any side effects.

However, the expert said the product was still 'far from' being sold on the market because it needed to pass animal tests and clinical trials.

Multiple research teams have begun developing vaccines for the disease since an outbreak emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province late last year.

Last month, a Russian diplomatic mission in China said that Russia and China were working to develop a vaccine and that Beijing had handed over the genome of the virus to Moscow.

Jack Ma, the 55-year-old founder of e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba, has donated 100million yuan (11million) to help scientists develop the vaccine for the deadly coronavirus. The self-made entrepreneur announced the generous aid last month through his foundation

Scientists in China and around the world are striving to create the first vaccine for the coronavirus. In the picture taken on October 18, scientists are seen working in a laboratory of Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. The organisation is researching a vaccine for novel coronavirus

Johnson & Johnson is one of the drugmakers that have begun work on developing a vaccine for the coronavirus.

Jack Ma, China's richest man, donated 100million yuan (11million) to help scientists develop anti-coronavirus inoculations.

While the United States pledged $2.5billion (1.9billion) to fight the disease, with more than $1billion (770million) going towards developing a vaccine.

The new coronavirus outbreak has now infected more than 100,000 people worldwide.

Slovakia, Serbia and Peru today became the latest countries to confirm cases of the killer infection.

The global toll surged into six figures, with South Korea, Iran and Italy all recording huge spikes amid fears the escalating crisis will only continue to worsen.

At least 3,400 people have already died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus  meaning roughly 3.4 per cent of known cases die.

Inside China, the epidemic has killed at least 3,042 people and infected more than 80,500.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to be hospitalized for treatment of neck pain

Lockdown-like restrictions to return in Maharashtra? Here's what CM Uddhav Thackeray has to say

No coronavirus in Maharashtra, no cause for panic

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Mumbai, Mar 06: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said no case of coronavirus infection has been found in the state and there was no cause for panic, but caution was necessary for the next eight to ten days.

Addressing a press conference here, he also said people should refrain from visiting crowded places.

"Extra precaution is needed to be taken during the next eight to ten days....People should celebrate the Holi festival in a restrained way," he said.

The medical staff at the airports will be increased for conducting thermal screening of all the passengers arriving from other countries, Thackeray said.

Coronavirus scare: 1,252 persons quarantined in Kolkata; Helpline set up

Thermal checking is being carried out at Nagpur and Pune airports in the state too, he said.

Mumbai municipal commissioner Pravin Pardeshi, also present at the press conference, said additional quarantine beds have been kept ready at private hospitals in the city.

Pardeshi also stated that people need not wear face masks, which the medical staff who are treating suspected coronavirus patients need.

Some 18,000 passengers arrive at the international airport in Mumbai every day, the commissioner said.

So far about 70,000 passengers have undergone thermal checking and 90 of them showed symptoms of the disease. But 83 of these patients eventually tested negative for the virus while the lab reports of seven people were awaited, Pardeshi added.

Earlier, making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, chief minister Thackeray said his government was taking all necessary steps for the prevention of the "coronavirus epidemic".

"I want to tell people that the next eight days are crucial and we have to remain cautious," he told the House.

"We need to tackle the crisis effectively without getting scared and panicky," he said. "If we get scared, we may end up committing avoidable mistakes," he added.

Adequate testing facilities were in place in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune, the chief minister said.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

36-year-old Kerala man who died after testing negative for coronavirus, cremated with WHO protocol

"There is enough stock of masks. We need to see if the vacant Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai can be used for quarantine facilities," he added.

He had instructed authorities to provide masks and required clothing to the cleaning staff of international flights at the airports in the state, Thackeray informed.

Hotel managements have also been instructed to check if foreign tourists checking into their hotels have undergone thermal screening, he said.

"I have instructed the Information and Publicity department to issue advertisements for mass awareness at railway and bus stations regarding precautions to be taken," he said.

Noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided not to celebrate Holi in view of the virus epidemic this year, Thackeray said, "When there was an outbreak of swine flu, the dahi-handi celebrations were cancelled (in Maharashtra). I pray that the coronavirus epidemic gets burnt in the Holi fire," he said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 7:52 [IST]
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Americans stranded on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have revealed they are confined to their rooms as they anxiously await test results while held off the coast of San Francisco.

The Grand Princess with some 2,300 passengers on board, mostly Americans, and another 1,000 crew members, was ordered to stay at sea on Thursday.

It follows the death of a Sacramento-area man who succumbed to the coronavirus after he had been on an earlier sailing of the ship, in February. Two other passengers from that voyage have been hospitalized with the virus in Northern California, and two Canadians who recently sailed aboard the ship tested positive after returning home, officials said.

The US Coast Guard yesterday flew in testing kits for those on board who have been told to stay in their rooms and only leave if absolutely necessary.

Medics collected samples for testing from 45 people aboard after some showed symptoms. These have been flown to a lab in Richmond, according to the cruise line.

One passenger Gina Pallotta, who is on board with her husband Mike Neky, told the Modesto Bee: 'There are some people who don't seem to understand the gravity of what is going on, and others who fully understand.'

The US Coast Guard yesterday flew in testing kits for those on board who have been told to stay in their rooms and only leave if absolutely necessary

Medical personnel Guardian Angels with the 129th Rescue Wing, alongside individuals from the CDC don full personal protective equipment as they prepare to test travelers on the Grand Princess cruise ship for the coronavirus currently off the coast of California, U.S. in this handout photograph obtained on March 5, 2020

A National Guard helicopter delivering virus testing kits lowers crew down to the Grand Princess cruise ship Thursday, March 5, 2020

First, the food buffet was shut down as gloved staff scurried about wiping every surface in sight. Then the ocean liner's gym, bar, casino and boutiques were closed, with passengers urged to keep to themselves. Finally, they were confined to their staterooms.

Alice Barnhart of Carmichael is remaining upbeat but says she has been confined to her cabin

Once the captain announced their vessel may be tainted with coronavirus, Grand Princess cruise ship guests like Kathleen Reid were left with little to do but contemplate the prospect of extended isolation at sea, or worse.

'My first reaction was, 'Oh, crap. We're going to be quarantined, and maybe get sick,'' Reid, 67, a retiree from Granbury, Texas said. 'We don't know what's happening, so we're just kind of in limbo, waiting.'

Like the Diamond Princess, the liner held in quarantine off Japan last month, the Grand Princess is owned by a unit of Carnival Corp, the world's largest cruise operator.

Experts have criticized Japanese bureaucrats' handling of the onboard quarantine, as ultimately about 700 people were infected and six have died in what was at the time the largest concentration of coronavirus cases outside China.

California Governor Gavin Newsom insisted that the Grand Princess remain at sea until passengers and crew complaining of flu-like symptoms during a 15-day roundtrip cruise to Hawaii could be tested for possible coronavirus infection.

Medical personnel Guardian Angels with the 129th Rescue Wing, alongside individuals from the CDC don full personal protective equipment as they prepare to test travelers on the Grand Princess cruise ship for the coronavirus currently off the coast of California

The Grand Princess is currently 400 miles off San Francisco and heading for port having returned from Hawaii after 11 passengers and 10 crew reported symptoms of coronavirus

On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard airlifted a batch of diagnostic kits to the ship via helicopter, and public health officials said samples collected would be flown back to a San Francisco Bay Area state laboratory for testing.

Results were expected in about 24 hours, said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the city's Department of Emergency Management.

State and local officials acted after learning that 35 people aboard the ship had fallen ill, and that two passengers who had traveled on the same vessel for a voyage last month between San Francisco and Mexico later tested positive for coronavirus.

One, an elderly man from Placer County near Sacramento with underlying health conditions, died this week, marking the first documented coronavirus fatality in California. The other, from the Bay area, was described by Newsom as gravely sick.

Health officials say both individuals likely contracted the virus while they were aboard the ocean liner.

The Princess cruise line said fewer than 100 passengers and crew from the Hawaii voyage of its Grand Princess have been identified for testing, including those who were ill.

Tests will also be given to dozens of holdover passengers from the Mexico trip who stayed on the ship for the voyage to Hawaii, as well as 'guests currently under care for respiratory illness,' the cruise line said in a statement. They will remain quarantined on the ship until cleared by medical staff.

Specialists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were working with local health authorities and the Coast Guard to coordinate the operation.

They also were seeking to contact some 2,500 passengers who disembarked in San Francisco on Feb. 21 after the earlier cruise to Mexico. One of them, a Canadian woman from the province of Alberta, tested positive for the virus this week, health officials there said.

Princess Cruises has canceled the next scheduled departure of its Grand Princess Hawaii voyage from San Francisco, which had been set for March 7.

Passengers on the current cruise, meanwhile, were forced to make do with a rapidly shrinking choice of amusements.

Having already lost access to many of the ship's favorite attractions - the bar, casino, shops, food buffet and gym - guests were also urged to practice 'social distancing,' making an effort to keep at least six feet away from strangers on the ship, the company said. By midday on Thursday, they were asked to confine themselves to their staterooms until further notice.

It was unclear what would occur should anyone now aboard the ship test positive for the respiratory virus, which has infected more than 95,000 people worldwide, most of them in China, where the outbreak originated.

'Once we have results from the tests, the CDC and the state will determine the most appropriate location for the ship to berth, and the location needs to provide for the safety of the surrounding community as well as the passengers and crew,' Carroll told reporters on Thursday.

The Coast Guard approaches the Grand Princess cruise ship to deliver test kits to more than 3,500 people stranded on the ship about 400 miles of the coast of San Francisco

An employee sprays down the common areas of the Grand Princess cruise ship with disinfectant

The US death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 12 on Thursday. At least 216 cases have been confirmed across 18 states

She said the ship might be directed to an arrival point other than San Francisco.

Reid, who is traveling with her husband, said the ship's captain was keeping passengers informed of developments throughout the day with announcements every couple of hours, and that fellow guests seemed to be taking the uncertainty mostly in stride.

'People are, I'm sure, a little anxious, but nobody has just gone screaming mad yet,' Reid said, adding she had seen no obvious signs of anyone being sick.

'Hand-washing is a big deal,' she said, but 'nobody is walking around sneezing or coughing.'
The startup's unique ride subscription model uses all employee drivers, allows users an affordable and environmentally-friendly way to travel

BERKELEY, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Go360, a subscription service poised to disrupt the on-demand ride-hailing industry, today is opening up its service to paid customers to deliver a more convenient, affordable and safe way to get from home to work or connect to local transit hubs. Aimed at serving users in dense, urban areas, Go360 uses all electric vehicles (Teslas) in a first- and last-mile pooled model to provide consumers a better and faster way to travel. Rides average $2.50 a time (up to four rides a day) with a monthly subscription. The all-employee drivers are always close by so the customer wait time is a maximum of five minutes. The startup is part of the premier accelerator UC Berkeley SkyDeck.

Go360 has been serving alpha riders (employees, family and friends) in a limited area in Sacramento since November 2019, and will now be offering the ride-hailing service to the community. The company has plans to expand to other Northern California cities: Davis, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland, and eventually will roll out to other metro areas. Currently, Go360 has released a Rider and Driver app that allows its riders to use the service.

"Go360 is the future of on-demand transportation. We are committed to work with the power of public transit - creating a fully multimodal solution that gets people from home to transit hubs and back, so they can be the most efficient with their time," said Sravan Puttagunta, Go360 CEO. "First and last-mile pooling provides high-quality, affordable, and (because we use all-electric vehicles) green transportation options to riders. By keeping vehicles in a certain geographic area, Go360 optimizes for filling cars and picking up and dropping off multiple passengers along dynamically-computed routes, without incurring overhead. Our technology improves overall travel times while keeping costs affordable."

For improved pooling efficiency, Go360 "blacklists" high-traffic corridors, highways and on-ramps, allowing the routing algorithm to leverage the free flow of inner-city roads. This also increases the accuracy of the estimated trip times. It uses its Vision APIs to analyze camera data to generate information about traffic, curb management, pick up and drop off, to further increase the efficiency of its service. Long term, this infrastructure can be leveraged to power self-driving cars to operate in the same areas.

While other on-demand ride services focus on oversupplying the market with drivers, Go360 is investing in the quality of the drivers, the premium cars (all electric vehicles) and providing more predictable rides. Go360 drivers are company employees - paid by the hour, not by the mile - and with no service fees. They also receive company benefits so they comply with the new California AB5 regulations.

"Sacramento is the perfect launching point for new mobility companies," said Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. "Innovators like Anuj and Sravan are coming to the Greater Sacramento region because of the fantastic business climate, the wealth of talent and the California Mobility Center which will be the most impactful mobility initiative in the U.S."

"Sacramento has invested more in economic development than any other community of its size in the country, and that leads to forward-thinking talent choosing our region," Broome continued. "Mayor Darrell Steinberg is helping to make Sacramento the next innovation hub for new mobility ideas and we are excited for Go360 to be part of the tech growth in our region."

As the company grows, it plans to scale its presence to connect cities together in a better, more efficient way. "Since we are starting in the Sacramento area, Go360 wants to make life easier for super commuters like the 80,000 people who travel the 70 miles from Sacramento to the Bay Area every day. Our pooled rides feed people to rapid transit street cars and the subway. This improves the efficiency of all existing transportation systems, reduces traffic and helps the environment," said Puttagunta.

As one current user shared, "Go360 is the secret no one told me about. I use it every day to get to work and love the cars, professional drivers and reliability."

Press Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BlXqOmzdHbkjKawv0-qrFEXIBG32tyT6

About Go360

Go360 is creating a new paradigm in transportation by offering a comfortable, reliable on-demand ride hailing service in all-electric, luxury pooled vehicles. The company operates within defined city areas and provides dynamic pooling on the routes where they operate, which means the maximum pickup time is five minutes and the trip time is about 15 minutes. This approach reduces ride cost and trip time dramatically. Go360 is investing in human capital, sustainability, and social and environmental needs. For more information about Go360, visit https://www.go360.io.

Media Contact:

Erica Zeidenberg

Hot Tomato Marketing

erica@hottomato.net

925-518-8159 mobile

SOURCE: Go360

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579422/Go360-Disrupts-Ride-Hailing-Industry-with-All-Electric-Vehicles-Last-Mile-Pooled-Rides-and-Subscription-Service-to-Get-You-to-Work-or-Transit-Hubs-Faster-and-Easier
Vodafone Idea on Friday said its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities stand at Rs 21,533 crore as per its self assessment, and that the calculation of dues has been filed with the telecom department.

The statement assumes significance as the government has estimated the company's dues at over Rs 53,000 crore, of which it has so far paid only Rs 3,500 crore in two tranches.

The AGR liabilities calculated by Vodafone Idea (VIL) are only 41 per cent of the government's assessment.

Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read is currently meeting Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to discuss options to keep VIL afloat.

"The self assessment discloses the company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crore including a principle amount of Rs 6,854 crore for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020," the company said in a BSE filing.

It said the company has filed its self assessment of AGR liabilities with the Department of Telecom.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Ashley Schafer.

March 4

12:10 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Greendale Township residence in reference to a 38-year-old Greendale Township woman who reported that her 31-year-old Greendale Township boyfriend was highly intoxicated and had discharged a firearm into the floor of their residence. The woman advised she was not assaulted nor threatened. The 31-year-old man was arrested for interfering with 911 and reckless discharge of a firearm. He was transported and lodged at the Midland County Jail without incident.

12:25 a.m. - A 78-year-old woman advised that she heard someone knocking on her front door and windows to her house. A deputy checked the residence and did not observe any footprints around the home. The deputy also checked the neighborhood for people walking or vehicles broke down, but nothing was found.

12:38 a.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 200 block of Sycamore Square.

12:52 a.m. - A 40-year-old Lincoln Township woman reported that she was hearing voices in her attic and was scared for her safety. Deputies made contact with the woman and confirmed there was nobody in her attic. Per the female's request, she was transported to her mother's house for the night.

1:09 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Sanford business in reference to an alarm. The deputy checked the business and did not observe anything suspicious.

2:18 a.m. - Deputies responded to the City of Coleman for a suspicious situation. The complainant, a 43-year-old Coleman woman, was concerned because she could hear people talking outside of her window. Deputies checked the area but did not locate anyone outside of her home. The woman agreed to call back if she hears voices again.

3:43 a.m. - A deputy transported a 38-year-old Freeland man to the Midland County Jail from Freeland without incident. The man was arrested by Tittabawassee Township Police on a contempt of court warrant on a previous driving-while-license-suspended charge out of Midland County Courts.

4 a.m. - Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the area near East US-10 and East Patrick Road.

4:24 a.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 5600 block of Evergreen Street.

6:47 a.m. - Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Midland Township.

7:24 a.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 4000 block of Jefferson Avenue.

7:34 a.m. - Officers responded to a report of disorderly conduct in the 2500 block of Waldo Avenue.

7:47 a.m. - Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Larkin Township.

8:09 a.m. - Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the area of North Saginaw and Perrine roads.

8:53 a.m. - Officers responded to a crash on private property in the 3100 block of Boston Street.

9:02 a.m. - Officers responded to a report of domestic assault in the 5000 block of Whisper Ridge.

9:30 a.m. - Officers responded to a property damage accident on private property in the 1300 block of Eastlawn Drive.

9:53 a.m. - Officers responded to a crash on private property in the 4000 block of Wellness Drive.

10:46 a.m. - Deputies responded to a false alarm at a Lincoln Township residence. They spoke with the 55-year-old owner on scene who advised the alarm was false.

11:06 a.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 3900 block of Dow Court.

11:15 a.m. - Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Hope Township.

11:34 a.m. - A State of Michigan DHS social worker requested that a deputy check a Lincoln Township residence for an 83-year-old man. A deputy made contact with the man's 47-year-old daughter who advised that her father now resided in the State of Ohio. The social worker was given the man's new address and phone number.

11:39 a.m. - An unknown subject failed to pay for $30.46 in fuel at a Sanford station. The subject had an out of state plate that was not legible on a silver car.

1:04 p.m. - A 68-year-old Greendale Township man was arrested for driving-while-license-revoked after a traffic stop in Lee Township. He was lodged at the Midland County Jail.

2:44 p.m. - A deputy, Michigan State Police, Fire and EMS responded to a Geneva Township residence after a 34-year-old Geneva Township man intentionally overdosed on an unknown substance. The man was transported to the MidMichigan Medical Center ER where a mental health petition was completed.

4:04 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence in reference to a 13-year-old misusing 911 text. The 13-year-old Lee Township girl had several prior incidents regarding the misuse of texting 911. When the deputy tried to inform the girl of the consequences of misusing 911, she laughed the situation off. It was turned over to the prosecuting attorney's office.

4:15 p.m. - Officers responded to a property-damage crash on private property in the 400 block of Saginaw Road.

5:11 p.m. - Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in Homer Township. A citation was issued.

5:24 p.m. - Officers responded to a report of a traffic hazard in the area near Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road.

5:53 p.m. - Officers responded to a report of a traffic hazard I the 4600 block of Ottawa Court.

5:56 p.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 1400 bloc of Lee Street.

6:07 p.m. - Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 500 block of West Sugnet Road.

7:59 p.m. - Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Larkin Township.

9:07 p.m. -Officers responded to a property-damage accident on North Saginaw Road.

9:08 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a two-vehicle property damage accident in Homer Township. The at-fault driver was cited for "fail to yield" and a traffic crash report was completed. There were no injuries.

9:22 p.m. - Officers responded to a crash on private property in the 3900 block of North Saginaw Road.

10:20 p.m. - A deputy assisted a Midland Police Officer with a crash investigation when making contact with a vehicle owner at a Midland Township residence.

11:05 p.m. - A deputy assisted a Coleman Police Department Officer with a disorderly 17-year-old autistic boy. The boy was transported to the MidMichigan Medical Center by EMS.

11:33 p.m. - Officers performed a warrant arrest in the 100 block of Fast Ice Drive.
Amid rising cases of coronavirus in the country, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has slammed Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for claiming that the virus is under control.

Rahul said that it was like "the captain of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable".

"The Health Minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control, is like the Captain of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable. It's time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis," he tweeted.

The government is taking steps cautiously as the Home Secretary reviewed the arrangements on Thursday.

As coronavirus cases rose further in India, the central government on Thursday made COVID-19-free certificate mandatory for travellers from Italy and South Korea.

According to the additional travel advisory issued by the government, passengers travelling from Italy and South Korea who want to enter India will have to present a certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19.

"In addition to visa restrictions already in place, passengers travelling from and having visited Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need a certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorised by the health authorities of these countries," the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The new regulation will be enforced from March 10. It is however a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.

Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in India, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday met key partners of private healthcare units for case management.

"Universal screening has been mandated since March 4 and has started in most airports from Wednesday evening. It should stabilise today with additional staff being provided by the states," he said.

At present there are 29 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, of which three from Kerala have recovered and have been discharged.
When New Labour came to power in 1997, it trumpeted what it grandly called an ethical foreign policy. Its most vocal champion was the foreign secretary, Robin Cook.

Mr Cook asserted that he would make Britain a force for good in the world and promised that New Labours foreign policy would have an ethical dimension and promote democratic rights.

Some of us were pretty suspicious as to whether foreign affairs could be sensibly conducted on this basis, but few of us in our wildest dreams imagined that an ethical foreign policy would turn out to be so stupendously unethical.

A probably illegal war in Iraq, the wooing of the monstrous leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, and British association with torture are just some examples of Labours supposedly enlightened foreign policy.

On Thursday, a High Court ruling revealed a shameful case which in some ways surpasses anything that has come before. It concerns the kidnapping of a young woman on a British street, and the subsequent connivance of the Labour government in this unlawful act.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, the billionaire ruler of Dubai and a close UK ally, ordered his henchmen to abduct his runaway daughter Princess Shamsa, then 19, from Cambridge in August 2000. The princess later described how she had been grabbed by armed bodyguards, injected with sedatives and taken to Dubai, where she was tortured. She has not been seen in public since her abduction.

Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (right) and his wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussein arrive for the first day of the Royal Ascot race meeting June 16, 2009

Sheikh Mohammed, 70, was found to have been behind the abduction and forced return to Dubai of his daughter Shamsa (pictured in an undated photo), as well as the 2018 kidnap of her sister Latifa

Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Robin Cook outside the Houses of Parliament, London, October 1993. It is claimed that Labour foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, was involved in the decision as a diplomatic favour to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum

The British government was seemingly unaware of what had taken place. But when Cambridgeshire police launched a criminal investigation the following year, the Foreign Office (with Mr Cook in charge) allegedly shut it down as a diplomatic favour.

That was only one astounding revelation thrown up by the court case. It also emerged that Sheikh Mohammed much later kidnapped another daughter, and left the youngest of his six wives in fear of her life after discovering her relationship with a British bodyguard. Not a nice man.

How could Mr Cook  a decent enough person, I think  have so jettisoned his principles that he was prepared to turn a blind eye to such an appalling act involving a defenceless young woman?

Was prime minister Tony Blair, a much more ruthless character, party to the decision? It is hard to believe he wasnt, given his political dominance at the time. Mr Blair, by the way, removed Mr Cook as foreign secretary, demoting him to leader of the Commons in June 2001.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and the Ruler of Dubai, centre, arrives for the Global Teacher Prize ceremony attended by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and celebrities, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 13, 2016

These are just some of the questions that must be answered by a proper inquiry into the affair. This is a scandal. It must not be brushed under the carpet and forgotten, along with the other foreign policy abominations of the Blair years.

I accept, of course, that we live in a fallen world, and must deal with regimes we dont much like in order to safeguard Britains national self-interest. During nearly four decades we have sold billions of pounds worth of armaments to Saudi Arabia, an authoritarian regime which is guilty of innumerable human rights abuses.

Neighbouring Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a major US naval base. Although in 2000 the attack on the World Trade Centre had not yet happened and the subsequent Middle Eastern conflagration set in train, the UAE was already a valued western ally.

Moreover, the UAE has for many years been a significant investor in the UK, and an important trading partner. Long before this weeks shocking High Court ruling, it was clear that Sheikh Mohammeds regime was about as far as is possible from being a beacon of democracy. So, yes, Im afraid we have to hold our noses and do business with countries like the UAE. That is why New Labours ethical foreign policy was so much humbug. Messrs Blair and Cook were perfectly aware of the nature of the people they were supping with. But there are limits. No self-respecting government with any notion of decency can ignore foreign thugs abducting an innocent young woman in broad daylight.

Neighbouring Dubai (pictured) is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a major US naval base. Although in 2000 the attack on the World Trade Centre had not yet happened and the subsequent Middle Eastern conflagration set in train, the UAE was already a valued western ally

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum can behave like that in his own benighted country, if he must. But when he starts throwing his weight around our streets, and flouting the rule of law, that really is time for the British government to take action, even if there are some disagreeable consequences.

An investigation into what happened would not just illuminate the hypocrisy and double-dealing of New Labour. It would also shine a light into some pretty rotten recesses of the British foreign policy and security establishment.

Speaking for myself, Ive never had the slightest wish to visit Dubai, with its soulless skyscrapers and ugly temples of Mammon. Now wild horses would not drag me to Sheikh Mohammeds depressing patch of land. I hope British visitors who venture there know where they are headed.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:11:53|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China has expanded and optimized the utilization of drugs and therapies in the treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to block the conversion of mild cases to severe cases and save critically ill patients.

Tocilizumab, with the common brand name Actemra, has been included in China's latest version of diagnosis and treatment guidelines on COVID-19.

Zhou Qi, deputy secretary-general and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at a press conference Friday that the drug Tocilizumab has been found effective to block the inducement of the inflammatory storm.

In an initial clinical trial, Tocilizumab was used in 20 severe COVID-19 cases. And the body temperatures of all the patients dropped within one day. Nineteen of the patients were discharged from the hospital within two weeks, and one got better, according to Zhou.

Currently, the drug is under clinical trials in 14 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, Zhou said.

As of March 5, a total of 272 severe patients had been treated with Tocilizumab.

In addition to Tocilizumab, Chloroquine Phosphate and some traditional Chinese medicines, as well as convalescent plasma therapy, have been included in the treatment guideline. China is also pushing forward the utilization of some advanced technologies such as stem cell and monoclonal antibody technologies in the treatment of severe cases, said Wu Yuanbin, director-general of science and technology for social development of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The drug Chloroquine Phosphate has been used in treating 285 critically ill COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Wuhan, and no obvious adverse reactions have been found so far, said Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the MOST.

Two clinical trials for Remdesivir are ongoing, and we are looking forward to seeing the results, Sun said.

The combination of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines has shown good results in the treatment of COVID-19. Statistics show that 90 percent of the patients in Hubei Province have been treated with traditional Chinese medicines, Sun said.

China has also made progress in convalescent plasma therapy. So far, 154 severe patients have received such treatment with good effect, according to Sun.

As of March 5, a total of 919 rehabilitants had donated some 294,450 ml plasma, and in Hubei Province alone, 450 convalescents had donated more than 160,000 ml, providing valuable data, materials and information for the treatment of other patients and development of antibodies and immunoglobulins, said Zhou Qi.

In addition, the clinical research of stem cell therapy has been carried out in some hospitals in Beijing and Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, and the preliminary trials show that the therapy is safe and effective, according to Sun.

Next, Chinese researchers will strengthen the integration of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines, combine antiviral therapy and immunomodulatory therapy and make all efforts to cure more patients, Sun said.

In response to some reports on the variation of the novel coronavirus, Zhou Qi said further research on more cases is needed.

"We are closely observing the degree of the virus mutation and conducting related research. So far the virus variation hasn't affected the development of drugs, antibodies and vaccines," Zhou added.
Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma speaks to Viet Nam News about business opportunities between Vietnam and India in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma.  Photo courtesy Indian Embassy



What is your opinion on the economic relationship between Vietnam and India?

Economic and commercial ties are an important pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. There has been steady growth in bilateral economic engagement over the years. From a meagre US$200 million in 2000, our bilateral trade has grown to nearly $13 billion in 2019. India is today Vietnams seventh largest trading partner. For India, Vietnam is the fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN. As two fast growing economies and countries aspiring for deeper integration with world and regional economies, there is a huge potential for our economic engagement waiting to be tapped.

How do you rate the investment from India to Vietnam and vice versa?

According to official statistics, based on invested capital, Indian investment in Vietnam as of 2019 is close to $925 million. If you include Indian investment coming through third countries, then this number grows to nearly $2 billion. Indian companies have invested in Vietnam mostly in the areas of energy, mineral exploration, agro-processing, agro-chemicals, IT and auto components. In comparison, Vietnamese investments in India are modest at currently around $30 million, covering areas such as pharmaceuticals, building materials and chemicals. We are encouraging businesses in Vietnam to look at India as a preferred investment destination.

In what areas do you think India can invest more in Vietnam?

Given Indias capabilities and Vietnams priorities, Indian companies are looking to invest in Vietnam in sectors, like energy, including renewable energy, IT, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure development and the automotive industry, etc.

How can India and Vietnam promote trade during the Covid-19 epidemic?

Covid-19 has disrupted established supply chains for manufacturers based in both India and Vietnam. As we deal with this challenge, there is also an opportunity for our businesses to explore alternative supply chains located in each others country. As a large economy, India is willing to step forward and plug some of the supply chain gaps for our partner countries. These open up new opportunities. For example, in areas like agro-products, textile and garments, machinery, etc., suppliers and manufactures in India and Vietnam can establish new partnerships to diversify their supply chains.

India has a big and growing start-up community and a number of unicorns. Vietnam also wants to develop its start-ups. What can Vietnam learn from Indian experience? Is there some potential cooperation between start-up communities of the two sides?

India has one of the worlds largest start-up ecosystems driving technology and innovation, attracting new investments and generating tens of thousands of direct jobs. According to our industry estimates, India today hosts nearly 9,000 start-ups with 24 unicorns valued at over $1 billion. The government of Indias Start-up India mission has been proactively creating an enabling environment for development of start-ups and harnessing the large pool of talent with innovative ideas. Vietnam, too, is increasingly focused on innovation to improve productivity, and its start-up industry is well-recognised. This is certainly an area of significant potential where we may learn from each others experiences, policies and enabling environments, as well as explore collaborative partnerships in areas such as IT services, e-commerce, fintech, healthcare services, logistics, etc.

How is India supporting Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam?

India has announced a concessional line of credit of $1 billion for ASEAN countries to develop connectivity infrastructure, both physical and digital connectivity, as part of our commitment to seek closer integration with ASEAN. Connectivity is an important dimension of Indias Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. It is also a priority under ASEANs Outlook on Indo-Pacific. Connectivity therefore provides a strong basis for cooperation between India and Vietnam, as well as other ASEAN partners, to promote closer economic cooperation, seek shared prosperity and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

What are your expectations for economic development between the two sides?

I am very optimistic about the prospects of our economic partnership. As two fast growing economies and as two youthful and aspiring societies, there is a huge potential for our economic engagement. As India strives to become a $5 trillion economy, the demands and capacities it would generate will offer significant economic opportunities for partners like Vietnam.

We are proactively focused on enhancing the economic dimensions of our engagement, with regular visits of officials and business delegations taking place in both directions. Our Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate in HCM City are constantly at work to bring our business communities closer together and help them explore new opportunities. The recent launch of direct flights between our two countries is another positive development that will hopefully encourage businesses on both sides to work on their complementarities and push the level of our economic ties.  VNS

Vietnam's Month to be held in India The Vietnamese Embassy in India held a press conference on November 4 to announce the Vietnam's Month with dozens of events in localities nationwide to further reinforce bilateral ties.
Kelly Perry had been on edge for weeks by the end of 1996. Hed stiffen whenever a vehicle drove past his Hayward apartment, and his fiancee watched the color drain from his face on New Years Eve when a car idled outside for about five minutes.

The 31-year-old father wouldnt tell his fiancee, Melissa Moore, what was wrong, and he refused to tell his roommate where he was headed two days later after receiving a mysterious message on his pager and hurrying out the door.

It would be the last time anyone ever reported seeing Perry.

He and Moore were weathering a rough patch in their relationship and had started living apart, but were still committed to one another. When she reported him missing a few days later, she couldnt fathom Perry leaving on his own accord. He had little family elsewhere and would have laid down his life for the couples 5-year-old son, Moore said.

A little more than a month later, Moore received an ominous clue to Perrys disappearance. A parking citation in the mail led her to Oaklands Fruitvale neighborhood, where the couples shared Hyundai Excel had been driven, vandalized and abandoned for weeks.

Thats when I knew, Moore said. It was all bad.

She never heard about the dismembered body found in unincorporated Livermore three months later. And until last year, detectives investigating those unidentified remains had never heard of Kelly Gene Perry.

But in 2019, both mysteries were solved with the help of genetic genealogy  a field of forensics that rose to prominence following its role in identifying the notorious Golden State Killer. By linking his remains to distant relatives, Perrys cold case became the latest to be cracked open by a tool thats not only nabbing murderers and rapists, but providing fresh hope to identifying the countrys thousands of Jane, John and baby Does.

I do think that this is a game changer, said Nicholas Paxton, an Alameda County sheriffs sergeant and one of the lead investigators in Perrys case. (Its) advancing some of these old cases that otherwise would have had no future.

The turning point in identifying Perry came after the April 2018 arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, a man police say terrorized Californians in the 1970s and 80s. He is accused of murdering 12 people and committing more than 50 rapes.

The Golden State Killer case had stumped investigators for decades. While the killer shed plenty of his DNA at the scenes, the mans genetic code never matched what was stored in traditional police databases. By comparing the unknown suspects DNA to a public genealogy website, officials were able to build a family tree for the suspect that ultimately led them to the 72-year-old ex-cop.

Solving the case was a watershed moment for detectives around the country. While traditional forensic DNA tools only recognize direct matches or close family members, genetic genealogical records can link a person to third and fourth cousins and beyond.

The forensics tool wouldnt be possible without the help of genetic hobbyists. Through popular consumer DNA tests, like those purchased through 23andMe or Ancestry.com, approximately 1.3 million profiles have been voluntarily uploaded into open-source genealogy website GEDmatch, many by those searching for relatives.

From there, genealogists  or anyone  can start building a family tree. This step can be the most time-consuming, and involves tracing public records like birth and marriage certificates, social media posts and obituaries.

DeAngelos arrest transformed genetic genealogy into one of the most sought-after tools in law enforcement, and a wave of cold-case arrests followed in short order. In the Bay Area, it helped Vallejo police solve the near half-century-old case of Naomi Sanders, a 57-year-old apartment manager who was raped and strangled in her home while she cooked dinner. And it led police to Roy Charles Waller, a 58-year-old UC Berkeley employee accused of sexually assaulting 10 women starting in 1991.

While the field is perhaps best known for high-profile arrests, its also a promising tool for naming unidentified remains. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or NamUs, more than 13,000 are registered in the United States.

It is the smaller part of our work, but its definitely a very important part of our work, said CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist at Parabon, a DNA company that has aided law enforcement in identifying more than 100 people. I think some of us even prefer working those cases, giving these people their identity and their names back.

On May 27, 1997, a farmer near Bruns and Christensen roads in rural Livermore called the Alameda County Sheriffs Office to report a grim discovery. A torso and single arm had been stuffed in black trash bags and tossed from the roadway into a drainage ditch.

Decomposition scrubbed away identifiers like skin color and fingerprints, and the head was nowhere to be found. A forensic anthropologist could offer only minimal clues: a male victim, likely between the ages of 26 and 32, who had been shot.

The remains were discovered 40 miles away from where Perrys car was left in Fruitvale, but the parallel mysteries would remain unsolved  and unlinked  for more than 20 years. For reasons that are still unclear, Perrys name had also vanished from the states missing persons system.

In 2014, the Sheriffs Offices cold-case homicide unit decided to re-examine the case in the hope that modern technology could put a name to their John Doe.

Without an ID of the victim its very hard, obviously, to start an investigation, Detective Pat Smyth said. We dont really have anywhere to go.

In the 22 years since the Sheriffs Office took custody of the remains, detectives many times over cross-referenced it with potential matches from missing persons lists.

They expanded the victims age range to between 20 and 35, checked missing persons databases from neighboring states and created a DNA profile for the victim to store in the California Department of Justices database.

It went with no hits for 20 years, Paxton said.

Because of the brutality of the killing, some began to suspect that a drug cartel could be responsible. Especially if that was the case, the victim could have been from Mexico or Central America, which would explain why he was never reported missing in California.

In 2016, sheriffs deputies requested the services of a forensic consulting company called Parabon NanoLabs, which was able to create a sketch of the victim using DNA phenotyping. In all likelihood, they said, the man was of Northern or Western European descent, had fair skin, brown hair and hazel or brown eyes. A computer-generated image of the young man circulated in local media at the time, but ultimately led to another dead end.

In May 2018, just after DeAngelos arrest, Parabon established a unit dedicated to genetic genealogy, becoming one of a handful of companies in the country pioneering the field. For the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, it seemed like a good time to reconnect.

If a close relative uploads their DNA into GEDMatch, genealogists can find a match in a matter of hours. Finding Kelly Perry took eight months.

CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist at Parabon, describes her work as reverse-engineering a family tree, piece by piece. Scientists looking for people who share a significant amount of DNA with the unknown profile  significant being about 1%  and then set out to find shared ancestors.

We might identify two separate common ancestors that we know fit in that family tree of the unknown person, said Moore, who is not related to Melissa Moore. Then were looking for a triangulation between those families; meaning descendants of family one and family two must have had a child at some point.

Perry didnt have many close matches, so finding his relatives took significant legwork. Parabon ultimately filled in enough blanks to tie the profile to two sets of great-great-grandparents from the early to mid-1800s  one from the Azores Islands of Portugal.

These were big (family) trees, CeCe Moore said.

Parabon told detectives to start focusing on a few branches, particularly in the paternal lineage. But because the family trees didnt seem to produce anyone matching the victims profile, detectives began to believe that the victim might have been born out of wedlock.

When detectives ultimately reached out to Perrys biological father, his words sounded an alarm.

I think I might have a son from high school that Id only met once, Paxton recalled the man telling him. I looked at that and said, I think we found him.

Perrys mother had since died, but investigators soon tracked down Jason Perry, Perrys now-grown son. He never talked much about his father, who left home when he was 5 and never came back, but Moore could see the similarities as she watched her boy grow into the same goofy daredevil she fell for as a teenager, when the two attended Castro Valley High School.

Jason volunteered his DNA to detectives and one of Livermores greatest mysteries was solved. John Doe was officially Kelly Gene Perry.

Two decades after his death, the search for Perrys killer is just beginning.

Melissa Moore held a small celebration of life for Perry in August, and now keeps his ashes in Jasons room in her Castro Valley home.

Detectives have begun to piece together a few clues about his final months alive through his fiance, Perrys friends and public records.

Perry had what Sgt. Paxton described as a minor criminal history dating to several years before his death, but he stayed out of trouble past his late teens. By the mid-90s, Perry was busy doting on his son and working as a tree trimmer and in warehouse jobs.

Everything turned in the middle of 1996 when Perry took a trip to Placerville (El Dorado County) with his friends, Moore said. Perry was at a bar and a man let him borrow his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which Perry promptly wrecked.

Everything started going downhill, she said. He had to pay off the bike somehow.

A man started showing up at the couples Castro Valley house while the two lived together, and Moore said she made herself scarce when he did. Perry also began running suspicious errands for the man.

It was shady, Moore said. I dont know what Kellys role in it was, and I would not inquire about it. Whenever his beeper went off, I knew better than to ask about it.

Investigators now believe the man was a member of an outlaw motorcycle group, but theyve declined to provide more details. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office cold case division is urging anyone who may have information to contact investigators.

For decades, Moore said she only wanted Perrys remains back. She said shes forgiven his killer or killers and simply wants justice.

I know that somebody knows  more than one person knows, Moore said. And I know a couple of them are still alive.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Bombs continue to fall on civilians in Idleb province, as Putin and Erdogan meet and call for the violence to decrease writes Jesr.

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are meeting in Moscow to discuss the situation in Idleb and reach a decision for a ceasefire. At the same time as this meeting, the severity of the bombardment seen in the area is slowing compared with previous days.

Despite the reduction in the clashes, the people of Maarat Masrin north of Idleb woke to a horrific massacre, in which 15 civilians were martyred and another 20 were wounded during a Russian bombardment that struck displaced people.

The front lines in Saraqeb, Kafranbel, al-Futayra and Kafr Owaid were hit by artillery bombardments from regime forces and Iranian militias, while Russian aircraft carried out dozens of raids on the towns and villages of Jabal Zawiya in the southern Idleb countryside.

Sources told Jesr that rebel groups had destroyed a regime forces tank by hitting it with an anti-armor missile on the Kokba front in the southern Idleb countryside.

The National Front for Liberation said that there were dead and wounded in four groups of regime forces while repulsing a number of attacks on the al-Ziyara and al-Ankawi fronts in the western Hama countryside.

Politically, the two presidents have made a series of statements at the start of their meeting. The Russian president said that, the situation in Idleb has grown tense to the point of requiring a direct meeting between us, stressing the need to get through this tension and work not to repeat it.

Regarding the deaths of Turkish soldiers in Syria, Putin told Russia Today that the loss of people is always a major tragedy, adding that Russian and Syrian soldiers had not been able to know the locations of Turkish soldiers, and that the Syrian army had also suffered major losses.

He added that it had become necessary to discuss the situation today and to work not to repeat it, in order not to harm Russian-Turkish relations, which we value highly.

Putin addressed his guest, Erdogan, saying, As you requested, we are ready to start a face-to-face discussion, with officials from the Turkish and Russian government to join us later.

For his part, Erdogan pointed to the durability of Turkish-Russian relations, saying that the work being done to develop these relations was an important issue.

The Turkish president said that, our relations have reached the peak, and this applies to the defense industries and commercial relations  we consider the primary task to be in developing these relations, and we are ready to do that.

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.
WINSTED  The citys quasi-private high school, The Gilbert School, is proposing a budget of $7.81 million for fiscal year 2020-21.

The spending proposal for the next fiscal year reflects a 2.61 percent increase, or $198,544 over the approved 2019-20 budget of $7.61 million.

Gilbert Superintendent of Schools Anthony Serio developed the spending package with Winchester Superintendent of Schools Melony Brady-Shanley.

We met over several months, Brady-Shanley said.

Salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of the budget. Staff, faculty and administrative salaries increased from $4.80 million in 2019-20 to $4.97 million, an increase of $173,168, or 3.61 percent. Benefits have increased 7.15 percent, from 1.27 million in 2019-20 to $1.36 million.

The Gilbert School budget is fiscally responsible and maintains growth and program offerings to our students, Serio said.

Other spending highlights include facility improvements, Serio said, some of which are included in a five-year improvement plan. The recommended spending totals $277,100, and increase from the current budget of $42,600.

Those improvements include a hot water tank replacement, two roof replacement projects, a snow blower, music room and gym doors, and science class renovations. Some of these projects will be paid with $100,000 from the schools capital reserve account, Serio said.

Gilbert also is offering early retirement incentives to eligible faculty and staff members, Serio said, to correct the budgets shortfall of $250,000.

Thats how you realize savings each year, he said. I have full confidence that early retirement incentives will make up some of the $250,000.

A proposed addition to the 2020-21 spending proposal is the hiring of a school resource officer; but that position has not been approved by the full school board, which is scheduled to meet March 23.

According to the proposal, Winchester will pay $7.179 million in tuition, an increase of 3.4 percent. Gilbert also receives tuition for its international student program with China, and from the town of Hartland for its students.

(We) were tasked to come up with a tuition number for the Winchester Public Schools, Serio said, in a budget message he prepared with Brady-Shanley. Taken into consideration were budget drivers of salaries, benefits and Capital Projects. Academic programs were also identified as budget drivers. This agreed-upon tuition of $7,179,393 between Winchester Superintendent of Schools, Melony Brady-Shanley, and myself ... was developed over several months in meetings and phone conferences. Both of us reviewed budget needs and collaborated on spending initiatives.

The Gilbert Schools 2020-21 budget will go to a joint school board meeting at 7 p.m. March 23, at Pearson School.






DETROIT  Fiat Chrysler's head of U.S. sales is leaving the company after a bumpy career that saw him file a whistleblower lawsuit over a scheme to pay dealers to report fake sales numbers.

The company says in a statement that Reid Bigland will leave Fiat Chrysler April 3 after 22 years with the company. He'll pursue other interests.

Bigland also headed the Ram brand and Fiat Chrysler Canada. During his tenure the company saw big U.S. sales growth, mainly with the Jeep and Ram brands. But his career was marred by the sales scandal, which forced Fiat Chrysler to restate numbers and pay $40 million to settle a complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Terms of Biglands departure werent announced, but the company said all legal matters with Bigland have been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

FCA CEO Mike Manley thanked Bigland for his service in a company statement. We all wish him every success in his future endeavors, Manley said. Bigland said in the same statement that that its been a privilege to work at FCA and with the companys dealers.

Last June, Bigland sued Fiat Chrysler alleging that it withheld 90% of his pay package because he testified in the SEC inquiry of sales reporting practices.

He alleged that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles violated Michigan's Whistleblower Protection Act, retaliating against him because he testified in the probe of whether the company inflated sales and deceived stockholders.

The company withheld Bigland's 2018 long-term incentive stock payout, special dividends and an annual bonus in retaliation for his testimony and because he sold some stock, according to the lawsuit. Documents say the dividends alone are worth about $1.8 million.

In September Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay $40 million to settle an SEC complaint alleging that the company misled investors by overstating its monthly sales numbers over a five-year period.

The company inflated sales by paying dealers to report fake numbers from 2012 to 2016, the SEC alleged in a complaint.

Story continues

Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay the civil penalty and to stop violating anti-fraud, reporting and internal accounting control regulations, the SEC said. The automaker did not admit or deny the agency's allegations.

Fiat Chrysler said it has reviewed and refined its sales reporting procedures.

The SEC said the automaker boasted about a streak of year-over-year sales increases into 2016, when the streak actually was broken in September of 2013.

When the company disclosed the sales scheme in 2016, it said that it had a "reserve" stock of cars that had been shipped to big fleet buyers such as rental car companies but not recorded as sales.

The SEC said employees called this database of actual but unreported sales the "cookie jar." The company dipped into those sales to stop the streak from ending, or when it would have missed other sales targets.

Bigland alleged in his lawsuit said that he inherited the sales reporting system when he took over the top sales job in 2011. When a dealer sued the company over the reporting system in 2016, Fiat Chrysler reported problems to the SEC, according to the documents.

The company named Jeff Kommor to replace Bigland as head of U.S. sales, while David Buckingham will lead FCA Canada. Mike Koval will be interim head of the Ram brand in North America.

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Very few people are seen in the area surrounding the Colosseum, which would usually be full of tourists, in Rome, Italy. Italy's tourism industry has been affected by a coronavirus outbreak, with hotels reporting mass cancellations even in cities with few or no cases of the virus. (Image: Reuters)
Thousands of Indians have welcomed spring in a rainbow of colours, celebrating the annual festival of Holi as it kicked off Thursday, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would stay away from festivities due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi, which heralds the end of winter and the victory of good over evil, will be marked with a national public holiday in India on Tuesday, when revellers pour onto the streets.

But the outbreak of the virus, which has led to a growing number of positive cases so far in the country, has led the government to caution against mass gatherings.

India is the world's second-most populous nation after China, where the virus first emerged late last year.

"Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus," Modi tweeted Wednesday.

"Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme."

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5. Source: Getty

Devotees seen chanting Religious Song before starting the Lathmar Holi Festival of Barsana. Source: Getty

Revellers in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state shook off their fears and kicked off the festival a bit early with celebrations on Thursday, telling AFP they didn't want the virus to curb their activities.

"If we get worried... we should stay home and not do anything, because the virus is over here, but that's not how life goes," said Preggya, a 23-year-old student.

"We just have to take precautions and everything will be fine."

A 41-year-old Italian tourist who gave his first name, Mauro, said: "We need to be reasonable (in) handling the issue."

"I think it is a serious thing, but I think it's become too serious... the way they are handling (it)," he added.

More than 97,000 people have been infected and over 3,300 have died worldwide from the virus, which by Thursday had reached more than 80 countries and territories.

Celebrated mainly in India, Nepal and other countries with large Hindu populations, Holi falls on the last full moon of winter.

Men smear colours on a girl's face as they celebrate Holi. Source: Getty

Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Source: Getty

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state

Story continues

Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations

Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month

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OPEC agreed on Thursday to cut oil output by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the second quarter of 2020 to support prices that have been hit by the coronavirus outbreak, but made its action conditional on Russia and others joining in.

Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of the broader and informal group known as OPEC+, said they had not yet agreed to a deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016. Oil demand growth forecasts for 2020 have been slashed because of global measures to halt the spread of the virus, ...
HOLYOKE  Facing an April 8 deadline to submit a letter of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the City Councils Finance Committee tabled an order that would reboot the middle school building plan with a proposal for a single new school.

The committee, which met Wednesday with School Receiver Dr. Stephen Zrike and city officials, will address the motion at its next meeting. Ward 3 City Councilor David K. Bartley and at-large Councilors Peter R. Tallman and Joseph M. McGiverin voted to table the motion, with Councilor Michael J. Sullivan opposed.

The effort comes after voters in November overwhelmingly rejected a $130 million debt exclusion proposal to pay for the citys share of two new middle schools. Since the vote, proponents have pushed for a single middle school.

Zrike, who is leaving the district at the end of the school year, said the MSBA encouraged Holyoke to submit the letter due in April, and that residents realize new facilities are needed.

What I heard from people is that they didnt like the funding plan. They didnt support that, but they understand theres a significant need for a new building, Zrike said. The letter of interest only puts Holyoke back on the MSBAs project radar. Nothing can happen unless we get back in.

The letter would not commit Holyoke to any financial obligations, and the building authority would not decide until the fall on whether to accept Holyokes one middle proposal.

If approved, a school building committee would again lead the effort. The previous committee disbanded after the November vote, following a process that was four years in the making.

We would have to start the process from ground zero, Zrike said. We hope there would be some effort to help us accelerate, but we were told to start again.

Based on discussions with city and elected officials, Zrike said Holyoke has the ability to fund one middle school. The building authority requires communities to identify a building site, and Zrike recommended the William R. Peck Middle School off Northampton Street, as demolition costs are reimbursable.

The School Committee and City Council must approve the letter of interest, which demonstrates local buy-in to the building authority.

McGiverin, who chairs the Finance Committee, said voters resoundingly sent a message on the debt exclusion proposal. Over 64% of voters cast ballots against the override, in a vote that saw about 17% turnout.

McGiverin argued the building authoritys funding formula is unfair and penalizes Gateway Cities like Holyoke. He said he never got a straight answer from the the building authority or Beacon Hill on why Holyoke got a low reimbursement rate, being one of the poorest communities in Massachusetts. The building authority can reimburse up to 80% of a projects costs, but Holyokes rate came in around 60%.

Zrike said Gov. Charlie Bakers recent budget sets aside dollars for reimbursable capital expenses but would not get Holyoke to the 80% percent goal. He said he could not predict what the building authoritys new funding formula could end up offering for a single school project, and said he did not have per-square-foot construction costs.

A public comment period drew remarks from Council President Kevin Jourdain, who opposed the debt exclusion, and Michael Moriarty, a proponent and backer of a middle school building project.

Jourdain said the more than two-thirds of voters saying no to the override represented the silent majority in Holyoke, and called the vote a lesson and a tail kicking. He said he wanted to see a committee, official or not, formed even before building authority approval.

Jourdain said a committee should include diverse voices and begin the review process soon. We need to be doing this the right way, and the right way is to ... begin to have these deliberations, he said.

Moriarty said he said he didnt believe a great victory was achieved in the defeat of the override. A lot of harm was done to the City of Holyoke and to a student population that is one of the most vulnerable and marginalized, and unable to address their concerns to the Commonwealth, he said. "They are children.

He described the school funding process as glacial and said Holyoke was back to square one.

Dennis Birks, the former Ward 3 School Committee member, said he served on the School Building Committee.

If you start another committee, you can look at the work thats already been done, Birks said. Its not going to take as much time as it did for us to get to the point were at.

He said those who voted against the override were not in favor of their taxes going up, but likely would have supported building one middle school.

If the city can do this without the override, then lets do it, Birks said. But you have to be serious about how much its going to cost."
The Sean Glasser Scholarship Program will award one scholarship of $2,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the U.S. or Canada

JERSEY CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Sean Glasser is excited to announce that he will be launching a new scholarship program to support hopeful and budding entrepreneurs. The Sean Glasser Scholarship Program will offer one scholarship of $2,000 for tuition, books, or boarding to a college or university student in the U.S. or Canada.

Students majoring in business or engineering who are currently entrepreneurs or hope to be after school are eligible to apply.

Sean Glasser is an entrepreneur from Jersey City, New Jersey. He is the founder and CEO of BLUETRACK Inc., an e-commerce company that he opened in 2002 when he was a sophomore in college. As someone that grew up with an entrepreneurial mindset himself, Sean Glasser is looking forward to helping budding entrepreneurs achieve success.

Applicants of the Sean Glasser Scholarship Program will be asked to submit proof of enrollment in order to be eligible for this opportunity. Applicants will also be asked to write and submit a 500-word essay detailing their major, their idea for their business, and explaining why the applicant believes new entrepreneurs and competition in the marketplace helps the consumer and what areas of our economy may benefit from more competition. The Sean Glasser Scholarship Program is expected to launch mid to late March.

For more information, please visit www.seanglasserscholarship.com.

About Sean Glasser

Sean Glasser is the founder and CEO of BLUETRACK Inc., which prints promotional products for companies. With hopes of becoming an FBI agent and pursuing his Criminal Justice degree, Sean Glasser opened a small e-commerce site his sophomore year of college with only $600. He grew it while in school and upon graduation added a print shop with a college friend. Eventually, BLUETRACK expanded from only selling light-up products to becoming one of the world's leading sources of stress balls. The company eventually acquired the domain stressballs.com and built a loyal base of 40,000 customers, including big names like Google, Nike, Netflix, and Disney among others. The company is continuing to expand its offerings and will be opening a new corporate headquarters in Montclair, New Jersey in late 2020.

Story continues

Contact:

Sean Glasser

apply@seanglasserscholarship.com

SOURCE: Sean Glasser





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Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil and gas rigs in the US rose this week by 3 to 793, with the total oil and gas rigs clocking in at 234 fewer than this time last year.

The number of oil rigs increased for the week, by 4 rigs, according to Baker Hughes data, bringing the total to 682a 152-rig loss year over year.

The total number of active gas rigs in the United States fell by 1 according to the report, to 109. This compares to 193 a year ago.

The miscellaneous rig count stayed the same this week as well, for a total of 2 miscellaneous rigs.

Meanwhile, oil production in the United States ticked up to 13.1 million bpd, according to data provided by the Energy Information Administrationa brand new high for the US.

The number of rigs in the most prolific basin, the Permian, rose by 4 this week to 415, compared to 465 rigs one year ago. The second largest basin, the Eagle Ford, held fast at 68 rigs, compared to 81 a year ago.

The WTI benchmark at 12:18 pm was trading at $42.00 (-8.50%) per barrelalmost $3 per barrel below last week levels as OPEC and OPEC+ failed to reach a deal thus far on Friday, with Russia refusing to expand the generous cuts that OPEC suggested. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak sent prices falling further downward by telling OPEC+ members that they could pump at will after April 1.

The Brent benchmark was trading at $45.63 (-8.72%)roughly $4 per barrel below last weeks levels.

Canadas overall rig count decreased by 37 rigs this week, to a total of 203 rigs. Oil and gas rigs in Canada are now up 14 year on year.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said it was unfair and unfortunate that a section of the media "ignored" an important debate in Rajya Sabha on the spread of coronavirus.

Naidu, who is the Chairman of the Upper House of Parliament, made his observation on the matter before taking up regular business of the House.

"I have to make an observation. The other day...the Minister for Health had made a detailed statement about the steps that are being taken, were taken or will be taken with regard to the spread of coronavirus...members also gave their valuable suggestions.

"But unfortunately sections of the media, they did not focus on the important issue and they were showing more interest in making other things as their headlines ignoring this," he said.

Naidu said picking headlines is the media's prerogative and "we can't help it...But ignoring such a vital, important aspect concerning the people of the country that is not fair".

He expressed hope that the media will take care in future while reporting such important issues.

Rajya Sabha was later adjourned for the day due to protests by Opposition members over the riots in Delhi.

Making a statement on the situation after new cases of coronavirus surfaced, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said in Rajya Sabha that India was in touch with Iran on possible evacuation of Indian pilgrims and students stuck in that country.

"The government is taking all necessary measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in India," Vardhan said.

The government has carried out two evacuation missions, bringing back a total of 767 from China. All of them have been kept in quarantine and have so far tested negative for the virus, he had said.

A man from Delhi with a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia has tested positive for COVID19, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India to 31, health ministry officials said on Friday.

Sixteen members of a tourist group from Italy and their Indian guide were among those infected with the virus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Syrian air defenses intercept Israeli missiles: Reports

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 3:13 AM

Syrian air defenses have intercepted several Israeli missiles over Quneitra province in the country's southwest and the central province of Homs, reports say.

"At 00:30 on Thursday our air defense monitored Israeli warplanes coming from northern occupied Palestine towards Sidon, and several missiles were fired from Lebanese airspace towards the central area," Syria's official news agency SANA quoted a military source as saying.

The source added that the missiles were intercepted successfully, and failed to hit any of their targets.

In another report, Xinhua news agency reported that the Syrian air defense intercepted Israeli missiles in Homs province in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the report, the missiles were fired from Israeli warplanes over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and from Lebanese airspace.

The Tel Aviv regime mostly keeps quiet about the attacks on Syrian territories which many view as knee-jerk reaction to Syrian government's increasing success in confronting terrorism in country.

Israel has been a main supporter of terrorist groups that have opposed the government of President Bashar al-Assad since militancy erupted in Syria in March 2011.

Syrian government forces have taken back many areas once controlled by the terrorist groups. The government and allied forces are currently busy fighting last bastions of militants in the northwestern province of Idlib and areas in the neighboring Aleppo province.

The large-scale government offensive in Idlib has caused increasing friction with neighboring Turkey as Ankara insists that Syria and its main ally Russia are violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement reached in Russia in September.

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A number of events related to Holi and Women's Day celebrations were cancelled while the UGC asked universities to avoid large gatherings as precautionary measures against coronovirus with a man from Delhi testing positive, the 31st such case in the country.

During the day, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan held a meeting to review preparedness for COVID-19 management, through video conference with health ministers, chief secretaries of all states and UTs, central ministers and representatives from the related organisations and stressed on the need for keeping testing and quarantine facilities, isolation wards, and labs in active readiness.

He asked the states and union territories to start an information education and communication campaign to remove misconceptions about the respiratory ailment.

Vardhan informed Lok Sabha that a total of 29,607 people are under observation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for novel coronavirus as on March 5.

The government also said it is in discussions with Iranian authorities and a ferry flight, carrying around 300 swabs of Indians suspected to have coronavirus infection, from Tehran is coming to the national capital.

The plane, to be operated by Iran's Mahan Air, would not have any passengers and Iranians in India would be taken back in its return journey.

Till Thursday, there were 30 positive cases, including 16 tourists from Italy and their Indian guide. The latest case is the third in Delhi.

"The man has a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia. He is stable and being monitored. The total number of confirmed cases in India now stands at 31," a health ministry official said.

Seven family members of the man have been quarantined at their residence in west Delhi.

Even though no positive case of coronavirus has been found in Gujarat so far, the state government has decided to postpone all Women's Day events, scheduled to be held on March 8, as a precautionary measure, an official said.

The popular daily retreat ceremony between India and Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab will be held sans public attendance from Saturday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) said it will continue performing the ceremonial duty of lowering the flag and other drills.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) directed universities to avoid any large gathering in view of the coronavirus outbreak and advised that students and staff members with travel history to the virus-affected countries be quarantined at home for 14 days.

All central government employees have been exempted from marking attendance through Aadhaar-based biometric system as a preventive measure till March 31.

Instead, they will be marking their attendance manually in the attendance register, according to a personnel ministry order.

Central armed police forces like the CRPF and the BSF have also decided to call off official events to celebrate Holi in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Delhi government has directed schools in the national capital to suspend morning assembly as a precautionary measure for coronavirus. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has also advised schools to withhold biometric attendance for staff till further orders.

The primary classes of all schools in the national capital have been closed till March 31, but students of secondary classes and staff are required to attend school.

Anganwadis in Delhi have also been closed in view of the coronavirus scare, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

In a latest advisory, the government said all international passengers irrespective of their nationality are mandated to undergo universal medical screening at airports.

Adequate screening measures have been put in place and nine more airports have been added to the existing 21, bringing the total number to 30 airports where screening of passengers is being carried out.

The 21st edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, which was scheduled to be held from March 27 to 29 at Indore and Bhopal, has been postponed in light of the coronavirus scare, organisers said.

Fresh dates and plan for hosting IIFA in the state will be announced at the earliest, an official said.

Lotus Makeup India Fashion Week, set to take place from March 11 to 15 in Delhi, was also postponed.

With rumours doing the rounds that coronavirus spreads through non-vegetarian food like eggs, chicken, mutton and seafood, Union Fisheries, Dairying and Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh asked people not to pay attention to them.

He said even the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as well as the Indian food safety regulator FSSAI have said there was no scientific evidence to prove transmission of coronavirus from animals to humans.

In Punjab, 13 Italian tourists were kept in isolation overnight at their hotel in Amritsar by the health department to check for coronavirus symptoms.

However, they showed no symptoms of the virus in the medical check-up done on Friday and were allowed to leave for Delhi.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said no positive case of coronavirus has been reported in Punjab so far. He also said that the Punjab government has notified coronavirus as "epidemic".

Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote to the chief ministers of all states ruled by the party, instructing them to put in place effective response measures to deal with the spread of coronavirus and lend all possible support to public healthcare responders.

Among the 31 positive cases in the country include a 45-year-old man from Delhi's Mayur Vihar and six of his relatives from Agra whom he had recently visited. Another is a Paytm employee who works in Gurgaon and lives in west Delhi. They are all being treated at the Safdarjung hospital.

A middle-aged man from Ghaziabad, who tested positive for the virus, is being treated at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital. A 24-year-old man from Hyderabad, who has also tested positive for coronavirus, has been isolated.

The total figure of positive cases includes the first three reported from Kerala last month. All the three persons have been discharged following recovery.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trumps CDC Visit Back on After Cancelation Over Suspected Coronavirus Case

President Donald Trumps scheduled visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta is back on after being temporarily canceled due to a suspected coronavirus case there, according to the White House.

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday night that Trump was visiting the CDC the next day and would sign the bill providing funding for the response to the virus while on the trip.

The trip wasnt on a schedule released by the White House around midnight.

Trump told reporters at the bill signing in Washington early Friday that the trip to the CDC was scrapped because of a suspected case of the new virus, which has spread to roughly a dozen U.S. states as of Friday.

They thought there was a problem at CDC with somebody that had the virus, Trump said. It turned out negative so were seeing if we can do it. But yesterday afternoon, we were informed that there may have been a person with the virus and they now find out that that was negative test. Theyve tested the person very fully and it was a negative test. So I may be going.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters on Air Force One later in the day that the visit to the CDC was back on.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Federal officials fixed an issue with test kits that delayed wider testing for the new coronavirus, officials said on Feb. 27, 2020. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

What the president said is true, she said, relaying how a CDC staffer was under suspicion for having the virus. The White House believed test results wouldnt get back in time for Trumps scheduled for visit but results did come back Friday.

The person tested negative for the virus, according to the White House.

Trump was slated to visit the CDC after stopping in Nashville, Tennessee, to meet with officials after tornadoes hit the area this week.

There will probably be a tour at the CDC, Grisham said.

Later in the day, the president was scheduled to arrive at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and participate in an event with supporters.
MGI Group of Bangladesh sets up nine industrial units, including cement

06 March 2020

Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), a leading Bangladeshi business group inaugurated last week nine newly-built industrial units, including cement plants, at its economic zone in the Narayanganj district, Dhaka of Bangladesh. A group announcement said, "We are much obliged to the distinguished guests, patrons and well-wishers for their unconditional support to our cause."



The Finance Minister of Bangladesh, A H M Mustafa Kamal, was the chief guest of the inauguration programme. Minister of Commerce, Tipu Munshi, as well as State Minister of Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury. Leakoat Hossain Khoka and Narayanganji-3 also attended, as did Sheikh Fazle Fahim, president of FBCCI, Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of BEZA, and Mostafa Kamal, chairman and marketing director of Meghna Group of Industries and his team.



The new industrial units include Unique Cement Industries Ltd (Unit-2), Meghna Sugar Refinery Ltd, Sonargaon Seeds Crushing Mills Ltd, Meghna Ballpen and Accessories MFG Ltd, Meghna Noodles and Biscuit Factory Ltd, Sanargoan Printing and Packaging Industries Ltd, Fresh Welding Electrodes and Wire Meghna Fresh LPG Ltd, and Sonargaon Shipbuilders and Dockyard Ltd.



MGI invested about BDT40bn (US$471.9m) to set up the manufacturing facilities, where 8400 workers will be directly employed. After meeting the local demand, the group also intends to export the different products manufactured at the factories.



The second manufacturing unit of the Unique Cement Industry with the brand name "Fresh cement" has a production capacity of 10,000tpd. It is expected to meet the growing local demand and export to northeast India. The company's first unit was set up in 2001, which has original capacity of 3.6Mta near Dhaka.

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As I have previously argued at some length, moral ignominy does not fall within the purview of legal jurisprudence, and personal allegations do not constitute evidentiary certitude. Because a man is a scoundrel with predatory inclinations does not mean we have license to clap him in irons. It means we avoid him like the plague. It means we do not succumb to his blandishments. It means we refuse to accept the gifts and advantages he offers in exchange for our surrender to his wiles and demands. It means, as the theological lore has it, that we do not sell our souls to the devil -- or, in Harvey Weinsteins case, our bodies as well.

It also means that in a court of blind justice deriving from Magna Carta and established over a long evolution, predicated on the concept of beyond a reasonable doubt and grounded on factual evidence, Weinstein could not have been found guilty. What we have is a narrative of the acts and machinations of an obviously despicable person; hearsay, revelation, memory, tearful indignation and sundry testimonials do not constitute tangible and objective evidence. Criminal guilt cannot be established on the basis of the statements of the plaintiffs.

In addition, when one reckons that those who claim to have been assaulted or raped by Weinstein did not go to the police immediately after their ordeal when forensic evidence was fresh and may still have been gathered, and that many of these plaintiffs continued to seek out Weinsteins company with letters of affection and adulation years after the events in question, the issue begins to grow clouded.

As The Washington Free Beacon reports in considerable detail, these prodigies of adoration were legion and, for that matter, were not confined only to women. Men also liked to flaunt their brotherly admiration for their great friend and benefactor. They too have conveniently joined the chorus of denunciation against their former patron and promoter, or have tactfully remained silent.

But in a culture obsessed with sex and the myth of female guilelessness, it is the women who are regarded as oracles. Their charges resonate in the courtroom, yet these consist of circumstantial depositions that are seriously compromised. Moreover, multiple attestations and what is called similar fact evidence (or criminal propensity arguments) provided by corroborative witnesses who are not part of the actual criminal case are, at best, only differentially admissible and do not rise to the level of beyond a reasonable doubt. Indeed, similar fact (sometimes known as "similar act") remains controversial and is highly problematic. Spencer v. Texas (1967) established that such evidence would violate the Due Process Clause.

The Weinstein trial included powerful stories, and the number of accusers is overwhelming. But stories and numbers do not add up to hard, incontrovertible evidence, especially when all the countervailing factors are taken into consideration -- and there are many such factors.

For one thing, there was the question of the novelist juror whose website described her book as an account of young women and predatory older men, but who, despite lying about the subject of her novel, somehow made it through the voir dire examination when she should obviously have been stricken from the rolls. As Andrew McCarthy explains, The trial judge denied the defenses motion to remove her for cause -- a curious blunder. It gets worse. The judge did not order the jury sequestered. This was a serious lapse, for the jury could conceivably have been influenced by the inflammatory and prejudicial carnival atmosphere -- to cite the 1966 Supreme Court ruling for acquittal in Sheppard v. Maxwell -- orchestrated by the medias lurid campaign to have Weinstein convicted. I do not see how the judge, the Honorable James Burke, could have been unaware of so clear a legal precedent.

For another thing, Weinstein had accomplices -- and the accomplices were the very people who sought his favors and his friendship despite the criminal acts which they allege Weinstein to have committed. No psychological theory of traumatic innocence routinely espoused by feminists can launder such behavior unless we are dealing with infantile minds utterly devoid of moral agency. If Weinstein is guilty, so are his accusers who by their ongoing actions -- and lack of consequent reactions -- are equally complicit in allowing such criminality to persist, from which others would likely suffer in the future. Participation equals facilitation.

Weinsteins casting couch depredations were apparently common knowledge, but no one seemed very upset. If women sought his company, if they went to his hotel room, if they did not report his outrages, then they were in effect a willing part of the whole disreputable affair. If Weinstein was a perpetrator, they were enablers. They were under no compulsion or violent coercion to traffic with him. Those who decided to sleep their way to the top or to keep silent for fear of jeopardizing their careers must take responsibility for their decision or subsequent omerta and acknowledge their complicity. Justice cannot be sectorial.

Further, as noted, numbers are not dispositive. Ninety women have accused Weinstein of, variously, sexual misconduct, harassment and rape, corroborative confirmation of Weinsteins malfeasance. Color me unimpressed. Mass hysteria is a known historical phenomenon. One recalls the Satanic ritual panic that swept the U.S. and Canada in the 1980s. Large numbers of suggestible children were alleged to have been the victims of sexual abuse by a powerful cult of pederasts, as a result on which innocent people were severely punished with lengthy prison sentences. Lives were ruined. How could children lie so convincingly and in such myriads? Today we would gather in solidarity under the auspices of #Believe the Children. It took years before the scare was discredited as a mass hallucination.

As Janice Fiamengo points out in a Fiamengo File video on the subject of feminist mass hysteria, it seems that our current preoccupation with all manner of sexual abuse shares some characteristics of other episodes of mass hysteria. She cites the 2012 episode in LeRoy, New York where fourteen teenaged girls and one boy suddenly began exhibiting Tourettes-like symptoms and the 1944 case in a small Illinois town in which female residents thought they were being poisoned by a gas that caused their throat and lips to burn -- though no gas was ever found and their symptoms went away when they talked to police. And who could forget Anita Hills accusing Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in 1991 of sexual harassment though Hill kept in close contact with Thomas for years after the incidents were supposed to have taken place. And this is how it goes, Fiamengo concludes, one episode or incident leading to many others. Mobbing is contagious in our feminist age. The fetid sewer of nasty, ignorant and scurrilous commentary invectives against Weinsteins decent and talented lawyer Donna Rotunno speaks volumes.

One thinks, too, of the blood libel against the Jews earnestly attested to by millions of people across the ages, dating from the conspiracy started by the Egyptian-Greek sophist Apion in the first century A.D. and still going on, in one form or another, to this very day. (To see how such conspiracy-mongering works, read Josephuss historic account, Against Apion. Self-justified hatred, self-righteous posturing and deep insecurity are great motivators.)

Naturally, many people will be happy to see Weinstein punished, including conservatives for whom Weinstein was just another Hollywood leftist helping to bankroll the Democrats. There is rejoicing that he will face further charges in Los Angeles. This kind of schadenfreude is unfortunate since the significant issue involves not only the individual but the principle of due process, the failure of which could eventually impact any one of us, regardless of innocence. We need to realize that Weinstein may be a sinner, a profiteer, a Lothario, a moral monster and a brute but he is not a legal felon. He may be guilty in his soul but he is not guilty in law. Those of us who jubilate over the result of a highly suspect trial procedure are opening ourselves to the rapine of a manifestly flawed judicial system: judges who may be worried about possible recall should they run afoul of the public consensus, as happened to Aaron Persky in the Brock Turner case; the insidious effect of media feeding frenzy; factually uncorroborated accusations of absolute guilt; similar fact attestations; the proliferation of unhinged hysterics and the fevered baying of vigilante mobs on social media. None of us are safe. Would we remember Harvey Weinstein then?

We might also ask ourselves: Who or what is Weinstein? He is Hollywood, a representative of one of the sleaziest communities on the face of the earth, comprising a bunch of grasping, invidious, self-infatuated and morally corrupt people, many in cahoots with the man they have now turned against. Meryl Streeps god is now the spawn of hell. It is Hollywood that has been essentially indicted. Regrettably, you cant put Hollywood on trial. But perhaps we should let everyone off the hook and lay the blame on the stars, not the Hollywood but the heavenly sort.

Eric Coppolino, an expert in astrology and formerly a syndicated columnist, claims that we are living in a time in which there is a lot of action in Capricornincluding the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, which is about investment capital, as well as family secrets and certain sexual mattersSo on the surface we have an event about a rape trial... There was so much money riding on Weinstein and his businessthat a vast corporate structure protected and facilitated his actionsThis is the big Silver Screen of Hollywood, the illusion of cinema [entailing] the esoteric sense of a glamour (a spell) and the worldly sense of glamor (looking alluring on the red carpet, and young girls wanting to be movie actresses)Individuals were in for individual payout; the concerns and corporations were in it for shareholder profit. This is what happens, apparently, when Moon, Neptune, Pisces are all up in the 10th house of aspiration and reputation. Ipse dixit.

Whether or not one believes in the fateful decrees of the stars and planets is beside the point. (For the record, I dont.) But Coppolinos exegesis seems no less valid and authoritative than the judgment rendered against Weinstein. Yes, Weinstein may well be guilty, but his guilt cannot be established de facto. Under a constellation of ad hoc attestations and countervailing circumstances including the deliberate and prolonged relationship and even intimacy of the complainants with the accused, the pressure of the mob and the media on the exercise of impartial justice, the failure of the voir dire process and the non-sequestration of a vulnerable jury owing to a complaisant judge, and the crucial absence of literal evidence and material verification, like it or not, Harvey Weinstein is the victim of a jurisprudential travesty.

David Solways latest book is Notes from a Derelict Culture, Black House Publishing, 2019, London. A CD of his original songs, Partial to Cain, appeared in 2019.
Well, we have our answer. Not even three months into 2020, it turns out that America's misogyny is, indeed, an immovable object. With Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) departure from the presidential race, Democratic voters are back in dispiritingly familiar territory: choosing between two front-runners who are both elderly, white-privileged men.

We have had a respite from this particular state of affairs since 2008. Perhaps it was foolish to think that it would last. Overall, both the news media and the electorate that consumes it seem to have decided that the stakes are too high, and the status quo too powerful, to throw our weight behind a non-default candidate. How else to explain the winnowing of a crowded and stunningly diverse candidate field  including no fewer than six female candidates  to this?

There is a lot being written right now about the barriers faced by the Warren campaign, and what those barriers say about our country's attitudes towards smart, ambitious women. Even among my social circle  predominantly white, college-educated, liberal, precisely the sort of voters Warren connected with  there was a sense of fatalism masquerading as pragmatism throughout her entire run. As I debriefed with my friends today, it was clear that those of us who dared to hope have been rewarded with crushing disappointment. Again.

To judge by the public discourse around the end of Warren's campaign, you might think she'd died and was in the process of being eulogized. That is not the case at all. Elizabeth Warren, politician, force of nature, is not going anywhere. She still has plenty to do on the national stage. And her presidential campaign, even after its end, will continue to have reverberating effects. As she said to her campaign staff:

"We have shown that it is possible to build a grassroots movement that is accountable to supporters and activists and not to wealthy donors  We also advocated for fixing our rigged system in a way that will make it work better for everyone  regardless of your race, or gender, or religion, regardless of whether you're straight or LGBTQ+. And that wasn't an afterthought, it was built into everything we did."

Story continues

So we are not mourning Warren's political career, which remains vital in every sense of the word. But we are mourning what Elizabeth Warren, 2020 presidential candidate, represented: a rare chance for those fighting for a seat at the American political table to feel like our voices were being heard.

For too long, the Democratic Party has counted on the support of marginalized communities while doing relatively little to court their goodwill. Female voters, voters of color, queer voters, disabled voters, and so on down the intersectional line, all have had to play second fiddle to the concerns of the middle-American white male. When candidates do acknowledge the challenges that marginalized voters face, it's almost always too vague or openly pandering to be trusted.

Even for women like me  white-privileged, straight and cisgender, relatively able-bodied, socioeconomically well-off  it often feels like the best we can hope for is that things won't get actively worse for us under a Democratic president. Neither Joe Biden nor Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has indicated that they view women's bodily autonomy as anything more than a political bargaining chip. But in a two-party system, where the alternative is ruthlessly devoted to rolling back reproductive rights and elevating sexual predators to the most powerful offices in the land, those watered-down promises hold more power than they rightfully should.

So the conscientiousness of the Warren campaign has been a breath of fresh air. She spoke directly to people accustomed to political lip service, and used what she learned to directly shape her policy platform. I know many disabled people who were stunned to see a presidential candidate actually seek out input from their community, let alone incorporate that input into her public plans. A Black friend of mine observed that many of her peers saw in Warren the hallmarks of a true ally: an ability to learn and grow in response to feedback, the instinct to surround herself with an intersectional group of women, and a policy platform that spoke directly to these voters and their needs.

And yes, the fact that Warren is a woman matters too. One of my friends described her young daughter saying she wanted to be the first woman president, and breaking down in tears as she remembered saying the same thing as a little girl 30 years ago. With Warren in the race, we had a chance to change that narrative, to move that milestone from "someday" to "soon."

This is not simply a matter of blind gender loyalty, as bad-faith discourse would suggest. In a culture where women are penalized for showing intelligence or wielding authority, Warren has the guts to cultivate a public persona of supreme confidence, formidable intellect, and steely resolve. She has been open about her experiences as a woman in a patriarchy, and allowed those experiences to shape her policymaking. And her campaign has been marked by humility, kindness, and collaboration  a willingness to admit mistakes and learn from others, even in a political system that crushes women for missteps while encouraging men to fail upwards. All of these qualities put a target on her back; but at the same time, they endeared her to the very voters her fellow campaigners are leaving behind.

And there's the real rub. With Warren's departure, the presidential race has returned to a status quo where the votes of marginalized Americans are taken for granted. The Democratic Party is counting on women like me to swallow this latest insult  to stuff our emotions into those bulging mental compartments where we keep all the pain of a lifetime under patriarchy  and to unite behind someone else's favored candidate. Many of us will do just that, because the alternative is even worse. We don't need to be reminded of how high the stakes are, or of what a Democratic loss in November will cost us.

There is still plenty of work to be done. As Warren herself said, "I may not be in the race for president in 2020, but this fight  our fight  is not over." And the election  even the Democratic nomination  is far from decided.

But as one of my friends put it, looking at Elizabeth Warren's name on her yet-to-be-cast ballot feels like an apt metaphor for facing down the American political machine. We can see the possibilities for change, but not act on them. We can look at a candidate's name, but not vote her into office.

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A young woman from a wealthy family in Oman in the Middle East could be musician Diamond Platnumzs next lover if revelations by a source close to the artistes family are anything to go by.

The woman from Oman is said to have expressed her undying love for the award-winning musician when he toured Oman in April 2019.

The informant, who spoke in confidence to Tanzanias Global Publishers, says Diamonds mum, Sanura Kassim, encouraged her son to ditch Kenyan beauty Tanasha Oketch  who was three months pregnant at the time  after she (Sanura) learnt that the musician could end up with an extremely wealthy woman for a wife if he took his chances.



In the trip to Oman, Diamond is said to have travelled with his mother, sister Esma Khan, and a family friend Juma Lokole.

While in the Arab country, the musicians family was invited to the home of the wealthy Omani woman, who was allegedly interested in Diamond.

After the filthy-rich woman told Diamond that she loved his music, and above all, him in person, the musicians mother is said to have encouraged her son to give the relationship a try.

After that meeting, Mama Diamond did not want to hear anything about Tanasha, said the source as quoted by the Tanzanian outlet.

Personally  knowing the family too well  I am not shocked that Diamond and Tanasha are no longer an item, added the insider.

The informant revealed that last Monday, March 2, Diamonds family organised a party to celebrate Tanashas exit from the musicians life. The event was held at Sanura Kassims home in Madale-Tegeta in Dar es Salaam.

When Global Publishers reached Sanura Kassim for comment, she hung up after being asked why she had endorsed Diamonds break-up with Tanasha.

Kassims boyfriend, Maisara Shamte, however, confirmed that a party had been held at Diamonds mums house, and that the event was meant to celebrate a bachelors exit from singlehood.

When pressed to reveal who the bachelor they were bidding bye to was, Shamte declined to name him.

The outlet reached Diamonds dad, Abdul Juma, for comment.

I have heard about the wealthy Omani woman and my son. However, I am yet to get rich details about their alleged relationship, said Juma.

Diamond and Tanashas relationship lasted 15 months, beginning November 2018 and ending in February 2020.

It is said Diamonds mum did not approve of her sons relationship with the 24-year-old Kenyan beauty, and that could have contributed significantly to the break-up.

Tanasha and Diamonds relationship yielded a son, who was born on October 2, 2019.

In what subtly revealed Tanashas gripe, the ex-NRG Radio host said on Instagram that women shouldnt date narcissists.

A narcissist is disrespectful, insensitive, controlling and disregards your feelings. Narcissists like to provoke negative emotions in others, she said on Instagram last Sunday.

It is like dancing with the devil. Forgive them, walk away and let God deal with their karma. I will never sell my soul, and I can back that, she said.

The Instagram post came just a few hours after she deleted from her timeline all the pictures of Diamond Platnumz.

Tanasha Oketch is the seventh famous woman Diamond has dated since 2009.

The other six are: Zari Hassan (socialite), Jokate Mwegelo (District Commissioner), Wema Sepetu (actress), Hamisa Mobetto (video vixen), Naj (model) and Penny Mungilwa (TV presenter).

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
President Trump on Friday signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending bill to combat the coronavirus as the number of cases of infected people in the U.S. passed 200 the day before.

The Trump administration originally requested only $2.5 billion to protect Americans against the virus, a number critics said was much too low. Democrats requested $8.5 billion in funding for coronavirus efforts, much closer to what Congress ended up passing and sending to Trumps desk.

Also on Friday, the president canceled a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he was initially scheduled to sign the funding bill. The White House said the trip was called off because the president does not want to interfere with ongoing operations to fight the virus there, but Trump suggested it was because of a case of coronavirus at the CDC itself that turned out to be negative.

They had one person who was potentially infected, Trump said. It turned out negative, so well see if we can do it.

The CDC has come under fire by health professionals for its slow response to the virus, including the delayed dissemination of testing kits to states, and imposing guidelines that were too restrictive for who could be tested.

We dont have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward, said Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump has tapped to lead the administrations efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday night, 226 people in the U.S. had been infected with the virus, and 14 people had died after contracting it. The virus, a respiratory illness that originated in China, has spread to countries across the globe and has infected over 100,000 and killed over 3,200 people.

More from National Review
Chinese supplies of input materials for the auto industry have been interrupted due to the Covid-19 epidemic, and may run out by the end of the month.

An enterprise located in Hung Yen province which makes trucks can sell 1,000 products on average each month. But since the Covid-19 outbreak, the sales have halved.





In 2019, Vietnam imported $4 billion worth of car parts, 18 percent of which ($0.7 billion) was from China, while 29 percent ($1.1 billion) was from South Korea.



As for truck manufacturing, more than 70 percent of components are imported from China.



Hung said that the components and input materials at his factory were just enough for one-month more production. After one month, if new materials dont arrive, he will have to partially stop production.

In 2019, Vietnam imported $4 billion worth of car parts, 18 percent of which ($0.7 billion) was from China, while 29 percent ($1.1 billion) was from South Korea.

The businessman also complained that the plan to launch new models in early second quarter of the year has failed.



The Industry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) predicted that enterprises will lack input materials for production by the end of Q1.



It is still unclear when supplies would resume because this depends on how the epidemic is controlled. In such conditions, enterprises have been urged to seek alternative supply sources.



Someone says enterprises need to seek other supply sources rather than China. This could be a simple job for other industries, but not for auto manufacturing, said Truong Thanh Hoai, head of the Industry Department.



He explained that it is difficult to find alternative supply sources within a short time because of the characteristics of the global production chain, as well as the technical requirements specifically set by multi-national groups.



In addition, it is also difficult to import car parts and input materials from other countries, such as South Korea and Japan, because they have also been hit by the epidemic. Meanwhile, other countries, such as India, are being cautious in trading goods because of coronavirus fears.



The production chain will be interrupted if they lack just one small component. The reliance among countries in the production chain is very heavy, Hoai said.



Hundreds of large producers which have close relations with the global supply chain have halted production in China, such as Rober Bosh GmbH, the worlds biggest car component manufacturer, and Honda Motor and Nissan Motor. Sales are expected to decrease, at least in the first half of 2020.



Other manufacturers have production bases in countries other than China but still rely on input materials from China, and therefore, will also have scale down production.

Mai Lan

Vietnam car market ranks fourth in Southeast Asia Vietnam's localization rate for passenger cars of under nine seats is 7 - 10%, much lower than the target of 35 - 45% set for the car industry 20 years ago.
The traditionally male-dominated industry of transport is one of many celebrating International Womens Day on Sunday (8 March).

Currently, around 5 per cent of airline pilots around the world are women, while at Britains Network Rail, just shy of a fifth of the workforce is female.

Things are changing slowly. In aviation, airlines including Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian have loosened draconian rules around cabin crew grooming standards for women, while Network Rail has committed to increasing the number of women in the workforce by 50 per cent by 2024, equivalent to hiring almost 4,000 new female staff.

Heres what airlines and rail firms are doing to celebrate International Womens Day.

Emirates cargo arm laid on an all-female flight deck crew for a series of five freighter flights across four continents this week.

Captain Ellen Roz and First Officer Heidi McDiarmid flew a Boeing 777 freighter aircraft 30,000km in 10 days from Frankfurt to Mexico City and onto Quito, Aguadilla, Amsterdam and Dubai. They were transporting over 300 tonnes of cargo, which ranged from fresh flowers and fruits to pharmaceuticals.

London North Eastern, which runs train services from London to destinations in north-east England and Scotland, has rebranded the Flying Scotsman service that runs from Edinburgh to Kings Cross to the Flying Scotswoman throughout March. In addition, todays service will be staffed entirely by women.

Southeastern and GWR

The 7.42am Southeastern service from London Victoria station to Faversham in Kent today was staffed entirely by women, with driver Monika Kurek operating the train. All the Network Rail signallers on the route were also female, in an initiative that involved 15 women in all. The train operator, which runs services in the south-east, is running three female-only staffed trains to raise the profile of women in what is a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Meanwhile, rail operator GWR is also running a female train from London Paddington to Bristol today.

I hope it demonstrates to other women and girls that a rewarding role in our industry is a real prospect, said Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail.

We have an abundance of diverse and interesting jobs available and the users of the railway deserve the best of our talents. That must mean a much more diverse workforce.

Just 2 per cent of the worlds mariners are women, according to Celebrity Cruises. Its why the cruise line is operating an all-female-crewed sailing for International Womens Day, helmed by captain Kate McCue alongside 26 other women to form the Celebrity Edge ships bridge and leadership team.

The all-female ship will leave Fort Lauderdale in Florida for a seven-night sailing around the Eastern Caribbean on Sunday.

For International Womens Day, Canadian airline Westjet, whose team of pilots is 7 per cent female, has pledged to reduce the gender gap in its global leadership team via a new women in leadership program.

Sunwing

Fellow Canadian airline Sunwing operated its 100th flight earlier this week on a plane crewed entirely by women to celebrate International Womens Day.

Flight WG438 flew from Toronto Pearson airport to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, piloted by Captain Vicky Marks and First Officer Nicola Godfrey.
James Blagden: How to level up  and get growth going across the whole of the country

James Blagden is a researcher at Onward.

Levelling up is a new name for an old idea. This is the view, articulated by the Prime Minister last year, that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. The South East of England is disproportionately prosperous and productive and the way that government invests makes this worse. Levelling up is the corrective.

But research released today by Onward demonstrates just how much accumulated decision-making the Chancellor will need to unwind if he wants to make a dent on the problem. Officials have been presiding over an approach to spending which has been levelling down poorer areas for decades.

There is a clear correlation between higher levels of GDP per capita and more balanced growth across a country. Among the G20, there are no large countries which are more regionally imbalanced than the UK and also richer than the UK. The reasons for this are straightforward: more balanced economies are less likely to be misallocating resources, causing parts of the country to experience shortages in skills or other inputs, while others overheat.

The productivity gap between London and the South East, on one hand, and the rest of the country, on the other, has widened since the turn of this century and became entrenched after the Financial Crisis. To give an example of just how vast this gap now is: in real terms, every English region (apart from the South East) is currently less productive than London was 20 years ago. In Yorkshire, gross value added per hour is 4.50 lower than London in 1998.

One reason for London pulling ahead is that it benefits from agglomeration effects. In other words, people and firms working and operating in close proximity facilitates easier movement of goods and knowledge.

Generally speaking, the larger the city, the more productive it is. We see this so-called agglomeration effect in the northern European economies of France, Germany, Scandinavia and the Benelux region. Not so for the UK. Although similar positive spillover effects are present and strong in London, this does not hold across the rest of the country. Counter-intuitively, British cities do not become more productive as they increase in size.

Transport is a major factor in enabling agglomeration. Reducing the travel time to your workplace or nearest town centre can have a dramatic impact. Areas in which the average travel time to a major employment cluster (containing over 5000 jobs) is less than 20 minutes by public transport are 14,000 more productive (GVA per filled job) than areas in which the journey time is over an hour.

There is a temptation to view the growing regional divide as some inherent characteristic of the UK economy. But this neglects the successive waves of policy and investment decisions that have failed to adequately invest in the foundations of growth in regions outside London and the South East.

In fact, spending to improve productivity is lower in less productive regions, and higher in regions that are already more productive.

For example, capital spending on transport in London was around 6,600 per head between 2007/8 and 2018/19  more than three times higher than in the East Midlands (1,880) or South West (1,980) and nearly three (2.75) times the average in the rest of England (2,400).

The same is true of R&D funding, which is nearly twice the level per head in London than the UK average  3,900 compared to a national average of 2,300 over the period 2001 to 2017. The share of the core research budget spent in just three cities, Oxford, Cambridge and London, rose from 42 per cent in 2002/3 to 46 per cent in 2017/18.

Meanwhile, London receives five times as much affordable housing spending than the rest of England. The Housing Infrastructure Fund gave 115 per head in the East of England, 97 in London, 95 in the South East  but just 10 in the West Midlands and 4 in Yorkshire.

On cultural spending, London received around half (47 per cent) of the total spending in England over the period 2010/11 to 2017/18, nearly five times the average in the rest of England (144). Metaphorically, the government is only watering the plants if they grow.

To fix this, the Chancellor should first review the Treasurys Green Book methodology to take into account the relative returns to local economies from infrastructure projects and adjust Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) to account for the economic and social benefits of balanced growth. We cant continue with a system that favours prestige mega-projects such as Crossrail over developing infrastructure in other parts of the country which generate much greater relative returns.

We also need to build up capacity outside the richest areas. Areas with stronger devolved governments (like London) are better able to generate good bids and develop schemes. The GLA has devolved budgets and TFL benefits from control over passenger revenues. Consequently, the Government should continue to devolve transport powers to areas outside our largest cities.

Finally, the Government should use the innovation budget to ramp up R&D spending which is more industrially focused. The US and China spend 45 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, on later phase development  the sort of stuff that is most useful to industry. In Britain, this figure is just 13 per cent. Far more of our spending is on early stage, pure research. More research funding designed to complement business investment in R&D would particularly help areas like the East and West Midlands and the North West.

While there are lots of other things we need to do, rebalancing the types of spending that do the most for growth would be a good start in levelling up and helping the private sector grow in poorer areas.

Officials have presided over an unfair status quo for decades: its time for change to get growth going across all parts of the UK.
LOWELL, MI -- Kent Countys first recreational marijuana shop will open at 9 a.m. Friday, March 13.

If youre planning to swing by, come early, because staff at the 1965 W. Main St. dispensary are anticipating long lines with waiting times ranging from one and a half hours to two hours for their grand opening.

To be the first one in Kent County is absolutely just an overwhelming joy for us, said Kyle Miller, director of strategic relations for Meds Cafe. Were real excited to show West Michigan what we have to offer.

The store will open Friday with a wide selection of cannabis flower, cannabis concentrates, extracts and oils, CBD products and more.

Regular dispensary hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Touring the dispensary, one cant tell that just half a year or so ago the shop was a Family Video. Scott Schroeder and Michael Atkins, the founders and owners of Meds Cafe, started renovations on the location in late 2019.

The pair own a medical marijuana shop located in Rogers Township near Rogers City in northern Michigan. That provisioning center opened in April. Initially, the pair were hoping to open the Lowell location in January 2020.

Related: Kent Countys first recreational marijuana shop could open January 2020

Meds Cafe is keeping the renovations to the sales floor area under wraps so customers can experience it themselves. Miller called the decor rustic industrial.

We want our customers to leave here knowing that the experience was everything they hoped it would be, and we hope that folks realize that Meds Cafe is here to help them with any of their cannabis needs and hope that they feel compelled to return, Miller said.

The sales floor has six points of sale, allowing up to six people, or six couples, to browse and shop at a time.

The waiting room where customers sign in and wait their turn is spacious and features posters of anti-marijuana propaganda movies from the early-to-mid 1900s.

Lowell is one of a handful of cities in West Michigan allowing recreational marijuana. The only other city in Kent County currently allowing recreational marijuana facilities is Grand Rapids, and city leaders wont be taking license applications for recreational marijuana shops until at least April 20, 2020.

We anticipated the city of Grand Rapids to move quicker than a small town like Lowell, Miller said, when asked if he was surprised about Meds Cafe being the first pot shop in Kent County.

Miller estimates Meds Cafe will hire about 20 employees.

Miller said he expects a lot of Grand Rapids-area residents will be in line opening day. He added that he wouldnt be surprised if they had customers from as far as Indiana and Ohio.

Meds Cafe will be on one of the few active recreational dispensaries in West and Southwest Michigan. Currently, there are recreational dispensaries open for business in Muskegon, Battle Creek and White Cloud and near South Haven and South Bend.

Grand Rapids only has one medical marijuana provisioning center open for business.

Read more on MLive:

Its about time: Patients can get medical marijuana from facility in Grand Rapids

Weve been waiting our whole lives for this: recreational pot shop opens in West Michigan

Grand Rapids reverses delay on marijuana applications hours after voting for it

Pastors urge Grand Rapids city leaders to continue waivers for marijuana shops near churches
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:02 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c8084 1 National police,police-academy Free

Fourteen non-commissioned police officers with disabilities have passed selection tests to join the police inspector school, the National Police announced on Thursday.

The polices Education and Training Agency head, Com. Gen. Arief Sulistyanto, said the 14 officers had acquired their disabilities after getting injured while carrying out their respective duties on the field.

He said National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis had given dispensation for the disabled officers during their training and education at the police inspector school.

The polices education and training agency has prepared special programs and supporting facilities, including wheelchairs, barracks with facilities for their special needs as well as assistant officers to help the disabled non-commissioned officers with their training, Arief said.

This is to motivate both students who have special needs and regular students, Arief said in a statement on Thursday.

If those who acquired disabilities while carrying out their duties are able [to perform], then the normal ones should be able to show more endurance, he added.

The police inspector school in Sukabumi, West Java, will host 1,600 senior non-commissioned officers for seven months. These people have passed selection tests initially taken by 23,600 non-commissioned officers who had been on duty for at least 15 years. (gis)
Former Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick continued a weeklong media tour in which she has unloaded criticism on political adversaries who got her fired by announcing Thursday she intends to file a lawsuit against the city.

Joined by Howard Jordan, who preceded her as chief of Oaklands force, as well as City Councilman Noel Gallo, Kirkpatrick took direct aim at the departments longtime federal monitor, Robert Warshaw.

Warshaw, appointed to monitor the departments progress on court-ordered reforms after a police abuse scandal and 2003 lawsuit settlement, has come under mounting scrutiny in recent months. On Thursday, Kirkpatrick alleged the federal monitor is more concerned about continuing to get paychecks from Oakland than helping the department achieve federal compliance.

What disturbs me the most is when you realize that the reform process has been adulterated, rank and file no longer believes, Kirkpatrick said. And you will never get culture change unless you believe in these changes.

Kirkpatrick said she has retained attorneys John Keker and Jamie Slaughter of the San Francisco firm Keker Van Nest & Peters, but she declined to say specifically who would be named as defendants in her lawsuit.

The ex-chief hinted that the suit would center on the Oakland Police Commission, the civilian oversight body which, along with Mayor Libby Schaaf, fired Kirkpatrick without cause two weeks ago.

Kirkpatrick suggested she was the subject of illegal actions that included retaliation and comments about her gender, age and race.

I believe in citizen oversight; I have not backed away from that position one iota, she said, adding that this particular Police Commission does not serve Oaklands best interest.

In the days after her firing, commissioners cited a variety of reasons for Kirkpatricks dismissal, some of which were connected to the department backslide on reforms. Last year, Warshaw found that Oakland police regressed on five of its previously completed tasks, leaving the department with eight areas to improve.

Jordan, an Oakland police veteran who helmed the department for 19 months before stepping down for medical reasons in May 2013, echoed Kirkpatricks statements about Warshaw. Both chiefs said Warshaws advice has been overly vague, and they accused him of moving the goalposts in ways that would consistently keep compliance out of reach.

We asked him, What do we need to do to get us into compliance? His response was, Keep persevering, Jordan said. We try to get specific direction from him  we made a spreadsheet, a matrix, (and) were still out of compliance with that particular task.

Others have pushed back on the narrative, though, saying a series of incidents  including the 2018 shooting of a homeless man and a sex scandal involving multiple officers  as well as a lack of leadership within the department have been to blame for the protracted oversight.

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.

Warshaw and his team earn about $1 million annually through Warshaws dual roles as monitor and compliance director, roles he has held since 2010 and 2014, respectively. Monitor-related fees make up the bulk of taxpayer funds paid in the 17 years of oversight, amounting to more than $17 million of the $28 million in total costs.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick, who presides over the case, orders the city to pay these fees in lump sums, and the city does not have access to itemized expenses. The Chronicles multiple requests to obtain these records from Orrick were denied.

Councilman Gallo said he was headed Thursday to Washington, D.C., where he will meet with Department of Justice officials and members of Congress to call for Warshaws termination.

Mayor Schaaf said in a statement that she shares frustrations with the length and costs of the federal oversight that came out of a settlement agreement 17 years ago.

I will always welcome any assessment and analysis that brings clarity and speed to resolve this issue, she said.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Today, if the international community is seeking space, if not place, here, then the message is not unclear in any which way.

It does not reflect well on the nations standing in the international arena, where human rights issues go a long way in building bilateral relations and benefiting from international cooperation, more than any aspect of politics and diplomacy, N Sathiya Moorthy.

For a nation that implemented Responsibility to Protect, or R2P, in Bangladesh (1971) and Sri Lanka (Operation Poomalai, 1987), long before the world and the UN (2005) recognised the concept, India now finds itself in the cross-hairs of global condemnation on the human rights front, of all issues.

It was brewing for some time, ever since the Geneva-based UN affiliate, HCHR, began mentioning India in the context of J&K before the abrogation of Article 370, and has since increased, more focussed and equally venomous, post-abrogation and more so, post-CAA.

Its easy for the government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to declare they are all internal matters of the nation. It is rightly so, but only up to a point.

As the experience of neighbouring Sri Lanka has shown since the successful conclusion of the LTTE war in May 2009, internal matters does not always remain as internal as can be claimed. Whether or not anything flows out of it ultimately, and if any outside player, including the UN, can enforce a decision that is in violation of a domestic mandate, electoral or judicial, the global bad blood cannot be wished away for a long time to come.

It cannot be compromised or covered up through strategic partnerships, military procurements and trade pacts. There are nations beyond those that trade off strategic compromises and economic deals, for whom human rights is an article of faith, though they may be choosy and selective in some cases (Sri Lanka, and now India) but can be less so when it comes to others (US in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria).

For Sri Lanka, the external power with an immediate interest going beyond the generalities of rights violation by the State was only India. The common Tamil ethnicity of a section of their populations and the southern Tamil Nadu factor was an add-on element in Indias generalised concerns on allegations of human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

In the case of India, the common Muslim identity of the currently affected sections of the Indian population and those of many nations across the world, including the immediate South Asian and West Asian neighbourhoods, are factors that cannot be ignored with such a one-line defence as internal matters.

The nations policy-makers will not be unaware of the processes, procedures and consequences. All of them go beyond the life and tenancy of a government and leader(s) in office.

The fact is the internal matter of India does not find the same version from a section of the domestic constituency, including vociferous sections of the nations polity and highly sensitive/sensitised sections of civil society. Their posturing and positions may not be as bad, for instance, as Tamil counterparts in Sri Lanka, but then, even their political statements of the past weeks and months, have a messaging that the world had ignored or over-looked and -- yet documented for possible use in the future.

It is not about winning and losing elections nearer home, but more about hearing and listening to global opinion -- and at times strictures. That may get delayed, not altered, by sweeping electoral wins of the 2014/19 LS poll victories of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling BJP-led Hindutva brigade and worse.

Global delinquency does not stop with CAA and J&K, not even with the Gujarat riots, where the Supreme Court of India has given the then state government under his leadership a clean chit, in form and content. This could cut either way, if and when the international community were to take a closer look now and take forward the current allegations against the Indian leadership.

In the midst of all this, they could also place violence related to ghar vapsi, lynchings, and allegations of love jihad that happened under the Modi leaderships tenancy at the Centre, and his partys governance in the states where such incidents took place. The way the nations police force handled them all, ending now with the Delhi riots, would be under international glare for once.

So could well be the mutually-contradictory observations of the nations Supreme Court, among others.

They may not be challenged, nor may even be questioned -- but their finding a mention in an international document could well add to the nations embarrassment.

In the Jamia Milla case not very long ago, a Bench under Chief Justice of India S A Bobde reportedly refused to hear the case until violence and destruction of public property did not stop. Just because they are students, it does not mean they can take law and order into their hands. This has to be decided when things cool down. This is not the frame of mind when we can decide anything. Let rioting stop, media reports quoted CJI Bobde as observing in open court.

Only weeks later, a Bench of the Supreme Court, also chaired by Chief Justice Bobde, threw up its hands, as if in disgust, when approached for effective action to hold those responsible for the Delhi riots to account. In this case, however, the Delhi police were among those alleged to have indulged in large-scale violence on the very evening US President Donald Trump was leaving after a very successful India visit.

Because they were only the CJIs oral observations and did not form a part of any order of the court, there are no legal points here, but they could all be pointers to the way the international community, starting with the international media and international human rights organisations, could begin with interpreting the effectiveness of institutions in India.

Given an opportunity to present its case for being inducted as amicus curiae of sorts in the pending CAA case in the Supreme Court, the UNHCHR could well list them out, however obliquely they could be.

It is becoming increasingly clear that those that are in charge of manning the nations police seem to have experience in starting off riots as in Gujarat 2002 and Delhi 2020, but do not know how to douse the same.

For now, however, ruling BJP leaders can be expected to dub the political Opposition anti-nationals even more loudly than already, but that is not going to change the fortunes for them in the international arena.

In this case, they only need to remember that unlike their Congress predecessors, they have been the ones to deliberately externalise what has remained an internal matter of India, if only to market themselves more than the nation, to their overseas acolytes and leaderships -- and are now possibly beginning to pay the price for the same.

In the past, whenever an institution, be it Executive or the Legislature, failed the nation, the Judiciary would step in. Under T N Seshan, the Election Commission came to uphold the nations inherent character and underscore the peoples faith in democracy. Today, if the international community is seeking space, if not place, here, then the message is not unclear in any which way.

It does not reflect well on the nations standing in the international arena, where human rights issues go a long way in building bilateral relations and benefiting from international cooperation, more than any aspect of politics and diplomacy.

If in between, anyone thought that attestation of Indias position on Pakistans terrorism at long last implied that the international community would go all the way on all issues of global concern, the shoe is not on the right foot -- nothing more, nothing less.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Distinguished Fellow and Head-Chennai Initiative, Observer Research Foundation.
The NFU has highlighted the continued need for a lower rate of fuel duty for red diesel amid reports the Chancellor is to abolition the fuel's tax breaks.

Rishi Sunak is reportedly looking at increasing taxes on fuel - which were frozen by George Osborne in 2010 - in next week's Budget.

According to Financial Times, the Chancellor is to scrap the 2.4bn diesel subsidy for users of farming and construction vehicles.

The move is part of wider measures to ensure the United Kingdom reaches its net zero ambitions by 2050.

But the agricultural industry fears any changes to red diesel duty could see farmers face increases of nearly 50p per litre.

Red diesel currently has a duty of 11.1p per litre compared with 57.7p for standard diesel.

Ahead of the 11 March Budget, NFU President Minette Batters has urged the government to keep this lower rate to allow farm businesses to remain competitive.

Red diesel is the primary fuel to run the majority of agricultural vehicles and is absolutely crucial to farm businesses and maintaining food production," she said.

"The lower fuel duty on red diesel recognises this fact and, with such uncertainty and rising input costs, it is absolutely essential that the red diesel exemption is maintained."

The NFU fears that changes to this duty could make the UK farming industry 'immediately uncompetitive' with neighbouring EU member states.

Countries such as the United States and Canada also provide their agricultural sectors with a lower fuel duty on red diesel.

Mrs Batters added: Removing this from farmers would leave them at an immediate competitive disadvantage, coming at a time when farmers are dealing with ongoing uncertainty over our future trading relationship with the EU and rest of the world.

While agricultural vehicles have become more efficient, it is impossible for farmers to move away from using red diesel as there are currently no commercially viable alternative fuels.

Whilst only Mr Sunak's speech on the day will confirm the fuel duty change, chartered accountants Saffery Champness have highlighted other possible changes that could significantly affect the farming industry.
RTHK: Angry S Korea summons Japanese envoy over travel ban

Seoul will summon Japan's ambassador to protest over "irrational" plans to impose coronavirus quarantine on arrivals from South Korea, it said on Friday, accusing Tokyo of ulterior motives.

The two countries have close economic ties and are both major US allies, democracies and market economies faced with a rising China and nuclear-armed North Korea.

But their relationship continues to be heavily affected by Japan's colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945  a dispute that escalated into a trade and security row last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday announced that foreign arrivals who have recently been in China or South Korea would be required to spend 14 days in quarantine.

Seoul's foreign ministry urged Tokyo to reconsider the "irrational and overbearing" measure in a statement, saying it would summon the ambassador to protest.

"We can't help but question whether Japan has other motives than containing the outbreak," it added.

Seoul could take countermeasures, it signalled, saying it was exploring "all possible options" to ensure the safety of South Koreans.

South Korea's total reported infections  the largest figure outside China, where the virus first emerged  rose to 6,284 on Friday, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said.

It announced seven more deaths, taking the toll to 42.

Japan has reported 360 confirmed cases and six deaths from the illness.

Around 40 countries and regions have imposed entry bans on foreigners who have recently been in the South, while more than 20 require quarantine, as do several parts of China.

Japan's quarantine announcement was already affecting "thousands of South Koreans", said Park Chul-hyun, a media columnist based in Tokyo, who cancelled a three-day trip to Seoul for fear of having to go into quarantine on his return.

"There are thousands of South Koreans arriving in Tokyo on a daily basis and I bet a majority of them have called off their trips," said Park, criticising the measure as a "pure performance" ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Over 90 percent of South Korea's cases are in the southern city of Daegu  with more than 4,600 cases confirmed there  and the neighbouring North Gyeongsang province. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Marine Corps has been working to develop ground-based missiles for engaging ships at sea, but now it wants one that can track and destroy moving enemy vessels sailing hundreds of miles offshore.

"What we are seeking now is a system with an active warhead, an active seeker, that can go after a [moving] ship," Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, testified Thursday at a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee's tactical air and land forces subcommittee.

"We are capable of firing Army [Tactical Missile Systems] off of our High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, but what we are not capable of is going after a ship that is moving," he added.

Top Pentagon leaders have tasked the service to take over the "ground-launched cruise missile way forward," Smith said.

Related: Marine Corps Gets Long-Range Missile to Take Out Enemy Ships

Under the effort, the Marines will evaluate weapons systems such as the Navy's Tomahawk Cruise Missile, which has an active seeker and is capable of ranges out to 750 nautical miles, he said.

"That is what matters in a contested environment in the South China Sea or in the [Indo-Pacific Command] area," Smith explained.

In the near term, the Marine Corps has identified the Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile (GBASM) as its top ground modernization program.

"We have to get that if we are going to be the component that ... the fleet commanders need our Fleet Marine Force to provide to the joint force," Smith said.

Right now, the service is evaluating the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which is already in the Navy's inventory, as a solution for the GBASM, he said.

"We will test-fire that system this June," Smith said, adding that the Corps already successfully test-fired the sled for the NSM, which was mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle in December.

"We will be in a position to take advantage of that and actually move forward with a capability to move forward with what the joint force wants and must have to compete with a peer competitor," he said.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Missouri, asked Smith to explain how the Marine Corps is working with its sister service on the effort since the Army has identified long-range precision fires as its top modernization priority.

Smith said the Corps is coordinating closely with the Army and the rest of the services.

"We are coordinating ... and I think much of what we do in the ground-launched cruise missile arena will be things we will actually pass for consideration by the Army," he said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Read More: Top Marine Explains Why He's Banning Confederate Flags on Bases
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed with him various issues concerning the state, an official said.

During the 30-minute meeting, Adityanath and Shah are believed to have discussed the law and order situation in the country's largest state.

The upcoming exercise of the Census and the update of the National Population Register was also said to have been discussed in the meeting. The chief minister has briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in Uttar Pradesh, the official said.
A Faridabad-based adventure tour company confirmed on Friday that a US citizen who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Bhutan and his partner were among four foreign travellers and 37 crew who had been on a seven-day cruise on the Brahmaputra river just before he flew to the Himalayan country.

According to tweets by the editor of a Bhutan newspaper, the 76-year-old US tourist had come to India on February 21 with his 59-year-old partner and had travelled to Mumbai, Kolkata and Assam, before boarding Drukair flight KB241 to Paro in Bhutan from Guwahati on March 2.

The US tourist and his partner were two of a total of four Americans on board the vessel MV Mahabaahu that set sail on February 23 on a week-long cruise of the Brahmaputra, said Sanjay Basu, CEO of the Faridabad-based Adventure River Cruises, which operates the vessel.

The rest of 37 persons on board were crew members, he said.

On Friday, Bhutan Prime Ministers Office announced that the US tourist had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The patients partner and eight other Indians who travelled to Bhutan on the same flight have been quarantined in the country. The flight had a total of 10 passengers.

We are aware that the US citizen was in Assam as well, said Anurag Goel, commissioner and secretary of the health and family welfare department of Assam. We are trying to collect that data and find out about the persons he came in contact with, he added, referring to the procedure known as contact tracing.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times . ...view detail
A man was arrested on



Friday in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district for allegedly killing his 22-month-old daughter in January as she was unwell for a long time, a senior official said.

Superintendent of Police Amit Singh identified the accused as Sudarshan Valmik (39), a resident of Bhairav Nagar here who was arrested earlier in a rape case, and the victim as Devika.

"Valmik was upset that Devika was unwell for a long time. On the intervening night of January 16-17, he tied a 15 kilogram stone to the toddler's body and threw her in a well. He, on January 17, lodged a missing person complaint with Tilwara police station," the SP said.

"During probe, we found some bricks missing from a wall of the house, which aroused suspicion about the child being kidnapped, after which we started questioning Valmik. The child's decomposed body was found in the well on February 26," he said.

Police investigations found Valmik was an accused in a rape case filed earlier in Bhedaghat police station here, he added.

"Valmik believed the child was not his. He also threatened his pregnant wife not to reveal how the child died. He was booked for abduction, murder and causing disappearance of evidence," the official informed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
So far, 19 Boko Haram criminals bodies have been recovered. Some of the insurgents were observed escaping with various degrees of gunshot wounds by the troops who are on vigorous exploitation of their initial success along the criminals withdrawal route.
As the world would be celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, 2020, Modicare, one of India's leading Direct Selling Companies is bringing the importance of independence and self-sufficiency amongst women with its women empowerment campaign - 'Sapno Ki Azadi'.

During this campaign, Modicare will share the stories of successful women across Delhi, Bengaluru, Patna and Kolkata through one of the largest radio channels in the country: Radio Mirchi.

Empowering a woman is empowering the nation, Radio Mirchi and Modicare's initiative 'Sapno Ki Azadi' has supported and empowered young girls and women to achieve their dreams. Over 35 female influencers across the Delhi, Bengaluru, Patna and Kolkata are sharing their success stories on Radio Mirchi.

Modicare is celebrating the spirit of International Women's Day by conducting various contests, events in colleges and RWAs at these cities to spread awareness about women empowerment. The brand is helping to provide Sapno Ki Azadi to more and more women across the nation.

Leading women consultants of Modicare who attended the event shared their success stories on how Modicare helped in making them achieve their dreams. The campaign was also talked about at the Mirchi Music Awards 2020 that was held in Mumbai on February 19.

"I believe that every woman has the power to create, nurture and transform the world. Success of a woman has a rippling effect in the family eco system. As the money starts coming in through the Modicare Azadi Plan, women start feeling more confident and independent than ever before. Their outlook towards life changes and they exude positive energies around them. I experience this with the women consultants in Modicare. Every month more than two lakh people are joining Modicare as consultants and 60 per cent of them are women," said Samir Modi, Founder and Managing Director, Modicare Limited, while commenting on the campaign.

"We are developing training programs which are specially tailored for women and their specific needs. The training programs will aid in making their dreams into reality faster. With the Modicare Sapno Ki Azadi campaign, it is our resolve to empower more and more women and help them convert their dreams into reality. We are sharing inspiring real-life stories of our consultants as well as other women with the message that if they one can do it; you can do it too," added Modi.

The campaign will also be kicked off in Vadodara and Jaipur on March 9 to create awareness around International Women's Day. Just like the other four cities, 'Sapno Ki Azadi' will travel from being on-air on Radio Mirchi to local colleges and RWAs.

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WOMENS WORK: A Personal Reckoning With Labor, Motherhood, and Privilege, by Megan K. Stack. (Anchor, 336 pp., $16.95.) Stack, a former international correspondent for The Los Angeles Times, explores her decision to employ Chinese and Indian women to care for her children, traveling to visit the women in their difficult home environments. Stack is unflinching in her account, our reviewer, Lauren Hilgers, wrote.

WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD IS TRUE: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance, by Carolyn Forche. (Penguin, 390 pp., $18.) Forche tells the story of her life-changing journey as a young poet to El Salvador, when an enigmatic Salvadoran activist named Leonel Gomez invited her to visit his country and observe its tilt toward civil war. In these pages, Francisco Goldman called the book riveting and magnificent.

THE VOLUNTEER, by Salvatore Scibona. (Penguin, 419 pp., $18.) Scibonas second novel opens with a small boy abandoned at an international airport in Hamburg. It fans out to become a family saga that encompasses the Vietnam War and generations of American men adrift in Iowa, New York and New Mexico. Our reviewer, Hermione Hoby, wrote that Scibona has built a masterpiece.

PARKLAND: Birth of a Movement, by Dave Cullen. (Harper, 385 pp., $17.99.) Cullen, the author of Columbine, follows the traumatized students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., as they become media-savvy gun control activists in the wake of the 2018 mass shooting at their school. Partly thanks to Cullen, the rules of covering shootings have shifted, Hanna Rosin wrote in these pages.
Federal and state women's safety ministers will press the Council of Australian Governments to make domestic violence a higher priority when it meets next week.

Government sources said there was broad support to set up a COAG-level council around women's safety during an hour-long phone hook-up between the ministers on Friday.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston: "Domestic violence must be addressed from two directions - response and prevention - otherwise this horrific blight on society will never end." Credit:AAP

COAG, chaired by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has 11 councils or sub-committees on areas including health, education, energy and skills. Mr Morrison has flagged a discussion on domestic violence when it next meets on March 13.

The phone meeting, co-chaired by Minister for Women Marise Payne and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston, was called in response to the murders of Hannah Clarke and her three children last month at the hand of their estranged husband and father Rowan Baxter.
The first would be to do the one thing weve never tried: stop setting deadlines for departure and simply say that were willing to keep some troops in Afghanistan for as long as the Afghans want to partner with us, as we have in Germany, South Korea and elsewhere. Their mission could be limited to training the Afghan military, not engaging in combat. But such a commitment would show the Taliban that it cant win by waiting us out. It would increase the possibility of a negotiated settlement that preserves the gains Afghans have made in democracy and womens rights. Ironically, committing to stay could make it easier to leave safely for good.
Travellers wearing face masks line up at the Air China check-in counters at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. (AP)

More than 100,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus as the illness continues to spread.

COVID-19 have been confirmed in more than 60 countries, with every country in Western Europe hit by the disease.

The EU raised the risk level of infection on Monday from moderate to high as countries such as Italy, France and the UK continue to report new cases of the virus.

See latest coronavirus news and updates

A man wearing a mask walks in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Italy. (PA)

According to Johns Hopkins University, these are the countries that have recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases:

China

Mainland China, where the virus is said to have spread from, holds the highest number of cases of COVID-19, counting 80,559 across the country.

In the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, cases hit 19,665.

Hubei province, where the city is located, reported 14,840 new confirmed cases on February 12 - the most recorded number of infections in a single day.

South Korean army soldiers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus on a street in Seoul, South Korea. (AP)

South Korea

So far, a total of 6,593 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in South Korea, with 42 of those resulting in fatalities.

The government has raised the warning level for coronavirus from Border to Severe, following the spike in new cases.

The first coronavirus case was reported in a 35-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan who travelled to Korea on January 20 of this year.

Iran

Iran has reported 3,513 confirmed cases and 107 deaths, with the countrys first reported two coronavirus-related deaths occurring on February 20 in Qom. The cities where confirmed cases have been reported include Tehran, Qom and Gilan.

On Saturday US President Donald Trump said he was ready to aid Iran with the virus outbreak if the Islamic republic asked for assistance.

But speaking at the weekly meeting of his cabinet in remarks aired on state television, President Hassan Rouhani said: "Our people know well that you are lying.

Una mujer posa para una foto en Roma, el 5 de marzo de 2020. (AP Foto/Andrew Medichini)

Italy

Coronavirus cases in Italy have raised sharply to 3,862 as of 06 March.

The latest case was reported in Vatican City of a patient. Vatican has closed its healthcare facilities to sanitise the areas, following the confirmation.

Story continues

The majority of the new cases are being reported in Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, and Liguria regions. The government has implemented various measures to control the spread of virus including a ban on public events in ten municipalities, limited transport, and closure of public buildings.

Others

696 people have been infected in what JHU has categorised as Others, including the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan.

There are currently 650 cases from the cruise liner, while 6 people have died as a result of the disease.

Germany

A total of 577 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection have been reported in Germany as of 06 March. The cities where confirmed cases have been reported include North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Germersheim, Hesse and Hamburg.

The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety disclosed the first confirmed case of coronavirus infection on 28 January 2020.

The male patient residing in Starnberg near Munich did not travel to China, but had a meeting with a Chinese national and is in stable condition.

(Jon Hopkins University)

France

As of March 6, France recorded 426 cases of the virus, which have resulted seven deaths. The first coronavirus-related death occurred in France on 15 February, making it the first death in Europe. The second death was reported on 26 February of a 60-year-old French national in Paris.

Japan

Japan has reported a total of 381 confirmed cases,excluding 696 cases confirmed on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Cases in the country have been reported in Osaka, Hokkaido, Chiba Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, and Nagoya City.

Believers wait in a queue on a street next to the Jesus de Medinaceli church in Madrid, Spain. (AP)

Spain

A total of 360 cases have been reported in Spain, including the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Villarreal and Tenerife.

Ministry of Health coordinator Fernando Simon warned that the outbreak in Spain is linked with the massive spike in cases in Italy - after the country confirmed its first death, a 69-year-old man in Valencia.

Simon said: "We have to be very careful with the link to cases of the virus in Spain with northern Italy."

A woman wearing a protective mask as a precaution to the outbreak of Coronavirus rides on a subway in Kiev. (AP/SOPA)

US

The US is experiencing an outbreak, with 239 cases confirmed on March 6.

At least 12 people have died across the US, with fatalities spread across 19 states, including Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Texas and Washington.

Among the total cases, 48 are reported from evacuees from China and the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) recommends that patients and/or caregivers ensure that they have adequate supplies of necessary medications to address their needs if not able to get to the pharmacy because of coronavirus. If their medication supplies are low, patients should check their prescription benefit coverage with their health insurance and/or pharmacy benefit management companies to determine coverage for early refill or supply limits, prior to requesting refills from their pharmacy. Patients should also have a reasonable supply of non-prescription medications to address their symptomatic medication needs. In addition, patients with questions about medication shortages/supply or alternative therapies should discuss this with their medication prescriber or pharmacist. To avoid making potential shortages worse, the public must avoid stockpiling of medications and appropriately safeguard medication supplies.

America's pharmacists stand ready to provide patient care, whether it's related to coronavirus or other health needs.

APhA encourages patients, professionals and/or organizations to:

have a personal/family emergency plan including medication information, supplies, and communication mechanisms. For sample plans go to www.ready.gov.

take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs and practice good hand hygiene and washing techniques, as well and cough/sneeze etiquette as recommended by CDC.

get an annual influenza vaccination.

don't go to work if you are sick. Have liberal sick-leave and telework policies. If individuals have flu-like symptoms and are prescribed antivirals, take as directed.

if you are sick and need medication or other supplies from the pharmacy, ask someone to pick-up and deliver the items to you or call the pharmacy to discuss delivery options that might be available to you.

have a policy for the management and protection of personnel who are at increased risk if exposed to coronavirus (e.g., immunocompromised health care workers, etc.). Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces with greater frequency.

For the latest information, go to https://pharmacist.com/coronavirus.

About the American Pharmacists Association

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA is dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care and is the first and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.

SOURCE American Pharmacists Association

Related Links

https://www.pharmacist.com


Panaji, March 6 : While admitting that mass gatherings were a risk in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday said the Goa government will not ban public assembly ahead of the popular Shigmo festival, which is popular among Hindus in Goa.

The Minister, however, said people are "very smart" and would take adequate precautions to keep themselves safe from the viral disease.

"I do understand that Shigmo and other things are there, but in today's situation, one has to look at one's own health and see what's best for one's own family and then take a call," Rane told a press conference in Panaji.

"The people are very smart. I don't think we need a specific order. Our people are very smart. They read the newspaper everyday and they wash their hands. And they are also anxious about their own health. and I'm sure they will take precautions whatever it is. It is a phase we are going through. The next few months are very crucial for us," he also said.

Reckoned as the indigenous variant of the Portuguese-oriented Carnival, the festival of Shigmo, which is marked by the boisterous celebration of colour and music and decorated float parades, kicks off in Goa on March 21.

Historians argue that the Shigmo festival, which is a Goan adaptation of the Holi festival, is the precursor of the Carnival, which the Portuguese later westernized, to bring it par with the European spring festival.

"Mass gatherings should be avoided and don't take a risk in today's time. At least, for the next two-three months we should avoid these gatherings and any programmes which involve mass contact of people should be avoided," the Health Minister said.

Rane also said, that while in some countries, governments were in the process of closing down colleges and schools, Goa had not reached such a stage yet.

Currently, only two persons, a British and a Nepali national, are lodged at the isolation ward of the Goa Medical College near Panaji. Two other suspects who had been admitted to the ward earlier this week, were discharged after their tests proved negative on Thursday.

Rane also said that around 20 coronavirus suspects continue to be observation.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For 100 years, Zonta International has contributed to help achieve a world free of violence against women and girls through service and advocacy.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global epidemic. It knows no national or cultural barrier, as it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict. It includes psychological, physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting, child marriage and human trafficking.

Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their communities and creating better lives for themselves and their families.

Zonta's ongoing service efforts are demonstrated through numerous local projects and programs, through the Zonta International Strategies to End Violence against Women (ZISVAW) program and through Zonta's partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

Our ongoing advocacy impact is built around the campaign "Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women." Launched in 2012, the campaign has raised awareness of the global pandemic of women's rights violations and has united Zonta clubs worldwide in conducting impactful advocacy actions to fight violence against women and gender inequality.

During the 16 Days of Activism, the period from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, all Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. They also are encouraged to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women.

In 2019, Zonta Club of Midland posted a billboard on US-10 with the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women messaging. On social media, the Midland club featured men of our community during each of the 16 days of activism who pledged to say NO to violence against women. Raising awareness and advocating stronger laws will hopefully end this global issue one day so our daughters never have to experience it.

Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. To learn more about the Zonta Club of Midland, visit our website www.zontaclubofmidland.org, or email me at trishsteele22@gmail.com.

Trish Steele, president of Zonta, authored this column as part of the Midland Daily News' Community Connections initiative.
The Supreme Court on Friday extended till March 16 the interim protection from arrest granted to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee said it would hear on March 16 the appeals filed by Navlakha and Teltumbde against a Bombay High Court order of last month rejecting their anticipatory bail pleas.

The high court, while refusing to grant anticipatory bail to Navlakha and Teltumbde on February 14, had extended their interim protection from arrest for a period of four weeks to enable them to approach the apex court.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A M Singhvi, appearing for the activists, told the apex court that protection granted to them by the high court would expire on March 14 and the top court should extend it.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that probe in the Bhima Koregaon violence case has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"We have not received any such notice," Singhvi said.

To this, the bench told Sibal and Singhvi that they can implead the NIA as a party in the case.

"We are listing the matter for March 16," the bench said.

Mehta said since the matter would be heard on March 16, the top court can extend the interim protection till then.

The high court had refused to grant anticipatory bail to Navlakha and Teltumbde saying, "On perusal of all the material on record, it can be seen that there is prima facie evidence showing complicity of applicants (Navlakha and Teltumbde) in the crime."



The high court, after perusing letters allegedly exchanged between the accused persons, had noted that Navlakha, Teltumbde and other accused like Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson and Sudha Bharadwaj prima facie had access to and connections with central committee members and leaders of the banned CPI(Maoist).

Navlakha, Teltumbde and several other activists have been booked by the Pune Police for their alleged Maoist links and several other charges following the violence at Koregaon Bhima village in Pune district on January 1, 2018.

All the accused have denied the allegations.

According to Pune Police, "inflammatory" speeches and "provocative" statements made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 had triggered caste violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day. The police alleged that the conclave was backed by Maoists.

Teltumbde and Navlakha had approached the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in November last year after a sessions court in Pune had rejected their pleas.

In December last year, the high court had granted them interim protection from arrest pending disposal of their anticipatory bail pleas.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
UPDATE: Blue Mountain search called off with missing man not found, state says

Emergency responders Friday were searching the Blue Mountain in northern Northampton County for a man reportedly missing for over a week.

The search got underway in the early afternoon, focusing on a 7-mile stretch of the mountain -- also known as Kittatinny Ridge -- in Lehigh Township near the border with Carbon County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The PEMA information was provided to lehighvalleylive.com by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Firefighters and Lehigh Township police were searching for a man "who is homeless and lives off the land," according to the information provided.

The male has been missing for over a week and police were aware but have more urgency due to predictions of inclement weather, the state report says.

Searchers were assembling in a parking lot for State Game Lands 168 along Blue Mountain Drive. An unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) team from Lehigh County was also requested.

The Appalachian Trail runs along the top of the mountain in the area of the search.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
K-pop group NCT 127 Photo: SM Entertainment / SM Entertainment Photo: SM Entertainment / SM Entertainment

NCT 127 has taken K-pop to places its never before been.

It was the first Korean act to perform at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. And the first K-pop group to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

STAR TURN: Becky G is RodeoHouston revelation, pays tribute to Selena

Theyll celebrate another first Tuesday in Houston  the first K-pop performer on the rotating rodeo stage. Its a key part of RodeoHoustons most diverse season yet, which also includes Lizzo, Chance the Rapper, Khalid and Becky G.

The show comes just four days the release of Neo Zone, a new NCT 127 album that leans heavily into hip-hop and trap. The groups 2018 debut album, Regular-Irregular, peaked at No. 1 on iTunes in 22 countries.

NCT 127 is a sub-unit of the group NCT. The name combines the phrase Neo Culture Technology with the longitudinal coordinate for Seoul. The group took turns answering questions about the upcoming RodeoHouston show and new album.

Q: I interviewed you last year, and Johnny said, Howdy yall, barbecue, cowboys and cowboy hats were the first things that came to mind when he thought of Texas. Now youre playing Rodeo!

NCT 127 at RodeoHouston When: 6:45 p.m. March 10 Where: NRG Stadium, 1 NRG Park Details: $20-$350; rodeohouston.com

Doyoung: It was so cool to find out that we were performing there, and I was blown away again when I heard about the size of the event and all the people wholl be gathered there. There is some extent of worry about performing at such a huge event and venue, but weve been preparing really hard for it.

Johnny: When I first heard we were going to be performing at the Rodeo I got very excited. I knew Rodeo was a very large-scale festival, but after looking into it more carefully, it was a lot larger than I expected. I cant wait to perform, and I hope everyone attending enjoys and has a great time with us as well.

Q: What are you expecting from your first rodeo experience?

Jaehyun: Ive never been to a rodeo, but Ive seen it in the movies. I cant wait to go there myself and experience that energy in person. Hopefully there will be a rodeo bull machine around somewhere that I can ride on.

Q: The Houston rodeo is famous for its deep-fried desserts: Pop Tarts, Snickers candy bars, cheesecake, ice cream and more. Whats your favorite junk food?

Mark: I would definitely like to try some. I would personally like to see what the Pop Tarts are like. My favorite junk food would probably be ice cream. You can never go wrong with ice cream.

Haechan: My favorite junk food is Ho-ddeock. Ho-ddeock is a Korean sweet dessert  a popular street food  thats usually best during the winter

Q: What do you remember about your last visit to Houston in 2019?

Taeil: When we were on our U.S. tour last year, every member had their own city they were supposed to be in charge of. Houston happened to be mine, so its pretty memorable for me. I remember visiting the Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. There was a space exhibit, and I got to see a huge model of the moon on display.

Haechan: When we were in Houston for our Neo City: The Origin tour, I also remember that it was Taeils city  and the fact that the fans energy was off the charts at the show.

Q: Your new album was just released. What did you want to do different this time?

Doyoung: This album has a very distinct concept, but even within it, theres quite a variety and diversity that we display as artists, so I hope that we get to showcase all those different charms.

Taeyong: Youll see a new type of performance from NCT 127, and youll also see a distinct color and style thats characteristic of our group. I want this album to display another new side of our group.

Q: Is there a song on the new album thats particularly special to you?

Mark: I am going to go for our song Kick It. I not only love the song but entire album as well, more than any of the other previous albums we had released. The song White Night is very different from the rest of the album.

Taeil: White Night is a lot more sentimental than the songs we usually do. And it highlights our vocals a lot more to the listeners.

Jaehyun: I remember paying a lot of attention to this particular song when we were recording for the album. Because of the style of the track, every little emotion or breath can be detected within our vocals. And because I sang the first verse, I made sure to pay attention to every little detail when singing.

Q: Youve collaborated with Jason Derulo and Ava Max. What artists would you love to work with in the future?

Jungwoo: If we ever had the chance, Id love to collaborate with Justin Bieber. All of us have enjoyed Justin Biebers music for a while now. I really think we could make something new and fresh together. Hes a great artist overall, and Im always cheering for him.

Taeyong: Post Malone, Justin Bieber, (French performer) FKJ

joey.guerra@chron.com

twitter.com/joeyguerra
BERKELEY (BCN)

An 18-year-old man has been charged with assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury for six drive-by paintball attacks in South Berkeley last month that injured a dozen people, police and prosecutors said on Thursday.

One of the victims suffered a substantial facial injury, according to police.

Daylon Davis of Berkeley is accused by police and prosecutors of driving by victims and shooting them with paintballs in the incidents on February 9 and 10.

Investigators identified Davis as the suspect in the attacks and a few days later they found his vehicle parked on a street in South Berkeley and located the suspected paintball gun in the trunk, police said.

Detectives didn't find Davis when they later went to his home but they found a stolen firearm as well as two bags of paintballs containing 1,000 paint pellets, according to police.

Davis surrendered at Berkeley police headquarters on Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office filed charges against him on Wednesday.

In addition to assault, Davis is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Davis, who lists his occupation as a Starbucks barista, is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $60,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on March 12 to enter a plea.

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.
Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7:58AM

When Google Stadia first rolled out, streaming in 4K was limited to TVs via Chromecast Ultra. But now, the company is extending support to users on the web. Some Stadia users have started to get the update. To take advantage of this feature, you will need to have a Stadia Pro subscription, which costs $11.99, and you will need to enable 4K streaming from the Stadia mobile app. To check your streaming resolution, open the in-game menu, click "Connection," and look for a "4K icon underneath "Data usage." While 4K is supposedly limited to a minimum connection speed of 35mbps or rated as "Excellent," 9to5Google reports that it's gotten 4K to run at speeds rated as "Good" or "Ok."
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering"), raising total gross proceeds of $8.5 million across three tranches of the Offering.

Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining, stated "We are delighted to have strong participation from our existing shareholders in this financing. Their support, along with additional investment by management and insiders, has allowed us to upsize this financing and continue to move Springpole through the permitting and Pre-Feasibility Study process."

Pursuant to the third and final tranche of the Offering, the Company issued 4,091,500 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.22 per Unit for gross proceeds of $900,130. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.33 at any time prior to March 6, 2023. The Company raised $2.5 million under the first tranche of the Offering, and $5.1 million under the second tranche of the Offering (see news releases dated February 14, 2020 and February 28, 2020).

The net proceeds raised from the sale of the Units under the Offering will be used by the Company for development and permitting activities at its Canadian gold projects, as well as for general working capital purposes.

The Unit Shares issued in the third tranche of the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from closing, expiring on July 7, 2020.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining Gold Corp. is a Canadian-focused gold exploration and development company advancing a large resource base of 7.4 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated categories and 3.8 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category. First Mining's primary focus is the development and permitting of its Springpole Gold Project and the advanced exploration of its Goldlund Gold Project, both located in northwestern Ontario. Springpole is one of the largest undeveloped gold assets in Canada, with permitting and a Pre-Feasibility Study underway. Goldlund is an advanced exploration stage asset where drilling is ongoing to define both the extension of the existing resource area and to better define the regional scale potential. First Mining's eastern Canadian property portfolio also includes Cameron, Pickle Crow, Hope Brook, Duparquet, Duquesne, and Pitt.

First Mining was created in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:

Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Direct: 604.639.8824 | Toll Free: 1.844.306.8827 | Email: info@firstmininggold.com

www.firstmininggold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the Unit Shares issued under the Offering for development and permitting activities at the Company's Canadian gold projects, and for general working capital purposes; (ii) the Company's focus on advancing its assets towards production; and (iii) realizing the value of the Company's gold projects for the Company's shareholders. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: failure to obtain regulatory approval; demand for the Units and FT Units; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum 2014 Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and mineral resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE: First Mining Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579498/First-Mining-Closes-Upsized-85-Million-Private-Placement-Financing
Whoever it was, I think theyre a little outnumbered tonight."

Thats what a smiling Sen. Bernie Sanders told a raucous crowd assembled for a campaign rally in Phoenix on Thursday night, after hed turned to notice a protestor whod been producing boos escorted out by security.

Sanders, a Vermont progressive who is a frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination alongside former Vice President Joe Biden, hadnt seen that the man disrupting the event had been waving a red flag bearing a swastika, The Washington Post reported. Supporters of Sanders, who is Jewish, swiped the Nazi flag away from the protestor.

More importantly, theyre going to be outnumbered in November, added Sanders to cheers.

Many on social media denounced the disruption as an act of anti-Semitism, and one that sparked concerns about the candidates safety.

We can argue about which candidate should get the Dem nomination, but anti-Semitic acts have no place in this world, Steven Slugocki, chairman of the Maricopa County Democratic Party. This is absolutely abhorrent.

We can argue about which candidate should get the Dem nomination, but antisemitic acts have no place in this world. This is absolutely abhorrent. pic.twitter.com/U5gvT7Db6y  Steven Slugocki (@Slugocki) March 6, 2020

Sanders spokesman Mike Casca told Buzzfeed News that the senator is aware of the flag with the swastika on it and is disturbed by it.

I was expecting Trump supporters to be protesting. I didnt expect a swastika flag to be unfurled, Orlando Garrido, who attended the rally, told The Post. I never thought I would actually see something like that.

The Post reported that pro-Trump protestors were removed by uniformed officers after getting into minor fights with Sanders supporters.

On Tuesday, vegan protestors hopped up on the California stage where Biden was addressing supporters following his Super Tuesday victories.

The Post reported that the Secret Service, before Sanders rally, issued a statement noting its agents had undergone extensive training over the last year. Recent media reporting characterizing the U.S. Secret Service as unprepared for candidate protection is categorically false, the Secret Service said.

No candidate had yet requested protection, the Secret Service added.
LACHUTE, Que. - A Quebec teen who was the victim of a brutal slaying last week was remembered by family and friends on Friday as a helpful, compassionate and energetic force.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LACHUTE, Que. - A Quebec teen who was the victim of a brutal slaying last week was remembered by family and friends on Friday as a helpful, compassionate and energetic force.

Hundreds of people touched by 13-year-old Ocean Boyer's tragic story gathered in a church northwest of Montreal to pay their final respects.

Francis Boyer and Caroline Sarrazin, parents of Oceane Boyer, 13, release a dove after a funeral service for their daughter, Friday, March 6, 2020 in Lachute, Que. Boyer was murdered last week while walking to school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Boyer's funeral focused on who she was  described as "a little ball of energy" by one relative  as her family struggled with their loss.

Every one of the 700 spaces at St. Anastasie church in Lachute, Que., was filled, while others stood in the chapel to observe the service.

Before the ceremony, Boyer's parents, her brother Olivier and sister Cassandra, spent 90 minutes receiving condolences from hundreds of people who waited in line, many fighting tears.

Friends of the teen  kids who had gone to elementary or high school with the girl  said they had not yet come to terms with the fact she was gone.

"It's like she's still here," said one of them.

Lyne Morel, one of the victim's relatives, said everyone is still in shock. But, she added, they are also touched by the outpouring of support for Oceane's grieving parents, Caroline Sarrazin and Francis Boyer.

"We're all so affected, we don't realize what's going on," said Morel, who is the aunt of Oceane's mother.

Inside the church, a photograph of Boyer was placed near the altar along with many bouquets of red, pink, white and purple flowers as well as a caged dove.

Robert Lemire, the priest who presided over the service, had baptized Oceane 13 years ago in the same church in which he was giving her funeral.

"Each of us is affected by the murder of Oceane," he said. "Oceane always wanted to succeed, she always saw the glass half full."

Kim, speaking on behalf of Oceane's aunts and who did not give her last name, said the victim was "a helpful young girl, always there to lend a hand, always full of compassion."

"Our little ball of energy, we will miss you," she said.

Ocean's aunts and uncles had her name tattooed on their body, as did uncle Mario Noel, who spoke to reporters and thanked Quebecers for their generosity.

The family emerged after the ceremony and in a final tribute, a dove was gently removed from a cage by Oceane's father and released.

Boyer's body was found along the side of a road Feb. 26 in Brownsburg-Chatham, in the Laurentians.

Her body had marks of violence and provincial police said she had died the same day she was found.

A man described as a friend of the family, Francois Senecal, was arrested the following day and charged with first-degree murder.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020.
How to dominate Google rankings in 2020; Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions announced the release of expert marketing for businesses wanting to increase google rankings through content and media

BEXLEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions, SEO and digital marketing agency in Sydney, announced the release of new affordable expert marketing solutions for small to medium sized businesses looking to improve their Google ranking and online presence.

The Sydney online marketing specialist partners with local businesses across Sydney to boost their online visibility and appearance in organic search results. Ranking on the first page of Google is of utmost importance for Sydney businesses to improve conversions, visibility, customer trust and brand awareness.

Clients looking to improve their web presence can get in touch with Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions at: https://www.sydneydigitalmarketingsolutions.com.au/contact

Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions partners with hundreds of high authority multimedia networks, and creates professional articles promoting the services of the business. These campaigns also include blog posting, custom podcasts and videos. The huge mainstream exposure that results from a single campaign significantly improves online reputation, brand visibility and authority for any chosen service or company product.

Having a great reputation online is crucial for any business in 2020 as customers research the company more than ever before they book a service or make a purchase online. 70% of the traffic goes to the top listings on Google so it is important to have a high ranking site.

The agency takes great pride in achieving client satisfaction and only works with a select few businesses at any one time to ensure the success of the business. The services are tailored for Sydney businesses wishing to build and engage an audience of ideal customers who are ready to book a service or purchase a product without delay.

Story continues

The company is known for its excellent results, getting more leads for its clients and improving the online presence for Sydney local businesses. All services are based on an extensive preliminary consultation and fully optimised according to the needs and marketing goals of each client.

Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions is also available for web design, reputation management, search engine optimisation and many other digital marketing solutions.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.

Contact Info:

Name: Gillian Sturevski

Email: Send Email

Organization: Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions Pty Ltd

Address: 34 Verdun Street, Bexley, NSW 2207, Australia

Website: https://www.sydneydigitalmarketingsolutions.com.au/

SOURCE: Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions Pty Ltd





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/579419/SEO-and-Digital-Marketing-Agency-Sydney-Local-Online-Marketing-Services




A coronavirus patient, the fourth case tested positive in New Zealand, reportedly attended a rock concert performed by the band Tool at Spark Arena, Auckland, the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told the media. The infected man was isolated in self-quarantine since February 26 as he did not require the hospital level health care at the time.

The patient in his 30s was seen attending the rock concert packed with thousand of people, Ashley confirmed. He said that a woman who is presumably his partner, another confirmed case of the coronavirus detected this past week, is suspected to have accompanied him. This, however, has not yet been established.

"He was in the general admission standing area in the front left-hand quadrant, Ministry of Health director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said at a news conference. We encourage people who were in the general admission standing area to be aware of symptoms of COVID-19. He further added saying that thousands of people have been exposed to the risk of the COVID-19 infection, the health authorities, although, are hopeful that the risk may be low.

Read: Washington DC Gets Its First Coronavirus Pop-up Shop

Read: Colorado, Maryland Announce New Coronavirus Cases

No way of tracking such a large number

Ashley further informed the New Zealand media present at the conference saying, There was no way of tracking the people who were in that area of the concert, they are classed as casual contacts. The advice to them is to call Healthline if they have any symptoms. He added saying, the people we are focused on tracking down right now are the close contacts, and health officials have been in touch with all those people. Reminding the New Zealanders that it was the need of the hour to track the presumptive cases, he said, We want to find cases, finding cases indicates success, not a failure. It's fundamental to protect the community.

As per reports from the agency, the man and his partner are the confirmed imported cases of COVID-19 that returned from Italy. Health officials were also busy yesterday contacting at least 100 passengers who travelled on two domestic flights between Palmerston North and Auckland with another confirmed case of coronavirus that entered the country.

Read: Coronavirus Cases In India Rise To 31; Health Ministry Advises Against Mass Gatherings

Read: Washington DC Gets Its First Coronavirus Pop-up Shop
In early 2020 the U.S. agreed to sell India an Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) that will upgrade many aspects of Indian air defense. This will include the capability of easily integrating all current and any future air defense equipment While the $1.9 billion IADWS will include some new equipment, the key element is the U.S. experience with getting all air defense systems to share target information and software that will advise the local air defense commander what system to use against the threat. This is often done automatically with one or more air defense systems given the target location and the order to fire. Currently, Indian forces do not have the ability to choose and use the appropriate weapon to deal with an aerial threat in a timely manner. This is an old problem that first manifested itself nearly half a century ago when the major nation armed forces found themselves with a large variety of air defense weapons and sensors (radar and optical) in a combat zone, but no way to use longer-range radars to warn local commanders that an aerial threat was headed their way that might not be taken down before it suddenly (to the local commander) reached them. By the end of the Cold War these integrated systems began to appear, at least ones that actually worked. Since the 1990s the U.S. has developed software communications systems that enable more systems (aerial and seaborne) to participate in an IADWS.

Back in the 1960s many nations already had multiple air defense systems in use. Lacking radio systems that could link all of them or software to speed up the calculations when each system would be able to fire on and hit an incoming aerial threat, each system was on its own to fire on threats that came within range. The concept was practical. Air defense commanders for each layer (as defined by range of weapons) fired on anything that was within range. That way air threats had to face more and more weapons as they went deeper into the air defenses. There was some overall command to warn friendly aircraft when they were entering an area where their IFF (electronic Identify Friend or Foe) transponder would automatically tell other aircraft and surface-based weapons using radar who was friendly and who was not and could be fired on.

For decades this system was the mainstay of layered air defense. It had obvious imperfections and the U.S. eventually used new technology and past experience to develop integrated systems that shared target data with air defense systems that could be promptly be reached by radio or linked computer systems. All this became essential as more low and slow systems like cruise missiles, helicopter gunships and jets became able to operate very close to the ground to avoid most radar. These days even these low flying systems can be detected but not quickly enough to be reliably stopped. An IADWS improves the ability to stop such threats.

The Indian IADWS contract involves obtaining some American Sentinel radars, which have been around for a while and were designed to detect a threat at all altitudes and work with an integrated system. The IADWS will include other sensors and communications systems that India can buy more of or, because of the nature of IADWS, integrate their own equivalent locally produced systems. IADWS provides the methods needed to quickly list all the required new sensors or communications systems must meet to become part of the IADWS.

India already has a wide array of air defense weapons and more are about to enter service. Indian air defense commanders have long known about the problem of integrating all of them to optimize coverage and effectiveness. The Indians only needed expert advice and some specific new hardware from someone who had already developed and used IADWS. The two obvious choices were the U.S. or Israel. The Americans and Israelis had already provided Israel with some aspects of IADWS and the Americans had the edge in some areas and got the contract.

This was not the first time India had turned to the U.S. for special air defense needs. In mid-2018 India decided to provide upgraded air defense for its capital with the same American-Norwegian NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) that has defended Washington DC since 2005 and many other major cities (or small countries) since. India spent about a billion dollars on NASAMS, which is an incredibly flexible and configurable system that can use a wide variety of commercial equipment (radars, networking software) as well as several different relatively inexpensive (but combat-tested) SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles) to defend New Delhi, the capital of India and long a target for Islamic terrorists.

As its name implies, NASAMS got its start in a large Norwegian defense firm (Kongsberg) that came up with the idea, in the 1990s, of using the combat-proven American AMRAAM air-to-air missiles as a SAM (surface to air missile). This was not a new idea, but using AMRAAM was the most ambitious use of air-to-air missiles as SAMs to date. One reason for using AMRAAM was that the United States was constantly updating the AMRAAM to improve performance and reliability. The Norwegian bought and deployed the first NASAMS system in 1998. While other systems have been developed using AMRAAM the Norwegian version is seen as the best of the lot. Norway has six NASAMS batteries for its own defense and ten other nations (besides the U.S. and Norway) have purchased NASAMS as well. NASAMS is a cost-effective defense against all forms of an aerial attack, including cruise missiles and terrorists trying to use UAVs or small commercial aircraft for suicide attacks.

A major upgrade (NASAMS 2) entered service in 2007 and this is the one India is buying. The new version had major improvements in the software and the ability to use the American Link 16 encrypted digital communications system that has become common in NATO aircraft and ground systems. NASAMS 2 was also adapted to work on a wider variety of radars and missiles. NASAMS 2 also made it possible to handle more targets (over 50) simultaneously and use the network to constantly know which launchers are within range when the fire order comes. The distributed nature of the many radars, launchers and fire control computers made NASAMS 2 very difficult to destroy.

There is no standard organization for a NASAMS 2 battery but most consist of 12 launchers, each carrying six missiles, on heavy trucks or stationary on the ground. Then there are eight target acquisition radars, usually the American MPQ-64 plus one or more FDCs (fire distribution center), and one tactical control vehicle (or in a fixed location) for overall control of the battery. The MPQ-64 costs about $3 million each and is a widely used American ground-based radar for detecting aerial targets.

NASAMS most often uses AMRAMM and the ground-based AMRAAM missile weighs 159 kg (350 pounds), has a range of 30 kilometers (its radar can see out 50-70 kilometers), and can hit targets as high as 21 kilometers (65,000 feet). What makes AMRAMM effective as a SAM (surface-to-air missile) is the capabilities of its guidance system (which is about two-thirds of the $400,000 missile's cost). IADWS will enable India to quickly integrate their own newly developed or imported surface-to-air

The NASAMS has a uniquely flexible open architecture that than now handles more than 25 different target acquisition radar systems and can fire just about any air-to-air missile that can be fired from NATO aircraft. All that is required is modifications to the size and electrical connections in the NASAMS launcher cells and software modification of the FDC. NATO has long-established standards for NATO weapons and NASAMS takes full advantage of this.

So far NASAMS has been configured with AIM-120 AMRAAM (together with ER variant), AIM-9X Sidewinder, ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) and European IRIS-T. The last one is an interesting story. Norway has a big stock of them for their F-16 but the new F-35 is not compatible with IRIS-T so they have decided to use this very modern European missile as an anti-aircraft weapon in NASAMS. This example clearly shows how flexible this system is while the competitor systems are tied to a limited number of missiles and radar.

To enable NASAMS to grow and be exportable Kongsberg, the largest defense firm in Norway doing about a billion dollars a year in sales, formed a joint venture with American defense firm Raytheon, which does $25 billion a year. As a NATO member and heavy user of American weapons systems, Kongsberg easily handled the various security aspects of all the military tech involved. Thus the new ER version of AMRAAM, with a more powerful rocket motor, was available for NASAMS in 2020 and Qatar was the first export customer to receive it.

The new AMRAAM ER surface-to-air missile has a max range of 50 kilometers and a max altitude of 25 kilometers (85,000 feet). For most NASAMS users this is more than they need because NASAMS takes full advantage of its ability to network a large number of target acquisition radars, FDCs and missile launchers to cover as a large an areas as there are target acquisition radars connected to the network. This is apparently a major reason why India choose NASAMS as it could make use of the many radars already watching the busy skies over the sprawling capital. Another factor at work here is that the more senior of the normally obstructionist Indian procurement bureaucrats live and work in New Delhi and the NASAMS has demonstrated its ability to handle terrorist threats. So getting this billion dollar deal approved and installed might be expedited out of a sense of self-preservation. Then again, maybe not. Strange (and epically inefficient) are the ways of the Indian bureaucracy.

The suitability of NASAMS in providing New Delhi with effective air defense against a large list of potential aerial threats went a long way towards getting IADWS accepted. While NASAMS has not yet been installed in New Delhi it has successfully made its way through the procurement system and will protect many senior procurement officials who live and work in the capital. Nothing like a little self-interest to move things along. India has also become more aware of low altitude threats because of the undeclared war Pakistan has intensified on the northeastern border. Then there is the Chinese threat on the northwestern border, where numerous Chinese UAVs (fixed wing and quadcopter) have been used, with surprising effectiveness. None of these Chinese UAVs are armed but if they were Indian commanders admit the Chinese would have a major advantage.
Attitude change needed: Its sad we have such a divided America because its so scary. We as Americans need to do a few things to change it. We have to start to be able to respectfully disagree with each other. Then we have to start loving one another and caring about other Americans instead of just our own ideas. We have to start treating the world kindly especially with our environment. We are destroying it one day at a time. We have the politicians who are not going to help us fix this. We need to make this country better for our grandkids and our great-grandkids.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States  Fri, March 6, 2020 08:31 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068ad781 2 World US,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak,COVID-19,health Free

US lawmakers passed an emergency $8.3 billion spending bill to combat the coronavirus Thursday as health workers boarded a cruise ship held off the coast of San Francisco to test sick passengers and crew.

The Senate gave sweeping bipartisan support to the funding a day after the House passed the bill, so that it could be quickly sent to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature.

"The American people are looking for leadership, they want assurance their government is up to the task of protecting the health and safety," said Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surged, particularly in northwest Washington state where another person succumbed to the illness, bringing the US death toll to 12. There have been more than 180 confirmed cases nationwide, according to an AFP tally.

Health workers meanwhile began testing 35 or so people on board the Grand Princess cruise ship who have shown flu-like symptoms, after one 71-year-old man who was on a previous voyage died from the virus.

There are nearly 3,500 passengers and crew on the vessel, which cut short its voyage back from Hawaii after the passengers began to fall ill.

Though not everyone was being tested, they will be isolated once the ship is finally allowed to dock, an official said.

One of the passengers contacted by AFP said there was no panic on board and people seemed to be taking the setback in stride.

"I can't get over how the news is sensationalizing our ship," said Carolyn Wright, 63, a professional photographer from New Mexico. "There were two cases on the previous cruise and they act like everybody on board has the plague."

She said passengers were told around midday on Thursday to remain in their cabins and that test results would be released early Friday.

The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the Diamond Princess -- the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month from which more than 700 people tested positive and six died.

School closures and teleworking

On Thursday, Washington state officials announced a jump in cases, from 39 to more than 70. Eleven of the 12 deaths have been reported there, with the other in California.

Tech firms in Seattle like Amazon, Facebook and Google were telling employees to work remotely, as was Microsoft in nearby Richmond.

Some schools in the state have also decided to close for a couple weeks and hold classes online.

Vice President Mike Pence, the White House pointman on the crisis, was due to visit the state.

US officials continue to stress that the overall risk to the public remains low and are urging people not to panic or buy masks -- which could create a shortage for those who require them.

The scientific data so far shows that elderly people and those with underlying conditions are most at risk of serious illness and the majority of deaths have occurred in a Seattle-area nursing home.

Nurses union slams preparation

But the largest nursing union in the US denounced Thursday the "disturbing" lack of preparation at many hospitals.

Nurses are working without necessary personal protective equipment and lack education and training for handling the disease, said National Nurses United director Bonnie Castillo.

"It is not a successful strategy to leave nurses and other health workers unprotected," she said.

Earlier, a top health official said the overall mortality rate for the novel coronavirus was lower than previously thought.

"The best estimates now of the overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is somewhere between 0.1 percent and one percent," Admiral Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary of health said at a news briefing.

He explained the new figure, far lower than previous estimates of 2 to 5 percent, by saying that there had been a significant underreporting of cases.
MANZINI - Jobs are up for grabs for qualified locals interested in becoming head teachers and deputy head teachers.



This comes after the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Executive Secretary Ncamsile Mtshali issued an announcement that the commission was looking for 31 head teachers and deputy head teachers. The executive secretary issued the announcement on Tuesday and said the commission was looking for 26 deputy head teachers and five head teachers.



She said out of the 26 deputy head teachers, 16 of them were needed for primary school positions while the remaining 10 were required to fill vacant high school positions.



On the other hand, the five required head teachers would fill vacant posts in high schools.

According to the announcement, some of the high schools that need head teachers include Mzimnene, Nsukumbili and Malindza. Mtshali said candidates for the head teachers positions should possess a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Educational Management, Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, Bachelors Honours Degree and Bachelors Degree in Educational

Management.



On the other hand, she said those who were interested in the deputy head teachers positions, should have at least 10 years working experience as teachers in the country. Furthermore, she said they should have a Bachelors Degree in Educational Management, Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, Bachelors Degree in Primary Education and Bachelors Honours

Degree.



She said application forms were available at regional education offices (REOs) and that an applicant should apply for a single position and one school. She said the deadline for submitting the application forms was set for Monday March 10, 2020 at 4:45pm.



On another note, the executive secretary said the TSC had a right to change a head teacher or deputy from one school to another using the Teaching Services Act of 1982 and Regulations of 1983. TSC Chairman Simanga Mamba confirmed the vacant positions.
Like other oilfield service companies, Houstons Nine Energy Service has been impacted by lower commodity prices and reduced drilling activity prompted by investor demands for capital discipline.

The market has been difficult, activity levels have been challenging, said Ann Fox, chief executive officer.

Like its upstream counterparts, capital markets have been absolutely shut to the service industry, she said during a visit to Midland. Service companies such as Nine have been living within cash flow, she said.

The company is trying to focus more on efficiency and will be investing more in operational excellence programs and safety programs, she said.

We work exclusively in completions, especially deep completions, she said.

She estimated the Permian Basin is 40 percent of its market, because it has the longest laterals, often just shy of 20,000 feet. The average lateral is about 10,000 feet.

Where operators can put together the acreage to support longer laterals, she said they often see more cost efficiencies.

Nine is introducing dissolvable plugs for the Permian Basin that are designed to facilitate deep-reaching completions.

They can go deep and wont have to go back in to drill out the plugs, she said.

Fox, who became CEO in 2015, is upbeat about the long-term outlook for the company and the industry. But she is also preparing the company for slower activity levels.

We work to control what we can control, she said.

And one of the things that can be controlled is safety, she said. Which is what brought her to the companys offices on Interstate 20 last week. She was in town to award 2019 Ford F-150 XLT trucks to two employees in recognition of their outstanding safety records.

The employees are Matthew Vick, a completion tool specialist in Marietta, Ohio, and Osbaldo Alcaraz Arana, a pump operator in Enid, Oklahoma.

Im excited to recognize two outstanding employees, Fox said.

The truck giveaway is a new program that she said will continue each year. Under the program, 30 employees who demonstrated outstanding safety records, qualified for the giveaway. The two winners names were drawn in a raffle.

Though the company had the best safety results in its history last year, Fox is looking to do even better.

She described an interdependent safety culture that offers a different type of program and processes.

It involves every single employee, she said. Employees are empowered to report any safety-related concerns they have. Local managers report any incidents and cause analyses are conducted.

We go back and do an audit to see if changes that should be made have been made, Fox said. We also look at feedback on how those changes were implemented.

A software program also provides real-time safety updates.

Employees buy into the safety program, Fox said, because the information flows up to my office.

Nine, which has 1,500 employees, operates in the major U.S. basins  the Permian, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, Niobrara, Barnett, Bakken, Marcellus and Utica, and throughout Canada.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive in Brussels next Monday for a single-day official visit, a statement from the Presidency said, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

According to the statement, the president will discuss the lifting of visa restrictions for Turkish citizens, the refugee crisis and amendments to the Customs Union.

Erdogan will be in the Belgian and EU capital on March 9, where he will meet top European officials.

Ankara has repeatedly complained that Europe has failed to keep its promises under a 2016 EU-Turkey refugee deal to help migrants and stem further migrant waves.

Turkish officials announced last week that they would no longer try to stop migrants from reaching Europe. Since then, thousands of migrants and asylum seekers have flocked to the Turkish province of Edirne along the border with Greece and Bulgaria to make their way into Europe.

The refugee crisis has been the main topic of discussion between Turkey and the EU recently after the formers decision not to hold back migrants anymore as it already hosts over four millions of them.

The Greek reaction to refugees has been harsh, with several killed and many battered, attacked and teargassed by Greek forces.

Turkey's decision on asylum seekers was made after 34 Turkish soldiers were killed by forces of Syrias Bashar Assad regime in Idlib, northwestern Syria last week.

The Turkish soldiers were working to protect local civilians under a 2018 deal with Russia under which acts of aggression are prohibited in the region.

Turkey, which already hosts some 3.7 million Syrian migrants, more than any country in the world, says it cannot absorb another refugee wave.
The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a US tourist tested positive, the prime minister said Friday.

The tiny, land-locked country, famous for measuring Gross National Happiness has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years.

But the government immediately shut borders to foreign visitors for two weeks in an effort to limit the impact of a disease that has wreaked havoc in more developed countries around the world.

The 76-year-old man arrived in Bhutan from India on March 2, and was admitted to hospital on March 5 with a fever, where he tested positive for COVID-19, the office of Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said in a Facebook post.

The post added that there would be "two weeks' restriction on all incoming tourists with immediate effect".

Schools in three areas -- including the capital Thimphu -- will be closed for two weeks from Friday.

The patient, who has not been named, left Washington on February 10, touring India from February 21 to March 1.

Health officials say they have traced roughly 90 people he came into contact with in Bhutan, with his 59-year-old partner, driver and guide all being placed in quarantine. None is currently showing symptoms.

Eight Indian nationals who were on the flight to Bhutan have also been quarantined.

More than 3,000 people have died from novel coronavirus, with nearly 100,000 confirmed infections globally.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While the threat of the coronavirus may seem dire in San Francisco, theres a long way to go to reach the widespread fear surrounding the 1918 Spanish influenza.

That fear turned out to be very well justified. Even with mandatory masks under penalty of arrest, mass quarantines and a ban on public dancing, the Spanish flu killed thousands of San Franciscans, many more than the 1906 earthquake and fires.

As the deadly virus spread quickly through the Midwest, the first San Francisco case was reported on Sept. 23, 1918, when Edward Wagner of Eddy Street reportedly brought the flu by train from Chicago. Within the next three weeks, there were more than 500 cases and nearly 50 deaths in the city.

By mid-October, the Presidio Army base was closed to outsiders because of virus fears, and city leaders announced wearing masks in public was mandatory, under penalty of a $100 fine and 10 days in jail. The San Francisco Department of Public Health told commuters to keep streetcar windows open. Dancing was discouraged, and later banned.

You are urgently requested to refrain from dancing in public places, as this is one of the most active and harmful means of spreading infection, a Department of Public Health report stated, through the dust raised, close contact with people and intermingling of breaths.

Citizens seeking refuge at church found diminishing solace. At the First Baptist Church on Octavia Street at Market Street, the theme of one early October service was The Spanish Influenza, One of the Last Plagues. The sermon was moved outside because of influenza fears.

Courtesy Oakland Public Library

By Sunday, Oct. 20, The Chronicle reported, most churches were closed.

The Church Federation would remind the people that laws of health are as sacred as the Ten Commandments and should be diligently obeyed, the San Francisco Church Federation wrote in a statement on The Chronicle religion page.  We suggest this text for these days: I will not fear, for thou art with me.

There were pleas not to panic in the early days, and suggestions that the new rules were precautionary. But by the end of October, one grim story after another filled the pages of the newspaper. In that month alone, more than 15,000 people got sick and 500 died.

And unlike the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, children seemed to be hit even harder than adults.

The Chronicle 1918

Each child was tagged with his name, address and number, The Chronicle reported, in a story about children being moved from San Francisco Hospital to the Childrens Hospital. There were dark-eyed babies and fair babies, large and small. All were pale and wan, drawn by the fever they had defeated. All were silent. None were attended by mothers and fathers. Many had been made orphans since they had come to the big hospital.

With hospitals filled, buildings, including the railroad car barn in the Presidio and Oakland Civic Auditorium, were filled with beds for quarantined Spanish flu patients. Police trucks were used as ambulances.

Red Cross volunteers used gauze to make masks by the thousands, and photos from the time show they were being used.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

A photo from The Chronicle archive shows a crowd outside the papers Market Street newsroom on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, marking the end of World War I. As torches burn and flags wave in celebration, almost everyone on the street is wearing a mask.

Before the deaths started piling up, there were advertisements by drug companies for miracle cures. Owl Drug Store recommended frequent use of throat gargles, mouth washes and nasal sprays, selling Listerine for 23 cents as an influenza fighter. (It wasnt.)

By the time the virus circulated again in early 1919, more than 6,000 Bay Area residents were dead. It was a small fraction of the 675,000 who died in the United States, and more than 50 million worldwide.

Thankfully, the coronavirus has a long way to go to reach 1918 levels of devastation. The first two cases in San Francisco were confirmed this week, with proactive steps, including school closures, already beginning. There are antibiotics and other tools to fight the virus and its secondary effects.

With science and luck, the coronavirus wont come anywhere near the worst flu of the last century. The Spanish influenza should never be topped.

Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub
At one point in August 2018, the stock was trading at around Rs 300 and the then MD & CEO Rana Kapoor had vowed never to sell his shares. He wanted to pass them on to his daughter. A year and a half later, the situation today is completely different.

At 1:30 pm today, the stock was trading at Rs 16.80 apiece on the BSE, down by about 55 per cent from previous close. In fact, it had crashed as much as 85% earlier in the day to Rs 5.55.

In a late evening announcement on Thursday, the (RBI) superseded the board of and imposed a month-long moratorium citing the banks poor financial conditions.

For depositors, this means that they cannot withdraw more than Rs 50,000 without written permission from the RBI during this period. For its part, the bank cannot grant or renew any loans, or incur any liability, except for payment towards employees salaries, rent, taxes and legal expenses till the moratorium is in place.

However, in situations of medical emergency or marriages, depositors could withdraw up to Rs 5 lakh or the amount lying in account, whichever is less.

The RBI also appointed former chief financial officer Prashant Kumar as YES Banks administrator. The central bank said it was left with no alternative except taking this decision in the interest of the public and the banks depositors.

The RBI averred that the steady decline in the financial condition of the bank had been largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits.

that failed to repay their loans to YES Bank include Dewan Housing Finance, Essel group, CG Power, the Anil Ambani group companies, and Videocon.

The crisis at the bank began in 2018 and grew gradually. In September that year, the RBI reduced Rana Kapoors new three-year term as CEO until January 31, 2019. The next day, the YES Bank stock tanked 30 per cent and continued its downward spiral.

In October, the RBI refused Kapoor more time and asked the promoters of the bank to find a new CEO.

All this led to poor quarterly results and the banks asset quality deteriorated.

YES Bank later said it had a huge exposure to debt-laden IL&FS. Independent director Ashok Chawla resigned from the YES Bank board, and Vasant Gujarathi stepped down. In November, independent director Rentala Chandrashekhar resigned.

The same month, Moody's downgraded the bank's rating, owing to the resignations from the board.

After Kapoors exit, new CEO Ravneet Gill, who came from Deutsche Bank  was tasked with reviving the bank. However, Gill failed to bring any respectable investor on board, even as several names came up  from and Paytm, JC Flowers and Tilden Park Capital. In fact, in a bizarre case, one of the potential investors turned out to a man who had filed for bankruptcy in Canada.

So, what now?

In view of the recent move, RBI Governor on Friday said: "The decision is taken at a 'larger level', not at individual entity level, and the move is

aimed at ensuring safety of financial system."

The governor expressed confidence that the YES Bank resolution would be done very swiftly, and that 30 days had been set as the outer limit.

Meanwhile, vexed customers of the bank are facing multitude of problems in withdrawing and transferring their money using ATMs and online platforms. Long queues were seen outside YES Bank ATMs. Problems have been reported in the banks mobile application and net banking services, too. The services of Walmart-owned PhonePe, which uses YES Banks banking system for payments, has also been down since Thursday evening.

confirmed that its board had given its in-principle approval to consider an investment opportunity in YES Bank, although no decision had yet been taken to pick up stake in the bank.

Media reports quoting highly-placed sources on Thursday indicated that the government had approved a rescue plan for YES Bank involving SBI and of India (LIC) and an announcement in this regard might be made soon.

LIC already owns 51 per cent in IDBI Bank, which it acquired in 2018 to infuse capital into the troubled lender. Sources said both LIC, which already holds ... To know more, listen to this podcast
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 15:44:28|Editor: huaxia

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FUZHOU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Using a drone to obtain the evidence, police in the east China city of Xiamen have intercepted a group of suspects who illegally dumped waste into the sea near a national nature reserve.

The suspects on a ship were en route toward the sea area near Tuyu Island in Xiamen, where they had dumped more than 5,000 cubic meters of silt before the police interception, according to a police investigation.

The police said it is difficult to discover marine waste dumping, because such operations are secret and happen quickly, making it difficult to discover.

With aerial photographs taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle, the police collected evidence of the dumping location, navigation tracking, operation area and dumping volume.

Police said the sea area is close to the nature reserve, which is a sanctuary for Chinese white dolphins, an endangered species. Police have strengthened the supervision of environmental pollution in the area.
The Rochester Christian Womens Connection is holding "A Welcoming Spring Luncheon" from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Eagles Club, located at 917 15th Ave. SE.

Tami from Sargents on 2nd with discuss "Planting and Care of Orchids"; Raymond Berg will sing and play guitar; and Suzanne Berg, of Mound, will share the "Joy in the Journey."

The event costs $15 per person. To make a reservation, call Darlene at 507-765-4921 or email mploetz@hbcsc.net . Reservations must be kept, cancelled or given to a friend.

Sisters of Saint Francis holding community presentation

The Sisters of Saint Francis are active all year, but this week, for "Catholic Sisters Week," theyll share their community involvement in a presentation titled "Communities of Spirit, Hearts for Ministry" on Sunday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, located at 1001 14th St. NW in Rochester.

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Theyll talk about their passions and efforts, as well as what you can do to support their work.

The event is free of charge. To reserve a seat, register under the "Events" page at www.rochesterfranciscan.org .

St. Marks suspending monthly suppers until after Easter

St. Marks Episcopal Church in Lake City will be suspending their monthly suppers until after Easter, resuming them Wednesday, May 13.

During Lent, St. Marks and Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Wabasha will join together for weekly Wednesday suppers and the study of "Receiving Jesus, the Way of Love" by Mariann Edgar Budde. St. Marks and Grace continue to partner in the Total Ministry program of the Episcoal Church in Minnesota.

ECMN has elected a new bishop to replace Bishop Brian Prior, who will be retiring. The new bishop will be the Very Rev. Craig Loya as the 10th bishop of Minnesota. He was elected at the 162nd convention of the Episcopal Church, which was held on Jan. 25. Representing St. Marks were the Rev. Barb Mathias, the Rev. Lynne Sprick and Paul Nelson. They all supported the nomination of Loya.

Anyone who is interested in the Episcopal Church is invited to attend service every Sunday at 10 a.m. at 110 S. Oak St., Lake City, the church with the historic red door across from Patton Park. On the fifth Sunday of the month, the service is moved to Lake City Care Center at 10.

St. Marks parish priest is the Rev. Barbara Mathias, and the organist is Coleen Fowler.

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Everyone is invited to receive Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church.
The Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment during question hour on Friday with Congress and some other opposition members trooping into the well of the House over their demand for an immediate discussion on Delhi violence.

Congress members were also protesting against the suspension of seven party members for the rest of the budget session.

As soon as the House met for the day, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, who was in the chair, took up the question hour.

However, opposition members continued their protest and he announced that the House has been adjourned till 2 pm. However, the time was revised it was communicated that the House will meet again at 12 noon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tarrytown, NY, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Nightfood, Inc. (OTCQB: NGTF), the better-for-you ice cream company recently recommended as the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association (APA), announced today that shipping fees on BuyNightfood.com have been reduced to allow more affordable access to Nightfood for millions of pregnant women across the country.



Since the February 20th announcement that Nightfood secured the endorsement of the American Pregnancy Association, the Company has received significant national media attention, highlighted by coverage on The Rachael Ray Show , TheBump.com , and BabyGaga .

Those online articles live online forever and we expect many more, commented Nightfood CEO Sean Folkson. This is what I meant when I said that in a few months, newly pregnant women will be hearing about Nightfood wherever they turn. We have more supermarket chains to announce very soon, but even with an exceptionally fast rollout, there will be regions where pregnant women may not have local access to Nightfood until early 2021 or beyond.

Nightfood has already secured and announced distribution in major divisions of Kroger (Harris Teeter) and Albertsons (Jewel-Osco), the two largest supermarket chains in the United States.

Shipping frozen goods, such as ice cream, is inherently more costly than standard E-commerce shipping, where temperature control is not an issue. Because of this, the Company previously had not made e-commerce a focus. Prior to this reduction in shipping, which the Company began testing in late February, shipping of an 8-pint order of Nightfood was charged at $19. Shipping for the same order now is only $6.95.

Recognizing the tremendous sphere of influence each consumer has these days, the Company views the expense associated with reducing shipping charges as a valuable long-term marketing investment. Getting Nightfood into the hands of a greater number of enthusiastic expectant moms early can help spread the word, drive local demand, and more quickly entrench the brand as an accepted staple within the pregnancy community.

Remember, over 10,000 new women every day enter the pregnancy segment, so were anticipating rapid growth in coming months and quarters in terms of both distribution points, and retail sales velocity, added Folkson. The increase in frequency and size of the reorders weve received in the last few weeks from our retailers indicate product is moving well with our recent marketing initiatives which include price promotions, retailer coop advertising, and heavy local influencer marketing.

Folkson continued, We dont yet know if this significant increase in volume is related to the pregnancy market but we should be able to better gauge that in coming weeks. If it has already started, I view it as the tip of the iceberg. I dont know the exact value to be placed on being the single must-have ice cream for pregnant women across the country, but thats exactly what were set out to do.

Amid temporary concerns at this moment over coronavirus, election cycles, and other macro-economic issues, Management reminds investors that expenditures on small indulgences, especially comfort items, tend to remain strong in such environments. Furthermore, Management believes families will continue to have children, and that consumers, including pregnant women, will continue to crave and consume ice cream at night.

Every customer who orders online takes their relationship with the brand to a new level, added Jessie Trinchard, Nightfoods sales director. They can become raving fans and ambassadors for the brand. Some may mention Nightfood in discussion forums, groups, and social media. Many will request their local supermarkets start carrying the product. Were doing this to help accelerate those relationships and conversations, which we expect to have important long-term benefits.

An online order of 8 pints of Nightfood at BuyNightfood.com will now average under $7 per pint, including the cost of shipping. Consumers can order as many pints as they want and shipping will not increase from $6.95. Each pint is $5.99 online, while most retailers sell Nightfood pints for $4.99 - $5.99 in store.

Nightfoods E-commerce fulfillment partner, etailer, inc. is the online retail arm for brands such as Ben & Jerrys, Halo Top, and more.

About Nightfood Holdings:

Nightfood Holdings, Inc. (OTC: NGTF), owns Nightfood, Inc. and MJ Munchies, Inc.

After manufacturing their first pint in 2019, Nightfood recently secured ice cream distribution in divisions of the two largest supermarket chains in the United States, Kroger (Harris Teeter) and Albertsons (Jewel-Osco).

Nightfood ice cream won the 2019 Product of the Year award in the ice cream category in a Kantar survey of over 40,000 consumers. Nightfood was also named Best New Ice Cream in the 2019 World Dairy Innovation Awards.

In February, 2020, it was announced that Nightfood received the endorsement of the American Pregnancy Association as the recommended ice cream for the over three million pregnant women in the United States at any given time. With more calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, and protein, and less sugar and a lower glycemic profile, Nightfood is now the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association.

Over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, resulting in an estimated 700M+ nighttime snack occasions weekly, and an annual spend on night snacks of over $50 billion dollars, the majority of it on options that are understood to be both unhealthy, and disruptive to sleep quality.

Scientific research indicates these unhealthy nighttime cravings are driven by human biology. Willpower is also weakest at night, contributing to unhealthy night snacking behavior, and the majority of night snackers report feeling both guilty and out-of-control when it comes to their nighttime snacking.

Because unhealthy night snacking is biologically driven, and not a trend or a fad, management believes the category of nighttime-specific nutrition, which Nightfood is pioneering, will be a billion-dollar category.

MJ Munchies, Inc. was formed in 2018 as a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Nightfood Holdings, Inc. to capitalize on legally compliant opportunities in the CBD and marijuana edibles and related spaces. The Company is seeking licensing opportunities to market such products under the brand name Half-Baked, for which theyve successfully secured trademark rights.

Questions can be directed to investors@Nightfood.com

Forward Looking Statements:

This current press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, any products sold or cash flow from operations.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with distribution and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:

Tim Sullivan

media@Nightfood.com

732-816-0239

Investor Contact:

Stuart Smith

investors@Nightfood.com

888-888-6444, x3
Halifax, NS, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nova Scotias vaping policies will actually help big tobaccos low volume  high nicotine, closed pod systems and does nothing to discourage youth nicotine use.

Yesterday the Nova Scotia Law Amendments Committee heard from adult vapers, industry representatives and Nova Scotia shop owners and the message was clear, says Darryl Tempest, Executive Director, the Canadian Vaping Association. Nova Scotias policies are a disaster for ex-smokers and small non-tobacco retailers but a big win for Big Tobacco

The Nova Scotia vaping policies benefit big tobacco; the flavour ban policy will wipe out the adult-only vape shop network and send ex-smokers back to smoking tobacco. With the adult only vape shops closed, all vaping related sales will be driven through the convenience/gas station channel where tobacco companies have financial influence over retailers and dont provide any harm reduction expertise. Finally, the taxation model which taxes e-liquids by volume means that low nicotine products used by adults will now cost more than cigarettes and Big Tobaccos high nicotine products, which are attractive to youth, will cost less.

The CVA has worked with other Provincial governments across Canada to effectively stop the youth vaping surge, said Darryl Tempest. They are limiting the amount of nicotine in pod systems to only 20mg and eliminating all flavours in the convenience store channel where youth have access. They designated adult-only expert vape shops as the only venues that adult ex-smokers can continue to get flavoured e-liquids. Some provinces are introducing new vaping taxes to help fund enforcement and education. The CVA agrees with changes introduced by the Governments of BC, Alberta, PEI and Ontario.

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) and industry representatives from across the province call on the NS Government to set aside Bill 233, delay the introduction of the April 1st flavour ban and sit down with industry to develop a policy framework that will stop youth from access vaping products while ensuring that most adults can quit smoking in Nova Scotia.

About the Canadian Vaping Association

The Canadian Vaping Association (thecva.org) is a registered national, not-for-profit organization, established as the voice for the burgeoning Canadian vaping industry. Founded in 2014, the CVA represents over 300 retail and online vaping businesses in Canada, not including tobacco companies or affiliates. The association is the primary liaison with the federal and provincial governments on all legislative and regulatory issues related to the industry. The primary goal of CVA is to ensure that government regulation is reasonable and practical, through the strategy of professional proactive communication and education supplied bilingually to health officers, media, and elected officials.
PM to meet with customs chief Nefyodov on failure to meet customs revenue targets

15:40, 06.03.20 2052

Shmyhal specified no other details of the scheduled meeting.
Destiny Herrera said her foster father first offered her money for sex when she was 15 years old. She thought he was kidding.

It was a spring afternoon in 2013, and she was watching the 53-year-old tinker with a motorcycle in the garage.

He offered $200, she said.

The advances began soon after she moved into Miguel Brisenos ranch-style home in rural Medina County, she said, where he and his wife were licensed to care for up to a dozen foster children at once.

At first, Briseno offered her a kiss, only to laugh and hold up a bag of Hersheys chocolate kisses, she said. When he brushed the side of her breast in the doorway, he called it an accident, she remembered.

All of it made Destiny uncomfortable. But this time in the garage, as Briseno reached for his wallet, she said her heart began to race with fear.

He was serious, she said. That scared me. It freaked me out.

So she did what many foster children do not  she went to the police, a move that ultimately ended Brisenos decade-long stint as a foster parent.

After facing allegations for years, Briseno is now scheduled for trial next week in San Antonio in a proceeding that will shed light on how allegations by foster youth are treated by state officials charged with keeping the children safe.

Brisenos attorney, Loraine Efron, declined to comment on the case specifics, but said it involves extremely sensitive, serious and very important issues.

The rush to judgment of an accused is a dangerous thing and can result in tragic consequences, Efron said. The presumption of innocence is a precious thing.

At the time of her outcry to police, Destiny had no way of knowing that years later several more women would come forward at the height of the #MeToo movement alleging Briseno had sexually abused them when they lived in his home as teenagers in the 2000s.

Or that years earlier, two girls had reported Briseno for making advances, only to have their claims dismissed by state regulators.

In the past decade, Texas has received over 3,600 allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes licensed by private agencies, records show. State investigators with the Department of Family and Protective Services have validated fewer than 170 of those claims  roughly 5 percent of the total.

Child welfare experts said the small number of confirmed sexual-abuse allegations in foster care is the result of myriad factors.

Foster children are supposed to be regularly checked on by caseworkers from the state, the court and private foster care agencies, who may err on the side of caution by reporting any possible sign of trouble. Children may lodge false allegations in the hopes of being returned home or moved to a new place. Some may recant out of fear, shame or a sense of loyalty to the foster parent.

Most of all, claims of sexual abuse are difficult to investigate. Theres rarely physical evidence or any witnesses, so the investigation can rest largely on the childs word.

For all sorts of reasons, people decide childrens disclosures arent credible, said Sarah Font, an assistant professor of sociology at Pennsylvania State University who focuses on the child welfare system. Part of that is about training and part of that is perpetrators target kids who are vulnerable.And those vulnerabilities make it less likely people will believe them.

At the start, Destiny believed her complaint was taken seriously. But that feeling quickly faded.

Passed around without being asked anything

A feisty teenager with thick brown hair and deep dimples, Destiny was used to fending for herself.

Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

She grew up with a single mother who would disappear for weeks at a time, leaving Destiny and her siblings behind in a home that went dark or lost running water as unpaid bills piled up. Then, her older sister Faith would fill up five gallon jugs with water at a convenience store so they could bathe.

When Destiny was taken into foster care around age 13, she was separated from Faith, who she wasnt even allowed to call at first.

Destiny could have gone to her caseworker at the first sign of trouble with Briseno, but there were risks. She hardly knew the woman, her second caseworker in less than two years.

Plus, speaking up might mean being moved to another foster home that could be worse or further away from Faith, who lived 40 minutes from the Brisenos. Destiny learned such moves could come at a moments notice. When Destiny emerged from the shower at her previous foster home, she found her caseworker downstairs next to boxes filled with her clothes and shoe collection. Within the hour, the caseworker was driving Destiny down a dirt road toward Briseno's house.

I felt like an object, like being passed around without being asked anything, she said. I didnt feel like a person.

There was also the distinct possibility that no one would believe her. Thats more or less what happened to the girls who spoke up before Destiny.

Initial complaints about Briseno dismissed

Miguel Briseno, a stocky 5 feet, 7 inches tall with curly black hair, and his wife, Debra, became licensed as foster parents around 2002. While the girls living in their home knew Debra as the enforcer who handed out medication and drove them to appointments in a big van, Miguel was the joker who gave the girls nicknames. Many came to call the couple mom and dad.

Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

"I never had a dad, and he filled that void with love and understanding and acceptance. He is not the man that they are making it look," Selena De La Cruz told the Express-News in 2017. She lived with the Brisenos from 2009 to 2010, before Destiny arrived.

Not everyone was happy. In 2009, an 18-year-old reported she had been alone with Briseno in the kitchen seeking dating advice, when he noted that she liked to go out with older boys. Would you reject me? he asked her, according to the girls report.

Two years later, in 2011, an 18-year-old called a crisis hotline saying she had nowhere to go and did not want to return to her former foster home. Miguel Briseno, she said, had asked how much she would charge for sex.

State inspectors looked into the allegations. They interviewed Miguel Briseno, who denied making inappropriate comments and said he is never alone with a child in care. The other foster girls didnt know anything about the allegations, but generally said they liked living there.

The two investigators, however, gathered little evidence from outside the familys home. They did not talk to any of the girls friends, their teachers or even former residents. Theres no record the state inspector interviewed the 18-year-old who made the second report.

Both claims were dismissed.

Over the years, law enforcement officials would later say, about 180 girls passed through the Briseno home.

She thought no one would believe her

Destiny didnt own a cell phone. She borrowed a friends at school in April 2013 and typed out a text message to Faith.

Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

I told her that he said that he would pay me money to have sex with me, Destiny said. That was the main thing that bothered me, that drew the line, basically in my eyes, when I was younger.

Faith was posing with her boyfriend in a photo booth at the mall when she received the message. As she read it, she began to cry. We have to pick her up, she remembers telling her boyfriend.

They drove to Devine High School, pulled Destiny out of class and took her to the sheriffs office.

Inside, Destiny sat down at a table across from a sheriffs deputy and felt comfortable for the first time in weeks.

The Medina County Sheriffs Office took Destinys allegations seriously and soon began interviewing the nine other girls who lived at the Briseno home. One of them said Briseno paid her $5 to let him kiss her and use his tongue. She also said that Briseno had put his hands under her blouse and touched her breast. The 17-year-old explained she never said anything before because she thought no one would believe her, a sheriffs report says.

Texas Child Protective Services struggled with what to do. The day Destiny reported Briseno, she went home with Faith, who was 19 years old at the time. Her caseworker was the one who considered Briseno a threat.

The other caseworkers refused to remove the remaining girls from the Briseno home, sheriffs records show. Officials from the Department of Family and Protective Services eventually decided it would be too hard on the girls, who ranged in age from 12 to 18 years old, to move them out in May, so close to the end of the school year. Instead, the state asked Briseno to leave.

Its not clear how long the girls continued to live there. DFPS declined to say.

By October 2013, Briseno had been indicted on a felony charge of solicitation to commit sexual assault of a child. Two months later, state investigators concluded Briseno had sexually abused the foster children in his care. The foster home was shut down.

Missed, but not missing

As the criminal case against Briseno dragged on for the next two years, Destiny looked forward to confronting him in court.

During that time, Destiny kept moving. She ran away from her sisters house. She moved into another foster home outside San Antonio and briefly lived in the Dallas area with her mother.

By the time Briseno was scheduled to go to trial in September 2015, Medina County prosecutors didnt know where Destiny was. The last they heard, the teenager had run away, former district attorney Daniel Kindred said.

But Destiny wasnt missing. She was in state custody. Two weeks earlier, a judge had committed Destiny to a juvenile detention center 200 miles north of Medina County, according to confidential state records she shared with Hearst Newspapers.

Destiny knew Brisenos trial was approaching. She asked her caseworker if she could testify, she said. OK, she thought to herself, I can do this.

Maybe it would help her move on. Destiny wrestled with guilt over reporting Briseno to the police, instead of telling him to stop. She felt responsible for breaking up a home that was loved by many of her foster sisters. Some of them accused her of lying.

Still, she lived with fear. A memory from her time at the Brisenos jolted her awake at night, her pillow often wet with tears. While living there, Destiny took an anti-anxiety medication after dinner that made her drowsy. She remembered lying in bed, fighting to stay awake and seeing Brisenos feet shuffle, then stop, outside her bedroom door.

Its not clear why her location  inside the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood  was not made known to Kindred and his team before the trial.

Destiny said she was told transportation was the problem, but she blamed herself.

I felt like it was my fault for being locked in juvenile, she said. I tried to get in contact with everybody and nobody wanted to take me.

Without her testimony, prosecutors faced a dilemma: delay and try to find her or make a deal.

Our backs were against the wall, said Kindred, now a state judge in Medina County. We certainly didnt want to dismiss it.

Briseno, who was facing a felony, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempted assault, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to six months of probation, records show.

Spokesmen for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department said the agencies usually work together to make sure children in their care can testify. Neither would comment on the specifics of her case.

We dont know why she did not testify, DFPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins said.

Destiny simply thought people had stopped taking her seriously.

I was so eager to say what happened, she said. But as the months passed, then the years passed, I thought Oh, they dont believe me. Thats why they arent talking to me.

Then came new allegations that could not be ignored.

Mi hija, is that him?

Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown announced an arrest in October 2017 that made statewide news. Briseno was charged with sexually assaulting three of his former foster daughters  both in Bexar County, where the couple lived when they first began taking children into their home, and in Medina.

One of the women alleged Briseno started hitting on her six months after she arrived in 2005. Then, she claimed Briseno forced himself on her in a garage behind the house, where she used to watch him work on cars. The alleged sexual abuse continued for three years, she told police, until she turned 18 years old and moved out, according to a sheriffs report.

Another woman claimed Briseno began touching and kissing her in the Super S market in Somerset at the beginning of her stay, from 2006 to 2009. This was her first foster home, the woman told police, and she was afraid if she complained she would be removed and sent somewhere else.

Those girls were taken from some environment and then you have some jackass like him abusing these girls that already have troubles, Brown told the Express-News at the time. If youve stayed at that house, if you were a foster child (in Brisenos care), please contact us, Brown said.

Destinys cell phone lit up with calls. Mi hija, is that him? her aunt asked.

Destiny called the police and said she left a voicemail. When she didnt hear back, she left another. After months passed without any contact, she gave up.

It seemed kind of helpless, she said in spring 2018, her eyes welling with tears. I felt ignored, honestly.

If Destiny couldnt testify, she thought, she would sit through the trial.

By summer 2018 Briseno was indicted in Bexar County on 12 counts that include sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child and compelling prostitution, for allegedly offering one teenager cigarettes in exchange for sexual contact.

As the case against him grew, Destiny was getting her life in order. She had enrolled in college classes in San Antonio with hopes of becoming a psychologist. She lived with her boyfriends family outside the city and bought her first car  a used Chrysler sedan  she drove to class. One day, she hoped to drive it to the courthouse to face Briseno.

Destiny will never have the chance. She was driving home from a friends house early in the morning in January 2019 when she lost control of her car and crashed into a building.

Something to be scared of

Her blood alcohol level was .26 percent, more than three times the limit at which a driver is considered too intoxicated to drive, a toxicology report said. Destiny died shortly after emergency responders pulled her from the wreck.

Its been a year since her death, but Faith still struggles to understand what happened. A teenager herself when she took Destiny in, Faith tried to her best to care for her little sister, who at that time in her life rarely listened to rules and sometimes ran away. In recent years, Faith saw Destiny mature. She turned down nights out to do homework and had Faith help her apply for state services available to former foster youth.

Josie Norris /Staff Photographer

Faith is planning to attend Brisenos trial, which is scheduled for March 13. She knows it is what Destiny would have wanted.

She was very brave, very brave, Faith, now a nurse, said during a recent interview. Its so damaging to be in the system even if you arent physically or sexually abused. Its another form of prison. You are kind of locked away from society in general. And I feel like that takes a big toll on kids.

While other foster children may have accepted defeat, Destiny kept pushing, Faith said.

Its easier to turn a blind eye than to investigate something further. And I just feel like a lot of times when young women, or even boys, come and say something the first thing people do is judge them. Well what type of person are you? Are you lying?

I feel like that is something to be scared of, Faith said. Thats just not a situation anyone should ever have to be in.

amorris@express-news.net
In a new Hulu documentary about her life and career in politics, former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton opens up about a number of things shes fought against throughout her career, including Republicans.

But theres one famous GOPer Clinton says shell forever be grateful to: former President George W. Bush.

As the documentarys fourth episode recaps Clintons post-first lady life in politics  from her eight years as a New York senator to her time as the Secretary of State in the Obama administration  she talks about how the 9/11 attacks changed everything for her and other lawmakers used to the back-and-forth politics on Capitol Hill.

Everything changed on September 11th, says Clinton, 72, as the tone of the documentary sobers while recounting the worst terror attack thats ever taken place on American soil.

More than 2,600 people died in the attacks on the World Trade Center in downtown New York City and nearly 3,000 died in total, including an attack at the Pentagon and the thwarted hijacking of United 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

I went that day, Clinton says in Hulus Hillary, which premiered Friday. It looked like hell. I mean, any depiction  Dantes Inferno  paled in comparison. It was the most terrible site Ive ever personally seen. I think about it all the time.

RELATED: Bill Clinton Tells All About Monica Lewinsky in Hillary Doc  the Most Stupid Thing I Could Possibly Do



STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Hillary Clinton visiting Ground Zero one day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks

The U.S. General Accounting Office noted in 2003 that the attacks damaged the Manhattan economy, given that some businesses were destroyed, displaced or impacted by street closures and a lack of utility services. An estimated 83,000 jobs were lost from September through December that year, in addition to the massive clean-up effort that needed to return the area to functioning capacity.

Story continues

Clinton explains in Hillary how Congress had sent a $20 billion request for funds soon after the attacks in order to begin the recovery process. But, much to her and other state lawmakers surprise, that money wasnt going to N.Y.C.

I mean, we thought there was something wrong. It couldnt be true, she remembers. [New York Sen.] Chuck Schumer and I, we were invited to meet with the president. And we asked him for $20 billion and he said, You got it. 

A week after the 9/11 attacks, Congress allocated an additional $20 billion, with all of it going to New York.

For all of my disagreements with President Bush, I will forever be grateful to him for guaranteeing we got the money we needed to rebuild New York, Clinton says in Hillary.

RELATED: George W. Bush Did Not Vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump



Mike Albans/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Hillary Clinton (center) visiting Ground Zero on Sept. 20, 2001

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty President George W. Bush (left) at Ground Zero on Sept. 14, 2001

Clinton and Bush still had their disagreements, though. The former senator explains in the Hulu doc that because of how she viewed the American economy under Bushs watch, she decided to make her first run for president in 2008  losing out to future President Barack Obama for the Democratic Partys nomination.

Clinton later became secretary of state under Obama and run for president again once his two terms were up.

Bush and his father, the late President George H. W. Bush, famously did not support President Donald Trump as the Republican running against Clinton in 2016. Although the elder Bush said he voted for Clinton, the younger Bush and his wife, Laura, said they opted to vote for neither of the two partys candidates.

In the documentary, multiple former politicians and reporters explain how Clinton made a habit of working with Republicans across the aisle throughout her time as a U.S. senator and then in the Obama White House.

She reached across the aisle when she didnt have to, then-Republican Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist says in Hillary. As majority leader, I worked with her co-authoring a bill  that was a hardcore Republican and a hardcore Democrat working together.
Footage has emerged showing a popular tourist beach in Bali covered in litter.

A video showed Kuta beach covered in bottles and rubbish on Friday.

Shane Marshall shared the footage showing the usually picturesque beach looking more like a wasteland.

'Sad to see Kuta beach in this state this morning,' he wrote.

A shocking video has revealed the state of a popular tourist beach this morning, its notorious pristine white sands strewn with litter

One Facebook user blamed the tourism industry for the increase of waste littering Bali's shorelines

Another user commented that the external factors may be contributing to the litter problem, the rainy season pushing rubbish on to Bali's shorelines

After the footage was shared online, people shared their thoughts on the cause of the problem.

Another person suggested that the problem could have been caused by 'trade winds at rainy season push the rubbish onto Bali's beaches'.

Bali's thriving tourism has led to growing levels of litter, with waste management unable to keep up with the amount of waste washing up on the beaches.

As a result 33,000 tons of Bali's plastic ends up in the ocean each year, which increasingly appears on Bali's shorelines.

Steps are currently being taken to reduce the waste problem in Bali.

In late 2018, Governor Wayan Koster announced a ban on bags, polystyrene, and straws.

The Indonesian government has also vowed to reduce plastic marine waste by 70 percent, by 2025.
Tennessee tornado: Michael W. Smith joins thousands of volunteers in relief efforts

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Disaster relief is underway in Nashville and other parts of Tennessee following Tuesdays deadly tornado and storms that claimed at least 24 lives. Award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith is among many who are on the ground helping with recovery efforts.

Disaster relief here in a devastated Nashville and middle Tennessee. But we are Nashville strong!  Let the church rise up, Smith wrote on Instagram as he showed a photo of his family packing lunches for volunteers.

On Wednesday morning, the artist was in Mt. Juliet with the evangelical aid organization Samaritans Purse, urging others to join the volunteer efforts.

Its going to be a long road to recovery, he said. Gods going to bless all these efforts.

The tornado devastated Middle Tennessee early Tuesday, destroying homes, businesses and churches. Over a dozen people were still missing Wednesday morning. Among those who were killed were several children, including a 2-year-old.

Gov. Bill Lee said prayers are greatly needed for affected families but noted that he is proud of the response hes seen  from the federal government down to the neighborhoods as neighbors help one another.

Mayor John Cooper noted that the Hands On Nashville website crashed three times due to the incredible volume of people trying to sign up to volunteer to rebuild our community. He said more than 5,000 individuals had signed up online as of Tuesday.

Some churches have opened their doors to provide shelter, including Victory Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, as reported by Baptist and Reflector.

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has teams on the ground and Samaritans Purse deployed three disaster relief units with relief supplies. The charities are working with local emergency management personnel and churches to clear debris and offer support to the community.

Convoy of Hope has also sent out a team with relief supplies.

Though devastated, Nashville residents are optimistic as help pours in and neighbors offer a hand. Smith called on the Body of Christ to stand up and serve.

Lets all come together and be the Hands and Feet, he urged.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to suspend visa-free entry for overseas Vietnamese (OVs) from countries whose citizens have visa-free entry unilaterally halted, firstly the Republic of Korea and COVID-19-hit nations.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) speaks at the meeting

That was a recommendation proposed by the national steering committee for preventing and combating the acute respiratory disease cause by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

While chairing a meeting of the cabinet's permanent members in Hanoi on March 5, the PM acknowledged the committees achievements in the fight against COVID-19 with no new infection cases recorded over the past 23 days.

Mentioning the complicated developments of the epidemic and the rapid spread of the novel virus in many countries in the world, the Government leader asked administrations at all levels, agencies and sectors to double efforts to combat COVID-19.

He ordered new countermeasures to promptly prevent the spread of the disease through land borders, aviation and the community.

Emphasising the importance of concentrated quarantine solution, PM Phuc asked the Ministry of National Defence and localities to to continue to prepare locations in service of this work.

Along with fighting COVID-19, he suggested measures to promote business and production and weather difficulties for sectors seriously affected by the epidemic.

The PM asked the health sector to build up plans to arrange human resources in different areas in case of the disease outbreak, while continuously conducting exercises for quick response. He also allowed the Ministry of Health to buy 20 million more face masks for reserve and protective wear to serve the fight against COVID-19.

According to the national steering committee, the epidemic has spread to 82 countries and territories worldwide. The positive results that Vietnam has gained is just the first step and there remain a big risk of outbreak in the country.

Vietnam has quarantined 92 suspected infection cases. Nearly 16,200 people who had close contact with infected patients or entered Vietnam from epidemic-hit areas have been quarantined and monitored, of them 416 have been quarantined in hospitals./. VNA

Vietnam temporarily suspends visa-free entry for Italians: Deputy PM Vietnam will unilaterally stop granting visa-free entry to all Italian citizens from 0:00 am on March 3, amid fears over the spread of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic as the number of infected cases is rising rapidly in this country.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament adopted today the bill to ratify the treaty between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan on excluding double taxation of revenue and preventing tax evasion.

The bill on ratifying the agreement has been introduced in Parliament by deputy finance minister Arman Poghosyan who said that the treaty is very awaited and demanded for economic entities providing professional services, especially in audit, consulting, accounting spheres. Armenian resident consulting companies of this field reach their turnover to major volumes also in Kyrgyzstan.

The treaty has been signed in Kyrgyzstan on August 9, 2019.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 6, 2020) - Pasofino Gold limited (TSXV: VEIN) (FSE: N07) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of up to $300,000 comprised of the sale of up 3,750,000 common shares issued on a flow-through basis ("FT Shares") at a price of $0.08 per FT Share. The closing is expected to occur on or around March 17, 2020.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four (4) month hold period after the closing date. Completion of the Offering is subject to receipt of all required regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") approvals.

The proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration on the Roger gold-copper project located in Chibougamau, Quebec. The gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur Canadian Exploration Expenses ("CEE") (as such term is defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)). Such gross proceeds will be renounced to subscribers with an effective date not later than December 31, 2020, in the aggregate amount of no less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the FT Shares.

The Company also announces that Ed Milewski has resigned as director of the Company, effective as of March 6, 2020. Pasofino would like to thank Mr. Milewski for his service to the Company.

About Pasofino Gold Ltd.

Pasofino Gold Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company. For further information, please visit www.pasofinogold.com or contact:

Steve Dunn, President & CEO

T: (416) 361-2827

E: dunnsteve@protonmail.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to completion of the transactions described herein, the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete transactions on terms announced; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR. Pasofino Gold does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53220
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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.
Lynn Ahlden, president of the board for Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, and her companion attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in University Park, Illinois, on March 5, 2020. (Catherine Wen/The Epoch Times)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.Cement parking lots give way to grassy prairies south of one of the United States largest and most hectic metropolisesChicago. There, surrounded by 750 acres of fields, Governors State University became the perfect out-of-town venue for Shen Yun Performing Arts, the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. Residents came to the campus from all over to take in the colorful, majestic production.

[Shen Yun], its almost surreal, said Lynn Ahlden, president of the board for the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra. Yes, its absolutely beautiful. The talent, the physical skills, all of it. I didnt quite know what to expect. I read a little bit about it but Im thrilled. Im thrilled.

Ahlden attended New York-based Shen Yun on March 5, 2020, at the Center for Performing Arts at GSU and was astounded by the orchestra, especially by two Chinese instruments, the erhu and the pipa, that are incorporated into the classical Western-style orchestral experience.

This is beautiful, Ive not been here before, Ahlden began, before sharing her response to the live orchestra, Oh its wonderful, and I was really interested in the two unique instruments. Now, I kept leaning forward [toward the orchestra pit] and I didnt want to be in anyones way.

Ahlden described the erhus sometimes enchanting, sometimes energizing, human-like sound, I think its beautiful  exquisite.

I think music, talent like that, its something we all have in common and appreciate the beauty, she added.

With a history of over 4,000 years, the erhu is an instrument that seems to embody Chinas heritage and the depth of that rich culture. According to Shen Yuns website, The erhu is incredibly expressive, capable of imitating sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses.  In its lowest and middle range, the erhu is especially stirring and somber, a quality eminently suitable for conveying the grand pageant of Chinas history and the emotions of its people.

Shen Yuns mission, in fact, is to revive traditional Chinese culture and to share it with the world. And since Chinas civilization has always been profoundly spiritual, divinely-inspired, even, Shen Yun contains themes, settings, and narratives that reflect long-held beliefs in heavenly beings.

Ahlden observed and appreciated Shen Yuns spirituality, even in the way it was expressed in the program book. The program reads almost like poetry, it really does, I love that. I read all of that [program] before. Not the Chinese part, she said, laughing. Im loving it.

And the program helped me understand that it would be coming through like that. But it does, its very strong. You get their message. I was interested to find out where their schools arein New York, she said.

To Shen Yuns artists, as they bring their mission of cultural revival around the world, Ahlden said, Oh, I wish them well. I wish them very, very well.

Theyve been through a really bad time, and I realize that it still continues. Something like this brings everybody together, she said. The bad time Ahlden is referring to is the fact that Shen Yun cannot perform in China today, the homeland of cultural origin, due to the violent and ongoing persecution of Chinas traditional and spiritual way of life.

The communist regime carrying out this campaign of terror even tries to interfere with Shen Yuns performances around the world. Shen Yuns performance includes depictions of the reality of the persecution, as well as the compassion and faith that some spiritual followers in China exhibit in the face of brutality.

The overall message? Peace, Ahlden said. I really feel that it was peace. And the fact that were all more alike than were different. Do you see what I mean?  If we can only relate better like that it would be a much better world, it really would.

Yes, its not all that hard [to do], she continued. Things like [Shen Yun] really help a lot, they really really do. I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you.

With reporting by Catherine Wen and Brett Featherstone.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
What is the coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus which can cause illness in animals and people. Viruses break into cells inside their host and use them to reproduce itself and disrupt the body's normal functions. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word 'corona', which means crown, because they are encased by a spiked shell which resembles a royal crown.

The coronavirus from Wuhan is one which has never been seen before this outbreak. It has been named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The name stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2.

Experts say the bug, which has killed around one in 50 patients since the outbreak began in December, is a 'sister' of the SARS illness which hit China in 2002, so has been named after it.

The disease that the virus causes has been named COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

Dr Helena Maier, from the Pirbright Institute, said: 'Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect a wide range of different species including humans, cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats and wild animals.

'Until this new coronavirus was identified, there were only six different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of these cause a mild common cold-type illness, but since 2002 there has been the emergence of two new coronaviruses that can infect humans and result in more severe disease (Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses).

'Coronaviruses are known to be able to occasionally jump from one species to another and that is what happened in the case of SARS, MERS and the new coronavirus. The animal origin of the new coronavirus is not yet known.'

The first human cases were publicly reported from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where approximately 11million people live, after medics first started publicly reporting infections on December 31.

By January 8, 59 suspected cases had been reported and seven people were in critical condition. Tests were developed for the new virus and recorded cases started to surge.

The first person died that week and, by January 16, two were dead and 41 cases were confirmed. The next day, scientists predicted that 1,700 people had become infected, possibly up to 7,000.

Where does the virus come from?

According to scientists, the virus almost certainly came from bats. Coronaviruses in general tend to originate in animals  the similar SARS and MERS viruses are believed to have originated in civet cats and camels, respectively.

The first cases of COVID-19 came from people visiting or working in a live animal market in Wuhan, which has since been closed down for investigation.

Although the market is officially a seafood market, other dead and living animals were being sold there, including wolf cubs, salamanders, snakes, peacocks, porcupines and camel meat.

A study by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, published in February 2020 in the scientific journal Nature, found that the genetic make-up virus samples found in patients in China is 96 per cent identical to a coronavirus they found in bats.

However, there were not many bats at the market so scientists say it was likely there was an animal which acted as a middle-man, contracting it from a bat before then transmitting it to a human. It has not yet been confirmed what type of animal this was.

Dr Michael Skinner, a virologist at Imperial College London, was not involved with the research but said: 'The discovery definitely places the origin of nCoV in bats in China.

'We still do not know whether another species served as an intermediate host to amplify the virus, and possibly even to bring it to the market, nor what species that host might have been.'

So far the fatalities are quite low. Why are health experts so worried about it?

Experts say the international community is concerned about the virus because so little is known about it and it appears to be spreading quickly.

It is similar to SARS, which infected 8,000 people and killed nearly 800 in an outbreak in Asia in 2003, in that it is a type of coronavirus which infects humans' lungs. It is less deadly than SARS, however, which killed around one in 10 people, compared to approximately one in 50 for COVID-19.

Another reason for concern is that nobody has any immunity to the virus because they've never encountered it before. This means it may be able to cause more damage than viruses we come across often, like the flu or common cold.

Speaking at a briefing in January, Oxford University professor, Dr Peter Horby, said: 'Novel viruses can spread much faster through the population than viruses which circulate all the time because we have no immunity to them.

'Most seasonal flu viruses have a case fatality rate of less than one in 1,000 people. Here we're talking about a virus where we don't understand fully the severity spectrum but it's possible the case fatality rate could be as high as two per cent.'

If the death rate is truly two per cent, that means two out of every 100 patients who get it will die.

'My feeling is it's lower,' Dr Horby added. 'We're probably missing this iceberg of milder cases. But that's the current circumstance we're in.

'Two per cent case fatality rate is comparable to the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 so it is a significant concern globally.'

How does the virus spread?

The illness can spread between people just through coughs and sneezes, making it an extremely contagious infection. And it may also spread even before someone has symptoms.

It is believed to travel in the saliva and even through water in the eyes, therefore close contact, kissing, and sharing cutlery or utensils are all risky. It can also live on surfaces, such as plastic and steel, for up to 72 hours, meaning people can catch it by touching contaminated surfaces.

Originally, people were thought to be catching it from a live animal market in Wuhan city. But cases soon began to emerge in people who had never been there, which forced medics to realise it was spreading from person to person.

What does the virus do to you? What are the symptoms?

Once someone has caught the COVID-19 virus it may take between two and 14 days, or even longer, for them to show any symptoms  but they may still be contagious during this time.

If and when they do become ill, typical signs include a runny nose, a cough, sore throat and a fever (high temperature). The vast majority of patients will recover from these without any issues, and many will need no medical help at all.

In a small group of patients, who seem mainly to be the elderly or those with long-term illnesses, it can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in which the insides of the lungs swell up and fill with fluid. It makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and, if left untreated, can be fatal and suffocate people.

Figures are showing that young children do not seem to be particularly badly affected by the virus, which they say is peculiar considering their susceptibility to flu, but it is not clear why.

What have genetic tests revealed about the virus?

Scientists in China have recorded the genetic sequences of around 19 strains of the virus and released them to experts working around the world.

This allows others to study them, develop tests and potentially look into treating the illness they cause.

Examinations have revealed the coronavirus did not change much  changing is known as mutating  much during the early stages of its spread.

However, the director-general of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu, said the virus was mutating and adapting as it spread through people.

This means efforts to study the virus and to potentially control it may be made extra difficult because the virus might look different every time scientists analyse it.

More study may be able to reveal whether the virus first infected a small number of people then change and spread from them, or whether there were various versions of the virus coming from animals which have developed separately.

How dangerous is the virus?

The virus has a death rate of around two per cent. This is a similar death rate to the Spanish Flu outbreak which, in 1918, went on to kill around 50million people.

Experts have been conflicted since the beginning of the outbreak about whether the true number of people who are infected is significantly higher than the official numbers of recorded cases. Some people are expected to have such mild symptoms that they never even realise they are ill unless they're tested, so only the more serious cases get discovered, making the death toll seem higher than it really is.

However, an investigation into government surveillance in China said it had found no reason to believe this was true.

Dr Bruce Aylward, a World Health Organization official who went on a mission to China, said there was no evidence that figures were only showing the tip of the iceberg, and said recording appeared to be accurate, Stat News reported.

Can the virus be cured?

The COVID-19 virus cannot be cured and it is proving difficult to contain.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses, so they are out of the question. Antiviral drugs can work, but the process of understanding a virus then developing and producing drugs to treat it would take years and huge amounts of money.

No vaccine exists for the coronavirus yet and it's not likely one will be developed in time to be of any use in this outbreak, for similar reasons to the above.

The National Institutes of Health in the US, and Baylor University in Waco, Texas, say they are working on a vaccine based on what they know about coronaviruses in general, using information from the SARS outbreak. But this may take a year or more to develop, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.

Currently, governments and health authorities are working to contain the virus and to care for patients who are sick and stop them infecting other people.

People who catch the illness are being quarantined in hospitals, where their symptoms can be treated and they will be away from the uninfected public.

And airports around the world are putting in place screening measures such as having doctors on-site, taking people's temperatures to check for fevers and using thermal screening to spot those who might be ill (infection causes a raised temperature).

However, it can take weeks for symptoms to appear, so there is only a small likelihood that patients will be spotted up in an airport.

Is this outbreak an epidemic or a pandemic?

The outbreak was declared a pandemic on March 11. A pandemic is defined by the World Health Organization as the 'worldwide spread of a new disease'.

Previously, the UN agency said most cases outside of Hubei had been 'spillover' from the epicentre, so the disease wasn't actually spreading actively around the world.
Four decades since Yes Minister arrived on our television screens, popular characters Sir Humphrey Appleby and Jim Hacker are being called out of retirement.

In a story for the modern age, original co-writer Jonathan Lynn has placed Hacker as a college master at Oxford.

The former PM, now in his 80s, is facing a revolt from students for his political incorrectness and calls upon Appleby for aid.

Two of the original Yes Minister characters will be returning for a stage adaptation. Sir Humphrey Appleby (centre, played by Nigel Hawthorne here) and Jim Hacker (seated, played by Paul Eddington) will appear in I'm Sorry Prime Minister I Can't Quite Remember

Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby in a cartoon drawn by Clive Francis. Francis will play Appleby in a stage reboot of the classic series which will start in Cambridge

The play will explore 'what happens to people who have tremendous power and influence... and then have none,' Mr Lynn told The Times.

'He was as drunk as a lord so they'll probably make him one': Yes Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher's favourite show Margaret Thatcher counted the original Bafta-winning series as her favourite show on television. Baroness Thatcher was prime minister while the satire aired on the BBC during the 1980s. Nigel Hawthorne (left) and Paul Eddington (centre) run through a sketch with Margaret Thatcher in 1984 Fans of the show will have more than a few favourite moments, here are some of the most memorable quotes: 'It used to be said there were two kinds of chairs to go with two kinds of ministers. One sort that folds up instantly and the other sort that goes round and round in circles' Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds) 'Well, I gather he was as drunk as a lord, so after a discreet interval, theyll probably make him one' Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne) 'Well, "under consideration" means weve lost the file. "Under active consideration" means were trying to find it' Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds) Advertisement

Yes Minister began airing in 1980 on BBC2 and ran for four years, following the ministerial careers of Hacker and his permanent secretary Sir Humphrey.

The show returned for a two-year run as Yes, Prime Minister in 1986, with Hacker installed in Downing Street.

Veteran actor and director Simon Callow will star as Hacker in the new play I'm Sorry Prime Minister I Can't Quite Remember.

In the original show's run, Hacker was played by The Good Life actor Paul Eddington.

Sir Humphrey, originally brought to life by Nigel Hawthorne, will be played by The Crown's Clive Francis.

Fans last saw the comedic characters in 2013, when a series reboot put Hacker at the help of a coalition government.

The reboot was filmed for Gold, though previous episodes have been adapted for radio.

During its original run in the 1980s, the series, written by Mr Lynn and Antony Jay, counted then PM Margaret Thatcher among its fans.

Mr Jay passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

Explaining his ideas behind the play, Mr Lynn told The Times: 'I think in the case of Jim and Humphrey, they are utterly baffled by the way the world has changed and gone apparently crazy, as far as they are concerned.'

'I started thinking about Theresa May, who was pushed out of power abruptly, and David Cameron, who went from being the prime minister to being out the moment the referendum happened and Tony Blair, who even became hated.'

The play opens at the Cambridge Arts Theatre in June.

It will then go on a country-wide tour, bringing the political pairing to towns around the UK.
Scott Disick's relationship with Sofia Richie was recently defined as on-again, off-again.

But the Flip It Like Disick star appears to be on pretty good terms with his young girlfriend.

He was spotted Thursday cutting a casual look while shopping for jewelry at XIV Karats in Beverly Hills.

Jewelry shopping: Scott Disick was spotted Thursday cutting a casual look while shopping for jewelry at XIV Karats in Beverly Hills

The 36-year-old stepped out with a female friend who appeared to be his assistant Lindsay Diamond.

A source recently told People: 'Scott and Sofia are the type of couple that constantly split up and get back together. It's all very dramatic, and then all good again.'

The couple has raised more than a few eyebrows with their 15-year age difference, as they began dating when she was 18.

Richie, 21, recently opened up about their relationship in her cover interview for Cosmopolitan.

Female friend: The 36-year-old stepped out with a female friend who appeared to be his assistant Lindsay Diamond

Dramatic relationship: A source said about his relationship with Sofia Richie: 'Scott and Sofia are the type of couple that constantly split up and get back together. It's all very dramatic, and then all good again'

Robbing the cradle: The couple has raised more than a few eyebrows with their 15-year age difference, as they began dating when she was 18

When asked about her relationship with Disick, she said she has 'this weird thing where I just dont care what people think.'

She added that the negativity from followers 'doesnt bother me because Im very happy.'

The model continued: 'Why would I let someone from the middle of nowhere ruin that for me?'

And when the topic of her friendship with his ex Kourtney Kardashian came up, she responded: 'I mean, just be nice. Theres no reason not to be nice.'

Richie infamously joined them on a family vacation, which appeared last year on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Former officials have long been hiding from the investigation and court outside Ukraine, presumably in Russia.

Kyiv's Pechersk district court has ruled to remand in custody former senior officials of Viktor Yanukovych regime, namely two heads of law enforcement agencies charged with complicity in grave and especially grave crimes against Maidan protesters during the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014.

The court handed the relevant judgment on March 4, the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General said on Friday.

According to UNIAN sources in law enforcement agencies, the indicted persons are former Head of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Oleksandr Yakymenko and former Commander of the Internal Troops of Ukraine Stanislav Shuliak.

Read alsoVigil for those killed in bloody clashes during Revolution of Dignity held downtown Kyiv (Photo)

Former officials have long been hiding from the investigation and court outside Ukraine, presumably in Russia.

They have been put on wanted list.

"Such court decisions will allow prosecutors to launch the process of extradition of suspects and allow the application of special preliminary investigation and conviction in absentia," the prosecutor's office said.

Criminal proceedings launched June 23, 2017, investigate into ex-president Viktor Yanukovych standing behind abuse of power by law enforcers. Such abuse of power was aimed including at hindering mass rallies, marches and demonstrations, which ultimately led to mass casualties among protesters. Charges include murder and attempts on life of participants in mass protests downtown Kyiv, as well as a terror act committed from February 18 to February 20, 2014.
Beleaguered Idea Ltd on Friday put its total dues to the government following a Supreme Court order at Rs 21,533 crore -- less than half of what the Department has estimated, even as the CEO indicated keenness to make a "new, good beginning" in India.

Group CEO Nick Read met top ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and informed them that UK giant's India joint venture, Ltd is "exploring" options to make additional payment towards its outstanding statutory dues.

Earlier in the day, in a statement said it has already paid Rs 3,500 crore out of the "self-assessed" liability of Rs 21,533 crore.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), following the Supreme Court ruling in October last year which said that all kinds of income generated by telecom will be considered for calculating government dues, had estimated Vodafone Idea's liabilities at over Rs 53,000 crore.

Sources said during his meeting with Read, Prasad made it clear that the government is against a monopoly in the telecom sector, and wants to survive and remain invested in India.

Read is learnt to have sought government assistance to keep Vodafone Idea afloat, the sources added.

Relief measures for telecom firms are a work in progress, government sources said, adding Vodafone Idea will have to pay at least the principal amount of its AGR dues at the earliest.

Government is keen to ensure that remain in business and but much would depend on the telcos showing their commitment to pay the Supreme Court-mandated dues. The apex court is set to hear the AGR matter on March 17.

Sources maintained that any relief package worked out by the government will be for the sector and not for any one player and will need to be approved by the Cabinet.

On March 4, Minister of State for Communications & IT Sanjay Dhotre, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, stated that Idea Cellular owed the government Rs 15,230.37 crore and Vodafone Group of another Rs 37,808.23 crore. Out of the total Rs 53,038.6 crore due from Vodafone Idea, a sum of Rs 3,500 crore has been received, he had said.

On Friday, the company, which was formed following the merger of Idea and Vodafone, in a statement said it has "filed its self-assessment of the AGR liabilities with the Department of Telecommunications. The self-assessment discloses the company's AGR liabilities to aggregate Rs 21,533 crores including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crores for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020." "The company has already paid a sum of Rs 2,500 crores on February 17, 2020, and a further sum of Rs 1,000 crores on February 20, 2020, towards this liability," VIL added.

On a similar self-assessment pattern, Bharti Airtel paid Rs 13,004 crore to the government in two installments. It had also deposited an additional Rs 5,000 crore "as an ad-hoc payment (subject to subsequent refund/ adjustment) to cover differences, if any, arising from the reconciliation exercise with the DoT," it had said on February 29.

The total payout by Bharti Airtel was half of Rs 35,586.01 crore liability estimated by the DoT.

Dhotre in the reply had stated that Bharti Airtel owed Rs 21,682 crore in licence fee and another Rs 13,904.01 crore in spectrum usage charges.

Similarly, Vodafone Idea owed Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee and another Rs 24,729.23 crore in spectrum charges.

According to the DoT, 16 telecom companies owed the government a total of Rs 146,336.98 crore as a fallout of the Supreme Court ruling.

Emerging from the over 30-minute meeting with Prasad, Read refused to comment on whether the British telecom giant will exit India, saying, "No comments." Vodafone Idea has been at the forefront of seeking a bailout package from the liability imposed by the Supreme Court ruling.

It had recently told the government that it would not be able to pay the full dues unless state support is extended to survive the crisis. The company has made a strong plea for setting off Rs 8,000 crore of GST credits against part of the liability.

For the remaining dues, it wants payment to be staggered over 15 years at a simple interest rate of 6 per cent after a three-year moratorium. It also wants drastic cuts in licence fee and fixing of a minimum price for calls and data.

Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has held multiple rounds of discussions at the telecom and finance ministries over the last few weeks to look for a solution to keep the company's operations on track.

In December, Birla had said Vodafone Idea may have to shut shop if there is no relief on the statutory dues. "If we are not getting anything, then I think it is the end of the story for Vodafone Idea," Birla had said. "It does not make sense to put good money after bad... We will shut shop." Even Read had recently stated that the situation in India is critical, following the Supreme Court's AGR ruling.
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Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020

Environmental activists are furious about a plan by several mining companies in North Maluku and Central Sulawesi to dispose of their tailing waste in the sea nearby, saying it could pollute the environment and put local fisherfolk at risk.

Documents obtained by the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) show four companies are currently applying for permits for the deep sea tailing disposal, namely PT Trimegah Bangun Persada, operating on Obi Island, South Halmahera regency, North Maluku, and PT QMB New Energy Material, PT Sulawesi Cahaya Mineral and PT Huayue Nickel Cobalt, all three operating in Morowali regency, Central Sulawesi province.

PT Trimegah has obtained a location permit from the North Maluku governor, according to a decree dated July 2, 2019. The company is a subsidiary of PT Harita Jayaraya, part of the Harita Group.

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ICC gives green light to investigation of US crimes in Afghanistan

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 4:06 PM

Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have given the green light to prosecutors to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity by the US in Afghanistan.

"The prosecutor is authorized to commence an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Afghanistan since May 1, 2003," ICC judge Piotr Hofmanski said in a ruling on Thursday

"It is for the prosecutor to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to initiate an investigation" under the court's statutes, the judge added.

The court upheld an appeal by prosecutors against a pretrial chamber's rejection in April last year of chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's request to open a probe in Afghanistan.

In 2006, the ICC's prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Asian nation since 2003.

In 2017, prosecutor Bensouda asked judges to allow a full-blown probe, not only into Taliban and Afghan government personnel but also international forces, US troops and members of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Bensouda's move angered Washington, which in April last year revoked the Gambian-born chief prosecutor's visa as part of broader restrictions on ICC staff probing American or allied personnel.

Former national security adviser John Bolton warned in 2018 that the US would arrest ICC judges if the court pursued an Afghan probe.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other international rights bodies on Thursday hailed the decision to uphold the prosecutions' appeal.

"The decision also sends a much-needed signal to current and would-be perpetrators of atrocities that justice may one day catch up to them," HRW's Param-Preet Singh said.

The US invaded Afghanistan to overthrow a ruling Taliban regime in 2001. American forces have since remained bogged down in the country through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

About 2,400 US soldiers have been killed, along with unknown tens of thousands of Afghan troops, Taliban militants and Afghan civilians.

America has spent more than $1 trillion in fighting in Afghanistan.

Fighting has continued ever since -- last year more than 3,400 civilians were killed and almost 7,000 injured, according to data provided by UN agencies.

Over 100,000 Afghans have also been killed or injured since 2009, when the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan began documenting casualties.

The direct US-Taliban talks were launched in 2018 as part of a push by US President Trump's administration to strike a deal with the militant group.

Trump has long expressed eagerness to bring US soldiers home and to end the country's longest war as he seeks re-election in 2020.

After nearly two decades of war, the United States and the Taliban last week signed an agreement aimed at paving the way for complete withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

About 14,000 US troops and approximately 17,000 troops from NATO allies and partner countries are stationed in Afghanistan.

The Taliban now control or hold influence over more Afghan territory than at any point since 2001.

Experts say, however, that it is the Afghan government and the Taliban, rather than the US and the militant group, who should address important questions on the future of Afghanistan.

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A Chinese woman recently released her second English video titled Thank you, World, after her first video We Are All Fighters, went viral online, calling on all people around the world to make concerted efforts to fight the novel coronavirus.

The videos creator, Jessica Liu, who is from Shenzhen in south Chinas Guangdong province, said she made the video to bring courage and confidence to all netizens around the world in the battle against the virus, and furthermore to show Chinese youths global vision.

I burned the midnight oil for three nights to complete the video, said Liu, adding that she was under great pressure as this video will be played at an international meeting.

Her creation was also supported by her family members, foreign friends, and the Shenzhen Evening News.

China has always been a grateful nation. I believe that Chinese people will engrave these good deeds in our hearts, Liu said, adding that she just wanted to share her vivid feelings.

We help each other because we are a community with a shared future. The epidemic fully demonstrates that humanity is bound together as we confront the virus, and the best form of self-help is mutual help, Liu said.

I believe that my videos can resonate with people around the world, Liu noted, adding that she has greater expectations for her videos to inspire people in the world with confidence to fight the epidemic together.
Social media giant Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google on March 5 recommended their San Francisco Bay Area employees to work from home to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Facebook said it is "strongly recommending that all bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting March 6."

The decision is "based on the guidance from Santa Clara County on March 5", Anthony Harrison, Facebook spokesperson, said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Employees and contractors involved in the site's safety and security will continue to work on site, while all the Bay Area events will remain canceled, according to the statement.

Separately, Google has offered work-from-home option to employees in Bay Area offices , a spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.

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

Coronavirus test kits were delivered on March 5 to an ocean liner at sea, as it was barred from returning to port in San Francisco after at least 35 people aboard the vessel developed flu-like symptoms, which has been linked to two other confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The first case of the novel coronavirus was detected in the Vatican, Holy See Spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters on Friday.

"This morning, all outpatient services of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City State were temporarily stopped in order to sanitize the premises as one of the patients tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday," Bruni said.

The Holy See's health services will provide the necessary information about the detected case to the competent authorities of Italy, the spokesman added.

On Thursday, Bruni told reporters that the Vatican was studying measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which must be implemented in accordance with measures taken by the Italian authorities.

Last weekend, Pope Francis did not participate in the traditional liturgy in the Lateran Basilica, and also cancelled group audiences. Bruni explained that the pope had caught a cold, but some online media were quick to report that Pope Francis had become infected with the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Pope Francis had tested negative for coronavirus. The Holy See has not commented on this information.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Students at a major West Australian university affected by travel bans due to the COVID-19 outbreak are being given more than $1000 off their tuition fees as part of a support package encouraging them to continue studying here.

Curtin University has made an access support scholarship available to 800 students who remain in China and have not been able to attend the first week of semester one.

Curtin University international students affected by the coronavirus travel ban to receive financial support. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The scholarship includes a one-off fee remission of $1500, an extension on tuition payments which were due last Friday, waiving the $173 late fee, and an extension to withdraw from study with no academic or financial penalty.

Depending on how many of the 800 students are eligible and choose to take advantage of the scholarship, Curtin could lose out on $1.2 million in international student fees.
Government to continue cooperation with IMF, other lenders  PM

09:40, 06.03.20 1001

Denys Shmyhal has assured that the government is ready to move more actively towards reform and integration with the European Union.
Cotton Closes Black on Monday Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 4:48PM CST Cotton futures were off their high at the closing bell on Monday, but were still 10 to 40 points in the black. New crop cotton also bounced on Monday, ending the session 40 to 76 points firmer. The Seam... CTH22 : 115.50 (+0.24%) CTK22 : 113.33 (+0.23%) CTZ21 : 111.55s (+0.25%)

Wheat Markets Close Mixed Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 4:48PM CST Mondays wheat market ended with winter wheat gains to HRS weakness. Spring wheat futures ended the session a nickel to 9 cents in the red. March MPLS wheat has posted losses in 9 in the last 11 sessions... ZWH22 : 762-2 (unch) ZWPAES.CM : 7.2051 (+0.47%) KEH22 : 777-4 (unch) KEPAWS.CM : 7.5951 (+0.45%) MWH22 : 917-4 (+0.36%)

Corn Weakens out of Weekend Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 4:48PM CST Mondays corn trading session left prices 5 1/2 to 7 cents weaker. May futures were able to hold above the $6 mark, while Marcha and July closed less than a penny under. New crop futures were fractionally... ZCH22 : 601-6 (+0.33%) ZCPAUS.CM : 5.8670 (-1.13%) ZCK22 : 603-0 (+0.29%) ZCZ21 : 588-6s (+0.77%) ZCPZ21US.CM : 5.7930 (-0.49%)

Chart of the Day: KLA-Tencor - A Tech Stock Still Worth Looking At Barchart - Mon Jan 10, 4:37PM CST I wanted to find out if there were still any tech stocks that were worth buying so I screened the NASDAQ 100 Index stock for the highest Weighted Alpha and technical buy signals and found one. My Barchart... KLAC : 418.73 (+0.44%)
Two years ago, when Metra started removing the darkened ceiling panels, it became apparent that expansion joints in the bridgelike structures above the station were leaking. Even though the original design had drip pans to catch the leaks, theres been more leaking than expected, Reile said. Dirt and other crud enter the station through the air and those expansion joints. But the leaks are the main cause of the delay.
Countless Afghan families have found themselves divided by war, with siblings joining either the Afghan defense forces or Taliban militants. RFE/RL spoke to some of the fighters and their families, who spoke of their frustration with the killing and their hopes for peace.
An eerie emptiness enveloped the sacred Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, where attendance at Friday prayers was hit by measures to protect against the deadly new coronavirus. An imam said during his sermon he hoped for an end to the epidemic and backed a decision by Saudi Arabia's government to halt the year-round umrah pilgrimage. "God, I seek refuge in you from the calamity and the epidemic," said Sheikh Abdullah Awad al-Juhani, without mentioning coronavirus by name. "The measures by the kingdom to suspend umrah to limit the spread of this epidemic are in line with texts of the Sharia," he told worshippers. While thousands of people attended the sermon, Friday prayers usually attract hundreds of thousands of worshippers. "I had a very strange and difficult feeling as I was headed to the mosque," an Egyptian worshipper, who has lived in Mecca for six years but did not want to give his name, told AFP. "I felt deprived of the Kaaba," he said, referring to the cube structure that is the focal point of Islam and draped in a gold-embroidered black cloth. "The fact that it is empty (around the Kaaba) is very scary," the 38-year-old engineer said. The white tiles surrounding this focal point, at the heart of the Grand Mosque and around which Muslims circle in pilgrimage, were untrodden on Friday. Authorities had emptied the Grand Mosque for sterilisation on Thursday, after announcing the halt to the umrah. Friday "prayers took place inside the mosque and on the upper floors but not in the tawaf area" where people circle the Kaaba, a mosque authority told AFP. Nearly half of the mosque's area was closed, he added. The area around the Kaaba will remain closed for the duration of the umrah suspension as a "precautionary measure", but prayers inside the mosque will continue, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Additionally, both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Medina will be closed an hour after the evening "Isha" prayer to allow cleaning and sterilisation, it added. The mosques will reopen an hour before the dawn "Fajr" prayer. - Disappointed pilgrims - The moves come after authorities last week suspended visas for the umrah and barred citizens from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council from entering Mecca and Medina. The umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year, attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe annually. Saudi Arabia on Thursday declared three new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of reported infections to five. A Saudi official blamed Iran, which has emerged as a major hotspot with a death toll of 124, for "granting Saudi citizens entry to its territories without stamping their passports", according to the SPA. This statement followed an announcement by the health ministry that Saudis tested positive after returning from the Islamic republic via Bahrain without disclosing their initial point of departure. Saudi Arabia's unprecedented move to halt the umrah has left thousands of Muslim pilgrims in limbo, raising uncertainty over the annual hajj to Mecca scheduled for the end of July. Some 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across the world in 2019 to take part in the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, as Muslim obligations are known. The event is a massive logistical challenge for Saudi authorities, with colossal crowds cramming into relatively small holy sites, making attendees vulnerable to contagion. Already reeling from slumping oil prices, the Saudi kingdom risks losing billions of dollars annually from religious tourism as it tightens access to the sites. Turkish pilgrim Hussameddine Ali, who arrived in the kingdom last week before the decision to halt the umrah, expressed disappointment that he was not allowed close to the Kaaba. "I will probably return to Turkey," he told AFP. "We are sitting in the hotel the whole time... what are we doing (here)?"
New Delhi, March 6 : The Delhi High Court on Friday directed all government hospitals to videograph all the post mortem of bodies recieved from Delhi riots cases.

A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and I.S. Mehta also asked government hospitals to preserve DNA samples of bodies and directed the hospitals not to dispose of unidentified body till the next date of hearing on March 11.

The bench was hearing various petitions related to missing people, including one named Hamza.

Hamza's brother-in-law Ansari M. Arif has approached Delhi High Court with his habeas corpus petition after he went missing during the riots that broke out on February 23 in the northeast part of the national capital that led to the death of 53 people so far.

On Thursday, while hearing the matter, the court directed Delhi Police to publish details including the photographs of all unidentified bodies kept in government mortuaries on their official websites.

It has also ordered the police to publish the specific information, including post-mortem and DNA samples on the official website.
Conflicts and violence uprooted at least 21 million women and girls within their countries by the end of 2018, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said yesterday.

It said two thirds of these internally displaced women and girls were in Africa and the Middle East.

IDMC has been the worlds authoritative source of data and analysis on internal displacement since its establishment in 1998 as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

A statement issued by spokesman, Frankie Parrish from the agencys headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland alerted the world of the new estimates, indicating that nine countries-Syria, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Sudan-hosted over one million women and girls each within the period.



Twenty-five years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one of the most comprehensive global policy frameworks for gender equality, women and girls are still suffering disproportionately from displacement, said IDMCs Direcror and research team lead Alexandra Bilak.

He noted that while the global estimate of 21 million displaced women and girls accounts for just over half of the 41 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs) worldwide, in many cases, the proportion of women and girls in displaced populations was higher than that of men and boys, and also higher than in the national population.

In Burkina Faso, for instance, where violence led to a ten-fold increase in displacements in 2019, 65 per cent of adult IDPs are women. This is likely because many men are forcibly recruited to fight by armed groups, so are unable to flee with the women.

The new report, published jointly by IDMC, Plan International and IMPACT Initiatives, shows that displacement reinforces pre-existing discrimination and social and economic disadvantages. Displaced women and girls tend to face greater challenges than men and boys in staying safe, securing work, accessing education and healthcare. Their sex and age often prevent them from making their voices heard and participating in decisions that affect them.

These first global, regional and national estimates are reached by applying UN national age distribution data to IDMCs figures for people internally displaced by conflict or violence. They do not include women and girls displaced by causes such as disasters and climate change, and only cover around 50 countries for which data is available, so they should be considered underestimates.

Only 15 per cent of the countries IDMC collects data on provided information disaggregated by sex and age in 2018. Four of the ten countries with the largest internally displaced populations worldwide (Syria, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia) are completely missing from the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Gender Index due to the unavailability of data.

The Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved by 2030 unless internal displacement, and the plight of displaced women and girls in particular, receive greater attention; starting with better data and analysis, and followed by concrete action.

Knowing how many women and girls are displaced, how old they are and the conditions they live in is essential if we are to provide them with the right resources to meet their specific needs, said Bilak.

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(Newser)  In pricey London, Dominic Van Allen had found a sweet spot to live. "You had the train station, you had a cafe, you had a Starbucks, you had the hospital, you had the 168 bus, the 24, the 46," he recounts. "It was bloody brilliant." Even better: You couldn't beat the rentit was free. But as Tom Lamont explains in a feature at the Guardian, Van Allen's home did have one big problem: It was illegal. The 46-year-old homeless man had built an underground dwelling beneath a busy public park, Hampstead Heath. The story details the laborious process undertaken by Van Allen and a friend beginning in 2013 to dig the 10-by-14-foot sitenot visible from the main footpath because of thick scruband shore it up with wood and makeshift concrete. Van Allen gained access through a hidden hatch in the ground.

story continues below

Van Allen would rise early, before any park rangers were on duty, and spend his days in the city, sometimes picking up money through odd jobs. He'd typically spend the evening in a pub, then head back to his secret locale. A portable gas stove and push-button LED lights made the place feel like home. This went on for years, until rangers finally discovered the secret hideaway. The bigger trouble came when police discovered a homemade pipe gun within. Though Van Allen denied any knowledge of the weapon and pleaded not guilty to firearms offenses, he was sentenced last summer to five years in prison. "Another concrete box," writes Lamont. Click to read the full story, which recounts not just Van Allen's improbable tale but how it fits into the context of London's larger homeless issues. (Read more Longform stories.)
The first mention by the Iranian government of the diseases arrival in the country was a report of two deaths in Qum on Feb. 19. The first victim is believed to be an Iranian businessman who had traveled to Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus was first detected. A doctor in Qum is believed to be the second Iranian victim. They are feared to have been sick and infecting others, from their family members to friends and colleagues, for weeks before their deaths.

The contagion spread to all of Irans 31 provinces. Pilgrims from several countries who had visited Qum were found to be infected. On Feb. 24, officials from the health ministry announced that there were 64 cases in the country and that 12 people had died from the outbreak. Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani, a member of Parliament from Qum, contradicted the official accounts and told an Iranian news agency that 50 people in the city were already dead.

The official response was glaring denial of the magnitude of the crisis. Iraj Harirchi, the deputy minister of health, denied Mr. Farahanis allegation and promised to resign if the death toll proved to be even one fourth of his claim. A day later, Mr. Harirchi himself tested positive for the coronavirus, and is under quarantine.

By that time, the fourth week of February, it became evident that a disproportionate number of members of Parliament and senior government officials were infected. Iranian politicians and officials travel frequently between Tehran and Qum, and it is most likely that one of them contracted the virus in Qum and infected colleagues in Tehran, where the newly elected Parliament was in session.

Iranians have a culture of greeting each other by kissing the other person on the cheeks. Politicians often overdo it to show their closeness to power players. In this particular moment, the greeting could have transmitted the virus.

We learned of the officials being infected early on because Tehran made the welfare of the elite a priority and moved them to the front of the line for testing.

Even doctors and medical staff members at the smaller government hospitals were not alerted to take precautions until after the number of cases started to increase rapidly. The results of a test of a nurse from a small village in Geelan province were communicated a week after her death.
Working from home to prevent the spread of coronavirus is putting workers at increased risk of being hacked, an expert has warned.

Being outside the office and without access to a secure local network means devices are provided with weak security settings.

These vulnerabilities can expose sensitive data and work-related information to criminals, says Dr Asma Adnane from Loughborough University.

She advises companies and staff members to check their security settings with their IT department as more firms mandate employees work remotely to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The virus has infected almost 100,000 people around the world, including 116 in the UK, and killed more than 3,300 people.

Dr Adnane advises using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which encrypts data travelling between a user's computer and the work network.

Scroll down for video

People working from home are less likely to be using less secure computer settings, making them more vulnerable to hackers, according to a cybersecurity expert

Coronavirus has infected almost 100,000 people around the world, including 116 in the UK, and killed more than 3,300 people

'Working from home might be convenient and safer for you, but this might not be safer for the services and the data you are accessing remotely, especially if you are handling sensitive or personal data,' she said.

'There are many cybersecurity implications while working from home, you are basically connected to internet via an open and maybe non-secured networks  home WiFi or any public WiFi  so all services and files you are accessing become at high risk of attack.

'Cybersecurity threats are generally higher as you are not connected via the secured workplace networks, which have adequate security measures that you do not see such as web filtering, firewall and encryption of data.

'Indeed, if you access sensitive data through unsafe networks, your connections could be intercepted, and the data compromised.'

Cybersecurity threats are generally higher as you are not connected via the secured workplace networks, which have web filtering, firewall and encryption of data in place

HOW TO AVOID CATCHING CORONAVIRUS Shoppers should pay using contactless cards to avoid catching the coronavirus from a dirty banknote, health experts have said. A spokesman for the World Health Organization said contactless cards could 'reduce the risk of transmission'. Notes change hands hundreds or even thousands of times during circulation and can pick up all manner of dirt and bugs as they're passed around. Experts say the coronavirus could latch onto currency in the same way that it is able to live on hard surfaces like doorknobs, handrails and toilet handles. So using contactless cards  which mean someone only has to touch their own card, which is never handled by anyone else  could protect them from it spreading. The advice comes as employers have reportedly started to ban hot-desking, when people share desks; and, in France, ministers have told people to stop doing 'la bise', the traditional cheek-kiss greeting. Advertisement

Dr Adnane said anyone working remotely needs to ensure they do not leave devices unlocked when in public spaces such as trains or coffee shops.

The computer science lecturer and cybersecurity expert also urges people to take care when reading work emails on their smartphones or other devices.

She said: 'The security risk is even higher as well if you are not using the corporate machine to connect remotely.

'In fact, corporate machines are usually up to date with the required security level: patched and updated software and operating system, encrypted hard drive, automatic screen lock and so on.

'Imagine people accessing their work email from their phone, it will be harder to spot phishing emails as they can't have a good view of the email and the link or attachment in it.

'Another example is if they are accessing services or files from a malware-infected machine, malware could easily access sensitive data and even spread in the corporate network.'

Dr Adnane said those working remotely should liaise with their IT department and take any training offered by their employer around cybersecurity.

She urged workers to use a VPN whenever working from home as well as multi-factor authentication to log in to work-related services.

People should also regularly check for software and security updates on their devices to ensure they are always fully protected, she added.

'Finally, employees are usually the weakest link in cybersecurity, so make sure you do the required training to keep you aware and on track of the cyber-security measures and guidelines in place,' she said.
News from Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico.

On September 19, 2020, Taos Pueblo will commemorate the fifty-year anniversary of the return of Blue Lake to the Pueblo. The event will commemorate the Pueblos 64-year struggle, its outcome, its significance to the Taos Pueblo people and nationally to other Indian tribes across the United States, and to again recognize the support, help and guidance received from so many during those difficult times.

In 1906 the Blue Lake land and watershed were unjustly taken by the Federal Government to be placed into a national forest without notice to, and without consultation with the Pueblo. Since that time Taos Pueblo and its people disputed the taking and struggled to regain its rightful aboriginal ownership of the land that is an integral part of its spiritual way of life.

After hearings by Congressional Committees where the Pueblo leaders pleaded their case, with the strong support of President Nixon and other strong bipartisan support the Pueblos legislation passed and was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 15, 1970.

Former president Richard Nixon is seen with leaders of Taos Pueblo at the White House on July 8, 1970. Five months later, the tribe was back in Washington, D.C., to watch Nixon sign a bill to return 48,000 acres of ancestral territory in New Mexico to the tribe. Photo: White House Press Office / Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Taos Pueblo Governor Edwin Concha stated:

For sixty-four years our grandfathers fought for our sacred land, most are gone; a few remain. Although they were offered a monetary settlement, no amount of money was worth the sacred value of our Blue Lake lands. It was suggested in Washington, D.C. halls that it was just some old men that were involved in the fight. But they were wrong; they, the old men had us in their hearts and minds. The legacy they left us is what we will be proud to celebrate for generations to come. Native Americans throughout the country look to our Pueblo for not giving up and what we accomplished for all native peoples. Therefore, we are announcing that a celebration for this great accomplishment will take place on September 19, 2020. We encourage everyone to come celebrate with us. Therefore, we are announcing that a celebration for this great accomplishment will take place on September 19, 2020. We encourage everyone to come celebrate with us.

Taos Pueblo War Chief Gary Lujan stated:

For many of us growing up, we witnessed our grandfathers struggle to regain control of Blue Lake, a spiritual entity paramount to our existence, that if it were not returned, our very existence would be in question, it was from this premise that they never gave up, for that I am grateful for their perseverance.

The return of Blue Lake was designated by President Nixon in July 1970 as the symbolic center piece, a tangible cornerstone, of his new federal Indian Policy in a historic meeting of Taos Pueblo Leaders and the White House. Under that new policy, Self Determination and Self Governance were established for tribes, along with other new policies that continue to be greatly beneficial to Tribes across the U.S. The commemoration will give current and future generations of Taos Pueblo people, other Native Americans, and citizens and Indigenous People an opportunity to learn about the history of a 64-year struggle that by unique perseverance led to a monumental outcome.

Related activities will be scheduled and announced leading up to the Commemoration event. There will be historic exhibits of documents, photographs, newspaper articles and other memorabilia to re-create the history about the great efforts that it took to achieve this historic achievement.

The Commemoration will be a public event that will be held at Taos Pueblo.

For further information contact: tribalsecretary@taospueblo.com

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Indian-origin peers in the House of Lords, business chiefs and community leaders are among a group of over 90 cross-sector representatives who signed a letter on Friday in support of Priti Patel, Britain's first Indian-origin Home Secretary engulfed in a bullying row amid the resignation of a top civil servant in her ministry.

Describing the 47-year-old senior Cabinet minister as a "tough, assertive and effective leader", the letter published in 'The Daily Telegraph' says they have all worked with Patel in a formal or informal capacity and do not recognise the picture that has been painted of her in recent days.

"She is certainly a tough, assertive and effective leader, but even under extreme pressure she has never crossed a line or lost her temper. She expects high standards, but is always professional," reads the letter.

"Those of us who have been employed by her at difficult times in our lives during illness, a personal crisis or bereavement also know how caring and compassionate she can be," it notes.

The signatories include Conservative Party peers Lord Rami Ranger and Lord Ranbir Singh Suri, business people like Nitin Singhal, Managing Partner of Fresco Global, Ankit Patel, Director of Nationwide-Paper.co.uk, and Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain, as well as former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross and Australian political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby.

"We are fortunate to have a strong, effective Home Secretary. She is right to ask tough questions of senior civil servants at the Home Office, which has hardly covered itself in glory in recent years," the letter notes, in reference to Sir Philip Rutnam's dramatic resignation as Permanent Secretary in the UK Home Office amid allegations that Patel shouted and belittled her aides in the ministry.

"It is vital for our democracy that good ministers cannot be brought down by smears and gossip when they attempt to tackle serious issues in their departments.

"Far from the unjust treatment she has received this week, the Home Secretary deserves the wholehearted support of the people of Britain as she attempts to turn around the performance of a vital but notoriously dysfunctional department," the letter concludes.

The letter of support comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs in the House of Commons earlier this week that he was "sticking by" Patel because she is an outstanding minister.

"My instinct is very much to 'stick with Priti' as they say. She is doing an outstanding job facing a lot of headwinds, Johnson later reiterated his support to the ITV channel on Thursday.

"I have made it clear to all my friends in Cabinet that I don't like bullying. But I think Priti is doing an outstanding job," he said.

The UK Cabinet Office has opened an internal inquiry under the ministerial code of conduct into the flurry of bullying allegations against Patel. But the Opposition Labour Party has demanded an independent lawyer-led inquiry into the allegations and demanded that Patel step down while it is conducted.

Meanwhile, Rutnam has begun the process to take legal action against the UK government against what he says was his "constructive, unfair dismissal" from the UK Home Office.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Colorado lawmakers hope the state will become the 11th to restrict use of the gay panic defense, which they claim creates excuses for those who perpetrate violence against gay and transgender persons.

According to co-sponsor Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, the bill doesnt actually ban the defense. You can always describe the victims behavior and how the defendant interpreted it, and how it played on the defendant's mental state. What the defendant cant do is ask to be relieved of legal liability based on the victims sexual or gender identity, Soper said.

The bill still allows use of the gay panic defense if the defendant can prove its relevance.

The House Judiciary Committee this week passed House Bill 1307 on a 6-2 vote. It is now awaiting action from the full House.

According to the American Bar Association, the gay panic defense is a legal strategy that seeks to partially or completely excuse crimes such as murder and assault on the grounds that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendant's violent reaction. The ABA in 2013 urged states to reject the gay panic defense.

A study by St. Edwards University showed that at least 104 murder cases have used the defense between 1970 and 2019.

The most well-known case in Colorado involved the murder of Angie Zapata of Greeley. Zapata, a transgender woman, was murdered in 2008 by Allen Andrade after a sexual encounter. He tried to use the defense but was instead convicted of first-degree murder and a hate crime, and was sentenced to life in prison.

One of the killers of Matthew Shepard, the University of Wyoming student who was beaten by two men but later died in a Fort Collins hospital in 1998, also attempted to use the gay panic defense. The two men received two consecutive life sentences each.

In the House, HB 1307 is co-sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. In the Senate, the bill will be carried by Sens. Jack Tate, R-Centennial, and Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village.

Herod told the House Judiciary Committee that Shepards murder had a lasting impact on her, as she was coming of age at the time.

The gay panic defense has been used successfully in Colorado, Herod claimed.

Its a sham defense, Soper told the committee. Panic defenses are used to justify violent acts, from assault to murder. Defendants arent allowed to use race or other characteristics to excuse violent acts, he said.

The bill is backed by the Colorado District Attorneys Council, represented by Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty, who said hate crimes are on the rise in Colorado. He pointed to the case of Clinton Erickson, who was convicted in 1992 of first degree murder, theft, and first degree aggravated motor vehicle theft. Erickson was given a sentence of life without the possibility of parole and is in the state prison in Sterling.

In an appeal turned down by the Colorado Court of Appeals in 1994, Ericksons lawyer contended the the trial court erred in not allowing testimony that the victim was bisexual, which the defendant heard through a rumor.

Sub in any other word, Doughtery said: white, heterosexual, African-American, Republican, socialist, poor, rich or any other word, and it would irrelevant and not allowed, yet the defendant wanted that rumor introduced as evidence. The defense also claimed that the rumor that the victim was bisexual was probitive and relevant [and] that he may have attempted a homosexual rape of my client.

Banning the defense is the right position for us to take, not one based on cruel assumptions and stereotypes.

Laura McWatters of Fort Collins facilitates transgender support groups in Fort Collins. Our gender identity or sexual orientation is not to blame for someone's loss of control or violence, she said. Those who murdered Zapata and Shepherd were allowed by the courts to use our very existence as part of their legal defense.

No one testified against the bill, although Rep. Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, raised concerns that the bill might not be tightly crafted enough, and that voices who might be opposed have not been heard. "We have not had the fullness of the conversation about changing some of our law."

He pointed out that members of the Colorado Defense Bar and public defenders did not testify. Soper replied that those public defenders know how to mount a serious defense "and they aren't here...they didn't show up to be at the table, and chose not to be here."

Soper said he wasn't implying anything by their absence, but if they were serious about amending or stopping the bill, they haven't taken any steps to do so. Herod added that the defense bar has been part of the conversation since June, but "they made the determination not to come today," and are not taking a position on the bill.

"Our doors are open," she said.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) walks through Statuary Hall with other senators to the House Chamber for President Donald Trumps State of the Union address in the Capitol in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Romney Questions Senate Investigation Into Hunter Biden, Burisma

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is casting doubt on an investigation into Hunter Biden and Burisma.

Theres no question but that the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political, and I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations, Romney, 72, told reporters in Washington on Thursday.

I would hope that if there is something of significance that needs to be evaluated that it would be done by perhaps the FBI or some other agency thats not as political as perhaps a committee of our body, he added.

Romney said he planned to speak to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) later in the day and that he might still vote to approve a subpoena Johnson said he was seeking against a former associate of Biden, the son of former Vice President and leading Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden.

Romney, the only Republican senator to vote to impeach GOP President Donald Trump, could block the subpoena if he votes against it, joining six Democrats on the committee. A Romney vote would likely cause a 7-7 tie.

Hunter Biden, 45, was on the board of the Ukrainian-based Burisma for five years, including years while his father was still in office.

Hunter Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, waits for the start of his fathers debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Oct. 11, 2012. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, told members of the committee that he would seek to subpoena Andrii Telizhenko, a former consultant for Blue Star who has said he wants to cooperate in a probe but is currently limited by a nondisclosure agreement.

Democrats have repeatedly resisted and condemned efforts to probe Biden.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the ranking member on the committee, said in a statement that Republicans could be helping Russian efforts to interfere in the 2020 election by taking further action against Biden.

We need to take every step to ensure the credibility and resources of the U.S. Senate are not used to advance interference efforts by foreign adversaries that seek to undermine our democracy or put our national security at risk, he said in a statement.

Johnson responded by saying: Any concerns about disinformation efforts is simply not relevant to whether or not the committee should seek to obtain these specific records.

A vote on the subpoenas will take place in the near future, Johnson said.

Appearing on Fox News The Story this week, Johnson noted that his investigation into possible corruption in the Obama administration uncovered a number of documents, including most of the texts between FBI agent Peter Strzok and Department of Justice lawyer Lisa Page.

Its not our fault that Joe Biden, Hunter Biden got wrapped up in the whole Ukrainian story, Johnson said. We are not closing our eyes to this. And I have no idea why anybody would object to us obtaining records from a U.S. consulting firm run by former Clinton administration officials that is basically using Hunter Bidens name to strongarm the State Department to curry benefits for a corrupt Ukrainian oil company.
The ability of the world's tropical forests to remove carbon from the atmosphere is decreasing, according to a study tracking 300,000 trees over 30 years, published today in Nature.

The global scientific collaboration, led by the University of Leeds, reveals that a feared switch of the world's undisturbed tropical forests from a carbon sink to a carbon source has begun.

Intact tropical forests are well-known as a crucial global carbon sink, slowing climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in trees, a process known as carbon sequestration. Climate models typically predict that this tropical forest carbon sink will continue for decades.

However, the new analysis of three decades of tree growth and death from 565 undisturbed tropical forests across Africa and the Amazon has found that the overall uptake of carbon into Earth's intact tropical forests peaked in the 1990s.

By the 2010s, on average, the ability of a tropical forest to absorb carbon had dropped by one-third. The switch is largely driven by carbon losses from trees dying.

The study by almost 100 institutions provides the first large-scale evidence that carbon uptake by the world's tropical forests has already started a worrying downward trend.

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Study lead author Dr Wannes Hubau, a former post-doctoral researcher at the University of Leeds now based at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium, said: "We show that peak carbon uptake into intact tropical forests occurred in the 1990s.

"By combining data from Africa and the Amazon we began to understand why these forests are changing, with carbon dioxide levels, temperature, drought, and forest dynamics being key."

"Extra carbon dioxide boosts tree growth, but every year this effect is being increasingly countered by the negative impacts of higher temperatures and droughts which slow growth and can kill trees.

"Our modelling of these factors shows a long-term future decline in the African sink and that the Amazonian sink will continue to rapidly weaken, which we predict to become a carbon source in the mid-2030s."

In the 1990s intact tropical forests removed roughly 46 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, declining to an estimated 25 billion tonnes in the 2010s.

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The lost sink capacity in the 2010s compared to the 1990s is 21 billion tonnes carbon dioxide, equivalent to a decade of fossil fuel emissions from the UK, Germany, France and Canada combined.

Overall, intact tropical forests removed 17% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions in the 1990s, reduced to just 6% in the 2010s.

This decline is because these forests were less able to absorb carbon by 33% and the area of intact forest declined by 19%, while global carbon dioxide emissions soared by 46%.

Senior author Professor Simon Lewis, from the School of Geography at Leeds, said: "Intact tropical forests remain a vital carbon sink but this research reveals that unless policies are put in place to stabilise Earth's climate it is only a matter of time until they are no longer able to sequester carbon.

"One big concern for the future of humanity is when carbon-cycle feedbacks really kick in, with nature switching from slowing climate change to accelerating it.

"After years of work deep in the Congo and Amazon rainforests we've found that one of the most worrying impacts of climate change has already begun. This is decades ahead of even the most pessimistic climate models.

"There is no time to lose in terms of tackling climate change."

To calculate changes in carbon storage the scientists measured the diameter and estimated the height of every individual tree in 565 patches of forest, returning every few years to re-measure them. By calculating the carbon stored in the trees that survived and those that died, the researchers tracked the changes in carbon storage over time.

After the final re-measurement, the study authors used a statistical model and trends in carbon dioxide emissions, temperature and rainfall to estimate changes in forest carbon storage until 2040.

By combining data from two large research networks of forests observations across Africa (AfriTRON) and Amazonia (RAINFOR) the authors show that the Amazon sink began weakening first, starting in the mid-1990s, followed by a waning of the African sink about 15 years later.

The continental difference arises from a combination of Amazon forests being more dynamic than those in Africa, and Amazon forests facing stronger climate impacts. Typical Amazonian forests are exposed to higher temperatures, faster temperature increases and more regular and severe droughts, than African forests.

Dr Hubau, Professor Lewis and their colleagues have spent years travelling to numerous remote field sites, including spending a week in a dug-out canoe to reach Salonga National Park in central Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr Hubau said: "The ability of forests to slow climate change is a crucial element of understanding how the Earth system functions -- particularly how much carbon is absorbed by the Earth and how much is released into the atmosphere.

"Continued on-the-ground monitoring of intact tropical forests is required to track the effects of accelerating environmental change. We need this more than ever, as our planet's last great tropical forests are threatened as never before."

The authors also highlight that tropical forests are still huge reservoirs of carbon, storing 250 billion tonnes of carbon in their trees alone. This storage is equivalent to 90 years of global fossil fuel emissions at today's level.

Study author Professor Bonaventure Sonke from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon said: "The speed and magnitude of change in these forests suggests that climate impacts in the tropics may become more severe than predicted.

"African countries and the international community will need to seriously invest in preparation for ongoing climate change impacts in tropical regions."

Study author Professor Oliver Phillips, from University of Leeds, added "For too long the skills and potential of African and Amazonian scientists have been undervalued. We need to change this by ensuring their work is properly supported. It will fall to the next generation of African and Amazonian scientists to monitor these remarkable forests to help manage and protect them."

As tropical forests are likely to sequester less carbon than predicted, carbon budgets and emissions targets may need reassessing to account for this.

Professor Lewis said: "The immediate threats to tropical forests are deforestation, logging and fires. These require urgent action.

"In addition, stabilising Earth's climate is necessary to stabilise the carbon balance of intact tropical forests. By driving carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero even faster than currently envisaged, it would be possible to avoid intact tropical forests becoming a large source of carbon to the atmosphere. But that window of possibility is closing fast."
ESSEX  Beginning Monday, March 16, and running for four consecutive Mondays, the Connecticut River Museum is offering creative play activities to engage those inquisitive minds with our newest childrens program, Little STEAMers. These sessions run from 10-11:30 a.m., March 16-April 6.

Little STEAMers is open to children between three and five years of age, accompanied by a caregiver or adult, and offers children early exposure to the themes in STEAM-based education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Using hands-on fun to foster curiosity within your young learner; they wont even realize that they are learning!

STEAMers may purchase the whole series or pick and choose single sessions to fit your schedule. The member rate for the four-week session is $40.00, the non-member rate: $50 for four-week session. Session drop in rates for members are $12 and $15 for non-member. Go to ctrivermuseum.org/shop/programs/preschool programs to register or call 860-767-8269.

Wicked Big Book Sale coming to Russell Library

MIDDLETOWN  For a limited time, the space above Powder Hollow Brewery at 62 Washington St., Middletown, will be transformed into a multi-room used book store. Upwards of 10,000 gently-used books, DVDs, music CDs, and even jigsaw puzzles, provided by the Wesleyan Library and the Friends of the Russell Library, will be priced to sell, at less than $2 for most items. Every child who attends will be invited to take home one free book.

From the Russell Library: The project is the brainchild of library directors Andrew White (Wesleyan Library) and Ramona Burkey (Russell Library). Residents of Middletown who began work within a month or two of one another in 2018, the two have formed a fast friendship that promises creative and innovative partnerships going forward. Early into their tenures, White and Burkey discovered that both the Russell and Wesleyan libraries were home to large quantities of donated books that their Friends groups needed to sell in order to raise funds. They also learned that they both had strong roots in the state of Maine: White spent nearly 20 years at Bates College in Lewiston, while Burkey was born and raised in the small coastal town of Belfast.

Were both deeply invested in keeping our libraries at the center of this community, Burkey said. So, a huge event that would bring together our Friends groups, staff, Wesleyan students and faculty, and city residents just seems like, well, a wicked good idea.

As anyone who has organized similar events can attest, however, bringing ideas -- even wicked good ones -- from concept to reality is often the hardest part. We had to find a space that could accommodate us, says White. We wanted to be accessible to downtown Middletown, and even help bring foot traffic to the area. Burkey was able to make a connection, through Brendan Kelly of Harding Development Group, with a local developer with some available space. The Gondek Group, owner of 62 Washington Street, came through. Rocco Gondek has been amazing throughout this whole process, says Burkey. The Gondek Group is allowing us to use their space, which is currently available for rent, for free as a service to the community, and they have been gracious and accommodating to large groups of librarians and volunteers tromping through the space to scope it out and ask questions. And we do ask a lot of questions.

Volunteers are at the heart of the success of Middletowns libraries. The Friends of the Russell Library raise nearly $25,000 annually to support concerts, programs, summer reading initiatives, and events for all ages, along with the popular Museum Pass program. The Wesleyan Friends of Arts and Letters supports Wesleyans Center for the Arts, the Davison Arts Center, and Wesleyan Library. Jennifer Hadley, a Wesleyan Library staff member who also serves on the Russell Librarys Board of Trustees, welcomes the opportunity to bring the community together for a fun couple of weekends for a good cause: This is exactly the kind of engagement both institutions are looking for, and Im thrilled to be a part of it. Howard Rulnick, President of the Friends of the Russell Library, agrees: Weve never done anything like this before, but were confident that it will be an exciting and worthwhile event that raises lots of money for both libraries and supports businesses on lower Washington Street.

The sale will run for two long weekends. Preview night, 6-9 p.m., March 12, $20 entry fee or proof of Friends membership, available at the door; 10 a.m-6 p.m., March 13-14, 1-5 p.m., March 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., March 20-21; 1-5 p.m., March 22. Fill the bag sale, $7. Free book day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 23.

Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted. Parking is available in Melilli Plaza, and wheelchair/stroller access is available via the passageway to the west of Steamed, 68 Washington St., Information on the Wicked Big Book Sale is available at www.russelllibrary.org/book-sale.

Schoarship applications available

MIDDLETOWN  For the 35th year, Middlesex County Farm Bureau Agricultural scholarship applications are now available at county high school guidance offices and from the Middlesex County Farm Bureau office.

The $250 award is to assist a student in the study of any field of agriculture. Applicants must be residents of Middlesex County OR be attending school in Middlesex County, or be a Middlesex County Farm Bureau family member. Current college students and high school seniors are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Applications must be postmarked by May 1. For further information, or an application, interested students should contact Middlesex County Farm Bureau, Inc. at 860-349-1250 or semintz43@gmail.com
Mingchu "Pearl" Huynh, president of the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association, a nonprofit that helps connect Chinese immigrants to public services and other resources. Read more

At first, the teenagers taunts werent enough to drive the Chinese Sister Square Dance Group of Northeast Philadelphia from their evening rehearsal space, the playground of Mayfair Elementary School. Even through the vulgarities, the women  mostly immigrants, as many as 40 a session  kept dancing.

Then came hurled water bottles, and worse. One night, a boy rode his bike through them, knocking a woman to the ground and injuring her.

Dance groups are common in China for exercise and socializing, but here, I dont feel comfortable, founding member Lin Yu Jin said through a translator. We want to get happiness, but we live in fear. Our heart is scared.

The Chinese Sister Square Dancers didnt go to police or local politicians for help. They turned to Mingchu Pearl Huynh.

I went to Pearl because Pearl speaks English well, Lin said. And I knew she would be able to help.

So does just about everyone in the neighborhoods of Oxford Circle, Mayfair, and Lawncrest. President and founder of the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA), Huynh is a Vietnamese refugee of Chinese descent who in the last three years has positioned herself as advocate, liaison, and information hub for the burgeoning Chinese population there.

The dancers travails, which began in 2017, helped motivate Huynh to start her organization. She speaks of the physical and spiritual benefits of dance, but doesnt join in. Too busy, she says.

Nothing is too large or too small for her to tackle. From homeowners needing rain collectors, to undocumented immigrants seeking municipal IDs, to fearful residents now looking for the straight story on coronavirus  she helps them all.

Im like a string, said the 55-year-old Huynh. I bring all the people and the resources together, and tie them together.

Huynhs value to the community is so significant that State Rep. Jared Solomon wants to replicate her efforts with other ethnic groups in his district, one of the most immigrant-heavy in Philadelphia.

Its going to provide a new network for new immigrants coming to the Northeast to access services, said Solomon, who represents Lawncrest and parts of Ashmead Village and Mayfair.

Affordable housing and already established foreign-born communities have turned Northeast Philadelphia, once an overwhelmingly white swath of the city, into an epicenter for immigration, according to a 2018 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts; as of 2016, it found, a third of residents were foreign-born. The Chinese population, in particular, has grown significantly, many of them Chinese immigrants migrating south from New York City: More than 4,800 people who are either from China or identify as ethnically Chinese live in Oxford Circle/Castor and Mayfair, the largest concentration in Philadelphia, according to census data. Thats a fivefold increase since 2000.

 READ MORE: Welcome to Philly: Percentage of foreign-born city residents has doubled since 1990

Citywide, about 22,500 residents identify as Chinese.

Throughout the long course of American immigration, groups like NEPCA have helped ease the way, said Rogelio Saenz, a public policy and demography professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, benevolent societies served as an insurance system for immigrants, who paid into funds that could be tapped for medical expenses and funerals. In Texas today, he said, organizations like Casa Guanajuato help immigrants integrate, find jobs, and get training.

The primary service NEPCA provides is bridging the language gap, Huynh said.

Thats in evidence at the Imperial Business Plaza on Castor Avenue, a shared work space developed by Jason Lin, himself a Chinese immigrant, who makes desks available to NEPCA twice a week. On a Friday in February, Huynh and her assistant, Yinan Felicia Liu, tended to walk-ins including a woman seeking help applying for the homestead tax exemption. Another, who comes in weekly, wanted her English-language mail read to her.

I ask my relatives, but my relatives are very busy, they have to go to work, Li Wu Lan, 65, said, with Huynh translating. Its very inconvenient.

If Huynh cant solve a problem herself, she finds someone who can, through her network of dozens of government offices, elected officials, charitable groups, schools, and nonprofits. She also has about 1,200 direct followers on WeChat, a social media service similar to Facebook thats popular in China. Her recent posts include public events, free chess lessons for children, and coronavirus information.

Longtime Chinese residents in the Northeast tend to hail from southeastern China, Huynh said. Those who have arrived in the last 10 years often are from the city of Fuzhou, on Chinas east coast. Hard numbers on undocumented immigrants in the Chinese community arent available, but Huynh estimates that one of every 20 people she helps does not have legal status in the United States. She has advocated for them, too, and recently helped a father of four detained by ICE stay in the country.

In my heart, she said, I always have a special place to help this group of people.

 READ MORE: 15 percent of Philly population now is foreign-born, Pew study finds

Huynh has been a citizen for more than 30 years. But she has not forgotten an immigrants bewilderment at trying to navigate life in America.

She became a refugee in Vietnam after that countrys war with China made ethnically Chinese residents like herself unwelcome. She lived in a camp in Indonesia for a year before coming to the United States with an older sister at age 14 in 1980.

She spoke virtually no English. I sit in the class and Im dumb and deaf, she recalled.

She roomed with other siblings, lived in a Buddhist monastery in New York City, and was put in foster care in California. She was forced to learn English in high school, she said, but she relied on public assistance until she finished college.

I feel like I owe a lot to society to get where I am, said Huynh, who worked in software and finance, and now relies primarily on income from real estate investments. "Making the world a better place is my mission.

Solomon, the state representative, hopes to find more charismatic community leaders of Huynhs ilk, around whom other immigrants groups in the Northeast can coalesce. Efforts underway, he said, have included dialogues with Masjid Al-Furqan Mosque, and with interested members of the Haitian and Latino communities.

You strike out a lot, Solomon said.  Someone who has a dynamic personality and is willing to build bridges and work with our office and lead in their community  thats a lot to ask.

Huynh has worked hard to resolve the Chinese Sister Square Dancers Mayfair playground problem. She and Solomon discussed a range of solutions requiring government intervention, from added police presence to security cameras. She helped organize a neighborhood watch that includes the womens sons and husbands standing guard during rehearsals.

Tensions between the dancers and their teenage tormentors still simmer, though, and the women long for a space they can claim as their own. They said a purse containing about $5,000 for a Mothers Day celebration was stolen last May while they were at the playground. Occasionally, they move their rehearsals to the parking lot of an abandoned Kmart off Cottman Avenue.

Huynh is encouraging the Northeasts Chinese residents to participate in the 2020 census so government will realize how many of them are there. By next year, she said, shed like to see the community strong enough to stand up for itself.

If I can find someone to inherit the work that I do, or a government agency can take up the work, then I can rest, she said. Then maybe I have time to dance.
Becca Ersek, of North Wilmington and Cameron Powell, of University City, adjust a sign outside of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil-refinery complex last month. Philly Thrive organized a 10-hour occupation at the refinery. Read more

Shaina Marsden has heard the talking points before: We support working people. We support unions.

But she doesnt believe them. And why would she?

Marsden, 30, was one of the hundreds of union workers who lost their jobs  good jobs, six-figure-salary jobs  when the East Coasts largest oil refinery abruptly shut down after an explosion ripped through the South Philly facility last summer. Shell have to leave Philadelphia, where shes lived all her life, if she wants to stay in the industry.

They say they support us  the workers  but theres no plan for us, Marsden said last month at the Erin Pub, the bar next to her union hall in Norwood, Delaware County.

To some in her union, it was a group of climate activists called Philly Thrive who were among the biggest hypocrites. Philly Thrive  an alliance of young progressive organizers, or elites," as Marsdens former union president called them, and poor black people who said their families were suffering health issues from living near the refinery  claimed to support the workers. Still, they declared victory and celebrated when the refinery was shut down for good.

There is no just transition,  Marsden said, referring to the term advocates use to describe how workers like her should be supported in the move away from fossil fuels. Its shutting us down, putting us out of work, and thats it.

What played out in Philadelphia after the refinerys collapse is a long-standing struggle in the climate justice movement. Its often framed as a question of jobs vs. the environment, pitting climate activists against labor, and these tensions are sure to resurface as concerns about the climate crisis grow and debates about fracking and such projects as the Mariner East Pipeline rage on. But experts say thats a troubling  and false  choice.

Although there arent yet many examples of groups winning a just transition for workers, experts say such solutions are emerging  and they have a much better chance of becoming reality if the two sides work together.

Heres a look at what happened in Philly and what the city can learn from how things played out differently in other parts of the country.

The conflict in Philly

Last month, when a bankruptcy court judge approved the sale of the refinery complex to a real estate development company that had no intention of reopening the refinery, members of Philly Thrive rejoiced.

I could dance all over the street, said Sylvia Bennett, a Philly Thrive member and longtime resident of Grays Ferry, the neighborhood where the refinery is located. Bennett, 75, said she believes her familys health problems are because of the refinery.

The celebration infuriated Ryan OCallaghan, the former president of the refinery workers local, who thought that the climate activists were celebrating the loss of hundreds of jobs.

Its easy to say, Lets get off fossil fuels, when they dont suffer the pain, he said.

 READ MORE: Longtime South Philly residents are hopeful after refinery sale

The allegations that the activists didnt care about the refinery workers were painful to Philly Thrive members, who insisted the sacrifices of the workers were not falling on deaf ears.

They saved the lives of over a million Philadelphians last June, said Thrive organizer Rachel Merriam-Goldring. Were aware of that. Were deeply aware of that, and the loss of jobs and the challenges of this transition.

But Merriam-Goldring, 24, also conceded that Philly Thrive didnt make enough time to develop a relationship with the refinery workers union. Her group, she said, was told by some who were close with the union that the union was not interested in speaking with them because of their stance on shutting down the refinery. Some Thrive members have since been working on one-on-one relationships with the refinery workers, she said.

Its slow, vital work, she said.

Philly Thrive hopes to push for unionized green jobs as the refinery complex gets redeveloped, she said.

OCallaghan said he was approached by a Philly Thrive organizer once but he wasnt interested. Its kind of hard to sit down with people who celebrated you losing your jobs, he said.

 READ MORE: After fire, Philadelphia refinery paid executives $4,591,500 in bonuses while hundreds were laid off

What a just transition could actually look like

Experts who have studied, or experienced firsthand, the interactions of climate activists and labor concede that there arent yet many examples of a "just transition in the United States, which is why workers tend to be skeptical about it. But one victory was scored by a coalition of labor and climate organizers at Californias last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, which will be shutting down by 2025.

The union representing the workers, IBEW Local 1245, partnered with Friends of the Earth and PG&E, which owned the plant, to negotiate an agreement that got workers a 25% retention bonus for staying on until the plant closed and early retirement incentives, as well as a retraining fund for workers and job placement at other PG&E sites.

A just transition could also include wages or a portion of wages paid to workers for up to five years after the closure of a site, as well as health-care and pension benefits; extended unemployment benefits; and preferential hiring in the cleanup and repurposing of the site. These are things a union could bargain for, with the backing of the community, including climate activists.

The key, though, according to J. Mijin Cha, a professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles who studies the intersection of labor and climate justice, is fighting for these things before a site is closed.

In some ways, we already know what will happen, she said, so its possible to plan five or six years ahead. When we get to the point when were in crisis, then workers will always get screwed.

Why climate activists need a jobs platform

Its important that climate activists understand that the anxieties workers feel about a just transition come from a real place, Cha said.

We are at a point where there just arent that many family-sustaining jobs, especially for folks who dont have higher education, she said. That is something the climate movement could take a moment to understand and absorb.

 READ MORE: From Motherboard: This solar energy company fired its construction crew after they unionized

Its why climate activists need to develop their own jobs platform, Cha and Joe Uehlein, executive director of the labor/climate-focused Labor Network for Sustainability, both said. It cant be an afterthought. And it has to go beyond solar because those jobs, which are largely not union, pay less and have worse benefits than the likes of those at the refinery, which had been strengthened by collective bargaining for decades.

How to bridge the climate-labor divide

Experts consistently pointed to three qualities that could transform the relationship between climate activists and labor into more of a partnership.

Proactive planning. In Tonawanda, a working-class, highly unionized suburb of Buffalo, a coalition of climate activists and labor unions was able to secure a mitigation fund from the state to help with the loss of tax revenue caused by the retirement of a local coal-fired power plant. But they had years to plan and build an alliance, as the power plant was going through a slowdown and its effects were already being felt on the town  a luxury that Philadelphia didnt have.

Relationship building. It requires trust, real trust, which is something that takes time to build," said Todd Vachon, a former union carpenter and Rutgers professor who is writing a book about the labor-climate movement. "Relationships like this are never forged overnight.

Strong leadership. Uehlein said how people decide to exercise their leadership makes a big difference. He pointed to Richard Lipsitz, head of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, who played a big role in corralling labor support for the effort in Tonawanda.

Lipsitz said he put his leadership at stake to make sure labor unions could have a cooperative relationship with the environmental movement. Similarly, Rebecca Newberry, who led the effort from the Clean Air Coalition, insisted that workers couldnt be left behind, according to a local report about the Tonawanda coal fire power plant.

Ultimately, Cha said, its in the fossil fuel industrys interest that this division between labor and climate justice continues, that the jobs vs. the environment narrative is perpetuated. Lipsitz agrees: These things are used by our common foes to split us apart, he said. And it lets the wealthy get off the hook.
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. is encouraging employees in Silicon Valley to work from home as an additional precaution against the outbreak of coronavirus, joining other major technology companies, including Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

The iPhone maker has two main headquarters in Cupertino, California, -- the Apple Park campus and its original Infinite Loop set of buildings -- in addition to offices elsewhere in Santa Clara County. Apple also is offering workers in Seattle the option to work from home. The company employs engineers in Seattle on machine-learning technology.

The work-at-home policy is in effect for Friday, Apple said in a statement. The company didnt comment on future plans.

Apple retail stores in the San Francisco Bay Area remain open, but the company is limiting some Today at Apple classes in the region and in the Seattle area, which has the largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. The iPhone maker also is spacing out Genius Bar service appointments throughout the stores so people are not as close to one another.

Apples supply chain has been impacted by the virus as well, with devices like the iPad Pro and replacement iPhones seeing shortages, Bloomberg News has reported. The company has also restricted employee travel to China, South Korea and Italy.

More than 100,000 cases of the virus known as Covid-19 have been confirmed, resulting in 3,405 deaths. There are 126 illnesses in the U.S., according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in Los Angeles at mgurman1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alistair Barr at abarr18@bloomberg.net, Andrew Pollack

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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2020 Bloomberg L.P.
CHICO, Calif. - Growing concerns about the coronavirus have some people stockpiling products like hand sanitizers.

Action News Now checked out several stores in Chico, to find out if the fear is causing a shortage in local stores.

Pictured: Chico Walmart leaves a note for customers that they are currently out of hand sanitizer.

WinCo Foods in Chico, California share message to customers after several people scrabble to gather hand sanitizer. WinCo Foods in Chico, California share message to customers after several people scrabble to gather hand sanitizer. Pictured: Chico Walmart leaves a note for customers that they are currently out of hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizers - millions of people use them every day.

"These are something I keep on hand all the time," said Anne Wheelock, Chico resident.

But some stores in Chico are running out.

"Surprising! They should have a hell of a lot more," said Pat Conley, Chico resident.

A picture showing an empty Walmart shelf - it's normally packed with hand sanitizers - Now? Empty!

"I guess its a little bit worrisome," said Chico resident, Sam Miller. He added, "I think it's spreading fast enough and it has the potential to be a pretty big problem."

At WinCo, employees posted a sign limiting how much customers can purchase, not just hand sanitizer but other cleaning supplies as well.

RELATED: This map tracks the coronavirus in real time

"I think its definitely ok to be too prepared especially with how many deaths there have been with the coronavirus," said Chico resident, Sierra Seko.

Action News Now checked with Target and Walgreens; both are also out of hand sanitizer.

"If you can, just don't go to crowds. Don't go to any crowd of people. I would avoid concerts," Wheelock said.

Butte County Public Health officials recommend always washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. If you need to cough, cough on your shoulder or a napkin.

Action News Now checked the Walmarts in Oroville and Redding, they are also out of hand sanitizer.

SIGN UP: Be the first to know when important news breaks with our email updates!
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince the nation not through words but deeds. Singh said India was facing a three-prong challenge of coronavirus, economic slowdown and protests and riots across the country.

In a column written by Manmohan Singh for The Hindu, the former Prime Minister says, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi must convince the nation, not merely through words but by deeds, that he is cognisant of the dangers we face and reassure the nation that he can help us tide over this as smoothly as we can."

Singh says that he worries that the "potent combination" of social disharmony, economic slowdown and global health epidemic "may not only rupture the soul of India but also diminish our global standing as an economic and democratic power in the world".

The Congress leader in his column for the daily lamented that while university campuses, public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal violence, "institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens". "Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy, the media, have also failed us," he added.

Also read: 'Very competent doctors': Nirmala Sitharaman takes dig at Manmohan Singh in Lok Sabha

Singh said that it is futile to point out past instances of violence to justify present instances of violence in the country. "Just in a matter of few years, India has slid rapidly from being a global showcase of a model of economic development through liberal democratic methods to a strife ridden majoritarian state in economic despair," he wrote in his column.

He added that social unrest would only exacerbate the economic slowdown faced by India. "Investors, industrialists and entrepreneurs are unwilling to undertake new projects and have lost their risk appetite. Social disruptions and communal tensions only compound their fears and risk aversion," said Manmohan Singh.

"No amount of tweaking of tax rates, showering of corporate incentives or goading will propel Indian or foreign businesses to invest, when the risk of eruption of sudden violence in one's neighbourhood looms large," he said referring to the slew of economic measures announced recently by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Also read: Manmohan Singh calls $5 trillion economy target 'wishful thinking'

Singh added that the external threat of coronavirus is only making such a situation worse. Stating the measures that countries like China, Italy and the US have undertaken, Singh said that India too must prepare to face the coronavirus threat.

The former PM suggested a three point plan to take on the challenges - focus all efforts to contain COVID-19, amend or withdraw the Citizenship Act, put together a meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption.

He concluded the column by saying that "a moment of deep crisis can also be a moment of great opportunity". He added that the coronavirus crisis can open up new opportunities for India to reinvigorate the economy. "The truth is that the current situation is very grim and morose. The India that we know and cherish is slipping away fast," he said. Manmohan Singh said that it is time to confront the harsh reality and face the challenges squarely and sufficiently.

Also read: Shut offices, work from home, travel ban: India Inc takes coronavirus safety measures
Fresh Projects, the builder responsible for leaving the Brandon School Division and the province in the lurch by declaring bankruptcy Monday, also blindsided Lake St. Martin First Nation.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Fresh Projects, the builder responsible for leaving the Brandon School Division and the province in the lurch by declaring bankruptcy Monday, also blindsided Lake St. Martin First Nation.

Along with working on the Maryland Park School build, the company was finishing up the Phase 2 project of rebuilding houses for the northern Interlake First Nation after it suffered devastating losses because of a flood in 2011.

"There are 10 houses incomplete," said Coun. Chris Traverse.

Traverse also said Fresh Projects had just been paid millions for 90 houses, not specifying how many millions.

"Then they just pulled this, saying theyre bankrupt," he said.

"It definitely sets us back because we have to look for a new contractor to finish up the housing. It sets us back because we just got an extension from the government to house our people to the end of March."

Ten families will have to wait even longer to move back to the community, likely to sometime in the summer.

One hundred and thirty houses were part of the Phase 2 contract, scheduled for completion by the end of March.

The First Nation learned of the bankruptcy Monday. The next step is to sort out the bond  a financial protection in place tied to the contract to deal with this type of event. Then the First Nation will hire a new contractor to complete the work.

"Thats what happens when they go for bidding and the government picks the lowest bid. You get the bottom feeders that just want to do this stuff," he said.

 mletourneau@brandonsun.com

 Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.

BRANDON DEAL IN WORKS

Lake St. Martin First Nation has plans in Brandon.

"Shortly well be making a news announcement for a Brandon deal were working on. Were buying some land in Brandon right now and setting up an urban reserve," said Coun. Chris Traverse.

He added the plans are for a gas station, restaurant and VLT lounge "to one of the locations out there."

"As soon as the paperwork is done up, well make a news announcement," he said.

City of Brandon director of corporate communications Allison Collins stated by email that the City of Brandon has not been involved in any discussions to date with the Lake St. Martin First Nation regarding the development of an urban reserve within the municipality.

However, Gambler First Nation has a parcel of land in the city and Waywayseecappo First Nation has land just north of the city.

 The Brandon Sun
Ive written about my trials and tribulations with my thinning hair, my struggles to maintain my weight  and have, on more than one occasion, delved into the world of so-called non-surgical procedures, from Botox and fillers to fat-freezing

There comes a time in every womans life  and Im sure quite a few mens, too  when the person on the outside no longer matches the one on the inside.

When the face in the mirror no longer tallies with the somewhat more flattering image in ones head.

In my case this realisation happened a couple of years ago, after I was invited onto a TV talk show.

Woah-there, I thought as I watched myself back. Who on earth was this jowly, frowny harridan with the turned-down mouth and permanent resting bitch face? Why, dear reader, it was me.

Admittedly I was up against some stiff competition  the delectable Holly Willoughby, if memory serves.

But when Fiona Bruce, the veteran newsreader, observed this week that in her business, women who reject Botox can look awfully rough by comparison with the rest, I knew exactly what she meant. I was living proof of that.

Even though Id had Botox once or twice in the past (mostly for articles), I hadnt kept it up.

But even if I had, I suspect it wouldnt have made much of a difference: my problem wasnt that I had wrinkles, more the fact that my face appeared to be melting.

As luck would have it, a few weeks before my fateful TV appearance, I had been approached by an editor to have a thread lift and write about it.

My initial reaction was no  are you mad? Why would I want to have my face yanked around by the surgical equivalent of barbed wire?

Even if it did produce the promised results, surely no amount of youthful lift and glossy skin was worth that kind of agony.

Plus, you know, only vain celebrities do things like that and Im supposed to be above all that sort of nonsense.

My initial reaction was no  are you mad? Why would I want to have my face yanked around by the surgical equivalent of barbed wire? Sarah Vine is pictured above before the surgery

But watching the apparition on screen, I realised that, aged 51, maybe the time was right. I went back through my emails and found the number of the clinic Id been recommended.

Surely there could be no harm in just exploring my options. That said, it was still quite a scary prospect.

A thread lift, aka the lunch-time face lift, is a gentler, semi-permanent alternative to the dreaded, old-fashioned scrubs-and-scalpel procedure.

Instead of using a scalpel, the cosmetic surgeon inserts fine threads interspersed with tiny cones, or barbs, into the face, beneath the subcutaneous layer of fat. Then the threads are pulled tight, gently lifting the skin.

Like many middle-aged, middle-class women I am no stranger to the odd tweakment, as they are so coyly referred to these days. I used to be a beauty editor in a former life and Ive always loved the world of make-up and beauty.

Quite frankly whats not to like  but also because over the years it has brought me into contact with so many remarkable women who, like me, just want to make the most of what nature has  or hasnt  given them.

As one not naturally blessed, Ive had plenty to learn.

Ive written about my trials and tribulations with my thinning hair, my struggles to maintain my weight  and have, on more than one occasion, delved into the world of so-called non-surgical procedures, from Botox and fillers to fat-freezing. I tend to be fairly fearless about these things and will try almost anything.

But a thread lift? Now that was way out of my comfort zone. That was grown-up stuff.

Of course, nowhere near as invasive (or risky) as some surgical face lifts. No general anaesthetic or stitches or drinking through straws  but still, in my book at least, quite a leap of faith.

I met Dr Charlotte Woodward, who together with Dr Victoria Manning runs River Aesthetics (with clinics in London, Hampshire and Dorset) in November 2018.

She and her colleagues have devised something they call the River Lift  a combination of treatments, including threads, designed not so much to make the patient look noticeably done, more to simply blur the passage of time. The idea is that you should still look like you, but just a little bit glossier.

Instead of using a scalpel, the cosmetic surgeon inserts fine threads interspersed with tiny cones, or barbs, into the face, beneath the subcutaneous layer of fat. Then the threads are pulled tight, gently lifting the skin

The way to do this, she explained, is not to superficially treat the skin, but to very subtly adjust the shape and contours of the face.

As we age, our muscles and tissues  whether in our face or our behind  begin to lose volume and tone.

It is this shift  imperceptible from day-to-day but clearly noticeable over time  that contributes, in many ways more so than surface wrinkles, to a tired and aged appearance.

This facial geometry is really at the heart of most modern rejuvenation techniques.

When we are young, our faces are, broadly speaking, like an upside-down triangle, with the point at the bottom: wide-spaced eyes, prominent cheekbones, defined jaw.

As we get older, and gravity takes its toll, this shape reverses: we lose volume at the top  in the cheeks and cheekbones  and the emphasis shifts to the jowls.

I was a classic case, as Dr Charlotte explained.

Although I didnt really have much in the way of wrinkles (apart from the dreaded Mummy frown in between my eyes), I had fat loss in my cheeks, too much weight in the bottom half of my face  and was afflicted with what the French rather unflatteringly call les marionettes, aka two puppet-like vertical lines at either side of my mouth, lending me a permanent air of mild disapproval.

Before undertaking the thread lift, then, Dr Charlotte decided that, rather like an elderly building, I needed some preliminary structural work.

She injected Botox into my forehead to help soften the two deep frown lines between my eyes; then put some in my jaw to stop me from clenching and grinding my teeth  a terrible habit of mine.

Admittedly I was up against some stiff competition  the delectable Holly Willoughby, if memory serves. But when Fiona Bruce, the veteran newsreader, above, observed this week that in her business, women who reject Botox can look awfully rough by comparison with the rest, I knew exactly what she meant. I was living proof of that

This would also have the effect of reducing the size of my jaw muscles, thus helping with the general jowliness. Neither was especially painful. In any case, having had this before, it didnt worry me.

Then I had a new collagen-stimulating filler called Ellanse injected into my cheeks. This works on two levels: by providing instant volume but also, over a period of months, stimulating the bodys own systems to produce more of the skins natural supporting protein, collagen.

This felt a little more uncomfortable than the Botox, mainly because it needed to go in slightly deeper, but if youve ever had a dental anaesthetic youll have endured worse.

Although the Botox would kick in after a few days, it would take three months for the fillers to take full effect. My next appointment, in three months time, would be the thread lift.

Christmas came and went and I felt rather happy with my new face. So happy, in fact, that I wasnt even sure I needed the thread lift itself. But I was committed, and so, in March 2019 I trotted along to their clinic in Harley Street for phase two.

I knew what to expect but I didnt really know what to expect, if you know what I mean.

I had a basic idea of the process, but I had deliberately decided to avoid Googling it or watching too many videos on YouTube in case I scared myself. I decided instead to simply trust Dr Charlotte  and hope for the best.

In retrospect, I think this was absolutely the right decision. It really doesnt pay to overthink these things.

Certainly if I had known how weird it was going to feel, I might have not gone through with it. A bit like childbirth, the process is not exactly pleasant, and probably best not dwelt on too much. But the results are great.

There are basically two types of thread lift available: Silhouette Soft and PDO.

The first type, explained Dr Charlotte, is for fine, more delicate skins and are inserted nearer the surface.

I was going to have the other type, for thicker skin types, inserted more deeply into the tissue (lucky me!).

Having marked out the trajectory of the threads (seven on either side), she then injected a small amount of anaesthetic into the entry points, once again via a large needle.

The threads themselves really do look like tiny fishhooks: microscopically fine wires, with little barbs at regular intervals, and made from a biocompatible material designed for safe re-absorption into the body.

Once theyre all in, the doctor simply pulls the ends, and they latch on to the internal tissues, lifting everything into place like an open umbrella. And there they stay while they slowly dissolve  over roughly a three-month period.

In the meantime, the body rushes to repair the damage caused by the threads, and in so doing goes into collagen overdrive in the affected areas. This has the very pleasing effect not only of holding the lift in place  but also improving the texture of the skin from within.

Dr Charlotte worked fast and with purpose.

The first few threads were completely painless. But when we got to the third or fourth, the one that had to traverse my jaw muscles, the discomfort was, I will not lie, acute.

I tend to be fairly fearless about these things and will try almost anything. But a thread lift? Now that was way out of my comfort zone. That was grown-up stuff. Of course, nowhere near as invasive (or risky) as some surgical face lifts. A stock image is used above [File photo]

It wasnt so much painful  the anaesthetic saw to that; it was more the invasive nature of having something alien in ones head. If youve ever had root canal treatment or a dental implant youll know what I mean.

Still, with the help of an ice-pack and Dr Charlottes calm demeanour, it was all over within an hour. The immediate impact was striking: although a bit swollen and chipmunk-like, there was no mistaking the lift.

But otherwise I felt  and looked  pretty normal.

So much so that I trotted off to a lunch with some lovely ladies from an animal charity in Somerset I help out with and, for the most part, felt remarkably unscathed.

I even managed to pose for a selfie with them. I look a little pained, but all things considered not bad. It was only later on, in the afternoon, that I felt a bit tired.

It wasnt until the following morning, when I woke up, that I truly appreciated the extent of what I had done.

Even though I was still sore from the procedure, and even though I hadnt had the best nights sleep, I looked like I had just returned from a three-month holiday in the Caribbean.

The only downside was that, over the course of the following few days, I did develop a bruise on the side that had been uncomfortable  but it was easy enough to cover, and faded relatively quickly.

The other, slightly more disconcerting thing, was the fact that every now and again when I moved my face, one of the tiny barbs would nibble at my cheek. Weird.

But it soon stopped.

Almost immediately, people started commenting on how well I looked. As the weeks wore on, and the swelling disappeared (it took about a week to ten days), my skin just kept improving.

Several girlfriends cornered me, wanting to know what I had done. Was it a facial? A new face-cream? A boyfriend? I kept them guessing. My family, as is always the case, didnt notice a thing.

So why, you might ask, have I decided to come clean now, a whole year after the event?

Well, quite simply I wanted to see if it was worth it. Whether the effects would last, and whether it would survive the test of time.

One year on, and my lift is still going strong. I havent had any more Botox or fillers, and apart from the odd facial when Im feeling self-indulgent, my skincare routine consists of nothing more time-consuming than a bit of facial oil or cream.

Best of all, I feel confident enough to leave the house with minimal or no make-up, something I havent really done since I was in my early 40s.

Is it worth it? That depends on how much you care.

Ten years ago the thought of having 2,000 worth of surgical barbed wire inserted into my face would have seemed completely bonkers.

Now it seems like a perfectly reasonable, not to mention sensible, long- term investment.

For more information, visit: riveraesthetics.com
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that the behaviour shown by the seven Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha should not be displayed in the House.

Seven Congress MPs were on Thursday named by the Chair in the Lok Sabha and suspended for the remaining part of the ongoing budget session for "gross misconduct" in the House.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, in a reply to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Joshi said: "Such behaviour should not be displayed in the House. Earlier, inappropriate words were said against the Prime Minister and Amit Shah Ji in the House but we did not do anything. The government doesn't want to keep any MP outside the Parliament. But, what happened yesterday, never happened in the 70 years of independent India."

BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, who was in the Chair, when the House reassembled at 3 pm on Thursday, had said the Congress members had behaved in a manner that had never happened before and had snatched papers from the podium during the proceedings when the House met at 2 pm.

She named the Congress members.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had moved a resolution to suspend the members from the remaining period of the budget session, which was adopted by the House.

"That this House having taken serious note of gross misconduct of Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Benny Behanan, Manickam Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Gurjeet Singh Aujla in utter disregard to the House and authority of the Chair and having been named by Speaker, resolve that be suspended from the service of the House for the remainder of the session," Joshi had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Utility personnel disinfect a mosque in San Juan district in Metro Manila, after Philippine health officials confirmed that a man who had frequented the worship space had tested positive for COVID-19, March 6, 2020.

The Philippines confirmed two more cases of the novel coronavirus Friday  the first detected there in 30 days  while neighboring Malaysia announced a giant leap of 28 new cases, with Malaysian health officials saying the situation was still under control.

The two new cases in the Philippines brought to five the number of cases detected in the country since the virus first broke out in China, and could potentially include the first case of a local transmission of the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19, national health officials said.

The fourth case was a 48-year-old Filipino who had traveled to Japan, and suffered chills and fever days after returning home in late February, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The man sought medical help and tested positive for COVID-19. The patient was currently stable and being closely monitored at Manilas Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, officials said.

The fifth confirmed case is a 62-year-old male Filipino with no known hypertension and diabetes mellitus, who experienced cough with phlegm last February 25, Duque said.

The man was known to have frequented a Muslim prayer hall housed at a shopping district in San Juan, a suburb of Manila, the Department of Health said.

He also has no known history of travel outside the country, Duque said.

Efforts were already underway to check all people who had been to the San Juan prayer hall over the past week, Duque said.

How the fifth case got Covid-19, we really dont know, the secretary said. Thats the reason were doing contact tracing to find out the source, if at all possible.

The three previous cases in the Philippines all involved Chinese tourists. These included a 44-year-old man who died of COVID-19 last month  in the first death from the disease recorded outside China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

More than 95,000 cases have been confirmed and at least 3,200 people have died of the disease in nearly 90 countries, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).

These recent developments are significant, but we are prepared to respond to its potential consequences. Our priority is to protect our health workers and the most vulnerable populations, Duque said.

Commenting on the latest development, Philippine presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo maintained that the central government was prepared to respond to the coronavirus threat.

There is no need for alarm or worry because we are ready. From the very start we already said that, Panelo told reporters, adding that protocols were already in place.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the WHO representative in the Philippines, explained that local transmission was different from community transmission.

Local transmission means transmission in a local geographical setting. Community transmission means widespread transmission beyond the defined geographical area, he said.

A person infected with COVID-19 could pass on the virus to up to three people, Abeyasinghe said.

Cases shoot up in Malaysia

The 28 new cases announced in Malaysia on Friday brought to 54 the number of cases confirmed in the country since Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). The total nationwide number stood at 83 cases, as of Friday.

Of the total, more than two dozen of the infected people belonged to a cluster linked to one patient, a 52-year-old Malaysian man who had visited China in mid-January, officials said.

Based on the MoH assessment to date, the COVID-19 infection situation is still under control and is in the Early Containment phase, Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement Friday.

Accordingly, the public is requested to provide full cooperation to the MoH for the investigation, tracking of close contacts and treatment of patients.

Meanwhile, authorities in Indonesia confirmed Friday that two new cases were detected, bringing the nationwide total to four in Southeast Asias most populous nation.

The two new patients were both Indonesians in their thirties living in the Jakarta area, health officials said.

The first person in Indonesia to have tested positive for the disease had attended a dance party at a Jakarta club, authorities said. A Japanese national, who had attended the same party, later tested positive for the illness after arriving in Malaysia, said Achmad Yurianto, the spokesman for the Indonesian governments task force on COVID-19.

Workers adjust face masks as they prepare to help disinfect a mosque in Suan Juan district in Metro Manila, after Philippine health officials confirmed that a man who had frequented the worship space had tested positive for COVID-19, March 6, 2020. [Basilio Sepe/BenarNews]

Huge economic losses projected

Meanwhile, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB), in a report released Friday, said that developing Asian economies, including the Philippines, stood to lose much due to the viral outbreak.

In the Philippines alone, the ADB forecast that between 87,000 to 252,000 Filipinos in the sectors of travel, tourism, consumption and supply chains could lose their jobs as a result.

Developing Asian economies such as Hong Kong, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam will be materially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Many of these economies see a significant share of tourists from China and are affected through that channel as well, the multilateral lending agency said.

The global economy could lose between U.S. $77 billion and $347 billion due to the virus, the bank reported. About two-thirds of the projected impact falls on China, where the virus originated.

The magnitude of the economic impact will depend on how the outbreak evolves, which remains highly uncertain, the ADB said.

Arief Rahmat in Kuala Lumpur, Tia Asmara in Jakarta, and Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato, Philippines, contributed to this report.
How did this ever make it to air?

During Thursday nights live broadcast of MSNBCs The 11th Hour, anchor Brian Williams and New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay both credulously believed a viral, flatly wrong tweet claiming that Michael Bloomberg could have gifted each American one million dollars with the money he spent on his failed campaign.

Discussing Bloombergs plans to form a Super PAC to support the Democratic presidential nominee, Williams said that Gay has spoken with great knowledge about Bloomberg in the past and how he could be a one-man bank.

After Gay noted that Bloomberg can make a huge difference for former Vice President Joe Bidens campaign, Williams asked her if she sees the possibility that the ex-mayor could spend a billion bucks beating President Donald Trump.

Absolutely, she responded. Somebody tweeted recently that actually with the money hes spent, he could have given every American a million dollars.

Twitter

Williams, meanwhile, pointed out that they actually had the tweet in question from writer Mekita Rivaswho has since deleted the tweet and acknowledged the poor mathand had the control room put it on-screen.

When I read it tonight on social media, it kind of all became clear, Williams confidently declared. Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads. U.S. Population, $327 million. Dont tell us if youre ahead of us on the math. He could have given each American $1 million and have had lunch money left over. Its an incredible way of putting it.

Its an incredible way of putting it, Gay responded. Its true. Its disturbing. It does suggest, you know, what were talking about here, which is there is too much money in politics.

Yes, indeed, it is an incredible way of putting it, but it is nowhere near true. For those who dont want to do the math, in order for Bloomberg to have given a million dollars to every American, he would have had to have spent $327 trillion.

After a commercial break, Williams issued a self-deprecating correction, saying to camera: Turns out Mara and I got the same grades at math. Im speaking of the tweet we both misinterpreted. He could give each American $1. Again, I didnt have it in high school. I dont have it tonight. Stand corrected. Sorry about that. The tweet is wrong. Garbage in, garbage out.

Story continues

In addition to the on-air correction, the programs official Twitter account posted an apology noting that they had quoted a tweet that relied on bad math and removed it from later editions of tonights program.

Stephen Colbert Booed for Brutal Takedown of Bloombergs Debate Performance

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A 101-year-old novel coronavirus patient surnamed Zhou was discharged on March 4 from Wuhan Third Hospital in Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei province, a local newspaper (ctdsb.net) of Hubei reported Wednesday.

(Photo/Changjiang Daily)

Zhou was hale and hearty, and has good ears and eyes, according to doctors who saw him off, disclosing that he pressed the correct button in the elevator.

The senior was found infected with the novel coronavirus this February, not long after his 101st birthday. Although he only showed mild symptoms, considering that patients of his age face higher risks than others, Zhou was hospitalized in Guanggu subdivision of Wuhan Third Hospital in Hongshan district of Wuhan.

You dont have to do this for me. I can do it myself. These were the most frequently said words by Zhou , according to Li Lai, head nurse of Guanggu subdivision of Wuhan Third Hospital.

At first, doctors and nurses paid special attention to Dai, for they thought he might need help, but they soon found that Zhou could feed himself and clean up quickly, and he even attempted to fetch hot water by himself.

When medical workers stopped him and offered to help, Zhou always said, I can do it. You guys go focus on your work.

Zhou had kept doing physical exercise during hospitalization. He often told medical workers that he has a 92-year-old wife to take care of at home, so he must recover soon. Zhou will be able to meet his wife after two weeks of quarantine.
China has expanded and optimised the utilisation of drugs and therapies in the treatment of the novel coronavirus disease to block the conversion of mild cases to severe cases and save critically ill patients, health officials said.

Tocilizumab, with the common brand name Actemra, has been included in China's latest version of diagnosis and treatment guidelines on COVID-19, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Zhou Qi, deputy secretary-general and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at a press conference Friday that the drug Tocilizumab has been found effective to block the inducement of the inflammatory storm.

In an initial clinical trial, Tocilizumab was used in 20 severe COVID-19 cases. And the body temperatures of all the patients dropped within one day. Nineteen of the patients were discharged from the hospital within two weeks while one got better, Zhou was quoted as saying.

Currently, the drug is under clinical trials in 14 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, Zhou said.

Ever since the virus started spreading fiercely after it reportedly originated from a wild animal market in Wuhan in December last year, medical professionals in China and abroad are making frantic efforts to find a cure to treat thousands of patients while efforts are underway to produce a vaccine to halt it in its tracks.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Friday that the death toll in the novel coronavirus outbreak has touched 3,042 with 30 new fatalities while the confirmed casesm rose to 80,552 amid signs that the dreaded COVID-19 was stabilising, including in the worst-affected Hubei province.

The NHC said on Friday that 53,726 patients have been discharged so far in China after recovery.

Chinese officials said earlier that more than half of the patients are being treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Wuhan which helped many of them to recover.

China has also ordered field trials of a number of drugs to treat the virus.

Several antiviral drugs have been applied in clinical trials against the novel coronavirus disease and some have shown fairly good clinical efficacy, according to Chinese officials.

Chinese researchers have narrowed down their focus to a few existing drugs, including Chloroquine Phosphate, Favipiravir and Remdesivir, after multiple rounds of screening, Zhang Xinmin, director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology said in February.

Also a total of 14 testing products for the novel coronavirus disease have gained approval for clinical use in China, an official with the Ministry of Science and Technology said Friday.

Seven of them have been approved by the National Medical Products Administration and put into clinical use in the past two weeks, Xinhua report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over the past week, Democrats and public health experts have excoriated the Trump administration for its response to the novel coronavirus. Outside pundits have wondered whether the handling of the ballooning threat could damage the presidents chance for re-election.

Donald Trump himself appears to have a somewhat unique point of view on the matter. During one of the many White House meetings devoted to the coronavirus in the last week, the president joked that his critics would be so surprised. The coronavirus outbreak could actually help, not hurt Trump in 2020 because of how terrific his teams handling of the public health crisis has been. The president went on to again congratulate and thank officials present for all the work theyve done, according to two sources with knowledge of the private remarks.

Its a view that is widely sharedor at least a political attack line largely disseminatedwithin Trumpworld, as the presidents management of the ongoing crisis has come under intense scrutiny. While President Trump proactively combats coronavirus, Democrats campaign to curb Americans health care access with their Bernie Sanders-inspired, socialist health care agenda, read a mass email sent by the Trump campaign on Monday.

In the past week, President Trump and officials coordinating with the coronavirus task force have quietly strategized how to best strike back against Democratic criticism that the administration has not done enough to respond to the public-health threat, according to The Daily Beasts two sources, plus a third with direct knowledge of the deliberations.

Discussions have focused on how growing dissatisfaction among Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill and others in Washington, D.C.specifically that the administration was underfunding and mismanaging the responsecould potentially hurt, or even counterintuitively benefit, Trumps 2020 re-election prospects.

The White House did not provide comment on this story.

Story continues

The efforts to find electoral benefit from the response to the novel coronavirus stem from a fear inside the White House that Democrats would criticize the administrations handling of the public health threat. If the Democrats were attacking the administration, the officials thinking went, then the president was going hit back even more aggressively.

And so he has. In the last month, as the coronavirus has spread, the president has repeatedly taken to the rally stages, lambasting his perceived nemeses, and alleging that Democrats were hyping the threat and unfairly criticizing the work of the coronavirus task force he had assembled. On Fox News on Wednesday night, Trump claimed that the World Health Organization had also drastically overstated the threat, inventing his own low mortality rate for the virus.

Trump allies and top officials have followed the presidents cue, delivering remarks at last weeks annual Conservative Political Action Conference to echo the talking points on the Democrats coronavirus hoax.

Washington Democrats are trying to politicize the coronavirus, denigrating the noble work of our public health professionals, but honestly not so much anymore, Trump said during a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday evening. The political attacks from some of the Democrats really must stop. Weve really got to work together on this one to safeguard our people.

Late last week, the White House blasted out an official talking-points memo to its media allies and surrogates on how while the President is leading aggressive response and preparation efforts, many in the media remain focused on attacking him at every turn. The email, a copy of which was reviewed by The Daily Beast, also read: Blinded by their bias and ignorant to the irony, the [New York] Times is accusing the President of having a credibility problem on this issuewhile publishing politically-motivated disinformation blaming the President for a virus.

Publicly, President Trump has already made this messaging a cornerstone of his public remarks and his 2020 campaigning, using the coronavirus to slam Democrats immigration policies and insisting that Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus and claiming that he isnt, somehow.

At the same time, the White House has moved to make major changes in its coronavirus task force, particularly as it pertained to messaging. Trump appointed Vice President Mike Pence to take the lead on streamlining the dissemination of information to the public and installed several other individuals to coordinate response, including global U.S. AIDS coordinator Debbie Brix.

But the reshuffling of personnel and process sparked tensions inside the task force. Initially, it was unclear who was actually heading the task force, sources told The Daily Beast. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told a group of reporters after one press conference last week that there was confusion about the vice presidents appointment and that he, in fact, was still the leader. Meanwhile, reporters trying to cover the outbreak tried to place media requests with multiple different task force members. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told The Daily Beast that it would take the agency days to respond, in part because all questions were being funneled through the vice presidents office. On Feb. 28, the office appointed a communications official to deal directly with those media inquiries.

Two officials who spoke to The Daily Beast about the changes said although the communications process has smoothed out, there are ongoing rifts between the scientists involved in the task force and the vice presidents office over how and when to release information to the public. One official said the team has tried to balance keeping Americans updated on the latest case numbers, deaths and preparation guidance while at the same time not frightening people. But others on the task forcethose in charge of gaming out every scenario if the virus continues to spread and cause more deathshave argued that the task force should push out information on all the different kinds of situations the public could find themselves in order to help them prepare.

The CDC this week stopped updating the total number of people tested for coronavirus. Its unclear exactly how the agency decided to remove the data or if it will return in the future. But the agency has suggested the move was made because testing was increasingly being carried out at the state and local level. An official familiar with the task forces conversations said the CDC was increasingly testing individuals across the U.S. and that it could not update the numbers unless state and local officials submitted their data in a timely manner.

with additional reporting by Lachlan Markay

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The Flatiron Cafe reopens Friday evening for dinner after being closed this week for a "spring refresh."

"Nothing too compelling; we're just freshening up the joint a bit," said owner-operator Kathleen Jamrozy.

The biggest changes diners will notice, she said, are new carpeting in the dining room and remodeled restrooms.

Chef Robert Hill will offer two special entrees from 5 p.m. to close to celebrate the reopening: rib-eye steak and grilled Hawaiian swordfish.

Look for a menu refresh during farmers market season, when microgreens and other locally sourced ingredients become more readily available, he said.

The Flatiron, which is managed by Jamrozy's son, Joe, is celebrating its 25th year in the iconic triangular building at 1722 St. Mary's Ave. The area  one of the oldest in Omaha  is part of the emerging Flatiron District, a mixed-use neighborhood envisioned with trendy shops, apartments, offices and restaurants.

"New, exciting developments are promised," Jamrozy said. She declined to elaborate but teased to an announcement in May "or sooner."

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A man who sexually abused his two stepdaughters while they slept and filmed the abuse has been jailed for 10 years.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to 20 sexual offences, including sexual assault, making child exploitation material, rape and indecent treatment of a child in care under 16.

The Queensland man took advantage of the two girls while their mother was in poor health, according to the Queensland Times.

He would assault the girls as they slept and filmed the damaging abuse, the court was told.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to 20 sexual offences, including sexual assault, making child exploitation material, rape and indecent treatment of a child in care under 16 (stock image)

The predator even placed a hidden camera in one of the girl's rooms.

He had been abusing one of the girls for eight years, and preyed on the other one for five years.

One of the charges also related to the sister of the mother of the girls, who was 16 and 17 at the time of the abuse.

His abuse, which began when he was 22 and continued until he was 35, was only discovered when one of his stepdaughters tried to kill herself.

One of the women told the court that the abuse had a lasting impact on her life and education after being left with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

She revealed how she stopped her sister's self harming and took her out of the home.

He would assault the girls as they slept and filmed the horrifying abuse, the court heard (stock)

'I am conflicted on how to vocalise how this crime impacted my life. A child's development is fragile,' she told the court.

Her sister also spent time in a mental health facility.

The man's defence lawyer said he is extremely sorry and has offered a formal apology in recognition in the harm he has done.

Since the man pleaded guilty he has spent seven months in prison. He has also been hospitalised following an attack in jail.

The judge sentenced him to ten years in prison with a non parole period of eight years due to the prolonged abuse.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or Mensline 1300 789 978
The Duke of Cambridge joked he has only been allowed two sips of Guinness so far over the course of his Ireland tour.

While out on a clifftop walk with the Duchess of Cambridge, the couple were stopped by locals who asked them how their trip was going - leading Prince William to reveal that officials kept whisking his pints away from him before he could finish one.

The couple were seen walking along the cliffs of Howth peninsula, where they chatted with some people on the path.

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Kate said they were there to get some fresh air and after being asked how their visit was going, she explained that it was really good.

We've got a few bits left - we're going to Galway tomorrow, she said.

A local woman said, Always fabulous, better pints of Guinness in Galway.

Prince William responded, I know, I've been allowed two sips so far. Every time I have the third sip it gets taken away from me. Finish a pint by the time I-

AFP via Getty Images

Its a bit of a tough gig, a local interrupted him.

Yeah, tough gig, he responded.

Getty Images

Ironically, Prince William and Kate Middleton recently visited a temple to the black stuff in Dublin as they were seen at the Guinness Storehouse.

They were seen with pints of Guinness, as Prince William called out slainte in his best Gaelic, and he gave a speech in which he made a joke about his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

Getty Images

In coming to the Guinness Storehouse, we are retracing the footsteps of my grandmother, who was shown how to pour the perfect pint here in 2011, he said.

Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you it is not often that I find myself following the Queen to a pub.
After an economic impact statement and safety rules are completed, the Texas High-Speed Train may begin construction before the end of 2020.

David Hagy with Texas Central said The Texas High-Speed Rail, a 240-mile high-speed rail line meant to make a 90-minute commute from Houston to Dallas, is expected to complete its Economic Impact Statement and safety guidelines by this summer. The train travels 200 mph between destinations, with 30-minute wait times for rides during peak times. A map on the Texas Central website shows the rails alignment running through northwest Harris County roughly along U.S. 290 and heads north after Hockley.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Critics say they're in for long haul against $15 billion Houston-to-Dallas bullet train

Hagy, regional vice president of external affairs for Texas Central, gave a presentation about the high-speed rail to the Government and Transportation committee of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce on March 5.

We believe in the concept, he said. We believe that this will take off here more than elsewhere. We do believe that the way a national rail system will start not top down, it will organically grow as its needed and people will link by platforms.

FIRST LOOK: Houston to North Texas high-speed train reveals 'first-class' interior plans

Hagy said the Texas High-Speed Rail is expected to have $36 billion of positive economic impact on the city of Houston through 1,500 jobs needed for operation, faster economic connections between medical institutions, colleges and businesses between Dallas and Houston and tourism.

You connect Houston and Dallas and you add in Bryan/College Station, Texas A&M, Blinn, Huntsville and Sam Houston State (University), youre connecting about 42 Fortune 500 companies, about 83 Fortune 1,000 companies, over 30 academic institutions, meaning medical centers and universities, and over 350,000 graduate and undergraduate students not only fast, but reliably, Hagy said.

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People are needed to fill construction manager, welder and electrician positions for construction of the train, which is expected to take up to six years.

Thats probably one of our biggest (concerns) is making sure we find these people, Hagy said. Contactors will be hiring their people, well be competing on the open market and weve actually had conversations with the ISDs and community colleges as well. We need a lot of people to build the train.

The Texas High-Speed Rail train will be a Shinkansen N700S, the latest model of a high-speed train commonly used in Japan for more than 50 years. This version is lighter and faster, Hagy said, and will be released at the Tokyo Olympics this year.

The train will be completely electric and only convert 30 acres of farmland to non-farmland compared to 468 acres of farmland being taken up by the average interstate highway Hagy said, referencing a study from The Annals of Regional Science from 2013.

The entire project involves multiple foreign companies in planning and construction including civil contractor Salini and train designer Renfe.

Leslie Martone, president of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, said the high-speed rail could help soothe traffic woes in the Houston-area overall. Hagy agreed, saying Texas Central estimated that 14,500 cars will be taken off of I-45 a day.

There are obviously people that probably would disagree, Martone said. I just think its a great alternative. Just like other transportation initiatives that have happened, not everybody liked it.

As for land acquisition, Hagy assured that the Texas Central team is attempting to avoid going through private property as much as possible while offering to buy land above its appraised value. Texas Central already has a preferred route with roughly 30 percent of parcels needed purchased.

All of our routes that we looked at are really drawn by the Federal Railway Administration with our input and public comments and meetings, Hagy said. When you straighten that route out you end up impacting a lot of private property that was not only set aside environmentally for (I-45) but you also impact a lot of it. Theres also the Sam Houston National Forest and all kinds of complications.

For more information about the Texas Central High-Speed Rail, visit https://www.texascentral.com/readytoride/.

chevall.pryce@chron.com
Hala Zayed and her accompanying delegation were subject to a range of preventative measures on arrival at Cairo International Airport

Egypt's health minister has returned to Cairo after six-day visit to China to show solidarity to the country at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, a statement by the ministry read.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said minister Hala Zayed and her accompanying delegation were subject to a range of preventative measures on arrival at Cairo International Airport, including having their temperatures measured and respiratory symptoms assessed.

Samples were also taken from the delegation to be lab-tested for the virus.

Megahed said the teams condition would be followed up on for a period of 14 days, the diseases incubation period.

Zayed travelled to China on Sunday upon the directive of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, to show solidarity with the Chinese people.

China has provided Egypt with 1,000 thermal detectors along with the updated version of the technical documents illustrating the precautionary measures taken against the epidemic, which will be of great use to contain the virus spread, Zayed noted last week.

In the past weeks, Egypt had upped preventive measures at all entry points nationwide to combat a global outbreak of the disease.

It had detected three cases of coronavirus since the outbreak last December, with the latest case detected on Thursday of an Egyptian coming from abroad.

The first two cases were foreigners, also recent travellers, one of whom has since recovered.

The epidemic has killed over 3,000 people worldwide, with the vast majority in mainland China.

It has infected near 100,000 globally, with infections hitting every continent except Antarctica.

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A woman wears a protective mask as she walks in the winter weather in downtown Toronto on Feb. 26, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

Ontario Reports New COVID 19 Case, Says Patient Used Transit While Symptomatic

OTTAWAA Canadian patient newly diagnosed with COVID-19 recently travelled to Las Vegas and used public transit in Toronto for several days before he was tested for the virus, according to the Toronto public health authority.

The man, who is in his 40s, was one of the two most recently confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Toronto.

This information is being provided out of an abundance of caution. Were talking about low-risk situations, said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Torontos top public-health doctor, in a briefing Friday.

Transit riders without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to seek medical help, de Villa said, unless they get a call from her unit.

The other Toronto case, a man in his 50s, recently returned to Canada from Iran. Both men are isolating themselves in their homes.

And in Peel Region just west of Toronto, a couple who had been on the Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco was diagnosed after returning home to Mississauga.

Peel Public Health is asking passengers in rows 18 to 22 on West Jet flight 1199 on Feb. 28 to self-isolate, but says the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low.

Another 237 Canadians have been forbidden from leaving the ship after a subsequent cruise while some of the thousands of passengers aboard now are tested, according to a spokesperson for Princess Cruises.

Thus far in Ontario, all of the 26 patients known to be sick with the bug had recently travelled outside the country or were in close contact with another patient who had.

But Canadas first apparent case of community transmission was reported in British Columbia Thursday night, when officials announced eight new cases of the illness.

They say a woman in the Vancouver area was diagnosed with COVID-19, even though she had not travelled recently and had no known contact with anyone else diagnosed with the virus.

Quebec has two confirmed cases and one presumptive diagnosis that still has to be confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. Alberta reported its first presumptive case of the illness Thursday night, bringing the total of confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus in Canada to at least 51.

Health officials in Ontario, British Columbia and across Canada have said the risk posed by COVID-19 in this country remains low.

But theyve been preparing for weeks for a possible outbreak similar to the ones seen in Iran, South Korea, Italy and Chinawhere the virus originated.

Canada is increasing its funding for COVID-19 research by $20 million, Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced Friday morning, after concluding that the $7 million it had planned to spend isnt enough.

The applications for the initial amount were overwhelming, Hajdu said.

Forty-seven research teams will now get backing from the federal government, for work to inform clinical and public health responses, develop and evaluate diagnostic tools and vaccines, as well as create strategies to tackle misinformation, stigma, and fear.

It also allows Canada to be at the ground level of this research so that when a vaccine is developed we are partners with other countries, that we can access that vaccine or that treatment quickly, Hajdu said Friday.

Meanwhile the 129 Canadians who were quarantined after returning to Canada from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan have finally been allowed to return home.

The Canadians were mostly confined to their rooms for two weeks aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama, Japan. The ship contained the largest outbreak outside of China at the time.

The Canadian government repatriated those without signs of the virus and put them under a further 14-day quarantine at the Nav Centre in Cornwall, Ont.

These individuals remained asymptomatic for COVID-19 throughout the 14-day quarantine period and, as a result, they pose no risk to others and can safely return to their communities and to their usual activities, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam wrote in a statement Friday.
European companies are eager to grasp new business and investment opportunities from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.

The enforcement of the EVFTA will spur on new investment from European nations

Magdalena Krakowiak, head of Public Affairs & CSR at Polands pharmaceutical firm Adamed RO Vietnam is upbeat about the European Parliaments recent approval of the deals. In 2017, Adamed Group spent $50 million acquiring a controlling stake in Davipharm Co., Ltd., to capitalise on Vietnams fastest-growing pharmaceutical. Davipharm manufactures 300 medicinal products in most therapeutic classes.

For Adamed and the whole pharmaceutical industry, the move means that Vietnamese consumers have privileged access to European medicines.

Likewise, EU drugs producers will have greater access to Vietnams fast-growing market.

With the EVFTA in effect, about half of EU pharmaceutical imports will be duty free immediately, with the rest exempt from duty after seven years.

Vietnams pharmaceutical market still only meets 52 per cent of the market demand contributed mostly by generic drugs, said Krakowiak.

The new FTA will bring fair and equal access to the market, enabling EU investors to further expand their business and thus allowing foreign investors to meet the strong growth of the pharmaceutical sector.

According to Krakowiak, it also aligns some standards and puts pressure on speeding up lengthy processes.

For example, if the approval process of the medicine (the granting of a marketing authorisation) takes more than 24 months, there will be an extension to patent protection of up to two years.

Another very important change for the industry is regulatory data protection to pharmaceutical products for five years.

The EVFTA also includes vital provisions on environmental protection and labour rights, which are fundamental for Adamed as a socially responsible company.

However, the recent vote is not the end of the process. Now smooth implementation is needed so that companies and consumers on both sides can unlock the full potential of this agreement, said Krakowiak.

In another case, Nguyen Chi Thanh, deputy general director of French garment firm Scavi JSC, said that the company is expected to gain a competitive edge from the EVFTA.

Scavi is working with 20 European companies, making up two thirds of its total partners and customers.

Exports to the EU currently account for over 55 per cent of the groups total revenue. Currently, Scavi has five factories in Vietnam and one in Laos.

However, Scavis export products to the EU are subject to high tariffs of 8-12 per cent, depending on each product type.

Under the trade agreement, the EU will eliminate duties for some sensitive products in the textile sector over a five-year period, which will bring more benefits to manufacturers like Scavi.

Thanh added that Scavi has stepped up its game to boost export products to the EU market and compete with its rivalries there.

The company is expected to gain a competitive edge with an EVFTA roadmap to reduce 20 per cent tariffs each year after the deal takes effect.

The company will raise investment to improve product quality as well as create added value for partners and customers to capitalise on new opportunities arising from the trade agreement.

The EVFTA will allow Vietnam to import fabrics from South Korea. This will open up more choice and create favourable conditions for Scavi to source new materials as well as ramp up manufacturing and exports to the EU.

According to a study by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), 80 per cent of 130 European businesses surveyed believed the EVFTA will have either a significant or moderate impact on their business in the medium term.

Meanwhile, over 80 per cent believed the deal will make Vietnam more competitive, while 72 per cent said it will help the country to become a hub for European business in the ASEAN region.

Meanwhile, 80 per cent also said the EVFTA will improve Vietnams competitiveness compared to other countries such as China, Japan and South Korea.

According to Vietnams General Statistics Office, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the EU last year hit $56.5 billion in 2018, with $41.7 billion of that comprised of Vietnamese exports to Europe, and $14.8 billion of European exports to Vietnam.

Under statistics from Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, investors from 23 out of 27 EU member states have registered around $24 billion into more than 2,200 projects over the past 28 years.

The EVFTA will raise investment from the EU across all sectors and industries, as the gradual elimination of tariffs and barriers to trade will open up Vietnams markets and make it more attractive to investors from the EU, said the EuroChams chairman Nicolas Audier.

Of particular interest will be the countrys service sector and government procurement since, in the EVFTA, Vietnam has gone over and above the World Trade Organization baseline and opened up additional sectors for investment. VIR

Thanh Van

How EVFTA, coronavirus affects Vietnam industrial property? The coronavirus outbreak will certainly have an effect on the global economy in the coming months. Vietnam, with its proximity and close trade and supply relationships with China, is no exception.
Women protesting against the CAA



and NRC at 'Mumbai Bagh' in Nagpada area of south Mumbai accused the police of manhandling them.

The protesters claimed that the police had objected to a temporary shade put up by them at the protest site.

The police, however, denied the allegation.

Hundreds of women have been sitting in protest at Morland road in Nagpada since January 26 against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens.

The incident took place in the early hours of Friday when some protesters put up a tarpaulin shade to protect themselves from the sun, a protester said.

The police personnel, who were deployed at the site, took objection and tried removing the shade, following which a heated argument ensued and some protesters were manhandled, she alleged.

The police, however, denied the allegation, saying they had examined the video footages from the site and the incident has not been confirmed as yet.

Following the incident, residents of Nagpada and Madanpura gathered at 'Mumbai Bagh' and demanded action against the concerned police officials.

A delegation of protesters also met additional commissioner of police (Central Region) Viresh Prabhu and senior police officials seeking action against the concerned police personnel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Its been clear since Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced Megxit that U.K. citizens are enraged by it. From the beginning, the Duchess of Sussex never received a warm welcome from the Brits and now that Prince Harry is leaving everything hes ever known for his wife  her popularity has plummeted even further.

Its clear that a large reason for the U.K.s disdain of Markle is racism, whether they want to acknowledge it or not. Though the former actress did everything in her power to adapt to royal life, she was harassed, bullied and ridiculed at every turn.

Despite the fact that they are horrified that Prince Harry is leaving his royal duties behind, there is another reason the royal fans from the U.K. are furious with Megxit.

It was ultimately Prince Harrys choice to step away from royal life

When the Sussexes pulled the plug on being working senior members of the royal family, many people pointed the finger at Markle. However, by Prince Harrys own admission, it was his decision in the end.

The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly, he said during a speech for his charity, Sentebale.It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I havent always got it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. Youve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.

Prince Harry was supposed to be by Prince Williams side when he became king

With Prince William already preparing to become king in the coming years, U.K. citizens always imagined Prince Harry right by his brothers side as his responsibilities increased.

Courtiers imagined in the future that Harry would be shoulder-to-shoulder with William when he was King, Prince Harry: Brother, Soldier, Son author Penny Junor told People. He would pick up the bits that William wouldnt be as good for. They would be complimentary and side-by-side throughout their lives. That was a lovely picture. Harry was the secret weapon, really.

However, Prince Harry never took well to being the spare to the heir. Its not terribly good for your self-confidence, Junor explained. He was always compared to William: William was the good-looking one, the important one, the clever one. Harry was the also-ran. I think that did take a toll on him.

Prince Harry is the most beloved member of the British royal family

Megxit stings so much because Prince Harry is so beloved. Many royal fans feel as if their prodigal son is abandoning them. The love this country has for him has never stopped, royal photographer Arthur Edwards explained to The Sun. As far as the nation is concerned he is still their number one member of the Royal Family.

Well eventually see how Megxit pans out.
I was disappointed to learn through press reports that Hachette, my publisher, acquired Woody Allens memoir after other major publishers refused to do so and concealed the decision from me and its own employees while we were working on Catch and Kill, the journalist said in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday. Ive also told Hachette that a publisher that would conduct itself in this way is one I cant work with in good conscience.
Members of Parliament (MPs) will soon be banned from using mobile phones during proceedings in the Chamber of Parliament.



The Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who announced this in Parliament Thursday, said the ban will take effect once the legislative body adopts and accepts the reviewed Standing Orders."



Mr Speaker, I believe the House must make a determination of this and let me emphasize, that it is the reason why it is being proposed that the next Parliament, in fact, once we accept and adopt the reviewed Standing Orders, no Member of Parliament will be allowed to bring a cell phone into this Chamber, he said.



We need to demonstrate seriousness



The Majority Leader, who was responding to questions raised by some MPs about matters related to Parliamentary proceedings, recalled how a popular television station showed the manner legislators fidgeted with their phones when serious business was taking place on the floor of the House.



We need to demonstrate seriousness in this House. When the President of the Republic is talking, Members of Parliament are fidgeting with their phones.



When the Minister responsible for Finance comes here, members are fidgeting with their phones. When questions are asked and ministers are providing answers, members are fidgeting with their phones.



It does not tell a good story about us. Mr Speaker, let us be honest with ourselves, he stated.



There should be order



The Majority Leader told the House that the Parliament of Ghana was not the only Parliament in the world.



He explained that there were established Parliaments in the world where legislators were not allowed to go to Parliament with their cell phones.





That should be the order. Mr Speaker, we shall apply this religiously once we adopt these Standing Orders, he emphasised.



A number of MPs the Daily Graphic sought their opinion on the proposal by the Majority Leader unanimously agreed with him on grounds that a ban on handset in the Chamber would curb distractions.



They, however, suggested the need for Parliament to allow some flexibility in order not to disadvantage legislators.



Allow flexibility



The MP for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said while he would support the ban on the use of mobile phones in the Chamber of Parliament, it must be considered that handsets were useful tool that enhanced the output of MPs.



When Members of Parliament have to quickly go to the internet and look for sources for their information and the data they put out, they have to use their phones because it is not everybody who has a tablet.



Its archaic mindset to assume that phones these days are used for calls and sending text messages; they help Members of Parliament do a very good job such as doing research to quickly come up with facts they need to work, he said.



Dont disadvantage MPs



He suggested the need for Parliament to embrace a technology in the chamber that could block calls, WhatsApp chats and other social interactions but would allow access to data so that MPs do some research.



The Speaker can raise a point of order and find from you the MP what the source of the message you are putting out is. And because we do not have a public address (PA) system in the Chamber that is connected to the internet, it will not auger well for MPs.



Elsewhere, the PA is like a tablet that is connected to the internet to allow the MPs to quickly do their research. So we should be careful we do not disadvantage Members of Parliament, he added.



Extend ban to workers



The MP for Mion, Mr Mohammed Abdul Aziz, said he would not be against a Standing Order that barred MPs from fidgeting with their phones especially when the House was in session.



If they want to make a ban on phones part of our Standing Orders, I do not have any qualms about it. Such a ban should be extended to all public and private works since it does not auger well for anybody to be on phone when they are working, he said.

Source: Graphic.com









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New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday placed in public domain a draft scheme of reviving Yes Bank, the public lender that has been put under the control of the central bank.

The draft noted that all the employees of the reconstructed Yes Bank will continue in its service with the same remuneration and on the same terms and conditions of service, including terms of determination of service and retirement, as were applicable to such employees immediately before the appointed date, at least for a period of a year.

The board of directors of the reconstructed Yes Bank will, however, have the freedom to discontinue the services of the key managerial personnel (KMPs) at any point of time after following due procedure.

The offices and branches of the reconstructed Yes Bank will continue to function in the same manner and at the same places they were functioning prior to the effective date, without in any way being affected by this scheme.

The RBI said it will be open to the reconstructed Yes Bank to open new offices and branches or close down existing offices or branches, in accordance with the extant policy of the central bank.

In its document 'Yes Bank Ltd. Reconstruction Scheme, 2020', the RBI said the strategic investor bank will have to pick up a 49% stake and it cannot reduce its holding to below 26% before three years from the date of capital infusion. The draft also said that authorised capital shall stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and the number of equity shares will stand altered to Rs 2,400 crore at Rs 2 each.

The investor bank will agree to invest in the equity of reconstructed Yes Bank to the extent that post infusion it holds 49% shareholding in the reconstructed bank at a price not less than Rs 10 and premium of Rs 8.

The investor bank will not reduce its holding below 26% before completion of three years from the date of infusion of the capital into Yes Bank. From the appointed date, the office of the administrator of Yes Bank, appointed by the RBI, will stand vacated, and a new board will be constituted.

The investor bank will have two nominee directors appointed on the board of the reconstructed Yes Bank. The RBI may appoint additional directors on the board of the Yes Bank  it will be open to the board of directors of Yes Bank to co-opt more directors. It added the SBI has "expressed its willingness" to make investment in Yes Bank and participate in its reconstruction scheme.

The draft comes a day after the RBI imposed a moratorium on the bank, restricting withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per depositor till April 3.

The RBI had invited suggestions and comments from members of public, including the banks' shareholders, depositors and creditors on the draft scheme. The draft scheme has also been sent to Yes Bank and SBI for their comments. RBI will receive suggestions up to Monday, March 9, and thereafter take a final view.

Earlier in the day, RBI chief Shaktikanta Das had said the central bank will act swiftly to resolve the issue.
ATMORE, Ala.  A man convicted in the 2004 killings of three police officers in Alabama who were shot by another man was executed Thursday night.

Nathaniel Woods, 43, was pronounced dead at 9:01 p.m. CST Thursday following a lethal injection at the state prison in Atmore, authorities said. The inmate had no last words before the chemicals began flowing, but appeared to arrange his hands in a Muslim sign of faith.

Kerry Spencer and Woods were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in the slayings of the Birmingham officers. The officers deaths in a hail of gunfire rocked the city in 2004. Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisolm III and Charles R. Bennett died while trying to serve a misdemeanor domestic assault warrant on Woods at a suspected drug house.

Prosecutors said Spencer was the triggerman in the slaying, opening fire on the officers with a high-powered rifle inside the apartment, and Woods was convicted as an accomplice.

The execution came after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay to consider last-minute appeals and then denied the inmates petitions. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey denied a request for clemency.

This is not a decision that I take lightly, but I firmly believe in the rule of law and that justice must be served. My thoughts and most sincere prayers are for the families of Officers Chisholm, Owen and Bennett. May the God of all comfort be with these families as they continue to find peace and heal from this terrible crime, Ivey said in a statement after the execution.

Supporters, including the son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., waged a last-minute appeal to stop the execution as the case drew national attention. Supporters argued that Spencer said he was the sole person responsible for the shootings and that Woods received an unfair trial in 2005.

He is actually innocent, Woods sister, Pamela Woods, told reporters at the prison earlier Thursday. Kerry Spencer the actual shooter has stated many times that he did it on his own with no help from anyone. Spencer told the Appeal in an article about the case that Woods was 100% innocent.

Killing this African American man, whose case appears to have been strongly mishandled by the courts, could produce an irreversible injustice. Are you willing to allow a potentially innocent man to be executed? Martin Luther King III had written to Ivey.

Kim Chandler is an Associated Press writer.
Women's day Wilson Musa

Nationwide parades to commemorate the International Womens Day in Cameroon on March 8, 2020 may now be in jeopardy following the confirmation of a second case of the coronavirus in the countrys capital Yaounde Friday.

Late Friday afternoon, Public Health Minister Manaouda Malachie announced the confirmation of a second case of the COVID-19 in Cameroon involving a Cameroonian citizen who has been in close contact with the first confirmed case.

Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that the Minister in a press release earlier today said the first case of the coronavirus is a French citizen, aged 58, who arrived in Yaounde on 24 February.

Both cases have been isolated in the Yaounde Central Hospital and are currently receiving adequate symptomatic treatment. Basic commodities are provided under strict respect of ethical requirements and health safety regulations, Dr. Malachie, adding that the tracing and screening of persons who came in contact with the two confirmed cases is underway.

The Minister of Public Health urges the population to be more vigilant and observe recommended hygiene rules, especially washing hands with clean water and soap. He goes on to urge people who have been in contact with the above mentioned cases to call 1510.

Those who have travelled out of Cameroon or have been in contact with a traveller from countries affected by COVID-19 are called upon to immediately call 1510 to receive appropriate care, Malachie writes in a press release dated March 6, 2020.

Finally, the Minister of Public Health reassures Cameroonians and the international public opinion that the situation is under control and that everything is being done to contain this outbreak without undue delay, in conformity with the high instructions from the President of the Republic H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, Malachie furthers.

The recent case in Cameroon adds to eight the number of African countries with confirmed cases of the coronavirus. About 100,000 cases of the COVID-19 have been confirmed with no fewer than 3,300 deaths in over 80 countries and territories since the outbreak began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

To better contain the situation, experts are now suggesting that Womens Day events likely to pull crowds be suppressed. The countrys Public Health Minister is expected to grant a press conference on the subject Saturday.
VIENNA, N.Y.  A man who was stranded for five hours in a field after crashing his snowmobile was issued three tickets Friday.

Milton Lighthall, 50, received violations for an unregistered snowmobile, uninsured snowmobile and reckless operation.

The tickets are returnable to Town of Vienna Court at a later date.

Police say Lighthall crashed his snowmobile around 1 a.m. after he hit a drainage ditch in a field behind the town of Vienna Department of Public Works.

Lighthall was not found by police until around 5:45 a.m.

He was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center to be treated for injuries.
Russia resisted pressure from its OPEC allies to make deeper production cuts, pushing the cartels high-stakes diplomatic gamble to the brink of failure and sending prices plunging.

Energy Minister Alexander Novak arrived from Moscow on Friday morning and told fellow ministers that he favored maintaining the groups supply reduction at current levels until June, when they could again consider deeper cuts, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries told Russia on Thursday that if it doesnt join them in cutting oil output by another 1.5 million barrels a day to offset the impact of the coronavirus, then the cartel could abandon its reductions altogether. Hours later, the group raised pressure on Moscow again, emerging from an informal meeting at the Saudi delegations hotel with a proposal to extend the curbs for even longer than initially suggested.

RELATED: OPEC gambles on move to force Russia into oil production cut

Unless Moscow cuts output, there will be no deal, his Iranian counterpart Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Thursday.

Unlike his predecessor Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz is more willing to walk away if Russia does not contribute, said Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at consultant Energy Aspects Ltd.

The standoff is the biggest crisis since Saudi Arabia, Russia and more than 20 other nations created the OPEC+ alliance in 2016. The group, controlling more than half of the worlds oil production, has underpinned prices and reshaped the geopolitics of the Middle East, but is now under significant strain. The risk for the Saudis is that if their gamble to corner Russia into a production cut backfires, they have more to lose as they need higher oil prices to fund their budget than Russia does.

Despite OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindos efforts to strike a conciliatory tone by praising Russia as a dependable ally, the oil market braced for more drama. Talks in the Austrian capital on Friday were serious and difficult, with Novak still resisting OPECs proposal for deeper curbs, said a delegate.

Crude fell as much as 5.9% in London to $47.02, the lowest since July 2017.

PRICES: Oil tumbles again as Russia balks at OPEC+ cuts

Panic is worsening, demand forecasts are falling, this is a no-kidding emergency and theyve got to get Russia to Yes, Bob McNally, president of consultant Rapidan Energy Group, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. If they commit an epic policy failure by not cutting production, I think we can easily see a re-visitation of old lows, in and around $26.

None of them can afford a price collapse, said Roger Diwan, a veteran OPEC watcher at consultant IHS Markit Ltd. This is a battle of egos against reality.

The current version of the OPEC proposal calls for the cartel to cut 1 million barrels a day of its production, contingent on non-OPEC nations led by Russia reducing their output by 500,000 barrels a day. Ministers initially proposed the curbs for just three months, from April to June, but hours later, in a rare move even by the chaotic standards of OPEC meetings, the group reworked its plan and suggested the cuts stay in place until the end of the year.

Only in July, Russia and Saudi Arabia touted their alliance as a marriage to eternity. Fast forward less than a year, and the view among traders is that the couple may be on the verge of divorce. Still, its not the first fight between Moscow and Riyadh, and both sides have been able to find a satisfactory solution in the past.

The Kremlin has gained a lot from its cooperation with OPEC. The country has been the biggest financial beneficiary of the cuts, largely because its borne a lesser share than Saudi Arabia. The alliance has also significantly enhanced President Vladimir Putins presence on the world stage and his political clout in the Middle East.

FUEL FIX: Now more than ever, you need our energy news in your inbox

Following the collapse in oil prices this year as the economic impact of the coronavirus saps demand, the risks for the Friday meeting between OPEC and Russia are high. Not just for their alliance, but for the entire energy industry, from Exxon Mobil Corp. to smaller shale drillers in Texas, and oil-rich nations in Africa and Latin America.

The stakes in this game of diplomatic poker are huge -- 1.5 million barrels a day of fresh oil cuts, plus 2.1 million of existing curbs OPEC+ agreed on last year that expire at the end of this month. Thats equivalent to the consumption of Germany and France combined.

Moscow appears to be betting that the oil market would re-balance by itself over the next few months as low prices take their toll. In particular, Russia believes that the U.S. shale industry is about to go in reverse. Exxon on Thursday announced it was slowing the pace of its flagship project in the Permian Basin.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. earlier this week became the first major Wall Street Bank to forecast a contraction in consumption this year, suggesting that an even large cut may not arrest the drop in oil prices.

Cutting production, 1.5 million barrels a day in April or May, is not really going to save you in the current environment, said Jeffrey Currie, global head of commodities research at Goldman. The demand damage is happening today, right now.

Oil is now trading far too low to balance the budgets of most OPEC members. Riyadh needs more than $80 a barrel, according to the International Monetary Fund. Russia only requires a price of about $40 a barrel to balance its budget.

--With assistance from Javier Blas, Salma El Wardany, Dina Khrennikova, Fred Pals, Golnar Motevalli, Manus Cranny, Brian Wingfield and Will Kennedy.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Supermarkets today cast doubt on suggestions from ministers that food could be delivered to millions of quarantined coronavirus sufferers in a major outbreak.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last night that the government was working closely with retailers to ensure that people who self-isolate at home can get essential supplies.

Experts warned that up to one in five people could be off work at the peak of a crisis, that could involve huge numbers of deliveries.

But one supermarket group told the BBC that they did not believe there would be enough capacity. 'We can't switch a whole load of new vans on overnight,' a source said.

It comes as Boris Johnson urged Britons to brace for 'substantial disruption' that could last months as he pumped 46million into a coronavirus vaccine and testing kits as a second Briton is confirmed dead.

Dried pasta has flown off the shelves and was in short supply at this Asda store in Southampton today, Friday

Shelves which normally stock hand gels and soaps are seen stripped bare at Asda in Chandler's Ford, Southampton  companies producing the sanitisers say they are ramping up production because of 'exceptional demand'

The Health Secretary raised the idea of supermarkets ferrying supplies to those who were isolated as he appeared on the BBC's Question Time last night.

'Crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need,' he said.

The government has been meeting with representatives from the food industry and retailers to ensure there are no shortages.

The British Retail Consortium has said that its members are happy to leave essential deliveries on the doorstep for people who self-isolate.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last night that the government was working closely with retailers to ensure that people who self-isolate at home can get essential supplies

There are now 90 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain, after three more were confirmed in Scotland this morning

Ministers say supermarkets have solid 'contingency plans' for food supply Ministers today held talks with supermarkets - and said they have 'well-established contingency plans' to keep people fed. Environment Secretary George Eustice spoke with chief executives from the UK's leading chains to discuss their coronavirus response. Amid efforts to calm panic buying, Mr Eustice said: 'The retailers reassured me they have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need. Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and have robust plans in place to minimise disruption,' he said afterwards. 'I was particularly keen to hear how government could support their preparations and we've agreed to work closely together over the coming days and weeks. 'I will be convening a further meeting with industry, retailers and public sector organisations early next week to discuss support for vulnerable groups who may be in isolation. Government and industry will remain in regular contact on this issue.' Advertisement

Environment Secretary George Eustice spoke with chief executives from the UK's leading supermarkets today to discuss their coronavirus response.

'The retailers reassured me they have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need. Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and have robust plans in place to minimise disruption,' he said afterwards.

'I was particularly keen to hear how government could support their preparations and we've agreed to work closely together over the coming days and weeks.

'I will be convening a further meeting with industry, retailers and public sector organisations early next week to discuss support for vulnerable groups who may be in isolation. Government and industry will remain in regular contact on this issue.'

Mr Hancock also appealed for people not to engage in panic buying, amid growing reports of empty supermarket shelves.

Mr Hancock said 'herd behaviour' was not helpful and insisted the government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

TESCO DELIVERY DRIVERS ADVISE EACH OTHER TO TAKE THEIR EMPLOYER TO COURT IF HAVE TO DELIVER FOOD TO SELF-ISOLATED CUSTOMERS Tesco delivery drivers have advised each other to take their employer to court if they have to deliver food to people who 'they are aware of being in self-isolation' at home due to the coronavirus. In a forum for Tesco employees, the drivers questioned whether or not it was a fair request to be asked to take food shopping into the homes of those who may have Covid 19. One driver said there had been a letter distributed around various stores that stated drivers would still have to deliver to customers who had been told to self-isolate. In response another employee urged them to take the company to court as they claimed it was a breech of its duty of care. Advertisement

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together.

'We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

Government risks causing even more panic buying as it tells people to stock up and 'plan ahead' in case they have to self-isolate for weeks despite pleading with people to stop hoarding

Britons are being told to 'plan ahead' in case they are told to self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Public Health England (PHE) is urging members of the public to stock up on enough supplies and food to last them during a potential two-week quarantine.

Health bosses say people should be prepared to be asked to self-isolate as the Government moves into the 'delay' phase of its four-stage battle plan.

But critics say the advice sends 'mixed messages' and risks fuelling more panic-buying - which the Government has been discouraging all week.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases soared past triple digits to 163. At least one person has died from the virus on British soil.

Soup shelves had been cleared in a Sainsbury's branch in Crayford, London, today

This Sainsbury's store in Crayford, south-east London, had been all but stripped of toilet roll supplies as Britons admit to panic-buying essentials for fear of a demand and supply crisis if there's an outbreak

Coronavirus patients are told to recover at HOME: People who have just mild symptoms will not be hospitalised Coronavirus patients are no longer all being admitted to hospital, British health officials have confirmed. Anyone confirmed to have the virus who is not seriously unwell or at risk of becoming more dangerously infected can recover at home. At least 45 people out of the 116 confirmed in the UK have already been instructed to stay in their own houses and wait for their illness to blow over. Until the new rule was drafted  it is not clear when it began  all confirmed patients had to be taken to a specialist hospital unit in one of five locations around the country, some hundreds of miles from their hometowns. An extra 29 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in the UK today, bringing the total to 116  105 in England, six in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and two in Wales. Officials said it was 'perfectly reasonable' for people to recover at home because COVID-19 is a 'mild illness'. Chief medical officer for the government, Professor Chris Whitty, said that most people with minor cases of the virus will no longer be hospitalised. Instead they will be asked to stay at home, where they pose less of a risk to other people. Advertisement

On its website, PHE said people should 'consider how you or your family would manage if you had to self-isolate for a couple of weeks'.

It set out a series of questions people should ask themselves, including: 'Do you have friends or neighbours who could bring food to your house or run errands, or could you do online shopping?

'Could you talk to your employer about opportunities to work from home if this became necessary?'

People who are elderly or 'vulnerable to severe symptoms', were also told to think how they would manage and whether they could work from home.

The website asks people to think about friends, family or neighbours who might need extra help.

It said: 'Everyone has a part to play, and we're asking people to think about what they do in a typical week, how they could limit contact with others if asked to, and how they could help people in their community, who might need support if certain social-distancing measures were put in place.

'This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them, or arranging for online delivery if they needed it.'

Leading infectious diseases expert Paul Hunter, a professor at the University of East Anglia, said on the face of it the advice seemed to 'send mixed messages'.

But he said that it may well be a 'sensible precaution' particularly for vulnerable and elderly people who have not been given strong guidance about what to do in the event of an outbreak.

He told MailOnline: 'If this is a real change in policy it follows on from quite a few statements from governments and others (probably including myself) about the importance of not panic buying.

'However, the phrasing used in the document is, "This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them or arranging for online delivery if they needed it.

'So this does not seem to be a real change in advice to the general public but a sensible precaution for particularly vulnerable elderly people who would certainly struggle to cope in a tight self-isolation situation.

A commuter on the London Underground wears a gas mask on Friday morning as the capital was gripped by coronavirus fears after the UK's first death

Many people have taken to wearing face masks on public transport. One many was pictured wearing his headphones over the mask (left) while another was pictured on the tube this morning wearing the full face covering (right)

'One of the important things about the epidemic that is, in my view, not being adequately addressed or at least communication is what do we do about the most vulnerable people in society?

'How are we going to adequately care for elderly neighbours and relatives, what should these people do during the peak of the epidemic?'

The updated advice came just hours after Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour'.

Speaking on Question Time on Thursday night, Mr Hancock insisted the Government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases continues to grow.

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

Customers queue outside Boots in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this morning, amid reports that supermarkets and shops across the UK are running out of hand sanitiser

A back log of customers outside Costco in Croydon as shoppers were given hand sanitiser on entrance

BRITONS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED TO ANY PART OF ITALY WHO FEEL ILL WILL BE TOLD TO SELF-ISOLATE Public Health England has announced that Britons returning from the whole of Italy are to self-isolate if they develop symptoms of the deadly coronavirus. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty told a press conference today that the current advice for those returning from northern Italy is to be extended to the whole of the country. While confirming that the government was still in the phase of containing the virus, entering the delay process is the 'direction of travel' for the future, Professor Whitty said. Since the coronavirus reached British shores, the government and health bodies have been in the 'contain' phase, trying to stop the infection's ability to spread. In recent days, with evidence of community transmission, it is thought that PHE could attempt to push a major epidemic back to the summer in the hopes of slowing the rate of infections. COVID-19, which has infected 115 in the UK, is thought to spread faster in the cold. Advertisement

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together. We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

But supermarkets today casted doubts on Mr Hancock's assurances and said they had not discussed getting food to homes.

An executive told the BBC: 'Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets. We haven't heard anything from government directly.'

He added that sales of cupboard basics such as pasta and tinned goods have 'gone through the roof'.

PHE also warned today that even those who are not asked to quarantine may in future need to use 'social distancing' measures such as not going to cinemas, pubs or sporting events.

PHE said social distancing and more self-isolation will only be implemented 'if scientists and experts, including the UK's chief medical officers, decide they are necessary and proportionate'.

But it said people could be asked to stay home for up to 14 days. 'If the virus is spreading quickly, we may ask whole households to self-quarantine, if anyone in the home has symptoms,' it added.

PHE said most cases of Covid-19 will be treatable at home, adding that 'being asked to self-isolate could be inconvenient, frustrating or boring, particularly if you have mild symptoms'.

However, it may be necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus, 'protect people who are vulnerable and help the NHS manage capacity'.

The public is also urged to think about how it uses NHS services, and to only call 999 in a genuine emergency.
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It was third time lucky for the Duchess of Cambridge who - after two false dawns - pucked a goal to make Irish hurling legend DJ Carey proud.

If farming and Guinness weren't enough to cement the Irish experience, a traditional music session in popular pub Tig Coili as they celebrated Galway's year as the European Capital of Culture certainly did.

Onlookers, who began to gather at the barriers outside at 7am, let out a rapturous roar as the royals emerged blinking in the sunlight.

Renowned for its twice-daily traditional Irish music sessions, Tig Coili is a sought-after spot by both locals and tourists who come to sample Galway's unique cultural offering.

The couple were warmly received by owners Coili and Monica O'Flaherty, and Gary McMahon of Galway City Council, who presented them with a set of specially-commissioned Waterford Crystal glasses and a bottle of Midleton vintage whiskey.

In the pub which prides itself on having no TV, the couple enjoyed a traditional Irish music session.

Soon a picture of the royal couple will hang proudly on the wall beside such luminaries as Brendan Gleeson and Shane McGowan.

On the select guest list was a group of local students who recently were recognised for their work volunteering in the community at the Garda Youth Awards.

These included Jakub Kostanski (18), from Westside, who won the individual award, and Olga Spelman (18), of Corofin, who won the special achievement prize.

The royal couple left Tig Coili and generously greeted the welcoming crowd outside where they also spoke to schoolchildren from St Pat's primary school.

They then made their way to Salthill Knocknacarra GAA club where they wowed the waiting crowds with their good-humoured efforts at both Gaelic and hurling.

And their skills on the pitch were more than impressive, with Kate soloing and hopping across the pitch to jubilant cheers.

The pair took part in drills with the children and then competed against each other in a hurling shoot out.

The teams had three players each - Team Catherine comprised of the Duchess, Niamh McGauran (10) and Neasa Garvey (10). The Duke, Devon Burke (10) and Oisin Morrissey (10) made up Team William.

William appeared to take to hurling a little more fluidly than his wife, but it was the Duchess who managed the sink the sliotar in the back of the net, after twice failing to make contact.

The young players were quick to offer their support, shouting encouragement and tips. They roared: "Keep your eye on the ball."

Kate duly obliged and sent the leather spinning through the air and into the net. Next William was up, and with an admirable chip and bounce blasted the crossbar. Team Catherine was crowned the winner with a score of four to three.

Kate said how much she enjoyed herself and said she couldn't wait to come back.

Following a lengthy delay due to fog over Dublin, the royals had arrived in Galway behind schedule, shortly after 11am.

Earlier, at urban restaurant Tribeton, the Duke showed off his juggling skills, taking his cue from Galway Community Circus.

Trish Rowe from Galway city, who waited over four hours insisted it was well worth the wait. "We're delighted to welcome them here to Galway. It is a great privilege," she said.
The Government is not "at this stage" recommending the cancellation of mass public gatherings amid the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking at government buildings this evening, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government would continue to evaluate the situation.

He said: "We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled, but this of course will be kept under review."

It's believed that the upcoming St Patrick's Day festival will go ahead amid the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Varadkar made the announcement this evening as 13 people are confirmed to have the virus in Ireland.

More than 500,000 people are expected to visit Ireland for the lavish March 17 events. Pressure was mounting on whether such major public gatherings should take place given that Covid-19 has now reached community spread levels.

Mr Varadkar said it is "inevitable" that many people will contract the coronavirus in the coming days, weeks and months but for the "vast majority" it will be a mild illness.

He said Ireland is still in the containment phase and any actions that are taken "will be proportionate and will be in line with medical and scientific advice".

Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan pictured outside Government buildings Picture: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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He pointed people to the HSE website for guidance and added: "Wed also ask people not to act unilaterally whether thats school principals or creche owners or business owners or event organisers because that causes problems in itself. We need to act in concert and if the response needs to be escalated we should escalate it all together."

He said: "Were not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled but that of course will be kept under review."

And Mr Varadkar reiterated "simple advice" to wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water.

He was joined by Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan who responded to questions on when any decision to cancel the St Patrick's Day festivities would have to be taken.

Mr Holohan refused to be drawn on whether this could be as late as the day before saying that if there is "appropriate public health advice is in relation to an event  and Im not specifically talking about St Paticks Day  well make that advice available."

Mr Varadkar said that there's no overflow of patients at the moment other than "underlying capacity problems" in hospitals.

He said the HSE has been authorised to open extra intensive care unit beds - though such beds have not yet been needed - and "discussions are underway with the private hospitals to use their capacity too."

On the issue of whether of not flights to an from Italy - the worst-affected country in Europe - should be restricted Mr Varadkar said the "best advice" is that this would be likely to be "ineffective".

He said the same applies to passenger screening at airports.

"It may be the case that in some parts of the world people are engaging in those actions but the best scientific advice we have at the moment is that those kinds of actions are not effective and theres not point in taking actions that are not effective," Mr Varadkar said.

Mr Varadkar also raised the prospect of enlisting retired doctors and nurses to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak if there is serious pressure on the health service.

The Taoiseachs comments come as 60 staff members at Cork University Hospital are in self-isolation after a case of community transmitted Covid-19 was identified in a patient there.

He said: What we may have to do is ask people who are retired healthcare professionals to come back into service if there are significant pressures on our health service in the weeks ahead.

Mr Varadkar said work on this will be carried out over the weekend.

He added: Also by Monday we should have a clear solution on what were going to do in providing income supports to workers who are asked to self isolate.

He said: we want to make sure that nobody who is given medical advice and told to self-isolate doesnt do so for fear of financial loss.

Mr Varadkar also said that he still intends to travel to the United States for his White House meeting with President Donald Trump next week.

Earlier today, Youghal in Co Cork confirmed it had cancelled its scheduled parade - traditionally one of the biggest parades in the county outside Cork city.

In a statement, the Youghal organisers said that: "With deep regret Youghal4All has found themselves in the position of having to cancel the St Patrick's Day parade due to our concerns about Covid-19."

The organisers said that while the event was an important part of the Youghal social and cultural calendar, public health and safety had to be paramount.

"We would like to apologise to the public, clubs, groups, societies and businesses affected by this decision but we feel we must act in the best interests of public health and safety."

The decision by the Cork town will now increase pressure on other Irish towns and cities to reconsider their St Patrick's Day parades.

The Chinese Ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong warned earlier this week that banning public gatherings was a key part of his country's response to the virus.

He warned that some "hard decisions" had to be made - and he urged Ireland to take a considered decision on the matter.
New Delhi, March 6 : The coronovirus scare in the country ahead of Holi on March 10 has cast a shadow on the festival of colours, with traders reporting lesser customers out to buy dry and wet colours and water guns.

The excitement over the festival of colours among children is subdued in National Capital Region, including Delhi. Be it children or the elderly, almost all seem to have the virus on their minds ahead of Dulhandi on March 10.

In Greater Noida, the stalls at various malls are adorned with packets of colours, gulal and 'pichkaris'. However, only a few customers could be seen visiting the stalls.

A Delhi-based businessman rued that there was hardly any demand for Chinese colours this Holi.

Authorities too have appealed to the people to take preventive measures. Many leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have announced to stay away from the "Holi Milan" gatherings.

Ambeshree, a Class III student of a well-known school in central Delhi, says: "I will not play Holi this time around in the wake of the coronavirus scare." Another student Ishaan told IANS that he would not play Holi since his Class X Board exams are underway.

"People apply colours and gulal on your face and other body parts. However, it is advisable to do a 'namaste' instead of shaking hands as a preventive measure against spread of coronavirus. So, playing Holi means ignoring doctors' advice," he said.

In the wake of reporting of 30 COVID-19 positive cases in India so far, events like 'Holika Dahan', 'Holi Milan' and 'Holi Rain Dance' have been cancelled at a few places in the national capital.

On the other hand, noted cardiologist KK Agarwal urged Holi revellers not to be worried unnecessarily. "If someone comes in contact with a coronavirus-infected patient, only then is it worrisome," he said.

He, however, advised people suffering from fever or cold to stay away from playing with water colours on Holi.

(Pramod Kumar Jha can be contacted at pramod.j@ians.in)

Latest updates on Holi Festival 2020

-- Syndicated from IANS
Major St. Clair Leacock repeated that he had raised concerns here similar to those that have since made the headlines in Belize.

Had the NDP taken the Gonsalves government to court for PetroCaribe spending, the verdict would be like Belize.





That is the view of New Democratic Party (NDP)Central Kingstown Member of Parliament (MP) Major St Clair Leacock.





And Major Leacock is calling on his party to keep on sharp focus the case of Belize, where Supreme Court Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled as unconstitutional $1.5 billion of the PetroCaribe and other funds spent by the Dean Barrow administration.





Speaking on the NDPs New Times Programme on NICE Radio on Wednesday, Major Leacock said the matter is "very serious and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines have an obligation to pay attention to what is unfolding in Belize.





The case was brought by Opposition Leader John Briceno in a claim filed on March 6th, 2019, against Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow.





According to reports, the Finance and Audit Reform Act, Revised Edition 2011, expressly states that all revenues or other monies raised or received by Belize, not being revenues or other monies payable under the Belize Constitution or under any other law into some specific public fund established for that purpose, shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.





It was contended that the Petrocaribe funds from Venezuela should have been deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, but that was not the case.





Further, it was contended that Dean Barrow government did not go before the National Assembly to seek approval prior to spending these monies.





The case of SVG





In St Vincent and the Grenadines, there were matters similar in nature where the Dr Ralph Gonsalves government spent over one hundred million dollars without parliaments approval. Further, the government had failed to put monies from the PetroCaribe deal into the Consolidated Fund.





Major Leacock said he had spoken about the issue in parliament, on the political platform and at other fora, before and after the government brought legislation to correct the situation in 2016.





"And what I said then was that the government was acting unlawfully  those were my words, and I continue to use those words. And I was so firm in my conviction that I said, had the government lost the election, the New Democratic Party would have been in a position to bring an action against the government for misbehavior in public office.





He then referenced the case in Belize as one of disobeying the constitution of the land.





"And, the constitution of the land is the highest law of the land you cannot correct constitutional breaches by making subsidiary lawAnd, therefore, as happened in St Vincent after the elections (2015), the government came and passed law retroactively to make what was wrong now right. Its unacceptable, Leacock emphasized.





He explained, though, that "the Government can only correct that breach by going back and changing the constitution itself to give them permission to do what they did at that time (but) they will not be able to do so because they have to get two-thirds majority in the parliament and they wont get the support of the NDP.





The MP noted that government had chosen not to put the PetroCaribe money into the Consolidated Fund and to put it into other accounts  PDVSA and PetroCaribe SVG, which are two companies in this country.





He said that it was not until serious pressure was brought on the government that they gave an account of what happened, and they became very angry as a result.





"But, the truth be told, they had violated the law, Major Leacock concluded.




A "relative" calm was reported around the conflict-shattered Syrian region of Idlib soon after a ceasefire between Russia and Turkey came into force at midnight on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

The Britain-based Observatory reported that Russian and Syrian air strikes had halted but said there was "artillery fire... by Syrian regime forces on the positions of insurgent groups" in areas controlled by jihadists in parts of Aleppo and Hama bordering Idlib province in northwestern Syria.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iran's Health Ministry: 552 patients recover from coronavirus

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 04 March 2020 4:42 PM

Iran says 522 patients infected with the coronavirus have recovered so far as the country intensifies measures to combat the epidemic.

Kianoush Jahanpour, the head of public relations and information center of the Iranian Ministry of Health, made the remarks to reporters on Wednesday, while updating the figures on recuperation and new confirmed cases.

"Since yesterday until today's afternoon, 586 new confirmed cases have been reported," he said.

He added that 253 of the new cases were diagnosed in Tehran Province, adding that the north-central Qom Province and the northern Gilan Province came second and third with 101 and 35 new cases, respectively.

The new figures raise the number of confirmed cases to a total of 2,922, he said.

The official noted that 15 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus over the past day, bringing the total number of fatalities to 92 since the outbreak.

He called on Iranians to refrain from taking unnecessary intra-urban and inter-urban trips and avoid gatherings that could contribute to the disease's spread.

Jahanpour said that the country will witness a decline in the number of new cases if people heed safety and hygiene advisories and reduce their commuting and trips by 60 percent, expressing optimism that the spread of the disease will take a downward trend in the coming days.

The new virus first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

More than 92,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide and the number of deaths from the virus has reached 3,110 globally, according to the World Health Organization.

In Iran, it first showed up in the north-central city of Qom.

Iran has mobilized all its resources to tackle the issue, including increased production and import of hygiene and protective items as well as enforcing diagnostic measures across the nation.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) - A local court has suspended the proceedings on cyber libel charges against Fredrick Brennan, founder of 8chan, a website linked to several mass shootings in the US and New Zealand.

The RTC (Regional Trial Court Branch) 158 of Pasig City granted our motion to defer proceedings in Fredrick Brennan libel case and chose to wait for the outcome of our petition for review at the DOJ (Department of Justice), Brennans lawyer Alexander Acain Jr. said in a post on social media.

An arrest order has been issued against Brennan for a series of supposedly libelous tweets against 8chan owner James Arthur Watkins whom he called senile and incompetent.

In a 26-page petition sent to DOJ, Brennan defended himself. He said he was exercising his civic duty to inform the public about that website which promotes hate speech and white nationalist creed.

8chan, now known as 8kun, is an online messaging board that gives a platform for violent extremists.

CNN has reported that at least three atrocities have been linked to the message board, including the shooting in El Paso, Texas, which killed 22 and injured 24 others.
To a newcomer like myself, San Francisco is a contradiction -- a free-spirited, tolerant, diverse liberal hub of radical hippie thinking that disdains transplants and requires fluency in four different computer coding languages to afford an apartment deposit.



Most of the people I meet seem confused as to why Id move here given my lack of biotech PhD degree or cannabis start-up scheme, and pleasantly surprised to learn that I think its a truly wonderful place to live.



Most of the eulogies for the city consider todays San Francisco a shadow of its former self. But after reading a book that Ive seen everywhere from my roommates bookshelf to the gift shop at the de Young Museum, San Franciscos present doesnt actually seem that detached from its past.

Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love by Salon.com founder David Talbot chronicles the trajectory of San Francisco culture from the late 60s to early 80s, from the Summer of Love to The Catch. Taking its name from a Donovan song, the book published in 2012 spans the worlds of counter-culture crash pads to city hall offices, lawless crime to public works projects, gay rights leaders to the conservative politicians who silenced them.



Anyone can recognize the ingredients in the modern day melting pot that is San Francisco, but a book like this serves as a recipe, unlocking context thats crucial to understanding the state of the city today.



I think the book resonates with many newcomers to San Francisco who can feel the echoes of our heroic past but don't really know the history, says Talbot via email. They read Season of the Witch in the same way that ancient cultures told stories of their mythic past around the campfire, to feel elevated once more and to feel a stronger sense of belonging to their new home.

RELATED: How two women quietly reading books in an SF bar started an introvert revolution



When speaking with my San Francisco elders, often gathered around a literal firepit in my backyard, Ive noticed how deeply they love the city. Its easy to catch that spirit, but harder to maintain it when confronted by the current crisis of affordability, housing shortages and drug addiction.



It seems like a sharp contrast to the nostalgia for free love and cheap rent, but one of the lessons Ive learned from Season of the Witch is that those good ol days were also completely terrifying.



I was surprised by the amount of conflict and sacrifice that went into creating our paradise," says Talbot. As I observe in my book, San Francisco's civilized values were not born with flowers in their hair, but howling in blood and strife.



Of course Id heard of the Zodiac Killer, but what about the Zebra murders, in which a terrorist group called the Death Angels killed somewhere between 15 and 73 people?



The massacre at Jonestown in Guyana has become enshrined in pop culture, but I had no idea that Jim Jones rise was tied to changing racial demographics in the city, or how deeply entwined he was with powerful city figures ranging from former mayor Willie Brown to Herb Caen.



And the drug addiction seen on the streets today dates back to the early 70s, when 15% of the servicemen returning from Vietnam were addicted to heroin.



Understanding these tragedies unlocks the histories behind neighborhoods like the Fillmore and the Castro, areas that I otherwise might only know based on their restaurant or nightlife scenes. And although the doom and gloom of the era was striking, the citys perseverance was another of my biggest takeaways.



When the influx of teenage runaways drawn by Haight-Ashbury counter-culture reached a critical mass of homelessness and poverty, one of the nations first free health care clinics opened on Clayton Street, buoyed by a $5,000 donation from a benefit thrown by concert promoter Bill Graham (who many in the scene distrusted as a moneygrubbing opportunist).



Todays 15,000 strong Facebook group Buy Nothing SF can be traced to the Free Store, a project by anarchist group The Diggers that aimed to counteract what they saw as the commercialization of Haight-Ashbury.



The Reagan administrations refusal to confront the AIDS crisis in the 80s is mirrored in todays Presidential administrations disdain for just about any challenging issue confronting the city. The response of investing millions of city dollars into AIDS research reminds me of present day SFs defiant stance on immigration and environmental issues.



The sexual revolution of the city faced tremendous police backlash, leading to the creation of sex workers rights groups like Coyote (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics), whose charismatic leader Margo St. James cozied her way into the most powerful political circles in the city.



Understanding these challenges puts todays growing pains in much needed perspective.



Once more San Francisco values are being tested -- not by the traditional order reacting against a hippie or gay invasions as I wrote about in Season of the Witch, but by the city trying to absorb the impact of global tech capital and its big new workforce, says Talbot.



The book also forces the reader to consider their own place in the fabric of the city. For me as a journalist, the histories of the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner are an inspiration to celebrate the citys eccentricities a la Herb Caens column and Armistead Maupins Tales of the City, but also a reminder that the press never has been and never will be perfect.



For artists working today, regrettably a dying breed, the tales of counter-cultures ebb and flow serve as both encouragement and cautionary tales. And the stranger than fiction histories, like Patty Hearsts kidnapping, are as absurd as anything the most creative mind could dream up.



Identifying with that past fuels some of the citys the most forward-thinking art, a great example being the 2019 film The Last Black Man in San Francisco, written and directed by the SotW authors son, Joe Talbot.

RELATED: The Last Black Man in San Francisco director creates map of the city featuring things he loves

"I first fell in love with San Francisco's wild history while transcribing interviews for Season of the Witch. I spent a high school summer holed up in my room typing up the interviews my dad had conducted," says Joe Talbot. "Hearing those first hand accounts from people who'd participated in an era I often dreamt about made me want to examine my own connection to the city's past, as well as my friends like Jimmie Fails. Out of our subsequent conversations came the first inklings of The Last Black Man in San Francisco.



Naturally many threads in the book will be old news to longtime San Francisco residents, but for a transplant, reading the book felt like fulfilling a civic responsibility. Although suggesting that anyone pick up a 480-page book these days is a hefty order, after finishing it I feel like Ive paid my respects to the Old San Francisco that so many people long for, and learned that living here has never been simple or easy, but thats part of the reward.

Dan Gentile is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email: Dan.Gentile@sfgate.com | Twitter: @Dannosphere
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  Findings of a new study reveal that despite continued efforts to close the gender equality gap, 9 out of 10 people globally are biased against women.

According to the Gender Social Norms Index released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday, this bias is manifested in all aspects of womens lives, including politics, work, health, partner violence, and education.

Despite remarkable progress in some areas, no country in the worldrich or poorhas achieved gender equality. All too often, women and girls are discriminated against in health, in education, at home and in the labour marketwith negative repercussions for their freedoms, read the index, which contains data from over 80 percent of the world population.

For instance, findings show that almost half of the worlds men and women feel that men make better political leaders. Meanwhile, 40 percent feel that men have more right to a job when jobs are scarce.

Women today are the most qualified in history, and newer generations of women have reached parity in enrolment in primary education, the study read. But the transition from the education system to the world of paid work is marked by a gender equality discontinuity associated with womens reproductive roles.

Almost a third of people also think it is justified for a man to beat his wife.

The study also found that while there have been remarkable progress on gender equality in some countries, attitudes have worsened in others. The UNDP said this signals that progress cannot be taken for granted.

In view of the findings, the UNDP called for resistance to deeply rooted gender inequalities through education and by changing incentives. It also urged governments and institutions to introduce legislation, especially preventive policies, that would help combat discrimination against women.
Senator Elizabeth Warren suspended her United States presidential campaign on Thursday after a disappointing Super Tuesday that included a third-place finish in her home state of Massachusetts.

IMAGE: The 70-year-old leader in a statement said, "Our work continues, the fight goes on, and big dreams never die". Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The 70-year-old leader, however, did not announce who she was endorsing for the Democratic presidential primaries, which have now been reduced to a direct contest between former US Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

"Today, I'm suspending our campaign for president," Warren said, two days after she failed to win a single Super Tuesday State.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday in Massachusetts, Warren said she'd likely endorse one of the two major Democratic candidates left in the race, but "not today".

"I need some space and I need a little time right now," she said.

Warren is the fourth Democratic leader in the last one week to withdraw from the party's race to the White House.

Biden had a convincing Democratic primary win in Massachusetts along with nine other Super Tuesday States.

A day before, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had announced to withdraw from the race.

On the eve of the Super Tuesday, two other presidential aspirants Senator Amy Klobuchar and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the race. All three of them rallied behind Biden to help him win the Democratic party's nomination and to challenge incumbent US President Donald Trump in the November elections.

"Our work continues, the fight goes on, and big dreams never die," Warren told her supporters.

"I may not be in the race for president in 2020, but this fight -- our fight -- is not over. And our place in this fight has not ended," she added.

With the exit of Warren from the race, Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard remains the only female candidate in the Democratic party's presidential race.

However, she has failed to gain any traction in the primaries so far.

Trump was quick to take a dig at Warren.

"Elizabeth "Pocahontas" Warren, who was going nowhere except into Mini Mike's head, just dropped out of the Democrat Primary...THREE DAYS TOO LATE. She cost Crazy Bernie, at least, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. Probably cost him the nomination! Came in third in Mass," he said in a tweet.

The Democratic Party at its national convention in Wisconsin will elect its nominee for the November polls. The nominee must have 1,991 of the 3,979 pledge delegates. As of Thursday, Biden was leading the pack with 596 pledged delegates, followed by Sanders with 531.

On March 10, six states would hold their primaries: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington.

This would be followed by primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio on March 17. Political pundits believe that by then a front runner for the Democratic party would have secured his position.
Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2020 -- The high strength steel has a greater yield of 275 MPa and above along with carbon content between 0.05% and 0.25%, manganese content below 2%, and a combination of other metals. These properties make this type of steel the ideal candidate for producing lightweight vehicles and this will also become one of the leading high strength steel market trends.



The global high strength steel market size is projected to reach USD 53.43 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. The rising demand for lightweight steel in the automotive industry is expected to be a major growth driver of this market. There is an urgent global need to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles and the adoption of high strength steel in place of carbon steel offers a viable solution to this problem. This category of steel is known for its high strength capacity, which reduces the conventional steel requirement to manufacture vehicles and vehicular parts.



According to a new Fortune Business Insights report, titled "High Strength Steel Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA), Dual Phase (DP), Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP), Martensitic (MS), and Others), By Application (Automotive; Building & Construction; Mechanical & Heavy Equipment; Rail, Aviation & Marine; and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026", the value of this market stood at USD 28.79 billion in 2018.



Request a Sample Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/high-strength-steel-market-101854



List of top players covered in high strength steel market research report are:



ArcelorMittal S.A.

Baosteel Group Corporation

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation

HBIS Group

Posco Group

JFE Steel Corporation

United States Steel Corporation

China Steel Corporation

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Tata Steel

Angang Steel Company Limited

Hebei Puyong Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd.

JSW Steel

SSAB AB

Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK)

CITIC Pacific Special Steel Holdings

Hyundai Steel Company

Voestalpine AG

Nucor Corporation

Thyssenkrupp Ag

Metinvest Holding, LLC

PAO Severstal

Gerdau S.A.

Shandong Iron and Steel Group

Other Key Players



To Gain More Insights into the Market with Detailed Table of Content and Figures, Click Here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/high-strength-steel-market-101854



Multifaceted Nature of High Strength Steel to Fuel Its Demand Across Industries



Steel is the backbone of majority of industries in the world and is one of the core materials that can meet a host end-user needs. High strength steel is an upgraded version of regular steel and offers many more advantages to its conventional counterpart. For example, according to the Australian Steel Institute, the high-yield and robust tensile strength of this steel can be effectively utilized to increase stresses in designs. Additionally, structural dead weights can be decreased that can save both costs and space. Owing to these advantages, high strength steel is finding increasing applicability across a wide spectrum of industries such as aerospace, electronics, and marine, which is accelerating the High Strength Steel Market growth.



Flourishing Construction Industry to Propel the Market in Asia-Pacific



Asia-Pacific is projected to dominate the High Strength Steel Market share, since the region commanded the market share in 2018. Increasing production and consumption of steel by the automotive, construction, and heavy machinery industries are the leading factors driving the market in this region.



The High Strength Steel Market size in North America was USD 3.21 billion in 2018. The region is anticipated to display the highest CAGR on account of the high demand for steel from the automotive and mechanical industries in the US. Europe, too, will showcase a sturdy CAGR owing to the rising demand for lightweight steel for manufacturing electric and hybrid vehicles.



Launch of New-Age Products to Intensify Competition



The High Strength Steel Market forecast points towards a period of intense competition as companies adopt strategies to gain a competitive edge. This is being achieved through development and launch of innovative products and solutions.



The High Strength Steel Market report provides the following information:



An elaborate overview of the overall industry outlook and how it will impact the market in the long-run;

A microscopic analysis of the various drivers, factors, current and upcoming trends, and future prospects of the market;

An exhaustive research into the competitive landscape and regional dynamics of the market; and

A detailed assessment of the different market segments and their share in the market.

Key Industry Developments:



December 2019: An MoU was signed between HBIS Group and POSCO Group for the initiation of a joint venture to develop, produce, and sell high-end steel products in the prospering automotive industry of China.

May 2019: United States Steel Corporation announced an investment of $1 billion in the company's Mon Valley Works. The investment will make Mon Valley the principal producer of the company's signature XG3 Advanced High Strength Steel for manufacturing of fuel efficient vehicles.



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LIMERICK paramedics, who will be providing the majority of tests for the Covid-19 coronavirus in the Mid-West region, have to clean their uniform at home as there is no washing machine at the busy ambulance base.

This has escalated staff concerns that they will be more exposed to the virus that has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide in just three months.

At the time of going to print on Wednesday, there were two confirmed cases in Ireland. The second case, a female who travelled from northern Italy, is unrelated to the first case, a male child in a secondary school in Dublin.

Like the rest of Europe, Ireland is in the containment phase. This means that the efforts are focusing on preventing further spread, and identifying all infected cases no matter how mild they are.

If the containment phase is unsuccessful, the focus will be diverted to those experiencing severe symptoms. This is called the mitigation phase, which is being deployed by China and South Korea and other severely affected areas globally.

And as part of Irelands containment phase, the testing for Covid-19 has been moved from the acute setting to a community, whereby paramedics are to carry out tests.

That was according to the Department of Healths chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan at Tuesday nights briefing, who said it would take the pressure off clinical staff in hospitals.

However, alert sources have contacted the Limerick Leader, expressing concern over uniform hygiene. The source said that they are already exposed to superbugs through the transport and treatment of patients and we have to bring our uniform home to wash in the same machines as our family.

In relation to the containment of the virus at University Hospital Limerick, the Leader asked the UL Hospitals Group for the number of readily-available isolation facilities in the event of a suspected Covid-19 case; the protocol in the event all isolation facilities are occupied; the security required to supervise suspected cases; the attire being used by healthcare staff; and how many suspect cases have presented within the UL Hospitals Group.

Other than the attire being provided, there was no direct response to any of these questions.

The HSE and the Department of Health are not providing information about individual activations of preparedness plans or about individual cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) other than confirmed cases.

Working closely with the National Public Health Emergency Team, the HSE mobilised the HSE National Crisis Management Team, which has been meeting regularly since January 26.

HSE local Winter Action Teams and local crisis management teams are working to ensure the actions taken at a national level are implemented in a consistent way across the country.

In preparation for any potential mitigation phase, the HSE National Crisis Management Team will continue to act in readiness regarding ICU capacity, isolation and identification of cases, staff training and up-skilling, and increased resources as required.

Despite the challenges of a volatile market, the HSE has adequate stock of critical supplies all across the country. The HSE has procured, 700,000 gowns, 4m gloves, 1.7m masks, 1.5m surgical masks and 400,000 face shield protections and working closely with the GP community, 13,500 PPE packs have been distributed to GPs, public health departments and primary care centres. The HSE has also purchased 12 portable ventilators in terms of supports for acute hospitals.

The HSE has been contacted, but has as yet received no reply
Medical workers have become warriors fighting on the front line of Chinas battle against the novel coronavirus, where some have become casualties themselves. Whats so admirable about these medical workers is that they have immediately returned to work after recovering.

Many Chinese medical staff resolutely set out for battle with the attitude: Its no big deal if Im taken down by the virus; I can stand up again. And if they are unfortunately infected with the virus, they tell themselves, It will be a great encouragement for my patients if I can return to them.

Zhou Ning

If I can save just one patient, it will be worth it.

Zhou Ning at work. (File photo)

As a doctor, I must try my best to treat those severely ill and critical patients. If I can save just one patient, it will be worth it, Zhou Ning, a doctor in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic, said when asked about why he was returning to the front line after recovering from novel coronavirus pneumonia.

Zhou is the deputy director of the department of cardiology in Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. He started to show the symptoms of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus four days after receiving a patient suspected of infection on Jan. 17.

Zhou voluntarily put himself under home quarantine when his symptoms appeared. Using his medical knowledge, Zhou treated himself with pharmacotherapy and made sure he had plenty of rest during his home quarantine. These measures proved effective, and he gradually recovered.

After his recovery, Zhou wrote of his experience in an article telling people how to fight the disease during home quarantine, which was quickly forwarded many times on WeChat Moments.

I still believe that we will definitely defeat the virus as long as we unite as one and fight the epidemic in solidarity, Zhou wrote in the article.

On Feb. 10, when his quarantine ended, Zhou had no hesitation in returning to his post.

My hospital was worried that I might not be able to handle the work. But as a designated hospital for treating severely and critically ill patients, we are shorthanded. Treating diseases and saving patients are a doctors most important responsibilities, Zhou said.

Yuan Haitao

I still worry about my patient.

Yuan Haitao at work. (File photo)

On Feb. 21, Yuan Haitao, director of the department of critical care medicine at the Dongxihu District Peoples Hospital in Wuhan, took off his hospital gown and put on a medical protective suit immediately after he had returned to health.

I just want to bring the experience I gained from the treatment of my own disease to work as soon as possible, he said. Yuan, 44, has been a doctor for nearly 20 years.

On Jan. 14, Yuans hospital received a novel coronavirus pneumonia patient who was critically ill and had to be transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) after receiving a trachea cannula, which meant the viruses in the patients airway could easily come out and infect others.

I have to take the risk, Yuan said decisively. The day after he came into close contact with the patient, Yuans body temperature rose to 39 degrees Celsius. Three days later, he was hospitalized. Two weeks later, his condition deteriorated, and he had to be transferred to the ICU of Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital.

Yuans condition was so serious that his wife had to sign a written notice of his critical condition from the hospital. After hearing the news, Yuans good friend Hu Ming, who is the director of the department of critical care medicine at Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital, sobbed uncontrollably. The scene was captured by media and spread online, causing widespread anxiety among netizens.

Luckily, Yuans condition gradually improved. As soon as he felt better, while still in ICU, he started to treat his patient remotely from hospital.

Despite his close call, he constantly asked his colleges about the condition of the patient he had treated before his own infection, and even got an examination report so that he could continue to treat the patient.

I still worry about my patient, Yuan said during his hospitalization. During this period, he kept thinking about how he could improve the treatment of the patient he received before he himself was infected by the virus.

Yuan was later comforted to know that the patient he had worried about so much had improved and even managed to breathe without the use of a respirator.

Wu Junye

My experience of being infected with the virus helps me better understand them.

Wu Junye and her patient. (Photo/Chen Shu)

Ive had it too. And now Im alright. Your four daughters are waiting for you at home. These were the words that Wu Junye, a nurse at the department of otolaryngology in Wuhan Third Hospital, used to comfort a 78-year-old female patient while feeding her with a spoon.

Wu became infected while nursing a novel coronavirus pneumonia patient, and was diagnosed with the disease on Jan. 30. After her recovery and the end of her quarantine, she asked to return to work, and started to take care of patients in the fever ward.

Many patients get upset and even resist treatment after they are diagnosed with the disease. My experience of being infected with the virus helps me better understand them, and makes it easier to get accepted by patients when I give them psychological counselling, Wu said.

Its you that makes me get up the courage and fight against the virus. I want to remember your face, a patient said when she was discharged from the hospital on March 1, and asked to take a photo with her.

Xie San

Donating plasma is something I have to do.

Xie San at work. (File photo)

In late February, the Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science in Wuhan received a letter of thanks from the family of a patient.

He agreed to our request for voluntary plasma donation after just recovering from the disease himself. And we had never met each other, read the letter.

The donor referred to in the letter is Xie San, a male nurse in the emergency department of the Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science.

Donating plasma is something I have to do. When I did it, I saw a lot of ordinary people were also donating plasma. What they were doing deserves more praise, said Xie, who told Peoples Daily that many of his colleagues who have recovered from the disease asked him about how to donate plasma after hearing that he had done it.

Xie had volunteered to join the front line of the battle after the outbreak of the epidemic, and worked for more than 40 consecutive days.

He got vomit all over his face while giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient, but even then didnt stop trying to save him. That was probably when he became infected, according to one of Xies colleagues, who all describe Xie as a kind and tolerant man, and whose friends all like to call him Brother San.

I was also afraid when I was first diagnosed with the disease. But as soon as I felt better, I wanted to work, Xie said.

Zou Jinjing

As it turned out, it wasnt my work that needed me, but me that needed my work.

Zou Jinjing. (File photo)

See, the computerized tomography (CT) scan results get a bit better each time, but not a lot better every time. Its just like the growth of a child. It cant be that fast all the time, but the child will grow up eventually, Zou Jinjing said to a novel coronavirus patient in the isolation ward, explaining how his condition was gradually improving.

As someone so full of spirit and energy, its almost impossible to imagine she was also a novel coronavirus patient not long ago.

Zou is the doctor in charge in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. She started to show symptoms of novel coronavirus pneumonia on Jan. 17, and was hospitalized after being confirmed as having the virus.

Zou started getting better on Feb. 1. She asked her hospital to let her return to work as soon as she had gone through the necessary observation and quarantine.

On Feb. 24, after her request was finally approved, Zou resumed her previous duties: making the rounds of the wards and providing diagnosis and treatment in the mornings and taking part in telemedicine sessions in the afternoon.

You need to rest when you fall ill, and get back to work when you recover, according to Zou, who doesnt think that what she did was in any way heroic.

As it turned out, it was not my work that needed me, but me who needed my work, said Zou, who has been in much better spirits since she returned to her duties.
The global cerebral and tissue oximetry devices market is poised to grow by USD 51.31 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of about 7% during the forecast period. Request free sample pages

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Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry Devices Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry Devices Market Analysis Report by Product (Modular devices and Handheld devices), Geographic Segmentation (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/cerebral-and-tissue-oximetry-devices-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the growing use of cerebral and tissue oximetry devices in cardiac surgical procedures. In addition, technological advancements in cerebral and tissue oximetry devices are anticipated to boost the growth of the cerebral and tissue oximetry devices market.

The demand for efficient treatment in healthcare settings for CVDs is increasing due to the prevalence of rheumatic heart diseases, cardiomyopathy, and cerebrovascular diseases. Number of cardiac surgeries performed in healthcare settings is also increasing with the growing urgency in surgical interventions. Patients undergoing cardiac surgeries are more prone to adverse perioperative neurological events as the anesthesia delivered to the them can lead to oxygen deprivation/cerebral hypoxia. As a result, the demand for advanced blood oxygenation monitoring devices such as cerebral and tissue oximetry devices is increasing to help avoid complications related to cerebral hypoxia. Thus, the growing use of cerebral and tissue oximetry devices in cardiac surgical procedures is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

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Major Five Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry Devices Market Companies:

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. operates the business under various segments such as Transcatheter Heart Valve Therapy, Surgical Heart Valve Therapy, and Critical Care. The company offers ForeSight Elite system, which is a noninvasive monitoring technology.

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

Hamamatsu Photonics KK offers products through the following business units: Electron Tube, Opto-semiconductor, and Imaging and Measurement Instruments. The company offers NIRO-200NX, which is a monitor that uses near infrared spectroscopy.

HyperMed Imaging Inc.

HyperMed Imaging Inc. offers innovative solutions for superficial tissue oximetry applications. The company offers HyperView, which is a handheld, battery operated, portable diagnostic imaging device. It is used as a noninvasive tissue oxygenation measurement system.

ISS Inc.

ISS Inc. offers products through the following business segments: Fluorescence, Microscopy, and Biomedical. The company offers OxiplexTS, which is a tissue oximeter. This device is used to measure the oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin concentrations in the tissue.

Masimo Corp.

Masimo Corp. is involved in the production and supply of a range of patient monitoring and related products. The company offers Root platform, which is a patient monitoring and connectivity platform. It enables clinicians to monitor patients who are under anesthesia or sedation.

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Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry Devices Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

Modular devices

Handheld devices

Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry Devices Market Geographic Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

North America

Europe

Asia

ROW

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Just after 10am, Micheal Martin made one of his regular appearances on 'Today with Sean O'Rourke' on RTE Radio One. It's where he goes to make significant announcements.

Yesterday, he was updating the public, and presumably the Fianna Fail membership, on his thoughts following the first official meeting between his party and Fine Gael.

The Fianna Fail leader tried to ramp up pressure on acting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to enter into more formal government formation talks.

He clearly stated he was interested in going into government with Varadkar and insisted voters would not thank either of them for another election.

His comment followed Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath announcing that the party was "ready for the next step" after the talks with Fine Gael.

The feeling was not mutual. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe made clear Fine Gael was not rushing into any talks and said the onus was still on those who spent nine years trying to oust his party from government.

But Martin was putting his cards on the table now. He made forming a government sound easy.

Varadkar just had to get his act together and they could cobble together a programme for government focusing on the main issues facing the country.

He even suggested he would be open to rotating the office of the Taoiseach with his Fine Gael counterpart.

Not everyone was impressed by the offer to coalesce with Fine Gael, especially those within the Fianna Fail grassroots. Within an hour, Fianna Fail Dublin City Councillor Keith Connolly tweeted: "I am totally against this move and I would vote against it at an ard fheis."

Connolly was followed by other grassroot members who took to social media to say they were vehemently against going into government with Fine Gael.

After leaving Montrose, Martin was driven to Leinster House to meet his parliamentary party.

When they met two weeks ago, it had been a fairly sombre affair. There was talk of rebellion beforehand but it never amounted to anything. At the meeting, Martin was given permission to speak to all parties about government formation, apart from Sinn Fein.

But yesterday the mood among the troops was different. Things had changed since they last met. TDs had spent time in their constituencies. They spoke to supporters and local voters. They watched Sinn Fein hold jam-packed public meetings where Mary Lou McDonald was treated like a political messiah.

They also saw last weekend's opinion poll which had Sinn Fein on 35pc and Fianna Fail on 20pc. They also noted that McDonald's personal satisfaction rating was 53pc while Martin was on 31pc.

All this was playing on their minds, along with the memories of colleagues who failed to get re-elected, when they met in the Fianna Fail parliamentary party.

But it wasn't Martin's stance on Fine Gael that caused the most anger - rather it was his position on Sinn Fein. Unlike other meetings, it was not just the so-called rebels who raised concerns about Martin's constant criticism of Sinn Fein.

Loyal frontbench TDs who never criticise the leader objected to his refusal to even meet Sinn Fein to discuss its policies.

Party spokespersons Robert Troy and John Lahart said Martin should speak to Sinn Fein and end the non-stop attacks on the party. Sean Fleming, John McGuinness, Eamon O Cuiv and Joe Flaherty all agreed.

Fleming said the party was doing itself damage by constantly attacking Sinn Fein.

However, most of these TDs stopped short of saying Fianna Fail should enter into official government negotiations with Sinn Fein.

"There was lot of angst in the room because the lads are getting it in their own constituency," a TD said.

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill was extremely critical of Fianna Fail's general election campaign and called for a root and branch review of the party.

Willie O'Dea warned that some TDs would lose their seats if they went back to the country any time soon.

Martin was caught off guard and lashed out at his own TDs.

He reminded them that they gave him a mandate to rule out Sinn Fein only two weeks ago. He said it was not right that they should turn around now and tell him the policy was wrong.

"Micheal was fuming," a TD said. "He had to contain himself before he responded to them."

Another TD said: "He stood up and said: 'We'd a six-hour meeting three weeks ago and you gave me a mandate, I've been following that mandate, and we can't be changing our position every two weeks'."

After nine years and three general elections, it was probably more surprising that Martin had not faced similar criticism sooner.

However, his ambition to form a grand coalition was edging closer while he was coming under attack from his own party.

Around the same time, at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Varadkar told his party that a second election is unlikely to be held. A chink of light in the deadlock, some of his TDs believed. But this might be wishful thinking on their behalf.

And you can be sure once Varadkar hears about calls within Fianna Fail for more respect to be shown to Sinn Fein, he'll be even less enthusiastic about entering into government talks with Martin.
Repairs to the Mauao Base Track have officially been completed, allowing people to walk the full circuit without having to use stairs.

The repaired section reopened this morning, marking the conclusion of a successful project for iwi and the council after the track section was destroyed by a slip in April 2017.

A pre-Christmas repair blitz by council staff and contractors successfully allowed the section to open for the busy holiday season.

It was temporarily closed again last month for improvements such as boring drains and stabilising banks with soil nails.

The opening is especially good news for people with limited mobility, including those using prams and wheelchairs.

The success of this project is a testament to the strong working relationship between council and the Mauao Trust, says Mayor Tenby Powell.

Its been fantastic to see so many people out walking the track over summer, and the new section will ensure that more people can enjoy our citys greatest taonga.

The Mauao Trust has guided council staff in their engagement with experts to ensure the maunga is safe and accessible. The Trust represents the three iwi of Tauranga Moana, who collectively own Mauao.

This is a great example of how iwi and Council can collaborate by engaging early, face-to-face, and with the right information, says Dean Flavell, the chairman of Nga Poutiri Ao o Mauao joint management body.

That process has built confidence in moving towards a practical outcome for the community.

Council initially budgeted $4.65 million for a plan to re-route the track along the shore. The new plan, to re-build the track close to the old route, is expected to cost less than a revised budget of $718,600.
By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

Azerbaijan International Franchise Forum - Caspian Franchise will increase Azerbaijans investment attractiveness for potential investors and create opportunities to launch a system for new franchising projects, the Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijani Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMEs), Orkhan Mammadov, told in the Forum on March 4.

The goal of holding such events is to connect franchise owners, investors and entrepreneurs, those people interested in starting a franchise business as well, Mammadov said.

Mammadov expressed his confidence that this event, which was organized for the first time in Azerbaijan, will attract entrepreneurs attention and turn into a traditional platform concerning business cooperation between local and foreign entrepreneurs and effective establishment of B2B contacts as well.

In addition, the exhibition organized within the forum enabled to build partnerships between entrepreneurs, presenting the elaborateness of franchising technology to them. Also, this display contributed to increase of Azerbaijans investment attractiveness for potential investors, and creating opportunities for launching selection system for new franchising projects, Mammadov stressed.

He mentioned that the exhibition was distinguished for its contributions. Thus, potential investors could demonstrate well-known foreign brands operating in the franchise system and benefit from created conditions for obtaining comprehensive information about the Azerbaijani Caspian Franchise international business platform (https://franchiseexpo.az/) in the field of buying and selling franchises in the country.

"For this purpose, we invited entrepreneurs to actively participate in this event and hold fruitful discussions," he underlined.

The Caspian Franchise consisted of two parts  Conference and aforementioned exhibition.

The conference provided an opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues of franchising in Azerbaijan with local and foreign experts and entrepreneurs. During the conference, guests received an answer to the question Why franchising and not their own business?, discussing the legal aspects of working in a franchise and practical advice from those who already have successful experience in this field.

The exhibition brought together companies from various countries that presented franchises of their brands in areas such as ice cream, sushi, coffee, clothing, courier services, as well as a real estate agency and companies providing consulting services to find the right franchise. Guests of the exhibition were able to personally meet with representatives of foreign franchising companies and discuss in a live communication format all the nuances of the proposed franchise.

It is worth to mention that the Forum was the only business platform for buying and selling franchises in the country. Being the place "Where business starts", the event allowed to learn all about franchising, find a successful investment and start a new business.

It brought together franchise owners, current investors and businessmen, representatives of large holdings and individuals intended in launching their own franchise business on one site.

The event aimed to assist small and medium-sized businesses in expanding or launching new activities, whilst discussing franchising opportunities in Azerbaijan and learning about business development trends abroad.

Note that Azerbaijan International Franchise Forum - Caspian Franchise was held at Boulevard Hotel Baku under the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMEs) of Azerbaijan on March 4-5.

The speakers of the event include Founder of Topfranchise.ru Victor Bolshakov, Founder of Azerbaijan Franchising Center Elnur Islamov, Director of Churrosaz LLC Mirismet Javadov, CEO of Asiawide Franchise Consultants Pte Ltd Albert Kong, Legal Manager of Deloitte & Touche LLAC Bahar Kavuzova, CEO of Burger King Azerbaijan Abbas Mirza, Chief Marketing Officer of Burger King Azerbaijan Murad Gasimov, and CEO of 145 Group Anar Ibrahimov.

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By Marilyn Shapiro

Purim is around the corner, and not far behind are costumes and dancing and Purim shpiels and groggers and hamantashen.

And, for some, alcohol. According to the Talmud, it is one's duty, to "make oneself fragrant [with wine] on Purim until one cannot tell the difference between Haman and Mordecai." (Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 7b). On this one holiday, alcohol is not the most important element, but many imbibe. As explained by writer Tvi Freeman, Purim is not about drinking. It's about being drunk with happiness. That despite Haman's attempt to totally annihilate the Jewish people, Jews stood up to evil and won. Rational? Logical? No, but we managed to survive.

Getting physically drunk on Purim as not been one of my own memories. I always have tied the holiday to children and often, at least in my synagogues, some kind of cheesy fair that involved parent-made booths and dime-store prizes. The first adult Purim party I attended was one held by the Capital District Jewish Singles on March 18, 1973, where I met my husband, Larry. That was the best prize I could have won. And that party, held in the second floor of Herbie's Restaurant, did not involve alcohol either.

Jews may drink a glass of wine on Shabbat, the number goes up to four on Passover. We are encouraged to drink on Simchas Torah. Copious alcohol consumption never was a "Jewish" thing. In fact, statistically, Jews have less of a chance of becoming alcoholics than other demographics.

Why? The first reason is genetics. According to a 2002 study done at Columbia University, many Jews-nearly 20 percent-have a DNA mutation linked to lower rates of alcoholism. The variance, say scientists, known as ADH2*2, is involved in the way the body breaks down alcohol in the bloodstream and is thought to produce more of a toxic chemical by-product when persons with the gene drink heavily.

Another reason is culture. In a 2014 article in Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, alcohol counselor Lew Weiss writes that while many Jewish traditions involve alcohol Jews condemn actual drunkenness. The fear of being ostracized by their peers results in fewer Jews with drinking problems. And if they do, they are less likely to "come out of the closet."

A third reason deals with the Jews' drink of choice. In a 1980 study out of Syracuse University, Jews tend to drink wine, more often than any other group and-at least forty years ago-few alcohol abusers concentrate on wine.

While growing up in Upstate New York, I rarely saw my parents or relatives drink alcohol. Family gatherings never included beer, hard liquor, or even wine. To this day, I can't even remember if we kept beer in the refrigerator, but we must have. When I was 12, my father asked me to get two beers for him and a friend who was visiting. I grabbed the bottles from the frig, filled up two tall glasses with ice, and watched in horror as the Schlitz or Genesee foamed all over the counter. Hey! That's what we did with soda, right?

Two of our family stories involved my mother's unknowing encounter with alcohol. In 1955, my mother, who was five months pregnant with my younger sister, drank several glasses of what she thought was a delicious red fruit punch at a local Kiwanis get-together. When the president asked everyone to rise for the pledge of allegiance, my mother stood up, put her hand over her heart, and promptly fainted. She came to on a couch with our family doctor who was fortunately in attendance, by her side. "Young lady," said Dr. Temple sternly, "you should not be drinking so much alcohol, especially in your delicate condition!"

The second story came from my mother and father's decision to follow Uncle Paul's recipe for cherry brandy. As the big jar of the fresh fruit soaked up the vodka/sugar mixture, my mother helped herself to one or two of the cherries the first day, three or four the next, six the next. That night, father came home to dinner and a very tipsy wife. "It's just fruit!" she cried. No more cherries for my mother!

Like my mother, I naively fell prey to another "delicious red fruit punch." I started Albany State one week after my eighteenth birthday and had no experience with recreational drinking. (Yes, I was a total tea-totaler/good girl throughout high school.) On my first date, my older companion, an exchange student from Russian, recommended that I order a Singapore sling. Two tall glasses of the sweet mixture of cherry brandy, gin, and fruit juices put me on my proverbial tushie. From then on, I stuck to less potent combinations.

Another of my learning experiences occurred after I graduated college. In June 1973, I attended my cousin Marsha's wedding in Richfield Springs, New York. I was getting over bronchitis and took my dose of cough medicine with codeine with breakfast. Six hours later, after a long drive and the wedding ceremony, I quickly downed two alcoholic drinks from the open bar on an empty stomach. Were they screwdrivers? Whiskey sours? It didn't matter. The combination of booze and codeine resulted in a giant hangover that left me in bed in the dark with cold compresses on my head for two days. I stupidly hadn't realized the danger of mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. Years later, I found out such a toxic combination put Karen Ann Quindlan into a coma and subsequent vegetative state that triggered the historic right-to-die fight that ended up in the Supreme Court.

Larry and I enjoy a glass of wine or beer-Guinness or Sam Adams for Larry and a Blue Moon with a slice of orange for me. To be honest, I think I enjoy the citrus more than the beer. Larry and I have relaxed a bit on vacation-especially at the all-inclusive resort we used to visit in Jamaica. At Grand Lido Braco, I discovered a wonderful hazelnut liquor, so much so that I earned the moniker "Sister Frangelica" from my fellow Caribbean travelers. At Grand Lido Negril, Larry and a friend discovered chocolate martinis, which he refers to as "chocolate milk for adults."

The Carribbean influence shows up in another one of our favorites: coconut rum and coke. For the most part, however, mixed drinks especially ones loaded with sugar, are wasted on me as I drink them too fast. I'd rather put those calories towards a huge dish of vanilla ice cream. Frequently, my version of a "strong drink" is a glass of club soda with lemon and lime and two maraschino cherries-but not the kind my mom had!

On the evening of March 14, our synagogue is having a Purim party. There will be costumes and dancing and a Purim shpiel and groggers and hamantashen. No alcohol, though, just soda and some ice tea. I know that no one will even notice or care. We will be drunk with happiness that Jews, despite all of those who tried to annihilate us, have survived.

Marilyn Cohen Shapiro, a resident of Kissimmee, Fla., is a regular contributor to the (Capital Region N.Y.) Jewish World and the Orlando Heritage Florida Jewish News. She is the author of two compilations of her stories, "There Goes My Heart" (2016) and "Tikkun Olam" (2018). Both books available in paperback and e-book format on Amazon. Her blog is theregoesmyheart.me.
IIFA Awards 2020, which were to be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from March 27 to March 29, has been postponed due to coronavirus outbreak in India. The total number of positive cases in India has reached 31.

Due to COVID-19 outbreak in India, International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA awards 2020), which were to take place in Madhya Pradesh on March 27, 28 and 29, have been postponed to a later date. The organisers of the much-awaited award ceremony issued a statement on March 6, 2020 to inform that IIFA management and stakeholders from film industry in consultation with the Madhya Pradesh Government have decided to postpone the award ceremony.

The decision has been taken in light of global health scare around the spread of Coronavirus and to ensure safety of IIFA fans, as well as, general community at large. Furthermore, a fresh date and subsequent plans for hosting IIFA 2020 in Madhya Pradesh will be announced soon.

To be hosted by Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, the 3-day mega-event was expected to witness some stellar performances by celebrities like Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan among many others.

Also Read: Coronavirus in India: If James Bond and Marvel can postpone film releases, cant Bollywood?

Big news  #IIFA2020 postponed due to #CoronaVirus . Were to be held in Madhya Pradesh end of March with @BeingSalmanKhan @iamsrk @iHrithik etc attending & performing !! #coronavirusinindia  Uday Pratap Singh (@UdayPratapSingh) March 6, 2020

International Indian Film Academy Awards: With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of the #COVID19 virus and, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, it has been decided to postpone the event (originally scheduled at the end of March) to a later date. pic.twitter.com/zNQWMmBKsu  ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

Earlier this week, Katrina Kaif, Kartik Aaryan and Dia Mirza attended a pre-IIFA award 2020 press conference in Mumbai in which the organisers announced nominations for this year. Ranveer Singhs Gully Boy bagged 14 nominations, Shahid Kapoors Kabir Singh bagged 8 nominations and Ayushmann Khurranas Article 15 bagged 7 nominations.

Also Read: YES Bank crisis: Heres what its account holders, depositors should do

Speaking of Coronavirus outbreak in India, the total number of confirmed cases has reached 31. A new case of Coronavirus has emerged in Delhi where a man with a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia tested positive. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also issued a new advisory asking people to avoid or postpone mass gatherings till the spread of Coronavirus is contained.

Also Read: Nirbhaya convicts to hang at 5.30 am on March 20, says Delhi court

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The Congress leader followed the drill issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation for all passengers coming from Italy, which mandates a thorough check-up for covid-19, reports R Rajagopalan.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joins the Opposition protest over the Delhi riots on March 2, 2020, a day after he returned from Italy. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan / PTI Photo.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi underwent the mandatory coronavirus test at T3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport on his return to India last weekend.

Gandhi boarded Air India flight no 138 from Milan on February 29 evening and landed at the IGIA the next morning.

Highly placed government sources said Gandhi followed the drill issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation for all passengers coming from Italy, which mandates a thorough check-up for covid-19.

Since Italy is on the watch-list of nations with high coronavirus risk, all passengers disembarking were requested to undergo the tests.

Rahul Gandhi was returning to the country after two weeks, in which time the world has come together to combat the spread of covid-19.

Since the Congress member of Parliament has Z-plus security cover, he was offered all due courtesies. Sources say that Rahul Gandhi decided to follow the drill along with other passengers and volunteered to follow all instructions.

The check-up went on for 20-25 minutes even as his personal staff and security personnel were anxious that the process be completed quickly. But Rahul Gandhi signalled to them that the system must be followed, say these sources.

Rahul Gandhi was also briefed extensively by the health authorities at the airport about the do's and don'ts regarding covid-19.

Sources say that Rahul Gandhi left the airport after profusely thanking the health department officials deployed for the tests.

Since Italy has emerged as Europe's covid-19 hub, India has not only suspended visa facilities including visa on arrival to the country, but additionally on Thursday also decided passengers from Italy and South Korea submit a certificate of having "tested" negative from a health authorities-designated lab in their countries for coronavirus at the departure airport.
Chinas ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu speaks as part of a panel on power dynamics in the Middle East at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence in Ottawa on March 4, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Chinese Envoys Remarks at Defence Forum Discredited by Former CSIS Head

Deciphering Chinese communist regime spin

News Analysis

OTTAWAA number of statements by Chinas ambassador to an audience of military and defence professionals in Ottawa have drawn criticism from Richard Fadden, a former national security adviser and deputy minister of defence.

Cong Peiwus controversial remarks at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence on March 4 touched on a variety of issues, including the arrest of two Canadians in China, the repression of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang autonomous region, coercion, and Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

The detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor came shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the Vancouver airport in December 2018 for extradition to the United States on bank fraud charges and for violating sanctions against Iran.

Speaking as part of a panel at the conference, Cong said the authorities in China are handling the Kovrig and Spavor cases according to the countrys laws.

We are a country with a rule of law, he said in response to a question from the panels moderator.

Fadden, also a former Canadian Security Intelligence Service director, says China interprets the rule of law very differently from how Canada does. In China, the judiciary system is controlled by the ruling communist regime, unlike Canada with its independent justice system.

He was advocating the position of his government, he told The Epoch Times. We dont agree. I dont agree.

In their first year of detention in China, Kovrig and Spavor have not had access to a lawyer or family, according to news reports.

Cong added that the arrests were not arbitrary and declined to give an update on the two mens condition.

They are in the judicial process of China  all their human rights are protected, thats for sure, he told reporters after his panel appearance.

Fadden said the timing of the arrests was totally arbitrary.

It was connected to what we did with Ms. Meng, he said.

I wish we werent reduced to the point of recognizing that our systems of law are so different that were talking about apples and oranges, Fadden added.

Vocational Training

China has been widely condemned for its suppression of Uyghur Muslims in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2019 annual report, The U.S. governmentand the international communitymust swiftly and resolutely sanction Chinese officials and agencies that have perpetrated or tolerated severe religious freedom violations  in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

One of the key findings of the report was that in the summer of 2018, Beijing detained 800,000 to possibly more than 2 million Uyghur and other Muslims in Xinjiang and deployed 1 million communist party cadres to live with Uyghur Muslim families to report on any signs of extremist religious behaviour.

Cong said that what the Chinese regime is doing in Xinjiang is nothing like a concentration camp and that it is not curbing religious freedom.

Some of the western media can be misleading, so be careful, he said, describing the media reports on atrocities in Xinjiang as distorted and a lot of fake news.

He went on to say Beijing was running vocational training centres in Xinjiang and that the government has to take preventative counter-terrorism measures.

I totally disagree with the ambassador who is saying they are something akin to vocational trainingthey are not that, Fadden said.

Cong actually specifically mentioned Chinas soft power campaign being enhanced due to other countries giving very positive remarks for what has been done there for anti-terrorism.

Of all the things he said, that surprised me the most, Fadden said.

At times Congs statements were met with murmurs of apparent disapproval from the audience.

Death by a Thousand Cuts

Throughout the conference, China was repeatedly singled out as a threat to nations sovereignty via military, cyber, and coercive means.

Cong preached multilateralism and abandoning geopolitical self-interest. He touted the massive Belt and Road infrastructure project across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as a way to facilitate peace through development.

He was putting the most positive construction on a policy initiative that he possibly could, Fadden said, adding that the initiative is done consciously as a developed policy to increase the influence of the Chinese regime over time across the region.

Canadas Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance said Chinas unilateral actions in the South China Sea are undermining that region through various actions just below the threshold of full-blown conflict that, in isolation, would not merit responses.

We are in a global fight over values, he said during the conferences final presentation, calling these kinds of actions by Beijing death by a thousand cuts.

Cong was the only speaker whose opening remarks were cut off by the moderator for taking too long, but it marked the first time in the 88-year history of the Ottawa conference that the Chinese ambassador participated.
The Thane Municipal Corporation has



set up an eight-bed isolation ward at the civic-run Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa area of the city, an official said on Friday.

The quarantine ward was set up after the Corporation was informed by the Mumbai airport authorities and Maharashtra government that a dozen travelers from coronavirus-affected countries had visited the city, he said.

However, so far the city has not reported any case of suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection, said the TMC health department chief Dr Aniruddha Malgaonkar.

The health authorities are keeping a tab on city residents who returned from the countries affected by the virus outbreak, but so far none of them have shown any symptoms of the illness, he said.

Health officials will visit them every day for the next two weeks, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Endearing moments of family time, impromptu singing sessions, ping-pong games on dinner tables and a constant stream of online humour provide a much-needed salve of hope and sanity in this time of distress.

Shruti Bajpai reports.

IMAGE: Chinese passengers, all wearing protective masks, arrive to board trains at a Beijing railway station. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

"N i hao, how are you all doing?" shouts a young woman, in a short format video, leaning against the railing of her apartment balcony.

"I haven't stepped out of my home in over two weeks! What is everyone up to?" Within seconds, there is a trail of funny rejoinders from apartment after apartment across the street.

"I am eating beef noodle soup for my home-office lunch break. What are all of you eating?" asks the same woman in another similar video, this time, with a steaming bowl in her hands.

Pat comes a volley of replies, rattling off a variety of lunch menus.

While most of China is faced with yet another week of Covid-19 virus-induced reality -- cordoned off public areas, closed offices, body temperature check points and a pervasive uneasy calm -- the local Internet is alive and buzzing with content that brings out the self-deprecating humour of living and working in a lockdown.

A large part of China's working population is currently working full-time from home.

There are others who can only work sparingly, while there are still more people whose income has come to a standstill, with no hope in sight.

Most of China's technology companies have asked their employees to work from home till the first week of March.

The country's well-entrenched digital infrastructure and advanced mobile phone ecosystems have made remote offices possible and online communication relatively smooth.

Sunny is one such professional who works for a leading internet technology company based in Beijing.

Currently working remotely from her parent's home, Sunny is grateful for the generous workspace that the apartment offers.

Some of her colleagues, she says, are stuck in cramped family homes and are struggling with a lack of privacy and space.

"I do miss the energy of my work environment and social interaction," she rues.

"Our community is connected in our concern and angst over reports of rising cases in Hubei province, but we feel even more connected in these candid moments of humour that serve as welcome distractions and help enliven our current mood," she adds.

IMAGE: Chinese children wear protective masks as they briefly play at a shopping mall in Beijing, February 18, 2020. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Almost all of China is learning to cope with this new normal by immersing themselves in their alternate reality, the online world of social media chat groups and discussions and an endless stream of funny short content videos.

There are Douyin (known as Chinese TikTok to the outside world) videos of bizarre 'working from home' situations, and some amusing ones of parents who mean well but constantly interrupt their children with home-cooked meals during work meetings and calls.

No wonder then that content companies are seeing high traffic when most other businesses are at an all-time low.

Dennis, a young journalist currently working out of his parents's home in Hangzhou, is unable to return to Shanghai for work.

Still, he is busy reporting on the epidemic and feels more overworked than before.

"The nature of my job makes it easy for me to work remotely, and I have my phone to keep me connected with my co-workers and friends. It is not a big deal, we know that the situation is temporary," he shrugs.

Both Sunny and Dennis are grateful for the abundance of family time they suddenly have.

China's policies have left generations of families smaller and smaller.

If these extraordinary circumstances have an upside, it is the closer bonds that have developed over the past few weeks in these small families.

The obviously deeply cherished everyday moments you see online are a manifestation of this.

IMAGE: A Chinese woman wears a protective mask as she dances in a park in Beijing, February 23, 2020. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

William is a Mandarin teacher who would normally take up to 50 classes a week.

But his classes have fallen to a trickle, to only a couple of sessions per day.

He spends time catching up on movies on various streaming platforms.

With theatres closed until further notice, these platforms have seen a spike in subscriptions.

When the much-anticipated lunar New Year theatrical release of the Chinese blockbuster Lost in Russia was abruptly cancelled in the wake of the outbreak, Chinese viewers were in for a surprise -- it was streamed for free on several online video platforms.

"The makers of this film may have lost a lot of revenue, but they have gained so much respect and love from us by showing it for free," says William.

On other evenings he and his family enjoy a game of mahjong, a traditional Chinese game that has typically been popular with China's older population but is now gaining increasing acceptance among the younger generation as a cure to boredom.

Lynn, a Beijing-based English teacher who conducts classes out of her home, is struggling as most of her students are too young to be able to learn online.

"I really miss not being able to engage with my students," she says, smiling nervously.

Unable to focus on other activities, she obsesses over daily updates on the epidemic and ends up engaging in animated online discussions.

Small business owners, particularly those in the service industry, have been hit the hardest.

Their shops are shut or threatened with imminent closure, and they have no clients in sight.

Tina, the owner of a beauty spa in the suburbs of Beijing, is tense.

Her spa is now closed till further notice.

"I know that things will eventually get better. But I fear that people will stay away from the close human contact that my line of work requires. I have my staff to look after and rent to pay. This is a huge loss. I need to win back the trust of my clients."

The only silver lining, she says -- her eyes light up -- is that her young daughter is with her.

A significant part of the Chinese population works in cities, while their children live with their grandparents in villages and attend local schools, often able to meet with their parents only twice a year.

The indefinite closure of schools means many children are now at home with their parents.

This, too, though unintended, can be seen as a silver lining in an otherwise coal-black cloud.

When will this impasse end? When will things go back to normal? These are questions that all of China is asking every day.

Questions that don't have answers, yet.

Endearing moments of family time, impromptu singing sessions, ping-pong games on dinner tables and a constant stream of online humour provide a much-needed salve of hope and sanity in this time of distress.

All respondents only preferred to be addressed by their English first names.
Dillon Breen said the incident had taken 10pc of his vision

A man who claimed he suffered an eye injury as a schoolboy when a laser beam was shone at him has been awarded 80,000 against the distributors of the laser pen.

Dillon Breen (24) sued Syncron Limited, of Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin, which distributed the "sky-green laser pointer pen".

He had initially also sued his former school but the case against it was struck out.

Mr Justice Michael Hanna assessed damages against Syncron, which is understood to no longer be trading, at 80,000.

Judgment had previously been obtained against the firm after it failed to enter an appearance and defence in the case.

Mr Justice Hanna said the school, St Kevin's College, Ballygall Road, Finglas, Dublin, had been excused from the proceedings and bears no responsibility in relation to the unfortunate act.

The court heard the incident had happened when a teacher was momentarily out of the classroom.

The judge said the teacher was entitled to be out of the classroom on other necessary business.

The fault lay entirely with those who offered for sale through the internet this dangerous implement, he said.

They are "to be condemned" for doing so, he added.

The judge also said it was a dangerous implement which did not comply with EU regulations and should not have been offered for sale.

The laser pen had been bought for around 10 on the internet by a schoolboy who brought it in to St Kevin's and another boy had accidentally pointed the pen at the eye of Mr Breen.

Glasses

He suffered a burn injury to his retina and a partial loss of vision in his right eye.

Mr Breen will have that impairment for the rest of his life and will have to wear glasses, the judge said.

The judge also said there was no doubt that if the school had been aware of this implement, it would have acted.

Mr Breen, of Ferndale Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin, had sued the board of management of St Kevin's and Syncron over his injury from the incident on May 25, 2012.

Mr Breen had claimed Syncron had distributed the laser pen which had a level of output in contravention of the EU directives and it was a dangerous product.

He said in evidence the other schoolboy did not mean to do something hurtful to him when he shone the laser pen beam in his right eye.

When it happened he felt a burning sensation immediately, he said.

"I didn't tell anybody, I didn't want to be a rat on anybody," he said.

Mr Breen said he later had headaches and went to hospital, where he was told he "had melted part of my retina".

"I had perfect 20:20 vision before. Now, I have a tic in my vision of the centre of my right eye," he added.

"It has taken 10pc of my vision."
As a Polish American, I grew up hearing the phrase "nothing about us without us." To Eastern Europeans, the vow is a painful reminder of how Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt carved up their small countries after World War II, placing them, against their will, under Soviet domination. I never thought I'd see an American leader do that to a nation again, until I saw the Trump administration's peace deal with the Taliban. The deal could decide Afghanistan's fate, though the Afghan government and people were given no say in its negotiation.

In principle, there is nothing wrong with the United States negotiating directly with the Taliban. A limited deal committing all sides to reducing violence as the United States withdrew some troops and the Taliban started talks with the Afghan government would have been a good thing: It would have tested the Taliban's intentions before committing to a full U.S. withdrawal and preserved negotiating leverage for the United States' Afghan allies. Based on the Trump administration's briefings, that's what many of us in Congress believed was in the works.

On Feb. 15, during a meeting attended by more than a dozen members of Congress at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, I asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about a rumor that the deal might also commit the Afghan government to releasing Taliban prisoners - a huge upfront concession that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani understandably did not want to make. Pompeo told us categorically that the deal would say nothing about releasing prisoners.

And yet the U.S.-Taliban deal released on Feb. 29says that "up to" 5,000 Taliban fighters held by the Afghan government "will be released by March 10" - before the start of intra-Afghan negotiations. If Ghani, who had no part in the making the deal, does not release these prisoners, the Trump administration will have given the Taliban a pretext to say that the Afghan president is violating the agreement and thus to refuse to talk with him.

The rest of the announced deal is no better. It does not require the Taliban to stop killing Afghan troops and civilians, only to stop shooting at Americans as we leave the country. The deal does not commit the Taliban to break fully with al-Qaida, only to prevent it from attacking the United States from Afghan soil. There is no mention of preventing al-Qaida from attacking us from the parts of Pakistan where the Taliban is also present.

The deal includes no verification measures or agreed penalties for noncompliance. And it commits the United States to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan within 14 months no matter what the Taliban does. If the Taliban refuses to negotiate in good faith with the Afghan government, we still leave. If it continues to murder Afghan civilians, we still leave. This virtually guarantees that the Taliban will continue to kill, not talk.

In short, this is not a peace agreement. It is a fig leaf for withdrawal and for abandoning our Afghan allies.

I recognize that most Americans are tired of U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of war. I am, too. But I see only two honest alternatives.

The first would be to do the one thing we've never tried: Stop setting deadlines for departure and simply say that we're willing to keep some troops in Afghanistan for as long as the Afghans want to partner with us, as we have in Germany, South Korea and elsewhere. Their mission could be limited to training the Afghan military, not engaging in combat. But such a commitment would show the Taliban that they can't win by waiting us out. It would increase the possibility of a negotiated settlement that preserves the gains Afghans have made in democracy and women's rights. Ironically, committing to stay could make it easier to leave safely for good.

Keep in mind that the troops that President Donald Trump has promised to withdraw are probably not "coming home," but staying in the region, ready to return if Afghanistan becomes a haven for terrorists again. Going back under those circumstances would be much more dangerous than staying today.

The second alternative: Decide that we truly no longer need to be in Afghanistan, whatever the consequences. If so, then we should just leave. Why give the Taliban the added gift of forcing the Afghan government to release their fighters, or of lifting United Nations sanctions against Taliban leaders, as the deal also promises? Why also legitimize these terrorists with presidential phone calls?

The worst option is to tell the American people a fairy tale about peace, so that we feel less guilty about leaving, or so Trump can brag that he made a deal. Let's accept responsibility for all we've done in Afghanistan, for good and ill, and keep working with our allies there. Or let's leave and let the Afghans decide their future themselves.

- - -

Malinowski, a Democrat, represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.
On the evening of March 1, 1935, WPEA, the Syracuse Police Departments radio transmitting station, crackled to life.

The radio log reported what was happening, a burglary at a city drug store and then a 150-mile automobile chase featuring running gun battles between the police and the burglars, often at speeds at 90 miles per hour.

The Syracuse Journal called the night one of the most thrilling chapters in the annals of police history.

11:21 p.m. (Friday)  Hold up at Wright pharmacy, 4734 South Salina Street.

11:25 p.m.  Description of the bandits

11:44 p.m.  Bandit car seen passing through Nedrow.

The night began with Albert McGlory and Eugene Buehler entering the Wright Valley Pharmacy late on the night of March 1, 1935. Both men were 20 years old, both called Rochester home and both already had lengthy criminal records.

Albert McGlory, taken from the March 3, 1935 edition of the Syracuse Journal.New York State Digital Library

They held up the clerk and two customers and made off with about $200, then they got into their stolen car and headed south. Inside their auto was what the State Police called a regular arsenal of four guns and many rounds of bullets.

They were seen going at breakneck speed through Nedrow before arriving at Whitney Point in Broome County, some 75 miles away from Syracuse.

Here they ran into their first resistance.

State Trooper Walter Keefe tried to stop them, but the bandits ran him off the road. After turning around in a field, they fired several times at Keefe before backtracking toward Syracuse.

At Cortland, they were met by two more police officers and exchanged gunfire with them.

At Little York, they disabled a police car with bullets.

Then Trooper Frank Orser, of Homer, took up the chase.

He was looking for the pair on side roads near Tully, when they pulled up alongside his police car. They fired point blank into his car, Orser ducking down before leaping out and then emptying his gun at them.

The duo raced back into Syracuse then turned toward Skaneateles, where they faced more gunfire, this time from Troopers Kenneth Merrill and Donald Wilcox.

- Front page of the March 2, 1935 Syracuse Herald told the story of the two Rochester bandits who had robbed a pharmacy and led police on a 150-mile high speed chase. It was one of "most thrilling nights in police history." The caption named the bandits as Hugh Adams and Eugene Weisman, but those were aliases of the two men. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

Driving at 90 mph, the troopers chased them, exchanging fire all the way to LaFayette and then down the Cherry Valley Turnpike. It was then that the chase was halted after the bandits car ran into a concrete abutment shortly after 6 a.m.

Trooper Merrill fired through the floorboards of the burglars overturned car as he flew past and the bullet hit Eugene Buehler in the right leg.

Four police cars had been riddled by bullets and left on the side of the road during the pursuit.

It was the end of a day wrought with thrills for the police and the gunmen, the Syracuse Journal reported. They begged for mercy when placed under arrest.

Eugene Buehler was taken to St. Josephs Hospital for treatment of his leg wound. He was under triple guard there and newspapers photographed him while he was lying in bed.

They got me just as the car was tipping over, he said. A bullet came whizzing through the floorboard as she was toppling on her side and I could feel a burning sensation as it passed through me leg.

Albert McGlory was taken to police headquarters, where he was put in a cell from away from the rest of the prisoners and was kept under heavy guard.

New York State Trooper Kenneth Merrill (typo calls him Sherrill) points at the hole in his police car's windshield which he smashed so he could fire his pistol at the bandits. From the March 2, 1935 Syracuse Herald. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

There was a reason for this; he was well-remembered from his previous visit.

McGlory, Chief of Police Thomas Carroll said, was just about the most vicious prisoner we have ever jailed here.

He had been on the front pages of newspaper before, back in November 1932 he was one of the chief perpetrators in a horrible crime in Waterloo.

McGlory, who was a native of the village, then was just 17 years old and had been recently paroled from the Elmira Reformatory after robbing the principals office of his school.

On Nov. 12, 1932, McGlory and two others went out to the farm of Frederick Strayer, 60, tied the farmer up in his bed then tortured him with a hot poker on his feet until he revealed where his gold and money were. The group made off with $435 in gold and currency.

McGlory was captured and was again paroled after serving a little more than a year.

Following his arrest in 1935, Chief Carroll asked if he was the same Albert McGlory of the infamous Waterloo torture holdup, the bandit, according to the Syracuse Journal, broke into a broad smile, and shouted, Sure, Im the guy. What about it!

What was soon clear was there would be no light sentence for the pharmacy burglary and high-speed chase.

At a pre-trial hearing on March 26, the two bandits mothers asked for leniency for their sons.

I have made it a rule to give gunmen about all there is in the book, Judge William Barnum.

He was true to his word.

On April 22, Barnum sentenced McGlory and Buehler to 30 years each at Attica State Prison and each received additional sentences of five to ten years for the use of a gun in committing their crimes.

A large crowd formed outside the Cedar Street Jail to see the five prisoners, including Albert McGlory, who had attempted to start a riot on the bus while in route to Syracuse from Attica State Prison on June 17, 1935. Photo is from the next day's Syracuse Herald. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

WELL, I TRIED IT

That last part of McGlorys and Buehlers sentencing was important in the final drama that the pair would play in Central New York.

On June 13, 1935, it was reported that they and four other Attica convicts would be brought back to Syracuse for resentencing, after New Yorks Attorney General ruled that indeterminate gun sentences imposed in connection with definite sentences were illegal.

On June 17, the six were loaded onto a prison bus and were driven back to Syracuse.

The bus left Attica shortly after noon, with the six convicts talkative with each other, despite being handcuffed and shackled with leg irons. Frank Schmidt, chief criminal deputy of the Onondaga Sheriffs office, oversaw the guard.

At 2:15 p.m., as the bus approached East Bloomfield in Ontario County, the talking ceased.

Eugene Buehler lowered his head onto to chest and then all six prisoners leaped from their seats.

Come on you guys. Lets get to work on them, he shouted.

He lunged for an officers gun but was met with a punch that sent him falling back into the drivers seat. The driver stopped the bus and got out.

Deputy Sheriff Harry Rebeck of Syracuse fired his pistol four times at Buehler, hitting him twice in the back.

As unsuspecting cars drove past, the short-lived jail break on the bus was put to a quick end.

Buehler, handcuffed to another prisoner, laid on the floor of the bus in agony as it made its way to Canandaigua where he would be dropped off at the hospital there.

For Gods sake, take this cuff off, his colleague cried out, dont let me be chained to a dying man.

Buehler groaned and muttered:

Youre yellow for shooting a fellow when hes cuffed.

While being unloaded at the hospital, he winked at his fellow prisoners and muttered, Well, I tried it.

The bus proceeded to the Onondaga County Courthouse, where Albert McGlory was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Doctors gave Buehler only 100 to 1 odds that he would survive his wounds, but he was more optimistic.

I was hit hard all right, but I am going to get well, he said days later.

He called at least two others in the bus rebellion rats and yellow but would not say who.

I dont want to talk about it because if I get well, I will have to go back to prison and you know what that means.

Buehler died on the morning of June 24, 1935.

Read more

Images from the picket lines: Vintage photographs document the Carrier strike of 1960

1925: After blizzards and floods, terror reigns when Syracuse is shaken by earthquake (and giant sewer rats!)

1955: Fire destroys the Alhambra, the roller skating rink which was once Syracuses cultural center

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.

Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A 100-year-old Election Day massacre of African Americans in a small central Florida town could become part of school lessons and Museum of Florida History exhibits under a bill the Senate passed unanimously Thursday.

The bill would require the Department of Educations African American History Task Force to examine ways the Ocoee Election Day Riots could be incorporate in the states black history curriculum. It also directs the Department of State to find ways to promote the massacre in the states history museum and other museums across the state.

Its tragic, its disturbing, but its our history, Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy said in an interview after the vote. Its just a compelling story.

The gist of the story is this: Two prominent African Americans from Ocoee, July Perry and Moses Norman, were leading an effort to register black voters for the presidential election, but after black voters were turned away at the polls, a white mob formed. Norman fled the town, but Perry was arrested and shot before the mob took him from his jail cell and lynched him.

The mob then set fire to all black homes in the town, as well as two churches and a meeting hall. An estimated 60 African Americans were killed and the remaining fled the town, abandoning their property.

Its not a story thats isolated, Bracy said, adding that after he filed the bill, people approached him about other horrific acts of violence against African Americans in that era of Florida history. I knew about Ocoee because I live there, but as I started to research it, Floridas history regarding racial violence is terrible.

Bracy said a common theme in much of the violence and lynchings was an effort to steal property from black landowners. And he believes that was also the case in Ocoee, where Perry was a wealthy man with a lot of land.

The real impetus was land theft. A mass redistribution of wealth is what was really at the centre of racial violence here, Bracy said. If you look at lynchings throughout the South, throughout Florida, theres a common theme. You had black people who owned wealth, who owned land, a massacre happens or a lynching happens, and then the family is forced to give up the property.

In addition to teaching the history in Florida schools and museums, the Department of State would be directed to try to seek inclusion of the Ocoee riots in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. The state Department of Environmental Protection would be directed to see if there is an appropriate state park or state park facility that could be named for victims of the riots.

A similar House bill hasnt received a committee hearing and the legislative session is scheduled to end March 13. But Bracy said he plans to speak with House Speaker Jose Oliva to figure out a way the House can still pass the legislation.

Theres still an opportunity for him to bring it up. The speaker can do whatever he wants, Bracy said. Weve still got a couple of days left.
Mumbai/New Delhi, March 6 : A day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator while putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case and carried out searches at the residence of the bank's founder Rana Kapoor, officials said.

A senior ED official related to the probe told IANS, "Yes, the agency registered a case of money laundering in the Yes Bank matter." When asked if the central financial probe agency carried out searches at the residence of Kapoor in Mumbai, the official said, "Yes, the searches started late in the evening at his residence." The ED's action comes a day after the RBI superseded the Yes Bank board for 30 days and appointed an administrator, putting a cap of Rs 50,000 on withdrawal by account holders for a month.

The RBI said that the bank's board was superseded "owing to serious deterioration in the financial position of the bank". Former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator of Yes Bank.

Yes Bank has over 1,000 branches and 1,800-plus ATMs around the country which are under severe stress after the crisis erupted last night.

Earlier in the day, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the bank was put under watch since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis.

"Since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions," the Finance Minister said.

The bank took many risky credit decisions, and the RBI had advised change in management, she said, adding such decisions were taken in the interest of the bank's health. A new CEO was appointed in September 2018 and clean up of the bank started and the investigative agencies too found irregularities, she said.

Sitharaman said the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals.

The restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days, she said, adding that the State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.
The letter is showcased alongside Raphaels famous portrait of Castiglione, on loan from the Louvre, as well as Raphaels portrait of Leo X with Cardinals Giulio de Medici and Luigi de Rossi, on loan from the Uffizi. The inclusion of this painting in the show caused a kerfuffle last month, after the Uffizis scientific committee resigned en masse in protest of the loan. The portrait, they said, was one of 23 works that should never leave the Uffizi because they were part of the identity of the collection.

The problem is not the exhibition, its the Uffizi, said Tomaso Montanari, a professor of art history at the University for Foreigners in Siena, and a former member of the committee, which had advised against the loan. Our job was to give advice, and create a policy with the director, he said. But if the director ignores that advice, it makes it difficult to stay, he said.

Mr. Schmidt, the director of the Uffizi, said the painting had been restored recently, and was in prime condition to travel.

The committee, he noted, had argued that the painting should remain at the Uffizi because it was identified with the city of Florence. Mr. Schmidt disagreed. It may be identified with Florence, but also with Rome, he said, because it is a portrait of a pope.

Through delicate drawings, the exhibit retraces Raphaels artistic foray in the papal palace, where he painted a vast corridor space under Leo X, through the papacy of Julius II, for whom he painted part of the buildings apartments known as Raphaels Rooms.
Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 5 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

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Baaghi 3 movie review: Tiger Shroff saves Syria but not sanity

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TCL shows off dual-fold and rollable screen featuring smartphones, heres how they look

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6, 6, 6, 6, 6: Returning CSK captain MS Dhoni lights up Chepauk ahead of IPL 2020 - WATCH

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First official names given to features on asteroid Bennu

Asteroid Bennu's most prominent boulder, a rock chunk jutting out 71 ft (21.7 m) from the asteroid's southern hemisphere, finally has a name. The boulder - which is so large that it was initially detected from Earth - is officially designated Benben Saxum after the primordial hill that first arose from the dark waters in an ancient Egyptian creation myth.

Benben Saxum and 11 other features on the asteroid are the first to receive official Bennu feature names approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features. The accepted names were proposed by NASA's OSIRIS-REx team members, who have been mapping the asteroid in detail over the last year. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, NASA's first asteroid sample return mission, is currently visiting the asteroid and is scheduled to collect a sample from Bennu's surface this summer.

"Since arriving at the asteroid, the OSIRIS-REx team has become incredibly familiar with all of the geological features on Bennu," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. "These features are providing us with insight into Bennu's history, and their new names symbolize the essence of the mission - studying the past to both discover our origins and understand our future," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

The approved Bennu surface feature names are listed below. Bennu's diverse terrain types - including regiones (broad geographic regions), craters, dorsa (ridges), fossae (grooves or trenches) and saxa (rocks and boulders) - will be named after birds and bird-like creatures in mythology, and the places associated with them.

Tlanuwa Regio is named for the giant birds who scattered the Earth with pieces of a serpent that turned into standing pillars of rocks in Cherokee mythology. Tlanuwa Regio is an area covered by large boulders in Bennu's southern hemisphere.

Benben Saxum is named for an ancient Egyptian mound that arose from the primordial waters Nu. In Egyptian mythology, the god Atum settled upon Benben to create the world after his flight over the waters in the form of the Bennu bird. Benben Saxum is the tallest boulder on Bennu.

Roc Saxum is named for the Roc, an enormous bird of prey in Arabian mythology of the Middle East. Roc Saxum is the largest boulder feature on Bennu.

Simurgh Saxum is named for the benevolent, mythological bird in Persian mythology. The Simurgh was said to possess all knowledge, and Simurgh Saxum defines the prime meridian on Bennu and is the basis for the asteroid's coordinate system.

Huginn Saxum and Muninn Saxum are adjacent boulders named for the two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who accompany the god Odin in Norse mythology.

Ocypete Saxum is named for one of the Greek harpies, the half-maiden and half-bird personification of storm winds that would snatch and carry things away from Earth. Ocypete Saxum is located near the origin of the Jan. 19, 2019, particle ejection event on Bennu.

Strix Saxum is named for the Strix bird of ill-omen from Roman mythology. Strix Saxum is a large boulder flanking the OSIRIS-REx mission's backup sample collection site.

Amihan Saxum is named for the Tagalog (Philippines) mythological deity, who is depicted as a bird and was the first creature to inhabit the universe. This large, flat boulder appears to be partly buried and is located in Tlanuwa Regio, which has an unusually high concentration of large boulders.

Pouakai Saxum is named for the monstrous bird who kills and eat humans in Maori (Polynesia) mythology. Pouakai Saxum is a 55 ft (10.6 m)-wide boulder located in Bennu's southern hemisphere, slightly north of Benben Saxum.

Aetos Saxum is named for the childhood playmate of the supreme god Zeus, who was turned into an eagle by Hera in Greek mythology. Aetos Saxum is a conspicuously flat boulder, with a general wing-like shape located near Bennu's equator.

Gargoyle Saxum is named for the French dragon-like monster with wings, bird-like neck, and the ability to breathe fire. Gargoyle Saxum is a large prominent boulder near the mission's backup sample site that is one of the darkest objects on the surface.

###

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland provides overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator, and the University of Arizona also leads the science team and the mission's science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built the spacecraft and is providing flight operations. Goddard and KinetX Aerospace are responsible for navigating the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program, which is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, visit:

https:/ / www. nasa. gov/ osiris-rex

and

https:/ / www. asteroidmission. org

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it will send a crisis force of 160 troops to two points on the U.S.Mexico border as the Supreme Court prepares to decide whether to hear a case that could decide the fate of the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico policy.

The Remain in Mexico policy requires asylum seekers to reside in Mexico as they wait to receive an asylum hearing in the U.S. On February 28, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a lower-court decision blocking the policy. A stay of the 9th Circuits ruling was issued hours later to give the Supreme Court time to decide whether to hear the case, and the Court is expected to announce its decision on Wednesday.

If the Court declines to hear the case, effectively allowing the 9th Circuits injunction against the policy to remain in effect, the Pentagon fears that large crowds of migrants will attempt to cross the border. In anticipation of that possibility, it will deploy troops to San Ysidro, Calif., and El Paso, Texas, to support and protect Customs and Border Patrol personnel already stationed at the border. Meanwhile, Texas governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has ordered troops from the Texas National Guard to deploy for quick reaction force training to support CBP.

The Remain in Mexico policy and the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border have been touted by the Trump administration as part of its efforts to curb illegal immigration, one of the presidents signature issues. There are currently about 60,000 asylum seekers waiting in Mexico for U.S. court hearings as a result of the policy.

More from National Review
The coronavirus is no laughing matter, but it's only natural for people, when faced with the unknown, to make a joke of it. In recent days, as more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, there was a picture doing the rounds on social media of a smiling man pleased that he doesn't have to worry about the virus reaching Northern Ireland because he actually lives in the "north of Ireland".

Just for balance, there was also one for the unionists of a man saying he's not worried about Covid-19 coming to Derry because he lives in Londonderry.

The pictures neatly satirise the often ludicrous debate about what to call contested parts of these islands.

It's been reignited by Sinn Fein's success in the recent elections in Dublin, with commentators asking how republicans can go into government in the Dail when they still refuse to call the country they'd be ruling 'Ireland', its official name since 1937.

Instead, it's always the '26 counties', or the 'Southern state', or 'Free State', or 'Southern Ireland', or 'the south of Ireland', or some other equally convoluted verbal construction.

Names do matter. Personally, I don't think I've ever used the words 'province' and 'mainland', except ironically. You have to draw the line somewhere.

But if people want to use made-up names for places, that's their business. If nothing else, it's a quick and easy way of spotting the headcases.

The problem is when those whose job it is to represent Northern Ireland as a whole, or the Irish Republic as it may be, play the same semantic games.

It's as if Sinn Fein thinks uttering the words 'Northern Ireland' for up here and 'Ireland' for down there would be tantamount to acknowledging the legitimacy of the two states.

But at what point will they stop pretending that they're still rebelling against the system, rather than just hustling for their chance to administer it?

The question is given added urgency by the latest opinion polls, which show that Sinn Fein support in the Republic has risen 10 points (to 35%) since the election last month.

That's hardly surprising. Sinn Fein's appeal to voters is that they're challenging the cosy consensus in Dail Eireann, which has ruled the state since its creation. It's classic Trumpian 'drain the swamp' rhetoric.

The behaviour of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael since the election, in seeking to keep Sinn Fein out of power at any cost, despite they themselves both being as appealing to voters as a dose of coronavirus, only makes that argument stronger.

Anyone who didn't expect Sinn Fein to go up in the polls can't have been paying attention. It's happening everywhere. The latest opinion polls in Spain put Vox, a party described by its opponents as far-Right, at 18.8%, up from 6% at the European elections just nine months ago.

As Sinn Fein heads inexorably towards power on the same populist wave, they probably think it doesn't matter if they continue this long trench warfare against calling the two halves of the island by their proper names.

It's hardly an issue to their voters, but that misses the point entirely.

If republicans are serious about Irish unity, they have to start reaching out to people who remain unconvinced about the benefits. A belligerent attitude, even towards the names of both states, only convinces them they're right to hold out against reunification.

The aggressive behaviour of Sinn Fein supporters towards anyone who disagrees with them is part of the same problem.

Journalists talking about their experiences on Twitter can be tiresome, so apologies for the self-indulgence, but I recently went back on the social media site after a long absence and had forgotten, while away, what the so-called Shinnerbots are like. Once they find you, the onslaught is relentless.

It's easy to mute the worst offenders, who just want to shout bad words and then run away, like children knocking on doors, but it can be overwhelming when they come at you in waves.

Recently, it was all because I made a joke about Sinn Fein holding a rally in Newry to demand that they get into government in Dublin to sort out homelessness and the health service, even though Newry isn't on the Republic's electoral map.

I said that's like the DUP holding rallies in Galway to demand the government in Westminster accede to its demands.

Soon came a tide of largely anonymous accounts on Twitter, bearing pictures of Bobby Sands and Celtic badges, outraged that anyone would dare criticise their beloved Provos.

If they can't even cope with members of the broader nationalist community who won't sign up to the great crusade, then how welcome can unionists honestly expect to be in a united Ireland?

The row over whether Queen's University Belfast has become a cold house for unionists taps into the same fears.

This is how they behave now, when they're allegedly trying to build support. Just imagine what republicans would be like if they ever got their way on Irish unity and were ruling the roost, as these polls suggest they might one day.

Sinn Fein spokespersons always insist that they have no control over their more hysterical supporters, and, if they want to behave like a pack of feral hyenas, then that's their business.

But the silence from Sinn Fein about such behaviour only reinforces the argument that they're not particularly bothered if the party gets a reputation for encouraging hotheads to do their worst.

At some stage, they must have taken a strategic decision that giving a nod and a wink to the online and offline Thought Police serves a purpose.

And it does. Unfortunately for Sinn Fein, the purpose it serves best is to make even those who aren't particularly hostile to the idea of Irish unity have second thoughts and start to wonder what sort of nasty little authoritarian hellhole republicans are intent on creating.

You'd think Sinn Fein supporters would see the contradiction in their stance. They're always reminding voters that nationalists were lorded over in a unionist-dominated state, so why can't they understand when unionists fear being treated no better in a republican-dominated unitary Irish state?

Of course, that's not how human nature works. You'd think being on the receiving end of something would instil in one a determination not to act the same way, but it rarely does.

Unionists, after all, don't always show sufficient appreciation that nationalists were treated badly in the past.

Until Sinn Fein squares that circle, unionists can hardly be blamed for treating their protestations that everybody's rights and identity would be respected once they get into power with the scorn that it deserves.
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Disease Analysis: Type 1 Diabetes" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The research estimates that in 2018, there were approximately 46.6 million prevalent cases of type 1 diabetes in adults aged 20 years and over worldwide, and forecasts that number to increase to 51.8 million prevalent cases by 2027.



In children and adolescents aged below 20 years, there were approximately 1.08 million prevalent cases of type 1 diabetes worldwide in 2018, which are expected to increase to 1.12 million prevalent cases by 2027.



The overall likelihood of approval of a Phase I type 1 diabetes asset is 16.3%, and the average probability a drug advances from Phase III is 73.9%. Type 1 diabetes drugs, on average, take 8.5 years from Phase I to approval, which is the same as the average duration to approval in the overall endocrine space.



Despite the presence of multiple well-established products, the type 1 diabetes market is expected to see limited growth over the next decade. Future growth opportunities in the type 1 diabetes market are expected to be limited by its saturation with multiple maturing insulins, pricing pressures following the launches of biosimilars, and the expected failure of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors to gain approval in the lucrative US market.



It is expected that patients will continue to switch from Novo Nordisk's Levemir to its successor product Tresiba due to the company's promotion of Tresiba's longer duration of blood sugar control compared to Levemir.



Likewise, Sanofi is pursuing a comparable commercial strategy to Novo Nordisk by promoting its next-generation insulin glargine product Toujeo over Lantus, as Lantus continues to lose patient share to the more affordable biosimilar Basaglar. However, key opinion leaders interviewed by the research analysts suggest that physicians are unconvinced that Toujeo possesses tangible benefits over biosimilar insulin glargine to justify its higher price.



Payers are severely restricting the use of specific insulin brands in the US. As the list price of insulins continues to increase, cost is becoming a strong determining factor for the choice of insulin treatment. Interviewed endocrinologists emphasized the impact of pricing on prescribing trends, as price fluctuations in the US lead to regular switching among patients.



Tresiba is forecasted to see the greatest uptake of all the long-acting insulin therapies in type 1 diabetes. Its long-acting duration of 42+ hours and its flexible dosing window (it can be administered at different times each day) offer improved convenience for patients, along with strong glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions. In addition, favorable pricing compared to Lantus and Toujeo within the US market is expected to drive growth of Novo Nordisk's market share.



The maturation of multiple short-acting insulin products has resulted in companies promoting switching to successor products with extended patent protection to maintain their diabetes revenues. Novo Nordisk's NovoLog will be facing biosimilar competition from Sanofi's SAR341402, therefore Novo Nordisk is actively encouraging patients to switch to NovoLog's successor ultra-rapid product Fiasp, which is positioned as having a faster onset of activity than NovoLog. Similarly, Eli Lilly has developed a faster-acting version of Humalog, ultra-rapid lispro, which is currently in preregistration in the US.



Increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients and competition from Sanofi's Admelog (a biosimilar of Humalog) have resulted in developers of branded products launching authorized generics in order to increase competitiveness in US government-insured patients, who must make co-payments based on a percentage of a drug's list price. In May 2019, Eli Lilly launched an authorized generic of Humalog at 50% of the list price of branded Humalog in hopes of maintaining government-insured patient share. This was followed in January 2020 by Novo Nordisk's launch of an authorized generic version of NovoLog, also at a 50% discount to the branded product.



Pipeline product teplizumab has shown promising potential to prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes, as Phase II data have demonstrated that a single course of the drug significantly delayed disease onset in at-risk patients by a median of two years. The data will support a planned rolling Biologics License Application (BLA) submission for the prevention or delay of type 1 diabetes in H1 2020, and the review process will be fast tracked due to breakthrough therapy designation granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, if approved, teplizumab is likely to face two challenges when attempting to enter the market, the first of which is appropriately pricing the product to reflect the market value of delaying or preventing diabetes while ensuring that a high upfront cost does not prevent reimbursement. Indeed, achieving widespread reimbursement will be particularly challenging given the lack of a currently approved comparator and the fact that the mean duration of any delay in the onset of diabetes may not be known at the time of approval. The second challenge is the lack of existing screening programs to detect patients that are at risk for type 1 diabetes, which could severely limit the drug's target population (at least initially). Teplizumab's commercial success will therefore require healthcare services, physicians, and industry to collaborate on creating and integrating accessible screening programs into different health services globally.



Lexicon continues to pursue first-to-market status for Zynquista for type 1 diabetes in the US, and launched an appeal against the FDA's initial complete response letter (CRL), but this was unsuccessful. Thus, the company has now appealed to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and is expecting a final judgment to be made in February 2020, but we expect this will also fail given that no new trial data have been added to the NDA to allay safety concerns and Lexicon has stated it does not wish to initiate further studies. An FDA decision on Jardiance's supplementary New Drug Application (sNDA) is expected in late Q1/early Q2, but a rejection is widely expected given the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee panel voted 14-2 against approval in November 2019. While SGLT-2 inhibitors may offer benefits to type 1 diabetes patients beyond improved glycemic control (namely blood pressure reduction and weight loss), our base case is that the class will not gain FDA approval for type 1 diabetes without additional studies to further investigate the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the effectiveness of proposed risk-management strategies, and thus far none of the companies have publicly announced any intention to conduct such studies.



Key Topics Covered:



1. OVERVIEW

Latest key takeaways

2. DISEASE BACKGROUND

Disease definition

Patient segmentation

Disease diagnosis

3. TREATMENT

Daily insulin replacement therapy is required to prevent hyperglycemia

4. EPIDEMIOLOGY

Prevalence in adults (20-85+ years)

Prevalence in children and adolescents (0-19 years)

5. MARKETED DRUGS



6. PIPELINE DRUGS



7. KEY REGULATORY EVENTS

Empagliflozin Likely Needs Another Trial After Rebuke By US FDA Panel

EMA Accepts First Diabetes Drug Onto PRIME

AstraZeneca's Farxiga Fails To Get FDA OK As Insulin Supplement In Type 1 Diabetes

Sanofi Files First Biosimilar Insulin Aspart In Challenge To NovoRapid

AZ's Forxiga Gets Type 1 Diabetes EU Okay As Sanofi Suffers US Setback

8. PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS



9. LICENSING AND ASSET ACQUISITION DEALS

With $260m Settlement From Sanofi, Lexicon Looks For New Zynquista Partner

10. CLINICAL TRIAL LANDSCAPE

Sponsors by status

Sponsors by phase

Recent events

11. DRUG ASSESSMENT MODEL

Long-acting insulins

Rapid-acting insulins

Non-insulin treatments

12. MARKET DYNAMICS

Current dynamics

Market opportunity

Threat of substitution

Payer pressure / buyer power

13. FUTURE TRENDS

Questionable clinical benefit and pricing pressure from biosimilars will slow uptake of next-generation products

Pricing pressure in the US diabetes market will shift prescribing trends towards affordable insulins

Teplizumab uptake will be dependent on overcoming pricing and reimbursement issues, along with the introduction of screening programs to identify at-risk patients

SGLT-2 inhibitors are expected to have slow uptake in the EU and Japan due to narrow target populations, DKA risk, and minor glycemic benefits

14. CONSENSUS FORECASTS



15. RECENT EVENTS AND ANALYST OPINION

Zynquista for Type 1 Diabetes (December 02, 2019)

Jardiance for Type 1 Diabetes (November 13, 2019)

Jardiance for Type 1 Diabetes (November 11, 2019)

Toujeo for Type 1 Diabetes (October 31, 2019)

Farxiga for Type 1 Diabetes (July 15, 2019)

SAR341402 for Type 1 Diabetes (June 9, 2019)

LY900014 for Type 1 Diabetes (June 9, 2019)

Teplizumab for Type 1 Diabetes (June 9, 2019)

Multiple Drugs for Type 1 Diabetes (June 8, 2019)

HDV-L for Type 1 Diabetes (June 8, 2019)

TTP399 for Type 1 Diabetes (June 6, 2019)

NN9828 for Type 1 Diabetes (May 31, 2019)

Zynquista for Type 1 Diabetes (March 22, 2019)

CLBS03 for Type 1 Diabetes (February 13, 2019)

16. KEY UPCOMING EVENTS



17. KEY OPINION LEADER INSIGHTS



18. UNMET NEEDS

Better options for glucose administration

Innovative therapies with new mechanisms of action

Prevention of type 1 diabetes

Faster-acting short-acting analogs

19. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Prescription Information

20. APPENDIX



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ttxq9h

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
A man from Northern Ireland was among four people arrested as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into a crime gang suspected of smuggling migrants into the UK.

The arrests come after the discovery of 10 migrants in a lorry carrying a load of tyres near Ghent in Belgium on Thursday.

The migrants, believed to be two adults and eight juveniles, are thought to be from south east Asia.

Belgian police were acting on information from the NCA, and arrested the driver of the lorry, a 64-year-old man from Glasgow.

NCA officers then arrested three further men.

Two Irish nationals aged 39 and 48 were detained in Dover on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.

A 30-year-old man was subsequently arrested in Co Antrim on Friday.

All three men remain in custody being questioned.

Officers have carried out searches at properties across Northern Ireland and Kent. At an address in Kent two suspected firearms were seized.

NCA regional head of investigation Gerry McLean said: Our close working with our Belgian partners in this instance has led to the safeguarding of a number of migrants who had been put in a very dangerous situation, and we are grateful for their support.

We have seen only recently in Essex the tragic consequences which these types of attempts can have.

Working with partners at home and abroad, we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal immigration, and our investigation into this matter continues.

West Flanders Prosecutor Frank Demeester added: This kind of human smuggling is very dangerous, and the operation proves once more that international cooperation works in the fight against this type of organised crime.

The contacts between the British NCA and Belgian Federal Judicial Police, maritime police and prosecutors have become more intense in recent years.

In the fight against human smuggling, the UK is obviously an important partner as being the country of destination.
Prjumpropes.com scored 42 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

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PAGE TITLE PR Jump Ropes, personal record jump rope, south carolina DESCRIPTION PR jump ropes were developed with the idea that one jump rope can be perfectly suited for the novice and the pro alike. KEYWORDS adjustable jump rope, crossfit, double under, exercise, jump, personal record, pr jump rope, pr jump ropes, rope, ropes, triple under OTHER KEYWORDS



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[ Update: On Friday, Hachette Book Group dropped its plans to publish the memoir, after an employee protest and a wave of criticism. ]

Dozens of Hachette Book Group employees left work Thursday afternoon, protesting the companys decision, which it announced earlier in the week, to publish an autobiography by Woody Allen.

The publisher said on Monday that Mr. Allens book, titled Apropos of Nothing, would come out under its Grand Central imprint on April 7. It described the book as a comprehensive account of his life, both personal and professional, that would cover his relationship with family, friends and the loves of his life.

But the announcement drew criticism because of the allegations that Mr. Allen molested his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow. He has denied the accusations and wasnt charged after two investigations decades ago.
Italian president calls for responsibility and unity as Italy battles Coronavirus outbreak.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella has called for "responsibility" in the face of the Coronavirus emergency, urging Italians to "follow carefully" the official guidelines regarding changes to lifestyle and daily habits.

"Italy is going through a particularly challenging time and is facing it dutifully with full transparency and completeness of information", the president said in his televised address.

"We are a great modern country"- said Mattarella - "we have an excellent national health system, which is operating with the effectiveness and extraordinary self-sacrifice of its staff."

Urging Italians to "absolutely avoid unmotivated and often counterproductive states of anxiety", the president said that Italy would "overcome" the crisis.

Mattarella concluded his address by saying: "We must, and can, have confidence in Italy."

The president's intervention followed the government's announcement of a 7.5 billion rescue package to deal with the economic impact of Italy's Coronavirus outbreak.The measure comes as the number of deaths related to Coronavirus in Italy reaches 148.

The total number of cases in Italy since the outbreak began is now more than 3,800.

This figure includes the deceased as well as the 414 patients who have recovered so far.

For all official information relating to Coronavirus in Italy see Italian health ministry website.
This story is part of Stopping Domestic Violence, a CBC News series looking at the crisis of intimate partner violence in Canada and what can be done to end it.

Holed up most days in an apartment, Priya watched as her husband swiftly took control of every aspect of her new life in Canada.

Her cell phone and passwords, all under his thumb. Any money she earned through odd jobs, all funnelled to his family.

It was 2018, and the pair had been together for two years after entering into an arranged marriage in India when Priya was 26.

The abuse began just days after the wedding. If Priya ever questioned her husband or told him, "no," he'd kick her, she says.

Once, he pushed her across a room, breaking her hand, and didn't take her for medical treatment for more than a week. Sometimes, he'd break glassware on her body; she still can't hear the sound of glass shattering without feeling a rush of fear.

Educated and fluent in English, Priya easily passed a language test, and was invited to immigrate to Canada with her husband.

She hoped the move would mark the start of a new chapter. Instead, the abuse continued unabated.

One night, shortly after she was granted permanent residency, Priya says her husband attacked her in a frenzy  hitting her, slapping her, pushing her to the ground, forcing her to crawl onto a mattress on the floor while he kept kicking her.

'You're no use to me, so you can go die'

Amid his rage, he claimed he'd only used her to get to Canada, Priya says. And now he wanted her dead.

"You're no use to me, so you can go die," she recalls him saying. "And if you can't die on your own, let me help you."

Priya isn't her real name; CBC News has concealed her identity and exact location for safety reasons.

She managed to escape that night, with bruises and a bleeding nose, and now believes she came close to being the 87th intimate partner homicide in Canada in 2018, the year with the latest comprehensive country-wide data.

Story continues

"I went into a complete state of shock," she says during an interview with CBC News. "Because I had no means of survival here."

While domestic violence touches families of all backgrounds, ethnicities and income levels, newcomers are particularly vulnerable, and experts say targeted services need to be in place to link marginalized women with potentially life-saving supports.

Those immigrants, refugees and permanent residents make up a substantial portion of the population in the Greater Toronto Area, and particularly in Peel region, where first Priya settled after coming to Canada.

As of 2016, immigrants make up close to 52 per cent of the region's population, and more than half of its visible minorities are South Asian  with most recent arrivals to the area coming from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, China and Iraq.

Those newcomers can face language and cultural barriers, lack family support systems, and may be highly dependent on their significant other both financially and emotionally, according to Samra Zafar, a public speaker, author, and advocate who also survived domestic violence in an arranged marriage.

"When you are isolated, and you don't have community, and you feel a sense of shame and stigma, and your family is threatening to abandon you ... it is so debilitating," she says.

16 domestic homicides across GTA in 2019

Peel police say 2019 was a record year for family and intimate partner violence since the force began tracking it four years ago.

Back in 2016, there were no intimate partner homicides. Last year, police say there were seven in Peel.

More broadly across the GTA, there were 16 domestic homicides in 2019, according to a CBC News analysis, and all but one of the victims were women  including nine killed by their husbands.

While it's not clear how many victims or perpetrators were new to the country, many of the homicides involved minorities, with eight of the victims being of East Asian or South Asian backgrounds.

One of those women, 27-year-old Tharshika Jeganathan, was on her way to building herself a new life after she left her ex-husband, according to people who knew her. Those friends previously told CBC News she came to Canada several years ago from Sri Lanka to be with him.

GoFundMe

Her ex-husband, Sasikaran Thanapalasingam, is accused of killing Jeganathan in a brutal machete attack in September 2019. He's been charged with first-degree murder.

Family lawyer Archana Medhekar, who works with domestic violence survivors in both Toronto and Peel region, says many new immigrants and newcomers to the country face difficulties when trying to get help for domestic violence.

"These women really feel that they don't belong to this new community," Medhekar says.

When their partners exert control over their day-to-day lives, cutting them off even more from Canadian support systems, they're often left particularly vulnerable to violence, she adds.

Simple actions like opening a bank account or hailing a taxi can be nearly impossible, according to Zafar, who arrived in Canada as a teenage bride and was trapped in an abusive marriage for a decade before leaving with her two children during her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

"Newcomers, they have no money, no access to networks, no friends, so where do they go?" she says. "For me, I came here as a kid, I had no friends of my own. The door was open, I could walk out  then what?"

Lauren Pelley/CBC News

More support for immigrants needed, experts warn

Both Medhekar and Zafar say there is a demand for more organizations catering to new immigrant women so victims have the resources to escape intimate-partner violence  before it turns deadly.

"So many times women reach out to me saying, 'My counselor doesn't really get it when I say my father will die of shame if I leave my marriage,' because they don't get the cultural side of it," Zafar explains.

Indus Community Services, based in Peel region, is among the groups trying to reach out to immigrant women. The non-profit has an intake process in various South Asian languages, including Punjabi and Hindi, where they ask about domestic violence history in relationships.

Gurpreet Malhotra, the organization's CEO, says if someone is identified as a victim, the team offers culturally-appropriate support groups, services to help people navigate the court system, and English language classes to help them better integrate.

Lauren Pelley/CBC News

Last year alone, more than 1,400 individuals used those services.

"We're getting closer and closer to a breaking point where we're not going to be able to serve," Malhotra warns.

And he stresses with a rising population  and victim counts showing no signs of slowing  the need is far beyond what many cultural organizations can support.

"We are seeing that turn into horrible headlines where women have been murdered by their partners," Malhotra says. "And that is something that must stop."

Lauren Pelley/CBC News

'At least I can breathe air'

In Priya's case, she's thankful to be alive, but she continues to face barriers as a newcomer who's survived a violent marriage.

After she escaped in 2018, she took refuge with acquaintances and hid in a local gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, for days on end. In the meantime, her husband quickly deleted her WhatsApp groups and changed her Gmail password, she says.

Cutting off that access left her without evidence of his verbal abuse, Priya continues, and little means of communication.

Now 30, she's still reeling from the trauma, and struggled to find work on her own in Canada, despite gaining a master's degree in India. The job she has now barely covers her rent even with a roommate.

Even so, there's a newfound taste of freedom.

After getting her first paycheque  one that went into her own bank account and wasn't sent off to a partner's family  she went to Union Station in Toronto and bought a bagel for lunch. She ate it in tears, a mix of hunger and awe at finally being able to spend her own money.

"At least I can breathe air," she says. "I can breathe air without guilt, without headaches, without being assaulted."

If you need help and are in immediate danger, call 911. To find assistance in your area, visit sheltersafe.ca or endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help.

If you're worried someone you know may be experiencing intimate partner violence, here are some warning signs, according to the Canadian Red Cross:
Editors Note: In the current issue of National Review, we have a piece on Enrique Krauze, by Jay Nordlinger. Mr. Nordlinger has now expanded it. Part I, published yesterday, deals primarily with Mr. Krauzes work, background, and influences. The second and final part, below, deals primarily with current politics, in Mexico and elsewhere.

Lionel Trilling, the American critic, once spoke of the dark and bloody crossroads where literature and politics meet. (His student Norman Podhoretz borrowed the language for the title of a 1986 collection, The Bloody Crossroads.) Enrique Krauze, like Octavio Paz and many others, has worked at these crossroads for a long time. Today, the focus of attention in Mexico is the populist, and popular, president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

AMLO is more than a populist, says Krauze: He is a messianic figure. When AMLO first ran for president in 2006, Krauze wrote an essay about him entitled The Tropical Messiah. AMLO grew up in the state of Tabasco, which is in the southeast of the country, on the Gulf of Mexico. He absorbed the political culture there. He sees himself as called to save the people, according to Krauze, and he convinces others that this is his calling, too. AMLO is not a cynic, Krauze stresses. No, he is a true believer, in himself and in his destiny.

He lost that race in 2006. He lost again in 2012. And in 2018, at age 65, he made it. Lopez Obrador is a very talented, canny, dangerous performer, says Krauze.

In a 2016 article, Krauze discoursed on populism:

The term has different meanings, or at least overtones, in different regions of the world and in different political traditions. In my part of the world, Latin America, it usually implies an authoritarian government centered around a charismatic leader who claims to be able to personally resolve all social and economic problems. It has been an endemic flaw in Latin American history and government.

Here is a type:

The Latin American populist leader harangues his people (or hers, in the case of Peronist Argentina) against those who are not our people. He proclaims the dawn of a new history and promises the advent of heaven on earth. Once in power, microphone in hand, he installs a pattern of systematic lying, decrees that his official truth is the only truth, invents external enemies to blame for his own failures, unhinges the economy, feeds hatred between classes, races, or other groups, maintains a continual mobilization of the masses, disdains parliaments and judges, manipulates elections, persecutes the press and media, and destroys civil liberties.

Story continues

Before I left New York, to come to Mexico City, I spoke with a friend of mine  a South American intellectual. I said, What would you ask Krauze? He said, Ask him how conservatives, classical liberals, and others can compete with the populists in the area of inequalities. Populists exploit inequalities, and they do it brilliantly, almost inevitably.

I indeed put this question to Krauze. He cites Gabriel Zaid, whom he calls the most important intellectual in Mexico and maybe in Latin America, although hes not very well-known. Zaid is a senior figure, born in 1934. Since the 1970s, he has been advocating a UBI, as we would say in the United States: a universal basic income. Krauze agrees with this idea. The government would give cash directly to people as a matter of course. For something like half the Mexican population, Krauze says, this would mean an immense change for the better.

As it stands, AMLO is distributing cash in Big Daddy fashion, says Krauze. He is bestowing largesse on his fans, his flock. A universal income would be something very different, Krauze says: impartial, with a governmental, not a personal, stamp on it.

No one doubts that the populists can talk  and talk and talk. Often, they are entertaining, and sometimes they are mesmerizing. In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez bewitched the population, Krauze says. Krauze further remembers Chavezs Sunday talk show, Alo Presidente. It could go on for hours and hours, according to the presidents mood and calculation.

Here in Mexico, Lopez Obrador speaks to the public every day, in his mananera  his morning performance, which takes place from 7 to 9. In these hours, he sets the agenda of the country for the day. Even the tone of the country. Everyone is tuned to the presidents words and mood. The mananera is an ersatz press conference, basically, in which the president holds forth in front of friendly media figures, with a few others in attendance to serve as foils. Typically, there will be YouTubers and the like in the front  a presidential claque, if you will  and a sprinkling of establishment types in the back. (These are the foils.)

Recently, AMLO praised what he called the blessed social media. And he blasts what he terms la prensa fifi, i.e., the fancy press. He creates the impression that only he himself, and his enthusiasts, can be trusted to deliver the news.

Enrique Krauze recalls what Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the great Colombian novelist, said about the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, whom he adored. In 1975, Garcia Marquez singled out Castros genius as a reporter. Castro was always talking to people, for hours on end, giving them the news. Thanks to those spoken reports, said Garcia Marquez, the Cuban people are some of the best informed in the world about their own reality.

A very different Gabriel, namely Zaid, has dubbed Lopez Obrador el poeta del insulto  the poet of the insult. His friend Krauze agrees. AMLO indeed has a truly poetic gift for insulting, he says. He has coined scores, if not hundreds, of insults, in order to attack, diminish, delegitimize, and harm people who dont agree with him. If you disagree with the president, you are an enemy of the people, fifi at best.

Of course, Chavez had this same gift, and many others have it too. One of them is Jair Bolsonaro, the president of Brazil. He is a populist of the Right (if it makes a significant difference). He conducts his own mananera. In the second week of February, the Wall Street Journal reported this:

President, do you have a receipt? a reporter asked on a recent morning. He wanted to know if Mr. Bolsonaro could prove that a financial transaction involving his family was legal. Why dont you ask your mother about the receipt she gave your father? Mr. Bolsonaro shot back. His fans, clustered nearby, cheered on their leader. Moments later, the president shouted back at a reporter after another inconvenient question: You have such a homosexual face.

Of great concern, says Krauze, is that Lopez Obrador is destroying institutions that took decades to build, governmental institutions that have been independent. Currently in his crosshairs is the National Electoral Institute, which has organized Mexicos federal elections. It has ensured that those elections are clean, at least relatively so. AMLO is determined to bring governmental bodies under his personal control.

Krauze talks of other populists as well, not excluding our own Donald J. Trump. Krauze has always expressed a strongly negative view of the U.S. president, seeing in him a nativist. He is also amazed that we have a president whose style resembles a caudillos. Many others here, and throughout Latin America, share that amazement. But U.S. democracy is strong and entrenched, notes Krauze. Mexicos, not so: It is fragile.

In the late 2000s, he spent time in Venezuela, and published a book: Power and Delirium. It is about the Chavez effect on that country. Chavez and chavismo led to the most gruesome and terrible human disaster in Latin American history, says Krauze. He is not predicting the same for Mexico. He is not predicting a collapse on that scale. Still, he is worried. There is a temptation to say, Well, Mexico is different, and Lopez Obrador means well. Also, you cant deny that people like him. I heard just the same about Chavez, when I was in Venezuela. Exactly the same.

Earlier in our conversation, I used the American expression to have seen this movie before. Krauze now says, referring to populist Mexico, I have seen this movie before, in Venezuela. The actors are different, and some scenes are different, but the script is the same.

He further points out that if Mexico hits the skids, economically and socially, the United States will have a huge problem on its hands. It behooves us Americans, says Krauze, to pay attention to our southern neighbor.

Toward the end of our morning together, Krauze and I talk about Mexican movies, and, in particular, the much-honored 2018 film Roma. (The title refers, not to the capital of Italy, but to a neighborhood here in Mexico City.) The film is, in part, about women abandoned by their men. This is a common theme in Mexico, says Krauze  and not just in the movies but in life. Yet women persevere, he says, trying to make a life for themselves and, especially, their children. He is deeply impressed by what they do.

I say, Theres a lot of quiet, everyday heroism, isnt there? Pardon the cliche. Krauze then rebukes me, memorably. Are you afraid of cliches, Jay? You shouldnt be. And I will not be afraid of cliches. Then, with emotion, he tells me about some of the people he has encountered in Mexico, in his years of traveling the country: ordinary people, poor people, trying to keep their dignity, and often succeeding.

I can tell you something, he continues: People in Mexico are of a very sweet nature, and of a very religious nature. Now his voice becomes indignant. That is why Im so furious at Lopez Obrador for taking advantage of that sweet, religious nature, and making people believe that he is a demigod who will save them. The people of Mexico do not deserve that. They did not deserve the authoritarian and corrupt regime of the PRI, and they dont deserve this populist regime either. They deserve the slow, difficult building of a democracy. But maybe my very modest, humble utopia was, after all, a utopia  in other words, a place that does not and cannot exist.

(You will recall that Krauze has described his dream and aspiration for Mexico: real elections, a free press, separation of powers, and the rule of law. That is the very modest, humble utopia of which he speaks.)

It occurs to me that Enrique Krauze may be feeling the spirit of defeat. That he fears his lifework  all those books, all those documentaries, etc.  has been in vain. I dont forbear to mention this to him. He answers me, Dont get me wrong. Im a fighter, and I will fight to the end.

More from National Review
Dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a political rally in Kabul on Friday, the deadliest assault in Afghanistan since the US signed a withdrawal deal with the Taliban. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group, highlights a glaring lack of security in the Afghan capital just 14 months ahead of the scheduled withdrawal of all foreign forces. It also calls into question a key element of the US-Taliban deal signed February 29 -- whether the Taliban can stop jihadists such as IS from running amok in Afghanistan after US forces pull out. In a statement, IS said two brothers had targeted a "gathering of apostates" with machine guns and grenades. The gunmen inflicted devastating carnage at the crowded event in west Kabul, killing 32 people and wounding 58 others, health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi put the toll at 29 dead, with an additional 61 wounded. He said special forces units eventually killed the two gunmen. The assault occurred at a commemoration ceremony for Abdul Ali Mazari -- a politician from the Hazara ethnic group, most of whom are Shiite Muslims. The Sunni-extremist IS had claimed an attack on the same ceremony last year, when a barrage of mortar fire killed at least 11 people. Rahimi said gunfire had erupted from a construction site near the event. Several top political officials were at the ceremony, including Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah. The interior ministry later confirmed that all the high-ranking officials had been "safely evacuated." "We left the ceremony following the gunfire, and a number of people were wounded, but I do not have any reports of martyred people for now," Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq told Tolo News. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the massacre as a "crime against humanity". - Taliban violence down - The attack came less than a week after the US and Taliban signed a deal that would result in the complete withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months. The withdrawal however depends heavily on the Taliban being able to control jihadist forces such as Al-Qaeda and IS. If such groups remain, so too does the US military. A US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman said the response to the attack was "Afghan led," but US personnel gave medical aid to the victims. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that despite the attack, violence in Afghanistan was "significantly down". "The violence levels, they're still lower than they have been in the last five or six years," Pompeo told CNBC television. "We see the path forward towards a peace and reconciliation opportunity." He later condemned the "despicable" attack, saying in a statement that the peace process "presents a critical opportunity for Afghans to come together to build a united front against the menace of ISIS." But since the deal was signed in Doha fighting has continued across Afghanistan, raising questions over whether the agreement would reduce violence and lead to talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Afghan government officials and the Taliban are supposed to meet in Oslo next week, but talks are likely to be delayed over disagreement about a prisoner release. The US-Taliban deal calls on the Afghan government to release as many as 5,000 Taliban prisoners before March 10, when talks are supposed to start. President Ghani however has rejected that commitment. The Taliban's political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said that the insurgents were ready for talks -- but only if the prisoners were released. "If the negotiations are delayed beyond the stated date, the responsibility will rest with the others," Shaheen tweeted. The Islamic State group, which follows a radical Sunni interpretation of Islam, first became active in Afghanistan in 2015. It has claimed responsibility for a string of bombings, including several in Kabul targeting the city's Shiite community. In recent months the group has suffered mounting setbacks after being hunted by US and Afghan forces, as well as Taliban offensives targeting their fighters. At the United Nations, Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and expressed his "deepest sympathies" to the families of the victims. "Attacks against civilians are unacceptable and those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable," Guterres said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Yusif Aghayev  Trend:

An extraordinary session of the general meeting of shareholders of Azerbaijans Gunay Sigorta insurance company will be held on April 6, 2020 at 15:00 (GMT+4), Trend reports referring to the company.

The main issues on the agenda of this meeting will be the approval of the financial report of the company as of 2019 and the distribution of net profit gained during 2019, the statement said.

The company launched its activity in August 2008. Over the period of its activity, the company has taken a stable position in the insurance market and has gained the trust of customers.

The prompt service rendered to the clients of the company at a high level has resulted in the strengthening of its position in the Azerbaijani insurance market, the establishment of long-term cooperation based on trust with foreign insurance and reinsurance companies.

The company has been collaborating with one of Turkey's biggest insurers - Anadolu Sigorta company during about 20 years. The authorized capital of the company is 7.7 million manat ($4.5 million). It has a license to carry out 19 types of voluntary and four types of compulsory insurance.

As of late January 2020, the company collected insurance premiums in the amount of 807,000 manat ($474,705) and paid insurance indemnities in the amount of 174,000 manat ($102,352), ranking 15th among the Azerbaijani insurance companies.

Today, 22 insurance companies and one reinsurance companies operate in Azerbaijan.

(1 USD = 1.7 AZN on March 6)
Dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a political rally in Kabul on Friday in the deadliest assault in Afghanistan since the US signed a withdrawal deal with the Taliban.

The attack highlights a glaring lack of security in the Afghan capital just 14 months ahead of the scheduled withdrawal of all foreign forces under an agreement signed on February 29 by the US and Islamic militants.

Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP that 32 people had been killed including five women, while another 58 people were wounded.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi put the death toll at 29, with an additional 61 wounded. He said special forces units had carried out clearance operations, killing the two gunmen who conducted the attack.

The Taliban immediately denied responsibility for the assault, which occurred at a commemoration ceremony for Abdul Ali Mazari  a politician from the Hazara ethnic group, most of whom are Shiite Muslims.

The Islamic State group claimed an attack on the same ceremony last year, when a barrage of mortar fire killed at least 11 people.

Rahimi said gunfire had erupted from a construction site near the ceremony in the citys west, which is largely Shiite.

Photos on social media showed several dead bodies being collected from the scene.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the massacre, calling it a crime against humanity.

The ceremony was attended by many of the countrys political elite, including Afghanistans chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.

The interior ministry later confirmed that all the high-ranking officials were safely evacuated from the scene.

We left the ceremony following the gunfire, and a number of people were wounded, but I do not have any reports of martyred people for now, Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq told Tolo News.

 Continued violence 

The mass shooting comes less than a week after the US and Taliban signed a deal that would pave the way for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months.

The withdrawal hinges to a great extent on the Taliban being able to control jihadist forces such as Islamic State.

If such groups remain, so too does the American military.

A spokesman for US Forces-Afghanistan said the response to Fridays attack was Afghan-led, but the Americans provided medical assistance to the victims.

Since the much-trumpeted deal signing in Doha last weekend, fighting has continued to rage across Afghanistan, casting a pall over hopes the agreement would lead to a reduction in violence and talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Kabul and the Taliban are supposed to meet in Oslo next week, but these discussions look likely to be delayed by a disagreement over a mass prisoner release.

The US-Taliban deal states the Afghan government should release as many as 5,000 Taliban prisoners before the talks supposed start date of March 10, but President Ghani has rejected that commitment.

The blame game got underway Friday, when the Talibans political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the insurgents were ready for talks  but only if the prisoners were released.

If the negotiations are delayed beyond the stated date, the responsibility will rest with the others, Shaheen said on Twitter.

Islamic State, which follows a radical Sunni interpretation of Islam, first became active in Afghanistan in 2015 and for years held territory in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

It has claimed responsibility for a string of horrific bombings, including several in Kabul targeting the citys Shiite community.

In recent months the group has been hit by mounting setbacks after being hunted for years by US and Afghan forces along with multiple Taliban offensives targeting their fighters.

Still, it remains in Afghanistan, notably in eastern Kunar province near the Pakistan border, which also neighbours Nangarhar, as well as in Kabul.
CHICAGO, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Glycobiology / Glycomics Market by Product (Enzymes (Glycosyltransferase, Glycosidase), Instruments (Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography), Carbohydrates, Reagents & Chemicals), Application (Disease Diagnostics), End-User (Academic) -Global Forecasts to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to reach USD 2.0 billion by 2025 from USD 1.0 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2020 to 2025.

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=132685525

The growth of this Glycomics Market is majorly driven by the increasing R&D expenditure and funding for proteomics and glycomics research, growth of the proteomics market, and technological advancements in glycomics instrumentation are the major factors driving the growth of the market.

The enzymes segment accounted for the largest share of the Glycomics Market, by product, in 2019





The Glycobiology Market, by enzymes, has been categorized into five product segments, namely, enzymes, instruments, kits, carbohydrates, and reagents & chemicals. The enzymes segment is expected to dominate the market in 2020 and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The large share and high growth of this segment can be attributed to the consumable nature of enzymes and their wide applications in a variety of R&D and drug discovery procedures.

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Glycomics Market for drug discovery & development application is expected to grow at a high rate





By application, the market is segmented into drug discovery & development, disease diagnostics, and other applications. Drug discovery & development is the largest and the fastest-growing application segment in the Glycobiology Market, majorly due to the increasing R&D investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and the growing number of drug discovery research activities in academic research institutes.



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North America is the largest regional market for glycomics products

The global Glycobiology Market is segmented into North America (US and Canada), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific), and the Rest of the World (Latin America and the Middle East and Africa). In 2020, North America is expected to dominate the global market, followed by Europe. The largest share of North America is mainly attributed to increasing funding on glycomics research, rising R&D expenditure for drug discovery & development, and the presence of all key players.



The prominent players operating in the Glycobiology Market include Merck KGaA (Germany), Agilent Technologies (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), New England Biolabs (US), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), Takara Bio (Japan), S-BIO (subsidiary of Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Japan), Waters Corporation (US), Asparia Glycomics S.L. (Spain), Bio-Techne (US), Bruker Corporation (US), Danaher Corporation (US), RayBiotech (US), Z Biotech (US), Chemily Glycoscience (US), Dextra Laboratories (UK), Lectenz Bio (US), and Ludger Ltd. (UK).



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Armenias universities and schools will resume classes on Monday one week after being closed by the government following the first case of coronavirus confirmed in the country.

The government has reported no new cases of the virus since then. Health Minister Arsen Torosian said on Friday that all 31 persons placed under quarantine on March 1 continue to feel well and show no respiratory disease symptoms.

They were isolated at a hotel in the resort town of Tsaghkadzor because of being in physical contact with a 29-year-old Armenian man who tested positive for the virus after returning from Iran last week. Earlier this week, Armenian authorities tightened controls at the partly closed Armenian-Iranian border.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Yerevan on Thursday, Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian said there is no reason to extend the one-week closure of the universities, schools and kindergartens. A senior official from his ministry, Ashot Arshakian, told the Armenpress news agency afterwards that they will reopen on Monday.

The first coronavirus case also led to the last-minute cancellation by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of a March 1 demonstration which was due to mark the 12th anniversary of the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. Even so, the Armenian authorities did not ban or restrict other public events in the country.

In another sign of their confidence that Armenia is not at risk of a major coronavirus outbreak, Pashinian announced on Friday that he we will start campaigning next week for a Yes vote in the April 5 referendum on constitutional changes drafted by his administration. He said he will visit all Armenian cities and towns and hold rallies there.
For those looking to unplug, breathe in some fresh air, and sleep under the stars, planning a camping trip to one of Americas national parks is just the ticket. With so many unspoiled picturesque national parks scattered from coast to coast, its difficult to name just a few. We put together a list of some of the top captivating camping spots in the US, so grab your binoculars and bug repellent and get ready to start exploring.

6. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park. Image credit: Yinan Chen/Public Domain

Big Bend is not the most well-known camping destination, but those seeking a unique experience know to head to this West Texas park. The terrain offers a dessert-like camping experience. Many visitors come with camera in hand to capture the areas best know feature, The Window. The Window is a notch in-between the mountain ranges with an unforgettable view reaching deep into neighboring Mexico.

5. Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park, Alaska. Image credit: Carol M. Highsmith/Public domain

Head deep into Alaskas interior to explore the expansive Denali National Park. The park is larger in area than the entire state of New Hampshire. Its located in-between the Talkeetna Mountains and the Alaska Range. It offers a choice of five campgrounds, ranging from cabin rentals to tent camping areas. Many visitors come to Alaska to climb Mt McKinley. June is the best time to climb the iconic peak to avoid avalanches - which most folks would probably prefer avoiding. Summer visitors will have plenty of daylight as the park sees an average of 21 hours of sunlight, leaving plenty of time for mountain climbing and extra-long hikes.

4. Arcadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park, Maine. Image credit: www.nps.gov

Located on Mount Desert Island in the majestic state of Maine, Acadia National Park offers travelers all the charm and natural beauty one would expect from New England. The most popular time of the year to experience Acadia is May through October. Acadia has campgrounds dotted all throughout the park, including one only accessible by boat-for those who think Maine isnt quite remote enough.

3. White Mountain National Park, New Hampshire

The Sandwich Range in the White Mountains (New Hampshire). Ken Gallager at en.wikipedia/Public domain

New Hampshire is another notable camping destination in New England. Exploring the White Mountain - known locally as The Whites - is a camping paradise. The park is home to 48 peaks, including the northeasts highest peak, Mount Washington, topping at 6,288 ft. There are plenty of family-friendly activities in the area and scenic drives to navigate. The White Mountains are a year-round destination, but many travelers prefer a leaf-peeping camping excursion in the fall.

2. Yosemite National Park, California

Camping in the High Sierras. Yosemite National Park, California. Image credit: Paxson Woelber/Wikimedia.org

Yosemite has the honor of being named Americas first national park. A recognition dating back to 1872. Yosemite is located in Central Californias Sierra Nevadas. The park hosts 13 campgrounds where campers can experience glaciers, waterfalls, still lakes, and sequoia groves. Whether you are looking for tent camping, a place to plug in your RV, or roughing it in the wilderness, Yosemite has it all.

1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Image credit: www.nps.gov

Grand Teton National Park is tucked in the Northwest section of Wyoming in the Rocky Mountain range. The park drew in 3.41 million visitors in 2019, many of which are campers interested in experience the stunning scenery and striking mountain views along with plenty of outdoor adventures. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including antelope, bison, and moose seen roaming the meadows in their natural habitat. Accommodations range from tent camping and cottages to full-service luxury resorts, in case someone in your travel party is only a little outdoorsy.
New Delhi, March 6 : West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here at his chamber in Parliament. Dhankar informed the Home Minister about last seven months happenings in West Bengal that were related to the state government and administration.

"After being elected as the Governor of West Bengal, I formally met President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Home Minister. This is my first meeting with the Home Minister after that occasion," Dhankar spoke to media inside Parliament premises.

"I had requested the Home Minister for this meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to apprise the Home Minister about the current condition of West Bengal and about the happenings took place in the state in last seven months." Dhankar said he wanted to discuss various "critical" and "worrisome" issues related to the West Bengal government and the state administration with the Home Minister.
TORONTO, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blockchain Foundry Inc. (BCF or the Company) (CSE:BCFN) (FWB:8BF) (OTC:BLFDF), a leading North American blockchain development firm, has modified its engagement with Grant Galloway (the Consultant) to assist with investor relations activities.



Pursuant to the engagement, BCF has paid the Consultant US$5,000 for his services until March 16, 2020. If the Company continues to retain the services of the Consultant after March 16, 2020, it will make a further payment of US$5,000 in cash on March 16, 2020 and if the Company continues to retain the services of the Consultant after March 31, 2020 it will make further weekly payments of US$2,500. The agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time without any further compensation obligations other than those which have already been paid.

About Blockchain Foundry Inc.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Blockchain Foundry (CSE:BCFN) (FWB:8BF) (OTC:BLFDF) is a global blockchain consulting and development firm. BCF develops and commercializes decentralized ledger technology, custom blockchain solutions and smart contracts for enterprise clients.

Blockchain Foundry Contact Information:

Chris Marsh

President & Chief Financial Officer

(647) 330-4572

cmarsh@blockchainfoundry.co

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISSEMINATION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain portions of this press release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, which is also referred to as forward-looking statements, which may not be based on historical fact. Wherever possible, words such as will, plans, expects, targets, continues, estimates, scheduled, anticipates, believes, intends, may, could, would or might, and the negative of such expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future events, future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of the times at, or by which, such events, performance or results will be achieved, if achieved at all. Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, as they reflect managements current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by BCF are inherently subject to significant business, economic, regulatory, competitive, political and social uncertainties, and contingencies. Many factors could cause BCFs actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa) had wrapped up votes for the afternoon and was preparing to head home when she started to feel a familiar sharp pain in her lower back. This was about a month ago and at the end of the weekwhich meant an intense commute. Finkenauer has represented Iowas first district since 2018, elected with a wave of women who delivered control of the House of Representatives to Democrats. With relatives and friends still in her home state, she tries to make the trip from D.C. to Dubuque each weekend. But the flights out that night were late getting into the airport; she contemplated how shed feel, sitting in a terminal for a few hours, her back screaming. To ease the pain, shed shifted onto her stomach and into Childs Pose. She couldnt fathom the airport. She tabbed over to Google and tapped out one word: hysterectomy.

Finkenauer is 31 now, engaged to fellow politico Daniel Wasta (he was Elizabeth Warrens political director in Iowa) and eager to have children. Second only to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), she is the youngest woman ever elected to serve in the House of Representatives and one of the few who has to think about how potential pregnancies might affect her reelection odds. Like 1 in 10 women worldwide, she also has endometriosis.

For decades, endometriosis has been explained as a painful period, but in fact the much more serious condition is the result of endometrial tissue growing outside the uterusa phenomenon that leads to inflammation and scarring that, sure, can make periods painful but can also cause chronic pelvic pain and overall fatigue, make bleeding heavier than normal, require laparoscopic surgeries, and make sufferers infertile. The average patient will spend over a decade and have to see five doctors before she gets an accurate diagnosis.

Endometriosis has hadat least in the popular discoursesomething of a moment. Celebrities including Lena Dunham, Alexa Chung, and Julianna Hough have all come forward to share their own diagnoses. In 2018, What is endometriosis? was one of the top trending health questions on Google. But despite the growing awareness, there arent enough Instagram posts in the world to compensate for lack of funding.

Story continues

Since 2016, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has continued to deprioritize research into the condition. To put that in perspective: In 2018 the NIH invested $755 million in breast cancer research and $1.6 billion in dementia and acquired cognitive impairment. It budgeted just $7 million for endometriosis. In 2019 a group of researchers and clinicians took stock of the gaps in research and the lack of treatment options in a review for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After the report was published, lead author Sawsan As-Sanie, M.D., who specializes in endometriosis-related surgeries at the Von Voigtlander Womens Hospital at the Univeristy of Michigan in Ann Arbor, said in an interview that she draws a direct line between minimal investment in this area and the serious limitations in our understanding of the disease and slowed progress in treatment.

Finkenauers desperate Google search that night delivered her to the website for the Endometriosis Foundation of America; endometriosis, a line on the site said, is the leading cause of hysterectomies for women in their 30s. Finkenauer couldnt believe it. Although she had been diagnosed relatively early, at 18, which makes her one of the conditions more fortunate sufferers, shed had no idea how common it was. Over 7 million in the United States alone, she tells me in a phone interview earlier this week. I had no clue because I hadnt talked about it. I hadnt had conversations with people. I had just been dealing with it. She kept scrolling and learned morethat endometriosis is one of the least funded conditions studied within the National Institute of Health (ranked 276 out of 288), that patients who experience its painful side effects seem to have to choose between life-altering surgeries and tablets of Advil to cope, that research to find a cure or at least better treatment options has ground to a halt.

Knees to her chest, Finkenauer made up her mind. She had worked through pain for over a decade, wincing as she knocked on doors in eastern Iowa on the campaign trail, muscling through floor votes. She had never wanted her competitors to think a woman couldnt handle the rigors of the jobthat girl problems made her weak. When she ran for her seat in the House, she was 29. Her competitors were three men in their 40s. As a woman, I am already up against so many things, Finkenauer adds. I didnt want to give people another reason to doubt me. But this is too important to not talk about. This week she unveiled the Endometriosis Caucus in the House of Representatives and shared her experience in public for the first time.

The issue is urgent, and so, it seems, she doesnt want to waste time perfecting the messaging around it. It is such a fine line to walkstressing the seriousness of this condition, emphasizing what it has cost women and their families, asking for compassion, not to mention millions of federal dollars, but not wanting to lend credence to the notion that women are somehow less than because this is just one more in what can feel like an endless series of gendered hurdles to clear. In the 40 or so minutes we spend on the phone, Finkenauer does a masterful balancing act, but her nerves are obvious.

To be a woman talking about the things that disadvantage women is to become a target. To be a woman talking about the state of your reproductive organs? In America? Good luck.

Now Finkenauer has delivered the first ever speech in the House of Representatives about endometriosis. She has announced the formation of the bipartisan caucus that will call for an increase in funds allocated to research the condition. Joining her are fellow first-time elected women like Representatives Sharice Davids (D-Kans.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). One congresswoman told Finkenauer her communications director suffered from endometriosis. Another said her sister dealt with it. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), another freshman in the new caucus, said in a statement that Finkenauers example would give a voice to the millions of women who suffer from endometriosis.

As millennial women serving in the House of Representatives, we are very close and often share in the ups and downs of this job, Stevens added. She didnt hesitate to join the group.

And men have rallied behind Finkenauer too. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Tex.), whos 36, told Finkenauer when she approached him that hes watched women close to him contend with the condition. Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.), Marc Veasey (D-Tex.), and Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.) are also in the caucus. (Its lone Republican is Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon, who serves as Puerto Ricos sole representative in the U.S. Congress.)

Finkenauer appreciates the support, but who wants to make a speech about her uterus in front of every single one of her coworkers? Then again, she has told women in her district countless times to speak up at work, to be frank with their employers about the realities of their lives. My employers are [my constituents], Finkenauer says. And so I am letting them know. I am letting my employers know: I can still do my job and that I will do it well and that I have been doing it well, but this is a thing that I have.

She has derived some resolve too from the unexpected connections shes madejust in the process of preparing for her announcement. Getting her hair cut a few weeks ago, she was on the phone with one of her staffers and talking about the then imminent floor speech. When Finkenauer got off, her hairdresser asked her if she had endometriosis.

I said, Yes, and she goes, Me too. I feel like Im being stabbed right now, she recalls. I was like, I know exactly what youre talking about. The woman told Finkenauer that she works three jobs and cant afford to take time off when the pain flares up. Remembering the conversation, Finkenauer sounds angrier even than when she talks about her own ordeal: Its so frustrating that this is where were atthat we cant find something better.

Or rather, that we havent tried.

Finkenauer is a firm believer in pulling the levers of government and knows that what stands between her and a cure isnt just advancements in science but federal cash. It just so happens that the representative who chairs the subcommittee on funding for the National Institute of Health (NIH) is none other than Rose DeLauro (D-Conn.). When Finkenauer had to broach the topic with someone, that person turned out to be a woman and a survivor of ovarian cancer. DeLauro wasnt just receptive; she signed on to Finkenauers caucus. Next Finkenauer went to Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. It was standard protocolto go to the members in those positions to talk about a relevant issue. It isnt standard that both are women. Before 2018, Finkenauer notes, that wouldnt have been the case.

So much of the conversation around representation is treated like an exercise in political correctness or like a standard pursued for the sake of Etsy merch. But Finkenauers experience is proof: It matters who sits in government. No one needed a woman to launch this caucus. But endometriosis has been a known condition since the 1920s, and in that time no man has been its champion in the federal government.

When it comes to womens health, there is so much we dont understand, Finkenauer says. And because [endometriosis] ranks at the bottom for funding from NIH, then theres not those grant dollars available, so people dont prioritize it. All that misunderstanding and confusion mean women continue to get diagnosed with endometriosis later in life, sometimes after suffering with its side effects for up to a decade or more. As Finkenauer puts it: We deserve a heck of a lot more than this.

Less than 24 hours before shes slated to head to the floor, I ask Finkenauer how she feels. Im nervous, she answers. Im more nervous than when I decided to run for Congress. It is a vulnerable thing to share, and I think I am still afraid that people will read or hear or see the speech and think, How can she do her job? But I am the youngest woman who ever flipped a seatand then I was the first freshman to pass a bill through the House in the first two weeks of the term. I have done the job. I hope constituents have seen me do it and want me to keep doing it. But this is one of my fights now. And this is going to be part of my story.

The morning before Finkenauers floor speech, the Center for Reproductive Rights made its opening arguments at the Supreme Court, opposing an attempt in Louisiana to enact anti-choice legislation that would leave just one clinic open in the state that can perform abortions. The timing is not lost on Finkenauer, who feels her battle for research into endometriosis is tied to the battle for choice. Having kidsI dont know what thats going to look like, she says. I have a supportive partner, whos been there with me through this and understands it all. But, she continues, even with the advantage of comprehensive health care, a partner who gets it, and access to incredible doctors, the prospect of navigating her reproductive future is daunting. She imagines how other women feel.

This is the full spectrum of reproductive health care. This is what we mean when we talk about women making informed decisions about their body. Finkenauer is late for votes, but she wants me to hear this: Womens health is complicated. Its so complicated. Theres a lot to it, and the government should fund itand then keep out of it.

On March 5, smack in the middle of her place of work, Finkenauer took to the podium and stared out at her colleagues. She announced the formation of the caucus and narrated how the condition has affected her own life (hours in agonizing pain; two laparoscopic surgeries).

There are so many women hearing this today who may be hearing their pain described for the very first time, she said. She wanted them to knowthey are not alone.

Mattie Kahn is the culture director at Glamour.

Originally Appeared on Glamour
One new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of cases in the region to four.

The infected person is an adult who previously travelled from Italy and is linked to a previously confirmed case.

Public Health Agency staff are working to identify anyone who has been in contact with the person in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: Further positive cases have been expected and we anticipate the number will increase in the days and weeks ahead.

Northern Ireland remains in the containment phase and it is important to emphasise that. This will obviously be kept under constant review.

As has previously been stated, there will not be a sharp transition between containment and delay phases. Many of the actions taken during containment will still continue in any delay phase. Responses may vary between different regions, depending on the circumstances."

The latest diagnosis being the total number of confirmed cases on the island of Ireland to 16, after seven new cases were identified in the Republic on Thursday.

One man being treated in Cork University Hospital is the first case of "community transmission" in Ireland, meaning he contracted the virus without travelling to an area already affected by coronavirus.

In Northern Ireland, one of the infected patients is a student at Queen's University in Belfast, who is understood to have travelled to northern Italy recently, where there have been more than 100 deaths due to the outbreak.

In a statement, a QUB spokesperson said they are working with the Public Health Agency to identify anyone who has been in contact with the student infected.

"The university remains open and is operating as normal. The university will continue to monitor the situation," the spokesperson added.

"The university has provided online guidance for staff and students and encourages all members of the Queen's community to follow the latest official guidance from the Public Health Agency and other relevant authorities."

On Wednesday, a demonstration of the process of testing someone suspected of having the virus was held at Antrim Area Hospital.

Suspected cases will be referred to the hybrid testing facility at Antrim Area Hospital by their GP, where they can be tested in their car or in a special coronavirus assessment pod by medical staff wearing protective masks and clothing.

Testing is taking place daily between 9 and 10am, with swabs taken from the patients nose and mouth and sent for testing, with results taking around five hours.

On Thursday, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne called for the force to be given the power to detain people suspected of having coronavirus.

There have also been calls for a ban on school trips to countries hit by the virus.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 15:29:29|Editor: xuxin

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MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Two workers were killed and 104 rescued after methane flooded a coal mine in northwest Russia's Komi Republic, local media reported Friday.

There were 106 people working underground at the Vorkutinskaya mine when the accident happened, according to the reports.

Production at the mine has been suspended for an investigation into the cause of the accident. There is no threat of a methane explosion.
Several Congress Lok Sabha MPs were on Friday seen urging the party's former president Rahul Gandhi to take back its stewardship to galvanise cadres of the grand old party in the current political scenario, sources said.

The request was made as soon as the house was adjourned at 12:35 pm for ten minutes as Congress MPs were demanding a debate on the Delhi riots.

Party members including Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor gathered at Gandhi's seat in the second row of the opposition benches and were seen having an animated discussion with him over the party's current status.

Though the house was adjourned, from the press gallery it was seen and heard that Tewari strongly and emphatically appealed to the Gandhi-scion to come back at the helm of the Congress.

Rahul had relinquished the post of Congress party president after the debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in which the party could manage to get only 52 seats, just eight more than its tally of 44 seats in the previous general polls in 2014.

The Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre for two terms from 2004 to 2014.

Tewari was seen joined by other MPs including first timers like Hibi Eden and Jothimani, who were patiently listening to the conversation. Nearly ten MPs were engaged in the conversation with Rahul.

Responding to their requests, Rahul is understood to have told them that as party president he took the moral responsibility for the Congress' defeat and there was no change to that position, sources said.

He is also believed to have told the party MPs to fight against the BJP and its associates.

In recent times many Congress leaders have talked about clarity on the party's leadership and finding a new president.

Last month, the party's former MP and son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Sandeep Dikshit, had reportedly said Sonia Gandhi was an interim president and Rahul Gandhi didn't want to be president, so party members should respect his position and carry on.

Echoing similar sentiments, Tharoor had told PTI recently that resolving the leadership issue is key for Congress' revival.

Another party leader Jairam Ramesh had suggested that the party should "ruthlessly reinvent" itself or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant and that its arrogance has to go.

Senior leader Veerappa Moily too called for a "surgical action" to revive the party in the context of the Delhi election drubbing.

In the Delhi assembly elections held last month, the Congress failed to open its account in the state which it ruled continuously for 15 years from 1998 to 2013.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meanwhile, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee announced Friday that two people from New York who attended the massive policy conference in Washington early this week had tested positive for the virus. D.C. city officials said the two attendees later confirmed to carry coronavirus did not show symptoms such as fever or cough while they were in the District. Both cases had no identifiable risk to people exposed to them, D.C. officials concluded based on information provided by New York authorities.
Garbage collectors in Nairobi city have downed their tools over delayed payment of their salaries.

Clad in red overalls and armed with twigs and placards, the casual laborers who work under the AGL garbage collection firm, took to the streets in large numbers and camped outside Mediamax offices on Kijabe Street.

Speaking to K24 journalists, the protestors said they have not been paid in three months.

Our employer (AGL) is making our lives harder by the day. They have made a habit of paying us around three to four times a year. Most of us have never been paid since December, others since November.

Since I joined AGL in August 2019, the salary payment has been inconsistent. How does AGL expect us to survive in this city with no money? I call upon Nairobi Senator Sakaja and other relevant County officials to rescue us, said Moses Owino.

Another protester, 37-year-old Lilian Seyo lamented: I am a mother of four. Currently, two of my children are at home for lack of school fees. I have been kicked out of my house by the landlord for failing to pay rent for the past three months; to my luck, a relative has taken me in together with my children. I have so many pending bills and I dont even know my fate.

AGL, whose offices are located on Lagos Road, are said to have hired 150 workers without issuing contracts.

The firms senior supervisor, Alex Maleche, declined to speak about the matter. While Nairobi Environment Minister Larry Wambua distanced himself from the workers salary issues, saying that only AGL can settle the arrears.

The workers are not part of Nairobi Countys employees and so we have no relationship with them. They are engaged by a contractor so they should direct their complaints to AGL. Also, even if they were county employees, it is not the responsibility of the Environment Department to make payments. We leave that to the finance section, said Wambua.
The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday presented a Rs 49,131-crore Budget for the fiscal 2020-21 and said the state has a debt burden of Rs 55,737 crore.

The debt on Himachal Pradesh is higher than the amount earmarked in the budget for the next fiscal presented in the state Assembly on Friday.

Himachal chief minister Jai Ram Thakur presented the Budget for the next fiscal which saw more focus on road and air connectivity, housing for poor and scheduled castes and quality education.

Soon after presenting the budget, Thakur responding to a media query revealed that the debt burden on the state rose to Rs 55,737 crore.

Earlier while presenting the budget, the chief minister said that Rs 10.4 would be spent on interest payment out of every hundred rupees to be spent by the state government in 2020-21.

In this way, over ten per cent of total budget amount will be spent on loan interest payment.

In other words, the state government will use approximately Rs 5,109 crore on loan interest payment out of the total Rs 49,131 crore budget in 2020-21.

No new tax has been proposed in the budget which saw an increase of Rs 4,743 crore from Rs 44,388 crore in 2019-20. It was 41,440 crore in 2018-19.

The revenue receipts of 2020-21 are estimated at Rs 38,429 crore, whereas expenditure is likely to be Rs 39,123 crore -- leading to a revenue deficit of Rs 694 crore.

The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 7,272 crore for 2020-21, which is 4 per cent of GSDP. The net borrowing will be 3 per cent of GSDP.

Presenting his third budget, Thakur, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced 25 new schemes for various sections. Most of new schemes named as Swaran Jayanti as Himachal Pradesh is celebrating golden jubilee of its statehood this year.

In his nearly three-hour address in the Assembly while tabling the 150-page proposed budget, Thakur said Rs 26.66 would be spent on salaries out of every hundred rupees to be spent by the state government in 2020-21. Similarly Rs 14.79 will be spent on pension, Rs 10.4 on interest payment, Rs 7.29 on loan repayment and Rs 41.22 will be on development works and other activities, he added.

The leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri alleged while talking to media that the chief minister paid more heed on his home district Mandi by earmarking a huge amount for acquisition of land for starting work for proposed airport there. Himachal Congress president Kuldeep Rathore and its incharge Rajni Patil termed budget as directionless.

On the other hand, the state BJP chief Rajeev Bindal claimed the budget as developmental stating that several new schemes were included in the budget to achieve the target of doubling the income of the farmers.

Earlier presenting the budget, Thakur said a target was set to provide 10,000 quality houses to the poor and scheduled caste families in the next fiscal, more than double the number last year.

He announced that Rs 8,016 crore would be spent in the education sector for strengthening infrastructure and providing quality education at school level and setting up gyms in government medical colleges in a phased manner. Gyms will also be set up in nine other colleges, he added.

Mathematics laboratories will be set up in the next fiscal in 50 schools to make study more interesting, he added.

Part-time multi-task workers will also be appointed in the next fiscal in those primary schools where no water career is there, he added.

Thakur said Rs 1,013 crore earmarked for expanding air connectivity, the amount is the highest ever in any budget of the state. Process for land acquisition for expanding Shimla and Gaggal airports and starting work of Mandi airport will be expedited.

Besides, five heliports will be constructed.

Land acquisition work for 25 national highways (NHs) will start. Remaining 80 of total 3,226 panchayats of the state will be connected through road, he added.

The chief minister said 50,000 farmers had adopted natural farming in the state so far. Efforts will be made to encourage more farmers to adopt natural farming for which an amount of Rs 25 crore will be spent in 2020-21, he added.

Thakur said Himachal would contribute to India's goal of reaching USD 5 trillion economy.

Talking about the health sector, Thakur said that mammography machines would be installed in each district hospital of the state for detecting breast cancer.

The pension of 1.25 lakh widows and disabled has been increased to Rs 1,000 from Rs 850 per month. Besides, social security pension will be provided to 50,000 more eligible persons.

The chief minister said that uninterrupted 24-hour water supply will be launched in Shimla soon. A total of Rs 2,213 crore has been earmarked for water management in the next fiscal, he added.

The Himachal Pradesh Investment Agency (HPIA) will be set up for which a bill will soon be tabled in the Assembly. It will help investors in getting clearance from various departments for setting up their units in the state.

Thakur said that three more antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres would be opened apart from already functional 6 ART centres for providing medicines to HIV patients.

He said that the state government planned to plant saplings on 12,000 hectares land more for which an amount of Rs 15 crore was earmarked in 2020-21. Forests are currently located on 27.2 per cent geographical land of the state and the state wants to increase it to at least 30 per cent by 2030, he added.

Talking about the drug menace, he said that five integrated rehabilitation centres of addicts (IRCA) would be set with the assistance of the centre.

Besides 515 MW additional generation capacity will be added which include Bajoli-Holi, Wangar Homte, Sorang, Sawra Kuddu and Uhl projects.

Speaking about solid waste management, he said that 500 gram panchayats will be made garbage free in the next fiscal.

The per capita income in Himachal Pradesh is Rs 60,205 higher than that of the country, he added.

The estimated per capita income of Himachal Pradesh is Rs 1,95,255 during 2019-20 whereas per-capita net national income during the same fiscal is estimated to be Rs 1,35,050.

The chief minister said, "I propose to celebrate 2020-21 as Golden Jubilee of 'Himachal Pradesh attaining full statehood'."



Various programmes and shows will be held across the state and achievements will be shared with the public, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A BJP worker was stabbed to death



by unidentified persons at his apartment here in the early hours of Friday, police said.

Anand in his early thirties, was reportedly attacked with a broken beer bottle shortly after he returned home following his late night birthday party, police added.

Following information from neighbours in the apartment, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body.

"The murder took place between 3 am and 4 am. We are investigating who was with him at the time and what was the motive behind the killing," Mysuru police Commissioner Dr Chandragupta told reporters.

Police said further investigations are on to ascertain the motive and people behind the killing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
TEHRAN,Iran, March 6

Trend:

Iran's government is trying to provide all the needed facilities in the regions with regards to fighting the coronavirus spread, Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said, Trend reports via Mehr News Agency.

"In the current sensitive situation, all the forces should be able to handle shortages in every sector," Jahgangiri said during his talk with the governors of Iranian provinces.

He added that individuals who abused the situation and hoarded sanitary items should be punished and provincial officials should implement necessary measures.

Jahangiri advised the people to stay indoors and avoid traveling, as well as stick to regulations of the National Committee on Combating Coronavirus.

Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 3,500 people have been infected, 107 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 730 have reportedly recovered from the disease.

The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.

The disease in the Islamic Republic has spread to nearly all 31 of Iran's provinces.

Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights.

The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
[March 06, 2020] Clinical Computer Systems, Inc. Announces Reseller Agreement with AlertWatch to Distribute their Maternal Safety System

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical Computer Systems, Inc. (CCSI), a leader in perinatal systems software, announces a reseller agreement with AlertWatch, a leading provider of real-time clinical decision support software. Under this reseller agreement, CCSI will distribute, within the United States, AlertWatch:OB's FDA 510(k)-cleared Maternal Safety System. "Shockingly, every eight to ten hours in the U.S. a mother dies during childbirth. This rate is three times the rate of other industrialized countries," explained AlertWatch founder and University of Michigan anesthesiologist Dr. Kevin Tremper. "And for every death, there are 70 near misses. Data shows that many of these could have been prevented with a timelier response. Before now, providers haven't had a tool that gives them the right information in time to intervene." AlertWatch:OB's Maternal Safety System provides alerts, analytics, and an intuitive user interface to improve care and communication in the labor and delivery unit. To date, it has been used by clinicians to help monitor more than 15,000 births. A recent study showed that the AlertWatch MEWS system was better at identifying postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) than the standard Maternal Early Warning Criteria (MEWC)*. Another cross-functional study revealed that 83% of providers approved of the application. This monitoring system is the first solution to integrate several critical features: Maternal Early Warning Score alerts with proprietary filtering to improve the detection of PPH, while also educing nuisance alerts by 95%. Automated risk assessment for each patient using the ACOG hemorrhage risk guidelines. Unit and patient-level dashboards with at-a-glance views across the entire continuity-of-care. Condition and provider-specific escalation pathways for improved response time and collaboration.



* https://pdfs.journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/9000/00000/use_of_a_novel_electronic_maternal_surveillance.95790.pdf

About Clinical Computer Systems, Inc.

CCSI is an employee-owned, high technology company located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For more than 25 years, CCSI has been a leader in perinatal systems with innovative, customer-driven, computer-based perinatal system, and support services. The company is dedicated to the development of the OBIX Perinatal Data System and works to incorporate changes in technology, regulations, and standards in the obstetrical department that support hospitals' strategic initiatives. For more, visit www.obix.com. About AlertWatch, Inc.

AlertWatch, Inc. is an Ann Arbor-based firm, founded in 2011, that develops and markets clinical decision support systems for hospitals. AlertWatch simplifies patient monitoring with intuitive products across a variety of care settings. A 2018 study of AlertWatch:OR, our intraoperative monitoring solution, showed a reduction in post-operative length of stay and a reduction in hospital charges of $3,603. For more, visit www.alertwatch.com. Contact information: [email protected] or [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clinical-computer-systems-inc-announces-reseller-agreement-with-alertwatch-to-distribute-their-maternal-safety-system-301019078.html SOURCE Clinical Computer Systems, Inc.

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A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison raping a two-year-old girl and giving her a sexually transmitted disease in a crime that shocked the nation.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent at the Alice Springs Supreme Court on Friday, and was sentenced to a prison term.

The toddler suffered severe internal injuries including cuts, bleeding, swelling and bruising after the man raped her in her home at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory while her mother was sleeping in 2018.

Remote Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory where the horrific child rape occurred

Tennant Creek is far away from major urban centres Darwin and Alice Springs, and has suffered social problems such as substance abuse, crime and sexual predation of children

The rapist infected the child with the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea, in the attack on February 15, 2018, and she suffered severe psychological damage.

Crown Prosecutor Glen Dooley told the court the offender had removed the little girl from the lounge room where she was sleeping, and took her to the bedroom where he raped her.

When he was done, he put her back in the lounge room.

Sometime later that night, another man saw the girl bleeding and woke her mother who dressed her and hailed an ambulance and police vehicle, ABC news reported.

After being treated at Tennant Creek Hospital she had to be flown to Adelaide where she had a blood transfusion due to the severity of her injuries.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was so shocked by the horrific crime he flew to Tennant Creek to see first hand what could be done to fix the social problems

Mr Dooley told Judge Judith Kelly that the offending was in the worst category with a maximum penalty of life in jail.

'This is a crime that deeply disturbed the Tennant Creek community and the nation,' he said.

The Crown Prosecutor said the man had shown no remorse, denied the offense and constructed an alibi that police investigators had dismantled.

The man's defence lawyer, John McBride, admitted it had been a terrible act against a vulnerable child but said a psychologist's report showed the offender had shown some remorse for his actions.

He told the court the man had suffered since age 15 from bouts of homelessness and substance abuse.

The man has been in custody since his arrest.

News of the rape shocked Australia when it happened.

Childrens Commissioner Colleen Gwynnes released a redacted report into the toddlers rape in April 2018 that revealed child protection authorities had been notified many times about the girl's welfare but had failed to act.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was so shocked after reading the graphic details in the uncensored report that he flew to Tennant Creek.

A $78 million regional deal to improve economic and social services in the town followed along with emergency liquor restrictions
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in some countries, non-essential travels to Ghana are being strongly discouraged from high-risk countries to prevent a spread of the disease to the West African country, President Nana Addo has said.

The President made this known at the 63rd Independence Day celebration in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi where he also outlined measures being taken to protect Ghanaians against the disease.

The measures, according to the President, include strict checks at entry points and rigorous screening procedures.

The coronavirus is the medical crisis that is bringing in its wake, deaths and economic difficulties and it is spreading fear and panic throughout the world. In the early days of the outbreak, I constituted on 7th February a high powered emergency response team to handle the crisis which has been monitoring developments and reporting to me on a daily basis. Strict checks at our entry points are being conducted with rigorous screening procedures. Isolation and treatment centres have been designated for potential cases and a quarantine centre has been set up.

5,000 personal protective equipment for health workers have been procured and distributed to all regions and major health facilities, points of entry, teaching hospitals, treatment centres and selected health facilitiesIn the interim, non-essential travel into Ghana is being strongly discouraged from high-risk countries namely China, Iran, Italy Japan and South Korea. We are counting on the experts to do their part to save others and we all have a responsibility to help ourselves and each other. Recommendations are for each one of us to practice basic personal hygiene and be extra careful with sanitation.

Suspected case of Coronavirus

The Presidents comment comes in the wake of the investigation of a suspected case of the deadly COVID-19 in Ghana which subsequently tested negative.

The case involved a Ghanaian woman based abroad who returned to the country for a medical procedure.

Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie who confirmed the development to Citi News said the suspected patient reported to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday afternoon.

This is the second time the teaching Hospital is recording a suspected case of the deadly disease.

The first one which involved two Chinese nationals tested negative after examination and testing by the Noguchi Medical Research Institute.

Coronavirus in Africa

The first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was recorded on 14th February 2020 in Egypt.

Senegal and Nigeria have both confirmed one case each.

So far more than 90,000 cases have been confirmed while about 3,110 others have died from the novel coronavirus.

---citinewsroom
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey  Turkeys closure of its only border crossing with Iraq amid a spike in coronavirus cases in its southern neighbor has disabled a major trade route, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people, from street vendors at the crossing to big industries on the other side of the country.

The Habur crossing, which opens into Iraqi Kurdistan, was sealed off on March 1, a week after Turkey closed its border with its eastern neighbor Iran, the epicenter of the contagion in the Middle East.

The closure of Habur, Turkeys second busiest border crossing, has set off alarm bells across the business community, which fears losing major markets in Iraq, the third largest buyer of Turkish goods, atop a bruising economic downturn at home. The crossing has been an economic lifeline for Turkeys Kurdish-majority southeast, an impoverished, conflict-torn region that borders Iraq.

Haburs significance extends beyond Turkey as it serves as a transit route for some of Iraqs imports from third countries, including via Turkeys Mediterranean ports. Businesspeople warn that a protracted closure of the crossing could lead to shortages in import-reliant Iraq.

Currently our monthly exports to Iraq are worth some $800-900 million. There are also the transit shipments via Turkey, Nevaf Kilic, head of the Turkey-Iraq Industrialists and Business People Association, told Al-Monitor. Some 2,500 trucks cross through Habur daily. The closure of the crossing is a blow to the livelihoods of millions of people.

Turkeys exports to Iraq stood at $10.2 billion in 2019, while its imports amounted to about $2.7 billion. In January alone, Turkeys exports were worth $817,000, a 10% increase from the same period last year. Turkey sells a wide range of products to Iraq, mainly food, textile and construction materials, and buys mostly oil and petroleum products from its southern neighbor.

Some 1.5 million vehicles and more than 3.5 million people cross through Habur annually, according to Trade Ministry figures. Turkey has sealed off the crossing in the past amid political tensions with Iraqi Kurdistan and Baghdad, but an epidemic lockdown is a first.

Mehmet Kaya, chairman of the trade and industry chamber in Diyarbakir, the largest city of the mainly Kurdish southeast, believes Haburs closure was premature and will deal a great blow to both Turkeys and regional trade.

International commerce aside, the daily traffic along the route has been a blessing for small businesses in the southeast, which cater to the needs of truck drivers, passengers and vehicles. From small-time vendors and restaurants to hotels and repair shops, all local businesses benefit from the traffic. Small manufacturers in the region also stand to lose. The 221 companies in Diyarbakirs industrial zone, for example, export some 65% of their production to Iraq.

Kilic said the impact on Iraq could be even worse as the country produces little and relies on imports. A shortage in goods would cause prices to jump, he warned.

Halil Bilisik, the head of the Young Businessmen Association in Sirnak, the province where Habur is located, agreed that both sides would be hit. Referring to Turkeys economic woes, he said, Turkeys situation is obvious; we will be negatively affected. Even 10 days [of closure] would be detrimental. The same goes for [the Iraqi side]. Turkey is a major trade partner for them and their border crossings with Iran are closed as well. If this lasts too long, they will be badly affected, even worse than we will.

Businesspeople believe the closure of the crossing was rushed, complaining of losses because the decision caught companies off guard. Bilisik said thousands of trucks were stranded, unable to deliver their freight, though the exporters will still have to pay transportation costs.

The business community expects an urgent solution. Officials have floated the idea of setting up a buffer zone to keep trade going, but this would be hardly a viable solution for a border crossing through which 2,500 vehicles exit on a daily basis, according to Kilic.

Health comes first, but trade should not be affected, he said. There is an extraordinary situation at present and we businesspeople respect that. But unless a solution is found, the losses will be very serious. Well lose $1 billion monthly in exports alone, not to mention the shipping sector and the people who work in it.
Citing the coronavirus scare, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math on Friday said it has decided not to allow anyone to enter its ashram in Amritapuri in Kollam district as a preventive measure.

In a notice posted on its website, the Math, which has a large following, said the restriction applies to Indian nationals as well as foreign-passport-holders (including OCI- holders).

"We are sorry to inform you that due to the extremely heightened restrictions specified to the Mata Amritanandamayi Math as preventative measures by the Health Department



including mandatory quarantines, daily health checks, and other protocols currently, the Ashram cannot allow anyone to enter Amritapuri Ashram," the notice said.

"This includes both day visits and overnight stays. This policy is irrespective of any amount of time the individual may have been within the nation of India," the Math added.

"With prayers and grace, this situation will change. Until then, please feel free to check for updates," the Math authorities said.

Built upon the very property where Mata Amritanandamayi was born, Amritapuri is the headquarters of her worldwide mission and the spiritual home for her monastic disciples and hundreds of householder devotees.

Mata Amritanandamayi, affectionately called as Amma by her followers, has been known to individually embrace over 20,000 people in one day, sitting sometimes for over 22 hours.

Kerala has reported the first three coronavirus cases in the country and all of them have recovered after being treated in hospitals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New advice to creches, schools and other educational institutions about coronavirus includes ensuring that children and students know how to tell a member of staff if they feel unwell.

The updated HSE guidance also includes specific advice for language schools and families who host foreign students who come to Ireland to learn English.

Much of the document deals with routine cleaning to reduce the risk of infection, as well as detailed advice on how to clean and disinfect area where there has been a case of coronavirus on the premises.

The Department of Education has circulated the document to education stakeholders and has asked them to bring it to the attention of interested parties.

It notes that it is possible, although a lesser risk, that a person may become infected when they touch an object or surface that has been contaminated by respiratory secretions from an infected person and they then touch their own mouth, nose or eyes.

As an example, this could be when they touch a door handle and then rub their eyes or put something in their mouth.

Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surfaces is likely to have decreased significantly by 72 hours, the document states.

Read More

If pupils with suspected or confirmed coronavirus were isolated in a room, the door should be kept closed for at least an hour, and the room should nor be used again unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and all surfaces are dry.

The person assigned to clean the rooms should wear household or single use non-sterile nitrile gloves and a disposable plastic apron, if one is available.,

The window should be open during the cleaning operation and disposable cloths, a household detergents, followed or combined with household bleach, which may be in the form of wipes, should be used.

Special attention should be paid to frequently touched flat surfaces, the back of chair, couches, door handles and any surfaces or items that are visibly soiled with body fluids.

All waste that has been in contact with the pupils, including used tissues and masks, if used, as well as the apron and gloves used by the cleaner, should be placed in a plastic rubbish bag and tied, and hands washed.

The plastic bag should be placed into a second bin bag and tied, and hands washed again.

The bag should be stored in a safe place until the result of the test is available and, if the pupil tests negative, the waste can be placed in the normal bin, but if the results is positive, the HSE will advise on what to do next.

If the pupil spent time in a communal area like a classroom, dormitory, play area or they used the toilet or bathroom facilities these areas should be cleaned with household detergent followed by a disinfectant as soon as is practicably possible, and before they are used again..
Ruling in an exparte application, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, ordered the police to put the traditional ruler on notice before a date would be fixed for hearing of the matter.
The slices at Mid-City Pizza are New York-style: thin, broad and crisp. But Mid-City Pizza itself is a creation unmistakably in the style of Rand Owens, according to those who knew him best.

Rand saw the restaurant as a way to harness all his creative energies, said his sister, Sarah Owens. All his best qualities were expressed through it.

Rand Owens died Feb. 29 at his home at age 33. Relatives say his cause of death has not been confirmed.

In addition to his two Mid-City Pizza locations, Owens also owned the Banks Street Bar, a longtime corner bar and music venue across the street from his first pizzeria.

On Saturday, his family, friends and colleagues will honor Owens with a memorial service at the House of Blues and then a nighttime block party between his Banks Street businesses in Mid-City. That event is being dubbed a Festival of Pizza because, friends say, Owens had long wanted to host a pizza festival. (See details below.)

Mid-City Pizza and Banks Street Bar remain open. Owens family wants to ensure they continue to operate as Rand Owens would have run them, his sister said.

Owens was originally from Lafayette. He lived in Austin, Texas, for a stretch, working in the music business. He started out in the New Orleans pizza game as an employee of Lazaros, which once occupied the small restaurant space attached to the Banks Street Bar.

Owens eventually took over Lazaros and renamed it Mid-City Pizza. It was a humble start, with a tiny kitchen and a business delivering pies around its namesake neighborhood and slinging slices of cheese and pepperoni to the late-night crowd at Banks Street Bar.

By 2014, however, Rand was able to buy the restaurant across the street, formerly home to Crescent Pie & Sausage. Here he developed Mid-City Pizza as a pizzeria with the look of a pop art installation. Walls were covered with phantasmagoric murals and memorabilia from The Simpsons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It simultaneously gave the place a punk aesthetic and a family-friendly feel.

When he opened a second location, this time dubbed MCP Uptown, a similar style soon bloomed across its building on South Claiborne Avenue.

His sister said that for Owens the restaurant was another way to collaborate with artists and other creative people.

From the jump, he was able to get so many people involved in what he was doing, she said. His friends were his family too.

He soon developed another outlet for those interactions when, in 2018, he bought the Banks Street Bar, a longtime Mid-City watering hole.

With a pool table up front, water bowls for dogs outside and a ramshackle feel throughout, its a classic New Orleans dive. After Owens took over, it also sported a fresh style with new murals and signs and a reinvigorated music schedule for its small stage. The small eatery in back, where Owens once served Lazaros slices, is now home to Trilly Cheesesteaks.

Friends remember his gregarious spirit and generosity, including his support of their artistic and business endeavors.

He was an extremely supportive friend to everyone who crossed his path, said his friend Mariana Coelho.

As plans for Saturdays block party in his honor have progressed, many of those friends are contributing to pull it together, she said.

There will be pizza contributed from many different restaurants, and local bands playing outside and inside Banks Street Bar.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service for Rand Owens at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., on Saturday (March 7) at 2 p.m.

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Festival of Pizza begins at 6 p.m. in the 4400 block of Banks St. (between Banks Street Bar and Mid-City Pizza).

Music on the outdoor stage includes:

Deltaphonic, 6-6:45 p.m.

Blind Texas Marlin, 7-7:45 p.m.

Portwood & Co., 8-8:45 p.m.

The Ice Man Special, 9-10 p.m.

Music continues inside Banks Street Bar with:

Gland, 10:15-10:45 p.m.

Pope, 11-11:30 p.m.

Melters, 11:45 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

A late night set inside Banks Street Bar begins at 12:30 a.m. with

Tiny Books

Tristan Dufrene

Otto

Shanook

DJ FaerieGothmother

+8 Ian McNulty: Bon Ton Cafe, Dick & Jennys had little in common except one big thing: us Because of the way New Orleans people watch restaurants so closely, because of how we obsessive over them, it can seem like they have their o

+5 After founders of Pho Hoa say goodbye, new Vietnamese restaurant takes its place Making the namesake soup at Pho Hoa takes a slow simmer and a patient hand. Around Mardi Gras, however, big changes came together quickly at t
If there's something we do well upstate, it's craft beer. Lots of it. Urban-industrial breweries splash cash on cavernous bar/dining rooms and put shiny tanks on display behind glass, like exhibits in a zoo. Patrons are rewarded with seasonal brews from orange peel to pumpkin pie and offered comfort food of epic proportions: Massive burgers oozing cheese, great flat pizza pies on stands, golden fries double- or triple-fried. Beer-braised meat on buns with beer cheese are familiar terrain for rib-sticking eats.

Which is why the new Walt & Whitman Brewery in Saratoga Springs' former Saratogian newspaper building is out there in left field with a menu that would make me nervous elsewhere for its global reach. Freed from fine dining and small plates, Detroit-raised chef Brandon Schatko (Whiteface Lodge, Plumb Oyster Bar, Mazzone Hospitality) trained his energies on his quest for "foods that go well with beer." That means bold flavors for the people from chicken shawarma and garlic toum on Lebanese pita from a Dearborn, Mich., bakery to a craggy buttermilk fried-chicken sandwich spiked with Tabasco and topped with collard greens.

Brewery owner Will Crager, with his parents Bill and Kathy, are sufficiently literary minded to make Walt Whitman the namesake star (bills are presented in books of poetry), and sisters on the marketing side came up with the cute bearded Whitman logo. But, according to director of operations Shawna Jenks, the insertion of the "&" between Walt & Whitman reflects a "split personality" with Whitman Brewery and Taproom in the revamped, exposed-brick basement and Walt, a coffee shop (and future in-house coffee roaster) comfortably styled in digs upstairs. Jenks describes the business as a double-header with "coffee as a morning crutch" and "beer to save the day."

We venture downstairs, where Madonna and Johnny Cash are among the legends gazing from vintage posters and vinyl album covers on the walls to track down Schatko's sticky gochujang-pear Korean barbecue wings with kimchi ranch and Four Fat Fowl ricotta whipped and stripped down to life's essentials with preserved lemon, sea salt and toasted focaccia for transport. But since it's a pub, you can still get a snap-skinned Sabrett's "Michigan-Coney dawg" smothered in mustard and Coney meat sauce to demolish on a sofa by the fire.

Walking into the taproom, where all the wood/brick tropes are in place and the shiny brewing apparatus is there  behind glass, natch  we sample the Dick Murphy Lite, a pilsner that sells out most weeks, and a dark porter called Light & Sound Discipline. If, like us, you like your beer sour, a bright-hued Now, Forager Berliner weisse packing 400 pounds of tart boysenberry or raspberry fruit per batch will hit the spot.

Anchoring kitchen operations is an armored brick oven looking like a war relic dragged out of the Hudson River, a beast where Schatko fires up his signature deep-dish Detroit pizza. Finger-dimpled like focaccia in anodized trays, proofed dough is layered cheese-before-sauce and cooked at 650 degrees on a rotating lava stone. Whether you choose sweet-salty speck, jalapeno and griddled pineapple, grandpa's crumbled sausage or cacio e pepe with Parmesan and fresh-cracked pepper, they're turned out of the pan in great rectangular slabs fringed with crisp cheese where it's crusted on the sides. If you're sharing, prepare to fight.

You're likely not expecting a Persian cucumber salad  those cute little cukes you see at the store  but order it for the cooling crunch and Asian soy-lime dressing zapped with sesame, chile and tears of joy. Dive into a spicy cold ramen inspired by a dish at Momofuku in Manhattan and punched up with crushed fennel, candied cashews and soy-pickled mushrooms, or Schatko's reimagining of Italian wedding soup as pho: neck bones and wing tips slow-simmered overnight with cinnamon, cloves, charred onion and star anise for a fragrant clear broth showered, madly, in Parmesan with bucatini pasta and his grandmother's meatballs underneath. Switch gears and visit the subcontinent with a mild wild mushroom madras curry, crisped basmati rice and a cloudburst of thin potato chip "hay."

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You can easily while away some hours in this dual-purpose space sampling beers, refueling with Ceremony Roasters coffee, thumbing pages of poetry and coffee-table rock 'n' roll books while Harry Styles trades hooks with Phantogram and the Rolling Stones. Even non-beer drinkers will feel at home with a menu that magnanimously notes: "(We) recognize some are drawn to wine, spirits and other craft beverages." Bar manager Ryan Wood is working on a strong cocktail program featuring house-made Cynar pear shrub in an Okey Dokey and eucalyptus simple syrup in the gin-based Spill the Tea. Look for spruce tips and spent hops in a cocktail this spring.

Dinner for two with drinks will cost around $85 with tax and 20 percent tip.

Susie Davidson Powell is a British freelance food writer in upstate New York. Follow her on Twitter, @SusieDP. To comment on this review, visit the Table Hopping blog, blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping.
Donald Trump's top three media targets for attacks are the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN  and now he is suing all three.

After filing suits claiming the two major newspapers made false claims in articles, his re-election campaign has filed a suit against the cable network for a piece it says claimed "the campaign 'assessed the potential risks and benefits of again seeking Russia's help in 2020 and has decided to leave that option on the table," Jenna Ellis, senior legal adviser to the president's campaign, said in a Friday statement.

"Today the President's re-election campaign has filed suit against CNN for false statements, claiming that The statements were and are 100 percent false and defamatory," she said.

Last week, when asked about the Times piece, Mr Trump told a reporter he sued because it went beyond just an opinion.

Ms Ellis said the campaign late last month asked CNN to retract the article and apologise, contending the network refused.

The three lawsuits put a sitting US president against three of the country's largest media outlets at a time each one will be covering his re-election bid.
Hong Kong: CE praises postal staff

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited the Kowloon Speedpost Operations Centre in Lei Yue Mun Estate in Yau Tong and thanked postal staff for their hard work during the COVID-19 epidemic.

She inspected the centre and learnt about how Hongkong Post has dealt with a surge of inward mail, with many containing protective gear such as face masks, through manpower deployment and adjustments to working hours.

From the end of the Lunar New Year till now, Hongkong Post has delivered 160,000 parcels containing face masks to the public.

Mrs Lam praised postal staff for their commitment, adding they proactively identified parcels containing masks and prioritised their delivery.

The Chief Executive pointed out that although the workload has increased, they have worked tirelessly and taken the necessary precautionary measures to resume full public services.

She encouraged them to continue providing quality services to the public.

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Friday till March 11 following uproar by Opposition parties over the recent violence in the capital.

As soon as the proceedings of the House began, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu appealed to the treasury benches and the Opposition to find a meaningful solution for the proper functioning of Rajya Sabha.

"I appeal to all including the government and Opposition to discuss among themselves to come to some sort of meaningful solution to see that the House functions effectively," said Naidu.

The Opposition has been demanding that the House discuss the recent Delhi violence without further delay.At least 53 people were killed and around 200 sustained serious injuries in the recent violence that affected northeast Delhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Not everywhere in the world women will celebrate International Women's Day by demonstrating in the streets and calling for greater equality. In some countries the day has lost its political flavour. This Sunday on the Costa del Sol, where dozens of nationalities live side by side, it will be possible to meet women in different moods. Some women will receive flowers, others will put on unisex clothes or traditional purple t-shirts, others will wear smart dresses and high-heeled shoes. The opinions of female residents of the Costa del Sol show up that the significance as well as importance of International Women's Day are different.

Martina - Mijas Costa

Italian

In Italy International Women's Day stopped being a political event quite a long time ago, explains Martina, who is originally from Italy and now lives in Mijas Costa.

"Now it appears to be mainly an occasion for men to express their love and appreciation to women who are important to them, from wives and girlfriends to mistresses and just female friends. Every man does his best to be extra gentle and caring."

"A small token of men's love in Italy is usually a bunch of yellow mimosas: cheap but traditional," continues Martina. Actually, this tradition started after the Second World War in the Italian capital. It is known that in 1945 the Union of Italian Women declared 8 March as a day for celebrating womanhood across the country.

"Now I live between Fuengirola and Marbella where there are plenty of mimosa trees. Their blossoming yellow branches remind me of Italy with this men's custom. And actually I think that to show warm feelings to a person is possible any time and any day of the year. That's why St Valentine's Day and Women's Day are for me just a commercial and marketing initiative. Some of my female friends are even more extreme. For 8 March they prepare gifts for themselves - male strippers who please and serve them. Celebrating Women's Day by behaving as men is considered by them as gender parity," concludes Martina.

Tina - Benalmadena

Swedish

Originally from Sweden, Tina explains that for her 8 March has always been an extra reason to appeal to women's problems in modern society.

"Since the 70s I have always tried to raise concerns about women's rights. I know that for everybody Sweden is a synonym for 'gender equality'. But in my opinion, we are still on the way towards achieving total equality. Big income differences between men and women prove my doubts. For example, the fields where most women work still have low status and are lower paid. Unfortunately, the slogan 'Equal Pay - Empty Words' is still relevant in Scandinavia and the similar situation in Spain is even times worse."

Tina, who has lived in Spain for six years, says that she doesn't take part in demonstrations here because "I am still a 'guiri' who has no right to dictate my values to the locals".

"The last time when I went to a demonstration was seven years ago, just before moving to Spain. More than 700 women rolled out with strollers to the centre of Stockholm. It was the so-called Barnvagnsmarschen (Babystroller March), organised by Unite For Women. So we went towards the main square of Stockholm under the leading banner 'Stop Maternal Mortality'. Then we touched upon the topic of childbirth that is actually the most dangerous day in a woman's life. As for flowers, that day typical red roses were handed out, as usual," she said.

Elena - Fuengirola

Russian

To understand Women's Day in Russia it's necessary to look back at history. Elena, who now lives in Fuengirola, explains: "The October Revolution in 1917 immediately gave emancipation to women. Just over a hundred years ago the new Soviet government wanted to make women equal to men. For that purpose women had to participate in common productive labour that was supposed to bring enormous gains to working women. So in the Soviet Union the women were welcome to build the railway on the frozen grounds deep in Siberian forests. The women enthusiastically went to cultivate virgin lands of the deserted Kazakhstan. Even more, a woman was, after the first man, immediately sent to space.

"But with the collapse of Communism the women in Russia and other former USSR republics seemed to stop calling for full equality with men," said Elena. "My explanation is that women in Russia are just tired of being strong enough or just fed up with this 'equal' sex philosophy. For example, while the West in the 60s enjoyed stylish, sexy and very feminine outfits, we in the USSR were supposed to be grey and have a very 'puritanical' look. Probably that's why none of us wants that 'equality' now. And that's why most of my compatriots are eager to wear skimpy outfits and revealing dresses."

As for flowers on Women's Day, Elena says the most popular ones are tulips and daffodils, as well as yellow mimosas. "Russian women always expect some expensive gifts," she adds. "The most important thing for any woman is on this day to feel like a princess and be treated as a diva."

Amina - Fuengirola

Moroccan

When speaking about women in the world, people talk especially about Arab women, says Amina, who lives in Fuengirola.

"Stereotypically we are obedient or even submissive and quite far from being smart. First of all, I can assure you that indeed we are too smart as we know how to manipulate men. And just for that we need to seem to be weak. With our 'weakness' and 'silliness' we maintain men's self-esteem and to make them feel important is also our duty. And our 'efforts' are rewarded with gifts.

"Arab women are smart even in technology. I read that one in three start-ups in the Arab World is founded or led by women and that is a higher percentage than even in Silicon Valley. In my home-land, Morocco, many women are in power and lead companies. Despite many challenges, such as societal pressure on women to stay at home, female entrepreneurs are finding new and creative ways to overcome barriers. And we are quite successful with that.

"As for me, after moving to Spain I started my own business and opened a small restaurant Now I have a staff consisting only of men being really respectful to me as their boss."
While Senator Bernie Sanders - a Jewish man born in 1941 and whose family members were murdered during the Holocaust - spoke to a crowd in Phoenix, Arizona, a man in the crowd waved a Nazi flag behind him.

The flag waved for only a few seconds before Mr Sanders supporters in the audience ripped the red, white and black flag from mans hands. Video of the event appears to show the man thrusting his arm into the air in a Heil Hitler salute before he was grabbed and escorted from the rally.

Video shows the man using the n-word while yelling at a black Sanders supporter as hes being ejected from the venue.

Mr Sanders apparently did not see the flag, but did see the protester being dragged from the arena.

Whoever it was, I think theyre a little outnumbered tonight, Mr Sanders said.

Though Mr Sanders hasnt spoken on the incident directly, his campaign manager Mike Casca told Buzzfeed News that Mr Sanders is aware of the flag with the swastika on it and is disturbed by it.

The Washington Post reported that the man waving the Nazi flag was not the only protestor at the event. People waving flags supporting President Donald Trump and supporters of Mr Sanders also had minor encounters and were apparently removed from the arena.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said he was worried this instance would not be the last anti-semitic act to happen during the campaign.

"Good people, regardless of how they vote, should call this out in no uncertain terms," he said. "I worry we'll see more of this."

The Maricopa County Democratic Party Steven Slugocki condemned the protester.

We can argue about which candidate should get the Dem nomination, but anti-semitic acts have no place in this world. This is absolutely abhorrent, he said.

The incidents have prompted calls from the public for Secret Service protection for both Mr Sanders and Mr Biden, suggesting the agency was unprepared for candidate protection.

During a campaign visit to Los Angeles, former vice president Joe Biden was interrupted during a speech when vegan protesters stormed the stage. Before that, protesters in Nevada stormed a stage where Mr Sanders was speaking, ripped the microphone away from him and poured milk on themselves after taking their shirts off.

Recommended Trump supporters fly helicopter above Bernie Sanders rally

While dairy protesters and vegans are in no way equatable to Nazi-sympathizing white supremacists in terms of ideological repulsiveness, the fact that the protesters have been able to get close enough to touch the candidates on more than one occasion suggests security concerns are not unfounded.

The Department of Homeland Security responded to the criticism in a statement released ahead of Mr Sanders rally on Thursday.

The Agency remains fully prepared to execute this vital mission and any suggestion to the contrary breeds unfounded public concern and irresponsibly misrepresents the skill and professionalism of our workforce, the statement said.
Two youth from Bengaluru were



detained for clicking photographs of the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and then let off after their antecedents were verified, police said on Friday.

The incident happened on Thursday night and one of the two men was a journalism student, Zone III Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Mankikar said.

"They had gone to Chhattisgarh to attend a film festival and then went to Odisha before returning to Raipur. They missed their Bengaluru train from Raipur, and arrived in Nagpur," the official said.

The two clicked photographs of the RSS headquarters and were taken to Kotwali police station by security personnel stationed there, he added.

"We did not find anything suspicious and allowed both to leave," Mankikar said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Black voters are not and have never been the establishment. Black voters in the South have grown up in cultures and societies that oppress them just for speaking up, and have adopted a type of politics that have allowed them to survive and thrive in those conditions, he said. Attacking them for behaving the way they did politically is bad form. Its disingenuous and many people in the black community are saying its kind of racist.
The blockades are over  for now.

Next comes the effort to calculate their economic impact  and it's just getting started.

Canada's transport minister said it will take six months to assess the damage, following weeks of turmoil that culminated in the lifting Thursday of the remaining Quebec rail blockades.

That longer-term uncertainty was underscored by other news that broke Thursday: Warren Buffett's investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, bailed on a $4 billion investment in a Quebec liquefied natural gas plant and blamed recent instability.

When asked what the economic effects might be during a trip to Washington, Transport Minister Marc Garneau replied: "Serious."

But he said a variety of factors need to be measured to fully grasp the effect, and that will take time.

Those factors include any layoffs; delayed or suspended industrial production; and adjustments to shipping routes.

He cited those shipping routes as an example of why it's difficult to immediately calculate an impact.

Garneau said some international shippers going through B.C. and, to a lesser extent, through Quebec and Nova Scotia, might have turned to temporary solutions  including ports in the United States.

Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press

What's unclear is how many suppliers will return to the same routes they used before the protests.

"I can't give you a precise number because these numbers will probably come out in about six months, because of the lag that occurs in assessing economic impact," Garneau told reporters in Washington.

Garneau was in the U.S. capital meeting with American officials and promoting Canada's effort to create new air-travel safety protocols in the wake of the disaster involving the Iranian-downed flight PS752.

Interest rate cut

Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Bank of Canada governor cited a series of reasons for this week's interest rate cut.

Stephen Poloz said the central bank was already contemplating a rate move before the coronavirus struck.

Story continues

Blockades were one of several reasons.

"Not surprisingly, the threat to the global economy of COVID-19  the coronavirus  played a central role in our deliberations," Stephen Poloz said, according to the prepared text of remarks delivered Thursday.

"Of course, the coronavirus is not the only issue on the table.  In addition to the impact of COVID-19, there are other factors: the strike by Ontario teachers, unusual weather and the rail blockades.

"We can hope that all of these factors prove to be temporary, but it seems that we are headed for at least another quarter of very slow economic growth."

Reduced growth

An early private-sector estimate estimates the cost of blockades at 0.3 per cent of Canada's economic activity for the current quarter.

For the sake of context, that's equivalent to the entire growth estimated for the Canadian economy in the final quarter of 2019.

Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Scotiabank's deputy chief economist, Brett House, said it's early for a perfect assessment; but he said last year's CN Rail strike offers a useful reference point for what to expect.

He said his bank estimates that the strike cut two-tenths of one percent from quarterly GDP, and that the losses were later recovered  as demand for the stalled goods persisted, and they were eventually shipped to customers.

"That [activity in 2019] just got delayed. It essentially just moved growth from one period to the next," House said.

"We'd expect a similar kind of dynamic from the blockades  where the impact on shipping is compensated for in the next period, by an increase."

He cautioned, however, that the strike was easier to anticipate than the blockades, and the uncertainty over potential future disruptions could lead to a greater impact.

"A continued threat of blockades will lead people to find alternative transportation routes and alternative suppliers," House said.

"The uncertainty created by blockades potentially coming up at any time and any place could be a dampener on growth, going forward."

The lifting of blockades remains tentative, as Wet'suwet'en people consider the provisional agreement reached with government officials in a dispute involving a natural gas pipeline.
(JNS)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured Magen David Adoms national operations center on Thursday along with other senior Israeli officials and ministers as the first Israeli outside of quarantine was diagnosed with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Today, I am announcing a dramatic step forward which is already being implemented and is to my knowledge, the first in the world, said Netanyahu. We are the pioneering the treatment and prevention of this virus. We ask anyone from any country in the world displaying symptoms of the virus to call MDAs 101 Emergency Call Center, which has medical teams on staff will assess those who are symptomatic.

Need be, paramedics will be sent to their house to perform a test kit, he said. This is an innovative thingone that can prevent the spread of the diseaseand I ask for your cooperation with the citizens of Israel.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Minister of Health Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin, chairman of the National Security Council Meir Ben Shabbat and the director-general of the Ministry of Health Moshe Bar Siman Tov.

The officials received a review from MDA director general Eli Bin about the joint call center for the coronavirus treatment, in addition to the protection measures taken by the teams that are dispatched to carry out the testing of the civilians who are in quarantine.

Bin said MDA opened the call center to give citizens the necessary information and guidelines, and to calm them. We have already carried out over 400 samples from civilians who are in quarantine at home, and if necessary, we are prepared to treat them and evacuate them to the hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, Israels Health Ministry said that an Israeli man who recently returned from a visit to Italy has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the first diagnosed infection in the country outside of hospital quarantine, raising fears that he could have infected others.

As a result, the Health Ministry has ordered that any Israeli who has been in Italy in the past 14 days to quarantine themselves. El Al also announced a suspension of flights to Italy and Thailand.
State Bank of India shall pick up a 49% stake in the reconstituted Yes Bank says a scheme floated on Friday to bail out the cash-strapped lender by the Reserve bank of India.

The scheme is called Yes Bank Ltd. Reconstruction Scheme, 2020, and is largely dependent on the infusion of funds by the government-owned State Bank of India.

State Bank of India has expressed its willingness to make an investment in Yes Bank Ltd. and participate in its reconstruction scheme, says the RBI draft circulated amongst the public and various other stakeholders.

The announcement made under section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 says the authorised capital of the bank shall stand altered to Rs.50,00,00,00,000 (Rupees Five thousand crore) and number of equity shares will stand altered to 24,00,00,00,000 ( two thousand four hundred crore) each valuing rupees two, pushing the total share value aggregate to Rs. 48,00,00,00,000 (Rupees Four thousand eight hundred crore).

Offering big relief, the scheme says that all deposits and existing contracts will be honoured after the reconstitution of the bank.

All the deposits with and liabilities of the Reconstructed bank, except as provided in the scheme, and the rights, liabilities and obligations of its creditors, will continue in the same manner and with the same terms and conditions, completely unaffected by the Scheme, the RBI release says.

It also promises to retain all employees for a year after the infusion of new funds to create a reformed entity.

All the employees of the Reconstructed bank shall continue in its service with the same remuneration and on the same terms and conditions of service (T&C), including terms of determination of service and retirement, as were applicable to such employees immediately before the Appointed date, at least for a period of one year, the release said.

The proposed scheme says a new board shall be constituted to replace the administrator appointed by the RBI to run Yes Bank. The new board will have two nominee directors from the SBI and the RBI may appoint additional directors as per its powers.

The branch network and the offices of the reconstructed bank will not be changed and any changes will be done as per RBI guidelines, said the release.

It will be open to the Reconstructed bank to open new offices and branches or close down existing offices or branches, in accordance with the extant policy of the Reserve Bank and complying with the necessary terms and conditions, it said.
Promising an 'intimate and rousing' account of her trials, tribulations and inspirational journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States Congress, Ilhan Omar's new book has all the makings of a bestseller.

But what is less certain, is how much the leftist firebrand will earn from her upcoming memoir This is What America Looks Like - or whether it will finally address questions about her multiple marriages and torrid affair with her married aide.

Outside the Capitol on Wednesday, Omar was asked whether her book advance would exceed the reported $2 million pocketed by President Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton for his book.

'We will have to find out,' Omar, 38, laughed as she walked away with her aides.

Her literary agent Steve Ross was even less forthcoming, failing to respond when asked whether 'squad' member Omar would write about the string of scandals that have dogged her personal life and threatened her bid for re-election.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar laughed off questions about how much she will be paid for her book deal to DailyMail.com. Promising an 'intimate and rousing' account of her trials, tribulations and inspirational journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States Congress, Omar's new book has all the makings of a bestseller

Omar's literary agent failed to respond when asked whether Omar would write about the string of scandals that have dogged her personal life. Recently, DailyMail.com spoke to a community leader in Minneapolis who confirmed the long-standing rumor that Omar married her brother Ahmed Elmi (pictured) allegedly so that he could get papers to stay in the US

DailyMail.com also broke the news last year that Omar was having an affair with married Democratic fundraiser Tim Mynett, whose firm E. Street Group she continues to pay for consultancy work. The two are pictured together on May 26 at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) event - a month after he told his wife he was leaving her

DailyMail.com broke the news last year that Omar was having an affair with married Democratic fundraiser Tim Mynett, whose firm E. Street Group she continues to pay for consultancy work.

Our scoop was confirmed when Mynett's doctor wife Beth filed for divorce, describing how her husband of seven years made a 'shocking declaration of love' for the freshman representative before dumping her last April.

The 38-year-old Congresswoman announced her new memoir This is What America Looks Like, which will be out on May 26, last Tuesday

More recently, DailyMail.com spoke to a Minneapolis community leader who confirmed on the record the long-standing rumor that Omar married her brother Ahmed Elmi allegedly so that he could get papers to stay in the United States.

Omar responded with a social media rant about 'fake news stories' and 'anti-Muslim smears' but would neither discuss the story, nor did she provide evidence of supposed bias.

The congresswoman was back on Twitter recently to tease the new memoir, billed as the rags to riches story of how she overcome prejudice and adversity to become one of the first Muslim women elected to the House of Representatives.

She also posted links for supporters to order copies of the $27.99 book before it goes on sale May 26.

A former refugee, Omar became a national figure in 2018 when she picked up 70 percent of the vote in Minnesota's overwhelmingly Democratic 5th congressional district.

A darling of the progressive left, she soon came under attack from Republicans for issues such as her support of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement against Israel.

She was also accused of trivializing 9/11 in a speech this time last year, saying 'some people did something' in relation to the attacks on the Twin Towers.

President Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton is reported to have made $2 million with his book deal for The Room Where It Happened

The book must surely mention Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi (pictured with Omar), Omar's first husband and the father of her three children. The two were married in 2002 in a Muslim ceremony that, like many in the immigrant community, was not registered with the state

Her 2020 re-election slogan 'Send her back to Congress!' is a nod to the many public spats she has had with President Donald Trump, who has told Omar she should leave the US if she is so disapproving of life here.

The back and forth helped propel Omar into the national conversation and will likely ensure strong sales of her book, co-authored by journalist Rebecca Paley and published by Dey Street Books.

In a 2019 interview announcing the memoir, Omar's literary agent hinted there would be no backing down in the war of words, saying: 'She is not someone who is timid about expressing her thoughts when she sees injustices - at the personal or the legislative levels.'

Less controversial, will be the account of how Omar's childhood in Somalia was plunged into terror when war broke out there when she was eight years old.

'The youngest of seven children, her mother had died while Ilhan was still a little girl,' a promotional statement reads.

'She was being raised by her father and grandfather when armed gunmen attacked their compound and the family decided to flee Mogadishu.

'They ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya, where Ilhan says she came to understand the deep meaning of hunger and death.

'Four years later, after a painstaking vetting process, her family achieved refugee status and arrived in Arlington, Virginia.

'Aged twelve, penniless, speaking only Somali and having missed out on years of schooling, Ilhan rolled up her sleeves, determined to find her American dream.'

A former refugee, Omar became a national figure in 2018 when she picked up 70 percent of the vote in Minnesota's overwhelmingly Democratic 5th congressional district

Against the odds, Omar went on to attend college, worked as a community organizer then won a Congressional seat in her adopted home state of Minnesota.

Along the way, the 'trailblazing' politician 'questioned stereotypes', 'built bridges' and 'weathered many political storms' with 'irrepressible spirit, patriotism', according to Dey Street parent company, Harper Collins.

The book must surely mention Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi, Omar's first husband and the father of her three children. The two were married in 2002 in a Muslim ceremony that, like many in the immigrant community, was not registered with the state.

It remains to be seen, however, how much she has to say about Ahmed Elmi, who she legally married in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 2010 before they both enrolled at North Dakota State University to study fine art.

Omar claims she and Elmi split in 2011 and he went to the UK before she reunited and officially married Hirsi.

However, her account of their relationship was challenged by Abdihakim Osman, a former friend, who confirmed after months of persistent rumors, that both she and Hirsi had referred to Elmi as Omar's brother in private conversations.

'She said she needed to get papers for her brother to go to school. We all thought she was just getting papers together to allow him to stay in this country,' Osman told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview from last month.

Abdihakim Osman (left with Hirsi and right with Omar) is the first person to go on record to speak of how Omar said she wanted to get her brother papers so he could stay in the United States. But hardly anyone realized that meant marrying him. 'No one knew there had been a wedding until the media turned up the marriage certificate years later,' Osman, 40, told DailyMail.com

Osman said: 'When [Hirsi] and Ilhan got married, a lot of people were invited. It was a big Islamic wedding uniting two large clans in the Minneapolis community. I would say there were 100-150 people there.' But, he said: 'When she married Elmi, no one even knew about it.' Pictured: Omar (left) with Elmi (right)

Just as Omar has repeatedly ducked questions about her marriages, she also denied being in an extra-marital relationship with DC-based Democratic strategist Tim Mynett, after DailyMail.com broke the story of their fling last August.

When a reporter from Minneapolis-based WCCO-TV followed up our exclusive reporting and asked the congresswoman whether she had split from Hirsi and started dating someone else she replied: 'No, I am not'.

But weeks later, DailyMail.com published a dossier of evidence including photos of the two lovebirds coming and going from a cozy basement apartment they rented out just minutes away from Congress.

Insiders have gone so far as to suggest the pair are considering marriage, after Omar quietly divorced Hirsi last November and Mynett's divorce was finalized one month later.

Omar is running for a second term in Congress - where she has aligned herself with fellow leftist first-term congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts in the so-called 'Squad.'

She faces three opponents in the Democratic primary to be held in August.
But this year I proffered a new topic for discussion. And considering the sputtering and choking noises through the phone at its mention, its one that women may not want to hear.

This would normally all be fine. I could repeat the same concerns Ive been expressing passionately for years - the epidemic of domestic violence, wage inequality, inadequate childcare, male privilege, where to after #metoo 

So its International Womens Day on Sunday and, like most years, as a feminist who writes a regular social commentary column in this publication, Ive been asked to speak at various events observing the day.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment ruling handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

But here goes anyway because I believe this needs to be said  we are not perfect. Yep, you read right. I am dubious of feminism painting women within the confines of suffragette and saint, no deviation allowed. This continuous narrative of male bad, female good, is too broadstroke. And, if we are really honest, its also not helping.

Now, that sound you heard is women taking to social media to condemn me for betraying my gender, to insult me for daring to go against the grain of what certain hardliners decree. However, I will cop the abuse for the greater good, even though the backlash, I know from experience, is brutal.

Going off-piste today when discussing feminism is to literally wear a bullseye as a third eye. In the past, I have deviated from doctrine, daring to suggest in writing that men can and should refer to themselves as feminists, receiving the nastiest, personal bile as a result, one fellow writer going as far to call me a "traitorous c---". So much for that sisterhood. And that was nothing compared to when I opined that certain religious or pro-life women should not be excluded from feminism for their beliefs, that the movement should be accommodating not alienating.

Lets get one thing out of the way here before I continue  I am no Bettina Arndt. In fact, I would say the only thing the self-proclaimed men's rights activist and I have in common is that neither of us has been a registered psychologist. The columnist deserves to be honoured with an Order of Australia about as much as does convicted paedophile George Pell.

However, I do believe that there is a middle ground that must be explored and celebrated by women, shades of grey that allow debate and free thought.
ATLANTA, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) and the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Inc., today hosted a forum dedicated to improving economic opportunities in diverse communities by addressing the challenges presented by real property classified as heirs property. The one-day event took place at FHLBank Atlantas offices and was co-sponsored by the Georgia Bankers Association and the Georgia Municipal Association.

Heirs property consists of homes and land passed down informally without a legally designated owner, resulting in property that lacks a clear, marketable title. This limits the ability to sell or transfer the property to build generational wealth or participate in revitalization programs. Heirs property has a disproportionate impact on low-income and racial minority families, and recent research suggests that 11 to 25 percent of all parcels of land across Georgia is probable heirs property.

Todays forum featured remarks, presentations, and panel discussions from various professionals in the legal, municipal, financial, governmental, and nonprofit sectors who regularly encounter issues presented by heirs property. Arthur L. Fleming, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment Services at FHLBank Atlanta, was one of the organizers of the event and said the main goal was to develop solutions through a common understanding of heirs property, discuss available mitigation tools, and to develop a comprehensive action plan for growing Georgias economy through the resolution of heirs property rights.

We are grateful to the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, the Georgia Bankers Association, and the Georgia Municipal Association for co-sponsoring todays event, and to all the attendees who joined us to help craft solutions to this critical problem. said Fleming. We will take what we learned today and use it to help empower heirs property owners to use the resources that are currently available and ultimately help them make the most out of the equity that is tied up in their property.

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Skipper G. StipeMaas, Executive Director for the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, helped set the tone for the forum with a presentation that defined heirs property, discussed the impact that heirs property can have on families and communities, and explained the mission of the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center and the services it offers.

The Center is dedicated to combating the blight and generational poverty that stems from heirs property and we are thankful to FHLBank Atlanta for hosting todays forum, said StipeMaas. We look forward to working with all of todays participants to help families and communities across Georgia address the issues presented by heirs property and preserve and promote generational wealth and community stability.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank's members  its shareholders and customers  are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $6.2 billion in AHP funds, assisting more than 911,000 households.

CONTACT: Peter Garuccio

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

pgaruccio@fhlbatl.com

404.888.8143
The central government on Friday requested all the ministries and departments to discontinue their biometric attendance system in wake of the spread of coronavirus in the capital.

"In view of coronavirus, all Ministries/Departments are requested to exempt their employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhaar-based Biometric Attendance System till 31 March 2020. However, all employees are required to mark their attendance in a register," Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated.

The Director Skill Development and Industrial Training Institute has also ordered all Industrial Training Institutes (ITI s) in Haryana to suspend the biometric attendance.

Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) RD Dhiman has also requested all the departments to exempt their employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhaar-based Biometric Attendance System till March 31, 2020.

The health department also confirmed that all suspected for coronavirus have tested negative.

These developments come after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 31 in India. The deadly virus has caused more than 3200 deaths across the world.

The novel coronavirus disease, dubbed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in late December 2019 and has since spread to more than 20 other countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Coronavirus outbreak could reduce Asian demand, and the price, for Maines baby eels

by Bill Trotter

March 06,2020 | Source: BDN

As baby eel fishermen in Maine prepare for the start of the 2020 fishing season later this month, harvesters and dealers are concerned the global coronavirus outbreak could reduce demand, and therefore prices, for their catch.



The vast majority of baby eels, also known as glass eels or elvers, that are caught in Maine are shipped live to eastern Asia, with most going to China, where they are grown to market size in aquaculture ponds, and then to Japan for that countrys robust consumer seafood market.



But measures China and neighboring countries have taken to control the spread of the infection are constraining the Asian seafood trade, on which Maines elver fishery almost exclusively depends.



Restrictions on live seafood shipments in and out of China and quarantines that constrain transportation and commerce within the country could result in fewer available buyers for eels, a species that has generated more than $168 million for Maine fishermen over the past nine years. The disease also has spread to South Korea and Japan, where similar quarantines and transportation restrictions would sharply reduce the consumption of eel and other imported foods.



We have gotten word that the price is not looking good, the Maine Elver Fishermens Association wrote last month on its Facebook page, citing the impact of the disease in China, where at one point officials thought the outbreak had started at a seafood market in the city of Wuhan. As far as we know the price is going to be 25 percent lower than last year.

Theme(s): Others.
New Delhi, March 6 : Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari along with other BJP leaders on Friday visited the family members of slain Intelligence Bureau employee Ankit Sharma whose body was found in northeast Delhi's Chandbagh area during the recent anti-CAA violence.

Tiwari expressed his condolences at the death of Sharma who is believed to have been stabbed 400 times and thrown into a drain nearby from where his body was recovered.

Earlier on Thursday, Tiwari said that the BJP will "take care" of the riot-affected. BJP has formed a probe and rehabilitation team. He also said that the needy will be provided all kind of rations in this hour of need.

Delhi witnessed massive anti-CAA violence in its northeast district from February 23 that has left 53 people dead so far, including a police jawan and the IB staffer.
Despite some companies struggling to manufacture solar products due to a lack of workers, the factories are slowly making a comeback, and a couple of months of lower production shouldnt set the revolution back too far.

A large portion of the solar power industry relies on China for manufacturing, parts, and assembly of solar products. If the tariffs werent enough of an obstacle for imports, a new monster is now affecting the industry: Coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus from Wuhan, or COVID-19, has been quickly growing in China for most of 2020 so far, and is beginning to take hold around the world as well. Mainland China, especially the Hubei Province, however, has at least 80% of the total cases. With this virus plaguing the country, there are a few big issues that could significantly affect the solar energy revolution.

First of all, workers all over the country have been out of work for a while as a way to prevent the spread of the virus, slowing production in solar factories. And while many are slowly started to bring workers back, the effects of the slowdown are lingering.

A few companies in the industry have spoken about this issue. Chinas New Energy Chamber of Commerce said this month that production had been disrupted and will affect shipments of equipment to overseas markets. Panel maker Trina had lower supplies than usual in mid-February, boosting short-term logistics costs, according to Trinas deputy general manager, Yin Rongfang. Overall, factory utilization took a hit, but is starting to rebound.

China is a leader in new wind and solar farm installations, and in the production of photovoltaic panels used all over the world. 9 of the top 10 cell manufacturers are based mainly in China, and they definitely hold a lot of weight in the solar industry. So this coronavirus outbreak has the chance to drastically hinder the production and implementation of solar.

Despite this interruption in the growth of solar, there are alternative options that could help to alleviate possible damage. One is taking advantage of American-made solar products.

LG Solar, a major manufacturer of solar panels, has recently shifted to assembling its products in the United States. Not many of the main solar companies have done this, but LG building a factory in Huntsville, Alabama has changed the place of the solar industry in our country.

Green Home Systems, a company that provides solar energy, as well as other home efficiency upgrades, to its customers, is partnered with LG Solar. George Castillo, a member of the marketing team at Green Home Systems, cant stress enough how beneficial it is to offer American-made solar panels to customers.

Our company takes a lot of pride in our partnership with LG Solar because of how many advantages their domestic production provides, George says. Not only does it boost the American economy by creating solar jobs in the country, she continues, but it facilitates certainty and trust in our relationships with customers. And from a marketing standpoint, it doesnt hurt that Americans respond really well to American-made.

In respect to coronavirus, Green Home Systems remains unaffected. In fact, they are consistently growing as a company, and remain able to continue providing their products to customers all over the country.

George comments again, Were worried about this virus in terms of the health and wellbeing of people all over the world, and its definitely scary. However, we know that the United States is a strong country with the ability to keep this issue under control and protecting its citizens. We dont see it getting too powerful to handle, and we dont see it affecting our business.

This confidence gives hope that coronavirus wont significantly affect the growth of renewable energy. Despite some companies struggling to manufacture solar products due to a lack of workers, the factories are slowly making a comeback, and a couple of months of lower production shouldnt set the revolution back too far.

Additionally, with companies like Green Home Systems using American-made panels, providing solar to customers will not be hindered by lower factory production, as domestic factories remain unaffected for now.

The concern for the state of the solar revolution is not justified just yet. All thats important for now is to have empathy for the millions of people living in fear and the loved ones of those who have been affected.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the 2020 Democratic race on Thursday.

Business Insider

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts dropped out of the 2020 Democratic primary, her campaign announced, after she failed to place higher than third in any race so far.

Warren surged in national polls last summer and fall, racking up support with a policy-focused campaign that appealed to educated white progressives.

But she ultimately failed to break through as a top candidate for Democratic voters, who have largely favored Sen. Bernie Sanders or former Vice President Joe Biden.

With Warren out of the race, the contest has narrowed to Biden and Sanders, pitting the insurgent, populist left against the establishment-backed center of the party.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts dropped out of the 2020 Democratic primary, her campaign announced on Thursday.

"I wanted you to hear it straight from me: today, I'm suspending our campaign for president," Warren said in an email to supporters. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you have poured into this campaign."

"I know that when we set out, this was not the news you ever wanted to hear," the email said. "It is not the news I ever wanted to share. But I refuse to let disappointment blind me  or you  to what we've accomplished. We didn't reach our goal, but what we have done together  what you have done  has made a lasting difference."

The Massachusetts senator went on to tout her grassroots support and refusal to cater to wealthy donors and billionaires.

"Never again can anyone say that the only way that a newcomer can get a chance to be a plausible candidate is to take money from corporate executives and billionaires. That's done," the email said. "We have shown that it is possible to inspire people with big ideas, possible to call out what's wrong, and to lay out a path to make this country live up to its promise."

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Speaking from her home after suspending her campaign, Warren told reporters that one of the "hardest parts" of dropping out was that the Democratic field has narrowed to two men.

"And all those little girls are going to have to wait four more years," she added.

Warren failed to place higher than third in any primary or caucus so far in the race. In a particularly devastating blow, she came in third in her home state of Massachusetts on Super Tuesday, behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Warren's campaign aides had hinted that she would drop out, with one aide telling multiple news outlets on Wednesday that she would "assess the path forward."

In a statement, Warren's campaign manager, Roger Lau, acknowledged that the campaign "fell well short of our viability goals and projections" and was "disappointed" in the results from Super Tuesday.

"All of us have worked for Elizabeth long enough to know that she isn't a lifetime politician and doesn't think like one," Lau said. "She's going to take time right now to think through the right way to continue this fight."

Sticking to one of her signature slogans  "Nevertheless, she persisted"  Warren tried to position herself as a "unity candidate," with the goal of picking up enough delegates on Super Tuesday to make it to the Democratic National Convention.

But Warren's dismal performance on Tuesday left her lagging far behind the competition in delegates and undermined her campaign's strategy for staying in the race.

Warren greets members of the audience after the Democratic debate at Loyola Marymount University on December 19.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Warren, 70, rose in national polls over the summer and fall, building her support with a policy-focused campaign that appealed to educated white progressives. She was viewed for several months as a frontrunner in the race.

In Insider polling, most of Warren's supporters  about 68%  said their second-choice candidate would be Sanders, so the Vermont democratic socialist is hoping for a boost as Warren leaves the race. But many of Warren's fans also like Biden and could shift their support to his camp.

In November, The Times and Siena College released a set of polls finding Warren trailing President Donald Trump by 3 to 6 points among registered voters in three key battleground states  Michigan, North Carolina, and Florida  and tying with the president in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Both Biden and Sanders fared better than Warren in head-to-head matchups with Trump.

Warren ultimately failed to emerge as the top candidate in any one lane. Sanders dominated with progressive voters, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota came out ahead among voters seeking unity, and Klobuchar had an edge among voters looking for a female candidate.

Warren with Reps. Deb Haaland, Katie Porter, and Ayanna Pressley during a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire.

Associated Press

'I've got a plan for that'

Warren ran on a long list of far-reaching, comprehensive policy proposals, including universal daycare, debt-free college, and free public college.

While Sanders made his case for a "political revolution," Warren, who's described herself as "a capitalist to my bones," pushed for structural change.

She argued that, unlike Sanders, she's relatively new to Washington and politics, having run for office for the first time in 2012. At the same time, she also made the case that she knows how to get things done in DC.

Warren emphasized her anti-corruption proposals and said she would have sought lobbying bans for top government officials, new executive-branch conflict-of-interest laws, and a ban on stock trading for members of Congress and other top officials, among other ethics reforms.

But Warren lost some momentum amid questions about her stance on Medicare for All, a healthcare policy that has significant support among progressive voters, which she has hesitantly endorsed.

Warren puts her arm around Sen. Bernie Sanders after introducing him at a rally in Boston on March 31, 2017.

Mary Schwalm/Reuters

Sanders and Biden jockey for Warren's backing amid a brutal primary season

Warren and Sanders are longtime friends who have championed the progressive agenda. They made an unofficial pact not to go to war with each other during the primary contest, but that deal blew up amid reports in January that Sanders told Warren during a private meeting shortly before she launched her campaign that he didn't think a woman couldn't win the presidency.

Warren's campaign initially declined to comment on the reports, but the Massachusetts senator later confirmed them, adding that she had "no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences in punditry."

Still, the development sent shockwaves through the political and media spheres, and the two senators clashed during a debate in Iowa.

But the two campaigns appear to be reconciling. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday evening that top allies and surrogates linked to both campaigns were discussing how to unite their camps and push a common liberal, progressive agenda after Warren's disappointing showing on Super Tuesday.

Insider polling found that of Warren's supporters, 70% would be satisfied if Sanders were the Democratic nominee.

Skye Gould/Business Insider

According to The Post, lawmakers who support Sanders' campaign began reaching out on Wednesday to people in Warren's camp to gauge her willingness to endorse the Vermont senator. They also reportedly appealed to Warren's supporters to throw their support behind Sanders as he gets ready to duke it out with Biden in a series of critical primaries.

Biden's camp, meanwhile, has also been in talks with Warren's associates about joining forces if she drops out, The Post reported.

Insider's polling found that 70.5% of Warren's supporters would be satisfied if Sanders were the Democratic nominee and 55.6% would be satisfied with Biden. Conversely, just 15.6% of her supporters said they would be dissatisfied if Sanders were the nominee, while nearly twice that numbers, 27.4%, would be dissatisfied if it were Biden.

Jake Lahut contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Yesterday, Jan. 8, while leaving the UTC basketball game I was walking to the car when I noticed a 70+ year old man standing in pure disbelief and staring at a parking ticket. A parking ticket that was written on a Saturday at 4:20 p.m. This is 20 minutes after the UTC game started at 4 p.m. I talked to the man for 25 minutes. He is from Baltimore, he quickly said even a large city ... (click for more)

If you live in Alabama, the chance youll test positive for COVID are now greater than not. In the state of Alabama 54.59 percent of COVID-19 tests are now coming back positive. This week in Georgia the test positivity rate is 37.82 and in Tennessee its 36.78. In all three states these are record numbers, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as the virus ... (click for more)
By Trend





Turkey's export to Turkic-Speaking countries increased by 28 percent in January 2020, amounting to $365.6 million compared to January 2019, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend.

In January 2020, Turkeys export to Turkic-Speaking countries amounted to 2.5 percent of countrys total export during the reporting month.

Turkeys import from Turkic-speaking countries dropped by 6.9 percent in January 2020, and amounted to $302.5 million compared to January 2019.

During the reporting month, import of Turkey from Turkic-Speaking countries amounted to 1.6 percent of countrys total import.

Turkey's foreign trade turnover in Jan. 2020 amounted to $33.9 billion.

In Jan. 2020, Turkey's export increased by 6.4 percent compared to Jan. 2019 and amounted to $14.8 billion.

Turkey's import increased by 18.8 percent in Jan. 2020 compared to Jan. 2019, amounting to $19.2 billion.
Ontarios integrity watchdog has warned that Premier Doug Fords appointment of an active-duty Toronto police officer to the human rights commission creates conflicts of interest.

J. David Wake said Const. Randall Arsenaults policing duties could interfere with his abilities to perform his duties as an appointee to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC).

At the same time, the opposition New Democrats are urging Ford to nix the Arsenault appointment.

The integrity commissioner said he had directed Mr. Arsenault, at a minimum, to recuse (or remove) himself from any OHRC discussions or decision-making related to the TPS (Toronto Police Service) inquiry or other policing services matters.

As well he cautioned Mr. Arsenault that he may need to be recused from additional OHRC matters, notably those related to the criminal justice system.

The officer, who could not be reached for comment Friday, has been ordered to recuse or remove himself from all discussions and decision-making at the TPS related to matters which fall under the jurisdiction of the OHRC.

Nor is he is permitted to use provincial government resources, including time and email or participate in any lobbying activities directed at the provincial government.

With a nod to Arsenaults avid use of Twitter and Instagram, Wake had stern words.

Do not publicly comment, including through social media, on any subjects related to matters which fall under the jurisdiction of the OHRC, the integrity commissioner said.

Arsenault has 59,000 followers on Instagram and almost 33,000 on Twitter. He has used his personal accounts to praise Ford in posts.

In January, Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane asked Wake to look at whether Arsenaults new part-time role could lead to any conflicts given his employment with Toronto police.

Mandhane said Arsenaults name was not on a shortlist given to the attorney general nor was he among the 330 applicants for the position.

She was worried about conflicts because the human rights commission is looking into issues involving the Toronto police and issues of racial profiling and discrimination.

The human rights commission said in a written statement that it is aware of concerns raised by community groups about the appointment of an active-duty police officer  (and) assures the public that it will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its real and perceived integrity and independence.

New Democrat MPP Laura Mae Lindo (Kitchener Centre) said its time for Doug Ford to pull this appointment.

The integrity commissioner is clear: it will be almost impossible for Mr. Arsenault to serve on the Ontario Human Rights Commission without being in an untenable conflict, she said.

Lindo said the rights group is and must be independent from the premiers office and Fords interference in this appointment raises serious concerns about it staying that way.

After the Star revealed the controversial posting in January, the premier praised Arsenault as top notch.

You cant ask for a better police officer than what the attorney general appointed, Ford said of the 19-year police veteran who is an Aboriginal liaison officer.

Attorney General Doug Downey concurred, saying if you look at his record, he is a phenomenal appointment. We went through all the appropriate processes to do the conflict checks, to do the background, to do that sort of thing.

Commissioners are part-time and receive per diem compensation for their work, and are expected to work roughly two days a month and make no more than $10,000 annually.

In 2018, Ford tried to have a family friend installed as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Toronto police Staff Supt. Ron Taverner withdrew his application last year after months of bad publicity for the Tories.

Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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Failure to invest in dairy calf-to-beef system health measures will hit farmers in their pockets, a Teagasc beef expert has warned.

Teagasc beef exert Alan Dillon was addressing a recent Teagasc beef conference in Co Cavan, where he said the first step in a healthy dairy-calf-to-beef system was buying direct from farms and keeping the number of farms you purchase from to a minimum.

"Source calves from a reliable source," he said. "We're really encouraging buying off farms. You'll probably be able to get a better handle on colostrum being fed to calves, in terms of what the housing conditions are you don't want a calf that has had a setback already.

"If a calf has had a touch of scour already, it's probably going to be more susceptible to pneumonia at a later date.

"If you're buying calves that have been standing at a mart for a day wet, or standing in a trailer at night, it's not ideal. They're young animals, their immune systems are not equipped to deal with that stress - they're not like a weanling or a yearling."

When the calf arrives

When calves arrive on farms, Dillon said, there should be a very clear protocol. He said it is critical that calves are quarantined in a shed with a high roof and plenty of straw.

"If you think they are bedded, bed them again in straw. They're only babies. You want them in an environment that has plenty of ventilation, clean straw, dry underneath - you're mollycoddling them for a while," he said.

The calf shed should be 15-20C with a good slope on the floor to ensure quick run-off of urine, with access to clean water at all times.

Feed schedule

Dillon said the calves should get an electrolyte as soon as they arrive to ensure there is no dehydration after travel.

After that, the calves should get two litres of milk replacer the next morning followed by two litres of electrolytes that evening.

Dillon advised repeating this process the second day before moving on to a normal feeding regime from the third day onwards.

Health programme

To avoid diseases and to give calves the best chance of thriving, Dillon said all farmers should be carrying out a vaccination programme. Respiratory diseases are the biggest threats.

"When calves come from a number of sources, you're going to end up mixing diseases from different herds. The real one that hits those calves is RSV and Pi3," he said, adding that an intranasal shot should be administered three days after the calf arrives to cover for these diseases.

Dillon said it is critical that they receive this shot before further stresses like dehorning take place.

"If you dehorn them the same day as giving the shot, you'll probably render the vaccine useless as it doesn't work in a stress environment."

Mr Dillon outlined a robust health plan for dairy calves that arrive on a farm to cover the first seven months of the calf's life.

Dairy calf to beef market

Dillon concluded that with the current market for beef, the key for farmers is to keep the purchase cost of the calf low while also making sure that the animal health protocols are robust.

"We're dealing with low beef prices so don't pay too much for the calves. The beef price today is 3.65/kg," he said.

"It's going to cost you about 1,000 to take that calf through to finishing at very efficient levels. To make a margin on these, you need to take a very cautious approach overall."





It pays to have everything in place ahead of calving

With the calving season starting on suckler farms, preparation, organisation and planning are key management skills that will help during the busy weeks ahead, writes Francis Bligh.

A live healthy calf from each cow is what every suckler farmer sets out to achieve, so one of the most important facilities required is a clean, dry well-bedded pen for a cow showing signs of calving.

Safe and secure gates will ensure nothing collapses, and a head gate and calving gate will help to restrain a cow if assistance is required.

These pens should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before use.

It is important to discuss vaccination options against scour with your vet. Where calves receive adequate colostrum soon after birth, vaccinations have a proven ability to reduce scour problems and associated workload.

For weaker calves or where colostrum is not plentiful, it is important to have a few litres of colostrum in the freezer.

Three to four litres of colostrum in the first 2-3 hours is crucial.

Try to make sure you have the following items to hand: clean calving ropes, disposable gloves, iodine or chlorohexidine solution to treat navels, a clean calving jack, lubricant, electrolyte powders for scour treatment and a clean stomach tube.

Now is the time to replace light bulbs, improve lighting, set up a red lamp and check drinkers.

If you have broadband, low-cost wireless cameras linked to mobile routers are becoming very popular in calving sheds.

Watching the cow through a laptop or mobile phone can help reduce visits to the shed.

When organising calving think about the location of gates to help make movement of cows between slatted pens/loose housing and calving boxes easy.

Keep an eye on cow body condition, silage quality and mineral requirements to make sure cows are in a healthy, fit condition at calving.

Francis Bligh is a Teagasc drystock adviser based in Longford
HARRISBURG  The Republican primary in Saline County pits the current County Clerk Jimi Williams-Cox against former County Clerk Kim Buchanan.

Buchanan took office on Dec. 1, 2010, and served until December 2018. She lost a primary challenge to the late Roger Craig in March 2018. Craig cited problems between Buchanan and the County Board and other elected officials as his reason for entering the race.

Twelve days after taking office, Craig died. Williams-Cox was appointed to fill his position on Jan. 10, 2019.

The later years of Buchanans term were plagued by her contentious relationship with the county board that included several lawsuits, a forensic audit of the clerks office and grievances filed by county employees.

One of the main points of disagreement was how the clerk deposited funds collected by her office. She believes the individual funds used by the county do not comply with state statute that instructs how the county clerk should split money among funds. The board took Buchanan to court to compel her to comply, and she refused. The court later directed Buchanan to deposit funds according to the County Board's direction, and she complied.

I dont believe previous boards completely realized the responsibility of their positions within Illinois statute. They proceeded to take action on several issues that were outside of Illinois statute, Buchanan said. Those statutes are specifically what I took an oath to protect and uphold within the state, not just in Saline County.

She added that she has learned a new word since leaving office: usurp. She believes the board usurped her duties on many different issues.

Buchanan is a lifelong resident of Saline County. She is a 1991 and 1995 graduate of SIU with a bachelors degree in health care management and administration and minor in radiology technology. She worked for local physicians and hospitals as a radiological tech and managed a few clinics.

She and her husband, Michael, have been married for nearly 27 years.

Running for office is kind of my way of fighting back. I will accept the results (of the election) however it unfolds, she said.

Williams-Cox was chosen to replace Craig by Saline County Republican Central Committee. She is the sister of Jay Williams, Saline County Board president.

She found there was a lot of drama and dysfunction going on. She began working to restore relationships with other county offices, employees and the board.

We have a wonderful staff. We all get along and everyones doing their job. We have a working relationship with everyone on the board, Williams-Cox said.

She added that they are implementing a new fund accounting system for the county clerk and treasurer. It will allow both offices to pull financial records from one accounting system. The county has been using three different systems.

Williams-Cox is using special fees to digitize records from the county vault.

If the tornado had hit the courthouse in 2012, we would have lost all the records from the beginning of the county. We are going back 50 years. The next year as funds come in, we will go back another 50 years until all the records are digitized, Williams-Cox said.

Copies will be kept at the courthouse and at another site in case of a natural disaster.

She also will work on getting at least a rudimentary website for the county, with information about what each office does and who the contact is.

I hope people will look at the records and make an informed choice. Im from Saline County, and Ive been here all my life. My heart is here, Williams-Cox said.

Nine Republican candidates will face off for seven county board seats. The seats up for election are current held by Democrats Danny Gibbs, David Phelps and Rick Lane, and Republicans Kevin Dowdy, Ryan Lambert, Mike McKinnies and Chris Penrod. Gibbs and Dowdy are not seeking re-election.

In the Republican primary, Lambert, McKinnies and Penrod are seeking re-election. Roy Oldham, Ellis Eli McEwan, Clarence D. Yarber, Casey Perkins, Jeremy Maloney and Todd Horton also want to serve on the county board. Seven will be elected to face the Democratic candidates in November.

The four Democratic candidates for county board do not face a primary contest. They include Phelps and Lane, who are running for re-election.

Election Day is March 17.

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Former Acting Inspector General for Department of Homeland Security Indicted

The former acting inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security was indicted for alleged fraud and theft, according to the Department of Justice.

Charles Edwards, 59, served as the acting inspector general for the agency between 2011 and 2013 as part of former President Barack Obamas administration.

Edwards, of Maryland, and 54-year-old Virginia resident Murali Yamazula Venkata were both charged with wire fraud conspiracy to commit theft of government property, conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft, and theft of government property. Additionally, Venkata, a former subordinate of Edwards, is accused of destroying records, said the Justice Department.

The pair were accused of hatching and executing a scheme to defraud the U.S. government by stealing confidential and proprietary software from [Homeland Securitys] Office of Inspector General, said the Justice Department in a news release on Friday, adding that sensitive government databases containing personal identifying information of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Service employees were accessed and stolen.

Then, according to the release, Edwardss firm Delta Business Solutions could later sell an enhanced version of of the software to the U.S. Department of Agriculture at a profit.

The Washington Post had reported that Edwards was accused by agency whistleblowers of abusing his power. He resigned in December 2013 prior to a scheduled appearance at a Senate hearing about the matter.

The Department of Homeland Security. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

However, Edwards remained employed at Homeland Securitys Office of Science and Technology and used his relationship with agency employees and Venkata, who worked there, to steal the software and the sensitive government databases, said the release. Venkata also helped Edwards set up his laptop to upload the stolen databases and software, and he provided troubleshooting when Edwards asked.

As further part of the alleged scheme, Edwards retained software developers in India for the purpose of developing his commercial alternative of Homeland Securitys software, said the release.

In April 2014, the Homeland Security and Government Operations Committee discovered that Edwards also delayed investigations at the request of senior Obama administration officials. They said that his actions compromised his role as an inspector general for the agency, according to Washington Posts review of the report.

The indictment came after a joint probe by Homeland Securitys inspector general and the U.S. Post Offices inspector general. Its being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Victor R. Salgado of the Criminal Divisions Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, according to the news release.

Homeland Securitys office of the inspector general is tasked with providing independent oversight of the agency. According to Forbes magazine, it had a budget of $51.7 billion for the 2020 fiscal year.
And then there were two. (And Tulsi Gabbard.) On the last day of 2018, Elizabeth Warren fired the starting gun on the 2020 Democratic primary; yesterday, two days after her poor Super Tuesday returns, she dropped out of the race. After announcing her exit, Warren went outside her house to address a throng of reporters. Elizabeth Warrens 430-day campaign for the presidency ended where and how it began, the Washington Posts David Weigel wrote afterward, outside her Massachusetts home, talking to very skeptical reporters.

Reporters have been skeptical of Warrens electoral prospects for some months now: she crested as a frontrunner last year, and since then she has slid down in the polls, failing to break the top two in any of the years early primaries and caucuses. (On Tuesday, she finished a distant third in Massachusetts, the state she represents in the Senate.) Following her exit, however, skepticism was not the dominant emotion in coverage. The liberal media, at least, rung with praise for Warrens candidacyNew York magazine ran an article headlined An Appreciation of Elizabeth Warren As She Suspends Her Campaignand concern about its failure, and what that says about the place of women in American politics. Many noted that with Warren gone (and Gabbard a non-factor), the presidential race has narrowed to two white guys in their late seventies, fighting for the right to take on a president who is several years their junior as well as the oldest ever to have been inaugurated. In The Atlantic, Megan Garber wrote that America had punished Warren for her competence, which is a highly gendered concept. NPRs Mary Louise Kelly tweeted that Warrens post-exit presser had been hard to watch; on air, Mona Eltahawy asked Kellys colleague Audie Cornish, How low can the bar be for men, and how high must it be for women? It wasnt just the news media. Late-night hosts told variations on the joke that America, ultimately, did not deserve Warren. And the Merriam-Webster dictionary said that searches for misogyny spiked 2,400 percent after she quit.

ICYMI: The infinite scroll

Warren addressed the sexism question with the reporters outside her home. One of the hardest parts of her exit, she said, was all those little girls who are gonna have to wait four more years for a female president. The impact of gender, she said, is the trap question for every woman. If you say, Yeah, there was sexism in this race, everyone says, Whiner! And if you say, No, there was no sexism, about a bazillion women think, What planet do you live on? Warren promised that she would have much more to say on the subject later on. Before the day was out, she got another chance, as she sat for an extensive interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow. Warrens campaign ending feels a little bit like a death knell, in terms of the prospects of having a woman for president in our lifetimes, Maddow said. Oh God, please no, Warren replied. That cant be right. Maddow told Warren that shed been hearing all day, in her personal and professional circles, from women who are just bereft. People are telling me they cant get off the couch. I know, Warren said. But we cant lose hope over this We persist.

After Warren got into the race, a pair of specters haunted early coverage of her candidacy: her much-criticized decision to take a DNA test establishing her Native American ancestry, and comparisons to Hillary Clinton, more than two years on from Clintons loss to Trump. (One Politico story asserted that Warren was battling the ghosts of Hillary, and risked a Clinton reduxbeing written off as too unlikable before her campaign gets off the ground.) The DNA story got its due scrutiny and then receded into the background. (It did not, as I feared at the time, become a Hillarys-emails-sized albatross around Warrens neck.) But, predictably, the sexist tropes stuck. In November, Donny Deutsch said, on MSNBC, that Warren has a likability issue due to her high-school principal demeanor. (Deutsch insisted this was not a gender thing.) News headlines probing the merit of such criticisms, Garber wrote the same month, may have had the effect of further implanting them.

Earlier this year, several commentators complained, relatedly, that the media had started to erase Warrenher third-place finish in Iowa, they said, was largely ignored, with lesser-performing candidates getting more hype. Lis Power, of the progressive watchdog group Media Matters for America, noted on Twitter yesterday that every cable news channel carried Warrens withdrawal press conference live. This type of media attention is something Warren was never privileged with while she was actually running, and that in my opinion, is a travesty, Power wrote. The media needs to reflect on who they privilege and why.

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The question of whether the media failed Warren is not without nuance. She made herself available to the reporters covering her campaign, yet, as Amie Parnes noted in The Hill last year, she mostly avoided set-piece interviews; she didnt appear on a Sunday show in the whole of 2019. And much coverage of Warrens candidacyespecially at its polling peakwas highly favorable. The editorial boards of major newspapersincluding the New York Times, the Des Moines Register, and the Boston Globe (which previously discouraged her from running)endorsed her (jointly with Amy Klobuchar, in the Timess case). In general, Warren was most popular among highly educated white voters, who, needless to say, are overrepresented in journalism. Im 46, Im a professional, I live in New England, I have an advanced degree, Maddow told her last night. You have a lot of people of a lot of different stripes supporting you around the countrybut like, Im your stripe.

Still, Warrens campaign undoubtedly found itself on the wrong end of several political-media pathologiesamong them, the prevalence of gendered tropes; our obsession with electability, which does not favor women or candidates of color; and our related obsession with momentum. Once Warren started trending down, an oversimplified decline narrative crystallized around her campaign that, in the end, she couldnt shake. This narrative was based, in no small part, on databut theres no question that pundits put a greatly more positive spin on Klobuchars third-place finish in New Hampshire than Warrens similar result in Iowa. As Ive written far too often in recent weeks, our judgments about electability and momentum arent neutral observations; they feed directly into what voters think. Yesterday, multiple reporters and commentators attested that voters they spoke to liked Warren, but were concerned other people wouldnt, and so didnt vote for her. Presumably, they didnt reach that conclusion in a vacuum.

In many ways, Warren fit many liberal media types Platonic ideal of a presidential candidatepassionate, highly detail-oriented, impeccably credentialed. That so much coverage of her campaign still lacked imaginationto the point that for no substantive reason, it discouraged people who liked her from voting for heris, if anything, a testament to the staying power of the narrative traps we keep falling into, around women candidates, and more generally.

Below, more on Warren and 2020:

The eye of the storm: On CJRs podcast, The Kicker, Kyle Pope, our editor and publisher, spoke with Art Cullen, editor of the Storm Lake Timesa small yet influential Iowa newspaper that also endorsed Warrenfor a local perspective on the campaign circus. Newspaper editorials are only important in the minds of the editors, Cullen said.

On CJRs podcast, The Kicker, Kyle Pope, our editor and publisher, spoke with Art Cullen, editor of the Storm Lake Timesa small yet influential Iowa newspaper that also endorsed Warrenfor a local perspective on the campaign circus. Newspaper editorials are only important in the minds of the editors, Cullen said. Warren and Fox: Last year, Warren broke with many of her rivals and said she wouldnt appear on Fox News; she called the network a hate-for-profit racket, and said she would not lend it credibility. Her argument mirrored that of Media Matters, an aggressive Fox antagonist. Yesterday, the groups president, Angelo Carusone, wrote on Twitter that no other Democratic candidate has demonstrated as deep and consistent an understanding of the information asymmetry that we are all dealing with.

Last year, Warren broke with many of her rivals and said she wouldnt appear on Fox News; she called the network a hate-for-profit racket, and said she would not lend it credibility. Her argument mirrored that of Media Matters, an aggressive Fox antagonist. Yesterday, the groups president, Angelo Carusone, wrote on Twitter that no other Democratic candidate has demonstrated as deep and consistent an understanding of the information asymmetry that we are all dealing with. Sanders and MSNBC: The day before her Warren sitdown, Maddow taped an extensive interview with Bernie Sanders. Michael M. Grynbaum and John Koblin, of the Times, called the interview a striking turnaround from Sanders, whose campaign has been extremely aggrieved by MSNBCs coverage; hes also set to do a town hall on the network ahead of the next round of primaries. Sanders seems to be signaling a newfound need to engage with a broader swath of a Democratic electorate that is rapidly coalescing around his opponent, Grynbaum and Koblin write.

The day before her Warren sitdown, Maddow taped an extensive interview with Bernie Sanders. Michael M. Grynbaum and John Koblin, of the Times, called the interview a striking turnaround from Sanders, whose campaign has been extremely aggrieved by MSNBCs coverage; hes also set to do a town hall on the network ahead of the next round of primaries. Sanders seems to be signaling a newfound need to engage with a broader swath of a Democratic electorate that is rapidly coalescing around his opponent, Grynbaum and Koblin write. Meanwhile, in Trumpland: Yesterday, Judd Legum, of the newsletter Popular Information, highlighted Facebook ads in which Trumps reelection campaign encouraged users to take the Official 2020 Congressional District Census today, then linked them through to a campaign site. (The real census has yet to be distributed.) Hours after Legums report appeared, Facebook removed the ads, calling them deliberately deceptive and misleading.

Yesterday, Judd Legum, of the newsletter Popular Information, highlighted Facebook ads in which Trumps reelection campaign encouraged users to take the Official 2020 Congressional District Census today, then linked them through to a campaign site. (The real census has yet to be distributed.) Hours after Legums report appeared, Facebook removed the ads, calling them deliberately deceptive and misleading. Qdogba: Warrens dog, Bailey, snatched someones burrito yesterday, and ate it, as dogs do. A clip of the incident went viral online. He just said the pressure of running for first dog had finally gotten to him, Warren told Maddow. I think it was stress-eating.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: The new coronavirus and racist tropes

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada and New Jersey have reported their first cases of coronavirus as President Donald Trump yet again erroneously claimed that the spread of the virus had been stopped.

Speaking at the White House after signing the $8.3bn emergency bill to counter the spread of the virus, Mr Trump urged people to be calm and said: It will go away.

In terms of cases, its very, very few because we have been very strong at the borders.

He added: This came unexpectedly, it came out of China, we closed it down, we stopped it, it was a very early shut down.

In reality, the number of US cases now stands at 231 in 22 states. This grew by almost 70 cases on Thursday and 35 on Wednesday according to figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health agencies, and hospitals, collated by The New York Times.

Speaking on CNN on Friday morning, Congressman John Garamendi of California was asked to respond to the presidents claims. He told Jim Sciutto: If only it were true. The facts are quite different and since we have very, very limited testing, we really dont know. In a public health emergency, you have to know whats going on, that requires testing in this situation. And unfortunately we have been very, very slow to the testing.

Meanwhile in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that there are now 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, with five people hospitalised. In an attempt to prevent the further spread of the virus, the governor said that 4,000 people across the state are in quarantine as a precaution  2,700 in New York City, 1,000 in Westchester and 70 in Nassau County. Of that total, 44 people are in mandatory quarantine, including 33 in Westchester, nine in NYC and one in Nassau County.

Of the states announcing their first cases, in Colorado an out-of-state visitor has presumptively tested positive at state-level and is awaiting confirmation from the CDC in a Denver hospital. An elderly woman in Douglas County, who recently returned from a cruise, is self-isolating at home and being monitored.

On Friday morning, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb declared a public health emergency in his state after a man from Marion County was diagnosed with the virus after a recent trip to Boston. The man is in isolation.

In Maryland, three Montgomery County residents, a couple in their 70s and an unrelated woman in her 50s, were diagnosed and are said to be in good condition. They had recently returned from international travel and are isolated in their homes.

Governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency in Maryland to speed up the states response and delivery of resources. As yet there are no reported cases in neighbouring Virginia or the District of Columbia.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

Montgomery County executive Marc Elrich called for calm and said the state had been preparing for weeks. There is no reason to panic, Elrich said. Life as you know it should continue pretty much as it was.

Nevada has seen two cases in quick succession in both Las Vegas and Reno. Washoe County officials say that the Reno case is a man in his 50s and is linked to the Grand Princess cruise ship outbreak. He is self-isolating at home and as has a relative at a local school, which the health department has ordered to be closed as a precaution.

The Las Vegas case is also a man in his 50s that recently returned from a trip to Washington state. Nevada health authorities are monitoring as many as 200 people statewide. The transient nature of populations in destination cities such as Las Vegas has raised concerns about the further spread of the virus.

New Jersey has confirmed two cases  a 32-year-old man from Fort Lee who works in New York City is being treated in isolation at Hackensack University Medical Center, and a woman in her 30s from Englewood in Bergen County is isolated at home. It is so far unclear how they were exposed to the virus.

In an effort to contain the spread of the virus, the number of people that have been ordered to self-quarantine due to potential exposure to those diagnosed with the virus has grown into the thousands.
- A Ghanaian duster hawker, Appiagyei has received a cash donation of GHC19,000 from Crime Check Foundation

- The father of three previously received GHC600 from the foundation

- Appiagyei was visibly overwhelmed with joy and nearly fainted when he received the cash amount

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

A struggling Ghanaian duster seller identified as Appiaagyei has cried his heart out after he received a cash donation of nineteen thousand Ghana cedis.

Appiagayei was overwhelmed and his joy turned to tears after he received the money.

YEN.com.gh previously reported that the father of 3 was left dumbfounded when he first received a cash donation of GHC 600.

Appiagyei was pleasantly surprised by a Crime Check TV representative who met him randomly in town.

The poor father, who has been selling duster for 10 years with a total capital of GHC120 was recently given a cash donation of GHC19,000 by the Crime Check Foundation.

READ ALSO: Ghanaians massively praise doctor who offered Kangaroo care to preterm baby of sick patient

Appiagayei was overwhelmed and his joy turned to tears after he received the money.

Crime Check Foundation made the donation to him after 44 donors gave cash to be given to the struggling father to help alleviate his plights.

The caption on Crime Check's official Facebook page that accompanied the kind gesture and photos read:

''Duster seller, Appiagyei cried his heart out after we gave him 600 Gh cedis. Today, he nearly fainted after we presented nineteen thousand Ghana cedis to him being donations from 44 donors.

Poverty is indeed a disease. We couldn't believe it seeing the deplorable conditions under which he lives. On our way to the bank now to open an account for him. Many thanks to all those who contributed. We can all make the world a better place with the little we do for others in need. May the Almighty Allah richly bless you. CCF will formally launch its Street Charity series soon. Come join us support the poor and the needy."

In other stories, YEN.com.gh previously reported that controversial Ghanaian lawyer Maurice Ampaw, recently marked his sixteenth wedding anniversary and disclosed the challenging circumstances under which he got married.

The popular lawyer got married to his childhood friend Evelyn after they dated for 15 years.

His wife was the financial backbone of their family for two years after their marriage.

Lawyer Ampaw and his wife had to wait for ten years before they were gifted with children.

READ ALSO: Steals to survive: Meet Ghanaian engineer who picks pockets (video)

Faces of Ghana: Ghanas 1st Female Police Bemoans High Rate of Police Indiscipline | #Yencomgh

Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Rather, they all strike me as successes in the corporate world, as role models for women and folks of color who want entry to the executive suites of the Fortune 500. But then again, I have never thought of businesses that create jobs and pay wages as dens of inequity, although some are better than others. More glass ceilings need to be shattered. Corporate governance reforms are long overdue. Adjusting tax rates to ensure that corporations pay a fairer share of federal tax revenue and closing tax loopholes are absolutely essential.
Attending the launch of the national afforestation campaign called "A forest as a country" at Uliesti, Dambovita County on Friday, President Klaus Iohannis said that a significant increase in Romania's forested areas is necessary, given the context of the environmental problems facing the country.

"To me personally it is a great joy that we can start this replanting campaign today, a broad campaign that will surely leave positive traces. The forests are the green gold of Romania and this gold must be protected and multiplied. (...) Forests must be protected, it is inadmissible that we have massive illegal logging in the 21st century. And I ask Mr. Minister of environment to find new tools to protect the forests," said Iohannis

The president planted the first oak tree under the campaign launched in Uliesti.

Also present at the event were interim Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, Prime Minister-designate Florin Citu, and Interim Minister of the Environment Costel Alexe. AGERPRES
A person in New Zealand confirmed to have been infected was revealed on Friday to have attended a rock concert packed with thousands of other people.

Health authorities said the man in his 30s, who is the partner of a woman who was confirmed to have COVID-19 this week, attended the Tool concert at Spark Arena in Auckland on Feb. 28.

The rock concert in New Zealand's largest city was packed to capacity for two days last week.

"He was in the general admission standing area in the front left-hand quadrant," Ministry of Health director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at a news conference. "We encourage people who were in the general admission standing area to be aware of symptoms of COVID-19."

Bloomfield said the risk is low for all others who attended this concert. The man has been isolated at home since Wednesday.

The man and his partner had recently arrived back in the country from northern Italy.

New Zealand so far has four confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2, a much smaller number than Australia, where 60 cases have been recorded and two elderly people have died of complications from the virus.

New Zealand has extended its travel restrictions for people arriving from China and Iran, in an effort to contain the outbreak of the virus.

The virus emerged in China late last year and has now spread to more than 80 countries, leading to travel and other restrictions. It has killed more than 3,300 people and infected over 96,500 people.

Also Read: Coronavirus to cost global aviation industry $100 billion in revenue

Also Read: Delhi govt closes all primary schools till March 31 amid coronavirus scare
Three men having connections with Pakistani nationals were arrested from Bihar for allegedly duping people under the garb of a 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' lottery, police said on Friday.

Imtiaz Ali (20), a resident of Bihar's Siwan, and Irfan Ali (20) and Santosh Kumar (22) of Gopalganj in the state were arrested on Thursday, in the course of an investigation based on a complaint by a resident of Najafgarh here, they said. In her complaint, the woman said she received a Whatsapp call from a Pakistani number and was told that she had won Rs 25 lakh in 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' lottery, police officials said.

READ: Sibal Counters NSA, Says 'democracy Fails When BJP Allows To Spread Communal Virus'

She was asked her to call another Pakistani number via Whatsapp and talk to one Rana Pratap Singh who would give her the details of the prize money, they said. The woman claimed she was asked to deposit several lakh rupees towards GST and processing fees in multiple Indian bank accounts. Later, she was told that the lottery amount had been increased to Rs 45 lakh and then again to Rs 75 lakh and hence, more money had to be deposited. The accused duped her of around Rs 40-45 lakh in all, a senior police officer said.

"During investigation, police traced the location of the Pakistani nationals running the entire operation to Islamabad. Their associates were tracked down in Gopalganj, Bihar, and were later arrested on Thursday," Deputy Commissioner of Police (CyPAD) Anyesh Roy said.

The accused came to know about this scam in March 2019 as some of their friends were already associated with it, the police said. They got in touch with the mastermind behind the operation, Rauf, a resident of Islamabad in Pakistan, and started working for him, the police officials said.

The accused operated several bank accounts. On receiving money in these, they would keep 25 to 30 per cent of the amount as commission and transfer the rest to Rauf through hawala channels, the DCP said. On January 17, a man, identified as Pratap Barik, had committed suicide near the Titlagarh railway station in Kalahandi district of Odisha. In a video, Barik had blamed Rana Pratap Singh for duping him of Rs 70,000 in the name of KBC lottery, the police said.
In the 2015 book Countdown to the Apocalypse: Why ISIS and Ebola Are Only the Beginning, Robert Jeffress described a world on the brink of chaos. Never in my lifetime have I sensed so much unrest in the air, the Dallas pastor wrote. Will an Ebola epidemic or an outbreak of some other super virus spread across America? But today, as an actual super virus advances across the United States, Jeffress seems to be feeling much more sanguine. I do predict this will be under control in the not too distant future, Jeffress told me on Thursday. I would encourage any Christian to take sensible precautions without being overrun with anxiety.

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Jeffress, one of Donald Trumps most full-throated evangelical supporters, plans to preach a sermon on the coronavirus this Sunday at his church, First Baptist Dallas. Its title is Is the Coronavirus a Judgment From God? Jeffress strongly suggested to me that the answer is no: Many times illness is just a consequence of living in the fallen world. In other words, the virus is nothing to fear nor anything to draw theological or political conclusions from.

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Publicity-savvy megachurch pastors and televangelists are often knownfairly or notfor both stoking fear and divining theological messages from current events. Think of Texas televangelist John Hagee warning that the 2014 Ebola outbreak was Gods punishment for President Barack Obamas Israel policy. But Jeffress is far from the only high-profile conservative Christian to be emphasizing calm in the face of the coronavirus. The Lord showed me the end of the Coronavirus, Shawn Bolz, a prominent self-declared prophet in Los Angeles, announced last week. The tide is turning now! His Facebook post drew more than 1,000 comments, which were overwhelmingly optimistic, with many saying they had similar visions. Bolz had previously prophesied that Trump will serve two terms in office, and that there will be more boldness in the second term. Bolz told me he believes in making reasonable preparations, but sees much of the news coverage of the new virus as a distraction. Theologically and philosophically, I dont believe this is Gods story, for 60 million to die, he said. The world is moving forward, not backward.

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Several media figures and ministry leaders in the charismatic tradition have expressed similar optimism. Evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth announced last week that the United States would be minimally affected because Trump honors Israel. Jon and Jolene Hamill of Lamplighter Ministries, who hosted a prayer event at the Trump International Hotel in 2018, issued a report to their followers in which they said several participants at a Florida gathering received messages from God that suggested he would mitigate the outbreak. (Bolz and the Hamills were among many charismatic leaders who participated in a global conference call of prayers to stop the coronavirus on Tuesday.) In a conversation with a health correspondent on the Christian newsmagazine show The 700 Club, 89-year-old Pat Robertson reported reassuringly that the people who have died so far are those who are already sick with something else. He then introduced a segment on probiotics, holding up a jar of sauerkraut and assuring his viewers that if your gut is healthy, you dont have to worry about corona.

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Some pastors who are less casual about the dangers of the coronavirus are still conveying plenty of optimism. In Tulsa, charismatic pastor Paul Daugherty preached a sermon at his megachurch last weekend titled Victory Over the Virus. The virus is real, he said, donning a prop face mask on the churchs huge stage. But I came today to declare this virus has no victory: not in our church, not in this nation, not in your family, not in your home! His sermon instructed his congregation to be alert but not to succumb to the panic that the enemy wants them to experience. In Nebraska, televangelist and pastor Hank Kunneman told his congregation at the charismatic Lord of Hosts Church last month that God will spare the United States the worst of the viruss impact because of the Trump administrations policies on Israel and abortion, among other policies.

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Few other prominent pastors would speak from the pulpit in such blunt political terms. But that doesnt mean their politics arent influencing their theology. Its hard not to think of this as a political story, said historian John Fea, who has written about white evangelicals loyalty to the president. Fea suggested that some Trump-supporting pastors and prophets may be taking their cues from both the president and from Fox News, even if they dont see it that way. The president himself has gone out of his way to minimize concerns about the virus. In an interview with Sean Hannity this week, Trump said he had a hunch that the coronavirus death rate is actually significantly lower than the WHOs estimate of 3.4 percent. Personally, I would say the number is way under 1 percent, the president said. At a Pennsylvania town hall on Fox News on Thursday night, he said that widespread travel cancellations might be good for the economy, since people are now staying in the United States.

As long as the president is projecting such breeziness about the virus, in other words, to question his optimism is to question him. Theyll use fear on the same issues Trump does: the Democrats, the socialists, immigrants, religious minorities, said sociologist Andrew Whitehead, co-author of the recent book Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States. But where the administration is saying, Weve got it under control, theres nothing to be afraid of, theyll fall in line with that. Even, it seems, when a global pandemic is involved.
The aftershocks from this weeks stunning comeback by Joe Biden in the Super Tuesday Democratic primaries are still rocketing through Americas broken politics.

For those fearing a Donald Trump re-election, does this mean its safe yet to come out from underneath the bed?

The answer to that question, incredibly, now seems to be yes.

In light of Tuesdays victories, many signs point to the prospect of Biden eventually winning the Democratic nomination and being well positioned to defeat Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election.

But if that happens, would that mean that Americans have dodged the bullet and extracted themselves completely from this Trump nightmare?

The answer to that question is likely no  as Elizabeth Warren eloquently explained when she told her staff Thursday she was suspending her uniquely policy-focused presidential campaign.

For every young person who is drowning in student debt, for every family struggling to pay bills on two incomes, for every mom worried about paying for prescriptions, this fight goes on, Warren said. And for every American who desperately wants to see our nation healed and some decency and honour restored to our government, this fight goes on.

Warren also acknowledged that sexism in the presidential race had an impact on her campaign: Ill have a lot more to say on that subject later on.

Dramatically, the Democratic race has been transformed virtually overnight. Once a sprawling, diverse range of more than two dozen people, it is now down to only two candidates.

But it is notable that both are aging white guys  Biden, 77, and Bernie Sanders, 78  who carry with them the clout and curse of decades of Washington experience.

However, it was former vice-president Biden who was this weeks astonishing winner. Against all odds, he won the majority of states contesting primaries on Super Tuesday, giving him the lead in delegates over Sanders and making him the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination.

His success came after three of his former rivals  Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Beto ORourke  endorsed him on the eve of the Tuesday vote. Sanders complained that it was an establishment conspiracy against him, but that was nonsense.

What was stunning about Bidens support was that it came from so many different groups  particularly Black voters in the South, as well as older people, women and college-educated suburban voters.

Exit polls suggested the overwhelming motivation for Democratic voters was to rid the White House of Donald Trump, and there were signs of a growing consensus among Democrats that Biden  not Sanders  was the better candidate to get that done.

But if Sanders now appears to be the underdog, the issues that drive his candidacy  and Warrens  are still powerful and alive. Young Democratic voters overwhelmingly support Sanders, and there are compelling reasons for that.

More than anyone, certainly including Biden, he has spoken about the devastating impact of the 2008 recession on young people. This includes the soaring college debt being carried by this generation, the absence of economic opportunities after graduation and the failure of establishment Democrats  including the Obama/Biden administration  to hold bankers and financial leaders responsible for the post-2008 carnage.

These are enormous issues, cutting to the core of American society, and its future. But they can easily be forgotten or downplayed in the rush and panic to get rid of Trump.

Young people know that, and it is why they seek out leaders who speak to their concerns  leaders such as Sanders and Warren who have their passionate support. That is apparently not the case yet with Biden, even though he appears headed to winning the nomination.

So, the drama may not be over whether Biden can defeat Trump. He would be in a very strong position to do that given how narrow Trumps victory was in 2016.

After all, a total of 77,744 votes cast in three states  Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania  out of 120 million votes overall was Trumps margin of victory. These are actually three states where Biden, unlike Hillary Clinton, is very popular.

The more challenging issue will be whether a President Biden can actually do something about the profound economic issues affecting many Americans once he is elected.

Tony Burman , formerly head of CBC News and Al Jazeera English, is a freelance contributing foreign affairs columnist for the Star. He is based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyBurman

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The victim of this butchery of a murder is discovered on a train from Manchester, his corpse stripped of all identification, including the labels on his clothing. Exercising his keen skills at observation and deduction, Lenox determines that the man is an American. Then again, a newsboy instantly comes to the same conclusion: Nice teeth. Didnt smell.  You could tell he was American. Thats the charm of Finchs style and Charless own manner of sleuthing  a brilliant display of brainy deduction, followed by a self-deprecating witticism or a philosophical bit of wisdom. Despite the classy writing and beguiling details of Charless life story, the novel is almost crushed by an overstuffed plot burdened with subplots and over-researched background particulars, making this the busiest of his books. (Nonetheless, I was fascinated by a totally gratuitous sidebar about the origin of the mythical Lady Green Sleeves.)



Is there nowhere safe from civilization and its discontents? P. T. Marsh, the small-town cop in John McMahons procedural mystery, THE EVIL MEN DO (Putnam, 330 pp., $27), would like to think hes found it at his backwater home of Mason Falls, GA. In moments of peace, I find that this area of Georgia is like heaven on earth, he says. Nice thought; but reality intrudes when someone swaps out Ennis Fultzs oxygen supply for a tank of nitrogen, killing that real-estate mogul and clearing the way for some even more rapacious land-grabbers to move in.

McMahon packs his narrative with layers of plot, subplots and red herrings to distract from a rather obvious case of environmental raping and pillaging. But he tells his story with flair. The murdered man was such a smooth talker he could sell two milk machines to a farmer with one cow. McMahon also has the wit to name a biker bar Motor Mouth. And  in the piece de resistance (for me, anyway)  he describes someone as looking like the type of guy who knew how to change his own oil.



Inspector Ian Rutledge, the Scotland Yard detective in Charles Todds moody mysteries, survived the battle of the Somme but returned home from World War I suffering from shell shock. God knew, they were all haunted by something, were told in A DIVIDED LOYALTY (Morrow/HarperCollins, 327 pp., $27.99), a thoughtful look at how murder can unnerve a small village where people are struggling to return to their normal lives. One such village is Avebury, where Rutledge is sent to investigate the stabbing death of an unknown woman whose body is found inside a prehistoric stone ring.

Todds astute character studies of individual townspeople, from the upright rector to the local gossip, offer a fascinating cross section of postwar life in a community where, as one woman says, we lost more men than we got back. While delivering a satisfying puzzle-mystery, the story also tasks us to think about the women who lost their lives during the war, too. Had they died in the influenza epidemic? Been killed in the early Zeppelin raids? Rutledge wonders as he surveys unclaimed womens valises at Victoria Station. Death and destruction, he realizes, had crept into everyones life.
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Tata Motors share price plunged more than 10 percent intraday on March 6 after it announced a drop in China sales due to coronavirus.

The coronavirus significantly impacted China sales, with February retail down around 85 percent against the previous year, the company said in a release.

However, Jaguar Land Rover sales grew on an average 25 percent year-on-year for the six months from July through December 2019. The strong growth continued in the first three weeks of January, it added.

In the first half of February, only 20 percent of the dealers were open, which has since improved to more than 80 percent, though most are still operating with reduced staffing and facilities.

The spread of the virus to other markets such as South Korea, Japan and Italy will also impact sales in those markets, the company said.

At 1342 hours, Tata Motors was quoting at Rs 114.70, down Rs 10.95, or 8.71 percent, on the BSE.
Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad on Friday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the recent northeast Delhi violence and claimed that "explosives" were used to destroy houses during the riots.

Jawad visited the violence-hit areas including Shiv Vihar on Thursday.

He also claimed that the violence, at the time when US President Donald Trump was in Delhi, was a ploy to show Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poor light.

"Modi ji ne Trump ko bulaya tha... Toh hum to samajhte hai ki ye unko neecha dikhane ke liye kiya gaya tha unhi ke chahnne walon ne (Modi had invited Trump, so I believe it (violence) was carried out by those near him to show him in poor light.

"Ye aam admi ka kaam nahi ho sakta ye bahut hi powerful logon ne anjam diya (it cannot be an act by ordinary people, it was carried out by very powerful people)," he claimed in a press conference.

Further, he said it was the responsibility of Modi to get the Delhi violence investigated thoroughly as the violence was "pre-planned" by somebody who was against him.

Jawad, who visited a mosque and two houses in Shiv Vihar destroyed during last week's violence, also claimed that explosives were used that ripped off roofs, twisted iron girders and broke reinforced concrete.

"The mosque in Shiv Vihar was destroyed by using gas cylinders. The roof of a house I visited was ripped off, iron girders were twisted and pillars of reinforced concrete were broken. It must have been some powerful explosive like one used by the terrorists," he claimed.

Jawad said a Supreme Court-monitored probe should be conducted into the violence.

"It (the violence) was planned beforehand. It was very dangerous as explosives were used. A Supreme Court monitored probe should be conducted, the special investigation team (of Delhi Police) or any other agency cannot do this (probe)," he said.

Violence erupted in northeast Delhi localities with a clash between two groups over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on February 23, which has so far claimed 44 lives. Houses, shops and a large number of vehicles were damaged and torched. Some religious places were also vandalised during the violence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav



Thackeray has instructed the chief secretary to ensure government funds are deposited only in nationalised banks and not private lenders, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Friday.

Pawar, also the finance minister, made the remarks in Thackeray's presence after the former presented the state's budget for 2020-21 in the assembly.

"The CM has instructed the chief secretary and other secretaries to deposit government funds in nationalised banks, particularly ones protected by the Centre," Pawar told reporters outside state legislature building complex here.

Pawar's statements came in the backdrop of controversy over the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank, a private lender, allegedly by the previous BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis's wife Amruta holds a senior post in Axis Bank.

The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, sought Fadnavis's response to a petition questioning the transfer of salary accounts of the police department to Axis Bank.

A senior official had stated last year that salary accounts of police personnel were with UTI Bank -- later renamed as Axis Bank -- since 2005, much before Fadnavis became chief minister in 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Richards Bar, unsurprisingly, is known as a place to play by its own rules. In the era of smoke-free Chicago, it remains a place to light up  despite the yellowed handwritten sign taped up behind the bar that reads, No Smoking. And sure enough, a thick smoky embrace awaited the meager Thursday early afternoon crowd  a lawyer, a guy covered in tattoos, another lawyer. Two spinning fans in the tin ceiling did little to help. No one seemed to mind.
BERKELEY (BCN)

Police in Berkeley are investigating an aggravated assault with a knife that occurred Friday morning.

The incident occurred at 2:44 a.m. on Channing Way, east of Telegraph Avenue, according to the University of California Police Department.

Police said one suspect was seen fleeing the seen west on Channing Way on Foot.

Additional details about the incident were not immediately available.

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.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 6, 2020

2020/03/06

I'd like to share with you some latest figures. According to the statistics from the National Health Commission this morning, March 5 saw 1,681 patients cured and discharged from hospital in China's mainland, bringing the tally to 53,726.

Q: During the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC),the Chinese and Venezuelan permanent missions to the UN Office at Geneva jointly held a seminar on the rights of migrant children. Could you give us more details on that?

A: On March 2, the Permanent Mission of China and the Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the UN Office at Geneva jointly held a seminar on the rights of migrant children. NGO representatives, diplomatic officials and scholars from Cuba, Nicaragua, Algeria, Burundi, Myanmar, Laos, Portugal, Mexico and Switzerland participated in the seminar.

Experts from the US, Mexico and China gave a detailed account of the serious transgressions the US has committed of the rights of migrant children. Some experts said that more than 70,000 migrant children are held in custody by the US, according to UN reports, more than in any other country. 5,500 children along the US-Mexico border were forced into separation from their family and put under detention in 2019. These children are detained for such a long time under harsh conditions, which constitutes a serious humanitarian crisis.

As other experts pointed out, the US is the only country that hasn't ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also has the worst record in protecting children's rights. It has been using double standards on the human rights issue and interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, but shunning away from its own violations of children's rights. It is simply difficult to believe that the US is working to promote and protect human rights.

I want to stress that the US is in the habit of hurling groundless accusations against others' human rights records and meddling in others' internal affairs in the name of protecting human rights. We urge the US to ensure the rights of migrant children and stop politicizing and applying double standards to the human rights issue in international cooperation in this field.

Q: The Japanese government decided yesterday to impose a two-week quarantine on travelers arriving from China and South Korea in designated facilities. What's your comment?

A: In light of current circumstances, countries have taken science-based, professional and calibrated measures to safeguard their own and foreign nationals' safety and health as well as regional and global public health security. I would like to reiterate that we understand such measures. That being said, we believe the measures taken should not exceed the appropriate range.

Q: Dr. Bruce Aylward, foreign head of the China-WHO joint mission on COVID-19, praised China's measures to prevent and contain the epidemic and the effects they've achieved on March 4. He said China's counterattack can be replicated and other countries don't have to start from ground zero. What's your comment?

A: We thank Dr. Aylward for his positive comments on what China has done and achieved to counter the epidemic from a scientific and professional perspective.

With the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough prevention and control measures taken, we have full capability and confidence in overcoming the epidemic and minimizing its impact in a bid to achieve this year's socio-economic development goals. The situation in China is increasingly trending in a positive direction, but it is still at such a crucial stage that no one should slack off at all.

We also note the epidemic continues spreading in some countries. While maintaining epidemic response at home, China is also advancing international cooperation in various forms and providing support and assistance to foreign countries to its best capabilities.

To be more specific, we have established close technical communication mechanisms with the WHO, the European Union, the African Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), ASEAN and other organizations, as well as the Republic of Korea, Iran and other countries at high epidemic risk or with fragile health systems. Under these mechanisms, we share resources and information, and provide technical support for containment and diagnosis. Going forward, we will continue to step up technical cooperation and exchanges with the international community, timely provide updated guidelines on epidemic prevention and control as well as diagnosis and treatment, conduct exchanges between Chinese and foreign experts via video and telephone conferences, and support the Red Cross society of China and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in sending expert teams to relevant countries for cooperation and exchanges.

Q: The US State Department gave the 2020 International Women of Courage Award to Sayragul Sauytbay, a woman from Xinjiang, on March 4. Secretary Pompeo commended how she "bravely provided accounts of Xinjiang's internment camps, and continues to inspire other former detainees to come forward and tell their stories to the world". Do you have a comment?

A: The US State Department just conferred the so-called 2020 International Women of Courage Award to Sayragul Sauytbay, a suspected criminal of Chinese citizenship from Xinjiang. It also took the occasion to attack and smear China's Xinjiang policy. We deplore and reject it.

Sayragul Sauytbay is on Xinjiang public security authorities' online list of wanted persons for suspected crimes including illegal border crossing and loan fraud. She never worked in any vocational education and training center. In an endeavor to escape justice and seek political asylum, she made up lies to smear Xinjiang, a despicable and vile act indeed.

As China has repeatedly stressed, there is no "internment camps" in Xinjiang. Faced with the severe challenge of recurring violent and terrorist attacks, Xinjiang took counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures according to law, including by setting up vocational education and training centers, where people under the sway of extremist ideas take language, legal, skills and de-radicalization courses. The purpose is to root out extremism and terrorism. The measures produced visible effects, with zero terror incident in Xinjiang for three years. By the end of last year, all trainees had completed their courses, secured employment with the help of the government, and started a life of tranquility.

In total disregard of truth and facts, the US obstinately named the criminal suspect Sayragul Sauytbay a winner of its International Women of Courage Award. This is not only condoning and encouraging her suspected criminal activities, but also an insult on and a travesty of human rights. China urges the US to discard its ideological bias, stop using issues relating to Xinjiang to interfere in China's internal affairs, and work to cement rather than undermine bilateral relations.

Q: On March 4 and 5, a meeting of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers passed a resolution and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat issued a statement, both commending and supporting China's efforts against the COVID-19 epidemic. I wonder what's China's response?

A: The 153rd session of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers passed a resolution expressing appreciation and support for China's efforts to fight against the virus and confidence in the Chinese government and people's capability to overcome the epidemic. The OIC General Secretariat also commended in its statement China's transparent exchange of information with other countries, which will help contain the outbreak and lower risks of further spread. We appreciate this.

China has traditional friendship with Arab and Islamic countries. We share mutual support and high-level cooperation, which has been fully demonstrated in the face of the epidemic. We will continue to work with the international community including Arab and Islamic countries to jointly safeguard regional and global public health security by enhancing cooperation, sharing experience and coordinating actions.

Q: According to reports, on March 5, the US said in a statement on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that it will be "proposing a bold new trilateral arms control initiative with Russia and China to help avoid an expensive arms race and instead work together to build a better, safer and more prosperous future for all". What's China's response?

A: China has repeatedly reiterated that it has no intention of participating in the so-called trilateral arms control negotiations with the US and Russia. This position is very clear. The pressing issue on nuclear disarmament at the moment is for the United States to respond to Russia's call to extend the New START Treaty, and further downsize its huge nuclear arsenal. This will create conditions for other nuclear weapon states to join multilateral disarmament talks.

It is well known that China follows a defense policy that is defensive in nature. Our nuclear force is always kept at the minimum level required by national security, with an order-of-magnitude difference from that of the US and Russia. We are committed to peaceful development. We have never joined and will never join any form of arms race.

I need to stress that refusing to join trilateral negotiations doesn't mean China is not participating in international nuclear disarmament. We stand ready to strengthen communication and collaboration with all parties within existing frameworks such as the mechanism of five nuclear-weapon states and engage in discussions over a wide range of issues concerning global strategic stability.

China is always open to bilateral exchange with the US in the field of strategic security. It will help promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations by increasing trust and clearing misgivings. We hope the US will stop doing things that harm China's interests and create conditions for constructive dialogue between the two sides.

Q: Also on the Japanese government's border entry restrictions, will China consider taking unified entry restrictions nationwide in response?

A: China has been closely following developments of the epidemic in other countries. The virus respects no borders. Recently some countries have imposed some exit and entry restrictions in a bid to step up prevention and control efforts. As long as the measures are science-based, professional and calibrated and for the sake of safeguarding people's health and regional and global public health security, we should understand them.

While fighting the outbreak at home, we are ready to strengthen coordination with other countries, share information and experience, jointly strengthen prevention and control measures at border entry, step up inspection and quarantine, and cut down unnecessary cross-border travels.
The Gujarat government on



Friday announced a hike in the monthly honorarium of women workers and helpers at Anganwadis, government-run child-care centres in rural and tribal areas.

The new pay structure would benefit over 53,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel told the Legislative Assembly, announcing the hike.

The decision was taken following demands from trade unions and other organizations, he said.

Anganwadi workers who are currently paid Rs 7,200 per month would get Rs 7,800. The helpers would earn Rs 3,950 instead of the earlier Rs 3,650.

Workers of mini-Anganwadis will now get Rs 4,400 instead of Rs 4,100.

Women workers play an important role in eradicating malnutrition and overall development of 33 lakh children, Patel said, justifying the hike.

The hike will come into effect with retrospective effect from March 2019 and will put an additional burden of Rs 55.98 crore every year on the state treasury.

The one-year arrears of Rs 55.98 crore will be paid in three installments, Patel said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A slow-moving front heading toward Portland from the coast should bring rain before Fridays lunchtime.

Temperatures will take a dive from Thursdays highs. Temps are only expected to reach 49 degrees to end the work week and will stay in the low 50s through the weekend.

The National Weather Service says the snow level will remain low over the next two days. Friday will see snow showers on the mountain passes above 2,400 feet, including those in the higher Coast Range. Not much accumulation is expected, but travelers should be ready for some winter conditions.

Portland residents may remember some hail showers from last weekend. The weather service warns this could happen again Saturday. There is a slight risk for thunderstorms, and heavier showers could produce small hail or ice pellets through Saturday afternoon. The high will be near 49.

A gradual drying trend is expected from Saturday night and into Sunday. Overnight temperature will hover near freezing. Sunday morning could start with some patchy fog and some frost in isolated locations. By mid-morning, most of the metro area should be partly sunny. The high temp will be around 51.

On Monday night we get treated to another super moon:

Spring is in the air: the Super Worm Moon is coming!



Native American folklore tells us the March full moon rises when the ground thaws and earthworms, followed by robins, reappear.



It will peak at 5.47pm on Mon, March 9 in the UK.#Supermoon #Wormmoon #FridayFeeling #FullMoon pic.twitter.com/o6lWsNRZfM  Mark Rees (@reviewwales) March 6, 2020

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Armenias Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan received French Ambassador Jonathan Lacote.

The ambassador noted that since 2018, France has been paying special attention to post-revolutionary Armenia, praising its consistent fight against corruption. As a result, according to the ambassador, a number of French companies are interested in the prospect of operating in Armenia. "They don't come to Armenia for other subjective reasons," Lacote said. "They come because there are real opportunities here." The ambassador also presented the work on implementation of major investment projects in Armenia, and outlined, together with the minister, the future plans.

Minister Khachatryan stressed that the success of these programs will further bridge the economies of the two countries. The ambassador, in his turn, assured that the big brands expected arrival in Armenia will also change the attitude of the French investment community towards the country.

The sides exchanged views on geographical indications, too. Tigran Khachatryan noted that Armenia is committed to fulfilling its respective obligations, and underlined the importance of establishing an institute of notes.

The parties also touched upon the companies with French capital operating in Armenia, and their future plans.
A top European court official has found that amendments to Hungarys law on higher education that affect how foreign universities such as the Central European University operate in the country breach EU law.

The advocate general of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), Juliane Kokott, said Hungary must treat foreign and national higher education institutions equally.



Hungarys parliament passed the amendments in the spring of 2017. They obliged foreign universities to carry out educational activities in their home countries and made their operations dependent on a bilateral agreement between the Hungarian government and the country in which the universities were based.



The opinion, which does not bind the CJEU, said the contested legislation appears to be a means of arbitrary discrimination even if the intent of the legislation was to prevent fraudulent practices.



The CJEU noted in a press release that the CEU, founded by investor George Soros, was the only foreign university that failed to meet the requirements outlined in the amendments approved by lawmakers in 2017.



The European Commission launched an infringement procedure against Hungary over the amendments shortly after they were approved.



The EC said the amendments are not compatible with the freedom for higher education institutions to provide services and establish themselves anywhere in the EU and added that it is of the opinion that the new legislation runs counter to the right of academic freedom, the right to education and the freedom to conduct a business.



CEU welcomed the opinion, saying that it affirms, in every detail, the case that CEU has been making since lex CEU was passed. Should the CJEU adopt the advocate generals opinion, Hungary, as a member of the EU, would be obliged to scrap lex CEU, the statement said.



The statement noted that the CEU cannot enrol students in his US-accredited courses and the CEU now operates a campus in Vienna.



MTI Photo: Faludi Imre
Using public information and data available from across the world, Dataminrs AI platform finds, dissects and quantifies a large amount of data to make sense of potentially large impact events that can affect customers.

It sorts through millions upon millions of publicly available data, explained Moynihan. It then can elevate and augment alerts based on components and content that is relevant to customers.

In simple terms, one of the many benefits is the speed at which those utilising the platform can learn as much as possible about a disruptive event, almost before it takes hold. This gives them the best possible chance of responding to such an event, mitigating it as quickly as possible.

In the simplest terms  it ingests data, synthesising that data through a culmination of processes, said Moynihan. Once that data is ingested, you are able to isolate the data that is most important and relevant. This allows the user to make sense of it, model it and learn from it, and then rapidly mobilise the learned outcome to prepare for or mitigate a potential high-risk event.

So how can it be a specific help to insurance? The ability to respond and prepare for risks that could affect businesses is one important factor, but the high level of analysis, at such a speed, is what really allows insurers to be best placed to respond to any event that could impact their customers.

AI in this field is going to be able to be adopted in many ways, said Moynihan. The data the AI platform will be able to gain from the claims process, will be able to analyse and provide solutions faster and more rounded than, arguably, a human can.

And while AI is being used more now than it once was, if adopted even more the platform should provide insurers with a great way to get ahead of the curve.

I think all organisations are going to get earlier and greater visibility to relevant issues and events (by using AI), said Moynihan. There are real benefits to be had through automation and using AI as a framework to rapidly create better data sets and better visibility.
The Hemingway section of BMV Books on Bloor Street West is a straight shot through the front doors, up two steps, and to the back. The collection is impressive: The Torrents of Spring Death in the Afternoon and Hemingways short stories dominate the three rows, with one copy of The Sun Also Rises and By-Line, an anthology of Hemingways journalism, mixed in.

Mike Murray, the manager at BMV, says that even as the years go by and as new authors crop up, Hemingways books remain popular with his customers, partly in thanks to the English literature students who swamp the section at the beginning of each semester.

Its not surprising, Murray says. With his sparse style, theres still something to learn there.

That famously sparse style, described by novelist John Dos Passos as a combination of cablese and the King James Bible, would take years to refine, perfected only after pages of letters, literary writing, and, yes, dispatches for the Star.

Hemingways first bylined Star story, published March 6, 1920, shows another Hemingway entirely. A Free Shave is a whimsical, thousand-word tour through a barber college on Queen Street West, detailing Hemingways cut and shave courtesy of a bumbling novice barber.

If you want to save $5.60 a month on shaves and haircuts, go to the barber college, but take your courage with you, writes a 20-year-old Hemingway. For a visit to the barber college requires the cold, naked valour of the man who walks clear-eyed to death. If you dont believe it, go to the beginners department of the barbers college and offer yourself for a free shave. I did.

It was the first of around 200 Hemingway pieces to pop up in the Star  some bylined, some not  from 1920 to 1924. Over that stretch, Hemingway filed stories from Chicago, New York, Paris, and beyond, slotting in as the papers European correspondent and then as a staff reporter based out of Toronto.

The tone in his first piece is loose, light, and jokey  hardly resembling his more serious work later on. And although Hemingway complained to his then-wife, Hadley that journalism was getting in the way of his literary writing, his stint as a reporter gave him the opportunity to refine his distinct style, says Randy Boyagoda, author and professor of English, and principal of St. Michaels College at the University of Toronto.

In technical terms, journalism was a significant part of what made Hemingway the writer that he was, Boyagoda told the Star. He was writing on deadline in contexts where he couldnt be as elaborate as he wantedfor that reason, his experience in print journalism was really important to the technical side of his famous style.

Hemingway himself said that journalism forced him to learn how to write a simple declarative sentence. This, Hemingway said, was useful to anyone. The Nobel Prize winner remembered this early lesson, and occasionally used his journalism as inspiration for later work.

For example, the final chapter of A Moveable Feast, Hemingways posthumously-released memoir of 1920s Paris, lifts parts of a Star Weekly piece he wrote in 1923, according to William Whites By-Line.

And according to William Burrill, the author of Hemingway in Toronto, a Star Weekly article from June 3, 1922 on canoeing in Algonquin Park in many ways, suggests the style of later Hemingway short stories such as Big Two-Hearted River.

Though BMVs Mike Murray isnt exactly a fan of Hemingway  I havent read him in 30 years, he said  the author still has a loyal fanbase in Toronto.

Andre Alexis, the Giller Prize-winning author of Fifteen Dogs, told the Star that Hemingways style was crucial to him early on.

I feel like I encountered its echo, first in the work of Norman Levine, the greatest writer to come out of Ottawa. So that, when I read Hemingways work seriously for the first time, I had already accepted  and loved  its sparseness, its creative suppression, the way it allowed place for the reader to fill things out, to create along with the writer, Alexis says.

His style is easy to parody as was that of his mentor, Gertrude Stein. But I much prefer it to the elaborations of, say, Nabokov or, worse, Martin Amis, the ones addicted to Sunday language or relentless novelty.

When Hemingway left Toronto for Paris in January 1924, his colleagues at the Star were perplexed. He had a top slot at one of Canadas best papers and was getting paid handsomely, raking in around $75 a week.

Shouldnt it be surprising, then, that Hemingway left Toronto?

I find it surprising he even came here, said Nick Mount, an English professor at University of Toronto. Given the other locales he travelled to: Cuba, Paris  it is puzzling.

Chris Bateman, acting manager of Plaques and Public Education at Heritage Toronto, told the Star that nowadays, Toronto would be unrecognizable to Hemingway.

In 1920, the population was about 630,000 people...downtown hummed with factories and manufacturing operations during the day and fell silent each night. Now, theres almost three million of us, were ethnically diverse, and we lead the way in creating an inclusive and diverse city that respects its heritage, Bateman wrote over email.

Hemingway wouldnt recognize the city, sure, but would he like Toronto?

I think Hemingway would love it here now, writes Bateman. Its much easier to get a drink when you want one, even if LCBO still closes early on Sunday.

Ted Fraser is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ted_fraser
Strict visitor restrictions have been implemented in more than 20 hospitals around the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The South/South West Hospital Group, UL Hospitals Group and Saolta Group have all implemented visitor bans and restrictions.

In total, 21 health facilities are affected.

The news comes as up to 60 healthcare workers at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been asked to self-isolate and all nursing homes nationwide have banned visitors.

It follows the confirmation of coronavirus in a male patient several days after his admission to CUH for symptoms linked to a serious underlying health condition.

The man had no history of travel to affected areas in Northern Italy and had no known contact with another confirmed case.

It is the first case of community transmission of the virus in Ireland. There are currently 13 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Ireland.

The South/South West Hospital Group said visitor restrictions have been introduced "with immediate effect" due to infection control concerns.

The hospitals where these restrictions have been implemented are:

Cork University Hospital

Cork University Maternity Hospital

University Hospital Kerry

University Hospital Waterford

South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital

Mercy University Hospital

Bantry General Hospital

Mallow General Hospital

In a statement, South/South West Hospital Group said the restrictions are "in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent the spread of infection".

It added: "Anyone with any queries about visiting times or visiting a particular hospital should ring the respective hospital directly.

"Management at the South/South West Hospital Group have requested that where appropriate the public contact their GP/Out of Hours service in the first instance and explore all other options available to them prior to presenting to Emergency Departments if their needs are not urgent."

A visiting ban has also been introduced at all six health facilities run by the UL Hospitals Group.

The group said that the sites affected by their visitors' ban are:

University Hospital Limerick

University Maternity Hospital Limerick

St Johns Hospital

Nenagh Hospital

Ennis Hospital

Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.

"We regret any distress or inconvenience these extraordinary measures will cause to patients and their loved ones," the statement said.

"These measures are being taken in order to minimise any spread of infection within our hospital sites."

There are exceptions to the ban, which are:

Parents visiting children in hospital

Partners of women attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick

People visiting patients at end-of-life

People assisting confused patients (e.g. dementia)

People visiting patients in Critical Care

The hospitals group said the exemptions are limited to one person per patient only.

"Please note that the ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick and the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns," the statement continued.

"We are appealing to members of the public to co-operate with these necessary restrictions.

"We are also urging the public to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only; a place where priority is given to the seriously injured and ill and those whose lives may be at risk."

All elective surgeries and outpatient appointments at the six facilities have also been cancelled for next Monday and Tuesday.

The Saolta Group group are also implementing visiting restrictions at all of their hospitals in the north-west from today.

The hospitals affected are:

University Hospital Galway

Merlin Park University Hospital

Portiuncula University Hospital

Roscommon University Hospital

Mayo University Hospital

Sligo University Hospital

Letterkenny University Hospital

A spokesperson for the Saolta Group said: "We are asking the public not to visit any hospital other than end of life situations and other exceptional circumstances as agreed with the ward manager in advance of visiting."

The spokesperson said to arrange a visit "families should telephone the hospital and request to speak to the relevant ward manager who will decide if a visit can be facilitated without compromising the welfare of the patients on the ward.

"Children in particular should not visit patients in hospital.

"We recognise that the visiting restrictions may be challenging for patients and their families, however, our priority must be to protect the patients in our hospitals who are vulnerable to infection.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation."

Useful information The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

Earlier today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said mass public gatherings such as St Patricks Day parades

Read More:

Speaking following a stakeholder meeting with health officials on Friday, he said: We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled but this of course will be kept under review.

The Government announced today that the Covid-19 Stakeholder Forum "was today provided with guidance to organisers and attendees of mass gatherings".

A statement said: "The Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health has advised that the Covid-19 virus is still in containment phase.

"The current public health advice is that there is no reason to cancel any proposed mass gatherings including the St. Patricks Day Festival."
Prestea Huni  Valley Municipal Education Directorate has taken delivery of 8,000 bottles of soft drinks and 1,000 exercise books to help celebrate Ghanas 63rd anniversary in the Prestea Huni  Valley Municipality.

The items which cost over Ghc16,000 were delivered by Golden Star Resources Bogoso/Prestea Limited Thursday March 5, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Presenting the items to the Municipal Assembly, which was later handed over to the Ghana Education Service, the Health and Safety, Environment and Community Manager (HSEC) of Golden Star Prestea Bogoso/Prestea Limited (GSBPL) Mr. Robert Gyamfi said, the drinks are to refresh the school children after activities of the day, whiles the books are for award winners.

He stated that, despite the challenges the company is facing, it cannot let Ghanas 63rd celebration pass without recognizing the school children who make it happen in the companys catchment areas.

He said, The Company has consistently, irrespective of business health of the company, in our widows might provide support through the municipal assembly to the appropriate agency, being the Ghana Education Directorate, to refresh, more especially the school children

Mr. Gyamfi said though the presentation has been a yearly usance, GSBPL always takes delight in doing such. Because it also puts smiles on the faces of the future leaders.

The children must know that, even with our challenge, we believe that we need to celebrate with them and push Ghana in the right direction, he stated.

On his part, the Prestea Huni  Valley Municipal Coordinator Mr. Peter Wilson, thanked the mining firm for their support whenever the need arises, though there are challenges.

Later, the Public Relations Officer for the Prestea Huni Valley Education Directorate, Mrs. Emefa Gyamfi, on behalf of her Director Madam Mary Vida Kwoffie expressed their utmost gratitude to GSBPL for thinking about the school children once more this year.

She however pleads with the Company to include some bags of water, if possible, in the coming years which the children could cool down with whiles they stand in the sun.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Friday signed a sweeping spending bill to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, pumping billions of dollars into prevention efforts and research in hopes of quickly producing a vaccine for the deadly disease.

Trump signed the bill on the same day worldwide cases surpassed 100,000

Lawmakers had worked through the weekend before resolving a dispute over vaccine pricing and unveiling the $8.3 billion aid package in Congress on Wednesday. It sailed through the House and Senate by Thursday.

Only three lawmakers voted against the bill: Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., and Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

That speedy action by an otherwise bitterly divided Congress underscored just how seriously the government is taking the threat of the coronavirus. A slew of new cases have been confirmed in the U.S. in recent days, and health officials have warned that the virus is on the verge of becoming a pandemic.

The size of the bill dwarfs the $2.5 billion in funding the Trump administration had originally proposed.
A man in a face mask rides the subway in Manhattan, New York City, after further cases of coronavirus were confirmed in New York on March 5, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Maryland Declares a State of Emergency After 3 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed

After three cases of COVID-19 coronavirus were confirmed in the state, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday night that hes declaring a state of emergency.

Hogan wrote on Twitter Thursday that the states Public Health Laboratory in Baltimore confirmed the patientsa married couple in their 70s as well as a woman in her 50s in Montgomery Countyhad contracted COVID-19 while traveling overseas.

They are in good condition, he said, without elaborating on where they may have traveled.

Following the three cases, Hogan told a news conference he is declaring an emergency, following similar declarations made in Florida, Washington state, California, and Hawaii in recent days after those states respectively confirmed their first coronavirus cases. The emergency was declared to mobilize more resources, and the governor also authorized the state emergency agency and Department of Health to coordinate the COVID-19 response.

A thorough investigation is underway to determine their recent interactions with the public, he said of the couple. This news is serious, but this is exactly what our state has been actively and aggressively preparing for many weeks now, Hogan said. I encourage all Marylanders not to panic, but to take this seriously and to stay informed as we continue to provide updates.

Travelers wear medical masks at Grand Central station in New York City on March 5, 2020. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Maryland Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips told the news conference that the patients came back to the United States on Feb. 20 and were tested on March 3 after state officials learned of their symptoms.

So far, about a dozen other states have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Officials in Colorado on Thursday night also confirmed the states first case, according to the states health agency, which said the patient is a male in his 30s who isnt from Colorado and was visiting Summit County.

The department is working with the local public health agencies to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed while the person was infectious. Public health practitioners will attempt to contact anyone who may have been exposed and monitor them for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, Colorado health officials said.

Tennessee on Thursday also confirmed the states first patient, who is being quarantined in Williamson County, said Gov. Bill Lee in a news conference.

So far, more than 150 cases and 12 deaths have been reported by the CDC and various state health agencies across the U.S. as of Thursday evening. The majority of the deaths have occurred in King County, Washington.
(ANSAmed) - Rome, March 6 - World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Italy's response to the coronavirus on Friday and thanked President Sergio Mattarella for a message to the nation on the emergency he gave on Thursday.



In the message, Mattarella called for Italy to be united in combatting the deadly virus and for people to follow the instructions of the government. Premier Giuseppe Conte's executive has closed Italy's schools and universities and told people to change their lifestyles in various ways to prevent contagion.



These include refraining from handshakes and greetings involving hugs and kisses and keeping a distance of at least one metre with other people. (ANSAmed).


New Delhi, March 6 : Delhi Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said about 90 per cent of the riot victims here have filled up compensation forms and compensation will be distributed shortly.

Rai visited a relief camp in Mustafabad for those rendered homeless in the recent anti-CAA riots.

The minister said the people who were sheltered in the camp had to face difficulties because of the rainwater.

"The situation of the rainwater which was accumulated was diffused by the Delhi government authorities by laying wooden planks on the floors," Rai said as he took stock of facilities provided by the Delhi government to the people in the relief camps.

"90 per cent of the riot victims have filled up the compensation forms and the compensation will be distributed shortly," he said.

Rai said that it has been reported that many riot-affected people are finding it difficult to lodge an FIR with the concerned police station.

He said that he has spoken to SHOs and DCPs of the concerned police stations to solve the problem and to accelerate the FIR filing of these people so that they can receive compensation at the earliest.

"Compensation forms for about 90 per cent of the riot-affected people have been filled up. For this, we had also formed 20 teams of AAP volunteers. The 10 per cent riot-affected people, whose compensation forms have not been filled up, have either gone home or are living elsewhere and are not able to come in contact with the officials of that area. They are not even living in a camp," Rai added.

He said the government will expedite the process of giving compensation to them.

He said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has prepared a plan for the distribution of compensation by talking to the administrative authorities.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 6 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 26,580 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,364 pence 17.76 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,290 pence 16.80 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,330 pence 17.32 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 6 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 11,003 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 17.44 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 16.80 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 17.21 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 6 March 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 26,177 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 17.66 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 16.80 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 17.31 USD

PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 25.04 USD 19.53 GBP which was calculated as of 29 February 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 202,781,338 Public Shares outstanding, or 208,449,358 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 8,175,412 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005469/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
All three Himachal Pradesh natives who underwent medical examination for suspected coronavirus afflictions have been tested negative, a state health official said Friday.

The samples of two COVID 19-hit suspects from Palampur and one from Bilaspur were sent to a Delhi laboratory, which has found them having no affliction, he added.

The Bilaspur suspect was admitted to an isolation ward in Shimla's Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), while the two from Palampur were kept under observation at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College Hospital in Kangra's Tanda.

The state government, meanwhile on Friday as a precautionary measure against the spread of the virus, advised its employees not to use biometric machines for registering their attendance till March 31.

A total of 218 people were kept under observation for 28 days at their homes in the state with 190 people of them already having completed the mandatory surveillance period, the health official said.

Those who visited any of the virus hit, high-risk countries before February 10 may contact at toll free number 104 to provide information about their travel and coronavirus, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The son of former Real Housewife of Orange County Lauri Peterson, Josh Waring, has reached a plea deal and is set to be released from prison.

The 32-year-old former reality star was on trial for several counts including attempted murder from a July 2016 shooting.

However he plead guilty on Friday to several felony counts including assault with a firearm, evading a police officer, 2 counts of assault, hit-and-run with property damage and battery according to TMZ.

Tough times: Josh Waring has reached a plea deal and is set to be released from prison, he was on trial for several counts including attempted murder from a July 2016 shooting

Support system: He is the son of former Real Housewife of Orange County Lauri Peterson, seen here at a courtroom in Santa Ana in August 2018

His attorney, Joel Garson, told the publication that his client will get time served thus will be released on Friday.

It has not been an easy four years for Josh as he was slashed in the face by a fellow inmate in an incident that took place on October 9 in the Orange County jail in Santa Ana.

Waring has been in jail since 2016 for an alleged shooting and car theft. He was badly beaten and cut.

In the closed-circuit video, Waring is seen wearing a white t-shirt and white shorts.

It has not been an easy four years for Josh as he was slashed in the face by a fellow inmate in an incident that took place on October 9 in the Orange County jail in Santa Ana

A shirtless, heavily tattooed inmate armed with razor blades wrapped in a towel attacks Waring

Waring defends himself as best he can but suffers serious cuts to his face and chest

Waring told his mother that he feels his life is in danger from both inmates and jail guards

This is at least the third time that Waring was assaulted by a fellow inmate, according to his mother

Waring was worried that the razors used in the attack werent sterile, and that he could have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease

A shirtless, heavily tattooed man is seen charging at Waring and delivering a number of blows with the razors.

Waring tries to defend himself and retaliates, but he absorbs more blows than he delivers.

Shortly after the incident, his mother Peterson shared photos of her sons injuries.

The upsetting, graphic photos show multiple stitches on Warings face, and 20 staples in a major laceration in his chest.

Waring was worried that the razors used in the attack werent sterile, and that he could have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease.

In an interview with TMZ at the time, Peterson said her son has been repeatedly attacked not just by inmates but also by jail guards.

Family first: peterson pictured at Watch What Happens live in 2015

In an interview with TMZ at the time, Peterson said her son has been repeatedly attacked not just by inmates but also by jail guards

Josh has been telling me over the last few years that his life is in danger and that guards have been threatening to kill him and other inmates have attacked him, she said.

To see this actually come to fruition and happen is just horrific for me.

Im appalled, Im sad, Im brokenhearted. Im disgusted. Im concerned.

Peterson says that she feared for her sons life.

Im thankful that he is alive because looking at this video and seeing how premeditated this was - he was clearly trying to kill Josh, she said.

Peterson told TMZ that her son is being targeted because of his so-called celebrity status.

The jail placed Waring in protective custody at the time, which has reportedly made him a target among other inmates.

She alleges that the guards who are supposed to protect her son have intentionally allowed other inmates to attack him.

The actual jail itself is facilitating these attacks, she said.

This is his third attack from inmates.

Tough items: Waring is pictured in court on Friday

Peterson is also alleging that the authorities have covered up attacks on her son at the hands of guards.

Hes also been attacked by guards that are on video tape that is under protective seal, and its being covered up right now, she said.

Were trying to get that protective seal released so that the public can see the guard attack Josh in the middle of the night while he was sleeping.

In 2016, Waring was arrested after he allegedly shot a man at a sober living home where he was staying.

If convicted, he would have faced life imprisonment as both Waring and his mother have said he is innocent.

Peterson was on the Real Housewives of Orange County. She quit the show in 2008 after her son, who has struggled with drug addiction, ran into legal troubles. From left: Former RHOC stars Jeana Keough, Jo De La Rosa, Peterson, and Vicki Gunvalson in 2016

Authorities allege that in June 2016, Waring shot Daniel Lopez in Costa Mesa, California, and then fled in a stolen vehicle.

Waring's first trial was ruled a mistrial because his right to a speedy trial was violated.

Waring was charged with battery, hit and run with property damage; resisting arrest and obstructing an officer; unlawful taking of a vehicle, reckless driving, and evading police.

Peterson quit the Bravo reality show in 2008 after revealing that her son was addicted to heroin, had relapsed and was arrested.
The director Matthew Heineman has an uncanny ability to get his camera into difficult places. For his Oscar-nominated documentary Cartel Land, he embedded himself with armed vigilante groups fighting the Mexican drug cartels. For City of Ghosts, he filmed a group of Syrian journalists in Raqqa who risked their lives to expose ISIS atrocities.

His cameras have been just as intrepid for the Showtime documentary series, The Trade, which returns Friday for its second season. People often ask Heineman how he gets such intimate access, he said Monday over afternoon coffee. But the access is the essence of the job; he wouldnt bother without it.

The challenge now may be accessing peoples living rooms. Season 1 tackled the opioid crisis, which for all its horrors is not especially polarizing. But Season 2 goes deep into the dangers facing Central American migrants  a subject about which many Americans appear to have made up their minds.

I think the first priority with this show, he said, as with anything Ive ever done, is to try to take an issue that people think they understand, thats often plastered across the headlines, and to try to humanize it. To try to put a human face to it.
All female MPs in Federal Parliament should join forces in a cross-party women's caucus to tackle common issues and increase women's influence in politics, Labor senator Deborah O'Neill says.

Inspired by similar moves overseas, Senator O'Neill said a women's caucus would give female parliamentarians the opportunity to work together on critical policy areas such as women's health, domestic violence and other issues "that we all agree on".

Labor senator Deborah O'Neill wants to see a multi-party women's caucus in Federal Parliament. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

"We're all different kinds of women. But there are some things about us that are the same," the NSW senator told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday.

"Woe betide any man who gets in the way of a female caucus of an entire parliament."
Increased capacity, expansion, in European automotive industry

Sage Automotive Interiors (an Asahi Kasei company) has signed an agreement to acquire the automotive fabric business of Adient (NYSE: ADNT) with the goal of expanding capacity and capability for automotive interior products to the European market. With a number of locations in Europe, the textile facilities are ideally suited to supply the automotive cut and sew facilities in Central and Eastern Europe.

"Europe continues to be a key growth area for Sage Automotive Interiors," said Dirk Pieper, CEO of Sage Automotive Interiors. "In addition, the technology and capabilities that will now be part of Sage Automotive Interiors will strengthen our ability to serve customers from our current locations in Europe and the rest of the world."

"As Adient continues to focus on its core business, we believe that the sale of our fabrics operation to Sage better positions that business for growth and long-term successful performance," said Doug Del Grosso, president and CEO of Adient.

Per the agreement, Sage Automotive Interiors will pay $175M for Adient's automotive fabric business. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions and is not expected to be completed until mid 2020.

Sage Automotive Interiors (www.sageautomotiveinteriors.com) is one of the world's leading providers of automotive interior materials-seating, door panel surfaces, and headliners-to automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Global offices and manufacturing locations include the U.S., Japan, China, Brazil, Korea, India, Thailand, Mexico, and Europe. Sage enjoys core strengths in consumer research, sustainability and innovative problem solving for the OEM. Sage's vision is to be the market leader in design, engineering, and technical capability supported by world class manufacturing. Sage Automotive Interiors is an Asahi Kasei company (TYO: 3407).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005900/en/

Contacts:

Sidney Locke

Sage Automotive Interiors

(864) 630-8999

sidney.locke@sageai.com
Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Cambridge.

3 Biogen employees test positive for coronavirus after attending meeting in Boston

Three Biogen employees who attended a meeting in Boston last week have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Cambridge-based biotechnology company announced Thursday.

Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston.

Woman dies after being hit by pickup truck in Cambridge

A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman has died after being hit by a pickup truck Sunday in Cambridge. State police announced Wednesday that Juzhen Feng of Cambridge had died after being hit around 8:15 Sunday morning on Memorial Drive near Ames Street.

Read the full story on NBC10 Boston.

City developers pledge more building as affordable housing issues persist

As a paucity of available affordable housing continues to plague the Cambridge area, the city government's Housing Committee gathered Tuesday to assess the current outlook and discuss looming challenges.

Read the full story on The Harvard Crimson.

This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Four hours after allegedly gunning down his mother in the middle of an Elmwood street, DaRius Sims carjacked a couple in a Metairie parking lot while accompanied by a pair of small dogs, investigators say.

Sims, 22, of Metairie, then fled across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, where he was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase shortly after midnight on Feb. 25, according to authorities.

Authorities this week transferred Sims from St. Tammany Parish to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, where he was booked Wednesday with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, obstruction of justice, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of parole violation, according to arrest reports.

+3 Metairie man fatally shoots his mom on Dickory Avenue before leading police on 130-mph chase A Metairie man led police on a chase across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway that hit speeds of 130 mph early Tuesday. When officers finally pu

Sims allegedly shot and killed his mother, Jeanette Collins, 61, in front of three of their relatives in the 1300 block of Dickory Avenue about 8:35 p.m. Feb. 24, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office.

The family had been riding together in a van when they stopped the vehicle due to Sims agitation. Family members said they arent sure why Sims then pulled out a gun and shot his mother. But they suspect he suffers from an undiagnosed mental illness.

After the shooting, Sims ran north on Dickory. He headed to his North Dilton Street home, just under two miles away. There, he took another relatives car, according to Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office.

It's unclear what became of that vehicle. But Sims apparently needed another mode of transportation just after midnight when authorities say he approached a silver Nissan Maxima parked in the 2700 block of Edenborn Avenue in Metairie.

A 19-year-old Metairie man and his girlfriend, 20, were asleep inside the car. Authorities didn't say why the couple was dozing in the parking lot.

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

+3 JPSO chase ends with wrong-way crash on West Bank Expressway; suspect bites deputy A driver fleeing Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies tried to escape by driving the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of the elevated We

The couple awoke when a man later identified as Sims opened the door and demanded to be driven somewhere else, the Sheriffs Office said. Sims had with him two small dogs that appeared to be puppies, the couple said.

The man refused to cooperate, infuriating Sims, who ordered the pair out of the car while reaching for something in his waistband, according to authorities. The man and woman told deputies they spotted what they believed to be a gun and got out of the car. Sims then put the two dogs into it and drove off.

Sims caught the attention of Causeway police after they received a call around 12:30 a.m. about a car driving recklessly on the bridge, Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechou said.

An officer clocked Sims driving 113 mph, kicking off a brief high-speed chase. Sims soared to speeds of 130 mph before he hit the curb on both sides of the roadway, causing the cars hood to fly up and block his view, Dufrechou said.

Causeway police arrested Sims and booked him with DWI, aggravated obstruction of a highway, resisting police, speeding and driving without a license.

In Jefferson Parish, bail was set at $860,000 on the charges related to the homicide and carjacking. But he was being held without bail for parole violations.

No information was available about what became of the dogs.
The 21st edition of International



Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, which was scheduled to be held here at the end of the month, has been postponed in light of the coronavirus scare, organisers said on Friday.

One of the most popular award functions in the country was scheduled to be held from March 27 to 29 at Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

"With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFA's fans and the general community at large, it has been decided to postpone the much-awaited IIFA Weekend and Awards 2020 celebrations, which were originally scheduled at the end of March," a statement issued by IIFA read.

A fresh date and plan for hosting IIFA in the state will be announced at the earliest, an official said.

So far no positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(CNN)  At least 32 people have died since Sunday in southeastern Brazil as heavy rains have swamped the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with more rain predicted and mudslides possible, authorities said Thursday.

Dozens are still unaccounted for, and more than 5,000 have been displaced, according to the Sao Paulo Civil Defense Authority and the governor of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil has been suffering from unusually heavy rains this year. February was the rainiest month for Sao Paolo since record-keeping began 77 years ago, according to the National Meteorological Institute.

And authorities warn that relief is not coming soon. After 72 hours of continuous rainfall, even more rain is expected, and authorities are asking communities to remain on high alert for possible mudslides.

Several cities in the coastal Baixada Santista region of Sao Paulo were severely affected, including Guaruja and Santos.

In Guaruja alone, 17 people were killed, including a firefighter in the rescue mission, CNN affiliate Record TV reported. About 200 people lost their homes, the Sao Paulo Civil Defense added.

Humanitarian aid has been delivered to Baixada Santista region, with mattresses, blankets, food and water being distributed to residents.

The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, expressed his condolences on Tuesday to the families of five victims who died in Rio de Janeiro, according to the State Secretariat for Social Development and Human Rights.

He also announced the creation of a relief fund for those affected by the floods, especially in the cities of Mage, Mesquita, Rio Bonito and Seropedica, where more than 5,000 people have been displaced.

The amount of rain that fell across Rio de Janeiro on Monday morning was equivalent to more than half the average for March, the city's Operational Defense said. In Santa Cruz, it rained 6 inches in 32 hours, just less than the average for the entire month.

An ongoing storm system was seen over the coast and inland, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service in the US said. The conditions will cause massive landslides, flooding and strong winds, the service warned.
Donald Trump's top economic adviser has acknowledged that officials dont actually know what the magnitude of the coronavirus is going to be amid a global outbreak  while stressing that Americans should continue to work.

Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBCs Squawk on the Street that Americans should remain calm as the death toll from the virus surpasses 3,400 worldwide, with at least 250 cases confirmed across the country.

I dont want to downplay anything, the White House adviser began. Worry about the effect on human beings, for heavens sake.

He added: But Im just saying, lets not overreact. In many ways, America should stay at work.

Mr Kudlow also suggested the mysterious virus  believed to have originated in a market in Wuhan, China  wouldnt result in a major outbreak in the US.

Recommended Trump links solid jobs report to people staying in US over coronavirus

We dont actually know what the magnitude of the virus is going to be, he said, although frankly so far it looks relatively contained.

Those comments appeared to reflect statements the president made during a town hall with Fox News on Thursday night, in which he celebrated the stock markets performance surrounding coronavirus.

Look, we were set to hit 30,000 on the Dow, Mr Trump said. And even though its down 10 or 11 percent, its still the highest its ever been, by far. It certainly might have an impact.

He added: At the same time, I have to say, people are now staying in the United States, spending their money in the US  and I like that. People are now staying in the United States, spending their money in the US, and I like that. Ive been after that for a long time.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

He once again echoed those comments on Friday morning, telling reporters at the White House a lot of people are staying here due to coronavirus and were going to have Americans staying home amid the outbreak.

Meanwhile, US health officials have warned the spread of the virus was inevitable and have encouraged citizens to take proactive measures to avoid contracting the virus.

A Reuters report on Friday also suggested the US was considering discouraging Americans from travelling on cruise ships, where a number of coronavirus outbreaks have occurred in recent weeks after the virus initially began spreading from China.
Boris Johnson's proposed bridge linking Britain with Northern Ireland is now set to be a tunnel, the Scottish Secretary announced yesterday.

Alister Jack said that he and the prime minister both favoured examining a tunnel from Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway to Larne in Co Antrim.

He said a tunnel would be cheaper to build than Mr Johnson's previous plan for a bridge over the Irish Sea, which he warned might have to close up to 100 days a year because of high winds.

It would also avoid a World War II munitions dump in an area known as Beaufort's Dyke and could be built by 2030, he claimed.

Mr Jack said other options would be examined, including a crossing that incorporated both a bridge and tunnel, but he insisted he and the prime minister were "on the same page" about the tunnel proposal.

Mr Johnson's spokesman confirmed last night that a tunnel crossing was being studied by government officials as an option for the proposed crossing over the Irish Sea.

"The prime minister is passionate about improving connectivity all across the UK and work is being carried out to look at this project," he said.

Although Mr Jack admitted that civil servants have yet to estimate a cost, he said that Arlene Foster, the Northern Irish First Minister, was also "very enthusiastic" about the plan.

It emerged in September last year that the prime minister had asked his civil servants for advice on building a 21-mile bridge, with the cost estimated at around 15bn (17bn).

However, the Institution of Civil Engineers had argued earlier this year that the government should build a tunnel instead.
Italy replaces Iran as country with highest coronavirus cases after China

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 8:46 AM

Italy has replaced Iran as the country with the highest number of coronavirus deaths outside of China, as its fatalities exceed 100.

The total number of people in Italy who died of the COVID-19 virus rose to 107, the country's Civil Protection Agency said on Wednesday, after 28 deaths were reported in the previous 24 hours.

According to Angelo Borrelli, the head of the agency, the number of the people infected with the highly-contagious virus also soared to 3,502, from 3,089 a day earlier.

COVID-19 has killed 92 people and infected 2,922 others in Iran as of late Wednesday, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health. Some 552 Iranians have recovered from the disease so far.

The Italian outbreak started 13 days ago. The country is believed to have been the pathogen's gateway to Europe.

On Wednesday, Italy shut down all schools and universities until March 15 and took other emergency measures to combat the spread the new coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

More than 93,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide and the number of deaths from the virus has reached 3,110 globally, although most of them remain confined to China, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

South Korea

South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday that the number of confirmed cases in the country had reached 5,766, the largest outside China, adding that 35 people had died. Around 75 percent of the cases are in the southeastern city of Daegu.

The South Korean authorities have announced a ban on face mask exports.

On Tuesday, President Moon Jae-in said the entire country was at war with the new coronavirus, saying Seoul would inject 25 billion dollars into the economy in the wake of the outbreak.

China

On Thursday, China reported a rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19, reversing three days in a row of declines, saying the spike had occurred due to new infections in Wuhan, the birthplace of the outbreak.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) said that 139 new cases had been confirmed as of Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 80,409. It had reported 119 new cases on Wednesday and 125 on Tuesday.

Algeria

Algeria's Health Ministry reported nine new confirmed cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 17.

It added that the cases included 16 people from the same family in Blida Province.

(This is a developing story and is updated as new information is obtained.)

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Tunis: 'suicide bomber blows himself up near U.S. embassy' No victims reported so far except attacker, sources

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, MARCH 6 - A man driving a motorcycle on Friday blew himself up in Tunis in front of a bank close to a checkpoint in the proximity of the US embassy.



The attack was reported at around 11:20 am local time, according to sources on the ground.



No victims have been reported so far except for the attacker.




Coca-Cola was accused of hiring hitmen from a prominent paramilitary group between 1990 and 2002 to kill at least 10 trade union leaders.

U.S.-based Coca-Cola company along with more than 50 other companies were accused by Colombian courts of financing terrorism for their ties to the now-disbanded paramilitary organization, United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a fact trade union leaders have been denouncing for decades.

The cases against the companies will be heard in a transitional justice tribunal after the peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government is signed.

Coca-Cola was accused of hiring hitmen from the AUC between 1990 and 2002 to kill at least 10 labor union leaders who were trying to organize Coca-Colas plants. U.K. oil company BP has also be taken to court for its funding of AUC, along with kidnapping and human rights abuses.

Other companies suspected of financing terrorism, commonly referred to as the para-economy, include Colombias largest beverage company Postobon, cement company Cementos Argos, state oil company Ecopetrol and banana distributor Chiquita Brands International.

In June, families of victims killed by paramilitary groups opened a federal lawsuit against Chiquitain the U.S. for supporting the AUC. The company was estimated to have made at least 100 payments to the group worth US$1.7 million between 1997 and 2004.

The right-wing AUC coalition, deemed a terrorist organization by the Colombian government, disbanded in 2006. The paramilitary group was responsible for a number of massacres, human rights abuses, kidnappings and extortions that resulted in the displacement of thousands of Colombians.

Some politicians and authorities have been sentenced in relation to links with the AUC, the majority of businesses involved have not been punished for their illegal financial activities.

Investigations and punishment of businesses involved with paramilitary groups have commonly stuttered over whether payments were voluntary or not and if companies received any benefits in return.
If your employees can work from home, they probably already should be.

With coronavirus detected in more than a dozen US states and the death toll in the world's largest economy rising, sending workers home should be a logical next step, said Scott Ream, chair of the Association of Continuity Professionals, a 1,700-member organisation of business professionals that advises US companies on how to operate in a time of crisis.

"If an organisation is able to have people work from home, then obviously that's the no-brainer," said Ream, who also operates his own business-continuity company. "The ACP recommends that if you are able to execute a work-from-home contingency plan you should be, if not invoking it now, making sure that all the things that you will need to be in place to invoke it are ready to go."

If employees can work from home, they probably already should be, experts in the US say. Credit:Shutterstock

The novel virus outbreak has escalated in just a few days in the US. As more reported cases spread from Washington to New York and New Jersey, the question of whether and when to send workers home has become more urgent. Companies in Washington state - the most hard-hit so far with 10 deaths from the virus in a long-term care facility - have already started to do so, responding to local health department recommendations.
LANSING, MI - Michigan Virtual and the College Board have joined forces to increase student participation and performance in online Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, officials say.

AP classes are a challenging introduction to college-level work that is intended to prepare students for success in college. This new initiative is aimed at strengthening AP access across Michigan high schools.

The plan is to particularly target those schools with no AP classes, said to often be in rural areas with no local higher education institutions.

If we want our children to be able to compete in todays global economy, we need to ensure that all children have access to challenging coursework and more specifically to Advanced Placement coursework, said State Superintendent Michael Rice in a press release.

This is a matter of equity and opportunity for our Michigan children. I appreciate the collaboration between the College Board and Michigan Virtual to address this critical need, especially for our small, rural schools.

Students scoring well on end-of-course AP exams are eligible to earn college credit.

Between 2014-15 and 2018-19, theres been an 18% increase in the number of Michigan students in AP courses, from 67,285 to 79,546, the Michigan Department of Education reported in January.

Officials with this newly launched initiative say expanding student participation in AP courses supports Gov. Gretchen Whitmers efforts to raise the higher education achievement rate.

In her State of the State address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she wants 60 percent of adults to have a postsecondary education credential by 2030. Currently, about 44 percent of Michigans working-age adults have a post-secondary credential, according to the governors office.

She has proposed several college tuition subsidies. This credential goal is part of a larger plan to tackle the growing talent shortage in the workforce.

More than 50 percent of Michigan public schools do not have a robust AP program. Michigan Virtual provides online K-12 learning solutions and the AP program is run by the College Board.

The College Board defines a robust AP program as one that offers at least five AP courses, according to a press release.

Unfortunately, 39% of Michigan public high schools offer no AP courses. Moreover, a majority (55%) of all rural schools dont offer a single AP course, and 76% of rural high schools dont have robust AP programs.

Officials say students are increasingly capitalizing on virtual AP offerings to engage in courses currently unavailable to them at their local school, expanding access to challenging, college-level coursework for all Michigan students.

Jamey Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Michigan Virtual, said they have established a goal to increase College Board exams taken by virtual students using its coursework by 2,000 by 2025.

Our partnership will include research to examine student engagement, persistence and performance in online AP courses to inform future strategies to further improve outcomes, Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

Last year, Michigan Virtual provided nearly 3,000 online AP enrollments in 23 different course titles.

Between 2014-15 and 2018-19, theres been an 18% increase in the number of students in AP courses, from 67,285 to 79,546, the Michigan Department Education reported in January.

This partnership is described as drawing from new National Standards for Quality Online Teaching, the National Standards for Online Courses and the National Standards for Quality Online Programs.

The work of the partnership will also focus on model teacher training resources to meet the specific needs of online instructors and local mentors, according to the press release.

Read more on MLive:

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A high-profile Sydney neurosurgeon accused of punching his wife in the face and kicking her in the stomach was attacked by her while he slept because she thought he had been unfaithful, a court has heard.

Dr Timothy Steel, 56, was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and destroying property in December 2019 after an altercation at his Bellevue Hill home in Sydney's east.

Neurosurgeon Dr Timothy Steel leaves Downing Centre Courts on Friday. Credit:James Alcock

Police allege Dr Steel punched and slapped his wife Emma's face on December 14, punched and kicked her stomach, and ripped out one of her hair extensions. He is also accused of kicking another person in the stomach and throwing a mobile phone into a pool before jumping in after it.

In a triple-0 call played to Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, Mrs Steel said her husband had "been on cocaine all night" and hit her in the head, leaving blood in her mouth. She was told two police cars were coming with lights and sirens.
Kaiser Permanente likes to say health isnt an industry, its a cause.

Were all in this together, the healthcare giant states in its marketing brochures, and together, we thrive.

But staying on message is difficult for some Kaiser employees in the coronavirus era. Ever since Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center put 70 employees into quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus, a handful of those workers have quietly and anonymously insisted that Kaiser is unprepared. It lacks some basic protective equipment, they claim, and is putting its own employees at risk.

Kaiser officials flatly reject that contention. Kaiser officials claim they have all the masks and suits and other protective gear they need.

Theres a lot of fear out there, said Wendy Watson, Kaiser Northwests chief financial officer.

CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: THE LATEST NEWS

The question of whether Kaiser is prepared took a twist last weekend when the company asked the state for help. In a transaction that came together largely because of the intervention of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, the Oregon Health Authority delivered 700 highly prized N-95 respirator masks and another 1,000 surgical masks to Kaiser.

There perhaps has never been a time more important for U.S. health systems and hospitals to be fully stocked with the right safety gear and its people well trained in their use. The coronavirus has spread nearly worldwide barely two months after Chinese researchers first identified it. Nearly 100,000 people globally have been diagnosed with the disease and more than 3,000 have died.

Its a stressful time for everyone in the healthcare business. While many industry veterans hope coronavirus fizzles like so many other predicted killer viruses from Asia, it shows little sign of doing so. Oregon hospitals are trying to stock up on supplies, conduct trainings and cross their fingers that their protocols work as intended when the next infected patient seeks treatment at their facility.

Dr. Renee Edwards, chief medical officer at Oregon Health Science University, heads a team that has been meeting daily on coronavirus issues. Its obviously tough to plan when you dont know how many COVID-19 sufferers there will be. Things have definitely been a little crazy Edwards said. Were definitely feeling that.

OHSU is not suffering any shortages of masks, Edwards said, because its supplier manufactures them in the U.S. and Mexico. Much of the worlds supply of respirators and surgical masks comes from China, where factories were shuttered after the virus struck.

Hospital workers scared, frustrated

The first U.S. death came nine days ago. Then came the tragedy at a skilled nursing facility near Seattle where the virus took hold and killed 10 and sickened dozens of others.

Seattle and King County were unprepared, said Chunhuei Chi, an Oregon State University professor who studies health policy. I wouldnt blame them. The (Centers for Disease Control) wasnt doing an adequate job either, of warning or testing.

Three Oregonians have contracted the virus, the first of them a janitor at a Lake Oswego elementary school. It was his visit to the Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Washington County that led to a quarantine of 70 employees, which the company never disclosed.

Now, those employees quarantined nearly two weeks ago are about to be released from their isolation -- and some are livid about it.

They were put into isolation because Kaiser suspected theyd come into close contact with the coronavirus patient. The Oregonian/Oregonlive reached one of them, who said he expected state officials would test him for the virus, especially after he developed a dry cough while in seclusion. He said the state refused, sticking with its policy that only those ill enough to be admitted to a hospital will be tested.

Some infectious disease experts say that after two weeks, a COVID-19 sufferer would no longer be contagious. But the hospital employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing his job, said thats far from a certainty. He said he may very well have the coronavirus and be contagious. Without a test, he said, there is no way to say.

When my furlough is up, Ill go back to work, he said. Ill be around my co-workers and new patients. Without confirming that I dont have it, I just think that its tremendously irresponsible.

News of the Kaiser quarantine elicited emails and phone calls from several Kaiser employees who said the Hillsboro hospital and other company clinics and offices lacked some basic safety equipment and had failed to train employees on how to fight a highly contagious virus. Employees asked for anonymity for fear of losing their jobs.

The prized N-95 respirator, a high-tech surgical mask that protects against most infectious agents, was in particularly short supply.

"I know of one busy Kaiser clinic that has four N-95s, said one long-time nurse. I feel like Kaiser is woefully unprepared.

Another employee, who works in a Kaiser hospital, said hes scared by the lack of training, which he blames on the federal government as much as Kaiser.

From my perspective," he said, the CDC left us unprepared. People are afraid.

A call for help

Merkley was in Oregon last Saturday when Adrienne Enghouse, president of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, told him of the issues at Kaiser. Most of the unions 6,000 members work for Kaiser.

Merkley did what perhaps only a Senator can do on a Saturday morning: He got a senior Kaiser executive on the phone.

Ruth Williams-Brinkley, president of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest, rattled off a list of Kaisers needs. First and foremost, Merkley recalls her saying, Kaiser needed the N-95 respirator mask, lots of them.

A worldwide shortage of the respirators has developed due to COVID-19. People are hoarding them -- even as some of the Chinese factories that make them have shuttered.

Kaiser spokesman Mike Foley said the issue wasnt a failure on Kaisers behalf. In fact, he said, this is an international supply chain issue that we are currently managing successfully.

Some Kaiser offiices have tried to discourage employees from using the respirators . If we continue to use masks at this rate, we will run out in two to three weeks, employees were told.

Then the state of Oregon stepped in and offered Kaiser a smidge of breathing room.

Merkley and his staff found an alternative supply for Kaiser: the Oregon Health Authority. The agency had accumulated sizeable piles of protective gear in anticipation of the H1N1 virus and is now giving it away, primarily to smaller, rural healthcare providers and first responders who could treat COVID-19 victims.

Recipients include the nonprofits Central City Concern and Portland and Multnomah Countys Joint Task Force on Homelessness, as well as the Grant County Health Department, the Linn County Sheriffs Department and tiny Wallowa Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed operation in Enterprise.

And then theres Kaiser, which earned more than $7 billion in 2019. Health Authority spokesman Rob Cowie said the agency sent 700 N-95 masks to Kaiser earlier this week.

Merkley said he was happy he could be a useful connection in the transaction. Back in Washington, DC, he helped pass a $8.3 billion emergency funding bill to fight the virus.

Meanwhile, the virus continues to advance, and the healthcare industry struggles to deal with it.

On Wednesday, Kaiser sent home 10 workers from a Roseville, Calif., facility after it was determined they may have been exposed.

Enghouse, head of the nurses union, clearly is concerned about the well-being of her members, though she refuses to criticize Kaiser.

Its true that Kaiser is not prepared for a pandemic, she said. No one is prepared for that. We dont have enough masks, we dont have enough of purifying respirators, we dont have enough of anything.

-- jmanning@oregonian.com

503-294-7606

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Coronavirus Diaries is a series of dispatches exploring how the coronavirus is affecting peoples lives. For the latest public health information, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website. For Slates coronavirus coverage, click here.

The four weeks between Valentines Day and St Patricks Day are normally my hell month. I am a travel agent for one of the largest universities in the country, with a side gig as a luxury travel consultant for wealthy people. During hell month, I work up to 15 hours a day, booking economy tickets for academics going to spring conferences, pulling strings for once-in-a-lifetime vacations, eating every meal at my desk, developing knots in my shoulders. During hell month, my friends know Im not available to grab drinks.

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Right now, I should be at the very apex of my busiest season. I should be answering hundreds of inquiries each day, booking dozens of flights. Today, I booked six. The finer details of, say, a romp in the Maldives should be top of mind. Instead, its the coronavirus.

Ive been getting updates on the coronavirus since Jan. 22. Alert after alert has filtered into my inbox, alongside the other typical notifications travel agents get, of volcanic eruptions, civil unrest, hurricanes, and wildfires. Im used to it being my job to proactively know about every disaster, to dissuade people from going to this place or that. At first, my clients were mostly indifferent to the coronavirus.

That started to change in mid-February when academic conferences in China, Japan, and South Korea were no longer happening. At our monthly meeting of university travel agents at the end of February, a colleague who handles group reservations said that all of her European study abroad groups were backing out, preemptively afraid of the virus spreading there. Airlines were refusing to refund deposits. The clients were bleeding money.

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When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started warning about coronavirus spreading in the U.S., the spigot of travel requests just shut off. Less than two weeks ago, I was so busy I could barely type fast enough to make all the airline reservations I needed to. Today, Im writing this article instead. I wasnt an agent when 9/11 happened, but Ive heard stories from older colleagues about the uncertainty and fear that surrounded travel, the sudden cessation of business in our industry. Whats happening now feels like what theyve described.

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Today, three-quarters of the correspondence I did have with clients was in some way related to the coronavirus. Im basically writing, again and again, Heres what happens if you cancel now, heres what happens if you do book this nonrefundable rate and then have to cancel later, heres how long you have to use this credit, here are the current waivers available, but that could change because the airlines are changing all the time. Or Heres how we can route your flight so that you dont have to layover in an affected city. Yes, it does mean a nine-hour layover and a ticket that costs $500 morebut you dont have to go through Rome.

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Many of my regular wealthy travelers have suddenly become homebodies. On Tuesday, I had to cancel a three-night stay in a $4,000-a-night suite in New York for a client who is no longer traveling because of coronavirus fears. I am friends with the hotelier; her disappointment was palpable when I called to tell her.

If I were solely reliant on my luxury travel businessI work on commissionI would be having a huge financial crisis right now. I may have to tighten my budget as the coronavirus continues to spread, skip eating out and buying new spring clothes, but thanks to my salaried day job, I wont be homeless. A lot of agents out there do not have this security. Travel agenting hasnt ever paid a lot. It used to be a job you did for the perks: cheap hotels, free flights, lots of lots of fun spa products when the fancy hoteliers visited your office. But in the wake of the fear from 9/11, the internet decimated the industry, and the perks dried up. Veteran agents will tell you that the vast majority of their colleagues retired or found other work in the early aughts. Agents today truly love helping people experience the world. We are scrappy (see: my multiple gigs), and weve carved out niches where we can help people in ways that Expedia and Kayak cant. But we werent prepared for society to suddenly decide not to go anywhere. It feels as though the travel world is holding its breath.

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For now, I can only try to enjoy my quieter days, and pray that the industry comes through without too many of us losing our livelihoods. I imagine that over the next month or two, things will shift again, though it is a little hard to imagine exactly how. Perhaps the virus will die down, and slowly, people will resume traveling; first the corporate business travelers who do so by necessity, and then the leisure travelers. Perhaps the virus will become so prevalent that staying home wont help. Perhaps people will figure they might as well ride this thing out on a beach. Somewhere warm. And expensive.
No normal ties with Turkey as long as Erdogan supports terrorists: Assad

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 5:54 PM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has described the chances of normal diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey as remote, stressing that such an ideal cannot be achieved as long as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports Takfiri militant groups and is under the heavy influence of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement.

"Erdogan is fighting alongside terrorists (in Syria) on the basis of his Brotherhood ideology. Therefore, he himself is unable to tell Turks why he is sending his army to fight in Syria. The single reason is the Muslim Brotherhood. It has nothing to do with Turkish national interests," Assad said in an exclusive interview with Russia's state-owned Rossiya 24 television news network broadcast on Thursday.

He described disputes between Syria and Turkey as "illogical," stressing that both nations have fraternal relations and share common interests.

"What hostile action  big or small  have Syrian people committed against the Turkish nation during the war or even before the war? There is no such a thing. There are Syrian-Turkish marriages, there are families, there are vital common interests. This mutual cultural interaction is historically determined. It is illogical that we have some serious disagreement between our countries," the Syrian president pointed out.

Assad further noted that there would be no rapprochement between Damascus and Ankara as long as "Erdogan continues to support terrorists, adding, "He has to stop supporting terrorism, at which point things can return to normal because there is no hostility between the two nations."

The Syrian leader then sharply criticized the Muslim Brotherhood, stating that its supporters "have no political, social, or religious ethics. For them, religion is not meant for the prevalence of virtue but rather violence. Erdogan is a member of such an opportunistic cult. Hence, it suits him to do what he has already done. Lack of transparency and never-ending travesty are part of their (Muslim Brotherhood supporters') nature."

Assad went on to say that the Syrian society is now more coherent and integrated than ever.

"There is a simple reason for it. War is a very important lesson to any society, a lesson that extremism is destructive and rejection of others is dangerous. As a result, segments within our society came together.

"You see all strata of the Syrian society, without exception, in government-controlled areas. Whereas in terrorist-held regions, they are not looking for a single walk of life but rather the radical one. This is why only people at the far end of extremism could live together, and large numbers of people have fled terrorist-controlled areas to government-held regions," he said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Assad described restoration of public services as the first step that the Damascus government takes in liberated areas in order to facilitate the repatriation of displaced locals.

"The second, which is equally important, is the reconstruction of schools so that they can receive students," he said.

The Syrian president also touched on his country's relations with the Arab world.

"Most Arab countries have maintained their relations with Syria, but not publicly, because they fear pressures. These countries have expressed their support for Syria and hoped we defeat terrorism. However, Western pressures and US strain in particular were so severe on these countries that they opted to keep away and not to open their embassies in Syria, particularly the [Persian] Gulf states," Assad commented.

"Europe ceased to exist after the US invasion of Iraq back in 2003. Europe has surrendered completely to the United States, and its role has been reduced to implementing what the US administration crafts. That is why we do not waste our time talking about a European role and policy," he underscored.

Assad finally pointed to long-established Russo-Syrian relations, and the presence of Russian military forces in Syria, saying, "The presence of Russian military forces in Syria is not simply aimed at fighting terrorism. What's more, it is meant to create an international political balance in the UN Security Council, as well as a military balance in different arenas."

"Therefore, we view our mutual relations from two perspectives: a partnership on bilateral level and a relationship at the international scope. We hope for the further promotion of such ties as has been the case since President [Vladimir] Putin came to power in 2000," the Syrian president concluded.

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The world comes to Albuquerque each year during the Revolutions International Theatre Festival.

This year, the festival is celebrating its 20th year.

Its a pretty big festival, says Juli Hendren, producer of the festival. Its maybe the biggest one weve ever done. Its really diverse, and Im excited about that.

Tricklock Company of Albuquerque is the driving force behind the festival.

The company has garnered an international reputation for presenting and producing original works for the stage.

Hendren says that in celebration of the 20th year, the festival is bringing back a few favorite artists, while introducing audiences to brand-new works from the world of circus, dance, performance art, bouffon, clown, punk political theater, and more.

The festival includes community collaborations, workshops and inclusive acts of goodwill, including free library shows, school performances, and subsidized tickets for the community.

The festival opens on Saturday, March 7, and runs through March 28. The opening party will be held at the Fusion Forum, 708 First NW.

Revolutions has truly become a revolutionary event, Hendren says. Our festival creates space that responds to the need for human connection, inspiration, and performance-based community building.

Over the course of the festival, there have been 4,000 artists in 500 performances from 34 countries, including Uganda, Russia, Ireland, Thailand and Chile.

Each of these places represents stories, identities and conversations that have taught us about each other, helped us to see from anothers perspective, and has helped us remember our shared humanity, Hendren says.

Revolutions will present special shows throughout the festival.

The first is the Ensemble Macrofest USA which is put on by the Network of Ensemble Theaters.

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They are having an anniversary too, Hendren says. One of their macrofests will be held in Albuquerque. Were also doing panels on indigenous ensembles and equity and diversity.

The second weekend will feature a climate change gathering, and the third weekend will have the IndigiPop festival.

Hendren says this years festival features 50 artists from 10 countries.

Shes looking forward to having Ndere Troupe from Uganda perform on March 13 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

They came in 2017 and are coming back, she says. Were launching The Dely Project education program, where we will get an ensemble of students here in Albuquerque to work with the Ugandan artists. We will spend about 16 hours building a new piece, and it will be performed.

Tricklocks founding artistic director, Joe Peracchio, is returning to perform Pollock by Moni Yakin on March 21, at Keshet Center for the Arts.

Australias The Long Pigs will be staged on March 19 at AirDance New Mexico.

For two decades, Hendren has helped get all of the international artists to Albuquerque.

The last few years, shes run into problems with President Donald Trumps travel ban.

This year, Revolutions has to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

Anytime you deal with international travel, there are going to be bumps, she says. Were lucky in that we can resolve most of them and we have a community that will step in to fill the holes as far as performances go, if we need to.
Coronavirus Conspiracy? Iranian Commander Suggests Virus Might Be U.S. Biological Weapon

By Golnaz Esfandiari March 05, 2020

A top Iranian military official is spreading a conspiracy theory regarding the coronavirus amid an outbreak in the Islamic republic that has killed more than 100 people, including an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, and infected more than 3,500, according to official figures.

Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), suggested on March 5 that the coronavirus might be a U.S. biological weapon.

"Today, the country is engaged in a biological battle," Salami was quoted as saying by the semiofficial ISNA news agency. "We will prevail in the fight against this virus, which might be the product of an American biological [attack], which first spread in China and then to the rest of the world," he said, adding that "America should know that if it has done so, it will return to itself."

Salami also said that Iran will contain the coronavirus outbreak "even if it's not America's work."

Salami did not provide any evidence to back up his claim that the coronavirus crisis was a U.S. biological weapon.

Last month, U.S. officials said Russian-linked social-media accounts were making unfounded claims that Washington was behind the outbreak.

The United States is among the more than 80 countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 95,000 people worldwide. Eleven have died in the United States so far and more than 150 have tested positive.

The outbreak has led to the spread of conspiracy theories on social media and news sites, including claims that the virus originated in a lab linked to China's biowarfare program.

Experts have said repeatedly that there is no indication that the coronavirus could be man-made. "Based on the virus genome and properties there is no indication whatsoever that it was an engineered virus," Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University, told The Washington Post on January 29.

Iran Hit Hard

Salami's remarks come amid warnings by Iranian officials against those spreading rumors and fake stories about the outbreak in Iran.

The head of Iran's cyberpolice, Commander Vahid Majid, said on March 5 that 121 people had been summoned for spreading rumors about the coronavirus. He said 190 others had been warned over the phone and told to remove content from social-media pages.

"Dealing with those spreading rumors and those publishing fake news is currently one of the most important missions of the cyberpolice," Majid said.

Iran and Italy have the highest death tolls from coronavirus outside of China, where the virus emerged in December.

The coronavirus currently has a fatality rate of about 3.4 percent, with the elderly and those with underlying health problems dying far more frequently after contracting the virus.

Massud Pezeshkian, a lawmaker and former Iranian health minister, suggested earlier this week that the outbreak in Iran was far more widespread than the government acknowledges, saying many infected citizens had not been identified.

Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, and more than 20 parliament deputies are among those who have tested positive in the country.

Mohammad Mirmohammadi, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni, has died from the disease.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/coronavirus- conspiracy-iranian-commander-suggests-virus-might-be- us-biological-weapon/30470600.html

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

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[Spoiler alert: Greys Anatomy Season 16, Episode 16.] Its a beautiful day to ruin lives, isnt it Greys Anatomy fans? On Thursday, March 5, the Shondaland series addressed Alex Karevs (Justin Chambers) exit. Of course, the real reason why Alex left Grey Sloan Memorial had fans screaming  but not necessarily in a good way. The episode  titled Leave the Light On  had the character saying goodbye to everyone, including his wife, Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington). And if that wasnt heartbreaking enough, Greys Anatomy dropped another bomb  Alex abandoned his life in Seattle for Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl).

What happened to Alex Karev in Greys Anatomy Season 16?

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev on Greys Anatomy | John Fleenor via Getty Images

At the start of Greys Anatomy Season 16, Episode 16, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), and Jo receive letters from Alex. As we learned in the previous episode, Alex lied about being in Iowa. The letters are from Kansas.

Then in a series of voiceovers done by Chambers, Alex confirms he isnt returning to Seattle and he is back together with Izzie. Apparently, Alex reconnected with his ex-wife after reaching out for Merediths hearing in the 350th episode. And when they talked on the phone, Alex found out Izzie used their embryos made in Greys Anatomy Season 5 when Izzie had metastatic melanoma.

Now, Izzie has two 5-year-old children  Eli and Alexis. She is also a surgical oncologist, and Alex wants to stay with her to raise the kids. Hes applying to the hospital nearby. So, just as Jo predicted earlier this season, one thing led to another.

In addition to the shocking news, Alexs letters give a personal touch to each recipient. He tells Meredith she doesnt need a person  she is her own, she is the sun. Meanwhile, Alex leaves Jo with signed divorce papers and his shares of the hospital.

He also shares kind words with Bailey and Richard, thanking them for believing in him and helping him transform from Evil Spawn to the man he is today. All the while, old Greys Anatomy episodes flash by. And basically, by the end of the episode, fans were either in a puddle of tears or a frenzy of anger.

Greys Anatomy fans react to Alex Karevs last episode

Following the Greys Anatomy episode on March 5, fans rushed to social media to express their heartbreak over Alexs last episode.

Yall, check on your greys anatomy watching friends, a fan wrote on Twitter. We are NOT okay.

Now, its always difficult to lose a character on the ABC drama, especially if theyre a beloved original. But for the most part, Greys Anatomy fans werent upset that Alex left, it was more about the way it happened.

This is worse than Derek Shepherd being killed off. This is abandonment of a character that has been through hell and back and who GREW from it, a fan wrote. A character that is now inflicting intentional pain on his fragile wife. Alex Karev would NEVER have done this. Never.

Another fan wrote: Alex Karev, who has had an incredible character arc over 16 seasons of #greysanatomy, beloved by fans, is doing VOICEOVER of letters like op sorry not coming back live in Kansas now with my ex-wife and secret children, Ok bye bye now. & we are supposed to say SOUNDS GOOD? NO!!!

Meanwhile, other fans suggested they would have rather seen Alex die than witness his character regression.

Im just going to say it I would have preferred that Alex died than left Jo like this #GreysAnatomy, a fan wrote.

But ultimately, Greys Anatomy fans believed Alex  and everyone involved  deserved a better ending.

Mer didnt deserve this. Jo didnt deserve this. Bailey didnt deserve this, a fan wrote. Lame a** GOODBYES!!! Karevs character DESERVED MORE THAN THIS.

Clearly, the Greys Anatomy fandom is feeling everything right now. Alexs final episode highlighted all the character development he has gone through, while simultaneously deconstructing everything he built towards. It was a lot. But as the show mentioned in its final moments, theres really no good way to say goodbye. So farewell, Evil Spawn. Its been one wild ride.

Read more: Greys Anatomy: Is Richard Webber Leaving? Fans Are Worried About the Characters Future
Modi may take satisfaction from his display of considerable political skill in managing a mercurial, temperamental and unpredictable US president and nudging him into uncharacteristic restraint and even carefully orchestrated remarks.

This personal chemistry will come in handy if Trump returns as president in November, says former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

IMAGE: United States President Donald J Trump speaks at the banquet hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, February 25, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

US President Donald Trump's visit to India has been an unprecedented spectacle and the backdrop to a significant upgrade in India-US relations.

That a US president would undertake a standalone visit to India despite electoral preoccupations at home reflects the importance attached to relations with India.

Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi gave him an extravaganza which will play well with his core constituency back home. It will highlight a rare bright spot in his foreign policy record, which has few successes to flaunt.

The Indian Diaspora in the US, increasingly rich and influential, may even swing to supporting a 'friend of India'. We may well see a repeat of what happened in the recent UK elections where 'friends of the BJP' engaged in open lobbying for the Tories while attacking the Labour party.

Since one of the important Democratic candidates, Bernie Sanders, has been making critical remarks on Kashmir, there could well be a concerted campaign to dissuade Indian Americans from voting Democrat. This would be welcome to Trump, but it will damage the bipartisan consensus India has enjoyed in Washington over the past two decades.

Trump returned the favour to Modi. This was one leadership summit where Trump said all the right things, heaping praise on Modi and his leadership, scrupulously avoiding making any remarks which might have discomfited his host, whether on Kashmir or the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

He refused to be drawn into any comment on the large scale communal violence that broke out in Delhi during the visit.

His praise of India as a successful plural and diverse country and Modi's commitment to the values of a liberal democracy were a very public snub to the latter's critics both at home and abroad.

As leaders who thrive on public adulation and have perfected political showmanship on a grand scale, the mutual pay-off from the visit was significant. For Modi, some of the shine has worn off as a consequence of the horrific violence unleashed on the streets of the capital, but the after-glow will remain.

Was there no substance to the visit? In fact, there was.

Trump showed remarkable restraint in not berating the Indian side on trade issues. His complaints on tariffs imposed by India were relatively restrained. The attitude was forward-looking and optimistic, even if the objective of a grand and ambitious trade agreement seems unrealistic.

Despite the two sides being under tremendous pressure to conjure up a limited 'first phase' agreement for the visit, the differences were simply too great to allow this. The economic pillar of the relationship will continue to be shaky, but there is relief for now.

The substantive gains are on the political and security side. The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit announced a decision to upgrade the relationship to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The phraseology reflects the much broader and tighter security embrace between the two countries.

The Indo-Pacific figures prominently, but it should be noted that the formulation reflects the more limited geographical conception which the US prefers -- Hollywood to Bollywood, or the Western Pacific.

The reference to 'ASEAN centrality' as a keystone of the Indo-Pacific would also suggest that, in operational terms, India accepts the more limited definition even if rhetorically Indo-Pacific stretches to cover the western reaches of the Indian Ocean.

Modi specifically referred to the inter-operability between Indian and US forces but this may extend, in time, to other partners.

An important element in the joint statement is India's acquiescence, for the first time, to formally using the term 'Quadrilateral' with reference to security cooperation among India, Australia, Japan and the US.

This is significant since it suggests that India is no longer as sensitive to Chinese, even Russian, allergy to the Quad as a potential 'Asian NATO'.

Earlier, India did not want to use the term quadrilateral, settling, coyly, for the word, 'plurilateral'.

Of interest, too, is the reference to the ongoing negotiations between China and Asean on a legal Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, warning that 'it will not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of all nations according to international law'.

China has reportedly insisted that the Code exclude activities of countries from outside the region from both security and economic activities unless there is consensus among the parties concerned. Clearly, a China battling the coronavirus epidemic provides more room for bolder ripostes.

On Afghanistan, what has not been said is more significant than what finds mention in the statement.

There is no reference to the ceasefire and the US-Taliban peace deal concluded in Doha last week.

This is a point of worry for India and one can see why the latest developments are not reflected.

To compensate for Indian apprehensions on this score, we find a more explicit formulation on the issue of cross-border terrorism and the listing of various Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

But there should be no doubt that Pakistan's role is considered critical in paving the way for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan before the US presidential election.

There is likelihood of progress on the purchase of six US nuclear reactors under the India-US nuclear deal. The prospect of these sales together with increased purchases of US oil and gas, are being held out to compensate for the inability to offer the US greater market access, so dear to Trump's heart.

This transactional approach may work for a time, but the US trade establishment is unlikely to relax its pressure on several longstanding issues such as market access for agriculture and intellectual property protection.

Modi may take satisfaction from his display of considerable political skill in managing a mercurial, temperamental and unpredictable US president and nudging him into uncharacteristic restraint and even carefully orchestrated remarks.

This personal chemistry will come in handy if Trump returns as president in the November election. That seems to be the bet India is taking.

Shyam Saran is a former foreign secretary and a senior fellow, CPR.
Fallen Alabama evangelist Acton Bowen, 39, already facing 1,000-plus years for more than two dozen sex crimes in Etowah County, entered guilty pleas to additional charges in Jefferson County on Friday.

Bowen pleaded guilty to traveling to meet a child for sexual purposes, second-degree sodomy, enticing a child for immoral purposes and second-degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced to 20 years on the first two charges, 10 years on third and a year on the fourth, all to run concurrently.

In December 2019, Bowen entered guilty pleas to 28 counts of sexual abuse involving six male victims ages 13 to 16. He was sentenced to 1,008 years.

Bowens trial on the Hoover cases had been scheduled to begin April 20.

Hoover was the first law enforcement agency to lodge charges against Bowen, arresting him in April 2018. Police have said the victim in that case is a Hoover boy younger than 16 but older than 12 who is a family acquaintance of Bowen. Court records in the Jefferson County case say Bowen engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with the teen boy, and also enticed him into getting into a 2010 Jeep Wrangler for the purpose of sodomy.

Related: Evangelist Acton Bowen expected to plead guilty to more sex crimes
Justice S Muralidhar on Friday took oath as a judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

All judges of the high court, the registrar, officers of the registry, senior advocates and office-bearers of the High Court Bar Association were among those present at the ceremony, an official release said.

Justice Muralidhar, 58, was given a rousing welcome by lawyers on his arrival here.

Roads leading to the high court were dotted with banners, with one reading "Delhi's loss-Punjab's gain".

Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 26, the same day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against three BJP leaders for their alleged hate speeches.

On his farewell on Thursday, Justice Muralidhar cleared the air over the controversy on his transfer from the Delhi High Court to Punjab and Haryana High Court amid Delhi violence. In his explanation, he said he had replied to Chief Justice of India S A Bobde's communication that he was fine with the proposal and had no objection to it.

The Supreme Court collegium, headed by the CJI, had in a meeting on February 12 recommended the transfer of Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Justice Muralidhar was number three in the Delhi High Court, his parent high court as a judge.

He had been associated with the bar and bench in New Delhi for 58 years. He had first decided to move to Delhi three years after he began his practice in 1984 in Chennai.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON - As leading public health experts from across the government have tried to provide clear and consistent information about the deadly coronavirus, they have found their messages undercut, drowned out and muddled by President Donald Trump's push to downplay the outbreak with a mix of optimism, bombast and pseudoscience.

Speaking almost daily to the public about an outbreak that has spread across states and rocked the markets, Trump has promoted his opinions and at times contradicted the public health experts tasked with keeping American safe.

The president has repeatedly misstated the number of Americans who have tested positive for the virus and claimed it would "miraculously" disappear in the spring. He has given a false timeline for the development of a vaccine, publicly questioned whether vaccinations for the flu could be used to treat the novel coronavirus and dismissed the World Health Organization's coronavirus death rate estimate, substituting a much lower figure and citing a "hunch."

On Wednesday night, Trump made an uncritical reference to people who continue to go to work while infected with coronavirus - placing himself at odds with doctors who have strongly urged those with even minor symptoms to stay home.

"If, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by sitting around, and even going to work - some of them go to work," Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity in which he disputed the WHO fatality rate. "But they get better."

Thursday morning, Trump said his comments were misconstrued and blamed the Democrats and the media. "I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work," he tweeted.

The president's running commentary about the coronavirus, untethered to script or convention, indicates that the Trump administration's greatest obstacle to sending a clear message about the outbreak may be Trump himself.

"As we go forward, we have to just stipulate to fact - we have to dispel some of the misinformation that has been put out there," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Thursday, before listing several statements made by Trump.

The White House defended the president's handling of the outbreak, saying he put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of coordinating the government's response, is updated regularly and is prepared to take further action if needed.

"Unfortunately what we are seeing from the Left and some in the media is a disgusting effort to distract and disturb the American people with fearful rhetoric and palace intrigue," said White House spokesman Judd Deere said in an email.

Trump argued in his interview with Hannity that the World Health Organization's estimated mortality rate of the coronavirus is overstated, a conclusion he's come to based partially on a hunch.

"I think the 3.4 percent is really a false number," Trump told Hannity. "Now, and this is just my hunch, and - but based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this."

Trump insisted the WHO figure was inflated because, he reasoned, some people who have the virus never get tested because the symptoms are so mild. He claimed that the true rate was "way under 1 percent."

Public health experts, including officials from Trump's administration, have repeatedly cited data from the WHO as they've sought to inform the public about a virus that began in China and spread across continents.

An administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the basis for Trump's comment, said his hunch was based on data provided to the United States from South Korea that has the morality rate estimated at 0.5 percent to date.

Epidemiologists are studying the death rate to try to determine a more precise number after WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that 3.4 percent of "reported" cases have resulted in death. The eventual rate will partly depend on the country involved and the strength of its public health system as well as the sweep of its testing program.

Trump has made several misleading claims that have forced government scientists and officials to navigate publicly contradicting a president who has placed a premium on loyalty.

On Wednesday, Trump said the Obama administration was responsible for the inability of the federal government to ensure widespread testing for potential coronavirus patients, an unsubstantiated claim that even his own administration officials could not back up.

"The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we're doing," Trump said during a briefing at the White House in which he boasted that he "undid" that decision.

The unsupported claim, made for the first time publicly by the president, put Trump administration officials in the uncomfortable position of responding to questions about its accuracy.

House Democrats had a tense exchange with the nation's top health officials in a closed-door briefing Thursday about Trump's attempt to shift blame to his predecessor, lawmakers said.

"The briefing did get rather heated," said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif.

Porter said lawmakers were told by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar that "nothing about the prior policy had worsened our response, and nothing about any change in policy is going to dramatically improve our response."

an HHS spokeswoman disputed Porter's acount.

Addressing reporters after the briefing, Azar and other officials did not confirm the president's assertion when asked if it was true.

Anthony Fauci, the veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, demurred when pushed to explain Trump's comment blaming Obama, saying: "I can't comment on that because I don't even know about what that is."

Azar then interjected, telling reporters: "He doesn't run the FDA. It's an FDA question."

While Trump has repeatedly heaped praise on the government scientists helping to shepherd the response - calling them the "best people in the world" - he has also credited his own expertise as more valuable.

Trump has repeatedly credited his decision to restrict travel from China, saying it saved lives. While that move may prove to be a key moment in the government's response to the virus, Trump has also exaggerated the amount of opposition there was to the idea and that it was done "against the advice of a lot of great professionals" in his administration.

"Everybody said, it's too early, it's too soon, and good people, brilliant people, in many ways, doctors and lawyers and, frankly, a lot of people that work on this stuff almost exclusively," Trump said. "And they said, don't do it. And my theory was that we take a lot of people in . . . And I thought it was a wise thing to do."

In an interview last week with Politico, Fauci acknowledged the tension between maintaining his credibility with the public and not getting crosswise with Trump.

"You should never destroy your own credibility. And you don't want to go to war with a president," he told Politico. "But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth."

Democrats have seized on the discrepancies between the president's statements and the facts, including Trump's initial claims that there were only 15 cases of coronavirus in the country to his assertion that a vaccine could be ready in three to four months.

Pelosi said Thursday that lawmakers have had to repeatedly press administration officials to "correct the record" after the president speaks about the virus.

For his part, Trump has accused Democrats of politicizing the response, referring to the criticism as a "hoax."

His decision to use the word "hoax" while speaking about a virus that has killed more than 3,000 people globally and is threatening to spread throughout communities in the United States was roundly criticized by Democrats.

Some of the president's supporters, however, have opted to take his word - even if it contradicts his administration's experts.

At a rally in North Carolina on Monday, several of Trump's backers said that they did not consider the coronavirus dangerous - with one telling an NBC News reporter she did not believe the virus existed.

"It's not that dangerous," Deborah Cardwell, 63, who attended Trump's rally on Monday told The Washington Post. "I mean, the flu is a whole lot worse."

Cardwell said Trump's leadership on the coronavirus was reminiscent of "George Washington or some of the early presidents."

Others at the rally said they didn't see the new virus as much different than the flu, a comparison that Trump has made, and that they have confidence in what the president has said and done.

"He has handled it just fantastic," said Tish Schultheiss, 68, Greensboro, North Carolina. "Because he stopped it early, the flights coming in from countries that did have it. He has got a task force now, that's working on this, a vaccine will be made before long. I feel safe about that too."

Among the broader public, Trump's handling of the virus is viewed less favorably, according to public polling.

An Economist-YouGov poll conducted Sunday through Tuesday found that a 41 percent plurality of Americans thought Trump's policies were not taking the risks seriously enough; another 34 percent said his policy was appropriate and 4 percent said he was overreacting to the actual risks associated with the virus. The poll found that 68 percent of Americans were either "somewhat" or "very" concerned about a coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., up slightly from 62 percent in February.

- - -

The Washington Post's Amy Goldstein, Seung-Min Kim, Colby Itkowitz and Emily Guskin contributed to this report.
State governments are working to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the US, as federal officials say more testing for the illness will likely see the number of known cases increase.

There were at least 265 cases and 14 deaths in the United States as of Friday afternoon, with at least 79 cases and 13 deaths in Washington state alone. That national figure includes 216 people diagnosed through the US public health system, and 49 people repatriated to the US (46 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, and three from China).

Here are the reported cases in each state, not including the 49 people who were repatriated.

Washington state: 70 (including 13 deaths)

Jeff Tomlin, the CEO of Evergreen Health, tells CNN that 11 patients at his facility outside Seattle have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

In addition to these 11, county health officials have identified two individuals who died in other locations - a female in her 80s who died at home and a man in his 50s who died at the Harborview Medical Center.

Of the state's coronavirus cases, 51 were in King County, 18 were in Snohomish County, one case was in Grant County and one case was in Jefferson County, according to the Department of Health website.

California: 53 (including 1 death)

Three of those infected are in Contra Costa County and include two people who were on a previous sailing of the Grand Princess cruise ship, the county health services announced Friday. The third patient had close contact with a patient in another jurisdiction.

Yolo County Health is reporting its first case -- an older woman with underlying health conditions.

The state reported its first death March 4: a Placer County resident who officials said probably contracted the virus on a Grand Princess cruise from February 11 and 21 from San Francisco to Mexico.

New York: 33

There are 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus across New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said March 6.

Some of the cases were connected to an attorney from Westchester County, he has said, including the attorney, his wife, son, daughter and neighbor.

Massachusetts: 8

Eight people have tested positive in Massachusetts as of March 6, state officials said.

Among them: A woman in her 60s who lives in Middlesex County and had recently traveled to northern Italy, officials said March 5.

Another case announced in March was a woman in her 20s who recently traveled to Italy on a school trip.

Illinois: 5

The state's fifth case was a Cook County resident in his 20s who flew into Chicago O'Hare Airport after traveling to Italy, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health said March 5.

The patient "acquired the infection while in Italy and is hospitalized at Rush University Medical Center in isolation," according to the statement.

The state's previous two patients have fully recovered.

Texas: 6

Four cases were reported in Harris County on March 5, and one was reported in Fort Bend County on March 4. All five people were "among a group that traveled overseas together," the Texas Department of State Health Services said March 6.

Florida: 4

One case involves a Santa Rosa County elderly resident who had underlying health conditions, Gov. Ron DeSantis said March 5. That elderly resident had been traveling internationally, DeSantis said.

Earlier, two people tested positive in Florida, the governor said, citing the CDC, and another case was presumptive positive, the state's department of health announced.

Georgia: 3

The state's third case was a 46-year-old Floyd County woman who tested positive on March 5, the state health department said. The woman had arrived with symptoms at a Rome, Georgia, hospital on February 29, but she was treated and released without being tested for coronavirus because she didn't meet testing criteria at the time, the department said.

She returned to the same hospital March 3 after symptoms worsened, and she was admitted and placed in isolation.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced the state's first two confirmed cases of the virus on March 2.

Maryland: 3

Three people in Montgomery County tested positive, Gov. Larry Hogan said March 5.

The patients were a married couple in their 70s and a woman in her 50s. The three were on the same group trip overseas in late February, officials said, without specifying where they traveled.

Oregon: 3

Clackamas County declared a state of emergency after two people tested presumptive positive, a Lake Oswego School District news release on March 3 said.

A district employee and a family member, both Washington County residents, tested positive.

The third case in the state was in Umatilla County, Oregon, officials said, adding it's considered a presumptive case of community transmission.

Arizona: 3

The state's third patient is a female in her 40s from Pinal County who is currently hospitalized in Maricopa county, Dr. Cara Christ, state health services director, said at a press conference provided to CNN by affiliate KPHO/ KTVK

One patient with coronavirus "has recovered and is no longer infected with the disease," she said March 2.

Colorado: 2

The state announced two cases March 5. One, a man in his 30s, was an out-of-state visitor to Summit County who had close contact to a coronavirus patient outside the state, the Colorado Department of Public Health said.

A second patient was an elderly woman who had returned to Douglas County from travel abroad, the governor's office said.

New Hampshire: 2

New Hampshire's first presumptive positive case was a person who had traveled to Italy recently, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said March 2.

The second person had contact with the first, officials said. Both were in home isolation.

New Jersey: 2

A second case -- a person near Englewood -- was announced by state health officials March 5.

The first case, a man in his 30s, was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy's office March 4. The man was hospitalized in Bergen County starting March 3.

North Carolina: 2

A Chatham County man tested positive after traveling in Italy in late February, the state's health department said March 6. That person was sick in Italy and flew back to the United States after his fever resolved.

He was tested after Georgia health officials, investigating a positive case there, notified North Carolina officials that he had been in contact with the Georgia resident, health officials said.

Also, a Wake County resident tested positive for the virus after visiting a Washington state facility with a coronavirus outbreak, officials said March 3.

Pennsylvania: 2

Two cases were announced March 6.

One was an adult in Wayne County who'd traveled to a country where coronavirus was present, Gov. Tom Wolf said. That person was in isolation at home.

The other patient was an adult in Delaware County and also was in isolation at home. That person had recently traveled to a place in the United States where the virus was present, Wolf said.

Rhode Island: 2

Two people from a group that had traveled on a school trip to Italy in mid-February tested positive for coronavirus, the state health department said March 1.

They were a man in his 40s and a teenager, the health department said. Both were on the school trip, and health officials were monitoring all 38 people who went.

Indiana: 1

A Marion County resident who recently traveled to Boston tested positive, Gov. Eric Holcomb said March 6. The patient has been in quarantine since arriving back in Indianapolis, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said.

Nevada: 1

A Clark County resident tested positive for coronavirus, the Southern Nevada Health District said March 5.

The patient, a man in his 50s, told health officials he recently traveled to Washington state and Texas, the district said.

Tennessee: 1

A Williamson County man tested positive, the state's health commissioner, Dr Lisa Piercey, said March 5.

The man has a recent history of out-of-state travel and had just returned home in the past four to five days, Piercey said. His travel itinerary was unclear. The patient was isolated at home with mild symptoms.

Wisconsin: 1

An adult with a history of travel to Beijing tested positive, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said February 5.

That person was isolated and doing well, the department said.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the correct number of cases from people repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
These heartbreaking photos show a couple who have been married for more than 60 years separated because of coronavirus.

Gene Campbell, 89, and wife Dorothy, 88, have been left communicating through a window after Gene was quarantined in his nursing home.

Gene is in long-term care at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington, where at least four elderly residents have reportedly died of Covid-19.

Dorothy and Gene Campbell have been separated because of coronavirus. (Picture: Reuters)

The pictures emerged as a patient with underlying health conditions became the first person to die in the UK after contracting coronavirus.

Despite Gene being quarantined, his wife Dorothy has still tried to see him, visiting with son Charlie and talking to her husband through a window using phones.

Dorothy Campbell and her son, Charlie Campbell, talk through a window with her husband, Gene Campbell, at the Life Care Center of Kirkland. (Picture: REUTERS/David Ryder)

Families of residents at the care home have complained about a lack of information following the outbreak, as well as conflicting reports from staff. One relative said a woman had been told her mother had died, only to also be told that she was doing well.

Read more: The video that sums up how difficult it is to avoid touching your face

In a statement Beecher Hunter, president of Life Care Centers of America said: Life Care Center of Kirkland is continuing to provide care for our residents, the facility's highest priority, and our associates, who are our greatest resource in delivering the care.

Our clinical team is making personal, one-on-one telephone calls with family members to share information about loved ones and respond to questions.

Communication is vital in the caregiving process and for keeping families abreast of developments in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19).

There have been several deaths as a result of coronavirus at the care home. (Picture: REUTERS/David Ryder)

He said the company had been working with representatives from the King County Health Department, Washington State Department of Public Health and the CDC, adding: Current residents and associates continue to be monitored closely.

Read more: Coronavirus cases in the UK jump past 100

Associates are screened prior to beginning work and upon leaving with a specific screening protocol. Any associate who exhibits symptoms is self-quarantined at home.
Befitting the scope of the danger, the U.S. deploys a whole cyber ecosystem against itand in cross-cutting law enforcement and national security authorities, the FBI is at the center of it, Wray said, citing as an example its work in the 2018 SamSam Ransomware indictment.

"SamSam was sophisticated malicious software used to hack into the networks of hospitals, schools, companies, government agencies, and a number of other entities, and to encrypt their computers. There were more than 200 victimsincluding the City of Atlanta, the Port of San Diego, and MedStar Health.

"To identify the actors, we needed more than just our own intelligence. We needed information from victims across the country, and intelligence and investigative information from foreign partners and private sector entities who were also tracking SamSam. With all those pieces of the puzzle, we were able to attribute the attack to two Iranians.

"More puzzle pieces helped us determine the actors were working for personal profit, rather than on behalf of the Iranian government. [The Department of Justice] unsealed an indictment in November 2018. And the investigation also enabled the Treasury Department to issue sanctions against two bitcoin exchangers, and for the first time warn the private sector about some of the criminals virtual currency addresses.

"Since the indictment and sanctions, we havent seen any SamSam activity. Partnerships are what made all of this possible," Wray said.

Today's threats are too diverse, too dangerous, and too all-encompassing for any agency to tackle alone, he said. "Weve got to figure out how we can match strengths...that's the essence of the most effective partnerships.

"People should be able to say 'theres no better partner' than the FBI," Wray said.
Along with other party lawmakers, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over recent Delhi violence.

"We are doing dharna here against the government. Congress MPs are protesting against Delhi violence. We are demanding resignation of Home Minister," Gandhi told ANI.

During the protest, Congress MPs raised slogans -- "Give Justice, Give Justice to Delhi".

Accusing both the Centre and the Delhi government for the violence in the capital, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi had demanded the resignation of Shah. She has even called the violence a "well-planned conspiracy".

Various opposition leaders including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik had said that the Delhi violence was "pre-planned" and demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister.

"Supreme Court has said that several lives could have been saved. It indicated that the riots were pre-planned. Police were given some kind of order for not acting. Amit Shah must resign as he doesn't have a moral right to stay in the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs," Malik had told ANI.

The Delhi violence has claimed 53 lives and left around 200 grievously injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Roads Brewing Co., Connecticuts largest brewery, has entered the hard seltzer arena.

Were always looking for opportunities and we just couldnt ignore the explosion of seltzer in our industry, says John Rehm, director of brewing operations at Two Roads in Stratford. We were too late to be the first, but wanted to get in with a really interesting product that we could be proud of.

That product is H2Roads, a line of craft hard seltzer made with real fruit that is available in raspberry, grapefruit and cranberry-lime flavors, and is being distributed across the state.

Last summer, White Claw, a national brand of spiked seltzer that has been around since 2016, became the drink of the moment. With its low-calorie and gluten-free recipe, the Claw was popularized through memes and caught on with the force of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Demand was so high that in September the company had to start rationing sales.

The brands success, along with the steadily growing popularity of hard seltzer, has caused breweries big and small across the country to start brewing spiked seltzer, even though its not technically a beer. Budweiser debuted Bud Light Seltzer in January, while in Connecticut several breweries including Stony Creek, Thimble Island, No Worries and Overshores have begun offering at least one variety of seltzer.

Two Roads has been working on its seltzer since 2018. And while hard seltzer may be easy to poke fun at, it is not easy to make, Rehm says. At Two Roads, brewers add sucrose to sterile water and ferment the product using a wine yeast chosen for the clean, relatively neutral but lightly fruited flavors it produces. As basic as that process sounds, it is anything but, according to Rehm. It actually has been a very challenging product to make from a technical perspective for me as a brewer. A lot of people are failing to make it because they believe you can throw sugar and water together and it will ferment. He adds that when you are making beer you can use nutrients in barley and wheat to feed the yeast to keep a healthy fermentation going. With seltzer thats not the case. Theres just nothing there for the yeast to chew on except for basic sugar, which is not very good for the yeast. Weve done a lot of R&D to try and figure out how do we give the yeast the nutrients that we need to produce the flavors that we want.

The most popular Two Roads seltzer is raspberry, and it is also my favorite of several samples I tried during a recent visit to the taproom. Despite their fruit flavorings, none of the seltzers offered here are sweet. Instead they have a subtle fruit taste that is similar to a regular nonalcoholic fruited seltzer. The drink is refreshing and light, and would definitely make for good summer drinking.

Even so, as I talk with Rehm I soon move to beer, a drink that has more character. Its an impulse Rehm seems to understand. I love making beer. Thats my one true love, but if people are drinking seltzer we cant ignore that. We dont want to get left behind in terms of product innovation, he says. Our core will always be beer. We expect this [seltzer] to be big this year but still a small percentage of everything else weve been doing.

This article originally appeared in Connecticut Magazine.
Mark Higgins has been named the head of North American business in London, while Charles Raw has been named the chairman of the North American business in London. Higgins and Raw join other senior, London-based North American P&C hires, including Derek Keating, Fraser Howard, Tim Jacobs and Beckett Hollenbach, as well as healthcare leader Simon Mills and Richard Jameson.

Jasper Sabey, meanwhile, has joined Lockton Res international casualty team and will report to division head Carla Moffett. Sabey has 30 years of experience as an international casualty broker, and has previously held positions at BMS, Towers Watson and JLT Re.

It is very exciting to be working with such a talented group of individuals who have so much combined experience and, given todays market challenges, are able to provide clients with such in-depth knowledge of the specialist casualty, workers compensation, medical malpractice and property reinsurance markets, said Keith Harrison, Lockton Re international reinsurance CEO.

The company has also announced a new specialist lines unit with the hire of Paul Upton. A former Lloyds underwriter and reinsurance broker, Upton has more than 35 years of reinsurance experience in marine, energy, terrorism and credit lines. In his new role, Upton will work closely with Jerry Ridge, head of Lockton Re marine and energy.

It is a significant validation for Lockton Re that we have been able to attract such strong talent, Gardner said. Our build-out in both London and North America is already providing clients with differentiated advice, analytics and expertise. The onboarding of this level of talent in our international business accelerates our highest-priority goal of creating truly global teams to best serve clients.
Russia has rejected a proposal by OPEC to deepen the oil production cuts agreed last December by another 1.5 million bpd, Reuters reported, adding Moscow has only agreed to extend current cuts that total 1.7 million bpd.

Energy Intelligences deputy bureau chief Amena Bakr tweeted that there is still some hope as Russia was currently discussing the issue with Saudi Arabia, but chances of an agreement seem slim after Reuters quoted a Moscow government source as saying the Russian position was not about to change.

The OPEC proposal of additional cuts of 1.5 million bpd envisaged cuts of 1 million bpd for OPEC and 500,000 bpd for its external partners, led by Russia, meaning Russia would have to cut the most. The total size of the cuts, if agreed, would reach 3.6 million bpd.

If the Russian position indeed does not change, this would put OPEC in an even more precarious situation than it already is. Earlier today UAEs energy minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said he did not expect OPEC to go ahead and cut without Russia, even though his Nigerian counterpart Timipre Sylva admitted the cartel would have to cut even if Russia does not get on board with the additional cuts.

"That's really not going to be very good for us but we expect a deal," Sylva said as quoted by S&P Global Platts.

Irans energy minister BIjan Zanganeh said OPEC had no plan B if Russia rejected the 1.5-million-bpd cut proposal, which some called an ultimatum as the proposal was made before Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak joined OPEC in Vienna. He also reportedly said, however, that while Russia had not agreed to the proposal it hadnt opposed it explicitly.

Oil was in free fall Friday, with Brent dropping almost 8 percent at $46.16 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate fell 7.8% at $42.33 at 10:20AM ET.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
At least 27 killed and 29 wounded after ceremony marking death anniversary of minority leader attacked, official says.

At least 27 people have been killed in an attack, claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group, at a ceremony in the Afghan capital where a top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present but escaped unharmed.

While a health ministry spokesman confirmed the death of 27 people, a NATO source told Reuters news agency that the death toll was slightly higher. More than 30 people were killed and 42 wounded, 20 of whom were in a serious condition, the agency reported.

The ISIL claimed it killed and injured 150 people, according to the groups Amaq website, without providing evidence.

It is the deadliest attack since a peace deal was signed last week between the United States and the Taliban that aims for the complete withdrawal of US and NATO troops within 14 months. The war in Afghanistan is the longest one in US history, which continues for more than 18 years.

It was also one of the biggest attacks on civilians in Afghanistan in a year.

The attack started with a boom, apparently a rocket landed in the area, Abdullah and some other politicians  escaped the attack unhurt, Fraidoon Kwazoon, Abdullahs spokesman, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and called it a crime against humanity. He also said he had telephoned Abdullah, his longtime political rival who is contesting last months Electoral Commission announcement that declared Ghani the winner of Septembers presidential election.

The video of attack when Mohammad Karim Khalili, was giving a speech. pic.twitter.com/EZglGlGiZg  Tamana Ashna (@tamanaashna) March 6, 2020

Broadcaster Tolo News showed live footage of people running for cover as gunfire was heard.

Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Kabul, said a standoff between Afghan security forces and the attackers lasted for nearly six hours.

The difficulty in quelling the attack really underlines that the Afghan security forces will be left in a fragile situation after the foreign troop withdrawal, Abdel-Hamid said.

Meanwhile, the Taliban denied a role in the attack on the gathering marking the anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed in 1995 after being taken prisoner by Taliban fighters.

Despite the deal between the Taliban and the US, fighting has continued to rage across the country, casting a pall over hopes that the agreement would lead to a reduction in violence.

Several people were killed in a similar attack on the same commemoration last year. The ISIL had claimed responsibility for that attack also.

Were sorry for those committing such crimes

Dozens of relatives gathered at the morgue of a hospital not far from the blast site, with many breaking down in tears as they waited to identify their loved ones.

Ambulances and stretchers bustled between the scene of the attack and the hospital to deliver the wounded for treatment.

I was at the ceremony when gunshots started. I rushed towards the door to get out of the area but suddenly my foot was hit by a bullet, Mukhtar Jan told Reuters from a stretcher at the hospital.

Ali Attayee, at the hospital to support his wounded brother, told the news agency: Those who committed this crime want to destroy our people at this juncture in society, were sorry for those committing such crimes.

Representatives of the US, the European Union and the NATO condemned the attack.

We strongly condemn todays vicious attackWe stand with Afghanistan for peace, the US charge daffaires in Kabul, Ross Wilson, wrote on Twitter.

Horrific attack in Kabul today that led 2 tens of civilian casualties. Heartbreaking & unacceptable. We r tired of war & violence. @AfghanistanIHRC findings indicate more than 10,000 civilian casualties in 2019. First tangible step towards peace 4 Afgs would be ending d violence.  Shaharzad Akbar (@ShaharzadAkbar) March 6, 2020

Shaharzad Akbar, head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said: Horrific attack in Kabul today  heartbreaking and unacceptable. We are tired of war and violence.

Hazaras are mostly Shia Muslims. Minority Shias have been repeatedly attacked by Sunni fighters in Afghanistan.
Senator Bernie Sanders has responded to an incident at a recent rally in Phoenix, Arizona during which a man unfurled a swastika flag while Mr Sanders spoke.

I heard people booing but I didnt realise [what happened] until I left the stage. I speak not only as a Jewish American but on behalf of US troops who died fighting Nazism. Its horrific, its beyond disgusting to see, in the United States of America, that people would show the emblem of Hitler and I was shocked to hear that later, he said to a press gaggle at the Phoenix airport.

The man was tossed out of the venue, using the n-word towards a black Sanders supporter on his way out of the building.

In addition to the man with the swastika flag, supporters of Mr Sanders and of President Donald Trump also had minor scuffles at the rally and some were removed from the venue. However, Mr Sanders said he saw the use of a Nazi flag separate from the spats between his supporters and those of Mr Trump.

"This was something different, to have someone bringing forth the most detestable symbol in modern history, he said.

Mr Sanders said he did not feel unsafe and congratulated the Phoenix police for their response.

More follows
Christopher Franklin, the chief executive of Essential Utilities, poses in the old Aqua Pennsylvania laboratory at the company's headquarters in Bryn Mawr. THe company on Friday broke ground on 14,700-square-foot addition that will more than double the size of its lab, which is licensed to test water in five states. Read more

Aqua Pennsylvania on Friday broke ground on an $8 million laboratory in a new addition to the Bryn Mawr headquarters of its corporate parent, Essential Utilities Inc.

The new two-story building, at 14,700 square feet, will more than double the size of the current 6,400 square-foot lab that the water company has used for six decades. The new structure, which is expected to be completed in about a year, will face Elliott Avenue.

Chris Crockett, the companys chief environmental officer, said the laboratory was required to keep pace with advancements in testing science. The number of regulated contaminants in drinking water has increased from 23 in the 1970s to 90. In the same period, weve gone from measuring in parts per million to parts per trillion, a millionfold increase in detection levels, he said in a statement.

The new lab will also help the company respond to emerging concerns about contamination from the PFAS family of chemicals in drinking water. Aquas current laboratory is one of two laboratories accredited in Pennsylvania to test for PFAS, which has been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune-system problems, decreased fertility, and lower birth weight.

The company employs 20 microbiologists and chemists.

Essential Utilities, which traces its roots to Philadelphia Suburban Water Co., provides drinking water and wastewater treatment services in eight states. The Bryn Mawr lab is accredited in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, and Virginia, which means its test results are accepted by each state for compliance testing.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Essential Utilities Chief Executive Officer Chris Franklin, Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca, Pennsylvania State Sen. Daylin Leach, Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph C. Gale, Pennsylvania State Rep. Greg Vitali, and representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Lower Merion Township.
The Prince of Wales greets school children as he takes on another patronage. (Press Association)

Prince Charles has taken on a new patronage, reflecting his lifelong commitment to the environment.

It comes as his son Harry prepares to step back from senior royal duties, as he and his wife Meghan seek to earn their own money.

Charles, 71, became a patron of Surfers Against Sewage during a day of events in Newquay.

He has campaigned on environmental issues since he was a young man and recently marked 50 years since one of his first speeches about the problem of plastic.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will step back from royal duties on 31 March, but will retain their existing royal patronages.

Read more: Why did Prince Charles have an incredibly rare meeting with the prime minister?

However they will not be allocated any new ones.

Saying he was grateful to be asked to be a patron, Charles said: I do admire enormously all that you are trying to do in different parts of the country and indeed, probably around the world.

The Prince of Wales visited the school which was opened in September. (Press Association)

The Prince of Wales with James Otter (right) as he becomes the patron of Surfers Against Sewage. (Press Association)

How you mobilise quite so many people is astonishing. I can only congratulate all of you on the efforts you make.

He added: Having tried to do a bit of surfing myself 40-something years ago, rather unsuccessfully, I only wish I was still able to do it and try out this board.

The reception was held at Nansledan School, or Skol Nansledan, which opened in September, and the Prince of Wales toured the school and met pupils while he was there.

He was presented with a drawing by five-year-old Whitney, who had written the prince a message.

The picture featured a sketch of the prince in yellow and blue pencil.

Read more: Duchess of Cornwall challenges society as she declares domestic violence 'everyone's problem'

A picture drawn for the Prince of Wales by Whitney (surname not provided), a five-year-old pupil at Nasledan School. (Press Association)

Whitney had then written: To Prins Charess. My name is Whitney. I love you. I have sor you before xx.

The Queen has been passing on some of her patronages for the last few months, reflecting a handing over to the younger generations.

In December, she passed over the Family Action patronage to the Duchess of Cambridge, to whom she also gave her patronage of the Royal Photographic Society earlier in the year.

Story continues

In 2016, as she turned 90, she passed on more than 20 patronages, including the NSPCC and Battersea Dogs and Cats home.

Prince Charles at a reception to mark his new patronage. (Getty Images)

Prince Charles outside the school in Newquay. (Getty Images)

While in Newquay, Charles also visited Celtic & Co, celebrating their anniversary, where he was shown the production process of their slippers from raw sheepskin to ready for sale.

He went home with a gift of the slippers, including a pair for Camilla, to which he said: Thank goodness for that.

Read more: How Sussex Royal loss will impact Harry and Meghan

Celtic & Co was started by Nick and Kath Whitworth as a small boot-making business in 1990.

It now ships to customers in more than 60 countries, employs 52 permanent staff and had an 8.9 million annual turnover last year.

Products are sustainably made from material such as wool, sheepskin and linen.
In view of the coronavirus outbreak,



the Pune district administration on Friday appealed hotel and lodge owners to inform immediately if any foreign national visiting their establishments fell sick.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaiskar also appealed people to avoid crowded places and large-scale Holi events.

"There is an advisory from the government that people should avoid Holi celebrations at crowded places," he said at press conference.

"We appeal people to avoid any such places where a large and unknown crowd is expected as one can get exposed to this disease at such places," he added.

The virus may survive little longer in wet environment so it was advisable to avoid Holi celebrations (where water is used for revelry) at crowded places, the commissioner added.

As to hotel and lodge owners, he said, "If you find any foreign national at your hotel who is unwell, report it to the district administration. We will ensure the person is medically investigated."



Precautionary measures were in place at the Pune international airport, Mhaisakar said.

"Ten international flights arrive at the Pune airport every week. We are keeping a close watch on passengers of these flights and medical staff has been deployed at the airport to screen them," he said.

The administration is fully prepared to handle any situation and people need not panic, he added.

"There is no positive coronavirus case so far in the state and people should not panic, but utmost precautions are needed to be taken," he said.

So far 94 people were admitted to the civic-run Naidu Hospital for suspected exposure to the virus, but samples of 91 of them tested negative and they were discharged.

"Three people are currently admitted as their reports are awaited," said a health department official.

As many as 332 passengers who had recently traveled to foreign destinations were under observation at their homes.

"Out of them 182 people completed the 14-day observation period (without showing any symptoms). Another 150 people are under observation, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Slovakia reported its first case of the novel coronavirus on Friday, after a man whose son visited Venice in COVID-19 hotspot Italy, tested positive.

"Today, a 52-year-old patient was confirmed to be infected," Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini told journalist Friday.

He said the man, who has not been named, is currently hospitalised in Bratislava.

"The patient did not travel anywhere recently but his son returned from Venice a couple of weeks ago," Pellegrini added.

The patient's sample was tested twice, so there is no doubt about coronavirus, according to the prime minister.

"His son has not shown any signs of illness," Pellegrini said.

More than 300 samples of suspected infections were tested negative in Slovakia as of Friday, local health authorities said.

Slovakia had been the only country in Central Europe without a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.

The virus, which now affects around 90 countries and territories, has infected more than 98,000 people worldwide and left nearly 3,400 people dead.

At 0900 GMT Friday, Europe had registered 5,701 cases with 161 deaths, all but 13 of those in Italy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Khoo, left, and eels to be smuggled, right. (PA Images/NCA)

A seafood salesman who smuggled more than 53 million worth of endangered live eels out of the UK has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Gilbert Khoo transported millions of the rare eels from London to Hong Kong between 2015 and 2017.

The 67-year-old moved them by hiding the animals underneath chilled fish, but was caught after Border Force officers found 200kg of them at Heathrow  the first seizure of its kind in the UK.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC, who also told Khoo to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work for the community, said: In my view you played a leading role in this country in what was a large commercial operation driven by others, the purchasers abroad, where the desire for the glass eels was abundant.

Hearings to retrieve the proceeds of crime will take place in the future.

The eels are the subject of strict export controls because they are endangered.

Khoo was found guilty of three counts of failure to notify movement of animals and three counts of evasion of a prohibition or restriction on the export of goods at Southwark Crown Court in February.

Gilbert Khoo, who was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of smuggling an estimated 5.3 million critically endangered baby eels. (PA Images/NCA)

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he smuggled more than five million elvers over the two-year period, which were estimated to be worth 53 million in east Asia.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) released a photo of Khoo holding two gold bars and its senior investigating officer Ian Truby said: The entire operation run by Khoo to trade in these critically endangered animals was illegal from start to finish, and there is no doubt his sole motivation was money.

Boxes containing critically endangered eels. (PA Images/NCA)

Boxes containing eels and other fish. (PA Images/NCA)

The profits to be made from illegally smuggling live eels to Hong Kong and the Far East are significant.

But the NCA are determined to protect vulnerable wildlife from criminals who wish to benefit financially.

Khoo, from Chessington, Surrey, kept the live eels in a barn in Gloucestershire after importing them from countries within the EU.

He would then repackage them and export them to Asia to be sold on the black market, where the NCA said eels can fetch more than 10 times the price they would in the UK.

Story continues

The Guardian has reported that European eels are mainly flown to China, where they are used as a substitute for a Japanese eel species that is in decline.

Boxes containing eels. (PA Images/NCA)

Marion Longford, unit head of the CPS Specialist Fraud Division, said: Khoo was trading these animals purely for a financial gain.

He had no regard for the controls in place for trading endangered European eels which are vital to safeguard animals increasingly at risk of being wiped out completely.

He added: The impact that these crimes have on our environment and our communities cannot be understated, why is why were committed to building cases against offenders and ensuring theyre held to account for their actions.
As the last two Democrats left standing head for their next clutch of primaries, there are signs Joe Biden is pulling well ahead of Bernie Sanders.

With just days to go until several big states cast their vote, a new Reuters-Ipsos poll shows Mr Biden opening up a national lead of 10 points over Mr Sanders, besting him among both Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.

When the Reuters-Ipsos poll asked respondents whom they thought was most electable, Mr Bidens lead widened even further.

The poll tallies with an overall recovery for Mr Biden, who was initially written off as dead-in-the-water after performing poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire. He revived his candidacy by winning nearly half the vote in the South Carolina primary and then streaking ahead of Mr Sanders on Super Tuesday.

Mr Sanders, meanwhile, has enjoyed a national lead across different polls for several weeks, but underperformed in both South Carolina and several Super Tuesday states, although he won decisively in the delegate-rich state of California.

Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters

The question of electability has become especially loaded since Elizabeth Warren ended her campaign.

Much of the analysis of why she failed has focused on the double standard applied to female candidates, with voters less likely to view them as electable as a matter of course, and therefore less likely to lend them their vote.

No national polls have been conducted since Ms Warren dropped out of the race. In the same Reuters-Ipsos poll she scored 10% nationally, raising the question of which man her supporters will gravitate towards.

The shape of the contest between the two men may be altered by a clutch of primaries set for 10 March, among which is Michigan. The state is both rich in delegates and of great symbolic value, being one of the three rust belt states where Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016.
[March 05, 2020] Unios releases 2020 Catalogue; 2020 Unios range focuses on comfort, well-being and consistent lighting

PERTH, Australia, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Unios has just released its 2020 Catalogue. The 2020 Catalogue is backed by the Unios Toolbox providing digital access 24/7 to individual product specifications, BIM objects and installation guides.

The 2020 range places comfort, well-being and consistency as the focal points. With new mounting options, from flagship ranges to the introduction of Tunable White and Casambi Bluetooth technology  the 2020 catalogue is a guide with the most up-to-date data and information from Unios.



CRI 97+ technology achieves a superior level of colour rendering and is now available for a range of products. Many products in the range have been extended to include a new textured grey finish. The latest G2 Phase-Cut Driver's flicker-free feature helps prevent known potential adverse health effects.



"Our engineering team continues to work behind the scenes to innovate. We take advantage of the latest technology to refine and improve performance. We also add the "X factor" to continue to provide high-performance and cutting-edge design," stated Davd Ho, Engineering Manager.







"So much has changed since we launched our last catalogue in 2018. We have taken into account the adverse and positive effects of lighting.



"Some members of our community are easily affected by unstable light, so we knew that we needed to add flicker-free options in our range. Another significant integration is Casambi using ubiquitous Bluetooth technology to easily adjust lighting to provide light-for-purpose and better align with our circadian rhythm.





"I'm immensely proud of the team effort in discovering ways that we can better use lighting technology. We believe in light as an extension of every surface, every structure  enriching everyday experiences through light ," said Paley Ho , General Manager.



The 285-page catalogue illustrates Unios' adaptive and universal product range and encapsulates their most up-to-date specifications, technology and application imagery. To download the catalogue http://bit.ly/Unios-2020-Catalogue About Unios: Unios is a proud Australian architectural lighting designer and manufacturer. With headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, Unios has partnered with renowned architects and lighting specialist to deliver award-winning projects both in Australia and internationally. In 2019, Unios won the Telstra WA Business of the Year. The judges recognised the Unios Toolbox, which uncomplicates the design to construct process. With 24/7 access to individual product specifications, BIM objects and installation guides, specifiers have the information they need whenever they need it. Unios also took home the Medium & Making Waves at the 2019 Telstra Business Awards. Business founder, Paley Ho was recognised as 40under40. Starting the company from the boot of a Camry has resulted in an internationally lighting brand. Unios is transforming the way the world thinks about lighting in their daily lives. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200305/2739575-1

Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200305/2739575-1LOGO SOURCE Unios

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[March 05, 2020] Metamaterial Inc. Completes RTO; Set to Begin Trading on Canadian Securities Exchange

HALIFAX, March 5, 2020 /CNW/ - Metamaterial Inc. (formerly Continental Precious Minerals Inc.) (the "Company" or "META") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced business combination with Metamaterial Technologies Inc. ("MTI") by way of a three-cornered amalgamation. MTI amalgamated with Continental Precious Minerals Subco Inc. ("Subco"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to form an amalgamated entity named Metacontinental Inc. ("Metacontinental"), and the securities of MTI were exchanged for securities of the Company (the "RTO"). The RTO was completed pursuant to the terms and conditions of an amalgamation agreement dated August 16, 2019 between META, MTI and the Subco, as amended pursuant to an amending agreement dated March 4, 2020 (the "Amalgamation Agreement"). Pursuant to the RTO, the common shares and Class A-1 preferred shares of MTI were exchanged for common shares of the Company ("META Common Shares") at a ratio of 2.75 META Common Shares for each MTI common share or Class A-1 preferred shares held by a holder. The Class A-2 preferred shares of MTI were exchanged at a ratio of 4.125 META Common Shares for each MTI Class A-2 preferred share held. All convertible securities of MTI were also exchanged for convertible securities of META in accordance with the exchange ratios set forth in the Amalgamation Agreement. Prior to the closing of the RTO, the Company changed its name from "Continental Precious Minerals Inc." to "Metamaterial Inc." The Company and Metacontinental are now both headquartered in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Additional information concerning the RTO, including the recent equity raises completed by MTI prior to the RTO, can be found in the Company's listing statement which is available by accessing the Company's profile on SEDAR, at www.sedar.com. Ram Ramkumar, new Chairman of META and former Director of CPM, commented: "We looked at a number of different business opportunities and what was unique about MTI was its product offerings and IP portfolio. I have never seen, in my 40 years in business, a company with such an extensive range of applications. That was the primary driver for our decision to pursue the RTO. The businesses that are interested in MTI's applications are some of the top companies in the world." George Palikaras, President and Chief Executive Officer of META, stated: "Today marks a significant milestone for our company. Over the years, MTI has been fortunate to grow its business in the international market and forge global partnerships. This transaction will allow META to meet increasing customer demand. The potential applications for nanotechnology are endless, and over the next decade it will be transformative for many industries."



Delisting from NEX and Listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange The Company Common Shares were delisted from the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange effective March 4, 2020. The Company anticipates that the Company Common Shares will commence trading on the Canadian Stock Exchange on or about Monday, March 9, 2020 under the symbol "MMAT".

Appointment of New Directors The Company wishes to announce the resignations of Mark Lerohl, William Lambert and Charles Baxter as directors effective as of today's date. The Company wishes to thank them for their efforts and wishes them well in future endeavours. Effective today, the directors of the Company who will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company are Ram Ramkumar, Georgios (George) Palikaras, Allison Christilaw, Maurice Guitton, Eric Leslie, and Steen Karsbo. Mr. Ramkumar has been appointed Chairman of the Board. Biographies of the directors can be found in the Company's listing statement which is available from the Company's profile on SEDAR, at www.sedar.com. Appointment of Officers Effective today, George Palikaras has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Mayank Mahajan has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In addition, Efthymios (Themos) Kallos has been appointed Chief Science Officer and Andrew Gardner Wade has been appointed as Chief Product Officer. Change in Auditor and Fiscal Year End Immediately prior to the RTO, DMCL Chartered Professional Accountants, of Vancouver, British Columbia served as auditor of the Company. As contemplated in the Company's management information circular dated October 10, 2019, which is available from the Company's profile on SEDAR, at www.sedar.com, DMCL ceased to be the Company's auditor upon completion of the RTO. Ernst & Young LLP resigned as auditor of MTI, after the date of the Amalgamation Agreement, and the Company has engaged KPMG LLP of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to become the auditor of the Company effective as of today. Pursuant to the RTO, the fiscal year-end of the Company has changed to December 31st. About Metamaterial Inc. META is changing the way we use, interact and benefit from light. META designs and manufactures advanced materials and performance functional films which are engineered at the nanoscale to control light and electromagnetic waves. META is currently developing new materials with diverse applications in the automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and medical industries. META has a growing patent portfolio with three core technologies holographic, lithographic and wireless sensing, designed for high volume applications. META is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has offices in London, UK and Pleasanton, California. To learn more visit www.metamaterial.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding the Company and its business, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the listing of the common shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange, and the timing of such events. Often but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "intends", "anticipated", "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of the Company, and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies, including risks regarding the technology industry, market conditions, economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business and the equity markets generally. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. SOURCE Metamaterial Inc.

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A 23-year-old British woman has gone missing on the south Pacific island nation of Fiji.

Lydia O'Sullivan has not been seen or heard from, for the past eight days.

Ms O'Sullivan, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been travelling for the past two years and had been living and working in Auckland, New Zealand.

It is believed she recently travelled from Auckland to Fiji for time off work.

Undated handout photo issued by Cumbria Police of Lydia O'Sullivan who has gone missing while holidaying on the south Pacific island nation of Fiji

Ms O'Sullivan, pictured in an undated photo, was working and living as an English teacher in Auckland, New Zealand and took a trip to Fiji for some time off work at the end of February

A locator map shows the south Pacific Ocean island of Fiji

Cumbria Police said she usually messages family daily but has not been heard from since February 28.

Lydia is described as around 5ft with blue eyes, long brown hair and a petite build.

In a Facebook post, Lydia's sister Franciene Nicholson, urged people to help track Lydia down: 'She has travelled to FIJI for some time off on Feb 26th [sic].

Ms O'Sullivan, pictured in an undated photo, told her family that she had landed safely on 26 February, 'but has not been heard of since'

'She messaged to say she had landed safely but has not been heard of since.'

She added that Lydia, who worked as an English teacher in a number of countries, usually contacts her mother daily.

Cumbria Constabulary is liaising with Lydia's family and agencies including the police in Fiji but would ask anyone with any knowledge of her whereabouts to contact police immediately.
Ten Lifestyle was one of the latest coronavirus victims this week after it warned on Friday its full-year revenue growth would come below expectations.

The travel technology group slumped 23 per cent to 76p despite reassuring investors that its sales come from service delivery and not hard-hit ticket bookings.

It did, however, say there had been disruption in the Asia-Pacific region in the last two months, while near-term marketing spend and client launches are expected to get weaker.

Ten Lifestyle was one of the latest coronavirus victims this week despite reassuring investors that its sales come from service delivery and not hard-hit ticket bookings

Despite the travel sector malaise, Easyhotel managed to advance 23 per cent to 83p after Citrus Holdco agreed to provide 11million by acquiring shares at 95p each, a 35 per cent premium on the previous closing price.

Citrus is partly owned by ICAMAP Investments, the budget hotel chain's majority shareholder with 52 per cent stake.

The proceeds will be used to fund the group's roll-out strategy, including a 230-bedroom hotel in Madrid, Spain.

Turning to the wider market, the small-caps seemed to stabilise following last week's coronavirus bloodbath, with the AIM All-share broadly flat at 853, outperforming the FTSE 100, which was down 1 per cent to 6,742.

Angus Energy rocketed 34 per cent to 0.9p after an independent study estimated its Saltfleetby onshore field held 16 billion cubic feet of gas.

Shares in fellow energy firm Solo Oil advanced 9 per cent to 1p on relisting. This followed that collapse of a reverse takeover deal with ONE-Dyas Gas.

Solo said it has enough cash to meet its commitments in Tanzania but has now set up a data room for anyone interested in acquiring its 25 per cent stake in the Ruvuma production area.

In the mining sector, Condor Gold jumped 25 per cent to 33p after it showcased the potential of a 1,000 tonnes per day facility at the La India project in Nicaragua.

Also on the up was cancer detection firm Oncimmune, which leaped 24 per cent to 79p after its lung cancer detection kit went on sale in the US, the world's largest healthcare market.

Elsewhere, Haydale Graphene rose 16 per cent to 1p after South Korean firm iCraft said it had incorporated its nano-platelets into a cosmetic face mask.

In the chemicals industry, Itaconix gained 10 per cent to 1p after inking a deal with an unnamed company, which wants to assess the potential of the firm's BIO*Asterix technology in biodegradable packaging.

Despite the travel sector malaise, Easyhotel managed to advance 23 per cent to 83p after Citrus Holdco agreed to provide 11million by acquiring shares at 95p each

Urban Exposure shot up 17 per cent to 68p after confirming it is in 'exclusive' discussions with Pollen Street Capital to offload its loan book.

If it goes ahead, the existing executive team will buy its asset management business, then the finance provider to property developers will de-list from AIM and return 73p per share to its shareholders.

It was a different story for e-commerce solutions provider Proactis, which crashed 34 per cent to 31p after it said it was no longer up for sale, ending an eight-month search for a buyer.

Back to coronavirus issues, live events agency Aeorema Communications slumped 28 per cent to 21p with the outbreak disrupting its schedule, prompting a profit warning.

Power company Rurelec tanked 25 per cent to 0.4p after it said it was not sure when it will recover $21million in loan notes owed to it by Patagonia Energy, which operates electricity projects in Argentina.

Finally, e-commerce solutions provider Attraqt slid 19 per cent to 32p after its full-year loss before tax widened by 38 per cent to 4million due to higher staff, research and development costs.
A 12-member team from Telangana on Friday visited Kerala to study how the state contained the spread of novel coronavirus.

Interacting with the team, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said, "The team will be given a presentation at Health Mission and they will visit Alappuzha district to know how the health facilities are set up by Kerala Health Department on the grassroots level."

"The team comprising doctors and senior health officials will visit the control room set up by the Health Department and also will attend daily review meetings. They will also visit an isolation ward in the hospital and interact with doctors and nurses, " the minister said.

She added, "Kerala model is being followed by other states too. All states are working together and the country as a whole is fighting the coronavirus. They are sharing our experience. All of India is standing together. Contact tracing and isolation is the most important part."

Dr Mahaboob Khan, part of the Telangana team told ANI, that the discussion with the health minister was fruitful.

"Kerala was the first state in India where a positive coronavirus case was reported. All three positive cases reported have been discharged after testing negative. So we wanted to study how Kerala was able to contain it and the health system in place here, " he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scott Hirsch is a Digital Development Evangelist based in Boca Raton, Florida who has created a number of successful startups across the country.

BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Recently, Scott spoke with us to share insights into the success he's had as an entrepreneur.

Over his career, Scott Hirsch has been instrumental in helping several people and businesses learn how to utilize digital resources and entrepreneurship to the fullest. He served as the Vice President of Lens Express and launched the company digitally, becoming one the first businesses ever to perform direct online marketing. His success earned Lens Express a spot on the 500 fastest growing private companies by Inc. magazine and led to a series of disruptive startups, including Naviant which sold to Equifax for $135,000,000 in 2002.

Recently, Hirsch shared a few insights to his entrepreneurial success to inspire future entrepreneurs in the digital realm. When asked about the hardest parts of being an entrepreneur, he had this to say:

"That's an easy answer- learning time management is the toughest aspect. When you're starting out there will be 10,000 things that require your attention in any given minute. As the CEO, you have to quickly learn to delegate those tasks to the right people or you'll never get any work done."

When asked to share what he thought was the most rewarding part about being an entrepreneur, Scott Hirsch replied:

"That's tough to answer because the answer is going to be different for every entrepreneur- and the answer may vary on each of their projects. For me though, I love to help people and I have a huge amount of pride in seeing how that end product or service changes people's lives for the better. In some cases, it may take years to reach that point so it ends up being the real payoff."

Scott also shared this on how to handle your first big meeting with an investor or client:

"The important thing to keep in mind is that as a business, everything you do is solution based. So whenever you walk into a room with someone that may seem intimidating, ask yourself what problem you're there to solve and what value you can bring to that conversation. Then all that's left is to present your ideas in a simple, straightforward manner so that other person can easily relate to them."

For more entrepreneurial advice from Scott, check out his blog on Inc or follow him on Twitter.

CONTACT:

Caroline Hunter

Web Presence, LLC

+1 7865519491

SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579466/Scott-Hirsch-Sits-Down-to-Discuss-Entrepreneurial-Success


A pickup truck crashed into one of Easter Island's iconic moai statues, carved by the Rapa Nui people circa 1400 to 1650 AD. Police arrested a Chilean inhabitant whose truck apparently caused "incalculable" damage to the head. Since 2012, the Polynesian island's population has increased from 8,000 to 12,000 and tourism has skyrocketed. From The Guardian:



Camilo Rapu, the president of the Ma'u Henua community, which looks after the moai, said the crash may have been deliberate.





"As people know, the moai are sacred structures that possess a religious value for the people of Rapa Nui," he said. "Something like this isn't just dreadful, it's an offence against a living culture that has spent the last few years fighting to regain its historic and archaeological heritage."



The island's mayor, Pedro Edmunds Paoa, told El Mercurio the collision appeared to have been the result of brake failure. He said the incident demonstrated the need for stricter traffic controls.





He previously told the paper: "Everyone decided against establishing traffic rules when it came to vehicles on sacred sites  but we, as a council, were talking about the dangers and knew very well what the rise in tourist and resident numbers could mean."
A 43-year-old ex-serviceman was arrested for allegedly firing at a person in Hauz Khas area during a road rage incident, police said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Virpal Singh Yadav, a resident of Meerut, they said.

On Monday, Himanshu (19), a resident of Shahpur Jat, Hauz Khas, along with his three cousins, was going to Rohini to attend a marriage. In Andrews Ganj, their car was hit by a motorcycle, leading to a fight with Yadav who was on the motorcycle, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said.

Yadav whipped out a gun and opened fire at Himanshu and fled away. The bullet hit Himanshu's right ankle and he was admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre; he was discharged after treatment, Thakur said.

"During investigation, the motorcycle was found registered in Uttar Pradesh. Police raided several places and arrested Yadav from Meerut," the DCP said.

The bike and the weapon of offence, along with five live cartridges, were recovered from his possession, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PetroChina has suspended some natural gas imports, including on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and on gas imported via pipelines, as a seasonal plunge in demand adds to the impact on consumption from the coronavirus outbreak, Trend reports with reference to Reuters.

The company issued the force majeure notice to suppliers of piped gas and also to at least one LNG supplier, though details of the force majeure notice could not immediately be confirmed.

PetroChina, Chinas top gas producer and piped gas supplier, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for state firm KazTransGas which handles gas exports had no immediate comment while Gazprom could not immediately be reached for comment.

A spokesman for Uzbekistan state energy firm Uzbekneftegaz had no immediate comment. Turkmenistans gas exporter Turkmenneftegaz could not immediately be reached for comment.

A Turkmen government source said he was not aware of the force majeure. If this is the case, we hope this measure will be short-term and will not affect long-term, strategic and mutually beneficial Turkmen-Chinese partnership in the gas sector.

China is one of the worlds top gas and LNG importers, so any cancellation of purchase is expected to have a big impact on prices, traders said.

Force majeure is a clause in contracts, typically referring to unexpected external circumstances that prevent a party to a contract from meeting their obligations.

PetroChina meets 40% of its total gas needs through imports and about 70% of imports are through piped gas from central Asia, Myanmar and Russia while the rest are through LNG, one of the sources said.

The supply cuts will fall on suppliers proportionately but LNG suppliers will have a lesser impact versus those on piped gas, said one of the sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

It was not immediately clear what volumes PetroChina had declared force majeure on or the time period the notice covers.

But one major LNG supplier to the Chinese company told Reuters that PetroChina had requested some cargoes be deferred to the third quarter instead.

For piped gas, PetroChina will likely ask for a cut in daily nominations, the first source said.

PetroChina has long-term LNG import contracts with QatarGas, Gorgon LNG in Australia, U.S. firm Cheniere Energy, Papua New Guinea LNG plant as well as an equity stake in Russias Yamal project in the Arctic where it lifts cargoes from.

Chinas Sinopec also supplies PetroChina during the colder months from mid-November to mid-March under a state-mandated inter-connected supply scheme.

The source said senior PetroChina officials recently spoke on phone with Qatari energy officials explaining the demand situation, during which Qatar had pledged to cooperate as much as possible.

PetroChina has done its best over the past month to mitigate the virus impact, including diverting cargoes to India and Singapore, and tried not to issue such a notice, the source said.

But unlike CNOOC (which sent a notice earlier) which may see demand slowing recovering, PetroChina is grappling with a sharp seasonal demand fall from mid-March (for piped gas) when the heating season ends.

Last month, the countrys top LNG importer China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) suspended contracts with at least three suppliers, which drove spot LNG prices to a record low. LNG-AS

Demand is down the hill, especially from mid-March as all the boilers for heating are going to be switched off, while gas consumption from retail users like restaurants and hotels are barely visible yet, said an executive at one of the north-China based gas receiving terminals operated by PetroChina.

The executive said the operating rate at the regasification terminal in northern China, currently at 30 million cubic metres per day, will fall sharply in the second half of this month as demand drops.
(Newser)  At first, Facebook allowed ads suggesting users "take the official 2020 Congressional District Census today." But the link had nothing to do with the census; it took users to a survey on the "Certified Website of President Donald J. Trump," the Washington Post reports. The survey then took users' information and asked them for a donation. Although Facebook has rolled out a policy against allowing misleading references to the census, per the Post, the company announced it would permit these Trump ads. Then House speaker Nancy Pelosi held a news conference Thursday. "I am particularly annoyed today at the actions of Facebook," she said, adding that the ad says, "Fill this out, this is a census form," though it's not. "It is an absolute lie, a lie that is consistent with the misrepresentation policy of Facebook," the Democratic speaker said. "But now they are messing with who we are as Americans."

story continues below

Hours later, Facebook flipped. The ads violate company policy about confusing content involving the census after all. "We conducted a further review," a spokesman said. The ads had appeared on the Facebook pages of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, per Politico. The ads were much like surveys that have been mailed out by the Republican National Committee, per the Post; those surveys also are requests for donations but appear to be census forms. The leader of a civil rights group that helped spur the new policy in December, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, welcomed Facebook's change of heart Thursday. "While we're gratified that Facebook shut down Trump's attempt to sow confusion about how and when to participate in the 2020 census, it's disturbing that the ads weren't immediately removed," Vanita Gupta said. (Read more Facebook stories.)
The death toll from a building collapse in a congested residential area of Karachi increased to 18 on Friday as rescuers pulled out more bodies from the rubble while search is on to trace the missing persons.

A top government official said the casualties were high as residents had illegally built the three-storey building on a 80 square yard plot in a congested lane of the city's Gulbahar area.

The third floor portion collapsed and it brought down the entire building. Rescue work is still continuing at the site and it has been a difficult and slow process as the lane where the incident occurred is narrow and we have been unable to get ambulances and other heavy machinery through it, he said.

The official said most of the rescue work is being carried out with shovels and that is why it is taking time to clear the rubble.

Two more bodies were found this morning, he said.

The Assistant Police Surgeon at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Muhammad Saleem confirmed that the death toll from the building collapse has increased to 18. The deceased included 11 women, two men and the five children.

Saleem said so far around 20 people rescued from the rubbles had been brought to the hospital and were being treated for injuries.

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that initial inquiry had shown that the third floor was constructed illegally as the building was old and was built on limited space.

Action will be taken against all those involved in allowing these illegal constructions or turning a blind eye to them as they have endangered lives of people.

In many old areas of Karachi, authorities have declared several buildings unfit for habitation but due to red-tapism and corruption in government departments, no orders are executed properly.

Karachi is Pakistans biggest city and home to millions of people who have migrated from other parts of the country and even from abroad to this metropolitan city.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:44:29|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) does not endorse international flight restrictions on Iran amid the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, official IRNA news agency reported on Friday.

Richard Brennan, regional emergency director for WHO, was quoted as saying that although WHO recommends all countries to adopt restrictions in emergency situations, "it currently does not agree with such (flight) restrictions to be imposed on Iran."

He made the remarks on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting related to the novel coronavirus epidemic in Iran which was attended by foreign diplomats and Iranian officials.

Brennan stressed that the WHO makes no recommendations about imposing restrictions on flights to and from Iran, said IRNA.

Some airlines have followed their own policy, but it is necessary for them to report their measures to the WHO on the basis of a treaty on the practice of limitations, he said.

The official added that the decision by the airliners in this regard should be evaluated and endorsed by the WHO.

Most of the airliners have stopped their return flights to the Iranian cities after the first cases of COVID-19 were announced in Iran last month.

Iran announced on Friday that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country has affected 4,747 people, out of whom 124 have died.
New Delhi, March 6 : In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday held that if an organisation is not involved in active politics or party politics, but support public causes by resorting to legitimate means of dissent like 'bandh', 'hartals' etc., then it cannot be deprived of its legitimate right of receiving foreign contributions.

The court said the words "political interests" are vague and are susceptible to misuse.

The ruling by a bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta came on a plea by NGO India Social Action Forum (INSAF), challenging the constitutional validity of Section 5 (1) and 5 (4) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 and other rules, which gave Centre unchecked and unbridled powers to categorise virtually any organisation as "organisation of political nature, not being a political party", and thereby denying it from receiving foreign contributions.

The top court observed that organisations which are not involved in active politics or party politics do not fall under the rules of FCRA. Establishing clarity on words "political interest", the top court said: "We are of the opinion that the expression 'political interests' in Rule 3 (v) (rules of FCRA) has to be construed to be in connection with active politics or party politics." "It is clear from the provision itself that bandh, hartal, rasta roko etc., are treated as common methods of political action. Any organisation which supports the cause of a group of citizens agitating for their rights without a political goal or objective cannot be penalised by being declared as an organization of a political nature." The top court noted that prohibition from receiving foreign aid, either directly or indirectly, by those who are involved in active politics is to ensure that the values of a sovereign democratic republic are protected. "On the other hand, such of those voluntary organisations which have absolutely no connection with either party politics or active politics cannot be denied access to foreign contributions," it said.

Therefore, organisations working for the social and economic welfare of the society cannot be brought within the purview of the Act or the Rules by enlarging the scope of the term "political interests", the top court said, observed words "political interests" are vague and are susceptible to misuse.

The top court asked the Centre to follow the procedure prescribed in the FCRA Act and Rules strictly before depriving such organisation the right to receive foreign contribution During the hearing the bench had observed: "You cannot throttle dissent. People should be encouraged to question, as dissent is an important facet of democracy." The petitioner, represented by senior advocate Sanjay Parekh, contended the provisions in the FCRA violated fundamental rights in Articles 14, 19 (1) (a), 19 (1) (c) and 21a of the Constitution. The NGO moved the top court challenging the Delhi High Court, which dismissed its plea in 2011.

Parekh contended before the apex court that in the main provision under FCRA, vague expressions have been given to certain activities, and "instead of defining those activities, the canvas of vagueness has been expanded thereby resulting in arbitrariness and violation of constitutional parameters.

The court had noted: "Nobody stops organisation from getting foreign funds except (when) it is of political nature." Centre's counsel Additional Solicitor General K M Natraj and advocate Devashish Bharuka contested this argument stating rules cannot be declared as ultra vires the Act. The Centre contested the petitioner's apprehension that there would be an abuse of power and some organisations may be unnecessarily harassed, arguing the procedure of declaring any association or organisation receiving foreign funds "political", has been prescribed in the FCRA.

The court observed that the political parties are not allowed to get foreign funds, and queried the Centre on the nature of political rights in connection with an organisation. "Rights are so interwoven that it may become political rights. We want to understand political rights. We are concerned with organisations of political nature," the court had queried the Centre's counsel.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in)
Bhopal: A cabinet meeting chaired by CM Kamal Nath of Madhya Pradesh concluded in which the budget for the year 2020-21 was approved. Kamal Nath told the ministers that whatever suggestions you have regarding the budget, be put before everyone. Apart from this, the Governor's address to be presented in the budget session was also approved. Governor Lalji Tandon will address the assembly on 16 March.

Outrage in MP due to suspension of MPs, protests in Parliament led by Rahul Gandhi

The budget will be more than two lakh 30 thousand crore rupees. The meeting has expressed displeasure over the promoter builder policy brought by the government to rebuild and renovate the temples. He clarified that no such provision will be made by the state government. Giving information on the decisions of the cabinet meeting, Public Relations Minister PC Sharma said that it has been decided to give a contractual appointment to the post of OSD to Secretary Manohar Dubey, Governor Lalji Tandon. The service period of contract employees working in CM Helpline will be continued for 5 years.

Gehlot government in debt, decision to purchase this aircraft deferred

Public Relations Minister PC Sharma said that Ram Van Gamaan Path will be constructed, CM Kamal Nath will be the secretary of the trust, while the secretary will be the chief secretary. It will have members and senior officials of the Department of Spiritual Culture and Tourism. Apart from 4 MLAs and MPs, eight non-government members will also join the trust. Ram Van Gamaan Path will be built on both sides from Chitrakoot to Amarkantak. Orders have already been given for its survey. The Public Relations Minister also informed that Sita Mata Temple will be built in Sri Lanka.

Corona virus: First death in UK, 12 dead in US, $ 6.3 billion fund released
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, right, looks on as Dr. Paul Offit, the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, speaks during a news conference in 2015 in Philadelphia where steps were outlined to curb a measles outbreak. Read more

At a White House news conference Tuesday, Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, told President Donald Trump a coronavirus vaccine would likely not be available within the next year or two. Trump responded: I like the sound of a couple of months better.

But a vaccine is not going to be available in the next couple of months, and according to Dr. Paul Offit, thats appropriate. Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, is the co-developer of the rotavirus vaccine. It took roughly 26 years to perfect that protection against a disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the leading cause for severe diarrhea in children before the vaccines introduction in 2006.

Offit talked to The Inquirer about the process of vaccine development, the risks of rushing, and the role of vaccination amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Why is it unrealistic to expect a vaccine for coronavirus in a few months?

Nobodys ever seen this virus before. Therefore, if youre interested in making a vaccine, you first had access to that virus only a couple months ago. Thats not long.

[To make a vaccine] you first need to make a decision as to what approach you want to take. Then you have to do extensive animal model testing to make sure that the approach that youve taken is safe in animals, and that it induces an immune response which would likely be protective. Then you gradually do studies in people to make sure its safe, and then to make sure that it induces an immune response. That takes time, a lot of time, typically years. Then and only then, are you ready to put it into people to see whether or not it works in an outbreak situation.

In 2018, after the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there was an experimental vaccine very quickly.

I think people got fooled by Ebola. When the outbreak occurred in West Africa and we had a vaccine pretty much that rolled off shelf within weeks, people thought, Ha! Thats easy.

But what they didnt realize is people have been working on an Ebola vaccine for 20 years. Theyve done the animal model testing. Theyve done the testing to make sure that the vaccine was safe and was immunogenic.

But thats not true here. This is a new virus. So were starting from scratch.

What is it about this virus that makes people confident that a vaccine will be available?

I dont know. You know, Id say about 15% to 20% of the respiratory infections that we see in our hospital in the winter months are [types of] coronavirus. This is a virus that has been around for 50 years.

But here are these three newer strains of coronavirus  MERS, SARS, and now this COVID-19. The first two viruses, SARS and MERS, have come and gone.

 READ MORE: Inovio stock spikes on COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine speedup

I think this [COVID-19] virus likely will come back because its different. If you were infected with SARS or MERS viruses, you were sick. And its very easy to tell who was sick and who wasnt. You could then quarantine those people  put a moat around them, if you will  so that they wouldnt infect others. So those infections quickly died out. This virus is more like flu. It spreads in a similar manner to flu by respiratory droplet. Its about as contagious as flu. It has the same set of symptoms as flu. And I think in the end, frankly, its going to have the same mortality rate as flu.

There are certainly human studies showing that if youre infected with a coronavirus  meaning one of the typical coronaviruses  you can have immunity to that strain for at least a year and probably longer. Thats encouraging. If natural infection can protect you, then its encouraging that it can produce an immune response which is protective and which you should be able to mimic with vaccination.

Vaccine development is tightly regulated. How much of that is about safety vs. red tape?

If youre going to be testing this in otherwise healthy people who are very, very unlikely to die from this infection, you better make sure its safe. So you want those regulations in place.

An example is the dengue vaccine. When it was tested in Latin America and Philippines, it was found to actually increase your risk of dengue shock syndrome. Children who were less than 9 years of age, who had never been exposed to the virus before, were actually more likely to be hurt by the vaccine than helped by it. Now, you only knew that from doing large clinical trials with tens of thousands of people.

The history of medical breakthroughs is littered with tragedy. You want to make sure that things are safe.

What do you think is behind the apparent willingness to skirt the rules to rush a vaccine?

I think that because we falsely overrate, or incorrectly rate, what the mortality rate is, were willing to accept that things will be rushed through. In fact, coronavirus doesnt have a high mortality rate.

Theres a virus that the CDC currently estimated has killed between 20,000 and 45,000 people in the United States -- influenza. But only half the country gets that vaccine.

Theres only 14 deaths [in the U.S., as of Friday afternoon] from COVID-19, but everybody would get a vaccine now.

The point being: Were not very good at assessing risk.
Based upon the assumption that the number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases is several times as high as the number of reported cases, experts at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are predicting that Covid-19s case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1 percent. While that is higher than the rate for seasonal flu (0.1 percent), its much lower than the staggering rate we saw in the 1918 influenza pandemic (2.5 percent in the United States, and in some nations higher). It may even fall lower once we have a better sense of the number of mild cases. If this happens and most cases of Covid-19 turn out to be no worse than a nasty but not deadly bout of flu, NPIs like school closings wont be necessary.

But this kind of data might not be available for analysis until Covid-19 has already spread widely. So for now, policies to contain it should be influenced by the adage better safe than sorry. Theres no room for the public to grouse about calls made too early.

After all, its easy to reopen schools if the news is good. For example, my colleagues and I observed the use of school closings and other NPIs during the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic. During the first days of the outbreak in Mexico, the Health Ministry conducted a broad-based and exacting group of NPIs, similar to the ones we found worked in 1918. The measures appeared to contain the spread of influenza but were revoked 18 days later after it became clear that the H1N1 influenza virus was widespread but not all that deadly.

On the other hand, we studied the use of 559 school closings in Michigan during the fall wave of the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic. Eighty-three percent of those closings occurred long after the virus had reached its peak week of infection and had already spread widely among people living in those school districts. The results were all too predictable: The late, reactive school closings had little effect on levels of influenza-like illnesses.

Theres no reason to close schools in communities that have not yet seen Covid-19. But that situation could change quickly, and when it does, school officials, public health agencies and municipal leaders will need to be ready to make the tough call of shutting the schools down. School officials should be checking C.D.C. guidance daily, if not hourly.

In another study, my colleagues and I looked at the spring wave of the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic across the United States and found that because of confusion over the advice given by the C.D.C., many school districts closed too late or did not close at all. And of course, when the flu came to these towns, it did what an influenza virus always does: It spread. Good, frequent communication among decision makers will be crucial to avoiding this kind of mishap.

In the meantime, employers ought to develop policies allowing parents to stay at home with their children and not be penalized.
ITCs leading personal care brand, Vivel has roped in popular Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon as its brand ambassador. Vivel with its philosophy of Ab Samjhauta Nahin encourages women to not compromise with their choices and their dreams. Kriti embodies the brand persona and is a leading role model for young women.

Vivel announces its association with Kriti Sanon with a campaign for its cooling portfolio of soaps and body washes. With ingredients like Mint and Cucumber, Vivel promises a refreshing bathing experience with the onset of summer. Kriti as the brand ambassador for Vivel encourages women to make their own choices and live a life of no compromise. She is self-made and continually takes up roles that challenge the status quo and the perception of women in society. This is what makes her an ideal Vivel Woman.

The film conceptualised by Brand David, opens in a busy traffic jam with Kriti as the Traffic Police officer in the sweltering summer heat. Kriti portrays the progressive and confident woman who refuses to succumb to everyday sexist jibes, voicing a befitting quick comeback, while she continues to keep her cool. The brand message goes beyond beauty to address attitude and behaviour towards women and personifies a nuanced perspective of self-confidence that inspires the protagonist to voice her opinion and handle the situation with wit.

Kriti Sanon shared her excitement on being the new face of Vivel, I am excited and proud to be associated with leading personal care brand ITC Vivel and look forward to joining the brand's strong purpose-driven journey through its initiative Ab Samjhauta Nahin. The brand's core narrative of being more than just a beauty discourse makes it extremely fulfilling for me to associate myself with both the product and the philosophy. Vivel's beauty is real and uncompromising and hence being the Vivel woman comes very naturally to me. As a woman with a voice, I have achieved my dreams through my uncompromising spirit. It indeed is great that I get to be associated with a brand that strives to help young women find their voice & inspire them to say Ab Samjhauta Nahin.

Speaking on the occasion, Sameer Satpathy, Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited said, Kriti is one of the most dynamic new-age Bollywood actors. Vivel with its philosophy of Ab Samjhauta Nahin seeks to inspire women to question the limits they've been conditioned into accepting, challenge status quo and therefore enrich their lives with confidence and fulfilment.

The Vivel Cool Mint variant offers a refreshing aroma with a long-lasting fragrance and offers a minty freshness that hydrating the skin while getting rid of the dirt and grime that settles in, causing build-up through the course of the day.

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A dispute between Brazils Congress and the countrys fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro over who will control the 2020 budget has exacerbated internal divisions within the Brazilian bourgeoisie. The attempt by congressmen to expand the so-called tax budgetinstituted in 2015 and which the president has no power to changewas answered by the top echelons of the Bolsonaro government with calls to disempower Congress by means of popular pressure.

This position was expressed by Gen. Augusto Heleno, one of Bolsonaros right-hand men and head of the Institutional Security Office. Transmitted live by the government, allegedly by accident, Heleno was recorded saying: We cannot accept these guys [Congress] blackmailing us. Fuck them. The general told Bolsonaro that he could not be intimidated and that he should show the population that he was being pressured.

In response to Helenos speech, street demonstrations that had been called for March 15 in support of Bolsonaro have shifted their focus to a protest against Congress. Material promoting the demonstrations has featured pictures of the generals brought into Bolsonaros cabinet along with the slogan, The generals are waiting for the orders of the people. Legislators directly linked to Bolsonaro have campaigned for the demonstrations, with Congresswoman Carla Zambelli, one of the founders of Bolsonaros new fascist Alliance for Brazil party, at their head.

Bolsonaro and Defense Minister Gen. Gen. Fernando Azevedo e Silva.

This campaign generated significant public controversy after a journalist for the daily Estado de Sao Paulo reported that Bolsonaro had personally shared a video calling for the demonstrations on WhatsApp. This exposure provoked widespread criticism within Brazils political establishment, including from congressional leaders, the Supreme Court, the major newspapers and former presidents like Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Fernando Henrique Cardoso; all of them charging that Bolsonaros action constituted a breach of democratic norms.

The Workers Party (PT), supported by the PSOL (Party of Socialism and Liberty) and other organizations of the pseudo-left, responded by turning a series of already scheduled protests into demonstrations against Bolsonaros authoritarianism. The leadership of the PT, however, rejected any possibility of impeaching the president. In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Le Temps, Lula, the former Workers Party president, reiterated his position that we have to wait four years ... We cannot think that we can overthrow a president because we dont like him.

Folha de Sao Paulo reported that the PT has concluded that there are no conditions for impeachment because Bolsonaro still enjoys substantial support from the markets and big business, an evaluation that speaks volumes about the bourgeois character of the so-called Workers Party.

The PTs cowardice is further exposed by positions taken by leading right-wing officials. The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel of the Christian Social Party (PSC), who was elected by linking his campaign to that of Bolsonaro, said the legal answer to this [the broadcasting of the video by Bolsonaro] is impeachment. Witzels ally, Joao Doria, Sao Paulo governor and a member of the right-wing Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), called Bolsonaros action worrisome and spoke out against an escalation of authoritarianism.

Witzel and Doria, who head an alliance of 20 governors who have criticized the presidents actions in a letter, have cast themselves as leaders of a bourgeois opposition to Bolsonaro. The dispute between Brasilia and the state governments has its origins in the profound contradictions of Brazilian society. Recent shocks have revolved around rising fuel prices, which threaten to unleash a new truckers strike with broad support from the population. Trying to shift the burden of the crisis onto the states, Bolsonaro has publicly challenged the governors to end taxes on the circulation of goods, which fund state budgets.

Conflicts manifested themselves again with the threat of widespread riots by state Military Police spreading all over the country, following the example of the strike that began in the northeastern state of Ceara, which ended on Sunday. Since many governors based their electoral campaigns on support for the police and the military, as was markedly the case with Witzel and Doria, and since the police feel they enjoy political backing from Bolsonaro, they are demanding substantial salary increases.

Add to this the fact that the general policy is to apply strong recessionary measures directly attacking the living conditions of the working class and the situation becomes critical. On Tuesday, Dorias government in Sao Paulo approved a pension reform that attacks the retirement benefits of more than 500,000 state employees. The vote on the measure was made possible only through the brutal repression of a large teachers demonstration, with Military Police shock troops occupying the Legislative Assembly and leaving a number of workers injured. Dependence upon this repressive apparatus makes clear the reasons for Dorias concern over a rebellion of his own states Military Police, to whom he has offered a much lower increase than that demanded by the rioting police in Ceara.

Bolsonaro's cabinet discusses Army intervention in Ceara. Credits [Photo: Planalto]

Despite having launched a Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO) and sending Army troops into Ceara, the Bolsonaro government still has a political base within the Military Police. It has repeatedly stressed that the responsibility for resolving the police mutiny rested with Cearas PT state governor, Camilo Santana. Bolsonaro threatened to cut short the operation, saying, The GLO is not to last forever serving one or more governors.

The federal intervention was used by Bolsonaro as a means to promote his proposed legislation granting federal troops engaged in domestic repression immunity from criminal prosecution, giving them an effective license to kill with impunity. Its practical effect, however, failed to meet the expectations of the state government, which expected troops to break up the strike by surrounding the mutinying barracks. Justice and Public Security Minister Sergio Moro responded that the National Public Security Force and the Armed Forces, through the GLO, aim to replace the police and not confront them, calling the rioting police dedicated professionals. This statement was celebrated by leaders of the strike.

The Bolsonaro governments support for the police rebellion became even more explicit with the end of the strike. The next day, the son of the president and right-wing congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, declared solidarity with the Military Police who rebelled. We are here to represent you police officers; you are not alone, he said. Even more remarkable was the performance of the commander of the militarized National Public Security Force, Col. Aginaldo de Oliveira, who personally attended a closing assembly of the strike, where he declared: It is very courageous to do what you are doing ... You have moved an entire commission of the state of Ceara and the Brazilian federal government. ... Believe me, you are giants, you are monsters, you are brave, you have demonstrated this throughout these 10, 11, 12 days here inside this [occupied] barracks in search of class improvements, which you will achieve.

The political weight of this statement is even more striking as Col. Oliveira was married last month to Congresswoman Carla Zambelli, the champion of the March 15 demonstrations. To complete the picture, the best man at the wedding was Minister Sergio Moro himself.

The Bolsonaro government is carrying out a definite break with bourgeois democratic forms of rule. This process can only be understood as part of an international political development. The turn to authoritarianism by the ruling classmanifested in the rise to power of figures like Bolsonaro in Brazil, Donald Trump in the US and Narendra Modi in Indiais symptomatic of a profound crisis of the entire capitalist system.

However, the bourgeois institutions that the PT is vigorously defending in the counter-demonstrations that it has called this month offer no protection for the working class against capitalist reaction. On the contrary, it was under these institutions that the fascist danger was nurtured and within which it today shows its terrible face.

The freedom to employ the army against the population in the streets, which Bolsonaro is determined to consolidate, was prepared by PT governments that intervened with the armed forces to invade the favela slum neighborhoods and repress protests. It was also under the PT that Brazils Terrorism Law was enacted, profoundly threatening any manifestation of social opposition. Today, Congress is seeking to extend this law as much as possible. Bolsonaro did not fall like a lightning bolt from a blue sky; he grew freely within the Brazilian state, and in political alliance with the PT over years.

The main function of the campaign of the PT and its pseudo-left satellites in defense of bourgeois democracy and its institutions is to politically disarm the working class. This task is headed, together with the PT, by the parties and organizations of the pseudo-left. Probably none of them has exposed their ideas as nakedly as the Morenites of the Resistance/PSOL. On their website EsquerdaOnline they published a call for participation in the anti-Bolsonaro protests that summarizes their deeply reactionary politics:

The House of Representatives, the Federal Senate, the Supreme Court, the Attorney Generals Office, political parties, political leaders, the Brazilian Bar Association, the Brazilian Press Association, the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science, among other entities, have a duty to take concrete action against the plan set in motion to undermine the democratic regime. All democrats must be on the front line against the attacks on democratic rights and freedoms, building broad and unitary actions.

This program, which is aimed at suppressing the struggles of the working class and subordinating them to the right-wing bourgeois parties and even the direct instruments of capitalist state repression, reflects the politics and interests of an increasingly desperate layer of Brazils privileged upper-middle class, which opposes and fears the growth of the class struggle.

Brazilian workers should reject such calls for unity with the capitalist state with the contempt that they deserve. The only answer to the threat of fascism and dictatorship lies in the independent struggle of the working class based upon the program of international socialist revolution. This makes all the more urgent the building of a new revolutionary leadership in Brazil as a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International.
Cameroons health ministry on Friday confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a 58-year-old French citizen who arrived in the capital Yaounde on Feb. 24.



A statement signed by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda, said the man had been quarantined in the citys Central Hospital.



All measures have been taken by the government to contain potential risks of the virus spreading, it said in a statement.



Cameroon, which is situated in Central Africa, is the fourth sub-Saharan country to report coronavirus after Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. The total number of cases on the continent is 29.



Since the coronavirus outbreak began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, it has infected almost 100,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China.

Source: Reuters









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The opposition Congress on Friday accused Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur of playing with figures and paying more attention to his home district in the state budget, which the BJP described as people-friendly and development-oriented.

Talking to reporters after the budget was presented by chief minister in the state assembly, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said Thakur has merely played with figures and failed to present any solid welfare scheme.

Agnihotri also alleged that the chief minister paid more attention to the development of his home district Mandi by earmarking a huge amount for acquisition of land for the proposed airport in Mandi.

Presenting a 49,131-Cr budget in the House earlier, Thakur said Rs 1,013 crore were earmarked for expanding air connectivity in the state which include expediting land acquisition for starting work of Mandi airport.

Agnihotri, however, said that Thakur did not say even a single word in the budget about the debt burden of the state arising out of the Rs 10,000 crore borrowing made by the government in just two years of its tenure.

Himachal Congress president Kuldeep Rathore and party incharge Rajni Patil also flayed the budget terming it as "directionless".

The budget provides no relief to any section of the society, said Rathore.

State BJP chief Rajeev Bindal, however, congratulated the chief minister for taking care of all sections of the society in the budget.

"The budget will give new wings to the development as 10,000 quality houses with tap water and electricity connections will be provided to the poor and the SCs in 2020-21," he said.

Bindal said several new schemes were included in the budget to achieve the target of doubling farmers' income.

The BJP state chief claimed the budget would prove to be a new chapter in the development of the state and it would take the state to new heights under the dynamic leadership of the chief minister.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 18:47:08|Editor: mingmei

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Gui Haiyan (1st L) from Guangzhou KingMed Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd. conducts detections at the clinical laboratory of the Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 4, 2020. The laboratory brought together medical personnel from different hospitals and medical testing institution, most of whom are female. Their work is to test samples collected from COVID-19 patients and provide diagnostic information for doctors. Although they do not contact with patients directly, they still have to wear layers of protective suits for the direct contact with the virus. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
The January decision to close the school came after its board and the Scottsdale-based Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, owner of the Taliesin properties, could not reach an agreement about a variety of issues, including the future of its curriculum.
To the Editor,

The Illinois General Assembly passed HB0246, effective July 1, 2020: In public schools only, the teaching of history shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in this history of this country and this StateNo pupils shall be graduated from the eighth grade of any public school unless he or she has received such instructionand gives evidence of a comprehensive knowledge thereof.

Even in this law people are divided into he or she. I hope giving evidence of a comprehensive knowledge doesnt include a requirement to believe.

I see letters missing in LGBTQQIAAP. God made us (M)ale and (F)emale, so where is M and F ?

God made us distinct in gender (inside and out), so there should not be this new list of letters. We really are marginalizing God, not people, when we celebrate alternatives.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in response to Mike Pence in 2019, That if you have a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator.

Time Cook, CEO of Apple Computer, said in 2014 that being gay is Gods greatest gift to me. But the Bible says in Genesis 1, God created man in His own imagemale and female He created them  God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply. Doesnt that last part show that what is intended ? There is no multiplication, which we must have to survive as a people.

So if someone looks for scientific evidence that we were meant to marry opposite gender, there it is ! Disregard it and society dies out.

God invented marriage as between a man and a woman, and Jesus in the New Testament quoted the same.

If we dont let God speak, then we are making up our own god to fit our way of thinking or our desires. We are god then, and God must listen to us. If so, can we save ourselves from our sins like the Bible says Jesus can ? Hardly. Romans chapter 1 states that as the result of not honoring God, God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impuritymen exchanged the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another. A coworker said to me he believes some are wired that way.

But that could be explained by a propensity, not a hard-wired reality, like with a temper or a propensity to drink. Note that no gay gene has been found.

And I note that whenever I donate blood locally, the preliminary questions indicate that there is more risk of rejection of my blood donation if I have engaged in such activity. That indicates to me there is something wrong or unnatural as recognized by scientists who work with blood. I am not speaking something out of hate or that encourages suicide  far from it.

God has created us in His image and so identifying with ones own gender or marrying only the opposite gender is built into our system as right to do, resulting in a happier, healthier person.

Michael Fox

Alton
New Delhi, March 6 : Police have arrested three operatives of a Pakistan-based racket involved in cheating people across the neighbouring country in the name of "Kaun Banega Crorepati".

Surprisingly, the racket was being operated not from Delhi but from Pakistan. Further investigation is underway, said police.

"This is for the first time the miscreants have set up a base in Pakistan to operate a racket in the name of KBC. The cyber crime control branch of Delhi Police has busted the racket," Delhi Police Headquarters informed IANS on Friday.
OnePlus has rolled out the doorstep service option in six cities in India, after the successful pilot run for the same over the past few months. OnePlus customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune can now book doorstep service option at their home or office for support or repair services. The process is simple. You open the OnePlus Care App on your OnePlus smartphone and then select the device model under "Book a Repair". At this point, you search and identify your location, and then select the "Get an engineer to visit your location" option. The process suggests that an assigned repair engineer will then connect with you within a stipulated window and schedule a visit for troubleshooting and repairs on-site.

Unlike a lot of other similar doorstep services, the OnePlus service will have the engineer visit you and rectify any issue with the OnePlus phonesand not send someone to simply collect the product with the engineer then coordinating with you over a call. OnePlus says this service will be available for all pin codes and areas within the city limits of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.

A OnePlus engineer will visit you to troubleshoot and rectify the issue with the phone, and not simply send someone to collect the device to take to a service center.

OnePlus says that they have opened exclusive service centers in Kolkata and Indore since the start of the year, and there will be ESCs in Aurangabad, Baroda, and Lucknow before the end of H1 2020.
This image of the titanium nameplate on the robotic arm of NASA's Mars Perseverance rover was taken at a payload servicing facility at the agency's Kennedy Space Center soon after being attached on March 4, 2020.

NASA didn't name its next Mars rover Perseverance just because "Percy" is a cute nickname.

The new moniker, which NASA announced on Thursday (March 5), captures the spirit of space exploration remarkably well, said Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator of the agency's Science Mission Directorate.

"Yes, it's curiosity that pulls us out there, but it's perseverance that does not let us give up," Zurbuchen said during a teleconference with reporters on Thursday, referencing the name of the NASA rover that has been exploring Mars' Gale Crater since August 2012. (The body of Perseverance, which is scheduled to launch this coming July, is based heavily on that of Curiosity .)

Related: NASA's Mars 2020 rover mission in pictures

Zurbuchen stressed that he has designed space-science instruments and therefore knows how difficult it is to get hardware to another planet.

"There's no exploration without perseverance," he said.

Zurbuchen's feelings carried a lot of weight. He picked the winning name, wrapping up a competition that kicked off in August 2019 and drew more than 28,000 essay submissions from K-12 students around the United States.

That initial pool was culled to 155 semifinalists and then pared further to nine finalists, from which Zurbuchen made the fateful selection. The winning essay was written by Alex Mather, a seventh grader from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, who said he fell in love with space science and exploration after attending Space Camp in Alabama in the summer of 2018.

Mather wasn't alone in proposing Perseverance. But his essay stood out, Lori Glaze, the director of NASA's Planetary Science Division, said during Thursday's teleconference.

Mather read that essay during NASA's name-unveiling ceremony Thursday, which the agency webcast live. It ends like this:

"We are a species of explorers, and we will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere. We  not as a nation but as humans  will not give up. The human race will always persevere into the future."

Perseverance, the centerpiece of the $2.5 billion Mars 2020 mission , is scheduled to land inside the Red Planet's 28-mile-wide (45 kilometers) Jezero Crater in February 2021. The car-size rover will hunt for signs of ancient Mars life using seven different science instruments and collect and cache dozens of samples for eventual return to Earth.

This pristine Mars material could land here as early as 2031, after which it will be analyzed by scientists in well-equipped labs around the world.

As Mather's essay implies, the mission is also designed to help pave the way for human exploration of Mars, which NASA hopes to achieve sometime in the 2030s. For example, Perseverance carries a ground-penetrating radar instrument that could identify deposits of subsurface water ice  a resource future Red Planet explorers would be keen to exploit. Also aboard the rover is an instrument that will generate oxygen from the thin, carbon dioxide-dominated Martian atmosphere . (There's a small helicopter scout, too, which could lead to further robotic exploration of Mars' skies down the road.)

Mather could end up following Perseverance to Mars one day; the 13-year-old said he'd like to be an astronaut when he grows up.

"But if I don't make it, since it's a very hard job to get, engineering at NASA would be a job I could have the same amount of fulfillment with," Mather said during Thursday's teleconference.

Mike Wall is the author of " Out There " (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate ), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook .
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To learn Biblical answers to your financial questions, you can #AskChuck @AskCrown your questions by clicking here. Questions used may be lightly edited for length or clarity.

Dear Chuck,

Were going through basic procedures at work in the event of a coronavirus pandemic. Im afraid of losing pay if I get sick. I have a small savings account, but not enough to cover a prolonged period of time. Ive been advised to stock some necessities at home which costs money I wasnt prepared to spend right now.

Panicked about a Pandemic

Dear Panicked,

I have seen the widespread global fear we are witnessing now during both the panic surrounding the famed Y2K (Year 2000) concern that mission critical computer systems around the world would fail at midnight on 12/31/1999 due to a programming flaw, and the global financial meltdown of 2008. Obviously, many people are frightened by the news about this virus due to its higher than normal mortality rate and the impact it may have on the global economy.

What is important to note is that much of the panic is not about the personal health risk of the virus itself but the way the virus may have secondary effects upon our lives. As I look at your comments and question closely, you too are not asking about how to protect yourself from the virus, but from the secondary effects of the virus: specifically those effects around your financial well-being.

How Not to Panic

Fear is never a proper basis on which to make decisions. The Bible instructs us to live our lives by faith and demonstrate hope and optimism in the midst of a disruptive or ominous event. Renew your mind by meditating on verses like these:

 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34 ESV)

 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust: I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV)

 "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10-13 ESV)

Prepare To Demonstrate Wisdom

Because fear is contagious and so many will likely panic if the virus continues to spread, we may witness very significant economic challenges as governments seek to contain it through drastic measures like quarantines on travelers, school closures and cancellation of large public events. The private sector will likely follow with similar curtailments of conferences, employee travel and even mandatory work-from-home policies.

Here is a list of some practical tips to get prepared in the event of a worst case scenario.

Postpone unnecessary purchases to build up a cash margin and make any preparations. You likely do not need to spend a lot of money to adequately prepare. I recommend you have one month of your expenses in cash stored at home in a safe or a fireproof box.

Boost your immune system with adequate sleep, exercise, healthy foods, and water. This is one of your best defenses against the virus itself. Here are a few extra tips for your health.

Its a good time to start cooking your own meals and eating at home more often to protect yourself from food handlers who may be sick. This will reduce your food costs and help cover the expense of stocking up. If you double your recipes and freeze the extra, you will have prepared meals in the event you get sick or want to share with others who may be suffering.

Have a sufficient supply of non-perishables on hand that you would eat after this fear passes. Some suggestions include canned vegetables, soups, rice, and pastas. In addition, consider some frozen foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and boxed milk and juice. Only buy what you will eventually eat.

Think about everything you use throughout the day. This includes batteries, toiletries, diapers, food and formula, pet food, vitamins, and prescription meds (may want to request an extra supply), water, liquids, digital thermometer, and any over the counter meds you would use if you get the flu.

Post emergency numbers and work contacts in a convenient location.

Be prepared to work from home if necessary. If schools are cancelled, have a schedule to help the children with homework. Some good books and games will be helpful. To limit stress or fear, try listening to the Bible, podcasts, or audiobooks while working puzzles, drawing, or coloring with little ones. Hymns and praise music can help calm anxious hearts. Watch what you say around or share with your young children.

Just to be totally transparent, I still have a portable gas stove that I purchased for Y2K. It has never been used since the US power grid never crashed. Remember, dont let fear drive you to foolish overspending. FYI, I am not planning to stock up on face masks but it may not be a bad item to have on hand to share with your friends or family if they become hard to find.

Its better to prepare early. Dont procrastinate and expect others to help you.

Opportunity to Serve

When fear is rampant, opportunities to share the love of Christ increase. There is no reason to fear since He is in control; think about serving instead of worrying. Connect with your church, small group, family, friends and neighbors. Have a system in place to check on each other. There will be many ways to serve. It may simply be phoning an elderly neighbor, running an errand, or cooking and leaving a meal on someones porch.

In an article for World Magazine, June Cheng wrote:

With the local government completely overwhelmed by the coronavirus, Wuhan churches have stepped up to provide aid to the desperate. To neighbors and medical professionals, they pass out face masks other churches around the country have donated. They find hospitals with beds available for those infected with the virus. Using the internet, they connect people in need with whatever resources they can find.

As citizens of Wuhan increasingly lose faith in the government, Christians have gained a positive reputation. Those whom Christians have helped are grateful, and some want to learn more about the faith.

Live One Day at A Time

Fear should be replaced with thankfulness. Dwell on the good and give thanks! Praise Him and do not let fear rule your heart.

For those of us who have been born again, to live is Christ; to die is gain. Rather than get caught up in the spread of fear, trust in the Lord who is bigger than any virus. Ask Him to grant you courage and the ability to see this as a time to encourage others.
Commentary

During a recent Democratic Party debate, candidate Pete Buttigieg made a comment that just about floored me. He said, The American Dream is alive and well  In Denmark!

Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobachar both nodded in agreement before Bernie Sanders picked up the torch. He touted the advantages of Democratic Socialism claiming life in Denmark to be far superior to here in the good old USA.

Joe Biden stood there wondering what was going on, and Mike Bloomberg began bragging about the economic and environmental virtues of China. For a moment I thought I as the one confused.

If our country is so bad, why do we have hordes of people crashing our borders? Then I realized modern politics is all about partisanship, while patriotism is considered a dirty word.

Denmark is a small country with almost as many people as the Houston metropolitan area. Danes take great pride in their gender neutral society; they have an equitable share of women at the highest levels of government. They fail to advertise, however, that they generally dont welcome immigrants who dont look like they descended from blue-eyed Vikings.

Sanders also needs to fact check his claims about the economic success of Denmarks Democratic Socialism. True, they have universal health care and public education through college, but the quality of both health care and education is below what we have here at home.

Seven of the top 10 universities in the world are in the U.S. The University of Copenhagen, considered the best in Denmark, is ranked 81st. Our colleges and universities are filled with foreign students because our system of higher education is the best anywhere.

Those needing complicated medical procedures are frequently treated in America because we have some of the best cancer treatment, pediatric care and heart centers available. Denmark doesnt make the list of top 10 in any category. People who have received care both in the U.S. and Denmark report the care in the U.S. is better, but they have problems sorting out the administrative paperwork. Given the option, I choose better care.

Bernies claim of free medical and college is not really true either. Denmark pays for free benefits with one of the heaviest tax burdens in the world. And they dont just tax the rich.

Democratic Socialism in Denmark has resulted in a per capita national debt about twice the size of ours and a median family income somewhat lower than what we enjoy here. I vote we stick with American capitalism.

Mike Bloombergs claim of Chinas improved environment has no basis in fact. China continues to pollute the planet at an alarming rate. Nine Chinese cities are rated in the top 50 for poor air quality. I have witnessed the smog in Beijing.

My wife and I visited China on spring break while I was teaching in Japan. It was interesting. We saw the Terra Cotta Army in Xian, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. China was the only country we have visited, however, where I didnt feel safe.

We went to the Silk Market in Beijing only to find it an outlet for goods intended for the American consumer. A percentage of everything manufactured walks out the back door to be sold on the black market. When it became late in the afternoon, we decided it would be romantic to return to our hotel by rickshaw. I talked to the driver and negotiated a price, and we were on our way.

A couple blocks from our hotel the driver pulled into a sparsely populated side street and stopped. He said the agreed upon price was for each and demanded more money. I was intimidated and threatened by his hostile attitude. Chinas economic dealings with our country are not much different. China scares me. They dont abide by our sense of ethics.

I have read speeches by FDR, Truman, Eisenhower and listened to some by President Reagan. They were full of optimism and national pride. We have replaced patriotism with partisan bickering where it has become fashionable to bad mouth our country.

We have the strongest economy in the history of the universe. The best medical care on the planet is in U.S. hospitals.

Our universities are the best in the world. American capitalism is a success story. It isnt perfect, but if we work together, we can make it better.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.
The Anambra State High Court has ordered a former member of the House of Representatives, Ifeanyi Ibezi, to pay N1.1 million to two persons he detained in his toilet during the 2019 elections.

The victims are Paul Onwughalu and Friday Titus Umah. The court said Mr Ibezi violated their fundamental human rights.

The court also ordered Mr Ibezi, who represented Idemili North/ South Federal Constituency, to pay N100,000 to the duo as cost of litigation and tender a public apology to them in a daily newspaper that circulates in Anambra State.

Mr Ibezi, who contested the 2019 poll on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, was sworn in after the general election but was sacked by the Court of Appeal and replaced with Obinna Chidoka of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The applicants had sued Mr Ibezi, complaining of violation of their fundamental human rights and unlawful detention.

In suit HID/MISC/81/2019, the complainants said they were prevented from pasting the campaign posters of their principal, Annie Okonkwo, who was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2019 general election.

The plaintiffs had sought an order of the court for Mr Ibezi and the co-defendants to pay them N150 million as damages as well as make a public apology in a newspaper.

Other respondents in the suit were Anayo Ndubuisi, Osita Agbaleke, Ifeanyichukwu Udoh, Chinasa Okoye, Obisesan Olusegun (a divisional police officer at Eziowelle Police Station) and the Commissioner Of Police in Anambra.

The plaintiff said they were beaten, tortured and dispossessed of the posters before being arrested by the defendants and detained in a toilet at the premises of Mr Ibezis residence at Abatete.

They said they were later handed over to the police station in Eziowelle where they were detained without being asked to make statements or told what their offences were.

They said the acts violated their fundamental rights and were against the spirit of section 39(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Article IX of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

In his judgment, Justice Emeka Nri-Ezedi said the suit had merit and that the plaintiffs proved their case with sufficient and vital evidence .

The judge said,I declare that the arrest, beating and torture and agony inflicted on the applicants by the second respondent on Dec. 29, 2018 and forcefully detaining or confining the applicants in a toilets in the first respondents premises from December 29 to December 30, 2018 at the instigation of the first respondent is unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of the applicants fundamental right.

The first to fifth respondents are hereby ordered to jointly and severally tender apology to the applicants in one daily newspaper that circulates in Anambra State.
Passengers arriving to Vietnam from all countries will be required to fill out a declaration of health upon their arrival in the Southeast Asian country beginning Saturday, March 7.

The declaration is mandatory and an integral aspect of Vietnams efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the steering committee for COVID-19 prevention announced during its meeting on Friday morning.

Those required to fill out the form will be able to do it either in writing or via an electronic form accessible by smartphone.

People who opt to use the electronic form will be able to access it via the website http://suckhoetoandan.vn/khaiyte.

The information they provide will be collected by Vietnamese authorities in order to monitor high-risk cases.

COVID-19 is the first situation that has required the Vietnamese government to enact such a measure.

On Wednesday, a Japanese national tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Japan after having traveled from Cambodia with a brief transit in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam has since quarantined dozens who were in close contact with the Japanese passenger.

COVID-19 has killed 3,386 people and infected over 98,100 around the world since it first hit the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese.

All of them have fully recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

The country has reported no new cases since February 13.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
By Harry Lee and Patricia Morgan

Every student in New Jersey deserves to go to school in a safe, secure, and healthy school building. Since the 1980s (when the New Jersey Supreme Court established a constitutional mandate that the state provide funding to low-income school districts), the state of New Jersey has spent roughly $15 billion on school construction and repair, much of it in our neediest districts. This support has been critical to creating safe, modern school facilities in communities like Newark, Camden, Trenton and Paterson.

However, the makeup of the school community and options have changed dramatically in these districts over the last 20 years. In the 1990s, the first public charter schools in New Jersey were just getting off the ground. Today, public charter and renaissance schools serve 60,000 kids statewide -- and nearly one-in-five students in the former Abbott districts. Public charter and renaissance schools are a critical option for many families yet they have not received any funding for facilities from the state. This isnt fair to these families or reflective of a commitment to creating safe, modern public schools for all students.

As state leaders consider authorizing new funding to continue this vital effort, they must ensure that ALL public schools have access to facilities funding.

A recent report from our organizations -- drawn from a comprehensive survey of public charter and renaissance school operators across the state - found that public charter and renaissance schools are in need of $900 million in construction, renovation, or capital improvement funds over the next decade. The biggest facilities challenges faced by public charter and renaissance schools are overcrowding, the need for building safety improvements, and the need for maintenance repairs and upgrades.

New Jerseys public charter and renaissance schools are very high-performing, but their programming has suffered because they are forced to divert money and time toward identifying, raising capital for, and maintaining their own facilities. In fact, our report shows that 82% of public charter school leaders indicate that their education programs currently suffer due to the lack of any type of public facilities funding. When asked how schools would redirect savings from any new facilities funding, 70% of school leaders responded that they would increase pay for teachers or hire additional teaching staff.

One example of a school struggling to make the numbers work -- while still delivering a world-class education to their students -- is Paul Robeson Charter School in Trenton. Paul Robeson was recently honored as a Lighthouse District by the state for its exemplary performance. Yet Paul Robeson is forced to spend a chunk of its annual budget renting a 100-year-old building without a library or outdoor space.

Paul Robeson is just one example, but the stories of public charter and renaissance schools making-do with less number in the dozens. These schools have the same right to quality facilities as any other public school.

Importantly, including public charter and renaissance schools in any future authorization of funding will mean MORE money for communities like Trenton, not less. Currently, the needs of one-in-five students arent being factored into the states projection of facilities needs. This funding will ensure that public charter schools can provide safe and secure school buildings for the students that they serve.

The Abbott decisions were meant to help disadvantaged communities overcome deep and structural inequities that prevented New Jerseys low-income students from reaching their full potential. Thanks to state leaders, billions of dollars have been spent working to ensure that students in these districts arent held back by the school buildings where they learn. Today, New Jersey leaders have an opportunity to bring this program up to date, by ensuring that all students are included, and guaranteeing that the comprehensive needs of each community are met.

Harry Lee is the president of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association. Patricia Morgan is the executive director of JerseyCAN.

The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Fridays biggest news as New Jersey battles the spread of the coronavirus is the third and fourth patients in the state have tested positive for the virus.

Officials said a man in his 60s, a resident of Camden County, tested positive and is hospitalized in stable condition at Jefferson Health in Cherry Hill. He became the third case. The fourth person to test positive is a man in his 50s, hospitalized at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. He is the third Bergen County patient with COVID-19.

Also, please stop making your own hand sanitizer. Or relying on hand sanitizer, really. Despite the internet-viral recipes for DIY Purell, the CDC would much rather we all just wash our hands.

The agency recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands"  and to only use hand sanitizer (and a formula with at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are unavailable.

Here are the latest facts about New Jerseys first cases of the newest coronavirus strain, known as COVID-19, along with updates on the number of confirmed cases and deaths across the U.S.

How many people in New Jersey have the coronavirus?

Four New Jersey residents have tested positive for the coronavirus. Three are in Bergen County and another lives in Camden County.

A fifth person, an elderly patient at a Bergen County hospital, is being tested for the virus. The patient exhibited pneumonia-like symptoms, and the results of that test are pending, according to Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

Who and where are the infected New Jerseyans?

The first patient is a 32-year-old man who lives in an apartment in Fort Lee and works in New York City, where he has another residence. The man, a health care worker, had traveled to Fort Lee alone Sunday and had no contact with any other people while in town, according to Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. He is being treated at Hackensack University Medical Center, where he arrived Tuesday and was placed in isolation.

The second coronavirus patient is an Englewood woman in her 30s who sought treatment at Englewood Health hospital in Bergen County. Officials said she was released from the hospital Thursday and is self-quarantined at her home.

On Friday afternoon, officials said a third New Jersey coronavirus patient, identified as a male resident of Camden County in his 60s, tested positive and is in stable condition at Jefferson Health in Cherry Hill. Friday night, state officials announced a fourth coronavirus patient  a man in his 50s who is being treated at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Bergen County.

Red Cross personnel prepare for the transport of a Coronavirus patient during a simulation, in Rome, Friday, March 6, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country has prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP

How many people in New York City are infected with the coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 6, there have been five confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City, and 44 in other parts of New York State, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, CBS2 and NBC4.

How many people in Philadelphia are infected with the coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 6, there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Philadelphia.

However, the first two coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania were just announced Friday morning  one in Delaware County and one in Wayne County, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. Also, 6ABC in Philadelphia reported that the city health department is testing two people with coronavirus symptoms.

How many people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus?

As of Friday afternoon, March 6, the CDC has confirmed 164 cases of coronavirus infections across the United States, but there are more than 200 cases, according to the Associated Press. The infections are scattered across 18 states. Worldwide, there are more than 95,000 cases of infections from COVID-19, mostly in China, where the outbreak started.

How many people worldwide have been infected with the coronavirus?

More than 100,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus, according to the Associated Press.

The virus, which has killed nearly 3,400 people, edged into more U.S. states, popped up in at least four new countries and even breached the halls of the Vatican," its March 6 report says.

What is the U.S. government doing about coronavirus?

On Friday, March 6, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion measure to help battle the coronavirus outbreak.

The legislation provides federal public health agencies with money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments and helps state and local governments prepare and respond to the threat, according to the Associated Press.

Are any schools closed because of the coronavirus outbreak?

The Frisch School, a private Jewish high school in Bergen County, will be closed for several days after dozens of its students were potentially exposed to the coronavirus at a bat mitzvah last month in New York. The school, in Paramus, will be closed until at least Wednesday out of an abundance of caution, Principal Eli Ciner told NJ Advance Media on Friday.

Have any major events, concerts, gatherings been canceled?

Not yet in N.J., but South By Southwest, Austins giant annual music festival was canceled. The festival was scheduled for March 13-22.

Who is most likely to get hit hard by the coronavirus?

Medical experts say anyone whose immune system is hindered by medications, diseases or age has a higher risk of having the coronavirus impact them more seriously than healthy people.

Should health care workers be worried about the coronavirus?

Medical workers often face the highest risk of infection during a major viral outbreak. This was evident when the coronavirus began sweeping through Wuhan, China  the epicenter of the global crisis  in December, infecting nearly 3,400 healthcare workers by Feb. 24, according to Chinese health authorities.

Has anyone in New Jersey died from the coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 6, there have been no fatalities due to the coronavirus in New Jersey.

How many Americans have died from the coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 6, 11 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus, according to the CDC. Ten of the fatal cases have occurred in Washington state, and most of the victims were residents of a nursing home in suburban Seattle. One death was reported in California on Thursday, and one death was reported in Maryland Friday morning but has not yet been confirmed by the CDC.

The Associated Press is reporting 14 U.S. deaths.

How many people worldwide have died from the coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 6, more than 3,400 coronavirus deaths have been reported around the world, most of them in China, where the outbreak began.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Coronavirus outbreak begins to impact March Madness

Trump signs $8.3B bill to combat coronavirus outbreak in U.S.

Coronavirus deaths have N.J. nursing homes on high alert

Are kids immune to the coronavirus? What parents need to know.

Coronavirus symptoms: What should I do if I think I have been infected with COVID-19?

To prevent coronavirus, airports, bus depots, and PATH trains intensify cleaning

$45 for 2 bottles of hand sanitizer? Watch for coronavirus price gouging

Can I get coronavirus from drinking wine at church?

Will warm weather stop the deadly coronavirus from spreading?

Coronavirus panic is growing. Heres what you need to know.

Will you be paid if your boss tells you to stay home because of coronavirus?

Len Melisurgo contributed to this story.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Almost 3000 Queenslanders have been issued voluntary notices to self-isolate by health authorities since the global outbreak of novel coronavirus.

Queensland's most senior health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said she had "no concerns" about people failing to comply with voluntary isolation in the state.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young. Credit:AAP

"We have had a minuscule number of breaches, in fact, scarcely any. People have been doing absolutely the right thing," she said.

A 20-year-old Chinese man became Brisbane's first confirmed case of coronavirus after testing positive on Tuesday.
WILLIAMSPORT  A 69-year-old Williamsport woman is hospitalized with head injuries as the result of being punched in the eye after her cart ran over a mans foot in a Weis Markets near Williamsport.

Ramona DiMassimo of Williamsport is in the intensive care unit of the Williamsport Regional Medical Center, according to Old Lycoming Twp. police.

UPMC Susquehanna does not reveal patients conditions. But police said the woman suffered a facial fracture, concussion and bleeding on the brain.

The Thursday morning assault was captured on store surveillance video. Eric Sylvester Graham, 46, of Williamsport, admitted punching the woman, police said.

Graham was arrested a short time after the incident at his Williamsport apartment.

He is in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.

The video, according to police, shows Graham punching DiMassimo with his closed right fist shortly after 9 a.m. and her falling to the floor immediately.

Grahams fiance Blythe Demory told police she heard a crack from the womans head hitting the floor and saw her eyes roll back.

Graham fled the store but Demory remained and told police where he likely was headed.

Prior to the encounter in the frozen food section, Graham mentioned to Demory a man and woman had been bumping into him with their cart in a different aisle, the arrest affidavit states.

Graham called his fiance after leaving the store to tell her he did not mean to hit DiMassimo, the document states.

County court records show in 2009 Graham was placed on a years probation on simple assault and harassment charges. Police said he also has a record in his native South Carolina.

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(Kitco News) - A seismic event at AngloGold Ashanti's Mponeng Mine, the worlds deepest gold mine, killed three miners yesterday.

The company said a fall-of-ground was caused by a two-magnitude seismic event just after noon yesterday.

Of the seven people affected, four were rescued yesterday with non-life-threatening injuries. The bodies of all three dead workers have been found. Two of these bodies have now been recovered and are being brought to surface by rescue crews. The third body is currently being recovered.

Mponeng Mine operations have been halted. Mponeng AngloGold's flagship South African operation is in the West Wits mining district and is located southwest of Johannesburg.
Meghan Markle was visibly overcome with emotion after a military veteran proposed to his girlfriend at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London last night.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, looked teary-eyed as she cheered and applauded Danny Holland, 29, from the Welsh Guards, who popped the question to Lauren Price, 24.

Danny, from Wrexham in North Wales, had just won the Recognizing Achievement award when, after an emotional speech, he paid tribute to Lauren and produced a ring.

Stunned Lauren was then led onto the stage where Danny got down on one knee - and she said yes.

Meghan Markle was visibly overcome with emotion after a military veteran proposed to his girlfriend at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London last night

Danny Holland later admitted there was 'no better time' to propose after winning the award - despite the fact his girlfriend Lauren Price (pictured together) had previously said she didn't want many people around

There was an audible gasp from the audience, while Meghan - sitting just meters away on the front row sandwiched between her husband and Ross Kemp - grinned and clasped her hands together in the middle of her chest.

She and Harry vigorously applauded the couple, while the duchess turned to her husband and looked to say: 'Oh my God!'

Meanwhile actor Ross, known for his tough guy image, could be seen wiping tears from his eyes at the sweet moment.

Grinning Harry began laughing delightedly as the happy couple embraced before leaving the stage.

When the awards ceremony host, a former soldier and friend of Harry's, JJ Chalmers, returned to the stage, he joked: 'Right, I'm checking, and that definitely wasn't in my script!

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, looked teary-eyed as she cheered and applauded Danny Holland, 29, from the Welsh Guards, who popped the question to Lauren Price, 24

Danny, from Wrexham in North Wales, had just won the Recognizing Achievement award when, after an emotional speech, he paid tribute to Lauren and produced a ring

Meghan - sitting just meters away on the front row sandwiched between her husband and Ross Kemp - grinned and clasped her hands together to applaud the couple

Ross Kemp also looked overcome with emotion as he and the duke and duchess cheered on Danny and Lauren

'I mean, how do you follow that? I mean we might as well just go home, right?'

During JJ's gags, Meghan appeared to turn around to chat to the people behind her, placing one hand on her husband's chest and the other on her own.

Danny later admitted: 'With winning (the award) as well, there was no better time to do it.

'Although she always said she didn't want it with a lot of other people around.'

Danny was left with mental health difficulties after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan and delivered an emotional award acceptance speech before proposing to Lauren

The duchess grinned from ear to ear after the sweet moment, and she and Harry both later congratulated the couple in person

Speaking after the big moment, Lauren revealed they were both invited to speak to the duke and duchess privately after the ceremony finished.

She said: 'They just congratulated us. They asked us how we felt and if I was expecting it. They said they were really happy for us.'

Danny was left with mental health difficulties after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

He is now a racing driver, supported by Mission Motorsport, and is working towards becoming an instructor to help others in their rehabilitation.

The Endeavour Fund supports service personnel keen to use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, brings together hundreds of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans as well as their families, friends and supporters of the military community.

All eyes were on Meghan last night, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen.

She looked stunning in a $1200 turquoise gown by Victoria Beckham, and presented the Celebrating Excellence Award during the event.

Meghan and Harry put on a tactile display last night as they attended the Endeavour Fund Awards

In her speech, she said: 'It's very nice to be back. It's the third year I've had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here. It's just the most inspiring space.

'When we were watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada we had the same moment of, 'How are you going to choose?' Well, we've done our best.'

The evening event was the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31.

Harry, who has been made to give up his official patronages after deciding to move to Canada, is being allowed to retain his private links with organisations such as The Endeavour Fund, of which he is patron.

All eyes were on Meghan last night, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen
Mexicos state-owned oil company Pemex has reportedly begun cutting down protected mangrove trees to construct a controversial $8 billion (6.1 billion) oil refinery.

In doing so, Pemex, the worlds most indebted oil company, would be defying a government order by industry regulator ASEA which safeguards the mangrove forests.

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ordered the construction of the refinery in July 2018 and the company hired a third party to begin clearing designated site of mangroves shortly after.

But it wasnt until the following year the permit to begin work was issued. ASEA fined the third party $700,000 for the destruction already caused to the area and gave Pemex a conditional building permit in August 2019 that barred the comp destroying the remaining mangrove trees.

According to Quartz, satellite images of the site show Pemex ignored the order and has been clearing more mangroves and vegetation in the area.

Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal  effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord  agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe

The order issued by ASEA stated: Considering the project will be built in areas where there are wetlands, it is prohibited to interrupt or divert any runway or flow of runoff (temporary or permanent), drains, strams, canals or any other type of water bodies.

Likewise, the integrity of the hydrological flow of the remaining area of the mangrove area that is located on the banks of the Seco River must be kept safe. The project cannot carry out any landfill, leave boards or infrastructure construction that can alter or disturb the free water flow or cause the drying of the wetland.

ASEA also orders the realisation of specific actions for the protection of the mangrove remnants that remain in the dry riverbed, the regulated company must carry out the monitoring of mangrove exchange rates through the Monitoring System of the Mangroves of Mexico, identifying the state and trends of hange (loss, deterioration or recover), of mangrove coverage in the SAR and in the project area.

In case of presenting losses or deterioration of the vegetal cover, the regulated company will have to identify the actions that are causing these affectations and apply the mitigation measures and/or compensations necessary so that said coverage follows its tendency of recovery.

If found responsible for the deforestation, individuals at Pemex could face imprisonment for up to nine years.

Gustav Alanis Ortega, president of the Mexican Center for Environmental Law, told Quartz ASEA could also impose more fines on the company and revoke its construction permit.

But there are concerns Pemex will not face any repercussions. ASEAs former executive director Luis Vera Morales reportedly resigned after issuing the order and was replaced by Angel Carrizales Lopez, a former aide to Mr Obrador.

Under Mr Lopezs leadership, the fine imposed against the third-party hired by Pemex to destroy the mangrove area was reportedly cancelled.

The destruction of mangroves in Mexico makes the site more vulnerable to big storms and flooding, as mangrove trees protect the coast against such natural disasters.

The trees are also home to endangered species including the jaguarondi wild cat and other protected species of reptiles and birds.

Mr Obrador, who took office in December, dashed hopes that his government would be more environmentally active after he announced the construction of the oil refinery, cancelled a clean energy auction and slashed funding for the environment ministry by a third.

Apart from the oil refinery, he also ordered the construction of a 900-mile railway to connect tourist destinations across the Yucatan Peninsula, which environmentalists say will ruin some of the countrys precious rainforests.
Allstate Corp. struck a deal with Ford Motor Co. that will allow some of the automakers customers to share data with the insurer for its program that tracks mileage.

The majority of Ford and Lincoln 2020 model-year vehicles with embedded modems will be able to connect with Allstates Milewise program, which is currently in 14 states, according to the insurer. Milewise allows customers to pay for insurance based on the number of miles driven.

Ford has been working with companies including Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. to connect some newer vehicles with programs that measure how a customer drives and adjust a policy accordingly. For years, insurers have used telematic devices that connect to cars or apps to gather the information. Allstate said it expects data collected directly from vehicles to eventually replace such devices.

Connected vehicles have the potential to deliver new benefits to Ford customers, including the ability to help lower their insurance premiums, said Kari Novatney, chief operating officer of the automakers FordPass mobile program.

Allstate has been expanding programs that track drivers to offer discounts for safe habits or let customers pay for coverage by the mile. The company is testing a program that allows clients to see how driving habits affect a personalized price.

The agreement with Ford gives drivers the ability to control and customize their auto insurance policy like never before, Ginger Purgatorio, Allstates senior vice president of product management, said in a statement.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Friday, March 6th, 2020 (7:43 am) - Score 25,371

Full fibre builder Cityfibre has today confirmed that an additional 36 UK cities and towns have been added to their 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband roll-out programme (total of 62), which working with ISPs like Vodafone and TalkTalk aims to eventually cover 8 million premises by 2025 or a bit later.

In case anybody has forgotten, Cityfibres project originally started in late 2018 (here)  supported by UK ISP partner Vodafone and substantial investment from Goldman Sachs  with a plan to spend 2.5bn on deploying their 1Gbps FTTH network to reach a minimum of 1 million homes and businesses across 12 cities and towns by the end of 2021 (c.500m Phase One), then 5 million premises in 37 cities and towns by the end of 2025 (c.20% of the current UK broadband market).

NOTE: Cityfibre aim to cover 85%+ of premises in each location on their list. Most of their builds are based off existing Dark Fibre networks, which until now were often only used to serve public sector and business sites.

Since then the operator has been busy ramping-up their civil engineering build across their Phase One cities. On top of that they recently spent 200m (cash) to acquired TalkTalks FibreNation network (here), which had already largely covered the city of York (c.50,000 premises) and was busy deploying to several large towns (Dewsbury, Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon).

As a result of the above deal Cityfibre raised their planned investment to 4bn and aims to reach 8 million UK premises (c.30% of the market). Vodafone has also relaxed their exclusivity deal (they now get 12 months in each location) so that TalkTalk and other UK ISPs can hop onto the new network (Sky Broadband also exists but only under the FibreNation footprint  pending talks).

The recent changes have meant that the operator needed to update their plans and todays announcement represents the next phase of that process. Essentially Cityfibre has added another 36 cities and towns to their confirmed roll-out plan (many more will be added in the future), which brings the total number of confirmed roll-out locations so far to 62 (reflecting 5 million homes).

NOTE: Cityfibre has suggested that, outside London, their plans may eventually require up to 7,000 engineers.

Greg Mesch, CEO at Cityfibre, said: Britains need for a world-class digital infrastructure has never been greater which is why we stand firmly behind the Governments plan for nationwide coverage by 2025. Full fibre will play a critical role in levelling-up the UK and so today we are accelerating our plans, bringing full fibre to more towns and cities, even faster.

Oliver Dowden MP, DCMS Secretary of State, said: We want to make sure every corner of the country benefits from world-class, gigabit speed broadband, so it is great to see CityFibre expanding out into 36 more towns and cities. We are working closely with industry to push ahead with nationwide rollout and investing 5 billion so the hardest-to-reach areas arent left behind.

A related process is now underway to award 1.5bn in new construction contracts by the summer 2020 (finding enough skilled engineers is a particularly difficult job these days) and network build is being brought forward in the vast majority of these towns and cities to start the end of the year. At present Cityfibre has network construction underway in 16 towns and cities, with Gigabit-speed services live in 11.

However Cityfibres effort has also come under increasing pressure from rivals. On the one hand we have Virgin Media, which is in the process of upgrading their existing network to offer 1Gbps speeds and that is due to complete by 2021 (here). On the other hand we have Openreachs (BT) ambition to make FTTP available to 15 million premises by around 2025.

Not to mention lots of alternative network providers, such as Hyperoptic, G.Network and others that are building in some of the same urban areas. A few of these may overbuild Cityfibres new network, although they all have different pros and cons. Suffice to say that theres plenty of competition, although that will also make it harder for some operators to attract subscribers on to specific networks (expect winners and losers from this race).

At the time of writing Vodafone still offers the only related Gigafast Broadband packages on Cityfibres network for homes, which is priced from 28 per month for an unlimited 100Mbps (symmetric speed) service on an 18 month contract, including free installation (you also get a good wireless router). The plans rise to 40 per month for their top 900Mbps (Gigabit) tier and were currently waiting to see TalkTalks package.

New towns and cities announced for full fibre deployment (36):  Barnsley (32m)

 Bath

 Blackpool (60m)

 Bognor Regis

 Bracknell (20m)

 Brighton & Hove (80m)

 Bury St Edmunds (8m)

 Chatham (part of the 40m Medway build)

 Cheltenham (30m)

 Chester (23m)

 Chichester

 Christchurch

 Crawley (23m)

 Dundee (40m)

 Eastbourne (26m)

 Gateshead

 Gillingham (part of the 40m Medway build)

 Glasgow (?)

 Gloucester (31m)

 Halifax c.51,000 premises

 Horsham

 Littlehampton

 Maidenhead (14m)

 Middlesbrough (42m)

 Norwich (50m) c.100,000 premises (2.5 year roll-out  starting end of 2020)

 Nottingham (117m)

 Poole

 Portsmouth (32m)

 Preston (30m)

 Reading (58m)

 Sheffield (115m)

 Solihull

 Stoke on Trent

 Weston-super-Mare (22m)

 Wolverhampton (50m)

 Worcester (25m  35m) SEPT 2020 Addition: Renfrewshire (40m)  Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone. OCT 2020 Addition: Plymouth (52m). NOV 2020 Addition: North Tyneside (50m). NOV 2020 Addition (via FibreNation): Bolton (37m) DEC 2020 Addition (via FibreNation): Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon (46m combined) JAN 2021 Addition: Sunderland (62m) Towns and cities previously announced (26):  Aberdeen (40m)

 Adur & Worthing (25m)

 Batley  6,000 premises by end of 2022

 Bournemouth (38m)  Also owns a legacy FTTH network to c.20k premises

 Bradford (75m)

 Cambridge (20m)  c.60,000 premises

 Coventry (60m)

 Derby (45m)

 Dewsbury (40m)  61,000 premises by end of 2022

 Doncaster (25m)

 Edinburgh (100m)

 Huddersfield (30m)

 Inverness (20m)

 Ipswich (24m)

 Leeds (120m)

 Leicester (80m)

 Lowestoft (14m)

 Milton Keynes (40m)

 Newcastle-upon-Tyne (69m)  c.103,000 premises

 Northampton (40m)

 Peterborough (30m)

 Rotherham (29m)

 Slough (24m)

 Southend (35m)  c.100,000 premises

 Stirling (10m)

 Swindon (40m)

At this point our eagle-eyed readers might notice that a few locations are missing from the list that Cityfibre originally announced in 2018, including Bristol, Harrogate, Manchester, Southampton and Wakefield. Quite why all of these werent confirmed today is unclear, but we can guess at some of the reasons and they may be confirmed in future updates (we eventually expect about 100 cities and towns to be included).

For example, Harrogate, York, Knaresborough and Ripon all come under the FibreNation network and the merger of that is on-going (i.e. we should see those three confirmed in the future). Admittedly Dewsbury also belongs in that club, but Cityfibre had already confirmed that location last year and so they couldnt very well remove it this time around.

Were less certain why Bristol, Manchester, Southampton and Wakefield have been missed off the list, although some of those already have three Gigabit broadband providers building (e.g. in Southampton theres toob, Virgin Media and Openreach). Realistically it is significantly more difficult for a fourth altnet provider to enter an area with that many players already present.

UPDATE 8:41am

A little bit of related news has just come in. VolkerSmart Technologies (VolkerHighways) has just secured the 24m civil engineering contract to build Cityfibres FTTH network in Ipswich, which they said would be completed by the autumn of 2022. The works will include excavating 300,000 metres of new trenches around the town and installing ducting, before blowing, splicing and finally testing the fibre optic cables.

UPDATE 9:33am

We have sought a bit of clarification from Cityfibre on a few of their targets. Apparently the initial expectation is still to cover at least 1 million premises by the end of 2021, while they hope to have substantially completed the 8 million by the end of 2025 (i.e. the roll-out may go on for longer than 2025, depending upon how they define substantially).

In addition, they confirmed that Harrogate, York, Knaresborough and Ripon have not yet been added to the plan as the FibreNation deal has yet to formally complete, but we can expect that by around the end of this month.
Actor Irrfan is back where he belongs - in films.

Irrfan has been away from movies since the release of "Karwaan" in 2018, the same year he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

The 53-year-old actor, underwent treatment for the "rare disease" in the UK and briefly visited India to film "Angrezi Medium", a follow-up to his 2017 film "Hindi Medium", in April last year.

But Irrfan is taking things slow.

"I won't jump but I will stroll," he said.

Through social media, the actor even informed his fans in advance about his absence during the promotions of his upcoming film in future, also asking them to "wait" for his return.

In an email interaction with PTI, Irrfan said, he is moved by the unending love and support that he has received.

"Blessings and adversity go hand-in-hand, I had heard, and I experienced it when it happened to me.

"The wishes from all over is like a feeling as if you are walking in the rain and you are not carrying any change of clothes and someone you don't even know takes you inside his umbrella just like that," he said.

In his over three-decade-long career, the actor has established himself as both a dependable and powerhouse performer in Indian film industry and Hollywood with "Haasil", "Maqbool", "Paan Singh Tomar", "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" to name a few.

In the past two years, he has been learning more about his family -- producer wife Sutapa, sons Babil and Ayaan, and most importantly, himself.

"I have come to know Irrfan, Sutapa, Babil and Ayaan very very closely and I would much rather be busy decoding these surprises of life," he said.

"Hindi Medium" turned out to be a huge hit and getting back into the groove for its sequel, "Angrezi Medium" wasn't initially easy for the National Award-winning actor who was returning to a film set after a gap of more than a year.

"It wasn't easy as far as the externals are concerned. I hadn't spoken Marwari for long though I am from Rajasthan.

"Day one was... What was it like... How do you explain? It was an inexplicable feeling. I forgot the craft and I was all heart whether it has worked or not, you'll need to say," he said.

In "Angrezi Medium", directed by Homi Adajania, Irrfan plays a sweet-shop owner in Udaipur, who makes desperate attempts to fulfil his daughter's dream of studying in a London college. "Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota" fame Radhika Madan plays the daughter.

Off-screen too, the actor said, he can go to any lengths for his children but he wouldn't fight their fight for them.

"Emotionally, I can go for my kids to any length but won't run for them as it's their race. Professionally, I have no goals as such. I have worked hard, will continue to do, just the style of working might change, evolve," he said.

Presented by Jio Studios and Prem Vijan, "Angrezi Medium" is a Maddock Films production.

Also featuring Deepak Dobriyal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Ranvir Shorey, Dimple Kapadia, and Zakir Hussain, the film is scheduled to be released on March 13.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lightfoots endorsement is coveted by many local politicians, who note her popularity in winning all 50 of the citys wards during the mayoral race. But the first-term mayor could face fire from progressive groups for backing Biden over Sanders, and her decision to endorse could backfire if Biden does poorly with city voters.
I was disappointed to read of Aiken Mayor Rick Osbons support for the ILLICIT Cash Act (Pass the Illicit Cash Act, Feb. 24).

Osbon calls the federal legislation a simple, straightforward solution to a problem that has been pervasive for years, it really is more complicated than that.

In theory, the federal legislation is meant to stop money launderers, tax cheats and other crooks from hiding behind small businesses. In practice, it would be a costly distraction for legitimate small business owners and a severe invasion of innocent peoples privacy.

It would do this by requiring businesses to file periodic reports with the federal government that contain the personal information on everyone with a beneficial ownership stake in the business.

The ILLICIT Cash Act defines beneficial ownership as owning at least a 25% stake in the business and receiving substantial economic benefits from the business assets. Under this legislation, civil penalties are $10,000 and criminal penalties are four years in prison.

One glaring problem is that the bill assumes bad guys will follow the rules and tell the government about the criminals who are laundering money through the business.

Does anyone truly believe that drug dealers and evildoers laundering millions of dollars money and facing decades in federal prison are going to lose any sleep over paperwork?

On the other hand, the ownership reporting mandate could be devastating for small, family-run businesses. Big corporations have teams of lawyers and compliance officers to keep up with the latest government mandates and make sure their employers follow the rules.

Small businesses usually dont.

I am the South Carolina state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. The vast majority of our small business members in the state have fewer than 10 employees. The chief compliance officer is usually the owner, the same person who signs the checks and probably empties the trash, too.

If a small business owner slips up and doesnt list everyone who receives a substantial economic benefit from the family business or report someones new address or phone number, they could face serious jail time. Even if the charges are eventually dropped, the cost of hiring a lawyer and defending themselves could be enough to put them out of business.

According to the latest NFIB Small Business Problems and Priorities survey, federal paperwork ranks 12th out of 75 potential problems facing small businesses. These bills would make federal paperwork an even more severe distraction and divert even more time and resources from the actual running of the business.

Whats even more concerning about the overreaching ILLICIT Cash Act is the potential for a massive breach of privacy. These bills would give the government broad access to peoples personal information. It could be used by federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies for just about any reason. In many cases, officials wouldnt even need a subpoena.

Such a provision is ripe for abuse, but there is also the potential for peoples personal information to fall into the wrong hands if the database is hacked or suffers leaks.

Thats why NFIB is urging South Carolinas congressional delegation to reject the ILLICIT Cash Act.

NFIBs members understand the need to prevent criminals from exploiting small businesses. But this legislation would place an unfair burden on law-abiding entrepreneurs and make it even harder for them to own, operate, and grow their businesses.

Ben Homeyer is NFIBs state director for South Carolina. He lives in Columbia.

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Martin, who brings 12 years of marketing and public relations experience to the position, will be responsible for marketing strategy and increasing visibility of what Rockingham County has to offer.

We are thrilled that Tara has joined our team, said Cockram in a news release. As Communications Director for the Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness and most recently Assistant Public Information Officer for the Rockingham County Division of Public Health, Tara brings with her a wealth of knowledge related to branding, advertisements, and social media marketing. I have no doubt that this experience coupled with her creativity, energy, and passion for her hometown will allow our office to expand our marketing efforts showcasing Rockingham County as the great place it is.
Middle ranking gardai have asked Garda HQ about its plans in the event of the spread of coronavirus among members.

It follows comments made by PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne that officers in the North may face 12-hour shifts and cancelled rest days if the virus has a serious impact on staffing levels.

He said contingency plans are in place if high numbers of officers were struck down by the disease.

The Chief Constable said he is in discussion with Stormonts Justice Department about securing bolstered powers to enable officers detain affected people who might be unwilling to quarantine themselves - similar to powers handed to police in England.

There are 13 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the South and three in the North.

A spokesperson for the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said: AGSI has written to the CMO [Garda Chief Medical Officer] about plans for gardai in the event of the spread of Covid-19. Garda management has issued advisories to all members."

Garda Representative Association president Jim Mulligan said it is liaising with management on a national and local basis to ensure members are kept informed and safe.

Advice has been issued by Garda management and we have a commitment from the Garda Chief Medical Officer that members will be updated regularly as the situation develops.

The GRA is in daily contact with management and our focus at this time is on ensuring that protective equipment and supplies are available to all our members.

Comments by PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne are not matters for the GRA.

A statement from Garda HQ said the organisation continues to operate as normal and added: The Garda Chief Medical Officer has provided advice to all Garda personnel in line with advice from the HSE and Department of Health.

In a statement to the Dail, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: Garda management have plans in place to manage, on a case by case basis, any issues that arise in their workforce, which totals over 17,500 people.

He said AGS attends meetings of the Health Threat Coordination Group on a weekly basis.

An Garda Siochana continues to operate as normal and will keep their procedures when dealing with members of the public under constant review, he said.

The minister said immigration services are also taking measures, including at Dublin Airport, where border management officers deal with around 16 million people per annum  or, on average, around 44,000 a day.

He said the services are working with the HSE on a number of areas: accommodation centres for international protection applicants; public offices used for registration of immigration permissions and the international protection offices.

The minister said the Courts Service is updating continuity plans for courthouses and buildings and that communication plans are being developed for judges, staff and court users.

Mr Flanagan said an extensive ICT contingency plan is being prepared in the event of Court Service buildings being unavailable and that issues associated with closing services, if deemed necessary, are being examined.

He said additional sanitisation of public offices and courthouses has been arranged and hygiene supplies for public offices and hand sanitisers for public areas will be installed in the coming days.

He said the Irish Prison Service is working with the HSE in developing contingency plans, specifically for the management of Covid-19 should it present in prisons.

The IPS has assigned its Executive Clinical Lead, Infection Control Manager to Covid-19 preparedness.

The minister said a comprehensive information pack has been made available to all staff and hygiene control training will be completed within the next week.

He said the IPS has secured hygiene supplies.

Mr Flanagan said the IPS is considering various options for enhanced screening processes for newly committed prisoners, visitors, staff, contractors and providers.

The Movement of Asylum Seekers (MASI) asked how the Justice Minister thought asylum seekers in direct provision or homeless people in emergency accommodation will be able to self isolate if they have symptoms  as per HSE notices issues in such facilities  if multiple people are sharing rooms.
TIRANA, Albania - Kosovo prosecutors on Friday issued war crimes charges against an ethnic Serb, accusing him of torturing, deporting and raping ethnic Albanians during the 1998-99 war.

A statement from the Special Prosecutors office said the man, identified as Z.V., was a member of the Serb paramilitary forces during the war. On May 22, 1999, in Vushtri, a town 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the capital, Pristina, together with other Serb police, army and paramilitary forces, he allegedly deported and violated the civilian population and also raped women.

Kosovo authorities say that some 20,000 ethnic Albanian women were abused by Serbs during the war.

The statement does not make clear whether the suspect is in custody.

He faces from 15 years in jail to life imprisonment if convicted.

The 1998-99 war in Kosovo, then a province of Serbia, ended following a 78-day NATO bombing campaign against a bloody Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanian nationalists. More than 10,000 people died during the conflict, and 1,650 are still unaccounted-for.

Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence isnt recognized by Serbia.
Yachts  the mere word connotes luxury and easy living. They are a symbol of wealth second only to private jets.

But a new generation of younger owners is disrupting travel on the high seas. The changes are affecting how yachts are built and chartered, where they go and what crews are expected to do. Sitting on a 150-foot yacht in the Mediterranean is nice, but some think taking a superyacht to the North Pole is more adventurous.

At the same time, spending $100 million on a yacht and taking off to parts unknown is not as easy as some newly rich entrepreneurs may believe. Insurance companies might balk. If owners are unaware of the importance of where their boat is registered, the yacht may sail under less stringent maritime requirements that could cause problems later. And if the crew is not properly selected and managed, the owner may wind up with legal and human resources claims.

Lets start with some basics on superyachts. They are usually more than 200 feet long and loaded with amenities. The must-have feature is a beach club, an opening at the back of the boat where watercraft and toys can be launched, or people can lounge by a pool bar with a view of the water.
EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has said that the bloc stands ready to release emergency funds to countries and sectors, including in Ireland, where economies are impacted by the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking in Dublin at a discussion on trade and global uncertainty, Mr Hogan was also more optimistic about the EU doing a trade deal with the US amid the turbulent economic times ahead.

His remarks come as the cases of confirmed coronavirus in Ireland reached 13 overnight and as health authorities today decide on new guidelines for mass gatherings to stop the virus spreading

Mr Hogan set out how businesses, sectors and member states impacted by the spread of Covid-19 could apply for emergency funds.

The virus was likely to impact strongly on Ireland, he warned, saying: Obviously it is going to have an economic impact on the country and a global impact and with a small open economy, has implications for Ireland more than most.

We are ready in the European Commission to help sectors that in trading terms and economic terms are going to have some difficulties. It is a matter for the member states to provide us with the detail on this.

And to relax the state aid rules is one of the options we have if we are asked to do so based on the evidence provided by the member state.

If there is an exceptional circumstance which brings about an exceptional situation for any of our trading entities or sectors, we have an obligation to look at this and to invoke any options under law in order to give those countries and sectors a chance to survive. And this is what we intend to do."

Elsewhere, Mr Hogan spoke about expected progress with the US about trade amid efforts to end a standoff between the two giant economic blocs.

I feel that there is now political good will to make every possible effort in these turbulent economic difficult times to reach some understanding on some of the issues that have bedevilled us in recent years

But there would be red lines, he said, adding: Clearly there are regulations in respect of food safety and those issues, pathogen treatments, that we will not be in a position to change. Equally we are not asking congress to change their regulations in some of the asks we are making of the United States.

"The agenda is around trade, technology and energy

Mr Hogan, in a speech to business leaders at the Royal Irish Academy this morning, also spoke about Brexit and said he was concerned at the decreasing focus on it in Ireland. This was despite repeated attempts by the government to flag it.

He said the difficult part of the Brexit talks were only beginning.

The Irish commissioner also had a warning for the UK if it tried to renege on commitments made in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

International commitments are international commitments and serious governments honour their treaty obligations. If the UK wants to be taken seriously when forging other trade deals around the world, it has to honour its commitments."
The Midland Police Department gathered Thursday to remember Officer Nathan Hayden Heidelberg, who was killed in the line of duty one year ago.

The following is a statement MPD posted on their Facebook post on the anniversary of Heidelberg's death:
Northampton General Hospital is facing a shortage of hand sanitiser as the relatives of patients continue to steal them from wards, emails allege.

Bottles of the invaluable 400ml foaming hand sanitiser, kept at the ends of beds, are 'disappearing every day', a hospital spokesperson told the BBC.

The incident comes as fears over the spread of the deadly coronavirus have sparked a huge demand in the supply of hand sanitiser.

As the number of confirmed UK cases has reached 163, a 75-year-old woman has been confirmed as the first native death from suffering of the bug.

Bottles of the invaluable 400ml foaming hand sanitiser, kept at the ends of beds, are 'disappearing every day', a hospital spokesperson told the BBC

In the face of a national shortage of sanitiser caused by panic buying, members of the public are believed to be stealing from the Northampton hospital.

Emails sent to ward managers seen by the Chronicle and Echo allege that relatives are taking the invaluable 400ml pumps of foaming hand sanitiser kept at the ends of hospital beds so nurses and staff can prevent the spread of illnesses.

Sent from the hospital's infection prevent team yesterday, one email said crisis talks had been held about the 'potential future shortage' of the sanitiser.

It said: 'Unfortunately, relatives seem to be taking them from the ends of beds.

'Whilst we acknowledge that there is potential for a national shortage of foam due to the coronavirus, we do not want our patients to be put at risk of other infections whilst they are in hospital,' the email continued.

In the face of a national shortage of sanitiser caused by panic buying, members of the public are believed to be stealing from the Northampton hospital (pictured)

The email then suggests that wards had been ordered to half the number of hand sanitisers available to curtail the thefts.

Sally-Anne Watts, associate communications director, told the BBC: 'Over the past week we've seen stocks on wards disappear from the end of beds every single day.

'Nothing like this has ever happened in all the years we've had the gel.'

Health chiefs have declared the epidemic a 'level four incident', arrogating to themselves emergency powers to take control of local hospitals.

The Government is reportedly planning to build an army of NHS volunteers, and bring retired GPs back into the fold, to tackle the spread of the bug.

And the UK's Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty warned a Health Select Committee that the number of coronavirus cases was set to rise.

MailOnline has approached Northampton General Hospital for comment.
Oil in London plunged the most since 2008 on signs of a breakdown in the global producer alliance that helped engineer crudes recovery from the worst crash in a generation.

Futures plummeted more than 9% in London as talks between members of the OPEC+ group collapsed in Vienna. Producers in the alliance are free to pump at will starting next month, after Russia refused to bend to Saudi Arabias wish for output cuts aimed at offsetting the coronavirus crisiss impact on demand.

The end of the talks without a deal raises the prospect of another war for market share among producers, which had exacerbated crudes collapse back in 2014 amid a global glut. The OPEC+ alliance was formed in 2016 after the price crash imperiled economies dependent on oil revenue and led to a wave of bankruptcies among smaller exploration companies across the globe.

Oils plunge of Friday was mirrored in shares of producers, with Exxon Mobil Corp. sliding 5% and Chevron Corp. dropping 3.3%. Global markets are already in a precarious condition, with investors fleeing risk assets on mounting fears that the coronavirus outbreak will derail economic growth.

Theres going to be pain for everyone in oil markets, said Josh Graves, senior market strategist at RJ OBrien & Associates. The collapse of this deal means were going to see oil test $40 a barrel.

PREVIOUSLY: Oil plunges to a 3-year low

Russia resisted pressure from allies in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to join a 1.5 million-barrel supply reduction, saying it favors maintaining supply reductions at current levels until June. Moscow is said to still be willing to have a meeting with OPEC and allies in June.

The collapse in discussions is the latest escalation of tensions between the Saudi-Russia alliance. Unlike other oil-exporting nations, Russia has a higher tolerance for lower prices given its plentiful international reserves, low debt levels, and resilient fiscal budget.

OPEC+, which controls more than half of the worlds oil production, has underpinned prices and reshaped the geopolitics of the Middle East, but is now under significant strain.

West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery fell $4.62 to $41.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent for May settlement dropped $4.72 to $45.27 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe Exchange.

The structure of the futures market revealed concerning signs of oversupply as Brents so-called red spread -- the difference between December contracts in consecutive years -- sank deeper into bearish contango, reaching the lowest level since 2016.

--With assistance from James Thornhill, Alex Longley and Saket Sundria.
Four tow trucks were set on fire in an hour early Friday morning in York Region, police say.

Two trucks were located in Richmond Hill and another two were in Aurora.

York police Sgt. Andy Pattenden said they received the calls 15 minutes apart from each other and that the fires occurred between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Theres clearly a connection, Pattenden said.

The trucks were torched at 64 Wellington St. E. and 145 Wellington St W. in Aurora.

In Richmond Hilll, at 10366 Yonge St. and 16th and Fern Avenues.

Pattenden said the scenes will be held for quite some time, as the Ontario Fire Marshal will be on scene Friday to investigate.

There were no injuries.
Last month, even as number of cases of coronavirus were soaring in China, India had only three confirmed cases in Kerala.

The first three cases in India were of three medical students who had returned from Wuhan  the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak  in China.

All the three patients were treated successfully in less than a month. After they tested negative on two consecutive tests, they were discharged from the isolation wards as per the mandate.

Since then, Kerala has been successfully able to contain the spread of the virus, as well as the panic by educating the general public without sounding unduly alarmist. Besides, the authorities have also been cracking down on those spreading rumours.

Here are a slew of measures taken up by the Kerala government when the state was at the peak of the coronavirus scare:

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

Airport Screening

A special desk was formed at the airports in Kerala. Passengers arriving from abroad were given a health card, on which they mentioned details of their travel as well as their health condition. This card was checked and stamped at the special desk, before the passengers proceeded to immigration.

Read Also | Coronavirus impact: Aviation industry could lose up to $113 billion, says IATA

For passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Korea or other nations where confirmed cases of the viral infection were reported, they were shifted to a transit room, where their body temperature is immediately measured.

Besides, all of Keralas five airports are linked to an ambulance and emergency response systems with district hospitals. Symptomatic passengers, if any, were directly shifted to hospitals.

Intervention at the local level

Immediately after the first case was confirmed, local government issued directives on infection-control and home isolation. All local bodies were asked to make a list of people who were either coming from places where cases have been reported or were in contact with patients.

Multiple helplines were set up.

Awareness on basic hygiene

A campaign to make people aware of the basic respiratory hygiene was undertaken. People were asked to cough or sneeze on a flexed elbow or a disposable issue, avoid handshakes and lose contact with anyone who shows symptoms.

Special arrangements

According to a report in The Times of India, around 215 mental health teams reached out to the 2,600 people, who have been quarantined at home, to alleviate anxiety. They even counselled their family members and people in the neighbourhood.

Besides, all medical heath care professionals in pathological labs, hospitals, etc. have been asked to follow protocol strictly.

Read Also | Coronavirus deals India's already slowing economy a hammer blow

Also, use of breathalysers to detect drunk driving has been temporarily suspended.

Blood donation

Blood banks, NGOs, and other blood-donor fora have been asked to double check the donors who have recently come from abroad or have a travel history of foreign countries.

Quelling rumours

District police chiefs have been asked to take strict action against those engaging in rumour mongering or spreading fake news on coronavirus infection. Social media posts are also under the scanner.

Border checks

A team of medical health care professionals have been deputed with the task of screening travellers entering Kerala via road. They use non-contact infrared thermometers to check body temperature and hand out pamphlets, with precautions to be taken against the spread of COVID-19.
Customers wearing protective masks wait in line to enter a McDonald's restaurant during lunch time in Shanghai, on March 2, 2020.

Starbucks baristas are washing their hands every 30 minutes. McDonald's employees are cleaning surfaces such as door handles, self-order kiosks and tabletops more frequently. Reusable mugs are no longer an option at Dunkin' or Starbucks cafes.

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States rises, restaurants are stepping up their in-store cleanliness efforts, forming crisis teams and preparing for the worst.

"We are obviously putting money up to support, making sure that our restaurants are staying clean and safe," Dunkin' CFO Katherine Jaspon said Thursday at the UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference in Boston.

CapitalSpring, a restaurant investment firm with about 4,000 locations nationwide in its portfolio, has sent out detailed instructions to its restaurants, which include Taco Bell and Wendy's franchises.

Some of the firm's directives are unique to the situation, like placing kitchen timers in restaurants and setting them to go off periodically for some time limit under an hour. When the timer dings, employees have to complete a specific cleaning task, like wiping down a cash register or soda station. Tracking sheets and video surveillance make sure that employees are following the stricter policies.

Jim Balis, managing director of CapitalSpring's strategic operations group, said the firm is also providing talking points for employees if a customer or fellow employee appears to exhibit symptoms of the virus.

In a time when labor costs have been pressuring profit margins, restaurants are adding more staff or extending hours to ensure that employees can keep up with increased cleaning efforts. Starbucks, which is sanitizing some areas in the stores as often as every eight minutes, said Thursday it has been scheduling more labor for cleaning.

Hand sanitizer, which has seen its demand spike among consumers, is also being sought by restaurants. McDonald's has sent out guidance to its U.S. restaurants to consider providing hand sanitizer to customers and employees. Dunkin' executives said that the chain has "plenty" of the product but is leveraging its partnerships with companies such as Procter & Gamble to track down more.

February same-store sales, which grew by 0.3% nationally, did not show a hit from the virus, but consumer fears could mean lower restaurant traffic in March, according to industry tracker Black Box Intelligence.

In the case of a wide-scale outbreak in a community, CapitalSpring has plans to shut down dining rooms in restaurants and turn to the drive-thru and delivery.

"We think the drive-thru is ultimately going to be the tightest choke point in terms of food safety and minimizing the spread of the virus as it relates to outside-of-the-home food consumption," said Erik Herrmann, the head of the firm's restaurant investment group.

CapitalSpring's restaurants are also deploying tamper-proof packaging for orders. The measure was in the works even before the outbreak to stop delivery drivers from eating customers' fries, but now carries more significance because third-party delivery drivers have contact with multiple restaurants and consumers.

Consumers are expected to choose food delivery from third-party providers such as DoorDash and Grubhub to avoid contact with restaurant employees and other customers, if the outbreak becomes more widespread.

In China, restaurants such as Yum China's Pizza Hut and KFC offered contactless delivery in locations that remained open, a choice that U.S. eateries could adopt.

Then there's the competition: dining at home. Grocery delivery services such as FreshDirect and Instacart have already reported seeing increased demand.

"We think the existence of aggregators increases the likelihood that consumers will replace restaurant visits with at-home consumption," Bernstein analyst Sara Senatore wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, stands in lower Manhattan in New York City on Nov. 19, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Investigators Find Smuggled Gun in Jail Where Jeffrey Epstein Was Held

Federal investigators found a loaded gun that had been smuggled into the jail where Jeffrey Epstein killed himself last summer, following a weeklong lockdown that turned up other contraband, the federal Bureau of Prisons said.

Officers with the bureau found the gun inside a housing unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, prison officials said in a statement.

The finding raises serious questions about the security practices in place at the Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for more than 175,000 federal inmates, and specifically at the jail, which had been billed as one of the most secure in America. Officials have not said where specifically the gun had been found, or how it had been smuggled inside the jail.

The investigation and search at the facility began last week after officials received information that a gun may have been smuggled into the lockup and placed the jail on lockdown in order to protect the public, staff, and inmates until a comprehensive search could be completed, the agency said in a statement.

Since then, officials have been keeping inmates locked down in their cells without access to their lawyers and canceled all visitation at the jail, which houses about 700 inmates. In the past few days, officers have searched the facility and uncovered a sizable amount of contraband, including cellphones, narcotics, and homemade weapons, the Bureau of Prisons said.

All of these items pose a significant threat to the safety and security of the facility as well as the public, the agency said in a statement.

Investigators were planning to continue searching the jail throughout the night Thursday, looking for any additional contraband, and the lockdown was expected to continue. Federal prosecutors are trying to determine how the contraband has been entering the facility and the Bureau of Prisons said it notified the Justice Departments inspector general and the FBI.

All visitors and inmates are searched before entering the facility and go through metal detectors. They are supposed to leave personal belongings outside the jail. All mail is also screened by correctional staff.

Jeffrey Epstein in a July 2019 mugshot. (Department of Justice)

Epstein, 66, was arrested after landing in New Jersey on July 6, 2019. Epstein, who had been in France, was charged with child sex trafficking and sex trafficking.

According to federal authorities, Epstein sexually abused and exploited dozens of girls, some as young as 14.

Epstein recruited minor girls to visit his homes in the Manhattan borough of New York City and Palm Beach, Florida to engage in sex acts, after which hed pay them hundreds of dollars in cash, according to an indictment.

Moreover, and in order to maintain and increase his supply of victims, Epstein also paid certain of his victims to recruit additional girls to be similarly abused, authorities wrote. In this way, Epstein created a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit in locations including New York and Palm Beach.

Epstein was found unconscious in his cell in Manhattan on Aug. 10 and declared dead about 90 minutes later.

New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson concluded that Epstein committed suicide, a finding disputed by Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic specialist hired by Epsteins brother. Baden claimed that neck injuries Epstein suffered werent commonly found in suicide by hanging.

Sampson stood by her findings after Baden questioned them.

The belief that Epstein may have actually been killed spread widely after he was declared dead. That belief has been fueled by events that have unfolded since, including Badens analysis and the disappearance of video footage from outside Epsteins cell.

A defense lawyer for Nicholas Tartaglione, who once shared a cell with Epstein, requested the footage. Prosecutors initially said the footage wasnt available before saying theyd found it.

In the latest update in January, the prosecutors, including Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI head James Comey, attributed the mix-up to the computer system at the Metropolitan Correctional Center listing the wrong cell for Tartaglione.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
While Katy Perry has plenty to be happy about with a new song and a baby on the way, People reports that she's putting something major on hold: her wedding. The magazine notes that Perry and her fiance, Orlando Bloom, had a summer wedding on the books. But because of the current coronavirus scare, they're postponing the big day.

"It was all set for Japan with 150 guests. Katy was actually really excited about walking down the aisle pregnant," a source close to the couple told People. "They were both so elated that all the wedding details were finally coming together, but they are hitting pause because of coronavirus."

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

RELATED: Here's How Katy Perry Kept Her Pregnancy a Secret

Page Six adds that this isn't the first time that the two have had to change their wedding plans. Originally, they wanted to get married last winter, but they couldn't secure the location that they'd wanted. So, they rescheduled for summer. Now, it looks like the wedding's on hold until good news about the coronavirus emerges. She doesn't seem too concerned, however, since the baby and a new album on the horizon seem to be welcome distractions from any wedding drama.

"Orlando and I are united with our approach," Perry told Stellar Magazine earlier this week. "It's not about the party it's about the coming together of people who will hold us accountable when things get really hard. Those are just the facts when youre with someone who challenges you to be your best self."
Lincoln police say they arrested a 39-year-old man after he allegedly agreed to meet them under the guise they were interested in buying antiques hed posted for sale online that had been stolen from a storage locker in Eagle.

Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said police had been searching for Joey Applegarth Jr. for fleeing police a number of times when they tried to stop him.

In the last attempted stop, at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Applegarth allegedly drove over a curb and across the lawn of an apartment complex in the 3300 block of Portia Street to get away.

Bonkiewicz said police caught up with Applegarth later that day at about 8:30 p.m. in the 400 block of North 84th Street after posing as customers interested in buying an antique clock and kitchenware that he had posted on Facebook Marketplace.

Bonkiewicz said the Cass County Sheriffs Office had developed Applegarth as a person of interest in a Nov. 4 burglary of $20,000 worth of items from a storage unit at Eagle. He hasnt yet been charged in that case.

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Argentine President Alberto Fernandez will fulfill an election pledge next week when he brings a bill before Congress aiming to legalize abortion, setting off the latest salvos in a debate that has bitterly divided the traditionally Catholic South American nation.

Thousands of women sporting the green scarves that have become synonymous with the campaign for legalized abortion plan to descend on the streets of Buenos Aires in a bid to ensure the leftist leader keeps his promise.

Likewise, anti-abortion campaigners, including Catholics and Evangelicals, plan to demonstrate waving blue handkerchiefs to ensure the practice remains illegal.

Mass pro-abortion rallies brought Buenos Aires to a standstill in 2018 -- when abortion was last debated in the Congress -- but were not enough to sway the conservative Senate, which rejected the bill after it had been passed by the lower house.

Argentina's Congress will consider a bill to legalize abortion, a cause which has brought thousands of women into the street /  AFP/File

But campaigners believe this time they have political momentum in their favor, and they made a show of force in their thousands two weeks ago with another rally outside Congress.

"Having a president who speaks in favor is a boost for all of us," Victoria Tesoriero, of the National Campaign for the Right to Abortion, told AFP.

"We understand that it's a historic moment and we have to stay organized on the street," she said.

- 'Abortion happens' -

Fernandez was blunt about legalizing abortion in comments last weekend.

"Abortion happens. It is a fact. In the 21st Century every society needs to respect the individual decision of its members to freely do what they want with their bodies," he said.

Argentina has pioneered gay marriage and gender identity legislation in Latin America. If abortion is also approved, it would become only the fourth Latin American state to do so after Cuba, Uruguay and Guyana -- though it is also allowed in Mexico City and the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Several Central American countries ban the practice altogether.

Latin American abortion activists were dealt a setback this week when the Constitutional Court in Colombia decided to keep in place the usual restrictions against abortion, when ruling on a case brought by an anti-abortion activist who wanted a total ban in all instances.

Pope Francis is a native of Argentina, which has long been a bastion of the Roman Catholic Church, but public attitudes towards religious belief have changed in the country /  AFP

The usual exceptions apply under Colombian law, common across Latin America: cases of rape, when the fetus has serious health problems likely to affect its survival, or when there is a risk to the life of the mother.

Only two of those exceptions exist in Argentina, rape and maternal risk.

Outside of those exceptions, abortion remains a crime in Colombia, Argentina, and most other countries -- punishable by up to four and a half years in prison.

- Church opposition -

In Argentina, Fernandez's position is steadfastly opposed by anti-abortion activists backed by the still-powerful Catholic Church.

The debate has fiercely divided Argentine society.

If abortion eventually is approved in Argentina, it would become only the fourth Latin American state to do so after Cuba, Uruguay and Guyana /  AFP/File

"The active militancy of the president worries us because we believe he will do everything possible to get this done," says Camila Duro, spokeswoman for the anti-abortion Young Front movement.

"We want to alert the political powers that be that there is a majority in the country, that goes out to vote and goes out on the streets, that does not agree with this bill to discard Argentines," she said.

Long a bastion of the Roman Catholic Church, Argentina is the homeland of Pope Francis, a former Archbishop of Buenos Aires. But public attitudes towards religious belief have changed in the country.

The latest survey shows a doubling in the proportion of the population who believe a woman has a right to abortion. In 2008, that figure was 14 percent, in 2019 it had grown to more than 27 percent.

- Street, Church -

Hoping to form a sea of bandanas in the center of Buenos Aires, the pro-abortion activists are planning a major demonstration outside Congress next Monday.

"We are in a new stage of feminism, both in the country and throughout the region," said Tesoriero.

Catholic bishops have other ideas.

On Sunday, they will hold a concelebrated mass at the Lujan basilica, 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Buenos Aires, to mark International Women's Day with the slogan: "Yes to Women, Yes to Life."

"The Church is willing to play a leading role and to somehow pressure the Fernandez government," said Duro.

Despite the Church's best efforts, abortion campaigners believe the political groundswell is with them and that Argentina will soon become the most populous Latin American nation to legalize the practice.

They point to around 400,000 abortions carried out every year, mostly in clandestine conditions marked by poor hygiene for the 37 percent of the population living below the poverty line. For the women who can afford it, private clinics are available for around $1,000.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is going to undergo legal proceedings for the improper processing of immigrants. The migrants were supposed to stay idle and wait for their court hearings without being locked up, but ICE did otherwise. ICE is facing a lawsuit that was filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and the Bronx Defenders.

They were told by the legal authorities to proceed with what they were originally supposed to do. Immigrants who do not appear to be dangerous don't have to be locked up.

ICE claimed that they use the process of "Risk Classification Assessment" to sort which immigrants should be okay to go for now and the immigrants who should stay behind. Both the accusers demanded that their method should be considered illegal. They asked for a reevaluation of the detainees.

The NYCLU submitted a request for the Freedom Information Act. They discovered that in the year 2013 up to June 2017, 47 percent of the detainees were freed by ICE in the years spanning from 2017 to 2019, only three percent were released.

In the southern cone, "Gabriela's Law" was approved by President Sebastian Pinera. The law aims to strengthen and make the penalties and sanctions for the criminal acts on women harsher. The law was in honor of the death of a woman who was murdered by an old lover. The suspect who committed the femicide was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In Colombia, a discussion regarding the War on Drugs, two-sided cooperation, commerce, and Venezuela were addressed by the president of Colombia, Ivan Duque, and the U.S. President,

Donald Trump. Along with the president of Colombia and the U.S., Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Adam Boehler, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other important persons were seen attending the meeting.

PDVSA is a state-run oil company managed by two directors, Alfredo Marcial Chirinos Azuaje and Aryenis Torrealba. Recently, both directors were detained for acting as spies of the United States. They were released shortly after being arrested.

Cases of the expansion of access to abortion were discussed in a court case. They insist that they would cover the 16-week gestation period for the women who are victims of rape, fetal deformities, and other issues.

In Central America, a former congressional president of Guatemala, Pedro Muadi, was imprisoned for criminal activities like embezzlement, illegal association, and money-laundering. He has robbed over $500,000 from the resources of the public.

In North America, the churches and priests of Mexico will receive a visit from two of Vatican's sex-crimes detectives, Monsignor Jodi Bertomeu and Archbishop Charles Scicluna, to check on the current issues suspected in the country. Mexico is recognized as the second-largest Catholic community.

They interviewed the victims and vowed that their interview will be confidential. Before they visited Mexico, they went to Chile in 2018 and discovered a total of 60 victims of the sexual abuses of the church. The bishops in Chile who were responsible for the crimes were terminated.
Opposition forces continue to fight back, taking control of the town of Sheikh Aqeel and a hilltop, north west of Aleppo reports Zaman Al Wasl.

Turkish-backed opposition forces seized a strategic town and a hilltop in the western countryside of Aleppo, local activists said Wednesday.

Backed by heavy artillery fire, the National Army took the town of Sheikh Aqeel and the al-Arqam hilltop northwest of Aleppo city.

Another assault in northern Syria was launched by opposition fighters to retake Saraqeb, the strategic city two days after its fall to the Syrian regimes favour.

From six axes, the Syrian National Army began its battle to repulse regime forces and allied Shiite militias from the town that sits on a major highway that links Syrias two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.

Activists and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Turkish drone attacks near Saraqeb killed 25 Syrian soldiers and allied pro-Iran militants.

Turkey said that two more of its soldiers were killed Wednesday in a regime attack in northwestern Syria, as steady clashes between the two national armies continued to rack up casualties.

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.
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A woman who recently returned to Hanoi from a trip across three European countries, including Italy, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The female patient, 26-year-old N.H.N., is a hotel manager residing on Truc Bach Street in Ba Dinh District, Hanois Department of Health Director Nguyen Khac Hien said at an urgent meeting in the Vietnamese capital late Friday.

N. traveled to the UK on February 15 and stayed at a sister's house in London until February 18, when she set off to Milan, located in the Lombardy region of Italy, for sightseeing and shopping.

Lombardy is the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy, where more than 3,800 infections have been confirmed as of Friday.

At the time of N.s visit, the Italian region had not reported an outbreak of the viral disease.

The Vietnamese woman then went to Paris, France to visit a sister - who is now reportedly infected with COVID-19.

N. returned to London on February 26.

On February 29, the woman began coughing but refused to see a doctor. The next day, she developed body aches.

N. arrived in Hanoi on a Vietnam Airlines flight on March 2 and went through immigration normally without a fever.

The woman was taken on a family vehicle to her residence on the 8th floor of a building at 125 Truc Bach Street in Ba Dinh District. She has placed herself under voluntary home quarantine since then and taken preventive measures such as wearing face masks and refraining from going outside.

She developed a fever on March 2, which worsened on March 5 when the woman recorded body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and began coughing harder and feeling fatigued.

She went for a health checkup at Hong Ngoc Hospotal on Yen Ninh Street and was diagnosed with pneumonia.

She was transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi at 6:00 pm on Thursday. She tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Ministry of Health statement on Friday evening.

N. is now under quarantine at the Hanoi hospital. Authorities in the capital are making a list of people who have been in close contact with the patient for quarantine.

Police fence off a street in Hanoi, March 6, 2020. Photo: Chi Tue / Tuoi Tre

Police officers are now stationed at either end of Truc Bach Street in Hanoi to fence off traffic as stores on the street have been ordered to close for now.

COVID-19 has infected over 100,000 people and killed 3,405 globally since it first surfaced in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 17 infections, including the latest case in Hanoi. Fourteen of them are Vietnamese, while the other three patients include two Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese American.

Sixteen of the patients have recovered and been discharged from the hospital.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
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In a recently published video message, Cynthia McCaffrey, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative to China, expressed support to the Chinese people in their fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

On behalf of the UNICEF, she conveyed solidarity with all the people of China affected by COVID-19, and appreciated the Chinese government's efforts to address the outbreak.

"We salute the heroic efforts of all those working tirelessly to curb the outbreak and save lives. UNICEF is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN agencies to support the [Chinese] government's response to the outbreak," she said.

UNICEF has donated three batches of medical supplies for Chinese health workers, worth nearly $1 million and a combined weight of more than 30 tons.

"With tens of thousands being treated for COVID-19, there are still shortfalls in supplies among health workers in China. UNICEF is helping bridge the immediate gap by providing personal protective equipment and medical/hospital equipment. We are here with China every step of the way to help address the outbreak," McCaffrey pledged at the handover of the third batch of supplies at the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on March 1.

In addition to providing emergency supplies, UNICEF is also cooperating with the WHO, China's National Health Commission and other organizations to strengthen risk warnings and tackle misinformation so that children, pregnant women and their families know how to prevent the infection spreading.

"UNICEF is working with the Chinese government and U.N. partners to equip people with information that helps them stay healthy and stay safe," said McCaffrey. "With health workers and other people in related areas, parents and children themselves, we are promoting healthy behavior and strengthening public health capacity in communities across China."
US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook on Thursday said that the United States offered humanitarian assistance to Iran to help them deal with the coronavirus outbreak, but "the regime rejected the offer."

During an interview with the Associated Press in Paris, Hook said: "Unfortunately, the regime rejected this offer of assistance to close some of the gaps they may be facing".

Hook suggested that the offer was one of outstretched hands. "We asked the regime to identify what their needs are," but Iran did not respond, he said.

Hook also said the US has asked Iran to release American hostages from prisons "on medical furlough" over fears the coronavirus may be infesting the country's prisons.

He said that Washington was working through Switzerland and could not provide details. "We have asked the regime to release on medical furlough all the Americans who are currently detained in Iran," he said, adding that European nations share the worry.

"Any government that has someone wrongfully detained in an Iranian prison naturally is concerned about the coronavirus." Hook attributed the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Iran to "the regime" keeping it a "secret" from its own people.
A man was tasered by police after allegedly starting a fight over toilet paper as tensions rise amid growing coronavirus fears.

The 50-year-old man allegedly confronted officers and two other people and "became aggressive" in a shop in Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia.

He threw tissue boxes at a female employee, according to police, and then reportedly grabbed a female customer by the throat when she approached him.

The man only stopped his alleged attack when another customer came to the woman's aid.

Empty supermarket shelves in Sydney, Australia / MARALINDA BOYD via REUTERS

After the police were called, they found the man in a nearby supermarket, where he reportedly put one officer in a headlock and tried to grab his gun.

Police tasered the man and charged him with common assault, resisting an officer in execution of duty, and assaulting an officer in execution of duty.

The arrest took place just days after a woman was arrested over an alleged knife incident over toilet paper in a supermarket in a New South Wales suburb.

Several images of Australians seemingly panic-buying items like toilet paper have appeared on social media amid coronavirus fears, while the hashtags #toiletpapergate and #toiletpapercrisis have emerged on Twitter.

Two people have died of coronavirus in Australia, with 60 confirmed cases. 28 cases have been in New South Wales.

But Coles, one of the country's largest supermarket chains, said it had "comprehensive" plans to manage stock availability in case of unusual occurrences such as the virus.

The company continued: We are working with our suppliers and transport partners to manage our response to the coronavirus and minimise any long-term impacts on product availability for customers."

Woolworths, another large chain, has limited sales to four packs per shopper to maintain stock until supplies increase. The Australian branch of Costco is rationing toilet paper to one bulk buy pack per shopper.

One man has reportedly tried to sell toilet paper online for thousands of pounds.

Two people have died of coronavirus in Australia, with 60 confirmed cases. 28 cases have been in New South Wales.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison even weighed in on the shortage / Getty Images

Speaking to a parliamentary panel on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy added: "We are trying to reassure people that removing all of the lavatory paper from the shelves of supermarkets probably isn't a proportionate or sensible thing to do at this time."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told Australians to stay calm, despite fears over the virus.

In a press conference on Tuesday, he said: "It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner...

"I would just urge people to be going about their business in the normal way when it comes to those matters."
AMRITSAR: A couple and their six-month-old twins died when the roof of their house collapsed following a hailstorm and heavy rain at Moole Chak village near Bhagtanwala grain market on outskirts of Amritsar early on Friday.

Police said Ajay Kumar, 38, a vegetable vendor, his wife Manvi, 37, and their twin son and daughter died in the incident.

Ajays elder daughter, Naina, 7, was injured. She has been hospitalised.

A man trying to retrieve whatever is left after the roof collapsed. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

The two-room house was built over 70 square feet and was an old construction, the police said.

The family was sleeping in one room when the incident occurred around 1.30am, neighbours said.
Huawei pleaded innocent to a conspiracy and racketeering indictment U.S. prosecutors laid out in February. Appearing before an NYC court earlier this week, the Chinese conglomerates representatives said the unfair charges were bogus.

Racketeering, corporate espionage, and conspiracy to commit both are just the latest additions to the dizzyingly long list of charges Huaweis facing in the U.S.

The DOJ claims it can prove over two decades worth of IP theft on Huaweis part. The criminal proceedings that are now moving forward are yet to official yield a record of concrete victims. Regardless, the robot theft dispute Huawei settled with T-Mobile in 2017 and Ciscos 15-year-old router infringement lawsuit are understood to be part of the prosecutions case.

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Much like before, Huawei continues to claim Washington is targeting due to geopolitical interests threatened by its fast-growing business and technological inroads. On the other side of the conflict, American officials are still describing Huawei as an incessant violator of every rulebook under the sun.

The current state of affairs effectively killed Huaweis ambitions to supply 5G infrastructure in North America. The ongoing China-U.S. economic tensions are hardly easing the situation. Trade talks or no, the Trump administration still appears disinterested in negotiating Huaweis unenviable stateside position with Beijing.

Underlining that stallmate is the fact Huaweis CFO has been under house arrest in Canada since late 2018. The DOJ accused Meng Wanzhou of orchestrating many of the conglomerates alleged crimes against foreign rivals. The daughter of Huaweis founder has hence been fighting a U.S. extradition request from her Vancouver home ever since.

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The case of Huawei: innocent until charged otherwise

The Shenzen-based tech giant has historically troubling relations with both the U.S. government and American companies alike. Its close ties to Chinas communist party and numerous IP disputes in the West instigated much of that hostility.

A legislative initiative from Capitol Hill previously crippled Huaweis supply chain, both in terms of hardware and software. The move was particularly damaging to the conglomerates consumer electronics division. Lacking other options, the firm started investing into its own mobile app ecosystem meant to rival that of Google. Though the effort still revolves around Android, Huawei may also replace Googles ubiquitous OS in the long term.

The juggernaut already confirmed its developing a new mobile operating system back in 2018. That was before it even lost its Google Mobile Services license. Regardless of how Huaweis clash with stateside authorities develops, theres no doubt its Western ambitions will continue to suffer.
Take a look at some of the biggest movers in the premarket:

Costco (COST)  Costco reported quarterly earnings of $2.10 per share, 4 cents a share above estimates. Revenue also beat forecasts. Costco has been experiencing a surge in sales of consumer staples in recent weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak, and reported a 12.1% jump in comparable sales for February.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM)  CEO Jamie Dimon is said to be "recovering well" after undergoing emergency heart surgery Thursday. The bank said Dimon experienced an aortic dissection, an abnormal separation of tissues in the aortic wall.

Gap (GPS)  The apparel retailer appointed Sonia Syngal  the head of its Old Navy unit  as its new chief executive officer. She replaces interim CEO Robert Fisher, who took over after the exit of then-CEO Art Peck.

Starbucks (SBUX)  Starbucks cut its China sales forecast due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the coffee chain also announced that it would suspend new store openings in China. Starbucks expects same-store sales to drop by 50% in China for the second quarter.

American Outdoor Brands (AOBC)  American Outdoor reported adjusted quarterly earnings of 13 cents per share, falling short of the 23 cents a share consensus estimate. The Smith & Wesson parent also lowered its sales and earnings guidance for the current fiscal year. The company said it saw a shortfall in anticipated orders from certain strategic retailers across multiple product segments.

H&R Block (HRB)  The tax preparation firm reported a quarterly loss of 59 cents per share, 4 cents a share wider than anticipated. Revenue beat Wall Street forecasts. The bottom line was impacted by higher-than-anticipated expenses.

Okta (OKTA)  Okta reported a quarterly loss of 1 cent per share, smaller than the 5 cents a share loss projected by Wall Street analysts. The identity management software provider also reported better-than-expected revenue for the quarter, as subscription sales increased.

Big Lots (BIG)  Big Lots is the target of activist investors Macellum Advisors and Ancora Advisors, who have taken a more than 10% stake in the discount retailer. The funds have nominated nine directors, saying underperformance in earnings and the stock's price necessitates a change.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)  William Blair upgraded the restaurant chain's stock to "outperform" from "market perform," following a 22% pullback in the past two weeks amid no discernible change in traffic trends.

BJ's Wholesale (BJ)  JPMorgan Chase upgraded the warehouse retailer's stock to "overweight" from "neutral," saying a stock decline compared to peers is outsized given BJ's earnings outlook. The firm also added the stock to its "US Equity Analyst Focus List" as a value play.

Lyft (LYFT)  Needham rates the ride-hailing service's stock a "buy" in new coverage. The firm notes a 30% drop in the stock price since Lyft's fourth-quarter earnings report, saying this creates an unreasonably wide valuation discount compared to competitor (UBER).
Coronavirus: No compulsion to wear masks at Trimbakeshwar Temple

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Nashik, Mar 06: Reports that the Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust has made it mandatory for devotees visiting the Trimbakeshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva near here, to wear masks are not true, an official said.

The temple administration has not made it mandatory to wear masks for devotees to enter the temple and take darshan of Lord Trimbakeshwar, Prashant Gaydhani, one of the trustees of Trimbakeshwar Devsthan Trust, said.

"However, it has made an appeal to devotees to take precaution to avoid spread of the coronavirus. We appeal to people to cover their faces with masks or handkerchief if possible. We also tell them not to spit, wash their feet cleanly and maintain cleanliness, Gaydhani said.

RWAs in Noida cancel Holi events in wake of coronavirus scare

Many devotees from across the country and even from abroad visit the temple everyday in large numbers. We cannot make it compulsory for the devotees. Even providing masks to such a large number of devotees is impossible for the temple trust. On the contrary, devotees themselves wear masks voluntarily, he added.

However, the temple trust has made it compulsory for its staff to wear masks as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of the disease, he said.

Meanwhile, a person who arrived here from Dubai four days ago was admitted in the isolation ward created at the Nashik district civil hospital on Thursday, health department sources said.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

As he complained of cough and cold he was admitted to the hospital immediately. His throat swab samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for examination, they said.

Coronavirus scare: 1,252 persons quarantined in Kolkata; Helpline set up

Earlier, three persons who had come from Italy, Iran and the US, were admitted to the hospital but as their test reports were negative, they have been discharged, the sources said.

However, they will be under observation for 14 days and their medical check-up will be done regularly, they said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 8:22 [IST]
Marina Henke standing in front of River des Peres

"Since high school, I have had a growing obsession with the city and its history," Henke said in a recent interview. She traces the origins of her interest back to the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown, and the subsequent protests in nearby Ferguson. "That year I saw tension in St. Louis that out of naivete I had not fully recognized before."

As an Africana studies and environmental studies coordinate major, Henke has taken a unique approach to examining St. Louis, particularly its racial and economic divisions. In several of her research projects for classes, she has focused on landmarksa boulevard, a riverthat not only physically segment the city, but also demarcate and emphasize its social and economic divides.

For instance, in environmental studies Professor Eileen Johnson's course, Building Resilient Communities: GIS and Remote Sensing, Henke looked at how a prominent St. Louis street, Delmar Boulevard, draws a line between rich and poor, and black and white neighborhoods. Using GIS, she created a map of cultural amenities on either side of the boulevard to show how the city's less affluent northern areas have fewer art centers, schools, libraries, and health centers.

Now as she nears graduation (Henke took a year off from Bowdoin), she is culminating her multi-year study of St. Louis with an honors project about a small urban river, the River des Peres. The 9.3-mile river, sometimes nicknamed the River Despair, is not actually a riverit's more a creek-sized tributary that flows into the Mississippi, carrying most of the city's wastewater.

Smelly, "gross," and often choked with litter, the river "was conventionally beautiful once," Henke said. But as the city's population boomed in the nineteenth century, it became a de facto sewer. Then, in the 1930s, at the height of the Great Depression, the river was officially converted into what was at the time considered a marvel of sewer engineering. Parts of the river bottom were laid with concrete, and four miles of the stream were directed underground through a large tunnel, to mask the rank and fetid water from more upscale parts of town and lessen flooding risk.

After researching the history of the river and exploring what it has meant to people in St. Louis over time, Henke is working on not just an environmental history, but also a biography of sortsone that illuminates complexities about the city, its past, and its people.

"Current academic writing of the des Peres only exists in the local perspective: detailed histories, intricate timelines," Henke said. "What if we were to pull beyond it and use this polluted river as a way to look at people and place?"

"What I am trying to do in my project is go beyond some one-dimensional story of the river being ruined or destroyed. I want to show how people relate to it now, whether they understand it as a natural thing or an unnatural thing," she added. In addition to scouring archives, she has also collected oral histories from people ranging in age from ten to eighty who live near to or along the waterway.

Calling her honors thesis an untraditional form of writing, Henke said, "I have this lofty goal of writing a piece that doesn't just appeal to a local historian in St. Louis. Instead I want to write a piece that can speak to people well beyond the city."

"The way I see it everyone lives near a place like the des Peres, that isnt there to just be beautiful, that isnt going anywhere, that maybe shouldnt be there in the first place. Ultimately, we all make a choice in how we interact with these spaces. I think that showing these different paths end up showing us a lot about where we live."

She is also including her own accounts of visiting the river over this past year, when she has observed starving deer and flooded banks. As a child, she participated alongside her mother in local clean-ups of the des Peres.
The growing spread of the coronavirus in Ireland has forced a spotlight on the guidelines telling workers returning from at-risk areas to resume employment if they didn't have symptoms of the illness.

The general advice is that people who have been in at-risk zones need not self-isolate unless they have symptoms. Healthcare workers are an exception and are asked not to go to work for 14 days.

When the GP in Clare and his family returned from a skiing holiday nearly two weeks ago in northern Italy, the at-risk areas were confined to around 11 towns none of which it is believed they had visited. However, the affected area of north Italy has now been extended to a broader region.

Healthcare workers are now being told they need to isolate themselves for two weeks if they have been in China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and the Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont regions of northern Italy.

However, the original advice remains unchanged for other workers. They are being told they only need to contact a GP if they develop any potential symptoms of the virus.

This contrasts with the advice given in the UK to travellers who return from countries like Italy which have high levels of the virus.

In the UK, people are told they should stay indoors and avoid contact with others if they have been in the worst-hit areas of northern Italy.

In hindsight, there may have been an argument here for healthcare staff and possibly teachers to remain out of bounds for the two-week spell, even if they felt well.

The Clare GP and his family at the centre of four confirmed cases would have followed the official advice to resume work and school if they had no symptoms after their mid-term break in north Italy.

Once anyone who has been in these virus-hit countries thinks they have symptoms, they should seek medical advice.

Public health doctors will decide if they should go into isolation and be tested.

If the guidelines are tightened for all, it would mean many more people who have not caught the virus abroad would needlessly quarantine themselves, with all the disruption and inconvenience it would bring.

But it would reduce the odds of somebody with mild symptoms, who is unaware they are a risk, potentially unwittingly passing it on before their condition worsens and they realise they have been circulating with the virus.

The emergence of a GP as a coronavirus victim also highlights how, if they are unaware they are infected, they can expose vulnerable patients to the virus. A daily surgery seeing a roomful of patients, home visits and even shifts in a hospital could all be part of a doctor's busy week after returning from one of these worst-hit countries.

It is the natural instinct of conscientious GPs and hospital staff to continue to soldier on even if they feel unwell and this is frequently the case regardless of any coronavirus risk. There remains a shortage of GPs in many rural areas and there is a strong sense of loyalty to patients and colleagues not to call in sick.

This mentality is something the health service will have to address as the coronavirus spreads here, and there are more demands at every level from frontline to backroom.

Much of the official advice now to health staff emphasises the need to protect themselves from infected patients by taking proper precautions such as wearing the correct protective gear. The risk also remains that a doctor or a healthcare worker can be a grave risk to their patients if they fail to self-isolate.

It could mean healthcare facilities become potential hotspots for the virus.

The environment for healthcare workers will become more challenging as the coronavirus crisis gets a stronger grip here. In China, two in every five early infections were acquired in hospital, and two-thirds of these were healthcare workers, a significant number of whom died.

As the coronavirus affects more of the wider population, medical professionals will be in a special situation as they face multiple potential exposures to infection.

It remains one of the realities of life that doctors deliver advice daily to patients but fail to follow their own counsel on slowing down.
Hyundai Motor Ulsan plant. Hyundai lost 12.7 percent in global sales for February compare to same period last year, as the coronavirus has impacted key export regions such as China, U.S. and Europe. / Yonhap



By Kim Hyun-bin



Major conglomerates are switching to emergency management mode and reevaluating their initial business plans for the year to minimize losses caused by the fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak, industry official said Friday.



The move comes as the spread of the novel coronavirus seems to be showing no signs of abating with hundreds of newly confirmed patients being reported daily, nationwide.



Experts are calling for companies to set up new strategies to brace for worsening profitability as Korea's key trading partners, including China  which takes up to 25 percent of local firms' overseas sales  the United States and European countries are also fighting the spread of the virus.



Companies are also scrambling to come up with measures to compensate for the decrease in local consumption on top of the reduction in demand for exports.



Hyundai Motor is among the conglomerates that has suffered the most from COVID-19 infections, as it had to halt operations at its Chinese factories in the initial stages of the outbreak.



Many experts believe the automaker will be unable to meet its sales goal of 7.53 million cars for 2020, even though the number is around 70,000 lower than last year.



The company's global sales for the month of February dropped 12.9 percent with only 275,000 vehicles being exported.



Just in China alone, the firm is highly unlikely to achieve its annual target after February sales tanked 95 percent compared to 2019.



"Hyundai Group's global sales for February were poor . due to the coronavirus as they were unable to receive supplies and components from China," said Lee Sang-hyun, an analyst at IBK Securities. "If there were no production delays and we were in a normal state, Hyundai and Kia motors would have been expected to see a 12.4 percent and 16.8 percent increase in sales."



Chung Eui-sun, executive vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, sent an e-mail to Hyundai Motor employees, Tuesday, to address the current situation and emphasize the company was doing its upmost to minimize losses and maintain administrative stability.



"The temporary setback in operations was inevitable, but we are setting up diverse countermeasures and plans to overcome the crisis and are working to find administrative stability," Chung wrote.



Tech giant Samsung Electronics is also expected to suffer losses due to the coronavirus as it is unlikely to reach its sales target for the Galaxy S20 series, which was officially released worldwide Sunday.



According to telecom companies, combined pre-orders for the smartphones were only 70 percent to 80 percent of those for the previous Galaxy S10, which was released in August.



The virus also hindered production, as the company's only smartphone plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, had to temporarily close after four workers there were confirmed to have COVID-19.



LG Group is planning to postpone new recruitments. Last year it held a mass recruitment in April, but this year it has not even posted a recruitment notice. LG Chemical which was supposed to post a recruitment notification early this month has postponed it until April.



SK Group is developing contingency plans for its semi-conductor and oil refining affiliates with the latter under SK Energy reducing operating rates to 85 percent.



"The group has launched a special center to monitor the virus situation and come up with countermeasures. Six to seven of our affiliates are having their employees work from home, while others have customized emergency management to better suit their operations, such as diversifying work times to avoid congestion and rush hours, and separating team members to work in other locations," an SK Group official said.


The Ministry of on Friday said the number of elephants killed on railway tracks has shown a declining trend in the last three years.

Responding to a query in the lower house of Parliament, Minister of State for Babul Supriyo said due to the concerted efforts taken by the central and state governments, elephant deaths have reduced.

As per the data given by the government between 2016-2019, a total of 19 elephants were killed on tracks in 2018-19 while 21 elephants died in 2016-17.

"Due to concerted efforts taken by the Central and State Governments the elephant deaths by train accidents has been reducing in the recent years.

"A number of measures taken by Zonal Railways in coordination with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have resulted in saving of elephants," the minister said in his written response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha.

The minister informed that honey bee sound system, which has the sound of honey bees downloaded from the internet, was being installed by East Central Railway to scare away elephants from coming near the railway tracks.

He said the preventive measures undertaken include imposition of permanent and temporary speed restrictions in identified elephant corridors, sensitization of train crew and station masters on a regular basis, need-based clearance of vegetation on the sides of tracks within railway land and construction of underpasses and ramps for movement of elephants at identified locations.

"Work is in progress at one more location in East Central Railway. Installation of honey bee sound system to scare away the elephants from coming near the track. Provision of fencing at isolated locations both by Railway and Forest Department.

"Deputing Forest Department staff in Railway control offices to liaison with Railway and engagement of elephant trackers by Forest Department for timely action by alerting Station Masters and Loco Pilots. Frequent coordination meetings between State Forest Department and Railway department," the minister said while elaborating on the measures being taken to prevent elephant deaths.

According to the data provided by the ministry, 10 elephants died in train accidents in 2017-18 in Assam while in 2018-19 the state recorded two deaths.

In Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, no elephant deaths were recorded in 2018-19. However, Odisha saw maximum elephant deaths at seven in 2018-19.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meanwhile, sanctions against the former president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych were extended

The Council of the European Union has officially lifted the sanctions on former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov and former Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavytsky. This was stated in the EUs official journal.

"In the section 'A. List of persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 1', the entries for the following persons are deleted: Mykola Yanovych Azarov; Edward Stavytskyi," the text of the document reads.

It is worth mentioning that, on March 5, the Council of the European Union officially extended the sanctions against the former president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and his allies.

The Council today decided to prolong for one more year until 6 March 2021 the existing asset freezes directed against 10 persons identified as responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds or for the abuse of office causing a loss to Ukrainian public funds, the message said.

As we reported earlier, according to Yuriy Kirasir, Spokesperson of Oleksandr Yanukovych, son of Viktor Yanukovych, the decision of the Council of the EU on the extension of the sanctions against the former president of Ukraine is politically motivated and has no real grounds.
A sign with coronavirus information at the prescription counter of a CVS in Montgomery County, Pa. Read more

Organizing dozens of meetings, talking daily with state health officials, answering phones ringing nonstop. Creating web pages, training first responders. Devising contingency plans for nursing homes, the homeless, and Meals on Wheels: All part of how county health departments across the Philadelphia and South Jersey region have been preparing for coronavirus.

Then came the news Friday: Two Pennsylvanians  one each in Delaware and Wayne Counties  were quarantined after testing positive for coronavirus, and Camden County added another person to New Jerseys tally. And five Bucks County schools closed over concerns that students or staff may have been exposed to an out-of-state visitor who has since contracted the illness.

For Camden and Delaware Counties, it was a test of the preparations officials around the region had been making for weeks. And for other counties, which for years have prepared how to respond to infectious diseases like measles or whooping cough, it was a reminder that a much bigger challenge could be headed their way.

What were doing now, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Wednesday, is ramping up and preparing for what possibly could be a much larger volume of that type of work.

Bucks County Health Department Director David Damsker said the goal was to get out the message while also making practical decisions. We want to take it real seriously, but we also dont want to incite panic, he said.

Managing a flood of information

From tool kits to information hubs, every county and the state is posting frequently updated information online and on social media. Local officials say they are coordinating constantly with the state and other agencies.

Theres so much guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Jessica Caum, manager of the Philadelphia Public Health Departments public health preparedness program. Were doing our best to consolidate the information we have. The more we can make that accessible on a local level, the better.

Even though Delaware County has no health department, the county has long-established protocols to deal with something like coronavirus.

The goal for government, County Council Vice Chair Monica Taylor said Wednesday, is to plan and make sure we have everything in place in case something does get bad. But were hoping that it doesnt get as bad as people are fearing.

In other counties, health department officials said they have been fielding an unusually high volume of calls from residents. Some officials urged folks to check the county or CDC website first for basic information about coronavirus, but they said theyre trying to answer as many questions as possible in hopes of spreading factual information throughout the community.

If they call here and we can answer a question, that can be a measure of comfort to some people, and thats worthwhile, said Anne Walters, director of the Camden County Health Department.

As county health officials follow CDC direction and follow rigorous protocols, responding to the potential crisis also requires tailoring responses.

Multiple counties said they were preparing human services professionals to aid people with housing, mental health, food delivery, or other needs during an outbreak. Camden County officials said that if theres a large-scale outbreak, neighboring counties may consider sharing services, such as consolidating emergency dispatchers at a central facility.

Officials in some counties said experience with past disease outbreaks such as Ebola helped fine-tune preparedness plans. You put it into action now and you tweak based on the disease of the day, said Jeanne Casner, Chester County health director.

Montgomery Countys Office of Public Health has increased regular and weekend staffing and is training people to be coronavirus educators in response to information requests piling up from community members. The countys census group has been designated to reach out to residents who dont speak English and distribute information, Arkoosh said.

As of Friday night, Philadelphia had not yet logged a confirmed case of the virus. Still, City Council plans hearings on the administrations preparedness.

The city must be ready to handle an influx of testing demands, treatment needs and capacity issues, [and] emergency service preparations," said the resolution from Councilmember Allan Domb.

 READ MORE: When and if coronavirus comes, heres how to prepare (and possibly reduce your panic)

Staff writer Laura McCrystal contributed to this article.
Iran's oil minister has hit out at other countries for not declaring confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

The accuracy of the Islamic Republic's data on the outbreak has been called into question, with 3,513 cases and 107 deaths confirmed by the country so far.

But Bijan Namdar Zangeneh told reporters ahead of Friday's OPEC meeting in Vienna: "I believe that we are announcing and declaring our situation and some countries don't say anything about their situation."

While it is not clear which specific countries he was referring to, both Turkey and North Korea have been under scrutiny for claiming they have no diagnosed cases.

Zanganeh also criticized the U.S., claiming broader sanctions on Iranian goods and services were preventing the country from accessing vital food and medicine for its citizens.

He said Iran has not "received any important assistance from any country" and accused U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of "lying."
Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway has pulled out of a planned investment in the Saguenay LNG project in Quebec, Canada, suggesting that harder times are ahead for the countrys LNG ambitions.

CBC reports the investment company had shelved its plan to put $3 billion (C$4 billion) into the $7.1-billion (C$9.5-billion) LNG project because of the "current Canadian political context," according to a spokeswoman for the company behind the project, GNL Quebec.

Stephanie Fortin, however, added that the pullout of Berkshire Hathaway will not put an end to the project, even if its impact will be felt.

The news is the latest sign that all may not be well for Canadian LNG plans. Last year, there were reports that Chevron was planning to sell its stake in the Kitimat LNG project, as was Australias Woodside Petroleum, amid a growing LNG glut. Now, on top of the glut, the LNG industry in Canada has been fighting an uphill battle with environmentalist opponents to every new energy project.

Last month, environmentalists staged a series of railway blockades in an attempt to stop the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline that should deliver natural gas to the only LNG project that has started construction: the LNG Canada facility in British Columbia.



Related: Oil Prices Collapse 8% As Novak Tells OPEC+ To Pump At Will

In the second week of February alone, Canadian National Railways had to cancel 400 trains as environmentalists and rights activists blockaded rail lines and ports, as well as road intersections and government offices as a demonstration of solidarity with members of a First Nation, the Wetsuweten, who oppose the Coastal Gaslink pipeline.

The railway operator then started shutting off its operations in eastern Canada and its chief executive warned that it would have to lay off up to 6,000 people if the blockades continue, although the layoffs will be temporary.

The blockades only began to be taken down this week, after Wetsuweten chiefs reached an agreement with representatives of the federal and British Columbian governments to resolve some of the problems around the Coastal GasLink project. The opponents, however, stand ready to resume the protests if they feel the need to do it, which has substantially heightened the uncertainty around Canadas LNG plans.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
UTICA, N.Y.  Americas Greatest Heart Run & Walk will take place in Utica Saturday, bringing thousands of people together in the fight against heart disease.

The course runs from Barneveld to Utica College, which will lead to several road closures and detours during the event, including:

Burrstone Road

Closed between Old Burrstone Road and Main Street in New York Milles from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Business Park Drive and Washington Drive

All traffic will be controlled from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Campbell Avenue

Closed between Second Avenue and Main Street in New York Mills from 9 a.m.  noon.

Champlin Avenue

Closed between Burrstone Road and Graham Avenue from 8 a.m.  noon.

Traffic to St. Lukes should enter from the north on Champlin Avenue from 8 a.m.  noon.

Clinton Street in New York Mills

Closed between Henderson Street and Burrstone Road from 9 a.m. - noon.

French Road ramp off of Route 12 Arterial

Closed to Arterial traffic in both directions from 8 a.m.  12:30 p.m.

Main Street in New York Mills/Yorkville

Closed between Burrstone Road and Oriskany Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. - noon.

Main Street in Whitesboro

Closed westbound from 9  10:30 a.m.

Mohawk Street

Closed between River Road in Marcy and Main Street in Whitesboro from 9  10:30 a.m. Will be open to local traffic only.

Route 365

Closed eastbound between Mapledale Road and Barneveld from 7:30  8:30 a.m.

Closed eastbound between Route 291 and Mapledale Road from 8  10 a.m.

Route 291

Closed northbound between Route 69 and Route 365 from 8  10:30 a.m.

Yorkville Corners at Oriskany Boulevard and Main Street

Traffic will be rerouted away from the intersection from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Expect traffic delays in both directions.

---------

The following roads will also be closed from 8:30 a.m.  1 p.m.:

New York Mills

Elm Street

Young Avenue

Fairway Drive

Winchester Drive

Pulaski Street

Prospect Street

Yorkville

Cross Street

----------

People driving to St. Lukes Hospital should approach from the north going southbound on Champlin Avenue from Yorkville. Screening at the Graham Avenue intersection will allow traffic in the Champlin Avenue entrance.

Patients and staff heading to Slocum-Dickson Medical Center must enter from French Road by getting off of the Arterial at Lomond Place.

Since the French Road exit off of Route 12 is closed, anyone traveling to Notre Dame High School must also get off of the exit at Lomond Place.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 04:50:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, March 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the White House said Friday.

Trump and Bolsonaro will discuss "implementing pro-growth trade policies, and investing in infrastructure," according to a White House statement.

The statement said the two leaders will also touch upon issues of Venezuela and the Middle East.

"We are having dinner at Mar-a-Lago. He wanted to have dinner in Florida if that was possible," Trump told reporters early Friday.

Vice President Mike Pence and Trump's National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien are to be among those attending the meeting at Mar-a-Lago, according to local media.

The U.S. State Department said Bolsonaro will be in Florida on March 7-10.
Alphabet Incs Google on Thursday joined Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp in recommending employees in the Seattle area work from home, after many were infected with the coronavirus in the region.

Seattle, in Washington State, has been the city most affected by the virus in the United States. Ten people have died out of 39 cases of infections through community transmission of the virus.

A Google spokesperson said the company made the decision after consulting with public health officials.

Seattle-headquartered Amazon recommended that employees in the area work from home through the end of the month, after an employee at its South Lake Union office complex in the city tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.

Facebook on Thursday said it would shut its Seattle office until March 9 after a contractor at the location was also diagnosed.

The companies work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the Seattle area, as both Microsoft and Amazon employ over 50,000 workers each. Facebook employs more than 5,000 in the area, and Google about 4,500, according to media reports.

Seattle health authorities have urged companies to allow their employees to work from home as much as possible, stagger shifts to ease commuter congestion on public transportation, and avoid large work-related gatherings.

The epidemic has shown no signs of slowing, and so far killed more than 3,000 people worldwide, mostly in China, where it originated in December.

Separately, retailer Walmart Inc said on Thursday it was restricting all international travels to business-critical trips, and travels within the US to essential operations for its associates.

It also cancelled its Walmart US Customer Conference, scheduled for the following week in Dallas. The company said it expected travel guidelines to be in place for at least the months of March and April.

Big tech companies have also been dropping out of several conferences and calling off corporate events as the virus spreads.

The epidemic has led to the cancellation of major industry events, including the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and Facebooks F8 conference in San Jose, California.

Microsoft said on Wednesday that some essential employees should continue to go to their work locations and that the company would follow government guidelines for disinfecting its sites for essential personnel.
FROM LEFT: Sizwe Dlamini, Hloniphani Matsenjwa, National Commissioner William Dlamini, Mancoba Mhlanga and Cilongo Fakudze posing for a picture. (Pic:melisa Msweli)

MBABANE  They were three, not one! In a twist of events, Constable Cilongo Fakudze was not the only police officer who attended to the scene during the devastating floods that took place in the country, according to the National Commissioner of Police, William Dlamini.



Fakudze is the police officer who saved the day and trended on social media platforms following floods that hit the capital city on February 6, 2020 resulting in traffic flow being compromised as traffic lights were dysfunctional.



Fakudze stood barefooted while ensuring that road users, in particular, motorists, could have safe passage in the city on the day.

The other police officers are Sizwe Dlamini and Hloniphani Matsenjwa.



The national commissioner said this during the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the police officers held at the Mbabane Police Headquarters yesterday.



Presentation



Also present during the presentation was Businessman Walter Bennett and Mancoba Mhlanga, who was standing in for Amelia Dlamini Towncent, who also had gifts for Fakudze and the other officers.



The commissioner said what the police officers did was an indication that they were in the service by calling.

He further stated that it was a chance for other officers to do same if they had not started as it always had rewards. Dlamini further encouraged them to continue with the spirit of sacrifice and self-drive.



The Royal Eswatini Police Service also recognises the dedication and zeal of the officer hence I will present a Certificate of Excellence to Fakudze, remarked Dlamini.



The national commissioner further stated that he was going to give the other police officers special tokens.

Meanwhile, Mhlanga narrated that he posted a picture on social media and her sister, who is a United States of America (USA)-based liSwati, felt the need to award him.

He gave him a sum of E4 000 and a glass trophy.
First coronavirus-related death reported in the UK

A British woman has become the first to die from the new coronavirus in this country after having the disease diagnosed during routine testing of pneumonia sufferers, it is understood. The frail patient, who had underlying health conditions and is believed to have been 75, died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, it was announced yesterday. She is thought to have had the virus diagnosed after the NHS started testing intensive care patients with respiratory problems. The woman had not travelled abroad or been in contact with a known case, as evidence mounts that the virus is being passed on undetected in the UK Of the 116 people who have tested positive, up from 51 two days ago, 105 are in England, two in Wales, six in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland.  The Times

Food supplies wont run out in an outbreak, Prime Minister says  Daily Telegraph

Supermarket shelves empty amid coronavirus fears  The Sun

Profiteers face prosecution, watchdog warns  The Times

Hancock challenged on Question Time over panic buying  Daily Mail

Treasury yields hit new lows on coronavirus fears as stocks fall  FT

What does the delay phase mean?  The Times

Latest advice  HM Government

Comment:

Coronavirus can trigger a new industrial revolution  Ed Conway, The Times

Prepare for the worst but hope for the best  Iain Martin, The Times

Editorial:

GPs must play their part in confronting coronavirus  Daily Telegraph

Johnson faces Tory rebellion over Huawei deal

Boris Johnson will face his first Commons rebellion next week as Tory MPs demand that he bans Huawei from Britains 5G network in two years time. The prime ministers decision to approve the controversial Chinese firms role has angered many of his own MPs in addition to allies, such as the United States and Australia. Mr Johnson sought to dispel opposition with a promise to limit Huaweis involvement to 35 per cent of the networks non-core elements, a proportion that he said would later reduce. However, Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, is leading calls for Mr Johnson to make binding commitments to eliminate the firm completely.  The Times

Patel is a tough, effective leader, say allies as 100 sign letter denouncing bullying smears

Priti Patel is a tough, assertive and effective leader, say nearly 100 people who have worked with her including former charity commission chief William Shawcross in a letter to The Telegraph. Responding to the bullying allegations against her by civil servants, the authors from business, politics and academics say that even under pressure the Home Secretary has never crossed the line or lost her temper. They claim she has been a target of a campaign of gossip, smears and malicious gossip by anonymous individuals who have failed to produce any verifiable facts.  Daily Telegraph

Johnson vows that hell stick with Prit  The Times

Comment:

Saga has made a compelling case for reform, but does Johnson want the headache?  Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph

>Today: Iain Dales column: Im assertive. Youre a bully. Discuss.

Sunak to ease restrictions on pensions tax relief

The UK chancellor is poised to ease restrictions on pensions tax relief for the countrys highest earners as part of a package of measures to ease a workforce crisis affecting the National Health Service. Currently, those earning more than 110,000 are at risk of having their annual tax-free pension savings allowance reduced from 40,000 to as little as 10,000. Thousands of doctors have faced six-figure tax bills as a result of their earnings, often after working overtime, pushing them into the zone of steep cuts to their pension tax breaks. In next weeks Budget, Rishi Sunak is expected to raise the point at which tapering of the annual allowance starts from 110,000 to 150,000, providing a significant tax boost to higher-earning workers who benefit from tax relief on what they pay into a pension.  FT

Nearly half of Tory-voting drivers vow to ditch the party if fuel prices are raised  The Sun

More:

Drop VAT on electric vehicles, car industry urges chancellor  The Times

Charity chiefs call on Sunak to give 434m funding back to disabled kids and social care  The Sun

Blyths hopes rest on Tory promises of a new dawn  The Guardian

>Today: James Blagden in Comment: How to level up  and get growth going across the whole of the country

Chris Giles: The Treasury has two dirty secrets about its fiscal rules

First, even though chancellors from Gordon Brown to Mr Javid liked the borrow only to invest rule because it allowed them to insist they were not passing the bill for day-to-day consumption to voters children, the words are mostly for public consumption. Officials like the idea because, if adhered to, the public finances will be broadly sustainable in the long term. There is little to dislike about a rule that achieves fiscal sustainability and appeals to the public. Second, the main use of fiscal rules within the Treasury is not to ensure the sustainability of public finances but to control the activity of spending departments. As former Treasury minister David Gauke said at a Resolution Foundation event last month, When you are in negotiations with spending departments, you do use those fiscal rules to ensure that tough choices are made.  FT

Hardworking Brits dont need to be taxed more on fuel  Dan Wootton, The Sun

For Johnsons new voters, the betrayal starts now  Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian

>Yesterday:

Foreign aid overspending to be curbed with Foreign Office oversight, report suggests

Boris Johnson is poised to tighten up restrictions on overseas aid by bringing the Department for International Development under the direct control of the Foreign Office, a leaked memo has suggested. The dramatic change of tack would represent a bid by Mr Johnson to curb spending However, critics has suggested they would also serve to politicise Britains humanitarian assistance programme. Currently, country directors, who are responsible for allocating UK aid to regional projects, report directly to Dfid. However, in the memo, sent to senior staff, Downing Street said in future they would need to go through the British ambassador in each country, which would enable the Foreign Office to keep a tighter grip of the purse strings.  Daily Express

Fears that foreign aid could become tied to the UKs trade interests  The Guardian

Eustice says Brussels will have to fold on fishing

The EU will have to fold on fisheries under pressure from member states who export to the UK, the Environment Secretary has said. George Eustice, who was formerly Defra minister, said the European Union would be unwise to deny Britain its desire to become an independent coastal nation as it would risk a trade deal that would benefit numerous nations that do not require access to British waters. The member states that are quite dependent on access to our waters are France, the Normandy Fleet does have quite a lot of access, probably Ireland, to a lesser extent The Netherlands and Belgium, Mr Eustice told a House of Lords EU Energy and Environment sub-committee.  Daily Telegraph

Johnson will not rely on Merkel  Daily Express

Barnier warns of grave divisions on trade  The Times

Four rows that could sink EU trade deal  Daily Mail

>Yesterday: Stephen Booths column: We must not allow the EU to bind our hands in trade negotiations with other partners

as Bone calls for bank holiday to mark great democratic event on June 23

Conservative MP Peter Bone has called for Brexit to become a bank holiday as he introduced a bill on it in the House of Commons. Pro-Brexit Tory backbencher Peter Bone has led calls for a United Kingdom Day in June to celebrate Brexit, the Union and the Queen. His proposed bank holiday would fall on the Friday nearest to June 23  the date of the EU referendum in 2016  and could also mark the Queens birthday and coronation anniversary, both of which fall in June. The Wellingborough MP said an extra day off would boost workers productivity as there is a long gap between the late May and the late August bank holidays in England, Scotland and Wales.  Daily Express

>Yesterday: MPs Etc.: Full membership list of select committees

Johnson now wants to link Scotland and Northern Ireland by tunnel instead of bridge, says Jack

Boris Johnson now wants to build a tunnel to link Scotland and Northern Ireland  instead of a bridge, his Scottish Secretary has revealed. Alistair Jack said a tunnel is preferable because it would avoid two key problems with building a bridge. Experts had warned that a bridge would be hit with frequent closures due to high winds. And unexploded World War Two bombs dumped in an area in the Irish Sea known as Beauforts Dyke also poses a major stumbling block to building a bridge. Mr Jack said a tunnel would also be cheaper to build and said it could be completed by 2030. The Scotland Secretary said he and the PM are on exactly the same page.  The Sun

Project would strengthen the Union by joining the four home nations together  Daily Telegraph

Comment:

Scottish Tories have started to turn the tide in row over immigration  Alan Cochrane, Daily Telegraph

>Yesterday: Henry Hills Red, White, and Blue column: Could the Welsh Conservatives go into coalition with Plaid next year?

Johnson defends decision not to visit flood-hit areas

Boris Johnson has signalled he has no regrets about refusing to visit areas devastated by floods this year and claimed the emergency services advised him to stay away. The prime minister came under fire for heading to the governments country mansion at Chevening during half-term rather than visiting flood-hit areas. Pressed repeatedly on whether he feels now that was the wrong decision, Johnson made the claim that the fire services, Environment Agency and others had told him his presence would be counterproductive. He has previously taken the decision to visit flood-hit homes during the general election campaign and some of his ministers made repeated visits to devastated homeowners during the latest disaster.  The Guardian

Bailey unveils plans for crime crackdown

Families of murder victims will get extra help to fight for tougher jail sentences under a new plan from the Tory London Mayoral hopeful. Shaun Bailey will set up a new sentencing unit and tsar in City Hall in charge of helping families fight for justice. If he wins the Mayoral race in May, six members of staff will be moved from the Office for Policing and Crime to work with the families of the victims. They will look at sentences handed down to violent thugs and criminals and use the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme to challenge them. Members of the public will get support to challenge sentences for murder, rape, robbery, GBH and other sexual offences.  The Sun

>Today: Shaun Bailey in Local Government: I will put 40,000 police officers on the streets of London to make people safe

>Yesterday: Jay Singh-Sohal in Local Government: Its not just London. Knife crime is a huge problem in the West Midlands

Muslim council urges investigation into Conservative Party

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has renewed its call for an independent inquiry into accusations of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, accusing it of failing to act. In a letter to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the MCB accused the party of a reluctance to address what it said was a systemic problem. The Conservative Party said it takes a robust approach to discrimination. The commission said it was actively considering what action it might take. The EHRC  the UKs human rights watchdog  also said it was awaiting the final terms of reference of the partys independent review which we will consider as part of our decision making process.  BBC

300 allegations of Tory Islamophobia sent to equality watchdog  The Guardian

Labour faces claims members yet to receive leadership ballots

Labour is under pressure to step up its efforts to ensure party members receive their leadership ballots amid widespread reports of glitches. Several leadership and deputy leadership campaigns have told the Guardian their canvassers are picking up a large volume of party members still awaiting their ballot. The issue appears to be particularly acute for new members who joined the party after Decembers election, believed to number more than 100,000, who are being subjected to a verification process that involves checking their address against the electoral roll. Polling suggests this group, as well as those who joined before Jeremy Corbyn became leader, are less likely to support his preferred candidate, Rebecca Long-Bailey.  The Guardian

Brown backs Starmer for Labour leader  The Guardian

Housing fund favours London and the south, Labour claims  FT

Farage to launch a new party

Nigel Farages career is not over now that Brexit has been delivered as, according to Lord David Owen, the former MEP is set to launch a new party and start a different crusade against Westminster According to Lord David Owen, though, there is a different crusade that the Brexit Party leader will lead before attempting to take down the bloc When Mr Farage launched his general election campaign in November, he had announced that on top of Brexit, his party would have also pushed for voting reform, the abolition of the House of Lords in favour of an elected second chamber, and the creation of a written constitution.  Daily Express

Pay rise for MPs boosts salaries to over 80,000

MPs will receive a 3.1 per cent pay rise this year, bringing their salary above 80,000 for the first time. Parliaments standards watchdog said yesterday that the basic rate for MPs would increase from 79,468 to 81,932 next month. Senior MPs, such as ministers and select committee chairmen or women, will receive a salary top-up of an additional 16,422, up from 15,928. It follows a decision made in 2015 and confirmed in 2018 to adjust MPs pay at the same rate as public sector earnings. The staff members of MPs will also receive a salary boost, after a review found that they were underpaid compared with workers in other sectors. Each MP will receive more than 25,000 extra towards staffing budgets  equivalent to a 13 per cent rise. Two hundred MPs backed a campaign last spring to give their staff a bigger rise.  The Times

News in Brief:
Since the beginning of the day, pro-Kremlin armed gangs attacked Ukrainian forces in Donbas nine times. They used Minsk-banned weaponry, Joint Forces Operation HQ reports.

In Donetsk region, the enemy landed one attack in the area of Avdiivka. 82 mm mines hit Ukrainian emplacements there. The enemy also opened fire from mounted anti-tank grenade launchers, anti-tank missile launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms.

In the Luhansk region, Russian mercenaries landed eight attacks. They used a wide specter of weaponry, such as mortars of various calibers, 122 mm artillery, anti-tank missile launchers, mounted anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms. The enemy attacked Zaitsevo, Novotoshkivske, Novozvanivka, Orikhove, and Luhanske.

Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in combat.

Earlier, the Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Centre (JCCC) condemned the attacks of Russian mercenaries on Petrivske, Donetsk region. This is the area where the opposing forces should be disengaged, and thus it poses a grave violation of Minsk agreements. The HQ of the JCCC reported that on Thursday evening.

"In their daily report from March 4, 2020, the OSCE SMM claims that "in the night and early in the morning, the SMM video camera, located in Petrivske, captured two shells and eight cannon blasts on the distance about 0.5-1.5 km to the southwest from Petrivske (according to previous estimates, all attacks took place within the area of disengagement of forces", reads the message.

The staff also added that the said actions once again confirmed the unwillingness of Russia's armed formations to stop the armed conflict.
MOHALI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the dismissal of its plea on February 20 that upheld the Punjab governments notification to withdraw the investigation in the 2015 sacrilege cases from the central probe agency.

During the resumed hearing before the CBI special magistrate, Mohali, GS Sekhon, on Friday, the investigating agency told the court it had filed the review petition on March 5. The court was to hear the CBIs application to keep in abeyance the closure report in the three Bargari sacrilege cases.

The court deferred the hearing till April 1.

The Supreme Court had upheld the Punjab and Haryana high courts January 25 order. The high court had dismissed the petitions challenging consent by the Punjab government to withdraw investigation in the Bargari sacrilege cases from the CBI.

On July 4, 2019, the CBI filed a closure report, giving a clean chit to Dera Sacha Sauda followers Mohinder Pal Bittu, who was murdered in Nabha jail; Sukhjinder Singh, alias Sunny; and Shakti Singh, in the three cases of sacrilege. The cases are of the theft of a bir of Guru Granth Sahib from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village on June 1, 2015; putting up handwritten posters in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala on September 25; and torn pages of the bir found at Bargari on October 12, the same year.

The high court had dismissed the petition, saying the chain of events showed that the three cases are linked so the court does not feel the necessity to interfere in the decision of the state government to withdraw the investigation from the CBI or set aside consequent notifications.
China Pollution Mask Market Analysis & Trends  Industry Forecast to 2025 | TechSci Research

According to TechSci Research report, China Pollution Mask Market By Product Type (Disposable v/s Reusable), By Type (Foldable v/s Non-foldable), By Filter Type (Particulate Filter, Gas & Odor Filter, Grade Filter, Nasofilters, Combination Filter), By Particulate Matter (PM 0.3, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 10), By Standard Ratings (N95, N99, N100, P95, and P100), By Usage (Individual, Industrial/Commercial, Others), By Distribution Channel (Institutional/Direct Sales, Retail Sales, Others), By End Users (Kids v/s Adults), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025 the China pollution mask market is expected to grow at a formidable rate during the forecast period owing to the increasing air pollution in the country. Additionally, advancements in the pollution masks technologies in order to ensure better safety & protection are further expected to propel the market in the country. Also, the key manufacturers are making investments to bring about innovations in the existing pollution masks types and launching new varieties of masks. However, issues pertaining to allergens and allergic reactions arising due to masks can hamper the growth of market during the coming years. Additionally, risks associated with the materials that are used for manufacturing these masks can further restrict the growth of market during forecast period. Also, excessive heating and breathing difficulties attributable to these masks is anticipated to hamper the market growth in the coming years.

Browse XX market data Tables and XX Figures spread through XXX Pages and an in-depth TOC on

 China Pollution Mask Market

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/china-pollution-mask-market/4515.html

The China pollution mask market is segmented based on product type, type, filter type, particulate matter, standard ratings, usage, distribution channel, end users, company and regional distribution. Based on product type, the market can be divided into disposable and reusable. The reusable segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to the ease of changing the filters depending upon the type of pollutants. Based on standard ratings, the market can be fragmented into N95, N99, N100, P95 and P100. The N99 standard ratings segment is expected to dominate the market since these masks have higher filtration rate and can filter up to 99% of PM 2.5. Based on usage, the market can be categorized into individual, industrial/commercial and others. The individual usage segment is expected to dominate the market during the next five years. This can be accredited to the growing health concerns among the individuals pertaining to respiratory diseases. Furthermore, the sudden onset of the epidemic corona virus in the country is bolstering the demand for pollution masks in China.

The 3M Company, Honeywell China Co Ltd, Xiaomi Corporation, Respro, idMASK Co., Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser Household Products (China) Co. Ltd., Vogmask China, Totobobo and others are some of the leading players operating in China pollution mask market. The companies operating in the market are using organic strategies such as product launches, mergers and collaborations to boost their share.

China pollution mask market is to witness significant growth during the forecast period owing to the growing urbanization and booming automotive industry in the country. Additionally, the sudden onset of Corona virus in the country is expected to positively impact the growth of market during forecast period. This has both increased the demand and prices of pollution masks thereby benefitting the mask manufacturing companies and the market. said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

The China pollution mask market is segmented based on product type, type, filter type, particulate matter, standard ratings, usage, distribution channel, end users, company and regional distribution. Based on product type, the market can be divided into disposable and reusable. The reusable segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period on account of the rising awareness related to air borne diseases, rising healthcare expenditures along with rising disposable incomes, among others. Based on type, the market can be bifurcated into foldable and non-foldable. The foldable segment is expected to witness significant growth owing to the ease of use and growing customer preference for the foldable type of masks that are easy to carry.

Major players operating in the China pollution mask market include The 3M Company, Honeywell China Co Ltd, Xiaomi Corporation, Respro, idMASK Co., Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser Household Products (China) Co. Ltd., Vogmask China, Totobobo and others.

Download Sample Report @ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=4515

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: 2015-2018

Base Year: 2019

Estimated Year: 2020

Forecast Period: 20212025

Objective of the Study:

 To analyze and forecast the market size of China pollution mask market.

 To classify and forecast China pollution mask market based on product type, type, filter type, particulate matter, standard ratings, usage, distribution channel, end users, company and regional distribution.

 To identify drivers and challenges for China pollution mask market.

 To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in China pollution mask market.

 To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in China pollution mask market.

China Pollution Mask Market By Product Type (Disposable v/s Reusable), By Type (Foldable v/s Non-foldable), By Filter Type (Particulate Filter, Gas & Odor Filter, Grade Filter, Nasofilters, Combination Filter), By Particulate Matter (PM 0.3, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 10), By Standard Ratings (N95, N99, N100, P95, and P100), By Usage (Individual, Industrial/Commercial, Others), By Distribution Channel (Institutional/Direct Sales, Retail Sales, Others), By End Users (Kids v/s Adults), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025 has evaluated the future growth potential of China pollution mask market and provides statistics & information on market size, structure and future market growth. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in China pollution mask market.

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Xi Postpones Japan Visit Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

By VOA News March 05, 2020

Chinese President Xi Jinping is postponing a visit to Japan scheduled for next month as both countries deal with the outbreak of a new coronavirus that has infected 95,000 people in more than 75 countries.

Both Chinese and Japanese officials said Thursday Xi's trip would be postponed until a more appropriate time.

China is the center of the outbreak, and while its new cases have dwindled in recent weeks, it has experienced the biggest toll with 3,000 deaths and hits to its economy as officials shut down cities to try to contain the spread.

Japan has seen more than 1,000 cases, many of them involving a cruise ship that spent weeks docked in quarantine in Yokohama.

Attempts to stop virus

As the virus has reached other regions of the world, governments have scrambled to institute their own measures, including shutting schools, banning large gatherings and limiting visitors from other nations.

Italy has shut schools and universities until March 15, and is banning spectators at sporting events for the next month. It has been one of the hardest-hit areas outside of China with more than 3,000 people infected.

Saudi Arabia followed a ban on foreigners entering the country to participate in pilgrimages to Mecca by adding a new ban on its own citizens and residents of performing the ritual.

The neighboring United Arab Emirates on Thursday advised its citizens and residents not to travel anywhere outside the country during the coronavirus outbreak.

In the United States, the focus of the outbreak has been on the Western states of Washington and California.

Cruise ship awaits tests

Princess Cruises said the U.S. Coast Guard will use a helicopter Thursday to drop coronavirus testing kits so that a group of fewer than 100 crew and passengers can be screened while the Grand Princess ship sits off the California coast.

No one will be allowed to leave the ship until those tests come back, a measure being taken after health officials linked two cases to passengers who took a February cruise aboard the ship and later tested positive. A total of 11 deaths, including one of those passengers, have been reported in the U.S. from the virus.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, joining Washington, Florida and Hawaii.

All-out effort

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday he is concerned that in some countries "the level of political will does not match the level of the threat we face."

He said all countries must "educate their populations, to expand surveillance, to find, isolate and care for every case, to trace every contact, and to take an all-of-government and all-of-society approach."

The U.S. Senate is expected Thursday to pass an $8.3 billion spending bill to tackle the virus, including research on a vaccine, the purchase of test kits and treatments. Some of the money will also be used to fund international efforts to stop the virus.

The House of Representatives approved the measure Wednesday, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar presented the maiden budget of the Shiv-Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Legislative Assembly on Friday (March 6, 2020) and said that the losses incurred by the country due to the imposition of GST has affected the developments of the state.

In his budget speech, the Maharashtra finance minister informed that the total debt on the State till January 2020 is Rs 4,33,901 crore. The agriculture, health, education and women development received a major portion of the budget.

The farmers of Maharashtra were kept in concern in the Maha Vikas Aghadi's budget and a sum of Rs 9035 crore was allotted for the farmer's scheme. Pawar also announced that an amount of Rs 2 lakh will be deposited in bank accounts of farmers whose dues were more than Rs 2 lakh till September 30, 2019. In order to develop sugarcane farming in the state the government said that it will soon begin the system of drip irrigation farming in the state.

Giving the agriculture sector a major preference, Pawar said that solar pump will be installed in every village and scheme amounting to 10 crore rupees will be bought in the next five years. The irrigation department will also be provided Rs 10235 crore in the budget 2020-21.

Blaming the central government, Pawar said, ''Central government did not approve funds last year for farmers who faced crop loss due to rainfall. Center only approved around Rs 956 crores, so instead of waiting for the Center's help, we took the initiative to help farmers.''

The Devendra Fadnavis Jalyukt Shivar scheme was also replaced as by the Mukhya Mantri Jal Sadharan Yojana by the newly formed government in Maharashtra. Pawar also made the announcement of new airports to be set up in Solapur and Pune by the state government.

Rs 3254 was also allotted for agriculture, dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry. Maharashtra's Cooperative department also received an amount of Rs 7995 crore in the budget presentation by Maha Vikas Aghadi.

The Health sector received Rs 5000 crore and Rs 2500 was announced for medical education facility. The Uddhav Thackrey led government also announced that 4 schools will be opened in every Tehsil and nearly 1115 crore Adarsh school will be made in the coming four years.

The government has allocated Rs 5 crore rupees for establishing Mumbai Marathi library in order to promote the regional language.

Keeping the unemployment in concern, the Maharashtra government announced that a scheme will be launched for the unemployed of the year age group 21 to 28.

All districts in the state will have one women police station having only women police officers, said Pawar to ensure women safety in the state.

On the infrastructural front, a 170-km ring road has been proposed at Pune. "We will start land acquisition and complete it in four years. Maharashtra will only pay for land acquisition whereas the construction cost will be borne by Centre," said Pawar. He said that all roads leading up to major markets in every city in Maharashtra will be revamped, and an amount of 1,000 crore has been proposed for this.

The government made a provision of Rs 150 crore for the subsidised food scheme for the poor and said that the government has set a target of feeding one lakh people through its 'Shiv Bhojan' meal scheme.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the security of the Jammu airport on Friday with the deployment of around 300 personnel, officials said.

On February 26, the central force had similarly been inducted to guard the Srinagar airport in Jammu-Kashmir.

While the induction of the force at the two airports in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh in Ladakh was decided long back, the process was expedited after J-K Police DySP Davinder Singh was arrested on January 11 ferrying three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to Chandigarh.

The security of the Leh airport will also be taken over by the CISF soon.

DySP Singh's alleged links with terrorists had raised concerns over the security of these sensitive civil aviation facilities that fall in the Union Territories (UTs) of J-K and Ladakh, which border Pakistan and China respectively.

Jammu airport director P R Beuria handed over a ceremonial key to CISF Commandant Gurjit Singh to mark the event.

The Airport Authority of India-operated airport was till now being guarded by the JK Police and the CRPF.

Around 300 troops, in shifts, will provide a 24x7 armed cover to the facility and will frisk passengers at the gate, followed by comprehensive checks ahead of boarding a flight.

The troops are armed with assault rifles like the AK series and the INSAS, and will man the airport perimeter from watch towers erected at vantage positions, the officials said.

The CISF will provide a "comprehensive anti-terror cover to the facility" and a commandant-rank officer will head the unit at the Jammu airport, a senior official said.

With this induction, the force now has 63 airports under its cover in the country.

The 1.62-lakh personnel strong paramilitary force is designated as the national civil aviation security force.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first patient diagnosed with the coronavirus in Oregon remains in the hospital, six days after public officials announced his diagnosis.

Officials havent identified that first patient other than to say he was employed at Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego but had little contact with students there. He has been hospitalized at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro for at least six days; health officials have not identified how he was exposed to the virus.

Kaiser Permanente spokesman Mike Foley said Thursday that the patient remains hospitalized but declined to comment on the patients condition. He referred questions to the Oregon Health Authority, which said it could not immediately comment.

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On Thursday, the Portland Tribune reported that Oregons first coronavirus patient first visited the emergency room with flulike symptoms on Feb. 22, six days before he tested positive for the coronavirus. That means the patient has now been ill for at least 12 days.

At that time there were no recognized cases of coronavirus in Oregon and tests for the virus were not widely available. A Kaiser nurse told the Tribune that there was no evidence the patient had been exposed to the coronavirus and so he was sent home.

Kaiser Permanente subsequently quarantined dozens of staff who may have had contact with the patient before the hospital realized he had been infected with the coronavirus.

A family member of the first patient was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and was isolated at their Washington County home. Health authorities identified that person as an adult who did not require immediate attention.

A third Oregonian has subsequently been diagnosed with COVID-19, a casino worker from Umatilla County. That patient was hospitalized Saturday in Walla Walla, Washington.

Nationally, 210 people have tested positive for the virus and 12 have died  nearly all of them in the Puget Sound region. No Oregon deaths have been linked to the coronavirus.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
The Duchess of Sussex mimicked a jazz singer's holgram pose as she made a secret visit to the National Theatre in London yesterday.

Meghan Markle stood in front of a hologram of jazz singer Nubiya Brandon, which was featured in the National Theatre's exhibition All Kinds of Limbo.

The Immersive Storytelling Studio uses emerging technology like Virtual Reality to develop new forms of emotive storytelling.

This holographic performance, featuring Brandon, takes viewers through the genres of reggae, grime, classical and calypso.

American former actress Meghan wore a 29 organza puff-sleeved blouse from Topshop as she visited the South Bank theatre.

The duchess is pictured here with a hologram of singer Nubiya Brandon, which was featured in the National's exhibition All Kinds of Limbo. Meghan appears to be adopting a similar pose to the hologram

Meghan wore a organza puff-sleeved blouse from Topshop at the National Theatre yesterday

The Duchess of Sussex laughs during a visit to the National Theatre in London yesterday

The Duchess also wore a white bodycon pencil skirt, small gold hoop earrings and Sophie Lis love pendant for her trip to the Theatre, where she is patron.

Meghan later joined her husband Prince Harry at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on their first joint royal engagement since the Megxit crisis began.

The Duchess will stay on as patron despite moving to Canada, with bosses confident she will remain 'engaged' as they continue working with her and her 'star reach'.

Artistic director Rufus Norris said last month theatre chiefs were not told in advance of her plans to move - but she 'understands the nature of what we're trying to do'.

Mr Norris was seen with Meghan - was made a patron of the National Theatre in January 2019 - shortly before her move to Canada was announced.

American former actress Meghan visited the National Theatre yesterday in her role as patron

The Duchess visited the Southbank theatre's Immersive Storytelling Studio yesterday

Meghan speaks to National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris during her visit yesterday

At the same time Meghan become the Theatre patron, she also took on roles with The Mayhew, Smart Works and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Meghan at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London yesterday

Last month, top West End producer Nica Burns told the Daily Mail that the Duchess may only have until Easter to prove her mettle as patron of the Theatre.

Mr Burns, who co-owns The Nimax Group which comprises six London West End theatres including The Palace, the Apollo and the Vaudeville, has said that the Duchess should not hold the position indefinitely.

'I think we should give Meghan until Easter to be able to say what she thinks is possible with her patronage,' Ms Burns said at a fundraising gala for the King's Head 50th anniversary.

'We have to give her a chance, forget who she is, and give her some space.

'If she is not going to be doing any work with The National then she should step down, but as she is a role model we would rather she didn't.'

Earlier yesterday, Meghan was seen back in the UK for the first time since Megxit as she left the exclusive Goring Hotel - the Queen's favourite restaurant.

Her Majesty annually visits the five-star luxury hotel - located next to Buckingham Palace, with exclusive dining rooms and frequented by royals and celebrities alike.

Prince Harry and Meghan at Mansion House in London for last night's Endeavour Fund Awards

The Duchess of Sussex leaves London's National Theatre after a previous visit on January 8

Meghan wore a camel coat and 615 Aquazzura black heels and smiled as she left the London hotel yesterday, where rooms cost up to 8,400 a night.

Her husband Harry was also spotted leaving the hotel just moments earlier as a member of the concierge team held an umbrella over his head in the rain.

It is understood the couple were at the hotel for a private lunch but did not stay there. Instead they will be residing at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan and Harry, who are thought to have left their nine-month-old baby Archie in Canada, later attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London.

Meghan will stay on as patron of the National Theatre, which is on London's Southbank (file)

The Duchess of Sussex is shown around the National Theatre in London in January 2019

The annual event celebrates the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges.

The evening marked the first joint official royal engagement by the Duke and Duchess since revealing that they would step down from royal duties on March 31.

The Goring is a long-time favourite of the royals, with the Duchess of Cambridge staying in its Royal Suite on the night before her wedding to William in 2011.

Harry waved to well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace on Wednesday as he was driven away in a Range Rover after a series of internal meetings with his team.

National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris has said that bosses were not told in advance of Meghan's plans to move - but she 'understands the nature of what we're trying to do'

Prince Harry and Formula One world champion driver Lewis Hamilton talks to children at the Silverstone Experience in Northamptonshire today as the Duke officially opens the museum

It came after they had a 'heart to heart' for four hours in her private apartments at Windsor Castle on Sunday about his imminent departure from the Royal Family .

Countdown to Megxit: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's final three events before they step down as senior royals Tomorrow: Mountbatten Music Festival (Harry and Meghan) Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, which see the Royal Marines showcase their musicianship and pageantry. The Duke of Sussex at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2019 The festival takes places over two days - today and tomorrow - at the venue in London, with the couple expected to attend tomorrow evening's performance. This event will also be Harry's last engagement as Captain-General of the Royal Marines, before he loses this title as he steps down as a senior royal. Sunday: International Women's Day (Meghan) Meghan is expected to undertake an engagement to mark International Women's Day on March 8, although no specifics have yet been revealed. Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day last year, she said she would like her first child to be a feminist, regardless of whether they are a girl or a boy. Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day, Meghan said she had recently been watching a documentary on feminism. She told an audience at King's College London last March: 'One of the things they said during pregnancy was 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism'.' Next Monday: Commonwealth Service (Harry and Meghan) Harry and Meghan will both attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey the next day with the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family. Earlier this month it was revealed that the Queen had requested that Harry and Meghan attend the annual service with the rest of the royals. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (left) with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right) as they attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 11 last year The event will likely see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reunite with Prince William and Kate, a year after they were pictured smiling together at the 2019 service. But the Sussexes have severed professional ties with the Cambridges by pulling out of the Kensington Palace household and their joint charitable foundation. Advertisement

Harry is said to have requested the meeting, and the Queen - who last saw her grandson during their showdown at Sandringham in January after Harry broke the news that he and Meghan were quitting - was happy to agree.

The Queen is believed to have told her grandson that she was keen to keep the door open for him and Meghan to return and stressed that he would be welcomed back from Canada at any time.

Harry, who has always enjoyed a warm relationship with his grandmother, was apparently keen to 'clear the air' before he and Meghan formally step down as working royals on March 31.

He has been staying at Frogmore Cottage, the couple's home on the Queen's Windsor estate, since returning to the UK last week to undertake a handful of final official engagements.

He and Meghan have agreed to pay back 2.4million in taxpayer funds used to rebuild the property in light of their decision to relocate to North America.

It is understood that he and his grandmother shared a light lunch and tea on Sunday as they discussed his future.

The Queen was left deeply upset after Harry and Meghan decided to suddenly announce their plans to step down and move abroad in early January in an apparent effort to bounce the Royal Family into agreeing to their demands to retain the trappings of royal life, while pursuing independent commercial careers.

And the couple were taken aback when Buckingham Palace made clear its displeasure and insisted that Harry would have to relinquish his HRH title as a non working royal and hand back their official patronages and his military positions, as well as dropping their plans to market themselves as 'Sussex Royal'.

The Queen is said to be 'very sad' that she sees so little of Harry and Meghan's son Archie, her great-grandson.

The meeting at the weekend was said to have been 'productive and positive'. One source said Harry was seen leaving 'deep in thought'.

But the couple have decided to leave Archie in Canada, meaning his British family haven't seen him for more than four months.

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

'It's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive,' she added. Meghan told presenter Tom Bradby: 'Not many people have asked if I'm OK.'

The Sussexes attended the previous annual Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony in February 2019, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie.

They were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

A summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

The Duke and Duchess were pictured leaving the exclusive Goring Hotel in London (file image)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured at Canada House in London during what was their last official royal engagement on January 7

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

Today, Harry joined Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience, a museum about British motor racing.

Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow and the following day Meghan will mark International Women's Day.

The duke and duchess will join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on Monday, their last official appearance as HRHs.
The enemy did not attack Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on March 6.

Russia's hybrid military forces on March 5 mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with three Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action.

"Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire 10 times on March 5," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on March 6. "Three members of Joint Forces were wounded amid enemy shelling."

The enemy opened fire, employing proscribed 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.

Read alsoOSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama calls on Russia to implement Minsk accords

Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Zaitseve, Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Novozvanivka, and Luhanske.

In addition, the enemy again provocatively shelled disengagement site No. 3, using small arms. There were no casualties. The Ukrainian military did not fire back, thus adhering to the ceasefire.

The enemy did not attack Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on March 6.
Arms looped under an umbrella, eyes locked and grinning from ear-to-ear, the rain around them lit up like a shower of diamonds by the paparazzi flashbulbs - in the flurry of pictures capturing Harry and Meghan's comeback moment after announcing their exit from senior royal duties , one shot has been shared more widely than most.

Captured by photographer Samir Hussein as the couple arrived at The Endeavour Awards on Thursday night - their first joint engagement since their bombshell announcement in early January - the picture's instantly historical quality draws parallels with Diana's 'Revenge Dress' outing in June 1994, when the Princess stepped out in the wake of her estranged husband Prince Charles' admission of infidelity. 

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Whether you view Harry and Meghan's break from The Firm as a brave and necessary move or a have-their-cake-and-eat-it strop, the couple's ability to dazzle (or the 'Markle sparkle') is uncontested.

Getty Images

Life in Canada clearly suits the Duchess, who looked radiant in a simple sky blue Victoria Beckham dress, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Harry, meanwhile, looked sharp in a midnight-blue suit, staying close to his wife as they stepped from the car.

AP

Unlike Will and Kate, who rarely hold hands at official engagements, the Sussexes are fluent in their public displays of affection - more loved-up Hollywood stars than royalty.

The body language of the shot has an us-against-the-world feel to it, something Harry and Meghan have projected in previous official photographs.

The first Christmas card the couple released after their marriage featured them in black and white on their wedding day, backs to the camera as they watched a firework display - a protective glimpse of a private moment.

Getty Images

Subconsciously or not, they also appear to enjoy the symbolism of shared umbrella. On their royal tour of Australia in October 2018, the Duchess lovingly held one for Harry as he gave a speech.

The pair were also captured huddling together - eyes locked - as the downpour continued.

getty images

Despite the turbulence of the past few months, you don't need to be a body language expert to see the message is one of a strong united front. This is a couple walking in lock-step - both literally and figuratively.

As Harry put it earlier this year, clearly insulted by claims he is being 'controlled' by his wife, "I know you've come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she's the same woman I fell in love with."

The picture's photographer Samir Hussein on capturing Harry and Meghan

Arriving at the engagement my hopes were not high - it was pouring down with rain which can be very tricky when shooting flash photography and also meant Harry and Meghan would be under an umbrella which usually means it's hard to get clean photos of the couple. Little did I know these elements would come together so spectacularly to produce a timeless image of the couple.

After speaking to Harry and Meghan's press officer, I learned they would be dropped off short of the entrance to Mansion House and walk around 10 meters before entering the event. I positioned myself in the official photographer's pen in the best line possible to capture the couple head on.

As they walked towards me, I noticed a flash going off from a camera in the crowd behind them. I knew that if that light could be lined up to be right behind as they walked then it could create a dramatic photo, acting like a back light in a studio shot. I managed to manoeuvre myself to line up the flash behind them and then had to work quickly, with just a second or two to get the shot, as they smiled at each other.

Immediately, I downloaded the photos onto my laptop and that image jumped straight out at me. I held my breath as I zoomed in to check if it was sharp (with the rain pouring and many flashes firing, it's easy to end up with soft images). Thankfully, it was sharp and I knew I had a truly special shot.

I've photographed the royals for over 12 years, but this photo really resonates. I've taken many photos I'm really proud of, but in terms of the huge interest in the subjects and the response I've had this is probably the most iconic photo I've taken.

It's a one in a million when all the elements you could wish for as a photographer come together - perfect timing, great lighting, strong symbolism and amazing subjects make this a magical photo I am extremely proud of.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

Trend:

The traffic police officers accompany the drivers of vehicles transporting transit cargo through Azerbaijan, Trend reports on March 6 referring to the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry.

"After outbreak of coronavirus in neighboring countries, the movement of freight vehicles entering Azerbaijan from these countries, including from Iran, is controlled by police officers upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs order," the statement said.

"As a result of tightening the control over the transportation of transit goods through Azerbaijan, the police officers will control the process as long as the vehicles are within the country," the statement said. "The drivers outside their vehicles may rest only in the special places."

"While having a rest in special places, drivers are provided with food at the expense of the Interior Ministry," the statement said. "Special prayer rooms and rooms for medical check-up have been created there."

"After the rest, drivers, accompanied by traffic police officers, continue their trips," the statement said. "They are not allowed to communicate with local citizens throughout the movement and stop vehicles outside the schedule with the exception of emergency situations."

Azerbaijan remains one of the countries, least affected by the rapidly spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The country's official structures are applying necessary measures to prevent any possible exposure of coronavirus. Azerbaijan has also imported necessary medical equipment to carry out coronavirus tests.



Member of the Operational Headquarters created under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers in connection with coronavirus Yagut Garayeva said on March 5 that at least 500 people have been quarantined in the country.



Until now, no deaths from the disease have been recorded in the country.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday the plea of BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking immediate direction to Centre to implement Law Commission's report on

The prepared the report in 2017 on the direction of Supreme Court.

Upadhyay had on February 27 filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court seeking its immediate direction to implement the Law Commission's report on alleged hate and inflammatory speech.

In 2017, the defined hate and inflammatory speech and suggested the addition of Section 153-C and 505-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), on the direction of Supreme Court.

Upadhyay filed this PIL under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking a writ, order or direction or a writ in the nature of mandamus to take apposite steps to implement the recommendations of Report No-267 on

The cause of action accrued on March 23, 2017 and subsequent dates, when Law Commission of India submitted its Report No 267 to curtail But, governments did nothing to implement the recommendations till date, the plea stated.

It further mentioned that the injury caused to the public is large because hate speech severely affects fraternity, dignity of individual, unity and integration. Hate speech has potential of provoking individuals and society to commit acts of terrorism, genocides, ethnic cleansing etc.

"Offensive speech has real and devastating effects on people's lives and risks their health and safety. It is harmful and divisive for communities and hampers social progress. Hate speech also offends fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 and 21," the plea stated.
By David Randall

NEW YORK, March 6 (Reuters) - Uncertainty over the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak has prompted at least some winners of the U.S. Lipper Fund Awards to look for companies that can withstand a prolonged pullback.

U.S. stocks are down sharply from the record highs they reached in late February as companies ranging from Apple Inc to Tesla Inc warn investors their supply chains and revenues could be derailed by the rapidly spreading virus known as COVID-19.

As a result, fund managers from firms including Wells Fargo , GMO, Madison Investors and Needham & Company say they are looking at companies in the healthcare, technology and financial services sectors which could continue to gain market share regardless of any economic disruptions from the outbreak.

"We felt that we were due for a correction, we just didn't know what would trigger it, and when it would begin," said Chris Retzler, portfolio manager of the Needham Small Cap Growth fund.

"I don't know how low we go and how long we stay there, but I still remain firmly of the belief that we are in a bull market," said Retzler, adding that he was actively adding to companies during the market sell-off.

Retzler is focusing his portfolio on companies that can benefit from the growth of 5G communications, military modernization and data security, among other areas.

He also remains bullish on healthcare companies, which saw share prices decline earlier this year on concerns that Bernie Sanders, a self-avowed democratic socialist senator from Vermont, could win the Democratic presidential nomination and push a Medicare for All plan.

"We have healthcare investments where we think that names are misunderstood, and we think the opportunities are great but are taking a little bit longer to excite investors," Retzler said.

Mike Smith, portfolio manager of the Wells Fargo Endeavor Select fund, said he reserves a portion of his portfolio to focus on companies with compelling valuations and has been more active in the last week about adding to healthcare and technology names.

Among the more recent additions to his portfolio is DexCom Inc, a medical device company that makes continuous monitoring devices for patients with diabetes. Shares of the company are up nearly 32% for the year to date through March 5, while the broad S&P 500 is down slightly more than 5% over the same time.

Story continues

"We're trying to find those companies that are impervious to what's going on right now," Smith said.

Matt Hayner, portfolio manager of the Madison Investors fund, began buying shares of Becton Dickinson and Co, a maker of medical supplies and devices, in January. The company, whose shares have dropped about 11% year to date, now represents about 4% of Hayner's portfolio.

"Even in the face of economic disruption, people will still need healthcare and maybe even more so with a disease traversing the globe that ultimately hospitalizes people," he said.

NEW 'QUALITY' STOCKS

The annual Lipper Fund Awards granted by Refinitiv, formerly the financial and risk business of Thomson Reuters, recognize the top funds and fund management firms in more than 20 countries based on risk-adjusted returns. Winners were announced on March 5 in New York.

The market risks from the coronavirus outbreak should "burn themselves out" within the next two quarters, setting up a rebound in the shares of companies that have seen sharp declines, said Tom Hancock, portfolio manager of the GMO Quality fund.

Hancock added a new position in a healthcare company to his portfolio last week and built up a new position in ride-hailing firm Lyft Inc over the last two quarters after the company's "broken" initial public offering left its shares trading at an attractive valuation, he said.

Hancock is now focused on companies that can grow regardless of the economic impact of the coronavirus, he said.

"We still have concerns that are stopping us from going out and buying absolutely everything," Hancock said.

He said he was focusing on giant technology companies like Google-parent Alphabet Inc and Apple Inc which have what he called "natural monopolies." Shares of both companies are down about 5% over the last month.

"If you say high quality stocks, people think of names like Procter and Gamble and Pfizer," Hancock said. "But we think the new quality stocks are the technology stocks that have very low capital requirements and operate winner-take-all business models." (Reporting by David Randall; Editing by Lauren Young and Tom Brown)
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati has turned down an invitation from the BBC to attend an awards function for Indian sportswomen, citing the British broadcaster's "one-sided" reporting on the Delhi violence.

Vempati had been invited for the BBC's Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony due to be held in New Delhi on March 8.

"I must respectfully decline the invitation in view of the recent coverage of the BBC of certain incidents of violence in Delhi," Vempati said in his letter to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Director General Tony Hall.

"As a fellow public broadcaster of global repute, it is dismaying that the BBC has filed such a singularly one-sided version of the incidents of violence in Delhi which rather than help break the cycle of violence has only contributed to further vitiating the atmosphere while insinuating the brave men and women in uniform who are charged with the onerous responsibility of maintaining law and order," he wrote in the letter dated March 4.

In the said report certain visuals have been shown of the Delhi Police without context to insinuate communal behaviour, he added.

Unfortunately, nowhere in the entire report have the BBC journalists mentioned the murderous assault on the men in uniform by a mob which resulted in the death of a head constable in the line of duty and also resulted in the fatal injuries received by a deputy commissioner of police in uniform, the Prasar Bharati CEO said.

The report was also "damningly silent" on the murder of an Intelligence Bureau official.

"BBC and Prasar Bharati must respect the sovereignty of the nations we primarily serve even as we collaborate beyond borders on multilateral fora for the greater global good," Vempati said.

"I hope the BBC would review its editorial views on reports of this nature in line with this spirit," he said.
Senator Mitt Romney (R., Utah) said Friday that he would support Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R., Wis.) in his plan to subpoena a witness as part of a probe into Burisma and the Bidens.

Senator Romney has expressed his concerns to Chairman Johnson, who has confirmed that any interview of the witness would occur in a closed setting without a hearing or public spectacle, Liz Johnson, Romneys communications director, said in an emailed statement to National Review. He will therefore vote to let the Chairman proceed to obtain the documents that have been offered.

Romney previously raised concerns over the situation, which Johnson has said is simply to let the American people see what this possible corruption is, telling reporters Thursday that the probe appears political.

Theres no question that the appearance of looking into Burisima and Hunter Biden appears political. I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations, Romney told reporters, and said he had to meet with Johnson before deciding on his vote.

With Romneys approval, Johnsons plan to subpoena a former Ukrainian embassy official who consulted for the Washington-based Blue Star Strategies  a firm Burisma hired to combat accusations of corruption within the energy company  will likely proceed.

As part of the committees ongoing investigation, it has received U.S. government records indicating that Blue Star sought to leverage Hunter Bidens role as a board member of Burisma to gain access to, and potentially influence matters at, the State Department, Johnson wrote to announce his intentions on Sunday.

Johnson, who said Thursday that he had begun inquiring about the situation in 2017, said Wednesday that he had come across a Blue Star document which describes a misinformation campaign against Ukrainian prosecutor Victor Shokin, who Joe Biden bragged about getting fired.

More from National Review
Jeff Bezos is the richest person alive, now worth $119 billion. He built an online bookseller into e-commerce giant Amazon, with a current market cap of nearly $947 billion. It took hard work and ingenuity, but it also takes something else to be successful, according to Bezos: luck.

"I feel very strongly that I've won a lot of lotteries," Bezos said at the Bush Center's Forum on Leadership in 2018.

"Amazon is one of the lotteries I won."

Another? Having a great support system.

"I think one of the precursors of being able to take risk is to have some kind of support from somebody," he said. "You have to have some mentors, you have to have somebody that loves you. These are the kind of things that build up and allow you to jump off into uncharted terrain and do something new, because you know you have a support system."

In Bezos' case, he said, "I had a big lottery with my parents."

Despite being a divorced, teenage mom, Bezos' mother Jackie "made it work." "Her parents, my grandparents, helped her and made that all work," Bezos said at the Bush Center in 2018. Mike Bezos, the man who raised him (Bezos' biological father left when he was a baby), is "a great guy," Bezos said. "My dad is a Cuban immigrant. He came here when he was 16 years old. He didn't speak any English."

And Bezos' parents believed in their son. They invested $245,573 in Amazon in 1995, according to a 1997 prospectus.

"If you don't get that kind of support somehow  it doesn't have to be your parents, sometimes people get lucky and it's the grandparent, or a friend, or a family friend, or a teacher. But you need that. Somebody has to step into your life."

Bezos isn't the only billionaire who acknowledges the role luck plays in success.

Mark Zuckerberg has said his family's financial and other support is a big part of what allowed him to found Facebook.

"The greatest successes come from having the freedom to fail," Zuckerberg said in a Harvard University commencement speech in 2017. "If ... I didn't know I'd be fine if Facebook didn't work out, I wouldn't be standing here today."

"If we're honest, we all know how much luck we've had," he said.

And Warren Buffett often says he won the "ovarian lottery."

"The womb from which you emerge determines your fate to an enormous degree for most of the seven billion people in the world," Buffett told journalist Rebecca Jarvis in 2013.

Buffett said that he and Charlie Munger were born "wired in a certain way," at the 1997 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting, "which we had nothing to do with, [and] that happens to enable us to be good at valuing businesses."

"And, you know, is that the greatest talent in the world? No. It just happens to be something that pays off like crazy in this system."

Check out: The best credit cards of 2021 could earn you over $1,000 in 5 years

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A man accused of sexually assaulting four girls in a Leinster creche told a colleague he was devastated after the allegations were made against him, his trial has heard.

The 29-year-old man cried in court today when his former colleague gave evidence saying he looked very upset and had become very skinny in the years since she last saw him.

The woman also cried as she told the the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial that the man was generous with the children and came up with activities that other staff members didn't think of doing.

We all had great fun, she said through her tears.

The woman worked closely with the man and had been friendly with him but has not been in contact with him since he was charged, the court heard.

She said she last contacted him shortly after the allegations emerged, when she sent him a text saying she hoped he was okay. I'm devastated, he replied, the court heard.

The man is accused of 23 counts of sexually assaulting four girls at a creche on dates between February 2015 and December 2016, when they were aged between five and eight years old. The offences are alleged to have taken place in various locations within the creche and on the creche bus.

He denies the charges. No parties in the case can be named to protect the identity of the complainants.

The woman told Sean Guerin SC, defending, that she worked in the room next door to the man's after school room, that the door was open all day and that she and the man tended to sit close to each other's doors.

She said she never had any suspicions about the man. She said the four complainants wouldn't have much interaction with him, particularly the younger two complainants as they would spend very little time under his care.

The woman told the court that from her room, she was able to see the book corner in the man's room.

Under further questioning from Orla Crowe SC, prosecuting, the woman agreed that she could not see all of the book corner and that a section of it was not visible to her. Some of the offences are alleged to have taken place in the book corner.

She said she didn't think the creche was an easy place for the man to work as it could be quite sexist. She said he would be asked to do things like fix a broken light, even though he had no electrical experience.

She said he didn't feel comfortable changing the nappies of the younger children who were occasionally under his care, and the court heard there was an unspoken arrangement that he didn't do nappy changes.

Four other former colleagues of the man gave evidence today. Most of them recalled being shocked and surprised upon learning of the allegations.

'Gentleman'

One supervisor in the creche said she always found the man to be a gentleman, and that the children and parents were all very fond of him.

Another supervisor told the defence that she once overheard the man telling the creche manager he wasn't comfortable doing the creche bus runs on his own.

One woman said the man was brilliant with the kids, while another former colleague said the after-school group had a good relationship with him.

The trial continues on Monday before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women.
Staff at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, checks doctors with novel coronavirus symptoms at a screening facility, Friday. /Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



The government is on high alert over the soaring number of COVID-19 infections at medical institutions and nursing homes, as it struggles to identify the vector for the spread of the virus, officials said Friday. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 309 new cases as of 9 p.m. Friday, bringing the nation's total number of infections to 6,593.



On Thursday alone, Korea reported 518 new cases.



Among the 518, 69 percent of the confirmed cases were linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, the epicenter of the virus outbreak here, while 49 new cases have been identified stemming from the Pureun Nursing Home in Bonghwa, a long-term care facility in North Gyeongsang Province.



With the latest infections occurring at medical facilities, health officials in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, said a general hospital in the city has temporarily halted operations after eight staff members and patients there were diagnosed with COVID-19.



The health authorities have not yet discovered the exact route of the spread of the virus to the hospital, but said a 77-year-old woman who visited the emergency center there Sunday with pneumonia symptoms seems likely to have been infected and may have inadvertently infected staff. Virus outbreaks at medical facilities are particularly dangerous as many patients there have compromised immune systems.



The KCDC said that 44 people, mostly elderly patients with underlying diseases, have so far died from the virus. One more fatality, an 80-year-old man with diabetes, was reported in Daegu, but that was not included in the official update.



A mass outbreak of the coronavirus at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province has also been the focus of grave concern, as 118 cases and seven resulting deaths have been confirmed there.



Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul had to halt operation after an employee was infected with the highly contagious virus. Another 14 infections are said to have followed. The KCDC said the hospital will resume operating next week, if the 2,700 people there, including doctors and nurses, test negative for the virus.



The Milal Love House, a facility for people with physical disabilities, in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, reported 24 confirmed cases after its first infection Feb. 24. The KCDC said it has placed all people who may have been exposed in quarantine.



Earlier, Asiad Hospital, a nursing hospital in Busan, also said that two staff members were infected, although the remaining 300 employees and patients have all tested negative for the virus.



"The health authorities are closely watching the situation in Gyeongsan, as the government designated the region the nation's third special care zone. The central government will provide more medical resources and staff to this and other zones," said KCDC director Jung Eun-kyeong during a regular press briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong.



Meanwhile, the Community Chest of Korea (CCK) said Friday that it has decided to return 12 billion ($10.1 million) won donated by the Shincheonji Church to support anti-virus efforts. The church made the donation as part of an apology for its part in spreading the virus in Korea, however the CCK said that it will return the money due to the intense and widespread public anger regarding the religious sect.


London, March 6 : Meghan Markle has returned to the UK and was seen for the first time at a public event with her husband, the UK's Prince Harry, since the couple announced that they were stepping back from royal life, a media report said.

On Thursday night, the couple arrived at an awards ceremony in here clutching an umbrella in the pouring rain to celebrate the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges, the Metro newspaper said in the report.

Thursday's appearance by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is one of their last official engagements together before they quit royal life.

Their decision to step down as senior royals will take effect on March 31.

Around 50 people braved the rain to get a glimpse of the royal couple, cheering and applauding as they walked by while one person briefly booed, according to the report.

The couple were earlier spotted at Buckingham Palace during the day, and then photographed outside the Goring Hotel in Westminster after a private lunch.

A spokeswoman for the couple said: "In addition to the official engagements the duke and duchess are conducting over the course of the next few days, they are also meeting privately with several of their patronages." Meanwhile, the Buckingham Palace declined to comment as to whether the Queen, who was carrying out audiences at her London residence on Thursday, met Harry and Meghan.

The couple will then attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, and Meghan will mark International Women's Day.

They will join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on March 9, their last official appearance as royals.

The Sussexes were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.
India has reported 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Iran, Italy and South Korea are among the worst affected countries outside of China.

New Delhi: Paytm has shut its Gurugram office for up to a fortnight after one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus, the company said, as it looked to contain the spread of infection to other employees.

On Wednesday, Paytm had said one of its employee in Gurugramwho recently returned from a vacation in Italytested positive for novel coronavirus. It had also advised employees to work from home for the next couple of days.

"We are closely working with the health authorities to take preventive measures to ensure the safety of our colleagues. Our Gurgaon office will remain closed for up to 15 days while Noida offices will be operational from Monday onwards," a Paytm spokesperson said in an emailed query

Paytm has advised its staff to take the necessary precautions and inform the company if they require medical attention, the spokesperson added.

India has reported 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The number of global COVID-19 cases have reached more than 90,000 across 66 countries, with over 3,000 deaths since it originated in the Chinese city Wuhan.

Iran, Italy and South Korea are among the worst affected countries outside of China.

The government has stepped up efforts to contain the situation.

Primary classes of all schools in the national capital will remain closed till March 31 to prevent a possibility of spread of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Thursday.

Harshvendra Soin, Chief People Officer at Tech Mahindra, said the company has issued a detailed employee advisory and is undertaking various preventive measures.

"We have mobilised a panel of doctors on standby across all locations who are educating employees, sharing information, do's and don'ts etc. Restrictions have been imposed on domestic and international travel with immediate effect," Soin added.

He said the company has postponed all internal events which required large gatherings and everyone has been advised to adequately leverage technologies like  telepresence and video conferencing.

"In case of COVID-19 symptoms, employees are being asked to avail work from home as well. All our office locations and guest houses are also being stocked with adequate supplies of sanitizers, emergency medicines, food ration etc," he said.

Electronics industry body MAIT has also postponed its Electronics Manufacturing Summit slated for 6 March here.

"Electronic Manufacturing Summit stands postponed due to widespread coronavirus in China, preventing supply chain heads of key US and Chinese electronic hardware companies to make it to the event," it said in a note.

Peter Quinlan, Vice President of Unified Communications and Collaboration Product Management at Tata Communications said while the company has introduced certain travel restrictions in the current scenario, its employees are leveraging chat, voice, video and collaboration tools to get their jobs done.

Anshul Sushil, founder and CEO of Wizikey, said with COVID-19 hitting Delhi-NCR, 80 percent of its teams working from home.

"We are providing them with masks and sanitisers on every desk...Also, we are conducting body-temperature check in the morning for all our employees. The health of the employees is the core of any organisation, especially startups," Sushil said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 03:51:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ISTANBUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, who have previously moved to Turkey due to economic struggles and security problems in their country, now have dreams about Europe.

After Turkey opened its border gates to Europe for refugees last week, many Afghans filled Turkey's northwestern border province of Edirne to make their way into Greece and then proceed to other European countries.

Yasin Akgul, a journalist in the region, said that the Afghans came from many locations across the country, "taking a few of their belongings with them."

Coming from Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, Ezatullah Ahmedu, a young Afghan man, has been waiting on the borderline for the last seven days.

"Despite his wounds on the head by a gas canister thrown by Greek soldiers, Ahmedu said he wouldn't give up trying to cross the border until the end," Akgul said.

Bashir, a 23-year-old Afghan man, has been living in Turkey's Aegean province of Usak for about five years since when he left his country for better living conditions.

After hearing that Turkey would no longer stop refugees from going to Europe, Bashir and his 20 friends came to Edirne on Saturday with plans in their minds to cross the border.

"Things did not go well in Turkey. After graduating from university, my efforts to find a decent job failed, and I started to have financial difficulties," Bashir explained his challenges in Turkey to Xinhua over the phone.

"That's why I rushed to the border zone to cross to a prosperous European country," he said, without revealing his last name.

However, his dream of Europe ended when the border area became quite dangerous as a result of the continuous raids of Greek soldiers against refugees who have been waiting at the Pazarkule border gate.

According to Turkish authorities, Greek security forces have so far killed three people and wounded 164 others by firing gunshots, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.

"I gave up, and I went back to Usak," Bashir continued. "But my friends are still there, waiting to cross the border."

The main common factor that forced them to make plans to leave Turkey is the financial troubles and unemployment, according to Bashir.

"We also heard that the health facilities in the European countries are better," he said.

The exact number of Afghan refugees in Turkey is almost impossible to estimate as nearly all of them are undocumented and illegal, according to Didem Isci, an analyst with the Ankara-based Bosphorus Migration Studies.

"These people are deprived of most basic rights, such as education, health services, and many others," Isci told Xinhua. "Their conditions are not like the Syrian refugees who were granted some rights under temporary protection status in Turkey."

In her view, under these circumstances, Afghan refugees would head to borders for better living conditions in Europe till the end.

Citing a tweet posted by a Greek journalist, she said Afghan refugees constituted 64 percent of 250 illegal immigrants who were detained in Greece so far.

"These people are mostly young and single men. They can easily take risks seeking better lives in other places," Isci noted.

Orhan Deniz, director of Population and Migration Application and Research Center at Van Yuzuncu Yil University, expects a larger influx of migrants to Turkey from Afghanistan in the upcoming summer months.

Speaking to the CNN Turk broadcaster, Deniz said the number of Afghan refugees in 2020 would be much more than the previous year as the economic outlook and the security of the country is increasingly deteriorating.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said no positive case of coronavirus has been detected in West Bengal and urged people to not panic while assuring that all requisite steps to contain the virus are being taken.

"I have held a meeting with all the concerned officers. Till today, no positive case of Coronavirus detected in West Bengal. There is no need to panic," Banerjee told reporters here.

Banerjee highlighted the necessary steps being taken in the state to ensure full safety of the people from the virus.

This comes after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 31 in India. The deadly virus has caused more than 3200 deaths across the world.

"Out of 90,000 cases worldwide, very few confirmed cases have come up in India. In Kolkata, through various checkpoints and airports, we have screened 1,42,811 people, and three people have been admitted, but there has been no positive case as of now. Our biggest work is to ensure that everyone remains safe and well," she added.

"Since Bengal is a gateway to the Northeast. Since Bengal has a border with Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. We have land check posts and medical teams have been stationed there too for thermal screening," she added.

Further urging people to not create panic, Banerjee said, "To ensure that everyone stays well, you know that not all fevers, coughs, sneezes are coronavirus-related. These occur every year. There is no need to panic, but since there is a need to maintain precautions, in this case, we have called for this meeting."

The Chief Minister said isolation wards have been created in different hospitals in the state and have kept 6,800 PPEs and masks.

"Till date, 1,500 people have travelled from China, Japan and other places. They were identified and kept under surveillance. Out of which 234 were kept in isolation wards, and zero positive cases have been reported," Banerjee confirmed.

The chief minister said the central and the state government will coordinate like a family to tackle this problem and also launched a helpline for people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Infected staff member served food to customers at the register without wearing a mask.

More than 1,000 people in Japan, including those on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, have been infected with the novel coronavirus called COVID-19 by the World Health Organisation. Though the number of people being tested remains worryingly low, cases continue to rise in Japan, and now itas come to light that one of the most recent reports of infection involves a McDonaldas restaurant worker.

The staff member is a woman in her 50s who worked part-time at the Kichijoin branch of the fast food chain, which is located in Kyotoas Minami Ward.

According to Kyoto City and McDonaldas Japanas Public Relations Department, the woman, who lives alone in Kyoto, visited a live music venue called Arc in Osaka on 15 and 16 February. Arc has since been identified as the location for a cluster of infections that have appeared in the Osaka area.

Following her visit to Arc, the woman developed a fever of 37.6 degrees Celsius on 21 February, and three days later she visited the doctor and returned home. Her temperature reached 38.3 degrees Celsius, and after hearing about the cluster of infections that had been traced back to Arc on 2 March, she contacted the Osaka Prefectural Consultation Centre.

She returned to the doctor on 2 March for another medical consultation, testing positive for the coronavirus at 7:00 p.m. on 3 March. She was immediately hospitalised and the Kyoto Kichijoin branch of McDonaldas was closed two hours later, at 9:00 pm.

Before her hospitalisation, the infected woman worked at the register of McDonaldas for four to six hours on 20, 28 and 29 February, passing money and food to customers without wearing a mask. She also worked full-time on weekdays as a temporary worker at the Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank office, travelling on local buses and subway lines for a week after her visit to Arc. Although she worked at the bank on a floor with about 100 other people, she had no contact with ordinary customers at her full-time workplace.

The Kichijoin branch of McDonaldas in Kyoto has a drive-through and is staffed by a total of 22 workers, who are responsible for cooking, cleaning, and serving customers. Kyoto City will now be checking the health status of the employees who work at the McDonaldas branch, and the store remains closed for sanitation under the guidance of the public health centre.

While McDonaldas Japan, which has about 2,900 stores nationwide, previously leaned against the use of masks by staff members, saying the decision to wear them or not would be made by each store, the company has since tightened its coronavirus countermeasures from 27 February.

The PR department now says workers with a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher are not allowed to work, and the wearing of masks by staff members is arecommendeda.

However, the company is struggling to procure masks for all stores, with the reality being that it remains difficult for all staff at all outlets to wear them due to shortage of stock.
"Megan is an innovative technology leader who is focused on operational excellence. It is these qualities, combined with her 20 years of experience, that make her an ideal fit for this critical role," said Farmer. "Paul's leadership has been invaluable. He has streamlined our operations and continually modernized our technologies, embracing a new standard of quality in design and functionality at Comerica."

Crespi comes from Ally Financial, where she served as Chief Technology Officer, leading a team who runs the firm's cloud footprint, strategy and infrastructure operations. Megan started with Ally in 2009 supporting the Ally Dealer Financial Services Consumer Credit, SmartAuction (online vehicle remarketing platform), Sales Performance and Dealer Online Services. In 2014, she was promoted to the Chief Information Officer for the Auto Finance business and became the Chief Technology Officer in 2018.

Crespi began her career in consulting at PwC, where she held positions in application development, business intelligence and data warehousing. From there she joined MicroStrategy, where she managed Detroit-area accounts, responsible for post-sales consulting and implementation of MicroStrategy's toolset in automotive, retail and services clients. In 2000, she joined General Motors, where she spent the next nine years taking on technology roles of increasing responsibility and developing a proven track record in delivering global applications, eventually serving as Information Officer for Global Service & Parts Operations. In 2009, Megan joined GMAC (now Ally Financial), during which she was responsible for aligning IT strategies with emerging business initiatives as the organization looked to expand its reach in Auto Finance products, services and clients.

Crespi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Obermeyer celebrated 30 years with Comerica in January and has 38-plus years in banking. He joined the National Bank of Commerce of Dallas in 1981, which was later acquired by Comerica in 1993. Through the years, he managed a variety of functions, including credit underwriting and administration, relationship management, operations, strategic planning, and various technology functions. In 2000, he moved to Detroit and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations Services Group, then promoted again in 2009 to Executive Vice President, Enterprise Payments Group. He was named Executive Vice President, Chief Enterprise Technology & Operations Services Officer, in 2010.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $73 billion at Dec. 31, 2019, and celebrated its 170th anniversary in August 2019.

SOURCE Comerica Incorporated

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Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya reiterated her countrys unwavering position on the Sahara issue during her visit to Algeria on Wednesday March 4, much to the distress of Algerian rulers.

At a press conference in Algiers, the Spanish official, who was expecting questions on bilateral relations, was instead peppered with questions on Spains position on the regional conflict.

And her answers were clear: there is no change in Spains position on the Sahara. She said she already clarified the Spanish stance during her visit to Morocco on January 24.

Spain will always defend the exclusivity of the UN-led political process to find an agreed-upon and mutually acceptable solution to end the conflict.

Also in February, Mrs Arancha Gonzalez Laya Laya took to Twitter to reiterate that Spain does not recognize the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic (SADR) and that its stand on the Sahara remains unchanged because it is a State policy.

The Algerian government was so angered by the Spanish officials remarks that it postponed the visit she was expected to pay to Algiers.

Spanish media El Pais quoted sources from the separatist Polisario as deploring the fact that the Spanish FM did not mention the word self-determination while she was speaking to the press in Algiers.

At the same news conference, Algerian Foreign Minister Sabir Boukadoum called for the respect of the UN but also of the African Unions decision regarding the regional conflict.

He seemingly forgot that the AU made it clear in another statement in February during the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government that it supports the exclusivity of the UN political process.

The Spanish official who was also asked by the Algerian media on Moroccos territorial waters delimitation repeated what she already said during her visit to Rabat, namely that the North African Kingdom has the sovereign right to delimit its territorial waters and that she welcomed the Kingdoms readiness to engage in dialogue to resolve any overlaps.
By Laman Ismayilova

An exhibition "Harmony" has opened its doors at State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku.

The exhibition featured more than 50 art works by artists, sculptors and photographers in various styles and techniques, as well as selected art pieces provided by the Fund of State Art Gallery.

Co-organized by Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and the State Art Gallery, the exhibition aimed at promotion of art and raising awareness about women's role in society.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, director of the State Art Gallery Gabil Gasimov congratulated women on the International Women's Day. He provided insight into the exhibition. Gabil Gasimov expressed his confidence that project participants will leave their mark in the Azerbaijani art.

People's Artist Arif Huseynov and Chief Scientific Officer of the State Art Gallery Vagif Muganli wished success to young talents.

Then the guests got acquainted with the exhibition. Works of young talents conquered the hearts of art lovers.

Moreover, members of Parlaq Youth Public Union also performed as part of the event. Their performance was met with great interest.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The parents of two teenagers killed in a car crash are suing the Florida Highway Patrol and others, claiming the bodies of their daughters were misidentified and switched.

The lawsuits follow a July 29 crash in the Pensacola area involving four friends. Two of them were killed: Deleigha Leigha Gibson, 18, and Samara Cooks, 15.

Despite their age difference and different physical characteristics, according the lawsuits their identities were switched. One was also an organ donor and the other was not, leading to a mix-up in harvesting organs, according to the lawsuits.

Deleighas father, Demetrius Gibson, said its been hard for the family to deal with not only the car crash but also the problem in identifying the bodies.

Basically, we were heartbroken about that. We are just trying to get everything right and give her a proper burial, he said in an interview Friday.

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages from the FHP, several Escambia County officials and two funeral homes. FHP did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. The funeral homes declined comment.

There were four teenagers in the car that night. The parents said they were known as the Four Amigos and spent many hours together. Their car veered out of control about 1:30 a.m. on July 29, hit a utility pole and then skidded into trees. Two of them died.

The mother of Samara Cooks, Renada Cooks, said she travelled from her Atlanta home to verify her daughters remains. What she found shocked her as well as Gibsons mother, Tammy.

I walked in to see my daughter, and I saw Tammys daughter. Precious moments were taken away from us that we deserved to have, she said.

According to the lawsuits, the local medical examiner released the wrong bodies to the wrong funeral homes, which embalmed the wrong bodies without authorization.

One of the teenagers, Gibson, had signed up to be an organ donor in the case of her death. Instead, authorities apparently harvested organs from Cooks, who had not given consent.

The lawsuit also said that when Cooks mother brought clothes to one of the funeral homes, the funeral home staff told her that she needed even larger clothes because they would not fit Samara Cooks.

That was because the body in the funeral home was that of Deleigha Gibson.

The lawsuits were filed by the Gibson and Cooks families in Escambia County Circuit Court. Both demand a jury trial. No trial date has been scheduled.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 19:35:59|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China has expanded and optimized the utilization of drugs and therapies in the treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to block the conversion of mild cases to severe cases and save critically ill patients.

Tocilizumab, with the common brand name Actemra, has been included in China's latest version of diagnosis and treatment guidelines on COVID-19.

Zhou Qi, deputy secretary-general and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at a press conference Friday that the drug Tocilizumab has been found effective to block the inducement of the inflammatory storm.

In an initial clinical trial, Tocilizumab was used in 20 severe COVID-19 cases. And the body temperatures of all the patients dropped within one day. Nineteen of the patients were discharged from the hospital within two weeks, and one got better, according to Zhou.

Currently, the drug is under clinical trials in 14 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, Zhou said.

As of March 5, a total of 272 severe patients had been treated with Tocilizumab.

In addition to Tocilizumab, Chloroquine Phosphate and some traditional Chinese medicines, as well as convalescent plasma therapy, have been included in the treatment guideline. China is also pushing forward the utilization of some advanced technologies such as stem cell and monoclonal antibody technologies in the treatment of severe cases, said Wu Yuanbin, director-general of science and technology for social development of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The drug Chloroquine Phosphate has been used in treating 285 critically ill COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Wuhan, and no obvious adverse reactions have been found so far, said Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the MOST.

Two clinical trials for Remdesivir are ongoing, and we are looking forward to seeing the results, Sun said.

The combination of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines has shown good results in the treatment of COVID-19. Statistics show that 90 percent of the patients in Hubei Province have been treated with traditional Chinese medicines, Sun said.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today received founder of JHM Foundation, benefactor Lysa Grigorian and CEO of TUMO Center for Creative Technologies Marie Lou Papazian, as reported the news service of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The guests introduced the programs and events to be carried out in the technological education sector for children and teens in Armenia, particularly in Gyumri and other cities of Armenias provinces.

Prime Minister Pashinyan considered the idea and initiatives interesting and stated that the Armenian government attaches importance to the programs being carried out by the JHM Foundation and TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. Pashinyan emphasized that TUMO Center for Creative Technologies has become Armenias brand in the international arena and that the government expresses its support to the upcoming programs. He added that TUMOs programs correspond to the governments vision for the future and are in line with the governments priorities in the education sector.
The building, of the same historical significance as Hyde Park Barracks, was commissioned by governor Lachlan Macquarie and built by convict architect Francis Greenway in 1818.

But instead of sharing the same World Heritage listing status as the barracks, the future of the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct remains in the balance.

From left: Authors Tom and Meg Keneally, president of the Parramatta Female Factory Friends Gay Hendriksen, former NSW governor Marie Bashir and author and filmmaker John Pilger. Credit:Lonaa at Inertia Photography

It has had a variety of uses, including overspill space for the mental health unit at Cumberland Hospital. Now there is talk that it could be used as a university campus. There was also a proposal to convert the 1820s women's third-class sleeping quarters into a computer data room.

Friends of the factory will on Saturday hand a 10,000-signature petition to Parramatta federal MP Julie Owens to raise the matter in Parliament in a final push for World Heritage listing.
CNBC's Jim Cramer recalled investment advice that the legendary Warren Buffett gave the world during the 2008 financial crisis that holds true in a coronavirus-plagued market today. The "Mad Money" host reviewed the earnings reports of Burlington Stores and Kohl's, explaining why the two department store stocks are going in opposite directions.

Channeling the Oracle of Omaha

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, May 4, 2019. Scott Morgan | Reuters

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Thursday laid out a long-term investment case in a seesaw trading environment. The "Mad Money" host channeled legendary investor Warren Buffett in making his argument that it's tough to time a bottom but that the stock market would eventually continue its upward trajectory after weeks of coronavirus turbulence. "Buffett always says that you should be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful," Cramer said, citing the Oracle of Omaha's famous "Buy America, I Am" New York Times opinion piece published in the throes of the Great Recession.

Retail roundup

Shoppers enter a Kohl's store in Peoria, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Cramer broke down the quarterly reports for and department chains, doubling down on his investment thesis about the retail sector. "You need to be off-price or online" to win in retail, the host said. "Everything else is in trouble, especially in this post-coronavirus world where things are getting a whole lot tougher for the whole industry." The assessment remains largely intact with Cramer's outlook for the retail landscape that is evolving from bricks to clicks. Investors, he argues, should put their money behind retailers that have robust e-commerce or discount sales strategies. Big-box and discount retailers are reporting sales growth, while stores connected to shopping malls have struggled to expand their revenues. "If you want to succeed in retail, you need to fully commit to off-price or online. Everything else is going to have a much harder time in general, especially in the middle of a possible pandemic," he reiterated. "And remember: it has more to do with the buyers not wanting these stocks than it does necessarily with how the companies are doing."

Cramer's lightning round
Seattles plan for a coronavirus quarantine facility has sparked outrage among members of the community where the building is located.

Some residents of Kent, Washington - a suburb near the motel being eyed - are upset that King County officials are planning to buy and renovate an Econo Lodge and turn it into a quarantine facility for people infected with coronavirus.

The first - and so far, majority of - cases of coronavirus in the US have been reported in Washington.

According to Bloomberg, the 85-bedroom motel would house virus patients who were not ill enough to warrant hospital stays, but who still required isolation from healthy populations. It would also allow hospital beds to stay open for patients in dire health in need of hospitalisation.

Dana Ralph, the mayor of Kent, said she understood the need for housing but wasnt happy her community wasnt considered during the planning of the motel program.

Were one of the largest cities in the county, and we know we have a role to play in preventing the spread of the virus, Ms Ralph said. But we were not included in the conversation or decision making.

King County planned to spend $4 million to purchase the motel and another $1.5 million in emergency funds to renovate it and hire the 11 existing employees to staff the facility. Officials said the building could house patients within two weeks.

Workers at the motel were angry and confused, unsure as to whether theyd have a job or not in coming weeks and frustrated that theyd have to pick between keeping a job or working around people infected with coronavirus.

The county officials said the motel was the only available property that met its requirements of separate heating and cooling systems in each room and doors that open to the outside rather than into a hallway.

One of the more prevalent complaints from those opposed to the plan is that a quarantine site would have never been considered in any of the wealthier communities throughout the county.

Recommended SXSW cancelled amid coronavirus outbreak

Rupali Handa, a resident of the town, said she was sympathetic but still didnt want the facility near her home. She said she was sorry for the people going through this but that officials should put the infected somewhere else.

Battles like these could become more common as communities search for ways to contain coronavirus.

Last month, the Westerdam cruise ship was turned away from ports in several Asian countries over fears its passengers had coronavirus.
RTHK: No compulsory quarantine for HK visitors: Thailand

Thai health authorities on Friday said they would not order the compulsory quarantine of visitors from countries hit hard by coronavirus, but failed to clear the air about how exactly the new restrictions are going to be implemented.

Thai health authorities said they were "recommending" arrivals from China  including territories of Hong Kong and Macau  Italy, Iran, South Korea, stay indoors and report to authorities for monitoring.

"We recommend home quarantine," Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent-secretary of the Public Health Ministry told reporters.

Travellers from the four countries will have to "report on their health status daily", said Tanarak Plipat of the Disease Control Department, or risk "punishment" under the law.

Thai authorities on Thursday had named Hong Kong and some other places as "severely affected" by coronavirus. But with tourism and health ministries sending out conflicting messages, thousands of travellers planning trips to Thailand were left to fret and fume about the uncertainty.

This comes as a British man who entered the kingdom from Hong Kong became the country's 48th confirmed case of the virus, health authorities said. He had travelled from UK and spend a few hours in Hong Kong as transit passenger. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) Celebrity couple Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff recently welcomed their first child, and on Friday, the two gave the world a first glimpse of their daughter, Dahlia Amelie Heussaff.

Never knew I could love someone so much... So much that it hurts in a good way... its an unexplainable kind of love, the 35-year-old actress-host wrote on her Instagram, accompanying the post with a photo of her newborn holding on to her thumb.

I never knew that my heart could grow so quickly in just one day. I also had no idea that I could fall in even more in love with my wife, Heussaff said in his own Facebook page.

The couple officially welcomed their daughter on Monday, March 2.

The name Dahlia holds a special meaning to Curtis fruitful career, as her first movie stint came in the form of Princess Dahlia in the 1997 film Magic Kingdom.

The two announced that they were expecting a baby in November last year. Curtis and Heussaff have been a couple since 2011 before tying the knot in New Zealand in 2017.
Veteran actress Neena Gupta is super excited about her daughter and fashion designer Masaba's upcoming digital show titled "Masaba Masaba".

The Netflix show, which will premiere in April, also features Neena.

"I am very much excited about the show. You all will get to see my fun bonding with my daughter. It was a pleasure working with her," Neena told IANS.

"Masaba Masaba" will showcase the life of Masaba on screen, following her unique background, diverse worlds she straddles across fashion and family, and her foray back into the dating world.

Sharing a glimpse of her show, Masaba on Friday took to Instagram and posted a video in which we can see her in conversation with Vietnamese-American actress Lanacondor who welcomed the designer to the platform. The teaser also shows the teenage actress visiting Masaba's store and adorning some ensembles featuring the quintessential Masaba print.

Follow @News18Movies for more
MANZINI  Caught off- guard! Fear has gripped the country following the first case of coronavirus being confirmed yesterday in South Africa.



The coronavirus, also known as COVID19, was yesterday confirmed by the Ministry of Health in South Africa.

This immediately saw locals sharing the news on social media platforms wherein South Africas Health Ministry confirmed its first case of the deadly virus.



Travelled



The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on March 1, 2020, the SA Health Ministry said.



The confirmation of the virus in South Africa resulted in many being concerned with their planned travel to the neighbouring country while others shared their concerns on whether the country was ready to deal with the epidemic that has killed thousands of people across a number of continents; mostly being Asia.



Government, through the Ministry of Health, made a request in Parliament for a budget to deal with the outbreak.

Also, several institutions that deal with travelling in between South Africa and Eswatini admitted that they were not prepared.

One of them was the Swaziland Interstate Transport Association (SITA), which confirmed that it had been caught unprepared on how to deal with the coronavirus.



This was disclosed by Bambumuti Sithole, who is the Chairman of SITA. Sithole, who is also the former Member of Parliament for Ludzeludze Constituency, said the confirmation of the first case in South Africa was something they were not prepared for. We did not have any strategy such that when we approached the Minister of Health (Senator Lizzy Nkosi), she informed us that government could only assist from the border gates through screening the patients, Sithole said.



He said the association had not even planned on getting surgical masks to provide to their clients who board the kombis and midi-buses between the country and various cities in South Africa.



Temperature



Sithole said he would contact his counterparts in South Africa today to arrange that the South African association engage the Ministry of Health of that republic to have a hand scan to check commuters for body temperature. This, he said, could lead to those found to be having symptoms of the virus being stopped from boarding the public service vehicles and taken to quarantine areas.

We dont actually have to bring those who are sick into the country at all, Sithole said.
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PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Mia Martin considers art and historic preservation her two abiding interests. Having grown up in the Virginia hunt country and having lived on an old Virginia estate, she developed her taste for historic architecture. She graduated from Foxcroft School and she attended the Corcoran School of Art. She traveled and studied widely in Europe including at Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland, John Cabot University in Rome and Sotheby's in London. Mia Martin then earned a fine arts degree from American University in Washington, D.C. Her deep interest and respect for architectural and cultural heritage led to her active involvement in America's heritage. She became a member of the Council for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has been a former Trustee of Oatlands Plantation, a co-stewardship with The National Trust.

Mia Martin knows her period homes and has owned quite a few of them. Mia's love affair with European architecture and decorative arts would continue throughout her life. Mia has always tried to incorporate her love of symmetry and visual balance in her houses. Mia Martin's preservation and restoration project's have included her former neo-classical, 1905 Edwardian Mansion designed by Marsh/Peter Architects on Embassy Row in D.C., which she later sold to the Embassy of Estonia. As the Washington Post's Sarah Booth Conway wrote, "Martin had her heart on selling it to a Baltic Country" and she did. She followed her hunch that when the Baltic states broke away from the former Soviet Union the various countries would need their own Embassy in Washington. She later bought a classic Virginia farmhouse, (the former Phipps estate, which has a ballroom), and then her current Florida home, a Palm Beach Classic Regency-style gem of a house.

While Mia Martin feels that there is a time and place for different architectural styles, the Regency style is her favorite. "It is wonderful owning a classic one-story Regency house." Not only is it in a great location, full of light with high ceilings and large open spaces with rooms of generous proportions but it is ideal for entertaining, both inside and out. "We did not need a house as large as our historic Virginia house as we tend to enjoy smaller and more intimate gatherings here. Mia Martin agrees with Real Estate agent, Paulette Koch's view that property owners are downsizing from their larger houses up north to ones in Palm Beach. They are more manageable and easier to live in, particularly in a single-story house.

Story continues

CONTACT:

Caroline Hunter

Web Presence, LLC

+1 7865519491

SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/579295/Mia-Martin-Talks-About-Her-Love-for-Palm-Beach-Classic-Regency-Houses




The logo of OPEC is pictured at the OPEC headquarters on the eve of the 171th meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna, on Nov. 29, 2016. (Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images)

OPEC Backs Biggest Oil Cut Since 2008 Crisis, Awaits Russia

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), agreed on March 5 to cut oil output by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (BPD) in the second quarter of 2020 to support prices that have been hit by the COVID-19 outbreak but made its action conditional on Russia and others joining in.

Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of the broader and informal group known as OPEC+, said they had not yet agreed to a deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016.

The oil demand outlook has already been pummeled by global measures to halt the spread of the virus, prompting OPEC to consider its biggest cut since the 2008 financial crisis.

Demand growth forecasts in 2020 have been slashed as factories have been disrupted, people have been deterred from traveling, and other business activities have slowed.

Saudi Arabia has been pushing OPEC and its allies, including Russia, for a big cut up to 1.5 million BPD for the second quarter of 2020, alongside extending existing cuts of 2.1 million BPD, which expire this month, to the end of 2020.

Riyadh, OPECs biggest producer, has struggled to win over Moscow. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on March 5 that he was ready for a drop in oil prices if there was no deal.

Kazakh Energy Minister Nurlan Nogayev, another non-OPEC producer, said talks were only focusing on extending existing curbs to June.

Moscow perhaps is underestimating that Saudi Arabia may be ready to walk away if it doesnt get a positive answer, said Amrita Sen, co-founder of Energy Aspects think tank.

Russia, which will join talks between OPEC+ states on March 6 in Vienna, has been hesitant in the past in the build-up to meetings but agreed at the last minute.

But OPEC sources have said negotiations with Russia this time have been tougher. Two OPEC sources said on March 5 that, if Russia failed to sign up, there was a risk Saudi Arabia would insist on scrapping OPEC production limits altogether.

OPEC said in a statement after its ministers met that the coronavirus outbreak created an unprecedented situation with risks skewed to the downside, adding that action was needed.

It said ministers agreed to an extra supply cut of 1.5 million BPD until June, out of which non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 BPD. The group said this was in addition to extending existing supply curbs to the end of 2020.

Worst Case Scenario

Suhail al-Mazroui, energy minister of the United Arab Emirates, said OPEC would not carry the burden of cuts alone and non-OPEC states had to join in. We are all in this together. So its not going to be us making a decision alone, he said.

Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, is already cutting well beyond its quota under the existing pact, reducing its output by about 10 percent. Russia, with bigger total production, has reduced its output by a fraction of Riyadhs cut.

Gary Ross, the founder of Black Gold Investors, said a worst-case scenario in which Saudi Arabia returned to full production would send oil prices down to $25 to $30 a barrel.

That would take them to a level that would be painful for OPEC states, already struggling with prices at around $50, and also Russia, which has said it can balance its books at $40.

OPEC+ have little choice but to cut output substantially given the virus-related demand losses, Ross said, adding that he expected Russia will join because it is overwhelmingly in their economic interests.

Brent oil prices <LCOc1> rose 0.6 percent on news of OPECs plan to cut but gave up most of those gains when Russia and others suggested a deal was not in the bag.

The proposed OPEC cut of 1.5 million BPD, if approved, would be well above what the market had expected up until this week. It would bring the groups overall output reduction to 3.6 million BPD or about 3.6 percent of global supplies.

The last time OPEC reduced supplies on such a scale was in 2008, when it cut production by a total of 4.2 million BPD to address slower demand because of the global financial crisis.

OPEC holds its next ministerial meeting on June 9.

By Ahmad Ghaddar & Shadia Nasralla
The coronavirus death toll in the US is now at 15 after three more people were reported dead in Washington state as the number of confirmed cases across the country jumped to more than 250.

Of the 15 deaths, 14 have been reported in Washington state and one in California.

Many of the cases in Washington, including at least six deaths, have been linked to an outbreak at a nursing home facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

Fourteen of the Washington deaths have occurred in King County, which is where the nursing home is. One person died in nearby Snohomish County.

The California death was linked to a cruise ship that was still being held 400 miles off the coast on San Francisco on Friday amid fears of a suspected coronavirus outbreak.

An increase in testing across the country has seen a jump in confirmed cases in Washington, New York and California - with Indiana and Pennsylvania reporting its first cases in the last 24 hours.

The coronavirus death toll in the US is now at 14 after two more people were reported dead in Washington state. Many of the cases in Washington, including at least six deaths, have been linked to an outbreak at a nursing home facility (above) in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said on Friday that a man who was exposed to coronavirus on a trip to Boston had tested positive in the state's first case.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said two people had tested positive in the state and they are both in self-isolation at their homes. One of the people had traveled overseas to a country where COVID-19 is present, while the other person had been exposed visiting another US state.

Separate from those cases, five Pennsylvania school announced on Friday they would temporarily be closing as a precaution.

The University of Washington has canceled classes and is making students take classes and finals remotely.

In New York, two private Manhattan schools closed for sanitization and and one school in New Jersey also closed over fears some of its students may have been exposed to coronavirus.

The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in New York state rose to 44 on Friday as at least 4,000 people were urged to self-quarantine.

The majority of those cases are linked to a Manhattan lawyer who tested positive earlier in the week and infected his family, a neighbor and a friend's family. Eleven of those were new cases reported on Friday.

In Los Angeles, a group of 15 friends have tested positive for coronavirus following a trip to an exclusive ski resort in Italy.

In Los Angeles, a group of 15 friends have tested positive for coronavirus following a trip to an exclusive ski resort in Italy. Pam Angel (above) told KCBS-TV that her husband and two sons were on the trip and all three have tested positive

Pam Angel told KCBS-TV that her husband and two sons were on the trip and all three have tested positive.

Her husband and one of her adult sons are in self-quarantine in the suburb of Tarzana - 10 miles from Kim Kardashian's home - but her other son has underlying health issues and is being treated at Providence Tarzana Medical Center.

'He can't talk without coughing. He feels like he has a pallet of bricks on his chest, he's not eating,' she said.

The three men were among a group of about 15 who traveled back to the United States on February 27 after visiting Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomite Mountains, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

The Los Angeles County Health Department has confirmed seven cases of coronavirus among a group of travelers who recently returned from northern Italy. But sources told DailyMail.com that the other members of the group, who reside elsewhere, have also fallen ill since returning home.

One of the men on the trip, who is a US citizen, is said to be in a coma in Switzerland where he now resides.

The rest of the men who were on the trip, who were said to be 'previously healthy guys in their 40s and 50s', have all since fallen ill with one coughing up blood, according to sources.

They live in states across the U.S, including Arizona where two cases have been reported.

A group of 15 friends - some who live in Los Angeles - have tested positive for coronavirus following a trip to the Cortina d'Ampezzo (above) in Italy's Dolomite Mountains in February

Three of the men on the trip live in Tarzana, which is about 10 miles from the city of Calabasas and home to Kim Kardashian. The men were among a group of about 15 who traveled back to the United States on February 27 after visiting Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomite Mountains

Surge tents have been set up in front of the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California just in case there is a potential overflow in coronavirus cases at the hospital

The surge tents were set up to treat possible influx of coronavirus patients after California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS? Like other coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold and that triggered SARS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. The most common symptoms are:

Fever

Dry cough

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing

Fatigue Although having a runny nose doesn't rule out coronavirus, it doesn't thus far appear to be a primary symptom. Most people only become mildly ill, but the infection can turn serious and even deadly, especially for those who are older or have underlying health conditions. In these cases, patients develop pneumonia, which can cause: Potentially with yellow, green or bloody mucus

Fever, sweating and shaking chills

Shortness of breath

Rapid or shallow breathing

Pain when breathing, especially when breathing deeply or coughing

Low appetite, energy and fatigue

Nausea and vomiting (more common in children)

Confusion (more common in elderly people)

Some patients have also reported diarrhea and kidney failure has occasionally been a complication. Avoid people with these symptoms. If you develop them, call your health care provider before going to the hospital or doctor, so they and you can prepare to minimize possible exposure if they suspect you have coronavirus. Advertisement

Thousands of passengers on Grand Princess cruise ship to remain in their cabins after Coast Guard delivers coronavirus testing kits

Passengers on the cruise ship off the California coast have been instructed to stay in their cabins as they waited for test results on Friday that could show whether the coronavirus is circulating among the more than 3,500 people aboard.

The Grand Princess cruise ship was banned from docking at the port in San Francisco until passengers and crew complaining of flu-like symptoms during a 15-day roundtrip cruise to Hawaii could be tested for possible coronavirus infection.

On Thursday, the US Coast Guard airlifted a batch of diagnostic kits to the ship via helicopter, and public health officials said samples collected would be flown back to a San Francisco Bay Area state laboratory for testing.

State and local officials acted after learning that 35 people aboard the ship, which is carrying about 3,500 people, had fallen ill, and that two passengers who had traveled on the same vessel for a voyage last month between San Francisco and Mexico later tested positive for coronavirus.

One, an elderly man from Placer County near Sacramento with underlying health conditions, died this week, marking the first documented coronavirus fatality in California. The other, from the Bay area, was described by California Governor Gavin Newsom as gravely sick.

Health officials say both individuals likely contracted the virus while they were aboard the ocean liner.

The Princess cruise line said fewer than 100 passengers and crew from the Hawaii voyage of its Grand Princess have been identified for testing, including those who were ill.

The predicament of the Grand Princess cruise liner was reminiscent of the Diamond Princess vessel that was quarantined off the coast of Japan in February and was, for a time, the largest concentration of cornoavirus cases outside China.

Some American passengers from that ship were ultimately repatriated to military bases in California for extended quarantines.

The Grand Princess cruise ship has been banned from docking in San Francisco until passengers and crew complaining of flu-like symptoms during a 15-day roundtrip cruise to Hawaii could be tested for possible coronavirus infection

On Thursday, the US Coast Guard airlifted a batch of diagnostic kits to the ship via helicopter, and public health officials said samples collected would be flown back to a San Francisco Bay Area state laboratory for testing

The Grand Princess is currently 400 miles off San Francisco and heading for port having returned from Hawaii after 11 passengers and 10 crew reported symptoms of coronavirus

New York coronavirus cases jump to 44 - including five people in the city

The cases in New York state jumped to 44 on Friday, including five in New York City after a woman in her 50s tested positive following a trip to Israel.

The majority of the cases are in Westchester County and are linked to a 50-year-old Manhattan attorney who infected 29 others including his wife, 20-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, a neighbor and another family of five.

Two other cases - a woman in her 80s and man in his 40s - were also announced but are unrelated to the attorney. The two patients are currently in intensive care. Officials have not revealed any other information about their cases.

There is also now four people on Long Island who have the disease.

A 39-year-old female healthcare worker who has not been linked to the attorney had earlier tested positive after returning from a trip to Iran.

The new cases announced on Friday morning include a man in Manhattan, three members of the Young Israel congregation in New Rochelle, two friends of the lawyer, two staff members who live in Rockland County and worked at a bat mitzvah, and three people connected to New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital.

The rabbi of the Young Israel of New Rochelle synagogue, which the attorney is a member of, is among those who have tested positive.

The rabbi also teaches at the Yevisha University in Manhattan, which is where the attorney's son attends classes. The university has urged students to self-isolate as a precaution.

It comes after health officials urged 1,000 residents to self-quarantine after members of two families linked to the attorney were diagnosed with the virus.

Two private Manhattan schools - the all-girls Spence School on Manhattan's Upper East Side and the all-boys Collegiate School on the Upper West Side - have also now closed for sanitization.

One school in nearby New Jersey - Frisch School - also closed over fears some of its students may have come into contact with an infected Manhattan attorney.

In New York, health officials put hundreds of residents in self-quarantine after members of two families in the New York City suburb of New Rochelle were diagnosed with the virus. Two more unrelated cases were confirmed in New York City on Thursday, raising New York state's total to 13. A female healthcare worker who is also not linked to the attorney was the first in the state to test positive after returning from a trip to Iran

Trump's CDC trip fiasco: President WILL visit its HQ after calling off tour at last minute over fears of positive test for coronavirus as he signs $8.3 billion emergency spending bill amid mounting questions over lack of testing kits

President Trump will visit the CDC in Atlanta on Friday after initially calling it off because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus.

Trump told reporters on Friday that concerns were raised a day earlier about 'one person who was potentially infected' who worked at the CDC.

'Because of the one person they didn't want me going,' he added, explaining why a planned stop at the agency, which is working with state and local officials to help combat the spread of the new virus, was left off his schedule.

Trump said the person has since tested negative for the new virus.

Soon after, however, the White House confirmed the trip was back on and would take place on Friday afternoon.

Trump had planned to sign an $8.3 billion coronavirus response funding bill at the CDC but he instead signed it at the White House before his departure to travel to view tornado damage in Tennessee.

More than $3 billion of the spending bill money is intended for research and development into vaccines, test kits and treatments. There are no so far no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness, which began in China and has spread to some 80 countries and territories.

President Donald Trump boasted in a tweet on Thursday about the low US fatality count in comparison to the rest of the world

Trump had boasted in a tweet on Thursday about the low US fatality count in comparison to the rest of the world.

'With approximately 100,000 CoronaVirus cases worldwide, and 3,280 deaths, the United States, because of quick action on closing our borders, has, as of now, only 129 cases (40 Americans brought in) and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!' he tweeted.

He later said during a town hall in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Thursday night that he will continue to shake hands with people despite the coronavirus fears.

'I love the people of this country and you cannot be a politician and not shake hands,' he said. 'I'll be shaking hands with people and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you, I don't care. You have to do that.'

Trump started off his town hall defending his administration's response to the outbreak and again blamed President Barack Obama for the lack of testing kits.

Trump tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Washington state on Thursday after being tasked by Trump to lead the coronavirus response, has admitted that the administration won't be able to fulfill its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

He said there were not enough tests to meet demand going forward.

President Trump called off a visit to the CDC in Atlanta on Friday because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus before signing an $8.3 billion coronavirus response funding bill

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Washington state on Thursday, admitted that the administration won't be able to fulfill its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week

Top coronavirus expert says he CAN'T promise at least one million test kits in next week as CDC comes under fire for lack of testing and delays in approving kits

Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available.

He said the goal within the next two weeks was to have more than a million tests ready but he couldn't promise that would happen.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available

'I can't guarantee that, that's an issue that would have to go through the FDA and the companies to see if that's available,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'So I cannot promise it but that's what the goal is - within the next couple of weeks - to get the million plus [out].'

He earlier acknowledged missteps by the Trump administration in failing to get coronavirus test kits out quickly, but said the overall response was going well.

State and local authorities have been stepping up testing for the illness following a debacle with faulty kits from the CDC that officials say initially delayed results.

It is believed one of the chemicals used in the test did not work properly, resulting in the test being recalled and then re-manufactured.

Another issue was that the CDC initially set narrow criteria on who could be tested. At first, only those with a travel history to China - where the outbreak emerged - or those who had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient were tested. That changed after the first patient of 'unknown diagnosis' was confirmed in California, believed to be of so-called community spread.

'There were certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting tests out, some technical issues that slowed down the process,' Dr Fauci said.

The CDC and other health officials have come under fire for how slowly Americans are being tested.

'I'm not happy about the lack of the appropriate number of test kits  that's for sure  but other areas of the response, I think, are going well,' Dr Fauci said.

He also expressed frustration at the lack of screenings at US airports.

Concessions vendor at XFL game attended by 22,000 people and Homeland Security employee test positive - as Facebook and Amazon are among those to close offices

Health officials in Washington state - who are dealing with the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak in the US - have revealed a concessions vendor at an XFL game attended by 22,000 people and a Homeland Security employee are among the latest to test positive for coronavirus in the Seattle area.

The employee worked at a concessions stand at CenturyLink Field on February 22 during the Seattle Dragons XFL game. Officials said that the risk to the 22,000 people who attended the XFL game last month was 'low'.

Health officials in King County, Washington confirmed on Thursday that an employee who worked at the February 22 Seattle Dragons XFL game at CenturyLink Field has now tested positive for the virus.

Homeland Security notified employees on Thursday night that a worker in the Seattle-area had also tested positive for coronavirus.

The Seattle office, which houses US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Federal Protective Service, has already been closed since Tuesday with employees ordered to work from home.

An employee there had been suspected of having coronavirus after they reported feeling ill soon after visiting nursing home where the major outbreak has occurred.

An employee at Amazon's Seattle headquarters was also confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week, potentially exposing some 50,000 others who work at the plant.

Apple has advised all employees at its Cupertino headquarters to work from home Friday amid heightened coronavirus concerns a day.

In a memo seen by DailyMail.com and issued to all 12,000 staff at the Santa Clara Valley offices named Apple Park, employees were told that the precaution was being taken following recent guidance from public health officials.

Staff were advised that offices would remain open but that they were 'encouraging team members' to stay away despite only sending the email when many would already be traveling to work.

The company joined Facebook and Microsoft who also introduced new policies to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus this week.

An employee at Facebook's Stadium East office in Seattle tested positive earlier this week, prompting the company to close it office until at least March 9.

Mastercard Inc closed its office in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and an annex location near its headquarters in New York after an employee contracted coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Brazil-based employee traveled to the annex office in Purchase, New York. Both locations are now undergoing a sanitization process.

Health officials in Washington state have revealed a concessions vendor at an XFL game attended by 22,000 people tested positive for coronavirus in the Seattle area

The employee worked at a concessions stand at CenturyLink Field on February 22 during the Seattle Dragons XFL game. Officials said that the risk to the 22,000 people who attended the XFL game last month was 'low'

Washington state health officials buy a $4 million motel and set up a quarantine site made up of 'mini hotel room' trailers for infected patients

Officials in Washington have bought a $4 million motel and set up a coronavirus quarantine site made up of 'mini hotel room' trailers as they scramble to deal with the unfolding crisis.

They bought the EconoLodge motel in suburban Seattle for $4 million earlier this week to be used as a quarantine facility for coronavirus patients.

Officials have also started setting up trailers in one neighborhood in what will become a temporary quarantine village that initially won't have water or sewage.

The two-story, 84-room motel is part of the efforts officials are taking in an epicenter of the outbreak in the US. Its hard surfaces, easy-to-clean floors and separate heating-and-cooling units in each room were exactly what officials were looking for when they started looking for in a quarantine facility.

The doors of each room open to the outside, rather than to a central hallway, reducing the likelihood of contact between the patients. The individual heating-and-cooling units reduce the chance of germs spreading through a ventilation system.

Residents of King County are also being advised to work from home to avoid possible exposure. Officials in the County, which includes Seattle and is home to over 2.2 million people, have urged local businesses to allow employees to telecommute for the next three weeks in an effort to curb the outbreak.

They are also recommending that higher-risk groups - including people over the age of 60, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems - stay home and away from large social gatherings.

Meanwhile, public officials in Washington have come under pressure to take more aggressive steps against the outbreak, including closing schools and canceling large events. While the state and Seattle have declared emergencies, giving leaders broad powers to suspend activities, they have not issued any orders to do so.

Health officials in Washington state, where they are dealing with the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, have bought a $4 million motel for infected patients

Officials in King County, which is where the majority of Washington cases are, also started setting up trailers in one neighborhood in what will become a temporary quarantine village that initially won't have water or sewage
Julie Rikelman, an attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, has spent years working on June Medical Services v. Russo, a Supreme Court case that could dramatically alter abortion access in the United States.

All that work was realized Wednesday during oral arguments when Rikelman was given 30 minutes to deliver arguments and take questions from justices on the newly-conservative high court. Speaking from the steps of the Supreme Court immediately following the hearing, Rikelman said she "felt good.""I think I was able to answer all of the justice's questions. I felt prepared," Rikelman said during an interview with CBS News.At the center of Wednesday's case is Louisiana Act 620, the "Unsafe Abortion Protection Act," a 2014 law that requires doctors who provide abortions to have privileges to admit patients at a nearby hospital. While the state says it's designed to improve patient safety, critics, like Rikelman's firm, say it's intended to shut down clinics that provide abortion.

Just weeks after it was signed into law, the Center for Reproductive Rights challenged the restrictions, largely blocking it from ever going into effect. The Supreme Court's decision, expected later this year, will ultimately determine whether or not the law can be implemented. Today, only one doctor currently providing abortions in the state is in compliance with the regulation. If the law were to go into effect, that physician has said he would step down, effectively making Louisiana the first state to be without an abortion clinic since Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the procedure.On Wednesday, the Supreme Court held oral arguments, an hour-long hearing where each side presents their case and take queries from justices.

1af7a3ae-2cc3-4950-8d7e-6baba7824ce4.jpg

CBS News' Kate Smith interviews Julie Rikelman, an attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights Gilad Thaler

Rikelman said the justice's questions were in line with what she was expecting."They asked questions about why this law could potentially be different than the Texas law," Rikelman said, referencing Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, a Supreme Court case in 2016 that struck down an identical law out of the neighboring state. "Why should the outcome for the state of Louisiana be different from its neighbor Texas?"In 2016, Chief Justice John Roberts dissented from the court's decision in Whole Woman's Health. On Wednesday, Roberts, as well as Justice Brett Kavanaugh, asked Rikelman whether Louisiana's admitting privileges were inherently unconstitutional or could the regulation be legal if abortion access wasn't impacted."What I said is the court has already said that admitting privileges have no benefit for patients," Rikelman said. "They do nothing for health whatsoever. And generally, laws that have no benefit, can't be constitutional."The Louisiana Attorney General's Office did not make Liz Murrill, the attorney defending the state's regulation, available for an interview following arguments on Wednesday.Justices, in particular Justice Samuel Alito, also questioned Rikelman on whether or not it was appropriate for abortion clinics to represent patients in cases, like Wednesday's, that challenged abortion regulations, a question that was raised to the court by Louisiana last year. Per the state's argument, people seeking an abortion should be capable of legally challenging abortion restrictions."Once a woman finds out she's pregnant, she has only a few weeks to get an abortion and she'd have to file the case in that exact window of time," Rikelman said. "And for our case, she'd then have to keep it going for five and a half years. The state hasn't explained what would be different if there was a woman in this case instead of the physicians."

Story continues

In June Medical Services v. Russo, as well as more than a dozen other abortion-related cases in the Supreme Court's pipeline, the plaintiff is an abortion provider, not a patient.

"This law applies to doctors, it doesn't apply to the patients. It directly regulates the doctors," Rikelman said. "It is a strategy that has been used in order to obstruct abortion is to impose requirements on doctors and clinics. So, it would be ironic if the doctors couldn't then challenge those laws."Rikelman said that if the court were to side with Louisiana on the issue of standing, the impact would be "devastating.""The reality is that most women can not bring these cases themselves," Rikelman said. "And the court has really recognized that before. Women are concerned about their privacy. They're concerned about the stigma. There are protestors outside clinics in Louisiana taking pictures of people who go in and out of the clinics, and in an age of social media, it would be very difficult for a woman to keep her decision private."

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Frontline Ventures, based in Dublin and London, has announced a new $80 million fund designed to assist U.S. tech companies expanding into Europe.

The new Frontline X fund  which means the firm now has $200 million under management  focuses mainly on growth-stage B2B companies and invests up to $5 million per company alongside lead investors in later-stage rounds. Frontline X will be led by partners Stephen McIntyre and Brennan ODonnell.

The firm believes that flawed go-to-market strategies and weak local talent networks means that U.S. companies tend to lose too much money in foregone revenue when they expand into Europe, and the team is aiming to address this.

Ireland has been a crucial landing point, particularly for U.S. tech companies expanding into Europe, in part because of its low tax regime. No doubt, Irish investors are now realizing that with the U.K. leaving the EU, both Dublin and Ireland will become an even more attractive proposition.

Frontline has backed a number of successful companies in Seed Funds I and II, including Britebill (acquired by Amdocs), Logentries (acquired by Rapid7) and Orchestrate (acquired by CenturyLink) . Most recently, Frontline was an early investor in Pointy, which was acquired by Google last month.

Prior to joining Frontline, McIntyre setup Twitters European headquarters as the vice president of EMEA, and built its EMEA business. Prior to that he ran a substantial part of Googles ads business.

ODonnell joins Frontline X as a partner in San Francisco. He previously held multiple go-to-market leadership roles at Google in the U.S. and Europe and executive roles at Yammer, SurveyMonkey, Euclid and Airtable.

In a statement McIntyre said: Weve benchmarked the best of B2B software and seen that, by the time a company goes public, 30% of its revenue should be coming from Europe. But even the biggest names in tech fail to get there because of avoidable mistakes when they land. Weve learned about international expansion the hard way as operators. The good news is that most of these problems are known and solvable.

Frontline X already invested in the Series B of TripActions, a company that has gone on to raise from Andreessen Horowitz at a $4 billion valuation; People.ais $100 million Series C, together with Lightspeed, Andreessen Horowitz and ICONIQ; and Clearbancs $50 million Series B, with Emergence and Highland. The VC has also backed more than 60 companies with recent investments, including TeachCloud, Siren, Cloudsmith and Sweepr.

Ariel Cohen, the CEO of TripActions, commented that Frontline was a crucial source of go-to-market advice.
A Sydney man who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media is now facing life in prison for plotting to bring $150million dollars of cocaine into Australia.

Darren John Mohr, 46, was found guilty of one charge of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug in the Supreme Court on Friday.

As the four-week trial came to a close, one juror broke down in tears as the verdict was read out while others in the public gallery wept, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Mohr, who formerly owned Bondi Rescue HQ cafe, was one of 15 people arrested four years ago after the large-scale drug-ring was dismantled by police.

Scroll down for video

Darren John Mohr, 46, (pictured with his former girlfriend Krissy Marsh) could face up to life in prison after he was found guilty to one charge of conspire to import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug on Friday

The illegal scheme involved sneaking half a tonne of the drug ashore via a fishing vessel, called The Dalrymple, in October 2016.

The boat, which was docked at the Sydney Fish Markets, was sent into international waters south of Fiji to meet a 'mother ship' from Chile to be loaded with the cocaine.

It waited out at sea for days only to return home empty-handed after the mother ship failed to arrive.

Prior to his arrest on December 27, 2016, the businessman's social media pages painted a life of luxury, featuring expensive cars and lavish holidays with his bikini model girlfriend Krissy Marsh.

Images show him tanning on remote beaches, wearing designer suits at prestigious yacht clubs during the Grand Prix in Monaco and flying high on a private helicopter.

Darren Mohr and Krissy Marsh pose in front of a Rolls Royce while attending her sister's wedding on the Gold Coast over Christmas days before his arrest

The happy couple were pictured donning designer garb in front of a Rolls Royce before her sister's wedding in October 2016, with Mohr posting a touching tribute to his partner.

'All the cars bikes and boats mean nothing unless you got someone along for the ride. Always by my side.'

Ms Marsh wore a diamond-encrusted Rolex believed to be worth more than $45,000, while Mohr had a Hubolt wrapped around his wrist which retails at around $17,000.

During the trial, Mohr pleaded not guilty, with his defence lawyer Grant Brady arguing he was caught up in the criminal plot and unaware of the real reason for the boat's voyage.

Brady said Mohr sold his cafe in early 2016 and was looking for work when he was put into contact with co-accused Joseph Pirrello.

The defence argued Pirrello offered Mohr a job as a deck hand or mechanic on The Dalrymple but he turned it down the day before the trip when he discovered its true purpose.

Crown prosecutor Michelle England said evidence implicated Mohr as an 'organiser or facilitator' of the operation, who had been working directly with the Thailand-based mastermind of the plan, known as 'Gutterball'.

Mohr's social media accounts painted a life of luxury, with expensive cars, boats and lavish holidays with his bikini model girlfriend, prior to his arrest in December 2016

Ms Marsh (pictured) and Mohr, who knew each other for years prior to dating, ended their relationship amicably three months after the Bondi Rescue HQ cafe owner was arrested

She said in the months leading up to the failed shipment, Mohr had travelled to Thailand and Chile.

'The accused was Gutterball's Australian representative,' she said.

'Gutterball communicated with (co-accused) Joseph Pirrello and the accused with encrypted BlackBerry devices to avoid detection.'

Ms England added that police surveillance of Mohr the day prior to the voyage conflicts with his version of events.

She told the court he was seen hiring a $690 car to visit the fish markets, talking with other members of the conspiracy, handing over a bag of cash to a co-accused, and calmly booking a haircut and joking with his girlfriend on the phone.

Ms England alleged that his behaviour did not correspond with someone seeking work or who had just learned of the drug operation.

Eleven jurors deliberated for more than a day before returning a verdict.

Since the bust, others have pleaded guilty to the plot and are currently prison sentences, including Pirrello and Simon Spero.

Ms Marsh and Mohr dated for a year, breaking up three months after his arrest.

In 2017, Ms Marsh told the Supreme Court her former lover, with whom she remained good friends, could live at her Rose Bay home if bail were permitted, but it was refused.

Mohr was refused bail to be sentenced on May 29. His offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Mohr shared images of his view as a boat he travelled on cruised around the Monaco harbour

Mohr previously owned Bondi Rescue HQ cafe, where lifeguards from the famed reality television show (pictured) helped run and promote the local haunt








DUBLIN, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Agricultural Biologicals Market by Function (Biocontrol, Biofertilizers, Biostimulants), Product Type (Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals, Natural), Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil and Seed Treatment), Crop Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global agricultural biologicals market size is estimated to account for a value of USD 8.8 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.6%, reaching a value of USD 18.9 billion by 2025.

The demand for agricultural biologicals is increasing due to the growing trend of sustainable agriculture and the rising demand for organic food products worldwide. The registration of these products is one of the major restrains that is projected to hinder the growth of this market. Strict government regulations and less guidance discourage the companies to get their bioproducts registered, which inhibits the commercialization of new products



The biocontrol segment, by function, is projected to be the fastest-growing in the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period



The increasing instances of pest infestations on crops around the globe are driving the market for biocontrol. The rising use of biopesticides to control insect pests have increased the market value for biocontrol in the biologicals market. Biocontrol products are not toxic to the environment unlike their chemical counterpart and only affect the target pests without harming other beneficial insects. The requirement of biocontrol products in micro quantities offers cost-benefits to end-users, which is projected to drive the growth of the market.



By crop type, the fruits & vegetables segment is projected to be the fastest-growing in the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period



The increased global consumption of organic fruits and vegetables has resulted in the dominance of this segment in the agricultural biologicals market. The rise in exports has encouraged farmers to increase the productivity and yield of fruits and vegetables. The use of biostimulants is effective in producing uniform shaped and nutritive fruits. The cost-effective biostimulants and biofertilizers, unlike their synthetic counterparts, has led to an increase in their adoption rate among small farmers in the Asia Pacific regions.



By region, the North American market is projected to dominate the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period



The shift toward sustainable agriculture and the introduction of favorable government regulations in the North American market are some of the factors that are projected to contribute to the growth of the agricultural biologicals market. The North American market is a major producer of field crops, such as wheat and corn. These crops are highly susceptible to insect pests, which affect the yield and productivity. To maintain the yield and meet the growing demand, the usage of biocontrol methods remains high in North America.



Key Topics Covered



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights

4.1 Overview of the Agricultural Biologicals Market

4.2 Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function

4.3 North America: Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function and Key Country

4.4 Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Function and Region

4.5 Key Markets, By Key Country



5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Macro indicators

5.3 Increase in Organic Agricultural Practices

5.4 Declining Trend of Manufacturing Conventional Fertilizers

5.5 Market Dynamics

5.5.1 Drivers

5.5.1.1 Regulatory Pressures and Harmful Effects Associated With Synthetic Plant Protection Products

5.5.1.2 High Costs Associated With the Development of Synthetic Crop Protection Products

5.5.1.3 Growing Preference for Organic Products to Drive the Adoption of Biologicals in Farming

5.5.2 Restraints

5.5.2.1 Technological and Environmental Constraints for the Use of Biologicals

5.5.3 Opportunities

5.5.3.1 Advancements in Microbial Research Undertaken By Key Players Across Regions to Drive the Market Growth

5.5.3.2 Adoption of Agricultural Biologicals in Developing Countries

5.5.4 Challenges

5.5.4.1 High Preference for Agrochemicals Among Farmers Across Regions to Inhibit the Market Growth

5.5.4.2 Presence of Counterfeit Products in the Market Across Regions to Inhibit the Market Growth

5.6 Supply Chain Analysis

5.7 Value Chain Analysis

5.8 Patent Analysis

5.9 Regulatory Framework

5.9.1 US

5.9.2 Canada

5.9.3 Europe

5.9.4 India

5.9.5 Australia



6 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Function

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Crop Protection

6.2.1 Biocontrol

6.2.1.1 The Usage of Biocontrol Methods in Integrated Pest Management Programs is Projected to Drive the Growth of the Market

6.3 Crop Enhancement

6.3.1 Biofertilizers

6.3.1.1 The Ability of Biofertilizers to Enhance the Fertility of the Soil is A Major Factor That Fuels Their Demand

6.3.2 Biostimulants

6.3.2.1 The Increase in Seaweed Production in Europe to Drive the Biostimulants Market in That Region



7 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Product Type

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Microbials

7.2.1 The Ability to Increase the Nutrient Availability in the Soil and Enhance Plant Yield to Drive the Growth of the Microbials Market

7.3 Macrobials

7.3.1 Requirement for High-End Distribution Logistics Hampers the Growth of Macrobials

7.4 Semiochemicals

7.4.1 The Features of Non-Toxicity and Efficiency to Drive the Demand for Semiochemicals

7.5 Natural Products

7.5.1 Increasing Requirement for Sustainable Agriculture to Drive the Demand for Natural Products



8 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Mode of Application

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Foliar Spray

8.2.1 Foliar Sprays are Effective Due to Their Direct Action on Leaves

8.3 Seed Treatment

8.3.1 Seed Treatment Increases Yield and Protects Seeds From Early Season

8.4 Soil Treatment

8.4.1 The Cost of Crop Enhancement Method Acts as A Barrier for Adopting Soil Treatment Solutions



9 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Crop Type

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Macroindicators

9.2.1 Adoption of Organic Agricultural Crops Across the Globe

9.2.2 Ban on the Use of Chemical-Based Pesticides

9.3 Cereals & Grains

9.3.1 Wheat is One of the Most Targeted Cereals for Pests

9.4 Oilseeds & Pulses

9.4.1 The Demand for Biostimulants Remains High With an Increase in Yield and Productivity of Canola

9.5 Fruits & Vegetables

9.5.1 The Increasing Export of Nutrient-Rich Fruits is Projected to Drive the Market Growth for Biostimulants

9.6 Other Crop Types

9.6.1 Biofertilizers to Increase the Quality of Lawns and Turf Grasses



10 Market for Agricultural Biologicals, By Region

10.1 Introduction

10.2 North America

10.2.1 US

10.2.1.1 Favorable Regulatory Frameworks Enable Convenient Registration of Biocontrol in the US

10.2.2 Canada

10.2.2.1 Aphids and Moths are the Major Damage Causing Insects to Canola in Canada

10.2.3 Mexico

10.2.3.1 The Demand for Manure is Projected to Drive the Growth of the Biofertilizers Segment in Mexico

10.3 Europe

10.3.1 Germany

10.3.1.1 Increasing Organic Farming in Germany has Led to A Surge in Demand for Agricultural Biologicals in the Region

10.3.2 France

10.3.2.1 Increased Government Initiatives are Encouraging the Use of Biocontrol in the French Market

10.3.3 Spain

10.3.3.1 Increased Infestation of Citrus has Led to A Surge in the Use of Biologicals in Spain

10.3.4 Italy

10.3.4.1 Increase in Focus on Integrated Pest Management is Projected to Drive the Market Growth

10.3.5 UK

10.3.5.1 Naturally Occurring Seaweed-Based Biofertilizers to Drive the Growth of Biofertilizers in the UK

10.3.6 Rest of Europe

10.3.6.1 The Increase in the Production of Vegetable Crops to Meet the Growing Domestic Demand is Driving the Growth of the Market

10.4 Asia Pacific

10.4.1 China

10.4.1.1 The Increase in Grower Acceptance to Drive the Demand for Biocontrol

10.4.2 Japan

10.4.2.1 New Product Launches That Cater to the Need for Sustainable Agriculture to Drive the Market Growth in Japan

10.4.3 India

10.4.3.1 Favorable Government Regulations to Drive the Market for Biocontrol in India

10.4.4 Australia

10.4.4.1 Impact of Pathogens on the Australian Horticulture Industry to Drive the Growth of the Biocontrol Segment in the Market

10.4.5 Rest of Asia Pacific

10.4.5.1 The Production of Vegetable Crops to Cater to the Growing Domestic Demand is Driving the Growth of the Market

10.5 South America

10.5.1 Brazil

10.5.1.1 Increasing Awareness and the Adoption of Organic Methods for Cultivation to Drive the Market Growth

10.5.2 Argentina

10.5.2.1 The Deteriorating Agricultural Conditions in Argentina are Rapidly Recovering With the Use of Biocontrol, Biofertilizers, and Agricultural Technology Solutions

10.5.3 Rest of South America

10.5.3.1 Less Nitrogen Content in Soils to Drive the Market for Biofertilizers in the Rest of South American Countries

10.6 Rest of the World (RoW)

10.6.1 South Africa

10.6.1.1 A Large Number of Organic Farmers and Supportive Government Policies to Widen the Scope of the Biological Industry in the Country

10.6.2 Others in RoW

10.6.2.1 Countries Looking Forward to Increase the Agricultural Outputs With Sustainable Farming Practices and Organic Alternatives



11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping

11.2.1 Visionary Leaders

11.2.2 Innovators

11.2.3 Dynamic Differentiators

11.2.4 Emerging Companies

11.3 Start-Up Microquadrant

11.3.1 Progressive Companies

11.3.2 Starting Blocks

11.3.3 Responsive Companies

11.3.4 Dynamic Companies

11.4 Ranking of Key Players, 2018

11.5 Competitive Scenario

11.5.1 New Product Launches

11.5.2 Expansions

11.5.3 Acquisitions

11.5.4 Agreements and Collaborations



12 Company Profiles

12.1 BASF SE

12.2 Isagro S.p.A.

12.3 Syngenta Crop Protection AG

12.4 Bayer AG

12.5 UPL

12.6 Marrone Bio Innovations

12.7 Evogene Ltd.

12.8 Vegalab S.A.

12.9 Lallemand

12.1 Valent Biosciences

12.11 Stockton Bio-AG

12.12 Biolchim S.p.A.

12.13 Rizobacter

12.14 Valagro

12.15 Koppert Biological Systems

12.16 Symborg

12.17 Andermatt Biocontrol AG

12.18 Seipasa

12.19 Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC

12.20 Biobest Group N.V.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f74w54

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]



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New Delhi: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday decried attempts by certain international agencies and bodies to "interfere" in India's internal affairs and described their actions as "unwarranted".

Interacting with a group of students at his residence in the national capital, he said international agencies should desist from such actions and asserted that no country with self-respect would accept outside interference in its internal matters.

"We are and always have been capable of solving our internal issues ourselves. In recent times there have been attempts by certain international agencies and bodies to interfere in India's internal affairs," he said, according to a statement issued by the vice president's secretariat.

Observing that a lot of misinformation and disinformation was being circulated about India's secular fabric and politics, Naidu said some forces were envious of India's rise and its growth.

He, however, did not name any organisation.

Earlier this week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) filed an intervention in the Supreme Court on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

The Ministry of External Affairs had asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws.

"India's democracy is mature, stable and has always shown the refreshing capacity to adapt to changing conditions, and uphold democratic institutions and practices," Naidu said.

Asserting that India would continue to be a model to the world when it comes to the functioning of its strong and vibrant democracy, the vice president said Indian democracy has proved to be a miracle by the way it has expanded and consolidated during the last seven decades, assiduously defying many doomsayers.
[March 06, 2020] Dr. Harry Shum Appointed as Adjunct Professor by Tsinghua University

BEIJING, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We believe that having world-class experts like Dr. Harry Shum teaching at Tsinghua will not only have a positive impact on Tsinghua University but also contribute to the development of artificial intelligence in China and in the world, said Qiu Yong, President of Tsinghua University.

On March 5th, the ceremony to appoint Dr. Harry Shum as the Adjunct Professor of Tsinghua University was held at Tsinghua. President Qiu presented the letter of appointment to Dr. Harry Shum online. The ceremony was moderated by Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, Yang Bin. This is also the first time that Tsinghua University has held such a ceremony online. Qiu Yong congratulated Dr. Harry Shum on becoming an Adjunct Professor of Tsinghua University for the second time and extended sincere gratitude to Dr. Shum for his great contributions to the teaching and research at Tsinghua, as well as the establishment and development of the Global Innovation eXchange Institute (GIX), a collaboration between Tsinghua University and Washington University with the support of Microsoft. On September 23rd, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a dawn redwood tree as a gift to GIX during his state visit to the U.S. Under the current international situation, GIX is not only Tsinghua's first physical presence overseas, but also a milestone of China-U.S. people-to-people and technological exchanges. Qiu Yong noted that due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, Tsinghua University commenced large-scale online classes as scheduled on February 17th. On March 2nd, Chinese President Xi Jinping came to the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University to inspect the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. During the inspection, President Xi pointed out that new technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, should be applied to epidemiological investigation and virus source tracing to figure out where the virus comes from and how it will develop. Artificial intelligence will bring tremendous changes to human society, and its influence on each of us will go beyond our imagination. In this special period, we still would like to say Fight on, Wuhan! Stay Strong, China! We are firmly confident in Chinas victory over the epidemic and also believe that the epidemic will eventually be conquered with joint efforts by all countries, said Qiu Yong. Following the speech, Qiu Yong presented the letter of appointment to Dr. Shum online. Dr. Shum thanked Qiu Yong and Tsinghua University for their ongoing care and support. He recalled how fortunate he has been throughout his 20-year association with Tsinghua University, guiding doctoral students and carrying out research together. He added that The sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus is a challenge faced by all mankind. Just a few days ago, Bill Gates, Tsinghu University honorary doctor, called on all countries to accelerate innovation and research, save more lives and improve global epidemic response mechanisms. As a scientist and teacher, I am deeply committed to this mission. We should gather talents from all over the world to solve our common problems with an open mind, a rigorous attitude toward learning and a spirit of perseverance.



After the ceremony, Dr. Shum delivered an online lecture entitled Engineering Responsible AI. In the talk, Dr. Shum explored how we can best address societal challenges before the next AI innovation and development cycle. Up to this point, the answer has centered on principles  guidelines to help companies and countries navigate the complexities and implications of AI. But principles alone are no longer enough, industry, academia and government need to take actions now to move from principles to practices.

Shum also shared insights on what Microsoft AI and Research have been practicing, from conducting research in explainable and interpretable AI, to leveraging useful tools like datasheets and checklists commonly used in other industries, to forming an internal AI ethics committee providing guidelines for shipping AI products, to sharing and learning best practices with other companies through the Partnership in AI. Harry Shum, International Member of the National Academy of Engineering, USA, International Member of the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, IEEE Fellow, ACM Fellow, and Former Executive Vice President at Microsoft Artificial Intelligence and Research Group. He was appointed Adjunct Professor in the Institute for Advanced Study in 2005 and since then supervised 18 doctors in the field of Computer Science and Technology for Tsinghua. Contact: Laura LIN

Email: [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4eb94990-fb5c-45e2-8990-999efbc6b5fb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa122dac-510e-4f05-af68-a962c4ecca5a

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WASHINGTON - If there is one thing essential for Democrats as they look toward taking on President Donald Trump in November, it is a nominee who can drive strong, perhaps historic, turnout, either by reassembling the coalition that twice elected Barack Obama or by mobilizing masses of new voters.

Yet the party is now barreling toward its nominating convention with the race mostly whittled down to two candidates in their late 70s who both have big weaknesses in reaching beyond their respective bases.

Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden will face a crucial test in the remaining states in the Democratic primary, where both will have to recalibrate and - to some extent rebrand - to broaden their appeal and unify a fractured party. It is a tall order for two men who are products of an earlier generation of politics.

"To beat Trump is going to take an all-of-the-above approach, what we saw in the midterm elections: expanded youth turnout, expanded turnout among people of color and continuing to win crossover votes among better-educated independents and Republicans," said Tom Bonier, chief executive of TargetSmart, a Democratic data analytics firm.

"Whoever the Democratic nominee is, they are going to have to check all those boxes," he said.

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Bonier and other party strategists are confident that challenge will prove easier to overcome than the challenges Trump faces in rebuilding his own winning coalition. But the risks are large for both Democratic candidates, and for the party.

Each of their campaigns insists it is poised to draw groups of voters who have not been enthusiastic about their politics and to craft a pitch that crosses ideological and demographic boundaries, as Obama succeeded in doing in 2008.

But Obama, a relative newcomer to the national political stage then, charged into his race free of the burdens that Sanders and Biden carry. Decades of experience helped propel the two septuagenarian politicians to the front of a huge field of candidates this cycle, but that also weighs them down as they struggle to reach new audiences.

"He's going to talk about building a big coalition," Sanders campaign co-chair Ro Khanna, a Silicon Valley congressman, vowed in a video interview he posted Wednesday on Twitter. "He is committed to being a unifier."

That message reflected an insurgent campaign chastened by Super Tuesday election returns that indicated Sanders needs to adjust his approach.

But even as the Biden campaign reveled in its success Tuesday, advisers acknowledged that the former vice president, too, must expand his reach.

"This is somebody whose campaign is fundamentally about hope and optimism, but I think you're going to hear a lot that's from the vice president continuing about not just the experience of the past, but the vision for the future," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a co-chair of the Biden campaign, told reporters Wednesday.

Biden came out of Super Tuesday with several accomplishments to boast of. Turnout hit record levels in some states he carried, notably Virginia. Biden did extremely well in suburban areas among the sorts of moderate voters - many of them former Republicans - who helped carry the Democrats to victory in the 2018 midterm election.

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But his limited reach with voters younger than 45, whom Obama was so successful at energizing, is not encouraging for a Democratic Party eager to attract new blood.

All of the memes of Biden in his aviator glasses and his campaign trail talk about student debt and sexual violence can't mask some tough numbers. He drew just 17% of voters under 45 on Super Tuesday, according to exit polls.

Biden events routinely feature far more gray heads than nose rings. His old-school political style, his dated references to dead politicians like South Carolina Sen. Fritz Hollings and use of archaic words like "malarkey" all send a generational message that leaves many young voters scratching their heads. Many young Democrats believe the political and economic system isn't working for them and want candidates who will shake things up, as many polls have shown.

"There is a pretty steep burden of proof for Joe Biden, first, to show young voters that he gets all of that and, second, that he can and will make the kind of changes that young voters are seeking," said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster unaffiliated with any presidential candidate. "Some of this is about policy and some is just about tone and mindset and body language."

The former vice president's lackluster results with Latinos compound questions about whether he can make the inroads Democrats have long sought in Sunbelt states, notably Arizona and Texas. Some see worrisome echoes of Hillary Clinton's failed presidential run in 2016, when the candidate's dated messaging, establishment pedigree and lack of energy on the campaign trail left too many voters uninspired.

Yet it was Sanders who had by far the tougher night on Super Tuesday.

The Vermont senator has built his campaign around promises that he would mobilize masses of voters who had not participated in the process before. He hasn't.

Sanders did well with those young people who did show up, but he did not significantly expand their turnout - as the candidate acknowledged Wednesday.

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"This is a campaign which is trying to bring - and it is not easy - people who have not been involved in the political process," Sanders said at a news conference in Burlington, Vt.

"Have we been as successful as I would hope in bringing young people in? The answer is no. ... Everybody knows that young people do not vote in the kind of numbers that older people voted. I think that will change in the general election."

That is a big leap of faith Sanders is asking of voters looking for the candidate who can drive turnout against Trump. During his remarks, Sanders spent a lot of time arguing that building his movement is hard, time-consuming work. He spent no time broadening his pitch to voters.

The other major problem the Vermont senator has worked feverishly to fix - without much success - is lack of support among African Americans.

Their chilly reaction to him, especially in the South, derailed his campaign in 2016. This week, those voters once again showed little enthusiasm for him. They rejected his candidacy in numbers so great that Sanders, who went into Super Tuesday widely projected to gather most of the delegates at stake, could not keep pace with Biden.

Failure to generate a big turnout among African American voters contributed to Clinton's loss of key states to Trump in 2016, notably Pennsylvania and Michigan. Sanders' weakness with that key Democratic constituency could once again cost him the nomination, but also might create a serious problem if he were the nominee.

One bright spot for Sanders was his win in California, which he said shows he can build a large multiracial coalition.

"If you look at people of color in general - African Americans and Latinos, Asian Americans - we won that big time" in California, Sanders said. "Not even close. So we are doing very well with people of color; we're going to do better, I think, with the African American community."

The Biden campaign made similarly optimistic comments about its appeal to Latinos. Both campaigns, though, struggled to articulate a coherent plan.

Asked how Biden would increase his standing in the Latino community, Garcetti offered an anecdote involving a personal encounter between Biden and a young immigrant "Dreamer" in a Los Angeles parking lot.

"I know that connection voters feel with him," the mayor said. "And the more they learn about him, the more they love them."

It was a moving anecdote. The next several weeks will show whether either campaign can turn such gauzy hopes into reality.

---

(c)2020 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Brent crude settled below $50 a barrel for the first time since July 2017, as uncertainty loomed over whether Russia would agree to OPECs proposal for a large production cut.

Futures in London fell 2.2% as OPEC ministers extended their initial proposal for a 1.5 million-barrel-a-day supply reduction to year-end, according to delegates. The reduction is still contingent on Russias support, which is so far not evident. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindos reassurance of the groups commitment to stabilizing oil markets failed to quell oil prices.
BATON ROUGE, La. - A Louisiana man accused of fatally shooting three homeless people was indicted Thursday of first-degree murder.

Jeremy Anderson, 29, was arrested in January and faces several murder charges in the deaths of Christina Fowler, 53; Gregory Corcoran, 40; and Tony Williams, 50.

An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted Anderson on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Williams, The Advocate reported. District Attorney Hillar Moore III said the charge allows his office to prosecute Anderson as a serial killer and use evidence of the Fowler-Corcoran slaying at the trial.

Fowler and Corcoran were found fatally shot on Dec. 13 underneath an overpass, huddled in blankets beside an empty shopping cart. Williams was found on Dec. 27 shot to death on the porch of a vacant home about two blocks from where Fowler and Corcoran were found.

Anderson lived two blocks from where both shootings occurred.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul previously said a witness heard Anderson confess to killing Williams. Paul also said evidence found inside Andersons home helped link him to the murders.

Its unclear whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Anderson. Its also unclear whether Anderson had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Theres no cute nickname for Yonge and St. Clair. Blessedly so, perhaps, as neighbourhood nicknames are often created in an effort to make them trendy. Sometimes its best to lay low in this hyperinflated city.

Still, considering how impressive the cluster of buildings and people are here, its an overlooked part of Toronto. In any mid-sized city, Yonge and St. Clair would be downtown but in Toronto its just another node, another cluster along the knuckled spine that is Yonge Street from the lake to Richmond Hill.

Over the last few years theres been a concerted effort to revitalize the neighbourhood surrounding the intersection. Giant murals were installed on the sides of buildings, like the one of a deer unveiled this past fall on 1 St. Clair Ave. E., part of the City of Torontos StreetARToronto program that has a Berlin-style grandiosity to some of its projects.

I recently had dinner at Arthurs, a year-old restaurant on the main floor of the Weston Centre, the building that housed the Loblaws headquarters before it consolidated operations in Brampton. The centres octagonal highrise is a unique bit of mid-1970s late modernism, with a lobby ceiling of chunky stalactites that make it feel like Supermans fortress of solitude.

The restaurant is in one of the also-octagonal pavilion buildings off the lobby and, with its dark interior decor, make the giant windows even more prominent and the room a perfect vantage point to watch streetcars feed in and out of St. Clair station. I can imagine set-in-Toronto films using this room, so Toronto is the background. It seemed, sitting in the restaurant, like an idealized city with transit that was frequent and fast.

Previous to the restaurant the space was a series of coffee shops, the kind of useful but forgettable businesses that often populate the bottom of office towers. Restaurants could bring interior drama to other corporate towers, though they wont all have a public transit show to watch. The rest of the Weston Centre underwent a recent renovation too, giving the Loblaws lunch counter some Yonge Street frontage, though its mostly indistinguishable from other subway-connected mini-malls now.

The St. Clair subway station across the way is one of the originals. From either St. Clair or Pleasant Boulevard, on the south side, its low slung, 1954 lines are visible, a time capsule surrounded by the higher and bigger buildings its opening unleashed. With subways, streetcars and buses all feeding this station, its a total TTC experience.

All of this thick urbanity is just a few hundred metres from the Vale of Avoca ravine, one of the most profound transitions from big city to urban wilderness around. Down in the ravine, ravaged by creek erosion and getting some needed rehabilitation right now, the occasional deer and coyote can be spotted.

Find your way underneath the St. Clair bridge one day  though be careful on dilapidated trails that could use some rehabilitation of their own  and stand in one of the citys most glorious, cathedrallike places.

The ravines feel eternal but Yonge and St. Clairs place in Toronto has shifted. Though it feels like a downtown, its decidedly the citys midtown now. Before Mel Lastmans North York City Centre came into its own as the citys uptown, this was uptown, along with the Davisville and Eglinton intersections. However, it was once considered the suburbs too.

A 1972 newspaper article titled Granite Club has again gone suburban marked the clubs move from St. Clair, just west of Yonge, to its present location on Bayview Avenue. In 1926, when the club moved to St. Clair from its previous location on Church Street, the present day 519 community centre, this was considered the suburbs of Toronto. The city is never static, except when the forces of change are resisted.

When Imperial Oil was moving into their new building at 111 St. Clair W. in 1957, the companys Imperial Oil Review newsletter declared that the uptown hustle and bustle they were creating was fascinating for the passers-by. Renamed the Imperial Plaza, the oil folk having decamped to Calgary in 2004, the now-residential building has the second most ornate LCBO in the city, after Summerhill. Located in the buildings lobby, the booze sits underneath the massive Story of Oil abstract mural by artist York Wilson. Luckily, it didnt go to Calgary too.

Outside, a 25-foot-tall sculpture of a man holding up a thin skyscraper installed last summer has generated some controversy. A work by German artist Stephan Balkenhol, it might be too on the nose in this city that is constantly adding new buildings, causing anxiety. The burden of success, perhaps?

Since the City of Toronto focuses so much development on clusters like Yonge and St. Clair, rather than spreading it around to neighbourhoods currently off limits to change, the sculpture could be viewed as the local burden a place like Yonge and St. Clair carries for the rest of the city.

Shawn Micallef is a Toronto-based writer and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @shawnmicallef
On Tuesdays show, at minute 11:12, you hear a piece of archival tape. Its the kind of historical audio we play all the time, in this case of former Vice President Joe Biden, delivering a speech in the late 1980s.

But the process of obtaining that tape was anything but typical. Heres the story.

About 7:30 p.m. on Monday, we were deep into making an episode about a Virginia voter named Brian Keane, a politically moderate suburbanite whose decision-making seemed to mirror that of many Super Tuesday voters.

During the interview, Brian had recalled meeting Biden on the campus of American University, where Brian ran an undergraduate political union. Biden, then a senator from Delaware, was there to talk to the students.

Clare Toeniskoetter, one of our producers, lowered her headphones and wondered aloud: Did audio from that decades-old speech exist? And if so, could we put it in the episode? She asked a fellow producer, Robert Jimison, who was working from New York, to investigate.
LONDON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- London-headquartered agency CS Global Partners is organising two high-level exclusive dinners in Nigeria, on the 7th and 9th of March. Attendees have the chance to find out about the world's first ever Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme directly from government officials and leading investor immigration experts.

The first dinner will take place in Lagos, at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel on Saturday, March the 7th. The second dinner will be hosted in Abuja, at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja hotel on Monday, March the 9th. Mr Andrew Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr The Honourable Timothy Harris; Mr Les Khan, the CEO of the Citizenship by investment Unit (CIU) of St Kitts and Nevis; and Mr Erion Andoni, Legal and Compliance Manager at CS Global Partners' London office.

"St Kitts and Nevis wants to attract the best investors around the world by awarding them their valuable citizenship in return," says Mr Andoni. "We want foreign investors to discover the possibilities this Caribbean nation has to offer: incredible global mobility to 160 countries and territories, a healthy economy ripe with opportunities, safety and security for their families, and belonging to a country in the world's top 30 for rule of law," Mr Andoni adds. "Furthermore, there is now a fast, secure and affordable way of obtaining second citizenship and this is through a contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund."

The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis established its CBI Programme in 1984, a year after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. As the oldest programme in the world, it is commonly known as the 'Platinum Standard' of CBI. In 2018, PM Harris introduced the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) as the fastest and safest route to citizenship. An investor can either apply individually or with their family by contributing at least US$150,000 to the SGF.

Investors from Nigeria are eligible to apply so long as they pass all the due diligence checks, which safeguard the Programme's integrity and ensure that only the most honest and reputable applicants are accepted. No residence is required and processing can be expedited to 60 days through the Accelerated Application Process.

CS Global Partners is mandated by the government of St Kitts and Nevis to promote their CBI Programme worldwide.

pr@csglobalpartners.com

www.csglobalpartners.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The Cleveland Clinic suspended all international travel for its employees, known as caregivers, in response to the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, outbreak.

The travel ban went into effect March 5 and covers all nonessential international business travel through March 31. Domestic business travel also is being limited and will require approval from hospital leadership, according to a statement from the Clinic.

As health care providers, our first priority is serving our patients and community. We are taking these precautions to ensure we can continue caring for our patients while also protecting the health of our caregivers, the statement said.

Globally, there are more than 95,000 confirmed cases of people with the virus and more than 3,200 deaths, according to the World Health Organization as of March 5. In the U.S., there are 99 confirmed cases in 13 states and 10 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions March 5 numbers. There are no confirmed cases in Ohio.

The Clinic is following travel notices issued by the CDC and WHO and will update its own travel restrictions as that guidance changes, the statement said.

The CDC issued a Level 3 travel notice for China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, recommending those in the U.S. avoid nonessential travel to those countries; a Level 2 travel notice to Japan, advising that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions postpone nonessential travel; and a Level 1 watch notice for Hong Kong, urging travelers to practice usual precautions, related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A CDC Level 3 warning means the outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk. A Level 2 alert identifies a specific at-risk population, and a Level 1 watch means the virus has spread to Hong Kong and travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.

The WHO on Feb. 29 advised against countries imposing travel restrictions to places with COVID-19 outbreaks but advised sick travelers, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases and underlying health conditions, to delay or avoid travel to affected areas.

Read more coronavirus coverage:

Should I cancel my trip? Experts say it depends.

Masks not necessary, hand washing is best

Berea grad calls for empathy during coronavirus outbreak

Another Ohioan tested negative for coronavirus; health officials urge caution

Protecting patients, health care workers priorities as Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and UH prepare for coronavirus

Inside the coronavirus outbreak: Former Clevelander gives account of daily life in Shanghai
Oppo has launched its 2020 flagship phones, the Find X2 and Find X2 Pro, at an online event on Friday, March 6. The Find X2 series comes with top-end specifications that are meant for flagship phones but Oppo has removed what could have been a trademark for the Find lineup. Last year's Find X came with a motorised pop-up camera that, sort of, attracted buyers but the Find X2 ditches that mechanism for a punch-hole setup. But everything else is exciting on the Find X2 phones. The phones have a 120Hz display and the Pro variant has a periscope camera onboard, which may bring Oppo to the club of premium brands somehow.

Oppo Find X2, Find X2 Pro Price

The Oppo Find X2 has been launched at a price of EUR 999, which is about Rs 84,000. It has two colour options Black and Blue. The Oppo Find X2 Pro, on the other hand, is pricier at EUR 1,199, which is approximately Rs 1,00,200, and comes in Orange colour. There is also a Ceramic version of the Oppo Find X2 Pro.

Of course, the pricing is outlandish for an Oppo phone in India, even if it has flagship specifications. Also, if we go by what the predecessor Find X cost in India (Rs 59,990, the Find X2 could arrive at about the same price or a little higher but not definitely around Rs 84,000. Oppo may also choose to launch the Find X2 Pro in India but it will, again, rework the pricing according to the Indian market.

Oppo Find X2, Find X2 Pro Specifications

We will detail the specifications of the Find X2 Pro because the Find X2 includes everything the former has except for a few internals. The Find X2 Pro has a 6.7-inch 3K display with a resolution of 1080x3168 pixels and an aspect ratio of 21:9. The display has a fingerprint sensor embedded under it. It also supports HDR10+ and has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Oppo has paid attention to the display and has even given a dedicated custom chip under the screen for image processing, which involves upscaling of content with any resolution to 60fps or 120fps while converting SDR to HDR. The display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 6.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage. It runs ColorOS 7.1 that is based on Android 10. The smartphone comes with an IP54 rating that makes it only splash proof and dustproof. For a flagship phone, which is priced on par with Samsung's flagships, IP68 rating could at least have been given to the Find X2 Pro. The smartphone is backed by a 4260mAh battery under the hood that supports the 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 fast charging technology. It is claimed to top the battery up in about 38 minutes. The smartphone supports 3.5mm headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and wireless charging.

For optics, the Oppo Find X2 Pro comes with a 48-megapixel Sony IMX689 sensor with OIS, Omni-directional PDAF, and Ultra Video Steady Pro technology. There is also a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor with capability to shoot macros. The third one is a periscope sensor that supports OIS and can offer a digital zoom of 60z, hybrid zoom of 10x, and optical zoom of 5x. The cameras are also capable of recording 4K videos and 10-bit live HDR videos. For selfies, there is a 32-megapixel Sony IMX616 sensor on the front.

Now, coming to the Find X2, everything is the same except for a few things. The Oppo Find X2 has a 4200mAh battery with the same 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 technology, it has a 256GB storage model, and it replaces the camera sensors with a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 main sensor, a 12-megapixel IMX708 sensor, and a 13-megapixel telephoto sensor with 20x digital zoom, 5x hybrid zoom, and 3x optical zoom.
Dozens of environmental activists and union laborers turned out in force Thursday for an Illinois Commerce Commission hearing on the proposed expansion of the Dakota Access pipeline, which transports crude oil from North Dakota to a terminal in central Illinois.

The pipeline cuts through a large section of Morgan County and west-central Illinois.

Opponents of the expansion, which would increase the flow of oil through the pipeline from a daily average of 560,000 barrels to 1.1 million barrels, argue the increased amount is dangerous to the environment and an unnecessary reliance on fossil fuel. Proponents, including members of the Laborers International Union who wore bright orange sweatshirts, jackets and shirts to the meeting, say the pipeline expansion is safe, a boost to the American economy and will create construction jobs in Illinois.

The evidentiary hearing that began Thursday is much like a court proceeding. The pipeline company, which is petitioning the commerce commission for approval to expand capacity and build new pump stations, and environmental groups, which are protesting the plans, can call on witnesses and ask questions in front of an administrative law judge. A final decision on the fate of the proposed pipeline upgrades is still months away.

While the public is able to attend, there is no time allotted for public comment. That restriction did not prevent activists and pro-pipeline union members from packing the hearing room. People stood along the side of the room, which holds about 100 people, and the crowd overflowed into the hallway.

Deni Mathews, chairwoman of the group Save Our Illinois Land, among the groups which has filed a series of objections to the plans, said she is not sure what effect activists presence will have on the future of the project, but that transparency in the process and bringing the plans to the publics attention is part of activists goal.

This hearing is bone-dry in terms of content, but I think its important to open up these different commissions and make sure the public knows whats going on, Mathews said.

SOIL board member Paul Berland said he wished the hearing focused more on the overarching issue of climate change, instead of the intricacies of the specific pipeline proposals. Still, he said the fight against the pipeline is part of an overall effort to stand up to the oil and gas industry.

The fact is that there is more and more global warming occurring across the world and this pipeline is going to have devastating consequences and its just going to get worse, Berland said. But were also concerned about the environmental damage, as well. So its multiple facets.

Several labor unions have formally filed support for the plans with the commerce commission. The presence of dozens of members reinforced that support.

Craig Stevens, spokesman for a coalition of businesses, trade associations, and labor groups called Grow Americas Infrastructure Now, said the pipeline is incredibly important to Illinois and our nations economy. Increasing Dakota Access capacity will allow more American crude oil to be transported to market while also freeing up Midwestern rail cars to transport more commodities such as corn and soybeans, he said.

Really the question, I think, that the American electorate needs to think about is, What are we going to do to power our nation? Stevens said. He argued the pipeline is safe and one of the most technologically advanced pipelines ever constructed.

The company that operates Dakota Access, Energy Transfer, says the pipeline is safe and expansion will not increase the risk of ruptures or spills. The pipeline, the company says, initially was built to handle the flow of more oil than the current amount.

Our plan to optimize the pipelines capacity is well within the design parameters of the current system, a company spokeswoman wrote in response to previous questions from the Tribune. The additional pumps and the enhanced safety controls along the route, i.e., surge tanks, will not change the risk profile of the pipeline or the maximum operating pressure. The Dakota Access pipeline will continue to operate safely at the optimized capacity.

Dakota Access, in a June filing with the commerce commission, detailed its desire to increase pipeline volume and upgrade pumping infrastructure along the route. The simple reason for the changes, they say, is increased production and demand for crude oil. To handle the increased flow, the company wants to build a $35 million to $40 million pump station near Carthage in western Illinois and add two pumps and replace two others at the pump and tank hub near the towns of Patoka and Vernon along U.S. 51.

Those upgrades, the company says, will allow it to increase the daily flow through the pipeline to as much as 1.1 million barrels a day. The Williston Basin in North Dakota, which includes the Bakken region, is producing about 1.4 million barrels a day, up 29% from when the Dakota Access pipeline began operating in June 2017, according to a recent company filing for the commerce commission.

The company forecasts that production will continue to increase over the next five years because of advances in recovery and drilling technology.
I dont know what it is about Japanese men and bicycle seats, but for some reason some men can never have enough of these seats. Just a few months after writing about a man who stole 159 bike seats in a year, we now have the story of another Japanese man who claims to have stolen over 5,800 seats over the lasts 25 years.

Hiroaki Suda, a 57-year-old truck driver, was arrested on Feb. 13 after surveillance cameras caught him stealing two bicycle seats worth about 8,000 ($75) on Nov. 29 and 30, 2019, at a train station and a parking lot for bicycles in Higashiosaka, Japans Osaka prefecture. Suda admitted to the charges, and for some reason confessed to police that he had started stealing bicycle seats about a quarter century before, and had since put together quite and impressive collection.

Photo: Skitterphoto/Pixabay

I began to steal bike seats about 25 years ago in Tokyo and Osaka to relieve stress at work and, gradually, collecting them turned out to be fun, Suda was quoted as saying by police.

The 57-year-old trucker led police to a storage facility that he had rented specifically for the over 5,800 bike seats he had stolen over the last two and a half decades. Aided by his job, which saw him traveling all over Japan, he has stolen bike seats from every area of the country.



The seized bike seats put on display by police make up only a fraction of the huge collection Suda had put together.
Two men have blown themselves up near the US embassy in Tunisias capital, Tunis, killing one policeman and injuring several others, officials confirmed.

The Interior Ministry said the two militants died carrying out the attack and five policemen sustained injuries, while a civilian suffered minor injuries.

State news agency TAP reported the Interior Ministry as saying one of the security officers later succumbed to his injuries.

The US embassy said in a statement on Facebook: Emergency personnel are responding to an explosion that occurred near the US embassy in Tunis. Please avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.

Photos posted on social media show vehicles damaged from the explosion outside the embassy. A video posted on Twitter shows a number of police running towards the US embassy after the explosion went off.

Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Show all 9 1 /9 Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A police officer and a soldier stand guard at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy in Tunis REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A forensic expert and police officers are seen at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and firefighters gather at the scene of an explosion near the US embassy in the Tunisian capital Tunis AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A forensic expert seals off the scene of an explosion near the US embassy AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Forensic experts investigate at the scene of an explosion near the US embassy AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Members of security forces stand guard at the site of a suicide attack REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images

A shopkeeper, Amira, told Reuters: We heard a very powerful explosion, we then saw the remains of the terrorist lying on the ground after he went on the motorbike towards the police.

The embassy is located in the Berges du Lac district, where a number of embassies for other countries also reside.

The British embassy in Tunis advised travellers in the area to remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities.

The British embassy Tunis is in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of a suicide bombing near the US embassy in Tunis, it said in a travel advisory update.

Tunisian police have cordoned off the area and the nearby American School of Tunis has been closed while they investigate.

Paramedics arrived at the scene to treat the wounded officers, said a witness in the area.

Tunisia is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, particularly its tourism industry which was devastated after two major attacks that killed scores of tourists at a beach resort and a popular museum in 2015.
LyondellBasell, Bora sign agreements to form Chinese joint venture

Petrochemicals and refining giant LyondellBasell on Thursday announced the signing of definitive agreements with the Liaoning Bora Enterprise Group (Bora) to set up a 50:50 joint venture to manufacture petrochemicals, as part of its plans to expand in China.

LyondellBasell and Bora first signed a memorandum of understanding on 5 September 2019 and announced their intention to form this joint venture during a ceremony in Panjin, China.

"China is a large market with growing demand for high quality polyolefin products," said Bob Patel, CEO of LyondellBasell. "The combination of LyondellBasell's leading technology and Bora's operational excellence will allow us to reliably produce and provide these needed products to local customers."

Under the agreements, the partners will form a Sino-foreign joint venture, the Bora LyondellBasell Petrochemical Co Ltd, that will operate a 1.1 million metric tonnes per annum ethylene cracker and associated polyolefin derivatives complex in Panjin, China, with a total expected cost of approximately $2.6 billion.

The complex will produce products that serve the growing demands of various industries in China, including packaging, transportation, building and construction, and healthcare and hygiene.

LyondellBasell will market the polypropylene and high-density polyethylene which will be produced utilising LyondellBasell licensed Spheripol, Spherizone polypropylene technologies and Hostalen ACP polyethylene technology. Start-up is expected in the second half of 2020.

According to IHS Markit, Asia is the largest and fastest growing polyolefin market in the world. China accounts for more than 60 per cent of the Asian polyolefins market and represents 40 per cent of global growth. Olefins and polyolefins are core products of LyondellBasell.

LyondellBasell expects to make its equity contribution in the coming months. The formation of the JV is subject to approvals by relevant government authorities, including antitrust review by the State Administration for Market Regulation.

LyondellBasell is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Its products include lightweight and flexible packaging, stronger and more versatile pipes for improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, and ensuring the safe and effective functionality in electronics and appliances.

The company sells products into more than 100 countries and is the world's largest producer of polymer compounds and the largest licensor of polyolefin technologies.?
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo told reporters for the Miami Herald that the risks were too great for the festival, which draws 165,000 fans from around the world over three days to Miamis Bayfront Park. The festival, technically just postponed, isnt likely to be held until 2021, they said. A formal announcement from the festival is expected Friday.  Los Angeles Times
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will form a committee to review all developments in the Lower House of Parliament from the beginning of the second half of the budget session till Thursday when seven Congress MPs were suspended for the remaining part of the session.

An announcement to the effect was made by Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair as Birla continued to stay away from the House even as the Congress and other opposition parties embarked on a fresh round of protests.

Solanki informed the House that all developments in the House between March 2 and March 5 will be reviewed by the panel, which will be headed by Birla and have representatives from almost all parties.

Earlier in the day, several members urged the Speaker to take back his decision to suspend the seven MPs. Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Manikram Tagore, Benny Behanan, Dean Kuriakose, Rajmohan Unnithan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla were suspended after they stalled proceedings for the fourth day in a row on Thursday, and started throwing papers from the Speakers table.

As proceedings began in the Lower House on Friday, Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called Birla Pope of the Vatican and urged him to reconsider his decision. Members from the Trinamool Congress (Sudip Bandopadhyay), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Dayanidhi Maran), Nationalist Congress Party (Supriya Sule), and Janata Dal (United) (Lallan Singh), too urged the Speaker to withdraw the suspension.

Chowdhury dubbed the Speakers decision to suspend seven MPs for the remaining term of the House unprecedented and urged the Chair not to punish them heavily for what he termed a relatively small matter.

In response, parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said that while the government does not want to keep any member away from the House, what happened on Thursday has never happened before in Indias parliamentary history.

Such behaviour should not be displayed in the House. Earlier, inappropriate words were said against the PM and Amit Shah in the House but we did not do anything, Joshi said.

Trinamools Bandopadhyay said: He (the Speaker) has always shown patience towards the MPs and the beginning (of the 17th Lok Sabha) was very good. I apprehend whether the Government is creating pressure upon the Hon. Speaker.

In the Rajya Sabha, vice-president Venkaiah Naidu urged members from both sides to discuss repeated disruptions in the House. What happened in this House is a matter of concern... I appeal to all including the government and the Opposition -- please discuss amongst yourselves and come to a meaningful solution.

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha saw disruptions for the fifth day in a row, as Opposition members demanded that the government hold a discussion on the communal violence that erupted in north-east Delhi, leaving at least 53 people dead. Chowdhury led others into the Well of the House in protest, demanding the resignation of home minister Amit Shah.

Despite the din, the Lok Sabha passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill 2019 and the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020.
An American man has become the first coronavirus case in Bhutan after flying in from India -leading the tiny kingdom to ban all tourist arrivals for two weeks.

The Himalayan country, which is heavily reliant on tourism, said a 79-year-old tourist who entered on a flight from India on March 2 had tested positive for the virus.

He was admitted to hospital on March 5 with a fever, where he tested positive for COVID-19, the office of Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said in a Facebook post.

A US man has become the first coronavirus case in Bhutan after flying in from India - as the tiny kingdom bans all tourist arrivals for two weeks. Pictured: people wearing masks in Delhi, India

'The government will impose two weeks restriction on all incoming tourists with immediate effect,' the health ministry said in a statement.

'This is to enable rigorous monitoring, source assessment of infection and mitigate the situation.'

The government also announced the closure of several schools and the postponement of international conferences and seminars for two weeks.

The ministry said the patient, who had entered India on February 21, had been put in quarantine in hospital in the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu.

He had entered the country from Paro International Airport, after a Drukair flight from Guwahati, India on March 2.

The Himalayan country, which is heavily reliant on tourism, said a 79-year-old American tourist who entered on a flight from India on March 2 had tested positive for the virus. Pictured: people wearing masks at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India

The patient was touring India from February 21 to March 1 and had started his travel from Washington DC on February 18.

He was travelling with his partner, aged 59. There were 10 passengers on board, of which eight others were Indian nationals.

India's total number of confirmed cases has risen to 31, after a person from New Delhi with a history of travel from Thailand and Malaysia tested positive, its health ministry said.

Students go to school in an auto-rickshaw, wearing protective masks, in Guwahati, India. India's total number of confirmed cases has risen to 31

Coronavirus, which can cause respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia, emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

Globally, there have been more than 98,000 cases and more than 3,300 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. Most of the cases and deaths have been in China but the virus is now spreading in numerous countries.
Elizabeth Warren cannot believe that she was defeated by the campaigns of Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders  she insists, instead, that she was defeated by their testes.

We sympathize, truly. It is difficult to believe, and must be tough to accept, that any barely competent political operation could be defeated by the steadiness and freshness of Joe Biden or by the suavity and wide-ranging appeal of Bernie Sanders. And Senator Warren likes to think of herself as more than barely competent but omnicompetent, competence personified  competence incarnate, as Megan Garber calls her in The Atlantic. Those who have watched Senator Warren campaign (awkwardly) or try to triangulate a health-care program (beseechingly) or explain away that weird Cherokee-princess stuff (cringe-inducingly) might be forgiven for doubting this particular incarnation.

Of course, the explanation must be sexism. It cant be Russian trolls on Facebook  this is the Democratic primary we are talking about here! Senator Warren says it is sexism, her amen corner in the media says it is sexism, all right-thinking people say it is sexism  and what this says about Democratic-primary voters is of some interest.

If you cut the data just right, you can make a bit of a case. A study of hostile sexism among Democratic-primary voters (hostile sexism is denoted by affirming such statements as, Most women interpret innocent remarks or acts as being sexist, a formulation in which there is just a hint of Kafka) found that the Democrats with the highest hostile sexism scores preferred two teste-bearing candidates, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, while those with the lowest hostile-sexism scores ranked Warren and Biden about even but took a low view of Sanders. (Pete Buttigieg didnt break 10 percent among the most hostile, the least hostile, or even the middle.) The Warren downslope intersects the Sanders upslope right in the middle of the hostile-sexism chart, but at no point in that chart does Warren actually lead Biden.

Story continues

The feminists lamentation here is predictable: Just give us a woman! Just give a woman a chance. And the problem for Warren is the same problem that faced Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016: Americans are open to a woman  but that does not mean they are open to this woman. Many Democrats said that they worried about Warren not because she was a woman but because she reminds them of a particular woman  the one who lost to Donald Trump in 2016, an experience the Democrats are, understandably, not eager to repeat.

But a woman president? We think Americans would welcome it. If it were possible to plant a batch of Margaret Thatcher seeds in Oklahoma or Idaho, Republicans would be happy with that harvest of presidential candidates. Nikki Haley often is spoken about as a potential Republican nominee, and one need not deny the existence of sexism categorically (which would be foolish) to believe that her biggest obstacles to the Republican nomination or the presidency would have nothing to do with her sex. Democrats, too, would surely be overjoyed to elect a woman president, provided . . . well, theres the hang-up.

Warren is a poor candidate, one who managed to combine the worst ideological excesses and woke silliness of the Sanders tendency (remember that weird stuff about recruiting a young trans person to screen her Cabinet picks?) with the uninspiring lukewarmness of the so-called centrist candidates. She comes off like a 1990s-vintage New Democrat who has attempted to retrofit herself for the post-Occupy Democratic Party  which is what she is  basically strapping on a pair of rhetorical Birkenstocks. It is said to be prima facie evidence of sexism to suspect the ambition of a female candidate, but the abjectness of Warren and the obviousness of her cynical careerism is there in full view nonetheless, and her chromosomes present us with no reason to fail to see it or to understand it for what it is. Some of the people who scoffed at Mayor Pete for attempting to jump from the South Bend mayors office to the White House might have had ugly attitudes about homosexuals, which is lamentable  but Buttigiegs candidacy was nonetheless preposterous.

Women have been doing very well in congressional races for years  and in executive races, too, as the governors of Kansas, South Dakota, Maine, New Mexico, Michigan, Iowa, Alabama, Oregon, etc., can attest. It is worth keeping in mind that the data sets of American presidents (45) and American presidential elections (58) both are pretty small. Barack Obamas electoral success did not tell us very much about racism in the United States  only that being black is not an insurmountable obstacle. We should be careful, and not strident, about casting aspersions on the American electorate, or even on that daft and inexplicable subset of it that dominates the Democratic primary.

There were plenty of excellent reasons for Elizabeth Warren to lose the primary, though we confess we are hard-pressed to think of any good reasons why Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders should win.

More from National Review
Frakes emphasized the records error was not a miscalculation and did not impact court-ordered sentences. Rather, it affected the amount of good time deducted from sentences as a result of violations that happened during incarceration.

"Fortunately, many of the people who are still with us will get parole, and so this will have no impact on them," he said.

For those who have requested to have good time restored because they have been behaving since they lost it, odds are it will be restored unless it was taken away for a high-level violent act, he said.

When sanctions are given to a prisoner, it is a two-step process to record them, first to enter the findings of a disciplinary hearing, then to record any loss of good time in a separate area, Frakes said. That second entry sends a report to the records staff to adjust the tentative release date because of that loss of good time.

All of the entry failures were chalked up to human error, involving more than 40 workers making the errors over 10 years, while logging 15,000 entries for losses of good time.

It was just one of those things that went on for a long time, he said, and the right conditions never occurred that led to discovery of the errors.
The RBI said the State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.

Even as panic-stricken depositors thronged the cash-strapped Yes Bank since Thursday evening after the govt capped withdrawls at Rs 50,000, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stepped in to allay the concerns of the customers of the private lender and assured that their interest will be protected and that their money is safe.

"We are ensuring that the customers interests are protected," Sitharaman said while addressing a press conference in Delhi on Friday afternoon.

"We can assure all depositors that their money is safe," she added. "I am closely monitoring every institution which requires that kind of monitoring along with RBI," the finance minister said adding that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals.

The government, she said, wants the RBI to ensure that due process of law is followed with a sense of urgency.

Since 2017, the central bank noticed governance issues and weak regulatory compliance at Yes Bank, besides wrong asset classification and risky credit decisions, she said.

On finding risky credit decisions, the RBI advised change in management, she added.

Sitharaman said that State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank and that the restructuring scheme will be fully effective within 30 days. She also said that that employment and salary of Yes Bank employees have been assured for one year.

She said that the Anil Ambani Group, Essel, ILFS, DHFL and Vodafone were among the stressed corporates that Yes Bank had exposure to.

Retorting to former finance minister P Chidambaram's attack on the government over the Yes Bank crisis, Sitharaman said that the collapse of United Western Bank in 2006 had taken place under the "self-appointed competent doctors".

Chidambaram had termed Yes Bank crisis as a completely "regulatory failure" and said there is no need to panic as the Reserve Bank of India placed restrictions on the bank. "It shows completely regulatory failure and I wonder if this is the end or there will be more in the line. Yet the government keeps absolute silence. PMC bank depositors are agitating every day before RBI offices in Mumbai. But the government did not respond," Chidambaram told reporters in Delhi.

Finance Minister @nsitharaman says she is constantly in touch with RBI over #YesBankCrisis & that the steps are taken in the interest of the depositors #YesBank pic.twitter.com/MD1YtZzwE9  CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) March 6, 2020

Earlier in the day, Sitharaman assured cash-starved Yes Bank depositors that their money is safe and the RBI is working on an early resolution of the issue.

I'm in continuous interaction with the RBI. The central bank is fully seized of the matter and has assured they will give a quick resolution. I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe, Sitharaman told reporters in Delhi.

RBI announces reconstruction scheme

Meanwhile, the RBI unveiled reconstruction scheme for the crisis-ridden Yes Bank.

The RBI said the State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank.

In the draft 'Yes Bank Reconstruction Scheme, 2020', the RBI also said the strategic investor bank will have to pick up 49 percent stake and it cannot reduce holding to below 26 percent before three years from the date of capital infusion.

From the appointed date, the authorised capital of the private sector bank would stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and number of equity shares to 2,400 crore having face value of Rs 2 each.

"The investor bank shall agree to invest in the equity of the reconstructed bank to the extent that post infusion it holds 49 percent shareholding in the reconstructed bank at a price not less than Rs 10 (Face value of Rs 2) and premium of Rs 8," said the draft on which comments from stakeholders have been invited till 9 March.

It further said SBI has "expressed its willingness" to make investment in Yes Bank and participate in its reconstruction scheme.

Shaktikanta Das assures of 'swift action' to revive Yes Bank

Yes Bank resolution efforts are aimed at maintaining "stability and resilience" in the Indian financial sector and the difficulties will be overcome "very swiftly", RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said.

The 30-day moratorium deadline is an "outer limit", he said, reiterating that the interests of depositors will be "fully protected".

He also defended the timing of the move as "appropriate", saying Yes Bank was unable to come up with a solution despite being given time for an internal resolution.

"It (resolution) will be done very swiftly, it will be done very fast. Thirty days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see a very swift action from RBI to put in place a scheme to revive Yes Bank," Das told reporters in Mumbai.

Congress attacks govt for bank's collapse

Carrying out a scathing attack on the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "ideas" have destroyed the country's economy.

Flaying the BJP-led government over the moratorium placed on Yes Bank Gandhi tweeted: "No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India's economy."

Senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram also hit out at the government, saying its "ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed".

"BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed. First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?" the former finance minister said in a tweet.

He also wondered if the BJP-led government would confirm that YES Bank's loan book had grown under its watch from Rs 55,000 crore in FY 2014 to Rs 2,41,000 core in FY 2019.

Yes Bank shares plummet 56%

Shares of Yes Bank came under massive selling pressure on Friday, plunging 56 percent at close, after the cash-strapped lender was placed under a 30-day moratorium.

On the BSE, the scrip sank 56.04 percent to close at Rs 16.20 as investors deserted the counter. During the trade, it nosedived 84.93 percent to Rs 5.55  its 52-week low.

#MarketAtClose | Yes Bank erases market cap of over Rs 5,000 cr today pic.twitter.com/6el05yAiHK  CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) March 6, 2020

It plummeted 54.89 percent to close at Rs 16.60 on the NSE. The company's market valuation also dropped from Rs 5,266.23 crore to Rs 4,131.77 crore on the BSE.

Moody's downgrades Yes Bank's ratings

Moody's Investors Service on Friday downgraded Yes Bank Ltd's rating following RBI imposing a 30-day moratorium that prevents the lender from making payment to its creditors.

"The ratings remain under review, with the direction uncertain," Moody's said, downgrading Yes Bank Ltd's long-term foreign currency issuer rating to CAA3 from B2. Moody's has also downgraded the bank's long-term foreign and local currency bank deposit ratings.

The downgrade "is a result of an event of default triggered by the RBI's moratorium, which prevents Yes Bank from making a full and timely payment to its senior creditors," the rating agency said in a statement.

"Despite the event of default, the CAA3 rating takes into account Moody's expectation that although recovery rates for the banks' senior creditors may be high given the close involvement of the Indian authorities and stated intention to resolve the bank quickly, the ultimate timing and form of eventual resolution remains uncertain.

Panicked customers throng Yes Bank branches

Distress calls and long queues of customers were witnessed at various branches of Yes Bank after the RBI put a withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000 on Thursday. The cash-starved private sector lender has been placed under moratorium for one month.

On Thursday, the RBI in consultation with the Union government also superseded the bank's board of directors due to serious deterioration in the bank's financial position.

While customers complained about net banking not working, many resorted to microblogging site Twitter to express anguish that they were not able to withdraw money, posting screenshots that they were getting "connection error".

One of the customers wrote on Twitter that he wants to close his savings account but "how can I do it online?".

"We are facing intermittent issues in net banking. Request you to please try after some time," Yes Bank said in response to the tweet.

The Mumbai-headquartered private sector bank has also changed its toll-free phone banking number to 18001200 from 18002000.

However, it seems that the sense of crisis started brewing among the bank's customers even before the RBI's Thursday move as messags dating 3 and 4 March or before could be traced on its Twitter handle of customers complaining about banking issues. Some even left their personal mobile numbers, asking the bank to revert them back "ASAP".

Besides, the bank is also reported to be sending out messages to customers updating them about bank balances.

A customer of the bank said he faced no problem on Thursday night while transacting through his debit card at a fuel-refilling station.

 With PTI inputs
Argentine cement market contracts 25% in February

ICR Newsroom By 06 March 2020

Cement demand in Argentina fell 25.4 per cent YoY ad 7.9 per cent MoM to 686,671t in February 2020, according to AFCP, the domestic cement association. There were no imports as domestic cement producers were able to meet the entire volume required by the market.



Cement producers manufactured 695,045t of cement with 8374t shipped for export in February 2020. The production volume fell 25.2 per cent YoY and 8.3 per cent MoM.



In the first two months of 2020 total cement consumption in the country reached 1.432Mt  a 20.2 per cent decline from 1.795Mt in the 2M19.



Output fell to 1.453Mt, down 19.9 per cent when compared with 1.814Mt in 2M19. Of this total 20,788t was exported, representing a 10.7 per cent increase when compared with the 2M19 when 18,783t was delivered to export markets.

Published under
State Sen. Diane Savino has never been shy of controversy. She was a founding member of the Independent Democratic Conference, which broke away from the mainline state Senate Democrats to partner with Republicans, and has also championed controversial legislation. She was the lead sponsor of the bill creating a medical marijauna program in New York, and now shes leading the push to legalize physician-assisted suicide through the Medical Aid in Dying Act. She talked to City & State about pushing the sensitive issue, fixing the medical pot program and why she wants to legalize cannabis for animals. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Youve been pushing the Medical Aid in Dying Act for at least four years. Is this finally the year that it passes?

Theres definitely more interest in it. Compassion & Choices, who are doing the advocacy work, theyre doing a really good job addressing some of the concerns that members have. But this is a very complicated issue because its very sensitive. Nobody likes to talk about death. Period. They dont like to admit that its going to happen to anyone.

Right now its not a budget issue. Everyone is like, Oh, come back and talk to me later. But I have seen a difference in the way some of the members are looking at it. One, theyre not running away from me anymore! Thats always good. But I couldnt tell you whether I think it happens this year. I hope so. I still think theres a lot of people who are lined up against it.

For people of faith it can be a very complicated issue. Theres not a single religion supporting this. Theres disability rights advocates who always oppose it, you know the Im not dead yet group, who are convinced that if we do this, their familys going to force them to do it, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. In the 10 states that have (physician-assisted suicide), its never happened. Doesnt matter, it just makes people concerned. (There are) the hospice and pain management professionals, who seem to think we are competing with them, that we would be suggesting to people that you dont need to go into hospice, Here you go, heres your prescription and enjoy. Which, of course, is absurd. Theres a bunch of competing ideologies around this issue, which makes it even harder. But I think were making progress.

Youve been a longtime supporter of the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, to set higher nurse-to-patient ratios, but the nurses union reached an agreement with several major hospital systems last year. Is that an issue that needs to be addressed in 2020?

Youre always better off having issues in statute than in an agreement, because you know, union leaders change, elected officials change. So, if its really that important, you want to make sure that it survives any administration or any change in union leadership. The issue with safe staffing is more complicated in a year where were looking at a tremendous Medicaid deficit. The hospitals will argue, again, this costs them money. I told them a million times: Tell us how much. What will this cost you?If the hospitals think that this is actually going to happen, theyll come forward and tell us how much. Now, maybe you dont need every unit to be treated the same way. I dont know, thats something theyll have to figure out. Theres another argument to be made that this is an issue that should be dealt with in the nurses unions contracts. But then youll wind up with nurses in hospitals where theyre represented having better working conditions than nurses in non-unionized hospitals  which of course would be a reason to unionize, but it doesnt really solve the problem. If patients are entitled to a particular nurse staffing ratio because itd be good for overall patient care, then why would you want to have two different standards in New York state?

You were also the lead sponsor on legalizing medical marijuana. Are you interested in expanding or improving that program this year?

Yes! Absolutely. Im not trying to disrupt the negotiations around adult use, but Im not going to sit back and wait till the last minute because patients in this state are waiting too long, paying too much, and its unfair to them to get caught up in a political debate about whether or not we should do adult use marijuana. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. We have an existing program that isnt meeting the needs of patients because it is too narrow, too small and too expensive. We have to fix that.

You also have a bill to legalize medical marijuana for animals. Are the current veterinary medicines not enough?

Its like people! If you have an animal and they require pain medication, they give them the same medication they give you! Its just smaller doses. So, if it works for you, then why wouldnt it work for pets? Other states have done it. If my cat requires oxycontin because hes got cancer, theres not special oxycontin for cats. Its the same stuff they give you or me.

Staten Island is getting its first cannabis dispensary. Youve said that people have turned to the black market if theyre too far from a dispensary. Do you see that as playing any role in the opioid crisis?

Yes, absolutely. In the past five years weve seen an incredibly sophisticated underground illicit market where they deliver stuff to your house that looks remarkably like medical products. Thats what our competition is on the medical side, if we dont handle the adult use. If you overtax it, because you want to try and find ways to satisfy everyones demand, all that will do is create an untenable legal market in New York state. Thats what happened in California. It makes no sense. You want to strike the right balance. You want to make sure its available so that people can access it. You want to make sure that its not overly taxed or incredibly expensive to produce. That means flower product is the cheapest way to go. Because if not, were just going to be losing all of our money, its going to bleed back into the black market. And nobody feels bad, nobody sneaks into a back alley to buy marijuana anymore. You sit at home, you open a weed app, somebody brings it to your house.
All eyes will be on at the gathering of countries and their allies Friday, with the cartel hoping to convince Moscow to back drastic production cuts to counter the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday ministers from the grouping recommended a cut of 1.5 million barrels per day in the face of the global slowdown caused by the epidemic and the resulting fall in demand for oil.

According to the plan drawn up by OPEC, allies in the so-called OPEC+ grouping -- foremost among them -- would take on 500,000 barrels of the cuts.

Late on Thursday said in a statement that delegates had held further consultations and wanted the proposed cuts to run until the end of 2020, not just until the end of June as originally proposed.

Producers had already had to contend with abundant supplies weighing on prices but in recent weeks the spread of COVID-19 across the world has sent prices plunging.

The European benchmark, Brent crude, on Sunday sank to levels not breached since July 2017 and has yet to stage a meaningful recovery.

The 23 producers gathering on Friday have since early 2017 tried to support prices through strict quotas on production, initially of the order of 1.2 million barrels per day.

In December they announced a further 500,000 barrel cut with OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia adding a "voluntary" contribution of 400,000 barrels.

Tamas Varga of PVM told AFP that even the extra cuts recommended on Thursday "might not be enough", saying OPEC's new forecasts for a drop in global oil demand growth may turn out to be "overoptimistic".

"This is a critical moment for OPEC+ as a holdout by the Russians could drive oil prices to their financial crisis lows," analyst Craig Erlam at Oanda said on Thursday.

Russian officials have been quoted in recent days as being much cooler on the idea of big production cuts, saying that current price levels are satisfactory for Moscow and its budget planning.

The big players in Russia's oil industry fear that an aggressive policy of output cuts will only lead to lost revenue and ceding market share to competitors, particularly the United States with its booming shale oil sector.

Moreover, the Kpler energy analysis company points out that has increasingly been acting as "internal competitor" in the relatively new OPEC+ format.

"In recent years, not only Russia has pledged fewer production cuts than Saudi Arabia,... its compliance with the deal has also been minimal," the company noted.

Erlam said that "Russia will likely capitulate" on Friday but added that Moscow "will do everything possible to drag this out to the last moment to secure the smallest share of the 1.5 million in production cuts".

As well as grappling with the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic, delegations have been affected in a much more practical way at this meeting amidst more than 40 confirmed cases of the virus in Austria.

Delegates have had their temperature tested on the way into the building and been advised to avoid handshakes.
CHARLOTTE, NC, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Impacting thousands of students across North Carolina and the United States, the sixth annual Charlotte UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Mayors Masked Ball, a signature black-tie gala, is set for 6 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at The Westin Charlotte, featuring a masked award reception, red carpet photo-ops, elegant dining and an after-party. Celebrities, dignitaries, civic leaders, volunteers, public officials and historically black college and university (HBCU) alumni will be in attendance, including mistress of ceremonies Erica Bryant from WSOC-TV.

UNCF continues to change the HBCU narrative across the nation, said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. Events such as the Charlotte UNCF Mayors Masked Ball raise awareness of our mission and equip more students of color with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify Americas highly educated workforce.

Since its founding, UNCF has empowered more than half a million students to earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective minority education organization in the U.S., UNCF also actively supports 37 private HBCUs and advocates for minority higher education.

For their steadfast commitment to education and unwavering support of UNCF, Derek L. Webber, president, Webber Marketing and Consulting; Thomas M. Finke, chairman and CEO, Barings; Dwight Gibson, president of sanitary and industrial segments, SPX FLOW; and Donta L. Wilson, chief digital officer, Truist Financial Corporation, will all receive the UNCF Masked Award.

The Mayors Masked Ball continues to serve as a platform to raise unrestricted dollars so that we can continue to provide scholarships to deserving students and invest in their futures. Last year, we raised more than $200,000 at the event to help students across North Carolina get to and through college. Without support from UNCF, many of our most promising future leaders would not have the opportunity to get a quality education, said Tiffany Jones, area development director, UNCF.

Event host committee members include the honorable Vi Lyles, mayor, city of Charlotte; Clarence D. Armbrister, J.D., president, Johnson C. Smith University; Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., president, Livingstone College; Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF; and Jones. The presenting sponsor is Truist Financial Corporation (formerly BB&T). Other top sponsors include Atrium Health, EY, Barings and Accenture, along with a host of other new and returning sponsors. I am truly humbled by the growth of the Charlotte Mayors Masked Ball and the overwhelming support from the Charlotte community, said Jones.

To purchase tickets or to donate to the event, please go to UNCF.org/Charlotte. Follow this event on social media @UNCF #UNCFCharlotte #UNCF.



###



About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
HERENTALS, Belgium, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has strengthened its position in the ruminant industry with its "Ruminant Essentialities" portfolio of products for the EMENA (Europe, Middle East, North Africa) region.

In October 2019, Kemin completed its Ruminant Essentialities portfolio with its KESSENT product range and CholiGEM, both a result of the company's encapsulation technology expertise. With the launch of KESSENT, Kemin is the only provider of both Methionine and Lysine in a reliable way. Kemin's other newly debuted ingredient, CholiGEM, supports animal health improvement, making Ruminant Essentialities a full-range solution for livestock health and nutrition. With these two ingredients, Kemin's Ruminant Essentialities portfolio now offers a comprehensive set of amino acids for ruminant amino acid nutrition and health.

"Ten years ago, Kemin initiated a strategy to be a major player in the ruminant industry, and we have had great success," said Javier Mateos, Senior Business Manager  Ruminants, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health  EMENA. "With the mutual termination of our agreement with Adisseo, Kemin's strategy remains the same, but now on our own strengths. Continuing our strategy in partnership with Adisseo became unfeasible, as both companies' overall activities in animal nutrition converged significantly and obscured our collaboration in the ruminant market."

Kemin has focused on producing its own Methionine solutions, as the company is the recognized leader in amino acid balancing.

"Kemin pioneered the entire amino acid balancing concept. Today, we are reaching and perfecting the next level in ruminant nutrition through extensive services, solution offerings and technical expertise," said Mateos. "Our goal is to continue expanding so we can address the needs of our customers and deliver essential nutrients for their animals as efficiently and effectively as possible."

One of the key factors that differentiates Kemin's Ruminant Essentialities is the company's expertise in encapsulation technology. Over the years, this technology has greatly advanced, resulting in innovations for both monogastric and ruminant markets. Kemin has expanded its production capacity at its encapsulation facilities in Cavriago, Italy, and Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.

The pilot facilities in Cavriago have also undergone significant expansion and can now produce industrial prototypes using more than 10 different encapsulation technologies and pilot plant configurations. These enhanced facilities drive future innovation and enable Kemin to assist customers in the development of new products.

Kemin has also built two entirely new industrial production plants in recent years: a spray tower to encapsulate its pearls and a plant dedicated to producing KESSENT M.

"The entire amino acid balancing concept strongly relies on rumen-protected Lysine, a product fully based on our proprietary technology. By launching KESSENT, we have a complete amino acid balancing solution," said Mateos. "At the same time, we continue to invest in research and product development with other limiting amino acids that will become relevant in the future. In recent years, we have invested heavily in our ruminant program and will continue to do so."

Along with capital investment, Kemin has also substantially broadened and strengthened its team to share expertise, further support customers and service their requirements.

In the past decade, the dairy nutrition industry has realized that a close working partnership between customer and company, in combination with the right solutions and technical expertise, is necessary for successful nutritional implementation.

"We are reaching the market with the best products and services, based on our expertise and acquired knowledge. Kemin offers the most precise and efficient, profitable, technical and evidence-based solutions for ruminants," said Mateos.

For more information on the Ruminant Essentialities portfolio, please click here.

About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies and textile industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 2,800 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

Media Contact:

Ester Bolsens, Marketing Communication Manager, [email protected], +32 14 24 23 23

SOURCE Kemin Industries

Related Links

http://www.kemin.com


Researchers have come to Argonne National Laboratory from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Purdue University and other academic research institutions to unravel the mysteries of this newest strain of the coronavirus, which causes a disease called COVID-19. The data they gather could be used to develop drugs to fight the virus, but any treatment could be at least a year away.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

China on Thursday expressed resolute opposition to the passing of the TAIPEI Act of 2019by the United States House of Representatives, urging Washington to take concrete measures to prevent the act from becoming law.

The act says the US government should consider increasing or decreasing economic, security, or diplomatic engagement with another nation as a result of an action taken by that nation to either strengthen or undermine ties with Taiwan.

The act seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding that it goes against international law and basic norms governing international relations.

The one-China principle is the prevailing trend recognized by international consensus, and altogether 180 countries have established diplomatic relations with China, Zhao said at a daily news conference.

He noted that the US established diplomatic ties with China on the basis of the one-China principle more than 40 years ago; however, it is going against the trend of the times by thwarting other sovereign nations' pursuit of normal relations with China, which is unreasonable.

"We urge the US to handle issues relating to Taiwan prudently to avoid damaging bilateral relations and cross-Straits peace and stability," he said.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019.

The bill, previously passed by the Senate in October 2019, now needs a second approval from the Senate due to textual changes, before it is presented to the US president to sign into law.
ULSTER Bank has been fined 4.6m by the Central Bank for failings around mortgage data it supplied to the regulator.

The fine would have been 6.5m, but the bank got a discount of 30pc for reaching a settlement with the regulators in the Central Bank.

Ulster Bank admitted to the breaches, which mainly involved how it submitted returns on mortgage arrears.

An investigation by regulators found there was a failure to prepare proper returns.

There were questions around the integrity of the data supplied by the British-owned bank to the Central Bank.

Ulster Bank, which is headed by Jane Howard, was told in 2013 there were issues with how it was compiling data to meet what the Central Bank calls its mortgage arrears resolution targets.

But it was another two years before the bank acted to address the failings, the Central Bank said.

"This inaction and delay by the firm is unacceptable and the Central Bank is treating such failure by the firm as an aggravating factor in this case," it said.

It added that an aggravating factor is the bank's previous enforcement record, which has repeatedly identified poor governance practices.

The Central Bank's director of enforcement and anti-money laundering, Seana Cunningham, said: "Accurate and reliable data is vital to the Central Bank's ability to monitor risk and supervise firms effectively, and to ensure the ongoing stability of the financial system. Effective governance is a fundamental part of ensuring data quality."

She said banks must satisfy themselves that they have robust governance processes in place to ensure the quality of the data they manage and disseminate.
[March 06, 2020] Code Ninjas Reflects on Pivotal Year; Poised for Momentous Growth in 2020

PEARLAND, Texas, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2019 Code Ninjas solidified itself as the world's largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise. The brand closed out the year touting rapid growth, an enhanced executive team and an expanded curriculum, putting the brand at the forefront of delivering quality STEM education around the globe. Last year, Code Ninjas reached major milestones of opening its 100th and 150th locations; opening its first location in Canada; and selling its first ten territories in the United Kingdom. This impressive growth led to Code Ninjas earning top spots on Entrepreneur Magazine's Fastest-Growing Franchise and Top New Franchise lists. In 2019 the brand also expanded its curriculum through a partnership with codeSpark Academy, the leading coding platform for younger kids. This partnership led to the development of Code Ninjas JR, a new program that offers kids ages 5-9 and those with larning disabilities the opportunity to gain logic, problem solving, and teamwork skills.



To support its rapid growth and evolving curriculum, Code Ninjas bolstered its leadership team and tapped education industry veteran, Grant Smith, as the brand's first Vice President of Education. Smith's extensive experience in education, primarily STEM education, will be pivotal as the brand further positions itself for market dominance. "The demand for quality STEM education is at an all-time high as the world continues on its path to automation. The enhancement of our leadership team, curriculum and footprint growth is a direct result of this heightened demand," said David Graham, CEO and founder of Code Ninjas. "As we continue to grow, we look forward to giving families across the nation the opportunity to learn how to code in a fun, engaging way, while providing unmatched support for our franchisees."

In 2020, Code Ninjas looks to continue on its positive trajectory with plans to open its 200th location; open its first location in the United Kingdom; and break ground on a new corporate HQ center. This year Code Ninjas will also continue expanding its curriculum with a specialized program that makes STEM education available for adults, advancing the company's mission to make quality STEM education available to families around the world. To continue expansion around the world, Code Ninjas is actively seeking qualified franchise partners to join its mission of offering kids the opportunity to learn valuable life skills in a fun way. With a total investment of $110,140 - $353,270, Code Ninjas provides a sound business opportunity along with a wealth of support, infrastructure and knowledge from the corporate team. For more information on Code Ninjas and its franchise opportunity, visit www.codeninjasfranchise.com. About Code Ninjas

Founded in 2016, Code Ninjas is the world's largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, with more than 200 locations open across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. At Code Ninjas centers, kids learn to code while building their own video games. They gain problem solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Kids have fun, parents see results. For more information, visit codeninjas.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/code-ninjas-reflects-on-pivotal-year-poised-for-momentous-growth-in-2020-301018672.html SOURCE Code Ninjas

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Social media users have been left stumped after being asked to spot a snake hidden in a photo.

Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers business owner Stuart McKenzie attended a job at Sippy downs, QLD, on Thursday, before later uploading a photo to Facebook of the reptile hiding among a family's shoes.

'Lets see who can spot the snake,' he wrote.

'It might not be too difficult to find however see if you can correctly guess the species!'

Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers business owner Stuart McKenzie uploaded a photo a hiding snake to Facebook and challenged social media users to find it

But most people found the task challenging could not identify the serpent's location.

'Its an invisible snake!! Cant see it!' one person wrote.

A man added: 'It might not be too difficult he says, I see nothing.'

'I cant see any snake, I must be blind,' another comment read.

Eventually, a handful of eagle-eyed commentators pointed to a small head poking out from beneath a black running shoe.

Mr McKenzie later wrote back to confirm they were correct, adding the animal was a baby Red-bellied Black Snake.

Mr McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia, by the size of the creature, it would have been born in the last month.

After much debate over the reptile's location, some eagle-eyed commentators pointed out the snake's head can be seen poking out beneath a black running shoe

Despite its size, he said infant Red-bellied Black snakes are still venomous and would pose a danger to anyone who was bitten.

Mr McKenzie said the family saw the snake moving around in their garage and were 'relieved' the removalists were able to catch it.

The young male was taken to nearby bushland and released.

Red-bellied Black Snakes are one of the most frequently encountered snakes on the east coast of Australia, and are responsible for a number of bites every year although few result in death.

They mainly live in moist habitat, primarily streams, swamps and lagoons but are also found within forests, woodlands and grasslands.

They can be found in parts of northern, central eastern and southeastern Queensland, South Australia, and through eastern New South Wales and Victoria.
In July last year, the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha saw 33 bills (excluding the Finance and Appropriation Bills) being cleared in the Lok Sabha. The opposition leaders backed the government business  bypassing the standing committee scrutiny in several cases  but wanted an assurance from the government floor managers that they would be allowed to debate at least one issue a week under Rule 193 (a debate that ends without voting). That wasnt forthcoming, and not one such debate under Rule 193 happened.

In the Winter Session, the government agreed to just one debate under the rule, according to Trinamool Congrees Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandopadhyay.

Many senior leaders in opposition parties say this, more than anything else, underlines the inability of the government when it comes to floor management.

The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament is stuck in a deadlock for the past four days over the Oppositions demand to immediately discuss the Delhi riots. With the BJP in no mood to relent , legislative business has suffered.

Opposition leaders say that in the previous Lok Sabha, senior ministers of the BJP such as the late Arun Jaitley, the late Ananth Kumar or Venkaiah Naidu (now the countrys vice-president) managed the floor deftly.

In January 2016, when the fate of the GST bill and some other legislative business looked bleak, Naidu, then the parliamentary affairs minister, met Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi seeking her support to run the House  something which no other BJP leader had done before. Within the following few days, Jaitley and Naidu arranged a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh to thrash out differences on the GST bill. The bill was finally passed in August 2016.

Leaders like Jaitley maintained an excellent equation across party lines. Inter-personal equations play an important role... Also, he had the authority; if he promised something to Opposition leaders, they knew it would be done, said a senior Opposition leader who asked not to be named.

In 2014, Jaitley, the leader of the Upper House, took the final call on the Oppositions demand for form a select panel on the Insurance Bill to review the clause on increasing FDI in the sector. While the Opposition was in a majority in the Rajya Sabha, he and Naidu also managed to negotiate their way to a panel that finally included members from both the ruling and the Opposition side said a senior RS official on condition of anonymity

In the UPA era, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee (who was also the leader of LS) handled negotiations with the Opposition. When Nitin Gadkari became the BJP president, Mukherjee quickly included him in his weekly meetings with LK Advani and Leader of Opposition in LS , the late Sushma Swaraj. It helped Mukherjee get a clearer picture of what the BJP wanted and also helped arrive at solutions on parliamentary issues.

The government doesnt have anyone who can do this today, say analysts.

One of the best stories of parliamentary negotiations goes back to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era. The BJP had stalled the patent bill brought by the earlier Congress government in 1995. But in 2002-03, India started facing trouble in the World Trade Organization and the NDAs commerce minister Murosoli Maran moved the same patent bill with just two changes: the name of the minister presenting the bill and the date of introduction. The bill was later cleared.

When Kamal Nath (the parliamentary affairs minister) used to hold luncheon meetings with members from opposition parties every week. But today the top leaders of the BJP do not negotiate..., said a senior Congress leader requesting anonymity.

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Group CEO of Hollard Ghana Holdings, Patience Akyianu, has said the insurance company is committed to bridging the gap between the academia and industry by creating a pool of talented and ready students for the local and international job market.



Mrs Akyianu said this on Thursday, February 5, 2020 after she was unveiled as the newest Ambassador of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) Alumni Association.



Three other Ambassadors of UGBS Alumni Association who were present at the event are, Anthony Sarpong, Senior Partner at KPMG; Dr Gibrine Adams, Founder and President of Zenith University College and Dr Kofi Koduah, CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.



Mrs Akyianu and the Ambassadors are tasked with assisting in branding the image of the UGBS Alumni Association both locally and internationally.



They will also be required to raise funds for the UGBS Endowment Fund and deliver a paper at the soon-to-be-instituted annual UGBS Ambassadorial Lectures.



Speaking to the media after a short event organised by the UGBS to introduce the Ambassadors at the British Council in Accra, Mrs Akyianu said: Its humbling and its a privilege and an honour to be able to serve my beloved alma mater in such a manner and I am looking forward to working with everyone else to contribute to the further success of our school.



She said apart from promoting the school globally and locally, her greatest focus will be to help the school to prepare students who are ready for the global workforce. And the idea is to create a strong pool of talented and ready students for companies to be able to choose from going forward.



We are going to continue to be mentors for students and lecturers alike and as a result of that, both the school and my company will enhance our images in the communities in which we are; and once students are better prepared for the world of work, and they are economically stronger, they will be better able to access our products and services. So it is a win-win situation for all of us, she added.



Dean of the school, Prof Justice Bawole, said concept of the Ambassadors of UGBS Alumni Association is a unique on that will enable the business school to tap into their networks and also assist the school to improve its teaching curricular.



They will be required to also mentor; they will be required to do a lot, not only for the association, but also for the school. Our ambassadors are not going to be like the ordinary ambassadors where (in some schools) students are selected to be Ambassadorsour ambassadors are people who have distinguished themselves. They are products of the school who have distinguished themselves in the society so we will really want to take advantage of their current social standing to give back to the school and give back to society, he Prof Bawole told journalists on the sideline of Thursdays event.



The climax of the two-hour event was the launch of the UGBS Business Awards. The awards will honour alumni who have distinguished themselves in the six major disciplines in the Business School  five alumni who will be proposed by the Dean and three individuals and industries. The awards will be given based on criteria such as CSR, Digital Innovation, Business Academia, Family Business, Sustainability and Transformational Leaderships.



The event brought together distinguished personalities and captains of businesses in Ghana.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Over $20.5 mln recovered from convicted ex-Vladivostok mayor - prosecutors

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:11 06/03/2020

MOSCOW, March 6 (RAPSI)  A court in Vladivostok, Russias Far East, has granted a prosecutors claim and recovered over 1.4 billion rubles (over $20.5 million) from ex-city mayor Igor Pushkarev sentenced to 15 years in prison for commercial bribery, abuse of office and taking bribes and his inner circle, the press service of the Prosecutor Generals Office reports.

Pushkarevs brother, a head of Roads of Vladivostok, 6 companies controlled by the former mayors family were also defendants in the suit. The court held that this sum was acquired.by the defendants by criminal means.

In April 2019, Moscows Tverskoy District Court sentenced Pushkarev to 15 years in high security prison for commercial bribery, abuse of office and taking bribes on a large scale. Additionally, he was fined 500 million rubles ($8 million). The court also prohibited him from holding public posts for 10 years.

Moreover, the court collected 143 million rubles (over $2 million) in favor Roads of Vladivostok granting the companys suit.

The court also sentenced Andrey Lushnikov, head of Roads of Vladivostok, to 10 years behind bars. Pushkarevs brother Andrey Pushkarev, head of Vostokcement group, received an 8-year suspended term. They also were fined 500 million rubles each.

Prosecutors earlier asked the court to give Pushkarev 17 years in high security prison with a 500-million-ruble fine. The court was also asked to sentence Pushkerevs brother and Lushnikov to 8 and 14 years respectively.

According to investigators, between 2009 and 2016, Pushkarev acting as a mayor of Vladivostok from mercenary or other personal motives organized the acquisition by Roads of Vladivostok of a large volume of construction materials from Vostokcement controlled by his relatives. Construction materials were allegedly purchased only from these companies and at inflated prices.

Pushkarev allegedly received upwards of 75 million rubles ($1.3 million at the current exchange rate) in money, goods and services from his brother Andrey.

In total, Vostokcement received over 1.2 billion rubles (about $21.4 million) for the delivered construction materials while Pushkarevs relatives received dividends in the amount of more than 500 million rubles ($8.5 million), according to the Investigative Committee.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Pushkarev has been removed from his post by court order. Later, he filed in resignation.
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. extended its recent sell-off as analysts continue to see uncertainty over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the iPhone makers sales and supply chain.

Bank of America wrote that Apples highly anticipated 5G iPhone could see its fall release delayed by a month as a result of the outbreak. The firm cited a conversation with an expert on the companys supply chain, Elliot Lan. Lan also expects the launch of the iPhone SE2 will be delayed by a few months due to both supply issues as well as the weaker demand environment from COVID-19.

According to BofA analyst Wamsi Mohan, the launch timing for upcoming models will depend on how production ramps back up in April and May. Earlier this week, iPhone maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. said it expects its Chinese plants to begin operating normally by the end of March.

Shares of Apple fell as much as 4% on Friday before paring the drop to 2.4% at 11:09 a.m. in New York. The stock has fallen 13% since its record close on Feb. 12, in line with the S&P 500s decline over that period.

Also on Friday, Deutsche Bank cut its price target to $295 from $305, citing considerable uncertainty related to the outbreak.

Apples second-quarter results are expected to be released around the end of next month. Currently, Wall Street expects adjusted earnings of about $2.71 a share and revenue of $61.5 billion. The consensus for earnings has dropped 9.6% over the past month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while the revenue view is down 5.5% over the same period.

UBS on Friday wrote that the risk of lower demand in the near-term is increasing for Apple, and that the impact was likely to expand beyond China. Analyst Timothy Arcuri added that while he had expected some demand would simply be delayed, given the broader impact, we now think the demand impact could continue into June.

The firm has a buy rating and $355 price target, but it is cautious in the near-term -- particularly on the demand side if the U.S. suddenly goes into a multi-[quarter] recession.

Story continues

On a more positive note, Nomura Instinet analyst Jeffrey Kvaal stood by his recent comments that Apples supply chain was seeing a faster recovery than he expected. The risk of a major supply shock is declining, he wrote. Supply constraints seem likely to be short term in nature.

Relative to supply constraints, he added, we hope and expect that potential demand declines are less severe.

(Updates shares, adds comments from UBS and Nomura.)

To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Vlastelica in New York at rvlastelica1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Steven Fromm

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.
We've got busy weather headed our way overnight but your aternoon will be pleasant with highs in the mid-60s, a bit breezy and increasing clouds.

Showers move in overnight along a cold front, entering the North Valley by 1 AM and exiting the Central Valley by 7 or 8 AM tomorrow morning. This line of rain will be quick moving and will see moderate rain & snowfall. About half an inch is expected near Redding and 0.1-0.25 inches will be possible farther south in the Valley near Chico. The snow and showers will continue to be scattered in the mountains & foothills the rest of the day on Saturday will onl the chance for a sprinkle or two in the Valley the rest of the day. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for mountain regions due to the impacts commonly seen with winter weather. 4-8 inches of snow could fall for locations above 4500 feet. This system also keeps afternoon highs in the 50s through the weekend thanks to the cold front.

Sunday is dry as we spring forward an hour with the time change. Monday there is a very small rain chance as a system moves into Southern California. This will bring only a slight rain chance for the South & Central Valley and only light scattered showers in the mountains.

Tuesday we dry out again with highs staying in the low-to-mid 70s Tue-Thu and mostly sunny skies. Friday and into the weekend we could see a return to wet weather!
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Reuters) - Britain, Germany, France, Estonia and Belgium raised North Korea's latest missile launches behind closed-doors in the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, condemning the tests as a provocative action in violation of U.N. resolutions.

North Korea fired two short-range missiles off the east coast into the sea on Monday, resuming testing after a three-month pause, South Korea's military said. The launch was the first since North Korea fired what it called "super-large multiple rocket launchers" on Nov. 28.

In a statement after the 15-member Security Council met, the European members and Britain urged North Korea to engage in good faith negotiations with the United States aimed at Pyongyang's denuclearisation and take concrete steps toward abandoning nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

"Continued provocations risk undermining the prospects for a successful negotiations. It is vital that the Security Council ensures full implementation of its resolutions and that sanctions remain in place," they said in a joint statement.

"We call on the international community to comply with the obligation to strictly enforce these sanctions," they said.

Russia and China have raised concerns that sanctions were harming North Korean civilians, and have expressed hope that easing some restrictions could help break a deadlock in nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

Russia and China proposed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution in December that would lift sanctions on industries that earned North Korea hundreds of millions of dollars. Those sanctions were imposed in 2016 and 2017 to cut off funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

Pyongyang has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its missile and nuclear programs, which the Security Council has unanimously strengthened over the years. Though some diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, have warned that unity would be broken if Russia and China put their new plan to a vote.

"That text of the draft resolution remains on the table and we are open for views on that," China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told reporters on Monday. "We believe that it's a very important step in creating a more favorable environment for the further improvement of the situation in the Korean Peninsula." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
The cancellation of the annual ITB travel fair, due to have started in Berlin on Wednesday, has come as a blow to the tourism industry across Andalucia.

The German federal ministries of Health and Economy decided to call the event off last Friday, just five days before it was due to start, over coronavirus fears, with more than 150,000 people from 186 countries set to attend.

This came as "bad news" to Juan Marin, the Andalucia regional government vice-president. Andalucia was set to have its own stand once more, some 500 square metres, while Malaga city's stand was 21 square metres.

Marin, while showing his respect for the German government's decision, said that the Junta would "continue working on other supplementary campaigns" to ensure that the region is still being promoted in Germany, a key target market for tourism.

This year, the Turismo Costa del Sol tourist board will spend 400,000 euros on the German market, marketing and promotional campaigns targeting online audiences.

"In 2019 the Costa del Sol had its best ever year with regard to German visitors," said the board's president and Diputacion president, Francisco Salado.

In order to avoid a long-lasting slowdown, Salado insisted it was important to listen to the authorities and not to take notice of "fake news and exaggerations".

Despite several cancellations since the outbreak of the coronavirus, president of Foro Costa del Sol, Luis Callejon has appealed for "calm and sensitivity", pointing out that hotel occupancy over the long weekend was still 72 per cent.
A crime prevention initiative to improve the safety of workers in small businesses like dairies, liquor stores and petrol stations is to be rolled out to hundreds of more locations.

Police Minister Stuart Nash has announced new funding for fog cannons in retail premises where workers face a high risk of aggravated robbery.

Bay of Plenty small businesses have had 61 fog cannons installed to date.

We are almost doubling the number of fog cannons to be installed thanks to extra funding, Stuart says.

An estimated 470 extra retail premises will be eligible. Fog cannons have already been installed in 523 locations.

Fog cannons have been activated by workers in 29 businesses and in all cases there were no injuries to staff and minimal property loss for business owners. The fog cannon scheme has a marked impact on the safety of workers in retail premises.

Commercial aggravated robberies are at their lowest level in five years, says Stuart.

There were 21 robberies in December 2019, a fall of more than 70 per cent on the 78 robberies in April 2017.

There was a 21 per cent reduction in aggravated robberies during 2019, compared to the previous year. Since April 2017 Police have identified and dealt with 1,277 offenders.

Stuart says many robberies are fuelled by a desire for a quick buck to feed a drug habit.

Wastewater analysis indicates that methamphetamine use has fallen by 17 per cent in the first full year of nationwide testing. Its still early days but its headed in the right direction.

Extra Police resources have also enabled a new focus on aggravated robberies. This includes more detectives, more staff to work with youth, and Police who work with small business owners and industry groups.

82 per cent of the fog cannons have been installed in suprettes and dairies. Liquor stores have received three per cent, and petrol stations 15 per cent.

Almost half the fog cannons currently installed are in the Police districts of Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, says Stuart.

Fog cannons emit a non-toxic cloud of vapour and a high-pitched noise to deter offenders and minimise the risk of violence to workers. They effectively create a barrier and a no-go zone that confuses the offender and allows workers to escape.

Not all businesses are eligible. Owners apply to Police who do an assessment based on risk, such as whether they have been robbed in the past and the number of Police callouts to incidents within 100 metres of the shop.
The first hour closed with Grande making a rousing plea to the audience members, many of whom had expressed high praise for American Dirt: I would really like to see you transfer your concerns and your compassion . . . to the real mothers who have been turned away at the border, to the real children who are locked up in cages, to the real families whose lives are in peril, to our undocumented youth in this country whose futures are at risk, and also to hold our president accountable for all the pain and suffering that hes been causing.
It was a round trip to victory lane in the $10,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 for Buttermilk Hanover during Thursdays card of racing at Flamboro Downs.

Buttermilk Hanover, who was sent off as the even-money choice in the six-mare affair, was fifth and parked while Outlaw Imahotvixen sped the field to the quarter marker in :28.1. Buttermilk Hanover and driver Robert Shepherd eventually brushed to the lead and went on to lead the field past the half in :57.4.

Buttermilk Hanover was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.4, and she used a :29.3 closing panel to win by three-quarters of a length over Outlaw Imahotvixen in 1:56.2. Anderson Seelster took home the show dough.

Melissa Lamoureux trains the seven-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Bet Me Hanover for 8113564 Canada Ltd and Jeff Boyd. The victory improved the mares 2020 record to 5-1-1 from 10 trips to the track. The lions share of the loot lifted her lifetime earnings over $350,000.

In the $8,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 it was Lyons Jennielee turning in a front-stepping score for the tandem of driver Travis Cullen and trainer Rachel Andrew.

Cullen hustled the five-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Jamaica Hanover to the lead from Post 2, and together they led the field through first-half fractions of :28.3 and :59.1. Heavy pressure came from race favourite Sweet Ana Hanover, who showed a short lead while racing parked at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2. Lyons Jennielee shrugged off that challenge, though, and held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Sweet Ana Hanover in 1:57.4. Lo Hold A Moonbean was third.

Cullen and Andrew share ownership on the mare who pushed her winning streak to two-in-a-row with the triumph. The 14-time winner recently surpassed $150,000 in lifetime earnings.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results  Flamboro Downs.
: Opposition AIADMK on



Friday demanded Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy's resignation in the wake of the Madras High Court dismissing a plea against recruitment process for the State Election Commissioner's post in the union territory.

Addressing reporters here, the leader of the legislature wing of the AIADMK A Anbalagan said the Congress government had been unsuccessfully challenging the administrative actions of the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on various issues.

Now, the posting of the SEC as per the process of appointment evolved by Bedi has been upheld by the high court which dismissed the petition of Local Administration Minister A Namassivayam challenging her directive.

Anbalagan said the unsuccessful efforts on the part of the Congress government here exposed "the total powerlessness of the territorial government."



Hence, he wanted the Chief Minister to quit the post and bow before the court judgements.

"The Chief Minister should have worked in tandem with the Lieutenant Governor in the larger interest of welfare of the people and development of Union Territory," he said while urging Narayanasamy to step down.

Even the posting of three nominated legislators of the BJP was upheld by the court that brushed aside the petitions of the Congress challenging the nomination.

Similarly, the court upheld the modalities evolved by Bedi in operating the free rice scheme and rejected the Chief Minister's petition that only rice should be distributed to cardholders and that there should be no disbursement of cash equivalent to the quantum of rice.

The Lieutenant Governor took the stand that only cash should be remitted to bank accounts of cardholders and this too was upheld by the court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




Haiti - Health : 5th day of strike at the State University Hospital (HUEH)





Employees of the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH), the largest hospital center in the country, commonly called "general hospital" located in the heart of Port-au-Prince not far from the National Palace, which serves in particular disadvantaged neighborhoods in the metropolitan area have continued to strike since the work stoppage launched on March 2.



The strikers continue to demand better working conditions, a salary increase and the payment of several months of salary arrears.



Already in last November, Lebien Joseph, President of the Union of Health Workers of the HUEH had warned Marie Greta Roy Clement, the Minister of Health, on the risk of a strike at the State Hospital, if nothing was done to improve the working conditions of employees as well as the supply of inputs https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29292-haiti-news-zapping.html



So far the health authorities concerned have not remained silent on this strike...



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(Natural News) Perhaps youve noticed that the Trump administration is still telling the American people that all is well, and not to worry or really do anything in response to the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) crisis other than to just wait for spring when the president believes that the novel disease will somehow vanish on its own. But is this really the wisest approach to an ever-evolving situation with global economic and public health ramifications?

In this age of economic interdependence and just-in-time supply chains, our answer to that question is a resounding no. Dare we say that it would be patently foolish to just sit around and hope for the best, especially as big-box stores in certain areas of the country are already experiencing panic buying and associated supply shortages.

Dr. James Lyons-Weiler, PhD, recently published a report on his website highlighting some little-known facts about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) of which you may not be aware. Included in this report is a roundup of some known nutritional and supplemental remedies that could help you and your family stay safe from this growing pandemic.

According to Dr. Theron Hutton, MD, N-acetyl cysteine, selenium, spirulina, and high-dose glucosamine are all supplements of natural origin that have been scientifically shown to provide protection against RNA viruses like influenza and coronavirus.

In a paper entitled, Nutraceuticals have potential for boosting the type 1 interferon response to RNA viruses including influenza and coronavirus, researchers from the Catalytic Longevity Foundation and the Mid America Heart Institute at St. Lukes Hospital found that these and other herb extractions such as elderberry possess symptomatically beneficial properties that can help to mediate the impact of infections such as coronavirus, which is definitely worth considering.

Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses other ways to defeat a coronavirus infection:

If youre deficient in selenium and other micronutrients, your chances of developing a severe Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) infection are significantly higher

Believe it or not, selenium and other micronutrient deficiencies are directly linked to increased severity of coronavirus infections, which is why another paper entitled, Micronutrient Selenium Deficiency Influences Evolution of Some Viral Infectious Diseases makes the suggestion that people up their stores in order to boost their natural immune protection.

Another highly protective compound against coronaviruses is glycyrrhizin, one of the primary active components of licorice, which was found in yet another study to be toxic, and thus clinically effective, against SARS-associated coronavirus. Since the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) could be considered a cousin of SARS, it would only be logical to conclude that glycyrrhizin may be an effective natural remedy.

For those with an aversion to natural compounds, there are also antiviral drugs like disulfiram and chloroquine phosphate that other associated studies have determined to be effective against both MERS (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome) and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

Lyons-Weiler also suggests staying away from other people whenever its feasible to do so. While avoiding people entirely is next to impossible, especially if you live in an urban or semi-urban environment that necessitates going out to buy groceries and other necessities on a regular basis, you can take basic steps such as not sharing food containers or utensils and avoiding medical facilities.

Quarantine and even partially effective treatments are really the only tools we have to shut down the spread of this coronavirus, he writes. Some of the best disinfectants are likely Oxivir TB and Lysol Disinfecting, both of which are claimed to kill the virus on a surface after two minutes.

Be sure to check out the all-new Pandemic.news for more related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19).

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

JamesLyonsWeiler.com

ScienceDirect.com

Springer.com

TheLancet.com
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The Chief Constable has called for police powers to detain people in Northern Ireland suspected of having coronavirus.

Simon Byrne made the comments yesterday as an older patient with underlying health conditions in England became the first person in the UK to die from the virus.

A total of 115 other cases have now been confirmed in the UK including three in Northern Ireland, with a further six cases confirmed in the Republic.

UK health officials have moved to the second phase of their strategy, from 'containment' to 'delay' which aims to slow the spread.

Detention powers are already available in England and Wales, allowing police and public health professionals to detain and direct individuals to quarantined areas if they are at risk of having or spreading the virus.

In Scotland, health boards can also restrict the movements of those at risk and apply for a court order for quarantine and medical examination.

Similar powers are available to the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, but not to the PSNI at present.

Speaking at a meeting of the Policing Board yesterday, Mr Byrne said: "Certainly in terms of legislation you'll see in England and Wales there's been powers made available to the police service to, basically, compulsorily detain affected people.

"We don't yet have that power so we're in dialogue with the Department of Justice to see if that can be replicated here in case we need to use it."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Byrne said he did not expect "scenes from a horror film" if cases of coronavirus increase in Northern Ireland.

"We're following the public health's advice, which is similar to everybody else at the moment," he said. "The disease, whilst the dots in the map are increasing, it hasn't yet exploded into the country.

"So we're following the advice about personal hygiene. Clearly you would imagine in terms of what I need to do with senior colleagues is to make sure our preparedness is at optimum."

Mr Byrne also expected staffing levels to be reduced, through both illness and by those needing to care for family.

"Our commitment is to continue to staff the 999 service, respond to emergency calls and respond to serious crime and terrorism," he said.

He added that extra care would be needed in areas of increased risk of infection such as custody centres.

"It's easy to speculate some sort of scenes from a horror film or a famous Hollywood movie where we're dealing with pandemic and virus," he said.

"But at the moment our assumption is actually that as people fall ill, that will quieten down the calls for service from us.

"Our priority is to encourage people to remain calm through a period of uncertainty. We're all probably facing a unique experience that we've not seen the like of for a 100 years."

Options to cope with reduced numbers include 12-hour shifts and cancelling rest days.

The PSNI chief added: "We're not complacent and we can use a lot of experience here from operating at pace in different times.

"Whether it's dealing with complex investigations or serious disorder to keep officers and staff available to work."
Lotion doesnt need to be a constant thing to be effective, said Preeti Malani, an infectious-disease doctor and chief health officer at the University of Michigan. And it doesnt need to be expensive: Drugstore brands, such as Vaseline and Aquaphor, can work well. Moisturizing lotions work by locking in existing moisture, so the ideal time to apply them is after washing, when the skin is hydrated. At bedtime, put on some good-

quality, inexpensive, effective moisturizer, she said. If your skin is becoming raw and dry, you might be washing your hands too much.
A Massachusetts school district dismissed students early Friday after a positive coronavirus diagnosis was reported among the school community.

Upham Elementary School and Wellesley Middle School were released at 11:45 a.m. Friday after a parent of a student at each school tested positive for coronavirus.

The district will sanitize both buildings before students return.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the proactive decision to release students early at Upham and WMS," the district said in a statement.

It was the second district to cancel classes connected to the virus on Friday.

Plymouth Public Schools, which serves just over 7,000 students across a dozen schools, canceled class Friday to thoroughly clean the districts schools and school buses.

The decision came after a group of students and chaperones returned to Plymouth from a trip to Italy.

A student was recently evaluated at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth after showing flu-like symptoms. The student will continue to be monitored, Maestas said on Thursday.

There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Plymouth school community and Maestas stressed that the decision to cancel class on Friday was done out of an abundance of caution.

The virus, named COVID-19," led to an outbreak first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

For confirmed cases, signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat also has been reported in some patients. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as two weeks after exposure, the CDC said.
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Donald Trump returned to his Fox News safe space on Thursday night for a town hall event, and he ended up handing Democrats a massive gift just eight months before the presidential election.

During an exchange with Martha MacCallum, Trump promised that he would cut vital programs like Medicare and Social Security, a moment that could come back to haunt him in the general election.

If you dont cut something in entitlements, youll never really deal with the debt, the Fox News host said, referring to programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Trump responded with a promise: Well be cutting.

Video:

 Trump says well be cutting entitlements like Medicare and Social Security  pic.twitter.com/6XRKE9joYz  Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) March 6, 2020

Trumps promise to cut entitlements could come back to haunt him with swing voters

There is no question that Donald Trump spews politically damaging nonsense on a near-daily basis.

In fact, during the very same town hall on Thursday, Trump said that the coronavirus outbreak isnt that bad because more people are staying in the United States and spending their money.

This comes after Trump told Sean Hannity on Wednesday night that people infected with the coronavirus could go to work.

Sadly, most of these off-the-cuff remarks are baked into how the American people view Trump. They hardly ever break through.

But Trumps pledge to cut entitlements  programs that folks of all political stripes rely on in their everyday life  could come back to haunt him with swing voters.

As former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau said on Thursday, Trumps entitlement promise is the most politically damaging thing hes said in awhile.

Donald Trump thought he was walking into friendly territory by participating in a Fox News town hall, but he may have dug his own political grave.

Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter
Due to concerns about the spreading coronavirus, students and staff at an elementary school in Port Chester, N.Y., were dismissed early on Friday out of an abundance of caution, according to the schools website.

After two children arrived for class at John F. Kennedy Elementary School on Friday, it was reported that one of their family members may have been in close proximity to someone diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the website said.

Although the parents and children reported no symptoms, the Westchester County Department of Health was contacted, and students were dismissed early so that the buildings could be sanitized.

As of Friday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced there was more than 40 cases in the state by Friday. Eighteen cases were reportedly connected to the states second confirmed case, a 50-year-old midtown lawyer from New Rochelle. Statewide, there are 44 New Yorkers under mandatory quarantine and 4,000 people under precautionary quarantine.

The JFK Elementary School is just a few blocks from the Port Chester train station and a little more than a mile from the bridge between Port Chester and the Byram section of Greenwich.

In Greenwich, School Superintendent Toni Jones reminded parents on Friday that facilities team members were working overtime to conduct deep cleaning in all of the towns public schools every evening.

We continue to monitor the overall situation, taking guidance from the Town of Greenwich Health Department, State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control on any necessary action, Jones said.

The Greenwich Health Department and the Westchester County Department of Health did not immediately return requests for comment.

JFK School parents were advised not to send children to school with flu symptoms or if they have had contact with someone who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

An update will be provided to the community in a timely manner, the statement said.

Also in Westchester County, two other school districts announced the closures out of an abundance of caution.

Mount Vernon City School District closed all of its school buildings and offices, according to the website. The schools will be completely cleaned and disinfected, and then reopen Monday on a normal schedule.

The closure followed the news that two Mount Vernon students in the same family  one at Columbus School and one at Rebecca Turner Elementary School  were quarantined with their family for possible exposure to coronavirus.

The district received a notice from the familys physician, who also told the district that the students have not shown any symptoms. The two students will not attend school for at least the next two weeks.

In a statement on March 4, Hastings-on-Hudson Unified Free School District officials said they learned a district parent was present in a location that is closed due to a confirmed case of the coronavirus.

The districts schools were closed Thursday and Friday to sanitize the buildings and equipment. The district also canceled all events through Sunday.

The first schools to close were Jewish day schools in New York City. These include Jewish SAR Academy and High School in Riverdale, where the 14-year-old daughter of the lawyer attended school.

Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains and Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck also closed as a precaution. Yeshiva University officials closed the Washington Heights campus Wednesday, which the lawyers 20-year-old son attended as an undergraduate student.

The whole family, who lives in New Rochelle, tested positive for the virus. The mans neighbor, who drove him to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, also tested positive, along with members of his family. At the hospital, three other people connected to the visit contracted the virus.

Before being hospitalized, the 50-year-old attorney had attended services at the Young Israel congregation in New Rochelle, where three other congregants also got the virus, including the spiritual leader, Rabbi Reuven Fink. He also teaches classes at the Washington Heights campus of Yeshiva University.

Two people in Rockland County who worked at a bat mitzvah at Young Israel also contracted the virus.

jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com
Toilet papers looing the Land Down Under has reached new heights. A coronavirus panic client has been tasered with the aid of police in a grocery store after an argument broke out over tissue paper has circulated on social media.

According to news.com.au, a 50-year-old guy went to a supermarket inside the New South Wales city of Tamworth, where the toilet paper delivers was dwindling amid panic buying because of the coronavirus.

Man threw boxes of toilet tissues to female staff

"Police were told the man became aggressive over stock unavailability and threw boxes of tissues at a female staff member and walked off," New South Wales police said in a statement.

When a lady customer approached the consumer, he allegedly grabbed her across the throat before she was helped by another shopper. No injuries have been reported.

The argument was reportedly over bathroom paper, which has become a kind after and an increasing number of an uncommon commodity because of coronavirus fears.

Channel News Asia added the unhinged man then stormed off to another store, the Tamworth Shoppingworld, in which law enforcement officials tasered him at some point of conflict wherein he put one of the officials in a headlock and searched for a gun.

Authorities said the suspect was taken to Tamworth Police Station after police deployed a taser to affect the person's arrest.

The suspect was charged with two counts of assault for resisting an officer in the execution of duty and assaulting an officer in the line of responsibility.

ALSO READ: Dirty Money! WHO Warns Banknotes May Pass Coronavirus; Looks Towards Cashless Transactions

Coronavirus sparks lavatory paper panic buying

Scarcity of rest room paper blamed on panic buying in Australia, in which greater than 50 people had been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus, such as an 8-month-old toddler in Adelaide, Agence France-Presse reported.

In a bid to fight the toilet paper shortage, Coles and Woolworths have both imposed limits on how many packets clients could buy.

Coles had previously said it would no longer impose restrictions. However, the supermarket updated its position to align with Woolworths.

Both grocery store chains are restricting customers to four packets per in-store and online purchases to ensure all buyers have access to toilet papers.

"This [decision] will help us maintain stock levels in stores while our suppliers increase local production, and our distribution centers increase deliveries," Coles said.





People on low incomes, living week to week on little cash.



Runs on essential items hurt people in poverty.



Please stop and think about others before you empty out the supermarket.#corona #panicbuying pic.twitter.com/pxTsDmXrO2 You know who cant 'panic buy' and stockpile goods?People on low incomes, living week to week on little cash.Runs on essential items hurt people in poverty.Please stop and think about others before you empty out the supermarket. #coronavirusaustralia  VCOSS (@VCOSS) March 4, 2020

ALSO READ: 48-roll Pack of Toilet Paper is Being Sold in Australia for $100,000 as Coronavirus Panic Surges

Most cases in Australia comes from other places

Australia's chief medical officer Brendan Murphy says most instances in Australia are folks who had traveled from other affected international locations. He claimed there is only "limited community transmission" in NSW.

Prof Murphy said the authorities are reassuring people that purchasing all of the toilet papers from the shelves of supermarkets isn't a sensible thing to do at this time.

While noting that Australia has a well-prepared health system, Murphy said even the best-prepared health systems can face a challenge if there has large outbreaks

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Would You Open Your Home to an Ex-Prisoner? Michaela Haas writes:

In the beginning, Sabina Crocette struggled with the best way to introduce London DeLora Croudy to her family and friends. Should I introduce her as my roommate? My renter? A new family member? Ms. Crocette was also questioning how much to get involved in her guests life: I wanted to embrace her but not smother her. That is because their relationship has no precedent. Ms. Crocette, 52, took in Ms. Croudy, 32, just before Christmas last year through the Homecoming Project, an effort by the nonprofit Impact Justice in Alameda County, Calif. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, a public policy think tank, people who have been released from prison are 10 times more likely than the general public to become homeless. Few can afford astronomical rents in Californias Bay Area, and the stigma against the formerly incarcerated is persistent. But when ex-prisoners end up homeless, the recidivism rates increase. We looked at the success of Airbnb and the sharing economy, and saw a model that could be adapted to meet this need, Terah Lawyer, the program manager, said. Some are offering shared housing for college students or refugees. We are the first to offer it for the re-entry population. This is a very sensitive ask, she continued, but we found it appeals to people who have strong social values and are called to helping that population. Since it began in August 2018, the Homecoming Project has matched 15 newly released prisoners with hosts. We prioritize people who are homeless and who have been in jail for more than 10 years, Ms. Lawyer said. Perhaps surprisingly, these prisoners are unlikely to reoffend. So far, all the participants and alumni have steady jobs or are pursuing degrees, Ms. Lawyer said. None is on the streets or jobless. Nobody has gotten in any trouble with the law. The Homecoming Project would be prepared to hold a conflict resolution session to break through communication barriers if there are any, Ms. Lawyer said, but so far there havent been.

The author describes how Ms. Crocette shared her intention to open her home to an ex-felon to a skeptical daughter:

 when Ms. Crocette floated the idea of Ms. Croudy moving in, her daughter, then 21, had a swift response: No way! Havent you learned anything? Ms. Crocette laughed. I said to her, Why dont you meet London before you say no? I believe youll be buddies in no time. And this is exactly what happened. The three women regularly cooked together, shared meals and got to know one another. You dont have to ask my permission to go out, Ms. Crocette had to remind Ms. Croudy in the beginning. The Homecoming Project screens hosts and their potential house guests extensively and pays $775 per month in rent for six months. The program is about much more than just a place to sleep. Many participants have to learn to navigate the community, Ms. Lawyer said. How do you use an iPhone? How do you cook for yourself? Some have more serious issues. People who have committed crimes often have trauma, Ms. Lawyer said. It is important for them to be part of a healthy family. So that the hosts are not left on their own to deal with such complex issues, each client is connected to an innovative LifeLong Medical Care clinic in Berkeley, where they get health care and can request counseling. Hosts and guests regularly take workshops on topics ranging from practical help to self-care. They need to be educated about the challenges, Ms. Lawyer said. For instance, one host didnt understand why privacy was such a big issue for his participant. Once he understood the setting in institutions where you even use the bathroom in front of other people, it resolved the confusion. The Homecoming Projects community navigators stop by as often as needed to help. Its safer than if I took in a renter from Craigslist, Ms. Crocette said.

The article continues:

The Homecoming Project has a waiting list of more than 100 ex-prisoners, but only 20 hosts. Ms. Lawyer said they are ready to expand  but a lack of money stands in the way. Initial funding came from a private donor, but the group also received grants, including one from Stanford University, and a contract with the state of California. Ms. Lawyer hopes to train other organizations around the country to bring the model to their own communities. To give some perspective on the need, 600,000 people are released from prison every year in the United States Ms. Lawyer knows the issues firsthand. She spent 15 years in prison for aiding and abetting a murder. Behind bars, she got degrees in business management and drug counseling. When I got out two years ago, I ended up in a transitional home that was run almost like a prison, she said. I was grateful I had a place to sleep, but I was not allowed to work for the first three months though I had a job lined up, and I had to take a drug rehabilitation program though I had never touched drugs and am an addiction counselor. I could have run these courses! Ms. Croudy said that she, too, hated her halfway house, which was run by a for-profit company that also manages prisons and immigrant detention centers. I was only allowed to leave one day a week. They simply dont treat you as an individual who is preparing to stand on her own feet.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:
South Africa: Film Hub to stimulate the economy

The newly launched Eastern Cape Film Hub is expected to stimulate economic activity, drive transformation, and create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Addressing the launch of the facility on Thursday, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said the facility was established to address the lack of film infrastructure.

The hub will give access to production and post-production facilities to aspirant filmmakers.

The hub will provide affordable, subsidised equipment for film production and post production, it will also hopefully attract big production companies to come and shoot in this province stimulating the local economy, said the Minister.

Mthethwa said the cultural and creative industries (CCIs), and in particular the audio-visual sector has long been recognised as a catalyst for economic growth in South Africa with a potential to contribute immensely to the economy and to employment.

Recent studies have shown the sectors tremendous improvement in contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), revenue collection and its multiplier effect in terms of creating employment, he said.

The Minister said the purpose of the film Hub is to bring together all areas of film production under one roof, from pre-production to post production thus providing a high end studios equipped with multiple stages.

The hub is capable of meeting the production needs of high end budget productions while simultaneously servicing the television and commercial production.

It will also provide an avenue for aspiring filmmakers to have access to production and post-production facilities at sustainable rates as well as screening facilities. As the Department we are intent in our purpose to seeing more skilled artists and original South African stories coming from all arrears of this culturally rich country, Mthethwa said.

Film, he said, is one of the few unique artistic tools of expression that plays an important role in cultural exchange, co-existence, tolerance and it is easily accessible and reaches a wider audience.

Its audio-visual nature creates an immediate impact that shapes opinions and inspires generations of people for centuries to come. It is this medium that bestows upon us the freedom to dream, to explore controversial subjects, to conjure up images that builds and sustains nations, the Minister said.

The Eastern Cape Film Hub was launched in Buffalo City Municipality in a collaboration between National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC), and Cortex Hub. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi: Terrorists on Friday (March 6) shot dead a civilian in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The deceased, identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat, was attacked near his house in Gamraj in Tral today afternoon. Following the incident, the police launched a manhunt to nab the attackers.

In another incident, terrorists hurled a grenade at a police checkpoint near Maharajgunj Zaina Kadal police station in downtown Srinagar. According to reports, a civilian received injuries in the incident and was immediately referred to the SMHS hospital in Srinagar.

Confirming the report, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal said that the police has cordoned off the area following the attack and is investigating the matter.

(This is a developing story and more details are awaited.)
BELLEVUE, Wash., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China sourcing company Sourcing Allies announces the launch of Coronavirus support services for Western businesses whose supply of China-manufactured goods has been affected because of the outbreak of the deadly virus. Their team of British, American, Swedish and Chinese nationals based in Ningbo, China, will be at the core of their Coronavirus Support Services.

Discussions about manufacturing in a factory in China Photo credit: Sourcing Allies

The Coronavirus-related lockdown in China has stalled manufacturing since January, affecting global supply chains, and making it difficult for businesses to get fast and accurate information regarding existing or new manufacturing orders. As of March 3, the outbreak has killed 3,115 people across the world, with the majority of deaths in China. Though the number of new infections in China has dropped, and the country is slowly getting back to work, the virus has now spread across 73 countries and territories, making any travel to China risky.

The Ningbo team will guide businesses  those that are worried about existing orders and/or those that want to place new ones  through this global health emergency without them having to set foot in China.

"End customers expect it to be business as usual. However, the Coronavirus outbreak has ensured that it is not business as usual," said Eric Bengtson, CEO, Sourcing Allies. "We found that businesses that source from China are struggling to get accurate and up-to-date information from the ground because they are unable to travel there themselves and are unlikely to do so for quite some time. We decided to launch our Coronavirus Support Services because we already have an experienced sourcing team based in China that can handle any tasks needed to keep global supply chains of customers intact."

For more information on this subject, contact Chris Schell, Sourcing Allies' account manager, China, at [email protected] or write to [email protected].

About Sourcing Allies:

Sourcing Allies has helped Western customers manufacture and source products from China as well as India and Eastern Europe since 2006. We are headquartered in Sweden and have offices in China, the U.S., U.K. and Europe. We guide businesses through the process of getting quotes, evaluating factories and managing the complexities of manufacturing and shipping. We ensure the goods are delivered when our customers want them  all for the best price, quality and lead time.

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Sourcing Allies manufacturing inspection China

Discussions about manufacturing in a factory in China Photo credit: Sourcing Allies

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Coronavirus: The deadly virus has stalled manufacturing in China, affecting global supply chains

Quick news wrap: Coronavirus-hit factories coming back online in China

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MANILA, Philippines  The Department of Health (DOH) could not tell yet whether or not the 500 plus Filipinos on board the Grand Princess cruises held off in San Franciso, California can be repatriated.

The cruise ship, owned and managed by Princess Cruises ship liner, has about 500 Filipino crew members on board.

Tests have been conducted on some groups of crew members and passengers following reports that some passengers who disembarked from the cruise have later tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(As of today, we have not received any) instruction or information about how we are going to handle our compatriots overseas Filipino workers in that liner, explained DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo.

The DOH added that until now, they have not determined any other location for the Filipinos quarantine site in case their repatriation pushes through.

The local government of Capas, Tarlac recently appealed to the DOH to find a different place to confine the next batch of repatriates.

The DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) are still waiting for details as to the condition of the Filipinos on board the ship.

The DOH said the Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are yet to provide them information on the results of the test on the Filipinos and what measures the cruise liner has for its crew members and passengers.

WHO Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe echoed the lack of status report on the cruise.

We havent the information on whats happening on the cruise ship. We have heard reports of a few cases there but beyond that we dont have the information and nor there has been official communication with the DOH or the WHO,

In a tweet, Princess Cruise confirmed that they have identified groups of guests and crew who they subjected for tests, while it clarified that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently on board.

#GrandPrincess Update: We can confirm that while there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently on board, the @CDCgov has identified groups of guests and crew who will be tested before arrival into San Francisco.  Princess Cruises (@PrincessCruises) March 5, 2020

Nonetheless, the WHO believes that passengers and crew shouldnt be quarantined on the a ship similar to what was done in Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

Story continues

The International health organization clarified, however, that they need to know the complete details on the overall situation on board the ship for them to come up with new protocols.

The practice weve seen with the Diamond Princess probably you shouldnt be recommending quarantine them on a ship, Dr. Abeyasinghe said.

We dont know the circumstances in the facilities. We dont know in detail. I cannot comment, he added.

Meanwhile, Malacanang expressed confidence with the manner the United States handles coronavirus cases in their area.

Ang amerika ngayon, napakagaling sa containment (Americas containment measure is commendable). I think the protocols of the US is topnotch, noted Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. MNP (with reports from Dante Amento)

The post DOH: No clear information yet on Filipinos on board cruise ship held in California appeared first on UNTV News.
UPDATE: 8:39 a.m. Wednesday, March 11  The City of Biggs is changing law enforcement service providers.

City Manager Mark Sorensen told Action News Now the city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to authorize the mayor and city administrator to sign an agreement for law enforcement services with the Butte County Sheriff's Office.

For 19 years the city had a contract with the Gridley Police Department to provide law enforcement. The cost of contracting the sheriff's office will be less than the $500,000 per year the city paid Gridley police.

Vice Mayor Angela Thompson told Action News Now this decision is cost-saving for the city, saving up to about about $70,000 per year.

Sorensen said eventually, the sheriff's office will likely establish an office in the Biggs City Hall.

The contract with Gridley Police expires June 30th, and sheirff's deputies will take over starting July 1st. ---

BIGGS, Calif.  The City of Biggs is considering bringing in the Butte County Sheriffs Office to take over police services in the community.

So why after 19 years with the Gridley Police Department are they considering the move? Christina Vitale explains.

Some Biggs residents agreed with this idea  while some say they dont have good feelings about it.

The Biggs City Council is listening to the community to get their opinions about swapping out their police services.

Action News Now asked City Administrator Mike Sorensen if the city of Biggs seeing an influx in crime or a lack of response time that prompted this.

No we are just looking for ways to improve the police service to the city of Biggs, Sorensen answered.

For 19 years the city Biggs has contracted police services through Gridley at a price tag of over $500,000.

But now that could change. Sorensen said if they decided to go with the sheriffs department, they will add a dedicated area deputywhich is a five-member team including one sergeant.

Also, a community service officer assigned 40 hours a week. Biggs resident, Charles Nuchols spoke to Action News Now about this idea.

Nothing against the sheriffs department but I dont feel that they would be able to provide us with a quick response time as quick as Gridley PD does, Nuchols said.

One of the criticisms is theyd have to be driving from Oroville and thats not the case, Sorensen said.

Sorensen said one of the goals of the program would be to establish a Butte County Sheriffs Office right here in the city hall.

We would be installing a data line so they all access to computer resources of the sheriff and they would be joined a school resource deputy who is already assigned to Biggs school, Sorensen said.

Action News Now spoke with Lieutenant Rodney Harr with Gridley Police. Harr said both departments are respected law enforcement agencies.

The first year we would be spending slightly more if we go with the sheriff," Sorenson said, explaining the cost would be about the same -- about a half million dollars a year.

Harr said Gridley Police Department has provided excellent protection services over the years and havent received any complaints.

Gridley does provide us with an adequate patrol. I believe I do see them throughout the day in town. We dont have a great presence but I do see them here, Nuchols said.

I think now with the new sheriff here, I think hes going to have people here and they are going to respond well enough. I dont see any problems, Arnold said.

But ultimately its up to the city council to decide.

Residents who would like to give public input  the city plans to make a decision on which service to move forward with at their next council meeting on March 10.
A Virgin Australia flight attendant has taken TikTok by storm after sharing videos of herself and other members of the crew dancing on the plane.

Tiana McCarthy is making a name for herself on the video sharing platform by uploading skits for her 21,500 followers, many of which see the Brisbane local twirling around in her red and purple uniform.

The young brunette has thousands of eyes watching the footage, with her most popular one - which shows her bopping along down the aisle of economy class - being viewed 579,000 times.

A Virgin Australia flight attendant has gone viral on TikTok after sharing videos of herself and other members of the crew dancing to popular songs on the plane

As per the usual TikTok rules, Tiana doesn't talk in the videos, instead reenacting carefully choreographed dance moves that other TikTok users have invented.

In one she can be seen standing next to the front cabin door, looking left and right to make sure no one is watching, before busting out a move.

In another she stands with fellow flight attendant Nicole Green, who also has a TikTok account, near the front of the plane to perform a routine.

In another she stands with fellow flight attendant Nicole Green, who also has a TikTok account, near the front of the plane to perform a routine

Crew members in business class join in on the TikTok activities with Tiana (bottom left)

She dances in the staff room in front of a sleeping co-worker, in the hotel rooms she stays in after an overnight flight and even in business class.

Tiana appears to take her videos before starting a shift or after it's finished because there are never any paying customers in their seats when the clips are filmed.

In one funny video the air hostess pokes fun at how passengers ask for particular things - like water - and then proceed to forget and believe they ordered something else.

Of the 26 videos she has posted since starting her TikTok account it would seem that one of Tiana's favourite holiday destinations is Japan (pictured in the country)

She often asks colleagues to join in on the action, and they happily oblige

In one funny video the air hostess pokes fun at how passengers ask for particular things - like water - and then proceed to forget and believe they ordered something else

'Passenger says they asked for an orange juice. I reply: "oh really? Even row 30 heard you ask for water,' she captioned it, tagging #ilovemyjob.

Of the 26 videos she has posted since starting her TikTok account it would seem that one of Tiana's favourite holiday destinations is Japan.

She managed to dance her way around the country with a male friend, sharing the results for all her followers to see.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  Fri, March 6, 2020 11:50 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068bf188 2 World coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak,COVID-19,health,epidemic Free

A Canadian tourist has the second confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the Dominican Republic, the public health ministry said Thursday.

The 70-year-old woman arrived in the Caribbean country on Feb. 25 with her husband, who is not showing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus that first appeared in China late last year.

The couple has been transferred from their hotel in Bayahibe, in the eastern part of the country, to a hospital isolation center in the capital Santo Domingo.

The first known case of coronavirus infection in the Dominican Republic was discovered Sunday in a 62-year-old Italian tourist, who was also staying in Bayahibe.

The man was hospitalized and is recovering, according to authorities.

The country established airport and border controls to combat the spread of the virus when the outbreak first took hold in China's Hubei province, and has suspended flights from Milan for 30 days as the virus spreads near the Italian city.

There have been nearly 98,000 infections and some 3,300 deaths in 85 countries and territories throughout the world, according to a count by AFP.
BALLSTON SPA  A woman who stole more than $200,000 from her employer and faces more charges for an additional alleged employee theft was ordered to spend the maximum of up to 7 years in state prison for the theft during sentencing Wednesday.

Ronnie L. Gardner, 27, pleaded guilty in December for the theft from Exit 15 Gourmet Seasoned Firewood in Wilton, where she worked as bookkeeper for a number of years. She apologized but had nothing more to say.

Gardner pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny for the theft that occurred between July 2016 and May 2018.

She cut a plea deal that capped her sentence at a maximum of 2-1/3 to 7 years, and Saratoga County Judge James Murphy imposed that prison term Wednesday instead of a lesser term.

Her lawyer, Frederick Sober, asked for the minimum prison term of 1 to 3 years.

While awaiting disposition of the firewood money case, Gardner was re-arrested for theft from another employer, and a grand larceny charge is pending in that case as well, officials said. Details of that case have not been released by police.

Gardner was arrested for the Exit 15 Gourmet Seasoned Firewood theft after a State Police investigation in July 2018. Police initially said the theft amounted to $175,000, but a final accounting led to a restitution order by Murphy of more than $200,000.

Authorities said she spent the money on vacations, a vehicle, clothes and other merchandise.

Business owner Lou Faraone said after her guilty plea that Gardner was someone he has known since she was a child, who we took under our wing only to have her steal from him.

He said the theft had been devastating from a business perspective and a personal standpoint as well.

Faraone did not give a victim impact statement Wednesday. Gardner will have to serve at least 2-1/3 years in prison, and make restitution when released. She also could face a consecutive sentence for the additional charge.

Don Lehman covers police and court matters, Warren County government and the outdoors. He can be reached at 518-742-3224 or dlehman@poststar.com

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Lawson Bates is lending a hand in the wake of the devasting Tennessee tornadoes. The Bringing Up Bates star  and Volunteer State native  revealed on Instagram that he was in Cookeville, Tenn. and working as part of the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. With him were two faces that will be familiar to Counting On fans: Jason and James Duggar.

Lawson Bates says its the worst devastation hes ever seen

Bates has experience helping out in disaster areas. Last year, he was in the Bahamas assisting with Hurricane Dorian relief. But seeing the effects of the tornadoes in his home state was a different experience entirely.

This is the worst devastation Ive ever seen in my home State of Tennessee, but Ive also seen some of the greatest outpourings of support, love, and energy from so so many who care enough to pitch in and do whatever it takes to get the ones whove lost everything back in their feet! he wrote in an Instagram post.

A twister hit Nashville and the surrounding area early on the morning of March 3. At least 25 people were killed and many homes and other buildings were destroyed.

What the Bringing Up Bates star is doing to help

Bates got right to work clearing debris left by the storm. Weve been on the ground with a team of 6 guys, 2 skid-steers, chainsaws, equipment etc working alongside the hundreds of volunteers in search and rescue, cleanup, and recovery, he wrote. In an earlier post, he asked people to reach out if they knew of anyone who was in need of help.

Joining Bates were Jason and James Duggar. Jason and James are there helping with the cleanup and recovery alongside hundreds of volunteers, noted the official Duggar family Instagram account.

Bates noted that he was working with MedicCorps. MedicCorps is a nonprofit organization founded by members of the Duggar family that provides emergency services in disaster areas. So far in Tennessee, the team has helped rescue a trapped dog and is working with people to find important items in the wreckage, in addition to clearing debris.

Questions about MedicCorps

People walk by tornado damage in Cookeville, Tenn. | Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Many people on social media praised Bates and the Duggars for their efforts to help after the tornadoes in Tennessee. But in the past, some have raised questions about MedicCorps and whether it is really helping in disaster areas.

After MedicCorps promoted its relief efforts in the Bahamas in 2019, critics said the group was causing more trouble than good in the islands. They were accused of commandeering supplies and getting in the way of other first responders. Others have questioned volunteers qualifications.

But when it came to MedicCorps work in Tennessee, many were grateful. Thank you for volunteering  our parents live there and are in the area that was just destroyed, commented one person on the @duggarfam Instagram account. Our hearts are so grateful for the help theyve been given.

Read more: Lawson Batess Valentines Day Instagram Post Has Counting On Fans Begging Him to Court Jana Duggar

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STAPLES, Minn.  An 18-year-old has died after crashing a snowmobile on Saturday, Feb. 29, in Wadena County near Staples, according to a release from the Wadena County Sheriff's Office.

It was his first time riding a snowmobile for Paul Peterson of Motely, according to the release.

Authorities were called out to an area north of the Wahoo Valley Bar & Grill by a river at 1:30 p.m., where the caller said CPR was in progress after a snowmobile crash, the release said.

Once on scene, emergency crews provided medical care to the injured person, who they learned was Peterson, who was leaving the Wahoo Valley Bar & Grill with his family when he left to go ride snowmobile, the sheriff's office said.

Peterson left the bar a few minutes before the rest of the riders, and according to police, his father found him. After unsuccessful lifesaving efforts, Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene.

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He was riding a 2000 Polaris 600XSSP, was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not a factor.
Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday said multiple health insurance companies have agreed not to charge customers in Oregon who may need to be tested for the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19.

At least eight insurance providers will waive all costs associated with testing or future immunization for most individual or group health plans, according to the governors office.

The providers include BridgeSpan Health Company, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health Plan, PacificSource Health Plans, Providence Health Plans, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and Samaritan Health Plans.

COVID-19 testing is already free for those on the Oregon Health Plan. The state is pursuing a similar agreement for individuals who have a self-insured health plan.

No one should have to ask if getting a COVID-19 test is something they can afford, Brown said in a statement. I hope this agreement sets a framework that other states can follow nationwide.

Only 48 Oregonians have been tested through Wednesday, with an additional 13 awaiting results. But public demand for the state-rationed tests is expected to skyrocket after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened its guidance to allow for wider testing based on doctors requests.

It is not clear when Oregon officials will make the tests available to more people.

Right now, Oregon has obtained about 1,500 tests from the CDC, Lillian Shirley, director of public health for the Oregon Health Authority, told lawmakers Wednesday.

As of Thursday, three people have tested positive for COVID-19 infections in Oregon: a Umatilla County man and a pair of relatives who live in Washington County.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 06:47:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LJUBLJANA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Janez Jansa, the Slovenian incoming prime minister, nominated his 16-member cabinet on Friday evening.

Most of the candidates for ministers are senior politicians with prior experience in government.

Jansa's own Democrats (SDS) will have seven members in the new cabinet, two of them without portfolio.

MP Anze Logar, the chair of the Commission for Oversight of Public Finances, has been nominated for the foreign ministry and Ales Hojs, former MP and defense minister, for the home policy portfolio.

Long-serving MP Andrej Sircelj has been slated for the treasury, and Andrej Vizjak, who has served twice as minister under Jansa, is to take over at the Environment Ministry, according to the Slovenian Press Agency STA.

Vasko Simoniti is to return to the Culture Ministry after having served a full term there in Jansa's 2004-2008 government.

Slovenia's lawmakers confirmed Janez Jansa, the 61-year-old leader of SDS as prime minister-designate on March 3.
In this photo illustration a Grindr logo is seen displayed on a smartphone on April 01, 2019.

Chinese gaming company Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd said on Friday that it has agreed to sell Grindr LLC, a popular gay dating app it acquired in 2016, for about $608.5 million.

The deal comes after a U.S. government panel set a June 2020 deadline to sell the app. The panel, dubbed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), has not disclosed its concerns about Kunlun's ownership of Grindr.

However, the United States has been increasingly scrutinizing app developers over the safety of personal data they handle, especially if some of it involves U.S. military or intelligence personnel.

Kunlun said it agreed to sell its 98.59% stake in Grindr to San Vicente Acquisition LLC.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Two Lafayette teens have been arrested, and are suspects in the shooting of a 15-year-old. According to police, on March 3, the Lafayette Police Department responded to Franciscan Health for a 15-year-old that had been shot in the arm and abdomen. The investigation determined the shooting took place in the 3200 block of South 9th Street.

On March 4, police arrested both suspects in separate locations. They are facing charges of armed robbery resulting in serious bodily injury.
The targeted websites included those of the president's office and local municipality offices.

The United States, Britain, and Estonia have accused Russian military intelligence of conducting massive cyberattacks against the Georgian government and media websites in a bid "to sow discord and disrupt the lives of ordinary Georgians."

The three countries told the UN Security Council on March 5 that the cyberattacks "are part of Russia's long-running campaign of hostile and destabilizing activity against Georgia and are part of a wider pattern of malign activity," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.

The remarks came after Georgia's ambassador wrote to the Security Council in February about the large-scale attack in October.

Read alsoThe Hill: U.S. pledges US$8 mln to Ukraine for cybersecurity assistance

On February 20, the United States and Britain publicly joined Georgia in blaming Russia for the coordinated cyberattack, which took thousands of Georgian websites offline and even disrupted TV broadcasts.

More than 2,000 state, private, and media websites as well as two private television stations  Imedi and Maestro  were knocked out on October 28. The targeted websites included those of the president's office and local municipality offices.

Washington and London said in separate statements at the time that the attacks were carried out by a unit of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency known as Unit 74455 and Sandworm.

Sandworm is known as a single group of hackers within the GRU and security experts have linked it to such cyber-breaches as the theft of 9 gigabytes of e-mails from the French presidential campaign of Emmanuel Macron, a similar campaign against the Democratic National Committee in the United States in 2016, as well as the malware that hit Ukraine's power grid in 2015 and spread globally.

At the UN on March 5, Estonian Ambassador Sven Jurgenson read a statement while standing with British envoy Karen Pierce and acting U.S. Deputy Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet, saying the attacks demonstrate "a continuing pattern of reckless...cyberoperations against a number of countries" by the GRU.

"These actions clearly contradict Russia's attempts to claim it is a responsible actor in cyberspace," their statement said. "Irresponsibility in cyberspace is detrimental to all of us."

Russia's Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations as "unfounded and politically driven."
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 16:52 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068d19f6 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,outbreak,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,Sulianti-Saroso-Hospital,symptoms,health-ministry Free

The Health Ministry has identified four individuals suspected of having been infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus after the ministry traced as many as 25 people who had contact with the countrys first two confirmed cases.

The ministrys disease control and prevention directorate general secretary, Achmad Yurianto, said during a press briefing on Friday at noon that the four people had been in close contact with two confirmed patients, known as Case 1 and Case 2.

They attended the same dance as Case 1 in mid-February in Jakarta. Case 1 contracted the virus from a Japanese woman who tested positive in Malaysia in late February.

The four people, Yurianto said, were currently being observed at a hospital, adding that samples of their bodily fluids had been tested at the ministrys laboratory. The results were expected on Friday afternoon.

Their conditions are stable. Some of them suffer from cough and flu. Some also have a body temperature higher than 37 [degrees Celsius], [] meaning that they have a fever," said Yurianto, who also serves as the spokesperson for the management of the virus outbreak.

Meanwhile, he added that cases 1 and 2, who are undergoing treatment in isolation at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital, were also in stable condition, although they still suffered from bouts of coughing.

Read also: We should thank Indonesia's COVID-19 'Case 1' instead of breaching her privacy

Doctors have taken samples of their bodily fluids to be tested again. The results were likewise expected on Friday afternoon, the spokesperson said.

The government planned to continue tracing people suspected of having been in contact with the first two confirmed patients in order to prevent the emergence of new subclusters.

"So, from the Jakarta cluster, it is very possible that there will be subclusters. The four people suspected [of having COVID-19] belong to different groups. From the dancing group, they went home and came into contact with their other groups. We're tracing [these groups]. Hopefully we can trace them all," he said.

Yurianto said the ministry would observe the 10 people identified to be part of the Jakarta cluster. He claimed the 10 people did not complain of any symptoms related to COVID-19, but the ministry would continue observing them to ensure there had been no transmission.

Indonesia had tested 227 samples from people as of Thursday evening. Of the total number of samples tested, two were found to be positive, 13 were still awaiting results, with their providers in isolation at various hospitals, while the rest came out negative. (ars)
Stocks in Asia dropped on Friday as volatility continued to grip the markets amid investor concerns over the global coronavirus outbreak.

Japanese stocks were among the biggest losers regionally as the Nikkei 225 dropped 2.72% to close at 20,749.75, with shares of index heavyweight and conglomerate Softbank Group plunging 6.07%. The Topix index fell 2.92% to end its trading day at 1,471.46.

The Japanese yen, often seen as a safe-haven currency in times of economic uncertainty, traded at 105.93 per dollar after strengthening from lows above 108 earlier this week.

South Korea's Kospi also shed 2.16% to close at 2,040.22. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong slipped more than 2%, as of its final hour of trading.

Mainland Chinese stocks edged lower in afternoon trade, with the Shanghai composite down 1.21% to about 3,034.51 and the Shenzhen component shedding 1.1% to 11,582.82. The Shenzhen composite also slipped 0.74% to approximately 1,915.17.

Stocks in Australia also fell, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping 2.81% to close at 6,216.20. Australia retail turnover in January fell 0.3% month-on-month on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the country's Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS said it expected the outbreak to "impact aggregate retail trade estimates in coming months," though there was "no apparent impact on any of the aggregate level data" in the data release for January.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index tumbled 2.13%.

Mizuho Bank's Vishnu Varathan wrote in a note that "there appears to be two strains of infections in the market."



"One succumbs to the sheer fear of community spread, prospects of deep economic impact from sharp drop off in demand for travel and seizures in supply-chains," said Varathan, who is head of economics and strategy at Mizuho. "The other is a strain that thrives on hopes of stimulus; be it frantic central bank rate cuts, the lull of liquidity infusions or more targeted fiscal offsets to provide pain relief."
Rabat  Despite the protection measures rolled out by governments across the continent, the number of patients infected with the novel coronavirus, officially called COVID-19, continues to rise, hitting 27 as of today, reports the BBC.Algeria remains the African country with the highest number of recorded cases, with its health ministry confirming on March 4, a spike in the number of cases. According to the ministrys official statistics, 17 people in Algeria have contracted the virus.While the Algerian health ministry reassured citizens that the nine new patients are all members of the same family, the rise in numbers is prompting fears across North Africa that the virus will continue to spread at a fast pace. After Algeria, Senegal has the highest number of confirmed cases in Africa, with 4 confirmed cases. Of Senegals two latest cases, one patient is a British citizen. The 33-year-old woman flew to Dakar from London on February 24. A French couple living in Senegal accounts for the other two confirmed cases in the West African Country.South Africa reported its first case of the virus yesterday, confirming the diagnosis of a 38-year-old man who had traveled from Italy with his wife.The South African health minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced that the patient and his wife arrived in South Africa from Italy on March 1 with their two children.The patient and the doctor who treated him on presentation of the symptoms were both in self-isolation in the easter KwaZulu-Natal province. The minister believes the virus is contained and health authorities are attempting to contact anyone the patient may have had contact with.Morocco, meanwhile, confirmed its second case COVID-19 yesterday in Casablanca. Moroccos Pasteur Institute confirmed a Moroccan woman who recently arrived in the country from Italy has contracted the virus. She is now quarantined and receiving treatment at a hospital in Casablanca but is in a critical condition. Moroccos Ministry of Health assured citizens it will continue to update the public as the situation develops. The ministry has also called on Moroccans to stay calm and not to spread dangerous rumors about the spread of the virus.The ministry has put in place a series of protection measures designed to contain the spread of the virus and encourages citizens to observe good hygiene practices.The virus has killed more than 3,000 people so far, with the vast majority of fatalities in China. Globally, more than 95,000 patients have tested positive for COVID-19.

Click www.moroccoworldnews.com/ to read the article from its source.
South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear walk on a street in front of Daegu's city hall after the rapid rise in confirmed cases of the coronavirus on March 2, 2020.

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

South Korea has tested more than 140,000 people for the new coronavirus and confirmed more than 6,000 cases. Its fatality rate is around 0.6%.

This suggests that, as many health experts have predicted, the virus' fatality rate seems to decrease as more cases are reported.

That's because more widespread testing leads more mild cases to be included in the count.

The US, by contrast, has tested around 1,500 people. The country has 221 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, suggesting a death rate of 5%.

The US' testing capacity has been limited.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US and South Korea announced their first cases of the coronavirus on the same day: January 20. More than six weeks later, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested around 1,500 people for the virus. South Korea, meanwhile, has tested about 140,000.

The nation is capable of conducting as many as 10,000 tests per day and has built drive-thru testing clinics that can detect coronavirus cases in just 10 minutes. Officials say the clinics can reduce testing time by a third.

This quick response has allowed South Korea to detect more than 6,000 coronavirus patients, around 35 of whom have died. That means the country's death rate is around 0.6%.

The death rate is a calculation of the number of known deaths out of the total number of confirmed cases. Because the disease caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19, progresses over a period of weeks  and because these numbers are constantly changing  it is not static and very likely to continue changing. It is not a reflection of the likelihood that any given person will die if infected.

The World Health Organization estimated on Tuesday that the global fatality rate for the coronavirus is around 3.4%. Some health experts predict that this rate will decrease as the number of cases rises. South Korea offers solid evidence for that prediction so far.

Story continues

Widespread testing could mean a lower death rate because the majority of coronavirus cases  around 80%  are considered mild. But the cases reported first are often those with the most severe symptoms, since those people go to the hospital. Milder cases, on the other hand, could go uncounted or get reported later on.

"If indeed we discover that there are far more cases that are actually being reported, and that one of the primary reasons for this is that we're just not detecting asymptomatic or mild or moderately symptomatic cases that don't end up seeking healthcare, then our estimates for the case fatality rate will likely decrease," Lauren Ancel Meyers, an epidemiologist at the University of Texas at Austin, told Business Insider.

Mild cases, she added, "may not make it onto the radar of public health agencies."

In the US, people without severe symptoms haven't been tested because of limited availability, which may explain why the nation's death rate so far is high: more than 5%.

That's higher than the death rate in China  nearly 4%  where the outbreak started.

Many mild cases could go undetected

People under age 40 have just a 0.2% risk of dying from the virus, early research has shown. The majority of severe cases are among elderly patients or those with preexisting health problems.

"Most people who get infected won't even know they have it," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a press briefing on Wednesday. A day later, he added: "The facts do not merit the level of anxiety that we are seeing."

But until Wednesday, the CDC had only tested people who had recent exposure to a confirmed patient, had travelled to a country with an outbreak, or required hospitalization. This has made it difficult for doctors and health officials to test or diagnose many patients with mild cases, which likely explains the US' high death rate.

"There's another whole cohort that is either asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic," Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a February 6 briefing. "We're going to see a diminution in the overall death rate."

'You don't have the capacity to test everybody'

South Korea saw a spike in coronavirus cases after a 61-year-old woman transmitted the virus to other members of a fringe religious group, the controversial Shincheonji Church of Jesus. On February 23, South Korean president Moon Jae-in warned that the country faced "a grave turning point" in its efforts to contain the outbreak.

Since then, it has implemented widespread testing.

In the US, the CDC opted to develop its own test, one that could identify multiple viruses, ProPublica reported. But the tests turned out to be faulty: A problem with one ingredient caused more than half of state labs to receive inconclusive results. In response, the CDC said it would replace the ingredient and manufacture new tests.

"What happened in the US is the CDC created and sent out a test to all 50 states and then said, 'Wait, hold up, don't use it,'" Matthew McCarthy, a hospitalist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, told CNBC last week.

An employee from a disinfection service company sanitizes a KTX train at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on March 4, 2020.

Reuters

By the end of February, only three of the nation's more than 100 public-health labs had verified the CDC test for use. In the meantime, labs had to send samples to the CDC in Atlanta to confirm a case. That causes a delay of up to 48 hours between testing and confirmation.

"At first, CDC was the only place where testing could be performed," Richard Martinello, an associate professor of infectious disease at the Yale School of Medicine, told Business Insider. "For a country of our size, when you only have a single site doing that, it limits the resources available for testing."

McCarthy told CNBC he had to call the Department of Health and "plead to test people" at his hospital in New York.

The US has reported around 220 cases of the virus so far, though the CDC has only confirmed 148. The confirmed cases include 46 passengers who were quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and three repatriated evacuees from Wuhan, China. But researchers at the Seattle Flu Study estimated that the number of infections in Washington state alone may have already reached 570.

The US' official death count as of Thursday is 12.

A person on a stretcher at a Washington State nursing facility where more than 50 people are being tested for COVID-19 on February 29, 2020.

Elaine Thompson/AP

On Saturday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began allowing academic hospital labs to develop and use their own coronavirus tests. The New York health department is now partnering with local hospitals to expand testing capacity for the virus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday. The goal is to conduct 1,000 test per day, he added  but the current capacity is still limited.

"We're at a couple of hundred tests per day, so you prioritize who can be tested," Cuomo said. "You don't have the capacity to test everybody 'just in case.'"

Read the original article on Business Insider
How can Christians determine if something is biblical or bogus? Apologist gives 3 steps

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A Christian apologist laid out three ways Christians can judge whether an idea is biblical or bogus in a speech that was part of a student-centered apologetics event in Allen, Texas.

Alan Shlemon, author and speaker with the apologetics group Stand to Reason, gave remarks at the reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference, held last week at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen.

During his talk last Friday, Shlemon laid out three steps that help guard against false religious ideas.

The first step is to seek to study scripture, which involved reading the Bible. Shlemon told students that when they come across an idea or some kind of claim, we need to test it against Scripture.

The second step is to seek wise counsel, with Shlemon giving examples of parents, young group leaders, and pastors, among others.

Chances are, you dont know the Bible entirely, you dont have perfect theology, you dont understand the Christian worldview completely, and guess what? Thats OK. I dont either. Nobody does, he explained.

But what that means is you can and should seek wise counsel. People who might be more biblically mature than you or walked with Jesus longer.

Shlemon said his counsel was his boss, Stand to Reason founder and President Greg Koukl, who hosts a radio program that invites people to call in and ask spiritual questions.

The third and final step in determining the validity of an idea, according to Shlemon, is to seek the consensus of historic Christianity.

What has the Church taught for 2,000 years? asked Shlemon. If the idea or the claim that I am considering right now is contradicted by 2,000 years of church history, or it is a completely new idea, then it causes me to become suspicious.

He gave the example of the LGBT movement and how some churches have argued that the Bible does not actually condemn homosexuality or same-sex marriage.

Shlemon did acknowledge that Christians have been long divided on issues like the nature of the Lords Supper and how to properly perform baptisms.

We have been divided on a whole bunch of things for hundreds if not thousands of years in some cases, he noted. But when it comes to the question of marriage and sex, all of the church, Protestant, Catholic, and even the Orthodox traditions, have been unanimous for 2,000 years.

Shlemons comments were part of the Conferences Friday evening first session, titled reTHINK Your False Ideas About God.

In addition to Shlemon, the session also featured Stand to Reason President Koukl and Tim Barnett, pastor at Cedarville Church of Newmarket, Canada.

Barnett focused on the Genesis account of the fall of man, explaining to those gathered that there were three steps the Serpent took in Genesis 3 to get Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

The three steps of deception, Barnett said, were that Satan questions what God has said, Satan denies what God has said, and Satan attacks who God is.

The fall of mankind didnt actually begin when the first pair took their first bite. That is, it didnt begin with a disobedient deed, said Barnett. Rather, it began with an incorrect idea. Specifically, the serpent, the devil, he planted false ideas in the minds of the original pair.

Barnett went on to argue that these very strategies are still used in modern American culture to tempt Christians to not follow the Bible.

If we ignore Gods word, we end up cutting ourselves off from truth about God. If we ignore what He said, we cut ourselves off from that truth, he continued.

And what happens is we begin to take our cues about God from the culture.  We dont determine what God is like by looking to the culture.
Morocco aspires to double its agricultural GDP between 2020 and 2030 to 250 billion dirhams thanks to a new strategy dubbed Green Generation.

It also aims at boosting Moroccos exports to 60 billion dirhams by 2030, head of the Moroccan agency for agricultural development (ADA) said.

This new strategy, spurred by King Mohammed VI, also provides for investment incentives and facilities to encourage young agricultural entrepreneurs, he said, adding that an agricultural insurance and social protection measures will be put in place benefiting 3 million farmers.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco had in recent months urged measures to promote the development of a rural middle class via promoting agricultural activity and making loans easier to access in the countryside.

Morocco also launched an initiative to protect its 9 million hectare forests including planting 130,000 hectares with trees in an initiative that would create 27,000 forest-related jobs.

Part of the measures to make loans easier for young entrepreneurs including those in rural areas, the preferential rate offered to young investors and project holders was set at 2% in urban areas and 1.75% in rural areas.

A special fund was created to guarantee these loans worth 6 billion dirhams with Hassan II fund for social and economic development adding 2 billion dirhams exclusively earmarked to investors in rural areas.

These measures are implemented as Morocco seeks a new development model that is geared to encourage entrepreneurship, reduce disparities and fight poverty.
Gunmen killed at least 27 people and wounded 29 more in Afghanistans capital on Friday at a remembrance ceremony for a minority Shiite leader, officials said.

Heath Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar said the injured had been taken to hospitals in Kabul.

All of the casualties were civilians, said interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi.

Several prominent political leaders escaped the ceremony unhurt, including Abdullah Abdullah, the countrys chief executive and a top contender in last years presidential election.

Afghan security forces were still trying to flush the gunmen out of a half-finished apartment building, Mr Rahimi said.

Security personnel block the road near the site of the attack (Rahmat Gul/AP)

Dozens of Afghan security forces had cordoned off area.

The Taliban have denied they were behind the attack, and while no one has claimed responsibility for carrying it out, Afghanistans upstart Islamic State affiliate has declared war on the countrys minority Shiites.

Most of the people attending the memorial service were Shiite.

The attack came just days after the United States and the Taliban signed an ambitious peace deal that lays out a conditions-based path to the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

Afghan security personnel (Rahmat Gul/AP)

Any US troop pullout would be tied in part to promises by the Taliban to fight terrorism and IS.

Fridays ceremony was held in the mostly Shiite Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of the capital, Kabul.

The memorial marked 25 years since the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of Afghanistans minority ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims.

He was killed in 1995 by the Taliban as they moved to take control of Kabul, which had been destroyed by a brutal civil war among mujahedeen groups, including Mr Mazaris.
Rep. Budd Ready for Challenge of Beating Government Waste, Fraud

WASHINGTONRep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) is a man on a mission to solve what he calls a solvable problem that causes the loss of hundreds of billions of tax dollars every year.

Asked why he is taking on a challenge that has defeated Democrats and Republicans in the nations capital for decades, Budd doesnt hesitate to put the problem of waste, fraud, and corruption into perspective.

It seems so doable, and its intriguing because its such a problem and its such a brand that the government has, Budd told The Epoch Times on March 5. It seems so solvable. Thats the short answer.

Examples that illustrate the problem come readily to hand for Budd, who was first elected to the House of Representatives from the Tarheel States 13th Congressional District in 2016.

What are you doing when youve got probably $170 billion just in improper payments a year and thats just one thing, he said. You see 50-year-old software systems, I mean, it just goes on and on and on.

Budd was referring to a recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) analysis that estimated the government sent $175 billion to the wrong or undeserving recipients in 2019, mostly in the form of Social Security and Medicare payments.

Something is wrong in our structure here that we cant solve visible problems that are not partisan, Budd said. He thinks he was elected at an opportune moment to address such problems.

I didnt say I am optimistic. My intention here is I know for a fact that I will not be successful if I dont attempt it. But the timing might be right. I might be in the right place when the lightning strikes, when the mood in both parties, in both houses of Congress, in the administration, line up.

The issue of government agencies relying on obsolete computer technology is front and center for Budd, who in a recent Budds Budget Busters series statement pointed out that GAO estimates that 75 percent of the governments annual information technology spending goes to supporting outdated legacy software programs.

The Department of Justice and the Social Security Administration still operate a programming code from the 1950s and 1960s. The Department of the Treasury still uses a pair of nearly 60-year-old systems, he said in the statement.

The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains veterans benefits on a more than 50-year-old system. Most incredibly, the Department of Defense uses an over 50-year-old system of eight-inch floppy disks in the operation of our countrys nuclear arsenal.

As the tech revolution continues to affect every aspect of our lives, we have to make sure that our government isnt left in the dust. The private sector can be a vital resource for demonstrating how to effectively modernize using cutting edge tools like cloud technology.

Thats why Congress should perform enhanced oversight in the form of hearings and testimony and enact new legislation where it would be needed. Agencies and departments should be held accountable for the glacial pace of technological change in the federal bureaucracy.

In another example, Budd said the federal government pays for more than 10,000 buildings that are either partially or completely unused; he estimated that selling them could save taxpayers at least $15 billion in five years.

Nothing should be more frustrating to a taxpayer than to see their hard-earned dollars pay to lease vacant buildings that the federal government has no intention of ever using, Budd said in a statement.

This is a prime example of what happens when federal agencies are not held accountable for failing to use basic best practices from the private sector. Thats why Im planning to introduce legislation to force agencies to either use their property or let taxpayers off the hook.

The 47-year-old Budd knows something about making the best use of business properties. He comes from a family that has built a hugely successful businessThe Budd Group, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolinathat specializes in providing facilities management services to companies throughout the southeastern United States, plus Indiana.

As a young man, Budd worked in the companys janitorial and landscaping divisions, where he says he learned the importance of work ethic and common-sense decision making.

The Budd Group describes itself as a firm that strives to be a God-honoring company of excellence. That faith is a family thing for the Budds is also seen in the fact that the congressman earned a masters degree in educational leadership and family life from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1998.

Hes also an enthusiastic member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus and a member of the House Financial Services Committee, serving on the panels Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.

And Budd is indeed focused like a laser on the problem of waste, telling The Epoch Times, Im here for the opportunity, I know what I need to do, and I will push towards it and I will be ready when things line up.

Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Anurag Srivastava will replace Raveesh Kumar as the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), news agency ANI has reported quoting sources.

Srivastava is currently serving as Indias Ambassador to Ethiopia and African Union. He is from the 1999 batch of the IFS.

Before taking up his assignment as ambassador to Ethiopia, he headed the Political Wing at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, according to the website of The Embassy of India in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In his stint, along with other responsibilities, he was closely involved in formulation and implementation of Indias development assistance projects.

He has also served at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva where he dealt with work related to human rights, refugees and trade policy.

Besides, he has held different positions in the Foreign Office in New Delhi, including in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division, in the Official Spokespersons Office and as Director of the Finance Division.

Srivastava obtained degrees in engineering and business management followed by a brief stint in the corporate sector before joining the Foreign Service. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford, UK.

He is married to Meghna and they have one son.
The Alliance Party gathers for its annual conference this weekend in an understandably buoyant mood. Party leader Naomi Long can reflect on a year of unprecedented progress. Seats gained at the Westminster, European and council elections in 2019 and record vote shares will ensure a celebratory event. Even Trevor Lunn might wish he was present.

A naysayer might question the tangible value of Alliance's gains. The highly competent Stephen Farry would be more useful in the Assembly than isolated at Westminster. Naomi Long's elevation to the European Parliament ranks high on a pyrrhic victory list given what happened on January 31 - and her replacement job at Justice in the devolved Executive is difficult. The weaknesses of local councils, on which Alliance more than doubled its representation last year, have long been documented.

But all this is to miss the point. Alliance is now a force to be reckoned with, as Northern Ireland's third party. Even allowing that some voters defected to Alliance purely due to frustration at the absence of the Assembly (the party's supporters were most likely to list this as a key issue) last year's progress was impressive. Alliance gained 62,000 votes between the 2017 and 2019 general elections.

Lazy assumptions that Alliance is simply eclipsing the UUP are not backed up by survey evidence. It is undoubtedly true that Alliance squeezes the ideological space for the UUP's liberal unionism. Some UUP voters switched to Long in the European contest. It is also the case that Alliance's best general election performance, the Farry North Down triumph, was among liberal unionists who, prior to Sylvia Hermon's defection, voted UUP.

The influx of former DUP and Sinn Fein voters into Alliance's base will probably heighten the wild 'small u unionist' or 'pan-nationalist' charges against the party

But at last December's Westminster election, it wasn't mainly ex-UUP voters heading to Alliance in droves. They provided only 3% of the new supporters of Naomi Long's party. Compare that to the 18% of Alliance's new backers saying they voted DUP at the previous contest and 12% Sinn Fein. Ex-SDLP voters provided another 5%, whilst 8% of Alliance's new voters had not voted in the 2017 election. Alliance garnered the support of a quarter of all non-voters from two years earlier. The scale of DUP and Sinn Fein defections might surprise but makes arithmetic sense. The combined DUP and Sinn Fein vote share fell by 12% in 2019, whilst the UUP and SDLP saw slight increases.

The influx of former DUP and Sinn Fein voters into Alliance's base will probably heighten the wild 'small u unionist' or 'pan-nationalist' charges against the party. The criticism has ranged from amusingly knockabout to dangerous - witness the attacks on Alliance offices during the flags dispute. Alliance isn't pan-anything, as the party's refusal to engage in election pacts showed. Whilst eschewing constitutional politics, the party will eventually have to take a position on a border poll. Presently, Alliance voters break 70% to 30% in favour of Northern Ireland remaining in the UK. It's just that they don't like unionist party leaders. And more think a united Ireland has become likelier than not.

What else do we know about Alliance voters? Half are aged 45 and under. That's the youngest profile of any of the 'big five', more youthful even than Sinn Fein's base. Alliance's supporters are slightly more likely to be Protestant than Catholic, with percentage support among those of no religion twice that of any other main party. It was once said that to be middle-class in Northern Ireland was not necessarily to be Alliance - but to be Alliance was to be middle-class. Yet at the general election, one-third of the party's support came from the working-class. That said, the proportion of Alliance Party voters who are graduates (31%) is double that among DUP and Sinn Fein supporters. Only the SDLP's support comes close.

Clouds on Alliance's horizon may seem small this weekend. But the party did not get many of the reforms it wanted in the New Decade, New Approach Stormont resurrection. Assembly rules are still based on the unionist versus nationalist divide, reducing Alliance to less important 'others'. Vetoes remain. There is no coherent programme to tackle sectarianism. Alliance still needs to be clearer as to whether it is a big tent for liberal unionists, moderate nationalists and 'neithers', or a party attempting to promote Northern Irishness to overcome British unionist and Irish nationalist identities. The party's voters embrace each identity: 31% British; 33% Irish, 26% Northern Irish - so the 'home for all' approach may be sensible. Against that, whilst 'neither unionist nor nationalist' identification is most common, at 51% of Alliance voters, 23% say they are unionist and 17% nationalist. These multi-ethnic versus single identity debates are seen between centre parties in other divided societies such as Bosnia.

Alliance has, belatedly, come a long way. After 45 years marooned on an average 7% vote share, last year's three sets of elections saw the party average 16% and attract more than 300,000 voters. That's still a long way shy of the 40% of the total population declining to identify as unionist or nationalist. Half of those don't bother voting. If Naomi Long can entice them to the polling station, a good year might turn into a big decade.

Jon Tonge is Professor of Politics and Principal Investigator of the last four ESRC Northern Ireland Westminster election studies.
A notification issued by the West Bengal government seeking information from job aspirants of government-aided colleges and universities about their country of origin has stoked a controversy with teachers' associations expressing outrage.

The notification issued by the West Bengal higher department has asked candidates to mention if they originally hail from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or any other country.

It comes at a time when the ruling Trinamool Congress is opposing the CAA-NPR and the proposed NRC.

Schedule 1 of verification roll of the notification, issued in last week of February, asks the candidates applying for teaching and non-teaching jobs to write if he/she is "originally a resident of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or any other country, and the address in that dominion of migration to Indian Union."



A copy of the notification, available with PTI, in schedule 3 asked candidates to provide "medical certificate" having details like "girth of chest" for male candidates and "function of ovaries and uterus (if they are normal)" for female candidates, along with blood pressure and functioning of health parametres such as liver, heart and lungs.

The notification, issued for the job aspirants, has sparked strong protest from Jadavpur University Teachers' Association.

"I fail to comprehend why candidates should be asked if they were originally residents of "Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, or any other country.

"This reinforces the concept behind the Citizenship Amendment Act, which asks bonafide citizens of this country to prove their citizenship again. We call for an immediate withdrawal of this notification," JUTA general secretary Partha Pratim Roy said on Friday.

He also wondered, "What does details regarding a female candidate's ovaries and uterus, and chest details of a male candidate, for getting a medical certificate has to do with one's teaching abilities? This is demeaning for an individual and insensitive."



Mentioning that the JUTA would launch a movement with other teachers' bodies if the circular is not withdrawn, he said, this is insulting to those individuals who are held in high esteem in society.

Demanding its immediate withdrawal, the All Bengal University Teachers' Association (ABUTA), JU chapter, has criticised the clauses in the circular, terming it as "insulting".

The JUTA on Thursday flayed the circular which had said police verification and medical examination are mandatory for future appointment of employees, including teachers, in state-aided varsities and colleges, saying it infringes on the autonomy of the higher educational institutions.

minister Partha Chatterjee could not be contacted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Assembly should reconsider its rejection of internet banking law



K bank will likely suffer from prolonged financial struggles, as it has become difficult for the internet-only bank to receive a sufficient capital injection. The National Assembly voted down a partially revised bill of a special law on establishing and operating internet banks at a plenary session Thursday, blocking KT and some other shareholders from taking part in the companies' capital increase.



Industry watchers had anticipated the amendment  which called for easing some of the qualifications for becoming an online-only banks' major shareholder  would be passed by parliament with little difficulty. Under the current law, investors who have been fined or punished for violating laws on finance, fair transactions or tax avoidance within the last five years cannot become large shareholders of an internet bank. The revision aimed to lift this restriction.



Because of the Assembly's decision to deny the revision, K bank  which has remained idle for almost a year due to a shortage of capital  will likely enter into a long, dark tunnel. Now that the internet-only bank cannot rely on KT, which allegedly violated the Fair Transactions Law in 2019, it has no other option but to stand on its own. Aside from the capital injection, K bank had hoped to make the most of KT's communication infrastructure to upgrade its operations. The rejection of the bill has ended K bank's plans to introduce various new services, such as online-based mortgage lending, simplified payments, loan remissions and credit cards, as well as introducing mid-rate loans with approximately 10 percent interest to low-credit borrowers.



Now, it seems the internet banking industry cannot see even an inch ahead of itself. The so-called triangular completion with KakaoBank and would-be participant, Toss, has become uncertain. Nor can the banking industry expect a "catfish effect" by letting in these online-only lenders. The Assembly's latest move reveals its low level of understanding of the fintech industry, and lack of focus by politicians on innovation-driven growth. The act will also adversely affect large ICT companies who have jumped into the financial business, or are considering doing so. These legal risks explain why IT giants like Naver and Kakao are hesitating to join the fray.


JUNEAU, Alaska - The Alaska House voted Thursday to remove Republican Rep. David Eastman from his committee assignments, at least temporarily, suggesting a breaking point within his GOP caucus after recent dust-ups.

The caucus leader, House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, said it will be up to Eastman to work with others to show them he wants to be a strong member of the team. Pruitt anticipated revisiting the issue in a month.

Eastman, an outspoken conservative from Wasilla, said he saw the vote as making an example out of him so that others dont step out of line, dont take a position that others arent in agreement with, that sort of thing.

He will be replaced on the House Judiciary Committee by Rep. Sarah Vance and the House Rules Committee by Rep. DeLena Johnson. Vance and Johnson are fellow minority Republicans.

Pruitt said he wasnt interested in getting into all the details that led to the action against Eastman but said things had happened publicly and privately. He said concerns were raised with how some issues were framed on Eastmans website and whether those brought value to the institution.

Finally, people felt that we were at a point that we needed to take action, Pruitt said in an interview.

Thursdays vote, which was to accept a report making the committee reassignments, was 32-1, with Eastman the lone dissent. Seven members, including six from the minority Republican caucus, were absent or excused.

Eastman said he thought members were free to represent their districts, such as on a resolution that urged the minting of at least 5 million $1 coins honouring the late Alaska civil rights figure Elizabeth Peratrovich and efforts by the U.S. Treasury secretary to encourage businesses to accept the coins. Eastman was the Legislatures lone vote against it. He said his district opposed it.

He described the measure in a post on his website under the header: Juneau Swamp Shocker. In another post, he called it a big government program that has zero chance of success no matter how much money you spend on it. The resolution was sponsored by Johnson, one of the minoritys leaders.

He argued a recent vote by House Republicans to confirm the Houses newest member, Rep. Mike Prax, should have been public, a position Pruitt did not agree with. Such votes typically have been held privately.

Eastman also frayed nerves during a recent floor debate when he proposed stripping from a budget bill funding for a legal judgment for a case the state lost to Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.

Eastman tried to get into details from the case, despite Speaker Bryce Edgmons admonitions to stick to the budget issue. When debate resumed after a break, Pruitt said the vote on the question had nothing to do with ones position on abortion but whether the state would uphold an obligation to pay the sum. Eastman was alone in voting to strip the funds.

He was censured by the House in 2017 for comments he made suggesting there are women in Alaska who try to get pregnant to get a free trip to the city for abortions. Eastman, who has expressed concerns about use of state funds and Medicaid for abortions, said he was sorry for the comments.

In 2018, a legislative ethics panel said it found Eastman had violated ethics law by disclosing the existence of a complaint that was considered confidential. Eastman denied the allegation.
The handshake has become almost taboo greeting in recent days, as fears over the spread of coronavirus escalate.

On Monday, the hashtag #StopShakingHands was widely used on Twitter, with people in the UK taking steps to minimise the chances of catching the illness.

Even the Queen was spotted wearing gloves at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the first time she has done so since she began carrying out the ceremonies in 1952.

So with an increased awareness this week of how we greet one another, etiquette expert William Hanson discusses how to still make a good first impression, coronavirus or not....

The Queen (pictured shaking hands with MBE Harry Billinge) was spotted wearing gloves at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the first time she has done so since she began carrying out the ceremonies in 1952

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins during their first day of their historic trip to Ireland

Handshakes

Weve been shaking hands since the Roman age, although back then it was only men who did it. Today in the West, regardless of your age and gender, everyone shakes hands on first greeting.

Different nationalities have different ideas as to what makes for a good pump. In the Middle East the handshakes are softer and go on for longer; in South America the handshakes can be more effusive; in China the shake is firmer, quicker and goes on for a long time, though not so much at the moment.

For the UK, USA, much of Europe and Australia a good handshake should be two or three pumps, with a firm, locked wrist and your palm facing inwards. Squeeze the hand firmly (but not too firmly) as if you are checking to see if a peach is ripe enough to eat.

Your left hand should simply hang loosely by your side. Do not look to Donald Trump or many politicians for ideas on how to shake hands.

Refusing to shake hands

This can be seen as a great snub to someone, even in the context of Coronavirus.

However, in these more medically sensitive times it is your call if you choose not to shake someones hand, but you must be aware of the implications and potential consequences of not shaking.

If you are shaking hands, you should follow government advice to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser or alcohol wipes regularly - but only when not in someones company.

Social kissing

One kiss? Two kiss? Or - at the moment - no kiss?

Today in the UK we do two kisses but we should only give such a greeting to someone we know well. Regardless of viruses, you shouldnt be making such close facial contact with someone you dont know well.

Applying the normal etiquette to these more sensitive times should help prevent unwanted spreading of germs.

If you are going in for the cheek kiss, remember it is just that. Cheek to cheek. No lips should be involved - that sort of kiss is for loved ones and close friends.

With an increased awareness this week as to how we greet one another, etiquette expert William Hanson (above) discusses how to still make a good first impression, Coronavirus or not

Hugging

While Brits and Europeans usually kiss, the Americans prefer a more tactile hug.

Again, the same rule applies here as with kissing. Dont hug someone you dont know well. Really it should be only given to close friends, family and children. Professionally it is best avoided.

Fist bumps and high fives

Germs can still spread this way but regardless of any health aspect this is not a mature way to greet someone at any point.

Footshakes

No self-respecting arbiter of etiquette is ever going to condone this. Not only can it only be performed effectively by those younger, fitter types with strong core muscles, but it looks ridiculous.

This will never be an option for a greeting.

Namaste

The greeting most commonly seen in India and South East Asia could arguably be used here in the West for the more paranoid among us.

Gently clasp both hands together with fingers and thumbs pointing upwards and, from your waist, bow slightly.

It is a pleasant and more cross-cultural way of acknowledging someone without snubbing them completely.

Removing hats, gloves, sunglasses and masks

When you greet someone, accessories should be removed.

Usually in social settings the rule is women can shake hands with gloves on, but men cannot. This one can be tweaked for the time being, I think. Any gender can keep their gloves on when shaking hands until our governments deem the outbreak controlled.

Hats can be left on, if female, but mens hats should still be touched briefly, if no handshake is being offered.

Sunglasses should be removed when greeting so the whites of the eyes can be seen clearly by the other party.

Face masks should be briefly removed or pulled to one-side when saying hello.

Its not me, its them

Whilst you may be happy with handshaking or going in for a social kiss, the other person may not. Use common sense and ask them as you approach how theyd like to greet. Are we okay with shaking hands? you can enquire with a polite smile.

William Hanson is currently touring the UK with his show Teacups and Tiaras: A History of Etiquette for the socially less fortunate
Everyone understands the significance of the toys showcased in James Bond films. After all, the series has a long history of popularising cars and gadgets, including the classic Aston Martin DB5 and the more recent Sony Xperia Z5. Thats exactly why HMD Global has decided to place its new Nokia 5G smartphone strategically in a scene from the upcoming film, No Time to Die. The new Nokia flagship, which we believe could be called Nokia 9.2, will be launched on March 19.

The news of the new Nokia smartphone launch comes to us in the form of a recent tweet posted by HMD Global Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas, which clearly suggests a Bond tie-in and reveals the launch date. Moreover, TechRadar reports it received an early preview of an upcoming 90-second promo for the film in which character Agent Nomi (a 00 agent who supposedly enters service after Bonds retirement) is reportedly seen using the new Nokia handset.

Screenshots from TechRadars report suggest that the upcoming Nokia has a large screen with a tall (perhaps 21:9) aspect ratio and a tiny circular notch for the selfie camera. In the unreleased promo, Agent Nomi reportedly says, 36 hours in pursuit, and we're still going strong, while using the phone, which suggests the battery inside the handset is rated for two days of use. On the back, the handset reportedly houses a circular camera bump with four sensors and a fingerprint scanner.

The promo reportedly also shows Agent Nomi using Google Assistant to perform various tasks on the new Nokia. This comes as no surprise considering the fact that all modern Nokias come with deep Google Assistant integration. While the launch of the new James Bond film has been pushed to November owing to growing concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, the launch of the new Nokia 5G smartphone is set to happen on March 19 in London. If you havent already watched the trailer for No Time to Die, click here to view it.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again trying to require nonprofits and political advocacy organizations to publicly disclose their donors, after a similar law he spearheaded was struck down in court in October. But representatives from nonprofits fear that the proposal would quash charitable giving and violate free speech protections.

It seems that charities would be most affected by Cuomos proposal, which would publicize the names of their donors who give more than $5,000. Nonprofits already disclose their major donors on tax forms to both the Internal Revenue Service and state attorney generals office, but that information is currently kept confidential. This proposal in the state budget would require the state to list the major donors to nonprofits online.

Cuomos proposal would also apply to other kinds of tax-exempt groups but its effect would likely be undercut by rules proposed by the IRS. The agency is expected to push regulations that would allow business associations, 501(c)(6) organizations, and political advocacy organizations, 501(c)(4)s, to omit identifying information about their donors on tax forms. New York, among other states, has come out against the proposed rule because they say it would make it more difficult to oversee these organizations. This rule is particularly controversial because these tax-exempt 501(c)(4) political advocacy organizations  the National Rifle Association and the American Civil Liberties Union are well-known examples  have been criticized as a means of funneling unlimited amounts of dark money into politics without having to disclose their donors.

Nonprofits argue that requiring public donor disclosures for most organizations would discourage charitable giving. Donors may face harassment for giving to controversial issues, if their identities were revealed. Others may simply not want to be solicited for money from other organizations.

Donors have legitimate and personal reasons for why they wouldnt want to be disclosed or labeled (and) why they would want to give anonymously, said Chai Jindasurat, policy director at Nonprofit New York, a membership and training organization for nonprofits. Financially strapped nonprofits are already seeing recent declines in giving, which was exacerbated by the 2017 federal tax law that gave people fewer incentives to deduct charitable gifts.

The public has a right to know who is backing these organizations so voters can better understand the sources for their positions and make decisions with full knowledge of the facts, Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor, wrote in a statement. Everyone supports transparency until it shows up at their own front door.

This recent proposal is not Cuomos first attempt at mandating additional transparency. On the final day of the 2016 state legislative session, lawmakers approved an ethics bill that was meant to ensure that money given to charitable nonprofits isnt used for political purposes.

This reform package includes new disclosure requirements and stiffer penalties that will shine a light on what now is the shadowy intersection of government, lobbying, and political consulting, Cuomo said in a statement in 2016 about the laws passage.

It required public donor disclosures from charities giving more than $2,500 to 501(c)(4) political advocacy groups engaged in lobbying or for political advocacy organizations spending more than $10,000 on political communications.

There already are some restrictions on the relationship between a charity and its related political advocacy arm. Charities can only exchange money or resources with political advocacy groups if those groups agree to not use them for political purposes, or if they pay the full fair value for them.

The current proposal includes similar provisions which would require charities to submit a separate donor disclosure if they give more than $10,000 to political advocacy organizations.

But some nonprofit advocates dont see why more transparency is needed given that the state already knows who donates to charities.

If it is a problem, were happy to try and figure out a way to address transparency for all types of nonprofits, Jindasurat said. We just dont know if its actually an issue.

In the court battle over the 2016 law, Nonprofit New York and Citizens Union, which each sued the state over the law, argued that donor confidentiality was an important free speech issue.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote agreed in her ruling last year, writing that the portion of the 2016 law relating to political communication sweeps far more broadly than any disclosure law that has survived judicial scrutiny. And given the broad scope of the states current proposal, it would probably face a similar examination if challenged in court.

The proposal advanced in the Executive Budget is more narrowly tailored and we are confident it will withstand judicial scrutiny, Conwall wrote in a statement, though the governors office only specified one provision that was narrower. The part of the proposal requiring disclosures for political communications now only would apply to restricted gifts and donations, which are earmarked by the donor for a specific purpose. There is a clearer connection between the electioneering type conduct and the donor which cure any infirmities identified by the court in the Citizens Union case, Freeman Klopott, a spokesman with the state Division of the Budget, wrote in an email.

Other states have enacted similar donor disclosure rules, though their provisions seem more tailored than New Yorks. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law that would require any nonprofit that expects to spend at least $25,000 on state election campaigns or ballot initiatives to disclose their top 10 donors who contribute more than $10,000 in a year. For comparison, the 2016 New York law was dinged for being too broad because its scrutiny of issue-oriented nonprofits was not confined to express advocacy for a candidate or electioneering.

The devil will be in the details of whats actually passed, said Randy Mastro, who represented Citizens Union in its lawsuit over the 2016 measure. If its broader, itll be dead on arrival when its challenged in the courts. But its a very serious matter when government takes actions that violate the constitutional rights of citizens and citizen good-government groups.
EST Announcement

ENEFI Asset Management Plc (Company) hereby informs its honourable Investors of the

following: The new shares related to the registered capital rise of the Company by private offering of new shares decided on the General Meeting of the Company on 18th November 2019 were generated by KELER Zrt. today which shall be 1,150,000 pieces of A Series dematerialised ordinary shares of HUF 10 par value and HUF 400 issuing value and 5,456,109 pieces of H Series dematerialised dividend-preference convertible shares of HUF 10 par value and HUF 400 issue value. Furthermore, the 2,500,000 pieces of HUF 10 par value each, total par value HUF 25,000,000 dematerialised ordinary shares created by the conversion of 2,500,000 pieces of HUF 10 par value each, total par value HUF 25,000,000 employee shares previously issued by the Company under the decision of made at the General Meeting of the Company on 22nd March 2019 were ales generated today. The shares issued in relation with the capital increase were allocated to the entitled parties today. The shares shall be listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange after the approval of the listing prospectus being prepared by the Company by MNB (Central Bank of Hungary). Details in the enclosure.
P riti Patel has been defended as a "tough, assertive" leader who has "never crossed a line" by nearly 100 allies, as she faces a series of bullying claims.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is among those standing by the Home Secretary despite her facing allegations over her treatment of officials in three separate Government departments during her ministerial career.

In a letter to the Telegraph on Friday, more than 90 people including former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross and Conservative election guru Sir Lynton Crosby came to her defence.

They said she is "right to ask tough questions" of officials, adding: "We do not recognise the picture that has been painted of her this week.

Priti Patel denies the claims / PA

"There's no argument that she is a tough, assertive and effective leader, but even under extreme pressure she has never crossed a line or lost her temper.

"She expects high standards, as a strong leader should, but is always professional. She gives her all for this country and deserves far better treatment than she has received."

Boris Johnson defended Priti Patel after fresh bullying claims against her were made / AFP via Getty Images

The signatories also include Tory peers Lords Rami, Suri and Leigh.

A Cabinet Office inquiry into allegations Ms Patel broke the ministerial code is under way.

Among the claims are that a senior official at the Department for International Development had reported a "tsunami" of allegations of abuse by officials in Ms Patel's private office when she was secretary of state, BBC2's Newsnight reported.

Those allegations came after a former aide at the Department for Work and Pensions was reported to have received a 25,000 payout from the Government, having said she was bullied by Ms Patel when she was employment minister.

The senior civil servant at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutnam, has taken legal action against Ms Patel and the Government after he resigned and accused her of abusing staff.
A former Texas judge who presided over Robert Durst's trial for the murder of his neighbor, which ended in his acquittal, says she cannot shake the suspicion more than a decade later that the real estate scion left a cat's severed head on her doorstep.

Judge Susan Criss shared her gruesome recollections in an interview with Law & Crime as part of a TV special dedicated to Durst, 76, who is currently on trial in California for the 2000 murder of his best friend, Susan Berman. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Criss said she first came in contact with Durst in 2003, when he went on trial for the shooting death of Morris Black, whose butchered body was found in Galveston Bay two years prior.

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Retired Texas Judge Susan Criss (left), who oversaw Robert Durst's first murder trial in 2003, says she believes the real estate scion left a severed head of a cat on her doorstep in 2006

Durst was acquitted of shooting to death his neighbor Morris Black (pictured) after claiming self-defense

Criss, who presided over the trial (pictured in October 2003), said Durst appeared sane competent on the witness stand, but not credible

Durst testified that he fired a gun at his neighbor by accident, but he also claimed self-defense.

During a videotaped police interview, which was played for the jurors in Los Angeles this week, Durst admitted to dismembering Black's body - a process he likened to cutting up a chicken.

Recalling Durst's testimony during his first trial, Judge Criss said he appeared sane and competent on the witness stand, but not credible in her view.

The trial concluded with the jury finding Durst not guilty of murder.

He pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and bail jumping counts, and was released on parole after serving a short prison term.

Under the conditions of his release, Durst was required to wear an ankle monitor.

One day, Criss said she ran into Durst at the Houston Galleria Mall, where he was not allowed under the terms of his parole, and she promptly reported the violation.

On June 29, 2006, Criss said she came home from work to discover the head of a cat, with its front legs attached to the shoulder blades, laying on her doorstep.

Durst is now on trial for the December 2000 shooting death of his best friend, Susan Berman (left)

In a 2015 interview on the subject with Inside Edition, Criss said of the grisly find: 'This was a perfectly clean and preserved cat head cut up by someone who knew what they were doing laying right there.'

The retired judge told Law & Crime this week she was terrified and was quickly struck by a thought that Durst could have been behind this savage act of animal cruelty.

When asked if she had any wisdom to impart of the Los Angeles judge overseeing Durst's current murder trial, Criss said:

'I would say be prepared to be surprised, because whatever you thinks going to happen, theres going to be a whole lot more that you have no idea.'

Investigators have long suspected that he also murdered his first wife Kathie Durst, who disappeared in New York in 1982. Kathie's body has never been found and Durst has never been charged or convicted of his first wife's murder (couple above in their wedding photo)

Prosecutors argued that Durst killed his best friend, Berman, in December 2000 because she knew about his role in the 1982 disappearance of his wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst. Her body was never found.

Shortly after Berman's shooting death, Durst moved to Galveston, Texas, where he lived under an assumed identity as a woman, Dorothy, Cines, and became friends with his neighbor, Black.

Authorities believe Durst killed Black because his erstwhile friend discovered his true identity.

Prosecutor John Lewin told the court: Bob Durst killed Morris Black intentionally. We are going to provide evidence that it was not self defense, it was murder.

Durst was famously the subject of the HBO documentary series The Jinx in 2015, where he was caught on microphone appearing to admit to murder. He has pleaded not guilty in Berman's slaying.
MBABANE  Swaziland Medical Aid Fund (SwaziMed) has emerged victorious in its battle against Medscheme Administrators Swaziland (PTY) Limited.



High Court judges yesterday set aside the award by the arbitrator who had ordered SwaziMed to pay damages to the tune of E30 million to Medscheme for breach of contract.

The court also referred the dispute between the parties to a new arbitrator and Medscheme was also directed to pay costs of the matter.



Retired South African Judge Philip Levinsohn, who was the arbitrator, had awarded Medscheme a sum of E21 904 540.63, being the gross amount it would have received between April 2013 and December 2013.



The arbitrator had also awarded Medscheme further damages in the sum of E4 781 017.45 in respect of unpaid administration fees for the months of January to March 2017.



Interest on both amounts was at the rate of nine per cent, calculated from the date of the award. Judge Levinsohn also declared that the appointment of SwaziMed Principal Officer Peter Simelane was invalid.

SwaziMed had filed a review of the decision of the arbitrator and the matter was heard by a full bench comprising Judge Mbutfo Mamba, who sat with Judge Cyril Maphanga and Judge Doris Tshabalala.



The order setting aside the award and referring the matter to a new arbitrator was issued by Judge Maphanga and Judge Tshabalala; Judge Mamba issued a dissenting judgment.



approach



In the majority judgment, Judge Maphanga said: I think the approach taken by the learned arbitrator of invoking the commerciality principle in the abstract outside of the pleaded matter, was problematic in so far as it involved an analysis of an aspect without proper ventilation of both sides of the parties version or constructions of what would be a commercially sensible and reasonably businesslike version.



He said there laid a difficulty with the approach the arbitrator adopted in relation to the submission.

The court said on the facts and circumstances of this case, regardless of the merit of the decision and interpretation reached by the arbitral tribunal, the approach that was taken by the arbitrator constituted a departure from the submission.



I am inclined to find that the question as to whether there was a tacit agreement being a matter neither covered nor properly canvassed by way of evidence and attendant submission before the arbitrator was fundamental to the dispute, said the judge.

The court further stated that it was common cause that the only time the matter was raised and dealt with in evidence before the arbitrator was during the cross- examination of Peter Mamba.



The dispute between the parties has had a contentious history particularly in the pre and post arbitral phases of the proceedings. Not least among these involved the declaration, submission and initiation of the arbitration, whose course was marked with significant misadventure.



SwaziMed is not-for-profit mutual fund whose core business operations entail the management of medical aid fund or scheme with associated services to its members.



It is by all accounts the largest medical aid scheme in the Kingdom of Eswatini. In terms of the recently promulgated statutory regulatory framework it is designated as a financial service provider in the medical aid service industry.



Meanwhile, Medscheme is a company incorporated in the kingdom as a consultancy and was engaged by SwaziMed in terms of a management agreement for the purpose, to carry out management and administrative services as administrators of the fund on behalf of SwaziMed.

Medscheme is a subsidiary of a holding company which is registered and has its principal offices situated in the Republic of South Africa- Medscheme Holdings (Proprietary) Limited.



Other common cause factors are that the contractual arrangements between SwaziMed and Medscheme were governed and regulated under a written management agreement concluded by the parties on April 30, 2017.



The agreement was to endure for a period of five years with an option of renewal or extension.

The construction of the renewal provisions became central of the critical contentious issues in the ensuing dispute between the parties which gave rise to the arbitration and ultimately the application.



In the judgment, Judge Maphanga highlighted that of significance to this background and a common cause fact was that on full term the tenure of the agreement was  automatically renewed for a further period of five years; albeit by default of neither of the parties having triggered the termination pre- conditions to the agreement.



He said central to the ensuing dispute was the construction of the renewal clause as to the precise circumstances as pertains to the duration and end date of that extension or renewal.

noted

The court also noted that the agreement also contained an arbitration clause in terms of which any disputes or differences arising out of the agreement would first be dealt with internally between the parties to explore a settlement thereof, failing which the dispute would after the lapse of 10 days be referred to arbitration.

The parties nominated the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFASA) as the arbitral institution to which the dispute would be submitted and be administered in terms of its rules.

A crucial event during the extended or renewal tenure of the agreement occurred on May 2016. On that date SwaziMed purported to give notice of its intention to terminate the agreement effective March 21, 2017 allegedly taken by its Board of Directors at a special meeting convened, said Judge Maphanga.

The judge pointed out that the crisp issues presenting for adjudication before the arbitrator were whether on Medschemes side it had made out a case for its claim that SwaziMed by purporting to terminate the management agreement, had misconstrued the renewal and terminal clause thus consequently repudiating.

He said on the other hand, the arbitrator was faced with determining whether SwaziMeds own counterclaims founded on various allegations of mismanagement, breach of contract and/or delictual conduct had merit.

One of SwaziMeds spirited attacks on the arbitrators award or conduct was that the arbitrator made a patent error by wrongly interpreting Clause 5 of the Management Agreement.

It was SwaziMeds contention that the arbitrators interpretation of the aforementioned clause was not only wrong in law but had an effect of creating an agreement for the parties. SwaziMed also argued that the allegedly erroneous interpretation of Clause 5 constituted an error of law on the face of the award.

During the argument of the matter, SwaziMed contended that Medscheme Ltd did not deserve the amount of E30 million, which it was awarded by the arbitrator.

In his submissions SwaziMeds legal representative, Mangaliso Magagula of Magagula and Hlophe Attorneys, argued that by awarding Medscheme the windfall Judge Levinsohn exceeded his powers in a manner which called for the court to exercise its supervisory powers.

Magagula denied that SwaziMed breached its contract with Medscheme

He submitted that the award for damages had grave implications for SwaziMed. He also argued that there was no justification for awarding the said amount. The award, according to Magagula, was out of proportion.

The arbitrator completely misdirected himself and exceeded his powers by awarding Medscheme a windfall they did not work for. They are happy to get E30 million they dont deserve and there is no justification, said Magagula.

damages

SwaziMed was not satisfied with the manner the damages were calculated which he described as strange and mentioned that was why they referred to the award as a windfall which Medscheme was allegedly not entitled to. Magagula told the court that the award was based on patent errors of law which were manifest.

SwaziMeds grounds for review were that the Judge, Levinsohn, in some respects, allegedly assumed jurisdiction he did not have and decided a matter he was not entitled to. The arbitrator, according to SwaziMed, allegedly exercised the jurisdiction he had in a manner not permitted by law.

The jurisdiction was exercised in a manner which was tantamount to over-stepping the limits of his jurisdiction. Thirdly, the award is founded on patent errors of law on the face of the record which occasions grave injustice and a gross failure to SwaziMed and its members, SwaziMed argued.

The other ground for review was that the arbitrator allegedly became a party to what has become the primary source of dispute which is suggesting to the parties that they remove a provision of the arbitration agreement relating to appealability of the award to a court and then signing a copy that did not contain the change he suggested.

The suggestion was that the award be appealable to an appeal tribunal which according to SwaziMed, made Judge Levinsohn unsuited to be an arbitrator. Based on this argument, SwaziMed prayed that the arbitration be remitted for fresh arbitration before a different arbitrator.

Magagula went on to argue that Judge Levinsohn made his ruling allegedly based on wrong interpretation of Clause 5 of the contract agreement. The arbitrator, according to SwaziMed, interpreted the agreement as having commenced on April 30, 2007 for a period of five years ending on April 29, 2012.

Magagula stated that the arbitrator said a tacit agreement came into existence from April 30, 2012. He said Judge Levinsohn found that the agreement, which expired on April 29, 2012, then renewed itself on January 1, 2013 for a period of five years that was to expire on December 31, 2017 instead of December 2016.

Magagula alleged that the arbitrators interpretation was the reason to award substantial damages to Medscheme.

Put differently, the award is based on the arbitrators interpretation of Clause 5 of the agreement and it formed the basis for the award of damages. SwaziMed respectfully submits that the arbitrators interpretation of Clause 5 of the agreement was fundamentally flawed.

interpretation

Magagula argued that the arbitrators interpretation had allegedly expired by effluxion of time and it could not then renew itself eight months later. He said Judge Levinsohns interpretation was a patent error of law and that there was no legal basis to conclude that there was a tacit agreement since it was not pleaded by Medscheme.

SwaziMed further argued that the arbitrator awarded the damages on the gross amount. Magagula said even if the damages were awarded, it would not be on the gross amount because Medscheme would have incurred expenses in providing its management services.

He said the expenses would have been payable from the gross amount and Medscheme would be entitled to receive what it earned as profit and not the gross amount. The amount awarded for damages, according to SwaziMed, was allegedly a direct consequence of a patent error of law.

Medscheme was represented by Advocate Paul Kennedy and Advocate Christien Bester, who were instructed by senior lawyer Kenneth Motsa of Robinson Bertram.
The Directorate of the Goods and Services Tax Intelligence here has detected fraudulent input tax credit (ITC) claims totalling Rs 150 crore after a series of raids, officials said here on Friday.

GST intelligence officials conducted raids at units in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, finding most of them to be fake companies, officials said.

The dummy firms had purportedly supplied goods worth Rs 1,500 crore to help claim ITC of about Rs 150 crore in the past two years.

The two Srinagar-based units used to get fake bills from the dummy firms and then claim ITC refunds from the government, officials said.

The accused had deposited Rs 6 crore with the GST authorities.

Officials said investigations are still in progress.

Under ITC, manufacturers can deduct tax on inputs for their businesses from the amount that has to be paid to the government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Irishman with coronavirus symptoms flees Cuttack hospital, found & kept in isolation

India

pti-PTI

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Mar 06: An Irishman, suspected of being infected with coronavirus, fled from a Cuttack hospital on Thursday but was traced to a hotel in Bhubaneswar where he and another person he had come in contact with have been kept in isolation, officials said.

Though the two were allowed to remain in isolation at the Bhubaneswar hotel, the administration later decided to put them in the special isolation ward meant for suspected coronavirus infected persons.

In accordance with the protocol to manage coronavirus cases, they will be kept in mandatory isolation for 14 days.

"The blood and swab sample of both of them will be collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune," said Ashok Patnaik, the director of Capital Hospital. Patnaik said they will be kept in hospital till their test reports are received.

Meanwhile, a bulletin issued by the health department said all the 12 samples collected from the state have tested negative. The 12 reports included that of an Uttar Pradesh couple who had returned to Paradip through a cargo ship from China on March 1. So far 129 persons who returned from coronavirus-affected countries after January 15 have been kept in home quarantine as per the protocol, the bulletin said.

The 37-year-old Irishman along with his Indian associate had fled from SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday night following which a complaint was lodged with Mangalabag police station. He was on a business trip to India since February 26 and had checked into a hotel in Bhubaneswar. The foreigner had gone to the Capital Hospital with an associate on Thursday for a check-up as he had mild fever and runny nose for two days.

"When the consulting doctor advised him to remain in isolation for 14 days, the accompanying associate suggested that he be referred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack where better facilities are available," the Director of the Capital Hospital, said.

The two then reached SCB Medical College and Hospital without any escort, officials said. "After reaching here, when the associate learnt that he was also supposed to be admitted in the isolation ward along with the Irish national, both escaped," Emergency Officer at the facility B N Maharana said. When the matter was brought to the notice of police, an alert was sounded. The authorities of Capital Hospital finally located the duo at a hotel in the city.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said the Centre has agreed to set up a coronavirus test laboratory at the RMRC.

"I have also written a letter to the Union Health Minister requesting him to open another such testing facility at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack," Das said. The Minister said now, the samples collected from Odisha are being sent to NIV, Pune which confirms the cases in at least three to four days. Therefore, the state needs its own testing facility, Das said.
Despite their reported rift, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to publicly reunite with their in-laws, Prince William and Kate Middleton for Commonwealth Day on March 9.

Together with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, the Sussexes will be at Westminster Abbey for the annual service

The Commonwealth Day service is one of the most important dates in the royal calendar. It is also celebrated and observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

All eyes will be on the British royal family since this will be one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's final appearances before they step down as senior royals at the end of this month.

However, one member of the royal family will be present for the highly anticipated reunion.

Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II's favorite son, will not be in attendance during the commemoration despite being in attendance in previous years.

Last year, Prince Andrew showed up to Commonwealth Day service alongside the same car as Queen Elizabeth II.

What Happened to Prince Andrew?

During his ill-advised interview on BBC Newnight, Prince Andrew opened up about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and denied the sexual allegations thrown at him.

Prince Andrew also admitted that he did not regret his relationship with the disgraced financier as it allowed him to meet people and help prepare for his role as a trade envoy.

The insensive interview and comments he made sparked outrage, forcing the Duke of York to step down from his royal duties.

In November 2019, Prince Andrew issued a statement confirming that he asked and has been granted permission from Her Majesty to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future.

However, amid the decision, Prince Andrew is still expected to walk her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, down the aisle when she marries Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29.

It is reported that the father-of-two will be with his oldest daughter at St. James' Chapel on her big day.

Upset Queen

In January, Queen Elizabeth is reported deeply upset by the entire Prince Andrew scandal.

"The latest scandal involving Andrew, which is not going to go away any time soon, is greatly upsetting for the Queen and it's also quite damaging for the institution of the monarchy," Joe Little, editor of Majesty Magazine said.

However, it was reported that the head of the royal family is more angry at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for quitting royal life than the whole Prince Andrew interview.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to quit from their current roles and gain financial independence in January. However, they apparently did not consult Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles before dropping their shock statement.

According to former royal spokesperson Dickie Arbiter, the Queen is feeling "very let down and angry." He said that the entire Epstein and Prince Andrew "had been going on for ages," but Meghan and Prince Harry's bombshell that just dropped before Kate Middleton's birthday came out of nowhere.

Since January, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been living away in Canada together with their son Archie Harrison.

On April 1, 2020, Harry and Meghan will officially be finished with all royal engagements and can live their private lives in Canada.
San Francisco: Facebook on Thursday began taking down ads for the re-election campaign of President Donald Trump that direct people to a survey labelled a census, hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said people would confuse it with the once-a-decade head count.

Facebook said in a statement that it was enforcing its policies to prevent confusion over the 2020 census, which begins next week for most people. There are policies in place to prevent confusion around the official US Census and this is an example of those being enforced," the Facebook statement said.

Earlier in the day, Pelosi had called the survey sponsored by the Trump re-election campaign, an absolute lie." A lie that is consistent with the misrepresentation policy of Facebook," Pelosi said. But now they're messing with who we are as Americans. I know the profit motive is their business model, but it should not come at the cost of counting who is in our country."

The ad says, President Trump needs you to take the Official 2020 Congressional District Census today." Clicking on a red button saying Take the Survey leads to a website with questions asking visitors about party affiliation, whether they intend to support Trump and which media organisations they get their information, among other questions.

Similar mailings have been distributed around the US.

On Thursday, four Democratic House members  Reps. Carolyn Maloney of New York, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Gerry Connolly of Virginia, and Katie Porter of California  demanded in a letter that the Republican National Committee stop any mailings or online ads that resemble Census Bureau documents.

In a statement, the Republican National Committee said it would add language to future mailings, making it clear what it is.

This is a standard direct mail piece that has been utilised for decades. These mailers are fully compliant with the law, clearly marked as a fundraising solicitation from the Republican National Committee, and in no way resemble the official government census," the RNC statement said.

Census Bureau officials have been on high alert for online misinformation aimed at confusing people about who is eligible to fill out the form or how to properly file it, along with imitation websites posing as the official census site.

The bureau has spent the last year forging relationships with the major tech platforms  Facebook, Twitter and Google  to put out accurate information about how the census works and yank misinformation about the form from their sites.

In January, Facebook began banning ads that discourage people from participating in the census or portray it as useless. The ban applies to ads on both Facebook and Instagram, which Facebook owns. The platform also announced that misleading posts about the census would be subject to removal. Typically, the platform does not remove false or misleading content from its site, unless it gives wrong information about voting.

The Trump campaign on Tuesday began running different versions of the census ad on Facebook across the country from Trump and Vice President Mike Pence's official Facebook page. The campaign purchased thousands of the online ads that were viewed thousands of times before Facebook began removing them Thursday.

Former Census Bureau director John Thompson said the Trump campaign has put a new spin on an old campaign strategy: For years, Republicans have sent fundraising mailers that mimic the census.

Although it's hard to tell if those tactics have had any impact on the response rate to the census, Thompson said the less confusion, the better when it comes to the once-every-decade survey.

Trump's ads and the Republican mailers could dupe some people into thinking they've already filled out the official census form, and if there's any consequence at all, it could be that the move backfires on Trump's own supporters, Thompson said.

I don't know that they would want to have confusion, said Thompson, who served in the Obama administration. It could have a reverse impact on the Trump administration, (it) could create an under-representation of their constituents in the census.

Meanwhile, in the US Senate, Democratic senators told US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, whose department oversees the US Census Bureau, they felt misled by his testimony almost two years ago on the origins of a failed citizenship question. Ross was testifying Thursday before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The US Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration last summer from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 questionnaire. The administration had said the question was being added to aid the Justice Department in enforcing a law that protects minority voters' access to the ballot box. But the high court said the administration's justification for the question seems to have been contrived.

Opponents argued it would have intimidated immigrants, Hispanics and others from participating in the once-a-decade head count that determines how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is allocated and how many congressional seats each state gets.

Your statements were totally false," Democratic US Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont told Ross during the hearing. There is now an avalanche of evidence showing you repeatedly pressured both the Justice Department and the Census Bureau for nearly a year to support adding the question."

Ross denied misleading the senators. My statements were correct then. They were true then. They are correct now. They are true now," Ross said.

Leahy responded, The evidence we've seen shows they were not true." This is the first census in which the Census Bureau is encouraging most people to answer the questionnaire online, although people can still answer the questions by telephone or by mailing in a paper form. Residents can start answering the form next Thursday.

Separately, a federal judge in Maryland on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit the NAACP had filed against the Census Bureau, claiming its preparations for the 2020 census were inadequate. The NAACP wanted the judge to compel the bureau to hire more census takers in the field and open more field offices in hard to count communities.

Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that if the census proceeds as planned, there will be a differential undercount of the magnitude they fear, or if I were to order the funds spent as they want, the 2020 census would not produce an equal or worst undercount for hard-to-count communities," U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm wrote.
Actor Sebastian Stan was heading to Europe on Wednesday, taking some extreme (if not comical) precautions against the deadly Coronavirus.

The 37-year-old actor shared a selfie from his Delta flight on Wednesday, revealing the lengths he undertook to avoid contracting the virus.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star also shared a photo from the first stop on his European adventure, Romania, on Thursday.

Precauttions: Actor Sebastian Stan was heading to Europe on Wednesday, taking some extreme (if not comical) precautions against the deadly Coronavirus

'Thanks @Delta for getting me to Europe safely...,' Stan said, along with the hashtag #BuckyTakesEurope, referring to his Marvel character Bucky Barnes, a.k.a The Winter Soldier.

The actor was seen comically wearing a blue hoodie with a black blindfold over his eyes, a white mask over his mouth, a white blanket over his body and black gloves over his hands, which were holding a beverage.

Some of Stan's celebrity friends reacted such as Jessica Chastain, who replied, 'Haha OMG' while Shailene Woodey said SS, meaning 'Stay safe.'

Thanks:' Thanks @Delta for getting me to Europe safely...,' Stan said, along with the hashtag #BuckyTakesEurope, referring to his Marvel character Bucky Barnes, a.k.a The Winter Soldier

He also shared a photo from what appears to be the first stop on his European voyage, Romania.

'Alo?' the actor said, while sharing an emoji of the Romanian flag while adding the hashtag #BuckytakesEurope.

The actor's trip comes just weeks after he wrapped production on his upcoming Marvel TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Wrapped: The actor's trip comes just weeks after he wrapped production on his upcoming Marvel TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Stan returns as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in Marvel Studios' new TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, alongside Anthony Mackie.

The series is set after Marvel's 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, following the title characters teaming up after the events of that blockbuster.

Daniel Bruhl also returns as Baron Zemo from 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier, along with Emily VanCamp returning as Sharon Carter a.k.a. Agent 13 with Wyatt Russell playing John Walker a.k.a. Super-Patriot.

Stars: Stan returns as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in Marvel Studios' new TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, alongside Anthony Mackie

Stan will next be seen on the big screen in Monday, alongside Dominique Tipper and Denise Gough, in theaters this April.

He also has The Devil All The Time in post-production, where he stars with Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Haley Bennett, which doesn't have a release date.

The actor also has 355, a spy thriller starring Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz and Diane Kruger, slated for release on January 15, 2021.
WESTON - Superintendent of Schools William McKersie has given an update on the districts efforts to keep students and staff safe and healthy through the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Friday, he detailed the school/district closure procedures.

Our updates are sent in a Be Prepared mode. They should not be allowed to induce concerns, fears, or rumors. Our intent is to help keep WPS families and staff calm during what has become an understandably trying and anxious time, McKersie said.

We want to reiterate that we are working closely with the Weston-Westport Health District, our town leaders under the direction of First Selectman Chris Spaulding, and Westons first responders. The first selectman has established a working group to coordinate prevention of and, if necessary, responses to COVID-19 in Weston.

School/District Closure Procedures

McKersie wrote:

Now that some schools and districts in the United States have closed due to COVID-19, we want to reiterate our procedures for district closure. We have no immediate reason to anticipate closing, but we want all families and staff to know the procedures we are following in considering whether or not to close, and the process for announcing the decision. (We are expanding on what was outlined in the 2.27.20 memorandum.)

The WPS will only close if medically confirmed cases of COVID-19 are identified in the district, or medical and health authorities are recommending or mandating closing because of COVID-19 incident rates in the immediate area.

The decision to close will be based on consultation with the WPS Medical Advisor, the Weston-Westport Health District (which includes CDC consultation), and state authorities. The decision will not be based solely on district administration thinking or analysis.

School closures in Weston will mean full district closure, for both educational and health reasons. The close proximity of our schools on one campus, and the overlap of families and staff across the four schools, would require us to close the full district.

We are working with medical and state authorities to determine the threshold guidelines for district closure. Medical and public health experts will determine from analysis of current data and fact patterns on COVID-19 the safest threshold level.

Please be assured that we will have threshold guidance as soon as possible. When we have that information, we will share it. We will not preemptively close the district following vacations or other extended breaks. We have had questions if we would be doing so after spring vacation, for instance, given the traveling norms for Weston families.

We request that families and staff confer with CDC travel advisories and use good judgement on private travel decisions. If family members or staff become ill while traveling, we request that the school (supervisor) be informed after the trip, and that affected individuals not return to school until well.

In all cases, travelling or not, we ask that families and staff immediately contact your school administration and nurse if you are ill.

We need to know why students and staff are outillness or for other purposes.

We will protect individual privacy. We track absences to catch any troubling trendsabsence rates at this point are typical for this influenza season.

We are developing academic program plans for students if we have to close.

Administrators, teachers and union leaders are working on plans, with input from the CSDE, our regional education agency (CES) and area districts.

Central to our academic planning has been the question of how to handle lost school days relative to the states 180-day requirement for the length of the school year.

On Thursday, the Commissioner of Education announced that, in the event of closures due to COVID-19, schools should exhaust all other options to make up for any lost school days.

When those options are exhausted, districts may apply for a waiver of the 180-day requirement.

Simply put, to abide by state law, we will have to add days to the end of the school year, or reduce spring vacation, to account for any lost school days. We understand that this is a challenging schedule requirement for families, students and staff. We will factor it into our academic program planning. Please anticipate an update on the plan and potential schedule shortly.
Health authorities have announced that five more cases of the coronavirus Covid 19 have been confirmed.

The five new cases confirmed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre involve two males and three females. Friday's confirmations bring the number of cases confirmed in the Republic of Ireland to 18.

Most of the cases confirmed related to Cork. Health authorities said there was public interest in being aware of the location of Cork University Hospital as being the location.

A further four cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland. The total number of confirmed cases on the island of Ireland is now 22.

The cases confirmed in the Republic are as follows:

- Male in the east of the country, associated with travel from northern Italy

- Female in the west of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case

- Female healthcare worker in the south of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case

- Male in the south of the country, associated with travel

- Female in the south of the country, associated with travel from northern Italy

A statement said the HSE is working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

We ask that no organisation, school or health service provider acts unilaterally. We need to respond to the threat of COVID-19 in unison, following the advice of Public Health, he said.,

He said the public is not recommended to use masks or gloves but urged people to wash hands.

Dr Holohan said isolation in the home of infected people would be considered next week which could take pressure off hospitals. He said many of the people infected to date are suffering mild illnesses.

A briefing was told that staff have been asked to self-isolate across a whole range of hospitals in recent weeks.

Liam Woods, HSE Director of Acute Operations, said: Healthcare workers are at the frontline of this virus outbreak. The Department of Health and the HSE are equally dedicated to protecting and supporting this vital group of people.



Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: The past number of weeks have been challenging for everyone in our healthcare system. This challenge is going escalate as the number of cases here rise.



We must prioritise the protection of our frontline healthcare staff and as part of this the National Public Health Emergency Team has established a sub-group to identify and implement appropriate measures to protect them.



The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health.

Any person who has travelled from an affected region in the last 14 days, or who has come in contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days, and is concerned that they may have symptoms of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) should immediately isolate themselves from others and phone their GP.

The HSE 1850 24 1850

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) to show.

Symptoms may include:

a cough

shortness of breath

breathing difficulties

fever (high temperature)

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including:

pneumonia

shortness of breath

breathing difficulties

fever (high temperature)

Things you can do to protect yourself from getting Covid-19 (Coronavirus) include:

wash your hand properly and regularly

cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze

Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub:

after coughing and sneezing

after toilet use

before eating

before and after preparing food

More guidance here.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today confirmed that Macellum Capital Management and Ancora Advisors submitted to the Company a notice of nomination of nine director candidates to stand for election to the Big Lots Board of Directors (the "Board") at the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Big Lots issued the following statement:

The Big Lots Board of Directors and management team are committed to acting in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to create long-term, sustainable value, and we are executing a thoughtful, prudent strategy to meet this objective. Members of the Board and senior management team have held multiple discussions with Macellum and Ancora in recent weeks and the Company expects to have further such discussions.

Big Lots has a diverse and independent Board, with three new directors who have joined in the past three years, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer who was appointed to his role in September 2018. The Big Lots directors bring a combination of strong management backgrounds, public company experience and financial as well as retail and consumer industry expertise that is relevant to the Company's operations. The Board believes that it has an appropriate mix of skills, experience and leadership to oversee the execution of the Company's strategy.

As previously communicated, over the past year, Big Lots has been executing on a transformational strategic roadmap  Operation North Star  to enhance performance and drive shareholder value. Operation North Star focuses on three key areas: driving topline growth through multiple tested and proven initiatives, funding the journey through significant expense reductions, and ensuring that the Company has the systems, team, and infrastructure in place to be a high-performing organization. Big Lots made meaningful progress in executing initiatives under its strategy throughout fiscal 2019, supporting the delivery of positive comparable sales for the full fiscal year. The Company also returned a total of $98 million to shareholders in fiscal 2019 through dividends and share repurchases.

The Board and management team routinely evaluate all alternatives available to create value for shareholders. The Company completed a sale of one of its distribution centers in November 2019 and continues to evaluate additional similar opportunities to unlock value from its real estate assets, including sale and leaseback opportunities.

Looking ahead, the Company is evolving and optimizing its growth initiatives, and will continue to focus on allocating capital to the highest return opportunities that clearly and significantly exceed its cost of capital. As a result, Big Lots has reduced its expected full year 2020 capital expenditures to $160 million to $170 million dollars from its initial estimate of $200 million. The Company is also maintaining a strict focus on cost controls and a culture of prudent spending across the organization. Based on actions underway, the Company expects to exceed its prior $100 million cost reduction target, and expects to deliver on this commitment by the end of 2020, one year ahead of its original plan. While the Company is actively addressing a number of near-term headwinds, the Board and management remain confident that Operation North Star will deliver sustainable improvements in the Company's performance, and expect these to become more evident as the year progresses.

The Big Lots Board and management team are focused on delivering on the Company's commitments to all of its stakeholders, including driving value for our shareholders.

The Board will carefully review and consider Macellum's and Ancora's candidates to assess their ability to add value on the Board for the benefit of all shareholders.

The date of the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting has not yet been announced. Shareholders are not required to take any action at this time.

About Big Lots, Inc.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a discount retailer operating 1,403 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states with product assortments in the merchandise categories of Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables, Hard Home, and Electronics, Toys & Accessories. The company's mission is to help people Live BIG and Save Lots. The company strives to be the BIG difference for a better life by delivering unmatched value to customers through surprise and delight, being a "best places to work" culture for associates, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top tier returns, and doing good in communities as the company does well. For more information about the company, visit www.biglots.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that the company makes herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, the inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on customers and the company, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the company makes on related subjects in public announcements and SEC filings.

Important Information

Big Lots, Inc. (the "Company") intends to file a definitive proxy statement and associated proxy card in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting with the SEC. Details concerning the nominees of the Company's Board of Directors for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting will be included in the Proxy Statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC, INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company free of charge from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company's shareholders will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant filed documents by directing a request by mail to Big Lots Inc. at 4900 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43081, or from the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.biglots.com

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in respect of the 2020 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company's directors and executive officers and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2019, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on June 12, 2019, September 11, 2019 and December 11, 2019, the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2020 and the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2019. To the extent holdings of such participants in the Company's securities have changed since the amounts described in the proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in any proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in any proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC, if and when they become available.

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.biglots.com


Eva Mendes has opened up about her struggles with 'food' and 'many other things' in a candid Instagram post she shared on Thursday.

The actress, 46, took to the photo-sharing site to respond to a fan who had praised her for acknowledging her fans and chatting with them on social media.

Eva thanked the follower for saying she 'looked amazing', but added that it 'takes a lot' for her to look so good and admitted she has her own inner struggles.

Honest: Eva Mendes has opened up about her struggles with 'food' and 'many other things' in a candid Instagram post she shared on Thursday

Eva went on to explain that she endeavours to be honest with her followers and shared that, like many women, she has a 'struggle with food.'

The star wrote: 'I try to post responsibly and I try to make sure I don't portray myself in a way that makes other women feel bad. Instagram can be hurtful in that way.

'Like with this picture, this is actually a campaign shot and it was retouched. So I want women to know that.'

She added: 'I want women to know it takes a lot for me to look this way and that I struggle with food among many other things.'

Responsible: The actress, 46, took to the photo-sharing site to respond to a fan who had praised her for acknowledging her fans and chatting with them on social media

Eva also shared: 'I take so much joy from connecting to other women. It means so much to me. Even just a quick exchange. I struggle with Social Media but I love the constant connection with women.'

Eva and her partner Ryan Gosling have been together since 2011 and share two daughters, Esmeralda, five, and Amada, three.

During the honest post she also touched on why she doesn't share pictures of her beau and their two young children on her social media.

Addressing the fan's request she post photos of the actor she explained: 'As far as Ryan, I'll only post flash backs of things that are already 'out there' (like pics from movies we did or stuff like that). My man and kids are private. That's important to me so thanks for getting that.'

The star wrote : 'I try to post responsibly and I try to make sure I don't portray myself in a way that makes other women feel bad. Instagram can be hurtful in that way'

Off limits: Eva and her partner Ryan Gosling have been together since 2011 and share two daughters, Esmeralda, five, and Amada, three

The post came just hours after Eva celebrate her 46th birthday, marking the occasion with a throwback photo of herself as a child.

In the caption of the sweet image Eva paid tribute to her mother, also called Eva, who she playfully apologised to for 'giving her hell' as a child.

She said: '46 years ago I gave my mom hell and she gave me life. I was a meconium baby (ugh sorry Mami eww) and I've been trying to make it up to her ever since. .'

'Gracias for STILL making me my frijoles and arroz con Leche. (Yes my Mami still spoils me. If I ate steak she'd still cut my steak for me. It's a Cuban thing). Te quiero Mami! Today I celebrate YOU! .'

Treat: Earlier this week, Eva shared video to Instagram showing her eating cake or doing what she called 'practice cake eating' ahead of her birthday
Sanders says he's making "progress" but admits "we have not done as well in bringing young people into the process. It is not easy."



"Everybody knows that young people do not vote in the kind of numbers that older people vote. I think that will change in the general election."  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 4, 2020

The short answer? Voter suppression  which takes countless forms, including voter I.D. restrictions, inflexible work and school schedules that prevent citizens from taking time to vote, lack of civics education in schools, the sudden closing (or changing) of polling places, lack of childcare or eldercare, and hours-long wait times to cast a vote. A plethora of factors make voting in America less a thing everyone participates in, and more a competitive sport that seems to demand more training and planning than our systems currently offer.

Patrick Semansky/AP/Shutterstock

Instead of blaming young people and assuming they are tuned-out due to narcissism or apathy, we should work together across generations and institutions to remove voter impediments and implement best practices, said Yael Bromberg, Chief Counsel for Voting Rights of The Andrew Goodman Foundation and Principal, Bromberg Law LLC. She explained that there are a range of obstacles placed in young peoples paths to vote, including the over-reliance by young people on provisional ballots, voter identification laws, and the issue of accessible polling locations. Bromberg conducted studies on youth voting rights and the twenty-sixth amendment, which also cited cuts to early voting and same-day registration, voter intimidation by election officials sharing misinformation, and gerrymandering as factors that threaten the youth vote.

Dismissing the 18 to 29-year-old voter demographic as apathetic or lazy does a disservice to the country: Instead of acknowledging the barriers that make it difficult or even impossible to vote, critics take the simpler route, rejecting a demographic as non-participatory rather than grappling with solving the systemic issues.

Story continues

CIRCLE (Center for Education and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) at Tufts University, covered the Super Tuesday youth vote live, and reported youth turnout in Minnesota and Massachusetts, at 19%, are the highest of any Super Tuesday state, with Tennessee, at 5%, being the lowest they have recorded of 2020 Super Tuesday states so far. Here's why those numbers aren't higher.

The Stress of Absentee Ballots

Young people who might be living away from their home state for work or school can vote in their home state via absentee ballot  that is, if the ballot makes it to them in the first place. At this point in young people's lives, so much of the foundation of adulthood  a steady, single address; a routine schedule  is in flux. Our absentee voting system often requires multiple attempts and follow-ups to have a ballot successfully mailed to you, and, of course, theres the issue of tracking down how to get that ballot in the first place, making it a confusing, multi-step process.

Mercedes Molloy, 19, a student at The New School, had her mother mail her the absentee ballot after it was sent to her parents house. After informally polling her peers at school, she found a lot of her college classmates were registered, but they didnt vote because their ballot wasnt sent to their college address  it was sent home. The lack of guidance around absentee voting proves to be a challenge for out of state students, specifically first-generation college students and first-time voters, she said.

Voting absentee in college has been such a struggle on my friends and I, said Malavika Kannan, 19, explaining that even in 2020, she cant request her ballot online. Although her papers have crossed the country by mail twice (shes a student at Stanford, but her ballot is coming from Florida) she still hasnt received her ballot. If you wanted a system to disenfranchise overworked college kids, this is it, she said. Kannan added that many colleges, including her own, have student-run initiatives including a week-long booth in their Student Union, in order to help students gain the necessary information and determine how theyll vote, but thats not always enough.

Political science research suggests that the high rate of residential mobility of younger voters makes it so that young voters are less likely to register to vote and keep their registration updated to reflect that mobility, said Bernard L. Fraga, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Indiana University and author of The Turnout Gap: Race, Ethnicity, and Political Inequality in a Diversifying America.

Fraga also observed that because young people vote at low rates, "campaigns have little incentive to mobilize a group that they think will be unlikely to vote anyway. Politicians are thus less likely to talk about issues that matter to young voters, which makes it less likely that those young voters will actually vote. To break this cycle, we need to look beyond candidates and campaigns as solving this problem, he continued. And instead explore policy solutions such as reducing barriers that disproportionately impact youth and increasing the opportunities young people have for civic engagement.

Inflexible Work Schedules and Polling Times

It ties into work, too: For voters who work multiple jobs, or jobs with inflexible hours, just supporting themselves can be a barrier to voting. In fact, according to Time to Vote, one of the most commonly-cited reasons for not voting is simply being too busy, which says more about the way voting is structured than it does ones commitment to casting a vote. Olivia Elder, 23, said that while she and her friends are civically engaged, we all tried so hard to request ballots or take time off work to wait in long lines to vote in person, but in the end we were unable to actually vote. Many of her friends work hourly jobs. One, for example, couldnt miss an entire day of her internship to wait in line for seven hours.

Elder started the process in January, but her application for an absentee ballot was rejected twice for small errors, including using an abbreviation and checking two boxes instead of one. And though she sent her third and final application with ample lead time, her county clerk recommended she pay $35-$45 to overnight her ballot.

Even the day of the primary, I worked from home for the second half of the day and checked multiple times hoping to get my ballot, fill it out, and drop it off at FedEx by 8 p.m., said Elder, who would have been a Texas voter. As of this morning, I have yet to receive my ballot.

Don't get me wrong, sponsored Snapchat stories are great reminders, but we could be talking about so much more when we talk about young voter engagement, she said. Elder believes election days should be holidays, so young people who work in job incompatible with taking time off can still vote, and that absentee applications should occur online instead of by mail. Elder said she still has family members who live in rural areas and struggle to travel to distant polling places. Growing up Black in the South, I recognize that being eligible to vote is such a privilege in and of itself, she said. People died to give me that right, and I want to honor them by exercising it.

RELATED: There Are Laws About What You Can Wear to Vote

Hours in Line

Increased voter turnout is something we should all celebrate, but people shouldn't be required to wait in line for multiple hours to exercise their constitutional right to vote, said Maggie Stern, Youth Civic Education and Engagement Coordinator at Children's Defense Fund - Texas. Nor are these lines an inevitable result of increased turnout. It's deeply concerning that long wait times are occurring primarily in communities of color and locations where large numbers of young people vote. (A viral story on lines came out of Texas, where voter Hervis Rogers waited seven hours before he could cast his ballot.)

Lack of Practical Civics Education

Stern added that civics education needs to be action-based and accessible for all students. We also know that civic education is too often only available in schools that serve wealthier, whiter populations and have the resources to support these kinds of programs, she explained. "We need to make sure that all students have an education that prepares them to be civically engaged, because our country works better for everyone when every eligible voter casts their ballot.

Instead of attributing low voter turnout to laziness, it is time for American civics education to engage with the serious issues of suppression that cause the low young adult poll numbers. When voter-friendly reforms are on the books, such as Election Day Registration, automatic voter registration, early voting, online voter registration, robust high school civics curricula that accompany pre-registration programs, and on-campus polling stations, we see a demonstrated boost in youth turn-out. It is easy to blame and chastise, but we need to pull up our sleeves and work together to implement proven solutions, said Bromberg. In other words: We need to start now.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google Anindito Mukherjee | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Alphabet's top executives are urging employees to stay motivated to run Google's global infrastructure amid coronavirus fears. "As our company manages this issue, it's important to remember that millions of people and companies around the world are relying on us," chief financial officer Ruth Porat wrote to employees in an internal memo viewed by CNBC. Porat and CEO Sundar Pichai are among executives that have sent a series of emails with motivational and cautionary messages to the employees internally in the last week, calling the coronavirus state an "unsettling" time that has affected all of its offices in some way. The leadership correspondence come as companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft have canceled major events such as Facebook F8 and Google I/O while restricting employee travel. However, many companies haven't shared how the disease has affected operations or employee morale. The communication from executives also shows the power and responsibility Google believes it holds in the global economy in a pandemic situation and the efforts it's taking to mobilize its large-scaled operations. One challenge: to prevent the spread of misinformation on its platforms. This week, CNBC found that Google showed ads for anti-coronavirus products, despite policy banning them, for example. More than 100,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed around the world. California governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday. San Francisco, officials reported its first two confirmed cases Thursday, triggering large employers like Google to tell employees to work from home.

A 'big moment'

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai sent a company-wide memo to employees last Friday, acknowledging a Zurich employee who was found to have a confirmed case last week. The memo portrayed hope and an urgency to keep Google running smoothly despite widespread fears. "We know this is a very unsettling time for everyone," Pichai opened his email titled "Taking care of each other," which CNBC viewed. "First off, our hearts go out to anyone in our global community who may be affected by the coronavirus, most especially our colleague in Zurich who we are wishing good health and strength." Pichai said the company's security and "resilience" teams are running a 24-hour command center to help executives monitor updates in real-time and coordinate across the company. It's "kicked off a number of workstreams to prepare for how the virus could affect the welfare of our community," Pichai said. "It's important that we contribute to fulfill our mission and be helpful to people in these uncertain times," Pichai said in the memo. "Because of the work we do every day, Google has an important role to play right now." He noted that the company helps people connect and collaborate across time zones. Google's popular products include its cloud platform Google Cloud, Google Docs and Gmail. "You've heard me talk about helpfulness in the context of moments big and small," Pichai said in the memo. "This is one of those big moments." He thanked employees for "working hard through a difficult time," adding "now's a good time to learn on each other and draw strength from our community."

New working guidelines

The company told employees Thursday, the same day that San Francisco officials confirmed its first two coronavirus cases, that all Bay Area employees would have the option to work from home on Friday "if roles allow," a company spokesperson confirmed to CNBC. The company has several offices and thousands of employees across the region. By having a mostly-remote work day, Alphabet said it hopes to test its "business continuity processes." "Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 epidemic, everyone should be prepared to work from home unexpectedly," Porat said in a memo to employees Monday and viewed by CNBC. "Take your laptop home every night." Google's chief marketing officer Lorraine Twohill sent a company-wide email Thursday that said employees should cancel local events unless they're "business-critical" and all attendees are domestic. Team offsite and training events aren't considered critical, she added. Twohill told employees not to attend large or global third-party events unless they're critical. "We will slim down our physical presence at third-party events," her note said. The company is still reviewing whether it should cancel events later in the year, Pichai said in his earlier email. Executives also meticulously detailed travel restrictions. All travelers from vulnerable countries must be self-quarantined for 14 days and monitor their health before entering any office, Porat said. All visitors will be required to certify they haven't been to those areas in the last 14 days, she said. "It's not okay to 'tough it out,'" Porat said about employees staying home if they're not feeling even the slightest bit well. She said the company has an internal channel for reporting symptoms called "go/Report-It," adding, "That's how we can help you best."

'Every Google office is affected in some way'

On Monday at 12:57 a.m., Porat sent an email to employees titled "Important update on COVID-19" where she wrote that "every Google office is affected in some way." Porat said Google leaders, which consist of medical and public health experts who have decades of experience in crisis response, gathered with Google's Global Incident Response team Monday night to discuss recommendations for how to approach the effects of the rapidly-evolving disease. "As [Pichai] said, this is challenging time," Porat said. "But it's also one in which we are all playing a vital role." Porat said Google's job is to make sure it's providing users with "timely and accurate information" related to the coronavirus outbreak, in addition to providing tools businesses can use for employees working remotely around the world. The company is in touch with several global and regional organizations as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), Porat said. Porat said the company has a new internal channel called "Go/Coronavirus" dedicated to real-time updates, which employees are expected to check. "It's not possible or feasible" to email the entire company every time a new development happens in a region, she said. Meanwhile, some Google contractors say they're not getting all of Google's internal communications related to the coronavirus at the same time as full-time employees. Google had at least 121,000 contractors as of last May, The New York Times reported. At the time, its workforce of contractors outnumbered its full-time employee workforce. For instance, some contractors said they haven't all received the necessary travel information from Google, according to email chains between contractors viewed by CNBC. One contract worker in the email chain said she had to ask a director for details on travel restrictions, which she didn't learn about until a full-time employee sent them to her. A Google spokesperson said that contractors are able to view all relevant information via an internal messaging hub that they have access to, and that any email to all employees is sent to contractors as well as full-timers. The company is also working with its staffing partners to make sure they're communicating relevant information to contractors. Google also confirmed that it's paying all hourly workers full wages during the crisis, even as large numbers of employees are working remotely.
As far as many Russians are concerned, Alexei Botyan, a Soviet spy during World War II, was a hero whose daring actions saved the Polish city of Krakow from destruction by the Nazis.

But the Poles, and a number of respected historians, have a different take. To them, Mr. Botyan (pronounced buh-TYAHN) may have been a fine intelligence officer, but he had nothing to do with saving Krakow. They say that the city was spared the fate of Warsaw, which was destroyed, because the Germans had to leave quickly, ahead of the advancing Red Army, and blowing up Krakow was not a priority.

The conflicting accounts of Mr. Botyans role during the war have been revived with his death on Feb. 13 in Moscow at 103. Tass, the Russian news agency, reported the death but gave no details.

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin hailed him as a legendary intelligence officer and a true patriot. Mr. Botyan was buried with military honors in the Avenue of Heroes at the Troekurovsky cemetery in Moscow.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Gunmen opened fire Friday at a ceremony in Afghanistans capital attended by prominent political leaders, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more before the two attackers were slain by police, officials said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on its website.

Militants from IS have declared war on Afghanistans Shiites, and many of those at the ceremony were from the minority Shiite sect. The ceremony commemorated the 1995 slaying of Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of Afghanistans ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims.

The Taliban said they were not involved in the attack, which came less than a week after the U.S. and the group signed an ambitious peace deal that lays out a path for the withdrawal of American forces from the country.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said 32 people were killed and 81 wounded in the attack in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul. The Health Ministry gave the same death toll but said 58 were wounded. All of the casualties were civilians, Rahimi said.

Opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah, who is the countrys chief executive and was a top contender in last years presidential election, was among several prominent political officials who attended the ceremony but left before the attack and were unhurt.

Several TV journalists were covering the ceremony inside a walled compound when the gunmen began shooting, and a reporter and a cameraman for a local broadcaster were among the wounded.

Karim Khalili, the chief of Afghanistans high peace council, was delivering a speech when the gunfire interrupted him. He was not hurt and later went on TV to denounce the violence.

Several witnesses said that, amid the panic, members of the security forces at the event had fired on civilians in the crowd.

Individuals with military uniforms who were there targeted people, there were casualties, dead and wounded, said witness Ghulam Mohammad, according to Associated Press video.

Another survivor, Noor Mohammad, said: Everyone was running. Three casualties were on the ground in front of me. I ran out of there to save my life.

After opening fire, the two gunmen holed up in a half-finished apartment building, leading to a five-hour standoff with security forces. They were eventually killed and security forces cleared the building, Rahimi said. The area was cordoned off by dozens of security forces.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and reiterated that attacks against civilians are unacceptable and those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable, according to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The United Nations stands with all Afghans in solidarity and remains committed to an Afghan-led peace process that will end the conflict, Dujarric said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack in Kabul last year, when a suicide bomber killed 63 people and wounded 182 at a wedding. All were from the Shiite Hazara community.

Any U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan would be tied in part to promises by the Taliban to fight terrorism and IS. During the withdrawal, the U.S. would retain the right to continue its counter-terrorism operations in the country.

The Taliban have been fighting Islamic State militants in its headquarters in eastern Afghanistan. U.S. military officials have said IS has been degraded because of U.S. and Afghan operations but also by Taliban assaults. A U.S. Defense Department official told the AP that they worried IS was expanding its footprint into Kunar province, where the Taliban knows the terrain and could be an asset in tracking down IS.

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
New Delhi, March 6 : The date of March 26 occupies everyone's mindspace right now, at least all political parties. On that day elections to 55 Rajya Sabha seats will be held where the BJP hopes to improve its tally and the opposition is desperate to ensure it does not.

In the 245-member Upper House, members from across 17 states are set to retire.

In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP has only 82 members, well short of the 120 required for a simple majority. Though the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 97 seats. Attaining 120 may be not only unpragmatic but highly ambitious for the BJP. But it definitely wants to better its tally from the current 82.

Question is, can they? The BJP which started its mission 'Congress-mukt Bharat' with the 2014 general election, colouring the electoral map of India saffron, started facing a slew of defeats in December 2018 when the party lost three crucial states -- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan under Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Vasundhara Raje Scindia's watch.

As Rajya Sabha election is determined by the state MLAs, this may spell doom for the BJP. The party lost Punjab, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, too.

However, considering Rajya Sabha seats from all these states are not falling vacant simultaneously, and given the BJP won a populous state like Uttar Pradesh, may help the saffron party.

While the BJP is tipped to lose a seat from Madhya Pradesh, where it is pulling out all stops to ensure it does not happen, it's also likely to lose a seat from Chhattisgarh. The party may lose a couple of seats from Rajasthan as well. However, the BJP is likely to get two more seats from Assam and one each from Haryana, Meghalaya and Odisha.

Interestingly, this won't be the last Rajya Sabha election. Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh and even India's most populous state - Uttar Pradesh will need re-election for Rajya Sabha members and it will be good news for the BJP. For instance, the BJP which has one Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh is likely to get nine more when it goes to polls. But that won't happen this March 26. The BJP will have to wait till later this year to take advantage of its earlier electoral performance in those states.

As for now, it will lose some and win some.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh Prabhat Jha wants to return to the Rajya Sabha again. There is also talk of bringing BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav to the Rajya Sabha from the Madhya Pradesh quota.

Out of the three seats in the Rajya Sabha from Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will get two and the BJP one. BJP's National Vice President Bijayant Panda can be sent to the Upper House from Odisha. The BJP will win one seat in Odisha for which the party will have to seek support from the BJD.

Veteran BJP leader C.P. Thakur and R.K. Sinha from Bihar are also lobbying to return to the Upper House. However, BJP may go for a new face from Bihar, sources said.

(Anindya Banerjee can be contacted at anindya.b@ians.in)
After more than 70 years, a great mystery of zoology has been solved: Honeybees actually use different dance dialects in their waggle dance. Which dialect has developed during evolution is related to the radius of action in which they collect food around the hive.

This is reported by research teams from the Biocenter of Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore, India, in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

That honey bees might have dance dialects was first proposed in the 1940s by nobel laureate Karl von Frisch and his student Martin Lindauer. Later experiments, however, raised doubts about the existence of the dialects. The new results now prove that Frisch and Lindauer were right. The two pioneers of behavioural research were also right with their explanation why the dance dialects exist at all.

This is what the bees' dances are about

The dance language of the honeybees is a unique form of symbolic communication in the animal kingdom. For example, when a bee has discovered a blossoming cherry tree, it returns to the hive. There it informs the other bees with a dance about the direction in which the food source is located and how far away it is.

Part of the dance is the so-called waggle run, in which the bees energetically shake their abdomen. The direction of the waggle run on the honeycomb communicates the direction of the destination in relation to the position of the sun while the duration of the wagging indicates the distance.

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"As the distance of the food source from the nest increases, the duration of the wagging increases in a linear fashion," explains JMU PhD student Patrick Kohl, first author of the publication. However, this increase is different for different bee species. This was shown in experiments carried out by the research team in southern India.

Experiments with three honeybee species in South India

There, three bee species with different radii of action were studied. The eastern honeybees (Apis cerana) fly up to about one kilometre away from the nest. The dwarf honeybees (Apis florea) fly up to 2.5 kilometres, the giant honeybees (Apis dorsata) about three kilometres.

The opposite relationships apply for the increase in the duration of the wagging. For example, if a food source is 800 meters away, an eastern honeybee will have a much longer wagging than a dwarf honeybee, and the latter will have a longer wagging than the giant honeybee. In order to communicate an identical distance to the food, each species uses its own dance dialect.

"We also saw this when we compared our results with published data from other research groups," says Patrick Kohl. The correlation between foraging range and dance dialect was corroborated when looking at honeybee species native to England, Botswana, and Japan.

Why did JMU researchers go to South India in the first place? "India has the advantage that three honeybee species live in the same area, so that their dance dialects can be easily compared," said Kohl. "We also have very good contacts with researchers at NCBS, a top research address in South Asia."

Dialects as evolutionary adaptations

The results also confirm what von Frisch and Lindauer had suspected about the meaning of the dance dialects. These are evolutionary adaptations to the honeybee species' typical foraging distances. Honeybees, for example, which regularly fly long distances, cannot afford to communicate these distances in the hive with very long waggle runs: On the crowded dance floor in the hive, other bees would have difficulties following such "marathon waggings."

The scientists' conclusion: The dance dialects of the bees are an excellent example of how complex behaviours can be tuned as an evolutionary adaptation to the environment.
The trial of three alleged dissident republicans has heard there is no "independent verification" of MI5 audio recordings made of secret conversations in a Co Armagh park.

Belfast Crown Court had previously heard that MI5 planted covert listening devices at Demesne Park, Lurgan, to eavesdrop on alleged conversations between Colin Duffy (52), Henry Joseph Fitzsimons (51) and Alex McCrory (58).

Codenamed 'Operation Contraction', the covert listening operation was mounted in the wake of a gun attack by dissident republicans on a three vehicle police convoy as it was travelling along the Crumlin Road in north Belfast on December 5, 2013. As well as audio recordings, MI5 had also placed cameras in the Lurgan park to video record their alleged meetings, which was codenamed 'Operation Succinctness'.

The court has heard that the Lurgan audio recordings were downloaded from the listening devices onto a USB memory stick before being uploaded onto a computer system called 'Marshbrook' at MI5's headquarters in London.

An MI5 officer, known only by the cypher PIN 4039, gave his evidence to the court from behind a curtain at the non-jury Diplock-style trial being heard by judge Mr Justice O'Hara.

He confirmed to the court that the Marshbrook computer system had now been "decommissioned" and had since been replaced by another computer system.

The agent was questioned about the transfer of data from the listening devices to the USB stick and uploaded onto the 'Marshbrook' computer system.

Defence counsel Mark Mulholland QC put it to PIN 4039: "Do you agree that there is no independent verification of the (Lurgan) audio tapes apart from your evidence here today?"

The witness replied: "I agree, My Lord, that aspect of how the data was transferred from the USB device to the computer system is by my oral evidence. It would appear we are relying on my evidence."

Duffy, Fitzsimons and McCrory, whose addresses can't be given at this time, deny preparing and directing terrorism, and membership or professing to be members of the IRA.

Fitzsimons and McCrory are also charged with - and deny - attempting to murder police in the convoy, and having possession of the two AK47 assault rifles and ammunition used in the 2013 attack.

Two gunmen armed with AK47 assault rifles fired 14 high velocity rounds at the police vehicles close to Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne.
Three men are dead and a fourth is in serious condition after a violent high-speed crash in northeast Harris County early Friday morning.

Arturo Mireles, 19, the driver of a white Honda Civic, was speeding on Aqueduct Road near North Lake Houston Parkway when he blew through a stop sign and crashed into a tree around 2 a.m., Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. The driver and front passenger were killed instantly, while one of the two rear passengers died on the way to the hospital, Gonzalez said.
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Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund and UTI Mutual Fund have side-pocketed their exposures to Yes Bank bonds in a bid to prevent the distressed assets from damaging the returns generated from more liquid and better-performing assets.

The move comes following the downgrade of rating of debt instruments of Yes Bank Limited to D( Default Category) by ICRA on March 6, 2020.

Two schemes of Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund--Baroda Treasury Advantage Fund and Baroda Credit Risk Fund had investments worth Rs 53.69 crore in Tier 1 perpetual bonds of Yes Bank as on January 31, 2020.

Also Read | How Rana Kapoor's 'authoritarian' streak proved to be the bank's undoing

As of March 6, 2020, Baroda Treasury Advantage Fund & Baroda Credit Risk Fund, had exposure to Yes Bank 09.00 percent (Perpetual BASEL III compliant Additional Tier I) 18-Oct-2022 issued by YES Bank Ltd, according to a note from the fund house.

In a statement, Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund said, The security (perpetual bonds) of Yes Bank held in the Schemes of Baroda Mutual Fund are being marked down to a value of Zero on March 6, 2020. The valuation adjustment reflects the realizable price of the security on the date of valuation.

In the draft reconstruction plan for Yes Bank announced by RBI, the instruments qualifying as Additional Tier 1 Capital issued by Yes Bank Ltd under Basel III framework shall stand written down permanently in full, from the Appointed date (date to be specified by the Central Govt), the fund house said in a statement.

UTI Mutual Fund, in a separate note, said, "Pursuant to the downgrade of debt instruments of Yes Bank Limited to D (i.e. below investment grade) by ICRA Limited on March 06, 2020, UTI Mutual Fund proposes to create a segregated portfolio in respect of debt securities of Yes Bank Limited in UTI Credit Risk Fund and UTI Medium Term Fund effective from March 06, 2020 subject to approval from the Board of Trustees."

UTI Mutual Fund holds investments worth nearly Rs 50 crore worth of holding in 9.5% perpetual bonds of the beleaguered bank.

In all, 11 mutual funds had exposure worth Rs 2,819 crore to bonds of the bank as on Jan 31, 2020, according to the data sourced from Morningstar India.

On March 5, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a month-long moratorium on Yes Bank. It has restricted the withdrawals that customers can make from their Yes Bank accounts to Rs 50,000 until April 3, 2020.

The moratorium comes after Rana Kapoor-promoted bank failed to raise capital to address potential loan losses and in the wake of deteriorating financials of the bank.

Yes Bank rescue plan: RBI announces draft scheme of reconstruction

In December 2018, regulator SEBI had permitted mutual funds to create segregated portfolios, or side-pocketing, with respect to debt and money market instruments. In case of a credit event that is a credit downgrade, like below investment grade and similar, segregated portfolio may be created.

Creation of segregated portfolios is a mechanism to separate distressed, illiquid and hard-to-value assets from other more liquid assets in a portfolio.

Side pocketing for segregating defaulted assets as a provision was allowed by SEBI which has helped earlier in handling default or late payments in debt papers of ADAG, Essel Group, among others. By this method, the remaining value of MF scheme is safeguarded.

Other fund houses are also expected to follow suit. Apart from Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund, Nippon India MF, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, PGIM MF are some of the fund houses that had exposure to Yes Banks bonds.

IMPACT OF SEGREGATION ON INVESTORS

Upon recovery of money from the segregated portfolio, whether partial or in full, the money so recovered will be distributed to investors in proportion to their holdings in the segregated portfolio after proportionate recovery of TER.

Investors redeeming their units will get redemption proceeds based on the NAV of the main portfolio and will continue to hold units of the segregated portfolio.

Investors subscribing to the schemes will be allotted units only in the main portfolio based on its NAV.

Both the fund houses will disclose separate NAVs of the segregated and main portfolios from the date of creation of the segregated portfolio.

A statement of account indicating the units held by the investors in the segregated portfolio along with the NAV of both the segregated portfolio and the main portfolio as of the day of the credit event will be communicated to investors within five working days of the creation of the segregated portfolio.
By Laman Ismayilova

Throughout history, women have been involved in the making of art. Many female artists have been making thrilling works of art that mesmerize art enthusiasts around the world. Azerbaijan's female artists have played a great role in developing various art styles.

Maral Rahmanzade is one of the brightest figures in the national visual arts. She was born on July 23, 1916 in the village of Mardakan, a suburb of Baku. Maral was evolved in visual arts since childhood. Her first teacher was famous artist Salam Salamzade.

After graduating from the seven-year plan, in 1930, Maral Rahmanzade enters the only at that time in Azerbaijan artistic technical school, the founder of which was the famous cartoonist Azim Azimzade.

Maral continued her education in Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov. After graduating from the institute in 1940, she got a job in a publishing house of fiction in Moscow.

The terrible event for millions of citizens - the Great Patriotic War - coincided with a terrible event in the life of Maral Rahmanzade and her entire family. In 1941, her father was repressed and declared an enemy of the people. Six months after his arrest, he died in a Tashkent prison in Uzbekistan.

Having left her job in Moscow, Maral returned to Baku and continued her work there. Since the war years and until the end of her life, Maral Rahmanzade participated in more than 50 exhibitions around the world.

A series of art works "We Are in the Caspian Sea", "Women of Azerbaijan", "My Motherland", "My Sisters", "My Contemporaries", "Sumgait - Rustavi", picturesque works inspired by the country's beautiful corners and oilmen, as well as wonderful female images created by her in the series "Girls of the Country of Lights", "Three Flowers", "My Sisters" left no one indifferent.

Maral Rahmanzade was also fond of dancing. Her beautiful dances at institute evenings in Surikovsky had always been a source of admiration.

After one of these evenings, her teacher, Aleksey Krevchenko, who paid great attention to the expressiveness of the drawing, told her: "Learn to draw as plastic as you dance." This advice Maral Rahmanzade made the motto of her work.

The paintings "Azerbaijan is a country of oil", "We are in the Caspian Sea", "Self-portrait" were considered her most famous art works.The artist worked in various etchings including etching, lithography, linocuts, and oil, tempera later. She also created illustrations to many books.

Maral Rahmanzade even posed for the statue of the famous Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan. This statue now adorns one of the loggias of the National Literature Museum.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The health ministry of Serbia reportedly announced on March 6 that the first case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in a man who had been in Hungary. Zlatibor Loncar reportedly said at a press conference that the first case of coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed in Serbia. It is a 43-year-old man from north Subotica who recently stayed in Budapest, Hungary.

According to the reports, the man has been isolated at the Subotica hospital and his condition is stable, as per reports. The people with whom the 43-year-old came in contact have been tested.

READ: HSBC Sends Home Over 100 Employees After Worker Tests Positive For Coronavirus

150 new cases confirmed

On the other hand, Mainland China has reportedly confirmed 150 new cases of the coronavirus infection as of March 5, spiking the figures from 139 a day earlier, announced the National Health Commission of China. This soars the total confirmed cases in China to 80,559 bringing the global cases at 100,242 and global fatalities at 3,408, as per the reports.

Wuhan City in the Hubei province which is the epicenter of the disease accounted for 126 new cases alone, while 16 new imported cases were detected in the country. This increased the confirmed cases among the foreign nationals to 36 who have been infected with the COVID-19, confirmed the reports. While theres a down sliding trend in the total cases across China except for Wuhan, with 54,000 new recoveries involving patients discharged from hospital after medical treatment, cases abroad are escalating.

READ: Irishman Suspected Of Coronavirus Infection Flees Hospital, Found And Kept In Isolation

At this time in China, the focus has shifted to potential infections imported from abroad with Beijings 4 cases linked to Italy as per media report. Health authorities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong have stepped up measures to quarantine travellers from countries hit the hardest by coronavirus, which Beijing identified as South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy. Meanwhile, out of the 29 new fatalities confirmed in the central province of Hubei, at least 23 have emerged from the Wuhan, where the virus originated in December 2019.

READ: Iran Reports 17 New Coronavirus Deaths, 124 In Total

READ: Parliament To Impose Restrictions On Visitors Amid Coronavirus Using Colour-coded Passes


A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Department of Justice to hand over to him a copy of the unredacted Mueller report and accused Attorney General William Barr of misrepresenting its findings in the days before it was submitted to Congress last year.

Judge Reggie B. Walton, a federal district court judge in Washington, said that he could not reconcile Barr's public comments in April 2019 about the report with the actual findings that former special counsel Robert Mueller outlined.

"The inconsistencies between Attorney General Barrs statements, made at a time when the public did not have access to the redacted version of the Mueller Report to assess the veracity of his statements, and portions of the redacted version of the Mueller Report that conflict with those statements cause the Court to seriously question whether Attorney General Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary," Walton wrote in his decision.
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Market Research Future Has Published a Cooked Research Report on the Trivalent Chromium Finishing Market Research Report  Global Forecast till 2025

Market Overview and Growth Factors:

Trivalent Chromium Finishing Market is mainly driven by the growing regulatory support for the use of trivalent chromium instead of the conventional hexavalent variant, while the market is mainly hampered by the easy availability of thermal spray coating as a superior alternative.

Trivalent Chromium Finishing Market Report is expected to exhibit a major rise in the coming years, with a 5.8% CAGR projected for the market over the 2018-2025 forecast period, according to the latest research report from Market Research Future (MRFR). The global trivalent chromium finishing market is expected to rise from its 2017 value of USD 271 million up to USD 416 million by 2025, according to the report.

Competitive Analysis:

Leading players in the global trivalent chromium finishing market include:

Three Js Industries Inc.,

Master Finish Company,

CHEMEON Surface Technology LLC,

Electro Chemical Finishing,

Asterion LLC,

Midland Polishing and Plating Ltd.,

Ronatec C2C Inc.,

Chem Processing Inc.,

Atotech,

MacDermid Inc.

In August 2019, Chemeon offered a new eTCP program for visually distinctive trivalent chromium finishing in a clear blue hue. This, according to the company, is a major step in quality control.

Segmentation:

The global Trivalent Chromium Finishing Market is segmented on the basis of type, application, and region.

By type, the global trivalent chromium finishing market is segmented into plating, conversion coatings, and passivation.

Major applications of trivalent chromium finishing include automotive, hydraulics & heavy machinery, oil & gas, aerospace, and others.

Browse More Information @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/trivalent-chromium-finishing-market-7468

Regional Analysis:

North America is likely to be a major regional market for the trivalent chromium finishing technology over the forecast period due to the growing demand from the automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, and machinery industries. The growing presence of the aforesaid industries in North American countries such as the U.S. and Canada is a major driver for the global trivalent chromium finishing market. The automotive industry in North America is likely to be a major revenue generator for the global trivalent chromium finishing market over the forecast period due to the growing demand for new technology in the manufacturing sector. The growing demand for environmentally viable coating materials and technologies is likely to be a major driver for the trivalent chromium finishing market in North America over the forecast period. The increasing demand for replacing hexavalent chromium finishing with more advanced variants is likely to be a major driver for the global trivalent chromium finishing market over the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is likely to exhibit high promise in the global trivalent chromium finishing market over the forecast period. The growing manufacturing sector in the Asia Pacific is likely to be a major driver for the trivalent chromium finishing market in the region. The automotive industry in Asia Pacific has experienced rapid growth over the last few decades due to the growing demand for automotive manufacturing units in developing countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan. The growing automotive industry is likely to play a major role in the growth of the trivalent chromium finishing market in Asia Pacific over the forecast period, as the growing demand for premium automotive technology and finish has resulted in a growing demand for trivalent chromium finishing. The rising demand for premium automobiles in Asia Pacifics increasingly affluent countries is likely to be a major driver for the trivalent chromium finishing market in the region over the forecast period.

The growing metalworking and machinery market in Asia Pacific is also likely to be a promising avenue for the trivalent chromium finishing market in the region over the forecast period. Due to the growing industrial sector in the region, the demand for various types of industrial machinery has grown rapidly over the last few years. This has also resulted in a growing demand from the trivalent chromium finishing market, as trivalent chromium finishing is considered as the high standard in the chromium finishing sector.

Europe is also likely to exhibit robust growth in the global trivalent chromium finishing market over the forecast period.

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More than 24,300 rooftop solar projects have been installed this month, with a total capacity of 465.8 megawatt peak (MWp).

Workers install rooftop solar systems.  Photo courtesy of EVN

However, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) said this was still modest compared to the development potential of rooftop solar panels in the country.

Experts also said that with Vietnam's potential, the number of rooftop solar power projects could reach five times as much as the current level.

One of the reasons for the slow development of rooftop solar panels is that people are still waiting for a new solar price to be issued since the end of feed-in tariff (FIT) price incentives for solar power on June 30 last year.

Data from the National Load Dispatch Centre showed that total electricity consumption of the whole system in the first two months of this year was 36.2 billion kilowatt hour (kWh).

Although many production, business and service sectors have been affected by the coronavirus epidemic since the beginning of last month, the country's electricity consumption still increased by 7.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The average daily electricity consumption in the first two months was 615 million kWh per day.

Water levels in hydropower reservoirs are still very low compared to previous years.

The output from hydroelectricity in the first two months only reached 3.37 billion kWh, 2.19 billion kWh lower than target.

This has led to a large shortage of output from hydropower, so coal and gas power have played an important role in ensuring electricity for the dry season as well as the whole year.

EVN has asked agencies, offices, enterprises and people to raise the awareness of safe power and economic use of power to minimise overloads, while saving electricity costs for customers.  VNS

Households still waiting for rooftop solar power price approval Many households and enterprises in Vietnam have proposed continuing the solar power purchasing price at 9.35 cent per kwh, as applied before June 30.

New draft document on solar power projects to be filed A draft document on solar power development will be filed to the Prime Minister for approval on December 15, local media reported.
'All these incidents go to show that the day of the anodyne, apolitical corporation is running out fast,' says Kanika Datta.

Corporate India's well-established aversion to engaging with controversy involving the ideology of the ruling regime -- any ruling regime -- is being tested in unexpected ways.

These engagements are the direct result of this ruling dispensation's ideological mobilisation of society.

Three incidents in the recent past show that this process of profound political evangelism has had the unintended consequence of impacting relations between customers and service providers, forcing them to show their ideological colours (or not).

First, in August last year one Amit Shukla from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, proudly tweeted that he had cancelled an order on food delivery app Zomato because they had allocated a non-Hindu delivery boy and had declined to change the rider or refund the customer for cancelling.

Zomato's witty response: 'Food doesn't have a religion, it is religion.'

Founder Deepinder Goyal backed this up with a politically correct message about India's diversity.

'We aren't sorry to lose any business that comes in the way of our values,' he said, a tactful way of telling customers to like it or lump it.

Perhaps Zomato was lucky that the incident occurred in a non-BJP state.

So the police responded by slapping Mr Shukla with a Rs 10,000 bond for good behaviour on grounds that his tweet could have disturbed the peace in a communally sensitive city like Jabalpur.

Ride hailing service Uber -- whose food delivery subsidiary had tweeted its support of Mr Goyal -- did not enjoy the same sort of support in Mumbai, that multicultural metropolis under the thrall of saffron group think.

One of its drivers summoned the police to arrest a passenger for discussing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

The driver had recorded his client's conversation and was reporting him for 'anti-national activities', which is being increasingly tucked into the wide-ranging counter-terrorism law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

That the police responded at all was notable -- that too, not to the driver's invasion of his client's privacy.

Instead, they interrogated the passenger and let him off with a paternal warning against wearing a red scarf in these 'troubled times'.

Uber's response was as mild as you can get.

It suspended the driver for 72 hours while it conducted a review, then reinstated him and decided to send him to re-sensitisation classes -- meaning he will have to re-attend the compulsory sensitisation programme for drivers before they start work with Uber.

This, course, of action begs several questions.

First, did Uber not consider it reprehensible that a service provider should record a client's conversation without permission (there was no statement to this effect).

Second, what does this sensitisation programme entail?

Does not snooping/snitching on a passenger -- courteously minding your own business, in other words -- not form a part of a driver's basic training?

If it does, then this driver clearly hadn't got the message the first time.

Is he likely to absorb it now that the local BJP workers had feted him for being 'an alert citizen'?

It is worth wondering whether the cab company would have responded in the same way had the incident occurred in the US.

In January, an Ola driver took issue with his client's phone conversation criticising the Modi government.

An argument ensued, the client complained, but the Ola management's response was that it would take 'corrective action' (unspecified) and not dismiss the driver in the interests of respecting India's democratic principles and encouraging 'a healthy exchange of thoughts'.

True, this was not an incident worthy of dismissal and, absolutely, everyone in India should have the right to express their views.

Back in 2018, Ola underlined its secular platform when a Hindu client declined a Muslim driver and proudly tweeted the fact.

Meanwhile, the private airlines's heavy-handedness in the case of comedian Kunal Kamra raises discomfiting questions.

Mr Kamra accosted the famously obstreperous anchor of a BJP-cheerleading channel on an IndiGo flight.

For this, he was banned for six months immediately (now pruned to three months).

A tweet from the civil aviation minister encouraged other private airlines and State-owned Air India to do the same.

The locus standi of a political leader interfering in a row between a private airline and its customers remains unclear.

So far so bad. Soon it transpired that all airlines were guilty of overkill.

Three months was the maximum ban for an offence that, while not to be condoned, did not disrupt services or delay the flight in the same way as some politicians had done in the not so distant past.

Worse, the pilot complained that he had not been consulted, and the aviation watchdog backed him up by saying due process had not been followed.

Mr Kamra has since sued the airline for 'mental harassment'.

All these incidents go to show that the day of the anodyne, apolitical corporation is running out fast.

How they respond will determine the politico-business dynamic in the days to come.
Under a US-Taliban deal signed last week, all foreign troops would withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months.

US President Donald Trump has said the Taliban could possibly overrun the United States-backed Afghan government after foreign troops withdraw from the country as part of a deal signed last week.

Countries have to take care of themselves, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. You can only hold someones hand for so long.

The US-Taliban deal signed in Qatars capital last week would see US and NATO forces completely withdraw over a 14-month timeline to end the 18-year-long Afghanistan war.

Asked if the Taliban could eventually seize power from the current US-backed government, Trump said it is not supposed to happen that way but it possibly will.

We cant be there for the next 20 years. Weve been there for 20 years and weve been protecting the country but we cant be there for the next  eventually, theyre going to have to protect themselves, he said.

Trump, who on Tuesday had a good talk during a phone call with a senior Taliban leader, added he did not know if the Afghan government had the ability to defend itself from fighters after foreign forces pull out.

I dont know. I cant answer that question, he said. Well have to see what happens.

Trumps statement came hours after nearly 30 people were killed in capital Kabul during an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group.

It was the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal on February 29.

Intra-Afghan talks

The US-Taliban deal also included three other main conditions: a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, a Taliban pledge that Afghan soil would not be used as a launchpad to threaten US security, and that intra-Afghan negotiations would be launched by March 10.





The intra-Afghan talks will be consequential to the future of the country as Afghan leaders and activists will sit face-to-face with the Taliban to chart a course for peace in the country.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated deal has been met with both hope and scepticism in Afghanistan.

The Taliban held power in the South Asian country of 35 million from 1996 to 2001 and enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law that was condemned by the international community.

Women were banned from working or studying under the Taliban rule, with three million girls returning to school following their governments toppling in 2001.

Many Afghans remain apprehensive over what the US-Taliban deal could mean for the future of womens education and empowerment in the country.
Senior Congress leaders including



Telangana AICC incharge R C Khuntia on Friday condemned the arrest of MP A Revanth Reddy in connection with 'illegal' use of a drone to film a building here, which he has alleged belonged to a state minister and built in violation of rules.

Reddy, Congress Lok Sabha member from Malkajgiri,was arrested here on Thursday.

In a statement, Khuntia said the TRS government was acting in a "vindictive" manner against Reddy for exposing the alleged irregularities and corruption during the party's rule.

Congress workers held protests against the arrest of Revanth Reddy at L B Nagar, Uppal here and other places, a party release said.

However, the TRS has dismissed the charges levelled against its minister.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK - Blueprints for the original World Trade Center are on sale at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair after a Colorado man rescued them from the trash.

The set, which includes over 500 plans, is the largest for the Twin Towers ever offered for sale, according to the New York-based James Cummins Bookseller team. Cummins wouldnt disclose the price but said it is in the six figures.

The 9-11 Memorial & Museum said it does not have a full set of blueprints, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said its unsure if it has one. Many documents were lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The blueprints first left New York in the 1970s when architect Joseph Solomon took them to Denver as a keepsake of his career, the Wall Street Journal reported.

His daughter, Amy Lee Solomon, threw the plans out in May 2018 while cleaning out her fathers belongings after his death in November 2017, not realizing their potential value

Denver-area resident Jake Haas found what he thought were antique maps in the trash and stopped to collect them.

After seeing references to Tower A and Tower B Haas realized what the documents were and later sold the set to Angelo Arguello, who owns three pawnshops in the Denver area.

Arguello reached out to Cummins, which is handling the sale on a consignment basis, to ensure the blueprints get the exposure they merit.

Amy Lee Solomon said she is grateful that her fathers contribution to a New York landmark is being acknowledged.

This was the quintessential project of his life, she said.

The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair runs until Sunday and is held at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan.
New Delhi, March 6 : Over a year of the Pulwama terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two more persons, including the youth who procured the chemicals from Amazon shopping site to prepare Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used in the suicide attack that killed 40 Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) troopers.

An NIA spokesperson said that it arrested Waiz ul Islam, 19, a resident of Srinagar and Mohammad Abbas Rather, 32, a resident of Hakirpora area in Pulwama district.

The arrests takes to five the number of those arrested in the Pulwama terror attack case. Three days back, the NIA arrested a father-daughter duo from Hakirpora for providing shelter to the Pulwama terror accused.

The NIA spokesperson said that during initial interrogation, Islam disclosed that he used his Amazon online shopping account to procure chemicals for making IEDs, as well as batteries and other accessories on the directions of the Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists.

"He also personally delivered the items to the JeM terrorists after procuring the incriminating material online as a part of the conspiracy to carry out the Pulwama attack," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Rather, an old over-ground worker of the JeM, disclosed that he gave shelter at his home to Jaish terrorist and IED expert Mohammad Umar after he came to Kashmir in April-May 2018.

"Further, Rather also harboured JeM terrorists, namely Adil Ahmad Dar (the suicide bomber), Sameer Ahmed Dar and Kamran (Pakistani) at his house a number of times in the run up to the Pulwama attack." The spokesperson further said that Rather also facilitated safe shelter for the JeM terrorists, including the suicide bomber and others at the house of the accused Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan.

The spokesperson said that the two arrested accused shall be produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu on Saturday.
ALBANY  A former Greene County doctor who illegally funneled opioids to her girlfriend  then falsely claimed she was being extorted to do it  was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in federal prison Friday.

Myra Mabry, 50, of Catskill, who was an obstetrician-gynecologist, instructed her girlfriend and fellow opioid addict, Sarah Brown, to falsely tell a federal grand jury that Mabry only wrote her drug prescriptions because Brown threatened to expose their relationship to Mabrys husband, court papers said.

Mabry , who worked at Columbia Memorial Health in Hudson and served as the medical director at Greene County Family Planning in Catskill, was asked by federal prosecutors to surrender her ability to write prescriptions for controlled substances in September and October 2017. She was arrested in March 2018 following an investigation involving the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, court papers said.

Mabry pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and obstruction of justice. Brown pleaded guilty last September to the same charges.

Mabry admitted to writing prescriptions for oxycodone, morphine and hydromorphone to third parties -- drugs intended for and used by Brown, who impersonated the recipients.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Mae DAgostino told Mabry her conduct was horrendous and engaged in a massive conspiracy in terms of the drugs involved. She imposed 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release after her release from prison, federal prosecutors said.

Mabrys underhanded attempt to escape accountability for her criminal conduct, and thereby preserve her professional status and income as a physician, failed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Myers stated in a pre-sentencing memo to DAgostino.

"The defendant shamed the profession of medicine, placed an outrageous quantity of deadly opioids into the hands of another opioid addict, and then orchestrated a scheme to send that addict to prison to save herself. As a physician, the defendant should be held to a higher standard."

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

Mabry's attorney, Peter Moschetti, told the judge in a pre-sentencing memo that she was prescribed Vicodin some 10 years ago to deal with migraines and became addicted to narcotics. She met Brown at a treatment center in Alabama and is working to better herself, he told the judge.


Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts and 2020 presidential candidate, speaks during a Town Hall event in Lebanon, New Hampshire, U.S., on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Kate Flock | Bloomberg | Getty Images

For the first time since she announced her presidential campaign, Sen. Elizabeth Warren doesn't have a plan. The Massachusetts Democrat ended her run on Thursday after a tenacious year-plus-long campaign marked by detailed plans addressing crucial issues from health care to climate change and a deep grassroots operation that shunned wealthy donors. "We didn't reach our goal, but what we have done together  what you have done  has made a lasting difference," Warren said of her efforts on a call with her staff, according to a transcript provided by the campaign. She has yet to endorse either of the two major contenders left in the race, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a fellow progressive, and former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate who has emerged yet again as the front-runner. The press hounded her about an endorsement after she ended her run, but Warren said she will take time to reflect before making a decision. Warren's exit from the race marked the end of a staggering, protracted decline from headline-grabbing heights. She started officially exploring a presidential run at the end of 2018 and then reached near-front-runner status by June. She picked fights with billionaires, often by name. Her message of "big structural change" caught on. She promised to fight for everyday people. She pushed out one detailed policy plan after another. "I've got a plan for that" became her signature phase. The slogan also helped shape her demise, as some of her detailed policy proposals couldn't withstand scrutiny. But it might also be the key to her political future beyond the 2020 race.

Electability questions

Immediately there were questions about her "electability," a word also associated with 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. It's a word that has been thrown at Warren often, said Heather McGhee, a political strategist and former president of progressive think tank Demos. It was a concept that greatly contributed to the demise of her campaign. "From day one, Democratic primary voters have been united on the urgency of preventing a second Trump presidency," McGhee said. "The desire for bold structural change was and is high, but the myth of electability dogged women candidates and candidates of color from the start." In the historically most diverse presidential race in the United States, two white men are the final contestants battling it out for the nomination. Though Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is the last woman who remains in the Democratic race, she is widely expected to drop out soon.

After she withdrew from the 2020 race, Warren told supporters in an email that her campaign helped extend future possibilities for women running for president. "We have shown that a woman can stand up, hold her ground, and stay true to herself  no matter what," she said in the email. On the campaign trail Warren has made a habit of engaging with little girls, asking them to pinky-promise her that they'd one day run for president "because that's what girls do," she would often tell them with enthusiasm. "One of the hardest parts of this is all those pinky promises and all those little girls are going to have to wait for a woman," Warren said in a press briefing following her announcement to end her run.

Medicare for All stumble

Then came her most widely panned policy proposal: how she would pay for her version of Medicare for All, an idea popularized by Sanders. During an October debate her then-rival and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg grilled her on how she would pay for one of her signature agenda items, Medicare for All. When asked whether middle-class taxes would increase under her plan, Warren evaded the question. Sanders, when pressed, had already said middle-class taxes would go up under his bill, but overall costs would go down. His directness paid off as Warren came under pressure. Her poll numbers began to tumble. In November, Warren came up with a complicated response  a plan that included a bigger wealth tax than she had originally promised  and a host of other actions that would pay for her plan without increasing middle-class taxes. The plan would cost the country "just under" $52 trillion over a decade, Warren's campaign said, with "not one penny in middle-class tax increases." It didn't go over well.

"Instead of satisfying her critics, her plan raised even more questions, further emboldened her naysayers on both sides of the political spectrum, and left her more enmeshed in an uncomfortable debate," wrote Helaine Olen in a Washington Post op-ed. That lost momentum translated into losses in the first nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. Warren came in third in the Iowa caucuses behind Buttigieg and Sanders. In New Hampshire, she took fourth place, behind Sanders, Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Then she was fifth in South Carolina. On Super Tuesday, she was largely a nonfactor, even placing third in her home state of Massachusetts.

Staying in the fight
This included meddling, hacking, theft, and other spycraft efforts.

Russia, and specifically the Russian military intelligence agency GRU, used multiple tactics to influence and hinder the investigation into the downing of flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, the Volkskrant reports based on sources and its own research just days before the trial against the first four suspects in this case is set to start. The Dutch investigators are convinced that these multiple attempts were unsuccessful, they said to the newspaper.

Immediately after flight MH17 was shot down in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) launched an investigation, part of which was establishing contact with its Russian counterpart, the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK), NLTimes reports.

A few days later, it turned out that MAK had been replaced by a five-member state committee, with a team leader who previously worked for a Kremlin security service. According to the Volkskrant, this was likely the Russian government's first step to get a grip on the investigation.

Some weeks after the disaster, Malaysian pilots visited the Netherlands to translate the conversation that their colleagues who piloted MH17 had with each other on the disastrous flight. In that same period, two members of the GRU were in the Netherlands, the newspaper wrote. These were members of a notorious unit that was later allegedly involved in an attempt to poison a Bulgarian arms dealer in 2015, a failed coup in Montenegro in 2016, and the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Great Britain in 2018. One of the two who were in the Netherlands, is the leader of this unit. What they were doing in the Netherlands is not clear. "But a relationship with MH17 is obvious," one of the newspaper's sources said.

Six months later, it turned out that two former GRU members were part of the Russian state committee that was cooperating with the OVV in the MH17 investigation, according to the newspaper. One of them is a general in the Russian army. Shortly after the disaster, this general said in an interview that it was unlikely that the plane was shot down by a Russian BUK missile, as the OVV later determined was the case.

The Dutch military intelligence service MIVD kept an eye on these two former GRU members when they were in the Netherlands for a consultation with the investigative teams from all the countries involved in the MH17 investigation. After every meeting, they called a telephone number in the Kremlin. According to the Volkskrant, they mainly discussed how to "edit" the composition of the Malaysian investigation team. Last year, the then Malaysian Prime Minister raised doubts about the Joint Investigation Team's findings and said that there was no hard evidence that Russia was responsible for the MH17 disaster.

When members of the OVV and the Dutch police were in the Ukraine for investigation, they were approached remarkably often by young women, who also spoke to them in Dutch, according to the newspaper. Their hotel rooms were also cleaned suspiciously often  sometimes three times a day. And when returning to the Netherlands, malware was found on the private telephones of investigators.

In the summer of 2015, suspicious persons were spotted around the OVV office in The Hague. A bag with interview reports was stolen from a car owned by an OVV employee, while in 2016 flash drives were stolen from a Defense photographer in what appeared to be a burglary. The OVV reported also at least one attempt to hack the service, traced to hacker group Fancy Bear, which is linked to the GRU. And according to the Volkskrant, GRU members who tried to break into the computer network of the OPCW office in The Hague in 2018, were first in Rotterdam near the National Public Prosecution Office  where the criminal investigation into MH17 is taking place.

After the GRU members were caught targeting the OPCW office, the MIVD seized their equipment. On one laptop, the Dutch service found information showing that the team had been in Malaysia in 2017 to set up an operation against the Malaysian investigation team, the newspaper wrote.

The Dutch researchers are convinced that these attempts by Russia to influence and sabotage the investigation were not successful, according to the Volkskrant. The attempts did make the investigation more complicated  because of distrust  but did not influence the conclusions, investigators said to the newspaper.
President Donald Trump will visit the Centers for Disease Control Friday amid the coronavirus outbreak  after abruptly taking the visit off his schedule over a person at the CDC who was being tested for the disease.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS A North Carolina company claims it's created a 15-minuted test for the virus, but the CDC and FDA have not approved it

A California nurse who tested positive for coronavirus after treating a patient claims the CDC refused to test her

The CDC has been taking so long to test because there is a three-step process

It has also come under fire for not approving outside test kits quickly enough

Passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship are waiting for their test results after they were dropped off by helicopter on Thursday

In the US, there are nearly 270 cases and 14 deaths, all but one in Washington

Apple told all its workers to stay home Advertisement

Trump told reporters Friday morning the trip got scrapped or postponed due because a person at the government facility was being tested for the virus that has now resulted in the deaths of 14 Americans.

But a few hours later, the White House included a flight to Atlanta and the CDC in the president's official schedule.

Trump said earlier the reason for delaying the trip did not have to do with an uproar over a lack of testing kits the administration said would be available.

'No, no, no. They had one person who was potentially infected and speaking of that, Id like to go so you guys are trying to work that out,' Trump told reporters as he signed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak.

'I was going to Tennessee first in any event and then I was stopping in Atlanta then going down to Florida for meetings,' he said. 'I think that they are trying to work it out that I do go,' he said. The CDC is located in Atlanta.

'I heard one person. And because of the one person at a high level because of the one person they didnt want me going but I would prefer going and now that the person the tests came out negative were going to try and go,' Trump said.

Trump didn't clarify whether it was the Secret Service, medical personnel, or the CDC itself that encouraged him to scrap his planned trip.

The latest comes as the U.S. death toll hits 14, Maryland announced its first coronavirus cases, and the markets continue to spiral amid uncertainty about the disease.

Signed: DOnald Trump only asked Congress for just above $2 billion but they rejected that and both houses passed and $8.3 billion spending bill

Meanwhile Maryland announced its first cases; Trump was there on Tuesday to visit the National Institutes of Health's Vaccine Research Center and get an update from Dr. Anthony Fauci

Vice President Mike Pence had said during a visit to Washington state on Thursday that the president would sign the bill during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta on Friday.

'President Trump is expected to sign the legislation tomorrow as he visits the CDC in Atlanta,' he said.

But when Trump's schedule was released by the White House late Thursday night, the Atlanta trip was not on it and a senior administration official confirmed to DailyMail.com that the president will not being going there.

'The President is no longer traveling to Atlanta today. The CDC has been proactive and prepared since the very beginning and the President does not want to interfere with the CDCs mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency,' the person said.

President Trump will visit Tennessee on Friday to view the tornado damage there.

The funding measure provides money for public health agencies for tests, vaccines and other treatments. It will also provide money to state and local governments to respond to the epidemic.

The House passed the legislation Wednesday and the Senate did so on Thursday, a rapid response to increased public fears about the disease, which has disrupted schools, airlines, and spring break plans.

The measure more than triples the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House last month, which Democrats criticized as too little, too late.

A group of lawmakers from both parties negotiated the increased figure and other provisions in the measure in a rare sign of bipartisanship.

Trump explained the reasons for the cancelled trip, saying 'because of the one person they didnt want me going'

Trump spoke before he prepared to visit tornado victims in Tennessee

Meanwhile, the White House is dealing with criticism over the lack of testing kits, which health officials say is hurting their response to detecting who has the coronavirus, which has a 14 day incubation period.

Pence admitted Thursday that the administration will not be able to meet its promise to deliver one million coronavirus testing kits by the end of the week.

'We don't have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward,' Pence said during a visit to a 3M Company plant in Minnesota.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC's 'Today Show' Friday morning the goal is to have them out in the next few weeks but he conceded he cannot guarantee that.

'I cannot promise it. But that's what the goal is, within the next couple of weeks, to get the 1 million-plus as our goal,' he said.

There was certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding gets tests out,' he noted. 'Technical issues slowed down the process. Now, the FDA and CDC are working together, both to get test kits out to the health department, as well as to embrace and collaborate with private sector companies to get it out. Although there's been a delay in the next couple weeks, we should be ratcheted up to get more out.'

The Trump administration is dealing with criticism over a lack of coronavirus testing kids

President Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on his claim that it was President Barack Obama's fault for the lack of testing kits, a claim that has been debunked.

I want to get everybody to understand they made some decisions which were not good decisions. We inherited decisions they made and that's fine. We undid some of the regulations that made it very difficult,' he said Thursday night at his Fox News town hall.

Trump, who has occupied the White House for three years, tried to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the disease by blaming Obama for a federal regulation that made it harder to enact widespread testing  an accusation that has been shown not to be true.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo blasts CDC and 'bad government' over mixed messages about coronavirus testing after top NIH official Dr Anthony Fauci says he CANNOT promise to get at least one million test kits in next two weeks

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Trump administration over their mixed messages regarding coronvirus testing.

In a press conference on Friday, Cuomo cited the contradictory statements issued by the federal health agency and Vice President Mike Pence.

'I don't understand CDC's instructions, they say anyone can get tested if they want...but Pence says we don't have enough tests,' Cuomo told reporters.

'How can you bring in more people into the pipeline than you can address at the end of the pipeline?' he said.

'That is not only bad government and poor planning, it will increase the fear.'

It comes just hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, a top official at the NIH, said he can't make any promises about when enough test kits will be made available.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted the CDC and Trump administration for sending mixed messages about coronavirus testing in press conference on Friday (pictured)

The CDC says one can get test but the US has admitted it doesn't have the testing capacity. Cuomo said this will incite fear among the general public because people will not understand why they can't get tested. Pictured: Cuomo (right) speaks at a press conference on Friday alongside Dr Howard Zucker(keft), Commissioner of Health for New York State

Cuomo argued that people will be fearful because they won't understand why doctors don't have the capacity to test them.

'Their position is absurd and nonsensical,' the governor said.

'I think the anxiety and the fear is a bigger problem than the virus.'

Cuomo also lamented that CDC and FDA were slow in approving New York's use of private labs as well as giving New York State's Wadsworth Lab And NYC's Public-Health Lab permission to test for the virus.

His comments came hours after Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the goal in the next few weeks to have more than a million tests ready but that he couldn't guarantee it.

It echoed comments made by Vice President Mike Pence at a press conference on Thursday admitted that there is a shortage of test kits, which currently cannot meet demand.

'I can't guarantee that, that's an issue that would have to go through the FDA and the companies to see if that's available,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'So I cannot promise it but that's what the goal is - within the next couple of weeks - to get the million plus [out].'

It is believed one of the chemicals used in the test did not work properly, resulting in the test needing to be remanufactured.

Another issue was that the CDC initially set narrow criteria on who could be tested.

At first, only those with a travel history to China - where the outbreak emerged - or those who had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient were tested.

That changed after the first patient of 'unknown diagnosis' was confirmed in California, believed to be of so-called community spread.

'There were certainly some missteps in the beginning regarding getting tests out, some technical issues that slowed down the process,' Dr Fauci told TODAY.

'The Vice President was absolutely correct. There has been a delay and we didn't have enough right now but, hopefully, in the near future hopefully we will.'

The CDC and other health officials have come under fire for how slowly Americans are being tested.

'I'm not happy about the lack of the appropriate number of test kits - that's for sure - but other areas of the response, I think, are going well,' Dr Fauci said.

Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar explained on Thursday the three steps that stand in the way to broader, faster testing.

He said that even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself developed a test, it had to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before distributing it.

That request was submitted February 3 and approved February 4. The CDC didn't start shipping its first batch of tests until February 6.

Dr Fauci said he's also frustrated at the lack of screenings at US airports.

In a press conference on Monday evening, Pence said there will be 100 percent screening at all airports with direct flights from Italy and South Korea over the next 12 hours.

However, Vice News producer Julia Lindau said she did not undergo any health screenings or additional questioning after landing at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York from Italy on Thursday night.

'I just landed at JFK after reporting on #coronavirus in Milan and Lombardy - the epicenter of Italy's outbreak - for @vicenews,' she tweeted.

'I walked right through US customs. They didn't ask me where in Italy I went or if I came into contact with sick people. They didn't ask me anything.'

US COMPANY SAYS IT CAN TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS IN JUST 15 MINUTES, BUT CDC AND FDA HAVE NOT APPROVED IT

A North Carolina-based company says its 15-minute blood test is already being used by China, Italy and Japan to test for coronavirus but not in America because CDC and FDA officials have not approved it.

BioMedonics claims its test can screen for the virus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field.

A blood sample is collected, inserted into the reader, a buffer is combined, and results come back very quickly, the company claims.

BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field

It can be read similarly to a pregnancy test, with one line for a negative test, two signifying it's positive for either early or late antibodies, and three when the sample is positive for both

One line means negative while two lines spread out mean the sample contains antibodies that the body starts making shortly after infection.

Two lines close together mean the person is positive for later-stage antibodies, and three lines mean the patient is positive for both types of antibodies.

The CDC and FDA have not specified why the rapid test isn't being used and did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS BLAST CDC OVER LACK OF TESTING FOR DOCTORS AND NURSE

CALIFORNIA NURSE BLASTS CDC FOR LACK OF TESTING

Medical professionals have blasted the CDC over the lack of testing for healthcare workers at the frontline of the outbreak.

One California nurse said they fell ill after caring for a patient but that federal health officials believed they wouldn't contract the virus due to their protective clothing while treating the patient.

And a California doctor at another hospital said they're worried about transferring the virus to immuncompromised patients.

The CDC has previously stated that people with underlying health conditions are twice as likely to develop serious outcomes as healthy people.

The nurse who fell ill is an employee of Kaiser Permanente in the northern part of the state and currently in quarantine.

'As a nurse, I'm very concerned that not enough is being done to stop the spread of the coronavirus,' they wrote in a statement released via the National Nurses United and California Nurses Association unions on Thursday.

'I know because I am currently sick and in quarantine after caring for a patient who tested positive.'

The nurse said he or she volunteered to care for the patient and, within a few days, began experiencing symptoms themselves of coughing and a fever.

They were put in a 14-day quarantine, and the nurse' doctor as well as a public country health officer called the CDC to ask for testing, but the agency allegedly refused.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

A black day for shareholders of Yes Bank, the stock price for which was reduced to a single digit, on March 6 after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded Yes Bank board and capped per day deposit withdrawal limit at Rs 50,000, but experts say the writing was on the wall.

There is a liquidity crunch and nothing in the stock. RBI ban suggests that there could be some hidden problems such as capital crunch, NPA issue, etc. RBI ban suggests that there would not be any business and investors should ideally stay away, Sanjeev Jain, VP Equity Research, Sunness Capital India told in a podcast D-Street Talk with Moneycontrol.

Jain further added that as we know history does repeat itself, and we dig deeper we have seen a similar situation in Jet Airways and Kingfisher where reports suggested that this investor(s) are lined up to buy the stake but nothing materialized.

There is no value in Yes Bank. But, being a bank and it would impact many businesses, I am sure that RBI would try to rescue at any cost, added Jain.

To conclude, investors should always respect your money and dont go by price ups and downs. Look at the business, management quality and value before investing your hard-earned money, Jain said.

The stock wiped out more than Rs 8,000 crore (intraday) of market capitalisation on Friday, and mutual funds might be next in line. There are as many as 24 funds with a total exposure of Rs 526 cr to Yes Bank, data from Morningstar showed.

(Tune in to the podcast for more)

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
A Secret Service agent stands on the South Lawn of the White house as Marine One helicopter lifts off with US President Donald Trump on board in Washington on Feb. 29, 2020. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

No Democratic Presidential Candidates Have Asked for Secret Service Protection

None of the Democratic presidential candidates have asked for protection from the Secret Service, the law enforcement agency said.

Some lawmakers have asked the Secret Service to provide protection to some of the leading candidates and one of them, former Vice President Joe Biden, suggested he agreed with the proposal this week after protesters gained access to the stage he was speaking on in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

According to the Secret Service, neither Biden nor other candidates have reached out to ask for protection.

At this time, no candidates have requested protection, Cathy Milhoan, director of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement. To date, the Department has not received a request for protection.

Under a formal process established by the Department of Homeland Security, candidates need to meet established criteria and formally request protection through the federal agency, Milhoan said. After a candidate makes the request, a committee made up of each partys leaders in the House and Senate, and an additional member chosen by the committee, makes a recommendation on whether or not to approve the request to the secretary of Homeland Security.

Milhoan said that some media outlets have characterized the Secret Service as being unprepared to protect candidates, calling reports categorically false.

The Secret Service has over 100 years of expertise in ensuring the safety and security of protectees. The Agency remains fully prepared to execute this vital mission and any suggestion to the contrary breeds unfounded public concern and irresponsibly misrepresents the skill and professionalism of our workforce, she said.

A Secret Service counter-sniper keeps watch before President Barack Obama walks to Marine One after visiting with troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Nov. 29, 2016. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Preparations to protect candidates start immediately after each election, in this case, January 2017. A division of the service began specific training preparations in early 2019 and teams trained at the services facility in Maryland and in field offices around the country from April to October 2019.

The training was described as comprehensive and included instruction related to physical protection, threat assessments, emergency medicine, and constitutional law.

Calls to provide candidates with protection ramped up after the incident with Biden and his wife on Tuesday. Several protesters were able to get on the stage the couple was on. Biden said on Thursday that he was concerned about his wife, Jill Biden.

Asked about Secret Service protection during an appearance on NBCs Today show, Biden said: Thats something that has to be considered the more outrageous it becomes.

The House Committee on Homeland Security asked acting Department of Homeland Secretary Chad Wolf this week for Secret Service for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Biden, saying the two candidates appeared to satisfy the criteria established several years ago.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the Secret Service is authorized to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates within 120 days of the general presidential election, as well as the candidates spouses. The general election is slated for Nov. 3.
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Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6 2020

Lawmakers are planning to form a special team involving various House of Representatives commissions that will work to monitor and evaluate the governments work in responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Lawmakers said the government should not only focus on handling the existing cases but also on containing the virus amid mounting public fears, as well as doubts over how the government is responding to the outbreak.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday two positive cases of coronavirus: a 31-year-old woman (Case 1) and her 64-year-old mother (Case 2), both residents of Depok, West Java. Both tested positive for the coronavirus after coming into contact with a Japanese woman who later tested positive in Malaysia.

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Before the Taqba Dam impounded the Euphrates River in northern Syria in the 1970s, an archaeological site named Abu Hureyra bore witness to the moment ancient nomadic people first settled down and started cultivating crops. A large mound marks the settlement, which now lies under Lake Assad.

But before the lake formed, archaeologists were able to carefully extract and describe much material, including parts of houses, food and tools -- an abundance of evidence that allowed them to identify the transition to agriculture nearly 12,800 years ago. It was one of the most significant events in our Earth's cultural and environmental history.

Abu Hureyra, it turns out, has another story to tell. Found among the cereals and grains and splashed on early building material and animal bones was meltglass, some features of which suggest it was formed at extremely high temperatures -- far higher than what humans could achieve at the time -- or that could be attributed to fire, lighting or volcanism.

"To help with perspective, such high temperatures would completely melt an automobile in less than a minute," said James Kennett, a UC Santa Barbara emeritus professor of geology. Such intensity, he added, could only have resulted from an extremely violent, high-energy, high-velocity phenomenon, something on the order of a cosmic impact.

Based on materials collected before the site was flooded, Kennett and his colleagues contend Abu Hureyra is the first site to document the direct effects of a fragmented comet on a human settlement. These fragments are all part of the same comet that likely slammed into Earth and exploded in the atmosphere at the end of the Pleistocene epoch, according to Kennett. This impact contributed to the extinction of most large animals, including mammoths, and American horses and camels; the disappearance of the North American Clovis culture; and to the abrupt onset of the end-glacial Younger Dryas cooling episode.

The team's findings are highlighted in a paper published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.

"Our new discoveries represent much more powerful evidence for very high temperatures that could only be associated with a cosmic impact," said Kennett, who with his colleagues first reported evidence of such an event in the region in 2012.

Abu Hureyra lies at the easternmost sector of what is known as the Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB) strewnfield, which encompasses about 30 other sites in the Americas, Europe and parts of the Middle East. These sites hold evidence of massive burning, including a widespread carbon-rich "black mat" layer that contains millions of nanodiamonds, high concentrations of platinum and tiny metallic spherules formed at very high temperatures. The YDB impact hypothesis has gained more traction in recent years because of many new discoveries, including a very young impact crater beneath the Hiawatha Glacier of the Greenland ice sheet, and high-temperature meltglass and other similar evidence at an archaeological site in Pilauco, located in southern Chile.

"The Abu Hureyra village would have been abruptly destroyed," Kennett said. Unlike the evidence from Pilauco, which was limited to human butchering of large animals up to but not younger than the YDB impact burn layer, Abu Hureyra shows direct evidence of the disaster on this early human settlement. An impact or an airburst must have occurred sufficiently close to send massive heat and molten glass over the entire early village, Kennett noted.

The glass was analyzed for geochemical composition, shape, structure, formation temperature, magnetic characteristics and water content. Results from the analysis showed that it formed at very high temperatures and included minerals rich in chromium, iron, nickel, sulfides, titanium and even platinum- and iridium-rich melted iron -- all of which formed in temperatures higher than 2200 degrees Celsius.

"The critical materials are extremely rare under normal temperatures, but are commonly found during impact events," Kennett said. According to the study, the meltglass was formed "from the nearly instantaneous melting and vaporization of regional biomass, soils and floodplain deposits, followed by instantaneous cooling." Additionally, because the materials found are consistent with those found in the YDB layers at the other sites across the world, it's likely that they resulted from a fragmented comet, as opposed to impacts caused by individual comets or asteroids.

"A single major asteroid impact would not have caused such widely scattered materials like those discovered at Abu Hureyra," Kennett said. "The largest cometary debris clusters are proposed to be capable of causing thousands of airbursts within a span of minutes across one entire hemisphere of Earth. The YDB hypothesis proposed this mechanism to account for the widely dispersed coeval materials across more than 14,000 kilometers of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Our Abu Hureyra discoveries strongly support a major impact event from such a fragmented comet."

###

Research on this study was conducted also by Andrew Moore, from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York; William M. Napier, from the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Norther Ireland; Ted E. Bunch and James H. Wittke, from Northern Arizona University; James C. Weaver, from Harvard University; Malcolm LeCompte and A. Victor Adedji, from Elizabeth State University in North Carolina; Paul Hackley, from the United States Geological Survey; Gunther Kletetschka, from the Czech Academy of the Sciences, Charles University in the Czech Republic and University of Alaska; Robert E. Hermes, from Los Alamos National Laboratory (retired); Joshua J. Razink from the University of Oregon; Michael Willam Gaultois, from the University of Liverpool in the UK; and Allen West, from the Comet Research Group in Arizona.
Liam Hehir writes:

Accordingly, some prime ministers have held enough power to operate like dictators (Muldoon). Others have operated more like the chairman of the board (John Key). And, from time to time, you get a prime minister with very little authority at all. Like, perhaps, Jacinda Ardern.

Consider the manner in which Winston Peters and Shane Jones continue to demonstrate that they are not really accountable to the person in whose cabinet they serve.

After some outrage a while ago  I forget which one exactly  the prime minister made a big show of asking Jones to take a copy of the cabinet manual with him to read while he was on holiday in Thailand. A seemingly not chastened Jones hit back at his critics. Then he went on holiday and got himself shooting one of the assault weapons that were being banned following the March 15 terror attacks.

Jones has recently made comments about the volume of Indians enrolled in tertiary study here has ruined those institutions. The prime minister has tepidly made clear her disagreement with that reprehensible statement but has refused to call them racist. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Jones has since demonstrated very regard for his prime ministers admonition.

In terms of disciplining Jones, Ardern seems to be maintaining that her hands are tied because he is not a member of the Labour Party. But the arrangements between Labour and NZ First are a matter for them. It is not clear why, in terms of her public accountability, the public should be happy with Arderns cries of powerlessness.

The Cabinet Manual, a fairly authoritative summary of the constitutional customs and traditions that underpin our political system, is clear on this point. It notes that the appointment and dismissal of government ministers is a power that belongs to the prime minister alone, for example. It also states that [u]ltimately, Ministers are accountable to the Prime Minister for their behaviour.

As I said earlier, the powers of the office of prime minister ebb and flow over the years. It could be that we are now entering into an era nearer the ebb. One of Jacinda Arderns contributions to our constitutional evolution could well be the addition of the following qualifier to the above Cabinet Manual statement: except when a Minister belongs to a different party, in which case he or she is accountable to no-one.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, said Iran has recorded phenomenal growth. He noted that the Islamic Republic achieved this even as a developing country.

The President spoke at the State House, Abuja, at a meeting with the outgoing Iranian Ambassador, Morteza Rahimi Zarchi.

Buhari, who recalled his visits to Iran as Oil Minister and as a civilian President, lauded the mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations.

The Nigerian leader wished the envoy greater successes in his future endeavours. In his remarks, Zarchi said his tour of duty was very successful.

He described Nigeria as a strong country in Africa with bright prospects for the future. The Ambassador commended Buhari for his efforts against corruption and revival of the economy.

Zarchi disclosed that Iran had a lot of experiences to share with Nigeria on insurgency. He further expressed optimism that the war against terrorism in Africas most populous country would be won.
76th Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals - Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 6, 2019 - John Krasinski REUTERS/Mike Blake

John Krasinski has basically issued a come and get me plea to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige.

The writer and director of A Quiet Place Part II, who originally rose to prominence as the star of The Office, was recently quizzed about the rumours he is going to play the Fantastic Fours Reed Richards when Feige reboots the characters for the MCU.

I would love to do it, Krasinski told ComicBook.com.

I think to be a part of the Marvel world would be amazing anyway, and the fact that people would even consider me for that level of a part would be amazing.

Michael B Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell in 2015's Fantastic Four.

I genuinely have had no conversations or don't know anything that's happening with that. I'm awaiting for Kevin's announcements of what the hell's happening with that as much as you are.

Read More: John Krasinski wraps on A Quiet Place 2

If Feige ends up casting someone else as Richards, Krasinski would be just as interested in directing a Marvel movie. Krasinski made that clear during the same interview with ComicBook.com, who asked the burgeoning filmmaker if he had any interest in overseeing his own entry into the MCU.

"Wow, that's a cool idea, was Krasinskis very enthusiastic response. "It's so interesting because I'm such a huge fan of Marvel. I think they do their own... They have such a great formula.

Yeah, I'd jump in there. In Kevin [Feige] I trust. That dude is not only the most talented guy, but the nicest guy. Yeah, whatever he wants, we'd discuss it."

Read More: John Krasinski teases possibility of A Quiet Place 3

Until then, well just have to put up with A Quiet Place Part II, which has already been met with a positive response, and will be released into cinemas in just a few weeks time on 20 March.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 06:03:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SAO PAULO, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a series of mudslides in Brazil's Sao Paulo state has risen to 31, while 49 people are still missing, local authorities announced Friday.

The Sao Paulo government said in a press release that the remains of 25 people have been discovered in Guaruja, one of the most populous seaside resort towns in the area, as well as in the towns of Santos and Sao Vicente.

Around 500 people have been displaced from their homes and are currently residing in temporary shelters as firefighters continue to search the area for the missing.

The Sao Paulo government announced the shipment of 21 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid to those who lost their homes.

Last month, the Sao Paulo state registered its most intense rainfall in 77 years, according to the Meteorological Institute of Brazil.
Swastikas painted on property walls. Threatening letters sent to congregations. Cars being vandalized in parking lots. All can be considered a hate crime.

Over 100 people from different religious backgrounds listened Thursday night to various speakers for three hours at the Jewish Community Center in Harrisburg on how to keep their faithful followers safe from attacks. Federal, state, and local speakers  from attorneys to advocates to law enforcement  said there are several ways followers can be protected.

Not only are there laws that prosecute hate crimes, but there are also safety measures that can be taken to immediately prevent possible violence, such as in the case of an active shooter.

"When you think about responding to an active shooter, oftentimes waiting for the police is not really the ultimate objective if youre involved in a situation and youve got to think, said Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Denis Drum.

FBI statistics show that fewer hate crimes were reported in 2017 than in 2018 but overall hate crimes have increased nationwide throughout the last five years, Drum said. He added that he thinks more hate crimes occur than are being reported.

When a threat emerges, knowing both what to do before the hate crime turns violent or while an attack is happening, is the vital difference between life and death, he said. With the uptick in attacks at churches, mosques, and synagogues worldwide, authorities said they are limited in what they can do unless community relationships strengthen between worshippers and law enforcement.

One faith leader in Allison Hill said his churchs staff took it upon themselves to implement a safety protocol that required some church members to double as security guards. They were required to monitor parking lot activity every 30 minutes during services, which he said decreased the number of times cars were broken into.

But, sometimes church members arent enough to protect vulnerable places of worship, speakers admitted. And, nonprofit religious organizations that feel the same demand to protect their followers may need to go one step further in broadening their strategies as a way to safely keep their doors open.

That costs money.

Enter the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which offers an annual grant program that reimburses faith-based organizations for completing security measures that protect their congregants.

This year, the department is offering up to $50 million. They are looking for recipients who show how they are utilizing surveillance systems, changing physical access, using control equipment, installing impact-resistant doors and gates, setting up intrusion detection sensors and alarms, and readjusting exterior lighting, as well as other security measures.

Among a few of the requirements to receive funding, organizations have to explain what they perceive to be their vulnerability to attacks, as well as describe how they are going to meet federal guidelines on environmental regulations.

"Its worth doing, said Emina Kunovac, who oversees the grant program at Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

The grants deadline is March 17, she said. Recipients are 100 percent reimbursed for costs already spent on security measures, Kunovac said. Organizations find out if they are awarded the money in either August or September.

Throughout the forum, several recent active shooter events were mentioned that inspired Thursdays dialogue. Speakers brought up the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting and the shooting at a mosque in New Zealand.

The more people learn about being proactive, the lesser there is a chance of an active shooter accomplishing their mission, said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Aaron Allen with the Heritage Affairs Office. Allen encouraged worshippers to stay vigilant in this era of hate crimes and communicate to law enforcement when something seems suspicious.

"Document it, he said. Make sure the Pennsylvania State Police or any law enforcement agency knows. The longer [a hate crime] goes without being documented, the harder it is for us to investigate it.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Jenkintown Road closed from Monday through May
Commander of the Defense Army of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), Major General Jalal Harutyunyan today hosted a reception with personnel, including several officers presented for promotion, as reported the news service of the Defense Army.

The army commander asked for details of the biographies of the newly appointed military officials and congratulated them on being appointed to higher positions.

The officers presented for promotions expressed gratitude to the commander of the Defense Army for the trust and assured that they will do everything possible to fully meet the expectations of the higher commanders.
Mike Bloomberg could have given every American $1 million for the $500 million he spent on campaign ads?

No, not really.

However, Brian Williams highlighted a tweet on MSNBC Thursday claiming just that.

When I read it tonight on social media, it kind of all became clear, Williams said, reading the text of the tweet, posted Tuesday by journalist Mekita Rivas.

Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads, he said. U.S. population is 327 million. Dont tell us if youre ahead of us on the math. He could have given each American $1 million dollars and had lunch money left over. Its an incredible way of putting it.

Its an incredible way of putting it, agreed New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay, Williams guest on his show, The 11th Hour.

Brian Williams just shared this on screen like it was accurate, and did it with enough confidence he had me pulling out a calculator and thinking *I* was tripping. pic.twitter.com/YtUfV0LuqX  Jay Smooth (@jsmooth995) March 6, 2020

Its true, its disturbing, Gay said. It does suggest what were talking about here, which is theres too much money in politics."

Williams, who grew up in Middletown, was roasted for the claim on Twitter after viewers began to point out the math error in the tweet. On the show, Gay first referenced the claim in the tweet before Williams pointed to its contents.

I feel like a $1 million check would be life-changing for most people, Rivas said in her original tweet. Yet he wasted it all on ads and STILL LOST.

By Friday morning, Williams was trending along with $327 trillion," after people started calculating the amount of money Bloomberg would need in order to deliver $1 million to 327 million people.

With $500 million, Bloomberg could have given $1 million to 500 people.

Im always paranoid about math when reporting numbers, but its shocking this made it to TV and nobody noticed the glaring error pic.twitter.com/lCIX4Y9jpn  Tom Warren (@tomwarren) March 6, 2020

Williams had addressed the mistake later in the broadcast.

While I have you both and our audience paying attention, turns out Mara and I got the same grades at math," he said. Im speaking of the tweet we both misinterpreted. He could give each American $1. Again, I didnt have it in high school. I dont have it tonight. I stand corrected. Sorry about that. The tweet is wrong."

Inevitably, criticism of Williams over the error migrated to cracks about the former NBC Nightly News anchors claim of being in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade during the Iraq War.

Tonight on the air we quoted a tweet that relied on bad math. We corrected the error after the next commercial break and have removed it from later editions of tonights program. We apologize for the error.  11th Hour (@11thHour) March 6, 2020

Williams, 60, apologized in 2015 for misremembering his experience during the invasion of Iraq  he later said he had been riding in a helicopter that was not hit  and was suspended from his job before leaving NBC for MSNBC.

The former managing editor of Nightly News" had blamed his false claims on a conflation of memories.

What is wrong with these people? This would be right here if there were 327 people in the US. And this reflects horribly on the NY Times too. Can someone stop and think for two seconds? pic.twitter.com/kZJYYoC6gD  Michael Salfino (@MichaelSalfino) March 6, 2020

leave brian williams alone his math skills havent been the same ever since his helo got hit by that rpg https://t.co/ZgZOTLODut  my pal andy (@andylevy) March 6, 2020

The bio for Rivas Twitter account, which is currently set to private, reads: I know, Im bad at math."

Buying a calculator, brb," Gay tweeted Friday in response to the on-air error.

Please buy two, Williams tweeted via the 11th Hour account. I am away today but luckily Steve Kornacki is filling in for me tonight  so our math game will be strong. We all feel terrible and regret the error.

Buying a calculator, brb   Mara Gay (@MaraGay) March 6, 2020

Please buy two. I am away today but luckily Steve Kornacki is filling in for me tonight  so our math game will be strong. We all feel terrible and regret the error. - BW https://t.co/UR5GC6bWSo  11th Hour (@11thHour) March 6, 2020

Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Churches take precautions as WHO warns disease caused by coronavirus now deadlier than flu

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Churches and other religious groups are now ramping up measures to protect their congregants from the Covid-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus as the World Health Organization warned Tuesday that it's now deadlier than the flu.

Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported Covid-19 cases have died, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHOs director general, said at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected.

As of Tuesday more than 90,000 people had been infected with the new coronavirus with more than 3,100 deaths globally.

This virus is not SARS, its not MERS, and its not influenza, Tedros emphasized at the news conference. It is a unique virus with unique characteristics.

Tedros also highlighted other differences between the coronavirus and the flu, which are both primarily spread from small droplets from the nose or mouth. For instance, a lot of the transmission of the flu is driven by infected people who arent showing symptoms. In the case of the coronavirus, infected people not showing symptoms only accounts for a small fraction of the spread.

The spread of the coronavirus can also be contained, unlike the flu. The new strain of coronavirus causes more severe illness than the flu, Tedros said, because there are not yet any vaccines or therapeutics  which is why we must do everything we can to contain it.

And as at least 15 states in the U.S. reported coronavirus cases, religious leaders have been responding as needed as the warnings against the disease grow more urgent.

Instead of shaking hands during Sunday mass at St. Mary Catholic Church in southeastern Wisconsin, hundreds of parishioners, on the advice of their pastor, greeted each other with gentle bows for the sign of peace ritual, The New York Times reported.

Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the Episcopal bishop of Indianapolis, Indiana, announced changes to worship in a note to members on Friday, including a switch from ceramic chalices to metal in an effort to limit the spread of germs.

Its all about education and trying to help, both putting people at ease and giving them what they need to make good decisions about their well-being, Bishop Baskerville-Burrows told The New York Times.

The Rev. Roman Stikel, pastor at St. Mary in Kenosha, Wisconsin, also recently robocalled to his parishioners to warn them not to shake hands. If the coronavirus becomes a widespread emergency, he is also preparing for the possibility of canceling mass.

For people who are very committed to coming to mass and praying together as a community, this is going to be difficult for them, he said. What well hope and pray for is that this is something that will pass.

In his sermon on the weekend, the Rev. Matt Paul, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles, Washington, discussed the coronavirus. When more infections were announced in his state on Monday, he told the NY Times that he was counting on scientists to develop a vaccine, but noted that only God can save lives.

Just the act of being together to worship is somewhat an act of faith and an act of risk, he said. Were reminded of our humanity and the frailty of life.
With this fifth album, Jonathan has really found his voiceeight years after his debut, he's now free to follow his own vision. "Going the Distance" realizes a childhood idea to structure an album in three acts, like a musical, to tell the story of overcoming adversity to fulfill your dreams.

The album kicks off with a trio of Disney classics: "Go the Distance" from Hercules could have been written for Jonathan about his own inspirational journey. 'And I do think people should have theme tunes,' he laughs. It's followed by "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" from The Lion King and "Baby Mine" from Dumbo. 'The Disney songs influenced my childhood immensely,' he says. 'As a child, I listened to them religiously. I watched "The Lion King" on repeat for three years straight.'

Act two is comprised of the iconic tracks "Moon River," "Summertime," and "Unchained Melody." There's a gospel/soul version of John Denver's hit "Country Roads" and a poignant rendition of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from Les Miserables. It also features "Compass (I Will Lead You Home)" by songwriter extraordinaire, Diane Warren.

'We got really lucky,' enthuses Jonathan of working with the Grammy award-winner whose hits include: "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion), "How Do I Live" (LeAnn Rimes) and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith). '"Compass" is about accepting yourself and others, and accepting our differences. And Diane rewrote some of the lyrics, so it fit even more perfectly into our theme.'

Jonathan's musical journey concludes with the arias "Amor ti Vieta," "Caruso," and the showstopper "Nessun Dorma." After years of requests, Jonathan is now ready to tackle one of the most famous opera songs of all time, "Nessun Dorma." With years of practice and training under his belt, Jonathan now performs this legendary opera classic with maturity and grace, yielding a jaw-dropping response from the audience. He debuted "Going the Distance" in two concerts in Toronto, Canadarecorded for a TV special now airing on Public Television and worldwide.

Jonathan Antoine  "Going the Distance" Track listing:

Go the Distance Can You Feel the Love Tonight? Baby Mine Compass (I Will Lead You Home) Moon River Summertime Unchained Melody Country Roads Empty Chairs at Empty Tables Amor ti Vieta Caruso Nessun Dorma

"Going the Distance" is also the title of Jonathan's first U.S. television special. The concert has begun airing on Public Televisionplease check your local listings for air times. Jonathan will be making personal appearances in the following cities at the local Public Television stations: Miami, Buffalo, Baltimore, Tampa, Phoenix, and Chicago. Preview link: https://youtu.be/Kth3EaO5BKI

The British tenor also plans a fall U.S. tour later this year. The following dates have been announced:

9/25 Chicago - The Harris Theatre

9/23 Phoenix Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theatre

10/9 St. Petersburg, FL - Mahaffey Theatre

10/11 Fort Lauderdale, FL - Au-Rene Theatre Broward Center

10/14 Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center

10/16 Troy, NY - Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

10/18 Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Toronto, ON)

Tickets for these dates can be purchased on pre-sale from your local public television station, and via http://jonathanantoinemusic.com

'It's very hard to create something and even harder to create something that you are proud of,' Jonathan acknowledges, 'that is why I am so excited to let you all into the world that I have been building for the last 4 years. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this journey with mestay tuned!'

Photos and video available here: https://we.tl/t-wntkoebE9d

SOURCE SONY Masterworks

Related Links

http://jonathanantoinemusic.com


Lori Vallow, the mother of two missing children, was due to appear in court in Rexburg, Idaho, on March 6 to face charges relating to her kids disappearance, local media reported.

Vallow was arrested in Hawaii last month in connection to the disappearance of seven-year-old JJ Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. Both children were last seen in September.

Idaho TV station KTVB said Vallow is charged with two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, as well as misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court. The felony charges are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released photos on March 5 of the two children in Yellowstone National Park, the last place they were photographed together, when they were on a trip with Vallow and her current husband, Chad Daybell. The bureau urged people who were visiting the park on September 8, 2019, to submit any photos or videos they may have to help the investigation.

In this video, a long line of people can be seen gathered outside the courtroom waiting for the arraignment to begin. Credit: Janeese Summers via Storyful
YEREVAN.  Personnel policy is an ongoing process, and the allocation of staff, the appointment of new staff, or the removal of some staff, will be permanent. Hayk Sargsyan, member of the majority My Step faction in the National Assembly of Armenia, said this in a conversation with reporters in parliament, and referring to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's personnel policy.

"It's a normal process," he said. "And it is quite natural for the Prime Minister to be dissatisfied with some government employees and to replace them with other employees over time."

As for PM Pashinyan's statement that there were, and maybe there are, traitors in the law enforcement system, Sargsyan said. I think there are still traitors in some departments; their removal is a matter of time. All traitors will be removed, don't worry. The traitor's issues are resolved over time in the logic of love and solidarity."




A charity group said Friday it has decided to return a huge donation made by a minor religious sect to help in the nationwide fight against the virus, citing the negative public sentiment against the group.







The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is at the center of a rapid increase in coronavirus cases in South Korea, said on Thursday that it had donated 12 billion won ($10.1 million) to the Seoul-based Community Chest of Korea, saying that it feels responsibility for the massive number of virus infections.







"The Community Chest of Korea suggested it give back the money, citing negative public sentiment against the Shincheonji church," the church said. "We express our apologies to the public and will seek (other) ways to make a donation as soon as possible."







The charity confirmed that the donation was made without prior consultations with the group and that it will thus refund the donation.







"We've verified the intention to make the massive donation," the organization said. "Considering morally and legally sensitive situations surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, we agreed with the Shincheonji church to return it."







A branch of the Shincheonji church in the southeastern city of Daegu is thought to be the epicenter of the latest spike in infections. The number of COVID-19 infections in the country reached 6,284 on Friday.







Earlier this week, Lee Man-hee, the founder of the homegrown religion, apologized for the spread of the disease and vowed to fully cooperate with government efforts to combat it. (Yonhap)


Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a French cardinal who failed to report an alleged paedophile priest, the Catholic Church in Lyon said Friday. Archbishop of Lyon Philippe Barbarin is the most senior French priest to be caught up in a global paedophilia scandal that has seen clergy hauled before courts from Argentina to Australia. Barbarin, 69, a staunch conservative who became archbishop of the French city in 2002, has long been accused by victims' groups of turning a blind eye to decades of child abuse in his diocese that blighted many lives. He was convicted last year of not reporting a priest for allegedly abused dozens of boy scouts in the 1980s and 1990s -- but the conviction was overturned on appeal in January. Appeals judges said Barbarin should have reported the priest but found that he could not be held criminally liable because the incidents happened too long ago. Hours after the ruling, Barbarin announced he would offer his resignation to the pope, who had refused an initial request pending the outcome of the appeal. This time, the pope accepted his offer. Bernard Preynat, the priest he was initially convicted of protecting, has been defrocked and is awaiting a ruling on March 16 in a sex-abuse trial. Preynat confessed at trial in January to "caresses" he knew were forbidden and admitted he got sexual pleasure from acts with boy scouts at camps he supervised. - 'Seriously objectionable' - Barbarin was initially given a six-month suspended sentence last March after he failed to report Preynat despite being told of alleged abuse on two occasions -- by the priest himself in 2010 and four years later by an alleged victim. The cardinal said on Friday the last four years had been ones of "great, great suffering" for him, telling KTO Catholic TV channel: "I think there is a great deal of suffering that the victims bore first, and it is really for them that we must pray. "These were terrible acts and it is important that a page be turned." Barbarin's eventual trial came largely because a group of victims campaigned for an investigation. The appeals judges said it was "seriously objectionable from a moral point of view" that Preynat had been allowed to remain in contact with children for five years after he confessed the abuse to Barbarin. Archbishop of Lyon Philippe Barbarin, pictured in 2016, is the most senior French priest to be caught up in a global paedophilia scandal that has seen clergy hauled before courts from Argentina to Australia Apostolic Administrator Michel Dubost announces Pope Francis' acceptation of the resignation of French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, whose conviction for shielding an alleged child-molesting priest was overturned on appeal last month
Restaurants in some 100 countries use Lavus online management platform, putting many of its customers on the frontlines of the battle against coronavirus.

To help, the Albuquerque-based company announced this week it will waive its monthly fees for any restaurant forced to shut down from the virus.

Well waive the fees our customers pay monthly to keep their service up and running if a city is quarantined and the restaurant is forced to close, said Lavu CEO Saleem Khatri. Well do that for any customer around the worldIf theyre closed one week, well waive the fees for one month, if two weeks, well take care of two months of payments.

Restaurants and small businesses face some of the hardest challenges as the coronavirus spreads across the globe, because most achieve profitability through lean operations and thin margins, making even a short closure difficult to navigate.

Cash is always tight, Khatri said. Any prolonged slow down can have a detrimental impact.

Restaurants operating in places with coronavirus outbreaks have been hit hard. In Beijing, about 70% of all restaurants remain closed, the New York Times reported Thursday.

In King County, Washington, the site of the largest coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., restaurants and small businesses have reported marked declines in customer traffic, including Lavu customers in the area.

We have multiple customers in Washington state and in the King County area, Khatri said. I spoke with several of them this week who said people are worried and panicking and restaurant traffic has slowed down. If that lasts even a few months, it will make life very hard for them.

The virus is spreading to many more states, but there are no confirmed cases to date in New Mexico.

Congress approved $8.5 billion this week to help fight the virus at the federal and state levels. It includes money for subsidized loans for small businesses impacted by the contagion.

Lavu launched in 2010 with proprietary point-of-sale software for restaurants to manage all services on mobile devices in real time on a single platform, including front-end customer service and back-end administration.

Most Lavu customers are in North America, but the company is rapidly growing its base in Asia, particularly in Thailand and Malaysia.

So far things are normal there, but were watching the situation closely, Khatri said. I think we should all prepare for a potential slowdown. We dont know what the economic impact will be, but it could be meaningful.
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Vice President Mike Pence is expected to address the deadly coronavirus outbreak in a press briefing Friday.

He will be joined by members of the coronavirus task force, a group of officials appointed by President Donald Trump responsible for leading the U.S. government's response to the outbreak.

The remarks come on the same day that Trump signed a multibillion-dollar spending package to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The president has repeatedly stated that the coronavirus is under control in the United States, but health officials have signaled a different message, urging Americans to take precautions as the number of infected citizens continues to rise.

The coronavirus, which first originated in China in December, has spread to dozens of countries globally with more than 100,000 confirmed cases worldwide and at least 3,383 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

There have been at least 233 cases in the U.S. and 14 deaths, according to official tallies.

The novel strain of coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, has roiled markets and led governments to take drastic actions as it rapidly spreads across the globe.

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The Trump administrations continued crackdowns on immigration rules may increase the potential for coronavirus to spread in the United States unchecked.

Beginning on 24 February, the Department of Homeland Security began enforcing a new rule that allows them to deny immigrants visas or permanent residency to individuals if theyre likely to become public charges - in other words, recipients of certain public benefits.

Before the rule went into effect, receiving non-cash benefits other than long-term care wasnt considered when immigration officials were determining whether to grant visas.

Under the new rules, a person can be considered a public charge if they receive Medicaid or other included benefits for 12 out of 36 months. If they receive Medicaid - at all - following 24 February, that information is allowed to play a significant factor in determining an individuals likelihood of becoming a public charge.

In an article in Scientific American, author Wendy Parmet argues that this change could scare immigrants into dropping their health insurance for fear of being classified as public charges and losing their visas.

Thus, just as more people are likely to start needing testing and treatment for a worrisome infectious disease, untold numbers of them may drop their health insurance and avoid health care for fear of being found a public charge, Ms Parmet wrote. With more people uninsured, hospitals will likely experience drops in revenue, even as they need to purchase new infection control equipment, and cope with a surge of patients in emergency departments and needing intensive care. These totally predictable consequences do not bode well for our ability to mitigate the pandemic.

Don Garcia, a doctor and medical director at Clinica Romero in Los Angeles, told NBC News that the rule should be suspended during times of emergency.

We should stop implementing the public charge rule in a time of emergency, Mr Garcia said. He also suggested that the administrations coronavirus response will be a test of the countrys ability to protect non-citizens from becoming public charges during a biological war.

Story continues

Even without the new ruling, Mr Trumps hardline immigration policies may be increasing the risk that the virus will spread.

Ismael Castro, a project manager at Building Healthy Communities in Los Angeles, said that people without legal immigration status may avoid hospitals out of fear that their information might be released to ICE even though emergency rooms here are known for being welcoming.

Its important for undocumented people to feel like they deserve access to these services, especially if it comes to an outbreak, Mr Castro said.
In early 2020 Iran revealed a new ballistic missile, the Raad 500. Video showed a test launch as well as pictures of Iranian officials standing next to it. This enabled an accurate estimate of its length, about 13 meters (41 feet), weight of about 1.7 tons and with a claimed range of 500 kilometers. Raad 500 has a body made of lightweight carbon fiber, which accounts for its longer range than earlier models of the same size. Iran also claims Raad 500 uses a new, improved solid-fuel motor that is more efficient and reliable. Raad 500 is similar to in design to the larger solid-fuel ballistic missile, the Dezful, with a range of 1,000 kilometers. This one entered service in late 2019 and also obtained a longer range using the carbon fiber body. Iran said it was gradually replacing its older liquid-fuel missiles with carbon-body models using the new solid-fuel rocket motors. This replacement program has been pretty obvious over the last decade, the use of carbon fiber bodies less so.

The Dezful completed tests and entered service in late 2019. The Dezful appears to be an upgrade of the earlier (2016) Zolfaghar missile, which had a range of 750 kilometers. In 2018 at least one Zolfaghar was fired from Iran against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) targets in Syria. This confirmed the range was 750 kilometers. Israeli and American efforts to gain more information about the use of Zolfaghar in Syria revealed that the missile was not as accurate as claimed and further investigation found that it was not very reliable either. It is unclear how many Zolfaghars Iran has, especially since this missile is difficult to manufacture. Zolfaghar is the same size as the earlier Fateh-313, which had a range of 500 kilometers. In 2017 higher resolution of Zolfaghar revealed that the body was not made of steel, like earlier models, but much lighter carbon fiber. That would account for the 40 percent increase in range claimed for this new version of an old missile.

Iran also claimed that the guidance systems for these new missiles were improved. That was probably true but it was also known that Iran had to import much of the technology for the new guidance systems that use INS (jamming proof inertial) and GPS plus optical terminal guidance. That optical terminal guidance feature is the most complex of all. This makes Iran eager to get sanctions lifted because raw materials and components for the lightweight cases, solid-fuel rockets and guidance systems depend on imports for mass production. These items can be smuggled in, but that costs a lot more and the sanctions have sharply cut Iran's oil sales which are the main source of foreign currency (dollars or euros) needed to pay for imported or smuggled goods. Iran also claimed they produce most of their missiles in underground factories that are immune to airstrikes. If Iran can import enough of the raw materials and parts for the new missile designs, these underground assembly plants will make it more difficult to disrupt the production of these missiles. With a large number of these ballistic missiles armed with non-nuclear warheads, Iran can overcome their lack of combat aircraft and smart bombs to hit an enemy (Gulf Arab states) targets defended by modern air defense systems. Those Arab defenses currently consist of more jet fighters, all of them superior to anything Iran has or is likely to have until five or ten years after arms embargoes are lifted. Iran leaders openly admit their air force is largely composed of less effective Cold War era designs that are worn out by decades of use and inadequate maintenance and few upgrades. Iranian air defenses are equally limited. The one way Iran can overcome this is with a large force of their new ballistic missiles.

Iran appears to be adopting the same ballistic missile tactics China developed for shutting down Taiwanese air defenses during the first hours of a war. This involves using a massive number of short-range ballistic missiles. Since 2009 China has maintained a force of at least 1,400 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan. That's up from 200 in 2000, 800 in 2004 and 1,300 in 2008. Most of these are DF-11 and DF-15 models. The DF11 (also known as the M11) has a range of 300-800 kilometer depending on warhead size plus rocket motor and flight control tech. The DF15 (M9) is basically a redesigned DF-11 that is more reliable and accurate. From the Chinese coast across the Taiwan Straits to targets in Taiwan is about 200-300 kilometers across the Taiwan Straits. The distance from Iran to key targets in Saudi Arabia or other Arab oil states is about the same.

The Chinese missiles use high explosive, penetrator (bunker buster) or cluster bomb warheads and are similar to bombs delivered by aircraft. These payload delivered by missile are much more difficult to intercept. For that reason, Taiwan is investing in an anti-missile system that would negate a large number of the Chinese missiles and so are the Arab states within the range of Iranian missiles. If used, perhaps 75 percent of the Iranian missiles would actually hit their target. The others would suffer failures in propulsion or guidance systems. Each missile is the equivalent of a half-ton or one ton aircraft bomb. Initially the Chinese missiles had primitive guidance systems, meaning that the warheads will usually hit up to 500 meters from the target. The Chinese equipped their missiles with several generations of GPS tech, in response to advances in Taiwanese jamming technology. Guidance systems that are more difficult to jam are always being worked on. This technology has been much sought after by Chinese spies in the United States over the last decade. Iran has not got the Chinese level of missile guidance tech and are not likely to share any of those secrets. Corruption in Iran is pretty bad and Chinese tech secrets are lucrative items that have many eager and affluent buyers.

The Iranian advances in ballistic missile technology were not hard to track. Solid fuel rocket developments were more obvious than carbon fiber cases or guidance systems. Iran began the switch from liquid fuel motors in in 2002 with the Fateh 110. This was a copy of the 1980s era Chinese DF-11 ballistic missile (range 300 kilometers, 800 kg warhead). Subsequent versions of Fateh followed the same development pattern the Chinese DF-11/15 went through years earlier. This included the use of GPS (American or Chinese) guidance in addition to the less accurate INS as a backup. For nuclear warheads, either guidance system is accurate enough. For conventional warheads, GPS is essential to avoid missing the target and being wasted because of the smaller explosive power of a conventional warhead. More modern INS systems have much improved accuracy, approaching that achieved by GPS. But the more recent INS tech is difficult to steal and duplicate.

Solid fuel rocket motors are cheaper to maintain and enable a missile to be made ready in less than 30 minutes compared to several hours for liquid-fueled missiles like the SCUD. It was known that Iran has put a lot of effort into developing better solid-fuel rocket motors. No one was paying much attention to what they were doing with carbon fiber materials and when higher resolution photos of Zolfaghar became available it could be seen that the rocket body was not metal but the much lighter carbon-fiber. It is no wonder that the manufacture of carbon fiber cases and solid fuel rocket motors are underground because Iran apparently has limited production capability for both items. Knock out the handful of plants manufacturing these items and missile production is halted and component development is slowed down.

The Fateh 110 is an 8.86 meter (27.5 foot), 3.5 ton rocket with a half-ton warhead. The first version had a range of 200 kilometers. By 2010 there had been two improved models, with ranges of 250 and 300 kilometers plus improvements in reliability and accuracy. The Fateh 110 was developed to replace the liquid-fueled SCUD ballistic missiles Iran first obtained from North Korea in the 1980s. SCUD was developed in Russia using the German World War II era V-2 missile experience. North Korea continued to supply Iran with ballistic missile technology and that evolved into the two countries trading solid-fuel rocket motor and guidance system technology.

Israel has an active and often very effective intelligence effort to obtain details of Iranian ballistic missiles. Israel does not make public much of what it discovers in order to keep secret its sources and methods. However, there have been leaks indicating that the quality control on the more advanced ballistic missiles, like Zolfaghar and Dezful, is uneven and that these missiles are difficult to build in large quantities. Iranian press releases like to indicate otherwise and that is one thing Iran often uses press releases for. It is also telling that the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian missile shipments to Syria and Lebanon are destroying a lot of the older Fateh 110 missiles, along with guidance system upgrade (to GPS) kits for older, and shorter-range rockets. Israel has also bombed several factories in Syria and Lebanon that Iran has built to upgrade the older rockets with guidance systems. This involves more than just fitting the front end of the rocket with the guidance system; you also have to install the control flaps which the computerized guidance system manipulates to achieve the accuracy. This is not a simple or quick update and without a facility resembling the one used to actually build these rockets and missiles, the upgrade does not get done.

For Israel keeping these new ballistic missiles out of Lebanon, Iraq and Syria is a high priority. While Israel has developed and deployed new air-defense systems that can intercept these missiles, those defenses are unable to handle a large number of ballistic missiles coming in at the same time. In the last five years, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria and Lebanon to destroy Iranian missiles and guidance system upgrade kits (for older, unguided long-range rockets and ballistic missiles) needed to establish a large force of missiles capable to hitting Israeli military targets as well as the larger, sprawling, urban areas.

The Arab Gulf states are facing a similar threat but they cannot destroy Iranian stockpiles of these missiles and that is one reason the Arab Gulf states have dropped their decades-old hostility towards Israel and sought to create a military alliance strong enough to discourage Iranian plans to use its new ballistic missile force to at least intimidate the Gulf Arab states into submission.
WHEN we talk about equality, we tend to focus on creating opportunities. In my experience, raising awareness and empowering young women to seize those opportunities is just as important if we hope to reduce inequality and create an environment in which everyone can reach their full potential.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

WHEN we talk about equality, we tend to focus on creating opportunities. In my experience, raising awareness and empowering young women to seize those opportunities is just as important if we hope to reduce inequality and create an environment in which everyone can reach their full potential.

I speak about inequality from personal experience. Born and raised in South Africa, I attended junior high school through to postgraduate studies during the apartheid era; as a woman of colour, an education in medicine was not a traditional route for someone like me. However, when the opportunity to learn was presented, I seized it. And what a difference it has made.

I entered medical school directly out of high school. This was the only "black" medical school in South Africa, and thus the only one I could be accepted into. There was a very small number of women in the class, and I could only get practical experience in the black hospitals; during residency, I had to get special permission to work in a white hospital. I worked long hours but it was a great learning experience. I never lost sight of my motivation.

While in residency, I married my husband and had both of my children. That was challenging, but I balanced raising a family, studying and continuing my work in medicine. I had already accomplished much in my career, and I was determined to continue on this path.

However, when the opportunity to learn was presented, I seized it. And what a difference it has made.

Our family decided to immigrate to Manitoba in 1999. Here I assumed the role of medical director at Central Medical Laboratories (since acquired by Dynacare) and took on a number of roles at the University of Manitobas faculty of medicine, where I continue to serve as an assistant professor.

My career has taken me far, from a student of medicine in South Africa to a leadership role at Dynacare, a national health and wellness solutions company in Canada.

This all began with a simple decision to seize an opportunity that I saw before me. Since taking that important first step, the opportunities for personal and professional development have been innumerable, which is why I truly cant understate the importance of promoting the possibilities of a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to young people.

While these opportunities exist, there is still work to be done in achieving gender equality in the STEM field.

According to Statistics Canada, although 67 per cent of women in Canada attain a post-secondary degree, compared to 62 per cent of men, STEM continues to be a male-dominated area of study.

In 2016, women made up 34 per cent of STEM bachelor-degree holders and 23 per cent of science and technology workers among Canadians aged 25 to 64.

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Additional data from StatCan reveal this shortage is detrimental to women, given that science and technology occupations are among the highest-paying and fastest-growing occupations.

International Womens Day (March 8) celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world, and marks the importance of accelerating gender equality.

The 2020 campaign theme of #EachforEqual is a call for gender equality in government, boardrooms, workplaces, media, sports, health and wealth.

It is with this occasion in mind that I act as an advocate to encourage the advancement of young women in STEM, and to promote the education and career opportunities that are available.

Speaking directly from my own experience, I can state that once you recognize and seize those opportunities, the possibilities and potential are limitless.

Jenisa Naidoo is chief scientific officer and vice-president of clinical development and quality assurance at Dynacare.
By Seo Eun-mi





I am proud of having a Korean passport because I can travel to as many countries as I want without needing a visa. However, with the current coronavirus situation, I need to rethink my future travel plans. I enjoy traveling to other countries whenever I have time. I enjoy experiencing foreign cultures and meeting people. That is the main reason I like to travel internationally. Besides that, I teach English so I think it's important to expose myself to foreign cultures and share my experiences with my students.



I like to make plans and those plans have worked pretty well so far. I prefer to purchase the plane tickets for my overseas trips at least ten months in advance. The earlier I purchase the ticket, the better the deal I can get. Whenever I purchase plane tickets, I feel great. I have more time to imagine the great times I'll have in foreign countries. I avoid tour groups and enjoy traveling by myself as it allows me to experience foreign cultures directly.



After I came back from Bali last December, I wanted to visit again. I'd been able to stay at a beautiful villa there, owned by a former colleague named Nicki. She decided to retire in Bali and now lives an admirably adventurous life.



As a lone traveler, it sometimes makes me nervous to travel to my accommodation using public transport in a foreign country. Nicki picked me up at the airport and did all the planning for me, allowing me to relax and enjoy my time there. Bali has beautiful nature and great food, and I was happy to spend time with a good friend. I want to visit once more to understand the culture in Bali. But I cancelled my trip because of the current virus situation.



Unfortunately, I realized the cancellation fee was far more expensive than I had anticipated. My problem was that I'd failed to read the cancellation policy when I purchased the ticket. According to the travel agency, the cancellation fee differs according to each airline's rules. I should have read the details carefully. I had to pay $300 in addition to the travel agency's cancellation fee. I think I learned a big lesson from my careless decision. I have no regrets but in the future I will be more careful when I make travel plans.





The author (emseo@howon.ac.kr) is a professor of English who is Indang Library director at Howon University in Gunsan. She is also teaching Korean language to Americans at the University of Maryland Global College.


The trial of a former soldier for a Troubles-related death which due to start in Belfast next week has been delayed due to concerns over his health and the threat of coronavirus.

He also had been booked on Flybe flight to travel to Belfast.

Dennis Hutchings is facing two charges relating to the June 1974 death of John Pat Cunningham. The 27-year old, who had learning difficulties, was shot running from an Army patrol in Benburb, Co Tyrone.

From Cawsand in Cornwall, the 78-year old defendant's non-jury trial was scheduled to begin at Belfast Crown Court next Monday.

The case was listed for mention on Friday, where a defence application to adjourn proceedings was made to Mr Justice Colton.

The family of Mr Cunningham said they were disappointed over the delay.

John Pat's nephew Charlie Agnew said: "We are severely disappointed that this trial will not now commence after so many years of patient waiting."

Hutchings defence barrister Ian Turkington said medical reports had been handed to the court which revealed the pensioner has a chest infection and is on a second course of antibiotics.

Mr Turkington said "by virtue of his present chest infection, he was advised yesterday not to travel until he has recovered".

Revealing his client's flight to Belfast to attend the trial next week was "lost" as he was due to travel with Flybe, Mr Turkington then spoke of the threat of coronavirus.

He said: "There was also a view expressed by the doctor that it would be prudent that Mr Hutchings should mitigate his risk by staying at home, by virtue of the coronavirus."

Seeking an adjournment on these grounds, Mr Turkington said "there is a great deal of uncertainty in relation to the Coronavirus" and that due to his client's current chest infection, he wanted the court to observe the medical advice given to Hutchings.

Mr Turkington said his application to seek an adjournment was based on two main issues - to allow Hutchings to recover from his chest infection, and also to seek "more clarity of Coronavirus and the risk to Mr Hutchings".

When asked for the Crown's opinion on the application to adjourn, Charles MacCreanor QC said it was accepted that due to his health, "the defendant's mortality rate from Coronavirus would be much higher than the average member of the public."

The prosecutor added: "We wish to start this trial. We are ready to start this trial, and the criminal process has been drawn out and delayed for years. We are keen to get this case started."

Mr Justice Colton said the court was "fully aware of the defendant's medical condition and the fact of the matter is that he is now 78, he is at the end stage of renal failure and requires regular dialysis.

"The arraignment was done by Skype and the trial was listed to start on Monday in circumstances where a provision was made for him to attend dialysis, which meant the trial would not be sitting every day during the week."

The Judge confirmed the court had received a medical report from Hutchings consultant on Thursday, which outlined the pensioner was on anti-biotics for a chest infection and had been advised not to travel.

Saying it was "hard to argue" with the medical advise, Mr Justice Colton said it would be wrong to make Hutchings attend next week "in light of the medical evidence and risk to his life."

He concluded by saying: "I am quite satisfied the appropriate course of action is to take the trial out for next Monday and put it in for review next Friday."

Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor then spoke of the "looming shadow of coronavirus" and said he would be "keen to get an update as soon as possible as to whether or not he (Hutchings) is able to travel."

Judge Colton said that if this was to become a long-term issue, the trial may have to be conducted via video link or Skype - but added "I would be reluctant to have it that way. A defendant should be in court."

Hutchings - a former member of the Life Guards - was on duty the day of the fatal shooting over four decades ago. He was subsequently charged with, and denies, attempting to murder Mr Cunningham and of attempting to cause him grievous bodily harm with intent.

The family of Mr Cunningham, who was shot in the back as he ran across fields to his home, said he feared men in uniforms.

The case will be mentioned again at Belfast Crown Court next Friday.
Speaking during his intervention at the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Qambar Malik Baloch, a human rights activist from Balochistan said that thousands of activists from his province who dared to raise their voice for justice have become the victim of "kill and dump policy" of the Pakistani state, while the whereabouts of many others remain unknown."Thousands of the Baloch political activists are being illegally detained in Iranian and Pakistani prisons. The whereabouts of thousands of forcibly disappeared persons are not known. Thousands have been the victims of the kill and dump policy of the Pakistani state."He added, "In its assimilation strategies, the Iranian and Pakistani states are denying education in the Balochi language and their cherished socio-cultural values are systematically being degraded.""Balochistan is rich but its people are kept poor because of the ruthless exploitation of resources to the advantage of Punjabi and Persian nations. Now, China is emerging as a new colonial power in Balochistan, eyeing the Baloch resources under the CPEC," he said.Dua Naz Kalhoro, a Sindhi political activist also blamed Pakistan and its Army for human rights violations on people in the Sindh province.She said, "We want to draw the Council's attention to our deep concern about illegal grabbing of hundreds of thousands of acres of land of indigenous Sindhi people in Pakistan."Kalhoro said that thousands of acres of agricultural land in the province has been "taken away by the Pakistani Army" in the last few years as part of the designs to convert Sindhis into a minority in their own motherland."Bahria Town, a residential scheme, is just one example, where the Supreme Court found the acquisition of over twenty-two thousand acres land illegal. However, making a mockery of the judicial system an implementation bench fined Bahria Town Rs 460 billion (3 billion US dollars) and legalised it," the activist said."As a result, with the support of police and other agencies, they are forcing hundreds year old communities to leave, destroying villages, intimidating and humiliating people and implicating in false cases who refuse to leave. Scores of similar residential schemes are mushrooming on the most valuable lands of Sindhi people owned by various wings of the Army and by powerful persons and companies supported by them," she added.Shahi Sadat, a Pashtun political activist told the Council, "In Pakistan, Pashtuns and other minorities have no rights to ask the reason for extrajudicial killings, target killing, kidnapping, torture, and rape of their loved ones by the state security.""Now the question is: Where are those human rights and women rights organisations to hear the agonizing cries of the Pashtun and Baloch women who are either used as sex slaves in military jails or beaten to death by the so-called good Taliban who are sheltered, trained, and funded by the same Army?" Said Sadat.He added, "Pashtuns have requested time and time again that a truth commission be established under the supervision of the International community to investigate the crimes committed against the Pashtun minority by the Army." (ANI)
Spring break starts next week for several universities and at least 22 local school districts, but the normally relaxing pause has education leaders worried that as thousands of students and teachers scatter across the country, some may bring back the COVID-19 illness caused by the new coronavirus.

Houston, La Porte and Dickinson ISDs told families and staff late Thursday to self-quarantine for 14 days if they travel to any of the countries listed on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions travel warnings list. As of Friday morning, those countries included China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. The districts said absences related to quarantines will be excused.

Other districts and schools referred to the CDCs travel advisory and advice for preventing the viruss spread. Channelview ISD in east Houston asked families to self-report any travel outside of the U.S. to their childrens schools.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, meanwhile, urged families to minimize foreign travel during spring break, suggesting they staycation instead and enjoy local attractions.

The Texas Education Agency told districts Friday that students who are looking to enroll in a Texas school district and recently traveled to one of the countries on the CDCs list must be quarantined for 14 days before they can begin classes.

Pearland ISD Superintendent John Kelly said officials there are rethinking some school-sponsored trips and already have contacted a tour agency to try to find new places to visit for the districts summer trip for high schoolers. Their original destination was Japan, which has reported more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus infection.

Even if the district changes its plans, Kelly said, officials cannot control where students and teachers travel during their weeklong spring vacation.

If someone wanted to spread a disease, theyd say, Hey, why not let students and staff loose for a week to go all over and come back? Thats basically what spring break is, Kelly said. So we need to be prepared for eventualities but at the same time not cause unnecessary anxiety.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston schools ramping up coronavirus responses

The concern comes after eight people in the Houston area were diagnosed with the virus this week. A Fort Bend County man in his 70s was the first to be diagnosed Wednesday, and four others in Harris County, including a Rice University employee, were reported infected Thursday. All five had traveled to Egypt on the same trip but did not begin showing symptoms until they returned to Texas in late February. Three more people were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday. Health officials said the most recent cases were also travel related.

Seventeen doctoral students, staff and faculty who had direct contact with the Rice researcher are self-quarantined away from campus.

The University of Houston announced Wednesday that six students and faculty members were self-quarantined after returning from trips to South Korea and Italy as a precautionary measure, and the UH System advised those who have traveled recently to self-report their travels to the university and to self-quarantine.

As spring break approaches, it is important for anyone considering personal international travel especially to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy or Japan to clearly understand the implications on their return to the United States and to campus, said Renu Khator, UHs president and the chancellor of the UH System. As chancellor, my No. 1 priority is to ensure that our universities remain safe and healthy.

UH leaders also announced Friday that if the outbreak becomes large scale after spring break, the university will cancel in-person class and switch to online-only instruction.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus fallout gives Houstons hospitality industry the chills

Heriberto Fernandez, a third-year law student at the South Texas College of Law in downtown, said he originally had planned to fly to Vancouver, Canada, for his spring break, which begins March 16. He began looking at flights in January but began hearing of COVID-19 cases in that area. By February, the number of cases had grown, and he heard of an infected plane passenger who passed through the Vancouver airport. He abandoned his plans.

Thats when I stopped. I thought, That could just be me on the plane. I could catch it, Fernandez said. And now its spiraled into what were seeing today. I was thinking I could go to Barton Springs, and Texas has several other things, but continued spread of virus makes it seem like good to stay home and in Houston.

In Fort Bend ISD, Superintendent Charles Dupre said many more families in his district travel abroad to vacation and visit extended family during breaks. In a video message, he said district officials would make every effort to support students and staff who decide to self-quarantine for a variety of reasons, whether they have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, traveled to an affected area, are experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed.

We are consulting with the Texas Education Agency to determine whether these absences would be counted against a students compulsory attendance requirement, Dupre said. Based on their response, we will form a district plan to address excessive absences that may occur.

The TEA told districts in a guidance letter Friday that their attendance policies remain in effect but that officials will work with any districts and charter schools who, in the future, are advised by their local health authorities to close schools.

In an interview with the Texas Tribune on Friday morning, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the district had fielded 180 questions from districts about the new pneumonialike illness. The TEA said in February that 50 schools across the state had closed this flu season due to high absenteeism, but Morath said the potential absences due to students self-quarantining because of COVID-19 may prove more challenging to handle.

That is because Texas schools are funded by daily attendance numbers. Morath said if 10 percent of a districts students self-quarantine for 14 days at a time, how do you fund those schools? He said officials will work to answer those questions in the coming weeks.

shelby.webb@chron.com
A local councillor has called on Irish Water to speak to householders in the Rower who now face challenges after a change to their water supply.

Cllr Michael Doyle says traces of Trihalomethanes (THMs) had been found in the previous water supply at Ballygub. After multi-million euro investment and 18km of new water mains piping, Irish Water has a new supply to Thomastown and the Rower/Inistioge.

The issue now is the water  which is undoubtedly of better quality and safe  is now a hard water type, leaving households to foot the bill in replacing appliances, says Cllr Doyle.

The Fine Gael councillor says those at the end of the water line in the Rower are having to buy bottled water as the water is full of lime and undrinkable.

At the very least, Irish Water should acknowledge the fact and inform the area of what can and should be done before the damage is done, he said.

"It's a typical 'turn the blind eye' by Irish water to a situation which the end result will cost the householder thousands if not dealt with now before it's too late."
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will face off one-on-one at the next Democratic primary debate after new rules released from the party on Friday keeps Tulsi Gabbard from the stage.

The three are the only ones left standing after multiple candidates exited the race this week  Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren. All but Warren have endorsed Biden.

The debate marks the final stage of the primary process as the Democrats prepare to select their nominee to face President Donald Trump this fall.

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will face off at the next Democratic debate

The March 15 debate in Phoenix featuring Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will be the first with just two candidates

For the Sunday, March 15 debate in Phoenix, candidates must have at least 20 percent of the total number of pledged delegates in the jurisdictions that will have held primaries and caucuses by debate day, according to the Democratic National Committee.

That comes to about 374 delegates.

Both Biden and Sanders have over 500. Gabbard has two.

Gabbard, a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, would have made the stage if the party allowed the old rules to stay in place.

For the last debate, candidates could participate if they had one delegate, which was how Bloomberg made the stage. Gabbard won her two from American Samoa on Super Tuesday.

Otherwise she has not qualified for a debate since November.

The debate, sponsored by CNN and Univision, will be the first since the field has winnowed.

It has removed previous qualifications for the debates that required a certain percentage in the polls or a certain number of donors.

Between now and that debate, six states will hold primaries with 352 delegates up for grabs. Even if Gabbard won all of them, shed still fall short.

And if Sanders doesnt do well in those March 10 contests, there could be considerable pressure on him to bow out.

Democratic Partys new guidelines keep Tulsi Gabbard off stage

The race for the Democratic nomination has come down to two white men: Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden

The Vermont senator is campaigning heavily in Michigan  hell hold a Fox News town hall in Detroit Monday night. He won the state in the 2016 primaries, which was a blow to Hillary Clintons campaign.

The debate takes places before the five states hold their primaries on March 17, including Arizona, Illinois, Ohio and Florida.

The DNC has said it will also hold a primary debate in April but no date or location has been given.
Russia, Turkey reach deal on midnight ceasefire in Syria's Idlib

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 7:07 PM

The Russian and Turkish presidents say they have come to an agreement on an imminent ceasefire regime in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, where Turkish violations have brought about an unwarranted flare-up of already high levels of violence.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the remarks at a joint press conference in Moscow on Thursday after three hours of face-to-face talks.

Erdogan told reporters the truce would come into effect at midnight, and Putin said, "I express hope that these agreements will serve as a good basis for a cessation of military activity in the Idlib de-escalation zone."

The zone and other similar ones were set up across Syria during talks that began in the Kazakh capital of Astana in early 2017 among Turkey, Russia, and Iran focusing on the Arab country .

Turkey was allowed to set up a number observation posts to supposedly contribute to de-escalation efforts. Turkish troops, however, are reported to have ventured outside the areas assigned for the posts and engaged in deadly clashes with Syrian soldiers.

Turkey has also been backing a number of militant groups in Idlib against Damascus in violation of all underway pacification efforts.

Another Syria talks format that took place in the Russian resort city of Sochi allowed Turkey to bring in a small number of troops to man the observation posts. Ankara, though, has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into the province in an unprecedented incursion to back the militants.

Putin said he hoped that the Thursday deal will "stop the suffering of the peaceful population," while Erdogan claimed, "We will work together to supply aid for the Syrians in need."

Right before the deal was announced, Russia's RIA news agency said Idlib-based militants had resumed shelling the strategic town of Saraqib, where the Russian military police are deployed. The Turkish Defense Ministry also said it had destroyed four tanks, five rocket launchers, and a dozen military vehicles in artillery and airstrikes in the previous 24 hours.

Erdogan, who has been defiant about Turkey's military actions in Syria, meanwhile, appeared not to rule out any future attacks on Syrian military targets by alleging Ankara retained the right "to respond" to Syrian forces.

Damascus has vowed to win back every inch of the country's soil from foreign-backed militants and Takfiri terrorists, and has said Ankara uses the Idlib-based observation posts to back militants.

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HOUSTON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive odor removal specialists, The Odor Doctors, has insisted for years that car sanitation is a service that is imperative to the automotive industry due to the money being lost to persistent, unwanted smells. With the increasing concern from coronavirus, The Odor Doctors points out that since a large portion of used car inventory were once rental vehicles, there is a new reason for dealerships to sanitize every used car.

Expertly Sanitized by The Odor Doctors The Expertly Sanitized sticker gets buyers attention and enhances the customer experience.

We estimate that 30% of 47 million used cars sold annually in the US were once rental vehicles. Today's global interconnected economy relies on the use of local rental vehicles. Each of these cars is used by many passengers and often, at the end of its 3-year life as a rental vehicle, is sold as a pre-owned certified vehicle by franchise and independent dealers. Sanitizing used cars is the dealer's responsibility, and now there is an easy solution.

The Odor Doctors have developed a method of eliminating bacteria from car interiors that has nearly a 100% success rate. Frank Simmons, the owner and operator of The Odor Doctors discussed the motivation behind his company's continued drive to improve their sanitation process, "Bottom line, a car's safety directly correlates to a car's value. It takes a sophisticated solution like the one we've mastered in order to completely eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Currently, our odor removal treatment has a 97% success rate. And that's a number we're dedicated to improving."

In the age of Covid-19, the novel coronavirus, it is more important than ever that used cars be sanitized prior to purchasing. An even more prudent used car buyer may prefer to only visit lots where they know the dealer has gone the extra mile to ensure that the car they buy has been completely sanitized. Tim Caldwell, General Manager of Sterling Acura in Austin, Texas says, "The Expertly Sanitized Program by The Odor Doctors has been one of the best profit generators for our over-all operations and we put it on every pre-owned vehicle. Our returning customers now ask for it when they come back for regular maintenance. We have also found that our sales staff appreciate one less thing to worry about when test driving our used car prospects."

During your search for a new car it is important to be mindful of whether or not the car has been sanitized. The Expertly Sanitized sticker will ensure that the car you are looking to purchase has been carefully and effectively cleaned.

About The Odor Doctors

The Odor Doctors is made up of odor removal specialists who have been perfecting the company's process for over 10 years. They specialize in not only getting rid of unwanted smells but also the contaminants causing them as well, creating an overall healthier environment. Their services, which they offer nationwide, are available to dealerships of all sizes, as well as to private citizens. To inquire about the wholesale purchase of The Odor Doctors products, visit ExpertlySanitized.com .

Media contact:

Frank Simmons

[email protected]

214-335-2963

SOURCE The Odor Doctors

Related Links

https://www.expertlysanitized.com


The Belgian Court has confirmed that Queen Mathilde and King Philippe have postponed a trip to Italy because of the Coronavirus.

Mathilde, 47, and Philippe, 59, had been invited for a state visit by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella, and were expected to stay from 23 to 25 March.

However, due to the current emergency measures Italy has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the official has temporarily asked the royal couple to postpone their visit to an unknown later date, local media sudinfo reported.

'Belgium and Italy will agree on a new date as soon as possible, so that this visit, which confirms the excellent relationship shared by our two countries, happens in the most ideal circumstances,' the court said in a statement.

Belgium's Queen Mathilde, 47, and King Philippe, 59, had been invited for a state visit by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella but ha to postpone due to the Coronavirus (pictured the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in October 2019)

148 people have lost their lives to the virus in the Mediterranean country after it spread to the country's 22 regions, forcing the government to suspend all schools and universities and roll out 8.4 billion rescue plan.

Meanwhile, 50 cases were confirmed in Belgium yesterday, with the Brussels Times reporting that the Belgian government is expecting these numbers to rise.

The Swedish royal family was also rocked by the virus this week, when Queen Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia cancelled a formal dinner 'out of consideration' for their 150 guests.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, were due to host 150 guests at the Official Government dinner Royal Palace, in Stockholm on Wednesday.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella (pictured in Latvia on September 2018) has asked Queen Mathilde and King Philippe to reschedule their visit

However the couple announced on Monday that the event had been cancelled.

In a statement released on Monday, the Swedish royal court said: 'In recent days, a number of cases of infection from the novel coronavirus have been detected in Sweden.

'The Public Health Authority considers the risk of detecting cases of covid-19 in Sweden to be high, but the risk of the infection spreading is considered low.

'Awaiting further development of events, Their Majesties, as hosts, choose to postpone the Official Dinner that was planned to be held at the Royal Palace on Wednesday, 4 March. This is done out of consideration for the invited guests.'

Sweden's Public Health Agency said it now sees the risk of imported cases and of Swedish citizens being infected abroad as 'very high', up from the previous assessment of 'high'.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, 73, and Queen Silvia, 76, were due to host 150 guests at the stunning Royal Palace, in Stockholm, tomorrow night but cancelled amid coronavirus fears. Pictured, the couple (centre) with l-r: daughter-in-law Princess Sofia, son Prince Carl Phillip, daughter Crown Princess Victoria and son-in-law Daniel at an event at the Royal Palace in March 2019

Princess Estelle of Sweden, eight, is studying at home after her Stockholm school closed following the confirmation that a pupil had contracted the Coronavirus

'In particular the situation in Italy means that we now expect that Swedish citizens will be infected, and also come to Sweden with the infection,' agency head Johan Carlson said.

Just yesterday, it was reported that their grand-daughter Princess Estelle, the eight-year-old daughter of Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, was studying at home after her school, Campus Manilla in Stockholm, was closed after a pupil was confirmed to have contracted the virus.

Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel received a message from the school and had Estelle stay at home after the news came out. This is the first case of a child being affected by the virus in Sweden, where more than 100 cases have been reported, according to The Local.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has sparked various reactions from different populations across the globe. With the sudden surge of cases worldwide and the spread of the virus to other countries, racism, and discrimination against Chinese American people has increased.

Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 : This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus shown was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Credit: NIAID-RML

At the beginning of the outbreak, which started in Wuhan City in Hubei Province, China, many people speculated on the source of the epidemic. They blamed the country for its wildlife trade that has been believed to be the source of the deadly outbreak. However, when the virus started to penetrate other countries, with South Korea, Italy, and Iran as hotspots, incidents of discrimination against Chinese people were widely reported.

A team of researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and University of Maryland College Park (UMD) will conduct a study to explore the intensified discrimination that Chinese-American families and residents face in the United States amid the current COVID-19 outbreak. The study, funded by the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation, will explore the issue.

>The negative impact of infectious diseases on psychological health is understudied but highly significant, especially for minority groups linked to the disease through social group categorization," PI Charissa Cheah, professor of psychology at UMBC, said in a statement.

"The results from this study will significantly contribute to our understanding of risk and resilience processes among parents and children under conditions of acute but prolonged health and social threat," she added.

Experiences of families

The study will focus on the experiences of Chinese-American families to racial and ethnic discrimination. The researchers will use data based on social climate, public opinion, and, most importantly, the experiences these families encounter tied to the outbreak.

The team wants to know what is happening now, shedding light on how discrimination impacts individuals, families, and communities. This way, other studies can use this as a basis for future endeavors and see the effects of discrimination in the long-term.

Study process

The researchers plan to conduct the study by using focus groups and surveys, to unveil and better understand how the different forms of racial discrimination linked to the current COVID-19 outbreak impact the lives of families, especially Chinese Americans. They also plan to perform a follow-up after the initial research phase in around six to nine months later.

The team wants to see how parents have helped socialize their children, letting them cope across various issues, including identity, race, and psychosocial adjustment. Further, the team will study outbreak-related Twitter posts to understand better how public opinion, such as discriminatory attitudes and anxiety, change as the outbreak worsens or slows down. The tweets that will be analyzed were those from late 2019 onwards, so the current Twitter posts amid the peak of the coronavirus will be included.

The team said that the studies exploring the negative effect of infectious diseases on mental and psychological health is still limited, particularly for minority groups tied to a specific condition. The study results will help add to the understanding of how parents help their children cope with these issues, amid current health and social threat.

"As a researcher focusing on bullying and mental health, I have seen and heard about discrimination towards Chinese-American and other Asian-American students, and increased anxiety related to COVID-19," Cixin Wang, assistant professor of school psychology in the department of counseling, higher education, and special education at UMD, said.

"We aim to study the unfolding outbreak and related discrimination against Chinese Americans and other Asian populations to identify specific ways to promote resilience and support children and families during this challenging time. The results can also help us more prepared for future epidemics like this," she added.

Coronavirus outbreak magnitude

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has already spread to 87 countries, across four continents. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic yet, though nearly 100,000 have already been infected globally, killing more than 3,300 people.

The majority of infections occurred in mainland China, specifically Hubei Province, where the virus came originated. Outside China, South Korea has the highest number of confirmed cases, with 6,284 cases and 40 deaths. Meanwhile, the highest number of fatalities outside China is in Italy, with 148 deaths and 3,858 confirmed cases, followed by Iran with 107 deaths and 3,513 confirmed cases.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, major sporting events called off.

Business has dried up entirely for some unfortunate firms.

The economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak has already been significant.

And its likely to get worse.

Theres speculation the Tokyo Olympics this summer might need to be postponed  a festival on which the Japanese government has already spent some $25bn (19bn).

But thats why businesses and individuals take out insurance isnt it? To cover themselves for when unexpected and hugely damaging shocks like disease outbreaks hit?

The UK government this week, under pressure from industry lobby groups, designated Covid-19 a notifiable disease, in order to make it easier for affected companies to claim insurance.

So can we expect an avalanche of claims and big losses for insurance companies as a result of this outbreak?

Or are companies in for disappointment if they expect to be compensated for the economic damage wreaked by Covid-19?

What insurance is actually available against disease?

Its worth drawing a distinction between two broad categories of business insurance, say experts.

First, theres event cancellation insurance, which is a type generally offered by sophisticated insurance markets like Lloyds of London or major insurance conglomerates.

Torsten Jeworrek of the German insurer Munich Re told Reuters last month that his firm had provided cancellation insurance for the Tokyo games in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Second, theres the more general cover for business interruption offered to companies by smaller insurance firms.

But if a firm is covered its covered, isnt it?

Not necessarily. It all depends on the wording of the individual insurance contract.

But its important to bear a broad principle in mind, namely that theres a difference from the perspective of the insurance company between definable and undefinable risk.

And insurance firms are unlikely to have written an insurance policy that covers a firm from the impact of an undefinable risk.

Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Show all 11 1 /11 Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Ben Gurion International airport, Israel Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Changsha Huanghua International Airport, China Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Daxing International Airport, Beijing AFP via Getty Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Haneda Airport, Tokyo Reuters Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Shanghai Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China EPA Airports empty as Coronavirus affects aviation industry Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam AFP via Getty

So in the context of, say, a flood, if a businesss premises or equipment are damaged directly by that event, the business that had taken out flood insurance would probably be able to claim for the repair of the premises or replacement of the equipment, which has a certain calculable value.

But if the flood in the local meant that customers were unable to reach the business  so the economic impact was indirect and impossible to define  its much less likely that the company would be able to claim for lost revenues.

So how does that distinction apply to coronavirus?

Some firms might be hit directly by coronavirus impacts  for example if their premises are shut down by the authorities to contain the virus.

But many more will be hit only indirectly. Think of a hotel that sees its bookings slump because people change their travel plans. Or a company that suffers because its staff dont turn up to work because of illness.

In any case, industry experts caution that notifiable disease clauses (the classification the UK government updated this week) are not standard in insurance contracts.

Standard business insurance policies are designed and priced to cover standard risks, not those that are very unlikely, such as the effects of Covid-19, said a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers.

So whats the bottom line: are insurers going to be hit hard or not?

Crawford Forensic Accounting Services produced a report last month on the likely impact of coronavirus on the insurance sector.

It concluded that successful claims under business interruption coverage for infection are not common.

Crawford director Frederique Hardy also told The Independent that event cancellation insurance contracts tend to be very bespoke, making it difficult to generalise about the ability of event organisers to make claim.

Yet the general view of the industry  at the moment  is that coronavirus is unlikely to result in an explosion of costly payouts.

We dont think it will open the flood gates [to claims], said Ms Hardy.

If thats correct it points to a lot of disappointed firms.

And, as a by product, its likely to increase further the pressure on governments to give stressed companies economic relief in the form of more time to pay tax and perhaps forbearance on debt repayments to banks.
The Marine Corps is a combat organization that can't afford breakdowns in trust or unit cohesion, which is why the service's top general says he's banning all Confederate items on base.

Commandant Gen. David Berger acknowledged on Thursday that his recent directive to remove Confederate paraphernalia has been met with mixed reactions. But the general stood by the move in his first public comments about the controversial decision in an exclusive interview with Military.com.

"Things that divide us are not good," Berger said. "Whatever [Marines] have in their homes is fine. When on government property, we have to think as a unit and how to build a team, a cohesive team."

Berger, who spoke from the historic Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., said his decision to ban Confederate items wasn't based on a specific event. A week before his memo was issued, members of Congress held a hearing on extremism in the military ranks, including the rising threat of white supremacy.

"It's about focusing on how we can get better, how we can get better as an organization," the commandant said.

Related: Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia to Be Removed from All Bases

At least one other military leader has been asked why his service isn't following the Marine Corps' lead and banning the items on base. A Coast Guard Academy cadet asked Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz this week if he would consider a similar decision for that service.

"If the use of such a derogatory object does not offend someone ... shouldn't we be worried about their ability to effectively lead and understand people of all different backgrounds?" the cadet asked, according to The Day in Connecticut.

Army officials were also asked if the Marine Corps' new policy would lead to 10 bases named for Confederate leaders being renamed. As of last week, service officials said there were no plans to rename any street or installation, including those named for Confederate generals, Task & Purpose reported.

Berger said no other military leaders have consulted him about his decision to forbid Confederate items on Marine Corps bases.

"They may, but not so far," he said.

The commandant said he expected mixed opinions on the policy. Some have applauded the decision, calling it long overdue. Others have accused Berger of attempting to strip the military of a part of its heritage.

Having grown up near the Mason-Dixon Line that separated the North and South and who studied at Tulane University, the New Orleans college that shut its doors during the Civil War, Berger said he's aware of what the flag means to many.

"But our focus as leaders is doing what's right for the institution," he said. "We're not being politically correct -- nobody told me to do this. The sergeant major and I are just trying to do what's right for the institution.

"We're trying to make it better."

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

Read More: PETA to Marines: Stop Guzzling Snake Blood During Jungle Training
Imagine purchasing products from your local grocer, only to find out that those products are comprised of critically endangered species! That's what a team from the University of Hong Kong, Division of Ecology and Biodiversity has recently discovered on Hong Kong supermarket shelves. A team led by Dr David Baker from the University's Conservation Forensics laboratory, has recently published the results from an investigation into European eel products on sale in Hong Kong supermarkets.

The study, published in Science Advances, found that nearly 50% of retail eel products, ranging from fillets to snack items from grocers and convenience stores, contained a critically endangered species of fish. According to the IUCN, The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is at risk of extinction. For this reason, trade in European eels and their food product derivatives is subject to international regulation under the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). CITES is meant to ensure that permits are required for their import and export in an effort to regulate trade and foster conservation.

Eel, extremely popular in East Asia and particularly Japan, has traditionally been fished from East Asian populations of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica). However, overexploitation due to growing demand from Mainland China and a combination of threats ranging from rising ocean temperatures, parasites, and dammed rivers have led to dramatic declines in eel populations. This is true not only for European and Japanese species, but also for their American and Indo-Pacific relatives.

To satisfy demand for eel in East Asia, juvenile eels (known as glass eels) are caught while swimming upstream in their native range spanning Europe and North Africa, and smuggled to Asia to be raised to maturity. To date, captive breeding of eels has not been economically viable; wild-caught glass eels are thus used to "seed" eel farms. In recent years the illegal trade has been highlighted by a number of high-profile investigations and increasing prosecutions.

"The illegal export of glass eels from Europe to Asia has now been recognised as one of the world's greatest wildlife crimes and Europol has estimated the scale of over 300 million eels (2018 data) annually. The next step is to investigate the global consumer markets to identify where these trafficked eels are eventually consumed. The numbers from Hong Kong are very alarming and reflect the huge amounts of European eels that are being farmed in Asia. It is now up to individual countries to investigate the scale of European eels entering their national food chains illegally." -Florian Stein, Sustainable Eel Group

The international trade in glass eels is incredibly lucrative. One kilogram of glass eels can contain up to 3,500 individuals and has been recorded selling for over HKD$50,000 on the black market. This highly profitable trade has attracted the attention of international criminal syndicates, who smuggle glass eels in suitcases from Europe to Asia for resale. In their juvenile stages, eels are extremely difficult to identify to the species level. The two most common cousins of the endangered European eel (the Japanese and American eel) are not listed in CITES, therefore no permit is required for their trade. Because of the challenges in visual identification, endangered European eels can be laundered along with their legally traded relatives.

Already, the existence of Europe-Asia smuggling routes has been documented, but the ultimate destination of the smuggled eels remained elusive. Originally conceived as an undergraduate project looking at seafood mislabeling, the investigation into European eel took off when students noticed a surprising amount of European eel present in supermarket products.

"The eel project is the most exciting thing I have done during my undergraduate study in HKU. I once thought research was only for postgraduates and professors, but it turns out I, even as a student, was able to do meaningful research that actually made an impact in illegal trading. This has made me more determined to continue work in environmental fields." -Haze Chung, Year 4 Undergraduate Researcher

The study covered a wide range of Hong Kong supermarkets and convenience stores across all districts. Surprisingly, almost 50% of the eel products surveyed were determined to be European eel. The results from this study suggested that large scale smuggling networks trafficking European eels are interwoven with local supplier chains, resulting in endangered species ending up on supermarket shelves, totally unbeknownst to consumers.

###

For the paper in Science Advances: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/10/eaayS0317

Images available at: http://www.scifac.hku.hk/press
Find all our Lessons of the Day here.

Lesson Overview

Featured Article: When Can We Go to School? Nearly 300 Million Children Are Missing Class, by Vivian Wang and Makiko Inoue

Since January, we have written lessons for students about the coronavirus outbreak and early efforts to contain it. We published a special guest-authored math lesson to better understand the numbers behind the coronavirus. And, last week, we asked students how concerned they were about the coronavirus and what precautions, if any, have they, their families and their schools taken?

We received over 450 comments from students sharing what their schools and communities were doing to prepare for the coronavirus. Some students said they were currently not in school because of the coronavirus. In this lesson, you will hear the stories of families who are navigating work and school closures. Then, you will analyze the problems and solutions presented in the article or create a one-pager visual response to the article.

Warm Up

Part I: Class Discussion

How concerned are you about the coronavirus? Is it something that you talk about at school, with your parents or with friends? Has the coronavirus affected your school life in any way? Have you been given reminders about washing your hands and covering your sneezes and coughs? Do you know if your school has a plan in place if it has to close?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other members of the party on Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modis answers and demanded the resignation of Union home minister Amit Shah over last months communal violence in Delhi.

Gandhi and a bunch of other Congress leaders shouted slogans near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi demanding justice for the victims of the deadly riots, which have claimed the lives of more than 50 people.

Before that, Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Kodikunnil Suresh gave adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over Delhi violence.

And in the Rajya Sabha, the partys members Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma gave suspension of business notice over the need to provide relief to riot-affected families in Delhi and setting up of an independent inquiry commission.

The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament is stuck in a deadlock for the past four days over the oppositions demand to immediately discuss the Delhi riots. Business in Parliament has suffered as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has refused to relent.

The logjam in Parliament continued for the fourth day in a row on Thursday as the opposition demanded a discussion on the communal riots in northeast Delhi that left 53 dead and hundreds injured.
Fear of the spread of coronavirus has sparked panic buying in Australia, where supermarkets have had to limit the number of packs sold to each customer, and police have even had to break up a fight over the commodity.

There have been 59 confirmed cases of the potentially deadly virus in Australia, as of Friday morning. The outbreak has been enough to spark a rush on essential supplies in some areas, with toilet paper in particularly high demand.

Some large retail chains have had to limit the number of packs sold to each customer to four, while at one supermarket police tasered a customer after a fight broke out over quickly dwindling stocks.

Australia is not the only country to have seen panic buying as the virus continues to spread. Japan has also seen a rush on toilet paper, while in France and the US consumers have been scrambling to get hold of food staples such as rice and pasta.
A person who travelled to Las Vegas for an international conference has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of infections in Ontario to 24.

According to an internal email sent to staff in the University Health Network, the person went to the Emergency Department at Toronto Western Hospital Wednesday with respiratory symptoms.

All protocols were followed and the patient was assessed and sent home to self-isolate, said the email, from Gillian Howard, the vice-president of public affairs and communications at the University Health Network.

The patient is now at home and being monitored by Toronto Public Health, she continued.

We are continually reviewing our processes to ensure that we are current with the situation as it changes.

Its the fourth new case in Ontario confirmed Thursday, as cases start to show up in people who have travelled from affected areas other than China and Iran.

One of the other new cases is a woman in her 50s from Waterloo Region who had recently returned from Italy, where infections in the northern region are mounting. Another is a man who had been in Iran.

And a Mississauga resident who was on a Grand Princess cruise ship that travelled from San Francisco to Mexico between Feb. 11 and Feb. 21, tested positive, and is Peel Regions first case.

The cruise ship is sitting off the coast of San Francisco while passengers get tested. There are 235 Canadians on the ships manifest, according to Global Affairs.

New cases are also popping up across Canada. Eight were reported in British Columbia Thursday evening, including the first instance of community transmission in that province. One more case was reported in Quebec and the first presumed case was announced in Alberta.

There have been no deaths in Canada of COVID-19.

Some 3,500 Canadians die each year of the flu.

With files from Rob Ferguson
Sara Ali Khan, who was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal, leaves no opportunity to express her love for her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan. So, on Ibrahim Ali Khan's 19th Birthday, Sara took to social media to wish him on his special day. She wrote: "Happiest birthday Brother I love you more than you know and am missing you lots today!! Wish I was with you."

The picture is reported to be from Sara Ali Khan's Maldives vacation. The picture posted in the wee hours of March 5, 2020, has sent the fans of the Kedarnath actor into a tizzy. While some criticised the picture, many came out in the actor's defense. Check it out.

Check out the social media post:

Source: Sara Ali Khan Instagram

Although Sara Ali Khan has shared pictures of herself and Ibrahim Ali Khan in their swimwear before, this is the first time the bikini-clad picture of Sara Ali Khan has caused a stir on social media. While many attacked her with harsh comments, a lot others defended Sara Ali Khan. Here is what the fans are saying in Sara Ali Khan's defense.

Also Read | Sara Ali Khan's Songs From The Film 'Kedarnath' That You Must Add To Your Playlist

Also Read | Ibrahim Ali Khan's Pout Game Seems Strong In This Unseen Photo!

Also Read | Sara Ali Khan Reveals The Real Reason Why She Does Not Consider Herself As A Star

Also Read | Sara Ali Khan Wishes Brother Ibrahim Ali Khan With Heartfelt Birthday Post, See Here

Meanwhile, the actor is reported to be shooting for Anand L. Rai's Atrangi Re in Varanasi. The movie, starring Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, and Dhanush in the lead, is reported to be a love story. The movie will see Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan alongside each other for the first time.

Besides the upcomer, Sara will also be seen alongside Varun Dhawan in David Dhawan's Coolie No.1. The movie is reported to be an official remake of Govinda and Karisma Kapoor 1995 hit of the same name. The movie will hit the marquee on May 1, 2020.

Also Read | Sara Ali Khan Reveals A Trait Of Kareena Kapoor Khan She Wishes To Acquire

Also Read | Sara Ali Khan Gives A Sneak-peek Of Her Her Fun Side In These Goofy Videos

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.
: The bandh announced by the



Hindu Munnani and Federation of All Islamic Organisations and All Jamaat would be observed on March 7 as against its schedule on March 6.

However, some 100 shops downed shutters in Valparai in the district of Coimbatore on Friday in response to the bandh call.

Normalcy was not hit as buses and other vehicles plied as usual, police said.

The Hindu Munnani had on Thursday given the call for bandh to protest against the attack on its district secretary Madukkarai Anand while he was returning home after attending a pro-Citizenship Amendment Act rally on Wednesday night.

Similarly, the Muslim outfits postponed the shutdown to March 7.

They were demanding the arrest of those involved in the hurling of petrol bomb on a mosque here and also an attack on a Muslim auto-driver who was standing near the government hospital on Thursday.

Early Thursday, there was tension prevailing in parts of the city after two mosques came under attack following which security was beefed up, police said.

While a bottle filled with petrol was hurled at a mosque at Ganapati locality, there were reports of stones thrown at another place of worship at Kovaipudur, they said.

The incidents were suspected to be in retaliation to an alleged attack on the Hindu Munnani worker.

Both Hindu and Muslim outfits had called for a dawn-to dusk bandh on Friday to condemn the incidents.

Madukkarai Anand was attacked by some unidentified people, who came on bikes while he was returning home after the pro-CAA 'dharna' on Wednesday.

A large posse of police was deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Highlights Iran considering more and adequate number of flights to evacuate citizens of both countries Iranian flight carrying swabs of stranded Indians for testing will arrive on March 7 Iran refutes reports that Indians suspected with coronavirus were deported from Tehran

Tehran is considering increasing the number of special flights to ensure all stranded citizens from both India and Iran are evacuated, said a press release from the Iranian embassy on Friday.

To consider more and adequate flights to New Delhi and Mumbai to ensure bringing back home all the stranded nationals of both countries, said the release, referring to deliberations by the Iranian authorities.

The release said Iran was cooperating with India on the evacuation of citizens since February 26, when DGCA suspended flights to the country due to spread of coronavirus in Iran. It also refuted reports that Tehran had deported infected Indians.

Indian fishermen, students, pilgrims and businessmen are stuck in Iran due to cancellation of flights and they will be brought back by special Iranian flights after they have cleared the test for coronavirus.

The first set of around 300 test samples of Indian nationals will arrive tomorrow on an empty Mahan Air flight from Tehran, said the release.

The first Iranian flight carrying sample swabs of stranded Indian citizens will leave Tehran IKIA Airport hopefully early morning on 7th March 2020 to New Delhi and in return, it will bring back Iranian nationals to their homeland, it said.

The communication from Tehran confirms that if any Indian is found infected with the coronavirus, he or she will treated at a top medical facility in Iran, the rest will be allowed to board a flight home.

The Indian citizens with no symptoms of Coronavirus will be transferred to India and those whose medical test results to be positive and affected, will be hospitalized in one of the advanced special medical centers designated by the Ministry of Health of the I. R. of Iran, it said.

A medical team is collecting swabs from Indians in Iran and sending it back to India for testing. The Indian government hopes to soon set up a testing lab in Iran itself. A special Iranian flight is supposed to fly the testing equipment to Tehran.

The release added that both countries will continue their close contacts to ensure finding necessary remedies to alleviate the sufferings of all the stranded nationals including tourists, students and businessmen in the current critical situation which requires globally coordinated actions.

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He is one of the most iconic action stars of the 1990s.

And on Friday, Jean-Claude Van Damme charmed audiences at his question and answer series, An Evening with Jean-Claude Van Damme, in Sydney.

The 59-year-old Belgian star took to the stage at the Wesley Centre where he to talked to fans about his life and work.

Beaming Belgian! Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme charmed audiences at his speaking tour in Sydney, An Evening with Jean-Claude Van Damme, in Sydney on Friday

He kept his look simple in an all-black ensemble - a T-shirt with track pants and a cap with his initials emblazoned across the front.

The actor, known as The Muscles from Brussels, appeared animated as he chatted with fans at the event.

His next speaking event will be at the Convention Centre in Melbourne next Wednesday

In conversation: The 59-year-old Belgian star took to the stage at the Wesley Centre where he talked to fans about his life and work

Simple: He kept his look simple in an all-black ensemble - a T-shirt with track pants and a cap with his initials emblazoned across the front

Jean-Claude recently revealed to Daily Mail Australia he wants to make one 'final and epic martial arts film.'

'I would like to make one more, one final, big martial arts, epic film. It's going to be a great film... I want to shoot a piece of it in Australia,' he said.

Jean-Claude forged a career in martial arts during the 1970s and 1980s, Jean-Claude became a Hollywood star after playing the lead in the 1988 movie Bloodsport.

Last hurrah! Jean-Claude recently revealed to Daily Mail Australia he wants to make one 'final and epic martial arts film'

He enjoyed immense international fame in the 1990s, heading up such successes as Lionheart, Double Impact - in which he played twins - and Hard Target.

More recent gigs include roles in The Expendables 2 and voice-over work on Kung Fu Panda 3.

Tickets for his Melbourne event are still available for the event through Ticketmaster, with some lucky fans being able to buy the opportunity to party with the actor - for a price of $1,199.
A 54-year-old Conroe woman was sentenced to 70 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to what the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office is calling an elaborate theft scheme. Prosecutors showed Tennon and associates fraudulently enriched themselves with more than $1 million from unsuspecting companies.

Valeria Denise Johnson Tennon was convicted of first-degree aggregate theft in the 435th District Court and was sentenced by presiding Judge Patty Maginnis. Tennon was ordered to pay approximately $1.3 million to 13 of her victims. Tennon pleaded guilty Aug. 15 to an electronic scheme that targeted payroll companies between November 2015 and November 2018, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Trust is ultimately the basis for our ability to do business, indeed the very basis of our economy, District Attorney Brett Ligon said in a statement. This punishment verdict sends a message that sophisticated criminals will not be allowed to sit anonymously at their computers and hide behind sham corporate structures while profiting from the type of egregious betrayals, abuses of trust and outright lies employed by this defendant in perpetrating her schemes.

Tennon acted as an employee recruiter with 10 people, including three of her children, posing as employees for companies unwittingly paying for work not actually being done. Hours worked were falsely represented through time cards and similar documentation by way of a payroll company set up by Tennon, while companies remained largely ignorant of any of the parties involved in the scheme. The companies were unwittingly paying out commissions and salaries to Tennon and her associates, according to the DAs Office.

The investigation of the case was a momentous undertaking by the Conroe Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorneys office resulting in the thwarting and cessation of a very sophisticated theft scheme wreaking havoc for the targeted victims, a statement from the District Attorneys Office read.

Tennons scheme started unraveling when Conroe Police Det. Jason Roper started questioning some individuals benefiting from the scheme after a company that expensed more than $300,000 in salary and commissions reported none of their invoices were paid out. Roper found multiple other payroll companies had apparently fallen victim to the scheme, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Erin Smith, an investigator with the DAs Office, helped Roper by retrieving thousands of pages of corporate records from the targeted companies, along with thousands of pages of bank records. The stolen money was traced to multiple bank accounts owned by Tennon and her associates. A search warrant obtained a computer and records explaining the scheme, including evidence showing Tennon set up email domains where she communicated with victims by posing as clients of theirs. Evidence also showed Tennon controlled multiple accounts where proceeds from the fraud were deposited and that she received kickbacks from various associates, according to the DAs Office.

In Tennons sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorneys Joel Daniels, Tamara Holland and Vanessa Windham presented evidence of prior theft-related convictions and continuous defrauding of other payroll companies following her arrest on this case. Smith testified and showed charts and spreadsheets detailing the million-dollar theft. Victims testified, including the owner of a targeted company who said Tennons fraud nearly shuttered his business. Other victims also testified, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Meanwhile, Tennon testified she suffered from depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, saying she had previously been a victim of sexual and physical abuse. A family physician presented evidence Tennon was on various medications. In her testimony, Tennon tried to point some of the misrepresentation to companies on others.

Through her actions the defendant placed herself at the center of a maelstrom of falsehoods that did real harm to real companies and real people, Daniels said in a statement.

jose.gonzalez@chron.com

twitter.com/jrgzztx
China's banking system could be saddled with the highest non-performing loan ratio in more than a decade after authorities loosened the repayment rules for small businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, according to DBS Group.

The NPL ratio is likely to head toward the 2 per cent this year, a level not seen since the first quarter of 2009, according to Cindy Wang, associate research director at Singapore's biggest banking group. The proportion of soured loans has risen in the past two years to 1.86 per cent in 2019, based on official data.

The People's Bank of China this week asked its lenders to offer the nation's small and medium-sized businesses and micro enterprises a grace period on their debt repayment obligations to counter the coronavirus impact. The relief, for both the principal and interest, is for up to June 30.

"We expect an increase in special-mention loans during the first half," said Wang, who is based in Hong Kong. "For the second half, banks' NPL will pick up, with smaller city and rural commercial banks being the worst hit compared to other state-owned commercial banks."

Special-mention loans are borrowings deemed at risk of turning sour. Chinese lenders generally classify loans as bad after they are 60 days past due. Wang expects the overall NPL ratio to reach 2 per cent by year-end.

The PBOC announcement on Monday follows the biggest public health crisis in decades caused by the viral outbreak that started in Wuhan in the central Hubei province. The government has locked down many cities while companies shut down production facilities to help contain the virus.

Such containment measures have come at a huge cost to the world's second largest economy as disruption to supply chains brought economic activity to near a standstill. China's manufacturing collapsed in February, according to the Caixin/Markit Purchasing Managers's Index.

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Despite postponing their repayment schedule, many companies may still face a hard time servicing their loans in the second half, DBS's Wang said, especially among those involved in wholesale and retail, transport and logistics, and catering sectors. These are among the hardest hit areas of the economy, she said.

S&P Global Ratings said in a report last month that the banking system's soured loans could rise to 7.8 trillion yuan (US$1.1 trillion), representing 6 per cent of the banking sector's total loans.

The NPL ratio at the smaller city and rural commercial banks stood at 2.32 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively at the end of 2019, according to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. The average was 1.38 per cent for the Big Four, namely Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China.

The Postal Savings Bank had the highest exposure in central China, where the viral outbreak originated, at 25 per cent of its loan book in 2019, Wang said. China Construction Bank had 18 per cent and China Everbright Bank 16 per cent.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Few things could possibly distract Italiansa population prone to health concerns in the best of circumstancesfrom panicking about an actual infectious epidemic. But one of them is pasta. Better: a debate over pasta.

For several days now, parts of northern Italy have either been on lockdown or high alert due to the outbreak of Covid-19. As of March 4, the disease has killed more than 100 people and more than 3,000 have tested positive for it. The epidemic is overwhelmingly concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, where some towns are under quarantine and people have been asked not to leave home unless absolutely necessary.

Although shops remain open, panicked residents have been stockpiling food. Images of empty supermarket aisles and empty shelves with few, if any, boxes of pasta, have made the rounds on social media. There is, however, a glaring exception: Boxes of penne lisce (smooth penne) were all left behind.

People instead bought penne rigate (striped penne), which are the same shape as penne lisce but have ridges on their surfaces that make them look striped.

Penne lisce (top) and penne rigate (bottom).

As the images spread, lovers of penne lisce reacted with dismay. Italian chef Gennaro Esposito, who runs a Michelin-starred restaurant near Napoli, perfectly encapsulated the horror by calling penne rigate the apex of weak thought.

The argument goes like this: Fans of penne rigate (or rigata in the singular) think they taste better because the ridges help the sauce stick to the pasta piece. Lovers of penne lisce prefer their consistency and flavor of their choiceand insist that a well-made sauce and a well-made pasta have no use for ridges.

Elsewhere, perhaps, this might just be a matter of taste. But in Italy, pasta is never just about pastaits about history, geography, economics, technology and, of course, cuisine.

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A matter of elegance

The elegance of pasta liscia has no rivals, Esposito told Quartz, using the singular for lisce. If you eat it even just boiled and with a little [extra-virgin olive] oil, its a whole other bite, another consistency, another elegance [than pasta rigata].

High quality pasta doesnt need to be rigata, Alberto De Bernardi, professor of history at the University of Bologna and author of a book on the social history of pasta, told Quartz. The reason is that liscia isnt exactly smooth. Pasta made with high quality durum wheat flour and bronze-drawn, he explains, has a coarse surface, which doesnt let the sauce fall off the piece of pasta, even in the absence of ridges.

The ridges, he says, help keep the pasta piece together and retain the sauce when the product is of lower qualitymade with a mix of different types of wheat, for instance, or drawn with steel rather than bronze.

Pasta should be dried slowly, too, Esposito says. It can take up to 40 or more hoursand at a low temperature, 45C to 70C. This allows the pasta to maintain a porous consistency, so when its cooked it essentially rehydrates and opens up to soak up the sauce.

When, instead, pasta is dried at higher temperatures, the starch essentially crystalizes, and becomes somewhat waterproofor rather, sauce-proof. Pasta made this way is cheaper, and more resistant to overcooking. But its a dead pasta, Esposito said. And its smell is very far from the aroma of durum wheat.

Stripes as a capitalist construct

When the photos of pasta boxes started popping up on social media, some Americans were self-deprecating: Italians wouldnt touch penne lisce, whose surface is the same as American ziti, even faced with quarantine or, who knows, starvation.

The #coronavirus taught us one thing ; Even starving they wouldn't go for penne lisce pic.twitter.com/GVqjNqSnya  Safe Together (@safe_together_) March 2, 2020

Yet this time Italian Americans may be more authentic than Italian Italians.

While penne lisce seems to have essentially no fans in Lombardy, it still enjoys popularity in and around Naples. Thats where many Italians who emigrated to the US are from, bringing with them to the new world their pastawhich at the time, was smooth.

The first production and export of dry pasta actually occurred in Sicily in the mid 1200s, De Bernardi says. The famed Moroccan geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi describes the commerce of pasta from Palermo to the Mediterranean. But the Sicilian tradition didnt last and artisanal, commercial production of pasta in Italy didnt become common until the late 1600s, when production emergedindependently but at the same timein Naples and Genoa. By the end of 1800s, however, the Neapolitan industry dominated, with its workshops producing the vast majority of pasta sold in Italy and beyond.

Pasta didnt become as ubiquitous as it is today until after World War II and the invention of mass production. Production then moved from Naples to places like Parma, where Barilla was founded.

Eventually, high-yield pasta makers began competing on price. They introduced cheaper pasta of a quality lower than the pasta made by workshops in Naples. These companies had to find some devices to make the [lower quality] product highly sellable, and palatableand the stripe is one of them, De Bernardi said.

Back to smooth

But the rigaor, as they say in Naples, where stripe is a masculine noun, il rigois but an illusion. I absolutely disagree that striped pasta gathers the sauce better, Esposito said.

In fact, what happens is something quite different, he says. The ridges on the outer surface of the penne rigate begin cooking and releasing starch after five or six minutes in boiling water (and salt). The whole piece of pasta needs about nine minutes to cooksometimes even 10which means by the time the pasta is strained there is an overcooked outer layer.

When it gets mixed with the sauce, some of that starch transfers to the sauce, making it stick to the pasta. Often people have the sensation that it picks up more sauce, but its a botch, a binding agent that, in my opinion, pollutes the dish, Esposito said.

This illusion is precisely what made the striped pasta so popular: For the average cook, with limited access to high quality pasta, it was a good compromise. Then came habits and, eventually, preferences.

While Esposito has no doubt that the queen of pasta is the original stripe-less version, he tries to be understanding. Its also a matter of taste, he said. We shouldnt condemn it.

Within reason, though. If you pick a pasta of good quality, I am open to overlook the rigo, he said. But the problem is the sum of two factors: A low quality pasta, and striped to boot. Thats frankly too much.

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A woman in her 50s living in the Vancouver area has been identified by health authorities as the first apparent case of local transmission of the novel coronavirus in Canada.

Officials said in a statement late Thursday that the woman had not recently taken any trips nor had known contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

She was diagnosed while being screened for influenza.

"This is a community case and we are doing a detailed investigation right now to try and determine where her source of infection was," British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry said.

The case suggests the virus is spreading in the country. As of Friday, Canada had 51 confirmed cases.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu, meanwhile, announced an increase in funding for COVID-19 research to Can$27 million after an initial sum was deemed insufficient. The funds will be split between 47 research teams.

Meanwhile, 129 Canadians who were mostly confined for two weeks to their rooms aboard the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and then quarantined for 14 days after returning to Canada were allowed to go home.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Water woes and a lack of funding are among the many problems said to be affecting residents 
Women MLAs cutting across party lines on Friday trooped into the well of the Bihar Assembly in support of demand for their reservation in Parliament and the state legislature.

During the question hour, the women members, both from treasury and opposition benches, rushed to the well with placards for their demand.

One of the woman members said they will not get any opportunity to express their views in the House on March 8, International Women's Day, as it falls on next Sunday this year and the House will reopen after Holi.

This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 10.

They went back to their respective seats after Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary assured them that the House has taken a note of the issue they have raised.

"Women legislators cutting across parties have shown their unity on the issue. With the consent of the House, I extend my congratulations to women members for their better future," Choudhary said.

Replying to RJD member Lalit Kumar Yadav's question related to ECG facility, health minister Mangal Pandey told the House that out of 38 district hospitals, this service is not available in eight due to unavailability of trained staff for operating such machines.

The department has sought applications from persons concerned to train staff in each of the eight district hospitals for operating ECG machines, Pandey said.

The health department has issued tender for setting up 'cath lab' in PPP mode for treatment of patients who have suffered heart attacks, he said, adding that the seven medical colleges have been identified for the purpose.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bethlehem City Council took a progressive stand when it unanimously decriminalized possession of a small amount of marijuana back in 2018, in hopes of preventing a minor arrest from derailing a persons future job and school prospects.

Yet, a year-and-a-half later data show that Bethlehem police officers are hesitant to ignore state law in favor of issuing small time violators -- those with 30 grams or less of pot -- a city fine.

In fact, city police only used the new city law for 19 of the 289 total minor marijuana arrests made over that same time period. In the heart of South Bethlehem, Lehigh University police reported five low-level weed arrests in 2019, only charging one person under state law.

City police Chief Mark DiLuzio shared these stats with councils public safety committee Tuesday evening, explaining officers have been hesitant to rely on the city law amid fears theyd be accused of dispensing justice unfairly.

You are correct it is not being used," DiLuzio said. But officers do have reasons they arent using it.

Members of city council and District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzales, who penned a December letter to DiLuzio, worry theres currently an inequitable system in place due to uneven enforcement. Forty-seven percent of the minor marijuana arrests since the ordinance was enacted occurred in the Southside, which covers Matos Gonzalezs district.

These are troubling numbers, said Councilwoman Dr. Paige Van Wirt.

At the close of the meeting, the chief surprised council by floating a possible solution: city officers can fine someone under the city law or charge them under both the city and state law and leave it up to a district judge. The idea was met with support from council and DiLuzio promised to issue a directive to his department.

Id rather see the cops on the street (rather) than seeing them in a courtroom somewhere tied up on a minor weed charge, DiLuzio said.

The city ordinance only applies to the Northampton County section of the city because Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin -- the top law enforcement official in the county -- says state law supersedes the city law. Pennsylvania treats marijuana possession as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in prison and a $500 fine.

Many of the officers, and Ill be real blunt with you, they have an issue with it, DiLuzio said of the option to use the city law. Their issue is: we have the same violation on this side of town and the same violation here and we have two different ways to enforce it. It should be universal and it should come from the state.

The chief surveyed his 154 officers department and the 117 cops who responded were split on decriminalization with 44% favoring it. But 97% agreed it should come from state lawmakers. The citys police union was invited to participate in Tuesdays meeting, but did not attend.

The majority of the marijuana arrests stem from officers encountering people while investigating another crime, the chief said. The stats dont reflect the officers who choose to toss a small amount of pot they find.

We are not out there hunting down people and jumping out of bushes to arrest people for weed, DiLuzio said.

Council members were upset to learn police were not choosing the city fine the majority of the time and pressed DiLuzio to explain why and outline any steps hes taken to encourage its use.

Officers get to decide whether to charge someone under the city or state law, DiLuzio said. So many factors go into this: Was the person cooperative? Are they under the influence? Were they driving? Is it only a little bit of pot?

I am confident in my officers to make the right decision based on how they view this ordinance and how they view the state law and how they view whats in front of them - the violation of law," DiLuzio said.

Of the 19 people who were charged under the city law: five were white, four black and 10 Hispanic, the chief said.

It was used more on minorities, he said.

Council members shared Judge Matos Gonzalezs concerns that Lehigh students arrested by campus police are facing small fines for marijuana violations, while most people arrested steps off campus by city police face state misdemeanor charges, carrying stiffer penalties, court costs and required court appearances.

Its hard not to see the troublesome implication there between what happens at Lehigh if you get caught with a small amount of marijuana," said Councilman J. William Reynolds, When you are dealing with a different group of people economically, that arent living here, that are coming for four years, that dont have to face the same level of enforcement of the laws that other people do, that live two blocks away that, often times, arent nearly in the same economic class.

DiLuzio agreed it is a problem that must be solved, but he noted Lehighs police force is independent and has its own directives. Former Bethlehem police Chief Jason Schiffer is now the Lehigh police chief.

Decriminalization must come from Harrisburg, the chief said.

Councilman Michael Colon, who chairs the public safety committee, said council wasnt willing to wait for change in Harrisburg, where mechanisms move slowly. Eleven states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana, so large chunks of the U.S. population are free to walk into a dispensary and buy whatever they want. In most of Pennsylvania, a small amount of pot gets you a criminal record, Colon said.

Council wants to be at the front of this sea change, which is why it joined at other cities in decriminalization, Colon said. He predicted this will be looked at like Prohibition in the near future.

Currently, 13 Pennsylvania municipalities and cities have decriminalized marijuana and two more are considering ordinances, said Les Stark, executive director of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition

The chief did not provide a copy of the arrest statistics to council or the public, promising to email them after the meeting. Friday afternoon the city clerk provided lehighvalleylive.com with the chiefs memo to council.

Over the last decade, there have not been major changes in the number of minor marijuana arrests, ranging from 134 to 196 per year and the new city ordinance didnt cause numbers to drop.

It really hasnt changed a lot, DiLuzio said. Theres no major spike.

Editors Note: This article was updated with more statistics from the Bethlehem Police Department and information from the Keystone Cannabis Coalition.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email her. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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WASHINGTON  Elizabeth Warren avoided what she called a "trap question" Thursday when asked whether sexism played a role in her failure to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

If you say, 'Yeah, there was sexism in this race,' everyone says, 'Whiner," Warren told reporters after dropping out the race. "And if you say, 'No, there was no sexism,' about a bazillion women think, 'What planet do you live on?'"

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the nation's highest-elected female politician and the first to hold the speaker's gavel, wasn't so reticent.

"I do think theres a certain element of misogyny that is there," Pelosi said at her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill Thursday.

It's a particularly poignant question for women who are still upset that Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump in 2016.

Women came roaring back in 2018, providing much of the energy  through candidates, campaign donations and votes  that helped Democrats take back the House.

A record number of women ran for Congress. Women donated a record amount of money to congressional candidates. And while both men and women turned out at record rates in 2018, women  who already voted at higher rates than man  increased their turnout even more.

Continuing that trend, a record number of women entered this year's Democratic contest for president, with Warren the last significant female candidate to withdraw. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is still competing along with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden but has no path to the nomination.

Who gets Warren's supporters?: Exit doesn't necessarily benefit Bernie Sanders, experts say

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to the media outside her home, Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass., after she dropped out of the Democratic presidential race.

California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris, who ended her presidential quest in December, said the 2020 cycle has presented "very legitimate questions about the challenges of women running for president."

"Look at what's happened. There are no women currently in this race," she said on CNN shortly after Warren's withdrawal. "You know, we can have a longer discussion about it. But the reality is there's still a lot of work to be done to make it very clear that women are exceptionally qualified and capable of being the commander in chief in the United States of America."

Story continues

The disappointment woman may feel that the race has come down to two men is magnified by the fact that it's the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote.

"I think it is especially bittersweet for the Democratic women candidates in this race," said Teri Finneman, author of "Press Portrayals of Women Politicians, 1870s-2000s. "That just happened during what is supposed to be a celebration year of 100 years of women having finally their place in the spotlight, in the celebration of women's rights in this country, and yet we still have not made as much progress as you would have thought in those 100 years."

Pelosi, who was scheduled to speak at Georgetown University on the impact of the 19th amendment, said she nearly cries every time she is introduced as the most powerful woman in the country.

"Because I wish that was not true," she said. "I so wish that we had a woman president of the United States. And we came very close to doing that, a woman who was better qualified than so many people who have sought that office and even won it."

While 71% of respondents to a national USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll in January said they personally would be comfortable with a female president, just 33% say their neighbors would be  a telling and perhaps more candid measure,

Potentially more significant for the nominating contest, about half of likely Democratic primary voters thought a woman would have a harder time than a man running against Trump. That could have been a handicap in a year when Democratic voters placed a high priority on finding the strongest opponent to Trump.

Youth absence: Many young voters sat out Super Tuesday, contributing to Bernie Sanders' losses

Kelly Dittmar, scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, said many of the female candidates showed that theyre prepared and qualified to be president.

Now, she said, its up to the electorate and the media to do some self-reflection about how gender biases are informing our evaluation and expectations of candidates and our coverage of candidates.

By Super Tuesday, when Warren's prospects looked dim, most voters chose one of the three male candidates left.

Biden had the largest share of support from female voters, according to exit polls from 12 of the 14 states that voted. Biden's median support from female voters was 37% compared to 15% for Warren. Biden also did the best among male voters, getting 36% median support compared to 9% for Warren.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., makes a pinky promise with Ming'Le Planter, 6, at Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston, S.C. on Feb. 14, 2020.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who left the race Monday, argued during the campaign that Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, would not have made it to the debate stage with his relative lack of experience if he'd been female.

"Women are held to a higher standard," Klobuchar said in a November debate. "Otherwise we could play a game called name your favorite woman president, which we cant do because it has all been men.

Warren, who famously always had "a plan for that," built a reputation as one of the smartest candidates. Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to Biden, has called Warren "by far the best debater in this field." Warren's takedown of Michael Bloomberg in the two debates he participated in is viewed as one of the reasons the former New York City mayor had an embarrassing showing on Super Tuesday despite spending a record amount of his own money on the campaign. He withdrew the next day.

Warren alluded to Bloomberg when she broke the news to her staff Thursday that she was suspending her campaign. Listing her accomplishments, Warren said she showed she was willing to fight.

"When necessary, we left plenty of blood and teeth on the floor," Warren said, according to a transcript of her private remarks. "And I can think of one billionaire who has been denied the chance to buy this election."

Jesse Lehrich, a former foreign policy spokesman for Clinton, called it painful "to see yet another should-be Madam President fall short despite outshining the competition."

"The fact that I will not get to see either Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, or Kamala Harris absolutely eviscerate Donald Trump on a debate stage makes me SO sad," he tweeted.

Pelosi said some of the misogyny that she sees isn't mean spirited. Many men will tell you that they have strong mothers, sisters or daughters.

"But they have their own insecurities, I guess you would say," she added.

Still, Pelosi said she has no doubt that America is ready for a female president. But, she said, girls may need to start thinking about being president from the day they're born, the way some men might.

Warren tried to instill that dream by making "pinky promises" with young girls she met on the campaign trial to remember that girls can run for president.

"My name is Elizabeth and I'm running for president, because that's what girls do," she would tell them while locking eyes.

One of the most difficult parts of her decision to end her campaign was thinking about all the promises and "all those little girls who are going to have to wait four more years."

But while she declined Thursday to elaborate on what obstacles still remain for women seeking the highest office, she made another pledge.

"I promise you this," she said to the reporters. "I'll have a lot more to say on that subject later on."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nancy Pelosi: Elizabeth Warren's exit reflects bias against women
Parliament will restrict the movement of visitors and their entry when it reassembles after Holi on March 11 as a step to contain coronavirus, which has affected 31 people in India so far.

It has also issued a health advisory in view of the outbreak of coronavirus, which causes a flu-like respiratory illness that can kill and has spread to around 80 countries.

Simple public health measures of hand and respiratory hygiene be practised. Large gathering within the precincts of Parliament House Estate may be avoided. Visitors other than those, which are essential for official/operational reasons, maybe strictly restricted, the advisory said.

The directions, which have been issued to both Houses, also say those coming to meet the members of Parliament at the reception would be allowed to stay only for an hour. It also adds that the members will not be able to take their visitors on a tour of Parliament.

News agency Asian News International also reported that authorities will now issue colour-coded passeswhite, blue and redto reduce overcrowding in Parliament.

The Public Gallery pass which is for visitors to watch the proceedings of the house will be of white colour and these visitors are not permitted in any other area of the parliament, the directions said, according to ANI.

It said security personnel have been directed to ensure visitors leave the building as soon as the proceedings are over.

The casual visitors will have a blue colour pass. These are people visiting party offices and MPs and would be issued a pass only for outer precincts of the parliament house and in non-restricted areas only, it said.

These visitors are not permitted to enter through building gates of parliament house. The MPs are requested to meet them at outer precincts or at the reception, it added.

According to the new directions, those who with an appointment to meet the Rajya Sabha chairperson, Lok Sabhas secretary general, Speaker, Prime Minister, deputy speakers, ministers and ministry of parliamentary affairs will be issued a red pass.

These red passes will allow visitors to go to their respective offices only through authorised gates.

Sanjeeva Kumar, special secretary (health) with the Union health ministry, said on Friday that a resident of Delhis Uttam Nagar has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the number of infected people in the country to 31.

The patient has travel history from Thailand and Malaysia, Kumar said.

The government has stepped up measures to stop the spread coronavirus by widening the number of people under watch for the illness to close to 30,000 and ordering primary schools in the national capital to be closed for the rest of the month, among other ways to contain the infection.

More than 3200 people worldwide have died from the respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia.
New Delhi, March 6 : The Iranian Embassy here has said that Iran and India are making joint efforts to help a significant number of each other's nationals stranded in both countries in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

"Immediately after the announcement dated February 26 by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation on suspension of all Iranian flights to India, the Islamic Republic of Iran bearing in mind the humanitarian aspect and urgency of the issue expressed its full readiness to establish some relief flights for immediate evacuation of all stranded nationals on both sides, taking into account all health protocols," the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi said.

Iran has also responded positively to cooperate with India in testing Indian citizens stuck in the country before their evacuation. Accordingly the Iranian Embassy here facilitated and expeditiously issued visas for the visit of six experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health of India to Tehran.

The Embassy said the first Iranian flight carrying sample swabs of stranded Indian citizens will leave Tehran's IKIA Airport on March 7 for New Delhi and in return, it will bring back Iranian nationals to their homeland.

It said measures to further expedite joint efforts are on such as more and adequate flights to New Delhi and Mumbai to ensure bringing back home all the stranded nationals of both countries.

Both countries will continue their close contacts to alleviate the suffering of all the stranded nationals including tourists, students and businessmen in the current critical situation which requires globally coordinated actions.

The Iranian Embassy also rejected some "false reports" about deportation of Indian citizens from Iran due to possible coronavirus infection.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A Year 11 student in Sydney is the latest victim of the coronavirus, prompting the state to close the high school.

NSW Health and Education says the one-day closure at Epping Boys High School on Friday will enable the school community and health officials to work through a contact and containment strategy.

The case brings the number of confirmed cases in NSW to 25.

We are immediately establishing contact with all new cases and their families, as well as their close contacts and advising them to self-isolate for 14 days, monitor their health and be tested for COVID-19 should they become unwell, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

The secretary of education, Mark Scott, the department had prepared continuity plans and was contacting students, parents and the broader school community to provide advice and support.

Meanwhile, group visits by children to nursing homes have been barred after more than a dozen youngsters attended a Sydney aged care facility where an elderly coronavirus-infected woman died.

About 17 children from Banksia Cottage childcare centre will be assessed for COVID-19 after visiting residents at the nearby Dorothy Henderson Lodge at Macquarie Park on February 24.

That was before a 50-year-old aged care nurse from the facility tested positive for the coronavirus.

A 95-year-old female resident has since died from the virus and two male residents, aged 82 and 70, are also infected.

Four family members of the deceased woman are being tested to determine if they have contracted the virus.

All visitors have since been banned from the site, with residents confined to their rooms, including at mealtimes, to prevent any further spread.

Chant also advised aged care facilities to stop hosting children from child care centres to reduce the risk of infection for Australias most elderly and frail.

One of the two infected male residents wasnt directly cared for by the sick worker, and Chant has warned more cases from the home are expected, with residents continuing to be actively screened for any sign of illness.

So far theres no sign of illness in the children and tests on a staff member who reported respiratory symptoms after the visit have been negative.

On the day the children visited, the aged care nurse with the virus was not present.

But a health clinic will be run on Thursday night to assess the children and reassure their families, Dr Chant said.

Chant said the clinic was being run out of an abundance of caution to rule out any link between the childrens visit and the nursing home outbreak, noting that children were good at spreading respiratory diseases.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was clear the outbreak had reached a new phase in the state.

It is fair to say that we do have an evolution happening in the spread of this virus. NSW Health is doing everything they can to try to still contain it, but we do know that containment is  an unlikely outcome, he said.

He also revealed the two Sydney doctors who have the virus attended the same medical workshop on February 18, alongside about 70 other medical professionals.

The doctors, from Ryde and Liverpool hospitals, are so far the only ones who are sick from that group, and 14 days have passed, giving authorities hope that no one else has been infected.

But the group of doctors and health professionals is being monitored for any further signs of illness although authorities have been unable to contact 10 attendees despite multiple calls and messages.

Hazzard said members of the public, and even some staff, had expressed concerns that it was no longer safe to attend Ryde Hospital.

But the minister said every possible step had been taken to ensure the facility did not pose a public health risk.
Even as Google has dropped plans of hosting I/O 2020, the products and services which were to be announced at the event may still go ahead as planned. Latest reports suggest that the company's next flagship line-up, the Pixel 4a, will be launched in May, and ahead of the launch, the first live images of the device have surfaced on the web.

The live images show a number of interesting things about the device, including the fact that the front of the phone could sport what appears to be a punch hole in the upper left corner. The images also reveal that the Pixel 4a will not house an in-display fingerprint scanner, and will house a reader on the back panel, along with one camera and one LED flash inside a square set-up.

If this does end up being so, Google will end up with a design that's pretty much the same for all Pixel devices currently in its line-up.

Earlier, reports had claimed the device would come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 chipset. If it indeed ends up being true, the chipset will ensure the device is a 4G only device, as opposed to some reports claiming it to be a 5G ready phone.

Previously, renders of the Pixel 4a have also appeared on the web showing a device with a flat display with the presence of no curves. The leak claimed that the display could be around 5.7 or 5.8-inches diagonally thereby not being a major upgrade in size over its predecessor. However, the renders also showed that phone's display could be surrounded by much thinner bezels as compared to the 3a launched a year ago.

The phones were initially expected to be launched at I/O 2020, whose dates were revealed earlier. The company had announced via its events page that it's set to host the annual conference from May 12 to May 14, 2020 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View near Google's HQ. However, with the event now cancelled, we expect Google to unveil the smartphone quietly.
Bernie Sanders supporters in Bexar County couldnt wait to get to the polls. Just look at the early balloting results: The Vermont senator took 33 percent of the vote to Joe Bidens 18 percent.

The former vice presidents supporters, on the other hand, largely had to be convinced. Biden had to decisively win the South Carolina primary the Saturday before Super Tuesday and scoop up the endorsements of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar before voters got to yes.

They didnt have passion. But there were a lot of them, enough to ultimately beat Sanders here and across Texas.

We talk about the Biden-Sanders showdown as a sharp split between moderates and progressives in the Democratic Party. Weve seen that in varying degrees in every presidential nomination contest, Democratic and Republican.

But the intraparty civil war talk does more to hide than reveal what the turmoils about.

Automation and artificial intelligence are taking over all kinds of jobs, including ones once thought safe for humans. Meanwhile, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple sit at the top of the economy, feeding wealth to top executives, star talent and investors  and exacerbating income equality.

These giants have also brought to life what Harvards Shoshana Zuboff calls surveillance capitalism, in which almost every digital move you make is monitored and your data poured into algorithms to sell you more stuff. Thats not to mention the federal governments potential to invade whats left of your privacy, also thanks to leaps in computer-processing power.

Many parts of the U.S., including San Antonio, are experiencing super-low unemployment, and until the coronavirus broke loose, the stock markets rocked. Yet 58 percent of Americans think current economic conditions are harming the middle class, according to a December poll by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. The worst off in their view: the poor and people without college degrees.

Sanders argument is that the federal government is the only power big enough to set things right. Medicare for all and free college education, for as monumental as these policies would be, are just appendages to that idea.

If you dont buy his reasoning, its easy to write off Sanders as a cranky old socialist whose dreams of a centrally planned economy have been junked by history. (See: Soviet Union. China? Yeah, well  harder to explain.) But hes not some throwback to the 1950s and 60s. And hes not alone in the belief that government will have to play a much bigger role in our futures.

In a chilling new book called A World Without Work, Oxford University economist Daniel Susskind says theres no stopping the encroachment of robots and AI in the workplace  every workplace. There simply wont be enough work for humans in the decades ahead to hold societies together. Our only recourse, he concludes, will be Big Government.

Among the policy solutions he explores, coolly and evenhandedly: taxing employers for every robot they put to work; heavily taxing the rich (granted, not exactly a cutting-edge idea); and establishing some form of universal basic income, which is essentially a regular check from the government not tied to your employment status.

If you accept that a bigger, more assertive government is the only workable response to economic injustice, how could you not get excited about Sanders?

And yet try to imagine Sanders patiently bargaining with Congress over a huge expansion of Medicare. Or worrying about the national debt, which hit $23 trillion in February. Or earnestly considering advisers views that conflict with his own.

Neither can I.

In those ways, a Sanders presidency would look a lot like Donald Trumps, though without the mean, intentionally unpresidential tweets.

Trump intuitively understands voters status anxieties and their sense that elites are dumping on them, whenever the elites arent ignoring them. For years now, Ive believed that my dearly departed Grandma Mabel  a hard-core New Deal Democrat and the bookkeeper for the United Auto Workers local in Muncie, Ind.  wouldve happily voted for Trump in 2016.

The president amplifies his bases fears and resentments. But he comes up far short in rescuing his voters from their predicament.

Could Biden fix things?

Well, hes a tweaker. Take health care, which usually polls at or near the top of voters major concerns. Sanders wants universal health care, without insurance companies as the intermediaries; Biden wants to beef up his former bosss signature Affordable Care Act, increasing its tax credits, and to do away with doctors and hospitals out-of-network rates in some cases.

He doesnt do revolution. And, for now, a growing number of Democratic primary voters are OK with that.

Friday morning, 2 days after Biden carried 10 states on Super Tuesday, a Yahoo! News headline said hes surging in polls because Democrats want a return to normalcy. And Real Clear Politics national poll average had him with a 7.5 point lead over Sanders, 34.3 percent to 26.8 percent.

Maybe Biden will start talking about structural problems in the U.S. economy in a bid to win over more liberals. If so, hell probably sound like an American tourist with a few French lessons under his belt trying to order dinner in Paris.

Any way you look at the upcoming presidential election, were likely in for a long, rough transition into our fully automated, tech-dominated future  a mell of a hess, as Grandma Mabel would say.

greg.jefferson@express-news.net
The Madras High Court on Friday kept



in abeyance its order directing the police to act against an agitation staged on a public road opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act in the hosiery city of Tirupur.

A bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Krishnan Ramasamy, however, made it clear that it was open to the authorities to proceed in accordance with law.

Posting the matter to March 11, the judges said they would like to pass a detailed order touching upon the right to stage protests and occupying a place chosen by the protestors without permission as against the interest of the general public.

The bench had on Thursday ordered the Tirupur police to act against an agitation staged on a public road and to ensure that no more protests both for and against the controversial law took place without due permission.

Passing orders on a PIL by a resident of Tirupur against the demonstrations, the bench had also observed none had a right to protest in a place of their choice without permission, saying such a course might lead to a 'dangerous consequence'.

On Friday, senior counsel Vaigai, Sudha Ramalingam and others made a mention before the bench, saying because of the court's direction police was taking action against all "peaceful" anti-CAA agitators in Madurai and other places.

Contending that antecedents and the intention of the petitioner have not been brought to the notice of the court and the petition cannot be treated as PIL, they wanted the order to be kept in abeyance.

However, the Government Pleader submitted that nothing prevented the Police from taking action in accordance with law.

The bench passed a fresh order, saying: Considering the submissions made, we are of the view that the order passed by us to be kept in abeyance.We make it clear that it is well open to the authorities to proceed in accordance with law."



In its order on Thursday, the bench had said the venue of the protest in Tirupur was a public road used by school children for commuting. Besides there was a hospital and and thus the protest will cause hindrance to the general public.

"In such view of the matter we are inclined to direct the authorities to see it that no more agitations both for and against CAA takes place in the aforesaid place without due permission," the bench had said.

The petitioner has submitted that several Muslim outfits have been staging agitations across the state seeking withdrawal of the CAA and the protest in Tirupur had been on from February 15 near a cross road where schools and cinema theaters are also located.

Apprehending that the demonstrations would be detrimental to the peace and harmony, he sought a direction to the authorities not to entertain them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The share of Mexico in the United States mango market will have a significant increase from spring through summer, says an article from The Packer.

Peru reached its Peak of Sales in January

The mango shipments to the US from Peru had reached its peak at the end of January. From mid-March, the mango sales of Peru to the US are expected to gradually fall, says the executive director of the National Mango Board, Manue Michel.

According to importers, the mango volumes originating from Peru were big this 2020. This had caused delays in shipments originating from Mexico.

According to Michel, the overall volume of mango shipments from Peru is expected to increase by at least 61% compared to last year.

Mexico's Volume of Mango Shipments

Michel said that the volume of mango shipments to the United States of America is expected to be bigger than Peru.

Mangoes in Mexico shipped to the United States had increased to 368,000 metric tons in 2019 from the 277,000 metric tons of 2015.

The mango shipments originating from Mexico were more or less 5% higher than the shipments made in 2018, says the Department of Agriculture of the US.

In July 2019, Mangoes in Mexico shipments had reached its peak that year.

The per capital mango availability increased by almost half of a pound in 1990 to three pounds in 2017. According to a United States distributor, there is still an opportunity to increase the imports of mangoes from Mexico.

Mexico is responsible for providing 2/3 of the total mango imports to the United States, say the USDA statistics. In 2019, the total imports of mangoes in Mexico to the United States had totaled $351 million or 61% of the total imports of Mangoes to the US.

Mexican Mango Exports

Mexico had exported 82 million boxes of mangoes to the United States in 2019. According to Michel, the 2019 exports of Mexico had risen by 5% compared to 2018.

Michel said the mango season of Mexico was similar to the one last year. Their volume of production for the first year is expected to be the same as the previous year with more or less 10 million boxes.

The forecasted volumes of Mangoes in Mexico for the quarter are expected to reach similar results from the previous year. However, the Michoacan's mango season had been delayed for two to three weeks. This will result in a shift in volumes from March to April.

The Outlook of the Mexican Mango Market

The Freight on Board (FOB) Prices in South Texas reported by the USDA for Mexican ataulfo mangoes on February 19 ranged from $9 to $10 per 12-piece carton sizes.

The FOB prices in South Florida for kent mangoes originating from Peru were reported by the USDA to cost $3 to $4 per carton on February 9. Its price fell from last year's $7 to $8 cost per carton.

According to the chief operating officer of Ciruli Bros in Nogales, Arizona named Chris Ciruli, the weather was good for the Mexican mango development. The business had recorded the first arrivals of their ataulfo mangoes from Chiapas to Nogales, Arizona, and South Texas.
Brazils right-wing government has started pulling its diplomats out of the embassy and consulate in Caracas as it moves to downgrade relations with Venezuelas leftist government.

Instructions published on Thursday in the official gazette removed five diplomats and 11 members of consular staff in Caracas, including Consul General Elza de Castro and two minister counsellors at the embassy.

It marks a new level of tension between Brazils far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and Venezuelas socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Roughly 10,000 Brazilians are living in Venezuela, and Brazilian authorities say more than half a million Venezuelans have fled the countrys economic and political crisis into Brazil, with many of them continuing to other South American nations.

For the Brazilian government, it clears a path to ask Venezuelas diplomats to leave Brazil.

Brazil is one of more than 50 countries to have recognised the claim of Venezuelas opposition leader Juan Guaido to be his countrys acting president.

Guaido made the proclamation early last year following the opposition-controlled parliaments branding of Maduro as a usurper over his 2018 re-election in a poll widely derided as rigged.

Brasilia has also recognised the ambassador to Brazil appointed by Guaido, Maria Teresa Belandria.

Belandria has to date lived and worked out of a Brasilia hotel because the Venezuelan embassy is still controlled by Maduro representatives, most notably the military attache Major General Manuel Barroso who de facto runs the embassy, which has not had an ambassador since 2016.
Local health officials Thursday confirmed four more cases of the new coronavirus, all in Harris County, as the diseases spread in the Houston area appears increasingly likely.

The new cases involved four people in their 60s who were exposed to the virus during a trip to Egypt last month also taken by a 70-year-old Fort Bend man whose case was confirmed Wednesday by a Houston laboratory. The five people contracted the virus independently of each other and developed respiratory symptoms after returning to Texas.

We expect to see more cases in coming days as we receive test results back, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Were very much in the containment phase.

At a news conference Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester urged people to minimize foreign travel, the common denominator in the cases. He said that this would be an excellent time for people to engage in staycations, especially with spring break coming up.

Hidalgo stressed that there is no evidence here yet of any community spread of the pneumonia-like disease, known as COVID-19. The virus that causes it, which originated in China, now has infected nearly 100,000 people and killed more than 33,000 people in at least 81 countries, including the U.S., where the number of cases have spiked significantly this week.

Four of the Houston-area patients remain hospitalized in stable condition and the fifth is self-quarantined at home with mild symptoms, according to health officials. The officials would not disclose when they developed symptoms  the period during which the disease becomes contagious but said it was after they returned to Houston from Egypt in late February.

The new cases include a Rice employee, a woman, whose subsequent contact with 14 university faculty, staff and doctoral students currently has them in self-quarantine away from campus. The other three new cases are men whose local post-symptom contacts are in the process of being traced by local health officials.

The four individuals include three living in unincorporated areas of Harris County and one in the city of Houston.

More Information Editor's note: This guide is intended to ensure our readers are provided the most useful information concerning COVID-19 What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Symptoms can appear 244 days after exposure, health officials said. They include: Fever Cough Difficulty breathing How do I avoid contracting the virus? The CDC says that the risk of getting coronavirus is low in the U.S. People should: Avoid touching their faces Avoid close contact with sick people Stay home when sick Frequently wash hands Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces with household cleaning supplies Wear a face mask only if they show symptoms of coronavirus If I think I actually have contracted coronavirus where do I go? Harris County Public Health Director Dr. Umair Shah said the first thing to do is to self-quarantine. He said not to show up in an emergency department, a hospital or a clinic. Contact the facility ahead of time so they know you may be sick. Inform them of your symptoms and any recent travel to affected countries or exposure to people who have traveled to places on the CDC's restricted travel list. Medical experts recommend calling your doctor only if you have traveled to an area with coronavirus outbreak or been in contact with someone who recently had traveled there within the last two weeks. How to reach the Fort Bend County where the first nonimported case in Texas was reported on Wednesday? To reach the Fort Bend County phone bank with questions, members of the public can call 281-633-7795 and physicians can call 281-344-6118. It will operate from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. See More Collapse

We are doing everything we can to find who else was exposed to these individuals, said Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health. We are aware and have been investigating individuals who went on the trip to Egypt.

The five people who contracted the coronavirus all took the trip as personal travel. Egypt currently is not on the Center for Disease Control and Preventions restricted travel list.

Though he advised against foreign travel, Turner encouraged residents to go about their daily business, not become paralyzed by fear. Earlier in the day, in a show of support for Asiatown businesses that have reported declining sales and fewer patrons because of coronavirus concerns, Turner gathered a team of city leaders for a lunch meeting at Ocean Palace in Asiatown.

At the restaurant, Turner took out his personal bottle of sanitizer and shared it with colleagues before they dug into dim sum.

In the U.S., there have been more than 200 COVID-19 cases, up from 15 last week, in 19 states. Fourteen deaths have been linked to the virus, all but one in the Seattle area, an ominous trend according to one Houston expert.

Houston has a lot in common with Seattle, Peter Hotez, founding dean of the Baylor College of Medicine National School of Tropical Medicine, said on a telephone inteview from Washington, where he testified on the threat Thursday before a House committee. Were an international hub, with a diverse population, and our economies depend on that. We should expect more cases here.

Dr. David Persse, the health authority for the city of Houston, asked health professionals to refrain from requesting testing without a legitimate reason to believe the patient has contracted the disease. He noted that local authorities have a limited ability to process tests.

Houstons public health lab gained a single test kit to analyze samples on Wednesday, allowing the city to conduct its own tests instead of sending samples to the CDC in Atlanta. The kit has the capacity to test 700 specimens suspected of carrying the disease, enough for about 250 to 400 patients.

The lab presumptively confirmed the Fort Bend case and two of the three men in Harris County. The CDC must still make final confirmation of those cases. The CDC confirmed the case involving the Rice employee and one of the other men in Harris County.

Local health departments expect to receive more resources to test the coronavirus and counter its spread thanks to an $8.3 billion emergency aid measure approved by the Senate Thursday and expected to be signed by President Donald Trump. Most of the bipartisan package will go to such agencies.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that six labs in the state  Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock and Fort Worth are the others are now able to test for the virus. The states lab response network will be fully online by the end of the month.

Persse expressed optimism for Houstons ability to respond to any coronavirus outbreak here, noting its advantage of having gone through similar drills with hurricanes and flooding that have stressed our healthcare system.

Though the disease can be fatal, health officials emphasize that more than 80 percent of people who have contracted the COVID-19 virus worldwide have experienced only mild to moderate symptoms and fully recover. The officials urged residents to take sensible measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19: washing hands, avoiding touching your face, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your mouth when you sneeze or ocugh, and disinfecting surfaces often.

todd.ackerman@chron.com

julian.gill@chron.com
UPDATE: 2 presumed cases of coronavirus found in Pa., Gov. Tom Wolf says

Information that several people in a Pa. school system are suspected to have been exposed to coronavirus has closed five schools there on Friday.

The Bucks County Courier Times reports the schools being closed are in the Central Bucks County School District: Butler Elementary, Central Bucks South, Titus Elementary, Tohickon Middle School and Tamanend Middle School.

School officials explained the measure is being taken out of an abundance of caution and it affects all students and staff.

The closure comes after school officials said they were alerted that individuals in the district were exposed to a confirmed case of the coronavirus. Officials did not elaborate on who in the district was exposed or how.

The Courier Times reports that as of early Friday, parents in other Central Bucks School district schools were keeping their children home as a precaution, as many siblings attend schools who are not among those closing, one parent said.

District officials said parents should check the CBSD.org website for updates.

The message from the school superintendent reads in part:

Dear Central Bucks families,

Late last night, I was informed by Dr. David Damsker, Director of the Bucks County Health Department, and Dr. Sharon Watkins, State Epidemiologist of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, that members of the Central Bucks community were exposed to a confirmed case of the coronavirus that originated in another state. At this moment, we understand that these Central Bucks community members have had contact with Butler Elementary School, Titus Elementary School, Tamanend Middle School, Tohickon Middle School, and Central Bucks South High School. The Bucks County Health Department is currently evaluating these individuals to determine when they may return to school.

It is important to reiterate that there are no known or reported cases of coronavirus in Central Bucks School District, Bucks County or in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Out of an abundance of caution, I have decided to close the above schools Friday, March 6, 2020 to perform deep cleaning of all impacted facilities.

Throughout this evolving situation, I will remain in contact with both the Bucks County Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Additional updates to the community will be shared as we learn more information.

9:30 a.m. update:

Wolf said there are two presumed positive cases of in the novel coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

According to a news release from the state health department, both people presumed to have the virus are adults. One is from Wayne County and recently traveled to a country where the virus is present. The other is from Delaware County and recently traveled to a place in the U.S. where the virus is present.

The situation in the Central Bucks County School District is unrelated to the two presumed positive cases, said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine.

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A woman wears a face mask as she walks in a street in Beijing as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, China, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Volunteers wearing face masks stand next to vegetables to be delivered to residents of a residential area in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer

China's central province of Hubei, excluding the provincial capital Wuhan, reported zero new cases of coronavirus over 24 hours for the first time during the outbreak, as authorities continued to contain imported infections in other parts of the country.

Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, reported 126 new confirmed cases on Thursday but there were no new infections in the province apart from those, the National Health Commission said on Friday.

Expand Close People wear face masks while waiting on the platform of the Airport Express train at Beijing Capital Airport, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Beijing, China, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Facebook

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Whatsapp People wear face masks while waiting on the platform of the Airport Express train at Beijing Capital Airport, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Beijing, China, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Elsewhere in China, schools in provinces reporting no new cases for a number of days, started to set their opening dates in a sign of the country returning to normal.

Qinghai, a northwestern province in China that had reported no new infections for 29 days as of March 5, said it would stagger the start date of different school days from March 11 to March 20, according to a notice posted on an official website on Friday.

Separately, the southerwestern province of Guizhou, which reported no new infections for 18 days, had said at the end of February that schools would start from March 16.

Outside of Hubei, there were 17 new confirmed cases, bringing the total new infections in mainland China to 143 on Thursday, up from 139 cases a day earlier.

Expand Close Volunteers wearing face masks unload eggs from a truck at the entrance of a residential compound in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Volunteers wearing face masks unload eggs from a truck at the entrance of a residential compound in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT.

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Of the 17 new cases, 16 were imported from outside of China - 11 in Gansu, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai.

A total of 311 passengers arriving at Gansu's provincial capital of Lanzhou from Iran were quarantined, state television reported late on Thursday.

Expand Close People wear masks as they ride vehicles during evening rush hour, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Beijing, China, March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter / Facebook

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Whatsapp People wear masks as they ride vehicles during evening rush hour, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Beijing, China, March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Last month, Gansu became the first province to lower its emergency response measures from level I to level III, reflecting the lack of new infections.

Beijing's four cases were from Italy.

As new cases dwindle in China, attention has turned to potential infections arriving from overseas.

Authorities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have all vowed to quarantine travellers from countries hit the hardest by the coronavirus, which Beijing identified as South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy.

Expand Close Workers wearing face masks check bags of groceries to be delivered to residents, inside a bus in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Workers wearing face masks check bags of groceries to be delivered to residents, inside a bus in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT.

The overall accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China stood at 80,552 as of Thursday.

The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China was 3,042 as of the end of Thursday, up by 30 from the previous day.

Hubei reported 29 new deaths, while in Wuhan, 23 people died.
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also sought to know from the government, what it was doing to evacuate 1,000 Indians who are stuck in Iran.

New Delhi: Amid the growing threat of Corona virus epidemic globally as well as across the country, National Conference Lok Sabha MP Hasnain Masoodi on Thursday blamed the Centre over what he termed its lack of urgency over the evacuation of 350 Kashmiri students who are stranded in Iran, which is among major nations which has been hit by the spreading virus.

Supporting his claim, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also sought to know from the government, what it was doing to evacuate 1,000 Indians who are stuck in Iran.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that fake news on COVID-19 needs to be prevented, and respiratory hygiene awareness needs to be spread.

Soap, water and sanitiser should be made available in villages. Panchayats should have thermal screening procedures, virology test centres should be initiated in every district and a helpline should be started. Massive campaigning should be undertaken in vulnerable areas, with special focus on children, he added.

Mr Masoodi, while participating in a half-an-hour discussion in Lok Sabha over the subject, said that there are 1,000 pilgrims from Kargil and 250 students from Kashmiri students who are stranded in the Persian Gulf nation, they are confined in hostels and they do not have access to the eatables. The Government, it appears to me, is unmindful of the plight and no urgency is being shown at all.

Mr Masoodi said that he had met the external affairs minister twice over the issue of the evacuation of Indians from Iran, but nothing is being done.

Referring to the statement read out by Union health minister Harsh Vardhan in Lok Sabha over the measures being taken by the government to curb the spread of the deadly virus, the National Conference lawmaker said that just a passing reference was made about those people stuck in Iran, in it.

They (Indians from Kashmir and Kargil region) are confined in hostels and they do not have access to the eatables. The Government, it appears to me, is unmindful of the plight and no urgency is being shown at all, he claimed.

Mr Sawant while speaking on the issue, said that the government says it has spoken to Iran about taking care of Indians stuck in that country, but the main concern of families of those people is that when will they return.

The families of these Indians stuck in Iran, are tensed and want to know about their return. They want to know what steps the Centre is taking to bring them back, he sought to know.

Earlier Rajendra Agarwal, who was in the Chair, had allowed MPs across party lines to air their views and suggestions in the spread of Corona virus, after the health minister had read out a statement over measures being taken by the Centre to curb it.

Kanimozhi Karunan-idhi of DMK said that more virology institutes should be set up.

Trinamul Congress MP Saugata Roy suggested that there should be 15 second clips on television channels to prevent panic.
Former vice-president Joe Biden is know for gaffes. And he has made a few mocking and mimicking Indian Americans and Indian accent. But he has rarely been as publicly critical of India as his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination as Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren recently.

And his sprint to the top of the pack with the emphatic win in the Super Tuesday contests  winning 10 of the 14 states  should be good news for India, even though the race is far from over, and all it takes is a major gaffe, a small misstep for him to go crashing back to the bottom, or out.

India cannot take sides, and not even appear to be doing so. But it can legitimately feel relieved a little, and more so with the exit of Warren from the race. Both have been very critical of recent developments in India, bringing unprecedented attention on India during a US presidential election campaign. West Asia, Europe, Afghanistan have been stock foreign policy issues for these campaigns mostly.

Sanders has been specially critical of India in this, his second, run for the White House. In August, he called for the lifting of restriction in Kashmir and for the US to back a UN-driven resolution of India-Pakistan disputes. A few weeks ago, the senator slammed President Donald Trump for dismissing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act as an internal matter of India during his visit and then criticized the defense deal signed by the two countries at the time and called for them to work together to combat climate change.

Senator Warren, whose son-in-law is from India, expressed concern over Kashmir in October, backed Indian America congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in her spat with external affair minister S Jaishankar, and just this past week tweeted about religious freedom and freedom of expression in relation to recent protests in India. And now she is out of the race.

Both Sanders and Warren come from a liberal and progressive wing of the Democratic party, which has become somewhat of a challenge for India in recent months. Jayapal, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who have been critical of the Kashmir, also belong to the same wing of the party.

Biden, on the other hand, represents moderate Democrats, who have largely stayed away from recent developments in India, though some leading members have backed a resolution moved in the House of Representatives by Jayapal on Kashmir and religious freedom  such as Adam Schiff, the powerful chairman of the House intelligence committee that led Trumps impeachment investigation.

Biden has also forged a long relationship with India Americans despite the occasional gaffes such as the one from 2006, when, as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, he had joked that in his home state, Delaware, you had to have an Indian accent to get into certain stores that are run by Indians. mostly. And then, in 2012, he once caught himself mid-sentence while mimicking Indian accent. The community did not hold them against him, not for long though and his 2020 run has been endorsed by a resource-rich political action committee formed to back Asian Americans running for offie, led by Shekar Narasimha, an Indian American who is counted among the most prolific Democratic fund-raisers.

Amit Jani, an Indian American, serves as Biden campaign director for outreach to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. His influence on the campaigns foreign policy issues could not be ascertained immediately, but his social media postings show he is a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bidens term as vice-president included a high-profile visit to India at the start of which he posted a target of $500 billion for growing India-US trade, which is still cited as a target, because it has remained out of reach; bilateral trade is nearing $150 billion. And he knows the bilateral relationship well, and the prime minister, whom he had hosted for lunch at the state department in 2014.

And, he has relatives in India. Just after he was first elected as US senator from Delaware, he had received a letter from a man in Mumbai who claimed to be a relative. And after he mentioned this during his 2013 visit to India, he was given a list of five Bidens living in Mumbai. Turns out there was a captain who was my great-great-great grandfather named George Biden who was a captain in the East India Trading Company and when he retired he settled and married an Indian woman and settled in Mumbai, he said later at an event in 2015.
PFI files curative petition in SC challenging Ayodhya verdict

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: The Popular Front of India has filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court challenging the verdict in the Ayodhya case. The plea has been filed after the Supreme Court had rejected the review petitions filed in connection with this case.

All review petitions seeking a review of the Ayodhya verdict were rejected by a five judge Bench of the Supreme Court.

The new five-judge bench was headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprises Justices Ashok Bhushan, S.A. Nazeer, D.Y. Chandrachud and Sanjiv Khanna. Justice Khanna is the new judge on the bench who has replaced retired Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

Construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya to begin in April

A total of 18 review petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking review of its November 9 judgement.

The Bench rejected the 18 petitions that had sought review of the verdict giving the disputed land to the Ram Temple and five acres at an alternate site to the Sunni Waqf Board. The Bench rejected the reviews of those persons who were party to any of the four titles. The Bench also declined permission to file review petitions to those including Prabhat Patnaik stating that they were not parties to the Ayodhya land dispute.

A 5-judge bench, headed by the then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, had in a unanimous verdict on November 9 decreed the entire 2.77 acre disputed land in favour of deity 'Ram Lalla' and also directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot to Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque in Ayodhya.

Curative petition explained:

The concept first came up in the Supreme Court in the Rupa Ashok Hurra vs Ashok Hurra case in 2002. The question that came up was whether an aggrieved person was entitled for relief after a review petition was dismissed.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

The court held that to cure gross miscarriage of justice and to prevent abuse of its process, it may reconsider its judgment in exercise of the inherent powers vested with it. For this purpose the Supreme Court said that a curative plea can be filed.

Explained: Why was a trust formed for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

In order to file a curative plea, a petitioner will have to establish that there was a genuine violation of principles of natural justice. The petitioner shall also state that the grounds mentioned in the plea were taken up in the review plea and it had been rejected by circulation.

The petition is then circulated before the Bench that heard the case and also the three senior most judges of the Supreme Court. If the majority of the judges are convinced, then it would be sent to the same Bench that heard the plea. In case it is found that the case lacks merit, then exemplary costs could be imposed.

The Ayodhya verdict in a nutshell:

Hindus to get land subject to conditions

Central government to frame a scheme under Article 142

Trust to be formed

Centre must set a trust with board of trustees within 3 months

Inner courtyard will be handed over to the trust

Suitable plot of land measuring 5 acre shall be given to Sunni Waqf Board either by the state or by the Centre.

Nirmohi Akhara to also get representation.

Land to remain vested in statutory receiver till trust is formed

Management of construction of the temple to be monitored by the trust

Suit by Shia Waqf Board rejected and suit by Nimrohi Akhara not maintainable
(Natural News) For a couple of decades now, scientists and researchers have noticed a peculiar phenomenon occurring in the depths of the Dead Sea: salt snow.

Scientists first noticed it in 1979  they observed salt crystals forming on the surface of the famed lake, before snowing down and piling up on the lake bed. The deposits are constantly growing thicker at a rate of about 10 centimeters, or roughly four inches every year. This process, scientists say, doesnt make sense as it does not seem to follow the laws of physics, at least in a superficial sense.

But now, a recent study in the American Geophysical Unions Water Resources Research journal proposes that tiny disturbances in the lake, caused by waves or other motions, create salt fingers that slowly funnel salt down to the lake bed  a movement known as flux.

Initially you form these tiny fingers that are too small to observe but quickly they interact with each other as they move down, and form larger and larger structures, said Raphael Ouillon, a mechanical engineer at the University of California, Santa Barbara and lead author of the study.

Study co-author Eckart Meiburg  also a mechanical engineer at UC Santa Barbara  added that while the initial fingers may be only a few centimeters thick, they are scattered throughout the entire surface of the lake.

Together these small fingers generate a tremendous amount of salt flux, Meiburg said.

Nadav Lensky, a geologist with the Geological Survey of Israel and co-author of the study, added that since the Dead Sea is the only body of water on Earth where this process is happening, it represents a unique laboratory for researchers to study the natural mechanisms that caused these thick salt deposits to form.

Altogether this makes the Dead Sea a unique system. Basically, we have here a new finding that we think is very relevant to the understanding of the arrangement of these basins that were so common in Earths history, Lensky said.

How does the Dead Seas salt flux work?

The phenomenon has a lot to do with the lakes salt concentration or salinity.

As detailed in the American Geophysical Union journal, the heat from the sun warms the surface of the Dead Sea, dividing it into two distinct layers: a warm top layer and a much cooler, lower layer. According to the researchers, as water evaporates from the top layer in the heat, it becomes saltier than the cooler layer below it.

The researchers explained that the flux happens when the top layer of the lake is disturbed by waves or other types of movement. This disturbance causes the warm water to enter the cooler layer below, which leads to a shift in its temperature. This rapid cooling, the researchers said, forces the salt to precipitate and form crystals, which would then sink to the bottom.

Understanding the Dead Sea

Located in the Jordan Rift Valley, the Dead Sea  known in Hebrew as Yam ha-Melah  is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. (Related: Mediterranean waters filled with microplastics from foam and fishing gear.)

The Dead Sea is classified as an endorheic lake, which means that while it has a source or a tributary that feeds water into it  in this case the Jordan River  it is landlocked and does not flow out into the sea.

Aside from its brilliant cobalt blue waters, the Dead Sea is also known for its rich silt and mud deposits, to which people ascribe health-supporting properties, such as improvement of psoriasis and similar skin conditions, reduction of skin impurities, relief from arthritis, soothing chronic back pain and helping in the treatment of acne.

For more discoveries related to the Dead Sea and other marine environments, visit Environ.news.

Sources include:

Newswise.com

ScienceDaily.com

Healthline.com
The Provenance Properties team celebrates winning Affiliate of the Year in the Small Market at the recent CIRE Annual Global Conference. We value our Christies International Real Estate family, and the support that both Christies and its affiliates provide us in telling the story about the Cayman Islands value proposition and our thriving luxury real estate market.

Christies International Real Estate honoured Provenance Properties Cayman Islands as winner of Affiliate of the Year in the Small Market, a category determined by a population size less than 275,000. The highly anticipated award ceremony took place last week at the culmination of the networks Annual Global Conference in Palm Beach, Florida.

Sue Nickason received the award before a crowded room of network colleagues on behalf of Provenance Properties Cayman Islands. The evening was hosted in the grand Gilded Age estate of industrialist Henry Flagler, since designated a National Historic Landmark and museum. Rick Moeser, Palm Beach-based Executive Director of the Southeast Region for Christies International Real Estate, said: Provenance Properties has undertaken an impressive brand immersion to align all marketing materials with the Christies International Real Estate brand. Since establishing their business in 2014 they have continuously grown in their market. In 2019 they successfully focused their efforts on increased sales and marketing.

As an engaged member of the Christies International Real Estate network, Provenance Properties works hard to promote properties from other brokerages. They have been an active sponsor of a number of Christies International Real Estate programs, including the Concours dElegance in Pebble Beach and the Childrens Activity Book, which benefits All Hands and Hearts.

All luxury brokerages enrolled in the invitation-only Christies International Real Estate network, spanning 49 countries and territories, are eligible for Affiliate of the Year honors. Four awards are given each year, one each in the small, medium and large market categories with the top honor bestowed to the overall winner regardless of market size. Criteria used in determining the four winners were overall business innovation, market leadership, passion to succeed in the local and global marketplace under the Christies International Real Estate brand and collaboration with network colleagues and Christies art auction house specialists.

We are honoured to have been recognised as the Affiliate of the Year in the Small Market category, said Nickason. We value our Christies International Real Estate family, and the support that both Christies and its affiliates provide us in telling the story about the Cayman Islands value proposition and our thriving luxury real estate market.

The award was not the only exciting news to emerge from the conference for Provenance Properties Cayman Islands. We were excited to support the announcement that the 2021 Owners Conference will be hosted on Grand Cayman. We look forward to extending our Caymankind hospitality to fellow affiliates, and show them just why Grand Cayman is such a wonderful place to live, Nickason added. The 2021 Christies Owners Conference will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from 7 to 9 March 2021.

About Christies International Real Estate

Christies International Real Estate has successfully marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. Through its New York City brokerage and invitation-only Affiliate network spanning 49 countries and territories, Christies International Real Estate offers incomparable services to a global clientele at the luxury end of the residential property market.

The company has offices in London, New York City, Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Palm Beach, and its affiliated brokerages have recorded approximately US$500 billion of real estate transactions over the last five years. (Data as of September 30, 2019.) For additional information, please visit christiesrealestate.com.

About Provenance Properties Cayman Islands

Provenance Properties is the exclusive Christies International Real Estate affiliate in the Cayman Islands, the sole real estate brokerage for Dart and a member of the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA).

Provenance provides access to a large and growing portfolio of private residences, condominiums, hotel residences and land in the Cayman Islands. In addition to premium entry to the Cayman Islands most desirable properties, Provenance leverages the experience and reputation of the regions premier real estate developer.

For more information, visit provenanceproperties.com, keep up with the latest information on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Iran on Thursday sharpened its criticism of India, with the supreme leader of the Persian Gulf nation, Ayatollah Khamenei, saying that the Narendra Modi government should confront extremist Hindus and stop the massacre of Muslims.

The hearts of Muslims all over the world are grieving over the massacre of Muslims in India, Khamenei posted on Twitter, just two days after India strongly protested Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's selective and tendentious statement on the recent violent clashes in northeast Delhi.

The Iran leader also warned India of the possibility of being isolated from the World of Islam if violence against Muslims did not stop. He even posted a picture of a boy crying near the mortal remains of his father, who was among those killed in the recent clashes in the National Capital Territory of India. The Government of India should confront extremist Hindus & their parties & stop the massacre of Muslims in order to prevent Indias isolation from the world of Islam.

Ali Larijani, Speaker in Iranian Parliament (Majlis), on Thursday said the violence Muslims were suffering in India was incompatible with the spirit of the civilisation of India. He urged the government to use all its capacity to put an end to the plight of Muslims and sectarian violence in the country.

The violent clashes over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in northeast Delhi since February 23 has resulted in the death of at least 50 people. Countless others were injured and properties damaged.

Tehran had on Monday launched its diatribe against the Modi government with a tweet by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who termed the clashes as a wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. He also stated that the Iranian government condemned the violence against Muslims in India.

For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India, the minister tweeted, adding, We urge Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law.

New Delhi dismissed Iranian foreign minister's unwarranted statements, particularly his selective and tendentious characterisation of recent events in Delhi.

Ali Chegeni, ambassador of Iran to India, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi on Tuesday. Senior officials conveyed to him that the violence in parts of Delhi last week was an internal matter of India and that it did not expect such comments from a country like Iran.

Though the government had already drawn flak from certain sections of the international community over the violent clashes in Delhi, the critical remarks from Tehran came as a rare shock to New Delhi.

Iran generally avoids taking a critical stand on any internal matter of India.

After the Modi government on August 5, 2019, moved to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and reorganised the state into two Union Territories, Tehran kept its reaction limited to rather mildly expressing concerns over the condition of people in the valley and urging New Delhi to adopt a fair policy towards the people of the region. Tehran also avoided taking Islamabad's side whenever tension between India and Pakistan escalated.

The statements on the violent clashes in Delhi from Iran's supreme leader and others came as a surprise for India. He had visited New Delhi in January. He had a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar just less than a fortnight after the United States had killed Iran's top military commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack near the international airport in the capital of Iraq.

India had hosted him, brushing aside murmurs of disapproval from the United States. Jaishankar too had met Zarif in Tehran soon after he and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had held the 2+2 dialogue with their US counterparts in Washington D.C. in December 2019. Though New Delhi stopped buying crude oil from Iran to save its entities from United States sanctions, it continued its engagement with Tehran for its role in Chabahar Port in the West Asian Nation as the port would provide India a sea-land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Katy Perry no longer has to hide her baby bump!

For her big pregnancy reveal, the mom-to-be wore a sheer, strapless dress and cradled her belly at the end of her new music video for "Never Worn White."

Perry, 35, was able to keep her pregnancy a secret thanks to some creative fashion choices whenever she was around photographers.

"OMG so glad I dont have to suck it in anymore," she tweeted after her big reveal Wednesday night. "Or carry around a big purse lol."

omg so glad I dont have to suck it in anymore   KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 5, 2020

It's unclear how far along Perry is in her pregnancy and every woman carries differently, but she certainly used her whimsical fashion sense to her advantage. She rocked a patterned minidress for a performance at KDWB's Jingle Ball on Dec. 9, 2019.

Katy Perry pregnancy, KDWB's Jingle Ball 2019 (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)

That same day, she also wore a yellow dress with a giant bow neckline, drawing any possible attention away from her belly.

Katy Perry pregnancy, Katty Perry KDWB's Jingle Ball 2019 (Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)

Perry is, of course, known for making bold fashion choices, so the pink, ruffled dress she wore out to dinner in London on Feb. 3 didn't bring any unusual attention or speculation.

Katy Perry maternity (GORC / GC Images)

The next day, Perry met with Prince Charles at a reception for supporters of the British Asian Trust. Perry wore a gown with sheer long sleeves and a deep neckline, using her hands to hide her belly.

Katy Perry Prince Charles, British Asian Trust (Kirsty Wigglesworth / WPA Pool via Getty Images)

Perry attended the "American Idol" premiere on Feb. 12 just three weeks before she shared her happy news with fans. She wore a babydoll dress and showed off her billowing sleeves, which acted as the perfect distraction.

Image: ABC Hosts Premiere Event For

On Valentine's Day, Perry stepped out in a furry coat and horizontal stripes, using a handbag to shield attention away from her pregnant belly.

Katy Perry pregnant (TM/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images)

We can't wait to see what other fun fashion choices she makes during her pregnancy  especially now that the secret is out.
A 24-year-old California womans dreams of being a plant parent shriveled up and died... the day she realized the perfect succulent she had been nurturing for two years was actually plastic. Caelie Wilkes shared the revelation in a viral Facebook post, which now has over 11,000 likes and 7,000 shares. Wilkes even described how she would get defensive if anyone tried to water the succulent themselves. Depending on the type of succulent, some can live for decades with proper care. Wilkes story has circulated around the world since her post. You made it girl! People in Denmark are talking about this, someone wrote on one of Wilkes Facebook updates
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new ceasefire for the Syrian province of Idlib following a six-hour meeting at the Kremlin yesterday. Despite both sides efforts to smooth over the conflicts, the ceasefire does not resolve the broader NATO-Russia conflicts underlying recent Turkish-Russian clashes in Syria.

Erdogan traveled to Moscow for emergency talks after the eruption of sustained fighting over the past month between Turkish troops and Russian-backed Syrian forces. The latter are trying to reconquer the last region of Syria held by the Islamist opposition militias sponsored by Washington and the European imperialist powers since the beginning of the NATO proxy war for regime change in Syria in 2011.

At least 58 Turkish soldiers have been killed in Idlib since the beginning of February, including 36 in a strike launched with Russian approval on February 27. Turkey retaliated with a renewed offensive against Syrian government positions Sunday, killing dozens of pro-Assad forces with drone strikes and shelling.

The agreement reached in Moscow calls for a ceasefire as of midnight in the northwestern Syrian province. Putin and Erdogan also agreed to the creation of a security corridor for civilians fleeing military clashes to be jointly patrolled by Turkish and Russian troops from mid-March. The safe zone will extend six kilometres on either side of the east-west M4 highway.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan giving statements to the press after Russian-Turkish talks. (en.kremlin.ru)

Both leaders emphasized common interests and bilateral ties. Putin began the meeting by expressing his sorrow at the deaths of Turkish soldiers, adding that Syrian forces had not been aware of the Turkish soldiers position when they launched the attack. This amounted to a tacit admission of Russian complicity, however, as Russian aircraft control the airspace over Idlib.

Erdogan, for his part, described Turkish-Russian relations as being at a high point, claiming he was happy to fly to Moscow in order to spare Putin the trouble of traveling in the midst of the Russian presidents efforts to enforce constitutional reforms.

But such displays of solidarity cannot conceal the fact that Moscow and Ankara pursue rival interests in Syria, where NATOs support for various Islamist militias led to a nine-year conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and forced tens of millions to flee. Now, the US-instigated imperialist war for regime change in Damascus is metastasizing into a broader war, drawing in regional and major powers alike.

While Moscow backs the Assad regime, which grants Russia a military foothold on the Mediterranean with two coastal military bases, Ankara opposes the reconquest of territory by the Syrian government. Firstly, it fears a new surge of refugees across its southern border under conditions in which 3.7 million refugees already live in Turkey. Secondly, it fears that if Turkish forces lose control of northern Syria, Kurdish YPG militias could consolidate a Kurdish protostate on Ankaras southern border, which could cause the war to spill over into Turkey itself.

These conflicts are exacerbated by the aggressive efforts of the imperialist powers, led by the United States, to exert their geopolitical and economic control over Syria and the broader Middle East. President Trumps abandonment of the Kurdish YPG militia and withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, which triggered the latest Turkish invasion last October, in no way represented a retreat by Washington from the region. On the contrary, the Pentagon, which has kept some 500 troops occupying Syrias oil fields, is focusing its efforts on strengthening its anti-Iranian coalition throughout the Middle East so as to back up Washingtons economic campaign of maximum pressure on Teheran with preparations for war.

Discussions are underway within the Trump administration on whether to offer military aid to Turkey. We believe firmly that our NATO partner Turkey has the full right to defend itself against the risk thats being created by what Assad, the Russians and the Iranians are doing inside of Syria, declared Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department yesterday. The Turkish government has asked us for a handful of things. We're evaluating all of those requests.

For their part, the European powers are no less determined to secure their share of plunder from the redivision of the Middle East. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to both Erdogan and Putin prior to Thursdays meeting to demand that they agree to a ceasefire and to the establishment of a safe zone in Idlib. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer raised the prospect Wednesday of imposing sanctions on Russia if it refused to halt the fighting, while also urging Erdogan to accept that the Western powers could serve as more reliable partners than Moscow.

If the European powers failed to unveil plans for an immediate intervention, this was solely due to their currently weak military position in Syria, which they are working hard to build up and strengthen. As EU Foreign Policy High Representative Josep Borrell put it, in comments supporting the creation of a no-fly zone for Syrian planes over Idlib, The European Union cannot decide to have a buffer zone in Syria. We would like to speak the language of power, but for the time being we cannot decide this by ourselves.

Thursdays agreement does not reconcile Turkey and Russias diametrically opposed interests in Syria, but seems set to provide a brief breathing space before the next escalation of hostilities. Underscoring that this could be sooner rather than later, Erdogan remarked at Thursdays joint press conference with Putin that Turkish forces retain the right to strike Syrian troops if they come under attack.

The previous ceasefire deal, the 2018 Sochi Agreement, was never implemented in full and broke apart over the past few months. The deal provided for the creation of a buffer zone in Idlib as long as Turkish troops separated the radical Islamist militias associated with Al Qaeda from so-called moderate rebels, and Russia prevented an offensive by Assads forces to retake the province.

In fact, Al Qaeda-linked militias dominate the Islamist rebels in Idlib with whom Turkey is allied, making it impossible to establish fighting forces made up only of moderates. Ankara not only refused to attempt to divide the militias, but also began sending contingents to Libya to fight on behalf of the Libyan government of Fayez al-Sarraj. While Turkey has aligned itself with the al-Sarraj government in the North African countrys NATO-instigated civil war, with the twin aims of securing Turkish investments in the country and bolstering Ankaras claims to natural gas deposits discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean, Russia has backed the oppositions Gen. Khalifa Haftar.

Under these conditions, Russia sanctioned and supported the long-planned offensive on Idlib by Damascus, the victory of which would result in the defeat of the US-backed Islamist rebels that have been waging war against the Assad regime since 2011. Since the beginning of the offensive in December, close to one million people have been displaced and some 300 civilians killed.

With the threat of the conflict escalating into a direct military clash with Russia, Erdogan appealed to NATO for solidarity last week before opening the Turkish borders to refugees seeking to flee to Europe in an effort to force the European powers to back his war aims. On Thursday, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu went a step further, announcing the deployment of 1,000 heavily-armed police to the Turkish-Greek border to prevent Greek border guards from forcing fleeing refugees to return to Turkey. Greek military and police have resorted to tear gas and live fire at defenseless refugees, fully endorsed by the EU. At least one refugee died from a shot to the head.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world has hit more than 100,000.

The unwelcome milestone was reached today, according to data by Johns Hopkins University in the US.

A man wears a mask on the Piccadilly Line on the London Underground. (PA Images)

There have also been 55,700 recoveries, the universitys data shows.

The news came as the UK confirmed its number of cases had jumped from 116 to 163.

Mainland China  where the virus originated  is the worst affected region, with more than 80,000 cases recorded.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government's action plan on Tuesday. (PA Images)

South Korea is the next worst hit, with more than 5,000 cases confirmed, while Italy has reported more than 3,800 and Iran officially reporting more than 3,500.

All other countries record fewer, with Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Singapore, the US, the UK and Hong Kong all reporting more than 100.

Read more: Police warn of coronavirus scam

There are more than 100 cases in the UK, where the government has announced its battle plan to take on the virus.

It says that up to one fifth of the workforce could end up being off sick during a coronavirus peak and police may only deal with serious crime.

Non-urgent operations may be cancelled and retired NHS staff could be called back to duty, it states.

The 27-page document, made available on Tuesday, also outlines how the military could be called in to support authorities and businesses with short-term cash flow issues may be helped.

Read more: Child test positive for virus at childrens hospital

Boris Johnson said it is highly likely the UK would see more infections but added that in many people it would be a mild disease they will recover from.

He said police would keep the public safe but may have to prioritise those things that they have to do.

He added: And the army is of course always ready to back-fill as and when, but that is under the reasonable worst case scenario.
The Android 10-based ColorOS 7 update unveils an optimized ultra visual experience and much more

BARCELONA, Spain, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- World-leading smart device brand OPPO has debuted ColorOS 7.1 on the newly launched OPPO Find X2 Series, building on ColorOS 7 to offer an even greater visual experience with enhancements for a 120Hz screen as well as optimizations for video and photography. Other additions include brand-new features aimed at efficiency and wellness, creating a more effortless and user-centered experience.

A greater visual experience with a 120Hz screen

ColorOS 7.1 comes with system-wide enhancements that support a 120Hz ultra high refresh rate, to maximize the potential of the screen and capture every detail in video and animation. A Smart Mode recognizes user scenarios and intelligently adjusts the refresh rate to achieve a balance between smooth visuals and optimal power consumption; users can also opt to manually set the refresh rate at 60Hz or 120Hz.

The update delivers a significant boost to video quality. The O1 Ultra Vision Engine's Motion Estimate and Motion Compensation (MEMC) can boost 30-frame videos to 60 frames (default) or even up to 120 frames, while its HDR Video Enhancer transforms SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) videos to HDR (High Dynamic Range) quality while streaming, generating clearer, sharper, and brighter videos. The All Pixel Omni-directional PDAF improves focusing performance while shooting, enabling users to focus fast and accurately, in dim environments as well as on moving objects. Live HDR videos help capture an exquisite level of detail, with clearer highlights and shadows even in backlit scenes, realizing videos of movie-like quality.

With care for users' eyes in mind, ColorOS 7.1 offers Natural Tone Display, an adaptive AI display system that automatically adjusts color temperatures to ensure display consistency, and AI Brightness, which learns user habits to tailor the display's brightness accordingly and prevent harm from extended use in extreme light conditions. Meanwhile, Dark Mode provides a soothing reading experience, as the low-brightness, flicker-free feature protects users' eyes from the screen's pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency.

A smoother system performance

Besides enhanced visual clarity, ColorOS 7.1 unveils impressive improvements to the system performance. Anti-fragmentation technology reduces back-end memory fragmentation and decreases app termination and lagging by 93%. Cache Preload ensures that cold starts are as fast as warm starts, increasing the average app launching speed by 25%. The most-used interfaces are also pre-rendered to enhance screen interaction response speeds considerably, boosting the frame rate by 19% and touch response by 38% while gaming. By anticipating user behavior, ColorOS 7.1 automatically closes apps that the user is unlikely to open anytime soon, increasing system RAM utilization by 40%.

Designed for improved work and life efficiency

With Wireless Printing, users can now wirelessly print photos and PDF files without any additional applications. Text Scanner recognizes and highlights text in pictures, auto-correcting key areas to generate a clear image and enabling users to take photos of text for note-taking and reading.

ColorOS 7.1 supports multiple accounts on a single phone with Multi-user Mode, meaning that multiple users can seamlessly use the same phone or one user can use a phone for many scenarios, without worrying about different data interfering with each other. To help users unwind physically and mentally, OPPO Relax offers exercises, pleasant background music, and ambient white noise to assist breathing, sleep, and concentration.

A simple and lightweight design to refresh the user experience

With its Infinite Design concept, ColorOS 7 adopted a lightweight design approach that simplified the user interface, helping users focus on their content while reducing visual fatigue. ColorOS 7.1 takes this design approach one step further, unveiling even more lightweight wallpapers, icons, and animations to give users even greater options and make the overall user experience more intuitive and effortless.

Enhanced features to secure privacy and user data

Privacy is more important than ever, and OPPO has launched a variety of features aimed at securing user data. Personal Information Protection allows users to see which apps require personal information and choose what not to share. Private Safe transfers photos, videos, audio, and other documents to a secure "zone" in the storage folder, blocking access by other apps. Payment Protection ensures financial security by scanning the payment environment within the system and apps. Meanwhile, App Lock encrypts apps, requiring either a passcode or a fingerprint scan for access.

"The new ColorOS 7.1 delivers an ultra visual experience that is enriched by unmatched smoothness and striking clarity," says Andy Wu, VP of Software Product Engineering. "Driven by our sharp consumer insights, we will continue to not only provide an enhanced visual experience, but also add unique features designed for work and life efficiency as well as health, so as to deliver a smoother and more delightful experience to our global users."



Strong partnership with Google

ColorOS 7.1 is built on Android 10, the latest version of Google's operating system. The Find X2 Series comes with Google's most popular apps preinstalled, such as Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Photos in addition to the Google Play Store, which gives users access to billions of apps. Furthermore, users are protected by Google Play Protect's built-in malware defense, which proactively takes steps to keep user data and devices safe.

"It's been a pleasure working with the talented OPPO team to build fabulous devices over the years," says Sameer Samat, VP of Product Management for Android at Google. "OPPO is one of the largest and fastest growing partners in the Android ecosystem, and is known for their deep investment in creating amazing experiences for users around the world."

The Find X2 Series also comes with the best Google apps pre-installed and are Android Enterprise Recommended. It's a seal of approval that our hardware and software have met Google's elevated enterprise requirements, and are optimised for business deployments.

ColorOS 7.1 roll-out plan

ColorOS 7.1 is customized for Find X2 Pro and Find X2, with a set of visual enhancements that amplify the devices' ultra visual experience. The Find X2 Series will be available for sale in Western European markets starting in early May.

To access more information on ColorOS 7.1's features, please click here: [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lWR-xeXExpixlIkjE8CSiZ7043WOffx_]

About ColorOS

ColorOS is a highly customized, efficient, intelligent, and richly-designed Android-based mobile OS from OPPO. With over 300 million global users, ColorOS 7 supports multiple languages, including English, Thai, and Indonesian.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Today, OPPO provides customers with a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and R series, ColorOS operating system, and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 research institutes and 4 R&D centers worldwide, as well as an international design center in London. OPPO's more than 40,000 employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1120602/OPPO_ColorOS.jpg
An effort to eliminate the sales tax collected on gas and replace it with an equivalent fuel tax hike reemerged in the Michigan House this week.

Currently, gasoline is subject to the states 6 percent sales tax, which largely goes to schools and local governments. A five-bill package introduced in the Michigan House Thursday would phase out that tax on fuel over a three-year period and replace it with a fuel tax that would fund local road repairs.

As proposed, the plan would be revenue-neutral, meaning drivers wouldnt see changes in how much theyre taxed at the pump. Supporters in the legislature estimate their plan would mean an additional $800 million annually for road funding.

The idea isnt new - House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, has long said his main objective in road funding conversations is to put all taxes collected at the pump towards fuel, and House Republicans included the concept in their budget proposal last year.

We need to make sure the funding we already have is spent correctly before we simply throw more money at the problem and watch it get sucked away into other projects, Chatfield in a statement. "This reform will finally fix this mistake.

One of the bills in the package, sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chair Jack OMalley, R-Traverse City, includes language meant to hold the School Aid Fund harmless from the change in tax collections.

But the backfill would come from the states general fund, meaning it would be subject to legislative approval during the appropriations process - and some education and local government groups argued taking away a large source of sales tax revenue without replacing it with new, designated income sources would further erode existing funding for other needed services.

While we recognize the importance of fixing Michigans roads, any viable solution cannot be the result of using existing funds designated for our local communities, Michigan Townships Association Executive Director Neil Sheridan said in a statement. This momentous shift in funding would have far-reaching, unpredictable impacts on local governments ability to serve their residents.

One Democrat, Rep. Sara Cambensy of Marquette, joined OMalley, House Appropriations Chair Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron, and Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden, in introducing the legislation.

But House Democratic Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills, said in her view, the plan not only doesnt solve the problem, it also creates more problems by putting whats currently a protected revenue stream for schools and locals at the whim of the legislature without acknowledging the need for more revenue overall.

To make sure that everything at the pump is going to roads, thats one thing, she said. When you create more problems by just shifting around the funds to replace what you took away from schools and local communities, thats whats not right.

The bills were referred to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said shes not interested in eliminating the sales tax on gasoline unless theres a viable path to filling the budget hole it would create.

In her first year as governor, she recommended a 45-cent gas tax hike to fix the roads. After that plan was a nonstarter in the legislature, she moved ahead this year with a $3.5 billion bonding plan for repairing state roadways, which many Republicans have concerns with.

Related coverage:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says lawmakers cant stop her $3.5B road bonding plan

House budget rejects Whitmers proposed tax hike, suggests transitioning sales tax on fuel to road funding

Budget plan to swap sales tax on gas for fuel tax heads to House floor

House Republicans suggest using sales tax dollars for additional road money

Gov. Whitmer only open to eliminating sales tax on gas if revenue is replaced

8 ideas being floated to fix Michigan roads

Michigan Senate Republicans want parameters around Gov. Gretchen Whitmers road bonding plans

Gov. Whitmer unveils Plan B for roads: Shell fix them without lawmakers

Whitmers new road plan: Borrow $3.5B to fix them now

Whitmers $3.5 billion road spending plan green-lighted by state panel

Whitmers road financing plan doesnt fix underlying problem, critics say

These Michigan counties have the worst road ratings

Michigan road funding talks stalled out in 2019. Will next year be any different?
Five former Linc Energy executives have been committed to stand trial for allegedly breaching environmental laws.

The men were charged in 2016 in relation to the operation of underground coal gasification on Queensland's Darling Downs.

Former Linc Energy boss Peter Bond and four other men have been committed to stand trial.

Former chief executive Peter Bond and four other former executives, Donald Schofield, Stephen Dumble, Jacobus Terblanche and Daryl Rattai, face a charge of failing to ensure a corporation complies with an act.

Mr Bond's bail conditions include that he must notify the prosecutor if he intends to change address, travel outside Australia and provide a copy of his tickets and itinerary.
Getty Images

Ruth Bader Ginsburg dismantled a controversial Louisiana abortion bill during an hour of arguments at the US Supreme Court this week, systematically striking down components of the law she previously opposed during a preliminary vote.

The 86-year-old Supreme Court justice, who recently returned to the nations highest court after announcing she was cancer-free in January, seemed to aggressively push back against demands from lawyers representing the Trump administration and state of Louisiana to approve the legislation during Wednesdays arguments.

Louisianas Act 620 would require abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of its facilities, in the event that a woman needs medical care after having an abortion.

As the Supreme Court justice noted, however, a woman would almost certainly visit her own local doctor or hospital in the event that she needs care.

If the woman has a problem, it will be her local hospital that she will need to go to for the care, not something 30 miles from the clinic, which does not have a necessary relationship to where she lives, she said.

Moreover, the justice argued that women who have abortions rarely ever require medical treatment afterwards.

Most of the people who get abortions never have any need to go to a hospital, isn't that so?" she asked the attorneys, later adding: You don't dispute  that among medical procedures, first-trimester abortion is among the safest, far safer than childbirth."

The attorneys acknowledged that, while women occasionally require hospitalization after having an abortion, its often true that they do not.

The justice reminded attorneys that the Supreme Court already held that admitting privileges served no medical benefit.

There is not even a plausible conflict in this case, she said, according to a transcript of the arguments.

Act 620 would also implement a state-mandated 24-hour waiting period, which critics have described as a barrier to abortion access. Others who oppose the bill said it would effectively restrict women without the means to travel to abortion clinics located within a permissible distance to hospital, as others outside of such distances are forced to close due to the law.

Story continues

An attorney defending the legislation told the justices its not clear that you won't call the clinic and say to your doctor, 'I'm having a problem,' and your doctor will say, 'Then go to the following hospital where I have privileges, I'll meet you there.

According to CNN, the Supreme Court justice looked less than convinced by that argument.

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RBG says Trump 'is not a lawyer'
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Sat, March 7, 2020 00:02 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068e46bd 4 Inforial Free

The super app Grab has announced that applications for the third batch of its Grab Ventures Velocity program, an incubation initiative for local startups to scale up their businesses with a focus on empowering Indonesias micro culinary and logistics enterprises.

Therefore, applicants eligible for the program are startups which provide digital solutions for small-to-medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), especially those working in the culinary and logistics sector. The incubation program allows these startups to leverage their businesses by giving them open access to Grabs whole ecosystem.

Applications are now open for startup businesses across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, successful applicants will join a mentorship program facilitated by C-level experts in the startup sector. The application form can be accessed online via ventures.grab.com and tinyurl.com/gvvbatch3 .

Aside from the Batch 3 launch, Grab also announce a partnership between Grab Ventures and state-owned lender Bank Rakyat Indonesias (BRI) BRI Ventures, the banks venture capital arm to create new joint initiatives to elevate the Indonesia startup community. Both entities will bring together Grab and BRIs ecosystem to create unique growth opportunities for new-age Indonesian startups.

Participants of the incubation program are expected to, along with their micro-enterprise partners, grow their businesses, reduce costs and ease their operational procedures by making use of new frontiers of the digital technology.

Indonesian Cooperatives and Small-to-Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki responded positively to the program, citing SMEs key role is the backbone to the Indonesian economy, thus requiring ongoing empowerment.

According to a report by The Jakarta Post, Indonesias approximately 62.9 million SMEs accounted for 99.9 percent of total businesses in 2017, and yet they are hampered mostly by a lack of funding.

Supported by technology, I hope the SMEs will be able to develop and expand their businesses. Through the Grab Ventures Velocity program, I also await the emergence of potential startups which can provide digital solutions for SMEs, especially ones in culinary, to grow their businesses, reduce costs and ease their operational procedures, Teten said.

As a context, Grab provides on-demand transportation services in the Southeast Asian region, including food and goods delivery, as well as digital payment and other financial services across more than 349 cities in eight countries.

In its business, Grab involves a network of nine million micro-entrepreneurs which includes driver-partners, agents and merchants.

Meanwhile, to demonstrate its commitment to empowering micro-enterprises to leverage their businesses, at least in Indonesia, Grab also focuses in partnering with the countrys small food vendors  essential since street food is much beloved by Indonesians  besides also partnering with the big restaurants.

As a matter of fact, GrabKitchen is currently collecting data on these small-to-medium vendors on its cloud kitchen data computational system to make them accessible for online delivery.

Grab also works closely with small kiosks (locally known as warungs) to provide online goods delivery and phone credit top-up services available to users.

Successful applicants of the programs third batch are expected to follow the successes of their predecessors, like TaniHub and Qoala, which joined the programs second batch. The previous two batches of the program incubated 15 startups in total; 10 of them are from Indonesia.

TaniHub is an Indonesian agriculture e-commerce platform aiming at improving the supply chain and distribution of agricultural products to a larger market. Through the program, TaniHub has helped individuals and SMEs in Indonesia by giving them access to proper funding.

Qoala, meanwhile, is an insurance technology startup which has been integrated into GrabKios application, protecting GrabKios partners, which are small kiosks via various microinsurance products.

Specifically, participants of the program are expected to conduct business-to-business logistics as well as restaurant value-added services for the countrys micro-enterprises, which are among Grabs primary partners.

Upon graduating from the Grab Ventures Velocity programs second batch, TaniHub has been able to partner with GrabKios partners to provide them access to affordable and fresh produce from local farmers, says TaniHub president and co-founder Pamitra Wineka.

Meanwhile, Qoala co-founder and chief operating officer Tommy Martin added that tapping into Grabs ecosystem during the Grab Ventures Velocity program allowed his organization to reach segments that it previously could not access to offer its microinsurance products.

Success stories: Successful participants of previous batches of the Grab Ventures Velocity incubation program, including microinsurance provider Qoala cofounder and chief operating officer Tommy Martin (second right) and agricultural products distribution app TaniHub president and cofounder Pamitra Wineka (third right), share how Grab Indonesias incubation program has helped them during a panel discussion. (./.)

Commenting on Indonesias thriving startup scene, Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate said that the Grab Ventures Velocity became a timely initiative amid the emergence of big unicorns in Southeast Asia. Unicorns refer to startups with a valuation of US$1 billion.

With proper ecosystem and sustained support from the government, the grooming of new digital talents in the country can become key to local startup growth, Johnny asserted.

The GVV initiative is aligned with Grabs vision to integrate social empowerment initiatives with its business growth, reflected in its campaign #GrabForGood. Basically, #GrabForGood encapsulates Grab Indonesias commitment to use technology as a driving force of goodness to improve peoples quality of life amid Grabs rapid growth in Southeast Asia. Grab believes that this initiative is vital to push Southeast Asia forward to more impressive growth in the future.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

The family of a mentally ill woman who was shot to death by Bernalillo County Sheriffs deputies in front of her home during a misdemeanor battery call last summer has settled its lawsuit with the county for $4 million.

Its one of the largest settlements involving use of force claims by local law enforcement in recent years.

The settlement agreement was signed Wednesday  less than two months after Elisha Luceros sister filed the suit against the Bernalillo County Commission and Sheriff Manuel Gonzales.

For the family, time has stood still since the death of Elisha, and theyre in the wake of very profound grief and unimaginable pain, said attorney Shannon Kennedy in a phone interview Friday. However, in lieu of answering the complaint we filed on behalf of the family, the county reached out to us to enter into a mediation, which we did.

When asked for comment, BCSO spokesman Deputy Connor Otero said the department was aware the case has settled but is sickened with the amount of the settlement agreement.

The Sheriffs Department does not admit any fault on behalf of the employees involved and holds firm in its belief that our deputies have a right and a duty to protect themselves and others from harm and/or death, Otero wrote in an email.

Otero also sent a statement from Sheriff Gonzales which added that the department is committed to protecting children and families, and as such, we responded legally and appropriately while in communication with the family to protect the welfare of all involved. Our condolences are with the family for their loss.

Culture of aggression

In July, Lucero was shot to death in front of her RV, which was parked in front of her familys South Valley home. Deputies had responded to the home after a relative called 911 saying Lucero had hit her uncle in the face. The relative also said Lucero was mentally ill, needed help, and was a threat to herself and to everybody else, according to the 911 call.

Lucero had been exhibiting symptoms of psychosis since she had surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2018, according to the lawsuit.

When deputies arrived they said Lucero initially refused to come out of the home. Then, they said, she ran out screaming and armed with a kitchen knife. According to the suit, the 4-foot-11 Lucero was naked from the waist up at the time.

Lt. Alfonso Rodriguez and deputies Jonathan Aguilar and Ryan Schmidt shot Lucero. She was struck at least 21 times, according to an autopsy report. She died at the scene.

Otero, the BCSO spokesman, did not respond to questions about whether Rodriguez, Aguilar and Schmidt were still in the same positions in the department.

The lawsuit, filed by Luceros older sister, Elaine Maestas, on Jan. 13, alleges Sheriff Gonzales has fostered a culture of aggression in the department and too few deputies are trained to handle people with mental health issues.

It states that Lucero had called BCSO and asked to be taken to the hospital for mental health issues just a month prior to the shooting and in the July case deputies should have called the SWAT team or a Mobile Crisis Team trained to handle mental health calls.

Instead, the suit states, the deputies created a situation where they were forced to use deadly force against Ms. Lucero or have justified their unlawful use of deadly force with the falsehood that Ms. Lucero presented a deadly threat to one or all of them.

Otero wrote that although BCSO disagrees with the settlement amount, the department knows the process of a civil lawsuit could take years and many cases are settled out of court as this case was.

We are represented by New Mexico Association of Counties and we acknowledge that the decision to settle a case like this is something that they do based upon an extreme number of variables, Otero wrote.

Although the attorneys representing the New Mexico Association of Counties did not respond to requests for comment, county attorney Ken Martinez said, I can tell you that the county as an organization is always trying to do the right thing and trying to assess costs early and fairly.

In comparison, Albuquerque has paid out $5 million to $6 million for its most high-profile officer-involvved shootings  including the shooting of James Boyd, Christopher Torres and Mary Hawkes  prior to beginning its reform effort with the Department of Justice.

Recent high-profile shootings by the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office have settled for less than $2 million.

Lapel cameras

Since the shooting, members of Luceros family, especially Maestas, have joined the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico in advocating for the Sheriffs Office to equip its deputies with lapel cameras.

In response to the news that the lawsuit had been settled, Leon Howard, the legal director for the ACLU of New Mexico issued a statement saying the organization will continue to work with Luceros family to implement police reforms to prevent needless and preventable deaths.

No one in Bernalillo County should ever fear that calling emergency services for a loved one in crisis will result in that loved ones death, Howard wrote. Furthermore, we believe it is past time for BCSO and other law enforcement agencies statewide to commit to basic transparency and accountability by outfitting their officers with body worn cameras.

Otero said Sheriff Gonzales has not changed his opinion on lapel cameras after the incident or the settlement. Gonzales in the past has said his deputies dont need cameras because they have audio recorders on their belts.

Kennedy said, We werent able to negotiate any changes in policies, but the family is going to continue to work with the ACLU for criminal justice reform. Specifically theyre going to seek to pass statewide legislation to mandate that officers and deputies have body cameras.

Although last fall the Bernalillo County Commission allocated $1 million in startup money, plus $500,000 in recurring annual funds for the sheriffs office to get dashboard cameras and lapel cameras, no equipment has been purchased.
DETROIT  Calibrating his approach for a tough head-to-head primary matchup in a year when many Democratic voters want to put up a united front, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Friday renewed his attacks on former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.s record on trade while also conceding that Mr. Biden could defeat President Trump.

In Michigan, where the Sanders campaign is running a TV ad featuring an autoworker who says his community has been decimated by free trade deals, Mr. Sanders attacked Mr. Biden for his support of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the 1990s.

Joe Biden and I have a very serious disagreement with regards to NAFTA, Mr. Sanders said at a round table he convened of workers, union leaders and economists in Detroit before a rally attended by thousands. Just last year  Im not talking about 20 years ago  Joe said that voting for NAFTA, quote, was not a mistake, end of quote, and a few years before that he called NAFTA a success, Mr. Sanders said. Joe, youre wrong. NAFTA was not a success. Voting for it was a big, big mistake.

As a long line of mostly young supporters filed into a downtown convention center, organizers called out for any union members to identify themselves. After major disappointments on Super Tuesday, Mr. Sanders is hoping for a comeback next Tuesday as six states go to the polls, none more crucial for him than Michigan, the first of several Midwestern industrial states to vote in the next two weeks. Four years ago, he pulled off one of the biggest surprises of his first presidential campaign when he upset Hillary Clinton in Michigan.
Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 9 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

In a first, 2 teens convicted by Alwar juvenile board for Pehlu Khan lynching

Two teenagers accused of being part of the mob that lynched dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in 2017 have been held guilty by Alwars Juvenile Justice Board, defence lawyer Adarsh Yadav said on Friday.

Read more.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday asked doctors and paramedics to screen all airport staff for coronavirus before conducting the mandatory breath analyzer (BA) test that is used to check if any airline staff is intoxicated.

Read more.

Was a political conspiracy: Nitin Gadkari speaks out on timing of Delhi riots

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says he feels there was a political conspiracy behind the Delhi communal violence to defame India during US President Donald Trumps two-day visit. He added that an inquiry into the riots was ongoing and the conspirators will be punished by the government after it is complete.

Read more.

Telangana man drowns 3 daughters in tank, sits on bodies: Cops

A man forcibly drowned his three daughters by sitting on their bodies in a water tank at Tadkol village of Banswada block in Telanganas Kamareddy district on Friday, the police said.

Read more.

Yes Bank crisis: RBI announces a bail-out scheme, invites suggestions

The Reserve Bank of India has announced a scheme of reconstruction for the cash-strapped private sector lender Yes Bank in a notification issued on Friday evening.

Read more.

Coronavirus epicentre Wuhan could see zero cases by March-end

The central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak could see zero new cases by the end of March, a leading government expert has said, though there was an increase in fresh cases for the second consecutive day.

Read more.

Sushma Swaraj was a remarkable leader. Among the things she is remembered for is the way she used Twitter to reach out to Indians across the globe. During her tenure as an external minister, she was just a tweet away for any Indian looking for help.

Read more.

Not using Yes Bank app for money transfers? These may be your best options

With RBI imposing a moratorium on Yes Bank, which resulted in a Rs 50,000 withdrawal limit until April 3, 2020, it is understandable that you dont want to transact through your Yes Bank account for now.

Fortunately, you still have other options through which you can transfer and receive money directly to your accounts. We are talking about WhatsApp Pay (in Beta), Amazon Pay and Google Pay. Heres how you can send money via each of them and whats the difference between each of them.

Read more.
The man accused of murdering prison officer Adrian Ismay has been found guilty of the killing.

Christopher Alphonsos Robinson (49), from Aspen Walk in Twinbrook, was arrested after the explosion and was subsequently charged with murdering Mr Ismay almost four years ago.

Mr Ismay died 11 days after a device exploded underneath his van in March 2016.

The 52-year old father-of-three had just left his east Belfast home and was driving along Hillsborough Drive at around 7am on March 4, 2016 when the device detonated after he went over a speed ramp.

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The verdict was delivered by Mr Justice McAlinden at Belfast High Court this afternoon following a lengthy non-jury trial.

After being handed a life sentence, the judge told Robinson he will determine the minimum length of time he will have to serve before being considered eligible for release at a later date.

There was a heavy security presence for the hearing, which lasted four hours, with armed officers in the courtroom where Mr Ismay's loved ones sat in the public gallery.

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During the non-jury trial - which was adjourned on several occasions after it was opened in October 2018 - it emerged that the men worked together as volunteers for St John's Ambulance.

As well as denying murdering Mr Ismay, Robinson had also denied possessing explosives and providing a car for terrorism.

Robinson was found guilty of possessing explosives but the Judge "made no finding" on the charge of providing property for terrorism.

The car in question was a Citroen C3 which belonged to a relative of the the accused.

It had been the Crown's case that the evening before the explosion, Robinson picked up the Citroen from his brother's west Belfast workplace, and that this vehicle was used to transport the bomb left under Mr Ismay's van.

The Crown claims had been denied by Robinson, with his defence team making the case that the only evidence against him had been circumstantial.

The judge today said the evidence had showed that there was no doubt that this was the vehicle that had been used in the murder.

He added the discovery of a poppy appeal car sticker, which had been found in a black bin, had been forensically linked to the defendant.

Mr Justice McAlinden said the sticker had been used as a cynical ploy to ensure the vehicle did not appear out of place in the area.

He said the murder had "all the hallmarks of a dissident republican attack".

The Judge said Robinson had accessed online material which was militant republican in nature and had searched online on multiple occasions for news articles reporting the immediate aftermath of the attack on Mr Ismay's vehicle.

At the time Mr Ismay's name had not been released to media.

The hearing heard that Robinson had been interviewed 16 times by police throughout the case and had provided two pre-prepared written statements to investigating officers.

The judge told Robinson - who did not give evidence at the trial - that he would not draw any "adverse inference" into his decision not to take the stand.

But taking the evidence as a whole, the defendant had targeted Mr Ismay.

Justice McAlinden said "the defendant was intimately... involved" in the death of Mr Ismay.

Speaking following the ruling, PSNI detective superintendent Richard Campbell said the force welcomes the verdict and hopes in will provide some comfort to Adrian Ismay's family.

My thoughts today are first and foremost with Adrians grieving wife, his three children and wider family circle who are still coming to terms with the pain and loss they feel every day," he said.

They will be reliving the horror of what happened when a device, which had been placed under his van, exploded in the Hillsborough Drive area of east Belfast on Friday 4th March 2016.

"Adrian, 52, who was a St Johns Ambulance volunteer, died 11 days later in hospital on March 15.

"I hope today's conviction will provide some comfort for Adrians family. It should also serve as a warning to anyone involved in terrorism within our community that the PSNI will investigate these offences robustly and vigorously to bring offenders to justice."
If endorsements are any indication, theres Joe-mentum among Michigan Democrats.

Joe Bidens crushing win in the South Carolina primary last Saturday, followed by his string of victories in the Super Tuesday contests, has led to a number of Michigan Democrats lining up behind the former vice president in the days leading up to Michigans March 10 presidential primary.

That includes Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who not only endorsed Biden on Thursday but agreed to be one of four national campaign co-chairs.

Im going to be a part of the strategic conversations around everything from going into the convention to being a surrogate to vetting of a running mate for Joe, Whitmer told MLive on Thursday.

Whitmer to give Michigan a voice in Biden campaign strategy

Others who have endorsed Biden this week include former Gov. Jennifer Granholm; former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin; U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills; U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly; U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield; State House Democratic Leader Christine Greig, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 876 and 951 in Michigan.

The endorsements have cited Bidens experience, his passionate pragmatism and the potential that he can be someone who unites the country.

Her constituents are not looking for lip service or promises that cant be delivered, Steven said in a statement. Theyre looking for a leader who knows what their challenges are, and who rises above politics to deliver.

The endorsements are occurring as the race for the Democratic nomination largely narrows to Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, although U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, also remains a candidate.

On Friday, Sanders was endorsed by Detroit Action, a grassroots organization that advocates for people of color.

I think its clearly a two-person race, said Richard Czuba, founder of Glengariff Group, which conducted a poll last weekend for Detroit News/WDIV-TV. The survey of 600 likely Michigan Democratic primary voter showed Biden with a 7-point lead over Sanders in Michigan.

The poll offers a sharp contrast to previous surveys of Michigan voters taken when the field was larger, which found Sanders with a similar lead over Biden.

Glengariff Group conducted the poll by surveying a set of 150 voters each day from Feb. 28 to March 2. Nationally, the Biden campaign had a turning point on Feb. 29, which Bidens win in South Carolina, and Czuba said his staff could see the impact in Michigan, as Biden surged ahead in the final two days of polling.

It really was one of the most dramatic shifts Ive seen in such a short period of time, he said.

Mark Grebner, a Democrat who operates Practical Political Consulting in East Lansing, said its clear that many Democrats are coalescing around Biden amid fears that Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist, could become the Democratic nominee.

Theres this fear that Bernie is going to screw this up, Bernie is going to cause us this terrible problem" by turning off moderate and older Democrats, Grebner said about the November contest against President Trump.

Sanders successes in the Iowa and Nevada caucuses and the New Hampshire primary has forced more moderate Democrats to recognize their need to consolidate support behind a single candidate, and that candidate has become Biden.

We were divided into 10 little groups, each supporting a different candidate, Grebner said. Now weve gotten our act together and the decision has been made. Were all behind Joe."

Grebner said he anticipating that Biden will easily win Michigans primary and will become the Democratic nominee.

Everybody can think that its still an open question. But anybody who thinks that didnt look at the results on Super Tuesday," Grebner said. Look at those results hard.

Biden won 10 of 14 states on Tuesday, including upsets in Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maine, where he didnt campaign.

David Dulio, a political scientist at Oakland University, agreed that party leaders are banking on Biden being a better bet to defeat Trump.

Youve seen an incredible consolidation behind Biden," Dulio said. I think that its a matter of the party trying to find their best chance in November.

And beating Trump is the goal, numerous Democrats say.

Im really excited to see a narrowing of the field so that we can really focus on policy differences between the candidates," Greig said Thursday. I support the vice presidents policies and what hes proposing and i think its time to get behind one candidate and lets get it going.

She said the Biden campaign had been asking awhile for her endorsement, and as she saw the Biden bandwagon "coming together this week, I thought, 'Yeah, OK. its time to do it.

Read more on MLive:

Bernie Sanders could seize second Michigan presidential primary win, this time as Democratic front-runner

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Elizabeth Warren tells Michigan shes the woman to beat Donald Trump at Super Tuesday campaign rally

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary
Houston ISD employees would see minimal raises  but no increase in their required health insurance contributions  in the next school year under the administrations initial $2 billion budget proposal.

HISD officials late Thursday said they plan to allocate about $24 million for salary increases in 2020-21, enough to fund across-the-board raises of 1 percent to 2 percent. Administrators did not propose how to distribute the $24 million among staff members, noting that a recently-formed compensation committee is working on recommendations.

The raises would pale in comparison to salary increases received this school year following the passage of a landmark school finance overhaul in 2019, which injected an additional $6.5 billion into public education. HISD teachers and many other educators received raises ranging from 3.5 percent to 8 percent, depending on experience, while minimum-wage earners saw an increase of $2 per hour.

I wish we could do more, but right now, thats the only funds I have, HISD Interim Chief Financial Officer Glenn Reed said.

The potential for minimal raises reflects a modest increase in property tax revenue  which largely is restricted under the new school finance structure  and a reluctance by administrators to make drastic changes in spending.

The proposed spending plan keeps the districts campus funding model intact, avoids any widespread layoffs and does not eliminate any significant programs.

As far as Im concerned, its a pretty good budget, HISD Trustee Pat Allen said. One that has a bunch of cuts in it, to me, thats problematic.

Andy Dewey, executive vice president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, the districts largest employee union, said the $24 million for salary increases is about half as much as they need. He suggested district officials identify areas of inefficient spending and shift that money to teacher salaries, which rank below-average among Houstons largest districts.

Its not nearly enough to even get us close to competitive with the rest of the school districts around here, even if it all went to the teachers, Dewey said. Thats not an acceptable option, either. We have paraprofessionals, teachers aides, hourly employees.

District officials said they are proposing a balanced budget, foregoing the use of rainy day funds to boost salaries or other spending. HISDs reserves total about $500 million, roughly equivalent to the state-recommended amount for a district with a $2 billion annual budget.

HISD officials plan to meet four more times to hash out the 2020-21 budget with an eye toward approving a plan in mid-June.

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan followed the budget unveiling with her annual State of the Schools address on Friday, declaring that educators continue to innovate and focus on children while weathering many storms afflicting the district.

In the past four months, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced plans to replace the districts elected trustees, the Texas Legislative Budget Board issued a blistering report identifying dozens of poor operational practices, and federal agents conducted a search of HISD headquarters and Chief Operating Officer Brian Busbys home.

Lathan told a crowd of about 750 people gathered at a Royal Sonesta hotel ballroom that the district plans to make several significant changes in the coming years. They include seeking a District of Innovation status from the state, which could result in an earlier start to the school year beginning as early as August 2021.

We need more time with our students, Lathan said after her speech. Thats very important. Thats another area of flexibility were interested in.

Lathan also touted plans to expand pre-kindergarten classrooms, add more fine arts teachers in elementary schools and spread a new mentorship initiative throughout the district.

It remains unclear, however, whether Lathan and HISD trustees will get the opportunity to execute their vision for the district. Moraths plans to oust the elected board  the result of chronically low performance at Wheatley High School and findings of misconduct by trustees  are on hold following a Travis County judges issuance of a temporary injunction in January; state officials are appealing the ruling.

The Texas Attorney Generals Office filed a motion last week seeking a faster decision on part of the appeal, noting that HISDs 2020-21 budget must be passed by June 30 under state law.

The board of managers needs time to plan and adopt a budget that will meet students educational needs, Assistant Solicitor General Kyle Highful wrote in his motion.

jacob.carpenter@chron.com
Description

GIS - 06 March, 2020: A communication cell comprising a representative of the airport, the Association des hoteliers et restaurateurs de lile Maurice, tour operators as well as a communication officer of the Ministry of Tourism, will be set up and will work collaboratively with public relations officers of the tourism sector abroad to share updated information on Covid-19. A communication cell comprising a representative of the airport, the, tour operators as well as a communication officer of the Ministry of Tourism, will be set up and will work collaboratively with public relations officers of the tourism sector abroad to share updated information on Covid-19.

The Minister of Tourism, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, announced this measure amongst others to be implemented by the tourism sector following the outbreak of Covid-19 in several countries, yesterday, during a press conference in Port Louis.

Prior to the press conference, the Minister chaired a meeting with key stakeholders of the tourism industry to discuss the situation of Covid-19 and to find possible solutions to mitigate repercussions on the sector.

Speaking of the tourist arrivals for the month of February, he stated that there is a decrease of 2 500 tourists arriving by plane. The Tourism Minister highlighted that the situation will be more complex for the month of March and onwards if the Covid-19 is still prevalent. With such a situation, he pointed out that Mauritius will have to brace itself for reduced tourist arrivals.

Stressing on the need to limit the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19, Mr Lesjongard listed out the preventive measures which have been implemented to ensure the safety of the population. He recalled the temporary interdiction of tourists from China, South Korea, Italy and Iran to the Republic of Mauritius.

With regards to measures taken at the level of his Ministry, he stated that a fortnightly meeting with stakeholders will be held to closely monitor the situation and added that sub-committees could be put in place for specific issues.

Minister Lesjongard also pointed out that his Ministry in collaboration with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has come up with incentives so as to stimulate the tourism sector. On this score, he indicated that special packages at interesting rates are being proposed to attract more tourists to Mauritiu s. With the cancellation of the fairs in Berlin and Riyadh due to the Covid-19, the MTPA will organise one-to-one meetings with these international representatives with a view of promoting Mauritius as a tourist destination.
20 imported confirmed cases in China, mainly from Italy

Global Times

Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/5 11:02:59

East China's Zhejiang reported two new confirmed imported cases of COVID19 from Italy, bringing the total number of imported confirmed cases to 20 nationwide, the national health authority said on Thursday.

The two were a woman and her 16-year-old daughter, who have been living in Italy. The two had multiple transits on the way from Turin to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

On February 28, they left Turin on flight AF1503, transited through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on flight CZ348, arrived in Guangzhou on February 29 morning, and then transferred to flight CZ3803 to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport.

Their family members drove them back to Deqing county in Zhejiang Province on February 29 afternoon, and they stayed at home for isolation upon arrival.

The daughter and mother had a nucleic acid test and came back positive on Wednesday, and are now under medical quarantine.

The previous eight confirmed imported cases from Italy were reported by Zhejiang's Qingtian county, which is home to over 330,000 overseas Chinese, of whom about 100,000 live in Italy.

Since China's first overseas imported confirmed case was reported in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on February 26, regions including Zhejiang Province, Shanghai municipality, South China's Guangdong Province and Beijing have found more confirmed imported cases.

A total of 6,728 symptomatic passengers entered the country, of whom 779 were suspected cases and 75 tested positive for coronavirus, the General Administration of Customs revealed on Wednesday.

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The Maharashtra government will



train one lakh youth to increase their employability in the next five years, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced during his 2020-21 budget speech on Friday.

He told the Assembly the plan was to train one lakh jobless youth in the 21-28 age group, who have passed at least Class X, by spending Rs 5,000 per month on each of them over a period of five years.

"Candidates will be trained for a given period of time in traditional and new industry sectors in state-run, semi- government and private establishments under Apprenticeship Act 1961. A website will be developed to execute and monitor this scheme," he said.

He said the scheme will be rolled out from August 15, and sectors will include e-commerce, call centres, tourism, hospitality, fin-tech, telecom, textile and others.

Pawar also said he was expecting Rs 12,000 crore investment from the private sector, along with Rs 1500 crore the state government will put in over the next three years, to modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CASEVILLE  This Tuesday Caseville residents will get to vote on a bond proposal for various upgrades for the Caseville Public School District.

The School District is asking for an increase of 1.71 mills from the current tax rates, or $1.71 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation, which it estimates will generate $5 million for the district.

The increase for a homeowner with a house in the district worth $100,000 would be approximately $85 per year to their tax bill, or $7 a month.

These bond dollars could only be used for school capital improvements, not for salaries, maintenance, or regular materials.

Caseville Public Schools is already levying 1.9 mills for capital projects and expenditures, so if the proposed levy increase passes, residents would commit to a 3.6 mill levy over the next 20 years.

The estimated average annual millage anticipated to retire the bond debt would be $1.37 mills.

The proposed renovations include:

 Updating the James G. Stahl Auditorium, whose lights and sound system have not been updated since 1993, the stage elevator is broken, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems need to be replaced. It is estimated to cost $850,000.

 Updating the schools technology, which includes providing school-wide internet access, new computers, new computer hardware, and video cameras. Typing skills are taught at an early age and many state tests are done with laptops and Chromebooks. Computers are also used for online classes at high school. It is estimated to cost about $600,000.

 Brand new science classrooms, with science, technology, engineering and math learning labs. The classrooms have not been updated since 1993 and the additions are meant to provide a hands-on experience in the classroom that can be applied in real life vocations. The estimated cost would be $1.85 million.

 Updating the schools bus fleet, which would add three new buses for the district. The newest bus is three years old, while there are two buses that are 14 years old. The estimated cost would be $300,000.

 Site work, including changing the parking lots so that there are student drop-off areas, sidewalk updates, and relocating utilities. It is estimated to cost $400,000.

The Caseville School District currently levies 16.6 mills in taxes, the lowest of any school district in Huron County. Even if the increased levy were approved, it would still be lower than the statewide average of 23.4 mills.

Polls for voting open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., with Caseville city residents voting at Caseville Schools and township residents voting at the Caseville City Hall.

It will be the same time residents can vote in the presidential primaries.

Last year, Caseville residents voted down an $8 million bond proposal that would have included similar upgrades to the auditorium and included STEM laboratories and classrooms, while also having childrens reading and discovery centers, a childrens indoor play area for student and community use, and a five-star early childhood learning center.

More information about the bond proposal is available at www.cpseagles.org.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday directed officials to resolve the issues of farmers who are demanding revision of compensation against land acquisition for two highway projects in the state.

Chairing a review meeting here, the chief minister said that both the highways under Bharatmala projects are important projects from a national perspective and the issue of land acquisition should be resolved amicably.

He directed officials to coordinate with the officials of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and resolve the issues with farmers.

One highway is from Amritsar to Jamnagar and has a total length of nearly 1,100 km, while the second is the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway.

The Amritsar-Jamnagar highway will cover 636 km in Rajasthan and a 373-km stretch of the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway falls in the state.

Thousands of farmers are protesting peacefully in Jalore district for a week demanding revision of compensation against the land acquisition for both the highways.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the farmers handed over a representation addressed to the governor here on Friday to seek his intervention.

Ramesh Dalal, who is heading the agitation, said that several irregularities were committed in passing compensation awards to farmers against the land acquisition for both the highways.

He is demanding rectification of awards and revised compensation to farmers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
06.03.2020 LISTEN

Accra, 5th March 2020  In line with the country's commemoration of its 63rd Independence Day celebrations, telecom operator AirtelTigo is giving Ghanaians another reason to rejoice with It's Time for Freedom Offer on Friday, 6th March 2020.

The Freedom Offer will enable both existing and new customers to enjoy free AirtelTigo to AirtelTigo calls from 6am to 6pm. This offer will also give customers the freedom to have as many and long conversations with their family and friends on Independence Day.

Congratulating the people of Ghana and commenting on the Freedom Offer, the Chief Finance Officer at AirtelTigo, Prince Acheampong said: Ghana's journey has been characterized by growth and development milestones. We pledge to Ghanaians that we remain resolute in our commitment to be an important part of the country's ongoing digital growth agenda.

He explained that the company is delighted to celebrate with its customers as Ghana marks 63 years of Independence with It's Time for Freedom Offer.

He added that the offer also seeks to acknowledge its customers for their support through the years, and the company aims to bring even better offers as it continues to fortify its relationship with them.

AirtelTigo is an innovative Mobile Network Provider that continues to provide customers with relevant and most competitive products and offers in line with its brand promise of making life simple for its stakeholders.

About AirtelTigo:

AirtelTigo is a dynamic and innovative brand providing a wide range of telecommunications services including mobile voice, data, mobile financial services and business connectivity solutions. With the credo of customer first, AirtelTigo constantly innovates to make life simple for its customers. AirtelTigo was launched in November 2017, from a merger between erstwhile Airtel and Tigo. www.airteltigo.com.gh
It's something voters in the US may not have expected to hear during the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination: Australian accents.

While a shrinking field of candidates battle for the chance to take on President Donald Trump, a bunch of Bernie Sanders' Melbourne supporters  the "MelBerniens"  have been campaigning for the 78-year-old Vermont senator from the other side of the world.

Ryan Mickler and Tharini Rouwette from the MelBerniens. Credit:Justin McManus

Brunswick man Ryan Mickler isn't American and can't vote but he was up early on Wednesday cold calling people in California and Texas through an online campaign tool known as "the Bernie dialler" to drum up support for Mr Sanders.

Using another mass-texting app called Spoke, the 34-year-old tech startup worker also sent thousands of messages ahead of "Super Tuesday" in the US, when 14 states held Democratic primaries.
Newly-appointed Healthcare Minister, for his part, assured that the National Health Service would not be abolished, but would be changed

Prime Minister of Ukraine Reuters

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal assured that the new government did not plan to curtail medical reform initiated by former Minister of Health Ulyana Suprun. He said this on the air of 1+1 TV hannel.

"We have come a long way. Today, we are about 80% on completing this reform and getting the result. So a U-turn ... when you cross the river and manage to swim 80% towards the shore. And after that to make the decision to turn back, or swim to the end and overcome these 20% left. Of course, we need to complete this reform," the prime minister said.

Ilya Yemets, the new head of the Ministry of Health, has stated that the reform must be modified so that both doctors and patients are satisfied. He assured that the National Health Service would not be abolished, but would be changed.

As we reported earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that not all Ukrainians are ready for the second stage of medical reform.

According to him, local authorities are not ready to assume powers in order to carry it out.
(Newser)  A GOP congressman from Illinois who resigned in 2015 amid charges of defrauding the government voted against same-sex marriage and other LGBT-positive laws during his four-term tenure. Which is why Aaron Schock's Thursday announcement on social media was shocking. "I am gay," he wrote on Instagram and his own website. Schock confirmed to the Peoria Journal Star the posts were from him. He says his religious family's reaction hasn't been pleasant. "It's fair to say it has not been a case of instant acceptance and understanding," he writes. "What I had to share was unwelcome news to every single person in my family ... and was met with sadness, disappointment, and unsympathetic citations to Scripture." Schock also broaches the elephant in the room: "Where was I, [the LGBT public] will ask, when I was in a position to help advance issues important to gay Americans?"

story continues below

The 38-year-old's explainer: He notes he was a Republican running in a conservative district more than a decade ago, and that his anti-gay marriage stance then was like that of John McCain, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. "The truth is that if I were in Congress today, I would support LGBTQ rights in every way I could," he adds. Not everyone is welcoming him into the LGBT sphere with open arms, specifically because he never says "I'm sorry" in his lengthy note. "Everyone deserves to come out as their authentic self on their own terms," GLAAD tweeted. "However, Aaron Schock's statement fails to acknowledge the years of hurt that his votes ... caused LGBTQ Americans." As for how Schock is faring today, he says family members still send him emails to get him to go to conversion therapy, but he adds that his mom recently told him "if there is anyone special in my life, she wants to meet them." (Read more LGBT stories.)
Chinese hospitals were releasing hundreds of recovered COVID-19 patients and officials reported 139 new cases of infection and 31 more deaths. In all, the country has reported 80,409 cases and 3,012 deaths. More than two-thirds of those in China who contracted the virus have been discharged from hospitals, officials said.
By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov met heads of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, US to discuss economic reforms carried out in the country.

During the meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Samir Sharifov gave comprehensive information about large-scale reforms implemented under President Ilham Aliyev leadership in Azerbaijan.

IMF is ready to render all necessary support to Azerbaijan in this direction, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said during the meeting, adding that she met President Aliyev at Davos Economic Forum in January of 2019.

During the meeting, it was also emphasized that Azerbaijan plays a significant role in a global and regional scale. The sides discussed Azerbaijans partnership with international financial organizations, and the ways of upgrading them to a qualitatively new level.

The minister also held a meeting with Jihad Azur, Head of the IMF department on the Middle East and Central Asia, and Natalia Tamirisa, Head of the IMF mission on Azerbaijan. Implementation of Medium Term Expenditure Framework in Azerbaijan, as well as in the framework of the 4th article of IMF, preparations for the organizations representatives visit to the country in July were also high on the agenda.

Samir Sharifov had another meeting with Cyril Muller, the Vice-President of World Bank (WB). During the meeting, discussions were held on further cooperation plans between Azerbaijan and World Bank, as well as execution of issues arising after the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Axel Van Trontsenburg, the Managing Director of WB, in the framework of Munich Security Conference held in February.

As part of his visit to Washington, the Azerbaijan Finance Minister met with Peter Haas, Co-chair of the US-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership Commission and First Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs of the US. They discussed the next meeting of Intergovernmental Commission to be organized in Washington in July, 2020 and mutual economic cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and the United States.

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Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97
[March 06, 2020] Schwab Fundamental Index* Mutual Fund Receives Best-In-Class Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award for Second Consecutive Year

Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM) announced today that its Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund (SFLNX) has won a 2020 US Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award for outstanding fund performance. The annual Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards recognize funds and fund management companies that excel in delivering consistently strong, risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. SFLNX was named best-in-class among 87 large-cap value funds for the ten-year ranking period ending November 30, 2019. This is the second year in a row that the fund has won a Refinitiv Lipper Award in this category. "It is an honor to be recognized by Lipper for the second consecutive year for the best-in-class performance of our Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund," said Jonathan de St. Paer, president of CSIM. "We continue to believe that Fundamental Index strategies can play a valuable role in the core of investors' portfolios. They can complement traditional market-cap weighted index and actively managed strategies, and when used together they offer investors broad diversification and the potential for more attractive risk-adjusted returns." CSIM was the first asset manager to launch a Fundamental Index mutual fund in early 2007, and it currently offers six Fundamental Index mutual funds and six Fundamental Index ETFs. As of December 31, 2019, Schwab's Fundamental Index products reached $30.9 billion in assets under management, while total assets under management across CSIM's suite of more than 100 funds reached $487.1 billion. The awards were announced last night at the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards ceremony held in New York. About Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards For more than 30 years and in over 17 countries worldwide, the highly-respected Refinitiv Lipper Awards have honored funds and fund management firms that have excelled in providing consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers and focus the investment world on top-funds. The merit of the winners is based on entirely objective, quantitative criteria. This coupled with the unmatched depth of fund data, results in a unique level of prestige and ensures the award has lasting value. Renowned fund data and proprietary methodology is the foundation of this prestigious award qualification, recognizing excellence in fund management. Find out more at www.lipperfundawards.com. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fnd with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although Refinitiv Lipper makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Refinitiv Lipper.



About Refinitiv Refinitiv is one of the world's largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, serving over 40,000 institutions in approximately 190 countries. It provides leading data and insights, trading platforms and open data and technology platforms that connect a thriving global financial markets community - driving performance in trading, investment, wealth management, regulatory compliance, market data management, enterprise risk and fighting financial crime.

About Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. As of December 31, 2019, Charles Schwab Investment Management managed approximately $468.9 billion on a discretionary basis and approximately $18.1 billion on a non-discretionary basis. Source (News - Alert): Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. More information is available at www.schwabfunds.com. About Charles Schwab At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients' goals with passion and integrity. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Disclosures: Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can view and download a prospectus by visiting schwabfunds.com/prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. Investment value will fluctuate, and shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. * Fundamental Index is a registered trademark of Research Affiliates LLC. Schwab is a registered trademark of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Lipper Leaders fund ratings do not constitute and are not intended to constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security of any entity in any jurisdiction. As a result, you should not make an investment decision on the basis of this information. Rather, you should use the Lipper ratings for informational purposes only. Lipper is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information that you obtain from Lipper. In addition, Lipper will not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from information obtained from Lipper or any of its affiliates. Distinction does not imply a guarantee of future results. Distinction does not necessarily imply that the fund had the best performance within its category. There are numerous Lipper Leaders in every category. Diversification strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM) is the investment advisor for Schwab Funds and Schwab ETFs. Schwab Funds are distributed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), Member SIPC. Schwab ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO). CSIM and Schwab, are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation, and are not affiliated with SIDCO or Refinitiv. Lipper at Refinitiv is a nationally recognized organization that ranks the performance of mutual funds within a universe of funds that have similar investment objectives. The fund award rankings are historical and are based on risk-adjusted total return with capital gains and dividends reinvested. (0320-06DD) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005068/en/

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A veterinary nurse is facing up to two years in jail after getting 'eight out of ten' drunk on board on a flight to Turkey and assaulting another passenger.

Katherine Heyes, 29, from Tyldesley, Wigan, helped consume an entire bottle of duty-free vodka with two friends and was so intoxicated she could barely speak.

During the trip from Manchester to the Turkish resort city of Antalya, Heyes became abusive towards crew and passengers and got involved in an altercation in which a fellow traveller suffered a scratch to her face.

The incident occurred on May 18 last year after Heyes boarded Thomas Cook flight MT354 with a female friend and the friend's mother.

The pilot considered diverting the plane but it landed at its destination and police were waiting to escort Heyes and her friends away.

Katherine Heyes leaving Manchester Magistrates court after her behaviour on a flight

She later claimed she got drunk as she was nervous about flying.

At Manchester magistrates court, Heyes, admitted being drunk on an aircraft but she was sent to crown court for sentence after a district judge said his sentencing powers were insufficient.

Prosecutor Miss Eileen Rogers said: 'There were problems with their boarding passes as regards the names on the cards and they were the last to board the flight and take their seats in row 15.

'Following take-off a member of cabin crew noticed the friends going to the toilet both together and going in there with a large bag with them and it appeared they were drinking their own alcohol aboard the plane.

'They had a large bag with them in such a small space and one of the cabin crew had seen some alcohol.

Later the meals were served and the cabin crew found an empty bottle of blue vodka where the group were sitting.

'Details were taken from all the ladies and the alcohol bottle was removed and advice was given not to consume alcohol on board the aircraft.

Cabin crew said they could barely understand Heyes's speech as she was so intoxicated

'But cabin crew noticed the ladies appeared to be under the influence of alcohol - in particular Heyes.

'She was slurring her words so much it was difficult to understand what she was saying when she was responding to the cabin crew member.

'Passengers within the area began using their call buttons to get the crews attention at the response to the lady causing a disturbance in the row.

'They all noticed she was intoxicated and all were concerned about her welfare. She seemed to be swearing and pointing her finger in an aggressive way.

'Many passengers were prompted to use the buttons to voice their concerns about the behaviour.

'A cabin crew member went to approach in relation to that but it caused another altercation with the others with her trying to calm her down and one was left with a scratch to her face.

The incident occurred on May 18 last year after Heyes boarded Thomas Cook flight MT354 (stock image)

'She then started again swearing and shouting again whilst being restrained by her friends and they told her to calm down.

'A senior cabin crew member spoke to her again and were keeping a close eye on her but many passengers wanted the flight to be diverted.

'But after speaking to the captain and learning they were 40 minutes away from landing, a decision was taken for the aircraft to proceed to the destination.

'Police met the aircraft and all parties were escorted off. '

Miss Rogers added: 'It was a worrying time for people on the aircraft travelling all looking to see what's going on and there was a considerable amount of disturbance and noise coming from Heyes.

The judge referred the case to a higher court as he believed a financial penalty was insufficent punishment for Heyes behaviour

'They wanted the aircraft to be diverted and Heyes to be removed from the aircraft. The bad behaviour lasted for most of the flight.'

Crew member Donna Smith said in a statement: 'I noticed a lady being very drunk on the aircraft and causing a disturbance and swearing.

'She was obviously drunk and eight of 10 on the intoxication level. I had never had to contemplate diverting an aircraft and restraining somebody this was extreme when all control had been lost.

'It did become chaotic on this flight due to the acts of Katherine and all of her group. There were no thoughts and consideration of the effects they were having to all other passengers on board.

'I am trained to deal with confrontation and difficult passengers but nothing prepares you or is as upsetting to see this. All the cabin members were very disturbed on the flight.

Heyes's destination, Antalya, Turkey, where she was escorted off the flight by police

'They were upset and concerned for the safety of themselves and clearly effected everybody on board.'

In mitigation defence lawyer Nichola Johnson said: 'Heyes is truly remorseful and sorry about her behaviour on the day in question.

She accepts the offence entirely out of character and she accepts and fully understands the serious nature of the incident and the upset and distress to other passengers.

'She makes clear she didn't set out to consume alcohol on this flight or get herself in this state.

'One of the other female adults brought alcohol in question and it hadn't been Heyes intention to purchase any alcohol.

'She does accept that one bottle was opened on the flight and she accepts an amount of alcohol was poured into a glass.

'She's a nervous flyer and not a regular flyer she was stressed and worried about this flight at the outset.

'She doesn't usually drink spirits and the amount of alcohol may have exasperated her emotional state and she was beginning to lose her temper and matters escalated from there.

'She's not seeking to excuse her behaviour or minimise it in any way but she does apologise most profusely for this incident.

'She accepts it would have caused distress to the crew and surrounding passengers. Being escorted from the plane had a significant impact on her.

'She was told police would visit her at her destination where she was residing during the course of her holiday and she had the threat of that hanging over her.

'They did not attend but when she returned to the UK, she was met by an officer at Manchester airport and was fully cooperative.

'She's the author of her own misfortune but this matter has gone on for some time to come to court and has caused an immense amount of stress and worry for her.

'She's of impeccable character. She works full time as a veterinary nurse and has worked very hard to qualify and achieve the qualifications.

'It's been a long time since I have seen references of such a glowing and very caring nature towards her colleagues and also to people she comes across during the course of her work.

'I hope the court would be able to accept this office is while of a serious nature is entirely out of character and one unlikely to be repeated ever again.'

But District Judge Judge John Temperley told Heyes: 'My sentencing powers are limited and all this particular court can do is impose a financial penalty.

'In this particular case, I am not satisfied a financial penalty is adequate nature for the seriousness of the offence.

'There was a high level of intoxication as evidence of the various witnesses and a degree of verbal abuse aimed at them.

'There were concerns raised by a number of passengers and consideration was also given to diverting the plane.

'For these reasons I take the view a fine is insufficient and inadequate and it should be a matter for the crown court to deal with it.'
Breaking her silence on YES Bank crisis, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured YES Bank customers that each depositor's money is safe. "I'm in constant touch with RBI," she added."The RBI Governor has assured me that the matter will be resolved soon. Both RBI & Govt of India are looking at this, I've personally monitored the situation for a couple of months along with RBI & we have taken the course that will be in everybody's interest," she added. Earlier, SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar, after meeting with Sitharaman, also said the state-owned lender had given "in-principle" approval of intent to invest in YES Bank. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das also assured the apex bank would take "very swift action" on the YES Bank's revival process.

Also read: YES Bank crisis: You can withdraw cash up to Rs 5 lakh; here's how

Check all the latest updates on YES Bank crisis on BusinessToday.In live blog

6.00 PM: Congress leader P Chidambaram addresses allegations of mismanaging institutions levelled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamann against the UPA government.

Listened to FMs address to the media. It is obvious that the crisis has been in the making since 2017 and the government did practically nothing except talk to the RBI. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

As expected, the FM has indirectly blamed the UPA for the near collapse of YES Bank contrary to her own claim that the crisis started in 2017. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

Did you notice that the FM did not acknowledge the numbers of the loan book of YES Bank? Did you notice that FM did not explain how the loan book miraculously jumped from Rs 55,633 crore in March 2014 to Rs 2,41,999 crore in March 2019? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

FM was focused on what happened during the UPA. What happened was UPA did not allow any bank to reach a state of collapse. Under UPA, weak banks were merged with other banks well in time to avoid a crisis. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

The decisions to merge were taken by RBI Governors Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Y V Reddy. Why doesnt the FM call them and ask them to explain their decisions? She might find that the decisions were correct and taken by competent Governors. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

What is the government doing today? Is the government not merging weak public sector banks with stronger public sector banks?



Naturally, FM blamed the legacy of UPA. She will say that for the rest of the tenure of the BJP government! P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

5.26 PM: I acknowledge the pain faced by depositors, says FM Sitharaman.

5.22 PM: We have taken a considered view that supecession should happen. It is because we are closely working to make sure that no institution really collapses, says the FM. We are working for restructuring, protecting depositors' interest and investors' money, she further says.

5.20 PM: SEBI has already started looking into YES Bank as a regulator, we will be able to comment on it (whether other investigative agencies will join the probe) as we go ahead, says the FM.

5.18 PM: Our approach has been to ensure that institutions don't collapse... and above all keep the clients' iinterests safe. That is why, Prime Minister insisted that we increase deposits' insurance from Rs 1 lakh to to Rs 5 lakh, says the FM.

5.14 PM: These "self-appointed competent doctors" were the ones who handled United Western Bank which almost collapsed in 2006, forcefully merged with IDBI Bank, says the FM. The merger is causing problems now in restoring good health of IDBI Bank, she further says.

5.12 PM: Some of the very stressed corporates have been since before 2014, says the FM, listing names including Anil Ambani group, Vodafone, IL&FS, Essel Group.

5.11 PM: Employment and salaries continued for at least one year, assures the Finance Minister.

5.10 PM: Deposits and liabilities will continue unaffected, she further says.

5.10 PM: A new board will be put in place, says the FM

5.09 PM: Scheme for restructuring the bank will be in effect within the the period of moratorium, so that depositors are not troubled for long, says the FM

5.05 PM: Govt completely committed of the ensure safety of depositors money, says Sitharaman

5.05 PM: "I have askeed RBI now to assess what caused this problem and clearly identify roles of various indidiuals in creating these problems," says the FM.

5.02 PM: By November 2019, new CEO started working intensively with RBI. It was clear there's no hope for fresh equity

5.02 PM: In September 2019, earlier promoter completely sold all his stake and left the bank. Genuinely attempts were made to get new equity, ut nothing materialised.

4.59 PM: In September 2018 RBI said leadership has to be changed, says the Finance Minister

4.56 PM: FM Sitharamam said that new YES Bank CEO appointed will be appointed on September 18. The process to clean up the bank started in 2018, she added.

4.56 PM: FM Sitharaman begins media interaction.

4.54 PM: RBI announces Scheme of Reconstruction for YES Bank.

4.53 PM: YES Bank crisis: Chidamabaram says govt's ability to run financial institutions exposed

Former P Chidambaram P Chidambaram hit out at the government on Friday, saying its "ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed". The comments came a day after YES Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping deposit withdrawals at the bank at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

"BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed. First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?," Chidambaram said in a tweet.

(PTI)

4.30 PM: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address the media in a short while from now.

Watch LIVE: Press conference by Finance Minister @nsitharaman



: 4:30 PM



: Conference Room 72, Ground floor, North Block



YouTube: https://t.co/99VZ2B6ahz



Facebook: https://t.co/imJr864fiT PIB India (@PIB_India) March 6, 2020

4.26 PM: Don't panic, cash crunch at YES Bank ATMs to be resolved soon

Talking to reporters outside the Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that YES Bank account-holders need not to panic as the RBI and government will make sure that there is no cash crunch at YES Bank ATMs.

4.20 PM: After Friday's volatile trading session, YES Bank ended 56 per cent lower at Rs 16.20 on BSE, after falling nearly 85 per cent lower to the all-time loss of Rs 5.55. Sensex tanked 893.99 points to end at 37,576.62.

4.13 PM: SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Shri Ajay Tyagi, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) calls on Smt @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/j8HdbZWxF5 NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) March 6, 2020

3.23 PM: YES Bank founder and former MD Rana Kapur has refused to comment on the issues surrounding the private lender. "I have not been involved whatsoever with the bank for the past over 13 months...so, have no clue...," Kapur told BusinessToday.In.

3.11 PM: Chidambaram asks is it correct that SBI is "exploring investment opportunity" in YES Bank? "Why should SBI invest in YES Bank?" says the former FM.

SBI should take over the loan book of YES Bank for one rupee, recover the loans, and simultaneously assure the depositors that their money will be safe and will be returned. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

2.41 PM: Will govt explain spike in lender's loan book under BJP's watch, asks Chidambaram. Earlier, Chidambaram slammed the Modi government, saying their (the Centre's) ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stood exposed.

2.28 PM: Arrest Rana Kapur: Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi demands the arrest of former MD and founder of Yes Bank, Rana Kapoor. Earlier, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and P Chidambaram had also slammed the Modi government for crisis in the banking sector.

2.25 PM: RBI curb on YES Bank credit negative: Moody's

The Reserve Bank on India's moratorium and withdrawal cap on YES Bank is credit negative, and the lack of coordinated action highlights continued uncertainty around bank resolutions, Moody's Investors Service. The RBI's moratorium on YES Bank is credit negative as it affects timely repayment of bank depositors and creditors, Moody's Investors Service Vice President Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions, Alka Anbarasu said.

2.10 PM: What's insurance cover for YES Bank customer?

In case if the private lender is dissolved, the maximum insurance cover that the depositors will receive is Rs 5 lakh for all accounts opened with the bank, including lockers. This is the first time in 27 years that insurance limit on bank deposits has been revised during Budget 2020 in February. The matter of hiking deposit insurance coverage came to the fore after Mumbai-headquartered Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank) came under RBI scanner last year.

Also read: Now, you will get Rs 5 lakh if your bank goes bust instead of Rs 1 lakh

2.04 PM: YES Bank stock has no value for minority shareholders: ICICI Direct

"Like the large NCLT cases, a bailout involves bringing in fresh equity at extremely beaten down value (like 1-2) by the fresh buyer. Accordingly, minority shareholders will be reduced to a very small percentage stake from current large position. In all cases, minority shareholders are set to lose and recommend that existing shareholders exit positions. We rate the stock as Sell (from Reduce earlier)."

2.00 PM: HDFC Bank Chairman Deepak Parekh doesn't believe moratorium on YES Bank will last till April 3. "(I) believe market is overreacting, things will settle down in a week. The RBI has taken a timely call on YES Bank. If RBI invites us to take part in YES Bank capitalisation, we'll consider," he told to CNBC TV18.

1.41 PM: Breaking her silence on YES Bank crisis, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured YES Bank customers that each depositor's money is safe. "I'm in constant touch with RBI," she added.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on #YesBank: I want to assure all the depositors that their money is safe, I am constantly in touch with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The steps that are taken are in the interest of the depositors, the bank & the economy. pic.twitter.com/t48fmk07vw ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

1.31 PM: Kotak Mahindra Bank MD Uday Kotak says he's confident the action taken by the RBI will take care of the depositors' interests. "Will all work towards making sure there's enough confidence in the system," Kotak told CNBC TV 18.

1.23 PM: "No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India's economy," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Earlier today, Chidambaram also slammed the Modi government, saying their (the Modi government) ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed.

No Yes Bank.



Modi and his ideas have destroyed Indias economy.



#NoBank Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 6, 2020

1.06 PM: What SBI chief Rajnish Kumar says on YES Bank

SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar, after meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the state-owned lender had given "in-principle" approval of intent to invest in YES Bank. "Once RBI prepares its restructuring scheme, we will take a call," he said, adding that depositors' money was safe and that there was no need to panic. Both the Reserve Bank and State Bank have given assurance that people's money is safe.

12.58 PM: How can you withdraw up to Rs 5 lakh from YES Bank

YES Bank depositors can't withdraw more than Rs 50,000 for a month, but the RBI may allow YES Bank depositors to withdraw up to Rs 5 lakh in case of an 'emergency'. Those seeking more than Rs 5 lakh will have to submit a written request to Reserve Bank Administrator for YES Bank, Prashant Kumar, or the panel led by him.

12.48 PM: Customers a harried lot due to curbs on withdrawal

YES Bank customers are facing major issues while withdrawing cash from ATMs. They are also facing issues in accessing net banking as there has been a spike in the number of people trying to login its website. Besides ATMs and online banking withdrawals, YES Bank's UPI services have also been hit.

12.27 PM: What's the role of RBI administrator?

Reserve Bank has appointed Prashant Kumar as Administrator to look after the YES Bank revival process. In case of Yes Bank, his task is to first limit the bank withdrawals and get on to assessing the correct position of non-performing loans, the capital levels, the liquidity position and also the solvency issue. While the bank delayed the third quarter (Sept-Dec) results of FY20, the bank has provided the regulatory disclosure till September 2019. The position might have changed in the last five months (Oct to Feb).

12.14 PM: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on YES Bank

"We have issued two press statements yesterday. They explain in detail the background of our decision. It (the YES Bank revival process) will be done very swiftly, very fast. Thirty days which we have given is the outer limit. You'll soon see a scheme to revive YES Bank."

12.00 PM: YES Bank share tanks 85 %

YES Bank share price fell 84.93% to an all-time low on NSE today, trading as the top loser on Friday after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the private lender's board and restricted withdrawals for the customers. RBI later plans to put in place a revival scheme for the private lender.

11.35 AM: Is there a third bank in the line? Asks P Chidambaram

Chidambaram slams the Modi government, saying their (the Modi government) ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed. "First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?"

BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed



First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility?



Is there a third bank in the line? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

11.25 am: RBI will come with a scheme shortly, says governor Shaktikanta Das

The RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thursday that the central bank is working on very swiftly and smoothly and RBI will come up with a scheme very shortly. "30 days is the outer limit. RBI is working very swiftly and smoothly and RBI will come up with a scheme very shortly," he said.

11.17 am: Yes Bank crisis: Brokerage firms cancel clients' withdrawal request

We have cancelled all fund withdrawal requests made by clients to their YES bank accounts so that the money doesn't get blocked. Please change, if your primary bank account is YES, to any other and withdraw the funds. https://t.co/p85cBc1SeZ - Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) March 5, 2020

11.10 am: Top finance ministry officials meet to discuss future roadmap

Top finance ministry officials' is underway to discuss future roadmap and course of action before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharmaan meets SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar

11.05 AM: Yes Bank share down 50 per cent on both the BSE and the NSE. The share opened at Rs 33.20 on Friday, and was trading at Rs 18.45 at 11 AM.

10.50 AM: Apart from SBI and LIC, the RBI may also rope in more banks to form a consortium of banks to revive YES Bank, suggest reports. Top RBI sources have said that the YES Bank issue will be resolved in just a month.

10.38 AM: Who can withdraw more than Rs 50,000

The apex bank has placed curbs on YES Bank customers for withdrawing money. As per the RBI directive, the depositors can't withdraw more than Rs 50,000 for a month starting from March 5 until April 3. However, people can still withdraw money up to Rs 5 lakh under certain "emergency" conditions like medical treatment, higher education; for paying obligatory expenses in connection with marriage or in case of any unavoidable emergency.

10.20 AM: YES Bank share nosedives

Shares of Yes Bank at Rs 27.65, down by 24.97%. Yes Bank was placed under moratorium by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the withdrawal limit was capped at Rs 50,000, yesterday.

10.02 AM: The RBI took over of the YES Bank management has weakened sentiment in domestic market. Sensex has tanked 1,400 points, Nifty opens below 11,000; IndusInd Bank, SBI, Tata Steel top losers

9.54 AM: Top RBI sources say YES Bank issue will be sorted out in a few days. The RBI will act swiftly to put in place a revival scheme for the private lender.

9.47 AM: Does RBI cap applies to both current and savings accounts?

Yes. The RBI directive applies to both current and savings accounts, under which YES Bank customers can't withdraw more than Rs 50,000 in a month. The government, on RBI's recommendations, on Thursday imposed a moratorium on YES Bank from March 5 to April 3. This order came into effect from 6:00 pm today. The central bank has also superseded YES Bank's board.

9.38 AM: YES Bank share tanks 25 per cent in the opening session on Friday after opening lower than the previous day.

9.31 AM: What does RBI action on YES Bank say?

The RBI wants to investigate and do a full inspection under charge of an administrator. Prashant Kumar, former Deputy Managing Director and CFO of State Bank of India, has been appointed administrator by the RBI. Once the administrator inspects the book and prepares a report, the RBI will have a clear picture of asset quality of the bank. This will help the RBI take a decision on a merger with other bank or put more capital from public sector banks (PSBs) and other institutions.

Also read: RBI's board superseding points to graver issues at YES Bank

9.26 AM: What's RBI's plan of action on YES Bank

In other words, the RBI will assess YES Bank's books and asset quality to decide a plan of action, which might include merger or takeover by another entity, and implement this roadmap within the period of moratorium (30 days), "so that the depositors are not put to hardship for a long period of time".

9.11 AM: BSE and NSE have said that there'll be no futures and options (F&O) contracts in Yes Bank from May 29. In a worrying development for YES Bank customers, the RBI capped withdrawals by depositors at Rs 50,000. The central bank has also superseded the board of YES Bank and appointed Prashant Kumar, former Deputy Managing Director and CFO of State Bank of India, as administrator.

9.06 AM: ATMs run out of cash, online channels also not working

Harried Yes Bank depositors have been rushing to ATMs to withdraw cash since yesterday but are facing multitude of problems including closed down machines and long queues. Aggravating the problems of depositors were difficulties accessing the internet banking channel, which ensured that they can't transfer the funds online as well.

8.54 AM: RBI appoints former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar as administrator for Yes Bank

The RBI has imposed a moratorium on YES Bank, superseded its board, and imposed a withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000. The central bank said it was "satisfied that in order to protect the interest of the depositors and in public interest, it is necessary to issue certain directions to YES Bank". However, customers are bound to be affected directly.

8.52 AM: YES Bank ATMs run out of cash

A Yes Bank ATM in Parel runs out of cash as people rushed to withdraw money following Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to place the bank under moratorium & cap withdrawal limit at Rs 50,000. -- ANI

8.50 AM:SBI board gives 'in principle' nod

The SBI board has given the largest lender an "in-principle" approval to invest in the capital-starved Yes Bank. The central board of SBI discussed the matter at a meeting on Thursday, it informed the exchanges. The announcement came hours after Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board. -- PTI

8.47 AM: How long is the cap on cash withdrawals?

The moratorium on YES Bank will be in place from March 5 to April 3, or a period of 30 days. The withdrawal limit for depositors may remain in effect for this period unless the RBI releases another notification.

Also read: YES Bank customer? Here's what you should do

8.44 AM: What did YES bank collapse?

The private lender had to the price due to issues such as deteriorating financial position, governance issues, false assurance on raising funds, non-serious investors, and outflow of liquidity.

Also read: Why did Yes Bank collapse? Here are 6 main reasons

8.38 AM: Are our savings safe from banks? asks AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

"First it was non banks like ILFS & Dewan that collapsed under the weight of a crashing economy. Then a big cooperative bank in the rich state of Maharashtra, PMC Bank failed. Now we've the first ever scheduled commercial bank to fail: Yes Bank. Are our savings safe from banks?" asks Owaisi.

Mumbai: A Yes Bank ATM in Parel runs out of cash as people rushed to withdraw money following Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to place the bank under moratorium & cap withdrawal limit at Rs 50,000. pic.twitter.com/IIID8Dz0lC ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2020

8.35 AM: What can YES Bank customers do?

Customers have been affected due to the RBI cap on cash withdrawal from YES Bank. Currently, there's not much YES Bank customers can do beyond withdrawing up to Rs 50,000 from the bank and waiting for RBI's next announcement.

ALSO READ:Yes Bank withdrawal limit Rs 50,000 after RBI action

8.30 AM: Serious governance issues at YES Bank

The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years which have led to a steady decline of the bank. Take, for instance, the bank under-reported NPAs to the tune of Rs 3,277 crore in 2018-19. That was prompted RBI to dispatch R Gandhi, a former Deputy Governor, to the board of the bank.

8.20 AM: What's YES Bank's financial position

The financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline over the last few years because of its inability to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits. The bank was making losses and inadequate profits in the last four quarters.

8.15 AM: People's interest will be fully protected, says the RBI

The Reserve Bank has assured the depositors of YES Bank that their interest will be fully protected and there is no need to panic. "In terms of the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, the Reserve Bank will explore and draw up a scheme in the next few days for the bank's reconstruction or amalgamation and with the approval of the Central Government, put the same in place well before the period of moratorium of thirty days ends so that the depositors are not put to hardship for a long period of time."

8.12 AM: What the RBI says?

The Reserve Bank, in consultation with the central government, has superseded the Board of Directors of Yes Bank Ltd for a period of 30 days, owing to "serious deterioration" in the financial position of the Bank. "This has been done to quickly restore depositors' confidence in the bank, including by putting in place a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation. Shri Prashant Kumar, ex-DMD and CFO of State Bank of India has been appointed as the administrator under Section 36ACA (2) of the Act."

8.06 AM: The Mumbai Police control room last night had sent an SOS alert to check on YES Bank ATMs across Mumbai, and control overcrowding and law and order situation.

8.01 AM: 'We're in trouble'

"We weren't informed. Wanted to withdraw cash but ATM run out of cash, as many withdrew. We're in trouble, Holi is coming," say customers.
(TNS)  In the coming weeks, you receive a notice in the mail to complete the 2020 U.S. Census. Here are 10 things to know for this year's census:1 -- Everyone counts. Every person living in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are required by law to be counted. Count all the people living in the household  including babies  who live and sleep there most of the time. The bureau conducts counts in institutions and other places such as a nursing home, jail or prison on Census Day, April 1.2 -- How to respond. In mid-March, a Census Bureau mailing will arrive at each household with detailed information on the three options for responding. For the first time ever, the bureau will accept census responses online. You also may respond by paper ballot or telephone. Respond by Census Day, April 1.3 -- What if I don't respond? In May, census takers will begin in-person visits to those addresses that have not responded. If one does visit, they may be working on the 2020 Census or another census survey  the bureau conducts more than 100 surveys throughout the country in addition to the decennial census.4 -- What questions are asked? The decennial census will collect basic information from the household including the number of residents, their name, sex, birth date, race, whether they live elsewhere and if the respondent owns or rents the home.4 -- What questions are not asked? The Census Bureau will never ask for Social Security numbers; bank or credit card account numbers; money or donations; or anything on behalf of a political party. If you are asked these questions, it is a scam.6 -- Why is it important? Census data is used to determine how to distribute $675 billion in federal funding back to states and local communities for things such as health care, jobs, schools, roads and businesses. It also determines how states redraw their congressional and state legislature boundaries and the number of congressional seats assigned to a state.7 -- Does the 2020 Census ask about citizenship status? No. The 2020 Census does not ask whether you or anyone in your home is a U.S. citizen.8 -- Are non-citizens counted in the census? Yes. The Census counts everyone living in the country, including non-citizens.9 -- Is my information kept confidential? Yes. Federal law protects your responses. Your answers can only be used for statistical purposes and cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.10 -- Identifying a census taker  Census Bureau employees will present an ID badge that includes: their name, photograph, a Department of Commerce watermark; and an expiration date. They also will have an official bag and Census Bureau-issued electronic device such as a laptop or smartphone with the bureau's logo. They do their work between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Photo: Unanue Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images

Apropos of something: Four days after Hachette Book Group announced that it will publish Woody Allens memoir, Apropos of Nothing, the publisher has decided it will not move forward with the book. Instead, all rights will be returned to Allen. Apropos of Nothing was due to be published in the United States in April 2020; Allen had reportedly been quietly pitching the book to publishers in the spring of 2019, with none agreeing to publish it, and a few declining to even read the manuscript. Hachettes reversal comes after the publisher was lambasted by Ronan Farrow and members of its own staff protested the books publication on Thursday. The staffers said they stand with Ronan and Dylan Farrow and survivors of sexual assault.

In a statement, Hachette Book Group said the decision to cancel Mr. Allens book was a difficult one. See the full statement below:

Hachette Book Group has decided that it will not publish Woody Allens memoir A Propos of Nothing, originally scheduled for sale in April 2020, and will return all rights to the author. The decision to cancel Mr. Allens book was a difficult one. At HBG we take our relationships with authors very seriously, and do not cancel books lightly. We have published and will continue to publish many challenging books. As publishers, we make sure every day in our work that different voices and conflicting points of views can be heard. Also, as a company, we are committed to offering a stimulating, supportive and open work environment for all our staff. Over the past few days, HBG leadership had extensive conversations with our staff and others. After listening, we came to the conclusion that moving forward with publication would not be feasible for HBG.

Ronan Farrows book Catch and Kill was published by Hachette; the author announced that he would cut ties with the publisher based on their decision to publish Allens memoir without being it being fact-checked. I was disappointed to learn through press reports that Hachette, my publisher, acquired Woody Allens memoir after other major publishers refused to do so, Farrow wrote in a statement released earlier this week. He added that its wildly unprofessional in multiple obvious directions for Hachette to behave this way. Publishers Weekly first reported the news.

Update Friday evening: Ronan Farrow a tweeted a thank you to Hachette employees and authors, as well as the publisher itself, following the memoirs withdrawal.

Im grateful to all the Hachette employees and authors who spoke up and to the company for listening.  Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) March 6, 2020

Dylan Farrow followed suit, praising each and every individual who, at great professional risk to themselves, stood in solidarity with my brother, myself, and with all victims of sexual assault yesterday: words will never describe the debt of gratitude I owe to you in a Twitter post.
Today's Paris Live opens with a look at the meeting held between the Presidents of Turkey and Russia, who despite warming bilateral relations in other areas, do not see eye to eye on the conflict in Syria where they support opposing causes. An escalation of violence in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib province has raised fears of their armies clashing and launching a new migrant crisis.

We'll hear about the effect the spread of coronavirus is having on the pharmaceutical industry in India. The country - which accounts for about 40% of U.S. generic drugs - ordered the pharmaceutical industry to stop exporting 26 drugs and ingredients used in antibiotics without explicit permission from the government.

Meanwhile, the UN Environment Programme has released its Emissions Gap Report. Experts are calling on world governments to repair the damage done by a wasted decade on climate action  from 2010 until now  during which emissions continued to rise and the planet logged its hottest 10 years in human history.

We take a look at an Amnesty International report on the use of deadly violence at protests in Iran in November last year, in which at least 23 minors were killed.

As the crisis in the anglophone regions of Cameroon continues, we hear from our correspondent on why the military is denying that civilians were killed in a fresh attack.
We got a chance to go to Dublin this week to try the oldest permanent Redbreast expression ever released: Redbreast 27 Year Old Irish Whiskey.

We travelled to the Irish capital this week in the company of Midleton Distillery master blender Billy Leighton, blender Dave McCabe and head of maturation Kevin OGorman to launch the most exciting whiskey to come out of the distillery in about a fortnight. All jokes aside, its new Redbreast, folks. Its 27 years old, its bottled at a cask strength 54.6% ABV and its joining the core range, making the oldest permanent expression from the brand.

Its an impressive showing from the distillery in a week in which we celebrated Irish Whiskey Day (3 March), chosen because of Irelands connection to the number, from the leaves on a shamrock to the colours in the flag and the three types of Irish whiskey: single malt, single grain and single pot still. The latter is a source of particular pride as it can only be made in Ireland. For those unfamiliar with the style, its made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, in contrast to single malt whiskeys which use 100% malted barley, which provides a creamy and spicy character to the spirit.

Redbreast is the biggest-selling pot still whiskey globally and never seems to stop winning awards, notably taking home the prize for World Whisky Trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2019 for Redbreast 12 Year Old, which scored a remarkable 98 points. Although, it may well have competition next year from the latest release, which joins the 15, and 21-year-old whiskies in the Redbreast range, as well as the Lustau Edition.

Redbreast 27 Year Old, which will be made in limited quantities on an ongoing basis and is priced at RRP 495, marks something of a departure from the rest of the range in that it was partially matured in ruby Port barrels. Leighton made it clear at the launch event that its a single pot still whiskey made in in the Redbreast style. On the label, it says enriched by ruby Port casks. I want to make it clear its not a Port cask finish, its a component, he says. Rewind back to 1995 we got some freshly seasoned Port casks and we put a six-year-old single pot still into those casks. What we have here is a combination of four cask types: first-still bourbon and refill bourbon, first-fill oloroso sherry casks and first-fill ruby Port pipes.

On the brands website, theres a comment that reads, The sherry flavour profile of our Redbreast whiskey is perhaps the most beloved part of our whiskey for many of our loyal followers, so it is interesting to see Redbreast flexing its maturation muscles. Fans may be concerned that the classic profile may be lost in this experimentation. In the press release, Leighton says that McCabe and he Drew on our experience of working with sherry and other wine casks over the years as we have evolved the range. This time, we wanted to push the boundaries and yet create an expression that would seamlessly take its place at the head of the family, while McCabe added that the ruby Port barrels contribute notes of mango, pineapple and berry to the robust flavour of Redbreast 27 Year Old, clearly distinguishing it from the previous expressions in the collection, treading a beautiful balance of tradition and innovation.

Its worth noting that, while consumers have seen little evidence of this until now, Irish Distillers relationship with Port goes back almost as far as it does with oloroso sherry. It started over 30 years ago, in the late 80s. Having already established contacts and a supply line for oloroso sherry casks from Jerez de la Frontera, OGorman said that the challenge was to get something different. My predecessor Brendan Monks came up with the idea of going to Portugal. Irish Distillers was put in contact with the people at Sandeman Port, who at first were a little resistant. The relationship grew, particularly thanks to Alex Burmester, who worked for Sandeman at the time and was also present at the event. He no longer works for Sandeman, but still helps Irish Distillers operate in the world of Port.

Once it had established a supply of Port, Irish Distillers then got in contact with the Tacopal cooperage, which has worked with oak for more than a century, to obtain casks. Today, Irish Distillers now imports between 40-60 European oak 500 litre port pipes annually. The wood is medium-toasted and seasoned with red wine for approximately 12 months before ruby Port is added for approximately 12 months. OGorman explained that the process was a response to the challenge of seasoning Port. If you put it into a virgin oak cask, youre going to get a major wood contribution. One of the techniques we figured out right from the start was that we needed to take some of these tannins and wood compounds out from the start, OGorman explains. Overall its a two-year process for Irish Distillers.

The Port is emptied and the pipes are sent over to Cork. Our friends back in Portugal get a good deal as they get to keep the Port, OGorman explains. The casks are then inspected at Midleton. We nose them to make sure the aromas and flavours are perfect and then theyre filled with our whiskey to sleep for many years. If you want a good idea of what Midleton distilled whiskey matured exclusively in the Ruby Port pipe tastes like then all you have to do is get your hands on Midleton Method and Madness Single Pot Still 28 Year Old, because thats the closest youll likely get.

This long-standing relationship with Port demonstrates that Redbreast 27 Year Old is not the brainchild of a marketing department trying to stir-up some intrigue. The truth is, the addition of the Port cask doesnt compromise the Redbreast character. Instead, it compliments it beautifully. Redbreast 27 Year Old is every bit as impressive as it needs to be. How fruity, ripe and almost youthful it is in parts despite its age and considerable cask influence is remarkable.

This is traditional Irish pot-still at its richest: well matured and with a generous slug of sherry. For some lovers of this style, Redbreast approaches perfection, famed whiskey author Michael Jackson once wrote. This event revealed why Redbreast can be that good. Its a testament to the power of great blenders understanding how to utilise great casks. At the event, Leighton talked at length about how much time, money and effort he and his team spend on casks and how much their role is defined by handpicking the right ones. I can confirm theyre on the money here.

Redbreast 27 Year Old Irish Whiskey Tasting Note:

Nose: The ex-bourbon cask influence emerges first with a layer of earthy vanilla, desiccated coconut and toffee before a tropical fruit note emerge  mango and pineapple mostly  which is to be expected from well-aged Midleton distillate. In the backdrop, theres ripe orange citrus, candied walnuts and a touch of oloroso sherry sharpness. Stewed plums, figs and ripe red apples add a rich and fruity undertone.

Palate: The array of dark and red fruits is beautiful, with black cherries, cranberry juice, blackcurrant compote, prunes and nectarines all present. Old leather, peppermint and a little grapefruit tartness develop among more tropical elements of guava and caramelised banana. Charred red chillies bring an earthy warmth which is complemented by exotic spices and a lick of manuka honey.

Finish: The notes from the palate stay for what feels like an age (a very pleasant age). The impressive and long finish has all the complex fruity notes that have defined this dram, as well as nutty antique wood, aromatic nutmeg, a handful of fresh herbs and the slightest hint of wasabi heat.

Overall: The vibrancy of those fruit notes are astonishing and the star of the show. Redbreast 27 Year Old is a beauty and does not disappoint.

Redbreast 27 Year Old Irish Whiskey is available from Master of Malt here.
With International Women's Day coming up this weekend (Sunday March 8), there has never been a better time to recognise businesses that empower and celebrate women.

In honour of the day, a number of brands have released collaborations to raise awareness, with many of them also donating significant profits to worthwhile causes that support women. Here, we bring you six of our favorites.

Legendary UK makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury and NET-A-PORTER Ninety Percent have teamed up to create an exclusive and limited edition T-shirt in celebration of International Women's Day 2020.

Not only is the organic cotton jersey emblazoned with the lettering 'The Magic Within' to empower positivity, 100 per cent of the profits from the sale of this collaboration will be donated to Women for Women International, further supporting Charlotte's long-standing commitment to the charity.

Buy now on NET-A-PORTER

This year Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has partnered with of-the-moment British designer Elizabeth Scarlett, to create a limited edition makeup pouch, adorned with embroidered daisies, to house three full-sized bestselling classics. Inside you'll find the brand's Smokey Eye Mascara, Vitamin Enriched Face Base and Pot Rouge in Powder Pink.

This is the eighth consecutive year of The Pretty Powerful Campaign and for each Bobbi Brown x Elizabeth Scarlett makeup bag sold in the UK, the full RRP will be donated to Smart Works. Smart Works in a UK charity that provides high-quality interview clothing, styling advice and interview training to unemployed women in need.

Buy now on Bobbi Brown

As a founding patron of The Prince's Trust initiative Women Supporting Women, British facialist Sarah Chapman has launched a limited edition glow-inducing serum to rejuvenate the soul and the skin at a cellular level. It features a unique cocktail of high-performance active vitamins, peptides and omega oils.

Most importantly, from every sale of the super nourishing serum-oil, Sarah Chapman will donate 10 to the campaign, which provides the right help to nurture, empower and inspire young women to build their own futures through employment, self-employment, education or training.

Buy now on Sarah Chapman

To celebrate the women of Burkina Faso, L'OCCITANE's has released a new Solidarity Balm that has been enriched with 97.6 per cent shea butter and a beautiful floral fragrance of their home; hibiscus.

Even better, 100 per cent of the profits from the sale of the balm, will be donated to the L'OCCITANE Foundation to support NGO projects that promote women's leadership and support women's economic independence in the African region of Burkina Faso, the home of our much-loved shea butter.

Buy now on L'OCCITANE

In celebration of International Women's Day, Benefit Cosmetics has partnered with LinkedIn to get more eyes on your profile. That's right, Benefit Cosmetics is giving women the opportunity to 'Makeover Their Profile' by offering free headshots at Benefit Boutiques in London and Glasgow.

This offer is available between 11am and 4pm on Sunday March 8 at the following locations:

Benefit Cosmetics Boutique, 43 Carnaby Street, London, W1F 7EA

Benefit Cosmetics Counter, House of Fraser, Ground Floor, 43 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 3HL

Benefit Boutiques in London and Glasgow

Available exclusively at Selfridges London this coming weekend only, Estee Lauder and Kith Women have partnered to release a stunning collection of makeup products inspired by the bonds between women.

Each of these products, including a Pure Color Envy Lipstick is named 'Kith Red', comes in custom packaging inspired by Estee Lauder's original golden packaging, as if heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Other products in the collection include a translucent shade of Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation embossed with Kith's monogram pattern, Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil in Clear with a custom sharpener, and Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara.

In-store only

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020

Around 20 excavators and giant cranes could be seen operating on a muddy 26-hectare site in Papanggo subdistrict, North Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon.

Some workers were also seen adjusting approximately 2-meter high steel bars that will be used as foundation materials for the construction of the Jakarta International Stadium.

The ambitious Rp 4.5 trillion (US$315.5 million) project is expected to finish by the end of October 2021. However, while construction rolls on at the site, legal matters relating to land clearance remain.

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Joe Bidens campaign was in trouble. He had a poor showing in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary. The rumors were that his campaign was in real trouble.

He kept stating that wait until South Carolina, and he backed up that statement with a resounding victory in South Carolina. The whole campaign changed at that moment.

After Bidens victory, there were suspensions of campaigns. Pete Buttigieg dropped out on Sunday. Amy Klobuchar dropped out the following day. Both individuals endorsed Joe Biden for president.

Joe Biden overcomes poor polling numbers

He was not looking strong in the polls before Super Tuesday. The polls could not accurately predict the recent drop-outs. He overcame those polling numbers and won big on Super Tuesday, taking ten out of the 14 states.

Joe Biden was behind in the delegate count before Super Tuesday. He does not have an insurmountable lead to secure the nomination. He sustained the momentum from South Carolina.

The polls on Tuesday morning, as reported by the New York Post showed Biden leading in six of the 14 states on Super Tuesday. Those states were Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia. Joe Biden won all those states and did not lose any of those states.

On Tuesday morning, Bernie Sanders led all the rest of the states, excluding Massachusetts. Elizabeth Warren led that race. Biden and Sanders polled in second in that race.

The next states turned the tide for Biden. Sanders led seven states and finished Super Tuesday with four victories in California, Colorado, Vermont, and Virginia.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

The rest went to Biden.

The focus will be on Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Texas. These are the states that Biden picked up after trailing in the polling data. He overcame some large margins.

Maine was showing Biden behind Sanders by 13.5 percent. This was his largest margin that he overcame to win. The threshold for getting delegates in 15 percent that means he almost overcame the amount needed to gain delegates.

Minnesota was the other state. Amy Klobuchar, who is the senator from Minnesota, gave her endorsement of Biden on Monday before Super Tuesday after she dropped out. This helped Biden overcome the 5 percent that he was trailing in Minnesota.

Texas was a tough fight on Super Tuesday going back and forth between Biden and Sanders. He overcame the polling number, but the difference was 1.5 percent. The primary was close up to the end, but Biden won the state.

The most interesting state was New Hampshire. Elizabeth Warren is the senator from that state, and she was running for the nomination. She was leading both Biden and Sanders by 2 percent. He won the state and Warren finished in third place after Biden and Sanders.

Sanders did not improve on the night. Biden improved mightily and surprised a lot of people on Tuesday night. He stole four states from Sanders.

Joe Biden reinvigorated the campaign ready for the next races.

His campaign was on life support a week ago. He got a big win in South Carolina. That momentum carried him to surprise wins in the four states he overcame deficits to win. The campaign depends on that momentum.

Even though he was leading in the polls before Super Tuesday in North Carolina and Virginia, prior polls before South Carolina showed him losing in Virginia, sometimes running second or third in that state. North Carolina polls showed that he was in a tight race with Bernie Sanders.

Momentum in this years primary is important. People want a candidate that can win the general election in November. A week ago, the results were not looking that he would be a strong candidate in the general presidential election.

Bidens strengths on Super Tuesday came from three demographics. The first is the African-American vote. The second is the older voters, and the last source is last-minute deciders.

Biden dominated the African-American vote in the southern states. This continued the trend from South Carolina, where he dominated that demographic. Even the states he lost, he performed well with this sector of voters.

The next demographic was older voters. Bernie Sanders dominates the younger voters while Joe Biden won the older voters.

The older voters turned out for Biden in a greater force than the younger voters.

The last reason he won was the last-minute decision-makers. Some voters did not decide until 24 hours before Super Tuesday. This was part of the momentum from South Carolina for Joe Biden and also from the recent drop-outs of different candidates.

People who decided at the last moment overwhelmingly chose Biden. In the state of Minnesota, which was directly affected by Amy Klobuchar dropping out of the race and endorsing Biden for president.

Joe Bidens strong showing on Super Tuesday propelled him into the delegate lead. His momentum changed after South Carolina. If Joe Biden can continue his momentum, then he will become the Democrats nomination for president.
An Iranian doctor, specialist in infectious diseases and a member of the National Committee for Influenza, expects 30 to 40 per cent of Iranians in capital Teheran to be infected by the fast-spreading Coronavirus.

Dr Masoud Mardani said in an interview with an Iranian newspaper one infected person could transmit the virus to four people at the same time. Per that rate, it is expected that 30-40 per cent of Teherans population will be infected with the virus this March.

The virus also known as Covid-19 has already caused the death of 124 people and the contamination of 4,747 others in Iran . Some 913 patients have totally recovered.

Mardani also indicated that many Iranians visit health centers and hospitals when they have regular flu, believing it is a coronavirus.

Authorities cancelled Friday prayers in all cities in a bid to curb the spread of the outbreak. They have also closed schools until April and urged Iranians to avoid traveling between major cities and to reduce use of paper banknotes, BBC reports.
Dr. Harriss class takes place every Tuesday night at a rehearsal studio in Midtown. It has three segments: piano from 6 to 8, vocals from 8 to 10, and improvisation for all instruments, from 10 to midnight. Everyone is welcome, and the website notes that you dont even know how to play piano to attend. Six hours of jazz instruction for $15.

Its the most beautiful thing you want to hear in your life, Dr. Harris said of the sound of a musician whose skills improve after working with him.

Originally from Detroit, where he started teaching at age 15 out of his mothers house, Dr. Harris moved to New York in 1960. He soon became friends with the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, a Rothschild scion and jazz patron, who invited him to move into her modern-style house, which had stunning views of the Hudson River, in Weehawken, N.J. And a hundred cats.

Thelonious Monk joined him around 1972, dubbing it the Cat House and staying until his death 10 years later. Dr. Harris still lives there today. The baroness died in 1988, and she made arrangements so that Dr. Harris could live there as long as he wanted.

These days, Dr. Harriss friends drive him into the city for gigs and for the workshop.

The students  who range in age from 20 to 60 and vary widely in experience and ability  sit or stand as close to Dr. Harris as they can, watching intently. The effect is as if he were teaching in a fishbowl. Many have been coming to the workshop for decades. And they know they need to come prepared.
Instead, the winged hussy went out and found herself a new mate  Valor II. At that point, Valor I should have requested an annulment from his local bird priest, prayed for the now-damned souls of Hope and Valor II and spent the remainder of his days a deeply unhappy bachelor who hollers at young eagles to get off his branch.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 15:51:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping Friday attended a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech.

The symposium, convened in the form of teleconference, was presided over by Wang Yang.
Bernie Sanders was among a number of American leaders targeted by the Russians as they tried to push out 'information-propaganda' in the late 1980s.

Sanders, then the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, sought to find a Soviet 'sister city' for Burlington as he believed having person-to-person relationships with Russians could help prevent nuclear war.

New documents obtained by the New York Times, and reported on Friday, show that the Kremlin viewed these sister city relationships as a way to sway Americans' public opinion about the Soviet Union.

Bernie Sanders was among a number of American leaders targeted by the Russians as they tried to push out 'information-propaganda' in the late 1980s, the New York Times reported Friday. He's photographed here with Jane Sanders in 1990

Bernie Sanders, one of the final contenders in the 2020 Democratic primary race, aimed to avoid nuclear war by having person-to-person contact with Russians in the late 1980s, the New York Times found. The Kremlin tried to take advantage of these relationships

'One of the most useful channels, in practice, for actively carrying out information-propaganda efforts has proved to be sister-city contact,' read one document from the Soviet Foreign Ministry.

The document, part of what The Times uncovered, was in an archive in Yaroslavl, Russia.

Yaroslavl, Russia became Burlington, Vermont's sister city - and remains so today.

'Nothing in the documents suggests that Mr. Sanders was the only local American official targeted for propaganda, or even that he was particularly receptive to it, though they do describe him as a socialist,' the Times report said. 'But the documents do show the Soviets' intensive preparation to use Mr. Sanders's interest in their country to their advantage.'

Sanders, elected mayor of Burlinton in 1981, became involved in the Cold War debate after President Reagan's administration pushed American cities, including Burlington, to come up with evacuation plans in case of nuclear war.

Sanders resisted the idea.

'We were saying: The goal isto not have a nuclear war, not to plan and prepare for it,' Terry Bouricius, a Burlington alderman who accompanied Sanders to Russia in 1988, told The Times.

As the end of the decade neared, Sanders reached out to the Soviet Union through a Virginia-based organization and requested a sister city partnership, the Times reported.

By December 1987, Sanders was conversing with Yuri Menshikov, the secretary of the Soviet sister-city organization in Moscow, and had received word that Yaroslavl would be an ideal partner to the now 2020 presidential hopeful's city.

Sanders proposed taking a group of Burlington residents to Yaroslavl the following spring, the Times reported, with the initial plan being to arrive on May 9, which was the day the Soviet Union celebrated its victory over Nazi Germany.

The trip got pushed into June instead.

Sanders has referred to the trip as his 'very strange honeymoon,' as he had married Jane Sanders just before leaving.

The wedding, according to The Times report, had been televised and took place on the shore of Lake Champlain.

Just the trip to Russia alone wasn't enough for Burlington's sister city status with Yaroslavl to be cemented, and Sanders also had to work on bringing a Russian delegation over to American shores.

Sanders managed the delegation's trip to Burlinton in October of 1988 - where the sister-city agreement was signed. During the trip, the Russian delegation visited Burlington staples, including ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's.

The Times reported that Ben Cohen, one of the co-founder's of Ben & Jerry's told the Soviet officials they could take anything they liked from the ice cream maker's gift shop.

While the documents showed that the Soviets were planning a propoganda effort in Burlington, Mike Casca, a spokesman for Sanders' 2020 campaign said that didn't happen when the Russian delegation was on the ground.

'Reporting at the time is clear, rather than propaganda, officials on both sides discussed the limitations of the Soviet system and their common desire to avoid nuclear war,' Casca told The Times.

Casca told the newspaper that Sanders was proud of his work trying to end the Cold War.

'Mayor Sanders was proud to join dozens of American cities in seeking to end the Cold War through a Sister Cities program that was encouraged by President Reagan himself,' Casca also said. 'The exchange between Burlington and Yaroslavl, which continues to this day, confirmed Sanders's long held view: by meeting face to face, we can break down the barriers and stereotypes that exist between people and their governments.'
A pensioner behind a 53million smuggling ring has been spared jail after his lawyer claimed he might be vulnerable to the coronavirus behind bars.

Gilbert Khoo, 67, made a fortune smuggling critically endangered elver eels from a barn in Gloucestershire to the Far East.

Khoo would import the live baby eels from Spain, hide them under hauls of chilled fish in the UK and ship them to Hong Kong and Malaysia via Heathrow.

Despite being convicted of smuggling offences, Gilbert Khoo, 67, was only handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out unpaid work, he is pictured leaving his sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court today

Gilbert Khoo, 67, smuggled millions of of critically endangered elver eels from the UK to the Far East. But he has been spared jail after his lawyer raised the coronavirus outbreak

Border Force caught wind of the 53million operation when they opened a package bound for Hong Kong containing 600,000 elver eels in February 2017.

Most of the rare baby eels had died, while the remaining 290,000 were released back into the wild in Spain.

The critically endangered European glass eels were bound for Malaysia and Hong Kong, where they are a culinary delicacy.

Last month he was found guilty of six offences relating to the smuggling operation, which had made Khoo a fortune, the court heard.

But his lawyers have successfully argued he should not be sent to prison.

His barrister Martin Hicks told Southwark Crown Court: 'His age and underlying health concerns makes him vulnerable in light of the current coronavirus concerns.'

Border Force officials found 600,000 elver eels, most of which were dead, concealed in a package at Heathrow that was bound for Hong Kong. Khoo, 67, said he was unaware of the shipment when questioned

The pensioner from Chessington in Surrey bowed his head as he was given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Prosecutor Peter Glenser QC told the court the operation had been running from an illegal elver station in a Gloucestershire barn and had made Khoo a fortune.

The European eels, also known as Anguilla Anguilla, are a species on the brink of extinction, expert Andrew Kerr from the Sustainable Eel Group told the court earlier.

The court heard the total value of the exports was 53,365,000.

Mr Glenser said: 'This is a case about the illegal trade in a critically endangered species, the European eel.

'Gilbert Khoo is a wholesale trader in endangered eels and that, his trade, is illegal.

'We say he can be shown to have engaged in this illegal trading between 2015 and 2017.

'He was responsible for importing eels into the United Kingdom without notifying the relevant authorities, which is an offence, and was also concerned in their illegal export, for profit.

'European eels are subject to an extremely high risk of extinction.

Gilbert Khoo, pictured leaving Southwark Crown Court today (Friday) was given a suspended prison sentence after his defence team told the court he could potentially catch coronavirus

The National Crime Agency launched an investigation into Khoo's smuggling ring following Border Force's discovery. These boxes of elver eels were hidden underneath packages of fish

'No legal trade into or from the European Union is possible for such eels.

'Mr Khoo was using the unauthorised elver station in Gloucestershire to accommodate live eels imported from the EU.

'He would arrange for them to be repackaged there and then be exported to Asia soon thereafter labelled as, and hidden underneath, chilled fish.'

Khoo claimed the eels were either stored in a freezer or kept fresh to sell to local restaurants.

When asked about the Hong Kong-bound shipment Border Force had uncovered, Khoo stated he was not aware of it.

Despite masterminding a multi-million smuggling operation, Khoo's defence team said he did not live a millionaire's life.

Mr Hicks said: 'This is now a 67-year-old man. He is a family man. There's no lavish lifestyle.

Prosecutors say the overall worth of the captured elver eels was more than 53million. But he has been spared jail amid concerns for his health

The National Crime Agency believe Khoo ran his global smuggling operation between 2015 and 2017. The eels pictured were among 600,000 that Border Force picked up at Heathrow

'He is not in good health.

'The reports identify he has had surgery for prostate cancer in the past but more significantly perhaps was the health scare he had in relation to a hole in the heart.'

The court also heard Khoo is under the guidance of a stroke clinic.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden told Khoo he played a 'leading role' in the international smuggling operation: 'There were 14 completed consignments of glass eels going out of the EU and two attempted consignments going out in 2017.

Gilbert Khoo, 67, was spared jail after his solicitor explained a series of health problems the pensioner had endured

'As to value it is difficult to be precise but in my judgment the value of eels exported must at least have been in the low millions and the personal gain to you must at least have been in the tens of thousands of pounds.

'It is impossible to be precise but those figures may be clarified.

'Glass eels are not threatened with imminent extinction but with extinction unless the trade is closely controlled.

'There is no doubt at all that your actions had significant environmental impact on the European eels, which has a life cycle of 30 years and upon the female of the species returning to their spawning ground they carry millions of eggs, so whatever the precise quantity was actually exported by your 14 consignments it can only have had a significant environmental impact.

'I am of the view you played a leading role in this country in what was a large commercial operation driven by other purchasers abroad where the desire for the glass eel was abundant.

'Your activity was quite plainly driven by money. Moreover sophisticated techniques were used to avoid detection notably the concealing of the eels below fish and the use of false commodity codes which indicated dead mixed fix as well as the use of the wrong company turnover and the use of different companies.

'Moreover, I am certain you knew of the ban on exporting from 2014 because you were told so and in any event you had an expertise in the fish market generally.

'The issue I have pondered over long and hard is whether any custody can be suspended. I have just come to conclusion that because of your age and health difficulties it can be suspended for a period of two years.'

Khoo denied but was convicted of three counts of failure to notify movement of animals between member states and three counts of evasion of a prohibition or restriction on the export of goods.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

Confiscation proceedings will be heard at a later date to recover the money he made.
Six months after the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deny U.S. asylum to virtually all Central Americans at the Mexican border, a federal appeals court lifted the ban Thursday for thousands of immigrants who had already reached the border when the policy was announced in July.

The policy affects migrants from the violence-racked nations of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. The administration had made them ineligible for asylum unless they had unsuccessfully applied for it in Mexico or another country they had passed through on their way to the United States. The government later reached an agreement with Guatemala to send Honduran and Salvadoran asylum-seekers to Guatemala, which has a minimal asylum system.

A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the asylum ban a week after it was announced, saying U.S. immigration law allows migrants fleeing persecution in their homeland to apply for asylum regardless of the route they had traveled. But the Supreme Court suspended the judges injunction in September in a 7-2 decision that leaves the ban in effect while it is being challenged in lower courts.

Thursdays order involved a subset of migrants, those who had arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border before the asylum ban took effect and were delayed from applying for asylum by immigration officials metering policy, which requires them to wait many months before their applications can be heard. They are challenging the metering policy in a lawsuit, but became ineligible for asylum because they had not sought refuge in Mexico or another country.

A federal judge in San Diego issued a separate injunction in November allowing anyone who had reached the border before the policy took effect, and had been delayed by metering, to apply for asylum. The injunction applied to many of the 26,000 migrants who had reached the U.S. border by July.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco suspended the injunction during the administrations appeal but reinstated it Thursday in a 2-1 ruling.

Federal law allows a migrant who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States to apply for asylum, Judge Marsha Berzon noted in the majority opinion. Citing a Republican congressmans comments during committee hearings on the legislation in 1997, she said the law should be interpreted to include immigrants who were in the process of arriving when they were turned back by the Border Patrol and subjected to metering.

Those who arrived before the asylum ban was announced relied to their detriment on the governments representations that they could eventually submit their applications in the United States and should not be disqualified by a policy that took effect later, Berzon said. She noted that Thursdays order, denying a further stay of the injunction, would be in effect for only a few months while the panel considers the next steps in the case, and said it would not cause undue hardship to the government.

Her opinion was joined by Chief Judge Sidney Thomas, who like Berzon was appointed by President Bill Clinton. In a 69-page dissent, Judge Daniel Bress, an appointee of President Trump, said the majority was imposing a radical and improper expansion of our asylum laws that would worsen an immigration crisis at our southern border.

Bress contended that only migrants who had crossed the border were covered by the law allowing anyone who arrives in the United States to apply for asylum. He questioned the courts authority to partially block a policy that the Supreme Court has allowed to take effect, and said it would be an enormous and arduous task for immigration officials to determine who was eligible to seek asylum.

Attorney Melissa Crow of the Southern Poverty Law Center, representing migrants and a support group that filed the suit, said the ruling was important for the thousands of asylum-seekers who followed the rules  rules we contend are illegal  and waited their turn, only to be told they were out of luck when the new policy was announced.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but is likely to seek another stay from the Supreme Court.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Cargo ships canceled. Orders delayed. Oil prices falling.

The new coronavirus outbreak already is squeezing Houstons globally connected economy, delivering fresh blows to a struggling energy industry, pressuring manufacturers that depend on components from Asia and eroding the confidence that keeps consumers buying products and services.

Whether the damage is lasting will depend on how long it takes to bring the pandemic and associated panic under control, analysts said, but the recent disruptions underscore the local economys exposure to international markets, supply chains and global developments.

We diversified our markets by shifting from being domestically focused to being globally focused, said Patrick Jankowski, an economist at the Greater Houston Partnership, a business-financed economic development group. Its still a good strategy, but it does put us a bit at risk right now.

The new coronavirus is the latest international shock to hit the local economy. For two years, manufacturers, energy companies, retailers and other firms that rely on China for both materials and markets have been caught in crossfire of the Trump administrations trade war.

Scott Stearns, director of supply chain for MacroFab, an electronics manufacturer and manufacturing platform in Houston, said the difficulty in getting components from its supplier in China has more than doubled the time it takes for his company to assemble and ship printed circuit boards to customers such as Apple and Google, raising costs, lowering volumes and cutting sales. Executives estimate that revenues could fall 30 percent in the first three months of the year.

Im just learning the tariffs, trying to incorporate that into our pricing model to make sure were not eating it, and then boom, this comes in, Stearns said. Its been very painful.

The fears generated by the outbreak  and the many unknowns about the virus and how it spreads  is also increasing the risks to the local economy. After the first local cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by this strain of the coronavirus, were confirmed last week in the Houston area, some local businesses said customers are beginning to cancel appointments and stay home.

Thats not a good sign since consumers and their spending drive the U.S. economy  a prospect that has sent financial and commodity markets plunging.

The most significant impact at the moment, by far, is the uncertainty that the virus is creating, said Ray Perryman, a Waco economist. Markets prefer even bad news to extreme uncertainty.

Global disruptions cost locally

Houstons economy is more globally connected than many other areas of the United States. China is Houstons third-largest trading partner after Mexico and Brazil, which overtook Chinas No. 2 spot amid the trade war. Trade between the Houston-Galveston customs district and China was nearly $15 billion in 2019, according to government statistics.

Factories in China are struggling to ramp up production after shutting down during the Chinese Lunar New Year  a holiday the government extended as it tried to get a handle on the coronavirus outbreak that originated in the city of Wuhan, in central China. As a result, manufacturers in Houston are getting hit by delays and canceled orders. Some have attempted to switch supply chains to other countries but face higher costs. Others are trying to wait it out.

Six cargo ships expected to come to Houston from East Asia have notified the Port of Houston that they will not arrive in March, said Lisa Ashley, spokesperson for the port. The port cannot say definitively whether the cancellations were due to the outbreak.

In a recent survey of Texas manufacturers by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, all but one of 21 manufacturers (a medical equipment manufacturer) said COVID-19 would hurt their business in 2020.

Weve seen the most pronounced impact on the manufacturing sector, said Pia Orrenius, an economist at the Dallas Fed. Due to the decline in sales, revenue and production, its going to spill over into capital spending.

Stearns, of MacroFab, said the companys lead time before the outbreak was 10 days to produce printed circuit boards in China, and two days to ship them to customers. MacroFab both assembles and manages assembly in contracted factories for customers throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Now, it takes about 25 days to produce the PCBs, and five days to ship them.

Meanwhile, hes worried that there will soon be a shortage of raw materials, such as fiberglass, to build the PCBs in China since companies are gobbling up and stockpiling raw materials.

Its a chain reaction, he said. You keep digging and put down the dirt and see, Oh God, thats affected too!

On HoustonChronicle.com: Everything you need to know about the new coronavirus in the Houston area

Local manufacturing executives said the outbreak calls into question whether a globally integrated supply chain is still a good idea. John Martin, owner and founder of Martin Company, a Houston electronics engineering and manufacturing firm, said that the outbreak underscores the importance of monitoring and diversifying supply chains.

Sources need to be different companies, they need to be different plants, and possibly different countries, he said. But, he added, You cant always do that if you only have one good source of a particular device.

Oil and gas struggles

Houstons oil and gas companies, many with international operations, are being hit by both a slowdown in productivity in Asia, where many major energy companies have international operations, and quickly falling demand for energy as a result of the coronavirus. Houstons top exports to China include crude oil, liquefied natural gas, chemicals and plastics  all of which are closely tied to travel abroad and global economic growth.

Chinas demand for crude has slipped by 1 million to 3 million barrels per day, according to various estimates, as analysts downgrade oil consumption forecasts. Global oil demand fell by nearly 5 million barrels a day in February, according to the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy. Oil prices, which are down more than 30 percent since the beginning of the year, settled below $42 a barrel.

Oil and gas companies in Texas are particularly exposed to the oil price drop, economists said, since many were already struggling to fund planned investments in 2020. Many have bet heavily on shale in West Texas, a play that needs a constant flow of capital to keep drilling as wells deplete.

The break-even point for most shale drillers is typically considered to be $50 a barrel.

Its a big demand shock for oil consumption, said Jesse Thompson, an economist at the Dallas Fed. At that price point, there are some (exploration and production) companies that are not going to be able to make their break-even. That could translate in Houston to job (cuts).

In Texas, oil and gas companies cut nearly 10,000 jobs in 2019, according to the Labor Department. In Houstons energy corridor, where some of the worlds largest oil and gas companies are headquartered, businesses are beginning to see the trickle-down effect of the oil price slump.

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George Reed, owner of Georges Pastaria, a neighborhood Italian restaurant near Houstons energy corridor, said catered lunch deliveries to energy companies nearby have slowed in recent months.

Still, he said, business has been good  somewhat counter-intuitively. His midrange prices attract folks who want a nice dinner but who want to save a couple bucks, he said. When the corporate crowd is wheeling and dealing, theyre going to expensive steakhouses, he said, but lately, perhaps theyre coming to me now. Reed said their February sales were up 10 percent year over year.

Staying home, spending less

Whether customers keep coming to restaurants will likely depend on how long it takes for infection rates begin to stabilize rather than climb. Analysts said the economic impact will most likely be limited to the first six months of the year, but if the pandemic spreads into the summer, the damage could be long lasting.

If it becomes more severe and dominates headlines for months, the effects will be much more profound, said Perryman, the Waco economist.

As infection rates rise in the United States, fear of contracting the virus may keep some would-be shoppers at home or reconsidering major purchases. That social distancing could have far-reaching impacts.

One example: In Pearland, Chandrakanth Vemula, who runs a small medical practice with his wife, Dr. Vishalakshmi Batchu, said that at least one client canceled a scheduled appointment for blood work due to fear of contracting COVID-19, stating she preferred not to be around doctors or hospitals during the pandemic, particularly after local cases were confirmed.

In Houstons Chinatown, Houston fashion designer Danny Nguyen said sales at his boutique for custom prom gowns, bridal wear and mens suits are down 50 percent as customers stay away. Im dying here, Nguyen said.

Thats the sort of consumer behavior that economists are worried about. The services sector, which includes retailers, restaurants, health care and a long list of other service businesses, accounts for about 70 percent of the U.S. economy.

One survey by IHS Markit, a global research and consulting firm, showed a contraction in the service sector for the first time in four years in February. Confidence among services  which affects hiring and spending  has been restrained and employment growth has slipped, analysts write.

Consumer confidence is also eroding. A survey by Morning Consult, a market research company, shows consumer confidence in the economy is falling, sliding from an index reading of 114.9 on Feb. 23 to 111.8 on March 5.

The disruption to supply chains also could mean higher prices for products such as TVs and automobiles. Most major companies have an abnormally large amount of manufacturing and suppliers in China, said Margaret Kidd, manager of University of Houstons supply chain and logistics technology program. Very few have inventories built up enough to ride out an extended slowdown in production caused by the pandemic.

Weve gotten, as an economy, so used to this just-in-time production that many companies have failed to do a risk management analysis or have alternative production and sourcing in place, Kidd said. Theres going to be delays, and delays cost money. Ultimately, there will be unhappy consumers.

-- The article was updated Monday to clarify that MacroFab assembles and manages assembly in contracted factories for customers throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, not in China.

Joy Sewing contributed to this report.

erin.douglas@chron.com

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The recent traffic congestion following the opening of the Malaga Designer Outlet next to the existing Plaza Mayor complex with ever more retail units presents yet another challenge to Intu, the UK company behind the new commercial and leisure development planned for Torremolinos. Intu plans to invest 800 million euros in the site next to the Congress Centre however, like the Designer Outlet, the local authorities are insisting that the building licence will be dependent on finishing promised improvements to the access roads, including the adjacent A7. After 10 years of administrative procedures the green light in order to commence the works remains in the air pending compliance with the conditions imposed by Torremolinos town hall.

These challenges which Intu is facing in Torremolinos pale into insignificance with the problems Intu is having to confront in the UK. As the owner of 14 shopping centres ,of which the Lakeside in Essex and the Trafford Centre near Manchester are the biggest, the embattled company is being subjected to attacks on several fronts. Following a series of insolvencies among tenants such as Debenhams and Arcadia, brought on by steep rises in business rates and the minimum wage along with the rise of online shopping, mean that the company is under serious financial pressure as its tenants struggle to keep their businesses afloat despite soaring costs and declining footfall.

As a result of the above, the Intu share price has plummeted to 12 pence, valuing the company at 163 million pounds, a mere fraction of the 8.4 billion pounds its assets are valued in its books. It is worth noting that in 2010 the company rejected a takeover bid from another property company worth 425 pence per share or three billion pounds. With its equity all but worthless, another problem is that its balance sheet is loaded with 4.7 billion pounds of debt. In an attempt to extricate itself from this untenable situation the company announced its intention to raise a billion pounds of emergency cash by means of a rights issue. Unfortunately the bombed-out share price is not propitious for a rights issue since the price offered to existing shareholders and those underwriting the issue has to be at a discount in order to make it attractive, and the current share price leaves little room for manoeuvre.

It remains to be seen whether the three biggest shareholders who speak for 50% of the share capital will in the end support the rights issue. A muted reaction could mean that the fate of the company may be decided by the lenders of the debt through forcing a quick-fire asset sale or by converting their debt into equity unless a deep-pocketed white knight emerges to rescue the company.

It can be seen that the problems that have been and are currently being experienced by Intu in Spain bear no relation to the existential crisis facing the company in the UK and only time will tell how it all works out.
Pune On Friday at 5.45 am, two borewell diggers were killed while 10 were injured when a container turned turtle near the Khambataki tunnel on the Pune-Satara highway.

The police have identified the truck as bearing number MH 11 AL 4466 and the deceased have been identified as Raghurai Rawat and Govind Rawat, both residents of Tamil Nadu.The police have booked owner Senthilkumar Gondal and Sailadurai Saidan under Sections 304 (2),279,337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA).

Two people lost their lives while three have sustained serious injuries and seven, minor injuries, said Hanumant Gaikwad, assistant police inspector (API) investigating officer.

According to Satara police the accident took place on the sharp S turn that has been the cause of multiple accidents in the recent past. The police have alerted commuters and have requested the state government and highway authorities to carry out corrective measures at the spot. The two deaths have taken the total death toll of the spot to 85 since 2008.

The injured have been admitted to Khandala rural hospital and are currently under observation.

According to the police, when the truck was taking a turn at the bend near the tunnel, the gear box broke and the driver lost control. The wheels his the concrete railing and turned turtle.
York Shares on Overcoming Key Life Issues During Chapel Message March 4 March 5, 2020

Dr. Hershael York, dean of the school of theology and Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered OBUs chapel message March 4 in Raley Chapels Potter Auditorium on OBUs campus in Shawnee.

York preached from Hebrews 11. He talked about Moses and his ability to overcome four key life issues.

Moses was able to overcome identity, he said. There are many things that people find their identity in these days, but as Christians, our identity should be in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Moses understood that his identity was with God and not the Egyptians.

York also talked about Moses ability to overcome the issues of responsibility, priority and difficulty. Moses did these things because of his love and devotion to the Lord. Ultimately, these things were achieved because he heard Gods call and was able to answer it.

Moses considered the treatment of Israel instead of all of the riches of Egypt that he ever could have wanted, he said. Most of us value ourselves over others, but Moses was not like this. He considered others before himself. He decided to place the people of God above himself.

York has served as the 11th dean of Southern Seminarys School of Theology since 2018, and as the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching since 1999. Since coming to Southern in 1997, he has authored two books on speaking and preaching and has written dozens of articles in journals and online publications. His preaching has been featured in Preaching Today as among the best in North America, and he has twice preached at the International Congress on preaching in Cambridge, England.

York earned his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Kentucky. He then earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
Australian equities tumbled to their lowest level in almost a year on Friday, as the bourse was hit by another brutal sell-off in banking stocks and bond yields collapsed to their lowest level on record.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 tumbled 179.5 points, or 2.8 per cent, to 6216.2 points, extending its slide from a record high hit on February 20 to 13.6 per cent. The index finished trade at its session lows.

Three of Australia's big four banks tumbled to multi-year lows on Friday, as concerns over Australia's economic outlook grow. Credit:Nick Moir

After suffering the largest weekly decline since the global financial crisis at the end of February, the benchmark fell a further 3.5 per cent in the first full week of March.

Jerome Lander, portfolio manager at Lucerne Investment Partners, said the continued rout reflects growing concern about how the coronavirus outbreak will hit the Australian and global economy.
Almost exactly one year ago, Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale sat in the JetBlue Park interview room and beamed while talking about the five-year, $145 million extension he had just signed with the club. On Thursday, sitting in the same exact spot, Sale emotionally described how bad he felt about the possibility that he might not be able to live up to that deal in 2020.

Sale, whose last contract expired at the end of last season, will earn $30 million in the first year of his new deal. But based on the significant setback he experienced with his elbow this week, theres at least a chance he wont do anything on the field for the Red Sox in 2020.

Sale, who missed the final six weeks of last season with elbow inflammation and is on track to miss at least the first month of the upcoming season, expressed remorse about letting the Red Sox down after they signed him to such a lucrative contract.

I couldnt possibly feel worse about any situation Ive ever felt in my entire life because of that, Sale told reporters. Plain and simple. I dont think Ive ever let anybody down this hard, ever. And that sucks. Honestly. That sucks. Someone gives you something because they believe in you, they expect something from you and you dont live up to that.

After being shut down for a couple months after last season, Sale resumed throwing in early December and felt no elbow pain as he began his progression in spring training. That was until Monday, when he felt significant discomfort after facing hitters for the first time in six months during a Sunday live batting practice session.

Sale underwent an MRI on Monday and was diagnosed with a flexor sprain. Doctors recommended a week of rest before Sale throws again, with the hope being hell feel fine once he tries ramping things up again.

Thats what were hoping for. Theres optimism to be had and Im thankful for that, Sale said. I know the situation were in right now and its not fun. Theres an expectation level -- not only from the fans, our team (the media) and myself -- hold me to, and I havent met that. I havent. This is about as tough of a situation as Ive ever been in. I was able to get through most of my career doing what I loved to do and helping my team win, and for sure, over the last year and up to this point, Ive done nothing but fall flat on my face. Its a gut punch. Its a tough realization. Ive said it time and time again, I have no time to hang my head or sit in a corner and pout. Ive got work to do and an uphill battle to climb but Ive got my climbing shoes on.

While Sale was describing how bad he felt about not living up to his contract, a reporter reminded he had done nothing wrong. The 30-year-old still took responsibility despite his injury not being his fault.

Try telling everybody that, Sale said. I have an expectation level thats never changed. They put faith in me and I messed up. Im not living up to that. Thats what I battle with.

Sale, who has preached the importance of accountability throughout his time in Boston, admitted the pressure put on him by the extension has made his latest setback even harder to process.

Thats my biggest issue, Sale said. Thats what makes it tough to sleep, you know? I know what I mean to this organization and I know what I mean to this team and its success going forward. I know the faith they put in me. Thats evident in the press conference I had in spring training last year, and with the contract.
The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) has appointed Kathryn Sinclair to the role of vice-president, strategy & operation.

As vice-president of strategy & operations, Sinclair will be responsible for leading CSIO initiatives that will drive improvements in the broker channel. To that end, she will oversee strategic and operational action plans and projects, a release said, working with internal and external stakeholders, as well as member subject matter experts to achieve organizational goals.
A district court has convicted a



powerloom unit operator from Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra in an electricity theft case and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on him.

In his order on February 29, District Judge P P Jadhav held the accused, Gufran Ahmad Ilias Ansari, 45, guilty under the Electricity Act, 2003, and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh, sparing him of prison term.

In his submission, Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Vivek Kadu told the court that MSEB officials on November 5, 2003, conducted an inspection of the powerloom unit operated by the accused in the Roshanbag area.

Following the inspection, the electricity meter installed in the premises of the factory, registered in the name of his father Mohammad Ilias Karamatali Ansari, was removed for pending arrears of Rs 9,22,000, he said.

However, between May 2003 and November 2003 a direct power supply was taken in the factory. During this period, there was a theft of 4,800 units of electricity valued at Rs 1,44,000, Kadu told the court.

A case was registered and the investigatingofficer visited the factory and seized a 30 meter cable used fortheft of electricity, he said.

Gufran Ansari had been running the unit in absence of his father, who was in his native place in Allahabad during the period of the offence, the prosecutor said.

Accordingly, the accuse wasarrested on November 17, 2003, he said.

In his order, the judge noted that the prosecution has successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

In his order, the judge said, "In this case the amount of theft of electricity is Rs 1,44,000 and arrears of Rs. 9,22,000 are shown against the accused.

"While deciding the offence, the amount of theft of electricity has to be taken into consideration and not the arrears."



Judge Jadhav said section 135 of the Electricity Act prescribesimprisonment of up to three years or a fine three times the amount of theft of electricity or both.

"Considering the peculiar circumstances it will be proper toimpose only a fine (of Rs 5 lakh) on the accused since the incident had occurred more than 16 years ago," the court said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump's administration has unveiled a controversial new rule to collect DNA samples from undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers in federal custody, which Democrats and civil rights groups said threatens to subvert our foundational values.

The Justice Department unveiled the new rule on Friday morning, requiring officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collect cheek swabs from migrants detained in the US. Officials would begin collecting the samples from potentially hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers taken into federal custody each year, according to the Wall Street Journal. The rule was likely to face an uphill legal battle as it goes into effect in April.

The Trump administration said in a notice published to the Federal Register that collecting the samples from detained migrants could be essential to the detection and solution of crimes they may have committed or may commit in the United States.

An administration official told NBC News the samples would be sent to the FBI, to be stored in the bureaus Combined DNA Index System, otherwise known as CODIS.

Democrats previously lambasted a pilot programme the Trump administration began in January, in which officials began sending DNA samples collected from migrants in federal custody to the FBI.

Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) described the move as a serious human rights issue in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf last month.

Unlike fingerprints, DNA reveals deeply personal information about individuals and their relatives. This kind of mass DNA collection could be used to surveil and implicate American citizens as well as their family members in the U.S. and abroad, the letter read.

The lawmakers continued: This policy reinforces the xenophobic myth that undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than US-born individuals.

The American Civil Liberties Union has also called the move dehumanising following the administrations pilot programme in January.

This unjustifiable step towards full population surveillance threatens to subvert our foundational values of freedom, autonomy, and presumed innocence, Vera Eidelman, staff attorney with the ACLU's Speech Privacy and Technology Project, said in a statement at the time.
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Royal fans gushed over 'beautifully breathtaking' photographs of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle giving each other the 'look of love' in the rain as they made their first post-Megxit appearance on Thursday.

The Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 38, as they stepped out arm-in-arm underneath an umbrella to attended the awards evening at Mansion House in London.

And royal enthusiasts across the nation were quick to take to social media - with many saying the smiley snaps looked like something 'out of a movie scene.'

'Only Harry and Meghan could make a rainy day look this romantic,' enthused one, while a second penned: 'Novels should be written off this photo alone.'

Photographer Samir Hussein, who captured the magical moment, said: 'It's a one in a million when all the elements you could wish for as a photographer come together - perfect timing, great lighting, strong symbolism and amazing subjects make this a magical photo I am extremely proud of.'

Fans gushed over this photo taken of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they arrived at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on March 5, 2020

The 'stunning' snap showed the couple arm-in-arm and with their backs to the camera as the rain splashed down onto their umbrella

Royal fans were quick to take to Twitter, with one branding the photographs as being like something out of a 'movie scene' (pictured)

Social media users were equally impressed, with one commenting: 'This looks like it came out of a photoshoot,' commented a third, while a fourth added: 'Wow, what a great shot! Can I get lighting and fake rain to follow me everywhere so I can get a shot like this!'

In one of the snaps, Meghan and Harry can be seen gazing at each other and smiling as they tackle the wet weather conditions and cobbled streets arm-in-arm.

A second photograph sees the royal couple with their backs to the lens as the flashes from the photographers' cameras lights up the darkness and emphasises the rain drops.

Robert Jobson, author of The Royal Family Operations Manual published by Haynes, told MailOnline: I think in the photos - particularly from the guys in the street - the couple looked blissfully happy, relaxed, all smiles.

Speaking of the stunning photographs, one fan told how novels should be written off this photo alone. Pictured, Meghan and Harry on Thursday

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House on Thursday, smiling broadly during the event

The Duchess of Sussex said it was 'very nice to be back' as she made her first public appearance in the UK last night

The Duchess of Sussex presented the Celebrating Excellence Award and Harry the Henry Worsley Award, to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity

It also seemed by the way they worked the room and dealt with the media attention that they were enjoying being back.

It sensed, and always have, that should their priorities change there would be a way back for Meghan and Harry inside the royal fold should they want it.

Prince Charles's biographer Tom Bower added that last night's appearance by the Sussexes had something of the air of an audition about it.

'For weeks, under the supervision of their American advisors, Megan and Harry had been preparing for last nights debut appearance,' he said.

Do or die, they bet the bank on pulling it off. Both needed to show their love for each other, their glamourous image and therefore their commercial value.

The Duchess of Sussex said it was 'very nice to be back' as she made her first public appearance in the UK last night since she and her husband Prince Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working royals

The Duchess of Sussex made her first public appearance in the UK last night since she and her husband Prince Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working royals

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House, London

At a reception with supporters, nominees and their families, Harry and Meghan chatted to Claire Spencer, 52, whose husband, Lee 'Frank' Spencer was nominated for an award (pictured at the event)

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in central London on Thursday evening

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex presents an award during the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House, central London

The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a vivid turquoise Victoria Beckham dress as she began her final run of royal duties (the royal couple are pictured sitting next to Ross Kemp)

In his speech Harry spoke emotionally about time in the military, saying: 'Meghan and I are so happy to be back here with you, to celebrate each and every one of you for your achievements, your service and your resilience'

The Henry Worsley Award was presented to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity, whilst endeavouring to support others with their recovery through sport or adventurous challenge. This was presented by The Duke of Sussex and Max Worsley, to Tom Oates from Deptherapy

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House London (pictured, Meghan next to Ross Kemp)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House London. Their Royal Highnesses will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year

A military veteran proposed to his partner on stage in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. There was an audible gasp from the audience, while Meghan smiled and placed her hands in the centre of her chest as Harry applauded the couple

Potential clients across the globe needed to be convinced that they could stir the crowds to roar in approval.

Over the next weeks well see whether they pulled off a successful audition for Hollywood.

Yesterday marked the couple's first official public appearance in Britain following the Megxit crisis and preparations to step down as senior royals.

The former Suits actress, who looked gorgeous in a 950 bright blue gown by Victoria Beckham, was called a 'glowing queen' by fans who went wild over her appearance.

And many were so taken by the 'stunning' photographs, they couldn't believe they were real.

'A picture is worth a thousand words. Love them!' wrote one, while a second complimented: 'This looks like it came out of a photo shoot.'

A third wrote: 'The most wonderful picture of them,' while a further enthused: 'Beautiful picture. They look so happy.'

The Duchess of Sussex said it was 'very nice to be back' as she made her first public appearance in the UK last night since she and her husband Prince Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working royals.

Harry and Meghan congratulate veteran who proposed in front of them The Duke and Duchess of Sussex congratulated a veteran and his new fiancee after they got engaged in front of the royal couple. Welsh Guards veteran Danny Holland popped the question to Lauren Price during the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London. Mr Holland, 29, from Wrexham in North Wales, got down on one knee on stage after winning the recognising achievement award. Danny Holland with his fiance Lauren Price who he proposed to in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London Sitting just metres away on front row seats were Harry and Meghan who, like most of the audience, were caught off guard by the announcement. Meghan smiled and placed her hands in the centre of her chest, while Harry applauded the couple. Mr Holland's partner Ms Price, 24, said yes. Mr Holland said: 'With winning (the award) as well, there was no better time to do it. 'Although she always said she didn't want it with a lot of other people around.' Ms Price said they were both invited to speak to the duke and duchess privately after the ceremony finished. She said: 'They just congratulated us. They asked us how we felt and if I was expecting it. They said they were really happy for us.' Mr Holland was left with mental health difficulties after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He is now a racing driver, supported by Mission Motorsport, and is working towards becoming an instructor to help others in their rehabilitation. Advertisement

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House, smiling broadly as they stepped out of their official car.

Sheltering under an umbrella as they arrived, the duke wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, while American former actress Meghan was dressed in a turquoise Victoria Beckham pencil midi dress.

A crowd of about 50 people, standing behind barriers, braved the rain under umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the the duke and duchess. There were cheers and applause as they walked by, but also one loud boo.

The couple were there to honour the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.

All eyes were on Meghan who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen.

She presented the Celebrating Excellence Award during the event and said: 'Its very nice to be back. Its the third year I've had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here. It's just the most inspiring space.

'When we were watching the [nomination] videos all the way in Canada we had the same moment of "how are you going to choose?" Well, we've done our best.'

The evening event was the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31.

Harry, who has been made to give up his official patronages after deciding to move to Canada, is being allowed to retain his private links with organisations such as The Endeavour Fund, of which he is patron.

The duke presented Army veteran Tom Oates with the final prize of the night, the Henry Worsley Award, which is given to an individual who has best inspired others through adversity.

Mr Oates lost his fiancee weeks after returning back from Afghanistan when she was struck by a car in front of him.

He now supports others with metal health difficulties and regularly speaks about his own experiences at events.

In his speech the duke spoke emotionally about time in the military, saying: 'Meghan and I are so happy to be back here with you, to celebrate each and every one of you for your achievements, your service and your resilience.

'For some, the military community represents a brotherhood or sisterhood that no other organisation can provide, and for others it's a way of life which you never want to leave. For a lot of us, it's both.

'Being able to serve Queen and Country is something we all are rightly proud of, and it never leaves us. Once served, always serving! '

He added: 'A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back, well I'm also here to tell you, I've always got yours.'

Prior to the ceremony, the Harry and Meghan mingled with guests, which included television star Ross Kemp, during a reception event.

Meghan smiles alongside her husband Prince Harry and actor and television presenter Ross Kemp. Both she and Harry presented awards at the event on Thursday evening

The Duke of Sussex said he was 'proud to serve Queen and country' as he and wife Meghan celebrated the work of the military at one of their final events before they quit royal life

The couple left Mansion House holding hands before they were escorted away from the building in a car

Meghan was carrying a Stella McCartney Lucia clutch. McCartney designed the duchess's halter neck evening wedding gown. Followers of the duchess's sartorial choices Meghansfashion.com described her as looking 'terrific in turquoise'

Harry let Meghan get in the car first as the couple left the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on Thursday evening

Harry (pictured leaving Mansion House on Thursday evening), sixth in line to the throne, will carry out a solo engagement on Friday when he opens a new museum dedicated to British motor racing where he will be joined by Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton

Meghan's last official engagement was to visit Canada House in London days before that announcement. The prince returned to royal duties at the end of last month, when the host at the event said people should just 'call him Harry' (they are pictured together at Mansion House on Thursday evening)

The couple (pictured on Thursday evening) stop their royal duties at the end of the month as they seek to carve out 'a progressive new role', mainly based in North America, which they aim to finance themselves.

The appearance by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured leaving Mansion House), as Queen Elizabeth's grandson and Meghan are officially known, at an awards ceremony for wounded service personnel will also be one of their last before they quit as working members of the royal family

In his speech Harry (pictured leaving with Meghan) spoke emotionally about time in the military, saying: 'Meghan and I are so happy to be back here with you, to celebrate each and every one of you for your achievements, your service and your resilience'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken away from the ceremony in a Range Rover. Both appeared in good spirits for the event, which celebrates incredible achievements in the military community

Harry and Meghan's departure was slightly warmer than their arrival - with onlookers raucously singing 'Come on 'arry!' over and over again

At times, the duke was very animated as he joked with award nominees, while Meghan asked questions and listened intently, clutching her purse by her side.

Harry and Meghan congratulate veteran who proposed in front of them The Duke and Duchess of Sussex congratulated a veteran and his new fiancee after they got engaged in front of the royal couple. Welsh Guards veteran Danny Holland popped the question to Lauren Price during the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London. Mr Holland, 29, from Wrexham in North Wales, got down on one knee on stage after winning the recognising achievement award. Danny Holland with his fiance Lauren Price who he proposed to in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London Sitting just metres away on front row seats were Harry and Meghan who, like most of the audience, were caught off guard by the announcement. Meghan smiled and placed her hands in the centre of her chest, while Harry applauded the couple. Mr Holland's partner Ms Price, 24, said yes. Mr Holland said: 'With winning (the award) as well, there was no better time to do it. 'Although she always said she didn't want it with a lot of other people around.' Ms Price said they were both invited to speak to the duke and duchess privately after the ceremony finished. She said: 'They just congratulated us. They asked us how we felt and if I was expecting it. They said they were really happy for us.' Mr Holland was left with mental health difficulties after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He is now a racing driver, supported by Mission Motorsport, and is working towards becoming an instructor to help others in their rehabilitation. Advertisement

Ex-Royal Marine Lee Spencer, who holds the world record for the fastest unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean despite losing his right leg in an accident, won the award, which was collected by his wife.

Later a military veteran has proposed to his partner on stage in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Danny Holland, who won the Recognising Achievement award, got down on one knee and produced a ring to his girlfriend during the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on Thursday.

There was an audible gasp from the audience, while Meghan smiled and placed her hands in the centre of her chest as Harry applauded the couple.

Harry and Meghan's departure was slightly warmer than their arrival - with onlookers raucously singing 'Come on 'arry!' over and over again.

The Endeavour Fund supports service personnel keen to use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

At a reception with supporters, nominees and their families, Harry and Meghan chatted to Claire Spencer, 52, whose husband, Lee 'Frank' Spencer was nominated for an award.

She complimented Meghan on his amazing she looked given that she had just had a baby.

She said afterward: 'Oh yes, well he is ten months now and is into everything.'

Asked what she thought of Harry's decision to step back as a working royal, she said: 'I think he does an amazing job, as does she, and we should just let them lives the life they want to live. I know what a difference Endeavour has made to my husband's life since he lost a leg and I hold Harry personally responsible for that. Life is too short.'

Harry was heard to tell the nominee before posing for a picture with them, alongside Meghan: 'We create this opportunity for you guys. You are the ones that pick it up. Respect.'

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, brings together hundreds of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans as well as their families, friends and supporters of the military community.

The awards ceremony host, a former soldier and friend of Harry's, JJ Chalmers, also said he supported his decision to step back from public life.

He said: 'It's fantastic to have them here. Obviously their support for the Endeavour Fund, the Invictus Games has never gone away because it is so personally important to them.

'You look at Harry's service and that is what created this Fund. What they share is a partnership and their commitment to helping others which the Endeavour Fund is all about.

Harry, who has been made to give up his official patronages after deciding to move to Canada, is being allowed to retain his private links with organisations such as The Endeavour Fund, of which he is patron (pictured, Harry and Meghan last night)

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House, smiling broadly as they stepped out of their official car

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at one of their last official engagements together before they quit royal life

A crowd of about 50 people, standing behind barriers, braved the rain under umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the the duke and duchess. There were cheers and applause as they walked by

Arriving on Thursday in a Range Rover, the duke wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, while American former actress Meghan was dressed in a light blue dress

The Sussexes were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country

Last night's event is one of just a handful of engagements the couple are undertaking this weekend in the UK before returning to Canada to embark on their new life, ahead of their official departure on March 31

The engagement marks a final run of royal duties for the couple. Harry (pictured on Thursday) is joining Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience, a museum about British motor racing, on Friday

The Duchess of Sussex made her first official public appearance in the UK following the Megxit crisis. Meghan joined the Duke of Sussex at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on Thursday evening

The ceremony, hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, will see four prizes awarded. They are: Recognising Achievement Award, Celebrating Excellence Award, Henry Worsley Award and the new Community Impact Award (harry and Meghan hold on to each other while arriving at the event)

Meghan appeared all smiles as she arrived at one of the couple's last official engagements together before they quit royal life

The couple shared an umbrella as they arrived at the event which celebrates the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges

Meghan greeted someone as she arrived for the event at Mansion House in central London to celebrate the sporting and adventure achievements of wounded, sick and injured service personnel

The couple (pictured on Thursday evening) were earlier spotted at Buckingham Palace during the day, and then photographed outside the Goring Hotel in Westminster after a private lunch

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex after entering Mansion House in London for Thursday evening's event

They walked into Mansion House smiling with Harry holding an umbrella, as Meghan linked her arm with his. Both signed a visitor book as they entered the building

Meghan passes a pen to Harry so he can sign the visitor book in Mansion House, central London as the couple arrive for the Endeavour Fund Awards

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House London. Both are pictured alongside fellow guests at the event

'There's a lot of noise out there on social media and the like. But ultimately you have got to look at the last couple of years of their life together. The biggest change in their life is becoming parents and that changes your priorities. '

The winners that Harry and Meghan handed out Endeavour Awards to Celebrating Excellence - presented by Meghan Presented by The Duchess of Sussex, this award was given to the individual who has achieved excellence in their chosen sport or adventurous challenge. The winner of this award was Lee Spencer, Lee now holds a total of 4 Guinness World Records. Lee Spencer was nominated after completing a record-breaking solo-row of the Atlantic Ocean. Lee served in the Royal Marines for 24 years but lost his right leg after being hit by flying debris whilst helping at the scene of an accident. After previously rowing the Atlantic in a team of 4 amputees (with 3 legs between them), in 2019 Lee made a successful solo attempt, breaking the able-bodied record by an astonishing 36 days and broke the record for the longest solo and unsupported row by a disabled person. Lee now holds a total of 4 Guinness World Records. The Henry Worsley Award - presented by Harry The Henry Worsley Award is presented to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity, whilst endeavouring to support others with their recovery through sport or adventurous challenge. This was presented by The Duke of Sussex and Max Worsley, to Tom Oates from Deptherapy. Tom Oates was nominated by the diving charity, Deptherapy. Tom lost his fiancee to a road traffic accident just weeks after returning home from a difficult tour of Afghanistan. Tom's mental health suffered and Deptherapy reached out to him. He now supports others with mental health difficulties, as well as taking part in charity programmes to protect the ocean. Tom has been so inspired by Deptherapy and his desire to protect the ocean, that this year he is due to start a degree in Marine Biology. Advertisement

He said that Harry has created two organisations in the Endeavour Awards and the Invictus Games that could survive on their own without him if need be, saying: 'What he has created, he has created with sustainability. They aren't Prince Harry's, he has created something that can hopefully stand on their own two feet. But they are causes so close to his heart so we hope he will stay involved.'

He added: 'Tonight is about celebrating the amazing achievements of some amazing men and women but its also something of a family reunion.

'The wonderful thing is that we have all succeeded and are now off doing out own thing. The little birds have flown. We have Paralympian, world champions, television presenters....but we were all just lost souls at one time. And they put us back on the straight and narrow. '

There will be four prizes awarded: Recognising Achievement Award, Celebrating Excellence Award, Henry Worsley Award and The Community Impact Award, a new award for this year.

Meghan will present the Celebrating Excellence Award and Harry the Henry Worsley Award, to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity.

It is named in honour of career soldier and adventurer Henry Worsley, who tragically lost his life in January 2016 whilst attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported, in order to raise money for the Endeavour Fund.

Before the ceremony the couple will attend a reception where they will meet the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the Endeavour Fund.

Since its launch in 2012, the Endeavour Fund has supported 108 projects with over 3 million of grants that have directly assisted over 6,000 of those injured in service. Through their own fundraising, these endeavours have collectively raised over 2.5 million for others.

Their appearance on Thursday evening came after Meghan was earlier in the day seen leaving the exclusive Goring Hotel - the Queen's favourite restaurant.

Her Majesty visits the five-star luxury hotel annually - which is located next to Buckingham Palace and boasts exclusive dining rooms and is frequented by royals and celebrities alike.

The evening event is the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31. Sheltering from the rain under an umbrella as they arrived on Thursday, the duke wore a navy blue suit while American former actress Meghan was dressed in a light blue fitted dress

The Sussexes attended the previous annual Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony in February 2019, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (the couple are pictured on Thursday evening)

Meghan (pictured smiling at Harry) will present the Celebrating Excellence Award and Harry the Henry Worsley Award, to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity

Harry and Meghan greet attendees of the event at Mansion House, central London on Thursday evening. The couple walked into Mansion House smiling with Harry holding an umbrella, as Meghan linked her arm with his

Meghan Markle, 38, looked gorgeous in the 950 bright blue gown by Victoria Beckham as she attended the awards evening at Mansion House in London alongside Prince Harry , 35, last night

The mother-of-one carried a navy blue Stella McCartney clutch bag and finished her outfit with her pair of navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps

Harry and Meghan plunged through the pouring rain on Thursday evening as dozens watched on. The couple are attending the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in central London

Meghan swept her hair back into a stylish pony-tail, revealing a set of gold hoop earrings. The dress, which comes with a 950 pricetag, is described online as 'inspired by the simplicity of a T-shirt'

The Duchess swapped her usual low key make-up for a stunning glamorous look on Thursday, bold dark eyeshadow, highlighter and a metallic lipstick

Arriving on Thursday in a Range Rover, the duke wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, while American former actress Meghan was dressed in a turquoise Victoria Beckham pencil midi dress

The evening event is the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House, smiling broadly as they stepped out of their official car

A crowd of about 50 people, standing behind barriers, braved the rain under umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the the duke and duchess

Buckingham Palace declined to comment as to whether the Queen, who was carrying out audiences at her London residence on Thursday, met with Harry and Meghan (the couple are pictured at Mansion House on Thursday evening)

The ceremony, hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, will see four prizes awarded (pictured, Harry and Meghan arriving at the event)

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London

The couple (pictured arriving at Mansion House) will present awards at the ceremony, with Harry also due to make a short speech

Meghan was carrying a Stella McCartney Lucia clutch. McCartney designed the duchess's halter neck evening wedding gown. Followers of the duchess's sartorial choices Meghansfashion.com described her as looking 'terrific in turquoise'

Meghan's block-colour fitted midi pencil dress costs around 950, and has a long zip fastening on the back. It is described on the fashion brand's website as being 'inspired by the simplicity of a T-shirt' and 'creating an elongated and feminine silhouette'

The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a vivid turquoise Victoria Beckham dress as she began her final run of royal duties. Victoria and her husband, former England footballer David Beckham, were among the guests at Harry and Meghan's star-studded royal wedding in 2018. The former singer launched her fashion label in 2008

Meghan wore a camel coat and 615 Aquazzura black heels and smiled as she left the London hotel, where rooms cost up to 8,400 a night.

Her husband Prince Harry was also spotted leaving the hotel just moments earlier as a member of the concierge team held an umbrella over his head in the rain.

It is understood the couple were at the hotel for a private lunch but will not be staying there.

Instead, Meghan and Harry, who are thought to have left their nine-month-old baby Archie in Canada, will be residing at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, while back in the UK.

Meghan, who is quitting the monarchy to mostly live in North America, chose the British brand set up by the former Spice Girl for her appearance at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London

The couple put on a confident display as they arrived in pouring rain at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House, smiling broadly as they stepped out of their official car

Meghan wore her hair up in a sleek ponytail, and her towering stilettos were Manolo Blahnik's BB pumps in navy

Meghan was carrying a Stella McCartney Lucia clutch. McCartney designed the duchess's halter neck evening wedding gown. Followers of the duchess's sartorial choices Meghansfashion.com described her as looking 'terrific in turquoise'

The appearance by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as Queen Elizabeth's grandson and Meghan are officially known, at an awards ceremony for wounded service personnel will also be one of their last before they quit as working members of the royal family

Harry and Meghan appeared to be all smiles as they arrived at Mansion House on Thursday evening. Harry, who has been made to give up his official patronages after deciding to move to Canada, is being allowed to retain his private links with organisations such as The Endeavour Fund, of which he is patron

The couple were there to honour the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year

Harry and Meghan are attending the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in central London to celebrate the sporting and adventure achievements of wounded, sick and injured service personnel. It is the first time Meghan has carried out a public royal duty in the wake of the Megxit crisis

The evening event is the couple's first joint official appearance since announcing their decision to step down as senior royals, which takes effect on March 31. Sheltering from the rain under an umbrella as they arrived on Thursday, the duke wore a navy blue suit while American former actress Meghan was dressed in a light blue fitted dress

All eyes were on Meghan, 38, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, much to the distress of the Queen

The couple (pictured on Thursday evening) were earlier spotted at Buckingham Palace during the day, and then photographed outside the Goring Hotel in Westminster after a private lunch

Beforehand, the couple will meet award nominees, endeavour participants and key supporters of the fund at a reception. The ceremony, hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, will see four prizes awarded

The Sussexes (pictured on Thursday evening) were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country

The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a vivid light blue Victoria Beckham dress as she began her final run of royal duties. Meghan, who is quitting the monarchy to mostly live in North America, chose the British brand set up by the former Spice Girl for her appearance at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Mansion House in London to attend the Endeavour Fund Awards

Meghan touches Harry's back as the two speak to an attendee of the Endeavour Fund awards in central London on Thursday

Fashion bloggers @WhatMeghanWore described the duchess as looking 'beautiful in blue'. The block-colour fitted midi pencil dress costs around 950, and has a long zip fastening on the back

Buckingham Palace declined to comment as to whether the Queen, who was carrying out audiences at her London residence on Thursday, met with Harry and Meghan.

Why The Goring Hotel is still a big favourite with the Royal Family The exclusive Goring Hotel first opened its doors in 1910 and describes itself as 'impeccably English'. The Queen leaves the Goring Hotel with David Morgan-Hewitt in December 2016 Located just a few minutes from Buckingham Palace, the privately-owned hotel was given the highest honour when it was chosen by the Middleton family as their London base for the Royal Wedding in 2011. Still run by the Goring family, the hotel has 69 suites and rooms and one of the largest private gardens in London. The hotel's handy location has made it a firm favourite with the Royals over the years. The coronations of George VI and Queen Elizabeth II saw the hotel filled with royalty from around the world and the Queen Mother loved the hotels Eggs Drumkilbo dish (served with lobster) that is still sold in the hotel's Dining Room today. Advertisement

The annual event celebrates the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges.

Thursday marked the first joint official royal engagement by the Duke and Duchess since revealing that they would step down from royal duties on March 31.

The Goring is a long-time favourite of the royals, with the Duchess of Cambridge staying in its Royal Suite on the night before her wedding to William in 2011.

It is the only hotel to have received the Royal Warrant, awarded in 2013, for services to hospitality and was a firm favourite with the Queen Mother.

She was a big fan of a lobster dish called Eggs Drumkilbo which is still on the menu in the Michelin-starred restaurant The Dining Room.

The Queen enlisted its pastry chefs to bake the cake for Prince Charles's christening in 1948 and has regularly chosen the establishment for her staff Christmas party.

The 110-year-old hotel is a favourite with the wealthy and famous and is still privately owned by the Goring family.

It is fitted with carpets made by the French firm which supplied the Palace of Versailles while some of its rooms have lighting that adapts with the seasons.

Harry waved to well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace yesterday as he was driven away in a Range Rover after a series of internal meetings with his team.

The Queen was holding one-to-one audiences in her London residence yesterday, although it was not clear whether Harry spoke to his 93-year-old grandmother.

It came after they had a 'heart to heart' for four hours in her private apartments at Windsor Castle on Sunday about his imminent departure from the Royal Family.

Harry is said to have requested the meeting, and the Queen - who last saw her grandson during their showdown at Sandringham in January after Harry broke the news that he and Meghan were quitting - was happy to agree.

The Duke and Duchess were pictured leaving the exclusive Goring Hotel in London (file image)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured at Canada House in London during what was their last official royal engagement on January 7

The Queen is believed to have told her grandson that she was keen to keep the door open for him and Meghan to return and stressed that he would be welcomed back from Canada at any time.

What are Harry and Meghan's engagements for the rest of March? Today, Harry will be at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience with motor-racing champion Lewis Hamilton. The couple will also attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall this Saturday before Meghan undertakes an engagement for International Women's Day the following day on Sunday. They will both attend the Commonwealth Service at the Royal Albert Hall next Monday, where they will be reunited with Harry's brother Prince William and his wife Kate - who are currently on tour in Ireland. Despite quitting a senior royals, Harry is expected to attend the London Marathon in April in his capacity as patron. The Duke and Duchess will also attend the Invictus Games in Holland in May. Advertisement

Harry, who has always enjoyed a warm relationship with his grandmother, was apparently keen to 'clear the air' before he and Meghan formally step down as working royals on March 31.

He has been staying at Frogmore Cottage, the couple's home on the Queen's Windsor estate, since returning to the UK last week to undertake a handful of final official engagements.

He and Meghan have agreed to pay back 2.4million in taxpayer funds used to rebuild the property in light of their decision to relocate to North America.

It is understood that he and his grandmother shared a light lunch and tea as they discussed his future.

The Queen was left deeply upset after Harry and Meghan decided to suddenly announce their plans to step down and move abroad in early January in an apparent effort to bounce the Royal Family into agreeing to their demands to retain the trappings of royal life, while pursuing independent commercial careers.

And the couple were taken aback when Buckingham Palace made clear its displeasure and insisted that Harry would have to relinquish his HRH title as a non working royal and hand back their official patronages and his military positions, as well as dropping their plans to market themselves as 'Sussex Royal'.

The Duke of Sussex waves to well-wishers as he leaves Buckingham Palace in London yesterday afternoon following a series of internal meetings with his team

How the Endeavour Fund Awards celebrate the achievements of injured servicemen The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be the guests of honour at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on Thursday evening. The event celebrates the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges. Harry will give a short speech, and the Sussexes will hand out the awards, as well as attending a pre-ceremony reception. The four awards are: Recognising Achievement Award, Celebrating Excellence Award, Henry Worsley Award and the new Community Impact Award. The Endeavour Fund is a body set up by the Royal Foundation to finance inspiring sporting and adventure projects aiding the recovery of veterans. Advertisement

The Queen is said to be 'very sad' that she sees so little of Harry and Meghan's son Archie, her great-grandson.

The meeting at the weekend was said to have been 'productive and positive'. One source said Harry was seen leaving 'deep in thought'.

But the couple have decided to leave Archie in Canada, meaning his British family haven't seen him for more than four months.

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

'It's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive,' she added. Meghan told presenter Tom Bradby: 'Not many people have asked if I'm OK.'

The Sussexes attended the previous annual Endeavour Fund Awards ceremony in February 2019, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie.

They were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The Queen meets President of Malta George Vella and his wife Miriam Vella during an audience at Buckingham Palace yesterday

Security headache as Meghan leaves Archie behind in Canada The Duchess of Sussex is expected to have left her baby son Archie in Canada as she returns to the UK today, causing an expensive headache for her police protection commanders. Metropolitan Police officers guarding them and Prince Harry have arranged major security operations in both nations  at huge cost to the British taxpayer. Canada, which has contributed towards the cost of protecting them since they moved to Vancouver Island last November, is withdrawing cover because of the couple's 'change in status'. This means the bill for providing round-the-clock protection for the family will fall entirely on British taxpayers. Experts say the Sussexes' decision to live abroad, as well as their insistence on retaining their official police protection, will see the bill for guarding them rocket  and prove a huge strain on manpower. The extra security cost of keeping nine-month-old Archie in Canada without his parents this week could be 50,000, the Sun on Sunday reported. It is also likely to be a disappointment to the Queen and senior royals, who haven't seen him for months. Advertisement

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

A summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

The Endeavour Fund is a body set up by the Royal Foundation to finance inspiring sporting and adventure projects aiding the recovery of veterans.

Today's engagement is part of a final run of official appearances by the couple.

Tomorrow, Harry will join Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience, a museum about British motor racing.

Harry and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7 and the following day the duchess will mark International Women's Day.

The duke and duchess will join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on March 9, their last official appearance as HRHs.

Mutually-adoring' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 'announced' they're as in love as ever and showed off 'honeymoon style' affection while attending first post-Megxit event together, body language expert reveals

By Harriet Johnston for MailOnline

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'announced' they're as in love as ever and showed off 'honeymoon style' affected during their first appearance since Megxit last night, a body language expert has revealed.

Judi James told MailOnline the couple's behaviour on Thursday night 'announced' how they were a 'very like-minded and mutually-adoring couple.'

It was the first time the the couple have carried out a joint public royal duty in the wake of the Megxit crisis but they seemed in good spirits as they smiled for the cameras and crowd who greeted them in the rain at Mansion House in London.

Meghan touched Harry on the back as the couple shared a number of public displays of affection during the event

'Like-minded and mutually-adoring'

Body language guru Judi James claimed the couple appeared 'like-minded' and 'mutually-adoring' at the event, explaining they displayed signs they are as in love than ever as they showed off their 'honeymoon style' affection.

Judi revealed how the couple used matching body language to 'announce' that they remain a 'like-minded' and loved-up couple.

She told FEMAIL: 'Running the gauntlet of rain, cheers and a few boos, Harry and Meghan used a dazzling display of eye-gazing, mirrored pinging smiles and loving, intimate touch rituals to announce the fact that they are still a very like-minded and mutually-adoring couple.'

Once inside, Judi revealed how the couple showed off their 'honeymoon style' affection for one-another as they held hands lovingly

'Excited to have Meghan on his arm'

She went on to say that the Duke of Sussex seemed particularly excited at the event and overjoyed to have Meghan 'on his arm'.

Judi went on: 'There was a new gloss to their simple but co-ordinated styling that hinted theyd upped their game in terms of A-list impact but Harrys reddened, rounded cheeks and the gleam in his eyes suggested he was still excited to be arriving back with his wife on his arm.'

Judi explained: 'Their pose to camera as they walked into the venue probably defined their message best.

'Gazing into one anothers eyes they both performed twinned smiles that were wide enough to ensure we got the message in terms of their mutual happiness.'

The Duchess of Sussex wowed fans praised by fans last night as she made her first appearance since announcing her plan to step back from life as a senior royal (pictured with Prince Harry)

'On-going honeymoon'

Meanwhile, once the couple were seated inside, Prince Harry could be seen affectionately holding his wife as they sat together.

Judi revealed: 'Sitting together later Harry stretched one arm out across Meghans lap to hold her hand in that on-going honeymoon style they were always known for.'

She explained: 'Their rituals of intimate touch and intense, adoring eye-gazing are usually most common during the honeymoon period of a relationship when romantic traits are the norm. They still perform them well beyond that period.'

The Duchess appeared in high spirits as she stepped out in the vivid blue dress for this evening's awards

Meghan's first appearance since Megxit

The couple helped celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties.

The Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of men and women who use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

Meghan's appearance last night is her first since announcing her plans to step back as a senior royal in January.

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

The Duchess beamed and giggled while attending the event in Mansion House in London this evening alongside the Duke

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

Meghan was last seen with Prince Harry on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

Meghan Markle wows in a 950 electric turquoise figure-hugging Victoria Beckham dress as she makes first post-Megxit appearance at the Endeavour Awards

By Harriet Johnston for MailOnline

The Duchess of Sussex wowed in an electric turquoise figure-hugging dress as she made her first post-Megxit appearance at the Endeavour Awards last night.

Meghan Markle, 38, looked gorgeous in the 950 bright blue gown by Victoria Beckham as she attended the awards evening at Mansion House in London alongside Prince Harry, 35, last night.

The mother-of-one carried a navy blue 1,742 Stella McCartney clutch bag and finished her outfit with her pair of navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps.

It is the couple's first official public appearance in Britain following the Megxit crisis and prepares to step down as a senior royal.

Meghan Markle, 38, wowed in an electric turquoise dress as she stepped out for the Endeavour Awards last night

The Duchess of Sussex could be seen beaming at the cameras as she and Prince Harry, 35, made their way through the rain

She swept her hair back into a stylish pony-tail, revealing a set of gold hoop earrings.

The dress, which comes with a 950 pricetag, is described online as 'inspired by the simplicity of a T-shirt'.

The Duchess swapped her usual low key make-up for a stunning glamorous look on Thursday, bold dark eyeshadow, highlighter and a metallic lipstick.

The royal is known for her love of designer brands, and rarely wears the same outfits twice, selecting new outfits from favourite designers such as Givenchy and Victoria Beckham on almost every appearance.

The Duchess donned the turquoise dress by Victoria Beckham as she returned to the UK for the first time since announcing her plan to step back as a senior royal

Victoria and her husband, former England footballer David Beckham, were among the guests at Harry and Meghan's star-studded royal wedding in 2018.

The former singer launched her fashion label in 2008.

Since she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, the mother-of-one has worn a parade of designer outfits from brands such as Dior, Prada and Chanel and an array of expensive accessories.

Her maternity wardrobe is believed to have cost over half a million pounds, and further boosted by decadent jewellery, which adds financial value to several of her outfits.

Her royal wardrobe, only taking into account the cost of items once and not counting recycled items, came to a staggering 947,132.49.

The royal forewent her usual low key make-up for a glamorous lip and a dark smokey eye for the award's event

The Duchess appeared in high spirits as she stepped out in the vivid blue dress for Thursday evening's awards

The couple will help celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women next Thursday, 5th March, in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties.

The engagement will be the first in three joint engagements the couple will undertake in early March, before they officially step down as senior royals.

The Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of men and women who use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, brings together hundreds of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans as well as their families, friends and supporters of the military community.

The royal could be seen beaming as she walked into the event alongside Prince Harry in the turquoise gown

The awards ceremony, which will be hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, will see four prizes awarded on the night.

The prizes include The Recognising Achievement Award, The Celebrating Excellence Award, The Henry Worsley Award and the The Community Impact Award.

Upon arrival, the Sussexes will attend a pre-ceremony reception where they will meet the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the Endeavour Fund.

They will then attend the awards ceremony, where they will each present an award. Harry will also give a short speech.

The royal appeared to look back and smile at cameras as she and Prince Harry made their way into the event on Thursday evening

Meghan's appearance last night was her first since announcing her plans to step back as a senior royal in January.

Last autumn, American ex-actress Meghan opened up about her struggles with royal life in an ITV documentary filmed on their Africa tour.

She said she had tried to cope with the pressures by putting on a 'stiff upper lip' but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

Despite the pouring rain, the couple appeared in high spirits as they walked together into the awards event

Meghan was last seen with Prince Harry on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

'Glowing QUEEN'! Meghan Markle fans go wild online over the royal's figure-hugging turquoise dress and 'beaming' smile as she makes first post-Megxit appearance in London

By Harriet Johnston for MailOnline

The Duchess of Sussex was called a 'glowing queen' last night by royal fans who went wild over first post-Megxit appearance.

Meghan Markle, 38, looked gorgeous in the 950 bright blue gown by Victoria Beckham as she attended the awards evening at Mansion House in London alongside Prince Harry, 35, last night.

It is the couple's first official public appearance in Britain following the Megxit crisis and preparations to step down as senior royals.

Royal fans on social media were wowed by Meghan's appearance, with many praising her for her outfit choice and beautiful makeup.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, was praised by fans last night as she made her first appearance since announcing her plan to step back from life as a senior royal (pictured with Prince Harry)

Royal fans praised the Duchess, who donned a Victoria Beckham dress for the occasion, as 'glowing' at the evening event

One commented fire emojis online, before commenting: 'I stan a GLOWING queen.'

Another wrote: 'OK So Harry and Meghan are the definition of unbothered tonight. They are glowing at their first joint engagement since leaving the Royal Family.'

Another commented: 'She looks fresh, young and beautiful!'

One excited follower added: 'HRH's beaming face says a beautiful story. I love them so much.'

Social media users went wild over the Duchess' appearance at the Endeavour Awards, with some saying she was 'glowing'

One said: 'Sis is GLOWING. This is what happens when you cut toxicity out of your life. The bodycons are back.'

The dress, which comes with a 950 price tag, is described online as 'inspired by the simplicity of a T-shirt'.

The mother-of-one carried a navy blue 1,742 Stella McCartney clutch bag and finished her outfit with her pair of navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps.

She swept her hair back into a stylish pony-tail, revealing a set of gold hoop earrings.

The Duchess appeared in high spirits as she stepped out in the vivid blue dress for Thursday evening's awards

The royal could be seen beaming as she walked into the event alongside Prince Harry in the turquoise gown

The Duchess swapped her usual low key make-up for a stunning glamorous look on Thursday, bold dark eyeshadow, highlighter and a metallic lipstick.

The royal is known for her love of designer brands, and rarely wears the same outfits twice, selecting new outfits from favourite designers such as Givenchy and Victoria Beckham on almost every appearance.

The couple will help celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties.

The engagement will be the first in three joint engagements the couple will undertake in early March, before they officially step down as senior royals.

She wowed followers as she stepped out in the turquoise gown for the Endeavour Awards last night

The royal appeared radiant at the award's ceremony in the Victoria Beckham turquoise gown, which she matched with Prince Harry's tie

The Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of men and women who use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

Meghan's appearance last night was her first since announcing her plans to step back as a senior royal in January.

Meghan was last seen with Prince Harry on an official engagement on January 7 when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them during their festive break in the Commonwealth country.

The following day, sixth in line Harry and former Suits star Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent - a move dubbed Megxit by the press.

The countdown to Megxit: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's last five engagements before their time as working royals ends

March 6: Silverstone Experience (Harry)

Today, Harry will join British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of the Silverstone Experience.

The much-anticipated museum - which the Duke has been backing for years - will tell the story of the past, present and future of British motor racing.

Prince Harry (right) meets racing drivers Jenson Button (left), Lewis Hamilton (second right) and former F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart (second left) at Silverstone in July 2011

Harry official launched the project for the 19.3million visitor attraction in March 2018 and is the patron of the museum in Northamptonshire.

It was built inside a former Wellington bomber hanger located within the grounds of the track and officials hope it more than 500,000 people a year will visit

Prince Harry, his cousin George McCorquodale and his mother Princess Diana are shown the workings of a Williams F1 car at Silverstone by driver David Coulthard in July 199

Harry had promised it would be 'an exhilarating attraction, based here at the home of British motorsport and I'm sure it will help to engage children in engineering'.

Harry is a big F1 fan, and congratulated Hamilton on his title win in November 2014 by telling him on the radio: 'Lewis, you're an absolute legend. Well done mate.'

March 7: Mountbatten Music Festival (Harry and Meghan)

The couple will also attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, which see the Royal Marines showcase their musicianship and pageantry.

The festival takes places over two days - March 6 and March 7 - at the venue in London, with Harry expected to attend the Saturday evening performance.

The Duke of Sussex at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2019

Last year's concert saw the Marine bands performed a range of different songs, including versions of popular hits by Take That and the Greatest Showman.

The 2019 event also marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day. All proceeds from the concert this year will again go to The Royal Marines Charity and CLIC Sargent.

The Massed Bands of the Royal Marines perform at the Mountbatten Festival of Music last year

This event will also be Harry's last engagement as Captain-General of the Royal Marines, before he loses this title as he steps down as a senior royal.

The couple will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as by the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and the Baron and Baroness of Kilkeel.

March 8: International Women's Day (Meghan)

Meghan is expected to undertake an engagement to mark International Women's Day on March 8, although no specifics have yet been revealed.

Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day last year, she said she would like her first child to be a feminist, regardless of whether they are a girl or a boy.

Meghan speaks at a panel in London in March 2019 with model Adwoa Aboah (left) and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (right) to mark International Women's Day last year

Speaking on a panel to mark International Women's Day, Meghan said she had recently been watching a documentary on feminism.

She told an audience at King's College London last March: 'One of the things they said during pregnancy was 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism'.'

In March 2018, Harry and Meghan took part in an International Women's Day event in Birmingham to encourage young women to pursue careers in Stem subjects

Meghan has spoken about how noticed during a school assignment that an advert for a dishwashing detergent suggested women do all the cleaning.

She complained about it in a letter to Proctor and Gamble when she was aged just 11, and the firm responded by changing a line in the advert.

In 2018, Harry and Meghan took part in an International Women's Day event in Birmingham to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects.

March 9: Commonwealth Service (Harry and Meghan)

Harry and Meghan will both attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey the next day with the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family.

Earlier this month it was revealed that the Queen had requested that Harry and Meghan attend the annual service with the rest of the royals.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (left) with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right) as they attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 11 last year

The event will likely see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reunite with Prince William and Kate, a year after they were pictured smiling together at the 2019 service.

But the Sussexes have severed professional ties with the Cambridges by pulling out of the Kensington Palace household and their joint charitable foundation.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive for the Commonwealth Day service in London in March 2019

At last year's event, Harry and Meghan were seated beside Prince Andrew, who has left his royal duties after an interview about his paedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein.

The 2019 service included performances by the Dhol Foundation drummers, Clean Bandit, William Barton on the didgeridoo, tenor Alfie Boe and the B Positive choir.

Commonwealth Day has been celebrated since 1977 annually on the second Monday in March, celebrating the historic ties Britain has with the 53 other countries.
An attacker targeted the US embassy in the Tunisian capital on Friday, causing an explosion and injuries among police before being killed, police said.

The assailant tried to enter the embassy but was prevented by police who guarded the diplomatic mission in the Berges du Lac district, a police official said.

Several police were wounded in the attack, the official added, without giving further details.

"The operation was doomed to fail," he said.

Police said the attacker had been riding a motorcycle.

They did not immediately confirm if it was a suicide attack, but body parts were seen strewn on the ground at the scene.

The explosion caused panic among pedestrians near the embassy, images shared online showed.

Tunisia faced a rise in jihadist activity after its 2011 revolution, with attacks killing dozens of security personnel, civilians and foreign tourists.

While the security situation has significantly improved since a series of deadly attacks in 2015, Tunisia has maintained a state of emergency for four years and assaults against security forces have persisted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The coverage on this live blog has ended  but for up-to-the-minute coverage on the coronavirus, visit the live blog from CNBC's U.S. team. Global cases: At least 95,270, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization

Global deaths: At least 3,280, according to the latest figures from the WHO All times below are in Beijing time.

8:50 pm: 60 staff at Cork University Hospital self-isolate

A community transmission case in the Republic of Ireland has led to 60 staff at Cork University Hospital being asked to self-isolate. Broadcaster RTE said Friday that the hospital had taken steps overnight, including visitor restrictions and the curtailment of some elective procedures and outpatient services.  Clinch

8:40 pm: Singapore reports biggest daily jump in coronavirus infections

Health authorities in Singapore reported their largest daily jump of coronavirus infections on Friday, with the total number rising by 13 to 130.



The figures included a cabin crew member from Singapore Airlines, according to Reuters, with officials saying he had not gone to work since the onset of symptoms.  Clinch

7:55 pm: Egypt health authorities report 12 new coronavirus cases on Nile cruise ship, state media says

Egypt's health ministry confirmed 12 people had contracted COVID-19 on a Nile cruise ship heading to the southern city of Luxor, state television reported on Friday. The cruise ship was traveling from the city of Aswan. As of Thursday, Egypt had reported three cases of the coronavirus nationwide.  Meredith

7:35 pm: Iran says death toll rises by 17 to 124 people

Iran, which has one of the largest coronavirus outbreaks outside of China, reported a rise in its death toll to 124 people on Friday. A health ministry spokesman said in Tehran that there were 1,000-plus new infections, according to Reuters.  Clinch

An Iranian woman wearing a mask walks past a mural displaying her national flag in Tehran on March 4, 2020. ATTA KENARE

6:35 pm: Netherlands confirms first coronavirus-related death

The Netherlands' National Health Institute on Friday confirmed the country's first fatality as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. An 86-year-old man infected with COVID-19 died in the port city of Rotterdam, health authorities said. As of Thursday, the WHO reported 38 cases of the coronavirus in the Netherlands.  Meredith

6:30 pm: China invokes 'force majeure' to protect businesses  but companies may be in for a 'rude awakening'

Widespread disruption brought on by the coronavirus outbreak has hammered global supply chains and spurred Chinese companies to declare "force majeure"  a provision that exempts them from contractual obligations. But experts warn that such a move may not work. According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, a government-linked entity, China has issued 4,811 force majeure certificates as of Mar. 3 due to the epidemic. They covered contracts worth 373.7 billion Chinese yuan ($53.79 billion), state media Xinhua reported.  Tan

5:40 pm: Vatican City reports first coronavirus case

The Vatican confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Friday, Reuters reported, with health authorities confirming outpatient services in Vatican City clinics had been suspended to sanitize areas. A spokesperson for the city-state added that Italian authorities had been informed of the confirmed case. As of Thursday, Italy had reported 3,089 cases of COVID-19, with 107 deaths.  Meredith

Tourists wearing protective masks walk in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, on March 3, 2020. TIZIANA FABI

5:20 pm: Iran minister says US is 'lying' over offer to help with coronavirus

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has accused Mike Pompeo of "lying" after the Secretary of State said the U.S. had offered to help Tehran with the coronavirus outbreak. "We haven't received any important assistance from any country  especially the United States is lying," Zanganeh told CNBC's Dan Murphy in Vienna, Austria on Friday. The minister claimed that broader sanctions on Iranian goods and services were preventing the country from accessing vital food and medicine for its citizens. "When he says, the secretary of state ... we have no sanction(s) against food and drugs, it is not correct, because with which money we are going to buy food and drugs when all our exports (are) under sanction?" The State Department was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC Friday morning. As of Thursday, the WHO had confirmed 2,922 cases of the coronavirus in Iran, with 92 deaths.  Meredith

4:55 pm: Cancellation of Olympic Games is 'impossible,' Tokyo 2020 chief says

The president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizing committee has reportedly said that it would be "impossible" to cancel the Games as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Yoshiro Mori also confirmed the Olympic torch handover ceremony in Greece on March 19 and the arrival ceremony in Japan on March 20 would both be held without children, Reuters reported. Mori's comments come amid heightened fears about the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has already impacted the staging of sporting events worldwide. As of Thursday, the WHO reported Japan had 317 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with six deaths.  Meredith

4:40 pm: South Korea reports additional 309 coronavirus cases, taking total number of infections to nearly 6,600

South Korea reported an additional 309 cases of the coronavirus on Friday, taking the country's total number of infections to almost 6,600. Most of the new confirmed cases came from the southeastern city of Daegu, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To date, 42 people have died in the country as a result of the flu-like virus.  Meredith

South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear, spray antiseptic solution against the coronavirus in Guryong slum on March 3, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun | Getty Images

4:15 pm: European stocks tumble amid coronavirus volatility

European stocks fell sharply Friday morning as the coronavirus outbreak keeps impacting businesses worldwide. The pan-European Stoxx 600 tumbled 1.5% at the start of trading, travel and leisure stocks shedding 3.2% to lead losses as all sectors and major bourses slid into the red. Global stocks have been hit by ongoing concerns over the outbreak. In Asia, equities traded mostly lower, with the main Japanese market down by more than 3%. Stateside, 78% of S&P constituents closed in correction territory on Thursday.  Amaro

2:35 pm: Two Microsoft employees test positive

A Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC late on Thursday that two employees in Washington state, including one remote employee working on LinkedIn, have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Both employees are located in Puget Sound, the area that includes Microsoft's Redmond headquarters, a Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC in an email on Thursday evening.  Novet

1:25 pm: Japan markets drop more than 3%

Japan markets led losses across Asia as investors continued to fall back amid virus fears. The Nikkei 225 and the Topix index both fell around 3%. Australian and South Korean stocks also plummeted more than 2%. Shares of airlines in the region declined on Friday as the outbreak hit air travel. Australia's Qantas Airways dropped 7.1% while Japan's ANA Holdings fell 3.76%. Over in South Korea, Korean Air Lines' stock plummeted 5.58%. Hong Kong-listed shares of China Eastern Airlines also slipped 4.08%. "One succumbs to the sheer fear of community spread, prospects of deep economic impact from sharp drop off in demand for travel and seizures in supply-chains," said Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank.  Tan, Huang

1:05 pm: Taxi rides, ride hailing trips in China plummet 85%

Trips involving taxis and online ride-hailing in China plummeted 85% in February, according to the country's transport ministry. Railway, highway and air passenger volume fell nearly 80% in February, it added.  Cheng

12:40 pm: Facebook tells Bay Area employees to stay home and cancel any trips amid coronavirus outbreak

Facebook is telling employees in the San Francisco Bay Area that they should stay home after the coronavirus outbreak touched down locally. That includes its Menlo Park, California headquarters. "Based on guidance from Santa Clara County today, we are strongly recommending that all Bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting tomorrow, Friday, March 6th," Facebook spokesperson Anthony Harrison Thursday evening said in a statement to CNBC. The company has several offices and thousands of employees across the region. It is also scrapping all events in the Bay Area and recommending employees cancel all business travel in and out of the region.  Elias

10:50 am: Microsoft will pay hourly workers regularly even if they spend less time on the clock because of coronavirus

Microsoft on Thursday committed to paying normal hourly wages to non-employees providing services to Microsoft workers, like bus drivers and cafeteria workers, who might otherwise receive less pay while many of the company's employees spend the next few weeks working from home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus. "We recognize the hardship that lost work can mean for hourly employees," Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, wrote in a blog post on Thursday. "As a result, we've decided that Microsoft will continue to pay all our vendor hourly service providers their regular pay during this period of reduced service needs. This is independent of whether their full services are needed. This will ensure that, in Puget Sound for example, the 4,500 hourly employees who work in our facilities will continue to receive their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced."  Novet

10:30 am: NYC educators, health-care workers and first responders required to undergo testing

New York City has made it mandatory for all educators, health-care workers and first responders to get tested for the new coronavirus if they are ordered to, according to a directive from its health commissioner. They would be required to undergo testing if they are determined to "present a danger of infection to others." These workers would also not be allowed to return to work until they test negative for the virus or when they no longer pose a danger of infection to others, according to the order. The city may also order any of those workers to quarantine themselves at home or other locations if they refuse to submit for such testing. If they do not comply with this order, they may be subject to penalties such as a fine or imprisonment.  Tan

9:55 am: Gap shuts down New York City office after an employee tests positive

Gap has closed its New York City headquarters after an employee tested positive for the new coronavirus, the apparel maker told CNBC. The company said it was asking its employees to work from home until further notice. "We learned today (March 5) that one of our employees in our Gap headquarters building in New York is confirmed to have Coronavirus. The individual was not in the office today and is currently recovering at home. As a result of this information, we have decided to close our New York office and are asking employees to work from home until further notice," Gap said in a statement.  Ruggiero, Tan

9:37 am: China reports 143 new cases, 30 more deaths

China's National Health Commission reported 143 new confirmed cases as of March 5, and 30 more deaths. Of the new cases, 126 were from the epicenter of Hubei, and 29 of the 30 additional deaths were from that province. That brings the country's total to 80,552 confirmed cases, and 3,042 deaths.  Tan

9:25 am: South Korea reports 518 new cases, 7 more deaths

South Korea reported 518 new cases as of Friday morning, bringing its total to 6,284 cases. There were seven more deaths, bringing the country's total to 42 deaths, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have been from Daegu, South Korea's fourth-largest city and where many cases were traced back to the Shincheonji church group. Hospitals in Daegu were scrambling to accommodate the surge in patients, with 2,300 people waiting to be admitted, according to a Reuters report on Thursday. Tan

9:00 am: South Korea slams Japan's decision to quarantine visitors from its country

South Korea called Japan's decision to impose a two-week quarantine for visitors from its country "unreasonable, excessive and extremely regrettable," according to a Reuters report. Seoul's foreign ministry will summon the Japanese ambassador on Friday to lodge a complaint, it said, according to Reuters.  Tan

8:15 am: Crisis could wipe out $211 billion from Asia Pacific economies, S&P says

The coronavirus crisis could knock $211 billion from economies throughout Asia Pacific, S&P Global Ratings said in a report. It will particularly affect Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand which will "enter or flirt with recession," the report said. S&P Global Ratings also trimmed its growth forecast for China from 5.7% for 2020, to 4.8%.  Tan

7:45 am: First school closure in Australia

Australia ordered its first school closure, after a 16-year-old student in Sydney tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to Reuters. The Epping Boys High School in Sydney will be closed for at least a day, while almost 1,200 students and staff will be put under quarantine, the report said. Australia has 60 cases so far, and two deaths.  Tan All times below are in Eastern time.

5:56 pm: Santa Clara County confirms 7 community transmission cases

Santa Clara County public health officials have confirmed six new cases there, bringing the total number of infections in the northern California county to 20. Seven of the 20 cases have "no known travel or direct contact with other known cases," James Williams, director of emergency management, told reporters at a press conference. Santa Clara County Public Health Department Director Dr. Sara Cody said the county is recommending the cancellation of mass gatherings and other big events to help slow the spread of the outbreak. There were 53 cases in California as of Wednesday, according to the state health department, with dozens of new cases announced by public health officials Thursday. "Our cases to date indicate to us that the risk of exposure to the virus in our community is increasing," she said, adding that the number of cases are expected to rise. Employers are being asked to suspend all non-essential employee travel, keep employees from working more than arms-length from each other, allow more flexible sick leave policies and increase tele-commuting. Kopecki

4:46 pm: San Francisco health officials say COVID-19 is 'spreading in the community'

San Francisco health officials announced the first two cases of COVID-19 in the city, and said they were unable to determine the source of the infections. The first patient is a man in his 90s who has underlying health conditions and is in "serious condition," San Francisco public health director Dr. Grant Colfax told reporters Thursday. The second person is a woman in her 40s who is in "fair" condition. "We do not know at this point how they were exposed to the virus, which suggests it is spreading in the community," he said in a statement. "We expected that to happen and are further investigating the circumstances of these patients' exposure." Feuer

4:27 pm: Almost 300 million kids missing school because of the coronavirus, UNESCO says
In the wake of the outbreak of novel coronavirus in India, the public parade ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border has been discontinued from March 7.

"Till further orders, public parade ceremony at Attari Wagah border has been discontinued from March 7 in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Around 20,000 to 25,000 people are there in that ceremony so to maintain precaution on the coronavirus outbreak, the ceremony has been discontinued," Amritsar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shiv Dullar Singh Dhillon said.

"The Health department's advisory has been issued to the hotel industry representatives. If people come from affected regions, the hotel industry should inform the administration about them. The advisory has been put up in the Golden Temple complex as well for the tourists," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
University City authorities arrested a 48-year-old man dressed as Batman villian The Joker after he shared plans on killing random people in a live-stream on Facebook.

Missouri resident Jeremy Garnier was charged with felony first-degree for making a terrorist threat on Tuesday. He was held without bail after a judge ruled him a 'danger to the community.'

Court records did not list an attorney.

The charging documents do not indicate if he had any explosives or ammunition.

Law enforcement officers drove to the Blueberry Hill restaurant and music club after receiving a call about an active shooter.

Garnier posted an hourlong Livestream where he was seen dressing up as the Batman villain. He's later seen driving to a shopping mall in Richmond Heights where he was stopped and asked to leave.

He was seen getting questioned and handcuffed by the authorities during the Livestream.

Doing It For Attention

In the video, Jeremy admitted he was doing the stunt for attention and says he is seeking to 'take over the world.'

Garnier said he will 'start killing people' until he reaches a thousand viewers. He then shared his plans to go out in public to kill more once he reaches his target views.

"We're not going to go to any movie theaters. We're going to go totally unarmed because we don't want to alert the authorities into thinking we might be on an actual rampage."

He later tells a bartender not to give him alcohol as he plans to kill "a bunch of people" that night.

The 48-year-old self-proclaimed performance artist also said he was just trying to raise awareness about the opioid crisis.

Garnier's supporters rallied behind the man saying he was only playing a role and never planned on harming anyone. His Livestream, which has been viewed more than 55,000 times, was flooded with comments urging local authorities to free the 'artist.'

Jeremy Garnier previously had multiple convictions for burglary as well as a 2000 conviction for robbing a credit union. He was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for the latter.

2012 Joker

Garnier's Joker imagery reminded people of the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado which killed 12 people in July 2012.

Holmes attended a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century aurora 16 Multiplex Theater on July 19.

Authorities said he threw two tear gas canisters into the theater shortly after midnight. He began firing at the ceiling and then the crowd after the canisters exploded.

Local police say Holmes was armed with an AR-15 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a .40-caliber handgun---all of which he bought from two sporting goods stores.

Holmes, who was dressed in protective gear, surrendered to the authorities after the massacre.

Law enforcement agents discovered and disarmed 30 homemade grenades and 10 gallons of gasoline in the suspect's home.

James Holmes was arrested for the murder of the 12 victims. He was also responsible for wounding 70 more.

He was charged with 165 counts for first-degree murder, attempted murder, and possession of an explosive.

James Holmes is serving a life sentence in prison.
Our focus on non-profits and human-service organizations for so many years has allowed us to become experts in protecting those very special organizations that positively affect peoples lives, Lamberg said. Convelo Insurance Group will create and package more cost effective and insightful coverage by offering market-driven solutions to producers all over the US who are passionate about delivering extraordinary risk management solutions to their non-profit clients.

Steven Sims has been appointed president of the new MGA. Sims has devoted his career to developing, launching and managing specialty insurance programs for non-profits, educational institutions, government entities and the food industry. Most recently, Sims served as president of WRM America Indemnity Insurance Company, a specialty insurance provider for educational institutions, non-profits and public entities. He also previously managed specialty insurance programs at Marsh and Willis Insurance Services.

We are very excited to create and roll out a comprehensive, no-gap insurance program for non-profit and social-service organizations so that brokers and agents throughout the country can efficiently access and deliver with confidence to their clients, Sims said. We will take a lot of the legwork out of the buying process for brokers and agents and put together a very cost-competitive package of insurance coverages that specifically addresses the unique risks faced by non-profits. We know that both producers and their clients appreciate working with one insurance provider, and having more time to do what they do best  caring for others.

Convelo Insurance Group said that it will introduce a complete package of P&C non-profit coverages in the coming weeks.

Our package includes workers compensation, property, general liability, volunteer, professional liability, commercial auto, directors and officers, sexual abuse and molestation, employment-practices liability, umbrella liability, and other optional coverages a non-profit organization may need, Sims said.

In 2020, Convelo Insurance Group will be licensed to do business with non-profit organizations in 33 states.
3. The Louisiana Territory, which was central to the Missouri Compromise, had been bought by the United States for $15 million in 1803 from what country?

A. France

B. Canada

C. Mexico

D. Spain

4. Congressman James Tallmadge Jr. of New York introduced a proposed amendment to the bill that would eventually become the Missouri Compromise. The amendment, which was ultimately rejected by the Senate, would have done what?

A. Prohibited the introduction of new slaves into Missouri

B. Emancipated Missouri slaves at the age of 25

C. Emancipated children born to slaves in Missouri

D. All of the above

5. The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromises restriction on slavery in the Louisiana Territory and gave territorial legislatures the power to decide whether they would petition to enter the Union as slave or free states. In what year was this legislation passed?

A. 1824
Quarantined residents have been captured on camera yelling 'fake, fake' at a group of Beijing officials as they said authorities had neglected their daily needs.

Sun Chunlan, the Chinese Vice Premier, was leading the government team while touring the isolated complex in Qingshan District of Wuhan yesterday.

The officials were there to examine the anti-coronavirus operations carried out by local authorities, according to Chinese media.

The compound residents can be heard in a video shouting 'people are paying for overpriced food' and 'it's all fake' from their flat windows.

Quarantined residents have been captured on camera yelling 'fake, fake' at a group of Beijing officials who are inspecting the residential compound in Qingshan District of Wuhan

Sun Chunlan (pictured), the Chinese Vice Premier, was touring an isolated complex in Qingshan District of Wuhan yesterday. She is seen here visiting a hospital in Wuhan

The quarantined residents claimed that the local authorities had pretended to deliver fresh vegetables and meat to them, according to reports.

Some could be heard yelling 'formalism', a term that has been used frequently in China to criticise ineffective measures taken by government representatives for the sake of their images.

The coronavirus-ravaged city has been under lockdown since January 23.

On February 11, the government enforced tighter quarantine measures on all residential complexes, with no one allowed to enter or leave. Local supermarkets have also stopped selling goods to individuals.

Sun Chunlan has called for 'an in-depth investigation' to address the issue today, according to a spokesperson. She is pictured leading a group of officials at a makeshift hospital in Wuhan

Since February 11, the coronavirus-hit city Wuhan has ordered lockdown on all residential complexes. A man is pictured wearing a mask and exercising near a makeshift barricade wall

Sun Chunlan is pictured inspecting a Wuhan hospital. She has been put in charge of the central government's epidemic-control work in Wuhan since the epidemic broke out, it is reported

Communities in Wuhan are in charge of purchasing and delivering daily essentials to their residents.

Sun Chunlan has called for 'an in-depth investigation' to address the issue today, according to Ding Xiangyang, a spokesperson from the State Council.

When addressing the heckling, Ding Xiangyang said: 'You have all seen the little videos on social media.'

Ding Xiangyang, a spokesperson from the State Council, said in a press conference today that Sun Chunlan has called for 'an in-depth investigation' after she was heckled by residents

Communities in Wuhan are in charge of purchasing and delivering daily essentials to their residents. Workers are seen delivering vegetables to a residential compound in Wuhan

The Chinese Vice Premier has also urged efforts at the community level in containing the COVID-19 epidemic and ensuring the daily supplies for Wuhan residents, the state media Xinhua reported. She is pictured here visiting the Taikang Tongji Hospital in Wuhan

The Chinese Vice Premier has also urged efforts at the community level in containing the COVID-19 epidemic and ensuring the daily supplies for Wuhan residents, the state media Xinhua reported.

Sun Chunlan has been put in charge of the central government's epidemic-control work in Wuhan since the epidemic broke out, according to Chinese media.

The disease, formally known as COVID-19, has infected over 80,500 people in China including 3,042 deaths.

Worldwide, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and 3,400 coronavirus patients have died. A medical worker is pictured treating a patient at an isolation ward at a hospital

Professionals are pictured preparing to disinfect against the novel coronavirus in South Korea

Worldwide, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and 3,400 coronavirus patients have died.

Italy reported 41 deaths from the virus yesterday, bringing the death toll to 148, the second highest outside of China.

The total number of cases in the UK has reached 116 yesterday as the Department of Health confirmed the first coronavirus death on home turf last night, believed to be a woman in her 70s from Berkshire with underlying health conditions.
U.S. The Daily Beast

Fox News White House correspondent and perpetual nemesis of Jen Psaki thought he had Joe Bidens press secretary cornered on Monday when he asked her why the president is still referring to COVID-19 as a pandemic of the unvaccinated when so many people are getting breakthrough infections. He was wrong.I understand that the science says that vaccines prevent death, Doocy began, before undercutting that basic truth. But Im triple-vaxxed, still got COVID. Youre triple-vaxxed, still got COVI
Meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church was held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, from March 3 to 6, and it was chaired by chaired by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

Among other matters, the meeting also touched upon the ongoing renovation and reinforcement of the Mother Cathedral Holy Etchmiadzin. It informed that these works would be completed by 2021.

Organizational work for the National Ecclesiastical Assembly to be convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin occupied an important place on the agenda of this meeting. The Supreme Spiritual Council, while discussing the respective submitted documents, welcomed the tremendous amount of work done that will greatly serve the accomplishment of the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church. But in view of the necessity of amending the said documents and the fact that ongoing renovation and reinforcement of the Mother Cathedral Holy Etchmiadzin would be completed by 2021, the Supreme Spiritual Council decided to postpone the convening of the National Ecclesiastical Assembly.

The meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council also reviewed the 2019 activity report of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The coronavirus has now spread to almost 70 countries around the world and health officials are scrambling to stop people spreading the virus among themselves.

But with many patients not realizing they're ill, and others carrying on with normal life until they are diagnosed, the fast-spreading infection is proving difficult to contain.

Avoiding an infection with the virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, may be as simple as sticking to usual good hygiene, according to scientists.

Wash your hands properly with soap and hot water

The World Health Organisation's hand-washing method has six distinct steps (two to seven) which involve washing different parts of the hands to get rid of as much bacteria as possible

The World Health Organisation's advice is for people to wash their hands at least five times a day with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Friction, experts say, is the key to scrubbing off any signs of infection.

Proper hand-washing involves rubbing the palms together, rubbing the backs of the hands, interlocking fingers both backwards and forwards, scrubbing the thumbs and washing the fingertips.

People should clean their hands after coughing or sneezing; when looking after ill people; before, during and after preparing food or eating; after going to the toilet; after handling animals and whenever they look dirty.

'Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses,' the WHO said in its official advice.

Avoid hugs and handshakes

The French government has urged people to avoid 'la bise'  the traditional greeting of kissing someone on either cheek  and not to shake hands to reduce the spread of the virus.

Health minister Olivier Veran said: 'The reduction in social contacts of a physical nature is advised. That includes the practice of the bise,' Bloomberg reported.

Resort to 'air handshakes'

The handshake is becoming a taboo greeting among workers, as employees and clients fear the spread of coronavirus in the workplace.

A motivational speaker and presentation coach has now devised the 'air handshake' because of the 'unfolding coronavirus situation'.

Richard McCann hosted an event in Leeds on Saturday and later posted a video that showed him greeting a man with an air handshake.

Posting to his social media accounts, Mr McCann questioned whether was being paranoid for not shaking the hands of those attending his 300 per-ticket event.

Richard McCann is seen above miming a handshake with an attendee at his event in Leeds before walking off stage

Don't touch doorknobs and handrails

Experts say the most common way the coronavirus is thought to spread is by people touching surfaces which have been contaminated by an infected patient.

This works by somebody who has got the disease coughing or sneezing onto their hand, then touching a surface while they have the viruses on their hands.

Regular and thorough hand-washing is thought to be the best protection against the virus

Gunter Kampf of the University of Greifswald in Germany said disinfectants can kill the viruses but many things we touch every day on transport or in public buildings are not frequently disinfected.

The virus can live on hard surfaces which are touched by a lot of people for hours at a time, scientists say, with one study suggesting it could last for up to nine days.

For this reason, things like door knobs, should be considered a danger zone, as well as handrails on buses or trains.

Use a pen to push buttons instead of your fingers

Professor Kampf said that a lift was a particularly high risk place because everybody is trapped breathing the same air and having to press the same buttons.

A lift is a particularly high risk place because everybody is trapped breathing the same air and having to press the same buttons

One tip he saw on social media suggested pushing lift buttons, which can also harbour viruses, with a pen rather than a finger.

Be careful what you touch in public toilets

Professor Kampf said: 'The lifts and the public toilets, these are the places where I would be very, very careful about touching any surfaces to not risk a coronavirus infection.'

Stop touching your face

According to Alistair Miles, an Oxford University researcher, everyone should stop touching their faces.

He said in a tweet: 'Stop touching your face. Especially stop touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is much much harder than it sounds, and takes practice.

According to Alistair Miles, an Oxford University researcher, everyone should stop touching their faces

'But if you start practicing now, you will quickly get a lot better at it.'

The viruses survive on surfaces and are picked up by the next person who touches it, who then touches their face and transfers the virus into their mouth, nose or eyes.

From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Avoid large gatherings

Keeping people apart is one of the main ways governments can attempt to stop the spread of the virus  what officials call 'social distancing measures'.

In Italy, France and Switzerland, for example, public gatherings of large groups of people  such as football matches  have been cancelled or banned.

Wear gloves in public and wash hand-held objects

Science writer Laurie Garrett, who travelled around China during the SARS outbreak in 2002/03, said her top piece of advice is to wear gloves in public.

Keep them on when using public transport or spending time in public spaces, she wrote in Foreign Policy, and when opening or closing doors.

Science writer Laurie Garrett, who travelled around China during the SARS outbreak in 2002/03, said her top piece of advice is to wear gloves in public

She said: 'If its possible to open and close doors using your elbows or shoulders, do so. Wear gloves to turn a doorknob  or wash your hands after touching it.

'If anybody in your home takes sick, wash your doorknobs regularly.

'Similarly, be cautious with stairway banisters, desktops, cell phones, toys, laptops  any objects that are hand-held.'

Don't share towels and open windows in your house

Ms Garrett also recommends not sharing towels and opening windows at home, where possible, to ventilate the house.

This can also be done in cars, where people are in 'close contact', as defined by Public Health England  within six feet of someone for 15 minutes or more.

Catch coughs and sneezes and bin tissues straight away...

People should also cough or sneeze into a tissue, which they should bin immediately afterwards, and avoid spitting in public.

Ms Garrett also recommends not sharing towels and opening windows at home, where possible, to ventilate the house

... Or sneeze into your elbow

If they don't have a tissue at hand, sneezing or coughing into the crease of the elbow is better than doing it onto hands.

Stand a few feet away from anyone who coughs or sneezes

'When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus,' the WHO says.

'If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.'

If they don't have a tissue at hand, sneezing or coughing into the crease of the elbow is better than doing it onto hands

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or simply talks, tiny droplets of moisture are expelled into the air, carrying the virus out of the body up to approximately seven feet.

Professor Wang Lin Fa, an infectious disease expert at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, told Straits Times: 'You have to be very unlucky to get it from the droplets in the air.

'It means that the person coughed directly at your face, or very near you, or if an infected person coughed in the lift about 30 seconds before you went in.'

Don't trust face masks  they won't stop you getting the virus

Although people have been pictured wearing them all over the world since the outbreak began, face masks are probably not any good at protecting people from catching COVID-19.

Face masks are no good at protecting people from catching COVID-19

University of Reading scientist Dr Simon Clarke said individual viruses are so small they could pass through the filters on most masks people would buy from shops. Researchers tend to agree with this.

But they may reduce the risk of an infected person passing it on...

But scientists do also say anyone who is already infected could reduce their risk of passing the virus on by wearing a mask.

They may be able to block droplets carrying the virus from being coughed out into the air around them.

The virus infects someone by taking hold in flesh inside their airways and lungs after it is breathed in. Because of this, mucous and saliva contain the viruses and are infectious.
The RBI on Thursday evening superseded the board of directors of Yes Bank and limited cash withdrawal to Rs 50,000 until April 3, 2020.

AFP

RBI has appointed deputy managing director and CFO of State Bank of India, Prashant Kumar, as an administrator of the bank. According to reports, the RBI action came after attempts for an SBI-led bailout plan failed. Read more

Number Of Coronavirus Cases In India Likely To Rise, Samples Of 23 More Patients Turn Positive

The total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in India has reached 30 after a Ghaziabad man who had recently travelled to Iran tested positive on Thursday. The Ghaziabad man has been quarantined at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

BCCL

His wife and son have been put in isolation at MMG District Hospital in Ghaziabad. Read more

An Irish Man With Coronavirus Symptoms Ran Away From An Odisha Hospital And Nobody Can Find Him

An Irish man with suspected symptoms of coronavirus has gone missing in Odisha.

The Irish man who had landed in Bhubaneswar International Airport on Thursday with a fever. He was sent for the mandatory screening which India has started for all passengers arriving from abroad at the airports. Read more

From 75 In 1905 To 3600 In 2020! India's Rhino Population Has Increased By 35 Times In 115 Yrs

While India's efforts and struggles to conserve tiger population has been known, here is one of Indias most successful conservation stories: the population of one-horned rhinos has grown manifold over the years.

From a population of barely 75 in 1905, there were over 2,700 Indian rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) by 2012, according to the World Wide Fund for NatureIndia (WWF-India), a global wildlife advocacy. Read more

Floods, Nipah Didn't Stop Tourists From Visiting Kerala, Sees Highest Tourist Visits In 24 Yrs

According to the latest figures, Kerala attracted around 1.96 crore domestic and foreign visitors in 2019, which is the highest growth rate in tourist footfalls in 24 years.

BCCL

Kerala witnessed 16 per cent yearly increase in the first three quarters of 2109 from domestic tourists till September 30 and 8.5 per cent growth from foreign tourists in the last calendar year. Read more
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-05 21:51:52|Editor: huaxia

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(Video by Xinhua Reporters Hu Yousong and Tan Yixiao)

"The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus."

NEW YORK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. health authorities on Wednesday reported a total of 129 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a death toll of 11 in the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday loosened the criteria for COVID-19 testing. Now anyone who has symptoms like a fever, cough or breathing difficulties are allowed to receive a test as long as a doctor agrees.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (front) speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, March 4, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The agency also stopped reporting the number of "persons under investigation" and negative test results for the COVID-19 on its website, saying on Twitter that "with more testing done by states, these numbers would not be representative of national testing."

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency hours after the Golden state reported its first death related to the COVID-19 on Wednesday.

"The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus," Newsom said in a statement.

The emergency proclamation includes provisions to protect consumers against price gouging, allow health care workers coming from outside the state to assist at health care facilities, and give health care facilities the flexibility to plan and adapt to accommodate incoming patients.

The first death in the state, an elderly person with underlying health conditions who lived in Placer County, may have been infected sometime between Feb. 11 and Feb. 21 during international travel on a cruise ship that departed from San Francisco to Mexico, according to health officials.

Placer County Public Health said that they are working closely with Sacramento County Public Health and the CDC to identify and contact other cruise passengers.

Anthony Fauci (front), director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, March 4, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

Also on Wednesday, Los Angeles County declared a local public health emergency regarding the COVID-19 as six new cases were confirmed county-wide in 48 hours.

The county's Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a press conference joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti that the move was taken "out of abundance of caution" instead of "a response rooted in panic," noting that Los Angeles has world-class healthcare providers.

Barbara Ferrer, director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, warned that more infection cases of the COVID-19 are expected in the days ahead, but denied there is any case of community transmission in the Los Angeles area so far.

Meanwhile, in the northeastern state of New York, nine more COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Wednesday, all related to the state's second case, a 50-year-old attorney who works in Manhattan and lives in Westchester County just outside of New York City.

The new cases include the attorney's family members, a neighbor, a friend and the friend's family members. The attorney is hospitalized in critical condition, said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

The main campus of New York-based Yeshiva University, where the patient's son was attending, was closed on Wednesday, following the closure of two schools his siblings were attending a day earlier.

Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Robert Redfield (front) speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, March 4, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

In response to the disease's fast spread, the CDC has encouraged U.S. schools to cancel or postpone foreign exchange programs. A number of U.S. universities, including Northwestern University, Columbia University and New York University, have announced that they would cancel all sponsored international programs, including spring break trips.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Loyola University Chicago have called for their exchange students studying in epidemic-hit countries to return home.

Meanwhile, leading U.S. airlines have announced measures to waive flight change fees as the COVID-19 outbreak disrupts travel plans for many people.

United Airlines has decided to waive change fees for all the flights booked March 3-31 and allow passengers to re-book another flight of equal or lesser value within 12 months from the original ticket issue date.

American Airlines is waiving change fees for any tickets issued between March 1 and March 16 on the condition that passengers cancel at least 14 days prior to their flight.

As for Delta Air Lines, international passengers can make a one-time flight change without any change fee for tickets issued between March 1 and 31. 
NEW YORK, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- UM, the global marketing and media agency network of IPG Mediabrands, today announced it has been named media Agency of Record in the U.S. for Shinola, the luxury design brand with an unwavering commitment to crafting products that are built to last. UM will take on all strategy, planning, buying, research, and data and analytics media duties across the U.S. for the Detroit-based brand.

"We've been growing our relationship with the Shinola team for some time and are thrilled to officially welcome this great American brand to the family," said Scott Russell, President, Central Region, UM and Chief Operating Officer, Mediabrands US. "We look forward to leveraging our Better Science, Better Art, Better Outcomes proposition to accelerate their e-commerce and retail businesses to drive sustainable, profitable growth into the future."

"We look forward to working with UM, an agency that has a proven track record of driving business results for brands," said Tyra Neal, Chief Marketing Officer, Shinola. "We are confident that the team will drive our business forward through industry-leading data and analytics and creative excellence."

Shinola joins several brands that have recently appointed UM media Agency of Record in North America including CVS Health-Aetna, Levi Strauss & Co. and Energizer brands, Armor All and Rayovac.

ABOUT UM

UM is a strategic media agency committed to proving that media is a topline growth driver as much as an efficiency play. We believe that better science and better art deliver better outcomes for our clients. We deliver science through the transformational power of business analytics and real-time data intelligence. We deliver art through creating moments that matter in media to deliver momentum for brands. As the leading global media network in IPG Mediabrands, UM operates in over 100 countries, with more than 5,000 people innovating on a roster of global clients including Accenture, American Express, BMW, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Fitbit, GoPro, Johnson & Johnson, Levi Strauss & Co, Quicken Loans, Sony, Spotify and The Hershey Company.

About Shinola

At Shinola, we've made a lasting commitment to making lasting things. World-class watches, beautiful leather goods, high-integrity audio, thoughtful gifts, and a hotel. If it's made, we want to try to make it better. With relentless optimism, tenacity, humor, and humility, we help people shine in an understated way.

SOURCE UM
Governments like to talk a lot about closing the gender pay gap, especially around International Womens Day. But talk is cheap and the gender pay gap has hardly budged in the past two decades, hovering between 14 and 19 per cent.

In the care sector, women account for about 80 per cent of the workforce. Credit:Virginia Star

Failing to close the gender pay gap is one thing. Making it even worse is another. And the current federal government is at risk of knowingly widening the gender pay gap.

Were deeply concerned it has not yet committed to the continuation of funding put in place almost a decade ago to ensure workers in the community sector can be fairly paid.

Women account for about 80 per cent of the workforce in our sector, which supports people at their most vulnerable  when theyre facing homelessness, escaping domestic violence or dealing with mental health concerns. Its important work and deserves to be fairly paid.
- The Baringo senator met Kiambu youth leaders at Kiambaa in Ruaka for lunch and told them he was still mourning his father after which he would come back to them for more discussions

- The senator urged Kiambu residents to support President Uhuru Kenyatta's calls for uniting the nation

- His ally William Kamket hinted KANU would make a formidable coalition with the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2022 elections

Baringo senator Gideon Moi has said he is set to make a major announcement on his next political move after 40 days of mourning his late father are over as per the Kalenjin tradition.

The senator treated Kiambu youth leaders to lunch on Wednesday, March 4, at Kiambaa in Ruaka where he promised them he would be back soon for more discussions after the mourning period elapses.

READ ALSO: Wishful thinking: DPP Haji, DCI Kinoti rubbish claims of rift between them

Gideon Moi addressing the youths during lunch with Kiambu youth leaders. Photo: GWP Digital

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: You don't whistleblow big plane landing at 7am - CS Macharia insists Gire Ali committed crime

I want to ask you to give me a chance to finish our customs as Kalenjins. When we lose someone, we must mourn for 40 days. I have just left home twice, to Meru for the Building Bridges Initiative meeting because it is important and will benefit all of us and for the Nginyo (Kariuki's) funeral,

Today, I only came to have lunch with you, but I will come back for more discussions, said Gideon during the lunch meeting with the youths.

The KANU party member told the gathering the aspirations of Kiambu county were similar to those of his county and the rest of the country.

He said when he will visit them the next, he will address issues to do with unemployment and the political direction that he will take.

Gideon Moi having lunch with Kiambu youth leaders at Kiambaa in Ruaka. Photo: Makori Auga

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Kisii preacher claims God told him Raila would lose his voice at Meru BBI rally

At the same time, he asked the locals to work together and support President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda of uniting the nation.

If he says right, we go right, if he says left, we go left, if he says we jump, we ask how many feet, said the senator.

Although the senator was in Kiambu to attend the burial ceremony of the late businessman Nginyo Kariuki, his visit could not go unnoticed.

As earlier reported, MP William Kamket hinted KANU was set up for a major formidable coalition that will see it win the 2022 presidential elections.

William Kamket said KANU will work with other parties to form a formidable coalition. Photo: William Kamket

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Sakata mpya ya Echesa na taarifa zingine zilizozua gumzo wiki hii

Kamket said the coalition will serve to tame corrupt and deceitful politicians who found their way into the ruling party through the defunct United Republican Party (URP).

"The con game in formation of Jubilee will be laid bare soon. TNA original will team up with KANU, ODM, Wiper, ANC, Ford Kenya and other like-minded parties to form a broad-based coalition. URP and its thieving ways will lick their wounds in opposition," said Kamket on his Twitter page.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly

Source: TUKO.co.ke
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the autonomous vehicle industry continues its slow push toward widespread implementation, the vast majority of American drivers still dont trust the innovative technology, according to a study.

A new survey from AAA revealed that only 12% of respondents would trust a vehicle to drive itself while they were a passenger, with an additional 28% claiming they were unsure how they feel about riding in an autonomous vehicle.

Knowing how people truly feel about self-driving cars will help the industry to identify the steps needed to move consumers toward greater acceptance, said Greg Brannon, of AAA.

Survey respondents were most concerned with safety and liability issues regarding the use of autonomous vehicles.

Nearly half, 49%, of people said they would want to know whether or not the vehicles are susceptible to hackers.

Just over half, 51%, of people wanted to know what types of laws would be implemented at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that these vehicles are safe.

Nearly six out of 10, or 57%, said they would like to have a full understanding of who is liable in the event of a collision involving a self-driving car.

Almost three-fourths of Americans surveyed, 72%, said that they would feel more comfortable in an autonomous vehicle if they were able to take control in the event of an error, with a similar portion, 69%, saying they would feel safer if there were a human backup driver.

FIRST AUTONOMOUS MASS TRANSIT

Despite continued concerns regarding autonomous vehicles, the first fleet of driverless mass transit shuttles officially hit the streets of the United States last month.

On Feb. 5, the South Linden neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, launched the countrys first public residential autonomous shuttle, the Linden LEAP.

The electric-powered, autonomous shuttles connect South Linden residents with resources and transit centers in the rest of the city, while also providing key data points for other cities that are considering implementing similar programs.

The brightly colored shuttles travel along a 2.9-mile route, providing free rides, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., over the course of the 12-month pilot program.

The autonomous shuttles -- known as the EasyMile EZ10 -- can hold about a dozen passengers and travel for approximately 14 hours on a single charge. The vehicles operate at Level 4 autonomy, meaning the shuttles have full autonomous operational capabilities, though an onboard operator is still able to take control in the event of an error.

Special rules for the Linden LEAP shuttles have been implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including vehicle speeds being limited to 25 miles per hour, vehicles being restricted to their designated route and vehicles temporarily ceasing operations during nearby schools morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.

Though the maximum allowed speed has been set at 25 miles per hour, the LindenLEAP website states that the shuttles will never travel above 15 miles per hour and will typically travel at approximately 12 miles per hour.

Bringing smart technology and mobility into our neighborhoods is an important tool for sharing success and expanding opportunity, said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. The launch of the Linden LEAP will help us guide future innovations in the community and beyond, using self-driving technology to help reduce barriers to community resources.
TORONTO, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cryptologic Corp. (Cryptologic or the Company) (CSE:CRY) wishes to provide an update with respect to the proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets (the Asset Sale). This update is supplemental to the disclosure with respect to the Asset Sale in the Companys management information circular (the Circular) dated February 10, 2020 in respect of the annual and special meeting of shareholders of the Company (the Shareholders) to be held at the Companys offices at 5 Hazelton Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto Ontario, M5R 2E1 at 1:30 p.m. (Toronto time) on March 13, 2020 (the Shareholders Meeting). All references to dollar amounts or $ in this press release are to Canadian dollars.



The Companys cryptocurrency assets consist of two components: (i) the cryptocurrency mining machines (Miners); and (ii) the purpose-built cryptocurrency data centres, including HVAC and electrical infrastructure that is unique to cryptocurrency mining (the Facilities). The Company has two Facilities: (i) one in Lachute, Quebec (the 828 Assets), which includes access to 30 MW of power and (ii) one in Pointe-Claire, Quebec (the Crypto 205 Assets), which includes access to 6 MW of power.

Asset Sale Process

In August 2019, the Company announced that it intended to sell its cryptocurrency mining assets and complete a strategic pivot of the business. As a result, the Company contacted potential strategic purchasers globally to sell the highly specialized 828 Assets and the Crypto 205 Assets, and in October engaged a broker to source additional potential purchasers.

Between August and September 2019, Cryptologic sold approximately 8,500 Miners at an average price of $352 per Miner. Although the selling price of Miners was falling, the Board made a strategic decision to suspend the sale of Miners as it was expected that the decrease in the value of the Miners over time would be offset by the profits earned from continuing cryptocurrency mining and having operational Facilities would support the sales process.

The Letters of Intent

Cryptologic currently has a letter of intent for the sale of each Facility to separate third parties (one for the 828 Assets, the 828 LOI and one for the Crypto 205 Assets, the 205 LOI). The letter of intent with respect to the Crypto 205 Assets that was disclosed in the Circular has expired.

The purchase price contemplated in the 205 LOI for the 6 MW Facility is $0.9 million and the purchase price contemplated in the 828 LOI for the 30 MW Facility is approximately $5.0 million. Although the sales would include the remaining Miners owned by the Company, the value of each Facility is based primarily on the hydro capacity and is approximately $150,000 per MW.

Value of the Assets

The Company, consistent with many of its cryptocurrency mining comparables, incurred a significant write down of its asset value as at the date of its most recent audited financial statements, December 31, 2018. Furthermore, Cryptologic expects to incur a further write down of the value its cryptocurrency mining assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 based on the net realizable value of those assets.

If the sales under the 828 LOI and the 205 LOI are completed as currently contemplated, the gross proceeds from the Asset Sale would be approximately $5,900,000. As at market close on March 5, 2020, the Companys market capitalization was approximately $3.9 million. Accordingly, the Company believes the proposed consideration under the 828 LOI and the 205 LOI is consistent with the market price for the 828 Assets and the Crypto 205 Assets, respectively.

Approval Sought from Shareholders

At the Shareholders Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on, among other things, the Asset Sale pursuant to Section 184(4) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The terms of each element of the Asset Sale are to be finalized by management and approved by the board of directors of the Company.

In the event the Company receives approval for the Asset Sale from the Shareholders at the Shareholders Meeting and the Company subsequently does not proceed with either or both of the transactions contemplated by the 828 LOI and/or the 205 LOI, the Company intends to enter into the best possible transaction (each, a Subsequent Transaction) with respect to the sale of the 828 Assets or the Crypto 205 Assets, as applicable. In such an event, the Company would not seek re-approval from Shareholders with respect to such Subsequent Transaction. It is possible that a Subsequent Transaction may not provide for similar consideration and it is also possible that the Company may not be able to complete a Subsequent Transaction.

For information or interview please contact:

Jordan Greenberg

Chief Financial Officer

(647) 715-3707

About Cryptologic Corp.

Cryptologic Corp. is currently a cryptocurrency mining company that is focused on divesting its crypto mining assets and exploring acquisition opportunities in sectors outside of cryptocurrency mining.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release, including statements with respect to: the Companys ability to obtain the requisite Shareholder approvals to proceed with the Asset Sale; the Companys ability to complete the transaction contemplated in the 828 LOI on the terms described herein or at all; the proposed price of the 828 Assets under the 828 LOI and the proposed price of the Crypto 205 Assets under the 205 LOI; the Companys ability to complete the transaction contemplated in the 205 LOI on the terms described herein or at all; and the Company incurring a further write-down of the value of its cryptocurrency mining assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 based on the net realizable value of those assets, contain forward-looking information which can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "desires", "will", "should", "projects", "estimates", "contemplates", "anticipates", "intends", or any negative such as "does not believe" or other variations thereof or comparable terminology.

No assurance can be given that potential future results or circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. By their nature, these forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the Shareholders do not approve the Asset Sale, the risk that the Company will not be able to proceed with either the transaction contemplated in the 828 LOI or the 205 LOI, on the terms described herein, at the price described herein, or at all, the potential purchasers of either the 828 Assets, the Crypto 205 Assets, or both, not being satisfied in the course of their respective due diligence processes, there being significant adjustments in the purchase price, either working capital or otherwise, for either the 828 Assets, the Crypto 205 Assets, or both, the market for cryptocurrency assets becoming materially worse than as described herein, new cryptocurrency assets being introduced, other than as described in the Circular, which would accelerate the depreciation of either the 828 Assets or the Crypto 205 Assets, or both, the Asset Sale not being completed expeditiously and the 828 Assets and/or the Crypto 205 Assets being materially devalued, and the Company incurring a more significant write-down of the value of its cryptocurrency mining assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 based on the net realizable value of those assets, and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, that could cause actual results to significantly differ from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the view of the Company with respect to future events, and are based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions, which it considers reasonable. Management cautions readers that the assumptions relative to the future events, several of which are beyond management's control, could prove to be incorrect, given that they are subject to certain risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected. Other factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things, the impact of general economic, industry and market conditions. Management disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.
Location-based dating service major on Thursday announced it is pledging up to $1 million in in-app advertising to support women and others who identify themselves as in India.

"We are proud to have women driving growth within the organisation across various functions including management, product engineering, and design. We remain committed to our promise of opening doors for women around the world and this initiative is another step in this direction," Taru Kapoor, GM, and Match Group, India, said in a statement.

Over 90 per cent of Tinder's community is between the ages of 18-30, and for any women-owned business aimed at that cohort, the ads are intended to support their business, their network and help them speak directly to potential consumers.

The firm is inviting applications from companies where at least 50 per cent of the founding team are women or identify as women.

To qualify, companies should be under 3 years old, have cumulatively raised less than Rs 35 crore in equity financing, and actively target Gen-Z and millennial audiences in India.

All applicants will be screened by an all-woman panel of executives in their sole discretion, and all decisions are final.
The government is in discussions with Iranian authorities and a ferry flight, carrying around 300 swabs of Indians suspected of having coronavirus infection, from Tehran is to land in the national capital on Friday, according to officials.

The flight, to be operated by Iran's Mahan Air, would not have any passengers and Iranians in India would be taken back in the return flight.

There are around 2,000 Indians in Iran, one of the countries which has been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. A similar number of Indians are also there in the Persian Gulf country.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola on Friday said the first flight from Iran would be carrying the swabs.

"We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, hourly basis... it will be a ferry flight coming with swabs," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference here.

As the government looks at another initiative to bring back Indians in coronavirus-hit countries, Kharola said while Indians come here, it should be made sure that they are in a healthy condition.

The health ministry is planning to set up advanced testing facilities in Iran itself. Before they board the flight, a test can be done for these passengers, he added.

A team of medical experts has reached Iran and it would be setting up a basic medical testing facility there.

"Another option is that we are trying to collect the samples, swabs... on the first flight that comes to India, these swabs will be brought. They will be tested in India and within a day.... the results will be known," Kharola noted.

Aviation regulator DGCA's chief Arun Kumar said 300 swabs are expected to be come in the Mahan Air flight. Based on the outcome of the tests, those passengers who test negative would be allowed to come to the country later, he added.

Many of the Indians currently in Iran are pilgrims, he said.

Last month, India suspended flights from Iran in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Iranian carriers were operating three flights a week to both Delhi and Mumbai.

"We will allow temporarily Iran to bring in their flights and when they go back, they will be evacuating their people stranded here (India)," Kharola said.

The government has already evacuated hundreds of Indians from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as many who onboard on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will pull funds from so-called sanctuary cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. His announcement on Twitter comes days after a US court ruled in favour of the Trump administration blocking federal law enforcement funding to sanctuary jurisdictions.

Trump has taken a tough stance on immigration during his tenure in office, passing a series of laws and battling in courts against Democratic-led sanctuary cities that uphold certain rights of undocumented immigrants.



Many of those city governments, including New York Citys, have fought back, saying it is within their right to limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal US immigration officials. The cities further claim that Trumps measures discourage immigrants from reporting a crime to local law enforcement because they fear deportation.

The Federal Courts decision doesnt change our laws or our policies, Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of NYC Mayors Office of Immigration Affairs, told Al Jazeera.

We have always been and will always be the ultimate city of immigrants. We centre the public safety of all New Yorkers in the decisions that we make. That is what were advancing and is what were concerned with, and clearly, were getting something right by being the safest big city in America.

Echoing that sentiment, in a news conference on Thursday New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said it is unconstitutional for the federal government to withhold security funding for a locality based on a policy disagreement, adding: Well see them in court.

Trump, who is seeking re-election on November 3, has previously attempted to slash law enforcement funds to cities and states that do not comply with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. His efforts continue to be challenged in courts.

Last week, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled in favour of his administration, stating that the federal funding cuts were valid. However, three other federal appeals courts have ruled against Trump blocking funds. Those decisions could eventually be appealed to the US Supreme Court.

On Thursday, President Trump tweeted: As per recent Federal Court ruling, the Federal Government will be withholding funds from Sanctuary Cities. They should change their status and go non-Sanctuary. Do not protect criminals!

Trump has been critical of sanctuary cities and states refusing to hold in local jails undocumented immigrants past their scheduled release dates so ICE officials could process them for deportation. Officials in sanctuary jurisdictions say that honouring such a detainer request would mean holding people without a constitutionally valid reason.

No surprise that Trump continues to undermine the rule of law with every tweet he fires off, Tom Jawetz, Vice President for Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, told Al Jazeera.

With one federal court win under his belt, Trump appears poised to ignore the multiple federal courts that previously decided it would be unlawful for the Department of Justice to deny these important law enforcement funds to local jurisdictions, Jawetz added.

The 2nd Circuit overturned a lower courts decision directing the release of federal funds to New York City as well as the states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. Three other courts in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco have upheld injunctions barring enforcement of at least some of the administrations conditions on the funds.

On top of Trumps funding threats, the administration is upping its battles against sanctuary cities, filing lawsuits and issuing subpoenas in what US Attorney General William Barr called part of a significant escalation in the fight against uncooperative jurisdictions.
Open Orphan, a Europe-focused pharma services company specialising in rare disease and so-called orphan drugs, has agreed a contact with a European biotech company that could generate up to 10.2m (11.8m) in revenue.

The contract is for the provision of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) human challenge study.

The study is projected to deliver 3.2m in revenue this year.

If it is successful, it is anticipated that an additional follow-on larger pivotal challenge study will commence at the end of 2020.

This additional study could add a minimum of 7m in further revenue.

In a statement, the company said the contract win demonstrates hVIVO, part of Open Orphan, successfully converting its pipeline and reinforces its position in the provision of viral challenge studies, vaccine and viral laboratory services, supporting product development for customers developing antivirals, vaccines and respiratory therapeutics.

It added that these services are particularly relevant and topical in the current climate, given the spread of the coronavirus.

London-based hVIVO has Europe's only commercial 24-bed quarantine clinic and on-site virology laboratory and is the only company globally with the capability to run an RSV human challenge study.

Cathal Friel, chairman of Open Orphan, said: "This agreement demonstrates one of the benefits of the merger with hVIVO and the opportunity the broadened service offering provides in delivering a catalyst for significant revenue growth and margin expansion within the business.

In the short term, the combination of Open Orphan and hVIVO is expected to result in substantial cost savings through the elimination of subcontractor costs where they can be replaced by new capabilities within the company."
China's Hubei province has reported no new cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan in 24 hours for the first time since the outbreak began.

Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, confirmed 126 new cases of the virus on Thursday, but there were no further infections reported by the National Health Commission across the province.

Elsewhere in China, schools which had reported no new cases for a number of days began to confirm their opening dates in a sign of the country returning to normality.

Qinghai, a northwestern province which had reported no new infections for 29 days, said it would stagger a start date of different school days between March 11 and March 20, according to a notice posted today.

A man wearing a face mask runs past a street blocked by barricades and shared bicycles in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, on Thursday

In Guizhou, it was said schools would begin opening to students from March 16.

Outside of Hubei, there were 17 new confirmed cases of the virus reported - 11 in Gansu, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai.

This brought the total new infections across mainland China to 143 on Thursday, up from 139 cases a day earlier.

Elsewhere, a total of 311 passengers arriving in Lanzhou, Gansu from Iran were quarantined, it was reported on Thursday.

A worker unloads bags of groceries purchased by residents through group orders from a bus in Wuhan on Thursday

Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, confirmed 126 new cases of the virus on Thursday

Gansu became the first province to lower its emergency response measures from level I to level III last month, reflecting the lack of new infections.

As new cases dwindle in China, attention has turned to potential infections arriving from overseas.

Authorities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have all vowed to quarantine travellers from countries hit the hardest by the coronavirus, which Beijing identified as South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy.

A worker disinfects the Hankou Salvation Church in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province today

The overall number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China stood at 80,555 today

The overall number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China stood at 80,555 today.

The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China stood at 3,042 last night, up by 30 from the previous day.

Hubei reported 29 new deaths, while in Wuhan 23 people died.

Globally, 98,703 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, with 3,383 deaths across 17 countries.
As the sun sets on the last decade, we begin another year without a solution to the disproportionate Black homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, a consequence of an economic order in which Black people are still seen as commodities and not as human beings.

In his speech on The Other America, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of two Americas, one flowing with opportunity and wealth, and the other ugly with poverty and the fatigue of despair.

This is a manifestation of an ugly national history of unleashing a hatred of poverty on people, beginning with the Native Americans, then the slaves, then the workers. Conservative forces argue that people are poor because of their own decisions. Black poverty is directly related to 250 years of slavery and more than 150 years of Jim Crow and racialized terror. The current crisis of disproportionate Black homelessness and poverty is a direct result of a dominant political and economic structure that refuses to transform our economy into one that does not impoverish but allows communities to flourish.

Take for example the experience of Curtis. Just a few years ago, Curtis was destitute, moving from couch to couch, trying to get his bearings after the death of his ill mother and the subsequent loss of his home. He left his career to care for her, essentially uprooting his life to make sure she had quality care during the end of hers.

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Curtis is one of many Black Angelinos who has experienced homelessness, but only one of few who has overcome it. Through his church community, he was connected to the new Targeted Local Hire program for the City of Los Angeles, a program that pipelines applicants from marginalized communities into full-time, public sector union jobs that pay well and provide great benefits. Because of his employment, Curtis found a way to stabilize his life.

Curtiss story is a testament to the power of good jobs as a solution to the homelessness crisis and highlights the role our city should play in creating stable, full-time employment through the public sector. Los Angeles has recently been praised for its strong economy. Yet, we average a higher unsheltered homeless rate than anywhere else in the country. The economy is working, but not for everyone.

In Los Angeles, it could not be more black and white as white household median net wealth reached $355,000 compared to $4,000 for Black households.

A large part of the direct action required is access to quality jobs as a means of creating economic stability for Black Angelinos and their families.

Our government has a history of creating workforce pipelines for disenfranchised Black communities, beginning with the federal post office after reconstruction.

The public sector is the largest employer in the state and more workforce development investments are needed as the public sector is the one area of employment where Black workers are equitably represented in quality careers. Based on the 2019 report An Ongoing Demand for Los Angeles: A Bright Future Requires Organizing More Black Public Sector Union Workers., public sector jobs create housing security and provide an invisible safety net for Black workers, their families, and their communities. The report found that two-thirds of Black workers in Los Angeles were sole providers for their families. Public sector work has historically stabilized Black communities and it has the power to continue to do that in Los Angeles during the current crisis.

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The City of Los Angeles has a local hiring program that also equitably hires Black workers. Created by a memorandum of understanding between unions that represent city workers and the City of Los Angeles, Targeted Local Hire is a jobs program that seeks to place the most marginalized Angelinos into stable city jobs. Since its inception in 2016, over 700 employees have been hired into public sector jobs. Nearly 34% of those hired are Black according to the City, but the rate at which Black workers are being hired is not nearly enough to make a measurable difference in the Black homelessness crisis.

We only have two and a half years left in this current mayoral administration to build an agenda that moves the needle of racial equity in our city. Mayor Eric Garcetti has the opportunity to leave a legacy behind for Angelinos, a legacy marked by racial equity.

At the end of 2019, the Mayor and City Council took steps to establish the Citys first Civil and Human Rights Ordinance, an Office of Racial Equity, and convened a strike team to strengthen racial equity and performance outcomes for our Targeted Local Hire program. What remains to be seen is whether these initiatives will equal a bold racial equity agenda that institutionalizes anti-discrimination protections and career pathways at the scale needed to move the needle on the economic violence faced by Black Angelenos.

What is clear is that without appropriate funding, measurable and clear implementation timelines, and credible oversight, this potentially transformative moment could be reduced to nothing more than business as usual.

Our leaders must stand up. We cannot and should not depend on brokers of plantation capitalism to author economic equality.
New Delhi, March 6 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of the global coronavirus outbreak in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Gandhi asked about the number of persons under surveillance or observation for COVID-19 till date in India as well as the total number of Indians evacuated from Wuhan and other affected areas. He also demanded to know how many Indians are yet to be evacuated.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told the house that as of Thursday, a total of 29,607 persons are reportedly under observation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for COVID-19. He also informed the house that a total of 654 passengers were brought from China's Wuhan province and were kept for 14 days' quarantine in an army camp at Manesar and ITBP camp at Chhawla.

The minister added, "On February 27, 112 persons (76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Wuhan, China and kept for mandatory 14 days' quarantine at the army camp, Manesar. 124 (119 Indians and five foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Japan and kept for mandatory 14 days' quarantine at ITBP camp, Chhawla (Delhi). All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID-19." Among other questions, Gandhi asked about whether any specific programme or assistance is being provided to Kerala, the state where from he was elected an MP.

The government listed nine-point efforts by the Centre that are afoot to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in not just Kerala but all states and Union Territories that include guidelines on clinical management, infection prevention control, surveillance and sampling.

The Health Minister further informed the house that "the government of India has also initiated a series of actions to prevent entry of the disease and to contain it. A Group of Ministers (GoM) consisting of Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister has been constituted." Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus affected people in India jumped to 31 on Friday.

The first coronavirus case in Delhi was detected on Monday. Six suspected cases were also detected in Agra, after these persons came in contact with the person from Delhi found to be infected.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Nicki Zvik, Founder of Green Solar Technologies

The recent coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, is causing worldwide mayhem infecting over 80,000 people in 40 countries and taking the lives of 2,700.

According to an article written by Rani Molla published on Vox, [The virus] is sending ripple effects around the world, including a push for more people to work remotely, while health organizations work to contain and treat the outbreak.

After a recent spike in cases outside of China, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to ask their schools and workplaces about contingency plans, like working from home, in case they have to shut down over coronavirus. Companies from Wuhan to Silicon Valley have altered how and where they do business as the virus rages on.

In February so far, 77 public company transcripts mention work from home or working from home, according to financial data platform Sentieo. Thats up from just four mentions of the phrase in the same month a year ago. The vast majority of those documents also mention coronavirus.

Nicki Zvik, Founder of Green Solar Technologies, taking notice to the dangers of the coronavirus, has also made the decision to allow many to work from home.

As of now we are allowing project managers to work from home, shares Zvik. It is my strong belief that if there are employees at GST who are able to work at home during this time then they should. Unfortunately there are many positions that require our employees to come into work, but as new information comes out we will always take the necessary steps to ensure our employees are safe and virus-free.

Zvik adds, One positive aspect of taking this precaution is that we will see how allowing some of our employees to work from home affects our business. As the world evolves, more and more work-from-home positions are being created, and its possible that someday in the not-so-distant future well see a major shift from most employees going into work to most employees working from home. And as a progressive company, were always open to new possibilities.

The Vox article continues, Remote workers make up anywhere from about 5 percent (those who typically work from home) to nearly two-thirds (who sometimes work remotely) of the workforce, depending on the measurement. Whats certain is that the trend has been ticking up and a pandemic like coronavirus has the potential to fast-track the move by making it more universally accepted and prominent.

And according to an article written by Scott Mautz published on Inc.com, Stanford professor, Nicholas Bloom conducted a study regarding the productivity of people who work from home. The article states that, Bloom expected the positives and negatives to offset each other. But he was wrong.

Instead, the robust, nearly two-year study showed an astounding productivity boost among the telecommuters equivalent to a full day's work. Turns out work-from-home employees work a true full-shift (or more) versus being late to the office or leaving early multiple times a week and found it less distracting and easier to concentrate at home.

We cant say for certain what the future holds for Green Solar Technologies, shares Zvik, but it is promising to see studies showing the benefits of working from home, and we will always remain open to new ways of working. At the very least, this proves promising that we will remain efficient and productive as we allow our project managers to work from home until the coronavirus is controlled.


Opposition members in Lok Sabha on Friday said the decision to suspend seven Congress MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session for unruly behaviour should be reversed as the "punishment" was "disproportionate".

Soon after the House reassembled at 12 noon after an adjournment, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he did not even know the basis on which the seven were suspended.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), Dayanidhi Maran (DMK) and Supriya Sule (NCP) said the decision to suspend the seven members should be recalled as the "punishment" was "disproportionate".

Lok Sabha had on Thursday passed a motion suspending the seven Congress members for the remaining period of the Budget Session for their "gross misconduct" and "utter disregard" for House rules after they snatched papers from the Speaker's table.

Gaurav Gogoi, T N Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Manicka Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Benny Behanan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla were suspended on a motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid coronavirus scare in the country, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas on Friday said that there was no case of the virus in the state.

While addressing the media at the state secretariat, Srinivas said: "There is not even a single case of coronavirus in the state. There were 24 suspects and 20 of them received a negative report. Remaining four reports will come tomorrow."

He also said that the Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy held a review on coronavirus preparedness in the state.

Srinivas further said that every government hospital is equipped with isolation rooms, besides cases are being filed against the people who are selling masks at exorbitant prices.

Moreover, the health minister and the special chief secretaries assured that the situation is under control and asked people not to believe in rumours being spread about the virus.

The country's total number of positive cases of coronavirus touched 31 today with one more person testing positive.

Coronavirus has so far killed more than 3200 people globally.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photo: Vulture

The true-crime podcast universe is ever expanding. Were here to make it a bit smaller and a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows, and each has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the noteworthy and the exceptional. Each week, our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists will pick their favorites.

Murder in the Rain, Bless Our Ann

As a Pacific Northwest native, I feel rather guilty for having slept on this podcast, in which hosts Emily Rowney and Alisha Holland detail crimes from what is arguably the most murderous corner of the United States. But I picked a great episode to dive into head first. Ann Marie Burr was just 8 years old when she disappeared from her Tacoma, Washington, home one August night in 1961. An apparent kidnapping, police interviewed a number of suspects, including the neighborhood nudist and a 15-year-old from down the street who had a somewhat unconventional friendship with Ann. Despite police efforts, Anns body was never found and a suspect was never charged. All these years later, the case remains open, albeit with a footnote. As it turns out, there was one Tacoma teen who lived just outside the investigation radius who may have held some vital information, if only police had talked to him  his name was Ted Bundy. The notorious serial killer was just 14 years old at the time and delivered newspapers near Anns home. Decades later, when he was finally apprehended following his Florida killing spree, Bundy alluded to much earlier crimes committed during his adolescence, though he never took credit for Anns murder. Its interesting conjecture, but does it hold? For the second half of the episode, Rowney and Holland welcome author Rebecca Morris, who wrote the book Ted and Ann: The Mystery of a Missing Child and Her Neighbor Ted Bundy, to discuss the threads connecting the two. After listening, Im pretty sure Im a believer, but your mileage may vary. Either way, Anns case deserves attention and is serviced well by Murder in the Rain.

 Amy Wilkinson

The Murder Squad, Can I Take Your Picture? Serial Killers With Cameras

According to Billy Jensen and Paul Holes, over 20 serial killers have used being a photographer as a particular con for potential victims. Of course, that means a ton of photographs have been left behind showing possible victims who are missing and/or unidentified, which means plenty of work for what the Squad calls citizen sleuths.

The first of four episodes in this series focuses on a 20-year-old woman named Lynn Ruth Connes, whose unsolved disappearance dates back to 1976. Connes was last seen waiting for a photographer whod responded to a modeling ad shed placed in a local newspaper. The catch? Conness disappearance could be linked to not just one creep with a camera but two: rapist and serial killer Rodney Alcala and Joseph Naso, whom the Squad covered last June. (Alcala is also the subject of the new Wondery podcast The Dating Game Killer.)

Although the episode takes an extended detour into Alcalas history, the focus is technically on finding who was behind Conness disappearance, and/or tips on unidentified women in his other photographs. It seems like theres still a steady stream of tips coming for every episode, so it should be interesting to see what they turn up. Tune in for the sleuthing, stay for producer Polly Kotowskis inside knowledge on casting reality-TV shows  and Paul Holess unfortunate poison-oak incident.  Jenni Miller

This Thing of Darkness, Part 1

This Thing of Darkness, a new audio crime drama from the BBC, starts as many murder mysteries do with the discovery of a body. Jamie, come wake up, an increasingly panicked man pleads before he realizes that Jamie is dead. The 19-year-old has been murdered. The podcast operates as both a whodunit and an examination of the psychological dynamics of victims and perpetrators of crime. Dr. Alex Bridges, an expert forensic psychiatrist, emerges as the central character and narrator of this mystery. She meets the dead teens father, David, in jail after hes been charged in the killing to evaluate him on behalf of his defense team. The story alternates between her recorded interview with him and her explanation of how she determines whether he is mentally fit to stand trial. Dr. Bridges insists her role isnt to judge guilt or innocence but to unlock the minds of those charged in crimes. Yet her interviews with the accused and his family give listeners clues in this mystery. The first episode leaves listeners hanging, and eager to listen to Part II, as she asks David why police think he murdered his son. (Spoiler alert: He doesnt answer.)  Lara Bricker

Supernatural With Ashley Flowers, The Unknown: The Somerton Man

In November 1948, a couple was taking a lovely evening stroll on the beach in Adelaide, South Australia, when they discovered a man leaning up against a wall, uncomfortable, and maybe drunk. The next day, the man was seen again, this time dead. He had no ID and no visible cause of death. Things only get weirder as the investigation moves forward, and to this day, no one knows the identity of the man, dubbed the Somerton Man, or how he died, while theories continue to spark and spiral. Supernatural examines crime that have elements of the unexplainable and truly bizarre. Host Ashley Flowers (Crime Junkie, Red Ball, Counter Clock, and Full Body Chills) investigates the mystery of the Somerton Man in all its unsolved, seemingly answerless impossibility. (FYI, the murdery atmosphere of Adelaide brings to mind California in the 70s.) This is a podcast we need right now  absorbing, detailed, and unafraid to go to new fathoms of the weird.  Chanel Dubofsky

True Crime Obsessed, Dahmer on Dahmer Parts 1 and 2

Some might argue that a true-crime-podcast fixation is a particularly twisted way to self soothe, but I say, Why not lean into it? Especially these days, am I right? When I need an extra soupcon of levity, I tune in to True Crime Obsessed. Its latest two-parter is about the 2017 two-part special Dahmer on Dahmer: A Serial Killer Speaks, and as with anything to do with the serial killer and cannibal, its not for the faint of heart.

I dont watch many true crime documentaries these days; something about the many, many streaming movie services I pay for make the latest Oxygen specials less, well, special, so Im glad someone does it and can just tell me about it while also making me laugh at Nancy Grace. To be frank, I think some podcasts do a better job of covering true crime than the glut of specials that are being churned out, with the exception of some truly mind-blowing releases. TCO kills two birds with one stone by both entertaining me and saving me time. The original interview that the special builds on was conducted by Nancy Glass for Inside Edition in 1993, with supplemental interviews of his father and stepmother, a former classmate, and his neighbor. His crimes are truly the stuff of nightmares, and the special does seem to offer some interesting new information about Dahmers upbringing and history, not that anything can excuse his behavior.  Jenni Miller

March 6, 2020

The Dating Game Killer, Tali and Rehabilitated

Chances are youve heard of the so-called Dating Game Killer  a violent predator who appeared on the popular game show during the height of his killing spree in the late 1970s  but you probably dont know the full extent of his depravity. This new six-part series on serial killer Rodney Alcala sheds light on some of those awful details  and it isnt easy listening. Behind his shaggy hair and cool smile lay a monster who preyed on young women and girls, often using his work as a photographer to lull his victims into a false sense of security. Alcalas first victim, Tali Shapiro  who is the subject of the first episode  was just 8 years old when he raped her and left her for dead. (She survived.) He pleaded to the lesser charge of assault and was paroled after just 17 months. This was the beginning of a troubling pattern for Alcala: He would assault someone, serve very little time, feign that he was a changed man, and return to society to strike again. To this day, the authorities dont know how many victims he claimed  they are still trying to identify subjects in an enormous cache of photos Alcala left behind when he went to prison. The only happy ending here is that Alcala is now behind bars and should be there for the rest of his life.  Amy Wilkinson

Conviction: American Panic, Believe the Children

I have vague memories of the Satanic Panic  magazine covers, whispered conversations between adults, segments on the nightly news. Despite having very little information, I was fascinated by the idea of the Devil potentially being summoned by my neighbors. I didnt know the whole story  the part that included children being sexually abused by Satanic cults that might have even involved their own parents. Conviction: An American Panic is a merciless and thorough examination of the Satanic Panic, in particular, how the crooked nature of memory can be manipulated, and how that lead to innocent people being convicted. In episode three, host Sharon Shattuck continues her examination of the story of Scott and Brenda Kniffen, accused of the child sexual abuse (and more) of their two sons. Theres actual recordings of the boys being questioned, and even if youre not obsessed with interrogation techniques, youll know something is very wrong. In addition to suspicious medical and psychological assessments, there was the fear and paranoia that rose rapidly and relentlessly, and the people who profited from it all. This podcast covers it all. Chanel Dubofsky

American Scandal, The Lenny Bruce Obscenity Trial  The Obscenity Circus

Ill be honest: My only real frame of reference for comedian Lenny Bruce is the version of him we see on the TV series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, so this season of American Scandal is a real eye-opener for me on how narrowly the First Amendment was once interpreted. A popular comedian in the 1950s and 60s, Bruce was well known for his frank stand-up routines that often focused on taboo topics such as politics, religion, and sex. In 1961, Bruce was arrested in San Francisco on obscenity charges, which kicked off a series of arrests across the country after he performed in venues in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. And thats essentially where the first episode ends. I wish the podcast would provide a bit more context for the arrests by actually revealing the offensive terms and phrases he used (of course, you could always check Wikipedia), but otherwise, this is an intriguing look at a landmark freedom-of-speech case  and just how far (and, honestly, not so far) weve come over the past 50 years.  Amy Wilkinson

Murder in Pilot Mountain, Who Was Ronda Blaylock?

On August 26, 1980, 14-year-old Ronda Blaylock disappeared after school in Rural Hall, North Carolina. Her body was found three days later, 17 miles away in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. Forty years later, FOX8 WGHP-TV in Greensboro is taking another look at Rondas case. In episode two, host Chad Tucker recounts the formation of the Ronda Blaylock Task Force, formed in 2015, in which detectives tackle the case again, reinterviewing available witnesses and presenting a perspective we dont often hear: that while time passing at the beginning of an investigation is the enemy, eventually, it might even be an asset. A flyer, a reward, and some fresh eyes make all the difference in solving this small-town murder, so tune in for an immaculately delivered cliffhanger. Chanel Dubofsky
'Cult' mom Lori Vallow was filmed stepping off the plane in Idaho after being extradited from Hawaii to face charges over her missing children.

Lori arrived at the Boise Airport just before 2.30pm local time Thursday and was escorted to a waiting SUV on the tarmac by two plain-clothes law enforcement officers, as seen in video from KTVB.

The mother was then transported to Madison County Jail in Rexburg.

She is scheduled to appear in court on Friday to face charges of desertion and child abandonment, resisting and/or obstructing an officer, solicitation and contempt of court.

The charges stem from the disappearance of her children, seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, who were last seen in Idaho in September.

Authorities say there is reason to believe the children are in danger, but Lori and her new husband Chad Daybell have refused to tell investigators where they are.

On Thursday, the FBI in Salt Lake City made a public plea for information about a trip Lori took with the kids to Yellowstone before they vanished.

They are asking that anyone who was in the park on September 8 last year and has photos of the children or family to submit them to the authorities.

Scroll down for video

Lori Vallow is seen stepping off a plane in Idaho on Thursday after being extradited from Hawaii to face charges over her missing children

Lori arrived at the Boise Airport just before 2.30pm local time Thursday and was escorted to a waiting SUV on the tarmac by two plain-clothes law enforcement officers

Lori began her journey back to Idaho on Wednesday night. She is seen being escorted through Lihue Airport in handcuffs before the flight on an Idaho State Police-owned plane

Seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow (left) and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan (right) have not been seen since September. Police in the city of Rexburg, Idaho, have said they 'strongly believe that Joshua and Tylee's lives are in danger'

Lori briefly appeared before a Kauai judge on Wednesday night but pleaded the fifth, refusing to speak for fear of incriminating herself.

She was later photographed arriving back at the jail where she'd been held for two weeks since her February 20 arrest.

Lori is seen in a new mugshot taken after she arrived in Idaho on Thursday

At 10pm that night she was photographed again at Lihue Airport to begin her journey to Idaho.

She was wearing a souvenir hoodie from the island, leggings and sneakers.

Chad packed up the couple's Hawaii apartment last week and returned to Idaho, where he is expected to attend Lori's hearing Friday.

The prolific doomsday author opened up last Thursday, when he was approached by ABC News reporters at Lihue Airport.

'The kids are safe,' Chad said minutes before he boarded a flight back to Rexburg.

He declined to go into any further detail about where the children are.

Lori briefly appeared before a Kauai judge on Wednesday night (pictured) but pleaded the fifth, refusing to speak for fear of incriminating herself. The mother's toenails were painted blue and her ankles were shackled

She was later seen arriving back at the jail where she'd been held since her February 20 arrest

At 10pm Wednesday Lori was photographed at Lihue Airport as she began her journey to Idaho

Lori was escorted through the airport by two law enforcement officers who traveled with her to Idaho. She was wearing handcuffs and a chain around her waist

JJ and Tylee were last seen in Idaho over five months ago but were never reported missing by their mother.

Lori and Chad, whom she married in early November, fled their home in Rexburg later that month when police began asking questions about her children's whereabouts.

Authorities tracked the couple down in Princeville, Hawaii, and served Lori with a court order on January 25 requiring her to physically produce the children to authorities in Idaho within five days.

Lori failed to meet the deadline, prompting her arrest on February 20.

Rexburg police have accused Lori of repeatedly lying about where JJ and Tylee are and refusing to cooperate with investigators conducting a multi-state search.

They've said they 'strongly believe that Joshua and Tylee's lives are in danger' and that Lori knows what happened to the kids.

On Thursday, the FBI in Salt Lake City made a public plea for information about a trip Lori took with the kids to Yellowstone on September 8, just before they vanished. They released two photos taken that day - one of Tylee holding JJ and another of Lori and JJ

The FBI also released this image of the car the family used for their trip to Yellowstone. They are asking that anyone who was in the park on September 8 last year and has photos of the children or family to submit them to the authorities

JJ was last seen at his elementary school in Rexburg on September 23, a day before his mother withdrew him and told administrators she would be homeschooling him.

Doorbell camera footage recorded at a neighbor's house appeared to show JJ playing in his front yard on September 17.

Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance July 11: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, is killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona August: Lori moves children JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho September 23: The last time JJ was seen at his school in Idaho October 19: Chad Daybell's wife Tammy dies at their Idaho home October 25: A friend of Tylee receives a text from her phone November 5: Lori and Chad marry November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on JJ. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with relatives. Police also learn Tylee has not been seen since September, either November 27: Police execute a search warrant at Lori and Chad's home, discovering the couple have fled Idaho December 11: Tammy Daybell's body is exhumed from the Utah cemetery December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, believed to have died in Arizona December 21: Police issue a press release about JJ and Tylee, revealing they believe their disappearance is linked to Tammy's death December 24: Lori and Chad issue a statement through an attorney saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing 'allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor' December 30: Police accuse Lori and Chad of lying to investigators and say they believe the couple know where the kids are or what happened to them January 26: Lori and Chad are seen for the first time in months as police serve two search warrants in Kaua'i January 30 Lori misses court deadline to produce the children to authorities February 20: Lori is arrested in Kauai Advertisement

Tylee was last seen on September 8 at Yellowstone National Park on a day trip with her mother, uncle and JJ.

Police recovered a photo of Tylee in the park from Lori's iCloud account and said there's been no sign of the 17-year-old since.

Detectives are reportedly preparing to search Yellowstone as soon as the snow melts, which could not happen until May or June.

The case captured nationwide attention with the revelations that police are also investigating three mysterious deaths linked to Lori and Chad, as well as family members' claims that the couple are members of a dangerous doomsday cult.

The first death is that of Lori's estranged husband Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by her brother Alex Cox in Arizona on July 10.

Charles and Lori had gotten into an argument when the father came to pick up JJ at the mother's home in Chandler.

Lori's brother intervened and fatally shot Charles.

Police initially determined that he acted in self defense - but the case was reopened amid the multi-state search for JJ and Tylee, who had moved to Idaho, where Chad lived, with their mother in August.

The second mysterious death was Tammy Daybell - Chad's previous wife - who was found dead at the couple's home in Salem, Idaho, on October 19.

An obituary stated that Tammy passed away in her sleep and her cause of death was ruled as natural after Chad reportedly declined an autopsy.

Investigators reopened the case after learning that JJ and Tylee were missing, as their mother had married Chad just two weeks after Tammy died. They believe the two cases could be linked.

Tammy's body was exhumed on December 11 and the autopsy results have not yet been released.

On December 12, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, was found dead in Gilbert, Arizona.

The 51-year-old's death is now under investigation as police wait for an autopsy to determine the cause.

Lori's estranged husband Charles Vallow (pictured together) was shot dead by her brother Alex Cox in Arizona on July 11

Chad's wife Tammy Daybell (pictured together) was found dead under mysterious circumstances in October, just two weeks before he married Lori

Lori's brother Alex Cox (pictured) died under mysterious circumstances on December 12

A troubling portrait of Lori and Chad has emerged from accounts from family members who claim the couple are members of a dangerous cult obsessed with the end of the world.

Kay Woodcock - the sister of Charles Vallow who is also JJ's grandmother - issued a statement in December in which she described how Lori turned into a 'monster' after she met Chad in 2017.

Chad, 51, is a prolific author of 25 books focusing on doomsday scenarios and near-death experiences. He is what's known as a 'prepper' - someone who is getting ready for the End of Times - and was a member of a group called Preparing a People.

Late last year DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Chad had been kicked out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints months earlier after he declared himself a prophet.

Chad packed up the couple's Hawaii apartment last week and returned to Idaho, where he is expected to attend Lori's hearing Friday. He is seen outside the Kauai Community Correctional Center after visitng Lori there on February 25

Lori reportedly began reading Chad's writing while she was living in Hawaii with Charles, JJ and Tylee between 2014 and 2017.

It's unclear how or when exactly Lori and Chad met, but family members say it was sometime around June 2017.

The pair made their first appearance together in December 2018 on a podcast for Preparing a People.

Lori and Charles' marriage deteriorated rapidly as she became more and more involved with Preparing a People, and he filed for divorce and for custody of JJ in February 2019.

In court documents, Charles claimed that Lori had recently become 'infatuated, at times obsessive, about near death experiences and spiritual visions'.

'Mother [Lori] has told Father [Charles] that she is sealed [eternally married] to the ancient Book of Mormon prophet Moroni and that she has lived numerous lives on numerous planets prior to this current life,' the documents state.

'Mother also informed Father that she is a translated being who cannot taste death sent by God to lead the 144,000 into the Millennium.

'Mother believes that she is receiving spiritual revelations and visions to help her gather and prepare those chosen to live in the New Jerusalem after the Great War as prophesied in the book of Revelations.'

Charles also claimed in the petition that Lori had threatened to kill him if he got in the way of her mission.
A Birmingham man arrested three months ago in the kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault of a woman has now been federally indicted.

A two-count indictment charges 21-year-old Tadarrius Lawaun Smith with carjacking and carrying and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, according to a joint announcement Friday by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jay Town and ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

The kidnapping happened just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in the 1700 block of 11th Place South. Authorities said Smith forced the female into her vehicle at gunpoint and drove to various locations trying to withdraw money from her credit cards.

The suspect also sexually assaulted the victim before letting her go. The woman was held against her will for a couple of hours. After the sexual assault, police said, the suspect fled on foot.

Smith was taken into custody two days later when he showed up for court on an unrelated matter. He pleaded guilty in 2016 to a first-degree robbery charge in connection with an armed robbery of $206 from a man in 2014. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison with three to serve.

After being released from prison, Smith was arrested Sept. 28, 2018 on two counts of theft of property and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. Because those arrests violated the terms of his probation in the previous case for which he was convicted, Smith had a court date Friday for consideration of probation revocation.

It was during that hearing that he was arrested on the new charges. His attorney, John Robbins, has said his client denies involvement in the new kidnapping/sexual assault case.

The maximum sentence for violation of the carjacking statute is 15 years in prison, unless there was serious bodily injury, which could result in a maximum sentence of 25 years. When a firearm is brandished during a crime of violence, such as carjacking, the statutory minimum sentence is seven years and the maximum is life.

Smith was being held without bond in the Jefferson Count Jail on the state charges until Thursday when he was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals and now is federally detained.

Carjacking is one of the most terrifying crimes that we prosecute, Town said. We will not sit idly by and allow criminals to intimidate our citizens with such violence. We will find you and we will prosecute you. We are thankful that this victim survived and for the assistance of the citizens who provided information to the Birmingham Police Department.

The case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justices initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the departments past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to communities.

Removing the criminal element that uses a firearm to facilitate violent crimes such as a carjacking is a priority of ATF, Watson said.
Mom Genes Fight PPD Destigmatizes Silent Disease in New Video

CHAPEL HILL, NC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Postpartum depression (PPD) is the No. 1 cause of maternal mortality from suicide. PPD can have a range of dangerous consequences and is widespread, affecting one in seven mothers. Yet, symptoms don't need to be life-threatening to be serious. Feeling down, sad or broken, emotionally detached, highly anxious, or doubting one's ability to mother one's child are all signs of PPD that require help.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) wants to combat this silent threat. In a new video, they are asking 100,000 moms who currently have or have had PPD symptoms in the past to participate in the Mom Genes Fight PPD research study. The campaign works to identify a genetic marker that may explain why some women get PPD and others don't.

"Postpartum depression is a very common medical complication of childbirth that can be devastating; but far too often goes undiagnosed or inadequately treated," said Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, one of the study's co-principal investigators, chair of the UNC Department of Psychiatry and director of the UNC Center for Women's Mood Disorders.

Dr. Meltzer-Brody continued, "The Mom Genes Fight PPD research study examines why some women are at greater risk for PPD than others by examining their genetic signature or mom-genes.' We want to change how we detect mothers who are suffering in silence. Eventually, our goal is to help find a cure and identify ways to prevent PPD, and improve treatment outcomes."



Calling All Moms

The Mom Genes Fight PPD study isn't just for new moms, but for all mothers whether their child is a newborn or 50 years old. It asks these women who've had PPD symptoms in the past or present to see if they qualify for the research.



How to Participate

Women can visit www.MomGenesFightPPD.org to download an app to see if they are eligible by taking a brief and validated clinical assessment on it. Women who meet the study inclusion criteria and consent to participate are mailed a spit kit to provide a saliva sample. Paid postage is included, making it even easier to help.



Celebrities & Women Inspiring Women

From PPD support groups to mom-influencers to celebs like Alanis Morissette and Catherine Reitman of the Netflix show Workin' Moms, women across the country are sharing their important reasons for joining the research study by using #MomGenes. The personal stories also help destigmatize the disease, showing those who are suffering that they are not alone.

Story continues

Creation and promotion of the campaign, Mom Genes Fight PPD, is a pro bono effort by WONGDOODY, an award-winning creative agency and human experience company. For more information about the research study, visit the website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Mom Genes Fight PPD

Mom Genes Fight PPD is a global collaboration between UNC researchers and an international group of academic clinicians and scientists committed to understanding the interaction of genes and the environment - aimed at predicting which women are at risk for PPD. By August 2020, UNC has a goal of getting 100,000 mothers to participate in the study.

About WONGDOODY

WONGDOODY is a creative firm and human experience company internationally recognized for branding, retail, and consumer insights. By observing human behavior, analyzing data, and leveraging its agile-insights platform, WONGDOODY builds and evolves experiences as markets and consumers change.

The company has offices in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. Clients include Amazon, Cisco, adidas, Honda, and a wide range of Fortune 500 companies. WONGDOODY is frequently voted as a "Best Place to Work", and has more than 50 percent of its leadership positions held by women.

CONTACT:

WONGDOODY, Andrea Wedderburn, andrea.wedderburn@wongdoody.com,

206.694.2131

SOURCE: WONGDOODY





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/579166/UNC-Asks-100000-Moms-to-Join-National-Postpartum-Depression-Study




Virginia bans sexual orientation conversion therapy for youth with unwanted same-sex attraction

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Virginia has become the latest state in the U.S. to ban sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors.

Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed House Bill 386 into law on Tuesday, which bars healthcare providers and counselors from counseling youth to treat unwanted same-sex attraction.

Conversion therapy sends the harmful message that there is something wrong with who you are, said Northam in a statement. This discriminatory practice has been widely discredited in studies and can have lasting effects on our youth, putting them at a greater risk of depression and suicide.

Introduced by Democratic Delegate Patrick Hope in February, HB 386 passed the House of Delegates in a vote of 66 to 27 and then the Senate in a vote of 22 to 18.

The Family Foundation of Virginia denounced HB 386 and its companion legislation, Senate Bill 245, as one of the worst bills being considered by the General Assembly.

HB 386 and SB 245 prohibit counselors to counsel a minor in a way that would encourage them toward their biological sex, stated the foundation.

Referrals for conversion therapy are also prohibited under state law and could affect state grants toward entities who refer. There is no religious exemption.

Also called sexual orientation change efforts therapy or "reparative therapy," the process involves counseling efforts to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.

The practice is controversial among some, with prominent American psychological organizations rejecting it as harmful and several left-leaning states, beginning with California, banning it for minors.

In past sessions, the Virginia Legislature has entertained bans on conversion therapy for minors only to ultimately fail to pass them.

For example, in 2014, Hopes House Bill 1135 was defeated in a House of Delegates subcommittee of the Committee on Health Welfare and Institutions.

However, in 2019, the Democrats took control of the General Assembly and have since advanced several progressive agenda items on several issues, such as abortion and gun control.

While 20 states and the District of Columbia have passed bans on conversion therapy for youth, which have so far survived legal challenges, some localities that had similar measures have repealed them in light of litigation.

For example, the New York City decided last September to repeal its ban on the practice following litigation brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of a licensed psychotherapist.

At issue, according to NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, was a concern that an increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court would likely strike down the law.

I dont want to be someone who is giving in to these right-wing groups, said Johnson, as reported by The New York Times. But the Supreme Court has become conservative; the Second Circuit, which oversees New York, has become more conservative.
Graham Briggs said communication about the coronavirus walks a fine line between keeping people updated and risking the potential to stoke fears.

"I feel like when you dont share information, you leave room for the public to panic," said the Olmsted County director of public health of the virus officially known as COVID-19.

Briggs said thats where the joint information center created by Olmsted County, the city of Rochester, Federal Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Medical Center, Rochester International Airport and Rochester Public Schools comes into play.

Getting the updated and coordinated information to representatives of each agency will be key in helping fight fears and ensuring proper preparations are made.

Several of the participating organizations stated this week that internal discussions are relying on the information provided by state and county public health departments through daily communications.

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Among them, Rochester Public Schools is examining possible responses to a COVID-19 outbreak.

"This is not something new," said school Superintendent Michael Munoz. "We work with Olmsted County Public Health regularly on all types of illnesses."

He said the district has plans in place to allow individual students or teachers to stay home for long periods in isolated cases of illness, but planning is also underway to address the potential need to close an entire school building, if needed.

"We are just starting to have those types of conversations," he said. "I think those are conversations that not only our district but districts across the state of Minnesota are going to have to have."

In his nine years as Rochester superintendent, Munoz said a school building has not closed due to illness, although outbreaks have led to specialized cleaning measures in the past.

The city and county have received numerous calls inquiring about their preparations, according to officials, who say measures are being taken to ensure local government operations can stay in place if COVID-19 is ever found to be spreading in southeast MInnesota.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton said that includes cross training some staff members, as well as taking precautions to ensure police and fire crews are protected.

"It is vital that we keep our first responders safe and healthy," she said.

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Credit: Will IrelandA clip from the upcoming concert film documenting a May 2019 show that Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's new band, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets, played at the famous London venue The Roundhouse has premiered at RollingStone.com.

The video, which you can also see at Saucerful of Secrets' official YouTube channel, captures the group performing a 12-minute-plus rendition of the spacey, psychedelic 1968 Pink Floyd tune "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun." The film Live at The Roundhouse, and an accompanying album, will be released April 17 as a double-CD/DVD package, a two-LP vinyl set, and a Blu-ray disc.

Mason's Saucerful of Secrets exclusively performs material that Pink Floyd recorded prior to its classic 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. The group also features Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp, longtime Pink Floyd and David Gilmour touring bassist Guy Pratt, and veteran session musicians Lee Harris and Dom Beken on guitar and keyboards, respectively.

As previously reported, in advance of Live at The Roundhouse's physical release, the film will be shown in select theaters around the world for one night only this Tuesday, March 10. The screenings also will feature a pre-recorded Q&A featuring Mason and the band's other members answering fan-submitted questions. Tickets to the screenings are available at NickMasonFilm.com.

Meanwhile, a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl single featuring two songs from the Live at The Roundhouse album -- "See Emily Play" and "Vegetable Man" -- will be released April 18 as part of the 2020 Record Store Day campaign. The disc also will feature an custom etching on its B-side.

Mason's Saucerful of Secrets will launch a European tour on April 23 in Guildford, U.K. Check out all the dates on the band's official website.

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Authorities in Cameroon should not contest journalist Adalbert Hiols appeal of a false news and defamation conviction and should let his newspaper publish freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On November 7, 2019, authorities in Douala, a coastal city in southwest Cameroon, ordered Hiol, publisher of the privately owned Ades-Infos Jeunesse en Action newspaper, to be detained in the citys central prison after he responded to a summons, according to court documents and an individual with knowledge of the case who asked not to be identified. Hiol was charged with false news, defamation, and insult, and was sent to the prison without his lawyer present, according to that individual and a charge sheet reviewed by CPJ.

The charges stemmed from a defamation complaint filed by Louis Richard Njock, the director of a regional hospital in Edea, a city south of Douala. CPJ reviewed a copy of the complaint.

On December 27, the Douala Bonanjo court of first instance found Hiol guilty of those charges and sentenced him to 18 months in prison and a fine of 2 million Central African francs ($3,381), according to those documents. Hiol was also ordered to pay Njock 10.5 million francs ($17,809) in damages and procedural costs, and his newspaper was barred from publishing for six months, according to those documents.

Hiol filed an appeal against the conviction on December 30, according to the court documents. He is due back in court on March 24 for his second appeal hearing, the individual told CPJ.

Not including Hiol, at least seven journalists were in detention for their work in Cameroon at the time of CPJs 2019 prison census on December 1, 2019. Hiol did not appear on CPJs 2019 prison census because CPJ was unaware of his case at the time. CPJ documented the imprisonment of another journalist in January.

The number of journalists arrested in Cameroon just for doing their jobs is going in the wrong direction, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Cameroonian authorities should not contest Adalbert Hiols appeal. They should free him immediately and should reform their laws to align with international standards for freedom of expression.

Njocks defamation complaint, dated April 2, 2019, accused Hiol of the same offenses for which he was charged, referencing 2017 and 2018 articles in Ades-Infos Jeunesse en Action criticizing his management of the hospital.

The November warrant ordering Hiols detention stated that he should be held until May 8, 2020. Hiols lawyer requested a provisional release after the journalist was sent to prison, but that application was rejected, according to the person who spoke to CPJ and court filings, which CPJ reviewed.

CPJ called and texted Njock on February 28, and did not receive any responses. CPJ missed a call from Njocks phone number the following day, and Njock did not answer follow-up phone calls.

Joyce Ndjem, the national communications chief for the Cameroonian police, told CPJ in a phone interview that she would not comment on Hiols case unless a CPJ representative met her in person, and then the line disconnected.

When CPJ called Cameroonian Minister of Information Rene Sadi, a person answered the phone and said hello twice and then hung up. CPJ called again but no one answered.
Experts raise concerns about US response to date, from testing delays to shortage of supplies and healthcare workers.

Dr Carlos Del Rio likens it to an incoming hurricane: people board up their windows and stock up on supplies, but they are only able to tell whether their efforts were successful after the storm has passed.

To say were prepared, were not prepared  I think well only know that at the end of the episode, he said when asked the question that is on many peoples minds this week: Is the United States prepared to handle the novel coronavirus?

Preparedness is tricky, added Del Rio, a professor of medicine and global health at Emory University in Atlanta, in a phone interview. Because you dont know how prepared you are until you know what youre facing.

Having said that, at this point in time, we look like we are not prepared.

Part of the reason why is a lack of medical testing across the US. Without testing, it is impossible to truly measure just how widespread the virus is, or how to respond effectively.

The coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, originated in China, where it has killed nearly 3,000 people, and spread to dozens of countries. People with COVID-19 typically have a fever and a cough, shortness of breath and other respiratory problems. The virus spreads through person-to-person contact, such as when an infected person sneezes or coughs and those droplets are inhaled by someone else.

On February 28, the World Health Organization said the global risk of the spread and impact of the coronavirus was very high  the highest level of alarm.

We have been dealing with this virus for two months and I think this is a reality check for every government on the planet  wake up, get ready, said Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of WHOs emergencies programme. You have a duty to your citizens. You have a duty to the world to be ready.





Testing delays

Most public health experts in the US say delays in testing for the coronavirus remains the biggest obstacle for dealing with its potential spread.

The country remains behind much of the rest of the world on testing, said Dr William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.

That is because, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the federal agency responsible for public health, chose to create its own testing kit instead of using one recommended by the WHO and it took longer than anticipated, Schaffner said.

Initially, doctors had to contact their state health department and answer a questionnaire to see if their patient met strict criteria to be tested. That test would then be sent from a state laboratory to the CDC in Atlanta, which at the time was the only place in the US doing such testing. It was very cumbersome. It took a lot of time and it was just terribly inefficient, Schaffner said.

Once the CDC test was ready, it was sent out to state laboratories to administer  but the kits turned out to be flawed. Schaffner said the hope is that state facilities will be able to carry out effective tests within the next week.

That will be key to knowing just how widespread COVID-19 is across the country. We dont know yet in the United States whether the coronavirus is widely distributed or whether it is just present in certain small spots, he said.

State and local health agencies then will need to coordinate and put out the necessary directives to respond, depending on the scope of the outbreak. Are we going to quarantine people? Are we going to ask people not to go out of their homes? Are we going to ask them not to go to sporting events and religious services and the like? said Schaffner, about what public health experts will be considering.

A Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker sanitises surfaces at the Coney Island Yard in the Brooklyn borough of New York City; the MTA is stepping up efforts to sanitise cars and stations as fears mount over the coronavirus [Kevin Hagen/AP Photo]

Social factors

Krys Johnson, a professor of epidemiology at Temple University in Philadelphia, said a cluster of cases in Washington state raises questions about whether the criteria to decide who gets tested needs to be widened.

Johnson said only people linked to a confirmed case of the coronavirus, or to what is known as a presumptive positive  someone who is believed to have the virus  can be tested, too. The definition for testing hasnt kind of kept up with the knowing that there is likely community spread in Washington state, so thats an issue with preparedness, she told Al Jazeera.

Social factors may also deter people from getting tested for the coronavirus, including the high cost of medical care and lack of comprehensive health insurance.

Johnson pointed to a recent case in Florida, where a man who had just returned from a work trip to China and developed flu-like symptoms went to a hospital believing he may have contracted the coronavirus. His tests came back negative  but he said his insurance company charged him $3,270 for the hospital visit.

In New York state, Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered state insurers to waive the costs of coronavirus testing, including emergency room visits. These measures will break down any barriers that could prevent New Yorkers from getting tested, Cuomo said.

Also, US federal law does not require employers to grant paid sick leave, which may affect peoples ability to stay home when they are sick, as the CDC recommends. Seventy-six percent of all American workers had access to it in 2019, the US Department of Labor data shows, but that figure dropped to 31 percent for workers whose incomes were in the bottom 10 percent.

These conditions create a near-guarantee that workers will defy public health warnings and trudge into their workplaces, regardless of symptoms, Karen Scott, a PhD student at the Institute for Work and Employment Research at MIT, wrote last month.

In this way, a manageable health crisis can spiral out of control.

Cameron Nightingale adjusts his mask and gloves, a precaution to protect himself from coronavirus, while walking by cable car in San Francisco, California [Josh Edelson/ AFP]

Protecting workers

Experts also warn that being unprepared could lead to a shortage of healthcare workers, such as nurses, who may be forced to self-quarantine after being exposed to the virus on the job. That recently happened in California when a COVID-19 patient sought care at the UC-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

At least 36 registered nurses and 88 other healthcare workers were sent home to self-quarantine after that single patient was admitted, said National Nurses United, a nurses union that represents more than 150,000 members across the US. The case, the union said, demonstrated a system failure.

In a preliminary survey of more than 1,000 nurses in California, NNU also said that nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents said they did not know if there was a plan in place to isolate a patient believed to have COVID-19 at their medical facility.

Ensuring that healthcare workers have the equipment and supplies they need to safely do their jobs is also a growing concern, with the US surgeon general recently urging Americans to STOP BUYING MASKS! in a widely circulated tweet.

They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers cant get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk! said Dr Jerome Adams.

Dr Del Rio questioned whether an already strained US healthcare system would be able to handle an influx of coronavirus patients. We manage healthcare at capacity and  theres very little empty beds, he told Al Jazeera. If you were to have a pandemic, what are you going to do with people?

He also said that while the CDC regulates public health at the federal level, many decisions around COVID-19 will be taken on a state-by-state basis. That could be a barrier to responding effectively, he said, because states with robust public healthcare systems may fare better than those with weaker ones.

A sign tells customers that all N95 protective masks are sold out at Marin Ace Hardware on March 2, 2020, in San Rafael, California [File: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP]

Best practices

Johnson at Temple University urged people to listen to public health recommendations and call their primary care physician, urgent care or emergency health department if they believe they may have the coronavirus.

Call your physician before you go somewhere so you can limit the number of people who are infected, she said. They would much rather bring you in a back door than have you coughing in a waiting room.

If you are not interested in getting tested but feel sick, she said, you could stay home and use standard flu remedies  cough syrup, fever-reducing medication and getting lots of liquids and rest  until you get better. For most people, theyre not going to need medical intervention, Johnson said.

You should do what you can to prevent getting sick, though. That includes washing your hands properly, using hand sanitiser, coughing into your arm instead of into the air, and minimising the number of times you touch your face, especially on public transport.

Overall most people are not going to have severe complications from this, she said, adding, however, that people who are immuno-compromised, or elderly and more at risk  [need to] know that they do need to be acting out of an abundance of caution.
Former prime minister Indira Gandhi and freedom fighter Amrit Kaur have been named by the TIME magazine among worlds 100 powerful women who defined the last century in a new project that spotlights influential women who were often overshadowed. TIME named Kaur as Women of the Year for 1947 and Gandhi for 1976 in special covers recreated by the publication.

The profile in TIME said that in 1976, Gandhi, Empress of India had become Indias great authoritarian. Daughter of Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi was as ruthless as she was charismatic, the profile said, adding that by 1975, as a result of economic instability, Gandhis government was swamped by an avalanche of street protests, and after her election was deemed invalid, she declared an emergency. Kaurs profile said that the young princess returned to India in 1918 after studying at Oxford and soon became fascinated by Mahatma Gandhis teachings. Born into the royal family of Kapurthala, Rajkumari Kaur decided her lifes mission was to help India break free from its colonial ties and oppressive societal norms. She tackled social issues, pushing for womens education and the right to vote and to divorce, and speaking out against child marriage.

After India got independence in 1947, Kaur became the first woman to join the Cabinet, serving as Health Minister for 10 years. In that position, she founded the Indian Council for Child Welfare; helped establish the countrys top hospital and medical college; and campaigned to prevent malaria, likely saving hundreds of thousands of lives, the TIME profile said.

Outlining the reason for the Women of the Year project, TIME said that for 72 years, it had named a Man of the Year, who was almost always a man, usually a President or a Prime Minister or perhaps a titan of industry. Throughout history, these are the kinds of men who have wielded influence over the world. The title of Man of the Year gave way to Person of the Year in 1999 to be more inclusive and gender sensitive but yet the choice was the same - a man.

With this 100 Women of the Year project, were spotlighting influential women who were often overshadowed. This includes women who occupied positions from which the men were often chosenbut far more who found their influence through activism or culture, the US publication said.

The project is an exercise in looking at the ways in which women held power due to systemic inequality. Women, former TIME editor-in-chief Nancy Gibbs writes, were wielding soft power long before the concept was defined. To recognize these women, TIME created 89 new TIME covers, many of which were designed by prominent artists. The publication left intact the 11 covers for women who had been named Person of the Year. The 100 choices in this project are the result of a months-long process that began with more than 600 nominations submitted by TIME staff, experts in the field and a committee of notable women from various backgrounds.

The project has named several prominent women leaders through the century including designer Coco Chanel, author Virginia Wolf, Queen Elizabeth, actress Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Chinese pharmaceutical chemist Tu Youyou, only Japanese citizen and first woman to lead the UN refugee agency Sadako Ogata and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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Seven-year-old Mohammed Abdullah Hussain from Hyderabad has just one wish, to meet Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, WION reported.

When asked why he wants to meet with the Prince, Mohammed said, "I like His Highness Sheikh Hamdan because he is cool, adventurous and kind. I want to meet his pets and want to see his clothes. He is good and always helps people. He is an all-rounder. He is first in all activities. He is intelligent, smart and a genius."

Watch | A seven-year old' wish to meet the Crown Prince of #Dubai Abdullah Hussain from Hyderabad is suffering from third stage cancer and wants to meet his role model, @HamdanMohammed pic.twitter.com/Ll3W4OaYFt  WION (@WIONews) March 2, 2020

Mohammed is battling stage three cancer, and his parents are desperate to fulfil his desire. His mother said: "He is very fond of Sheikh Hamdan and his activities like horse riding and sky diving. My boy watches his videos day and night. His only wish is to meet Fazza, who is also a poet. He keeps saying that he wants to meet him and be generous like him."

Mohammed does not know about the seriousness of his condition, he had to stop going to school as he was unable to sit up for long.

His father hoped that the crown prince could spare time to meet them. "He would be very thankful to him, we know he is very generous to underprivileged. This would be again a new thing for us as well as for the kid. It would add energy to the child and it will give us faith in his charity work. Maybe we can go and meet him," he said.

Sheikh Hamdan, who is popularly known as Fazza, is very active on social media platforms where he regularly posts about his adventures and travels across the globe. He is also a nature lover and posts videos that show him bonding with animals or rescuing them.
A man charged with assault has been remanded in custody to Harristown on March 20, following a bail hearing at Longford District Court last week.

Martin Nevin, 15 Canal Drive, Prospect Woods, Longford, was on temporary release when the alleged assault took place in December 2019.

He has very young children and he might get an opportunity to reinstate his temporary release if hes granted bail, explained John Quinn on behalf of Mr Nevin.

Mr Quinn explained to the court that it was alleged that Mr Nevin and three others were involved in an incident of violent disorder, which took place a couple of days after the alleged assault for which Mr Nevin was charged.

All three co-accused were granted bail at the High Court.

Giving the evidence at Longford District Court last week, Gda OConnor explained that the alleged assault took place at approximately 12.45pm.

Bernie McDonagh was a passenger in a car when a silver car with four occupants pulled across and got out, he explained.

He (Bernie) got out of the car and ran up St Michaels Road. The alleged accused grabbed him and threw him to the ground and attacked him with a machete and a shovel.

Gda OConnor also explained that he has CCTV footage from a house on that terrace of good quality, which shows Bernie McDonagh running away and the co-accused chasing him.

The State was objecting because of Mr Nevins previous convictions and a concern surrounding the intimidation of witnesses, the court heard.

The alleged assault appeared to have arisen from a previous incident involving the accuseds brother, Judge Hughes was informed.

The windows of Mr Nevins brothers house on Richmond Street were broken and, while no complaint was made by the residents of the house, the incident seemed to have fueled the feud between the Nevins and the Doyles, Gda OConnor explained.

He has a conviction from February 15, 2018, from the Circuit Court where he was convicted of intimidating a witness, Sgt McGirl explained, stressing the the State would be concerned that this would happen again.

When I rose at lunchtime today, my appreciation of Longford is Ive never seen the seriousness of the workload Ive seen today, said Judge Hughes.

Gardai are extremely active. Theyre bringing prosecutions. There are large amounts of criminal activity in Longford. Here were dealing with another feud.

This is the assiduous nature of feuds. They seem to have their own code of conduct where they move out from the victim to the outer family. It has to stop.

You have a big hurdle to cross. I might reconsider in a few months time, said Judge Hughes, remanding Mr Nevin in custody until March 20.

Im innocent in this charge. Ive never broken bail. I havent done nothing. Im getting put down as the same as the rest of those boys, Mr Nevin objected.

Any judge in Ireland has to be led by the alleged evidence. That guard has CCTV footage that is of reasonable quality that shows youre involved, Judge Hughes replied.

I just want to get out as soon as possible, said Mr Nevin, consenting to a remand in custody until March 20.
BRIDGEPORT  A dish washer at a popular city restaurant was arraigned Friday on allegations that he sexually assaulted a former employee in the restaurant.

Jaime Sena, 56, did not enter pleas during the hearing before Superior Court Judge William Holden on Friday. Sena, a Mexican citizen, is charged with third-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint.

The judge imposed a protective order barring Sena from having any further contact with the victim and continued the case to April 2.

We have been provided with the states evidence and are in the process of reviewing it, Senas lawyer, Frank Riccio II, said as he and his client left the Golden Hill Street courthouse.

Sena is free on $100,000 bond.

Police said they have an arrest warrant and are still searching for a cook, Jose Tsenkush, 51, an Ecuadorian citizen, also accused of assaulting the teen.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the two men are accused of sexually assaulting her in the Bridgeport Vazzys restaurant in December. An attorney for the restaurant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Police said both men had been working at Vazzys for more than 10 years.

In early January, the alleged victim met with police. On Jan. 29, a detective conducted a follow-up investigation and the girl was interviewed by a forensic psychologist at the Center for Family Justice, according to Senas arrest warrant affidavit.

During that interview, the affidavit states, the girl said during the first couple of months of her employment, the workers in the kitchen would be creepy and compliment her body. She stated the worst offender was Sena, who would hug her and tried putting money down her shirt.

In December 2019, the affidavit states, Sena ripped open her shirt in a stairwell in the restaurant and began touching and kissing her chest. He then tried to give her money, the affidavit states.

The girl states in the affidavit that she didnt want to stay at work after that incident and texted her manager about what Sena had done. She stated that her manager texted her that something would be done.

When the alleged victim later met with her manager in the restaurant, however, she saw Sena was still working there, the affidavit states.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Dozens of registered nurses and public health workers with the San Francisco Department of Public Health rallied Thursday, demanding the city increase staffing as the city grapples with two recently confirmed coronavirus cases.

Although the nurses and health workers have been calling on the health department address chronic understaffing for months, the situation appears to have reached a critical level with the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.

Earlier Thursday, city leaders confirmed two cases of coronavirus in the city. Both patients, a man in his 90s and a woman in her 40s, are being treated at local hospitals.

But according to the health workers, San Francisco General Hospital and other Department of Public Health facilities have suffered from chronic understaffing for years.

"We need for the city to realize that if the city is going to be protected, as we're on the verge of the conronavirus hitting us big time, we need to have appropriate and full staffing," said Theresa Rutherford, a nursing assistant at Laguna Honda Hospital and a Service Employees International Union San Francisco vice president.

"SFGH and other DPH facilities are chronically understaffed and have been critically understaffed for years. This is not new. We're not saying this because of the coronavirus, we're saying that the city spent years being irresponsible and not ensuring that there was adequate staffing. And so we're on the verge of a pandemic and we have no proper staffing. We are not ready," she said.

In response to the workers' staffing concerns, Supervisor Ahsha Safai called for a hearing on the matter for Thursday at the Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee.

"These individuals will be putting themselves in harm's way. These individuals will be dealing with our crisis on an hour-to-hour basis. They're the ones who will be keeping San Franciscans safe; they will be keeping San Francisco healthy. But they can't do it if they're overworked," he said.

Although the city regularly hires contract staff and health care workers on a per diem basis, the workers are urging the city to hire more full time registered nurses.

Safai is calling for the city's Human Resources Department to hire nurses at a faster rate, within 30 days. Currently, the process to hire nurses can take up to seven months, Safai said.

During the hearing, Supervisor Hillary Ronen alleged DPH currently has over 1,100 job vacancies, although DPH Human Resources Director Michael Brown couldn't confirm that number.

"We have to make this a number one priority," Safai said. "These are our frontline responders, and if they're already understaffed, they're already overworked, and we're using contract employees we could get into ourselves into a serious crisis, even more than it is now."

"We have to put our heads together to figure out how we can get people hired in 30 days or less into these positions," he said.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Amid the ongoing political drama



over the allegations of poaching by the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, a former minister and saffron party MLA expressed threat to his life and quashed speculation of switching over to the ruling Congress.

In a video statement, BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak denied reports that he had called on Chief Minister Kamal Nath late on Thursday night.

The MLA from Vijayraghavgarh in Katni district also asserted he is with the saffron party.

The Congress on Thursday claimed the BJP had "abducted 14 MLAs" to bring down its government in Madhya Pradesh, a charge the opposition party has strongly denied.

"Do not spread any kind of confusion, I was with the BJP, I am with the BJP and I will be part of the BJP. The people of the state can see what is happening to me.

"Just take care that I am not killed. These people can even throw me somewhere after killing for their political gains," he said, addressing the media through the video statement.

Pathak, who is the state's richest legislator, also shared the video on Twitter.

The BJP MLA also clarified that he is currently attending to his family's medical needs.

"There is no truth in the reports that I called on Nath. The picture being circulated in this regard is fake. I am not in the picture in which the (person's) face is covered," he claimed.

The mining baron is said to be a key figure in the poaching row in the Congress-ruled state.

In the backdrop of the poaching row, the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday had ordered the closure of an iron ore mine belonging to M/s Nirmala Minerals, a company owned by Pathak.

A former Congressman, Pathak joined the BJP and served as a minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

The administration in Jabalpur district, where the mine is located, ordered the closure of the facility for allegedly violating a Supreme Court ruling.

On Thursday, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh had named five BJP leaders, including Pathak, whom he held responsible for "poaching" attempt.

Asked about speculation of Pathak switching over to the Congress, Singh, a former Chief Minister (1993-2003), on Friday told reporters here that the BJP MLA's father Satyendra Pathak was his friend and a minister in his cabinet.

"He is my friend's son. But, he lost his way after he earned money," Singh added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After his last film Dabangg 3, Salman Khan will be seen on the silver screen in May 2020 with yet another Eid release, titled Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. The action film, directed by Prabhudheva and produced by Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Atul Agnihotri, is currently in the production stage. While most of the movie is based in Delhi and Mumbai, the next sequence was scheduled to be shot in Thailand.

Now, as claimed by new reports, the Thailand leg of film has been suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The movie has roped in Disha Patani as the female lead and also stars Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles. Radhe was officially announced on October 18 last year. The Eid 2020 release will clash with Akshay Kumar's horror thriller Laxmmi Bomb.

This is not the first event that work in Bollywood has been affected deferred or cancelled due to the spread of the virus. There have been reports that Varun Dhawan-Natasha Dalal's wedding venue will be shifted from Thailand to Rajasthan.

Recently, James Bond Studios officially announced to postpone the release of No Time To Die, shifting it from April 3, 2020, to November 2020.

Meanwhile, the deadly virus has infected 98,442 people, claiming 3,387 lives. India has reported 31 cases so far, out of which three have fully recovered.

Follow @News18Movies for more
Most private Oregon insurers will waive the patients share in the cost of testing for COVID-19, Gov. Kate Browns office announced Thursday afternoon as the state braces for a growing number of cases of the novel coronavirus.

Browns office reached an agreement with eight major private insurers to spare insured Oregonians from co-pays and other such costs for testing and a vaccine if one becomes available.

Id like to thank Oregons insurers for partnering with the state, so that medical providers can issue COVID-19 tests to anyone who needs one, Brown said in a news release. No one should have to ask if getting a COVID-19 test is something they can afford. I hope this agreement sets a framework that other states can follow nationwide.

The deal comes with come caveats. It only applies to testing at in-network providers or urgent care facilities, as well as all emergency rooms.

Participating insurers are BridgeSpan Health Company, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health Plan, Inc., PacificSource Health Plans, Providence Health Plans, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and Samaritan Health Plans, Inc.

Collectively, they insure about one million Oregonians and include most health plans sold on the states individual and group insurance markets.

Not yet participating are four of the states 10 largest insurers, who collectively cover about 92,000 people, according to data from the Department of Consumer and Business Services. They are United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna and Health Care Insurance Corporation.

Oregon Health Plan, which is run by the Oregon Health Authority, does not charge co-pays or deductibles to patients seeking testing.

Browns office is exploring a similar deal with self-insured plans, though one has not yet been reached, the release said. Short-term health insurance plans, health insurance ministry plans and other types of coverage that arent full insurance arent included.

The governors staff has also reached out to the federal government to clarify whether the state can take the same steps of waiving costs for those with Medicare Advantage plans and health savings accounts.

In Washington, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an order Thursday morning requiring insurers to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing. He could to issue the order because Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency over the outbreak, a step Oregon hasnt taken.

Our typical approach is to collaborate with the insurance company to get them to do things like this for the benefit of Oregoniansversus mandating, said Brad Hilliard, spokesman for Oregons Department of Consumer and Business Services, which regulates insurance companies.

Hilliard said the negotiations took place over about two days as insurers worked to change billing codes and update systems to process the change. Talks are ongoing with insurers not currently participating, he said.
After a row over whether authorities should or should not have revealed the name of an Irish school where a student tested positive for Covid-19, this weeks panel digs deeper in other potential privacy conflicts that may arise.

Should health authorities be asking infected people for their Google tracked location? If things got really desperate, would they even look for dystopian tools, such as Clearviews facial identification database?

The panel, which sees Sunday Independent deputy business editor Fearghal OConnor and Castlebridge chief executive Daragh OBrien join host Adrian Weckler, also debates whether remote working is actually a viable option for people in the longer term. Given that remote working tools have been around for a decade, why would people suddenly start to become interested in the practice now?
Lucknow: Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya on Saturday with his family in the first trip since he took oath as Maharashtra chief minister.

Thackeray is expected to perform an 'aarti' on the bank of Saryu River. Speaking to the media ahead of the visit, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, On the completion of 100 days of Maharashtra government, Thackeray will visit Ayodhya to pay homage to Ram Lalla.

Other senior Shiv Sena leaders have arrived in Ayodhya and are actively monitoring the arrangements for Thackeray's visit. Raut also met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on Thursday to discuss the arrangements.

A special train of 'Shiv Sainiks' is believed to be reaching the town ahead of Thackeray's visit. Other leaders from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress are also likely to accompany the Maharashtra Chief Minister in the visit.

Thackeray had visited Ayodhya following Shiv Sena's stellar performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. However, he had promised a visit to Ayodhya on November 24 after the NCP core committee resolved to form an alternative government in the state. The promised visit had been held off since then.

Following the political turmoil in the state, the Shiv Sena subsequently joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form a coalition government.

Thackeray was sworn in as the chief minister on November 28 last year.
A former Topshop design chief is suing controversial boss Sir Philip Green claiming she was left terrified after he mentioned the word 'murder' when criticising the quality of her work.

Mo Riach, 48, also alleges he subjected her to a sustained verbal attack in which he threatened to stamp on her phone and pulled at the neckline of her blouse.

She said she had been so disturbed by his 'physically threatening' behaviour that she suffered a breakdown and was forced to quit her 'dream job' as head of design at the retail giant.

Glamorous friends: Sir Philip Green at a fashion show with models Suki Waterhouse, left, Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Naomi Campbell, and actress Sienna Miller, second right

The mother has taken Sir Philip  along with Topshop and parent company Arcadia  to Central London Employment Tribunal claiming constructive dismissal, sex discrimination and breach of contract.

It comes after Sir Philip found himself at the centre of what has been dubbed the British #MeToo movement following allegations he sexually and racially harassed staff  all of which he denies.

At a preliminary hearing, his lawyers argued that Mrs Riach took too long to raise her case and there is no clear link between her claims and her breakdown around ten months later.

Topshop design chief Mo Riach is suing controversial boss Sir Philip Green claiming she was left terrified after he mentioned the word 'murder' when criticising the quality of her work

While Sir Philip's lawyers argued that while they 'accept the factual basis of the allegations' between January and February 2018, they claimed contractual responsibility lay with Topshop.

But Mrs Riach, who had worked at the retailer since 2013, said the actions of Sir Philip were a 'significant factor' in her decision to resign last year.

She claimed that during a work trip to Istanbul in early 2018 he was 'verbally and physically abusive' in full view of top-level staff.

Mrs Riach alleged that days earlier Sir Philip used the word 'murder' while criticising her work.

She told the hearing: 'The Istanbul trip came on the back of a meeting where Sir Philip Green aggressively told me that the M on my necklace would stand for murder if he did not start seeing some 'decent products'.'

Sean Jones QC  representing all three respondents  asked: 'Did you seriously think that he was threatening to murder you?'

Tearfully answering, Mrs Riach insisted the billionaire's comments scared her.

She said: 'I don't know what he was threatening  all I can say is that murder is a very strong word to use.

'I can't rationalise that sort of behaviour. Whether I felt like he was going to murder me or not, that word should never have been used. The look on his face while he said that ... there was nothing jovial in it. It was serious and it was frightening.'

Of the Istanbul trip, she said in her statement: 'On the first night at the dinner table with senior colleagues he shouted at me that if I didn't put my phone down he would stamp on it with his foot.

'And on the second day, when I was sitting at a table he came up behind me and jerked the chair suddenly, tipping me forward.

'He also told me that I was not allowed to wear my necklace again until I had his permission to do so  my necklace is a prominent piece of jewellery with a large letter M as a pendant.'

However, Mr Jones argued the actions could not be viewed as violent.

Mrs Riach responded: 'I have never been spoken to by anyone like that before. I would describe that as a very violent interaction.'

She claimed that Sir Philip later touched her in an 'inappropriately intimate' manner when she met him on a stairwell and he tucked her necklace in her top.

In her statement, she said: 'He took hold of the M from my chest... He then quite gently pulled the edge of my top towards him, creating a gap between the top and my chest, and he used his other hand to put the necklace inside my top.

The mother has taken Sir Philip  along with Topshop and parent company Arcadia  to Central London Employment Tribunal claiming constructive dismissal, sex discrimination and breach of contract. A Topshop store is seen above

'He was looking at me in the eyes as he did this and his face was uncomfortably close to mine. It was creepy  if it had been consensual, I would have described it as sensual  and inappropriately intimate. I believe there was clearly a sexual element to it and it crossed the line.'

Mrs Riach, from east London, said she did not make her complaint in the immediate aftermath of the Istanbul trip because she was 'terrified' of the tycoon.

She told the hearing: 'I put my mental wellbeing to the side and tried to carry on. I wanted to pretend it never happened.. I wanted to be invisible. I was suffering mental health issues that I believe started from the incident [Istanbul]. I was broken.'

But in December 2018 she had a panic attack on the way to work and was signed off by her GP, who said she had 'reactive depression and situational anxiety'.

She said she filed a complaint in January 2019 after Press coverage of similar claims against Sir Philip. But she resigned soon after a grievance hearing in April 2019 which cleared Sir Philip of any wrongdoing.

Mr Jones said he would 'accept the factual basis of the allegations', but questioned why the claimant had named Sir Philip in the case.

Employment Judge Anthony Snelson adjourned the case for a full tribunal next month.

A spokesman for Sir Philip, Arcadia and Topshop declined to comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:15:51|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese diplomat on Thursday called on the United Nations to take practical measures to prevent certain countries from conducting large-scale electronic surveillance and personal data collection worldwide.

During the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Liu Hua, special representative for human rights of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed serious concern over the large-scale electronic surveillance and personal data collection practices carried out by certain countries, as well as their actions that violated national sovereignty and human rights, especially the right to privacy.

The diplomat pointed out that illegal or arbitrary monitoring of people's communications and the collection of personal data not only constitute an invasion of privacy, but also affect people's right to freedom of speech, association and assembly, and the right to information.

"Due to the highly globalized nature of communication technology represented by the internet, large-scale electronic surveillance not only violates the human rights of its citizens, but also tramples on the human rights of people of other countries and their national sovereignty," she said, adding the practice also runs counter to the principles of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference as enshrined in the UN Charter.

The development of information technology makes information dissemination more convenient and faster, said Liu, noting that at the same time, the internet also provides a new platform for illegal and criminal acts, and poses new challenges to privacy rights protection.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the privacy of citizens, and has been committed to improving relevant laws and regulations, she said.

China's general provisions of the Civil Law, the Cybersecurity Law, the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on strengthening online information protection and other laws and regulations have clearly stipulated the way to collect, use and protect personal information, Liu said.

Last year, the Cyberspace Administration of China formally issued a regulation on the protection of children's personal information online, the first specific legislation in China for online protection of children's personal information, Liu said, noting that the regulation helps protect children's legitimate rights and interests and creates a good online environment for children's healthy growth.
The Duchess of Sussex has delivered a masterclass in diplomatic dressing since returning to the UK for her final royal engagements, championing a string of British designers.

Meghan Markle, 38, wore no fewer than eight UK labels in a matter of hours yesterday, including Stella McCartney, Topshop and Victoria Beckham.

The royal made an unannounced visit to the National Theatre in London, of which she is patron, and enjoyed lunch at the upmarket Goring Hotel before joining Prince Harry for the Endeavour Awards at Manor House last night.

Great British style! Meghan Markle, 38, wore no fewer than eight UK labels in a matter of hours yesterday, including Stella McCartney, Topshop and Victoria Beckham. Pictured, at the National Theatre, London, in a 29 Topshop blouse and a black handbag inspired by the Queen

True blue: Meghan enjoyed lunch at the upmarket Goring Hotel before joining Prince Harry for the Endeavour Awards at Manor House last night, pictured, wearing Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney. It was her first outing since the couple's 'Megxit' announcement in January

Showcasing her ability to mix high street with high end, Meghan chose pieces that ranged from a 29 Topshop blouse to a 950 Victoria Beckham dress.

Stylist Susie Hasler, of Styled by Susie, told how Meghan showed 'careful consideration' in choosing the showcase British designers.

She said: 'Meghan is back - with a fashion statement bang! The Duchess looks radiant, shes smiley, shes glowing, and shes picked her outfits incredibly well to make sure they deliver the right sartorial punch.

'Choosing British designers is a careful consideration. Given the furore surrounding her and Harrys choice to step down as senior royals, she is flying the flag to show that she not only cares about the country, but also about how shes perceived.

'Its poignant that shes blended high-end looks with high-street prices. If she had stepped out in nothing but designer gear, it would have been deemed bad taste.

'Her beautiful white outfit with statement sleeves is very on trend. She looked chic, polished but not overdressed.

Favourite brand: Meghan, pictured on an unannounced visit to the National Theatre yesterday. Her earrings came from one of her favourite British jewellery labels, Missoma, while her necklace is from Sophie Lis

Meghan visited the Immersive Storytelling Studio in London, where emerging technology like Virtual Reality is being used to develop new forms of emotive storytelling

Meghan is pictured here with Nubiya Brandon and her hologram, featured in the Nationals exhibition All Kinds of Limbo, which is currently being presented at the Tate Modern

The Duchess was not due to visit the National Theatre but made a surprise appearance

The Duchess of Sussex learned more about the exciting work being done at the National

'The gorgeous azure blue dress was a great match for her skin tone. It was more tailored - a continuation to the style of clothing she was wearing before she left for Canada. Whats more, it complemented Harrys suit - power couple dressing to show they are in union.'

Meghan was first seen leaving the five-star Goring hotel after having lunch at the Queen's favourite restaurant.

Typically chic, the Duchess donned a 1,590 classic camel coat by London-based label Alex Eagle, which is made to order in the brand's Soho studio.

She added a pair of towering black stilettos by go-to designer Aquazzura and finished the look with a 1,450 Loewe bag that looks strikingly like the Queen's favourite accessory.

Meghan also made time to stop off at the National Theatre, which was one of the last places she visited before relocating to Canada in January.

Splash of color: The royal enhanced her radiant complexion with a 950 Victoria Beckham dress in a stunning shade of azure blue as she joined Prince Harry at the awards, pictured

All in the details: Meghan accessorized with a Lucia Plexi Clutch by Stella McCartney and a 9,500 Rose Gold and Diamond Bracelet by Jessica McCormack, pictured

For her return to the venue, Meghan showed her support for the British high street by wearing a 29 white Topshop blouse with chiffon sleeves.

The royal wore the blouse tucked into a pencil skirt by Roland Mouret and once again carried the Loewe handbag.

Her earrings came from one of her favourite British jewellery labels, Missoma, while her necklace is the 280 Love Pendant from Sophie Lis.

Last night the Great British fashion show continued with a stunning 950 azure blue dress by Victoria Beckham and a Lucia Plexi Clutch by Stella McCartney, who famously designed her second wedding dress.

Supporting smaller labels, Meghan chose the 9,500 Chi Chi Rose Gold and Diamond Bracelet by Jessica McCormack, and a pair of 95 Gold Snake Hoop earrings by Roxanne First.

However Meghan turned to a Spanish name when it came to her shoes, plumping for tried-and-tested Manolo Blahniks.

Last night marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' first official outing in the UK since announcing they would be stepping back as senior royals.

The couple have a number of appearances scheduled this weekend, culminating on Monday when they will join senior royals including the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Commonwealth Day service in London.

It is thought these will be Harry and Meghan's last official duties before their royal roles officially come to an end on March 31.
National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said Friday that U.S. workers should continue going to work despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Kudlow discussed the outbreak Friday on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street," saying Americans should remain calm.

"I don't want to downplay anything. Worry about the effect on human beings, for heaven's sake. But I'm just saying, let's not overreact. In many ways, America should stay at work," Kudlow said.

The epidemic has led to major cities and factories being shut down in other countries, including Italy and China. Many big companies in the United States, including Amazon and Facebook, are encouraging employees to work from home.

Kudlow said it does not appear the outbreak will spread widely in the U.S.

"We don't actually know what the magnitude of the virus is going to be, although frankly so far it looks relatively contained," Kudlow said.

The homes of major tech companies, including Seattle and San Francisco, have some of the largest outbreaks in the U.S. Kudlow said businesses and governments in those areas were justified in taking more aggressive stances to stop the spread.

"With respect to Seattle, that would be a place you would avoid for now. And (California) Gov. Newsom declaring California an emergency state, especially Northern California, I understand that. Avoid it. Exercise common sense. But the rest of the country is not suffering from those kinds of breakouts, at least not yet," Kudlow said.

There have been more than 100,000 confirmed cases around the world, including over 230 in the U.S. Kudlow said that the virus would likely not be a major issue for people who are not elderly or do not have preexisting health conditions.

"For most people, if you're healthy, you should go to work. Go about your business. That's our advice," Kudlow said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had less than a day of grace before learning that his great achievement  increasing the size of his Likud party and the right-wing ultra-Orthodox bloc by three seats  had come crashing down against the cement floor of reality. Once again, he found himself facing off against the man who spent a year keeping him from a fifth term as prime minister, Chairman of Yisrael Beitenu Avigdor Liberman. While Liberman is not Netanyahus top rival, he holds the keys for Netanyahu reaching a majority coalition. And it looks like this time Liberman will do anything he can to finish the job, as he sees it, and remove Netanyahu from the prime ministers office.

In the two days immediately following the election, Liberman kept his silence and held his cards close to his chest. By March 5, he was already back in the ring with a renewed vigor and all sorts of bad news for Netanyahu. At the end of a party meeting that he called, Liberman announced that Yisrael Beitenu had decided to advance two new laws, including one that would prevent any Knesset member under indictment from being tasked with forming a new government. Sources close to Liberman noted that he would recommend to President Reuven Rivlin that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz be tasked with forming the next government.

Netanyahu has 58 seats in his right-wing ultra-Orthodox bloc. His opponents  the Blue and White party, Yisrael Beitenu, the United Left List of Labor-Gesher-Meretz and the Arab Joint List  have 62 seats. This is an Anyone but Netanyahu coalition. Its members have virtually nothing in common except for wanting to get rid of Netanyahu. Libermans plan is to have the president task Gantz with forming a government, while at the same time amending a Basic Law so that Netanyahu would be blocked from forming a government because he is indicted on criminal charges. If necessary, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud party) will also be deposed so that he does not slow down the new legislation. According to this plan, Gantz would head a minority government with outside support from the Joint List and Yisrael Beitenu.

While Libermans plan to get rid of Netanyahu seems promising on paper, the chances of it actually happening are slim. Legislation targeting an individual is problematic, particularly when done right after an election in order to remove a particular person from the political arena. Furthermore, it is not at all clear that all the members of the Joint List would support the move  it will be remembered that after the September 2019 election, the three Knesset members from the Balad faction refused to recommend Gantz to the president.

So whats really behind this? It looks like these moves are intended to apply pressure to Netanyahu and to signal to the right-wing ultra-Orthodox bloc that he is a lame duck, despite his performance in the election. Netanyahus opponents hope that this will break his bloc apart and allow Gantz to form a unity government with some other Likud leader. But this scenario is also very unlikely. Netanyahu has a tight grip on his bloc, and his position in the Likud is strong and stable. He defeated Gideon Saar in a primary last December, and was reelected head of the Likud. The only way he can be removed from this position would be a new round of primaries for the partys leadership.

Despite all this, the political and media focus on moves to block Netanyahu have given the initiative back to the Blue and White party and Liberman, along with the feeling that they are in control. This comes after two days of shock, when they saw the March 2 election results showing Netanyahu getting stronger even after he had been indicted. Suddenly, the victory party that Netanyahu held just hours after the polls closed seemed completely divorced from reality. Yes, he did win, but he is still unable to form a government. Across the political divide, the Blue and White party is also facing a crisis. This election proved that the momentum that the party had at its inception has faded. Its agenda focuses exclusively on Anyone but Netanyahu, and Gantz has also been unable to win an election and form a government, just like Netanyahu.

Over the last two days, the Blue and White party has been signaling that it plans to work together with the Arab Joint List to remove Netanyahu from office. This is a politically dangerous zigzag on their part. Blue and White spent the entire election trying to distinguish itself from the Joint List, in an effort to keep its soft right supporters. This was especially important for the party after internal polling found that quite a few of these supporters left Blue and White in reaction to coalition negotiation between Gantz and the Joint List after the September 2019 election.

The Blue and White party does not want a fourth election. However, in the same breath they reject the possibility of sitting in a unity government with Netanyahu because of the indictment against him. Senior party members told Al-Monitor that Gantz has lost any trust and empathy he had for Netanyahu because of the mudslinging campaign waged against him. They added that Gantz was offended personally by this. On the other hand, Netanyahu realizes that he could lose control over what happens in the Knesset or even find himself in a fourth round of elections. That is why he launched a new campaign March 5: We wont let them steal the election from us!

The Likud and the right won the election in a knockout, Netanyahu announced in a video posted to social media networks. Having failed at the ballot box, Gantz is now trying, together with Liberman, to rob masses of Israeli citizens of their decision, which gave the Likud a decisive victory under my leadership. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan could learn a lot from them. They wouldnt even do this in Iran. There, they disqualify candidates before the election, not after  He concluded, We are millions of citizens in the State of Israel who will not allow them to steal this election.

Netanyahus objective was to launch a public delegitimization campaign against a minority government supported by the Joint List in order to preempt it. But thats not all. Netanyahu believes that a fourth round of elections is not some impossible scenario, so he is already honing his message that Gantz and Liberman are robbing over 2 million citizens of their democratic choice, nothing more and nothing less, and that they are doing it with the support of the Arabs.

At this point, all the different sides are still squabbling among themselves as if the election is not over yet. In response to Libermans recent move, the Likud asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to open a criminal investigation against him over a bribery scandal in his party, which exploded in 2015. As far as Netanyahu and Liberman are concerned, this is a lot like flipping the board. Nothing good will come of it.

It turns out that this third round of elections not only failed to resolve the political imbroglio. If anything, it made it worse. In the current situation, with no one showing the slightest flexibility, and the rhetoric only intensifying, it is impossible to form a stable government. The option of a unity government based on rotation between Gantz and Netanyahu is the most reasonable option under these circumstances. It could restore calm to the political system, which seems to have spun out of control. But the chance of that happening seems more remote than ever.
Following on from the success of last years inaugural Clongowes Fun Run, this years 5km and 10k run will be held in the grounds of Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare on Saturday March 21st at 11.30am.

All proceeds from the Fun Run will go towards the purchase of equipment for Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin.

The event is part of the schools Transition Year Duck Push initiative, which raises funds for medical equipment for Crumlin Children's Hospital. The project is in its 27th year and has raised over 2m for medical equipment during that time.

The Transition Year students who are organising the event encourage runners and walkers to register now for this event in aid of a very worthwhile cause.

The running surface includes tarmac, forest track and grass and will bring the athletes through the beautiful grounds of the 200-year-old boarding school.

Organisers are looking forward to welcoming athletes of all levels as well as those out for a brisk stroll around the 5k and 10k track.

Registration is open now at www.popupraces.ie. Single entries are 20 with discounts for children, teams and family groups. Online registration closes on Saturday, 21st March at 9.00am. Registration on the day will be 25 (5km) and 30

(10km) and is open from 9.30am.

Included in the entry fee:

 A complimentary goodie bag is included for the first 200 participants to cross

the finish line.

 Tea and coffee for all participants.

 The first 150 athletes registered will receive a printed tee-shirt.

 All athletes over 12 years old will be chip timed.

 All participants will receive a Fun Run medal.

 Prizes will be awarded for the First, Second and Third placed female and

male athletes as well as for the First, Second and Third placed teams of four.

The organisers are asking runners and walkers to come out and support the Duck Push for Crumlin Childrens Hospital on March 21 st to help raise funds for sick children in Ireland.




Kolkata Police has taken all forms of precautionary measures for peaceful celebration of Holi in the city next week, a senior officer said on Friday.

Besides, extra police forces, around 700 police pickets will be set up in and around the city during the Holi festival, he said.

Police will take strong actions against those who will try to put colours on unwilling people.

Women police personnel in plainclothes will also be deployed to keep a check on crime against women,.

Holi will be celebrated in West Bengal on Monday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ukraine's new government not going to sell, give Ukrzaliznytsia in concession

11:20, 06.03.20 1245

Shmyhal added the state's strategic infrastructure facilities "should be kept in proper form," and the rest should be put up for sale.
At a cross border event today in Dundalk the Changing Lives Initiative launched a new app on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) to support families.

The Changing Lives Initiative is supported by an award of 2.7m by the European Unions INTERREG VA Programme, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Changing Lives Initiative works to create a better understanding of ADHD and provides an intervention programme for families with children aged (3-7) experiencing behaviours consistent with ADHD. To date, the project has provided an intervention to over 1,400 families.

The new App will support remote and rural delivery of the Changing Lives intervention to families; and will provide access to the intervention for those who cannot access the programme face to face. The App helps families understand what ADHD is and provides practical strategies and tools for parents to use with their children. The App is particularly relevant for parents who have concerns about their childs behaviour but are not yet sure if their child has ADHD. The App is also extremely useful for those working with children in helping them understand ADHD and how they might support children who have issues with inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.

Speaking at the Launch, Karen Morgan a parent who has benefitted from the Changing Lives intervention programme said: Information is key to parents understanding what might be going on with their child and how to support them. The Changing Lives Initiative programme offers real help to families. It can be hard for parents to get away and find time to come to workshops, so having information and resources available via an App is a great innovation.

Im really excited to see the App and share it with family and friends

Also reflecting on the development of the app, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body said: The EU INTERREG VA-funded Changing Lives Initiative has put cross-border parenting programmes for ADHD firmly on the treatment map across Louth, Belfast and throughout the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. These training programmes are making a really positive impact, supporting families and enriching the lives of many children.

The development of the app will help to further strengthen this excellent work, allowing it to reach even more people and make the training accessible to all those in need of it. I particularly look forward to hearing about how it will benefit families living in more rural areas who do not have easy access to the specialised support they need.

Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Health in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health in Ireland as well as by the project partners.

Further information on the project and the App is available at www.changinglivesinitiative.com
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.A judge who found a man guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault in an attack on two B.C. high school students says there is no evidence that Gabriel Kleins mental health affected his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions.

Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes of the B.C. Supreme Court said Klein had no reason to harm the two girls at Abbotsford Secondary School on Nov. 1, 2016, and that his conduct was incomprehensible.

His mental state at the time of the attack can have extremely little weight, she said in delivering her verdict on Friday.

Defence lawyer Martin Peters had argued in December that Klein, who was 21 at the time of the attack, did not have the intent to kill 13-year-old Letisha Reimer when he walked into the schools rotunda.

He urged Holmes to find his client guilty of manslaughter.

Peters argued there was reasonable doubt related to the murder charge because his client exhibited odd behaviour and mental distress beforehand, suggesting he did not intentionally plan to kill anyone.

He said in his closing arguments the Crown proved its case in the assault against the girl whose name is under a publication ban, and Klein should be found guilty on that charge.

Reimer died after being stabbed 14 times and her friend, who was also stabbed, suffered serious injuries.

Surveillance videos played during the trial showed Klein stealing alcohol from a liquor store and a hunting knife from a sporting goods store hours before the attack. Peters said his client committed the thefts because he wanted to get drunk and use the weapon to stab a police officer in hopes of triggering a suicide-by-cop scenario.

Holmes said Klein adroitly stole bottles of rum from the liquor stole and the knife, asking store clerks where the items were located and going directly to them. When he walked into the rotunda, he had the knife out of the packaging and under his clothing, the judge said.

She said Klein quickly moved to attack Reimer after her friend escaped.

There is abundant evidence showing Klein acted with purpose and foresight in the lead up to the attack, Holmes said.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a forensic psychiatric hospital in June 2017 and has been receiving treatment but was deemed mentally fit to stand trial.

Kleins diagnosis of schizophrenia is unchallenged, said Holmes.

Sentencing has been scheduled for two days, starting June 1, when victim impact statements will be heard by the court. The sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with the earliest chance of parole set at 10 years.

Crown attorney Rob Macgowan said in his closing argument that Klein faked symptoms of a mental disorder after his arrest in order to be found not criminally responsible of the crimes and even told a psychiatrist who assessed him at a hospital that his lawyer would use that as a defence.

Holmes said there was no evidence that the strange behaviour and sounds exhibited by Klein in the hours before the attack indicated a mental condition, but that doesnt mean they were deliberately feigned.

Dave Teixeira, a spokesman for Reimer's family, said the family was relieved by the verdict.

This is just one more step in the journey, he said outside court.

He read a statement from Ellie Reimer about the loss of her daughter, which said: The people who are serving the sentence are those of us who no longer have Letisha in our lives.

Peters said his client will have a life sentence, no matter what, but Holmes will look at a Gladue report to address the number of years Klein has to serve before he is eligible for parole. The report reviews the circumstances of Klein's upbringing and Metis heritage, Peters said.

Klein was born in Winnipeg and had a troubled upbringing, with his parents separating when he was a young teenager, he said, adding that his client moved to Alberta and grew up in Red Deer and Edmonton.

Klein will be sent to the regional assessment centre when he is sentenced and his mental health will be evaluated, Peters said.

I'm hoping that he obtains a disposition which keeps him in a psychiatric facility, he said.

He is schizophrenic. A mental-health facility will be a far better setting for him.

He said Klein is remorseful.

It's an extraordinary thing to kill someone and to have to live with that, Peters said.

And he does live with it every day.

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A weak opening is on the cards on last trading day of the week on negative global cues. Sentiment may be impacted after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed Yes Bank under moratorium. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 340 points at the opening bell.

Yes Bank was placed under a "moratorium" late yesterday (5 March 2020), with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping depositor withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding the board with immediate effect. RBI assured the depositors of the bank that their interest will be fully protected and there is no need to panic.

Overseas, Asian stocks were trading lower on Friday following another Wall Street rout as disruptions to global business from the coronavirus beyond China worsened, stoking fears of a prolonged world economic slowdown.

In US, stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday as anxieties about the worldwide spread of COVID-19 lingered and concerns about the ability of governments to control the impact of the disease on their economies sent the benchmark US Treasury note yield to a fresh all-time low.

Back home, the stock market ended with small gains on Thursday after rising sharply in afternoon trade as concerns over coronovirus outbreak continued to haunt investors. Trading was volatile due to expiry of weekly index options on the NSE. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 61.13 points or 0.16% at 38,470.61. The Nifty 50 index rose 18 points or 0.16% at 11,269.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 2476.75 crore yesterday, 5 March 2020, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 2510.89 crore, yesterday, 5 March 2020, as per provisional data.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
UC Communications Company Broadvoice Creates Three New Channel Leadership Roles

Business VoIP, unified communications (UC) and SIP trunking solutions provider Broadvoice is in hiring mode thanks to a new channel sales strategy the company has implemented. The Los Angeles-based company, which is privately owned, provides voice over IP cloud-based telecommunications services to small, medium and enterprise-size businesses across the U.S. With an eye toward bolstering its channels sales, the company recently announced the addition of three new strategic channel leadership roles. The management additions include two new hires and an internal promotion.

Mike Gottwalt, a 15-year veteran of the channel, has become Broadvoice's first vice president of strategic relationships. The company recently created the new role, and Gottwalt will act as a liaison between Broadvoice and its strategic partners, including national and regional master agencies and technology vendors. Gottwalt comes to Broadvoice after more than 12 years as area vice president of sales for the central region at Telarus, a national master agency.

Jason Shawgo, a 14-year unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) veteran, has joined Broadvoice as the company's area vice president for the East Coast. Shawgo will oversee channel sales teams and strategies in that region. Shawgo comes to Broadvoice from CenturyLink, where he was account director of unified communications and collaboration services. Previously, Shawgo spent more than 13 years at West Corp., working his way up from global account executive to area vice president of sales in New Jersey.

Nick Madsen, a direct and channel sales operations professional with 12 years of experience, was recently been promoted from his role as regional sales manager to area vice president for the West Coast. Madsen will oversee channel sales teams and strategies in that region. Madsen joined Broadvoice in November after more than a decade of experience in sales and operations. He came into the company as a regional sales manager and was quickly identified to take on the new sales leadership role. Madsen most recently was director of sales for central and west regions for StarLeaf.

"Broadvoice has grown rapidly as a channel-first organization," said Kim McLachlan, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Broadvoice, in a statement. "We have brought on proven channel leaders who can optimize the alignment between our resources and sales partners  master agents and subagents  so we can continue to grow revenues together."

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Edited by Maurice Nagle
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

PATNA: The Bihar Legislative Council on Friday witnessed a bizarre protest by a leader of the states main opposition party, the RJD. Subodh Rai, RJD MLC and close confidant of Lalu Prasad Yadav, reached the Bihar Legislative Council carrying a live rat in a cage.

He was staging a protest against the state governments failure to start an inquiry into how rodents damaged bottles of saline water in a government school and gulped seized liquor stored at a police station.

Mocking the government, Rai said rats were declared guilty of damaging an embankment of a river, drinking cartons of bottles of saline water and gulping a huge quantity of liquor.

Fed up with these rodents, I have trapped a rat and brought it here. Now it is up to the NDA government to give strict punishment to this rat for gulping liquor, creating a hole in the embankment and

drinking saline water," he quipped.

When this bizarre protest drew attention, some MLCs of the Congress party also joined Rai in staging a demonstration.

Former CM Rabri Devi and MLC of RJD also came out in support of Rai, noting how rats were blamed for damaging an embankment of the Water Resource Department a few years ago by the then minister Lallan Singh.

As the state government blamed the rodents, the RJD MLC arrived with a rat to get it punished, she said.

Earlier on February 20, Rabri Devi had tweeted and asked the state government, Should the rats leave Bihar or the thieves?"

This is the same Bihar government under which rats ate up an embankment built at Rs 1100 crore, gulped 9 lakh litres of liquor in police custody and damaged 40,000 folders related to documents kept for verification of contractual teachers," she added.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said the RJD does not have solid evidence, so they are trying to divert attention by bringing a rat in a bid to make headlines.

He attacked the RJD and said, As a responsible opposition, instead of catching a rat, the RJD should work for development with facts and figures.


French English

BONDUELLE

A French SCA (Partnership Limited by Shares) with a capital of 56 942 095 Euros

Head Office: La Woestyne 59173 Renescure, France

Registered under number: 447 250 044 (Dunkerque Commercial and Companies Register)

Villeneuve dAscq, on March 6, 2020

Statement of availability

of the Half-Year Financial Report on December 31, 2019

The company today announces that it released its Half Year Report on December 31, 2019 and filed the report at the AMF.

The Half Year Report is available on the website of the company at the following address: www.bonduelle.com under the topic Investors / Regulated information (http://www.bonduelle.com/en/investors/regulated-information.html).

Attachment
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

Some 197 passengers arrived in Kazakhstan from South Korea, 100 people of which were quarantined, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Ministry of Healthcare.

The flights carrying 197 passengers arrived in Kazakhstan on March 5, 2020. Some 97 transit passenger were aboard the plane (23 Kyrgyzstan citizens, 37 Uzbekistan citizens, 16 Russia citizens, 18 Ukraine citizens, 2 South Korea citizens, 1 Tajikistan citizen).

Kyrgyzstan provided bus for its 21 citizens and they boarded the bus under the supervision of police officers to go to Kyrgyzstan. Overall 100 people have been quarantined including four children.

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

Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. The symptoms include cough, headache, fatigue, fever, aching and difficulty breathing. It is primarily spread through airborne contact or contact with contaminated objects. In mild cases, according to the Chinese authorities, treatment takes about a week, in severe cases - two or more.

Chinese health authorities say that the majority of the people who have died were either elderly or had underlying health problems.

Aside from Mainland China, the cases of coronavirus spreading have also been confirmed in other countries.

Several countries are developing a vaccine against the new virus.

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
Iran has the third-highest number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), deaths after China and Italy, the highest in Western Asia, and the fourth-highest number of SARS-CoV-2 cases, surpassed by only Mainland China, South Korea, and Italy. The country reported its first COVID-19 case on February 20.

Tehran / Iran - Mar 5 2020: Image Credit: Farzad Frames / Shutterstock

Now, the government has imposed measures in the hopes of containing the virus since the sudden rise in confirmed cases and deaths.

Iran now has a staggering 3,513 confirmed cases of COVID-19, while 107 of these patients have died. The rapid increase in cases is of concern since the country has long coped with a weak healthcare system. In line with the governments efforts to contain the spread of the virus in crowded jails, it has temporarily freed 54,000 prisoners.

Irans judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters the inmates were permitted to go out of prison after testing negative for COVID-19 and posting bail. The health ministry will oversee the prisoner release, but it was unclear how the government will keep track of them.

It is still unknown whether Nazanin Zaghair-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian mother jailed in Iran for espionage charges, will be included in those who were released.

The country is now limiting travel between its major cities and has shut schools until April. Health Minister Saeed Namaki said people should not use the break as an opportunity to travel. He also urged Iranians to reduce their use of paper banknotes.

Struggle to control the flow of people

The city of Qom, has been the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the country. Since the spread of the virus in Qom and neighboring regions, the virus has reached around a dozen other countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

As Iran grapples with the outbreak its neighbors have been battling to stem the tide of both people and food across their borders from Iran.

The countries near Iran fear that if the travel of people wont be limited or stopped temporarily, the spread of the virus will be inevitable. Since February 25, many countries in the Middle East have closed their air and land borders to Iran as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread, including Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Armenia, and Pakistan, among others.

Other regional countries such as Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Georgia, and Oman have imposed travel and immigration restrictions.

The current crisis is posing a serious threat to Irans economy. The country is struggling with how to sustain the economy despite the vast spread of the virus.

On March 3, the health ministry said that the number of confirmed cases had increased by more than 50 percent for two consecutive days. As of writing, Iran reports 3,513 confirmed cases of the virus. The death toll has reached 107, although the real figure is thought to be far higher.

Iranian government officials have also contracted the virus, including the countrys deputy health minister, who oversees the anti-coronavirus task force. The countrys vice president is also fighting the infection.

Neighboring countries have reported confirmed cases linked to recent travel to Iran. The country has been deemed as a coronavirus threat since a growing number of doctors and analysts have questioned the death toll tallies, with own members of the parliament accusing the government of covering up the extent of the outbreak in the country.

Public gatherings, including Friday prayers in Tehran and other cities, have been suspended. The country has also started closing schools while cleaners were instructed to disinfect buses, trains, and public places.

Ongoing U.S. sanctions

The ongoing U.S. sanctions, which have been imposed by President Trump in 2018, have worsened the situation. The country was unprepared for the return of the sanctions, with its economy thriving to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.

With supplies running out and increasing consumer prices, residents find it hard to make ends meet. With a weakened economy and struggling government, the country is now striving to survive the worst outbreak it has experienced. Though Tehran has received assistance from China and the WHO to battle the coronavirus, the country still faces a huge predicament in stemming the rapid spread of COVID-19.

The U.S. sanctions, a pummeled economy, and isolation from other countries may have contributed to the countrys mismanagement of the health crisis.
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) today announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art Factory Distribution Center (FDC) adjacent to its existing manufacturing plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The existing plant produces freestanding and slide-in ranges under the Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid and JennAir brands.

Whirlpool's $55 million investment in the new FDC, an 800,000 square foot facility, will approximately double the size of its footprint in Tulsa. The investment will support increased production capacity in the plant and improve efficiencies within the company's existing supply chain across North America, helping Whirlpool to continue to deliver products to its growing customer base.

The opening of the FDC will also support the creation of an estimated 150 additional manufacturing jobs within the plant in addition to the existing workforce of 1,710.

"This is an important day for Whirlpool Corporation and further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to American manufacturing," said Jim Keppler, Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain and Quality, North America Region at Whirlpool Corporation. "It represents not only an investment in the men and women of the Tulsa plant and FDC and surrounding communities, but also in the many others who assemble appliances at our eight additional U.S. manufacturing plants. We are proud to employ more U.S. appliance manufacturing employees than any other U.S.-based appliance manufacturer, and this investment is consistent with our leadership position in the industry."

The state-of-the art distribution center features a number of smart technology investments, including:

A climate control system that regulates and maintains a consistent temperature and humidity profile within the warehouse to provide for an optimal working and product storage environment

Innovative dock loading equipment that will create safer loading practices for operators while providing ergonomic and efficiency benefits

Advanced conveyor equipment that will optimally distribute inventory, decreasing potential damage

New information systems which will enable best in class inventory control, provide real time information and contribute to warehouse labor efficiency.

The new distribution facility is expected to be LEED certified, underscoring Whirlpool's continued efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainability.

"This new Factory Distribution Center represents a decades-long partnership between Whirlpool Corporation and northeast Oklahoma," said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. "Whirlpool Corporation's addition of high-quality jobs will have a positive ripple effect across the entire region's manufacturing industry. This expansion positions Tulsa Operations for future success, and we at the Chamber look forward to a continued partnership with the company."

About Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the leading major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 77,000 employees and 59 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2019. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

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OPEC and non-OPEC allies failed on Friday to agree on how much oil production to cut amid the coronavirus outbreak, with Russia reportedly refusing to give the green light to the deepest supply cuts since the global financial crisis.

Oil prices initially slipped Friday afternoon on reports that Moscow said it wasn't prepared to approve a further reduction in production. Later, Reuters also reported that OPEC and its allies had even failed to agree on rolling over existing cuts, further weighing on crude prices. Then a statement by the oil group said it would continue discussions and made no mention of any cuts.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters leaving the meetings in Vienna on Friday that it meant that members could now pump what they liked starting April 1.

"We have made this decision because no consensus has been found of how all the 24 countries should simultaneously react to the current situation. So as from April 1, we are starting to work without minding the quotas or reductions which were in place earlier but this does not mean that each country would not monitor and analyse market developments," he said.

International benchmark Brent crude skidded to $45.46 Friday afternoon, down over 8%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate sank to $41.93, also around 8% lower. Both benchmarks were trading at lows not seen since 2017.

Brent futures have fallen more than 30% since climbing to an early January peak, with WTI down almost one-third over the period.

OPEC on Thursday recommended additional production cuts of 1.5 million barrels per day from the beginning of next month until the end of the year. The 14-member group had scheduled a meeting on June 9 to review the policy.

The proposal was conditional on support from non-OPEC producers, including Russia. OPEC cautioned that the deal could only be applied on a pro-rata basis with core members set to cut 1 million bpd and non-OPEC partners expected to cut 500,000 bpd.

Analysts had viewed the meeting between OPEC members and non-OPEC producers, referred to as OPEC+, as crucial.

"It is truly a go big or go home moment for this organization," Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC, told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Friday morning. "If Russia says no today, there are real questions about the viability of the OPEC+ arrangement."
New Delhi, March 6 : The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 amid the uproar by the opposition members over the last week's Delhi violence.

The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi for consideration and passing. The Bill was passed amid uproar by the opposition members demanding immediate discussion on last week Delhi violence, in which at least 52 people have died and over 263 injured. The Bill seeks amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and to amend the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.

The Bill was passed without discussion amid uproar by opposition members in the House. The Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the last week Delhi riots immediately. The government has said that it was ready to discuss the Delhi riots on March 11 in the Lower House.

This is the second Bill which has been passed in the Lok Sabha this week. Earlier, "Vivad se Vishwas Bill" was passed in the Lok Sabha amid the din.
A Japanese businessman living in Siem Reap tested positive for the novel coronavirus after he reported symptoms and was tested in Nagoya, Japan, triggering the Cambodian Ministry of Health to put 44 people in isolation.

Four individuals  three Cambodians and one Japanese  who worked with the Japanese national in Siem Reap were immediately put in isolation and samples taken to test for COVID-19, said Siem Reap Health Department chief Kros Sarath.

They came to our office and then we sent our team to disinfect their workplace, Sarath said. We also brought in the four staffers who have worked with the man for the past two days to keep in isolation.

Additionally, forty other people, who likely came in contact with the man, are also in isolation, said Health Ministry spokesperson Ly Sovann.

We have separated them from their family and are keeping a check on their health. If they show symptoms, we will test [them] immediately, he said, adding that they were not exhibiting any symptoms of the viral pneumonia yet.

Ly Sovann asked anyone experiencing symptoms to immediately call the 115 health hotline to prevent further spread of the virus.

Provincial Governor Tea Seiha said that the infected individual lived in Siem Reap and was a businessman working out of the temple town.

The man was tested after arriving at the Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, according to a statement from the Cambodian embassy in Japan. The statement added that the man was on a flight to Nagoya, Japan, with a transit stop in Ho Chi Minh City, and said that he had also travelled to the Philippines in the last two weeks.

Siem Reap health officials Kros Sarath provided additional details about the Japanese mans activities in Siem Reap. The 40-year-old man stayed in a rental room by himself and met his Japanese staffer on March 1 and three Cambodian colleagues on March 2.

The man, Sarath said, did get to a local clinic for a checkup for the flu on March 3. Sarath was unclear of the diagnosis or the clinic in questions, only to add that the Japanese man was worried he was sick and booked flights to Nagoya, where he then tested positive for COVID-19.

The Cambodian government has so far maintained that there has been only one confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, despite concerns domestically about the efficiency of its screening and monitoring mechanisms.

This week, the prime minister asked his government to prepare for the COVID-19 outbreak, which has now spread to more than 70 countries and infected close to 100,000 people globally.

Hun Sen asked for ministries to cut their capital expenditure by half, calling for no cuts to government salaries, with the Finance Ministry setting aside $30 million to deal with the epidemic.

Hun Sens announcements were in stark contrast to his earlier attempts to downplay the viral outbreak, where he even traveled to China to meet Chinese Premiere Xi Jinping and express his solidarity.
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - Benin will reclaim land previously allocated to the former Benin/Niger Common Organization of Railways (OCBN), official sources in Cotonou said on Friday
Nirbhayas killers have resigned to their fate that they will hang on March 20

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: The last days for a death convict are probably the worst. Not only do they await they death, knowing the exact date and time, but these final moments are also meant for them to reflect on the crime they have committed.

In the case of the Nirbhaya's killers, the scenario is no different. They are extremely restless and vulnerable, a Tihar Jail official told OneIndia. What has added to their anxiety is the numerous petitions they have filed with a specific intention of delaying the hanging.

All these days they have been extremely restless and anxious, but after the order of the Delhi court on Thursday, it has dawned upon them, they are closer now to the gallows. The two convicts Pawan and Akshay still have the option to challenge the rejection of their mercy petitions before the Supreme Court. The court had heard similar petitions by Vinay and Akshay, but had rejected it almost immediately. Hence these final two legal options may not stand in the way of the March 20 hangings.

Nirbhayas killers to hang: Wait, there are two minor legal hurdles left

The jail official cited above said that when they heard about the date of the hanging, they were calm.

They are no longer restless as it has now dawned upon them that they have run out of options, the official also said. They resigned to their fate immediately after the order and date of hanging was conveyed to them, the official said.

Prior to this they were restlessness and aggressive. Vinay was the most anxious and would pace up and down his condemned cell. Vinay incidentally has received the maximum punishments for violating rules inside the jail for the past seven years. He has received 11 punishments till date for not following the rules. Pawan and Mukesh have received 8 and three respectively, while Akshay has been slapped with one.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

Officials meet with these convicts regularly to ensure that they are in the right mental state, before they are hanged. In prison, the four have been carrying out jobs and they have been paid for the same.

Explained: The mockery of justice in the Nirbhaya case

Vinay has earned Rs 39,000, Akshay Rs 69,000 and Pawan Rs 29,000 while Mukesh did not involve himself in any work, they said. None of them have named the beneficiary for the amount. After their hanging, the amount will be handed over to their families.

The convicts have the option of meeting their families before the hanging. However none of them have as of now conveyed their wish to meet with their parents.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 17:46 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068d5504 1 Food Ubud-Food-Festival,Ubud,food,travel,festival,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19 Free

The annual culinary event the Ubud Food Festival (UFF) that was scheduled for April 17 - 19, has been postponed to June 26 - 28 due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

"The safety and health of festival-goers, speakers, vendors, staff, volunteers and people of Ubud is our top priority," said organizer Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati in a statement received by The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The foundation said it did not have the capacity to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in such a large festival gathering. "With travelers now being advised not to travel to Bali, this is also jeopardizing the festivals sustainability," it added.

Meanwhile UFF founder and director Janet DeNeefe in the statement praised participating chefs and speakers for their overwhelming support and assistance over the decision. "Well continue to follow the news surrounding this topic to ensure we present a safe and fun festival.

A new program and full lineup are set to be announced soon, said the organizer. Ticket holders will also be given the option of refunds or keeping the sum as a deposit for the UFF in June.

Established in 2015, the UFF consistently promotes Indonesia's diverse cuisine during its three-day cross-cultural culinary event with the help of inspiring chefs and local produce.

Other than the UFF, Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati is also the organizer of two other Bali-based events, namely the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival and Bali Emerging Voices Program. (kes)
Several Turkish journalists have been detained for their reporting on governments military campaign in Libya where Ankara backs the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

Baris Terkoglu, from the anti-government online news website OdaTV, was detained Thursday allegedly in connection with a report about a Turkish intelligence officer who was killed in Libya, Arab News reports.

Another journalist, Hulya Kilinc, is also locked after she reportedly published the name of the Turkish intelligence officer killed last month in Libya.

Turkey is engaged militarily in Libya, providing logistical, tactical and fighter support to the GNA in its resistance to rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar who launched in April last year a military offensive to seize capital Tripoli.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted the loss of some Turkish forces in Libya but claimed that the forces managed to inflict losses to Haftar forces.

We have several martyrs, but in return we neutralized nearly 100 legionaries, Erdogan said during a speech on Feb. 22.

Terkoglu, accused of illegally obtaining and distributing documents related to intelligence activities, faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.

Freedom of press watchdogs have condemned the harassment of journalists. Ozgur Ogret, a Turkish representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists argues that the arrests are aiming at silencing the criticism of governments military campaigns abroad.

Turkey is trying to control the narrative of its military actions in Syria and Libya so hard that even the journalists who report about or comment on things that are public knowledge are being prosecuted, Ozgur told Arab News.

The only way of controlling the narrative was to intimidate the media in the hope that journalists would self-censor, he also told the Saudi media.
Both Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden would quickly abandon their hostility to Saudi Arabia if they became president, the countrys ambassador to the United States has predicted.

The two Democratic contenders have been critical of Americas close alliance with the oil-rich nation during the campaign.

But Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud shrugged off their remarks and said her government tended to find whoever was in the White House was happy to work with them.

I've always found that, many times, once a president gets to the White House, when they see a 360 [degree] effect, opinions can change," the ambassador told the AP news agency.

And so I will never comment on an election  it's not our place  but I look forward to working with whoever's in the White House.

During a debate in November, Mr Biden said he would stop selling arms to the Saudis, accusing the Gulf kingdom of murdering children in its long and bloody intervention in Yemens civil war.

There is very little social redeeming value in the present government in Saudi Arabia, the former vice-president said, marking a clear divide with the policy of Barack Obamas administration, which worked closely with Saudi Arabia.

We were going to in fact make them pay the price, and make them in fact the pariah that they are.

Last month, Mr Bidens main rival for the Democratic nomination, Mr Sanders, described the regime in Riyadh as murderous thugs.

Recommended Dominic Raab urged to end Saudi Arabia arms sales during Riyadh trip

"For years, we have loved Saudi Arabia - our wonderful ally. The only problem is, the people who run that country are murderous thugs," he said during a broadcast on CNN.

Instead of cosying up to the billionaire dictator of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the US should instead be trying to get the Saudis and Iranians around a table to bring an end to their endless proxy wars across the Middle East, he argued.

During an earlier debate, the progressive senator from Vermont also accused Saudi Arabia of treating women as third-class citizens.

But Princess Reema insisted change was afoot back home, ahead of International Womens Day on Sunday.

 Washington Post columnist calls Trump a 'spokesperson for Saudi Arabia'

If I want to be a thriving nation, if I want to be a thriving state, if I want to be a global player, certain things must happen, she said.

And the focus on women's rights in my country is not because somebody on the outside told us, You must so this. It's because 50 per cent of our community, if you'd like a thriving economy, must participate.

A royal decree last year abolished rules which forbade women from travelling abroad or owning a passport without a guardians permission. Women have also been allowed to drive cars for the first time and take part in mixed-gender gathering as well.

However, human rights experts say there are still plenty of mechanisms remaining in Saudi law for abusive fathers and husbands to exert control over their wives and daughters.
TORONTO, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unisync Corp. (Unisync)(TSX:"UNI") is pleased to announce that it will be featured in a BTV-Business Television series to be aired on BNN-Bloomberg and Bell Express Vu at 5:00pm PST on Saturday, March 7th and at 1:30pm PST on Sunday, March 8th.



The feature will also be available on Air Canada Seatback television on the Business Channel and will be aired Nationally in the US on the Biz Television Network on Sunday, March 15th @ 5:30am, 6:00pm & 9:00pm PST and on Tuesday, March 17th @ 5:00pm & 8:00pm PST. The video can be accessed by clicking the following link: https://www.b-tv.com/unisync-a-leading-provider-of-corporate-apparel-company-feature-ep-347/ .

BTV-Business Television is Canada's longest running business show. With Hosts Taylor Thoen and Jessica Katrichak, BTV features emerging companies across the country to bring investment opportunities to everyday people. The Unisync feature is also available on the BTV homepage at: www.b-tv.com .

ABOUT UNISYNC

Unisync is a broad-based vertically integrated North American enterprise with exceptional capabilities in garment design, domestic manufacturing, and off-shore outsourcing, including state-of-the-art web based B2B ordering, distribution, and program management systems. Unisync operates through two business units: UGL and Peerless.

UGL provides full-service, managed apparel programs for major corporations and government-related entities through operations across Canada and has expanded into the US marketplace through the establishment of a 45,000 sq. ft. distribution and service facility in Henderson, Nevada, and a sales and service facility in Lakewood, New Jersey. The Nevada facility is now staffed and distributing new uniforms for the launch of its first major US based airline account which is currently rolling out its new designs to employees. UGLs customer base includes a broad list of North American iconic brands as well as municipal and provincial agencies across Canada.



Winnipeg based Peerless specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of highly technical protective garments, military operational clothing, and accessories for a broad spectrum of Federal, Provincial and Municipal government agencies in Canada.

Story continues

For more information on our capabilities, products and services, please visit our website at www.unisyncgroup.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Matthew Graham, CEO
In this June 24, 2016, file photo, Dusty Hill, left, and Billy Gibbons from the rock band ZZ Top perform at the Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm, in Somerset, England. Photo: Jonathan Short, INVL / AP Photo: Jonathan Short, INVL / AP

When ZZ Top came blazing out of Texas in the mid-70s, the Village Voice turned up its nose, likening the trios sound to hammered [expletive].

Actor, musician, and grade-A oddball Billy Bob Thornton sees it a little differently. It was like seeing Bugs Bunny in person, says the longtime fan.

ZZ Top has been part of the scenery for so long in this part of the world that its easy to forget how exotic they once came across to the rest of the globe. Added to Netflix this month, the 2018 documentary ZZ Top: That Lil Ol Band from Texas peers (barely) beyond the beards to investigate Billy F Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hills enduring mystique.

Its a lot more than just Mexican blackbirds and cheap sunglasses, though. To its credit, director Sam Dunns 90-minute film  as no-frills, straightforward, and entertaining as the average ZZ Top song  knows better than to expect a great deal of introspection from a band so capable of letting their music do most of the talking.

I have found the people that I want to play with, and I found that at a very early age, drummer Frank Beard says as Dunn is starting to wrap things up. Im still satisfied with them.

More Information 'ZZ Top: That Lil' Ol' Band from Texas' Unrated Running time: 91 minutes Where: Streaming on Netflix **** (out of 5)

Lil Ol Band from Texas opens with a collage of rural Texas scenery  falling-down barns, a Texas flag, gas stations, railroad tracks  before picking up a jet-black hot rod heading down a country road. The car pulls up in front of Gruene Hall, and ZZ Top heads inside to jam inside the hallowed Hill Country venue.

Interspersed with interviews and miles of vintage footage, this mini-concert of foundational tracks like La Grange and Brown Sugar makes the documentary worth watching even for ZZ aficionados: their singular chemistry is as bracing and potent as ever. A handful of todays top modern rockers, including Queens of the Stone Ages Josh Homme and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, happily profess their admiration.

They painted this picture of Texas which was totally exotic, adds Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons, who happened upon his mothers copy of 1973s Tres Hombres at age 15. It was an unimaginable world, totally alien from where I was from in London.

ZZ Top did not spring from a vacuum, though, but the heady Texas psych-rock scene inspired by Austins Thirteenth Floor Elevators. The early moments of Dunns documentary feature a wealth of footage from pre-ZZ groups the Warlocks, American Blues, and Houstons Moving Sidewalks, who toured briefly with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Gibbons once impressed the guitar god by playing Foxy Lady shortly before the Experience was due onstage.

I like youyouve got a lot of nerve, Hendrix told his young acolyte.

Further enlivening Dunns documentary are animated sequences that reconstruct the bands interactions with Bill Ham, their enigmatic and detail-oriented manager who passed away in 2016. Under his direction, the Texas trio eventually made it big through a combination of incessant touring  once playing for an audience of one in Alvin, south of Houston, and buying the man a Coke to thank him for staying  and high-profile lucky breaks.

The venerable Memphis Blues Festival booked them before the promoter realized ZZ Top was actually three white guys. Upon finding out he put them on last, thinking the audience would have left by then. No one did, and they killed. After La Grange became a hit, the Rolling Stones asked the band to open three shows in Honolulu; Gibbons recalls freaking out upon realizing their cowboy clothes screamed country band to the audience.

But ZZs high-octane sound easily won them over too.

Although it continues through patches of burnout  Beard is exceedingly candid, if brief, when discussing his addictions  and the Eliminator videos that made the trio international superstars, the zenith of Lil Ol Band from Texas is probably the Worldwide Texas tour, an undertaking so audacious even media outlets like the Village Voice couldnt ignore it.

Before Dallas and Urban Cowboy made Texas semi-chic to the rest of the U.S., semi trailers painted with Lone Star landscapes rolled across America for a solid year and a half. Sharing the 75-foot, Texas-shaped stage with ZZ Top was a frontier-show menagerie that included bison, a longhorn steer, rattlesnakes, javelinas, and a pair of buzzards who took a special interest in Frank Beard.

If I was playing a slow blues they would get very interested in me, the drummer recalls. Like, is he dead?

Chris Gray is a Houston-based writer.
UPS Manager Continues Punishing Drivers for Prayer Meetings

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

March 6, 2020



MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., March 6, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ -- In spite of scrutiny, the United Parcel Service (UPS) Myrtle Beach, SC Center manager is now retaliating against employees who sought to voluntarily pray together before work, in the form of strict application of work "rules" and harassment, in response to attention over the prayer meetings.

After Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter on February 12 to UPS stating that drivers' prayer meetings must be allowed again, and any participating drivers who have been fired must be reinstated, the parcel service stated that Center Manager Steve Keller would hold a "Prework Communication Meeting" (PCM) to confirm the employees' right to pray. One driver represented by Liberty Counsel has been rehired.

According to one driver, a PCM finally occurred yesterday in which Keller read "a scripted letter stating UPS does not discriminate against people's religious freedom off the clock and we are all to follow safety protocols when meeting on the yard." Meanwhile, Keller continues to harass the employees for complaining about his mistreatment of them for exercising their right to pray before work.

In July 2019, approximately 40 UPS drivers started voluntarily praying together each morning in the parking lot prior to their shifts. The group has since grown to between 50 and 60 drivers. Employees initially reported to Liberty Counsel that Keller told a driver on January 16, 2020 that the drivers "cannot pray anymore on company property because someone else may feel discriminated against." Then, on January 20, Keller told a second driver that the drivers "could no longer pray on company property because it violates others' religious rights." The following week, the drivers met, but did not pray. Some bowed their heads in a simple moment of silence. Since then, several drivers with many years' experience who regularly participated in the prayer meetings were fired for what appears to be pretextual reasons.



In response to media calls, UPS sent out a statement which said: "We have investigated the claims made by Liberty Counsel in their letter to UPS. We believe there is a misunderstanding and we have reached out to them to clarify the situation regarding employees at our site. UPS employees are permitted to assemble before they start work as long as they follow truck yard safety and conduct rules. No employees have been disciplined in connection with assembly to pray prior to their shift. We look forward to clarifying this situation with Liberty Counsel and our employees at the site."

Other UPS employees have contacted Liberty Counsel to share their experiences. For example, Randy Lankford is a pastor and former UPS employee who drove a truck for 28 years. Lankford confirmed the South Carolina drivers' account regarding Keller. Lankford related that the drivers at the Monroe, NC center started a devotional / prayer time every morning in 2013 before work "to help their morale and calm the chaos that we deal with in many of the drivers' lives. We always did it on our time, never on company time. This is when the harassment and bullying by Steve Keller started," said Lankford.

"Steve Keller would tell us (or me, because I was running the devotional every morning) that we could not have prayer time and a devotion of our own meeting before work. So I went to the center manager and he told Keller that we could meet. Then Keller decided to start bullying and harassing drivers and especially where we could meet to have devotion. He moved it four times," said Lankford.

Lankford then contacted the division manager who confirmed that drivers were allowed to have their meeting before work. However, Keller, who was an on-car supervisor at the time, only increased the harassment. Lankford said he never regrets starting a devotion and prayer time for the drivers before work because, "It changed men's attitudes, men's lives and the trash talk in locker room. We helped men deal with family issues. We even saw some men on the belt where they load the trucks, come to faith in Christ. They started their own devotion and prayer time as well."

However, the continuous harassment from Keller that Lankford faced seriously affected his health.

Lankford said, "A normal on-car supervisor rides with a driver around three times a year. Steve Keller rode with me 13 times in one month. I raised this issue with the union many times and spoke with our center manager about the harassment and intimidation. It fell on deaf ears. Nothing was done. The more you complained about Steve Keller, the more vindictive he became. This went on for probably one year.

One day in 2014, Steve got on the truck and he was out for blood. He was there for one reason, and that was to fire me. To make it short, let me put it this way. I would normally deliver 60 stops before 3:00 p.m. We were arguing from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon about every detail about how I was working. It was plain harassment, and it caused me to be so stressed that I thought I was having a heart attack. At 3:00 p.m., Steve Keller took me to the hospital, because I thought that I was having a heart attack. At that time, I had only delivered 18 stops. My last day at UPS, after delivering for 28 years, ended in the hospital in Matthews, NC, because of Steve Keller's harassment."

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Employees at UPS and elsewhere are allowed by law to voluntarily read the Bible, pray together, or discuss spiritual matters before their shifts begin for the day, during their lunch breaks or during any other off-the-clock time when they may otherwise read or discuss secular topics. Managers are forbidden from harassing their employees for exercising their religious freedom rights. UPS should take action upon these reports of what appear to be a pattern and practice of retaliation by a vindictive manager," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



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lc.org/


Bollywood actor Kajol, who married co-star Ajay Devgn on February 24, 1999, has revealed she tricked paparazzi to make sure they did not reach the right venue.

A Mumbai Mirror report quoted Kajol as saying, If I didnt disclose the venue, they would have dug out the information from somewhere else. I thought Id give them a wrong address so they would stop looking for it. She was speaking during her visit to The Kapil Sharma Show, the report added.

The couple began dating in 1994 during the filming of their film, Gundaraaj. We never resorted to the usual I Love You routine. A proposal never happened. We grew with each other. Marriage was never discussed, but it was always imminent, Ajay had said earlier.

Also read: Kapil Sharma, Ginni Chatraths little daughter Anayra is adorable, see new pics here

As per the tabloid, Kajol also told comedian-actor Kapil Sharma that she has made blankets and T-shirts for her kids Nysa and Yug. I love knitting stuff for my family, especially the crochet knit. I had made blankets and T-shirts for my children Nysa and Yug in their childhood. I have also made two T-shirts for Ajay and a long jacket for my sister (Tanisha) as well, she said.

Talking about how they met and fell in love, Kajol recently told Humans of Bombay she was talking about him behind his back the first time she saw him. We met 25 years ago, on the sets of HulchulI was ready for the shot & asked, Wheres my hero? Someone pointed him outhe was broodily sitting in a corner. So 10 minutes before I met him, I bitched about him! We began talking on set & became friends, she said.

Talking about her husband, Kajol had recently told Hindustan Times in an interview, I actually know all three versions of him, and I married all three of them. Hes not too different from how I imagined him to be. In fact, all three versions of him were created in front of me. Weve been married for 20 years, which is a long time. When I married him, he wasnt a producer then, at least not to this extent.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The CPI(M) and opposition Congress in Kerala on Friday slammed the Centre for suspending the broadcast of two Malayalam channels over their coverage of violence in northeast Delhi with the ruling party terming it as "heinous attempt" to threaten the media.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry ordered the suspension of the broadcast of Asianet TV and Media One for 48 hours, holding that the coverage was in violation of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Criticising the centre's action, state secretary of CPI- M, heading the ruling LDF, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that it was a "heinous attempt" to threaten the media and bring them under their control.

"This type of action did not befit a democratic nation", he said in a statement here.

Senior Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the decision to stop the telecast of the two channels for 48 hours by the Narendra Modi government was "unconstitutional" and against the freedom of the press.

"All democratic minds should unite to voice against this fascist decision", he said in a facebook post.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) also condemned the government decision.

"The attempt is to create a situation akin to an undeclared emergency", the KUWJ said in a statement.

This was "an attack on the freedom of the press", it said and announced protest marches would be held in the state on Saturday against the central government's action.

The ministry ordered prohibition of transmission or re- transmission of Media One and Asianet TV for 48 hours on any platform throughout India with effect from 19:30 hrs on March 6 to 19:30 hrs March 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Key indices opened sharply lower taking cues from weak Asian stocks. At 9:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 1184.94 points or 3.08% at 37,285.67. The Nifty 50 index was down 345.30 points or 3.06% at 10,923.70.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 3.70%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 3.14%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 98 shares rose and 1165 shares fell. A total of 33 shares were unchanged.

Stocks in news:

Punjab National Bank fell 5.23%. Oriental Bank of Commerce rose 3.08%. United Bank of India crashed 19.92%. Punjab National Bank (PNB) board approved share exchange ratio for the merger with Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India. Accordingly share swap ratio will be 1150 equity shares of Rs 2 each of PNB for every 1000 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Oriental Bank of Commerce and 121 equity shares of Rs 2 each of PNB for every 1000 equity shares of Rs 10 each of United Bank of India.

Union Bank of India shed 4.57%. Andhra Bank slumped 6.80%. Corporation Bank crashed 18.90%. Union Bank has approved the share exchange ratio for a merger with Andhra Bank & Corporation Bank. Share swap ratio, as per the filing stands at 325 shares of Union Bank for every 1,000 shares of Andhra Bank & 330 shares of Union Bank of India for every 1,000 shares of Corporation Bank.

State Bank of India (SBI) dived 7.20%. SBI said that the matter regarding buying stake in Yes Bank was discussed at the meeting of the central board of the bank on 5 March 2020 and an in-principle approval has been given by the board to explore investment opportunity in the bank.

Yes Bank crashed 14.93%. Yes Bank was placed under a "moratorium" late yesterday (5 March 2020), with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping depositor withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding the board with immediate effect. RBI assured the depositors of the bank that their interest will be fully protected and there is no need to panic.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories was down 1.47%. Dr Reddy's Laboratories said USFDA has issued Form 483 with 3 observations for API manufacturing plant at Miryalaguda, Telangana.

Mahindra & Mahindra was down 4.28%. Mahindra & Mahindra said its production fell 55.96% to 25,643 units in February 2020 from 58,231 units in February 2019. Sales declined 43.02% to 30,083 units in February 2020 from 52,799 units in February 2019.

Lupin fell 1.20%. Lupin has launched the authorized generic for Horizon Therapeutics PLC's Vimovo in the US market, which is used for the treatment of arthritis & gastric ulcers.

Global Markets:

Overseas, Asian stocks were trading sharply lower on Friday following another Wall Street rout as disruptions to global business from the coronavirus beyond China worsened, stoking fears of a prolonged world economic slowdown.

In US, stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday as anxieties about the worldwide spread of COVID-19 lingered and concerns about the ability of governments to control the impact of the disease on their economies sent the benchmark US Treasury note yield to a fresh all-time low.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Blockchain Industry picking up pace in South America

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Bitwings & Evan Luthra took the South American Blockchain industry like a storm in the second week of February through a series of events. The events were focused on educating and onboarding blockchain enthusiasts from South American countries like Colombia, Peru & Mexico. Thousands of attendees hailing from industries like finance, banking, insurance, software & mobile technology were present. The entire series of events were sold out within hours of tickets being available which was a first in South American Blockchain industry activities.

Dr. Evan Luthra is a millionaire angel investor and Ph.D. in blockchain who is also the CTO for Bitwings. Evan played the role of keynote speaker and shared his experience, knowledge & vision. The Q&A sessions after speeches were filled with questions about the latest innovations & applications of blockchain technology which are coming to light after Facebook's Libra. Evan is at the helm of marketing and investor relations at Bitwings taking the organization globally.

As per Evan - "I am part of the project because the vision shared by Bitwings to provide security with transparency is unique in its approach. They are not primarily about making money like many other crypto projects that we have seen, instead they are creating an entire ecosystem for benefitting the common man with the power of blockchain."

The Bitwings team shared the insights about their exclusive products developed for next level utilization of blockchain technology. Bitwings boasts about their own cryptocurrency token which is available for investment and purchase right now. Their portfolio also includes 'Minephone WX' smartphones & 'X Book' laptops.

The Minephone is a unique smartphone designed to bring the security & value of blockchain in the palm of a common man, not only it can mine 2 Ethereum per month but also has valuable features like SAFE CORE OS, Triple Factor Authentication, E-wallet built-in hardware Cold Storage & neural technology.

Story continues

The 'X Book' on the other hand is a laptop with integrated blockchain features such as WINGS SAFE CORE, WINGS NEURAL FACE ID , WINGS GUARDIAN 2.0, WINGS PAY E-WALLET , WINGS SECURE CALL, WINGS PLAY STORE, WINGS SECOND NUMBER, WINGS WORLD ROAMING FREE, WINGS VOIP CALL, WINGS DIALER

All these features on X Book and Minephone WX are proprietary & trademarked by Bitwings. The team plans to raise global awareness through professional events & mass media to educate organizations, professionals & the final users about the value of exclusive proprietary products devised by the team.

About Dr Evan Luthra - Evan is a technopreneur and angel investor. Through his incubator program named StartupStudio.online, he funds projects from global founders. He has a vast portfolio of smartphone apps developed by his team under his supervision. He obtained honorary Ph.D. in Blockchain & is guiding growth & success of blockchain projects like GL Brain, Crescent & Bitwings.

About Bitwings - Bitwings is an organization working towards utilizing blockchain technology to provide solutions for modern connected world problems such as security, privacy, transparency and value exchange. They have devised an entire ecosystem comprising of devices, operating system, wallet & crypto token which covers the full-scale solutions, unlike any other blockchain solution provider.

About Wings Mobile - Wings Mobile is a Spanish virtual mobile operator that began operations in 2007. They are dedicated to research and development of innovative software, smartphones, and laptops. Wings mobile acquired a new direction and vision after the advent of bitcoin and blockchain technology. In 2017, the company received the ALCI AWARD for Best Technological Design' for its blockchain-based smartphones designed for the innovative application, security, affordability & privacy.

Media Contact

Name: Ashish Thakur

Email Id: Hello@StartupStudio.online

SOURCE: EL Group International





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/578786/Evan-Luthra-Bitwings-Conquer-the-South-American-Blockchain-Scene




Hossein Sheikholeslam.

TRT World Now/YouTube

Hossein Sheikholeslam, an Iranian diplomat and former ambassador to Syria, died Thursday from a coronavirus infection, according to the state news agency Fars.

Sheikholeslam's death comes amid reports that 8% of Iran's parliament has been infected.

Iran has barred government officials from traveling, and parliament has been suspended indefinitely.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Another senior Iranian politician has died of the coronavirus amid reports that 8% of the country's parliament has been infected.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, a diplomat and the country's former ambassador to Syria, died Thursday, according to state news agency Fars. Sheikholeslam worked as an adviser to Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Sheikholeslam studied at the University of California, Berkeley, before the Islamic Revolution and later interrogated US Embassy staff members during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979.

Eight percent of Iran's parliament has been infected with the coronavirus, including the deputy health minister and one of the vice presidents, according to CNN. Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a senior adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in a hospital on Monday, a state-affiliated media organization said.

Tehran, Iran's capital, subsequently barred government officials from traveling, and parliament has been suspended indefinitely.

As of Thursday, about 3,500 Iranians have been infected, and 107 have died from the disease, according to government officials, but the true totals are suspected to be higher.

Iran, along with China, is believed to be underreporting the rate of deaths and infections as it struggles to deal with the health crisis. Iran and Italy have the highest death tolls outside China, where over 3,000 people have died from the disease.

Iran has taken several measures to address growing concerns about the coronavirus, including temporarily releasing 54,000 prisoners from crowded jails.

Story continues

The US State Department has offered assistance to Iran, but the country did not appear to be receptive.

"We have made offers to the Islamic Republic of Iran to help," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told lawmakers last week. "And we've made it clear to others around the world and in the region that assistance, humanitarian assistance, to push back against the coronavirus in Iran is something the United States of America fully supports."

Iran responded to the aid by saying it would "neither count on such help nor are we ready to accept verbal help," according to NBC News correspondent Ali Arouzi.

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denounced as "reckless" a ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan could go ahead.

This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body, Pompeo said on March 5 following the ICC judges decision to overturn on appeal a previous decision to block the probe into crimes allegedly committed by the Taliban, Afghan security forces, and the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

The ruling by the ICCs Appeals Chamber in The Hague came days after the United States and the Taliban signed a deal aimed at putting an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal on Afghanistan -- the best chance for peace in a generation, Pompeo said in his statement.

He said the United States, which is not a party to the ICC, will take all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade, so-called court.

Afghanistan is a signatory of the ICC but officials have expressed opposition to the investigation.

Human rights groups welcomed the Appeals Chambers decision, with Amnesty International saying: This is an historic moment where the International Criminal Court has reversed a terrible mistake and decided to stand by the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides to the conflict in Afghanistan."

In November 2017, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges to initiate an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since May 2003.

But in April 2019, an ICC pretrial chamber rejected the inquiry as not being in the interests of justice because it would likely fail due to lack of cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed this ruling, which was condemned by victims and rights groups, calling it "a major international victoryfor the rule of law."

Judge Piotr Hofmanski, president of the ICC's Appeals Chamber, said in rendering the March 5 judgment that the pretrial chamber erred in deciding that investigation into the situation in Afghanistan in this stage would not serve the interest of justice."

The Appeals Chamber considers it appropriate to amend the appeal decision to the effect that the prosecutor is authorized to commence an investigation," Hofmanski said.

After the announcement, Solomon Sacco of Amnesty International said the ICC represents the first true hope of justice for the victims of conflict, who have been shamefully ignored for years.

Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: "Afghans who are skeptical about whether the U.S.-Taliban agreement and planned intra-Afghan peace talks can deliver a better future, now have reason to believe that justice might not be squandered in the process."

Washington has said it would revoke or deny visas to ICC staff seeking to investigate the allegations of abuses.



The United States is among dozens of countries that have not ratified the Rome treaty that established the ICC in 2002.



U.S. forces and other foreign troops intervened in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and overthrew the Taliban government.



There are roughly 13,000 U.S. troops in the country, as well as European forces participating in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.



More than 32,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict, according to the United Nations.
Coral ambassador discusses his Festival preparations and rides

The loss of Sandowns Imperial Cup card will be a blow to connections of runners who needed to win to book their place at the Festival.

We all hate missing out on the chance of a winner, but in terms of our match fitness if you like, an extra day or two off wont make any difference to how we go into Cheltenham week.

For me, it means I can spend some time with the girls, which is a bonus, ahead of what is the biggest, most important four days of the year.

I do still feel the butterflies when I walk into the course on Tuesday morning, and Im certainly excited by it.

Riding a winner here is not easy, it matters so much to everyone involved, but as one of the senior members of the weighing room now, I definitely have a different focus than I did as a younger rider.

There are less doubts, I know Ive proved myself here, and I can approach the meeting knowing exactly what to expect.

I also have a set routine each day now, were kept nice and busy which does help, gives me less time to think about what could go wrong!

Ill come in, walk the course, then visit the Pipes marquee, the Coral box, and with those commitments met, its back to the weighing room.

Theres a special buzz around the weighing room as well, its the one time of the year when the lads from Ireland are over, some of the Northern-based lads who we dont see much of are there.

Its busy, theres lots going on, but it all adds to the feeling that this is a special week.

Looking ahead to some of my rides, I have to start with Israel Champ in the Bumper. I had a difficult choice to make here, as Panic Attack has obviously joined Daves [Pipe] team, shell get the mares allowance which will clearly be a huge advantage.

However, the feeling Israel Champ gave me at Ascot last time, winning under a penalty, was something I couldnt dismiss, and it would have been very hard to desert him.

Ramses De Teillee has surprised me this season without doubt. I thought he might win a couple of little novice hurdles, but the manner of his wins at Cheltenham, Doncaster and Haydock mean hes a worthy Albert Bartlett contender now, and its a race that should really suit him.

Finally, one at a bigger price is Night Edition in the Boodles. Like all the handicaps it will be a fiendishly competitive race, but hes got graded form (second in a Cheltenham Grade 2) which you need for these races as the handicap is so condensed, and Im hopeful hell run well.

Tom
Given Mr. Nygards alleged sway in the Bahamas, we were told we needed to be careful.

We switched hotels every few days so no one could track us. A Courtyard Marriott worker insisted that the hotel could not deny I was staying there if someone asked for me by name, so he disguised me as LaKim LaBarker, a pseudonym that seemed like poor tradecraft.

One source would talk to me only in a car; as he drove us through a wooded area, he said, worryingly: Dont worry. Im not going to kill you. People recorded our conversations without telling us. A man with a spoofed phone number (which hid his actual location and number) called my dad, looking for me. No one ever called my dad looking for me.

Mr. Nygard actively tried to shut down the article. He filed a racketeering lawsuit against Mr. Bacon, accusing him of trying to plant a false story with The New York Times. One of his lawyers called the allegations paid-for lies. Mr. Nygards spokesman falsely suggested that I had taken $55,000 funneled through Mr. Bacons foundation. (The so-called evidence: On a public 2016 tax return for the foundations grants, easily printable from the internet, somebody had scrawled BARKER $55K next to a grant for Media Matters.)

Weeks before we first hoped to publish, we doubled down on our interviews, visiting our sources to corroborate their stories and crosschecking for inconsistencies. We found that Mr. Smith and his team had spread more money around than anyone had previously told us; in particular, they had paid two women who had helped find alleged victims.

Reporting was complicated by the fact that Mr. Smith had recently nearly died in a paragliding accident in Italy, and we had to interview him as he recovered in an Italian hospital. At times, he screamed in pain.

Then a reporters worst nightmare happened: Two accusers told us they had been lying all along. They said they had never met Mr. Nygard. They claimed they had been paid to lie  not by Mr. Smith, not by Mr. Bacon, but by a former Nygard employee, Richette Ross, one of the two women who had helped find victims for Mr. Smith. He had paid her the equivalent of $86,000 a year  for her security and to help with another lawsuit against Mr. Nygard, he claimed.

Ms. Ross passed a lie-detector test denying she had paid anyone to lie, the polygraph examiner told us. In December, her Florida lawyer sent me a cease-and-desist letter, threatening to sue if I continued talking about what we had been told.
Japan also voided entry visas that have been issued to Koreans and Chinese and stopped visa-free access. Any new visas are subject to strict limitations.

All visitors to Japan from Korea and China will be quarantined for 14 days starting next week, Tokyo said Thursday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the measures will be implemented "to ease fears caused by coronavirus" in the country.

Any visitors who have lived in Korea's North Gyeongsang Province, which has emerged as a hotbed of coronavirus infections, will be banned.

Passenger planes from Korea can land only at Narita and Kansai airports, and all cruise ships from Korea and China are banned from Japanese ports.

Korea expressed regret, with senior presidential secretary Kim Sang-jo saying the announcement was "extremely regrettable."

The government here will give its official response on Friday.


Only Manipur and Rajasthan sought assistance from the Centre to deal with drought during Kharif 2019 season, while Karnataka has not yet submitted a memorandum in this regard, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Tomar said Manipur and Rajasthan have already submitted memoranda seeking financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Manipur has declared drought in 15 districts, including Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Jiribam, Kamjong, Kakching, among others. The state has 16 districts.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, has declared drought in 4 districts namely Barmer, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, he added.

The State of Karnataka has not submitted any Memorandum seeking financial assistance from NDRF for Kharif 2019 season, Tomar said.

In the eventuality of notified natural calamities, state governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is readily available with them, the minister said.

Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from NDRF, on receipt of memorandum from state governments and in accordance with extant norms and procedures, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In Turkish, there is a saying which can roughly translate as How you will end up on Thursday looks clear enough on Wednesday.

When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his entourage of senior officials headed to Moscow on March 5, their expectation was to achieve a quick cease-fire in Syrias rebel bastion of Idlib. They had expressed this desire the previous day. Many Turkey experts and pundits predicted that Erdogans meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would produce a temporary deal that could be face-saving for Erdogan without Syria having the military gains achieved on the Idlib battlefield reversed in favor of Turkey and its Syrian proxies.

Indeed, this is what happened in Moscow.

By agreeing to rush to Moscow instead of hosting Putin in Istanbul, and after making persistent requests for a meeting with Putin, Erdogan showed a weak hand. On his way to Moscow, he demonstrated that he needed Putin more than the Russian president needed him.

A respected Russian analyst, Dmitri Trenin, put it succinctly. Putin is Russias czar, and Erdogan would like to be Turkeys sultan, but he is not. He always feels insecure and faces serious opposition in his own country. Putin is basically at ease. He is at the top of his country and far more secure than Erdogan, Trenin said.

The video footage of Erdogans reception at the Kremlin was full of unmistakable scenes of humiliation of Turkeys president cum sultan by the czar of Russia. The body language of both leaders was revealing. As Erdogan sat next to Putin, the latter stood up and made a coarse gesture to call members of the Turkish delegation for a handshake. He acted as if he were doing them a favor or gracing them with his attention. The Turkish officials, including the foreign and defense ministers and the countrys spymaster, rushed clumsily toward Putin. They looked more like school kids called by the headmaster. Erdogan, seeing what was happening, stood and walked toward the opposite direction to shake hands with Sergey Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu, Russias foreign and defense ministers.

The most striking humiliation of the Turkish guests appeared in the choreography of the meeting. Footage showed the crowded Turkish delegation standing under an imposing statue of Catherine the Great, the Russian empress who annexed Crimea from Ottoman Turkey in 1783 and defeated the Ottomans several times in the Russo-Turkish wars in 1768-74 and 1787-1792. To add insult to injury, Erdogan was seated next to Putin under a bronze sculpture of Russian soldiers of the fateful Russian-Turkish War that ended in Ottoman Turkeys defeat in 1878.

Al-Monitors Russia editor Maxim Suchkov was quick to observe the symbolism on Twitter, drawing attention to the statue of Catherine the Great and the sculpture of the Russian soldiers who defeated the Ottomans.

For anyone familiar with Putins penchant for symbolism in messaging his politics, the choreography of the Kremlin reception with Erdogan looked very diligently planned to humiliate and impose on him a Syria deal on Russias terms.

Thus came Sochi 2.0, as some like to interpret it, or, with its official title, the additional protocol" to the Sochi memorandum of understanding of Sept. 17, 2018. The protocol's three points are as follows:

Cease all military actions along the line of contact in the Idlib de-escalation area starting from 12:01 a.m. March 6.

A security corridor will be established 6 kilometers (nearly 4 miles) deep to the north and 6 kilometers deep to the south of the M4 highway M4. Specific parameters for the functioning of the security corridor will be agreed upon between the Defense Ministries of the Republic of Turkey and the Russian Federation within seven days.

On March 15, joint Turkish-Russian patrolling will begin along the M4 highway along the settlement of Trumba (2 kilometers [roughly a mile]) west of Saraqeb) to the settlement of Ain al-Havr.

The protocol looks like a replacement for the earlier Sochi memorandums points 3, 5, 6 and 8. They were as follows:

A demilitarized zone 15-20 kilometers (9 to 12 miles) deep in the de-escalation area (Idlib province) will be established.

All radical terrorist groups will be removed from the demilitarized zone by Oct. 15, 2018.

All tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, artillery and mortars belonging to conflicting parties will be withdrawn from the demilitarized zone by Oct. 10, 2018.

Transit traffic on the M4 (Aleppo-Latakia) and M5 (Aleppo-Hama-Damascus) highways will be restored by the end of 2018.

Erdogan could not and did not implement what he had committed himself to in September 2018. Now, at the Kremlin in March 2020, he was imposed upon to accept the facts achieved on the Idlib battlefield by the Russia-backed Syrian regime offensive.

The additional protocol makes no mention at all of the M5 highway and the Turkish observation posts left behind the Syrian lines. It has become a non-issue for Russia and its Damascus ally.

As for the M4, which is still largely under the control of Turkeys Syrian proxies, a security corridor will be established 6 kilometers deep to the north and south of it. This means Turkey has committed itself to remove its proxies from along the M4 highway so that it can be opened to transit traffic. This, in fact, was the eighth point of the 2018 Sochi deal, which has not been implemented thus far and has been the primary objective of the Syrian armys Russian-backed offensive in Idlib.

Commenting on the Erdogan-Putin deal on the Al-Mayadeen channel, Vitaly Naumkin, a former Al-Monitor columnist and an influential figure on Russias Syria policy, said, The Syrian army has achieved its objectives in Idlib by ending the militants control of the M4 and M5 highways.

Al-Masdar al-Arabi, a Syrian media outlet considered as pro-government, made a similar assessment, saying, This agreement ultimately gives the Syrian government what it has wanted for the entire Idlib operation: control of the M-4 and M-5 highways.

And what is the face-saving element for Erdogan in the new deal on Idlib? The cease-fire he was so eager to get. That was enough for Erdogan to market the deal at home as if he got what he wanted to get in Moscow.

The government-controlled Turkish media paid almost no attention to the wording of the Moscow document, which calls for ceasing all military actions along the line of contact. This was a tacit acknowledgment by Turkey that there are new facts on the ground in Idlib that Turkey would not try to reverse. The line of contact is much different than the lines of Sochi 2018.

Erdogan had issued an ultimatum to the Syrian government forces to withdraw to the 2018 boundaries by the end of February, threatening that no heads will remain on their shoulders if they failed to comply. Still, Syrian forces continued to advance.

Contrary to the official propaganda, the Turkish military performance was far from brilliant. There is no doubt that Turkeys drones and heavy artillery inflicted considerable damage to the Syrian militarys capacity. However, in the last 72 hours before the Moscow deal, Turkey lost 10 drones. The Russian daily Izvestia published a map of the Idlib battlefield under the subtitle military adventure and gave the figure as 13. According to the daily, eight of those drones were products of Bayraktar, a company owned by one of Erdogans sons-in-law (the other is the minister of finance in his government).

The battered Syrian government forces needed a break to heal their wounds  and have their arsenal replenished by Russia  but so did Turkey. The loss of drones and human casualties would have been impossible to sustain in the near future. So, a face-saving deal with Putin  albeit ostensibly temporary  is a salvation for Erdogan for a while. Hence, he and his loyalists are in a mood of celebration.

The New York Times quoted veteran Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer as saying that Putin  a former KGB agent who served in East Germany during the Cold War  "has always been a professional recruiter, and his foreign policy boils down to recruiting leaders. Applying his observation to Putins relationship with Erdogan, Felgenhauer said the Russian president has been trying hard to recruit Erdogan and pull Turkey away from the West.

Putin gambled once again with Erdogan and won again.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The article titled Erdogan pushes Aliyev to attack Artsakh: French political scientist published recently in the Russian Realist news agency seems to be coming true.

French political scientist Marcel Pierre said in the article that in line with the Turkish operations in Syria President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also trying to deteriorate the situation in South Caucasus, prompting Azerbaijan to re-launch the military operations in Artsakh, which in its turn will allow him to sit around a negotiation table both with Russia and the OSCE member states.

Today early in the morning the subversive incursion attempt launched by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of an Armenian military position once again confirms the truth of thoughts voiced in the article that Baku is serving Ankaras policy to destabilize the situation in South Caucasus.

Although the Azerbaijani attempt resulted in failure thanks to the literate operations of the Armenian forces, and the adversary was pushed back by suffering losses, the analysis show that that military tour of the adversary has been preceded by an active information outflow. For several days the Azerbaijani media outlets were reporting about the shelling of the Azerbaijani positions. In order to hide their aggressive actions today as well the Azerbaijani media continued spreading fake information according to which the Armenian side has violated the ceasefire regime.

One should not ignore the fact that recently Erdogan visited Azerbaijan, and as some sources report, and the leaders of the two brotherly states reached an agreement on artificially escalating the situation in the region for the benefit of Turkey.

The aforementioned clearly proves that todays sabotage operation was a planned move under specific political interests.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
AP

Today, President Donald Trump cancelled, then reinstated, his visit to the CDC in Atlanta. There were worries about a member of staff at the facility having contracted the coronavirus, but the trip is going ahead.

Before departing the White House, , following widespread criticism of his response to the growing crisis. The bill provides federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, and help state and local governments respond to the threat.

The president then flew to Tennessee to tour damage from destructive tornadoes that struck the Nashville area earlier in the week. Wearing his signature red hat, he praised the response of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In a turbulent week for financial markets, the president could draw some consolation from a very good jobs report -- though one reporting on the period before the coronavirus crisis started. The economy added 273,000 new jobs unemployment fell to 3.5 per cent, which ties it with the lowest level it's been in the last 50 years. An excited Mr Trump tweeted: "JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!!"

Declaring it "fake news", the president denied reports that he had "sidelined" the Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar in favour of vice president Pence -- an allegation that arose from the secretary not accompanying Pence to Washington state.

Meanwhile, back in Washington, DC, the Justice Department unveiled a controversial rule to collect DNA from undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in federal custody, which Democrats and civil rights groups said "threatens to subvert our foundational values".

Trump was criticised on TV by Ron Klain, the leader of the Obama administration's response to the Ebola crisis, who said that the president should "put down the iPhone," should stop "saying ridiculous things on camera and let public health authorities brief people and tell us the truth."

On the 2020 campaign trail, Trump claimed that Elizabeth Warren performed poorly because 'she's a mean person', a day after she ended her presidential bid.

And as the last two Democrats left standing head for their next clutch of primaries, there are signs Joe Biden is pulling well ahead of Bernie Sanders. With just days to go until several big states cast their vote, a new Reuters-Ipsos poll shows Mr Biden opening up a national lead of 10 points over Mr Sanders.

Catch-up on events as they happened

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Trump sues CNN for article about Russia election interference

Trump's economic adviser: People should stay at work amid coronavirus

Late night hosts roast Trumps hunch about coronavirus death rate

Coronavirus: 5 more states report cases, as Trump says virus 'stopped'
US has Level 3 travel warning in place for Italy due to Coronavirus.

People travelling to the United States from Italy will be asked on arrival to stay home for a period of 14 days, according to the information issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This "social distancing" affects travellers from China, Italy, Iran and South Korea, all countries which have a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (widespread sustained (ongoing) transmission).

The move is designed to "slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into the United States", with travellers being asked to take the following steps to monitor their health and practice social distancing:

Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.

Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.

Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.

Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.

Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
Authorities in Assam on Friday initiated steps to find details of the travel itinerary and people who came in contact with a US citizen, who was in the state before he flew to Bhutan this week and tested positive for coronavirus disease.

The 76-year-old US tourist had come to India on February 21 with his 59-year-old partner and had travelled to several places before boarding a Drukair flight KB241 to Paro in Bhutan from the Guwahati airport on March 2.

Bhutan Prime Ministers Office announced on Friday morning that the US tourist had tested positive for COVID-19. The patients partner and eight other Indians who travelled to Bhutan on the same flight, which had 10 passengers, have been quarantined in the Himalayan kingdom.

We are aware that the US citizen had gone to Bhutan from India and was in Assam as well. We came to know about this on Friday morning, Anurag Goel, commissioner and secretary of the health and family welfare department, said.

Since the patient is in Bhutan, we are in touch with the authorities of that country to know which places he stayed in India and how he travelled while he was here. We are trying to collect that data and find out about the persons he came in contact with, Goel added.

The senior official said that teams are already working on contact-tracing or to find out everyone the patient may have come in contact with. It is not clear yet where the US citizen stayed or the places he travelled while in Assam.

Meanwhile, two cases of suspected coronavirus infections have been detected in the state and samples of both have been sent to a laboratory for tests.

Assam hasnt reported any coronavirus case so far.

We have currently one suspected case in Tezpur, detected on Thursday. We are awaiting the results of his samples. There was another suspected patient whose samples have been sent for testing on Wednesday. We are waiting for that result as well, said Goel.

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A couple of stories converged to highlight the effective destructive threat against weak Republicans from the leftist cultural Death Star.

Mitt Romney received a standing ovation at the University of Denver for his impeachment conviction vote against President Donald Trump. At about the same time, Lindsey Graham tweeted a gushing congratulations message to Joe and Jill Biden after the South Carolina primary.

Romney, no doubt, thought being applauded by a room full of indoctrinated students who believe that Republicans are evil was wonderful and a testament to his integrity and the incredible strength of his character. That his vote provided leftists even more cover for their toxic worldview, no doubt, failed to cross his mind.

It is comically sad when a NeverTrump dumpster fire thinks he is something more than a quisling collaborator basking in the temporary praise of leftists who would never actually vote for him, other than perhaps as an attempt to elevate a weak Republican during a primary.

Perhaps still drunk on the praise from the left, Romney followed up his shameful impeachment vote by criticizing the Trump administration for not being prepared to respond to the coronavirus.

In some ways, this was worse. While politicians are certainly entitled to misguided opinions, a wise person understands how his comments will be used and the weaponized effects they could produce.

Safe in his red Utah cocoon, Mr. Picture of Courage surely understands he is helping Democrats in their attempt to Katrina the president and weaken other Republicans. This is their absolute best hope at this point.

So far, the Democrat coronavirus critiques Romney is trying to aid have had all the seriousness of a toddler's tantrum, with Indian Princess the Zombie-Slayer's declaration of war on Trump's "racist wall" perhaps the sharpest critique, since every sane person knows that the best way to fight a disease is to eliminate borders while overwhelming the system.

But, under the guidance of the media, that same cultural Death Star seeks to emotionally wear down the public and damage the economy.

As with the impeachment scenario, Romney offers the Democrat-media TDS crowd a fig leaf of respectability, since they are thrilled to add that even Republicans are unhappy with the administration's response. Romney offered himself as a willing tool in this leftist project, where the ultimate goal is the election of a leftist Democrat.

Romney should also understand that aiding this narrative can be extremely damaging and produce the net effect of landing an abortion-worshiping leftist in the pocket of Marxists in the White House, one who is making googly eyes at the ode to societal collapse known as the Green New Deal.

Based upon the positions Joe Biden staked out during the primary, the difference between a Biden and Bernie Sanders presidency will largely be invisible to the naked eye. Biden, who has served as the poster child on how a person of limited intellect and ruthlessly bad instincts can engorge himself on corrupt cash as a career of "public service," is actually worse on some issues, something Lindsey Graham also doesn't seem to grasp.

Sanders is the effect of the Marxification of the Democrat Party and not the cause of it. That same disease shaped Biden's platform in his bid to remain relevant.

Graham, shortly after appearing at a Trump Rally in South Carolina, sent his ridiculous text that read, "Congratulations to Joe and Jill Biden, and the entire Biden team, on the well deserved big win in the #SCDemocraticPrimary. Best of luck in the future. #Socialism goes down hard tonight in South Carolina."

A simple congratulations would have been fine, but the entire corrupt Biden team? Really? And how exactly was it well deserved when nearly all of his success was orchestrated by a desperate Machiavellian establishment? Best of luck?

This is nonsense. Socialism did not go down hard. Marxism remains the animating energy of the left.

Romney and Graham suffer from the same disease, although Romney's is admittedly closer to terminal. That disease is cultural surrender.

There is a gravitational pull from a relentlessly liberal culture that rewards anyone who collaborates with Democrats and criticizes Republicans. John McCain made a career out of it, with Graham as his sidekick. Romney is his natural heir.

Romney's constituency is no longer Republicans. It is the media and, as a corollary, leftist America.

The media-academia-celebrity-bureaucratic cultural juggernaut has become a repugnant, godless, American-hating, and racist toxic blob that destroys everything good in its path. Indeed, being an effective Republican necessitates being despised by that culture and under constant attack from the cultural heights. Effective Republicans must actively and persistently battle the Democrat cultural juggernaut just to hold ground, let alone to make real progress. It takes courage, strength of character, and a firm belief in principles.

Far too many Republicans fail this test. Too often, they are like mosquitoes being pulled into a fluorescent bug-zapper, enamored of the pretty shiny light and oblivious to the fact that they are doing exactly what the left wants: making it easier for them to zap to a crisp all the principles those Republicans claim to stand behind. This is how you wind up with former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh waxing poetic in the Washington Post about how the best way to advance conservative principles is to elect a Marxist madman.

Graham is a little more subtle in that he wants to have it both ways. He knows he needs conservative voters to stay in office, so he has his occasional strong moments, such as when he stood for Brett Kavanaugh against the evil assault against him, easily his best moment.

Like Romney, he likes the positive press coverage a little too much and wants to remain in the in-crowd with a reserved spot at the trough. He won't take any real action that would harm the Democrats since he remains the same "go along to get along" person who was formerly John McCain's sidekick and friend to Joe Biden.

To borrow a phrase from C.S. Lewis in The Abolition of Man, these are men without chests, people of changing principles who easily fall victim to relativism and the crazy cultural pull of the left. Lewis certainly sounds as though he could have been talking about Romney, Graham, and far too many of their colleagues when he observed, "Their heads are no bigger than ordinary: it is the atrophy of the chest beneath that makes them seem so[.] ... We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."

Democrats are now so hopelessly compromised that they are no longer capable of shocking the conscience. The same toxic and overwhelming cultural magnet that pulls weak Republicans toward it keeps all Democrats locked firmly in place, which is why there are no more moderate Democrats and they always vote as a bloc on anything of significance. Fear of that cultural Death Star is a powerful motivator that keeps compromised politicians in line.

One of the great lessons of the last three years is that we need to elevate principled fighters willing to attack the left's corrupt cultural power head on. President Trump demonstrated that it can be done, which is why he has such high approval among Republicans. But he needs a lot more help, which he is not going to get from far too many Neville Chamberlains still in the party seeking to sue for peace with an ideological monster.

Fletch Daniels can be found on Twitter at @fletchdaniels.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr.
DUBLIN, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "EMI Shielding Market by Material (EMI Shielding Tapes & Laminates, Conductive Coatings & Paints, Metal Shielding, Conductive Polymers, EMI Filters), Method (Radiation, Conduction), Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global EMI shielding market size is projected to grow from USD 6.8 billion in 2020 to USD 9.2 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2020 to 2025.



The need for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is propelled further by the increasing clock frequencies, faster slew rates, increasing packaging density, as well as rising demand for smaller, lighter, cheaper, and low-power devices. Factors that are driving the growth of the EMI shielding industry include ongoing demonstrations of field trials and pilot projects to develop the viability of 5G technology across the world and stringent EMI regulations.



Consumer electronics to account for the largest share of the global EMI shielding market



The consumer electronics industry held the largest market share in 2019. This is because the EMI shielding market for smartphones has shown tremendous growth in the past years owing to the commoditization of this product as it becomes an alternative to various electronics devices, such as digital cameras, GPS navigators, MP3 players, and computers. Increased complexities in smartphones require EMI shielding to protect them from harmful radiation. Hence, the consumer electronics segment will have the highest market share of the EMI shielding industry during the forecast period.



EMI shielding tapes & laminates are expected to witness the highest CAGR in the EMI shielding market from 2020 to 2025



A typical application of EMI shielding tapes is in shielded rooms where economical and effective shielding of the seams and apertures is needed. EMI shielding tapes are also used for ground planes or shielding of the electronic cables. Cables' conductive sheath is bonded with the EMI shielding tapes and to the metallic tip of the connector to provide complete end-to-end shielding. The doors and panels of the electronic cabinets and enclosures are shielded by durable and reliable EMI shielding tapes, which provides a contact surface for conductive gaskets for EMI shielding. To prevent broadband emission, EMI shielding tapes are commonly used between the transformer coil windings to reduce electrostatic coupling and around the outside of the coils and relays. The numerous applications of EMI shielding tapes & laminates make the segment have the highest growth rate during 2020-2025.



APAC contributed the largest share of EMI shielding market in 2019



APAC accounted for the largest market share in 2019 because of the factors such as the rising demand for consumer electronic products such as smartphones and home appliances and the development of advanced telecom infrastructure. China, a manufacturing hub for various electronic devices, contributed to the rapid increase in the requirement of EMI shielding. On the other hand, the Japanese market over the next five years would be driven by the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles and advanced consumer electronic products.



Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Growth Opportunities in EMI Shielding Market

4.2 Market, By Method (2020-2025)

4.3 Market, By Material (2020-2025)

4.4 Market for Conductive Polymers, By Type (2020-2025)

4.5 Market : Major Countries



5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Surging Demand of Consumer Electronics

5.2.1.2 Stringent Environmental and EMC Regulations Across Various Industries

5.2.1.3 Increasing Electromagnetic Pollution

5.2.1.4 Ongoing Demonstration of Field Trials and Pilot Projects to Manifest Viability of 5G Technology

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Cost of EMI Shielding

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Rising Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Modern Automobiles

5.2.3.2 Growing Trend of Electric Vehicles (EVS)

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Trade-Off Between Miniaturization and EMI Shielding of Electronic Devices

5.3 Value Chain Analysis

5.4 Impact of Emerging Technologies on EMI Shielding Ecosystem

5.4.1 5G

5.4.2 IoT

5.5 EMI Regulations and Standards in Select Markets

5.5.1 US

5.5.2 Japan

5.5.3 China

5.5.4 Europe



6 Effectiveness Tests of EMI Shielding

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Shielded Box Test

6.3 Shielded Room Test

6.4 Open Field Test

6.5 Coaxial Transmission Line Test



7 Different Formations of EMI Shielding Materials

7.1 Introduction

7.2 EMI Shielding Gaskets

7.2.1 Applications of EMI Gaskets

7.3 O-Rings

7.4 Liquid Gaskets

7.4.1 Key Properties of Liquid Gaskets



8 EMI Shielding Market, By Material

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Conductive Coatings & Paints

8.2.1 Conductive Coatings are Used in Variety of Applications

8.3 Conductive Polymers

8.3.1 Conductive Elastomers

8.3.1.1 Silicone and Fluorosilicone

8.3.1.1.1 Silicon and Fluorosilicone Contribute Larger Share in Conductive Elastomers Market

8.3.1.2 Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber

8.3.1.2.1 EPDM has Major Applications in Telecom and Electronics Applications

8.3.2 Conductive Plastics

8.3.2.1 Conductive Plastics are Majorly Used in Automotive Applications

8.4 Metal Shielding

8.4.1 Aluminium and Copper are the Most Preferred Shielding Materials

8.5 EMI/EMC Filters

8.5.1 EMI/EMC Filters Market, By Load Type

8.5.1.1 AC Filters

8.5.1.1.1 Single-Phase Filters

8.5.1.1.1.1 Single-Phase Filters are Used Where High Attenuation Id Required

8.5.1.1.2 Three-Phase Filters

8.5.1.1.2.1 Three-Phase Filters are Largely Useful in High Load Applications

8.5.1.2 DC Filters

8.5.1.2.1 Telecom Applications Majorly Employ DC Filters

8.5.2 EMI/EMC Filters Market, By Insertion Loss

8.5.2.1 Common Mode (Asymmetric)

8.5.2.1.1 EMI Signals Flow in the Same Direction in A Pair of Lines for Common Mode Type

8.5.2.2 Differential Mode (Symmetric)

8.5.2.2.1 Differential Mode Insertion Loss in EMI/EMC Filters has Higher Growth Prospects in Future

8.6 EMI Shielding Tapes & Laminates

8.6.1 EMI Shielding Tapes are Extensively Used in Consumer Electronics



9 EMI Shielding Market, By Method

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Radiation

9.2.1 Significant Amount of EMI is Scattered Largely Through Radiation

9.3 Conduction

9.3.1 Switching Power Supplies are Common Sources of Conducted EMI



10 EMI Shielding Market, By Industry

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Consumer Electronics

10.2.1 Smartphones

10.2.1.1 Inbuilt EMI Shielding Technologies in Smartphones are Being Eminent in Market

10.2.2 Tablets

10.2.2.1 Complex Design Structures of Tablets Enable Growing Requirement of EMI Shielding Solutions

10.2.3 Televisions

10.2.3.1 OLED and Micro-Led are Trending Television Technologies

10.2.4 Others

10.3 Telecom & IT

10.3.1 5G Creates Enormous Opportunities for EMI Shielding Solutions Suppliers

10.4 Automotive

10.4.1 Increasing Employment of Advanced Electronics in Automobiles Requires Critical EMI Shielding Solutions

10.5 Healthcare

10.5.1 Advancement in Medical Devices Technologies Tend to have Wide Applications of EMI Shielding in Healthcare Industry

10.6 Aerospace & Defense

10.6.1 EMI Shielding has Diverse Applications in Aerospace & Defense Industry

10.7 Others



11 EMI Shielding Market, By Geography

11.1 Introduction

11.2 North America

11.2.1 US

11.2.1.1 US is Expected to Retain Its Dominant Position in North American Market

11.2.2 Canada

11.2.2.1 Canada to Grow at Moderate Pace During the Forecast Period

11.2.3 Mexico

11.2.3.1 Mexico Expected to Record Highest Growth Rate in this Market

11.3 Europe

11.3.1 Germany

11.3.1.1 Germany Holds Significant Market Share in European Market

11.3.2 France

11.3.2.1 Increasing Adoption of Automation Technologies to Fuel the Growth of Market

11.3.3 UK

11.3.3.1 Growing Trend of EVS to Fuel the Market in UK

11.3.4 Rest of Europe

11.4 APAC

11.4.1 China

11.4.1.1 China Held Significant Market Share of Market in APAC

11.4.2 Japan

11.4.2.1 Growing Consumer Electronics and Automotive Industries Support Growth of Market in the Region

11.4.3 Rest of APAC

11.5 Rest of the World (RoW)



12 Competitive Landscape

12.1 Overview

12.2 Competitive Analysis

12.2.1 Ranking Analysis of Players in EMI Shielding Market (2019)

12.3 EMI Shielding Market (Global) Competitive Leadership Mapping, 2019

12.3.1 Introduction

12.3.1.1 Visionary Leaders

12.3.1.2 Dynamic Differentiators

12.3.1.3 Innovators

12.3.1.4 Emerging Companies

12.3.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping



13 Company Profiles

13.1 Laird Performance Materials

13.2 Parker-Hannifin

13.3 PPG Industries

13.4 HENKEL

13.5 RTP Company

13.6 3M

13.7 Kitagawa Industries

13.8 Tech-Etch

13.9 Leader Tech

13.10 Schaffner

13.11 Right to Win

13.12 Other Players

13.12.1 Nolato

13.12.2 Cabot Corporation

13.12.3 MG Chemicals

13.12.4 ETS-Lindgren

13.12.5 Oerlikon

13.12.6 Spira Manufacturing

13.12.7 Littelfuse

13.12.8 Rogers Corporation

13.12.9 Integrated Polymer Solutions

13.12.10 Polyone Corporation

13.12.11 Holland Shielding Systems

13.12.12 Marian

13.12.13 Effective Shielding Company

13.12.14 Eckart

13.12.15 Applied Ink Solutions



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In an unprecedented incident, RJD legislator Subodh Rai on Friday reached the Bihar Vidhan Parishad with a "caged rat", to expose the corruption in the Bihar government. The purpose of Subodh Rai was to mock at Nitish government - that he had arrested the Rat which allegedly made a breach in the embankment in Bhagalpur in 2018.

In 2018, Bihar water resources Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh had held "rats" responsible for the breach in the embankment that led to the flooding in rural areas of Bhagalpur. The minister then had faced a lot of criticism for holding rats responsible for floods, rather than the callous approach of his department.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar asserts 'NDA united' ahead of Bihar polls amid attacks by RJD

When Subodh Rai reached the legislative council premises with a caged Rat, people present there burst into laughter. Rai said, " The Rat which made a breach into the embankment and gulped seized alcohol has been caught and it should be punished." Rabri Devi also joined the protest and she said, "The govt could not get hold of the Rat which was involved in the scam has been caught by the opposition and now the govt should punish this Rat ."

Bihar govt issues coronavirus alert; direct officials to monitor visitors from Nepal

Bihar Minister and JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "opposition has the right to oppose in a democratic manner. Rat is the vehicle of Lord Ganesh ji. They have caged the Rat like their leader is caged in jail."

With the Bihar assembly elections slated to be held in October 2020, RJD is attacking the Nitish govt, alleging involvement in multiple scams; and by bringing a caged Rat the opposition has attacked the government implying that instead of taking the onus of its mistake, it put the blame on the rat for the breach in the embankment.

Lalu's RJD uses Trump to attack Nitish-Sushil & Modi-Shah on Bihar's special status demand
About 2,800 New York City residents are under quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus  and some could face fines or jail time if they venture outside their homes, officials said Thursday.

The powers that we have could involve the police, city Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot warned during a news conference at One Police Plaza.

The citys Department of Health was monitoring 2,773 people in home isolation as of Thursday morning, according to an afternoon update from Mayor Bill de Blasios office.

Only two, husband-and-wife health care workers from Manhattan, were under a mandatory quarantine order imposed when she tested positive for coronavirus following the couples return from Iran last week.

But officials said the number of people confined to their homes  either voluntarily or under orders  would almost certainly rise amid the outbreak.
ARCHIVED - Sudden escalation in coronavirus cases in Spain



100 new cases on Friday morning as the epidemic shows signs of mushrooming

After the rate of new Covid-19 cases reported in Spain had remained steady at around 50 a day throughout most of the first week of March a sudden escalation on Friday morning saw another 100 positive diagnoses confirmed, bringing the total up to 382.

At the same time a fifth death related to the virus has been confirmed in Aragon, one of the regions where the coronavirus was latest in making its first appearance.

Update at 18:40. There have now been eight fatalities in total, following the death of an 87 year old man in Cataluna this afternoon.

The latest breakdown of the active cases reported in the 17 regions of Spain (excluding the fatalities and patients who have recovered) is as follows, with the only absentee from the list continuing to be the Region of Murcia:

Madrid  137

Basque Country - 45

Catalunya  37

Comunidad Valenciana - 30

La Rioja  29

Andalucia - 21

Castilla-La Mancha - 15

Castilla y Leon  14

Canary Islands - 12

Cantabria  11

Asturias  7

Extremadura - 6

Balearics - 6

Aragon  6

Navarra - 3

Galicia  3

All of the fatalities in Spain so far have been elderly people and the national government is considering introducing special protocols for residences for the third age as a result, although any closure of such facilities has been discounted.

At the same time, the government continues to call for calm, and on Friday Salvador Illa, the Minister for Health, stated in Brussels that the coronavirus can be beaten, citing the operation to contain its spread in China as an example. However, Sr Illa also conceded that in Spain no-one yet knows when the peak of infection might be reached as the number of new cases continues to rise.

Image: Fernando Simon, the head of the Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Centre, to whom it falls to give the regular Spanish government updates on the coronavirus

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/

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A 14-year-old girl was killed and three members of her family were injured on Friday when a wall collapsed on them in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district, police said.

The incident occurred in Kama police station area where the wall fell on the family members due to heavy winds, they said.

They were rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared the girl, Nisha, dead. The injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital, police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kabul: Gunmen opened fire at a ceremony in Afghanistan's capital attended by prominent political leaders, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more before the two attackers were slain by police on Friday, officials said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack on its website. Afghanistan's upstart IS affiliate has declared war on the country's minority Shiites. Many of those at the ceremony were Shiites because it was commemorating the 1995 slaying of Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of Afghanistan's ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite.

An injured man is carried away after gunman launched a deadly assault at a ceremony in Kabul. Credit:AP

The Taliban said they were not involved in the attack, which came less than a week after the US and the group signed an ambitious peace deal that lays out a path for the withdrawal of American forces from the country.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said 32 people were killed and 81 wounded in the attack in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul. The Health Ministry also reported 32 people were killed but said 58 were wounded.
The stepping down of Bob Iger as Disney CEO so suddenly recently shocked the media world, even though his successor wont be a clueless upstart. Bob Chapek will now be CEO immediately and assumes the role of also managing what happens with major properties like the MCU.

With changes like this, theres always immediate trepidation the new suit will make changes based on personal opinions and wanting to earn their paycheck. One thing Iger learned as CEO is to not tinker with something working well. The good news is Iger will be mentoring Chapek and likely pass on similar sentiments.

How much will Chapek adhere to this, though? MCU fans on social media piped in recently with some possible clues on MCUs direction under Chapek.

General fan consensus is that Bob Chapek wont mess around with the MCU

Bob Chapek | The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA via Getty Images

If Reddit isnt always the best barometer in predicting everything, its no doubt carefully monitored by major studios on fan opinions. When someone started a thread there recently giving everyone reassurance on the direction of the MCU under Chapeks leadership, there was an interesting aside noted.

In the thread, the person said Chapeks son (Brian Chapek) works at Marvel Studios as a director and in production/development. If some might call out nepotism, its nothing unusual for people who head departments in major companies to hire their children into important roles.

Every MCU fan should feel better about this since Chapek will probably be more involved with Marvel thanks to his son being there. On the other hand, sons and fathers can sometimes be very different from one another in how they think. As one comment noted: That doesnt mean anything. We have seen egos hold Feige and MCU back before.

Is there still some skepticism about where the MCU goes from here? Because Kevin Feige is very much in charge at Marvel Studios, Chapek probably wont be a micromanager like the original founder of Disney was.

Bob Chapek probably wouldnt meddle too much

Disney's Bob Iger is retiring https://t.co/2AltMKFOuA  Variety (@Variety) February 25, 2020

Bob Iger certainly listened to the judgment of Feige when it came to what the MCU needed. There was so much faith there, Iger gave Feige a stronger role in the production and development of the franchise.

Even though Feige will be reporting to Chapek (and Iger will still be involved in creative directions through 2021), it seems impossible the new guy will want to change things drastically. Ironically, Walt Disney himself was known for controlling every detail of the studios projects, something Michael Eisner was notorious for repeating.

This was a different time, though, and Disneys own brand stamp was more important before all of the 21st-century acquisitions.

Had Walt Disney been alive now and acquired Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Fox content, he might have let others handle the creative directions to keep them in the good graces of fans. Since these are properties several generations have grown up assimilating into their minds, it would be madness for a CEO to meddle with their own personal agendas.

Outside of the assurances about Chapek, little is known about his temperament and how he feels about creative directions. Being one who oversaw the theme parks and the Star Wars/Marvel attractions, he might have opinions about how those line up with the movies.

If there are any MCU changes, what would they be?

Maybe the only thing Chapek will do as CEO is assure the consistent quality of writing and production values the MCU has provided to fans. He may also want to try to shift Hollywood perceptions that MCU movies are a menace to other segments of the movie industry as the likes of Martin Scorsese contend.

Kevin Feige will no doubt stay on the level about maintaining quality standards. However, with so much success, theres always a tendency to become complacent. Maybe the most important thing Iger will mentor Chapek on is to always keep the creative talent inspired. As a result, theres never a chance of becoming like an assembly line rather than a dream creative factory constantly pushing to innovate.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's trip to Australia to visit bushfire-affected communities may be cancelled due to coronavirus fears.

The royal couple are in talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to negotiate the details of the trip before he extends an official invitation, it was announced last month.

However the trip could be delayed due to coronavirus fears, according to the Herald Sun.

The royal couple are in talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to negotiate the details of the trip before he extends an official invitation, it was announced last month, but the trip could be delayed due to coronavirus

The Prime Minister's office is not believed to have any official word about changes to the plans but said they don't comment on arrangements considered by potential guests

The Cambridges prefer to travel on commercial planes and attract large crowds, potentially putting them and the public at risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

Kensington Palace declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

The Prime Minister's office is not believed to have any official word about changes to the plans but said it doesn't comment on arrangements considered by potential guests.

The royals have not given much away about their trip, which has not been officially announced, but it is believed they will visit bushfire ravaged communities in Victoria and the New South Wales coast.

Despite the concerns surrounding coronavirus, the Duke and Duchess continued with their tour of Ireland this week.

In January the couple gave their heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by the fires that raged since September 2019.

A total of 66 Australians have been diagnosed with coronavirus, prompting concerns from locals

In January the couple gave their heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by the fires that raged since September 2019. Pictured: Bushfires in East Gippsland in January

'We continue to be shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the fires that are destroying homes, livelihoods and wildlife across much of Australia,' the couple wrote on Instagram.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and communities who are affected by this devastating event.

'We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives, and the brave firefighters who continue to risk their own lives to save the lives of others.'

The Queen and Prince Philip issued similar sentiments.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Prime Minister's office for comment.
SPRINGFIELD  Increasing concerns over the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 have prompted Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield to join other bishops across the country in issuing temporary changes to the celebration of Mass, as well as asking parishes and schools to review their sanitary policies and ensure the availability of such protections as hand sanitizers.

A Thursday statement from the diocese said that in light of increasing concerns over the virus as well as what it called the lingering annual flu season the Sign of Peace during Mass, which generally involves worshipers shaking hands, would be temporarily discontinued and Holy Communion would be distributed only in the form of the Sacred Host.

An exemption to the suspension of the option of distribution of Precious Blood  the consecrated wine offered in the Holy Chalice  would be made for people with severe cases of celiac disease, meaning individuals who cannot receive Holy Communion in wafer form for health reasons, according to the directives.

Catholics believe Christs body and blood are present in either form of Holy Communion.

The statement said that all people experiencing any flu-like symptoms should refrain from gatherings including attendance at liturgies and that those experiencing illness are dispensed of their obligation to attend weekend Mass.

The directives will remain in effect until further notice, the diocese said, as Rozanski consults with his priest advisers and diocesan staff.

Parishes are also advised that holy water fonts found in many churches for worshipers to use in making the Sign of The Cross are to be drained, cleaned and left empty.

In addition, the statement directs parishes and schools to review current sanitary policies and ensure full compliance with all health directives. This includes the availability of hand soaps and/or sanitizers, especially for clergy and Eucharistic ministers who would be in direct contact with people.

The statement said that Rozanski, working with his cabinet, parishes and schools, will also be developing contingency plans should there be a need for further actions.

Massachusetts has had one confirmed case and three presumptive cases of COVID-19, the fast-moving respiratory illness caused by a virus first detected in China late last year.

According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, there are more than 95,000 cases of the disease in 86 countries, the majority in China, where the epidemic is now slowing, and at least 3,000 deaths.

There have been 14 confirmed deaths from the disease on U.S. soil, and 200 cases across the country. There is no vaccine or approved medication to treat the disease. Health care providers have recommended good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, as one of the best forms of prevention, as well as remaining home when sick.

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is considered to not transmit as efficiently as the flu, but to be more deadly, according to the World Health Organizaion, based on what is known about the virus at this time.

The majority of cases of COVID-19 have been mild, although symptoms can be severe with pneumonia-like complications, particularly in older people with underlying medical conditions.

Meanwhile, flu has been widespread and active across the country, although it is on the decrease in recent weeks.

Related:

Multiple Springfield Public Schools staffers quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure

Coronavirus protection starts with basic hygiene

CDC: Flu has killed 125 children so far this season
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Nippon Life India Asset Management Company, in a note to investors, has said it has marked down the value of Yes Bank to zero and restricted the subscription limit to Rs 2 lakh per investor in the schemes that have exposure to the private lenders bond.

"Perpetual bonds of Yes Bank in the schemes of NIMF have been marked down to zero. The valuation adjustment reflects the uncertainties around the realisable values but does not in any manner indicate any reduction or write off of amount repayable by Yes Bank or eventually realisable by the schemes holding these instruments," the note said.

Nippon AMC has limited fresh inflows in the scheme to Rs 2 lakh per day per scheme per investor till further notice. This limit is imposed only on the new applications, switch-ins, systematic transfer plans and systematic investment plans received after March 5, it said.

Nippon AMC took the decision due to the lack of information and understanding on how regulations and decisions of the RBI and the government will pan out for Yes Bank.

Given the numerous press reports and a release by SBI, which talks about a potential equity participation into Yes Bank, it is apparent that the authorities are seized of the wider implications of continuing with a prolonged period of uncertainty, Nippon AMC said, adding it expects clarity to emerge at the earliest.

The note came in after the Reserve Bank of India imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank and restricted withdrawals.

The mere imposition of moratorium does not necessarily automatically lead to erosion of value in investments in additional Tier-1 bonds issued by the bank, it said. But, the seriousness of invocation under Section 45 cannot be ignored.

The asset management company highlighted that as per the Information Memorandum (IM) of AT1 bonds, in case there is a reconstitution or amalgamation of the bank under Section 45 of Banking Regulation Act 1949, the bank will be deemed as non-viable and trigger for written-down or conversion of the AT1 bonds will be activated.

"In our view, Yes Bank is the fourth largest private sector bank in India with a total asset book of more than Rs 3.45 lakh crore, the deposit base of more than Rs 2 lakh crore (as on 30/09/2019), the bank has huge systemic importance. The RBI and the central government would have considered all options before deciding on the moratorium under Section 45 of Banking Regulation Act 1949," said Nippon AMC.
New Delhi: From today, depositors at Indias fourth-largest private bank cannot withdraw more than Rs 50,000 of their own hard-earned money. The amount can be higher only for certain emergencies and the restrictions will be in place for a month at least. The RBI imposed these restrictions late Thursday on Yes Bank, in a move some say was overdue, leaving depositors in a tizzy. For the next 30 days, Yes Bank will also not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

In the last few months, a similar fate has befallen depositors of cooperative banks like PMC Bank, where again withdrawals were severely restricted by the RBI to Rs 1,000 to begin with. Depositors of several smaller, relatively unknown cooperative banks, have also faced similar restrictions in the recent past, and these repeated restrictions have eroded the trust of the small depositors in Indias already frail banking and financial systems.

RBIs own data for calendar 2019 shows that it had put at least four cooperative banks under similar or harsher withdrawal restrictions between January and September  Kolikata Mahila Cooperative Bank and United Cooperative Bank from West Bengal, Hindu Cooperative Bank from Punjab and PMC Bank. The case of PMC came in the public eye because it was a large cooperative bank with significant monies invested by depositors.

Trust in Indias banking and financial sector is anyway at an all-time low for the aam aadmi now because of the peculiar and painful decisions taken under the watch of the Modi government. In its first term, this government announced demonetisation on November 8, 2016, rendering more than 80 per cent currency in circulation invalid almost immediately and also restricting withdrawals from banks.

The effects of demonetisation and its disastrous consequences on Indias economy are being felt even today, with no real evidence of black money having been caught though that was the avowed intention of this exercise. The NBFC and other arms of the financial system in India are still struggling with the aftershocks imposed by demonetisation.

Now, as troubles of Yes Bank and its depositors mount, it is important to understand what led to the present crisis and why the humble depositors are nearly always left holding the can.

What RBI Says

The financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors, and withdrawal of deposits. The Yes Bank annual report for 2018-19 shows that its capital adequacy ratio was the lowest in three years as of March 2019 at 16.5 per cent. This ratio further fell to 16.3 per cent by the end of September 2019. The capital adequacy ratio denotes how much capital the bank has against risks. One doesnt have a fair idea about the ratio at the end of the December quarter since Yes Bank deferred declaration of its Q3 results but suffice it to say that the RBI finally found the situation alarming enough to move in.

Why Restrictions Were Imposed

At the end of September 2019, Yes Bank had more than Rs 2 lakh crore in deposits  a big enough number for the government and the RBI to want to protect from further erosion. Limiting withdrawals now will probably stop a run on the bank till regulators find new investors to infuse much-needed capital.

Sucheta Dalal welcomed the RBI restrictions, saying And there is action... on @YESBANK if not RANA Kapoor. Thank god the govt acted Now and didnt wait for a run on the bank!

Governance Issues

The RBI has said Yes Bank experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years which have led to steady decline of the bank. There was the famous falling out between the two co-promoter families to begin with, where Rana Kapoor and sister-in-law Madhu Kapur fought a very public battle over control of the bank. Then came the bad loans and as of March 2019, the bank had under-reported these by over Rs 3,000 crore. Now, as an independent director, Uttam Prakash Agarwal resigned this January after citing corporate governance issues at the bank, and concerns obviously grew. Before that, RBI had unceremoniously asked Rana Kapoor to leave the board.

Funding Absent

Despite repeated attempts and assertions by the board of the bank about raising much-needed funds, nothing came in. The RBI also noted that the Yes Bank management was trying to find ways to strengthen balance sheet and liquidity and was in talks with various investors, including a few private equity firms. Some other banks were also believed to be in the race. While talks between potential buyers and the bank did happen, none eventually came forward with a bid. In the meantime, Yes Bank continued to face a regular outflow of liquidity.

What Next

The government has been nudging state-owned SBI and LIC to together pick up majority equity stake in Yes Bank to save it from going bust. SBI has already said its board of directors has approved the investment and LICs assent could also be a matter of time. State-owned entities stepping in to prevent a private bank from going bust is the latest in a series of government bailouts this country has seen.

The stock markets and Yes Bank investors, mutual funds with significant exposure to the stock are all deeply worried with the dramatic swing in fortunes on Dalal Street on Friday morning in the Yes Bank scrip. But if the government does succeed in getting its own entities to save the bank from a collapse, perhaps depositors would be thankful in the long run.
Reserve Bank governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday assured that the central bank will take every measure needed to secure the economy against the challenges arising from the coronavirus epidemic. The deadly virus that originated from China has spread to nearly 80 countries and has taken the lives of more than 3,300 people.

We will be able to respond to the challenges emerging out of the coronavirus epidemic, Das said at an industry event here. While noting that there are enough resources to fight the crisis, given the robust forex reserves, he also called for the IMF to launch a non-stigmatised currency swap lines to ease the liquidity pressures globally.

RBI stands ready to intervene in whatever way required to respond to epidemic challenges, Das said, as he expects global growth to slow down due to coronavirus. He also said that all central banks are resolved to work in close coordination.

On the domestic sector, he said certain sectors which depend on China will be impacted due to the epidemic, but mitigatory steps are being taken for it. The impact on India will be limited as our economy is not much integrated with the global value chain; and to that extent we will be insulated, said Das.

Also read: Coronavirus in India: Number of confirmed cases reaches 31

Also read: 'Convince not through words, but deeds': Manmohan Singh makes heartfelt appeal to PM Modi
Nearly 100,000 pop culture fans flocked to Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle last year, including many dressed as superheroes, aliens and robots. But something scarier than a comic book villain is roiling the conference this year  the spread of the coronavirus.

Ten people have died from novel coronavirus in King County, Washington, where Seattle is located, according to the Washington State Department of Health. At least 70 people have tested positive statewide.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, criticized the decision to go forward with the event, set to begin March 12.

"Meanwhile Comic Con will bring together 100,000 people in Seattle in a week," Gottlieb tweeted Thursday. "Into an area of America's only known, potential larger outbreak."

Mathematical disease models suggest that the coronavirus "could be far more pervasive in Seattle area," Gottlieb tweeted. "With hundreds or maybe low thousands of undetected cases."

The Seattle area is "on the cusp of intense community spread," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

An event the size of Comic Con "might create a surge of cases," Adalja said. "These are often difficult decisions, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer."

While viruses can spread at crowded outdoor gatherings, Adalja said, they tend to infect even more people at indoor events such as Comic Con at the convention center in downtown Seattle.

The event's organizers have offered refunds to anyone afraid to attend. Tickets for the four-day event cost up to $52 a day, with sold-out "premium" packages running $349.

Reedpop, the company that organizes the convention, said it will employ "enhanced cleaning guidelines, precautions and procedures." On its website, organizers acknowledged that their decision is controversial: "We recognize that not everyone will agree with our decision: it is our feeling that this community values coming together and building connections, even in difficult times."

At least two major publishers that had planned to attend the convention - DC, which includes DC Comics, and Dark Horse Comics - announced they were pulling out.

"It is with the safety and well-being of our staff and creators in mind that we have come to this decision," Dark Horse Comics tweeted Monday.

Seattle has legal authority to cancel conventions during a public health emergency, said Dr. Lawrence Gostin, faculty director of Georgetown University's ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law.

But canceling big conferences has "large economic implications," said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Meetings and conferences generate $330 billion a year in the United States, according to Meetings and Conventions, a website for event planners.

"I do not think it is necessary to cancel events in low-risk cities, but in a city undergoing an active outbreak, it is irresponsible," Gostin said. "Business must not trump health and welfare."

Other groups are taking a more cautious approach.

Some of the country's leading tech companies  Adobe, IBM, Google and Facebook  have canceled upcoming conferences. Others have restricted "nonessential" travel, including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and The Washington Post. Companies such as Twitter and Square, the San Francisco-based electronic payment company, are encouraging staff to work at home.

A health care group announced Thursday that it would cancel its Orlando conference next week, even though President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, known as HIMSS, was scheduled to begin Sunday in Orlando. The conference attracted 42,500 people last year. Other top officials who had been scheduled to speak included Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services, and Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Several corporate giants  including Amazon, Intel and Cisco  had already announced they wouldn't attend the conference.

"We recognize all the hard work that so many have put into preparing for their presentations and panels," said Hal Wolf, president and CEO of HIMSS. "It is clear that it would be an unacceptable risk to bring so many thousands of people together in Orlando next week."

Spokesperson Karen Groppe said the society hadn't decided about refunds. "They're working through it," she said.

Leigh Burchell, vice president of government affairs for Allscripts, which sells electronic health systems, said HIMSS made "the right decision, especially given the risk of exposing front-line health care workers who may be even more important to addressing the virus outbreak in the coming months."

At least 230 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers. Worldwide, coronavirus infections have been confirmed in nearly 100,000 people, with more than 3,300 deaths.

Health officials in Washington state are "providing real national leadership" with their handling of the coronavirus, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota.

Rather than focus on particular events or meetings, state health officials are looking at the big picture to develop comprehensive policies to control the outbreak, said Osterholm, who has been in frequent contact with Washington state health leaders.

"If there is any local and state health department combination that's prepared to handle this, it's them," Osterholm said.

KHN senior correspondent Fred Schulte contributed to this report.
Roberto Rendon, 88, of Chalfont, an Abington pediatric neurologist and the honorary consul of Guatemala in Philadelphia for four decades, died Thursday, Feb. 27, of heart failure at Hidden Meadows on the Ridge in Sellersville.

Dr. Rendon was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, in 1931. His father, Francisco Rendon Cervantes, was a Supreme Court justice, and his mother, Olga Maldonado Castillo, a music teacher.

As a grammar school student in Guatemala, Dr. Rendon learned from textbooks but also from living in a small village. He built his own desk at the start of each school year, he told his family.

At age 15, he enrolled in medical school at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala. He taught himself English, German, and French so he could read the most current textbooks. He completed his medical degree, and at age 22 took charge of the local hospital in the rural port town of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.

As the only physician for miles around, Dr. Rendon did all kinds of medical procedures, from performing surgery to delivering babies. He also boarded ships to certify them safe for docking.

In the early 1960s, Dr. Rendon founded the Neurological Institute of Guatemala, which cares for children with neurological disorders.

On weekends, he took his family to remote villages, where he treated those unable to visit a physician.

He befriended many he met at the villages, and on stops along the way, through the simple gesture of offering a ride and conversation during the ride back to the city, his family said in a statement.

Dr. Rendons interest in pediatrics and neurology led him to the University of Michigan Medical School, in Ann Arbor, where he completed residencies in pediatrics and pediatric neurology.

While there, Dr. Rendon met and married Joanne Cavanaugh. After completing his medical training in Ann Arbor, the couple moved to Guatemala, where they raised four children. In the late 1960s, they moved to Elkins Park.

Dr. Rendon was medical director of the Woods School in Langhorne, then practiced neurology at Abington Memorial Hospital for 35 years until 2006. He was an assistant professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson Medical School.

Dr. Rendon maintained strong ties to his homeland by serving four decades as the honorary consul of Guatemala in Philadelphia and as a member in the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia. As honorary consul, he supported Guatemalan immigrants.

With the aid of the Rotary Club of Jenkintown, Dr. Rendon gathered donated medical equipment and sent the supplies to areas of Guatemala where they were needed. In return, the Guatemalan government awarded him the Order of Monja Blanca Medal, named for a white orchid, the national flower.

Dr. Rendon and his first wife divorced. In 1985, he married Deborah Halliday.

In retirement, Dr. Rendon and his second wife moved to a small farm in Bucks County, where they bred Babydoll Southdown sheep and tended horses, mules, dogs, cats, and chickens. They rode horseback and enjoyed carriage driving.

The miniature sheep, which sometimes entered the house, were favorites of Dr. Rendons. Id say, Hold this lamb for me, and Id come back and the two of them would be asleep, Deborah Rendon said.

Dr. Rendon studied calligraphy and wood turning, building frames for artwork and custom signs, as well as a chapel on the farm grounds that served as a retreat. During the summer, he enjoyed the company of his grandchildren while performing farm chores.

Besides his wife, he is survived by children Catherine, Patrick, Mary Jo, Maria, and Susana; seven grandchildren; and his first wife. A brother and sister died earlier.

Plans for a memorial are on hold until concern over the COVID-19 coronavirus fades. The service details will be posted on www.fitzpatrickabington.com.

Donations may be made to Rotary Internationals Global Polio Eradication Initiative via www.endpolio.org.
The International Energy Agency plans to revise down its oil-demand forecasts next week because of the spreading coronavirus.

I am going to announce it Monday morning in Paris, IEA chief Fatih Birol told a Congressional hearing in Washington on Thursday. The impacts are already severe mainly because the transport sector is heavily affected.

Last month, the Paris-based adviser to industrialized nations warned that the virus could curb annual growth in oil consumption to the lowest since 2011, but still called for 800,000 barrels a day of growth. Other analysts are now estimating that demand will contract, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicting that consumption could shrink this year for only the fourth time in almost 40 years.

Birols appearance before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee came on the same day that an OPEC meeting in Vienna paved the way for a production cut of 1.5 million barrels a day, which still needs to overcome Russian opposition. The hit to demand has already seen prices slump around 23% so far this year.

The IEA will set out two scenarios when it updates forecasts next week, one of which is a base case that will reflect the current impact. We will have also a worse case because we may well see that this situation may go global beyond China and this may well affect energy markets, especially oil markets, substantially, Birol said.

In written testimony to the committee, Birol said its already clear that the outbreak is negatively affecting global economic activity and that the IEA is monitoring the situation extremely closely.

Birol said recent supply losses -- from Libya, Venezuela, and Iran - would have delivered painful shocks to the world economy were it not for the U.S. shale revolution. Under one scenario laid down by the IEA, higher U.S. output reduces the market share of OPEC members and Russia to 47% of total oil production in 2030 from 55% in the mid-2000s.

However, Birol cautioned that the shale sector wouldnt be spared in the event of a prolonged plunge in prices due to the virus.
(CNN)  Environmentally conscious coffee lovers who bring their own mugs to buy fresh java at Starbucks will have to settle for paper cups for a while.

Starbucks on Wednesday announced it is temporarily suspending the use of personal cups and tumblers at its North American stores to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The company will continue to honor its 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup or tumbler for coffee, even though customers can't use them, said Rossann Williams, Starbucks' president of company-operated businesses in the United States and Canada.

"We are optimistic this will be a temporary situation," Williams said in an open letter posted on the company's website.

Starbucks said it is increasing the number of cleanings at all its company-operated stores and suspending business-related air travel, both domestic and international, for the rest of March. Large meetings at the company's offices in the United States and Canada are being postponed or modified, the company said.

"We will continue to communicate with transparency and act courageously and responsibly to ensure the health and well-being of our partners and customers," Williams said.

Starbucks declined to comment about how long it would suspend the bring-your-own-mug program. The Seattle-based coffee chain has given customers discounts for using their own cups for new purchases since 1985, according to the company's website.

In 2010, Starbucks launched a campaign promoting the use of personal tumblers to reduce its paper trash output. The program has prevented millions of pounds of paper from ending up in landfills, the company said.
The Beckham family enjoyed a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Florida in October last year.

And Victoria and David's daughter Harper appeared to have drawn inspiration from their holiday as she dressed as Hermoine Granger for World Book Day.

The proud parents joined a slew of stars who uploaded their costume creations on Instagram on Friday.

Cute! Harper Beckham, eight, appeared to have drawn inspiration from her family's Wizarding World of Harry Potter holiday as she chose to dress as a Hogwarts student for World Book Day.

Eight-year-old Harper's school appeared to be celebrating the annual occasion a day late, after most schools across the country held the event on Thursday.

Harper sweetly posed on the Beckham family's staircase waving a wooden wand and wearing a school uniform under a red and black cloak.

The youngsters choice of gold and red tie also suggested her Hogwarts house preference as the colours typically represent Harry Potter's house, Gryffindor.

Wizarding fun! Harper's school appeared to be celebrating the annual occasion a day late, after most schools across the country held the event on Thursday

Rider: Mummy Diaries star Billie Faiers told her followers: 'Nellys School have done it slightly different this year and they had to go dressed as a word ... Nellys word is Equestrian'

Costumes: Nelly, five, dressed up as a dressage rider while Arthur, two, said he wanted to be a baby

Victoria, 45, shared the snap on her Instagram feed and captioned the shot: 'It's book day!! Kisses from Hermione #harrypotter #harperseven X'

David, 44, also shared a similar shot of Harper on his Stories and added a selection of Harry Potter-themed gifs to the image.

Cute: Tamara's daughter Sophia, five, looked adorable as Mary Poppins

Pokemon! Saturday's star Frankie Bridge joked a 'Squid and Ash... walked into a bar..' as her sons Parker, six, and Carter, four, dressed up as Pokemon characters

Meanwhile, Mummy Diaries star Billie Faiers told her followers: 'Nellys School have done it slightly different this year and they had to go dressed as a word ... Nellys word is 'Equestrian' ... of course Arthur had to get in on the action ... he said he wanted to be a baby #worldbookday'.

Nelly, five, dressed up as a dressage rider while Arthur, two, giggled as he clamboured into one of his sister's toy prams.

Tamara's daughter Sophia, five, looked adorable as Mary Poppins, while Saturday's star Frankie Bridge joked a 'Squid and Ash... walked into a bar..' as her sons Parker, six, and Carter, four, dressed up as Pokemon characters.

Sirius fans: This comes five months after David and his children Harper and Romeo, 17, enjoyed a fun-filled trip to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

This comes five months after David and his children Harper and Romeo, 17, enjoyed a fun-filled trip to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

David posted a video on Instagram last October, with his daughter enjoying the Harry Potter areas of the park and son Romeo.

Harper looked delighted when she picked up the wand and used it to make the lights go brighter, beaming from ear to ear.

Having a wand-erful time: Harper was loving her new wand that she bought from the gift shop

She then hit the rollercoasters while wearing Harry Potter glasses and showed her bravery when she threw her hands up in the air and didn't hold onto the handlebars.

David shared lots of pictures of his youngest child on social media, including snaps of her with the choosing a wand from an enormous amount of shelves.

She paid tribute to her mother's former bandmate, Baby Spice, sporting pigtails.

So happy: She beamed from ear to ear when she was given the wand and it made the lights shine brighter

Lots to choose from: Harper scanned the huge shelves which contained lots of different wands and was delighted with what she could see

She and David posed with Romeo and some Minions and also in front of the Hogwarts Express.

It wasn't the first time the Beckhams have shown their love for Harry Potter.

A month before, David took Harper for a tour of Warner Bros. Studios in London for a behind-the-scenes look at The Making of Harry Potter.

Going faster: Harper flashed a big grin as she waved her arms in the air

All aboard! David also shared snaps in front of the Hogwarts Express

The tour lets fans 'walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the wonders of the wizarding world,' according to the website.

At the time, David posted a sweet image of Harper in the gift shop holding her very own wand.

He simply captioned the image: 'My little wizard.'

Making memories: David and Romeo both shared this snap of the family - and Romeo joked that he is finally taller than his famous father

Snap happy: David shared another sweet snap of himself, Romeo and Harper with the Minions
New Delhi: Indian Army on Friday (March 6) issued detailed instructions about preparations and emergency response to tackle coronavirus, directing military hospitals to establish isolation wards and have separate outpatient departments (OPDs) for the screening of symptomatic cases to prevent transmission. According to reports, the army may set up isolation wards in five cities  Kolkata, Jaisalmer, Surat, Suratgadh, Sikanderabad and Chennai.

The Army also instructed service hospitals to work in synergy with local civil medical authorities and designated ICMR labs. The instruction comes after the tally of the confirmed cases of coronavirus reached 31 in the country on Friday.

"In consonance with various advisories issued by the Government, Indian Army headquarters has issued detailed instructions with respect to preparations and emergency response in tackling COVID-19. Military hospitals to establish isolation wards and have separate OPDs for a screening of symptomatic cases to prevent avoidable transmission. Service hospitals will work in synergy with local civil medical authorities and designated ICMR labs," a statement released from the army said.

The Army further asked its personnel to postpone all non-essential mass gatherings such as upcoming festivals, welfare gatherings and public functions. It further advised to avoid all non-essential trips outside the country.

"Service personnel to be encouraged to utilize Shopping Complex facilities within the Cantonment /Military Stations and avoid visits to crowded areas like movie halls/ shopping malls etc," it added.

The Amry also said that regular health information education and counseling activities to be carried out at all military stations.

"All non-essential foreign travel to be avoided," it added.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio  A doctor accused of illegally prescribing opioids and other drugs, which authorities say led to two deaths, is now facing 145 criminal charges.

The indictment issued by a federal grand jury against Martin Escobar, 57, of Youngstown, includes charges of unlawful distribution and dispensation of controlled substances, causing the deaths of two patients, maintaining a drug-involved premises, health care fraud, and unlawfully distributing and dispensing a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

All physicians are expected to uphold specific ethical standards to do no harm, but Dr. Escobar, who took the Hippocratic oath to become a physician, is accused of falsifying medical records, prescribing unnecessary controlled substances subsequently causing two deaths, among other charges, FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith said in a statement. Patients should be able to trust and rely on their chosen physician, not become addicts or die as a result of their physicians care."

Federal authorities say Escobar prescribed opioids and other controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The drugs included oxycodone and hydrocodone, often in combination with benzodiazepines and stimulants.

The prescriptions were issued between March 2015 and May 2019 from Escobars office in Lake Milton, Ohio. Escobar is accused of using false diagnoses and of falsifying patient pain intensity scales in medical charts. Officials also say he increased dosages of drugs and prescribed them for prolonged periods without evidence of efficacy, and that he failed to consider treatment options other than controlled substances.

The indictment accuses Escobar of causing the deaths of two of his patients in 2015 and 2016, saying he unlawfully gave them controlled substances.

Escobar ignored the results of patients drug-screen tests, the indictment says, many of them performed in Escobars office. The indictment shows Escobar often billed the government for the tests. There also is evidence some of Escobars patients were selling drugs illegally after obtaining prescriptions, the indictment says.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy all were part of the investigation.

Every time a pill mill grinds to a halt, Ohio moves closer to ending this crisis, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. Ohio needs Medicaid fraud teams like these to hold these operations accountable.

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Shiv Sena lawmaker Pratap Sarnaik has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to nominate at least one Shiv Sena member as a trustee of the Ram Mandir Trust.

He also reminded the prime minister on Friday to take into account the contribution made by the Shiv Sena led by Bal Thackeray to the long drawn Ram Mandir movement.

Ahead of Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackerays visit to the city of Ayodhya on Saturday, Shiv Sena party workers have started arriving in the city in large numbers.

A special train bringing Shiv Sena party workers from Mumbai will reach Ayodhya on Friday evening while party workers from various districts in Uttar Pradesh have started reaching Ayodhya.

The Maharashtra chief minister will be in Ayodhya on Saturday to offer prayers after completing 100 days in office. He is expected to be accompanied by wife Rashmi Thackeray and son and Cabinet minister Aditya Thackeray.

Thackeray had assumed charge as chief minister of Maharashtra on November 28, 2019, as part of a coalition government comprising the Shiv Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The Shiv Sena chief will be visiting Ayodhya barely a month after the BJP government at the Centre set up a trust to supervise the construction of a Ram Temple in the city.

According to a statement by the Maharashtra unit of the Shiv Sena, the Thackeray family would be arriving in Ayodhya on Saturday morning and would visit the Ram Janambhoomi temple site to offer prayers.

The Maharashtra chief minister may also address the media before returning to Mumbai.

The newly formed trust set up by the government that will oversee the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has already begun work on shifting an idol of the Hindu god from a makeshift tent, where it had been kept for the last 30 years.
A cruise ship being held about 70 miles offshore of San Francisco received coronavirus test kits Thursday morning by helicopter. A dozen crew members and 11 passengers aboard the San Francisco-bound Grand Princess had symptoms that could be coronavirus, flu or the common cold, health officials said.

A 71-year-old passenger who had been on the ship's previous voyage from San Francisco to Mexico tested positive for COVID-19 and died on Wednesday in Placer County. Another passenger also on this previous journey was diagnosed with the disease as well and remains hospitalized in Sonoma County.
Boris and Carrie Johnson have enjoyed a date night at one of London 's most exclusive private members' clubs. The Prime Minister and his wife were photographed walking out of Oswald's in Mayfair last Thursday night at about 9.30pm accompanied by a security detail of six people before getting into a waiting Range Rover. Mrs Johnson, 33, was wearing a 695 Wiggy Kit black Marais midi dress made from cotton canvas with velvet panelling and white embroidery, accompanied by a 413 Anya Hindmarch eyes beaded shoulder bag. Earlier that day, Mr Johnson had visited a vaccination centre at Moulton Park in Northampton and said anti-vaccine campaigners who spread 'mumbo jumbo' and 'nonsense' on social media are 'completely wrong'. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi was also said to have visited Oswald's on Albemarle Street last week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is believed to have been there last Wednesday. The exclusive club, which has a ground floor inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, is known for its fine wines - with members also allowed to cellar up to 12 of their own there and no corkage fees applied. The club has aimed to attract female members as well as couples and is owned by entrepreneur Robin Birley who named it after his grandfather, the portrait artist Sir Oswald Birley who painted Winston Churchill.
LANSING  State Representatives Shane Hernandez and Jack OMalley have introduced legislation aimed at fixing roads without increasing taxes.

The bill package of House Bills 5582-85 and 5587-88 calls for ensuring that all taxes paid at gas pumps go toward fixing roads, with a priority on roads managed by local municipalities such as counties, cities and villages.

The measure would phase out a 6% sales tax drivers pay on fuel purchases over a three-year period and replace it with an equivalent revenue-neutral fuel tax, which would generate approximately $800 million more per year for local roads.

We should address roads in a way that works for the entire state of Michigan  not just certain parts of it, Hernandez, of Port Huron, said in a statement. This solution would provide more resources for rural communities and local roads, not just major highways and big cities. Im not interested in increasing taxes or adding to debt. I want to work from the simple, commonsense premise that we do the best job possible with the resources we already have  and that includes directing all taxes already paid at the pump to fixing Michigans roads.

OMalley, a representative from Lake Ann, said that Governor Whitmers plan of taking out a bond to fix roads would only address about 9,600 miles out of 120,000 total miles of roads in the state, addressing mostly highways and bridges while ignoring local roads.

Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan plan was part of her State of the State address earlier this year, which would add an additional $3.5 billion in road funding for major road projects over the next five years.

Most of the programs projects are located in the Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo areas, with the closest one to Huron County being a stretch of I-69 in Lapeer County from M-24 to Lake George Road.

The funding was approved the day after Whitmer made her address by the state transportation commission, which does not require legislative approval.

The statistics show local roads are in the worst shape, OMalley said in a statement. When I started on the House Transportation Committee, I went across the state to around 20 town halls to speak with drivers and local officials about their roads and what we can do about them in Lansing. The message was consistent that locals need more tools in their toolbox.

Safeguards are written into the legislation to ensure investments to school funding is continued and not negatively impacted. Sales tax revenue that is currently dedicated to schools from fuel purchases would be fully replaced.

The bill protects school funding and commits to our childrens future, OMalley said. Roads, schools and other essential services remain our top priorities. But to continue investing in these priorities, we need to look for efficiencies and make tough spending decisions just like Michigan families have to do every single day with their own budgets.

The bills have been referred to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Here are some highlights of upcoming exhibitions this First Friday.

Missoula Art Museum

Stephen Braun, "Hindsight and Foresight are 20/20"

Stephen Braun's exhibition, "Hindsight and Foresight are 20/20" opens in the MAM's largest space, the Carnegie Galleries. The Montana artist's ceramic sculptures take many forms: towering smokestacks (some measuring over 5 to 6 feet), spirals of mask-like faces arranged on the wall, puzzle-like maps, and figures. Most all have decorated surfaces with political and environmental messages that, while deeply held, are transmitted in a dream-like, surreal fashion. Braun's exhibition is on view through Aug. 8.

Elsewhere in the building, you can see the start of "Love Letters to the Collection," a "crowd-sourced" experiment where guests will be selecting contemporary indigenous work from the MAM vault; a traveling exhibition of paintings, "When the West was Won," by Gorgon McConnell, and "Out of Modernism," an overview of how Montana artists have responded to post-modernism.

Clay Studio of Missoula

International Cup and (later) Potsketch Auction Preview

The International Cup, a juried exhibition exploring the many forms a functional vessel can take, closes out this First Friday.

Coming on its heels is Potsketch, the nonprofit ceramic center's annual fundraiser, which features a few different types of work. First, the "potsketches"  dozens of artists are mailed a 5-by-5 inch piece of paper and invited to create a work. Some stick within the boundaries, others through it out entirely. Second, the auction features lots of ceramics by well-known artists. The preview exhibition opens on March 20, from 5-8 p.m. It's on view until the closing reception, Friday, April 3, from 5:30-9 p.m. The Potsketch Gala is Saturday, April 11, at the University Center Ballroom at UM. Tickets are $55 per person for members or $60 per person for non-members.

Go to theclaystudioofmissoula.org for more information.

Zootown Arts Community Center

Mini Show Auction Exhibition

Lots and lots of small pieces of art add up during the Mini Show, the annual fundraiser for the Zootown Arts Community Center.

The nonprofit will show off what they've lined out starting on Friday, from the little pieces (i.e. affordably priced) to the select number of normal (or "mega) pieces. The theme is "Over the Rainbow," alluding to their new digs on West Main Street that the auction will help pay for.

Swing over from 5-8 p.m. The auction is Saturday, March 28, at the Wilma. Tickets are $75 per person. Go to zootownarts.org for more information. It's sold out in the past.

Radius Gallery

Dawn Candy, Chris Maynard, Duane Slick and Kaori Takamura, "The Universe is You"

The new Radius Gallery building will host its second-ever show with a group of four artists in an exhibition titled, "The Universe is You."

Duane Slick, an instructor at Rhode Island School of Design, draws on his Meskwaki roots for paintings like his "Coyote" series, in which a traditional figure is put through permutations and variations. Kaori Takamura's dense but pleasing typographical works have been auctioned off at the Missoula Art Museum's annual auction. The gallery has previously show Chris Maynard's hypnotic cut-feather sculptures and Alberta artist Dawn Candy's plushly decorated ceramics are likely new to most Missoula residents.

The show will be up through April 18 in the Radius Gallery's brand-new building at 120 N. Higgins.

Museums

Bigfork Art & Cultural Center, 525 Electric Ave., 406-837-6927, bigforkculture.org: Featured March 10-31: "Perfect Portraits" with Diana Neville Knowles.

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, 258-3479: Featured exhibits: "The Road to Today: 250 Years of Missoula's History," "No Enemy Movement Observed: The Vietnam War Through the the Eyes of a Frenchtown Marine." "The Odyssey of Montana's Thomas Francis Meagher" by Stephen Glueckert. Through May 10: "Leiser's Footsteps," exhibit covering the history of Missoula's original Jewish citizens and their contribution to Missoula's growth and culture.

Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, 406-755-5268, hockadaymuseum.org: Through April 10: "Looking at the Landscape," the work of Dale Beckman and Richard Thompson.

Miracle of America Museum, 36094 Memory Lane, 406-883-6804, miracleofamericamuseum.org: Featuring thousands of artifacts throughout dozens of buildings. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Missoula Art Museum, 335 N. Pattee St., 406-728-0447, 335 N. Pattee St., 406-728-0447, missoulaartmuseum.org : First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. Through Aug. 8: "Hindsight and Foresight Are 20/20," new large-scale works by Stephen Braun. Through May 2: "When the West Was Won," works by Gordon McConnell and "Out of Modernism" which includes works by MaryAnn Bonjorni, Robert DeWeese, Terry Karson, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and others. Through Dec. 31: "Love Letters to the Collection," featuring pieces of art from the Contemporary American Indian Collection, with pieces added over time with responses from selected participants, plus the opportunity for the public to respond.

Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Meloy and Paxson galleries, PAR/TV Center, University of Montana, 243-2019, umt.edu/montanamuseum. Through June 20: "Monte Dolack: The Artist's Nature." Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 12-3 p.m.; Thursday, Friday: 12-6 p.m.

Museum of the Plains Indian, 19 Museum Loop Road, Browning, 406-338-2230.

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, 69316 Highway 93, Charlo, 644-3435, ninepipesmuseum.org.

Galleries

4 Ravens Gallery, 248 N. Higgins Ave., 406-317-1543, 4ravensgallery.com: In March: Mixed-media sculpture by Bill Ryder. Opening reception, March 6, 5-8 p.m. featuring live music by Susan Morgan.

Artists Shop, 127 N. Higgins Ave., 406-543-6393, missoulaartistsshop.com: Through March: "Raku Rendezvous 2020," ceramics by the Thorstenson family of Missoula with guest works by students of Lowell Elementary. Artist's reception, March 6, 5-8 p.m. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday.

The Clay Studio, 11065 Hawthorne St., 543-0509: Closing reception for International Cup 2020, March 6, 5:30 p.m. Featured March 20-April 3: Potsketch Auction Preview.

Dana Gallery, 246 N. Higgins Ave., 721-3154: First Friday, March 6, 5:30-8 p.m. featuring award winning Idaho artist Scott Switzer.

Frame of Mind, 1706 Brooks St., 406-549-8589, frameofmindmt.com: Featured in March: fly fishing, wildflowers and everything Montana watercolors and prints by Kelsey Walsh. First Friday reception, March 6, 5:30-8 p.m. Frame of Mind is home for the artwork of Monte Dolack and Mary Beth Percival. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

FrontierSpace, 118 W. Pine St., 816-341-2992, frontierspace.org: First Friday, March 6, 5-9 p.m. featuring "A Language of Our Own Design," collaborative works by UM alums Claire Melli and Michael George Hansen.

Gallery 709 in Montana Art and Framing, 709 Ronan St., 406-541-7100, montanaart.com. In March: "Circle of Nature," paintings by Sally Hickman plus decorated eggs with various techniques and styles by Kathy Howlett, Bob Howlett, Barbara Morrison, Judy Donovan, Elizabeth Serviss. First Friday reception, March 6, 5-9 p.m.

Murphy-Jubb Fine Art, 210 N. Higgins Ave., 406-728-7050, kendahljanjubb.com. Celebrating its 15th year with new watercolors by Kendahl Jan Jubb, oil and pastel by Arthur Herring, acrylic paintings of Missoula by MScott Miller, wood fired ceramics by Richard Smith, abstract photography by Steve Michaels and watercolors by James Hoffmann. First Friday, March 6, with refreshments and live music. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ohrmann Museum and Gallery, two miles south of Drummond on Highway 1. Usually open. Featuring paintings, wood, metal and bronze sculptures by Bill Ohrmann and metal sculptures by John Ohrmann.

Radius Gallery, 120 N. Higgins, 541-7070, radiusgallery.com: Through April 18: "This Universe is You," works by Dawn Candy (ceramics), Chris Maynard (cut feathers), Duane Slick (acrylic) and Kaori Takamura (mixed media). Opening reception, March 6, 5-7 p.m. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ZACC, 216 W. Main St., 549-7555, zootownarts.org: First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. The Mini Show Silent Auction pieces go on display alongside the live auction pieces. Bidding on silent auction pieces will begin at the opening, while live auction pieces are reserved for the event. Featuring works by Theo Ellsworth, Tyler Krasowski, Carlin Bear Don't Walk, Monica Thompson, Robert Wilson, Jack Boyd, Patty Logan, M. Scott Miller, Richard Smith, Madeline Mikolon, Shalene Valenzuela, Jason Boehman, and many others. Plus featured in the Youth Gallery: paintings and drawings by 8-year-old Evelyn Hickey.

Art on view

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, 314 N. Higgins Ave., 721-4141: First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. featuring "Stillness," photography by Marcel Huijser.

Bernice's Bakery, 190 S. Third St. W.: In March: "Seeing is Feeling," photography by Brian T. Chaszar. First Friday, March 6.

Bridge Pizza, 600 S. Higgins Ave., 406-542-0002: Jay Rummels trilogy of prints, Lady from Missoula County, Road to the Buffalo and When First Unto Came to this Country. Monte Dolacks original movie posters circa 1973.

Butterfly Herbs, 232 N. Higgins Ave., 406-728-8780: In March: "Homecoming," film photography by Halle Smith. First Friday, March 6.

City Council Chambers hallway and first and second floors of City Hall: Work by the University of Montana School of Art. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Clyde Coffee, 610 S. Higgins Ave.: In March: "99" presented by Dillon Weickum. First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. Live DJ set by U.F.O. Queen, 6-8 p.m.

Downtown Dance Collective, 121 W. Main St., 360-8763: First Friday, March 6, 5-7 p.m. featuring artwork by students ages 3-15 from the Missoula International School.

The Dram Shop, 229 E. Front St.: First Friday, March 6, 5 p.m. featuring photography by Kayla McCormick. "Dreamstate" explores the "bad" side of photography. The use of limited focus, bokeh and blur create an image that elicits emotion and recalls memory, letting the viewer assign meaning to whatever they see based on their own experiences.

Engel & Volkers Western Frontier, 321 N. Higgins Ave., 926-3322: First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. featuring Cathy Richman with Delicate Hardware and Debbi Mahn with The Laughing Blackbird.

Global Leadership Initiative Lounge, University Center third floor, UM, 243-2019: March 27-May 16: "Art Under Pressure: Function and Form in Prints from the MMAC," curated European and American prints ranging from the 17th to early 20th century. Opening reception March 27, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Lake Missoula Tea Company, 136 E. Broadway: First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. featuring "Art Meets Science," photography by Finn Cassidy.

Noteworthy Paper & Press, 219 S. Third St. W., 541-6683: First Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m. featuring jewelry from Shelby Ashton of The Offering.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Comedian Pete Davidson is feeling the heat.

No, not from critics. The Great Kills native appeared on Hot Ones," an online show where celebrities answer questions while snacking on wings that get hotter as the interview goes on. The episode was posted Thursday on YouTube. (BTW: Davidson made it clear that he is not a fan of spicy food.)

The Saturday Night Live" star was asked about his Netflix special Alive from New York, growing up in the comedy circuit and living on Staten Island. Of course, his upcoming film, King of Staten Island, also was hyped.

Staten Island is like if you go in a time machine to 1980," Davidson said when asked how hed describe the borough to someone who has never visited. "Everything is the same. Its just a bunch of Italian restaurants; everybody is still kinda stuck in their ways. Its adorable and sad at the same time.

The beginning of the interview was full of borough references, including a question on where to get the best pizza on Staten Island.

L&Bs [in Brooklyn] is the best pizza in New York by far, I dont think there is a competitor, Davidson said. Staten Island has the best overall pizza. Like if you could go to any pizza place over there, youre probably OK.

When asked to choose between the National Lighthouse Museum and the Arthur Kill ship graveyard, Davidson said people need to visit the Staten Island dump, thats where the history is. Its filled with old Hondas and bodies. He also expressed his love for the Looney Bin, the Staten Island comedy club that gave him his first taste of being on stage.

Hot Ones host Sean Evans asked Davidson if he had ever been to Big Nose Kates, a restaurant and bar specializing in chicken wings on the South Shore. The comedian said Big Nose Kates is cool, although he has only been there once or twice.

The interview also touched on Davidsons $1 million nondisclosure agreement preventing fans from talking about specific performances, dealing with paparazzi at his home, and going to Knicks games with other stars like Chris Rock.

However, as the wings got hotter, it impaired the comedians ability to talk.

I am embarrassed and mortified, Davidson said with tears in his eyes.

Up next: King of Staten Island has joined the lineup of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The movie, directed by Judd Apatow and loosely based on Davidsons upbringing, will be the opening night film at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 13.
Washington: Almost 90 per cent of people are biased against women, according to a UN report that warns progress towards gender equality is "getting slower and more difficult" in some areas.

Despite decades of progress in advancing women's rights, 91 per cent of men and 86 per cent of women hold at least one bias against women when it comes to politics, work, economics, education, domestic violence or reproductive rights.

The Gender Social Norms Index report published on Thursday by the UN Development Program, also suggested advances in gender equality had created a "backlash" in attitudes, with the proportion of people expressing bias actually growing in 15 countries over the past few years.

Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia, US, yell encouragement to two legislators as they walk down a hallway inside the state Capitol in Richmond in January. Credit:Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP

The figures were compiled using data from 75 countries and territories which together account for 81 per cent of the global population.
DES MOINES  The Iowa House on Thursday approved a bill defining anti-Semitism and providing guidance to those investigating anti-Semitic crimes and discrimination, despite Democrats objecting that the bill sends a message that discrimination against Jews is more serious than attacks on other minorities.

But House File 2504, which had 48 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors, is needed to give state officials an objective definition of contemporary anti-Semitism to ensure proper assessment of criminal and discriminatory incident motivated by anti-Semitism, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said in opening a rare Thursday evening debate.

It would not be a new classification of crime and would not expand legal protections, he said.

It fills a gap in our code with respect to this unique type of discriminatory behavior, Lohse said.

The bill was approved on a party-line vote, 51-45.

The bill would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of anti-Semitism, the international standard used by the U.S. Departments of Justice, State and Education, he said.

According to the definition, anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Lohse listed statistics from law enforcement and groups tracking discrimination showing that Jews are among the most likely minority groups to be victimized and that the rate of hate incidents are increasing.

In addition to the obvious white supremacist activity, there is now an uptick of propaganda on college campuses and in communities, along with hateful robocalls aimed at voters, Lohse said.

That wasnt news to Rep. Ras Smith, D-Waterloo, who related his experience of opening his Capitol mailbox to find a flyer featuring a hooded member of the Ku Klux Klan and a message that lynching is for amateurs.

The sad truth is that evil does exist, said Smith, who is black. Hatred is allowed to operate in many forms. Sometimes it finds its way into this beautiful building.

For nearly two hours, Democrats objected to the bill, arguing that rather than address discrimination, it would say discrimination against Jews is more important than discrimination against others.

There are more attacks on African Americans than on Jews, said Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines.

But by adopting the anti-Semitism law, the Legislature would be saying crimes against Jews are more serious than crimes against blacks, gays, Muslims and other minorities.

Thats the message youre sending, he said. And in todays world, thats a dangerous message.

The Legislature should not pit people against each other, make people choose who should be protected, Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, said.

We all want hate to stop, Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, said, but to just include just one religious group, that sets up a process that I dont think we want to set up.

Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, said shes lived long enough to know positive change is difficult, takes time, takes strength of character and, above all, takes trust, trust in the people you are working with.

The bill is deceiving because on the surface it appears the Legislature is doing the right thing, Gaines said. But Iowans who have walked to the beat of a different drummer, spent our lives trying to explain who we are and what has happened to us dont look at things in a vacuum.

The bill is exclusive because it says that Jews who have been discriminated against are different, superior to the others who have suffered discrimination.

She blamed the sponsors lack of experience, lack of involvement in diversity, your lack of listening, lack of working harder trying to understand.

It tells non-Jews who have been the victim of discrimination their pain is a different kind of pain, a lesser pain, a pain that is not as important.

However, Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, who offered a similar bill, said the meaning of the bill seemed to get lost in the debate.

I dont think that pointing out a problem that we need to address minimizes other problems that need to be addressed, Upmeyer said.

So after three hours and remarks by 30 lawmakers, Lohse summed up this bill saying, We all want to stamp out hate ... I truly do believe HF 2504 does move us to that goal.

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Former policeman jailed for stealing from force

A former policeman has been jailed for stealing from colleagues and during a search address.

Kevin Williams pleaded guilty to stealing 60,000 from the Isle of Man Police Federation.

He ws also found guilty of stealing a Rolex watch worth 6,750.

Mr Williams was handed a custodial sentenced to a total of 32 months for both thefts.

Inspector Quirk, chair of the Isle of Man Police Federation said "The Isle of Man Police Federation welcomes the conviction of Mr Williams who over a long period of time has betrayed the trust placed in him by his friends, colleagues and the communities he formally served. The Isle of Man Police Federation fully supported the action the Isle of Man Constabulary have taken in regard to this matter and we praise the dedication and professionalism of our members who investigated Mr Williams and brought about this conviction."

Williams was dismissed from the force following an internal hearing in August 2018.
The government is under pressure to cover sick pay for workers self-isolating over coronavirus concerns and to reduce taxes for restaurants and the tourism sector which have been hit by reduced business.

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising, Department of Public Expenditure officials met with trade union leaders today amid concerns about employees losing pay if they don't work.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Patricia King pressed officials to ensure workers not covered for sick pay by their employer could get assurances from the state that they are paid if they must remain away from work and self-isolate.

She said the meeting with officials, which followed a commitment by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that some arrangement would be made, was positive, adding: What we have all agreed to do is consider what the options are and whether or not we can build a solution. Everybody understands that the proposition has to be dealt with and self-isolation and the containment phase.

Everybody is of the view that all workers should be able to self isolate. Everybody is working towards a proposition that will handle that.

The concern centres around workers, both private and public sector, who may not be guaranteed pay if they stay at home and self-isolate.

ICTU wrote to Mr Varadkar earlier this week outlining its concerns that hundreds of thousands of workers not entitled to sick pay in low-paying jobs, or precarious work, would ultimately not be able to self-isolate.

Ms Kings letter said that it was imperative to uphold the net incomes of all affected workers, either through the social welfare system or through temporary payments".

The Department of Expenditure refused to discuss the talks with unions today. Meetings on the issue are set to resume over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, wants support for food businesses.

He said: We have a potential recession situation on our hands due to the spread of COVID-19. Irish food and restaurant businesses are already struggling to stay afloat throughout 2020 due to the high costs of doing business, but if the OECD predictions come true, Irish businesses are due to fare much worse."

Tourism and restaurant owners want an immediate reduction of the VAT rate to 9% for businesses for a minimum period of six months. Banks must also defer loan repayments for at least half a year, said the group.

Other supports being demanded include the introduction of a moratorium on VAT payments by Revenue.

A further radical suggestion from the association is for employers PRSI to be halved to help support employers and businesses hit by any economic damage from the coronavirus. Mr Cummins added: "Decisive action needs to be taken immediately. My members need to know that the government supports them in this crisis and that the survival of Irish businesses is a top priority.

"Restaurants and small hospitality businesses across the country have seen a jump in cancellations over the last couple of weeks. What were hearing from our members is that they are experiencing 80% corporate booking cancellations due to COVID-19.
on Friday said Prashant Kumar, former deputy managing director and CFO of State Bank of India, has taken charge as its administrator.

The private sector lender was on Thursday placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

Kumar taking charge as the administrator is in line with notifications issued by Department of Financial Services and the RBI.

"In line with the above, Prashant Kumar, ex-DMD and CFO of State Bank of India, who has been appointed as the Administrator by the Reserve Bank of India under Section 36ACA(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, has taken charge with effect from today," said in a BSE filing.

Yes Bank stock was trading 71.51 per cent down at Rs 10.50 on the BSE.
SALT LAKE CITY, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Go Solar Group's Director of Marketing, James O'Connor, has been accepted into Forbes Communications Council, an invitation-only community for executives in communications, marketing, and public relations.

O'Connor was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

"We are honored to welcome James into the community," said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Communications Council. "Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world."

As an accepted member of the Council, James has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. James will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, O'Connor will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to this acclaimed platform," O'Connor notes. "I look forward to sharing my expertise not just on marketing, but also how the solar industry will positively impact the future of businesses and homeowners worldwide."

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

For more information about Forbes Communications Council, visit forbescommcouncil.com . To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com .

Go Solar Group is a residential solar installer headquartered in Murray, Utah.

SOURCE Go Solar Group

Related Links

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A housing protest will take place outside a luxury apartment block in Dublin this afternoon.

The Dublin Renters Union will demonstrate at 1pm outside Number One, Ballsbridge.

The group says 61 of the 88 apartments in the building are empty while homeless figures continue to rise.

The union's Peter Dooley thinks a vacant home tax would stop properties lying idle.

Mr Dooley said: "A vacant home tax is obviously part of the solution, there is that alongside long-term security and leases for people renting, a massive cut in rents and then we are looking for public housing open to all income levels and the end to the sell-off of council housing.

"Without the decommodification of housing, we are not going to really address the housing crisis. When the crash comes again, when the private market won't build again, people are going to be forced into these situations again."
DUBLIN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Seven new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Ireland on Thursday, bringing to 13 the total number of such cases in the country, according to the Irish Department of Health.

The new cases include four males from the east of Ireland, who had recently traveled to northern Italy, two females from the country's west, who had contracted the virus from a confirmed case, and one male from the south of the country, who is identified as the country's first case of community transmission, meaning the origin of his infection is not known, said the department.

The patient from the country's south is being treated at an intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH), said officials with the department, adding that the patient received medical treatment at CUH last week and was discharged before he was recently readmitted to the hospital and tested positive for the virus.

A tracing for all the close contacts with the seven new confirmed cases as well as the previously confirmed six cases has been under way, said the department, adding that the country is now in its first containment phase in the fight against the coronavirus, which focuses on identifying all the cases no matter how mild they are.

If the country fails to contain the spread of the disease effectively, it will move to the second mitigation phase which will focus on treating the most severely affected patients, said the department.

Ireland reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on Feb. 29. The case involved a boy student from a local secondary school in the east of Ireland, who had travelled to an affected area in northern Italy.

To date, most of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ireland are associated with travel to northern Italy, which is the hardest hit country by the coronavirus outbreak in Europe.
Yesterday, in an incident that was beyond parody, Amber Rudd was no-platformed from Oxford University for allegedly exacerbating racial and class tensions.

What did this mean, exactly? Well, it turned out that the students were upset over her involvement in the Windrush scandal. Fair enough, one might say, but what wasnt so fair was the way in which they put forward their objections.

Far from using the opportunity to debate and scrutinise Rudd, they held a committee meeting  probably resembling something out of Lord of the Flies  where they voted to cancel her talk.

Speaking of the decision, the UNWomen Oxford UK Student Society wrote: We are deeply sorry for all and any hurt caused to our members and other wom*n and non binary people in Oxford over this event.

But the only hurt they caused was presumably experienced by Rudd, who found herself on the receiving end of their pathetic zealotry (why else would they use the word wom*n?).

The whole debacle serves as an enormous wake-up call about how extreme the free speech crisis has become at universities  and, indeed, the West. So much so that the former Home Secretary is now treated as if she were Abu Hamza or Tommy Robinson.

The Left has historically called the free speech crisis concocted; they seem to think Tories are making it up, so that we can be offensive as possible. Every Guardian piece on the issue suggests we want regulations to disappear so that we can normalise hate speech.

This is a smear, obviously. The reality is that censorship has been used to shut down the most inoffensive of comments and ideas. Moderate voices are increasingly being removed from discussions at the whim of left-wing ideologues.

Censorship has, generally, created immense fear in our culture, having been used as a tool by faux liberals to eliminate political dissent and solidify left-wing groupthink. Far from actually being offended, one suspects censorious students get a kick out of cancelling others.

Fortunately, the Tories seem to understand how serious matters are. In their manifesto, they have pledged to strengthen academic freedom and free speech in universities, and have Dr Munira Mirza as one of their key advisors, who has a strong understanding of the censorship culture there.

Writing for The Times in February, Gavin Williamson has even gone so far as to declare that if universities didnt take action to protect freedom of speech on campus the government would.

The issue, however, is that its not entirely obvious what mechanisms the Tories can use to do this. Williamson, for instance, has pointed out that intimidation, violence and threats of violence are crimes. But the right to civil and non-violent protest is sacrosanct.

Herein lies the problem; non-violent protest is the main way in which students get their way. They cancel speakers, or ignore them, or create petitions, and the rest. Students technically havent broken any rules with these methods, so theyre very difficult to deal with.

It seems to me that the change will come from more serious reforms to universities. For one, we need to vet students better  to work out who will truly appreciate the experience. Clearly the Oxford brats are not suitable for higher education. One suspects they are a product of too many teenagers being shoved into the university system; thus they treat it in the same vein as school, as if someone forced them to go. No-platforming is their little rebellion.

We must also ensure that those running universities have more of a grip on the situation  which would be easier if they were not having to deal with such colossal numbers of students, as a result of universities becoming all about bums on seats. With academics having such little contact time with scholars, is it any wonder that young people  left to their own devices  are throwing their toys out of the pram?

Maybe universities should take disciplinary procedures more seriously, too  dare I say even go so far as to suspend or expel students who engage in censorious tactics (give them a taste of their own no-platforming medicine). They could enshrine free speech in their applications process, making sure that anyone who enrols at the university understands its importance, and will not engage in cancel tactics.

Fundamentally, something major has to be done to end this nonsense. Students may be students now, but one day they will be serious decision makers in the UK  lawyers, politicians and the rest. Do we really want people who get upset about Amber Rudd to be calling the shots? What is todays daft story about university snowflakes puts in jeopardy our future ability to speak.
Ukraine's new Cabinet of Ministers is set to continue prudent fiscal policy and cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other creditors of Ukraine, newly appointed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said on Facebook.

"The change of government means that we want even better and faster reforms in Ukraine. The government will continue prudent fiscal policy and constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and other creditors of Ukraine. Achieving the long-term well-being of Ukrainian citizens and sustainable economic growth is our common goal," he wrote in a post.

According to Shmyhal, "the government is ready to accept new challenges and move more actively towards reform and integration with the European Union."

Earlier reports said that investors in Ukrainian eurobonds negatively accepted a reshuffle in the Cabinet of Ministers and started selling them. As a result, Ukrainian government securities have fallen in price.

Investors fear the new government will delay reforms, postpone the signing of the IMF program and increase the fiscal deficit.

op
Tensions over fast-spreading coronavirus escalate in US

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 04 March 2020 7:13 AM

Tensions over how to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus have escalated in the United States as the country's death toll climbed to nine and members of Congress criticized the government's ability to increase testing fast enough to deal with the crisis.

All of the deaths have occurred in Washington state, and most were residents of a nursing home near Seattle.

Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuesday listed 108 confirmed and presumed cases in the United States.

"What is happening now in the United States may be the beginning of what is happening abroad," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the CDC, noting that in China older and sicker people are about twice as likely to become seriously ill as those who are younger and healthier.

The coronavirus chaos has sent shoppers across the country into panic-buying mode, with nonperishable foods, disinfectants, bottled water and toilet paper flying off store shelves.

"It has gotten crazier by the day," said a Target employee who fulfills online orders at a store in Richmond, Virginia. "A lot of it is obviously panic-buying, people stocking up on eight gallons of water or 20 kinds of soups. Items are selling out immediately, as soon as they go up on shelves."

The administration of President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to demonstrate that it is ramping up efforts to combat the spreading coronavirus. US Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that any American can now be tested for the virus if a doctor deems it necessary.

"We're issuing new guidance, effective immediately, from the CDC that will make it clear that any clinician on health authority can administer the test," Pence told reporters at the White House.

Pence's announcement confused some public health officials, since physicians were already allowed to order testing. His comments also raised doubts about whether the Trump administration can rapidly accelerate the production of testing kits, as well as the cost of getting tested.

The US central bank announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to mitigate damage to the US economy from the travel restrictions, factory shutdowns and other disruptions caused around the globe by the epidemic.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill expressed skepticism about claims from US health officials that testing for the virus would be extensively available by the end of the week. "I'm hearing from health professionals that's unrealistic," Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington state said at a Senate hearing.

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(Sharecast News) - Latin America-focussed upstream oil and gas company Echo Energy updated the market on production and operations following its recent acquisition of a 70% non-operated working interest in the Santa Cruz Sur assets, onshore Argentina.

The AIM-traded firm also announced a two-year extension to its existing ?1m loan originally provided in March 2017, and now held by Spartan Class O - a sub-fund of Spartan Fund.



It said average net daily production from Santa Cruz Sur during February was 2,410 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 561 barrels of oil and condensate per day and 11.1 million standard cubic feet of gas.



Production over the period from 1 November to 29 February reached an aggregate of 298,140 barrels of oil equivalent net to Echo, including 67,823 barrels of oil and condensate and 1,382 million standard cubic feet of gas.



During the period, an aggregate net 215 million standard cubic feet of gas was used at the field, for fuel and power.



During February, two cargoes of oil and condensate were sold, including the cargo previously announced as in progress at the time of its 5 February announcement, with cumulative sales of 33,424 barrels net to Echo, with an average sales price of $47.90 per barrel of oil equivalent, which was a premium to the prevailing local market price.



"The company confirms receipt of full payment for the cargo lifted on 5 February with payment for the second cargo expected, as per normal payment terms, in the second half of March," the board said in its statement.



It said delivery of produced gas to customers had continued without interruption, at an average realised price, reflective of the current season of $2.72 per million British thermal units.



As demonstrated by the 19% increase in the average gas price achieved during February, Echo said Argentinian summer gas prices were at a discount to annual averages, adding that it expected to achieve higher realised prices moving into the autumn and winter months.



"Whilst the company's production in Argentina has continued in line with the board's expectations since the time of the Santa Cruz Sur acquisition, and in light of the recent movements in oil prices and the potential for ongoing volatility in the short term, the company intends to put in place an additional unsecured standby credit facility, initially of ?0.4m and up to ?1.0m, with an interest rate broadly in line with the loan."



As at 29 February, the company said it had unaudited cash balances of around $1.4m and expected to receive, in line with its normal payment terms, additional revenues from both the second February cargo and ongoing gas sales before the end of March.



"The company also currently intends for a further oil cargo to be lifted during March."



Echo Energy said the implementation of the facility was a proactive step, intended to provide the company with access to additional working capital in the short term, if required, including in the event of a continued decline in oil demand driven by "recent global events" and any, as of yet unforeseen, local impacts.



Echo Energy also announced that it has agreed a two-year extension of the loan.



"The interest rate of the loan, which was previously due for repayment on 9 March, remains unchanged."



The company agreed that the extended loan would now be repayable with ?100,000 on 30 November, followed by four quarterly instalments of ?50,000 on the last business day of the relevant month from March 2021, and finally with the balance of ?700,000 on 8 March 2022.



In connection with the extension of the loan, Echo said the lender had been issued with 3,571,428 warrants to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the company at a price of 1.4p each, and with an expiry date of 9 March 2022.



"The company looks forward to updating shareholders on testing operations at the Campo Limite - CLix-1001- well at Palermo Aike, which are now underway," the board said in its statement.



At 1040 GMT, shares in Echo Energy were flat at 1p.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Kuwait has lifted an order requiring medical certificates for Indians travelling to the country, according to a release.

The authority had made the requirement for nationals from 10 countries, including India, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a release on Friday, Jazeera Airways said Kuwait has rolled back travel restrictions for Indian passengers.

Kuwait's Jazeera Airways continues to take additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well being of its passengers, it added.

Currently, the airline connects five Indian cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Kochi - to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three Romanian citizens are amongst the persons infected in Italy with COVID-19, on Friday informs the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), according to data released by the Embassy of Romania in Rome and the consular offices in Italy.

So, Romania's Consulate General in Trieste has been informed by the local authorities from Treviso that a case was confirmed in the region, with a double citizenship person, Romanian and Moldovan.

Likewise, the local authorities of Cremona have confirmed a Romanian citizen's case tested positive in Lombardy, and a third case is also a double-citizenship person, Romanian and Italian, in Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna province.
Gunmen opened fire Friday at a ceremony in Afghanistan's capital attended by prominent political leaders, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more before the two attackers were slain by police, officials said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack on its website. Afghanistan's upstart IS affiliate has declared war on the country's minority Shiites. Many of those at the ceremony were Shiites because it was commemorating the 1995 slaying of Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of Afghanistan's ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite.

The Taliban said they were not involved in the attack, which came less than a week after the U.S. and the group signed an ambitious peace deal that lays out a path for the withdrawal of American forces from the country.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said 32 people were killed and 81 wounded in the attack in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul. The Health Ministry also reported 32 people were killed but said 58 were wounded.

Opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah, who is the country's chief executive and was a top contender in last year's presidential election, was among several prominent political officials who attended the ceremony but left before the attack and were unhurt.

Several TV journalists were covering the ceremony inside a walled compound when the gunmen began shooting, and a reporter and a cameraman for a local broadcaster were among the wounded.

Karim Khalili, the chief of Afghanistan's high peace council, was delivering a speech when the gunfire interrupted him. He was not hurt and later went on TV to denounce the violence.

Several witnesses said that, amid the panic, members of the security forces guarding the event had fired on civilians in the crowd.

"Individuals with military uniforms who were there targeted people, there were casualties, dead and wounded, said witness Ghulam Mohammad, according to Associated Press video.

Another survivor, Noor Mohammad, said: Everyone was running. Three casualties were on the ground in front of me. I ran out of there to save my life.

After opening fire, the two gunmen holed up in a half-finished apartment building, leading to a five-hour standoff with security forces. They were eventually killed and security forces were clearing the building, Rahimi said. The area was cordoned off by dozens of security forces.

All of the casualties were civilians, Rahimi said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack in Kabul last year, when a suicide bomber killed 63 people and wounded 182 at a wedding. All were from the Shiite Hazara community.

Any U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan would be tied in part to promises by the Taliban to fight terrorism and IS. During the withdrawal, the U.S. would retain the right to continue its counter-terrorism operations in the country.

The Taliban have been fighting Islamic State militants in its headquarters in eastern Afghanistan. U.S. military officials have said IS has been degraded because of U.S. and Afghan operations but also by Taliban assaults.

A U.S. Defense Department official told the AP that they worried IS was expanding its footprint into Kunar province, where the Taliban knows the terrain and could be an asset in tracking down IS.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As OPEC production cut Vienna meeting developments flood Twitter with oil markets hanging on every word, OPEC may be ready to end its alliance OPEC+ heavyweight Russia after todays meeting between OPEC and non-OPEC members ended with no deal.

OPEC and the Coronavirus have been pressuring Russia for weeks as oil prices have tumbled to sub-$50 per barrel, but Russia has so far decided it doesnt want to participate in further production cuts to offset the loss in demand.

After OPEC so brazenly decided on collective OPEC+ cuts of 1.5 million bpd without Russias input or blessing, the oil cartelthat used to be able to go it alone when it comes to manipulating marketsdecided the non-OPEC members would need to cut 500,000 bpd of that. With Russia being the largest producer in that group, it is assumed that it would have to shoulder most of those cuts.

But Russia didnt appreciate the audacious decide-now-ask-permission later routine, and today, at the meeting in Vienna, Russia failed to agree to any additional cutslet alone a 500,000 bpd one. Instead, Russia agreed only to rolling over the current cuts through the next quarter.

Today will be a regretful day Saudis oil minister said after the meeting ended, according to Amena Bakr, Energy Intel Deputy Bureau Chief, quoting meeting delegates.

However, talks between OPEC and OPEC+ delegates will continue according to a post-meeting statement.

Twitter rumors suggested that delegates had said they may walk out over its alliance with Russia.

Other rumors from recent weeks circulated that OPEC may decide to go it alone with additional production cuts that the Joint Technical Monitoring Committee suggested before the meeting. OPEC denied those rumors.

OPEC and Russia do have a history of drama leading up to production cuts, and Russia has ended talks with no deal before, only to return to the negotiating table to get a deal done.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
To defend Afghan forces from a string of deadly attacks by Taliban fighters, the US launched an airstrike against militants Wednesday, an American military spokesman confirmed.

According to an article by Bangkok Post, the airstrike in southern Helmand province came hours after US President Donald Trump said he had a "very good" conversation with the Taliban political chief.

It can be recalled that Washington and the Taliban on Saturday signed a historic deal in Doha to withdraw foreign forces.

However, not long since the deal was sealed, the militants have launched attacks against Afghan forces, signifying the end of a partial weeklong truce.

In a tweet by US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett, he said the airstrike was aimed at Taliban fighters who were "actively attacking" an Afghan forces checkpoint located in Helmand province.

"This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack," he wrote.

"We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required."

The official added that on Tuesday alone, the militants have carried a total of 43 attacks in Helmand checkpoints killing at least 20 Afghan soldiers and policemen.

An Afghan government official said the attacks have may have casted a pall over peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban which is set to begin on March 10.

"Taliban fighters attacked at least three army outposts in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz last night, killing at least 10 soldiers and four police," said Safiullah Amiri, a provincial council member.

Aside from Helmand, the insurgents also attacked police in central Uruzgan province Tuesday night, the governor's spokesman Zergai Ebadi confimed.

"Unfortunately, six police were killed and seven wounded," said Ebadi.

Taliban political chief Mullah Baradar previously told reporters that he and President Trump had a "very good" 35-minute chat over phone.

"The relationship is very good that I have with the mullah. We had a good long conversation today and you know, they want to cease the violence, they'd like to cease violence also," he said.

But on US military spokesman Leggett's tweet Wednesday, he warned that the "#Afghans & US have complied w/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this (opportunity) and ignoring the will of the people for #peace."

The Doha Deal

The Doha deal aims to end the bloody, 18-year US military presence in Afghanistan.

Under the terms of the deal, US and other foreign forces will leave from Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees.

Aside from this the Taliban pledged to hold an intra-Afghan dialogue with the Kabul government.

Also part of the deal is the release of 5,000 Taliban members from prison in return for 1,000 captives.

For US President Trump, the Taliban and Washington both "have a very common interest" in ending the war.

According to an article by Aljazeera, Afghan people have mixed feelings of hope and fear towards the deal.

Pharmacist Mohammed Aziz expressed high hopes on the future of the country.

"The agreement between the American and the Taliban will have lots of effects on the Afghan people because the security of the Afghans is in the hand of the Americans."

Meanwhile, those who live outside Kabul where the Taliban once ruled are skeptical. Taliban rules nearly half of the country, mainly the rural areas not infiltrated by the American forces.

"If the Taliban comes back, I won't be able to run my business," said CD vendor Shukur Mohamat. "They forbid music. We have to leave the country. For the past 40 years, foreigners didn't let us live in peace. That's why the country is in this situation. It's better if they leave. There will be no peace with the Taliban. It will be worse. I'm scared."

Bibi Gul, who lost her husband and four other family members in a suicide attack by the Taliban wanted the American forces to stay.

Widow with seven children.

"We've never had helped from anyone. It's a miserable life," said the widow with seven children. "My sons collect trash so we can burn it in the stove. The foreigners (Americans) must stay. I haven't seen anything good with the government and the Taliban destroyed our lives. It's because of them that we became beggars. It's humiliating. Only the foreigners can help us."

Despite being told that the Taliban will fully withdraw soon and there is a sense of victory, Afghans remain cautious about the future.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday agreed in principle to give drinking water to Tamil Nadu on a request by a state delegation.

Rao also asked the visiting delegation, which comprised ministers SP Velumani, D Jayakumar and other officials, to make the appeal to the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government.

Rao called up Jagan and informed him of the meeting and his proposal. He added that of the 70,000 TMC water available in India, after meeting the irrigation needs of the entire country, there would still be a surplus of 30,000 TMC. Of this, only 10,000 TMC is enough to properly put to use for drinking water purpose in the country.

The Telangana CM also asked the delegation to send a formal letter from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for the request.
Vodafone CEO Nick Read met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today to discuss about the payment of AGR dues. His visit comes just ahead of the final hearing on the AGR issue in the Supreme Court on March 17.

Vodafone-Idea Limited (VIL) paid Rs 3,500 crore last month from a total AGR dues of Rs 53,000.





Mr Nick Reed, Chief Executive Officer of the Vodafone Group calls on Smt @nsitharamanpic.twitter.com/UohKLw002o a NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) March 6, 2020

The group had earlier said that without a relief package, the company won't be able to pay the complete amount by the March 17 deadline.

Read had earlier said that it had decided not to put any more equity into the Indian business at it may be heading for liquidity and contributed zero value to the company's share price.

Last month, Vodafone Idea had written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Department of Telecom asking them for a 7-8 times hike in mobile data tariffs and 6 paise per minute to be able to pay its AGR dues.

In December too, Telecom companies had increased charges by 50%.

Vodafone had earlier stated that it would need 15 years to pay the pending AGR dues worth Rs 53,000 crore. Vodafone Idea that pays 8 per cent AGR as licence fee urged DoT to reduce it to 3 per cent. Vodafone Idea said that its self-assessment on pending dues stood at Rs 21,533 crore, contrary to the Department of Telecom's demand of Rs 53,500 crore. The company said the amount includes Rs 6,854 crore worth of principal amount up to FY19 and interest up to February 2020.

ALSO READ:Spectrum dues: Vodafone Idea pays Rs 3,042 crore; Airtel gives Rs 1,950 crore to DoT

ALSO READ:Airtel does its own math on AGR, finds total dues to be much less

ALSO READ:AGR crisis: Vodafone Idea wants call rates, internet data prices hiked up to 8 times
Hello, main Amitabh Bachchan bol raha hoon: Delhi cops bust KBC lottery scam

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: The cyber cell of the Delhi police has arrested three persons part of a Pakistan based gang in connection with a Kaun Banega Crorepati scam.

The trio are accused of cheating people from across the country. They would sell a fake lottery relating to the Kaun Banega Crorepati and dupe people. They are accused of duping 100s of people across the nation, the Delhi police said.

The racket operates out of Pakistan and these persons were working for this gang. This has been on for over one year now and it was based on a tip off and several complaints that the trio were arrested, the police also said.

The police say that these persons would make a call on WhatsApp from the number +923043994634. The recorded message would say, "hello, main Amitabh Bachchan bol raha hoon Kaun Banega Crorepati se." The +92 code is that of Pakistan's.

J&K scam: Backdated gun licences issued by District Magistrates under CBI scanner

The caller would then say that he has won a lottery and would then ask to call another person, who they said was a bank manager. The person would say that the bank manager would send the bank details to transfer the prize money.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

The so-called bank manager would then say in order to receive the prize money, an amount of Rs 15,000 would need to be deposited.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 10:41 [IST]
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Purdue University is preparing for what they hope will not occur. However with the spread of the coronavirus growing, administrators are getting their plan in place should it come to West Lafayette.

According to the mayor, West Lafayette is the most densely populated city in Indiana. Also, Purdue has one of the largest international student populations of any U.S. university. Those stats don't bode well for preventing viruses.

Purdue University Student Health with a sign on its door saying, "All patients will be required to answer screening questions related to coronavirus." Purdue University Student Health with a sign on its door saying, "All patients will be required to answer screening questions related to coronavirus."

Ashley Fritz and her friends Fiona Gannon, and Meredith LaPlante are all members of the Purduettes. The singing group was supposed to have an upcoming performance tour to Italy. That is, until the coronavirus spread.

"It's mostly, at this point, I think just disappointment," said Fritz. "I don't think a whole lot of people are thinking about the danger of the virus at this point."

"That concern with going to Italy was that we could bring it back here, potentially," said Gannon. "I respect [the university's] decision."

Purdue President Mitch Daniels said the university is taking this very seriously.

"Where health and safety are concerned, we just try to leave nothing to chance," said Daniels. "Now, we all need to keep our heads about this. The regular flu right now is affecting and hurting a lot more people than this thing."

Daniels said no students are currently infected, or have even been tested for the coronavirus. However, Daniels said one visiting faculty member is in self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution.

"Just to wait the appropriate number of days," Daniels said.

The Tippecanoe County Health Department issued a public health alert Wednesday, saying there was no need to panic, but to be prepared. Health officials said there have been people tested for the coronavirus in the county. They said the number is in the single digits.

The Current Plan

Purdue's plan is to address the coronavirus in three steps.

First, with precaution. With spring break just days away, all university-sponsored travel abroad is now off. The original plan was just to limit travel to countries at a high-risk, including China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.

Second is containment. Should it come, Purdue will quarantine infected students and those who they came into contact with in some areas at Purdue West. In addition, personal trips to countries with Level Three Travel Advisories will require quarantine for 14 days and a doctor's approval to return to campus. The university recommends suspending all personal travel to these countries.

Lastly Purdue is pushing continuity. Purdue could get to the point where it needs to offer online courses.

"It is very unlikely that the problem will progress to the point of needing to impose social distancing and pause face-to-face instruction as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus," wrote Daniels in a letter to the university. "However, we are currently working with the Innovative Learning team (Purdue Online) on approaches that will allow us to continue to deliver courses. Faculty and staff should begin to consider how, through Purdue learning management systems or other means, they would deliver classes and continue communications with students to keep their educational programs on track."

The Future Plan

Purdue is preparing for the summer and beyond.

Should they need to, the university will do much more online. Currently, more than 700 courses are already available this summer. Daniels said there is a chance Purdue could add even more.

The university is also working with international students who may not want to go home for the summer.

"We are going to try to be helpful in housing and other accommodations," said Daniels.

The university is working on a reimbursement protocol for those affected by the spring break study abroad travel suspension. The details of that process are being finalized.

Additionally, Purdue is working to assist students in finding academic programs to make up any credits lost due to the cancellation of study abroad programs.

More information can be found here.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
Last summer, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign was ascendant, comedian Ashley Nicole Black asked on Twitter whether Warren had a plan to fix her love life. Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat who for months had been pushing policy proposals for issues ranging from maternal mortality to green manufacturing, responded, "DM me and let's figure this out." (The subsequent phone call was reportedly very helpful.) When Warren's main rival on the left, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had a heart attack in the fall, she not only sent him kind get-well messages: She sent his staffers dinner and cookies while he was recovering in the hospital.

Such behavior inspired a social media meme about her detail-oriented consideration for others: "Elizabeth Warren always knows exactly what she wants when she gets to the front of the Starbucks line and never holds everyone else up." "Elizabeth Warren has never asked a bartender 'what whiskeys do you have?' She's already checked the shelf." Warren became famous for making personal phone calls to small-dollar donors and for taking selfies with voters: As of January, she had taken 100,000 of them.

The perception of Warren as exceptionally considerate and competent helped her to lead the pollsby October. That perception also helps to explain her subsequent downfall; she suspended her campaign on Thursday. After attracting the nation's attention, she received the relentless, complicated scrutiny it brings to women who stand a realistic chance of gaining a position of authority which only men, historically, have occupied. Under such scrutiny, perceptions that a woman is warm and compassionate can dissipate in a heartbeat, on the basis of minor missteps. Yet for a woman aspiring to the presidency - and for a woman with a very real chance of winning - those perceptions are likely to be vital. She cannot get by without them.

In an illuminating series of studies, social psychologist Madeline Heilman and her colleagues found that, when a man and a woman competed for a traditionally male position of authority, there was a marked bias against the female candidate in favor of the male candidate. When information about their competence was equivocal, 86 percent of participants deemed the male candidate more competent. When there was strong evidence of both candidates' competence, 83 percent of people judged the man more likable. The female candidate was regarded, moreover, as "interpersonally hostile" - as conniving, pushy, selfish, abrasive, manipulative and untrustworthy - even though the study participants had the same information, on average, about the two people to be evaluated (the male and female names on the personnel files were switched for every second participant). These biases were demonstrated in women as much as men, and in people who were still young, as millennials.

But the researchers also found that this potent gender bias could be overcome under specific conditions: when the woman was described as having communal attributes - being understanding, caring, sensitive to others' needs and so on. For men, such communal virtues made no difference to their popularity. So women needed to be extraordinary just for their power to be palatable. When they were seen as erring in these respects, they were liable to be punished and rejected. And research shows that while voters are often willing to vote for male candidates they dislike if they perceive them as qualified, this is not true for female ones.

Unfortunately, a woman can "err" in this domain simply by competing in the political arena and actively challenging her male rivals. A 2010 Harvard study found that voters view male and female politicians as equally power-seeking, but respond to them quite differently: Men who seek power were viewed as stronger and tougher, while power-seeking women provoked feelings of disgust and contempt. Throughout Hillary Clinton's time in public life - her husband's administration, her 2008 presidential run and her tenure as secretary of state - her approval rating was always higher the further she got from political ambition; her popularity fell whenever she sought higher office. In my home country, Australia, Julia Gillard was a fairly popular politician until she became prime minister, whereupon she was widely portrayed in the media as fake, selfish, opportunistic, cynical and backstabbing, having toppled the former leader, Kevin Rudd, in an internal party challenge. When Warren became the front-runner for the Democratic nomination last year, it was, ironically, a liability: She risked being seen as too powerful and ambitious, and disliked on this basis.

Such gender dynamics were also at work during what was perhaps the biggest crisis for Warren's campaign: a rare moment of conflict with her fellow progressive, Sanders. After CNN reported a story about a meeting between them in December 2018, when Warren told Sanders she was planning to run for president. According to Warren's campaign, Sanders said he didn't think a woman could win against President Trump. Sanders, meanwhile, vehemently denies having said this. Rather, he maintains, he said that sexism would be weaponized by Trump against a female candidate.

Whatever transpired - and it's not clear that the two candidates' tellings are ultimately incompatible - Warren's role in the conflict was probably far more damaging to her candidacy. All else being equal, when a woman challenges the authority of a trusted male figure, she is likely to be the one who comes off as incorrect, even immoral. When he says that she's lying, people tend to believe him; when she says that he is, she's perceived as betraying him and attacking him cruelly. Ever since, memes depicting Warren as a snake have proliferated on Twitter. The symbolism is obvious: When a man and a woman clash, she is the one who is poisonous and sneaky.

That imagery is just one instance of the explicit misogyny Warren faced when she behaved in ways deemed uncaring. Some pundits took particular exception to her expressions of righteous anger: "Mean and angry Warren is not a good look," tweeted Jennifer Rubin, a conservative columnist at The Washington Post, during the Feb. 19 debate. "The trouble is, with this senator, enough is never enough," former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg lamented, after Warren demanded that he release female ex-employees from nondisclosure agreements during the Feb. 25 debate.

But other, subtler forms of misogyny also held Warren to a higher moral standard, while forgiving comparable lapses in her male counterparts. When she was pressed, far more strenuously than Sanders, for details about how she would implement Medicare-for-all, Warren eventually laid out a comprehensive plan to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act before passing a bill that would implement a single-payer system during her third year in the White House. Afterward, Warren was roundly condemned for supposedly backpedaling, because it allowed for a "transition" to Medicare-for-all.The controversy seemed to activate people's hair-trigger suspicions about a woman's lack of steadfastness and purity. Meanwhile, Sanders has paid essentially no penalty for flipping on whether the candidate with a plurality of delegates should automatically become the Democratic nominee; now he supports the idea, but in 2016, he didn't. Nor has former vice president Joe Biden faced much criticism, either for his hazy public-option health plan or for the embellished stories he has told on the campaign trail.

With her presidential bid now over, there will be much debate about whether Warren's political misfortunes are attributable to sexism or, rather, her campaign's missteps. But this is a false contrast. Warren fell prey to the widespread - and yes, misogynistic - sense that, unlike their male rivals, women are not entitled to make mistakes, especially when it comes to supposed communal values. They are not entitled to challenge the narratives put forward by their male counterparts. And while they may be permitted to have power under certain conditions, they are not entitled to seek it, nor to take it away from men. Until we face these facts, we will not get a female president.

- - -

Manne, an associate professor at the Sage School of philosophy at Cornell University, is the author of "Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny" and the upcoming "Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women."
A case of coronavirus, or COVID-19, was confirmed in Gibraltar on Tuesday and the authorities stepped up their actions to try to prevent the risk of the illness spreading.

The patient's identity has not been revealed to protect his privacy, but it is known that he and his partner had been to northern Italy and had no symptoms when they arrived back in Gibraltar. They are in self-isolation and he is said to be recovering well.

The government issued a statement following the confirmation, explaining that the young couple had not been in the category of people that Public Health England advised should be tested for the virus. They returned to Gibraltar from northern Italy before the date that Public Health England advised was relevant for testing people from that area, and the man who has now been confirmed as having coronavirus was tested as a precaution when he began to show symptoms.

The government set up a special committee several weeks ago to monitor the coronavirus worldwide and make recommendations on local prevention and protection. People returning to Gibraltar from countries with the virus were asked to notify the authorities in advance and to self-isolate.

Public Health Gibraltar are in direct contact with Public Health England, who in turn report to other European and international bodies. Gibraltar's authorities are also working with Spanish public health bodies to ensure full transparency, communication, coordination and co-operation against this global concern. Several cases of the virus were confirmed in Marbella and Fuengirola last week.

Public Health Gibraltar issues regular updates and advice on the virus, including on social media. People are being urged not to go to the Primary Care Centre or St Bernard's Hospital if they feel unwell and fear they may have coronavirus, but to ring the emergency number 111 for advice. They are urged to use a Gibraltar landline to make the call, because it has been discovered that some mobile phones are automatically programmed to contact the police or fire service if that number is dialled.

Some events in Gibraltar have been cancelled, such as the performances at John Mackintosh Hall for World Book Day yesterday, and the government is advising people not to attend any events which involve large numbers of people.

It also continues to urge people to follow the guidelines about thoroughly washing hands for 20 seconds, using disposable tissues, and not shaking hands, hugging or kissing for the time being, especially people over the age of 70.
MONTREAL, March 5, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company specializing in holiday travel and active in air transportation, accommodation, travel packaging and distribution, will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will release its first quarter 2020 (ended January 31) results on March 12. Media are invited to attend the Meeting. A media briefing with Mr. Jean-Marc Eustache, Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Annick Guerard, Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Denis Petrin, Vice-President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, will immediately follow the Meeting.

Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

Thursday March 12, 2020, 10:00 a.m.

Hotel 10

Foyer Saint-Laurent Room

2112 St Laurent Boulevard, Montreal

Webcast www.transat.com

Media Briefing:

After the Meeting, around 11:15 a.m., Jardin Room

First Quarter 2018 Conference Call:

Thursday March 12, 2020, 2:30 p.m.

Dial 1-800-926-9801

Name of conference: Transat

Webcast www.transat.com

Business reporters are welcome to attend the conference call in listen-only mode.

The archived call will be available at 416-626-4100 or 1-800-558-5253 access code 21951700, until April 11, 2020.

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.

For further information: Christophe Hennebelle, Vice-President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, [email protected], 514-987-1660, 4584

Related Links

http://www.transat.com/


BURLEY  The excited squeals and furiously wagging tails of four dogs greeted Mike Wheeler at the Burley animal control building on Thursday.

The Colorado man was there to pick up his dogs after they survived a multiple roll-over crash on Sunday on Interstate 84 near the Utah border.

Melissa Lee, who is the building department secretary for the city of Burley, called Wheeler after the accident, which seriously injured his girlfriend, Janet Paul, 46, of Longmont, Colorado. Lee told Wheeler his dogs were safe and let him know where to pick them up.

Its a job Lee took upon herself. Shes a city employee who doesnt work for the animal control department yet has built relationships with rescue groups, gathered donations of food, pet beds and supplies for the facility, posted pictures of lost animals on social media and sometimes she even calls a hospital after crashes to let people know their animals are safe.

It means the world to me that she did that, Wheeler said as he gathered the dogs and took them to the car where Paul waited after being released from the hospital. They are the rest of my family. We dont have kids together and these are our fur babies.

After a different vehicle crash, a man and a woman were seriously injured and transferred to a Pocatello hospital, where they faced long-term rehabilitation. Lee was able to work out the details to take their dog to a hospital social worker, who fostered the dog while they recovered.

Lee said the extra tasks come with a lot of emotional ups and downs, but seeing that kind of reunion is why she makes the effort.

I love it, but its stressful, she said. It seriously breaks my heart when we have to put one of them down.

City Building Inspector Gary Pawson, who oversees animal control, said Lees work has turned the facility around.

For Lee, the shift came in 2014 when the department was moved from City Hall to the city service center on Parke Avenue, which also houses the shelter.

Being so close in proximity, she saw daily how understaffed animal control was and the dire need for improvements.

The facility had a high euthanasia rate and non-adoptable animals were not being transferred out to rescues, she said.

As an animal lover, she said, she felt compelled to act.

We are not putting animals down anymore due to space, Lee said.

She works closely with Paws Rescue Inc. and with the Idaho Humane Society, which take the majority of dogs from the facility.

Its about building those relationships and that takes time, Lee said.

The animals are then spayed or neutered and put up for adoption, which comes with costs the city can not afford, she said.

Last year, 381 dogs came into the six-kennel shelter. Thats 100 more dogs than the year before. Of those, 154 were returned to their owners, 217 were transferred to rescue partners, eight were adopted and two had to be euthanized, she said.

We can go from zero dogs to slammed in the course of one day, she said.

When she started working for the city the majority of the dogs were euthanized.

She has changed animal control here, Pawson said.

Pawson said Lee comes in on evenings and on weekends and transfers many of the dogs to rescues.

If she has an idea, I try to figure out how to implement it, Pawson said.

Pawson said Lees work also saves the city money through the donations she is able to procure and her works saves the city the costs of putting so many animals down.

At times, Lee has been able to talk people into surrendering animals that were not receiving proper care so they could be transferred to organizations that could help, he said.

Lee also photographs the dogs and posts their pictures on social media.

As Lee scrolls through more than 9,000 pictures of dogs on her cellphone, she said it is worth the time she spends when people are reunited with a pet.

Its a labor of love, she said.

Photos: Dogs with jobs

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A total of 29,607 people are under observation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for novel coronavirus as on March 5, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed the Lok Sabha on March 6.

He also said 654 people were brought from Wuhan in China on February 1 and 2, and kept in quarantine at Army Camp in Haryana's Manesar and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Camp at Chhawla in Delhi for 14 days.

These evacuees were tested twice and reported negative for COVID-19 and were discharged on February 17 and 18, Vardhan told the House, responding to a query raised by Rahul Gandhi along with two other MPs.

On February 27, a total of 112 people, which included 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals, were evacuated from Wuhan and kept in mandatory 14-day quarantine at the Army Camp in Manesar, the health minister said.

Besides, 124 people, which included 119 Indians and five foreign nationals, have been evacuated from Japan and kept in mandatory 14-day quarantine at the ITBP camp in Chhawla.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

"All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID-19," Vardhan said.

He further said the government had mounted a relief assistance flight to Wuhan on February 26 with an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which carried over 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment for Chinese healthcare professionals.

Assistance to Iran has also been provided by sending a scientist to establish a diagnostic laboratory and test COVID  19 samples in Tehran. Further, a few samples from the Maldives have also been tested in India, he said in a written reply.

In view of the evolving situation, directions have been issued for screening all international passengers. Initially, universal screening was taken up for all passengers coming via direct flights from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore.

As on March 4, a total of 6,241 flights have been screened covering 6,11,167 passengers, he said.

Specialist doctors were sent to all airports to ensure effective screening and arrangement for isolation in attached hospitals. Besides this, screening has been initiated at border crossings, he said.

Vardhan said all regular and e-visas issued to Italian, Iranian, South Korean and Japanese nationals on or before March 3 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.

Regular and e-visa issued to Chinese nationals on or before February 5 were suspended earlier and shall remain in force, he said.

The Union health minister said regular and e-Visas issued to all other foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after February 1 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.

Elaborating on actions initiated to prevent entry of the virus and to contain its spread, the Union health minister said a Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted under his chairmanship, which has held four meetings so far.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been geared up to track and follow up passengers coming from affected countries, he said.

The government have made arrangements for testing of samples at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and 14 other Viral Research and Diagnostics Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in different parts of the country, Vardhan said.

Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained, he added.
Days after the violence, the lanes were once again quiet. More than a dozen residents said they had seen nothing of what happened to Anwar as they cowered in their own homes. An unusual number claimed they had been out of town that day. One group of neighbors sat on a cot they had taken from the wreckage of Saleems house and professed ignorance as to why only his and his brothers homes were targeted.
Kabul: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has authorised an investigation into possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan, which would include allegations against US, Afghan and Taliban forces.

It is possible allegations relating to troops of other coalition countries, such Australia and the UK, could surface in the process.

The ruling immediately drew sharp rebuke from the United States, which has already imposed visa restrictions on Fatou Bensouda, the ICC's chief prosecutor, and threatened further sanctions.

Public Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Credit:AP

"This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Washington, denouncing "ICC politicians".
Global Compact Network India (GCNI) - A local arm of United Nations Global Compact, New York today conducted the third edition of its Gender Equality Summit, 2020 at The Park, New Delhi.

Coinciding with the International Women's day, UNGCNI's third Gender Equality Summit today, linked the international theme with the Indian context to highlight the current generation as a key driver and the India Inc as a key catalyst for gender equality.

This summit today aimed towards building a concrete roadmap towards gender equality at workplaces in India. It focused on driving and bringing in change for inclusive and equal opportunities in employment and growth for the women workforce.

Theme paper on 'Rethinking Gender Representation across Value Chains' unveiled

* Female estimated earned income is a mere one-fifth of male income, which is also among the world's lowest (144th)

* Women only account for 14 per cent of leadership roles (136th) and 30 per cent of professional and technical workers

* Raising women's participation in the labour force to the same level as men can boost India's GDP by 27 per cent

* India is the only country among the 153 countries where the economic gender gap (35.4 per cent) is larger than the political gap (41.1 per cent)

* LGBT talent pool is seen as one of the key enablers in the coming decade

* Globally, 38.7 per cent of employed women are working in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, but only 13.8 per cent of landholders are women

The summit witnessed over 250 leaders across the sectors sharing insights on 'women empowerment'. Key discussions at the summit included gaining an understanding of strategies adopted by leadership to promote a gender-neutral culture across hierarchies within the organisations and supply chains, insights on unique policies, practices, and programs that are structured within organisations to nurture participation and representation.

It also focused on how women empowerment could be stimulated in digital jobs, the role of young women entrepreneurs in addressing social, economic and cultural barriers preventing exploration of nonconventional roles and responsibilities in India. At the summit, Top Best Innovative Practices Awards 'Women at Work - Place' were presented to:

* Public Sector - ONGC

* Private Sector - Winner - Nestle, Runner's Up - Zensar

* NGO Sector - Bharti Foundation

* Academic Sector - Salipur School

* Special Jury Recognition Award - First Steps Babywear Pvt Ltd

"Holistic development of the nation and its societies can only happen if we assign equal value to both genders. For the growth and true success of the nation, gender diversity is imperative and we should strive towards achieving it. We need to keep in mind that Gender equality is not about creating safe and inclusive workplace for women but our homes and society at large too," said Kamal Singh, Executive Director, Global Compact Network India.

"As India moves towards becoming a nation that treats all genders equally, the responsibility of the same rests in the hands of India Inc. in achieving Goal five of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls," added Singh.

"2020 marks 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration. However achieving gender equality continues to remain one of our foremost challenges. This year's theme for the summit - India Inc. for Generation Equality: A decade for action - beautifully sums the goal before us in the coming decade," added Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Chief Sustainability, CSR and Communications Officer, ReNew Power & Chair, GES 2020.

"As we move closer to 2030 it is imperative for India Inc. to expedite the process of achieving generation equality, so that we as a nation are able to reap the social and economic benefits of greater participation of women in the labour force," further added Sinha.

At the Summit, a theme paper on Rethinking Gender Representation across Value Chains was launched in association with Grant Thornton India.

* An estimated 15 million girls and ten million boys of primary school age are out of school.

* Women comprised 39 per cent of the workforce in 2018, but held only 27 per cent of managerial positions.

* 18 per cent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months in the 30 countries where female mutilation (fgm) is concentrated.

* Globally 38.7 per cent of employed women are working in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, but only 13.8 per cent of landholders are women. The lack of sex-disaggregated data in the environment domain affects the development and implementation of effective policies and programmes to address the gender-environment nexus.

* Women are made vulnerable through discriminatory migration policies. An assessment of migration policies related to family renunciation from 45 countries show that 71 per cent impose some restriction on spouses and partners joining migrants in the host country. In other cases, women's migration status is tied to a resident or citizen spouse, preventing them from living autonomous lives and heightening already unequal power relations and possible exposure to violence.

* Women spend 3x as many hours a day to unpaid care and domestic work as men. This limits the time they have available for paid work, education and leisure and further reinforces gender-based social and economic disadvantages.

* At home, at work and in political life, women are too often denied decision-making power. While women represent 39 per cent of the global workforce only 27 per cent of managerial positions worldwide were occupied by women in 2018, up marginally from 26 per cent in 2015.

The paper showcases that the economic opportunity gap has worsened, now requiring 257 years from 2020 to attain parity, compared to 202 from last year. One of the greatest challenges to closing this gap as highlighted in the WEF Gender Gap Report is women's underrepresentation in emerging roles such as cloud computing, engineering and data and AI around the world.

In the context of value chain operations, women are more disadvantaged than men. Female labour-force participation in India has declined from 34 per cent in 2006 to 24.8 per cent in 2020 and seen as a significant deterrent. Skilling of female workforce in primary sectors is of utmost importance. In the agricultural sector, women need to build their capacities to understand the end-to-end integrated agricultural value chain.

Gender stereotypes and lack of infrastructure has traditionally sidelined women from core manufacturing functions. As a result, not many are able to reach leadership roles. The companies need to ensure policies and procedures are made to adapt to various life changes in their employees including maternity, changing care needs, dual-career couples and continuity.

It is the need of the hour that public policy and corporate policies incorporate the various gender-related barriers in India to ensure effective solutions. Gender mainstreaming goes beyond developing separate women's projects within work programmes or women's components within existing activities in the work programmes.

It requires attention to gender perspectives as an integral part of all activities across all programmes. This involves putting gender perspectives as the central frame of thought to all policy development, research, advocacy, development, implementation and monitoring of norms and standards and planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.

Other renowned personalities who graced the event included;

* Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Representative, UN Women MCO for India, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka

* Anjali Singh, MD, Deutsche Bank

* Shweta Rajpal Kohli, Country Director, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Salesforce, India and South Asia

* Anand Vijay Jha, Vice President and Head - Corporate Affairs Public Policy, Communications and Sustainability, Walmart India

* Raj Seshadri, President, Data and Services, Mastercard

* Kaku Nakhate, President and Country Head- India Bank of America

* Gowri Ishwaran CEO, The Global Education and Leadership Foundation (tGELF)

* Dr Alka Mittal, Director-HR, ONGC

* Shelly Singh, Co-founder and Chief Officer, People Strong

* Friederike TSCHAMPA, Delegation of the European Union to India

* Raj Seshadri, President, Data and Services, Mastercard

* Shaili Chopra, Founder, She the People TV

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PEMBERVILLE, Ohio  A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed Thursday by a 19-year-old male, who then took his own life, reports say.

WTOL Channel 11 reports police were called to the home in Pemberville at about 9 a.m. Inside, police found the bodies of Cierra McCrory, 17, a student at Eastwood High School, and Lukas Miller, 19, of Clay Township, Michigan. Both had died of gunshot wounds.

Police believe Miller shot McCrory, then turned the gun on himself, WNWO Channel 24 reports. Police have not indicated how Miller and McCrory knew each other and there are no reports on a possible motive for the shooting.

Eastwood Schools Superintendent Brent Welker tells WTOL that counselors are at the high school to help students deal with their grief. Pemberville Police Chief Jim Darling tells the Blade the small town has not had a homicide in his 17 years at the department.

Pemberville is located in Wood County in Northwest Ohio, about 20 miles south of Toledo.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The United States Government has strongly supported the Southern Gas Corridor for more than a decade because of the contribution it will make to European energy security and to the political and economic integration of the Caspian region with the West, Nathan Reich, Energy Diplomacy Officer, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State, told Trend.

He pointed out that by just about any standard, the project is a major political and commercial accomplishment.

"Once completed, it will stretch 3,600 kilometers and connect six countries  Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Albania, and Italy. It will have involved a dozen or so major international oil and gas companies and investments of around $40 billion deployed over many years, as well as cooperation across cultural, business, and political lines, technological innovation, and coordinated strategic thinking from Washington D.C. and Brussels to Rome, Tirana, Sofia, Athens, Ankara, Tbilisi, and Baku," said the energy diplomacy officer.

Reich believes that through the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, the Corridor could also significantly diversify the gas imports of European countries that are among the most reliant on Russia and consequently most vulnerable to a disruption in those supplies.

"We should keep in mind that the Corridor is expandable. If additional natural gas resources are developed in Azerbaijan, in Central Asia, Iraq, or elsewhere in the region, they too could be exported to European markets via this route. This would contribute to European energy security while generating new long-term sources of export revenue for suppliers.

So where are we in terms of progress? Part of the Corridor was commissioned in summer of 2018, when first gas flowed from Baku through an expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline in Azerbaijan and Georgia into the Trans Anatolian Pipeline, or, TANAP, which brought the gas to Eskisehir in Turkey. TANAP has now been fully commissioned and last month Greece and Turkey celebrated the commissioning of the first part of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, or, TAP, the final leg in the Corridor. If everything stays on track, the remaining portion of that pipeline  which connects Greece to Italy via Albania  will be commissioned by the end of 2020. The interconnector from Greece to Bulgaria, after several delays, also appears to be making progress and could be completed in early 2021," he noted.

Reich said that there have been hiccups and there still may be challenges to overcome, but on balance the US Government is very pleased with the significant progress that has and continues to be made on the Southern Gas Corridor and associated infrastructure.

The Southern Gas Corridor project aims to increase and diversify European energy supply by bringing gas resources from the Caspian Sea to markets in Europe.

The Southern Gas Corridor comprises the following four projects: (i) operation of Shah Deniz natural gas-condensate field ("SD1" project) and its full-field development ("SD2'" project), (ii) the operation of the South Caucasus Pipeline ("SCP" project) and its expansion ("SCPX" project), (iii) the construction of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline ("TANAP" project) and (iv) the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline ("TAP" project) (SD2, SCPX, TANAP and TAP collectively, the "Projects").

The Projects have an estimated investment cost of approximately $40 billion. Upon completion, the SD2 project will add a further 16 bcm of natural gas per annum to 10.9 bcma (maximum production capacity) already produced under SD1 project.

Total length of the newly constructed SCPX, TANAP and TAP pipelines will be more than 3,200 kilometres.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
UPDATE: The fire was placed under control, authorities said, adding that all occupants of the buildings were accounted for, including dogs.

Firefighters are battling a raging fire ripping through multiple stores in a Cherry Hill strip mall Friday.

The stores in the Towne Center strip mall include a Classic Cake bakery, Camp Bow Wow dog day care, The Make-UP Bar cosmetics shop, Pho Huong Viet Vietnamese Restaurant and a Starbucks.

The blaze burned through the roof of the buildings as firefighters poured water from ladder trucks, according to video from the scene.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department said no injures were reported.

A fire raged through a strip mall in Cherry Hill on Friday.Photo courtesy Marc Cohen

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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3 of 11

The International Criminal Court ruled that an investigation into allegations of war crimes, including any that may have been committed by American troops, could go forward.

The investigation is focused on which country?
The government on Friday suspended the broadcast of two Kerala-based channels for 48 hours over their coverage of the riots in Delhi, saying such reportage could enhance communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile.

The Congress and CPI came down hard on the government over the suspension of Media One and Asianet News, calling the clampdown as "stifling of media freedom".

The two channels were issued a show cause notice on February 28 and after they filed their replies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting found them to be unsatisfactory and the reportage violative of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The ministry ordered prohibition of transmission or re-transmission of Media One and Asianet for 48 hours on any platform throughout India with effect from 19:30 hrs on March 6 to 19:30 hrs March 8.

In its orders for the two channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the channels appeared to have covered the violence on February 25 in a manner that "highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community".

Quoting reports from their coverage, the order says that such reporting could "enhance communal disharmony" across the country when the situation is highly volatile.

"Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS," the ministry order on Media One said.

In response to its show cause notice, the Media One channel management maintained that the allegations made were "arbitrary and unreasonable".

On Asianet News' reportage, the order said that while reporting such a critical incident, the channel should have taken utmost care and should have reported it in a balanced way.

The channel, in its response to the show cause notice, had said that the reports published by them were factual and never intended to attack religions or communities by words or gesture.

"Due care and responsibility is expected while reporting based on such incidents. However, it is abundantly clear that the channel has not adhered to the Programme codes and has shown irresponsibility by not fully complying to them," the ministry order on Media One said.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit out at the government saying, "BJP government will have 'no discussion' on Delhi Riots! But they have clamped down upon @asianetnewstv & @MediaOneTVLive! Subjugate, stifle, suppress is the 'mantra' of BJP! Is this 'New India'?"



Condemning the move, CPI general secretary D Raja said, "This is nothing but strangling the voice of media. This is fascism in action".

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) have called for a protest against the 48-hour ban on Asianet and Media One at Jantar Mantar here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi riots: Court sends Tahir Hussain to 7-Day police custody

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: A Delhi court on Friday sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to seven-day police custody in connection with the alleged killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi.

Duty Magistrate Rakesh Kumar passed the order after he was produced before him by Delhi Police which said that his custodial interrogation was required to unearth larger conspiracy, Tahir's advocate Mukesh Kalia said.

Tahir was arrested on Thursday after a court here dismissed his plea seeking to surrender before it in connection with the case.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court directed hospitals not to dispose of any unidentified body till 11 March and asked them to preserve DNA samples of all dead bodies.

The death toll due to the violence in northeast Delhi last week rose to 53 on Thursday. Forty four deaths have been reported from the GTB hospital, five from RML hospital, three from LNJP hospital and one from Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 18:48 [IST]
The Sensex plunged 894 points while the Nifty crashed below the key 11,000-mark on Friday as regulatory curbs on Yes Bank triggered a crisis of confidence among domestic investors.

A heavy sell-off in global markets on coronavirus concerns took a further toll on risk sentiment, traders said.

After nosediving over 1,459 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 893.99 points or 2.32 per cent lower at 37,576.62.

Likewise, the broader NSE Nifty tanked 279.55 points or 2.48 per cent to close at 10,989.45.

Banking counters wilted under selling pressure, with Yes Bank plummeting over 55 per cent, after the RBI placed the lender under a moratorium, capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

The unusual move late Thursday evening came hours after finance ministry sources confirmed that State Bank of India (SBI) was directed to bail out the troubled lender, once a Dalal Street darling.

Tata Steel was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, cracking 6.51 per cent, followed by SBI, IndusInd Bank, HDFC, ICICI Bank and ONGC.

Bajaj Auto, Maruti and Asian Paints were the only gainers.

During the week, Sensex plunged 720.67 points or 1.88 per cent, while Nifty sank 212.30 points or 1.89 per cent.

According to analysts, investors took the Yes Bank episode very negatively, raising questions on the stability of the overall Indian financial system.

"Another bank bites the dust. This time its Yes Bank - one of the large private sector banks. RBI has stepped in and leading state-owned institutions are patching up a bailout plan for the bank and more importantly, safeguard the interest of depositors. However, the already weak sentiments have been dented further.

"The series of accidents in the Indian financial sector sends out a very poor message to the foreign investors. The negative bias is expected would sustain in the near term," said Gaurav Dua, Senior VP, Head - Capital Market Strategy & Investments, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday assured Yes Bank depositors that their money is safe and all steps will be taken to ensure stability in the financial sector.

All BSE sectoral indices ended in the red, with metal plunging 4.40 per cent, followed by bankex, finance, energy, realty, oil and gas, power and industrials.

The broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices too skidded up to 2.36 per cent.

World markets sank deeper into red as the coronavirus outbreak stoked fears of a global recession.

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo sank over 2 per cent.

European benchmarks were also trading significantly lower in their morning sessions.

Brent crude oil futures fell 2.54 per cent to USD 48.72 per barrel.

On the currency front, the Indian rupee depreciated 32 paise to 73.24 per US dollar (intra-day).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Drastic measures are needed to sustain the fight against trade fraud and smuggling of goods into Vietnam from Cambodia, speakers told a conference in HCM City on Thursday.

HCM City Customs authorities seize smuggled tobacco. Drastic measures are needed to sustain the fight against trade fraud and smuggling of goods into Vietnam from Cambodia. Photo courtesy of the HCM City Customs Department

HCM City and provincial authorities said smuggling and origin fraud have been contained in border provinces such as Long An, Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc, but drastic measures should be maintained.

Origin fraud is among the most common violations and involve mainly garments and textile and electronic appliances, which are smuggled in and falsely labelled Made in Vietnam.

Unclear legal provisions and tardy response by authorised agencies have been blamed for this.

The Standing Office of the National Steering Committee has recommended that localities and agencies should strengthen the fight against cross-border smuggling and trade fraud to protect domestic producers and consumers.

Cross-border roads and waterways should be inspected carefully with more checkpoints set up and patrols conducted to prevent smuggling, it said.

Relevant agencies need to have plans in place to crack down on smuggling rings, trade fraud and counterfeits, it said.

Communication campaigns should be run to raise public awareness of the impacts of smuggling, particularly in border areas, it added.

Authorities have discovered 3,654 cases of trade fraud and smuggling from Cambodia in the last eight months.

According to the Department of National Steering Committee against smuggling, legal proceedings have been started against 1,180 violators.

Cigarettes accounted for much of the smuggled goods  there were 412,562 packs  but there were also 64 kilogrammes of synthetic drugs, 500 tonnes of sugar, 40 automobiles and motorbikes, wood, air conditioners, refrigerators, and electronic goods.

In 2019 more than 16,660 cases of trade fraud involving goods worth VND2.6 trillion ($111.9 million) were discovered.

Vietnam and Cambodia have for years focused on co-operating, especially on the border, to fight smuggling and trade fraud.  VNS

Fight against origin fraud to be enhanced The National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Commercial Fraud and Counterfeit Goods has asked the handling of violations related to made-in-Viet Nam origin fraud to be enhanced.

Prime Minister orders intensifying fight against crime, smuggling, fraud Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested that breakthroughs be made in 2020 in the fight against crime, smuggling and trade fraud at a national conference on January 2.
NASAs new Mars rover has a new name thanks to a 7th-grade student: Perseverance.

Alexander Mather, a 7th grader at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, entered the name Perseverance in a NASA contest. His entry was selected as the winner.

We as humans evolved as creatures who could learn to adapt to any situation, no matter how harsh, Alexander wrote in his entry essay. We will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere.

According to Business Insider, Alexander will be invited to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to watch the rovers launch.

The contest was open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The organisation launched the contest in August 2019 and received more than 28,000 essays. Those essays were winnowed down to nine finalists, and a public poll was conducted, which NASA officials considered during when deciding on the winner. The other finalists were Endurance, Tenacity, Promise, Vision, Clarity, Ingenuity, Fortitude and Courage.

Recommended NASA tried to get people to name the Mars rover

NASAs Science Mission Directorates associate administrator Thomas Zurbuchen announced the selection on Thursday.

Alexs entry captured the spirit of exploration. Like every exploration mission before, our rover is going to face challenges, and its going to make amazing discoveries, Mr Zurbuchen said. Its already surmounted many obstacles to get us to the point where we are today -- processing for launch.

NASAs naming contest is also how the rover Curiosity got its name.

Engineers began building the Perseverance rover two years ago at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Perseverances mission on Mars will be to search for signs of past life on Mars and to expand our understanding of the planets history. Its exploration will begin in a region of Mars called the Jezero Crater, which scientists believe may have been a river delta at some point. Scientists are hoping if there is evidence of ancient alien life, they may find some of it in this region.

The mission is intended to be the first of a two-part mission to eventually return Martian samples to Earth.

Perseverance is scheduled to launch on 18 February, 2021.
Tucked behind a Boonsboro neighborhood sits Virginia Beach School Systems bus No. 80, parked alongside a secluded creek.

Its a bit off the beaten path, which is what Melody Infinger was aiming for. She and her business partner Ryan King wanted to create a place for people to relax and reconnect with the natural world beyond the cold hard concrete of suburbia.

Thats why they converted this school bus into a tiny house, which is offered for rental on Airbnb under the name Boondockers Dream on Wheels.

We wanted to have a place so people can have a rejuvenating getaway to get out of the stress and static of life, to be somewhere that is totally different  in a bus, Melody said. A boondockers dream is being in a habitat of nature that is true rejuvenation. Thats why we named it that.

Melody talked about walking barefoot on the ground, creating that connection between ones body and the earth.

When you are constantly surrounded by suburbia  thats not nature, so when you get back to nature and how nature operates, it creates a sense of calmness and releases the stress from your body, Melody said.

The bus, named Assurance, sits nestled in groves of trees and wild bamboo down a quarter-mile-long gravel driveway past an old farmhouse slowly undergoing restoration.

Plan a special getaway in luxurious glamping on our Schoolie, an adventurous experience in tranquility, the rental listing reads. ...Our bus was recreated into a true, rustic, tiny house for those who desire a minimalist experience with serious quiet and aesthetic beauty to look at all day.

Guests climb aboard the bus through the same accordion doors as thousands of children have as they have headed off to school.

Beyond the drivers area is where the school bus nostalgia ends. A wooden door serves as the entrance to the rustic 1870s-style one-room cabin environment that comprises the rest of the bus.

The idea here is that this is a portal, Melody said of the door separating the cab of the bus from the rest of the space. The idea here is we want people to go back in time, to the 1800s, so we want people to go into a portal to go back in time.

The floor is planked with reclaimed cherry wood patterned to look like peaks with diamond insets to draw the eye to each mountains pinnacle. The wood was salvaged from a loft renovation in downtown Lynchburg and donated to the project, she said.

The place where the first few rows of school bus seats once were mounted now is the living room area. A diamond-patterned table hinges up from one wall of the bus and a futon crafted from recovered school bus seats occupies the other side.

We wanted this to be as multipurpose as it can be, Melody said.

A wash tub sink with running water, three-burner stove, a coffee maker and a mini refrigerator comprise the kitchen. Melody stocks the bus with coffee and tea as well as beer or wine for guests.

Melody enjoys throwing pottery, and her handcrafted bowls, coffee mugs and plates line the shelf above the stove. Leather straps from Moore & Giles attach the shelves to the copper pipe supports. All the curtain rods are culled from bamboo cut from the property.

Pocket doors with the same diamond pattern separate the kitchen from the bathroom and bedroom area. Beyond is a small shower lined with reclaimed wood with aqua-color patina. A propane hot water heater fuels the shower with steamy water, but Melody said short showers are best.

You are coming with the idea of sustaining and protecting the earth, and minimal use, while you still have a nice hot shower, Melody said. Its a luxury.

Opposite the shower is a composting toilet, which Melody said sometimes trips up guests who are unfamiliar with such a toilet. It basically is a bucket lined with a biodegradable bag. Once the business is complete, cedar chips are available to sprinkle over it to mask any smell and the bag gets dropped into a composting pile to become fertilizer.

Just like the animals, you become part of the ecosystem, she said.

At the back of the bus is the master bedroom, consisting of a thick memory foam mattress the size of a double bed. Nature books line the shelves and little lights strung over the bed provide a romantic ambiance.

The bus can sleep up to four people  two in the master bedroom, one on the built-in futon and one on a cot.

Heat is provided by a wood stove or a space heater and, for the warmer months, a window air-conditioning unit is available. The bus is open to guests from April to November.

This is a reimagined [space], Melody said. Its not a new house. It is a different habitat.

Its more like a high-end glamping sort of thing.

...One of our things is to reimagine the past. Were trying to help the community get back with historic things. The life they have can still bring us life today.

Melody and Ryan got the bus in summer 2018 and began work to rebuild it into a tiny home. A little more than a year ago, they brought the bus to its current location after the owner of the farmhouse cleared some land on which to park it.

Melody, who manages several Airbnb properties, said she connected with Ryan after he brought a different bus, named Providence, to Appomattox. Ryan sold that bus and soon wanted to create a new one.

Having a bus turned tiny house is a bit of a twist on the tiny house concept, Melody said. Its somewhat of a cross between a tiny house and a recreational vehicle, since the school bus remains fully functional.

We could park it somewhere else or road trip with it, Melody said. It takes an RV to a whole new level. Theres nothing cheap in there, theres nothing plastic and so its a lot more visually stimulating than an RV.  Im not saying [RVs] dont have their purpose but I would rather have one of these.

It took a few days to remove the seats and pull up the old flooring and another three months to rebuild it into the tiny house on wheels. It opened for rentals for the first time last April and, by November, it was booked almost every night.

Melody and Ryan plan to create another schoolie and consult for people who wish to revamp their own bus through their business, Bus Village of America.

We believe BVA is the future sustainability of America, meaning more and more people will want a tiny house on wheels, semi off-grid living, and more nature in their lives, Melody wrote in an email. So, we created this place where they can come experience what it could be like.

PHOTOS: Reimagined school bus gives visitors taste of rustic cabin life

Tucked behind a Boonsboro neighborhood sits Virginia Beach School Systems bus number 80, parked alongside a secluded creek.

Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539.

Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539.

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We now know how Jason Isbell's upcoming album opens.

Isbell, a Grammy winning Alabama native now residing in the Nashville area, has released "What've I Done To Help," the second single and first track off his seventh studio LP, "Reunions," due May 15.

The song channels vintage Laurel Canyon strum. Opening with Isbell repeatedly singing the tunes title like a mantra, Whatve I Done To Help floats forward on liquid mercury bass, cinematic strings, soft-focus keyboards and pitter-patter percussion. The lyrics, an Isbell calling card, include: Thought I was alone in the world, until my memories gathered round me in the night. Thought I was strong until I finally had to fight. If I kept my head down and showed up to work on time and watched my appetite, put the money in the mattress, locked the doors at night then wed all be alright.

The track builds to an impressionistic outro. Skydog slide guitar and more mantra vocals create an audio hall of mirrors. If youre going to lift vibe from Crosby, Stills & Nash records (always a good decision), it helps to actually have Crosby, Stills or Nash on the track. Isbells enlisted Croz himself, aka David Crosby, for backing vocals on Whatve I Done To Help. (The song is also the latest in a long line of musical titles to ask a question without using a question mark.)

Isbells longtime backing band, The 400 Unit, features Sheffield native Jimbo Hart on bass and Tuscumbias Chad Gamble on drums. The group also boasts violinist/backing vocalist Amanda Shires, guitarist Sadler Vaden and keyboardist Derry deBorja. (Isbell and Shires are also married.) Isbells last two albums, 2017s The Nashville Sound and 2015s Something More Than Free, have won multiple Grammy Awards.

In February, Isbell gave fans their first peak at Reunions with the alt-rock song Be Afraid." This week, the former Green Hill and Muscle Shoals resident performed a sold-out benefit concert in Birmingham for U.S. Sen. Doug Jones. Fans can preorder Reunions via jasonisbell.com. Isbells next scheduled shows in Alabama are March 28 at Mobiles Saenger Theatre and March 29 at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre.

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RACIAL tensions continued in Guyana yesterday as leaders blamed one another for rioting by party supporters.

A Facebook post by Guyanas public health minister Volda Lawrence blamed the opposition PPP/C for attacks by residents in parts of Guyana following voting on March 2.
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automotive Radiators Market - Forecasts from 2020 to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global automotive radiators market was valued at US$9.202 billion for the year 2019.

The automotive industry is witnessing an increase in the production of passenger vehicles as well as commercial vehicles, which is causing the demand for radiators to rise, and thereby contributing to the market growth. Moreover, the stringent norms and regulations regarding engine emissions are encouraging manufacturers to produce good quality radiators which is also contributing to the market growth.

Recently, it was found that nanofluid can be used for motor cooling. Now research is being conducted to enhance the efficiency of the radiators used in automobiles. For this Titanium Dioxide water nanofluid was used as a cooling fluid at concentration 2% and it was found out that the effectiveness increased by 10%. Therefore, by optimizing the materials used in radiators and enhancing the cooling fluid the market holds good growth opportunities.



Furthermore, the increasing investments and participation of market players in research and development to improve these radiators and make them lighter and efficient to bolster the market growth over the forecast period.



The automotive radiators market has been segmented based on material type, vehicle type, end-user, and geography. By material type, the market has been classified as copper and brass and aluminum. By vehicle type, the market is segmented as a passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle and heavy commercial vehicle. By end-user, the market has been segmented into OEM's and aftermarket.



Aluminum to hold a significant market share



By material type, Aluminium is expected to hold a significant share in the automotive radiators market, which is attributable to the fact that the mass production of aluminum radiators is cheaper for the manufacturers than copper and brass radiators. One additional advantage is that it is lighter in weight as compared to copper and brass radiators.



Passenger Vehicles segment will continue to account for major demand



By vehicle type, passenger vehicle is expected to hold a significant share in the market owing to the rising production of passenger vehicles coupled with rising demand for these vehicles due to increasing purchasing power of people facilitated by the increase in their disposable income.



OEM's dominate the automotive radiators market



Radiator is a very important component in the vehicle as they easily aid in the removal of heat from the engine, thus helping it cool down faster without causing any complications. By end-user, OEM's are expected to hold a significant amount of share in the market owing to the fact that the vehicles which are produced by the automakers come fitted with either copper and brass or aluminum radiators.



Asia Pacific will witness fastest regional market growth



By geography, Asia Pacific is expected to hold a significant amount of share in the market, which is attributed to increasing production of vehicles in countries of this region like India and China and the increase in demand of passenger vehicles from some countries of this region, which is facilitated by the increasing disposable income of people. According to Maruti Suzuki India Limited, they sold around 133,296 vehicles which included domestic sales and export sales increasing from 128,338 vehicles in 2018, which was an increase of 3.9%.

On 29 November, the BMW Group, one the largest automaker in the world and Great Wall Motor are planning to invest around 650 million Euro for the construction of a new vehicle production plant in China with a capacity of 160,000 vehicles per year under the joint venture Spotlight Automotive Limited. The planned phase of construction is from the year 2020 to 2022.



Some of the major companies covered as a part of this study are MAHLE GmbH, DENSO CORPORATION, and Delphi Automotive among others.



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. Global Automotive Radiators Market Analysis, by Material Type

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Copper and Brass

5.3. Aluminum



6. Global Automotive Radiators Market Analysis, by Vehicle Type

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Passenger Vehicle

6.3. Light Commercial Vehicle

6.4. Heavy Commercial Vehicle



7. Global Automotive Radiators Market Analysis, by End-User

7.1. Introduction

7.2. OEM's

7.3. Aftermarket



8. Global Automotive Radiators Market Analysis, by Geography

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.3. South America

8.4. Europe

8.5. Middle East & Africa

8.6. Asia-Pacific



9. Competitive Environment and Analysis

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix



10. Company Profiles

10.1. Blaak Radiateuren VOF

10.2. MAHLE GmbH

10.3. Griffin Thermal Products

10.4. General Motors

10.5. Denso Corporation

10.6. Dolphin Heat Exchanger

10.7. Delphi Auto Parts

10.8. Modine Manufacturing Company

10.9. Tianjin Yaxing Radiator Co. Ltd.

10.10. Marelli Corporation



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mls01f

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
On February 26, 2020, I spoke at the U.S. Army War College's Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pa. The title (and topic) of my talk was lifted from my last book: Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West.

Since then, I have received a number of questions concerning the event  how it was, how I was, if there were any disruptions, if the event even took place at all  which I hereby try to answer.

First, as many know, the terrorist-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations ("CAIR") tried again through press releases and petitions to get my talk canceled. It failed.

Secondly, everything went smoothly and properly. The Army Education & Heritage folks were professional and courteous. The two main heads of the U.S. Army War College, which people  both those who protested letting me speak (CAIR, etc.) and those who supported free speech (ten congressmen, the National Association of Scholars, etc.)  directed their appeals to were also present: M.G. John S. Kem, the commandant of the U.S. Army War College, and its provost, Dr. James G. Breckenridge.

Both greeted and spoke with me briefly and sat in the front and center row for the duration of my talk (an hour, followed by Q&A). Geoffrey Mangelsdorf, director of the Army Heritage & Education Center, which hosted the event, was also present and agreeable.

I heard various numbers from staff concerning how many people attended  as many as "nearly 300." The large events room certainly did seem packed.

I saw no protests or disruptions of any sort, including during the Q&A (this was, after all, at a secure military facility).

Right after the event, a colleague emailed me asking how I did. One of the several people copied on this email  who I subsequently learned had attended the event  gave a comprehensive response. I liked it very much  not least due to its enthusiastic and "live" feel, as it was written very soon after the event had ended. As such, I thought it would be nice to share her account publicly, for the benefit of all those many people who had a stake in seeing this talk  that is, in seeing free speech about Islam  go through. She graciously agreed. What follows are the exact words of Stacey Swain, a retired Navy lt. cdr., as they appeared in an email from her responding to someone else asking me how I did:

Mr. Ibrahim was MASTERFUL. The room was packed, and people were riveted. Frankly, I can't say enough. I learned so much last night  to include some of the quotes Mr. Ibrahim mentioned that fascinated me  and that I probably should have heard before. I must say I felt like a bit of a clod that I didn't know some of this information already. The questions after the presentation were interesting  though some made me want to tear my hair out for the way they clearly were trying to manipulate this presentation and subject matter; others really reinforced my faith that people may finally be "getting it." For a few of the questions that obviously had motives behind them, Raymond was unshakable, professional, direct and steadfast in his answers; so much so that I quietly laughed at one of them, turned to the friend next to me and mouthed the word, "BOOM" (mic drop) after he gave his answer. I was the guest of a friend  a retired Army LTC and Congressional chief of staff  who I thanked no less than 10 times for inviting me to this presentation, and who laughed as I was actively searching for Raymond's Facebook page, and then ordered his book while I was sitting and listening. I don't want to be melodramatic, but he was THAT good. Mr. Ibrahim doesn't opine, interpret, judge and accuse; he delivers his message through what was clearly painstaking research and historical fact - period. The presentation was magnificent. I can't say enough.

Finally, I was informed that the entire lecture was videotaped and will eventually be made available online.
ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago was named to the all-tournament team at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. In two games, she scored 38 points and had eight rebounds.

DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk was named MVP of the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament after the Bulldogs beat Chariho in the title game. Wilk had a combined 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in two tournament victories.

TYLER LABELLE, Chariho, Boys Basketball, Junior; LaBelle scored 41 points in two games to earn all-tournament honors at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. LaBelle had 22 in a win against South Kingstown and 19 in a loss to Westerly.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler, Girls Basketball, Senior; Hauptmann scored 32 points in two games in the Montville Christmas Tournament. She also had 20 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals.

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The Reserve Bank of India's moratorium on private sector lender Yes Bank has thrown the Indian fintech ecosystem out of gear.

From startups which relied on Yes Bank for Unified Payments Interface- based transactions like BharatPe and PhonePe to those which used the bank's API banking service, all suffered transaction failures and suspension of services.

Track this blog for the latest updates on Yes Bank

Till the time the tech industry grapples with the crisis and moves on to other banking channels, there will be problems faced by both customers and businesses.

Here's a look at some of the issues that have cropped up due to the recent development:

1. Digital payment outage: One of the largest impacts were felt in the digital payments space with card payments at terminals deployed by Yes Bank stopping mostly from midnight of March 5. For Yes Bank handle users, Unified Payments Interface which allows customers to transfer funds between bank accounts stopped as well. IMPS (Immediate Payments Service) another interbank fund transfer mechanism, RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlements) for large value transactions all were stopped for Yes Bank customers. Third party payment applications like PhonePe, BharatPe along with many others also faced outages. QR codes deployed through the bank stopped functioning creating problems for small merchants. Late in the evening PhonePe restarted card and wallet payments through their app.

2. Transition to other banks: BharatPe has started looking for ways to transfer the merchants acquired through Yes Bank to ICICI Bank, its other banking partner. However transition is not easy, might require replacement of the entire QR code base and fresh agreements between parties as well. Even PhonePe is transitioning into a new banking partner. Interestingly Paytm Payments Bank took to micro blogging site Twitter to offer them use of their platform, which PhonePe, its major competitor (not-so-politely) rejected.

Also Read | Yes Bank rescue plan: RBI announces draft scheme of reconstruction

3. Advantage Paytm? The buzz in the market is that this move could benefit Paytm in luring away merchants who were using PhonePe or BharatPe for UPI payments. In fact, one top payment executive quipped it could be 'second demonetisation' for Paytm. But how much of that transition happens will be seen over time.

4. API Banking: One big impact is on the startups which were consuming API banking rails of Yes Bank. For instance, fintechs who wanted to verify a customers bank account details could use Yes Bank APIs to do what is called a 'penny drop' or a test fund transfer and ensure all the account details are correct.

Many startups have been part of the accelerator programme of Yes Bank which will be affected. Many entrepreneurs took to Twitter to call out the best in class API infrastructure which the bank had built and lamented that they could now be forced to settle for the second best service.

5. Yes Bank as main bank account: Customers who were using Yes Bank account as their principal account needed to move to other accounts. Players like Zerodha, Instamojo, Paytm Payments Bank said that they have stopped moving funds to Yes Bank accounts and requested their users to connect these platforms with any other account that they might have.

Naveen Kukreja, chief executive officer, Paisabazaar said that customers with credit cards from the bank needed to repay their dues on time, but those cards would remain inactive till resolution.

6. Biz in rural areas: Yes Bank also has around 31 business correspondents as its partners which provided banking in rural areas. In the last financial year, the bank processed Rs 20,496 crore through this platform. They were also affected with facilities like AePS not working. This caused problems in cash outs in rural areas and domestic remittance services got disrupted. Till the transition period is over, there will be disruption in the services.

Yes Bank was one of the leaders when it came to digital payments. With partners like PhonePe, PayNearby and others, Yes Bank dominated UPI, IMPS and AePS in terms of transaction volumes. The bank had also invested in multiple smart city projects across Udaipur and Puducherry. Other niche government programmes included digitizing government to citizen payments in Rajasthan and others. All these services will be affected. As per numbers released in its Annual Report for the last financial year, the bank claimed 31% share of transactions on UPI with over 27 crore UPI users. Overall value of money settled through UPI last year was Rs 2.3 lakh crore. The bank processed 15 crore transactions on AePS in 2018-19. Given the current scenario, all these gains made by the bank could be wiped out.
Frontline gardai in Cork have welcomed moves to almost double the size of the citys sex crime unit.

The Irish Examiner revealed on Tuesday that the Cork Divisional Protective Services Unit is to get an extra 11 officers comprising two detective sergeants and nine gardai.

The competition for the staff, which is to begin soon, will, on completion, bring the strength of the specialist section to 25.

The decision by Garda HQ has been welcomed by the Garda Representative Association, the staff body for frontline members.

Crimes investigated by the Protective Services Unit are of the most sensitive and often disturbing nature, said GRA representative for Cork City Division, Padraig Harrington.

It is only right that Cork City should have a fully staffed specialist unit for this type of work and victims of sexual crime can be assured that an appropriately trained expert will be assigned to investigate their cases.

He said other State agencies and voluntary bodies who support victims of sexual violence will get a lot of comfort from the development.

The Cork Protective Services Unit was unable to take on any new cases last year because of a backlog of cases and fewer than half of reported offences this year are being investigated by it.

Detective Garda Harrington said: The GRA also welcomes the news that the Protective Services Unit has worked through the vast majority of the backlog of historical cases and they are now in a position to take on new investigations.

A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner earlier in the week: During 2019, the Protective Services Unit in Cork City were unable to take on additional cases due to a number of complex investigations, which involved an immense workload. Since the beginning of 2020, over 40% of the incidents that would fall under the Pulse category of sexual offences have been taken on by the Protective Services Unit in Cork.

Sanction has been given to hold a competition over the coming months to add additional resources into the Protective Services Unit in Cork.
Coimbatore: Bandh called by Hindu, Muslim outfits postponed on March 7

India

oi-PTI

Coimbatore, Mar 06: The bandh announced by the Hindu Munnani and Federation of All Islamic Organisations and All Jamaat would be observed on March 7 as against its schedule on March 6. However, some 100 shops downed shutters in Valparai in the district of Coimbatore on Friday in response to the bandh call. Normalcy was not hit as buses and other vehicles plied as usual, police said.

The Hindu Munnani had on Thursday given the call for bandh to protest against the attack on its district secretary Madukkarai Anand while he was returning home after attending a pro-Citizenship Amendment Act rally on Wednesday night.

5 foreigners asked to leave for taking part in anti citizenship law protests

Similarly, the Muslim outfits postponed the shutdown to March 7. They were demanding the arrest of those involved in the hurling of petrol bomb on a mosque here and also an attack on a Muslim auto-driver who was standing near the government hospital on Thursday.

Early Thursday, there was tension prevailing in parts of the city after two mosques came under attack following which security was beefed up, police said. While a bottle filled with petrol was hurled at a mosque at Ganapati locality, there were reports of stones thrown at another place of worship at Kovaipudur, they said.

The incidents were suspected to be in retaliation to an alleged attack on the Hindu Munnani worker. Both Hindu and Muslim outfits had called for a dawn-to dusk bandh on Friday to condemn the incidents.

Madukkarai Anand was attacked by some unidentified people, who came on bikes while he was returning home after the pro-CAA 'dharna' on Wednesday. A large posse of police was deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident.

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Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 17:48 [IST]
The ongoing strike of University of California (UC) graduate students escalated yesterday with mass demonstrations in response to calls for a UC-wide walkout. UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) strikers shut down campus, setting pickets beginning at 5:30am to block traffic. Many students and supporters went on strike and held mass demonstrations at other UC campuses and held assemblies to discuss the way forward. While the United Auto Workers (UAW) union is attempting to demobilize the strike and prevent it from openly challenging the Democratic Party, Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaigners, including Vice Presidential candidate Norissa Santa Cruz, fought to expand the struggle off the campuses into a political strike against the Democrats.

The morning picket at UC Santa Cruz

The UC graduate student strike began as a fight for a substantial cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and expanded sharply after last Friday's firing of what is now over 100 UCSC graduate teaching assistants (TAs) who began withholding Fall 2019 final grades in protest over massive rent burdens and widespread graduate student homelessness.

This wildcat strike was organized in direct defiance of the UAW's poverty contract, which includes a no-strike clause. Illustrating the corruption of the union, former UAW president Gary Jones was just indicted for embezzling $1 million in union funds as part of a bribery scandal that has now spread to the entire national leadership.

The UAW is now calling on students to end the strike until at least April, when it intends to hold a strike authorization vote over so-called "unfair labor practices" (ULP). Listed among these unfair practices is "unlawful bargaining directly with individual graduate students," i.e., thinking of bargaining with the wildcat strikers. Unions have a long history of using such ULP strikes to explicitly prevent workers from raising demands or even making statements related to compensation and working conditions.

Norissa speaking to students at UCSD

In other words, the UAW is asking graduate students to call off their strike for livable wages, continue working under crushing rent burdens and homelessness, and then strike to demand good faith bargaining with the same team that "negotiated" poverty wages and a no-strike clause. There is no good faith between the UC regents under UC President and Obama adminstration Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano and the Democratic Party that she represents and students. Napolitano made her position on COLA clear when she greeted initial COLA protests with police repression and then fired the strikers.

Strikers warmly greeted SEP and World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) campaigners at UC San Diego (UCSD), where over 500 rallied, UC Los Angeles (UCLA), 600, UC Berkeley (UCB), over 1,000 and UC Santa Cruz (UCSC), over 500. UC Santa Barbara graduate students, who have been on strike since last week, led a demonstration of over 2,000.

The UAW clearly does not have control over the strike. A speaker at the UCB rally rejected the UAW's efforts to shut down the strike, asserting, "We need to strike not in April, not in May, but right now, to save the jobs of our colleagues at UC Santa Cruz."

SEP Vice Presidential candidate Norissa Santa Cruz was given the chance to address the rally of over 500 at UCSD on a bullhorn speaker. She elaborated a socialist perspective to help guide the striking grad students:

"The SEP supports the striking grad students. Over the years, there have been immense cuts, not just in the UC system, but in public schools in the US and beyond. Weve seen a wave of teachers strikes across the world over the past two years. One of the main things youll face is isolation of your struggle. And one of the main promoters of this isolation will be the United Auto Workers and the trade unions. What happens here at UC is that the entire workforce and students are divided into different unions, AFSCME, Teamsters, SEIU, UAW, etc. So if there is any action, only a tiny percentage of the workforce will go out on strike. Its isolated. The entire university continues to run and it's business as usual.

SEP (US) Vice Presidential candidate Norissa Santa Cruz addressing the crowd at the UC San Diego rally

"What is fundamentally needed is a break with the Democratic Party. The unions are the largest contributors to the Democratic Party. And in California, this is what Democratic Party control looks like. Students must organize outside the Democrats, build rank-and-file committees.

"Did you know that high school students in the Sweetwater district here in San Diego are walking out tomorrow to protest the layoffs of over 250 teachers. You must take your struggle to those students. Send delegations to go talk to them. This is a political fight.

"Janet Napolitano and the UC regents represent the elite of the state of California and the entire Democratic Party.

"Organize with Sweetwater teachers and students. Expand your struggle, do not allow it to be isolated. The Socialist Equality Party supports you."

In holding discussions and assemblies, graduate students have taken important organizational steps outside the UAW. However, expanding the struggle requires the formation of rank-and-file committees that break consciously with the nationalism and corporatism of the UAW. The interests of the regents are diametrically opposed to the interests of the students and every good faith step in their direction is a step away from a tuition-free public university that pays its employees.

Greyson, an undergraduate student at UCSD, voiced his solidarity with the strike. "I organized a group of students to come out to show support for the COLA movement today. I think this was also an educational event, for people who want to know more about the issues.

Greyson, undergrad at UCSD

Noting the vast inequality in California, he continued, "Im very aware that theres an upside down pyramid of wealth."

Grayson explained the political content of the struggle, "The amount that they spend to put police on campus is way more than what the COLA protesters are asking for. I think the big thing about this is that COLA is more than just cost of living, like a monetary adjustment. If it was, theyd give them the money. But its a political and social movement. The UC knows that if COLA goes through, a lot more than money is at stake. Political power would be adjusted. Social power would be adjusted."

An international undergraduate student at UCSD who preferred to remain anonymous to avoid victimization, expressed solidarity with the graduate students: "Some of the stories Ive heard are horrifying. The grad students should not be living in such terrible conditions. COLA is a beginning but we need to ramp it up to ensure that the UC works for us all."

Denouncing the UC administration, he continued, "If you can make students go hungry every single night, if you can make them homeless, I dont know what kind of person you are.

Rally of grad students at UCSD (March 5, 2020)

When a WSWS reporter pointed out that California billionaire Elon Musk made hundreds of millions of dollars each day this year, the student replied, He STOLE that money. Wealth inequality here is just nuts. They say California is so liberal, but conditions here are pretty bad. The wealth of this campus IS the students and the teaching assistants and the other workers. Its not Elon Musk and the billionaires.

"Definitely in such a wealthy state, it shouldnt be like this. Maybe we need to change the entire world.

Speaking on the US elections, the student said, Joe Biden is just as much a monster as Trump, hes just a more senile monster. He is a sexist, racist, though he may try to hide it. His administration would mean a significant turn for the worse. Honestly I dont see any difference between Trump and Biden.

Speaking about Bernie Sanders, the student said, If Sanders is elected, hes not going to move toward socialism, but hes going to try to hide the contradictions of capitalism, and ensure the demise of capitalism doesnt come quite so soon. Hes like FDR. FDR on his deathbed said he was the person who saved capitalism. I think Sanders is going to do the exact same thing.

So we do need socialist parties talking about this stuff. I definitely applaud what you guys are doing. This is an imperialist world. We do need a revolution.
PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "I love brewing 12 to 16 ounces of coffee for enjoyment in a travel mug," said an inventor from Cypress, Calif. "I came up with this convenient kit so that I could brew fresh coffee into my travel mug quickly and easily."

He developed the REUSABLE K-MUG COFFEE FILTER KIT to offer an efficient way to brew 10 to 20 ounces of coffee using a one-cup coffeemaker. The invention bridges the gap not currently being met by existing products on the market. The kit enables the user to brew directly into a 16- to 20-ounce travel mug. It eliminates hassles and frustrations. The components come in a convenient kit. Furthermore, the design is easy to use and low-cost.

The original design was submitted to the Orange County sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 18-OCM-1359, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com


STRATHROY, Ontario, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eve & Co Incorporated (Eve & Co or the Company) (TSX-V: EVE; OTCQX: EEVVF) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Natural MedCo Ltd. (Natural MedCo), has received its European Union Certificate of GMP Compliance of a Manufacturer from the Government of Upper Bavaria (Regierung von Oberbayern), Germany.



EU GMP certification is one of the key and final regulatory steps for Natural MedCo to start fulfilling its previously announced supply agreements. The granting of this certificate recognizes the robust efforts the Company has undertaken to ensure its manufacturing standards, production practices and products are of a consistent high quality and that its employees have the experience to satisfy the EU GMP requirements. To the knowledge of the Company, Natural MedCo is one of only a handful of Canadian companies that has received EU GMP certification for cannabis.

Melinda Rombouts, President and CEO commented: I am very pleased that Natural MedCo has been able to achieve EU-GMP certification, and I attribute this accomplishment to the hard work of our team and their dedication to ensuring our facility complies with the most stringent standards. This certification enables us to continue in our global growth strategy and fulfill contracts in the EU market. With our 1 million square foot licensed greenhouse, we hope to set ourselves apart as not only one of the largest cannabis facilities in the world, but also by having the ability to distribute our products in a much larger global marketplace.

ABOUT EVE & CO INCORPORATED

Eve & Co, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Natural MedCo Ltd., holds cultivation and processing licences under the Cannabis Act (Canada) for the production and sale of various cannabis products, including dried cannabis, cannabis plants and extraction of cannabis oil and has received EU GMP certification. Natural MedCo Ltd. was Canadas first female-founded licensed producer of medicinal marijuana and received its cultivation licence from Health Canada in 2016. Eve & Co is led by a team of agricultural experts and has a licensed 1,000,000 square foot greenhouse located in Strathroy, Ontario.

The Companys website can be visited at www.evecannabis.ca .

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice regarding forward looking statements:

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Companys expected timeline for the distribution and sale of cannabis to international markets, timing and receipt of further licensing from domestic and international regulators, opportunities for growth, future, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believe, expect, aim, intend, plan, continue, will, may, would, anticipate, estimate, forecast, predict, project, seek, should or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including those described in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 which is available on the Companys SEDAR profile. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities law.

For further information, please contact:

Melinda Rombouts

President and Chief Executive Officer

Eve & Co Incorporated

Telephone: (855) 628-6337

Landon Roedding

Chief Financial Officer

Eve & Co Incorporated

Telephone: (855) 628-6337
The founder of the Village Creek Society, who helped clean up Birminghams urban waterways and alleviate flooding problems in Ensley, has died.

Dr. Mable B. Anderson, who had a doctorate in developmental psychology from Penn State University and was a professor at Western Kentucky University, died on Sunday, March 1. She was 89.

She was courageous, said her brother, I.C. Bell Jr. of Birmingham. She brought about big changes.

Village Creek runs 44 miles from Roebuck Springs through East Lake, North Birmingham, Ensley and on to the Black Warrior River.

She saw the flooding was getting bad and she organized to do something about it, said John Meehan, a volunteer for the Village Creek Society.

She wasnt afraid to get wet and dirty.

She would get in the boats with the firemen to help search and make sure people were out, Bell said. They nicknamed her the creek lady.

Born in 1930, Anderson grew up in the flood-plagued Moro Park neighborhood of Ensley, where her house was flooded by Village Creek so frequently that her father raised the house up by several feet.

It was a horrible experience, Bell said of the flooding. People lost a lot. We would go from house to house, assisting neighbors. The water sometimes got up to the window sills.

In the early 1950s, Bell recalls, the family at times had to keep their cow on the porch.

We had a cow that had to be put on the front porch and The Birmingham News came by and took a picture, he said. We had chickens. We had to go get the chickens in the hen house and bring them in the house. Sometimes the creek didnt go down the next day. You could see snakes and big gopher rats hanging onto things in the water.

Dr. Anderson returned to Birmingham in 1977 after retiring from a career in education and found flooding was still a serious issue in her old neighborhood. She spearheaded efforts for the federal government to help relocate residents in the flood plain.

In 1980, she founded the Village Creek Human and Environmental Justice Society, which was incorporated in 1999. She served as the president and executive director of what was more commonly known as the Village Creek Society.

Dr. Anderson started annual creek cleanups that enlisted hundreds of student volunteers from Jackson-Olin, Minor and Woodlawn High Schools.

She had it all organized and I was very proud of her, Bell said.

We went from Avenue F all the way up to Avenue W, Bell said, cleaning all kinds of trash and pollution out of the creek.

The kids were excited, Bell said. They got to meet other kids from different places.

From 1978-2016, Dr. Anderson worked closely with Richard Woodruff, a civil engineer who retired from Alabama Power Co. in 1978 after a career focused on building dams, to help alleviate flooding and pollution problems on Village Creek. Woodruff died in 2016 at age 103.

Meehan said there is an effort to have a planned trail alongside Village Creek named the Anderson-Woodruff Trail to honor the creeks champions of restoration.

In 2011, Birmingham renamed a portion of Avenue I in Ensley from 12th to 17th streets for Dr. Anderson.

She was a fighter, Meehan said.

A memorial service for Dr. Anderson is planned for Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m., at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 228 Dennison Ave. Southwest.
The boat dock at Holly Circle Park in Soddy Daisy was demolished by rising water after heavy rain several years ago. Since then the city and businesses that rely on Chickamauga Lake have been asking what can be done to rebuild the dock and boost fishing tourism in the city.

State Rep. Patsy Hazlewood for District 27, which includes Soddy Daisy, announced at the commission meeting that along with colleagues and with Tony Sanders, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissioner for the area, funding has been secured to repair and expand what was left of the damaged dock. She told the commissioners that hopefully it will increase tourism in the way of fishing tournaments.

City Manager Janice Cagle said the city had requested bids for the construction and had received only one proposal for the amount of $86,000. It came from a company that TWRA does work with, she said. Ms. Hazlewood was thanked by each of the commissioners for her efforts that made the grant possible.

Another gift to the city will be coming from the Kelcurt Foundation, announced by co-founder, Curtis Cecil. The foundation has the opportunity to distribute 50 trees, free of charge, and offered them first to the city. City Manager Cagle said Soddy Daisy would gladly accept all of the trees it can get. All varieties that are available are native species and the city will be able to specify which species of trees that are wanted.

Acting on a request from Vice Mayor Robert Cothran, City Attorney Sam Elliott drafted a resolution declaring the city a Second Amendment Sanctuary Municipality. It passed on a unanimous vote. The resolution states that the citizens and commissioners of Soddy Daisy accept the right to keep and bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. and in the Tennessee state Constitution. The resolution says that The term Sanctuary City, does not imply that Soddy Daisy is a safe haven for criminals, but rather a safe haven to protect good law-abiding citizens of over-reaching governments and unconstitutional laws. This resolution "just lets the world know where you stand on the law of rights to keep and bear arms," said the attorney.

A second resolution passed which adopted the classification and pay plan for city employees for fiscal year 2019-2020. City Manager Cagle said this resolution equalizes pay for the department heads. The director of public works, the fire chief and police chief will all earn the same amount.

Commissioner Jim Adams was absent from the meeting, said Vice Mayor Cothran, because he was being inducted into the Soddy Daisy Hall of Fame at the same time as the Thursday night meeting.
Vietnam is among the three leading countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia in the 2020 Asia Girls Report which was released by Plan International on March 5.

Vietnam is among the three leading countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia in the 2020 Asia Girls Report.

The report presents the current state of girls leadership in Asia, based on the findings of the organisations research, including a literature review, survey and key informant interviews, and the Asia Girls Leadership Index.

Using available data from official global databases, the index measures the opportunities of adolescent girls and young women in 19 countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to develop and demonstrate leadership capabilities.

The first research of this kind, it gives insights into key trends and issues that enable or constrain empowerment and leadership of adolescent girls and young women across six domains: education, health, economic opportunities, protection, political voice and representation and laws and policies.

This new analysis helps those working in government, academia, aid and development to further understand how investments in certain areas can help to close the gaps in gender inequality and leave no one behind./. VNA

Promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy shared Vietnam's experience in strengthening the important role and participation of Vietnamese women in stages of peaceful processes, especially in the post-conflict reconstruction process.
Quinnen Williams was arrested Thursday night after allegedly attempting to board a plane in New York with a gun

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was arrested Thursday night 'after attempting to board a plane with a gun', police have said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department said Williams, the team's first-round draft pick last season, was arrested at LaGuardia Airport around 9.15pm and charged.

Police said Williams, 22, has a permit in his home state of Alabama - but not in New York - for the Glock 19 pistol he was carrying onto the flight. He is now facing a criminal possession of a weapon charge.

He was boarding his flight when the weapon was detected according to USA Today. It was not immediately known whether the gun was loaded.

Williams was being processed by Port Authority Police late Thursday night.

Police said the matter will be handled by the Queens district attorney's office after Williams is released.

'We have been in contact with Quinnen Williams and are fully aware of the situation,' read a statement from the Jets. 'We will have no additional comment as this is a pending legal matter.'

Williams (right) was being processed by Port Authority Police late Thursday after his arrest

The punishment for gun possession can be severe in New York, where even an unloaded operable firearm can warrant a felony charge.

Possession of a loaded handgun carries a minimum 3.5-year sentence.

After two impressive seasons at Alabama, Williams was the third-overall pick of last April's draft before signing a four-year, $32.5 million contract.

He played in 13 games as a rookie, including nine starts, finishing with 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for the Jets.

The Birmingham, Alabama native was considered a top recruit out of high school by all major recruiting websites before signing with his home state Crimson Tide.

After winning a national title with Alabama in 2017, Williams received the Outland Trophy as college football's top interior defensive lineman in 2018.
The city of Bethlehem was on lockdown Friday, after the first Palestinian cases of the deadly coronavirus were discovered there.

The Palestinian government announced a month-long state of emergency late Thursday after the seven cases were identified, while the Israeli defence ministry said it had imposed emergency measures on Bethlehem, with all people "forbidden from entering or leaving the city".

It added that the lockdown had been imposed "in coordination with the Palestinian Authority".

The Church of the Nativity, built on the site that Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus, was closed on Thursday and is among places expected to be shuttered for a month.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh made a special broadcast late Thursday to announce the 30-day lockdown, saying the measures were essential to contain the disease.

All but essential travel between Palestinian governorates was now prohibited, while all schools and educational facilities would close, he said.

Public parks and tourist sites would close while large sporting events, conferences and other major gatherings were cancelled, Shtayyeh added.

Israel controls all entrances to the West Bank from the Jewish state but the Palestinian government has limited autonomy in cities.

The Palestinian health ministry said the cases had first been detected at a hotel in the Bethlehem area.

AFP journalists in Bethlehem and Ramallah, where the Palestinian government is based, said the streets were near empty Friday morning, with most shops closed.

The emergency measures came after the first Palestinian cases were confirmed Thursday afternoon.

All seven of those infected were being treated in quarantine, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The head of the local health directorate, Imad Shahadeh, told AFP that a group of Greek tourists had visited the hotel in late February, with two later diagnosed with the virus.

A number of suspected cases have since been identified among hotel workers, he said.

Asbed Balian, senior cleric of the Armenian church at the Church of the Nativity, said infected visitors had entered the site.

"People affected by corona visited the church," he told AFP.

Workmen began spraying disinfectant inside the church on Thursday evening, an AFP photographer said.

COGAT, the Israeli body responsible for civilian activities in the Palestinian Territories, said it was "working closely with the Palestinian Authority" to stem the spread of the virus.

Israel, which so far has 16 confirmed cases of the disease, has imposed stringent measures on many European nations in a bid to contain the virus.

It has also scrapped joint military exercises with the United States in Germany.

The Israeli army announced that from noon Friday all forces would be prevented from leaving Israel, whether "on personal trips or on duty".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Parliamentary leaders back amendments to Russian Constitution - expert

 RAPSI

13:05 06/03/2020

MOSCOW, March 6 (RAPSI)  All leaders of the State Duma parties have supported amendments to Russias Constitution, Director of the International Institute for New States Alexey Martynov has told RAPSI.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the lower house fractions leaders to discuss the process of adoption of the Constitution amendments. All of them pointed importance and necessity of the amendments and holding of the All-Russia voting on the matter, according to the expert.

Although some members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation attempted to oppose the amendments, the fractions leader Gennady Zyuganov backed all initiatives at the meeting with the President, Martynov said.

In late February, an amendment setting April 22 as the date of the All-Russian vote on Constitution was submitted to the State Building and Legislation Committee of the lower house of Russias parliament in the framework of run-up to the second reading of the bill on Constitutional changes. According to Krasheninnikov, the proposed changes with respect of the date of the All-Russian vote were developed basing on the results of a meeting of the working group on drafting amendments to the Constitution held on February 26.

The date of the voting is to be a legal public holiday, it is to be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

President Vladimir Putin brought the bill to amend the Constitution before the parliament on January 20. He clarified the essence of the amendments proposed to the Constitution at a meeting with members of a working group established to elaborate the respective suggestions on January 16.

According to the President, the amendments are aimed to further the development of Russia as a social welfare state governed by the rule of law, as well as to achieve higher efficiency of its national institutions, strengthen the role played by its civil society, political parties, and Russias regions in working out most important decisions concerning the development of the state.

Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was to remain a Presidential republic, but a more open one, where the significance of its Parliament was to grow, whereas interrelations of lawmakers with the government were to be strengthened.

The President was to retain serious powers to dismiss from their posts those violating the law and those failing to be scrupulous about their duties on the basis of loss of trust, Putin said.

The Head of the State believes that these powers were imperative due to the complex state structure of Russia, its multi-confessional and multi-ethnic nature, and vast territory.

The working group on preparation of proposals concerning amendments to the Constitution was approved by the President on January 15. Among its members are representatives of the Federation Council, State Duma and other public figures.




The Aam Aadmi Party government will launch a two-day mega drive on Saturday to verify the claims of riot victims for compensation, as the police said it has so far registered over 600 cases in connection with the deadly communal violence in northeast Delhi.

IMAGE: Onlookers watch a market burnt by rioters, following clashes over the new citizenship law, in Gokulpuri area of Northeast Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo

Although the Delhi government has maintained that 53 people were killed in the violence last week, it has not provided a break-up of the death toll yet.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Gopal Rai visited the Eidgah in Mustafabad and interacted with locals besides taking stock of facilities being provided by the government at relief camps.

According to Central Board of Secondary Education, more than 98 per cent students appeared for Class XII exam in riot-hit northeast Delhi on Friday.

There were 2,698 centres for 1,99,763 registered candidates for the Central Board Secondary Exam Class XII Political Science exam in India, including in the entire Delhi, and foreign countries.

"It is encouraging to note that more than 98 per cent students appeared in the exam from northeast Delhi," an officials said.

Delhi Waqf Board on Friday released Rs 50 lakh for repair and renovation of houses and shops of violence-affected people.

The Board will help the affected people in repair of their houses and shops, irrespective of their faith, said Delhi Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan.

"The Construction Committee of Delhi Waqf Board will undertake repair work from Saturday.

"The houses and shops of affected people, no matter which religion they belong to will be repaired by the Waqf Board and an amount of Rs 50 lakh was released for the purpose," Khan said.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia said the government will launch a two-day mega drive to verify the claims of riot victims for compensation from Saturday.

He said the verification process, to be headed by six senior IAS officers, will be an important exercise to determine the claimants as the government is facing the issue of duplication of claim forms.

The government wants the verification process to complete at the earliest so that the victims can get compensation as soon as possible, Sisodia said.

Rs 88 lakh has been released as compensation to the riot victims, he said, adding that the government has received around 1,700 compensation forms from the victims of violence.

The Delhi Police said out of 683 cases registered, 48 were related to the Arms Act.

In total, 1,983 people have been either detained or arrested so far in connection with the communal violence, the police said.

A total of 251 meetings with Aman Committee have been conducted across the national capital, an official said.

A day after heavy rains caused waterlogging and difficulty for riot-hit victims at the Eidgah relief camp in Mustafabad, it got a new lease of life with new folding beds and wooden planks on Friday.

According to Ranjana Prasad, member of Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who is there at the camp, the wooden planks and plastic sheets were procured in less than 24 hours and placed underneath the mattresses.

"We have also ordered 500 folding beds which will reach the camp soon," she said.

Prasad also said the Anganwadi has also set up a camp there where infants aged between zero to six are provided care.

The Indian Youth Congress held a peace march in Delhi on Friday to restore communal harmony in the city.

The march, 'Sadhbhavana Tiranga Yatra', started from Rajendra Prasad Road and concluded at Tees January Marg.

IYC president Srinivas B V led the march which saw the participants carry a long tricolour.

"The country will gain nothing from the Hindu-Muslim divide. Unity is the need of the hour for the growth and prosperity of the nation.

"The nation doesn't need a leadership of division, it needs a leadership which promotes harmony and spirit of common brotherhood in the country," Srinivas said.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi led a protest of senior Congress leaders on the Parliament premises on Friday against the suspension of seven party MPs from the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha suspended seven Congress members on Thursday for the remaining period of the Budget Session for 'gross misconduct' and 'utter disregard' for House rules after they snatched papers from the speaker's table.

After his visit at a camp in Mustafabad, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that around 90 percent of the riot victims have filled up forms for compensation.

Rai said it has been reported that many riot-affected people are finding it difficult to lodge complaints with police.

He said he has spoken to station house officers and deputy commissioners of police to address the same.
Image provided | SmithGroup Inc.

ANN ARBOR, MI - After providing extensive feedback, Ann Arbor residents are thinking big in an effort to maximize housing density in developing the long-debated Y Lot.

City officials and consulting firm SmithGroup Inc. provided updates this week on feedback gathered on both the Y Lot and 415 W. Washington St., presenting several options for redevelopment.

Residents, according to the feedback gathered, would prefer building two high-rises on the 0.8 acre Y Lot site, with a 17-story "east" building and a 12-story "west" building.

Related: A look at housing options for blighted Ann Arbor historic district property

Here's a look at some of the different options and preferences shared by residents for the site.

Don't Edit

Ben Allan Smith | The Ann Arbor News

Background on the Y Lot

The Y Lot site was home to the Ann Arbor YMCA from 1960 until 2005, when the current YMCA opened on West Washington Street.

The former YMCA building was demolished in 2008, including 100 affordable units associated with the former building.

The site has since served as a surface parking lot for the city, which acquired the property. It's been at the forefront of numerous redevelopment discussions over the last decade.

Ann Arbor City Council has adopted a resolution outlining priorities and criteria for redevelopment of the lot.

The site is currently zoned D1, allowing 17-story building heights with affordable housing bonuses, according to the city.

The city is considering the following objectives for redeveloping the former Y-Lot:

Maximize affordable housing units

Maximize market rate housing

Develop a mix of housing types and prices

Expand the Blake Transit Center

Activate the ground floor for public benefit

Maintain some city ownership/control

Recapture the cost of purchase

Appropriately scale down to the lower density area south of William Street

Don't Edit

Image provided | SmithGroup Inc.

What the people want

From the beginning, residents have expressed a desire to create more affordable housing on the Y Lot site, calling for the city, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, the Ann Arbor District Library and the DDA to create 100 to 200 units of affordable housing and space for community events and meetings.

Surveys indicate that's still the case, with creating affordable housing being residents' top priority.

A downtown site like the Y Lot is among the highest scoring for funding potential for affordable housing, Ann Arbor Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall said. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and funding from HUD and the local Downtown Development Authority could be available.

"Historically, this site used to include 100 Single-Room Occupancy rooms that the former YMCA rented out like hotel rooms," Hall said. "Although the rooms were not originally intended for low-income households, over time, that is primarily who was housed there. And over time, private and public funds were invested in the property to specifically serve low-income households. People in the community who remember this history would like to replace those 100 lost units on the site, and add even more affordable housing if at all possible."

Don't Edit

Ben Allan Smith | The Ann Arbor News

Why affordable housing is important on Y Lot site

While some legislative restrictions exist to advance affordable housing, the marketplace is not providing affordable housing without significant public subsidy, officials from the city and SmithGroup indicated.

Hall said the single largest source of funding for affordable housing is Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which is a competitive source of funding administered by the state of Michigan on behalf of the IRS.

The current LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plan prioritizes sites that are near employment centers, services and public transportation, making downtown sites like the Y Lot more competitive than sites outside the downtown, Hall said.

"For example, 415 W. Washington is in a floodway/floodplain and next to a railroad, which exceeds the noise level allowed," Hall said. "Housing can be built at 415 W. Washington, but it must be elevated above the floodplain."

Don't Edit

Image provided | SmithGroup Inc.

Why go high?

Community input indicates splitting the project into two separate buildings will allow the city to maximize affordable housing incentives, the surveys showed.

The preferred Y Lot option would create 130 units of affordable housing, with an additional 288 market rate units. An "east" building would be 200 feet high and 17 stories, while a "west" building would be 150 feet high and 12 stories tall.

Option 3B provides the opportunity to maximize density, with a high floor area ratio on the site, meeting D1 zoning requirements and allowable density bonuses to maximize affordable housing, SmithGroup Principal Michael Johnson said.

Dividing the Y Lot into two distinct development sites will allow for higher levels of affordable units, with one development able pursue 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit, while the other can pursue 4% LIHTC to subsidize more affordable units.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Image provided | SmithGroup Inc.

Orientation of buildings

A summary of community input provided by SmithGroup showed most residents were interested in building configurations that were oriented toward the William Street and South 5th Avenue corner, with the "east" building stepped back from William Street.

"There was some concern from some residents that a tall building facade at the corner of William and 5th wouldnt fit in with existing and future context given the lower rise properties on the south side of William - which likely wont change - and the existing form of the downtown library - which, of course can and may change," Johnson said.

Don't Edit

Matt Weigand | The Ann Arbor News

Impact on Blake Transit Center

Residents said expansion of the Blake Transit Center is a priority in considering plans for the Y Lot site. Those who provided feedback to SmithGroup said rebuilding or building over the transit center may add too much complexity to the project.

Johnson said the current thinking is to provide flexibility to expand off-street bus staging on both sides of Blake Transit Center, if it is desired.

"This kind of mixed-use, mixed-income building directly adjacent to a transit center is the kind of development we are seeing in other cities like Ann Arbor, and could provide several crossover benefits to residents and transit riders if done well," Johnson said.

City Planning Manager Brett Lenart said having integrated connectivity with the transit system provides cost- and environmentally-friendly transportation options available to prospective residents of affordable housing units.

Don't Edit

Image provided | SmithGroup Inc.

Another option

Different proposals presented by SmithGroup include option 2B, which would include a "north" and "south" building on the parcel that would generate 622 units, including 180 affordable units and 443 market rate units. The 2B option would produce the highest number of housing units.

The taller "north" building would be oriented along William Street with a longer streetwall in option 2B, which integrated the Blake Transit Center into the "north" building.

The 2B option would be more of a financial risk, according to SmithGroup, which estimates a $140 million in total development cost.

Don't Edit

Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

More on affordable housing ...

For more coverage of affordable housing in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, check out these stories:

Supporting the vulnerable or welcoming the dangerous? Dexter grapples with housing development question

Ann Arbor OKs contract for community-driven Y Lot concepts

Ann Arbor updates plans for potential affordable housing sites

Ann Arbor City Council members say affordable housing pledge needs to be backed up
DALLAS, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mako Medical was selected to represent North Carolina for the small business category for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, and will now go national selection board. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Each year, Guard and Reserve employees, or a family member acting on their behalf, have the opportunity to nominate their employer for the Employer Support Freedom Award. The ESGR State Committees review nominations and submit recommendations to advance to the next round in each of these three categories, small employer, large employer, and public sector. A national selection board comprised of senior Department of Defense's officials, business leaders, and prior award winners select up to 15 employers' nationwide to receive the Secretary's prestigious award.

Mako Medical

"From the beginning, we made it a priority to create a workplace that cultivates and celebrates those who continue to serve," said Adam Price Executive and Director of Logistics for Mako Medical. Adam is also Major in the United States Army Reserves, a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and former active duty logistics officer. "As a brother to a service member, I understand the importance of actively supporting our Reservists and Guardsman so they can focus on their military training as needed and required," said Chad Price, CEO of Mako Medical.

In 2017 Mako Medical brought back 140 Soldiers to Louisiana to spend time with their families before they deployed. "Deployments are challenging on the entire family, not just the Soldier," said Adam Price, who deployed to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in 2012-2013. "Having one last moment with your family creates a memory that can be used to help you get through a tough time when you are away for so long." Finding ways to help those that are continuing to serve is something Mako Medical is committed to doing. Mako Medical pays its service members while they are attending annual training, which is an annual two-week obligation for Reservists and Guardsman. Also, service members who have an extended drill weekend that includes a Friday and or Monday are given PTO days for those days missed. Mako Medical also fosters a small team structure that is very familiar to military structured teams. In the Logistics division, each employee is placed on a team of six individuals. "Having small teams allows us to foster deep relationships, and really have each other's backs," explained Adam Price when talking about the team dynamic. "One of the greatest things the Army provides is a support structure of team, squad, platoon and a battle buddy system. We replicate this same model at Mako Medical," said Adam Price.

Media Contact Information

Chad Price, CEO

[email protected]

Related Images

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Related Links

http://makomedical.com

SOURCE Mako Medical
This is not the smile of someone hiding the Brooklyn Bridge under her cape. Photo: James Devaney/GC Images

We are writing this post to break news that should be exceedingly obvious: despite what it looks like, under no circumstances is Celine Dion in New York City in order to steal its most precious landmarks. Does she look like an impossibly glamorous lady-thief who trots the globe searching for monuments to rob, not for the wealth or notoriety but for the sheer challenge of it all, evading Interpol at every turn? Of course she does. But Celine Dion did not arrive in New York City with the goal of stealing your beloved Statue of Liberty by cover of night. That would be preposterous.

You might say, but Mister Vulture, clearly the mischievous tilt of Celines hat obscuring one of those winking eyes is a taunting nod to the sleuths hot on her trail, suggesting that however hard they try to piece together the clues, shell always be one step ahead. And we would say yes, it would appear to be that way, wouldnt it, but Celine Dion is actually in New York City to perform on her Courage tour tonight at Barclays Center and not to smuggle penguins out of the Central Park Zoo on a privately chartered steamer ship. Yes, this cape and boots combo signals international criminal mastermind, but they are just fashion choices and not convenient places to hide loose rubies from the Museum of Natural History.

Does this look like the strut of someone who has the whole world in the palm of her perfectly manicured hand because she knows she got away with stealing the Empire State Building by heli-blimp, and that shell get away with it, too?

it's celine dion's world and we're just living in it  pic.twitter.com/UUQ2Tml4SM  alana (@bigdionenergy) March 5, 2020

Preposterous.
PR-Inside.com: 2020-03-06 13:00:23

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Empress Resources Corp. ("Empress") (TSXV:EMPX) and Alto Ventures Ltd. ("Alto") (ATV) are pleased to announce they have executed a definitive agreement for a business combination which is to be effected pursuant to an arrangement under the Business Corporation Act (British Columbia) (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the Transaction:Empress will be acquired by Alto, and former Empress shareholders will hold 52% of the issued and outstanding shares of the combined entity ("New Alto").Shares of Empress Royalty Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Empress, ("Empress Royalty") will be distributed to shareholders of Alto and Empress. Former Empress shareholders will hold 52% of the outstanding common shares of Empress Royalty, and shareholders of Alto will hold 48% of such shares on completion of the Transaction.As a result of the Transaction, New Alto will acquire $1.25 million of the approximate $1.5 million in cash currently held by Empress. Empress Royalty will receive $250,000 in cash from Empress and will receive from Alto 13 royalties and a portfolio of marketable securities with an approximate value of $250,000.Following completion of the Transaction, Empress Royalty will carry on business as a royalty company, and New Alto will continue as an exploration company exploring the properties presently held by Alto.It is intended that New Alto and Empress Royalty will each undertake a concurrent financing to provide them with funds to finance their respective operations and, in the case of New Empress, to fund potential future royalty acquisitions.The New Alto financing will be a unit offering at a price of $0.10 per unit (after giving effect to a 5:1 share consolidation which New Alto intends to undertake in conjunction with the Transaction), with each unit consisting of one common share and one full warrant exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.20 for a term of two years. Use of proceeds will be for exploration of New Alto's mineral exploration properties. The terms of the Empress Royalty financing have not yet been determined.Pursuant to the Transaction, Empress may acquire royalties or interests in royalties prior to the completion of the Transaction and may fund such acquisitions from the cash which it presently holds. Should this happen, Empress must undertake a financing to replace the cash which it expends on such acquisitions prior to the completion of the Transaction. Any royalties acquired by Empress prior to closing of the Transaction will be transferred to Empress Royalty in exchange for the issuance to Empress of that number of Empress Royalty shares equal to the cost of acquiring such royalties divided by $0.05, and these Empress Royalty shares will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the former Empress shareholders. In the event such financing occurs, the exchange ratio of Empress shares for Alto shares will be adjusted so former Empress shareholders will still hold 52% of New Alto on completion of the Transaction.On completion of the Transaction:New Alto's Board of Directors will consist of Rick Mazur, Mike Bandrowski and three nominees of Empress. New Alto's CEO will be Mike Bandrowski and Mike Koziol will remain on the Advisory Board.Empress Royalty's Board of Directors will consist of six members, four of whom will be nominees of Empress, plus Rick Mazur and an additional nominee of Alto. Empress Royalty's CEO will be Alexandra Woodyer Sherron.A finder's fee is payable by Alto to Mike Bandrowski of $37,500 cash and $37,500 in New Alto shares at a deemed price of 10 cents, subject to acceptance of the TSXV Exchange.The Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and requires approval by the securityholders of Empress.About New AltoNew Alto will retain and continue to explore its existing properties.The Destiny project in Quebec hosts the DAC Gold Deposit, one of several mineralized zones along a six kilometre segment of the Despinassy shear which splays from the regionally extensive Chicobi Fault in the Abitibi subprovince. The DAC Deposit has Indicated Mineral Resources of 10.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.05 g/t gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of approximately 8.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.92 g/t gold using a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade. The estimated contained ounces in the Indicated category are 364,000 plus 247,000 ounces in the Inferred classification*. The gold mineralization is open to depth and along strike.Alto has completed compilation of all drill, geophysical and geochemical data available for the project to determine if there are targets on the Destiny property that when drilled could significantly increase the gold resources on the project. In addition to the Gap and Darla zones along strike of the DAC deposit, the compilation work has identified three target areas for follow up drilling to the east and west along the Despinassy shear and to the south along an interpreted fold repetition of the favourable mineralized zone. In addition to gold, the Destiny property has high potential for VMS type deposits. Grades up to 5.79% copper, 3.42% zinc, 1.21 g/t gold and 117.0 g/t silver were intersected over 0.7 m core length at the DAC Deposit.The Oxford Lake property is being explored for iron formation hosted gold mineralization. The Rusty Gold Deposit is hosted by iron formation and has a Historical Resource of 800,000 tonnes averaging 6 g/t gold and containing approximately 154,000 ounces of gold**. In 2012 the Company drilled hole RUS12-03 in the Blue Jay area, another iron-formation gold target approximately two kilometres on trend and to the east of the Rusty Deposit. RUS12-03 intersected two zones of high-grade gold mineralization: Zone One - 2.7 m averaging 6.7 g/t gold including 22.5 g/t gold over 0.5 m and Zone Two - 6.8 m averaging 5.7 g/t gold including 11.7 g/t gold over 1.6 m and 16.5 g/t gold over 1.0 m. Gold mineralization at both the Rusty Gold Deposit and the Blue Jay Zone is open along strike and to depth.*The Resource Estimates were calculated consistent with guidelines set out in National Instrument 43-101 and filed on Sedar on March 7, 2011. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and by definition do not demonstrate economic viability.**The Historical Resource was estimated in 1990 and a Qualified Person (QP), as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resources. Alto is not treating the historical est
GETTY

Bank of America expects Apple to delay the release of its 5G-enabled phone due to COVID-19. As a result, Canadian early tech adopters who are brand agnostic might switch to Samsungs newly-launched 5G phone, an analyst says.

On March 6, the bank said it expects Apples highly anticipated smartphone will have a month of delay due to both supply issues as well as the weaker demand environment from COVID-19.

Edward Jones analyst Logan Purk said in an interview that the delay would be a big deal for those early adopters who were anxious to upgrade their current mobile device this year.

Specifically for an Apple product, because youre clearly holding out for this years model on the hope that its the new 5G model, its the best and fastest, but now that could be off the table... instead of the normal September it could be later in December, even early next year, Purk said.

For customers who are brand agnostic, or are mostly indifferent about which company makes a better product, Purk said that they could switch over to the recently announced Samsung S20 that has 5G capabilities.

Its in the market as a viable alternative in terms of a 5G handset from the premium market, he said.

Samsung announced its Galaxy S20 5G-enabled smartphone series in early February. The phones became available in Canada on Friday, starting at CAD $1,319.99.

As of January 2020, Apple is Canadas most popular handset maker with a 51.3 per cent market share, while Samsung is second at 28.7 per cent, according to StatCounter.

At pre-market, the tech giants shares fell 3.8 per cent, but Purk said this wasnt a cause for concern. By midday, Apples shares were down about 2.5 per cent, trading around US $285.

I dont think the shares are fully reflecting the potential negative impact from a delayed rollout or supply disruptions at this point, Purk said in an early afternoon phone interview.

Gene Munster, an analyst at Loup Ventures, also wasnt surprised by a projected delay in releasing the 5G-enabled smartphone.

Story continues

This is going to have a more lasting impact than I think we realize, even the things that are quickly course-corrected, its still going to have an impact for 2020, he said.

It is safe to say that 2020 has become a transition year and all bets are off in terms of what to expect this year.

Munster said Apple will work to maintain its credibility amid the delay by highlighting its other products.

Theyre going to benefit from 5G... theyve got wearables, services and augmented reality, he said. Yes 2020 is a transition year, all bets are off, but if you take a step back... the secular tailwind that was in place before all this happened will be in place after its been resolved and Apple is going to benefit from that.

With files from Bloomberg

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Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2020 -- The global automotive tire market size is set to grow at a modest CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period on account of increasing production of passenger vehicles. Tires are one of the central components in any vehicle and their importance cannot be overstated. As world population grows and economies develop, cars and bikes have become a necessity for most of the working populations in the world. As a result, vehicle production, especially passenger vehicles, has increased exponentially and markets associated with the automotive industry have also risen in tandem. The Automotive Tire Market is one such market and increasing production of passenger vehicles has raised the demand for automotive tire manufacturing. For example, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, there were close to 80 million passenger cars that we on the streets in 2017, with China leading the charge. This augurs well for the global Automotive Tire Market growth till 2025.



According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled "Automotive Tire Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Design (Radial, Bias), By Tire Type (Tubeless, Tube), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2025", passenger cars production in 2018 stood at 343.3 million units. The report also contains valuable analysis regarding the factors, trends, and various dynamics that will influence development of this market during the forecast period.



Request a Sample Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/automotive-tire-market-101594



List of best companies in the global Automotive Tire Market, as profiled by Fortune Business Insights, include:



Bridgestone Corp.

Michelin SCA

Goodyear Tyre & Rubber co.

Continental AG

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.

Pirelli & C. SpA

Zhongce Rubber Company

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co.

MRF LTD

Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd

Cooper Tire and Rubber Company

Apollo Tyres Ltd

Nokian Tyres plc



Advancements in Vehicular Tire Technology to Boost the Market



The global Automotive Tire Market is slated to experience a dynamic growth period owing to the increasing number of innovations in the manufacturing of tires. Many companies and government organizations are engaging in developing new technologies keeping safety and efficiency as the ultimate goals. For example, Goodyear came up with their BH 03 concept tire in 2015, designed to generate electricity through interaction of the materials in the tire.



The product is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of electric cars. The company also developed the Eagle 360 Urban which is Artificial Intelligence-enabled, the first of its kind in the Automotive Tire Market. Similarly, Michelin developed its Vision concept tire that can be 3D printed from biomaterials, is rechargeable, and never blows out. These innovations will significantly elevate the market potential and grease the wheels of the global Automotive Tire Market revenue during the forecast period.



Browse Complete Report Details with Table of Content and Figures:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/automotive-tire-market-101594



Europe and North America to Exhibit Steady Growth; Asia-Pacific to Lead the Market



Asia-Pacific is projected to display fastest growth and hold the largest section of the global Automotive Tire Market share till 2025. This is primarily a result of growing population in India and China, rising disposable incomes, and demand for better standard products in the region. North America and Europe are expected to grow healthily, mainly due to their commitment to reduce carbon emissions and increase fuel efficiency of their vehicles. Strict government regulations on vehicle manufacturing processes will also play an important part in the market in the two continents. In Europe, the prominent countries are expected to be Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, and Czech Republic.



Extensive Investment in R&D to Intensify Market Competition



Major companies in the global Automotive Tire Market are increasingly focusing on research and development activities to create new and innovative products to stay ahead of the competition. For example, recently, Hankook unveiled its non-pneumatic concept tire, iFlex, that removes the need for air pressure and the company claims that it performs better than conventional tires.



Some players are widening their operability and venturing into new industries. For instance, in June 2019, Goodyear secured the contract to supply Airbus with its most advanced aviation product, The Flight Radial, that is made of high quality rubber, ensuring longer durability and resistance.



Speak to Analyst https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/automotive-tire-market-101594



About Fortune Business Insights

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Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

High-speed excitement, roller coasters and water parks are great ways to get an adrenaline rush this spring break. While school is out, shoot through the slides and chutes of Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels, or take it easy and float down the Comal River. The water park is opening its gates for the first time this season.

SeaWorld is opening a new water slide, the Tonga Twister, in Aquatica San Antonio. Guests can plunge, twist and slide through almost 400 feet of enclosed aqualucent tubes.
Toronto Boy Abducted Over Stepbrothers Unpaid Drug Debt, Police Say

TORONTOA 14-year-old boy was abducted on his way to school as retribution for a massive cocaine heist executed by his stepbrother, Toronto police alleged on Thursday as they issued a plea for the teens safe return.

Supt. Steve Watts said the Amber Alert issued in relation to the disappearance of Shammah Jolayemi remains in effect nearly 36 hours after he was heard crying for help as he was forced into a vehicle near his home.

He said there has since been communication from his alleged abductors and police believe the boy is still alive, but offered no further details.

Watts said that while the teens stepbrother is suspected of involvement in high-level drug trafficking, Shammah himself had no such connection.

This is a 14-year-old, innocent child, Watts said at a news conference. He is not a part of that business, he is not a part of that lifestyle.

Police said Shammah was last seen at 8:30 a.m. near Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue in the citys northwest corner where his family lives. Investigators previously said he was heard screaming help me, help me as he was forced inside a Jeep Wrangler.

Watts said a burned-out vehicle located near the town of Caledon, Ont., northwest of the city, is believed to be the Jeep in question.

Watts said bystanders reported Shammahs cries for help to police, who launched an investigation, but the incident was not connected to an alleged abduction until the teens parents reported him missing shortly after 5:30 p.m.

The boys high school failed to notify his family of his day-long absence because his teachers missed an attendance reporting deadline, the Toronto District School Board said.

Spokesman Ryan Bird said four staff members at Newtonbrook Secondary School have been put on home assignment because their attendance data wasnt submitted before 11 a.m. as required.

Were looking to confirm details right now, but what is clear is that attendance was not entered as it should have been, Bird said.

Watts provided few details about the drug rip' that allegedly triggered Shammahs abduction, but said it occurred in the summer of 2019 and involved approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine.

He said the boys stepbrother, Olalekan Osikoya, is suspected to have fled the Toronto area some time after the drugs were taken. He said officers have since made contact with Osikoya and he is co-operating with investigators.

News of Shammahs disappearance came as a shock to Rita Smith, who helps run an entrepreneurship program for local high school students in which the teen has been participating since October.

Smith described Shammah as an outstanding participant who never misses a class and always asks the best questions. He is involved with other activities too, she said, including violin lessons and French immersion studies at Newtonbrook.

He stood out in our class like a gem, Smith said.

Shammah is described as about six feet tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, grey track pants with a thin orange stripe, shiny black puffy coat, and black and yellow Air Jordan shoes.

The suspects who were last seen with him are described as men between 18 and 22 years old, who were wearing bandanas and black jackets.

Watts urged the suspects to release their captive alive and unharmed, saying the full weight of the Toronto police force has been thrown into the search.

Drop him off at a safe place, contact a lawyer and turn yourselves in, he said.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2020) - CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA) (OTCQX: MBAIF) ("CIBT" or the "Company") provides the following update relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its current impact on the Company's various business units.

Education Business:

Sprott Shaw College enrols over 4,000 domestic students in British Columbia throughout the year. There is no impact on domestic student enrolment.

Sprott Shaw College's international department and our recruitment division, Global Education Alliance, enrols over 1,200 international students per year. Overseas inquiries from parents and students have significantly increased because parents are eager to send their children to Canada, which is less susceptive to the epidemic at present. However, foreign measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic, such as delayed visa processing and limited services of transportation, may slow down this development.

Sprott Shaw International College and VIC Vancouver International College enrol over 6,000 international students per year. Due to the virus outbreak, many students are extending their stay in Canada, generating extra revenue for the schools. The volume of new enrollment inquiries has remained steady, and the mode of inquiry has been switched from face-to-face to online interviews. New enrollment arriving in Canada may be delayed by several weeks as abovementioned.

Student Housing Business:

GEC Granville hotel is experiencing no vacancy due to the unexpected US-bound visitors re-routed to Vancouver for quarantine purposes or a temporary visit.

All other GEC properties were pre-occupied by students before the coronavirus outbreak. Many occupants are extending their stay at GEC properties rendering all of our properties near full capacity.

As many students have been instructed by their parents to stay in Canada and not to return home this summer, we are expecting a higher occupancy rate this year.

"While the sudden global outbreak of coronavirus has left many businesses in crisis, we at CIBT are sympathetic to the infected populations around the world," said Toby Chu, Chairman, President, and CEO of CIBT Education Group Inc. "As noted above in our summary, CIBT's operations have not been adversely affected by the epidemic. Our ability to grow our revenue base across all business units, combined with near-zero vacancies in our student housing residences, provides further evidence that our unique business model can thrive under the most difficult macroeconomic environments. Our value proposition of having a high-value rental income stream to support our significant education income while owning a diversified pipeline of students from 40+ countries around the world allows us to de-risk from political and epidemic concerns. We currently see no material risk to our business as a result of the global coronavirus outbreak. We will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic and assess its impact to our operations, taking all reasonable steps to maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment for our students to study and live and our staff to work."

About CIBT Education Group:

CIBT Education Group Inc. is one of the largest education, and student housing investment companies in Canada focused on the global education market since 1994. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and U.S OTCQX International, CIBT owns business and language colleges, student housing properties, recruitment centres and corporate offices at 45 locations in Canada and abroad. The total annual enrollment for the group exceeds 12,000 students. Its education providers include Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College, Vancouver International College and CIBT School of Business. Through these schools, CIBT offers business and management programs in healthcare, hotel management, language training, and over 150 career, language and vocational programs. CIBT owns Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("Global Education"), an investment holding and development Company focused on developing education related real estate such as student hotels, serviced apartments and education centres. The total portfolio and development budget of projects under Global Education's GEC brand is over C$1 billion. The various GEC properties provide accommodations to over 1,500 students and other tenants. CIBT also owns Global Education Alliance ("GEA") and Irix Design Group ("Irix Design"). GEA recruits international students on behalf of many elite kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America. Irix Design is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.cibt.net.

Toby Chu

Chairman, President & CEO

CIBT Education Group Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 318 or | Email: info@cibt.net

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about CIBT Education Group Inc. and its plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include (without limitation) statements as to there being no currently expected material risk to CIBT's business as a result of the global coronavirus outbreak. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause CIBT's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements, including but not limited to usual construction risks, obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals, and the ability of the relevant limited partnerships to raise further funds as they are needed. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of CIBT's management at the time they are made, and CIBT does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/53210
Meghan Markle dazzled in the British drizzle as she attended her first official engagement since announcing shes quitting the royal family with hubby Prince Harry .

The Duchess of Sussex beamed as she arrived at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London last night, hugging, kissing and chatting to members of the organisation.

During the event, Meghan chatted to Claire Spencer, 52, who was there to support her husband as he picked up an award.

Claire complimented the Duchess on how she looks after having her little boy, prompting Meghan to give a little update on how the royal tot is getting on.



She said: Oh yes, well he is ten months now and is into everything.

The last time we saw little Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, was on the couples Christmas card photo, which showed the couple sitting on the floor as their son crawled towards the camera.

Meghan and Harry have left Archie in Canada while they return to the UK to carry out their final engagements before Megxit on March 31.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
GLENVIEW, Ill., March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ITW (NYSE: ITW) today announced it will postpone its annual Investor Day, originally scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020. Due to recently enacted travel restrictions at a number of participating firms, a significant percentage of attendees who registered for the event can no longer attend. The Company will announce the revised date for its 2020 Investor Day and plant tour as soon as it is rescheduled.

About Illinois Tool Works

ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $14.1 billion in 2019. The companys seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITWs approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the companys decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. www.itw.com
Schools in greater Houston have begun to ramp up their responses to the new coronavirus amid reports that five local individuals have tested positive for the virus.

Houston ISD late Thursday advised students and staff to self-quarantine for 14 days if they travel to and return from any countries on the CDCs travel warnings list. Officials said those absences would be excused for students, and staff members should follow normal absence-reporting procedures if they self-quarantine.

Klein Independent School District officials issued a statement saying they may limit large gatherings, possibly restrict outside visitors to its campuses and will expand cleaning efforts to less frequently used areas of their schools.

New students hoping to enroll in Fort Bend or Pearland ISDs will have to go through a health screening process with a school nurse. New students will not be allowed to attend classes until they are cleared by the nurse and public health officials, district officials said.

Several districts have created websites dedicated to their evolving responses to the new coronavirus.

On HoustonChronicle.com: School leaders worry students, teachers will bring coronavirus back from spring break

Authorities on Thursday announced that four people in Harris County have tested positive for the virus. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the four people, who are between 60 and 70, had traveled to Egypt with a third person in Fort Bend County whose positive test for the virus was announced Wednesday.

One of the Harris County residents who tested positive is an employee at Rice University. Rice officials on Thursday said 14 doctoral students, faculty and staff who came into contact with the employee were in self-quarantine away from the campus.

No K-12 school districts in greater Houston or elsewhere in Texas have reported any of their students with symptoms or who are under precautionary quarantine from having contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

The Texas Education Agency is preparing for that to change. Officials Thursday said the agency has launched three teams to plan for a potential spread of the virus, as well as participate in twice weekly strategy meetings with 30 other state agencies, including the Governors Office, the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Emergency Management.

TEA continues to be in an operational and preparedness planning phase for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), TEA officials wrote in a statement. The Agency has solicited frequently asked questions and concerns from districts and charters from across the state to support our planning approach.

In Fort Bend ISD, which is located within the county where the first local case was confirmed, Superintendent Charles Dupre said district officials would make every effort to support students and staff who decide to self quarantine for a variety of reasons, whether they have preexisting conditions such as asthma, traveled to an effected area, are experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed.

Perhaps the most important thing I can tell our students, staff and parents today is to stay home and seek medical attention if you are sick, Dupre said.

Although no one is sick in Long Vongs family, they are still taking precautions.

His two granddaughters, Michelle, 7, and Madelyn, 9, attend Barrington Place Elementary in the Fort Bend County town of Meadows Place. Michelles teacher had told her class that parents would be more likely to get the coronavirus than kids, but that they should all wash their hands frequently.

With soap, Michelle added as she stomped around a parking lot in pink cowboy boots, like until the coronavirus is gone.

Vong and his family already had slipped bottles of hand sanitzer bottles into the girls backpacks and told them to use it or wash their hands before eating anything or touching their faces. He said the family also plans to avoid crowds and will not be going to any movies or rodeo events until things calm down. He said he was not worried, just cautious.

Were not really really scared, Vong said. I believe in our district, in our school. I believe they already have preparations for

In Pearland ISD and Lamar CISD, officials announced they will suspend their districts perfect attendance rules for the remainder of the school year, and will honor students who did not have any absences between Aug. 15, 2019 and the beginning of March instead.

shelby.webb@chron.com
(Newser)  Last summer came headline after headline about someone taking a carton of Blue Bell ice cream out of supermarket freezers, licking the ice cream contained therein, then putting the carton back on store shelves. A punishment has been handed down over one of those stunts: D'Adrien Anderson was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail for letting his tongue touch dairy goodness in a Port Arthur Walmart, NBC News reports. The video of the 24-year-old doing so went viral after originally being posted online in August, and he was soon busted and pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in January. Authorities concede that Anderson went back and purchased the licked carton, but they say it doesn't matter, as Walmart had to toss all of its ice cream.

story continues below

"Anderson's actions caused public concerns about the safety and quality of consumer products offered for public consumption, impacted Blue Bell consumer confidence, and caused the company financial loss," the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office said. In addition to the 30-day jail sentence, notes KBMT, Anderson will receive 180 days of probation; be required to put in 100 hours of community service; and have to pay a $1,000 fine, plus just north of $1,500 in restitution to Blue Bell. (A teen was also accused of licking Blue Bell ice cream in a Walmart in Lufkin, Texas, while Insider notes that a 36-year-old man was arrested in Louisiana on similar charges.)
Many reporters have also put themselves at great risk by venturing into intensive care units (ICU) to bring stories about the doctors and nurses who are saving lives on the front line of the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Gao Hui, reporter with China Military

As a military reporter, it means a lot to Gao Hui to be able to go to the front line in Wuhan and document the stories of the medical workers there.

Gao Hui works in the ICU of Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan on Feb. 20, 2020.

One of the people Gao Hui interviewed was Chen Jing, head nurse at the Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. Gas said that she may have seemed severe, but this was only because she cared so much about the patients, adding that she always encourages and brings hope to them.

Chen told one story about a 70-year-old pneumonia patient who couldnt wait to be transferred from the ICU to a public ward once he felt better because he wanted to be with his wife, who was also in the hospital.

Chen had been deeply moved by many patients like the old man, and wanted to do everything she could to help them get back together with their families.

Chen Nan with Harbin Daily

Chen Nan came to the ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in the Qunli New District in Harbin, northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province, on Feb. 21.

Chen Nan takes photos in the ICU.

According to Chen, Heilongjiang province had 70 severely infected pneumonia patients, 62 of whom were receiving treatment in the hospital.

The photojournalist spent five hours taking pictures in the ICU, which left him soaking in sweat and dehydrated. It was even harder for the doctors and nurses, who had to work for up to 10 hours in those conditions, Chen said.

Chen Nans clothes are soaked with sweat after work.

The doctors said that the medical workers are often thanked, but for them, the best gift is seeing their patients safe again.

Zhu Minghui with Anhui Broadcasting Corporation

Zhu Minghui recorded the daily work of Jiang Xiaogan, head of the first medical team sent from Anhui province to aid Hubei province at the Taikang Hospital, Wuhan.

Zhu Minghui conducts interviews at Taikang Hospital in Wuhan.

When they first came to Taikang Hospital, there were barely enough medical beds for the patients, said Jiang. On top of that, the private hospital didnt properly separate the safe zones from the unsafe ones, bringing greater risks to the medical staff.

Jiang and his coworkers spent several days building a temporary ICU for severely infected patients. At the beginning, many medical workers had to work around the clock to save lives, and a lack of medical supplies meant they had to take great risks in doing their job. It is because of the doctors and nurses sense of responsibility that many seriously ill patients were transferred to public wards.

As long as the medical workers stick together with Wuhan, the city will definitely stand up once again, Zhu said.

Gu Pengbo with Hunan Daily

Gu Pengbo said that he recorded a battle between life and death on his camera in the ICU of the Loudi Central Hospital in central Chinas Hunan province on Feb. 3.

Gu Pengbo takes photos in the Loudi Central Hospital on Feb. 4, 2020.

When the condition of a 61-year-old pneumonia patient, who also suffered high blood pressure and diabetes, suddenly became worse with respiratory failure and shock, he was sent into the ICU. When doctors rushed in with protective clothing, nurses were busy bringing medical supplies into the ICU.

Medical workers save a patient in the ICU of the Loudi Central Hospital on Feb. 3, 2020.

Three and a half hours later, the patients condition had improved. By then, the surgical gown of Kang Dan, one of the nurses, was already soaked in sweat. As many patients in the ICU are not in stable condition, it is normal for ICU medical staff to frantically try to save another patient immediately after one has been brought out of danger. We will make it through, because we are nurses, Kang said.
In Europe, outbreaks and quarantines in parts of Italy that produce auto parts are also expected to disrupt production in Germany. Coming hot on the heels of US President Donald Trumps audacious trade war with China and the exit of Britain from the European Union, there are warnings a coronavirus pandemic will only accelerate the brewing backlash against globalisation. It's perhaps ironic fears have focused so intensely on a product which Australians retain the capacity to make in bulk at home. Credit:Janie Barrett It reinforces all the fears about open borders, Professor Ian Goldin of Oxford University and author of the 2014 book The Butterfly Defect: How Globalisation Creates Systemic Risks, And What To Do About It, told The New York Times this week. But economists warn any impulse towards greater self sufficiency will only undo the economic prosperity that has flowed in recent decades from countries pursuing their "comparative advantage".

According to Dr Stephen Kirchner, the director of the trade and investment program at the United States Studies Centre, both economic theory and history show countries get richer when they specialise in producing goods and services at which they are relatively best at  and engaging in trade to obtain the rest. Loading I think with globalisation, its a matter of taking the good with the bad, says Kirchner. There are lots of good things that come with globalisation. It has been shown to be correlated to higher GDP per person and higher productivity. The bad side is youre more exposed to things like the global financial crisis and pandemics. Kirchner says people have a tendency to overemphasise the degree to which countries are more interconnected than in the past. While communication technology and cheap travel has accelerated flows of people more recently, Australia  despite a period of insularity in the middle of last century  has always been open to the world. If you go back to 1914, the world economy was probably even more integrated then than it is now. But then it all collapsed with WWI. When the Spanish flu struck in 1918, globalisation was already in decline, making the spread much slower.

Today, globalisation is also in retreat, with international trade flows yet to regain their pre-global financial crisis peaks. But cheaper air travel has accelerated the potential for diseases to spread. Others are less sanguine. International trade economist from the University of New South Wales Tim Harcourt says the COVID-19 outbreak will change sentiment about the benefits of globalisation. I think it will cause a reset of thoughts about globalisation. I think it will also reset our thoughts about too much reliance on China as a trading partner. I think that was happening before coronavirus. I think thats how Trump got elected. Rather than winding back trading links, Harcourt says the outbreak will likely lead to stricter quarantine laws. I dont think anyone would think we can do everything ourselves in Australia. Weve been trading since the Aboriginals traded sea cucumber with the Indonesians. I do think there will be a push to put the green back in the green and gold  to keep things fresh and clean. Kirchner points out that becoming too heavily reliant on domestic production also brings risks. I just think that relocates the risks, it doesnt eliminate them. If you have entirely domestic supply chains, then youre vulnerable to domestic disruptions.

When Cyclone Yasi devastated much of Australias banana crop in 2011 prices skyrocketed in part due to a long-standing quarantine ban on imported bananas to protect domestic producers from the bunchy top virus. Loading Despite recent concern, Kirchner says Australian and American consumers remain supporters of freer trade. In the latest Gallup 2020 World Affairs survey, conducted in February, 79 per cent agreed trade was an opportunity for economic growth through increased US exports. Just 18 per cent agreed trade was a threat to the economy from foreign imports. Previous polling in Australia has found 88 per cent agree that growing trade and business ties with other countries is a good thing for our country, says Kirchner. In many ways, this has been an elite failure that they have projected onto the population. Theres no backlash evident here. Its all Trump, not the voters. But as the Australian government prepares a billion-dollar-plus stimulus package to head off a domestic recession, concern is likely to focus on the potential downsides of the Australian economys exposure to China.
Wines very appeal is that it is not easily copied in a petri dish or test tube. The same vineyard, farmed by the same hands in exactly the same way, can produce dramatically different wines from one year to the next. Cabernet sauvignon from here does not taste like cabernet from there. The care and choices a vintner makes every day in the vineyard, the attention she pays in the winery, are all reflected in the glass we enjoy at dinner. A wine from last years vintage will not taste the same five years from now as it does today. Wine is a time capsule, and like our memories of years gone by, it evolves. How do we capture that in a lab?
New Delhi, March 6 : A committee headed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inquire into unruly incidents witnessed in the Lower House of Parliament between March 2 and 5.

"The Speaker has formed a committee to inquire into these incidents and submit a report to the House," Kirit Premjibhai Solanki informed the House while presiding over the proceedings during the day.

Solanki said that the Speaker will head the committee, with one member each from all political parties represented in the House. Solanki later adjourned the House till 12.45 pm.

But before the adjournment, the Lower House passed the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Earlier, the Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment over opposition demand to discuss Delhi violence in February.

"It is yet to be formed as of Friday afternoon. One member each from each party will be on the committee. All parties will forward the names of their respective members to be included in the panel," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told IANS.

Javadekar said that the committee will discuss the acts of indiscipline since Monday as well as the demand to revoke the decision to suspend seven Congress MPs from the Lok Sabha for the remaining session.

On Thursday, the seven Congress MPs were suspended for alleged unruly behaviour till the end of second sitting of the Budget session on April 3.

The current session, that resumed on March 2, has witnessed frequent adjournments due to the opposition protests, primarily the Congress, over violence that erupted on February 23 in northeast Delhi. The Congress is demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said: "The government doesn't want to keep any MPs outside Parliament. But what happened on Thursday has never happened in 70 years since India's independence." Replying to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Joshi said that such behaviour should not be displayed in the House. "Earlier, inappropriate words were said against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in the House but we did not do anything." The Congress MPs, meanwhile, kept shouting their demand for justice in the Lok Sabha.

Speaking before Joshi in the Lok Sabha, Chowdhury said: "Seven of our MPs were suspended for the entire Budget session. We don't know on what basis this was done? This is not a minor thing. We only want a discussion on Delhi violence."
Noughts + Crosses was met with widespread praise on its premiere last night, with viewers applauding the programme's exceptional attention to detail in bringing author Malorie Blackman's world to life.

The six-part drama, based on Blackman's book of the same title, is set in the fictional country of Albion  ostensibly England in a parallel universe  centuries after an African fleet invaded Europe.

At the time the series starts there are two races in Albion: the Crosses, darker-skinned with money, power, jobs and education; and the Noughts, lighter-skinned, poorer and usually working as labourers and servants.

FASHION: Noughts + Crosses was met with widespread praise on its premiere last night, with viewers applauding the programme's exceptional attention to detail in bringing author Malorie Blackman's world to life. Pictured, Rakie Ayola as Prime Minister Opal Folami. The character's costume is typical of how African fabrics and fashion are celebrated on screen

MEDIA: Fans were blown away with how the creative team had paid attention to creating a world where African culture is dominant and is celebrated, after being overlooked and underrepresented. Pictured, only black newsreaders are seen on screen in the episode

Dozens of fans took to Twitter to share their excitement and praise the attention to detail

When Callum (Jack Rowan), a Nought, falls in love with Sephy (Masali Baduza), a high-status Cross, the ramifications include terror attacks, kidnapping and a tragic parting for the star-crossed lovers.

Fans were blown away with how the creative team had paid attention to creating a world where African culture is dominant and is celebrated, after being overlooked and underrepresented.

The models on the beauty billboards are non-white; the white characters sport black hairstyles; African music, language and architecture is celebrated; and, crucially for the story, black characters hold the authority positions in the government, police and military.

PLASTERS: Among the standout moments in last night's episode was a scene between Sephy and Callum in which she puts a plaster on his finger after he cuts it on broken glass, pictured

The moment was one of the most memorable from the book and struck a chord with viewers

One tweeted: 'The exclusive schools, the slum neighbourhoods, microaggressions, plasters in brown, the media with only black faces #NoughtsAndCrosses.'

Another posted: 'This level of detail has my head spinning, the colour of the plasters, the beauty billboards, the prints on the clothing because of course it would be commonplace, the architecture. #NoughtsAndCrosses.'

A third added: 'You guys need to watch #NoughtsAndCrosses . Everything about this is so on point. Its set in a world where Africans invaded everywhere instead of Europeans. The way white people have African hairstyles due to forced assimilation. The little micro aggressions, the media.'

GOVERNMENT: Paterson Joseph as Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, in an all 'Cross' government

ADVERTISEMENTS: Black beauty is celebrated with beauty billboards seen in the background

ARCHITECTURE: The house of the Cross Home Secretary celebrates African architecture

UNIVERSITIES: The 'Crosses' like Sephy dominate in university classes and the armed forces

ASSIMILATION: Under-privileged 'Noughts' wear African fabrics and hairstyles, pictured

Among the standout moments in last night's episode was a scene between Sephy and Callum in which she puts a plaster on his finger after he cuts it on broken glass.

Sephy wraps the plaster around his thumb to reveal it is a much darker shade than his fair skin. The moment perfectly encapsulates the power dynamics between the couple, and the wider society in which they live.

'This plaster scene was so powerful! If you know, you know,' one tweeted.

Another added: 'Wow 20 mins in and just wow. The power of the plaster scene. The attention to every little detail. Everyone needs to what this or read the books. Outstanding. #NoughtsAndCrosses.'

The first episode was met with widespread praise as viewers celebrated the representation

Noughts + Crosses continues Thursday 9pm on BBC1 and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a letter to President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday asked for help in combating coronavirus, fueling speculation that the outbreak in the North is worse than previously thought.

North Korea has claimed that it does not have a single confirmed case of infection, but there are rumors that the virus is spreading quickly there.

The state-run Rodong Sinmun daily said on Sunday that almost 7,000 people "are in self-quarantine and under medical monitoring."

One researcher at a state-run think tank here said, "North Korea revealed the number of quarantined subjects, because it's feeling the limitations of its medical capacity and wants help from the international community."

The North has sealed its borders, but it was apparently too late because the virus spread when North Korean workers returned from China en masse at the end of last year.
President Klaus Iohannis, when asked if he has any information on the source of pollution that affected the Capital City Bucharest on the night of March 1 to 2, said he does not want to get involved in this matter "over those who are responsible" for what happened, namely the Ministry of the Environment and the City Hall.

"Please ask the Ministry of Environment and the City Hall about these issues. I do not want to involve myself over those who are responsible of this matter," the President said in a statement to the press.

The Minister of the Environment, Costel Alexe, convened on Monday morning the leaders of the National Environmental Guard and the National Agency for Environmental Protection to discuss the measures which are required, after the night of March 1 to 2, when the values of PM2.5 were exceeded by over 900 per cent, as well as those of PM10 by almost 800 per cent.

The Bucharest mayor, Gabriela Firea, on Tuesday announced that she asked President Klaus Iohannis for the situation of the pollution in Bucharest on the night of March 1 to 2 to be analyzed at a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence. AGERPRRES
Iran on Thursday stood by its decision to deny U.N. nuclear inspectors access to sites where they have questions about past activities, arguing that the agencys case is based on fabricated Israeli intelligence, Reuters reports.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is policing Irans troubled nuclear deal with major powers, sounded an alarm on Tuesday over a lack of Iranian cooperation in clearing up what the IAEA suspects are undeclared activities and materials dating back to the early 2000s. Iran has denied it access to two sites.

Diplomats who follow the IAEA say the decision to inspect those sites to take environmental samples was based at least in part on a trove of documents Israel says its intelligence agents seized in Iran. Israel calls it an archive of past activities.

The Islamic Republic of Iran does not want to set a bad precedence by giving legitimacy to such alleged information, Irans mission to the IAEA in Vienna said in a statement.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog says it does not take information handed to it at face value and vets it thoroughly before deciding whether to act upon it. Iran granted the IAEA access last year to another site Israel has pointed to, a place Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a secret atomic warehouse in Tehran.

IAEA inspectors found uranium traces at that site, which Iran has described as a carpet-cleaning facility. The Islamic Republic has yet to give a satisfactory explanation for how those traces got there.

As for the sites to which Tehran has denied nuclear inspectors access, Iran says the agencys case for going there was too flimsy, even though the IAEA says it has the authority to carry out snap inspections anywhere it needs to. Those so-called complementary accesses are often at short notice.

Copies of papers presented to Iran by the agency as the basis for its requests are neither authentic nor related to the open-source, but rather claimed by the Israeli regime to have been acquired through a so-called secret operation, the statement said.
Sajin Shrijith By

Express News Service

What if a woman suddenly decides to take on a profession that has long been considered a mans? In debutant Kavya Prakashs Vaanku, a girl played by Anaswara Rajan wants to be a muezzin like her father.

Its the resultant conflict that drives the films narrative. How does society react to something like that?

One can easily see why Kavya found this subject appealing.

She, too, is taking on a profession mostly dominated by men. The daughter of veteran director VK Prakash, the Visual Communication graduate learned filmmaking after joining Nirvana Films, the Bangalore-based company that specialises in ad films.

She was also taught by BTech director Mridul Nair who, interestingly, was a protege of her fathers.

But being VK Prakashs daughter didnt exactly make things easy for Kavya as her film deals with a sensitive subject.

Besides, the film is led by four female characters played by Anaswara, Nandhana Varma, Gopika Ramesh, and Meenakshi Unnikrishnan. Naturally, all these factors posed a challenge to securing funding.

A lot of people werent open to the film. They were nervous. There is no male lead to speak ofthe only one who comes close is Vineeth, playing Anaswaras father. As its mostly a female-oriented subject, the male presence is relatively less, she says.

Kavya was drawn to the film due to personal reasons and the subjects relevance today. Gender plays a big part in the film. Its also got a beautiful message and explores a myriad of emotions associated with family, humour, emotions, friendship, love between friends, and so on, she says.

Vaanku has a script by Shabna Muhammed based on Unni Rs story. Ouseppachan has composed the music to PS Rafeeques lyrics.

It has been shot by Arjun Ravi and edited by Suresh Urs. Shabeer Pathan and Sirajudheen have bankrolled the film which will be hitting theatres on March 13.
Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has stated that lecturers who have not enrolled for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) will not get their February salary.

The Minister, who disclosed this at the opening ceremony of a management retreat in Kano on Thursday, said the objective of capturing lecturers on the IPPIS is to check corruption.

Mrs. Ahmed also revealed that in spite of the resistance from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), 55 percent of its members have been captured on the platform.

READ ALSO 2020 Budget May Be Reviewed Because Of Coronavirus: Finance Minister

Speaking to newsmen, the minister said: Unfortunately most reforms that you undertake you come across resistance. We have had resistance from ASUU on the implementation of the IPPIS and I am happy to report that at least up to 55 percent of ASUU members are registered and the ones that have not are not getting their February salary.

It is in eliminating ghost workers because you register on the IPPIS using biometrics and we are currently working with the office of the head of service to link up the IPPIS HR management module with the payroll itself. It will help us better maximise the efficiency of the system.

I know that we have up to 70,000 ghost workers that have been identified in this process and we hope that we will come to a time when we will say that we have no ghost workers.
Two Jacksonville State University students came into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

In a letter to students, faculty and staff, JSU acting president Dr. Don Killingsworth Jr. said there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus on JSUs campus. The university has been notified, however, that two JSU students have come into contact with someone in Georgia diagnosed with COVID-19. The contact came out-of-state six days ago and the JSU students are showing no symptoms.

Although the students did attend classes after the exposure, they are not currently on campus, Killingsworth wrote.

We are working proactively with the Alabama Department of Public Health to protect our campus and community and taking necessary precautions. If the situation changes, we will notify campus, he added.

The university is also recommending students, faculty and staff follow best practices, including:

 Covering your cough

 Washing your hands

 Staying home when sick

 Cleaning your cellphone

There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

JSU had previously canceled all university-funded international travel due to coronavirus threat.

For AL.coms coverage of coronavirus, go here.
Trading Initially Under TRFN Ticker

PHOENIX, AZ, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taronis Fuel, Inc., (Taronis or the Company) (OTC: TRFN), a global producer of renewable and socially responsible fuel products, today announced that it has successfully completed the final stages of the spinoff of Taronis Fuels, Inc, a former subsidiary that was spun out of Taronis Technologies in December 2019.

Taronis Fuels has successfully completed all regulatory requirements with the OTC. The Company will initially trade under the ticker TRFN on the OTCQB. The Company is in the process of requesting the permanent ticker symbol TRNF. The Company is currently in the process of preparing the all of the necessary documents to move forward with the next steps for a potential uplisting to the NYSE.



About Taronis Fuels, Inc.

Taronis Fuels, Inc. is a global producer of renewable and socially responsible fuel products. Our goal is to deliver environmentally sustainable, technology driven alternatives to traditional fossil fuel and carbon-based economy products. We believe our products offer a vastly cleaner solution to legacy acetylene and propane alternatives.

Taronis is also dedicated to providing fundamentally safer solutions to meet the industrial, commercial and residential needs of tomorrows global economy. Our products have been rigorously tested and independently validated by global gas authorities as vastly safer than acetylene, the most dangerous industrial gas in use today.

Lastly, we strive to deliver products that offer significant function superiority at a reduced cost to the end consumer. Through these efforts, we support 9 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, please visit our website at www.taronisfuels.com/

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our public filings with the SEC are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov .
Jay Lucas: SC needs to reform Santee Cooper while we negotiate better NextEra sale
The West Bengal higher education department on Thursday issued a notification regarding appointments of employees in universities and colleges that sparked a huge controversy. According to reports, the government, through the notification, has asked the employees to declare whether their "ovaries and uterus are functioning in a normal condition or not."

This has also led to a huge outrage among the Teachers' association in the state.

About the notification

The notification is directed at all category of employees who are proposed to be appointed to any post. Asking the candidates about "the condition of ovaries and uterus", the state higher education departments integrated law cell mentions that they should invariably complete their police verification and are required to bring a medical report from a competent medical board."

Read: 'Violence is against Democracy': West Bengal Guv, CM unite to slam hate speech in State

Read: Ahead of polls, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launches new housing scheme for the poor people

The notification also stated, asking the aspirants whether they were originally residents of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, or any other country. Along with it, it asked the candidates for their "Height without shoes." As per reports, the notification was issued by Harisadhan Das, joint secretary, West Bengal government.

Read: Bengal govt ensured that nobody snatches lands from tribals: Mamata Banerjee

Read: MoS Nityanand Rai confirms receiving proposal on renaming West Bengal to 'Bangla'
It was just another day volunteering at the Outer Banks' Hotline Pink Thrift Shop in Kitty Hawk for Wendy Hawkins late last year when she stumbled upon something she suspected was truly remarkable. Her hunch was correct: Hawkins had discovered an original Salvador Dali painting on the floor of the thrift shop as she was sorting through paintings.

One day I saw this, with a bunch of other paintings lined up on the floor, and I said this is old, this is something special,'" Hawkins told WAVY-TV 10 out of Portsmouth, Virginia, in a recent profile of her impressive find. Curious to learn more abut this piece, Hawkins asked the thrift store for permission to get a professional opinion regarding the artwork. Once they gave her the green light, Hawkins headed over to the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head. At the gallery, Melanie Smith was able to determine the piece in question was an original Dali wood engravingthat even has the famed 20th century surrealist's signaturefrom a series called "The Divine Comedy" commissioned by the Italian government in honor of vaunted poet Dante Alighieri.

You may be wondering how much something like this is worth... https://t.co/PW4ooR1Zfc  WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) March 4, 2020

This series has 100 different images for the series, because Dante wrote 100 different verses or cantos, Smith explained to WAVY-TV 10. Smith was able to sell the piece at the gallery for $1,200, not too bad considering this was once sitting casually on the floor of a thrift shop. Watch WAVY-TV 10's full video here.

WATCH: Secrets of North Carolina's Outer Banks

Secrets of North Carolina's Outer Banks

Daytime TV: Secrets of North Carolina's Outer Banks

What an amazing story out of the Outer Banks. Have you ever found something valuable at a thrift shop, antique store, or yard sale? We wish we could channel a bit of Hawkins' luck and stumble upon a Dali original. What an incredible story that would be to share with our loved onesand what a cool piece of history that would be to hang on our walls, melting clocks or not.
New Delhi: The suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain who has been accused in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma, was arrested by Delhi Police on Thursday (March 5), and is as per police sources is not cooperating in the investigation.

The police will present Tahir in court later this afternoon and will ask for his custody. So far three FIRs have been filed against Tahir and he had been absconding for almost a week. The Crime Branch team is also now looking for Tahir Hussain's brother, Shah Alam.

The police have plenty of questions to ask him about what transpired during the violence. Here are some of the questions that the police want answers to ask Tahir Hussain:

1- Where were you all day on 23 February?

2- Where did so get so many stones, petrol bombs and slingshot that were found on the roof of your house on February 24 and 25?

3- Chemical bags were also found in your home.. Where did they come from?

4- Were you present on the roof when these things were put there?

5 - Where did you go on February 24,25?

6- On February 25, when Ankit Sharma was killed.. where were you?

7- You are accused in Ankit's murder, what do you have to say to this?

8- If these stones and petrol bomb were put on your roof in your absence and when you saw these items later, did you tell the local police or complained about its presence?

9- Ankit's father alleges that you, your acquaintances Kalu, and some other persons were involved in the killing of their son Ankit.

10- Who is Kalu. Do you know him?

11- Were you also part of the ongoing anti-CAA-NRC demonstration in the northeast district?

12- Where did you go after running away from the house .. Who were the people who gave you shelter?

13- Who did you talk to during your escape?

14- Who was with you during your escape?

15- Who helped you to reach the court?

Tahir Hussain was arrested by Delhi Police Crime Branch just before he was going to surrender at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi. He had filed an anticipatory bail petition in Delhi's Karkardooma Court in connection with an FIR in which he has been accused of killing Ankit Sharma.

Sharma's body was recovered by police from a drain in Chand Bagh area of Northeast Delhi on February 26. His father Ravinder Kumar had lodged a complaint naming Hussain as accused in the murder of his son following which Delhi Police filed an FIR.

At least 48 people were killed and over 200 injured, many of them seriously, in the riots which started following clashes between pro and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters in Northeast Delhi.
[March 05, 2020] eBay, Heifer International, Award Winning Actress Uzo Aduba Partner on International Women's Day

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, Heifer International, a global development organization working to end global hunger and poverty by investing in small-scale farmers, along with celebrity ambassador and Emmy award-winning actress, Uzo Aduba, today announced the launch of the "Inspiring Gifts for Inspiring Women" campaign, in partnership with eBay for Charity. The campaign will run today through March 15, highlighting Heifer International's work on women's empowerment in rural communities around the world. Heifer International has provided farmers with livestock, seeds, training, and connections to market so they can build sustainable food and farming businesses for over 75 years. The organization invests in women farmers, who make up 43 percent of the global agricultural workforce, equipping them with the tools and expertise they need to grow their businesses and reach a living income, using farming methods that protect the environment. The "Inspiring Gifts for Inspiring Women" campaign includes a one-of-a-kind eBay auction for two people to visit The Africa Center in New York, NY, with Aduba. Auction winners will spend three hours with Aduba for a coffee and tour of the center to learn bout why she supports small-scale farmers around the world. The campaign will also feature a range of Gifts That Give Back - symbolic gifts which allow shoppers to donate between $20 and $750 directly to Heifer International.



eBay will also highlight Heifer International as a recommended organization for sellers to donate 10-100 percent of their sales to and as the featured nonprofit for buyers to donate at checkout through PayPal. "We applaud eBay for its commitment to giving back and are honored to be recognized on such a significant day as International Women's Day," said Heifer International CEO Pierre Ferrari. "Uzo has been a passionate, authentic supporter of Heifer and an inspiration to women worldwide. Her voice is essential for showing the importance of women farmers around the world who are ending hunger and poverty in their communities."

In 2016 and 2018, Aduba visited Heifer International's work in Uganda, where she witnessed the impact of women's groups and cooperatives, leadership and gender equity training. While nearly half of all farmers around the world are women, many do not have control over their income and other assets. Heifer Uganda helps women become leaders in their households and communities and has worked with 4.8 million people since 1982. "When I first visited a Heifer International project, I was astounded by how closely they work with the communities they serve, and especially with the women in those communities," said Aduba. "Heifer is not only helping women to survive, but to thrive. Women farmers are businesswomen who are inspiring change and becoming leaders among their peers." Aduba is Heifer International's first celebrity ambassador. Through eBay for Charity, together they aim to raise funds to directly invest in women farmers and entrepreneurs to reach a living income. Aduba is available by request for phone and written interviews to discuss her involvement with Heifer International. eBay shoppers can head to ebay.com/heiferinternational to bid on the auction experience with Aduba or to buy a Gift That Gives Back in support of Heifer International. ABOUT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL For 75 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 35 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports women farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For information, visit Heifer.org. ABOUT EBAY FOR CHARITY eBay for Charity enables members of the eBay community to connect with and support their favorite charities in the U.S. and abroad. Every time a user buys or sells on eBay, it's an opportunity to support causes that matter the most and to help with their fundraising goals. With more than 83,500 charities enrolled on the site, eBay is home to one of the world's largest and most active giving communities. Since 2003, the eBay community has raised more than $1 billion for charity. For more information visit ebayforcharity.org. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ebay-heifer-international-award-winning-actress-uzo-aduba-partner-on-international-womens-day-301018772.html SOURCE Heifer Project International

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A senior British diplomat lobbied the ex-wife of Dubais billionaire ruler after she fled from his campaign of fear and intimidation, the High Court heard.

Edward Oakden, the British ambassador to Jordan since 2015, threatened Princess Haya Bint Al Husseins brother Prince Ali, of Jordan, in July, her lawyers said in a private hearing last year.

The court heard he threatened banning her from the country on behalf of ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 70.

The allegation was made by the princess lawyers in November during the pairs legal battle for custody of their two children, Al Jalila, 12, and Zayed, eight, but can only now be reported after the High Court lifted reporting restrictions.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum / Getty Images

Princess Hayas barrister Charles Geekie QC described Mr Oakdens alleged approach as an extraordinary intervention, adding that it can only, we say, have come about as a result of pressure from Dubai.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, the most senior family judge in England and Wales, found the Sheikh's 20-year spell of abuse of Princess Haya forced her to seek sanctuary in London with the children last April.

The ruler, vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also ordered and orchestrated the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart, the judge said.

The ruler said the matters are "highly personal and private" and said the judement told "only on side of the story".

Sheikha Shamsa, then 19, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge in August 2000, while her sister Sheikha Latifa was forcibly returned to Dubai twice, in 2002 and again in 2018, the judgement ruled.

In his ruling, which was published on Thursday, Sir Andrew said that on July 16 2019, Princess Haya abandoned her claim to diplomatic immunity in part, she asserts, as a result of extreme pressure, diplomatic and otherwise, brought to bear on her by the father (Sheikh Mohammed).

Princess Haya fled to Britain last April with her two children / PA

Mr Oakden allegedly approached Princess Hayas brother less than two weeks prior. At a November hearing, Mr Geekie said Mr Oakden had told Prince Ali in early July: Either your sisters diplomatic immunity is withdrawn for the purposes of this case or we request the Jordanian government withdraw her as a diplomat.

The revelation is set to pile pressure on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which faced accusations of intervening in Cambridgeshire Polices investigation into the disappearance of Shamsa in 2000.

DCI David Beck, who led the police probe, previously told the BBC that he applied to visit Dubai to visit Shamsa but "was never given a reason why" when it was cancelled at short-notice.

At the November hearing, Mr Geekie said it was evidence of interference, adding: We have it directly that the Foreign Office were plainly engaged back in 2000 with a direct interest being expressed by the foreign secretary and we have it from Mr Becks statement permission to pursue the investigation in Dubai was refused.

In his judgment, Sir Andrew said the FCO had confirmed it held information relating to the investigation of Shamsas alleged kidnapping. However, the FCO refused to disclose it, saying releasing it would reduce the UK Governments ability to protect and promote UK interests". Shamsa, now 38, has not been seen in public since the abduction.

Sir Andrew concluded: It is not possible to find on the balance of probability that permission for Mr Beck to visit Dubai was refused because of the direct intervention of the FCO, nor, moving further still from the basic known facts, that any intervention by the FCO had been triggered by the father or the government of Dubai.

Insofar as the mother alleges that the father has directly used diplomatic links to neutralise or remove her diplomatic immunity, I am unable to make such a finding.

I am however fully satisfied that the father, the state of Dubai and the UAE are afforded significant international respect and have, accordingly, great influence.

In a separate judgment, also published on Thursday, Sir Andrew said assurances provided by Sheikh Mohammed and the UAE waiving his immunity from English court orders failed to afford the children any significant level of protection from the risk of abduction within England and Wales.

A statement from the Sikh's representatives said: This case concerns highly personal and private matters relating to our children.

"The Appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected.

"As a Head of Government, I was not able to participate in the Courts fact-finding process, this has resulted in the release of a 'fact-finding' judgment which inevitably tells only one side of the story.

"I ask that the media respect the privacy of our children and do not intrude into their lives in the UK.
The office of the New York Attorney General released a scathing cease-and-desist letter to televangelist Jim Bakker telling him to stop trying to sell people a fake cure for the coronavirus.

Lisa Landau, Chief of the Health Care Bureau, gave 'The Jim Bakker Show' 10 days to comply with the letter that was sent to the convicted fraudster on Thursday.

The letter highlights that during a February 12 screening of the conservative show, Bakker posited that the Silver Solution sold on the show's website would be effective against the coronavirus.

Scroll down for video

Lisa Landau, Chief of the Health Care Bureau, gave 'The Jim Bakker Show' 10 days to comply with the letter that was sent on Thursday

The show was selling a bundle of Silver Solution products for more than $125. To use, consumers were instructed to 'apply generously to skin as needed to help promote natural healing'

Bakker - an ardent Trump supporter - asks guest Sherill Sellman if the solution will work against the virus, to which she responds: 'Let's say it hasn't been tested on this strain of the coronavirus, but it's been rested on other strains of the coronavirus and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours'.

Landau said that the discussion and adverts for the solution 'may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of the Silver Solution product in protecting against the current outbreak'.

'The World Heath Organization ('WHO') has noted that there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat this disease,' Landau continued.

'Therefore, any representation on the Jim Bakker Show that its Silver Solution products are effective at combating and/or treating the 2019 novel coronavirus violates New York law.

The letter highlights that during a February 12 screening of the conservative show, Bakker posited that the Silver Solution would cure the disease

Bakker - an ardent Trump supporter - asks guest Sherill Sellman if the solution will work against the virus, to which she responds: 'Let's say it hasn't been tested on this strain of the coronavirus, but it's been rested on other strains of the coronavirus and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours'

In addition to the discontinuation of the misleading info, Landau also ordered that a disclaimer be listed to all Silver Solution products listed on the show's website.

'These statement have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,' the disclaimer reads.

The show was selling a bundle of Silver Solution products for more than $125. To use, consumers were instructed to 'apply generously to skin as needed to help promote natural healing.'

The gel is said to help boost immune systems.

On Thursday, AG Letitia James released a statement that highlighted available sources while also noting potential consumer scams related to the disease.

On Thursday, AG Letitia James released a statement that highlighted available sources while also noting potential consumer scams related to the disease

'As we experience more cases of coronavirus, it is imperative that New Yorkers remain calm, but stay vigilant,' she said in the statement.

'In addition to being mindful about our health, we must also beware of unscrupulous actors who attempt to take advantage of this fear and anxiety to scam or deceive consumers. I encourage anyone who believes they are the victim of a scam or predatory action to contact my office and file a complaint.'

Jim and Tammy Faye used to co-host PTL, which stood for 'Praise the Lord,' but people later came to associate with 'Pass the Loot' as the two were notorious for a lavish lifestyle that included air conditioners for their dogs.

During the height of their popularity, Jim and Tammy Faye ran a Christian theme park that spanned 2300 acres in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which is also where they taped their show.

The two parted ways in a divorce in 1992, after it was revealed in 1987 that Jim paid money to cover up a 15-minute affair with a church secretary by the name of Jessica Hahn.

Jim later served close to five years in federal prison for fraud related to PTL.

Now, Jim and his current wife, Lori, tape The Jim Bakker Show from another Christian compound, deep in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.
The Vatican has reported its first case of coronavirus today - days after Pope Francis tested negative for the virus.

The discovery brings the epidemic to the city-state surrounded by Italy, which has confirmed more than 3,800 cases and 148 deaths due to the virus.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the new case was diagnosed on Thursday and that services in Vatican clinics had been suspended in order to deep clean the areas.

Bruni gave no details on whether the person who tested positive was a Vatican employee living in Italy or was among the few clergy and guards who live inside its walls.

Pope Francis himself tested negative for the virus after suffering from a cold last week. Today his official Twitter account said he wishes to 'express my closeness to those who are ill with the coronavirus'.

The Vatican has also put another official into protective quarantine and shut the doors of its Apostolic Library to guard against the spread of the virus.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed a patient in its health services had tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday (Pictured: St. Peter's Square today)

Most Vatican employees who use its health services live in Italy, on the other side of the border with the 108-acre city state.

The Vatican said it is working with Italian authorities to keep the coronavirus from spreading, with a suspension of Pope Francis' weekly audiences likely.

It remains unclear how the Vatican will alter Francis' schedule and other events leading up to Easter Sunday on April 12.

Francis would normally preside over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum on Good Friday, celebrate an Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica and deliver a traditional Urbi et Orbi message in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.

The pontiff, 83, had been forced to cancel a series of engagements last week due to an illness described 'as a cold'.

He was given a 'routine' test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday with symptoms including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat.

He was given a swab test as a precaution but the Vatican said Pope Francis, who cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy, was suffering only from a cold that is 'without symptoms related to other pathologies.'

Italian newspaper Il Messagero subsequently reported that Francis had tested negative. The Vatican declined to comment.

Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus, after cancelling engagements and largely disappearing from public view last week after falling ill (pictured on Sunday)

A couple take pictures in a deserted St. Peter's Square at the Vatican amid coronavirus fears

Though Rome had no active cases at the time of his illness, fears were raised that Francis could have unknowingly contracted the disease after he was pictured shaking hands and kissing faces in a crowd of well-wishers in St Peter's Square.

The fact doctors saw fit to test him for the illness shows those fears were shared by Vatican staff.

In his tweet today the pontiff, who lost part of one lung from a respiratory illness when he was a young man, thanked all those who are responding to the epidemic.

'I wish to express again my closeness to those who are ill with the coronavirus and to healthcare workers who are caring for them, as well as to civil authorities and all those involved in assisting patients and in containing the spread of the virus,' he said.

In another precaution, the Vatican Apostolic Library said today it would keep its doors shut all next week.

The library welcomes scholars from around the world to consult Vatican's manuscripts and archives, and was expecting a full house given its opening this week of the archives of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope.

The first case in Vatican City comes as Italy continues to battle a coronavirus outbreak which has now affected all its regions.

Fears were raised for the Pope's health after he fell sick amid a coronavirus outbreak in Italy which has sickened more than 3,800 people and killed 148

While Rome had no active cases of coronavirus when Francis fell sick, fears were raised after he was pictured touching hands and kissing faces in St Peter's Square (pictured, Vatican tourists wearing protective masks)

Francis agreed to a precautionary swab test after developing symptoms including a cough, fever and sore throat, but the results were negative

The Vatican recently stepped up measures to try and prevent an outbreak in the city state - with masks and gloves distributed among staff who come into contact with the public.

Staff have also been advised to wash their hands thoroughly and avoid people with symptoms, while visitors are being asked to avoid forming dense crowds and to shield their faces when they cough or sneeze.

Italy reported 41 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday, its highest single-day total to date, bringing the number of fatalities in Europe's most affected country to 148.

The number of cases also jumped by a new high of 769, reaching 3,858 over the past two weeks.

The latest figures mean Italy has the second-most deaths behind China, where the new virus was first detected at the end of last year.

People wear protective face masks on St. Peter's Square after the Vatican reports its first case of coronavirus

A man wearing a protective mask walks past a deserted St. Peter's Square at the Vatican today

Italy reported 41 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday, its highest single-day total to date (Pictured: St Peter's Square)

All of Italy's 22 regions have now been affected, with data showing the virus had reached the Aosta Valley on the French border.

The number of COVID-19 patients receiving intensive care also rose to 351 from 295 on Wednesday.

The Italian government has unveiled a series of unprecedented measures aimed at stemming the virus' accelerating spread.

All schools and universities have been closed until March 15, keeping 8.5million students at home.

Football matches and other sporting events will be played without fans for a month, and 11 villages with 50,000 residents remain under quarantine for a second week.

Travel to Italy was first curtailed on 25 February when the Foreign and Commonwealth issued advice for travellers returning from the hardest hit regions in the north of the country.

Globally, there have been 98,703 cases of coronavirus reported, with the largest numbers in China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
Kenyan producers oppose National Cement's call for clinker import duty rise

06 March 2020

National Cement Co of Kenya has struck out on its own in asking for an increase on clinker import duty from 10 to 25 per cent.



Bamburi Cement, East Africa Portland Cement VCO and Savannah Cement have oppossed the increase suggested by National Cement Chairman, Narendra Raval, at a meeting in Nairobi with the Kenyan Association of Manufacturers (KAM).



However, the association the manufacturers to provide data on their grinding and clinker installed capacity, clinker demand and the capacity of ongoing expansion projects. With this data, KAM will approach the Ministry of Industry over the proposal.



Also opposing Mr Raval's call is Rai Cement, Karsan Ramji & Sons, manufacturer of Ndovu Cement and Safari Cement Ltd, which is setting up a plant in Mombasa.

Published under
A Shiite memorial service, attended by Afghanistan Chief Executive officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah, was attacked on Friday.

No casualties have been reported yet.

The ceremony was organized to mark the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara politician, Tolo News reported.

The attack occurred during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Shiite Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari that was attended by many senior politicians including Abdullah Abdullah.

The attack occurred when the head of the High Peace Council Mohammad Karim Khalili was giving a speech.

No group has so far taken the responsibility of the attack

However, the attack comes days after the Taliban has launched an offensive against the Afghan government and forces after a week-long truce.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[March 06, 2020] First Responder Technologies Successfully Demonstrates Prototype of Worlds First WiFi-Based Walk Through Metal Detection Device

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, March 6, 2020 /CNW/ - First Responder Technologies Inc. ("First Responder" or the "Company") (CSE: WPN | FWB: 3WK) a developer of WiFi-based technologies to detect and deter mass shooting and terror attacks involving concealed weapons, is pleased to announce that the Company, supported by engineers from VVDN Technologies Private Limited, successfully completed a major milestone by demonstrating the world's first WiFi-based walk through metal detection prototype at the UK Home Office sponsored Security & Policing 2020 conference in Farnborough, UK this past week ("UK Home Office Show"). A video demonstration of the WiFi walk-through metal detection prototype can be viewed at the following web page: https://www.firstrespondertech.com/walk-through-prototype/ Attendees at the Company's display booth at the UK Home Office Show, including security professionals charged with protecting some of the world's most iconic infrastructure, value added resellers and systems integrators, received a demonstration of the device's metal detection and early warning functionality. The Company's senior management anticipates that certain requests for follow up commercial discussions arising out of the UK Home Office Show, may lead to commercial sales as early as the end of 2020, pending the successful completion of the Company's alpha tester program, further research and development, and product prototyping necessary to enable the launch of a minimum viable product (Beta)prior to the end of 2020.



"While it still remains early days in the Company's development, it is my sincere pleasure to work with a gifted team of product development and engineering professionals whose remarkable commitment to disrupting the global security paradigm with an effective, economical and easy to install, WiFi-based weapons detection technology, has resulted in these promising early results," said Robert Delamar, the Company's CEO. While the Company continues to meet or exceed projected product development milestones of the Company's WiFi-based weapons detection system, the Company's technology remains at the research and development stage.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Robert F. Delamar" Robert F. Delamar, CEO First Responder Technologies Inc.

915 - 700 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC. V6C 1G8

[email protected] About First Responder Technologies Inc. First Responder Technologies Inc. (the "Company") is a technology development company that commercializes academic and internally developed intellectual property for use in the public safety market. The Company is developing a WiFi-based technology, based in part, on academic research licensed from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey ("Rutgers") that can be used to detect concealed weapons. The Company's threat detection technology line of business was created to capture a significant portion of the global weapons detection systems market, and in particular, the global perimeter security detection market. In the Company's view, WiFi-based threat detection technology may be utilized by a wide range of facilities, including schools, places of worship, shopping centres and theatres, to not only make their premises secure, but also reduce their cost of security, from the interior of a facility to the perimeter. For more information visit: www.firstrespondertech.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE First Responder Technologies Inc.

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Former Culver City School Board Member

Surrounded by her loving family in her home of 54 years, Dr. Wanda Wilson Boulgarides passed away peacefully on February 24th, 2020.

A career educator, Wanda was a lifelong traveler and adventurer whose love of snorkeling the warm waters of the Pacific was surpassed only by her love for her family. A proud Texan, Wanda was born February 11th, 1931 to Wilbur and Bettye Wilson in Floyd County, Texas. She was raised on her father's farm in Plainview, Texas, until her high school years when she moved to Clovis, New Mexico, and graduated from Clovis high school. Wanda attended Texas Tech for one year before transferring to Barnard College in New York. Wanda loved the culture of New York and spent countless hours soaking up the theater, opera and museums of the great city. While in her final class at Barnard, she met a Columbia University student by the name of Jim Boulgarides and in 1952 they began a marriage of 64 years.

Wanda with her granddaughter Samantha, daughter Ann, and daughter-in-law Peggy.

After stops in New York, Maryland, Washington and Utah, the Boulgarides family settled in Culver City, California in 1966, and became active members of the community. A lifelong intellect and learner, Wanda earned her Doctorate in Instructional Technology from USC in 1980 then went on to serve as an Assistant Principal with LAUSD until her retirement in 1996. Of course, retirement meant more service, and in 1997 Wanda was elected to the Culver City School Board and served as President. This was the capstone to a life of political activism which saw Wanda dedicate endless hours to the causes in which she believed. When she wasn't working or serving her community, Wanda was traveling the world in search of warm waters and exotic fish. From Bali, to Tahiti, to The Great Barrier Reef and her favorite blue waters of Hawaii, Wanda's passion was a day in the water followed by champagne at sunset with her husband Jim. This is how we will remember her; tanned and smiling, gazing at a beautiful island sunset.

Wanda is survived by her children, Ann, Lois, James and Louis as well as her grandchildren, Marina, William, Jacob, Samantha and Daniel. Wanda was an optimistic person who loved life and was endlessly curious and eager to learn. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

include in lieu of flowers, donations to Boys' Town would be appreciated.
Khaled El Dokani, the country Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa in Nigeria, has apologised for the companys role in admitting the deadly coronavirus into Nigeria.

Mr El Dokani made the comment during a chat with Channels Television on Wednesday after a visit to the Nigeria Stock Exchange in Lagos. The television station aired the interview Thursday.

Nigeria recorded its first case of coronavirus after an Italian who arrived the country tested positive to the virus, the Federal Ministry of Health said last week. The Italian citizen entered Nigeria on February 25 from Milan, Italy, for a brief business visit. He fell ill on February 26 and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.

The Italian had earlier visited Ewekoro community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State for a business transaction with Lafarge.

Since the development was reported across the media, the company has been in the news and across social media with attendant effect on its corporate image and stock prices.

Lafarge Explains

But Mr ElDokani told Channels Television that the companys operation is not really affected by the development.

Frankly speaking, he said, the company is not going through any low periods. We are doing great. The intention is to bring it one step forward. So we are looking at our teams and strengthening our strategy with the support of our board members and teams.

To be honest, one of the things that has proven the resilience of Lafarge Africa PLC is the level of awareness and anticipation of our people that have been training for months and months since the coronavirus came out. And this is one of the things that shows the resilience of the company. We are very well equipped to meet such surprises. The reaction of our team on the ground and the way they reacted, the way they coordinated with our states, especially in Ogun and Lagos, was extremely prompt; it was very well appreciated.

And I would take this opportunity to thank the Governors of Ogun and Lagos for their participation, their fast reaction and the very, very great achievement they have made to contain the situation and take the necessary precautions.

Asked about the possible ways the development has affected the companys manpower, the Lafarge boss explained that the organization is big enough to weather the storm.

We are a big company, a big organisation, we have a lot of resources. However, the health and safety of our employees come as a top priority. And if it is needed to sacrifice some of our results to make sure that our people are safe and healthy, this is what we are going to do. However, the current situation  and I have contact with each and every person who has been quarantined in one-and-one phone calls, they are all in very good health, the morale is high, theyve got their phones with them, they are running the business from where they are.

Apology

The Lafarge boss, however, apologised for the companys role in the spread of the virus into Nigeria.

I look forward to overcome this issue, which is unfortunate for all of us, and we apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused to anybody, he said.

Commenting on whether the companys plant was shut and if it would be re-opened, he explained that the major parts of the backlash the company faced came from social media misinformation, adding that the plant is up and running.

He said: The plant is up and running, it has not been closed. We have our trucks shipping our cement, so this is part of the social media rumours or news which did not take place. We had visitors from the honourable Commissioner of Health, the World Health Organisation, they visited the plant and they commended each and every step we have taken so far.

Stumbling share prices

On Monday, heavy price losses suffered by many highly capitalised stocks on the equities sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dragged the index further by 1.53 per cent.

Specifically, at the close of trading on Monday, the All Share Index (ASI) fell by 399.89 points or 1.53 per cent to 25,816.57 points.

Accordingly, investors lost N209 billion in value as market capitalisation declined to N13.449 trillion, amid fear over the impact of the virus on the global economy.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which was Lafarge. The cement company (Lafarge) and Nestle Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria and Unilever Nigeria led the losers chart by 10 per cent each, to close at N13.95, N1,017, N4.05 and 13.50, per share, respectively.

But Mr ElDokani in his reaction dismissed insinuations that the stumbling share prices had anything to do with the performance of the company and negative press suffered since the development dominated news media.

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He said: Very soon we are issuing our year end result, which is very positive, very encouraging. We will restore the trust over our customers. I believe the drop in the share price has nothing to do with Lafarge Africas performance as such but its more of a global recession that people would be more cautious in trading.

I will really not link the two situations together; its a general trend of the market which we all look forward that itd recover very soon.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan does not want any security role for India in Afghanistan as he accused New Delhi of playing the role of a 'spoiler' in the war-torn country, according to a media report

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan does not want any security role for India in Afghanistan as he accused New Delhi of playing the role of a "spoiler" in the war-torn country, according to a media report.

After months of negotiations, the US and Taliban signed a landmark peace deal in Qatari capital Doha on Saturday, effectively drawing curtains on the United States' 18-year war in Afghanistan since 2001.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Qureshi said that Pakistan neither desires any security role of India in Afghanistan nor wants presence of militant organisations  Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State  in the landlocked country, The Nation reported.

The foreign minister told the Upper House that India had always played role of a spoiler, the report said.

"There were spoilers in the past and they are even today, within and outside Afghanistan, who want to get their own objectives," Qureshi said.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan as it had already spent around $2 billion in reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

India has been maintaining that care should be taken to ensure that any peace process does not lead to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and their proxies can relocate.

Ahead of the peace deal, India conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terror networks operating from its soil must be kept up though Islamabad's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan is crucial.

Qureshi on Sunday also warned that "spoilers" could try to sabotage the peace process in Afghanistan.

He also said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all issues with Afghanistan bilaterally.

Reiterating that Pakistan was never part of the peace talks and their role has always been and will always be that of a facilitator, the minister said Pakistan cannot give guarantee or take responsibility to peace in Afghanistan.

"This is a shared responsibility, and all (stakeholders) will have to play their role. There are many powers, interests and motives (involved), he said. He said that the true test of the Afghan leadership begins now as Afghan people want peace.
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Activist Harsh Mander on Friday alleged in the Supreme Court that the Government wants to shoot the messenger, while not acting against the real perpetrators of the Delhi violence, claiming there was nothing inflammatory in his alleged hate speeches.

The submission was made by senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who is appearing for Mander, even as the apex court asked the activist to file his response to the allegations by Delhi Police he made hate speeches including certain objectionable remarks against the court during the protests against the Citizenship Amended Act(CAA) here.

In a matter related to the violence, the Delhi High Court listed for March 12 multiple pleas regarding the violence in northeast Delhi including the ones seeking filing of FIRs against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra for allegedly making hate speeches. The violence has left 53 dead and over 200 injured.

The high court on February 27 listed all such matters for hearing on April 13, but the Supreme Court on March 4 observed that such a long adjournment "was not necessary and was not justified".

The apex court had asked the high court to hear on March 6 the matters related to the violence and alleged hate speeches and dispose them "as expeditiously as possible".

In the apex court, a bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai while dealing with the Mander hate speech case, however, made it clear it has not issued a contempt notice to the activist on the plea of the Delhi Police alleging "derogatory remarks", making insinuations against the apex court and its judges. The court said the plea would now be heard on April 15.

Dave alleged that the government was trying to "brow beat" Mander and there was nothing "objectionable" and "contemptuous" in his speeches.

"There is nothing contemptuous, disparaging or inflammatory in his speeches", Dave said, adding, "I am concerned that the Government is willing to shoot the messenger, while not taking action against the real perpetrators".

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, referred to another speech of Mander and said its contents are also "contemptuous".

The bench then asked the top law officer to file the contents of the other speech by filing another affidavit which can be responded to by Mander as well.

The hearing was marked by heated exchanges between Dave and the law officer who opposed advancing of arguments by another senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan in favour of the activist.

"How many lawyers can argue on behalf of Mander in one case?", Mehta asked, adding he would always bring to the notice of the court if somebody makes objectionable remarks against the court and its majesty.

Dave said he would "beseech" the law officer to file same kind of affidavits against BJP leaders for making hate speeches which were blamed for the violence.

The Solicitor General opposed the submission of Dave that he would be the first person to bring to the notice of the court if somebody makes a statement against the court and instad alleged Dave will be the "last person" to do that.

Dave then challenged the law officer to file contempt plea against him.

The CJI intervened and was visibly irritated when he could not complete his observations on the issue.

"We will not appreciate this. We are not allowed to complete a single sentence," the bench said, making it clear that the matter will be heard after conclusion of the hearing in the Sabarimala case.

Mander had sought registration of FIRs against certain BJP leaders for allegedly delivering hate speeches and had moved the top court after the hearing initially was adjourned by the high court till April 13.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At B3, No11 Murtagh Road in Dublin 7 has the highest BER of any other house on the market in the Stoneybatter area

Sometimes it's hard to see beyond the damp and dirt when you first view a house, but when Eamon O hEamhaigh and Gozdem Calikoglu went to view 11 Murtagh Road in Stoneybatter, they saw the potential that lay behind the grime straight away.

"When we bought in November 2014, it was in a pretty bad state," O hEamhaigh recalls. "It was barely liveable, so we just got stuck in straight away."

The house, like many in the area, originally had a long narrow hall, with two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. With the help of architect Michael Frain from BDA, the couple came up with a design that was more suited to modern living without having to add to the floor area.

The roof came off, they dug down into the ground and put in a new sub floor, and knocked the internal walls so there was only a shell left.

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Inside was reconfigured to create an open-plan living area that leads through to the kitchen at the back. The result is a downstairs that is bright and clean, with each part of the room having a function. The space is interesting with plenty of movement and perfect for a young professional couple.

Calikoglu, who is originally from Bodrum in Turkey, says the house is always warm, but she loves to light the stove to try recreate the Mediterranean temperatures that she misses.

The other thing the couple loves about the house is the sliding door from the kitchen out to the yard that extends the size of the room on a sunny day. "My favourite thing about the house is the back terrace," smiles Calikoglu. "It gets the sun all day and I love spending time out there during the summer."

They really love the area and hope to take on another project close by. "Stoneybatter has changed so much over the years," says Calikoglu. "The house is only streets away from the pubs and restaurants on Manor Street, so it's actually not necessary to go into the city for a night out."

The pair did most of the interior design themselves, but got a little bit of help and advice from expert Wesley O'Brien when it came to staging it for placing the property the sale.

O'Brien has plenty of experience when it comes to older Dublin homes, so knew straight away what would work and what wouldn't.

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"When the owners approached me to work out a design scheme for finishing the house, I was impressed by what they had already achieved," says O'Brien. "I suggested minor changes like opening the shower room door out on to the landing, removing furniture from the alcoves and replacing it with painted timber shelves hung on L brackets."

O'Brien believes that each space should always be clearly defined. "We decided to put the dining table in the middle of the narrower end of the open-plan space," he says. "A low-hanging pendant light anchors the space in position, removing the temptation to move it around."

To increase the sense of space, the walls were kept neutral and painted French Grey Mid by the Little Green Paint Company. The trellis in the yard was painted in anthracite grey, making a great backdrop for greenery.

"If you really like a strong colour, use it in a rug, a chair or a painting rather than on the wall," advises O'Brien. "And don't underestimate the role of grout - like in the shower room here where it gives a pattern to plain white metro tiling."

Upstairs, O'Brien made small changes that have a big effect.

"In the master room, we removed the fireplace and found a double bed to fit the size of the chimney breast," he says. "Although there was already a double bed in the rear bedroom, we decided to style it as a single bedroom as we imagined the new owner would be a single person or couple perhaps with one child. I never use divan beds in small spaces, so I found these beds in Ikea, which allow under-bed storage and don't make the bedrooms look cluttered."

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One of the most impressive things about No11 is its BER rating. At B3, it currently one of the highest ratings of any other house on the market in the area. These houses are notoriously drafty due to their age, so a number of things can be done to try make them more airtight. O hEamhaigh and Calikoglu did everything they could to combat the cold.

They put on a new roof and slates with spray foam in the rafters. All internal walls were insulated with Kingspan insulation. The new sub floor, along with new sash windows and underfloor heating throughout, have all brought it up to the high rating that is a rarity in houses like this.

The living room has two fireplaces - one with a wood-burning stove and another to store the logs.

O hEamhaigh adds that considering they are surrounded by other houses, they are surprisingly not overlooked because nobody around has put on a two-storey extension.

The house is well-finished and comes with high-end fixtures. The kitchen is from Nolan Kitchens and comes with Neff appliances. There is a Grohe rainwater shower in the bathroom, with wall and floor tiles from TileStyle.

"It was our first doer-upper and it was a big learning curve for us," says O hEamhaigh. "When you're doing it up to live in, you go all the way in terms of spec, so when it came to things like the bathroom fittings and kitchen worktops, we went the extra mile."

Just over a year ago, RTE broadcast its Oxmanstown Road documentary about social life in Stoneybatter, the mix of people living there and the changes that have been taking place. Although retaining its tangible sense of old Dublin, Stoneybatter is also Dublin's trendiest village at the moment with its own festival taking place each year in June and a smattering of buzzing restaurants, including Grano, which specialises in Calabrian cuisine and is one of the most talked about eateries in the city.

Get a wild boar burger at L. Mulligans, one of the capital's best known gastropubs to wash it down with a tasty craft ale or specialist gin. If you're a vegan, there's the plant based cafe Kale + Coco.

It's rumoured that some residents moved to Stoneybatter just for the coffee. There are plenty of high-end caffeine beverages here, including those offered by the Love Supreme coffee house and the Slice Cafe. Lilliput Stores is the area's well-known greengrocers and deli, as well as being a coffee shop. The recently renovated Belfry is recommended for its own barrel-aged cocktails. And when you need to detox, there's the trendy Elbowroom well-being centre specialising in yoga, meditation and Pilates. And best of all, for two average-earning professionals, the homes in the area are still within mortgage loan range.

In the case of 11 Murtagh Road, all the work is already done. Moovingo seeks 395,000 with open viewing tomorrow 12 to 12.45.
General Motors is tightening its travel protocols for employees as global cases of the coronavirus top 100,000, including at least 233 in the U.S.

Domestic and international travel for GM employees effective Friday "requires senior leader approval," a company spokesman told CNBC. The Detroit automaker previously required such approval for international travel. A travel ban for GM employees remains in effect for China, South Korea, Italy and Japan, according to the company.

The additional travel measures regarding the COVID-19 epidemic are in-line with GM's crosstown rivals, however don't limit travel to "essential" personnel. Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler earlier this week confirmed all international and domestic travel required leadership approval and should be prioritized to essential personnel only.

Global deaths related to the coronavirus totaled at least 3,383, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. At least 14 deaths have occured in the U.S., according to the CDC and state health officials.

GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra Wednesday said the company has a task force of employees that is continuing to monitor the coronavirus, including employee safety and making contingency plans in an effort to reduce or eliminate production disruptions. She described the situation as "rapidly evolving."

GM, Barra said, has enough parts to continue North American production uninterrupted "deep into this month."

"We're covered quite far into this month and every day they make that better, but it depends what happens around the world," Barra told reporters during an "EV Day" for the automaker near Detroit. "The team will just keep adjusting."
While migrants wait in Mexico as claims in US are processed, criminal gangs in border towns prey on them.

Many Central Americans waiting for their asylum cases to be decided in the US have to wait their turn in one of Mexicos most dangerous states.

Due to President Donald Trumps Remain in Mexico policy or the Migrant Protection Protocols, they are unable to enter the United States while the courts decide on their case.

But that strategy is under fire, as stories of criminal gangs kidnapping migrants come to light.

Al Jazeeras John Holman reports from Nuevo Laredo in Mexico.
For at least the third time in the last 10 years, advanced economies are getting sudden and accelerated exposure to something that is much more familiar in the developing world.

The hope is that, in the process of coming up with the right policies to deal with the effects of the spread of the coronavirus, they also internalise the emerging countries lessons more quickly and fully this time. The coronavirus has touched off an accelerating series of economic and social disruptions around the world, such as canceled work trips, a growing number of school closings and panic buying that ...
NEW DELHI: Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday (March 6, 2020) slammed the Narendra Modi government over the Yes Bank crisis saying the government`s ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed.

"The BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed. First, it was the PMC Bank. Now it is Yes Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?" Chidambaram said in a series of tweets.

BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line?  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

"When overall bank credit during the above period grew by about 10 per cent, how did Yes Bank`s loan book grow by about 35 per cent?" P Chidambaram questioned in his tweet. "Will the government confirm that the loan book of YES Bank has grown under the BJP`s watch as follows: FY2014: Rs 55,000 crore, FY2015: Rs 75,000 crore, FY2016: Rs 98,000 crore, FY2017: Rs 1,32,000 crore, FY2018: Rs 2,03,000 crore and FY2019: Rs 2,41,000 crore," Chidambaram said.

Will the government confirm that the Loan Book of YES Bank has grown under the BJPs watch as follows: FY2014: 55,000 cr

FY2015: 75,000

FY2016: 98,000

FY2017: 1,32,000

FY2018: 2,03,000

FY2019: 2,41,000  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

The former Finance Minister also urged the people to read the piece written by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s analysis of the current situation in the country.

I understand FM has made a statement blaming the UPA. Thats normal for a government living in ignorance. Does the FM know the numbers that I have tweeted? If she does, will

she please explain how the loan book jumped in five years from Rs 55,633 crore to Rs 2,41,499 crore?  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

Chidambaram said, "Manmohan Singh has spoken the truth. Will those in power heed his advice?" he tweeted.

The extremely critical tweets from the former Finance Minister came after Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) capping deposit withdrawals at the bank at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.

Besides Chidambaram, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the present crisis involving private sector lender Yes Bank and said that his ideas have destroyed the country`s economy.

"No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India`s economy," Rahul Gandhi tweeted with the hashtag of NoBank.

No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed Indias economy. #NoBank  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 6, 2020

The Yes Bank has over 1,000 branches and 1,800-plus ATMs around the country which are under severe stress after the crisis erupted last night.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured the Yes Bank depositors that they need not worry and their money is safe.

Shares of Yes Bank Ltd plunged 60% on Friday as panicky depositors rushed to withdraw funds after the central bank took control in a dramatic late-night move and limited withdrawals from the troubled lender.

The shock move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) followed months of steady deterioration in the financial position of the country`s fifth-largest private lender and growing concerns over governance. As thousands of customers rushed to pull out funds and tempers flared at overcrowded branches nationwide, police deployed in some states to help control the crowds.

Many business owners feared the central bank`s move would hit their operations too, as the lender, with 1,000 branches across India, has many commercial clients.

"I will struggle to pay salaries to my staff, or pay any of my vendors, because of the restrictions," said Chintan Patel, a building contractor in the western city of Ahmedabad.
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Shoppers are showing no signs of slowing down as they race to stock up on essential items amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could worsen.

Hundreds of anxious customers lined up outside Costco stores across the country on Friday morning as they waited for doors to open.

Overnight, employees had worked around the clock to restock in-demand items including toilet paper, bottled water, and Clorox wipes.

However, many Costco outlets have begun to tighten rations that they had put on products in a bid to spread supply.

Several stores reduced the number of packets of flour, sugar and rice each customer is allowed to buy from five to two per customer.

It comes as the number of Americans testing positive to cornavirus pushed upwards of 270 on Friday, with 14 citizens now having died in relation to the virus.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hundreds of anxious customers lined up for hours outside a Costco in Burbank on Friday morning as they waited for the outlet to open its doors. Shoppers are showing no signs of slowing down as they race to stock up on essential items amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could worsen

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Despite rations being put in place, this shopper managed to secure large amounts of bottled water. The lucky customer also managed to secure paper towels and toilet paper

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Some customers shopped with friends as they stocked up together at a Miami customer. This woman pushes a pallet laden down with bottled water for her and her pals

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: One shopper struggled to balance her bulk buy packets of toilet paper as she rushed into a restocked Costco outlet in Atlanta

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A Duane Reade in the heart of New York City had run out of popular cleaning products

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Locals crowded into the Brooklyn Costco where the store has put up signs limiting the amount water customers were able to buy

EXTON, PENNSYLVANIA: A woman lifts a one of the remaining cases of water into her cart at a Walmart store in Exton on Friday morning

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Empty shelves are pictured in the Norwalk Costco, which had run out of toilet paper

MARIETTA, GEORGIA: A local loads his pickup with bath tissue and paper towels at a Sam's Club wholesale store on Thursday evening

On Thursday it was reported that Costco sales for the month of February are up a whopping 12.4% on last year.

'Members are turning to us for a variety of items associated with preparing for and dealing with a virus,' Costco CFO Richard Galanti told analysts Thursday, according to KTLA-TV.

The profits are expected to push over into March, with an analyst from investment bank UBS stating: 'As consumers prioritize a dwindling number of trips to stores, [Costco] will likely be at the top of the list. Over the long-term, we think the stock-ups will help accelerate [Costcos] share gains.'

Shoppers in all 50 states fear they could be quarantined due to the coronavirus, prompting them to load up on essential items - and boost Costco profits in the process.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Customer lined up around the block for hours outside a Costco in Burbank on Friday morning to stock up on supplies

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Overnight, employees had worked around the clock to restock in-demand items including toilet paper, bottled water, and Clorox wipes and Burbank shoppers were eager to get their hands on supplies

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shoppers lined up for hours waiting for Costco doors to open, and later faced lengthy queues for the cash register

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Even as Costco limits toilet paper and water cases to two items per member, customers continue to flood the stores and clean out supplies as panic buying fear over coronavirus continues to sweep America

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Despite the rations, the cases of bottled water were soon depleted

TARZANA, CALIFORNIA: Rations were also put in place at a CVS in Tarzana, California. Several residents in the area have tested positive to coronavirus after returning from a ski trip in Italy

California

On Thursday, cops were called to The Chino Hills Costco for a disturbance after the store ran out of bottled water and toilet paper.

But elsewhere in the state, other Costco customers were keeping calm as they waited in line to pay for their supplies.

Lines for the cashier snaked back deep into a Costco outlet in Los Feliz, with carts full of bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels.

Many customers wore face masks in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus - a day after California declared a state of emergency after a resident died in relation to the illness.

As of Friday morning, 66 Californians had tested positive to COVID-19.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anxious customers at a Los Feliz Costco were taking no precautions Wednesday, loaded up on bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Two women waited in line to check out their groceries at a Costco in Los Feliz. Like all the others in line, their cart was full of bottled water and toilet paper

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Relieved that they had secured items in scare supply, customers waited patiently in line to pay for the items and take them home at a Los Feliz Costco

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Canned foods, such as Spam, were a popular choice for shoppers at the Los Feliz Costco. In just hours, the store's stocks were low

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sales for the month of February up 12.4% on last year at Costco stores, and the boost is likely to push through into March

NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: One shopper pushed a pallet full of supplies out of a store in the state's northwest

NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: Shoppers are pictured at a Costco in Novato, near San Francisco. The northern part of California has been hard hit by the coronavirus

NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: One lady struggled to keep her items contained in her cart as she left a Novato Costco and headed to her car

Miami and Georgia

While the northwest may be the part of the country currently hardest hit by the coronavirus, state's in the southeast have also been affected.

With four cases confirmed in Florida, and two in Georgia, shoppers in those states were not taking any chances.

Video showed long lines at a Costco in Miami, where one worker confirmed to the DailyMail.com they only get two palates a day of Clorox Disinfecting wipes per store.

Meanwhile, residents in Georgia were seen loading up their pick-ups with toilet paper and bottled water.

Sales of hand sanitizers alone were up 73 percent in the four weeks ending February 22 compared to the same period a year ago, according to market research firm Nielsen.

Most if not all pharmacies and supermarkets have been out of face masks for more than a month, with little hope of restocking anytime soon as the US faces a shortage.

MIAMI, FLORIDA: At a Miami Costco, stocks were replenished overnight, but rations were put in place in a bid to spread the supply

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Signs limiting the amount of water, rice, sugar, hand soap, baby wipes, gloves, paper towels and toilet tissue were plastered around this Costco

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Disinfectant wipes were limited to two per customer Friday morning at this Miami Costco

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Some cautious customers donned face masks as they made their way through the bustling stores to stock up

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: A customer at this Costco, in Atlanta closely inspects this box of hand sanitizer

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: One woman picks up stocks of cleaning products for her work place. In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, employers have been taking extra precautions, making sure offices are thoroughly wiped down

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Lysol disinfectant spray was flying off the shelves at a BJs Club Store in Orlando, Florida

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Customers at a BJs Club Store in Orlando faced long lines on Friday

New York City

Meanwhile in New York City, stores and supermarkets were also selling out of hand sanitizer and face masks on Friday.

Many who managed to secure the masks were seen wearing them as they commuted around Manhattan.

Many residents took subways to stock up on supplies Friday, and appeared to be taking all precautions, with several also seen donning gloves or using tissues to hold on to the train's poles.

City residents have been left shaken after a Midtown lawyer tested positive to coronavirus and infected more than a dozen other people before he realized he was afflicted with the illness.

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Employees at a CVS store in Manhattan put up a sign for customers, who have been constantly asking about the whereabouts of masks and sanitizer

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Empty shelves of cleaning supplies at a CVS store in Manhattan are pictured on Friday morning

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: At bustling Penn Station- one of Manhattan's largest commuter hubs - a well-protected employee helped a resident with directions. Many locals are on the way to load up on supplies as the number of coroanvirus cases skyrockets across the country

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: In the heart of Manhattan, residents were taking precautions as they took the subway to the store to stock up on supplies Friday morning

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A commuter donned a protective mask as he made his way through the 14th Street subway station in Manhattan Friday morning. Many residents are forced to take the subway to visit stores and load up on supplies

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Panic buying continues at the Brooklyn Costco (above) where the store has put up signs limiting the amount of high turn over items that customers have been buying in bulk

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A pallet of disinfecting wipes was being depleted inside a Brooklyn Costco Thursday

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A sign that says 'DUE TO CURRENT SUPPLY ISSUES EACH WATER ITEM WILL HAVE A LIMIT OF 5' is posted on the shelves of cases of bottled water as shoppers load their shopping carts with water and other supplies in Teterboro, New Jersey

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Despite rations for bottled water, several pallets were empty at the Brooklyn Costco Thursday

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A mask-wearing shopper inside Brooklyn Costco battled against the crowds as she tried to fill up her cart

New York State

With more diagnoses confirmed in New York Thursday, shoppers flooded a Costco in Brooklyn.

The store warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday. Amazon is also warning same-day grocery customers that delivery may be limited.

At least 22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of 'community spread' occurring on Long Island.

The new cause panicked shoppers to run on stores across Suffolk County, where Walmart and Target were depleted of cold medication and disinfecting wipes.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: After a man tested positive for coronavirus on Long Island, shoppers descended on stores across Suffolk Count. In Target, shelves that used to house toilet paper, were empty

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Empty shelves at a Target in Suffolk County, Long Island, that used to house disinfectant wipes

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Only a few boxes of latex gloves remained at a Walmart in Suffolk County late Thursday

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: 22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of 'community spread' occurring on Long Island





Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

In neighboring Connecticut, a Costco in Norwalk was bustling Thursday, despite the state having no residents test positive to coronavirus.

One man purchased Red Bull, Gatroade, zip lock bags and tinned tomatoes, appearing to anticipate the fact he may soon be quarantined in his home and unable to make it to the local grocer.

Meanwhile, shoppers in New Jersey made a dash to Costco, after a resident tested positive to COVID-19 in their state.

As in New York, popular items were rationed in a bid to ensure there was enough for each customer.

Elsewhere in the Northeast, a Costco store at King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania was low on supplies, after customers raided the shelves. NO

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: One Costco shopper looked ready to bunker down,with Gatorade, Red Bull and large tubs of peanut butter

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Women's sanitary items have also been flying off the shelves, with shoppers fearing they'll be quarantined inside their homes and unable to make it to the local grocery store due to the threat of coronavirus

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: An elderly customer tired to protect himself with a face mask, as he prepared to head into the Norwalk Costco and fill up his cart with essentials

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: the line for the cashier at the Costco is pictured

KING OF PRUSSIA MALL, PENNSYLVANIA: At a Costco at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ashopper walks past a sign above bags of sugar limiting purchase of 5 units per day

KING OF PRUSSIA MALL, PENNSYLVANIA: Despite the rations, the shelves were stripped of stock in Pennsylvania

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PENNSYLVANIA: A woman examines the meager supplies at a Target in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania on Thursday

EXTON, PENNSYLVANIA: Stocks were still low at a Walmart in Exton, Pennsylvania on Friday morning. Campbell's stocks are up as many people snap up canned soup
By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 06, 2020 | 01:00 PM | PRINCETON

The Princeton Police Department is looking for 43-year-old Angela F. Egbert. She is white, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and approximately 165 pounds.

She is wanted on two active warrants, both of which are for failure to appear.





Officers believe she may be in the Caldwell or Lyon County areas.



Anyone with information is asked to contact the Princeton Police Department at 270-365-4657, 270-365-2041, or by contacting your local law enforcement.

Police are asking for the public's help locating a wanted Princeton woman.
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This series of satellite images shows the impact of the coronavirus outbreak from above, with roads empty, pilgrimage sites deserted and new hospitals springing up in China.

The aerial photographs, released by Colorado-based space technology firm Maxar, show normally bustling spots from Mecca to Beijing thinned of their usual crowds.

One image shows only a handful of pilgrims circling the granite Kaaba at Mecca's Grand Mosque - a sacred site usually thronged with Muslim worshippers - after Saudi Arabia suspended the year-round 'umrah' pilgrimage.

An image above the Hazrat Masumeh Shrine in Qom shows one of Iran's most hallowed places virtually empty, after the country became the centre of the virus outbreak in the Middle East.

Elsewhere, Beijing's Tiananmen Square has only a handful of cars passing by, while tourists are largely absent from outside Milan's Duomo and a plaza at Tokyo Disneyland after both were closed over virus fears.

Photos above Wuhan, China - where the outbreak began - show dozens of trains parked at the city's deserted Dongdamen Station, with roads also empty after the city was virtually cut off from the outside world.

The images in Wuhan also show the sites where brand new hospitals were hurriedly constructed to deal with the huge numbers of virus patients.

GRAND MOSQUE, MECCA: The holiest site in Islam is packed with pilgrims in the top picture on February 14, before the virus had spread to the Middle East, and much more sparsely populated in the bottom picture on March 3

TIANANMEN SQUARE, BEIJING: A healthy crowd of people were milling around the Chinese capital's emblematic plaza on February 21 last year (top image), but on February 11 this year the square was almost deserted

WUHAN, CHINA: A highway in the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak is full of vehicles in the top picture on October 17 last year, and nearly deserted on February 25 this year after the city was sealed off in quarantine

QOM, IRAN: The Hazrat Masumeh Shrine in the Shi'ite holy city of Qom is far emptier on March 1 (bottom image) than it had been on September 25 (top image). Iran has one of the world's worst outbreaks and pilgrims have spread the virus around the Middle East, with the Iranian regime criticised for refusing to shut down holy sites

DISNEYLAND TOKYO: The theme park in Japan has been closed because of the virus outbreak, with an empty plaza near the Space Mountain ride on March 1 (below). Tourists had been visiting the park just weeks earlier on February 1, top image

MILAN, ITALY: Crowds are much smaller on March 4 (below) than on January 22 (above) outside Milan's Duomo cathedral, which was closed to visitors after northern Italy became the centre of the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe so far

WUHAN, CHINA: These images show the location where the Huoshenshan hospital was hurriedly constructed to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The hospital is seen above on February 22, with the site as it looked before above in 2017

WUHAN, CHINA: A busy highway in the top picture on October 17 last year has become a nearly empty one by the time the bottom picture was taken on February 25, weeks after the virus is believed to have jumped from animals to humans

WUHAN, CHINA: A train station in Wuhan is shown above on October 17 last year, before the outbreak began, and below on February 25, with empty rolling stock idling at the station after the Chinese government imposed drastic travel restrictions

WUHAN, CHINA: Another hurriedly-built Chinese medical centre, the Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, is seen below on March 4 while the site where it was constructed is seen above on August 3 last year

WUHAN AIRPORT, CHINA: The traffic on the airport complex in the above image on October 17 has almost completely vanished by February 25 when the below picture was taken
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to the chief ministers of all states ruled by the party, instructing them to put in place effective response measures to deal with the spread of coronavirus and lend all possible support to public healthcare responders.

So far, 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been detected in India.

"It is critical for the State Government to put in place effective response and preparedness measures. The capacity of public healthcare facilities must be augmented to respond to any potential outbreak," Gandhi said in the letter to chief ministers of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry and Chhattisgarh.

"Increased disease surveillance, and strengthening the testing facilities could help early detection and containment.

"The State Government must lend all possible support to public healthcare responders to carry out their duty effectively," she said.

The Congress president pointed out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially for frontline health workers, and estimated that manufacturers must increase production by 40 per cent to meet requirements.

"I urge the State Government to ensure adequate supply of PPE, especially in public healthcare facilities, and initiate effective measures to prevent hoarding and black-marketing," Gandhi said.

"It is equally important to strengthen the intensive care facilities to meet any potential contingency," she added.

Given the rising number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India, protocols for contact identification and isolation must be put in place, the Congress leader said.

"Quarantine facilities, especially at points of entry, must be set up urgently. The State Government may also consider issuing advisories regarding avoiding large public gatherings. This may help contain community transmission.

"Lastly, public awareness campaigns are necessary to quell widespread misinformation. Communities must be educated regarding precautionary and preventive measures, including relevant hygiene and sanitation practices," she said.

Gandhi suggested that the state governments could set up dedicated helplines in the local language and consider holding daily public briefings to apprise communities of the evolving situation, and address any unfounded fears.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BURLINGTON  A Character Dinner Meet and Greet will be held from 4-6 p.m. March 20 at the Lewis Mills High School Cafeteria and Gymnasium, 26 Lyons Road, Burlington.

Families can stop in anytime between 4 and 6 p.m.

Children will be able to enjoy dinner provided by the Mills cafeteria  a chicken finger basket, French fries, cookies & water. Children can talk, play and take pictures with their favorite characters.

This experience allows children to play alongside classic favorites including Minnie and Mickey Mouse; Sesame Street Characters: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie; Toy Story Cast: Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Bo-Peep, Forky and T-Rex; the Frozen Cast: Elsa, Anna, Olaf, & Kristoff; Beauty (Belle) & her Beast; Aladdin, Jasmine & Genie; Cinderella and Prince Charming; Rapunzel; Sleeping Beauty; Snow White; Ariel; Mulan; Pocahontas; Superheroes: Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Ironman, Wonder Woman, Batgirl and Supergirl.

Tickets are $5 per person in advance and $8 at the door. Proceeds are used for scholarships and program.s

To reserve online, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/character-meet-and-greet-2020-tickets-96438095941

For information, email vassara@region10ct.org

Chamber holding photo contest

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is hosting a photo contest. Residents and visitors, professional and amateur photographers alike are all invited to submit beautiful photographs of Kent that capture the essence of our town and highlight the best of what Kent has to offer. Submissions will be accepted between now and Saturday, July 25.

Entries will then be judged and the winners announced and displayed during the Kent Sidewalk Festival, the first weekend in August.

Prizes will be gift certificates to Kent restaurants; first prize in each category will be a $100 gift certificate and second prize in each category will be a $50 gift certificate. The five categories are scenery, downtown, fun in Kent, hidden gems and childs eye view.

High resolution photo entries may be sent to photocontest@kentct.com. Put the selected category in the subject line. If you are submitting entries for multiple categories, send one email per category. All photographers who submit entries must agree to allow the Kent Chamber of Commerce to use the submitted photos in print and digital promotional materials. Photographers will be credited with every photo use. There is no limit to the number of entries per person.

AAA holding video contest

AAA Northeasts annual 2020 Traffic Safety Video Contest is now underway with a theme that focuses on the dangers of marijuana-impaired teen driving.

To compete for monetary prizes, high school students in Litchfield, Fairfield, and New Haven counties must create a 30-second public service announcement focusing on the marijuana impairment theme.

Contest rules and judging criteria are listed on www.aaa.com/videocontest, the link through which entries may be submitted by the April 13 deadline.

In this years contest, were want to reinforce the message that consuming marijuana, then getting behind the wheel of a car, impacts ones driving ability, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. We also believe video media designed and created by students, is an engaging, effective way to spread awareness on this topic.

With the recent legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in many states, societys attitude toward the drug has softened, said Mayko. And unfortunately, all drivers - not only teens -- need to understand that marijuana-impaired driving more than doubles your crash risk.

Between April 20-30, the public may view and like student entries submitted from AAA Northeasts territory, which covers Connecticuts Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield Counties; Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and parts of New York, and New Jersey. The website is www.aaa.com/videocontest.

Then on May 1, the top five videos, determined by the number of likes, will be posted to AAA Northeasts Instagram account @AAANortheast. The video receiving the most likes by May 4 will be named the Grand Prize $5000 Winner.

This competition is part of AAA Northeasts ongoing education efforts on marijuana and driving. The Providence-based auto club also offers a free, video-based presentation, Shifting Gears: The Blunt Truth About Marijuana & Driving to high school health classes.

Endorsed by Brown Universitys School of Public Health, the program highlights the effects of marijuana use on the teenage brain and focuses on the dangers of drugged driving.

To learn more about this free educational program, area high school principals and health educators should visit www.aaa.com/Shiftinggears for more information.

Black bear lecture coming up

LITCHFIELD  The second event of the Friends of Topsmead State Forest Lectures on the Lawn series will be at 1:30 p.m. March 14. Ginny Apple, an experienced wildlife rehabilitator and Master Wildlife Conservationist with the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), will present a slide show about black bears in CT, past and present and share her personal bear experiences.

Apple, a native Texan, moved to the middle of the woods in Barkhamstead more than 13 years ago. Living in a house surrounded by Peoples State Forest, she observes a large population of black bears and supplies field notes and photographs of them to DEEP bear biologists. Her affinity for these creatures led her out west to participate in a grizzly bear research mission in Montana.

Participants should meet at the carriage shed in front of the main house at Topsmead State Forest and dress appropriately for the weather. The program is free and registration is not required. In case of inclement weather, call Janet Blauvelt at 860-294-2552 or check the Friends of Topsmead Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Topsmead/
The Lagos State Government on Thursday night revealed that three Coronavirus suspects are currently being quarantined at its facility in Yaba, Lagos.

Earlier on Thursday, A Nigerian man who returned from France was quarantined in Lagos over Coronavirus after he developed headache and respiratory symptoms.

However, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a tweet late Thursday night said two new suspected cases were being attended to and that they had been isolated at the containment facility in Yaba.

He said the two came from England and China.



The commissioner added that it was now three cases altogether. He said the samples of the two persons had been taken for tests to ascertain if they have Coronavirus or not.

Breaking! #COVID19Lagos: We now have 3 suspected cases under isolation in our containment facility in Yaba. One from France, one from England and one from China. Their samples have been taken and results are being expected, he wrote on his twitter handle.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
The tourism ministry is tracking the whereabouts of 450 Iranian tourists who entered the country in February this year, in view of the spread of coronavirus in their home country, senior officials of the ministry said Friday.

The officials said the health ministry has written to them to track these tourists who had entered India before the travel advisory became applicable for Iranian nationals.

Iran has the third-highest number of deaths, currently standing at 124, following Italy where 148 deaths have been confirmed so far after China that has recorded the highest number of 3,042 deaths due to COVID-19.

"Most of these tourists have not been found at the hotel addresses that they had provided on their visa application forms. Tourists often change their hotels while touring.

"We are trying to track them through tour operators and agents. However, I would like to clarify that it is not that they are infected patients of coronavirus. They are persons of interest only because they have come from a country that has reported such cases," said a senior official of the tourism ministry.

The official also said there is no protocol in any country to keep tabs of the whereabouts of incoming tourists after they land in the country.

"We are awaiting an updated list from immigration authorities as there could be many on the present list who could have flown back to Iran. We should be able to track the rest in a day or two," the official said.

Most of the passengers are visiting India on tourism and business visas.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said arrangements are being made to facilitate the return of stranded Indians from Iran in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak through normal civil aviation channels.

Until Tuesday, travellers from only 12 countries were being screened for coronavirus, but after new cases erupted on Wednesday, the Union Ministry has now decided that every passenger coming on an international flight will be screened.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:41:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow, Russia, on March 5, 2020. Russia and Turkey agreed Thursday on a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan which lasted for about six hours. (Sputnik/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ceasefire deal for Syria's Idlib province sealed between Turkey and Russia will better protect the Turkish borders and lay groundwork for normalization in Idlib, daily Hurriyet reported Friday.

"The truce brings significant gains in several areas. It makes the borders of our country more protected against the regime (Syrian government) and terrorist attacks. It prepares the ground for stability and normalization in the Idlib region," Erdogan was quoted as saying on his flight from Moscow to Ankara late Thursday.

The ceasefire agreement would "ensure the security of Turkey and is an important step for the protection of civilians," he stated.

"We aimed to provide a truce while coming here. We assured it. Of course, we will be vigilant at any time against the possible violations and attacks of the regime," he said.

The ceasefire became effective from 00:01 a.m. on Friday. Russia and Turkey also agreed to create a safety corridor 6 km to the north and 6 km to the south from the strategic M4 highway, which connects Aleppo in northern Syria with Latakia in the northwest.

Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrolling on the M4 highway on March 15, according to the protocol.

The Turkish observation posts in Idlib will remain current status with the ceasefire agreement, said Erdogan.

The Turkish president said he has discussed the issue of Libya with Putin as well and expressed hope for Moscow to take action on mercenaries fighting along with Khalifa Haftar.

Turkey supports Libya's Government of National Accord against Haftar.
Women protesting against the CAA and NRC at 'Mumbai Bagh' in Nagpada area of south Mumbai on Friday accused the police of manhandling them.

The protesters claimed the police had objected to a temporary shade put up by them at the protest site, though officials denied allegations of manhandling.

Demanding action against the senior inspector and other personnel of Nagpada police station, residents blocked internal roads in the area for over four hours since afternoon till it was cleared around 8:30pm, officials said.

The incident took place in the early hours of Friday at Morland Road in Nagpada, where where hundreds of women have been sitting in protest since January 26 against Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens.

A tarpaulin shade was put up to protect people from the sun but police deployed at the site took objection and tried to remove the shade, and this led to an argument in which some protesters were manhandled, one of the protesters alleged.

The police, however, denied the allegation, saying they had examined video footage from the site, adding that the incident had not been confirmed as yet.

After the incident, Nagpada and Madanpura residents assembled at 'Mumbai Bagh' demanding action against concerned police officials.

A delegation of protesters met Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region) Viresh Prabhu and seeking action.

Some people called for a bandh (shutdown) after Friday prayers but were dissuaded by senior police officials.

A senior official said an inquiry had been initiated and added that the Nagpada senior inspector will be kept away from the inquiry as the charge is against her.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The reboot of the Cabinet of Ministers will not affect the priorities in Ukraine's domestic and foreign policy

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ambassadors of the G7 countries and the Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine in the Poltava region. During the meeting, the parties discussed Ukraine's further course, the Office of the President reports.

"In particular, the President stressed that the policy of the Government and the Verkhovna Rada has not changed in the course of implementation, which is aimed at ensuring the well-being, security, protection of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainians, as well as the creation of a strong rule-of-law state that serves the citizen," the statement reads.

Zelensky added that the reboot of the Cabinet of Ministers should improve the governments performance and will not affect the priorities in Ukraines domestic and foreign policy.

As we reported earlier, on March 4, newly-appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal and members of his government took the oath.

The PM read out the text of the oath at the Verkhovna Rada after the support of the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers by the majority of votes as 112 Ukraine informed.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has stood by a character reference she wrote for a long-time friend charged with common assault after he slapped his wife, a move described by domestic violence advocates as "disappointing."

On Thursday it was revealed the South Australian senator had offered the character reference on behalf of her friend of 10 years, who was facing a common assault charge in the ACT Magistrate's Court.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Beneath a parliamentary letterhead Ms Hanson-Young wrote the incident had "shocked" her and the man had "no intention of reoffending in the future". She added she was "confident no re-offence will occur."

He pleaded guilty to the assault and received a good behaviour non-conviction order on Tuesday.
The total figure of positive cases includes the first three reported from Kerala last month. All the three persons have been discharged following recovery.

New Delhi: A Delhi man with a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia has tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to 31, health ministry officials said on Friday. The latest case is the third in Delhi.

"One suspected COVID19 case has been confirmed as positive. The patient is from Delhi. He has a travel history to Thailand and Malaysia. He is stable and being monitored. The total number of confirmed cases in India now stands at 31," a health ministry official said.

The 30 other positive cases include a 45-year-old man from Delhi's Mayur Vihar and six of his relatives from Agra whom he had recently visited. Another is a Paytm employee who works in Gurgaon and lives in west Delhi. They are all being treated at the Safdarjung hospital.

A middle-aged man from Ghaziabad, who tested positive for the virus, is being treated at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital. A 24-year-old man from Hyderabad, who has also tested positive for coronavirus, has been isolated.

Besides, 16 members of a tourist group from Italy and their Indian guide have been found infected by the virus.

While one Italian man and his wife are being treated at Jaipur's SMS hospital, 14 members of the group and their Indian guide, who were quarantined at the ITBP camp in Chhawla, have been admitted to the Medanta hospital in Gurgaon.

The total figure of positive cases includes the first three reported from Kerala last month. All the three persons have been discharged following recovery.

Meanwhile, in a suspected coronavirus case, a man from Raipur, who returned to India from Kenya through Dubai, has been put under home quarantine.
In reading the March 5 Metro article In W.Va., a lost graveyard and an unsolved mystery, I was struck by one sentence: The American military has long prided itself on the faithfulness with which it recovers the remains of those who died in conflict. Interestingly, in the aftermath of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, just 50 miles north of Harpers Ferry, the Union dead were quickly buried, many in the new Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address in November of that year. The corpses of more than 3,000 Confederate soldiers were left to rot where they fell, or shoveled over into mass, shallow graves. And there they lay, for nearly 10 years. Finally, in 1873, it was not the U.S. military but the Ladies Memorial Association in Wake County, N.C., that began to organize the sacred task of interring those remains.
As a consequence, some visitors have never seen the opera houses spectacular common area, the elevated North Foyer, where before-show talks are given and concertgoers can sip wine during intermission while gazing out at Sydneys sparkling bridge and harbor.

Installing elevators would not be as easy as it sounds. Utzons sails are shells; inside, exquisitely nested, are smaller shells containing the performance halls, which themselves are ringed by the walkways and stairs the audiences use. The structures dont have sides or a back where new elements like elevators could be easily introduced. The renovation architects, ARM Architecture, settled on sluicing in small-footprint glass elevators on outside corners of each of the complexs halls.

That created a new problem: how to achieve pedestrian access to those corners. The concert hall is embraced by two giant parentheses of stairs, which rise to the North Foyer and the elevated back of the hall. With no other place to go, the architects are puncturing the grandest of these stairs to construct a tunnel that will take visitors with mobility issues to the new elevators.

Its really important that the opera house belongs to everyone, Ms. Herron said.

The creation of the Sydney Opera House was an arduous process, marked by setbacks and compromise. Its genesis was in 1947, when the Sydney Symphony hired a British conductor, Eugene Goossens, to help give the orchestra and the city cultural prestige. The vibrant Goossens adopted Sydney as his own, discovering the young soprano Joan Sutherland, who went on to become an opera superstar.

He found support for a new opera house from the premier, or governor, of the state of New South Wales, Joe Cahill, a stout union man who bought into the idea that Sydney needed big ideas for a big future. The year was 1956; a worldwide call for designs was put out. The state began to prepare the site, and established a lottery to pay for it.

The unexpected winner of the design competition was the brilliant and iconoclastic Utzon. The wild surmise of his design sketches beguiled virtually all who saw them. Privately, Utzon hoped he could figure out how to build it.
2019 is a banner year for SiFotonics transition from a technology development company to an industry leading high volume product solution provider. We are looking forward to continuing our fast-paced innovation and providing our customers with best-in-class product solutions"

SiFotonics Technologies Co., Ltd, a pioneer and global leader in silicon photonics device and integrated circuits, today announced that it has shipped over 5 million Ge/Si optoelectronics devices in 2019, based on its proprietary silicon photonics platform.

Below is a list of products among the 5 Million Ge/Si based optoelectronic devices shipped for global customers:



Industry temperature, high sensitivity 25Gbps PIN photodiodes for 5G front haul optical networking applications, primarily deployed in China

Industry temperature, high sensitivity 25Gbps avalanche photodiode (APD) and receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) for longer reach 5G front haul optical networking applications, primarily in South Korea and China

50Gbps PIN and APD for 5G mid-haul optical networking applications, primarily in China

4x25G PIN photodiode array for high volume 100G data center interconnect applications, primarily for US based hyper data center deployment

4x100G PIN photodiode array for next generation 400G data center optical interconnects

4x25G APD ROSA for extended reach 100G optical networking connection around the globe

32Gbaud and 64Gbaud integrated coherent receiver chip for 100G, 200G and 400G coherent optical transport applications

We are very pleased that our team are able to meet strong demand for our advanced Ge/Si product solutions. These high volume shipments represent industry leading effort to deploy silicon photonics based products in high growth 5G and data center applications. We are able to meet stringent high reliability and environmentally harsh conditions required by 5G optical networking deployment, at high volume. We are also happy to announce that our production lines in our new Nanjing manufacturing facility have been qualified by customers and started shipping production volume products in 2019,

commented by Dr. Rang-Chen Yu, Chief Operating Officer of SiFotonics.

2019 is a banner year for SiFotonics transition from a technology development company to an industry leading high volume product solution provider. This is a culmination of over 10 years Ge/Si advanced technology development, with industry leading silicon photonics platforms with unique combination of commercial CMOS foundry and proprietary controlled germanium on silicon processes technologies. We are looking forward to continuing our fast-paced innovation and providing our customers with best-in-class product solutions, further added by Dr. Dong Pan, founder and Chief Executive Officer of SiFotonics.

SiFotonics advanced Ge/Si APD technology is one of the key components for our 5G wireless optical transceiver modules at 25Gb/s data rate. We are very pleased with SiFotonics industry leading performance, high quality and high volume shipment capabilities. With strong support of SiFotonics, OE Solutions has become the leading optical module suppliers for the world first 5G deployment in South Korea. We are looking forward to continuing close collaborations with SiFotonics on future technology and product development, commented Dr. YK Park, Chief Executive Officer of OE Solutions, Inc.

About SiFotonics Technologies Ltd.

SiFotonics Technologies Co., Ltd. is a leading solution provider for ultra-high speed data center and 5G wireless optical networking applications with advanced silicon photonics components and integrated circuits. SiFotonics was established in 2007, has research and development centers in Beijing and Shanghai, and manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China. SiFotonics web site is http://www.sifotonics.com.

SiFotonics will be attending OFC Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, CA from March 8rd to 12th at booth # 5907. Dr. Dong Pan, SiFotonics CEO, will present a technical paper titled 106 Gb/s Normal-Incidence Ge/Si Avalanche Photodiode with High Sensitivity on Monday, 2-4pm, Room 3.
Love your furry and feathery friends? Show them just how much with these pet-themed toys and tchotchkes.

Compiled & photographed by Frances Mocnik. Credit:

1. King Fisher linen tea towel, individually cut, printed and sewn by skilled and special needs workers; $39 trudyricecollection.com. 2. Feeding the Birds at Your Table: A Guide for Australia by Darryl Jones; $25 newsouthbooks.com.au 3. Your dog will relax in comfort with the portable Labbvenn Fosser mat; $169 topdogboutique.com.au 4. Keep dogs cool on hot days with the Pupsicle Canine Ice Lolly Maker, a silicone mould that makes a frozen drumstick; $30 until.com.au 5. Amuse your pet with the Cheerble Wickedbone, a bone-shaped, app-controlled interactive game; $179 myer.com.au 6. Freshen your dogs bedding with Bondi Wash Kennel Spray. Made from plant-based ingredients and essential oils, it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and repels insects; $15 bondiwash.com.au 7. Extend your love of dogs to your daily coffee or tea fix with this hand-painted porcelain Buster mug; $30 jonesandco.com.au 8. This probiotic carob Puppiccino mix, made from human-grade ingredients, is free from preservatives, grain and gluten; $5 hellopuppyaustralia.com.au 9. This Animals In Charge leash is hand-made in Australia from organic cotton rope; $50 animalsincharge.com.au 10. Reusable chalkboard speech-bubble wall decal; $30 vinyldesign.com.au 11. The Benji + Moon handcrafted ceramic Long-Ear dog bowl will keep your poochs ears clean and dry; $89 topdogboutique.com.au 12. Refresh your canine between wet washes with Bondi Wash Dry Dog Wash. Designed for sensitive skin, it repels insects and contains banksia seed oil for a glossy coat; $15 bondiwash.com.au 13. The Lost Dogs Home cares for unwanted dogs and cats. Adoptions, vet clinic, lost and found pets; dogshome.com 14. PawDinkum Popcorn contains kelp and parsley for healthy gums and teeth. Hand-made in micro batches in Australia; 20g, $8 pawdinkum.com.au

Compiled & photographed by Frances Mocnik. Credit:

1. Le Chat Noir black cat decals; set of two, $50 vinyldesign.com.au 2. Volto, a sleek wall-mounted cat scratcher that you dont need to hide when guests arrive; $349 pupnpussy.com.au 3. Treat your fur baby to home-made ice-cream. The mixtures ingredients are human-grade, lactose- and preservative-free; six serves, $16; ice-cream mould, $8 hellopuppyaustralia.com.au 4. XOXO pet treats with organic rolled oats and stone ground whole-wheat flour; $10 pawdinkum.com.au

5. Irresistible Mia Cara Topo sheepskin pom-pom cat toy with leather lure; $40 pupnpussy.com.au 6. See, talk and fling treats to your pet from wherever you are with the PetcubeBites 2. The device has a wide-angle lens, a flinging distance of up to 2.5 metres, smart alerts for human and pet detection and is iOS and Android compatible; $399 myer.com.au 7. Black Cat toiletry bag; $35 vinylliving.com.au/toiletry-bags 8. Cat Cafe Melbourne: enjoy a coffee and cuddle with one of the resident rescue shelter cats at Australias original cat cafe; catcafemelbourne.com 9. Pet Treats bowl with a customisable range of expressive animal decals, $30 until.com.au 10. Hand-painted porcelain Zuzu mug, purrfect for coffee or tea; $30 jonesandco.com.au 11. Ivory House Woven Bed with washable faux felt and removable cushion; $89 pupnpussy.com.au 12. Shelta Flat Cats mini-maxi umbrella; $29 strandbags.com.au 13. Reusable chalkboard speech bubble wall decal; $30 vinyldesign.com.au
Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) isn't complying with the various financial settlements it agreed to over the last few years in the fake accounts scandal, the United States House Committee on Financial Services said in a report on Wednesday.

Wells Fargo Undermining Regulators

The report released a week ahead of the Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf's testimony to the Congress concluded that Wells Fargo board failed to oversee the management in addressing the risk management concerns raised by the regulators.

The board didn't ensure that there were managers with "sufficient compliance experience" to handle the matter, the report said, and instead outsourced the compliance to outside consultants.

The report further alleged that the board allowed the management to "repeatedly" submit inadequate plans in response to the 2018 regulatory consent orders and that the former Wells Fargo chief executive officer Timothy Sloan gave false statements to the Congress in March 2019 testimony.

Both the board and the management also "prioritized financials and other considerations" rather than working on fixing the issues identified by the regulators, it said.

"This Committee staff report shines a much-needed spotlight on The Real Wells Fargo,' a reckless megabank with an ineffective board and management that has exhibited an egregious pattern of consumer abuses," Chairwoman Maxine Waters said in a statement.

"The Bank continues to engage in consumer abuses" per the House report, and "the potential for widespread consumer harm still remains."

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay about $7 billion in settlement with regulators, including a recent $3 billion settlement made with the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the 2016 scandal where employees were found to be creating fake accounts in customers' name under extreme sales pressure from the management.

Story continues

Regulators Showed Inaction

The House Committee said that the regulators, too, failed to hold Wells Fargo accountable for the lack of compliance.

Financial regulators were aware of the problematic practices at Wells Fargo but didn't take any public-enforcement action for years, according to the report.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had "backchannel communications" with Wells Fargo regarding its compliance risk management consent order, the House Committee said.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also failed to take effective actions to get Wells Fargo to "correct its weak controls over [unfair and deceptive acts or practices] risks" in the aftermath of the 2018 consent order.

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 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
When is daylight savings time 2020? When do we turn our clocks ahead?

Daylight Saving Time, also sometimes colloquially referred to as daylight savings, begins on the second Sunday in March. That means you need to move your clocks ahead one hour at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 8, 2020 -- many people change their clocks the night before -- and we lose an hour of sleep as we spring forward.

Daylight saving time will end on the first Sunday of November, which is Nov. 1 this year. Thats when we fall back, or turn the clocks back one hour and gain that hour of sleep back.

Daylight Saving Time was first established during World War I to conserve fuel for war industries. The law was repealed after WWI ended, but was re-established by Congress during World War II due to energy consumption and became U.S. law in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act, establishing uniform start and end times within standard time zones. The policy, regulated by the Department of Transportation, aims to save energy, reduce traffic fatalities, and reduce crime.

However, not all states observe DST. Arizona and Hawaii do not participate in Daylight Saving Time, and Florida is awaiting federal approval to do the same; at least four similar bills have been introduced in the New York state legislature as well.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) reintroduced legislation last year to make DST permanent nationwide, putting an end to changing our clocks twice a year, and President Donald Trump said that hes in favor of it.

Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me! Trump tweeted last spring.

Daylight Saving Time was reportedly kept after World War II because Americans were believed to use less energy by extending summer daylight into the evening. However, a 2008 Department of Energy study found that DST reduces annual energy use by just 0.03 percent, and another study by the University of California-Santa Barbara found DST might even increase energy consumption.
This is a result of contractual disagreements between GTS Operator and Kyivgaz.

All Kyiv consumers may see a complete halt of gas supplies over the fact that JSC Kyivgaz has not concluded a transmission agreement with the country's Gas Transmission System Operator.

"For more than two months, Kyivgaz, as a gas distribution network operator in Kyiv, has sabotaged the conclusion of a standard gas transmission contract with the Ukrainian GTS Operator. In accordance with the GTS Code, a GTS Operator must cease gas transmission to Kyivgaz networks, which will lead to a gas supply stop for all consumers in the capital," the press service of the Ukrainian GTS wrote on Facebook.

Read alsoUkraine in talks with U.S. on how to ultimately "bury" Russia's Nord Stream 2  Naftogaz CEO

The GTS said that, in order to prevent "energy collapse" in Kyiv, they asked the national energy regulator to look into Kyivgaz's compliance with the terms of licensing, namely, to verify whether the operator has a valid contract.

"As of today, Kyivgaz remains the last remaining gas operator in Ukraine of 44 operating ones that has not concluded a gas transmission contract with the GTS Operator, as required by law. Back in December 2019, we sent Kyivgaz a draft transportation contract for signing. However, in response, we received an edited version of the agreement along with a protocol of disagreements that radically change the model agreement and thereby create discriminatory conditions for other market participants," the GTS said.
New Delhi: Intelligence Bureau has sounded an alert in Gujarat warning the police of a possible terror attack in several cities of the state. According to an exclusive report, the intelligence agency has received a threat letter that has warned of attacks on several key ministers including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and Gujarat State Home minister Haren Pandya.

Following receiving the letter, the Intelligence Bureau issued an alert to the police department and all security agencies cautioning them, in order to counter the terror plot.

The agency has alerted the top police departments of several cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot.
The Prince of Wales looked in high spirits as he arrived to carry out engagements in Newquay, Cornwall today.

Prince Charles, 71, who is the patron of the Campaign for Wool, visited clothing brand Celtic Sheepskin and Co - whose products are sustainably made from material including wool, sheepskin and linen - to mark the firm's 30th anniversary.

During his visit, the royal met with staff and was shown products - before learning how to operate a piece of machinery himself.

Later, he will attend a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cornish based charity Surfers Against Sewage.

Prince Charles, 71, took a tour of Celtic & Co's warehouse in Newquay to mark the firms 30th anniversary on Friday

The royal, who is the patron of the Campaign for Wool, could be seen operating a machine during a visit to the clothing company

Charles, who was given a tour of the warehouse, learned of the production process of the company's slippers from raw sheepskin to complete items ready for sale.

He then joined a reception for long-standing employees, company stakeholders and representatives from the Campaign for Wool in the shop.

To complete his visit, the future king unveiled a plaque to mark the company's 30th anniversary.

Celtic & Co was initially started by Nick and Kath Whitworth as a small boot-making business in 1990.

The Prince of Wales will see both sheepskin and surfers during his visit to Newquay in Cornwall today

Charles, who was given a tour of the warehouse, learned of the production process of the company's slippers from raw sheepskin to complete items ready for sale

The Prince of Wales, as the patron of the Campaign for Wool, is shown products during a visit to Celtic Sheepskin & Co. Pictured, speaking with a member of staff

The company's products are sustainably made from material including wool, sheepskin and linen. Pictured, Charles operating a piece of machinery

The Prince of Wales looked delighted as he was presented with a pair of boots during a visit to Celtic Sheepskin & Co in Newquay

Prince Charles cut the cake in front of staff as he helped to celebrate the firm's 30th anniversary

Charles, who is the Patron of the Campaign for Wool, was presented with a pair of boots during a visit to the clothing brand's warehouse

The 71-year-old looked deep in thought as he watched a worker glue soles during a visit to Celtic Sheepskin & Co in Newquay

The Prince could be seen leaning in as he watched a staff member at work sewing a pair of boots

The Prince of Wales looked only too happy to engage in conversation as he met staff during his tour of the warehouse

Charles looked dapper in a grey suit and burgundy tie as he was taken on a walk around the firm's warehouse

During his visit, the Prince of Wales was shown a selection of different products sold by the company

The Prince of Wales flashed a smile as he waved to locals following his visit in Newquay today

The Prince of Wales, as the patron of the Campaign for Wool, during a visit to Celtic Sheepskin & Co in Newquay, Cornwall

Today, it sells to customers across over 60 countries, boasts 52 members of staff and had an impressive 8.9 million annual turnover last year.

And it is set to be a busy day of engagements for the royal, who will then participate in a workshop with Surfers Against Sewage at Nansledan School.

The Cornwall-based charity was founded in 1990 with the aim of protecting oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife.

Nansledan School, or Skol Nansledan, was opened in September and has 14 classrooms.

The Prince will undertake a tour of the school, before joining a reception for the charity.

To mark the occasion, the prince will sign a specially-commissioned wooden surfboard made by Cornish craftsman James Otter.

Charles greeted school children as he attended a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Surfers Against Sewage

The royal could be seen sitting down as he chatted to a pupil at the development school (pictured)

Charles could be seen clutching a gift as he officially opened the Nansledan development school on March 6, 2020 in Newquay

The royal enjoyed a chat with two young school children as he attended the celebratory reception today

Charles wrapped up warm in a beige coat in a bid to beat off the chilly weather conditions in Cornwall

Prince Charles posed for a photograph alongside James Otter (R) as he attended a reception to celebrate the anniversary

The royal was given a tour as he attended a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Surfers Against Sewage

The Prince of Wales look in high spirits as he shared a joked with a member of staff and two school children today

The Prince of Wales posted in front of a surfboard as he took a tour around the development school

Charles unveiled a plaque as he attended a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Surfers Against Sewage

The young school children wrapped up in waterproof coats in preparation for the chilly weather conditions

The royal could be seen walking along with his hands in his pockets as he was given a tour of the premises

Prince of Wales could be seen smiling alongside James Otter (R) as he attended the reception today

The 71-year-old looked animated as he spoke with staff members during his second engagement of the day in Newquay

Charles could be seen smiling and pointing as he shared a joke with a young girl during the reception

Charles look suave in red tie and pocket square as he walked along with his hands in his pockets

The royal could be seen clutching a hot drink as he arrived at the reception, ahead of being given a tour
Only one case of coronavirus infection recorded in Ukraine

In Ukraine, nine suspected coronaviruses have not been confirmed, as the Ministry of Health reports.

"The Center for Public Health received 9 reports of suspected coronavirus disease, but laboratory tests in the virological reference laboratory showed negative results, no one had coronavirus infection," - the report said.

As we reported before, Ukraine confirmed the first case of COVID-19 or coronavirus on March 3

The case was spotted in the Chernivtsi region. A man returned to Ukraine from Italy and entered Ukraine through the border with Romania.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, the condition of the infected man is stable. The patient has no temperature and symptoms of pneumonia.

On March 4, it was reported that six more people were suspected, isolated and they were waiting for the results of the tests.

World Health Organization Representative Jarno Habicht stated that the WHO predicts the growth of the number of people infected with coronavirus in Ukraine.

Also, In Chernivtsi, on Thursday, March 5, two more people were hospitalized at the infectious ward of the hospital with suspicion of Covid-2019.
Dr. Ahmed Abdullah is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder/lead formulator at Lexli Skin Care. "The frequent use of hand soaps and hand sanitizers is key to minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. The challenge is that the ingredients in these products that kill the virus are the same ones that wreak havoc on our skin." - Dr. Ahmed Abdullah

As the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus begin to increase in the United States, its important to take every precaution against spread of the virus  including evaluating your skin care routine. Thats according to Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder and lead product formulator at Lexli International, the premier line of aloe vera skin care.

Like all coronaviruses, this novel strain is spread through respiratory droplets. For that reason, good hygiene practices and limited proximity to others is key to minimizing the potential for catching it, said Abdullah. Its vital that we avoid touching our faces, as the virus enters our system via our nose, eyes and mouth. This presents a unique challenge when applying makeup and skin care.

According to Abdullah, the same good hygiene practices that always apply to our skin care routines become even more important now with the risk of a global pandemic. He advises the following precautions:

1. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before applying makeup or skin care products. Blot skin dry with a clean towel. He advises that towels be laundered after every use.

2. When using makeup or skin care products in a jar, always use a clean cosmetic spatula or cotton swab to scoop out product. Do not share products with others or use the public product testers found in beauty stores.

3. While facial cleansing is typically necessary just 1-2x per day. Dr. Abdullah suggests that adding a mid-day facial cleanse is an appropriate precaution in light of the coronavirus risk.

On the topic of hand washing and hand sanitizer use, Dr. Abdullah suggests this is, by far, the most important practice for minimizing the spread of coronavirus. No part of our body touches the outside world more than our hands so its no surprise that they are teeming with bacteria and germs. He explains that, because coronavirus is surrounded by a lipid layer, it is easily dissolved by the use of soap and water or hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol. However, the ingredients that kill coronavirus are also the ingredients that dry out our skin and that leads to a host of additional problems. In addition to being uncomfortable, dry skin can become cracked, which creates a risk for skin infections.

To maintain skin integrity, Dr. Abdullah advises that immediately after washing skin or using hand sanitizer, a moisturizing product is used, such as a hydrating moisturizer for the face and a rich lotion for hands. Damage from hand sanitizers can be minimized through the use of products that incorporate moisturizing ingredients. He advises looking for ingredients like propylene glycol, squalene and glycerin.

Given the current shortage of hand sanitizers, Dr. Abdullah suggests that consumers can simply and affordably make their own effective hand sanitizer by mixing two commonly found ingredients: one part aloe vera gel and two parts isopropyl alcohol.

While its easy to panic with coronavirus leading the headlines each day, Dr. Abdullah offers a different perspective. For most individuals, the symptoms of this strain of coronavirus will be similar to any other flu. The biggest risk is to those with compromised health and immune symptoms. Its important not to panic and to take practical steps to ensure protection.

About Lexli:

Founded in 1996 by Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, a board-certified plastic surgeon and noted aloe researcher, Lexli is the premier line of aloe vera skin care products. The company offers a full-range of advanced solutions for daily skin maintenance, specific skin concerns and the signs of aging, including AloeGlyC, the advanced facial glycolic acid exfoliator; Lightening Lift, a unique aloe vera face mask; and the Acne Kit, one of the most potent and comprehensive acne treatments available over-the-counter.

Lexli products are sold by licensed skin care professionals throughout the United States and in select countries worldwide, as well as online at the Lexli website.

For more information visit lexli.com, Facebook or Instagram.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to spread through dozens of countries around the world in what is among the worst outbreaks of infectious disease in a century, threatening the lives of millions of people.

Refuting the White Houses criminally dishonest dismissal of the diseases severity, the number of cases in the United States continues to rise rapidly. The response at every level of government has been negligent and incompetent, exposing a total lack of planning and preparation in the worlds richest capitalist country.

Even as the White House was downplaying the lethality of the virus and equating it with the common flu, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported on March 4 that 3.4 percent of people infected by the coronavirus had died.

There is no way to accurately determine the extent of the infection in the United States because of the absence of testing equipment.

The indifference of the Trump administration to the health of the population is no better, and perhaps worse, than the attitude of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt to the slaves. The media has spent far more time bemoaning the fall in share values on Wall Street than the loss of human life.

Congress has authorized a mere $8.3 billion to fight the outbreakless than one tenth the annual cost of the war in Afghanistan and one fifteenth the wealth of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

Without emergency intervention, there is a danger that this pandemic will spread uncontrollably throughout the population and cause a staggering loss of life. In the worst-case scenario, outlined this week by Dr. Marc Lipsitch of Harvard University, as much as 60 percent of the global population could become infected. At current rates of mortality, this would mean the deaths of over a hundred million men, women and children.

As the World Health Organization pointed out in its February 28 report, The COVID-19 virus is a new pathogen that is highly contagious, can spread quickly, and must be considered capable of causing enormous health, economic and societal impacts in any setting.

The report noted that the virus is transmitted via droplets and fomites [objects] during close unprotected contact between an infector and infectee. The WHO added that human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus is largely occurring in families.

Measures can be taken to dramatically reduce the number of infections and prevent the loss of countless lives. But the response of governments throughout the world has been disastrously inadequate and an untold number of people will die as a result. The vast majority of the victims will be from the working class, the poor and other vulnerable sections of society.

This social catastrophe must be prevented. All sections of the working class, youth and students must demand that governments take emergency action to stop the spread of the virus and provide the necessary care for all those who are infected by the disease. This requires a massive reallocation of social resources.

The principle that must guide the response is that the needs of society overrule the interests of profit. Capitalist calculations of share values and profits must not be allowed to limit, undermine, or prevent the combating of the disease.

No expense can be spared in making testing for the coronavirus available immediately in every country. Trillions of dollars must be invested internationally in testing regimes, the manufacture of protective clothing, the purchase of oxygen machines and other necessary technology, the construction of new hospitals and the expansion of existing hospital facilities.

From this standpoint we raise the following demands:

Accessible and universal testing: There is no way to combat the spread of coronavirus without testing that is accessible to all those who show symptoms. It is essential that testing be made available immediately throughout the United States and the entire world. Free high-quality treatment: Stopping the spread of the coronavirus is impossible in a society where only those with money can see a doctor. In a country like the United States, where the average household cannot afford to pay cash for a $400 expense, providing free treatment is inseparable from controlling the spread of the disease. Every country must immediately begin to provide free testing and treatment, and pay all medical costs associated with the coronavirus. Medical care is not a privilege, it is a right! Paid sick leave for all workers: It is vital to ensure that workers do not feel pressured to work when they are sick. Corporations and governments must immediately begin providing paid sick leave for all employees. Equality of care: In the United States, a vast and disproportionate share of medical resources is monopolized by the financial oligarchy. Reports abound of the V.I.P. emergency rooms in Manhattan and the Hamptons for the super-rich, and the massive emergency bunkers and private medical treatment centers being constructed by the oligarchs in their own mansions. There can be no preferential treatment in combating this pandemic! Equality of care is not only a moral question, but an urgent social necessity. The private doctors of the rich and those engaged in vanity procedures must be immediately drafted to treat the general population. Access to care must be determined by necessity, not wealth. The rich have the right to the same treatment as anyone elsebut no better. Protect refugees, prisoners and the homeless: Around the world, millions of people are homeless, millions more are fleeing war and poverty, and countless others are imprisoned under conditions that make them vulnerable to infectious disease. Everything must be done to improve the conditions of prisoners, refugees and the homeless and provide these vulnerable populations with access to hygiene and the best quality medical care. Stop price gouging: Medical supplies and sanitary products must be made available to households and medical workers, and all those profiting from the crisis should be held criminally liable. Safe working conditions: Employers and the government must be responsible for providing all employeesfrom medical workers to factory, warehouse, retail and service workerswith a safe work environment. The supervision of safety cannot be left to the employers. Workers should form rank-and-file committees to make sure that safety codes are being observed by the employers and measures are being taken to combat the spread of the disease. These committees will ensure that workers are not compelled to work in an unsafe environment and that coworkers who become ill receive the necessary treatment and support. Support the ill and the quarantined: No one should fear that being designated and quarantined means neglect and ostracism. Workers should form neighborhood committees to ensure that those who are sick and quarantined are safe and have social support and the necessary food and supplies. For international collaboration: US economic sanctions against Iran are causing severe medical shortages in a country with over 3,000 coronavirus cases, and the US political establishment has been waging a campaign to demonize Chinese scientists and doctors. All sanctions must immediately be lifted and all restrictions on international medical collaboration ended!

In responding to this dangerous disease, one principle must guide us: that human need is primary. Combating an epidemic that threatens millions of lives cannot be subordinated to considerations of private profit.

Any claim that there is no money to save the lives of millions of people is a contemptible lie. In the United States alone, there are more than 13,000 individuals with over $30 million in wealth. Just three peopleBill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffettown more wealth than the poorest half of American society.

Funding shortfalls must be covered by emergency seizures of the fortunes of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

It is necessary to build a mass movement of the working class to demand an immediate emergency response to the crisis, to be paid for by the corporations, the government and the financial oligarchy.

As the International Committee of the Fourth International wrote its statement of February 28, 2020:

In demanding that capitalist governments implement these emergency measures, the international working class does not abandon its fundamental aim: the ending of the capitalist system. Rather, the fight for emergency action will raise the consciousness of the working class, develop its understanding of the need for international class solidarity, and increase its political self-confidence.

The opportunities provided by modern medical technology to stop such an outbreak are unprecedented. Never before has so much been known about a pathogen so early: Its genome has been sequenced and effective tests have been designed within a matter of weeks.

But the outbreak of the disease has exposed the gaping chasm between the enormous promise of modern medical technology and the totally irrational character of a society based on the private accumulation of wealth.

Whatever the outcome of this pandemic, the crisis irrefutably establishes the fact that capitalism cannot deal with the existential threats facing humanityfrom climate change to natural disasters and infectious diseases. The coronavirus crisis poses the urgent necessity for the socialist reorganization of society.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday extended protection from arrest granted to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Bhima Koregaon case, till March 16.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee said it would hear on March 16 the appeals filed by Navlakha and Teltumbde against last month's order by Bombay High Court rejecting their anticipatory bail pleas.

The high court, while denying the anticipatory bail to Navlakha and Teltumbde on February 14, had extended the interim protection from arrest for a period of four weeks to enable them to approach the apex court.

Appearing for the activists, advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi informed the bench that protection granted to both of them by the high court would expire on March 14 and the top court should extend it.
The month of February came to a close with a watershed event: The United States formally signed an agreement with the Taliban, the Islamist militant group it has been fighting in Afghanistan since October 2001. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Feb. 29 with Taliban delegation leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Doha, Qatar, and announced the agreement, which Baradar and veteran US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad signed. The ceremony followed a reduction in violence agreement that took effect Feb. 21.

Advocates of these agreements believe they will pave the way for US and other foreign troops to gradually withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months, heralding the end of the 18-year war that Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute has pointed out has lasted longer than the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and Korean War combined.

The end, however, will come with the United States practically handing the country back to the very group that triggered the war when it refused to hand over Osama Bin Laden in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. In addition, many Afghans believe the agreement ignores their interests and preferences and sells out the Kabul government to Islamic militants for the sake of a US withdrawal as soon as possible. The Associated Press cited two anonymous sources as saying that Pompeo himself had been reluctant to attend the signing ceremony and that he only did so at President Donald Trumps insistence. Putting aside whether the agreement will meet American or Afghan expectations, there is another valid question: Whats in it for Iran?

To no one's surprise, Iranian representatives were not invited to the signing ceremony or to the preceding 10 rounds of negotiations although actors of lesser importance in the Afghanistan sphere received invitations, such as Indonesia, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The first formal reaction by Iranian officials was in the form of a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 1. It read in part, The Islamic Republic of Iran believes lasting peace will be established in Afghanistan only through intra-Afghan talks attended by the countrys political groups, including the Taliban, while taking into account the considerations of Afghanistans neighboring countries.

The complete Iranian statement seems confusing in desiring the withdrawal of foreign forces while at the same time opposing an agreement based on withdrawing all foreign forces. It also does not reveal the main concerns Iran has in terms of the dramatic transformations potentially ensuing inside Afghanistan. Tehran will be monitoring events apprehensively, not simply because it desires a US withdrawal from the war-prone country, but because of the unexpected consequences an unstable Afghanistan might have on Iranian national interests at the regional level in addition to the inevitable theological confrontations a dominant Taliban will generate in the future.

Geopolitically speaking, Afghanistan has all the characteristics of an insulator state, that is, a battleground for regional rivals that has segmented internal dynamics that preclude any one actor from establishing long-term authority and that at the same time is untethered from the security dynamics of its region. This has been a defining feature of Afghanistan since it broke away from Persia in 1747. Britain, the Soviet Union, Iran, Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia all have taken advantage of this to wage their own classic and proxy wars in the country.

Although the United States was never able to prevail over all the other groups and opponents in Afghanistan since getting involved there in 2001, it did manage to establish itself as the dominant security producer within the country. This eliminated the activities of regional rivals on Afghan territory, including by Iran and its adversaries. When American troops exit Afghanistan, it is highly likely that the situation from pre-2001 will reemerge.

In that case, Irans political system will be saddled with another burden draining its political, diplomatic and economic resources, which are already scarce given its involvement in various regional crises. Also, a US exit would leave Iran and Pakistan to once again directly confront each other. Prior to the 2001 US-led invasion, Iran and Pakistan were deep into a proxy war in Afghanistan, with the Iranians funding the Afghan Northern Alliance against the Pakistani-backed Taliban. A return to that scenario would be unfortunate for Iran for several reasons.

Pakistan, though it has recently stepped in to try to calm tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, has not been completely neutral in this rivalry. Thus renewed disagreement over Afghanistan would obviously not be helpful. Also, the US-Taliban agreement simply means the United States is leaving Afghanistan in the hands of the militants, a Sunni-Pashtun group that enjoys close ties to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency. This means that Iran will not only concede influence to Pakistan, it will also need to seek an agreement with an Afghan government expected to be under the Talibans influence. The Tajik and Hazara in Afghanistan are Irans longstanding allies, and a Taliban-Iranian agreement would be at their expense. The two groups already hold it against Tehran for adopting an appeasement policy toward the Taliban in recent years and believe that Iran has given up on them for the sake of easing relations with the Taliban and countering the Islamic State in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's presumed dominance has strategic implications beyond those for Iran. The agreement with the United States doesnt commit the group to anything in regard to future political arrangements in Afghanistan. The deal solely focuses on ensuring that Afghan territory will not be used against the interests of the United States and its allies. It does require the Taliban to enter into negotiations with the Kabul government, but thats it.

It doesnt obligate the Taliban to accept or comply with any particular political system, and it doesnt entail the Taliban disarming or forgoing the imposition of an Islamic emirate through negotiations. The agreement affirms several times that the document is a concordant between the United States and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which is not recognized by the United States as a state. Ironically, one section of the three-page agreement says that the Taliban will not provide visas, passports, travel permits or other legal documents to those who pose a threat to the security of the United States and its allies, tasks that are functions of a recognized state.

The United States knows that the Taliban will control Afghanistan. In this regard, the agreement is like leaving a wolf to care for the sheep. There is a good chance the Taliban will try to change the current constitution and political arrangements, which means, at best, reducing the power of minorities, like the Hazaras and Tajiks, in addition to imposing Sunni Islamic law and principles as the bases of government. All this could be another potential source of tension between Iran and Afghanistan.

The Taliban as a Sunni-based emirate is inherently in conflict with Irans Shiite-based political system. While at the moment Iran should be assessing more important issues in regard to the Taliban and Afghanistan, this religious difference is a minefield that could revive the old enmity between Iran and Afghanistan shortly after they find themselves without a common enemy like the United States. It is hardly imaginable that Iran would tolerate a radical Sunni Islamist group at its border in the long-term and cope with it solely based on mutual interests.

Long story short, the agreement with the Taliban does not provide the United States with much more than what President George W. Bush demanded of the Taliban 18 years and $2 trillion ago. Contrary to formal proclamations, Iranian officials actually would prefer that US forces remain in Afghanistan. None of the forthcoming consequences of their leaving, especially a Taliban-backed government, will serve Iran's interests.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There were violent threats against bank security, two stolen vehicles, bills shredded by an implanted device and stories about an alleged accomplice named Blackie.

Following the arrest of a man authorities say amassed more than $34,000 during a citywide bank robbery spree -- including four on Staten Island -- new details of the alleged crimes have emerged.

In terms of a motive, Dennis Rivera, 58, of the 2300 block of Grand Concourse in the Bronx, told investigators he has psychological problems, does drugs and wasnt receiving social services he claimed were owed to him, according to a criminal complaint.

He also allegedly stated: My wife doesnt know that I was doing this."

Here is a look at the spree:

The NYPD says Dennis Rivera, 58, of the 2300 block of Grand Concourse in the Bronx, is responsible for the bank robbery that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2020 at a TD Bank located at 1818 Victory Blvd. This image was taken from the bank, police said. (NYPD surveillance photo)

FEB. 27

Rivera allegedly entered a TD Bank on Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners and passed a note demanding cash, and NO INK -- which refers to radio-controlled ink packs used by banks to destroy the money after a robber flees. The note also stated, 10 seconds or shots fire."

FEB. 22

Witnesses at Popular Bank on Tremont Avenue in the Bronx said a man threatened the teller You have 10 seconds before Blackie starts to shoot co-workers. He then pointed to an un-apprehended male, saying That guy has a weapon. When a security guard approached, Rivera said, back off or hes going to shoot everybody," the complaint alleges.

Police said Rivera denied committing that robbery, but also told them he discussed potentially robbing a bank with a Latino man nicknamed Blackie at a VIP program meeting, designed for offenders convicted of driving under the influence.

FEB. 21

Rivera entered an Apple Bank for Savings within walking distance of his home -- the same bank he hit a week prior -- where he said to a teller: Pay me again...hurry the f--- up before I f--- up everybody in here. He fled with cash, which he said was shredded by a device hidden in the stack.

Police said alleged bank robber Dennis Rivera targeted an Apple Bank for Savings near his home in the Bronx twice in eight days. (Google Maps)

FEB. 13

The first time Rivera entered the Apple Bank near his home, police said he told the teller Give me all the money or Im going to get your manager." He passed a note that read 100s, 50s, 20s, 10s, loose: You have 10 seconds. He fled with about $275.

A reported bank robbery at the Chase Bank branch at 666 Forest Ave. in West Brighton sparked a large NYPD response on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson)

FEB. 10

Rivera allegedly robbed a Chase Bank in West Brighton, prompting a massive police search that included a helicopter and authorities re-directing traffic on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. A man working across the street at a Verizon store said the robbery went unnoticed until staff heard the police sirens.

FEB. 1

Police say Rivera entered Richmond County Savings Bank in Sunnyside and handed the teller a note stating, give me everything out the drawer." The teller told police that out of fear of physical harm, they handed over nearly $7,400.

4 NYPD seeks same man for questioning in four separate bank robberies

JAN. 29

Authorities say the one-man crime wave began at Northfield Bank in Port Richmond, which is the only incident on Staten Island Rivera denied having anything to do with, prosecutors said Wednesday at his arraignment on Staten Island.

Police said Rivera passed a note in that incident that read in part, No bands, do not hit alarm till Im gone, you have 10 seconds.

Our Officers are out conducting community outreaches at banks  in the 121 Precinct speaking to branch managers and staff about robbery situations and how to properly handle them. pic.twitter.com/0QtZiKfbyT  NYPD 121st Precinct (@NYPD121Pct) February 29, 2020

CAR THEFTS, COCAINE

Rivera, who prosecutors said Wednesday has a lengthy criminal record, was arrested Friday in the Bronx and was allegedly found in possession of cocaine.

In addition to the robbery charges on Staten Island, police say Rivera stole two vehicles from the same owner near a commercial section of Charleston to aid in carrying out the crimes.

He didnt appear to have any family members or friends in attendance at his arraignment Wednesday in Richmond County Criminal Court, St. George.

Hes due back in court March 6.
Przepraszamy!

Ogoszenie na stanowisku:

Process Officer with Finnish language



wygaso z dniem 2020-04-16



Ta propozycja bya zozona przez NORDEA

Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia ogoszenia to:

propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa usunieta z naszej bazy

firma zakonczya proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc pracownikow

ogoszeniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc ogoszenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW

dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych

nieprawidowy adres WWW ogoszenia

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Finanse, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Finanse

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Process Officer with Finnish language, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Process Officer with Finnish language

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: odz, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca odz



Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj.

Inne propozycje, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:50:01|Editor: yhy

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VIENTIANE, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Program (UXO Lao) through the project for strengthening operational capacity of UXO Lao contributing to poverty alleviation.

The project began in January 2019 and will continue until December 2023.

It aims to enable UXO Lao to formulate a transparent annual work plan giving consideration to poverty alleviation and development to ensure the implementation of the plan across the country, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Friday.

The project was discussed by UXO Lao and JICA at the second Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting held on Tuesday in Lao capital Vientiane.

The meeting was chaired by Director of UXO Lao Bounphamith Somvichith and the Senior Representative of the JICA Laos Office Akiko Sanada. It was attended by core personnel from UXO Lao and JICA involved in project implementation.

The objectives of the meeting were to report the progress of the annual work plan formulation process in the provinces of Attapeu, Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang.

According to statistics from Lao authorities, from 1965 to 1973, the U.S. troops dropped 2 million tons of ordinances on the Lao territory during the Vietnam War, including 2.7 million cluster bombs which are designed to break apart and release a payload of smaller bombs. As many as 30 percent of these bombs did not explode.
Unfortunately, a woman can err in this domain simply by competing in the political arena and actively challenging her male rivals. A 2010 Harvard study found that voters view male and female politicians as equally power-seeking, but respond to them quite differently: Men who seek power were viewed as stronger and tougher, while power-seeking women provoked feelings of disgust and contempt. Throughout Hillary Clintons time in public life  her husbands administration, her time in the Senate, her 2008 presidential run and her tenure as secretary of state  her approval rating was always higher the further she got from political ambition; her popularity fell whenever she sought higher office. In my home country, Australia, Julia Gillard was a fairly popular politician until she became prime minister, whereupon she was widely portrayed in the media as fake, selfish, opportunistic, cynical and backstabbing, having toppled the former leader, Kevin Rudd, in an internal party challenge. When Warren became the front-runner for the Democratic nomination last year, it was, ironically, a liability: She risked being seen as too powerful and ambitious, and disliked on this basis.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 14:14:41|Editor: huaxia

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ZHENGZHOU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- A wooden bench, a laptop, a cellphone and a few bamboo pillars formed a makeshift classroom of a teacher in the mountains of central China's Henan Province. Dozens of students, over 20 km away in downtown Xinyang City, took his history lessons at home.

Zhou Yan, who built the makeshift classroom along a windy ridge near his house, said it was a workaround to stabilize the data connection on his cellphone as his hill-surrounded house used to have a weak mobile network.

Schools and universities around China are required to postpone their new semesters amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Teachers and students are encouraged to turn to online courses at home.

Teachers like Zhou trapped in rural hometowns and lacking sufficient online working facilities have managed to keep up with the tight schedule of a new semester for students, especially those who are preparing for the forthcoming college entrance exam.

China's education sector also mobilizes quality online courses, available for nationwide primary and middle school students free of charge.

In some cities, classes are broadcast live online and students can interact with teachers in real-time.

Over 50 million students in over 300 cities have participated in online lessons on DingTalk, a major online conference platform of Alibaba, as of Feb. 26, according to the company.

Local communication operators have also beefed up home internet at counties and expanded free Wi-Fi coverage for teachers like Zhou who deliver online lessons during the epidemic.

Benefiting from the upgraded network service, Zhou has moved indoors to give online lessons since late February.

"I'm just doing what I can to help my students as it is now a race against time for them in the fierce competition of the college entrance exam," he said.
Life.Church chief pastor Craig Groschel and pastor and prominent leader Bobby Gruenwald, were quarantined by health officials after being exposed to the coronavirus at a conference in Germany.

With 90,000 attendees on 34 campuses spread across 10 states, Grochel delivered the news to the church via video last Wednesday afternoon under the title "Something Different This Month."

According to Groschel, he and Gruenewald, founder of the YouVersion Bible app were already on a plane heading home after learning that someone tested positive for COVID-19 caused by coronavirus at the three-day Willow Creek summit in Germany with Grunebalt.

In the video, he informed people that he and Gruenewald would not go to church to maintain the safety of the church and prevent the spread of the disease. He added that they were both in good condition.

Willow Creek Deutschland Leitungskongress 2020 was held in Kalsruhe, southwest Germany, on Feb. 27-29. The summit ended early as a precautionary measure, since the organizers were aware of the diagnosis.

According to the World Health Organization, 87,137 cases were reported worldwide as of Thursday. The U.S. confirmed its 11th death on Wednesday, along with some 150 confirmed cases.

More cases of COVID-19 are likely to be confirmed in the coming days, including those in the U.S., the CDC said on its website. There is also a possibility that a person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in communities in the United States.
Description

GIS - 06 March, 2020: The Newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mauritiu s, based in Antananarivo , Mr Michael Derus, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.

In a statement to the press, Mr Derus stated that discussions with the Prime Minister focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Mauritius and Germany. He emphasised that one of his priorities is to enhance relationships between the two countries in the economic field as well as to help Mauritius attract more investment from Germany. Mauritius, he said, can be considered as a regional champion with the ongoing development in all sectors and can easily attract investors from Germany and countries across the world.

Moreover, the Ambassador stated that the two countries have many areas of mutual interest where they can deepen cooperation and also evoked the possibility of collaboration in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.
Masks: Adilisha Patrom poses outside her pop-up coronavirus supply store where she sells items such as face masks and hand sanitiser in Washington. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

A case of coronavirus has been detected for the first time in an Irish patient who had not travelled overseas.

A male patient in Cork has contracted the virus - but unlike other Irish cases the man has not been to northern Italy in recent weeks.

It is also believed that the person was not in contact with any of the existing known cases.

This raises the spectre of community spread of the virus.

It is understood the detection involves a man who is living in Cork.

He was being treated for a separate and unrelated health condition at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

All those who were in close proximity to the patient in CUH, including doctors and nurses, will now have to be traced and tested.

This specifically refers to the time when the man was being treated in a busy CUH while not in isolation and being dealt with by medical personnel not wearing protective gear.

There is a concern that if medical or hospital support personnel have to go into precautionary self-isolation for 14 days, it will exert enormous pressure on CUH's already stretched resources.

It will also undermine CUH's available human resources to deal with any further Covid-19 cases.

Everyone who was in close contact with the man including his family, friends and other patients will have to be traced.

Health officials are pursuing the theory the man somehow came in contact with someone with coronavirus who contracted it abroad but either didn't fall ill or had such minor symptoms they were not reported.

One health source indicated the latest case may indicate the virus has been undetected within the community in Ireland for some time before the first case was confirmed.

Health officials said last night the HSE is working "rapidly" to identify any contacts the patient may have had.

CUH yesterday displayed 'infection outbreak' signs and warned visitors were not allowed within specific sections of the hospital.

The HSE said the restrictions at CUH were in accordance with infection control protocols.

"This is in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent infections within the hospital."

However, the CUH emergency department remains open and routine ward operations are continuing as normal.

The confirmed case in Cork came after doctors were investigating why the patient was still unwell despite specific medications being administered.

The individual remains in isolation.

The visitor ban at CUH came as the spread of the coronavirus in the Republic escalated.

The HSE last night confirmed there are 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ireland.

All Irish cases up until now had been linked to travel to northern Italy which has experienced Europe's highest concentration of virus cases.

In all Irish cases, the patients are responding well to treatment.

The Cork case was the first coronavirus detection in the south of the country.
At least 41 people, who recently



returned from foreign countries, have been put under home isolation in Mizoram, as a precautionary measure, and 14,868 persons have been screened for coronavirus, a senior official said on Friday.

State Health secretary H Lalengmawia told PTI that 41 people who have recently returned from China, Singapore, Macau, Dubai, USA, Seychelles and Hongkong are being put under home isolation though they did not show any symptoms of novel coronavirus.

He said that the move was a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the deadly disease in the state.

According to Lalengmawia, 5 blood samples have been sent to Guwahati Medical College for laboratory test.

He said that 3 of the 5 samples have tested negative for coronavirus while 2 samples were rejected.

He said that the government has set up seven screening centres along the national and international borders, including Lengpui airport.

He said that 14,868 people have been screened for coronavirus in various screening counters.

The health secretary said that the government has also set up a 32-bedded isolation ward at state medical college- Zoram Medical College (ZMC) and 5 bedded ward in each district hospitals to treat any suspected patients.

He said the government has also set up laboratory sample collection centres at Aizawl Civil hospital, ZMC and Lengpui community health centre.

Meanwhile, Health minister Dr R Lalthangliana said that the state government is taking all measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

He also urged the people not to believe in rumours.

Sources said that a high-level meeting was convened by the Health minister on Thursday to discuss about the preventive measure taken by the state government.

The meeting decided to expedite surveillance at Zokhawthar along the Mizoram-Myanmar border and also to set up 3 bedded isolation ward each in all primary health centre, 5 bedded ward each in Community Health Centre and Sub-Divisional Hospital to treat any suspected patients,, the sources said.

The meeting also agreed to upgrade AYUSH building at Lengpui to treat any suspected passengers, the sources added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Completing hundred days in office,



MaharashtraChief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has managed to walk a tightrope so far, deftly handling issues such as NPR- CAA and Muslim quota while heading the alliance between his party, pro-Hindutva Shiv Sena and the 'secular' Congress-NCP.

Thackeray, who had never held any position in any government before he was sworn in as chief minister on November 28, 2019, seems to have settled in his new role quickly, mainly owing to his calm manner and capacity to take along the heavyweights in his cabinet, observers say.

The unlikely coalition came to power after long-time allies Shiv Sena and BJP parted ways over the chief minister's post despite winning the Assembly polls.

After taking over as CM, Thackeray admitted in the legislature that he was inexperienced.

Interestingly, he chose not to keep major portfolios with him, instead distributing them among his experienced colleagues such as Sena's Eknath Shinde, NCP's Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Congress' Balasaheb Thorat.

A senior minister saidThackeray gives space to all senior leaders in his cabinet. "He favours decision-making by consensus, taking every one along," the leader said.

He also enjoys a good rapport with NCP president Sharad Pawar, who is seen as the architect of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of the three parties.

Owing to different ideologies of its constituents, the government has dealt with some thorny issues such as the stand on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Population Register, and reservations for Muslims.

But Thackeray did not allow the opposition BJP to corner him on any of these issues.

On CAA and NPR, he initially said there was nothing objectionable about these measures, but then set up a cabinet sub-committee to "study and advise" the state government on what stand should be taken.

When the NCP and Congress announced that they supported reservations for Muslims in education, something which the Sena had opposed in the past, Thackeray sidestepped the issue saying the proposal had not come up before him yet.

When the BJP tried to corner him over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's uncharitable comments about Savarkar whom the Sena reveres, Thackeray asked why the BJP failed to confer Bharat Ratna on the Hindutva ideologue in the last five years.

To counter BJP's allegation that he compromised on Hindutva to gain power, Thackeray announced that he will visit Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Ram on completion of 100 days in office.

When the BJP demanded that Aurangabad in central Maharashtra, a city which derives its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, be renamed as Sambhajinagar,the government quickly renamed the Aurangabad airport after Chhatrapati Sambhaji, warrior king Shivaji's elder son.

Thackeray has never contested an election in his life. Now he would need to contest one, to become a member of either the state Assembly or the Legislative Council.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rep. Jim Clyburn says former President Barack Obama should probably make an endorsement in the race for the Democratic nomination before the partys convention this July in Milwaukee.

At the proper time, probably should, Clyburn said on Yahoo News Skullduggery podcast when asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. If were talking about bringing this party together, I think hes probably part of bringing it together, but not today.

When asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed Biden before the Democratic National Convention, Clyburn said, I would think so. He also said he had absolutely not discussed a possible Biden nomination with the former president.

Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American in the House of Representatives, has already delivered the most important endorsement of the Democratic race so far. His decision to back Biden helped propel the former vice president to major victories in the South Carolina and Super Tuesday primaries.

The South Carolina congressman also said that while he does not have a problem with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the other major candidate in the race, the nomination battle is close to conclusion. Now, Clyburn said, its time for Democrats to quickly unify ahead of the general election.

He also expressed concern about the possibility of a contested convention, which could happen if neither candidate wins a majority of delegates. Clyburn will be an unpledged delegate at the July convention, but due to a change in party rules after the last election, superdelegates like him wont be able to vote until a second ballot, potentially increasing the odds of a contested convention.

Clyburn said he has been telling anyone who will listen that Democrats need to get serious about ... [and] study a little bit the evolution of this. You know why our system is so bad? We need to change this because lets take right now, the rules say I cannot vote on the first round ... [because] they took away the unpledged delegates.

Story continues

The longtime congressman warned that if the party fails to unify, it could be looking at a repeat of 1972, when Democrats nominated progressive stalwart George McGovern ahead of a landslide loss to then-President Richard Nixon.

Rep. James Clyburn. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: AP)

Download or subscribe on iTunes: Skullduggery from Yahoo News

I remember 1972, I was there in Miami in 1972, and I saw ideology take over the party and they were very pleased with themselves, Clyburn said. I mean, they gave us George McGovern. McGovern came close to losing all 50 states that year, carrying only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

I remember those battles, Clyburn said. Jesse Jackson Sr. and I were on different sides of the equation. He was over there with George McGovern, they were talking about all this so-called progressive movement. Well, that gave us Richard Nixon. And I could see this stuff today giving us another four years of Donald Trump.

Clyburn scoffed at suggestions that Biden is approaching senility. Right-wing Fox News host Tucker Carlson recently called Biden noticeably more confused than he was at the beginning of the campaign a year ago.

We are going to play that game, but were going to play it better, Clyburn said when asked about Carlsons comments.

Look at the facts. Heres the guy who gave a State of the Union, and according to the Washington Post told 31 lies. ... About half of them, the other sides standing up and cheering. And just think about that 30-second video [ad] with an obvious lie put on the screen, and watch another Republican stand up and cheer, and we are zeroing in on the face of Mitch McConnell. ... Oh, yeah, I got some great ideas as to how were going to play that game come the November elections, and I think I know how to play it better than they do.

When asked how he can tell his teenage daughters that gender equality is possible when the presidential field and the presidency itself are still dominated by men, Clyburn sounded almost mournful. But at the same time, he said, voters need to take into account other factors, and referred to the only two African-American members of the Supreme Court in U.S. history: the liberal Thurgood Marshall and the arch-conservative Clarence Thomas.

Ill ask everybody, he said. Would you rather have an old Thurgood Marshall sitting on the Supreme Court or a young Clarence Thomas?

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
LAS VEGAS, NV, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- International Spirits & Wellness Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS: ISWH) (ISWH or the Company), an emerging diversified leader in the health and wellness space, is excited to announce that the Company has now begun the process of establishing licensed business operations in the Home Healthcare marketplace in New Mexico, Arizona, and Florida. The Company is already licensed to do business in Nevada and Texas.



This announcement is pursuant to the Companys prior communication detailing its expansion outside of the state of Texas in its Home Healthcare division.

The Company currently offers home healthcare services in several major cities in Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso. It has now begun the process of establishing home healthcare operations in Nevada (Las Vegas and Reno), New Mexico (Santa Fe), Arizona (Phoenix), and Florida (The Villages).

"Home Healthcare has been responsible for the bulk of our revenues over the past three quarters, and we are uniquely well positioned to expand further to meet this dramatic new need," commented Alonzo Pierce, ISWH President. "The emergence of COVID-19 as a burgeoning pandemic, now beginning to surge as an outbreak in the US, represents a critical opportunity for this Company to step up to the plate and deliver much-needed services to a wider consumer base. This is a move we had been planning as of late 2019. But the anticipated jump in demand for home healthcare due to the COVID-19 outbreak has moved up our timeline and we are working to get up and running in these new communities as rapidly as possible."

According to management, demand for home healthcare services is set to surge to unprecedented levels over coming months, propelled by three main groups:

People with healthcare needs unrelated to COVID-19 who want to avoid the risk of contracting the disease through exposure to traditional healthcare locations (hospitals, urgent care clinics, doctors offices, etc) that present a higher risk of contagion due to treatment of other patients suffering from the disease, People in high-risk demographics (such as the elderly and/or those with heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension) who have not yet contracted COVID-19 and would like support, counseling, and prevention services, and People who have tested positive for COVID-19 and need experienced healthcare support to manage and care for symptoms during incubation and recovery, where symptoms are not severe enough to warrant inpatient care.

According to leading Harvard epidemiologist, professor Marc Lipsitch, as expressed in The Atlantic on February 24 , as many as 40 to 70 percent of the world's population may become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 within the next 12 months. Other leading epidemiology experts have made similar predictions, implying a dramatic jump in the number of cases of COVID-19 across most communities in the US over the next 12 months, before an effective vaccine can be created, tested, approved, and mass manufactured.

The Company currently has a large staff of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) capable of providing basic care to patients outside of traditional medical care facilities across Texas. In the course of this expansion to new locations, the Company plans to seek out and hire many additional CNAs who live in and around these new areas of service in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida.

We believe we can get up and running in some place like Reno or Phoenix, or any of these new areas, very quickly, continued Pierce. We selected these areas in part because we know they come ready-made with a sufficient established population of trained and certified healthcare workers motivated to engage additional employment and provide more care in their communities. By tapping these workers and expanding our operations, we will be able to drive value for our shareholders by delivering much-needed care and services as the coronavirus outbreak intensifies.

About ISWH: ISWH is a global brand management holdings company with diverse operational interests, including commercial-stage operations in the spirits, CBD, and home healthcare markets, and development-stage operations in the logistics and supply chain and renewable energy markets.

Based in Nevada, the Companys expertise lies in the strategic development and aggressive early growth of its brands and the establishment of these brands as viable and profitable as an incubator. ISWH nurtures emerging brands through critical stages of market development, including conceptualization, go-to-market strategy, supply chain and logistics engineering, integrated marketing, and distribution. ISWH is creating and managing brands across a spectrum of disruptive industries. The Company has now established itself as a health and wellness leader with a focus on reshaping the CBD products and home healthcare markets through state-of-the-art technology and execution. The company has also partnered with Bengala Technologies to develop and commercialize enterprise and B2B software technology products targeting the logistics and supply-chain marketplace with VOLUM.

Forward Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements so as to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed from time to time with OTC Markets (www.otcmarkets.com).

Contact:

For Additional Investor Information:

ISWH

info@isbg.global
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The global outbreak of coronavirus has prevented Australian consular officials from visiting a citizen locked up in a Chinese prison.

There are also concerns for another Australian detained in Iran, where the virus has spread among prisoners.

Australian writer and pro-democracy advocate Yang Hengjun has been detained in China since January last year.

Pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun has been detained in China since January. Credit:AAP

Dr Yang is granted one half-hour consular visit each month.
The Duchess of Cornwall has spoken emotionally about friends who have been subjected to domestic abuse in a powerful speech today.

Last month, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Camilla revealed that she personally knew people who had either been the victims of violence and coercive control at home or had family members who were.

Now, in a keynote address to the Women of the World (WOW) Festival in London, she has talked openly about the issue - and of the corrosive affect that the pervading silence around domestic abuse can have.

She said: I find it almost impossible to think that any friend of mine might be living under that horrific threat, without my knowing it, but that is the power of coercive control and violence in the home.

It is characterised by silence  silence from those that suffer  silence from those around them, and silence from those who perpetrate abuse. This silence is corrosive; it leaves women, children and men carrying the burden of shame. It prevents them from speaking out about the abuse and it prevents them from getting help. And at its worst it can be fatal.

The Duchess of Cornwall has revealed her shock at discovering friends have been under the 'horrific threat' of domestic abuse, during her keynote speech at Women of the World Festival

The Duchess of Cornwall sported a bright red dress as she joined campaigner Gina Miller and Cressida Dick, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to attend the opening of the WOW Women Of The World Festival at the Southbank Centre in London today.

Left to Right: Naomi Donald, Celia Peachey, Suzanne Jacob, Gina Miller, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Cressida Dick, Sheila Gewolb and Daniella Jenkins attend the Grand Opening of the WOW Women Of The World Festival at the Southbank Centre

Speaking at The Royal Festival Hall, Camilla, dressed in brilliant red, told her audience: Charity begins at home. But so does domestic violence.

Camilla, 72, decided to make the issue of domestic abuse a cornerstone of her public work after visiting the charity Safe Lives in 2016 and meeting women such as Rachel Williams, who was physically and mentally abused by her former husband, who eventually tried to kill her by blasting her in the legs with a shot gun.

He later took his own life, as did their youngest son, Jack, who struggled to come to terms with the trauma.

In her exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, which has supported her efforts for the last four years, Camilla revealed last month that she has friends who have been victims of violence and coercive control and says: No one knows what goes on behind any front door.

Duchess of Cornwall's speech on domestic violence Charity begins at home. But so does domestic violence. Three-quarters of violence against women happens in a place where a woman should feel safest  her own home. And just imagine: one in four women in this country will suffer domestic violence in their lifetime. One in four. Through my work, I have talked to many women who have lived with coercive control and domestic violence and, thankfully, come out at the other end as the victors not the victims. They are some of the bravest people I have ever met. Their stories are harrowing and have reduced even the toughest of their listeners to tears. That is why it is so vital that these survivors should no longer feel any shame or any blame.  Camilla welcomed new laws to protect women but said there also needed to be a sea-change issue in attitudes to the issue, saying: We all welcome the new laws on coercive control, but laws alone cannot change behaviour. The dial is moving forward, but last year, two women a week were killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales alone. Domestic abuse has devastating consequences on millions of lives. We are in 2020, and still these abused people all over the country cannot feel secure and safe at home. What can be done? We must bring this taboo subject out in the open and talk about it. We all need to understand what coercive control is, how insidious it is, and how often it leads to repeated violence. At a recent SafeLives event, Suzanne Jacob said we need to change the conversation from, Why doesnt she leave? to Why doesnt he stop?. How right she is. The duchess acknowledged it was a complicated issue but said society still needed to play its part and teach young people to develop mutually respectful relationships from an early age. She said: We need to acknowledge that society also plays a part. Maybe its too simplistic to say that it fosters a culture of violence and early sexualization. But the society in which we live is the backdrop for our behaviour. Young people dont set out to become abusers. We need to teach our young men and women what healthy and loving relationships are, and that it is never OK to treat anyone with less than respect. The campaign to end domestic violence needs the voices of men as well as women, challenging the cultural, economic and political context in which we all experience the world. e will all benefit from building a society which will simply not tolerate this heinous crime any longer.  To aid her message, Camilla revealed she was launching a new social media hashtag #everyonesproblem She revealed: On this tenth anniversary, as WOWs proud President, its a huge pleasure to be here today. But Im also here as a woman in her seventies, who, as a somewhat ancient technophobe, is not always familiar with some of the jargon younger people use today, but I do know about hashtags! And now I am using my very first one: #everyonesproblem Domestic abuse is everyones problem and the solution must be too.  Advertisement

It affects everybody. It doesnt matter who you are. That would be my message to people: whoever you are, wherever you are from, there are organisations that can help you. Go and get help. Talk to them, just get up and talk about your experiences. They will help.

I have known people I suspected it was happening to but they wouldnt talk about it. People didnt talk about it then. People feel guilty, they feel ashamed, they think it must be their fault. And I think you have got to convince people that its not their fault.

She also referred to someone she knows well who confided in her about their own problems.

She said: Somebody I know well, whose daughter was married and living in a foreign country. I said to her one day Youre not looking quite right, whats wrong?

The WOW Foundation launched in 2011, and is an independent organisation working towards the advancement of women's rights. Camilla, the Patron, is pictured here with Gina Miller (left) and Cressida Dick (right)

She said I have this terrible problem with my daughter. I cant believe it as I have never experienced anything like this before. Shes got this strange husband who is exercising coercive control which is undermining her confidence, getting rid of her friends, alienating her family. I just dont know what to do about it.

The fact I knew a little bit about it meant I was able to put her in touch with people who could help.

At least two women are killed each week in the UK by current or former partners and more than two million report domestic abuse each year  a figure many experts believe is only the tip of the iceberg.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, who was at todays event, praised the duchess for speaking out on such a difficult issue. She said: Its incredibly important that we have the interest the duchess shows. She has a really deep understanding of the issue and clearly cares.

The royal coordinated the look adding black boot and clutch bag as she beamed to the cameras at the event

Domestic violence isnt always the most fashionable subject to talk about and it can be very difficult to get organisation onboard to support . Issues where women are morethe victims of crime than men domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, people feel uncomfortable. This is an issue that affects all areas of society.

We have come a long way. We are a lot more open now about talking about it. But people still find it hard to talk about it. They are concerned about the affect on their family, on their children, if they do something about it. Many people will put up with huge amounts of abuse before they will reach out for help. Sometimes people still love the person they are with even though they are abusing them. Its very, very complicated.

Ive been a police officer now for many years and I cannot tell you how much things have changed in terms of approach in terms of the law. But its still a big part of our work, unfortunately. It can still be hard to investigate. It might be fairly obvious who has done it but actually proving, for example, coercive control can still be difficult, particularly with victims who need help but dont particularly want to go through the criminal justice system.

'I am proud of the service that we do provide and the officers are incredibly passionate about this issue. But the thing is that it is a problem for society. Well done her Royal Highness, is all I can say.

Susannah Jacobs, chief executive of Safe Lives, said the impact of the duchesss interview with the Daily Mail had been extraordinary. she said: We have had people from absolutely everywhere, particularly survivors, literally all the corners of the globe, getting in touch to say how much it meant to them and how touched they were by the fact that she keeps raising this issue and the warmth she shows to survivors.

'They were also very moved by the candour she had in saying she knew people who have experienced the same. It speaks to women who maybe feel that they are not allowed to say this is happening to them.

But as she said, there is no front door behind which this is not happening. It meant a great deal to people for her to highlight that. It widens that space for conversation. It was just huge. 

Meanwhile, Cressida was in her full police uniform while Gina opted for a white suit and black heels

The WOW Foundation launched in 2011, and is an independent organisation working towards the advancement of women's rights.

Camilla has been patron of the festival since 2015 and often appears at the event, which usually coincides with International Women's Day.

The global festival celebrates women and girls, and looks at the obstacles that stop them from achieving their potential.

Also in attendance was Naomi Donald and Suzanne Jacob, who are both campaigners against domestic violence, Celia Peachey, an artist, as well as Sheila Gewolb, an activist, political campaigner Gina Miller, and Daniella Jenkins, WOW's executive director.

In the past years, big names including Annie Lennox, Charlotte Church, Cherie Blair and Edward Enninful have attended the festival.
Many international schools in Ho Chi Minh City have expressed the hope that their students will soon resume their education following a long break due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The municipal Department of Education and Training organized a meeting with representatives of local international schools on Thursday to listen to their options and wishes regarding the back-to-school date.

The education department will make suitable proposals and submit them to the municipal administration after listening to the school representatives.

According to Roderick Crouch, executive principal of the Australian International School (AIS), the school board fully supports the Vietnamese governments decisions regarding the school break to prevent infections.

However, he said, the biggest concern for AIS is that its students are expected to take their International Baccalaureate (IB) test in May.

It is going to be a problem if the school break continues, Crouch said, as the test cannot be rescheduled.

The school has been assisting students by providing online lessons, but it would be best if they could return to school, Crouch elaborated.

The executive principal stated that the school is planning to open afterschool classes when the students return to ensure they are properly prepared for the upcoming test.

All students and staff members of the school will have their body temperature monitored when school resumes, he said, adding that those who are sick will not be allowed to enter campus.

The entrance of the Canadian International School in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhu Hung / Tuoi Tre

A similar issue is faced by ABC International School, as students will have to take A-Level and IGCSE exams from late April until early June.

H.T.N., a resident in District 3, whose son is studying 12th grade at the AIS, is also concerned about the performance of her child in the coming IB test.

The exam will take place over the course of three weeks and test students on many subjects including foreign languages, science, math, and arts, N. stated.

It is going to be an intense exam. My son has studied hard for the past 12 years and I hope he will do well during the test to be able to enroll in a good university, she remarked.

COVID-19 has killed 3,388 people and infected over 98,500 around the world since it first hit the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese.

All of them have fully recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

An extended school break has taken place across the country since the Lunar New Year holiday, which was in late January.

Authorities in Ho Chi City have decided to resume education for 12th graders from March 9.

Kindergarteners, first- to 11th-grade students, and those enrolled in computer, language, tutoring and life skills education centers will not return to school until after March 15.

The back-to-school date for students at international schools in the city remained unclear as of Friday afternoon.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A 67-year-old woman, who turned down an 18,000 Injuries Board assessment for injuries she suffered in a fall, walked from court Friday with nothing other than a legal costs bill against her of potentially 30,000.

Alice Jordans 60,000 damages claim against her employer, Trinity College, Dublin, was delayed for almost an hour in the Circuit Civil Court while checks were carried out on the availability of a witness on behalf of TCD where there is a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Barrister Mark OConnell told Judge Kathryn Hutton there was a question about the attendance of witness Christine Monaghan due to the coronavirus outbreak but later confirmed she not affected by the outbreak and was available without issue as she worked on a different floor from where a virus victim had been identified.

After the case was about half way through the hearing of evidence Judge Hutton said she had discovered the Injuries Board assessment among court documents and, as a result, would have to withdraw from the case and have it heard before another judge.

Judge Jacqueline Linnane in another court had to re-hear all of the evidence, absent the Injuries Board assessment document, and on completion threw out Jordans claim.

Jordan, of Belclare Grove, Poppintree, Co Dublin, told Judge Linnane she had been working with Trinity for 36 years and on 14 December 2016 had accompanied Ms Monaghan to inspect the suitability of the colleges Knowledge Exchange Room for the holding of a Christmas Party.

On the way out of the room a loop in the lace of one of the trainers she was wearing had snagged on the leg of a chair, one of a stack of chairs near the exit from the room. She had fallen injuring her right arm, knee and lower back and alleged the stack of chairs was a trip hazard.

Mr OConnell, who appeared with Hayes McGrath Solicitors for the college, at one stage of the proceedings invited the court to dismiss Jordans claim on the basis she had failed to prove negligence against Trinity.

Judge Linnane heard all of the evidence for and against the personal injuries claimant before deciding to dismiss the case with an order for costs against Ms Jordan.

I dont see how this incident could have taken place in the manner described, Judge Linnane said. The most likely cause of her fall was tripping over her own shoe lace."
Karnataka chief minister (CM) B S Yediyurappa, who also holds the finance portfolio,wooed the two-most numerically powerful communities in the state, the Vokkaligas and the Lingayats, while presenting his seventh budget --- and the first since coming back to power last year -- for the state on Thursday.

The four-time CM appears to appease the Vokkaligas, who are traditionally Janata Dal (Secular) supporters and make up for 12-13% of Karnatakas population. He announced that a 100-feet high bronze statue of Nadprabhu (Lord of the realm) Kempegowda would be erected at the international airport in Bengaluru. The airport is also named after Kempegowda, who is considered as the founder of modern Bengaluru.

The CM declared that the government would provide an assistance of Rs 20 crore for a 325-feet high bronze statue of Sri Jagajyothi Basveshwara, to be constructed on the premises of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga. Basveshwara or Basvanna is the 12th century social reformer, who was also a philosopher, poet, statesman and a Lingayat saint. The budget also allotted ~500 crore for constructing anubhava Mantapa (hall of spiritual experience) at Basva Kalyana. Yediyurappa himself belongs to the Lingayat community, who account for about 20% of Karnatakas population and are known to be a support base for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Political analyst Manjunath put the allocations for statues for icons of these two communities in perspective. It is not just the Vokkaligas and the Lingayats. There are numerous schemes named after various saints and prominent personalities from other caste groupings such as cobbler, potter etc in the state. Even, Christians have been allocated ~200 crore. Only Muslims, understandably, got token hand-outs such upgrade of Urdu schools, despite a separate budget for minorities welfare. The CM has been careful to provide for all sections of the society, he said.

Earlier, Yediyurappa proposed to increase rate of tax on petrol from 32% to 35% and diesel from 21% to 24% in his bid to shore up resource mobilisation measures. Petrol and diesel will be dearer by ~1.60 and ~1.59 per litres, respectively, because of the hike in taxes. He has also raised excise duty on Indian-made liquor across 18 slabs by 6%. He estimated that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) would grow by 6.8% in the current fiscal against 7.8% in 2018-19, attributing the decline primarily to the slowdown in agricultural sector due to drought as well as the devastation caused by floods over the last couple of years.

The CM finds himself in a tough spot as he has to find new resources, defend the Centre for slashing the states share in the 15th Finance Commission and give a boost to agriculture and industry amid a prolonged economic slowdown.

Opposition parties criticised the budget. It is a continuation of the schemes, which were announced by our government. To make matters worse, Karnataka is not getting its due share from the Centre as admitted by the CM himself. This budget makes no one happy, said ex-CM and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy. Congress leader and ex-CM Siddaramiah said, This is a budget without direction. They have betrayed the voters. They have hiked the petrol and diesel prices and even tipplers havent been spared, he said.
A Canadian oil-services company said sorry after unfavorable responses over a sticker that showed their logo under a sexualized image featuring Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Doing its rounds on social media last week, the image shows a black-and-white drawing of a naked woman with her back turned. The two hands pulling on her braids are an apparent reference to the activist's signature hairstyle.

Alberta-based oilfield company X-Site Energy Services' image had reaped controversy after the image of the pornographic sticker emerged showing 17-year-old Thunberg being sexually assaulted.

X-Site Energy Services apologized with a Facebook post and the company was slammed by netizens.

With the company's logo superimposed on the sticker, it asked employees to use it on their hats. The sticker bears the name "Greta."

The company issued a statement, "We deeply regret the pain we may have caused. Explicit images and personal attacks on anyone are unacceptable."

On the official website, the statement read, "We recognize that it is not enough to apologize for the image associated with our company logo on the decals that circulated last week. This does not reflect the values of this company on our employees, and we deeply regret the pain we may have caused."

The management summons to full responsibility for a decal bearing its logo beneath the sexually suggestive cartoon.

Also Read: The Proteus Effect and How Sexualized Video Game Avatars May Influence Women's Views of the 'Rape Myth' (PHOTO)

The image gave rise to condemnations from Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, provincial cabinet ministers and members of the House of Commons.

Accepting full responsibility, the company said its management has made organizational changes.

Teen activist Thunberg has uplifted youth around the world by spearheading a movement since 2018 to demonstrate on Fridays intolerant of government efforts to combat climate change.



This shows that were winning. They are starting to get more and more desperate...This shows that were winning. https://t.co/NLOZL331X9  Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) February 29, 2020

Thunberg has been criticized for her uncompromising outlook.

The Swedish activist responded to the tweet about the sticker, calling it an act of desperation. She tweeted, "They are starting to get more and more desperate...This shows that we're winning."

An apology was released after the news became viral on social media and netizens started supporting Thunberg and condemning the company.

The company initially denied involvement in the sticker, Canadian media said.

Earlier, the sexualized sticker was reportedly brought to the notice of Ex-Site Energy Services manager, Doug Sparrow. He said that he is well aware of the picture trending, adding that Thunberg was not a child.

Sparrow then denied responsibility in an interview with Calgary radio station CFFR, "It's not from X-Site or any employee. Someone has done this. That's all I know."

According to the recent statement of the company, the company is now discussing a code of conduct with its employees.

It is planning to introduce policies and actions that support a respectful workplace culture. Every employee, from senior management to field contractors, were ordered to observe the code.

"Just as we are committed to helping reduce our industry's environmental footprint, we are committed to learn from and correct our mistake," the firm said.

Related Article: Female Movie Characters Over Sexualized And Lack Speaking Roles Across The Globe

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is dropping out of the Democratic presidential race after failing to win a single state on Super Tuesday, including her own, according to US media reports.

The 70-year-old progressive lawmaker is to meet her campaign staff to announce that she is suspending her bid for the party's presidential nomination, The New York Times, CNN and other US media outlets said.

Warren led some national polls last summer but she never managed to build a broad coalition to carry her through to success in the primaries, finishing behind fellow progressive Bernie Sanders and moderate Joe Biden in 14 states on Super Tuesday.

Warren's withdrawal makes the Democratic race effectively a two-man contest between Biden, the 77-year-old former vice president, and Sanders, the 78-year-old Vermont senator.

No intention to boost Biden or Sanders

Warren finished third in her home state of Massachusetts behind Biden and Sanders on Tuesday.

Her decision to drop out comes one day after that of billionaire former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who quit on Wednesday after a disappointing Super Tuesday performance and endorsed Biden.

According to the Times, Warren does not plan to make an endorsement when she announces that she is quitting the race.
Syria - Another Ceasefire In Idleb - Erdogan Loses On All Points By Moon Of Alabama March 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Our last post on Syria concluded: Erdogan wants Idleb but neither Syria nor Iran nor Russia will let him have it. President Putin will meet Erdogan during the coming days and will make sure that the point is understood. President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Vladimir Putin of Russia met today in Moscow. They had a 160 minute long talk under 4 eyes and another round with their relevant staff. The parties agreed on a new ceasefire in Idleb governorate. Idleb governorate Mar 5 2020



bigger The so far published agreed points are: 1- Cease all military actions along the line of contact in the Idlib de-escalation area starting 00:01 on March 6, 2020 2- A security corridor will be established 6 km deep to the north and the south from highway M4, Specific parameters of the functioning of the security corridor will be agreed between the Defense Ministries of the Turkish Republic and the Russian Federation within 7 days. 3- On March 15, 2020 joint Turkish-Russian patrolling will begin along highway M4 from the settlement oo Trumba (2 km to the west of Saraqib) to the settlement of Ain-Al-Hayr. Here are part one and two of the memo. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter (I believe that Ain-Al-Hayr is also transliterated as Ain al Hawr which is on the very western end of the M4 segment that is still under Jihadi control). The aim of the current Syrian army operation is thereby largely fulfilled. The M4 and the M5 highways will be free of Jihadis and open to traffic. This ceasefire is unlikely to hold over a longer period. But it brings a useful pause for the Syrian army that will allow it to recover a bit and to take care of its men and equipment. This for now also ends the Turkish thread to attack the Syrian army and to reconquer all areas it had liberated over the last months. Erdogan, who had made many demands, saw none of them fulfilled. The agreement will cost him political points within his party. Added:

bigger " Source " Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here
Baaghi 3

Cast: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh

Director: Ahmed Khan

Ahmed Khan is back with Baaghi 3, an action drama with two brothers Ronnie (Tiger Shroff) and Vikram (Riteish Deshmukh) in the mix. As it turns out, Ronnie, the younger one is a tough guy while the elder brother Vikram, a bit of a wimpy kid. Fittingly they are sons to an upright cop (Jackie Shroff), who dies while in action in the line of duty. No surprise then that Ronnie is the one entrusted with the task of looking after Vikram by their father. In a clever twist, the Vikram joins the police force with a little help from his brother Ronnie. Their escapades together of mostly roughing up the baddies gets Vikram the honours for a while but eventually lands him in hot water.

Baaghi 3 is an adaptation of Tamil film Vettai starring R. Madhavan and Arya. The story is a hark back to old- fashioned style Hindi cinema, but Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala pack it with twists that attempt bringing a hint of freshness into the tried and tested format.

However, a foreign locale, bone-crunching scenes one after another, and piling up choppers instead of cars do not make an entertaining film. Farhad Samjis script lacks the balance of emotion and action required in an overarching formula that the film rests on. Outlandish feats that sometimes delight, do not come to the rescue in this one. That Ronnie is a one-man army who even in Syria--where he has never set foot before until he reaches there to rescue his brother-- can accomplish what America, Russia, and Israel have failed to do, feels over the top! After a point the one-sided antics of our hero beating an army of terrorists lead by their mastermind Abu Jalal (Jameel Khoury), prove tedious and tiring.

Tiger Shroff, as always is sincere and terrific when it comes to the action scenes, but now after a number of hits under his belt, he needs to raise the bar a few notches on the histrionics as well. Riteish Deshmukh lands the smaller part and clearly, one, which is vastly underwritten. Given his comic flair, giving Deshmukh a meatier role would have certainly made the film a lot more enjoyable. War, Tiger Shroffs most recent outing in which he teamed up with Hrithik Roshan is a good example of combining two actors effectively in an action story. Baaghi 3, despite its entertaining source material, fails to do that.

Sharddha Kapoor and Ankita Lokhande too have precious little to do besides playing cheerleaders and assistants to the men in question. Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma in the supporting cast suffer the same fate.

Director Ahmed Khan obviously has a talent for helming big actioners, but Baaghi 3 certainly does not qualify as his best. That being said, this is a film obviously aimed at the single screen audience and given Tiger Shroffs loyal following, it may just work the box-office numbers.

It's a pity that despite its gravity-defying stunts and impressive firepower, Baaghi 3, the third edition of a successful franchise ends not in a bang but a whimper.

Rating: 2/5

Follow @News18Movies for more
Wuhan, China, has been on lockdown for over 40 days amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Some areas in Wuhan are on complete lockdown, whereas in other areas, every few days, a few are allowed out for a short time to buy necessities.

Many residents can only get food delivered to their home because of the lockdown.
The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for exit, storage and fire hazards at a store in Boston, Mass. The national discount retailer faces $523,745 in penalties.

Responding to a complaint, OSHA inspectors found store employees exposed to fire hazards from obstructed exit routes, the risk of struck-by hazards caused by unstable stacks of merchandise and over-stocked materials, and electrical hazards from blocked working space around electrical panels.

OSHA cited the retailer for two willful and three repeat violations. The agency has cited Dollar Tree multiple times for similar hazards at stores around the nation, including recently in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and Falmouth, Mass.

OSHA continues to receive complaints about unsafe working conditions at Dollar Tree stores across the nation, said Loren Sweatt, principal deputy assistant secretary for Occupational Safety and Health. Workers should not be subjected to the same hazards previously identified and cited. This employer is required to follow the law and comply with regulations that protect workers from injuries and fatalities.

Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Topics Workers' Compensation Massachusetts
A man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee must remain in custody, a High Court judge has ruled.

Mrs Justice Keegan backed a prosecution appeal against a magistrate's decision to grant bail to Paul McIntyre over his alleged role in the killing amid rioting in Derry last year at a hearing on Friday.

She held that the risk of potential re-offending was enough to warrant keeping the 52-year-old in prison.

The judge said: "I have concluded that the factors outlined by the prosecution are relevant, sufficient and plausible reasons to outweigh the other factors and justify detention."

Ms McKee, 29, was shot as she observed street disorder in the city's Creggan area on April 18.

Police had come under attack by stones, petrol bombs and other missiles, while vehicles were also hijacked during the unrest said to have been orchestrated by members of the New IRA.

McIntrye, with an address at Kinnego Park in Derry, was initially charged with rioting, petrol bomb offences, and the arson of a tipper truck.

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But last month he was further charged with the journalist's murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and belonging to a proscribed organisation.

According to the prosecution he escorted the gunman to the scene of the shooting and picked up his bullet casings.

A Crown lawyer claimed McIntyre can be identified by clothing on mobile phone and television footage on the night Ms McKee was killed.

Two police officers were said to have recognised him as a masked figure at the rioting by his height, build and gait.

A forensic report prepared as part of the case also made 17 points of reference to clothes he was allegedly wearing.

In a further development, the court heard McIntyre was challenged about dissident republican political party Saoradh the day after Ms McKee's death.

It was claimed that he told an ex-partner: "It wasn't me, it was one of member's sons."

But defence counsel insisted the case against McIntrye was speculatively centred on 15 seconds of footage and failed to link him to any role in the killing.

He contended that no prima facie case has been established on the charge of murder, adding that McIntyre had already secured High Court bail on the other alleged offences.

In her ruling, Mrs Justice Keegan described graffiti which appeared in the Creggan warning that police informers will be killed as "contemptible".

However, her decision to deny bail centred on the potential for further offences.

No conditions were deemed sufficient to deal with the risk, "particularly given these matters and the issue of the threat to the State and the public at large".

Allowing the prosecution appeal, the judge concluded: "These charges have clearly changed the complexion of the case from the previously determined application before the High Court."
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber chief executive Louise Bennett. Photo submitted

THE change of chancellor and the outbreak of coronavirus should not alter the overall aims of the Budget, according to business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Sajid Javid's replacement Rishi Sunak will deliver the Budget on Wednesday, 11th March after less than a month in office  and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce wants its main focus to be stimulating economic growth.

Chief executive Louise Bennett said much had changed since the Budget date was announced at the start of the year.

But, she added, what businesses across the patch needed from the new government's budget had not altered despite the unexpected change in personnel after a row over special advisers.

She said: At the turn of the year, we were looking ahead to the official exit from the EU which would then allow the Chancellor and the Government to focus on moving the UK economy forward.

Since then, Sajid Javid has been replaced by Rishi Sunak as Chancellor and there has been a global focus on the outbreak of coronavirus.

Naturally, I would expect the chancellor to talk about virus and the potential economic impact as well as possible steps the Government will be taking.

However, from the point of view of business and what companies across Coventry and Warwickshire want to see from the Budget, its very much about kick-starting economic growth.

Businesses have faced years of uncertainty and now is the time to give them real confidence to invest and grow.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber backs British Chambers of Commerce calls for a moratorium on all business cost increases during the term of the current Parliament, aside from any evidence-based increases to the National Living Wage.

It also wants to see a root-and-branch review of the entire business rates system and a two-year extension to the 1 million Annual Investment Allowance.

The chamber has also called for an extension to support for customs intermediaries as well as a commitment to infrastructure projects that will be key to economic growth in the long term.

Further to that, the chamber wants a long-term energy strategy that can build towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In terms of people and skills the chamber wants to see an increase in the flexibility of the Apprenticeship Levy to see it evolve into a training levy that enables employers to draw down funding for all forms of accredited training.

It has also called for the Budget to reinstate the 1.5 billion of government funding that was withdrawn from the apprenticeship budget at the outset of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Turkey rebrands 80,000 terrorists to stop Syria's liberation of Idlib

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 5:09 PM

As tensions are escalating in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last militant bastion in a nine-year war, Turkey is attempting to hold its grip over the flashpoint region through tens of thousands of militants it supports.

Syria, whose large parts were once infested by the foreign-backed militancy and Takfiri terrorism, has managed to liberate almost all of its militant-held cities, towns and villages from the clutches of an array of militant outfits and Takfiri terrorist groups during the past few years.

However, large parts of the Idlib province are still under the grips of dozens of militant and Takfiri terrorist groups, most of which are those that chose the volatile region to hide and concentrate after suffering defeat against government troops elsewhere in the Arab country.

Being a neighbor of Syria to the north, Turkey has for the past years expressed its strong opposition to the legitimate government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and launched a cross-border offensive into the Arab country's northwest, mostly Idlib and portions of neighboring Aleppo province, under the pretext of clearing a narrow border area, known as the so-called safe zone, from the presence of "anti-Ankara" Kurdish militants.

Syria and Russia, Syria's close ally in fighting against militants and terrorists, have condemned Turkey's cross-border offensive. Back in 2018, Moscow and Ankara reached an Iran-brokered deal, known as the Sochi agreement, to set up a de-militarization zone mainly situated in northern Idlib.

However, Turkey is supporting several armed militants, who have been launching attacks on army and civilian targets from the buffer zone, prompting Damascus to launch an ongoing full-scale offensive last year in a bid to flush out all militant and terrorist groups.

Press TV has just obtained credible information from sources on the ground that the Turkish government is generously offering various kinds of support to roughly 80,000 armed militants in their battles against Syrian government forces and allied fighters from popular defense groups.

The sources, requesting not to be named, said some 38,500 militants are operating under the banner of the so-called National Front for Liberation, which is composed of 15 factions, including the Sham Legion and Ahrar al-Sham outfits.

These militants are scattered in the northern countryside of the provinces of Hama and Latakia as well as the western, northern and southern countryside of Aleppo, and the eastern, northern and southern countryside of Idlib.

Furthermore, the al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is the dominant militant group in the province, is also among the militant groups backed by Ankara. It was formerly known as al-Nusra Front and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. Led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, it consists of 18,000 militants, according to the data.

Ankara has reportedly provided the HTS with heavy weapons and that the CIA has facilitated the provision.

Turkey also supports the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA), whose 22,000 militants are present in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo. The group is commanded by Haitham al-Ofeisi.

Back in early October last year, the so-called National Front for Liberation joined the FSA and their merger was announced at a press conference in the southern Turkish city of Sanliurfa at the time.

The Turkish government calls all these militant groups the so-called armed opposition groups and distinguishes them with Takfiri terrorist groups like Daesh and the like. However, rebranding these militant groups does not alter their terrorist nature and their use of ordinary people as human shields against advancing army forces.

Furthermore, Ankara has even rebranded HTS, a Takfiri terrorist group, as a so-called armed opposition group.

The Turkish government not only continues to support these militant groups but has also boosted its military presence in Syria's northwest recently to stop Syrian army troops, who have come under Turkey's artillery and rocket fire and airstrikes.

The Turkish military, with support from the FSA, launched two cross-border operations in northern Syria, namely "Euphrates Shield" in August 2016 and "Olive Branch" in January 2018 with the declared aim of eradicating the presence of Kurdish militants and Daesh terrorists near Turkey's borders.

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Its pretty much an axiom among history teachers: Dont put your thumb on the scale when discussing political current events with K-12 students. Make sure all students feel safe voicing their opinions. Give students a range of perspectives and allow them to analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

But a new study shows that these best practices are easier said than doneespecially when it comes to selecting high-quality sources of news for students to engage with.

Secondary social studies teachers differ in which specific news sources they tend to find credibleand even how they define the concept of news credibility, according to the study, recently published in the journal Educational Researcher. And theres evidence that both of those things are in part shaped by the teachers own political views, the study concludes.

Teachers say, I want to be neutral. I dont want to indoctrinate my students. I want to present even and fair arguments. Thats admirable to some extent, but ... even if you try, its hardreally hardto be completely and objectively neutral in how you look at sources, said Christopher H. Clark, an assistant professor of history at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., and one of the co-authors on the study.

Teachers identifying as the most liberal, for example, gave high marks for credibility to NPR and the BBC, but eschewed Fox News, while highly conservative teachers favored Fox News and were very doubtful about CNN.

To an extent, these findings shouldnt be a surprise. Teachers, like everyone else, are human. They have thoughts and opinions about current events and politics, and about the news sources they consume. (So please, my illustrious Colleagues Who Cover Education, no shrieking headlines about how biased teachers are!)

But the findings do add a new wrinkle to the topic of media literacy and how these perceptions filter down to the classroom. Potentially, two teachers in the same school could be offering conflicting examples in their classrooms of what a credible news source looks like.

This is kind of uncharted territory for social studies teachers. In the last three to four years, even the idea of bringing in a New York Times article might be seen as an ideological signal, noted Mardi Schmeichel, an associate professor in the department of educational theory and practice at the University of Georgia, Athens. Its just made the job of social studies teachers even more difficult.

Static vs. Dynamic Credibility

The study, by Clark, Schmeichel, and H. James Garrett, also of the University of Georgia, is based on a survey of more than 1,000 secondary social-studies teachers. (The researchers sent the survey to more than 60,000 such teachers across six politically diverse states: Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Texas.)

The final sample isnt nationally representativeit contains fewer teachers of color than the national pool, for instancebut it does reflect a wide range of teacher political identities.

See also: What Are Educators Political Beliefs? Education Week Surveyed Them to Find Out

Each teacher was asked to rate themselves on a 1-to-7 scale, with 1 being very conservative and 7 being very liberal. Then they were asked to rate a collection of news sources on a 0-to-3 scale, with zero being not credible and 3 being very credible. When the researchers parsed this data they found clear patterns in how teachers perceived various news outlets.



Fox News had the largest gap in how credible it was perceived, with more than a point separating average liberal and conservative responses. Right behind it was The New York Times, followed by CNN.

Like Americans in general, conservative teachers distrusted the credibility of most news services, while liberals tended to find most sources at least somewhat credible. Notably, liberal teachers also found MSNBC less credible than all other sources except Fox Newsthe inverse was not true for conservatives.

What, you ask, were the sources that both liberal and conservative sides gave higher credibility marks? That would be The Wall Street Journal, followed by the BBC.

Second, the researchers found that teachers held differing ideas about definition of a credible news source. About two-thirds of respondents said that it had to do with presenting just the facts, or giving all sides, or being neutral. This group tended to see credibility as a fixed, innate quality: Either a news source had it or it didnt.

A smaller number of teachers, about a third, identified credibility as dynamic, a function of journalistic process. That is, they noted the separation of news and opinion sections, the process of fact-checking, and the importance of reporters using first-hand accounts.

And when the researchers looked at the relationship between those definitions and teachers ideology, they found an interesting correlation: Those teachers who saw credibility as dynamic tended to rely less on their own politics to determine whether a news outlet was credible than those who saw it as fixed.

Implications for Social Studies Teaching

The findings suggest a few different things. First, teaching programs probably need to help teachers recognize that they come into their classrooms with particular ideological perspectives, and that they need to reflect on that as they design learning experiences.

And second, the notion of credibility as a function of news-gathering practices holds promise in countering knee-jerk ideas about which sources are trustworthy.

If introducing preservice teachers to the idea of journalism as a process is helpful in moderating the influence of ideology, clearly its something we can pick up right now in what were talking about in social studies teacher education, Schmeichel said.

And that goes for programs that are directly aimed at teaching students media-literacy skills, too. In fact, having students study what journalists do to verify facts and information, and training them to use those techniques, is an emerging practice in media literacy.

A project at the Stanford History Education Group, for example, has emphasized the importance of how professional fact checkers work.

Skilled consumers of information cross-check it against several different sources, rather than relying on superficial markers of quality, like flashy websites or the fact that the information came from a nonprofit, that organizaton has noted. And students trained in some of these techniques do improve in their ability to critically assess what they read.
IMF Chief: Coronavirus Crisis Dashes Hopes Of Strong Economic Growth In 2020

March 05, 2020

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the coronavirus outbreak has eliminated hopes of stronger economic growth in 2020 and will likely cap output gains to the lowest rate since the 2008-09 financial crisis.

Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, a Bulgarian economist, said on March 4 that the IMF now sees world growth to be below the 2.9 percent rate achieved in 2019, perhaps falling to the 0.7 percent level seen in 2009.

She told a news briefing that the IMF, considered the world's lender of last for resort for governments, will likely publish revised forecasts in the next few weeks.

"Global growth in 2020 will dip below last year's levels, but how far it will fall and how long the impact will be is still difficult to predict," Georgieva said.

The epidemic "is no longer a regional issue -- it is a global problem calling for a global response," Georgieva told reporters.

The Washington-based lender had previously forecast 3.3 percent growth for 2020.

Georgieva declined to say whether the crisis over the COVID-19 virus could push the world into a recession.

The IMF will make $50 billion in emergency funding available to help poor and middle-income countries with weak health systems respond to the epidemic, she said.

Georgieva added that some $10 billion of that can be accessed by the poorest countries at zero interest for up to 10 years.

The virus has forced the closure of factories, disrupted travel, infected nearly 95,000 people worldwide, and killed more than 3,200, mainly in China.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ georgieva-imf-coronavirus-hits- economic-growth/30469521.html

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

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KIRKLAND, Wash.  The hardest day of Debbie de los Angeless life had been the day she put her mother into a nursing home. That was before coronavirus.

As fatal infections spread through the Life Care Center in suburban Seattle, where her 85-year-old mother lived, Ms. de los Angeles had tried not to worry. Nurses were monitoring her mothers temperature. They reassured Ms. de los Angeles that her mother had no fever, cough or other signs of infection.

But at 4:15 a.m. on Tuesday, a nurse called with troubling news. Her mother, Twilla Morin, had developed a 104-degree fever. They were giving her Tylenol. Then the nurse confirmed her do-not-resuscitate orders.

We anticipate that she, too, has the coronavirus, a voicemail message from a nurse said. We do not anticipate her fighting this.
Elizabeth Warren admitted Thursday she went after Michael Bloomberg so hard on the debate stage to force him from the race.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow asked her if she was trying to force the former New York City mayor from the race with her attacks on the debate stage.

'Yes,' Warren bluntly answered.

Elizabeth Warren admitted Thursday she went after Michael Bloomberg so hard on the debate stage to force him from the race

In two different debates, Elizabeth went after Michael Bloomberg for not releasing women from NDAs they signed

The Massachusetts senator, in two different debates, went after Bloomberg for not releasing women from NDAs they signed in agreements with his company about their treatment while working there.

Bloomberg's fumbling responses to her withering attacks effectively ended his campaign.

Warren told MSNBC her goal was to keep him from wining the Democratic nomination.

'The point is he's not going to be the Democratic nominee and he shouldn't be the Democratic nominee. In my view, he was absolutely the riskiest candidate for Democrats on that stage. And let me tell you part of the reason why,' she said.

'The idea that a billionaire would just spend enough money to buy his way onto the stage and then not be able to be an effective candidate against Donald Trump, that was not -- not good for democracy, the billionaire buying his way on, and not good for Democrats, a guy who I think would have had the worst chance against Donald Trump,' she noted.

Warren, who exited the race on Thursday morning, again declined to endorse Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders, saying she needed more time.

'I had lot I needed to do today,' she said. 'So, Ill get up tomorrow morning and start thinking about that question.'

She got bristly when Maddow pressed her on which contender she was leaning toward. Her blessing to Biden could effectively end Sanders' campaign whereas her support of the Vermont senator could cement the left wing of the party in his corner.

'It's only been a day. Just give me a little space here,' Warren told Maddow.

She didn't rule out running for president again.

'I have not ruled it out. I just -- I think I heard my husband laughing over there,' she said.

Warren bowed out after failing to win any states in the Democratic primary process  even losing her home state of Massachusetts.
Janhvi Kapoor who turned 23rd today reminisces how her late mother Sridevi would make her feel special on birthday. The actress spoke to Mumbai Mirror during an interview and revealed she will be having a working birthday. Talking to the tabloid she revealed her mother would decorate her room and pamper her with love.

"They would decorate my room with balloons and make everything feel special, be it the conversations on the couch or the cake-cutting. Mom would make me feel pampered. Dad does it every day even now."

Talking about receiving gifts on her birthday, Janhvi said, she prefers spending time with her loved ones more than materialistic gifts. "A few years ago, some friends took me to Alibaug. There was lots of cake, while one friend recited a poem for me. It was the first time I was out of town for an entire day,"

Janhvi was highly praised for her performance in the Netflix Horror Anthology, Ghost Stories. She is currently gearing up for the release of her first biopic based on female air force pilot, Gunjan Saxena and will also be seen in Rajkummar Rao's horror-comedy flick, Roohi Afzana. The actress will soon start shooting for Karan Johar's directorial, ambitious historical drama Takht.

Janhvi Kapoor Shares Photos From Sridevi's Prayer Meet In Chennai, Says, 'Wish You Were Here'

Boney And Janhvi Kapoor To Mark Sridevi's Second Death Anniversary With A Puja
Rotherham said he began studying the problem 14 years ago. He realized standard teacher pensions were not designed for people who changed jobs and locations. An Urban Institute analysis showed that only after their 25th year of teaching would the lifetime value of an average teachers pension equal their total contributions including interest. If the teacher retired in 30 years, the big jump in value would come in only those last five years.
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya on Saturday (March 7, 2020) along with his family to mark the completion of 100 days of his government in power. Uddhavs wife Rashmi and son Aditya will accompany him during the Ayodhya visit.

This would be Thackerays first trip since he took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister last year. However, Thackeray won't be performing 'aarti' on the bank of Saryu River due to Coronavirus scare.

As per reports, Uddhav will arrive in Lucknow and then leave for Ayodhya from Lucknow Airport. In Ayodhya, the Shiv Sena chief will stay at the Panchsheel Hotel. Around 4.30 PM, he will hold 'darshan' of Ral Lala. He will return to Lucknow around 5.30 PM and then finally fly back to Mumbai around 8 PM.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had earlier confirmed that on the completion of 100 days of Maharashtra government, Thackeray will visit Ayodhya to pay homage to Ram Lalla.

Top Shiv Sena leaders have already arrived in Ayodhya and are actively monitoring the arrangements for Thackeray's visit.

Raut also met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on Thursday to discuss the arrangements.

A special train of 'Shiv Sainiks' has already reached the holy town ahead of Thackeray's visit. Other leaders from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress are also likely to accompany the Maharashtra Chief Minister in the visit.

Thackeray had visited Ayodhya following Shiv Sena's stellar performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. However, he had promised a visit to Ayodhya on November 24 after the NCP core committee resolved to form an alternative government in the state. The promised visit had been held off since then.

Following the political turmoil in the state, the Shiv Sena subsequently joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form a coalition government.

Thackeray was sworn in as the chief minister on November 28 last year.
As the number of coronavirus cases around the world continues to climb, the World Health Organization is warning of a potential shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE. In response, manufacturers such as Medicom are ramping up production globally. At Medicom's United Medical Enterprises production facility in Augusta, Georgia, 70 workers are now on shifts from 6 a.m. through midnight, making face masks and other single-use items for medical professionals including sterilization kits and bibs. When the coronavirus first hit, the company decided to increase capacity as demand began to rise, having produced essential PPE in past infectious disease outbreaks including SARS and Ebola.

Medicom manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia. Medicom is ramping up its production of earloop masks used by medical professionals at its locations worldwide. Christian Smith | CNBC

"When we saw in December and early January that something was happening in China, we started to look more closely," said Medicom COO Guillaume Laverdure, group president of the company's North American operations. "The action we typically take is to ramp up production right away by adding hours to the shifts, then by adding shifts, investing into equipment, securing retail supply, as well as hiring and recruiting and training in advance the people that will run the machines," Laverdure said. The Montreal-based company has six facilities in China, France and Taiwan in addition to Augusta, with some 1,100 employees manufacturing gloves, gowns, N-95 respirators and face masks for the medical community. As of right now, its U.S.-manufactured products are heading across North America, and much of the company's supply is sourced from the same region. But some parts are imported from China, and with demand so high, prices are increasing. The virus' impact on China has also impacted domestic supply of PPE more broadly, Laverdure said, as exports are now forbidden from Taiwan, China and France, where masks and supplies are being requisitioned by the government for local use.

Medicom manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia. Christian Smith | CNBC

"The supply from China, which was servicing probably 80% or 90% of the U.S. market, disappeared. So the demand in the U.S. may have increased, but the fact that the supply was restricted created a huge amplification on the U.S. production capacity. So we're looking at an order of magnitude between five and 10 times their relative demand," Laverdure says. "It's difficult to quantify  so we are limiting to what we can supply." The company says it will move to 24-hour production in the near future in Georgia, adding 30 employees in the next few months  a tall order in a tight labor market, as employment is at record highs in the state. "It's very challenging to find workers, and the ramp up is very steep. A training period needs to happen  these are technical products, so you need to be properly trained," he said.

Medicom manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia. Christian Smith | CNBC
The widening coronavirus crisis has now claimed overseas excursions, with Victorian schools ordered to cancel all international travel except to New Zealand and Canada.

The escalation of COVID-19 containment measures comes at the urging of Victoria's chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton on Friday and puts the state in line with NSW, which issued similar advice to schools earlier in the week.

Staff at CSL pharmaceutical laboratory in Parkville are busy making vaccines for the coming flu season, which is expected to be more severe because of COVID-19. Credit:Paul Jeffers

"The Department of Education and Training has followed the advice of Victorias chief health officer to inform schools that overseas school excursions should not proceed until further notice, except to New Zealand and Canada," a spokesman said.

This information was communicated immediately and directly to all schools as soon as possible in order to enable any necessary adjustments of plans to be made.
The number of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts has jumped to eight, while the tally of people under quarantine is currently 249, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Seven of the cases are presumptive, while one has been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The news comes as the threat of the respiratory infection grows globally. The outbreak, which started in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly across the world, particularly in Iran, Italy and South Korea. The World Health Organization confirmed in its most recent situation report more than 95,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 3,300 deaths internally as of Friday, March 6.

In the U.S., 164 people have been diagnosed with the disease across 19 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website. Eleven deaths have been reported.

Reported community spread of COVID-19 in parts of the United States raises the level of concern about the immediate threat, the CDCs website says. The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is very high, to the United States and globally.

A University of Massachusetts Boston student was the first person in the commonwealth to be diagnosed with the illness, named COVID-19. Since then, 719 have been quarantined, 470 of whom have completed monitoring and are no longer under quarantine, according to MDPHs website.

Three people who attended a meeting in Boston for a Cambridge biotech company, have tested positive for the virus, officials announced Thursday. Two women, one from Norfolk County and another from Middlesex County, were declared presumptive cases of COVID-19 as well.

Tennessees first confirmed coronavirus patient also had traveled between Boston and Nashville, according to the states public health agency.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said on Friday that there are three presumptive cases of the virus among Boston residents that trace back to the biotech company meeting, which took place at the Marriott Long Wharf.

The Walsh and Baker administrations held a joint press conference Friday, March 6, 2020, giving residents an update on the latest tally of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, Walsh said Friday. We want everyone to know that we are ready for a safe and effective response to the coronavirus.

Of the seven presumptive cases, five are employees of the biotech firm, Biogen, health officials said. Three live in Suffolk County, and two live in Norfolk County.

Altogether, four of the presumptive cases are based in Suffolk County, and three are in Norfolk County.

Those who are presumed to have the virus are being monitored by public health nurses through the states public health commission, health officials said.

Threat of the infection has raised concerns at multiple Massachusetts schools as well.

Multiple Springfield Public Schools staffers were quarantined after recently traveling to Italy. Plymouth Public Schools canceled classes Friday to clean district school buildings and buses over fears of the coronavirus, and Wellesleys school district dismissed students early following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Although the risk of the novel coronavirus to Massachusetts residents remains low, and the risk of the flu is high, people are advised to take many of the same steps they do to help prevent colds and the flu, MDPH said in a statement.

Related Content:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad



Sangma on Friday said isolation wards would be set up in 13 hospitals across the state as a precautionary measure for coronavirus.

Health Minister, A L Hek said that not a single case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the state till date.

Sixty-one students who returned from China were kept under observation for 28 days in the state as a precautionary measure.

"After 28 days, 54 of them have come out without any symptoms. The remaining seven students are being monitored and the 28 days of observing them will also complete soon," the CM said.

The chief minister said 13 hospitals across the state have been asked to prepare isolation wards in case there's an outbreak of the virus infection.

The chief minister told journalists that more precautionary steps are being taken by the state government while monitoring the situation.

He said that private hospitals have also been asked to take necessary steps.

"We are taking all measures to prevent the spread of this virus. Masks would be also distributed as a preventive measure," Hek said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said that trade fairs and big events attracting people in large number would not go ahead.

He said that trade fairs would also not ahead based on advisory as there are materials from foreign countries in such fairs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian and Turkish Presidents Reach Cease-Fire Deal in Northwestern Syria

By VOA News March 05, 2020

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday agreed to a cease-fire in northwestern Syria, following talks in Moscow on easing tensions in the region.

The two leaders said the cease-fire would take effect at midnight local time in the area of Idlib, where a Syrian and Russian offensive has driven more than one million civilians toward the Turkish border over the past three months. Idlib is the last remaining rebel stronghold.in Syria."

I express hope that these agreements will serve as a good basis for a cessation of military activity in the Idlib de-escalation zone (and) stop the suffering of the peaceful population and the growing humanitarian crisis," Putin said.

Erdogan said they would "work together to supply aid for the Syrians in need" and said he reserved the right "to respond to all (Syrian) regime attacks in the field."

The offensive has triggered what may be the world's worst-ever humanitarian crisis, the United Nations has said.

Putin and Erdogan back opposing sides in the nine-year war, with Erdogan backing some Syrian rebel groups and Putin supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia and Turkey have previously reached multiple cease-fire agreements in Idlib but none has been successful.

The two leaders also agreed to secure a key highway in the Idlib area with joint patrols beginning next week.

The announcement comes days after Erdogan said he would open his borders to western Europe. Since then, migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border, leading to clashes with Greek police. Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million people from Syria.

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Linkedin Patrick Ziegenhain (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 7 2020

Just recently we witnessed a change of government in Malaysia. It did not happen through elections but because a relatively small group of parliament members crossed the floor from the government camp to the opposition camp so that the latter had a majority in the Dewan Rakyat, the national parliament of Malaysia.

At first view, this is not a tragedy but quite a common procedure in a parliamentary system where, in contrast to presidential systems of government like in Indonesia or the United States, the government relies on the constant support of a parliamentary majority.

In 2018, for example, the prime ministers of Spain and Sweden, Mariano Rajoy and Stefan Lofven, were removed from their positions after motions of no confidence were successful.

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Two crew members, seriously injured on board a Dutch super-trawler overnight, have been airlifted to hospital by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter.

The Zeeland, a 114m (374ft) - 6,000 tonne fish factory based in Scheveningen, had been operating about 170 nautical miles (315kms) west off Loop Head in Co Clare when the ships captain raised the alarm late last night.

Weather conditions in the area at the time prevented the Irish Coast Guard from dispatching a helicopter to meet the vessel. Winds reaching Storm Force 8 and high seas were reported in the area at the time.

The ships captain instead set course for the Irish coast to shorten the distance the helicopter would have to travel to rendezvous with it when conditions improved.

At around 7am, as the trawler was just approaching the mouth of the Shannon Estuary the crew of the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter were ready to take off and meet the vessel.

On reaching the scene, just south of Loop Head, Rescue 115s winchman/paramedic was lowered onto the vessels deck and quickly set about assessing the casualties.

Both were assessed and treated before being placed in stretchers and winched on board the helicopter.

Rescue 115 spent almost 90 minutes hovering on scene before both casualties were taken on board and the crew departed shortly after 9am to make their way to University Hospital Limerick.

About 20 minutes later, the helicopter was met at the landing pad at UHL by National Ambulance Service paramedics who transported the two crew members to the emergency department for treatment.

The helicopter crew returned to their base in Shannon shortly before 11am almost four hours after setting off on the mission.

The operation was mounted and managed by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guards marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry

The circumstances of the incident in which that two crew members were injured arent clear but they are said to have sustained serious injuries.
NEW DELHI  Sharjeel Imam was a little-known research scholar and a student activist until Indian police launched a manhunt across five states to nab him for a protest speech he gave calling for a month-long road blockade in the countys northeast.

Create debris on the railway tracks and roads, Imam told the crowd, exhorting them to cut off the northeastern state of Assam from the rest of the country.

Massive protests had broken out in Assam and elsewhere in India in December after a law was passed that fast-tracks naturalization for some religious minorities who immigrated illegally from some neighboring countries but excludes Muslims.

In the wake of Imams speech, some leaders of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party labeled him a secessionist. A lawmaker from Modis party said that people like him should be shot dead publicly.

In January, the 31-year-old was arrested and charged as an enemy of India under a British colonial-era sedition law. Modis government has increasingly brandished the law to silence critics, intellectuals, human rights activists, filmmakers, students and journalists, with police arguing that words or actions of dissent make them a threat to national security.

Official data reveal as many as 332 people were arrested under the sedition law between 2016 and 2018, though only seven were convicted, suggesting that police have struggled to gather evidence against the accused.

Nevertheless, Indias notoriously slow criminal justice system ensures that the movement and speech of the accused are severely hamstrung as long as cases remain pending. While charged, people cant obtain passports or government jobs, and must show up to court as required.

The real punishment is in the trial where a person has to spend days, sometimes even months, to try and prove innocence, said Chitranshul Sinha, an Indian lawyer who has written a book on the history of the sedition law. This is enough to harass or silence people.

The government began collecting data on the number of sedition cases only in 2015, but researchers and other experts say there has been an increase in its use under the Modi government.

Modis law minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said people have the right to criticize Modi, his party and the government, but the law was needed because there were forces in the country out to weaken India.

Government spokesman Kuldeep Dhatwalia declined to comment on accusations that the law is being used to target critics.

Sheikh Saaliq is an Associated Press writer.
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Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the presidential race on Thursday, had some tough words for Bernie Sanders regarding the behavior of his loyal supporters.

In her first interview since ending her bid, Warren said bullying and organized nastiness is a particular problem for those who support the Vermont senator, and she compared it to the politics of division that Donald Trump embraces.

I think its a real problem, she said of the way Sanders supporters treat folks who dont agree with them on every issue.

Its not who I want to be as a Democrat, Warren added. Its not who I want to be as an American. 

Video:

Elizabeth Warren calls out Sanders supporters for online bullying and organized nastiness in her first interview since exiting the presidential race. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/4xKMY0vYjI  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 6, 2020

Warren said:

I think its a real problem.  You know, I shouldnt speak for him. Its something he should speak for himself on, but I do think its something that we need to reckon with in our political discourse, in particular, because this is what politics is about is to get out and put your ideas out there. People choose sides. People vote. People say, Im holding a sign for her, Im holding a sign for him. That is part of what we do, but what underlies that is a fundamental human decency and respect for each other and understanding that nobody tries to put somebodys family at risk or somebody personally at risk because they disagree with you on the politics of it, because they see the policy different, because they dont support your candidate and they support some other candidate. No. And if we follow that same kind of politics of division that Donald Trump follows, that notion of  he draws strength from tearing people apart, from demonizing people, from saying, oh, those are bad people and thats  thats kind of how they draw their strength. Its not who I want to be as a Democrat. Its not who I want to be as an American. And to the extent I have any power to control that, I do what I can and I call on others to do the same and I think we have to have some accountability around that.

Still no clues on which remaining candidate Warren will endorse

During her interview on Thursday night, Warren was careful not to give any clues on who she might endorse in the coming weeks.

She had kind words for both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, and there are valid arguments she could make to justify endorsing either one of the two front-runners.

But the passion she showed when denouncing the politics of division that both the Trump and Sanders campaign embrace is a sign that the Vermont senator still has more work to do to win her over.

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An Instagram model from Florida has been charged after allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend 15 times and killing him outside of his Hialeah home this week.

Karina Vanessa Corbalan, 23, was seen in news chopper video sitting on the curb on Monday, a short time after allegedly opening fire at 28-year-old Alejandro Sanchez, killing him.

Corbalan appeared in Miami-Dade County Court on Tuesday to face a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon.

Police responding to a 911 call on Monday arrived at an address in the 5600 block of West 21st Street in Hialeah to find Corbalan kneeling over Sanchez in the parking lot.

A black Mercedes car at the scene could be seen riddled with bullets.

Police on Monday arrested Karina Corablan, seen above sitting on the curb a short time after allegedly shooting and killing her ex-boyfriend in Hialeah, Florida

The woman allegedly fired 15 shots, with some of the rounds hitting this black Mercedes

Corbalan, 23 (left), an Instagram model, has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her ex-boyfriend, Alejandro Sanchez, 28 (pictured together, right)

Police responding to a 911 call on Monday arrived at an address in Hialeah, Florida, to find Corbalan kneeling over Sanchez's body

This screenshot shows the handgun believed to be the weapon used in Sanchez's killing

Corbalan's Instagram page, filled with provocative self-portraits like this one, has more than 9,200 followers

The victim's mother, Aymee Sanchez. was also at the scene. A neighbor told WSVN she overheard her yelling at Corbalan that she killed her son.

Xiomara Antunez told the station Corbalan initially did not realize Sanchez was fatally shot and was heard calling out to him, 'Wake up, wake up, Alex.'

Alejandro, known to his loved ones as 'Coco,' was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, Corbalan, wearing an anti-suicide vest, appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer and was ordered to be held without bond.

Courtesy of WSVN

Much of the content on Corbalan's page is dedicated to showcasing her toned physique and an array of skimpy outfits and swimsuits

Corbalan has been traveling the world and taking photos in exotic locales, including this image snapped in Costa Rica last August

During the bond hearing, the victim's sobbing mother was given a chance to speak.

'She took my sons life,' Amy Sanchez said, referring to Corbalan. 'She shot my son in cold blood. She deserves to pay for that.'

Police have not disclosed a possible motive, but neighbors said Corbalan and Sanchez had a troubled relationship and were no longer together at the time of the shooting.

It is said the two had been arguing before the woman allegedly opened fire, shooting Sanchez in the chest.

Aymee Sanchez wrote in the description of a GoFundMe campaign that Corbalan fired 15 shots at her son, five of which struck him.

'Alex was an amazing son, uncle, and brother who didnt deserve any of this,' his mother wrote. 'Alex was funny, charming, goofy and loved playing with his nieces and just being at home.'

Photos posted on Corbalan's Facebook page, last updated in 2016, show the couple happily posing up together.

Corbalan's popular Instagram page, boasting more than 9,000 followers, does not feature any photo of her ex-boyfriend.

Neighbors say Sanchez and Corbalan were no longer together at the time of the killing. The woman's Facebook page from 2016 shows the loved-up pair posing together

Corbalan, dressed in an anti-suicide vest, appeared in court on Tuesday and was ordered held without bond

Aymee Sanchez, Alejandro's mother, said through sobs that she wants to see Corbalan pay for what she did

Corbalan has a past criminal record that includes an arrest last year for battery on a law enforcement officer and for resisting an officer with violence

Instead, it includes a collection of images of the blonde influenecer in a variety of skimpy outfits vacationing in exotic locales around the globe, including Milan, Italy, Costa Rica and French Polynesia.

The last photo she shared, dated January 13, shows her taking a shower in a black bikini at Lapis Spa at Fontainbleau Miami Beach.

According to recent tweets, Corbalan was enrolled in a nursing school and wrote about her desire to excel at her chose profession.

Corbalan has a past criminal record that includes an arrest last year for battery on a law enforcement officer and for resisting an officer with violence, reported Local10. The case was closed in October after she completed a pre-trial diversion program.
The combined impact of the collapse of Flybe and fears over coronavirus are leading to cancellations of business meetings and events, it has emerged.

The administration of Flybe and loss of 14 routes into Belfast City Airport means some visitors from Britain have cancelled their attendance at events because no convenient travel alternative can be found.

And other business gatherings are being impacted by coronavirus as companies impose restrictions on their staff to prevent its potential spread.

This week fintech company Fintru cancelled an event at Riddel Hall to mark International Women's Day.

The company's website said: "Due to recent travel restrictions and in the interest of health and safety, Fintru has taken the decision to postpone the lecture series event.

"We are looking into holding this event at a later date."

Things have moved very quickly over the past week and we may start to see a challenge in confirming future conferences too, because customers want to see how the situation develops first Joanne Stuart, NI Tourism Alliance

Joanne Stuart of the NI Tourism Alliance (NITA) said we were "open and ready to welcome business", but that business depends on how willing delegates are to travel to Northern Ireland.

"Currently there is no government guidance with regards to cancelling events and it's a case by case basis that depends on delegates, who they are and where they are travelling from," she said.

"Things have moved very quickly over the past week and we may start to see a challenge in confirming future conferences too, because customers want to see how the situation develops first."

Ms Stuart said the NITA was in discussions with the Executive to make sure any lost links from airline Flybe's demise are replaced as soon as possible.

However, other events, including a conference yesterday of 500 women organised by the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland to celebrate International Women's Day, have gone ahead.

And a get-together of 120 people linked with global business travel organisation HelmsBriscoe is also going ahead at Hilton Belfast as planned this weekend.

However, the Institute of Fundraising in Belfast said it had cancelled a briefing in the city by its chief executive Peter Lewis due to the collapse of Flybe.

Meanwhile, a fresh announcement of replacement airlines on routes from Belfast City Airport following the demise of Flybe could come as early as next week.

Carriers including easyJet and Aer Lingus Regional are understood to be in the frame for some destinations and British Airways is seen as a likely contender to fill in the London City route.

BA had no comment to make, while easyJet said it was "still too early for us to evaluate any future opportunities".

Eastern Airways this week starts flights to Teesside International Airport from Belfast City Airport.

It also covers destinations previously served by Flybe, including Leeds Bradford, London City, Cardiff and Southampton.

However, it is regarded as a small airline which may not have the capacity to expand to fill further routes from Belfast City.

A spokesman did not return a request for comment about whether it might fill other routes.

Meanwhile, Guernsey-based airline Aurigny has announced it will take over two routes to Exeter and Birmingham from the island following Flybe's collapse.

Scottish airline Loganair has said it will take over Aberdeen and Inverness from Belfast and its chief executive has indicated it could also move to fly on the routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh at a later date.

Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast, which attracts business visitors to the city, said: "Air connectivity has been a key factor in Belfast's tourism renaissance, providing affordable access in to Northern Ireland from a range of regional and international destinations.

"Flybe's 14 routes provided a fifth of annual seat capacity into the region from our main market in Great Britain.

"With over 1.7m visitors annually, tourism generates over 395m each year for the city economy and supports 19,000 jobs, so it is imperative that industry and government work together to minimise the impact," he added.
Carrie Lam says Hong Kong can win battle against COVID-19

Global Times

Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/5 8:38:09

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said Wednesday that she is confident that Hong Kong can win the battle against the COVID-19.

Lam made the remarks when inspecting a residential building in Tsing Yi area where a couple of confirmed cases were reported last month.

The government evacuated dozens of households of the building in Cheung Hong Estate overnight in February after two dwellers there were diagnosed with the infection. Various government agencies made concerted efforts to transfer involved residents to quarantine centers, carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection, and repair the drainage system of the building.

Lam said the government has been closely monitoring the development of the situation and has responded comprehensively with decisive and appropriate measures since the outbreak of the disease.

She expressed gratitude to all the people involved for joining hands to enforce the relevant measures swiftly to safeguard public health and provide appropriate support to residents affected.

During the inspection, Lam also chatted with security and cleaning workers, saying that the government will offer them monthly allowances to help them fight the COVID-19.

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The Joint Lists success in the 2020 election was entirely unprecedented. The two Arab parties that competed in the April 2019 election (Hadash-Taal and Raam-Balad) won 10 seats, while the Joint List (composed of four essentially Arab parties: Hadash, Taal, Raam and Balad) won 13 seats in September 2019. Now the Joint List has 15 seats. Similarly, there was a noticeable rise in the percentage of eligible voters in Arab and Druze villages, who actually went out to vote. Their number increased from 49% in April to 59% in September to 65% now.

Two of the most prominent characteristics of this success are the desire, which many young Arabs have, to integrate into Israeli society, resulting in more Arabs voting, and a real increase in the number of Jews, who voted for the Joint List. According to the partys own data, some 20,000 Jews voted for it. This amounts to about half a seat.

In Tel Aviv-Jaffa, for instance, 8,446 people voted for the Joint List in September, while 11,410 voted for it now. This represents an increase of 35%. The political explanation for this is the merger of Meretz, Israels left-wing party, with the Labor and Gesher parties, which was done to ensure that none of the three parties fell below the electoral threshold. But this merger also meant that diplomatic issues like the peace process were barely raised at all in the Labor-Gesher-Meretz campaign, nor were attitudes toward Arab society. Furthermore, the merger pushed former Knesset member Issawi Freij, an Israeli Arab from the town of Kafr Kassem and one of the most prominent voices in Meretz, out of a realistic slot on the list. In an article he published March 4 in Haaretz, Freij claimed that the 15 seats won by the Joint List are evidence of the Jewish lefts failure to serve as a bridge to the Arab public.

Ilan Harel, 24, of Herzliya, tells Al-Monitor that he voted for Meretz in the past because its platform reflects his positions regarding peace and equality, but also because it could have had some impact on the government. He says now that Meretz has joined together with a center-left party with certain right-wing elements  referring to Orly Levy-Abekasis and Gesher  I could not come to terms with it. The Joint List represents the Arab public, but it also represents the ideological struggle for equality that every Democrat should support. There are times when it is difficult for me to listen to some of the things said by the leaders of the Joint List. I served in a combat unit in the [Israel Defense Forces]. Still, our positions about needing to end the occupation as part of a process to reach peace with the Palestinians and grant them their independence are completely identical.

Doron Harush, 30, of Tel Aviv tells Al-Monitor that she and some of her friends voted for the Joint List as an act of solidarity with a minority population under attack as it struggles for equality. She continues, It was a vote against the occupation and for equality, but also a vote for the partys leader, Ayman Odeh, who speaks to us. He is a living testament to a new kind of Arab leadership.

Odeh did, in fact, spend quite a bit of the Joint Lists campaign in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat HaSharon, and other towns and communities with a high percentage of Jewish voters on the left. A source in the Joint Lists campaign headquarters told Al-Monitor that he could not meet the high demand for parlor meetings among Jews, testifying to Odehs enormous popularity. It was this popularity that got him into Time Magazines "100 Next list for 2019. It had to do with him being a young, new face who speaks about integration (including political integration) along with equality. When I interviewed him for the Globes newspaper in April 2019, he told me that the Joint List was likely to support a left-wing coalition headed by the Blue and White party.

The move only began to take shape in the second round of elections in September 2019, when most Knesset members from the Joint List recommended Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form the next government. Only the three Knesset members from Balad, the most nationalist of the four parties that make up the Joint List, refused to recommend Gantz. Now, however, even Balad seems to be changing its mind. In an interview shortly before this election, on Feb. 27, Balad chairman Mtanes Shehadeh toned down his partys ideological position. He spoke of cultural and national autonomy as part of the Palestinian nationalist endeavor and described himself as an Israeli Palestinian. At one time, this kind of definition would never have been heard from Arab leaders in Israel, and certainly not from members of the Balad party.

One particularly prominent group among the new Arab voters is young people. Their desire to integrate into Israeli society and influence it can be seen in several studies and polls. Just before this election, in February, The Hebrew University released a study that predicted a sharp rise in the number of voters among Israels Arab citizens.

The studys chief researcher, Rana Abbas, told Al-Monitor, The study uncovered a change in attitude within Arab society over whether to participate in Israeli elections. An analysis of the data shows that among Arab society in general, and especially among the younger generation, there is a growing readiness to participate. That has to do with the fact that Arabs are starting to see themselves as a significant factor that can impact everything that happens in Israeli politics. The purpose of voting as they see it is to have some kind of influence on issues that are important to young people: violence and civil security in Arab society; housing, land and demolitions; the education system; the cost of living, poverty and unemployment; and the Nationality Law (on the Jewish character of the state of Israel), which affects Israeli Arabs directly. According to this study, the Palestinian issue and the occupation rank eighth, i.e., last, in the list of urgent issues. This seems to be sending a clear signal to the members of the Joint List: Deal with our issues, not the problems of the Palestinian Authority.

The findings of this study were reiterated to Al-Monitor by Umaya Abu Ras, a chemistry teacher, and Nidaa Haj-Yihya, an attorney. Both women are from the town of Taibeh, and both are socially active in the struggle over the status of women in Arab society. They both say that integration into Jewish society is important and that it begins with the economy. Leaving Arab towns and villages to work in Israeli society at large means earning a higher income and achieving greater economic and political power. That is a good reason for Arab women to leave their towns and villages to work, says Abu Ras. It empowers them and leads to political participation and integration with Israeli society at large, adds Haj-Yihya.

They note that the Nationality Law was a milestone for them. They consider it a statement by the government that it is trying to exclude non-Jews from civil life in Israel. After the law was passed, I heard my students asking, 'Then what are we? Just Muslims? What does the country think about us?' That was when I realized that the struggle over our own status is especially important to the next generation, says Abu Ras. Haj-Yihya notes the clause in the deal of the century that deals with the transfer of Arab towns and villages in Israel to Palestinian control. I saw lots of young people responding to that on social media, mostly with humor and jokes, she says. That indicates involvement and a desire to have some kind of influence.

We are Israelis, she says toward the end of our conversation, as if to remove any doubt. Everyone wants to be connected to successful people, not to failures. She adds that the intense integration of Israeli Arabs in many parts of Israeli society at large requires some kind of political expression too. That is why the Joint Lists achievement in winning 15 seats will be put to the test. Its translation into significant achievements for the Arab society depends mainly on the Blue and White party and its willingness to advance genuine cooperation with the Joint List, despite all the denigrating comments made by the partys leaders in the past. One example of these would be Benny Gantzs remark Feb. 11 that the Joint List will not be a part of the government I form. As far as Odeh is concerned, if Gantz wants the support of the Joint List, he will have to prove with actions, and not just with words, that he is prepared to advance the interests of the countrys Arab population.
Bank of Ireland has today announced a range of supports available to businesses impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19).

The supports include the provision of emergency working capital, payment flexibility on loan facilities and the provision of trade finance and foreign currency products to support sourcing products from new suppliers internationally. The Bank says it will also be making proactive contact with businesses that may be impacted by the virus.

Given the fast-moving nature of the ongoing issue, Bank of Ireland says it will prioritise loan decisions for impacted businesses, and will also review the supports required for all of its customers as the impact of the virus on both our business and personal customers is further understood over the coming weeks.

The bank has warned that the impact of coronavirus is being felt in many ways across different business sectors. This includes weaker trading as a result of a reduction in business and tourist travel, supply chain interruption due to the knock on impacts of a slowdown of production in China, and reduced orders from international customers as the global economy starts to deal with the impact of the virus.

Speaking this week, CEO Retail Ireland, Gavin Kelly said, "Bank of Ireland is committed to providing support to businesses across the island of Ireland. We will be making extra resources available during this period of uncertainty, and I would encourage any business owner with concerns on how to deal with the impact of the coronavirus to contact us. We will work with them to identify what supports they need, including options such as emergency working capital and payment flexibility."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
(Newser)  The market has been seesawing all week, but now things appear to be heading only downward. The Dow fell more than 700 points at the open on Friday, nearly 3%, and the benchmark S&P 500 fell a similar percentage. The move follows Thursday's plunge of nearly 1,000 points for the Dow. The selloff in stocks comes as investors flee to safer havens such as bonds, reports the Wall Street Journal. One sign of that: The 10-year Treasury yield sank to a historic low of below 0.7%, reports CNBC. Gold, up 0.3%, is on track to have its best week since 2008. (Read more stock market stories.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  Twenty five Filipinos from the quarantined ship in Japan, who have been brought to a hospital for treatment after showing symptoms of the highly contagious novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), have been cleared of the disease.

Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said in a briefing on Friday that 15 of the individuals have been discharged from Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in Pampanga.

They have also been transported back the the New Clark City in Tarlac to complete the quarantine period imposed on them. The rest of the evacuees who tested negative for the viral infection are still admitted in the medical facility, but they are already "asymptomatic" or showing no symptoms of a flu-like illness.

6 more evacuees being tested

Six more evacuees were referred for hospital care on Thursday after manifesting the red flag symptoms of the viral disease such as colds, fever and diarrhea, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergerie told CNN Philippines on Friday.

Their nose and throat swabs have already been tested to confirm if they have the COVID-19, Vergerie said, adding that the results may come out any time Friday.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health told reporters 15 other evacuees from virus-hit M/V Diamond Princess vessel, who showed flu-like symptoms have already been cleared of the infectious illness.

Health worker developed sore throat

There are over 459 people being strictly monitored at the quarantine site in New Clark City.

Of the number, 440 are crew members from the virus-hit Diamond Princess vessel in Japan, five were passengers, 13 were from the Philippines' repatriation team.

Meanwhile, a DOH data show there are still 41 patients under investigation as of Friday. These are those who exhibit flu-like symptoms, as well as those who have traveled to China or been in contact with confirmed cases. The number includes the 19 trainees who recently returned from South Korea, which has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases outside of mainland China with over 6,000 as of Friday.

Other suspected cases were reported in Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas and Soccsksargen.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country have gone up to five, with one fatality. Three of them were Chinese nationals from Wuhan  China's city that is at the epicenter of the outbreak. Two of them were Filipino men - a 48-year-old with travel history to Japan and a 62-year-old Filipino man with no known history of travel," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. The 62-year-old man is the first confirmed local case in the Philippines. One of his relatives is also being tested for the COVID-19 after manifesting common signs of the viral illness, Vergeire said.

There are nearly 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases globally with over 3,000 deaths, data from the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering show. The John Hopkins University map follows COVID-19 cases across the world.
A carefree Hillary Clinton dropped her veteran political persona and got a little tipsy when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to promote her new Hulu documentary series.

Cohen and Clinton covered a wide range of topics during the 30-minute guest slot, which was taped on Wednesday and aired Thursday night.

The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee spoke freely about her relationship with Bernie Sanders, offered the truth behind some of the wild rumors that have targeted her for decades, and even took a dig at Melania Trump.

But the best bit of the show came after Cohen brought out his beloved shotski and invited the Clinton to join him for a drink.

Cohen also welcomed Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley - a self-proclaimed 'Hillary super fan' - onto the stage to take the third position on the ski.

Clinton downed her shot with ease, only slightly puckering at the taste before cracking a big smile as the studio audience went wild.

Scroll down for video

A carefree Hillary Clinton celebrated the release of her new Hulu documentary by doing a shotski with Andy Cohen and Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley on What What Happens Live on Thursday night

Cohen, Clinton and Medley swiftly downed the shots as the studio audience cheered

Clinton briefly winced at the taste of the shot, squinting her eyes and puckering her lips

The 2016 presidential nominee let out a big laugh as Cohen exclaimed: 'That was amazing'

Viewers appeared equally entertained as clips of the stunt quickly spread across social media.

'Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton just did a shotski on #WWHL. I'm living,' one fan wrote.

Another fan called the sight 'historic'.

Medley also posted about the experience on her Instagram, writing: 'Tell me it wasn't a dream. Love you @hillaryclinton.'

The RHONY star also shared a pair of throwback photos of her and Clinton years ago.

Videos of Clinton doing the shotski quickly spread across on social media as fans went wild over the stunt

Medley also posted about the experience on her Instagram, writing: 'Tell me it wasn't a dream'

The RHONY star also shared a pair of throwback photos of her and Clinton years ago

Clinton spent the bulk of her time at the WWHL studio in the interview seat opposite Cohen, taking questions from the host and viewers calling in.

She struck a positive tone throughout but strayed slightly at one point when giving her thoughts on Melania's 'Be Best' anti-bullying campaign.

'I think she should look closer to home,' the former first lady quipped.

Asked by a caller whether she's been speaking to any of the current Democratic presidential candidates, Clinton said: 'I've been in touch with a number of them, I've not been in touch with a few of them - most notably Bernie Sanders.

'But with everybody else if they've reached out to me I've immediately responded.'

She added that she would 'absolutely' pick up the phone if Sanders called, saying: 'Politics should be the art of addition and multiplication not subtraction and division right and so if somebody reaches out I will always meet with that person.'

During her WWHL appearance Clinton took a shot at current first lady Melania Trump's 'Be Best' anti-bullying campaign, quipping: 'I think she should look closer to home'

Asked by a caller whether she's been speaking to any of the current Democratic presidential candidates, Clinton said: 'I've been in touch with a number of them, I've not been in touch with a few of them - most notably Bernie Sanders'

Clinton added that she would 'absolutely' pick up the phone if Sanders called. The pair are pictured at a rally in July 2016 after Clinton bested Sanders in the Democratic primary

She also reacted to Nancy Pelosi's speech-ripping stunt at the State of the Union last month, when the house speaker dramatically tore President Donald Trump's address in two.

'You know, I thought she was making a very strong point in demonstrating that so much of what he said was untethered from reality and just plain factually wrong,' Clinton said.

'And, you know, sometimes it is the only way to get attention because otherwise his speech, which was filled with so many errors, would have just been taken on face value.

'Because she physically did that, which then went viral across the internet, people said wait a minute, maybe we better take another look.

'I thought it was an interesting and effective gesture.'

During a rapid-fire trivia segment dubbed 'The Rumor Hill', Clinton dispelled rumors about her 'rocky relationship' with songstress Streisand, saying: 'We're good friends.'

Clinton called Nancy Pelosi's speech-ripping stunt during last month's State of the Union 'an interesting and effective gesture'

In the Watch What Happens Live After Show - posted online later - Clinton appeared to launch an attack on Donald Trump and his failure to release his tax returns.

She said: 'I hope [we see them] because there actually is a law that if the Congress asks to see them they're supposed to be delivered.

'I think he's hiding a bunch of things. I think he's hiding that he's not as wealthy as he claims to be. He has only not only not been charitable, but he now is prohibited from having a charitable foundation because he used it for personal and political reasons.

'I think that he has probably has a lot of funding from suspect sources that would be shown in his tax returns. I think it would just be a cornucopia of information about his claims to the contrary.'

She also added that she thought his impeachment by the House of Representatives was 'constitutional and legal'.

During a rapid-fire trivia segment dubbed 'The Rumor Hill', Clinton dispelled rumors about her 'rocky relationship' with songstress Barbra Streisand, saying: 'We're good friends.'

Hillary and Bill Clinton are pictured with Streisand at a gala in April 2013

Clinton's WWHL appearance taped the night before Hulu dropped her documentary 'Hillary'.

In the four-part series, which was viewed by DailyMail.com prior to its release, Clinton candidly recounts several sore subjects in her past, including the Monica Lewinsky incident that rocked her relationship with former President Bill Clinton and the email controversy that plagued her 2016 presidential run.

Bill Clinton is pictured in the documentary series 'Hillary', where he opened up about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

The documentary features extraordinary access to the Clintons' inner circle and examines Hillary's public life from her student days to losing the 2016 election to Donald Trump.

But the part about the Lewinsky affair - which the political couple rarely address in public - will likely be the most scrutinized.

Bill Clinton makes the claim that the fling he had with the ex-White House intern while he was still in office was one of the 'things I did to manage my anxieties'.

He reveals that at the time he met Lewinsky the pressure of the job made him feel like a boxer who had done 30 rounds and he looked at Lewinsky as 'something that will take your mind off it for a while'.

Recounting the issue from her side, Hillary Clinton reveals that in the aftermath the couple underwent 'painful' marriage counseling.

She tells the cameras: 'I was just devastated. I could not believe it. I was so personally just hurt and I can't believe this, I can't believe you lied.'

The documentary became available on Hulu on Friday.
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How to dominate Google rankings in 2020; Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions announced the release of expert marketing for businesses wanting to increase google rankings through content and mediaBEXLEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions, SEO and digital marketing agency in Sydney, announced the release of new affordable expert marketing solutions for small to medium sized businesses looking to improve their Google ranking and online presence.The Sydney online marketing specialist partners with local businesses across Sydney to boost their online visibility and appearance in organic search results. Ranking on the first page of Google is of utmost importance for Sydney businesses to improve conversions, visibility, customer trust and brand awareness.Clients looking to improve their web presence can get in touch with Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions at: https://www.sydneydigitalmarketingsolutions.com.au/contact Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions partners with hundreds of high authority multimedia networks, and creates professional articles promoting the services of the business. These campaigns also include blog posting, custom podcasts and videos. The huge mainstream exposure that results from a single campaign significantly improves online reputation, brand visibility and authority for any chosen service or company product.Having a great reputation online is crucial for any business in 2020 as customers research the company more than ever before they book a service or make a purchase online. 70% of the traffic goes to the top listings on Google so it is important to have a high ranking site.The agency takes great pride in achieving client satisfaction and only works with a select few businesses at any one time to ensure the success of the business. The services are tailored for Sydney businesses wishing to build and engage an audience of ideal customers who are ready to book a service or purchase a product without delay.The company is known for its excellent results, getting more leads for its clients and improving the online presence for Sydney local businesses. All services are based on an extensive preliminary consultation and fully optimised according to the needs and marketing goals of each client.Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions is also available for web design, reputation management, search engine optimisation and many other digital marketing solutions.Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.Contact Info:Name: Gillian SturevskiEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions Pty LtdAddress: 34 Verdun Street, Bexley, NSW 2207, AustraliaWebsite: https://www.sydneydigitalmarketingsolutions.com.au/ SOURCE: Sydney Digital Marketing Solutions Pty Ltd
Several BJP candidates who lost in the Delhi Assembly polls in February, in an internal assessment meeting on Friday discussed that the Dalit and Sikh communities did not support the party which was one of the reasons behind its massive defeat in the elections, sources said.

The meeting was attended by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, national vice president and incharge of Delhi unit Shyam Jaju and Delhi BJP general secretary(organisation) Siddharthan.

Union minister and incharge of Delhi for Assembly polls Prakash Javadekar also attended the meeting for some time, a senior Delhi BJP leader said.

"Over 50 candidates who lost the elections were present in the meeting. Many pointed out that they did not get the votes of Dalit and Sikh voters in their constituencies," he said.

The BJP had fielded 67 candidates in the elections that it fought in alliance with the JD(U) and LJP. Three seats were given to the alliance partners.

The party won just eight constituencies, suffering a massive defeat at the hands of the ruling AAP that came back to power winning 62 seats in the 70-member Assembly.

Some candidates also pointed out that delay in announcement of party tickets, late release of poll manifesto and role of party leaders who could not get tickets also went against their chances.

"A candidate had to fight on various fronts. Due to late announcement of tickets there was very little window available to reach out to the voters. Also, as the manifesto came late, there was confusion as to what to tell the people about the party's plans and programmes in the future," said one candidate.

The senior party leaders present in the meeting assured the candidates that their feedback will lead to an "actionable" report that will be submitted to the BJP high command, he said.

Delhi BJP has started a review to get feedback from its leaders, including municipal councilors, office bearers of frontal organisations, parliamentarians as well as candidates to ascertain reasons behind the party's "humiliating" electoral defeat.

Sources said the party will seek explanation from the candidates who were absent in the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Alliance News) - B&M European Value Retail SA on Friday said it will reward its shareholders with a special payout after it sold a subsidiary for GBP145.9 million.

B&M will pay a special dividend of 15.0 pence per share.

The retailer said it sold Bedford DC Investment Ltd - which owns a distribution centre in Bedford, UK - to German firm WestInvest Gesellschaft fur Investmentfonds mbH.

B&M shares closed 2.5% lower at 316.80p each in London on Friday.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
RIP Royer Pharmacy.

The 141-year-old Ephrata-based business is shutting the doors of its five Pennsylvania stores by March 18. The family-owned Royer Pharmacy was one of the oldest continuously operating independent pharmacies in the country. On March 3, it told employees that it had reached an agreement with CVS Pharmacy that will allow the larger chain to take over its pharmacy files, which will confidentially be given to a CVS thats close to the old Royer location. In addition to taking over the files, CVS Pharmacy will continue providing the services Royer was, including offering delivery.

Files from the Royer Pharmacy stores in Akron and Ephrata at 440 N. Reading Road in Ephrata will go to the CVS Pharmacy at 440 N. Reading Rd. in Ephrata. Files from Royer Pharmacy at 508 Hershey Ave. in Lancaster are going to the CVS Pharmacy at 1278 Millersville Pike in Lancaster; while files from Royer Pharmacy at 335 W. Main St. in Leola are going to the CVS Pharmacy at 2363 Oregon Pike in Lancaster. All files should be at their new locations by March 18.

As part of the deal, the staff at the Royer Pharmacy stores are being considered for positions with CVS Pharmacy.

CVS Pharmacy and Royer Pharmacy are working together to ensure that the transition will be seamless for patients and that their access to pharmacy care is not interrupted, a spokesperson said with CVS Health, the company that owns CVS Pharmacy.

Royer was founded in 1879. The end of the company is credited to the age of its current owners and decreasing reimbursement from insurance, Medicare and Medicaid plans, according to Lancaster Online.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
A teen is accused of peppering three Southeast Side houses with gunfire during a drive-by shooting Sunday night, according to court records.

Shayan Zendehdel Arjaghi, 18, was initially booked into jail Tuesday for unlawfully carrying a firearm and possession of marijuana. He had also been out on bond in connection with a previous arrest for unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession with intent to deliver in November 2019.

He was charged Thursday with three counts of deadly conduct with a firearm in connection with Sundays shooting.

On March 1, San Antonio police said Arjaghi drove through the 3500 block of Goliad Road and fired at three houses, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Residents in each home told police they were asleep until they were awakened by gunfire.

Police said one home had 12 gunshots to the backside, and a vehicle was shot three times.

Two children, ages 9 and 10, were inside the home when the shooting occurred. They were not injured, investigators said.

A woman in another house told police that she was asleep when she heard the barrage. Investigators said her home was hit twice, and that one of the bullets went into her living room where she was sleeping.

In the third home, a bullet went into a master bedroom, according to the affidavit.

During his arrest Tuesday, Arjaghi allegedly possessed a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Investigators said the shell casings from the gun were consistent with those found at the crime scene.

Before the additional charges were handed down, Arjaghi posted bonds totaling $103,500. He was still in jail Thursday on $175,000 worth of bail.

Jacob Beltran is a reporter covering San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA
AMSAT Academy to be held prior to Dayton Hamvention

Come join us the day before Hamvention, for AMSAT Academy  a unique opportunity to learn all about amateur radio in space and working FM, linear transponder, and digital satellites currently in orbit.

AMSAT Academy will be held Thursday, May 14, 2020, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse, located at 6619 Bellefontaine Rd, Dayton, Ohio.

The $85 registration fee includes:

 Full day of instruction, designed for both beginners and advanced

amateur radio satellite operators, and taught by some of the most

accomplished AMSAT operators.

 Digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, 2020 Edition ($15 value)

 One-Year, AMSAT Basic Membership ($44 value)  Pizza Buffet Lunch  Invitation to the Thursday night AMSAT get together at Ticket Pub and Eatery in Fairborn.

Registration closes May 8, 2020. No sign ups at the door. No refunds, no cancellations.

Registrations may be purchased on the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/product/2020-amsat-academy-registration/

Robert Bankston, KE4AL

Vice President - User Services

www.amsat.org/
NASA Rover Naming Contest

The winner of the NASA naming contest is Mather, a seventh-grader from Burke, Virginia. As part of the winning proposition, Mather will get a free trip to Cape Canaveral, Florida to watch the Perseverance rover lunch in July.

"There has never been exploration - never, never been making history - without perseverance," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate during the name-unveiling session. The word perseverance' is a strong word and the agency hopes to make progress with the new rover.

Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is @NASAPersevere!



Learn more about our latest Mars rover, its new name and get the details about the upcoming mission to explore the Red Planet during our live teleconference happening now: https://t.co/vMxa9le9Ti



Questions? #AskNASA pic.twitter.com/hAMWIIWWPp  NASA (@NASA) March 5, 2020

All of NASA's previous Mars rovers were named via a nationwide student competition. The competition to name the Mars 2020 rover was kickstarted in 2019 and gathered nearly 28,000 essay submissions from K-12 students, NASA officials said. Out of this, the official brought it down to 155 semifinalists, which was further cut shorted to nine finalists.

The nine finalists included names like Endurance, Tenacity, Clarity, Vision, and so on. Although the public did vote for their favorite name, the final call was taken by Zurbuchen and the name Perseverance was selected.

Perseverance Rovers Mission

The current schedule will have the Perseverance rover land on Mars in February 2021 with the prime agenda to search for signs of ancient life. The rover is designed to land inside Mars' Jezero Crater, which is the ideal location to search for life. The crater, which was once a lake and a river delta, has a high chance of bearing life billions of years ago.

It also has a ground-penetrating radar instrument to look for deposits of subsurface water ice for a future manned mission to Mars. It will also carry a small flying helicopter, 23 cameras, two microphones, and more.

Perseverance is equipped with a powerful seven-instrument suite to search for life. It is also geared with equipment to collect a cache several dozen samples of pristine, material from Mars for further studies, where scientists can continue digging up evidence of life. If all goes according to plan, the samples could reach Earth as early as 2031.
Both agencies, which rate the states credit one notch above junk status, take issue with the contributions required by state law because they are lower than what third-party actuaries say the payments should be. Because of that, S&P said it does not consider Pritzkers proposal to be balanced.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the CRS-19 Dragon cargo ship for the International Space Station at its Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launchpad in Florida in December 2019. SpaceX will launch the CRS-20 Dragon cargo flight on March 6, 2020.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  SpaceX will launch its 20th Dragon cargo mission for NASA tonight (March 6) and you can watch it all live online.

The private spaceflight company will use a veteran Falcon 9 rocket to launch the uncrewed cargo craft from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 11:50 p.m. EST (0450 GMT on Saturday). Tucked inside the Dragon is more than 4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg) of supplies bound for the International Space Station.

You can watch the launch live here on Space.com , courtesy of SpaceX, beginning at about 11:35 p.m. EST (0435 GMT). You can also watch the launch directly from SpaceX here , or from NASA here . NASA's webcast will begin at 11:30 p.m. EST (0430 GMT).

Related: How SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule works (infographic)

The mission marks the final flight for SpaceX under its first commercial resupply services contract with NASA. The contract, which was signed in 2008, was valued at $1.6 billion and covered a series of Dragon flights delivering a minimum of 44,000 lbs. (20,000 kg) of cargo to the space station.

Todays flight will mark the final time this version of the Dragon spacecraft will fly; future resupply missions will feature SpaceX's upgraded Dragon 2 capsule. The first of those flights is expected to launch in October 2020.

The human-rated version of the Dragon 2 craft, also known as Crew Dragon, made its debut one year ago as it flew to the International Space Station as part of a demonstration mission ( called Demo-1 ) for upcoming crewed flights. In 2014, SpaceX and Boeing snagged a coveted launch contract collectively worth $6.8 billion to each build a spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to the space station and back.

Related: See the evolution of SpaceX's rockets in pictures

Both versions (crewed and uncrewed) of the upgraded Dragon will launch from Pad 39A, a switch from current launch procedures that utilized Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to send the cargo capsules into orbit.

According to company officials, the current version of Dragon can fly up to three times, whereas the upgraded version can fly as many as five times. SpaceX will also be changing up its recovery operations for future cargo missions, and scooping the Dragon out of the Atlantic. (Currently, Dragon splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.) The switch will allow for faster processing times.

Dragon 2 also comes with some different skills than its predecessor. Now, instead of berthing with the station via robotic arm, Dragon will be able to dock itself to the orbital outpost. As part of the Demo-1 mission last year, Dragon was tasked with proving it could autonomously dock and undock itself with the station.

Following that successful test, SpaceX demonstrated that the capsules built-in launch escape system performed as expected and could keep astronauts safe in the event of an emergency during flight.



That step, which took place earlier this year, was the last major hurdle the company needed to clear before it could launch people. The next flight of the Crew Dragon is expected to happen as early as May. Two astronauts  Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken  will fly to the space station as part of the Demo-2 mission. NASA is still trying to determine how long their stay might be.

Weather conditions are predicted to be 60% favorable for Friday night's launch attempt, according to the U.S. Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, which performs weather assessments for space launches. (Currently, the primary concern is strong liftoff winds.)

Clear skies are predicted around liftoff, which should provide onlookers with a clear view of the launch and the landing. For this launch, SpaceX is attempting to recover the first stage booster at its landing zone at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Visit Space.com tonight for complete coverage of SpaceX's Dragon CRS-20 launch to the International Space Station to deliver NASA cargo.

Follow Amy Thompson on Twitter @astrogingersnap . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

Trend:

Azerbaijan and the World Health Organization (WHO) are collaborating effectively on a long-term basis, Trend reports on March 6 referring to the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers.

As a contribution to the international efforts to prevent the risk of spreading coronavirus in the world, the Azerbaijani government has decided to render voluntary financial assistance in the amount of $5 million to the COVID-19 Fund within the WHO's Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, the statement said.

Azerbaijan appreciates WHOs efforts in combating coronavirus on a global scale, takes into account and applies WHOs recommendations in connection with this disease, the statement said. A delegation of WHOs experts will arrive in Azerbaijan on March 8, 2020.

Azerbaijan remains one of the countries, least affected by the rapidly spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The country's official structures are applying necessary measures to prevent any possible exposure of coronavirus. Azerbaijan has also imported necessary medical equipment to carry out coronavirus tests.



Member of the Operational Headquarters created under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers in connection with coronavirus Yagut Garayeva said on March 5 that at least 500 people have been quarantined in the country.



Until now, no deaths from the disease have been recorded in the country.



Azerbaijan's official structures have also set up quarantine centers in the country's districts, which would allow to react faster to the possible outbreak due to joint borders. Azerbaijan shares border with Iran, where coronavirus is currently spreading rapidly.
Philip Fong/Getty

Another cruise ship has confirmed cases of coronavirus and will be held off the coast of California until tests are done.

The Grand Princess, a Princess Cruises liner, is moving towards San Francisco with 21 individuals on board with possible coronavirus symptoms.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Princess Cruises said a small cluster of cases were traced back to the ships previous trip in late February between San Francisco and Mexico, in which an elderly passenger became the first coronavirus fatality in California.

This comes after another Princess Cruises shipthe Diamond Princesswas docked and quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan as an increasing number of cases spawned from the boat.

The Grand Princess reportedly departed from San Francisco to Mexico from February 10-21, returned to San Francisco and left for Hawaii on February 21. Sixty-two passengers who went on the Mexico trip stayed on board for the Hawaii voyage, and one elderly passenger on the Mexico cruise reportedly became the Californias first coronavirus fatality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Health Department announced earlier Wednesday that they were in the process of evaluating the Grand Princess.

The ship was ordered to dock in San Francisco, but California Gov. Gavin Newsom delayed the ships landing due to the probe.

Of the ships 2,600 guest and 1,150 crew capacity, Newsom said 11 passengers and 10 crew members were potentially infected with the virus.

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said the ship had confirmed cases of the flu-like virus.

We at the very beginning of that, looking at the manifest to make sure we understand whos gotten off the cruise and where they got off the cruise and were really involved in that entire contact follow up, Redfield said.

Newsom says test coronavirus kits will be flown to the ship and samples will be sent to Californias public health lab in Richmond for testing.

Story continues

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Between poor weather conditions, health scares and the general uncertainty it brings. its amazing that the trade for all sectors of livestock is so good.

On the sheep front the trade is dictated by supply as scarcity of numbers again this week has meant a lift in prices for hoggets/lambs and cull ewes.

Hoggets peaked at 144 with the average for sheep in the 50 to 60 kilo category of 138 and cull ewes peaking at 145 per head.

This might be a good time for sheep farmers to support marts which have seen numbers fall dramatically.

If you have some hoggets or cull ewes for sale why not pop along to your local mart like Kilkenny where you will have your business complete and be on your way home in less than two hours.



On the cattle front trade once again is solid with quality Continental forward stores peaking at 2.70 per kilo in both the bullock and heifer ring.

Top quality Friesian bullocks are making up to 2.05 per kilo with AA and Hereford also in demand.

Last week numbers were reduced with only 780 on offer compared to the previous week where 1000 cattle were presented for sale.

The cull cow trade is still strong with a top call of 2.20 per kilo for continental cows resulting in a 100% clearance.

Dont forget if you have cattle for sale they should be entered before 4pm on the previous Wednesday.

Calf numbers are starting to build with over 600 on offer last Tuesday.

Small Friesian bulls were hard to sell due to the lack of boats operating because of the inclement weather.

Light Friesian bulls ranged from 10 to 30 with the better farmers types ranging from 70 to 120 per head.

AA and Hereford bulls saw prices range from 130 to 300 per head with their heifer counterparts from 70 to 250 per head.

Continental bulls and heifers are scare thus resulting in an excellent trade. Males are attracting prices of 160 to 390 per head with females in this category from 140 to 370 per head.

The calf sale starts at 10.30am Tuesdays with all calves to be entered before 4pm on Monday.

Until next week do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.
The steady flow of reports in the Spanish and foreign media regarding the supposed case of corruption involving former king Juan Carlos shows no sign of letting up, putting the Emeritus king who retired from public life in June 2019 in an uncomfortable position. The most recent article, published by the Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve this Wednesday, reveals that the current kings father received $100m in commissions in connection with the contract for the high-speed railway line that joins Medina and Mecca. The money, a "gift" from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, was paid into a checking account at the Mirabaud Swiss Bank in the name of the Lucum Foundation, a Panamanian foundation whose sole beneficiary is Juan Carlos.

Yves Bertossa, the Swiss prosecutor who is leading the investigation, suspects the money was paid as a commission for services rendered. According to the former Kings confidante, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, Juan Carlos I was paid the money following a last-minute, 30% discount in the cost of the high-speed train line. The German businesswoman spoke about the money in the recordings which were published in numerous Spanish newspapers in 2018. These also formed the basis of a series of investigations, firstly by the Spanish High Court, followed by the Swiss public ministry and subsequently the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The latter two are still on going, while Spains National Court dropped the case, having reached the conclusion that there was "no reasonable proof that a crime had been committed" and that, if anything untoward had occurred, it would have taken place when the king was "immune from prosecution".

According to the Swiss daily, the Spanish king withdrew sums of the Saudi money from the account in Geneva for several years up until 2012, when he gave part of what remained some $65m to Sayn-Wittgenstein [or Corinna as she is referred to in the Spanish media], who deposited the money in a subsidiary of another Swiss bank in the Bahamas. Her lawyers deny that the money constituted commission for services rendered. "In 2012 our client received an unsolicited sum from the King Emeritus, who regarded it as a kind of gift to her and her son, for whom he feels great affection". Meanwhile, the administrator of the former Spanish king's fortune maintains that the money paid to the Lucum Foundation was a gift to the king from King Abdullah, who died in January 2015.

The movements of these large sums of money between the various bank accounts are being investigated by the Swiss authorities as "suspected money laundering". As reported in El Confidencial this Monday, Swiss prosecutor Bertossa travelled to Spain last summer to interview judge Manuel Garcia-Castellon, who was presiding over the case of the recordings at the National Court. According to the online newspaper, his intention was to obtain access to Corinnas recordings where the businesswoman can be heard telling former police commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo that the King Emeritus used her as a front to hide illegal funds abroad. Garcia-Castellon referred Bertossa to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating the case of alleged commissions involving the high-speed train line in Saudi Arabia. So far the investigation has not been referred to a judge and the recordings have not been made available to the Swiss prosecutor.

Commissions for the sale of Banco Zaragozano

The recordings of Corinnas conversations could also be important in other court cases. According to journalist Quim Aranda, Juan Carlos reputation could also be tarnished as a result of the sale of Banco Zaragozano to Barclays Bank in 2003. Documents obtained by The Sunday Telegraph several days ago showed that Juan Carlos cousin, Alvaro de Orleans-Bourbon, pocketed 46m as an intermediary in the disastrous operation the British bank ended up leaving Spain in 2014 after losing some 4bn.

New information obtained by The Telegraph suggests that De Orleans-Bourbon, also under investigation by the Swiss prosecutor, set up an investment fund to handle the profits he received from serving as an intermediary between the shareholders of the two banks. Nevertheless, the National Securities Market Commissions (CNMV) website in which such proceedings ought to have been published, since Zaragozano was listed on the stock exchange shows no record of the operation.

And where does Juan Carlos fit into all this? As Corinna admits in the notorious recordings, the monarch also held bank accounts in Switzerland in the name of his cousin. Speaking in an interview with El Pais on Monday, Orleans-Bourbon sought to defend himself by declaring that he is "not a strawman for anyone and that he is "the sole owner" of all his assets. He went on to deny most of the information published in The Sunday Telegraph and also questioned the veracity of the recordings: "I asked him [the King Emeritus], Do you have any idea where all this comes from? and he said he didnt".
Prince Georges County police said they were looking for Shawn Addison of the District, who escaped from a police station in Landover after slipping out of handcuffs at 1:45 p.m. Addison then allegedly stole a gray Toyota RAV4 that was unoccupied but had been left running nearby, according to police.
Hundreds of Wall Street traders are about to change their commute starting Monday.

Citigroup is sending traders and salespeople from its headquarters in downtown Manhattan to a backup facility in Rutherford, New Jersey, next week in contingency plans tied to the coronavirus, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Wall Street is girding itself for the arrival of the coronavirus in its workforce. JPMorgan Chase told traders Thursday that some of them can expect to work from locations in New Jersey and Brooklyn, while Morgan Stanley has begun to send some employees to its Purchase, New York, office, according to people with knowledge of the plans.

Bank of America is sending more than 100 of its traders and salespeople to a Connecticut location, although most of them will remain in the firm's midtown Manhattan headquarters, a person with knowledge said. Goldman Sachs is weighing a similar plan to split up its teams, along with other options, although it has yet to take action, another person said.

Banks have already banned nonessential international travel and urged employees to make sure they can work from home if needed. But the companies have been forced to take more serious action as the disease has progressed.

There are 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York as of Friday, with several thousand under precautionary quarantine, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday.

While most employees can work from home, sales and trading professionals need workstations with robust trading and compliance capabilities. The idea is to split teams up so that business lines can remain operational if the coronavirus sickens employees at one location, the people said.

Widening concerns over the impact of the coronavirus have roiled markets for the last week. That's led to increased activity across equities and fixed income desks, meaning that traders will likely have their hands full for the foreseeable future.
Mumbai: In its maiden budget, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtraon Friday announced sops for farmers, proposed to increase VAT on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre and reduced electricity duty for industries.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a revenue deficit budget of Rs 9,511 crore and proposed the size of annual plan 2020-21 at Rs 1,15,000 crore in the Assembly. The budget estimates put the fiscal deficit at Rs 54,618.38 crore.

Tabling the first budget of the MVA government, which completed 100 days in office on Friday, Pawar also announced tax concession proposals.

This included 1% stamp duty concession for the next two years and other related charges applicable on registration of documents in the areas falling under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and municipal corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur. He proposed to reduce electricity duty on industrial use from 9.3% to 7.5% of consumption charges.

Pawar said the concession in stamp duty will help promote the real estate sector in the wake of slowdown. The reduction in electricity duty will help promote industries in the state, the finance minister said.

Due to the tax concessions, it is expected that there will be yearly revenue loss of around Rs 2,500 crore. Similarly, Pawar proposed to increase VAT (value-added tax) on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre. This will enrich the state exchequer by an additional Rs 1,800 crore, the finance minister told the Assembly.

He announced a one-time settlement scheme for farmers whose crop loan is more than Rs 2 lakh, including principle and interest, from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.

The government will transfer Rs 2 lakh in bank accounts of eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above Rs 2 lakh, as on September 30, 2019, is repaid by them, Pawar said.

Similarly, farmers who will regularly repay their dues up to June 30, 2020 and for crop loan taken by them during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, a maximum of Rs 50,000 will be given to them as incentive for the amount of crop loan taken during 2018-19, the finance minister said.

He said the government has set a target of feeding one lakh people through its 'Shiv Bhojan' meal scheme. The finance minister made a provision of Rs 150 crore for the subsidised food scheme for the poor.

Pawar said the budget proposals focus on tackling challenges of economic slowdown and creation of employment. He said the government will create a dedicated fund, called "Green fund", which will be utilised for conservation of the environment.

Money from this special fund will be specifically used for projects related tosewage disposal and waste management, the finance minister said.

Pawar said the tax revenue as per revised estimates for the year 2019-20 is expected to be Rs 2,16,824 crore. He said in 2019-20, budget revenue receipt of Rs 3,14,640 crore was expected.

However, due to a decrease in receipt of state share in central taxes by Rs 8,543 crore, the revenue receipts have been revised to Rs 3,09,000 crore, he said.

In budget 2020-21, the revenue receipt is estimated at Rs 3,47,457 crore and revenue expenditure at Rs 3,56,968 crore. "As a result, a revenue deficit of Rs 9,511 crore is indicated," he said.

Pawar said the total amount of outstanding debt and liabilities at the end of January 2020 stood at Rs 4,33,00,901 crore. During the last five years, the state raised loans of Rs 2,82,448 crore, he said.

The cost of infrastructure projects undertaken by the government is Rs 2,78,271 crore and the state has to bear direct and indirect liability of these projects, Pawar said.
Fourteen Italian tourists who tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) were admitted to the isolation facility of Medanta-The Medicity in Gurugram on Wednesday night. Their driver, an Indian national, was admitted to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital.

They were part of a group of 21 Italian tourists and three Indians  their driver, tour conductor and guide  and had initially been quarantined at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)-run Chhawla camp. They were moved to the camp after the Italian government refused to take them back, Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had said earlier on Wednesday.

Health secretary Preeti Sudan on Thursday confirmed they had been admitted to Medanta after an announcement from the hospital authorities. But she evaded the question about who was going to fund their hospital expenses. The Italians may need to spend at least two weeks at the isolation facility.

Funding is not the moot point. Our focus is to ensure that they are properly treated. Why get into the funding and expenses? she said.

Dr Naresh Trehan, chairman, Medanta, explained how the 14 Italian coronavirus patients were shifted to the Gurugram-based multi super speciality hospital.

The PMO [Prime Ministers Office] has asked us to treat the foreign tourists, who have been moved to a quarantine facility in an isolation ward. They all are asymptomatic and doing well, he said.

I dont know whos paying for the treatment. We certainly dont expect the Indian government to pay! Hopefully, they have insurance cover. Else, the Italian government should take a call, he said.

The group of 23 Italian tourists arrived in Indian on February 21, when Italy was not on the list of countries being screened for coronovirus disease symptoms. One of the tourists developed fever and was quarantined in Jaipur. He tested positive on Monday.

Meanwhile, minister Harsh Vardhan held talks with representatives of private hospitals to discuss preparedness, according to a statement by the ministry.

The meeting was called to seek support from private players in case the situation escalates. Also, there are around 1,400 people who are likely to be evacuated from Iran. The government might need help with that as well, said Taresh Arora, spokesperson, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which took part in the discussion.

The meeting was held to ensure that private hospitals are geared up in case the situation escalates, said a representative of one of the hospitals on condition of anonymity.

The government has requested private players to volunteer to improve airport and community screening.

The government wanted to ensure that the isolation facilities in private hospitals are ready. The meeting discussed improving the surveillance and requested help from private players for contact tracing. The hospital authorities were also asked to educate people coming to their facility about the new disease, said a health ministry official on condition of anonymity.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anonna Dutt Anonna Dutt is a health reporter at Hindustan Times. She reports on Delhi governments health policies, hospitals in Delhi, and health-related feature stories. ...view detail
A Chinese baby who was infected with the coronavirus at five days old has been discharged from a hospital following a full recovery.

The newborn baby, named by media as Mu'en, is so far the youngest coronavirus patient in China, according to reports.

The previous record-holder was a 17-day-old baby who recovered without medication after being born to a confirmed patient.

A Chinese baby who was infected with the coronavirus at five days old has been discharged from a hospital. The tiny boy is pictured being looked after by a medical worker

The newborn boy is being picked up by his parents at the children's hospital this morning

The medics are giving after-care instructions to the parents as they reunite with their baby

Mu'en, who had been treated in quarantine, was reunited with his parents today at the Henan Children's Hospital in Zhengzhou city of central China.

He was diagnosed with the deadly disease five days after he was born on January 31.

The boy was admitted to the provincial hospital after sustaining a serious infection in his lungs.

The boy Mu'en was diagnosed with the deadly disease five days after he was born on January 31. He is pictured being held by a medical worker at Henan Children's Hospital in central China

The baby boy was admitted to the provincial hospital after he had a large infection in his lungs

Mu'en is seen today leaving with his parents from the Henan Children's Hospital in Zhengzhou city of central China. The picture shows Mu'en with two medical workers at the hospital

The picture shows Mu'en with another recovered patient as he leaves the hospital this morning

The hospital assembled a special team to personalise treatment plans for the newborn.

His condition gradually improved after a month of round-the-clock care and anti-virus treatment.

Mu'en left the hospital with his parents after he had tested negative twice and his lungs had fully recovered, according to The Paper.

The children's hospital also dispatched a negative pressure ambulance to escort the family back to their hometown, Xinyang, which is 324 kilometres (200 miles) away.

A 17-day-old girl recovered in February after being born to a confirmed patient. The picture shows the baby lying in an incubator as she was being looked after by medical workers

A seventeen-day-old Chinese girl recovered in February from the coronavirus without medication after being born to a confirmed patient.

The baby was transferred to Wuhan Children's Hospital on the same day she was born, according to People's Daily. She was found to have the virus shortly after.

Because the girl's symptoms were not obvious, doctors decided not to give her antibiotic medication and let her overcome the disease on her own.

She left the hospital after making a full recovery on her own without the help of medication.

A Chinese centenarian who was infected with the coronavirus just after his 101st birthday has recovered after spending a week in hospital. The pictures show him leaving the hospital

China has also seen its oldest coronavirus patient, who is 101 years old, leave a hospital on Wednesday following a full recovery.

The centenarian who was infected with the killer virus just after his 101st birthday recovered after spending a week in the hospital.

The disease, formally known as COVID-19, has infected over 80,500 people in China including 3,042 deaths.

There are now 90 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Britain including one death

Worldwide, more than 98,000 people have been diagnosed and 3,300 coronavirus patients have died.

Italy reported 41 deaths from the virus yesterday, bringing the death toll to 148, the second highest outside of China.

The total number of cases in the UK has reached 116 yesterday as the Department of Health confirmed the first coronavirus death on home turf last night, believed to be a woman in her 70s from Berkshire with underlying health conditions.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - A man who claims he has killed more than 90 women across the country confessed to strangling two women in Indiana on the same night in October 1980, authorities said Friday.

Samuel Little, 79, confessed to killing Valeria Boyd, 18, and Mary Ann Porter, 31, both of Fort Wayne, the Allen County Sheriffs Department said.

Detectives interviewed Little at the Wise County Confinement Facility in Decatur, Texas, after the FBI alerted the department about what he told a Texas Ranger in 2018. Little said he picked up both women in the same area in Fort Wayne at different times on the same night in late October 1980. Little said he strangled both women while they were in his vehicle, then disposed of their bodies in separate areas of rural Allen County, the department said.

Boyd and Porter were reported missing by family members in late October 1980. Boyds body was found Nov. 4, 1980, in a field. Porters body was found Dec. 13, 1980, off a road.

Little is imprisoned in California, serving life sentences.

Both investigations have been forwarded to the Allen County Prosecutors Office.
(Photo : NASA) Polluted Space and Astronomy: This Will Happen Once SpaceX, Amazon, OneWeb Launch Thousands of Satellites Soon! (Photo : NASA) Polluted Space and Astronomy: This Will Happen Once SpaceX, Amazon, OneWeb Launch Thousands of Satellites Soon!

Sad to say, Earth is not just the only place that humans have now slowly polluted. Even outside of the planet, like space, is currently being crowded with tons of human-made satellites. Unfortunately, this is not a good thing, and it might affect us on Earth more than we can ever imagine once satellite-launching-events frequently happen in the future.

Space now gets crowded with satellites, and it's not good news!

If you think that Earth is the only place that humans can pollute, think again. According to reports, there is a huge possibility that space is now being too crowded with satellites from companies like OneWeb, SpaceX, Amazon, Telesat, and Samsung. Though SpaceX has the most number of launched satellites as of now, it is expected to surge soon since the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has already agreed to license more than 10,000 such satellites with hundreds more under review within the said companies.

We all know that space is vast, so why would it get crowded? Though space is a very large area, satellites only have finite boundaries to be able to be used and connected to Earth. This means that the place where all satellites are usually placed can be crowded most of the time.

OH NO! Stars in the skies will be lessened once space gets crowded With satellites!

As further explained by European Southern Observatory, the impact of having too many commercial satellites in space might not just affect space itself but even on the aspect of astronomy.

Since space satellites will soon be too many for the space to handle, there's a huge possibility that it also might ruin the evident exposure of stars and other astronomy events since space satellites might cover these sightings.

"The study finds that large telescopes like ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will be "moderately affected" by the constellations under development," said the study by ESO. "The effect is more pronounced for long exposures (of about 1000 s), up to 3% of which could be ruined during twilight, the time between dawn and sunrise and between sunset and dusk."

The study assumes that an estimated number of 26,000 space satellites are now roaming around in deep space. This number might be higher soon enough since most satellite companies plan to launch more commercial satellites in the future.

What should we do to prevent this from happening?

Aside from fewer sightings of astronomy events or polluting space with satellite debris, Space News detailed that the government must issue a solution to solve this serious problem in space.

"We need an international organization that protects space similar to spectrum allocation. There is an urgent need to tell operators that if you put it up, you have to bring it down - or fund some kind of independent remediation fund for space similar to the federal Superfund program the United States established in the 1980s to clean up toxic waste sites," written by Space News. "Maybe operators should be required to put up bonds based on the number of satellites they put into space."

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low -8F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low -8F. Winds light and variable.
With coronavirus creating hysteria, Erin McNaught couldn't resist making a joke about the public's reaction to the virus.

In a post on Instagram on Thursday, the 37-year-old said she was trying to decide on a new hair colour, and wondered if her choice would have any effect on the virus.

'Blonder or browner?!! Arrrrrrgh the half yearly dilemma strikes again. Will have to find out whether coronavirus prefers blondes or brunettes...' she wrote.

Joking around: With coronavirus creating hysteria, Erin McNaught (pictured) couldn't resist making a joke about the public's reaction to the virus on Friday

She also shared a mirror selfie, showing off her wavy lob, which currently features caramel highlights.

And many fans were able to see the humour in her caption, leaving comments on her post.

'Corona Virus [sic] as the deciding factor?!' one person remarked, adding a series of crying-with-laughter emojis.

Blonde or brunette: In a post on Instagram on Thursday, the 37-year-old said she was trying to decide on a new hair colour, and wondered if her choice would have any effect on the virus

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in April last year, Erin spoke about her decision to move back to Australia after seven years in London.

Erin has been married to British rapper Example (real name Elliot John Gleave), 37, since 2013, and said they decided to return after starting a family.

The couple have two young sons, Evander, five, and Ennio, two.

Husband and wife: Erin has been married to British rapper Example (real name Elliot John Gleave), 37, since 2013, and said they decided to return to Australia after starting a family

'When we first started living in London it was very much for selfish reasons,' she told the newspaper's BW Magazine.

'We didn't have children and it was about Elliot's career but we always knew we would be moving back at some point because we wanted Van (Evander) to go to school here.

'In London it's just so difficult because you're in a concrete jungle. There are indoor play centres but it's no substitute to riding your bike outside and running around.'
Libreville, Gabon (PANA) - Gabonese Petroleum Products Storage Company (SGEPP), based in Owendo, has started construction of new storage units, at the same time bringing its facilities into conformity after 15 years, an official source told PANA on Friday
A protester who attended Senator Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Phoenix on Thursday unfurled a red Nazi flag.

Video posted on social media showed the incident which took place during the rally at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

As Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate, spoke from the podium in the arena, a man who appeared to be on the upper mezzanine held a red flag with a black swastika imposed on a white dot in the middle.

The flag was being held by a white man in a white t-shirt.

A man in the upper section of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix unfurled a Nazi flag during Senator Bernie Sanders' rally on Thursday

The flag was displayed in the middle of the senator's speech to supporters on Thursday

The senator was unaware of the flag, which was unfurled for just a few seconds before Sanders supporters ripped it away from the man

As he held the flag, Sanders supporters in the audience began to take notice.

The senator from Vermont did not see the flag and continued with his remarks.

But the rallygoers responded by grabbing the flag out of the mans hands.

Later video posted to Twitter shows the man with the flag being kicked out of the rally by local police.

As the man left the venue, he uttered a number of racial slurs.

Sanders, who is Jewish, lost relatives in the Holocaust.

Last week, Chris Matthews, the former host of MSNBC's Hardball, apologized on the air after he compared Sanders' victory in the Nevada caucus to the Nazi invasion of France in 1940.

Matthews resigned on Monday as host of Hardball after a freelance journalist, Laura Bassett, penned an article in GQ Magazine identifying him as the television host who flirted with her before her appearance on his show in 2017.

Sanders was giving a speech in Phoenix just 10 days before Arizona's primary

During the same rally, a man tried to unfurl a pro-Trump banner, but it was quickly snatched away by Sanders supporters. The man is seen being restrained by local police

The article was written by Bassett as a reaction to Matthews' asking Senator Elizabeth Warren on air why she believed women who accused Michael Bloomberg of gender discrimination.

Supporters of President Trump also tried to unfurl a banner during the Sanders rally, but it was also snatched by attendees at the Sanders rally.

Local police were seen escorting the Trump supporters from the venue.

Sanders, who days ago was considered the favorite to win the nomination, is now facing an uphill battle after Joe Biden surpassed him in total delegates, scoring considerable victories in the Super Tuesday primaries.

The senator from Vermont was in Arizona to campaign just 10 days before the state's primary.

During the rally, Sanders blasted Trump as the 'most dangerous president in the modern history of this country.'

'I think we all believe that we cannot contain a person in the White House that is a pathological liar, somebody who is running a corrupt administration, somebody who has apparently never read the Constitution of the United States, somebody who thinks that he is above the law,' Sanders told the cheering audience.

'So, in November, we are going to teach Donald Trump a lesson in democracy.'
From Girl From the North Country, at the Belasco. Photo: Matthew Murphy

A couple of years ago, when Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize, a lot of us thought carefully about whether or not a Dylan song is literature. Dylan himself was surprised to find his work evaluated in that light, so he and we spent a while pushing around ideas about his approach to text and the nature of a lyric without its tune. In Conor McPhersons play-with-music Girl From the North Country, now on Broadway, you get to have an upside-down version of that conversation all over again. The Irish playwright McPherson was given carte blanche to use Dylans songs in a theatrical treatment, and the not-exactly-jukebox result is an Americana-flavored atmospheric. So whats left when Dylans literary lyrics are abraded away by deliberate misreadings? Whats left when all those wildly varying songs are smoothed into pretty, same-sounding mood pieces? Dylan without the music wins a Nobel  but Dylans music without the meaning winsless.

McPherson, who also directs and co-arranged some songs, responded to the Dylan corpus by dumping all elements of biography but one: his birthplace of Duluth, Minnesota. McPherson then concocted a soap-opera version of Depression Era Duluth, extremely hard-up yet surprisingly diverse and rich in complication. The staging itself evokes a radio drama: As the company fills an empty stage with pieces of mismatched 30s furniture, Doc (Robert Joy), a knockoff of the Stage Manager from Our Town, grabs a microphone to give us the character rundown. Were in a hotel run by Nick Laine (Jay O. Sanders), who is perilously close to foreclosure and ruin, constantly distressed by his wife, Elizabeth (Mare Winningham), who has dementia, and mildly involved with a boarder, Mrs. Neilsen (Jeannette Bayardelle). Hes also keenly irritated with his children, the drunk writer-wannabe Gene (Colton Ryan) and pregnant-but-unmarried Marianne (Kimber Elayne Sprawl). The hotel and town have their own crooks and seekers too, but despite the many satellite narratives McPherson throws up in orbit, Nick is clearly his central point. Dont worry about that title  swap out that Girl for a Man.

Doc, when he gets on that Garrison Keillor mic, talks very quickly. Its the winter of 1934, and the economy is about to tear all these people apart. Before that, hes got to download whole life stories, like how a young black Marianne wound up the white Laines adopted daughter, how she got pregnant (a hint that it might be a supernatural child goes nowhere) and whether a new arrival, the boxer Joe (Austin Scott), might be a good or a bad suitor for her. There are ten other characters, jockeying for our attention too, who often rally together for foot-stompin arrangements of Dylan songs from deep down in the catalogue. You will not hear Blowin in the Wind, my friends. You will hear Idiot Wind instead; you will hear True Love Tends to Forget.

McPherson can cram a dozen stories into two and a half hours because he works in sketches, using quickly recognizable cliches which let us fill in the outlines for ourselves. The Bible salesman (Matt McGrath) with the greasy hair? A villain, obviously, no need to show us why. The tall, strong man (Todd Almond) with the mind of child? Dont bother explaining that hes got terrible violence in him, because we all read Of Mice and Men in junior high. McPhersons plays, many of them spectacularly good, have sometimes used these thick crayon-strokes  those self-deceiving, gamble-happy drunks in The Seafarer are recognizable when they walk onstage too. But when McPherson writes in Irish stereotype, American eyes smile. When he rocks up trying to deploy our stereotypes? My eyes got very narrow indeed.

McPhersons main dramaturgical problem here is magnitude. The size of the show is wrong, the size of the stories, the scenes, everything. Its simultaneously too long and too short  at times, so many people are getting introduced, it feels like a pilot episode, setting up the machinery for a ten-episode season. We know McPherson, when undistracted by songs, has one of the great senses of theatrical balance: He wrote plays like The Weir and The Night Alive, so perfect that they seem to continue on even after theyre over, like a bicycle still wheeling along with the rider gone. That equilibrium abandons him in this, his first musical  he hasnt worked out how to get into songs gracefully, nor how to disguise that repetitive, get-to-the-next-number structure.

And theres something perverse about the way Dylans lyrics are handled. We are kind of meant to pay attention to them, kind of not. For instance, the boxer Joe sings a gale-force version of Hurricane, which is indeed about a boxer. Those parts, youre allowed to process. But you should also be cool enough to ignore all the lyrics about the hot New Jersey night, since that parts obviously not applicable. What is signalling here? Whats just noise? The push-me-pull-you annoyance of it leaves you unwilling to parse the lyrics at all. This reaches its absolute peak when the wonderful Luba Mason  a hotel tenant with secrets and woes to spare  sings Senor glumly, but with intensity. Senor, senor she croons, scuffing the floor with her shoe. What? You have to laugh.

Part of your response will depend on your reverence for Dylans originals  and at the very least, your familiarity with them. Be warned, Bobsessives: Simon Hales arrangements  lovely and folksy and full of tambourines  sometimes depart from the musical spirit of the versions you know. To turn the bitter-toned, up tempo I Want You into a love song, for instance, the team has slowed the pace like the molasses done froze. After a brief scene in which we meet Kate for the first and only time, Gene (Colton Ryan) and Kate (Caitlin Houlahan) come kissing-close, and sing I want you a dozen times, very deliberately. The lyrics make sense here. They do in fact want each other  but the originally spiky song takes on a new, syrupy flavor.

Its also where McPherson sets up what will become a pattern for how the music functions. Someone will do something awful. Lets say Gene shrieks at Kate, driving away a girl who clearly cares for him. Gene establishes that hes a self-pitying, aggressive creep; Kate establishes that she is out of there. And then they sing to each other so we can see the truth of the moment  that they are acting this way out of sorrow and love. This happens a number of times: In a spoken scene, people are cold or deranged or, in one crucial case, a murderer, and then they sing very emotionally while the light kisses them gently from above. Because the lyrics dont always mean anything, the music does the talking. And what it says again and again is: See this person whose behavior is bad? Underneath, there is a beautiful soul, singing.

As dramatic metaphysics, thats an interesting way to use music. Ethically, though, Im more than a little troubled at the amount of forgiveness the music ladles out. Frankly, after a father (Marc Kudisch) kills his cognitively disabled Lenny-ish son, who is himself a danger to the young girls of the north country, I would like for them not to unite in Song Space while warbling, gorgeously, about the Duquesne Whistle. Given their rapturous expressions, the Whistle is supposed to be a metaphor for parental love and filial grace and the glory that passeth understanding, but one of them just killed the other one. Not only do these choices rob the lyrics of any meaning, they rob the plot of any sense of consequence too.

Over the course of the show, the mismatch between the gloomy every-man-for-himself script and the ecstatic every-voice-raised-in-song arrangements grows increasingly silly. We watch the community of Duluth gather over and over, pitching in to play instruments, harmonizing around ribbon microphones or dancing at a Thanksgiving celebration, all while McPhersons script insists that theyre all sad and unsupported and suicidal. So at some point, you justdivorce the music in your mind. Experienced as a concert with occasional wrong-headed interruptions, Girl from the North Country has some gorgeous stuff in it: the companys voices sweetly gathered;, Bayardelle stripping the paint of the Belasco walls with her incandescent high belt, Winninghams clear, effortful voice infusing real pathos into Like a Rolling Stone, Almond wailing on the harmonica, Mason whaling on the drums. Their joyful noise is what Ill remember. The restlets agree to forget it. Best to lose some things to that blowing wind.

Girl From the North Country is at the Belasco Theatre.

*A version of this article appears in the March 16, 2020, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!
Mumbai, March 6 : Distressed and angry customers of the crisis-hit Yes Bank trooped outside scores of branches and ATMs in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and other cities on Friday to withdraw money after the RBI imposed curbs on withdrawal apart from other measures late on Thursday.

Panicky customers rushed to the ATMs since late Thursday for withdrawals but many soon became dry, leaving them exasperated, especially in the suburbs and residential areas, and the scene was repeated on Friday morning in commercial areas of south Mumbai, Bandra Kurla Complex, Andheri, Lower Parel, etc.

Besides, customers said certain UPI transactions which are on the Yes Bank PSP are reportedly not going through, all types of accounts are inaccessible even via netbanking, and many fintech players are hit badly.

Mumbaikars are particularly peeved as the RBI orders came on the eve of the popular Holi festival on Monday, followed by Gudi Padva after a fortnight, the ongoing examination season when cash in hand is a necessity, not to mention the long weekend breaks thousands have planned in advance.

A customer Vijay P. Singh said he drove down to the ATM in Kandivali suburb around 1 a.m. and was stunned to see at least 25 people in queue.

"I went around 3-4 other ATMS between Dahisar-Malad with the same results and finally returned home at 4 am empty-handed... Even the online transactions are not on and the crowded branches offer little hope," Singh rued when contacted by IANS.

Another shaken customer Vinod Panda from Navi Mumbai rushed to the Yes Bank Kharghar Branch but had to return disappointed as the bank was not willing to disburse even the promised Rs 50,000.

"The officials informed me that I have to prove some emergency like medical or paying educational fees, etc... They claim that all problems will be resolved by next month, but assured that the online facility would be operational later today," a worried Panda told IANS.

Ditto have been reports from many customers, including a retired teacher from Dadar who said that she transferred all her monies to the bank for convenience and now regrets it.

Many agitated customers confronted the Yes Bank officials by comparing the crisis to the Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank imbroglio which erupted last September.

However, the officials defended themselves by claiming that while the PMC Bank crisis was due to frauds, the Yes Bank was only a case of liquidity crunch which would be resolved within a month, and customers woes would ease.

Given the state of the customers of PMC Bank with around a dozen deaths reported so far, there are few takers for the Yes Bank's arguments after the sudden developments last night.

The Yes Bank has over 1,000 branches and 1,800-plus ATMs around the country which are under severe stress after the crisis erupted last night.
Baaghi 3

Director: Ahmed Khan

Cast: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Jackie Shroff

Indian fans dont like when their heroes are at the receiving end of kicks and punches. If you are Indias foremost action star Tiger Shroff, getting beaten up can apparently make your film go from a hit to an also ran. The actor had explained the audiences middling response to his Student of The Year 2, saying hes seen as a one-man army and his fans couldnt digest him being beaten up by college toughies.

Baaghi 3 seems to be a direct reaction to that thought. In the third iteration of the Baaghi franchise, Tiger is beating up anything and everything that can be broken or shredded -- men, cars, tanks, helicopters, his shirts. He bounces off buildings, treads on air; delivers triple roundhouse kicks and does devastating stuff with his hands and feet. But somewhere between him decimating helicopters and blowing up tanks, my suspension of disbelief snapped; and trust me when I say that I have been trained well by Hindi cinema.

After bringing a few bad men to their knees in the Baaghi franchise, Tiger Shroff is up against a nation, a fact the film never lets us forget. In fact, once Tiger lands up at his doorstep in Baaghi 3s climax, the kohl-eyed warlord wonders whether he is being pummeled by the US, Russia or the Mossad.

If we purely go by the scale Baaghi 3 attempts, Baaghi 4 will at least need to have an army of three-eyed aliens being kicked back into space by Tiger: The Lone Avenger. In fact, Baaghi 3 would have made sense if Tigers superhuman strength came from a scientists test tube or because he is a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist in his spare time.

As it is, Tigers wins come from the fact that director Ahmed Khan seems to have given all the thought to the action and absolutely none to other aspects of this film. The story itself is creaky with age  younger brother Ronnie (Tiger Shroff) promises to always take care of his older but more timid sibling Vikram (Riteish Deshmukh). The jumpy Vikram is compelled to become a police inspector in Agra by his brother on the promise that he will always be there to help him.

Ronnie does the heavy lifting while Vikram is there to accept the medals. However, as they clean up the city, they fall foul of a local criminal IPL (Jaideep Ahlawat) who has links with an ISIS-like organization from Syria, interestingly called Jaish-e-Lashkar. Vikram is sent to extradite IPL but is kidnapped, forcing Ronnie to cut a swath through the country.

Before you jump to any conclusion, Baaghi 3 has absolutely nothing to do with geo-politics or, for that matter, common sense. There might be a nation and army pursuing Ronnnie, but they would rather be killed than shoot first. The reason why people are being kidnapped from south Asia and being sent to Syria is pulpy to the point of being hilarious. Vijay Vermas Pakistani character gets his accent from Hyderabad for some reason.

The films jokes are as lame as its story. IPL stands for Inder Paheli Lamba and he likes to ask riddles; Satish Kaushiks police commissioner is called BMC aka Bhookelal Moohpe Chatore  you get the picture.

Even the dialogues on parivaar and pyaar are atleast 30 years too old for today, as is the ham-fisted message on communal harmony. Also, it is strange how India Pakistan bhai bhai message fits in the same film that shows extra-judicial killing and dishes out such sage one-liners  Agar bade gunde apne liye gunde rakh sakte hain to police wale gunde kyon nahi rakh sakte? However, I am assuming the damage would be limited because Baaghi 3 is as incompetent at this as it is at everything else.

Perhaps realizing the limitations of their film, actors offer you extra -- everybody seems to be happily hamming it up. Tiger is limited in emotional scenes, Shraddha Kapoor has little to do other than being perky before interval and tanned after it, Ritieshs namby-pamby act gets repetitive, and Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat are happy sleep-walking through their roles. There are a mind-numbing 140 minutes of this; thankfully Tiger is kicking and punching during most of it.
Lawmakers today unveiled their plan to ensure longer summers, requiring the school year starts no earlier than the third Monday in August and ends by May 31. If approved, the requirement would start in the 2021-22 school year.

The result would be an 11-week summer. But school officials say a longer summer would also result in reduced breaks during the school year, and in some cases, slightly longer school days.

Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, said the bill will ensure schools set a calendar that leaves summer for families and work experiences. Co-sponsors include House Education Budget Chair Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, and Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia.

The Alabama Association of School Boards said it opposes any law mandating a start and end date for schools because the school calendar should be decided by local officials.

A number of local school boards have approved resolutions opposing a school calendar mandate. The AASB provided a sample resolution for school boards to use.

AASB Executive Director Sally Smith said while her organization opposes the bill, "We're working to get (lawmakers) to understand what the bookends mean (for students and schools).

School systems could opt for longer days. Currently, state law calls for students to receive 180 full instructional days with six hours of instruction per day, or 1,080 total instructional hours over the course of the school year. More instructional hours per day could allow for a longer summer.

Currently, the school year runs anywhere from 174 days to 180 days among Alabama's school districts, according to information shared by the Alabama State Department of Education. The plan would not affect private schools or homeschool requirements, Hurst said.

A sampling of current Alabama school district calendars showed summer lasting 10 to 10  weeks. All but three school districts started the current school prior to the third Monday in August, and all but one will end before May 31.

Also during the current school year, 110 districts take a full week at Thanksgiving. All school districts except one took at least two full weeks that included Christmas and New Year's Day. In 19 school districts, winter break lasted longer than two weeks.

All school districts also took a week for spring break. Seven districts took a full week in early October, too.

The bill comes a few weeks after a social media post from Huntsville City Schools went viral, suggesting a longer summer would mean the current 6-hour instructional day could be extended by two hours. That meant elementary school students would have to go to school until 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m., school officials there said in the post.

Hurst called the post a scare tactic used by educators to drum up opposition.

Hurst said a survey of voters last year showed 85% of voters want longer summers. At that time, he said if just 30 minutes were added to each typical school day, a full school year could be completed in 166 days.

Hurst said its not only about summer tourism, but its also about jobs. This will help with the Governors program (to expand the workforce), he said, Were trying to incorporate all of this into workforce development because weve got to have these kids ready for jobs.

In 2012, Alabama lawmakers mandated school start dates for two years, starting in 2013. At that time, supporters said it would help tourism recover from the Recession and the aftermath of the oil spill. Lawmakers chose not to extend the provisions beyond the 2014-15 school year.

National Federation of Independent Business state director Rosemary Elebash said her organization, which has 6,000 members statewide, supports the bill.

"For more than two years," Elebash said, "I have heard from my members that the number one issue theyre facing is the lack of an available workforce."

Elebash said 70% of Alabama's members want the school start date moved closer to Labor Day. Small businesses depend on summer hires to recruit and train future employees, she added, and summers are too short for small businesses to hire and train new workers.

While some high schools offer opportunities for students to work during the school day, Elebash said, summer is an ideal time because young people can work longer periods of time each day.

Summers end up being wasted, Hurst said, when it could be a more productive time for older students. Right now, with summer so short, he said, "Businesses just don't want to hire a student."

If kids had summer jobs, theyd learn to put the phone down and how to get to work on time, what employers refer to as soft skills, Hurst said. Without it, they dont learn any of it.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration may take targeted steps to stimulate the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus outbreak that is likely to temporarily drag down some sectors, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday.

Kudlow, speaking in a round of television interviews, said it was too early to determine the magnitude of any slowdown but that the nation's overall economy remained fundamentally strong and was not headed for a recession.

U.S. officials were concerned about people who may have to stay home because of the outbreak and lose wages, as well as about small business and airlines, among others, he said.

"We're looking for targeted measures that will do the most good in a short period of time," Kudlow told Bloomberg News.

"We're not looking at big, expensive, macro cash rebates --helicopter money from the sky that never works," he added on Fox Business Network, saying any help would be directed to "those areas that have been hit the worst."

"We are not looking at giving everybody $1,000," he added.

U.S. and global markets have slid for the past two weeks as the spread of coronavirus outside of China has raised investors' fear of the outbreak's impact as the number of cases neared 100,000 worldwide. In the United States, the death toll from the respiratory illness rose to 14.

The U.S. market slide alone had wiped out nearly $4 trillion of value through Thursday.

U.S. stocks have fallen hard https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/2980/2945/Pasted%20Image.jpg

Kudlow said the administration needed more information first before it could act and that more details could come next week.

"We don't want to act prematurely," he told Fox.

U.S. President Donald Trump could act via an executive order, or he could also turn again to Congress, which this week approved an $8.3 billion bill aimed at efforts to boost the U.S. response to the outbreak, including money for drug and vaccine development as well as the public health efforts.

Story continues

Trump signed the measure into law earlier on Friday.

He said the administration was not inclined to enact a temporary payroll tax cut, or lowering tariffs on imports, which some experts have said could ease global supply chain problems.

Kudlow again reiterated that long-term investors should buy stocks now amid the global dip in prices.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Tim Ahmann; additional reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Nick Zieminski and David Gregorio)
(Newser)  "This is not a drill," warned the head of the World Health Organization as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world nears 100,000, reports CNN. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said many of the dozens of countries dealing with outbreaks are not taking the crisis seriously enough to "match the level of the threat we all face. This is not a time to give up. This is not a time for excuses," he said, calling for "aggressive preparedness." "This is a time for pulling out all the stops." More:

Helicopters deliver test kits . California Air National Guard helicopters dropped hundreds of coronavirus test kits Thursday on the Grand Princess, a cruise ship with suspected coronavirus cases being held off the coast of California, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Around 3,400 passengers and crew are on the San Francisco-bound ship.

. California Air National Guard helicopters dropped hundreds of coronavirus test kits Thursday on the Grand Princess, a cruise ship with suspected coronavirus cases being held off the coast of California, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Around 3,400 passengers and crew are on the San Francisco-bound ship. US death toll rises. Another death in the Seattle area Thursday brought the total US death toll to 12, all but one of them in Washington state, reports Reuters. There were also at least 57 new cases reported across the country, including the first in Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, and Texas.

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Global markets shaken . Stock markets in Asia and Europe dropped sharply Friday amid continued fears about the fallout for world economies, the BBC reports. The Asia Development Bank estimates that the global economy could take a hit of up to $347 billion from the outbreak.

. Stock markets in Asia and Europe dropped sharply Friday amid continued fears about the fallout for world economies, the BBC reports. The Asia Development Bank estimates that the global economy could take a hit of up to $347 billion from the outbreak. Microsoft employees test positive . A Microsoft spokesman tell ABC that two employees in the Seattle area have tested positive for the coronavirus. The company has urged employees in Washington state and the San Francisco area to work from home for the next three weeks if possible.

. A Microsoft spokesman tell ABC that two employees in the Seattle area have tested positive for the coronavirus. The company has urged employees in Washington state and the San Francisco area to work from home for the next three weeks if possible. Outbreak now in 90 countries . At least 90 countries have now confirmed coronavirus infections, with Cameroon and the Netherlands reporting their first cases Friday, the AP reports. Vatican City has also reported its first case, but it apparently isn't Pope Francisthe pontiff has been ill, but Vatican authorities say he only has a cold.

. At least 90 countries have now confirmed coronavirus infections, with Cameroon and the Netherlands reporting their first cases Friday, the AP reports. Vatican City has also reported its first case, but it apparently isn't Pope Francisthe pontiff has been ill, but Vatican authorities say he only has a cold. UK is unprepared . Doctors in Britain, which recorded its first coronavirus death Thursday, say the country's National Health Service is underfunded and has a shortage of intensive care beds, meaning the country is unprepared for a flood of severely ill patients. "If we havent got ventilatory support to offer them, its going to end in death," Dr. George Priestley, an intensive care doctor, tells the New York Times. "I dont want to be alarmist. I just want someone to pay attention."

. Doctors in Britain, which recorded its first coronavirus death Thursday, say the country's National Health Service is underfunded and has a shortage of intensive care beds, meaning the country is unprepared for a flood of severely ill patients. "If we havent got ventilatory support to offer them, its going to end in death," Dr. George Priestley, an intensive care doctor, tells the New York Times. "I dont want to be alarmist. I just want someone to pay attention." Patient went to metal concert. New Zealand has reported four cases of coronavirus, and authorities are worried the fourth patient may have spread the virus at a metal concert he attended last Friday, the New Zealand Herald reports. Authorities say everybody who was at the Tool concert in Auckland should be aware of coronavirus symptoms.

(Read more coronavirus stories.)
South Africa: Government dismisses M&G allegations as misleading

Government has dismissed reports contained in a Mail & Guardian article that South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers are not willing to travel to Wuhan, China, to repatriate citizens.

Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) Acting Director-General Phumla Williams said the article is misleading and misinforms readers and the public about governments handling of the repatriation of South Africans and goes against the paradigm of responsible journalism.

The article casts aspersions on the work of government on the repatriation process of South African nationals from Wuhan, China, by an unnamed source.

The discourse in the article about SANDF officials is also deceptive, as all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth repatriation process of our people. Government reassures all South Africans that government is on track with the repatriation process, said Williams on Friday.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the repatriation of South African citizens from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, which is the epicentre of the Coronavirus in China.

Cabinet took the decision to repatriate South Africans based in China following several requests from their families.

Government maintained that the terms of reference for the provision of an aircraft for the repatriation includes trained crew members to assist the passengers.

This is in line with civil aviation regulations, which require trained and registered crew members to assist the passengers on the plane.

All services that are required for the repatriation are being finalised and the public will be informed accordingly, said Williams.

Government reiterated that all South Africans that will be repatriated are not sick and that the World Health Organisations protocols for the repatriation will be adhered to.

Government calls upon citizens to remain calm and spread truths about the virus to overcome the global challenge of misinformation in the public domain. Every person must practice responsible behaviour to contain the spread of COVID-19, said Williams.

This includes: regular washing of hands with an alcohol based hand rub or wash them with water and soap, maintain a 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing and sneezing, and ensure that surface are wiped and kept clean.

First confirmed Coronavirus case

On Thursday, South Africa confirmed its first case of the Coronavirus in the country.

A 38-year-old KwaZulu-Natal man, who travelled to Italy with his wife, has tested positive for the virus. The couple was part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March 2020.

The patient consulted a private general practitioner on 3 March with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab. The patient has been self-isolating since 3 March. The couple also has two children.

Updating the media on the developments of COVID-19, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Professor Cheryl Cohen said as far as travellers are concerned, people who are most at risk of exposure are the travellers close contacts.

The people that we will be quarantining are the people close to this individual.

We have a definition of what constitutes a close contact. All those people will be asked to self-quarantine in their home for 14 days and be monitored by our medical staff to make sure that if they get any symptoms, they are rapidly tested, she said on Thursday.

Cohen said the case definition of the virus has been expanded to include testing of any person with a pneumonia of unexplained aetiology, even if they have not travelled.

That was included to increase our sensitivity, our ability to detect a case should the virus be circulating in the community. We are planning to start testing for the virus on our routine surveillance programme.

We have systems in place to monitor respiratory disease, predominantly focused on influenza, she said.

Who is most at risk?

Theres currently no data indicating that people with HIV are more severely affected by the virus.

What we know is that the severe cases to date are with elderly people. Based on what we know from other respiratory illnesses like influenza -- including bacterial causes of pneumonia -- people who are receiving antiretroviral treatment and are stable on treatment and well suppressed, the treatment substantially reduces their risk of severe illness with these viruses and theres no reason to suspect that this should be different, Cohen said.

She advised people who are concerned they meet the case definition of Coronavirus infection to seek care.

Identify yourself at a [health] facility very quickly and dont mix with other people. In the case of the infectious person, if you do have a surgical mask available, that could be helpful to reduce respiratory droplets, she said.

Current status

Cohen said there is no indication that COVID-19 is spreading widely in South Africa.

At this time, for the general public of South Africa, there isnt a risk in terms of this virus spreading in the general community, Cohen said.

Government containing spread of virus

According to the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, there is no need to panic as medical authorities are taking all measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The Minister said South Africa has not put any travel restrictions but vigilance will be increased to monitor the virus.

We are going to be including a number of countries where we think that the level of transmission is higher, and encourage people to self-disclose their whereabouts and their contacts with people who could have been infected

We are going to follow international norms once we find that there was any contact, Mkhize said.

Dedicated Hospitals

In addition to the operations centre, the department announced the following hospitals as centres for isolation and treatment of people infected with Coronavirus:

Polokwane Hospital in Limpopo

Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mpumalanga

Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Steve Biko Hospital and Tembisa Hospitals in Gauteng

Grey's Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal

Klerksdorp Hospital in the North West

Kimberly Hospital in the Northern Cape

Pelonomi Hospital in the Free State

Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape

Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape



More educative information can be accessed on http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/outbreaks/145-corona-virus-outbreak/465-corona-virus-outbreak. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-03-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 16:15:40|Editor: huaxia

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SHANGHAI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Before each meal, Di Yang takes out a purple-red soap bar and washes his hands.

"This kind of soap is medicated, and is great for preventing disease transmission," said Di, 42, a Shanghai-based surgeon.

As China feels the pinch of the virus outbreak, traditional medicated soaps are giving a helping hand in the battle against the novel coronavirus in the country.

So far, more than 10 million bars of medicated soaps have reached households in China amid the epidemic, including Hubei Province, the center of the virus outbreak, according to Shanghai-based soap manufacturer Shanghai Soap, one of the oldest soap bar makers in China.

Containing anti-bacterial ingredients, medicated soap bars usually smell like medicine.

Before China's reform and opening up in the late 1970s, medicated soap bars had already extended to families in Shanghai as well as in the Yangtze River Delta, and gained great popularity among the general public to help prevent disease transmission.

"I remember my parents would buy these medicated soap bars and ask me to wash my hands with them when I was little," said Zhong Ling, a middle school teacher in east China's Jiangxi Province. "I still buy these bars to maintain proper hygiene these days."

The soap bars have remained popular to this day.

"I remember more than 30 years ago, there was a hepatitis A epidemic in Shanghai, and every family bought medicated soap bars for daily cleansing," Di recalled. "Washing your hands with medicated soap was considered one of the most effective ways to prevent infection."

Di currently works in a fever clinic in Shanghai.

"About a month ago, I was seeing my colleagues off to Wuhan to fight the virus, and all the doctors and nurses had medicated soaps in their suitcases," he said.

Medicated soap bars played a role in the prevention and control of hepatitis A, SARS, and the Ebola outbreak in Africa, said Ouyang Yiling, with the Shanghai Soap.

Currently, Shanghai exports more than 5,000 boxes of medicated soap bars to Africa annually, according to official figures.

In late January, Shanghai Soap's factories already started rolling as the coronavirus hit. The virus disrupted the company's production plans, and it decided to temporarily halt the production of other soap products and focus on making medicated soap bars and other disinfectants.

In February, the company's highest daily production reached 700,000 soap bars.

"This is a special period, so we adjusted our products and functions," Ouyang said. "We wanted to improve our efficiency and contribute to the fight against the virus."
A Twitter user has shared her mother's hilarious response to a troll who messaged her on Instagram asking for sex.

Darcie Ginger, 23, from Brentwood, went online after discovering her mum Debbie was contacted by a man online.

The man, who was hoping for a romp, was however not expecting Debbie's sassy response, who replied 'I'm in Tesco'.

Sharing the exchange online @darciegingerx, Darcie managed to rack up 100,000 likes, replies and retweets.

Darcie Ginger, 23, from Brentwood, shared her mother's hilarious response to a troll who messaged her on Instagram asking for sex

Darcie posted a screengrab of the messages, tweeting: 'Some freak messaged my mum on insta n she replies with this! I cant deal with her' (sic).

The first message from the user reads: 'Hi sweetheart', and when it's ignored, the next reads 'can we f***'.

Replying, Debbie cuts right to the chase and jokes: 'Can't at the moment I'm in Tesco's.'

The first message from the user reads: 'Hi sweetheart', and when it's ignored, the next reads 'can we f***'. Replying, Debbie cuts right to the chase and jokees: 'Can't at the moment I'm in Tesco's.'

Darcie posted a screengrab of the messages, tweeting: 'Some freak messaged my mum on insta n she replies with this! I cant deal with her'

Darcie then shared another grab as the troll tried to keep the conversation going, the user responds: 'Can you get me some Kinder Bueno please? They're 3 for 1.20'.

She added of his chocolate choice: 'At least I know he has good taste!'.

Replying to the exchange, one follower wrote: 'The bants is real but on a serious note the bloke is a creep lol'.

Another added: 'Your Mother is fantastic. Actual legend. This is class!'.

Elsewhere one joked: 'So she is telling him there is a chance. Just kidding, fair play to her.'

Darcie then shared another grab as the troll tried to keep the conversation going, the user responds: 'Can you get me some Kinder Bueno please? They're 3 for 1.20'

Speaking to Femail, Darcie said: 'My mum is a very quick witted woman.

'She loves a practical joke, especially when people cold call the house she will make up extravagant stories to string them along if shes feeling mischevious.

'My mum is happy married and has been for a long time! She was so shocked about going viral but shes a big character and the best mum!'.
Amazon is working on a cure for the common cold in a years-long, top secret effort called "Project Gesundheit," according to three people familiar with the effort.

The company has more than 100 working out of Grand Challenge, a research and development group that sits under its cloud division, AWS. A small team in this group, including scientists and technologists, is now working on a treatment for the world's most common illness.

The team is hoping to develop a vaccine, but is exploring a variety of approaches to the problem. Internally, the effort is sometimes referred to as the "vaccine project."

Colds cost the U.S. economy an estimated $40 billion per year, both because of physician visits and lost productivity, according to a landmark 2003 study from the University of Michigan. That number is likely far higher today. That study found that colds, which often last a week, are also responsible for nearly 200 million missed school days, which often mean that parents also have to stay home.

Grand Challenge, which hasn't been publicly acknowledged by Amazon, has a mandate to tackle big problems, ideally finding solutions that will have a major impact on humanity. The group, which has sometimes been known by its code-name "1492," is run by Babak Parviz, who previously worked at Alphabet's research and development effort, then known as Google X. CNBC first reported on the team in 2017.

The hope is that Amazon can build its next big business internally, rather than face disruption by outside forces. Grand Challenge isn't solely focused on health care, but the medical sector has been a major focus from the outset for employees because the market opportunity is so large. Health care is a $3.5 trillion market in the United States alone.

The people familiar with the effort declined to be identified because they're not authorized to speak about internal projects. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament debated today the bill proposed by the ruling My Step faction MP Sisak Gabrielyan according to which it is proposed to expand the customs privileges granted to repatriates, as well as facilitate the respective procedures.

Introducing the bill on making changes and amendments to the Law on Customs Regulation, the lawmaker said this bill will also promote repatriation.

According to the current regulation, all our citizens, who have not permanently resided in Armenia, can use customs privileges if they have not permanently lived in Armenia on the 183rd day of each year within five years. According to the current law, this privilege for the imported property and car is granted exclusively to those repatriates who do not have an Armenian citizenship or are not registered in Armenia. In other words, even if the citizen has not lived in Armenia for 10 years, but is still registered here, he/she cannot use this privilege. And we state that if the passport and visa department checks via a system that a person has lived outside Armenia in the past five years and applied to that body for permanent residence in Armenia, he/she will receive a letter that he/she doesnt have a permanent residence and within 18 months after acquiring that document he/she will be able to import personal property and one vehicle with her/his name, the MP said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
A cook, at work at Niche Niche. Photo: Melissa Hom

Brian Keyser, who owns Casellula Cheese & Wine Cafe in Hells Kitchen, now takes an electronic thermometer to work. Members of his staff will have to take their temperatures before they start their shifts. Its probably an overkill, says Keyser, but better safe than sorry. If anyone has a fever or is experiencing worrisome symptoms, he will send them home.

With two confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York, the threat of a COVID-19 pandemic feels closer and more certain every minute. And in New York City  where proximity to strangers is a way of life  tens of thousands of restaurants are on the front lines of confronting the imminent virus.

Ariel Arce, owner of Tokyo Record Bar, Niche Niche, Airs Champagne Parlor, and Special Club, is making sure we follow the appropriate sanitary protocol that all restaurants are held to  hand-washing, sanitary wipes for tables, gloves for chefs, and drinking from our own glasses. Plenty of hand sanitizer is showing up in restaurant bathrooms, too. In fact, thanks to the citys strict food-safety and sanitary guidelines, its business as usual.

But the coronavirus threat looms large. None of our clients want to exploit their workers or poison their customers, says Lee Jacobs, a partner at Helbraun Levey, a New York law firm that specializes in the hospitality industry, and works with restaurateurs. Nobody wants to be restaurant zero.

Like all small business owners, Keyser is worried that if it gets really bad, were not in a good position to absorb whatever the pressure of the crisis will bring. As a tiny restaurant, Casellula doesnt have enough workers to cover in an emergency. We only have one cook, so if we send the cook home, theres nobody left to make the food.

For Barbara Sibley, of La Palapa Cocina Mexicana and Holiday Cocktail Lounge, her 150 employees are the priority. Sibley tries to keep them informed  facts help, panic does not  and does everything she can to support her staff in taking care of themselves and their health, which includes their emotional and mental well-being. Its about listening. If someone is super anxious, maybe they shouldnt work that day, and thats okay. She adds that, in her 20 years in the business, she went through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, two blackouts, the recession in 2008  and just like for this, my strategy is community care. New Yorkers are resilient.

It helps that many restaurant workers are relatively young and healthy, which may make the virus less dangerous, but there are other concerns. The vast majority of hourly employees in the hospitality business dont have health insurance, so its not a good practice to require a doctors note, Jacobs points out. Instead, theyre dependent on (hopefully) responsible business owners to make smart decisions, and although there are fair labor standards and minimum wage rules, employees who choose to stay home may risk forgoing pay, especially when they make most of their money in tips.

Restaurants also depend on the vibrant economic life of the city to survive. If office workers are told to stay home, if Broadway shows, concerts, and conferences are canceled, restaurants will quickly feel the effects. Restaurants are the center of the commodities market, Sibley says. Were like the canary in the coal mine.

As Keyser says, the fraught financial reality of running an independent restaurant in New York means any economic slowdown could pose an existential threat. Our business cant afford to be closed for a month, he says. We cant afford to pay our staff if were not bringing in revenue.

Instead, many of the citys restaurants are gearing up for big increases in delivery business, a strong possibility if people are staying home by choice or necessity. At Holiday, Sibley is even considering creating DIY cocktail kits for people stuck at home. If people are in isolation, she says, and we can offer food and comfort  we will.

Meanwhile, some neighborhood-restaurant owners are also thinking that those who avoid subways may still want to go out to eat near their apartments. And, of course, a whole lot remains unknown, and the best thing restaurateurs can do is be prepared.

My first goal is to instill a sense of calm for my employees, says Garima Kothari, the chef who owns Nukkad, an Indian restaurant in Jersey City. Shes also stocked up on tea and spices, ingredients she gets directly from India, in case it becomes difficult to import them in the coming weeks.

People will need places to gather, even if they are small gatherings, Sibley believes. And when this is all over, People will need to pick up the pieces and reconnect. When that happens, New Yorks restaurants will be there.

This post has been edited to reflect the fact that Barbara Sibley is not the owner of Holiday Cocktail Lounge.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:36:32|Editor: huaxia

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MEXICO CITY, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Prejudice can't win the battle against viruses, but even-handed information can, a Brazilian daily newspaper's columnist, Flavia Lima, have said in a recent article headlined "The Virus of Prejudice."

The editorial was written as a response to readers' anger over a previous story about the country's first case of COVID-19 -- a Brazilian man who recently returned from Italy -- run by the same newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo in late February.

After the story was published, one of the readers complained about the photo selected to illustrate it, in which Asians, presumably of Chinese origin, were depicted.

Lima said such a choice only fanned the flames of discrimination by underscoring "the connection between the virus and Asians," which reinforced prejudice and was far from contributing to productive discourse, as a news outlet should do instead.

"Prejudice always gains strength in the midst of fear and ignorance," which she said was something media need to be aware of, particularly in times of health scares.

"Associating epidemics with an ethnic group, a nation or a particular community is a recurring theme in clinical history," said Lima, noting syphilis has at various times been believed to derive from the Italians, the French or the Americans.

Although China saw the first outbreak of the novel coronavirus, scientists have yet to determine the origin of the pathogen. But speculations over the source of the virus are already rife, especially on social media, said Lima.

"A good way to tackle the poison of prejudice is to offer information that's more evenhanded," she said, adding that the newspaper is moving in the right direction in this sense.

On Feb. 27, the daily published images of people wearing face masks on various occasions, such as the Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo, a Champions League match in Madrid, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.
Bhopal: Amid intense political drama in Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Digvijaya Singh said all was well in the Kamal Nath-led government and it would complete its full term.

Singh, who reached Bhopal on Friday after spending the last few days in the national capital, said he returned to the state on the directive of the chief minister. Sources said the Congress leadership has all party MLA and allies to stay put in the capital for the next few days.

When asked if the current dispensation, which has a thin majority in the Assembly, would be able to complete its term, Singh said, Initially, the BJP used to say this government would not last for three months, then it said not more than six months. See how we have successfully run the government for over a year.

The Congress veteran said a Cabinet expansion should take place after the budget session of the Assembly. He also reiterated his claims of BJP indulging in horse-trading of MLAs to dislodge the government and said he would never level any allegations without evidence.

However, when told that a number of MLAs, who were/are missing ever since the crisis broke out in the state, have refuted claims of being offered any money by the saffron camp, Singh lost his cool, stating that those legislators (BSPs Sanjeev Singh Kushwaha and SPs Rajesh Shukla) may not have been present at the Gurugram hotel in Haryana where some of their colleagues were taken away from the central Indian state.

On Wednesday, six ruling camp MLAs, including Kushwaha and Shukla, who were reportedly taken to a the Gurugram hotel, had come back to state with senior Congress ministers.

Singh has been claiming for the last few days that the BJP is trying to buy MLAs from the ruling camp to bring down the government and even taking them out of the state in chartered planes to national capital and other places.

Meanwhile, senior minister Govind Singh said Kamal Nath was a veteran leader and would not take any step (cabinet expansion) under any pressure.

On Thursday, one of the Congress MLAs Hardeep Singh Dang, who is reportedly staying at a hotel in Bengaluru along with three other colleagues and has remained untraceable since Tuesday night, resigned from the post of member of Assembly.

Dang, who represented Mandsaur's Suwasra constituency in the Assembly, is reported to have been disgruntled with the party leadership after he was not offered a senior position or a ministerial berth.

The Congress leadership claimed the resignation letter was a fake one. Nath held a late-night meeting senior ministers at the CMs House. BJP MLAs Narayan Tripathi and Sanjay Pathak also reportedly met the CM around the same time.

Later, Tripathi said he has resigned from BJP, but had met the chief minister only to discuss developmental work in his constituency.

However, Pathak said that he has not met the CM and had faith in the saffron party. He also refuted reports of meeting with any senior leader of the Congress, adding there was a threat to his life over the ongoing political scenario. He said his brother-in-law is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad and he is busy with the same.

The developments bolstered rumours that both the Congress and BJP have started making efforts to reach out to MLAs of each others camps ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha election that is scheduled to take place on March 22.
New Delhi: Vodafone Global CEO Nick Read has told the government that the company wants to make a new and good beginning in India, according to sources.

Read -- who met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad separately on Friday -- sought government assistance to keep Vodafone Idea afloat, the sources added.

Sources said during his meeting, Prasad made it clear that the government is against a monopoly in the telecom sector, and wants Vodafone Idea to survive and remain invested in India.

The sources said the minister conveyed India's growing economic clout and its attractiveness to foreign investors, as also the enormous size of its market.

The minister pointed out that the company has 30 crore subscribers in India and that the telecom market presents huge opportunities.

India wants fair competition, the minister is learnt to have told the Vodafone CEO.

Sources said Read also acknowledged that the AGR issue should have been addressed long back by the company.

Relief measures for telecom firms are work in progress, government sources said, adding Vodafone Idea will have to pay at least the principal amount of its AGR dues at the earliest.
Greys Anatomy ended the mystery surrounding the departure of a main character on Thursday (5 March), and fans are not impressed.

In the episode Leave a Light On, Dr Alex Karev, played by Justin Chambers, sent four handwritten letters explaining that he was leaving his wife Jo (Camilla Luddington) for his old flame, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), who left the show in season six.

He also revealed that he and Izzie have twins together, conceived with frozen embryos. Jo and viewers had previously been led to believe that when Alex went away he was visiting his ageing mother in Iowa.

Chambers departure leaves Ellen Pompeos protagonist Meredith Grey as the last of the five central characters remaining on the show, which launched in 2005.

Chambers unexpectedly announced his departure from the series in January, saying in a statement that he hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices.

Fans have responded with fury on social media, threatening to boycott the show.

It is nearly impossible to say goodbye to Alex Karev, showrunner and executive producer Krista Vernoff said in a new statement. That is as true for me and for all of the writers at Greys Anatomy as it is for the fans. We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers nuanced portrayal of him.

For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev. We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends. We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the ambassadors of the G7 countries and the head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine during his working visit to Poltava region and assured them that the course chosen by the state remains unchanged, the press service of the head of state has reported.

"In an informal atmosphere, the participants in the meeting discussed the further course of Ukraine. In particular, the president stressed the unwavering chosen course for the implementation by the government and the Verkhovna Rada of policies aimed at ensuring the welfare, security, protection of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainians, as well as the creation of a strong rule-of-law state serving citizens," the Office of the President reported.

Zelensky also stressed that the reboot of the Cabinet of Ministers is aimed at improving the performance of the executive power and will not affect the stated priorities in domestic and foreign policy.

The president thanked the heads of diplomatic missions of the Group of Seven countries and the European Union for the practical assistance and political support for Ukraine's path of reform.

Zelensky is on a working visit to Poltava region on March 5-6.

op
Attorney-General William Barr openly refers to China as a "dictatorship" in his speeches. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Chinese Communist Party the central threat of our times". In a speech last week to the right-wing Hudson Institute, Rick Scott referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as "a despot in disguise" and "Mao Zedong with a makeover". US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called the Chinese Communist Party the central threat of our times". Credit:AP "Communist China does not want to join the community of nations so much as it wants to rule it," the Florida senator said. "The result, whether we want to admit it or not, is a new Cold War." Such talk is a dramatic turnaround from just a few years ago, when both Democrats and Republicans were focused on deepening co-operation with China.

"I have been astounded at how quickly the pendulum has swung," says Anja Manuel, a former senior State Department official and the author of This Brave New World: India, China and the United States. "The consensus during the Clinton, Bush and early Obama years was to try to bring China along as part of the international system, to help make it a responsible stakeholder. US politicians are increasingly open in their condemnation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit:AP "Now there is a much harder, aggressive line from both the left and the right. Talk to the big Democrats about this and they are almost as tough on China as the Republicans." The centrepiece of Trump's tough-on-China approach has been trade. Barack Obama tried to curtail China's economic influence through the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership; Trump has preferred to use tariffs on Chinese imports to gain leverage.

While some Democrats criticised Trump's unpredictable policy-making style, the Democrats' Senate leader Chuck Schumer urged the President to hang tough with China on trade. "Don't back down," he tweeted to Trump at the height of the US-China trade war. "Strength is the only way to win with China." Like Trump, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has branded China a currency manipulator and has called for new rules to prevent the dumping of cheap Chinese goods in the US. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Donald Trump to China in November 2017. Credit:AP Echoing Rick Scott's Cold War rhetoric, Democratic senator Mark Warner used a speech last year to warn that the US faces a modern-day "Sputnik moment"; just as it risked losing the space race to the Soviet Union in the 1960s, it is now in danger of being overtaken by China on technology. "We have to wake this country up to what China is doing," Warner told the Brookings Institution.

"In areas like 5G, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, robotics, hypersonics, augmented reality and biotech, President Xi is making a play for first place, and he's doing it using the model that the United States pioneered into technological dominance in the 20th century." Anja Manuel says the Washington foreign policy establishment's assertive turn on China began in the middle of 2015. The hardening of views was largely a reaction to Xi's increasingly authoritarian and expansionist posture, she says. It was at this time that the Chinese government released its Made in China 2025 plan, outlining its goal to become an advanced technology powerhouse. The Chinese military also became increasingly active in the South China Sea. Meanwhile US business leaders were beginning to grasp the systemic barriers they faced in gaining access to the Chinese market. A few weeks ago, Republican senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic colleague Chris Van Hollen introduced the True Reciprocity Act, which targets what they called the "substantial imbalance" in the US-China relationship. The aim is to get the US government to treat Chinese diplomats, journalists, businesses and non-government groups as their American counterparts are treated in China.

Pompeo's decree this week that five Chinese media outlets  including the official news agency Xinhua  reduce their US-based staff numbers by 40 per cent was exactly what Sullivan and Van Hollen had in mind. Pompeo's move was widely seen as an act of retaliation for China's decision to revoke the visas of three Wall Street Journal reporters last month. While a more aggressive stance towards China was needed, Manuel says such tit-for-tat policies are going too far. "We don't want to 'out-China' China," she says. "Our China policy has become completely un-nuanced." Spy game To his friends and colleagues at Harvard University, Charles Lieber looked like the very model of a respectable university professor. Leiber, the chair of the university's chemical department, had won prestigious prizes and published hundreds of journal articles.

Then, in late January, FBI agents visited him at his office and arrested him. A few days later Leiber appeared in handcuffs and prison gear at a Massachusetts courthouse to face accusations of "aiding the People's Republic of China". The FBI alleges that Lieber lied about his involvement with the Chinese government's Thousand Talents Plan, which encourages overseas researchers to bring their expertise to China in exchange for research funding and lab space. The FBI claims Lieber received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Wuhan University of Technology, but denied being a participant in the Thousand Talents Plan. On the same day, the FBI charged cancer researcher Zaosong Zheng with stealing 21 vials of biological research and attempting to smuggle them out of the US on a flight destined for China. A few days after these charges were laid, FBI Director Christopher Wray gave a major speech in Washington. His message was blunt: Chinese espionage is the greatest threat to America's economic prosperity.

Chinese spies, Wray said, had "targeted companies producing everything from proprietary rice and corn seeds to software for wind turbines to high-end medical devices". "The Chinese government is fighting a generational fight to surpass our country in economic and technological leadership," Wray said. "But not through legitimate innovation, not through fair and lawful competition, and not by giving their citizens the freedom of thought and speech and creativity we treasure here in the United States. FBI director Christopher Wray labelled Chinese espionage the greatest threat to America's economic prosperity. Credit:Bloomberg "Instead, they've shown that they're willing to steal their way up the economic ladder at our expense."

Wray said the FBI currently has about 1000 investigations open into Chinese technology theft. Loading Chinese academics and students in China say they have recently experienced unusually long processing delays on visa applications, forceful questioning by Customs officers at airports and surprise visits from law enforcement officials on campus. University leaders, while accepting the need to prevent espionage, say there is a danger the crackdown will lead to a form of racial profiling against native Chinese students and academics at American universities. In an open letter last year, Massachusetts Institute of Technology president L. Rafael Reif warned that "we must take great care not to create a toxic atmosphere of unfounded suspicion and fear".

"Looking at cases across the nation, small numbers of researchers of Chinese background may indeed have acted in bad faith, but they are the exception and very far from the rule," Reif wrote. Loading "Yet faculty members, post-docs, research staff and students tell me that, in their dealings with government agencies, they now feel unfairly scrutinised, stigmatised and on edge  because of their Chinese ethnicity alone." There have been examples of overreach. In 2015 US prosecutors were forced to drop charges against Sherry Chen, a Chinese-born hydrologist they had accused of spying. They also dropped charges against Chinese-born American physicist Xiaoxing Xi, whom they accused of sending restricted technology to China.
A sign for biotechnology company, Biogen, Inc. is seen on a building in Cambridge, Mass., on March 18, 2017. (Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images)

Three Biogen Workers Test Positive for New Coronavirus After Boston Meeting

Three workers at the U.S.-based Biogen Inc. tested positive for the new coronavirus after attending a meeting in Boston, the company said.

The Massachusetts-based drugmaker said in a statement that some of its employees reported flu-like symptoms after the meeting in Boston last week. Three of the patients tested positive for the new virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, while others were diagnosed with the flu.

COVID-19 has symptoms similar to the flu, including shortness of breath, fever, and coughing, health officials have said.

At the present time, these individuals are doing well, improving and under the care of their healthcare providers, Biogen said.

Two of the patients traveled to Boston from a state outside Massachusetts while the other two are from Europe, the company said.

Biogen has asked all workers who attended the meeting to work from home for two weeks. The company has also restricted company travel through the end of March and advised any employees feeling sick to stay home.

The meeting took place last week at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf, Biogen told news outlets. The hotel is in downtown Boston near the New England Aquarium.

Biogens statement came after the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) said the first patient who tested positive in the state traveled on a round-trip flight between Nashville International Airport and Boston.

A Chinese volunteer from Blue Sky Rescue wears a protective suit as he uses fumigation equipment to disinfect common areas of a local residential compound as a member of the community opens the door for him in Beijing, China on March 5, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Kevin Connolly, whose father-in-law is a resident at Life Care Center, speaks during a press conference held by family of residents of the nursing home, where some patients have died from COVID-19, in Kirkland, Washington on March 5, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday night that the patient is an employee at Biogen.

The male patient did not show symptoms while traveling, TDH said. He is now showing mild symptoms and is isolated at his house in Williamson County. The mans household contacts are also being quarantined and monitored for symptoms of COVID-19.

Tennessee officials are working with Massachusetts health officials, Piercey said. The Boston Public Health Commission said it was working with state officials in both states to gather information about the confirmed case.

Health officials have said worldwide data on the new coronavirus cases show around four out of five only show mild or moderate symptoms.

According to a notice sent to all Biogen employees, workers were told not to go to Massachusetts General Hospital to ask for testing for the new virus.

You will not be tested, management said in the email. Hospital leaders have warned Biogen that they may need to have the Hospital Police Department intervene to prevent Biogen employees from entering the emergency room.
New Delhi: The government on Friday constituted a Delimitation Commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies of the Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, a Law Ministry notification said.

Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and state election commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir and the four states will be the ex-officio members, it said.

The commission will delimit the constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, and of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland in accordance with the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2002, the notification said.

Delimitation is the process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province with a legislative body.

The appointment of Justice (retd) Desai will be for a period of one year or till further orders, whichever is earlier, the notification said.

According to section 60 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, "...the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall be increased from 107 to 114...."

Of these 24 seats are in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. So effectively, the seats will go up from 83 to 90 Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had explained recently when reporters had asked him about delimitation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir came into being on October 31, 2019 after the state was reorganised and bifurcated into two union territories, Ladakh being the other.

On February 28, the government had cancelled its earlier notifications which deferred delimitation in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh due to security issues, saying the exercise could be carried out "now" as the previous circumstances cease to exist.

The cancelation of the notifications had paved the way for delimitation in the four northeastern states.

The 'order' issued by the Legislative Department of the Law Ministry had said "it appears that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise" in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland "have ceased to exist and that the delimitation of the constituencies as envisaged under the Delimitation Act, 2002 could be carried out now".

It said now the President, satisfied that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise have ceased to exist, "is pleased to rescind the notification ... dated the February 8 2008..."

A Delimitation Commission was set up under the Delimitation Act, 2002 to readjust the division of each state and union territory into territorial constituencies for the purpose of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections on the basis of census figures of 2001.

The Commission completed the delimitation exercise and the Delimitation Order, 2008 in respect of all the states, except in these four northeastern states.

The job of delimitation is assigned to a high power body. Such a body is known as Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.

"In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times - in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002," according to the EC website.

The Delimitation Commission in India is a high power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.

These orders come into force on a date to be specified by the President. The copies of its orders are laid before Lok Sabha and the state legislative assembly concerned, "but no modifications are permissible therein by them", the EC website said.
Lawmakers in the South Carolina House and Senate are at odds over a plan to renegotiate NextEra Energy's multibillion dollar offer to buy Santee Cooper, a move that could delay a final vote on the fate of the state-run utility.

A House committee advanced a bill Thursday that would reform Santee Cooper, South Carolina's 86-year-old water and electric utility, and allow a group of lawmakers to rework the recent puchase offer submitted by Florida-based NextEra.

But just hours after the House committee voted on that bill, state senators rejected NextEra's takeover bid altogether and proceeded with their own plan that would keep Santee Cooper under state control.

The dispute between the House and Senate follows several weeks of hearings in the Legislature, in which lawmakers raised serious concerns about a takeover by NextEra, the nation's largest investor-owned utility company.

The House's proposal would open up another chapter in the three-year effort to explore a possible sale of Santee Cooper. It would create a brand-new committee that would be charged with revising NextEra's deal.

That committee would mark the third attempt by state lawmakers to orchestrate a potential sale of Santee Cooper in as many years.

"This is not the end of the process. It's the commencement of the process," said Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, who led the committee reviewing the bids for Santee Cooper. He said talks could extend past the end of the regular legislative session in May.

But the House's bill was met with opposition before it was even up for a vote.

Some of the states' most influential senators voiced apprehension earlier this week about the House plan, which is being led by House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Hartsville. The senators questioned if the proposal followed the law that set up the bidding process for Santee Cooper last year.

That process placed the state Department of Administration in charge of negotiating with any companies that were interested in bidding to buy or manage Santee Cooper. The state agency then whittled the bids down to three unique offers, which they supplied state lawmakers on Feb. 11.

Those bids included NextEra's takeover offer, Virginia-based Dominion Energy's plan to manage Santee Cooper for the state, and Santee Cooper's own proposal to reform the public utility.

Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, believes the Legislature was legally required to choose one of those three options. He and other senators raised concerns this week about giving a single bidder  NextEra  the chance to alter its offer now, after the formal bidding process ended.

"We had three options: sale, manage or reform. I didn't think it said reform, then sell," Peeler said. "If the House sends us over something that says reform then sell, wipe out the board."

Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Prosperity, said the House plan "opened up a can of worms."

But members of the House disagree. One leading representative said it is "laughable" to say the Legislature doesn't have the ability to reopen negotiations with NextEra to try to wring a better deal out of the company.

"We can do whatever we like. Santee Cooper belongs to the state. It belongs to us," said House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia.

"It is completely ignorant of the power we have as the General Assembly," Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, said.

Members of the House and Senate have been resistant to several key parts of NextEra's bid. That includes NextEra's request to sidestep South Carolinas utility regulators for four years, the company's proposal to cut its property taxes over the next 30 years and its plan to leave millions of dollars in pension costs and potential legal liabilities with the state and its taxpayers.

NextEra said Thursday that it is willing to alter parts of its deal in order to appease lawmakers and lock in its takeover of Santee Cooper.

"We have indicated that we are open to negotiation and discussion of all aspects of our proposal in a holistic way," said Debra Larson, a spokeswoman for NextEra. "We look forward to the opportunity to engage in negotiation and continue to work with the Legislature to effect a sale."

But NextEra CEO James Robo made it clear last week that some of the changes lawmakers sought could increase future power rates for Santee Cooper customers.

Robo specifically noted the tax exemptions. Any increase in the company's tax obligations, he pointed out, would be passed on to Santee Cooper ratepayers through their monthly power bills.

Santee Cooper's CEO Mark Bonsall told lawmakers this week that he did not believe NextEra should get a second chance to hatch a deal for Santee Cooper.

"I don't think that is fair. I'm sorry. I really don't," Bonsall told senators.

"If I was a bidder looking from the outside into the state of South Carolina, I wouldn't participate in bids going forward," Bonsall added. "You can't trust that the bid is done when the bid said it's done. I hate to be so brutal about it."

Santee Cooper is on the auction block because of its handling of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project. That nuclear project cost more than $9 billion before it was abandoned and saddled Santee Cooper, the minority owner of the reactors, with more than $4 billion in bond debt.

State lawmakers are eager to avoid a repeat of that financial disaster. That's why both the House and Senate are seeking to reform Santee Cooper and its 12-member board of directors. Many lawmakers have said their biggest fear is getting to the end of the legislative session without making any types of reforms at Santee Cooper.

"Santee Cooper cannot be allowed to operate the way they operate today," said Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, D-West Columbia. "They've got to be reformed immediately."

That's something the House leaders agree with. They want to initiate reforms at Santee Cooper before the end of the session.

"There needs to be reform instituted now," Smith said.

The question now is whether NextEra's deal actually remains on the table.
Dublin, March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Fall Protection Equipment Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Fall Protection Market is likely to grow at a CAGR of over 10% during the period 2019-2025.



Key Market Insights

The analysis of the fall protection market provides sizing and growth opportunities for the period 2020-2025.

Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market.

Includes a detailed analysis of growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.

Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the market.

Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage.

The fall protection market is likely to witness rapid growth on account of a high number of accidents and incidences in construction, oil & gas, mining, and transportation industries. The increase in construction output and the rise in the aging workforce are likely to be other significant factors boosting the adoption of fall protection equipment. Moreover, the growing investment in renewable energies, such as wind and solar, is expected to increase demand for high-end safety equipment for workers that inspect, install, and maintain extensive infrastructures such as windmills, machines, and panels.



The construction industry accounts for the highest accidents than in other sectors. The rise in the number of infrastructure projects across the globe, especially in the US, the UAE, and China, is expected to generate awareness and demand for fall protection equipment. In the US, fall accidents are growing at an alarming rate, thereby increasing stringency in regulations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) work to promote voluntary safety standards at workplaces to ensure employee safety. Government agencies and employee welfare organizations across several countries are making efforts to reduce the number of work-related accidents. Hence, the increase in campaigns and awareness programs will influence employers to install safety equipment, thereby increasing the growth of the fall protection market during the forecast period.

Story continues

Market Dynamics



Opportunities & Trends



Increased Government Investments

Growing Demand for Adventure Sports

Growth Enablers

Increase in Workplace Injuries

Stringent Safety Regulations

Growth in Professional Cleaning Industry

Growth Restraints

Lack of Skilled Labor

Use of Substandard Products

Fall Protection Market: Segmentation



This research report includes a detailed segmentation by product type, end-user and geography.

Soft goods comprise harnesses, body belts, lanyards, and ropes. The application of harnesses is high in construction, oil & gas, mining, and energy industries. Harnesses are in demand as they offer high safety and security. They are experiencing a high application in the mining industry. Hence, the expansion of the oil and rig industry in North America is expected to drive the demand for harnesses. Lanyards reduce free fall distance and minimize injury risks. These types of soft goods are durable and flexible, which increases their utilization in construction activities. The demand for lanyards is expected to grow due to the increasing construction activities in the APAC and North American regions. Hard goods consist of anchors, karabiner, rope grabs, and retractable blocks. Anchors are highly capable of supporting intended loads and helping in fall arrest. The application of anchors is mandatory in the mining industry as it can maximize versatility and convenience among workers.

The global expansion of the mining industry is likely to bolster the demand for anchors. Rope grabs enable level and inertial locking to prevent the fall and are the preferred options for vertical and horizontal lifeline systems applied in the construction and mining industry. The increasing installation of lifeline systems in the construction and mining industry is expected to drive the growth of rope grabs. Rescue kits prevent the employee from fall accidents. Stringency in occupational safety in the US is driving the demand for rescue kits as they are mandatory for all types of work environments. Hence, the increasing application of rescue kits due to regulatory compliance is expected to increase the revenue of the hard goods segment during the forecast period.



The construction industry is the major end-user of the fall protection system as it witnesses the highest incidences of accidents every year. The global construction industry accounts for more than one-third of workplace fatalities annually. The US, the UAE, Canada, Mexico, and China are the key countries for safety equipment in construction sites due to the high number of upcoming construction projects. As oil & gas industries are potentially more hazardous than any other industries, the exposure of physical, chemical, and biological toxins might increase the chance of falls and explosions that demand fall protection equipment. Retractable lifeline systems are widely preferred in the oil & gas industry due to high-security concerns.

The growth in public investments and the probability of increased risks in workplaces are likely to trigger the demand for protective equipment. The demand is expected to be significant in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as they are among the leading oil exporters in the world. Volatility in the mining environment is enforcing the adoption of fall safety equipment on a large scale. The demand for harnesses and belts is likely to increase as they are majorly used in the mining industry. The global mining industry is expected to grow at a rate of 3% until 2022. Thus, the demand for rescue kits, lanyards, and belts is likely to surge during the forecast period.



Insights by Geography



The increasing oil and rig activities in North America is expected to boost the demand for soft goods, access systems, and rescue kits during the forecast period. In the US, strict compliance to stated regulations, including OSHA, is likely to drive the market. Moreover, the increase in commercial construction, which consists of hotels, spas, amusement parks, and recreational facilities, is expected to drive the growth of the market. Increasing infrastructural developments in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Portugal is likely to drive the market in Europe.

The construction industry in the European region is expected to generate $2,750 billion by 2023. With the rise in the number of construction projects, risks and hazards associated with employees are also estimated to rise in the coming years, thereby expecting to drive the demand for soft goods such as lanyards, ropes, harness and access systems, and rescue kits during the forecast period. The APAC region will grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The construction industry in APAC, excluding India, is estimated to reach over $5 trillion by 2021. China's construction industry will grow over 4% by 2021 due to the development of several mega infrastructure projects, along with the construction of over 2,900 hotel projects. In the MEA region, the fall protection market is likely to grow due to significant investments in advance technology and infrastructural design. Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait are the major countries in the region, which are likely to invest tremendous growth.



Insights by Vendors



The fall protection market is fragmented, with a limited number of global players earning significant revenue. The margin of success always lies in the intensity of the differentiation among the products. Factors such as price, warranty, training methods, feasible access to the trainers, and durability of the products are expected to play a vital role in highlighting the major vendors. In price-sensitive countries such as India, there is a threat from the new entrants that offer non-certified equipment at low prices. Hence, global players are facing a significant challenge to establish a diverse market base in the country. Globally, the expansion through mergers and acquisitions is likely to be effective in the fall protection market. The vendors are expected to earn revenue through training, inspection, and services in underpenetrated regions of APAC, MEA, and Latin America.



Key Vendors

3M

Honeywell

MSA

Petzl

Pure Safety Group

Other Vendors

SKYLOTEC GmbH

Guardian Fall

Kee Safety

Werner

FallTech

Cofra

FrenchCreek

Safe Approach

Swelock Asia

Heightsafe

Hi-Rise Access

SafetyLink

Malta Dynamics

Buckingham Manufacturing

Elk River

Sellstrom

Rigid Lifelines

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has cleared decks for its prosecutor to investigate possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan, including allegations against the United States as well as Afghan and Taliban armed fighters.

"The Appeals Chamber considers it appropriate to ... authorise the investigation," said presiding Judge Piotr Hofmanski on Thursday.

The announcement comes days after the US and Taliban signed a peace deal. It may be noted that the US is not a member of the Hague-based court, reported Al Jazeera.

The order will allow prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to launch a full investigation, despite US government opposition.

Hofmanski noted that Bensouda found reasonable grounds to believe war crimes had been committed in Afghanistan, which is a member of the court, and that the court has jurisdiction's preliminary examination.

A pretrial court had rejected Bensouda's 2017 request to open a full-fledged an investigation, arguing that the odds of success were low, given the passage of time, a lack of cooperation from Kabul and Washington, and the panel's conclusion that it would not "serve the interests of justice".

Bensouda has contended that there are grounds to open an investigation into abuses committed between 2003 and 2014 including alleged mass killings of civilians by the Taliban, as well as the alleged torture of prisoners by Afghan authorities and, to a lesser extent, by the US's forces and its spy agency, the CIA.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over the past two decades, Ive read a number of Christian books that make the case for walking alongside people in need and offer a framework for how to do it. Some have been written by prominent theologians, others by pastors, activists, missionaries, and organizational leaders. Theyre all compelling and helpful. But Ive always found the actual process messier, murkier, and more protracted than the tidy frameworks, guidelines, and stories of transformation would suggest.

Seven years ago, when my husband and I agreed to serve as lay leaders over a racially and socioeconomically diverse church community, we had no idea how challenging it would be. One family who became homeless lived with us for just under five months. During that time, we worked closely with them to resolve their most pressing concerns. But we were also busy helping others under our care with problems ranging from dating issues and financial stress to pornography addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, racism, sexual assault, and divorce.

Even in that small community, the needs were overwhelming. And the books we had consulted didnt provide us with much practical or spiritual guidance on navigating the mess in real time. Even the pastors werent sure how to help us. They mostly said, Thank you for all youre doing. Were praying for you. Eventually, burnout set in and forced us to take a sabbatical.

For a while, we went back to our comfortable, upper-middle-class existence, but the conviction to walk alongside the needy didnt subside. We had seen too much evidence that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps. 34:18). We still believed that our gifts, time, energy, and resources were given by God to serve, love, and refresh others.

In time, we befriended two people from a background of multigenerational poverty and trauma. They struggled with chronic housing insecurity, disability, and other forms of disenfranchisement. After supporting them through a health and housing crisis for a year, we decided to make a serious financial and relational commitment to walk alongside them for the long haul. If we thought our previous experiences prepared us for this commitment, though, we were wrong. It brought a whole new awareness of how the combination of structural injustice and personal sin derails people and conspires to keep them derailed. It also forced us to wrestle much more deeply and intensely with our own sin and insufficiency.

Servants and Sinners

Last fall, just as some of the pressures with our ministry reached new heights, a new book arrived in our mailbox: Eric McLaughlins Promises in the Dark: Walking with Those in Need Without Losing Heart. In it, we found both a fellow traveler and a contemplative field guide for the weary servant.

McLaughlins thesis is that when we follow Jesus into places of need, the toll it takes on our hearts reveals the unmistakable reality that we are not merely helpers, healers, and servants but also sufferers, sinners, and broken creatures in need of our own healing and renewal. As such, the only way to face the tragedy and brokenness in the world without burning out or becoming cynical is to admit our own need, cling to the promises of God, and anchor our hope in the sea of his faithfulness.

It sounds simple enough, but I read many of McLaughlins pages through tears, stopping frequently to pray and process. The book reads like a confessional, but its also instructive and convicting. Every bit of wisdom and insight has been hard earned. McLaughlin is an American family-practice physician living, working, and raising three children in Burundi, a mostly rural nation in the heart of sub-Saharan Africa. Burundi experienced decades of political instability following its independence from Belgium in 1962, including two genocides and a civil war. It remains one of the worlds poorest nations, coming in 185th out of 189 countries and territories, according to the Human Development Index. McLaughlin and his wife, Rachel, an obstetrician/gynecologist, have been there since August 2013.

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The circumstances in which McLaughlin is ministering are extreme, but the lessons he has learned in Burundi apply anywhere there is human needin other words, everywhere. In fact, I could have used a book like this when I first started working as a physician assistant at one of the worlds most advanced cancer hospitals back in 2000. Even though it was a state-of-the-art institution, I still witnessed daily the tragic limitsand sometimes the dire consequencesof human intervention. I struggled to find meaning amid all the powerlessness, suffering, death, and grief.

McLaughlins book is a courageous and transparent treatment of things most missional people avoid discussing openly but most assuredly wrestle withfutility, failure, insufficiency, despair, guilt, fear, pride, doubt, lack of resolution, unanswered questions, and suffering. But it gives equal weight to the things of God that intersect with themgrace, hope, divine goodness, promise, consolation, patience, daily rhythms, prayer, light, community, resurrection, and redemption. Each chapter explores a single theme through story, confession, self-reflection, Gods promises, and Gods character, concluding with a list of questions for readers.

The God of Eucatastrophe

On numerous occasions, McLaughlin refers to eucatastrophe, a word coined by author J. R. R. Tolkien. In cinema, the term refers to a sudden, joyful turn of events at the end of a story when all seems lost. Unlike deus ex machina, an inept plot device used to wrap up an otherwise dead-end storyline, eucatastrophe is built on the assumption that rescue is woven into the grand narrative from the start.

Christian hope, McLaughlin asserts, is built on the belief that God specializes in eucatastrophe. If humanity had been left to its own devices after the Fall, we would know nothing but catastrophe. But God has revealed himself to be invested in our rescue. As McLaughlin puts it, Tolkien said the incarnation of Jesus was the eucatastrophe of history, and the resurrection is the eucatastrophe of the incarnation. And Jesus return to fulfill his promise in Revelation 21:5I am making everything new!will be the eucatastrophe of death, pain, and suffering. It will bring a sudden glimpse of previously unseen truththat, all along, all things have been in the process of being restored. That means everything we do here and now, no matter how seemingly insignificant or futile, is being woven into that mighty arrival, that joyful rescue, that stunning renewal and resurrection.

McLaughlin underscores the point: My conviction is that, as this hope of future resurrection shapes us the false dichotomy of hope for the present world and hope for the future world rightly dissolves, for the same one is transforming all things with his single living hope. This hope empowers us to live and toil faithfully in the constant, unresolvable tensions of the difficult present. Hope, then, is not a state of mind we generate so much as a gift we receive. And yet, it can be learned and cultivated as we fix our gaze on God, the weaver of eucatastrophe.

I read the book several times before grasping the significance of the eucatastrophe metaphor. In my first reading, I was so flooded by painful memories from years of taking care of sick patients and years of doing difficult ministry that the negative emotions were front and center. I realized I had gotten through those years with very different and not necessarily healthy coping strategies. In my second reading, I attempted to retroactively apply what I was reading to past experiences, to create meaning out of them in new ways. In my third reading, I almost shouted for joy at the thought of God lovingly, wisely, and actively weaving every present struggle into his grand eucatastrophe.

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More Consolation Than Desolation

No book that tackles suffering, injustice, death, and evil would be complete without delving into the realm of theodicy. Promises in the Dark does this in a way thats neither overly philosophical nor overly simplistic.

McLaughlin acknowledges the questions people typically ask: Where is God in all this suffering? If God is all-good and all-powerful, then why is there evil in this world? Instead of engaging those questions, though, he opts for a different question based on his observation that, even amid the worst he has witnessed, he has never been so acutely aware of the positive presence of the goodness of God in the world.

That question is this: If God isnt there or he isnt good, then where did all the goodness come from? Its presence also cries out for explanation. If we could speak of the problem of evil, could we also speak of a philosophical problem of good? Indeed, training ourselves to recognize the good thats present, even amid so much suffering, can offer a powerful safeguard against encroaching cynicism.

McLaughlin also points out that many of us approach the problem of evil wearing post-Enlightenment blinders. We tend to think of the Enlightenment in terms of positive and expansive progress rather than constraint, but parts of its legacy may actually hinder the sort of flourishing that God intended. Prior to the Enlightenmentgoing all the way back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacobpeople defined God by the stories of his relationship with his people, and those stories thoroughly shaped their understanding of his character. But afterward, people began to define God by abstract concepts like omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Thinkers and theologians have long attempted to define and understand evil, but only after the Enlightenment did Christians really begin struggling to reconcile the presence of evil with their abstract conceptions of God.

If, when faced with suffering, evil, and death, we choose to define God by the stories of his relationship with his people, we will find far more consolation than desolation. Gods story with us is that Jesus voluntarily subjected himself to all the suffering, injustice, and forsakenness that human beings endure. As McLaughlin observes, He walked the paths of suffering and injustice. He knows the pain of violence and hatred and all their blood-soaked consequences. As a result, suffering is holy ground. As for death, whose sting we still feel acutely in the present, we know it is the last enemy to be defeated. In a strangely redemptive mystery, McLaughlin writes, death, like suffering, has become sacred ground because God has walked there as well.

The Struggle to Remember

After I finished Promises in the Dark the first time, I had a hard time summarizing it to my husband without looking at it. I would start telling him how deeply it had affected me then find myself unable to articulate why.

After two more readings, I realized that the problem wasnt the book itself but the condition of my heart. I must confess that despite many years of walking with God and following him into hard places, Im still struggling to incorporate the promises of God, the story of his relationship to me in Christ, and the hope of the resurrection into the language of my thought life. I know Gods promises. Ive known them for decades. But my heart forgets them so easily when confronted with evil that steals and destroys.

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Its reassuring that the author does too. After writing 15 chapters on how Gods promises sustain us, McLaughlin confesses that sometimes the signs pointing to Jesus kingdom feel insufficient. He rehashes how hard it is to hope in the promises of God while our feet still pound the dust of a world full of brokenness. He confesses his fear and his impulse to escape to safety and shelter. Its a comfort to read those words. You find a sense of fellowship in them.

Hearkening back to the charge Moses gave the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:69, McLaughlin writes, We must return again and again to Gods promises. We must write them on our doorposts and speak them to one another as we walk along the roads of our world. We must sing them together and let them direct our dreams. After reading his epilogue, you almost get the sense that he wrote the book to embed these truths more deeply in himself. Were all like the person in James 1:2324 who looks at his face in a mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like. So we rely not on our own ability to remember and persevere but on others to speak, sing, and write the truth to us over and over until our race is finished.

Judy Wu Dominick is a writer and speaker living in Dallas.
After several recent grisly killings, feminists proposed the action to draw attention to Mexicos stunning levels of attacks on women, and the idea quickly went viral. Federal and local government offices and dozens of universities are granting leave to female employees and students, and some of Mexicos biggest companies are also backing the action. Walmart has said its 108,000 female employees in Mexico are free to join the one-day strike. Other corporate supporters include Ford, the Grupo Salinas banking and media conglomerate, and Bimbo, the baked-goods giant.
India's central bank took control of the country's fifth-largest private sector lender Yes Bank on Thursday and imposed limits on withdrawals, spreading confusion and fear among account holders. Shares of Yes Bank, which traded at 404 rupees at its peak in August 2019, fell to a record low of 5.65 rupees on Friday, with the stock plunging nearly 85%. The fall wiped out 79.43 billion rupees ($1.08 billion) from Yes Bank's market value.

Here's a look at the events leading up to the Reserve Bank of India's move:

Sept. 19, 2018 - RBI refuses to give Chief Executive Officer Rana Kapoor an extension to his term - Kapoor to step down by end of January 2019

Nov. 27 - Moody's cuts bank's foreign currency issuer rating; changes outlook to 'negative' from 'stable' citing concerns over corporate governance

Jan. 24, 2019 - Yes Bank hires the head of Deutsche Bank India Ravneet Gill as its new CEO

Feb. 13 - Yes Bank says RBI observed no divergences from central bank norms in the bank's asset classification and provisioning

April 8 - Pressed for capital, Yes Bank says it will consider raising funds by issuing shares and debt securities

April 26 - Rising levels of bad loans trigger Yes Bank's first-ever quarterly loss; Macquarie Research double-downgrades stock to 'underperform', stock tanks 30% on next trading day

May 14 - RBI appoints ex-central bank Deputy Governor R. Gandhi as additional director to Yes Bank's board - a rare move signaling an increased level of scrutiny on the lender

July 17 - Yes Bank reports 91% drop in first-quarter profit, as provisions surge and asset quality deteriorates sharply; gross bad loan ratio stood at 5.01%

Sept. 10 - Yes Bank CEO Gill says lender is close to securing a deal to sell a minority stake to a global technology company to help boost its capital

Oct. 3 - CEO Gill says bank is in talks with private equity firms, strategic investors and family offices to raise additional capital

Oct. 31 - Yes Bank gets binding investment offer of $1.2 billion from global investor, sends stock 39% higher

Nov. 1 - Yes Bank reports bigger-than-expected loss for the second quarter, as bad loan ratio deteriorates to 7.39% and provisions swell to 13.36 billion rupees

Nov. 29 - Yes Bank says it aims to raise up to $2 billion in a massive issue of new shares to institutional investors and family offices; says it is in talks to sell shares worth $1.2 billion to Canadian investor Erwin Singh Braich and Hong Kong-based SPGP Holdings, which he backs

Jan. 10, 2020 - Yes Bank rejects Braich's investment, says will launch a $1.4 billion share sale, after a board member's resignation casts more doubt on the lender's future

Feb. 12 - The lender says it will delay disclosing its October-December earnings by at least a month, and that it was in talks with potential investors for a cash infusion

Feb. 12 - Bank says it received non-binding expressions of interest from JC Flowers, Tilden Park Capital Management, OHA (UK) and Silver Point Capital.

March 5 - India places Yes Bank under moratorium, with RBI taking over from its board for 30 days and imposing limits on withdrawals to protect depositors

Also read: YES Bank Crisis Live Updates: SBI will take a call once RBI's plan is in, says Rajnish Kumar

Also read: Yes Bank depositors' money is safe: CEA Krishnamurthy Subramanian

Also read: Yes Bank crisis: SBI board gives 'in principle' approval to invest in capital-starved bank
The Kenosha County Division of Health announced Friday the closure of two of its clinics in an all-hands-on-deck approach to managing the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation.

Health Director Jen Freiheit said the increased workload related to emergency planning and pandemic preparedness efforts has exponentially increased even though the county does not have a COVID-19 case at this time.

We are ramping up all of our pandemic and influenza preparedness planning, Freiheit said. We are working with all of our many partners  the fire departments, the community health center, the hospitals. ... We are just being proactive.

The effort requires all available nurses to report to the home office as the county works to fill vacant nursing positions.

The department is down two nurse practitioners and two registered nurses, Freiheit said. The two clinics being temporarily closed are staffed by one nurse each.

In addition to preparation work, the department has been responding to a high number of calls from the public, Freiheit said.

The two clinics temporarily closed:

The clinic at the Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th St., in Bristol.

The Wellness Center clinic at the Kenosha WIC office, 2000 63rd St., in Kenosha.

The Kenosha County Job Center clinic, 8600 Sheridan Road, remains open. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, there may be periodic closures for staff meetings and training. As a result, it is recommended to call 262-605-6775 in advance.

The state Department of Health Services reported Thursday that 13 new patients were being tested for coronavirus. Of the 39 Wisconsin patients already tested for COVID-19, one tested positive for the virus and has recovered; 24 tested negative, and other results are pending.

State health officials have asked people who travel to countries with widespread COVID-19  including China, Iran, South Korea and Italy  to self-quarantine for 14 days, take their temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

People who believe they have been exposed to the virus should not to go to a hospital emergency room or clinic. Rather, Freiheit said they should call their primary care physician to coordinate care.

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A San Francisco public high school shut down midday Thursday after officials learned the parent of a student had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Lowell High School will remain closed Friday and officials said they will provide additional information before Monday.

Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and well-being of our community, we have decided to close the school and all events and gatherings for the time being, said school board President Mark Sanchez.

Also on Thursday, city officials announced the first two cases of the virus in San Francisco, a female in her 40s and male in his 90s, both of unknown origin. The parent was one of those cases, district officials said, and is being treated for COVID-19.

The student was not in school after lunchtime Thursday and the Department of Public Health has assessed the students status, district officials said. The student has not had any symptoms, but was placed in quarantine, district officials said.

There is still a lot of information we do not have, Sanchez said. We know that closing school is disruptive and we appreciate your understanding while we continue to gather facts.

District officials consulted with health officials, but made the decision to close the school despite assurance from the Department of Health that it could remain open.

This wasnt their recommendation, said Superintendent Vincent Matthews. But were taking families and their concerns into account. We know this was a conservative decision.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health officials said Thursday afternoon that they do not recommend closing any schools in the city at this time.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a school, public health will work with the school and the district to determine the best measures including potential school closure, according to a statement.

While all schools are undergoing increased disinfecting, Lowell would get a more thorough cleaning before reopening, Matthews said.

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.

Lowell is among a handful of schools across the Bay Area that have closed because of close contact with coronavirus patients or those with possible exposure  and none appear to be based on recommendations from public health departments.

Were going to keep learning about this health crisis, and what the right moves are might change over time, said San Francisco Unified spokeswoman Gentle Blythe.

Lowell, considered one of the states highest-performing public high schools, is the first traditional public school to close.

Presidio Hill School, a private school in San Francisco, also closed Thursday because of the possible exposure of a students relative, who was on a previous cruise on the Grand Princess, which is now being held at sea as officials investigate whether passengers have the virus.

Black Pine Circle, a private school in Berkeley, also closed Thursday over similar concerns.

Jill Tucker and Dominic Fracassa are a San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker @dominicfracassa
President Akufo-Addo has stated that Ghana will not be boastful and rest on its oars despite its economic gains.

According to him, regardless of the stable peace enjoyed in Ghana as well as economic successes, infrastructural deficit and poverty continue to bedevil the country.

Speaking at the 63rd Independence Day Celebration in Kumasi today, March 6, 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to be grateful for the successes of the country thus far and pledged his continuous commitment to tackling the difficulties of the ordinary citizen.

We lament the infrastructural deficit that plagues all our lives and people who still live in poverty. But we have every reason to be thankful to Godfor this is a blessed nationAs long as we have not achieved our economic goals, we cannot be complacent. But we cant continue to talk ourselves down. We have been spared civil wars that have ravaged some other nations in our neighbourhood. We cant take for granted the peace and stability of Ghana, he said.

Peaceful elections, progressive interventions

According to the President, the successful elections held in the country should be a testament of the democratic liberty Ghana is privileged with.

He also added that the many interventions put in place for the various sectors of the economy with their corresponding progressing results are proof that the country is progressing steadily.

We are in the 28th year of this Republic. Weve had regular hard-fought elections and peaceful handovers.that is something we should applaud ourselves. We should never forget thatthe path that we have chosen is not the easiest, he said.

---citinewsroom
With the RBI imposing a moratorium



on Yes Bank, about Rs 191 crore of Nagpur University are stuck with the crisis-hit private lender, an official said on Friday.

Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has an account with Yes Bank, an official informed during its senate meeting.

Senate member of RTMNU Pravin Udapure raised the issue on Friday, seeking information as to how much money the varsity has with Yes Bank.

Accounts officer Raju Hiwase informed the senate that the varsity has fixed deposits of about Rs 191 crore with Yes Bank.

Asked whether it will affect the university's financial transactions, Hiwase told PTI later that it will not have any impact.

"But we will approach the Reserve Bank seeking a transfer of funds from Yes Bank or clarity on these funds' status," he added.

The RBI on Thursday imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank, restricting withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per depositor till April 3. It also superseded the board of the bank.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: As the number of coronavirus cases in India is on the rise, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 5 issued an alert for six states with an advisory on the do's and don't's to stop the spread of the disease. The states West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim and Uttarakhand were put on alert.

At least 29 cases have been reported, the number includes the three initial cases from Kerala who have since recovered and have been discharged. There is one case each in New Delhi, Gurgaon and Hyderabad, six from Agra and 17 people from Jaipur (a group of 16 Italians and one Indian) and a new case of the virus has been reported from UP's Ghaziabad.

Samples of five out of the six people from Agra has turned positive. All six are members of the same family and were in contact with one of the earlier reported cases of the virus. They have been admitted at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital.

Read: Scientists in China detect two main coronavirus strains affecting humans

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan assured that the government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in India. While giving a statement at the Upper House of the Parliament, the minister informed that the patients are being monitored and have reported to be in stable condition.

Harsh Vardhan had also claimed that his ministry was constantly reviewing the evolving scenario and also the Cabinet Secretary was taking regular reviews with all related ministries of Health, Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharma, Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries.

Additionally, the minister informed that timely travel advisories have also been issued in this regard as and when the situation on the global scale demanded it and that even now the advisories are getting revised, accordingly.

In an effort to spread awareness against the virus, Zee News has started a campaign to fight the pandemic. Here are a few preventive measures:

- Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 sec

- Make maximum use of sanitizers to ensure your hands are clean

- Use tissue while sneezing

- Avoid shaking hands

- Immediately see a doctor if you are suffering from fever, cold or cough

- Don't touch your ears, nose or mouth without washing your hand

The government has also released a 24/7 helpline number +91-11-2397 8046 and an email id ncov2019@gmail.com through which people can get more information in this regard and can seek help in case of any coronavirus emergency.

Globally as on March 5, the number of people infected is more than 98,000 and more than 3,300 people have lost their lives.
The Trump campaign has filed yet another defamation lawsuit against a media outlet for an opinion piece, with CNN the target of the campaigns latest lawsuit on Friday.

The op-ed in question, titled Soliciting dirt on your opponents from a foreign government is a crime. Mueller should have charged Trump campaign officials with it, was scrutinized for a statement that said the Trump campaign assessed the potential risks and benefits of again seeking Russias help in 2020 and has decided to leave that option on the table.

At the time of publication, CNN was well aware that these statements were not true, because there was an extensive record of statements from the Campaign and the administration expressly disavowing any intention to seek Russian assistance, the lawsuit reads. There have been no statements by the Campaign that either constitute or imply an intention by the Campaign to seek or consider seeking Russian assistance in the 2020 election, or to leave that option on the table.'

The lawsuit is seeking millions of dollars in damages and a jury trial.

A representative for CNN declined to comment.

Also Read: Trump Campaign Sues Washington Post for Defamation Over Opinion Pieces

This is the third defamation suit that the Trump campaign has filed over statements made in opinion pieces. Prior to Fridays suit against CNN, the campaign has also filed similar suits against The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The campaign filed this lawsuit against CNN and the preceding suits against The New York Times and The Washington Post to hold the publishers accountable for their reckless false reporting and also to establish the truth, Jenna Ellis, the senior legal adviser to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., told Fox News.

First Amendment scholars who have spoken to TheWrap said that defamation suits like these are not likely to succeed.

Its one of the functions of the press is to be allowed the latitude to say things without risking a libel lawsuit because we need room for opinion and the interchange and exchange of ideas, Michael Overing, a digital media lawyer and First Amendment expert, told TheWrap last week.

Read original story Trump Campaign Files Defamation Suit Against CNN Over Opinion Piece At TheWrap
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated where Kentucky and Indiana reported their first cases of coronavirus. Kentuckys first case was in Lexington; Indianas first case was in Marion County.

A second medical screener who checks travelers at Los Angeles International Airport has been confirmed to have the coronavirus, one of two new cases reported in Los Angeles County Friday.

The screener is linked to another medical screener who worked in the same quarantine station and was confirmed to have the virus earlier this week, Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said at a press conference Friday.

A second new case was a traveler in a group of people who visited Italy, several of whom were earlier confirmed to have the virus. The county has confirmed 13 cases of the virus, and one has been "resolved," Ferrer said.

As the worldwide total of coronavirus cases surpassed 100,000 on Friday morning, thousands of people are still stuck on a cruise ship off the coast of San Francisco. Vice President Mike Pence says 21 of them have tested positive for the virus.

The Grand Princess has been ordered to stay at bay. Until it is allowed to dock at an as-yet unidentified port this weekend, when all occupants on board will be tested.

The U.S. has confirmed 310 cases of COVID-19. At least 14 people in the U.S. and more than 3,400 people globally have died from the virus.

In the latest deaths, the EvergreenHealth community hospital said Friday that two more patients have died, bringing the total deaths at the facility to 12. The hospital is located in Washington state, across the lake from Seattle.

Meanwhile, the Vatican reported its first case on Friday.

Daily coronavirus updates: Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox

Here's the latest on the outbreak of COVID-19:

Story continues

SXSW canceled over outbreak fears

The South by Southwest music, film and technology conference was canceled Friday  the most high-profile event yet to fall victim to the new coronavirus, with officials calling it a medical and data driven decision. SXSW, as it's known, had vowed to go on, despite recent developer conferences that were canceled by Facebook and Amazon.

The conference this year had several high profile speakers in place, including former presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, Beto O'Rourke and Andrew Yang and Steve Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs and rockers Ozzy Osbourne, director Judd Apatow and to Kim Kardashian West. Nearly 300,000 people attended in 2019.

The 10-day festival was set to begin March 13.

 Jefferson Graham

Florida: 2 dead in the state who tested COVID-19 positive

Florida health officials say two people who tested positive for the new coronavirus have died in the state.

The Florida Department of Health said Friday evening that the two patients who died were in their 70s and had traveled overseas. One of them was a man with underlying health issues in Santa Rosa County, in Floridas Panhandle, according to the statement.

It said the second death was that of an elderly person in the Fort Myers area.

Florida also raised on Friday the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the new virus strain, from four to seven.

Officials had previously announced five Florida residents who had been traveling in China have also been quarantined elsewhere after testing positive for the virus.

Florida authorities are announcing both people who have tested positive for the virus in the state as well as Florida residents who have tested positive elsewhere, and who may be part of other state tallies.

 AP

Grand Princess cruise ship to dock; 21 passengers and crew test positive

More than 3,500 people remain on board Princess Cruises' Grand Princess off the coast of California as the ship awaits coronavirus test results. Medical personnel have tested 46 people aboard the ship, and 21 were confirmed to have the virus, according to a White House press briefing. Nineteen of the 21 are crew members.

Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that the ship will dock this weekend in a noncommercial port, and that all passengers and crew will be tested. The vice president said that crew members would likely be quarantined on the ship.

"Its very likely that the crew was exposed on two different outings," Pence said. "And we know the coronavirus manifested among the previous passengers."

Pence said that elderly Americans should use common sense and caution in planning cruise ship vacations. He said that the ships present a unique challenge to health officials.

Those on board may have been exposed to coronavirus after sailing with 62 passengers who had previously been on the ship's Mexico voyage with a 71-year-old man who eventually died from the virus. Two other passengers from that voyage have been hospitalized with the virus in Northern California, officials said.

The CDC advised guests stay in their rooms for the remainder of a cruise but had not declared a quarantine, according to a Thursday statement from a Princess Cruise spokeswoman.

While the ship was meant to arrive to port in San Francisco, it is is unclear when and where the ship will be able to dock after testing is complete.

Here's what we know about the cruise ship and coronavirus

 John Fritze, Maureen Groppe and Morgan Hines

Seven states report first cases

Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Hawaii reported their first cases of the coronavirus Friday, bring the total number of states with cases to 27. At least one of the patients had recently been to Boston, two to Italy, one to the U.K. and two on cruise ships.

All seven states report that either their first case is confirmed or is a "presumptive positive," meaning that a test has detected coronavirus but still must be officially confirmed by the CDC.

The Hawaiian case is an Oahu man who had been a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship that is now sitting in limbo off the coast of California, awaiting testing of its 3,500 passengers and crew. The Grand Princess made several stops in the Hawaiian islands Feb. 26 to Feb. 29 while the man was a passenger, said Hawaii Governor David Ige.

The first Minnesota patient is an "older adult resident" of Ramsey County who recently traveled on a cruise ship with a known COVID-19 case, according to the state's department of health. The man was in isolation at home.

"We all need to be prepared for some challenges in the days ahead," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in an afternoon press conference. "This was anticipated. The protocols were in place."

The first Indiana patient was an adult man who lives in Marion County and had recently traveled to Boston, according to the state's department of health.

The first Kentucky patient was receiving treatment in isolation at a health care facility in Lexington, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. The governor has declared a state of emergency in the state. There were no immediate details about the patient.

In Oklahoma, the first patient was a man in his 50s who recently returned from Italy, according to the state's department of health.

The first Nebraksa patient is a woman in her 30s who had recently traveled to the United Kingdom, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Friday. He described the case as "travel-related" and said there is no evidence of the virus spreading in Nebraska communities. Still, he urged state residents to practice healthy habits.

"Like a snowstorm, Nebraskans should be planning in case they need to be at home for an extended period, and they should also plan in case schools close," Ricketts said in a statement.

South Carolina officials report two cases, one involving an older woman who has been hospitalized and is in isolation. The other is a woman who traveled to France and Italy; she did not require hospitalization and is self-isolated at home.

Trump signs coronavirus funding package

Trump on Friday signed the $8.3-billion supplemental spending package to combat the rapid worldwide spread of coronavirus approved by Congress earlier this week.

The package, which passed the Senate on Thursday, will replace the initial White House request of $2.5 billion, an amount roundly criticized by lawmakers as too little to combat the virus.

The funding includes more than $3 billion for research and vaccine development and $2.2 billion for prevention and response efforts. The package also includes $1 billion for state and local response. Each state is expected to receive no less than $4 million.

 Courtney Subramanian

Hong Kong study challenges WHO figures on mortality rate

A new study by researchers at the University of Hong Kong puts the mortality rate for COVID-19 patients at 1.4%, much lower than the 3.4% offered by the World Health Organization. The study, a joint project between the HKU and Harvard University, estimated that 14 people die out of 1,000 individuals showing symptoms of the illness.

Professor Gabriel Leung, founding director of the HKUs WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, said the figure could be even smaller if the calculation took into account infected patients who did not show symptoms, the South China Morning Post reported.

Asked about the new findings, WHO officials in Geneva said no one knows the true mortality rate, only how many people have died. The rate would depend on the full number of people infected, and many of those may well have never been tested or counted. Moreover, said Mike Ryan, WHO's executive director of Health Emergencies Program, an age-specific death rate could be even much higher, especially for older individuals with underlying health problems.

Vatican confirms first case of virus

The Vatican confirmed the walled city-states first case of the new coronavirus Friday and closed some offices as a precaution while Pope Francis continued recovering from a cold.

A health clinic inside Vatican City was closed for sanitizing following the positive test result received Thursday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

One Vatican official was put into a protective quarantine after a priest from Frances Catholic church in Rome tested positive for the virus. The official isnt showing symptoms of COVID-19 disease but lives in the same church as the infected priest.

The Vatican Apostolic Library said it would keep its doors shut all next week as a precaution. The library welcomes scholars from around the world to consult the Vaticans manuscripts and archives.

Three Maryland cases linked to Egyptian cruise on Nile River

Three Montgomery County, Maryland residents who tested positive for coronavirus had all been traveling recently on an Egyptian cruise on the Nile River, authorities reported.

After the cruise, one infected person visited a Philadelphia event in which schoolchildren and staff were present, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced. As a result, Central Bucks County in Pennsylvania closed five local schools on Friday.

Another visited a public event at a retirement community in Rockville, Maryland, in which they came in contact with about 70-100 people including outside visitors, residents and staff, Hogan said.

We are providing these updates not to unnecessarily raise alarm but in the interest of full transparency and out of an abundance of caution, Hogan said.

Which states have coronavirus cases?

Here's a look at which states have reported cases of COVID-19:

Reports suggests kids not so vulnerable to virus; data challenged

A report released last month by the Joint Mission and the World Health Organization-China found that individuals under the age of 18 experience a relatively low attack rate" of the coronavirus, about 2.4%, but some U.S. experts challenged the scope of the data.

The report said scientists found the virus to be relatively mild" among individuals under 19 years old, with only 2.5% of the reported cases developing into a severe disease and 0.2% developing into a critical disease. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a Feb. 24 report that no children in China under the age of 9 have died from the infection.

But some U.S. experts say the report, based on research from the team of health officials who visited virus hot spots in three Chinese provinces, may underestimate the infection rate among children. Dr. John Williams, of UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, said a lack of testing among patients with milder symptoms paints a crude picture of the infection. Read the story here.

 Adrianna Rodriguez

Pennsylvania closes some schools

Five Pennsylvania schools were closed Friday even before lab tests confirmed two "presumed positive" cases in the state. The COVID-19 patients are adults from Delaware County and Wayne County. Officials said the patients appear to have contracted the virus outside of Pennsylvania.

The Bucks County Health Department was also evaluating locals that might have been exposed "to determine when they may return to school," according to Central Bucks School District Superintendent John Kopicki. Bucks County is located in eastern Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia.

 Jasmine Vaughn-Hall, York Daily Record

Nevada's 2nd case forces closure of Reno school, but no traces found among students

A local elementary school was closed in Nevada's Washoe County after an area man with family members among the student body tested positive for the coronavirus. But health officials said Friday that they have found no cases of COVID-19 at the school.

"We continue to investigate," said Kevin Dick, Washoe County health officer.

The Reno-area man is in his 50s and linked to the Princess Cruises' Grand Princess outbreak. He is in stable condition and is self isolating at home, the Washoe County Health District said.

County school district and health officers had recommended closing Huffaker Elementary School "out of abundance of caution."

"The upside for us is this one person confirmed is not a community exposure," Washoe County Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler told the Reno Gazette Journal of the USA TODAY Network. "He was clearly on the cruise ship."

The first "presumptive" positive case of the virus in Nevada was announced earlier Thursday, a man, also in his 50s, who had recently taken trips to Washington state and Texas.

 Anjeanette Damon and Siobhan McAndrew, Reno Gazette Journal

Hundreds at Orthodox synagogue are quarantined in New York

About 1,000 people associated with an orthodox Jewish community are under a precautionary coronavirus quarantine in New Rochelle, New York as health officials sort out the situation.

The families and congregants of Young Israel of New Rochelle are in the midst of an extraordinary and serious situation, with about 1,000 people associated with the tightly knit community under precautionary quarantine for as many as 14 days because of coronavirus.

For the orthodox Jewish community that mainly lives around the temple, it has meant not being able to attend daily services, or leave to go to the store, or to work, or to school.

The rabbi wrote to members on Friday morning to confirm his diagnosis.

"I have the virus and am doing reasonably well," his message, posted on The Yeshiva World, said. "But I must caution all of you who have had personal contact with me to seek counsel from your health practitioner as to how to proceed."

University of Washington moves all classes online during health crisis

The University of Washington, located in a state hard hit by the coronavirus, will switch to online classes only for three weeks starting on Monday.

Ana Mari Cauce, the Universitys president, told students in an email Friday that she took the move "to increase precautionary health measures and ensure the successful conclusion of the quarter for UW students on all of our campuses."

At least 12 people have died of the virus in Washington state.

Cauce said classes will no longer meet in person during the period. Instructors will either conduct classes or exams remotely, or, if the nature of the class makes that unsuitable, will base grades on work done so far for the year.

"The novel coronavirus is not the first challenge this region, or our University, has faced. It will not be the last," she wrote. "In its 158-year history, the UW has endured two world wars, a depression and other crises that have tested our resilience and our compassion" and that generations of students and faculty have "risen to the challenge."

Can cash carry coronavirus? WHO advises using digital payments

Since viruses can survive on hard surfaces like coins for days, the World Health Organization is reportedly encouraging people to use as many digital payment options as possible.

Although paper currency, a blend of fabric and paper, is harder for viruses to stick to, the health agency says no need to take unnecessary chances, the Telegraph reports.

"We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses and things like that," a WHO representative told the British newspaper. "We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes and avoid touching their face."

The WHO didn't explicitly say that money specifically is linked to coronavirus, which is also called Covid-19. However, the agency did say it's "advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission," the Telegraph reports.

Representatives for the World Health Organization weren't immediately available for comment.

- Dalvin Brown

Churches around the globe change communion rules to avoid infection

Religious leaders in the U.S. and around the world are joining a growing movement to change the way communion is delivered during the coronavirus scare, with several major churches issuing directives this week.

Some of the changes include giving communion wafers in the hand and not on the tongue, forbidding handshakes, and temporary restrictions on drinking of wine.

Among the places where religious leaders directed new communion policies or guidelines: San Francisco; Los Angeles; and Olympia, Washington. And it's not just in the U.S.: The Catholic Church of Scotland banned communion wine Thursday and is draining holy water from fonts. A Catholic bishop in Perth, Australia took similar measures.

Catholic authorities in Jerusalem, Singapore, and the Philippines have issued similar guidelines or orders that favor giving Communion in the hand. Mexican Episcopate officials on Thursday banned reception of communion on the tongue.

"As we learn more about the threat, I have decided that additional measures are necessary," wrote John Harvey Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. "I hereby inform all our lay and ordained leaders that communion wine may not be offered in our churches, either for sipping or by intinction, until we can be confident that the danger of mass COVID-19 infections has abated."

Many church leaders also directed that handshakes during services or other signs of hand-holding peace should be omitted.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus updates: US states map; 2nd airport screener has virus
London: Two years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out for their first evening engagement as a soon-to-be-married couple, turning heads with their easy smiles and promise of a new era for them, and the monarchy.

Farewell: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, leave after attending the annual Endeavour Fund Awards in London. Credit:AP

On Thursday night, they arrived for the same awards ceremony, The Endeavour Fund awards, beaming just as broadly as they walk towards an entirely different future.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arm-in-arm under an umbrella, stepped out in front of a crowd for the first time since they announced they are to leave the working Royal family.

Dozens of people turned out in bad weather to catch a glimpse of the couple, with one boo as they emerged from their car outside Mansion House, in London, countered by cries of "We love you Harry and Meghan!"
Above video: What to do if you think you have coronavirus, according to the CDC

It's been a sporadic week in the United States as coronavirus deaths have increased within days from one to 14 people nationwide.

There are now over 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States alone, and that may go up as testing becomes more accessible.

Here are key things to know about the spread of the virus:

What percent of the US population could get coronavirus?

Because theres no population immunity, we are going to see a lot of infections in the United States; maybe, you know, over 40% of the population may become infected with this virus, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert connected to Johns Hopkins University, said Monday.

But you have to remember for the vast, vast majority of people who get this, it is going to be like a severe flu. It is not going to be life-threatening. Most cases are going to be mild and not require hospitalization.

He also added, Almost all cases are going to recover.

What percent of the world could get coronavirus?

Figures have been cited by experts, but theyve also come with criticism.

In February, Gabriel Leung, a Hong Kong public health epidemiologist, told The Guardian that the virus could affect two-thirds of the global population.

But a World Health Organization official, Mike Ryan, challenged that figure, saying to be "careful in throwing around figures, speculation and scaring people."

"So I'd just caution everybody to not start throwing around figures that there is no basis for at the moment," he also said in February.

Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard University epidemiologist, told CBS News on Monday that based on mathematical models, it's projected that 40% to 70% of the worlds population could get infected. He said he thinks that projection is likely to become a reality.



The number of affected states is growing

The confirmed coronavirus cases are spread out across the U.S.

Washington state has the largest number at 70 confirmed cases, including 13 deaths. California has 49 infections, including one fatality. New York has 22 positive cases, Illinois has five, Texas and Florida both have four, and the remaining states have three or fewer cases.

In New York alone, more than 2,500 people have been ordered to self-quarantine as health officials search for anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

WHO warns governments 'this is not a drill'

The director-general of the World Health Organization has warned governments that the continued international spread of the novel coronavirus is "not a drill" and will require significant action if public health authorities are to contain the deadly outbreak.

The call to action comes as the global number of people infected by the virus nears 100,000  a grim milestone that now appears inevitable with self-sustaining clusters continuing to expand in South Korea, Japan, parts of Europe, Iran and the United States.






A team of researchers have released the first pictures, which show what they call 'the real appearance' of the novel coronavirus.

The images were captured in a lab in southern China after experts had used frozen electron microscope analysis technology to inactivate a strain of the virus.

'[The technology] preserves the biological specimen or the virus to show its state of being when it was alive. It is the most authentic result.

'The appearance of the virus that we see is exactly the same as what it would be in nature,' said associated professor Liu Chuang, a member of the team.

Experts captured the images after using frozen electron microscope analysis technology to inactivate a strain of the virus. The pictures were released by Shenzhen Third Hospital

The team, based in southern China's Shenzhen, also captured an important intermediate state in the host cell when it was being infected by the virus. The discovers can lay an important foundation for the identification, analysis and relevant clinical research, the team said

The team also captured an important intermediate state in the host cell when it was being infected by the virus.

The breakthrough was jointly achieved by researchers from the Shenzhen National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Southern University of Science and Technology.

It can lay an important foundation for the identification, analysis and relevant clinical research, the team said.

Liu Lei, Party Secretary of Shenzhen Third Hospital, told Pear Video: 'This finding will help the development of drugs and vaccines against the coronavirus.

Zhang Zheng, Director of the research institute at the Shenzhen Third Hospital, said: 'It took us over a month. Some other places had also successfully separated [the strain of the virus].

'But the special thing about our work is that we have not only separated [the strain], but also seen how it really looks like under the frozen microscope.'

Liu Chuang, Associated Professor from Frozen Microscopy Centre at Southern University of Science and Technology, said: '[The images] have a scientific significance for us to understand the life cycle of the virus.'

Liu Chuang (pictured), from Southern University of Science and Technology, said: '[The images] have a scientific significance for us to understand the life cycle of the virus'

The team said researchers isolated a virus strain from a patient on January 27 and 'rapidly' completed the genome sequencing and identification.

They named the strain 'BetaCoV/Shenzhen/SZTH-003/2020'.

Their study was published online in pre-print journal bioRxiv yesterday.

The news comes as Chinese officials said that some vaccines for the novel coronavirus could be in clinical use next month as the number of global coronavirus cases soared past 100,000.

Globally, at least 3,451 people have died and more than 101,400 have contracted the infection

Coronaviruses are so named because their structure has jagged edges which look like a royal crown - corona is crown in Latin (Pictured, an illustration of the COVID-19 virus released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Professor Huang Jinhai from Tianjin University said he and his team had developed an oral vaccine and were looking for partners. The picture shows medics working in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital designated for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan on February 24

A spokesperson from the National Health Commission claimed that the country's scientists were striving to develop immunisation products with five technologies simultaneously.

'We estimate that in April - in line with country's relevant law and regulations  there is hope that some of the vaccines can enter the stage of clinical or emergency use,' said Zheng Zhongwei, director of the Technical Development and Research Centre of China's National Health Commission.

Mr Zheng added: 'The novel coronavirus is a new virus. We need a process to explore and understand it.

'The same applies to the development of vaccines. We need to solve problems gradually as we continue to explore and deepen [the research].'

Mr Zheng made the comments at a press conference today held by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council of China.

China's National Health Commission expects the first vaccines to be in 'clinical or emergency use' next month. The picture shows China's President Xi learning about the progress on the vaccine development at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing on March 2

Scientists in China and around the world are striving to create the first vaccine for the coronavirus. In the picture taken on October 18, scientists are seen working in a laboratory of Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. The organisation is researching a vaccine for novel coronavirus

The new coronavirus outbreak has now infected more than 100,000 people worldwide.

Slovakia, Serbia and Peru today became the latest countries to confirm cases of the killer infection.

The global toll surged into six figures, with South Korea, Iran and Italy all recording huge spikes amid fears the escalating crisis will only continue to worsen.

At least 3,400 people have already died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus  meaning roughly 3.4 per cent of known cases die.

Inside China, the epidemic has killed at least 3,042 people and infected more than 80,500.
Cash flow shortages could put several hospitality developers in Vietnam into financial pressure, forcing them to offer their projects for sale.

As tourists look for an alternative to destinations like Thailand, hotel investors are delving into the Vietnamese market.

According to Raymond Clement, managing director of Savills Hotels Asia Pacific, while long term investors will not be deterred by short-term hurdles, sellers could face more challenges due to the cash flow being negatively impacted.

This shortage could put some owners, especially those investing in highly-leveraged projects, under financial pressure which will result in higher incentive for sale of assets or looking for co-partnerships, Clement said.

As a result, Vietnam and its neighbouring countries might witness a larger number of offerings this year, especially in the coastal destinations where the drop in arrivals is more severe, he added.

Clement told VIR that international funds are increasing their interest into the Vietnam hospitality market. Among those are dedicated funds such as Lodgis Hospitality Holdings, KSL Capital Partners, and Gaw Capital.

Apart from that, many domestic investors are also owning large portfolios of hospitality assets such as Vingroup, Sun Group, Thien Minh, and Muong Thanh.

Three state-owned tourism companies  Saigontourist, Ben Thanh Group, and Hanoitourist  are expected to become a prime opportunity for overseas investors as they have many existing luxury hotels and golden land areas in the city centres, which can be ideal for the development of high-end hotels.

Elsewhere, in its APAC Hotel Investment Highlight 2019 report, JLL released from its portfolios that the Regis Bay Hotel Danang was offered for sale.

Despite the COVID-19 impacting several industries and hospitality being among the most vulnerable sectors, long-term investors still remain attracted to the Vietnamese market. Clements outlook for 2020 is upbeat given positive sentiment and sustainable interest from foreign investors into both emerging and mature markets.

A strong bidding environment is expected as both overseas and domestic investors look to enter these tightly-held markets, seeking higher yield opportunities across the Asia-Pacific, Clement said.

He added that this optimism may falter if the current outbreak continues, resulting in significant disruption to the tourism industry, especially in markets that heavily rely on Chinese demand.

Seeing events out

Meanwhile Michael Piro, COO of Indochina Capital, explained that he has not yet seen any owners or investors act rashly or decide to put their properties on the market due to COVID-19.

Although it is still early days, I do not believe that the virus will have this influence on the mass market  if owners are putting their hotels up for sale now, they had been planning to do so for a while, Piro told VIR.

Piro accepted that the virus outbreak has damaged current hotel and resort performance, which in turn will affect the transaction value of these assets.

However, it may be impossible at this point to predict the true impact of the virus, and everyone needs to tread cautiously to wait and see how long the situation will drag on for.

At Indochina Capital, we continue to push forward with our mergers and acquisitions engagements while taking into account the impact of COVID-19 and employing a strategy that will maximise returns for our clients, he added.

Piro added that as Vietnam has only officially recorded 16 cases of COVID-19 and has been recognised by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its efforts in fighting against the coronavirus outbreak, the current impact on tourism and hospitality has actually been driven mostly by fear and use of precautions.

We have not observed any significant decline in international interest in Vietnams hospitality arena, and we are confident that the segment will not be affected in the long term by the current outbreak, he insisted.

As an international hotel company managing diverse brands and hotels in various locations, Christian Pucher, senior director of Asia development at Hilton Worldwide, said that foreign investors remain optimistic about Vietnam as a tourism destination, bolstered by the encouraging numbers in arrivals over the last decade when international arrivals increased three-fold from five million in 2010 to over 15 million in eight years.

Our presence is set to triple as we grow from our current three hotels in the country to 12 in the coming years, and we are absolutely confident that the market will continue to boom as new destinations emerge and gain their spots on the global tourism map, he said.

Pucher added that investors mostly pay interest in first-hand factors such as benefit growth or project scale, but the sustainability of the venture has been skipped while this factor has been more and more important in modern life when people are more concerned about environmental protection and healthcare.

Limited transactions

Despite being considered attractive for foreign investors, hotel transactions in Vietnam in the past few years have been lower compared to regional peers, due to the lack of assets offered and a number of successful cases not being publicly announced.

In 2019, significant hotel transactions in Vietnam were disclosed, included Warburg Pincus Investment Fund acquiring a majority share of Ho Tram Grand Strip resort, and Malaysia-based Berjaya Group selling 75 per cent of its stake in InterContinental Hanoi Westlake for more than $53 million.

Over the past few years, Vietnams hospitality industry has experienced tremendous growth as the result of several driving factors including infrastructure, technology, and changing customer behaviour.

Global tourists have started to see Vietnam as a valid alternative to Thailand  the hospitality industry leader in Southeast Asia. As such, both hotel investors and operators have been actively looking at Vietnam as a potential market for investment opportunities.

According to Savills Vietnams fingues, hospitality properties in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2019 was among the top priorities for investment. in the eye of foreign and local investors considering both cities have had stable occupancies in 2019 (81 and 69 per cent, respectively) and rates ($119 and $118, respectively).

Due to the shortage of rooms and limited hotel pipeline with only 26 announced projects coming to market in the next three years, these pivotal cities have been receiving considerable attention from investors.

Unlike coastal destinations where most investors are looking for 5-star or luxury properties, main cities have witnessed rising attention on lower-positioned products, as long as they are competently designed.

According to experts, typically a property must have proper back and front of house, and sufficient facilities, to be attractive to investors. Among all products, an asset in vacant possession is perceived as a highly attractive investment as it allows financiers to rebrand the hotel, adding significantly more value to the products.

The hotel operator selection plays a critical role in hospitality project planning. It is necessary that the developer clarifies the business model and project positioning before involving the operator.

Vietnam needs more brands  local, regional, and international, as well as more quality properties, according to Savills. However, in order to achieve sustainable and extraordinary results, cautious moves together with long-term visions by exploring the real value of Vietnamese abilities are recommended to define the competitive position on the tourism map.

Vietnamese tourism achieved remarkable growth in 2019 with more than 18 million international visitors, up by 16.2 per cent compared to the year before. VIR

Bich Ngoc

Hospitality sector's bookings decline amid coronavirus outbreak fears The hospitality sector in Vietnam this year will face losses due to the novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, researcher Savills has said.
After just 18 states primaries or caucuses, the field has already narrowed to five presidential candidates, including three Democrats and two Republicans.

And even though it's 2020, we're still faced with questions about our next president's choices when it came to service in Vietnam.

That's right: Vietnam service is an issue for the EIGHTH consecutive presidential election (1992-2020). Granted, World War II veterans were on the ballot in 10 consecutive elections (1960-1996), but back then we were considering only guys who served and not anyone who figured out a way to skip the war.

UPDATE: As some of our commenters have pointed out, there was this guy General Dwight D. Eisenhower who ran for president in 1952 and 1956. That makes 12 consecutive elections that featured WWII veterans. I guess you could argue that Eisenhower did his initial combat service in World War I and that's the generation he belongs to, but that doesn't make the above statement any less incorrect. I could also point out that we didn't see General Westmoreland running for president in 1976 in an attempt to make things balance out, but I'm sure no one would be buying that argument. And now back to our topic.

We've got five candidates who didn't serve in the Vietnam War running for president in 2020. How did each of them miss out on Uncle Sam's tour of southeast Asia?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent running as a Democrat)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., steps off a Black Hawk helicopter at the Afghan National Police Academy Feb. 20, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sanders was part of a congressional delegation visiting the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan supported training site.(Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ernesto Hernandez Fonte/NATO Training Mission Afghanistan)

Remember when everyone thought Sen. Robert Dole was positively geriatric when he was the Republican nominee in 1996? Bob had just turned 73 the July before Election Day. Sanders will be 79 years old on Election Day. That's older than Ronald Reagan was when he left office, and lots of folks thought Ronnie was ancient.

Bernie's relationship with the military and Vietnam is complicated. He applied for conscientious objector status and once said he wouldn't have served in the military if drafted.

But Bernie turned 26 before his draft number came up, and didn't have to decide whether to serve in Vietnam because he was TOO OLD. That's right, America. We're eight elections into what we'll call the "Vietnam Cycle," and we've got a guy who didn't have to avoid the draft because he was a relative fossil.

Former Vice President Joe Biden (Democrat)

Former Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, salutes the hosting element as he prepares to take his seat as the guest of honor during a Tuesday Sunset Parade at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., July 10, 2018. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon Mclean/Marine Barracks Washington, 8th & I)

Also old? Joe Biden. On the plus side, he's more than a year younger than Sanders. Biden got five student deferments during the Vietnam era (a distinction he shares with fellow former Vice President Dick Cheney). His teenage asthma attacks landed him a Selective Service classification of 1-Y in 1968, ending the question of whether he'd ever be drafted.

Former Gov. Bill Weld (Republican)

Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld (Wikimedia Commons)

The former Massachusetts governor has positioned himself as the last, best hope for Republican Never-Trumpers. Weld is a relative youngster in the field at age 74.

Some families have long histories of military service. The Welds do their time at Harvard, with the first graduating in 1650 (not a typo). There's even a dorm named after the family on campus.

Bill employed some positively (Bill) Clinton-esque gyrations to stay out of the military. He was certified 1-A four years in a row and passed at least two Army physicals. He was declared eligible for the draft in 1968 and launched a series of unsuccessful appeals.

In 1969, Weld was drafted anyway. He somehow got his records transferred from his hometown of Smithtown, New York, to Cambridge, Massachusetts (the town with buildings named after his family) and remembered some back problems. Poof! No more draft concerns.

President Donald Trump (Republican)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with U.S. Airmen on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 27, 2018. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

Compared to the other three men on this list, President Trump came the closest to actual military service during his high school years at the New York Military Academy.

During his college years, Trump received four student deferments. After being classified 1-A in July 1968, the future president obtained a medical deferment in October and was classified 1-Y. He finally got a 4-F classification for bone spurs in 1972.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat)

Maj. Tulsi Gabbard, Hawaii Army National Guard military police officer, reviews the operation design process with a Tentara Nasional Indonesia officer during a group break out, Jakarta, Indonesia, August 19, 2019. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson/State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office)

Gabbard hasn't yet scored a win (or a place or even a show) in any of the primaries or caucuses so far, but she seems determined to ride out her campaign for as long as she can keep things going.

The congressional rep from Hawaii used a novel ruse to avoid the Vietnam draft: She avoided being born for almost 6 years after the last helicopter took off from the embassy roof in Saigon. What better way is there to avoid service in an (allegedly) unpopular war?

Gabbard stands out from the pack in one important regard: She's served in the United States military and seen action in a war zone. She served in a field medical unit of the Hawaii Army National Guard in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Gabbard was also deployed to Kuwait from 2008 to 2009 as an Army Military Police platoon leader.

Thus concludes our 2020 Vietnam War service voting guide. Unless an ancient President Sanders or Biden is running for re-election in 2024, this is probably our last opportunity to go deep on the Vietnam-era draft.

Let's look for more modern-day veterans on the ballot next time.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu almost  but did not quite  win the countrys third national elections within a year. Exit polls just after the end of voting showed the right-wing, nationalist, and religious parties with 60 seats in the Knesset, just shy of a 61-seat majority. Nevertheless, Netanyahu and his allies claimed a stunning victory, and speculation was rife in Israeli media that a conservative candidate from a left-wing party could be induced to jump ship and join the right-wing bloc to enable the formation of a government.

As it turned out, after final votes were tallied, right-wing and religious parties achieved 58 seats, while the opposition parties received 62 seats. The result for the Right was indeed impressive, given that voters were presented with the prospect of keeping in power a prime minister indicted on corruption charges. But while enticing one opposition candidate to defect to the right may have been possible, enticing three candidates from rival parties to defect seems extremely unlikely.

So, why has Netanyahu been unable to gain clear majorities in successive elections? Why has he been able to do well, but not well enough?

Netanyahus election refrain has been that he is the only candidate who can guarantee Israels security in the volatile Middle East. This is the one area on which most Israelis more or less agree, believing that a peace deal with the Palestinians is impossible for the near future (the Trump administrations attempt notwithstanding) and that countering Irans influence is a top national priority.

The prime minister has also sought to energize his base by tying his corruption indictments to long-held right-wing suspicions that Israels judicial system functions as a kind of deep state that works to the benefit of the Left. In the most serious indictment, Netanyahu is accused of offering favorable government policies to a telecommunications tycoon in exchange for more-positive coverage on a popular news website. Netanyahu regularly maintains that the positive coverage never materialized and that the supposedly favorable policies he implemented cost the tycoon a fortune.

Story continues

However, these arguments have failed to persuade a majority of voters to support Netanyahu. Most Jewish voters who chose opposition parties are fed up with Netanyahus insistence on remaining in power despite the corruption charges against him. (They also note that Israels attorney general, who brought the indictments, is a right-wing Netanyahu appointee.) A smaller segment of these voters are frustrated with Netanyahus alliance with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, whose demands for state funding for yeshivas and refusal to allow yeshiva students to be drafted into the army are resented by secular Jews. Arab voters, meanwhile, view Netanyahu as not only corrupt but a racist who has incited hatred against the Arab public for the sake of gaining the support of Israels far Right. As for the prime ministers claim to be essential for Israels security, the largest opposition party, the centrist Blue and White, is headed by three generals, all former IDF chiefs of staff.

The various objections to Netanyahu have led most voters to reject his premiership for close to a year. However, the opposition to Netanyahu has yet to unite around a clear vision for the country other than anyone but Bibi. This is partly because the Israeli Left is still struggling to redefine itself after its previous support for peace deals with the Palestinians and after socialist economic policies have been rejected by large swaths of the public. Perhaps more importantly, in order to form a government, the opposition would need the backing of the Arab parties, which (as in the past) currently include lawmakers who have expressed support for terrorists. So the country is left with an opposition struggling to put forth a unifying, inspiring, and sufficiently reassuring program.

Further complicating matters, parties on both the left and the right have publicly staked out positions  some wont form a government with Haredi and/or Arab parties, several wont sit with Netanyahu, etc.  that make forming a governing coalition well-nigh impossible without at least one party reneging on its promises.

By Thursday, opposition parties seemed to coalesce around a possible step forward. Lawmakers have proposed a bill that would bar any Knesset member under criminal indictment from forming a government  a measure that would prevent Netanyahu from becoming prime minister. The chances that the Knesset will succeed in passing the bill are unclear, and one can be sure that Netanyahu will use every means at his disposal to fight the proposed bills passage.

If the opposition fails to oust Netanyahu, Israel may head to its fourth round of elections. That scenario would leave Netanyahu in power as caretaker prime minister  better than nothing, but still disappointing as he attempts to lead the country while fighting corruption indictments, all without a clear mandate from the public. Netanyahus central claim, that only he can guide Israel through the vicissitudes and upheavals of the Middle East, will have been rejected.

If Israel lurches to fourth elections, observers may wonder if Netanyahus continued premiership is the result of political genius or of a deep unwillingness to admit that Israeli voters have decided his time is up.

More from National Review
MIAMI, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With COVID-19 adding uncertainty to travel plans around the world, Royal Caribbean Group said it will give guests greater control over their vacation decisions, allowing guests to cancel cruises as late as two days before departure.

The "Cruise With Confidence" policy allows guests on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea to cancel up to 48 hours before a sailing. Guests will receive a full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing of the guest's choice in 2020 or 2021. The policy applies to both new and existing cruise bookings.

"Our previous policy set earlier deadlines for guests to cancel their cruises, and that added unnecessary stress," said Richard Fain, the company's chairman and CEO. "Trying to guess a month or more in advance where areas of concern about coronavirus might be is challenging for medical experts, much less a family preparing for vacation.

"When circumstances are as fast-changing as they have been recently, it's good to know you have the option to take a rain check," Fain said. "We think putting more control in our guests' hands helps them make informed decisions about whether to keep their existing vacation plans or trade out for a more convenient time or itinerary."

In addition to easing concerns for booked guests, Fain said the policy would also give consumers more confidence in making new bookings, knowing that they could later adjust their plans without penalty.

The policy applies to all cruises with a sailing date on or before July 31, 2020, and will be offered by the company's global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea. Full details of the "Cruise with Confidence" policy can be found at the respective brand websites.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that controls and operates four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. We are also a 50% joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruceros. Together these brands operate a combined total of 61 ships with an additional 17 on order as of December 31, 2019. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.azamara.com, www.silversea.com, www.tuicruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, or www.rclinvestor.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677715/RCL_Logo.jpg
Amid the ongoing political drama over the allegations of poaching by the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, an MLA of the saffron party and a former minister expressed a threat to his life and quashed speculation of switching over to the ruling Congress. In a video statement, BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak denied news reports that he had called on Chief Minister Kamal Nath late on Thursday night.

Bhopal: Amid the ongoing political drama over the allegations of poaching by the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, an MLA of the saffron party and a former minister expressed a threat to his life and quashed speculation of switching over to the ruling Congress. In a video statement, BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak denied news reports that he had called on Chief Minister Kamal Nath late on Thursday night.

The MLA from Vijayraghavgarh in Katni district also asserted he is with the saffron party. The Congress on Thursday claimed the BJP had "abducted 14 MLAs" to bring down its government in Madhya Pradesh, a charge the Opposition party has strongly denied.

"Do not spread any kind of confusion, I was with the BJP, I am with the BJP and I will be part of the BJP. The people of the state can see what is happening to me. "Just take care that I am not killed. These people can even throw me somewhere after killing for their political gains," he said, addressing the media through the video statement.

Pathak, who is the state's richest legislator, also shared the video on Twitter. The BJP MLA also clarified that he is currently attending to his family's medical needs.

"There is no truth in the reports that I called on Nath. The picture being circulated in this regard is fake. I am not in the picture in which the (person's) face is covered," he claimed. The mining baron is said to be a key figure in the poaching row in the Congress-ruled state.

In the backdrop of the poaching row, the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday had ordered the closure of an iron ore mine belonging to M/s Nirmala Minerals, a company owned by Pathak.

A former Congressman, Pathak joined the BJP and served as a minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. The administration in Jabalpur district, where the mine is located, ordered the closure of the facility for allegedly violating a Supreme Court ruling.

On Thursday, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh had named five BJP leaders, including Pathak, whom he held responsible for a "poaching" attempt. Asked about speculation of Pathak switching over to the Congress, Singh, a former chief minister (1993-2003), on Friday told reporters here that the BJP MLA's father Satyendra Pathak was his friend and a minister in his cabinet.

"He is my friend's son. But, he lost his way after he earned money," Singh added.
Oppo introduced today the Find X2 and Find X2 Pro flagships with respective price tags of 999 and 1,199. Michael Tran, Head of Strategy & Product Marketing of Oppo Western Europe hosted the online event, where he said the phones will be globally available in early May.

However it turns out we won't need to wait that long. After the launch we had a Q&A session with Bingo Luo, Product Manager of Oppo Find X2 series, who confirmed the phone will arrive on March 13 in several countries and will be available both with retailers and through carriers, and he specifically mentioned telecoms like Orange, T-Mobile, Telefonica.



Oppo Find X2 in Ocean Blue  Oppo Find X2 Pro in Ceramic Black

In fact, the Oppo Find X2 and Oppo Find X2 Pro are currently available for pre-order in the Netherlands. T-Mobile offers the phones on contract asking EUR996 with virtually any plan.

If you dont want to sign up a contract with a carrier, the Dutch retailer MediaMarkt has both phones available for purchase, with shipping scheduled for next Friday. It also has some devices at key offline stores, Dutch media revealed.

Another market where the Find X2 smartphones are available is China - JD.com is offering them either with or without a carrier contract, and the Find X2 is even offered in a version unavailable anywhere else - with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Oppo Find X2 Europe China 8 GB + 128 GB N/A CNY5,499 (701) 8 GB + 256 GB N/A CNY5,999 (764) 12 GB + 256 GB 999 N/A Oppo Find X2 Pro Europe China 12 GB + 512 GB 1,199 CNY6,999 (890) 12 GB + 512 GB Lamborghini Edition N/A CNY12,999 (1,656)

During the introduction, Michael Tran revealed that the company will be working not only with 30 carriers over the globe, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and France, but will add 11 more partners in new markets including Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, and Uzbekistan.

Source 1  Source 2 (both in Dutch)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it is to hold oral hearings into concerns raised in Limerick over plans by Irish Cement to burn waste at its production factory in Castlemungret.

More than 4,000 valid submissions were received by individuals or groups who objected to the EPA granting the company a proposed licence to burn up to a maximum of 90,000 tonnes of waste per annum, provided it was non- hazardous, and met more than 100 strict conditions.

The EPA Board said the oral hearing was merited, given the scale, sensitivity, of the local environment and the importance of the proposed development both national and regionally.

Those objecting to Irish Cements plans, say they are concerned the waste to be burned off in the proposed manufacturing process could be toxic to human health  a charge refuted by Irish Cement.

Last October, thousands of people marched in Limerick City in protest at the proposed 10m development, which would see Irish Cement replace fossil fuels with alternative fuels.

Some of the alternative fuels listed include animal faeces and used tyres.

Responding to these concerns last October, a spokesman for Irish Cement said: Using alternative fuels is safe and has been standard practice in cement factories throughout Europe for 30 years.

In response to specific concerns raised about emissions from the plant in the event of Irish Cement switching to alternative fuels, they added, there had been no change in the type or quantity of emissions when other cement factories employed the same.

The use of alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels in Mungret will directly reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent to taking over 12,000 cars off the road.

Increasing the use of alternative fuels in Irelands cement kilns is also a key target in the Governments recent Climate Action Plan, they continued.

Brian Gilmore, communications manager, Irish Cement, said the proposed development directly supports 105 full-time positions in the factory.

Welcoming the EPAs decision on holding the oral hearings, Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran ODonnell said it showed it was taking into account the genuine and legitimate fears of local residents.

On public health grounds, I continue to hold major concerns and reservations, he added.

The hearings will be held in May.
06.03.2020 LISTEN

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has commenced its Innovative Practical Cooking Demonstration for Caterers and head cooks in the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regions.

The week-long training programme which is being supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) is training over 1,872 caterers and their head cooks in the three regions.

It is aimed at empowering the caterers with the requisite practical cooking skills using the locally grown foodstuffs for a nutritiously balanced meal for the school children.

This, according to the National Coordinator of GSFP, Mr. Gertrude Quashigah is in line with the implementation of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programmes in Africa towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She said that the training is also in line with the Government of Ghana's vision of increasing local food production and consumption for an enhanced local economy.

Mrs. Quashigah indicated that the training is building the capacity of all the Caterers on how to use the School Feeding Handy Measures also known as Cooking Manual to ensure quality standards and to prevent caterers from running at a loss.

GSFP has already trained over 15,000 caterers and head cooks in eight (8) regions since 2019. The regions are; Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Oti, Ashanti regions. The next phase of the training will target the Western, Western North, Eastern, Central and Greater Accra regions.

The Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Freda Prempeh commended the management of GSFP and WFP for facilitating such an important training for the caterers.

She said the training is part of Government's commitment to improve on the School Feeding Programme and to ensure the beneficiary pupils are provided with healthy foods.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Ghana School Feeding Programme is not a cost to the Government or the nation but a strategic investment with multiple benefits.

Mrs. Freda Prempeh said that apart from helping the children to study well and grow healthy, the programme also creates employment for thousands of Ghanaians including caterers, cooks, farmers, food processors and other suppliers along the value chain.

She, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders especially chiefs and donor partners to support the programme and ensure its sustainability.

Women In Agricultural Development (WIAD) and YEDENT Agro Processing Limited are offering technical support to the training programme in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.
Some people dont appreciate being compared to children; they use the term nanny state like its a bad thing. Just like kids, we adults need help knowing whats right and then acting on it. Unlike kids, were voters and taxpayers, who can essentially hire people to figure out whats right and make laws to push us in the right direction. In this case, keep 23 billion plastic bags a year out of our landfills, rivers and oceans. (And if we think its the wrong direction, we can fire them.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 17:53:31|Editor: huaxia

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SHENYANG, March 6 (Xinhua) -- LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, has invested in the construction of a large petrochemical industry base in northeast China with a Chinese company.

The chemical giant signed an agreement with the Liaoning Bora Enterprise Group through the Internet on Friday. The two companies will invest 12 billion U.S. dollars over the next 10 years to build a petrochemical industry base in the city of Panjin, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The partnership will make the city a world-class production base of chemicals and drive the development of industrial chains including plastic packaging and building materials.

Executives from both companies witnessed the online signing ceremony in six cities worldwide including Shenyang, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Houston in the United States and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The two companies first signed a memorandum of understanding and announced their investment plan in September 2019.
Leaders of three provinces have proposed the Government approve the construction of the Quy Nhon-Pleiku highway in the 2021-25 period.

Vehicles on the only national highway connecting Binh Dinh and Gia Lai provinces. It is increasingly overloaded. These localities have asked the Government to build the Quy Nhon-Pleiku highway.  Photo baogiaothong.vn

The 160km highway will traverse the provinces of Binh Dinh, Kon Tum and Gia Lai, Giao Thong (Transport) newspaper reported.

Total investment is estimated at VND40 trillion (US$1.72 billion) and the two-lane road will be 17.27m wide.

According to the plan, the highway will start from the intersection with National Highway 1 in Tuy Phuoc District, Binh Dinh Province and end at the intersection with the North-South Expressway in Pleiku City of Gia Lai Province.

In this phase, a system of bridges, culverts and tunnels through An Khe and Mang Yang passes will be built.

The capital would be raised from the State budget and official development assistance, as well as investment in the form of public-private partnership (PPP), build-operate-transfer (BOT) and build-transfer (BT).

The Quy Nhon-Pleiku highway is particularly important for the three provinces, connecting the south central sea ports with the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Development Triangle Area as well as Thailand and Myanmar.  VNS

Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific adjust flight schedules due to storm National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific on November 10 announced that they will adjust schedules of fights from/to Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Pleiku on November 10 due to storm Nakri.
Rahul Gandhi has blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Yes Bank crisis. On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of India put Yes Bank under moratorium and capped a withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000.

Rahul took to Twitter to express his opinion on the matter.

No Yes Bank. Modi and his ideas have destroyed India's economy. #NoBank - Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 6, 2020

The BJP was quick to respond to the attack. Amit Malviya, the BJP IT-Cell Chief, responded to Gandhi's tweet and blamed the Congress-led UPA for the crisis. He specifically blamed former Finance Minister P Chidambaram for the crisis.

In his reply, Malviya attached a video post of Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, whom Malviya introduced as a former Congress ally. In the video, Amar Singh says that non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks piled up due to the policies adopted by Congress leader P Chidamabaram when he was India's finance minister.

No Rahul, it is P Chidambaram, your former finance minister, who is responsible for the mess India's banks and economy are in... Don't take my word for it. Listen to your former ally. https://t.co/zSeOIDYvGy pic.twitter.com/T1Mfq3iiNB - Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 6, 2020

BJP has been in power for six years. Their ability to govern and regulate financial institutions stands exposed First, it was PMC Bank. Now it is YES Bank. Is the government concerned at all? Can it shirk its responsibility? Is there a third bank in the line? - P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 6, 2020

Earlier, Chidambaram had also blamed the Modi government for the Yes Bank crisis. He had said that the NDA's governing ability stood exposed in the wake of the Yes Bank crisis, which has come just months after the PMC Bank. Chidambaran even went as far ahead to suggest that more banks may soon follow suit.RBI has said that putting Yes Bank under moratorium was necessary because of a serious deterioration in Yes Bank's financial position and that it would swiftly work on a revival plan. Yes Bank, which had given a lot of bad loans, was struggling to raise the capital it needed to stay afloat.

Also Read: Yes Bank customers unable to withdraw cash at ATMs or make online transfer

Also Read: 'Yes Bank depositors' money is safe': CEA Subramanian
Vaibhav Saxena, lawyer at Vietnam International Law Firm

The Civil Affairs Committee at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in January released Resolution No.21/NQ/BCSD on principles and procedures for adjustments and supplements of master plans of power projects. Accordingly, the supplement of master plans shall be implemented with priority given to power grids over power sources; and regions with fewer renewable energy projects and capable of releasing capacity (with calculated release capacity) will be prioritised. Other regions should also be carefully considered, in particular two groups.

The first is grouping based on the power grid for the ventures. Priority order shall be as follows:

- Group of transmission power grid projects not in the Power Development Master Plan VII (PDP7) as amended and not requiring dossiers, including power grid projects approved in the five-year Plan of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), and power grid projects with a voltage level of 220kV approved in the master plan on development of electricity in provinces and municipalities in the period of 2016-2025, with consideration until 2035;

- Projects included in the PDP7 as amended but requiring adjustments to operating progress and scale;

- Power grid initiatives serving the capacity release of sources of hydroelectricity or renewable energy;

- Grid projects supplying power to new loads or adjusting power supply plan to loads such as industrial zones and factories using high capacity; and

- Power sources connecting projects approved in the master plan, but not approved for connection or being proposed for suitable amendments.

The second group is based on the power source of the ventures. Priority order for master plan approval here is outlined as such:

- Wind projects with plants and power grids likely to be completed before November 2021 in areas where grids have not been overloaded, with priority given to projects that have completed the first stage, and proposals to expand capacity or utilise existing connection infrastructure to proceed to the second stage;

- Waste power projects;

- Biomass power schemes;

- Small and medium-sized hydropower projects requiring adjustments to the installed capacity;

- Small and medium-sized supplementary hydropower projects; and

- Traditional power projects, with priority given to power sources that support integrating large amount of renewable energy such as large hydropower or electrification. However, further research for these projects is required due to their high complexity.

Individual planning of solar power projects shall not yet be considered.

Game changer for the energy arena

There will be competent authority for appraisals and decisions on adjustment of master plans. For power grid projects, the MoIT shall appraise and submit power grid projects to the PM for deciding on the adjustment of the planning of electrical grids with voltage level of 220kV or higher. The ministry will also issue a document to consistently adjust provincial electricity master plans with respect to local proposals for electric grids with voltage level of 110kV or lower.

For power projects, the MoIT shall appraise and approve additional adjustments to the master plan for power projects with wattage scale of under 50MW (except for some types of power resources with separate regulations); and appraise and submit to the PM for approving additional adjustments to the master plans of power projects with scale wattage of more than 50MW.

Also involved are procedures for adjustments and supplements to master plans for wind power projects. There is a two-step priority order for this. First, master plan supplement appraisal priority shall be given to provinces with fewer proposals for adjustments and capable of improving capacity, such as Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Hau Giang. After that, it proceeds to provinces with more project proposals, with priority given to regions with calculated master capacity release, such as the southwest region, or the central province of Quang Tri.

Meanwhile, there are processes for provinces with more proposals for supplements to master plans. Based on these, submitted by the provincial peoples committee, the Electricity and Renewable Energy Agency under the MoIT shall arrange an appraisal meeting to review projects suitable for the land, capable of connecting and achieving commercial operation date no later than November 2021 for consideration to be supplemented to the master plans. That is carried out first with projects that have been appraised. Projects submit for supplement to master plan on a first-come, first-served basis. Secondly, other projects shall be considered according to its date of submission for supplement on the basis of first submitted, first considered.

Corporate PPAs

Vietnam has released Proposal No.544/TTr-BCT on the issuance of a draft decision of the prime minister on piloting the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism. The DPPA draft promotes a closer relationship between renewable power producers and users.

The goal of the DPPA programme is to pilot a direct power purchase mechanism between renewable power producers and end users. The programme is under review and is planned to be launched at a pilot stage in the first quarter of 2020.

Scope, scale, and subjects

Under the DPPA draft, the programme will be piloted nationwide with a capacity scale of 400MW to 1GW and is suggested to run for two years. In order to participate in the DPPA programme, the seller and the buyer must satisfy several conditions. In particular, the seller shall be the renewable energy producers who:

- Register for participation in the pilot DPPA programme;

- Have power plants installed capacity of over 30MW. However, 30MW shall be taken as global generation capacity or local? In Vietnam the status is unclear and such conditions may be a hurdle for the new investors;

- Are approved in the relevant power development master plan, with priorities given to projects in areas with zero- to low-risk of grid congestions; and

- Are financially and technically capable, and are experienced in the development and operation of renewable power projects.

The buyer in the DPPA programme would be the power users who use electricity for industrial production and register for participation in the pilot stage; buy electricity at a voltage level no lower than 22kV; are financially and technically capable; and with priority given to buyers who have given international undertakings concerning environmental goals, anti-global warming, and sustainable development.

Wholesale electricity

As provided in the DPPA draft, the transactions in the DPPA programme would be conducted via the Vietnam wholesale electricity market (VWEM), which is now mainly regulated by Decision No.8266/QD-BCT dated 2015, approving the detailed design of VWEM and 2018s Circular No.45/2018/TT-BCT regulating its operation. The major players in VWEM include, among others, EVNs five electricity corporations (ECs) and high-capacity customers (customers purchasing power at a voltage level of not lower than 110kV) as the buyers; and power producers with installed capacity of power or hydropower plants exceeding 30MW as sellers.

VWEM could be considered as a transparent platform for the sale and purchase of power. The market could allow the ECs (as the buyer) and the seller to directly enter into a model PPA whereby the parties could negotiate on the amount of power produced and the feed-in tariff using the formula provided in the model.

DPPA payment mechanism

Under the DPPA draft, the buyer would enter into a power purchase agreement with the ECs with the selling price equal to the buying price of the ECs on the VWEM during each transaction cycle of 30-60 minutes plus the DPPA service fee over each electricity unit. As mentioned, the DPPA programme would be conducted via VWEM; therefore the DPPA service fee could be understood to be paid to the National Power Transmission Corporation.

Besides the PPA between the buyer and the ECs, the buyer also directly purchases power from the seller through a negotiated contract for differences (CfD) with a term of at least 10 years. The price and the amount of electricity sold shall be subject to the agreement of the buyer and the seller. Under the DPPA draft, the seller would enjoy the payment for the electricity it generated and transmitted to EVNs grid; and differences between prices under the CfD and that of VWEM. Similarly, the buyer would pay the ECs for the power provided under the PPA; and the seller under the terms and conditions of the CfD.

Vietnam is going through a transitional phase which every emerging economy experiences. Although enormous efforts are being made by the government to safeguard the interests of investors, the outcome is much awaited and 2020 will be a crucial year for the country.
Itanagar, March 6 : Sedition accused Sharjeel Imam, a JNU research scholar who was arrested by Delhi Police on January 28, is being interrogated by the Arunachal Pradesh Police, an official said late on Friday night.

According to a top police officer, a group of Crime Branch officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Police is interrogating Imam in connection with a sedition case registered here on January 26.

The police registered a case against the JNU student in connection with a video footage where Imam was allegedly heard instigating people to cut-off Assam and the northeastern states from India by blocking rail and road connections.

Imam was brought to Itanagar on Thursday from Guwahati and since then he is being interrogated.

"After two days of extensive questioning, Imam indicated that he had made the speech that was circulated on social media," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Imam, a 32-year-old PhD scholar in modern Indian history and an IIT graduate, came into limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens.

He was arrested from his hometown in Bihar's Jehanabad on January 28 for allegedly making provocative speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and in Aligarh.

Besides Arunachal, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya have also lodged FIRs against him. On February 19, Imam was handed over to an Assam police team by the Patiala House Court in Delhi.

He was sent to police custody twice by a court in Guwahati, where he was thoroughly interrogated by the Assam Police and intelligence officials before being taken to Itanagar on Thursday.

The Crime Branch of Arunachal Pradesh Police had filed a case against Imam on January 26 under charges of sedition, promoting enmity between different groups and making assertions prejudicial to national integration. He is likely to be taken to Manipur once the Arunachal Pradesh Police release him.
The duo played Marty McFly and Doc Emmett Brown in the hit movie - and its two sequels - and the pals came together to support a great cause.

Posting a snap of himself and Fox on Instagram, Lloyd, 81, revealed they were attending a poker night in aid of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Going 88mph for the @michaeljfoxorg Poker Night! he captioned the snap.

Fox posted a similar picture with a caption quipping that he was going all in.

Fans soon responded to the snaps, commenting with quotes from the film, with Great Scott! proving especially popular.

Back to the Future - In pictures 1 /30 Back to the Future - In pictures Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal Universal

In another reference to the movies, one fan wrote: Doc, it's 2020 already, but we still can't buy Plutonium from 7/11.

This picture made my day. Thank you gentlemen, another added.

Fox and Lloyd have remained good friends since their days jetting through time in the DeLorean and in 2015, they previously revisited their iconic roles for a Jimmy Kimmel show sketch.

Foxs charitable fund is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinsons Disease, which Fox was diagnosed with in 1991 when he was just 29 years old.
Residents of a housing project in the central city of Wuhan heckled a top ruling Chinese Communist Party official on Thursday with shouts of "Fake!" after being told to stay home during his visit to their compound.



Video posted to YouTube and Twitter showed vice premier Sun Chunlan and her entourage walking through the grounds of the Kaiyuan housing compound in Wuhan's Qingshan district on Thursday, as part of Sun's "inspection" of epidemic control and prevention in the city.



Residents were told by the local residential committee to stay in their homes during the visit, but they made their views known nonetheless.



No sooner had Sun placed herself in front of a TV camera than shouts of "Fake! Fake!" and "Everything [they say] is fake!" began raining down from apartments in the tower blocks above.



After Sun left, a message was posted to the Qingshan Kaiyuan WeChat group.



"During the visit of vice premier Sun Chunlan and municipal party secretary Wang Zhonglin ... the landlord wouldn't let us go downstairs, and they even staged the delivery of meat and vegetables to residents by 'volunteers'," the message said.



"Everyone shouted that the goods were fake, and that the landlord wasn't doing anything [about supplies], and that things are really hard," it said.



"The municipal party secretary and the vice premier scuttled away before they'd completed more than half of their visit," the message said. "Pretty sure the local leaders ... will be getting criticized."



"A lot of people have just arrived from the residential committee, and are going door-to-door collecting questions and issues from residents," it said.



Social and political tensions are rising in Wuhan, which has been under total quarantine lockdown for more than six weeks, and which has borne the brunt of COVID-19 infections and deaths.Food prices have skyrocketed in a city where some 11 million people are prevented from traveling or accessing supplies without official passes and permits, while aid and food donations are being commandeered or left to rot owing to corruption or a lack of delivery infrastructure.Residents are angry that recent announcements that the city authorities would slap controls on pork prices haven't been implemented, largely because there isn't any pork available to buy in many areas.Online comments applauded the hecklers."So there are still heroes in Qingshan!" read one comment, while another from Wuhan said: "The sound of these shouts will echo through history!""Telling the emperor to get some clothes on, face to face!" said another, while another called the heckles "precious." "It feels so good to shout out the truth," said another.Chinese official media reports indicated that Sun later reprimanded local officials for trying to cover up tensions.Thenewspaper, which has close ties to Communist Party mouthpiece the, confirmed that the online video clips did indeed portray Sun's visit to the Wuhan housing complex.It said more than 3,000 people had been drafted into the compound to visit residents and to understand their specific demands and requirements.Meanwhile, the authorities have issued an award to late whistleblowing doctor Li Wenliang, who died of COVID-19 after being summoned by police for speaking out in the early stages of the epidemic about a "SARS-like virus" that was emerging in Wuhan.Li received the award alongside hundreds of others deemed to have made outstanding contributions to epidemic prevention work, including respiratory diseases expert Wang Guangfa, prompting anger among rights activists."If they admit it was wrong to punish Li Wenliang, then they are negating their own censorship and controls on the freedom of speech," Guangzhou-based rights activist Wang Aizhong told RFA."Obviously this is a bid to appease public anger," Wang said.Wang's name has become synonymous with the government cover up after he traveled to Wuhan in the early stages of the outbreak and pronounced it "preventable and controllable."He later contracted COVID-19 himself, among more than 80,000 people in mainland China to do so."Li Wenliang and the healthcare workers all gave something of value in terms of disease prevention and control, as well as patient treatment," Wang Aizhong said."But Wang Guangfa is responsible for the ... spread of the epidemic, so it is clearly inappropriate to count him as someone who contributed."Wuhan-based writer Fang Fang wrote on Thursday that Wang Guangfa owed a debt to the people of his city.The debt must be repaid, if the souls of thousands of dead people were to be laid to rest, Fang Fang wrote.Of the 3,408 deaths attributed globally to COVID-19 by Friday, 2,931 have been in China's Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital.
Employers who mistreat their staff could face fines of up to VND75 million ($3,234) under a new Government decree to protect workers rights.

The factory of the Nien Hsing Garment Co. Ltd in Khanh Phu Industrial Park of Yen Khanh district, Ninh Binh province

Decree 28/2020/ND-CP, which was issued early this week, stipulates that employers who temporarily transfer employees to do other jobs but fail to notify employees three days in advance, fail to clarify the duration of the temporary job, or providing jobs that are not suitable to the health and gender of the employee would be fined between 1-3 million VND (43-129 USD).

Employers who were found to send employees to work at different locations or different jobs compared to the signed labour contract without consent of employees would be given fines of between 3-7 million VND (129-301 USD).

The same fines would be given to those who refused to allow employees to return to work after the expiry of temporary suspension periods.

The decree stipulates that employers who were found to mistreat employees, but their acts were not serious enough to warrant legal proceedings would be fined between 50-75 million VND (2,150-3,230 USD).

It also stipulates the fines for breaching regulations on labour contracts.

Specifically, employers who fail to sign contracts with employees for jobs of more than three months or fail to sign the right labour contract with employees such as hiring employees to work as directors in State-owned companies would be fined between 2-25 million VND (86-1,078 USD).

Employers would be fined 20-25 million VND (862-1,078 USD) if found to keep originals of legal papers of employees while on duty, force employees to use their money or property to do their jobs or sign contracts with employees aged under 18 without the written consent of the legal representative of the employees.

The decree takes effect from April 15./.VNA

Workers fear possible lay offs as epidemic continues Vietnamese businesses have voiced their concerns over the struggle to cope with the coronavirus due to a lack of rawmaterials
Startup Challenge, sponsored by Signet LLC and BMD Law This year the Startup Challenge, which originated in 2018 in support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gainesville, is expanding its footprint by making its debut in Jacksonville, FL on the campus of University of North Florida.

For the third year, the Startup Challenge team  a collaboration between Signet LLC, the law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond (BMD), and Starter Space  is hosting its annual Shark Tank style pitch competition at 5:30pm on Thursday March 12, 2020 at the Adam W. Herbert University Center.

This year the Startup Challenge, which originated in 2018 in support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gainesville, is expanding its footprint by making its debut in Jacksonville, FL on the campus of University of North Florida. Entrepreneurs, students, and investors from throughout North Florida are invited to network with each other and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After narrowing the field with a review process of four months, the top 7 finalists have been announced:

EaseAlert: Technology to reduce stress and improve efficiency for firefighters easealert.com

Evren Technologies: Working to advance the treatment of neuropsychological issues through discreet, wearable products that fit into your daily life. evrenvns.com

FaceR: Facial recognition solution to unlock doors

Phlex: A device that is revolutionizing the way you train, measure progress, and enjoy every swim. phlexswim.com

Podcast Central: A full-service podcast production and consultation company. podcastcentral.net

Prked: Connects drivers in need of parking with people who have available parking spaces. prked.com

Scoot Scoot: A rent-to-own scooter company. scootscoot.today

These startup founders will pitch in front of a group of experienced investors to compete for a $10,000 grand prize, $2,500 runner up, $1,500 top student prize, and $250 audience choice award.

This years expert panel of judges will include Tony Manna  Signet LLC founder and chairman, Joel Maas  Director of Marketing at Signet LLC, Audrey Wallace  Marketing Strategist at Signet LLC & Entrepreneur, Payal Khurana  Managing Partner of Starter Space, Matthew Jackson  Attorney at BMD, and Darren Jones  Attorney at BMD.

-----

About Signet LLC

Signet brings an innovative, unconventional approach to global investment that embodies creativity and forward thinking to achieve long-term success. With leadership and expertise in the areas of project structuring, capital formation, operational investment and management, we tailor strategy and resources to meet each unique opportunity. Boundless in ideas and tactics, Signet has spent 20+ years crafting collaborative partnerships that advance initiatives in real estate, diversified manufacturing, health and wellness, emerging technologies, investment banking and finance. Learn more at https://www.signetllc.com/.

About Startup Challenge

The Startup Challenge brings together the brightest minds from across North Florida to collaborate and compete for cash prizes and bragging rights as North Floridas best startup. Learn more at http://startupchallenge.org/
Artists of Houston Ballet rehearse for the premiere of Trey McIntyre's "Pretty Things," set to songs by David Bowie. Photo: Amitava Sarkar / Houston Ballet Photo: Amitava Sarkar / Houston Ballet

What does it take to be a performer, especially for a guy who dances?

Choreographer Trey McIntyre is not thinking about the physical aspects  all the years of building strength and technical virtuosity  but more prickly, psychological questions about peacocking behavior among male performers. As a spiritual person, he says, hes been conflicted for decades by his need to be seen. (Clearly, he was born before the age of Instagram.)

Pretty Things, McIntyres eighth commission from Houston Ballet, explores narcissism but also celebrates the personal qualities it takes to put oneself out there in front of an audience. Im trying to reconcile feelings and judgments about myself, to have a more loving take on it, he says.

The work premieres March 12 as part of the companys Forged in Houston program, which includes Christopher Bruces Hush and Jorma Elos ONE/end/ONE.

Pretty Things unfolds to eight iconic songs by the late David Bowie: The Man Who Sold the World, Life on Mars?, Oh! You Pretty Things, Little Wonder, Ashes to Ashes, Ziggy Stardust, Young Americans and Changes. McIntyre was aiming to create a progression, almost like a symphony, to give the ballet an arc even though it is abstract.

He likes Bowies audacity, his sense of fantasy and the way he embodies the grandiosity of theater. I also just love his music, he says. He wanted to capture Bowies spirit but not to illustrate the lyrics or make it about the man. I dont want to steal what he created. Its my job to add depth to to the music, add a different perspective.

This philosophy has driven McIntyres work for years, giving him a reputation as a choreographer who can tap evocatively into pop music and give it a sense of substance thats hard to achieve in dance. Houston audiences experienced that ease most recently with 2018s production of In Dreams, his 2007 ballet using songs by Roy Orbison.

McIntyre shows classical music the same respect. Last month San Francisco Ballet premiered The Big Hunger, an ambitious, 35-minute ballet that uses exit signs as a metaphor for death. The music is Sergei Prokofievs devilishly hard Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, whose long passages of rapid notes gave liberties to superstar pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, making for a tricky collaboration that McIntyre says was a pure joy.

How could he pursue such creative extremes at once? There wasnt a plan, he says. I was just following a muse. Both ballets were driven by ideas I wanted to work out.

Forged in Houston When: 7:30 p.m. March 12, 14, 20 and 21; 2 p.m. March 15 and 22 Where: Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Details: $25-$200; 713-227-2787, houstonballet.org

From boredom to blowing up ballet

A native of Wichita, Kan., McIntyre knew he wanted to be a choreographer when he was 12 and bored with ballet. It was so repetitive, he says.

His ballet teacher caught him skipping class outside in the parking lot, showing his own steps to other kids. Rather than scold him, she coaxed him inside to share his dance with his classmates.

He attended high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, studying ballet because there wasnt a program for choreographers. But Houston Ballet Academy had one each summer, and he got recruited. Even before he advanced into the corps, he was making dances for the professional company. The first, Skeleton Clock, premiered 30 years ago.

Being exposed to great choreographers  the lyrical humanism of Christopher Bruce, the storytelling heritage of Ben Stevenson and Kenneth MacMillan and the contemporary fluidity of Jiri Kylian  was mind-blowing to a kid who had known only tendus.

In the beginning, I wanted to just blow up ballet. As a creative person, I felt so restricted, he says. But Ben kept saying, Remember your classical inheritance. Dont forget this language you have. Todays ballet dancers are fluent in myriad styles, but McIntyre still values the classical vocabularys system of physics and the way it makes sense of the human body.

Houston Ballet produced Peter Pan, his only full-length story ballet to date, in 2002, after another company dropped it, well into his creative process. (He says he finally has a new story ballet rumbling now.)

With his own company, Trey McIntyre Project, from 2005 to 2014, he had a platform to create 23 works as well as films and site-specific works. Ive always been an enterprising fellow, he says.

McIntyres also always had a pretty steady stream of freelance commissions from companies such as Memphis Ballet. With age and experience, the stakes of that game have changed. My attachment is different: Is this enjoyable, a valuable thing to do? It comes from a loving place, not an anxiety-ridden place, he says.

Living in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the past two years, he is also channeling energy into another of his passions, photography. Mostly he photographs dancers in the nude.

Its a different role than I play with them in the studio, where Im quite specific about what I want, he says. With photography, Im trying to capture unconscious moments. Its a more intimate exercise for my heart and brain. And you have a thing in your hand at the end, a print, unlike a ballet that comes and goes.

Tackling Pretty Things

At 50, with more than 60 dances under his belt, McIntyre is returning home, in a sense, to a company he has only just met.

Pretty Things calls for 11 men. Given multiple casts, McIntyre worked with almost all of Houston Ballets 29 male dancers. But only veterans Ian Casady and Oliver Halkowich were with Houston Ballet the last time he created a dance here, in 2003. Some of them worked with him in 2018 when the company added In Dreams to its repertoire, but that was a much faster, simpler process.

The companys spirit, humanity and integrity havent changed, McIntyre says, but the level of dancing has. Todays corps members can do everything only principal dancers were capable of in the past, he says. And theyre eager, present, creative dancers.

Pretty Things is his third collaboration with scenic and costume designer Thomas Mika, who was more inclined to channel Bowie. Mika has created a stage-upon-the stage amid a constellation of disco-ball planets and shooting stars. Each costume has a unique bolero with a print abstracted from a different painting of a beautiful man. The details wont be so discernible to the audience, but the sources include works by Picasso, Matisse and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Principal dancer Connor Walsh, who has dipped his toes into choreography, may be learning some things now in the same way McIntyre absorbed lessons from master dancemakers early in his career. During a public talk last Tuesday led by Jennifer Sommers, Houston Ballet Academys director of education, Walsh explained, Trey choreographs at the pace he talks (which is fast). Theres so much momentum and forward thinking  so many fantastic steps, clever ideas, humor, personality and an abundance of creativity.

Soloist Harper Watters, an Instagram star who is one of the companys visible performers, spoke of the rigorous physicality and the choreographers knack for presenting his performers as real, honest people  not specifically themselves but also not contrived characters. When two men partner, how people interpret it might be different, Watters said. What he does beautifully is that its neither here nor there, all just people encountering each other. The ebb and flow of emotions is very real.

McIntyre thinks working on this ballet has been personally profound in one sense: He has embraced the need to promote himself professionally with a new YouTube channel. Its first episode is, appropriately enough, about the creation of Pretty Things.

molly.glentzer@chron.com
The committee aiding in the search for the next president of Bismarck State College chose three finalists Thursday.

Clark Harris, Douglas Jensen and Philip Klein remain in the running.

Their names will now be sent, unranked, to the State Board of Higher Education, which will hold its own round of interviews on March 26 with the finalists before voting to select BSCs next president. The interviews with the board will be livestreamed for public viewing.

Forty-one people initially applied to succeed Larry Skogen, who is retiring as president at the end of June. The search committee held video interviews with 12 before inviting five candidates to campus this week.

Each candidate spent time meeting with students, staff and community members during the campus visits.

Harris recently served as vice president of academic affairs at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming, where he now serves as special assistant to the president. Previously, he was the dean of technology at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. He said during his open forum on Monday that his strengths include his charisma and background in career and technical education.

Jensen is president of Rock Valley College in Illinois, a position he's held since 2016. Previously, he was president for the Alabama Technology Network in the Alabama Community College System. He said during his open forum on Tuesday that his strengths include workforce and economic development, and working with state legislatures.

Klein is dean of the School of Health and Public Safety at South Piedmont Community College in North Carolina. He was previously a firefighter and an adjunct professor, and he has worked as a dean and an associate vice president at Gwinnett Technical College. He said during his open forum on Tuesday that his strengths include his ability to relate to students who struggle, and his experience creating an education program at a technical college.

Search committee co-chairmen Dan Leingang and Tim Mihalik thanked members for their time and effort throughout the "exhaustive" search process.

We are excited as the process moves forward. We owe a debt of gratitude to the search committee members who volunteered time and will allow us to move the candidates on to the interviews on March 26, said Mihalik, a Higher Education board member and the only member of the initial search committee with the ability to actually vote on who becomes BSC's next president.

Reach Bilal Suleiman at 701-250-8261 or Bilal.Suleiman@bismarcktribune.com

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A HUNDRED years ago, a religious order that would help define the education of a city, first set foot in Limerick city.

Now a book has been launched that celebrates the centenary the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Salesian Sisters in Ireland.

Against The Odds, launched on Friday, February 27 details the history of the foundation of the Salesian Sisters in Ireland, as well as the humble beginnings of what has led to one hundred years of educational and community service.

The launch took place in Halla Ide - the first house and teaching venue the Salesian Sisters established in 1920.

It was never intended to be a book, explains Sr Sarah ORourke, one of the book's authors.

The writing started off as personal interest or a hobby by Sr Noelle Costello, who was born in Limerick and attended the Salesian School in Fernbank before joining the order. She did a lot of work by translating letters and registers and spoke to some of the original pupils and one of the pioneering Sisters. Approaching the Centenary year of the foundation in Ireland seemed to be an opportune occasion to look again at Noelles collection and develop it further.

Then when we looked at the primary sources, we felt that the social and the political context of Limerick was missing, she added, so we invited Dr Sinead McCoole, who happens to also be a past pupil, to come on board.

Dr McCoole is a specialist in the field of Irish womens history and is a Member of the Irish Governments Advisory Group on the Decade of Commemorations.

The Salesian Sisters arrived in Limerick in the throes of the War of Independence but as Sr Sarah pointed out: We found the sisters, even in the chronicles or whatever they were writing, alluded to the political disturbance, but they didn't go into much detail about it.

Read also: Limerick museum puts call out for local rugby club artifacts

I think the key thing which was highlighted for me is that the sisters actually started a foundation in a warzone, Sr Sarah added, I'm not sure that until now we fully appreciated the risks and the courage it took on the part of those pioneers. As well as facing war and hardship, they experienced opposition from other religious orders in trying to develop their work in education. However Against The Odds they laid a foundation which was to grow and flourish not only in Limerick but in other parts of Ireland.

Sr Sarah said that the book, which is more than two and a half years in the making, was an opportunity for her to make personal connections with her past and the history of the order. I think the letters speak to me, because they are a summary of the hopes and struggles around the foundation. I have just great admiration for the significant people who were determined to bring and welcome the Salesian Sisters to Ireland.

We weren't possessive of the material, she said, we haven't put any names on the cover, the reason being is that at different times we wore the hat of researcher, author and editor.

The book contains eight chapters and two original personal accounts from past pupil Lizzie Nolan and pioneer Sr Kathleen Kearns.

They're standalone chapters, Sr Sarah adds, but at the same time, if any of those chapters were missing, thered be a strand of the book missing as well. We are also very grateful to Alan Hayes of Arlen House who made the final phase of publication so much easier for us with his meticulous care coupled with a relaxed attitude, it was added.
FILE PHOTO: The HSBC bank is seen in the financial district of Canary Wharf

By Lawrence White, Pamela Barbaglia and Gianluca Semeraro

LONDON/MILAN (Reuters) - HSBC has sent more than 100 of its London staff home after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus, the first known case at a major company in Europe's main financial hub.

Italy's UniCredit also told some staff to go home after two new infections were reported among its employees - one in Germany and one in Italy.

Banks globally are readying out-of-town offices and isolating some teams to ensure they can keep trading if coronavirus spreads in more major financial centres.

JPMorgan said in a memo on Thursday that it was moving traders in New York and London to a number of locations.

The U.S. bank runs a British disaster recovery site in Basingstoke, southwest of London, and has an alternative building in central London near the Blackfriars bridge.

"The bank has officially moved from testing to execution," said a source familiar with the matter, adding the biggest wave of moves would happen on March 9.

Goldman Sachs has been testing a back-up site in Croydon, south London, while Barclays has an office in Northolt, in the northwest of the capital, it is planning to use as a back-up.

The possibility of the coronavirus spreading across the finance industry is worrying regulators, who fear the absence of important staff could lead to liquidity problems in markets if firms cannot operate their trading operations normally.

The European Central Bank has asked euro zone banks to urgently test their large-scale remote working arrangements, or other flexible working arrangements for critical staff, a letter dated Tuesday that was seen by Reuters showed.

German and British financial regulators have also said they are watching how prepared banks and other institutions are.

In Spain, BBVA said on Thursday it had transferred up to 100 staff from its Madrid trading floor to a location just outside the city as part of its contingency plan to protect operations from potential disruption related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Story continues

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

At HSBC, an employee in its research department in London self-isolated on Sunday, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The employee was later confirmed to have the coronavirus and on Thursday morning the bank sent home more than 100 people from the research department, a bank spokeswoman said.

HSBC has told staff who came into contact with the man to work from home as areas affected undergo a thorough clean.

"We have been informed that one of our employees at 8 Canada Square has been diagnosed with COVID-19. This colleague is under medical supervision and has self-isolated," the spokeswoman said. "All staff whose roles allow remote working have been told they can work from home if preferred."

HSBC's London office is in Canary Wharf, a major financial district that hosts many investment banks, including Citi, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Barclays.

HSBC's headquarters remains open, the bank said.

The lender separately on Wednesday sent home 20 staff from its global banking and markets division as a precaution because one person had come into contact with someone infected with the virus, the HSBC spokeswoman said.

The 20 people have since returned to work, she said.

NEW CASES AT UNICREDIT

Italy's UniCredit raised the number of its workers infected with coronavirus to three on Thursday and sent home staff who dealt with them.

Unicredit said it had told all employees who have been in contact with a contractor in its Munich office who has since tested positive for the virus to self-quarantine for two weeks.

The bank has closed its Piacenza office, where another employee has tested positive, and a branch in the northern Italian city, Unicredit said in a statement.

It advised all employees who may have been in close contact with the colleague to self-isolate for 14 days and said it would contact all customers who had been in the Piacenza branch in recent days.

Italy has been hit harder by the coronavirus than any other country in Europe, with 107 deaths and more than 3,000 confirmed cases.

(Additional reporting by Julien Ponthus in London; Writing by John O'Donnell; Editing by Rachel Armstrong, Timothy Heritage and Alex Richardson)
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The global laptop market size is anticipated to reach USD 108.91 billion by 2025, according to a study by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 0.4% during the forecast period. Increasing urbanization and growing spending capacities of consumers belonging to middle and upper-middle classes, coupled with evolving lifestyles, are projected to help the global market gain significant momentum over the coming years. Furthermore, upsurge in demand for technologically advanced products, particularly in developing countries due to changing needs and consumption patterns, is poised to bolster market growth over the forecast period.

Burgeoning popularity of affordable wireless connectivity and mobility solutions among consumers is likely to spur the growth of the market. Besides this, homogeneous standardization of laptops and advancements in technology are helping in increasing processing power, reducing power consumption, and cutting down costs. This, in turn, is working in favor of the market.

Improving internet infrastructure across the globe is also positively influencing the growth of the market. Factors such as adaptability of mature audiences to dynamic technological environments and favorable adoption of evolving technologies are also expected to trigger the demand for laptops over the forecast period. Moreover, government initiatives such as Made in China 2025, Digital India, and Make in India are also offering immense growth potential to manufacturers operating in the laptop market.

However, increasing sales of smartphones are estimated to be the key restraint for the growth of the market. Factors such as long-lasting battery life, low price, high-speed processors, and large screens, apart from other value-added features such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR) apps, sensors, and enhanced hardware, are leading to wider adoption of smartphones, thereby hampering the sales of laptops.

Further key findings from the study suggest:

The 2-in-1 laptop segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This can be attributed to growing demand for lightweight and technologically-advanced laptops

The 13" to 14.9" screen size segment is projected to expand at a CAGR exceeding 0.5% in terms of value over the same period as these laptops are ideal for diverse applications such as personal, gaming, and business

The USD 501-USD 1,000 segment accounted for a significant market share as these laptops offer long battery life, wide display screen, robust processors, and attractive design at relatively affordable price

Spiraling demand for online and augmented/virtual reality gaming among youths and professional gamers is bolstering market growth for gaming laptops

Asia Pacific is poised to register the highest CAGR owing to increasing government initiatives to manufacture low-cost but technologically-proficient laptops

Some of the prominent industry participants include Dell; HP Development Company, L.P.; ASUSTeK Computer Inc.; Apple Inc.; Acer Inc.; and Lenovo. OEMs are substantially investing in R&D to withstand competition and sustain their dominance in the industry.

Request a Sample Copy of the Global Laptop Market Research Report @

www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/laptop-market/request/rs1

Grand View Research has segmented the global laptop market based on the type, screen size, price, end use, and region:

Laptop Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; Volume, Million Units, 2014 - 2025)

Traditional Laptop

2-in-1 Laptop

Laptop Screen Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; Volume, Million Units, 2014 - 2025)

Up to 10.9"

11" to 12.9"

13" to 14.9"

15.0" to 16.9"

More than 17"

Laptop Price Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; Volume, Million Units, 2014 - 2025)

0-500

501-1,000

1,001-1,500

1,501-2,000

Above 2,001

Laptop End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; Volume, Million Units, 2014 - 2025)

Personal

Business

Gaming

Laptop Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; Volume, Million Units, 2014 - 2025)

North America U.S. Canada

Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Denmark

Asia Pacific China India Japan Malaysia Australia South Korea

Latin America Brazil Mexico

Middle East & Africa South Africa U.A.E.



Access full research report on global laptop market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/laptop-market
Minutes after the central government imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank effective March 5 and restricted withdrawals to Rs 50,000, reactions to the development began pouring in thick and fast on Twitter.

Economist Sanju Verma tweeted that Yes Bank could have ended a 'lot worse' for many, had it not been for Reserve Bank of India's "stubborn insistence in having Rana Kapoor step down as CEO".

To catch all live updates on this developing story, click here....

Many users also took potshots at the Narendra Modi-led central government, particularly the dispensation's target of making India a $5 trillion economy and questioning whether this is the way to achieve it.

Popular social media user Payal Rohatgi tweeted that this is "not a sign of aa booming economy" and, tagging the Prime Minister and the Home Minister's office asked them to "get Yes Bank to function."



My money and I cant use from tommrow ... wah re India wahhh .... cheat koi kare aur bhugte client why ?? My all account at yes bank even my FD ... @RBI why not arrest who do wrong with bank ?why we suffer ?? #YesBank

 MRUGESH PARMAR



Those who are no longer invested in #YesBank : pic.twitter.com/D8JXki8baO

 Master Nemo (@MasterNemo6) March 5, 2020

A distressed user on Twitter, Mrugesh Parmar, said he won't be able to use his money from March 6, and added in Hindi that it is the client who suffers.Many users also responded with memes.
The CDCs decision to stop disclosing numbers of Americans tested for coronavirus has ignited public wrath amid the deteriorating COVID-19 epidemic situation in the US, with American netizens calling for data transparency and more effective measures to tackle the lethal virus.

According to CDCs announcement on March 4, it has stopped reporting the number of persons-under-investigation (PUIs) and negative test results for COVID-19, adding that each state is now testing and reporting their own results, which means these numbers would not be representative of the testing being done nationally.

Since the outbreak hit the US, the CDC has posted statistics on its website, including the number of confirmed cases, the total number of US deaths, and the number of tested patients, but the last two have now been removed.

The decision drew strong opposition from both the public and politicians in the US. Mark Pocan, a Democratic congressman, sent a letter to Robert Redfield, CDC director on March 4, condemning the institution for its inexplicable behavior.

Americans are dying, we deserve to know how many people have been tested for it, or who have died from COVID-19. Knowing that CDC testing is keeping pace with the likely number of cases is imperative to maintain public trust, said Pocan in his letter.

Where are the links to the state reports? Why cant we handle adding up the state numbers? We even do that with flu report every week, at a bare minimum we should replicate that, said a Twitter user named Ben S.

Is it a cover-up?

Despite being one of the most trusted official channels for acquiring epidemic data in the US, the COVID-19 data provided by the CDC has been constantly challenged by the public and media outlets. While the CDC says 13 states have cases of COVID-19, a tracker posted by the New York Times lists 16 states that have reported at least one case of the virus.

CDCs decision to stop reporting PUIs has made the situation even worse. According to regulations, it is mandatory that reportable disease cases are reported to state and territorial jurisdictions when identified by a health provider, hospital or laboratory. However, it is voluntary for notifiable disease cases to be reported to CDC by state and territorial jurisdictions for aggregation and monitoring of disease data.

To date, COVID-19 is yet to be included in the National Reportable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), though similar diseases, such as invasive pneumococcal disease, has already been on the list for almost a decade.

Even with the ambiguous regulations mentioned above, the CDC has failed to notify the public whether there will be a data report at the national level including the number of tested patients, or which department should be responsible for issuing such a report. Neither has it explained why certain data could be collected in the early stages of the outbreak, but stopped at a crucial stage of tackling the virus.

CDC is the national organization, it should be the mothership of all statistics, receiving state tallies. Do we need to rely on state health departments or the WHO? Are you committing real-time negligence, CDC director?said James Mowdy, an activist on Twitter.

This is an administrative failure. Theres no good excuse for a complete lack of transparency. Ive run call centers with better data analysis and reporting. Do better, said a netizen named Amy on Twitter.

A negative example

Even the CDC itself noted on its official website that regular, frequent, timely information on individual cases is considered necessary to monitor disease trends, identify populations or geographic areas at high risk, formulate and assess prevention and control strategies, and formulate public health policies.

As one of the worlds most prominent epidemic control institutions, CDCs decision is setting a bad example to the world. On the same day, the UKs Department of Health and Social Care announced that due to the number of new cases, it will no longer be tweeting information on the location of each new case. Instead, the information will be released centrally in a consolidated format online, once a week.

Not openly informing the public, and health systems of new cases and counts, pending or confirmed, is going to [do] substantial damage to communities, said Xenader, a netizen on Twitter.

Calling for effective measures

While the virus spread has slowed dramatically in China, infections and death rates worldwide are now mounting swiftly. According to official statistics, 158 people in at least 16 states were infected by Thursday, while California reported its first COVID-19 death, bringing the US death toll to 11.

The deteriorating situation has forced the US government to take fresh action in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. Congressional leaders have already agreed on an $8 billion emergency funding package to help fight the virus, a figure deemed by the public as not enough at all, while a shortage of respiratory equipment and masks in the US has also caused alarm among the public.

The government should take more effective measures to curb the spread of the virus. It seems to me that the situation is now out of control, and more rigid actions should be considered, such as community quarantine or more testing kits, said a Twitter user.
New Delhi: Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) on Friday (March 6, 2020) filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court of India in the Ayodhya case. In its petition, the PFI stated that even though it was not one of the parties in the main Ayodhya and dispute case, yet the verdict delivered by the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, adversely affected its rights.

The petition also pleads that it should be heard in an open court while also arguing that the apex court should put a stay on its verdict in the Ayodhya case which granted the ownership of the 2.77 acres of land which was at the centre of the dispute to the Hindus, paving the way for the construction of a Ram Temple.

PFI is the second organisation to file a curative petition in the case with the first one being by the Uttar Pradesh-based Peace Party.

The decades-long land dispute in Ayodhya came to an end with the November 9, 2019, verdict by the Supreme Court. According to the verdict, the Hindus have the right over the 2.77 acres of land while Muslims will get 5 acres of land at an alternative site in Ayodhya.

The judgment was delivered by a bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and included justices DY Chandrachud, Sharad Arvind Bobde (the current CJI), S Abdul Nazeer and Ashok Bhushan.

"Faith of Hindus is undisputed that Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya," was one of the major observations of the court, which also ruled that "Babri mosque wasn`t constructed on a vacant land". "An underlying structure did exist," the court had ruled while adding that it was not of the Islamic religion. Artefacts, architectural evidence had distinct non-Islamic nature butt the "ASI report hasn`t said the underlying structure was a specific temple", the verdict stated.

As per the verdict, the trust to finalise details for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple was set up on February 5, 2020. K Parasaran is the first member of the trust while Ayodhya District Magistrate (DM) Anuj Kumar Jha is the convening member. The seven other permanent members are - Shankaracharya Vasudevanand Maharaj, Parmanand Jimaharaja Haridwar, Swami Govindgiri Ji Pune, Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, Dr Anil Mishra Homeopathic Ayodhya, Dr Kamaleshwar Chaupal Patna, and Mahant Dhinedra Das Nirmohi Akhara.
If the Supreme Court does not grant the governments request to take up its appeal of the Ninth Circuits injunction, the appeals courts decision to block the policy will take effect on Thursday, although only in the border states within its jurisdiction, California and Arizona. Even though such a decision would not affect Texas, officials said the military was needed there in case migrants rushed the entry point.

Customs and Border Protection has been able to deploy crisis response forces since November 2018, when hundreds of migrants approached the border in San Diego, prompting the agency to close the border crossing and fire tear gas to push back migrants. The military was not involved in that clash.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to brief reporters on the plan, said the troops would start the temporary assignment on Saturday and remain in place for at least two weeks. They will not conduct any immigration processing or enforcement, officials said.

They said the military teams were there to ensure the flow of traffic between the ports in the event that the Remain in Mexico policy is again overturned. The Customs and Border Protection officials declined to say whether the military would at any point forcibly remove migrants from the ports.

Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a Defense Department spokesman, said the active-duty troops would be placing temporary barriers at the ports of entry and provide force protection for the border officers.
How did you know it was time to end your campaign?

Well, in South Carolina, you always hope  you know youre not going to win, but you want to give it a try. And then I kept going around to all the states, and we had good crowds. I knew we had this growing support, but it wasnt going to grow fast enough. And the other thing I knew was that we had that rush of money coming in February, I think $19 million or something. But we didnt have time to really build the operations we needed as a campaign, so that was part of it.

Then, the big overwhelming thing was I knew I was going to win my state.

And I thought, Well, that would be good. Good way to end. But then I thought, why would I just do that for myself? Maybe I can actually deliver this for Joe Biden knowing that he was at like 10 percent or 15. So I talked to my campaign manager on Sunday morning, and then I was in the church in Selma and I kept thinking that this is the right decision. Then I called my husband, who wasnt crazy about it. He wanted to keep going.

His answer was, I just got a lobster fisherman in Maine to support you. I talked to him a really long time, and now I feel really bad.

Its like, OK. Well, so we can call him. My husband had worked so hard. So that was hard.

Did you know that Pete Buttigieg was also going to endorse Mr. Biden?

I didnt know when we called them [the Biden campaign], no. I figured he wasnt going to because he had withdrawn the day before. I texted him and he had called me back. And not about Biden, just about him getting out of the race. And I wrote him a nice note and he wrote something back and then we agreed to talk the next day, which we did.

So do you feel like you won Minnesota, in the end?

I think I was a big help, yes. Joe Biden won Minnesota. But one of the more interesting things is when you look at the counties on the edges that dont always get TV from Minnesota. They get Canadian or North Dakota or South Dakota. Those were the ones that I still won. Maybe they went to vote in the morning without knowing [I had dropped out of the race].

Did you discuss any positions with Mr. Biden or anything like that should he win the White House?

I knew every position he had, every single one of them. We did 10 debates. He was on the stage for 
The ruler of Dubai ordered the kidnapping of two of his own children and conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his former wife, the High Court has ruled.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoums sixth wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, fled to London from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last April after becoming terrified of her husband at the beginning of last year.

The 70-year-old vice president and prime minister of the UAE  who is said to be on respectful and friendly terms with the British royal family was accused of using the state and its apparatus to threaten, intimidate, mistreat and oppress with a total disregard for the rule of law, in a damning publication by one of Britains most senior judges.



Soon after his wife fled, Sheikh Mohammed applied for the summary return to Dubai of their daughter Al Jalila, 12, and son Zayed, 8.

But Princess Haya, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, asked the High Court to go on a fact finding mission, particularly in relation to the alleged kidnap and forcible detention of two of the Sheikhs adult daughters from another marriage, almost two decades apart.

Further details of the hearings, which have been held in London since last year, can be reported for the first time after the Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch attempt by Sheikh Mohammed to prevent publication.

It can now be reported that Princess Haya applied for a non-molestation order for her own protection in July, as well as a forced marriage protection order in relation to her daughter, Jalila.

Princess Haya also alleged that there had been a campaign of fear and intimidation against her since the start of last year, after Sheikh Mohammed discovered her affair with one of her male bodyguards.

And today Sir Andrew McFarlane  the most senior family judge in England and Wales  said Sheikh Mohammed had ordered and orchestrated the abduction and forced return to Dubai of Sheikha Shamsa in August 2000 and of her sister Sheikha Latifa twice, in 2002 and again in 2018.

The judge found that Shamsa, now 38, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge and has been deprived of her liberty for much if not all of the past two decades.

Sir Andrew also found Latifa, now 35, was held on the instructions of her father for more than three years after her first escape attempt in 2002 before being released in October 2005.

Latifas second attempted escape from the UAE made headlines around the world after the publication in March 2018 of a video which she said would only be released if Im dead, or Im in a very, very, very bad situation.

Sir Andrew backed claims by Tiina Jauhiainen, Latifas friend who tried to help her escape, that Indian special forces boarded a boat in international waters off the coast of Goa on March 4 2018, before Latifa was taken back to Dubai against her will.

The judge said: She was pleading for the soldiers to kill her rather than face the prospect of going back to her family in Dubai.

I conclude, on the balance of probability, that Latifas account of her motives for wishing to leave Dubai represents the truth.

She was plainly desperate to extricate herself from her family and prepared to undertake a dangerous mission in order to do so.

In a statement, co-founder of the Free Latifa campaign David Haigh said: It is now clear to see why Sheikh Mohammed did not want these judgments to be made available to the world.

They show him as someone unfit to be in charge of children, let alone a state that is an ally of the UK.

Ms Jauhiainen branded herself delighted with the publication of the judgements.

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A photo of school children marching in Shatta Wales branded Reign socks at Ghanas 63rd Independence Anniversary surfaced earlier today on the internet.

Students from Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region were spotted wearing the Reign socks which is a bona fide property of Ghanaian artiste Shatta Wale as they marched beautifully to wow the crowd.

The photo has obviously excited the SM fans and it has also caught the attention of the boss himself, Shatta Wale.

Sounding excited, the Dancehall artiste shared the photo with the caption; Reign socks for the independence match history will always be made .. This is called branding to the highest peak.

---Ghbase.com
Cult mom Lori Vallow finally went before a judge in Idaho on Friday over charges relating to her missing children.

True to form, Vallow smirked as she was led out of the courtroom in pink handcuffs and wearing a full face of make up.

She'd her bond lowered from $5million to $1million after a brief hearing.

Vallow was extradited back to Idaho earlier this week from Hawaii where she has been dodging police with her new husband, religious author Chad Daybell, for months.

Vallow waived a formal reading of the charges; two counts of desertion and nonsupport of children, resisting an officer, solicitation by having a friend lie to police about where her children were and contempt.

She answered 'yes' after the judge asked her if she understood each of the charges.

Her attorneys asked that her bond be reduced to $50,000, saying she was presumed innocent and did not deserve to have her case tried in the media.

'This is a violation of Lori's constitutional rights.'

Vallow has been charged with desertion and nonsupport of a dependent. She appeared before a judge in Idaho on Friday wearing a striped prison uniform, make-up and pink handcuffs

Vallow had gone to some length to look glamorous for the appearance, despite her jail garb

Prosecutors hit back, saying she was a flight risk.

'On how we got here, why the bond is set at what it's at. This case didn't start as a criminal case - it started as a report of two missing children who are still missing,' one of the prosecutors said, adding Lori fled 'very quickly' after they were contacted about where the kids were in November.

They also said Daybell received funds from his wife's life insurance policy - around $430,000 - which gives them the ability to relocate.

He added that she has relocated four times since last August, there are three active investigations into suspicious deaths that she has been linked to, and that she left every home she's had in the last few months in suspicious circumstances.

The judge agreed to lower bail but to $1million.

He said if she posted the bond, there would be strict conditions on her not leaving the area.

She must also wear an ankle monitor if she's eligible to bail out.

Vallow's kids, Tylee, 17, and JJ, seven, have not been seen since September and there are grave concerns for their welfare.

After they vanished, Lori and Chad fled Idaho and got married on a beach on Kauai.

Among those in the courtroom on Friday was Daybell and JJ's paternal grandparents.

They have been begging Lori for answers for months but she has refused to tell them where he is.

All Daybell has said of the kids is that they are 'safe'.

On Thursday, the FBI in Salt Lake City made a public plea for information about a trip Vallow took with the kids to Yellowstone before they vanished.

The judge lowered her bond from $5million to $1million. She was pleased with the result

Chad Daybell, Lori's nw husband, was among those in the public gallery

JJ's grandparents were in the courtroom wearing what appeared to be Hawaiin necklaces

Seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September. Police in the city of Rexburg, Idaho, have said they 'strongly believe that Joshua and Tylee's lives are in danger'

The FBI released this photo of the family at Yellowstone National Park on September 8 and has asked anyone with information about that day to come forward

They are asking that anyone who was in the park on September 8 last year and has photos of the children or family to submit them to the authorities.

In addition to kids' disappearance, there have been multiple suspicious deaths in Lori and her husband's close circle.

It began in July, when her brother, Alex Cox, shot her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, dead in her home in Arizona.

At the time, they told police that he acted in self-defense. In October, Chad's wife of 23 years, Tammy, died mysteriously.

He married Lori two weeks later in Hawaii.

Then, in December, her brother Alex Cox died in mysterious circumstances.

Lori's estranged husband Charles Vallow (left) was shot dead by her brother Alex Cox in Arizona on July 11 . Chad's wife Tammy (inset) died in October. Cox (right) died in December

Tammy's body has now being exhumed for further testing. Authorities have not yet revealed the results of those tests.

Some in their family have suggested that Lori and Chad are part of a religious cult. He is a doomsday author, and she has spoken openly in the past about her faith.

Now, the extended families of Tylee and JJ are pleading with her to tell them where the kids are.

Rexburg police questioned Daybell and Vallow about the missing children in late November, and when detectives returned the next day for a follow-up interview, the couple had left town.

In December, Idaho authorities asked police in Hawaii for help finding the couple.

On January 26, Kauai police served a search warrant on a vehicle and condo the couple were renting in the resort town of Princeville.

Vallow reportedly believes she is 'a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ's second coming in July 2020,' according to divorce documents Charles Vallow filed before his death.

She and Chad Daybell were involved in a group that promotes preparing for the biblical end times.

The prolific doomsday author opened up last Thursday, when he was approached by ABC News reporters at Lihue Airport in Hawaii.

'The kids are safe,' Chad said minutes before he boarded a flight back to Rexburg, Idaho. He declined to go into any further detail about where the children are.
MANILA, Philippines  The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Friday (March 6) two new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the countrys total count to five.

This time, the two patients are Filipinos.

The fourth case is a 48-year-old man who recently traveled to Japan and returned to the Philippines on February 25.

The person experienced symptoms of the virus such as fever and chills and was admitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on March 3.

Results of the tests were released on March 5 which revealed he was positive for COVID-19.

The fifth case was a 62-year-old Filipino from San Juan City who had no known travel history outside the country.

The DOH said the patient frequented a Muslim prayer room in Barangay Greenhills prior to falling ill.

The patient was admitted to a hospital in Metro Manila on March 1 for severe pneumonia.

There he was discovered to have hypertension and diabetes.

He was tested on March 4 and the result was released the day after which revealed he was positive for COVID-19.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III explained that while the fifth patient is local infection, it still cannot be declared as local transmission because he has not infected anyone yet.

Theres no transmission to speak of as of yet because we only have one. Thats why we are doing contact tracing to establish whether or not there are other cases or clustering of cases. But now, it is premature to say that there is a local transmission, Duque said.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) believes otherwise.

WHO Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the fact that the patient had no known travel history outside of the country means he acquired the virus locally although, there is no confirmed community transmission yet.

At this point of time we are not sure whether we are looking at an isolated case or we are looking at a cluster of cases, the Who official said.

At present, all family members of the fifth patient have been placed in isolation after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Story continues

Aside from the two new cases, the DOH also confirmed three foreign nationals who visited the Philippines and have tested positive for COVID-19 upon return to their respective countries.

They were namely, a 44-year-old Taiwan national who stayed in the country from February 28 to March 3; a 44-year-old Japanese man who stayed in three hotels in the Philippines from February 21 to February 28; and an Australian woman in her 60s who attended a wedding rite in Manila on February 13 and stayed in Pangasinan for a reunion thereafter.

She returned to Australia on March 2.

Despite confirmation of COVID-19 infection, the WHO said there is still no strong evidence that the three foreigners acquired the virus from the Philippines.

Currently, the DOH and the WHO are conducting contact tracing on persons who had close contact with the two Filipinos and the three foreigners.

Duque said it is premature to declare a code red health alert in the country because the source of the infection in the country is not yet determined.

Well its premature to declare a code red because as I have said, evidence only points to one case but as soon as we do get confirmation or once we get more positive confirmed cases then thats the time we can say there is a local transmission, he concluded. MNP (with inputs from Aiko Miguel)

The post PH confirms two new cases of COVID-19, first local case appeared first on UNTV News.
 Flash

COVID-19 is not a pandemic for now although there are very concerning signs, the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Thursday, expressing his deep concern about the spread of the coronavirus into an increasing number of countries with weaker health systems over the past few days.

"Although the situation could be worse than what we are now and it could be a pandemic level, there are countries within this situation which have shown that it (COVID-19) can be contained," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing, underlying "we should not give up until the last attempt".

As of Thursday morning, 95,265 cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, including 3,281 deaths, according to WHO.

Tedros insisted that pandemic can only be declared based on evidence, which is not there yet.

He praised those countries which have been fighting hard against the epidemic, noting positive signals and experience regarding the virus have already emerged.

Moreover, Tedros called for a comprehensive approach, stressing the political commitment and intervention should be triggered in all countries for COVID-19 containment.




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Private lender Yes Banks collapse marks the first such instance involving a new-age private sector lender. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), already facing criticism on major supervision lapses in cases like Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC), couldnt have afforded Yes Bank to fail. For months, just like the bank's shareholders, the central bank too waited for an investor to turn up to rescue the bank. But, that didn't happen, forcing regulatory clampdown on the lender.

As of now, Yes Bank is placed under a 30-day moratorium and its board has been superseded by the central bank. Restrictions have been placed on its operations. RBI has appointed Prashant Kumar, former CFO of State Bank of India, as caretaker administrator of Yes Bank, under Section 36ACA (2) of the Act. Depositors can withdraw up to Rs 50,000 till the moratorium period ends on April 3.

The SBI board has also given an in-principle approval to invest in the capital-starved Yes Bank.

To catch all live updates on this developing story, click here....

Yes Bank was granted a banking licence in 2003-04 along with Kotak Mahindra Bank. Rana Kapoor, a veteran banker who was previously with Rabo Bank, built the bank stating that the bank will offer the best quality banking experience to customers, who till then had limited options between old generation private banks and government-owned banks that controlled majority of the banking space.

Kapoor held 26 percent stake in Yes Bank while Rabobank International held 20 percent stake. The bank's growth over the years was quick. In the next 10 years, it emerged one of the top five private banks in India.

The events at Yes Bank that led to its fall point to serious lapses in the way risk management systems are designed in the Indian banking system and RBI's shortcomings as a supervision authority.

The RBI prevented further damage in Yes Bank by declining another term to Kapoor as MD and CEO in September 2018. It allowed Kapoor to continue only till January 31, 2019 after unearthing major corporate governance issues.

It shows that promoter-driven banks needs special regulatory focus and corporate governance loopholes need to be plugged. The story also throws up a major cautionary lesson to other private banks that mere focus on technology and chasing high growth in relying on corporate banking and wholesale deposits to boost balance sheet won't work. The golden rule of prudential lending and high corporate governance are vital for any bank's survival.

As far as customer is concerned, Yes Bank is yet another blow on the Indian banking sector. This is the second major instance of RBI superseding a major bank within a span of one year. In September last year, RBI had superseded Maharashtra-based PMC Bank following major financial irregularities.

With Yes Bank under RBI's closer watch now and deposit withdrawal restricted to Rs 50,000 per person, customers will turn even more risk averse.

One of the key takeaways from the Yes Bank episode is that RBI acted late. It had appointed R Gandhi to its board with effect from May 14, 2019. This was after Yes Bank reported a Rs 1,507 crore loss in Q4 FY19 and rating agencies ICRA and India Ratings downgraded its long-term ratings. The RBI action was also on account of serious corporate governance issues under Kapoor and enough warning signals of its deteriorating financials.

Despite an RBI nominee on the board, why didnt the central bank act earlier to address the fault lines within the bank? If it had taken preventive measures, perhaps significant erosion in banks financials could have been avoided and made the terms of the rescue much less painful.

Remember, the corporate governance issues within the bank gradually eroded investor trust in the bank. Cracks began to appear in Yes Banks balance sheets long back when the RBI identified major divergence in the reported non-performing asset numbers and the actual bad loan figures. In FY19 alone, it reported a divergence of Rs 3,277 crore in bad loans and Rs 978 crore in NPA provisions. The financial ratios were deteriorating in the subsequent years.

In the following period, Yes Bank witnessed severe corporate governance issues, which is a major part of allegations in the whistleblower letter of Yes Bank's independent director Uttam Prakash Agarwal who resigned in January citing 'serious concerns' on the state of affairs at the private sector lender and deteriorating practices.

The government cant afford a bank failure. Yes Bank is likely to be bailed by SBI in the next few weeks. But, here again, the taxpayers money is used to bail out a business failure that too on account of serious corporate governance rule violations.

With the impasse at Yes Bank and deposit withdrawal restrictions, the trust deficit that already exists in the system is likely to get widened. The central bank has a lot of explaining to do on prolonging the crisis to this stage.
On April 24, 1918, one of the longest and most expensive trials in San Francisco history was drawing to a close. The court had just adjourned for the midday recess.

As the 200 spectators who packed the courtroom made their way out, one of the defendants, Ram Singh, worked his way toward co-defendant Ram Chandra. Singh pulled an automatic out of his pocket and shot Chandra four times at point-blank range. Chandra dropped dead at the foot of the witness stand.

As Singh waved his pistol, a U.S. marshal fired over the head of several lawyers, hitting him in the neck and killing him instantly.

What led to this bloody courtroom drama was an international plot, the so-called Hindu-German conspiracy, in which the German government worked with Indian nationalists, most of them students at UC Berkeley or in San Francisco, during World War I to instigate a revolt against British colonial rule in India.

Indian revolutionaries had been active in America, and particularly in the Bay Area, for some years before the war. The Gadar (Revolt or Mutiny) Party was formed in San Francisco in 1913; many of its members were students at UC Berkeley.

In 1914, the young expatriate Ram Chandra became president of Gadar and editor of its paper, the Gadar, which was published in San Francisco  first at 436 Hill St. in Dolores Heights, then at 5 Wood St., a few blocks west of the current site of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

When World War I broke out in July 1914, the German empire began conspiring with Gadarites in America to foment rebellion in India. The most ambitious and convoluted scheme was known as the Annie Larsen affair. Giles T. Brown told the story in The Hindu Conspiracy 1914-1917, an article that appeared in the August 1948 Pacific Historical Review.

A German military attache, Franz von Papen, arranged for 10,000 rifles to be sent by rail to San Diego, where they were loaded on a chartered ship called the Annie Larsen. The cover story was that they were being sent to a faction in the Mexican civil war. The story was so persuasive that the Pancho Villa faction offered a $15,000 bribe to have the arms delivered to a Villa-controlled port.

The Annie Larsen then sailed to Socorro Island, more than 350 miles off the west coast of Mexico, where the guns were to be transferred to a tanker and shipped to India.

The plot failed when the rendezvous did not come off, but the conspiracy continued.

Berlin appointed an idealistic intellectual, Dr. Chandra Chakraverty, to lead the Indian insurrection movement, paying him $1,000 a month. Chakraverty tried to arrange for arms sales and went to San Francisco to meet with Ram Chandra, but had little success  he admitted that in six months he managed to arrange for only 200 pistols to be sent to India.

The Hindu-German conspiracy unraveled when federal agents burst into the New York offices of a young German official named Wolf Von Igel and seized his files as he desperately tried to close his safe. Von Igels papers contained damning information about the entire conspiracy, including the names of Chakraverty and other key figures.

On March 6, 1917, Chakraverty was arrested in New York for allegedly violating U.S. neutrality laws by planning the overthrow of the British government in India. Chakraverty cooperated with the authorities, and within a month, Chandra and 16 other Indians were arrested in San Francisco.

A San Francisco grand jury eventually indicted 105 people, including dozens of Indians, the staff of the German Consulate in San Francisco, the German consul in Honolulu (who was implicated in the Annie Larsen affair), and several Americans.

The trial, which began in November 1917, caused a sensation in San Francisco and riveted observers across the country. In the words of a 1918 article about the conspiracy, The trial of these men was one of the most picturesque scenes ever enacted in an American court. In the prisoners dock, aggressive blonde German officers sat beside anemic, swarthy, turbaned Hindus and plain American businessmen.

Chakraverty defended his actions by arguing, We in India are endeavoring to do just as America did in 1776. But several of his co-defendants regarded him as a traitor. During the course of the long trial, Indian defendants loudly denounced an interpreter and complained about the food; an outbreak of mumps interrupted the trial; a defendant who had turned states witness went insane; another claimed he had nothing to do with the conspiracy and had been mistaken for someone with the same name; and German Consul Franz Bopp (who was being held at Alcatraz, then a U.S. military prison) shouted to a testifying co-defendant, You are ruining the whole case!

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

Trivia time The previous trivia question: What event caused Yerba Buena, soon to be renamed San Francisco, to briefly become a Mormon-majority town? Answer: The July 1846 arrival of the ship Brooklyn, carrying about 230 Mormon passengers. This week's trivia question: What is the Golden State Warriors' worst season record in franchise history? Editor's note Every corner in San Francisco has an astonishing story to tell. Gary Kamiya's Portals of the Past tells those lost stories, using a specific location to illuminate San Francisco's extraordinary history - from the days when giant mammoths wandered through what is now North Beach to the Gold Rush delirium, the dot-com madness and beyond. His column appears every other Saturday. See More Collapse

The bitterest attacks were reserved for Ram Chandra, who was so unpopular with his fellow revolutionaries that he had been removed as head of the Gadar Party before the trial. On the witness stand, his co-defendants accused him of being autocratic and profiting from his position.

Finally, at the very end of the trial, Ram Singh killed him. According to one source, Singh intended to shoot Chakraverty next.

The very afternoon of the shooting, the case went to the jury. Of the original 105 defendants, 29 were convicted of violating U.S. neutrality laws and one was acquitted. During the trial, three other defendants had changed their pleas to guilty, one had become insane, and two  Chandra and Singh  had died. The rest had either fled the country or become government witnesses.

The sentences were comparatively light. Bopp and other German consular officials and military attaches were given one to two years in jail and fined; the Americans, mostly shipping executives, lawyers and other businessmen, got slightly shorter sentences and fines. None of the Indians received more than 22 months in jail. Their leader, Chakraverty, got only 60 days.

The Gadar movement failed, but its cause eventually prevailed. Thirty years after Gadar members stood trial in San Francisco, India gained its independence from Britain.

The Gadar Memorial, located at 5 Wood St., commemorates the movement.

Gary Kamiya is the author of the best-selling book Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, awarded the Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction. All the material in Portals of the Past is original for The San Francisco Chronicle. To read earlier Portals of the Past, go to sfchronicle.com/portals. For more features from 150 years of The Chronicles archives, go to sfchronicle.com/vault. Email: metro@sfchronicle.com
SALEM, Ore.  The 2020 Oregon legislative session ended with an impasse on Thursday. With Republican lawmakers unwilling to return without assurances that a cap-and-trade bill would be off the table, and Democrats unwilling to let the other side "cherry pick" bills, neither side flinched.

With that, and with no Republicans in sight, Democratic lawmakers elected to close up shop. Both the House and Senate chambers adjourned the (particularly) short session.

The end of the session marks the end of the line for a number of critical funding bills, many of which likely would have received bipartisan support: Flood relief for Eastern Oregon, wildfire-fighting funds for the state's Department of Forestry, money to help address the housing and homelessness crisis, and funds to support the state's ailing mental health system.

According to Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, "nearly a hundred bills" will die in the Senate due to the grid-locked session.

CONTEXT: Oregon Senate Republicans walk out to deny cap-and-trade vote

As Republicans crowed, however, Thursday marked the end of the line for the cap-and-trade bill  regardless of the session's end. In regards to the other bills, Republicans pointed the finger back at their Democratic colleagues.

"I am shocked at the Speakers decision to end the session prematurely," said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby. "We still had time to pass necessary funding items to address the needs of Oregonians across the state, but Democratic leaders chose to sacrifice these budget bills and shared priorities in the name of their no-compromise approach to capand-trade. The supermajority set the agenda for this session, they inexplicably refused to allow Oregonians to vote on cap-and-trade, and they own this failed outcome."

"Democrats chose to punish their political opponents over serving the needs of Oregonians. #orpol #orleg pic.twitter.com/1oSKb5EGHl  OR House Republicans (@OregonHouseGOP) March 6, 2020

Governor Kate Brown said that she would instead seek executive action to reach a similar end that the bill promised, a reduction in the state's carbon footprint.

I have always been clear that a legislative solution was my preferred path to tackle the impacts of climate change for the resources it would bring to our rural communities and the flexibility it would provide for our businesses," Brown said. "However, I will not back down. In the coming days, I will be taking executive action to lower our greenhouse gas emissions."

RELATED: Gov. Brown invokes executive order if compromise on climate bill can't be reached (2019)

Brown also said that she would be open to convening a special session, likely to revisit the funding bills that came to an untimely end this session:

I am open to calling a special session if we can ensure it will benefit Oregonians. However, until legislative leaders bring me a plan for a functioning session Im not going to waste taxpayer dollars on calling them back to the State Capitol.

Environmental groups lauded the decision, praising Democrats for not giving into the walk-out tactics that Republicans have increasingly adopted of late.

"Today the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and the Democratic members of the Senate and House showed all Oregonians what true leadership looks like," said Doug Moore, executive director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. "In the face of the Republicans desertion of their jobs and abdication of their duties as legislators, we can take heart that they will not get the last word."

Legislative leadership showed the strength Oregonians deserve by refusing to give in to the Republican walkouts, after repeated abuses. I am proud as an Oregonian of their resolve and their unwavering commitment to continue the work of the people this year, said Tera Hurst, Executive Director of Renew Oregon.
[March 06, 2020] American Express Goes Hollywood With the Opening of its Largest Centurion Lounge

Building on the momentum of recent Centurion Lounge openings in Phoenix and Charlotte earlier this year, today, American Express (News - Alert) (NYSE: AXP) announced its 12th Centurion Lounge will open at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday, March 9, 2020. The lounge will be American Express' largest yet, spanning nearly 14,000 square feet in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and accessible post-security from Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005298/en/ Entryway to the Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (Photo: Business Wire) LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world, welcoming over 88 million travelers each year, making it an ideal location for a world class Centurion Lounge. It's also one of the most frequented airports by premium American Express Card Members, who booked 10% more flights through this airport in 2019 than the year prior. "We are transforming LAX into the world-class airport that our guests deserve and adding modern, sought-after amenities that elevate the passenger experience at all points in their journey," said Justin Erbacci, Interim Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "The new Centurion Lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal is an exceptional addition to our airport and we are pleased to work with American Express to open this best-in-class lounge." This new location will be a center of tranquility to address travelers' needs with unique spa services and wellness experiences from Exhale, locally inspired and produced artwork by Ellierex and a bespoke menu from Los Angeles-based, award-winning Chef Nancy Silverton. "The new Centurion Lounge at LAX brings the best of Los Angeles into the airport thanks to the locally inspired art, food and wellness experiences," said Alexander Lee, Vice President of Travel Experiences and Benefits at American Express. "This new lounge is a great example of how we're continuing to enhance the end-to-end airport journey for Card Members, from lounge discovery to the immersive experience waiting just behind the blue doors." Relaxing Tranquility Area and Spa Services For those traveling into new time zones, or guests hoping to relax before a long flight, the Centurion Lounge at LAX will feature first-of-its-kind Sunrise and Moonrise tranquility rooms, offering brightly and dimly lit quiet spaces to relax and recharge. The Moonrise room ushers in a sense of nighttime relaxation through a starry night inspired ceiling, creating an atmosphere of subtle, yet relaxing energy. Meanwhile, the Sunrise room helps awaken the senses with illuminated walls, emanating an atmosphere of dawn-like hues. American Express has also partnered with Exhale to offer elevated wellbeing and spa services centered around energy and light. Guests can indulge in Light Therapy designed to hydrate skin, Reiki treatments to restore the body's equilibrium, and Ear Reflexology to relax the mind and ease the body. Hand and nail therapies, as well as chair massages, will also be available. A Taste of California Offering a taste of Los Angeles' exceptional culinary fare, American Express Global Dining Collection Chef, Nancy Silverton, will curate a bespoke menu as Executive Chef of the LAX Centurion Lounge. Having grown up in Southern California, Silverton has always been surrounded by an abundance of fresh ingredients. Leveraging her relationships with local farmers and purveyors, Silverton's menu will incorporate a variety of local and artisanal ingredients, ensuring guests enjoy a meal or snack that is both seasonal and fresh. Some of these locally inspired dishes include: Asparagus Egg Pie, Panettone French Toast, Farro Salad with Fresh Herbs and Feta, Mozza Meatballs, Roasted Beets with Horseradish Vinaigrette, Butterscotch Budino and more. "When I began developing the menu for the American Express Centurion Lounge at LAX, I pulled inspiration from my restaurants and the rich Los Angeles culinary scene," said Silverton. "I want lounge guests to experience my passion in every bite and enjoy their travels with a vibrant taste of our wonderful city." The new lounge will also offer premium wine selections by Wine Director Anthony Giglio, as well as specialty cocktails by renowned Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan. Meehan drew cocktail inspiration for this lounge from Los Angeles' cocktail culture, commercial aviation and Silverton's menu.* Meehan's menu of unique cocktails features locally sourced ingredients such as California brandy, Miracle Mile Bitters and Dirty Sue cocktail cherries. Some of the specialty cocktails include the Maliblue Lagoon, a color-coded ode to Malibu's own blue lagoon and the Private Plane, a playful twist on New York bartender Sam Ross' classic Paper Plane cocktail. Guests will also be able to enjoy coffee from Los Angeles-based City Bean Roasters, whose coffee is sustainably sourced directly from local farmers. An Homage to LA Arts & Culture Upon entering the lounge, guests will be greeted by a custom mural created by Los Angeles-based mixed media muralist, Danielle Garza, who goes by the moniker "Ellierex". Inspired by the State of California's color and official gemstone, the mural is both sophisticated and unique, evoking a sense of energized focus for travelers with wave-like, cool tones. Paying homage to Los Angeles' iconic film legacy American Express curated hand-picked film artifacts for the lounge, and an intimate seating area features a backlit, silhouette of the Hollywood Hills. Teal shades in the space are inspired by design trends of the contemporary Los Angeles' arts district. Where form meets function, the lounge will also provide guests with private noise-buffering workspaces, a family friendly room, high-speed Wi-Fi, premium restrooms and showers, power outlets and American Express Member Services Professionals to assist with on-site Card and travel-related services. The American Express Global Lounge Collection provides Platinum Card Members, Centurion Members and Delta Skymiles Reserve Card Member with places to relax and recharge while traveling the globe, offering access to the most lounges compared to any U.S. credit card, including more than 1,200 lounges around the world, in 500 plus cities across 130 countries and counting.



Card Members can search and find lounge locations within the Global Lounge Collection through the Find A Lounge tool online or within the American Express App. They can also check into select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express App. Lounge access is just one of the many ways American Express backs Card Members' journeys across the globe, with additional offerings available for Platinum and Centurion Card Members through American Express Travel and their Concierge, including access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, The Hotel Collection, International Airline Program, The Global Dining Collection, and more.

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress. Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, InAuth, corporate card, business travel, and corporate responsibility. ABOUT THE CENTURION LOUNGE The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, which provides Platinum Card, Centurion Members and Delta Skymiles Reserve Card Members with access to the most lounges across the globe compared to other U.S. credit cards, including access to more than 1,200 lounges around the world, in 500 plus cities across 130 countries and counting. The Global Lounge Collection includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges, international American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority PassTM Select Lounges upon enrollment, Airspace Lounges, MAG U.S. Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges. Current locations of The Centurion Lounge include New York's LaGuardia Airport, Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Miami International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Houston's George Bush International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. In addition to The Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, American Express has announced new locations coming to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, Denver International Airport, and London Heathrow. Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary and exclusive for Platinum Card Members, Centurion Members and Delta Skymiles Reserve Card Members. Platinum Card Members may enter with up to two travel companions at no additional charge. Centurion Members may enter with their immediate family or up to two travel companions. Platinum and Centurion Card Members may purchase access to The Centurion Lounge for additional guests for $50 each guest. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.** Card Members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website or by using the American Express App. They can also check into select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express App. ABOUT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAX) LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served nearly 88.1 million passengers in 2019 and offers an average of nearly 700 daily nonstop flights to 113 destinations in 42 states in the U.S., and 1,200 weekly nonstop flights to 91 markets in 46 countries on 72 commercial airlines. LAX handled 691,257 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2019. LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX's ongoing capital improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion; $966 million in state and local taxes; and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues. LAX was honored as having the "Best Overall Customer Service Program" by Airports Council International-North America; named the "Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms" by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 "Best of the U.S.'s Big Airports" (Wall Street Journal) and "Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an "Innovation Award" from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named a "Business Leader in Air Quality" by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports - along with Van Nuys general aviation - that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City's general fund. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request. *Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

**Subject to availability/capacity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005298/en/

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The total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in India has reached 30 after a Ghaziabad man who had recently travelled to Iran tested positive on Thursday. The Ghaziabad man has been quarantined at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. His wife and son have been put in isolation at MMG District Hospital in Ghaziabad.

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After China and Italy, Iran has the most number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the world. On Thursday alone, the country saw 15 deaths, taking the total to 107 so far. The total number of confirmed cases in the country stood at 3,513.

The epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in Iran is the Islamic holy city of Qom. This is significant as Muslims from across the world visit there every day.

In Bihar, some 121 people including many who had a recent travel history to Iran were under observation for the virus. According to Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey, blood samples of 48 persons were tested for coronavirus out of which 44 were found negative.

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According to the Union Health Ministry, 3,452 samples from across India have been sent for testing of which 30 have been found to be positive for Covid-19 till now, while the testing of 92 samples is in process and 23 samples are being reconfirmed.

The health ministry also confirmed that all the cases reported in India, including the 16 Italian tourists, who are quarantined in a private hospital are stable.

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The country has not registered a single death due to the virus that has claimed more than 3000 lives across the world so far, mostly in China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea.

The Health Ministry is not leaving anything to chance and is trying to get everyone who has a recent travel history to the affected areas or have been in contact with them screened for the infection.

In Delhi NCR, where three cases of infection have been confirmed the government enlisted 26 hospitals, including six in the private sector with isolation faculties. However, suspected cases can only be tested in Delhi's RML Hospital which is equipped to take samples.

Testing of clinical samples has been initiated in 15 laboratories across the country and 19 more will become functional soon, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said.

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India has also started screening all passengers coming from abroad at airports and issued a travel advisory asking its citizens to avoid non-essential trips, especially to the most affected countries.


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An Arizona rally for Bernie Sanders took a dark turn after Sanderss supporters noticed a man had unfurled a flag emblazoned with a swastika. The man, who was not identified, was swiftly removed from the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Video from the rally. This is the horrific stuff Bernie is facing. It needs much broader coverage in a media environment that refuses to stop demonizing him.pic.twitter.com/q7EBxArSZQ  Eli Valley (@elivalley) March 6, 2020

Sanders did not appear to see the flag and later thanked his supporters for their vigilance.

Whoever it was, I think theyre a little outnumbered tonight, he said after the man was removed.

It was absolutely wild, Brianna Westbrook, a national surrogate for the Sanders campaign, later told the Washington Post. I never thought I would have seen a swastika at a political event. Its gross. It really wakes you up and you see how bad things really are and the climate that were in.

Sanders would be the first Jewish president if elected to public office. The incident sparked an outcry amid suggestions that security for Sanders be increased as he continues to campaign across the country. Jewish advocacy groups went further, pointing out that antisemitic attacks have increased under the Trump presidency.

Hanging a swastika at the rally of a presidential candidate who is Jewish and had family executed by Nazis during the Holocaust is disturbing and threatening. Both VP Biden and Sen. Sanders should have secret service protection going forward.  Stacey Walker (@swalker06) March 6, 2020

Someone unfurled a Nazi flag and tried to disrupt the @BernieSanders rally but they got shoved out by Sanders supporters quick. Anti-Semitism is alive and well in Donald Trump's America.   Espo (@Esposition) March 6, 2020

Absolutely sickening  and scary  to see someone proudly brandishing a Nazi flag at a Bernie rally tonight. This is the hatred unleashed by Trump and the GOP. All people of conscience must condemn this antisemitism against the most visible Jewish politician in the country. https://t.co/uhEgADXe2z  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) March 6, 2020

Horrifying. Last night, a man brandished a Nazi flag at a Bernie Sanders rally in Arizona. Its a clear attack on the only Jewish presidential candidate  in a time of rising white nationalism & antisemitism spurred on by Trump & the GOP. It must be condemned all over the news. pic.twitter.com/Y0XEbpvCtk  Bend the Arc: Jewish Action (@jewishaction) March 6, 2020

This wasnt the only disturbance at the Sanders rally. Another video soon surfaced, this one showing a protester shouting the n-word at a black supporter.

WARNING: awful, derogatory language.  Man just Kicked out of #BernieSanders rally. The guy in white shirt got into it with Bernie supporter, calls him N-word. Unclear what led to this. @SenSanders #Arizona #BernieForPresident #BernieRally pic.twitter.com/xr8Fe5Lqzd  Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) March 6, 2020

The Southern Poverty Law Center last year noted that Amid the era of Trump, hate groups have increased once again, rising 30 percent over the past four years.

The Sanders rally took place after a lukewarm Super Tuesday performance. Although his opponent Joe Biden won 10 of the 14 states who primaried earlier this week, Sanders enjoyed a significant victory after winning California and its whopping 415 delegates.
PARIS  Crossing more borders, the new coronavirus hit a milestone, infecting more than 100,000 people worldwide as it wove itself deeper into the daily lives of millions, infecting the powerful, the unprotected poor and vast masses in between.

The virus, which has killed more than 3,400 people and emerged in more than 90 countries, edged into more U.S. states on Friday and even breached the halls of the Vatican. It forced mosques in Iran and beyond to halt weekly Muslim prayers, blocked pilgrims from Jesus birthplace in Bethlehem and upended Japans plans for the Olympic torch parade.

As financial markets dived again, repercussions from the virus also rattled livelihoods in the real economy.

Who is going to feed their families? asked Elias al-Arja, head of a hotel owners union in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where tourists have been banned and the storied Church of the Nativity was shuttered.

At the White House, President Donald Trump signed a $8.3 billion bill to fight the coronavirus a day after Italy said it would double its own spending to 7.5 billion euros ($8.5 billion).

In Geneva, the U.N. health agency said it had received applications for 40 possible virus tests, had 20 vaccine candidates in development and reported that numerous clinical trials of experimental drugs for the new coronavirus were under way.

Were all in this together. We all have a role to play, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the World Health Organization, urging more global cooperation from the business world and solidarity with the poorest.

The news wasnt all bad: more than half of those who contracted the virus have now recovered. Its retreating in China, where it first emerged, and in nearby South Korea.

China on Saturday morning reported just 99 new cases, the first time it has had only a double digit increase since Jan. 20. It also reported another 28 deaths. Overall, China now counts 22,177 patients currently in treatment, while it has released 55,404. South Korea on Saturday morning reported 174 new cases.

The virus continued popping up in new places, however, with countries like Colombia and Togo reporting their first confirmed cases.

Questions swirled around whether Iran could control its outbreak, as the number of reported infections jumped beyond 4,700 on Friday, with 124 deaths. Iran set up checkpoints to limit travel and had firefighters spray disinfectant on an 18-kilometer (11-mile) stretch of Tehrans most famous avenue.

It would be great if they did it every day, grocery store owner Reza Razaienejad said. It should not be just a one-time thing.

The 100,000 figure of global infections is largely symbolic, but dwarfs other major outbreaks in recent decades, such as SARS, MERS and Ebola. The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics, which result in up to 5 million annual severe cases around the world and from 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually, according to WHO.

But the epidemics economic impact snowballed, with world stocks and the price of oil dropping sharply again Friday.

The travel decline and a broader economic downturn linked to the outbreak threatened to hit already-struggling communities for months. In response to plummeting demand, German airline Lufthansa announced a reduction of its capacity in coming weeks to as much as 50% of pre-coronavirus outbreak levels. Slovakia banned all flights to and from Italy.

The head of the U.N.s food agency, the World Food Program, warned of potential for absolute devastation as the outbreaks effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East. India scrambled to stave off an epidemic that could overwhelm its under-funded, under-staffed health care system, which lacks enough labs or hospitals for its 1.3 billion people.

Were seeing more countries affected with lower incomes, with weaker health systems and thats more concerning, WHO chief Ghebreyesus said.

Inconsistent health insurance and sick leave policies put the earnings of millions of workers who cant work from home  waiters, drivers, delivery workers and more  at risk. In the U.S. the AFL-CIO labor federation urged the government to issue emergency regulations outlining employers responsibilities to protect workers from infectious diseases.

The fear and the crackdowns that swept through China are now shifting westward, as workers in Europe and the U.S. stay home, authorities vigorously sanitize public places and consumers flock to stores for household staples.

Nation after nation put some travel restrictions into place, blocking visitors from hard-hit areas like China, South Korea, Italy and Iran. The United Nations top climate change official said her agency wont hold any physical meetings at its headquarters in Germany or elsewhere until the end of April.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said children would be banned from visiting patients in hospitals and other health facilities across the country and that patients would be limited to one adult visit at a time. Spanish officials announced a month-long closure of 200 centers in and around Madrid where the elderly go for daytime care and activities.

The Western world is now following some of Chinas playbook, Chris Beauchamp, a market analyst at the financial firm IG, said of the reaction to flu-like illness that for most people causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough but can hit elderly or sick people much harder.

Off Californias coast, a Grand Princess cruise ship remained at sea with passengers confined to their cabins as Vice President Mike Pence said 21 people on the ship  almost all crew members  had tested positive for coronavirus. Pence said the government was planning to bring the Grand Princess cruise ship into a non-commercial port where all the passengers and crew will be tested.

Thailand on Friday blocked a separate cruise ship from docking, worried because it carried dozens of passengers from Italy, which with 197 virus deaths is the center of Europes epidemic.

In the U.S. the number of cases surpassed 230, scattered across 18 states. The University of Washington announced Friday it would stop holding classes and teach students online, a decision affecting some 57,000 students. The state has at least 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases, most in the Seattle area and the highest U.S. state death toll at 13.

As the numbers kept growing in Europe, Serbia threatened to deploy the army to keep the virus at bay, and Hungary used virus fears to tighten its doors against migrants.

In Switzlerand, officials reported 210 new virus cases on Friday, up from 90 a day earlier, and the military was being readied to provide support services at hospitals.

This wave will come, it will rise, but it will be over at some point, said Daniel Koch, head of the department for communicable diseases at the countrys Federal Office of Health.

The Netherlands reported its first virus death Friday while Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Cameroon announced their first infections. Even Vatican City was hit, with the tiny city-state confirming its first case Friday. The Vatican has insisted that 83-year-old Pope Francis, who has been sick, only has a cold.

WHO officials warned against having false hopes that the virus could fade away when warmer summer temperatures come to northern countries.

Every day we slow down the epidemic is another day governments can prepare their health workers to detect, test, treat and care for patients, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

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Sedensky reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers contributing to this report were Alan Clendenning in Phoenix; Jamey Keaten in Geneva; Kim Tong-Hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Aya Batrawy and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Nicole Winfield in Rome; Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy; Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade; Sylvie Corbet in Paris; Gene Johnson in Seattle; Olga Rodriguez in San Francisco; and Mohammed Daraghmeh in Bethlehem, West Bank.

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Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

___

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum arrives for Ladies Day, the third day of racing at Royal Ascot in southern England on June 16, 2011. (Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters File)

Dubais Ruler Abducted Daughters and Threatened Former Wife, UK Judge Rules

LONDONDubais ruler ordered the abduction of two daughters and orchestrated a campaign of intimidation against his former wife, a British judge has ruled, in what is likely to be a major blow to his reputation as a Middle East reformer.

Judge Andrew McFarlane said he accepted as proved a series of allegations made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoums former wife, Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, during a custody battle over their two children at Londons High Court.

Haya, the half-sister of Jordans King Abdullah, fled to London on April 15 last year with the children, Jalila, 12, and Zayed, 8, fearing for her safety amid suspicions that she had had an affair with one of her British bodyguards.

Jordanian Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein and her husband, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (C), walk to the parade ring on Ladies Day, the third day of horse racing at Royal Ascot in southern England on June 17, 2010. (Luke MacGregor/Reuters File)

Her lawyers argued that Mohammeds treatment of two older daughters by another marriage showed her children were at risk of being abducted too.

As part of the custody case, Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Court division in England and Wales, made a series of findings of fact about allegations raised by Haya, 45, during hearings over the last nine months.

McFarlane said he accepted her claim that Mohammed arranged for his daughter Shamsa, then aged 18, to be kidnapped off the streets of Cambridge in central England in 2000, and had her flown back to Dubai.

He also ruled it was proved that the sheikh had arranged for Shamsas younger sister Latifa to be snatched from a boat in international waters off India by Indian forces in 2018 and returned to the emirate in what was her second failed escape attempt.

Both remained there deprived of their liberty, McFarlane said.

After the ruling became public on Thursday, Mohammed said it only represented one side of the story.

As a Head of Government, I was not able to participate in the courts fact-finding process, this has resulted in the release of a fact-finding judgment which inevitably tells only one side of the story, he said in a statement issued by his lawyers.

He said a decision to allow the judgments to be made public did not protect his children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected.

Intimidation

In the judgments, McFarlane accepted that the sheikh subjected Haya to a campaign of intimidation which made her fear for her life.

He said the sheikh, who married Haya in 2004, had divorced her on the 20th anniversary of the death of her father King Hussein of Jordan, timing she said was deliberate.

I have  concluded that, save for some limited exceptions, the mother has proved her case with respect to the factual allegations she has made, McFarlane said.

The sheikh, 70, vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, did not appear himself during the court case and instructed his lawyers not to put forward a challenge to the claims, which his lawyers said he rejected.

The judgment does not amount to a determination of criminal guilt but it is likely to deal a reputational blow to the sheikh, regarded globally as the visionary force behind Dubais leap on to the international stage.

Asked how the findings might impact on the United Kingdoms business relations with Dubai, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Reuters in Riyadh: Well look at it very carefully before jumping to any conclusions.

Hayas lawyers suggested that the British Foreign Office had intervened to stifle a police probe into Shamsas disappearance, and McFarlane said the detective in charge had been refused permission to interview potential witnesses in Dubai.

However, the judge added it was not possible to find on the balance of probability that there had been direct intervention by the Foreign Office triggered by Mohammed or Dubai.

Restrictions Lifted

The judges conclusions were made in December but could only be reported after restrictions were lifted after the UK Supreme Court earlier rejected Mohammeds request for permission to appeal against their publication.

McFarlane said the allegations made by Haya about the abduction and torture of Shamsa and Latifa and the threats made against her were proved, with the exception of her claim that an arranged marriage was being sought between Jalila and Saudis Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Last July, the judge had issued a temporary forced marriage protection order in respect of Jalila over Hayas fears but said these were only based on hearsay evidence.

The allegations that the father ordered and orchestrated the kidnap and rendition to Dubai of his daughters Shamsa and Latifa are of a very high order of seriousness, said McFarlane.

They may well involve findings, albeit on the civil standard, of behavior which is contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales, international law, international maritime law, and internationally accepted human rights norms.

McFarlane said the sheikh had denied all the allegations but said of his account relating to Shamsa and Latifa that he has not been open and honest with the court.

I have found that he continues to maintain a regime whereby both of these two young women are deprived of their liberty, albeit within family accommodation in Dubai, he said.

The sheikh married Haya, believed to be his sixth wife, in 2004. McFarlane said in his judgment that at some stage in 2017 or 2018, she had an affair with one of her bodyguards and her relationship with her husband had deteriorated by early 2019 when she left Dubai.

Mohammeds lawyer told the court Haya had closed the childrens bank accounts and withdrawn about $32 million before arriving in Britain.

Friends of UK Royals

Haya and Mohammed are both on friendly terms with members of the British royal family and in the past, the sheikh, one of the founders of the Godolphin horse racing stable, has been pictured with Queen Elizabeth at Britains Royal Ascot horse races.

Haya, who shares his love of horses and competed in equestrian jumping in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, was schooled in Britain and is now living with their children in the couples luxury mansion near Kensington Palace in west London.

McFarlane said the case had been unique.

Outside the austere wood-paneled courtroom of the Royal Courts of Justice, four or five bodyguards wearing earpieces patrolled, with only lawyers and a small number of journalists, including Reuters, allowed to be present.

The lawyers benches were filled with some of Britains most senior legal operators including David Pannick, who successfully represented anti-Brexit campaigners in two high-profile court victories over the government and was drafted in by Mohammed to lead his team during the case.

Haya herself attended all the hearings, accompanied by her legal team which included Fiona Shackleton who represented British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles in his divorce from his late first wife Princess Diana.

Giving evidence in person last November, she told McFarlane she feared the sheik would abduct her two children, take them back to the Gulf Arab state and she would never see them again.

I have seen what has happened to their sisters and I cant face the fact that the same might happen to them, she said.

By Michael Holden
Fans lined the streets of Brooklyn, New York to say their final goodbyes to Pop Smoke in his hometown.

Two horses pulled a white carriage carrying the casket of the slain rapper on Thursday afternoon in the Canarsie neighborhood as people took photos and paid their last respects.

The 20-year-old was gunned down February 19 in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles in what police believe to be a targeted attack.

Scroll down to video

RIP: Pop Smoke, 20, was laid to rest in a Brooklyn cemetery on Thursday, March 5

Funeral procession: Fans lined the streets of the Canarsie neighborhood of Broooklyn to pay their final respects as the body of the rapper was driven in a white horse carriage

Lines of people stood behind barricades and cheered while the white horse carriage slowly drove down the street, with the casket in full view behind glass siding and white curtains.

At one point, the procession, that included friend and mentor 50 Cent's Lamborghini, passed a painted mural honoring Pop Smoke, as scores of fans walked close behind, according to TMZ.

For the most part, fans yelled out in adoration during the procession, but then there were also times when there was a quieter, more somber, tone.

The family of Smoke (born Bashar Jackson) held a private ceremony this past weekend for family and close friends.

After Thursday's funeral procession the Welcome To The Party star was laid to rest in Brooklyn cemetery.

Final goodbyes: The casket carrying the rapper's body arrived in a black hearse

Final drive: The casket was loaded into a white horse carriage for the procession

Paying tribute: One the casket was loaded into the carriage it began its slow procession down the streets of Pop Smoke's hometown of Canarsie in Brooklyn

Investigators say four hooded men, including one who carried a gun and wore a ski mask, were caught on surveillance cameras as they entered a home the rapper was in at about 4:30 a.m.

The men first went around the back of the home, then three were seen heading around the home's side, en route to the front of the residence.

Officers responded after someone called from the East Coast to report that several people had entered their friend's home.

When they arrived they found Smoke shot multiple times. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Respect: Lines of people stood behind barricades and cheered while the white horse carriage with the casket in full view behind glass siding

Hometown son: For the most part, fans yelled out in adoration during the procession, but then there were also times when there was a quieter, more somber, tone

Saying goodbye: A number of fans trailed behind the white horse carriage along the route

Several people who were inside the home at the time of the shooting were detained for questioning but were later released, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Leading up to the home invasion, Smoke made several social media posts with large amounts of cash and other valuables, including an image that revealed the home's address.

So far no arrests have been made in the case.

The rappers death came just days after his second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, debuted at number seven on the Billboard Top 200 list.

Targeted: Pop Smoke (born Bashar Jackson) was gunned down during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on February 19
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A day after the Reserve Bank imposed a moratorium on Yes Bank and superseded its board, domestic rating agency Icra on March 6 downgraded the crippled bank's bonds worth Rs 52,612 crore. The downgraded bonds are Basel III-compliant Tier-II instruments and include Rs 10,900 crore worth hybrid bonds which has been lowered to negative.

The other instruments downgraded to negative ratings include Rs 7,030 crore worth infrastructure bonds, additional Tier-I hybrid bonds worth Rs 10,800 crore; Rs 300 crore lower Tier-II bonds and certificates of deposits worth Rs 20,000 crore,

These bonds are maturing between 2021 and 2028.

Icra said rating downgrades factor in the moratorium on the bank and the cap on payments to its depositors.

On Thursday, when it was placed under an RBI-appointed administrator, the Yes Bank defaulted on coupon payout on the Basel II Tier-I bonds due on March 5.

The coupon payment on these bonds also required prior RBI approval, in case such payment results in an increase in net loss. But the problem is that the bank has an upcoming coupon payment on Basel II lower Tier-II bonds later this month and unless the restrictions are removed, bank may default on this as well, it Icra said.

"Restricted payments during the moratorium period severely constrains the ability of the bank to service its liabilities in a timely manner.

"The terms of proposed reconstitution or amalgamation of the bank will remain the key determinants of the future rating actions on the above instruments," the rating agency noted.

Yes Bank, whose 62 per cent loans come from the corporate books, has large exposure to crippled companies like the Anil Ambani group, Essel group, bankrupt DHFL and IL&FS, and the troubled telecom Vodafone Idea, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters this evening in the national capital.

According to Icra, the worsening credit profile of Yes Bank's large borrowers led to a sharp increase in the level of stressed assets in relation to its core capital.

Further, the limited resolution on these stressed assets till date and the bank's inability to raise sufficient capital in a timely manner has further weakened its financial profile, the report noted.

Basel III Tier-II bonds are expected to absorb losses once the Point of Non-Viability (PONV) trigger is invoked, while Basel III Tier-I bonds are expected to absorb losses through a write-down mechanism at the objective pre-specified trigger point fixed at the bank's CET-I ratio. It is 5.5 per cent till March 2020, and thereafter 6.125 per cent or when the PONV trigger is breached in the RBI's opinion.

CET is Common Equity Tier.

Yes Bank's top 10 group exposures accounted for 18.8 per cent of the total exposures and 272 percent of the tier I capital as of March 2019, while the top 20 advances stood at 14.3 percent of the overall advances as of March 2019.
Romania voiced concern related to the humanitarian situation in the Idlib region in north-western Syria, with the only solution is this case being for the conflict to de-escalate, a political solution and not a military one, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, before the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Zagreb.

"We will discuss today, at this very important meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, an extraordinary meeting about the situation in Syria, Idlib, and its implications for the European Union. It's an important meeting because we need to see what are the measures the EU can take to support Greece. We already voiced our solidarity with Greece and we need to make sure that the situation at the border between Greece with Turkey won't escalate," said Bogdan Aurescu, according to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also mentioned that "to the same extent, it is necessary for all the parties involved to approach the situation in Syria in a responsible manner."

"We will also analyze today the agreement between Russia and Turkey from yesterday and we have to see if this agreement has implications and what kind of implications, especially on the humanitarian situation in Idlib, which is extreme and is becoming increasingly difficult. Romania already voiced deep concern about the humanitarian situation in this region and in this city, and the only solution is, of course, to de-escalate the conflict, a political solution, not a military one. We need a permanent ceasefire," added Aurescu, according to same source.

Bogdan Aurescu stressed that, "at the same time, it is necessary for Turkey to observe the formally agreed arrangements, including the agreement concluded in 2016 between the European Union and Turkey."

"In NATO, Romania voiced its solidarity with Turkey, an ally and a strategic partner, regarding the losses of human lives. We also expressed our solidarity with Greece, on the situation at this country's border. Therefore, at this important meeting today, we must see how the European Union can become more involved, in a significant way," added Aurescu, according to the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. AGERPRES
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-05 21:02:56|Editor: huaxia

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Palestinian postal staff work at the post office in the West Bank city of Nablus, March 5, 2020. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

by Emad Drimly, Sanaa Kamal

RAMALLAH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- For the first time, Palestinian young man Ahmed Amed, from Dir al-Sudan village in Ramallah city, will not pay shipping fees via Amazon e-commerce, if he selects his location as Palestinian territories.

According to the shipping policy of Amazon, when the Palestinian customers select their place as Palestinian territories, they should pay shipping fees for the products that cost more than 49 U.S. dollars.

Nevertheless, the shipping policy is not the same in the Israeli settlements, where all the customers can order with free shipping when they select Israel as their country.

Because of the intricacies of Amazon policy, in the Palestinian territories, the 26-year-old engineer had to select Israel as his country, to avoid paying shipping fees to Amazon, he said.

"Really, it was hurt when I was forced to select Israel as my country," Amed told Xinhua as he placed his new order through Amazon.

"I am a Palestinian, not Israeli, but sometimes I was forced to select Israel as my country to get some facilities through the international companies," he said, adding that most of the international companies recognize Israel as a state but Palestine is an unrecognized entity.

The young man said the discriminatory measures against the Palestinian are not fair, adding that he should spend a lot of time searching via Google about e-commerce companies that do not cost a lot for shipping.

Now, the situation has changed. Amazon e-commerce decided on Wednesday to change its shipping policy toward Palestinian territories after a mass campaign against the company, accusing its biased policy.

Through its website, Amazon has changed its policy toward the Palestinian territories, announcing that all the items, which cost more than 49 dollars, will be shipped free as well as Israeli settlements.

"Amazon's decision came as a result of the Palestinian campaign that was launched against the American company," the Palestinian Ministry of Communication said in a statement.

For his part, Palestinian Minister of Economy Khalid al-Esseily said in a statement that "it is a good sign of Amazon's commitment to the Palestinians."

He had called on Amazon e-commerce company to stop its work in Israeli settlements because they are illegal, as he said.

In November, Amazon launched promoting free shipping to Israel for order over 49 dollars, while the Palestinian people who live in the West Bank must pay at least 24 dollars when they are placing orders.

Spokesman of Amazon said to the Financial Times that "if a customer who lives in the Palestinian territories enters his address and selects Israel as the country, he can receive free shipping through the same promotion."

In response to Amazon's policy, the Palestinian activists and human right organizations launched a campaign, calling for boycotting its website as a pressure on the company to change its discrimination policy toward Palestinians.

Shawan Jabareen, director of Al-Haq, an organization of defending human rights in Palestine, said that "Amazon is trying to show its good intention by changing its shipping policy toward Palestinians."

He added that all the Palestinians could select their country as Palestine, without fearing from paying shipping fees.
The decision of Senator Elizabeth Warren to drop out of the Democratic primaries will make many women around the world wonder what it will take to convince major political parties to start running more female candidates.

It is not as though Senator Warren was bested by an overwhelmingly superior male candidate. Her departure reduces the race for the Democratic nomination to a contest between two septuagenarian white guys, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

With her gone it guarantees that voters in November, at the presidential election, will choose between one of them and Donald Trump, also an old guy but with a very bad record on womens issues to boot.

The fact that the last woman has dropped out eight months before the election is even more painful after the disappointment felt by many progressives in 2016 when US voters came so agonisingly close to electing Hillary Clinton as the first female president of the United States.

The parallel is close because, like Mrs Clinton, Senator Warren was a very plausible candidate with an impressive career in the Senate and a record of strong leadership. Senator Warren, for instance, blazed the trail for cleaning up US banks after the global financial crisis.
CARY, N.C., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CNR) (the "Company"), a leading North American manufacturer of exterior building solutions, announced it will participate in the Benchmark Company's Construction & Industrials Inaugural Investor Conference. The conference is being held on March 19, 2020 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Participating on behalf of the Company will be Jeff Lee, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Materials shared at the conference will be available online at www.cornerstonebuildingbrands.com.

About Cornerstone Building Brands

Cornerstone Building Brands is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America. Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, the Company serves residential and commercial customers across new construction and the repair & remodel markets. As the #1 manufacturer of windows, vinyl siding, insulated metal panels, metal roofing and wall systems and metal accessories, Cornerstone Building Brands combines a comprehensive portfolio of products with an expansive national footprint that includes more than 20,000 employees at manufacturing, distribution and office locations throughout North America. For more information, visit us at www.cornerstonebuildingbrands.com.

About the Benchmark Company & Construction & Industrials Inaugural Investor Conference 2020

The Benchmark Company is a leading financial services firm focused on investment banking, equity research, and sales & trading within the Technology, Media, Healthcare and Industrial sectors. Founded in 1988, the company is headquartered in New York City with offices in Boston, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Benchmark's Construction & Industrials Inaugural Investor Conference will be showcasing dynamic publicly traded Construction & Industrial companies in an intimate conference setting.

Contact Info:

Tina Beskid

Vice President of Finance & IR

Phone: 919-694-2781

SOURCE Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cornerstonebuildingbrands.com


Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren gets on her knees to "pinky swear" with 5-year-old Sarah Buse-Morley saying "that's what girls do," when talking about running for president, following a meeting with members of the American Federation of Teachers, at the Plumbers Local 690 Union Hall in Northeast Philadelphia on May 13, 2019. Sarah's mom, Meredith Buse (rear) teaches first grade at Vare-Washington Elementary School. Her other daughter is Rebecca Buse-Morley (rear, left), 8. Read more

So were down to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. All the women with an actual shot, all the people of color, the first openly gay major presidential candidate, theyre out. All out.

Despite all the talk about changing demographics and gender equality, our political system still feels like a pasta strainer that clings only to white men in their 70s. Everyone else eventually goes down the drain.

The disappointment was immediate and palpable when Sen. Elizabeth Warren reluctantly dropped out of the race Thursday.

She would have been a great president, tweeted Mayor Jim Kenney, who endorsed her.

Of all comments and commentary, though, one tweet that was posted the day before by actress June Diane Raphael resonated: Stop telling your daughters they can be president when you are unwilling to vote for a woman president.

That hurt. Except heres the thing: Many women  women of color especially  are already hip to the hypocrisy. Any of us who have been part of the endless conversations and committees on diversity already know that people like the idea of diversity and inclusion much more than its reality.

If that werent true, most women wouldnt earn less than men.

Women wouldnt bear the brunt of unpaid work.

Legions of qualified women in just about every career path wouldnt still be propping up coddled men while expected to quietly wait their turn.

How fitting was it that Bidens wife, Jill, and his senior adviser Symone Sanders put themselves between a protester and the candidate during his victory speech on Super Tuesday?

Women are saving mens carcasses  literally and figuratively  every damn day. But we couldnt possibly be president.

We can, apparently, be heads of some things. Those inspiring and infuriating firsts.

The first black female Philadelphia police commissioner.

The first black female dean of Wharton.

The first female publisher of The Inquirer.

Progress, for sure, as long as you dont dwell on just how long its all taken  190 years for The Inquirer. It is 2020 and almost daily I still walk past meetings and spaces dominated by men, if not completely run by white men. And this isnt the only place where that happens.

Have you seen photos of Donald Trumps cabinet and task forces?

Watching the coverage of Warren outside her home after a disappointing Super Tuesday showing was nothing short of brutal.

Speaking about the role that gender played in the campaign, Warren said: Gender in this race, you know that is the trap question for every woman. If you say, Yeah, there was sexism in this race, everyone says, Whiner! And if you say, No, there was no sexism, about a gazillion women say, What planet do you live on? 

Put me in the latter group.

Many women took to social media to talk about their disappointment after Warren was out. One tweet posted by Washington Post columnist Margaret Sullivan caught my eye.

As someone who has been the first-woman this or first-woman that, throughout my career (and many times been the only woman in the room), all I can say is it seems like a miracle now. And Im so damn grateful for all the help I got, a lot from men.

As a Puerto Rican woman who was the first Latina metro columnist at my old paper, who is one of only a handful of Latina reporters at this paper and the only Latina columnist, and who defies what many people still think a columnist should look like, I hear that.

But I shouldnt be the first or only of anything anymore.

In Esquire, this week, writer Charles Pierce wrote: Its plain now that, for the moment, anyway, a large part of the Democratic primary electorate is hungering for a president that it can ignore for four or five days a week.

In that case, a woman would have been perfect.

We ignore them every day.

If that sounds angry or bitter, thats because I am both. Unapologetically.

All women should feel this way. Those are well-earned emotions fueled by fight.

On Thursday, when Warren talked about the little girls with whom she made pinkie promises so that theyd remember that running for president is what girls do, her voice broke.

One of the hardest parts of this is all those pinkie promises. And all those little girls who are gonna have to wait four more years. Thats gonna be hard.

Its time for another pinkie swear. I know a lot of women are already vowing to continue the fight until we arent just running for president but we are president. And Im all in.

But in the meantime, those of us who truly value diversity and inclusion should vow to push the ones who just talk the talk  out of the way.
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander have stepped onto the red carpet together for the first time in three years.

The couple, who have been married since 2017, looked loved up as they arrived for the premiere of Calm With Horses Dublin International Film Festival on Thursday night.

Alicia, 31, looked stunning in a cream midi dress, which showed off her toned legs, and a pair of white Louis Vuitton loathers outside the city's Lighthouse Cinema.

Rare appearance: Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander looked loved up as they arrived for the premiere of Calm With Horses Dublin International Film Festival on Thursday night

She completed the look with an oversized double-breasted navy overcoat.

The actress wore her brunette locks slicked back in a tight bun, revealing her face's radiant beauty.

Michael, 42, who is an executive producer on the movie, made a dapper appearance in a midnight blue suit with a button-down white shirt.

Loved up: Alicia, 31, looked stunning in a cream midi dress, which showed off her toned legs, and a pair of white Louis Vuitton loathers outside the city's Lighthouse Cinema

He gave a wide smile as he walked inside for the event's premiere.

This the first time the pair have walked side-by-side on a red carpet since the premiere of their movie The Light Between Oceans in October 2016.

Back in January, Michael did join Alicia at the Louis Vuitton jewellery event during Paris Fashion Week, but decided to skip the red carpet.

Private: This the first time the pair have walked side-by-side on a red carpet since the premiere of their movie The Light Between Oceans in October 2016

Alicia and Michael, who married in Ibiza in 2017, don't appear out in public together too frequently, and are known to enjoy their privacy.

One of their last joint appearances were last seen paying a visit to rural Killarney in the Republic of Ireland and then hitting the tropical surroundings of Capri in June.

Alicia and Michael made their public debut on the red carpet of the Golden Globe Awards in 2016 after meeting on the set of their film, The Light Between Two Oceans.

Last seen: Alicia and Michael wee last seen attending Louis Vuitton's jewellery launch during the haute couture Paris Fashion Week in January

Calm With Horses is a gripping independent Irish film, and a debut for director Nick Rowland.

It revolves around ex-boxer Douglas Arm Armstrong (Peaky Blinders' Cosmo Jarvis) who has become the feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family, whilst also trying to be a good father to his autistic five-year-old son, Jack.

Torn between these two families, Arm's loyalties are truly tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.

Rising talent: Calm With Horses is a gripping independent Irish film, and a debut for director Nick Rowland
The furious mother of a cancer-stricken girl has slammed hoarders for stockpiling toilet paper and other hygienic products during the global coronavirus outbreak.

Amanda Wigman, from Newcastle, says the panic-buying chaos sweeping Australia is causing shortages on everyday items that are vital for those who are already battling diseases.

The young mum revealed her three-year-old daughter is undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia, meaning hand sanitiser and baby wipes are essential due to the little girl's weak immune system.

Amanda Wigman says her three-year-old daughter is undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia, meaning hand sanitiser and baby wipes are essential due to the little girl's weak immune system

The Newcastle mum urged people to stop bulk buying items and causing shortages as it is affecting those who are already battling diseases

Photos and videos emerged on social media earlier this week of anxious shoppers rushing to buy up as many toilet paper rolls as possible in preparation for a coronavirus pandemic

But Ms Wigman said the nationwide hysteria surrounding the novel COVID-19 virus has left her family scrambling to find those items at the supermarket.

'Everyone is having a grand old time joking about the ridiculous toilet paper situation. Yes, I would probably find it funny if I had a sense of humour right now, but due to reasons stated above, not much is funny to us,' she said in a Facebook post on Friday.

'My wonderful husband is currently at the shops buying some supplies. He is trying to get hand sanitiser because apparently there is a huge epidemic causing a shortage due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

'He found two small bottles which will last us a few days once we are out. He also need baby wipes because she is basically in nappies full time.

'Do you know who really needs to protect themselves? Us! And so many people like us. She [her daughter] is in the high-risk category for contracting ANY virus. Even the common cold can be scary.

'This is NOT funny to us right now!'

Photos and videos emerged on social media earlier this week of anxious shoppers rushing to buy up as many toilet paper rolls as possible in preparation for a coronavirus pandemic.

Terrified customers fill their shopping trolleys with piles of toilet paper on Wednesday

Toilet roll aisles were completely empty after a panic buying spree

Shoppers were seen piling up their trolleys and car boots with bulk packs of toilet tissue and pantry items after the number of confirmed cases across the globe soared.

The bizarre toilet paper crisis made headlines around the world, sparking memes and jokes about the global panic.

But Ms Wigman slammed the situation as 'ridiculous' saying the health crisis and shortage of items have been less than amusing for her family.

An Aldi in Epping, Sydney has placed a one toilet packet per person rule on shoppers

'We are asking this post to be shared in the hopes that people can perhaps think before they buy out every pharmacy and grocery store of baby wipes and hand sanitiser,' she said.

The angry mum shared a series of harrowing photos of her little girl in hospital in hopes people will think twice before stockpiling on items.

The post has since gone viral with more than 5,400 shares on Facebook and has been flooded with hundreds of messages of support.

The warning comes after supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths were forced to introduce a four-pack limit on toilet paper due to shortages.

The Victorian Council of Social Service warned that panic buying was hurting the vulnerable.

'You know who cant ''panic buy'' and stockpile household goods?' it posted on Wednesday.

'People on low incomes, living week to week on very little cash.

'Runs on essential items hurt people in poverty.

'So, please: stop and think about others before you empty out the supermarket shelves.'

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also urged the public to refrain from bulk-buying saying there were no issues with toilet paper supply in NSW.

'People should just go about their daily business in terms of the products they purchase and I don't see a need to do that (bulk buy) at this stage,' she said.

Experts have advised residents to prepare but not panic.

University of Queensland virologist Ian Mackay suggested buying 'a few extra non-perishable items' when doing your weekly shop, ABC reported.

John Robertson, the CEO of organisation Foodbank Australia recommended grabbing a few tins of soup, pet food and baby formula.

Other recommended items to keep in the house include matches, batteries and a torch.
T he Government has made concessions with regards to sick pay and Covid-19, but it is completely ignoring one vital group of workers  the self-employed.

My union Prospect represents thousands of freelancers. For them, taking two weeks off to self-isolate will leave a huge hole in their familys finances. Whats worse is that many may not even realise that they will be out of pocket, as they have insurance which is meant to cover them when they have days off due to sickness. Unfortunately some of our members have been told by their insurance firms that self-isolation is a personal choice, so they are not covered.

The Prime Minister has said that nobody will lose out, but unless there is urgent action then his words will ring hollow with thousands of workers. The Tories have made a lot of hay trumpeting about the fall in unemployment, in large part due to increases in self-employment. They must not let those people suffer for doing the right thing.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary, Prospect

Editor's reply

Dear Mike

It is remarkable how rapidly this issue has highlighted the fault lines at the heart of our modern economy.

For the five million people reportedly working in the gig economy, the onus has fallen on them to decide whether they pose a risk to others, unlike in large organisations where coronavirus policies are being hastily drawn up.

One freelancer I spoke to said carving out two weeks a year to take a holiday was hard enough, and his biggest fear is falling ill and losing out on income. Income protection insurance has been a beacon of hope for some self-employed workers during this crisis, so its alarming to hear some are not covered.

Another concern is that because the self-employed are often sole traders, busily spending their days behind the till or the wheel of a van, their voice wont be heard as loud as that of big business, but their need for government support is just as great. Their importance to the economy must not be forgotten.

Alex Lawson, Business News Editor

Labour needs to stay united

Jeremy Corbyn / Getty Images

It is disingenuous of Ian Austin [Labour is on life support and theres no one to cure it, March 4 ] to sneer at Hackney and Islington voters or play the Northerner card when, within days of the Brexit referendum being announced, Jeremy Corbyn was down this way in Hastings listening to the fishing fleet.

The truth is this is a straight Left-Right contest with very powerful interests lined up against Labour. When the Labour Right disregards party unity in a way it would rage about if in power, we end up with the egocentric, totalitarian-inclined Government that we have currently.

Steve Gooch

Simplify climate change debate

In the fight against climate change, a valid point is being made about the science behind the environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating systems being dismal [Sustainability is all the rage but the metrics are muddy, March 3]. Its true no one can agree what ESG means or if it matters. Yet ESG scores are becoming more important in investing and markets. As JFK said: We arent here to curse the darkness but to light a candle that can guide us Making this debate simpler would strike the match.

Dr Andy Sloan, Deputy chief executive of strategy, Guernsey Finance

20mph speed limits save lives

Jon Wallsgrove [The Reader, March 3 ] expresses concern about 20mph speed limits on TfL roads in the C-charge zone. We are pleased to say that the evidence is to the contrary, and 20mph limits reduce the numbers of people killed and can help improve air quality. A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study in 2009 found the number of people killed and seriously injured fell by 42 per cent where speeds were reduced to 20mph.

A file image of a 20mph speed limit sign / Dominic Lipinski/PA

With air quality, Imperial College research shows little difference between 20mph and 30mph in urban driving and reports: It would be incorrect to assume a 20mph restriction would be detrimental to local air quality as the effects on vehicle emissions are mixed.
An all-women police station, special investigative team (SIT) to investigate into cases of atrocities against women and more women public prosecutors  women remained one of the focus areas of the state budget presented on Friday.

Deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar announced that the police station will be located at the district headquarters. Maharashtra will also set up womens commission offices at the divisional commissioner level in the state.

Pawar also made a provision of 2,110 crore for all proposed schemes under the women and child development department. The previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, in its budget of July 2019, had announced sops worth 2,480 crore for women.

Pawar also announced creation of an SIT to investigate into cases of atrocities against women, and that more women government prosecutors will be appointed in the state to represent the government in court in cases of atrocities against women. In his budget speech, Pawar said: The government is exploring the possibility to make strict laws to dispense quick justice, so that atrocities do not take place and even if, unfortunately such incidences occur, criminals can be held accountable.

This comes after Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh announced last month that the state will soon have a special law, along the lines of the Disha Act in Andhra Pradesh, to speed up trial in cases of atrocities against women, and to give death penalty in cases of rape, violent sexual assault, gang rape, and sexual offences against minor girls and boys.

Apart from this, Pawar committed to give preference to products and services made by women self-help groups (SHG), and announced that procurement worth 1,000 crore for the state will come from SHGs.

A state-level training centre for employees of women and child development department and other social welfare departments will be set up in Amravati district. Girl students will be given self-defence training.

A separate allocation of 64.30 crore was announced to distribute good quality sanitary napkins to all girls at zilla parishad schools, and install incinerators at all secondary schools for safe disposal of used sanitary napkins.
If mental health professionals are wary of the Ontario governments latest plan to transform supports and services in the province, its not without cause.

Over recent decades, governments of various stripes have produced so many roadmaps and pathways, so many proposals for navigating the journey, that its been like an endless study of wartime aerial reconnaissance photos.

Words have come easily; funding and results less so.

So the crisis has built year after painful year, the cost in both human and financial terms immense.

This past Tuesday, Health Minister Christine Elliott announced the PC governments Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontarios Mental Health and Addictions System, the better to help clients find their way in a system defined by its complexity.

The plan will create a Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence to standardize and monitor the quality of services across Ontario.

Elliott also announced a $20-million investment in cognitive therapy that aims to treat 80,000 people in the first year through a program called Mindability.

That program, for those over age 10 suffering from anxiety and depression, is said to be the first of its kind in Canada. It will be funded like OHIP, with no out-of-pocket costs for clients.

A coalition of mental health groups promptly said that without substantial and immediate funding of $400 million in the spring budget, the plan will amount to little more than words.

That concern is born of hard experience.

Too many of the predecessor documents of Elliotts plan have said the right things, with little to show in the long run.

As a result, her report said, there is a clear and pressing case for action.

But it, too, contains a salad of buzzwords.

It promises four pillars. It speaks of roadmaps and clear paths and designing a system easier to navigate.

Mental health providers would likely be more enthusiastic in response if they hadnt heard it all before.

Its been almost exactly 10 years, after all, since a select committee report on mental health titled Navigating the Journey to Wellness: The Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Plan for Ontarians was issued.

That committee had been struck because an auditors report had estimated that total economic costs attributable to mental illness  a decade ago, mind you  was about $22 billion a year, that alcohol and drug abuse alone cost the province an estimated $8 billion annually in health care, law enforcement, motor vehicle accidents, crime and the indirect costs of lost productivity.

Chief among the committees eventual recommendations  the language will be familiar  was creation of Mental Health and Addictions Ontario, an umbrella organization to ensure that a single body was responsible for designing, managing and co-ordinating the system, as well as a core basket of services in all regions and access to a system of navigators.

Elliott, then an opposition MPP and a member of the committee, said at the time she hoped these recommendations will result in wellness, dignity and opportunity for all Ontarians.

Tempus fugit.

We need to take the guesswork out of finding support, she said on Tuesday, 10 years on.

If the coalition has cocked a leery eyebrow her way, perhaps it was due to the dissonant signals coming this week from Premier Doug Ford.

Ford, locked in a contract battle with teachers across the province, fumed that teachers have held the province hostage for 50 years.

We arent going to roll over like weve seen over the last 15 years of billions and billions of dollars, and extra bonuses, signing bonuses, and pizza lunches, and everything else that the previous government gave the teachers.

The outburst was somewhat at odds with Elliotts stated goals.

In many respects, classrooms have been where the crisis in childhood mental-health issues has most shown up in the last decade.

Teachers have increasingly been required not merely to educate  which is job enough  but to triage complex special needs in classes where students are essentially the guinea-pig generation of new technologys assault on young brains.

Yet the governments chief goals in negotiations with teachers have been cuts that would increase class sizes, reduce special-needs supports and require mandatory eLearning courses  all measures likely to work against mental-health issues being identified and addressed.

It was, after all, a Senate report on mental health headed by Michael Kirby more than a decade ago that called mental-health care for children the worst part of the system  the orphans orphan within the health-care system.

This week, the government relented on some of its aims. But the climb-down does not erase suspicion of where its heart is. Or isnt.

Provincial history shows that words have never been in short supply. It is the will and the wherewithal that have been lacking.

Those on the front lines are wise to hold their applause.
Saudi Arabia expands ban on Umrah pilgrimage over coronavirus fears

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 05 March 2020 9:11 AM

Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens and other residents of the kingdom from performing Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca or visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Medina amid the rapid spread of a coronavirus worldwide, expanding an earlier such ban on foreigners.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday that the kingdom had decided "to suspend Umrah temporarily for citizens and residents in the kingdom."

They were also barred from "visits to the Prophet's Mosque in Medina", according to a Foreign Ministry tweet.

The aim is to "limit the spread of the coronavirus and prevent its access to the two holy mosques, which are witnessing permanent and intense crowds, which makes the issue of securing these crowds of utmost importance," a spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry said.

A week earlier, Saudi authorities imposed a ban on overseas pilgrims visiting the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

The move comes as many world countries are grappling with a growing coronavirus outbreak originating from China.

There are concerns that Saudi Arabia  which receives nearly 7 million Umrah pilgrims every year  is not being transparent about how badly it has been hit by the virus.

Saudi Arabia only confirmed its second case on Wednesday, claiming the victim  a Saudi national had returned from Iran via Bahrain.

Riyadh alleged that the Saudi citizen was accompanied by another person who was declared the kingdom's first case of the coronavirus on Monday.

Riyadh's last week decision to ban Umrah alone disrupted travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affects plans later this year for millions more ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The new coronavirus, recently named COVID-19, can cause various symptoms ranging from those of the common cold to more severe diseases such as pneumonia. Common signs include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory complications.

The virus, which emerged in central China in late December last year, has so far claimed more than 3,000 lives worldwide.

More than 93,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide and the number of deaths from the virus, which is spreading in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, has reached 3,110 globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Last week, WHO, which has already declared the outbreak an international health emergency, raised the global coronavirus alert level from high to "very high'', its top level of risk assessment.

In Iran, it first showed up in the north-central city of Qom  a pilgrimage destination. COVID-19 has killed 92 people and infected 2,922 others in Iran as of late Wednesday.

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Onward (U)

Verdict: Another Pixar triumph

Rating:

Worryingly for those of us who remember it like it was yesterday, or at any rate the day before yesterday, this year marks a quarter of a century since Pixar burst into cinema-goers consciousness with the sublime Toy Story.

Since 1995, those supremely gifted animators, writers and directors have churned out feature-length animations at the rate of almost one a year, making their latest, Onward, number 22. It ranks pretty high, too, certainly nudging Pixars top ten.

A few, such as three or maybe all four of the Toy Story films, The Incredibles, Inside Out and Finding Nemo, are surely unassailable at the top of that illustrious list.

But Onward contains plenty of what makes the Pixar factory such a prized asset of the all-conquering Disney empire, which acquired it for just the $7.4 billion (5.7 billion) in 2006.

Onward contains plenty of what makes the Pixar factory such a prized asset of the all-conquering Disney empire, writes BRIAN VINER

The film, directed and co-written by Dan Scanlon, is beautifully crafted and huge fun, with a few moments of poignancy that will pierce all but the stoniest hearts, as a pair of teenage elf brothers try to magic their dead father back to life.

Scanlon was moved by the death of his own father to make this film. He was the younger of two brothers, whose dad passed away when they were children.

If youll indulge some personal musings for a moment, I suffered a similar loss. I was 14 when my father died suddenly, and find that I think of him more and more as I creep closer to the age when he made his abrupt exit. I never knew him on adult terms, so if he came back for a day, what would we say to each other? I often wonder.

That is the exact premise of Onward, but cocooned by Pixars usual wit and visual invention from any charges of over-sentimentality. Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) is our hero, a 16-year-old elf growing up in the town of New Mushroomton. He has no memories of his dad, Wilden (Kyle Bornheimer), and must absorb them second-hand from his older brother, Barley (Chris Pratt).

Unhelpfully, Barley is as wildly exuberant as Ian is gently introspective  fanatical about the mystical heritage of elves, even though they now live in a world that is less Middle-earth, more Middle America. This yields lots of great sight gags, including unicorns rooting around in dustbins like urban foxes.

Meanwhile, the brothers mother, Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), has a traffic cop boyfriend (Mel Rodriguez) who also happens to be a centaur.

The film, directed and co-written by Dan Scanlon, is beautifully crafted and huge fun, with a few moments of poignancy that will pierce all but the stoniest hearts, as a pair of teenage elf brothers try to magic their dead father back to life, writes BRIAN VINER

And an ancient, fire-breathing dragon-like creature called the Manticore (Octavia Spencer) has stopped incinerating her enemies in favour of running a Dark Ages theme restaurant.

As for the quest to bring Wilden back from the dead, that takes shape when Laurel gives her sons a magic staff that he bequeathed them.

Ironically, it turns out to be Ian, not Barley, who has the powers of wizardry, although when he invokes a spell to re-animate Wilden for 24 hours, it only half works.

Their father duly materialises only from the waist down. To bring back the rest of him they must find an enchanted gemstone, propelling them on a crazy adventure against the clock which, very movingly, cements their fraternal bond.

Onward has been described simplistically as Frozen for boys, although, as succinct summaries go, thats not a bad one. There are worse things for an animated film to be.

Yes, if the charge of sentimentality doesnt stick, a charge of unoriginality might. While Ian Lightfoot isnt quite a pointy-eared Harry Potter, at times theres a bit of a derivative boy-wizard shimmer around him.

But never mind that. Onward is still magical.

Military Wives (12A)

Verdict: Hits the right notes

Rating:

So, in an altogether different way, is Military Wives. It is inspired by the story of the first of those military wives choirs, which began before choirmaster Gareth Malone and the BBC turned them into a cultural phenomenon.

Peter Cattaneos film hits all the right notes, with Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan perfectly cast as two Army wives who lead a motley group of women all the way to the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Military Wives is inspired by the story of the first of those military wives choirs, which began before choirmaster Gareth Malone and the BBC turned them into a cultural phenomenon, writes BRIAN VINER

Cattaneo also made the 1997 smash hit The Full Monty, and this film has much of the same charm. Indeed, it follows a remarkably similar formula: an uplifting triumph, against the odds, of a seemingly ill-matched collective, several of whom are also mired in personal turmoil.

Its even set in Yorkshire, like The Full Monty.

Yet what makes this picture such a delight is not only what it is, but also what it isnt. It could have been irredeemably corny, cheesily sentimental.

It could also have failed to overcome one obvious problem: The poundingly emotional real-life stories of these choirs have already been compellingly documented on television; a lightly fictionalised version might have felt superfluous.

Instead, it feels rousingly relevant, for which due credit belongs to screenwriters Rosanne Flynn and Rachel Tunnard, as well as Cattaneo and a tip-top cast.

Yet what makes Military Wives such a delight is not only what it is, but also what it isnt. It could have been irredeemably corny, cheesily sentimental, writes BRIAN VINER

Scott Thomas is especially wonderful. She plays Kate, whose husband, Richard (Greg Wise, also just right), is the colonel at a Yorkshire garrison. The couple are suffering a terrible bereavement, but are dealing with it in the stiff-upper-lipped way of both the Army and their class.

Military Wives is full of social nuances, as Kate locks horns with Lisa (Horgan), who is married to the regimental sergeant-major.

The pair try to get a choir going while their menfolk are serving in Afghanistan, but brisk, decent, well-intentioned Kate is too bossy and buttoned-up to make much of a connection with the other women. And Lisa, though far more clubbable, has her own problems, largely in the form of her rebellious daughter (India Ria Amarteifio).

Will they end up bonding? Will the choir deal with news of a distant fatality, which makes it feel suddenly trivial, not to mention the lesser problem of a tone-deaf member in its ranks?

If youve seen just about any British feel-good film of the last 25 years, from The Full Monty and Brassed Off (1996) to Pride (2014) and Fishermans Friends (2019), youll already know the answer.

But its still immensely uplifting watching it happen.

Lacklustre love across the generations

The Photograph (12A)

Verdict: Romantic snapshot

Rating:

This tale of parallel love affairs unfurls lazily to a jazz-brunch soundtrack, as picture-perfect New Yorkers Mae (Issa Rae) and Michael (Lakeith Stanfield) are drawn together by a connection that goes deep into the Louisiana past.

Maes mother, Christina, a Manhattan photographer, has died, leaving two mysterious letters and a case of doubtful paternity for her child to investigate.

Michael is a magazine writer, and comes across a photograph of the young Christina (Chante Adams) as he interviews a man in Louisiana.

You can almost hear the ker-ching! as the plot clicks simplistically into place. Will the lovers make the same mistakes as the previous generation?

This tale of parallel love affairs unfurls lazily to a jazz-brunch soundtrack, as picture-perfect New Yorkers Mae (Issa Rae) and Michael (Lakeith Stanfield) are drawn together by a connection that goes deep into the Louisiana past, writes KATE MUIR

Director and writer Stella Meghie teases out the flirtation, almost to the point of exasperation, and laces it with flashbacks. Christinas story, as a working-class African-American trying to make it in the New York artistic elite, is left irritatingly unexplained. She takes the traditional Greyhound bus to freedom, and then we see her with a young daughter in a photography studio. We need some grit in the mix.

Instead, we float around in a romantic haze with Michael and Mae (left), as they follow Christinas footsteps into cool jazz bars, hang out in trendy loft spaces and debate the virtues of musicians Drake and Kendrick Lamar in candlelit restaurants. Mae is pro-Drake: Hes in tune with his feelings, my feelings, your feelings, she says, as the film slides further into glossy, cliched territory.

KATE MUIR

Harrowing tale lacks punch

Sulphur And White (15)

Verdict: Clunky

Rating:

The true story of David Tait is undoubtedly harrowing and moving.

Growing up in South Africa, where his expatriate English father worked in a bank, he was sexually abused by a group of his fathers friends. His mother, bullied by her overbearing husband, was unable to help.

Inevitably, he carried this terrible baggage into adulthood, blighting his relationship with his wife and child.

Julian Jarrolds Sulphur And White chronicles all this, with Mark Stanley as the grown-up David.

Anna Friel and Dougray Scott play his parents, and Emily Beecham is his wife. Thats a pretty impressive cast, but if a story like this is to be told on screen, it has to be told very well.

Alas, Sulphur And White isnt. As it whisks back and forth in time, it never finds a way of making us empathise with the adult David, so deeply unappealing that the films final redemptive chapter lacks the emotional punch it badly needs.

While there is much here to admire, it is undermined by some desperately clunky dialogue and two-dimensional characterisation. A shame.

Escape From Pretoria (12A)

Verdict: A fail

Rating:

Escape From Pretoria stars a lavishly bearded Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Tim Jenkin, writes KATE MUIR. Pictured: Radcliffe at a screening of the film last month

Escape From Pretoria  also set in South Africa, also based on a real-life story  is, sadly, also a fail.

It stars a lavishly bearded Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Tim Jenkin, an anti-apartheid campaigner sentenced to 12 years in jail in the late Seventies for distributing subversive leaflets.

With two other prisoners, he hatches a plan to break out of Pretoria Central Prison by fashioning wooden replicas of the wardens keys.

Its a good yarn, well worthy of cinematic attention. But Francis Annans film is dogged by some dubious South African accents, too many caricatures and far too many shots of keys turning, not turning and breaking in locks while an unseen synthesizer strains, wholly unsuccessfully, to build up tension.
Chinese concept SUV previews all-electric competitor for BMW X6

The 2020 Aiways U6ion is an electric crossover concept that the Chinese brand unveiled online during the virtual 2020 Geneva Motor Show. The 2020 U6ion broke cover alongside the 2021 U5, which will be the companys first vehicle to hit the European market.

The 2020 U6ion previews a coupe-style SUV that will likely share underpinnings with the 2021 U5. Much like its sibling, the 2020 U6ion boasts a bold exterior design and a premium interior. It also looks ready to go into production as none of its design cues and technologies seem far-fetched.
Benedict Bruel manages the Deliss' Pizza restaurant in Lyon, and decided to construct a beautifully cheesy creation on Saturday 22 February, intending to break the world record for the most cheeses on a pizza.

This previous record was held by Johnny Di Francesco over in Melbourne, Aussie in September 2018, making a pizza with 154 different types of cheese.

Benedict describes France as a 'country of cheese', so he thought it was only right that he not only broke, but smashed the record.

I told myself that we, the French, with our country of cheese, we could easily put 100 more... We couldn't even see the tomato sauce anymore, he said.

Benedict made sure to do his research so the pizza would be officially recognised, ensuring it complied with the Guinness World Records requirements.

"The pizza had to be 30 centimetres wide and there should be at least two to four grams of different cheeses."

But even in France, he found it hard to gather up so many different cheese varieties:

"People laughed when I went to the checkout several times with about 60 cheeses."
An American tourist, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Bhutan, had gone on a weeklong Brahmaputra river cruise on board the MV Mahabaahu, along with three other passengers, embarking and disembarking at various places during the journey

Fear gripped Assam as Bhutan announced its first case of novel coronavirus on Friday. An elderly US tourist who tested positive for COVID-19 was traced to have spent at least a week in Assam as part of his India tour from 21 February to 1 March.

He is travelling with his 59-year-old partner, and had taken a flight to Bhutan from Guwahati on 2 March. Among the ten other passengers on board the Drukair flight, eight are Indian nationals.

"At the Paro International Airport, the patients health declaration form was assessed. He had indicated negative against all conditions. He did not have a sign of fever," read an official statement by the Bhutan government.

The patient suffers from chronic hypertension and is on medication. However, even at that time, he did not have any flu symptoms, the statement further read.

The 76-year-old tourist was tested positive after being kept under observation at a flu clinic designated for COVID-19 patients. It is unclear where the US patient contracted the illness, but he is said to have travelled to Mumbai, Kolkata and Assam before visiting Bhutan.

While the Bhutan government has traced over 90 contacts through the patients itinerary that included people he associated with along the way, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government will trace the places the US tourist had visited.

The American tourist had gone on a weeklong Brahmaputra river cruise on board the MV Mahabaahu, which is run by a private firm in collaboration with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC). The cruise ship has a capacity of about 50 people, and was carrying a small group of tourists on 23 February from Jorhat. There were three other passengers on board the cruise ship, in which the unnamed tourist travelled for seven days, embarking and disembarking at various places during the journey.

"All four of them were US nationals, and two of them have returned to their country. The passenger who has tested positive had not shown any symptoms while being on board  he had no cough or cold. Therefore, the chances of him infecting anybody is remote. Once the passengers disembarked in Guwahati, the (cruise) ship was fumigated as per normal routine procedure before a new group boarded it, said Sanjay Basu, chairman, Adventure Resort and Cruises.

Neither the crew members nor passengers have shown any symptoms so far. They are all in good health. We have a paramedic on board the (cruise) ship. Six days have passed, and tomorrow, a medical team from Assam will come for check-up, added Basu.

The MV Mahabaahu has been sailing since last Sunday with 22 passengers from different countries and 29 crew members on board.

The Guwahati to Jorhat upstream cruise ship covers seven nights and eight days, the first stop being Kamakhya Temple. Tourists are also taken to Umananda or the Peacock Island as part of the package. They also get the opportunity to visit Kaziranga National Park, a tea-estate, a tribal village, places of historical interest and the culturally rich river island of Majuli.

Another cruise liner by a Guwahati-based company, Jungle Travels India Private Limited (JTI), remains operational from Guwahati to Silghat near Tezpur. Tourists in this cruise vessel are also taken to Kamakhya Temple and the Kaziranga National park among other sites. Tourism officials could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, denying any laxity in screening passengers, the Director of Guwahatis Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Ramesh Kumar said that members of the Airport Health Organization (APHO) have been on the job of identifying all passengers who travelled in the Drukair flight with the US tourist.

Thirty-one cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in India so far, with the latest being reported in Delhi.
The city of Bethlehem was on lockdown today after the first Palestinian cases of coronavirus were discovered there.

Palestinian authorities announced a month-long state of emergency last night while the Israeli defence ministry said people were 'forbidden from entering or leaving the city'.

All tourist buses to and from Bethlehem have been banned until further notice, Israeli police have said, with some already turned away today.

The Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Jesus was reputedly born, was closed yesterday and is expected to be shut for a month.

Palestinian police officers speak to a man outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem today with the biblical city under lockdown over coronavirus fears

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, has been shut after seven coronavirus cases were discovered in Bethlehem

Today around 20 buses were stuck at a checkpoint run by Israeli personnel at the entrance to the biblical city, which is in the occupied West Bank, around six miles south of Israeli-controlled Jerusalem.

The streets in Bethlehem and Ramallah, where the Palestinian government is based, were near empty on Friday morning, with most shops closed.

Israel controls all entrances to the West Bank from the Jewish state but the Palestinian government has limited autonomy in cities.

Israeli officials said the lockdown in Bethlehem had been imposed 'in coordination with the Palestinian Authority'.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh made a special broadcast late last night to announce the 30-day lockdown, saying the measures were essential to contain the disease.

All but essential travel between Palestinian governorates was now prohibited, while all schools and educational facilities would close, he said.

Public parks and tourist sites would close while large sporting events, conferences and other major gatherings were cancelled, Shtayyeh added.

The Palestinian health ministry said the seven newly discovered cases had first been detected at a hotel in the Bethlehem area.

People wearing masks visit the Church of the Nativity yesterday, shortly before it was closed

Private health workers walk out of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem after spraying sanitisers as a preventive measure against the coronavirus

Palestinian authorities said the church, which Christians believe is built on the site where Jesus was born, would be closed to tourists for 14 days

All seven of those infected were being treated in quarantine, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The head of the local health directorate, Imad Shahadeh, said a group of Greek tourists had visited the hotel in late February, with two later diagnosed with the virus.

A number of suspected cases have since been identified among hotel workers, he said.

Asbed Balian, senior cleric of the Armenian church at the Church of the Nativity, said infected visitors had entered the site.

'People affected by corona visited the church,' he told AFP. Workmen began spraying disinfectant inside the church on Thursday evening.

COGAT, the Israeli body responsible for civilian activities in the Palestinian Territories, said it was 'working closely with the Palestinian Authority' to stem the spread of the virus.

Israel, which so far has 16 confirmed cases of the disease, has imposed stringent measures on many European nations in a bid to contain the virus.

It has also scrapped joint military exercises with the United States in Germany.

The Israeli army announced that from noon Friday all forces would be prevented from leaving Israel, whether 'on personal trips or on duty'.
DES MOINES  The Iowa House on Thursday approved a bill defining anti-Semitism and providing guidance to those investigating anti-Semitic crimes and discrimination, despite Democrats objecting that the bill sends a message that discrimination against Jews is more serious than attacks on other minorities.

But House File 2504, which had 48 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors, is needed to give state officials an objective definition of contemporary anti-Semitism to ensure proper assessment of criminal and discriminatory incident motivated by anti-Semitism, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said in opening a rare Thursday evening debate.

It would not be a new classification of crime and would not expand legal protections, he said.

It fills a gap in our code with respect to this unique type of discriminatory behavior, Lohse said.

The bill was approved on a party-line vote, 51-45.

The bill would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of anti-Semitism, the international standard used by the U.S. Departments of Justice, State and Education, he said.

According to the definition, anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Lohse listed statistics from law enforcement and groups tracking discrimination showing that Jews are among the most likely minority groups to be victimized and that the rate of hate incidents are increasing.

In addition to the obvious white supremacist activity, there is now an uptick of propaganda on college campuses and in communities, along with hateful robocalls aimed at voters, Lohse said.

That wasnt news to Rep. Ras Smith, D-Waterloo, who related his experience of opening his Capitol mailbox to find a flyer featuring a hooded member of the Ku Klux Klan and a message that lynching is for amateurs.

The sad truth is that evil does exist, said Smith, who is black. Hatred is allowed to operate in many forms. Sometimes it finds its way into this beautiful building.

For nearly two hours, Democrats objected to the bill, arguing that rather than address discrimination, it would say discrimination against Jews is more important than discrimination against others.

There are more attacks on African Americans than on Jews, said Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines.

But by adopting the anti-Semitism law, the Legislature would be saying crimes against Jews are more serious than crimes against blacks, gays, Muslims and other minorities.

Thats the message youre sending, he said. And in todays world, thats a dangerous message.

The Legislature should not pit people against each other, make people choose who should be protected, Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, said.

We all want hate to stop, Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, said, but to just include just one religious group, that sets up a process that I dont think we want to set up.

Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, said shes lived long enough to know positive change is difficult, takes time, takes strength of character and, above all, takes trust, trust in the people you are working with.

The bill is deceiving because on the surface it appears the Legislature is doing the right thing, Gaines said. But Iowans who have walked to the beat of a different drummer, spent our lives trying to explain who we are and what has happened to us dont look at things in a vacuum.

The bill is exclusive because it says that Jews who have been discriminated against are different, superior to the others who have suffered discrimination.

She blamed the sponsors lack of experience, lack of involvement in diversity, your lack of listening, lack of working harder trying to understand.

It tells non-Jews who have been the victim of discrimination their pain is a different kind of pain, a lesser pain, a pain that is not as important.

However, Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, who offered a similar bill, said the meaning of the bill seemed to get lost in the debate.

I dont think that pointing out a problem that we need to address minimizes other problems that need to be addressed, Upmeyer said.

So after three hours and remarks by 30 lawmakers, Lohse summed up this bill saying, We all want to stamp out hate ... I truly do believe HF 2504 does move us to that goal.

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Cities and towns in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, initially designed for much smaller populations  if designed at all  now have to deal with the inflow of much larger numbers, and that too of people in distress. Managing water sources becomes far more difficult in such circumstances.

By Omair Ahmad

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is the water tower for most of Asia, but many of its residents face increasing water insecurity. Approximately 210 million people live in the region divided across eight countries  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar and Pakistan. The rivers that stream out of the mountains provide water for another 1.3 billion people living in the plains, but the communities living within the mountainous regions are often neglected. The crisis is worsening. Half of the springs in the region  the major source of water supply  have either turned from perennial to seasonal, or dried up completely.

A recent report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based in Kathmandu, Nepal, throws much needed light on the drivers of water scarcity in the HKH region. Published in Water Policy, the article, based on research which looked at 13 towns in four countries  Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan  shows that a complex set of factors are leading to the problems.

According to the article, the five areas that intersect to cause the crisis are

Lack of sustainable sourcing of water;

Failing models of water governance;

Inequitable distribution of water;

The ignored role of women in water governance; and

The increasing impact of climate change.

It is an interesting choice to put climate change impacts last. The HKH region is heating up faster than other parts of the world, with higher elevations of the Tibetan Plateau showing the fastest rise in temperatures. It is the downstream impacts of climate change that are less well studied. One of these is directly on livelihoods. Across the region, from Kinnaur and Spiti Valley in India, to Mustang in northern Nepal, the cropping patterns of people are changing. In Kinnaur and Mustang, the flourishing apple industry has been undercut. In contrast, in Spiti Valley, people are shifting to apple orchards because their crops are failing.

The devastating impact on local economies as traditional forms of livelihoods are undermined cannot be overstated. This links directly to the first point that the recent paper by ICIMOD highlights: a lack of sustainable sourcing for water. As livelihoods are undermined in the rural economy, people either travel out of the region to earn, or they migrate to towns and cities to find opportunity. As the study notes, in 2001 only 3 percent of the total HKH population [lived] in larger cities and 8 percent in smaller towns (Basyal and Khanal, 2001). But projections show that by 2050, more than 50 percent of the population in HKH countries will live in cities (UNDESA, 2014).

While the pull factor of opportunity in urban areas is a major incentive, so is the push factor of declining productivity and opportunity in rural areas. Cities and towns in the HKH region, initially designed for much smaller populations  if designed at all  now have to deal with the inflow of much larger numbers, and that too of people in distress. Managing water sources becomes far more difficult in such circumstances. While governance models can be improved, or can adapt to changing situations, they are now overburdened by an additional inflow of a distressed, unstable, population.

The biggest impact, of course, is on urban development. With a large number of new arrivals and space at a premium, the wetlands, spring recharge sites, and other peri-urban areas critical for the sustainable water management of urban areas are often developed in a haphazard manner  often just cemented over. This undercuts the water management of the urban areas still further. Communities resort to the exploitation of groundwater resources, driving the water table still further underground. Some of these towns are also tourist sites, and often cater to populations far beyond their carrying capacity, leading to acute water stress.

Two groups pay a very high price for these outcomes. The first is already marginalised communities, such as oppressed caste communities, who have historically not been able to access water as readily as others, with their homes often far from water supply points. In towns catering to new immigrants, the poor pay a far higher price for water, which is often available only through informal means. The authors state that 20 percent of Kathmandus poor households do not have access to the formal water supply system and they end up paying more for accessing water as compared to the richer households who have access. The study also found that the poor spend a greater proportion of their income on meeting their household water needs which means a much greater financial burden. Rich households spend 38.2 percent less on water than poor households.

The second group paying this price is women, who almost always bear the burden of collecting water for the household. While this holds true for urban areas, the responsibility in rural areas  from which men migrate out to earn money and send remittances back  is of another magnitude. In these areas the traditional burden of getting water remains, but what is added is their role as farmers and managers of their lives, and  often enough  their surrounding ecosystems. In a number of cases this has led to greater confidence among women, the establishment of womens groups, and better local governance.

As the authors emphasise in the study, the key question for the communities in this region is better coordination, planning and management. To be successful this approach needs to understand the ecology of the towns of the HKH region. A regional Himalayan Council which brings the local governments from across countries together to learn from one another has long been discussed, but has not moved forward although there are some indications of one emerging within India alone. Such a framework will not work unless heretofore marginalised communities and groups are left out of the decision making process, as has happened too often in the region, especially when it comes to hydropower projects. Lastly, if the urban areas are to be managed properly, due attention must be given to rural areas. No matter how smart or well-designed a city is, if it is on the receiving end of a caravan of distress from rural areas, it will also become a breeding ground for misery.

***

The Third Pole is a multilingual platform dedicated to promoting information and discussion about the Himalayan watershed and the rivers that originate there. This report was originally published on thethirdpole.net and has been reproduced here with permission.
Radio personality Fifi Box received a flood of celebrity tributes when she celebrated her 43rd birthday on Thursday.

And among the well-wishers was comedian Hamish Blake, who recorded a naughty video for Fifi while his wife, Zoe Foster Blake, was on a work trip in New York City.

Fifi publicly shared the video, which showed Hamish shirtless in the kitchen of his Melbourne home, with her 309,000 Instagram followers.

When the cat's away! Fifi Box has shared a naughty birthday message from Hamish Blake (left), and it proves he's a totally different man when his wife, Zoe (right), is out of town

'Happy Birthday Fifi. Just want to wish you the happiest of birthdays!' he said in the footage.

He explained that Zoe was in New York, hence why he was in his 'underpants eating reheated Indian food [and] sending you a birthday message'.

Fifi appreciated her friend's cheeky sense of humour, and captioned the video with three crying-with-laughter emojis.

Bachelor life: In the footage, Hamish explained that Zoe was in New York, hence why he was in his 'underpants eating reheated Indian food [and] sending you a birthday message'

Fifi is good friends with Zoe, and the beauty entrepreneur was one of the first people to meet her youngest daughter, Daisy Belle, when she was born nine months ago.

The identity of Daisy Belle's father hasn't been revealed.

Fifi announced in February last year that she was expecting a baby via IVF and an anonymous donor.

Best mates: Fifi (left) is good friends with Zoe (right), and the beauty mogul was one of the first people to meet her youngest daughter, Daisy Belle, when she was born nine months ago

She shares her eldest daughter, Trixie, with former professional Ironman Grant Kenny.

It has been rumoured that Grant is also Daisy Belle's biological father, but there is no evidence to support this.

Hamish and Zoe married in 2012, after first meeting in 2004 at what she described as a 'horrible men's deodorant launch'.
Researchers at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), RIKEN, and the University of Tokyo propose an improved method for isolating the qubits in a quantum computer from the external environment, which may help usher in the era of practical quantum computing

Tokyo, Japan - A research team at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), RIKEN, and the University of Tokyo have demonstrated how to increase the lifetime of qubits inside quantum computers by using an additional "filter" qubit. This work may help make higher fidelity quantum computers that can be used in financial, cryptographic, and chemistry applications.

Quantum computers are poised to make a large impact in a variety of fields, from internet security to drug development. Instead of being limited to binary 0s and 1s of classical computers, the qubits in quantum computers can take on values that are arbitrary superpositions of the two. This allows quantum computers the potential to solve certain problems, like cracking cryptographic ciphers, much faster than current machines.

However, there is a fundamental tradeoff between the lifetime of the qubit superpositions and the processing speed. This is because the qubits must be carefully shielded from interacting with the environment, or the fragile superposition will snap back to being just a one or zero in a process called decoherence. To delay this loss of quantum fidelity, qubits in quantum computers are coupled only weakly to the control line through which the qubit control pulses are applied. Unfortunately, such a weak coupling limits the speed that computations can be run.

Now, the team at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) theoretically show how coupling a second "filter" qubit to the control line can greatly reduce the noise and spontaneous radiative losses that lead to decoherence. This allows the connections to be strong, which lends itself to faster cycle times.

"In our solution, the filter qubit acts like a nonlinear mirror, which completely reflects radiation from the qubit due to destructive interference but transmits strong control pulses due to absorption saturation" says first author Kazuki Koshino.

This research helps bring about a future in which quantum computers can be found in every business and research lab. Many operational research firms would like to use quantum computers to solve optimization problems that were considered too intensive for conventional computers, while chemists would like to use them to simulate the motion of atoms inside molecules.

"Quantum computers are improved day by day by companies including IBM and Google. As they become faster and more robust, they can be even more widespread," says senior author Yasunobu Nakamura.

###

The work is published in Physical Review Applied as "Protection of a qubit via subradiance: A Josephson quantum filter" (DOI:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.13.014051)
Genetic sequencing tests are being carried out on the pet dog of a confirmed coronavirus patient in Hong Kong, which could reveal if the virus has mutated or not, an official has said.

Thomas Sit, the Assistant Director for Inspection & Quarantine of Hong Kong government's Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, said that coronavirus is what is known as an RNA virus which eventually mutates.

"That is why the University of Hong Kong School of Public Health needs to do a genetic analysis to compare this dog's genetic sequencing to the virus isolated from the patient so that they can compare. So if it is totally identical, then there is no mutation. The testing is still ongoing," state-run Xinhua agency quoted Sit as saying during a press briefing on Thursday.

He reiterated that international experts agreed that the dog has a low level of infection, despite its blood tests not being ready yet.

"From the first sample to our last sample tested, it has already been six days. The dog's nasal or oral mechanism, their secretion they should have - if contaminated - they should have a way to clean the virus, it would not stay for that long if it was just a contamination," he said.

"I think it will take at least five or seven days for the blood results because it is not an easy test, it is not a quick test. We need to grow a virus and then neutralise the serum, so it takes some time," he added.

Sit added that it was too early to say whether animal-to-animal transmission was a possibility.

"At this stage, we do not have enough data to have a 100-per cent answer as to whether it is infectious to other dogs or not. But if the dog's owner is positive, it is better to take precautionary measures to prevent onward transmission," he said.

Sit also advised dog owners to wash their hands, wear gloves and try to stop their dogs from licking their surroundings to prevent the virus from spreading further.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cassie, 30, and Mac, 34 Last year, we were talking about getting married and I mentioned that I didnt want a big wedding. Mac said we could have a small wedding, and I said Id rather elope. We were going to Morocco on a holiday anyway, so I suggested we just have a ceremony there. He said no for a while, but I kept bugging him about it, and then he agreed. He hadnt even proposed at this stage! He did that two months later. Cassie and Mac. Ive never been the kind of girl who dreamed of a big, white wedding. So instead, we just organised a hotel in town about six hours south of Marrakesh, in an oasis with palm trees and cacti. It was just us, our friend Natalia who is a photographer, and some locals. We did a civil ceremony when we got home and had a party, which we count as our reception. We have big families, so it was a big party. Weve got seven parents between us and millions of siblings. We had some speeches and we shared some of our vows, so the people we love felt included. We told our families before we left for Morocco. Macs dad said he was concerned about how the mothers would take it, but the mothers were cool with it. We told a few close friends beforehand, too, so it wasnt a complete secret. Otherwise, people just found out when we put the pictures up on Instagram.

I ordered a dress online from America. Its long-sleeved, with sequins, in a sort of beige colour. We made a video of the ceremony in Morocco. We danced, we had dinner in a tent, and it was all over by 8 or 9pm. We got the idea from this couple we know who did it in the Maldives and then had a party in Byron Bay. It was just the best decision. Lots of friends have since said to us that they wish theyd done it this way, because their weddings were so stressful. Asia, 42, and Toby, 47 We were considering a traditional wedding but I am originally from Poland and my family is huge  my dad has eight siblings!  so we were both dreading having a big wedding in front of people that I dont even know or remember and Toby definitely hasnt met. We wanted to have a nice relaxing day, where the main focus would be on us and our love, not pleasing someone else. Asia and Toby. There was also the question of religion. My family is very Catholic and Toby was baptised in the Church of England. We are not very religious people so we decided to have a Buddhist ceremony! Their wedding traditions are really beautiful.

I dont remember who first suggested it. After stressing about the thought of organising a big fat Polish wedding, we said that we might go away on holiday somewhere warm, but then we thought why dont we get married while we are there? It was 11 years ago. We went to the south of Sri Lanka and stayed in the most beautiful hotel by the Pacific Ocean. All our friends and family thought that we were just going away on holiday. Loading Two of our friends were emigrating to Australia at that time and they really wanted to meet up with us in Sri Lanka. So we told them that we were getting married and they agreed to be our witnesses. So they were there with us on the day, plus another couple that got married at the same hotel a week earlier that we had become friendly with during our stay. I was wearing a cheap and cheerful dress I bought a week before a trip. Toby wore a white shirt and trousers and flip flops. On the day of the wedding, before the ceremony, I went for a nice spa treatment and Toby was drinking beers on the beach. It was all very relaxing. In the evening we had a nice dinner that was set up in the middle of the pool. After the wedding we went on our honeymoon, travelling around Sri Lanka for two weeks. The whole thing was just magical. Danielle, 43, and Nicholas, 45

It was his idea, initially. Wed been together five-and-a-half years and Id been hoping (and hinting) for a proposal but I didnt think he was ready. After dinner out one night, three weeks before a planned family holiday to New York, he suggested we just run away and get married in Central Park. Naturally, I did not let him off that easily and insisted upon a proper proposal. I didnt need a ring and a bent knee, but I needed the official question to be popped properly. Our love story actually spans 16 years, with a few things  kids and another marriage  happening in between. Danielle and Nicholas. Loading Our friends and family were thrilled. They all agreed it was totally an us thing to do. The mums were delighted and a little tearful, and his mother was a little sad that she missed the festivities, but we are total gluttons for fun so were having another wedding celebration this week with friends and family. The secret nearly killed me. We announced the engagement immediately, and everyone was saying how surprised they were that I was at being so blase and not making any big plans straight away. I told one very dear friend because I needed help choosing a dress. Some decisions cannot be made without a trusted opinion. Not telling all my closest girlfriends was torture but their reaction was worth it.
Haroon BHPian



Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Jedda/Bangalore Posts: 553 Thanked: 1,085 Times

Re: Harley Davidson CEO steps down as sales continue to fall Harley has been selling Mard-ko-kabhi-dard-nahi-hota-motorcycles for more than a century, and now when it actually hurts, they are stuck in a very complicated space. I feel a new & re-invented direction seems almost impossible for them unless they come up with some miracle. We know how Kodak, Nokia and many others failed to reinvent themselves and lost the battle.



Although the present HDs are nice bikes with most of the latest tech gizmos etc, more reliable than before, and with great fit & finish, since the aging/new macho cruiser biker segment is shrinking, to compensate one shortfall with another is almost non-existent for them coz they dont have any bikes for Sportbike riders (although BUELL was the closest, they killed it a while ago), Dirt bike riders, Starter bike riders, Light Commuter bike riders (200-350cc bikes) and even Adventure bike riders (ok the Pan-America is almost there, but it has to take on some tried & tested giants in that segment so a tough shot at it). While their lifestyle products can only be like the accompanying band members.



Sadly, if Harley were to get into all the above bike segments, the present hardcore Harley guys will stay away as they find this as dilution of the real Harleys (remember many guys in America found the 500/750 Indian made Harley itself insulting to the American glory stuff.!) while the non-Harley folks will still find these premium American bikes way more expensive to own/maintain than the japs and others, and of course comparatively less reliable as well!



All said I would still like to see such an iconic company with such a long heritage to continue in business but seems a long & rocky journey ahead. Last edited by Haroon : 5th March 2020 at 16:36 .
President Donald Trump speaks to Mike Herrick of the Putnam County Rescue Squad as he tours damage from a recent tornado in Cookeville, Tenn., on March 6, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Trump Surveys Tornado Damage, Marvels at Tremendous Heart

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.President Donald Trump on Friday toured a neighborhood reduced to rubble by a tornado earlier this week and marveled at the tremendous heart he witnessed. He also offered a message for survivors and those who lost family members: We love them, theyre special people, he said.

Trump assumed the role of national consoler as he traveled to Tennessee. Trump surveyed devastated communities in Putnam County, where a tornado tore a 2-mile-long path, killing 18 people, including five children under 13. Many more people were injured, some critically.

Statewide, the death toll stood at 24 from a pair of storms.

Trump was met upon his arrival by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and other top officials.

Its been a painful, tragic week for our state, Lee said after surveying with Trump a street where eight people were killed.

President Donald Trump flies over and sees damage after a recent tornado, in flight over Cookeville, Tenn., on March 6, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

The street was filled with debris where houses once stood. Limbs were crudely snapped from trees. A white laundry basket, chairs from a dining table, cinder blocks and a step ladder dotted the landscape.

Trump then met with survivors and volunteers at a local church filled with boxes of emergency supplies, pallets of water and tables filled with clothes.

When you have those who lost somebody, thats a very tough situation, Trump said during the nearly 40-minute stop. We are with you all the way.

He posed for pictures and shook hands with people before speaking to emergency personnel. Nobodys seen what you had to go through, Trump said.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee (C), speaks with residents Matt and Angela Suggs as they tour damage from a recent tornado, in Cookeville, Tenn., on March 6, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

The president has visited numerous scenes of disaster and tragedy after hurricanes, mass shootings, and wildfires during the past three years.

The Republican president won the heavily GOP state by 26 percentage points in the 2016 election, and trounced Democrat Hillary Clinton in Putnam County by a margin of more than 2-to-1. Davidson County, the other Tennessee region devastated by tornadoes, is a Democratic enclave in the reliably Republican red state.

Trump will also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, which is leading efforts to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. He will end the day at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, attending a pair of fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party and his reelection campaign.

By Darlene Superville
Sky Armstrong paid 250 for an anger management course

A young woman with anger management issues became involved in an argument with a group of females and threw a glass bottle full of liquid towards gardai, a court has heard.

Sky Armstrong (20) avoided a prison sentence after she was deemed suitable to complete 80 hours of community service work.

Swords District Court heard the defendant, who was intoxicated at the time, told gardai on being arrested: "All I done was throw a f**king bottle."

She was on Main Street, Swords, in the early hours when she and some females became involved in an argument with another group.

Three of the group started to charge at the other, but gardai stood in their way, the court heard.

The defendant then threw a glass bottle full of liquid at gardai and it broke at their feet.

Convictions

Armstrong, of Balcunnin, Skerries, pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour on Main Street, Swords, last October 27.

She further pleaded guilty to being intoxicated.

She had four previous convictions.

"An argument broke out in a fast food place and she behaved in the way described," said defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy.

"She attends twice weekly at Crosscare and has also paid 250 to do an anger management course and completed it in February."

The defendant, who was previously given 240 hours of community service work in lieu of two months in prison for an assault, has completed 135 hours.

Judge Ann Ryan said that because the defendant has taken on responsibility to deal with her issues, she would impose 80 hours of community service work in lieu of a prison sentence.
Last year, OnePlus ventured into the TV market with the launch of its first SmartTV  OnePlus TV 55 Q1 and OnePlus TV 55 Q1 Pro 4K QLED TVs in India. The high-end TV from the OnePlus garnered positive reviews all around for its picture quality, integrated soundbar, customization options, and much more. As per the company claims, OnePlus TV is focussed more on quality overvalue.

In an attempt to step up, OnePlus has launched the first of its kind community initiative called OnePlus TV Product Ninjas Program. This India focused initiative extends OnePlus user co-creation spirit further towards OnePlus TV, inviting community members to contribute towards co-creating localized features with the OnePlus TV team.

With this strategy, the company is now looking at inviting community members who are keen to contribute creatively in the brands innovation efforts towards the Smart TV and IoT segment.

Notably, The community forum post on the OnePlus TV Product Ninjas Program can be accessed here. The program is also expected to offer a series of online activities and special community events involving exclusive OnePlus product experiences and community sessions to drive higher engagement and collaborative spirit.

OnePlus India community members and smart tech enthusiasts are invited to apply and will be chosen through a unique recruitment process starting today.

Todd Wang, Product Manager for OnePlus TV, India shared:
BLOOMINGTON  From State Farm to Rivian to AutonomouStuff, Central Illinois is playing a role in preparing for the future of transportation.

Self-driving vehicles may not be right around the corner, but they are just down the road.

Todays cars already contain many automated features that take incremental steps toward autonomy. But if you liked Hyundais self-parking car commercial during the Super Bowl, you aint seen nothing yet.

Its happening without them realizing its happening, said Bobby Hambrick, CEO of AutonomouStuff in Morton. Founded in 2010, the company develops components, software and autonomous vehicles for research.

From a company that started in a barn in my backyard, said Hambrick, AutonomouStuff now has offices in Detroit, Silicon Valley, Canada, China and Germany.

Its been a wild ride, he said. Since 2010, weve built more automated driving research vehicles of all sorts than anyone else.

Illinois has a long history with automated vehicles, but it hasnt been at the consumer level, he noted. For years, manufacturers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu and Case IH have led automated vehicles used in agriculture and mining.

Rivian also has said it plans to incorporate autonomous driving into the vehicles it will be building in its Bloomington-Normal plant.

Overcoming doubts

Bloomington-based State Farm, the nation's largest auto insurance company, is working with manufacturers, universities and policymakers to better understand not only how autonomous vehicles work, but how consumers react to them.

Barriers to be overcome are not all technical or financial.

Results of a AAA survey released Thursday showed that only 12 percent of drivers would trust riding in a self-driving car. Another 28 percent said they didn't know how they feel about the technology.

Consumers have made it clear what it will take to overcome their doubts  consistent and transparent information  which will help make them feel safer about the idea of riding in a self-driving car, said Molly Hart, a spokeswoman for AAA, a private consumer group that started in 1902 as the American Automobile Association.

Nearly 40,000 people die each year in motor vehicle accidents with humans behind the wheel, so people dont want to hear about a robot killing people, Hambrick said. That means working to ensure that this thing will be much safer than the human driver.

Adds Ryan Gammelgard, counsel with the State Farm public policy resource group: Adoption of autonomous vehicles is contingent on people having trust in the technology.

People already are used to automated features, from cruise control to antilock brakes, and devices that alert drivers if they drift from their lanes or if another car is approaching as they back up. And Tesla's Autopilot and Cadillac's Super Cruise offer autonomous driving in certain highway situations.

In technology, when convenience outweighs all your other fears, people adopt, said Jerry Quandt, executive director of the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Association.

A survey found that people whose vehicles have features such as lane departure assist are more inclined to take their eyes off the road for a longer period of time than people without them, said Laurel Straub, State Farm's assistant vice president of enterprise research. Some of the  safety features can lull drivers into a false sense of security, she said.

State Farm recently hosted more than 100 representatives of public and private entities involved in transportation, manufacturing, insurance and other areas related to mobility. The program was sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Autonomous Vehicles Association.

Quandt described it as a kickoff for a series of workshops intended to gather information for an eventual white paper with recommendations for next steps, policies and legislation. Upcoming workshops include the movement of goods, the movement of people and the movement of agriculture.

Self-driving vehicles are the bright shiny object, Quandt said, but the program is looking at a bigger picture that includes infrastructure and connectivity among all types of transportation.

Were trying to figure out how the systems are all going to work together and talk to each other, he said.

Looking ahead

Some states, such as Michigan, are ahead of Illinois in testing automated vehicles. Were happy for them to do that, Quandt said. Illinois has never been known for doing things that are sexy.  We build the things that make things work.

Nearly 60% of respondents to the AAA survey said they would like to have a clear understanding of who would be legally responsible in a crash involving a self-driving vehicle. The question remains up for debate.

James Lynch, chief actuary of the Insurance Information Institute, said that a few years ago, I would get two or three calls a month that wanted to talk about the death of automobile insurance because of driverless cars. Today, he gets very few.

Among unsettled issues is whether lawsuits arising from accidents involving automated vehicles would switch from personal auto insurance claims against a driver to product liability claims against a manufacturer, Lynch said.

Time also is a factor: Disputed auto insurance claims tend to settle in a year or two but product liability cases and go on for five, six or more years.

Its a legal and public policy question, he said.

As more people increase their modes of transportation  from ride-sharing and trains to rented e-scooters and walking  Gammelgard said State Farm customers are concerned with a basic need: 'Regardless of what kind of transportation I take in the morning, do I have some kind of insurance protecting me?'  We want to make sure our customers are protected, he said.

According to figures from the Federal Highway Administration, there were 8,000 motor vehicle registered in the United States in 1900. By 1910, that number soared to 468,500, and by 1920 there were more than 9.2 million registered vehicles. Today there are more than 276 million.

Hambrick pointed to smart phones as an example of how attitudes toward technology can change.

When they first came out, Hambrick said, "Everyone was, like, Im not going to take my phone everywhere with me. I want to get away from my phone.  Now we cant even go to the bathroom without taking it with.

Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota

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New Delhi/Bhopal, March 6 : Amid charges of political bargaining and poaching of MLAs in Madhya Pradesh, where Rajya Sabha polls for three seats are due on March 26, Congress sources said on Friday that Sanjay pathak, a BJP MLA, is likely to join the Congress. Sources said his joining the Congress has been cleared at the highest level and that his earlier attempts to join the party were scuttled by some state party leaders.

Sanjay Pathak's father Satyendra Pathak was the district Congress president in Jabalpur and was a minister in the Digvijaya Singh government in the state.

Party sources said the "operation" targeted at the BJP has been jointly engineered by Digvijaya and Chief Minister Kamal Nath as both are camping in the state capital Bhopal and eyeing the disgruntled BJP legislators.

"Sanjay Pathak is a son of my friend Satyendra Pathak. Sanjay got misguided after he joined BJP," said Digvijay Singh.

"This is a tit-for-tat formula engineered by Digvijaya and Kamal nath to counter BJP's move to destabilise the state government," said a senior leader.

Digvijaya on Friday rejected reports that party MLA Hardeep Singh Dang has resigned, saying the Chief Minister would talk to him. He said the MLAs who are "untraceable" will return to the party fold. "Where else will go," said Digvijaya Singh.

The Congress has managed to poach on three BJP MLAs and is said to be in touch with 7 more, said a party leader.

The BJP has rejected such reports attributing "minor problems" to the Rajya Sabha polls.

Two days back Digvijaya Singh had charged that a huge sum of money was being offered to the Congress MLAs.

Late yesterday night, Chief Minister Kamal Nath met three BJP MLAs -- Sharad Kaul, Sanjay Pathak and Narayan Tripathi. Following this meeting, Narayan Tripathi, an MLA from Maihar, is said to have resigned from his Assembly membership. Tripathi, however, has so far denied resigning as an MLA. He is likely to join the ruling Congress.

Post-poaching, the Congress will effectively be in no danger. "This may send out a message to other party rebel MLAs trying to benefit from the trouble. The Chief Minister is capable of managing the required majority in the Assembly and he is a comfortable position," said a state party leader.

As per the arithmatic, the Congress and BJP are sure to get one seat each from the state for the indirect Rajya Sabha polls. The tussle is for the third seat for which non-BJP and non-Congress MLAs are being lured by rival parties.

The term of Congress' Digvijaya Singh, BJP's Satyanarayan Jatiya and Prabhat Jha is coming to end and the elections are due this month. While the two rival parties are sure to get one seat each, for the third seat, the Congress needs the support of two MLAs while the BJP needs at least nine MLAs.

In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the Congress has 114 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 107. The simple majority mark is 116.
The coronavirus outbreak is sparking fears of drug shortages in the U.S., largely due to its disruption of pharmaceutical supplies from China and India.

The Food and Drug Administration has warned of shortages in one drug due to the coronavirus, while penicillin shipments to the U.S. from China have dried up.

The FDA said it expects the outbreak of COVID-19 to cause "potential disruptions to supply or shortages of critical medical products in the U.S.

China, where many factories have temporarily shuttered due to coronavirus fears, accounts for a majority of raw ingredients used to manufacture finished drugs, said Marianne Udow-Phillips, executive director of the Center for Health and Research Transformation at the University of Michigan.

Supply chain disruptions could be truly serious for our access to drugs, Udow-Phillips said. I think its likely the Chinese government will do everything they can do to prevent that disruption because its so fundamental to their economy.

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Antibiotics are particularly at risk because about 85% of their ingredients come from China, said Ron Piervincenzi, CEO of U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nonprofit that sets drug standards throughout the world.

But he said institutions, such as hospitals and health care systems, are already taking steps to shore up their supplies. Theres no need for individuals to take action right now, he said.

While the FDA did not publicly identify the drug that is experiencing shortages, the agency said its due to an issue with manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the drug.

It is important to note that there are other alternatives that can be used by patients, the FDA said. We are working with the manufacturer as well as other manufacturers to mitigate the shortage. We will do everything possible to mitigate the shortage.

Story continues

The FDA has warned that a breakdown in the medical supply chain due to the coronavirus outbreak could lead to drug shortages.

The possibility of shortages casts a spotlight on how the U.S. relies too much on China for drugs, said Stephanie Kennan, a member of the federal public affairs group at McGuireWoods Consulting and a former health policy adviser to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.

This is an opportunity for companies to look for different ways to do the supply chain, she said. I think its an issue that over the long term we need to grapple with because we cant even manufacture a lot of the drugs inside the United States.

On Wednesday, the co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, sent a letter to the CEOs of major pharmaceutical manufactures requesting information on the possibility of supply chain breakdowns causing drug shortages.

The public health of Americans is at risk if the Chinese market is further hobbled. For example, China shipped virtually no penicillin to the U.S. in the first two months of the year, according to Ocean Audit, which provides analysis of freight data to help companies save costs.

Steve Ferreira, CEO of Ocean Audit, said U.S. sellers have already taken steps to import penicillin from India and Europe, while Chinese manufacturers are scrambling to resume operations.

U.S. container ports began receiving a small amount of penicillin from China in recent days, but itll take about a month for a normal flow of shipments to resume, Ferreira said.

American ports are currently receiving about 7,000 to 8,000 containers of goods imported from China per day, compared with a daily average of about 15,000 in normal times, according to Ocean Audit.

"The supply chain folks that are stuck in China right now are still in their war rooms, Ferreira said.

Whats more, India, the source of many of the worlds finished drugs, has issued a directive requiring drugmakers to get permission to export 26 different medicines, about two-thirds of which are antibiotics.

That has heightened the risk of shortages in the U.S., Piervincenzi said.

Piervincenzi said Indias decision, in particular, should give the industry sufficient motivation to consider diversifying its base of production. But he said its difficult to do so quickly due to drug safety ramifications and regulatory issues.

That is creating quite a stir, he said of India's move.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus spurs fears of drug shortages: Antibiotics may be at risk
FOOD and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.6 per cent between October 2020 and October 2021, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported yesterday.

In a memorandum on the Index of Retail Prices (RPI) published for general information yesterday, attributed to the acting director of statistics, Andre Blanchard, the CSO noted that the All Items Index of Retail Prices increased by 3.9 per cent between October 2020 and last October.
Many companies have implemented a mandatory work from home policy as a precaution against coronavirus but widespread adoption could lead to internet connectivity issues, experts warn.

The added strain of remote access, video conferencing and the use of VPNs may cause some difficulties for the internet's infrastructure.

Domestic broadband for customers served by an antiquated copper-wire network would be worst affected and could see a data bottleneck.

Technology firms that have high data demands, such as Twitter, Google, Facebook and Microsoft, are among the companies banning staff from its offices.

The virus has so far infected more than 100,000 people around the world, including 163 in the UK, and killed at least 3,400 people.

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The added strain of remote access, video conferencing and the use of VPNs could cause some difficulties for the internet's infrastructure. Domestic broadband for customers served by the antiquated copper-wire network would be first affected and could see a data bottleneck (Stock)

Lisa Pierce, a network expert with Gartner in the US, told Bloomberg Quint: 'The weak link in the chain, where the system could get overloaded, is going to be the home broadband network.

'People will hit congestion, just like a highway, where the speed goes from 60 miles an hour to 20.'

But the fears of Ms Pierce are not shared by Openreach, the UK's biggest provider of broadband to homes.

The BT-owned telecoms company told MailOnline it is built to support a so-called 'evening peak' network capacity, which it defines as ten times the typical daytime (working hours) demand.

This spike in internet usage comes from the data-intensive video streaming of films, TV programmes and sports.

The company is confident it could handle home-working on a mass scale, as could happen should the COVID-19 virus worsen.

Customers with slow internet, served by the antiquated copper-wire network would be first affected.

The likelihood of the internet being completely overwhelmed is slim but some disruption is possible.

Technology firms that have high data demands, such as Twitter, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are among the companies banning staff from its offices. The virus has infected more than 100,000 people around the world, including 163 in the UK, and killed 3,400 people

Jeff McElfresh, chief executive officer of AT&T Communications, said: 'Video is already 70 per cent of all network traffic.

'The moment you add in videoconferencing to all the shows the kids are watching because schools are closed, it could be a problem if everyone is trying to get on at the same time.'

Working from home on a mass-scale is fraught with hazards as recent comments from Dr Asma Adnane from Loughborough University reveal it increases the likelihood of being hacked.

Being outside the office and without access to a secure local network means devices are provided with weak security settings.

Dr Adnane advises using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which encrypts data travelling between a user's computer and the work network.

It has been predicted that if the coronavirus outbreak worsens the up to a fifth of UK workers could be off sick.

Today, Facebook and Microsoft joined other US tech companies in introducing new policies to stop the spread of deadly coronavirus.

Facebook told employees in its San Francisco Bay offices to stay at home and cancel all business trips due to the virus.
She enjoyed a glitzy night out at the Global Awards on Thursday evening.

And Laura Whitmore looked partied out as she left the awards show hand-in-hand with her beau Iain Stirling.

The Love Island host, 34, closed her eyes and rested in the back of a cab as she prepared to head home.

Hometime: Laura Whitmore looked partied out as she left the Global Awards in London on Thursday

The star had earlier looked loved-up with her voiceover artist boyfriend, 32, as the pair sweetly held hands while walking along.

Laura put on a showstopping display in a scarlet crochet mini dress at the event at London's Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on Thursday.

The star appeared in good spirits as she larked around on stage with Mark Wright as they presented the Best Female gong at the show.

PDA: The star had earlier looked loved-up with her voiceover artist boyfriend Iain Stirling, 32, as the pair sweetly held hands while walking along

Wow: Laura put on a showstopping display in a scarlet crochet mini dress at the event at London 's Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on Thursday

Laura's eye-catching mini dress featured tiny red crochet flowers all over, with the star's waist cinched in with a stylish black belt.

The star accessorised with towering black heels and carried her essentials in a black bag with a dazzling gold chain.

Laura swept her blonde tresses over one shoulder, while she upped the glam with a pop of red lipstick in the same shade as her dress.

She stole show as she took to the stage with TV presenter Mark, 33, before presenting Camila Cabello with the Best Female Award.

Lady in red: The Love Island host, 34, appeared in good spirits as she larked around on stage with Mark Wright as they presented the Best Female gong at the show

Gorgeous: Laura's eye-catching mini dress featured tiny red crochet flowers all over, with the star's waist cinched in with a stylish black belt

The media personality recently enjoyed a romantic break with her partner Iain Stirling, 32, who she has been seeing since 2017.

After the dramatic finale of last season's Love Island, the pair jetted off to the Western Cape to enjoy some down-time together.

Laura took to Instagram to share special moments from the couple's South African break, including a once-in-a-lifetime safari trip.

Lovely: Laura appeared chilled as she took to the stage with Mark to present the award

Standing tall: Laura boosted her height with towering black suede heels

Going for glam: Laura swept her blonde tresses over one shoulder, while she upped the glam with a pop of red lipstick in the same shade as her dress

Fun times: Laura messed with Mark's hair as they had fun on stage at the Global awards

The blonde beauty and her voice over artist boyfriend were rumoured to have spent their holiday at a 2,500 per night winery as they unwound following the finale.

It's been a difficult few weeks for Laura and Iain, who were devastated by the death of their close friend Caroline, who tragically took her own life last month.

The Irish host and the Scottish comedian were lauded for handling the passing of Caroline heroically, as they paid tribute to the late TV veteran with a montage of her work hosting the show.

Congratulations: She stole show as she took to the stage with TV presenter Mark, 33, before presenting Camila Cabello with the Best Female Award

Winner: Camila was all smiles as she posed with her prize alongside Laura and Mark

Girls night: Laura later posed for a fun selfies alongside Nadine Coyle, Vogue Williams and Emily Atack (L-R)
Five Democratic state district judges in Harris County lost their seats to primary challengers on Tuesday. The common thread: All five were men unseated by women of color.

Civil court judges Larry Weiman, Daryl Moore and Steven Kirkland were defeated by Democratic challengers Jeralynn Manor, Brittanye Morris and Dawn Rogers, respectively. Criminal court judges Randy Roll and George Powell lost to Democrats Ana Martinez and Natalia Cornelio.

No male candidate finished above a female candidate across Harris Countys 11 contested district judge races.

The results reflect a reality up and down the Democratic ballot in Harris County: Female candidates held a decided advantage over their male counterparts, especially near the end of the ballot, where voters typically know less about the candidates.

During early voting, women made up 58 percent of Harris Countys Democratic primary electorate  compared to 51 percent of the Republican primary vote. That creates a built-in advantage for female candidates, but it does not fully explain why women dominated the judicial races, policy consultant Jay Aiyer said.

I think theres a growing recognition that its important to have a judiciary and elected officials who reflect diversity, at least from a gender perspective, Aiyer said. For a long time, there was a bias against women candidates, and I think its probably fair to say that there is now a bias for women candidates.

On Tuesday, Harris County hosted 24 Democratic state district court primaries, which were decided by countywide vote.

In 13 contests, the incumbent judge ran unopposed. And in the sole open contest, criminal defense lawyer Colleen Gaido won with 58 percent of the vote, while her three male opponents failed to break 18 percent, according to unofficial results.

Otherwise, three female incumbents won re-election. Two were forced into runoffs by other women, and in both cases, a third male candidate finished in last place.

Arguably the most striking aspect of the five remaining races were the challengers margins of victory. Martinez beat Roll with 80 percent of the vote, while Kirkland was the only defeated male incumbent to clear 40 percent. He finished with 45 percent.

Powell, the lone African-American male incumbent to lose re-election to the district court bench in Harris County, secured a place on the ballot after the Harris County Democratic Party initially denied his application over a filing fee dispute. He lost to Cornelio by about 28 percentage points.

Few of those contests involved major ideological disputes between the candidates, Aiyer said. Some voters likely leaned toward the judicial hopeful they saw as most aligned with their own background or characteristics.

I think it was purely a situation where, for the most part, voters have very little information about candidates, particularly judicial candidates, Aiyer said. And so theres a tendency to rely on affinity voting.

Without Republican opposition in the fall, Morris and Martinez effectively were elected to the bench Tuesday. The other three will face a Republican opponent in November, though Democratic judges have swept judicial contests in recent cycles amid favorable conditions atop the ballot.

Some lawyers and legal observers were dismayed by the results, noting that a few of the unseated judges were experienced and well-regarded.

So disappointed and angry that Harris County Dem voters chose judges by gender rather than by competence, tweeted Mary Flood, a legal media consultant. Best civil district judge Daryl Moore gone. Some terrible civil & criminal district judges who happen to be female get to stay. As many of us say often, this has to stop.

Houston lawyer Jason Truitt expressed a similar sentiment about the loss of experience, and noted that one of the judges headed to a runoff, Alexandra Smoots-Thomas, was indicted on federal wire fraud charges in November over allegations that she spent campaign donations on personal expenses.

Michelle Tremillo, executive director of the Texas Organizing Project, noted that the Harris County Democratic early vote was made up of 60 percent women and 34 percent women of color.

She said that while voters do tend to gravitate toward candidates who reflect gender and racial diversity, their choices also are rooted in values  such as supporting candidates who they are confident would back Harris Countys historic bail reform agreement.

People do want to see elected officials who are reflective of them, Tremillo said. And I do think that the very public fight over bail reform also plays a role there, that it would be important to have someone whos reflective of the community.

For now, women make up 34 of the 63 district court judicial seats in Harris County. They narrowly outnumber men, 14-12, on the civil bench, but are outnumbered 15-8 in the criminal courts. There are nine female and two male family court judges, and all three juvenile court judges are women.

On the Republican side, where there was just one incumbent, all 12 district court primaries involved only one candidate, and five of the candidates were women. The party did not have a candidate in the other 12 courts, meaning the Democratic nominee was all but elected to those seats on Tuesday.

Jesse McClure, the lone incumbent, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in November to replace Maria Jackson, who unsuccessfully challenged Commissioner Rodney Ellis in the Democratic primary. He will face the winner of a runoff between Democrats Teiva Bell and Candance White.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
By PTI

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of various issues of "serious concern touching upon the governance" in the state.

Dhankhar met Shah at the latter's office at the Parliament complex here, an official said.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the governor, who was appointed to the Constitutional post over seven months ago.

"I had myself sought this meeting. I had sought this meeting under the background that over the (past) seven months I have been able to appreciate the situation on the ground with respect to the critical issues of governance.

"I have availed this opportunity to apprise the Union home minister of various issues of serious concern touching upon the governance in the state. I discussed with him a variety of issues," Dhankar told reporters here.

Had more than half an hour productive meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his Parliament House. Apprised the Union Minister about my perspective on various critical and worrisome facets of governance in the State of West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/UdIjUSmYjm  Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) March 6, 2020

This was his first meeting with Shah after assuming charge as governor.

It comes within a week of Shah's visit to Kolkata.

At a rally in the city, the Union minister had expressed "anguish" over the law and order situation in West Bengal.

Dhankhar has been engaged in standoffs with the West Bengal government over a host of issues since assuming charge in July last year.
Fred DePalma, owner of eight martial arts schools and ninth degree black belt in karate, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Phoenix Orpheum in Arizona, on March 5, 2020. (NTD Television)

PHOENIXAlthough Fred DePalma is a ninth degree black belt and runs eight karate schools in Phoenix, he became a student again the night he watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Phoenix Orpheum.

Loved [Shen Yun]. It was fantastic.  Bravo. Fantastic job. Id like to watch them [the Shen Yun dancers] train and get some pointers of how to train people on my own, said DePalma, who attended the performance on March 5, 2020.

Being a martial arts instructor in professional martial artsso thats all Ive done for 40-plus yearsjust seeing the [Shen Yun] show, its, you know, I think it inspires any martial artist or school owner. Because you just see how perfect all of their movements are and things that were looking for when were teaching our students. And especially to be able to do it together as a group. So the moves that we teach, you know, its the same thing. You see where it comes from, he said.

New York-based Shen Yun utilizes classical Chinese dance to portray storytelling dances and ethnic and folk dances that embody Chinas rich and profound heritage. To revive traditional Chinese culture is in fact Shen Yuns mission. Because Chinas 5,000-year history brimmed with spiritual practices and beliefs, Shen Yun now carries on those traditions and imbues their stories, dances, and song lyrics with references to the divine.

When DePalma said that you see where it comes from regarding the connection between martial arts and classical Chinese dance, he was right. This dance form sprang from the techniques and tumbling moves that were developed by martial artists in ancient China. In the Chinese words for each of the traditions dance and martial arts, there is a shared syllable, wu, that contains deep meaning.

The martial arts educator commented on Shen Yuns lofty goal to restore Chinas true culture. You know, to bring back 5,000 years in one show is going to be impossible. But to give everybody a little bit of taste of ittheres a couple people sitting by us while were watching the show, and they just said I never knew, I had no idea. And so they learned something while they were sitting here watching this show. So I think education is the key to anything, to bring back history.

Although DePalma has no illusions about what can be accomplished in a single night, he gave high praise to Shen Yuns artists for their aspirations and execution.

Oh, it was just fantastic. I mean, just showing the history and the story  The announcers did a wonderful job bringing you into each and every dance and every routine, and seeing it progress all the way through, he said.

It was a work of art, the whole show was. My wife got me this for Christmas. And I was just very excited to be here and be able to do this, he said.

DePalma greatly appreciated Shen Yuns divinely-inspired elements, including the legend of the Creator who, as the belief goes, will one day return to earth.

I thought it was really neat. Yes, Im a Christian. I practice my beliefs. And then watching that and seeing it come in just kind of brings the whole world together, he said.

The divine themes extended to a bel canto solo that was part of the program.

Oh, the singing was fantastic. I was glad that they went and put [the lyrics] on the screen so I could read what was being sung. But you could really feel the inspiration in the song, he added, referencing the song Persecuted for Your Redemption, sung in the traditional bel canto style by Shen Yuns baritone, Qu Yue.

Spread the truth, is the message DePalma gleaned from the words the performer sang. Yes, you know, and thats being held back.

Shen Yun cannot perform in China today due to a brutal campaign by the ruling communist party that has sought to wipe out traditional Chinese culture for decades.

Everybody wants to spread the truth and its too bad that its being repressed and not being allowed to share that, he said.

Part of what struck DePalma about Shen Yuns approach to spirituality is how universal it is.

I think everybody in every religion, even though they could be different, they all end up being the same, he said. So were all looking at the same thing, just maybe slightly different points of views of getting there, but its all the same in the end.

And this spiritual awareness that Shen Yuns artists have, that DePalma appreciated, translates into a nearly palpable energy as the performers present each piece, many say. DePalma agreed.

Oh, without a doubt. I mean, Its like when you walk into a room with a lot of energy, you feel it. When youre sitting here watching the show, you can feel the passion from the performers that are on stage, you can feel the energy come from them, you can feel the belief that they have in what theyre doing. Without a doubt.

With reporting by NTD Television and Brett Featherstone.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
Facebook is telling employees in the San Francisco Bay Area that they should stay home after the coronavirus outbreak touched down locally. That includes its Menlo Park, California headquarters.

The social media-giant said it is "strongly recommending" all its workers in the Bay Area to work from home Friday due to the new coronavirus, formally named COVID-19. The company has several offices and thousands of employees across the region.

However, some employees critical to the site's safety and security will still be asked to continue to work onsite. It is also scrapping all events in the Bay Area and recommending employees cancel all business travel in and out of the region.

"Based on guidance from Santa Clara County today, we are strongly recommending that all Bay area employees and contingent staff work from home starting tomorrow, Friday, March 6th," Facebook spokesperson Anthony Harrison Thursday evening said in a statement to CNBC. "This decision is based on our desire to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, The health and safety of our teams, their loved ones and our neighbors remain a top priority."

It's the first known tech giant to feel the effect of the outbreak in its Silicon Valley home.

The latest precautions come after San Francisco announced its first two cases Thursday. The company previously said it was closing its Seattle, Washington office until Monday after one its contractors was confirmed to be infected with the virus.

Microsoft also encouraged employees to work from home in the Puget Sound area in Washington that includes Microsoft's headquarters and California's Bay Area.

Facebook did not say how long it expected to enforce the recommendations. It is currently considering how it can give contractors options to support themselves with a cut work schedule. The company will perform deep cleaning in the offices.

Having fewer people in the offices means the company can reduce the risk of a potential spreading. It did not respond to whether any of its employees or contractors have any suspected or confirmed case locally.
: The Karnataka government would



mull giving free toor daal under the Anna Bhagya scheme after discussion, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K Gopalaiah said on Friday.

We have adequate stock of toor dal with us. We will discuss with the chief minister and arrive at a decision, the minister said in the state Assembly.

He was replying to a query from BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on the pilferage of the foodgrain supplied under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

Against the previous scheme of Congress government of giving seven kg rice to the beneficiaries, the BJP government has decided to give five kg of rice and two kg of wheat.

However, some MLAs demanded that the toor daal must also be supplied as they were rotting in the godowns.

Answering their queries, Gopalaiah said, Now that our government has decided to give five kg rice and two kg wheat, we can supply pulses or ragi in the old Mysuru region based on the decision of our seniors."



Speaking about the pilferage of foodgrains, Gopalaiah said he has travelled to various parts of the state after taking over charge as food and civil supplies minister and noticed where the theft was happening.

He told the House that he would travel to all the 30 districts after the Assembly session and make sure that no pilferage happens anywhere.

Replying to the opposition leader Siddaramaiahs appeal not to interrupt the Anna Bhagya scheme, Gopalaiah said, We want to provide foodgrain under the Anna Bhagya scheme. I am going to conduct a survey in which district the stealing has been taking place. I will make sure that poor people are not affected.

Patil had charged that since 2013 many cases of black- marketing of foodgrains under Anna Bhagya scheme came to light but in none of the cases the investigation reached any logical conclusion and there were no instance of any punishment.

In reply, Gopalaiah said he has directed the district authorities to ensure speedy disposal of cases.

In all, 690 cases have been registered across the state since 2013, including 32 in Vijayapura, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
From the beginning, Trump minimized the scale of the crisis, portraying it as a purely foreign threat that could be addressed by closing borders. At a Feb. 26 news conference, he claimed there were 15 cases in America, omitting those diagnosed overseas. The 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, he said. As of this writing, there have been more than 210 cases confirmed across the country and 12 deaths.

Trump dismissed Democratic complaints about his handling of the crisis as their new hoax. Last week Mick Mulvaney, Trumps acting chief of staff, told the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference that the media is paying so much attention to the coronavirus because they think this is whats going to be what brings down the president. Speaking to Sean Hannity on Wednesday night, Trump seemed to imply that it was OK for people with the coronavirus to go to work: So if, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better, just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work  some of them go to work but they get better. (He later wrote an angry tweet saying hed never said sick people should go to work, but he certainly didnt instruct them to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advice and stay home.)

Within the administration, theres strong pressure not to contradict Trumps line. In February, when Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned that community spread of the coronavirus in America was inevitable, the president was reportedly furious, and the director of the C.D.C. said she misspoke. Pro-Trump media figures like Rush Limbaugh suggested that she was part of an anti-Trump conspiracy because her brother is former Justice Department official Rod Rosenstein, often derided on the right as part of the Deep State.

The Times reported that Defense Secretary Mark Esper has warned the military not to make decisions related to the coronavirus that might run afoul of President Trumps messaging, even as leaders have to make quick judgments about protecting troops stationed in countries with outbreaks. A Pentagon spokesperson took issue with the Times story, calling it a dishonest misrepresentation. Still, it seems as if in the midst of this burgeoning crisis, were seeing a coordinated, whole-of-government campaign to protect the president from being contradicted.
In a show thats small in cast members but big in heart, Missoula Community Theatres upcoming production of The Spitfire Grill is a unique opportunity to see a musical unlike the mainstream.

The relatively unknown show runs March 5-15 (see box for details) and features a cast of only seven members and a folksy, Americana orchestration rarely heard in the world of musical theater.

MCT has been talking about doing the show for several seasons and finally felt it was the right time, said artistic director Joe Martinez, whos also directing The Spitfire Grill.

We do really big shows and titles that people know, so its nice to throw in a title nobody knows and hopefully people walk away with a sense that they found a new favorite show, he said.

The plot follows Percy, a young woman recently released from prison, as she tries to leave her past behind and start a new life in the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin. She gets a job at a struggling local diner and meets a cast of characters in a town thats also fallen on hard times. In a story of self-discovery and redemption, Percy comes up with an idea to try and save the diner and herself along with it.

The piece is based on the 1996 film of the same name by Lee David Zlotoff, with music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley.

Martinez said the shows music is what first caught his attention, adding the songs are really what drives the story line.

A lot of what tells me how the show feels is just the instrumentation of the show, he said. Right away the music was just so beautiful and haunting.

Despite its lack of name recognition, Martinez had 50 people show up to audition for seven roles, which he said is a testament to the talent in Missoula.

Brit Garner, a fish and wildlife biology doctoral student at the University of Montana, is playing the lead role of Percy and said she also hadnt heard of The Spitfire Grill.

I heard the first song and thought, this is different. This is folk, this is Americana, theres an accordion? she said. Its a seven-person adult cast, which is also really appealing.

She was drawn to the bluegrass, gather round the campfire feel of the music in the same way Martinez was.

The actual melodies are written within a more classic folk style, which our ears are not used to that within musical theater. There are very few shows that have done that, she said.

Garner, who is originally from Florida, has used theater as a creative outlet outside of school to balance out her academic work in the sciences, so when she moved here five years ago, one of her first stops was at MCT.

I knew that the thing that makes me feel like home is finding whatever the theater is, she said. All of a month after I moved to Missoula, I auditioned for Jekyll and Hyde the musical at MCT and found my nice little second home here.

She joked with Martinez about how its the first role shes had with MCT where she didnt have to cover up her tattoos.

I remember texting Joe and being like, Joe, does this show actually have a female lead with tattoos? Im going to save so much money on cover up, Garner chuckled.

Most musicals have casts of around 40 to 50, so with seven actors in this musical, Martinez said they were able to really dig deep into the script and explore the characters.

We have time to sit and talk and to ask questions and to discuss scenes and even discuss, Where do I take a beat or a pause in my line for more effect?

Garners ability to truly embody the characters she plays is part of the reason she ended up with the role, Martinez said.

Shes done her research, she goes through the script and finds intentions and motivations, he said. Vocally its a really straining role. Its a big sound that needs to come out of this character just vocally and Brit has that too.

Because they were able to take time to explore the characters, Garner said the audience is going to be able to really get to know these individuals at the Spitfire Grill and in the town of Gilead.

The idea of letting go and saying, I am good or I can be good is something all of the characters in the show and the town have to do, she said. They get to those places throughout the course of the show and some maybe more than others and maybe each audience member sees a different character journey that they connect with.

As the play moves along, you start to see that Percy, the characters and the town are all struggling with the same thing.

Percy, the town and everyone else is asking themselves Who was I? Who am I? And who do I want to be? she said. The idea of maybe starting again for Percy lets her ask that question, and then for the town of Gilead, having Percy come there makes them pause and ask that question.

While there are some heavier and painful themes throughout the plot, Garner said redemption is the main takeaway of the story.

I think redemption is an undeniable theme of this musical because of the way that our past can color the way we think of ourselves and the self-hatred and shame that can come with things we have done, she said. Whether theyre small or big, everyone has their own journey in that regard, but we can really beat ourselves up.

Looking back, Garner said if she would have known about The Spitfire Grill, Percy likely would have been one of the roles on her musical theater bucket list.

Im really thankful that Percys now part of my life and will be part of my story, and I didnt even know she existed, and thats special.

Part of MCTs mission is to educate the community about unique shows that are out there, Martinez said, adding he hopes patrons will be interested in something they havent seen.

The show is pretty simple, but the depth of story and characters is so amazing. I hope everybody would take the time to see a show thats something different.

Garner said even if you dont relate or connect to a specific role, youre going to be moved by the story and hopefully come out with a new perspective.

Theres going to be levels of empathy occurring in that audience, in that room every night, and thats really cool.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 21:48:25|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, asks in detail about the working conditions and epidemic protection measures while inspecting a power plant in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, March 6, 2020. Sun, who is leading a central government team guiding the epidemic control work in Hubei, on Friday called for continuous efforts to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from rebounding during an inspection to the city of Ezhou. (Xinhua/Li He)

WUHAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Friday called for continuous efforts to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from rebounding during an inspection to the city of Ezhou in central China's Hubei Province.

Leading a central government group to guide the epidemic control work, Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, demanded no relaxation in curbing the epidemic.

Highlighting that the task of epidemic prevention and control remains arduous, Sun required optimizing the distribution of medical resources to treat COVID-19 patients with all-out efforts and to better satisfy the needs of patients with other diseases.

She also called for solid measures to ensure the supply of materials for the daily lives of residents.

Sun asked in detail about the working conditions and epidemic protection measures while inspecting an Ezhou power plant, where more than 600 workers have been working for over 40 days since the outbreak to guarantee power and heating supply to Ezhou and Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei.

She required strict implementation of differentiated approaches to resume production and guidance to enterprises to improve epidemic prevention in work.
EssilorLuxotticas management dispute flared up again as French directors blocked a plan by their Italian counterparts to oust the head of the Essilor lens-making business.

The board of directors had a heated meeting Thursday in which some members demanded the resignation of Essilor chief executive officer Laurent Vacherot following a 190 million-euro ($215 million U.S.) fraud discovered at a plant in Thailand. The motion was sidelined because the vote was split between representatives of the French and Italian sides of the company, according to people familiar with the boards discussions.

Essilor didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The people asked not to be identified by name because the discussions were private.

A new fight between the Italian and French sides of the worlds biggest eyewear maker could complicate efforts by the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses to cut costs after its 2018 merger while the coronavirus outbreak weighs on demand.

Earlier this week, co-chief financial officer Hilary Halper stepped down following the revelations of fraud allegations. Rather than slimming down management and relying on just one financial director, EssilorLuxottica on Friday named David Wielemans to replace Halper.

Moving production

A governance pact between the French and Italian arms of the company, has limited the power of chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio, its largest shareholder, but thats set to expire next year. Asked by analysts whether the dual structure would continue, co-chief integration officer Pierluigi Longo said, We have no visibility on what the organization will be in the future.

Revenue for 2019 was 17.4 billion euros ($19.7 billion), the eyewear giant said, slightly above analysts average estimate. On a call, executives sought to reassure the market over the companys resilience in the face of coronavirus. Some production is being moved from Chinese plants where operations have been slightly reduced, to Brazil and Italy, where factories are at capacity, company executives said on a call.

The pace of delivering merger synergies is set to accelerate, they said. The spectacle maker also said it aims to finish its search for a new chief executive officer by the end of the year.

Board clash

Management tussles have plagued the company since the merger of French lens crafter Essilor and Italian frame maker Luxottica in 2018.

In the latest clash, Vacherot abstained from voting as the other seven representatives of Essilor voted against the move to oust him. The request didnt pass as every major decision should be backed by at least one representative from both the French and Italian sides of the board, the people said.

Del Vecchio, Luxotticas founder, may eventually gain the upper hand at EssilorLuxottica, in which he has a 32 per cent stake. After the shareholder pact expires next year, Del Vecchio could be in position to impose his leadership, first gaining a majority of representatives on the board, then accelerating operational integration, people familiar with the matter said last month.

The spread of coronavirus will weigh on demand, especially in the first half, the company said. The eyewear maker forecast sales growth of 3 per cent to 5 per cent this year, excluding currency shifts, assuming the disease fizzles out in a few months.

The company, which gets 5 per cent of sales in the greater China region, said it has contingency plans for a prolonged pandemic, and that the impact from the virus will be much less than for rival luxury companies where Chinese clients make up a higher share.

Earnings are expected to grow at 0.7 times to 1.2 times the pace of revenue in 2020.

EssilorLuxottica shares fell as much as 3.8 per cent in Paris. They have dropped 12 per cent in the past month.
SCRANTON, Pa.  President Donald Trump defended the administrations response to the coronavirus and his confrontational style of name-calling political opponents as he fielded questions Thursday from select members of the public in his first TV town hall of the 2020 election cycle.

Trump, who regularly calls his top Democratic presidential opponents "Sleepy Joe" and "Crazy Bernie," was asked whether he could deliver his message without the controversial rhetoric. "When they hit us, we have to hit back. I really feel that," Trump said in response to the first of two questions about civility. "You can't turn your cheek."

Fox News, the president's favorite network, hosted the live event in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a rare instance where the president answered questions from the public.

The first question, from an undecided voter, was about the administration's response to the virus. The number of the cases in the U.S. stood at about 200 on Thursday, including 12 deaths  11 in Washington state and one in California.

"Everybody has to be calm. It's all going to work out," Trump said, sounding defensive at times as a pair of Fox News journalists pressed him on the issue. "We hope it doesn't last too long."

It was Trump's first 2020 visit to Pennsylvania, a battleground state he won by about 44,000 votes in 2016. He did particularly well in northeastern Pennsylvania, where Scranton and Wilkes-Barre have long anchored a strong Democratic presence.

The state is home turf to former Vice President Joe Biden, who spent his first 10 years in Scranton before his family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. An electric billboard proclaimed "Scranton is Joe Biden country."

Biden's prospects of winning the Democratic presidential nomination surged in the past week after he won South Carolina and then 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday. Asked about the Democratic race, the Republican Trump said several times that he was "mentally" prepared to take on Sanders.

President Donald Trump takes greets supporters after a FOX News Channel Town Hall, co-moderated by FNC's chief political anchor Bret Baier of Special Report and The Story anchor Martha MacCallum, in Scranton, Pa., Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

"I was ready ... and now I have a whole different deal," Trump said at the event, which was scheduled before Biden's resurgence. Trump chose Scranton as the setting.

He blamed Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the Democratic race Thursday, for hurting Sanders' chances by not folding her campaign sooner.

Tickets to the town hall were distributed through the Eventbrite website and Fox confirmed questions were selected from people who submitted them via the website. The audience seemed overwhelmingly supportive of Trump, greeting the president with thunderous applause and "USA, USA" chants.

One female questioner told Trump it was "truly an honor" to have him in Scranton. "Just don't tell my husband," she said. Another woman said she's been on the "Trump train" since he announced his candidacy in June 2015. A male Democrat who crossed over to vote for Trump in 2016 shook his head "no" when one of the moderators asked whether Democrats could win back his vote.

Democrats weren't content to cede the stage. A political action committee supporting Democratic candidates planned to run a new ad on Fox News just before and after the town hall in targeted Pennsylvania markets and in Washington featuring a Pennsylvania veteran who voted for Trump in 2016 but no longer supports him. It's part of American Bridge PAC's latest $10 million wave of ads in key swing states aimed at cutting into Trump's margins with white, working-class voters.

During the town hall, Trump fielded other questions about immigration, health care, federal regulations and more. Asked if he cared about the national debt, which has grown under his tenure despite a chugging economy, Trump said he would focus on the issue in a second term and would like to refinance the debt. He shifted blame to Democratic President Barack Obama.

Trump said he last spoke with his predecessor at the Washington funeral of former President George H.W. Bush. "I sat next to him and I said 'Hello,' and then I said 'Goodbye,'" Trump said, as the audience laughed at his tone. "I didn't like the job he did."

Told that he can't reduce the debt without cutting entitlement programs, like Social Security, Trump said, "We will be cutting." It was not immediately clear whether he was referring to the mandatory spending programs, discretionary federal spending or both.

During a lightning round, Trump, a self-proclaimed germaphobe, said he's gotten over his aversion to hand-shaking, even during the age of the coronavirus.

President Donald Trump meets with attendees after a FOX News Channel Town Hall, co-moderated by FNC's chief political anchor Bret Baier of Special Report and The Story anchor Martha MacCallum, in Scranton, Pa., Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

"You can't be a politician and not shake hands," the president said. "The bottom line is I shake anybody's hand now. I'm proud of it." He also said he misses being able to walk down the street.

Trump regularly watches Fox News but has been critical of its polling from late February that showed him losing to the five leading Democratic candidates at that point. "Worst Polls, just like in 2016 when they were so far off the mark, are the @FoxNews Polls," Trump tweeted.

Trump did an on-air interview Wednesday with Fox's Sean Hannity. At one point the president described the network as "our Fox News" before complaining, "They put people on that I think are inappropriate and say very, very false things and people don't challenge them."

___

Kevin Freiking of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.
Employees work on the production line of high-precision sheet aluminium at a factory of Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group Company Limited on November 23, 2019 in Zouping, Shandong Province of China. Tang Ke | VCG via Getty Images

Widespread disruption brought on by the coronavirus outbreak has hammered global supply chains and spurred Chinese companies to declare "force majeure"  a provision that exempts them from contractual obligations. But experts warn there's a high chance such a move may not work. A force majeure event occurs when unforeseeable circumstances, such as natural catastrophes, prevent one party from fulfilling its contractual duties, absolving them from penalties. Since late January, the Chinese government has implemented city-wide lockdowns and large-scale quarantines that effectively curbed the movements of millions in China as the country seeks to contain the COVID-19 virus. Those restrictions have hurt businesses as operations of factories and facilities came to a near-standstill. According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, a government-linked entity, China has issued 4,811 force majeure certificates as of Mar. 3 due to the epidemic. They covered contracts worth 373.7 billion Chinese yuan ($53.79 billion), state media Xinhua reported. Such certificates are issued by the government to companies that apply for them. In a previous update, the council said applicants span across 30 industries and sectors with high applications rate include manufacturing, wholesale and retail and construction.

Force majeure may not work outside China

But Chinese entities may face a "rude awakening" when they try to claim force majeure against counterparties internationally, said Brian Perrott, a London-based partner at international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan.

PRC (People's Republic of China) entities that have been issued the certificates face a rude awakening if they think they will allow them to get out of contracts with international parties. Brian Perrott partner at Holman Fenwick Willan

While such documents may help entities claiming against one another in the Chinese domestic markets, most claims will not hold up on the global stage, Perrott told CNBC in an email. "Most of these FM (force majeure) claims will not succeed," the law firm added. "PRC (People's Republic of China) entities that have been issued the certificates face a rude awakening if they think they will allow them to get out of contracts with international parties," it added. That is because the majority of trading contracts between China and international parties are governed by English law, which only allows parties to claim force majeure if the document includes very specific clauses.

Force majeure clauses in English law contracts are usually "very lengthy and detailed, and outline exactly which events can be used to trigger FM," said Perrott. "They will often specifically refer to epidemics, which would cover the coronavirus." The party claiming force majeure would then need to prove that their ability to meet the contract was "impaired" or made "impossible" by the coronavirus. "The latter, in particular, is extremely challenging to prove. Most FM claims fail," he added. French oil giant Total has already rejected a force majeure notice from a liquefied natural gas buyer in China, Reuters reported.

'Catch-all' vs explicit provisions

Such provisions are only relevant if the contracts have a force majeure clause to begin with. According to an analysis by legal technology provider Kira Systems, just 72% of the contracts reviewed  or 94 out of 130  included force majeure provisions. The commercial contracts filed between Feb. 2018 and Feb. 2020 involved at least one Chinese entity. Of the 94 contracts with the force majeure provisions, just 13 of them explicitly state that public health events  such as flu, epidemic, serious illness, plagues, disease, emergency or outbreaks  would constitute a force majeure situation, Kira Systems found. Unforeseen public health situations were not expressly included in the remaining 81 contracts. "This data suggests a gap in contract drafting, at least from the perspective of the entities affected by the coronavirus outbreak seeking to invoke their force majeure clauses," wrote Jennifer Tsai, the company's legal knowledge engineering associate.

English law encourages both parties in a force majeure situation to take steps to mitigate the event and the consequences  even if those actions are outside the terms of the contract. Brian Perrott partner at Holman Fenwick Willan

Most of the contracts with force majeure provisions reviewed by Kira Systems also use a general "catch-all" language stating that "any other events that cannot be predicted and are unpreventable and unavoidable by the affected Party" constitute force majeure, the company said in its report. This flexibility means that companies need to consider if the outbreak constitutes an unpreventable and unpredictable force majeure event, Tsai wrote. Of the 94 contracts that included force majeure provisions, 44% included acts of government in its definition, the Kira analysis found. That means that "affected parties could ostensibly cite the governmental extension of the Lunar New Year holiday, the mandated closing of businesses, and travel restrictions in Hubei province and other provinces, as 'acts of government' beyond their control in order to avoid incurring liability for delays in performance or failure to perform," said Tsai.

Talk it over
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the government and the Opposition should sit together and resolve various issues for peaceful conduct of the House as he adjourned the proceedings amidst sloganeering by Opposition members over the Delhi violence.

Naidu termed the turn of events in both the Houses "unfortunate" before adjourning the Upper House of Parliament for the day barely 15 minutes after it assembled at 11 AM.

The House will reassemble on March 11 after Holi.

As soon as Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur rose to lay a paper pertaining to his ministry, members of the Opposition parties, including the Congress, rose on their feet and started raising slogans over the Delhi riots.

Naidu urged the Opposition members to allow the proceedings of the House, but to no avail.

Soon, members of the Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, AAP, SP and the Left parties trooped into the well and continued their protest.

"What happened in this House or what is happening in the other House also is a matter of concern. I can only appeal to all, including the government and the Opposition, please discuss among yourselves and come to some sort of a meaningful solution to see that the House functions very effectively because the country is watching what is happening in Parliament that too in the Budget Session," Naidu said.

He also urged the members to allow running of the House given pending important legislations and said, "I only appeal to all of you please take care of the same."



However, as the protests continued, he adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, as soon as the House met for the day, Naidu pitched for greater representation of women in Parliament and state legislatures.

Ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, he lamented that gender equality and women safety remained elusive despite women achieving remarkable feat, and advocated for a change in mindset of the society, supplemented by educational and employment avenues for women.

"Women should be provided with enough opportunities to serve as legislators in the state legislatures and Parliament. They also need to be included and consulted in every fora for policy formulation and implementation," Naidu said.

He emphasised that the founding fathers had enshrined in the Constitution the ideals of gender equality and women empowerment as fundamental to achieving equal rights and dignity for all.

"Today, despite women registering remarkable progress on all fronts, gender equality and women safety still remain elusive. Crime against women are on the rise, the panacea for which lies not only in increasing the quality of policing and tweaking the criminal justice system but also challenging the deep-seated mindset prevalent in our society," he said.

Naidu also made an observation that the media should have highlighted the statement on coronavirus by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the House on Thursday as it was an issue of public concern, but "unfortunately a section of media did not focus on it".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As it stands, the departments guidelines make no distinction between an officer drawing a gun while confronting a suspect in a vacant lot and doing the same in the busy, confined spaces of CTA rail lines. And the Red Line incident took place just as CPD was adding 50 officers to the ranks of the 200 who already patrol the "L" network, virtually ensuring an increase in the kind of encounter that touched off the shooting.
Kolkata, March 6 : The West Bengal government has formed quick response teams, sent advisories to every district, municipality, panchayat and private hospital, established a 24x7 call centre and a helpline to prevent any spread of the deadly coronavirus in the state, where nobody has tested positive so far, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

Briefing reporters after a meeting at the state secretariat Nabanna, where representatives of various Central agencies were also present, Banerjee assured people there was no cause for panic, and sought everybody's cooperation to combat the disease on a war footing to minimise any possible future damage from it.

"Till today, no positive case of coronavirus has been detected in West Bengal. There is no need to panic," she said.

The Chief Minister said the Central and state governments were combating the disease "as a family".

"We are all working together. So don't divide us now. It is a united family. Let us combat the situation. It is not what the Centre will do or what the state te will do. We are one family," she said.

Refering to a meeting convened by World Health Organisation (WHO) in Delhi during the day, Banerjee said she has deputed five officials. "WHO will give us the guideline, which we will follow".

Sharing figures, the Chief Minister said 1.42 lakh people have been screened in Kolkata. Three people were hospitalised, but none of them was found to be positive.

Banerjee said isolation wards have been earmarked in many hospitals in the city and the districts, and arrangements made for screening people at the airports and ports. The railway department has also been asked to arrange for such screening at big junction stations.

The health department was issuing a daily bulleting on its website. Detailed advisories on combating the disease have gone out to every district, municipality and panchayat. Arrangements are being made for detailed training of personnel.

"Quick response teams are being set up in the district hospitals," she said.

The state government has established a 24x7 call centre (number 1800313444222) and a helpline (03323412600).

Banerjee said there was need to screen domestic flight passengers also as there were many cases where an international traveller lands at an airport outside the state and then come to Bengal by taking another flight.

"Again, somebody who is carrying the infection may halt here for three-four days before the symptoms manifest, and then go elsewhere. We feel, such people should also be checked".

Banerjee said the state govenrment and central agencies will henceforth try to maintain surveillance aeven if in a small way on this section of travellers.

Banerjee said efforts are on to establish centres for screening people at the international land checkposts as the state shares borders with three countries - Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The chief minister said to ensure all agencies and departments work in coordination, committees have been formed in the district headed by the district magistates and the chief medical officer (health).

Banejee said she would write to the Centre to ensure a steady supply of medicines and infrastructure equipment which used to come from China till the disease broke out.

Banerjee warned hoarders that anybody trying to jack up prices of masks and medicines by creating artificial scarcity would be taken into custody.

"The Enforcement Branch and all police agencies have been asked to be on high alert on this count so that essential drugs and masks are adequately available," she said.

The government would also come out with advertisements on dos and don'ts.

Asked whether she was considering a ban on foreigners' entry into the state, just as Sikkim has done, Banerjee said: "There are some subjects which are under the jurisdiction of the External Affairs Ministry. Whatever guidance government of India gives us, we will abide by that".

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates: A day after a couple tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Pune, city Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and said the civic body is all prepared to handle the situation. Mohol asked people not to celebrate Holi at the places where a large gathering is expected.

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Mainland China had 19 new cases of coronavirus infections on Monday, down from 40 cases a day earlier. Of the new cases, 17 were in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei which is under lockdown. The one case of Beijing was contracted from a traveller from Britiain and one other case in Guangdong came from a person from Spain. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 80,754.

For the third consecutive day, mainland China reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside of Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

US President Donald Trump has not been tested for the coronavirus, the White House said on Monday, though at least two lawmakers with whom he has recently come into contact have announced they were self-quarantining after attending a conference with a person who had tested positive for the virus.

The staff in question, representing more than a third of the Life Care Centers 180 employees, are out sick with symptoms consistent with coronavirus, and a federal strike team of nurses and doctors is helping to care for 53 patients remaining in the center. We would like more kits to test employees, Life Care Center spokesman Tim Killian told Reuters, adding he did not know why they had not been forthcoming. Weve been asking the various government agencies that have been supplying us with test kits.

The Seattle-area nursing home at the epicenter of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States said on Monday it had no kits to test 65 employees showing symptoms of the respiratory illness that has killed at least 13 patients at the long-term care center.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to 46 as two Pune residents, who had returned from Dubai on 1 MArch, were tested positive. A three-year-old child from Kerala, and one person each from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Amritsar and Jammu also tested positive on Monday. Forty-three cases are currently active while three have been been treated.

The city has the bulk of the countrys more than 80,000 confirmed cases, and authorities sent thousands of medical workers and built several prefabricated isolation wards to deal with its mass of COVID-19 patients.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his first visit to Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Xi will inspect the epidemic prevention and control work and visit medical workers, community volunteers, patients and others on the front lines, state media said.

More than 113,000 people have been infected with the virus, and more than 4,000 have died of the COVID-19 illness it causes. More than 63,000 people have already recovered.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against coronavirus soon becoming a pandemic. Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real, he said. The great advantage we have is the decisions we all make as governments, businesses, communities, families and individuals can influence the trajectory of this epidemic.

At least 2,000 Indians currently live in Iran, according to a report .

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the Indian Embassy in Iran, the medical team working there and the IAF for ensuring the returns of Indians. They will be quarantined at a facility at Hondin, ANI reported.

A batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back to the country from Iran, one of the worst-hit countries by the coronavirus outbreak. The Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster flew the pilgrims to the Hindon Air Force base this morning.

"We all should take utmost care and avoid going to the crowded places," he said. The couple, who had returned from Dubai, became first the first case of COVID-19 from Maharashtra.

A day after a couple tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Pune, city Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and said the civic body is all prepared to handle the situation. Mohol asked people not to celebrate Holi at the places where a large gathering is expected.

And the wild ride is likely to continue as the world tries to contain COVID-19 and grapple with its fallout. The virus has infected more than 110,000 worldwide and is present on every continent except Antarctica. Containment is proving difficult and concerns are growing that it will cripple the global economy.

Its hard to sit tight during uncertain times. But when it comes to long-term investing, it's the best time to do just that.US stock markets have plunged due to a combination of falling oil prices and worsening coronavirus fears. The rout on Monday knocked 7.6 percent off the S&P 500 index, which is now down 18.9 percent from its record peak reached just last month.

Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey. The internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot government in the islands south reported its first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on Monday.

A German woman on holiday in northern Cyprus has been diagnosed with coronavirus, Turkeys state-owned Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday, the first recorded case in the breakaway state.

The city has the bulk of the countrys more than 80,000 confirmed cases, and authorities sent thousands of medical workers and built several prefabricated isolation wards to deal with its mass of COVID-19 patients.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his first visit to Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Xi will inspect the epidemic prevention and control work and visit medical workers, community volunteers, patients and others on the front lines, state media said.

More than 113,000 people have been infected with the virus, and more than 4,000 have died of the COVID-19 illness it causes. More than 63,000 people have already recovered.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against coronavirus soon becoming a pandemic. Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real, he said. The great advantage we have is the decisions we all make as governments, businesses, communities, families and individuals can influence the trajectory of this epidemic.

The website, developed by Avi Schiffman, automatically scrapes data from reliable sources, including government websites and news outlets, from all over the world to report coronavirus cases in real time. The site also hosts an interactive Google map, a Twitter feed, travel advisories, information on the disease and its prevention, as well as tips for preparing for quarantine situations.

A teenager from Seattle, the city which is at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in the US, has built a website that updates the deaths, infections and recoveries from all over the world every minute. The website, ncov2019.live , has been visited by 7 million people since it launched in late December.

At least 2,000 Indians currently live in Iran, according to a report .

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the Indian Embassy in Iran, the medical team working there and the IAF for ensuring the returns of Indians. They will be quarantined at a facility at Hondin, ANI reported.

A batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back to the country from Iran, one of the worst-hit countries by the coronavirus outbreak. The Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster flew the pilgrims to the Hindon Air Force base this morning.

#WATCH Mumbai: An effigy based on the theme of #CoronaVirus that was put up in Worli was burned as a part of Holika Dahan, a ritual that takes on the eve of #Holi festival. (09.03.2020) pic.twitter.com/1qUKvl1erd

While observing the ritual of Holika Dahan ahead of Holi celebrations, residents of Mumbai's Worli area burnt an effigy of coronavirus.

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh: In view of the possible threat of transmission of #Coronavirus / COVID-19, the international border with Myanmar has been closed including gate no 1 and 2 in Moreh until further orders. pic.twitter.com/KTNm69mTyp

On Monday, Arunachal Pradesh had banned the entry of foreigners in the state.

In view of the spike in coronavirus cases in the country and amid fears of transmission of the virus across the border, the Manipur administration sealed the India-Myanmar border.

The biggest rebellion began on Sunday in a prison in the northern town of Modena. Three prisoners died there, and another four in prisons where they were moved after the violence started, a prison administration official at the justice ministry, said.

Seven prisoners have died as riots spread through crowded jails across Italy over measures imposed to contain the coronavirus. Inmates, many angered by restrictions on family visits, went on the rampage and started fires from Sunday into Monday, authorities said. In one prison, inmates took guards hostage and in another some escaped.

"We all should take utmost care and avoid going to the crowded places," he said. The couple, who had returned from Dubai, became first the first case of COVID-19 from Maharashtra.

A day after a couple tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Pune, city Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and said the civic body is all prepared to handle the situation. Mohol asked people not to celebrate Holi at the places where a large gathering is expected.

And the wild ride is likely to continue as the world tries to contain COVID-19 and grapple with its fallout. The virus has infected more than 110,000 worldwide and is present on every continent except Antarctica. Containment is proving difficult and concerns are growing that it will cripple the global economy.

Its hard to sit tight during uncertain times. But when it comes to long-term investing, it's the best time to do just that.US stock markets have plunged due to a combination of falling oil prices and worsening coronavirus fears. The rout on Monday knocked 7.6 percent off the S&P 500 index, which is now down 18.9 percent from its record peak reached just last month.

Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey. The internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot government in the islands south reported its first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on Monday.

A German woman on holiday in northern Cyprus has been diagnosed with coronavirus, Turkeys state-owned Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday, the first recorded case in the breakaway state.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: A day after a couple tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Pune, city Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and said the civic body is all prepared to handle the situation. Mohol asked people not to celebrate Holi at the places where a large gathering is expected.

A batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back to the country from Iran, one of the worst-hit countries by the coronavirus outbreak.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against coronavirus soon becoming a pandemic. Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real, he said. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his first visit to Wuhan after the coronavirus outbreak in the province.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to 46 as two Pune residents, who had returned from Dubai on 1 March, were tested positive.

US President Donald Trump has not been tested for the coronavirus, the White House said, though at least two lawmakers with whom he has recently come into contact have announced they were self-quarantining after attending a conference with a person who had tested positive for the virus.

The Seattle-area nursing home at the epicenter of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States said on Monday it had no kits to test 65 employees showing symptoms of the respiratory illness

The Gujarat Congress on Monday said it had postponed the 386-kilometre-long 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' aimed at highlighting the current situation of the country through a symbolic Dandi March, PTI reported.

Starting from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, the yatra was supposed to trace the route of Gandhiji's historic Salt March and cover a distance of 386 kilometres in 26 days between 12 March and 6 April.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to take part in the yatra from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on 12 March, while its interim chief Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were expected to be present at its conclusion in Dandi in Navsari district on 6 April.

Karnataka recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Monday after a man who returned from the United States tested positive for the disease. "The wife and child of the coronavirus patient in Bengaluru have been quarantined. He returned to Bengaluru from the US on 1 March, and developed symptoms on 5 March. A colleague who was travelling with him has also been quarantined," Karnataka minister Dr K Sudhakar said.

Reports on Monday said that the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Centre had received a formal notification from Bangladesh regarding the deferment of events organised to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman due to the spread of global coronavirus.

"The impact of this deferment applies also to the large gathering planned for 17 March, at which the Prime Minister of India was invited. The Government of Bangladesh has advised us that fresh dates for these commemorative events will be conveyed later," a notification issued by the MEA said.

"In this context, Prime Minister's visit to Bangladesh next week at the invitation of HE Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being deferred. While expressing understanding of the circumstances that necessitates this deferment, India is ready to work with Bangladesh, as partners, to combat the spread of this disease in our shared neighbourhood," it added.

The Centre is planning to use the IAF's C-17 globemaster aircraft to evacuate Indians from Iran, amid the coronavirus outbreak, India Today reported.

Amid over 3,000 casualties due to the coronavirus outbreak worldwide, US president Donald Trump on Monday said that the situation was being "inflamed" beyond the facts by the Democratic party and the "Fake News Media".

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also said that the WINGS India 2020, an event of the civil aviation sector, which was scheduled between 12 to 15 March, will be held on "a truncated basis".

"Large public gatherings will be avoided. The local representatives will be attending the event. Video conferencing is being planned with the delegates outside India," he said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday said that 6.5 lakh passengers have been screened at 30 airports for coronavirus, as part of the government's measures to contain the spread of the disease that has claimed over 3,000 lives worldwide. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Union Minister Harshdeep Singh Puri said that screening of passengers coming from all parts of the world is currently being carried on at 30 Indian airports and 6,49,452 passengers have been screened.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan outlined the various measures that are being taken by the states and Centre to prevent the disease's spread.

"We took preventive measures on time, which is why the disease is contained compared to other countries," he said, adding that this was not a cue to become "composite".

"While screening of passengers from all foreign locations is being undertaken at airports across the country, over 3,000 people have been placed on surveillance for risk of the disease," he said.

According to official sources, the government has evacuated some of the Kashmiri students stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran.

S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, who visited Srinagar on Monday assured assistance to the parents of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran where 194 people have died due to the epidemic.

As of Monday, 43 cases of coronavirus have been reported, out of which 40 are active cases of COVID-19. Three positive cases from Kerala are now discharged. 8,74,708 international passengers from 8,255 flights were screened at airports and 1,921 passengers identified as symptomatic.

Total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus now stand at 42, with one case each reported from Delhi, Agra and Jammu and Kashmir. Paracetamol, antibiotics, HIV and antivirals drugs, a combination of which is being used to treat COVID-19, are widely available in India, according to Indias largest chemist lobby, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), The Print reported.

A 63-year-old woman tested positive for coronavirus, making her the first confirmed case in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister is unlikely to visit Dhaka on 17 March for the Mujib Year celebrations amid the coronavirus outbreak, ANI reported.

A three-year-old boy in Kochi has contracted the coronavirus infection, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 40. The family of the child had recently returned from Italy to Kochi on 7 March.

During universal screening at the airport, it was found that the child has fever, following which the child was admitted to the Ernakulam Medical College hospital and samples taken. The samples returned positive on Monday.

According to The News Minute, the child is currently stable.

Qatar has temporarily barred travellers from 14 countries, including China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said smoking or vaping makes people more vulnerable to becoming infected with the coronavirus.

A diabetic man died in the isolation ward of a hospital in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, a day after he was admitted there with suspected symptoms of coronavirus following his return from Saudi Arabia. In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak worldwide and detection of a few positive cases in neighbouring states, the Karnataka government has ordered holidays for children in lower and upper kindergarten classes in Bengaluru.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom has risen to 273, the Department of Health and Social Care said, up from 209 a day earlier, and the biggest one-day increase so far.

Twenty-seven people, who came into contact with a 45-year-old coronavirus patient in Tamil Nadu, have been placed under home surveillance, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said on Sunday.

China on Sunday reported 27 new deaths from coronavirus, the lowest number of fatalities in more than a month, taking the death toll to 3,097, while the COVID-19 infections for the first time fell below 50 since the disease surfaced in Hubei province in January. All the 27 deaths occurred in the virus-hit central Hubei province, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said.

Taking a serious view of three fresh coronavirus patients not disclosing their Italy visit, the Kerala government warned of strict action, including prosecution, against those hiding such travel to affected countries and symptoms of the infection. The health department said failure to inform authorities about travel history and symptoms would be considered a crime, while the state police separately said it was "illegal and punishable" if anyone hid such information.

Italy's Rai state TV said the governor of Piedmont in northern Italy has the coronavirus. On Saturday, the governor of Lazio, the region including Rome, announced that he was staying in quarantine because he had been told he had tested positive for the virus.

Bangladesh confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus in the country, Reuters reported quoting the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).The affected people are aged between 20 and 35 and two of them returned from Italy recently, IEDCR Director Meerjady Sabrina told reporters

Italy has imposed a virtual lockdown across a wide swathe of its wealthy north, including the financial capital Milan, in its latest attempt to contain a growing outbreak of coronavirus. The decree issued by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte applies to region of Lombardy and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro, Urbino, Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli, Padua, Treviso and Venice having a combined population of 16 million people.

Ten people have died in the collapse of a hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Sunday. The state media said the hotel was being used to quarantine individuals under observation for the novel coronavirus.

The facility began to collapse on Saturday evening. "Authorities had retrieved 48 individuals from the site of the collapse," the ministry said.

"Of the total, 10 have been confirmed dead, with the rest being treated in hospitals," it said.

After it was reported that five fresh cases of coronavirus were reported in Kerala, state health minister KK Shailaja tweeted the details of flights on which the patients had travelled. In the advisory, the ones travelling in the same flight were asked to contact the authorities.

Five more people in Kerala have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 39, according to media reports.

Three of five who tested positive had recently returned to Pathanamthitta from Italy while, the other two are their family members who came in contact with them.

Chinas new confirmed case count of the COVID-19 fell by roughly one half, according to official data, as the disease continues to subside in Hubei, the epicenter of outbreak.

The National Health Commission (NHC) on Sunday reported 44 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 as at the end of 7 March, a decline from 99 the previous day.

The fall comes as Chinese cities gradually relax quarantine measures put in place over a month ago, while authorities keep a close watch on the virus spread overseas.

Four people have died in the collapse of a hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou which was being used as a quarantine facility for patients tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, a 64-year-old man died in Argentina as a result of the new coronavirus, the first such death in Latin America.

About 70 people were trapped in a collapsed hotel in the city of Quanzhou, in China's southeastern Fujian Province, the city government said on its website. The collapsed hotel is used for coronavirus quarantine, according to the official Peoples Daily.

The governor of Italy's Lazio region is the latest official to test positive for the coronavirus in the country. Nicola Zingaretti, who is also head of the Democratic Party, announced his diagnosis on Facebook on Saturday, saying, I am well, so it was decided I will be isolated at home.

Three more patients tested positive for COVID19, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 34, said Sanjeeva Kumar,Special Secretary (Health) in the Union health ministry While two cases were from Ladakh with travel history to Iran, one was from Tamil Nadu with travel history to Oman, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the coronavirus situation in the country at a meeting with officials on Saturday and directed them to identify locations for sufficient quarantine facilities and make provisions for critical care in case the disease spreads further. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, his deputy Ashwini Kumar Choubey, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Niti Ayog member Vinod Paul, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and secretaries of health, pharma, civil aviation, MEA, health research, home, shipping, NDMA and others

The number of deaths caused by coronavirus infections in Iran rose by 21 over the past 24 hours to reach 145 on Saturday, a health ministry official said.

Two persons from Hoshiarpur tested positive for COVID-19 at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, reports ANI. According to Medical Superintendent of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Raman Sharma both these patients came to Amritsar from Italy on 3 March.

Fatemeh Rahbar, a conservative lawmaker from Tehran, died from the coronavirus infection on Friday, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. It did not say if she was included in the countrys official toll of 124 deaths from the virus, given on Friday.

In the wake of 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus in India so far, the Union health ministry has made functional 52 laboratories for testing samples while 57 labs have been designated for helping in sample collection.

The number of infections climbed past 7,300 in Europe on Friday  more than doubling in just three days. France, Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and others each recorded their biggest one-day increases in cases.

India's ambassador to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on Saturday saying the Indian greeting tradition has gained ground at United Nations as people started to adopt 'Namaste'.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also endorsed the Indian greeting. "Social behaviors are being curtailed amid the coronavirus outbreak, as people avoid hand-shaking or kissing to greet one another. It is the apt time to greet everyone with 'Namaste," Modi said.

One of 2,400 passengers on board the Grand Princess cruise ship stranded off the Californian coast is a retiree with stage-4 cancer.

Kari Kolstoe, 60, from North Dakota told Reuters she and her husband, Paul, 61, had looked forward to the Grand Princess cruise to Hawaii as a brief, badly needed respite from the grind of medical intervention she has endured for the past 18 months.

Now facing the prospect of a two-week quarantine far from their home in Grand Forks, she worries their getaway cruise will end up causing a fateful delay in her next round of chemotherapy, scheduled to begin early next week.

Its very unsettling, she said in a cellphone interview from the ship on Friday. Its still a worry that Im going to not get back.

In South Korea, authorities reported 483 new cases of infections on Saturday, bringing the nation's total number of infections to 6,767. Most of the new cases have been reported from southeastern city of Daegu, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in South Korea.

So far, 44 people, mostly elderly patients with underlying illnesses, have died in South Korea from the respiratory virus that emerged in China late last year, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

Speaking on the rapid spread of novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged citizens to stay calm and refrain from believing rumours. Asking people to avoid panicking, Modi said it was best to follow advise of doctors in this time.

"I request people to not believe in hearsay and rumours on what to do and what not to do on coronavirus, whatever doubts you have please consult your doctor," said Modi.

The prime minister further said at-risk people should take precautions against the disease.

The total number of coronavirus cases confirmed around the world passed 100,000 on Friday as the rapid spread of the epidemic hit a milestone, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The virus that first emerged in China in December, 2019, has spread to 97 countries and has infected over 80,000 people in the country.

The government also reported 99 new confirmed cases on 6 March, down from 143 the previous day, with a total of 80,651 cases nationwide. Most of the new cases and deaths were from Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak in China.

Meanwhile on Friday, China's health agency reported that at least 53,726 people have recovered and have been discharged from hospital.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to the chief ministers of all states ruled by the party, instructing them to put in place effective response measures to deal with the spread of coronavirus and lend all possible support to public healthcare responders. So far, 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been detected in India.

"It is critical for the State Government to put in place effective response and preparedness measures. The capacity of public healthcare facilities must be augmented to respond to any potential outbreak," Gandhi said in the letter to chief ministers of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry and Chhattisgarh.

India has limited integration with the global value chain, which "insulates" its economy from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Friday.

Britain confirmed its first casualty Friday, after blood reports of an elderly woman who died Thursday posthumously confirmed she had contracted the deadly infection.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said anganwadis have been closed in view of the coronavirus scare. Meanwhile, Amritsar authoritie have barred public presence t Atari-Wagah border where 20 to 30,000 people gather each day at sunset to witness the Beating Retreat ceremony.

The Netherlands confirmed its first fatality due to coronavirus today. An 86-year-year old man died in hospital in the port city of Rotterdam.

The global march of the new virus triggered a vigorous appeal Thursday from the WHO for governments to pull out all the stops to slow the epidemic, as it drained color from India's spring festivities, closed Bethlehem's Nativity Church and blocked Italians from visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes.

Serbia has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, its Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said on Friday. He told reporters that a 43-year-old man, who traveled to Budapest, was diagnosed with virus and that he feels well.

Cameroon has confirmed its first case of coronavirus after a 58-year-old French citizen tested positive to COVID-19. The health ministry said the man, who arrived in the capital Yaounde on 24 February, has been quarantined in the city's central hospital.

The Vatican on Friday reported that a patient in its health services had tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reported.

"First flight from Iran will carry around 300 swabs of Indians suspected of having coronavirus," a government official was quoted by PTI as saying. The flight is expected to land on Friday.

Iran will operate special flights on Friday between Tehran and New Delhi for evacuating the stranded passengers. Iranian airline Mahan Air would operate the flight to Delhi and would carry Iranians back in the return flight.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is spending Rs 3 lakh daily to house people in its recently set up quarantine facility in Delhi, The Times of India reported.

Currently there are 112 people, who were evacuated on 27 February from China's epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak Wuhan, put up in the camp. The first batch of Indian evacuees from China arrived in Delhi on 1 February and since then Rs 85 lakh has been spent on running the facility.

Another person in Delhi tested positive for coronavirus on Friday, taking the cumulative figure of confirmed cases to 31, News18 reported. According to the report, the patient had recently travelled to Thailand and Malaysia.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) temple management in Vrindavan has banned the entry of foreigners in temple, as per media reports.

The move comes after 23 people, including six from Agra, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Besides, the famous Holi celebrations or Gaura Purnima festival by the widows in Vrindavan, scheduled for 7 March, have also been cancelled.

Iskcon Mathura spokesperson Rajiv Lochan was by TOI as saying, Due to the rapid spread of the virus across the globe, the temple management has decided not to allow foreigners inside the premises as a precautionary measure.

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a US tourist tested positive, the Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said on Friday.

The tiny, land-locked country, famous for measuring Gross National Happiness has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years. But the government immediately shut borders to foreign visitors for two weeks in an effort to limit the impact of a disease that has wreaked havoc in more developed countries around the world.

The 76-year-old man arrived in Bhutan from India on 2 March and was admitted to hospital on 5 March with a fever, where he tested positive for COVID-19, the prime minister's office said in a Facebook post.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Sikkim has decided to ban entry of foreigners to insulate itself from the novel coronavirus, The Times of India reported. The preventive measure has led to wide-spread fears among travel and tour operators and hoteliers in Darjeeling that bookings would be canceled.

A blanket ban has also been issued for permits to visit the Nathula pass that borders China.

"Darjeeling and Sikkim are inter-linked tourist destinations. Overseas tourists usually spend four-and-a-half days in Sikkim and two-and-a-half days in Darjeeling. Now that they will not be able to travel to Sikkim, they are most likely to cancel the Darjeeling leg of their visits and go elsewhere for week-long holidays," said Amit Periwal, the proprietor of Clubside Tours & Travel, was quoted as saying.

A man from Ghaziabad with a recent travel history to Iran has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of cases in the country to 30 and seven in Uttar Pradesh as the Central Government on Thursday asked states to form rapid response teams at district, block and village levels.

The test reports of 68 people who had come in contact with the Italian couple, who tested positive for the new coronavirus earlier this week, have come out negative, a senior health department official said on Thursday. Test results of eight more people are awaited, the official said.

As many as 229 people were found to have come in contact with the Italian tourists who visited Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhunjhunu and Jaipur. Of them, samples were collected from 76 people.

"Sixty-eight have tested negative and test reports of eight samples are yet to come," said Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, Rohit Kumar Singh. He said 247 samples have been collected in the state so far and 239 samples have been tested. Barring the Italian couple, the test reports of all others (except 8 which are under process) are negative, he added.

The New York Times reported that sweeping shutdown of schools in Italy, a suspension of classes in New Delhi and warnings of school closures in the United States, mandated by the virus outbreak, have intensified the educational upheaval of nearly 300 million students globally.

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh on Thursday said 175 people have been tested so far for coronavirus in the state with 157 of them showing no sign of the infection. Of the remaining 18 tested, six are from Agra and one from Ghaziabad, he said, referring to the seven cases which have tested positive.

Palestinian authorities said the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. Meanwhile, politicians in India appealed to the Hindu population to scale back on their Holi celebration as the festival of colour can result in unguarded close human contact and exposure to virus.

The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 86 countries and territories around the world as the outbreak slows within China but picks up speed across the world.

A pharmacy student from Kerala who was studying in Bengaluru has been quarantined after she showed symptoms similar to that exhibited by Coronavirus cases, reports said.

Manish Sisodia has said that all schools in Delhi up to class 5 will remain shut till 31 March after one more case of coronavirus was reported from NCR region.

One more case of novel coronavirus was reported in Ghaziabad in the national capital region, taking the total number in the country to 30 so far, official sources said on Thursday. The patient is a middle-aged man with a recent travel history to Iran, reports said.

A 16-year-old Indian girl here has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infection cases in the UAE to 28. The Indian High School in Dubai will be closed from Thursday as a precautionary measure.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday that the country's researchers are studying the use of stem cell technology in the treatment of people critically ill with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It quoted a science journal to report that four COVID-19 patients who received stem cell treatment while in a serious condition have recovered.

Amid concerns over the health of over 1,200 Indian nationals stuck in Iran  the second country after China to report highest number of casualties  the government offered some hope for their families. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed via Twitter that India was ready to set up its first screening clinic in Iran at Qom by today evening.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, on Thursday, informed the Lok Sabha that the Indian government was closel working with Iranian authorities to bring back Indian nationals stuck in the country. The health minister also said that there was no need to panic.

The trade impact of the coronavirus epidemic for India is estimated to be about 348 million dollars and the country figures among the top 15 economies most affected as slowdown of manufacturing in China disrupts world trade, according to a UN report.

Issuing a travel advisory, health minister Harsh Vardhan said that citizens are advised to refrain from traveling to virus affected-areas of China, Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran. He said directions have also been issued for all international passengers in India.

"As of 4 March, a total of 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance and are being monitored," Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said as he detailed the evacuation of of Indians by Air India and IAF.

In a first reported case of human-to-animal transmission of coronavirus, the pet dog of a positive-tested patient in Hong Kong has been confirmed to be infected with a 'low level" of the virus.

Tests confirmed the virus in the pets nasal and oral cavities, "which indicates a low-level of infection," Hong Kongs agricultural and fisheries department said in statement late Wednesday.

The impact of the coronavirus epidemic for India on trade is estimated to be about $348 million and the country figures among the top 15 economies most affected as slowdown of manufacturing in China disrupts world trade, according to a UN report.

Estimates published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Wednesday said that the slowdown of manufacturing in China due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is disrupting world trade and could result in a $50 billion decrease in exports across global value chains.

The most affected sectors include precision instruments, machinery, automotive and communication equipment.

Among the most affected economies are the European Union ($15.6 billion), the United States ($5.8 billion), Japan ($5.2 billion), South Korea ($3.8 billion), Taiwan Province of China ($2.6 billion) and Vietnam ($2.3 billion).

India is among the 15 most affected economies due to the coronavirus epidemic and slow down in production in China, with a trade impact of $ 348 million. The trade impact for India is less as compared to other economies such as EU, the US, Japan and South Korea.

A Paytm employee in Gurugram has tested positive for novel coronavirus, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Students appearing for class 10 and 12 board examination will be allowed to carry masks and hand sanitisers in the exam centre in view of coronavirus scare, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced on Wednesday.

The Railway ministry issued an advisory stating that material with information about coronavirus should be displayed "prominently" to increase awareness among the public regarding the disease. 25 confirmed cases were reported in India on Wednesday.

"..need for signages and separate counters being set up for fever cases," The Indian Express reported, adding, "Railway staff would also be trained on prevention of the spread of virus and the statement added that in case any suspicious case is detected, it should be reported to the Railway Hospital."

Higher Education secretary Amit Khare on Wednesday wrote to all the state chief secretaries and the CBSE board directing them to spread awareness about precautionary measures regarding coronavirus in schools, reports said.

Even as the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Japan topped the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, mostly from the Diamond Princess cruise liner, the Japanese government reiterated that plans to host the Tokyo Olympics in July remained on track.

We would steadily proceed with our preparations while closely coordinating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organising committee, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a regular news conference, amid speculation that the Games could be postponed because of the coronavirus threat.

The Olympics are scheduled to open in less than five months and IOC head Thomas Bach reiterated his backing for this summers Games despite the coronavirus threat, urging athletes to prepare full steam.

Home Minister Amit Shah's public rally in Hyderabad, scheduled for 15 March has been postponed in light of the coronavirus outbreak, reports said. In Hyderabad, a man tested positive for the novel virus on Tuesday, and two other suspected cases were reported on Wednesday.

Telangana BJP chief K Krishna Saagar Rao was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that the decision was taken with the aim of reducing mass physical contact of people. On Wednesday, Shah also announced that he wouldn't participate in 'Holi milan' on 10 March as a way to take precautions against the virus. "I also appeal everyone to avoid public gatherings and take a good care of yourself and your family," he said.

Six cases with "high viral load" have been found while sample testing in Uttar Pradesh's Agra, The Indian Express reported. The report said that the suspected patients came in contact with the Delhi man who tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi. Their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

Extending the morning losses, equity indices crashed by afternoon after 28 new suspected coronavirus cases were tested positive in the country on Wednesday. Benchmark Sensex tanked over 650 points while the broader Nifty was down 188 points at around 1.30 pm. Sensex was trading 659.38 points or 1.71 percent, lower at 37,964.32 while Nifty slipped 188.45 points or 1.67 percent to 11,114.85.

After Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the country was well prepared to contain the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus and that he would not participate in 'Holi Milan' function in the wake of the reports of the outbreak of the virus in different places.' From now on, all flights and passengers will be part of universal screening, not just the 12 countries which we had listed earlier,' said Dr Health Minister Harsh Vardhan during media presser today.

Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told media reporters that on conducting contact tracing of the person tested positive in Delhi, it was found out that the patient infected six members of his family who are in Agra. All six members have tested positive for the virus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to 28. where 3 have already recovered.

Tech giant Intel has said one of its employees in Bengaluru has "potentially been exposed" to coronavirus and is currently under quarantine. The company also said it has implemented precautionary measures like travel restrictions, increased frequency of office sanitisation, and work-from-home provisions in India. Seeking to allay fear among the citizens in the wake of coronavirus scare, Karnataka Health Minister B Srirumulu on Wednesday made an appeal to the people not to pay heed to rumours spreading on social media.

As more cases of coronavirus are confirmed in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he will not be participating this year in the Holi Milan programme. He said, 'world experts have been issuing warnings against unnecessary social contact, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.'

As many as 15 tourists from Italy were tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total positive cases in India to 21. The development was confirmed after 21 Italian nationals reached ITBP quarantine centre in Delhi. The Rajasthan Health Department has issued directives to the districts where the Italian group of tourists, 15 of whom have tested positive for coronavirus had travelled.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will brief the media on the coronavirus outbreak in India at 3 pm. He will also take a meeting with senior officials from the Delhi government to discuss the management and preparedness in light of the virus' spread in India.

The total confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in India stood at six on Tuesday after an Italian tourist tested positive for the novel virus in Jaipur, and authorities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several state governments doubled down on facilities to treat patients and precautionary measures. The disease has now spread to over 60 countries and has claimed over 3,100 lives worldwide, PTI reported.

The report said that the sample of the Italian tourist, which was sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, was found to be positive after the first two tests gave contradictory results. The 69-year-old man, part of a group of 20 tourists, is admitted at an isolation ward of the SMS Hospital. His wife also tested positive for the virus, PTI reported, however, the Rajasthan government said that her sample is being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for another test.

Rajasthan health minister Dr Raghu Sharma on Tuesday instructed health officials to screen all those people who had come in contact with the Italian tourist who tested positive for coronavirus.

Asking to step up vigil, the minister also asked officials to send a rapid response team of the Medical Education and Health Department to the places visited by the patient, along with 19 others from Italy. The team, including senior professors and epidemiologists, will inspect hotels and excursions in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa (Jhunjhunu) and Jaisalmer.

The Centre on Tuesday also extended the suspension of existing visas given to nationals from Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan on or before 3 March and who have not yet arrived in India. The move came a month after India cancelled the visas for Chinese nationals and those who had visited China in January, after the outbreak of the disease in December. Over 90,000 have been infected globally so far.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus epidemic shifted increasingly westward toward West Asia, Europe and the United States on Tuesday, with governments taking emergency steps to ease shortages of masks and other supplies for front-line doctors and nurses.

Washington state has reported a seventh death from coronavirus. All of the COVID-19 deaths in the United States so far have been in the Seattle area. A spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle said the patient died on 26 February. She said the person had been a resident at a suburban Seattle care facility that has reported multiple virus cases and deaths.

The spokeswoman said some hospital staff may have been exposed while treating the patient but officials don't believe other patients were. The hospital staff are being monitored and screened daily.

Deaths in Italy surged to 79, making it the deadliest reported outbreak outside China. Twenty-three members of Iran's Parliament and the head of the country's emergency services were reported infected. South Korea expanded drive-thru testing and confirmed hundreds of new cases. And in Spain's Basque region, at least five doctors and nurses were infected and nearly 100 health care workers were being held in isolation.

The mushrooming outbreaks contrasted with optimism in China, where thousands of recovered patients were going home and the number of new infections has been dropping.

Worldwide, more than 93,000 people have been infected and over 3,100 have died, the vast majority of them in China. The number of countries hit by the virus exceeded 70, with Ukraine and Morocco reporting their first cases.
By Jonathan Turley

March 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The media and political establishment in Washington was openly celebrating what was portrayed as a near complete victory of Joe Biden over the hoards of Sanders supporters marching toward gates of the Beltway. The establishment united this week behind Biden with candidates like Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and others rallying forces to defeat Bernie Sanders at all costs. Not since the victory over Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains has the ancien regime experienced such a thrilling moment. However, the history is not good for those celebrating behind the walls of Rome. (This blog has been updated)

I recently wrote how there remains a visceral distaste for the media and political establishment for many voters as they watched the concerted effort to defeat outsider candidates. That was also the case in 2016 with the effort to elect Hillary Clinton. The utter joy expressed this morning will only fuel that feeling of disenfranchisement. What we can expect is the continued strategic endorsements of establishment figures in the coming weeks and exhaustive coverage on the weakening Sanders and the surging Biden.

MSNBC was particularly aggressive in framing the election night and attacking the very premise of the Sanders movement. MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace bizarrely claimed that there was no effort by the establishment to prop up Biden. Wallace declared Bernie Sanders he has turned this idea of the establishment  hes weaponized it against Biden, she said. The Democratic establishment did nothing for Joe Biden. Really? Various establishment figures lined up behind Biden in the last week while CNN and MSNBC continued a relentless series of attacks on Sanders and his supporters.

Nevertheless, host Rachel Maddow agreed that sought to downplay the concerted effort in DC to push Biden: every headline in all political coverage all around the country is like, The establishment is coalescing the establishment. She then suggested that this is all a lie that was used against that other seemingly wrongly candidate, Hillary Clinton: Its what he did against Hillary Clinton in 2016 as well.

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Maddow simply dismisses the admissions of how the DNC rigged elements of the 2016 primary for Clinton or how Clinton took over the debt of the DNC to exercise such control. She also dismisses how polls showed that Clinton was widely viewed as unauthentic and the ultimate establishment figure when the public clearly wanted a change in Washington. Instead, Maddow and Wallace portray the entire movement by Sanders to be a lie.

Not to be subtle, Wallace not only calls this all a lie but portrays Bidens victory (with a long line of establishment endorsement) as a victory over the establishment: But its a lie, I mean, its a lie. Listen, and I say this as a dispassionate former Republican who watched my party sort of implode around fake truths and false grievances, the establishment had nothing to do with Joe Bidens victory. Hes flat broke, he has not a single ad on the air. Hes not advertising in any Super Tuesday states!

MSNBC also asked James Carville for analysis of Sanders options . . . yes, the same Carville who has been denouncing Sanders as a Communist for weeks. Carville expressed concern for Sanders that he might risk a backlash if he did not immediately withdraw from the race. Thus, Sanders is almost even with Biden in delegates but Carville is deeply concerned that he may be staying too long in the race.

Over at Fox, Donna Brazile, the former DNC head who was found to have given Clinton debate questions in advance in 2016 (and admitted the questionable ties of Clinton over the DNC), declared the Biden victory to be the most impressive 72 hours Ive ever seen in U.S. politics. The fact that the previous frontrunner was able to pull roughly even with Sanders is now viewed as more impressive than the victory of Trump in 2016 that shocked the world. She also told the GOP spokesperson to go to hell when she suggested that the Democratic establishment was again working to force through a nominee.

This all seems both forced and premature. While the coverage claims an upset by Biden, this ignores that he was viewed previously as the leading, if not chosen, candidate. With all of the other candidates lining up for Biden with most of the power brokers in Washington, this seems less than surprising. More importantly, it was not a rout. Rather, Sanders and Biden are roughly even in delegates. Sanders prevailed in California and came close in Texas.

Of course, such moments can be deceiving. When Roman General Flavius Aetius defeated Attila the Hun, he did so with his own barbarian units led by Visigoth King Theodoric I. It did not last long. Rome would be sacked by barbarians repeatedly. Indeed, Attila later returned and laid waste to much of Italy.

The point is not that Sanders victory is inevitable. Indeed, media and political forces seemed entirely aligned and committed to securing the nomination for Biden. Rather, the coverage by the mainstream media continues to be overtly hostile and distortive. At the same time, after Tulsi Gabbard qualified for the next debate, the DNC has yet again announced that it will raise the threshold requirements  a change that seems designed to block Gabbard who has also been attacked relentlessly in the media.

Many of my students, who support Sanders, have complained about it and the coverage this morning only reaffirms those objections. For them, it always seems like the answer of the establishment to all our problems every four years is the most establishment candidate in the field. There is a sense of relief in the media that our children are safe tonight in the Beltway. For those who support Sanders or oppose the establishment, it further deepens the political divide and distrust. This week saw the full weight of the establishment brought against Sanders with clear success. However, the open expressions of relief by cable hosts or analysts leaves one with the eerie feeling of celebratory toasts from the gates of Rome.

Professor Jonathan Turley is a nationally recognized legal scholar who has written extensively in areas ranging from constitutional law to legal theory to tort law. He has written over three dozen academic articles that have appeared in a variety of leading law journals at Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Northwestern, University of Chicago, and other schools. https://jonathanturley.org/
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Genesee County Clerk John Gleason is urging absentee voters who cast a ballot for a candidate in the presidential primary who has now dropped out to recast their vote.

Many county voters cast an absentee ballot for former Democratic hopeful U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Gleason said Thursday, March 5. Warren dropped from the race Thursday morning.

Its one thing to vote, its another thing to be counted, Gleason said. Votes for candidates no longer in the race for president will not count toward the party nomination.

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

Michigan law gives voters who turned in an absentee ballot the option to "spoil their ballot and obtain a new one, providing a second chance to pick a candidate who is still in the race. This can be done by submitting a request to a local clerk before election day on March 10.

Voters started receiving absentee ballots on Jan. 25. Several candidates have dropped out since then, including: Warren, Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, D-Md.; businessman Andrew Yang and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

A voter can request to spoil their voted absentee ballot in person at their clerks office until 4 p.m. on March 9. There is no option on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.

Voters can also submit a written request to their local clerk by mail by 2 p.m. on March 7, the Saturday before the primary. The request must specify whether the voter would like to receive a new absentee ballot or whether they will instead come in and vote at the polls on election day. The request must also be signed.

This also applies to voters who filled out their absentee ballot but havent turned it in yet. Voters should destroy their spoiled ballot when asking for a new one.

Nearly 2,500 voters have spoiled their absentee ballot as of Feb. 21, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. Thats only 1% of the absentee ballots turned in so far.

Early voting is easier than ever thanks to new laws adopted by voters in 2018. All registered voters in Michigan can vote using an absentee ballot for any reason, but they need to request one from their local clerks first.

Requests for absentee ballots are up 71% from this point in 2016, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. Only a third of those ballots have been turned, slightly less than in 2016.

Read more on MLive:

Joe Biden campaign sends Amy Klobuchar to Michigan before Democratic primary

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Bernie Sanders plans rallies in Detroit, Grand Rapids before Michigan Democratic primary

Elizabeth Warren tells Michigan shes the woman to beat Donald Trump at Super Tuesday campaign rally

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

Trend:

ANM Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. with the support of Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and the Embassy of India in Baku is organizing the 7th edition of BEST OF INDIA - Biggest Exclusive Indian Product Trade Show in Baku, Azerbaijan, during March 06-15, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 07:00 PM at Baku Sport Hall, 26a M. Huseynov street (old Neftchilar avenue), Baku, Azerbaijan.

The series of shows held overseas have consistently presented Indian industrys high quality goods, services and technologies in varied industrial sectors to the world.

The Best of India - An Exclusive India Product exhibition has a participation of about 60 companies from India showcasing high quality Products and Services including Rice, Tea, Spices, Gifts & Handicrafts, Home Furnishing, Textile & Garments, Jewellery, Cosmetics.

A major attraction in the event is the Exhibition of Khadi and Village Industry products displayed by the Embassy of India to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Khadi, also known as muslin or mulmul, is a hand spun and hand woven natural fibre cloth, made by Indian artisans. Cotton, wool & silk and combinations of these natural fibres make Khadi, which is symbolic of self-reliance of rural people in India.

Apart from business and commerce, the event is also focusing on portraying the rich Indian cultural heritage through the folk dances etc. all adding to Best of India Experience. Entry to the exhibition is free.

The Best of India show was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. B. Vanlalvawna, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan and Mr. Anil Trigunayat, President, MIICCIA Chamber of Commerce, New Delhi on March 06, 2020 at 1600 hrs. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) graced the event.

Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MIICCIA), New Delhi and The Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI), Baku in order to jointly promote trade. The MOU was signed by Mr. Anil Trigunayat, President, MIICCIA and Mr. Niyaz Ali-Zada, President, ACCI in the presence of Mr. B. Vanlalvawna, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan at the premises of ACCI in Baku on March 05, 2020.

India and Azerbaijan enjoy close friendly relations based on historical links and growing bilateral cooperation. Total bilateral trade turnover between India and Azerbaijan has reached US$ 1092 million in 2019. India and Azerbaijan have growing cooperation in capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme which provides fully paid training programes for Azerbaijani profesionalls and students in Indian institutions.
Photo for illustration (Source: phunuvietnam.vn)



On the occasion of International Womens Day, the Vietnam Women's Union, in collaboration with Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, launched an Ao Dai week from March 2nd-8th.



Accordingly, women, female officials, employees and students around the country are encouraged to wear the Vietnamese traditional long dresses.

Many shows, performances and parades with Ao Dai will take place from April to October in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city and Can Tho as well as in the provinces of Dak Lak, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam.

In April, Vietnam Womens Museum will coordinate with the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies to hold a seminar themed Vietnamese Ao Dai: Recognition, customs, values and identity, aiming to clarify the historical, artistic, cultural and social values of the traditional long dresses.

The events are expected to affirm national cultural values and identities through the Vietnamese Ao Dai./.
Photo: The Canadian Press

While the media generally is bashing Michael Bloomberg for wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on a personal campaign to run for president in the U.S., I think he might have had another plan all along.

After investing almost $700 million in his personal campaign, he just walked away, or did he?

As a very successful entrepreneur, Bloomberg is clearly a smart person who thinks very carefully before making a move like this. As a politician, he understands the process; and as a philanthropist, he is one billionaire who has signed The Giving Pledge  unlike current President Donald Trump, who cannot help but brag about his wealth.

I dont think Bloombergs plan was ever revolving around becoming the president.

Is he competent? I believe so.

Could it have happened? Certainly.

But what was the real issue? The real issue in my mind was a divided second party, a party with a spectrum of politics almost as broad as the overall political spectrum in the U.S. From Bloomberg to Sanders there is a bone-chilling variety of approaches if you are a card-carrying Democrat in the US.

No, I dont think Bloomberg could count on changing the USA by being the President. But he could change the face of politics by investing wisely in another candidate.

Bloomberg understands the power of spending money in politics, as does Trump. But for Bloomberg to try and back a winning horse, he can only donate around $3,000 to the candidate. He could, of course, donate in a few other ways and increase that to somewhere around $100,000, as far as I can tell. But Bloomberg knows that compared to the Republican war chest that is a drop in the ocean. The other challenge by donating to the party is it will be divided among all of the candidates; when, in fact, they need to field the strongest candidate to have a chance to unseat Trump.

So there is only one other option. As a billionaire, with a solid background in business, politics, and philanthropy, you throw your hat in the ring. You hire some very smart people, you enter late, make a lot of the right noise, and weed out the weaker candidates. Then at the right time, statistically, you bow out gracefully.

In the process and in this instance, Biden  a more moderate candidate, who might appeal to someone like Bloomberg who is known to move from Democrat to Republican routinely in his support  benefits from a $700-million investment that took Bloomberg from nowhere to fourth on the list during his short but impactful campaign.

In comparison, Bidens campaign had raised less than $100 million, falling behind some of the other candidates. Now as the field narrows and a candidate is picked, Bloomberg has the option to help the party without seeing his money diluted across a broad range of candidates.

Bloombergs process was completely legal, completely ethical, and as a reported numbers guy, I think he waited for the appropriate time to make the best investment that he could in unseating Trump.

It was a brilliant move that nobody in the media appears to be talking about because the media focusses on losing not winning! Bloomberg just had a major win. Lets see how it plays out later in the year.
If recent history is any guide, the Trudeau government will table its next federal budget sometime next month. Last month, however, marked the 25th anniversary of the 1995 budget, the most important and historic in at least a half century.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 6/3/2020 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

If recent history is any guide, the Trudeau government will table its next federal budget sometime next month. Last month, however, marked the 25th anniversary of the 1995 budget, the most important and historic in at least a half century.

Not only did the 1995 budget solve a three-decade-long problem of overspending that led to large and increasing deficits and debt, but it also reformed federal-provincial relations for the better and laid the foundation for tax relief that strengthened Canadian competitiveness and improved economic performance.

In light of the Chretien governments achievements, its worth considering how the current government has rejected almost every principle of the 1995 budget.

The first and most obvious difference is the two governments approach to deficits (or the willingness to borrow money to finance spending today that exceeds available revenues). The Chretien government took decisive action to eliminate a near $40 billion deficit when it took office.

In contrast, the Trudeau government purposefully went into deficit to finance increased spending. While initially promising to run deficits for just three years totalling $25.1 billion, the Trudeau government ended up running deficits estimated at $77.0 billion with no end in sight.

Moreover, the Chretien government imposed a comparatively strict fiscal rule on itself  continue to balance the budget and pay down the national debt, which meant running surpluses each year. This enabled them to reduce the national debt (specifically the accumulated deficit) from $562.8 billion in 1996-97 to $481.5 billion in 2005-06 when the Liberals were unseated by the Tories.

The Trudeau government, on the other hand, has imposed a much weaker rule on itself  lowering the level of debt compared to the size of the economy. This weaker rule allows the government to continue borrowing and increasing the debt so long as it increases at a rate less than the economy is growing. This has resulted in the national debt increasing from $628.9 billion the year before they took office to an estimated $713.2 billion this year (2019-20).

And its not even clear the degree to which the government will actually hold itself to this rule, since the ratio of debt-to-the-economy increased in violation of the rule between 2018 and 2019.

Another key difference between the 1995 budget and todays budgets are taxes. As the Liberals explained then, tax cuts should only be considered when the budget is balanced; otherwise, taxes are simply being deferred to the future. In addition, the Liberals then were committed to tax relief that improved the countrys competitiveness and the "incentives for Canadians to learn, work, save and invest." This led to major personal income-tax reductions as well as cuts to the capital-gains tax.

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In contrast to the 1995 budget as well as their own rhetoric, the current Liberals have increased personal income, payroll and capital gains taxes. They increased the personal income-tax rate imposed on entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals from 29 per cent to 33 per cent. And while they lowered the personal income-tax rate for middle-income earners, they simultaneously eliminated a host of tax credits, which resulted in personal income taxes being higher for 81 per cent of middle-income families.

The government (along with the nine participating provinces) also increased the Canada Pension Plan tax. All told, once the CPP tax increase is fully implemented, 98.8 per cent of middle-income families will experience a tax increase.

Unlike the Chretien government and the 1995 budget, which empowered the provinces through decentralization and led to generally improved federal-provincial relations, the Trudeau government has favoured a much more centralized, muscular approach to federal-provincial relations, leading to increasing strains.

The tremendous successes of 1995 budget should inform Canadians and policymakers about the benefits of sound fiscal policies  balanced budgets, lower debt, prioritized spending and lower taxes  to ensure competitiveness.

This budget season, the 25th anniversary of the 1995 budget gives the current government an opportunity to genuinely reflect on that document's successes, and on this government's markedly different approach.

Jason Clemens and Niels Veldhuis are economists with the Fraser Institute and co-authors of the End of the Chretien Consensus.
Three people arrested in Northern Ireland in connection with the abduction of Quinn Industrial Holdings director, Kevin Lunney, have been released without charge.

Two men, aged 23 and 61, and a 61-year-old woman were arrested yesterday in Fermanagh over the abduction and assault of Mr Lunney in September last year.

Meanwhile, a man in his 30s arrested by Gardai in Cavan in connection with the attack remains in custody this morning.

Mr Lunney, a director at Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), was abducted outside his home near Derrylin, Co Fermanagh last September and taken to a horsebox across the border, where he was savagely beaten.

His attackers broke his leg, sliced his fingernails and face with a Stanley knife, carved QIH on his chest, and doused the father of six in bleach. They demanded his resignation during the ordeal.

The attack was the most serious in a six-year campaign of intimidation targeting the companies and directors that now control the business portfolio which was built up by fallen tycoon Sean Quinn, once Irelands richest man.

The Quinn family has repeatedly condemned the intimidation.

Gardai and the PSNI established a joint investigation team to work on the case last November.

A serial criminal considered a key suspect in the kidnapping and torture died from a heart attack when police arrested him in Buxton, Derbyshire, England, last November.

Cyril McGuinness, known as Dublin Jimmy, was believed to have been hiding out in the area following the assault.

In December, four men were remanded in custody at a court in Co. Cavan charged with the kidnap and torture of Mr Lunney.
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Onshore Oil & Gas Pipeline Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global onshore oil and gas pipeline market is expected to register a CAGR of more than 5.7% during the forecast period of 2020-2025.



According to International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for oil is expected to rise by around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on average every year till 2025, from 97 million bpd in 2018.



In a bid to meet the rising consumption of oil and gas, the pipeline capacities are being expanded and new pipeline projects are being commissioned. However, the global shift towards renewable sources for electricity generation poses as a huge threat for the oil and gas demand, which is likely to be a major challenge for the growth of onshore oil & gas pipelines installation in the coming years.



The onshore oil and gas pipeline market is fragmented. Some of the key players in this market include Tenaris, Essar Group, Jindal SAW, Europipe, and TMK Group.



Key Highlights



The availability of abundant natural gas reserves, the lower cost in comparison to other fossil fuel types, among others, is expected to supplement the demand for natural gas from multiple end-use sectors, including power generation, during the forecast period. This, in turn, is expected to boost the onshore gas pipeline market in the coming years.

Russia and Pakistan have agreed to build a new gas carrying pipeline worth USD 2 billion. Further, India and Russia have also signed a deal worth USD 40 billion on natural gas exports to India. Russia being a significant exporter is paving the way for pipeline industry to grow more and also presents an opportunity for the market players during the forecast period.

Growing oil & gas demand in Asia-Pacific holds immense potential for the onshore oil & gas pipeline market and is the fastest growing market. China and India have been largest consumers of oil & gas in the Asia-Pacific region, and pipeline network is growing at a significant pace in both of these countries.

Major Market Trends



Natural Gas Pipeline to Dominate the Market

The global demand for natural gas is expected to increase by 1.6%, y-o-y, for the next five years, with consumption reaching almost 4,250 billion cubic meter (bcm) by 2025, up from 3,850 bcm in 2018. Therefore, the natural gas pipeline network is expected to grow in parallel to the increase in natural gas demand.

By 2030, owing to factors, such as environmental benefits and quest for energy security in regions, such as Asia-Pacific, the consumption of natural gas is expected to witness the fastest growth among all fuel types, which, in turn, is expected to drive the onshore pipeline market.

With exports of 104.8 billion cubic meters in 2018, Qatar continued to be the largest LNG exporter, a position it has now held for over a decade. The LNG trade is expected to witness a significant increase across the globe, resulting in increased demand for natural gas onshore pipeline network as well.

Therefore, focus on cleaner fuel, technology developments making it possible for coal-bed methane cost-efficient farming has been among the driving factor in demand for the onshore pipeline infrastructure.

Asia-Pacific to Expect a Significant Growth in the Forecast Period

The energy consumption in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow by 48% over the next three decades. This has led the onshore oil & gas pipeline market to be the fastest growing amongst other regions.

With China's five-year plans for the period of 2016 - 2020, the government's plans to increase the proportion of natural gas in the energy consumption mix to about 10% by 2020, from about 5.9% as estimated in the year 2015, through enhanced domestic exploration and production activities.

China is expected to strengthen its gas pipeline network, to boost the clean fuel's share in the country's energy mix, during the forecast period. As per the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the country's oil & gas pipeline network is expected to reach 240,000 km by 2025, with natural gas pipelines reaching 123,000 kilometers.

India is also modifying its gas pipeline infrastructure to meet the growing demand. According to Petroleum and Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the natural gas pipeline infrastructure is expected to grow to about 28000 kms, in length during the forecast years.

Therefore, the increasing demand and new pipeline infrastructure in Asia-Pacific are some of the major factors that are driving the onshore oil and gas pipeline market growth.

Key Topics Covered



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope of the Study

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Study Assumptions



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET OVERVIEW

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Market Size and Demand Forecast, in USD billion, till 2025

4.3 Installed Pipeline Historic Capacity and Forecast in Kilometers, till 2025

4.4 Inter-Regional Pipeline Import Capacity in BSCM, till 2025

4.5 Inter-Regional Pipeline Export Capacity in BSCM, till 2025

4.6 Investment in Pipelines, LNG Liquefaction, and LNG Receiving Terminals in USD billion, 2016-2027

4.7 Brent Crude Oil and Henry Hub Spot Prices Forecast, till 2025

4.8 Recent Trends and Developments

4.9 Government Policies and Regulations

4.10 Onshore CAPEX Forecast in USD billion, till 2025

4.11 Market Dynamics

4.11.1 Drivers

4.11.2 Restraints

4.12 Investment Analysis

4.13 Supply Chain Analysis

4.14 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis

4.14.1 Threat of New Entrants

4.14.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

4.14.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.14.4 Threat of Substitute Products

4.14.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry



5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 Type

5.1.1 Oil Pipeline

5.1.2 Gas Pipeline

5.2 Geography

5.2.1 North America

5.2.2 Europe

5.2.3 Asia-Pacific

5.2.4 South America

5.2.5 Middle-East and Africa



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Essar Group

6.1.2 Jindal SAW Ltd.

6.1.3 Tenaris S.A.

6.1.4 Europipe GmbH

6.1.5 CPW America Co.

6.1.6 TMK Group

6.1.7 Baosteel Co. Ltd.

6.1.8 TransCanada Corporation

6.1.9 WorleyParsons Limited

6.1.10 Mastec Inc.



7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wjmyqm

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
Allena Hansen never truly recovered after a black bear mauled her on her property 12 years ago. But it is not the pain of her injuries that's left her distraught; instead, it's the emotional toll she experienced when begging for her private health insurance to cover her treatments.

The 68-year-old woman was on her secluded ranch in the southern part of the Sequoia Mountains of California in 2008 when the black bear attacked. And the moment still brings tears to her eyes from the aftermath of dealing with the healthcare industry.

"It's horrible. It's still horrible," Ms Hansen told The Independent. "I'm crying right now. I'm so mad, I'm literally crying thinking about it and it was 12 years ago. Can you imagine?"

"What happened to me up on that mountain was nothing compared to what happened to me once I made it back home," she added. "I don't even answer my telephone because I had it conditioned that I was going to have to talk to idiots on the phone all day and try to get something done that wasn't going to get done."

She was face-to-face with the black bear on her 70-acre property when it attacked and brought her to the ground.

"When the bear attacked me it just grabbed me by the ears and bit into my face and took me down," Ms Hansen said. "So basically my face was ripped off."

Given her secluded property, it was on Ms Hansen to get down the mountain on her own if she wanted a chance at living, so she drove herself to the nearest fire station.

"At the time I didn't have many options," she added. "It was either lie there and bleed out or get the hell out of there, so I left."

Ms Hansen stayed in the hospital for only one day while recovering from her most severe injuries. But she was left with a face held together by stitches and 14 missing teeth.

Her private health insurance at the time, Blue Cross, refused to cover anything they deemed wasn't "necessary" for Ms Hansen's survival, which forced the woman's hand to pay for her treatments in a different way.

"I had to go on national television and prostitute myself ... be the freak of the week, you know," she said. "Fortunately, there were some very kind doctors who donated their services."

One of the donated services Ms Hansen received came from Dr Bill Dorfman of The Doctors.

He helped re-create a bridge across her upper jaw so the 14 teeth lost could be replaced. For the bridge alone, Ms Hansen estimates it would've cost her upwards of $30,000 to $40,000 if Dr Dorfman had not volunteered his services.

"He's a very kind dentist," she said.

"When the bear got me it destroyed the orbit of the left eye of my face," she added. "So I have a lot of 3D parts printed inside of me. I have 3D printed teeth, I have 3D printed eye sockets, part of my nose ... so all of that was donated."

A majority of her health issues from the attack involved her need for facial reconstruction and ophthalmological care, and problems still persist for the woman today.

"I have visual impairment, my sinuses were all destroyed, and my eyes don't manufacture tears," she said. Even when her eyes manufacture tears, they are unable to properly drain the liquid, which makes her vision poor.

Ms Hansen, who is now on Medicare, pays an estimated $300 to $400 out of pocket per month for speciality eye drops and other ophthalmological medication so she can see.

Another problem she battles is the paralysis on the left side of her face. This prevents her from properly moving specific muscles on that side, including those that give her the ability to smile, because of the tissue lost in the attack.

When estimating her medical bills in the last decade, Ms Hansen said she spent about $80,000 alone for her cosmetic surgery to make her "look human" again. Of that cost, insurance paid only about $10,000.

In total, Ms Hansen says she's paid about $250,000 in medical bills from all the injuries she suffered, and continues to suffer, even though she was technically covered by a private health insurance company.

"It went through all of my retirement savings, my IRAs, my assets. I am now living on a social security pension. Period," she said.

She shares her story, in part, so people can understand her battle with health insurance and how she wants the healthcare system to change to better support Americans.

"Having to go through all these explanations with (the health insurance) bureaucracy when you're trying desperately to heal and come to grips to the fact your very public face is gone is very debilitating," she said. "They want to wear you down until you give up."

"I am a statistic," she added. "I never thought it would happen to me but it did."

Ms Hansen now lends her support, and voice, to advocating for a single-payer healthcare system so no one else has to battle with health insurance companies every day like she did when recovering from her injuries.

"I would like the American people to take back their democracy and demand to get the healthcare industry out of our public health system," she said.
For the past six months, I have supported a group of British women of Bangladeshi origin who are facing redundancy, through no fault of their own. Their jobs have been the first and only of their lifetime, having been born and raised near their workplace. In total, between them, these five women have served in this workplace for 72 years.

They all began as full-time employed staff, and only became part-time when they had children. As stipulated under the Employment Rights Act 1996, the redundancy payout they received was calculated only on their part-time hours, even though they had worked far more full-time years than part-time years. Although some men will also be affected by this if they change their hours from full to part-time, many women are at a disadvantage as they are more likely to change their hours after having a baby, before phasing back into full-time work.

The Fawcett Society recently launched the Right To Know Bill at an event that I attended, which has cross-party support for a womens right to know how much their male colleagues are being paid for performing the same role. It is a motion that I have submitted for debate at my council meeting in March to give women the right to know pay inequity in the councils workplace.
NEW YORK (JTA)The guest experts talk at the local JCC/synagogue/federation is wrapping up.

Speaker: ...and in conclusion, if we dont remember this history, we are doomed to repeat it. As Hillel said, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And finally, as Rabbi Tarfon put it so eloquently, It is not our duty to finish the work, but neither are we free to neglect it.

Thank you.

Moderator: Lets thank our speaker for what we all can agree was a beautiful and powerful presentation. At this point we can take a few questions, but please, lets try to make them questions, not statements [general laughter]. Please wait until one of the interns can bring you a microphone andOK then, looks like you are not going to wait.

First questioner: ...in the Bronx in 1937. And what Id like to know is, if what you say is true, how come our young people dont know more about it? What can we do to have this taught in every elementary and secondary school?

Speaker: Well, first of all...

Various audience members: Can you repeat the question?

Speaker: The question was, If what you say is true, how come it isnt taught in school? Thats basically what you asked, right?

First questioner: Yes. Because what you said was very provocative, but I worry that our young people dont know much about it. And that our schools dont do a good job of teaching about it. So we should have more schools teaching this. And by schools I mean elementary schools, junior high schools, day schools, public schools, high schools...

Speaker: Yes, I think I got it. So let me give a fairly lengthy answer about that while ignoring the large number of hands being raised around the room.

Moderator: Next question. Yes? In the back. Please wait for the microphone.

Second questioner: ...as a demolition sergeant serving with the First Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. When I was back stateside, my brother and I started a small appliance repair company, after which...

Moderator: Please sir, lets try to limit this to questions...

Second questioner: My question is, when I was in the service, there was anti-Semitism, sure, but mostly we all got along. And it really didnt matter where you were from: Jews, Italians, Irish, Orientals. As my mother, of blessed memory, used to say...

Moderator: Sir, is there a question for our speaker?

Speaker: I think I know what he is asking.

Moderator: You do?

Speaker: I do, and I will now answer it at such length and with such a plethora of details that well all forget what was and wasnt asked.

Moderator: I see a lot hands raised, so lets try to keep our questions short and to the point. You, there.

Third questioner: I actually have three questions. The first is...

Moderator: Please, if we can limit...

Third questioner: ...if Roosevelt knew, why didnt he bomb the rail lines? Second, if the Palestinians say they want peace, why did they reject all the previous offers Israel put on the table? And third, why do Jews continue to vote for Democrats when...

Moderator: None of those are the subject of our talk!

Speaker: Thats OK, I can answer by providing a rambling anecdote about meeting Ruth Westheimer at a car show, and then by urging you to buy my book, which is on sale in the lobby directly after this talk.

Moderator: Next question, please.

Fourth questioner: Yes, thank you. Did you read Bret Stephens column this morning?

Speaker: I did, but what does that have to do with...

Fourth questioner: What did you think?

Speaker: Well, I thought...

Fourth questioner: I thought it was brilliant. [sits down]

Fifth questioner: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ANTI-SEMITIC!

Moderator: Please wait for the microphone to come to you.

Fifth questioner: I DONT NEED A MICROPHONE! I STOPPED SUBSCRIBING TO THE TIMES FIVE YEARS AGO, BUT EVERY DAY I READ MY NEIGHBORS COPY AND IT IS FULL OF LIES ABOUT ISRAEL!

Moderator: Thank you, sir. But again, we are looking for questions, not statements. Lets get a younger person. OK, youll do.

Sixth questioner: Excuse me, but I want to read this [pulls paper out of pocket] and do so painfully slowly so I get it right. We know that feminism and critical race theory have gifted us with intersectionality as a heuristic and analytic tool. We also know, per Neusner, that the probative value of category formations helps a culture organize the social order. And of course there is Levinas, who sought to reconfigure the ethical tradition of Jewish monotheism in the language of first philosophy...

Moderator: Is there a question?

Speaker: I think I know what she is asking.

Moderator: You do?

Speaker: Yes I do. Actually, I dont. But I will answer by deftly avoiding the question and explaining that I need to clarify something raised by a previous questioner. And then Ill add an anecdote about the time I met Yitzhak Perlman at a pet store.

Moderator: I think we can take one more. There, the green sweater.

Seventh questioner: Mine is a four-part question...

Moderator: Oh, for Petes...

Speaker: Ill be happy to stick around if you want to ask me something directly, knowing full well that it will keep me away from the snack table until all the good cookies are gone. But thats how generous I am with my time.

Moderator: Thank you all for coming, and good night!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Chris Pratt can now say he made it big in Hollywood after landing in the 18th spot in Forbes' 2016 The World's Highest-Paid Actors.

Not only that, the 40-year old actor has managed to earn his "leading man" status following the success of his films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, Avengers: Infinity War, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

However, behind the huge success in his career, Pratt went through an emotional struggle during his marriage with ex-wife Anna Faris.

A source told US weekly that Pratt's self-confidence was low and saw life from a negative perspective.

"Chris was very insecure about himself before he started dating Katherine," the insider revealed.

"He never felt 'good enough' for Anna Faris, and then when their relationship started to go downward, he was angry and not liking who he was."

New Marriage, New Start

Their fairy-tale romance ended in 2017 after eight years of being together.

Their divorce was finalized in 2018 and after three months, the actor started dating his now-wife Katherine Schwarzenegger

According to the same source, Pratt's life with Katherine was very different. She helped him get up and get better in life.

"Katherine really changed all of that and Chris has a much healthier self-image now," the source added.

"He goes out with friends more and is overall just much happier. Chris is much more laid-back with Katherine and is so comfortable and happy."

Katherine is the eldest child of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and broadcast journalist Maria Shriver.

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" star met Katherine at a church. He knew right then and there that there was a connection between them.

The couple began their relationship in 2018 and decided to get married in June 2019. Since then the two are inseparable and were often spotted hanging out and going to red carpets together.

Pratt has also been active in sharing his personal life on Instagram. Aside from his acting skills, he is also known as "caption king" for pulling off hilarious captions in social media.

Apart from his "behind the scene" clips, Pratt also likes to document their family moments with Katherine and his son, Jack whom he shares with Anna.

In his February 5 post, the "Onward" star took to Instagram a video of Katherine and wrote: "Proud husband alert!!"

It was after the 30-year old author launched her book "The Gift of Forgiveness" which is set to release on March 10.

Status: Happily Engaged

With Chris having his new life together with Katherine, the "House Bunny" star also found her new love.

In 2019, the mom of one and cinematographer Michael Barrett got engaged after two years of dating.

The pair met during the production of the rebooted 1987 rom-com "Overboard" in Vancouver, BC.

Unlike the other celebs who made their big reveal on Instagram, Anna and Michael kept it lowkey.

Rumors sparked when Anna was first photographed sporting the yellow diamond ring on her finger. It was reported that the actress waited three months to tell the public that she's engaged.
The attack was captured by security cameras: NYPD

A gang of nearly 20 teenagers beat and robbed a 15-year-old girl in an attack caught on camera in Brooklyn on Thursday.

The incident was captured by security cameras and released to the public by the NYPD.

The girl was walking in front of 216 Utica Avenue at 4.10pm when she was attacked.

In the video, she is seen running away from the teenagers before falling and brutally attacked by the group.

Her shoes, debit card and phone were stolen, according to assistant chief Jeffrey Maddrey, commanding officer of the NYPD.

OUTRAGE:this is sickening video of a 15 year old girl viciously attacked by a group of school children. One young man takes the sneakers right off the unconscious victims feet. The teenager is in the hospital recovering. We CAN NOT allow this behavior in our community. #Speakup pic.twitter.com/VLLb91fDOM  NYPDBrooklynNorth (@NYPDBklynNorth) March 6, 2020

He condemned the attackers on his Twitter feed, insisting that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable.

OUTRAGE:this is sickening video of a 15 year old girl viciously attacked by a group of school children. One young man takes the sneakers right off the unconscious victims feet. The teenager is in the hospital recovering. We CAN NOT allow this behaviour in our community. #Speakup he tweeted.

The NYPD released their February crime statistics on Thursday, showing that both assault and robbery are up from the same period in 2019.

Assault was up from 1,294 to 1,413, a 9.2% increase while robbery was up from 891 to 1,182, a 32.7% increase.

The police said that she was taken to NYC Health & Hospitals/Kings County and was treated for bruising and head trauma.

Any individuals with information are asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Read more

Court consider giving NYPD Cold War secrecy over alleged surveillance
DENVER, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A major challenge facing hospitals in hard hit areas of the country is planning for urgent and critical staffing needs due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in their communities. Fastaff Travel Nursing, a healthcare staffing firm based in Denver that specializes in rapid emergency deployment, is helping hospitals cope with this challenge by rapidly deploying highly experienced critical care travel nurses who can arrive ready to care for patients within days.

Many hospitals are struggling as the impact of the rapidly spreading coronavirus takes a major toll on the staffing of critical care units such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Emergency Room (ER), and Pediatric units. The threat of a patient or hospital staff member becoming infected and needing to be quarantined, or simply a spike in admissions can result in hospitals enduring crippling shortages while trying to maintain uninterrupted patient care.

Based on its experience handling prior public health emergencies including the Ebola epidemic and natural disasters, the Fastaff recruiting team can draw from a database of credentialed and approved nurses who are ready to respond in a moment's notice. Since February, Fastaff has been rapidly deploying specialized nurses to help hospitals in hard hit states like California and Washington, including a California-based hospital system that had to quarantine dozens of nurses who were at risk for potential exposure. Drawing on a deep database of experienced high-acuity nurses, Fastaff was able to deploy nurses in less than 48 hours to help the hospital maintain appropriate nurse/patient ratios and full productivity in the critical care unit.

In Washington state, the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., a large urban facility proactively reached out to Fastaff to fortify their nurse shortage and prepare for likely disruption. When the first patient cases were identified, Fastaff sent dozens of critical care ER, ICU and Labor & Delivery nurses to the hospital.

With extensive experience managing staffing needs during public health emergencies and natural disasters, Fastaff remains in constant collaboration with its clients year-round to help them plan for the unexpected. The ability to deliver experienced nurses in days, not weeks, makes Fastaff a critical partner in the most urgent and crucial situations.

"Every hospital situation is a little bit different," said Fastaff Senior Vice President of Client Services Kathy Kohnke. "Hospitals constantly face rising and falling patient census due to unplanned disruption, and being strategic planning partners with them throughout the year ensures the best success for their continued quality patient care. Applying best practices from our other clients helps educate hospitals on how to prepare."

Resource pages on Fastaff.com for nurses and clients include helpful links and up-to-date information on the spread of the outbreak. Additionally, Fastaff will post an Emergency Preparedness webinar with a helpful checklist for hospital administrators, and is launching a webinar series where nurse leaders can virtually discuss best practices in preparing for COVID-19 and other emergency situations.

About Fastaff Travel Nursing:

Almost 30 years ago, Fastaff pioneered the practice of Rapid Response travel nurse staffing. Since then, the company has grown to become the leading provider of urgent and crucial temporary nurses to help hospitals provide continuous, high-quality patient care, while offering premium pay to nurses. In partnering with many of the nation's largest and most prestigious healthcare facilities as well as small community hospitals, Fastaff provides enriching employment opportunities to nurses while also providing the highest pay in the industry to meet acute staffing needs and provide unparalleled patient care. Fastaff has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval, a place on SIA's 2017 and 2016 Largest U.S. Staffing Firms list, #4 on SIA's 2016 Fastest Growing U.S. Staffing Firms and #8 on Colorado's Top Workplaces.

Visit www.fastaff.com for more information and connect with Fastaff on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Fastaff Travel Nursing

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The President of the European Committee of the Regions has called on the EU to set out a 5-year action plan to ensure all regions and cities are supported in achieving climate neutrality. President Apostolos Tzitzikostas said that monitoring, investment and support in the short-term at regional level were necessary to ensure Europe is on track to deliver its Climate Law, just unveiled by the European Commission, which would legally commit the EU to being climate-neutral by 2050.

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said, "Regions and cities support the goal of a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050, having long recognised the urgency to tackle climate change. They are accelerating efforts locally but need short-term support, not only long-term ambition. Monitoring efforts not only at national level, but at regional level, is fundamental to ensure every region and city is on track. This must be coupled with significant investment that supports every region, city, town and village, especially those heavily reliant on coal. The Committee calls for additional direct funding for those cities and regions whose climate plans are in line with the EU's ambition. Member states must now urgently agree the EU's long-term budget so it delivers on its climate ambitions tackles regional disparities and ensures every corner of Europe benefits from digitalisation. We must act now and together, by launching a 5-year action plan that supports every region and city if we are to make neutrality a reality and deliver growth for all."



Juan Espadas (ES/PES), Mayor of Seville and newly appointed Chair of the Commission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE) and of the Green Deal Working Group, said: "If the European Commission is serious about making the European Climate Law the heart of the European Green Deal, then we need to make sure that cities and regions are involved because such a transformation cannot happen without their commitment. But to deliver immediate change and win the climate battle, we need more than just targets. We need more financial resources from the European Union and public spending flexibility so local investment in the insulation of houses and schools or in clean public transport can really take off. At the European Committee of the Regions, we will work relentlessly for a Climate Law that is ambitious and socially fair, while continuing to act every day on the ground with our citizens to build a just transition that leaves no people and no regions behind."



The European Committee of the Regions shares the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and wants an integrated approach, with adaptation strategies linked to National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). Effective tracking of progress is key to the visibility, transparency and ownership of efforts to reach climate-neutrality. Data should be collected and mapped at the regional level and be publically available in an open observatory platform [1]. The Committee also highlights the importance of Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues and is ready to cooperate with all relevant institutional partners, with a view to maximising the impact and quality of multilevel governance mechanisms in all Members States.





On 27 February, the European Committee of the Regions appointed Rafa Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw, as rapporteur on the 'Climate Pact' and Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla (ES/EPP), President of the region of Andalusia, as rapporteur on the 'European Climate Law'. The first will be adopted during the plenary session on 1-2 July 2020 while the second is to be adopted at the plenary session on 12-14 October.

[1] Point 3  A Clean Planet for all, opinion by rapporteur Michele Emiliano (IT/PES), President of the Puglia Region and Implementing the Clean Energy Package: the NECPs as a tool for local and territorial governance approach to climate, active and passive energy, opinion by rapporteur Jozsef Ribanyi (HU/EPP), Member of the County Council of Tolna Megye.



President's Spokesperson:

Michele Cercone

Tel. +32 (0)498 98 23 49

michele.cercone@cor.europa.eu




C aroline Rose seems to enjoy excess. On the cover of her last album, Loner, she was smoking an entire packet of cigarettes at once. On her third LP, Superstar, out today, shes plastered in so much make-up she looks disturbingly plastic.

Her image  all in red, unafraid to dance embarrassingly  has made for some memorable music videos, not least for Feel the Way I Want, the zingy lead single from the new album. In that one, the New Yorker struts all the way across America, from Hollywood California to Hollywood Florida, to attend an audition dressed as a lobster.

Her musical journey has been similarly lengthy, all the way from the gritty alt-country of her early work to her current strain of synth-led indie pop that places her alongside the likes of St Vincent, MGMT and Tame Impala.

Superstar is a concept album about fame that sees her exploring success through a veil of irony, but if she keeps writing songs this catchy, shell be having the experience for real soon enough.

See Caroline Rose live: The Great Escape, Brighton, May 13-16, greatescapefestival.com

Watch on YouTube:

Listen on Spotify:

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Bengaluru, March 6 : Several Yes Bank customers in the capital here and across the state faced crunch as its ATMs ran out of cash and branches fell short to disburse.

"We have 37 branches in Bengaluru and 74 in Karnataka. We are honouring our commitment to the account holders," told a Yes Bank employee to IANS on the condition of anonymity.

However, many customers rushed to the bank and ATMs to withdraw, resulting in cash getting exhausted within a few hours on Friday, forcing the ATMs to be shut.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has superseded the bank's board and restricting withdrawls at Rs 50,000 over next one month.

At Hubbali, several Yes Bank customers are visiting the Club Road branch to withdraw cash, leading to long queues being formed and extensive waiting.

Customers are demanding the bank employees to explain as to when the crisis will be resolved, as they struggle for cash with cheques and withdrawal slips.

The account holders poured out their ordeal that that the ATMs were not working and debit cards being rejected at other banks.
The Delhi government will launch a two-day mega drive from Saturday to verify the claims of riot victims for compensation, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

He said the verification drive will be an important exercise to determine the claimants as the AAP government is facing the issue of duplication of claim forms.

The government wants the verification process to complete at the earliest so that the victims can get compensation as soon as possible, Sisodia told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

The exercise will be headed by six senior IAS officers, he said.

Sisodia said the government has so far received around 1,700 compensation forms. He said that each floor of a house will be treated as one residential unit, adding that Rs 5 lakh will be given to each residential unit out of which Rs 4 lakh is for restructuring of the house and Rs 1 lakh for belongings if the entire house was burnt.

Earlier Friday, Sisodia and Environment Minister Gopal Rai visited the Eidgah in Mustafabad in northeast Delhi and interacted with the riot victims sheltered there.

The deputy chief minister said the rehabilitation of victims was being done at a fast pace in riot-hit areas.

So far, Rs 88 lakh has been released as compensation to the riot victims, he said.

The deputy chief minister, who also holds the education portfolio, said the government has held a parent-teacher meeting at a short notice in northeast Delhi.

The PTMs were held at riot-hit schools in northeast Delhi.

"The idea behind holding the PTM that recorded at least 55% turnout of parents was to erase the fear from their minds and to encourage them to start sending their kids to school again," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There is no doubt that Robert Downey Jr.s Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, will continue to affect the characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Tony gave his life in Avengers: Endgame, his connection to the other heroes in the MCU, including Spider-Man (Tom Holland), means that his legacy will live on. While his story has seemingly ended, there has been a lot of rumors that Downey is seriously considering returning to the MCU in the near future, but only if one of his former co-stars comes back as well.

Robert Downey Jr. | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Robert Downey Jr.s asking price is reportedly too high

Tonys journey came to a fitting conclusion in Endgame. Having Tony, a notoriously selfish character, give his life to save others was a great way to wrap up his story-arc. But that is not the last time fans see Tony in action.

Downey reportedly reprised the role for Scarlett Johanssons upcoming film, Black Widow, which is set prior to the events in Endgame. The movie is due to open in theaters in May and could be the last time Downey appears as Iron Man in the MCU.

That said, inside sources claim that Robert Downey Jr. has been negotiating a return to the MCU. The only problem, per the sources, is that Downey is asking too much money to reprise the role.

Iron Man was the movie that launched the MCU back in 2008, and Downeys performance has been a driving force behind Marvels success for the past decade. Despite his contributions, sources claim that Marvel is not interested in paying Downey.

Who else does Robert Downey Jr. want back if he returns to the MCU?

Apart from the money angle, Downey has reportedly asked the studio to bring back one of his favorite co-stars. According to We Got This Covered, the actor will only return to the MCU if Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Pepper Potts.

Downey reportedly argued that Peppers story is hugely important to Tony, especially if they figure out a way to bring him back from the dead. He also allegedly asked Marvel to feature her more in previous movies.

The only issue with the request is that Paltrow has said that her time in the MCU is over. We can only hope that the actress would change her mind if Downey returns, but that could be something that makes or breaks the deal.

Downey, of course, has not commented on the rumors surrounding his return to the MCU. Until we hear something official, fans will just have to wait and see how this one shakes out.

What about Tom Holland?

Paltrow is not the only actor in the MCU who shares a close bond with Robert Downey Jr. Tom Holland, who was instrumental in keeping Peter Parker firmly in the MCU, is also good friends with Downey outside of work.

When Disney and Sony were negotiating a new deal for the Spider-Man franchise, for instance, Downey took time out of his busy schedule to go on a hike with Holland. The two also reportedly FaceTime on a frequent basis and pretty much have a friendship similar to what fans saw between Tony and Peter in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

With that in mind, sources claim that Robert Downey Jr. would love to work alongside Holland in a future MCU film. The studio doesnt know how they would team them up, but they are reportedly thinking about ways to bring Tony back.

It is unclear if Downeys contract demands will prevent his return to the MCU, but we cant imagine the studio saying no.

Robert Downey Jr. reveals which Marvel character he really wanted to play

While we wait to see how things develop, Downey recently opened up about which character he really wants to play in the MCU.

Fans will forever associate Downey with Iron Man, yet he actually loved the idea of portraying Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) on the big screens.

I cant think of any red-blooded American boy that didnt imagine themselves as Spider-Man growing up, he shared. Which is fair enough. He continued: However, looking back on it now  also because Im just such a Jeremy Renner fan and he made it so cool, particularly when he turns into Ronin in Avengers: Endgame I would say Hawkeye would be my go-to.

It would be interesting to see Downeys take on the character, though we are grateful that Marvel cast him as Iron Man instead.

Fans can reportedly watch Robert Downey Jr. return to action when Black Widow, starring Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz, hits theaters on May 1.
As one of last year's highlights, the Company implemented a third-party reputation assessment system and generated more than 9,000 analyses

SAO PAULO, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Company continued to improve and expand its compliance initiatives in 2019. Over the past 12 months, the JBS Compliance department has provided over 115,000 team members in Brazil with more than 37,000 hours of training on the Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Over 16,000 team members also received more than 8,000 hours of Anticorruption training, focusing mainly on Company managers and executives. JBS will continue to invest in training in 2020 as an important part of its Compliance program. Training will focus on specific issues such as Conflicts of Interest and the Anticorruption material will be reviewed again this semester.

Marcelo Proenca, JBS global Compliance director, says these efforts reflect the Company's commitment to consolidating international compliance protocols wherever it does business. "We are fulfilling our role as a global food industry leader by increasing our teams and partners' awareness and positively influencing the value chain. The engagement and level of participation we have achieved are evidence the initiatives we have implemented as part of our day-to-day operations are effective," said the executive.

Compliance also evolved in 2019 when the department implemented its due diligence system, which JBS developed in-house with support from an international consultancy to assess suppliers' reputations. The system carried out 9496 analyses last year, assessing not only suppliers' track records, but also the background of their shareholders to increase reliability of the partner hiring process.

Company data is automatically cross-referenced with databases from public organizations, keywords in search engines, international embargo lists, amongst other sources. The third parties accessed that present any non-compliance are automatically blocked and go through a second checking procedure which is carried out by the Compliance area.

Another major aspect of the Company's Compliance program is the JBS Ethics Line. The service, which is entirely outsourced, protects and guarantees anonymity for both team members and the general public at JBS in Brazil and other countries where the Company does business. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 4 languages.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 19:16:03|Editor: huaxia

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TIANJIN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- As China is fighting against the novel coronavirus, many teachers and students from the Luban Workshop, a worldwide program for technical personnel, are sending their blessings through videos and letters to China and expressing confidence in the coming victory.

"I'm sorry for the tragedy of the ongoing coronavirus that occurred in China. We feel your pain," said Abdulrasheed Na'allah, vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja in Nigeria via a video.

He said Chinese people had exerted great energy in poverty alleviation and environmental improvement, and that made the world believe that Chinese people could definitely defeat the virus.

In June 2019, the Tianjin China-Germany University of Applied Sciences in northern China's Tianjin Municipality and the Nigerian university aimed to co-found the Nigeria Luban Workshop, which was estimated to be inaugurated in the first half of this year.

The program is named after Lu Ban, an ancient Chinese woodcraft master, and aims at cultivating technical experts worldwide to serve their countries' economy and society.

Since 2016, 11 Luban workshops have been set up in Asia, Africa and Europe, receiving about 1,800 students for academic education and training about 2,200 people in 28 majors covering mechanics, new energy and automobiles.

Bun Phearin, president of the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, expressed in a letter his expectation for further cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong Vocational Education Training Center, which was inaugurated in October 2018, along with the Cambodia Luban Workshop.

"We are grateful for their greetings. The friendship between China, Cambodia and Nigeria will last forever," said Zhang Xinghui, head of the Tianjin China-Germany University of Applied Sciences.

These countries will continue to promote the construction of the Luban Workshops in Nigeria and Cambodia, according to Zhang.

Many teachers and students at the Thailand Luban Workshop, which was inaugurated in Thailand Ayutthaya Technical College in March 2016, also conveyed their blessings to China.

Montree Haruanthong, director of the college, and the students said they hoped the epidemic would finish soon and everything would progress smoothly in China.

Yu Lanping, dean of Tianjin Bohai Vocational Technology College that helped establish the Thailand Luban Workshop, said the greater the difficulty, the more precious this friendship became. "The Luban Workshop will always be a bridge linking the Chinese and Thai people," Yu said.

China will surely defeat the novel coronavirus with the joint efforts of the Chinese people, Yu added.
[March 06, 2020] Corevist Closes $2.8M In Series A Funding With Jurassic Capital

RALEIGH, N.C., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Corevist, Inc., leading provider of eCommerce integrated to SAP ERP, is proud to announce it has closed an initial round of $2.8M in Series A funding with Durham-based Jurassic Capital. The deal will help accelerate Corevist's growth, which has averaged 30% per year over 12 years with no outside funding. With a focus on B2B software companies, ideally SaaS (software as a service), Jurassic Capital is a leading investor in technology startups in the Raleigh, NC area. The Jurassic team describe themselves as "operators first," and they have gained deep experience at B2B software companies like Bronto Software, NetSuite, Oracle, Red Hat, and Bandwidth. As a leading technology company both in the Raleigh area, and in the global B2B eCommerce market, Corevist was an ideal fit for Jurassic. Corevist's mission is to make B2B eCommerce accessible to every manufacturer whose business runs on SAP ERP. By offering prebuilt, configurable SAP ERP integration as part of their cloud-based eCommerce platform, Corevist takes out the largest risk which SAP manufacturers face when launching B2B eCommerce. This IT architecture ensures that customers get mission-critical data like pricing and inventory availability in the live eCommerce store. A four-time Inc. 5000 winner, Corevist has established deep alignment with its target market, as evidenced by the company's average annual growth. The company's cloud-based eCommerce solution, Coevist Commerce, processes over $1 billion in annual transactions on behalf of global manufacturers.



"Today, we're excited to announce our investment of $2.8M into Corevist, a Raleigh-based software company that develops and sells a B2B e-commerce platform to manufacturers worldwide," said Kevin Mosley, Partner at Jurassic Capital. "We invested in Corevist because we are impressed with Sam Bayer, the founder/CEO, and his leadership team and their track record in growing bootstrapped, consistently and profitably, over many years. We are also excited because of the potential of B2B e-commerce and the ability to leverage our expertise with Corevist in this space. Our focus at Jurassic is to invest in regional B2B software companies in order to help scale them to the next level. Corevist fits the bill perfectly." "I'm thrilled to finalize our relationship with Jurassic Capital," said Dr. Sam Bayer, Corevist Founder and CEO. "Corevist's stellar growth over the last 12 years truly validates our position within the market, and I'm confident we've found the right partners to help us move into the next stage of our journey. I can't wait to see what the next chapter will bring for Corevist."

About Corevist, Inc.

Corevist offers SAP-integrated eCommerce solutions for manufacturers in all verticals. Corevist Commerce brings the B2C experience to B2B channels, transforming manufacturers' interaction with dealers and distributors. Corevist is a global company with clients in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Africa, and Asia. For more information, call (919) 424-2120 or visit www.corevist.com . Media Contact:

George Anderson

(919) 424-2120

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corevist-closes-2-8m-in-series-a-funding-with-jurassic-capital-301018752.html SOURCE Corevist, Inc.

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Donna Fujimoto Cole knows the difficulties that minority women face in balancing motherhood, career and society.

In 1980, this single mom started a chemical company when female executives were rare, divorce bore a stigma and many people believed Japans economic success came at Americas expense.

Thus, Cole Chemical, and not my maiden name, Fujimoto Chemical, she told me in her West Houston office. We tried to do a joint venture with a Japanese company, and even they didnt want to do business with me because I was Japanese and a woman.

Fujimoto Cole started her company with $5,000 and the help of men who believed that women should lead businesses, that firms should hire more minorities, and they would bring innovation to the chemical business.

Cole Chemical started by trading chemicals and soon Fujimoto Cole added a warehouse, a blending facility, packaging equipment as well as rail and pipeline distribution. When the chemical market went global, Cole Chemical sold those hard assets in 2004 and shifted to working with clients to make sure they have the chemicals they need, when they need them.

Tomlinsons Take: Entrepreneur turns one gas station into 1,100 restaurants

Fujimoto Cole helps clients like Toyota buy chemicals so that a political crisis in Venezuela, a coronavirus in China, or a chemical explosion in Houston does not sink their business. Among many accolades, shes been named one of Houstons 50 most influential businesswomen, and the Greater Houston Womens Chamber of Commerce inducted her into its Hall of Fame.

Shed like to say women have achieved equality over the last 40 years, but 

Its changed maybe 70 percent, Fujimoto Cole said. Access to decision-makers is still hard. The leaders of so many of these companies went to school together; they are on all the same boards together. You dont have that club with the women.

Fujimoto Cole is changing that by building networks and mentoring young businesswomen. But she knows women need men to change workplace culture.

We have to find more hes for shes, Fujimoto Cole said. They havent been trying to run out the door to go to work, and some kid threw up on them or had to change clothes because poop just got on their lap.

Too often, she still sees women shifting to the mommy track because their employers will not accommodate parenthood.

I try to mentor them in terms of how to keep their jobs, their status, and how to keep moving up the ladder, she said.

Fujimoto Cole is a staple on the speaking circuit, often promoting U.S.-Japanese cooperation and international business. Shes a big proponent of building a bullet train network in Texas. But she is worried about the U.S. governments treatment of China and the reduction in immigration.

She knows better than most the destructive power of discrimination. Fujimoto Cole is a third-generation American, but during World War II, the government threatened her parents with internment. They moved from the West Coast to work as tenant farmers in Colorado.

My family couldnt go more than two miles without reporting to the FBI or the local authorities that they needed to go to town, she said. So, you bartered with your neighbors.

After the war, her family moved to McAllen, where she was one of only a few Asians.

I was discriminated against, so I hid underneath the teachers desk to not go out to recess, Fujimoto Cole said. When the weather got cooler, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor would be all over the news. I just hated it. I didnt want to be me. I didnt want this face.

Tomlinsons Take: Tech entrepreneur tries to disrupt construction industry

Shes saddened by the bigotry many Americans still demonstrate against whomever the other of the moment might be, but she recognizes it is part of human nature.

Theres not a lot we can do except educate people, she added. You hope that people will make the right choices, better choices. Or do more critical thinking so that what happened in the past doesnt happen again, whether it was the Japanese internment or discrimination against Muslims.

Forty years after starting her company, Fujimoto Cole is still breaking into new fields by cofounding a media company called Pantheon of Women, which is producing an original play in Houston called The Lady of Agreda debuting March 12.

Telling a story about strong women and supportive men who helped them achieve is the story I want to tell, she said. Hopefully, that will inspire and motivate other people.

Fujimoto Cole understands that when society mistreats one gender or ethnic group, it hurts all of us. Members of that group helping each other alone will not solve the problem; we must all address all injustices if we want more inspirational success stories like Fujimoto Cole.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
An alleged 'backroom deal' between Tony Blair's Labour government and the billionaire sheikh accused of kidnapping his daughter on British soil must be investigated, a senior Tory told MailOnline today.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, a friend of the Queen, ordered henchmen to snatch Princess Shamsa in Cambridge in 2000 but a criminal inquiry was dropped as an alleged diplomatic favour, the UK's top family judge was told.

The High Court ruled yesterday that Sheikh al-Maktoum masterminded the raid and Sir Andrew McFarlane said his behaviour, on the balance of probabilities, runs 'contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales, international law and internationally accepted human rights norms'.

Shamsa said armed bodyguards grabbed her, injected her with sedatives and rendered her from her father's Newmarket mansion to France by helicopter and then to Dubai where she was tortured. She has not been seen in public in the 20 years since.

Cambridgeshire Police launched a criminal probe but it was allegedly shut down amid 'interference' by the Foreign Office  as a diplomatic favour to one of the UK's best allies.

It is alleged the then foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, effectively shut down a serious criminal inquiry into a helpless girl's kidnapping.

There are growing calls for the Government to investigate and today Tory MP and party vice-chairman Alec Shelbrooke told MailOnline: 'Once again backroom deals done by the previous Labour government  like the completely unbalanced extradition treaty with America that has now come back to bite us  are coming to light.' Mr Shelbrooke said there should be a probe into what had gone on at the Foreign Office because 'sunlight is the best disinfectant'.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attend Derby day at Epsom in 2017 - extraordinary details about their family life have emerged in a High Court ruling published yesterday

The High Court said billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - a friend of the Queen - had Princess Shamsa (pictured) abducted from Cambridge after she went on the run in 2000

Now it is alleged the then foreign secretary Robin Cook, who died in 2005, effectively shut down a serious criminal inquiry into a helpless girl's kidnapping. Tory MP and party vice-chairman Alec Shelbrooke (right) told MailOnline that the alleged 'backroom deal' must be probed

Then PM Gordon Brown greets Sheikh Mohammad in Downing Street in 2007 - Now for the first time, an alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported.

Princess, aged 11, was being lined up for forced marriage to notorious crown prince Princess Haya with her daughter Jalila (with face obscured), at Epsom racecourse in June 2018 A princess aged 11 was being lined up for a forced marriage to the notorious crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, the court heard. Known as MBS in the desert kingdom, Bin Salman allegedly ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. And in January of this year, he was accused of hacking the phone of the world's richest man, Amazon owner Jeff Bezos. Princess Jalila's's father Sheikh Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, allegedly discussed arrangements to force her into an arranged marriage with Bin Salman in February 2019, according to her mother Princess Haya, who said it was a key reason she fled to the UK with both of her children. Bin Salman, 34, who already has one wife, was at the centre of international outrage after he was blamed for the horrific killing of regime critic Mr Khashoggi, who was butchered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Sheikh Maktoum strenuously denied the claims. His QC, Alex Verdan, told the court: 'None of his children have forced marriages or were betrothed at this age. There has never been such a plan, a person to whom Jalila is betrothed. 'There have been no forced marriages. That is not what this father does with his daughters  there are about 13 of them  at this age.' Advertisement

Yesterday Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: 'An investigation into the alleged abduction of Shamsa Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2000 was carried out by Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 2001. With the evidence that was available to us this was insufficient to take any further action. A review took place in 2017 and it was again concluded there was insufficient evidence to take any further action. This is no longer an active investigation and we are not in contact with the victim.'

In an astonishing ruling, Sheikh Maktoum, one of the world's richest men, is today also exposed as having waged a campaign of 'fear and intimidation' against his youngest wife, Princess Haya, who fled to Britain last year fearing that he would kill her.

Public officials are now facing pressure to bring the sheikh to justice, after a judge found that he orchestrated the abduction.

Following the judge's ruling, Shami Chakrabarti, Labour shadow attorney general, said: 'This is clearly a shocking judgment. Both Priti Patel and Dominic Raab must urgently investigate why a criminal inquiry into a kidnap in Cambridge appears to have been impeded.'

Now for the first time, the alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported.

Shamsa had begged British detectives to save her, but they were forced to drop the case.

The Director of Public Prosecutions at the time has denied any suggestion that the CPS had leant on a Cambridgeshire policeman to stop them investigating the abduction of the billionaire ruler of Dubai's daughter.

DCI David Beck, who led the force's investigation into Shamsa her disappearance, claimed he sought permission from the CPS to travel to Dubai and interview witnesses - but his request was refused.

However, speaking at his home in Barnes today, Sir David Calvert-Smith - the Director of Public Prosecutions from 1998 to 2003 - said the CPS would have 'no such power' to refuse DCI Beck's request - and denied any knowledge of the case.

Questioned about the princess' disappearance, he said: 'All I know is he's a racehorse trainer or something. That's all I know about him.'

When informed that the case unfolded while he was leading the CPS, Sir David replied: 'That's the first I've ever heard of that, I'm sorry.

'[The accusations from DCI Beck] may or not be true, but it certainly wasn't the Director of Public Prosecutions who leant on him. I've never heard of the case until you told me about it.

'If he wanted to go to Dubai to interview witnesses that's up to him that's not up to the CPS. The CPS has no power to refuse a request from police to interview a witness. I think he may be talking rubbish.

'If the police want to interview a witness in this country - or anywhere else - they go and do it.

'They then send the statement to us. Certainly the CPS can't ban the police from taking statements. I think that may well be a misunderstanding, perhaps'.

In an explosive ruling following a 10-month High Court child custody battle between the sheikh and Princess Haya, it can be revealed:

The court found the sheikh responsible for kidnapping Shamsa from Cambridge in 2000.

He also sent commandos to abduct another runaway daughter, Princess Latifa, during her escape bid in 2018, the court found.

Both princesses were locked in a Dubai palace and remain imprisoned to this day.

Oxford-educated Princess Haya fled with their two young children to London after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa.

She feared her daughter Princess Jalila was being lined up for a forced marriage aged 11 to the notorious Saudi crown prince accused of killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sheikh Maktoum also discovered his wife was having an affair with her British bodyguard.

The British lawyer for Princess Latifa, David Haigh told the Guardian he would be submitting the judgment to the United Nations' working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances.

'We are delighted with the judgment,' he said. 'It's vindication for everything we have been saying, vindication for Shamsa, Latifa and Haya.'

Sheikh Maktoum is pictured shaking hands with the Queen at Ascot racecourse in June 2016 alongside his ex-wife Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein

Princess Haya is pictured at the Court of Appeal with Baroness Fiona Shackleton, February 28

First the High Court, then the Appeal Court and then the Supreme Court all threw out his bid for secrecy, ruling the world should know what Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family division of the High Court, had concluded about his 'criminal' behaviour

Could the Sheikh be arrested in Britain after bombshell judgment? Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum is free to travel into the UK despite yesterday's humbling judgment. Family Court chief Sir Andrew McFarlane said his behaviour, on the balance of probabilities, runs 'contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales, international law and internationally accepted human rights norms'. But his ruling has no weight in the criminal courts. And the Sheikh would not be arrested over the alleged abduction of Princess Shamsa because he has never technically a suspect. As a head of state he could also claim diplomatic immunity from a prosecution - but Cambridgeshire Police has said today there is no ongoing investigation. A spokesman said: 'An investigation into the alleged abduction of Shamsa Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2000 was carried out by Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 2001. With the evidence that was available to us this was insufficient to take any further action. A review took place in 2017 and it was again concluded there was insufficient evidence to take any further action. This is no longer an active investigation and we are not in contact with the victim.' Oxford-educated Princess Haya mounted her own escape from Dubai after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa. Advertisement

Haigh added that he and Latifa's close friend Tiina Jauhiainen were interviewed by Cambridge police in late 2019.

He said: 'It is now clear to see why Sheikh Mohammed did not want these judgments to be made available to the world. They show him as someone unfit to be in charge of children, let alone a state that is an ally of the UK.'

Today's bombshell revelations come after Sheikh Maktoum lost a desperate bid to keep the case secret. He hired eight top British QCs at enormous cost but they have not been able to stop his humiliation.

First the High Court, then the Appeal Court and then the Supreme Court all threw out his bid for secrecy, ruling the world should know what Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family division of the High Court, had concluded about his 'criminal' behaviour.

In a victory for open justice, it can be revealed that the Gulf ruler's own ex-wife fought against him for the public's right to know the 'evil' secrets of the Dubai royal family.

A million Britons visit the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, each year. The 70-year-old sheikh owns Godolphin stables, a favourite of the Queen, in Newmarket, Suffolk. He and Princess Haya, 45, his sixth and youngest wife, are regulars at Royal Ascot.

Last April, Princess Haya fled in their private Boeing 737 to Britain with their children, Princess Jalila, 12, and Prince Zayed, eight. They are now holed up in an 85million mansion in central London.

The sheikh  who is worth 14billion  launched a High Court case to demand the 'summary return' of his son and daughter, but it has backfired spectacularly, with him losing his children and his wife, and his standing as an international statesman.

Oxford-educated Princess Haya mounted her own escape from Dubai after discovering the truth about Shamsa and Latifa

Now for the first time, the alleged kidnap cover-up under Tony Blair's government of 2000 can be reported

Sir Andrew heard evidence from former Cambridgeshire Detective Chief Inspector David Beck who investigated Shamsa's abduction and had requested official permission to visit Dubai to interview her.

Charles Geekie, a QC for Princess Haya, told the High Court there was 'interference' in the police inquiry and 'a direct interest being expressed by the foreign secretary'.

The Foreign Office has since admitted it 'does hold relevant information' on the case, but claimed it 'would be likely to prejudice relations between the UK and other states if it was disclosed'.

In his ruling, Sir Andrew said: 'The allegations that the father ordered and orchestrated the kidnap and rendition to Dubai of his daughters Shamsa and Latifa are of a very high order of seriousness. I have found he continues to maintain a regime whereby both of these young women are deprived of their liberty.'

Sir Andrew said Haya wanted him to conclude Dubai had 'made representations' to the Foreign Office 'to bring an end to the investigation' but it was not possible to prove this.

The sheikh did not appear or call any witnesses during the court case, and has not appealed against the findings.

Last night he said: 'This case concerns highly personal and private matters relating to our children. The appeal was made to protect the best interests and welfare of the children. The outcome does not protect my children from media attention in the way that other children in family proceedings in the UK are protected. As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the court's fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a ''fact-finding'' judgment which inevitably only tells one side.'

Sheikh Maktoum's UK property empire that is worth more than 100m alone: From the 75m Surrey estate the billionaire uses to escape Dubai's summer heat to the 63,000-acre Highland retreat with three helipads

The billionaire ruler of Dubai, is one of the world's richest men and boasts a multi-million pound property portfolio, with interests, assets and ventures all over the UK.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's lavish collection of homes include a 75m Surrey estate, a historic Suffolk mansion and a sprawling Highland retreat with 63,000-acres of land.

A friend of the Queen and a close UK ally, his collection of assets and country houses stand testament to his deep ties with the country.

He has also ploughed his extreme wealth into construction projects and sports, including one of the world's most successful thoroughbred horse racing stables, Godolphin, based near in Newmarket, Suffolk.

He bought Longcross estate on green belt land in Surrey in the 90s, as a place to escape the stifling summer heat in the Gulf.

Sheikh Mohammed later snapped up the historic Dalham Hall in 2009 for 45m, to serve as a stud farm near to the famous Newmarket race course.

His 63,000-acre Highland estate in Wester Ross was bought for 2million, 20 years ago.It boasts an incredible 58 bedrooms, a triple helipad and a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge.

His property portfolio has been mired in planning disputes with his Surrey mansion at the centre of claims portable cabins had been installed without permission to house his servants, and his Scottish estate was embroiled in a row over the construction of a hunting lodge.

In other business interests, the airline Emirates, which he launched, has a shirt sponsorship deal with Arsenal, worth 200million over four years - and has naming rights to their north London stadium.

His company DP World last year acquired P&O Ferries for 322million, and in Essex he established the London Gateway. Built for 1.5billion, the deep water port on the Thames handles millions of shipping containers every year.

Yesterday the sheikh was found by the High Court to have waged a campaign of 'fear and intimidation' against his youngest wife, Princess Hay and also 'orchestrated' the abduction of his two of his adult daughters, currently being held captive in Dubai.

Here we look at the ruler's UK property portfolio after the damning High Court judgement:

75m Surrey estate... complete with 'portable cabins to house the servants'

The historic Longcross estate, near Chobham in Surrey, was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed in the 1990s as a place to escape the stifling summer heat in the Gulf.

It was at the centre of a planning row in May 2019 over claims the billionaire had, without planning permission, installed portable cabins on its grounds to house his servants.

A letter to planning officials at Runnymede Borough Council claimed 'considerable development' had taken place at the estate, which is estimated to be worth 75m.

The historic Longcross estate, near Chobham in Surrey, was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed in the 1990s as a place to escape the stifling summer heat in the Gulf

An aerial view of the site, where neighbours have repeatedly complained of excessive development amid a series of planning rows

It contained photographs of at least eight portable buildings which were said to have been erected more than a year ago, as well as four pagoda-style marquees set up 'very recently'.

Retrospective planning applications were submitted to Runnymede Borough Council, but neighbours accused the Sheikh of showing 'cynical disregard' for planning laws, damaging the environment and putting wildlife at risk.

The ruler of Dubai's land is covered by an Article 4 Declaration, meaning even minor changes must receive permission from the council.

As with all of Sheikh Mohammed's properties, security at the estate is very tight, with perimeter guards, CCTV and an inner security fence.

It was at the centre of a planning row in 2019 over claims the billionaire had, without planning permission, installed portable cabins (pictured) on its grounds to house his servants

Fencing that has been put up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum around his estate in Surrey

He was also accused of showing 'cynical disregard' for planning laws by erecting the 6ft 6in-high spiked metal fence without planning permission.

Locals had said the fence was totally inappropriate for the area and blocked vital wildlife corridors between Chobham Common and the previously open estate.

But he was later granted retrospective approval by Runnymede Council for the 75million security barrier condition openings are made every 90ft to allow wildlife to pass through.

Former Suffolk home of diamond magnate Cecil Rhodes that now produce's the Sheikh's thoroughbred horses

Sheikh Mohammed snapped up the historic Dalham Hall in 2009 for 45m, to serve as a stud farm near to Newmarket race course.

It was previously owned by diamond magnate and colonial adventurer Cecil Rhodes, who bought it after reading in the game book that 1,700 partridges had been shot there during the first four days of the 1901 season - but he died before he could move in.

The grade II-listed house is eight miles west of Bury St Edmunds and comes complete with 3,300-acres of land.

Construction of the house was started in the early 18-century by Bishop of Ely Simon Patrick, before it was converted into a stud farm in 1928.

During his studies as a young man in nearby Cambridge Sheikh Mohammed attended his first race meeting at Newmarket where he watched Royal Palace win the 2,000 Guineas in May, 1967.

Ten years later, Sheikh Mohammed's own involvement with international racing began when his horse won in Brighton in June, 1977.

In 1992, Godolphin, one of the world's most successful thoroughbred horse racing stables, was founded. It currently owns two large facilities in Suffolk and produces some of the most sought-after stallions in the sport.

It has other facilities the UAE, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Japan and the US - and has won 6,000 races across the world, including 315 prestigious Group One races.

Sheikh Mohammed frequently attends major horseracing events such as Royal Ascot, where he has been pictured with Queen Elizabeth II.

Sheikh Mohammed snapped up the historic Dalham Hall in 2009 for 45m, to serve as a stud farm near to Newmarket race course

Sprawling 63,000-acre Highland estate with three helipads at the centre of ANOTHER planning row over a new laundry

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum's 63,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands boasts a 14-bedroom holiday mansion and a triple helipad.

But that wasn't enough for the Dubai ruler, who has been at the centre of yet another planning row over his desire to build a hunting lodge and a laundry to clean his guests' clothes after they've been on shoots.

A source said of the laundry application: 'It's important to have a laundry here to ensure that garments are pressed and prepared clothes to the highest standard.

'The Sheikh is extremely proud of the estate and this is an essential part of the ongoing expansion and ensure that the Sheikh and family ensure their high presentation standards. The family certainly don't want to have dirty garments.'

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum's 63,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands boasts a 14-bedroom holiday mansion and a triple helipad

His estate, which is the size of 31,500 football pitches, has a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge complete with a swimming pool and gym. The Sheikh purchased the site roughly 20 years ago for 2million.

He also recently won planning permission for 28 more bedrooms at the Inverinate retreat - bringing the total to 58.

In October, neighbours accused the billionaire of using his royal status to push through the controversial plans for a second hunting lodge on the estate.

Thirty residents claimed it would destroy their local community and the beauty of the area.

He was then force to downsize his plans for the fourth time, with planners yet to make a final decision.

A dramatic escape, an affair with a bodyguard and a 5.2m battle royal: How British-schooled Olympic horsewoman Haya bint al-Hussein took on her potentate husband Sheikh al-Maktoum after fleeing to the UK

It was a cloudless evening in April last year when a luxury private jet glided in to land at Farnborough airport near London.

Her Royal Highness Haya bint al-Hussein stepped off the opulently-appointed Boeing 737  and became the third princess to flee one of the world's richest and most powerful families.

And so far Princess Haya, the glamorous 45-year-old Oxford-educated youngest wife of the ruler of Dubai, is the only one to have successfully escaped.

Disembarking into the crisp British air after the seven-hour flight from Dubai, she kept her two young children close.

Princess Haya of Jordan. The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen

Her Royal Highness Haya bint al-Hussein, the glamorous 45-year-old Oxford-educated youngest wife of the ruler of Dubai, is the third princess to flee one of the world's richest and most powerful families

By car, they were whisked into central London where, shortly before midnight, they swept through the black iron gates of an 85million mansion in central London which she had bought in February 2018 without her husband.

The daughter of Jordan's late King Hussein, Princess Haya was quite unlike any of Sheikh al-Maktoum's five other wives.

Her mother, Queen Alia of Jordan, died in a helicopter crash when she was two, and she was sent to England to board at 30,000-a-year Bryanston.

She went up to Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics at St Hilda's College, where she met 'open-minded people who were prepared to debate anything'.

The princess competed in showjumping at the 2000 Olympics for her country and has been a goodwill ambassador for the UN world food programme.

The sheikh now has to suffer details being made public of his young wife's extramarital affair with her British bodyguard, former infantry soldier Russell Flowers (circled)

She also had a fun side, confessing to a penchant for 'raunchy' Jilly Cooper novels and mixing a love of Chanel with high street clothes.

Last year the sheikh  unaware his wife was fleeing him in fear of her life  had been waiting for her and their children at his sprawling estate in Newmarket, Suffolk, one of several enormous homes the 70-year-old monarch owns in the UK. They never turned up.

Russell Flowers at Royal Ascot in June 2018

The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen.

His Godolphin stables at Newmarket are one of the world's most successful racing organisations, and she is a racehorse owner in her own right.

It was only hours before the sheikh twigged that his young wife  once the 'liberal face of the monarchy' in Dubai but who had drifted into an affair with her British bodyguard  had left him.

Worse, from his perspective, she had taken their daughter Princess Jalila, then 11, and son Prince Zayed, then seven.

Ensconced behind the walls of their bullet-proof London mansion, Princess Haya received a cryptic message from one of her husband's associates about a wife being 'slaughtered in anger'.

It was part of a sinister 'campaign of fear and intimidation' the sheikh had been waging against his young wife. The couple had 'not enjoyed an intimate relationship with each other for a significant period of time', according to yesterday's judgment, but it was Haya's discovering the truth about her husband's 'torture' of his two older daughters, Shamsa and Latifa, that split them apart.

It was Haya's discovering the truth about her husband's 'torture' of his two older daughters, Shamsa (pictured) and Latifa, that split them apart

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, June 16, 2016 in Ascot

Her husband  who once told her 'nothing happens here if I don't know or command it'  did not welcome her interest in the princesses, she said. Twice she found a gun on her bed which she took as a death threat.

In early February last year, there was a chilling telephone conversation with the sheikh in which he cruelly suggested Zayed was 'a desert boy  in a few months we will take him from you, you will see'.

Then in March, he told his youngest children: 'We don't need your mum any more, do we?' The children replied: 'Yes we do', the court ruling revealed. Sheikh Maktoum responded: 'No, we don't need her'.

On March 11, a helicopter landed on Haya's lawn, and one of the security guards told Zayed: 'Bubba is angry with Momma. He is going to send her to the jail'. The princess said her young son clung to her leg with terror. It was a 'warning', the court heard.

Princess Haya's husband  who once told her 'nothing happens here if I don't know or command it'  did not welcome her interest in the princesses, she said, one of whom was Latifa (pictured)

On April 15, in 'utter terror', Haya took her children and fled to the UK in fear of her life.

Today a team of smartly-dressed bodyguards wearing earpieces accompany her and the children everywhere, on the infrequent occasions they dare leave the safety of their mansion.

One of the former British police chiefs responsible for her protection was himself threatened by a representative of the ruler of Dubai in London.

The High Court ruling says that, despite his significant experience, the officer was 'seriously troubled and concerned about the threats'. In public, nothing was said about the seismic rupture between two of the most powerful ruling dynasties in the Middle East and the ramifications for diplomatic relations within the region and between Britain and the United Arab Emirates.

Less than a month after her midnight flit, the fugitive princess was meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle. A month after that, in June, it was the sheikh's turn to join Her Majesty, at Royal Ascot.

But behind the scenes, a menacing domestic drama was unfolding as the sheikh  trained at Sandhurst-precursor Mons Officer Cadet School  sent an army of top-flight British lawyers to the Royal Courts of Justice in London to demand the 'summary return' of his children. The millionaire princess recruited her own fearsome legal squad.

The lifting of the veil of secrecy shrouding the case means the details of the extraordinary marital feud have burst into the open.

Just as humiliatingly for the sheikh, he also now has to suffer details being made public of his young wife's extramarital affair with her British bodyguard, former infantry soldier Russell Flowers.

The relationship began at some stage in 2017/18. Matters did not come to a head until early 2019 when Haya claims her husband phoned her and said: 'I have received bad news about you. I have heard that you are sitting in the palace with the British security (a reference to the bodyguard). I am starting to doubt you.'

The sheikh and Haya had long been a fixture in British high society and are independently both friends of the Queen. Pictured: The sheikh and Haya at Ascot in 2012

Sir Andrew said in his ruling: 'The effect of this call on the mother (Haya) was chilling. She says, 'I was terrified'.'

After she fled to Britain in May that year she claimed her husband sent her a message saying: 'You and the children will never be safe in England.'

Haya asked the High Court for, and was granted, a 'non-molestation order'  a law designed to help victims of domestic violence.

The couple's unprecedented London court clash cost 5.2million, it is estimated.

The sheikh hired Lady Helen Ward, who handled Guy Ritchie's split from Madonna. On Princess Haya's side was Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, known as the 'Steel Magnolia', who represented the Prince of Wales in his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales.

As the case unfolded, Haya attended every hearing, flanked by flamboyantly-dressed Baroness Shackleton, and did not flinch when she climbed into the witness box to swear her oath on the Koran.

Even before his estranged wife took the stand, the sheikh was desperately looking for a way out. He had started the High Court case, but had rapidly lost control of it.

His children were formally made wards of the court, meaning all significant decisions in their lives were now in the hands of the judge.

He was apparently aghast at the prospect of being dragged into the court. As with most family court hearings, the judge wanted the father to give evidence in person.

Under no circumstances, the message came back loud and clear, was this Arab statesman going to subject himself to such a spectacle.

With reverse gears crunching, the sheikh tried to pull out of the case. It could not be reported at the time, but he completely abandoned his demand for the 'summary return' of his children.

Yet still the case went on, with Sir Andrew refusing his permission to withdraw and making clear he still had to make 'findings of fact' in order to inform future decisions about the children's welfare.

During the ensuing 'fact-finding' hearing, Haya's claims went uncontested because the sheikh's entire legal team walked out of court.

Eventually the case would backfire on the sheikh spectacularly, leading him to lose his children, his wife  and his standing as an international statesman.

How '1m' prizefighter QC fought for Dubai ruler against team led by Prince Charles's divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton in '5.2m' courtroom battle royale

The ruler of Dubai hired 'prizefighter' top QC Lord Pannick for a bumper 1million, the Daily Mail understands.

The astonishing amount for Lord Pannick QC, one of the best lawyers in Britain, was agreed when he was recruited by the ruler to revive his case.

He is one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms.

The legal costs for all sides in the case  which has involved some 17 QCs  is estimated to be 5.2million.

Lord Pannick, described in a profile in The Times as a 'prizefighting legal titan' successfully represented businesswoman Gina Miller in her Supreme Court challenge last year about the government's prolonged prorogation of parliament.

David Pannick QC arrives at the Supreme Court in central London, on the second day of the hearing into the decision by the government to prorogue parliament on September 18, 2019. He is one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire sheikh, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms

When asked to comment on claims that he was receiving a 1million fee, Lord Pannick said to the Mail: 'I never comment on my fees  whether what you have said is accurate or inaccurate.'

On the other side of the courtroom, Princess Haya, the Sheikh's ex-wife and opponent, headed her team with Charles Geekie QC, a leading family law silk, with a focus on matters involving children.

According to the Legal 500, a directory of barristers in the UK, Mr Geekie is 'renowned for his handling of extremely complex and sensitive children matters.'

'[He] routinely engages in cases relating to sexual, emotional and physical abuse,' the review adds.

Instructing Mr Geekie was Princess Haya's solicitor, Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who represented Prince Charles in his 1996 divorce of Princess Diana.

Baroness Shackleton's fees for divorce cases have been reported at over 500 per hour.

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the wife of Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and her lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton arrive at the High Court in London, Britain at the end of February

In addition to the royal divorce, Baroness Shackleton represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills in 2008, where legal bills exceeded 100,000.

One of Shackleton's former clients revealed the Baroness had charged 95,000 for advice on a child support case. The case was later dropped and the client paid his own costs.

Princess Haya, 45, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is wealthy in her own right, was in court to apply for her children to be made wards of court.

She also asked the High Court in London to make a series of findings of fact about Sheikh Mohammed, in particular in relation to the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart.

She was also applying for a forced marriage protection order in relation to Princess Jalila and a non-molestation order for her own protection.

The princess studied philosophy and economics at Oxford University and is a keen equestrian, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, who abducted and detained two of his adult daughters against their will almost two decades apart, a High Court judge has found

The mother-of-three attended almost every hearing, flanked by Baroness Shackleton and a security detail, but Sheikh Mohammed did not attend one.

Sheikh Mohammed's legal team insisted prior to the fact-finding hearing that the ruler 'could not and would not' attend to give evidence.

Lord Pannick told the court that, if the fact-finding went ahead, Sheikh Mohammed's lawyers would 'play no active part in these proceedings'.

But Sir Andrew refused to allow him to withdraw, after Mr Geekie told the court that it would not be right that 'the father's wish to avoid the scrutiny of the court should deployed in order to reduce the protection that is available to the children'.
The captain said the CDC was discussing individual results with the ships doctor and that the California Department of Public Health had asked everyone to remain isolated in their rooms, according to a recording provided to The Washington Post. This is an evolving situation, and we are doing our best to tell you what we know in a timely manner.
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Linkedin Hyonhee Shin (Reuters) Seoul, South Korea  Fri, March 6, 2020 13:31 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c3466 2 World South-Korea,Japan,diplomatic-spat,diplomatic-relations,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,health Free

South Korea issued a strongly worded protest on Friday against Japan's decision to quarantine South Korean visitors for two weeks, as coronavirus containment measures ignited a fresh diplomatic row between the Asian nations.

Japan joined the list of almost 100 countries that have imposed restrictions on South Korean travelers, barring arrivals from highly affected areas starting on Saturday and ordering a two-week quarantine for those from other regions.

The South Korean foreign ministry said Japan's ambassador would be summoned to explain Tokyo's decision and receive a formal complaint. Seoul has previously summoned ambassadors from Vietnam and Singapore over similar travel restrictions.

"It is extremely regrettable Japan took this unreasonable and excessive step without sufficient prior consultation with us, and we strongly urge immediate reconsideration," it said.

After a meeting at the presidential Blue House, the National Security Council (NSC) issued a statement saying Tokyo faced "mistrust from the international community due to its opaque, passive" response to the coronavirus outbreak.

"We will explore necessary countermeasures based on principles of reciprocity," it said.

Japan's chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, defended the travel restrictions which also apply to visitors from China.

"The decision was the result of a comprehensive review of the information available about the situation in other countries and the effects of other measures," he said.

"I think the timing is appropriate."

The row came as the number of new cases in South Korea, the country with the biggest outbreak of the flu-like virus outside China, fell to 196 from 760 the previous day, for a total of 6,284 infections. The death toll rose by seven to 42, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

The US Forces Korea reported a new case for a total of seven among soldiers, employees or people related to the roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea.

Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said authorities had almost completed testing more than 200,000 followers of a church in the southeastern city of Daegu at the center of South Korea's outbreak.

"It is difficult to predict future developments because there are secondary and tertiary infections happening around the country involving them," Kim told reporters.

More than 90% of confirmed cases in South Korea have been found in Daegu city and nearby North Gyeongsang Province. Smaller clusters of infections have been found in other regions, including a new one reported on Friday at a hospital in Seongnam southeast of Seoul.

The number of South Koreans visiting Japan fell nearly 26% last year from 2018 to 5.6 million, the first drop since 2011 when Japan was hit by an earthquake and nuclear disaster, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Japan and South Korea have had difficult relations since Japan's 1910-45 occupation of the Korean peninsula. Last year Tokyo slapped trade curbs on South Korea and South Koreans responded with a boycott on Japanese goods and services.
Anthony Levandowski, a former star Google and Uber engineer who helped pioneer self-driving cars, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday after a court ordered him to pay $179 million to Google over a contract dispute.

The damages stemmed from an arbitration case between Google and Levandowski. The engineer had for years worked on self-driving cars at Google before leaving to create an autonomous vehicle startup in 2016 and then later joining ride-hailing giant Uber.

An arbitration panel had ruled in December that Levandowski and another colleague, Lior Ron, had engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by secretly poaching away Google colleagues to join the startup. On Wednesday, a San Francisco County court confirmed the arbitration panels decision that Levandowski pay $179 million to Google.

In his filing for bankruptcy protection, Levandowski said he had $50 million to $100 million in personal assets, which would not be enough to pay the damages.

Uber declined to comment, as did Levandowskis lawyer. Waymo, the self-driving car company that was spun out of Google, said, We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our confidential information is protected as we build the worlds most experienced driver.

The substantial damages and bankruptcy filing are another ignominious chapter for one of Silicon Valleys onetime brightest technologists.

Levandowski had been paid handsomely for his years of work at Google and had a close relationship with Larry Page, a founder and former CEO. But the relationship changed when Levandowski left and took some of the companys talent with him to found Otto, a self-driving truck startup. Levandowski later sold Otto to Uber for more than $600 million.

His good fortune soon ran out. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber and Levandowski for theft of trade secrets, accusing the two of conspiring to steal years of autonomous vehicle research to bolster Ubers own self-driving program. Uber and Waymo eventually settled, with Uber handing Waymo roughly $245 million in Uber stock.

But it was not over for Levandowski.

In August, federal prosecutors charged him with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets from Google, a case that is still open.

At the same time, Google pursued its own case against Levandowski for poaching employees, resulting in Wednesdays ruling.

Its unclear if Levandowski will have to pay, given that his employment agreement with Uber stated it indemnified him. In a securities filing this week, Uber left the question open.

While Uber and Levandowski are parties to an indemnification agreement, whether Uber is ultimately responsible for such indemnification is subject to a dispute between the company and Levandowski, Ubers filing said.

Mike Isaac is a New York Times writer.
Four alleged drug peddlers were arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) from the KR Puram police station area on Thursday.

The alleged drug peddlers have been identified as Hari Krishnan, Muhammed Fibin, Hari Shankar and Rahul.

A statement from the CCB, Bengaluru said, "7 kg ganja, 70 LSD strips, 12.3 kg gms of hashish oil, 170 gms of hashish ball, and five mobile phones have been seized from their possession. The total seizure amounts to a value of Rs 50 lakhs."

"The accused used to bring these substances from Vizag in Andhra Pradesh and sell it to students and techies here," the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Like many Bay Area residents, John Soffel feels gnawing unease entering public spaces  including BART  with threats of the coronavirus outbreak always looming in the background.

But Soffel still stoically takes the train from his home in El Cerrito to work as a dog walker in Berkeley each day, along with thousands of other riders.

BART officials want to assuage their fears. As the virus spread they began ramping up cleanings and instructing crews to frequently douse station floors and other surfaces with disinfectant. At end-of-the line stations, custodial workers scrub train handrails and stanchions with germicidal wipes, in addition to their routine car washings.

Chief Safety Officer Jeffrey Lau said in a memo to board directors that BART has not seen a dip in ridership since the first coronavirus cases popped up in Northern California last month. The number of riders even increased from the third week in February to the fourth, Lau said.

With a growing number of companies encouraging their employees to work from home and many events being canceled, however, transit ridership is bound to drop.

Sure, Im thinking about it, but I still have to ride, Soffel said, leaning against his bicycle on the El Cerrito Del Norte Station platform, as a San Francisco-bound train rattled in. A woman boarding the car ahead of him wore a protective black mask over her mouth and nose.

Throughout the Bay Area and across the country, transit agencies are laying out emergency plans and bracing for possible exposure to the virus. BART plans to isolate and quarantine any train cars visited by a person suspected or confirmed to have the illness. Workers would then spray the car interiors with hospital-grade cleaning solution.

So far, the transit agency doesnt know of that happening. Since its difficult to take transit without touching anything, practicing basic hygiene after riding is probably the best defense  wash hands, avoid touching your face and stay home if you are sick. More passengers are wearing masks, but health authorities do not recommend it due to potential shortages for medical purposes.

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority now disinfects the entire subway and bus system every 72 hours. At Muni, managers are reviewing procedures to see if they can increase scrubbings of Muni vehicles, which now happen nightly. The bus and train system that carries 720,000 passengers each weekday gets a thorough wipe-down each night with Germ Swipe and United 282 cleaning products, plus bleach if necessary, said Erica Kato, an agency spokeswoman.

Most transit agencies have long-standing contagious-virus protocols, having faced previous pandemics such as SARS and MERS, said Chad Chitwood, spokesman for the American Public Transportation Association. Chitwood has not seen any evidence that coronavirus fears are chasing riders away from transit systems, though many have stepped into crisis communications mode. The association held an industry-wide webinar on Thursday so that officials from many agencies could discuss health and safety measures to stave off infections.

At Powell Street BART Station, people drifted along the platform in surgical masks Thursday morning. One man wore thick white gloves to keep germs away.

Suzon Kornblum of Pleasanton whipped a vial of hand sanitizer out of her purse. She said shes always been wary of contagions on BART, and generally avoids touching escalator handrails or station furnishings. She wore a silk scarf that doubled as a mouth cover, since she could pull it up if anyone started coughing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

I do worry about people sneezing and coughing, Kornblum said.

BART has long struggled with perceptions that it is a cesspool of germs, exacerbated by the prevalence of homelessness and drug use in its trains and stations. Two years ago the transit agency hired an internationally decorated master cleaner to teach its custodial crews proper techniques to mop and dispose of biohazards.

The teacher, a veteran Marine Corps drill instructor who later devoted himself to proper floor-mopping, found all kinds of problems with BARTs cleaning process when he arrived in October 2018. W. Marion Ivey saw employees haphazardly pour cleaning products on floors and restrooms, judging whether a surface was clean by how it looked and smelled. As a result, they wasted solution and left puddles of cleanser that attracted more dirt and residue, he said.

Management was willing to make a direction change, Ivey said in an interview that year.

Passengers said Thursday that they are vigilant, nonetheless.

I havent stopped riding, said Pinole resident Tony Alberto, waiting for an East Bay-bound train at Powell. But I do move if I see someone coughing.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
Kayakers paddling the Rio Chama in northern New Mexico may encounter a barbed wire fence adorned with a private property sign running through the river. The obstacles are the result of a rule that has muddied the waters of public stream access and private land.

Now, that fight could be resolved in court.

Michael Sloane, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, filed a complaint for declaratory judgment Wednesday in state District Court. Sloane, represented by two lawyers on the governors staff, asked the court for clarity on a stream access issue.

The non-navigable waters rule allows landowners  with state Game Commission approval  to prohibit public access to water flowing through private property.

The court filing says the rule lacks clear legal guidance, and Sloane is in the untenable position of enforcing competing and undefined legal rights.

In 2015, the Legislature made it illegal to walk or wade onto private land through non-navigable public water, or access public water by way of private property without written landowner permission.

The commission was left to determine what non-navigable meant and how to certify those waterways. The previous Game Commission said the restrictions apply even if the public enters waterways by way of public land. The public could be charged with trespass if they enter certified waterways.

Judy Robinson, deputy director of communications with the Governors Office, said the lawsuit is seeking clarity on both the 2015 legislative action and the commission rule. New Mexicos Constitution says all waterways belong to the public.

The agency is required to follow the statute, but also the constitution, and those provide varying signals, Robinson said. The question is, should the commission follow the statute or does the constitution require the commissioners to interpret it differently?

In July 2019, the new commission placed a moratorium on the rule and officially asked Sloane in November to amend or repeal the rule.

Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, said the rule has blocked waterways for recreation.

Navigability became a red herring and confused the public with a bunch of questions that really dont matter, because the waters of New Mexico belong to the public, Deubel said. Just about everyone involved in this issue agrees it has to be decided by the court at some point.

Western Landowners Alliance Director Lesli Allison told the Journal in December that the rule prevented trespass and protected sensitive waterways.

Sloane and the commission approved five applications before the moratorium, including on land owned by Chama Troutstalkers in Rio Arriba County, Rio Dulce Ranch in San Miguel County, and Z&T Cattle Company in Grant, Socorro and Chaves counties. Robinson said the certified waterway restrictions remain valid until a court rules otherwise.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Home Search ICH American politics is a Ponzi scheme and thats how Michelle Obama could become the next US president By Robert Bridge March 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The Democrats have promoted a long list of pretenders to the throne, like Beto, Buttigieg and Bloomberg, only to watch each one flame out spectacularly. Has all the empty hype been mere dress rehearsal for the main attraction? In every Democratic debate, the elephant in the room came in the form of a question, Do the Democrats really think they can beat Trump with this rogues gallery of political hacks? If they arent too young and inexperienced, like the ex mayor of South Bend, then they are too old and feeble-minded, like the lead candidate who just declared he was running for the US Senate. If they arent a bald-faced liar, like a certain fake native American, they are a brutally honest socialist who freely admits he will confiscate your hard-earned earnings once elected. From the beginning, the Democrats have been desperate to make up for what they lacked in raw talent with sheer numbers. They flooded the debate stage with a record-breaking 29 candidates, many of them virtual unknowns (Moulton, Inslee or Hickenlooper, anyone?). Just three of the pageants contestants are still standing today: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Tulsi Gabbard, who, with her single delegate may actually get to participate in the debates again. Elizabeth Warren has reportedly dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary. A miracle or rigged election? https://t.co/ZmW4j9VFjC  Lisa Mei Crowley (@LisaMei62) March 4, 2020 What is most startling about this cycles nomination process, aside from the Iowa caucus fiasco, is how lightning fast the political fortunes have turned. Just last week, it looked as though the horse race would come down to a photo finish between Buttigieg and Sanders. That did not materialize, of course, and here is where the US political system is beginning to resemble an elaborate Ponzi scheme whereas Americans 'invest' in a particular candidate only to have that person jump ship, forcing their supporters to go with the next investment higher up the food chain. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Ponzi schemes are a godsend for people who get in and out early while the potential for profit is high. For those left holding the bag when the bottom falls out, however, its not a pleasant experience. The obvious example is Pete Buttigieg, a guest of honor at many a billionaire wine-cellar events who racked up over $100 million from wealthy donors while enjoying non-stop media exposure, the majority of it super positive. Yet Buttigieg abandoned all hope on the eve of Super Tuesday just because Joe Biden managed to win South Carolina. Really? Shortly later, media mogul Michael Bloomberg, who blew more than half a billion dollars on a massive ad blitz that only bought him American Samoa, followed in lock step behind Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar into early retirement. I find it "Ironic" that suddenly Wine Caves Are The Hot Topic On All News... #WineCaves



The California winemakers who hosted a dinner at a wine cave for [D] Con Party presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg are defending the fundraising eventhttps://t.co/VjI26zj41a  Steven Lundgren (@love4thegameAK) December 22, 2019 Unfortunately for the former investors of Buttigieg, Bloomberg and Klobuchar, they are forced to hedge their bets on none other than Joe Biden, 77, a man who appears to be exhibiting all the trademark signs of senility. As just a quick sampler, the former vice president recently proclaimed he was gearing up for Super Thursday, while confusing his wife Jill for his sister Valerie during a rally. Notice no concern in the Democrat Party-press this morning about Joe Bidens mental health. Wheres Dr. Lee? Where are all the CNN and MSNBC pundits? What about the prospect of triggering the 25th amendment should he win? Such frauds. Unfree press.  Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) March 4, 2020 While the establishment and media shrugs off Bidens slow-motion detachment from a safe space known as reality, they must be aware that he stands little chance of defeating Trump in November. And here is where it seems the Democrats may be cooking up a plan to keep their grand Ponzi scheme alive and, just maybe, win the White House back. Michelle Obama, the Democrats secret weapon? At first glance, the idea that the former First Lady to President Barack Obama could have any chance as a presidential contender may seem a bit wild. Yet is it any less wild that a former bartender named Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at the age of 29, was elected to Congress where she is now shaking up Washington with radical left ideology? Or that the Swedish child activist, Greta Thunberg, without the benefit of a biology degree, has won international fame and notoriety by lecturing the global movers and shakers on climate change? Could the same sort of good fortune, combined with a ton of media hype, be bestowed upon Michelle Obama? Steve Bannon, chief executive of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and former White House strategist, is one person who thinks it is possible. Michelle Obama could come in at the last second at the convention for a salvation of the Democratic Party, Bannon said in an interview on the David Brody podcast. I think the Democrats will turn to anybody that thinks they can save their party. To lend some credence to Bannons prediction, a February poll by Stanfords Hoover Institution asked over 1,500 California residents who they would like to see as Vice President on the Democratic ticket. Michelle Obama attracted 31 percent support, far ahead of Kamala Harris (19 percent) and Amy Klobuchar (18 percent). It should be mentioned that Michele Obama has commented in the past that there is "zero chance" she would ever run for president but, then again, Donald Trump also denied presidential ambitions before deciding to run. It should not be forgotten that the Obamas, much like the Clintons, are the closest thing to gilded royalty inside of the Democratic palace. In July, Michelle Obama, coming on the heels of a nationwide book tour, was ranked the most admired woman in the world in a poll conducted by the market research firm YouGov. The former first lady edged out Oprah Winfrey (2), Hillary Clinton (8), and even Queen Elizabeth II (4). And although there were numerous things to dislike about the two-term Obama presidency  a disastrous war in Libya, for example the media never stopped fawning over Americas first Black president. The glowing coverage continues today as the media reinforces the idea that Barack and Michelle somehow enjoy the moral high ground over Trump and his deplorables. Obamas aspirational tone gives the former first lady a high moral position within the party and American life, The Hill wrote in late 2018, predicting that Michelle will eventually become one of the most sought-after surrogates for Democrats trying to defeat Trump in 2020. Are those credentials enough to magically turn Michelle Obama loose against Trump in November, at the very least as a running mate with Joe Biden, assuming he doesnt utter a gaffe too far before then, which is certainly a high probability? Personally, I think it is. With the full backing of the media industrial complex, together with the deep pockets of the wealthiest Americans, Democratic voters could easily be drummed into an absolute state of frenzy over Michelle that would make Trump Derangement Syndrome resemble the common cold. In that case, the worlds greatest Ponzi scheme, which would bring together the supporters of the Democratic Partys 29 former presidential hopefuls, could actually succeed in delivering the United States its first woman president in 2020, and the downfall of Donald Trump. Stranger things have happened in the world of politics. Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist. He is the author of the book, 'Midnight in the American Empire,' released in 2013. Follow him on Twitter @Robert_Bridge - " Source " Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Michelle Obama takes to the campaign trail in Michigan
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday told the Senate that neither desires "any security role of India in Afghanistan" nor wants presence of militant organisations - Al-Qaeda and ISIS - in the landlocked country, a media report said.

Briefing the Upper House on the February 29 peace deal between US and Taliban, the Foreign Minister told the house that India had always played role of a spoiler. "There were spoilers in the past and they are even today, within and outside Afghanistan, who want to get their own objectives."

doesn't want that footprints of Al-Qaeda and Daesh or ISIS grow in Afghanistan because their presence would disrupt peace in the region, the minister said in a policy statement in the house.

Talking about the joint declaration issued by US and Afghan government in Kabul the same day when peace agreement was signed, and the former's offer to the latter to help address its misunderstandings with Pakistan, Qureshi said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all issues with Afghanistan bilaterally.

"The third force cannot find a way out for us," he said adding that this would be a preferred option for Pakistan.

Reiterating that Pakistan was never part of the peace talks and their role "has always been and will always be" that of a facilitator, the minister said Pakistan cannot give guarantee or take responsibility to peace in Afghanistan. "This is a shared responsibility, and all (stakeholders) will have to play their role. There are many powers, interests and motives (involved)," he added.

He said that the true test of the Afghan leadership begins now as Afghan people want peace. "Can they rise to the occasion and chart a peaceful way forward or not, only time will tell." He added that Pakistan would not be able to bear influx of more refugees if Afghanistan witnessed instability. "If violence erupts in the neighbouring country, there will be a spillover of it in Pakistan."

Highlighting the Pakistan's objectives to bring peace in the war-torn country, the Foreign Minister argued that Pakistan wishes secure and regulated border with Afghanistan but would never want joint operations. We also wish to see safe and respectful return of Afghan refugees and want to remove a negative perception about Pakistan present in the minds of a certain faction in Afghanistan, he said adding that Pakistan would engage with such people.

"There were some forces in the past and there are present today who are sceptic about the deal," the foreign minister said adding that some people in Afghanistan and US understand that the effort will be futile. He explained if peace prevails in Afghanistan, it has a dividend with having positive effect on Pakistan who will getting opportunities to enhance regional connectivity and restart its stalled projects with central Asian states. Similarly, landlocked countries would get trade route through Gwadar Port and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project would benefit from this.
Contributed photo

WOODBURY  The March 15 concert with Connecticut-based husband and wife duo, Handler and Levesque, presented by the Friends of the Woodbury Senior Community Center, at 2 p.m. March 15 has been canceled.

Handler and Levesque, will perform unique, expressive arrangements that blend classical, Latin American, swing, folk, gypsy, and jazz music influences. Audiences have responded with great enthusiasm to their extraordinary sound, amusing anecdotes and the joyful spirit of their music, according to a statement.
A ghost hunter has shared five creepy encounters at some of Australia's most haunted locations.

Amy's Crypt, a YouTuber who travels the world to explore the paranormal, visited a hotel, arcade, cemetery and mental ward in her latest spooky compilation video.

Amy said a spirit called her a 'b***h' and she claimed to hold hands with a four-year-old ghost among other bizarre experiences at some of the nation's most haunted sites.

Amy's Crypt (pictured), a YouTuber who travels the world to explore the paranormal, visited a hotel, arcade, cemetery and mental ward in her latest spooky compilation video

Australian Hotel: Amy claimed a four-year-old girl named Katier Marie tried to hold her hand during her visit

AUSTRALIAN HOTEL - BOONAH, QUEENSLAND

The traditional country hotel, about one-hour south of Brisbane, was established in 1888 and has had numerous reports of meetings with the paranormal.

A four-year-old girl called Katie Marie allegedly haunts the hotel, after dying from influenza inside the institution's walls.

During her visit, Amy used light sensor balls - which need to be touched to be activated.

Haunting video footage showed one of the balls flicker in different colours, despite no one touching the ball.

Amy also invited Katie to hold her hand and filmed the encounter with a thermal camera.

'I'm gonna say that my hand feels weirdly warm,' Amy says in the video.

The thermal camera picked up that there was heat 'dripping down' Amy's hand, suggesting the four-year-old ghost took up Amy's offer to hold hands.

Adelaide Arcade: Amy believed the abnormal amount of deaths in the arcade led her to have a personal experience with a ghost

ADELAIDE ARCADE - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The heritage shopping arcade in the Adelaide CBD has a long history stretching all the way back to 1885.

Amy believed she had a personal experience with a ghost while walking through the arcade, which she thinks could be linked to the abnormal number of deaths at the iconic shopping mall.

'All of a sudden I felt as though something had affected my ear and one side of my face,' she said.

Amy tied her Adelaide Arcade experience to the death of Francis Cluney, whose body was mangled by machinery in the engine room

Amy said she felt a high-pitched ringing on her right side.

'I'm not one to typically succumb to physiological affects from the paranormal so this experience was interesting to me,' she explained.

Amy tied her experience to the death of Francis Cluney, whose body was mangled by machinery in the engine room.

Mr Cluney was a war hero and Amy said he could have experienced similar sensations after surviving through battle.

Farina was eventually abandoned and became known as a ghost down due to its left behind cemetery, police station and church

FARINA CEMETERY - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Farina is a remote former farming and mining community which was founded in 1878.

The town was eventually abandoned and became known as a ghost down due to its left behind cemetery, police station and church.

Amy and her husband Jarred were filming at the cemetery during the night when he claimed to be touched by something he couldn't see.

Jarred said he felt something, like a goat, tug on his jacket sleeve.

Amy and her husband Jarred were filming at the cemetery during the night when he claimed to be touched by something he couldn't see

Z Ward, built in 1885, housed South Australia's criminally insane for almost 20 years in Adelaide suburb Glenside

Z WARD - ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Z Ward, built in 1885, housed South Australia's criminally insane for almost 20 years in Adelaide suburb Glenside.

The ward was decommissioned in 1973 but following community support in 2014 it was reopened for tours to shed light on its history and show-off its architecture.

Amy used a spirit box - a ghost hunting radio - to try and communicate with patients whose spirits remain behind.

'The first appears to call me a b***h after a reach out while the second answers a specific question I ask,' Amy explains in the video.

Amy asked the spirit if they knew their names and the device appear to respond with 'Kag', which was the name of their tour guide.

Amy used a spirit box - a ghost hunting radio - to try and communicate with patients whose spirits remain behind

Amy stayed in a room at The Bush Inn for three nights, which is said to be the institutions most cursed rooms, allegedly haunted by a six-year-old girl

THE BUSH INN, NEW NORFOLK, TASMANIA

Opened in 1815, The Bush Inn is one of Australia's oldest pubs.

Amy stayed in room six for three nights, which is said to be the institutions most cursed rooms, allegedly haunted by a six-year-old girl.

The ghost hunter put her camera on a tripod in her room, while filming herself talk about the pub.

'While I was talking, the light on the camera started to turn its own brightness up. It went from level 10 to 35 in a matter of seconds,' Amy said.
She starred for two seasons in HBO's Westworld.

And even though she is not part of the cast anymore, Angela Sarafyan showed up to support the premiere for WESTWORLD III held Thursday night in Hollywood.

The actress, 36, whose character Clementine Pennyfeather was killed off in season two, walked the red carpet in a stunning Grecian-style gown.

Stunning: She starred for two seasons in HBO's Westworld. And even though she is not part of the cast anymore, Angela Sarafyan supported the WESTWORLD III premiere on Thursday

Sarafyan went bra-less in the pale pink dress, the bodice of which comprised of two swathes of material draped strategically across her bare chest.

The material was gathered at hip level at the front by a large metallic clasp then fell to the floor pooling around her feet.

The Armenian-born beauty wore her long hair in an elegant chignon and accessorized with stunning diamond earrings.

Dared to bare: The actress, 36, whose character Clementine Pennyfeather was killed off in season two, walked the red carpet in Hollywood wearing stunning Grecian-style gown

Flaunted her cleavage: Sarafyan went bra-less in the pale pink dress, the bodice of which comprised of two swathes of material draped strategically across her bare chest

Floaty: The material was gathered at hip level at the front by a large metallic clasp then fell to the floor pooling around her feet. The actress showed plenty of skin in the backless gown

Stylish: The Armenian-born beauty wore her long hair in an elegant chignon and accessorized with stunning diamond earrings and stepped out in silver sandal heels

Following her stint in Westworld, Sarafyan starred in last year's Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile alongside Zac Efron and Lily Collins.

She has also wrapped production on the sci-fi romantic thriller Reminiscence with her Westworld co-star Thandie Newton as well as Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson.

The new series of Westworld has eight episodes and premieres on HBO on March 15.

Returning stars include Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth and Simon Quarterman while newcomers this season include Aaron Paul and Vincent Cassel.

WATCH WESTWORLD III ON SKY ATLANTIC AND NOW TV FROM 16 MARCH

Killed off: Sarafyan's charcater Clementine Pennyfeather died at the hands of a Delos security guard in season two
In an act of public shaming, the district administration has installed more than 100 hoardings, making public the images, names and addresses of protestors against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act who are accused of damaging public and private property during the violent demonstrations in Lucknow in December.

The administration has also put up some hoardings announcing the amount demanded from the 53 protestors in the Uttar Pradesh capital and warning that their properties would be attached if they failed to pay the recovery amount.

It was ordered that there should be proper publication of the fact that these people are guilty. Hence, it was decided to put up the hoardings so that these people may not escape after selling off their properties, said Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, additional district magistrate (ADM), trans-Gomti, whose court has issued recovery notices against some protestors.

The move has attracted strong reactions not only from the protestors but also from ordinary citizens, politicians, legal experts and social activists who slammed the idea of public shaming although some voices were in favour of the administration. The Samajwadi Party, on its official Twitter handle, put up posters of chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya with scanned copies of old criminal cases filed against them.

SR Darapuri, a retired Indian Police Service officer whose picture is among the 53 anti-CAA protestors on the hoardings, said he planned to file a defamation suit against the Lucknow district administration. Also, we would be challenging the additional district magistrate courts order, which imposed recovery on anti-CAA protestors, in the high court. The act is undemocratic and we were not involved in the vandalism, a fact which even the police has failed to prove. This public shaming is not acceptable, he said. Darapuri was detained for 17 days after the violent anti-CAA protests.

Some anti-CAA protestors said the billboards had given away their identities to the people who are in favour of the law posing a potential risk to their lives. What happened in Delhi is known to all,said Deepak Kabir, an anti-CAA protestor. He was referring to the recent violence involving mostly Muslim anti-CAA protestors and their mainly Hindu pro-CAA opponents .

By publicising our names and addresses, the administration has identified us to the pro-CAA protestors, which could result in any untoward incident, he said, adding that the cost of the hoardings may have exceeded the money demanded of the protestors. Robin Verma, another protestor, said: The administration has actually shown the way to our houses to anti-social elements by making our addresses public.

Some citizens asked why the administration couldnt publicly display the names of criminals who commit serious offences like rape and murder.

Why are their (criminals) names only restricted to the police station and not at the main public congregation points, said Smita Singh, a student of the University of Lucknow.

As of now, the district administration has assessed the damages at ~1.55 crore and issued recovery notices to 53 protestors.

The administration is risking their {anti-CAA protestors} lives by putting up their photographs with complete addresses and names, said Madhu Garg, state president, All India Democratic Womens Association.
ATLANTA - Crowded candidate fields for two U.S. Senate races on Georgias 2020 ballots took final shape Friday, the deadline for contenders to sign up. Meanwhile, a woman recently pardoned by President Donald Trump filed paperwork to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta.

A total of 21 candidates, including recently appointed Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, paid fees and filed paperwork to be on the Nov. 3 ballot for Georgias special election for Loefflers seat.

That race wont be preceded by the normal party primaries to thin the pack before the fall. The crowded field only increases odds that the race will get pushed into overtime with a Jan. 5 runoff between the top two vote-getters in the race for retired Sen. Johnny Isaksons old seat.

Loeffler, who took office in January by appointment of the governor, and GOP rival U.S. Rep. Doug Collins arent the only Republicans in the free-for-all. Other GOP contenders who qualified include Derrick Grayson, Wayne Johnson, Kandiss Taylor and Annette Davis Jackson.

Democrats officially in the race include the Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached; Ed Tarver, who served as U.S. attorney for Georgias Southern District under President Barack Obama; Matt Lieberman, an educator and the son of former vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman. Tamara Johnson-Shealey, Joy Felicia Slade, Richard Dien Winfield, Deborah Jackson and Jamesia James also qualified as Democrats.

This is a critical moment in the history of our country, so many people are depending on us, Warnock told reporters at the state capitol in Atlanta on Friday after filing his paperwork.

Several third-party and independent candidates also qualified to challenge Loeffler, including Libertarian Brian Slowinski, Green Party candidate John Green Fortuin, independents Al Bartell, Allen Buckley, Michael Todd Greene and Georgia state Rep. Valencia Stovall, and Rod Mack.

In Georgias other U.S. Senate race, Republican Sen. David Perdue drew no opposition from within his own party as he seeks a second term.

Democrats nominating a challenger for Perdue will have many choices in the May 19 primary. Jon Ossoff, who smashed fundraising records in an unsuccessful 2017 congressional campaign; former Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson; and 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor Sarah Riggs Amico are the top contenders. Other Democrats running include former ACLU of Georgia head Maya Dillard Smith, Tricia Carpenter McCracken, James Knox and Marckeith DeJesus.

Libertarian Shane Hazel also qualified to challenge Perdue.

Georgias longest serving congressman drew two surprise challengers Friday. Trump supporter Angela Stanton-King signed up to run as a Republican against Lewis, a Democrat and civil rights hero seeking an 18th term despite a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. From Lewis left, teacher Barrington Martin entered the Democratic primary.

This isnt about replacing John Lewis, this is about picking up the torch and continuing the fight for justice, Stanton-King wrote in a tweet. She was pardoned last month by Trump for her part in a stolen car ring, after serving six months of home confinement in 2007.

In suburban Atlantas 6th Congressional District, five Republicans led by former U.S. Rep. Karen Handel are battling to take on first-term Democratic incumbent Lucy McBath. In the suburban 7th District, seven Republicans and six Democrats seek to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Rep Rod Woodall.
March 06, 2020 / 04:57 PM IST

RBI announces scheme of reconstruction for Yes Bank: Authorised capital of Yes Bank shall stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and number of equity shares stand altered to Rs 2,400 crore of Rs 2 each.

State Bank of India (SBI) is going to invest in reconstructed bank for up to 49 percent stake at a price not less than Rs 10 per share. However, SBI not to reduce holding below 26 percent before 3 years from the date of capital infusion.
(Photo : KIM KYUNG-HOON on Reuters) Coronavirus Update: COVID-19 is Now Mutating Into Another Virus in Brazil and It's Scary! (Photo : KYODO on Reuters) Coronavirus Update: COVID-19 is Now Mutating Into Another Virus in Brazil and It's Scary!

Coronavirus has already changed its course of target, and it is now mutating into something else. If you think that COVID-19had already created massive panic in the world, wait, there's more! Virologists found out that there seemed to be a case wherein the Coronavirus was mutated into another virus that is now found in parts of Brazil.

Luckily, experts said that people should not be worried about the said claim as it is just natural for viruses to mutate over time-- however, expect that this will not be the last time we're going to see Coronavirus mutations in the future.

Shocking! COVID-19 doesn't just sit idle; It even mutates to something extraordinary virus

On Wednesday, Mar. 4, Tech Times reported that health experts already identified two strains of Coronaviruses: the Type L and Type S viruses. Type L virus is typically the normal virus that most people get to have that are 70 percent more aggressive and contagious. This virus is also easily shown to a person with symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, Type S virus is more dangerous since people that have this Type of Coronavirus might not show any physical symptoms over time compared to Type L. This alarms most countries that already let go of possible Coronavirus victims that underwent quarantine as this Type of virus might only show after the quarantine period.

Though this is now alarming, David Heymann, an infectious disease epidemiology professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that they now found minor mutations in strands of Coronavirus in Brazil.

COVID-19 is now mutating into something indescribable

According to the report, the found Coronavirus mutations in Brazil are way different Coronavirus strands that are now killing most people in Wuhan, China. It is a new virus that came from the same virus.

Though it sounds alarming, experts said that Coronavirus is a ribonucleic acid virus that normally mutates due to its nature. This means that mutations in these types of viruses are just a normal thing that is about to happen many times soon in the future.

"Nothing has occurred that is major, and this virus appears to be stable," said Heymann. "Small mutations are normal, especially with RNA [Ribonucleic acid] viruses."

Since it is only a minor mutation, people should not be worried about this newly-discovered mutation virus. However, the problem lies when the virus tends to have tons of virus mutations in the future-- which may cause a bigger outbreak.

As of now, Coronavirus has already killed more than 3,000 victims, and less than 100,000 cases were previously confirmed to have the disease around the globe.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Iraqi Health Ministry has confirmed that the number of positive cases of the new coronavirus in the country has reached 35 and that two people have died. Experts, however, said that they think there are many more cases than this and that there will be many more to come. The Health Ministry does not have sufficient capabilities to control the numbers of infected people and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the experts added.

In such circumstances, religious gatherings in holy shrines, mosques and other religious centers have turned into a source of concern because of their potential role to accelerate the spread of the disease.

Hazem al-Jumaili, the ministrys technical undersecretary, stressed the need to close religious sites and halt Friday prayers. He said these gatherings help spread the disease. After collective prayers, worshipers often shake hands and kiss.

Although many religious institutions in this religiously conservative country have been reluctant to go quite as far as Jumail suggests, they have taken several precautionary measures. They also launched an awareness-raising campaign on the implementation of the measures to contain the disease.

On March 5, the office of the top Shiite cleric in the country, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, announced the suspension of Friday prayer this week. Sistani had previously requested that religious shrines be closed. Religious lessons at the Shiite seminary (hawza) in Najaf were suspended for an indefinite period and preparations are underway to repatriate foreign students to their countries. Other Shiite authorities have announced that they have closed their offices and that they will not be receiving visitors until further notice.

Not all religious leaders are going along, however. Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr has published videos on his Facebook page about his visit to the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, saying he does this daily to prevent the closure of the holy shrine. Sadrs move stirred widespread criticism in the Iraqi street. Sadrs act was compared to similar behavior in Iran, where the continued opening of shrines and the kissing and licking of shrines is believed to have contributed to a much greater spread of the coronavirus than there might have been otherwise.

On Feb. 27, the Iraqi Fiqh Council of Senior Scholars for Preaching and Fatwas issued an edict allowing the elderly and the young with weak immunity systems to miss Friday prayer in the mosque. The council also prohibited any person infected with the coronavirus from going outdoors in an effort to curb the spread of the disease. It further urged the concerned authorities to stop general and religious tourism.

The head of Balaghi Academy for inter-religious dialogue at the hawza in Najaf, Sayyed Zaid Bahrololom, said that despite the need to stop gatherings at religious shrines and centers to prevent the spread of disease, it is also necessary to encourage people to maintain spiritual and moral communication in other, safer ways. He emphasized the great role that religion and spiritual experiences play in helping the human body resist and fight disease.

Sheikh Abd al-Wahhab al-Samarrai, a member of the Fiqh Council and the imam and preacher of the Great Imam Mosque (Abu Hanifa Mosque) in Baghdad, told Al-Monitor, The disease has yet to turn into a pandemic. If this happens, the procedures will be more stringent, and all religious gatherings will be fully suspended.

For its part, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon instructed its priests to adhere to several precautionary measures related to the coronavirus. Instructions included removing the bowl of blessed water at the entrance to the church, distributing the communion bread into the hands of the worshipers instead of in their mouths, avoiding handshaking and kissing in gatherings and stressing the need to wear protective masks.

The patriarchate said that if the disease becomes an epidemic, masses and activities will be canceled.

Cardinal Luis Rafael Saco told Al-Monitor that the patriarchate is following with interest all developments in order to raise the awareness of the parish and ensure its protection. We ordered the distribution of health recommendations to various churches and their publication on the official websites of the patriarchate, he said. Saco prepared a special prayer he wrote to beg God to end the disease.

Religious schools and institutions have been constantly publishing health and safety instructions in their centers. Officials at religious institutions, shrines and centers say there have been continuous efforts to sterilize and disinfect all halls, rooms, husayniyat (congregation halls) and mosques. Signs have been placed in all of these places asking the worshipers to refrain from shaking hands and kissing, which is a widespread practice during and after religious rituals.

In a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Health Jaafar Allawi. Sheikh Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbalai, the representative of Sistani, expressed his willingness to allocate a number of health centers affiliated with the religious establishment to be used as medical quarantine for those diagnosed with the coronavirus.

In the Kurdistan region, the KRG held a special meeting on the coronavirus March 4 and announced the suspension of all religious ceremonies and activities in places of worship, including Friday sermons throughout the entire Kurdistan region until further notice. The Union of Muslim Scholars of Kurdistan supported the government measures. Similar measures were also adopted in other Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia, home of the most important Islamic shrines, canceled all religious rituals to avoid the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, many questions are being asked by Iraqi citizens in other regions. Why are the central and local governments not taking more strict and decisive measures, and why do some religious institutions seem reluctant to take strong measures against the spread of the coronavirus?
A South Korean soldier sprays disinfectant in Seoul on Thursday as a precaution against the coronavirus. Italy closed all schools and universities and barred fans from sporting events for the next few weeks, as governments trying to curb the spread of the virus resorted to increasingly sweeping measures that transform the way people work, shop, pray and amuse themselves. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Humiliation: Breege and Stephen Quinn, parents of murder victim Paul Quinn, outside Leinster House yesterday where they held talks with political leaders. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

The parents of murdered Paul Quinn have said there are "no words for the hurt and humiliation" they feel after comments made at a Sinn Fein rally last month.

Breege and Stephen Quinn repeated their call for Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy to state their son was not a criminal as they met with political leaders in Leinster House yesterday. Ms Quinn criticised remarks at a Sinn Fein rally in Newry last week where party leader Mary Lou McDonald was told by a supporter that Mr Murphy had "nothing to apologise for".

The comments were applauded by those in attendance.

Neither Ms McDonald nor Mr Murphy, who were at the rally, responded. Both have apologised to the Quinn family but Ms Quinn said she wants Mr Murphy to state publicly her son was not a criminal.

"There are no words for the hurt and humiliation we feel to have heard these words applauded at a political rally and yet we are the ones accused of making this political," she said yesterday.

Paul Quinn, from Cullyhanna, South Armagh, was 21 when he was beaten to death by a gang of around a dozen men in a farm shed on the Border in 2007. His family blame people linked to the IRA for his murder.

Shortly after the killing, Mr Murphy, who is the North's finance minister, said Mr Quinn was involved in "smuggling and criminality".

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: "Conor Murphy has apologised for the remarks that he made and has unreservedly withdrawn them."
The researchers have come to Argonne National Laboratory from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Purdue University and other academic research institutions to unravel the mysteries of this newest strain of the coronavirus, which causes a disease called COVID-19. The data they gather could be used to develop drugs to fight the virus, but any treatment could be at least a year away.
A conman who swindled $2 million from women he met on dating sites said 'it was tough to keep track of who I was' and shrugged off claims of stolen valor when posing as a fighter pilot, in his first jailhouse interview.

Derek Alldred, 49, met more than two dozen women online, faked his identity with a web of lies, then quietly stole their credit cards, their Social Security numbers and - with some - spent their entire retirement savings.

Over several years, Alldred went by various names and pretended he had an impressive career alternating between a US Navy pilot, professor, defense analyst, attorney, doctor and firefighter to dupe the women out of thousands.

The master of deception has finally spoken out from behind bars about his fraudulent spree in an interview with Dateline.

The many faces of Derek Alldred: Alldred, 49, met more than two dozen women online, faked his identity with a web of lies, then quietly stole their credit cards, their Social Security numbers and - with some - spent their entire retirement savings

Alldred admitted that it was difficult to keep track of which alias he was posing as at any one time, in a clip seen exclusively by DailyMail.com ahead of the show airing on Friday evening.

The show will also hear from some of Alldred's victims, Deputy Sheriff Paul Meskan, and NCIS agents Mike Elkheir and Jeremy Houck.

'It was tough to keep track of who I was,' the felon said in the interview.

He described it as 'overwhelming' trying to keep his many stories straight.

'It's impossible to keep straight. Particularly when I was running from the courts or, you know, running from the United States Marshals,' he said.

'I mean, it was tough to keep track of who I was saying, you know, where I was and what I was doing and who I was. It's overwhelming.'

Alldred went on to shrug off the idea that posing as a military fighter pilot was 'stolen valor', when interviewer Andrea Canning brought up his perhaps most controversial disguise.

Canning pointed out that 'members of the military, obviously don't look kindly on people posing as military officers'.

Over several years, Alldred went by various names and pretended he had an impressive career alternating between a US Navy pilot, professor, defense analyst, attorney, doctor and firefighter to dupe the women out of thousands

In his first interview behind bars, the con artist admitted that 'it was tough to keep track of who I was'

But Alldred arrogantly dismissed the comments as 'a cheap shot question' and said: 'It's not a big part of my case, because it's actually no part of my case.'

'But it opened the door, really, to the federal authorities going after you,' Canning pushed.

Alldred responded: 'Right, I'm not gonna answer it.'

The conman also downplayed the impact he had on his victims who were left penniless, saying he was just a 'horrible boyfriend' and claims he destroyed lives are 'exaggerated'.

'I'm not trying to justify my behavior I was a horrible boyfriend, absolutely horrible. Destroying someone's life I think is a bit exaggerated,' he told Canning.

The fraudster targeted at least 25 women in California, Hawaii, Minnesota and Nevada, conning them out of thousands before one woman connected the dots and reached out to other victims.

Alldred was sentenced to 24 years in prison in Texas back in August after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity fraud.

He was also forced to pay $255,000 in restitution, a fraction of the $2 million he swindled out of his victims.

The conman while posing as a military man - perhaps is most controversial disguise. The conman shrugged off the idea that posing as a military fighter pilot was 'stolen valor', and dismissed it as 'a cheap shot question'

He met his victims on online dating sites, targeting at least 25 women in California, Hawaii, Minnesota and Nevada. Pictured are some of his online profiles

Nine of the women who fell for his lies broke their silence last year in the documentary Seduced by Evil, which aired on Oxygen.

The women revealed they all thought they had found their true love with Alldred.

He even made big plans with his victims like moving in together and making wedding plans.

He specifically targeted intelligent and vulnerable women seeking a long-term partner so he could benefit from their money.

Cindi Pardini met Alldred in 2012 through mutual friends on Facebook but would not meet in person until September 2013.

He asked to stay at her home, presenting himself as an investment banker hoping to relocate from Hawaii to San Francisco. He scammed her out of $250,000 by hacking into her finances.

Alldred then met Wendy Harvey on a dating website as Derek 'Allred.'

Under this alias, he was an investment banker and bought the Maui agency CEO lavish gifts, including $3,000 diamond earrings.

She began having suspicions about him while doing online searches, those worries were confirmed after Pardini called and revealed that Alldred was using her money to buy Harvey gifts.

Alldred then met Dr. Kimberly Haycraft on Match.com in 2013 after he had left Pardini.

Haycraft owned anti-aging practices in Maui and Minnesota, while Alldred claimed that he was part owner in a financial firm and became her business manager when the two started getting serious.

Nine of the women who fell for his lies broke their silence last year in the documentary Seduced by Evil, which aired on Oxygen, including Linda Dyas (above)

He robbed her of $35,000 in fraudulent checks, $60,000 in fraudulent credit and a $28,000 advance. Haycraft eventually bankrupted her businesses and feared for her life with Alldred.

Next, he claimed to be 'Derek R. Allarad' when meeting Minnesota school teacher JoAnn Venhuizen on Match.com in 2014.

This time, he posed as an international banking lawyer but Venhuizen sensed something was off when they went on a trip to Hawaii to meet his daughter that never showed.

The teacher would soon learn that there was a warrant out for Alldred's arrest but not before he managed to steal $24,000 from her.

Alldred then met Minneapolis IT executive Kimberly Nelson on OurTime.com while dating Dyas, going by the name 'Rich Peterson.' He claimed to be a professor who was volunteering at a homeless shelter and the two dated briefly before breaking up and rekindling the flame in 2016.

She soon learned that he stole $8,000 worth of jewelry, her passport and even her birth certificate. Nelson would soon learn that Alldred was sleeping at that same shelter.

Next, the mastermind met Dorie Watkins, a HR manager from Dallas, on PlentyOfFish in mid-2017.

He claimed to be a Navy jet pilot in the Department of Defense named Rich Tailor.

Watkins became suspicious when he kept cancelling on her, but Alldred had already stolen $17,000 from her before she could act.

The victims: The women (including left, Cindi Pardini; right JoAnn Venhuizen) were charmed by Alldred when they first met him on dating apps and fell for his lies

The victims: He specifically targeted intelligent and vulnerable women seeking a long-term partner so he could benefit from their money (left, Missi Brandt; right Kimberly Haycraft)

She took his fake uniform and badge to her local police.

Alldred was also dating Dallas health care executive Tracie Cooper-Cunningham on PlentyOfFish at the same time as Watkins.

He went by 'Rich Tailor' on a different profile and told her he was a 'semi-retired' political science professor who served in the Navy.

When she finally tried to end their fling after a month and a half, she received a call from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and participated in a sting to help detain him.

The net began to close in on Alldred in spring 2016 when he met former flight attendant Missi Brandt.

Alldred met her under the alias Richie Peterson on dating website OurTime.com and lied that he completed eight tours in Afghanistan, even donning a full uniform when he spent time with Brandt and her daughters.

One day when he was in the shower, she went through his wallet and found a Social Security card with his real name and two credit cards belonging to another woman - Linda Dyas.

The victims: Alldred has downplayed the impact on his victims who were left penniless, saying he was just a 'horrible boyfriend' and that claims he destroyed lives are 'exaggerated' (left, Dorie Watkins; right Tracie Cooper-Cunningham)

The victims: Cindi Pardini of San Francisco rallied the victims up to bring Alldred to justice, according to the US Attorney's Office in Texas, and nine of them spoke at Alldred's sentencing (left, Kimberly Nelson; right Wendy Harvey)

Brandt investigated Alldred and immediately contacted Dyas - who was living with the fugitive at the time - on Facebook Messenger.

'He was still in my house at the time. I was upstairs in my bedroom when I opened this message,' Dyas, a nuclear scientist based in Minnesota told Fox.

She immediately went to go check on her gun which she kept in the house and found it missing.

'He had used it a time or two at the shooting range. I found out later that he had carried it with him at times. I had told him not to use it. I planned to change the safe lock, and I didn't,' she said.

'There I was upstairs in my bedroom scared out of my wits because I just saw this guy's mugshot,' she added.

Dyas added there were warning signs.

'His military career didn't really match up. But I didn't question it that much. He had told me he was a reservist. I didn't really know anything about that. I didn't ask the questions I probably should have. But I just never pushed the issue,' she said.

Alldred was sentenced to 24 years in prison in Texas back in August

Later that same day Alldred complained of a pain and said he needed to go to the emergency room.

Dyas dropped him off then called the cops on her way home. By the time she called Brandt to tell her the news, Alldred was already in custody.

Alldred stole all of Dyas' emergency credit cards, ordered new cards in her name and maxed them out on lavish dinners and trips to Hawaii with other women.

He also drained her retirement savings and used the money to purchase a boat.

Dyas and Brandt then launched their own investigation and met other women who had also been conned by Alldred.

'This defendant left a trail of tears, emotional devastation, and financial ruin behind him,' US Attorney Joseph Brown said at his sentencing.

Cindi Pardini of San Francisco rallied the victims up to bring Alldred to justice, according to the US Attorney's Office in Texas, and nine of them spoke at Alldred's sentencing.

Dateline airs on Friday.
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By Judy Lin | CalMatters

THE BASICS

California is preparing for the next federal census, which will begin April 1. It's part of a survey the U.S. Census Bureau conducts every 10 years to figure out how many people live in the country. The accuracy of the count is important for two reasons: First, it is used to assign the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Second, census figures are used to direct billions of federal dollars to state and local governments -- so an undercount could cost California money.

California is especially vulnerable to an undercount because of its large immigrant population and other hard-to-reach people. In fact, a staggering 29 million Californians belong to one or more historically undercounted groups, including renters, young men, children, African Americans and Latinos.

How much could the state lose? State census officials have estimated that falling short could cost California as much as $1,000 per person a year and a seat in Congress. It's why the state is investing $187.2 million -- the most of any state -- for outreach to households that have typically been hard to count.

California households will be getting notices soon asking them to fill out the census survey. And for the first time, the government will try to collect most responses online. Here's what you need to know.

HOW HAS CALIFORNIA CHANGED?

California is teeming with people -- roughly 40 million of them, more than in 21 of the smallest states combined. A century ago, people came to the Golden State mostly from the Midwest. Today, most people are coming from Asian countries such as China and the Philippines and from Mexico.

In fact, California is so diverse that it's famous for being a majority minority state, where no ethnic group claims more than 50% of the population. Latinos began to outnumber whites sometime in the middle of the last decade and are now a plurality -- not more than half, but the largest of any group.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? (PART 1)

The census affects how California is represented in Congress. Although the U.S. Senate gets two seats per state, the number of members in the House of Representatives are based solely on population. The census is used every 10 years to reallocate the 435 seats in the House.

In this year's census, California appears likely to maintain its 53 seats. However, if hard-to-count people don't turn in their questionnaires, California could miss more than 1.6 million residents, costing the state a seat in the House, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

The census is also used to redraw voting districts. Accuracy is important to ensuring that communities have representatives who reflect them.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? (PART 2)

Census data is used to distribute $1.5 trillion in federal money to state and local governments. California residents benefit from dozens of federal programs, including the Community Development Block Grant Program, used for affordable housing and to fight poverty and for funding roads, school programs and lunches, children's health insurance, early childhood education and foster care.

Not surprisingly, California draws more federal funds tied to census findings than any other state. Andrew Reamer, research professor at George Washington University, estimates that California receives $172 billion in federal money based on population. That's dominated by $70 billion for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for senior citizens, and $52 billion for Medicaid, the health program for the poor known as Medi-Cal in California.

The correlation between census and health care for a Medicare or Medicaid patient may not be obvious. But according to Reamer, federal programs sometimes pay hospitals and providers different rates in rural, suburban and urban settings. That's one of several ways those programs are related to census data.

Beyond the government, census data is used by businesses to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, potentially creating jobs. Developers use the count to figure out where to build new homes or rehabilitate old neighborhoods.

WHO IS HARD TO COUNT?



In 2017, about 72% of all Californians belonged to one or more groups that have been historically undercounted in the census, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. That's 29 million people, many of them renters, young men, children, African Americans and Latinos, who have a lower response rate. People without a home or living in nonstandard housing, such as garages and trailers, are also hard to reach. In addition, many of these people may lack a reliable internet connection.

Moreover, immigrants worried about revealing their legal status may be reluctant to fill out the questionnaire.

To get the most accurate count, California is spending $187.2 million in marketing campaigns on TV, radio and billboards, as well as coordinating with community organizations to get households to complete and turn in their questionnaires.

WORRIED ABOUT THE CENSUS?

Should I be worried about my immigration status?

No. The 2020 census will not include a question about citizenship status.

The census is ideally supposed to count every person residing in the United States -- citizens, noncitizen legal residents and unauthorized residents. The Trump administration had sought to include this question, but was blocked from doing so by the U.S. Supreme Court: Is this person a citizen of the United States?

Chief Justice John Roberts didn't have a problem with the question itself but rejected the administration's "contrived" reason for the change.

A citizenship question won't be included on 2020 census forms. But other Census Bureau surveys do ask about a person's U.S. citizenship status.

The issue isn't new. Before 1950, the census survey given to all respondents asked foreign-born residents if they were naturalized citizens. From 1960 to 2000, a citizenship question appeared in a separate Census Bureau survey that went to a limited number of households every 10 years. In 2010, that survey was replaced with a new format called the American Community Survey, which asks a rotating sampling of residents a citizenship question on an annual basis.

What about households with some undocumented residents?

The Census Bureau is required by law to keep personal information confidential. Answers cannot be used for law-enforcement purposes or to determine eligibility for government benefits. And personal information can't be used for the purposes of immigration enforcement.

What if I don't speak English?

The state is encouraging participation by providing materials for the top 12 languages spoken in California apart from English: Spanish, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Armenian, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Punjabi and Khmer.

WHEN DOES THE CENSUS START AND END?

For the first time, the government will try to collect most responses online, with the remainder by mail, by phone or, as needed, in person. Despite concerns about cybersecurity, it's all part of an effort to cut costs and offer convenience.

Starting March 12, households will receive a letter in the mail inviting them to fill out their questionnaires online at my2020census.gov. The site will be open to the public through July 31.

Reminder notices will be sent out between late March and early April. Soon after, paper questionnaires will be sent to households that haven't completed the survey online.

Field workers will also be dispatched to get people to turn in completed surveys. These workers will show valid Census Bureau identification and won't ever ask for payment or for your Social Security number.

The count will finish in July. The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts for the House of Representatives in December. By March 2021, the bureau will send redistricting counts to the state for the redrawing of legislative districts.

WHAT QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED?

The Census Bureau asks fewer than 10 basic questions of each person in a household. Responses can be submitted online, over the phone or using the paper survey.

Below is a sample copy of the 2020 Census questionnaire.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

State Legislative Resources



This article was originally published by CalMatters on March 5.
Agnes Wightman Wilkie was a Manitoban, a nurse and a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. Now, shes part of a new campaign honouring women who served in the Second World War.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Agnes Wightman Wilkie was a Manitoban, a nurse and a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. Now, shes part of a new campaign honouring women who served in the Second World War.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched Women of Conspicuous Courage, a campaign that will introduce a digital exhibition at Runnymede Air Forces Memorial on the outskirts of London, England.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial Agnes Wightman Wilkie, a Manitoba nurse, was on a ferry torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942.

The campaign presents the life stories of five women who died in service, including Wilkie, who was born in 1904 in Oak Bluff.

After graduating from Misericordia nursing school, she began a successful career as a private nurse. When the call came to serve, she volunteered to join the navy.

"The reviews and the recommendations of her and her work couldnt have been better if they tried," Commission media officer Chris Anderson said.

She was then posted to naval HMCS Avalon in St. Johns, N.L., where she supervised young nurses.

The Women of Conspicuous Courage campaign honours women who served in the Second World War, including Manitoban Agnes Wightman Wilkie. (Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

In 1942, she was travelling back to her post aboard a ferry that was torpedoed by a German U-boat and she died at sea. She was buried with full naval honours in St. Johns.

"The tragedy of her life is that she died just trying to get back to work," Anderson said.

While the digital exhibition is focused on undercover agent Noor Inayat-Khan, the online accompaniment wanted to recognize a group of women with a wide range of experiences.

"We wanted to look at how we could acknowledge that wider role that women played around the Commonwealth, so as part of that we selected a number of stories of women from various different backgrounds, but from all across the Commonwealth," he said.

"So that we could show that it wasnt just in the U.K., it was all around the world that people were doing the same stuff. Thats where the story of Agnes comes in."

Ronn Anderson, the immediate past president for the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario command of the Royal Canadian Legion, said a common phrase he uses is "a veteran is a veteran is a veteran," and that it was especially important to remember the services provided by women who served.

"There were a lot of women who served during the Second World War that werent recognized," he said.

"They werent serving in actual combat roles that were getting all the attention, so its good to see that something is happening."

Anderson said women such as Wilkie played an essential role in the war effort, and continue to provide an essential role today.

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"When people think of wars, they think of people fighting on the battlefield, but theres so much more that creates that wider effort," he said.

"And its people like nursing sister Agnes who were also helping to train the generation of women who were going to be looking after those who were coming back with injuries.

"The war effort couldnt have happened without those people."

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
Haeckermann, CEO of Sherpany poses at his office in Zurich

By John Revill

ZURICH (Reuters) - Online voting at annual shareholder meetings (AGMs) has jumped since the coronavirus outbreak as investors shun large gatherings because of travel restrictions or fear of infection, Swiss tech firm Sherpany said.

The company, which counts Swiss giants Novartis, Nestle and Zurich Insurance among its 300 clients worldwide, provides a secure internet platform which lets shareholders vote on motions until the day before AGMs.

"We have had a big increase in usage so far, and the AGM season is only just beginning," Sherpany Chief Executive Tobias Haeckermann told Reuters.

"At this year's Novartis AGM, we saw the amount of votes being sent through our system increase by 42% compared to last year," said Haeckermann, one of three founders of the company set up in 2011.

"We don't know if coronavirus is the only factor behind this, but it is helping."

Voting via secure online platforms is becoming increasingly popular, with companies such as Lumi, POLYAS and Simply Voting offering similar services.

In a move to contain coronavirus, Switzerland last week temporarily banned events with more than 1,000 people, which has made planning difficult for companies as the AGM season kicks off in earnest this month.

Bell Food Group which makes and distributes meat products to supermarkets, has postponed its March 17 AGM, while food and beverage company Orior and Hypothekarbank Lenzburg have delayed their events also due in March.

Zurich Insurance advised shareholders to vote by proxy and stay away from its AGM. Other Swiss companies such as engineering group ABB and insurer Swiss Life have said they are closely monitoring the situation.

"There is a big question mark about what you do with an AGM if you expect more than 1,000 people to take part," said Haeckermann, referring to the Swiss ban on large gatherings.

"This is not just true for Swiss blue-chip companies but also many of the smaller ones who have a large retail shareholder base," he said.

Story continues

Sherpany, which employs 110 people, works via a licensing model in which companies are charged according to how many shareholders use its platform for online voting.

Haeckerman said company boards and executives had also been using Sherpany's remote meeting platform more this year.

($1 = 0.9563 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by David Clarke)
Soon the practice of polygamy will not be a crime as Utah will make it legal. But, this comes with a backlash from some sectors in the state.

According to Shirlee Draper who was raised in a polygamist community, she did not have any pleasant things to say about the practice.

Growing up, she had a fear of those outside their community, she related, "We called people who drove into town that were not part of our community 'kidnappers'. We knew that was a fate we could suffer as our parents had suffered."

She is a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), its leader Warren Jeffs and a polygamist head of the sect, is now charged with twin felony counts of child abuse. When she left the sect, only did she know how trapped they are.

Leaders used the fear of the law to control their members who did not know any better, Shirlee said. Polygamy is considered illegal in Utah, and she it took all of six years to leave the sect. She added," "I had no way to get help. Everywhere I went, I was visually identifiable as a felon, and I was greeted with hostility." Many of the members were under the control of their sect leaders.

One incident that she related about her mother is when she had to get a driver's license. Her mother was dressed in her FLDS clothing when she applied. The clerk refused her the requested and said that she was not wanted there. This resulted in the return of her mother to Colorado city. Her mother died with no access to modern medical care.

Also related: Fountain of Youth: Bacteria and Butyrate Hormone Can Help Prevent Aging

Shirlee Draper is director of operations for Cherish Families, that helps those affected by polygamy negatively. She added, "What we've done is we've legislated prejudicial treatment to a second-class citizenry." She also stressed, "Let's not create populations and communities that are vulnerable to that kind of exploitation and abuse."

Her organization is trying to help people of different color, sex workers, and undocumented immigrants who feel that they are not worthy. These people has higher risk of being exploited and harmed.

She is one of those who are supporting the legalization of polygamy for consenting adults that is sponsored by senator Deidre Henderson. The senator said that the goal of the legalization is to avoid abuse done through the practice of polygamy.

But there are still other felony charges that are still applicable if a polygamist does them. According to Senator Henderson, the law is balanced between law-abiding polygamists who should not be afraid if innocent and those who are doing things against the law.

In Utah, polygamy is a serious crime with the most polygamous unions anywhere in the US. Since polygamy became a crime in 1935, many polygamous families got separated. Others are hiding the real status of their families while there are some who formed sects that are part of a bigger group or just one of their own.

Another member from Shirlee Draper's sect is Brenda Nicholson, who echoes what she said. If the bill is approved in Utah, then the ordeal suffered by both women may be lessened.

Related article: NASA Pioneer Katherine Johnson of 'Hidden Figures' Dies at 101

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Janine Boyd, the people of Ohio House District 9 have an experienced, effective and knowledgeable legislator now running for a fourth and last term under the states term-limits law.

Boyd, 49, of Cleveland Heights, is opposed in the March 17 Democrat primary by Vincent E. Stokes II, 34, (a distant relative of the prominent Stokes brothers), of University Heights. (The district also includes Shaker Heights and Cleveland Wards 2 and 4.) Stokes holds several advanced degrees, including a Master of Divinity from Yale University and a Master in Education from Johns Hopkins University. He is a teacher in the Cleveland public school system and an assistant pastor for the New Sardis Primitive Baptist Church.

Stokes is a thoughtful and committed candidate, but he cant measure up to the record and long experience established by Boyd in her three terms in the state legislature, and before that on Cleveland Heights City Council. She is steeped in the issues and history of the job, as the daughter of Barbara Boyd, who served a total of 16 years -- two four-term stints of eight years each -- as state representative for this district. In 2014, Janine Boyd was elected to succeed her mother.

Despite working in a legislature dominated by Republicans, Janine Boyd has remained true to her partys values while showing an ability to work across the aisle.

Janine Boyd

She is allied with conservative Republican Rep. Bill Seitz of southwestern Ohio on her signature bill, Aishas Law, an effort to protect women at risk in domestic violence situations. And she is aligned with Larry Householder, the Republican speaker of the House, in her opposition to the current approach to EdChoice school vouchers. She says that she has bipartisan support in other legislative efforts, such as paid family and medical leave, and tax credits for family adoption.

Even Stokes said in the endorsement interview that Boyd is doing a great job. He says he is offering himself for the position because his experience as a teacher, and his personal situation of having his grandmother living with him, have focused his attention on education reform and senior care.

Stokes, who describes his life journey as jail to Yale, is particularly interested in restorative practices, the treatment of what some consider to be problem children in school.

I was a bad child in school, Stokes told our editorial board, saying that the immediate response was to suspend him, instead of trying to figure out whats wrong with this little boy, how can I help this boy." He said Ohio lawmakers are "not focusing in the ways that I would. If they were focusing on it, put more resources in the classroom, I probably wouldnt be running.

Earnest as he is, Stokes is not the best candidate in this race. That would be Janine Boyd, whom Democrat voters should elect in the March 17 primary to take on Dustin D. Russell, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, in the general election Nov. 3.

Early voting in the March 17 primary has begun.

In Ohio House District 9, Incumbent three-term state Rep. Janine Boyd of Cleveland Heights faces a Democratic primary challenge from Yale-trained pastor Vincent E. Stokes II, of University Heights, a distant relative of Carl and Louis Stokes. The two candidates were interviewed March 2 by the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer as part of its endorsement process. Listen to audio of the interview below:

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.

Other resources for voters:

League of Women Voters vote411.org voters guide.
On Saturday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that he would use Article 49-3 of the Constitution to impose pension reform. This allows the law to pass without a vote unless a vote of censure is passed against the government in the following 24 hours, bringing it down and leading to new elections. As the majority in the Assembly is from the party of Emmanuel Macron, who does not dare to face the voters because he would lose a general election, this would allow Macron to impose the reform without any parliamentary vote on its content.

The use of this undemocratic measure, announced at a moment where the soaring number of coronavirus cases across Europe dominates the news, shows the contempt for workers of Macron and his supporters in the international financial markets. Two-thirds of the French people are hostile to the law, which merges all pension schemes into one, eliminating many job-based advantages, increases equilibrium age (the minimum retirement age with a full pension) to 64 and imposes pensions on a point system rather than contributions. The monetary value of pensions will depend on these points, the value of which successive governments can reduce over the years.

This unmasks the trade union leadership and their political allies, such as Jean-Luc Melenchon's Unsubmissive France (LFI), who have claimed that the reform could be stopped through trade union negotiations with Macron, or by tabling amendments to the reform in the Assembly. But there is nothing to negotiate with Macron. As the World Socialist Web Siteand the Socialist Equality Party (PES) have insisted, it is a matter of mobilizing the entire working class to bring down Macron.

Emmanuel Macron (en.kremlin.ru)

As the coronavirus spreads and Paris prepares new austerity measures and more troops for its war in Mali, Europe is in the hands of a politically criminal ruling class, which will do anything to enrich its great fortunes at the expense of the masses. The state is launching a reform that will ultimately profoundly impoverish pensioners, even as the elderly are threatened by a potentially fatal disease.

Last week, while rumors were circulating about a strategic debate within the government, unnamed members of the Macrons party told the press that the 49-3 branded those who use it. A few days later, the government reversed course and branded itself with its own branding iron: Philippe announced to the Assembly that he would use the 49-3 clause to cut short the debate on the law, which otherwise would have lasted until March 6.

The pretext invoked by Philippe in the Assembly and on LFI was an absurd political lie. According to him, many MPs were confronted from the very beginning of the debate with a strategy of deliberate obstruction by a minority, a strategy whose sole aim was to prevent the debates from taking place. ... It has to be said that the discussion on the essential questions never really came together. I deeply regret this. This debate should have made it possible to confront our points of view in front of the population.

To put it plainly, it is Macrons party, the Republic on the Move! (LRM), which is preventing the debate from taking place by closing it.

To understand the decision to shorten the debate, one can consult the agenda of the Assembly and the government. Philippe announced the use of 49-3 just after a Defense Council, a military body including the president and the prime minister, was held on the coronavirus. The invocation of 49-3 then closed the debate just before the Assemblys discussion of Articles 9 and 10 of the reform, which increase the equilibrium age for retirement and impose point-based retirement.

If the debate had continued, even the opposition parties in the Assembly might have felt obliged, faced with the measures unpopularity, to quote the now well-known comment by the right-wing and former Prime Minister Francois Fillon. According to him, the points-based pension allows for something that no politician admits. It allows the amount, the value of the points, to be lowered each year and thus the level of pensions to be reduced.

Macron did not want a debate on a reform that is so openly hostile to the public, while the coronavirus is exposing the deep flaws of a medical system weakened by decades of austerity, two weeks before municipal elections. The ruling class prefers to work out its attacks on the income and health of the masses and impose them behind closed doors.

This decision has provoked widespread social anger against the backdrop of an international resurgence of the class struggle. The last few months have seen mass mobilizations in not only France, but throughout the world with historic mass strikes in India and the United States, and mass mobilizations from Algeria and Lebanon to Latin America. The defense of fundamental social rights requires a political reorientation of these struggles, that is: the organization of struggles by action committees independent of the unions and a new revolutionary internationalist perspective.

Across Europe, the financial aristocracy is one after the other destroying the social rights established in the 20th century during the struggles of the European working class against fascism: public pensions, the status of civil servants or railway workers, access to medical care. None of these rights can be guaranteed under a capitalist regime, but the pandemic is a reminder to us that these rights are essential to safeguard the lives of workers in all countries.

The example of France underlines the politically criminal nature of this offensive. The pretext of the state of emergency imposed in 2015, which established a police state to repress demonstrations against social breakdown, was the attacks by Islamist networks used as a cover for the war in Syria by NATO. Then hordes of paramilitary CRS beat up demonstrators against the Socialist Partys (PS) Labor law and now the Macron reform, both of which were rejected by an overwhelming majority of the French and imposed by the 49-3 constitutional clause.

These are villainous laws with no democratic legitimacy whatsoever, imposed by a police state in the service of a financial aristocracy that poses an imminent and manifest danger to society.

There is a clear need for an alternative to the bankrupt union apparatuses. Subsidized by the state and employers, fearing that they would be overwhelmed by spontaneous strikes by railway workers in the fall, the unions felt compelled to organize a strike while negotiating closely with Macron. But when, in December-January, SNCF and RATP workers went on the longest strike in France since May 1968, the unions isolated them, without launching further unlimited strikes, and provided derisory aid. RATP strikers received $22 (17) for six weeks on strike.

Parties like LFI or Olivier Besancenot's New Anti-Capitalist Party, which encouraged workers to rely on a common front between the unions, the PS and themselves against Macrons attacks, are unmasked as petty-bourgeois charlatans. As with the PS labor law, their strategy of tabling hundreds of amendments to the reform was consciously impotent in the face of a government majority wanting to pass it by force.

The course of the struggle proved the analysis by the PES absolutely right. In December, as the strike against Macrons reform began, the PES warned, based on the Trotskyist movements long analysis of the working-class experience with the CGT (Stalinist trade union) apparatus, that the unions would seek to strangle the movement. The PES stressed that only the independent leadership by the workers of their own struggles, together with those of their international class brothers and sisters in a struggle to bring down Macron, offered a way forward.

As anger continues to mount against the financial aristocracy and Macron, this experience will lead more and more workers to draw the same conclusions.
Sweden is full. Dont come to us! We cant give you more money or provide any housing.

This was the message emblazoned in English on leaflets handed out by Swedish far-right leader Jimmie Akesson to desperate migrants in the Turkish town of Edirne, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria earlier this week.

It was widely condemned as a publicity stunt and has enraged many in the country.

We are experiencing a very serious situation that requires a serious response, former refugee and Liberal party leader Nyamako Sabuni, told the Independent.

[This] isnt the leadership that Sweden or migrants need. Its just lazy populism.

Turkey announced last week that it will no longer adhere to the agreement with the EU to prevent refugees and migrants from entering Europe. Thousands of people have gathered at the Greek-Turkish border in recent days, and Greece has pledged not to allow people into the EU.

The flyer said it was signed by The Swedish People and the Sweden Democrats, which prompted lawyer Behrang Eslami to report Akesson to the police for inciting hate.

I am also part of the Swedish people and Akesson does not represent me, said Eslami.

To go out and try to persuade people, who are fleeing for their lives and in need, not to go to Europe, it is in principle wrong and it violates human rights.

A similar campaign was carried out by the Swedish Democrats in the fall of 2015 when mainly youth leaders went to the Greek Island of Lesbos and distributed similar leaflets. This is the first time, however, that a party leader has done so. On his twitter account, Akesson justified the trip writing: We all remember the migration chaos of 2015 and we have to do everything we can to make sure it never ever happens again.

In 2015 there was a huge uptick in the number of migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe from across the Mediterranean sea or overland via eastern Europe.

But people who came to Sweden as refugees are not staying silent over the incident.

Atoosa Farahmand, an Iranian refugee, launched a Facebook campaign #Iam2015 in response, in which hundreds of refugees have shared their stories.

They say 2015 must never happen again. I would like to say I am part of 2015 with many others, and we are part of this country whether you like it or not, she said.

According to a recent survey, the right-wing Conservative bloc, which includes Akessons and Kristerssons parties along with the Christian Democrats, would get close to 50 per cent of the vote in an election. This means that Jimmie Akesson could potentially become prime minister in future Swedish elections.

Im upset and stressed by this but also am not surprised, said Foujan Rouzbeh, a veteran activist working in migrant and refugee rights.

This has been a long time coming and I think it will only get worse, anyone acting surprised has been living in a bubble of Sweden being this innocent exception in Europe, it isnt.

Henrik Gustafsson, press officer for the Sweden Democrats, is convinced the legal challenge will go nowhere.

Akesson joined the party back mid-1990s when it did not conceal its roots in the Neo-Nazi movement Bevara Sverige Svenskt (Keep Sweden Swedish)  the logo back then was a brashly nationalist flaming torch in the colours of the Swedish flag. But, after taking the helm of the party in 2005, Akesson steered the party away from its violent past and remade it in his own well-coiffed, preppy image.

It now espouses a doctrine of cultural nationalism, saying it welcomes foreigners who learn Swedish and accept the culture.

The Sweden Democrats have already shifted the countrys political rhetoric. Where formerly compassion and kindness were at the heart of the conversation, now Migration Minister Morgan Johansson of the ruling Social Democrat party boasts that: Sweden now has one of the most stringent refugee laws in the entire EU and therefore no longer functions as a magnet for refugees. It is difficult for them to get here at all now.

Ten years ago, questioning the right to seek asylum wouldnt have been possible by the second biggest party in Sweden  the new normal is deeply alarming, said Alice Bah Kuhnke former Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy. I feel sadness and shame that a Swedish politician is so desperate for attention that he goes hundreds of miles to humiliate desperate people who have fled for their lives.
The University of the West Indies Open Campus 2020 Council Meeting will be hosted in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, March 20, at the Beachcombers Hotel in Villa.





The Open Campus Council is the highest decision-making body of the Campus and will be presided over by Ambassador Dr June Soomer, Chairman of the Open Campus Council.





Approximately 50 delegates representing ministries of education, The University of the West Indies, UWI Alumni and Guild of Students will be in attendance at the annual Council meeting.





The first segment of the morning session will be open to invited guests and the media, and will also be broadcast live on UWItv channel on FlOW and also online on Open Campus Facebook page.





The public session will hear addresses from: Dr June Soomer, Chairman of Council; Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Open Campus; and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI.





Dr Longsworth will present the Principals Report, a key feature of the Council meeting. Among the accomplishments Dr Longsworth will highlight are the institutional re-accreditation of the Open Campus for the maximum seven years by the Barbados Accreditation Council; the pending opening of new and refurbished Sites in St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago; the number of partnerships the Campus has forged during the year under review, and the growth student numbers year on year.





The meeting will also review the Audited Financial Statements, the Audit Committee Report, and The UWI Open Campus Alumni Report.
Photo Illustration by Lyne Lucien/The Daily Beast/Getty

President Trump was getting inaugurated later that week, so he was understandably absent when Bill Gates issued a prescient warning at the 2017 World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland.

Ebola and Zika showed that the world is tragically unprepared to detect local outbreaks and respond quickly enough to prevent them from becoming global pandemics, Gates said. "Without investments in research and development, we will remain unequipped when we face the next threat.

In answer to that threat, Gates announced the formation of The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Private and public entities would join together with an essential goal.

U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Keep Climbing. So Do Fears of Spread.

The ability to rapidly develop and deliver vaccines when new unknown diseases emerge offers our best hope to outpace outbreaks, save lives and avert disastrous economic consequences, Gates said.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was kicking in $100 million. Another $100 million was coming from the Wellcome Trust, a British foundation headed by Dr. Jeremy Farrar, who co-authored a 2015 article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled Establishing a Global Vaccine-Development Fund.

Along with vaccine pioneer Dr. Stanley Plotkin and the now deceased Dr. Adel Mahmoud, Farrar described an urgent need for such a fund to provide the resources and the momentum to carry vaccines through what they called the so-called valley of death of procedural hurdles that slow development and testing.

At the launch of CEPI in Davos, Farrar said, "We know from Ebola, Zika and SARS that epidemics are among the significant threats we face to life, health and prosperity.

He went on, Vaccines can protect us, but weve done too little to develop them as an insurance policy. CEPI is our chance to learn the lessons of recent tragedies, and outsmart epidemics with new vaccine defences.

He concluded, If others join us in supporting CEPI, we can realise our goal of creating a safer world.

Story continues

Those who joined included Norway, which put in $120 million and provided CEPI with a homebase. Japan put in $125 million. Other contributions came from Germany, Britain, Canada, Ethiopia, Australia and Belgium.

Those who did not join included the United States, which had had plenty of opportunity over the past three years. Our germaphobe-in-chief does not seem to know much about germs, imagining that he could better keep America safe with a border wall than with vaccines against a real threat.

And that gave rise to a certain irony on Monday, when Trump and Vice President Pence met with pharmaceutical executives in the cabinet room at the White House to discuss the prospects of vaccine for novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

How fast can you get it done? Trump asked.

The most optimistic answer came from the founder and CEO of a company that has benefited from CEPI funding.

Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, my name is Joseph Kim, the executive began. I run a company called Inovio Pharmaceuticals out of Pennsylvania. Were a proud American biotech company with R&D and manufacturing in California as well. Inovio is the leader in coronavirus vaccine development in the world.

Kim reported that when the threat of COVID-19 became clear, his company applied our very innovative 21st-century technology to the genetic profile of the virus that Chinese authorities made public.

By getting just the DNA sequence of the virus, we were able to fully construct our vaccine within three hours, Kim went on. Our plan is to start the US-based clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine in April of this year, followed by shortly thereafter a trial in China and South Korea. There are a lot more infections in those areas.

We can give you an area, too, Trump said. I mean, you take a look at Seattle again, we can give you an area.

Absolutely, Kim said.

If you dont mind, yeah, Trump said.

With existing resources and capacity, by end of this year, Inovio could deliver about one million doses, Kim said. But to scale beyond that, we need your help, Mr. President. We need to work with you and your agencies to help us scale our vaccine to manufacture in America, to protect the American public, also to lead the world in vaccine development from America. Thank you very much.

Here came an added irony, for thank you was the only English Kim knew when he emigrated to America from Korea four decades ago, at the age of 11. He arrived with his mother, who brought her life savings of $300. They would have been excluded under the means test for immigrants the Trump administration instituted last month.

All right, thank you very much, Trump now told Kim. Youll have our help. Thank you.

The other firms represented at the meeting included Moderna, which has also received CEPI funding to speed up the vaccine process. Moderna told Trump it has already produced several vials and plans to begin testing in the spring. A third firm in the race to develop a vaccine, Novavax, has received funding not from CEPI, but directly from Gates foundation. Gates is proving billionaire is not necessarily a pejorative.

Inovio is favored to win the race. If it does, we would all have cause to share Kims gratitude for the person who did even more than Gates, Farrar, and CEPI to make a vaccine possible.

I thank my moms foresight, he told Pharmaceutical Executive magazine. She brought me to America mostly for my education and better economic opportunities. Its a typical immigrant story.

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By PTI

MUMBAI: India has limited integration with the global value chain, which "insulates" its economy from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Friday.

Das also pitched for launch of a "non-stigmatised currency swap line" by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide liquidity to countries, and added that India's "robust" forex reserves of over USD 460 billion will ensure it does not face a liquidity problem.

Over 3,000 people have been killed globally because of the epidemic which has spread to about 60 countries, starting with China.

The comments from Das come days after the RBI assuaged markets that it will do all it can to minimise the coronavirus impact.

Das said central bank governors of the IMF's member countries had held a teleconference, where it was decided to have a globally coordinated response to the crisis.

"India is not that much integrated into the global value chain as some of the other countries.

To that extent, India remains insulated," Das said, addressing a summit by industry lobby Assocham here.

He said in India, there will be limited sectoral impact on industries that depend on Chinese raw materials or inputs, and added that sufficient measures are being taken to mitigate the same.

"I am sure India will be able to respond to the challenges," he said.

At the global level, there is a need for the currency swap line to help nations access the international capital markets by providing the necessary liquidity, he said.

ALSO READ: RBI to look into what went wrong at Yes Bank, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Pitching for the IMF to take the lead in the same, he said "this is also a part of IMF's mandate to maintain oversight of the international monetary and financial system."

He said while "robust" forex reserves will help India, the presence of such a line will prove to be the second line of defence for the country.

Das further said there has been a welcome increase in port activities in China in the last two weeks and it needs to be checked if the same can be sustained.

He added that the Chinese authorities are saying the coronavirus problem has peaked and it is now receding.

"What is important is a globally coordinated action and how we respond to the challenges. I am sure India will be able to respond to the challenges," he said.

In a statement earlier this week, the RBI had said it is "monitoring global and domestic developments closely and continuously and stands ready to take appropriate actions to ensure orderly functioning of financial markets, maintain market confidence and preserve financial stability.
Total Produce saw its earnings before interest, taxation and depreciation jump 53pc to 150m in 2019, despite a challenging year for its legacy business.

The fresh produce giant benefited from the group's 45pc share of Dole Food Company for the full year. The comparative 2018 period included the group's share of the results in the US agricultural multinational Dole for five months.

Total bought a 45pc stake in Dole for $300m (269m) in July 2018.

Elsewhere, revenue for last year was up 22pc to 6.2bn, according to its annual results.

Carl McCann, chairman of Total Produce, said: "We are pleased that the group has delivered a strong performance in 2019 with a 41.4pc increase in adjusted fully diluted earnings per share."

Mr McCann said the company is monitoring coronavirus and, while it is too early for the company to form a definitive view, "any disruption is not expected to be material".

Along with the benefit of the Dole acquisition, Total reported an improvement of the fresh vegetable division in Dole.

Good trading in the company's international division, where earnings increased by 18pc, was offset in part by competitive conditions in certain markets in the eurozone, where profits declined 20pc.

Patrick Higgins, analyst at Goodbody Stockbrokers, said it was "a very positive update which we think should be well received by the market".

Trading so far this year has been "satisfactory" and the group is targeting continued growth.
Officers of Kolkata Police's Special Task Force (STF) have arrested two people and seized 155.8 kgs of ganja from them.

Acting on a tip-off the police team intercepted a vehicle near Suti police station on Friday and seized the drugs.

Bidyut Phukon (28) and Chandra Kamal Rajkhowa (40) were arrested for carrying the illegal drugs. An FIR has been registered and the vehicle has been seized by the police.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PHOENIX  Arizona health officials said Friday that they have yet to determine how a third patient with the new coronavirus became infected.

Public health officials from Maricopa County and Pinal County, where the patient works and lives, respectively, said they are treating this latest case as stemming from community spread. The patient, a woman in her 40s, is a health care worker in metro Phoenix.

Neither she nor any of her close contacts had recently traveled to a country with widespread COVID-19 cases.

She is currently hospitalized in stable condition in Maricopa County.

I understand that this sounds concerning, said Dr. Shauna McIsaac, health director of Pinal County Department of Public Health. But its important people know that public health is prepared for community spread of flu-like illness every year.

The two previous Arizona cases involved people in metro Phoenix.

Washing hands with soap and water and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth continues to be the best way to decrease the spread of the virus, officials said. They also urged anyone feeling sick to stay home.

These are three things that will be the most effective way to prevent the spread of this virus, McIsaac said.

The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms are thought to appear between two and 14 days after exposure, the department said. Children appear to have milder forms of the respiratory illness and arent at risk for severe disease, said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

Just like the flu, the vast majority of people will have mild symptoms and completely recover without any treatment at home, Sunenshine said.

The womans case was the second identified through testing by a state health lab.

Meanwhile, three firefighters and two ambulance workers in Scottsdale remain under quarantine at their homes after treating a patient who later tested positive for the new coronavirus. They have not displayed any symptoms, according to Maricopa County Public Health officials.

The man they treated last week was the states second patient with the new coronavirus. A hospitality company that operates two nightclubs in Scottsdale said one of their employees with a communicable disease was at both places briefly on Sunday. In a Facebook post, Riot Hospitality Group said it has hired a professional cleaning company to do a deep-cleaning of both establishments as a precaution.

Health officials have said there is no public health danger at either nightclub.

The potential for COVID-19 to spread means that health care workers who have been exposed will only be asked to isolate if they show symptoms.

If someone is exposed, we are allowing them to continue working but monitoring them closely, Sunenshine said. Thats how were making sure we are not in a situation where we dont have enough health care workers.
In a rather scary video coming from a central Indian tiger reserve, a tiger can be seen getting too close for comfort to a tourist vehicle. The entire episode has been caught on camera and the video of the incident was shared on Twitter by Susanta Nanda of the Indian Forest Service.

Twitter

In the 20-second video, the tiger, with a loud roar, is seen proceeding towards the safari jeep full of anxious tourists. Frightened, the driver of the jeep reverses his vehicle as the tiger walks towards it.

Tiger growls to mark its presence," Nanda write in the tweet. Tourists in the vehicle can also be heard asking the driver to back up after the tiger's warning roar.

Tiger growls to mark its presence. Communicating to the world that the area belongs to him. Still the tourists were waiting. From a central Indian TR  pic.twitter.com/m6n6c5xYNd  Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) March 4, 2020

Soon after the video went viral, many weren't amused with the way humans intruded into the wild animal's habitat. Nice video, however, background score of people should stop. I wonder what makes these people talk. Its not like every day we get to see tiger, says a Twitter user.

Trespassers will be prosecuted, comments a second. This is dangerous, writes a third.



The trend of 'ecotourism' has soared over the decades in India and many conservationists are concerned over the impact these wildlife safaris have on the health of the Tiger population.



Facebook

According to The New Indian Express, the 10 most-visited tiger reserves receive nearly two lakh visitors per year on average. Much research show that poorly managed tiger tourism, especially where humans come too close in contact with the wild animal just for the sake of good pictures, puts too much stress on the animal.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has directed all tiger reserves (TR) to strictly adhere to its 2012 guidelines, according to which they are not to allow vehicles to crowd around tigers and maintain a distance of 500m between vehicles.






By West Kentucky Star & McConnell Staff Mar. 05, 2020 | 01:26 PM | KENTUCKY

The Departments initial change in eligibility for the Rural Low-Income Schools (RLIS) program -- which was implemented without notice to Congress and after funding for Fiscal Year 2020 was already appropriated -- would have reduced the amount of federal funding Kentucky schools receive through the program.





In the letter, the Senators objected to a change in how the Department determines which rural schools are eligible for funding through the RLIS program. RLIS is one of two programs funded by the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), which helps rural schools overcome the increased expenses often caused by geographic isolation.





Geography should be a class in school, not a barrier to Kentucky students educational opportunities, said Senator McConnell. Im proud to continue advocating for rural Kentucky schools to help them overcome many of the unique challenges they face. As the only congressional leader not from New York or California, I see it as my responsibility to look out for Middle America and most especially Kentucky. With a bipartisan group of Senators, I urged the Trump administration to continue giving rural students every opportunity to learn and grow and to maintain the funding eligibility that many rural schools have come to rely on. I am pleased Secretary DeVos listened to our concerns, and I look forward to continue to work with her to ensure members of our Commonwealths next generation reach their full potential.





Since 2002, rural schools across the nation have relied on these additional flexible funds to purchase supplies and make technology upgrades; expand curricular offerings, such as in reading, physical education, music, and art; provide distance learning opportunities; fund transportation; and support professional development activities. Without any chance to prepare, this abrupt change in RLIS eligibility will force many rural schools districts to forgo essential activities and services, the Senators wrote. The Departments decision has created a funding cliff for hundreds of rural, low-income schools that are already balancing tight budgetsREAP helps deliver an equitable and enriching education to thousands of students living in rural America. We strongly encourage you to rescind this new interpretation and to work with Congress to serve students in rural communities.



U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined 21 of his Senate colleagues in writing U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to express concern with a sudden decision by the Department that would have jeopardized funding eligibility for more than 800 rural, low-income schools, including some in Kentucky. Following the release of the letter, Secretary DeVos announced the Department will reverse course and maintain this critical funding for the rural schools for another year.
Michigans primary is fast-approaching, and campaigns are planning stops in the state in the final days before voters head to the polls.

Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden have campaign events planned across the state in the final three days leading up to the primary.

While Tulsi Gabbard remains in the race as a long-shot candidate, its shaping up to pit Sanders and Biden against one another in the race in Tuesdays biggest prize for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Saturday, March 7

Sunday, March 8

Sander rally in Grand Rapids: 12:30 p.m. in Calder Plaza, located at 351 Ottawa Ave. NW. Doors open to the public at 11 a.m.

Sanders rally at University of Michigan: 6 p.m. the Diag at the University of Michigan at 6 p.m., with admittance starting at 4:30 p.m. Hosted by Students for Bernie; free and open to the public.

Monday, March 9

Biden rally in Grand Rapids: Time and place has not been announced.

Biden rally in Detroit: 7 p.m at Renaissance High School, 6565 Outer Drive West. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris will appear with Biden.

Read more on MLive:

The big question for Michigan Democrats: Who is the best candidate to beat Trump?

Biden momentum in Michigan underscored by slew of endorsements

Bernie Sanders could seize second Michigan presidential primary win, this time as Democratic front-runner

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Elizabeth Warren tells Michigan shes the woman to beat Donald Trump at Super Tuesday campaign rally

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a letter of sympathy to South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday over the coronavirus epidemic here. Cheong Wa Dae said Moon sent a message back Thursday.

The letter came only a day after Kim's sister Yo-jong attacked the South in florid terms over its "imbecile" condemnation of the North's latest rocket-launcher test.

In the letter, Kim requested South Korea's help in combating African swine flu as well as coronavirus. Moon was quoted by a spokesman as replying, "If North Korea wishes, we are always ready to offer our cooperation in quarantine efforts."

North Korea is also apparently suffering from the spread of the virus and placing large numbers of people in quarantine, though it officially denies that anyone has tested positive for coronavirus.

Moon suggested inter-Korean cooperation in healthcare and disease prevention during a speech commemorating the March 1 Independence Movement.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Do-han said Kim "sent us a message of consolation in our fight against coronavirus and voiced his confidence in our ability to win." He added that Kim offered his "candid thoughts" about the political situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Another government official said the comments "are conducive to a positive outlook on inter-Korean relations. They hinted that the North is relying on the ties between the Korean people since U.S.-North Korean dialogue has been halted."

The last time the North Korean leader sent a personal letter to Moon was in October last year, when the president's mother died.


Two more persons, including the one who procured chemicals online for making the improvised explosive device used in the Pulwama attack, were arrested by the National Investigation Agency in the case on Friday, an official said.

40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed in the deadly terror attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama district last year after a suicide bomber rammed an explosive laden car in the paramilitary force's convoy.

Waiz-ul-Islam, 19, of Srinagar's Bagh-e-Mehtab locality and Mohammad Abbass Rather, 32, of Hakripora village in Pulwama district were arrested by the NIA, the official said.

The number of people arrested in the case now stands at five.

Earlier, a father-daughter duo and a close aide of the suicide bomber were arrested in two separate operations.

"During initial interrogation, Islam disclosed that he used his Amazon online shopping account to procure chemicals for making IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), batteries and other accessories on the directions of Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists," the official said.

He said Islam personally delivered the items to JeM terrorists after procuring the incriminating material online from the delivery portal as a part of the conspiracy to carry out the Pulwama attack.

"Rather is an old over-ground worker (OGW) of the JeM. He has disclosed that he gave shelter at his home to Jaish terrorist and IED expert Mohd Umar after he came to Kashmir in April-May 2018," the official said.

Rather also harboured JeM terrorists  suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, Sameer Ahmed Dar and Kamran, a Pakistani -- at his house a number of times in the run up to the Pulwama attack, he said.

"He also facilitated safe shelter for the JeM terrorists, including Adil, at the house of accused Tariq Ahmed Shah and his daughter Insha Jan of Hakripora, who were arrested on March 3," the official said.

He said Islam and Rather will be produced before the NIA special court in Jammu on Saturday, while further investigation in the case continues.

The NIA took over the case to probe the conspiracy behind the February 14, 2019, attack in Pulwama.

The last video of Adil, which was released by the JeM from Pakistan after the terror attack, was filmed at the residence of Tariq Ahmed Shah.

On February 28, the NIA achieved a major breakthrough in the case when it arrested 22-year-old Shakir Bashir Magrey, a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal in Pulwama's Kakapora.

Magrey had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to suicide bomber Adil. He was introduced to Adil in mid- 2018 by Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq and he became a full-time OGW of the JeM.

The explosives used in the attack were determined through forensic probe to be ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerin and RDX.

During investigation into the attack, the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar was confirmed through DNA matching with that of his father.

The other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be JeM's south Kashmir divisional commander Muddasir Ahmad Khan, killed in an operation by security forces on March 11 last year; Pakistani terrorists Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, both killed on March 29 last year; the owner of the car Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Anantnag who was killed on June 16 last year; and Qari Yassir, JeM's commander for Kashmir who was killed on January 25 this year.
In essence, the Supreme Court held that forced public-sector union dues are unconstitutional and infringe on government workers First Amendment rights. The plaintiff in the case was Illinois state employee Mark Janus, who didnt support the policies his union advocated both politically and on the job. The Supreme Court freed him and more than 5 million others from being forced to pay for things they opposed for moral or personal reasons. It was a clear-cut win for worker freedom.
They're two of the most beautiful women in the world, and they're continuing to join forces to find the country's best and brightest talents.

Fresh from completing her 11-year stint on the award-winning comedy Modern Family, actress Sofia Vergara was seen arriving at her new gig America's Got Talent in Pasadena, California on Thursday, in a delightful fringed animal print shawl and distressed jeans.

Her co-host Heidi Klum also arrived for her role as a judge on the talent program, and brought her daughter Leni along for the ride as well.

Colombian stunner: Fresh from completing her stint on Modern Family, actress Sofia Vergara was seen arriving at her new gig America's Got Talent in Pasadena on Thursday

Vergara, 47, looked beyond fabulous in her casual outfit ahead of filming at the studio, in a black top underneath the charming cover-up.

Her hair was blown straight, and she donned studded aviator-style sunshades.

Sofia carried a lovely over-sized taupe handbag, and wore open-toed black platform heels.

Klum, 46, arrived in a more colorful outfit for her workday, in enormous drawstring plaid pajama pants in blue and pink.

Bring to daughter to work day: Her co-host Heidi Klum also arrived for her role as a judge on the talent program, and brought her daughter Leni along for the ride as well

A fab shawl: Vergara looked beyond fabulous in her casual outfit ahead of filming at the studio, in a black top underneath a delightful fringed animal print shawl

The German-born model and former Project Runway host paired this with a painterly pastel floral blouse that was open at the throat and partially tucked into her pants.

Klum beamed proudly behind her reflective pink sunglasses, and carried an expensive-looking green purse with gold chain.

Her lovely blond hair was straight with bangs, and Heidi also sported an edgy dark manicure.

Fifteen-year-old Leni, born Helene, wore understated clothing and large white Cons sneakers.

Loud outfit: Klum arrived in a more colorful outfit for her workday, in enormous drawstring plaid pajama pants in blue and pink

Statement fashion: The German-born model and former Project Runway host paired this with a painterly pastel floral blouse that was open at the throat and partially tucked into her pants

Judge Howie Mandel also made a showing on his way in to the show, in a red Baywatch-style sweatshirt that said 'Lifeguard Santa Monica, California'.

This season of AGT kicked off earlier this week, with Heidi and Sofia sharing their excitement via Klum's Instagram.

Season 15 of the NBC competition show premieres later this year, in summer.

Peace: Klum beamed proudly behind her reflective pink sunglasses, and sported a dark and edgy manicure

Another day at the office: Judge Howie Mandel also made a showing on his way in to the show, in a red Baywatch-style sweatshirt
Bong Joon Ho poses with his Award for Best Director, Best Picture ('Parasite') inside The Press Room of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

Bong Joon-Ho, the recent recipient of the Best Director Academy Award for his work on Parasite, has admitted that he is too exhausted from his Oscar campaign to start work on his next movie.

The South Korean filmmaker made this admission during his recent discussion with director Kelly Reichardt for The Atlantic, who was interested in his post-Parasite plans.

Now that I finally have time, Im trying to get back on it, but Im so exhausted, mentally and physically, Bong Joon-Ho candidly admitted. Im just a shell of a human.

Read more: The fandom of Bong Joon Hos interpreter

After the Academy Awards, Bong Joon-Ho revealed that he had been working on two projects, one of which he hopes will eventually become his next film. He confirmed one is in Korean, and the other is in English.

It sounds as if Bong Joon-Ho is going to have to change his writing habits in the future, though.

Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite

During his interview with Reichardt, Bong Joon-Ho broke down his process, admitting, Even when I have a co-writer, I dont really discuss things with them. I let them do their own drafts, and then I take over and spend five to six months producing the final draft on my own.

Read more: Parasite explained

At that point, he takes his iPad and a wireless keyboard to various coffee shops, where he just hides in a corner and writes by himself. I have to be at a coffee shop with noise around me, he added. I always end up sleeping if I write at home.

This provoked First Cow director Reichardt to tell him, You cant go sit in a coffee shop now! Youre too famous! You blew it!

But director Bong insisted, Theres always corners where I can hide.
The government on Friday said a truncated version of the civil aviation show 'Wings India 2020' will be held in Hyderabad later this month, amid concerns over coronavirus outbreak.

The flagship event is jointly organised by the civil aviation ministry and industry and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). It is scheduled to be held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad from March 12 to 15.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said a truncated 'Wings India 2020' would be organised.

There would be video conferences and large gatherings of public would be curtailed at the event, he added.

A ministry official said many one-to-one meetings would also be organised.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The RBI on Friday said the State Bank of India (SBI) has expressed willingness to invest in crisis-ridden Yes Bank

Mumbai: A strategic investor like SBI will have to pick up 49 percent stake in Yes Bank and stay invested for at least three years, as per the RBI's draft scheme of reconstruction for the crisis-hit lender announced on Friday.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has already shown interest in picking up a stake in the private sector lender, the central bank added.

In its draft 'Yes Bank Ltd. Reconstruction Scheme, 2020', RBI said the strategic investor bank will have to pick up 49 percent stake and it cannot reduce holding to below 26 percent before three years from the date of capital infusion.

From the appointed date, the authorised capital of the private sector bank would stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and number of equity shares to 2,400 crore having face value of Rs 2 each.

"The investor bank shall agree to invest in the equity of the Reconstructed bank to the extent that post infusion it holds 49 percent shareholding in the Reconstructed bank at a price not less than Rs 10 (Face value of Rs 2) and premium of Rs 8," said the draft on which comments from stakeholders have been invited till 9 March.

It further said SBI has "expressed its willingness" to make investment in Yes Bank and participate in the reconstruction scheme.

The draft comes a day after the RBI imposed a moratorium on the bank, restricting withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per depositor till 3 April.

The RBI also superseded the board of the bank, which is now being headed by former deputy managing director and CFO of SBI Prashant Kumar.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has asked the Reserve Bank to look into what went wrong at Yes Bank and fix individual responsibilities.

Addressing a press conference here, she said the bank was being monitored since 2017 and developments relating to it were being monitored on a day-to-day basis.

She said the RBI has been asked to assess the causes of problems and identify the role played by individuals.

The government, she said, wants the RBI to ensure that due process of law is followed with a sense of urgency.

Earlier in the morning, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said Yes Bank resolution efforts are aimed at maintaining "stability and resilience" in the Indian financial sector and the difficulties will be overcome "very swiftly".

The 30-day moratorium deadline is an "outer limit", he said at a banking event in Mumbai, reiterating that the interest of depositors will be "fully protected".

He also defended the timing of the move as "appropriate", saying Yes Bank was unable to come up with a solution despite being given time for internal resolution.

Yes Bank has been struggling to raise capital. It sought to raise $2 billion initially during this fiscal, which was then pruned to $1.2 billion as it could not rope in any investor.

Also, the bank had deferred announcement of its financial results for the third quarter ended December. The bank had told stock exchanges that it will publish the same on or before 14 March, 2020.

Stock of Yes Bank plunged by over 80 percent during intra-day trade on BSE and closed 56.04 percent down at Rs 16.20.
A ferry flight of Iran's Mahan Air is expected to land in Delhi with around 300 swabs of Indians suspected of having coronavirus and will take stranded Iranians back home in return flight

New Delhi: The government is in discussions with Iranian authorities and a ferry flight, carrying around 300 swabs of Indians suspected of having coronavirus infection, from Tehran is to land in the National Capital on Friday, according to officials.

The flight, to be operated by Iran's Mahan Air, would not have any passengers and Iranians in India would be taken back in the return flight.

There are around 2,000 Indians in Iran, one of the countries which has been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. A similar number of Indians are also there in the Persian Gulf country.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola on Friday said the first flight from Iran would be carrying the swabs.

"We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, hourly basis... it will be a ferry flight coming with swabs," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference here.

As the government looks at another initiative to bring back Indians in coronavirus-hit countries, Kharola said while Indians come here, it should be made sure that they are in a healthy condition.

The health ministry is planning to set up advanced testing facilities in Iran itself. Before they board the flight, a test can be done for these passengers, he added.

A team of medical experts has reached Iran and it would be setting up a basic medical testing facility there.

"Another option is that we are trying to collect the samples, swabs... on the first flight that comes to India, these swabs will be brought. They will be tested in India and within a day.... the results will be known," Kharola noted.

Aviation regulator DGCA's chief Arun Kumar said 300 swabs are expected to be come in the Mahan Air flight. Based on the outcome of the tests, those passengers who test negative would be allowed to come to the country later, he added.

Many of the Indians currently in Iran are pilgrims, he said.

Last month, India suspended flights from Iran in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Iranian carriers were operating three flights a week to both Delhi and Mumbai.

"We will allow temporarily Iran to bring in their flights and when they go back, they will be evacuating their people stranded here (India)," Kharola said.

The government has already evacuated hundreds of Indians from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as many who onboard on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan.
On Thursday, Ukrainian parliamentarians expressed no confidence in the country's Prosecutor General, Ruslan Riaboshapka.

First Deputy Prosecutor General Vitaliy Kasko has resigned from office, while Viktor Chumak has been appointed Acting Prosecutor General in Ukraine.

The day before, Ukrainian parliamentarians voted in favor of a motion of no confidence in the country's Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka, a source of ZN.UA in the Office of the Prosecutor General said on Friday, March 6.

Earlier, representatives of the Servant of the People faction, as well as other factions and groups, on March 3 collected signatures required for Riaboshapka's dismissal. A bill was soon registered expressing no confidence in the prosecutor general. The profile committee recommended the resolution for consideration in the session hall.

Read alsoUkraine's parliament sacks chief prosecutor Riaboshapka

Riaboshapka's resignation is associated with his failure to press charges against former President Petro Poroshenko. According to some media reports, Riaboshapka's actions sparked discontent of President Volodymyr Zelensky and finally prompted the latter to initiate the replacement of the prosecutor general.

According to StateWatch expert Oleksandr Lemenov, the State Bureau of Investigation prepared a draft suspicion notice to Petro Poroshenko with gross procedural errors and incoherent excerpts of quotes from laws. By not signing the charges, Riaboshapka actually saved the prosecutor's office and the government from imminent embarrassment in courts, the expert says.

Earlier, as an alternative to Riaboshapka, the candidacy of Deputy Head of the Law Enforcement Committee, Serhiy Ionushas, was considered.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at Yes Banks founder Rana Kapoors Mumbai residence on Friday night, said an official privy to the development.

The official said Kapoor was being questioned in connection with the banks exposure to troubled reality firm Diwan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL).

An ED official, who didnt wish to be named, said the raids at Rana Kapoors residence were linked to the agencys money laundering probe related to DHFL, which is accused of siphoning off around Rs 13,000 crore with the help of 79 fictitious companies and one lakh fictitious customers.

Watch | ED registers money laundering case against Yes Bank founder, raids house

The raids came on a day finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had spoken about Yes Banks funding of stressed corporate such as DHFL as one of the reasons for its failure.

The exposure of Yes Bank to some of the very stressed corporates has been since before 2014, like Anil Ambani group, Essel group, DHFL, IL&FS and Vodafone. All this information is in the public domain, she had said in a briefing earlier today.

The government had questioned the decisions taken by the Banks top management and it was reported that a probe by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had been initiated to check for insider trading by senior bank officials.

The raiding team found Rana Kapoor at his residence at Samudra Mahal in Worli but authorities at ports and airports have still been alerted as per the official protocol to ensure that a person required for an investigation doesnt leave the country, said the official.

The banks board had been set aside and RBI has appointed an administrator Prashant Kumar to run its affairs for the next 30 days, during which efforts are being made to bail it out of the current crisis.

The bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment during the period.

Yes Bank stocks plunged by 57.3 per cent intra-day to Rs 15.70 apiece on Friday and the stocks of the public sector State Bank of India also dipped by 6.48 per cent after it announced that its board had given in-principal nod to investment in Yes Bank.
New Delhi, March 6 : The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe has thrown movement of lakhs of travellers off gear. This has not only impacted pleasure trips of tourists but also business travel resulting in monetary losses worth millions.

In wake of numerous advisories against travel, the travel industry, particularly the aviation sector, has also get badly impacted. Not only traffic on their once popular routes have plummeted but several have to cancel flights to destinations in China and few other South and East Asian countries to prevent becoming carrier of the contagious virus.

According to MakeMyTrip flight bookings for Southeast Asian countries have been significantly impacted but sectors in But US and Europe are only seeing a marginal dip.

More than 95,000 people in 86 countries have been infected with the virus and more than 3,200 people have died. In India so far 31 persons have tested positive for the virus.

So the situation across the globe remains grim with only positives coming from China where fresh infections of COVID-19 has reduced. But does that make travel safer? And what if you still need to travel...are there enough flights available or whether the ticket you procured protects against any unforeseen cancellations?

Here is the situation as it exists :

International flights by domestic carriers:

Air India and Indigo that run long haul flights have cancelled their flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai and the restrictions may well run into June

SpicejJet has cancelled Delhi Hong Kong flights till March 28

Vistara Airlines has cancelled around 54 flights to and from Bangkok and Singapore.

GoAir suspends flight operations to Dammam, Saudi Arabia after an advisory issued by the Saudi government to not allow non-Saudi residents to enter. It has also suspended flights to Thailand

International flights by global airlines:

Almost all major airlines operating out of India have suspended flights to China, Korea, Iran, Italy and some to Japan.

European and American connections provide by airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, United Airlines from India continues

JAL is still operating its service to Japan from India

United, Air Canada, JetBlue, Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, Brutus Airways have suspended flights to China and reduced operations in countries with high Coronavirus infections such as Italy

Image Source: IANS News

Domestic airlines:

There have been no restrictions on domestic travel, so far.

What advisories have been issued by authorities that can affect your travel plan :

From March 9 midnight all air travellers having visited or arriving from Italy and South Korea will require to submit a certificate of having tested nagative from health authorities -designated lab in their countries for Coronavirus at the departure

India has also suspended most visas issued to nationals of Japan, South Korea, Italy, Iran and China, as well as suspending visas of any travellers who had been to those five countries since February.

It has now been decided that all incoming international passengers must declare their travel history to health and immigrations officials at India's airports.

Arrivals from DGCA list of 12 countries undergo thermal screening, passengers with high temperature taken to quantantine

Screening to be carried out at 21 airports across the country

Regular (sticker) visa/e-visa granted to nationals of People's Republic of China, issued on or before February 5, 2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force.

Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate," the advisory said.

An advisory had also directed passengers arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan to undergo medical screening at the port of entry

Travel Insurance :

All Indian carriers are offering full refund or bookings to alternate destinations for flights that were booked earlier but are getting cancelled due Coronavirus scare.

GoAir stated that people have the option of availing a full refund or utilising the booking amount for any future travel with the airline.

In a travel advisory, Emirates has stated that those wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia will have to contact the Emirates office or their travel agent for refunds.

Others travellers having expensive insurance cover may get full refunds by the insurance companies if they have included everything under coverage.

But a larger number of insurers do not provide travel insurance against any pandemics outright. Moreover, any travel plan made now may not get covered for can cancellations due to Coronavirus

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Syndicated from IANS
Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has compared tensions between the UK and EU ahead of talks to "argy-bargy" in the Croke Park tunnel before a match.

He raised concerns at the prospect of a hard Brexit and warned that if the UK wants to be taken seriously in forging global trade deals, "it has to honour its commitment to us".

Mr Hogan was speaking yesterday at the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Transatlantic Conference in GAA headquarters, where he said better EU/US trade relations were a priority for him.

On Brexit, he referred to comments by the UK's negotiator David Frost last month suggesting Britain would reject "level playing field" conditions that the EU has been insisting on in a free-trade deal.

Mr Hogan said the "mood music" between the two sides had improved, but added that it was "difficult to take comfort" from the UK rhetoric.

He said that as with Croke Park, "maybe it's a bit or argy-bargy in the tunnel you can't do anything about".

"It's an absolute priority for us that the Withdrawal Agreement signed last October is implemented in both spirit and letter, including the commitment to no hard border on the island of Ireland," he said,

He added that the UK "was quite explicit that it wanted to avoid a crash-out Brexit".

Mr Hogan quoted what the UK agreed to as "the government's ambition is to conclude an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership across trade and economic co-operation with the EU, with a free-trade agreement at its core".

"Mr Frost's recent speech seems to confirm that the UK will want to renege on these commitments and is pursuing a hard Brexit," he added.

"Perhaps this is part of the opening skirmishes that you have in any particular match."

Pain

He urged the business people present to use any influence they have in the UK "to make their voices heard, because a no-deal Brexit will bring nothing but pain to both sides".

Mr Hogan also said companies had to prepare for the reality that the UK is leaving the single market and customs union even if there is a deal.

He said the UK needs to "face up to the reality that no stable of new trade deals will offer as much opportunity or security as the one they're in now, the one that they wish to do with the European Union".
CITY HALL -- The Citys Health Department is monitoring at least 2,773 New Yorkers who are quarantined at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, officials said Thursday as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has climbed to 22 around the state.

The Health Department said it is asking New Yorkers returning from China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Japan to self-isolate for 14 days out of precaution.

Meantime, Mayor Bill de Blasio and public health officials are calling on the federal government to provide more coronavirus test kits.

Currently, the Health Department said it only has just two test kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each kit can test a few hundred patients, and the agency said it has the capacity to test 1,000 individuals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also approved a test kit developed by New York State, which only New York State and New York City have authority to use. That kit will be ready for testing soon, the city said. The administration also said it thinks commercial labs will be able to test for coronavirus soon.

We need the CDC to send more test kits because we anticipate that were going to burn through these, and we need all the test kits we can get, said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot, adding that the city currently has the capacity to test thousands of individuals.

Officials have, so far, urged New Yorkers to stay calm amid the outbreak. City Council members convened a public hearing Thursday on the citys preparation around the coronavirus and said they wanted to stop the spread of misinformation about the virus.

There is no recommendation at this time  for New Yorkers to limit their travel within the city to avoid public gatherings and public transportation or to change anything about where they obtain their food or prepare it, the City Councils Public Health Committee Chairman Mark Levine said at the hearing.

There is no need and no excuse for avoiding any neighborhood in this city, in particular, Chinatown and other Asian communities which are now struggling in the face of a crippling economic blow brought on from the unfounded shunning of their businesses by the public, Levine continued.

But Barbot said the agency has no plans to tell New Yorkers to take any distance from one another socially at this time.

There are many things that could potentially be deployed before we even get to considering canceling large gatherings, Barbot said, noting that the agency is only focused on aggressively trying to contain this at the moment.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.
Turkey claims that Operation Spring Shield has neutralized over 100 Syrian soldiers and destroyed a large amount of military hardware writes Al-Masdar.

On Thursday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said that the land and air forces involved in Operation Spring Shield, against the Syrian Arab Army in Idleb, continued successfully throughout the night.

Over the last 24 hours, Operation Spring Shield has neutralized, 184 elements of the Syrian regime and four tanks, five artillery, three anti-tank and 12 military vehicles were destroyed, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency .

The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Wednesday that, the Syrian regime has lost more than 3,200 of its elements since the launch of Operation Spring Shield, stressing that, Turkey will not allow the blood of its martyrs to be wasted. 

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced that his country has not taken any hostile action against Turkey.

Assad told the TV channel Russia 24 on Wednesday: What hostile acts has Syria taken against Turkey? There are none. There are cases of marriage between Turks and Syrians, there are Turkish-Syrian families, there are common life interests, there is a historical convergence between cultures; therefore, it makes no sense that we have differences. 

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.
TORONTO, March 5, 2020 /CNW/ - In the lead-up to International Women's Day, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, will be in Toronto, Kitchener and Brampton to meet with women entrepreneurs and highlight how the government is supporting their success as they grow their businesses here in Canada and around the world.

As the Chief Guest at this year's Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce International Women's Day Gala, she will deliver remarks about how Canada is creating an economy that benefits everyone.

Event: Minister Ng will visit a pop-up market of women-owned businesses and participate in an Instagram Live with women entrepreneurs

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Time: 9:30 a.m. ET

Location: 2nd floor of Hudson's Bay, 176 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario

Notes:

Open coverage

Media are asked to arrive no later than 9:15 a.m.

Event: Minister Ng will participate in a town hall with women entrepreneurs

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Time: 1:30 p.m. ET

Location: Driftwood Martial Arts, 1624 Highland Road West, Kitchener, Ontario

Notes:

Open coverage

Media are asked to arrive no later than 1:15 p.m.

Event: Minister Ng will visit Lisboa Bakery & Grill, a woman-owned business

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Time: 2:45 p.m. ET

Location: 1187 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener, Ontario

Notes:

Photo opportunity

Media are asked to arrive no later than 2:30 p.m.

Event: Minister Ng will deliver remarks at the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce International Women's Day Gala

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Location: Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario

Notes:

Open coverage

Media are asked to arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.

Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade

Like us on Facebook: Canada's international trade - Global Affairs Canada

Follow @CanadaBusiness on social media for business-related news: Twitter, Facebook

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Ryan Nearing, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, [email protected], 343-551-0244; Media Relations Office, Global Affairs Canada, 343-203-7700, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/home


Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 13:10:52|Editor: yhy

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SYDNEY, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities were gearing up for a much larger spread of COVID-19 on Friday as over 60 cases reported nationwide, and local health officials expressed that containment would be difficult.

Cases in the worst affected State of NSW rose to 26, including a high school student and a worker at an aged care facility where earlier in the week five others tested positive for COVID-19, including a 95-year-old woman who passed away from the disease.

"This is the first example we believe in Australia where a student within a school environment has been impacted," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Berejiklian urged the public to remain calm, while taking the precautionary measures advised such as regularly washing hands, and to think about others in the community in helping to prevent the spread of the disease.

"I have full confidence that our health system is doing everything we can to reduce the spread of this virus," she said.

Instances of COVID-19 in other states have appeared more slowly, with 13 in Queensland, 10 in Victoria, seven in South Australia, including an infant, three in Western Australia and one in both Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

NSW remains the only state to have recorded person-to-person transmissions of the disease with the majority of Australia's cases still from overseas travellers who later became ill.

The high school in Sydney where the infected student attended was closed on Friday, as a precautionary measure in order to ease concerns of parents and students.

Health authorities traced the boy's contact with the disease through his mother, who works at a Sydney hospital, to a 53-year-old male who also works at the hospital and tested positive for the disease earlier in the week.

However the connection is unproven and health authorities said the student may have come in contact with the disease through other means.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the federal government would shoulder half the financial burden of the virus imposed on states -- which estimates suggest could be over 1 billion Australian dollars (660 million U.S. dollars).

On Thursday the federal government introduced a travel ban on arrivals from South Korea, as well as extending a ban on those coming from China and Iran, a decision which Morrison expressed as regrettable but necessary considering the circumstances.

Australia's national carrier QANTAS, further reduced flights to Japan, China's Hong Kong and New Zealand on Friday.
Ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, Mastercard launched its 2020 South African Girls4Tech programme at Phoenix College in Johannesburg to inspire and prepare 110 girls aged between nine and 11 for careers in science and technology. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills are still the most in-demand jobs in the South African job market, yet only 13% of graduates in STEM fields are women.

A hands-on inquiry-based STEM programme, Girls4Tech incorporates Mastercards expertise in payments technology and innovation, and includes topics such as algorithms, digital convergence and cryptology. Mastercard employees serve as mentors and role models as they guide participants through practical and fun exercises.Driving inclusion, and equal opportunity are key priorities at Mastercard, says Suzanne Morel, Country Manager at Mastercard South Africa. Through our Girls4Tech programme, we are committed to developing a strong pipeline of talent by encouraging girls to embrace the subjects that will prepare them for the workforce of the future, while helping to reduce the shortage of STEM skills that are needed to boost South Africas economy.STEM skills are not only critical in giving women a leg up in the job market, but they can also help to boost their earning potential. This is important if we are to close the gender pay gap.By providing real life and hands-on activities for each concept, Mastercard volunteers show young girls that being friendly, enthusiastic, mathematical, artistic, scientific, logical and even creative are all skills that connect to a STEM career.A lot of girls believe that they are not cut out for technology careers and need more confidence. They need to have good role models so they can see that they can do it too, says Morel.While Girls4Tech inspires young girls to build the skills they need in STEM to become problem-solvers and the leaders of tomorrow, it also aims to ensure that women have a voice in the development of the products and services of the future.According to Nielsen, women wield the buying power in South Africa, with 60% the primary purchaser within South African households, while 71% are responsible for grocery shopping. And their influence is still to grow as 21 million female consumers are expected in the local market by 2025.How can we possibly create products for everyone if we dont have representation of women in the decision-making, engineering and innovation processes? It is critical that women have a seat at the table, so that we can design solutions that better meet their needs. By creating a world with women in mind, and women involved, we can unlock limitless possibilities for us all, says Morel.Since its launch in April 2014 in the United States, Girls4Tech has reached more than 500,000 girls in 27 countries, including over 1000 girls in South Africa. Mastercard has further committed to reach 1 million girls globally by 2025. Additional programmes will be rolled out to schools in Johannesburg and Cape Town later this year.To learn more about the programme, please visit the Girls4Tech webpage
Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4 F [37.8 C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick, the memo says.
ROME, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian authorities on Thursday confirmed 3,296 people tested positive to the new coronavirus, an increase of 590 cases compared to the previous day.

The figure did not include recoveries or fatalities, whose numbers were provided separately by Civil Protection Department chief Angelo Borrelli, who also serves as extraordinary commissioner for the coronavirus emergency.

"We have registered 138 new cases of people who have recovered and have been dismissed (by hospital), which brings the total number of recoveries so far to 414," Borrelli told a televised press conference at 6 p.m. local time.

"Forty-one more people died, which means the total number of fatalities has reached 148."

The official specified the victims ranged between 66 years and 94 years, and that "all of them were in fragile health conditions, and for a large majority, had previous diseases."

As in the previous days, the Health Ministry specified in the daily statement that the total of 148 fatalities "can be confirmed only upon certification of the effective cause of death by the National Health Institute (ISS)."

Adding death toll and recoveries, the country's total figure of assessed cases was 3,858, the ministry added.

Lombardy remained the region hit worst by the epidemic, with a daily increase of 280 infections that brought the total of 1,777 positive cases.

It was followed by Emilia Romagna region (142 new infections, and a total of 658 people who tested positive), and Veneto (35 new infections and 380 infections).

With regard to the 3,296 people positive to the new coronavirus, some 1,155 were currently under house confinement -- because of asymptomatic or with light symptoms -- another 1,790 were in hospital with symptoms, and 351 in intensive care.

"Those in intensive care units represent about 10 percent of the population overall affected by the coronavirus (including death toll and recoveries)," Borrelli told reporters.

He added recoveries made 10.73 percent, while fatalities made 3.84 percent of the total population affected so far.

In a separate statement on Thursday, Italy's Superior Institute of Health(ISS) explained that "the average age of the deceased positive to COVID-19 is 81 years; they are mostly male, and, in more than two-thirds of cases, they had three or more pre-existing diseases."

"This resulted from an analysis made by ISS on data concerning 105 Italian patients who died up to March 4, which highlights there are 20 years of difference between the average age of the deceased and that of virus-positive patients," the ISS stated.
Investors lost Rs 3.28 lakh crore in market wealth today after Sensex and Nifty closed over 2% lower on coronavirus concerns and RBI curbs on YES Bank. Market capitalisation on BSE fell to Rs 144.31 lakh crore today compared to yesterday's close of Rs 147.59 lakh crore amid intensifying rout in global stocks on coronavirus concerns with RBI's regulatory curbs on YES Bank further weakening sentiment.

Sensex which crashed over 1,459 points during the day finally settled 893.99 points or 2.32 per cent lower at 37,576.6. Similarly, Nifty tanked 279.55 points or 2.48 per cent to close at 10,989.45.

Within minutes of opening today, Sensex tanked 1,459 points as banking stocks crashed led by YES Bank whose management was taken over by RBI and limit of Rs 50,000 withdrawal placed till April 3.

That led to erosion of nearly Rs 5 lakh crore in investor wealth intra day. Indian rupee also fell sharply today, breaching the 74 levels against the US dollar.

Share Market Update: Sensex ends 893 points lower, Nifty at 10,979; YES Bank tanks 56% on RBI action

YES Bank share price fell 85% to its all-time low of Rs 5.55 on BSE today.

Later, the stock tripled from its intra day low amid reports that RBI governor Shaktikanta Das met finance ministry officials to resolve YES Bank crisis. Das assured of an early solution and swift action within one month.

The assurance from the government helped the stock erase losses and close 56% lower at Rs 16.20 on BSE. BSE bankex was the top loser closing 1,146 points lower at 31,988 taking into account the hit YES Bank took after takeover from RBI.

All 19 BSE sectoral indices closed in the red.Tata Steel was the top loser on Sensex down 6.51% to Rs 351.20 amid global economic uncertainty over coronavirus fears.

SBI (6.19%) , IndusInd Bank (5.62 %) , HDFC (3.90%) and ICICI Bank (3.67%) were among other Sensex losers.

Bajaj Auto (1.20%), Maruti (1.03%) and Asian Paints (0.13%) were the top Sensex gainers

According to analysts, investors took YES Bank episode very negatively, raising questions on the stability of the overall Indian financial system.

Deepak Jasani, Head, Retail Research at HDFC Securities said, "Statements from corporate chieftains helped bring some stability to the free fall in the stock price of YES Bank. But the collateral damage to the broader market expecting second and third degree impact of this event could not be prevented. Market participants now remember the IL&FS issue when a similar panic subsisted for some days and progress on recovery of money from IL&FS has been very slow so far.

However, YES Bank being a scheduled commercial Bank, the situation of depositors is much stronger but the same cannot be said about the shareholders. The market sentiments could revive only if global markets settle down and fears of global slowdown recede soon."

Further, domestic market faced intense heat as global markets continued their free fall on the back of coronavirus concerns, analysts said.

Global markets

European benchmarks were trading significantly lower in their morning sessions. On the currency front, the Indian rupee depreciated 32 paise to 73.24 per US dollar (intra-day).

World shares slipped Friday after a sharp drop on Wall Street, as pessimism prevailed over hopes for central bank action to counter the virus outbreak. Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo sank over 2 per cent.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei dived 2.7% to finish at 20,749.75. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 2.8% to 6,216.20. South Korea's Kospi dropped 2.2% to 2,040.22. Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 2.3% to 26,146.67, while the Shanghai Composite skidded 1.2% to 3,034.51. Shares also dropped in Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Brent crude oil futures fell 2.54 per cent to $48.72 per barrel. On Wall Street on Thursday, major indexes lost roughly 3.5%, nearly wiping out the rally from a day before that was fueled by hopes authorities around the world will move to cushion the economic fallout. Such swings look likely to continue as long as the outbreaks continue to expand.
WILLIAMSPORT  Traffic charges have been filed against a man who violated his parole by being in Williamsport last October when his SUV struck a motorized wheelchair and killed the occupant.

Tyrone Dunn, 55, a Williamsport native, was charged Thursday by city police with summary charges of careless driving, failure to yield for a pedestrian and failure to signal a turn.

John C. Yarosz, 66, was struck and killed as he was crossing West Fourth Street at William Street about 12:50 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Dunn was paroled from state prison last July 23 and was restricted to the Harrisburg area unless given permission to travel.

He did not obtain permission for the trip and was put back in the state prison Jan. 9 for that violation, a state Parole Board spokesperson said.

Criminal intent was not there, Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner said in explaining why more serious charges were not filed. I struggled with this, he added.

Among the charges he said he looked at were involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person. But the evidence did not support a guilty verdict, he said.

It would not be fair to the Yarosz family to put them through two years of court procedures with the outcome being an acquittal, Gardner said.

Dunn did not operate his vehicle in a reckless manner, he was upset at hitting Yarosz and there were no drugs or alcohol in his system, he said.

The investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video from three sources, determined Yarosz in the company of a caretaker was crossing Fourth Street from south to north, Gardner said.

The light was green for northbound William Street traffic to permit left turns onto Fourth, he said. The walk-dont walk signal was not operating, he said.

Dunn had stopped southbound on William and talked with a pedestrian before turning west onto West Fourth Street after the light turned green for him, he said.

After the SUV struck the wheelchair, Dunn continued a half-block west until he pulled into a cutout in front of the Community Arts Center. He believed that was a reasonable place to stop, Gardner said.

One of the reasons the investigation took so long is the final autopsy report was not received until the second week of January, Gardner said.

Dunn, who has a lengthy record, was paroled in July after serving slightly more than the minimum of a 5- to 15-year sentence imposed in two cases in 2015 in Lycoming County related to a Feb. 28, 2014, police pursuit through three municipalities.

City police had not previously identified him as the driver of the SUV that hit Yarosz, who died from multiple traumatic injuries.

Yarosz had been honored several times for his volunteer work in the community.

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Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, second from left, speaks at a government press briefing on the emergency child care service in Seoul, Friday. /Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Emergency child care services at kindergartens and elementary schools will be now available for an extra two hours until 7 p.m. to help take care of children whose parents both work, the education ministry said Friday, in an effort to help families cope with childcare amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.



The coronavirus outbreak has caused all schools in Korea to postpone the start of the spring semester by three weeks, until the third week of March. The government has had kindergartens and elementary schools offer an emergency child care service for young children with no parents at home during the day.



Originally, the service ran until 5 p.m., however the two-hour extension came as many working parents  especially in the private sector  struggled to be able to take care of their children from that time.



"The Ministry of Education (MOE) is urging parents and students to refrain from using multi-use facilities and stay away from public areas where many people gather, as the next couple of weeks will be a turning point for containing COVID-19," said Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae during a press briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul.



The education minister also said the decision to delay the school opening for three weeks was urgently needed to keep children safe from the risk of infection, and that schools and students should not be an ingress for the virus in their community.



In addition, schools operating the care service have been asked to provide lunch for the children during the period.


People have started queuing up outside the branches of Yes Bank as its ATMs have stopped functioning after the bank was placed under moratorium by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

It was shocking that the RBI put a limit of 50,000. I have tried to take out cash from ATMs but they were blocked by Yes Bank. NEFT transactions were also not taking place. I came here at 7 am to withdraw money, Yogesh Sharma, a Yes Bank customer at Fort Branch in Mumbai told news agency ANI.

Yes Banks own net banking facilities have not been operational since Thursday evening. Other fintech operators who rely on Yes Bank to settle their transactions are also down. We sincerely regret the long outage. Our partner bank (Yes Bank) was placed under moratorium by RBI. Entire teams been working all night to get services back up asap (as soon as possible), the apps chief executive Sameer Nigam tweeted on Friday morning.

He added that the app hopes to be live in a few hours.

Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium Thursday evening, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board. The RBI action came after the Rana Kapoor-promoted bank failed to raise capital to address potential loan losses.

The withdrawal limit, however, can be relaxed in case of medical emergencies, higher education and for expenses related to marriages, it said.

The taking over by RBI means Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

For the next one month, Yes Bank will led by the RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, an ex-chief financial officer of SBI.

The RBI action showed its impact on banking stocks. The NSE Nifty 50 index fell as much as 3.92 per cent on Friday to an over five-month low of 10,827.4 points, led by a 40 per cent slump in the shares of component Yes Bank. The broader BSE Sensex dropped as much as 3.79 per cent to 37,011.09.
ICSE conducted the class 10th English Literature examination on Friday, March 6, 2020, at various centres across India. Here is the reaction from students after coming out of the examination hall:

Agartala:

Akanksha Debnath, student of Holy Cross School at Agartala said, I was comfortable with the English Literature question paper. I hope to score good marks.

Jahri Debbarma, student of St Pauls school said,  The question paper was quite easy. I expect to score good marks.

Princina, English literature teacher of St. Pauls school said, The question paper was not tough. I believe the students who studied their text books well, they could get good marks.

Lucknow:

Students in Lucknow found ICSE English paper to be simple. All the questions were simple, straight and in expected lines, students said. According to them questions from Merchant of Venice were easy,

Anamika Singh, a student of City Montessori School, Kanpur road branch was beaming with confidence and expected to get full marks. Aadya Srivastava was happy that she could complete the paper before time and got enough time for revisions. Aishwarya, anorther said she was satisfied with her answers. Reviewer vaibhav srivastava wishes ICSE students best of luck to get a good score.

(With inputs from Priyanka Deb Barman in Agartala, and Rajeev Mullick in Lucknow.)

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Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

For Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Pena, West Side Day at the New Mexico Legislature was more than a mere day.

She spent two nights in Santa Fe surrounding the Jan. 30 function having had council staff book and use city funds to pay for her stay at the Inn and Spa at Loretto.

West Side Day is meant to celebrate Albuquerques West Side and teach area schoolchildren about state government. Pena  whose husband is president of a nonprofit that helps organize the event  said she helped coordinate related activities while in Santa Fe but also used the day before and the day after to meet with state lawmakers and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams staff, which she said yielded more than $3 million in state funding for projects in her Southwest Albuquerque district.

But although council staff determined her $320 hotel bill was justified, Pena now says she is paying the city back.

Although not required, I opted to reimburse my lodging expenses, she said in an email to the Journal.

The decision comes amid scrutiny of Penas previous travel and a new City Council push to set clear travel policies.

Travel expenses provided to the Journal under a public records request show that taxpayers spent more on Penas travel than any other councilor in fiscal year 2019. Thats due primarily to a $6,352 East Coast trip she took last summer with her husband and grandchildren. The trip included a conference in Philadelphia, meetings with New Mexicos congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., and a stop in New York City, where Pena had no city business. Pena said she had the city cover only costs she would have incurred traveling alone, but State Auditor Brian Colon has said he will investigate.

KOAT-TV reported on the East Coast trip on Feb. 9, about a week after Penas unrelated stay in Santa Fe.

On Feb. 21, Pena told Council Services Director Stephanie Yara that she wanted to pay the city back for the Santa Fe hotel. Yara had told Pena and City Councilor Cynthia Borrego  who also went to Santa Fe for West Side Day and spent one night in a hotel  that the per diem they had received for the trip was not allowed and they needed to pay it back. City regulations do not allow per diem for meals and incidentals for travel within 75 miles, Yara told them, but council staff had automatically applied it when booking hotel rooms.

Thank you Stephanie, Pena wrote in response. I would also feel more comfortable if you would process a reimbursement to the city for the hotel stay as well.

Yara replied that the lodging was justified, but Pena insisted on paying back for the hotel.

Total travel

Councilors have logged about $8,000 in taxpayer-funded travel since the 2020 fiscal year began in July, according to documents provided to the Journal in response to a public records request. Adding travel by councilors policy analysts and other Council Services staff pushes the total to a little over $10,000.

Yara said the total travel budget for the councilors and staff is $24,000 a year.

The council exceeded that last fiscal year, when councilors travel cost a total of $25,556. That included 11 trips and one conference for which the city paid only registration fees. By comparison, Mayor Tim Kellers travel in that span cost $10,830, according to online records.

The councils 2019 travel total topped $40,000 when including travel by council employees.

Salary savings from vacant positions funded the overage, Yara said.

Penas total costs in fiscal year 2019 were $7,099. Borregos were the next-highest, at $6,021.

No one else exceeded $5,000; three councilors  Don Harris, Trudy Jones and Brad Winter  did not take any city-funded trips, records show.

Jones said she has never billed the city for trips to visit the state Capitol while the Legislature was in session and has taken just two publicly funded trips since taking office in 2007.

I decided they were a waste of time and money, and Ive decided not to do it anymore, she told the Journal, adding that the members of New Mexicos congressional delegation is home often enough that she does not need to travel to meet with them.

Jones said she welcomes the new effort to review City Council travel policies. Council President Pat Davis recently created a council subcommittee to review existing rules and recommend a process for evaluating and choosing out-of-town conferences.

I think if its truly an essential meeting that the city councilors should not have to use their own money, Jones said. But I would certainly want to see if its essential.

Borrego said she thought a night in Santa Fe was appropriate because she was at receptions until about 9 p.m. Jan. 30. She said she otherwise did not charge the city for several other days she spent at the Capitol lobbying lawmakers for funding. She said the Legislature approved a $4 million allocation for a Paseo del Norte widening project in her district.

Borrego said she supports the current effort to review and refine council travel policies  she is on the subcommittee  but disagrees with Jones that travel is often pointless.

I think were dealing with issues that they deal with at those conferences that are important to our city, she said, adding that she thinks all council travel should have an educational component and that members should report back on what they learned.

We dont have all the answers, so were trying to research other cities and, especially with the National League of Cities event, you meet other councilors, other mayors and you talk about what theyre doing, so I think its important.
Germany and France have been condemned by other EU members after blocking the export of medical supplies, raising the alarm among smaller countries hit by coronavirus.

Fearing a possible shortage in masks and protective equipment to fight the virus, top European Union officials are urging members to put solidarity above national interests as the disease spreads quickly across the continent.

Speaking Friday after an urgent meeting in Brussels of health ministers from the 27-country bloc, crisis management commissioner Janez Lenarcic said EU nations are entitled to restrict exports of medical equipment but warned that such decisions could compromise the EU's ability to manage the growing COVID-19 virus crisis.

Germany and France have been condemned by other EU members after blocking the export of medical supplies, raising the alarm among smaller countries hit by coronavirus. Pictured: tourists wear protective face masks in Vatican City today

On Wednesday, Germany's interior minister said it had banned the export of medical protection gear such as masks and gloves to ensure local health workers have enough.

President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will requisition all face masks produced there, a de facto export ban, and Czech health minister Adam Vojtech has halted disinfectant exports.

Some EU members - notably Italy, where at least 148 people have died - have been hit harder than others and some ministers think precious protective medical gear should be shared.

'There are legal grounds that make such measures possible, but these kind of unilateral measures first have to be notified to the union,' EU crisis management commissioner Jenaz Lenarcic said.

'They have to be proportionate and even if they are legally possible they carry a risk of undermining our collective approach and our collective capacity to handle this crisis.'

President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will requisition all face masks produced there, a de facto export ban, and Czech health minister Adam Vojtech has halted disinfectant exports

Ministers from many member states agreed.

'I think that in fact we should show our solidarity, for example in the distribution of protective resources,' said Belgian health minister Maggie de Block.

'There are two countries that block all exports and that's not in the spirit of the EU.'

Dutch minister for medical care Bruno Bruins also chimed in, telling the crisis meeting: 'In times of scarcity it is even more important to show solidarity, especially within the EU.'

An EU spokesman confirmed France and Germany had notified the European Commission of their decisions, but would not be drawn on whether they meet EU single market rules.

EU officials have stressed the importance of a coordinated response - health commissioner Stella Kyriakides saying she was focused not only on the readiness of individual states but also 'the need for solidarity'.

German health minister Jens Spahn (pictured) urged his colleagues to try to understand why Berlin, Paris and Italy are acting as they are, given their bigger outbreaks

But German health minister Jens Spahn urged his colleagues to try to understand why Berlin, Paris and Italy are acting as they are, given their bigger outbreaks.

'I sometimes have the impression that some of you think: 'Typical, once again the big guys, France, Germany and Italy are going their own way',' he said.

'The reason we are upping the pressure is because the situation is different in our countries than the others. We are in a different phase than those countries who are still detecting and containing cases.

'Once the outbreak develops inside a country, measures at the border won't help.'

He said the German decision was an 'imperfect measure' and not an export ban as such, but a request for producers to obtain a licence to ship gear that might be better used elsewhere.

French health minister Olivier Veran said: 'We had seen prices multiplying and items being re-sold on the grey market, believe me, France will not be exempt from showing its duty and will for solidarity.'

Vojtech said supplies of protective suits and masks were limited and that European health workers should be first in line as production is ramped up.

'We're trying to negotiate with producers to supply the market, but production is limited. The demand is much higher than the supply worldwide. It is not easy.

'We don't have enough protective masks. The problem is that the demand is much higher than the supply. A third of the world's production of drugs is located in China and also in India.'

The novel coronavirus strain that erupted in China this year and causes the COVID-19 disease has killed more than 3,300 people and infected nearly 100,000 in about 90 nations.

Europe as a whole has not yet been hit as hard as China, but the virus is spreading across the continent and Italy, in particular, has a major outbreak.
Ashley Banjo, Jason Gardiner, Phillip Schofield, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean attend the Dancing On Ice 2018 photocall. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Ashley Banjo has said Phillip Schofield was so nervous that he was shaking as he got ready to host Dancing On Ice just two days after coming out.

Schofield came out as gay in an emotional Instagram post last month, shortly before appearing on This Morning to discuss his announcement with close friend and co-host Holly Willoughby.

A couple of days later, the star was back on TV to present ITVs Dancing On Ice, where he was visibly emotional as judge Banjo called him an absolute legend and assured him that he had the entire teams love and respect.

Read more: Phillip Schofields statement in full

Banjo told The Sun Online: I didn't plan to make him cry but I said what I felt in the moment. It just felt right.

Phillip Schofield attends Winterland, London for the launch of Huawei's StorySign App with the British Deaf Association in London (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Huawei)

"Before the show he was shaking with nerves backstage. It felt right to tell him, 'It's all good, let's get on with it'."

Schofield has been married to his wife Steph for 27 years and shares two adult daughters with her, Molly and Ruby.

Read more: Eamonn Holmes supports Phillip Schofield

The TV star thanked his wife and daughters for their support when he made the emotional revelation.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Ashley Banjo attends the National Television Awards on January 25, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

He said in his post to Instagram: This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home.

My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion.

"Yet still I cant sleep and there have been some very dark moments.

The presenter was praised by both fans and celebrities after opening up about his sexuality.
DUBLIN, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Global Market of Digital Women's Health Solutions, 2017-2024: How New Technology Will Revolutionize Women's Health" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report is the most comprehensive study of one of the biggest digital healthcare markets - women's health.

It examines the current market status and showcases its diversity by introducing 12 main use cases. The report provides a detailed, data-heavy analysis for each of the five major market segments and summarizes major developments and business models in the digital women's health solutions market. An outlook till 2024 is also provided, including the assessment of the global digital opportunity for women's health solutions, the forecast for the addressable market, downloads, and revenues.

How to tap into the market opportunity in digital women's health: Discover the top 10 trends that will transform the digital women's health market, as well as the four market entry strategies.

Women account for nearly half of humankind: In mid-2019, the female population alone reached 3.8 billion, accounting for 49.6% of the global population. Driven by a demographic boom in Asia and Africa, it is set to grow continuously in the foreseeable future.



Over the last five years, the digital women's health market has been driven by an increasing interest in women's health issues, from both the general public and medical professionals. With over 3,000 app-based solutions, 151M annual downloads globally and millions of active users (end of 2019), women's health has managed to develop into one of the biggest and most consumer-oriented digital healthcare markets.



The report deals with the global market of digital solutions that support women during different stages of their lives. Currently available digital women's health solutions are mainly focused on the reproductive function of the female body.



The market for digital women's health solutions refers to the software, products, and services that leverage technology to address specific women's health issues and which improve women's health.



The 140-page report is the most comprehensive study of one of the biggest consumer-oriented digital healthcare markets - women's health. Some of the quantitative and qualitative analyses are also presented in 70 figures and 30 tables. To validate market hypotheses and concepts, the analysts conducted interviews with key decision-makers in the digital women's health market. Their insights and data enriched the deep-dive market intelligence with the latest and most relevant business expertise.



The new report covers:

The sizing of the current global market opportunity including addressable market, demand, and supply size.

The description of the current global digital women's health ecosystem.

A categorization and description of the currently available solutions by women's lifecycle and use case/features.

An evaluation of current and future business models.

A mapping of the global competitive landscape - overall analysis and top 10 publishers market shares.

Profiles of Top 10 leading digital women's health solution providers including their solutions portfolio performance and perceived market strategy.

A profile of the largest country markets showing addressable markets, current adoption rate, and key competitors' performances.

An evaluation of Top 10 trends that will transform the digital women's health market.

A description of four success entry strategies for established players and new entrants.

An outlook till 2024 providing a detailed forecast on market size, business models, usage and pricing.

The analyst has been monitoring the digital health market since 2010. This report will act as a baseline for future analyses of the digital women's health solutions market.



What the market says about the digital women's health report:



I am impressed by the comprehensive selection of topics and trends as well as the analysis depth this report provides. Highly recommended for anyone looking to build a solid knowledge foundation of the market but also for experts who need an up-to-date analysis of the global market and its potential.

- David Schaerf, Founder of Onelife Health and Advisor at Parasol Strategy



Key Topics Covered



1. Scope of the report



2. Management summary



3. Global digital women's health opportunity



4. The global digital women's health ecosystem: current status

4.1. The growth of the supply side: the number of solutions (2010-2019)

4.2. The growing demand: downloads and usage (2016-2019)

4.3. The diversity of the market: The twelve main use cases

4.4. The diversity of the market: Five medical categories

4.5. Premium digital content developments

4.6. Connected digital healthcare solutions: classification of devices and major developments

4.7. Business models and revenues



5. Five major market segments: Key performance indicators and trends

5.1. Fertility apps: classification, structure, and growth

5.2. Prenatal apps: classification, structure, and growth

5.3. Postpartum apps: classification, structure, and growth

5.4. Gynecology and obstetrics apps: classification, structure, and growth

5.5. Menopause apps: classification, structure, and growth



6. Market competition: Overall analysis

6.1. Digital women's health market players: the competitive landscape

6.2. Publishers' market shares: Top-10



7. Leading market players: Company profiles

7.1. Health & Parenting Ltd.

7.2. Flo Health

7.3. ABISHKKING/Simple Design

7.4. Biowink GmbH (Clue)

7.5. Leap Fitness Group

7.6. BabyCenter

7.7. Glow

7.8. SimpleInnovation

7.9. GP International/GP Apps

7.10. Ovia Health



8. Top-10 country markets for digital women's health solutions

8.1. Geographic structure of the global digital women's health market

8.2. The United States

8.3. Brazil

8.4. Russia

8.5. Mexico

8.6. The United Kingdom

8.7. India

8.8. Germany

8.9. France

8.10. China

8.11. Spain



9. Major trends and go-to-market strategies in the digital women's health market

9.1. Ten major trends that will transform the digital women's health market

9.2. The four most promising go-to-market strategies: how to tap into market opportunities for digital women's health



10. Outlook: The next five years to 2024

10.1. Demographic target group and addressable market forecast

10.2. Downloads and usage forecast

10.3. Revenue forecast



Companies Mentioned



ABISHKKING/Simple Design

AVA

Alphabet

Apple

Baby Chakra

BabyCenter

BabySentry

BabyTree Inc.

Bangtang Network Technology

Bayer

Biowink GmbH (Clue)

Braster

Chiaro Technology

Clearblue

Cocoon Life Pregnancy

Easy Healthcare Corporation

Fertility Council

Fitbit

Flo Health

GP International/GP Apps

Garmin

Glow

Healofy

Health & Parenting Inc

Healthline

Kindara

LactMed

Leap Fitness

MTI

Mamava Inc.

Merck

Mylo

Nighp Software

Odosoft

Onelife Health

Ovia Health

Pfizer

Philips

positive restive d.o.o.

Roche

Samplytics

Samsung Health

Sanofi

Shenzhen Unicare

SimpleInnovation

TDK Corporation

Tempdrop

Thyme Maternity

Trackle GmbH

Versa

Wachanga

Whisper Arts

Women Health

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3gf2gc

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]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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They frowned in suspicion or distaste. When they were assured they would not have to part with their money, they still could not be persuaded. Nah, nah. Not for me. Thanks mate, but no. Only one sensitive male soul was tempted.

In less than five minutes, he wrote in The Guardian, they gave away 30 novels. Every young woman we approached  was eager and grateful to take a book. But the men were different.

When women stop reading, the novel will be dead, the novelist Ian McEwan wrote. In 2005, needing to cull a few books, he did an experiment: he and his son took a complete set of the Vintage Future Classics out into the gardens near his London house and tried to give them away to the lunchtime crowds.

Fifteen years later, the novel is far from dead, and we can probably thank female readers for that. Women account for 80 per cent of book sales in British, US and Canadian fiction markets, and Im sure the figures are much the same in Australia. Far more women than men join book clubs and go to libraries and literary festivals.

In view of those figures, its surprising there hasnt been more research into why novels appeal so much to women. McEwan speculated its part of a centuries-long tradition (the novel was always seen as an attraction to female readers); that the novel connects to a womans biologically innate emotional understanding, or that it might all be down to conditioning.

But now someone has spoken to women themselves. Helen Taylor, an Emeritus professor at Exeter University, interviewed or surveyed more than 500 female readers and writers in detail to answer her question What does fiction reading mean to women?. The result is her book Why Women Read Fiction: The Stories of Our Lives (Oxford University Press).

'Taylor says women should speak up for the fact they read fiction because they want to explore their feelings.'

Perhaps her most striking finding is the deep emotional response to reading so many of these women revealed. Taylor said in an interview that she was surprised by the sheer passion of these readers. They spoke of books and reading as my best friend, the love of my life or said they felt bereft without a book on the go.
In his filed response, a lawyer for Maas denied the claims and said Forman aggressively resisted arrest and struck a police vehicle, narrowly missing a police officer in the process.

When told of the indictment Thursday, Formans lawyer, Mark McCloskey, said, Im glad that the law enforcement agencies are subject to the same standard as everybody else.

Last month, an amended lawsuit said another Breckenridge Hills officer kicked Forman after Maas did. Breckenridge Hills police could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday.

McCloskey said he amended the suit after obtaining the video of the incident. He praised Pagedale officers, saying they intervened and restrained both Maas and the second Breckenridge Hills officer.

Police at the time said Forman, then 21, was driving a car that had been taken by another man at gunpoint. The armed carjacking occurred at a Schnucks grocery store in Bridgeton and sparked a police chase through several communities that involved multiple agencies.
The School of Nursing here continues to graduate from its Registered Nursing Programme as testified by Batch 40 (pictured) who graduated in 2018. (Photo Credit: SVGCC Facebook Page)

Cenio Lewis, this countrys High Commissioner in London, regards the recruitment of local nurses for work in the UK as a "win-win situation.





He expressed the sentiment at a Press Briefing last Friday, called to give an update on the most recent recruit of local nurses for work in the UK.





Some 140 nurses are said to have applied, in this a second round of the recruitment process facilitated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for work in the United Kingdom, under the Health Education England (HEE) programme, as per an agreement between the HEE and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (GovSVG), signed in December 2018.





A team from the UK conducted interviews here last week Thursday. The team comprised: Thomas Hughes, Chief Policy Advisor; Michelle Thompson, Head of the Global Learners Programme; Ian Buczynski, Operations and Demand Manager; Linda Johnson, Matron and Brooke Ward, Sister, for Abdominal, and Medicine and Surgical Specialties; and Caroline Dunn, Deputy Head of Nursing for Emergency Speciality Medicine.





And, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arising out of those interviews, 29 nurses are expected to take up employment in England from October this year.





Those recruited will be offered work in the UK for a three-year period. They will have their flight to the UK paid for, three months paid for accommodation, a salary of up to 23,000 in the first year.





However, the 29 recruits are expected to go throughvarious processes, inclusive of series of assessments to become qualified to work as a registered nurse in the UK.





This is the second batch of nurses to be recruited under the HEE.- GovSVG Agreement. The first round of recruitment was conducted here between Jan, 22-25, 2019 from which 16 registered nurses were selected for deployment at various hospitals in the UK. They are expected to leave for the UK by mid-March 2020.





Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Louis Straker, addressing the Press Briefing, highlighted his governments drive towards securing employment, not only for nurses but the wider population. He noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was the only Caribbean island where the recruitment of nurses by the HEE was taking place.





Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry Sandy Peters-Phillips as well as Beverly Liverpool, Dean at the School of Nursing, also attended the Press Briefing.
CARLINVILLE  The Macoupin County Sheriffs Office is investigating four suspected arsons Wednesday near Carlinville and Mount Olive.

At about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, a deputy on routine patrol found hay bales on fire north of Carlinville, according to Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl.

Later Wednesday morning, deputies reponsded to a hay bale fire north of Mount Olive. While investigating that fire, deputies discovered a third fire north of Mount Olive around 12:15 p.m.

At 1:44 p.m., deputies were at the scene of a fourth fire Wednesday north of Carlinville, at Richie road and Welton Cemetery Road.

At that first Mount Olive fire Wednesday, police identified a suspect vehicle  a white Ford pickup truck with a chrome gril, a damaged front license plate and a board in place of a tailgate. Two men reportedly were seen in the truck.

On Feb. 26, the Kahl and the Illinois State Fire Marshals Arson Division announced that multiple barn fires in the county were being investigated as possible acts of arson. The fires were handled by the Carlinville, Gillespie and Northwestern Fire Protection Districts.

Anyone with information about the fires or the truck is asked to call the Macoupin County Sheriffs Office at 217-854-3135.
A bank teller advising a customer at an MBBank branch in Hanoi. Photo acquired by VnExpress.

The state-owned Military Commercial Bank (MBBank) sold 64.3 million shares to eight foreign funds for VND1.72 trillion ($74.4 million) last month.

The transactions that took place between February 21-26 increased the banks foreign ownership to 22.99 percent from the earlier 20.9 percent, according to a filing with the State Securities Commission (SSC).

The buyers included KIM Vietnam Growth Equity Fund, which purchased nearly 24 million shares and KITMC Worldwide Vietnam RSP Balance Fund, which bought 2.65 million shares. Both are subsidiaries of Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd (KIM), a leading South Korean fund management company.

Other buyers included Canada-based Fiera Capital Emerging Markets Fund, which bought 15.38 million shares, Japans TMAM Vietnam Equity fund, 10.9 million shares, and the USs Franklin Templeton Investments, which bought more than 4 million shares.

The previous month, in January, MBBank had sold 21.43 million treasury shares to the same eight investment funds. Altogether, these transactions add up to roughly over $100 million to MBBanks total equity, according to Vietnamese brokerage SSI Securities Inc., which was the sole advisor for the latest deal.

The eight foreign funds now hold a collective 4.45 percent stake in MBBank, according to the lenders SSC filing.

Before the latest private placement, the government owned 44 percent of MBBank, which has a market cap of nearly $2 billion through several military-linked companies.

Domestic and foreign financial institutions own 11 percent, with the rest held by individual investors and entities like mutual funds.

Last year, the bank reported a pre-tax profit of over VND10 trillion ($433 million), up 29.2 percent year-on-year.
A human rights activist in the Tindouf camps denounced, Friday before the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the repression and serious abuses perpetrated by the leadership of the separatist polisario front against the population of these camps, calling for holding Algeria accountable for these violations.

The Human rights militant and opponent to the polisario, Fadel Breika, made his testimony before the 43rd session of the UNHRC in Geneva. He underlined the legal responsibility of Algeria in the atrocities committed by the separatist leaders and the Algerian security services against the Sahrawis of the Tindouf camps. He also condemned the silence of the so-called defenders of the Sahrawi people on the ill-treatment and violations they are subjected to by the polisario leaders, with the complicity of the Algerian security services, to silence any dissenting voice in the camps.

Breika has just been freed from prison after a five month-detention, during which he suffered, along with two Sahrawi bloggers, Mahmoud Zedan and Moulay Abba Bouzid, physical and psychological ill-treatment. Their only sin was to dare to denounce the serious violations of human rights and the depravity of the separatist leaders as well as their exploitation of the misery of the populations of the Tindouf camps to serve their personal interests.

My body still bears the scars of torture inflicted on me during the last five months of 2019 in one of the secret prisons run by the polisario, with the blessing of the Algerian government, Breika told the members of the Human Rights Council.

He insisted on the harsh repression against freedom of opinion and expression in these camps, stressing that all the voices opposing the leadership of the polisario are systematically silenced.

He explained that he and two of his colleagues, journalist Mahmoud Zedan and blogger Moulay Aba Bouzid, were kidnapped by gunmen for the simple reason that they condemned, on social media, the serious violations committed by the leaders of the polisario.

The three Sahrawi activists will subsequently be held in secret places, where they had been subjected to various types of torture and abuse.

My abduction was also an act of revenge on the part of the Algerian intelligence services, which participated in my interrogations and tortures, he said. He explained that he had dared to organize a demonstration in front of the Algerian embassy in Madrid to demand the disclosure of the fate of his cousin and one of the polisario leaders, Khalil Ahmed Ibri, missing since his kidnapping in 2009 by the Algerian intelligence services in the Algerian capital.

Fadel Breika who denounced the silence of the so-called defenders of the rights of the Sahrawi people about the repeated violations in the Tindouf camps, called on the Human Rights Council and the international community to pressure Algeria to assume its legal responsibility as a country sheltering the Sahrawi population in Tindouf.
A High Court judge has concluded that the 10-year-old daughter of an asylum-seeker at risk of deportation is likely to be subjected to female genital mutilation if she leaves the UK.

Mr Justice Newton heard the girl's mother, who has links to Bahrain and Sudan, had applied for asylum.

One of the woman's fears was that, if she left Britain, she would end up in Sudan where her daughter would be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).

But her application for asylum has been rejected by Home Office officials and two tribunal appeals had been dismissed.

Priti Patel MP is pictured on her way to a cabinet meeting in London in February (right). Mr Justice Newton, pictured in an undated photo (left), issued an FGM order for the 10-year-old girl in the High Court today

The judge, who analysed evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London in December, has made an FGM protection order.

He says, in a written ruling published online, that the girl would be at 'high risk' of being subjected to FGM if she moved to Sudan.

Mr Justice Newton has said the case, which has been examined by three judges, is the first of its kind.

FGM protection order The FGM protection order is an actionable court command, which protects women who fear they, or a loved one, could become a victim of the procedure. Those who have already been subjected to the process are still able to apply for the order to prevent contact with a suspected cutter. The two parties are then taken to court, where evidence will be given, and the judge decides whether the order is warranted. If the judge decides an FGM order is required, they will hand down either a temporary or permanent order. The order is then 'served' to the police, who will arrest the cutter if they break the terms. Advertisement

He has said it raises public interest issues relating to 'tensions' between politicians and the courts.

A family court judge initially oversaw hearings in 2018 and raised concern about the risk of the girl being subjected to FGM in Sudan.

He said the case should be considered by a High Court judge and Mr Justice Newton began to examine evidence.

In 2019, Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division of the High Court and the most senior family court judge in England and Wales, also considered issues.

Sir Andrew concluded that a judge could not bar a home secretary from deporting the woman but only ask for judges' FGM concerns to be taken into account.

Lawyers say the woman and her daughter are still in Britain.

Barrister Charlotte Proudman, pictured in an undated photo, said that Home Secretary Priti Patel should show compassion in this instance

Judges have ruled that the girl at the centre of the case cannot be identified in media reports.

Social services bosses at Suffolk County Council have responsibilities for the girl's welfare.

Barrister James Holmes, who represented the council, had asked for an FGM protection order.

Barrister Charlotte Proudman, who represents the girl's mother, said after the ruling, that Home Secretary Priti Patel should show compassion.

'The overwhelming evidence is that this child is at risk of FGM if removed,' said Dr Proudman.

'It's time for Priti Patel to show compassion, common sense and make sure a child is kept safe.'
Coronavirus Scare: Another case confirmed in Delhi, total number now 31

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 06: The number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 31, as another Delhi resident has tested positive. The person has a travel history of Thailand and Malaysia, is stable and under constant observation.

The first three cases were reported from Kerala and all three have recovered. Two people diagnosed with the disease have been admitted to a hospital in Jaipur and one in Hyderabad and the rest are in hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Health Ministry has issued an advisory, which asks states to prevent mass gatherings, as the same have been known to spread coronavirus fast; the disease is known for spreading through communities having close contact.

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

Coronavirus scare: 1,252 persons quarantined in Kolkata; Helpline set up

There are now a total of 95,265 reported cases of coronavirus globally and 3,281 deaths. In the past 24 hours, China reported 143 cases and most of them have been reported from the Hubei province, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said at its daily briefing.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 01:02:49|Editor: yhy

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VIENTIANE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Laos is still free from COVID-19, with 53 suspected cases testing negative, Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Muongpak told foreign diplomats on Thursday.

Laos has an adequate surveillance system whose network covers all provinces in the country, said Phouthone, who is also deputy head of the taskforce committee for COVID-19 prevention and control in the country.

Samples from each of the suspected cases were tested three times at three different labs -- the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology, the Pasteur Institute (Institut Pasteur du Laos) in Vientiane, and the Microbiology Laboratory at Mahosot Hospital.

In addition, samples from the suspected cases tested in Lao labs were sent to WHO's lab in Australia for diagnosis.

Phouthone admitted that it was a challenge to prevent the virus from spreading into Laos, but the no-virus scenario is indeed possible, thanks to the government's prompt response.

Health authorities have tightened scanning at ports of entry into Laos and imposed self-monitoring and quarantine measures.

Laos has imposed uniform standards of 14-day self-monitoring and quarantine for the staff of international organizations, business executives, and workers. During this period, people may go to work and carry out other essential activities but are advised to avoid going to crowded places or public events.

Home quarantine is imposed on passengers who have no flu-like symptoms but have been in close contact with a person carrying the virus.

Quarantine at designated facilities imposed on those entering Laos in groups, such as students or workers, applies to any group that has had close contact with a COVID-19 patient. Quarantine facilities can include the dormitories of the workers or students.

Anyone showing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms at a port of entry will be taken directly to a hospital for diagnosis.
A strange statement is given by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He appealed to the women of his country to have at least six children. It is being told that due to the economic crisis in the country in recent years, millions of people were displaced due to which Maduro made this appeal to strengthen the country.

1200 crore deal between India and US for VVIP aircraft

Maduro made this statement in a program broadcast on television on Tuesday evening to propagate different methods of birth. He said that God bless you to produce six little boys and girls for the country. Give birth, then give birth, all women should have six children. Increase the population of the country.

Giriraj Singh's statement on Corona, "Eat chicken and eggs, but..."

The President of Venezuela has been criticized by human rights activists and others. These people say that the country is already struggling with the crisis of food, clothes and health care. Oscar Missley, the founder of CECODAP, a group protecting the rights of young people, said that the irresponsible attitude of the President of the country to motivate women to have six children to increase the country's population, also for a country that does not guarantee children their lives.

Loss to these Indian companies due to H-1B visa application being rejected
OTTAWACanadians caught in COVID-19 quarantines could get financial help, one element of Ottawas strategy to help businesses and workers hit by the economic fallout of the spreading virus.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau told a Toronto audience Friday that the federal government will soon be announcing support for people who have to be quarantined.

And in an interview with the Star, he didnt rule out help for others who self isolate for 14 days after potential exposure, a move that could mean lost wages for some.

Morneau said the exact details of the governments assistance is still being worked out but acknowledged that the threat of lost income should not deter people from following the advice of public health experts.

We need to think about all the conditions that leave people in a position where they dont have access to their regular income, Morneau said.

Were trying to advocate for people to be responsible in their actions and I think what you can expect is the government decision that we take will be supportive of that responsibility, the finance minister said.

In recent weeks, Canadians who were potentially exposed to the virus in China and on a cruise ship have all found themselves stuck in 14-day quarantines after being evacuated back to Canada.

On Friday, the government announced that 129 Canadians from the Diamond Princess ship had been released from quarantine at a Cornwall conference centre after showing no symptoms. They pose no risk to others and can safely return to their communities, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer said in a statement.

While COVID-19 remains clustered in China, Italy and Iran, the number of cases worldwide is growing and on Friday, approached 100,000, according to the World Health Organization. In Canada, there were 51 cases reported on Friday, up six from the previous day.

Morneau said the first priority is ensuring that federal and provincial health agencies have the resources needed to cope with the health crisis.

But dealing with the economic effects comes a close second. Morneau said impacts are already being seen in Canada with lower commodity prices, reduced demand for travel and tourism, disrupted supply chains and an erosion of consumer and business confidence, which could depress spending.

We know that in the face of rising uncertainty, Canadian businesses  just like workers and families  are feeling the impacts, Morneau said in his speech.

Although things are changing quickly, its clear that the COVID-19 outbreak is going to impact the real economy, and markets, he said, according to a prepared text of his remarks to the Canadian Club Friday morning.

In addition to the targeted help for Canadians who get quarantined, Morneau said the government will consider other measures to support businesses and workers. But he suggested that immediate action might be premature.

I think its important that we come up with the right supports for businesses that will be impacted by the result of employees being off or reductions in demands or supply challenges, he said.

Well wait to understand the facts before we start announcing measures that might be about a situation that is just potential and not necessarily real, he said in the interview.

Still, the evolving economic situation is prompting changes to the federal budget, which is expected by the end of the month.

The world has changed a lot in the last couple of weeks, he said, referring to the spread of the virus beyond Chinas borders and with it, greater worries about the economic risks.

For example, he said the government will set aside additional funds  beyond the $3 billion already earmarked as a contingency  as a risk provision.

Asked if the budget will contain any stimulus measures to boost an economy that was slowing even before the onset of the virus, Morneau said it would depend on how events unfold over the next few weeks.

There may well be issues that are appropriate in the budget because there will be potentially more information at that time, he said in the interview. There could be things that come up after that.

We are ready and able to take broader actions and have the fiscal capacity to do that, he said.

Yet the economic upheaval is certain to put further pressure on Ottawas bottom line. Even before the virus, Canadas economy was slowing. Yet Morneau insisted Friday that Canada  with a projected deficit of $26.6 billion in 2019-20  is still better off than other G7 nations to weather any economic storm.

Morneaus remarks capped a week of growing economic concerns. G7 finance ministers and central bankers agreed Tuesday to use all appropriate policy tools to blunt the fallout of the virus.

On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada followed the U.S. Federal Reserve and cut its key lending rate by 50 basis points to buffer consumer and business confidence against the large negative shock posed by the virus, bank governor Stephen Poloz said.

The global economy will, at the very least, be significantly disrupted by COVID-19 in the first half of the year, Poloz said in a Toronto speech Thursday.
Jacinda Ardern's fiance Clarke Gayford has starred alongside Australian comedian Celeste Barber in an ad for the audio book service Audible.

The ad features Mr Gayford nursing a baby in a carrier, which he clarified was not his actual daughter Neve, while folding clothes before Barber appears in his home.

'I might just be an average bloke, but trust me Audible really takes the hassle out of housework,' Gayford said.

'Hang on. Aren't you Clarke Gayford?' Barber interrupted.

'You're not an average bloke you're...'

'A dedicated stay at home dad,' Gayford said in front of a pile of laundry.

Also featured inside Mr Gayford's home was a 'guard sheep' named Rex.

Along with Mr Gayford, celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow was also spotted in the ad, listening to the new audio service while preparing a souffle.

Mr Gayford shared the video to twitter with the caption: 'Who is this Celeste Barber and how did she get into my house?'.

Clarke Gayford (pictured with Jacinda Ardern and daughter Neve) has starred alongside Celeste Barber for an ad for audio book service Audible

Gayford is seen carrying a baby in the ad while folding laundry in his role as a 'stay-at-home-dad'

Barber has been open about her love for the New Zealand Prime Minister and even asked for Australia's name to be changed to West New Zealand.

In an Instagram story directed to Ms Ardern, Barber wrote: 'Can you please make us West New Zealand? Can you be our leader and look after us? We need you.'

In the post, Barber shared a photo of Miss Ardern speaking to young people about climate change in New Zealand.

Australian comedian Celeste Barber became famous for mocking celebrities online

Barber, who became famous for mocking celebrities on Instagram, has been a critic of the way Prime Minister Scott Morrison has handled the bushfire crisis.

Taking matters into her own hands, Barber created an online bushfire fundraiser and gathered more than $50million.

The comedian then raised a further $9.5million in a concert dedicated to the bushfire appeal - Fire Fight Australia.

The concert welcomed a swarm of Australian artists such as Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Five Seconds of Summer and Amy Shark.
Twitter is closing its Seattle office to deep clean after an employee was told by their doctor that they likely have coronavirus.

The company said in a tweet that the Seattle-based employee is awaiting final testing, and has not been at a Twitter office for several weeks, but the office was being closed as a precaution.

"We have notified our employees, contacted the appropriate public health officials and are coordinating appropriately to protect everyones health and safety," a subsequent tweet added.

"We will not share any more information about our team members identity or medical condition to protect their privacy."

The company, which has its main headquarters in San Francisco, California added: "Were doing everything we can to support this employee. We continue to strongly encourage all employees globally to work from home if theyre able. Our goal is to minimise contact with others, contain any potential risk and protect everyones health and safety."

Other major tech companies based on the West Coast - including Google, Microsoft and Facebook - have urged staff to work from home where possible.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 3, 2020)  NASCAR today announced Qwick Wick as the Official Fire Starter of the NASCAR Pintys Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

The Canadian-owned business manufactures fire starters made from a unique blend of recycled wax and wood shavings making them effective in wet and windy conditions. Qwick Wick fire starters are made in Parkhill, Ontario, and have helped millions of campers, cottagers and outdoor enthusiasts build fires for nearly three decades.

The outdoor lifestyle and NASCAR racing are a perfect match, making this relationship a natural fit for us, said Chad Seigler, NASCAR Vice President of International Business Development and Partnerships. Qwick Wick is an easily recognizable brand, and we look forward to seeing more of them around NASCAR racetrack campgrounds.

The NASCAR Pintys Series continues to grow as Canadas premier motorsport series, and partnerships like this help raise the competition level and connect fans of the sport across the country.

As part of the multi-year partnership, the Qwick Wick Hottest Lap of the Race prize will be awarded to the driver with the fastest lap in each Pintys Series race.

Last season Qwick Wick sponsored 22 Racing and the No. 26 Chevrolet of Chandler Smith at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The company recently announced a sponsorship of NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series veteran Stewart Friesen, a Niagara-on-the-Lake native, in the Pintys Series dirt track debut at Ohsweken Speedway scheduled for on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Qwick Wick and NASCAR race fans share a passion for the outdoors and speed. Were excited to be the Official Fire Starter of the NASCAR Pintys Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. said Frank Wall, Qwick Wick President. As a proud Canadian company, were honoured to bring additional support to Canadas top racing series through the Qwick Wick Hottest Lap of the Race award.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 03:21:26|Editor: zyl

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 5, 2020. Pompeo said Thursday the increasing violence in some parts of Afghanistan was unacceptable, urging warring parties to "stop posturing" before intra-Afghan peace talks. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday the increasing violence in some parts of Afghanistan was unacceptable, urging warring parties to "stop posturing" before intra-Afghan peace talks.

"The upsurge in violence in parts of Afghanistan over the last couple days is unacceptable," Pompeo said at a State Department briefing, adding that violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward.

Pompeo also noted that the United States would continue to "press all sides to stop posturing, start a practical discussion about prisoner releases, and prepare for the upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations."

On Feb. 29, Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad signed a peace deal in Doha, Qatar. But the violence in the conflict-stricken country broke out again as the ink was barely dry on the agreement.

At least 16 people including militants, security personnel and civilians have been killed over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan amid the reported resumption of fighting by the Taliban fighters, Afghan officials said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the U.S. forces in Afghanistan conducted an airstrike targeting Taliban militants in southern Helmand province, the first raid after the U.S.-Taliban deal was signed. The raid came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the deputy leader of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in what he described as a "good conversation."
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After Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dominated in Super Tuesday contests, President Donald Trump and his allies are intensifying their attacks on the former vice president, and ramping up efforts to convince Bernie Sanders supporters that he's being robbed of the nomination.
Muslims' fear of losing citizenship in India is 'genuine,' lawyer tells USCIRF

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WASHINGTON  Amid weeks of protests and sit-ins, an Indian civil rights lawyer told the United States top religious freedom panel Wednesday that there is a genuine possibility that many more Muslim citizens could be deemed "stateless" under a national registry proposed by the Modi administration.

Over a week after President Trump visited India where he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to work to improve religious freedom in the country, experts issued dire warnings to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom about the future for Muslims in the Hindu-majority country.

USCIRF, a bipartisan panel that advises the State Department, Congress and White House, held a hearing Wednesday featuring testimonies from scholars and a lawyer actively involved in defending citizens accused by the government of being "foreigners."

While the hearing focused on citizenship issues facing Muslims in both Myanmar and India, much attention was paid to the concerns of Muslims protesting India's Home Minister Amit Shahs proposal of a nationwide National Register of Citizens and the recent Citizenship Amendment Act.

The CAA, passed in December, is a fast-tracking of citizenship for refugees who came from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 2014. However, the legislation omits the fast-tracking for Muslims.

The fear of losing citizenship is genuine because they know if NRC is implemented, they will be asked to prove their citizenship, lawyer Aman Wadud told USCIRF commissioners.

Wadud represents hundreds of clients from the northern region of Assam on the border of Bangladesh whove been accused in recent years of being foreigners and stripped of their citizenship even though they have lived in Assam for decades.

Assam is the first state in India where an update to the NRC has been conducted by the order of India's Supreme Court. An updated NRC for Assam was released on Aug. 31 with over 1.9 million people failing to make it onto the list of registered citizens.

Wadud told The Christian Post that about 120,000 people  including both Hindus and Muslims  have been declared as a foreigner including both Hindus and Muslims.

Most of the people do not have a birth certificate, Wadud said, adding that the burden is placed on those accused of being foreigners to prove that they were Indian nationals by March 1971.

In Assam, Wadud said there is a parallel process of doubting citizenship carried out by two agencies: Assam Border Police and the Election Commission of India.

The border police job is, if they come across any citizens who do not have any paperwork, they give them time. And if they cannot provide papers, they accuse them of being illegal migrants, Wadud explained. What happened on the ground is they do not investigate any case. They randomly accuse Indian citizens of being a foreigner.

An example is Mohammad Sanaullah, an Army officer who served India for 30 years. He was accused of being an illegal migrant and subsequently declared as a foreigner, Wadud added. Randomly, Indian citizens are being accused of being illegal migrants without investigation whatsoever, violating the fundamental right to fair investigations.

There is much concern over the fact that Muslims are excluded from the CAA.

The CAA gives those who might be excluded from the NRC the ability to achieve expedited citizenship in India as long as they are persecuted Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains or Christians from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan who arrived in India before Dec. 31, 2014.

But because Muslims are not on the list, they will not have a fast-track to citizenship if they are deemed to be foreigners.

Proponents of the CAA argue that Muslims don't face persecution in those three countries since they have Muslim majorities.

During Trumps visit, protests over the CAA and the proposed nationwide NRC turned to sectarian violence as rioters attacked and burned Muslim protesters and homes. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured.

According to Wadud, police were accused of failing their responsibilities to intervene in crimes committed against Muslims who were protesting for the right to live a "dignified life" as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

In Delhi, where people were peacefully protesting on the streets when President Trump was visiting India, a BJP politician gave an ultimatum that if you cannot remove these peoples [from protesting], we will hit the street, Wadud said.

That was the spark of the violence. The mob started attacking Muslims and the police did not stop the mob. Rather, they participated in the violence. There is an abdication of responsibility on the part of the police.

Since Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power in 2014, rights groups have reported an increase in Hindu nationalist extremism targeting religious minorities with impunity.

Azeem Ibrahim, the director of displacement and migration at the American think tank Center for Global Policy, stressed that the proposal to extend the NRC update nationwide would mostly impact Muslims.

The new citizenship law is aimed at Muslims and those from the poorest sections of Indias caste system and undermines the nonconfessional basis of the Indian Constitution, Ibrahim told USCIRF. As in Myanmar, it will create identifiable groups that are denied the basic right of citizenship.

Ibrahim stressed that there are two strands to the Modi administrations approach.

First, [Modi] is trying to define who might be an acceptable refugee, Ibrahim said. This is problematic but is more serious as the new law is retrospective and will affect many who fled what was East Pakistan in the early 1970s to live in Assam.

Ibrahim said that Hindus or Buddhists who are not able to provide proper citizenship paperwork will be able to appeal for citizenship. But Muslims are denied this right and impact families that have lived in India for 40 to 70 years.

They are about to find themselves declared stateless and threatened with deportation, Ibrahim explained.

Wadud said that in 1997, the Election Commission of India started something called the strict scrutiny of voter" list to mark people as doubtful voters.

Without any investigation whatsoever, they have mostly accused women of being a foreigner, he said. These cases go to the foreigners tribunal for trial.  In any criminal case, the burden of proof is on the state. But here, if you are accused of being an illegal migrant without an investigation, the burden of proof is on you to prove that you are a citizen of India.

Wadud said that in the tribunal, many people can be declared foreigners because of minor discrepancies with their names and ages.

If any witness makes a minor contradictory statement, they can be stripped of citizenship, Wadud said.

Shah declared last July to parliament that as many as 63,959 people have been declared foreigners through tribunal ex-parte judgments dating back to 1985.

Now, most of the people cant afford lawyers, Wadud added. So when they cant afford lawyers, they stop going to the tribunal and thats how many are declared as a foreigner.

Once people are declared as foreigners, Wadud said they are detained in detention centers. With six detention centers in Assam, Wadud said that foreigner detainees do not have a right to parole.

But under a Supreme Court order, Wadud said that India does not have the right to detain people for more than three years.

Deportation is not possible. A person is detained to deport to the country of origin. But when you declare your own citizen as a foreigner, you cannot deport those persons, he said. The home minister said before the Parliament that in the last three years,  only four people have been deported to Bangladesh within this period. But 130,000 people have already been declared as a foreigner.

In most cases when a person is determined to be a foreigner, those determinations are upheld by a high court, Wadud said.

India disowns you and Bangladesh will definitely disown you because you are a citizen of India," Wadud warned.

Ashutosh Varshney, the Sol Goldman professor of international studies at Brown University, explained that using the terms of the CAA, the NRC could render stateless large number of Muslims even though they were born in India to ancestors that have lived in the country.

That is an important reason [anti-CAA] protests have not ceased, Varshney said.

In December, USCIRF documented its concerns with the CAA and even suggested that sanctions could be considered against Shah and other government leaders.

USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava, a civil rights lawyer, told CP there are many ways in which religious communities are being targeted in India. "... violence has been facilitated and allowed to happen with people being burned and beaten in streets with law enforcement bearing witness to that and not necessarily intervening.

USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins, a leading Christian conservative activist who has been supportive of the presidents call to promote international religious freedom and has informally engaged with the Trump White House, said the evidence suggests that "India is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to religious freedom."

I am hopeful that India may not follow through on this policy that is put forward that would deprive citizenship or make the threshold so difficult for those that were born in India but can't prove their citizenship," Perkins told CP.

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback told CP at the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland last week that he would not go as far as to say improvements are being made when it comes to the condition of religious freedom in India.

The president did raise the issues with Modi privately. I think it was important that you raise those issues, Brownback said.

But you got a lot of communal violence that is happening in India. They have got a lot of things that they are pushing that push religious buttons. So people get really fired up. You saw the violence that took place during the presidents trip. Thats the level of angst going on in the country. There is a lot of Hindu nationalism that has been going on more aggressively and you are seeing some of the consequences.
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Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 11:52 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068bf533 1 National unicef,Tanoto-Foundation,Indonesia,SDGs Free

Indonesia's Tanoto Foundation has joined hands with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) to develop the first tools for measuring early childhood development in the country, in an effort to support Indonesia in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.

SDG 4 aims to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".

More specifically, the tools are intended to help the country meet Target 4.2 by 2030: "ensure that all boys and girls have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education".

Tanoto Foundation has granted UNICEF Rp 2.8 billion (US$196,556) to develop versions of the Early Childhood Development Instrument (ECDI) and the Caregiver Reported Early Development Index (CREDI) measurement instruments that have been adapted for Indonesia.

These tools provide population data on the developmental statuses of children aged 0 to 3 years and 3 to 5 years.

UNICEF will test and validate the data collected through these tools that Statistics Indonesia (BPS) can then use for the 2020 National Economic and Social Survey.

Intervention for young children is the key to developing Indonesia's human resources, and it is one of our focus areas. Measuring and monitoring are important, as we work with evidence-based principles, Tanoto Foundation global CEO J. Satrijo Tanudjojo said in a statement The Jakarta Post received on Thursday.

I am looking forward to the partnership with UNICEF to develop this measurement method that can then become a contribution to the nation, he added.

Tanoto Foundation is an independent philanthropy organization that focuses on education.

UNICEF Indonesia representative Debora Comini echoed Satrijo, saying that it was highly important to develop tools to help relevant stakeholders in measuring and monitoring early childhood development in Indonesia.

Investing in children to help them reach their full potential is critical, but to give every child the best start in life, we need to have the right data, Comini said in the statement.
State Sen Sara Gelser, a Corvallis Democrat, is hosting a forum on safety in South Corvallis at 7 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Elementary School, 110 SE Alexander Ave.

Two cyclists and one pedestrian have died on South Third Street in the past 21 months, fueling community concerns about safety in the corridor.

Third Street is a bustling corridor that hosts bicyclists, pedestrians, cars, trucks, wheelchairs, strollers and people across the lifespan, said Gelser. With multiple midblock crossings, a local elementary school, family housing, an off-ramp, an overpass and multiple retail establishments it is not surprising that this has become an area of focused safety concerns.

Through my discussions with constituents and community leaders Ive found that there is sometimes a lack of information, and (that) overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities have led to some confusion in the community. This forum is an opportunity to hear from all of the governing authorities in the same time and at the same place.

The meeting will open with remarks from Sen. Gelser. Here is the schedule of speakers to follow:

7:10 p.m.: Savannah Crawford, Oregon Department of Transportation.

7:15 p.m.: Mary Steckel, city of Corvallis Public Works.

7:20 p.m.: Corvallis Right of Way (CROW).

7:25 p.m.: Kim Patton and Ryan Noss, Corvallis School District.

7:30 p.m.: John Haroldson, Benton County district attorney.

7:35 p.m.: Living Southtown.

7:40 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: questions and answers, moderated by Sen. Gelser.

It is my hope that this is a respectful, forward looking discussion about how to create an environment along this corridor that makes the community safer for everyone, said Gelser.

We cant do that without the solid information from our transportation leaders coupled with the unfiltered voices of our community road users. I hope this will be a chance for us all to learn about what is already being done and to share new ideas about future improvements as well.

Gelser also emphasized that children are welcome to attend and speak.

In other Linn and Benton local government meetings in the coming days:

Monday

 The Albany City Council meets in a 4 p.m. work session in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. SW and will discuss the COVID-19 issue and the downtown parking study and plan.

 The Philomath City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 980 Applegate St. Councilors are scheduled to review and adopt 2020-21 utility rates, review and adopt the 2020-21 capital improvement plan and discuss the general fund fee and council vacancies.

Tuesday

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners will hold a goal-setting work session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corvallis Depot, 700 SW Washington Ave., Corvallis. Discussion topics will include updates on the criminal justice system improvement project; the Housing, Opportunity, Planning and Equity Advisory Board; flooding in Umatilla County; and COVID-19.

 The Albany Arts Commission meets at 3:30 p.m. in the Calapooia Room at City Hall.

 The Philomath Police Committee meets at 4 p.m. at City Hall and will discuss staffing and accreditation.

 The Corvallis Historic Resources Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave. Commissioners will conduct a pair of public hearings, one on window and door alterations at the Smith House at 120 NW 28th St. and the other on window treatments at Cauthorn Hall and Poling Hall at Oregon State University.

Wednesday

 The Corvallis Housing and Community Development Advisory Board meets at 11:30 a.m. at the downtown fire station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd., and will consider and make recommendations on the 2020-21 Community Development Block Grant action plan and amendments to the 2019-20 plan.

 The Corvallis Downtown Advisory Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave. and will hear a presentation from Julie Arena, the Benton County project manager for the new Home, Opportunity, Planning and Equity Advisory Board (HOPE)

 The Albany City Council meets at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall and will hold public hearings on water, wastewater and stormwater rates.

Thursday

 The Corvallis Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry Departmental Advisory Committee meets at 9 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department, 1310 SW Avery Park Drive.

 The Albany-Millersburg Joint Water and Wastewater Management Committee meets at 5 p.m. in the Santiam Room at City Hall. On the agenda are election of officers and project reports.

 The Philomath Park Advisory Board meets at 5 p.m.at City Hall.

Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@gazettetimes.com or 541-812-6116. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day.

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Since then, the number of confirmed cases has reached at least 33. Now, anxious New Yorkers are wondering just how wide the virus will spread.

[Update: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in New York over the coronavirus.]

Heres what we know.

The new cases

A rabbi at a synagogue in Westchester County who is connected to a number of cases in the state tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an email he sent to his congregation last night.

Today, New York City officials also announced a new confirmed case in Manhattan, a man in his 50s.

Also yesterday, officials confirmed several cases of the coronavirus. Two were in New York City: A man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s were both hospitalized and in critical condition, Mayor de Blasio said.
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Linkedin Ahmad Ghaddar, Shadia Nasralla and Rania El Gamal (Reuters) Vienna  Fri, March 6, 2020 10:03 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068b701d 2 Business OPEC,oil,production,Russia,2008-crisis,coronavirus,COVID-19,oil-price Free

OPEC pushed on Thursday for a bigger-than-expected oil output cut to support prices that have been hit by the coronavirus outbreak, effectively presenting its non-OPEC partners with an ultimatum to back the move or face a price collapse.oil

OPECs proposal to curb supplies by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of 2020 was a surprise, given the group was expected to propose cuts of 1 million bpd and, hours earlier on Thursday, had said curbs should be limited to the second quarter.

But an unusual informal meeting of OPEC ministers in a Vienna hotel on Thursday evening announced that the group now wanted the cut - already the biggest since the 2008 financial crisis - to run until the end of year.

Russia and Kazakhstan, both members of the broader grouping known as OPEC+ which meets in Vienna on Friday, said they had not yet agreed to a deeper cut, raising the risk of a collapse in cooperation that has propped up crude prices since 2016.

OPEC+ already has a deal in place for 2.1 million bpd of cuts.

OPEC said after Thursdays formal ministerial meeting that the market faced an unprecedented situation as efforts to stop the coronavirus spreading has driven down demand for oil by dampening economic activity around the world.

Riyadh, OPECs biggest producer, has been pushing for a significant cut to lift oil prices that have tumbled 20 percent since the start of year. But it has struggled to win over Moscow.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Thursday he was ready for a drop in oil prices if there was no deal. Kazakh Energy Minister Nurlan Nogayev, another non-OPEC producer, said talks were only focusing on extending existing curbs to June.

Moscow perhaps is underestimating that Saudi Arabia may be ready to walk away if it doesnt get a positive answer, said Amrita Sen, co-founder of Energy Aspects think-tank.

A pumpjack is seen at the Sinopec-operated Shengli oil field in Dongying, Shandong province, China, in this file photo. (Reuters/Chen Aizhu)

In this together

Russia has been hesitant in previous negotiations and has then signed up to deals at the last minute. But OPEC sources have said negotiations with Moscow this time have been tougher.

Two OPEC sources said on Thursday that, if Russia failed to sign up, there was a risk Saudi Arabia would insist on scrapping OPEC production limits altogether.

After its formal ministerial meeting, OPEC ministers had said non-OPEC states were expected to contribute 500,000 bpd to the overall extra cut.

Suhail al-Mazroui, energy minister of the United Arab Emirates, said OPEC did not want to carry the burden of cuts alone and non-OPEC had to help. We are all in this together. So its not going to be us making a decision alone, he said.

Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, is already cutting well beyond its quota under the existing pact, reducing its output by about 10%. Russia, with bigger total production, has reduced its output by a fraction of Riyadhs cut.

Gary Ross, founder of Black Gold Investors, said a worst case scenario in which Saudi Arabia returned to full production would send oil prices down to $25 to $30 a barrel.

That would take prices to a level that would be painful for OPEC states, already struggling with prices at around $50, but also for Russia, which has said it can balance its books at $40.

OPEC+ have little choice but to cut output substantially given the virus related demand losses, Ross said, adding that he expected Russia will join because it is overwhelmingly in their economic interests.

Brent oil prices LCOc1 initially rose 0.6% on news of OPECs plan to cut by 1.5 million bpd, but then gave up most of those gains when Russia and others suggested a deal was not in the bag.

The proposed OPEC cut of 1.5 million bpd, if approved, would bring the groups overall output reduction to 3.6 million bpd or about 3.6% of global supplies.

The last time OPEC reduced supplies on such a scale was in 2008 when it cut production by a total of 4.2 million bpd to address slower demand because of the global financial crisis.

OPEC hold its next ministerial meeting on June 9.
Insurance giant Prudential will be hoping to fend off coronavirus fears and pressure from activist investors as it posts its latest figures next week.

The FTSE 100 firm is also expected to highlight the impact of the demerger of its UK business M&G, when it announces its full-year results for 2019 on Wednesday March 11.

The company split off its UK arm in October, leaving it with operations in the US and Asia, and a head office in London.

Theres a certain logic to a split, in so far as the logic for keeping the two units together isnt immediately clear,Nicholas Hyett, Hargreaves Lansdown

Last month, activist hedge fund Third Point bought a 5% stake in the company, worth about two billion US dollars (1.54 billion) and argued that Prudential should shut its UK head office and separate its US and Asian operations.

Prudential has yet to publicly respond to the fund led by Daniel Loeb, but said there would be a strategic update with its results announcement.

Theres a certain logic to a split, in so far as the logic for keeping the two units together isnt immediately clear, said Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

But were not really convinced splitting up would deliver many benefits either.

However, talk of a further demerger could take a back seat as the business, which has significant Asian operations, looks to deal with the imminent impact of coronavirus.

In its previous set of full-year results, it posted a 6% rise in operating profits on a constant currency basis to 4.8 billion for 2018, driven by the Asian business.

The company has seen its share value slip by 20% in the past three weeks as traders have become increasingly fearful over the spread of the virus.

Prudentials Asian operations have driven growth but there may also be concerns over the companys more mature US business.

Mr Hyett warned that its focus on variable annuities makes it very exposed to a sustained downturn, meaning both the US and Asian arms could see an impact.

Nevertheless, some analysts have suggested that the firms position in offering health insurance policies could prove to be positive.

Kevin Ryan, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, wrote in a note that Prudential generates almost half its operating profit in Asia and health and protection products are a significant part of its offering.

He added that in the first nine months of 2003, when Sars spread, Prudential reported a 17% rise in new business sales in local currency.

Analysts will be on tenterhooks to see how much Prudential learned from the Sars outbreak, or if coronavirus will leave its international business reeling.
In 2018, former Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law the Sunshine Protection Act, declaring that Florida would operate on daylight saving time year-round. Similar legislation has since been approved in a number of states, including Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. Congress has not authorized these states to permanently abandon standard time, however, so they continue to reset their clocks with the rest of the country, much to the confusion of some constituents.
On Wednesday evening, a passerby filmed a particularly forceful and aggressive arrest of a young black man after he was allegedly spotted smoking marijuana in a Brooklyn park.

The videos of the arrest, which have been widely circulated online, have sparked outrage and called the officers use of force into question  but its unlikely that theyll face any serious ramifications such as suspension or termination.

Im walking home from work and this undercover cop was holding this man. The guy asked for the cop to identify himself, he ignore that. He asked what crime he commit, he ignore that too. I pulled out my phone. You can hear the guy screaming I never thought it would happen to me pic.twitter.com/YW2dI3g8fk  Velvet (@TheVelvetRope__) March 5, 2020

In the videos, 20-year-old Fitzroy Gayle can be seen being detained by a plainclothes officer whom Gayle repeatedly asks why he was stopped while holding his hands in the air. The officer speaks on his radio, possibly calling for backup. Then several other New York Police Department officers run over to the officer and Gayle  who is still being detained  and wrestle the suspect to the ground while he screams for help. Officer, please! Gayle yells. I am not resisting! I am not resisting!

Six officers appear to pile onto Gayle, kicking him and stomping on his legs, while he wails in pain and calls out to onlookers for help to protect him from the officers. Whyd you have to stomp on him like that? asks an offscreen passerby, who is met with no response.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a press conference on Thursday that Gayle and another individual fled the park in Canarsie after they were approached by officers while smoking marijuana. The officers were responding to a gunshot alert but neither of the men are believed to have been involved with the gunfire. Gayle was arrested for marijuana possession  even though the NYPD has been directed not to arrest New Yorkers for smoking marijuana, absent some aggravating factor  resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, according to The New York Times. The other man was issued a summons.

Shea acknowledged that the video of the arrest had some "disturbing points" and said that the department would be conducting an internal investigation. The commissioner also suggested that Gayle should not have run from the officers. "I would like to see approach, discussion, and no running," he said. "No physical resistance at all. The problem is you cant go back in time."

Civil rights activist Rev. Kevin McCall told the Times that Gayles family is now calling upon Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to investigate the officers involved in Gayles arrest. McCall also said that he thinks Shea should suspend the officers.

We are aware of the concerns regarding this arrest and will be reviewing the incident, A spokesperson for Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalezs office told City & State.

NYPD officers, however, rarely face legal or professional penalties for their actions, so it's unlikely that anything will come of the departments internal review  or Gonzalezs, although he has charged officers with crimes in the past. (In fact, the only person to arguably face criminal charges stemming from the death of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man put in a chokehold by cops, was the bystander who filmed it and claims he was subsequently subjected to a campaign of targeted harassment by the NYPD.)

Nor do officers involved in the beating or killing of suspects typically lose their job. The citys police department is known for continuing to employ officers who have been sued for misconduct dozens of times. A 2018 expose by Buzzfeed found hundreds of instances of officers who the department found had committed fireable offenses but kept their jobs.

The unions representing NYPD officers have consistently defended cops accused of brutality, and they sometimes react with furious anger to criticism from City Hall. The largest police union encouraged a work-slowdown, resulting in a temporary decrease in arrests, to protest the firing of Officer Daniel Pantaleo in 2019, five years after Pantaleo was filmed putting Garner in a chokehold that contributed to his death.

In 2019, the city paid $68.7 million in settlements to those who alleged they were victims of police wrongdoing, the New York Post reported. Lawsuits that are settled out of court, however, are not included in the citys data, so these numbers arent an entirely accurate reflection of what the city has spent on settlements.

A settlement isnt necessarily proof that an officer did anything wrong, but critics of the department have taken issue with the citys massive NYPD payouts and have argued that they could be curtailed if the department focused more on its officers behavior.

"These numbers (settlement figures) will remain high unless the NYPD seriously revamps its disciplinary process so that officers who engage in this conduct receive more than just a slap on the wrist," Tina Luongo, Attorney-In-Charge of the Criminal Defense Practice at the Legal Aid Society, told Gothamist last year.
For a birthday splurge last summer, I decided to treat myself and my husband to an OITF dinner in Michigan at Seedling farm in South Haven. I felt a mild wave of panic as my mouse cursor hovered over the buy button. My online research had turned up lots of positive reviews about OITF, but a few negative ones gave me pause. Would it really be worth the money? Did I really want to have dinner in the middle of a farm, sitting elbow-to-elbow with people we didnt know? After all, we could eat at some of Chicagos finest restaurants for this price.
LAKE GEORGE  More than a thousand students from dozens of countries leave home each summer for jobs at Lake George resorts, filling positions that otherwise would go begging.

This year, however, the rapid spread of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus discovered in Wuhan, China, is threatening to disrupt their ability to travel here, potentially scratching those hiring plans. Already, Chinese students are unable to enter the country. Visa services have been suspended at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. consulates in other Chinese cities.

The students participate in the J-1 international student program, a four-month program that includes three months of work in the United States and a month of cultural enrichment.

"They do entry-level jobs for the most part," said Lake George Mayor Robert Blais. "They're screened so that employers know their language levels."

Those with stronger language skills may take jobs as waiters. Others may work as housekeepers.

"The village employs a dozen as restroom cleaners," Blais said. "They usually fill jobs that otherwise wouldn't be filled."

There's not a lot of slack in the local labor market. The Glens Falls metropolitan area, which includes Lake George, Queensbury, Bolton Landing and other resort communities, last June had an unemployment rate of just 3.3 percent, two full percentage points below the 5.3 percent level the previous January.

Major employers each will fill 50 or more jobs each summer with the J-1 students. Gina Mintzer of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce said employers such as Six Flags may hire as many as 200 J-1 students.

But a Six Flags spokesperson didn't sound concerned.

We hire approximately 200 Work and Travel students, who will arrive in mid-May, and we do not expect this program to be impacted," a spokeswoman said. "The health and safety of our team members and guests is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The majority of J-1 students working in the Lake George area are from Jamaica, Peru, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey, although nationally, the J-1 program usually draws students, all at the university level, from as many as 70 countries.

Perhaps the biggest challenge the J-1 students and their employers will face will be just getting here.

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

Airlines have been curtailing international service, and now, domestic flights. United, for example, is cutting a fifth of its scheduled international capacity in April and a tenth of its domestic capacity, according to a staff memo. Those cuts could extend into May, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Delta and JetBlue also are cutting capacity as fewer people travel.

Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News that travelers from South Korea and Italy would be screened "multiple times" before they boarded their flights to the United States.

And for students in China, "(t)he suspension of regular visa processing throws the whole program off," one observer said. "The students want to come."

And so do their employers.
Major pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List has just announced that it will launch a five-figure campaign to support Representative Dan Lipinski, a pro-life Democrat facing a serious primary challenge in Illinois third congressional district, which spans most of Chicagos southern suburbs.

In the primary, which will take place March 17, Lipinski will face Marie Newman, a progressive candidate who attempted to unseat him last election cycle as well. In that race, Newman came within 2,000 votes and just two percentage points of pulling off an upset.

Newman is backed by several left-wing activist groups, including abortion-advocacy organizations such as EMILYs List and NARAL Pro-Choice America, which have targeted Lipinski because he is one of the few remaining Democratic lawmakers at the national level who vote in favor of pro-life legislation.

Because Lipinski is one of the last pro-life Democrats in Congress, leaders at the SBA List say its important to support his reelection bid, and the group is aiming to reach about 17,000 voters in the district with digital ads, phone calls, and voter-contact mail.

Most leaders in the pro-life movement consider it a major loss that legal abortion has become almost entirely a partisan issue and so entrenched in the Democratic Party.

Congressman Lipinski has been a champion of commonsense, compassionate, and popular legislation to stop taxpayer funding of abortion, to end late-term abortion, and to protect babies born alive after failed abortions, says Mallory Quigley, national spokeswoman for independent-expenditure campaigns at SBA Lists partner super PAC, Women Speak Out.

Quigley is referring here to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill to require that doctors provide standard medical care to newborn infants who manage to survive attempted abortion procedures. Last week, 41 Democratic senators filibustered the bill, falsely claiming that it would restrict womens access to abortion, even though nothing in the bill limits abortion procedures.

Story continues

The last time Lipinski faced Newman, SBA List organized a district-wide door-knocking campaign on his behalf, reaching about 25,000 voters ahead of Election Day. SBA Lists canvassers focused on moderate Democrats who had voted in previous primaries and who the groups models predicted were more likely to oppose taxpayer-funded abortion.

Those voters are the ones whom the group is aiming to reach again this time around, and Quigley cites a poll finding that 75 percent of voters in Lipinskis district said they support laws to require care for infants born alive after a failed abortion. National polling commissioned by SBA List, meanwhile, has found that 70 percent of Democrats support such laws.

The current Democratic leadership may say there is no room for voices like Dans in their party, but we need him now more than ever, Quigley says, pointing to the growing extremism of the Democratic Party at the national level.

Just last month, for instance, Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders said that being pro-choice is an absolutely essential part of being a Democrat. At a town hall, former presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg said much the same thing, though not as directly.

For Democrats in Congress, abortion on demand, funded by taxpayers, has become a non-negotiable. But at the state level, that isnt yet the case. In West Virginia earlier this week, Democratic legislators worked with Republicans to pass a version of a born-alive bill, and it was signed into law by the states governor, Jim Justice, who was elected as a Democrat (though he has since switched to the Republican Party). In Louisiana, meanwhile, voters just reelected Democratic governor John Bel Edwards, who recently signed into law a heartbeat bill prohibiting abortion after six weeks.

Progressive groups might be gunning for Lipinski, who is increasingly out of place among his fellow Democrats in Congress for voting to protect unborn human beings. The support hes receiving from SBA List might be the help he needs to hang on.

More from National Review
I am an absolute believer that Church and State must be as separate as reason and belief. Anyone who mixes reason and belief is totally and utterly confused in my books. And confused people have no business running a state, especially not an underdeveloped state like Ghana that needs to think its way out of poverty, disease, ignorance, and underdevelopment.

Obviously, what our leaders are attempting to do is to encourage we those on this side of heaven to pray our way out of poverty  forgetting that heaven only helps those who help themselves - according to the same Christian Theology.

In my several years of studying and practicing Christianity, I have never read or heard that heaven helps those who pray in monumental buildings. And even though building a Big church in the name of the people may appear a good thing, it is important to remember that fraud can be covered by piety.

Our President may have good intentions for building this national cathedral but the road to hell is also paved with good intentions.

If even we were a Christian nation  which we are not  we still need to develop based on reasonable approaches and not otherwise. The proponents of this wasteful and fraudulent idea of a national cathedral will quickly shout that I be ignored because this article is based on HUMAN REASON. And they may add that I am taking this position because I am not born again.

The more blinded ones will say that some of us are taking this position because we are NDC. Say what ever you want. I am writing what I think and what I like. Everyone is entitled to their opinion when we debate democracy.

I don't want to be born again to lose my reason and common sense. Don't let them confuse you with all these obfuscating terms like mystery or miracles or prophesy or born-again. There is nothing mystical about practicing the moral truth and goodness of the God we believe in. That is what religion or more specifically, Christianity is all about. And there is nothing like human reason.

No human created reason. God created reason and it is indeed only REASON that can make us believe in the God of creation. I don't see how any one can believe in God without using his reason. And if you ask me, the only reason they bring up their mystries and miracles and prophesies is for the sole purpose of covering up the MORAL TRUTH and goodness of the God in whose name they are attempting, under false pretense, to profit from.

Let's look at their most 'reasonable argument' for the decision to pull down several state buildings in replacement of this needless cathederal. The proponents  President Akufo Addo, some of his NPP supporters, members of government and the followers and believers in the Christian Council of Ghana  argue that this building will not cost the tax payer a penny. This is a very bogus argument only for the buying of those who refuse the use of their reason.

The President's precious time is the tax payer's money. We didnt elect a President with all the powers and resources at his dispossal to waste it on populists attempts to please segments of our society. Plus, who owns the vast lands and buildings to be demolished for this project? We-the-people. Therefore, that argument turns logic and reason upside down.

Secondly they argue that an independent committee of church leaders are going to raise the funds needed for the construction of the edifice. Indeed, that committee was set up two years ago and is headed by Duncan Williams, one of the leaders of the Charismatic and money making churches in Ghana.

In an announcement to his congregation after the inauguration of the committee, Mr. Duncan Williams said the following:

''Everybody, buy a ticket for the fundraising dinner. Its 28th of December and we are selling a chair for $1,000, a table for $10,000.

Duncan-Williams the so-called man of God added, I need some of your secret monies Some of you, your savings, you are going to Dubai and Europe for [holidays]. Give us that money to build the national cathedral. One day, you and your loved ones and your childrens children may use there. One day one of your sons or daughters will be President of Ghana and shall benefit from that thing.

Very amusing coming from Duncan-Williams. Are these part of his prophesies? No wonder the prophets of the bible were poets and entertainers. Obviously, he expects 'Everybody' in his congregation and Ghanaians not to use our REASON otherwise he will not come up with this bogus statement.

I will like to pose the following questions to Duncan Williams and his supporters or those who think like him.

How will future Presidents benefit from a cathederal? Is the salvation of his congregation in a monumental building? Where in the social gospel of Jesus Christ did he ask that we spend scarce money on monuments as part of imitating the moral goodness of God?

Does Duncan Williams and his family not go for holidays abroad? Is Duncan Williams arguing that going on holidays is wasteful expenditure for the rest of Ghanaians? How many times has he raised funds on a national scale to feed the poor and pay the medical bills of destitudes? Has Duncan Williams and his fellow proponents REASONED that churches may become virtual in the future and no one may need to use any physical buildings as churches?

The Church in Ghana is hiding behind a victim-President Nana Akufo Addo to defraud we-the-people. And the leaders including those of the church are definately not thinking about the future in scientific and technological terms like other civilised societies are currently doing.

I don't expect a response from Duncan Williams or Rev. Ismael Tetteh who said that ''if a million buildings must be pulled down to put up a national cathedral, it must be done''. These are religious charlatans who don't speak to reason but i await the lame responses from their blind followers.

Look  Jesus Christ was a foremost Philanthropist. He lived a frugal lifestle. He forebade trading in Church. He was all about the poor and meek.

Everything about the building of the national Cathedral in Ghana goes contrary to the teaching of the Christ they claim to be following. This needless endeavour diverts masssive national resources, time and mental energy away from helping develop and uplifting the poor.

This so-called LEGACY CATHEDERAL will not please Jesus Christ because it will take away food from the table of the poor. It will only please people who have replaced their God-created REASON with mere belief. I say this without apology. The only purpose will be in memory of leaders in their twilight zones who are preoccupied with thoughts of the after-life.

The majority of th epeople of Ghana are young and poor. Any worthwhile social gospel must be geared towards lifting these youth out of poverty rather than putting up an expensive building that 'our children's children can use' like Duncan Williams is fraudulently claiming.

Elsewhere in developed societies,church buildings are being converted into museums and tourists attractions to earn revenue to take care of their health, educational and environmental systems. And we sit in this poor side of heaven doing the opposit and pretending that we are learning from the developed societies. We have a long way to go in terms of our learning.

Meanwhile, I read our President said that his NPP government is learning from the Chinesse example. May I remind our enthusiatic President that the Chinese do not build churches. Indeed,the Chinese do not go to church. They are not Christians. And they are a rich industrialized society. So if we are learning from them, we must learn well.

And for those saying that we are learning from the Americans who built a national cathederal several years ago, let them also be reminded that when the Americans did it,they did not have schools under trees, they did not have millions of their citizens dying from preventable and treatable malaria, they did not go with cup in hand begging other nations for crumbs.

In the whole CREATION which encompasses the beneficence and moral goodness of God  which man is called upon to imitate by the way  God did NOT create a Church. The Church is entirely the idea of man.

Therefore if our President and his 'Evengelical Christian supporters' including Duncan Williams, Ismael Tetteh and the rest want to build a CATHEDRAL, let them go ahead without calling it a NATIONAL CATHEDRAL or anything to bring the blessings of God to Ghana. We know it is not true. At least, we those who use our reason do know it. We are tired of the leaderlessness!

But if you want to know that Ghana is truly heading towards a zombie apocalypse just pay attention to the number of young miseducated people clamouring and rooting for the President and his NPP government's wasteful expenditure on a national cathedral in the midst of lack of education, poor sanitation, bad roads, broken health system, high child and maternal mortality rates among the masses.

Source - Sacut Among-Etego
President Trump on Thursday raised questions about Joe Bidens mental state, saying of the Democratic presidential frontrunner: Theres something going on there.

Appearing before a Fox News town hall in Bidens native city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, Trump was asked about the prospect of facing either the former vice president or Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Mentally, Im all set for Bernie, communist, Trump told the audience.

And then we have this crazy thing that happened on Tuesday, which he thought was Thursday, he said.

Trump was referring to a campaign rally held by Biden on Monday - the day before he emerged victorious in several Super Tuesday states, giving him a delegate lead over Sanders.

While speaking to a crowd in North Carolina, the 77-year-old Biden misspoke when he referred to Super Tuesday as Super Thursday.

President Trump (left) on Thursday called into question Joe Biden's (right) mental state after the Democratic front runner made several misstatements in recent days

During Thursdays town hall, Trump added: But he also said 150 million people were killed with guns, and that he was running for the US Senate.

Biden left voters bewildered on February 24 as he told them he was running for the Senate and if they didn't like him they should 'vote for the other Biden'.

The former vice president, 77, sparked fresh concerns over his mental capacity as he addressed a crowd in South Carolina and appeared to forget which campaign he was running in.

He said: 'My name's Joe Biden and I'm a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate. Look me over, if you like what you see help out, if not, vote for the other Biden.'

A clip of his latest gaffe was posted on Twitter by activist Shaun King, who wrote: 'This is so sad.'

Joe Biden left voters in Charleston, South Carolina, bewildered on February 24 as he told them he was running for the Senate and if they didn't like him they should 'vote for the other Biden.'

Donald Trump Jr seized on Biden's latest gaffe saying he 'doesn't know what he's running for'

Donald Trump slammed Biden's gaffe about his son on Twitter claiming 'enough is 'enough'

He added: 'I honestly wish he would've retired & not subjected himself to the rigors of this campaign.'

Donald Trump Jr took a swipe at Biden on Twitter saying: 'As I've been saying when is enough enough with Joe?'

President Trump's eldest son added: 'He's been running for 18 months and doesn't know what he's running for? If his family wasn't making millions off of his public office they should have stepped in a long time ago. This isn't right.'

Other twitter users agreed with one saying: 'His cognitive decline has been on display throughout this campaign. It is sad.'

Another said: 'Biden's brain is complete pudding at this point. He's barely coherent half the time.'

During last Tuesdays Democratic debate, Biden misspoke again, saying that 150 million Americans have been killed by gun violence since 2007.

His campaign later clarified that he meant to say 150,000.

Despite the blunders, Biden had a strong Super Tuesday, sweeping seven of the 14 primaries and winning the endorsement of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar who dropped out of the Democrats race this week.

The former vice president has opened up a 13-point lead over Sanders in a new national poll  the latest sign that the presidential race has dramatically swung his way since before Super Tuesday.

Biden leads Sanders 45 to 32 in a new Reuters / Ipsos poll released after he prevailed in 10 of 4 states on Super Tuesday and reshaped the race.

At a rally on Monday in Houston, Biden referred to Super Tuesday as 'Super Thursday'

Joe Biden: "Tomorrow is Super Thursday."



Fact Check: Tomorrow is Super Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/0lWGlNE6kq  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) March 2, 2020

Biden scored that performance after former rivals consolidated around his campaign end endorsed him.

Now, he and Sanders are preparing to battle in Midwest battlegrounds next week  in a clash that will determine whether they face a drawn-out slug-fest.

Less than two weeks ago, Sanders was holding an 11-point lead in the same survey.

There was more dramatic information out of Florida, where Sanders was already in trouble thanks to his comments defending aspects of the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba.

Biden was at 51.5 per cent in a new St. Pete Polls survey, with Sanders way back at 14 per cent.

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who dropped out and endorsed Biden, was at 10.5 per cent.

The poll was conducted online rather than through automated telephone contacts with Florida voters.

The presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have each identified Michigan as their next critical battleground  with Biden hoping to take down Sanders in a state where he scored a critical win over Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Despite Biden's misstatements, he has quickly captured momentum and taken a lead over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont (seen above at a rally in Phoenix on Thursday)

The next big battle is brewing in Michigan, which is among six states that vote March 10.

The state has suddenly emerged as the next critical race for the campaigns to try to make a statement, now that Biden has suddenly received frontrunner status.

Sanders has planned more of his signature rallies for the state, with events planned in Detroit and Grand Rapids in the coming days.

Biden is planning his own Detroit rally for the day before the state's primary, plus a fundraiser.

He also has scheduled an event in Ann Arbor, where he wants to mobilize University of Michigan students with a get-out-the-vote rally.
A County Cork truck driver says he fears he and other drivers could be exposed to the Covid-19 coronavirus by Road Safety Authority inspections.

Midleton man Kieran Donovan (64), whose work entails driving throughout Munster and to Dublin, says inspectors are moving in and out of lorry cabs arriving here from across Europe and Ireland and there seems to be no particular safety measures being taken. Its very worrying.

Mr Donovan says many drivers are in their mid to late fifties and beyond and are particularly worried about the situation because they are in the higher risk age bracket for the virus. He says a driver might get stopped twice a month by up to four or five officials conducting checkpoints.

One will hop into the cab to see the driver card while others will check the back of the truck ad underneath he says.

But the problem is they will have done the same with dozens of lorries coming in from God knows where before that."

Mr O'Donovan, a co-founder and vice-chairman of the Phoenix Motorhome Club Ireland, believes drivers should at the very least be given some reassurance or direction".

"Should we be allowing such close contact at all without extra precautions? he asks.

There can be a lot of interaction between divers and inspectors, particularly if there is a fault with a lorry and paperwork is required. Is everyone washing their hands? We dont know. There is no information being given.

He says he rang the RSA, explaining his concerns and seeking advice and guidance: I was told someone would call me back later but that was a week ago and Im still waiting."

The RSA website contains a link to the HSE guidelines on how to approach managing the threat in general but nothing specific for truck drivers.

Neither the RSA nor the Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA) responded to specific questions on the issues raised by Mr Donovan.
On the rare occasions that the Israeli authorities afford me a permit to visit Jerusalem, my mother always insists that I bring her a stack of kaak al-Quds (kaak of Jerusalem).

Kaak is an ovular bread coated in a generous layer of sesame seeds. It is widely available across Palestine and also in Ramallah, where we live. But for most Palestinians, Jerusalems kaak is a unique delicacy. Like my mother, I also ask friends who get a chance to visit Jerusalem to bring me batches of kaak al-Quds  not only because it tastes particularly good, but because it carries with it a part of Jerusalems cultural history.

On February 19, Israeli police raided and shut down a 60-year-old Palestinian bakery and arrested its young owner, Nasser Abu Sneina. Anyone who roamed the quarters of the Old City have likely passed by this old bakery and enjoyed the warm aroma of baking bread emanating from it. It is near the Bab Hutta neighbourhood, which was a central location during the 2017 Palestinian protests against Israeli surveillance measures.

The Israeli authorities claimed that the bakery was shut down because it failed to adhere to the required health standards. Many Palestinians, however, say the bakery was targeted simply because it distributed bread to worshippers heading to al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jerusalems kaak and the bakeries that sell it are  in part  symbols of the citys Palestinian identity. A Palestinian bakery distributing kaak to worshippers on the way to the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a threat to the Israeli authorities because it is an overt demonstration of Palestinian solidarity. It shows that Palestinians are not only still at the heart of the city but are also willing to empower each other in the face of Israeli oppression.

They remind the world, and the Israelis, that Jerusalem is a Palestinian city.

This is the real reason why Abu Sneinas bakery, and many other establishments like it, have been forced into closure by the Israeli authorities.

More than 50 shops were forced to close down in Jerusalem in recent years as a result of financial pressures and the constant restrictions on movement that make running a business challenging.

The closure of this bakery was only the latest chapter in the larger, systematic assault on Palestinian presence in Jerusalem generally and in the Old City specifically. Israel is trying to force all Palestinians out using several methods, from making their day-to-day lives unbearable with the ubiquitous presence of armed soldiers to allowing the settlers overtake the city, quarter by quarter.

Palestinians in Jerusalem are living with the constant threat of humiliating body searches, home evictions, withdrawal of residency, or assault from either Israeli settlers or Israeli forces  be it police or army.

Especially in the Old City, on top of the occupations overt aggressions such as arbitrary arrests, superfluous prosecutions, movement restrictions and unjust closures of businesses, Palestinians are being forced to navigate a bureaucracy designed solely to give legal backing to the attempts to kick them out.

The Israeli authorities require Palestinian establishments to acquire a wide range of permits and papers to remain in business. For many Palestinian business owners, however, it is both too expensive and difficult to obtain these documents.

The unreasonable pressures put on Palestinians residing in Jerusalem sometimes reach such levels that they are forced to do things that people elsewhere in the world would find hard to believe.

Just last month, for example, a Palestinian man living in Jerusalem demolished his own home following an order by the Israeli municipality. He took the matter into his own hands because he wanted to avoid the exorbitant costs that he would face if he allowed the municipality itself to carry out the demolition.

Israel is going to great lengths to push Palestinians out of Jerusalem because of the significance the city holds for the Palestinian struggle  it not only has religious value, but it is the historical, cultural and political epicentre of Palestinian life.

US President Donald Trumps 2017 decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move his countrys embassy there provided some significant political backing to Israeli claims that the city belongs to them.

Nevertheless, Israel knows that it can not declare Jerusalem a solely Israeli city while Palestinians continue to live there and keep the citys Palestinian identity alive. From the spice and sweet shops scattered around the Old City, to the old cassette shop that has been open since 1973, to the sound of Palestinian children chuckling in the alleyways, Jerusalem is still very much a Palestinian city.

This is why the Israeli authorities are targeting bakeries like the one owned by Abu Sneina.

We Palestinians, are not being pushed out of our ancestral lands and cities through demolitions, settlements, arbitrary revoking of residence permits or bullets only. We are also being pushed out by a systematic effort to make it impossible for us to exercise our own ways of living in our own country. Israel is trying to erase Palestinian culture and identity from the streets, bazaars, bakeries and restaurants.

This has been going on for a very long time. Ein Kerem, for example, was once a Palestinian village in Jerusalem. Today, it is  mostly  home to upper-class Israelis. Walking through it feels like walking through an Israeli settlement, not a Palestinian village.

Of course, Israel knows it cannot erase all of Jerusalems history and tradition. So sometimes it tries to appropriate aspects of Palestinian culture as its own.

This is why falafel are now being sold as Israels national snack, even though the dish is older than the state. And this is why across the world restaurants have Israeli shakshuka and Israeli tabbouleh on their menus.

For outside observers, the labelling of an old Palestinian dish as Israeli or the closing down of a bakery for health and safety reasons may seem like trivial issues.

However, for us Palestinians, these actions are not separate from home demolitions, displacements, illegal detentions, and curfews. They just represent a different part of the occupation  these are attempts to erase our culture, our way of life, from our cities and streets alongside our physical bodies.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.


CITY COUNCIL OKs HOTEL, PARKING DECK PLANS

Rendering shows proposed parking deck looking southwest.

The Hendersonville City Council voted on Thursday to move forward with an agreement for a downtown hotel and plans to build a parking deck, pushing the city ahead on two major projects that have been talked about for years.

Emerging from a lengthy closed session around 9:45 p.m., the council voted 3-2 to move ahead with the hotel agreement for a Springhill Suites by Marriott, then voted 5-0 to buy land for the new city parking deck on Fifth Avenue West at Church Street. Council members Jerry Smith and Lyndsey Simpson voted no on the hotel motion.

The city has agreed to sell the Dogwood lot to Fletcher hotel developer Satis Patel for $1,098,000. In a second vote, the council authorized the purchase for $1.95 million of three parcels covering two-thirds of an acre for the parking deck.

The council and city administrators have been in discussions for more than a year on the hotel project and have pursued a companion project to build downtown's first parking deck. The parking garage, likely to be four or five stories, would provide around 30 parking spaces for the hotel and up to 325 spaces overall. The council has yet to decide details of the parking garage, including the number of stories, with four or five floors possible.

Despite a long discussion behind closed doors, council members made no comments when they voted on both motions.

Under current plans, the parking deck would result in paid street parking downtown for the first time in some 30 years. The council and city manager and a parking consultant have discussed free parking in the deck for the first hour, a rate of $2.50 for the next hour and $1.50 after that, up to a maximum of $10 a day. The cost for street downtown has been projected at $1.50 an hour. Parking would be free after 6 p.m. daily and on Sunday. Instead of bringing back meters, the city would install kiosks similar to those it uses at city owned paid parking lots.

The parking deck would replace 157 Dogwood spaces. Current lease holders of Dogwood spaces would have opportunity to get a space in the deck, at around $30-80/month.

Patel's Blue Star Hospitality Group was one of two respondents when the city invited developers to submit concepts for a downtown hotel with 80 to 120 rooms and meeting space for 150 to 300 people. Blue Star proposed conference space that would accommodate 200 people.

Blue Star has business relationships with Marriott International Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Wyndham Worldwide and Choice Hotels International Inc. Founded in 1995 when it built a Holiday Inn Express, Blue Star since then has developed 21 other hotel, retail and real estate projects in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Florida.

During the regular council meeting earlier Thursday night, Michael Gilligan, owner of the Church Street inn The Henderson, implored the council to reject the hotel.

Not only do I own a business there but I live there and my two kids live there," he said. "I wouldnt be able to live with myself if I didnt come here and voice my opinion that this is a bad idea.

There are 20 hotels in the area, he said, competing for guests. He doubted that the proposed hotel would achieve its financial goal. They want to have a 60 percent occupancy year-round, he said. Its not going to happen.

If the hotel fails, he added, it could go next to a lower-priced, lower quality brand. I would hate to see a Motel 8 a block away from Main Street, he said.

Caroline Gunter, owner of Wag! on Main Street and a member of the Downtown Advisory Board, urged the council to greenlight the hotel and parking deck.

"I am extremely emotionally invested in the wellbeing of Hendersonville downtown and the community," she said. "We have come this far for a reason. We are this close. This is a development project that the city of Hendersonville can be proud of. The Downtown Advisory Board is all in. Im all in. Lets do this."
The Nepali Congress on Friday registered a motion of urgent public importance in the Parliament, calling for the implementation of broader measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus in the country.

Tabling the motion on behalf of the party, NC Lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa urged the government to formulate an action plan to prevent the spread of the outbreak. Thapa drew the lawmaker's attention to the situation in Iran -- the Middle Eastern country that has reported the most death from coronavirus outside of China.

"What if the condition turned out to be like that in Iran? Soon after the first two deaths were reported in that country, the virus rapidly spread and hundreds were infected, including the ministers," he said. Thapa noted that the Health Organisation has enlisted Nepal in nigh-risk nations to COVID-19.

Citing the Immigration data, Thapa questioned the government about the whereabouts of 1378 people who entered the Himalayan nation between February 20 and February 27 from the coronavirus-hit countries of Italy, Iran, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Lawmakers from ruling as well as the opposition parties drew the government's attention to the scarcity of masks and other medical equipment in the country.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal informed the Parliament that in view of the increasing number of confirmed cases in India, the government has been working to set up 37 "health points" at border crossings between India and Nepal.

First reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, coronavirus has spread to several countries across the world, including India and Nepal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
F ormer Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq today urged schools to promote the achievements of female scientists to encourage more girls to follow careers in engineering, science and technology.

Ms Huq, the longest-serving female presenter of the BBC show, was set for a career in science before she broke into television.

She is now an author of childrens books aimed at making science cool. Her Cookie series, which has a second book due this summer, follows a nine-year-old girl with a love of science.

She has called on schools to promote women such as computer programming visionary Ada Lovelace and DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin.

A report last month found 14 mentions of male scientists in the GCSE syllabus but none of women.

Ms Huq said: Girls will not be able to picture themselves in a science role because they will not see it as tangible or viable as a career.

Despite a rise in women studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at university, just 35 per cent of students on these courses are women.

British Science Week starts today and Ms Huq will be a judge for the British Science Associations Youth Industrial Strategy Competition at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham next week.
On Thursday night, President Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the city that Joe Biden frequently boasts about as his hometown. Pennsylvania, of course, was one of the pivotal states that, unexpectedly, gave the majority of its votes to Trump in the 2016 election.

During the town hall, one of the people who got the microphone was David Hines, the Director of Operations for the City of Pittston. Martha MacCallum described Hines as a lifelong Democrat who crossed over and voted for Trump in 2016.

David asked a substantive question about controlling the EPAs excessive and punitive environmental regulations:

Everyone supports protecting the environment, but the EPA seems too focused on complex regulations, fines, fees, and lawsuits. What can you do to lead the EPA to focus more on proactive compliance instead of punitive enforcement to protect the environment?

Trumps answer, boiled down to its essentials, was that hes been cutting regulations at an unprecedented rate, all the while ensuring that the environment remains unharmed. As he charmingly said, I want to have the cleanest air on the planet. I want to have the most crystal-clear, beautiful water on the planet.

This dialogue was interesting, but nothing that would strike fear into the Democrats hearts. However, what is the Democrats worst nightmare showed up after that.

Martha MacCallum asked Hines a follow-up question:

You are really the typical voter. I think youre a lifelong Democrat who crossed over and voted for President Trump in 2016 in areas like we are in right now, in Luzerne and Lackawanna County. So, you know, obviously, now Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders, whoever it is, is going to try to get your vote back. So, Im just, Im curious, is there anything that, or any issue that they could answer for you that would change your mind, do you think?

Without a seconds thought, Hines said that he was going to vote for Trump again:

Hines: Im focused on the economy and on regulation and deregulation, and I like whats happened in the country in the last four years  Trump: Thank you. Thank you. Hines: -- and am thankful for your efforts, Sir, and I hope we can continue.

Thank you David, a lifelong Democrat from Pennsylvania. We will continue MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN and then, KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!!!pic.twitter.com/hvVfB5cPrG  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2020

In 1992, when James Carville was masterminding Bill Clintons first run for the White House, he coined the short phrase, The economy, stupid (or, as its popularly known, Its the economy, stupid.). Carville did not intend the message to go directly to the public. Instead, he was reminding campaign workers that the economy was one of the three messages they needed to keep at the forefront of their work. (The two other messages were about (a) a change from 12 years of Republican White House and (b) health care.)

Carville is a very bright man who inexplicably clings to the Democrat Party. He was right then about the overwhelming importance of the economy to American voters, and Trump is right now to understand that message, which is why he enacted policies that supercharge the economy and makes sure voters understand just what hes done.

David Hines knows what Trump has done and appreciates how helpful its been to his work (and, presumably, to his personal life). Hes a Trump supporter now, and hes not going back.

The Democrats, looking at two candidates who have promised to raise taxes and increase government control over the economy, must be shaking in their boots.
Toucans-eye view: Pol O Conghaile at the new Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron

A 20m revamp of the iconic Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse gives a toucan's-eye view of the Dublin skyline.

The figure-of-eight expansion has doubled the size of Dublin's best-known viewing platform, providing a 721 sq m addition to a structure famously designed to look like the head of a pint at the heart of St James's Gate.

"The Gravity Bar is like the jewel in the crown," said Guinness Storehouse managing director Paul Carty.

The 16-month expansion has also led to the addition of new bars, a dedicated kitchen, and murals of Arthur Guinness and the famous toucan by Dublin artist Aches.

"Everybody comes in here to redeem their complimentary pint at the end of the tour... but it was just too tight. At any one time you could have 300 people [in the original bar], and they wanted to dwell and sip their pint in comfort and look at the view over Dublin," Mr Carty said. "So the capacity drove us."

The new bar space will function like the old one, capping off Storehouse tours, and 50 panes of floor-to-ceiling glass are inlaid with inscriptions picking out highlights from the city skyline.

The 46m-high bar is one of Dublin's top tourist attractions, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stopping by this week during their visit to Ireland. Previous celebrity visitors include Bill Clinton, Pink, Tom Cruise and the UK's Queen Elizabeth.

"In my prior life I ran five-star hotels in Bahrain, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, and I met very important dignitaries, but when I came back here and the queen visited, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up," Mr Carty said.

Diageo was told in advance that the queen and Prince Philip wouldn't drink any Guinness, he added. "But they were really tickled pink by the pouring of the pint... and she just loved the view."

The expansion is also something of a parting shot for Mr Carty, who is set to retire on May 1 and will be replaced by Catherine Toolan.

When he came on board 20 years ago, the then-Guinness Hopstore was pulling in a respectable 400,000 visitors a year.

Since "decanting" the business into the Guinness Storehouse in 2000, at the time a 42m redevelopment of a former fermentation plant, it has gone on to become Ireland's most visited paid-for attraction.

The new Gravity Bar follows several developments for Diageo in Dublin, including a new behind-the-scenes brewery tour, the Open Gate Brewery, and Roe & Co - one of the city's new wave of whiskey distillery experiences.

RKD, the architects behind the initial development, was brought in again to transform the bar, while O'Donnell O'Neill Design was the interior designer.
A Thank You to German Chancellor...

"World Jewish Congress president Ambassadaor RONALD S. LAUDER met recently with German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL at the site of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp and thanked her for announcing that Germany is committing $66 million to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to support preservation of the memorial site.

(Millions of dollars for each murdered Jew? NOT ENOUGH! NOT EVEN BILLIONS WOULD BE ENOUGH! Am I bitter? I suppose so.)

Her visit is the first in her 14-year tenure as Chancellor of Germany, the first time a German Chancellor has visited the site since 1977, and the third time a German chancellor or head of government has visited since World War II. The visit came in advance of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and amid rising levels of anti-Semitism in Europe and around the world.

Chancellor Merkel was accompanied by Polish Prime-Minister MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI, PIOTR M.A. CYWINSKI, Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and President of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, and Dr. JOSEF SCHUSTER, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

President Lauder accompanied Chancellor Merkel during her visit to the museum's Conservation Laboratories, which preserves every shoe, every document, and every building that remain at the site. (Every shoe? I feel sick!)

Amb. Lauder has been involved in the preservation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau site for decades, raising tens of millions of dollars internationally to fund conservation efforts, including the establishment in 2003 of the laboratories. Chancellor Merkel also visited the Central Sauna building at the former Birkenau camp, where prisoners were subjected to 'disinfection' before being forced into slave labor. (I've almost 'lost' it. I never want to visit Germany... never, never, never.)

'Anti-Semitism remains a vile, pervasive and resurgent force in the world today, making Holocaust education more vital than ever,' said the WJC president. He continued, 'Chancellor Merkel has been a valued and reliable ally in the fight against this oldest of hatreds. Preserving and conserving the remains of the Holocaust are critical to maintaining an accurate record of the atrocities committed, especially as the number of living, first-hand witnesses inevitably dwindles. Only by knowing the past can we protect our future, and we are deeply grateful to Chancellor Merkel for her commitment to the preservation of the site where over 1 million Jews were brutally murdered by the Nazis only and exclusively because they were Jews.'

(1 million at Auschwitz... 6 million in all!)

Chancellor Merkel acknowledged the conservation work and thanked 'that care was taken with great commitment so the site can bear testimony.' Further, Merkel stated that 'this history has to be told, again and again.'

A few months ago, the WJC honored Chancellor Merkel with the WJC Theodor Herzl Award for her efforts to protect and foster Jewish life in Germany and her support for Israel.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau site is one of the most important remaining physical remnants of the Holocaust and a crucial reminder of the evil that can stem from bigotry and hatred.

Chancellor Merkel's visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial comes at a time when anti-Semitism and white nationalism are on the rise across Europe and the United States, and global understanding of the Holocaust is on the decline.

In the United States today, 41percent of adults cannot identify what Auschwitz was or is, and 11 percent of adults ... and over one-fifth of millennials... have not heard, or are not sure if they have heard, of the Holocaust.

(I'm frightened for the next generatio ... especially for my grandchildren!)

PULEEZE, Let's change the subject...

On Monday, March 9th at 7:45 p.m. at Chabad of Greater Orlando, 708 Lake Howell Road, Maitland, there will be a Megillah Reading. All are welcome.

Also from Chabad of Greater Orlando...

Tuesday, March 10th, will be a celebration of "Purim In the City," a New York City Purim experience. (I'm a native New Yorker... Yah Brooklyn!)

At 5:30 p.m. there will be a Megillah reading. At 6 p.m. there will be a New York Style dinner. (Yum) At 6:30 p.m. there will be the "Tonight Show" with KOSTYA KIMLAT.

Repeating the address of Chabad, 708 Lake Howell Road, Maitland.

For further information and to RSVP, email to http://www.Chabadorlando.org/purim2020

Maitland Jewish Community Center...

At 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at beautiful Lake Lily Park in Maitland there will be a Purim-themed story time and Baby & me Yoga. They will meet on the south side of the lake, opposite the playground (follow the pedestrian bridge running alongside 17-92). Remember your yoga mats!

PJ Baby & Me was created especially for babies and toddlers, ages 0-3, and their very special person (parent, grandparent, caregiver, etc.).

Admission is FREE, but space is limited and pre-registration is required.

JCC39ers Cinema Sundays...

Beginning at 2 p.m. in the JCC Maitland Senior Lounge, the movie "A Man Called Ove" will be shown. Refreshments are available.

JCC39ers Meet & Mingle Mondays...

On March 9th, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Maitland JCC Senior Lounge, Preschool kids will perform. Also, a funny, creative workshop... the story of Purim, Baking Hamantachen and presence of pastry chef and Cultural Arts director, AVIVIT ERICHMAN.

JCC39ers Wow Wednesdays...

On Wednesday, March 11th, at 12:30 p.m., there will be the Yiddish Circle with VICTOR and BATYA GRANATSTEIN following a lunch. Bring something to share.

A Shout-Out...

This is decades overdue...many, many decades: During the German occupation of Ukraine, TATYANA KONTSEVICH and her daughter, ANIA, sheltered the family of Shimon Redlich. Shimon hid with his mother, aunt, and uncle in the attic and shed of the Kontsevich home in Raj.

Kostya Kimlat

Ten-year-old Ania was in charge of bringing them food and water. At one point, when home alone, Ania dissuaded two German soldiers in search of straw from climbing into the attic, where they would have found the Redlich family.

Hopefully, Ania Kontsevich is still alive today. Bless her and her family.

One for the road...

One day, Sadie and Rose are talking about men.

"I have a question for you," says Rose.

"So ask it already," says Sadie.

"OK," says Rose. "If I meet a stranger at a party and I think that he's attractive, do you think it's OK to ask him straight away whether he's married?"

"No, certainly not," replies Sadie, "you should wait until morning."
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male photographer over the alleged rape of an aspiring model at his studio in Setagaya Ward, reports TV Asahi (Mar. 5).

On August 25, 2018, Taiga Koyama, 32, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl, aged above 15, during a shooting session at the studio that is also his residence, located in the Kamiuma area.

Upon his arrest on suspicion of coerced intercourse, Koyama told police. aCall my lawyer. I will explain later.a

According to police, the girl was introduced to Koyama through an acquaintance. The shooting was conducted at no charge to the girl.

During the incident, the girl wore a blindfold and her arms were bound, police said.

Two other cases

Police have accused Koyama in two other cases. On May 16, 2019, the suspect is alleged to have stripped a woman of her clothing in the same studio during a gravure (pin-up) shoot before fondling her body.

The suspect met the woman via the photograph-sharing app Instagram. The day after the incident, she contacted police.

Upon his first arrest last November, Koyama admitted to the allegations. aI used my position as a photographer,a the suspect was quoted by police.

In the third case, he was arrested in January over the alleged rape of another woman.

In introducing himself to aspiring models, the suspect claimed to have filmed all-girl idol group AKB48, police said.
A healthcare workers' union Thursday said at least 30 Bay Area workers and at least 50 caregivers statewide were sent home for quarantine after they came in contact with COVID-19 patients.

"Workers were allowed to come in contact for too many hours without wearing proper safety equipment, and as a result a large number of workers had to be sent home, putting us and our families at risk," said John Richardson, a pathology assistant at Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center in Riverside.

Sean Wherley, a spokesman for SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, said doctors and some other workers were not sent home in March because they are not in the union.

The hospitals involved include Kaiser Permanente in Roseville and Los Angeles, El Camino Health in Mountain View and Los Gatos and Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital where 30 workers were quarantined, according to the union.

Union officials said sending exposed workers home is the right thing to do, but hospitals must collaborate with workers to prevent the spread of the virus among patients and workers.

The union said it wants regular communication between hospital leadership and employees and their representatives, clear protocols for early assessment, masking and isolation of patients, hospitals well supplied with personal protective equipment and responsible staffing.

In response, a Sutter Health spokesperson said, "The safety of our patients and employees is our number one priority. Isolation protocols are initiated after careful risk stratification in close coordination with the county department of health and in recognition of CDC guidelines and out of an abundance for caution for caregivers.

"As the circumstances around COVID-19 remain fluid we continue to update our protocols in accordance with the best practices established by federal, state and local authorities. Our standard work for infection control (isolating and masking ill patients, handwashing, room cleaning protocols) remains our best defense for protecting our staff and patients, the spokesperson said."

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Made in China. Words ubiquitous throughout the products we use every day and now, ironically, applicable to the virus that has laid siege around the world. Illness and death have spread across borders and continents, as well as fear and panic. Illness and death we can quantify in numbers, however, fear and panic are less easily measured than felt in our news feeds and social media posts. It is the fear which threatens to unleash a plague that may be more deadly and damaging than the virus itself: global economic recession.

The exact mortality of COVID-19 has been difficult to quantify due to questions of data reliability in China and vastly variable numbers coming from different countries suffering from severe outbreaks. As of this writing, some countries have had death rates above 2 percent, while South Koreas is closer to 0.5 percent. Part of the challenge is knowing how many people truly have contracted the illness. Fear, however, has infected 100 percent of the population of every country it touches. In China, it led to severely restrictive quarantines that have shut down the factory of the world. Now around the globe, citizens wrestle with the risks of travel, not only to other countries but to the theater or mall.

Global economies run on consumption, and the U.S. is the primary driver of that consumption. For many years China has been the largest trading partner with the US, a relationship that has come under fire during the trade war. Companies already facing pressures from supply-side disruptions due to Chinas production shuttering for two months are now facing diminished demand as consumers choose to stay home. The stock market has had a record-long expansion without a recession for over ten years but now must digest the economic impacts of this pandemic.

As physicians on the frontline, we will combat the diseases effects to preserve the health of our patients. There is little we can do, however, to cure a sick economy and a stock market crash that would cost millions of our patients their jobs, health coverage and financial stability. As workers in a relatively recession-proof field, we have to understand that recessions drastically affect peoples lives. Besides the financial consequences, recessions have well documented negative outcomes for the health of the population.

There has been a lot of criticism of the governments lack of preparation, lack of testing, and seemingly lackadaisical approach. The question is, what benefit is testing, and what measure would we take if we knew it was more prevalent? With the exception of the extreme authoritarian quarantines in China, which our society would not find acceptable, countries that are widely testing seem to be ineffective at curbing spread. This is not meant as a defense of the current administration, and the direct effects of the virus could be quite severe, but perhaps the greatest risk the virus poses to our patients is an economic collapse brought on by fear of the virus. Not just our patients, but our family and friends look to us for how to respond to these threats. While we should absolutely advise what is best for their health, we must also avoid stoking the fires of panic that can have far-reaching effects. Regardless of the political implications, we should all be pulling for the health of our economy because the health and well being of our patients depend on it.

Josh McKinney is an emergency physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply across Europe, with the Vatican, Serbia and Slovakia reporting their first infections on Friday.

Coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply across Europe.

The Vatican, Serbia and Slovakia reported their first infections on Friday.

Almost 1,000 new cases were confirmed in Italy in one day.

European Union officials held an emergency meeting in Brussels, urging solidarity to cope with shortages caused by the outbreak.

Al Jazeeras Jonah Hull has more.
A group of influenza researchers and a forestry scientist were named winners of the Kovalevskaya Award 2019, a prize dedicated to outstanding female scientists.

Scientists of the influenza laboratory under the virology department, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

The winners were announced on March 4 by the presidium of the Vietnamese Kovalevskaya Award Committee and the Vietnam Womens Union Central Committee.



The researchers at the influenza laboratory of the virology department, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, were honoured for their contributions to easing the disease burden of seasonal flu.



In particular, they took part in creating avian influenza virus A/H5N1 in the production of flu vaccines in Vietnam.



They contributed to the development of Oseltamivir-Taminflu, which is assessed as the most effective drug for treating A/H5N1 and A/H1N1 infections at present. There havent been any other products able to replace it.



Recently, the researchers and their colleagues at the laboratory successfully isolated SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.



The other winner is Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Institute of Forestry Research and Development under the Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry.



She and her colleagues successfully multiplied crossbred acacia and gum tree varieties on the industrial scale, supplying 3  5 million high-quality seedlings to northern and central localities each year.



Ha also obtained many achievements in multiplying some precious herbal plants of Vietnam.



The award ceremony is set to take place in May, instead of March like in previous years to coincide with the International Womens Day (March 8), due to the COVID-19 outbreak.



The Kovalevskaya Award, named after Russian female mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaya, is presented annually to honour female scientists with remarkable achievements in scientific research and application.



It is presented by the fund of the same name, which is operating in eight countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.



The Vietnamese Kovalevskaya Award Committee was established in 1985. VNA

Vietnamese scientist in South Korea sets up start-up to create robots Based on research with a high level of applicability, Dr Pham Quang Cuong of Nanyang Technology University, set up Eureka Robotics, a startup specializing in providing robots to large corporations.
TORONTO, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (DML: TSX, DNN: NYSE MKT) today filed its Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Both documents can be found on the Company's website at www.denisonmines.com or on SEDAR (at www.sedar.com) and EDGAR (at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). The highlights provided below are derived from these documents and should be read in conjunction with them. All amounts in this release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. View PDF version.

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison commented, 2019 represented a year of transition for Denison, as we aggressively moved forward to de-risk the application of the ISR mining method at Phoenix  following the completion of the highly successful Wheeler River PFS, and the Board's decision to advance the project into permitting, in late 2018. In early 2019 we launched the Environmental Assessment process, with our Project Description being accepted by the Federal and Provincial regulators. By the end of the year, we received a positive project scoping decision from the Federal regulators.

In the field, we completed a 23-week first-of-its-kind ISR field test program designed to validate the permeability of the Phoenix orebody, which was identified as the most significant technical risk for the Phoenix ISR operation in the Wheeler River PFS. The field program was implemented in a staged manner, progressing from the completion of preliminary hydrogeological tests in a series of small diameter test wells, to the completion of the two large diameter, commercial scale wells  the first wells in the history of the Athabasca Basin intended for ISR mining. The results from this test work show significant hydraulic connectivity within the test areas of the Phoenix orebody and have confirmed our ability to achieve bulk hydraulic conductivity values, in a commercial scale well, that are consistent with those used in the PFS.

Additionally, in early 2020 we have reported results from a specialized core leach test that indicate the uranium concentrations from solution to be recovered from the wellfield have the potential to significantly exceed the concentrations assumed in the PFS. Taken together, these results have meaningfully increased our confidence in the application of ISR mining at Phoenix. Today, the prospect of successfully bringing ISR mining to the Athabasca Basin is higher than it has ever been."

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Initiation of the Environmental Assessment ('EA') at Wheeler River

During the first quarter of 2019, Denison submitted a Project Description ('PD') to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ('CNSC') and a Technical Proposal to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment ('SK MOE') to support the advancement of an In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') uranium mine at the Company's 90% owned Wheeler River Uranium Project ('Wheeler River'). The documents were accepted in the second quarter of 2019, initiating the EA process for the project in accordance with the requirements of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 ('CEAA 2012') and the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act. The submission of the PD followed a decision by Denison's Board of Directors to approve the advancement of the Phoenix deposit ('Phoenix') ISR operation outlined in the Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') completed for Wheeler River in 2018. In late December 2019, Denison received a Record of Decision from the CNSC on the scope of the factors to be taken into account for the Wheeler EA, which indicate that the EA will follow the CNSC's generic guidelines.

Completion of Highly Successful 2019 ISR Field Test at Phoenix

In December 2019, Denison reported the completion of a highly successful ISR field test program, which was carried out at the high-grade Phoenix on the Wheeler River property. The ISR field test program was designed to validate the permeability of Phoenix, and to collect an extensive database of hydrogeological data to further evaluate the ISR mining conditions present at Phoenix. This detailed data is expected to facilitate detailed mine planning as part of the completion of a future Feasibility Study ('FS'). The ISR field test program included preliminary hydrogeological tests completed by using a series of small diameter and large diameter test wells to move water through two test areas defined within the Phoenix ore zone. The ISR field test successfully achieved each of the program's planned objectives, and is highlighted by several key de-risking accomplishments, including the following:

Confirmation of significant hydraulic connectivity within the Phoenix ore zone;

ore zone; Installation of the Athabasca Basin's first Commercial Scale Wells ('CSWs') for ISR;

Basin's first Commercial Scale Wells ('CSWs') for ISR; Confirmation of limited hydraulic connectivity within the underlying basement units; and

Demonstration of the effectiveness of MaxPerf to increase access to existing permeability from a CSW.

Extensive hydrogeological data sets were collected during the 2019 ISR field program, and are being incorporated into a hydrogeological model being developed for Phoenix. In February 2020, Denison reported that the results from the hydrogeological test work, completed to-date, have confirmed the ability to achieve bulk hydraulic conductivity values (a measure of permeability) consistent with the PFS (see Denison press release dated February 24, 2020).

Denison Initiates ISR Metallurgical Testing for the Phoenix Deposit and Reports Uranium Concentrations from Initial Core Leach Tests up to Four Times the Amount Assumed in PFS for Phoenix ISR

In December 2019, Denison announced the initiation of the next phase of ISR metallurgical laboratory testing for uranium recovery, which will utilize the mineralized drill core recovered through the installation of various test wells during the 2019 ISR field test program. The metallurgical laboratory test program builds upon the laboratory tests completed for the recovery of uranium as part of the project's PFS and is expected to further increase confidence and reduce risk associated with the application of ISR. The results are expected to facilitate detailed mine and process plant planning as part of a future FS, and will provide key inputs for the EA process. Significant components of the metallurgical laboratory test program include core leach tests, column leach tests, bench-scale tests and metallurgical modelling.

In February 2020, Denison reported that initial data from core leach tests includes elemental uranium concentrations, after test startup, in the range of 13.5 grams per litre ('g/L') to 39.8 g/L, with an average of 29.8 g/L over 20 days of testing (see Denison's press release dated February 19, 2020). This compares favourably to the previous metallurgical test work completed to assess the use of the ISR mining method at Phoenix  which supported a uranium concentration of 10 g/L for the ISR processing plant design used in the PFS.

Denison Reports Favorable Results from Exploration at Wheeler River and Waterbury Lake

Denison conducted winter and summer diamond drilling programs at Wheeler River during 2019  totaling 10,573 metres in 20 holes. The programs were focused on initial testing of regional target areas (K West, Q South East, K South, O Zone) with the potential to result in the discovery of additional high-grade deposits that could form satellite ISR operations. During the 2019 winter program, unconformity-hosted uranium mineralization was discovered along the southern portion of the K West trend (approximately 2 kilometres southwest of the Gryphon deposit) accompanied by strong sulphide mineralization and other geological features commonly associated with unconformity-related uranium deposits. Drill hole WR-756 was highlighted by 0.03% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres, 1.3% Cu over 4.0 metres, 0.13% Ni over 4.0 metres, and 0.18% Co over 6.0 metres, located immediately above the sub-Athabasca unconformity. Additional follow-up drilling during the 2019 summer program at K West intersected strong hydrothermal alteration associated with highly anomalous geochemistry within the basal Athabasca sandstone, indicative of a fertile uranium mineralizing system along the K West trend and providing evidence for additional exploration targets.

At Waterbury Lake a winter diamond drilling program was completed during 2019  totaling 5,735 metres in 15 holes. The program was focused on drill testing priority target areas (GB Zone, Oban South, GB Northeast and the Midwest Extension) associated with the regional Midwest Structure, which is interpreted to be located along the eastern portion of the Waterbury Lake property. The program was highlighted by intersections of basement-hosted uranium mineralization at the GB Zone including 0.15% U 3 O 8 over 6.0 metres in drill hole WAT19-480, and 0.25% U 3 O 8 over 2.0 metres and 0.22% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres in drill hole WAT19-486.

Execution of Memoranda of Understanding ('MOUs') with Local Communities for Wheeler River

As reported in the PD, Denison executed a series of MOUs, in support of the advancement of Wheeler River, with certain Indigenous communities who assert that Wheeler River falls partially or entirely within their traditional territories and where traditional land use activities are currently practiced within the local and regional area surrounding the project. These non-binding MOUs formalize the signing parties' intent to work together in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, in order to collectively identify practical means by which to avoid, mitigate, or otherwise address potential impacts of the project upon the exercise of Indigenous rights, Treaty rights, and other interests, as well as to facilitate sharing in the benefits that are expected to flow from the project.

Renewal of Management Services Agreement with Uranium Participation Corp.

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Denison Mines Inc., entered into a new five year agreement to provide management services to Uranium Participation Corp. ('UPC'). The new agreement has the potential to generate $10,000,000 in management fees to Denison over the five year term.

Denison's Closed Mines Group Renews Cornerstone Environmental Services Contract with BHP Group Limited ('BHP')

Effective July 1, 2019, Denison's Closed Mines group entered into a new two year services agreement with Rio Algom Limited, a subsidiary of BHP. Under the terms of the agreement, the Closed Mines group is responsible for carrying out the management and operation of nine of BHP's decommissioned mine sites in Ontario and Quebec.

Obtained Financing for the Company's 2020 Canadian Exploration Activities

In December 2019, the Company completed a $4,715,000 bought deal private placement equity offering for the issuance of 6,934,500 common shares on a flow-through basis at a price of $0.68 per share. The proceeds from the financing will be used to fund Canadian exploration activities through to the end of 2020.

About Wheeler River

Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan  including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U 3 O 8 (1,809,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.3% U 3 O 8 ), plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.0 million pounds U 3 O 8 (82,000 tonnes at an average grade of 1.7% U 3 O 8 ). The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison (90% and operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (10%).

A pre-feasibility study ('PFS') was completed in late 2018, considering the potential economic merit of developing the Phoenix deposit as an ISR operation and the Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining operation. Taken together, the project is estimated to have mine production of 109.4 million pounds U3O8 over a 14-year mine life, with a base case pre-tax net present value ('NPV') of $1.31 billion (8% discount rate), Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 38.7%, and initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million. The Phoenix ISR operation is estimated to have a stand-alone base case pre-tax NPV of $930.4 million (8% discount rate), internal rate of return ('IRR') of 43.3%, initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million, and industry leading average operating costs of US$3.33/lb U3O8. The PFS was prepared on a project (100% ownership) and pre-tax basis, as each of the partners to the Wheeler River Joint Venture are subject to different tax and other obligations.

Further details regarding the PFS, including additional scientific and technical information, as well as after-tax results attributable to Denison's ownership interest, are described in greater detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Pre-feasibility Study for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018 with an effective date of September 24, 2018. A copy of this report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

About Denison

Denison Mines Corp. was formed under the laws of Ontario and is a reporting issuer in all Canadian provinces. Denison's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the 'TSX') under the symbol 'DML' and on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol 'DNN'.

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company's flagship project is the 90% owned Wheeler River Uranium Project. Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake Joint Venture ('MLJV'), which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill, which is currently processing ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest deposits and a 66.57% interest in the J Zone and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. The Midwest, J Zone and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill. In addition, Denison has an extensive portfolio of exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin region.

Denison is engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Closed Mines group (formerly Denison Environmental Services), which manages Denison's Elliot Lake reclamation projects and provides post-closure mine and maintenance services to a variety of industry and government clients.

Denison is also the manager of Uranium Participation Corporation ('UPC'), a publicly traded company listed on the TSX under the symbol 'U', which invests in uranium oxide in concentrates ('U 3 O 8 ') and uranium hexafluoride ('UF 6 ').

Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person

The disclosure of scientific and technical information regarding Denison's material properties in this MD&A was prepared by, or reviewed and approved by, Dale Verran, MSc, Pr.Sci.Nat., the Company's Vice President Exploration, or David Bronkhorst, PEng., the Company's Vice President Operations, each a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. For a description of the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied by Denison, please see Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 12, 2019 available under Denison's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and its Form 40-F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Follow Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison.

Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur', 'be achieved' or 'has the potential to'.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: exploration, development and expansion plans and objectives, including the results of, and estimates and assumptions within, the PFS, the plans and objectives for ISR and the related field and hydrogeological testing results, plans and objectives; expectations regarding environmental and regulatory standards and permitting processes; the estimates of Denison's mineral reserves and mineral resources; plans for any FS, and any work to be undertaken in respect thereto; expectations regarding Denison's joint venture ownership interests; and expectations regarding the continuity of its agreements with third parties. Statements relating to 'mineral reserves' or 'mineral resources' are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral reserves and mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the results and underlying assumptions and interpretations of the PFS as well as the ISR field test and hydrogeological test programs discussed herein may not be maintained after further testing or be representative of actual conditions within the Phoenix deposit. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue testing, evaluation and development work at Wheeler River, and may not complete a FS, if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary approvals or resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, etc). Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 12, 2019 under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being exhaustive.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources and Probable Mineral Reserves: This news release may use the terms 'measured', 'indicated' and 'inferred' mineral resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms have been prepared in accordance with the definition standards on mineral reserves of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Mineral Disclosure Standards ('NI 43-101') and are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') does not recognize them. 'Inferred mineral resources' have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. The estimates of mineral reserves in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The definition of probable mineral reserves used in NI 43-101 differs from the definition used by the SEC in the SEC's Industry Guide 7. Under the requirements of the SEC, mineralization may not be classified as a 'reserve' unless the determination has been made, pursuant to a 'final' feasibility study that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Denison has not prepared a feasibility study for the purposes of NI 43-101 or the requirements of the SEC. Accordingly, Denison's probable mineral reserves disclosure may not be comparable to information from U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.

SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.

Related Links

http://denisonmines.com/s/Home.asp


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Missouri man who believed he was helping ISIS terrorists plot an attack on Kansas City was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 20 years in prison and a lifetime of probation. Robert Lorenzo Hester Jr., 28, of Columbia, pleaded guilty in September to providing material support or resources to terrorists.
Elon Musk owned Tesla installed a battery farm in South Australia in 2017 and has since helped residents save $116 million in energy costs, Bloomberg reports.

The company installed the world's biggest lithium-ion batter to help reduce the risk of blackouts as the country moved to renewable power generation.

Operating via the Hornsdale Power Reserve, it has helped to restore stability to the network and lower the costs of running the power grid, according to reports.

The decision to install the battery came after a Twitter 'bet' between Musk Australian software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes where Musk promised he could build the battery 'in 100 days or its free'.

Two years on and the battery farm has slashed the costs required to regulate the South Australian grid by about 90 per cent, Bloomberg claims.

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Tesla won a bid in July to build a 129 megawatt hour (MWh) battery and had it ready by the start of the southern summer in December 2018

Operating via the Hornsdale Power Reserve, it has helped to restore stability to the network and lower the costs of running the power grid, according to reports

The 129 megawatt system installed by Tesla offers a way to tackle the variable power generated by wind and solar generators - it stores up the energy until it is needed and distributes it through the grid during lower generation periods.

They smooth out the power flows that can threaten the stability of a network made up primarily of renewable sources of energy.

This is what was happening in Australia until the Tesla battery was installed - but since then it has helped respond to those issues quickly.

The battery was built at a wind farm operated by France's Neoen that is located about 225 km (141 miles) from the South Australian capital of Adelaide and will supply power to the lithium-ion storage cells.

It was installed near Jamestown, in South Australia's mid-north.

A state-wide blackout in 2017 was blamed by opponents of renewable energy on the rush to embrace wind and solar power - this led to the Musk bet on Twitter.

'The grid has a heartbeat that needs to be regulated,' Garth Heron told Bloomberg.

He is the head of development for Neoen - the company behind the grid in South Australia and said 'there will be a faster battery roll-out than most people expect.

'They really are able to solve a multitude of problems.'

The battery has been designed to help cover temporary dips in wind power, say for 15 minutes, or help control frequency on the grid at times when natural gas-fired plants are unable to help balance generation and power demand.

The 129MWh lithium ion battery was installed by TESLA near a wind farm close to Jamestown, in South Australia's mid-north

Musk said in July 2018 that the cost to Tesla would be '$50 million [US $39 million/ 29 million] or more' if it failed to deliver the project on time

'What they're trying to do is buy a little bit of time for other systems to respond to fluctuations,' said Bikal Pokharel, an analyst with energy consultants Wood Mackenzie in Singapore.

MEGAWATT LITHIUM ION BATTERY Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company is halfway done installing the 100 megawatt lithium ion battery, which will be more than three times larger than any existing power storage facility. The battery is being built at a wind farm operated by France's Neoen that is located about 225 km (141 miles) from the South Australian capital of Adelaide and will supply power to the lithium-ion storage cells. Last year's state-wide blackout was blamed by opponents of renewable energy on the state's rush to embrace wind and solar, and fuelled a backlash that has split Australia's conservative federal government and led to renewed calls to support coal-fired power. Advertisement

The battery helped Hornsdale reduce network costs by about $116 million in 2019 which Heron says will be passed on to households and businesses in the area.

'Not only has the Hornsdale Power Reserve identified how batteries can physically help the grid, it has also showed how they can make money along the way,' BNEF analyst Ali Asghar told Bloomberg.

'More importantly, it has boosted investor confidence in the storage market by showing developers how revenues from different power based services can be stacked to build a business case for storage in Australia.'

The state has yet to say how much it paid for the battery, which is part of a 293 million ($390 million) plan that includes diesel-fired generators to help keep the lights on following a string of blackouts over the past 18 months.

Musk said in July 2018 that the cost to Tesla would be '$50 million [US $39 million/ 29 million] or more' if it failed to deliver the project on time.

He said when it was switched on that he hoped the battery will be the first step to Australia becoming a renewable energy powerhouse.

Premier Jay Weatherill said: 'While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient, and providing back up power and more affordable energy for South Australians.'

Analysts have estimated the battery should cost around $750 (US $585/439) to $950 (US $741/556) per kilowatt, or up to $95 million (US $74 million/56 million).
Member of the Council of the Russian Historical Society, President of the Russian State Humanitarian University, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Society of Historians of Archives, Member of the Board of the Russian Union of Rectors Efim Pivovar together with Vestnik Kavkaza announced a new project. The authors program will address issues of the past and their impact on modern international politics, territorial disputes and public relations.

- Yefim Iosifovich, what place do you think historical issues should take in the media?

- I am anxious about Vestnik Kavkaza, I work closely with him and I hope to cooperate. I think your agency is doing a great job. But if our previous meetings dealt with some specific pressing topics, today I want to touch on a broader perspective. There are things permanent, lasting, eternal. I would like historical issues to be constantly in sight. This allows us to give sufficiently significant knowledge, based on sources, on what we were once taught, what we are called as professional historians.

- How do you feel about the publications of unprofessional historians?

- The historian can be an amateur. There is nothing wrong with that. He may be carried away by some topic, and he may know much more on this topic than many professionals who deal with one plot. This is normal. What is the difference between a professional and an amateur? Only by the fact that a professional constantly questions the data that he operates with the help of historical search: such general forms of historical knowledge as source study, historiography, archival research and so on. The research results of professionals are not so sensational, which awaits the general reader, but they are well-founded.

I would like to see precisely such well-founded knowledge presented on the pages of the media, because a fascination with history sometimes leads to the circulation of unverified versions. It is also necessary to distinguish scientific historical knowledge from the artistic knowledge of history or religious knowledge. In Russia, there are huge traditions of historical knowledge. Even before Peter I, with his father Alexei Mikhailovich, with his grandfather Mikhail Fedorovich, the elite used historical knowledge in making decisions. For the Vestnik Kavkaza audience, historical politics is not just an empty phrase, but one of the elements of the formation of a modern view in a number of countries.

It must be understood that historical knowledge is diverse ...

- Are you talking about the relationship of history with related disciplines?

- Yes. The other day I participated in a round table devoted to the anniversary of Russian oriental studies, which is just at the junction of history and philology, the history of culture, philosophy, and the history of art. This is a huge historical layer. When we talk about the Eurasian space, we cannot forget that the peoples living here, their cultures, have a lot to do with the East, and they are rightfully the object of Oriental studies.

There is another segment of historical knowledge that relates to antiquity or the Middle Ages, this is archeology. Moreover, modern political borders are in no way connected with cultural-archaeological borders.

Another area is ethnology, which is part of the block of social sciences, but at the same time it is the history of costume, the history of folklore, the history of painting, jewelry ... In general, there is a mass of everything related to everyday life, and spiritual life, and ethnogenesis of different peoples. All this is extremely interesting from the point of view of the present.

Without knowledge of history, archeology or ethnology, the issues that humanity is facing now cannot be resolved. This applies not only to culture, but also to politics, and social relations, and territorial disputes, and the national narrative of any country, ideas about who we are, where we came from, what contribution we made to the history of mankind.

There is knowledge of history by means of art and there is knowledge by means of religion - this is a huge layer of material that must be taken into account. The media also contribute to the knowledge of the past, although some representatives of my historical workshop believe that the media distort historical knowledge. However, this does not always happen, there are so many positive examples.

- Are you talking about stories in the media that give impuls to historical research?

- Of course. For example, the Brest Fortress first appeared as an element of mass historical material, not among historians, but among the writer Sergei Smirnov, who for the first time made the heroic epic of defense of the Brest Fortress public. We are now on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Victory, so I give examples related to the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War. The second example: the Soviet soldier, the national hero of Italy, Fyodor Poletaev, also gained fame thanks to stories about the heroes that Sergey Smirnov spoke on television.

I think we should not look down on this form of knowledge of the past. By the way, there are a lot of examples when scientific knowledge is synthesized thanks to the journalistic gift of historians. I cannot but name Militsa Vasilievna Nechkin or Sigurd Ottovich Schmidt. There are modern authors who have succeeded in this. May God grant them health, so that they continue their research.

- Today, the topic of the history of medicine looks very relevant ...

- In any medical university there is such a subject, but, from the point of view of history, the interest is not how they operated or how they were treated, but who did it, in what places. We historians have little studied the impact of epidemics on human development. Only much has been written about the influence of the plague; in European cities there are plague pillars that recall epidemics. However, other epidemics are poorly studied - rubella, measles, polio. When I was a student on an expedition along the path of the Russian explorer Vasily Poyarkov, I saw children affected by an encephalitis tick. Moreover, then we didnt do vaccinations ourselves. Now the illiterate past is leaving, and historians can participate in this process from the point of view of enlightenment. I believe that the main form of enlightenment is the education of knowledge. It is knowledge, not ignorance.

- What topics will your project with Vestnik Kavkaza include?

- There are a lot of stories that we could discuss if we manage to attract public attention. Given the profile of the Vestnik Kavkaza, we will be interested in historical topics related to societies and cultures, everything that surrounds the Russian Federation along the southern, eastern and partially western borders.

Secondly, it is Eurasia, because we are interested in everything related to the so-called Middle East, not to mention the Middle East, the Black Sea-Baltic region, everything related to our neighbors in the south. That is, these are, first of all, the states of Central Asia and China, and Japan. In the context of what is connected with Russia, of course.

Recall that Peter I issued two decrees in 1702: one on the need to invite foreigners from Western Europe, send young people there to study; and the second is about learning the Japanese language. Then the Kamchadals captured the captive from the Japanese islands, brought him to St. Petersburg, and Peter I decided that he would teach the Japanese to the Russian language. These were the first Japanese courses in our country.

In short, the relationship between East and West has a deep history, is fascinating and interesting. The main thing is to find an angle that will be interesting to listeners and readers.
NSDC secretary earlier said it was impossible to restart supplies until Russia pulled back from Crimea.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the supply of water to occupied Crimea is a tool of de-occupation.

"The issue of supplying water to Crimea, to occupied Crimea is an instrument of de-occupation," he said during a TV panel show Pravo na Vladu on Thursday.

At the same time, MP from the Holos faction, Yulia Klymenko, emphasized that "this is the other way around  an instrument of occupation."

In turn, Kuleba said: "No. I said... We may provide [water], we may not provide it, but it should always be considered as a tool of de-occupation."

As UNIAN reported earlier, newly appointed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Crimea is Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens live there, and the water supply to them should not be blocked.

He later rolled back on his statement, assuring the public in a Facebook post overnight Friday that Ukraine will not restore water supplies to Crimea until Russia withdraws from the peninsula, explaining his point with the fact that, if supplied, water would also be used by Russian military facilities.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov earlier said it is impossible to supply water to Crimea while the peninsula is occupied by the Russian Federation.
After announcing that two people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday signed an emergency disaster declaration.

Doing so, he said, would provide increased support to state agencies responding to the virus.

It is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in the commonwealth and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Wolf said in a news release. "The disaster declaration is an additional way we can be prepared, so I authorized the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director or his designee, to assume command and control of all statewide emergency operations and authorize and direct that all commonwealth departments and agencies use all available resources and personnel as is deemed necessary to cope with this emergency situation.

The state Department of Health previously activated its Department operations Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agencys headquarters to coordinate the public health and medical response throughout the state.

The two positive tests for COVID-19 have yet to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One person who tested positive is an adult from Wayne County who recently traveled to a country where the virus is present; the other is an adult from Delaware County, and recently traveled to a place in the US where the virus is present,state officials said.

Both are at home under quarantine and in good condition, state officials said. Work to trace people with whom they have come into contact are underway.

State officials are urging everyone to take precautions  from washing hands frequently to disinfecting surfaces  to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

US Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., released this statement in response to the news of the Commonwealths first coronavirus cases:

The people of Pennsylvania wish a speedy recovery to those who have been impacted by Coronavirus and we stand ready to help those families. Yesterday, Congress passed $8 billion in funding to combat the Coronavirus and I will push to make sure appropriate resources are sent to Pennsylvania quickly. I urge all Pennsylvanians to follow the instructions of their medical provider, public health professionals as well as federal agencies like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All passengers coming on international flights are being screened for novel coronavirus at Dibrugarh Airport.

As per the directive of the government of India, all passengers, both Indian and foreign, arriving on international flights will be required to go through medical screening while entering India.

A passenger at the airport, said: "They (airport authorities) asked if we have travelled abroad recently. I have come from Canada two weeks back."

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has recently announced a universal screening of all international flights will begin to control the spread of the deadly virus.

"Currently, we are conducting the universal screening of flights coming from 12 countries. But now we will be conducting a universal screening of all passengers coming from all international flights. Everybody will be a part of the universal screening," he had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
During its session today, the National Assembly approved several amendments to existing laws in the second and final reading, reports Armenian News-NEWS.ams correspondent.

The parliament passed the bills on making amendments and supplements to the Civil Code and the law on property tax, as well as the bill on land tax. The deputies also ratified several agreements, including the agreement on exchange of information on commodities being transported through the customs borders of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Peoples Republic of China and on the means of transport conducting international transport and the agreement on excluding double tax and preventing tax evasion between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Likee, the pioneering short global video creation platform by Singapore-based BIGO Technology Pte Ltd, has launched an exciting campaign #HoliHai2020 to celebrate the upcoming Indian festival of colours - Holi.

Likee users have a chance to earn 100 beans by participating in the campaign along with their friends and family. The campaign also brings along with it a digital twist to the traditional festival of Holi with an essential message of keeping oneself safe during the festival, coinciding with the outbreak of coronavirus in India.

The campaign is already live, and creators can participate in the same until March 11. To earn beans, the user will have to invite other users or friends with help from a link. If a user's friends activate the ranking-up page button successfully, the user can earn the random point number.

Also, a user has an unlimited number of invites per day, but s/he cannot invite a friend who has already accepted the invitation. With this virtual celebration of Holi festival, users can play Holi with all their friends for an extended period and make the most out of it.

The campaign has come at the time when playing Holi the traditional way could be dangerous for people in India. Given the outbreak of Coronavirus in various parts of the country, people are abstaining from being a part of any large gatherings or commuting from public transport.

As of today, people are cautious with their daily routines and altering ways to maintain the utmost personal hygiene. With Likee's virtual Holi celebrations, people can enjoy the festivities without any risk.

Likee is available in different Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam and Punjabi. In 2019, Likee had also won the Guinness World Record for creating the 'Largest online video album of people waving a flag in India' during its 'No matter where I am, #IAMINDIAN' campaign.

The campaign saw more than one lakh Indians participating in celebrating India's 73rd Independence Day. In the recent App Annie's year-end report on app trends for 2019, Likee has emerged as number one in the breakout category and is also the seventh most downloaded app in 2019.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bhubaneswar, March 6 : The Odisha government is well prepared to tackle situations relating to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) while the state has not reported any positive case so far, said a health official on Friday.

The official said the government has taken several steps including creation of isolation wards at different medical colleges and hospitals to treat the patients.

With the increase of suspected coronavirus patients in the state, the Centre has assured to set up a COVID 19 testing facility at Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, said a statement from Health department.

The Health Minister has also written a letter to the Union Health Minister requesting him to set up another testing facility at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, the statement said.

Besides creating isolation wards, airports at Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda were put on alert for the screening of patients suspected of being infected with coronavirus.

Till date 129 travellers who have returned from Corona affected countries after January 15 have been identified by the state surveillance system and kept under home quarantine as per the guideline, said a statement.

Odisha has not reported any positive case so far, it said.

The state government has issued advisory for the public to deal with the coronavirus.

It asked the people to avoid hugging, shaking hands while greeting and keep their workplace clean to deal with coronavirus infection.

The government asked the employers to ensure workplace cleanliness.

It has also issued an advisory to schools to create awareness among students about common preventive interventions like hand hygiene and respiratory etiquettes.

Meanwhile, an Irish national suspected to be infected with coronavirus, who reportedly went missing from SCB Medical College, was found at a hotel in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The Irish man was suspected of being infected with the coronavirus after he underwent screening at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar here on Thursday, said sources.

The concerned Irish national is in a private hotel in Bhubaneswar and the health authorities are in touch with him, informed Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Widespread rains lashed Punjab and Haryana on Friday, triggering fear among farmers about damage to wheat crop almost a month before the harvesting season.

"Rains are not good at this stage and it will certainly affect yield of wheat," Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh said.

In view of the untimely rains and hailstorm, the Punjab government ordered a assessment of crop loss and all deputy commissioners have been asked to submit their preliminary report on Monday.

Earlier, the AAP, which is the main opposition party in Punjab, demanded that an assessment of crop loss be conducted, with party legislator Harpal Singh Cheema writing to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh demanding 100 per cent compensation for crop loss due to untimely rains.

He claimed that rains and hailstorm have damaged standing crops in several parts of Punjab.

Expressing concern over the losses, the Punjab chief minister ordered urgent steps to ascertain the extent of the damage to ensure that due compensation can be awarded to the affected farmers at the earliest.

He directed the financial commissioner revenue to issue detailed instructions to all deputy commissioners to conduct special assessment of crop loss, a statement said.

Amarinder Singh also asked the revenue minister and other senior officers to tour the rain and hailstorm affected areas extensively and conduct on-ground assessment.

A senior official of the Punjab agriculture department had earlier said the current spell of rain would not cause any damage to standing wheat crop if it is not accompanied by high-velocity winds which could flatten the crop adversely impacting the yield.

Punjab, known as the food bowl of the country, is expecting more than 175 lakh tonne of wheat output, the harvesting of which would start in April.

According to the meteorological department, Ambala, Karnal, Bhiwani, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala witnessed 5 mm, 4 mm, 7 mm, 0.5 mm, 5 mm and 3 mm of rainfall respectively.

Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana received 4.4 mm of rain. Hisar was the wettest place in Haryana with 37 mm of rain followed by Narnaul which gauged 30 mm of rainfall.

Following the rains, maximum temperatures dropped several notches below the normal and settling between 17 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The stabbing death of Edward Bully Lavia, 46, in the North Leeward community of Petit Bordel, has left a sense of sadness in that community and surrounding areas.





Lavia, who moved many years ago with his family from their original abode in Rose Hall to Petit Bordel, was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle on Friday, February 28, sometime around 4:45  5:00 pm. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Chateaubelair Hospital.





Reports are that there was an altercation between Lavia and another man resulting in rum being thrown into Lavias face. He pushed the other man, to the ground. The man got up and pursued Lavia who had taken to running away.





Eye witnesses said that Lavia sought refuge in a nearby house, but the man caught up with him on the step of the front porch of the house, where he is said to have inflicted the stab.





A video that surfaced on Social Media showed a number of people looking at the wounded man sitting in a pool of blood, but no one moved to offer him any assistance.





Reports are that Minelva Min Min Pierre, an elderly female occupant of the house, had to be taken to the Chateaubelair Hospital where she was treated for shock.





Well liked and understood





When THE VINCENTIAN visited the community on Monday, many persons expressed sadness on Lavias passing . " He love to sing and play steel pan with the group round a Rose Bank, one person told THE VINCENTIAN.





An elderly friend answering to the name Darda Edwards said, "Bully bin good, he like to sing. A lot of people miss the man, all a Rose Bank.





Darda said he last saw the deceased on the day he was killed. "Me see um in the morning and he said he was going down a bay (Beach), Darda said, adding that his friend would normally hang outside his home.





The elderly man admitted that when Lavia drank (strong liquor), he could become a bit mischievous and "end up gehing in trouble.





But, "besides the drinking he is a cool fella who likes to make up his own songs, said Darda.





Indeed, Lavia found himself in a spot of trouble in August 2019 when he was charged with damaging a vehicle and a window of the home owned by the North Leeward Parliamentary Representative Roland Patel Matthews.





Matthews in a Facebook post, shared a video of Lavia singing outside his (Matthews) shop with the caption, "Gone but not forgotten! Rest in peace Edwards.





In a subsequent interview with THE VINCENTIAN, Matthews said that he was overseas when the incident (involving his vehicle) took place and it was more of a police matter rather than he pursuing the matter.





"I know Bully didnt really have anything to compensate me. Its my wife who gave him clothes when he was going court, said Matthews, who added that there was no animosity between he and Lavia.





The MP took the opportunity to express his disgust with the spurt of senseless killing in the country.





He said that the deceased and his alleged killer grew up together, and the killing could have been avoided if only someone had shown restrained.





James "Meddybang Francois, 51 years, has been charged with Lavias killing.
The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government plans to build a Rs1,000-crore tourist complex in Mumbai, state finance minister and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced in his budget speech on Friday. The proposed tourist complex, with a world class aquarium inside, will be spread over a 14-acre plot at the defunct Worli Dairy, with the state tourism department  headed by Aaditya Thackeray  set to prepare a detailed project report soon.

International standard tourist complex is planned at Worli Dairy Complex. Detailed project report will be prepared by an international architect of repute, deputy chief minister and state finance minister Ajit Pawar said.

Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, in December 2019, had asked the tourism department to prepare a plan to build an aquarium in Mumbai. The aquarium is likely to be on the lines of the ones in Singapore and Bangkok.

The state has additionally allocated Rs500 crore for the next five years to boost tourism in Mumbai and make the city a global travel destination.

Aaditya termed the allocation for tourism historic as it will not only generate revenue, but also create employment opportunities. The department [tourism] has not seen such an increase in allocation ever before. Tourism will surely witness a big boost, he said.

The tourism department also plans to refurbish at least 22 existing tourist sites in Mumbai to attract domestic and foreign travellers. There are also proposals to have a sound-and-light show at Colaba; carry out restoration work at Gateway of India; and chalk out a heritage circuit in south Mumbai, among others.

The MVA government has already allocated Rs100 crore for various such development works in 2019-20 after it came to power in November last year.

A viability gap funding programme for promotion of coastal tourism, on the lines of the Central scheme, will be formulated by the state, Pawar said in his budget speech.

The Shiv Sena-led MVA governments decision to focus on making Mumbai a tourist hub could be attributed to the party having an eye on the next Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, scheduled for February 2022.

Besides building new tourist attractions and improving existing ones in Mumbai, the state also plans to improve tourism infrastructure across Maharashtra. The budget has allocated an additional Rs65 crore for the ongoing construction of jetties under the Sagarmala programme at Vasai, Bhayander, Kharwadeshwari, Manori, Ghodbunder, Narangi, Gorai, Borivli, Malvan, and Ambadve for the development of Roll-on Roll off (Ro-Ro) services. In addition, the government has set aside Rs50 crore for construction of a new jetty at Radio Club, Colaba, for passenger transport.

Subhash Goyal, chairman of STIC Travel Group of Companies and a member of Assocham tourism committee, said Mumbai and Maharashtra have a lot to offer in terms of tourism, but it was never been marketed.

It is welcome move that the state government has made more allocation for tourism. Many domestic and international travellers come to Mumbai, but sites arent promoted. This allocation will also help generate employment, which the country needs currently, said Goyal.

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6 March 2020

Tribute Portfolio, Marriott International's newest collection of characterful independent hotels, continues to expand its European footprint with the opening of Gekko House, the brand's second hotel in Germany and first in Frankfurt. The 128-room urban-designed hotel is situated in the heart of Frankfurt's up-and-coming Gallus district known for its converted warehouses and factories, which is now home to eclectic music venues and theatres. Frankfurt-based Morgen Interiors led the design, creating a captivating urban aesthetic reflective of Frankfurt's open-minded culture whilst inviting spontaneity and fun, inspired by the hotel's motto, 'life is crazy.'

Guest rooms at Gekko House juxtapose exposed concrete walls with wooden flooring, hand-blown statement glass lighting fixtures, olive green furniture and lavish velvet seating. Each room offers floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning skyline views across Germany's only skyscraper city. In addition, they boast a Marshall Music Box, Nespresso coffee machine, amenities by Australian organic skincare brand Grown Alchemist and a Gekko House curated city guide. On the ground floor, guests are led to the hotel entrance via an intimate passage, where cherry wood panelling meets deep olive furnishings and eye-catching tapestries. In the lobby, guests can shop at The Gekko Spati, where the team have hand-picked a selection of artisanal drinks and snacks, as well as local souvenirs and gadgets.

At the heart of Gekko House is the restaurant and bar, Chicago Williams, a Berlin-born BBQ concept established in 2012 by Nawid Samawat. A spacious lounge bar leads to the restaurant with an open kitchen serving up German beer and cured meat specialties like baby back ribs and beef brisket alongside soulful dishes like macaroni and cheese. Designed in deep red tones, the interior features a wooden floor with oak tables and copper detailing. For a more intimate experience, diners can be seated next to the black-tiled smoker room where they can watch the chefs work their creative magic in the kitchen. This Summer, Gekko House will open Chicago Beach Rooftop on the eighth floor - a lounge bar with unbeatable views of the city's skyline.
The Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum, which was supposed to be held on March 19-21, was postponed indefinitely, head of the governors press service Maxim Kudryavtsev said.



"It was postponed for an indefinite period. The decision has just been made," TASS cited him as saying.



Chairman of the government of the Krasnoyarsk region Yuri Lapshin confirmed that on Friday at a meeting with the governor of the region, the issue of transferring the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum was discussed.



"After a clear position of the federal authorities regarding the measures to counteract coronavirus on the one hand and yesterdays decision announced by [SPIEF organizing committee chairman Andrey] Belousov about the St. Petersburg forum in June, we have no other options," Lapshin said.



The 17th Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum was to be held from March 19 to 21.
The world's largest contract electronics supplier Foxconn said Tuesday that the coronavirus outbreak would clip first quarter revenues by up to 15%, but expects a recovery next quarter as production returns to normal.

"It's going to have an apparent negative impact on our major product lines for the first quarter," Foxconn Chairman Young Liu told an investors call on Tuesday.

"Given that there are still uncertainties about the coronavirus outbreak, it's hard to estimate the impact for the whole year," Liu said, adding that growth for this year would likely be lower.

Before the coronavirus outbreak brought China's economy to a virtual standstill, Foxconn, the country's largest exporter, had forecast revenue growth of between 3% to 5% from last year's 5.33 trillion New Taiwan dollar ($177.5 billion).

The Taiwanese-headquartered manufacturing giant's bleak forecast came as many of Foxconn's major clients, such as Apple and Microsoft, revised down their first quarter revenue forecasts.

Foxconn supplies almost all electronics makers globally, with a client list that includes tech powerhouses such as HP, Dell, Huawei Technologies, Amazon, Google, Nokia, Ericsson and many others.

Liu said Foxconn is currently running at about 50% of its slow season capacity, adding that he expects production to return to normal by the end of this month for the start of the traditionally slower second quarter.

Because contract electronics manufacturers such as Foxconn usually only operate at around 50% or less capacity during the first and second quarters, the company's admission that it has currently reached only 50% of its normal seasonality labor demand means that its factories are actually operating at 25% capacity.

Liu said most clients' new product development and manufacturing qualification processes had not been affected by the coronavirus.

Foxconn has been cautiously raising production at its manufacturing facilities across China, despite fears that its labor-intensive work environment -- which house hundreds of thousands workers -- might aid the spread of the virus.

"The company's priority now is to carefully resume work rather than aggressively pick up the production pace," a person familiar with Foxconn's situation told the Nikkei Asian Review.

The company even appointed Zhong Nanshan, China's top respiratory specialist and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, to serve as chief consultant to the company to help ensure that its workforce was adequately protected.

Liu told investors that if there were any confirmed cases at any of its production facilities, then the company would immediately quarantine all employees who had been in contact with the infected staff member and would disinfect the production line.

Liu said it would not be necessary to shut down or quarantine the entire factory as most companies first feared several months ago.

Overall, Liu said demand could bounce back in the second quarter, setting up a recovery in the three months to June.

He said the spread of the coronavirus to other parts of the world had not had a major impact on global demand as of now.

"Still, in a worst case scenario, that could cause very big impacts to electronics demand and the global economy," Liu said. "But as of now, we don't expect the worst to happen."

Foxconn's plan to diversify its production capacity outside China, from the current 25% to 30% level, will continue amid the coronavirus threat, Liu said.

"The ongoing trade tensions together with the epidemic outbreak reinforce some of the clients' thinking for risk management for the longer term."

As of Tuesday, the epidemic had continued to spread across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, resulting in over 90,000 people infected and more than 3,000 deaths.


Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 00:33:49|Editor: yhy

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by Jamil Bhatti

ISLAMABAD, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Shafiq Ahmad, a Pakistani farmer in Pakistan's eastern district of Okara, faced a sudden locust swarm attack at his fields in January this year, which completely devastated his wheat crop leaving him in the lurch of debt and future financial sufferings.

"In one morning, when I returned home after milking my cows and buffalos, I surprisingly saw a black cloud moving fast over our heads. Later, somebody told me it was a locust swarm and it had attacked my fields. I rushed there and saw them in billions in numbers eating my young wheat crop," the 45-year-old farmer from village 7/4-L of Okara district of eastern Punjab province told Xinhua on Thursday.

Ahmad said, "It was a new thing, we did not know how to respond properly. We tried to push them away but failed. And in a couple of days, they ate my wheat crop at six acres where I have invested around 90,000 rupees (around 584 U.S. dollars) and was expecting an income of 384,000 (around 2,490 U.S. dollars)."

Ahmad and other farmers contacted the local agriculture department, and the officials suggested villagers spray some pesticides over the locusts, but the villagers did not have enough resources for such a huge swarm.

A number of Pakistani farmers like Ahmad in different areas whose crops were destroyed by locust are very anxious to make payments for seeds and fertilizers they borrowed, and how to meet their family expenditures and start afresh sowing season.

Desert locust swarms entered into Pakistan's southern Sindh province last year before moving to the eastern, northwest and southwest regions of the country.

According to official figures, the locust swarms have caused 15 percent loss to crops amounting at least 100 billion rupees (around 650 million U.S. dollars) since last year by affecting around 30 million acres of land out of which only 300,000 were sprayed in the country.

Later in January, local media and parliamentarians raised the issue, followed by a high-level meeting chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan early last month. National Food Security Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar described the current worst situation to the meeting, fearing that if the plague is not controlled it can destroy all crops at 38 percent of the country's total agriculture land in the coming months.

The prime minister imposed a national emergency on locust control and asked the minister to seek help from China. The government of China sent an emergency response team of experts on Feb. 24, which has visited almost all affected areas, including Tharparkar desert in southern Sindh province, southwest Balochistan province and different affected districts of Punjab where locusts have already laid eggs.

Chinese experts have conducted field surveys, analyzed the situation, and are now helping Pakistan develop an emergency assistance program and develop a sustainable system and mechanism to prevent and control the locust attacks as well as to establish long-term cooperation with Pakistan.

The Chinese working group has said that China would provide a comprehensive emergency assistance package to Pakistan against swarm attacks with the first batch of chemical pesticide expected to reach Pakistan next week.

Wang Fengle, chief expert of the Chinese team, told a press conference that China has vast experience and expertise in fighting and controlling the locust successfully with the help of a sustainable system, adding that the Chinese government attached great importance to the national emergency on locust in Pakistan.

A farmer from village Rakh Shah Hussain of district Khushab, named Asghar Khan, told Xinhua that they are afraid of the destruction locusts can do to their gram crop in the coming days, saying, "Our whole year's livelihood depends on these crops and the locust swarm is posing a great threat to it."

However, he expressed his satisfaction after watching the Chinese team in his area, saying, "We know that it is quite a difficult task, but we are sure that the Chinese experts would help us."

Director-General of Agriculture Department of Punjab Anjum Ali who is looking after the anti-locust campaign in Punjab told Xinhua that it is a new challenge for Pakistan, specifically in the crops zone and they want a Chinese solution to address the problem backed by information and communications technology.

The director-general said, "We are highly encouraged that the Chinese team is with us," adding that "we are more inclined to learn from the Chinese experience, avail modern technology, equipment, take technical assistance for a sustainable system."

Xu Yubo, an official of international cooperation department of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that the China working group has chalked out a comprehensive desert locust control program backed by efficient low-toxic pesticides, spraying vehicles, plant protection drones, surveillance equipment, deputation of professional teams, sustainable personnel training, low altitude agriculture aircraft and biological pesticides.
A kickboxer weighing 16 stone who claimed he fell through an 18-inch hole at work could face jail after a judge dismissed his 30,000 compensation bid.

Stuart Mann, 39, was 'highly unlikely' to have plunged through a hole measuring just 18 by 12 inches, into which he could hardly fit his burly body, said Judge Mark Gargan, rejecting his tale as being 'like something out of a comic strip'.

Mann, a 'strongly built' Thai boxer, told a doctor over two years after his supposed fall that he was still 'too disabled to do housework' while at the same time boasting to a physio that he was training for a fight and 'doing 50 high kicks a day with each leg', the court heard.

Stuart Mann, 39, from Hartlepool, County Durham, pictured outside High Court in London. The 16-stone kickboxer had claimed he fell through an 18-inch hole at work

Mann, a 'strongly built' Thai boxer, could now be jailed for up to two years after permission was granted to the company he worked for to seek to have him sentenced for contempt of court

Evidence showed he had been back fighting over 18 months before he lied to the doctor, the judge said.

Judge Gargan dismissed his compensation claim as being 'fundamentally dishonest' at Middlesbrough County Court in February last year, finding he had cooked up the story after stumbling up some stairs and suffering minor injuries that cleared up within six months.

Mann, from Hartlepool, County Durham, could now be jailed for up to two years after High Court Judge Graham Robinson granted permission to insurers, for the demolition company he worked for, to seek to have him sentenced for contempt of court.

The insurers, Aspen Insurance UK Ltd, are set to ask for Mann, who was working through an agency, to foot a 100,000 court bill.

On 24 June 2014 Mann was working for a demolition company knocking down a former school in Milton Road, Stoke on Trent, the High Court heard.

He claimed he fell through a narrow 18-by-12-inch hole, plunging between eight and 16ft into a basement, injuring his back and ribs, adding he was then stuck in the basement with no doors or stairs, having to be tied to a ladder and pulled out by fellow workers.

But while accepting he had an accident, the demolition company denied he fell down a hole, saying plans showed there was not even a basement under the room where he claimed to have fallen.

The site supervisor gave evidence at the county court, suggesting he had stumbled while walking up some stairs and suffered minor rib injuries.

The 16-stone boxer told a doctor over two years he was still 'too disabled to do housework', while telling a physio he was 'doing 50 high kicks a day with each leg', the court heard

Dismissing his claim, Judge Gargan said: 'Stuart Mann is a strongly built man who stands five foot 11 inches. He is now about 100kg (15 stone 10.5lb).

'I do not say that it is impossible that he would have fitted through a hole the size that he describes, but what he is asking the court to accept happened is really something out of a comic strip film or comic book.'

Although Mr Mann may not have been as broad at the time of the accident, as he claimed he was 'fighting fit' then, he was still a 'strongly built man', said the judge.

He added: 'It is highly unlikely...that he managed to get so completely over the hole that he was able to fall straight through despite only just fitting through it.'

The judge also said it was 'highly unlikely' he would suffer rib injuries, but no injuries to his feet or legs, despite it being claimed on his behalf that his feet might not have been injured because he was wearing 'good solid work boots.'

He told the court: 'How do you get a strongly built man out of a basement when the floor is eight to 16 feet above and when on Mr Mann's account there are no stairs or doors? The answer to that is, one would anticipate, with extreme difficulty.

'On his case they have managed to get the ladder through the 12 by 18-inch hole...and he has been somehow pushed up the ladder through the hole.

'That sounds to me remarkably difficult and again highly unlikely.'

Of his lies to the doctor, he said Mann told a physio he was in training for a fight, but just three days later told a doctor he couldn't do housework.

Mann (pictured right) must have fully recovered by February 2015, when he attended a minor injuries unit after twisting his knee doing a switch kick in training, said Judge Gargan

He said: 'Mr Mann's case is that he was significantly disabled for a lengthy period after the accident.

'He told (a doctor on 29 November 2016) that he had not been able to return to work...that he experienced constant pain, which varied in severity from day to day, that he could no longer perform any housework, even light duties, that he was a keen Thai boxer but had not been able to return to this and that he had not attended a gymnasium since his accident.

'The physiotherapy notes show the examination took place...when he had a fight arranged.

'Mr Mann was high-kicking on 26 November, according to the physiotherapy notes...50 kicks with each leg.

'That does not fit well with how he was presenting himself to the doctor.'

He said Mann must have fully recovered by February 2015, when he attended a minor injuries unit after twisting his knee doing a switch kick in training.

The judge added his injuries would have seen him taking six weeks off work and suffering 'at the most six months gyp' due to soft tissue injuries.

He continued: 'In my judgment, it is clear that Mr Mann's evidence about the accident itself must be fundamentally dishonest, because the circumstances of the accident are wholly fundamental to this and I have found that he had the accident falling up a set of steps when he said he had it falling into a hole.

'That must be dishonest, it cannot be an innocent mistake. Mr Mann has given an account to the doctor which is very different to that which he was giving to the physiotherapist at exactly the same time...I do not see how that can be anything other than dishonest.'

Geoffrey Brown, for the insurer, asked Judge Robinson to grant permission to bring contempt of court proceedings for which Mann could face up to two years over the 'findings of fundamental dishonesty' made in the county court.

But Michael Cahill, for Mann, told the court he denies all allegations of dishonesty, despite Judge Gargan's findings, and is sticking to his story about the accident and its impact on him.

Judge Robinson allowed the committal action to go forward, saying: 'There are thirty separate allegations of dishonesty... The judge found he lied.

'The alleged contempt would have to be proved to the criminal standard, but it seems to be there is at least a prima facie case.

'The public interest test is passed. There is hard evidence that increasing numbers of false claims are being brought.

'Lies are easy to make and sometimes hard to disprove. It is important that cases like this are permitted to proceed, because false claims cost insurance companies a great deal of money.

'I grant permission for this application to proceed to a full hearing (in respect of) what are alleged to be lies told... by Mr Mann in the course of his damages claim.'

The contempt case will now go for trial back in Middlesbrough and is set to be heard in July this year.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with senior leaders Thursday to gauge the military's response to the novel coronavirus epidemic worldwide, including preparations to protect the Pentagon building itself and its massive workforce of more than 20,000.

Esper said he expects an updated plan to be ready sometime next week.

"We're fully confident that we can continue to perform the functions that the Pentagon needs to perform if we have some type of outbreak in the building," he said.

The preparations could include those put in place at other facilities, such as regularly disinfecting common areas and surfaces. Ultimately, the core functions vital to the nation's defense would be uninterrupted, Esper said at a joint Pentagon news conference with Ben Wallace, Britain's secretary of state for defense.

Related: Coronavirus and the US Military's Response

As an example, Esper cited the highly secure National Military Command Center, essentially the Pentagon's nerve center known as the "tank" deep within the building, which has the mission of sending Emergency Action Messages to missile launch centers in the event of nuclear war.

"We have a lot of capabilities in this building," he said. "Our National Military Command Center has the capability to go for weeks at a time if they have to be locked down inside the building if we have some type of outbreak."

At a separate Pentagon news conference Thursday, a panel of Defense Department health officials and Brig. Gen. Michael Talley, head of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, said work by military researchers on developing a coronavirus vaccine is proceeding, but declined to speculate on when a vaccine might be available.

Talley said military researchers are also working on treatments and drugs that might be used to lessen the effects of the coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19, until a vaccine is ready.

Dr. Nelson Michael, director of the center for Infectious Disease Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, said the military's work on a vaccine is being done separately but in support of vaccine research by other organizations.

He also said the Army researchers are "working very, very closely" with researchers at the National Institutes of Health led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Michael declined to speculate on when a vaccine might be ready but said he agreed with Fauci's estimates that a vaccine could be a year or 18 months away.

Earlier, at a House Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing, Thomas McCaffery, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said that thus far there have been four confirmed cases of coronavirus in the military and 12 suspected cases worldwide.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Read More: PETA to Marines: Stop Guzzling Snake Blood During Jungle Training
As the world struggles with the outbreak of Coronavirus, technology majors are facing a different battle altogether. With the rise in the confirmed cases across the globe, online platforms are being flooded with content around the virus spread. Apple and Google are now making sure that this content does not lead to the spread of any misinformation around the same.

For this, the two biggest phone platforms in the world are cracking down on apps around Coronavirus that are not developed by a trusted source. A recent report by CNBC cites four iPhone developers that confirm how the Apple team is starting to delist any app around COVID-19 Coronavirus that is not from a recognized institutions like governments or hospitals.

Most of these apps are dashboards or live maps to monitor the spread of the virus, while some mention the basic guidelines to protect oneself from the outbreak. Even though most of these are procuring their data from reliable sources (like World Health Organisation), Apples review process is shunning them altogether.

A written response from Apple to one such developer cited in the report reads, apps with information about current medical information need to be submitted by a recognized institution.

(Representative Image: Reuters)

The Impact

The new review process works too. Even though the strict mandate limits the number of apps around Coronavirus on the app stores of both Apple and Android, it makes sure that the data being shared with the users is correct and does not result to the spread of any misinformation or false news.

In times like these where panic can be induced through the simplest of fake information, this is a big responsibility for the tech platforms. In fact, the duty call is of such importance, that Apple came up with an entirely new guideline for its app review system on Wednesday.

New Guidelines

Till now, Apple has been citing a guideline numbered 5.2.1 for rejecting most of the apps around Coronavirus. The guideline mentions that apps should be submitted by the person or legal entity that owns or has licensed the intellectual property and other relevant rights.

On Wednesday, Apple updated this policy with a new clause 5.1.1.ix, which mentions that the apps in highly-regulated fields like healthcare, financial services, or air travel need to be submitted by a legal entity that provides the services, and not by an individual developer.

Google Play Store

Most of the developers that got their apps rejected by the Apple review team were cited this clause as the response they got from the team.



A similar clause by Google for Google Play Store does not allow apps to capitalize on a natural disaster or atrocity or appears to profit from a tragic event with no discernible benefit to the victims. This has helped Google limit the information sources for Coronavirus outbreak through its own platform.

Industry-wide efforts

Apart from the two mobile platforms, tech industry in general is reeling under the pressure of controlling this spread of misinformation around Coronavirus. Facebook, worlds biggest social media platform, is cracking down on content that presents conspiracy theories around the outbreak and might induce panic and fear among the Facebook users.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also promised in a recent post that the team at Facebook will be working to make sure that everyone can access credible and accurate information.

A similar fight is being observed by the e-commerce giant Amazon - that has now warned sellers that it would be taking down any products that claim to kill the Coronavirus.

Even Google has banned ads around anti-Coronavirus products and has come up with a special module that presents the information straight from the World Health Organization at the top of Google search for anyone looking for Coronavirus.

So as the world tackles the virus outbreak, make sure you do not pay heed to any misinformation of any sorts and if in case you come across any questionable content, mark it to the team of the relevant social media platform.
Her role has not been finalized, in part because she is weighing family considerations, but it is expected to be arranged in the coming days, according to Democrats familiar with the discussions.

Mr. Biden has long had a sort of bullpen-by-committee approach to his senior staff, and longtime advisers like Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, are expected to continue playing important roles along with his original campaign manager, Greg Schultz, and deputy manager, Kate Bedingfield.

Addisu Demissie, who managed Senator Cory Bookers campaign, said the timeline of a presidential contest required any major candidate at this point to start building out the staff and making plans for the general election. A veteran of Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign, Mr. Demissie said that it was too late for Mr. Biden to develop a robust operation in big March primary states like Florida, but that there was still time to strengthen his campaign in later-voting states and lay the groundwork for a national race against Mr. Trump.

You cannot scale up a presidential campaign in any less than five months, Mr. Demissie said. He suggested that a candidate in Mr. Bidens position should be bringing in as much talent as they can and, I assume, not taking the primary for granted but also realizing that the real battle is coming in November and its coming pretty damn quick.

In some regards, Mr. Biden and his top aides have been overwhelmed by his sudden, and unexpectedly broad, success. They are attempting to be sensitive to the staff members who, with little money at their disposal, helped resurrect his candidacy but are also eager to tap into the enormous pool of Democratic talent now available, people close to the campaign said. Hundreds of aides to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Mr. Bloomberg are now available for hire.

A day after Mr. Bloombergs exit, his top advisers were beginning to map out how to repurpose his sprawling campaign organization to support Mr. Biden and other Democrats in the general election. The former New York City mayor has pledged for months to use his personal wealth to fund efforts against Mr. Trump even if someone else became the Democratic nominee.

Talking to Mr. Biden on the phone Wednesday, Mr. Bloomberg made clear that he would be supportive, but the two did not get into details, according to a Democratic official familiar with the conversation.
Jewish Academy of Orlando second-graders raised funds in the grade's annual Fun Run to benefit a Habitat for Humanity house. The students later visited the house and presented the check to the organization.

The annual program at JAO begins with a cross-curricular study of economics. Students learn about the three basic human needs: food, clothing, and shelter, while also learning the differences between a want and a need. They build their own model houses and conduct a Fun Run to raise money to support Habitat for Humanity.

After completion of their studies, students visited a construction site for a Habitat for Humanity house; they asked many questions and learned more about the basics of homebuilding and inspection while conducting mock-inspections of the home. They applied mathematics concepts, such as fraction measurement, and money concepts.

To conclude the trip, JAO students presented Hal George, president and co-founder of the Winter Park affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, with a check to fund the project.

"It is always wonderful and uplifting to have the JAO second graders come out and visit the Habitat sites. We are all so impressed and grateful for the donation that the students gave to Habitat. It is through gifts like this that we are able to continue to provide affordable housing opportunities for needy families. I really look forward to seeing Jewish Academy students each year and hope that we are able to continue the tradition. I am so appreciative of all of the support that Jewish Academy of Orlando has given our Habitat affiliate through the years," stated George.

"We are grateful for our partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the opportunity for learning it gives our students. The program not only brings to life the lessons in the classroom such as budgeting and the benefits of decent housing but also the importance of supporting those in need," said Alan Rusonik, head of school. "We are committed to giving all of our students even more opportunities, lessons, and resources to change the world."

Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools.

To learn more about Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: jewishacademyorlando.org or follow the school on Facebook facebook.com/JewishAcademyOrlando.
It has been a long road from an orphanage to a loving home in Chattanooga for Dina "Raquel" Mabry. All her effort and the support of a Chattanooga couple helped bring her dream of U.S. citizenship to reality recently.

Raquel was born in Honduras in 1987, and she still has two brothers and a sister there.

She tells her story, "I was raised in an orphanage until I came to live with Steve and Charlotte Mabry who I consider my parents. They have a son name Stephen Mabry who I consider my brother.

"Steve, my dad, met me when I was about to turn eight years old while he was on a mission trip to Honduras. My parents tried to bring me to the USA, but my visa got denied. I stayed at the orphanage until I was 18 years old.

"I had different missionaries who encouraged me to take a Christian internship in Kansas City, Missouri. I then applied for a visa again. I stayed in Missouri for a year, and then went back to Honduras for a couple of months.

"After that my parents were able to bring me to the U.S. where I lived with them in Chattanooga. It was so hard to get me back to the U.S. due to immigration rules and regulations. Finally everything worked out.

"I began learning English, then I got a green card and I took the GED. While taking the GED, I learned to drive. I started a cleaning business and then I applied for a job as a deputy court clerk at General Sessions Criminal Court, where I now work. I really enjoy my job.

"I started my citizenship application on Jan. 23, 2019. My parents had to hire an immigration attorney (Blake Gilbert) to help with all my paperwork. It was a hard road for me but with the support of my family friends, and co-workers helping me study and quizzing me I passed the citizenship test.

"I became a U.S. citizen and was sworn in on Dec. 17, 2019.

"It means so much to be a U.S. citizen because I can go back to Honduras without the fear of not being able to return. I have my life here, my family, my friends and my job. I am so blessed and so proud that I can be a part of this country and be free."

Steve Mabry said it was a mission trip to Honduras many years ago that eventually led to Raquel's successful U.S. citizenship.

He said, "Charlotte and I are long time members of Red Bank Baptist Church. For many years, the church has been sending mission teams to Orphanage Emmanuel in Guiamaca, Honduras. From 1996-2005 I made 13 trips to Honduras with these mission teams and to visit Dina during the later years.

"I remember feeling that the Lord wanted me to be a part of this ministry and felt strongly about going before that first trip. During that trip, I felt a lot of compassion for the children there and was saddened by some of the distressing backgrounds they had before coming to the orphanage. There were less than a hundred children there at that time and the orphanage was in need of food and clothing and other supplies for these children, so that's where the mission teams stepped in.

"Early on, I met Dina and her siblings including a sister and two brothers. I soon began sponsoring Dina through a sponsorship program with the orphanage and helping her and her siblings in various ways to meet their needs. We have felt like it was God's will for her to come here and get away from the corruption and poverty so prevalent in Honduras.

"After many years and a lot of expense, we were able to get her permanent residency here and eventually, she earned a GED and a job in the local government here. We thank God for all the blessings he has shown her as well as the blessings he has bestowed on us. After all, without belief and faith in Him, none of this would have happened."





Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean said, "I am so very proud of Raquel. At a time when there is an often negative connotation attached to the word 'immigration,' its good to hear the stories of those who persevere and complete the process the right way. Too many times we see people who seem to take their citizenship for granted or think their voice doesnt matter, but then we see people like Raquel who go through so much to proudly call themselves a United States citizen."

"To have Raquel as part of our staff is a true honor. Many employees pitched in and helped Raquel with her preparation by quizzing her on the information for her exam, and later celebrated with her when she was successful. Again, Im proud to have Raquel on our team."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2020 / Sue Ozdemir, the CEO of Exro Technologies Inc. (CSE:XRO; OTCQB: EXROF) ("Exro" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce Exro's technology to improve the performance of the world's electric motors will be profiled on Business TV-News. It will first air this weekend in Canada on the BNN Bloomberg network.

The broadcast, a five-minute overview of Exro's technology to dramatically improve the speed, torque and energy efficiency of electric motors, will be aired Saturday, March 7th, in Canada, and in the US on March 15. A preview of the interview can be seen here.

"Our objective is to tell investors, manufacturers and the public around the world about our remarkable technology, which is now being commercialized," said Ozdemir.

"We want to share this made-in-Canada technology with sectors where electric motors are essential - automotive, wind energy, recreational and last-mile vehicles, agriculture, public transportation and many others,' Ozdemir added. "Exro unlocks the full potential of electric motors, to make them faster, stronger and greener."

BTV-Business Television is Canada's longest running business show. With Hosts Taylor Thoen and Jessica Katrichak, BTV features emerging companies across the country to bring investment opportunities to everyday people.

Exro is part of the BTV series looking at companies "Using Innovation to Drive Success."

Ozdemir will be seen on the BTV broadcast in Canada, airing on BNN Bloomberg - Saturday, March 7 at 8:00pm EST and Sunday March 8 at 4:30pm EST. It will also be seen on Bell Express Vu, Saturday, March 7 at 8:00pm EST and Sunday, March 8 at4:30pm EST.

Exro's CEO will also be seen in the United States on the Biz Television Network on Sunday, March 15 at 5:30am, 6pm & 9:00pm PST and Tuesday Mar 17 @ 5:00pm & 8:00pm PST.

Ozdemir's interview and company overview will also be broadcast on Air Canada's seatback TV network, on the Business Channel.

Story continues

After almost a decade of research and development, Exro is now in its commercialization phase. Ozdemir, who was appointed Exro's CEO in September 2019 after serving as CEO of GE's Small Industrial Motors Division, is leading a strategy with her team to introduce Exro to the automotive, energy, agricultural and recreational sectors, among others.

CONTACT INFORMATION EXRO

Canada:

Jake Bouma

Intrynsyc Capital Corp.

604-317-3936

United States:

Vic Allgeier

TTC Group Inc.

646-841-4220

Email: info@exro.com

About Exro Technologies Inc.

Exro facilitates the transition to clean energy by providing products and services to manufacturers to increase the efficiency and reliability of power systems, including electric motors, generators and batteries. Exro's patented technology enhances energy systems by dynamically sensing and adapting variable inputs and optimally matching them to desired outputs, creating measurable performance gains and extended lifespan. The widespread applications of the technology apply to optimizing the performance of electric vehicles, UAVs, and ship drives, as well as pumps, industrial motors, and energy capture from wind and tides.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sue Ozdemir, Chief Executive Officer

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this News Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "believe", "may", "would", "could", "will" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the Company's intention to commercialize its product in the near term. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Exro Technologies Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/579203/Exro-CEO-Sue-Ozdemir-To-Appear-on-US-And-Canadian-Television-to-Present-Technology-to-Enhance-Worlds-Electric-Motors




Bright Pond Way, 8100 block, Feb. 11-19. Two burglaries occurred at the same residence where electronic items, gaming systems, a cellphone and clothing were stolen. A Manassas male and female, both 16, were arrested on Feb. 21. Each was charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of grand larceny. Police say they were acquaintances of the homeowners children. An 18-year-old male accomplice was charged with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, burglary and grand larceny.
People with seasonal flu are going to private hospitals and clinics and asking to be tested for Covid-19, which is caused by a new strain of coronavirus. However, at present, there are only two government-accredited laboratories where the coronavirus may be diagnosed.

The reported symptoms for covid-19 are similar to those of seasonal flu or influenza. These include fever, cough and shortness of breath. There is so much panic among people that they are rushing to private clinics to get tested. On a weekly basis, we are getting around 15 cases where people with flu symptoms are seeking to run [tests for coronavirus] in our hospital, said Dr Om Shrivastav, a city-based epidemiologist.

Dr Gautam Bhansali, consultant general physician at Bombay Hospital, confirmed this. The panic is more among people with diseases related to low immunity and travel history abroad. If we get patients with history of travel to affected countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy among others, we are referring them to the government hospital, said Dr Bhansali.

There are only three government-accredited laboratories  tKasturba Gandhi Hospital in the city, the National Institute of Virology, Pune and Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Nagpur that are equipped to do the testing. Private hospitals dont have the facilities as it requires a specially-designed laboratory to run gene sequencing analysis. As per the governments instruction, we are referring the patients to Kasturba Hospital, said Dr Shrivastav.

Alongside the panic is fear of being quarantined, which has led to only a small percentage of the patients actually visiting Kasturba Hospital. When HT visited Kasturba Hospital on Friday, a senior doctor stated that around five patients come on a weekly basis, seeking tests for coronavirus. If the person doesnt have any travel history to the affected countries or states, we are keeping them on telephonic observation for a week, she said.

Meanwhile, city doctors said reported cases of seasonal influenza have increased by between 15% to 20%. On a weekly basis, we are getting over 50 patients with minor seasonal influenza. With rising awareness, people have also become cautious, said Dr Vikrant Shah, infection specialist at Zen Hospital.
" " Demonstrators protest outside the Hyatt Hotel where the Democratic National Committee was kicking off its summer meeting in Chicago, 2018. The demonstrators were protesting the use of superdelegates by the Democratic Party, which was one of the issues to be addressed at the meeting. Scott Olson/Getty Images

When the 2008 campaign for president began, it wasn't such a big story that there would be superdelegates at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. After all, superdelegates have been at every convention since they were created through Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules in 1982 [source: CNN]. In previous contests, superdelegates hadn't enjoyed much of the spotlight. But as the Democratic primaries whittled down the number of competitors for the nomination, a close race emerged between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Even as the end of the 2008 Democratic primary calendar wound down, the two candidates were neck and neck for the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States. Scores of primaries and caucuses, including those on Super Tuesday  a day designed to establish a clear front-runner  produced no obvious candidate.

With the delegate counts for Clinton and Obama so close, it was thought that in the 2008 primary season, superdelegates would have a huge impact on which candidate the Democrats nominate for the run for the presidency. In the end, Obama won the nomination thanks in part to superdelegates who defected from Clinton over to his side, though he was ahead in pledged delegates as well [source: Schor and Glaister].

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So, who are these superdelegates? And how do they have so much power?

Delegates won in primaries and caucuses are considered pledged voters, meant to represent the will of the people who voted for a particular candidate. At the national convention, these delegates are expected to vote for the candidate chosen by the thousands of voters they represent. This is not the case with superdelegates.

Superdelegates are simply "unpledged voters." Their vote represents their own choice, rather than the wishes of the voters, and these unpledged delegates can pledge their votes as they see fit.

Superdelegates have to consider how to use their votes carefully. They may:

Vote in step with how the voters in the majority of states voted

Vote in line with Democratic voters nationwide

Vote in favor of the candidate with the most pledged delegates, even if it is just a slim majority.

The Democratic National Committee delegate selection rulebook says that pledged delegates "shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." In stark contrast, a superdelegate can also choose to vote his or her "conscience." This is one way of saying that a superdelegate may not vote the way the majority of voters do, but on the candidate he or she feels is best.

To win the 2020 Democratic Party nomination for president, a candidate has to rack up 1,991 delegates  half of the 3,979 total delegates plus 1 [source: 270 to Win]. Delegates in 2020 or any other year are won through votes from state primaries or caucuses. Generally, delegates are awarded by percentage in Democratic nominating contests; this is in contrast to some Republican contests, which are winner-take-all. So if one Democratic candidate wins 60 percent of the popular vote in a state that offers 10 delegates, for example, that candidate will win six delegates in that state. This continues state by state, and usually one candidate manages to rack up a clear majority of the delegates before the convention.

In the 2020 Democratic primary, there are about 764 superdelegates, making up around 16 percent of the delegate count for the party [source: Ballotpedia]. These superdelegates are Democratic members of Congress, high-ranking members of the Democratic Party, state governors and former presidents and vice presidents [source: Fang]. (Pledged delegates are selected at the local or state level and are usually ordinary party members who have applied and campaigned for the spots.)

Superdelegates are allowed to switch their pledges from one candidate to another at the national convention. They can also pledge and switch long before the convention. Some say this gives superdelegates undue influence on the course of primary voting behavior, and because they know this, candidates often swoon over superdelegates to curry their favor [source: Heersink]. When they do switch, it's usually to reflect the direction they see the vote going. For instance, 30 superdelegates switched from Clinton to Obama in 2008 after he had gotten a narrow lead in pledged delegates. More might have switched, but Clinton dropped out at this point.

Usually, though, superdelegates don't change their minds, even when candidates plead with them to shift their alliances, as Bernie Sanders did during the 2016 primary season [source: AP News]. That's where things often get messy.

In 2016, many superdelegates came out early in support of Hillary Clinton, a fact that caused Sanders to claim that the Democratic Party powers-that-be were manipulating the system to swap public opinion in Clinton's favor, a task made easier by the inherently confusing and messy delegate/superdelegate system. Although Clinton did win a majority of pledged delegates, Sanders and his supporters thought her early endorsements from so many superdelegates might have swayed primary voters [source: Conway].

In the wake of these conflicts, Sanders and his activists sought several rule changes to the nominating process, which were mostly rejected by the DNC. However, they did get one big change for the 2020 election  superdelegates were no longer allowed to cast their votes during the first ballot at the national convention, unless the outcome was already certain [source: 270 to Win].

So why does the Democratic Party have superdelegates? And does the Republican Party have anything equivalent?
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday decried attempts by certain international agencies and bodies to "interfere" in India's internal affairs and described their actions as "unwarranted".

Interacting with a group of students at his residence here, he said international agencies should desist from such actions and asserted that no country with self-respect would accept outside interference in its internal matters.

"We are and always have been capable of solving our internal issues ourselves. In recent times there have been attempts by certain international agencies and bodies to interfere in India's internal affairs," he said, according to a statement issued by the vice president's secretariat.

Observing that a lot of misinformation and disinformation was being circulated about India's secular fabric and politics, Naidu said some forces were envious of India's rise and its growth.

He did not name any organisation.

Earlier this week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) filed an intervention in the Supreme Court on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

The Ministry of External Affairs had asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws.

"India's democracy is mature, stable and has always shown the refreshing capacity to adapt to changing conditions, and uphold democratic institutions and practices," Naidu said.

Asserting that India would continue to be a model to the world when it comes to the functioning of its strong and vibrant democracy, the vice president said Indian democracy has proved to be a miracle by the way it has expanded and consolidated during the last seven decades, assiduously defying many doomsayers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sterling Mervyn Free, 27, was jailed for eight years in October after he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a seven-year-old girl

A predator and father-of-two who kidnapped a seven-year-old girl at Kmart and molested her in nearby bushland watched child porn before the horror attack.

Sterling Mervyn Free, 27, was jailed for eight years in October, with a Queensland judge describing his crime as 'abhorrent' and 'every parent's worse nightmare'.

Free will be eligible for parole from August 10, 2021, just two-and-a-half years after he was first locked up.

In the Queensland Court of Appeal, Crown Prosecutor Carl Heaton QC said the release date was too soon for someone who admitted to watching porn moments before the terrifying attack.

A psychology report presented in court showed Free's history of struggling with lack of impulse control.

His porn addiction, diagnosis of paedophilia, and lack of intimacy with a partner all led to the kidnapping and attack on the young girl, the Courier-Mail reported.

'It increased his vulnerability to engage in impulsive and reckless behaviour with no consideration of the consequences,' Mr Heaton told the court.

He also said that Free had previously mentioned he was attracted to children and his lack of control was a danger to society.

'... Mr Free appears to have increasingly viewed paedophile imagery or struggled with such ideation prior to the offence... before spontaneously acting on impulsive ideation.'

A psychology report presented in court showed Free's history of struggling with lack of impulse control

The little girl was searching the toy aisles for a present while her mother stood nearby, when the predator led her away

He told the court that their decision to let him out just two-and-a-half years into his sentence did not send a 'clear message to the community'.

Free's defence barrister Angus Edwards, who represented him for free, said his client's remorse, no previous conviction, returning the girl to the shopping centre, and co-operating with police should be enough to let him out of jail.

Security camera footage captured Free lurking about the toy aisle for 20 minutes, the judge said.

'I found this video footage... chilling. (Your behaviour) warrants the description 'opportunistic and predatory,' she said.

It wasn't long until the mother realised her daughter had disappeared. Free later confessed that he had told the victim 'follow me' and led her away.

He drove her to remote Pumicestone Passage, where he sexually assaulted her.

Free leads the little girl away from Brisbane's Westfield North Lakes, in footage shown to the court

Free was jailed for eight years and will be eligible for parole from August 10, 2021, just two-and-a-half years after he was first locked up

Meanwhile, the alarmed mother had spoken to store staff, and soon enough a security guard had found vision of the girl being walked out of the shop by Free.

At 2.23pm, a security guard noticed the girl arriving back at the shopping centre, having been dropped off by the T-shirt wearing sex offender.

'Sometime later her mother noticed two long scratch marks down her back,' the judge said.

'The child refused to tell how she got them and wouldnt tell the police when they tried to talk to her.'

The images were sent out to police statewide, with two officers coming forward to say they recognised him as Sterling Free.

One officer had seen him holding the girl's hand at the shops, while another believed him to be a previous employee of their father.

CHILD PREDATOR STERLING FREE'S LETTER TO THE COURT Child predator Sterling Free wrote a letter to the court, which was read out by his lawyer outside the court complex today 'I accept full responsibility for my actions against the young girl. I know the enormous pain I have caused her, her family, my own family and children. 'I today accept without reservation the punishment imposed by the justice system today. 'I do not wish to cause any further pain to the young victim or her family or delay justice any further. 'I cannot comprehend the pain that I have caused her. I took away her innocence and scared her family. 'I hope that today my sentence provides her and her family some hope for the future. 'I can only ever say sorry. I know that this is not good enough. 'I'm not looking for forgiveness but only to let you know the harm that I have done, the harm that I have caused. 'I cannot imagine the pain and fear I have caused. I can't take that back. 'To my family, the shock you have had to deal with, the public scrutiny was immense, my children deserve better. 'They will now grow up without a father and I can only blame myself. I cannot comprehend the damage I have caused. I will seek treatment to ensure this doesn't occur again. 'I am committed to using my incarceration to seek professional assistance that I duly require.' Advertisement

In a police interview, Free freely admitted he had noticed the victim and then 'the urges crept in'. He confessed to what he had done.

He had a criminal history involving property offences but not similar charges to this nature, the judge said.

The judge considered evidence from a psychologist that he had provisionally been diagnosed with a paedophilic disorder and was addicted to online porn.

She also acknowledged he was a victim of child sexual abuse himself, and that victims are more likely to offend in the future.

But, she said, 'the family (of the victim) continues to suffer anxiety which is easily understood.'

'It is easy to imagine the mother's distress in the circumstances and you acknowledged as much.'

Free has spent 306 days in custody, including five months in solitary confinement

The girl's mother remained composed throughout the sentencing. Several of her supporters appeared upset at the decision.

Free appeared grim throughout the sentencing, his hands clasped in front of him.

The victim's family were accompanied by a sizeable police contingent and child protection advocates Bruce and Denise Morcombe.

Mr Morcombe said the mother was 'shaken' by the sentence but 'she was in a space where the advisers had indicated that was probably where (the sentence) was going to sit'.

'Let's hope he is cured of this sickness, but I find the sentence inadequate in terms of setting a deterrent.'

Free has spent 306 days in custody, including five months in solitary confinement. The girl is receiving counselling and is being actively supported by her family.
U.S. President Donald Trump waves to reporters as he departs for travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 5, 2020.

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is once again planning to travel Friday to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, the White House said.

Hours after an administration official said the trip was off, press secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters that the president would indeed visit the CDC.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the government's response to coronavirus, had said Thursday that Trump was planning to sign an $8.3 billion emergency spending bill at the CDC.

"The president is no longer traveling to Atlanta today," an administration official, who declined to be identified, said earlier Friday. "The CDC has been proactive and prepared since the very beginning and the president does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."

A representative for the CDC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump signed the bill at the White House on Friday morning before he left for Nashville, Tennessee. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said he would go to the CDC in the president's stead.

However, Trump said after he signed the bill that he could still end up visiting the CDC. He said there was a person suspected to have coronavirus at CDC on Thursday, but the test had come back negative. "I may be going. We're going to see if they can turn it around," Trump told reporters after he signed the bill.

Indeed, Grisham said that a woman at the CDC who had been suspected of having coronavirus ultimately tested negative.

The disease has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide, killing at least 3,383. In the United States, there have been at least 233 infections and 14 fatalities.

The Senate passed the funding bill Thursday a day after it sailed through the House. The spending package is aimed at helping local and federal authorities battle the coronavirus outbreak as numbers of confirmed cases mount. Congress scrambled to put it together over the past week, after a dispute over vaccine pricing held things up.

The final package far exceeds the $2.5 billion proposal that the White House put forward last week. Trump has since said he would be willing to sign orders for a larger package, and it has been widely expected he would approve the funds with little pushback.

This bill includes more than $3 billion in vaccine research and $2.2 billion in prevention and preparedness efforts. It also helps reimburse states like Washington that have already been burning through resources to fight the outbreak.

Trump in February put Pence in charge of the federal response to coronavirus, after criticism from lawmakers that the administration's initial response was slow and disorganized.

According to the White House's official schedule, Trump will travel to Nashville on Friday to survey the damage and the response to deadly tornadoes earlier this week. He will then head to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, to speak at a fundraiser.

Now he will travel to Atlanta between his stops in Nashville and Palm Beach.
A new Brookings Institution report shows that while the tech sector is lifting the economy as a whole, most of that benefit is concentrated in just a few places, and that disparity is getting worse instead of better. Despite frequent reports that suggest the fall of the traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley and the rise of places like Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, the numbers show it isn't happening, not really.

Brookings found that in 2018, 28 percent of tech jobs overall, and 28 percent of new jobs from 2010 to 2018, were confined to just five cities: San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Austin. And rather than seeing tech jobs spread to the heartland, those five cities increased their share of overall tech jobs by 1.8 percent over that eight-year period.

To be clear, the rapidly growing tech sector certainly is increasing employment overall, adding some amount of jobs in all cities, and lowering unemployment nationwide reached a 50-year low of 3.5 percent in February. But the increasingly uneven distribution of those jobs is a huge problem, and not just for people in the "Great Flyover."

I live in the Seattle metro area, one of the cities that's seen huge growth in the tech sector. That's created a mass influx of residents that has badly overburdened the region's infrastructure and led to completely unaffordable housing. One couple I know with neither partner working in tech just relocated to Missouri to buy a house, which was completely impossible for them here. Thousands of others are simply sleeping in the street (or in RVs parked on the street, a viable choice in this relatively mild climate). The presence of a large homeless population in downtown Seattle has contributed to an increase in crime and a few recent shootings that rattled local employees and residents way before the coronavirus scare. In San Francisco, people with six-figure salaries are considered low-income and can't afford housing, and employers are funding "delocation" -- paying local employees to move someplace else. These just aren't places that would benefit from even more tech-sector jobs.

Meantime, cities like Columbus, Ohio, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia are seeing their share of overall tech jobs drop, despite lots of press about how they're the next hot startup destinations. Not only is the drop bad for them, it feeds the perceived division between "coastal elites" and everyone else that helped sweep president Donald Trump into office and has brought about one of the most polarized political climates of the modern era. Our nation is splitting in two, and the uneven distribution of tech sector wealth is one big reason why.

It's not great for employers, either, who would prefer not to be fighting over the same tech employees with competitors in the same town. But most are more or less tethered to the big tech centers whether they want to be or not, because other locations don't offer the depth of tech talent, infrastructure, and partnerships with other tech companies that they need. Recode offers a concise explanation of the phenomenon:

Over time, these cities become bastions of tech companies and workers, which in turn encourage the growth of other tech infrastructure, like fast broadband internet, public transit, and a higher quality of living. Over time, despite increasingly high costs of living, the pull of these cities for new jobs and new residents has gotten stronger, not weaker.

Employers, employees, and even state and city governments can't solve this problem on their own, so a national response is needed, Brookings senior fellow Mark Muro argues. He recommends a national program to create 8 to 10 innovation centers in left-behind metro areas around the nation, chosen by a rigorous competition. The federal government would then provide funds and other support over 10 years to encourage tech-sector growth in these places. This seems likely to work to me because -- as we've seen in places like Austin and Salt Lake City -- once the tech sector gets a solid foothold, it tends to snowball, as employers, employees, and startups seek alternatives to more established but less affordable tech centers.
Ogden City Supports WSU Students Building Sustainable Home for National Competition

March 6, 2020

OGDEN, Utah  An innovative collaboration between Weber State University and Ogden City means students are constructing a new all-electric home at 2807 Quincy Ave, Ogden, with plans for additional homes in the future. The home will be available for public tours May 22-24 and 29-31.

Students from the Department of Construction & Building Sciences in WSUs College of Engineering Applied Science & Technology make up the senior project team. They are finalists in a two-year competition called the 2020 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Ten teams from around the world design and construct highly efficient and innovative buildings powered by renewable energy. The two winning teams will be announced during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C., July 1-5.

Janae Thomas, who is graduating in April, is the student project manager. She took on the monumental task because her daughter's future depends on making a difference today in transportation, housing and urban planning.

I found myself in construction because of the industrys ability to directly impact environmental concerns and human wellbeing, Thomas said. This house showcases numerous economic solutions to improve Utahs air quality. This house is simple to reproduce, inviting to live in and built to last generations. Ill be proud to drive by this house and tell my children, and their children, I built that. My journey at Weber State has opened doors I never thought possible. To all my professors, directors, presidents, and industry partners, thank you for the opportunities to learn.

The Quincy Avenue home is designed to make the True Cost of Ownership' affordable by nearly eliminating all energy bills. Energy costs to operate the home are estimated at just over $100 annually or around $9 per month to be connected to the electrical grid. The home supports the mission of the Ogden Civic Action Network, which is committed to revitalizing the east central neighborhood in Ogden, with support from Weber State and many other Ogden institutions.

The building lot had been empty for nearly 10 years after a dilapidated four-plex was torn down. The Craftsman Architectural Style home was designed to not only nestle in nicely with other homes on this historical avenue but also showcase how homes can provide a net-zero energy lifestyle.

We are excited to provide our students with the opportunity to gain invaluable green design and construction experience by working alongside professionals in the field while simultaneously creating a final product that benefits the community, said Jeremy Farner, WSU Building Design & Construction associate professor. Sustainable homes are not just better for the planet, they are better for the people living in them. They contribute to high indoor environmental quality which is associated with good mental and physical health and significantly lower utility bills which makes the home more affordable.

The 2,540 total square foot home (1,270 on main and 1,270 in a full basement) will have 2,370 finished square feet with six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two family rooms. It incorporates portable battery backup technology to power the homes critical functions for up to 72 hours if the electrical grid were to go down in a natural disaster or emergency. Not only will the solar array generate enough energy to offset the energy usage of the home annually, but it will also generate enough electricity to charge an electric vehicle to travel 20 miles per day.

The lot was obtained as part of an agreement with Ogden City to show its commitment to revitalize neighborhoods and breathe new life into historic districts. With support from a number of Weber State groups and Ogden City groups, the university established the Student Construction Capital Revolving Fund. When the current home is sold, the proceeds will be reinvested into the fund to continually repeat the process.

Ogden City is excited to build on our already great relationship with Weber State University, said Ward Ogden, Ogden City Community Development director. Building a net-zero home that is complementary to the surrounding historic neighborhood will not only demonstrate that affordable, sustainable construction methods and materials are a viable option, but also this project will also provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with various aspects of design, construction, marketing and sales."

The home will be connected to the electrical grid, which acts essentially like a battery. Excess energy not being used during the day or on sunny days is put back on the grid for other neighbors and businesses to use, then the reverse is true when the home requires more energy than the solar array is producing, such as in the evening or on shady days. The net result of energy export and import is net-zero annually.

A report released by the Energy Information Administration in September 2018 found that 31% of U.S. households struggle to pay their energy bills. The same study found that about 20% of those surveyed had to go without essential needs such as food or medicine to pay utility bills. The 2016 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy called Lifting the High Energy Burdens in Americas Largest Cities: How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Low-Income and Underserved Communities found that low-income households spend 7.2% of household income on utilities. This percentage was more than three times higher than the percentage of income spent on utilities by higher-income households.

Utah is no exception when it comes to utility insecurity. According to the United Way Utah 211 Program Annual Report (2016-2017), utility payment is the No. 1 assistance request. Sustainable and net zero homes can significantly reduce or eliminate major utility bills like water, natural gas and electricity, making homeownership significantly more affordable.

The home on Quincy Avenue showcases technology such as Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC, Air Source Heat Pump Water Heating, and Energy Recovery Ventilation to keep the super-insulated and airtight home continuously filled with fresh pre-conditioned air.

The building envelope of the home uses readily accessible products that require the super-efficient HVAC to heat or cool the air within the home less than once an hour where most new homes today require the air to be conditioned four to seven times per hour.

Weber State loves to use the phrase Build it tight; ventilate it right, Farner said. We will use an aerobarrier that will seal the home much tighter than is required by current energy code.

The roof uses Raised Heel Energy Trusses to allow insulation in the attic to be extended to the edge of the exterior walls. This helps to maintain conditioned air inside the home as well as prevent the leading cause of ice dams on homes in Utah.

Groups supporting the Student Construction Capital Revolving Fund include

The College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology

The College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Weber State University Financial Services

Weber State University Facilities Management

Weber State University Provost Office

OgdenCAN

Ogden City Department of Community and Economic Development

Weber State University College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Weber State University College of Science

10 teams competing in the 2020 Solar Decathlon

Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile

University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

University of Denver, Denver, Colorado

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

Weber State University, Ogden, Utah

For more information or pictures of the project under construction, visit weber.edu/solardecathlon. To follow the team on social media, check out @wsusolardecathlon2020 on Instagram.

For photos, visit the following link.

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Colleges-and-Departments/Applied-Science-and-Technology/Net-Zero-Home

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
In the end, Flybe's fall was no surprise, though the announcement undoubtedly shocked some.

The carrier only just managed to avoid its life support machine being switched off in January. But the coronavirus outbreak was just too much for the airline, and at 3:30 am on Thursday, it announced it had gone into administration.

The collapse comes just a few months after the world's oldest travel company Thomas Cook, which had its own airline, was liquidated after 178 years in business.

Other British airlines to have been grounded in recent years include Flybmi, which ceased trading in February in last year, and Monarch, whose downfall in 2017 left about 110,000 travellers stranded abroad.

A slump in passenger numbers as a result of coronavirus has led to an increase in airlines running half-full, or even 'ghost' flights

Their crash has come during a tough few years for both the British and international airline industry. Just in the last month alone, global airline stocks have plunged by a quarter, or $40.6billion, largely because of the coronavirus.

But as AJ Bell's Russ Mould notes, even before the Covid-19 illness, 'the industry had started to struggle, weighed down by its own optimistic capacity expansion and increased price competition.'

Denmarks Primera, Icelands Wow Air and Air Berlin have all gone by the wayside. Others like Air India and Alitalia are barely hanging on.

Airlines have gone bust despite the fact demand has continued to grow, rising 6.5 per cent in 2018, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). So how come so many airlines are failing while passenger numbers are booming?

Ralph Hollister, a travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, says costs are one of the main weaknesses afflicting the sector. Maintenance costs are high, while the falling pound has made foreign holidays more expensive.

Flybe has struggled for years, but it was the coronavirus which ultimately caused its collapse

The traditional bugbear of fuel price rises though is causing trouble. Generally, when oil prices are low, carriers prosper, but they struggle when they rise. The early-90s oil price rise following the Gulf War helped cause some of America's most famous airlines, including Pan Am, Midway, and Eastern Air Lines to fold.

Since 2016, the value of Brent Crude oil jumped from below $30 a barrel to $85 a barrel in October 2018, before falling back to an average $64 for most of 2019. This has caused a significant dent in the sector's profits.

British airlines' fuel costs have been further exacerbated though by the falling pound following the Brexit referendum because oil is denominated in dollars.

Before June 2016, sterling was hovering above the $1.50 mark, but since then, has drifted around the $1.30 level, making oil purchases far more expensive.

Fuel costs alone are unlikely to cause airlines to go bankrupt though. But Black Swan events like 9/11 and the Covid-19 epidemic will usually compound airlines suffering immense cost pressures.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific has been severely impacted by the coronavirus, with hundreds of flights cut and 27,000 staff asked to take unpaid leave. Yesterday, it said its Vancouver cabin crew base would close with the loss of 147 jobs.

Cathay Pacific was already under great financial stress, having made large yearly losses in 2017 and 2018, and cut positions. This is only likely to be severely aggravated by Covid-19, which will hurt Asian airlines the most.

IATA recently updated its analysis of the predicted financial impact of the virus. It estimates global revenue losses to be between $63billion and $113billion this year, with Asia Pacific airlines the most harmed.

Declining fuel costs may be a saviour for some airlines though because the virus has caused oil prices to fall. IATA says the drop in oil could save airlines $28billion.

But it warns that this 'would not significantly cushion the devastating impact that Covid-19 is having on demand. And it should be noted that hedging practices will postpone this impact for many airlines.'

'Flight shame' is causing more people to use more eco-friendly transport alternatives

So even if fuel costs were to fall, airlines will still have to contend with dwindling passenger numbers. Pictures of half-empty and even 'ghost flights' have been doing the rounds on Twitter in recent days.

Half-deserted flights are terrible for budget airlines whose profits per passenger are small, says Dr Roger Tyers, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Southampton, whose specialises on effects green regulation has on the aviation industry.

'I think the ones that are most vulnerable are the budget airlines who often make less than 10 per person per flight, and they need full planes to be profitable,' he told This is Money.

This was one of the biggest problems for former British regional airline Flybmi, whose flights were often less than half-full. In its final year in operation, its average passenger load was just 18, as travellers chose cheaper rivals.

'It doesn't take many people to stop flying, whether for the virus or because climate change for those groups to become unprofitable,' Tyers adds.

Dr Tyers is himself trying to avoid flying, because of its environmental impact and believes global warming concerns are likely slowing the increase in demand for air travel, though certainly not as much as the coronavirus.

Like Ralph Hollister, he does not think the surging level of 'flight shame' has made a major impact on demand, but Tyers thinks the coronavirus and the growing environmental movement could make people question their use of aeroplanes.

Guernsey airline Aurigny declared this morning that two new permanent direct air services will run from Guernsey to Exeter and Birmingham

He says the coronavirus 'highlights [just] how fragile the industry is and how it does rely on many trips which are frankly quite avoidable and quite unnecessary.'

He points to recent research from Dr Steffan Gossling that drew on a survey of international students at Lund University in Sweden who were frequent fliers.

Gossling found that 58 per cent of flights taken over six years by the students were considered important in some way, while 21 per cent were either of limited or no importance.

If therefore a large minority of flights we take are not important, and those planes are damaging the planet, then more people might be reluctant to fly more. Domestic UK tourism may be an unintended beneficiary, something Dr Tyers welcomes.

This will inevitably be the 'tipping point' for some businesses operating tight margins or experiencing financial difficulties in the ultra-competitive airline industry, writes insolvency lawyer Michael Mulligan.

'Flybes collapse is the fourth significant UK airline failure since 2017. Whilst the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on demand for air travel was only partly to blame for its collapse, it is clear that the industry is going to take a savage hit in the coming weeks and months,' he stated.

Some airlines will likely collapse while others will merge with larger players in the field, leaving a few businesses dominating an even greater share of the market.

A demosntrator outside the Court of Appeal on the day the court ruled that the proposed third runway at Heathrow was illegal on environmental grounds

Small or medium-sized airlines could swallow up slots formerly held by the bust air carriers. Guernsey airline Aurigny declared this morning that two new permanent direct air services will run from Guernsey to Exeter and Birmingham.

Aurigny chief executive Mark Darby said: 'We believe that maintaining Guernseys connectivity is key and with the collapse of Flybe it is an unmissable opportunity for Aurigny to provide a valuable customer service while at the same time increasing our operation and improving our financial position.'

But reform is still necessary. In the longer term, reforms made to air passenger duty (APD) rates to help offset some of the difficulties affecting the sector. APD raises billions of pounds for the Treasury each year but is blamed by airlines for reducing demand for flights.

More controversially, airport expansion would bring enormous benefits to airlines and the world economy. There is little appetite for this though, for understandable environmental reasons.

Court judgements don't help either. The Court of Appeal's recent decision ruling the proposed third runway at Heathrow illegal may have killed off further development at the airport for good.

But whatever side you are on regarding airport expansion, whether you think expansion is necessary to enhance trade links or must be halted for environmental reasons, the airline industry has a very challenging 2020 ahead.

The business will carry on, but its environmental burden and soaring costs will weigh on airlines for many years to come, however destructive the coronavirus is.

Flybe is very unlikely to be the last to go under.
1. Elizabeth Warren has dropped out of the Democratic primary race.

Ms. Warren, a progressive senator from Massachusetts, entered the contest with a flood of detailed proposals aimed at fighting corruption and changing the rules of the economy, and for much of the race she was considered one of the front-runners.

But her ideas werent able to generate enough excitement among the partys working-class and diverse base. Her exit means the nominating contest is now a two-man race between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Ms. Warren has not yet announced whom she will support.

Mr. Sanders canceled a planned rally in Jackson, Miss., and will instead travel to Michigan, a change that suggests he will not challenge Mr. Biden for the support of black voters in the South and is instead going all in on the Midwest. Mr. Biden is ahead by about 65 delegates.
Suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, arrested on Thursday, was indeed in the Chand Bagh and Mustafabad neighbourhoods when Intelligence Bureau (IB) operative Ankit Sharma was killed in the communal violence that raged in north-east Delhi on February 25, officers probing the case said.

On Friday, a city court sent Hussain to seven days in police custody after the police produced him before a duty magistrate amid tight security. His custodial interrogation is required to unearth a larger conspiracy behind the violence, the police said. Neither journalists nor any lawyer other than those connected with the case were allowed inside the courtroom.

The investigation so far has revealed that Sharma was killed while rescuing some women who were stuck in Chand Bagh during the rioting, the officers cited above said on condition of anonymity. Hussain, who surrendered in court on Thursday after being on the run since the violence, has denied involvement in the murder. He has claimed that he wasnt in the area when the incident took place.

During his days on the run, Hussain was provided shelter by his associates living in Chand Bagh, Mustafabad and in the Zakir Nagar neighbourhood near Okhla, where he stayed for two days, the officers said. His contact in Zakir Nagar was not a local AAP leader, the officers said, adding that Hussain had so far named four or five people who gave him shelter and they would soon be asked to join the probe.

A total of 731 cases, including 48 under the Arms Act, had been registered until Friday in connection with the February 23-25 violence in north-east Delhi that has left at least 53 people dead and more than 400 injured. Two special investigation teams (SITs) probing the cases, along with the police, have so far have detained or arrested 1,983 people in connection with the cases.

Hussains presence in Chand Bagh and Mustafabad areas has been corroborated by call records,the location of his cellphone and the statements of people who claimed to have seen him in the neighbourhoods on the day Sharma was killed. They, however, said that none of these people was an eyewitness to Sharmas murder or had seen Hussain at the Chand Bagh puliya (culvert), which investigators have learnt was the spot where Sharma was stabbed and killed.

Hussain has not been cooperating much in the probe and remains reluctant in answering our questions. He confirmed his presence in Chand Bagh and Mustafabad on February 24 and 25 when we confronted him with the electronic evidence, but has been denying his role in the IB staffers murder, said one of the officers mentioned above.

In an interview to India Today television channel before reaching a Delhi court to surrender on Thursday, Hussain said that he had remained in his neighbourhood for two-three days and was in Delhi itself while the police looked for him. Hussain said in the interview that he was innocent and was being framed as part of a conspiracy.

Hussain is also being interrogated to ascertain how and why he had mobilised people to gather at his Chand Bagh house and stocked sticks, catapults, stones and petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails) on the buildings terrace and in the basement, another officer said.

Two more cases  of attempt to murder and rioting  registered at Dayalpur and Khajoori Khas police stations make a mention of alleged shooting, throwing of petrol bombs and stones from Hussains house.

We are probing every aspect in the cases involving Hussain. Since the probe is in progress, details regarding it cannot be shared at this moment, said special commissioner of police (crime and intelligence) Praveer Ranjan.

An officer associated with the SITs said a local enquiry into Ankit Sharmas death had revealed that he was in Chand Bagh when he learnt that some Hindu women were stranded in the violence-hit area on the evening of February 25 .

Sharma responded to the alert and went to rescue them with some other men of his community. They managed to rescue the women and girls. Stone pelting began when they were returning and Sharma was hit and injured on the Chand Bagh culvert. It appears that the rioters caught him in an injured condition, stabbed him to death and took away his body, said the officer, quoting locals.

Sharmas body was recovered from a drain in Chand Bagh on February 26. The body had over 40 stab wounds, the autopsy report later revealed.

Meanwhile, SIT officials interrogating Mohammad Shahrukh, said they had recovered the countrymade pistol, which he allegedly aimed at a policeman and fired multiple rounds from in Jafrabad on February 24.

The pistol was recovered from a home in Jafrabad, said special CP Ranjan.

A video in which Shahrukh was seen aiming pistol at the policeman went viral on social media, because of which he panicked and went into hiding.
Equity indices slumped in opening trade on Friday with BSE Sensex crashing over 1400 points.

The BSE Sensex fell 1459 points to trade at 37,011.09 in the opening session while Nifty slipped 362.30 points to trade at 10,906.70.

Yes Banks shares fell by 15% in early trade following the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placing it under moratorium late Thursday evening owing to the banks weak financials.

The central bank has seized control of Yes Bank Ltd, has capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 and has imposed restrictions on the banks operations till April 3. The move came as the central banks measure to implement a bailout plan for the troubled lender that was once the countrys fifth largest private lender by assets.

However, RBI has assured depositors and has advised them not to panic as this has been done to put in place a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of the bank.

We are working on a plan and we will disclose it in the next few days, a top RBI official said, requesting anonymity.

According to analysts quoted by news agency IANS, the fear of coronavirus outbreak severely impacting global economy also weighed on the investor sentiments.
Do you think Indias greatest strength lies in its numbers? The truth is far from it. Indias biggest strength lies in the unity and sense of community that Indians share amongst themselves.



Regardless of our caste, class or creed, we take pride in being Indians first and thats why we saw so many people coming to the rescue of their brethren, particularly members of the Muslim community during the recent Delhi riots.



 Twitter

Such selfless acts dont go unnoticed and those on the receiving end remember the kind gesture and helping hand others extend towards them. Just like this Muslim groom from Gidderbaha in Punjab, who came up with a very special way of expressing his gratitude towards the Sikh families in Delhi who came forward to give food and shelter to Muslims during Delhi violence.



A wedding occurred in Giddharbah where a Muslim groom tied a turban in honor of Sikhs helping Muslims in Delhi riots.



The Muslim groom and over 100 plus Muslims in the wedding tied turbans for communal harmony.#DelhiViolance pic.twitter.com/LmprVg0s2y  Reshma Alam (@reshma_alam9) March 5, 2020

Named Abdul Hakeem, he recently wore a turban to his wedding in solidarity with the Sikhs who helped Muslims in Delhi. Even his family and in-laws were supportive of Abduls decision and praised him for sending out a positive social message through this act.



 Twitter

Talking to Tribune, Abduls father-in-law said, My son-in-law has given a message of communal harmony. A true Muslim is identified not only by his cap but also by his honesty. In the same vein, a true Sikhs identity is not only his turban, but also his Gursikhi.

These Sikh men in India traveled to show solidarity with Muslim men, in times of growing intolerance in the country. pic.twitter.com/4X22c2RY9v  Amnesty International (@amnesty) March 3, 2020

Its true when they say no religion supports hate or violence and Abdul has simply reminded us of the fact that India is so special, because it gives us hope that peace and communal harmony are not utopian concepts. That despite following different faiths, we can be true to the biggest religion - humanity.



Our unity and solidarity is the only way forward today and all it takes for us to keep it alive is a little faith in each other and a desire to live together in harmony.
New York City saw a big increase in crime last month compared to the same period in 2019.

Major crimes grew 22.5% in February according to the NYPD with a 7.1% increase in shootings. robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto crimes.

Murders, however, fell some 20% with 20 people killed in the Big Apple during February. Rape cases also decreased with 125 rapes reported in February 2020 and 133 in February 2019.

Police are blaming recent criminal justice reforms for the rise in crime, according to Fox5.

NYPD said major crimes grew 22.5% compared to a year ago. There was a 7.1 percent increase in shootings. There were 16,343 major crimes reported in the first two months of 2020 compared to 13,648 over the same period in 2019 - an increase of 2,695

New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, center left, speaks alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio, center right, during a news conference concerning New York's crime figures

During the first 58 days of 2020, 482 people who had already been arrested for committing a felony such as robbery or burglary were then rearrested for committing an additional 846 crimes.

Thirty-five percent, or 299, of those were for arrests in seven major crime categories  murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto.

Officials say that all of the suspects that were arrested would have usually ended up in jail prior to new bail reform laws.

The amount is triple that of those committed in the same 58 days in 2019.

NEW YORK'S BAIL REFORMS: THE FACTS On January 1 2020, New York State introduced sweeping criminal justice legislation, meaning that cash bail is no longer permitted for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, including robbery. Judges are now required to release individuals charged with such crimes with no cash bail. The controversial new New York 'no-bail law' is expected to curtail the use of cash bail and pretrial detention in an estimated 90 per cent of arrests and strengthen measures intended to ensure a defendant's right to a speedy trial. New York's decision to reform its law saw the state join ranks with California and New Jersey - which already prohibit cash bails for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. The 'no-bail' law has been mired in controversy since it was enshrined into state legislation. Advertisement

The city also saw a 7.1 percent increase in shooting incidents, from 42 from last years 45; Robberies increased 32.7 percent from 891 last year to 1,182 this year; assaults rose 9.2 percent as did burglaries rose 19.1 percent; grand larceny increased 23.9 percent and grand larceny auto jumped 61.6 percent.

In all there were a total of 7,632 major crimes for February versus 6,228 major crimes for the same period last year.

'Criminal justice reforms serve as a significant reason New York City has seen this uptick in crime,' the NYPD said in a press release.

'All of people were arrested for offenses that prior to Jan 1 and bail reform, could have landed them in jail,' the NYPD stated.

'Each number represents a victim,' said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. 'We will continue to work hand-in-hand with New Yorkers and our law enforcement partners to zero in on the drivers of crime and deliver justice for the victims.'

The NYPD says it is now redeploying resources and increasing car and foot patrols in areas that appear to be seeing an increase in crime.

A number of police officers are being reassigned from administrative roles to the streets.

'Each number represents a victim,' said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, left. 'We will continue to work hand-in-hand with New Yorkers and our law enforcement partners to zero in on the drivers of crime and deliver justice for the victims.' Mayor Bill de Blasio is seen, right

New York City saw a significant boost in crime last month compared to Feb 2019. The NYPD said major crimes grew 22.5% compared to a year ago (file photo)

'While crime is at a record low in New York City, there is more work to do to ensure that every New Yorker feels safe in their neighborhood. We will continue to use precision policing to target enforcement and deepen our work with communities to fight crime,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference with Shea.

The NYPD says there appears to be a spike in youths committing robberies against other young people.

The Department is looking to work with other organizations in order to come up with a strategy to address rising youth crime.

'New York is now the only state in the nation that requires judges to entirely disregard the threat to public safety posed by accused persons in determining whether to hold them pending trial or to impose conditions for their release,' Shea said in an editorial for the New York Times in January. 'It eliminates cash bail and the possibility of detention for a wide array of offenses, including weapons possession, trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs, many hate-crime assaults, the promotion of child prostitution, serial arson, and certain burglaries and robberies.'

Suspects released onto the streets The new criminal justice reforms introduced in New York City have resulted in a number of cases where suspect who are usually locked up while being suspected of a crime have been released instead. They include: Charles Barry, 56, a serial thief who has been arrested 139 times by New York police. He has served six stints in state prison for nonviolent crimes like selling drugs and larceny. Barry has been arrested six times so far in 2020 - and each time he has been freed without paying bail thanks to the new law. Jordan Randolph, 40, was released on bail the day after he was charged with a felony DWI over a January 12 crash in Long Island, New York that killed 27-year-old Jonathan Flores-Maldonado. Prosecutors say that as Randolph was being handcuffed moments after the crash, he bragged to police that he wouldn't be in prison long because of new changes to bail laws. At the time of the crash, Randolph had 12 previous criminal convictions including three DWIs since 2011. Gerod Woodberry, 42, a suspected serial bank robber who was released under the new bail reforms went on to carry out two more alleged heists. He is alleged to have carried out four robberies across New York before being arrested and brought before a judge on January 9 who then had no choice but to release him under the city's no-bail law reform. Advertisement

Shea noted that while the NYPD seeks criminal justice and bail reform, the current plans places witnesses and victims at risk.

'Fewer people held pending trial and the early release of the names and contact information of victims and witnesses  places some of these victims and witnesses at risk of intimidation or retaliation. Violent criminals are being returned to the community and will know the names of their accusers and where to find them.'

There have been a number of high-profile cases in recent weeks.

One concerns a a serial thief who has racked up 139 arrests in New York City for pickpocketing unsuspecting subway commuters. He even had the gall to thank the Democrats because bail reform allows him to commit more crimes.

Im famous! Charles Barry, 56, told a New York Daily News reporter outside Manhattan Criminal Court last month after he was released due to the new lenient law.

Charles Barry, 56, is a serial thief who has been arrested 139 times by New York police. He has served six stints in state prison for nonviolent crimes like selling drugs and larceny

I take $200, $300 a day of your money, cracker! You cant stop me!

Barry has been arrested six times so far in 2020 - and each time he has been freed without paying bail thanks to a new state law that went into effect on January 1.

As police led Barry out of a precinct after one arrest, he yelled to a reporter: Bail reform, its lit!

Its the Democrats! The Democrats know me and the Republicans fear me. You cant touch me! I cant be stopped!

On two occasions, he was arrested for stealing money from subway commuters who were in the process of buying Metrocards from the vending machines in the subway station.

On January 19, Barry allegedly stole $50 out of a womans hand inside the subway station at West 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue near Manhattans Bryant Park. He was then issued a desk appearance ticket for failing to show up for a court hearing.

The arrests in 2020 are in addition to the 133 other arrests for crimes like grand larceny, petty larceny, and fraudulent accosting.

The new law in New York State, which was passed after Democrats took control of the legislature in Albany, requires judges to release those accused of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies.

In order to ensure that those arrested return for their court dates, the judge may impose non-monetary conditions, like electronic monitoring or supervised release.

If someone is suspected of committing a violent felony and the judge is not convinced that he or she will show up for their court date, the judge can impose bail.

Supporters of the reform say it is necessary to reduce the pre-trial jail population and combat mass incarceration.

Opponents say that it allows recidivist criminals to continue committing crimes without a deterrent.

Since Barrys crimes are considered nonviolent, judges are not allowed to send him to jail while his case awaits trial.

Critics of the bail law say it should be amended so that judges have some discretion to impose bail on potentially dangerous suspects.

But supporters of the bail law accuse the NYPD of amplifying Barrys arrests to promote their agenda.

We adamantly oppose any changes to the bail law as it is written, The Legal Aid Society said in a statement.

The LAS, which is representing Barry, says putting him in jail does no one any good.

In another case, a suspected drunk driver who was arrested over a fatal crash that killed a man bragged to police as he was being detained that he would be out of jail in a day due to new bail reform laws.

Jordan Randolph, 40, was in fact released on bail the day after he was charged with a felony DWI over the January 12 crash in Long Island, New York that killed 27-year-old Jonathan Flores-Maldonado.

Randolph has been accused of trying to flee the scene on foot after he crashed his car into Flores-Maldonado's vehicle.

Jordan Randolph, 40, was released on bail the day after he was charged with a felony DWI over the January 12 crash in Long Island, New York that killed 27-year-old Jonathan Flores-Maldonado

Prosecutors say that as Randolph was being handcuffed moments after the crash, he bragged to police that he wouldn't be in prison long because of new changes to bail laws.

'F**k you, January 1st the laws changed. I'll be out tomorrow and I will come find you,' Randolph is alleged to have told the officers.

At the time of the crash, Randolph had 12 previous criminal convictions including three DWIs since 2011.

Randolph (left) was arraigned in early January on a 24-count indictment related to the crash that killed Flores-Maldonado (right), including vehicular manslaughter

He was also arrested but later released on New Year's Day for not having a court-ordered breathalyzer in his vehicle.

Despite his prior convictions, the judge was forced to release Randolph due to new controversial bail reform laws that eliminate pre-trial detention and money bail for the majority of misdemeanor and non-violent felony cases.

Flores-Maldonado's mother, Lillian Flores, blames the new bail reform law for her son's death.

She believes Randolph should not have been released following his New Year's Day arrest given his prior record. The family were also devastated when Randolph was allowed to walk free after the fatal crash.

In another case, a suspected serial bank robber who was released under the new bail reforms went on to carry out two more alleged heists.

A robber pictured on January 3 at a Chase Bank in Manhattan was caught but then released

Gerod Woodberry, 42, is alleged to have , carried out four robberies across New York before being arrested and brought before a judge on January 9 who then had no choice but to release him under the city's no-bail law reform

Gerod Woodberry, 42, carried out four robberies across New York before being arrested and brought before a judge on January 9 who then had no choice but to release him under the city's no-bail law reform.

Hours after his release, the suspect went on to rack up two more bank robberies before turning himself in to police.

Woodberry has allegedly carried out six heists since 30 December, hitting up banks across New York's Midtown Manhattan, Harlem, the West Village and the Upper West Side.

On January 9 Woodberry was hauled before a Manhattan Criminal Court judge for robberies at four Chase branches across the city, where he had taken about $2,000 in stolen cash.

Under the controversial new New York 'no-bail law' that doesn't require a bond to hold a suspect accused of non-violent felonies, including robbery, Woodberry was allowed to walk free.

'I can't believe they let me out,' he was overheard saying on the way out of the New York Police Department headquarters, reports the New York Post.

'What were they thinking?' he added.
Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service announced

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI)Winners in the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service were unveiled on Friday night at a gala ceremony in Las Vegas,US, attended by more than 550 executives from across the world.

Twelve India based organisations, according to a press statement here, were named among the winners.

Dell Technologies won three Gold Stevie Awards, the top honour, for Back-Office Customer Service Team of the Year - Business Services Industries, Best Use of Technology in Customer Service - Computer Industries, and Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy. They also won eight Silver and four Bronze Stevies.

WNS (Holdings) Limited, a global Business Process Management (BPM) leader, won two Gold Stevie Awards for Customer Service Complaints Team of the Year - Business Services Industries and for e-Commerce Customer Service Award - Other Service Industries. They also won four Silver and three Bronze Stevie Awards.

Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd. won two Gold Stevie Awards for Customer Service Complaints Team of the Year - Financial Services Industries and for Customer Service Training Team of the Year - Internal - Financial Services Industries. They also won a Bronze Stevie. They are a JV between the Future Group, a renowned 187 year old Insurer.

Datamatics, a global IT and BPM service company, won the Gold Stevie Awards for Customer Service or Call Center Training Practice of the Year.

Nationwide Immigration Services won the Gold Stevie Awards for Customer Service Success - Other Service Industries.

Silver and Bronze Stevie winners include DHL Express India Pvt Ltd (Mumbai), Edureka (Bangalore), Flipkart Internet (Bengaluru), Flipkart Private Limited (Bengaluru), MarketsandMarkets (Pune), SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (Mumbai), and Tata Consultancy Services (Mumbai).

More than 2,600 nominations from organisations in 48 nations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition for the honours chosen by America Inc.

UNI RP1928
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) on Friday launched a statewide public awareness campaign and website with resources for health and safety information about legal cannabis use in Illinois.

LetsTalkCannabisIL.com includes information about legal cannabis use and resources regarding use. It provides health information for specific audiences, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, adults, parents and teenagers. A statewide social, digital and radio advertisement campaign will accompany the website. Downloadable fact sheets can be found on the site.
The outbreak of the coronavirus is set to lead to shortages of goods such as computers, phones, pharmaceuticals and cars because of the disruption to the global supply chain, Cabinet ministers heard.

A confidential memo prepared for ministers warned the unprecedented nature of the global Covid-19 outbreak makes it "simply not possible" to define a worst-case scenario for the Irish economy.

It said the decline in production in China has already "transmitted rapidly" around the world given its key role in the global supply chains.

China is a key producer of intermediate goods, particularly those used in computers, phones, pharmaceuticals and cars.

Ministers were told that the impact of the slowdown in China is already affecting the production of cars in Germany and Italy.

"A slowdown in the Chinese economy will have a major impact elsewhere," the memo said.

The outbreak is described as a "supply-side shock" with disruption to supply chains leading to possible factory closures, quarantined workers, delays with inspections, transport issues and additional customs controls. It also identifies a "broader contagion scenario" which would take 1.5 percentage points off the growth rate, but said this is not the worst-case scenario.

"Because this is an unprecedented event, it is simply not possible to define a 'worst case'," the memo added.

The impact could also compound current difficulties in the euro area economy and would be a "shock" to the already "extremely fragile" global economy.

Ministers were also told several large global firms, including some that have significant operations in Ireland, "have already announced that trading conditions have deteriorated and that profit expectations for this year are being revised downwards".

Ministers were told consumers and businesses in many parts of the world were likely to take a more cautious approach.

The financial stability of the eurozone may also be affected, the briefing states.

While it said "Ireland is less directly vulnerable to a slowdown in the Chinese economy", it added the up to 80bn in annual contract manufacturing exports could potentially be adversely affected.

Contract manufacturing exports are goods recorded as exports from Ireland, but produced in, and exported from, other countries, notably China.

"If the lost output and sales are not recovered by year-end, it could also affect corporation tax receipts," the briefing added.

While the Department of Finance will prepare updated macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts over the next month, the memo warned "in the current environment, there is much more uncertainty than normal attached to any set of forecasts".
Budget airline Ryanair has confirmed that 25 per cent of its flights to Italy have been cancelled between 17 March and 8 April because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The airline, which connects the Costa del Sol with Milan, Rome and Naples, has acted in response to a large drop in demand, as well as a high number of absent passengers.

Meanwhile, two cruise operators with a large market share in Spain, MSC and Costa Cruceros, have taken measures to prevent the spread of the virus on any of their liners.

Both have adopted special protocols for passengers boarding in Italy, with passengers from officially quarantined areas banned from boarding.
The president's team is working on verification of Ukrainians held both in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he expects another stage of held persons exchange with Russia as early as in March 2020, and a meeting of the Normandy Four leaders (Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany) in April this year.

"A meeting [of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for the Donbas settlement] will be held in Minsk on [March] 11. We are working to ensure that we have a [prisoner] swap in March, and the meeting [in the Normandy format] in late April. I think this will all happen, we are working on this," Zelensky told journalists on March 6 after hearing a report on the progress of reconstruction of the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital.

Read alsoZelensky: Ukraine seeks release of 200 detainees, sends list to TCG in Minsk

According to Zelenky, Ukrainian society fully trust him and his team in issues of exchange of held persons and the Normandy Four negotiation process.

"It seems to me that in such matters of exchange and such important meetings, we have full trust [in us]. We have shown repeatedly that we are getting our people back. We have a strong team that is constantly working on verification of persons held both in the temporarily occupied territories and in the Russian Federation. There will be a meeting," he added.
JACKIE MOLLOY

En espanol | They lived more than a year without a permanent home, but Peter Cordero and his 12-year-old granddaughter, Jaida, found a place to lay their heads at Grandparent Family Apartments. This 50-unit complex in the South Bronx, New York, was designed specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren.

Jaida gets tutoring help and no longer has to worry about where to do her homework in the cramped quarters of a homeless shelter. When she first came to see the apartment and they gave us the keys, she was the happiest girl in the world, says Cordero, 64, who has raised Jaida since birth because her mother was unable to care for her.

But Cordero has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and supports the two of them on disability income. If it was just me, I'm OK. I can survive, he says. But she's growing; she grows out of her clothes. At Grandparents Family Apartments, he pays $303 in monthly rent, an amount based on his income.
Good Morning America

The Biden administration's plan to send 500 million at-home tests to Americans for free is an historic undertaking, but one that will take weeks or months to fully execute, recently released contracts and interviews with seven test manufacturers suggest. Contracts for the first two batches of tests were announced on Friday, one for 13.3 million kits from a health technology company and another for an undisclosed amount from a distribution company in Virginia that had extras on hand -- all to be distributed in an effort to reduce the massive testing shortage in the U.S. Tests won't be available to be ordered through a government website until later this month, the official said, meaning it's unlikely the average American will get free tests delivered in time for the January peak of omicron cases predicted by most models.
There are two sorts of individuals on the planet, the Irish and those who wish they were. In case you are sufficiently fortunate to be Irish, then you are sufficiently lucky. However, since everyone is Irish on St. Patricks Day, it seems appropriate to share this Irish blessing with you:

May your contemplations be as happy as the shamrock. May your heart be as light as a melody. May every day bring you brilliant, upbeat hours that stay with you all year long.

For our Chamber, we feel very fortunate to be surrounded not only by leprechauns, but also by outstanding volunteers and friends who go above and beyond in their efforts to work with us in promoting economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Connecticut.

A number of years ago, we created the Chambers Hall of Fame to honor the humble, dedicated people who surround us and work quietly behind the scenes to help us fulfill our mission and build a stronger business community.

This year, the luck of the Irish is certainly upon us in that we will be celebrating two inductees at the Chambers Annual Meeting on Monday, April 6 at Chatterleys Banquet Facility and welcoming Governor Ned Lamont. We cordially invite you to this event as we induct two outstanding individuals into the Chambers Hall of Fame. They continue to strengthen the Chamber through the impact they make within our Chamber and throughout the region.

Tim Pusch is a leader working with one of the Chambers Corporate Partners, Brooks, Todd & McNeil Insurance, and has been a loyal, dedicated Chamber member and agent in the insurance world for years. He has served as Chair of the Chambers Insurance Committee and guided us through the challenges of the ever-changing healthcare industry. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors, a Chamber Ambassador and a volunteer of the Membership Committee.

John Seagrave is affiliated with Barron Financial Group, LLP and introduced himself to the Chamber as a volunteer his first week at his job. His passion for people became apparent immediately. He introduced a new concept of the Leads Group and has made his mark with enthusiasm, energy and creativity. He serves on the Chambers Board, co-chairs the Ambassadors and serves as a Membership recruiter.

Congratulations to Tim and John. Irish eyes are surely smiling making our hearts happy and all the world bright and gay today and every day. Happy St. Patricks Day.

JoAnn Ryan is President & CEO of the NW CT Chamber of Commerce. You can email her: joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org or phone: 860-482-6586.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Trump administration officials doubled down on their promise to deliver 1 million tests for the coronavirus this week as states reported limited testing supplies and federal lawmakers expressed doubts about the governments timeline.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters Thursday that a private manufacturer authorized to make the tests expects to ship the kits to U.S. laboratories by week's end. That amounts to the capacity to test roughly 400,000 people, given that it takes multiple test samples to a confirm a result.

The number of U.S. cases has grown rapidly in the last several days after more labs started testing and guidelines for eligibility were expanded. The U.S. tally stood at about 200 cases on Thursday, including 12 deaths  11 in Washington state and one in California.

The test kits from Iowa-based Integrated DNA Technologies are one part of the governments effort to ramp up testing. But the U.S. has trailed other countries in rolling out tests, because of problems with its test kits and because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially limited the number of eligible people.

Asked Thursday whether there were enough testing kits, Vice President Mike Pence responded, I think we are we are ready today but we want to be ready tomorrow.

He acknowledged, We don't have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward." However, he added, "weve made real progress on that in the last several days.

U.S. senators who were briefed on the plan said it could take days or weeks before thousands of medical personnel are trained to run the tests.

The third part of the government strategy involves spurring private testing companies, such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, to run and develop their own tests. The Food and Drug Administration granted those companies permission to begin developing and using those tests on patients last weekend. Companies can then seek FDA authorization after the fact, submitting details of their test within 15 days. An agency spokeswoman said four testing companies have contacted the agency under the policy.

LabCorp, one of the nation's largest testing companies, said Thursday it has begun offering coronavirus testing to doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals in its network. Patient samples must be sent to a company company lab and results should be available in three to four days. Quest, a rival diagnostics company, said it will begin offering its own test for the virus Monday.

As concerns about the lack of testing capacity have grown, Trump administration officials have repeatedly suggested that policies put in place during the Obama presidency slowed the authorization for private labs run by companies, universities and hospitals. But a former senior FDA official rejected that claim.

The law gives the agency the ability to tailor its response in an emergency, which is what we did and is what FDA should be doing now, said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, an FDA official during the Obama administration who is now a vice dean at the Johns Hopkins-Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Traditionally, the FDA has not regulated tests developed by private labs. During the Obama administration, some public health experts expressed concerns about the lack of oversight of genetic tests for high-risk diseases and conditions. The agency drafted a proposal to oversee some of those tests, but it was never implemented. And it did not apply to the agencys powers during public health emergencies.

For weeks, Sharfstein noted, the only coronavirus test authorized by the FDA was the one developed by the CDC, which had limited availability and accuracy problems. In retrospect, he said, FDA officials could have used their powers to authorize private tests earlier.

I think one of the challenges they underappreciated was how quickly this virus would spread, Sharfstein said. So they went small, instead of big.
Former Teen Mom 2 star, Jenelle Evans, is clearly back with her ex, David Eason, even though she doesnt want to admit it publicly. Fans have noticed plenty of signs that the mother of three is back in North Carolina with her former love, and now, shes taken to social media to pretty much implicate herself in a robbery. So, did Evans have something to do with the alleged burglary of her home while she was living in a different state? It seems likely.

David claimed he was robbed while he was out of town

Eason took to social media to claim he was robbed while he was out of town. Allegedly, on or around Nov. 27, Eason was in Tennessee to deal with some legal issues. In fact, he was in the state to respond to the order of protection that was taken out against him by Evans. When he returned home to North Carolina, he claims his home had been ransacked, and that several expensive items had been pilfered.

Eason reportedly called the police and filed a report, but nothing seemed to come of it. While he never named Evans in the report, he was pretty quick to point the finger at her on social media. Eason claimed that guns, tools, boats, hunting equipment, and four-wheelers were stolen, and he seemed pretty confident that Evans was involved, according to Starcasm. Evans, of course, denied the allegations.

Jenelle may have admitted she had something to do with the robbery

Its been months since Eason last mentioned the theft, but now Evans appears to be hinting at her own involvement. The mother of three took to Facebook to call out her two friends, Katrina and Shawn, claiming they have several of her items and that shed like them back. According to The Hollywood Gossip, Evans left the comment on a Facebook page that belongs to a business reportedly owned by the pair.

A little detective work on the part of fans shows that Katrina and Shawn posted to social media about a big surprise day back in November 2019, when they gifted their children with a slew of presents. The gifts ranged from kayaks to ATVs. Strangely enough, many of the gifts lined up with what Eason claims was stolen from his property. The big surprise day was two days after Eason reported the alleged theft on his property.

Are Jenelle and David back together?

While Evans and Eason are denying that they are back together, there is plenty of evidence that pretty much proves their marriage is back on. Evans was not in Tennesse at the time of the tornados that ripped through the area, and she was also spotted shopping for a dog bed with Eason recently.

Evans has since taken to Instagram to introduce the familys new pet, a dog named Rosey, to her fans, and by all accounts, the dog is residing in the house that Evans and Eason dubbed the land. If and when the pair will publicly admit they are reconciled remains unknown.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has handed over an Armenian passport to Nourhan Josephovich, the 105-year old Italian citizen of Armenian descent who had applied for Armenian citizenship.

I was greatly honored to grant the Republic of Armenia passport to our 105-year old compatriot Nourhan Josephovich (He was born in 1915 in Istanbul), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on social media. It was even more touching to learn that Nourhan Josephovich had made the decision on returning to Armenia for permanent residency by being inspired with the non-violent, velvet, peoples revolution, he added, posting a photo of the 105-year-old kissing the newly granted passport.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
By Akbar Mammadov

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has said that the killing of Azerbaijani border by an Armenian sniper on March 5 is an intentional provocation and Armenia bears full responsibility for this crime.

This bloody incident is an intentional provocation and the full responsibility for this crime lies on the aggressor country, Armenia, the ministry said in statement published in its official website.

Azerbaijani border guard Orkhan Pashazade Nazim was killed in Armenian cease-fire violation in the border post nearby the Qushci Ayrim village of the Gazakh district.

The killing of our serviceman defending the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan clearly demonstrates that Armenias calls to the peaceful resolution of the conflict are nothing but lies and hypocrisy. Such criminal and destructive activities of the political-military leadership of Armenia directly impede the international community's efforts, represented by the co-chairs the OSCE Minsk Group, to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the negotiations, the ministry said.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The tornadoes struck at night and left behind large-scale devastation in Nashville and central tennessee. Authorities say the tornadoes damaged at least 140 buildings and killed 25 people. The toll could increase after completion of rescue operations, which are in progress. The search is on in the rubble of the wrecked buildings. Police and fire crews are trying to locate survivors. One of the twisters damaged a well-known church in downtown Nashville and left hundreds homeless. After daybreak, the sight of destruction came out. There was litter in the surrounding areas and the debris consisted of the remains of walls and roofs.

Uprooted trees damaged cars on the ground and power lines went down disturbing lives. Governor Bill Lee said - It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state. He advised nonessential state workers not to venture out but remain at home. Later, he carried out an aerial survey of damages.

The death toll has risen to 25 in tornadoes that struck Tennessee overnight, as rescuers search for bodies in shattered neighborhoods of Nashville and other parts of the state. One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile stretch of Nashville. https://t.co/FOK20aFdP1  The Associated Press (@AP) March 4, 2020

The Guardian quotes Nashvilles mayor John Cooper as saying - Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is. He said this at a news conference.

He has declared a state of emergency for the city. That will make available funds to extend different types of assistance to those affected by the tornadoes. Life came to a virtual standstill because of the disturbance, with the closure of schools, courts, airport etcetera.

Severe storms spawned the tornadoes

The origin of the tornadoes was in a line of severe storms.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

These stretched from near Montgomery, Alabama, into western Pennsylvania. In Nashville, they destroyed some up and coming localities like Germantown and East Nashville. These are the trendiest neighborhoods chock full of modern amenities like restaurants and music venues. There are also high-end apartment complexes that might ease out the old-timers.

The bell tower of a well-known church was gone, probably blown away. Climatic disturbances of this nature damage the infrastructure and rebuilding them is a long drawn and costly affair. They take everyone by surprise and people have to follow the survival instinct, especially when there are reports of loss of lives and properties.

At least 25 people have been killed after a string of tornadoes struck the US city of Nashville, in Tennessee pic.twitter.com/8Ei5MvaQXw  TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) March 4, 2020

The Guardian mentions about one of the tornadoes that stayed on the ground for about 10 miles. There was a disruption of electricity to more than 44,000 customers. It affected the capitol building and led to the cancellation of some meetings.

Airplane hangars at John C Tune airport suffered damages and had to endure power failure. The authorities advised people to give the airport a wide berth until further notice. Obviously, the Travel plans of many people went haywire.

Nashville devastated by tornadoes

According to The BBC, the tornadoes that devastated central Tennessee took at least 25 lives. The state's Governor William Lee confirms this. Nashville is the biggest city in the state and the tornadoes struck after midnight and caught the sleeping people unawares. Many of them did not get the time to seek out shelters. In the words of a resident - the scene in Nashville is "like a war zone." Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the injured have been shifted to medical facilities.

An official told a section of the media -"It is an ongoing search and rescue right now." In order to accommodate displaced residents, the authorities have opened a shelter. President Donald Trump indicated his intention to visit the state on Friday.

Tornadoes are unpredictable

There is no system in place to track or predict tornadoes. It is a natural climatic disorder but the Met people can identify conditions that could give rise to severe storms. Subsequently, they can take the help of radar to track the path of thunderstorms that could end up as tornadoes. Last year, tornadoes struck Lee County in Alabama and left 23 dead. Before that, in 2017, the Midwest faced multiple numbers of tornadoes.
OAKLAND (BCN)

More than four years after he was convicted of attempted murder and other charges, a man has been sentenced to 56 years in state prison for shooting a man in San Leandro in 2013.

Leonard Charles Jones, 37, was convicted on Feb. 23, 2016, of attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm for the shooting on the night of June 16, 2013.

Alameda County prosecutors said Jones followed a woman to her apartment after her friend, along with three of his friends, dropped her off.

The woman's friend noticed that Jones was following her and drove into the parking lot to make sure that she entered her apartment safely, according to prosecutors.

After she entered her apartment, Jones approached the friend's car, pulled out a black semi-automatic firearm and ordered him and his passengers to "bounce," prosecutors said.

The friend began to back his car out of the apartment's parking lot, but Jones opened fire in rapid succession and hit him twice, once in the left forearm and once in the left ankle. None of the other passengers were hit by the gunfire, prosecutors said.

Jones, who has five other felony convictions, originally was scheduled to be sentenced by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rogers on May 6, 2016, but wasn't sentenced by Rogers until last Friday.

Jones' current attorney Daniel Shriro said the reason that his sentencing was delayed was that shortly after Jones was convicted of attempted murder, he was charged with murder for the fatal shooting of a woman in North Oakland on April 24, 2013, two months before the San Leandro shooting.

Shriro said that until relatively recently, Santa Rita Jail in Dublin had a policy of keeping people in administrative segregation once they've been sentenced on any case, even if they have other cases pending.

He said that means that they are removed from the general population at the jail and prevented from having normal human interaction until they are taken to prison.

Shriro said that policy inhumanely deprived inmates of human contact for many years if they were sentenced to prison on one case but still had another case pending. He said that policy has now been changed.

Shriro said he also filed a motion for a new trial for Jones, but Rogers denied it at a hearing last Friday at which he finally sentenced Jones.

The murder charge against Jones stems from the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Donitra Henderson as she sat in a parked car near the corner of 54th Street and Shattuck Avenue at about 8:45 p.m. on April 24, 2013, as her then 4-year-old son watched from the back seat.

The boy and another woman in the car weren't hurt.

Jones was seen fleeing from the shooting scene in a vehicle, and witness statements and physical evidence indicate that he's the person who fatally shot Henderson, Oakland police Officer Phong Tran wrote in a probable cause statement.

Henderson's family made an emotional appeal for an arrest in the case at a news conference at Oakland police headquarters in November 2015, several months before the murder charge was filed against Jones on March 16, 2016.

At the news conference, Henderson's mother Anitra Bishop said Henderson "was a good person who wasn't into any kind of trouble so that makes this all the more tragic because she didn't deserve to die."

Bishop said Henderson graduated from Oakland Technical High School, attended Laney College in Oakland and loved working with children.

Jones' trial on the murder charge is scheduled for April 13.

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Photo: VPD

Vancouver Police have announced another weapons seizure, this time from a home close to Oppenheimer Park, further raising concerns of public safety and violence around the park.

Officers received a tip on March 4 about a large amount of weapons inside a suite in the area of Dunlevy and East Cordova Streets. When they raided the home, police seized nine imitation firearms, ammunition, swords, hatchets, and several other suspected stolen items.

More weapons have now been removed from the street, says Sergeant Aaron Roed, VPD. We will continue to take steps to improve safety in the area for everyone. 

No arrests have been made to date and the investigation continues. This is the third weapons seizure in the park and surrounding area in nine days.

The following items were seized:

nine imitation firearms

firearm parts, including barrels

12-gauge shotgun shells

swords

knives

hatchets

handmade weapons

stun baton

bear spray

BB pellets and paintball rounds
Clower Examining North Carolina Community College Labor Market

Terry Clower, Director, Center for Regional Analysis; Northern Virginia Chair; Professor, Schar School of Policy and Government, received $27,128 from the John M. Belk Endowment for a project in which he will provide detailed data on salary and wages paid in comparable occupations for key teaching disciplines in North Carolina.

To maximize relevance for local campuses and recognizing differing conditions across local labor markets in the state, the analysis will include local labor market analyses representing at least 15 separate campus locations.

Clower will use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor and private data sources such as Chmura Economics' JobsEQ and Economic Modeling Specialists, Incorporated's (EMSI) Labor Markets Analytics for this project. He and his collaborators will assess market-competitive salaries and wages for specific teaching occupations to be determined by campus-level administrators.

Funding for this project began in February 2020 and will conclude in late May 2020.

###
A patient with coronavirus is being treated at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, officials confirmed.

Baptist Hospital Executive Vice President Scotty Raynes said the hospital is working closely with state and local health departments. Precautions are in place to protect patients, visitors and others, he said.

No information was initially provided if the patient had recently traveled or his age. The hospital did confirm the case involved the man from Santa Rosa County referenced earlier in the day by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis announced an elderly man in Santa Rosa County, Florida was a presumptive positive for the virus. The man, who has underlying medical conditions, had traveled internationally but no information was provided on where he had gone.

Another five Florida residents in Washington state have tested positive for COVID-19. The five residents in Washington were traveling from China and will remain in quarantine, DeSantis said.

Almost 250 people are being monitored for coronavirus in the state, according to the Florida Department of Health. Thirty-one residents have been tested but the results were negative; 69 test results are pending.

Also on Thursday, Tennessee officials announced its first case of coronavirus. There are no confirmed cases in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Nationally, there are more than 175 cases of the virus.
The government has specific evidence that Pakistans deep state played a part in amplifying anti Citizenship Amendment Act protests all over country through funding and direction, even as Islamabad has made an all out effort to equate Delhi riots with 2002 Gujarat riots at the ongoing meeting of UN Human Rights Council at Geneva.

HT learns that Indian intelligence agencies have picked up cross-country electronic chatter where people believed to be Pakistani operatives are berating their sources for not organizing enough crowds for anti-CAA protests on March 3-4 despite the funding at their disposal. In one such call, heard by HT, the handler curses his contact and adds that he has to explain the lack of crowds to his higher ups. While the context of the call is clear, HT cannot establish when it was made, or the identity of the two speakers,

Analysts here say that while the Delhi riots have been contained at significant human and material cost, it is quite natural that Pakistan and its friends try and use it as an instrument to radicalize young Muslims in north India against the Narendra Modi government through videos and speeches. A similar modus operandi was adopted after the 2002 riots in Gujarat, they add. Islamabads cause is being helped by other states such as Iran and Turkey as part of their effort to pitch for leadership in the Shia and Sunni world of Islam.

Even as Rawalpindi GHQ fishes in troubled waters in India, it has gone flat out to defame India in the UN bodies by talking about Muslim killings and persecution by the NDA government. The Imran Khan government, however, does not ever use the word CAA in its allegation, the analysts point out, as the law is designed only to help persecuted minorities in Pakistan among other neighbourhood countries.

At the on-going UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, Pakistan has missed no opportunity to pillory India for working against its Muslim minority. While it avoided doing this in the high level segment last month, Islamabad has gone on an offensive in thematic discussions this month without reflecting on its own treatment of minorities such as Balochs, Pashtuns and Ahmediyas under the Imran Khan regime, diplomats familiar with the matter say.

They add that there are almost daily protests by some of these persecuted communities in Pakistan outside the UNHRC headquarters in Geneva.

Making a national statement at the UNHRC, Pakistans permanent representative warned the Council on Indias drift towards fascism and rank communalism and asked the High Commissioner to prevent violence and ensure safety of Muslims in Delhi and elsewhere in the country.

Exercising the right to reply, Pakistan said:  Those who have been fed with the silver spoon of extremist ideologies by fascist organization RSS can only indulge in intolerance, bigotry and violence.

When the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion did not mention or castigate India, the Pakistani representative questioned the silence by raising the issue of state sponsored violence , the diplomats said. In none of these statements and interjections at the UN does the term CAA figure.

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World shares slipped Friday after a sharp drop on Wall Street, as pessimism prevailed over hopes for central bank action to counter the virus outbreak.

Rumours that Chinese officials might be overstating the extent to which local businesses are getting back to work also were undermining confidence, traders said.

France's CAC 40 shed 1.78 per cent in early trading to 5,265.28, while Germany's DAX fell 2.1 per cent to 11,696.84.

Britain's FTSE 100 shed 1.4 per cent to 6,614.02. US shares were set to drift lower with Dow futures down 0.9 per cent, at 25,815.00. S&P 500 futures lost 1.1 per cent to 2,983.50.

Markets have endured roller coaster ups and downs for weeks amid uncertainty over how much damage the outbreak of the new coronavirus will do to the global economy.

At this point no one can really explain why the markets behave the way they do, and what may be next. The only thing we can say is this high volatility is bad, whether it is positive or negative," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

Bulk holiday cancellations and a significant drop in all-purpose travels added to anxiety of disrupted supply chains and rumours that China may be lying about the resumption of activity explain why the issue goes beyond governments' and central bankers' control this time," she said in a commentary.

After shutting down most business and ordering tens of millions of people to stay home in the most stringent mass quarantine efforts ever, the Chinese government has been gradually urging companies to get back to work while taking precautions to protect their employees.

But it's virtually impossible to know just close to normal the situation has become in such a vast country.

Communist Party officials have a long tradition of embellishing on statistics to fit official targets.

The financial magazine Caixin reported some companies are leaving lights and air conditioners running in empty offices and faking work records.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei dived 2.7 per cent to finish at 20,749.75.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 2.8 per cent to 6,216.20. South Korea's Kospi dropped 2.2 per cent to 2,040.22.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 2.3 per cent to 26,146.67, while the Shanghai Composite skidded 1.2 per cent to 3,034.51. Shares also dropped in Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

On Wall Street on Thursday, major indexes lost roughly 3.5 per cent, nearly wiping out the rally from a day before that was fuelled by hopes authorities around the world will move to cushion the economic fallout.

Such swings look likely to continue as long as the outbreaks continue to expand.

In China, shares have been steadying along with the outbreak, with the Shanghai benchmark gaining nearly 12 per cent since scraping bottom on February 3.

But there are doubts about just how quickly businesses will recover.

Markets have shifted from pricing temporary China weakness to a more protracted global event, which will see a good chunk of global GDP go up in smoke," Stephen Innes of AxiCorp. said in a report.

That has goaded central bankers into action, but no amount of easy credit will get people on a flight to Milan or cruise ships to Venice and visiting St. Marks Square," he said.

As is often the case, investors are taking refuge in the Japanese yen, which has surged against the US dollar, and in bonds, pushing prices higher and yields lower.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note went as low as 0.78 per cent on Friday for the first time in history, according to Tradeweb. Tumbling yields have brought the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage to a record low of 3.29 per cent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged India on Thursday to "confront extremist Hindus" and "stop the massacre of Muslims", adding to the international fallout over deadly Hindu-Muslim violence in New Delhi.

At least 44 people were killed and hundreds injured in the worst communal riots in the Indian capital in decades, triggered by clashes between supporters of a new citizenship law and those against it.

"The hearts of Muslims all over the world are grieving over the massacre of Muslims in India," Khamenei said in a tweet in English, just days after New Delhi rebuked Iran's foreign minister for commenting on the same issue.

"Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday, in response to which New Delhi summoned the Islamic Republic's ambassador and lodged a protest.

"We do not expect such comments from a country like Iran," ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement later.

The citizenship law provides non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan a fast track to Indian citizenship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government says this is required to help minorities from those mainly Muslim countries.

Critics argue the law discriminates against Muslims and violates the spirit of India's secular constitution.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in protests since December.

Earlier this week, the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it intended to approach India's Supreme Court about the citizenship law.

Also Read: Delhi violence: Displaced pace back to normalcy after riots

Also Read: Delhi violence: Govt hospitals denied fair treatment to riot victims, says report
CHUCK MCCOLLOUGH/San Antonio Express-News file photo

A Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD teacher has been arrested and charged with indecency with a child sexual contact after surveillance footage caught him allegedly inappropriately touching a student, according to police.

Cibolo police arrested 63-year-old Alfred Villarreal, a teacher at Steele High School, after an anonymous complaint was given to the department. No other details were released about the incident.
By Devjyot Ghoshal

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India shut all primary schools in the capital New Delhi until the end of March on Thursday and imposed new restrictions on travel from Italy and South Korea as part of efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi postponed a trip to Brussels for a summit with EU leaders later this month.

"Both sides have agreed that due to health authorities advising against travel between regions, it would be wise to reschedule the summit to a later, mutually convenient date," foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar told a news conference.

Indias total of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 29 on Wednesday, from six early this week.

Travellers that have visited Italy or South Korea will now be required to show a certificate of having tested negative for coronavirus, a temporary measure to be enforced from next week, a government statement said.

India has also suspended most visas issued to nationals of Japan, South Korea, Italy, Iran and China, as well as suspending visas of any travellers who had been to those five countries since February.

Delhi's deputy chief minister announced in a tweet that all primary schools in the capital would be closed to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.

(Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal, writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Toby Chopra and Peter Graff)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  Authorities have arrested the "main source" of shabu in the Calabarzon region, recovering from him 102 million worth of shabu concealed in tea bags, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Friday.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino in a press briefing identified the suspect as Ronnie Mardoquio Menodiado. He was arrested in a buy-bust operation in front of a school at Molino Boulevard corner Aguinaldo Highway, in Barangay Talaba 4, Bacoor City, Cavite on Thursday.

Menodiado's two companions, a certain Victorio Vida Najera and Annie Rose Torres Lingua, were also nabbed.

Authorities recovered from the group 15 kilos of shabu packed in tea bags.

"Menodiado, based on our investigation, is the main source of shabu in Cavite and the whole of Region 4A," Aquino said.

He added that the group also has operations in some areas in Metro Manila and in Zamboanga City.

Aquino said PDEA is also investigating whether the suspects are selling illegal drugs to college students in the region, since they were seen frequenting schools.

The operations against the suspects were launched after a couple arrested earlier with two kilos of shabu identified Menodiado as their supplier.
Amritsar, March 6 : The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday decided to temporarily suspend the Retreat ceremony on the international border with Pakistan at the Wagah-Attari joint checkpost to tackle the spread of the deadly coronavirus, officials said.

The ceremony was suspended by local administrative authorities till further orders. However, flag hoisting and lowering would be carried out as usual.

The BSF and district authorities have asked visitors and tourists not to come to Attari for the ceremony.

The ceremony is carried out by the border guards of India and Pakistan - the BSF and Pakistan Rangers - at the Wagah-Attari joint checkpost every evening.

The 30-minute ceremony is visited by hundreds of tourists from both countries daily.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Two British Airways baggage handlers have tested positive for coronavirus as the UK total increased to 163.

They have been told to isolate themselves at home. A British Airways spokesman said: Public Health England has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The colleagues have been isolated and are recovering at home.

A man in his 80s, who had underlying health conditions, is feared to have become the second person to die in the UK.



He was being treated at Milton Keynes Hospital in Buckinghamshire and is thought to have contracted Covid-19.

It comes a day after a woman in her 70s, who also had pre-existing medical conditions, became the first to die after catching the flu-like virus, which has now infected more than 100,000 people around the world.

Five new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Scotland, taking its total to 11.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county is investigating complaints that Clerk-Register John Gleason pressured employees to backdate a marriage license and made misogynistic and condescending remarks when they declined to help him.

Written statements obtained by MLive-The Flint Journal show one county government supervisor has accused Gleason, who was elected clerk-register in 2012, of attempting to intimidate an employee to create and backdate a marriage affidavit and license for a ceremony he performed without a license in Shiawassee County on Christmas Eve.

A one-paragraph news release issued by the county Board of Commissioners says an independent investigator is reviewing the alleged allegations."

Gleason said Thursday, March 5, that he had agreed to marry the couple some time after Christmas, but carried out an emergency ceremony without a license just before the bride delivered a child at Owosso Memorial Hospital. He denied having pressured employees and said he approached workers in an effort to make the marriage license valid because of the circumstances.

They wanted to be married before the baby was born, Gleason said. I really thought there would be a way we could (make it right because of the) emergency ... I honest-to-God figured theres got to be a way to ... get this squared around" later.

The clerk-register said that by using a law that allows for secret marriage in Michigan, the couples Dec. 24 marriage was eventually made legal through Shiawassee County, but problems tied to the ceremony and Gleasons work to have it recognized have continued.

He said Thursday that he only discovered recently that the couple he married was undocumented immigrants -- something that doesnt prevent him from issuing a license.

In the county supervisors written complaint against Gleason, its claimed he continued to insist that one employee create and backdate the required marriage records after she had already explained the legal and clerical reasons she could not.

Such a request is unusual, inappropriate, and illegal, the statement says, but the clerk-register continued to push the employee to do as he requested.

I have a serious issue with the entire situation and I would like to discuss with you the countys policy(ies) with regard to sexual harassment, general harassment, and intimidation ..., the supervisors statement says. The employee was terribly upset and afraid that she would get in trouble if she didnt do as he requested.

The same statement appears to request a meeting with the countys Human Resources and Labor Relations director to discuss the incident in full, to request a full investigation, and to review what steps can be taken ... to defend and protect this employee.

Gleason called the written comments about his behavior not true at all.

I know I havent done anything wrong, he said of the investigation. I will help any way I can. Im going to tell the truth.

Other written statements from employees in the county Probate Court office say Gleason also approached them about backdating the marriage license and made comments that were prejudiced against women, inappropriate and completely uncalled for.

At one point, Gleason allegedly told a court employee and her supervisor that it takes two women to do one mans job.

The countys announcement of its Gleason investigation says officials will not comment further on the probe.

In a related matter, the group Latinos United for Flint issued a statement Thursday, denouncing what it called racist and storm-trooper tactics employed by the Genesee County Sheriffs Office in specifically targeting Latinos.

The LUFF statement says that during the past 30 days, Sheriffs Office employees have gone to the homes of Latinos, regardless of their legal status, in an attempt to harass and intimidate them to extract information pertaining to a secret marriage that took place in Shiawassee County, due to an emergency delivery of a baby on Christmas Eve.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Sheriff Chris Swanson for comment on the LUFF statement.

Elected to the county Board of Commissioners in 1994, Gleason has been involved in feuds with other county government officials as a commissioner and clerk-register.

In addition to his county government experience, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2002 and the Michigan Senate in 2006 and 2010.

Clerk puts on Mickey Mouse costume, blasts county workers for trip to Disney Institute

County clerk says hell help Flint clerk but doesnt like law to fix election
According to US federal prosecutors, 61-year-old Mariam Taha Thompson told a Lebanese man the names of foreign informants, as well as details of the information they provided to the United States - revealing some of the governments most closely held secrets, according to the New York Times. Officials say Ms. Thompson endangered the lives of both sources and military personnel.

She was arrested at an overseas US base on February 27.

Investigators searched Ms. Thompsons living quarters on Feb. 19 and discovered a handwritten note under her mattress listing the names of informants. The note, written in Arabic, also included a warning to a military target affiliated with Hezbollah whom prosecutors did not name and a request for the informants phones to be monitored. Ms. Thompson told investigators that she provided classified information by memorizing it, writing it down, then showing the note to the Lebanese man when they spoke by video chat on her mobile phone. The man took a screenshot of their video chat that showed her displaying a handwritten note with the name of two informants, court papers showed. Investigators also found pictures of the Lebanese Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on the mans phone. *** The officials suggested that the potential loss of classified information was grave and that the prosecution was one of the most serious recent counterintelligence cases they had seen. Several top national security prosecutors as well as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Timothy Shea, appeared in court on Wednesday as Ms. Thompson made an initial appearance before a judge, demonstrating the importance of the case. -New York Times

"If true, this conduct is a disgrace, especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military," said John C. Demers, assistant attorney general for national security. "This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished."

The Times suggests that the recruitment of a military contractor with such high-level access "shows the strength of the intelligence operations of Iran and its proxy forces," and that "American officials have long warned that Tehrans intelligence work should not be underestimated."

In interviews with the F.B.I., Ms. Thompson admitted to investigators that she illegally shared classified information with the Lebanese official, according to court papers. Ms. Thompson appeared in court dressed in a red cardigan, her gray-streaked hair in a bun, but was not shackled. The judge ordered her held until a detention hearing on March 11. She faces three charges of violating espionage laws. Under the statute, she could face up to life in prison and possibly the death penalty if the information she revealed led to the death of any of the informants. -New York Times

Thompson was working in Erbil, Iraq as a linguist when her betrayal began in the last few days of December, investigators discovered. For the next six weeks she obtained secret government files which contained the real names and photographs of American intelligence sources, as well as government cables which revealed what they provided to their handlers.

Read the rest of the report here.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, 67, will be transferred to the North Infirmary at Rikers, after undergoing heart surgery, according to a New York Post report.

Weinstein was convicted Feb. 24 by a Manhattan jury of rape and criminal sexual act, years after accusations levied against the mogul began mounting, and sparked whats become known as the #Metoo movement.

Following the verdict, he was held at Bellevue Hospital, where surgeons put in a heart stint, a source told the Post.

Hes due back in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 11 for sentencing.

He faces up to 29 years in prison.
Curbs eased, but here is why the social media is still out of bounds in J&K

Normalcy returning: Broadband services restored in Valley

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 06: Broadband services have been fully restored in Kashmir, six months after the abrogation of Article 370. It may be recalled that this service was earlier restored for government offices and other essential services in the Valley.

This moves comes after the authorities partially lifted the ban on the use of social media in Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes seven months after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in the erstwhile state.

Authorities however added that curbs on both high speed 3G and 4G internet services have been extended until March 17. With regard to the pre-paid SIM cards, service providers have been asked to provide access only after the same are verified as per the norms imposed on post paid connections.

It may be recalled that the 2G services with slow internet was restored and 1,674 white-listed websites were approved by the government.

Ishna Jan, the 23 year old lady who provided food and logistics to Pulwama bomber

NEWS AT NOON MARCH 6th, 2020

"In the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State (read Union Territory) and for maintaining public order the Internet speed will continue to be restricted to 2G only. While the post-paid SIM card holders shall continue to be provided access to the Internet, these services shall not be made available on pre-paid SIM cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections," the latest order issued by principal secretary of the Home Department, Shaheen Kabra says.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 7:36 [IST]
Tyra Banks is officially the latest brand ambassador for fashion retailer Nine West.

And the 46-year-old supermodel stepped out on Thursday afternoon dressed to the nines to launch the brand's 2020 Innovators campaign at ABG West Style Studio in West Hollywood.

Banks brought out her bombshell persona for the day's event by slipping into a black Herve Leger jumpsuit, paired with a waist cinching gray blazer by Nine West.

Iconic: Tyra Banks stepped out on Thursday afternoon to launch Nine West's 2020 Innovator's campaign at ABG West Style Studio in West Hollywood

Strike a pose: Banks was recently named as Nine West's brand ambassador

The model-turned-CEO gave her ensemble a major pop of color by slipping into a pair of canary yellow pumps.

To accentuate Tyra's hour glass shape, the model accessorized with a silver buckled waist belt.

Banks kept jewelry to a minimum and opted for a single silver wrist cuff and silver chandelier style earrings.

Her golden brown tresses were styled into voluminous curls that flowed down from a neat middle part.

Get the look: Banks stunned in a black Herve Leger jumpsuit and a gray fitted blazer by Nine West

Smize! Tyra could not help but show off her perfected 'smize' at the event's step-and-repeat

Tyra's signature 'smize' was amplified through the use of neutral brown shadows with a pop of gold shimmer on the eyelids.

The America's Next Top Model legend not only launched her fashion collaboration with Nine West, but she also used the event to celebrate International Women's Day.

Girl Scouts, young entrepreneurs, social media personalities, and more attended Bank's launch party and were able to speak with and obtain advice from the mogul, herself.

Just a pop: To give her look an extra element, the supermodel slipped her feet into a pair of canary yellow pumps

Fashion with a purpose: Though the event was in celebration of Tyra's collaboration with Nine West, it was also held to celebrate International Women's Day

Role model: At the day's event, Banks spoke to a crowd of young women in order to further inspire their passions

Nine West took to their Instagram page on Thursday morning to launch the campaign images that feature Bank's iconic mug and curves in an array of new fashion pieces.

'Innovative. Creative. Fierce,' wrote Nine West on the post's caption.

'This season, we are celebrating Innovators, led by our brand ambassador, @tyrabanks.'

'Model to Mogul, Creator of Americas Next Top Model, Founder of ModelLand, Mentor, Trailblazer & our Nine West Muse, Tyra Banks is a visionary leader who inspires us to be who we want to be and create our own world,' concluded the well-known retailer.

Nine West X Tyra: Nine West took to Instagram to share the campaign images that featured Banks in an array of jaw dropping outfits and styles

Looks for days: In the ad, Tyra graces in the screen in an assortment of resort-ready looks

Stunning: Tyra proved she has maintained all of her modeling skills as she flashed bedroom eyes at the camera

The campaign exuded resort elegance as Tyra graced the screen in an assortment of awe inspiring looks.

The model used the seascape as her background, while she exuded enviable confidence in front of the camera.

The collection featured everything from duo-chrome bucket bags to patent leather trousers.

Back to basics: One ensemble placed Banks in a pair of high waisted cargo pants paired with a white body suit and matching neck scarf
Arjun Rampal was seen wearing a face mask as protection to shield himself against the outbreak of coronavirus in India. In the picture shared on social media, the actor issued a step by step advisory to prevent the 'damn virus'. He asked fellow citizens to carry hand sanitizers, avoid shaking hands and overall just be responsible. See below-

Arjun Rampal issues Coronavirus advisory:

READ: Coronavirus Cases In India Rise To 31; Health Ministry Advises Against Mass Gatherings

Earlier, Bollywood celebs including Ranbir Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, and Tahira Kashyap were spotted at the airport covering their faces with a face mask as a precaution against Coronavirus.

Parineeti Chopra took to Instagram to share pictures of her wearing a white mask, as a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus outbreak. She also urged her fans to stay safe. Sad, but I guess this is the situation now. Stay safe guys. #Coronavirus #StaySafe, she captioned her Instagram post, which got lakhs of likes in just a few hours. She was seen dressed casually, in a white shirt, loose jeans and white sneakers, with a bag across her shoulder

Ayushmann Khurranas wife and writer Tahira Kashyap took to Instagram recently to share a picture of herself in a mask on a trip to Delhi. She narrated her experience of seeing many people at the Delhi airport in protective masks as a precaution against coronavirus outbreak in India.

South actor Prabhas too was papped at the Hyderabad Airport wearing a face mask as protection to shield himself against the outbreak of the virus. In the picture, the Baahubali actor is seen wearing a mask to guard himself from the virus. He was sporting a black t-shirt, white track pants, and a black cap.

READ: Avoid Large Gatherings On Campus In View Of Coronavirus Outbreak: UGC To Universities

Meanwhile, another person has tested positive for Coronavirus, taking the total confirmed cases in India to 31 as of March 6. The latest case has been confirmed in New Delhi. The patient had a travel history of Thailand and Malaysia and resides in Utaam Nagar in the national capital.

Coronavirus outbreak

Globally, more than 3,300 people have died, with the epicentre being in China. The virus has infected more than 98,000 people globally and has now spread to the United States of America, Europe, Australia, and as many as 80 other countries.

READ: Arjun Rampal And Gabriella Demetriades Are Giving #couplegoals In These Adorable Pictures

On March 1, UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock released US$15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help fund global efforts to contain the virus. The announcement came soon after the WHO upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak to "very high"  its top level of risk assessment. The WHO has said there is still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission is broken.

READ: Arjun Rampal Wishes His Daughter Mahikaa On Her 18th Birthday; Shares A Cute Post
The global pasta market is poised to grow by USD 12.23 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 6% during the forecast period. Request free sample pages

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005118/en/

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

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Pasta Market Analysis Report by Product (Dried pasta, Chilled and fresh pasta, and Canned and preserved pasta), Geographic Segmentation (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/pasta-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the increased demand for instant pasta. In addition, the rising demand for local flavors and varieties is anticipated to boost the growth of the pasta market.

The growing popularity and preference for convenience food products among individuals, especially the working population is increasing the demand and consumption of instant pasta. Some of the major factors propelling the sale of instant pasta is their longer shelf life, easy preparation, and shorter cooking time. This is encouraging many vendors to introduce new pre-cooked or instant pasta of different flavors with diverse sauces. For instance, in 2019, Nissin introduced instant pasta in Philippines and Unilever launched Cup Pasta in the same year. Similarly, Nestle introduced Maggi Pazzta in May 2019. They come with pre-seasoned contents, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. Thus, the increased demand for instant pasta is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Pasta Market Companies:

Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Societa per Azioni

Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Societa per Azioni operates the business under various segments such as Meal solutions and Bakery. The company offers pastas of varied flavors under the brand names including Veggie, Gluten free, Whole grain, and Collezione. The company also provides pasta sauces breakfast foods and snacks.

Dakota Growers Pasta Co. Inc.

Dakota Growers Pasta Co. Inc. offers products through the following business units: Pasta cuts, and Better for you pasta. The company offers pastas of varied flavors with diversified nutritional compositions. It also provides whole grains, organic pasta, gluten-free pastas, whole wheat, and other variety of pastas.

Ebro Foods SA

Ebro Foods SA operates under various business segments, namely Rice business and Pasta business. The company offers pastas of varied flavors under the brand names including Catelli and Riviana. It also provides complementary food products, ice-based products, semolina-based products, and more.

F. Divella Spa

F. Divella Spa offers products through the following business segments: Pasta, Fresh pasta, Extra virgin olive oil, Semolina and flour, Croissants, and Others. The company offers pastas of varied flavors such as gluten free pasta, brown pasta, and egg pasta. It also provides filled fresh pasta and semolina pasta.

F.lli De Cecco di Filippo Fara San Martino Spa

F.lli De Cecco di Filippo Fara San Martino Spa offers products through the following business segments: Semolina Pasta, Egg pasta, Special pasta, Whole wheat products, Organic products, and Others. The company offers semolina pasta, special pastas, egg pasta, and other flavors of pastas. It also provides organic product khorasan KAMUT.

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Pasta Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

Dried pasta

Chilled and fresh pasta

Canned and preserved pasta

Pasta Market Geographic Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

APAC

Europe

MEA

North America

South America

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

Related Reports on Consumer Staples Include:

Fish Sauce Market Global Fish Sauce Market by product (industrial fish sauce and traditional fish sauce) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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.C

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Horror producer Jason Blum has revealed which of his own films scares him the most.

Since 2007, Blum has become one of the leading producers in the genre, backing bankable franchises including Paranormal Activity, Insidious and The Purge.

Youd be forgiven for thinking Blum doesnt scare easily, but it turns out theres one film hes produced that left him feeling uncomfortable.

When youre producing youre too inside the movie to get scared, Blum told The Telegraph, adding: but when I watched Sinister its unnerving.

Sinister, directed by Scott Derrickson, was released in 2012. It stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer, who discovers a box of unsettling home movies in his attic.

The film made $87.7m (67.3m) from a $3m (2.3m) budget and spawned one sequel, which followed in 2015.

Its a busy time for Blum with the release of three films  The Invisible Man, Fantasy Island and The Hunt, which had its release pulled following two mass shootings in the US in 2019.

The marketing for the films release is now leaning into the ban in a big way. Its new tagline reads: The most talked about movie nobody has ever seen.

Written by Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse, it follows 12 red-state strangers who wake up in a clearing and realise they are being hunted by liberals.

The Hunt is released in UK cinemas on 11 March.
Searches conducted at police office over journalist Golunov case

 Moskva city news agency, Alexander Avilov

15:57 06/03/2020

MOSCOW, March 6 (RAPSI)  Investigators have conducted searches at police department of the West administrative district of Moscow in connection with a case over drugs planted to journalist Ivan Golunov, lawyer Alexey Kovrizhkin has told RAPSI.

In particular, rooms of ex-drug police officers involved in the case have been raided.

Earlier, all five ex-police officers, investigators allege are involved in the case, were placed in detention for two months, until March 29.

Defendants are ex-Moscow narcotics control policemen Igor Lyakhovets, Denis Konovalov, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Maxim Umetbayev. They are charged with abuse of power, evidence tampering and illegal drug trafficking. All the men except Konovalov plead not guilty.

Investigators believe that they planted drugs on Golunov. Thus, they falsified the results of operative search activity that later became inculpatory evidence against Golunov in a drug dealing case; however, the drugs had been earlier illegally bought and kept by the police officers, according the Investigative Committee.

In late December 2019, investigators opened the case over arrest of Golunov. The journalist was recognized as an injured party. All five defendants in the case have been dismissed from police.

Golunov was arrested in Moscow on June 6, 2019. On June 8, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow placed him under house arrest for 2 months. According to the Interior Ministrys official statement, police seized nearly 4 grams of methylmethedrone from Golunov.

The journalist pleaded not guilty, insisted that the drugs were planted on him during the arrest and claimed that his prosecution is related to his journalistic investigations.

According to his defense, an examination showed no drugs in his biomaterial.

On June 11, charges against Golunov were dropped because of a lack of evidence that he participated in the crime, and the journalist was released.

On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed two generals of police on the back of the arrest of Golunov.




Amid the uncertainty over how workers should react to coronavirus, there was good news for two local firms this week after they took exceptional steps in response to the crisis a few days earlier.

Fujitsu Ten in Malaga, part of the Japanese multinational, had said last week that it expected to lay off staff as parts were not arriving from China. This week the firm said it could carry on for the moment.

Meanwhile, communications firm, Ericsson, allowed its Malaga staff back to work after they were told to stay at home last week for fears a colleague had exposed them to the virus.

There was a conflicting message for Spanish firms from the government this week. The Ministry of Work advised them to send staff home if they had a suspected outbreak, only for the Health ministry to retort back that only their ministry could issue guidance on the crisis.
New Delhi, March 6 : As the Union Health Ministry is busy with preparations for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus, the Delhi government is ready with 230 beds in hospitals for any patient of the disease.

The 25 hospitals where these special beds have been set up include six private facilities.

So far, 31 people in India have tested positive of coronavirus out of which 16 are Italian tourists.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said: "Isolation wards and special beds have been made in 19 government and six private hospitals to deal with coronavirus. Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have been set up as nodal hospitals to deal with coronavirus." The Delhi government has issued an advisory to avoid gatherings for a few days as a preventive measure against coronavirus. Jain said: "Coronavirus can be avoided if people are alert." The Minister said masks and hand sanitisers are not necessary for common people. "The masks are necessary only for doctors and medical staff. Apart from physicians, people who are suffering from cold-cough, cold, fever, etc., can also use the masks. Similary, since the doctors can't wash their hands after treating every patients so they use hand sanitisers." The Delhi government has also set up a state level task force, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to tackle coronavirus. In order to avoid the spread of coronavirus, all primary schools in Delhi will remain closed till March 31.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Five provinces in Vietnams Mekong Delta have declared a state of emergency after drought and saline intrusion broke records in the region.

As of Wednesday, authorities in Kien Giang, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Ca Mau, and Long An Provinces have declared the state of emergency after extreme weather conditions had immensely impacted local residents lives and production.

In 2016, drought and saltwater intrusion in the countrys rice basket  a nickname for the Mekong Delta  were deemed the most serious in a century.

However, all previous records have been broken in this years dry season.

Local residents and authorities were prepared for the weather phenomenon as they had been every year, but they were apparently caught off guard by the unusually early onset of saline incursion this year.

Ben Tre has been suffering the heaviest toll since mid-January and was the first province in the Mekong Delta to announce a state of emergency.

About 5,000 hectares of rice paddies in the province are expected to be completely ruined, while approximately 20,000 hectares of fruit trees will also be affected.

Wells are being drilled to supply freshwater for residents in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

Water scarcity is another headache in Ben Tre, as local residents now have to buy freshwater for up to VND300,000 (US$13) per cubic meter for daily use.

If this problem persists, my family may have to spend tens of millions of Vietnamese dong [VND10 million = $430] on freshwater by the end of the dry season, which we cannot afford, Nguyen Van Hau, a local farmer, said.

In other provinces such as Soc Trang, where authorities have yet to declare a state of emergency, drought and saltwater intrusion have also posed a lot of challenges.

Saltwater intrusion has never been this extreme. I have suffered losses of about VND15 million [$646] so far, said Nguyen Thanh Liem, a rice farmer.

According to Pham Tan Dao, manager of the provincial Branch of Irrigation, about 2,500 hectares of rice paddies in Soc Trang have been impacted.

Authorities in the affected provinces have taken certain mitigation measures, such as regularly monitoring the salinity in local rivers, dredging and renovating canals, and providing residents with necessary tools for freshwater storage.

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As Kerala gets ready for the famous annual all-women "Attukal Pongala," one of the largest religious congregations, here on March 9, officials are keeping their fingers crossed in view of the coronavirus scare and Centre's advisory to avoid large gatherings.

The Kerala government, which heaved a sigh of relief after the recovery of the country's first three positive cases of the virus in the state recently, cautioned that those under house quarantine and having any symptom of the infection should keep away from the event.

The ritual sees thousands of women from all over the state congregating in the state capital to prepare 'pongala' (sweet offering) as part of the annual festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple here, which is popularly known as the "Women's Sabarimala".

The state had reported the first three coronavirus cases in the country.

All the three medical students from Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly virus, have recovered and are now under home quarantine following discharge from hospitals.

Kerala Health minister K K Shailaja on Friday said those in home quarantine or have had direct contact with affected persons or places or showing any symptoms of the virus should keep away from participating in the pongala ritual.

"If we say that people should avoid mass gatherings, that will create a panic situation. There is no cause for any concern now," the minister told reporters here.

The union health ministry had recently advised that mass gatherings should either be avoided or postponed to prevent spread of COVID-19.

In case such gatherings are organised, respective states should take necessary action to guide the organisers on precautions to be taken, a communication from the health ministry had said.

Since the beginning of the virus scare in mid January, Kerala had placed under observation over 4,000 people who returned from affected nations, including China.

On the Pongala day, women converge in grounds and both sides of the highways, roads and bylines across the city unmindful of the scorching midsummer heat.

They prepare 'pongala', a mix of rice, jaggery and scraped coconut in fresh earthen or metal pots in makeshift brick stoves to please the Goddess.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ELAINA Fitzgerald Kane has taken on the role of president of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) at a critical time for the organisation as it faces up to the potentially far-reaching consequences of the coronavirus.

But, stressed Elaina, who is a director of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Adare it is all about balance, and achieving the right balance between prudence and hysteria.

The IHF has been really active in trying to get ahead on this as much as we can, she said.

We have been working closely with the Department of Health, with the Chief Medical Office and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

We have issued different series of guidelines to our members. Every day, we are amending those, she continued.

What the impact is and/or will be is not yet clear. Certainly, some markets are affected, Elaina explained. China,she said, was a major growth market for tourism and many hotels have invested a lot in that market. But that market has gone into severe shock.

Normally, also, she explained there is a spike in bookings around St Patricks Day, but it remains to be seen how that will fare this year.

We are dependant on the guidelines, she continued. It is here now. Containment is the key.

But she said: There is an expectation that with summer and rising temperatures, it will abate. Moreover, as people become more reluctant to travel abroad, it opens the door for staycations.

Elaina comes to her new role at the head of the 900-strong federation, from a lifetime of experience in the tourist and hotel business and having served as an official in her local IHF Shannon Branch, on the national executive and as vice-president.

But for her there is the added dimension of having emulated her mother Mary who, 20 years ago, became the first female president of the IHF. Two decades on, Elaina is still only the third female president to head up the organisation.

She does however intend to make her mark and set out an ambitious set of goals for her two-year tenure.

Chief among these is to try to reverse the recent 50% hike in the VAT rate from 9% to 13.5%.

When the VAT rate was reduced to 9% in 2011, it helped create 90,000 new jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry, Elaina pointed out. We are now in the top three VAT rates in Europe, she said.

Crucially also, she pointed out, tourism is an economic driver for rural areas with 70% of hospitality jobs located outside Dublin. Elaina would also like to see more action on rates and more activity in terms of career progress and career development opportunities for the amazing people who work within their industry.

The green agenda is also on Elainas radar and she noted that Hotel Doolin has become the first carbon neutral hotel. That is setting a high bar but sustainability is key for everyone in the business, she emphasised.

Learning from others, whether from other industries or from other providers in the hospitality sector, is also important for Elaina. If people are networking, they learn a lot, she said. She also wants to see success being celebrated more.

Ultimately, I dont know if tourism is valued seriously enough at government level, she said. Her ambition would be to see Tourism as a stand-alone ministerial portfolio with a full seat at the cabinet table.

I feel our industry is not taken as seriously as some of the other industries.

She is looking forward with relish to her two-year term of office. It is a big commitment, she said. It is wonderful I have been entrusted with it.

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Michael Sheahan this week welcomed Elainas election. Its no surprise to anyone who has followed Elainas own career but, beyond that, has noted the Fitzgerald family footprint on the hospitality industry over decades that we would see Elaina elected to this office, he said.

Elaina and her mother, he noted, have become the first mother/daughter to hold the title. They are, therefore, trailblazers not alone in their industry but in terms of gender equality.

Elaina, who is a Brand Ambassador for Limericks new brand, and her family are incredibly proud Limerick people. They epitomise all that is good about our county  the warm Limerick welcome, passion for what they do, quality service and honesty and humility.

Its a mix that makes Limerick a special place and having Elaina now as president of the IHF will put additional spotlight on those qualities, on what we are about,  the Mayor said. Ive no doubt in her role as President of the IHF, she will be flying the Limerick flag proudly and I look forward to supporting her in any way we can over the coming years.
Young alumni make up more than 30 percent of the current alumni base in higher education, and increasing their engagement is critical to the future of higher education philanthropy.

Young alumni are eager and able to provide both volunteer and financial support, but mainly to causes and organizations that can clearly communicate the impact that their support will generate, according to research by RNL and the Schuler Education Foundation.

The 2020 National Young Alumni Survey report captures data from 40,000 young alumni representing 36 colleges, making this one of the largest studies of its kind. The report appears at a time when alumni participation in fundraising has been decreasing for more than 20 years. Young alumni make up more than 30 percent of the current alumni base in higher education, and increasing their engagement is critical to the future of higher education philanthropy.

One of the most important findings shows that the vast majority of young alumni are philanthropic, with 87 percent of survey respondents reporting they volunteer or make financial donations with a cause or organization. In addition, one out of four reported making donations totaling $1,000 or more in 2018, demonstrating that young alumni often make substantial gifts.

This research shows that young alumnioften dismissed as uninterested or unable to be philanthropicare engaged, active donors, said Jason Patenaude, executive director of the Schuler Education Foundation. However, they are more interested in giving to causes they are passionate about, and they also want to see the impact of their gifts.

Feeling connected is also a major factor in whether young alumni give. Of those who reported donating, 82 percent said they felt very connected to their alma mater. Yet only 21 percent of all young alumni in the study said they felt very connected, with 52 percent reporting they were somewhat connected and 28 percent feeling neutral or not connected to their alma mater.

Another finding reveals that the prioritization of giving back to an institution is changing for young alumni. While higher education topped the list of causes that young alumni currently support, an institutions annual fund was low on the list of areas they would like to give. Giving to scholarship funds or specific departments/majors ranked highest on the priority list, highlighting that this generation of donors wants to give to specific areas.

These findings show more than ever that colleges and universities need to adapt their fundraising to the expectations and aspirations of young alumni, said RNL President and CEO Sumit Nijhawan. Campuses need to identify the passions of their recent graduates, make it easy for them to give to the areas they care most about, and show the impact of gifts so young donors grow into lifelong givers.

The 2020 National Young Alumni Survey report is the initial report from this research. Additional reports analyzing specific donor populations and institution types will follow later this year.

To download the report, visit RuffaloNL.com/YoungAlumni2020.

About RNL

RNL (Ruffalo Noel Levitz) is the leading provider of higher education enrollment, student success, and fundraising solutions. The firm serves more than 1,900 colleges and universities through data-driven solutions focused on the entire lifecycle of enrollment and fundraising, assuring students find the right program, graduate on time, secure their first job in their chosen field, and give back to support the next generation. With a deep knowledge of the industry, RNL provides institutions the ability to scale their efforts by tapping into a community of support and resources. Learn more at RuffaloNL.com.

About the Schuler Education Foundation

The Schuler Education Foundation seeks to further the success of individuals and communities by investing in high-achieving underrepresented students and top-tier liberal arts colleges. The Schuler Education Foundation currently supports the Schuler Scholar Program and the Schuler Initiative. Learn more at SchulerEducationFoundation.org.
Posted on March 5, 2020

We are collaborating with FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, in an effort to identify misinformation and to ensure news consumers get the facts.

An article circulating on Facebook falsely claims that Pope Francis and two of his Vatican aides have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The article, which originally appeared on the website MCM News, also includes photos of Francis looking visibly ill, blowing his nose and coughing during a Mass in Rome on Ash Wednesday.

The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on March 3 that the pope has been tested for the coronavirus and that his results were negative. Il Messaggero does not list a source for the information about test results, but multiple news outlets have since repeated the claim, citing the Il Messaggero article.

The Vatican has not verified any of these claims, nor has it disclosed whether or not the pope was tested for the coronavirus.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement on March 3 saying, The cold the Holy Father was diagnosed with recently is running its course, with no symptoms related to other pathologies.

In the meantime, Pope Francis celebrates Mass daily and is following the spiritual exercises taking place at the Divine Master House in Ariccia, Bruni said, referring to the Lenten retreat.

Speculation regarding the popes health began after he cancelled his participation in the weeklong retreat in the Roman countryside. During the traditional Sunday blessing on March 1 in St. Peters Square, the pope told the crowd that unfortunately a cold prevents me from participating this year.

It is the first time in his papacy that the 83-year-old pontiff has had to miss the event. Francis also canceled two planned official audiences earlier in the week due to what Bruni called a slight indisposition.

The rumors regarding the popes health come as Italy faces the largest outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe. In a media briefing earlier this week, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Italy is one of four countries (including South Korea, Iran and Japan) that is of greatest concern to the WHO as the coronavirus continues to spread.

Italy has had more than 3,000 confirmed cases within its borders, resulting in more than 100 deaths. The Italian government recently mandated the temporary closure of all schools and universities in order to further prevent the spread of the illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that lder people and people with certain underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness as a result of contracting the coronavirus. Due to the pontiffs age and diminished lung capacity  the pope reportedly had a lung removed as a teenager  Francis is among those most at risk.


A ceasefire in northern Syria agreed between Russia and Turkey came into force on Friday, aiming to halt intense fighting that has sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing.

The deal struck between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan comes after an escalation of violence in Idlib, the northwestern province of Syria where Ankara is battling Moscow-backed government forces.

Nearly a million civilians have fled their homes due to the bloodshed and dozens of Turkish soldiers have been killed.

Putin and Erdogan agreed on the ceasefire from midnight on Friday (2200 GMT) after more than six hours of talks in Moscow.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "hopes that this agreement will lead to an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities that ensures the protection of civilians in northwest Syria", his spokesman said in a statement Thursday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, which had reported bombings just minutes before the midnight deadline, said there was "relative" calm in the region after the ceasefire came into operation.

The Britain-based Observatory reported that Russian and Syrian air strikes had halted but said there was "artillery fire... by Syrian regime forces on the positions of insurgent groups" in areas controlled by jihadists in parts of Aleppo and Hama bordering Idlib.

The situation in Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in Syria's nine-year civil war, had become critical as Ankara for the first time launched a direct offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Earlier, Putin told a joint press conference that the agreement would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting" in Idlib.

Erdogan, however, added that Turkey reserved the right to "retaliate with all its strength against any attack" by Damascus.

The agreement will also create a security corridor along the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces will launch joint patrols from March 15.

Russia has requested a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council for Friday in order to brief members on the agreement, a diplomatic source told AFP.

But there was scepticism over the deal among those displaced by the fighting.

"I don't think this will last long," Mouawiya Agha, originally from Sarmin in the south of the province, told AFP.

"It will end like the ones before," said the 33-year-old father of four, referring to an agreement reached in the Russian city of Sochi in 2018 that created a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib.

Turkey has long backed certain rebel groups against Assad but its priority now is to stop an influx of refugees among those fleeing an offensive the regime has been pressing on Idlib since December.

Ankara has demanded the European Union support its actions in Syria and last week opened its border with EU member Greece to migrants -- a move decried by some in the bloc as "blackmail".

In the run-up to Thursday's talks, Russia and Turkey had traded accusations of violating the deal.

Turkey officially declared an operation against the Assad government over the weekend, after 34 Turkish soldiers died in an air strike blamed on Damascus.

It has since downed three Syrian warplanes and killed dozens of soldiers and allied fighters, according to monitors.

Two more Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian regime fire in Idlib, the defence ministry said, just hours before the ceasefire took effect.

The Turkish defence ministry said early Friday Turkish armed drones "neutralised" 21 regime troops in strikes at 4pm local time Thursday in retaliation for the soldiers who were killed.

The deal leaves open the fate of the Turkish observation posts in Idlib, which have been surrounded since Damascus launched its offensive.

But it does mark the first time Russian and Turkish forces will operate jointly in Idlib.

The security corridor along the M4 highway, which connects second city Aleppo to the coast through Idlib, will run six kilometres (around four miles) deep both north and south of the highway.

The joint Russian-Turkish patrols will operate between the town of Tronba in Idlib and a village in Latakia province, a regime stronghold.

Fighting continued elsewhere in Idlib on Thursday, with Russian air strikes killing at least 15 civilians gathered outside the town of Maaret Misrin, the Observatory said.

Erdogan warned Europe on Wednesday that it must support Turkey's "political and humanitarian solutions in Syria" if it wants to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis.

Thousands of migrants have massed at the Turkish-Greek border since Erdogan gave them the green light to try to enter Europe, leading to clashes with Greek police.

Turkey hosts roughly 3.6 million refugees from Syria -- and hundreds of thousands from elsewhere -- and Erdogan's move has sparked concern in Europe of a renewed influx of migrants.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Robert Durst once described dismembering a body the same way you do a chicken, a Los Angeles court heard on the second day of his murder trial.

Durst, son of billionaire New York real estate mogul Seymour Durst, is being tried for the December 2000 slaying of his friend, Susan Berman.

On Thursday, prosecutors showed jurors the mutilated corpse of Durst's 71-year-old neighbor Morris Black. Durst, who was acquitted of murdering Black in 2003 after claiming self defense, is on tape admitting that he hacked up the body and threw it into Galveston Bay.

Prosecutors at the trial this week, also told jurors in Los Angeles that Robert Durst had a 'hit list' of people he wanted to kill, including his younger brother, Douglas.

They allege that Robert Durst was angry that Douglas Durst, the chairman of The Durst Organization, was chosen to assume control of the family's real estate empire.

Robert Durst (left) looks on during the second day of his murder trial in Los Angeles on Thursday

Durst, the New York real estate heir, is being tried for the murder of Susan Berman, who was found with a gunshot wound to the head in December 2000

On Thursday, the court was also shown a video of Durst giving a jailhouse interview in 2015.

In the interview, Durst describes how he cut apart Blacks body using a bone saw.

Ive been told, um, that a surgeon would cut up a body the same way you do a chicken, he said in one excerpt.

You go into the joint. And you, you cut around the joint.

You get rid of all the ligaments. And then, the thing comes out.

He added in the video: Youre not gonna try to cut through the God-damned bone.

Jurors Dursts murder trial today heard a grisly tale of how the millionaire subject of TVs The Jinx chopped up the body of a neighbor after the two fought over a gun owned by Durst.

Durst was acquitted of the 2001 murder of Morris Black after pleading self defense but at his LA murder trial for the killing of his best friend, Susan Berman, prosecutor John Lewin told the court, Bob Durst killed Morris Black intentionally. We are going to provide evidence that it was not self defense, it was murder.

Black - whom Durst called cantankerous in the extreme' - moved in March 2001 into the same Galveston, Texas, appointment complex where Durst was living as a woman and the two became friends.

Durst has pleaded not guilty to killing his close friend of many years, Susan Berman, at her home in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles in 2000 (pictured together)

Black soon discovered that his neighbor was not Dorothy Cines but wealthy real estate heir Robert Durst.

Evidence will show that Morris Black was the only person in Galveston who knew that Dorothy Cines was actually Robert Durst,' said Lewin.

By the summer of 2001, Black was having trouble paying his rent and was facing eviction and he was urging rich Durst to buy a house in Galveston where Black could have a room.

But Durst has other plans.

He intended to give up his apartment and move back to New York and on September 25, he moved into the swanky San Luis resort in Galveston before moving to the Big Apple, the court heard.

Thee days later, Durst returned to his old apartment - allegedly to pick up some marijuana he had hidden in the freezer there - and found an angry Black sitting at a table on which there was a yellow sweater.

Then, according to a video clip shown in court, Durst said Black reached under the sweater and pulled out a handgun - which actually belonged to Durst - and pointed it at him.

I grabbed the gun and the gun went off and shot him in the side of the face,  Durst added.

Durst said he saw that Black was dead and after sitting for hours trying to figure out what to do, he decided to get rid of the body rather than call police.

Im Robert Durst whose wife disappeared,  he explained.

'Im this rich guy from New York. Morris Black is in my apartment, shot with my gun.

'The police arent going to believe me. Theyre going to arrest me.

Photos of a young Robert Durst and Susan Berman are shown during opening statements in the Durst's murder trial Wednesday

He soon discovered that he couldnt pick up Blacks dead body because it was too heavy.

I wasnt strong enough. So I was going to have to dismember the body.

The court heard how Durst drove to a hardware store to buy a bow saw and Moseley plastic garbage bags.

Then I got stoned and drink and dismembered the corpse, he said in the video clip.

I decided Id wait until night. And then, Id pick it up and carry it out, Durst said of Blacks body.

And, and then I realized I wasnt picking up that body and carrying it anywhere.

I wasnt strong enough to do that.

Durst continued: I could drag it out. But I just couldnt see, and then, I thought about putting it in a sleeping bag or something and then, dragging the whole thing out.

But, good God, thats ridiculous.

He then put the garbage bags containing the body parts into his SUV and drove around till he found a place in Galveston Bay with deep enough water for the bags to sink in.

But they didnt sink - they floated, he added.

The gruesome remains - not including Blacks head, which has never been found - were soon discovered and it didnt take long for cops to link Durst to the killing.

In one of the garbage bags they found a newspaper with his apartment address on it and in another the receipt from the hardware store.

He was arrested on October 8, 2001, and charged with murder.

Durst, 76, was acquitted of killing Black.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles say that Dursts killing of Black is part of a pattern of killing anyone who was a threat to expose him.

According to prosecutors, Durst murdered his young wife, Kathie McCormack Durst, in New York in 1982 in order to avoid a divorce.

McCormacks body has never been found.

Investigators in Westchester County, New York, probing the McCormack case scheduled an interview with Susan Berman, Dursts good friend from California.

On Christmas Eve, days before her interview, Berman was found dead in her home with a gunshot wound to her head.

The wealthy real estate heir admitted killing and dismembering neighbor Morris Black (pictured) in Texas in 2001 but was acquitted after claiming he acted in self-defense

The Los Angeles Police Department said that Bermans death has been an open investigation ever since.

The New York real estate heir moved to Galveston shortly after Bermans death.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said that statement from the 2015 interview indicates that Durst killed his estranged wife.

When he said, Im not taking that body anywhere, that was a reference to Kathie Durst and how he got rid of that body, Lewin told the jurors.

Lewin said that Berman was Dursts best friend who knew that he killed his wife.

She is even believed to have helped Durst cover up the crime by posing as Kathie Durst during a phone call.

Prosecutors believe that Berman used her knowledge of the crime as leverage over Durst.

It is alleged that after Berman told Durst that she was contacted by investigators from New York who are looking into his wifes disappearance, thats when Durst decided to kill her.

It was that conversation, Suzie Berman to Bob Durst, that sealed her fate, Lewin said.

The prosecutor alleged that Durst traveled to Los Angeles and shot Berman in the back of her head.

When Durst found out in late 2000 that police were reopening the investigation into his wifes suspicious disappearance 18 years earlier, he went into a panic, the jury at his murder trial in Los Angeles heard today.

People were going to find me guilty (of killing his wife) Durst said in a video interview shown in court.

Investigators have long suspected that he also murdered his first wife Kathie Durst, who disappeared in New York in 1982. Kathie's body has never been found and Durst has never been charged or convicted of his first wife's murder (couple above in their wedding photo)

'Evidence will show that much of the most damning evidence against Durst comes from Mr. Durst's own mouth,' Deputy District Attorney John Lewin (right) told the jury

Durst was the subject of the HBO documentary series The Jinx in 2015 (pictured in court) where he was caught on microphone appearing to admit to murder

Durst decided to go into hiding, moving to Galveston, where he rented a small apartment, donned a wig and assumed the identity of a woman called Dorothy Ciner, the name of a woman he knew years earlier.

He decided he wanted to blend in as a woman, Lewin told the jury of eight women and four men.

He didnt tell anyone in Galveston that he was Robert Durst. He wanted to be invisible.

Prosecutors also revealed on Thursday that Durst had a hit list of people he wanted to kill.

And on that list was his own younger brother Douglas - whom older brother Robert resented since Douglas was chosen over him to take charge of the family finances.

Also on that list, the court heard was Gilberta Adjani, a close friend of Dursts wife Kathy and a vocal critic of Durst whom she believes to have been behind Kathys disappearance.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles allege that Robert Durst had a 'hit list' that included his younger brother, Douglas Durst, the famed real estate developer who was chosen to head the family business. Douglas Durst is seen above in New York City in 2017

The hit list was found in a notebook kept and in it was an entry that read What DD (Douglas Durst) is doing to me put me in the same place as what Kathy did to me.

The notebook was one of several things found in Dursts rental car when he was arrested for shoplifting in Pennsylvania on November 30, 2001, 45 days after jumping $250,000 bail in Galveston following his arrest for the killing of Morris Black.

His Pennsylvania arrest was bizarre since he allegedly stole a sandwich and band aids from a convenience store - even though he had $500 in his pocket and $37,000 in the rental car, along with two handguns and Morris Blacks drivers license.

In a later video clip played in court, Durst brazenly admitted that once hed posted his $250,000 bail in Galveston, he intended to run and had no mind to come back to face the murder charge there.

Goodbye $250,000, goodbye jail, Im out,  he said.

Im not going to stay and face murder charges. My neighbor is shot in my apartment with my gun in my apartment and I dismember the body. I wasnt coming back.

'Whos going to believe me?

Durst, 76, appeared unsteady on his feet as he walked into the courtroom today, dressed in a white shirt, blue-gray jacket and beige pants.

He has pleaded not guilty to brutally murdering his long time best friend Berman at her home in Benedict Canyon in December 2000.

Berman had provided Durst with an alibi for the time in 1982 when Dursts wife, Kathy, mysteriously vanished from the couples home in Westchester County, New York.

Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin appears in court next to the defendant Durst during the opening statements of his trial

Judge Mark Windham presided over the opening statements today at LA Superior Court Airport courthouse

Lewin made his opening statements in front of a screen showing a picture of the crime scene where Berman was murdered

Around the time Durst fled to Galveston in November 2000 to live pretending to be a woman, the wealthy real estate heir was also giving financial help to Berman who was down in her luck and about to be evicted from her rented Los Angeles home, the court heard.

Durst sent her two checks, each for $25,000, said Lewin.

But if Durst thought that would buy Bermans silence about what really happened to Kathy Durst, all that changes when the cops started reinvestigating Kathys disappearance.

In a phone call with Durst, Berman told him that police had contacted her about Kathys disappearance, Lewin told the court, and she said to him she was going to tell the cops what she knew.

That statement sealed Susans fate said Lewin who added that Durst decided to kill her because he knew that she was not the best at keeping secrets.

On December 19 2000, Durst flew to Northern California where he kept a home and a Ford Explorer, in the small town of Trinidad.

On around December 22, Durst drove from Northern California to Bermans LA home, murdered her, then dove back to Northern California.

Mileage taken from services on the Explorer showed 1,150 miles travel and Durst caught a redeye flight from San Francisco to New York the night of December 23.

Prosecutors contend that Berman - who was expecting a visit from Durst over Christmas - let him into her home when he arrived there the evening of December 22.

She turned around, Durst pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot her point blank In the back of the head, Lewin told the court.

Her body was not found til December 24.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  March 6, 2020  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Walmart WMT, Pfizer PFE, Charter Communications CHTR, Lockheed Martin LMT and CME Group CME.

Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for Walmart, Pfizer and Charter Communications

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Walmart, Pfizer and Charter Communications. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of todays research reports here >>>

Walmarts shares have underperformed the Zacks Supermarkets industry over the past six months (+1.8% vs. +2.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that the companys focus on strengthening e-commerce and store operations has helped it retain its sturdy comps trend in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019, wherein U.S. comps rose for the 22nd straight time.

Further, e-commerce sales surged on robust online grocery performance. Management expects e-commerce sales to rise nearly 30% in fiscal 2021, wherein International sales are likely to grow 4%.

However, Walmarts earnings broke its positive surprise trend and fell year over year in the quarter due to higher cost of sales and increased operating, selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, disruption in Chile and a legal matter affected the bottom line. Further, the gross margin remained soft due to pricing and growing e-commerce mix.

Shares of Pfizer have lost -13.1% over the past year against the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industrys rise of +5.5%. The Zacks analyst believes that the Consumer Healthcare joint venture with Glaxo, the Array acquisition and the pending merger of Upjohn unit with Mylan, if successful, will make Pfizer a smaller company with a diversified portfolio of innovative drugs and vaccines.

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The smaller Pfizer should see better revenue growth as the Lyrica LOE cliff will go away. Pfizer expects continued strong growth of key brands like Ibrance, Inlyta and Eliquis to drive sales in 2020. Pfizer also has a strong portfolio of new drugs, which will accelerate growth in 2020 and beyond. However, Lyrica generic erosion, currency headwinds and pricing pressure are the key near-term top-line headwinds.

Charter Communications shares have gained +11.7% over the past three months against the Zacks Cable TV industrys rise of +0.6%. The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from growth in Internet, mobile, commercial and video revenues.

Increase in Internet speed at no extra cost is also aiding subscriber growth. Additionally, Charters spectrum mobile products are gaining traction and subscriber base is increasing rapidly. Launch of spectrum mobile services to small and medium business customers is a key catalyst. Improving free cash flow is a growth driver.

However, commercial revenues continued to suffer due to migration of customers to Spectrum pricing, and packaging from Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House. Further, Charter persistently loses video subscribers, primarily due to cord-cutting and intense competition from streaming service providers like Netflix and Amazon.

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Lockheed Martin and CME Group.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Click to get this free report Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report CME Group Inc. (CME) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research
Young student Noemi uses her laptop to study a lesson

In late January, Priya Lakhani, founder of Century Tech, an AI-driven learning platform for schools, got a question from her team: Should they offer free access to Centurywhich typically costs thousands of poundsto schools in China that had started to close as a result of the spreading coronavirus?

Without hesitation I said yes, go for it, Lakhani recounts. This is why we do what we do, and if we can help we should.

A little more than a month later, the British-based Century is giving training and access to its platform, which combines neuroscience and AI to individualize learning, to 50 schools in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and the UAE. Lakhani says anyone who wants it can use it (even in the UK).

Each school using Century delivers, on average, 565 lessons each week.

According to the United Nations, school closures in 13 countries to contain the spread of Covid-19 are disrupting the education of 290 million students globally, a figure without precedent. That has left millions of teachers, administrators, and students at the mercy of online learning, much of which is unfamiliar, and untested at such scale.

Teachers from Italy and Hong Kong to Kuwait and Bahrain are having to dive headlong into online learning, regardless of whether they feel confident using the tools, or whether they believe the tech platforms and tools are a productive way to learn.

Naima Charlier, director of teaching and learning at the Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong, says while the situation has been hard on everyone, she has also seen benefits, including a massive increase in teacher confidence around technology and e-platforms. Across all our subjects and teachers, that has been a huge positive, Charlier says. Teachers are trying and adjusting and sharing at warp speed what works and what doesnt.

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Theres a massive energy about how to do this incredibly different and difficult thing as well as we possibly can.

Lakhani says teachers are so dedicated to making sure that teaching and learning is happening that they will try anything, including using tech that might not have appealed before. Some of those educators and teachers, who you can imagine in a normal teaching environment might have a level of skepticism, or a lack of confidence [about tech], they are running with it, she says. People are in survival mode, and doing everything they can to make sure they continue teaching and learning.

Not so fast

Nord Anglia has the advantage of being well-versed in tech. But most of the schools and teachers in countries affected by the coronavirus are not. Many fear the impact on students at schools with fewer resources, and the potential of these unique circumstances to widen the already gaping divides in education.

Rose Luckin, a professor of learning-centered design at University College London, says there are many reasons to worry about the prospect of scaled remote learning across the UK: insufficient infrastructure (not everywhere has stable and reliable broadband connectivity); technology (not all schools have the tech they need or the technical support to make it happen); human resources (few schools have the teacher capacity to created well-designed online materials), and home technology: not all homes have the tech neededhardware or softwareto make it happen.

Disadvantaged learners will be even more disadvantaged, she says.

Even the most well-resourced and well-prepared schools face challenges. Ellen Mahoney, founder of Sea Change Mentoring, advises international schools on social and emotional learning, wellbeing initiatives, and mentorship. She says many teachers are struggling, as they work long hours to learn new tools and create new content, while also worrying about student wellbeing, something that can be very hard to assess online. Some are not well-versed in online ed, so they are in crisis mode and trying to make do, she says.

Iain Sachdev, principal of the International School of Monza in Italy, worked with his team to get the school up and running online within 24 hours of the announcement that schools in northern Italy were closing. He said teacher wellbeing had become a key issue. As we move into week three in Italy, teacher wellbeing is now our number one reflection and adjustment point, he said.

What are kids doing?

Schools and teachers can be notoriously slow at adopting new technologies, in part due to a lack of confidence, but also due to skepticism about their effectiveness. A lot of tech has come and gone, most with few results to show for it. Many edtech companies build solutions to problems that do not exist in a classroom. Teachers also know kids are social learnersthey respond well to humans.

Nord Anglia is in week five of the all-online experiment, and was probably as well-prepared as any school to move online. It is only six years old and was set up with laptops, iPads and VR headsets. But moving everything online has been a massive undertaking for its teachers, administrators, students, and parents.

The emphasis is on making sure the learning is happening.

Students there are using a variety of tech tools, including Nearpod, Firefly, Edmodo, Padlet, Flipgrid, Microsoft and Century. The emphasis is on making sure the learning is happening. That involves doing a lot of real-time assessment, while trying to keep it interesting.

Charlier says Padleta platform where teachers and students can share ideas, images, and videos to build a visual picture of learninghas been popular across age groups. Setting it up in different configurations allows teachers to see answers to different categories of questions and color code responses so they can quickly give feedback, she says. Students can see their classmates work, which allows them to collaborate. Nearpods lets teachers upload English content, ask questions in real time, and see answers as they come in. In this way, they can immediately assess who understands the content and who does not.

As an example, Charliers seven-year-old daughter, a student at Nord Anglia, had a drama class tied to a science lesson about life cycles. They watched a video of (real) lizards hatching and then, to the music from Planet of the Apes, had to imagine and act out on film the actions they would do to hatch out of an egg. We enjoyed watching it, she says.

Nord Anglia was already considering becoming a paying Century client before the coronavirus epidemic. The school accepted the offer to use its technology for free, with teachers attending online trainings and relying on the Century staff in London to help them get up to speed.

How Century works

Teachers can either access Centurys pre-existing lessons, or upload their own. As students make their way though the content, the platform learns their knowledge level, skills, pace of learning, and gaps. With that knowledge it can individualize learning pathways. Century says it can identify not just that a student is having difficulty, but why, and what to do to help. Teachers get a dashboard with real-time information about every students performance.

Lakhani says she set up Century in response to two problems: bored students and overworked teachers. Education should not be one-size-fits-all, and tech should definitively be able to reduce teacher workload.

At Nord Anglia, all students from year three to year 11 (ages 7-16) are using Century. Charlier likes the autonomy it gives children over their own learning, while allowing teachers to see exactly where every student is on every topic of a curriculum. The quality of the lessons is good, she says, as is the sequence (the order in which kids learn things is important). She watched her daughter get 50% on a lesson, before repeating it twice, and scoring 90%. Giving them a tool to let them take control of their learning and see where they are strong and where there are gaps is very powerful, she says.

As we spoke, Charlier checked on how the entire Century group was doing. One had completed 10% of a math course that had not yet been assigned. Hes chosen to do that, she says. Another spent three hours and 40 min on another math course, completing 20%.

Learning science has established that the best time to learn something is right before you are about to forget it, and that it helps to switch between subjects as you study, and to space out study time. Charlier says Centurys artificial intelligence was developed with cognitive scientists, as well as curriculum experts, so that the learning materials are suggested to the students based on the best time to learn.

Long term effects?

How much of this headlong embrace of online learning sticks when everyone goes back to school is anyones guess. Charlier says that the biggest fear teachers face right now is knowing how much kids are learning since they are not in front of us. Tools like Century, she says,help enormously but the true effects will be measured when students are back in the classroom.

Lakhani believes this experience will empower teachers to decide what online learning tools work for them and their students. Mahoney agrees. Down the line there will be interesting lessons from this. One is how to use technology and I hope it helps schools to be more adaptable and flexible.

Charlier, who has long-embraced tech in schools, says the biggest lesson of the experience may be just how important being together in person really is.

For those of us wondering if we can not have schools in the future, the question is answered, she says. We need the building, and to meet face to face, and to have quick fire, rapid conversations, she says. We can do amazing things to help them learn and to have ownership, and as teachers we can be creative, but if we can do all that and be together in the buildings, thats a powerful future.

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The last attacker was killed more than five hours after the initial gunfire, according to a senior Afghan official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media while the investigation into the attack was ongoing. The official said the large number of interconnected rooms and the presence of civilians in the building used by the attackers slowed efforts to reach them.
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. A 13-year-old girl from Gyumri who was severely battered on March 5 remains in critical condition after being transported to a Yerevan hospital. The girl underwent an emergency surgery in Gyumri before being taken to Yerevan.

The head of the Holy Mother of God Medical Center Nikolay Dallakyan said the girl has suffered multiple traumas, closed-head injury, cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, fractures of multiple facial bones.

The victim was rushed to Yerevan from Gyumri at 01:30 March 6. She was on assisted ventilation and unconscious, and remains so. Dallakyan said the girl is in a critical condition, but stable. He added that the brain trauma is very serious.

After the child was taken to a hospital in Gyumri on March 5, police officers were dispatched to the apartment where the incident had taken place. First responders found the childs 43-year-old mother dead. Her body had traces of violence.

Gyumri police said theyve a 28-year-old suspect in custody.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
A special NIA court here on Friday convicted and sentenced three persons for their involvement in circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) after procuring them from Bangladesh via the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Amerul, 40, Alam Sekh, 24 and Asim Kumar Saha, 36, all residents of Malda, West Bengal, have been convicted under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an NIA spokesperson said.

Saha has also been convicted in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The court accepted their 'plead guilty' petitions and convicted them of all charges.

Amerul, Sekh and Saha have been jailed for five years and fined Rs 15,000, Rs 11,000 and Rs 21,000 respectively, the official said.

On May 12, 2015, Kaliachak Police in a joint operation with the BSF had seized high-quality FICN with a face value of Rs 9,00,000 in the denomination of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500, and 800 grams of opium from the possession of Sunesh Kumar and Rajen Kumar in Malda, the NIA official said.

Both were arrested and charged with the relevant sections of the IPC and NDPS Act. The NIA re-registered the case on June 12, 2015 and added a section of UA(P) Act.

After completion of investigation, the NIA filed charge sheets against eight accused, including one absconding Bangladeshi national.

On September 24 last year, three of them were convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000 each.

The accused and their associates, who were active since 2014, had hatched a criminal conspiracy for circulating FICN in India after procuring it from Bangladesh, the NIA official said.

They planned to circulate the FICN via the Indo-Bangladesh International border in different parts of India, the official said.

Trial against the remaining two accused will continue, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
They all, even the 20-year veterans, described this as the worst scene of their careers, she told the judge. When we were talking with them, we could see them replaying it in their minds. She said some are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
COLUMBUS, OhioSeveral Republican Ohio House candidates on Friday took the unusual step of banding together to decry an avalanche of dark money spent against them to help the favored candidates of Republican House Speaker Larry Householder.

During a news conference in Clermont County, House District 65 candidate Joe Dills, House District 66 candidates Adam Bird and Nick Owens, and House District 71 candidate Thad Claggett called for an end to the stream of negative ads against them, saying there was strong circumstantial evidence that Householder illegally coordinated with the group behind the ad, the Growth and Opportunity PAC.

The political action committee has already spent at least $265,000 reserving broadcast ads in the Cincinnati TV and radio market supporting Jean Schmidt and Allen Freeman, the Householder-backed candidates for the 65th and 66th House District Republican primaries, respectively, FCC records show. Both seats, located in Clermont County (as well as Brown County, in the case of House District 66) are being vacated by term-limited incumbents.

Claggett, whos running for a seat covering much of Licking County, is being targeted by both the Growth and Opportunity PAC and the House Republican Campaign Committee, the Ohio House GOP caucus campaign arm. The HRCC has reserved $264,700 worth of Columbus TV air time in support of his primary opponent, recently appointed state Rep. Mark Fraizer of Newark.

The four candidates said the ads against them hit below the belt, as they focus on smearing their personal and professional reputations, often in misleading or untrue ways.

"It's about total control and power, Owens said. It doesn't stop when Larry Householder was elected speaker -- he has to have his political people in place to do exactly what they are told to do.

Owens and Dills said federal lawmakers should pass new campaign finance restrictions. In particular, Owens called for more frequent spending disclosures and a constitutional amendment overruling the U.S. Supreme Courts Citizens United decision that lifted many regulations on dark-money spending.

The Growth and Opportunity PAC is a federal Super PAC, meaning it can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as it doesnt coordinate with any candidate or candidate committee.

Owens, an Ohio State Board of Education member and a Brown County assistant prosecutor, said he has no direct evidence to show that Householder has been violating campaign finance law by coordinating with Growth and Opportunity PAC. But he said theres overwhelming circumstantial evidence in favor of illegal coordination.

In a follow-up interview, Owens said that evidence includes the timing of ads by Growth and Opportunity PAC and Householder-backed candidates campaigns. He also noted that the PAC and the HRCC have the same ad vendor -- Strategy Group for Media, a Columbus political firm thats close with Householder and other Ohio Republicans.

Asked to respond to the allegations of coordination, HRCC spokeswoman Rachel Hoynes stated in an email: The House Republican Campaign Committee is committed to helping all of our incumbents get reelected. We work directly with our members, not outside groups. Any false accusation of illegal coordination without evidence is irresponsible and should not be tolerated.

The lawyer for Growth and Opportunity PAC, Eric Lycan, didnt immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

However, Lycan stated in an email to the Brown County Press that Growth and Opportunity PACs involvement in House Districts 65 and 66 stems from a broken local process when it comes to vetting candidates  a reference to Dills and Bird being endorsed by the Clermont County GOP.

Lycan made accusations of personal and professional issues regarding Dills, Bird, and Owens -- such as Dills past usage of the cheating website Ashley Madison, revelations of which by Team Householder led the Ohio Republican Party to withdraw its endorsement of him last month.

We believe that the voters of Clermont and Brown Counties deserve to know the record and character of individuals running for the Legislature.

Voters put a significant amount of trust In a person when they elect them to the Statehouse, Lycan stated.

He added later: And if voters dont know the whole story about someones professional record or personal character, how can they put that level of trust in anyone?

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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano and Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 20:39 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068e05e9 1 National coronavirus,COVID-19,health-ministry,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,COVID-19-Indonesian-patients,indonesia-protocols-COVID-19 Free

The Indonesia government has finally released its official protocols for dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Members of the public are expected to follow the protocols if they find they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

If you are experiencing one of the COVID-19 symptoms, such as a 38-degree Celsius fever, please take a rest. Drink a lot of water, Health Ministry secretary-general Oscar Primadi said on Friday.

Read also: BREAKING: Indonesia confirms two new COVID-19 cases

According to Oscar, the protocols are meant to guide the actions of people when they gather in public places. The protocols deal with educational areas, public areas, public transportation, health access, first aid and identifying the infection.

For example, if the symptoms of feverish people persist after resting and drinking water and if they begin to experience difficulty breathing, the ministry strongly advises them to seek treatment at the nearest health facility. They should also refrain from using public transportation.

Read also: Four suspected to have COVID-19 after contact with Case 1: Health Ministry

Do not forget to wear a face mask when you are going to the health centers. If one did not possess a face mask, one can replace it by closing the mouths upon sneezing, or using a tissue, or the back of the arms, Oscar said.

People suspected to have contracted COVID-19 are to be taken to a referral hospital. Patients would later have samples of their bodily fluids taken for testing. Patients who test positive are to be treated in isolation wards. If they test negative, they are to receive treatment to relieve their symptoms.

We also have another protocol for educational units. The Education Agency and Health Agency in the area have to coordinate with each other. They have to provide hand soap and water and they have to put them at strategic places in schools, Oscar said.

Read also: COVID-19: Korean Air suspends flights between Incheon, Soekarno-Hatta airports

The Education Ministrys acting spokesman, Ade Erlangga Masdiana, said that if a student, a teacher, or a students parents become infected with the coronavirus and contract COVID-19, the school should coordinate with the Health Agency.

They [the schools] are also allowed to postpone school activities for 14 days, Ade said. (dpk)
In Australia, major grocers have restricted supplies to one pack per person. In Japan, rolls are chained to the wall in public toilets. In Hong Kong, armed robbers carried out a heist as supplies were delivered to a supermarket.

Toilet paper has emerged as the unlikely No.1 stockpiling target for people across Asia who are worried that the spread of the coronavirus epidemic will lead to supply shortages.

While other household products - including disinfectants, tissues and staples like rice and pasta - have also proved popular, it is the humble toilet roll that has inspired showdowns in supermarket aisles and countless social media memes.

The demand has caught many shoppers and sellers short, but psychologists say hoarding is a natural human reaction in times of high anxiety - and a desire to ensure sufficient supplies for lavatory visits in particular is not too much of a surprise.

In Australia, police were called out to settle grocery aisle disputes, a delivery truck catching fire due to a mechanical fault made national headlines, and outback newspaper The NT News published an eight-page liftout of blank paper saying the move was to give the nation what it wanted.

YES, WE ACTUALLY DID PRINT IT #toiletpapercrisis pic.twitter.com/jusP50ojYu  The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2020

Its been a wild week. Everyones been on the edge of their seat looking at whats happening, said Simon Griffiths, co-founder of Who Gives A Crap, a social enterprise that sells recycled toilet paper and gives half its profit to sanitation-related charity.

When were buying stuff, things close to the body are very comforting, whether that be food, body care or in this case toilet paper, Adam Ferrier, a Melbourne-based psychologist who specialises in consumer behaviour, told Reuters.

The size of toilet paper makes it feel like a substantial, big purchase. It makes it feel like youre doing something. It taps back into that need for control. If youre buying a hefty big pack of toilet paper, you kind of feel like youre stocking up. You signify to yourself that youre in control.

Photos posted on social media showed plenty of shoppers in Asia seeking control this week as they pushed precariously overloaded carts to checkout counters after stripping shelves bare.

The company had to suspend store sales and new subscriptions on Wednesday when sales volumes jumped 1100% the day before.
WASHINGTON  Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he should not have used the words I used when he declared at a rally in front of the Supreme Court that two justices would pay the price for their decision in an abortion case.

Republicans chastised Schumer for the remark and Chief Justice John Roberts in a rare rebuke said the words were inappropriate and dangerous. Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Schumers words astonishingly reckless and completely irresponsible and said they could have horrific unintended consequences. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, floated the idea of a censure.

Schumer directed the comments at Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh while a significant abortion case was being argued at the high court.

You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions, Schumer said, naming the two appointees of President Donald Trump, according to video of the rally.

Schumer did not back down from the comments on Wednesday evening, with his spokesman criticizing Roberts as not remaining impartial. But Schumer clarified the next morning that he meant political consequences for the justices, not physical ones. He said it was a gross distortion to imply otherwise.

Im from Brooklyn, we speak in strong language, Schumer said. I shouldnt have used the words I did, but in no way was I making a threat. I never, never would do such a thing. And Leader McConnell knows that, and Republicans who are busy manufacturing outrage over these comments know that too.

He said he made the comments because he feels passionately about protecting abortion rights.

I feel so deeply, the anger of women all across America, Schumer said. About Senate Republicans and the courts, working hand in glove to take down Roe v Wade.

The dust-up was the latest in a series of politically charged moments around the Supreme Court  and those two justices, in particular. Republicans are still nursing resentments from Kavanaughs contentious confirmation after he faced decades-old allegations of sexual assault. Democrats are still angry about McConnells 2016 decision not to confirm a new justice after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia while President Barack Obama was still in office. Trump nominated Gorsuch for that position after he became president.

Schumer spoke for less than four minutes at the rally Wednesday, just as arguments got underway in the first major abortion case since Gorsuch and Kavanaugh joined the court. The Democrat invoked the two justices whose nominations he opposed, giving a thumbs-down gesture to provoke boos from the crowd.

His reference to a whirlwind hearkened back to Kavanaughs own passionate opening statement at a 2018 confirmation hearing. The judge lashed out at Democrats who had criticized him as the panel reviewed the sexual assault allegations.

I fear the country will reap the whirlwind, Kavanaugh said then.

Hours after the rally where Schumer appeared, Roberts issued the statement singling out his comments. Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous, Roberts said.

It was only the second time the chief justice has responded to criticism of individual judges. In 2018, Roberts rebuked Trump for the presidents criticism of an Obama judge.

But Roberts has otherwise stayed silent, including in recent weeks when Trump questioned the impartiality of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, and of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who presided over the trial and sentencing of Trump ally Roger Stone.

Likewise, Senate Republicans did not criticize those comments. McConnell himself came under criticism in August when his campaign tweeted a photo of signs that were shaped as tombstones with names of Judge Merrick Garland, Obamas nominee to replace Scalia, and McConnells likely 2020 election opponent, Democrat Amy McGrath.

Asked about Schumers comments, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Schumer had said his words were not appropriate, and I support him on that.

The justices are weighing a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. A federal judge found that just one of Louisianas three abortion clinics would remain open if the law is allowed to take effect.

Roberts is expected to be the deciding vote. The court struck down a similar law in 2016, before Kavanaugh and Gorsuch joined the court.
SACRAMENTO  Can church parking lots provide a solution to Californias housing shortage? A pair of bills would make it easier to build affordable housing projects on property owned by religious institutions.

Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced a measure Thursday to remove local zoning restrictions for residential development by churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith organizations, as well as nonprofit hospitals.

SB899 would permit them to build apartments and condominiums that are entirely affordable to low-income residents without having to ask officials to rezone their land for multifamily housing.

Projects in residential neighborhoods could be up to three stories tall and include as many as 40 units. In mixed-use and commercial areas, they could be five stories tall with 150 units. Developers would have to agree to keep the housing affordable to low-income renters for at least 55 years and to low-income buyers for at least 45 years.

For cash-strapped religious institutions with shrinking congregations or closed buildings, developing excess land into housing can be an attractive proposition  and one that fits with their charitable mission of serving poor or homeless people.

Consultants say they are exploring projects with dozens of churches in the Bay Area. Religious properties are considered prime sites for affordable housing in San Francisco, particularly in neighborhoods like the Sunset District where few homes have been built in recent years.

Wiener said his bill is meant to remove stumbling blocks, such as the costly and time-consuming rezoning process, for faith organizations and nonprofit hospitals trying to convert their unused space.

Churches and other religious and charitable institutions often have land to spare, and they should be able to use that land to build affordable housing and thus further their mission, he said in a statement.

His proposal follows another measure introduced earlier this year by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, to loosen minimum parking requirements for religious properties. AB1851 would make it easier for churches and other faith institutions to build affordable housing projects on their parking lots without having to replace the lost spaces or add new ones for the residents.

A Lutheran church in San Diego that wanted to redevelop its fellowship hall into affordable housing ran into problems last year because of a city code linking parking spots to the number of pews.

Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 23:40:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education (MOE) has issued a guideline, calling for efforts to ensure that each student can receive online education during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Schools are prohibited to force students to prove learning records by "logging in" for online study or uploading study videos, said the guideline, adding that education authorities should listen to opinions from teachers, parents and students to improve the quality of online education.

Primary and middle schools in China were required to open online curriculums by using official educational websites to ensure the study of 180 million students as the new school semester had been postponed due to the nationwide measures taken to contain the epidemic.

The MOE also demanded colleges and universities to offer online teaching and learning resources following the postponement of school semesters.
With Washington University and St. Louis University medical schools already in St. Louis, and major health systems including BJC HealthCare, SSM Health and Mercy based in the region, Lenihan said it also will be easier to find the 120 faculty and staff members the new school plans to hire.

We are excited Ponce Health Sciences University is coming to town and see it as a win for the region and for our School of Medicine. We look forward to continuing to explore the potential for partnership between our schools that exists, said Dr. Daniel Blash, chief diversity officer at SLU School of Medicine.

The new school will be built by Clayco and leased by Ponce. It will be part of developer Paul McKees sweeping NorthSide Regeneration Plan to develop the site of the former Pruitt-Igoe housing project across from the future site of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys western headquarters.

Gateway Elementary School is across the street, Lenihan pointed out, and those students and others in the area will be more exposed to the idea of going to medical school.
Known to buy the occasional outfit for the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Wessex is also now a secret shopper for the Queen.

Shirt-maker Emma Willis discloses that Sophie is among her customers  and she doesnt just buy for herself.

Ive made many, many clothes for the Countess of Wessex  when I used to do a full womens collection, she tells me. She bought a shirt for her husband, Prince Edward, once.

Queen Elizabeth II and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England

And she also bought a shirt for her mother-in-law, so Ive made a shirt for the Queen.

The Countess is a big supporter of the British clothes industry, Emma adds.

Sophie is very involved with the London College of Fashion, so shes been involved with all their new developments.

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

The smart sets talking about...Royal pal Julias new vows

Prince Georges godmother Julia Samuel is to marry again  but to the same man.

The distinguished psychotherapist told guests at this weeks launch party for her book, This Too Shall Pass, that she is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her wedding to her husband Michael, of the Hill Samuel banking family, by renewing their vows.

Pic shows Samantha and David Cameron with Julia Samuel and her husband Michael Samuel

Guests included David Cameron and wife Samantha, right with the Samuels. Also invited were Julias sister Sabrina Guinness and brother-in-law, the Oscar-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. Pals wanted to give Julia a hug or kiss to congratulate her, but had been advised to restrain themselves.

Invitations to the party at the Tabernacle, in Londons Notting Hill, had suggested that with the background threat of coronavirus there would be no handshaking or hugging.

Julia  whose son, Ben, was the godchild of her friend Princess Diana  says she and Michael will include some new vows at their second wedding: Silly things, like when we are old and decrepit I promise not to hit you with a walking stick.

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

Emmas Anya and her snapper click

Determined to play cupid as Emma in the new big-screen adaptation of Jane Austens novel (top), Anya Taylor-Joy has found her own match in real life.

Determined to play cupid as Emma in the new big-screen adaptation of Jane Austens novel (top), Anya Taylor-Joy has found her own match in real life

I can disclose that the 23-year-old American is enjoying a passionate romance with a fashionable photographer who styles himself Pip.

The Northerner  real name, Ben Seed  is pictured kissing Anya, who plays gangster Michaels wife, Gina, in hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders.

Emma Actress Anya Taylor Joy looking very much loved up whilst out in London with her new boyfriend, Pip, a photographer who has photographed Anya on several occasions, enjoying a day out together in London

They make a lovely couple, gushes a friend of the pair, who are seen in London, where they both live.

Pip has snapped a constellation of stars including Sir Ian McKellen, Homelands Damian Lewis and pop star Ellie Goulding.

Anya is thought to have fallen for Pip while he was taking her picture. Sounds like another David Bailey  in more ways than one.
Govt bans 2 Malayalam channels for 48 hours over Delhi riots coverage

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Friday, 6 March, suspended the broadcast of two Kerala-based news channels (Media One TV channel and Asianet News TV channel) for 48 hours over their coverage of the violence in northeast Delhi saying such reportage could enhance communal disharmony.

The 48-hour ban on the two channels will be effective from 7.30 PM on Friday (5 March) till 7.30 PM on 8 March.

The two channels - Media One and Asianet News TV - were earlier issued a show cause notice and after they filed their replies, the ministry found them to be in violation of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The government order expressed dissatisfaction on reports broadcast by the two channels on the recent carnage in Delhi.

The two TV channels were accused of covering the violence in Delhi 'in a manner which highlighted the attack on places of worship and sided towards a particular community.'

The order read, "Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters."

Malayalam channels Asianet News, Media one barred for 48 hour

Here's the official order:https://t.co/t3UTlbmBsi  OneIndia (@Oneindia) March 6, 2020

"Such telecast could incite violence & pose danger to maintenance of law & order situation, particularly when the situation is already highly volatile & charged up & riots are taking place in the area with reports of killings & bloodbath," the notification added.

Earlier on Friday, a Delhi court sent suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to seven-day police custody in connection with the Ankit Sharma murder case.

The death toll due to the violence in northeast Delhi last week rose to 53 on Thursday. Forty four deaths have been reported from the GTB hospital, five from RML hospital, three from LNJP hospital and one from Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital.
Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2020 -- Stratagem Market Insights proclaims the obtainability of new statistical data to its repository titled as, Luxury Tourism market. It covers the wide-ranging aspects of the businesses such as pillars, features, sales strategies, planning models to get better insights for the businesses. Furthermore, it throws light on recent developments and technological platforms, several tools, and methodologies that help to boost the performance of industries.



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INDIANAPOLIS - A white former South Bend police officer was justified in the fatal shooting of an African American man last summer, but he was charged Friday with soliciting a prostitute a month before the shooting that roiled then-Mayor Pete Buttigiegs presidential campaign, a special prosecutor announced.

Special prosecutor Ric Hertel was appointed to lead an investigation into former Sgt. Ryan ONeills fatal June 16 shooting of 54-year-old Eric Logan, who ONeill said had refused his orders to drop a knife while the officer was investigating a report of a person breaking into cars.

Hertel said during a news conference that evidence showed Logan approached ONeill with a knife and the officer feared for his safety when he fired two shots, one of which struck Logan in the upper abdomen.

The use of deadly force by Sgt. ONeill was justified based upon the threat and imminent danger presented by the sharp-edged knife in the right hand of Mr. Logan, according to a report Hertel released Friday.

The shooting wasnt captured on video because ONeills dash and body cameras werent activated, and nearby security cameras didnt record the incident. Hertel said other evidence showed the officer had cause to fear for his life.

ONeill must have had a subjective belief that he was going to sustain serious bodily injury, he said. ONeill resigned from the South Bend Police Department in July.

The news conference was repeatedly interrupted by people shouting, including by a woman who was removed after she yelled expletives and accused authorities of lying.

The only thing thats clear is you were hired to stand up here and tell us lies, another person shouted.

Logans family sued in federal court accusing ONeill of using excessive deadly force. The lawsuit also names the city of South Bend as a defendant.

The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from Brian Coffman, a Chicago-based lawyer for Logans family, on Hertels announcement.

While ONeill wont be charged in the shooting, he does face two felony charges  official misconduct and ghost employment  and a misdemeanour count of public indecency.

A probable cause affidavit filed with the charges states that ONeill was in his police cruiser, in uniform, on May 16, 2019, when he pulled up next to a woman and solicited her for a sex act. He paid her $20.

ONeill was booked into the St. Joseph County Jail on Friday morning and later released.

His attorney, John Kautzman, released a statement saying we appreciate the careful analysis and review of this matter and the Prosecutors conclusion that Ryan ONeill acted legally and reasonably.

Weve always believed the evidence proves that Ryan ONeill was justified in defending himself on the date in question and did not engage in any improper conduct related to this encounter, Kautzman said.

Hertel said that his investigation of Logans shooting found that there were seven car break-ins late on June 15 and early on June 16 in a two-block radius of the area where Logan was fatally shot. He said the knife Logan was carrying had been taken from one of those cars. A purse and a wallet were also among the items found on the scene after the shooting, he said.

The fallout from Logans fatal shooting presented Buttigieg with some of the toughest moments of the Democrats White House campaign.

Buttigieg, who ended his presidential campaign on Sunday, stepped away from the campaign trail and faced angry residents at an emotional town hall in South Bend, a city of about 100,000 residents, a quarter of whom are black.

Black Lives Matters South Bend chapter, which planned a Friday evening vigil at the site where Logan was fatally shot, decried Hertels decision.

Black people across this nation, and the world, know that justice for Black lives is seldom realized. We are deeply saddened by the Special Prosecutors decision, but we are not surprised, the group said in a statement.
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act filed by an activist.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant issued notice to the Centre on activist Saket Gokhale's plea and tagged them along with over 160 petitions challenging the CAA which are listed for hearing this month.

The CAA, which was notified on January 10, grants Indian citizenship to non Muslim minorities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution.

The top court, on December 18 last year, had decided to examine the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), while refusing to stay its operation.

Hearing a batch of 143 petitions, the top court, had on January 22, made it clear that the operation of the CAA will not be stayed and gave the government four weeks to respond to the pleas.

The court had also said that pleas concerning Tripura and Assam, as well as the matters related to Uttar Pradesh, which is going ahead with the implementation of CAA without framing any rules, can be dealt with separately.

It had also said the modalities of hearing the batch of petitions on the CAA will be decided in-chamber and the court may fix them for day-to-day hearing after four weeks.

President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12, turning it into an Act.

Several petitions have been filed, challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA. Among those who have filed pleas are the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

The IUML said in its plea that the CAA violates the fundamental right to equality and intends to grant citizenship to a section of illegal immigrants by making an exclusion on the basis of religion.

The petition had alleged that the government's CAA was against the basic structure of the Constitution and intended to explicitly discriminate against Muslims as the Act extended benefits only to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.

The plea filed by Ramesh said the Act is a "brazen attack" on the core fundamental rights envisaged under the Constitution and treats "equals as unequal".

The other petitioners include the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the All Assam Students Union (AASU), the Peace Party, the CPI, NGOs Rihai Manch and Citizens Against Hate, advocate M L Sharma, and law students.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kasautii Zindagii Kay: Television actor Parull Chaudhry and Kabir Singh actor Kunal Thakur will soon be seen in Ekta Kapoor's show Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

Kasautii Zindagii Kay: Erica Fernandez and Parth Samthaan show Kasautii Zindagii Kay is currently in its full dramatic swing. Since, the time Anurag tried to kill Prerna, the curiosity and the interest in the show has subsequently enhanced. Further, the most shocking was Mr. Bajaj entry to save Prerna. After all this drama and a leap of 8 years, Prerna is now back in Kolkata with Cookie and is all set to seek revenge from Anurag and his entire family.

Now, that the heroine is all set to take revenge for killing her daughter. Ekta Kapoor has added a new twist in the show by her new entries. There are reports that Television actress Parull Chaudhry, who was last seen in Divya Drishti, will feature in the revengeful love story. Not just this, Shahid Kapurs costar Kunal Thakur in his film Kabir Singh, will also be seen in the show soon.

While giving an interview, Kunal Thakur revealed that Kasautii Zindagii Kay will be his Television debut and he is very excited to be part of this daily soap as this is a legendary show. He revealed that on the sets he get to learn so many new things and the production people along with the directors help him to get this large exposure.

Also Read: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata hai Spoiler alert! Kartik meets with an accident, Naira breaks down on seeing him

On the other hand, Parull was also seen much excited for Kasautii Zindagii Kay and will eb seen playing Anurag;s elder sister Rakhi, who has returned from Canada.

Also Read: Mujhse Shaadi Karoge promo: Mayur Verma clarifies his relationship status with Jasleen Matharu, she gets angry

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When Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a popular comedian with no political experience, won Ukraine's presidential election in April, many questioned whether he could stand up to the powerful oligarchs that have wielded power in Kyiv from behind the scenes for decades.



After all, his fairy-tale win was backed by Ihor Kolomoyskiy, a billionaire reportedly under U.S. investigation for money laundering.



But when Zelenskiy's party won a landslide parliamentary victory just three months later, ushering in independent Ukraine's youngest-ever government, many expressed optimism that the 40-something president would finally push the country down the difficult and elusive path of reform that could lead to greater integration with the West.



His initial words and actions conveyed that message, enabling him to win the confidence of many U.S. and European officials and business leaders. But that initial impression now appears to be waning amid signs that the rich and powerful are returning to their old-guard role of stifling change.



Ukraine's parliament -- on the back of support from Zelenskiy's Servant Of The People party and parties with close ties to the country's elite -- dismissed Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka on March 5, a day after the president sacked most of his government in a major reshuffle.



"One can definitely say that today, oligarchs showed their strength," Olena Tregub, secretary-general at the Independent Defense Anti-Corruption Committee, told RFE/RL after Ryaboshapka's ouster.



Zelenskiy replaced 34-year-old Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk with Denys Shmyhal, a former executive at DTEK, an energy company controlled by Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest man.

Honcharuk's dismissal came just days after he sought to replace the Kolomoyskiy-backed manager of CentrEnergo, a state-owned company and one of the nation's largest power producers. Zelenskiy opposed the management reshuffle.



Gone too from the cabinet are Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, who negotiated loans with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Economy Minister Tymofiy Mylovanov, who had been leading the controversial agricultural land-market reform that is now stalled in parliament.



Tregub said the outgoing ministers had no prior affiliation with oligarchs, describing it as a departure from Ukraine's political history that is now being reversed.



"Nobody is happy about the government changes. Especially given who came to replace the former ministers. And given that everything happened so abruptly and way too fast," said Tregub.



Ukrainian prosecutors have long been seen as being at the root of the nation's endemic corruption, using their law enforcement power to settle scores for their oligarch backers.

The appointment in August of Ryaboshapka, a lawyer and anti-corruption crusader, was widely seen in the West as a break from the office's reputation of doing the bidding of Ukraine's oligarchs.



Ryaboshapka, who quit Ukraine's National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption in protest in 2017 over alleged cover-ups, was overseeing "one of the most comprehensive and meaningful reform efforts in the nation's civilian security sector in years," the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine said in a March 4 statement.



Falling Ratings?



In explaining his decision to reshuffle the government, Zelenskiy blamed Honcharuk for failing to halt an industrial slump and for not meeting tax-collection targets. Ukraine needs "new brains and new hearts in the government," Zelenskiy told parliament on March 4.



However, analysts have suggested the reshuffle was driven by Zelenskiy's falling approval rating, which has tumbled from a high of about 73 percent to just below 50 percent.



Mykhailo Minakov, the senior adviser on Ukraine for the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute, offered additional reasons. He said in a March 5 report that the new cabinet ministers are more aligned with the goals of Zelenskiy and his new chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who replaced Andriy Bohdan in February.

Minakov also said the dominance of Western-leaning ministers in Honcharuk's cabinet "was not acceptable" to many Ukrainian politicians.



Morgan Williams, the president of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, told RFE/RL that the members of his lobby group highly rated the efforts of Markarova and Mylovanov to improve the Ukrainian economy and investment climate. He said members of the council are "alarmed and confused" about the reshuffle and the impact it will have on reforms.



"The business community thought 2020 was going to be a very stable year with the passage of major reforms. Many members were counting on it to justify expansion of their businesses in Ukraine, and now it's all on hold," Williams said. "Why was this necessary?"



Reform Agenda



Zelenskiy's government reshuffle comes amid an aggressive push to implement key economic and political reforms, including judicial reform, the creation of a land market, the privatization of state-owned assets, and the cleaning up of the defense and banking sectors.



Ukraine is one of only six countries, including Cuba and North Korea, that does not allow its citizens to buy and sell land. Economists say land reform would spark a tidal wave of investment in Ukraine and drive economic growth over the coming years.



Some of those reforms, especially bank solvency legislation, threaten oligarchs' interests.



Zelenskiy is not the first to address the issue, being the third Ukrainian president in the last 15 years to be elected on a reform mandate.



Viktor Yushchenko and Petro Poroshenko, who won the presidential elections in 2004 and 2014, respectively, failed in some of their attempts to carry out major reforms due in part to opposition from oligarchs.



Ukraine's failure to reform since the collapse of the Soviet Union has left its people among the poorest in Europe. At the dawn of the 1990s, Ukraine's economy was roughly the same size as Poland's. Today its $130 billion economy is less than a quarter the size of its smaller neighbor, according to World Bank data.



Moving Faster



The U.S. Department of State has said it is looking forward to working with the revamped government, but called on the country to stick to its reform agenda. The United States has been a major supporter of Ukraine financially and militarily over the past six years.



"We urge the new Ukrainian cabinet to demonstrate its continued commitment to reform by moving forward with the critical steps necessary to further the country's development, including strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption. The strongest signal Ukraine can send that it remains committed to its reform trajectory is to secure a new IMF [International Monetary Fund] program," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement to RFE/RL.



Kyiv is seeking to finalize a long-delayed $5.5 billion loan program with the IMF seen as crucial to economic stability and investor confidence.

The IMF program requires Kyiv to carry out legislation that will prevent oligarchs from recovering banks the state nationalized, or from receiving compensation. Kolomoyskiy is seeking to recover PrivatBank, which the state bailed out with a $5.6 billion infusion of cash.



Shmyhal, the new prime minister, has said he will continue the reform agenda. In a Facebook post on March 5, he said the government reshuffle "means that we want even better and faster reforms in Ukraine."



The new cabinet will continue "prudent fiscal policy and constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and other creditors of Ukraine," he added.



However, several analysts have pointed out that new Finance Minister Ihor Umansky has been critical of the IMF in the past and has no experience of working with the international lender.



Dragon Capital, a Kyiv-based investment house, also expressed apprehension about the sudden changes.



"The composition of the new cabinet -- which failed to include the previous government's key market-orientated ministers -- and [the] little policy detail offered by the new PM thus far are raising questions about the continuation and quality of reforms despite Zelenskiy's pledge of no reversal," Dragon said in a March 5 note.
Hyderabad, March 6 : Planning for his son's higher education, Peddi Srinivas deposited money in Yes Bank but with the bank in crisis, he is worried over the impact it may have on his plans.

And Srinivas is just one other customer like million others who might be facing a similar crisis.

Srinivas, who has his account in Somajiguda branch of Yes Bank here, now wants to withdraw Rs 5 lakh he had deposited.

Like many others, Srinivas, a real estate businessman, got worried after hearing the news about the moratorium imposed on withdrawals from the bank. He immediately approached a bank official, who assured him that there is no need for panic.

"He told me that for emergencies the depositors will be allowed to withdraw more than Rs 50,000. For this I have to submit the proof. The procedure will be known in a day or two. He said they let me know what are the documents to be submitted and assured me that I will get back the money and there is nothing to worry," Srinivas told IANS.

The businessman had opened its account in Yes Bank about a year ago and deposited Rs.10 lakh for his son's overseas education in the next academic year. "I was told that whenever I need money I can withdraw it." About 4-5 months ago, he withdrew Rs.5 lakh and kept in another bank.

Srinivas's son is in his final year engineering and he wants to do MS or MBA in the US or any other country.

He believes that the intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and moratorium is in the interest of the bank and all depositors. "If they don't impose the moratorium, there would have been panic leading to the collapse of the bank. RBI's intervention and the steps taken by it will allay the apprehensions," said Srinivas.

(Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in)
"I wish he would just call her 'Pocahontas' once," an early and enthusiastic Bernie Sanders supporter told me a few weeks ago, only half-jokingly. "Then he should start making jokes about Trump's appearance."

I would never presume that this person speaks for all or even most of those who want to see the 78-year-old but still, alas, junior senator from Vermont win the Democratic presidential nomination. But the feeling to which his comment attests is, I would guess, well-nigh universal in those circles. Of all the things that prevented Sanders from carrying the field in 2016 and seem to be stalling him once again in 2020  his inability to connect with African-American voters, right-wing scare-mongering about gulags, limitless skullduggery from the Democratic establishment  the one that has received the least public discussion is among the most obvious. I am referring to Bernie's lack of killer instinct.

There is no greater contrast imaginable than the one between the popular (and frequently exaggerated) image of so-called "Bernie bros" and the almost painfully conciliatory instincts of the man they support. This was fully in evidence on Wednesday afternoon when Sanders responded to arguably the worst defeat of his political career by chatting with journalists about how "disgusted" he is at unspecified online comments directed at Elizabeth Warren and her supporters and what a "decent guy" Joe Biden is. He did this despite the fact that Warren, with the connivance of debate moderators, recently called him a sexist in front of an audience of millions, effectively announcing that she had no interest in making even a tacit alliance with the only other progressive candidate in the race and, one imagines, despite thinking that the former vice president's record on virtually everything  finance, health care, race relations, the environment, foreign policy  should render him ineligible for office.

Story continues

It should go without saying that offering these pleasantries will do Sanders few if any favors. The DNC has already thrown its full power against him with the unprecedented winnowing of the field after Biden's victories in South Carolina and 10 Super Tuesday states. It should be clear by now if it had not been already that Sanders will never be the Democratic nominee if these people have any say in the matter. If he finishes the primary and caucus season with a mere plurality of delegates, he will be rejected at the convention in favor of Biden. His only chance is to win a majority of at least 1,991 delegates outright before July.

How should he go about doing this? I think the answer is that is time to get tough. Sanders should announce immediately that the Democratic Party itself is irrelevant, that a choice between Trump and Biden is one not worth making, and that his supporters have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to secure the nomination for him and no one else. He should commence a parallel campaign against the party that has been conducting one against him for half a decade now. No more calls for Democratic unity, no more making nice with people who fear him more than they do the guy they pretend is an existential threat to both the American republic and the global order. Reject their deceitful clemency. Rally the troops instead. Do everything possible to increase turnout. Try to squeeze a few endorsements out of whatever elected officials are willing to go on the record, including the rather large number of former presidential candidates who have so far declined to come out in favor of Biden. If all else fails, use the spoils system. Convince mid-level Democrats who are popular in crucial states that a primo cabinet job will open up if they say the right things. And for goodness' sake, ask Tom Steyer for help: If this rich dork is willing to spend upwards of a hundred million dollars for the chance of shaking your damn hand, he is probably good for a hundred million more for turnout operations and so on. Abandon proceduralist strictures about campaign finance. Unleash the Green New Deal PAC or whatever. In the words of Francis Bacon:

Mahomet made the people believe that he would call an hill to him, and from the top of it offer up his prayers, for the observers of his law. The people assembled; Mahomet called the hill to come to him, again and again; and when the hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but said, If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill.

How likely are these tactics to work in Bernie's favor? Not very, if only because thanks to his Super Tuesday showing the delegate math already looks so bad for him. But there is something to be said for the Neil Young principle here. Does he really want to throw away his credibility by telling his supporters that, once again, they should vote for an uninspiring DNC-approved centrist who loses to Trump in humiliating fashion? Wouldn't it be better, not only for him but for his movement, such as it is, to be able to say in 2021 that once again presented with a choice between an uninspiring liberal and an engaging populist they opted for the latter?

But a better question is not whether a scorched-earth campaign would succeed, but whether Sanders is actually capable of launching one. Here, I think, the answer is no. If he were, it would have happened already, in 2016, when without prompting he disclaimed all interest in Hillary Clinton's emails  and indeed abandoned all but the most anodyne criticisms of her, ceding the huge territory of Clinton scandals to Trump. Instead he endorsed her and she (predictably, despite what observers said at the time) lost.

Why is Sanders unable to fight? For two reasons, I think.

The first is simply that he is an amiable old man who does not relish combat, verbal or otherwise, with anyone. It's not that Sanders is never truculent in his rhetoric. But his targets are always safe, and more often than not vague  the infamous and anonymous "millionaires and billionaires" who have been the source of a thousand stump speeches.

The second is that he has too much faith in the democratic process, believing, despite hundreds of years of evidence to the contrary, that what voters care about most is that sublime object of ideology, viz., "the issues." The truth is that "the issues," however defined or understood, fall somewhere in the middle of a huge continuum of voter concerns that also includes prejudices, aesthetics, opinions about candidates' personalities, and perhaps above all, the desire to be entertained. Whatever else it would be, hearing Sanders use Trumpian rhetoric to mock his liberal enemies would be hilarious. It would also foster a much-needed feeling of solidarity among his most fervent supporters, who are sick of being caricatured in the media, betrayed, lied to, and then asked to fall in politely in line behind whatever non-entity the DNC has decided to crown.

Sanders's benevolent disposition does him credit. But the same character traits that make him an honorable politician also make him fundamentally unsuited for the difficult task of waging a successful outsider campaign for the nomination of a major political party.

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State Bank of India will pick up 49 per cent stake in the crisis-ridden Yes Bank under a government-approved bailout plan, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assuring that depositors' money is safe.

A day after imposing moratorium on Yes Bank and restricting withdrawals, the RBI on Friday evening issued a draft reconstruction scheme for the private sector lender and said SBI has "expressed its willingness" to make an investment.

Earlier in the day, SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar met the finance minister. A former SBI CFO has already been appointed administrator of the Yes Bank, whose board has been superseded.

"The investor bank shall agree to invest in the equity of the reconstructed bank to the extent that post infusion it holds 49 per cent shareholding in the reconstructed bank at a price not less than Rs 10 (Face value of Rs 2) and premium of Rs 8," as per the RBI proposa.

SBI has already obtained an 'in-principle' approval of the board to explore investment opportunity in Yes Bank.

From the appointed date, the authorised capital of the private sector bank would stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore and the number of equity shares at 2,400 crore having face value of Rs 2 each.

While talking to reporters, the finance minister said she was in continuous interaction with the RBI, which is fully seized of the matter.

Sitharaman further said no depositor will lose his or her money and insisted that the immediate priority is to ensure Yes Bank customers are able to withdraw money within the stipulated cap.

"I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe," she said. "I am constantly in contact with the RBI and the steps that are taken are taken in the interest of depositors, banks and economy. We are fully seized of the development."



Earlier in the day, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said Yes Bank resolution efforts are aimed at maintaining "stability and resilience" in the Indian financial sector and the difficulties will be overcome "very swiftly".

The 30-day moratorium deadline is an "outer limit", he said at a banking event in Mumbai, reiterating that the interest of depositors will be "fully protected".

He also defended the timing of the move as "appropriate", saying Yes Bank was unable to come up with a solution despite being given time for internal resolution.

Yes Bank has been struggling to raise capital. It sought to raise USD 2 billion initially during this fiscal, which was then pruned to USD 1.2 billion as it could not rope in any investor.

Also, the bank had deferred announcement of its financial results for the third quarter ended December. The bank had told stock exchanges that it will publish the same on or before March 14, 2020.

Stock of Yes Bank plunged by over 80 per cent during intra-day trade on BSE and closed 56.04 per cent down at Rs 16.20 apiece.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Receives bids for 24.08 lakh shares

The initial public offer (IPO) of Antony Waste Handling Cell received bids for 24.08 lakh shares today, 6 March 2020, as against 48.2 lakh shares on offer, as per the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) website data at 17:00 IST. The issue was subscribed 0.50 times.

The issue opened for bidding on Wednesday, 4 March 2020 and it will close on Friday, 6 March 2020. The price band was fixed at Rs 295 to Rs 300 per share.

The company on 3 March 2020 raised Rs 60.94 crore from anchor investors, ahead of its initial share sale. The company allotted 20.65 lakh shares at a price of Rs 295 per share to a total of 3 anchor investors, viz. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vantage Equity Fund and 238 Plan Associates LLC, which received 65.6%, 18% and 16.4% of the total anchor portion, respectively.

Incorporated in 2001, Antony Waste Handling Cell is one of the top five players in the Indian MSW (municipal solid waste) management industry with an established track record of 17 years, providing full spectrum of MSW services which includes solid waste collection, transportation, processing and disposal services across the country, primarily catering to Indian municipalities. It is among the key players in landfill construction and management sector with in-house expertise for landfill construction along with its management. The company has also entered into the waste-to-energy (WTE) segment which is at the top of the MSW value chain.

The company is currently undertaking projects for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the Thane Municipal Corporation, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, the Mangalore Municipal Corporation and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority. It is also currently undertaking a project for Jaypee International Sports. As of 1 January 2020, its consolidated fleet consisted of 1,089 vehicles and 6,579 full-time employees. There were 17 ongoing projects.

The IPO consisted of two parts, i.e., offer for sale (OFS) of 57 lakh equity shares by existing share holders (private equity investors) and fresh issue of equity shares aggregating upto Rs 35 crore. The OFS of up to 57 lakh equity shares comprises up to 13,90,322 equity shares by Leeds (Mauritius); up to 20,85,502 equity shares by Tonbridge (Mauritius); up to 7,69,917 equity shares by Cambridge (Mauritius); and up to 14,54,259 equity shares by Guildford (Mauritius).

The company proposes to utilize the net proceeds (from fresh issue of equity) towards reduction of the consolidated borrowings of the company by infusing debt in its subsidiary AG Enviro Infra Projects for repayment and prepayment of portion of their outstanding indebtedness to the extent of Rs 30 crore and general corporate purposes.

Antony Waste Handling Cell reported net profit of Rs 27.78 crore and net sales of Rs 218.62 crore in the six-months ended September 2019.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iran's president urges U.S. to lift sanctions to help fight COVID-19

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:01, March 05, 2020

TEHRAN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that if the U.S. really wants to help Iran fight novel coronavirus, it should lift the sanctions, including a ban on importing medical supplies.

Rouhani rejected as a "lie" the U.S. offer of help for Iran in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Our people know well that you (the U.S. officials) are lying, that you are not telling the truth," Rouhani said at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was willing to help the Iranians with the novel coronavirus problem. "All they have to do is ask," he said.

Washington has been taking the most "sinister" of actions against the Iranians over the past two years by reimposing sanctions on their supplies of food and medicines and is now hiding behind "a mask of sympathy" claiming that it seeks to assist the Iranian nation, said Rouhani.

"If you are really telling the truth, you should at least lift your sanctions on medicines. This would be the first step. And say that you have done wrong to the Iranian nation so far and offer an apology," Rouhani added.

Iran announced the first cases of COVID-19 in the central city of Qom on Feb. 19.

The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education said Wednesday that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Iran has infected 2,922 people across the country, 92 of whom have died.

A total of 552 people have recovered and left hospital, the ministry said in a statement.

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The Department of Health has confirmed that there now 13 cases of the coronavirus covid-19 with one being treated at an intensive care unit in Cork.

Of the new seven cases confirmed today, four involve males from the east of the country and are travel related from northern Italy.

Two others are associated with close contact with an already confirmed case, two females in the west of the country.

The seventh case involves community transmission and involves a male in the south of the country. It is associated with Cork University Hospital and a risk assessment is under way.

All confirmed cases are in hospital.

A crisis management team is active in Cork as a result. The patient was admitted to the hospital last week before being discharged and readmitted last week.

Contract tracing is underway in Cork.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said: "As things stand we are not able to say how this case has arisen," he said.

As to the spread from Italy he said he did not believe a travel ban should be introduced from the country.

"Ireland remains in containment phase with just one case of community transmission.

"This is, however, a rapidly evolving situation. Public health doctors are working hard to ensure our containment measures are operating effectively.

"Most people who become infected with Covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for some.

"However, this will need a national effort. Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect their own health and the health of others," he said.
Suburban Detroit-based Art Van Furniture, the number one furniture and mattress retailer in the Midwest, announced on Thursday that it is shutting down its company-owned stores and beginning liquidation sales today. The company, which is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization early next week, employs 3,100 people at locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Maryland and Virginia.

Unless one or more buyer steps forward to stop the liquidation, all Art Van Furniture, Art Van PureSleep and Scott Shuptrine stores will be closed permanently within 60 days.

The companys press announcement also noted that subsidiary Levin & World Furniture, with locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania, would be sold while eight World Furniture Stores would be closed.

Art Van PureSleep retail location in Livonia, Michigan.

Diane Charles, a representative of Art Van Furniture, said, Despite our best efforts to remain open, the companys brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment.

A majority ownership of the mid-priced furniture retailerfounded in 1959 by Archie Van Elslander in the city of East Detroit (now Eastpointe)was sold to the private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners in January 2017 after the death of the founder at age 87. Although the exact price was never disclosed, it has been reported that the Boston-based private equity company financed the deal worth over $550 million.

As explained by the Detroit Free Press, Private-equity firms use debt to acquire companies, and the debt is then owed by the company. The debt loads can leave companies with little room to maneuver if business conditions deteriorate. And any problems that arise can be exacerbated by the fees that private-equity firms ordinarily charge companies in their portfolios.

Such concerns were not expressed by the Free Press in January 2017 when then-Art Van CEO Kim Yost and the sons of the founder Gary and David Van Elslander announced the deal with great fanfare. Fears of asset stripping by the private equity vultures were waved away amid grandiose plans announced by the owners for new stores in major markets like Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The local corporate media was also enthusiastically hailing the commitment made by Thomas H. Lee Partners to continue Art Vans sponsorship of Detroits annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Representatives from the private equity company declined to comment on the size of Art Vans debt.

The rapid expansion added more debt to the Art Van balance sheet and, when sales faltered under the impact of growing online furniture and mattress retail, the company could not maintain its repayment obligations. Private equity fees also played a role in the precarious financial position of the company. When suppliers began to refuse making deliveries for fear that they would not get paid, the handwriting was on the wall for the imminent bankruptcy.

In addition to the decline in retail foot traffic at Art Van showrooms, industry experts pointed to the impact of the Trump administrations tariffs on Chinese furniture imports over the past year and a half. The ten percent import tariffs have forced furniture retailers to choose between raising prices to consumers and driving down sales or taking a hit on their operating margins.

Thomas H. Lee Partners has been in business since 1974 and specializes in buying consumer retail, health care, financial services and technology solutions companies. It operates with $26 billion in investment capitalfrom corporate pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, endowments and wealthy familiesand controls 150 portfolio companies and completed over 400 add-on acquisitions with a total combined enterprise value of $200 billion.

Apparently, Thomas H. Lee Partners considered Art Van Furniture to be a growth business opportunity at the time of its acquisition. According to the marketing language on its website, the private equity company invests in growth-oriented businesses with strong free cash flow characteristics  Organically, we invest in resources to expand into new products, new markets, new geographies and new channels of distribution. However, once the investment company had reached the limit of financial benefit from this strategy, it decided to cut Art Van Furniture loose, a pattern that has been repeated many times by private equity parasites.

Alex Calderone, of the Calderone Advisory Group based in Birmingham, Michigan, told the Detroit News, The private equity playbook, which almost always results in aggressive use of leverage which increases the risk of failure exponentially, has not worked out for other retailers in the past and didnt serve Art Van well either. When an investment thesis doesnt pan out, equity sponsors tend to cut their losses quickly.

Jim Fouts, the mayor of Warren, Michigan, where the corporate headquarters of Art Van Furniture has been located since the 1970s, said that he was going to contact Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to see what options are available to force Thomas H. Lee Partners to honor their commitment to the workers and taxpayers.

The city receives $2.2 million per year in tax payments from the furniture company, Fouts wrote in a publicly issued statement, demanding, There has to be a national or state law that would prohibit investment companies from buying off and selling all assets at the expense of the workers and the community it is in.

Such laws will never be enacted without a massive unified struggle by the entire working class, independent of the Democrats and Republicans, against the dictatorship of the financial elites over the whole of society. The criminal practices of investors and corporate boards alike over many decadesleading to the destruction of jobs and living standards of workers throughout Metro Detroithave proceeded without any resistance in a region that is dominated by the treacherous alliance between the pro-corporate UAW and AFL-CIO and the Democratic Party.
New Delhi/IBNS: After a Supreme Court rap, the Delhi High Court will on Friday hear the pleas related to the deadly Delhi violence and the hate speeches by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Turning down the Centre's urge to give it more time, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court to hear the pleas.

Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde said as quoted by NDTV, "We are of the view that in the interest of justice, the cases be listed before the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on Friday.

All other connected matters on the same subject which were adjourned, may be advances and taken up on Friday. We request the High Court to deal with these cases expeditiously."

The Delhi High Court last week gave one month to the Centre to give an update on the action taken against the hate speeches given by the BJP leaders allegedly inciting violence in the national capital that has claimed 53 lives (as per last update) leaving more than 300 others injured.

A group of victims in the deadly violence had approached the top court after the Delhi High Court gave the Centre four weeks' time.

"We think that adjournment of such long period (by the High Court) is unjustified. We also do not want to assume jurisdiction of HC when it is seized of the matter," CJI Bobde said.

A two-judge bench of Delhi High Court- headed by Justice S Muralidhar- had pulled up the Delhi cops last week and urged them to file the First Information Reports (FIRs) against four BJP politicians- Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Abhay Verma- over their hate speeches.

Also the judges had played the videos of the hate speeches given by the four BJP men.

Just days before the violence, Mishra was heard threatening police to take action if they fail to clear the roads blocked by the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protesters within three days.

During the campaign for the Delhi assembly elections, which were held on Feb 8, Thakur had led a crowd to chant "shoot the traitors" at a public meeting.

How did the riot took place?

Though the clash had initially broke out between the supporters and protesters of the CAA, later it took a communal turn in northeast Delhi.

The violence continued for 48 hours between Feb 24 and 25.

The CAA aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to India due to religious persecution before 2015.
On January 28, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he would allow Chinese communications giant Huawei to help build the countrys next-generation 5G telecoms infrastructure despite warnings by the United States that such a move could expose the United Kingdoms data to the Chinese government and hamper Londons ability to securely share intelligence with Washington.

There is indeed ample reason to believe Huaweis involvement in the construction of its new telecoms networks would pose a security threat to the UK and its allies.

Huawei says it is a private company not owned by the Chinese state, so it poses no risk to any nations security. However, Chinas National Intelligence Law, adopted in 2017, requires all Chinese organisations and citizens to support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work. This means Huawei would have no choice but to hand over network data to the Chinese government if Beijing asked for it.

The British government tried to brush away these concerns by saying Huawei would only be allowed into the non-sensitive parts of 5G networks and its involvement would not hinder the UKs ability to share classified data.

Only time will tell whether this is an accurate assessment but there are other, more pressing, issues that make the UKs partnership with Huawei alarming.

According to research by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Huawei has played an active role in the Chinese governments efforts to create the perfect police state in Xinjiang  an autonomous region located in the far northeast of the country that is home to about 10 million Uighur Muslims.

In August 2018, a United Nations panel of experts said it had received credible reports that more than a million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities were being held in so-called re-education camps where they are made to renounce Islam. While China claims these camps are built to de-radicalise people who are suspected of participating in political violence, Uighurs say they are being detained in despicable conditions for harmless, everyday activities such as praying, attending a mosque, or even growing a long beard.

Those who are not yet detained, meanwhile, live under constant surveillance. In Xinjiang, there are cameras on every corner and checkpoints on every block. Mobile phones are monitored and any application, text or call that appears suspicious results in immediate arrest.

In November 2019, The New York Times published about 400 pages of leaked internal documents showing that this crackdown was planned at the highest levels of the governing Communist Party of China (CPC). Headlined Absolutely no mercy, the leaks reveal an intentional campaign of mass atrocities.

Moreover, in a state news commentary cited by The New York Times, it is made clear that the aim of this campaign is to break their lineage, break their roots, break their connections and break their origins. As The Washington Post put it in an editorial, Its hard to read that as anything other than a declaration of genocidal intent.

Huawei is complicit in these crimes. According to the ASPI report, it works directly with the Chinese governments Public Security Bureau in Xinjiang to help silence, detain, harass and intimidate Uighur civilians. The same report shows that it not only provides police in Xinjiang with public surveillance technologies, it also gives them on-site technical support. As far back as in 2014, the report explains, Huawei participated in an anti-terrorism conference in Urumqi as an important participant of a programme called Safe Xinjiang  code for a police surveillance system.

In light of overwhelming evidence documenting Huaweis participation in the largest mass atrocity occurring in the world today, it is hard to excuse the UK governments eagerness to allow the Chinese company to help build its telecoms infrastructure.

Chinas assault on human rights in general and religious freedoms in particular is not limited to the oppression of the Uighurs.

In recent years, China has embarked on the worst crackdown on religion since the Cultural Revolution. Wang Yi, pastor of Early Rain Church who was recently sentenced to nine years in jail on the charge of inciting to subvert state power, has said it amounts to a war against the soul. The US Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback says the Chinese government is at war with faith.

The CPC has never allowed full religious freedom and has always repressed basic human rights. But between 1978 and 1992, under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, the country had made some reforms that allowed certain communities to practise their faiths with limited freedom. Under President Xi Jinping, however, there is a renewed effort to control religious activity in China, and a new emphasis on the Sinicization of religion to make it Chinese in orientation and adaptable to socialist society.

Under Xi, Chinas decades-long oppression of Buddhism also intensified. In 2016, the authorities demolished hundreds of homes at Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sichuan province, believed to be one of the largest Buddhist teaching centres in the world. The persecution of groups labelled xie jiao  usually translated as heterodox teachings or evil cults  such as the Buddha-school Falun Gong and the Church of Almighty God  also continues.

Add to this Chinas ongoing oppression of freedoms in Hong Kong and Tibet as well as its persecution of dissenting voices within China. Chinese dissidents are still being jailed across the country, the people of China still have limited access to the internet and the countrys media is heavily controlled by the Communist Party.

Despite its claims of being an independent, private company, Huawei is a fundamental part of the state machinery working tirelessly to suppress most basic human rights and silence opposing voices in China and beyond.

The UK should urgently rethink its decision to let such a company participate in the building of its crucial communications infrastructure.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
24th Annual Tenenbaum Family Lectureship in Judaic Studies David E. Fishman on The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto: A Story of Spiritual Resistance Thursday, March 19, 2020

7:30 p.m. Oxford Road Building, Presentation Room

1390 Oxford Road

Atlanta, GA 30322

March 13, 2020

Editor's note: This event has been canceled in accordance with current university policy on the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit the Coronavirus Updates for the Emory Community website to learn more about how Emory is responding to COVID-19.

Guest scholar David E. Fishman of The Jewish Theological Seminary will deliver Emorys annual Tenenbaum Lecture on Thursday, March 19. His presentation will explore The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto: A Story of Spiritual Resistance.

In Vilna, the city Jews called The Jerusalem of Lithuania, a group of ghetto inmates risked their lives to rescue thousands of rare books, documents and works of art from the Nazis. In an operation that lasted 18 months, they smuggled the materials past guards and buried them in bunkers.

Members of the group who survived World War II returned to Vilna after the citys liberation and dug up the materials. They eventually smuggled the books across Europe until they reached the United States and Israel. What did they rescue, and why did they do it?

Fishman is a professor of Jewish history at The Jewish Theological Seminary. He also serves as director of Project Judaica, which publishes guides to Jewish archival materials in the former Soviet Union. Fishman has authored numerous books and articles on the history and culture of East European Jewry. His most recent book, The Book Smugglers: Partisans, Poets and the Race to Save Jewish Treasures from the Nazis, received a 2017 National Jewish Book Award.

A native New Yorker, Fishman has taught at Brandeis University, Bar-Ilan University, Russian State University in Moscow and Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

The lecture, sponsored by the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Presentation Room of the Oxford Road Building on Emorys Atlanta campus, and will be followed by a reception. Copies of The Book Smugglers will be available for purchase.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Tenenbaum Family Lectureship in Judaic Studies, which salutes the family of the late Meyer W. Tenenbaum of Savannah, Georgia. Tenenbaum, a native of Poland, knew no English when he arrived in the United States at the age of 13; he graduated from the Emory School of Law 11 years later. He went on to head Chatham Steel Corporation, now a major steel service center with headquarters in Savannah.

The lectureship was established in 1997 by Meyers son, Samuel Tenenbaum, and honors the entire Tenenbaum family and its ethos of citizenship and public service, which is expressed through its support of religious, educational, social service and arts institutions across the United States.

For more information, visit the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies.
For the millions of people quarantined in the wake of the coronavirus, Amazon has become a lifeline. At the click of a mouse, Jeff Bezos's online superstore will deliver just about anything from fresh produce to tinned food, paracetamol and face masks.

Few companies play such a central role in the lives of so many ordinary people as Amazon does. From colossal fulfilment centres to lightning-fast couriers, the machinery behind the US tech behemoth has always operated at impressive speeds and efficiencies. Could that be about to change?

"Right now it's a fluid situation," says Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. "But given just how many of the packages are derived from China, and just given the complexity and logistics, there's a massive ripple effect [on the retail supply chain] from the coronavirus."

Could parcels in some way spread the virus? Credit:AP

It's inevitable this will affect Amazon. In many respects, the company is virtually a country in itself, employing over 653,000 people - more than the population of Iceland and the Bahamas combined - and with a market capitalisation of around $US970 billion ($1.47 trillion), larger than the GDP of most countries.
A public meeting, organised on Friday evening in Banagher by the Mid Shannon Flood Relief Group, called for the dredging of millions of tonnes of peat silt in the River Shannon's watercourse.

The meeting was told that, contrary to what some environmentalists might think, such a course of action would not be an act of ecological vandalism. The situation was more nuanced than environmentalists realise, the meeting was told.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte pointed out that even during the 2018 drought, when the river was very low, tourist craft had no difficulty navigating the river. She said the ESB is working according to antiquated, 1934 rules.

We need to go with the river's summer level all year round, and to do that we will have to change the legislation. Fianna Fail is committed to doing that. Fianna Fail is also committed to having just one overarching authority. We need to remove the silt pinchpoints. In places, the river is only about half its original width because of the silt.

Cllr Eamon Dooley said the Councils' drainage committees have been done away with, for some reason. As a result, drains are not being cleaned."

Cllr Michael Connolly, from Ballinasloe, said clearing works were abandoned because they might affect a species of fish in the river.

We can't be dancing to the ecological tune all the time. We are not talking about doing anything too drastic. We are just talking about restoring the Shannon to its original width. This has to be brought home to people. We are not talking about doing something which will cause a major ecological disaster.

Cllr Dermot Connolly, from Ballinasloe, said people's homes are more than just a roof over their head. It is very distressing for them to see water coming into their homes.

Damien Martin told the meeting that years ago the government was going to remove a pinchpoint beside his land, but eventually nothing came of the plan.

I grew up in this area and I often swam and fished in the Shannon when I was a young lad. The water was clear and I often drank it using my cupped hands. You wouldn't do that now. It's murky and doesn't inspire confidence. I remember Oliver J Flanagan, decades ago, standing on a butter box and proclaiming he was going to drain the Shannon.

I listened this week with dismay to a professor claiming that dredging the Shannon will make the water go faster and will damage the bridges. This is nonsense. It seems to be that the more education you have then the more licence you have to talk rubbish. These people need to listen to the people.

For years I went pike fishing in the Shannon. Now the areas where I used to fish are so full of peat silt that you can't fish there anymore. The amount of silt in the river is now at an unbelievable level. I have nothing against Bord na Mona but they are a state body and they should be compelled to dredge the river.

Another person said he has been living in the Clonmacnoise area for 60 years and he remembered the water being clear and drinkable. It's muddy and cloudy now and you wouldn't drink it. Years ago we could see the river's bed. You can't see it now. There was a lot more pike and salmon back then as well.

Read more in this week's Midland Tribune
Additionally, for the fifth consecutive year, Air Canada featured a flight operated with all female pilots and cabin crews, and supported by female maintenance, dispatch, ramp, baggage, customer service and operations teams. Flight AC167 from Toronto to Edmonton on March 5 also made history by being the first transcontinental flight to be guided by all-female Nav Canada Air Traffic Controllers from departure in Toronto to landing in Edmonton.

"We see diversity as an important strength for a global company like Air Canada. Women here have shattered glass ceilings throughout, holding professional careers ranging from commanding the most sophisticated aircraft globally, overseeing technical, multidisciplinary airline operations, occupying C-suite and the most senior international leadership positions, and in leading and providing customer service," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada. "We proudly salute and celebrate the achievements and contributions of the nearly 16,000 women who work at Air Canada around the world today.

"We actively advance diversity through several initiatives, and we are especially thrilled to champion the next generation of women in non-traditional aviation careers by announcing the winners of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, named in honour of our trailblazing, accomplished first female pilot. Our message to young women is to follow your aviation dreams and know there are rewarding careers for all qualified people."

"This scholarship will help other women overcome financial barriers to pursue their dreams, whether flying airplanes or fixing them. Thank you to Air Canada for making it possible for me to experience the most amazing career in the world and for encouraging other young women in their passion for aviation. I admire the determination that these four amazing young women have to pursue their flying. Their accomplishments to date are outstanding. One day, I expect to be a passenger on an Air Canada airplane and hear them make the announcement, 'This is your Captain speaking'," Judy said.

The winners of the inaugural Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, awarded in partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, each receive $5,000 toward their studies in aviation. All four are also pursuing their commercial pilot's licence. They are:

Yasna Taieb - second year aviation student at Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre and Conestoga College, Canadian Armed Forces reservist and first-generation Afghan Canadian.

Urooj Ali  studying Geography and Aviation at the University of Waterloo, joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program at the age of 12, successfully completed the Glider Pilot Scholarship in Quebec at the age of 16 and became the highest-ranking and sole female cadet with a pilot's licence.

Rebecca Beylerian - pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Calgary, Jazz flight attendant, volunteers with the Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), Air Cadet Program, Elevate Aviation, Ninety Nines and Women in Aviation, President of the Alberta Rocky Mountain High Women In Aviation (WAI) Chapter, Calgary.



Olivia White - completing a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautics Leadership at the University of Windsor, volunteers with Air Canada Rouge for the Girls Take Flight event in Oshawa.

The Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship recognizes and celebrates the achievements of accomplished women studying in aviation and aerospace. Air Canada has committed to awarding $20,000 per year for three years. It is open to young women pursuing non-traditional aviation careers as commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers who may not have the financial means to do so.

Air Canada has been recognized multiple years as one of Canada's best diversity employers through its multi-pronged initiatives to foster a diverse workforce across its 37,000 employees worldwide. Approximately 16,000 are women, with women comprising 33 percent of Air Canada's senior management decision makers. Additionally, 45 percent of the management team are women, and 45 percent of recent promotions have been to women.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving nearly 220 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2019 served over 51 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 62 airports in Canada, 53 in the United States and 101 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,250 airports in 195 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which also named Air Canada the 2019 Best Airline in North America. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

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For the last decade, the U.S. travel industry has been enjoying an unusually long stretch of growing demand, pushed by a strong economy and relatively cheap jet fuel.

But the outbreak of the coronavirus that has killed more than 3,300 people and infected tens of thousands more is already projected to inflict billions of dollars in losses, representing the biggest hit to the $8.8-trillion global travel industry since the economic meltdown of 2008-09.

Responding to government-imposed travel restrictions and a steep drop in demand, airlines have cut thousands of international and domestic flights, Walt Disney Co. has closed theme parks in China and Japan, and two of the world's biggest hotel chains have shuttered hotels in China. Cruise lines are either barring or imposing extra screening on any travelers who have visited 11 countries and regions where the virus has struck hardest.

"In my mind, this is worse than the financial crises, but hopefully not as bad as the 9/11 (terrorist attacks) when the whole industry stopped," said Roger Dow, president and chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association, the trade group for the country's travel industry. "The numbers we are losing right now are monstrous."

A trade group for the world's airlines Thursday dramatically increased its estimated loss in revenue to the airline industry, pushing the figure as high as $113 billion if the outbreak is not contained to the countries where reports of infections are heavy. The loss to U.S. and Canadian airlines could be as high as $21 billion, according to the estimate by the International Air Transport Association.

By comparison, the trade group had predicted last month that the worldwide loss would be about $30 billion.

"Since that time, the virus has spread to over 80 countries and forward bookings have been severely impacted on routes beyond China," the trade group said in a statement.

Travel and tourism are responsible for 319 million jobs worldwide, or about 1 of every 10 jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, a branch of the United Nations.

Demand for air travel, hotel rooms and cruise trips has been growing relatively steady in the last decade, rebounding from such setbacks as horrific airline disasters in Indonesia and Ethiopia, a cruise ship sinking in Italy and a mass shooting in Las Vegas.

But the coronavirus outbreak could have deeper and longer-lasting effects on travel not only because of how fast the infection has spread but also because the outbreak has centered on China, which in the last few years has grown as an economic powerhouse and as the world's fastest-growing source of international travelers.

About 3 million Chinese travelers visited the U.S. in 2018, up from fewer than 1 million visitors in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The U.S. Travel Association predicted that the number of international visitors to the U.S. would drop by 6% over the next three months, the largest decline since the 2008-09 financial crisis.

By Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times (TNS)
This article is published through a partnership with New York Medias Strategist . The partnership is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected by New York Media. If you buy something through our links, Slate and New York Media may earn an affiliate commission.

While there are plenty of wonders to be found in the aisles of your local CVS, things get markedly more interesting when you start exploring the drugstore offerings available in other countries. Japanese drugstores, for instance, are a treasure trove of tiny facial razors, hydrating lip masks, and bath salts. Luckily, you dont need to hop on a plane to Kyoto to enjoy the benefits of Japanese skin-care and makeup, as these days many of the countrys best drugstore products are available on Amazon. Read on for 22 Strategist-approved Japanese drugstore finds, including the cult-favorite Baby Foot, binchotan-infused washcloths, and the countrys top-selling exfoliator.

Shiseido Prepare Facial Razor Kathleen Hou, the beauty director at the Cut, wrote an ode to these tiny razors back in 2016, calling them the easiest way to remove peach fuzz, errant chin hairs, or a mustache, because they have enough of an edge to remove peach fuzz, yet are not so sharp that theyll nick you. You can get three of them  in various shades of pink  for around seven bucks, which is way less than youd spend at even the most disreputable waxing place. $7 for 3 from Amazon



Nano Cool Mist Spray Facial Mister Strategist writer Liza Corsillo found out about this facial mister from her sister-in-law, who is also a makeup artist and uses the gadget to refresh and rehydrate her clients skin after applying a full face. Corsillo likens it to a tiny, portable waterfall and says its a perfect workday pick-me-up come 4 p.m. $20 from Amazon



Pure Smile Choosy Lip Gel Mask (Set of 5) Pure Smile Choosys Lip Gel Mask saved Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelsons dry, cracked lips after a 14-hour flight from New York to Tokyo. The masks are chock-full of all-star moisturizers, including vitamin E, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, and this five-pack comes with Adelsons favorite (peach), as well as the brands milk, honey, herb, and fruit flavors. $12 from Amazon



Baby Foot Exfoliation for Feet Peel New York Magazines literary critic Molly Young wrote about this podiatric miracle way back in 2016. If you are not yet aware of its power, well let Young explain the peels appeal: Its a product that will make you believe in beauty products again. Because everybody who does Baby Foot undergoes the same cycle of disbelief, repulsion, fascination, and conversion. It never fails to do what it promises to do. Theres a whole Reddit thread to back me up. $25 from Amazon



IDA Laboratories Canmake With a creamy formula that doesnt melt or slide off your face in humidity or hot office temperatures, this is a great, easy staple, writes Hou, who put together a guide to the best Japanese drugstore products for the Cut. All of the colors are wearable (even the bright pink) and inexpensive enough that you can collect them all. $8 from Amazon



Deesses Lusse Hair Finishing Cream After a few visits to her Japanese hair salon, former Strategist writer Lori Keong noticed that her damaged, peroxide-nuked hair started to look flawless and smooth. Her hairdressers secret, she discovered, came from a jar resembling an oversize macaron. Inside was Deesses finishing cream  which contains shea butter, sunflower oil, and hyaluronic acid  which leaves hair shinier and more hydrated. $23 from Amazon



Lion Neat Foot Sheets While drugstore shopping in Japan, Hou saw these rectangular stickers  which purport to soothe sore muscles  in almost every persons basket, whether they were grandmothers or teenagers. She describes them as like a version of Icy Hot that actually works. $12 from Amazon



Cure Natural Aqua Gel Writer Jinnie Lee told us about Cure Natural Aqua Gel, the number-one exfoliator in Japan. Ever since using it, my skin has felt softer, fresher, and even more youthful  never dried out or tight, she writes, adding that her friends have started referring to her as Babyface since she started using it twice a week. $38 from Amazon



Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara After writer Risa Needleman heard that all the girls (and some of the boys) in Tokyo think American mascara doesnt even count as black, she sent her Tokyo-bound friend on a mission to return with this mascara. And once she got her hands on a tube, she agreed. Our beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton also picked it up while in Japan, and has this to add: This stuff does not budge. Seriously  it stays on all day without flaking down your face. $10 from Amazon



Japanese Premium Oil Blotting Paper Makeup artist Munemi Imai told Hou about these blotting papers, which promise to remove any excess oil you build up throughout the day without ruining your makeup. $7 from Amazon



Green Bell Nail Clipper Former Strategist editor Jason Chen found this nail clipper while in the Narita airport with 1,700 yen (about $16) burning a hole in his pocket. He was floored by the smoothness of the movement, how ergonomic its handle feels, and the way the blades glide through even the gnarliest toenails. While it is expensive for a nail clipper, Chen says that the cost of two Chipotle burrito bowls (without guacamole) is a small price to pay for the most precise at-home manicure youll ever experience. $20 from Amazon



KAO Megurhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask This soothing steam mask feels like pressing a hot eucalyptus towel from Equinox over your face  a great way to recover from the eye strain of staring at devices and computers all day, according to Hou. $15 from Amazon



Rohto Cool Eye Drops To ensure his scleras are healthy and white, writer Or Gotham will use these cooling, astringent Japanese eye drops before work, important meetings, selfies, and first dates. Gotham adds that they not only brighten his eyes, but give the complexion an overall brightening effect, too. Buy from Amazon



Hada Labo Tokyo Age Correcting Eye Cream A light, super-hydrating cream that master aesthetician Joomee Song recommended in our roundup of the best drugstore eye creams. Hada Labo is unique for its use of super hyaluronic acid, which, according to Song, contains twice the moisture retention capacity of regular hyaluronic acid. $19 from Amazon



NatureLab Tokyo Volume Shampoo If youre looking for an affordable shampoo (thats particularly great for fine hair), celebrity hairstylist Brit Kenna, the owner of Kennaland Salon, suggests NatureLab Tokyos plant-based volumizing shampoo. According to her, it uses rice protein to build volume and soy protein to add thickness, and also has moisturizing elements that dont weigh down the hair. $14 from Amazon



My Beauty Diary Aloe Vera Soothing Mask These are actually Taiwanese, but theyre super popular in Japan, according to Rio, which is why she bought a box of them in Tokyo. This mask is amazing for hydrating and healing any skin issues you may be having, she promises. $13 from Amazon



Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture While battling an eczema flare-up abroad, Rio picked up this cream. She admits that although it is not a holy grail for fighting eczema, when it comes to general hydration and smoothing, the cream did a lovely job. $13 from Amazon



Tabino Yado Hot Springs Milky Bath Salts Assortment Pack If you want to turn your tub into a Japanese-style onsen bath, Strategist managing editor Maxine Builder suggests trying these bath salts that will give the water in your tub a fragrance and a semi-opaque minerality. $14 from Amazon



Binchotan Charcoal Body Scrub Towel This binchotan-infused washcloth is the perfect fabric for creating a not-too-bubbly lather with your regular body wash, writes Kurt Soller. Plus, he adds that each one has a gentle side and a coarse side for practical adult exfoliation. $40 for 2 from Amazon



Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+, Pack of 3 Hou also loves this sunscreen, which she describes as one of the least greasy sunscreens [she] has ever tried. This three-pack will ensure youre covered now and well into the actual days of summer. $32 from Amazon


RuPaul's Drag Race star Sherry Pie is apologizing on Thursday after five actors have come forward and accusing him of catfishing them.

Sherry Pie, a 28 year old from New York who was born Joey Gugliemelli, posed as a casting director, leading to the actors submitting audition tapes of them doing degrading things, according to Buzzfeed.

Shortly after the story broke on Thursday, Sherry Pie took to Facebook to apologize for her behavior in an emotional statement.

Sherry Pie: RuPaul's Drag Race star Sherry Pie is apologizing on Thursday after five actors have come forward and accusing him of catfishing them

Five actors came forward, some who were his classmates at SUNY Cortland in New York, with others from a Nebraska theater company he worked at.

One of the actors coming forward was 26-year-old David Newman, who new Gugliemelli from Cortland and filmed scenes in 2015 while wearing a tanktop and shorts for a fake musical A Nightmare Before Christmas he was told Tim Burton was working on.

'I just felt really stupid. I felt really dumb,' Newman said. 'Everyone does bad stuff but he never apologized.'

Coming forward: Five actors came forward, some who were his classmates at SUNY Cortland in New York, with others from a Nebraska theater company he worked at

'He has a national audience watching him now and people have to know what he did. He did it to a lot of people,' Cortland added.

The allegations first surfaced in a Facebook post by another Cortland alum, Ben Shimkus, that went viral, where he claimed Gugliemelli posed as a fake casting director named Allison Mossie, who did not actually exist.

He was asked to take videos to audition for a character named Bulk, where he pretended to take steroids and enjoy smelling his armpits.

Allegations: The allegations first surfaced in a Facebook post by another Cortland alum, Ben Shimkus, that went viral, where he claimed Gugliemelli posed as a fake casting director named Allison Mossie, who did not actually exist

'I remember feeling kind of embarrassed about what I was recording, Shimkus told Buzzfeed. 'I would record entirely by myself and do it in my off-campus house exclusively when I was alone. It was very damaging to me at the time.'

Another actor, 23-year-old Josh Lillyman, started working with Sherry Pie at the Crane River Theater in Kearney, Nebraska.

Sherry Pie told him he was working for a casting agent in New York for an HBO show called Bulk, which lead to an audition process where Sherry Pie suggested he masturbated to get the character right.

Theater: Another actor, 23-year-old Josh Lillyman, started working with Sherry Pie at the Crane River Theater in Kearney, Nebraska

Shortly after the allegations surfaced, the drag queen issued an apology via Facebook.

'This is Joey, I want to start by saying how sorry I am that I caused such trauma and pain and how horribly embarrassed and disgusted I am with myself. I know that the pain and hurt that I have caused will never go away and I know that what I did was wrong and truly cruel,' Sherry Pie began.

'Until being on RuPauls Drag Race, I never really understood how much my mental health and taking care of things meant. I learned on that show how important loving yourself is and I dont think I have ever loved myself,' he added.

'I have been seeking help and receiving treatment since coming back to NYC. I truly apologize to everyone I have hurt with my actions. I also want to say how sorry I am to my sisters of season 12 and honestly the whole network and production company. All I can do is change the behavior and that starts with me and doing that work,' he concluded.
BUCKS COUNTY >> Police in Northampton, Lower Southampton and Upper Makefield townships report the following incidents and arrests: Lower Southampton THEFT >> In the early morning hours on Monday, Jan. 10 two individuals made off with the entire change machine from the Feasterville Laundromat along Bustleton Pike. The male appears to be "cracking himself up" while he hatches his scheme...
A Montclair Public Schools employee tested negative for the coronavirus, officials said Thursday afternoon in an email to parents and other members of the school community.

We share your concerns about the coronavirus, stated the joint email, which was sent by the districts interim superintendent of schools, Nathan Parker, and nursing supervisor, Betty Strauss. Today, we learned that a spouse of an employee was being evaluated for possible exposure to the coronavirus. By extension, the employee was evaluated as well. Both have tested negative and are cleared by health officials.

The email did not identify the district employee or spouse, nor did it specify whether the employee was a teacher, a cafeteria aide, a custodian or any type of worker in the district. It did not say when the employee or spouse were monitored or tested, or why.

Parker declined to elaborate on the letter, citing concern for the employees privacy. Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson did not immediately respond.

Thursdays letter, which was intended to inform and calm Montclair parents, staff and others amid rumors about the case, went out the same day that New Jerseys lieutenant governor, Shiela Oliver, announced the states second presumptive positive case of the coronavirus. The case involved an Englewood resident who was being treated at Englewood Health, a hospital in that Bergen County city.

The states first positive test for the virus was also in Bergen County, though officials said the two cases have no known connection.

There have been were more than 93,000 cases of the COVID-19 disease worldwide and more than 3,100 deaths, most of them in China, while in the United States, the virus has infected more than 120 people and killed 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips
A coronavirus patient in New Zealand was today revealed to have attended a rock concert packed with thousands of other people.

Health authorities said the man in his 30s attended the Tool concert at Spark Arena in Auckland on February 28.

The patient is the partner of a woman who was also confirmed to have the COVID-19 disease this week.

The rock concert in New Zealand's largest city was packed to capacity for two days last week.

A coronavirus patient in New Zealand was today revealed to have attended a Tool concert (pictured: Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan) packed with thousands of other people

'He was in the general admission standing area in the front left-hand quadrant,' Ministry of Health director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at a news conference.

'We encourage people who were in the general admission standing area to be aware of symptoms of COVID-19.'

Bloomfield said the risk is low for all others who attended this concert. The man has been isolated at home since Wednesday.

The man and his partner had recently arrived back in the country from northern Italy.

New Zealand so far has four confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2, a much smaller number than Australia.

In Australia, 60 cases have been recorded and two elderly people have died of complications from the virus.

New Zealand has extended its travel restrictions for people arriving from China and Iran, in an effort to contain the outbreak of the virus.

The virus emerged in China late last year and has now spread to more than 80 countries, leading to travel and other restrictions.

It has killed more than 3,300 people and infected over 96,500.
The U.S. Department of Justice said that Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov has been charged with filing false tax returns.



If convicted, Tinkov faces a maximum of 6 years in prison and monetary penalties on two counts of making false tax claims, the justice department said.



It said Tinkov had allegedly concealed $1 billion in assets and incomes when renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2013, Reuters reported.



TCS said this week Tinkov was taking part in court hearings in London initiated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in response to allegations he underreported tax.



Tinkov was arrested in London last week, but TCS said he was released on bail.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 18:07:18|Editor: huaxia

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TAIYUAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- About 12,000 white swans that have migrated to a wetland in north China's Shanxi Province for winter are beginning to return to Siberia as the local temperature rises.

"Every year between late February and early March, the swans will choose to migrate north when the maximum temperature rises to above 10 degrees Celsius," said He Jianxi, a patroller at Pinglu Yellow River Wetland.

As the local temperature rose quickly, more swans were seen practicing taking off, landing and flying in formation at the wetland during the day, according to He.

He has been taken care of the "Siberian guests" for several months.

"I scattered their favorite corn and cabbage on the frozen rivers, and checked if any of them were injured or sick," he said.

Yang Yunge, director of the wildlife conservation station of Pinglu County, said the white swans usually migrate in groups of hundreds or thousands from the end of February, and some swans departing from other parts of China sometimes take a short stay here before moving on.

The wetland covering over 6,000 hectares has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of China's three major winter habitats for white swans.
International Womens Day arrives Sunday on the heels of another season of #OscarSoMale and another prize for the director Roman Polanski, who fled the United States in 1978, after he was convicted of unlawful sex with a minor.

And yet, there are bright spots. I went to see Portrait of a Lady on Fire yesterday, said the filmmaker and CalArts film professor Nina Menkes, and there were trailers for three other films by women. Its impossible! Its the first time anything like this has happened in my life.

Menkes is the creator of Sex and Power: The Visual Language of Oppression, a lecture and clip show she has been staging at film festivals around the world. In it, she uses scenes ranging from Hitchcocks 1946 Notorious (1946) to Sofia Coppolas 2003 Lost in Translation (with its opening shot of Scarlett Johanssons barely clad backside) to demonstrate the nuances of objectification, the male gaze and how its perpetuated.
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BCN1)

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Police in San Francisco said three individuals were detained Thursday night after a vehicle crashed into a building in San Francisco's South of Market area.

The crash was first reported around 8 p.m. along Sixth Street.

Police said the crash occurred when the vehicle fled from officers during an attempted traffic stop for suspected stolen license plates.

Officers were not in pursuit at the time of the crash, according to police.

Two of the individuals in the vehicle were injured in the crash.

Police said the occupants of the vehicle are suspected gang members, and one of the three individuals detained is a federal fugitive.

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.
APALACHIN, N.Y. -- New York State police this afternoon said they have found the body of a 37-year-old woman reported missing after a weekend party in Tioga County.

The body of Casie Weese, of Glen Aubrey, was found by a state police search team at about 12:50 p.m. Thursday in a wooded area near a fence along State Route 434, state police said in a news release.

The troopers were walking along the highway between Apalachin and Vestal when they found her, police said.

The cause and manner of death is under investigation, police said.

Weese went missing after leaving the party with her husband early Sunday, troopers said. She was last seen walking east on Main Street in Apalachin, a small hamlet west of Binghamton.

Police have used a drone, a helicopter and a K-9 from another police department to search for Weese. Officers and people from other agencies also joined in the search.

Early Sunday, the couple left the party in their car and started driving east on Main Street in Apalachin, troopers said. They only traveled a short distance when their car broke down on Main Street with a flat tire, troopers said.

Casie Weeses husband, Ronnie Weese, told police he and Casie had a disagreement before she walked away hours earlier, police said.

When state police interviewed Ronnie Weese troopers said they saw a spare tire on the car. They also said he was cooperating with the investigation.

Ronnie Weese posted on social media several times, urging his wife to come home and asking for people to watch out for her.

New York State Police said Thursday they have found the body of Casie Weese, 37, along State Route 434 in Tioga County. She was reported missing on Sunday morning. (New York State Police photo)

***

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Srinagar, March 6 : There were no confirmed coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir, a health official said on Friday, but advised the public to remain cautious.

Shafqat Khan, Nodal Officer, coronavirus control Jammu and Kashmir, told IANS that 230 samples were collected from across the Union Territory, of which 27 were sent for testing to Delhi.

But all the 230 sample were found to be negative, Khan said.

"Jammu and Kashmir is coronavirus free, there is nothing to panic, however people are advised to remain cautious," Khan told IANS.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed various officers to ramp up efforts for prevention and control of the fast-spreading virus, which has so far infected 31 people in the country as of Friday.

The officers will ensure the creation of adequate quarantine, isolation and other requisite facilities besides undertaking adequate measures for surveillance of home quarantined persons.

Meanwhile the Kashmir Health Department were on alert to deal with any possible case in the valley.

Trained staff has been mobilised and an isolation ward has been established at Maternity Centre and General OPD at Sanatnagar, Srinagar.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has also deputed medical staff to screen foreigners at the Srinagar airport.

In a tweet, DC Srinagar Shahid Choudhary said: "#CoronavirusOutbreak is Global Health Emergency. Awareness is equally important as Preparedness. People landing at Srinagar airport pl ensure 100% self-declaration for your own safety and everyone else. Pl cooperate with Health teams.

"Health Deptt Sgr with active help of @CISFHQrs and @AAI_Official established 5 help desks at Srinagar aiport... For all those travelling to Srinagar. Pl report."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
STAMFORD  A city woman on Friday was arraigned on a negligent homicide with a motor vehicle charge for striking and killing Nancy Flores of Stratford as she crossed against the light on Tresser Boulevard on Nov. 13.

As Courtney Sabia, 23, stood next to her criminal defense attorney, Judge Bruce Hudock entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. Her father, Pete Sabia, a former judicial marshal and Stamford police officer, along with her mother, watched from a fourth-row pew.

If found guilty of the charge, Sabia could be sent to jail for as many as three years and pay as much as $3,500 in fines. Before the sentence and fines were increased by the state legislature last year, one could only be jailed for up to six months and pay a $1,000 fine for the offense.

After the brief hearing at the Stamford courthouse, Sabias attorney Philip Russell said the state had just turned over a large packet of information about their case.

Theres still evidence coming in from our investigation and it is going to be some time before we have a clear picture of the equities on both sides of this case, Russell said.

Sabia is free after posting a $10,000 court-appearance bond following her arrest in February.

Flores worked at Target and was walking to the Stamford train station when she was was killed, police said. According to her obituary, she worked two jobs to provide for her family, rarely taking a day off for herself. Family members of Flores who watched the hearing declined comment as they were exiting the courthouse.

According to Sabias six-page arrest affidavit, police were called to the southeast corner of Tresser and Washington boulevards on a report of a female pedestrian struck by a car that came in at 9:16 p.m. on Nov. 13. Flores, 61, who was wearing a gray winter jacket and blue jeans, was found lying on the street between the right and center eastbound lanes of Tresser and pronounced dead at the scene less than 10 minutes later.

Police said Sabia was behind the wheel of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta driving eastbound on Tresser Boulevard that struck Flores and then stopped her car, which had a large hole in the windshield, which police say was caused by Flores head hitting the glass.

Police also said Flores was crossing the from North to South, heading to the train station against the light.

Sabia, who told police that she was not distracted by her phone or anything else, claims she did not see Flores until she struck her and she landed on her windshield. Sabia said her speedometer was not working properly.

A man told police that he was stopped in the right northbound lane of Washington Boulevard when he saw the Jetta drive through the intersection, which had a green light, and Flores. The witness told police the Jetta was driving at full speed and did not slow down. Police, however, said they found 36-feet-long skid marks right where Flores was struck.

Police checked Sabias phone and found she was not using it when the crash occurred, the affidavit said.

Because the accident was videotaped on a city-owned camera, police were able to watch the accident happen. the affidavit said. The footage showed Flores walking toward the train station from the northeast corner of the intersection where the sidewalk was closed due to construction in the area. Signs warned pedestrians to use the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

The video showed Flores cross the street against the walk signal and the traffic control signal. Just as she was about to get to the other side of the street, Flores walked about eight feet outside the crosswalk because the sidewalk was closed.

Flores was then struck by the Jetta as she stepped into the right travel lane of the roadway. The video also showed Sabia passing several cars while approaching the intersection.

In the video footage, Flores did not appear to be thrown by the Volkswagen, but went onto the windshield and stayed on the hood until she rolled onto the street.

Then, Flores gets dragged by the vehicle, and possibly run over by the rear tires, the affidavit said.

Police said the video shows that Sabia took no evasive action to avoid hitting Flores, who at the time was in light clothing while crossing a very well lit intersection. Sabia had a clear and unobstructed view of the intersection as she approached it, the affidavit said.

By looking at the video, police were able to determine that Sabia was driving her car at approximately 42-43 mph, instead of the posted speed limit of 30 mph, the affidavit said.

Based on review of the video of the crash, measurement of Sabias speed, and the progression of Flores movements across the street, it is apparent that if Sabia had been driving the speed limit, the collision would not have occurred, the affidavit said.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com
R esidents in an Italian village could have been excused for thinking they were witnessing a miracle when they turned on their taps and seemingly the water had turned into wine.

Homes in Settecani, a small settlement in northern Italy, were treated to Lambrusco rather than H2O because a leak at the nearby winery Cantina Settecani found its way into the local water supply.

Local technicians corrected the fault but not before villagers ensured they bottled as much of the precious liquid as they could, reported local newspaper the Gazzetta di Modena.

The local council later issued an apology to residents, but some raised fears that it showed their water supply was not safe.
New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday warned about the imminent danger India faces from the trinity of social disharmony, economic slowdown and a global health epidemic, saying the combination may not only rupture the soul of India but also diminish our global standing as an economic and democratic power in the world.

In an opinion piece in The Hindu, Singh referred to the Delhi riots, blaming unruly sections of our society, including political class for stoking communal tensions and fanning flames for religious intolerance.

He said: University campuses, public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal outbursts of violence, reminiscent of the dark periods in Indias history. Institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens. Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy, the media, have also failed us.

In the article, the former prime minister said the fire of social tensions threatens to char the soul of the nation and can only be extinguished by the same people that lit it.

It is both futile and puerile to point to past instances of such violence in Indias history to justify the present violence in the country. Every act of sectarian violence is a blemish on Mahatma Gandhis India. Just in a matter of few years, India has slid rapidly from being a global showcase of a model of economic development through liberal democratic methods to a strife ridden majoritarian state in economic despair, he added.

Singh warned that such social unrest at a time when the economy is floundering will only exacerbate the economic slowdown. Investors, industrialists and entrepreneurs are unwilling to undertake new projects and have lost their risk appetite. Social disruptions and communal tensions only compound their fears and risk aversion. Social harmony, the bedrock of economic development, is now under peril.

On the issue of Coronavirus, which had led to over 3,000 deaths worldwide, Singh said India too must act swiftly and announce a mission critical team that will be tasked with addressing the issue. There could be some best practices we can adopt from other nations.

He said: In such an integrated global economy, the COVID-19 crisis can further slow Indias GDP growth by half to one percentage point, other things being constant. Indias economic growth was already tepid and this external health shock is bound to make things much worse.

Singh then went on to suggest reforms for the government to mitigate the crisis. First, it should focus all energies and efforts on containing the COVID-19 threat and prepare adequately. Two, it should withdraw or amend the Citizenship Act, end the toxic social climate and foster national unity. Three, it should put together a detailed and meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption demand and revive the economy, he said.

Recalling the 1991 economic crisis, Singh said we were able to successfully turn this into an opportunity to reinvigorate the economy through drastic reforms.

The truth is that the current situation is very grim and morose. The India that we know and cherish is slipping away fast. Wilfully stoked communal tensions, gross economic mismanagement and an external health shock are threatening to derail Indias progress and standing. It is time to confront the harsh reality of the grave risks we face as a nation and address them squarely and sufficiently, the former PM said.
There have been growing concerns among Egyptians, on the streets, in dinner conversation and on social media, about a lack of official transparency. There are suspicious that the spread of the coronavirus could be larger than what the government has revealed so far. Egypt has not closed schools, halted Friday prayers or stopped other large gatherings of people to limit the spread of the virus.
The Hamilton Lugar School at Indiana University will salute the public servants of the foreign service on Friday when it presents its first Richard Lugar Award to Marie Yovanovitch, a career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

The state of play: Tickets for a discussion with Yovanovitch, a first-generation immigrant, were gone within seven hours, and the event was moved to a larger venue. The tribute video includes a clip of Fox News' Chris Wallace during impeachment coverage: "If you were not moved by the testimony of Marie Yovanovitch today, you don't have a pulse."

Go deeper: Marie Yovanovitch: The State Department is in trouble
South Africa on Thursday confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus, a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy, the health ministry announced.

It is the first case in southern Africa, and the latest confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and Senegal.

"This morning,... the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.

The case was detected in the country's eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province.

The patient and his wife were part of a group of 10 people who arrived back in South Africa from Italy on March 1.

Two days later, on March 3, he consulted a private general practitioner with a fever, headache, sore throat and a cough. He has been admitted to hospital.

The minister refused to disclose the nationality of the patient.

Italy has emerged as the European hotspot for the virus, where it has claimed 107 lives -- alongside Iran, the deadliest outbreak outside China.

More than 90,000 people have been infected and over 3,000 killed worldwide since the virus first emerged in China in December.

The continent now has 29 cases, including those already detected in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans not to panic, but warned of the potential impact on the country's struggling economy.

"The government will demonstrate its seriousness in terms of dealing with this matter," he told the media at an airforce base in the capital Pretoria.

"We are just at the beginning of this," he said, warning "it will turn out to be a national crisis".

"It will have a huge impact on a number of things... (including a) negative impact also on our economy which as we all know is in a very precarious situation".

South Africa is preparing to repatriate 184 of its citizens -- comprising students, teachers and other professionals working in China's Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic.

The government's information department also announced that two South Africans working on the cruise ship Diamond Princess moored off Japan who had initially tested positive for the virus, "have now tested negative and will shortly be making their way home".
A member of France's National Assembly has been hospitalised in intensive care after contracting coronavirus, the lower house of parliament said in a statement on Thursday, as the French president warned the public to prepare for an "inevitable" epidemic.

A snack bar worker had also contracted the virus and had been confined to home while another worker in the lawmakers' dining hall who was suspected of having caught the virus had been hospitalised, the Assembly said.

It did not name the legislator who had contracted the virus, but added that all lawmakers and personnel had been informed about the situation.

France is inexorably heading towards a coronavirus epidemic, President Emmanuel Macron warned on Thursday as the health ministry reported three more deaths from the disease, bringing the country's toll to seven.

"There is a moment when we all know that ... an epidemic is inevitable," Macron said.

The country recorded 138 new virus cases on Thursday in the biggest daily jump thus far, bringing the total number nationwide to 423.

In a sign of the growing concern over the French figures, the EU parliament announced that the venue for next week's session would be switched from Strasbourg in eastern France to the Belgian capital Brussels.

"The situation related to the spread of the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has evolved over the last few days and hours. In particular, new infection clusters have been confirmed and case numbers are rising," Parliament President David Sassoli said in a statement.

"The necessary security conditions are not in place for the usual transfer of the European Parliament to Strasbourg for the plenary session next week," he added.

Of the seven dead in France six are men and one is a woman, the deputy head of the health ministry, Jerome Salomon, told reporters.

Twenty-three people are in serious condition in hospital, he said, adding that all 13 regions in mainland France now had cases of infection.

Story continues

Raising alert level

Macron met Thursday with top researchers leading the efforts to fight an outbreak that has seen authorities close around 150 schools.

Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said Wednesday that officials would probably have to raise the country's epidemic alert to the maximum of level three, potentially leading to travel restrictions and clampdowns on public activities.

Jean-Francois Delfraissy, an immunologist from a group of experts carrying out research on the virus, said after meeting with Macron that the top alert level would probably be reached "in a few days, maximum one or two weeks".

One of the latest victims is a 73-year-old person in the Oise department north of Paris where a cluster of 105 cases has been reported, the health ministry said.

Another is a 64-year-old from the nearby Aisne department, the ministry said. The third was a 79-year-old man.

At least two of the new fatalities had links to the Oise town of Crepy-en-Valois which lost a 60-year-old schoolteacher to the virus.

On Thursday, Paris metro operator RATP reported that a station agent had tested positive for the virus, and had worked for several days before being hospitalised.

A RATP union official said the woman had taken part in an evangelical rally last month in the eastern city of Mulhouse, where officials have said several other participants had come down with the disease.

There have been instances of panic buying in some French stores, with everything from face masks to toilet rolls being hoarded.

Three men in their 20s were arrested in the greater Paris region on Thursday suspected of trying to sell 40,000 face masks, all past their expiry dates.

They had used solvents to remove the sell-by dates.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AFP)
The Punjab government notified COVID19 as an "epidemic disease" on Friday, setting out the procedures a person suspected to be infected with the virus is required to follow, including a home quarantine for 14 days.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said no positive case of the new coronavirus has been reported in Punjab so far but the blood samples of nine persons found symptomatic to the disease as on Friday have been sent to AIIMS-Delhi.

He also directed officials to ensure no hoarding of drugs and masks is reported.

"The situation is being closely watched to avoid any outbreak," he said.

Sidhu said 71,900 people have been screened for COVID19 across the state so far, including 48,867 people at Amritsar airport, 5,116 at Mohali international airport, 5,401 at Wagah-Attari Border and 12,516 at Dera Baba Nanak checkpost.

As authorities urge people take precautions to avoid contracting the virus, the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department said it has postponed the International Punjabi Film Festival, which was slated for this month, due to the threat.

Citing a government notification, Sidhu said all hospitals have been asked to set up "flu corners" under the Punjab Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020.

The hospitals shall record the travel history of a person if he/she has travelled to any country or area where COVID-19 cases have been reported. Additionally, the history of coming in contact with a suspected or confirmed case should be recorded, he said in a statement here.

"In case the person has any such history in last 14 days and the person is asymptomatic then the person must be kept in home quarantine for 14 days from the day of exposure," Sidhu said, adding if the person is symptomatic for COVID19, he/she must be isolated in a hospital as per protocol and will be tested for COVID-19.

He said nobody would use print or electronic media for information on COVID-19 without prior permission of the health and family welfare department to avoid spread of rumour and anyone found indulging in such activity will be punished.

Sidhu said no private laboratory has been authorised to take or test samples for COVID-19 in Punjab.

"Any person with a history of travel in last 14 days to a country or area from where COVID19 has been reported, must report to the nearest government hospital or call toll-free helpline number 104," he said.

Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore held a high-level meeting to review preparedness of the state machinery to respond to coronavirus outbreak in the state.

Badnore appealed to residents to avoid public gatherings in view of the Holi festival. He ordered all government/private organisations to suspend bio-metric attendance system and adopt manual marking of attendance till further orders.

Police department was also directed to stop the usage of breath analyser being used for checking alcohol level as a containment measure in controlling the spread of disease till further orders.

The Chandigarh Administration has taken all measures with regard to containment measures being taken to avoid spread of disease by setting up 24X7 helpline, dedicated ambulance and fully equipped isolation wards in all the three hospitals namely Government Medical Superspeciality Hospitals at Sector 16 and 32 and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal said it has cancelled four rallies slated in March, keeping in mind the safety of people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed bipartisan legislation Friday that will allow judges to impose stiffer penalties for two gun-related crimes and expand the potential sources of funding for community policing.

She also approved a bill that will require training in de-escalation techniques for law enforcement officers who work in schools.

Adopting new criminal penalties, meanwhile, marks a shift in a strategy for some Democratic lawmakers who have traditionally been skeptical that longer sentences deter crime.

But Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who took office last year, pushed for passage of the legislation this session as part of broader efforts to address New Mexicos high crime rate. In Albuquerque last year, homicides hit a record high.

We are working both to prevent crime and to hold criminals more accountable, the governor said in a written statement. That is the type of smart, coordinated effort that New Mexicans demand and deserve.

The legislation, House Bill 6, targets two gun-related offenses  brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime and being a felon in possession of a gun.

For brandishing a firearm, offenders will face a sentencing enhancement of three years, rather than one under current law. Judges would also have the option of suspending the extra time.

A felon in possession of a gun, meanwhile, will face a basic sentence of three years, or twice as long as is now law.

We must make criminals understand we will make our communities safe, said Rep. Bill Rehm, an Albuquerque Republican who co-sponsored the bill.

The legislation also broadens how New Mexico can use its law enforcement protection fund. Cities and counties will be allowed to apply for money from the fund to train officers in community-oriented policing techniques aimed at preventing crime.

The fund can also be used to recruit and retain officers.

HB 6 goes into effect in July. It is jointly sponsored by Rehm and several Democratic legislators, including Reps. Dayan Hochman-Vigil and Marian Matthews, both of Albuquerque.

This legislation recognizes that crime doesnt have just one cause or one solution by enhancing penalties for gun violence and by investing in deterrence through community policing, Matthews said in a written statement.

The governor faces a Wednesday deadline to act on bills passed in the 2020 legislative session. She has so far signed 75 of the 88 bills approved by lawmakers.

Among the big-ticket items left are a $7.6 billion budget for next year and a $528 million spending package on public works.

Among the bills signed Friday are:

 House Bill 184, requiring training of school resource officers in de-escalation techniques, crisis management and adolescent brain development. It also increases a funding formula to pay for law enforcement equipment and training.

 House Bill 25, prohibiting employment discrimination based on pregnancy or childbirth.

 Senate Bill 130, requiring public schools to give students credit for the work theyve completed before transferring to another school, even if they move before the end of the semester or grading period. The legislation is intended to help students whose education is disrupted because of homelessness or placement in foster care.

 Senate Bill 136, allowing up to 11% of the Severance Tax Permanent Fund to be invested in New Mexico businesses. The current cap is 9%.

 Senate Bill 96, requiring an online financial reporting system showing school-level budgets.

 Senate Bill 57, imposing a fee on pet food to pay for expanded spay and neuter programs for dogs and cats.
Ghaziabad, March 6 : The Ghaziabad district administration will set up a 500-bed isolation centre at Ala Hazrat Haj House in Arthala here to combat the coronavirus, officials said.

Once the facility is ready, the suspected cases of coronavirus would be kept here in isolation to prevent spreading of the infection. The doctors of district hospitals will be stationed here to treat the coronavirus suspects.

Shailedra Kumar Singh, ADM, Ghaziabad City, told IANS: "An isolation centre with a capacity of 500 beds is being set up at the Haj House. It is being fully cleaned and water and power supply is being arranged for the convenience of those who would be coming here for the treatment. It will be ready in a week's time." One more person on Friday tested positive for novel coronavirus or COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, taking the total number of cases in India to 31.

"One suspected COVID-19 case has been confirmed as positive," said the Health Ministry.

According to the Ministry, the latest patient is a resident of Delhi.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Update at 10:17 a.m., March 13: The event has been canceled, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information, visit nwcu.org. For a detailed schedule, go to guidebook.com/g/nwcu2020.

Original story: Houston has been the desired destination for the National Workshop on Christian Unity for the past three years. But Hurricane Harvey put those plans on hold.

Now, the city is preparing to host the gathering, which brings together numerous Christian denominations to build understanding, develop stronger relationships and celebrate the common belief that unites them.

The spirit that Houston exhibited in the face of natural disaster is, after all, exactly what the national event is all about, chairwoman Tura Foster Gillespie said. After the storm, churches banded together, despite their denominations, to make a difference.

It reminds us were not alone, Foster Gillespie said. Were all in it together.

The conference will be held March 23 through March 26 at the Whitehall Hotel, 1700 Smith. Online registration is open.

Amy Oden, author of Gods Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World, will be the events keynote speaker. She serves as visiting professor of early church history and spirituality at St. Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University.

The week will be filled with seminars, training programs, workshops, Bible study and plenary sessions at Whitehall Hotel.

The theme is: Welcoming all as Christ.

Its a double meaning, Foster Gillespie said. Were not only welcoming people as though they were Christ, but were welcoming them as we would expect to be by Christ as well.

Featured guests include Episcopal Rev. David Peters, United Methodist Church Rev. Edgar Hiestand, Presbyterian Rev. Grayson Van Camp and Lutheran Rev. Brian Wise, as well as Michael Terrien with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and Helen Theodoropoulos with the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago.

Generally, most attendees are clergy members and seminarians, Foster Gillespie explained. But laypeople interested in building Christian unity are also invited.

Everyone is welcome, she said. Anyone can come. We can all work together to best serve people the way Christ would want us to.

The Rev. Orrin Halepeska, who serves as Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is used to traveling for the event. This year, hes excited to attend in his own backyard.

Houston is, in so many ways, an example to the rest of the country, Halepeska said. We have everybody from every culture from every place in the world in this city. In Houston, every faith is here.

Hosting this years event in Texas opened the door to discuss the border. Foster Gillespie points to Scripture about welcoming the stranger. For example, in Matthew 25:35, Jesus states, I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

We feel called to address that, Foster Gillespie said.

One plenary session, hosted by bishops from a variety of denominations, will be titled Bishops at the Border. Another is called Asylum and Sanctuary.

The Rev. Michael Blair, executive minister of the United Church of Canada, will host two Global Migration seminars, and Allison Duvall, Episcopal Migrations Ministries, will host two sessions on Political Asylum Tool Kit.

Methodist Rev. T. Randall Smith, originally from Baytown, will lead two sessions titled To Love the Stranger: Radical Hospitality and the Missio Dei.

Foster Gillespie explained that each host city makes the experience a little different  and also plays a part in the denominations that attend. Texas is large enough to attract a variety of Christian denominations. And being in Houston paves the way for discussing how to work together during climate crisis, looking at the citys response to storms Harvey and Imelda for guidance.

The National Workshop on Christian Unity began in 1963, when a group of Roman Catholics met with a mission: to equip local leadership for the task of ecumenical ministry. In 1969, the group invited leaders of other Christian denominations to join.

Catholic, United Methodist, Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America regularly participated in the workshops since the beginning. The movement has grown over time and now includes Evangelical, Pentecostal, Baptist, Orthodox and Christian Scientist churches.

Foster Gillespie first attended while she was in seminary. Her professor told her about the opportunity, and she went with three classmates to the event in Louisville, Ky., in 2016.

We can all learn from each other, she said. We can disagree but still work together.

Now, as chair of the planning committee, she gets to spread that message.

This year, being an election year in the U.S., makes divisions even more pronounced, she said. Getting people to come to the table together, who would not normally come together to find understanding, is especially important.

At the workshop, the mission is to connect churches of all denominations for a common goal. And it works. She has seen leaders meet at the event, then plan a Thanksgiving celebration together for later in the year.

It can be small things  to make sure we can work together, to be the body of Christ in the world, she said. It doesnt have to be a big gesture for it to be a big step forward.

In addition to sharing training, brainstorming ideas and discussing best practices, attendees leave with new relationships and a feeling that unity is attainable, Foster Gillespie said. Still, the conference allows room for disagreement.

How do we have a disagreement and still be friends? We hold sacred space for each other, Foster Gillespie said. We respect each others opinions and where they are on their journey. We can still love each other and disagree.

Jan Skrehot, who was instrumental in bringing this celebration to Houston, has attended the National Workshop on Christian Unity eight or nine times.

It really facilitates relationship building all across the U.S., Skrehot said. For it to come to Houston, theres a pride in that.

All denominations are connected in their belief in Jesus.

All of us are all about him and his teaching of love and compassion, Halepska said. Thats what Christian people are to the world. One of the most important things for Christians is to share that love and care.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.
The condition of the lone coronavirus patient in Telangana was stable, the state government said on Friday as it stepped up prevention measures and sought disposable N95 masks from the Centre.

Normlacy returned to the coronavirus scare hit IT corridor here on Friday, a day after an employee suspected to have contracted the infection tested negative for it.

A media bulletin on coronavirus (COVID-19) issued by the government said results of 16 samples (cumulatively) were awaited. The state has so far reported only one positive case of the virus.

The state government on Friday discussed the modalities for the five committees it has formed on prevention of spread of coronavirus and providing treatment, official sources said.

A command control centre has also been set up as part of measures to handle the coronavirus-related situation.

State Health Minister E Rajender, who participated in a video conference on COVID-19 held by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, requested that N-95 masks be supplied in view of their shortage in the state, the sources said.

According to the Minister, the condition of the 24-year- old man, who tested positive on Monday, was stable.

A day after samples of two persons sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune, tested negative, bringing much relief, the government also wanted the Centre to set up another virology lab in the city in addition to the facility available at Gandhi Hospital where the COVID-19 samples are currently tested.

Rajender later said in a press release that stern action would be taken against those selling masks at higher rates.

The officials are already conducting raids on shops to check if the masks were sold at higher prices, he said.

A disposable N95 mask (respirator) is a safety device that covers the nose and mouth and helps protect the wearer from breathing in some hazardous substances.

During the video conference, Vardhan appreciated the state government's efforts in preventing the spread of COVID- 19, the sources said.

Meanwhile, senior medical officials from the state visited Kerala on Friday to understand the best practices in the southern state where the country's first three coronavirus patients have recovered after treatment.

In the city's IT corridor,which witnessed a panic two days ago over the coronavirus scare, things are back to normal.

Its all normal now, Telangana Principal IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said when asked about the situation at Cyberabad where one building in a complex, housing software firms, was vacated for sanitisation for a day as a precautionary measure after an employee there was suspected to have contracted the virus.

In a related development, the Telangana State Human Rights Commission has directed the government to file a comprehensive report on the precautionary and awareness measures being taken up in the state over COVID-19.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman on Friday apologized to voters for long lines during Tuesdays primaries in which some residents waited hours to cast ballots.

The delays were most severe in heavily Democratic neighborhoods, which have high populations of black and Hispanic voters. In the most egregious case, the last voter at the Texas Southern University polling site reached the front of the line at 1 a.m.

We take full responsibility for the long lines and wait times, and apologize to the voters and communities who were affected, a Trautman statement read. We will reevaluate machine allocations and turnout projections based on both the data we have available and feedback from the community in the Primary Runoff Election.

Tuesday was the first presidential year primary for Trautman, a Democrat elected in 2018. She said running an election in this political climate is a balancing act, and acknowledged that Harris County historically has struggled to make voting easy for minority residents.

The delays were driven by two main factors, a Houston Chronicle analysis found. First, two-thirds of Election Day voting centers were in west Harris County commissioner precincts held by Republicans, even though twice as many Democrats voted Tuesday.

Second, Trautman placed an equal number of Democratic and Republican voting machines at each polling site, though data from the early vote period showed many sites were favored by a particular party. In Sunnyside, where 61 times as many Democrats voted early than Republicans, Democrats waited in long lines while GOP machines sat unused.

Additionally, a County Clerk website that was supposed to show wait times at poll locations was sometimes inaccurate, leading some voters to visit sites purported to have short lines only to stand in line for hour to cast their ballots.

Several fellow elected Democrats expressed dismay at Tuesdays delays. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis called for a review into what what wrong, while State Sen. Borris Miles voiced frustration that the party would inconvenience its own voters.

My own party, the Democratic Party, the party I am a member of, has an obligation to fight for our citizens, to go to the mat for them and it was clear, WE DID NOT DO THAT! Miles said in a statement.

In Novembers general election, Democrats and Republicans will vote on the same machines. Trautman said there will be 50 early vote sites and 750 on Election Day. The county clerk said she would also look to purchase additional, used voting machines from other counties in an effort to keep lines short.
On Monday, the 9th day of March 2020, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters will hold a public hearing on the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations; and for Other Related Matters Bill, 2019 (SB. 132). The idea of a public hearing is to create a soapbox for civil society to express their opinion on specific legislative propositions. This time, it is for Nigerians to express support or otherwise for a bill that is also known as anti-social media Bill.

Evidently, there has been a great denunciation of the proposed bill from different quarters of the Nigerian society; so great that one would expect a Senate that is not dangerously recalcitrant in pursuing an anti-people agenda to have withdrawn the bill long ago. And, it is either that the Nigerian Senate is deliberately wasting the time of Nigerians by prolonging the stench of this anti-social media bill (despite the widespread condemnation of the bill) or it is actually bent on legislating for despotism.

However, one thing is for sure: the bill in focus is a blatant threat to democracy in Nigeria. It has been made clear in recent times that democracy is dying in Nigeria and many other parts of the world. It has also been made clear that Nigerias democracy is troubled in more than one way. And, it is instructive to note that the bill in focus is a stretch of an idea that has been consistently propagated by lawmakers during previous legislative sessions. Its resurgence under the Ninth Senate is indicative of failure at three levels: First is by those whom Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt called Gatekeepers in their book; those who, in place of the general public, have the responsibility of safeguarding democracy by preventing those who cannot be trusted with power from having even a remote access to power  usually at the party level. This failure is accentuated by the fact that similar bills seeking to regulate social media and curtail free speech between 2015 and now were sponsored under the banner of the same political party. And, again, this failure is further accentuated by the fact that the party in question has made no attempt to denounce such absurdity, even though it is repugnant to democratic norms.

Secondly, the proposed bill is also indicative of a society whose democratic institutions are in decline. If the ability of the legislature to ensure checks and balances on other arms of government is inherently impaired, then the ability of the legislature to legislate in the interest of democracy and the citizens will be badly affected. Such is the reality with the Ninth Senate. It is hardly a coincidence that the Nigerian Senate is bent on passing a bill that will curtail the rights of Nigerians and dilate the boundaries of repression, only shortly after the Senate president publicly declared boundless support and speedy passage of any Bill that the President of Nigeria wishes to make law under the Ninth Senate  a stomach-churning act of subservience and a pronounced will to relinquish authority and responsibility to another arm of government.

Also, the resurgence of this anti-social media bill suggests the myopia of the Ninth Senate in the sense that if such bill becomes law, it will certainly outlive the tenure of some  if not most  of the ninth senate lawmakers and ultimately make them victims of their own self. But, that would not even be as bad as the deteriorative impact of this bill becoming law  on the strength of Nigerias democratic institutions, starting with the legislature and the quality of its legislations in strengthening Nigerian democracy.

Thirdly, the proposed bill as a resurgence of previous efforts to repress citizens is also indicative of a failure on the part of the citizens, too. The essence of democracy is to ensure widespread participation. The beauty of democracy is in the way it allocates responsibility to every stakeholder. The people are a stakeholder in a democracy, but they are not a lone participant and essentially cannot be a lone decider. That is why the constancy of social contract is everlasting in representative democracies like Nigerias. The habitual dormancy or lethargy of the Nigerian people after elections seems to give elected leaders the idea that democratic governance is solely their responsibility and as a result they can always do as they please, even if their actions are detrimental to citizens.

Although the proposed bill has indeed been widely condemned, but since this isnt the first time such a bill is being sponsored to threaten the civil liberties of the Nigerian people, then there is likely something that the Nigerian people are yet to do  or are not doing well  for such a cycle of resurgence to persist. More, the failure or success of a social contract between the governed and government lies in the ability of the former to constantly hold the latter to account. The resurgence of this anti-social media bill suggests that not enough is being done by the Nigerian people to hold their leaders to account, and that is why they have become so comfortable to the point that they are persistent in their trial and error approach to legislating against the civil liberties of Nigerian citizens.

However, the triple-level failures highlighted above is not enough to immediately send the proposed anti-social media bill to its deserved grave. What will surely work is a strong resistance from Nigerians, guided by the accentuation of the fact that the Nigerian Senate attempting to solve a perceived problem, by creating more problems, is not the way to go. Although the Nigerian Senate has proven through antecedent that it is eager to curtail the civil liberties of Nigerians, the problem of misinformation and falsehood which it is claiming to be resolved against is not exclusive to Nigeria. Just as it has plagiarized in its entirety the bill in question from Singapore, the ninth senate can as well stretch its penchant for plagiarism to countries like Canada and America where the same problem is being approached more democratically, and also learn from the mistakes of countries like Germany and Italy where an attempt to resolve same problem has created more problems for the government of both countries. If after then, the Senate is still not satisfied, then it can stretch its biased sight to Benin Republic, Liberia, Lebanon, and other countries where similar bills were sent to the grave due to a fierce citizens opposition.

The Ninth Senate must, therefore, decide whether the proposed bill in question will earn it the peoples support or backlash, and at the same time decide whether the same bill will strengthen or weaken Nigerias democracy. If these questions are answered through unbiased lens, then the public hearing on Monday will only be a show of solidarity by the Senate with the Nigerian people, or a platform for consensus between civil society and the senate that such a bill is truly anti-democratic and as such is undeserving of becoming law in Nigeria.

Adebayo Raphael is a Writer and Human Rights Activist in Nigeria. He can be reached on Twitter @ComradeAdebayo.
Kim Brent / The Enterprise

Rod Carrolls recent trip to Galveston was productive, and not just for the reasons he visited our island neighbor. While he was there, the Vidor police chief noticed that the city had begun an innovative anti-trespassing program. Property owners who have had a problem with trespassers can fill out an affidavit that allows police to act as temporary owner of the property. A warning notice is posted on the property. The program allows police to evict or cite trespassers without having to contact the owner, which could be late at night. Vidor began the program in December, and Carroll said it is already having a positive impact. About 20 property owners, most of them businesses, have enrolled so far.

Its another tool for law enforcement to use to decrease crime, Carroll said. If we can harden up facilities, they either dont commit the crime or go to where it is softer. We have a lot of properties that people had to leave because of Imelda.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has said he favours the building of a tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland  and claims Boris Johnson is on the same page.

Downing Street did not rule out that the Prime Minister is mulling the underground alternative instead of a previously proposed bridge.

The PM has said that serious consideration was being given to constructing a bridge between Portpatrick and Larne, but critics raised numerous problems with the idea.

Mr Jack told an evidence session in the Scottish Parliament that a tunnel would not face the same problems from the Second World War munitions dump at Beauforts Dyke in the Irish Sea.

The bridge for me is a euphemism for a link, which is a tunnelScottish Secretary Alister Jack

When asked by SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson about the idea of a bridge, Mr Jack said: Im very keen on it now, but its not a bridge that Im keen on, its a tunnel.

Its no different to the tunnels connecting the Faroes, its not different to the tunnels underneath the fjords, and it deals with the problem of Beauforts Dyke and the World War Two munitions.

The bridge for me is a euphemism for a link, which is a tunnel.

Speaking to journalists after his appearance before Holyroods Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee, Mr Jack said it could even be the case that a crossing is made up of sections of both bridge and tunnel.

He added: But I think the best solution if were going to bridge Scotland with Northern Ireland is a tunnel, and Ive had conversations along those lines with the Prime Minister.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson told journalists in February about the possibility of the bridge (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Jack also said he and the PM are on exactly the same page when it comes to the idea of an underwater crossing.

According to the Scottish Secretary, he has been told by a number of engineers that a tunnel would cost less than a bridge.

Mr Jack described the plans as being in the discussion phase, and it would be for the Prime Minister to push the button and move forward with a full feasibility study to test if the proposals are possible.

When the initial plans were made public, the Scottish and Northern Irish transport secretaries wrote to the Prime Minister and called for the estimated 20 billion cost to instead be given to the devolved administrations to improve infrastructure  a position First Minister Nicola Sturgeon agreed with.

Mr Jack refused to reveal any costings he had been quoted for the crossing, but did say it would be quite achievable to have the tunnel built by 2030, adding: Since the Channel Tunnel, costs have come down and techniques have improved dramatically.

The problem is not about whether or not its feasible, its about how quickly you do it If youre going to do it you should get on and do it.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman was later asked whether Mr Johnson now favours the idea of a tunnel.

His aim throughout has been to improve connectivity and we commissioned work on how best to achieve that, the spokesman said.

Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: This 20 billion vanity project by the Tories would be better spent on focusing projects that will boost our economy and connectivity and supporting our communities to reduce emissions to net zero.

Given transport is totally devolved, there are a number of proposals already on the table which would improve connectivity between the north of Ireland and Scotland, without the technical and logistical challenges involved in this proposal, and which we could develop if there is 20 billion available to us.

By spending just a fraction of the cost of this bridge, I believe we could bring significantly more benefits to the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland, making a real difference to improving lives.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 16:15:09|Editor: xuxin

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ISLAMABAD, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan has reached six with one new case reported, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza said late Thursday.

The patient is in "clinically stable condition" in south Sindh province, and is being well taken care of, he said on Twitter.

The health department of Sindh confirmed that the case has been reported from the provincial capital Karachi, and his family members have been quarantined and are under the constant observation of health teams.

According to local media reports, the 69-year-old patient returned from Iran on Feb. 25 and was being monitored by the health authorities, like other returnees. Later his blood samples were sent to a lab when he started showing symptoms of the disease, and he tested positive.

The latest case has brought the number of infected patients in the province to three while the other three are being treated in the federal capital Islamabad.

Pakistan is taking effective measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

All education institutes in Sindh have been closed till mid-March.
The state-controlled All-China Journalists Association followed the government on Friday in blasting a Trump administration move that will cap the number of Chinese journalists allowed to work in the United States, resulting in the de-facto expulsion of about one-third of them.

In a statement, the association said Washington's actions have seriously violated the normal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in carrying out reporting overseas, damaged the reputation of Chinese media and journalists, and interfered with their normal work abroad."



That closely echoed the wording of a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement issued Tuesday that accused Washington of harbouring a Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice."



The State Department announced Monday that a total of 100 journalists from five state-controlled Chinese state media outlets would be given visas, citing in part China's increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment and intimidation of American and other foreign journalists in China for the move.

The five Chinese outlets, including the Xinhua Agency and China Global Television Network, currently employ about 160 Chinese citizens in the US There are about 75 Americans and other foreigners authorised to work for US outlets inside China, according to the White House.

The US announcement followed China's expulsion last month of three Wall Street Journal reporters over an opinion column headline that the Foreign Ministry called racist, and the release of survey results by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China showing a continuing deterioration in working conditions for overseas media in China.

Last month, the Trump administration designated Xinhua, CGTN and three others as foreign missions, requiring them to register their properties and employees in the US The State Department said that was in recognition of the fact that they are effectively controlled by the Chinese government.

Chinese citizens working for other media organisations in the United States are unaffected by the cap.

The administration's move was also denounced by international journalist advocacy group, Reporters Without Borders, which called on the US to immediately rescind the cap and said both governments must put an end to the weaponisation of media as a tool to retaliate against the other nation."



Responding to the criticism on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the cap was imposed in service of President Trump's mission to establish greater reciprocity in our relationship with China."



We expect Beijing to take a more fair approach towards American and other foreign press inside of China," Pompeo said.

A free press helps expose corruption and protect the people from cover-ups, as well as help the world understand the (ruling Communist Party's) thinking.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[March 06, 2020] Cloudbreak Health Launches Free Telemedicine App for Safer Communication with Coronavirus Patients

Cloudbreak Health ("Cloudbreak"), a leading unified telemedicine and video medical interpretation solutions provider, today announced the launch of Cloudbreak Consult for clinics, hospitals and healthcare systems. "Frontline healthcare workers in the coronavirus battle are at high risk of being infected," said Cloudbreak's CEO Jamey Edwards. "We wanted to do something to help, so we developed this telemedicine app as an effective tool for safety and prevention." The app will work with Cloudbreak's platform on the 10,000+ hospital and clinic-based Martti devices nationwide. The devices are easily sanitized and can be wheeled into patient rooms to allow for patient-provider communication with a clinical resource outside of the quarantine area, reducing potential exposure. Cloudbreak's devices have already been used with suspected COVID-19 patients whose primary language was something other than English, including at the University of California at San Diego's dedicated coronavirus clinic. Cloudbreak TeleMed, the main point of care app, will work on iPad devices and can be downloaded through the Apple App Store. The Clinical Resource App is available on both iPhone (News - Alert) and iPad, and can also be found in the Apple App Store by searching for Cloudbreak Consult. Use of Cloudbreak Consult will require a valid username and password, which can be secured by filling out the form at https://go.cloudbreak.us/covid19. Use of the app will be free for coronavirus patients during the pandemic.



"Helping create a safer environment for care teams is directly in line with our mission to #HumanizeHealthcare," said Edwards. "Our rapid development and deployment of Cloudbreak Consult is a testament to our commitment to resolve healthcare challenges in real-time." About Cloudbreak Health

From telepsychiatry, telestroke, tele-ICU, telesitting and other specialties to integrated language services for Limited English Proficient and Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing patients, Cloudbreak's innovative, secure platform removes both distance and language barriers to improve patient care, satisfaction and outcomes. Cloudbreak Health provides more than one million minutes of telemedicine consultation each month. Performing over 85,000 encounters per month on over 10,000 video endpoints at over 1,200 healthcare venues nationwide, the Cloudbreak platform simplifies how providers care for patients, putting a full care continuum at their fingertips 24/7. Learn more at www.cloudbreak.us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005086/en/

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" " The lord of the underworld rules over all, eventually, good, bad and in between. duncan1890/E+/Getty Images, HowStuffWorks

Your average citizen of ancient Greece did not, in his or her everyday life, spend much time worrying about the King of the Underworld. Greeks were polytheists. They had a bunch of gods to consider. Asking for blessings from the goddess of love (Aphrodite) or the god of war (Ares) was way more important than dealing with the god of the dead.

After all, everyone was going to come face-to-face with Hades at some point. No use in hurrying things.

Still, Hades was a god and therefore commanded some respect from the Greeks. He and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, earned that status by knocking off the old-guard gods, the Titans, in a 10-year war known as the Titanomachy. Afterward, these new gods  the Olympians  split up the cosmos: Zeus, god of sky and the heavens (among other cool gigs), became king of the gods. Poseidon assumed control of the seas.

And Hades ended up with a mixed bag, ruling over both the dead and everything under the earth, including seeds, grains, gold and silver. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds. In fact, people ended up naming the underworld after him.

"He has this other name  Pluto  which means 'the rich one,'" explains Richard P. Martin, a professor of classics at Stanford University and the author of "Classic Mythology: The Basics" and several other books and articles on Greek, Latin and Irish literature. "The fact that he's connected also with [his pilfered wife] Persephone, who's connected with fertility and crops, gives you the impression that he's got a pretty good deal. He's the one who can kind of control what comes out of the earth. So it's not like he's got this kind of ... 'short straw' and he's in some dungeon.

"He was presented in this poem, "The Hymn to Demeter," as being a good catch, because he's rich and he's related to Zeus. So there's no sense in the ancient stuff, that I know, that he's somehow lost out and he's angry or something."

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Hades vs. the Devil

In ancient Greek literature, Hades is portrayed as a serious, stern god, his three-headed dog Cerberus often by his side. Hades dwells forever in the underworld. He hardly ever leaves.

He doesn't have to draw people or trick people into the underworld, like the devil does in some later religious version of the underworld and its denizens. Hades is a god, not a fallen angel like Satan. Hades rules over all who come his way, all the dead, good and bad, and keeps them from escaping.

" " Hades' loyal canine companion, Cerberus (aka the hound of Hades) duncan1890/E+/Getty Images, HowStuffWorks

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Hades and Persephone

The most famous story about Hades centers around a brief foray outside of his kingdom. It is the tale of the capture of his wife, the goddess Persephone, daughter of Demeter (and also Hades' sister) and Zeus. Hades, smitten with the childlike Persephone and perhaps a little lonely in the underworld, tempted her with a beautiful flower, seized her when she bent down to pick it, then drew her into the depths to rule by his side. From "The Hymn to Demeter":

She [Persephone] was filled with a sense of wonder, and she reached out with both hands to take hold of the pretty plaything. And the earth, full of roads leading every which way, opened up under her ...

There it was that the Lord who receives many guests made his lunge.

He was riding on a chariot drawn by immortal horses. The son of Kronos. The one known by many names.

He seized her against her will, put her on his golden chariot, and drove away as she wept.

The kidnapping did not go over well with Demeter, the goddess of grain and agriculture, who so mourned the loss of her daughter that she neglected her duties, bringing a great famine to the land. The famine threatened humankind and so, after some god-to-god bargaining  after all, the gods couldn't let humans die off; who would praise them?  the brothers Zeus and Hades agreed that Persephone could leave the underworld every year to be with her mother.

The only stipulation was that Persephone had to be reunited with Hades for a certain amount of time each year, a bargain that was sealed when Hades tricked Persephone into chowing down on a pomegranate (the magic of the pomegranate mandated her return to the underworld).

It is said that whenever Persephone returns to the underworld  every winter  crops suffer as Demeter weeps.

" " Greek god and goddess Hades and Persephone hold court with Hermes and others. Persephone didn't spend all her time in the underworld. ZU_09/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images

Hades mainly did his ruling without bother from humans, though he was occasionally called on, Martin says, for curses. In a recent find in Greece, a "curse tablet" asked Hades and others  Hecate, for example, the goddess of magic and witchcraft  to bind the tongues of opponents in court. But, again, Hades was not nearly as popular among Greeks as, say, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war and pottery (among her many duties).

"Everybody knows  and in Greek culture, it's much more prominent  that they're going to die. They know that it's not great, they know that they're just kind of stuck in this other world. So it's not worth your money to kind of propitiate Hades. You're going to get there anyway," Martin says. "But it might be worth it if you are someone who paints fine pottery to dedicate something to Athena in thanks so that she will continue to benefit you as a craftsperson. It's very transactional."

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Hades vs. Hell

It's unclear exactly when the Greek underworld became known as Hades. But that ancient Greek realm is, clearly, a world apart from the more modern version of the underworld, what many know as hell.

"As you see it depicted in, say, Homeric poetry, which is maybe from 700 BC, the realm of Hades is just a kind of dank underworld where you don't see the light of the sun," Martin says. "But it doesn't  except for a couple of specific sinner-types  it doesn't have the very carefully [determined] neighborhoods for different people who did things on Earth. That's a much more late-antiquity thing, and Roman. When you come to Virgil and the Aeneid [an early epic Latin poem], which is from the first century BC rather than the eighth century BC, then it's much more Roman bureaucratic stuff; this part, Elysian Fields [a kind of heaven that some considered to be in the Underworld], and you have this other part. It's much more laid out like a cityscape."

Except for a few who angered Zeus  notably Sisyphus (commanded to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity), Tantalus (now several centuries into going thirsty and hungry despite standing in a pool of water within reach of a fruit tree), and Ixion (who, after trying to seduce Zeus' wife, was strapped to an ever-turning, fiery wheel forever)  the Hades of Homeric times was not fire and brimstone, eternal damnation stuff. It was not the nine circles of hell in Dante's "Inferno."

But at the time, as hell is now, neither was it a place where you wanted to hang out.

"For the Homeric imagination, everyone just suffers the same thing. And the suffering is not punishment," Martin says. "It's just the fact that you're not alive."

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Hades was seen as a grim god, and the kidnapping of Persephone didn't help his reputation. But it should be noted that he didn't steal his brother's daughter on his own: Zeus brokered the deal, offering up his daughter when Hades asked for a wife. The story has many versions, including at least one in which Persephone, charmed by Hades' attention and tempted by his offer to share in the ruling of the rich underworld, eventually falls in love with her abductor.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Rajinikanth on Thursday discussed the launch of his party with district secretaries of Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM).

After the meeting, he told reporters the discussions went on satisfactorily, except one issue that he termed a disappointment at the personal level.

He, however, declined to specify what his disappointment was.

However, the actor said he will reveal what the disappointment was only when the time comes.

He said he had answered several questions from district secretaries and exchanged views on the launch of the party.

On his meeting with Muslim leaders recently, he said he would extend his support to the leaders meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, to discuss their views on CAA and NPR.

On whether he would be open to work politically with Kamal Haasan, the actor said only time will tell.

The RMM, which came into being in 2018 is a launch vehicle for the actor's political party.

ALSO READ | After Rajinikanth, now Kamal Haasan meets Muslim leaders

Asked when he will launch his political party, he told reporters: "Only to discuss about all such things, I met the district secretaries after a year. There were lots of questions and I answered them."

"We exchanged views on many things. They were all very much satisfied. But on a matter, I did not have much satisfaction. It was only a disappointment. I don't like to reveal what it is. I will tell you when the time comes."

Asked if his disappointment was a political disappointment or one related to the present political ecosystem, he said: "It is a personal (at the individual level) disappointment."

Even as the actor was answering the question following the interaction, his fans could be heard loudly asking when he was going to launch the party.

He described his recent meeting with Muslim religious leaders as "a very pleasant meet", and said they underscored that brotherhood, love and peace should prevail in the country.

"They said they are ready to do all it takes for peace and wanted my support. I said definitely I will be with them in their effort," he said.

The actor said he wanted the religious leaders, "not politicians," to hold consultations on their apprehensions over the CAA and the NPR and then meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shan.

Rajinikanth said he assured his support to Muslim leaders over efforts to have talks with the Centre and added that it will be a good course of action.

To a question on the possibility of him joining hands with his actor-politician Kamal Haasan, he said: "Only time will give an answer."

Asked about the growth of the Mandram's activities and interactions, the actor said it cannot be divulged.

On the 'disappointment' remark by the actor, political commentator Sumanth C Raman said, "it is very difficult to keep on prolonging the element of suspense," hinting at the actor's political entry expected by his fans for about 20 years.

Rajini Makakl Mandram was launched on January 1, 2018 immediately following the actor's announcement that his political entry was a certainty.

Rajinikanth had announced that he will launch his political party ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections.

(With PTI Inputs)
TANZANIA, Tanzania - The United States is seeking U.N. Security Council backing for the ambitious peace deal it signed with the Taliban aimed at ending Americas longest war and bringing U.S. troops home from Afghanistan.

A U.S. draft resolution, obtained Thursday evening by The Associated Press, would welcome the Feb. 28 announcement of the agreement.

It would also encourage the sustained support of the United Nations and international partners for efforts toward peace, including the convening of intra-Afghan negotiations in order to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire.

The draft resolution would also affirm that any political settlement must protect the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities. This was an addition from the original draft sought by council members who want to ensure that womens rights are protected and the Taliban doesnt return to its previous draconian measures, including barring women from education and work.

According to the U.S.-Taliban deal, peace negotiations between the warring Afghan sides are supposed to begin March 10. However, the Afghan government has already rejected releasing Taliban prisoners ahead of launching the talks, a precondition that the militants say was part of the U.S. agreement.

The Security Council scheduled closed consultations on the draft resolution for Friday at Russias request.

The draft resolution would also welcome the intention of the Afghan government and the Taliban to pursue additional confidence-building measures to create conditions conducive for talks. And it would call for additional reductions in violence and international support for Afghanistan prior to a cease-fire agreement.

It would express the councils readiness to review sanctions on individuals and groups once intra-Afghan negotiations start in order to support the peace process, stressing that the Talibans actions in reducing violence and advancing talks will affect the review.

The draft would acknowledge the Afghan peoples demand for lasting peace and an end to war and recognize that a sustainable peace can be achieved only through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process that leads to an inclusive negotiated political settlement.
We all three have a good stage chemistry which is so important since this is a very minimal set design to put the focus on these three friends as they surround the blank white canvas that becomes the central topic of discussion after Serge has purchased this expensive artwork, which looks like just a blank white canvas, Perrine said.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged India on Thursday to "confront extremist Hindus" and "stop the massacre of Muslims", adding to the international fallout over deadly Hindu-Muslim violence in New Delhi.

At least 44 people were killed and hundreds injured in the worst communal riots in the Indian capital in decades, triggered by clashes between supporters of a new citizenship law and those against it.

"The hearts of Muslims all over the world are grieving over the massacre of Muslims in India," Khamenei said in a tweet in English, just days after New Delhi rebuked Iran's foreign minister for commenting on the same issue.

"Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday, in response to which New Delhi summoned the Islamic Republic's ambassador and lodged a protest.

"We do not expect such comments from a country like Iran," ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement later.

The citizenship law provides non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan a fast track to Indian citizenship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government says this is required to help minorities from those mainly Muslim countries.

Critics argue the law discriminates against Muslims and violates the spirit of India's secular constitution.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in protests since December.

Earlier this week, the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it intended to approach India's Supreme Court about the citizenship law.

(Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6)  Over 250,000 Filipinos may risk losing their jobs if tourist arrivals are halved amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in a report.

The regional lender projected the worst-case scenario for Asian economies including the Philippines as the disease infects thousands more worldwide.

"There is already anecdotal evidence that tourism arrivals in many developing Asian economies have dropped by 5090 percent in February 2020 relative to the previous year," ADB said.

China is the second biggest source of travelers in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism.

ADB estimates showed Philippine tourism revenues would drop by $801.4 million (about 41 billion) in the best case scenario, which assumes no Chinese tourists in the country for two months, alongside a decline from other foreign travelers.

A moderate case, which assumes that travelers from China will be barred for three months alongside reduced arrivals from other states, would slash tourism gains by $1.16 billion (about 59 billion). The worst case  which projects no tourism receipts from China for six months  would mean $2.25 billion (about 114.2 billion) in foregone revenues.

The government banned the entry of all visitors from China on January 31, a day after the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported. This was widened to cover Hong Kong and Macau two days later.

Across industries, the hotel and restaurant segment would suffer the biggest blow with $205.7 million under the best scenario and as much as $591.8 million in the worst case. This is followed by transport services, which is seen to slash anywhere from $150 million to $414 million depending on the gravity of the outbreak.

Total visitor receipts reached $9.31 billion last year, or roughly 472 billion.

The report added that countries with "strong trade and production linkages" with China, including the Philippines, would be significantly affected by the outbreak.

ADB also projects that at least 87,000 jobs could be slashed under the best case, while 252,000 may be at risk in the worst scenario. The lender even made a "hypothetical worst-case" projection where 730,000 people could be taken off the workforce. This assumes that there are no tourism receipts from Chinese visitors for six months, while a local outbreak would also last for three months.

Manufacturers keeping up

Factories of electronic parts in the Philippines have been hit the hardest by lockdowns and shipping disruptions due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, as most of their raw materials as well as export clients are in China. The mainland is the top source of imported goods shipped to the Philippines.

Nestor Felicio, director of the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines, said local factories have resorted to "stretching" their raw materials just to sustain production, as manufacturers are having a hard time to secure raw materials from China due to canceled flights which have affected cargo shipments.

"Governments have responded, but these responses also caused some disruptions in the supply chain... We are definitely worried," Felicio told CNN Philippines' Business Roundup. "We made a survey of our members, and 70 percent of them said they are experiencing impact either moderate or major in their operations."

READ: You may have to wait for your next gadget: Electronics makers can't get parts quickly enough

Although a "humanitarian" issue, Felicio said businesses  mainly tourism, airlines, electronics, and consumer manufacturing  are also feeling the brunt of the outbreak.

"Practically every country is now dependent on China... Maybe we need to spread our sourcing strategies a little bit more. Maybe we need to have some resiliency built into our supply chain, so that when there's a disruption like this, then we don't have to get whipsawed so much," he added. Felicio added that companies are now waiting for Chinese factories to return to normal operations in the next two months.

For now, companies are looking for other sources or trying to course through their shipments in countries not covered by a travel ban, he said.

The ADB said the global impact of the coronavirus ranges from $76.7 billion to $347 billion, the latter being the worst-case scenario. China would bear two-thirds of the cost from $43.9 billion to $236.8 billion, as it tallied the biggest number of confirmed infections.
Technavio has been monitoring the global bunker fuel market and it is poised to grow by USD 43.75 bn during the forecast period, 2020-2024. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005638/en/

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

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will during the forecast period. PetroChina Co. Ltd., Qatar Petroleum, Rosneft Oil Co., Royal Dutch Shell Plc and TOTAL SA are some of the major market participants. Although the high global volume of seaborne trade will offer immense growth opportunities, high cost of premium products will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

High global volume of seaborne trade has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, high cost of premium products might hamper market growth.

Global bunker fuel market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Global bunker fuel market is segmented as below:

Type

High Sulfur Fuel

Low Sulfur Fuel

Geographic Segmentation

APAC

Europe

MEA

North America

South America

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Global bunker fuel market 2020-2024: Scope

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

Global bunker fuel market Size

Global bunker fuel market Trends

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We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the global bunker fuel market, including some of the vendors such as PetroChina Co. Ltd., Qatar Petroleum, Rosneft Oil Co., Royal Dutch Shell Plc and TOTAL SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the global bunker fuel market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Global bunker fuel market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

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Estimation of the global bunker fuel market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the global bunker fuel market

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

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of global bunker fuel market vendors

Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market outlook

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE

Market segmentation by type

Comparison by type

High sulfur fuel Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Low sulfur fuel Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by type

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Development of scrubber technology

Development of emulsified fuels

Adoption of modular mini refineries

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

BP Plc

Chevron Corp.

Exxon Mobil Corp.

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

Ocean Bunkering Services (Pte.) Ltd.

PetroChina Co. Ltd.

Qatar Petroleum

Rosneft Oil Co.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc

TOTAL SA

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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/20200305005638/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/
Hachette Book Group has announced that Grand Central Publishing will not publish Woody Allens memoir, Apropos of Nothing, and will return all rights to the author. The book was originally scheduled for sale in April 2020.

"The decision to cancel Mr. Allens book was a difficult one," the statement read. "At HBG we take our relationships with authors very seriously, and do not cancel books lightly. We have published and will continue to publish many challenging books. As publishers, we make sure every day in our work that different voices and conflicting points of views can be heard."

It continued: "Also, as a company, we are committed to offering a stimulating, supportive and open work environment for all our staff. Over the past few days, HBG leadership had extensive conversations with our staff and others. After listening, we came to the conclusion that moving forward with publication would not be feasible for HBG."

The decision to cancel the book comes only four days after Grand Central announced that it would publish the director's memoir and one day after employees at the imprint and a number of its sister imprintsincluding Basic, Forever, Hachette Books, Little, Brown, and Orbitstaged a walkout in protest of the acquisition.

Allen has been accused by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, of molesting her in 1992, when she was seven years old. Little, Brown is the publisher of Ronan Farrow, the author of the bestselling Harvey Weinstein expose Catch and Kill and Allen's estranged son, who has staunchly defended his sister and stood by her allegations in spite of Allen's consistent denials. Farrow severed his ties with the publisher earlier this week over its intention to publish the memoir.
Japanese M&A steamrolling ahead, illustration photo - source: shutterstock

Last week, Miki House, a leading Japanese premium fashion brand for babies and children, officially made inroads into Vietnam by launching its first store in Ho Chi Minh City. Located at Akuruhi trade centre in District 1, the store brings a diverse range of high-quality childrenswear.

The groups entry to Vietnam follows five years of thorough market research to capitalise on market opportunities.

Miki House inked a deal with its local exclusive distributor Vi Bien  Akuhushi Trading and Service Co., Ltd. to expand its presence in Vietnam. Their local partner has been selling Made in Japan products for 20 years.

If the first store is successful, Miki House is planning to launch two more stores in Ho Chi Minh City and extend its reach to Hanoi and the central city of Danang.

According to the latest survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan is the fourth-largest investor in Vietnam with $2.89 billion worth of foreign direct investment registered in 2019. Japanese enterprises highly appreciate the scale and growth potential of the Vietnamese market, as well as the stable political and social situation and low labour costs.

In addition to direct investment, Japanese investors are also active in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities. Research by RECOF Corporation, Japans leading M&A advisory service company, shows that Japanese investors conducted 33 transactions in Vietnam last year, a 50 per cent increase compared to 2018.

Masataka Sam Yoshida, head of the Cross-border Division and CEO of Vietnam RECOF Corporation, said that 2019 was the year of highest M&A activity for Japanese investors in Vietnam, recording a record number of transactions between the two countries. The increase in the number of deals is simply because more Japanese companies have accumulated knowledge of the Vietnamese market to act on their already keen interest in growing markets.

On the same note, Hirai Shinji, chief representative of the JETROs Ho Chi Minh City office, said that Japanese companies are betting on the bright prospects of the Vietnamese market. In the region, Vietnam only trails behind the Philippines, Indonesia, and China in terms of estimated profits for 2019, with around 65.8 per cent of Japanese firms in the green last year.

While Japanese companies began investing in the Philippines, Indonesia, and China 50 years ago, they have only been present in Vietnam for 25 years. The success stories of Japanese companies gaining stellar profits in such a short time make Vietnam an attractive investment destination for Japanese investors.

Shinji noted that the recent emergence of top fashion brand UNIQLO in the country reflects the growing interest of Japanese businesses. In particular, the retail and services market has great potential for growth due to the countrys large population, rising income, and expanding middle class.

When comparing the number of new investment certificates granted in 2019 by sector, the manufacturing industry was on even footing with retail and services, both making up 21 per cent. The situation has changed from Vietnam being a major investment destination for the manufacturing industry to being a lucrative retail market with rising consumption and high purchasing power.

Recently, the JETRO and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted a survey on the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. It showed that Japanese companies from the manufacturing industry have started to feel the bite of supply chain disruptions. Some Japanese companies are facing weeks of disruptions to secure input materials, which will lead to a dramatic rise in material prices.

Although Japanese businesses have yet to be affected, they predict that the impacts will start being visible in March. Many of them continue efforts to balance inventory, find alternative materials and goods supplies, seek new suppliers, and change manufacturing locations.

Shinji said that the JETRO will review the impacts of the outbreak on Japanese businesses when they release their reports at the end of the financial year. However, he was positive that while the epidemic wreaks havoc on both local and overseas businesses, it will not dampen the interest of Japanese investors in Vietnams fast-growing market.

According to RECOFs Yoshida, most Japanese companies are becoming more cautious with their investment decisions and tend to take more time with M&A deals to avoid undue risks. We believe the COVID-19 outbreak may become one of the hurdles to delay transactions. However, this is just a delay in time and has no bearing on interest in Vietnam itself, he said.

Regardless, we predict that 2020 will continue to be a promising year for Japan-Vietnam M&A transactions as more Japanese investors show interest, driven by growth pressures, he said, adding that some of the attractive sectors will be consumer goods, food and beverage, human resources, real estate, logistics, energy, and financial services.

While we believe there will be a lot of M&A transactions between Japan and Vietnam this year, Japanese investors should take into account some of the potential challenges that may arise in the course of the M&A process with local companies, Yoshida added. We highly recommend that they engage professional advisors who are familiar with the market practices of both countries in orsder to minimise these issues.
No flights to Italy, no patients' visits to hospitals.

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The first case of the COVID-19 infection was confirmed in Slovakia, PM Peter Pellegrini announced today.

Our paywall policy The Slovak Spectator has decided to leave all the articles about the coronavirus available for 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.

"A patient aged 52 was confirmed today. He has been hospitalised at the infectology clinic of the University Hospital in Bratislava," Pellegrini said.

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The patient, who is from the western-Slovak village of Kostoliste (near the town of Malacky), has not been to any country where the virus has occurred recently. His son, who does not show any symptoms of the virus, has been to Venice between February 14 and 15. It is not clear whether the infection came from the son.

>>> Follow news about the coronavirus in Slovakia here

The patient with confirmed coronavirus had symptoms even before his son returned from Italy, though, PM Pellegrini said. The patient also suffers from pneumonia but is now feeling better.

Measures taken The crisis staff has met at the Interior Ministry to discuss the situation and necessary measures. The crisis staff issued several measures on the afternoon of March 6: All flights from the Slovak international airports to Italy will be banned as of Monday, March 9.

School trips and excursions abroad will be banned.

Travellers at airports should be ready to have their temperature measured.

Patients' visits in all hospitals around Slovakia will be banned.

Visits to social care facilities are banned as well.

Info campaign will be conducted at border crossings with Austria - Berg, Kittsee, and Jarovce. As of 16:00 on Friday, March 6, there will be additional checks at these border crossings, rescuers will be checking people for symptoms of the coronavirus.

The National Centre of Health Information recommends people in Slovakia to use ePrescription service and limit visits to the doctor. Thanks to e-Prescription, people can just call their doctor on the phone and ask for the prescription that they can then pick up in any pharmacy.

The government recommends the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia to consider restricting religious services that are attended by larger numbers of people.

More cases expected

Nothing tragic has happened, said chief hygienist Jan Mikas.

He expects that more cases will be confirmed in the following days.

The positive samples will now be tested in Berlin.The situation is under control, Mikas added.

During his press briefing following the session of the crisis staff, PM Peter Pellegrini discouraged people from travelling abroad altogether. He also informed that two Slovak citizens are currently hospitalised in Bali with a suspicion of a Covid-19 infection.

The secondary vocational school of mass media and information studies on Kadnarova Street in Bratislava will be closed until March 15. The school suspects that one of its students might have been in contact with a person infected with coronavirus.

Pellegrini: Do not panic

People should avoid mass events and observe basic hygienic rules. Those with symptoms should first contact the call centres and avoid travelling by public transport to the emergency departments in hospitals, where other patients are.

If the symptoms are serious, you should call an ambulance, the authorities recommend.

Meanwhile, the State Material Reserves have finished purchasing protection materials.

Pellegrini has stressed that they do not plan to hand out the protective masks. They should not be used recklessly and wasted, he added.

Pellegrini also called on people not to panic and buy up hypermarkets.

President Zuzana Caputova also asked people to keep calm.

PM: Reconsider travelling

No compulsory quarantine has been put in place for now. In the Czech Republic, people who return from Italy are required to stay in quarantine at home for two weeks.

"We are in a complicated situation because we are in the middle of the flu season," Pellegrini told the press briefing following the session of the crisis staff. The state is not planning to take any special measures, not even in the municipality where the infected man lives.

Pellegrini called on people to try and avoid risky behaviour, such as travelling to the risk areas. He specifically mentioned planned trips to Italy and said people should reconsider them.

"Do not risk just because you feel like travelling," he said.

People should also consider not attending sport, cultural and religious events.

The only possible way to stop the spread of the virus is to meet each other as little as possible, Pellegrini said. Yet he added that there is no need for towns and cities in Slovakia to be deserted.

Bratislava is ready, mayor says

Bratislava Mayor Matus Vallo said that the capital is ready for the coronavirus.

To eliminate the risk of transmitting the virus to seniors, who belong to the most vulnerable groups, the city issued hygienic measures and abolished visiting hours in the senior homes.

Bratislava local authorities announced a few days back that they would take some more measures to counter the coronavirus.

They decided to disinfect all public transport vehicles and issued an order for the respective offices to purchase hygienic and disinfection means for employees.
Official channels are mum over why Charles A. Fiore abruptly resigned as Gloucester Countys prosecutor on Thursday, but court records relating to an ongoing lawsuit by a prosecutors office employee describe allegations of a hostile work environment, crude remarks by Fiore and an investigation by the state Attorney Generals office.

Fiore unceremoniously exited the office he has held for only two years and three months with no explanation beyond an email saying he was doing it for family reasons and to pursue work in the private sector.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal quickly named an interim replacement, but the AGs office refused to elaborate on what had happened with Fiore.

What wasnt said in Thursdays press statement from Grewal may have said it all. While he praised the incoming interim prosecutor, Christine A. Hoffman, Grewal offered no kind words for Fiore, saying only that he was gone as of noon Thursday.

A lawsuit filed in 2017 by Gloucester prosecutors Detective Eric Shaw alleges he was discriminated against for his military service, denied opportunities for advancement and retaliated against for cooperating with the plaintiff in another lawsuit alleging similar discrimination.

It was following questioning of Fiore in a deposition for the Shaw case that allegations of unrelated misbehavior by Fiore and of an Attorney Generals investigation came to light.

During a deposition in the case, prosecutors Lt. James Ballenger testified to many claimed acts of discrimination by Fiore and prosecutors Capt. Robert Pietrzak, according to a ruling by Superior Court Judge Samuel J. Ragonese.

Those include claims that Fiore made disparaging remarks about gay men and lesbians and inappropriately discussed oral sex with a female worker among other allegations.

Ballenger had warned Fiore on "many occasions that his comments were inappropriate, according to the document.

Ballenger also testified that Pietrzak had allegedly used the "n word.

When Shaws attorney later asked Fiore during a deposition in October if he had ever received a complaint about discrimination while leading the office, defense counsel objected, stating that the prosecutor couldnt answer that question because of an ongoing Attorney Generals office investigation.

The details of that investigation were not revealed, but the defense argued that answering the question could interfere with those efforts. The AGs investigation is unrelated to Shaws case, according to court documents.

Shaws attorney ended that deposition once it became clear Fiore would not be allowed to answer. More court wrangling followed over the scope of questioning that would be permitted until Ragonese issued a ruling saying the questioning was appropriate.

In summarizing the plaintiffs arguments in his December ruling, Ragonese noted Ballengers earlier testimony and testimony by Chief of Detectives Tom Gilbert that he had discussed Shaws complaints with Fiore, but that nothing was done in response. Testimony from these employees particularly undermine defendants argument that confidentiality of such an investigation is required, Ragonese wrote.

The judge concluded that the line of questioning was relevant to Shaws case and ordered that the deposition should proceed. Ragonese questioned why the attorney general hadnt weighed in if there was a legitimate concern that answering the question could interfere with that offices probe.

A Jan. 6 letter to the judge from Deputy Attorney General Randall B. Weaver acknowledged the existence of an investigation. The Attorney General is concerned that the integrity of any investigations that may be ongoing be preserved, Weaver wrote.

Weaver sought a phone conference prior to Fiores resumed deposition so that the AGs point of view could be heard. In a follow-up letter on Jan. 7, Weaver confirmed that the phone conference occurred that morning and that he planned to attend Fiores deposition on Jan. 9.

Its not clear what happened after that  Ragonese ordered that the record of the deposition remain confidential  but a trial in the Shaw case is slated to begin May 18.

A spokesman for the Attorney Generals office declined to comment on the investigation. A spokesman for the prosecutors office referred all questions to the Attorney Generals office. Efforts to contact Fiore were unsuccessful.

Shaw filed an amended version of his 2017 suit last year, saying he faced additional discrimination and retaliation since his original filing.

After a deployment to the Middle East with the U.S. Army Reserves from September 2014 to September 2015, Shaw returned to the prosecutors office to find out he had been passed over for a promotion hed sought. He claims in the suit he was denied other opportunities for advancement in the office and believed all of this was because Pietrzak, captain of detectives with the office, was known to have hostility towards those who serve in the military.

Shaw claims he witnessed Pietrzak harassing another staffer, identified as Bradd Thompson, for his military service, and Shaw offered testimony in a lawsuit filed by Thompson in 2014. That suit was settled two years later, but Shaw believes he faced retaliation as a result of his cooperation in the case.

Following his testimony, Shaw claims he was transferred to different departments within the office and that no one could offer an explanation for why his roles were being repeatedly changed.

Shaw was deployed again after filing his suit in 2017 and, when he returned, said he was again passed over for a prosecutors office promotion he had sought.

In court filings, attorneys for the prosecutors office denied the allegations of discrimination and retaliation.

Christine A. Hoffman has been named to serve as acting Gloucester County prosecutor following the sudden departure of Charles A. Fiore.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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CHANDIGARH: No positive case of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been reported in the tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali till Friday afternoon.

The five suspected cases of Covid-19 in Chandigarh and Mohali reported on Wednesday tested negative on Thursday evening.

However, a 25-year-old resident of Sector 32, Chandigarh, who recently travelled to Italy, was admitted to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Thursday with symptoms of the disease. His reports are expected by Friday evening.

The blood samples of the three persons admitted at PGIMER and another at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, were sent to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, for testing and came out negative.

Similarly, a 38-year-old man, who is working with a multinational firm in the US and who arrived in Mohali to meet his family on February 29, also tested negative.

Among those admitted at PGIMER were two women, aged 38 and 36 years, and a 30-year-old man from Mohali. The man had travelled to Singapore and Indonesia in the past week. The 38-year-old Chandigarh woman had recently returned from Bangkok and was received by her 36-year-old friend from Zirakpur on landing here.

As many as 56 people are under surveillance as a precautionary measure, and the administration is in contact with them through home visits and phone calls, Chandigarhs state surveillance officer Dr Upendrajeet Singh Gill said. Three foreign nationals are also under observation, he said.

In Panchkula, nine people, who had returned from China recently, are also under observation.
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DLP Brite Homes is thrilled to introduce LiveBrite Gainesville, Florida's first-ever 'Zero Energy Ready' single-family rental community, offering smart home features and today's sought after energy-efficient living. Luxuriously designed, these 3- and 4-bedroom rental homes are situated just minutes from historic downtown, major highways, the University of Florida, and close to popular attractions such as Butler Plaza, with 150 storefronts.

DLP Real Estate Capital

Homes at LiveBrite Gainesville are mostly one-story single-family residences, with a few offering two-floor living. All homes include:

Solar power on every roof

ENERGY STAR appliances

Command Panel Cellular (Alexa-compatible and accessible through smartphone app): 2 door sensors, Ring video doorbell, Smart garage door opener, Smart door lock, Smart thermostat, 3 years of self-monitoring from alarm.com smart home automation (compatible with Alexa)

LED Lighting

Hybrid water heaters

16 Seer HVAC

Boracare built-in pest control defense

Concrete driveways

Amy Barricelli, Senior VP of Revenue Acceleration for DLP Real Estate Management comments, "With the national uptick of individuals and families looking to rent homes vs. buy, we are thrilled to introduce the area's first brand new high-performing, solar-powered single-family homes available as rental residences in this community. Energy-efficiency combined with luxury is not often found in the rental market. We're proud to introduce this concept to Gainesville, and, being environmentally conscious, we're also reducing the carbon footprint."

Oren Segev, Brite Homes' founder commented, "LiveBrite Gainesville is yet another example of how we offer innovative home solutions directly in line with our purpose. These high performing homes fit in perfectly with the city of Gainesville, an up-and-coming progressive community concerned with sustainability. Our goal is to become the largest zero energy ready home builder in the entire country."

A pet-friendly community, LiveBrite Gainesville is now pre-leasing this limited supply of 72 planned homes. Rental prices start at $2800 per month. Open houses will take place every Saturday in April. A private 'Sip & See' open house for brokers/realtors will take place on April 14 and will include guided tours and special offers for their clients. Visit livebritegainesville.com for more information. You can also take a quick home tour here.

Media Contact- Jenn LoConte, PR Communications Mgr, [email protected], 484.312.0443.

DLP Real Estate Capital is a leader in the single and multi-family real estate sectors of brokerage, investment management, asset management, property management, construction, and private lending. DLP RE Capital leads and inspires the building of wealth and prosperity through the execution of innovative real estate solutions. It generates consistent returns and results for its investors and partners and gives back through its foundation. Companies include DLP Capital Partners, DLP Direct Lending Partners, DLP Real Estate Management, DLP Realty, Brite Homes, Alliance Loan Servicing, and Alliance Property Transfer.

DLP RE Capital has over $800 million in AUM, closed over 12,000 RE transactions totaling more than $2 billion, and ranked in the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. for seven consecutive years.

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SOURCE DLP Real Estate Capital
State-owned telecom firm BSNL's loss swelled by over 2.5 times to Rs 39,089 crore during the April-December 2019 period, Minister of State for Telecommunications Sanjay Dhotre has informed Parliament.

The public sector telecom firm had recorded a loss of Rs 14,904 crore in the previous financial year 2018-19.

" has informed that its total accumulated loss during the current financial year i.e. 2019-20 (upto December 31, 2019) is Rs 39,089 crore," Dhotre said in a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The government on October 23 last year approved a Rs 68,751-crore revival package for loss-making and MTNL, including 4G spectrum allocation and voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).

The Union Cabinet also approved merger of the state-owned telecom firms and till the completion of the process, MTNL will operate as a subsidiary of BSNL, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said here while sharing details of the revival package.

The package includes raising of Rs 15,000 crore sovereign bonds to meet the immediate capital requirement of both the companies, 4G spectrum allocation worth Rs 20,140 crore; Rs 29,937 crore for VRS covering 50 per cent of their employees; and Rs 3,674 crore for goods and services tax that will be levied on allocation of radiowaves.

Over 78,300 employees and 14,378 at MTNL have opted for VRS which is expected to significantly reduce financial burden from both the
Calling women's safety a matter of



highest priority for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday announced that all-women police stations will be set up in every district headquarter of the state.

He also announced that special investigation teams (SITs) will be formed to probe complaints of atrocities against women.

Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, made these announcements in the state Legislative Assembly while presenting the Uddhav Thackeray-led government's maiden budget.

"Women's safety is a matter of highest priority to the government and it is committed to implement measures to avert crime against them," he said.

"Special police stations will be set up in each district headquarter, where the police personnel and other staff will only be women," the NCP leader said.

Any woman in the district can approach this police station and register a complaint, he added.

"Special investigation teams will be constituted to probe complaints of atrocities against women.

"Women public prosecutors will be appointedto represent the government in such cases," he added.

The government also proposesto establish a women's commission office at each divisional commissioner-level in the state, Pawar said.

"The government is also exploring the possibility of formulating strict laws to dispense quick justice that would deter incidents of violence against women and if such crimes occur, criminals can be held accountable," he said.

The state also plans to give preference to women self-help groups(SHGs) for procurement of products and services worth up to Rs 1,000 crore, he said, adding that the government's procurement policy will be amended to facilitate this.

Pawar announced that the government will provide good quality sanitary napkins to girl studying in Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools at affordable rates to help create awareness about personal hygiene among women in rural areas.

"The government has allotted Rs 64.30 crore for this purpose," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
B ob Diamond, the former Barclays chief executive now in charge of Panmure Gordon, has hired his former acolyte Rich Ricci to lead the broker.

As part of the shake-up, Panmure is acquiring Whitman Howard, an independent broking and investment banking business for an undisclosed sum.

Richard Morecombe of Whitman becomes president of Panmure. Ian Axe, also ex-Barclays, was the CEO of Panmure until today. He has left with immediate effect, amicably, sources insisted.

Diamond owns a chunk of Panmure, with the biggest stake held by the Qatari Investment Authority. The Qataris have a stake thought to be around 40%.

The move brings back together two of the biggest and most controversial names in British banking. It will be seen as a serious sign of intent by Panmure to become a major player in the City.

Panmure has been a famed name in the Square Mile for years, famously employing David Camerons father.

Rich Ricci said: I am delighted to be leading an organisation with Panmure Gordons heritage and potential. The acquisition of Whitman Howard and the addition of Richard Morecombe to the leadership team means we are exceptionally well placed for growth. We will have a strong client base with an exciting pipeline, a good team and a clear strategy. Richards and my focus is on ensuring Panmure Gordon is the leading broker for small and mid-cap companies in the UK.

Richard Morecombe said: Having spent part of my career at Panmure Gordon, I am delighted to now be returning. It has an exceptional brand and an impressive client list. 

Ricci was famed as one of the biggest dealmakers in the City during his time at Barclays. With a big personality, vast pay and bright braces, he was an unmissable presence in the markets. He even named his racehorse Fatcatinthehat and entered it to Cheltenham.
Its D-Day for Ontario Liberals  as in Del Duca.

Members of the former governing party will choose a new leader Saturday to take them into a provincial election that is just 27 months away.

Delegate selection meetings suggest former cabinet minister Steve Del Duca is the overwhelming favourite to win the leadership at the Mississauga convention.

Only 2,084 delegates elected in meetings across Ontario last month and 640 ex officio members  including current and former Liberal MPPs, party brass, and 79 sitting Grit MPs from the province  are eligible to vote.

Del Duca, who lost his Vaughan riding in the Premier Doug Fords Progressive Conservative landslide in June 2018, has the support of 1,171 elected delegates as well as scores of ex officios.

Im not taking anything for granted. Its the same approach I intend to bring towards making Doug Fords first term as premier his last, he told the Star.

For Ontario Liberals the next election will be the fight of our lives and Im ready to hit the ground running so we can defeat this incompetent government and get moving on bold action to tackle climate change, restore confidence in public education, put patients at the centre of health care and provide real economic dignity to Ontario workers.

His nearest competitor is MPP Michael Coteau (Don Valley East), another former cabinet minister, who has 371 elected delegates backing his candidacy.

In third place is Kate Graham, a former candidate in London North Centre who has emerged as a rising star in the party, with 273 elected delegates.

MPP Mitzie Hunter (Scarborough-Guildwood), also a former cabinet minister, has 130 delegates.

Alvin Tedjo, a former candidate in Oakville North-Burlington, has 72 delegates and Ottawa lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth has 25 delegates.

Ford, whose Tories ended almost 15 years of Liberal rule, said he has little interest in the Liberal contest.

You know something, I dont care who they pick, the premier told reporters earlier this week in Toronto.

I can ask the people in (two) years, is this province better off now than they were four years ago, with waste, mismanagement and scandal, day after day? he said, referring to past Liberal transgressions.

Were seeing prosperity and growth, the likes of which this province has never seen before. Were going to continue moving forward.

On Friday in St. Catharines, Ford escalated the rhetoric saying the Liberals destroyed this province.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Del Duca is a quick and easy reminder of why people rejected the Liberals for their behaviour in the last 15 years.

He doesnt believe that the rules are applicable to himself, said Horwath, referring to past Grit controversies.

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said Del Duca really is the restoration of the old boys network in the Liberal party.

With just eight seats in the 124-member legislature, the Liberals do not have party status at Queens Park. They also trail the Tories badly in fundraising.

Still, they take solace in the fact that Ford, who was booed while Mayor John Tory and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were cheered on the same Nathan Phillips Square stage during the Toronto Raptors victory celebrations last June, is unpopular.

The premier has a 26 per cent approval rating with 61 per cent disapproving for a net -35 per cent in the latest Campaign Research tracking poll with 13 per cent unsure.

Campaign Research polled 1,144 people on Wednesday and Thursday using Maru Blues online panel. It is an opt-in poll. For comparison purposes, a randomly selected sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 points, 19 times out of 20.

Del Duca had 14 per cent approval and a 20 per cent disapproved for -6 per cent net approval, but 66 per cent of respondents said they didnt know or werent sure, suggesting he is not well known yet.

Horwath had a 42 per cent approval and 30 per cent disapproval for a 12 per cent net approval with 28 per cent having no opinion.

The same poll found the Tories at 32 per cent with the Liberals and NDP tied at 28 per cent each and the Greens at 10 per cent.

Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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One hopes some of these precautions will be temporary and that, like the flu (which has killed multiple thousands but has not brought panic or political posturing), the coronavirus will be a seasonal phenomenon and disappear as the weather warms and treatments become available.

In the meantime, can we call a political truce? If we can sign a peace deal with the Taliban  as dubious as that may be  cant we sign a peace treaty with each other over this virus?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused the president of playing politics with the virus. Trump responded by calling her incompetent. Pelosi then attempted to travel the high road, saying: Lives are at stake. This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics.

If only.

Some of the Democratic presidential candidates are already blaming the president for not doing enough to control the virus. They dont say how they would do it, other than spending more money. What they are really suggesting is that the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the secretary of health and human services are not doing their jobs. These are the people, along with their staffs, who have the experience to fight it.
Chandigarh, March 6 : Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday said no positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been reported in the state.

A total of 5,814 people with travel history of affected countries properly screened by the Health Department. Nine persons are symptomatic as on Friday and their samples had been sent to the AIIMS in New Delhi.

The Cabinet minister said the situation is being closely watched and being monitored by state and district teams to avoid any outbreak.

He said instructions have been issued to all zonal licensing authorities and drug control officers to ensure that whole sellers as well as retailers don't charge exorbitantly or hold the stocks of some drug formulations, consumables and masks.

They are also directed to conduct meetings with chemist associations of their respective areas to ensure the availability of such products across the state.

Sidhu said if anyone found indulged in black marketing, hoarding of drugs and other products, strict action would be taken against the chemist.

He said the government has sufficient stock of triple layered masks and N95 masks apart from PPE (personal protective equipment) which are used by healthcare staff while managing suspected cases of corona or other such infectious diseases.

He said the state has also procured and provided infra-red thermometers (non contact thermometers) to airport in Mohali, all district hospitals and government medical colleges so that body temperature of the suspected patients could be tested without touching.

He said beds in isolation wards have also been increased from 649 to 823.

To date, 71,900 patients had been screened across the state, of these 48,867 passengers at the Amritsar airport, 5,116 passengers at the airport in Mohali, 5,401 passengers at Wagah and Attari border check post and 12,516 passengers had been screened at the Dera Baba Nanak check post.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
M Ps today called on the police to reopen their investigation into the kidnapping of the daughter of the billionaire ruler of Dubai who was snatched from the streets of Cambridge.

A High Court judge yesterday ruled that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had abducted and detained two of his adult daughters.

He found that the 70-year-old Sheikh, a friend of the Queen, ordered Princess Shamsa to be abducted from Cambridge in 2000.

The princess, then 19, said armed bodyguards grabbed her, injected her with sedatives and took her to Dubai, where she was tortured.

Ruler Of Dubai Abducted Two Of His Daughters, Keeping One Of Them Captive For 20 Years, High Court Rules

Yesterdays judgment raised questions about whether the Foreign Office blocked the investigation by Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Sheikha Shamsa, now 38, has not been seen in public since the abduction.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum / Getty Images

Conservative MP Nickie Aiken, who sits on the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, said: This case clearly demonstrates that no matter what a womans background, education or status, domestic abuse does not discriminate. I certainly think that Cambridgeshire Constabulary should consider reopening the case.

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said there was insufficient evidence to take any further action. She also said the force was not in contact with the victim and the courts findings did not change the status of their investigation.

Princess Shamsas best friend Tiina Jauhiainen, who helped her escape

According to the judgment Sheikh Mohammed ordered and orchestrated the abduction and forced return to Dubai of Shamsa in 2002, and then her sister Sheikha Latifa in 2018.

Princess Latifa was seized by Indian soldiers from a yacht 30 miles off Goa and forcibly returned to Dubai.

Tiina Jauhiainen, who tried to help her escape, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Now finally the whole world knows that Sheikh Mohammed did indeed kidnap two of his daughters Latifa and Shamsa and he can no longer cover up the abuses.

Labour former cabinet minister Lord Adonis told the Standard: The British Government should obviously now ban [Sheikh Mohammed] and his associates from entering the UK. Our royal family treat him as friends and our government allows him to come in and out of the country freely. The hypocrisy and double standards are truly disgraceful.

Princess Haya outside Britain's High Court / AFP via Getty Images

The kidnappings emerged out of the Sheikhs legal battle with his sixth wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, over their daughter Jalila, 12, and son Zayed, eight.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, the most senior family judge in England and Wales, was asked to make findings of fact about the Sheikh in relation to his application for contact with the children.

Sir Andrew said the Foreign Office had confirmed it held information about the inquiry into Shamsas alleged kidnapping but had refused to disclose it, citing British national interests.
A San Antonio man was arrested Friday for allegedly sexually abusing a child, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

Clayton Turner, 40, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, and one count of indecency with a child, a second-degree felony.

On Feb. 28, deputies learned that a 12-year-old girl reported Turner had touched her inappropriately. The girl reported the abuse at her school and a school district employee informed the police. Turner was not connected to the school.

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Investigators interviewed the victim and determined the abuse had occurred over a couple of years. Turner identifies himself as a youth pastor, Sheriff Javier Salazar said. Deputies believe he had access to children at several places of worship through his work.

There is a distinct possibility that there are other victims out there, Salazar said.

Turner listed two places of worship  The Message and Guadalupe Seminary. Police said they were not able to verify either.

Turners criminal record includes prior non-violent misdemeanor arrests.

Deputies are asking anyone with information to call BCSO at 210-335-6070.

Mark Dunphy is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read him on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mark.dunphy@express-news.net | @m_b_dunphy
Meghan Markle never really fitted in with the royal family that even Prince William and Kate Middleton seemingly refused to welcome and accept her.

Speaking with Express U.K. royal author Leslie Caroll revealed how the differences between Kate and Meghan made the brothers' relationship even more complicated than ever.

"William has not always felt warmly toward Meghan, he needs to accept that she's Harry's wife, the mother of their son, and the woman he adores-his soul mate," the royal author claimed.

For instance, Meghan once approached the Duke of Cambridge, but he just shrugged her off. The Sussexes fueled the issue more after they decided to split from the joint charity they shared with Cambridges through a statement released by the royal palace.

However, despite lying low, Meghan still failed to get the acceptance of her husband's brother and family.

The royal writer went on and divulged how the brothers grew apart when they married the two "very different" women. Harry and William also never had identical personalities or interests, making things between them even worse.

Their differences also prevented them from having a "warm relationship," most especially when they are both "fiercely protective" of their families.

If ever William wants to mend his relationship with his brother again, he has to approve his choices and reasons for making them, according to Carroll.

Where Did the Rift Stem?

The royal author also suggested that the gap between the once-close siblings was caused by the continuous defense of Harry over his marriage with Meghan from royal critics.

In the winter of 2018, rumors about the beginning of a royal feud started to emerge after Meghan allegedly made Kate cry.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl, however, highlighted that the Duke of Sussex blamed his brother for not putting some effort to embrace Meghan in the family.

"Harry felt William wasn't rolling out the red carpet for Meghan and told him so. They had a bit of a fall-out, which was only resolved when Charles stepped in and asked William to make an effort," the royal author disclosed.

Even Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II "worked incredibly hard to try and make sure everybody reunites." However, it was not successful at all as the brothers drifted further away from each other.

Until the last quarter of 2019, the rift continued and got worse when the Sussexes made an appearance on ITV's documentary "Harry & Meghan: An African Journey." From there, Harry finally broke his silence and admitted the fact that there is indeed a royal rift.

"Part of this role and part of this job, and this family, being under the pressure that it's under, inevitably, you know, stuff happens," the Duke of Sussex shared before claiming that they will always be brothers even when they take different paths at the moment.

Only time will tell if Prince William and Kate would still give Meghan a chance. But since the Sussexes has already decided to depart from the monarchy, it seems like the Fab Four will not be so fab any time in the near future.
Disney-Pixars Onward has been censored in Russia over a brief line that identifies one character in the film as a lesbian.

According to a report in the Russian film site Kinopoisk.ru (via The Moscow Times), a line uttered by purple cyclops Specter  who is voiced by Lena Waithe in the American release of the film  was changed in the films Russian dub. Waithe is openly gay.

In the U.S. version, Specter says, Its not easy being a new parent  my girlfriends daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay? Kinopoisk reports that in the Russian version of the film, the word girlfriend was changed to the more gender-neutral partner.

Disney, which handles distribution in Russia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also Read: 'Onward' Is Latest Major Studio Film With a Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It LGBTQ Character (Commentary)

Onward is also currently not screening in several Middle Eastern countries on the regions biggest exhibitor, Vox Cinemas, including in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, though its not clear whether the film is explicitly banned in those regions or if the scene with the lesbian character is the cause. However, the film is still showing in other MENA territories, including the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Bahrain and Egypt.

Russia since 2013 has a federal law in place designed to censor what the media has dubbed an anti-gay law, but the Russian government has labeled for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating for a Denial of Traditional Family Values. Elton John last year called out Russian president Vladimir Putin for the censorship of the film about his life story, Rocketman.

Onward is a family, fantasy adventure about mystical creatures living in modern-day suburbia. The voice cast of the U.S. version includes Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer.

Onward opens in U.S. theaters Friday.

Read original story Onward Censored in Russia Over LGBTQ Character At TheWrap
Airlines have pleaded with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to slash air passenger duty (APD) in the Budget next week to prevent more airlines from going bust.

As Flybe became the fourth UK airline to collapse in two years, the industry lobby group lambasted ministers for not doing enough to help as carriers are hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The intervention came as the International Air Transport Association warned the spread of the disease could cost airlines around the world up to 86billion this year  almost four times as much as was estimated just two weeks ago.

As Flybe became the fourth UK airline to collapse in two years, the industry lobby group lambasted ministers for not doing enough to help as carriers are hit by the Covid-19 outbreak

Shares in airlines have crashed, as bookings have slumped and hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

British Airways owner IAG fell 5.4 per cent yesterday, taking losses in two weeks to 33 per cent, while Ryanair was down 5.6 per cent and Easyjet 4.4 per cent.

Norwegian Air became the latest carrier to scrap flights, blaming a 'reduced demand on some routes, particularly on future bookings'.

While many airlines were fiercely opposed to a government bailout of Flybe, bosses are furious that ministers have not used their powers to protect the wider industry.

Pressure is now mounting on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to slash APD after the Government promised to review the tax.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: 'Flybe's problems were known to many and the sector as a whole is going through an incredibly tough period.

This is now the fourth UK airline to go out of business in two years. The Government is right to say aviation is a commercial proposition and the market should win out but they are not using the policy levers at their disposal to help.

'APD is the prime example of a disproportionate and penalising policy that is holding us back.'

The duty is paid on all passenger flights from UK airports, excluding the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and is charged at 13 for a single, short-haul economy class flight from a UK airport.

Passengers on domestic flights have to pay the duty on both legs of a return trip. This meant Flybe, which is Europe's largest regional airline, was particularly hard-hit.

Its owners, including Virgin Atlantic, failed to persuade the Government to provide a 100m loan to cover a huge air duty bill.

Virgin Atlantic said a 40-50 per cent drop in bookings forced it to pull the plug on Flybe, putting 2,400 jobs at risk.

A review into APD was launched in January shortly after the Government stepped in with a rescue deal for Flybe.

But the Chancellor is under huge pressure from environmentalists to resist a cut, arguing it would encourage more people to fly and would not be compatible with the net zero carbon emissions target.

The Government may face legal challenges if it slashes APD.

Although hugely unpopular, APD is a cash cow, forecast to generate 3.9billion this year.

The Treasury said: 'We are reviewing APD ahead of the Budget to ensure regional connectivity is strengthened while meeting climate change commitments.'
New York, March 5, 2020 -- Authorities in Cameroon should not contest journalist Adalbert Hiols appeal of a false news and defamation conviction and should let his newspaper publish freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On November 7, 2019, authorities in Douala, a coastal city in southwest Cameroon, ordered Hiol, publisher of the privately owned Ades-Infos Jeunesse en Action newspaper, to be detained in the citys central prison after he responded to a summons, according to court documents and an individual with knowledge of the case who asked not to be identified. Hiol was charged with false news, defamation, and insult, and was sent to the prison without his lawyer present, according to that individual and a charge sheet reviewed by CPJ.

The charges stemmed from a defamation complaint filed by Louis Richard Njock, the director of a regional hospital in Edea, a city south of Douala. CPJ reviewed a copy of the complaint.

On December 27, the Douala Bonanjo court of first instance found Hiol guilty of those charges and sentenced him to 18 months in prison and a fine of 2 million Central African francs ($3,381), according to those documents. Hiol was also ordered to pay Njock 10.5 million francs ($17,809) in damages and procedural costs, and his newspaper was barred from publishing for six months, according to those documents.

Hiol filed an appeal against the conviction on December 30, according to the court documents. He is due back in court on March 24 for his second appeal hearing, the individual told CPJ.

Not including Hiol, at least seven journalists were in detention for their work in Cameroon at the time of CPJs 2019 prison census on December 1, 2019. Hiol did not appear on CPJs 2019 prison census because CPJ was unaware of his case at the time. CPJ documented the imprisonment of another journalist in January.

The number of journalists arrested in Cameroon just for doing their jobs is going in the wrong direction, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Cameroonian authorities should not contest Adalbert Hiols appeal. They should free him immediately and should reform their laws to align with international standards for freedom of expression.

Njocks defamation complaint, dated April 2, 2019, accused Hiol of the same offenses for which he was charged, referencing 2017 and 2018 articles in Ades-Infos Jeunesse en Action criticizing his management of the hospital.

The November warrant ordering Hiols detention stated that he should be held until May 8, 2020. Hiols lawyer requested a provisional release after the journalist was sent to prison, but that application was rejected, according to the person who spoke to CPJ and court filings, which CPJ reviewed.

CPJ called and texted Njock on February 28, and did not receive any responses. CPJ missed a call from Njocks phone number the following day, and Njock did not answer follow-up phone calls.

Joyce Ndjem, the national communications chief for the Cameroonian police, told CPJ in a phone interview that she would not comment on Hiols case unless a CPJ representative met her in person, and then the line disconnected.

When CPJ called Cameroonian Minister of Information Rene Sadi, a person answered the phone and said hello twice and then hung up. CPJ called again but no one answered.
LONDON, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in the UK have a greater appetite for investing in companies than their European counterparts, according to data from multi-asset investment platform eToro.

Globally, women account for roughly 12% of eToro's 12 million registered users. Data taken from the eToro platform over one year shows that one in 10 (9.71%) of British female investors trade in stocks, higher than women investors across the channel in France at 8.94%.

Fewer women in Germany and Italy invest in companies at 7.98% and 7.73% respectively.

The range of stocks available to investors on the eToro platform include companies from all the major global indices as well as the S&P 500. The top 5 stocks UK women invested in last week were Tesla, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Netflix.

British women are also investing more in other types of assets, compared to European women. In the UK, nearly 13% of female eToro users are invested in currencies, including sterling and US dollars, compared with only 7.98% in Germany. Likewise, women from the UK are more heavily invested in cryptoassets (11.15%) than French (8.91%), German (8.69%) and Italian women (7.71%).

Notably, German women are more heavily invested in ETFs at 8.04% than their French and Italian counterparts at 7.66% and 7.10% respectively. UK women are ahead in this area too with 8.83% invested.

Iqbal V. Gandham, UK Managing Director at eToro said: "It's really positive to see British women engaging with stock investing in Europe. Despite the recent sell-off in markets, there is much to be gained from investing in stock markets for the long term, and there are numerous global stocks with potential for investors.

"While the wealth gap should not be underestimated, investing shouldn't be an exclusive activity. Today, women only account for c. 12% of investors on eToro. This is something that we and the rest of the industry need to address.

"A big part of this is the way we, in the industry, communicate with women. While financial firms should not resort to patronising tactics, we must look at ways to engage with women. All the data suggests that due to their attention to detail and focus on long term goals, when they do invest, women make great investors."

Notes to editors

About eToro

eToro was founded in 2007 with the vision of opening up the global markets so that everyone can invest in a simple and transparent way. The eToro platform enables people to invest in the assets they want, from stocks and commodities to cryptoassets. We are a global community of more than twelve million registered users who share their investment strategies; and anyone can follow the approaches of those who have been the most successful. Due to the simplicity of the platform users can easily buy, hold and sell assets, monitor their portfolio in real time, and transact whenever they want. www.etoro.com

Disclaimer:

eToro is regulated in Europe by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in Australia.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 62% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top traded stocks data accurate as of 05/03/20. All other data accurate as of 27/02/20.

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Years in the making, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on free trade (USMCA) is finally about to pay off for one U.S. company: Nucor (NYSE:NUE), one of the world's largest steelmakers.

Signed into law by President Trump on November 30, 2018, USMCA encourages production of automobiles (among other things) in North America. It does this by instituting zero import tariffs on goods produced in Mexico, Canada, or the U.S., and exported to one of those three countries, provided that 62.5% (rising to 75% over time) of the automobile's "content" is certified manufactured in North America. In particular, 70% of a car's steel and aluminum must originate in North America.

That is why Nucor wants to do more business in the North American nation where labor is cheapest: Mexico.

A little over a year ago -- right before USMCA entered into force -- Nucor formed a joint venture with Japan's JFE Steel to build a $270 million steel plant in Silao, Guanajuato, in central Mexico, capable of producing 400,000 tons of hot-dip galvanized steel sheet annually.

Production was supposed to have begun late last year but has been delayed. This morning, however, Nucor announced that "Nucor-JFE Steel Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V." is finally up and running after beginning its "trial production" period.

In a statement, Nucor explained that "Nucor-JFE is well-positioned to serve the large number of automakers who have built facilities in central Mexico," where "automotive production ... is expected to continue to grow and the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) increases the amount of North American content required in cars and trucks to avoid tariffs imposed by the United States."
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Women at the Attukal Pongala festival in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Kerala health minister K K Shylaja say there is no threat of coronavirus transmission although millions of women will throng to the festival on March 9, 2020.

Kochi: At a time when conferences of as few as a hundred people are being cancelled due to the coronavirus scare, the Kerala government has given the nod for the single biggest religious gathering of women in India.

Its the famous Attukal Pongala, an all-women festival, will be held as usual on Monday March 9, 2020 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Women throng in big numbers on the streets and roads of Thiruvananthapuram to perform rituals such as offering the Pongala, a sweet pudding prepared in earthen pots, at the Attukal Bhagavathy temple.

Millions of women devotees from across the country and foreign countries participate in Attukal Pongala. Thirteen years ago, this entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest gathering of women ever.

Yet, Kerala health minister K K Shylaja said today that there would be no risk of Covid-19 (coronavirus) transmission at the Attukal Pongala.

She said there will be tightened vigil though  for what purpose, it is not known.

While it boggles the mind how a gathering of a million would bear no risk of transmission while a meeting of a few would, the minister went on to reel off a list of precautions to take.

The public will have to be extra careful, Shylaja advised. Health experts will examine foreign nationals who offer the Pongala.

There is a need for responsible behaviour from the general public to prevent community transmission of the virus. People have to adhere with the health departments instructions on quarantine of persons with virus symptoms and other guidelines, she added.

Some public health experts found it odd that the government would allow the Attukal Pongala at a time like this.

Kerala was the first state in India to report a Covid-19 positive cases. Though three cases of virus infection were reported, all of them got better and went home.
Joe Biden, emboldened by his unexpectedly strong Super Tuesday performance and flush with cash, is moving to hire new aides he hopes can quickly help him secure the Democratic presidential nomination and then guide him through the general election.

Biden is looking to broaden his communications and political teams and reorder some of the senior-most roles in the operation, according to multiple people familiar with the campaigns outreach.

Most significantly, Bidens advisers are in discussions with Jennifer OMalley Dillon, who last year managed Beto ORourkes presidential bid, to take a senior role alongside Anita Dunn, the chief strategist.

A top aide in former president Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign, OMalley Dillon helped Biden in the run-up to the Nevada caucuses and worked to arrange ORourkes endorsement of Biden on the eve of the Texas primary Tuesday.

She declined to comment, as did an aide to Biden.

Presidential campaigns often build out larger organizations as primaries go on and when the general election nears. Biden has been particularly understaffed, holding off on hiring because of financial constraints and day-to-day uncertainty about his prospects until this week. Nowhere was that more clear than in the states he competed in Tuesday, where he won 10 contests with little to no on-the-ground infrastructure.

But with his leading moderate rivals all exiting the race and endorsing him, Biden, the former vice-president, is enjoying a financial windfall as he wages a head-to-head contest with Sen. Bernie Sanders. Since his victory in South Carolina on Saturday, Biden has raised more than $20 million (U.S.). His super PAC has also raised millions of dollars and is going on the air in Michigan and Missouri, the largest states to vote next week.

Biden received a new burst of support this week when Michael Bloomberg, the wealthy former mayor of New York City, endorsed him and conveyed in a private phone call that he intended to be helpful to Bidens campaign.

But advisers to Bloomberg cautioned that they were still at an early stage of determining how he would redeploy elements of his campaign apparatus now that he is no longer a candidate. While they intended to target President Donald Trump for defeat in a number of swing states, it could be a while before the details of those plans come into focus.

Biden has already shaken up his campaign operation, installing Dunn, a longtime adviser, at the top of his organization shortly before the New Hampshire primary last month. Aides to the former vice-president had previously sought out OMalley Dillon for a senior role and in fact made her an offer even before Iowa, according to a Democratic official familiar with the conversations.

Her role has not been finalized, in part because she is weighing family considerations, but it is expected to be arranged in the coming days, according to Democrats familiar with the discussions.

Biden has long had a sort of bullpen-by-committee approach to his senior staff, and longtime advisers like Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, are expected to continue playing important roles, along with his original campaign manager, Greg Schultz, and deputy manager, Kate Bedingfield.

Addisu Demissie, who managed Sen. Cory Bookers campaign, said the timeline of a presidential contest required any major candidate at this point to start building out the staff and making plans for the general election. A veteran of Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign, Demissie said it was too late for Biden to develop a robust operation in big March primary states like Florida, but that there was still time to strengthen his campaign in later-voting states and lay the groundwork for a national race against Trump.

You cannot scale up a presidential campaign in any less than five months, Demissie said. He suggested that a candidate in Bidens position should be bringing in as much talent as they can and, I assume, not taking the primary for granted, but also realizing that the real battle is coming in November, and its coming pretty damn quick.

In some regards, Biden and his top aides have been overwhelmed by his sudden, and unexpectedly broad, success. They are attempting to be sensitive to the staff members who, with little money at their disposal, helped resurrect his candidacy, but are also eager to tap into the enormous pool of Democratic talent now available, people close to the campaign said. Hundreds of aides to senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Bloomberg are now available for hire.

A day after Bloombergs exit, his top advisers were beginning to map out how to repurpose his sprawling campaign organization to support Biden and other Democrats in the general election. The former New York City mayor has pledged for months to use his personal wealth to fund efforts against Trump, even if someone else became the Democratic nominee.

Talking to Biden on the phone Wednesday, Bloomberg made clear he would be supportive, but the two did not get into details, according to a Democratic official familiar with the conversation.

Indeed, the mechanics of Bloombergs plans are partly in the hands of lawyers, who are weighing how best to convert different aspects of a political campaign into something that could be legally deployed on behalf of other Democrats. Several people close to Bloomberg said there was nothing resembling a grand plan in place.

While wealthy candidates like Bloomberg are permitted to spend unlimited sums of money on their own campaigns, there are strict limits on how much they can directly contribute to other candidates. As a result, Bloomberg cannot simply continue paying his campaign staff and direct them to work on Bidens behalf instead.

An email sent out to Bloombergs campaign aides Wednesday assured people everyone would receive pay and benefits at least until the end of March.
United States Announces New Humanitarian Assistance for Displaced Rohingya and Members of Other Affected Communities in Bangladesh and Burma

Press Statement

Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson

March 5, 2020



On March 3, the United States announced more than $59 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and members of other affected communities in Burma. This funding will help address the emergency needs of more than 900,000 refugees in Bangladesh, many of whom are Rohingya women and children from Rakhine State, Burma, as well as the needs of Bangladeshi host communities. This funding will also provide life-saving assistance to internally displaced persons, including Rohingya, and members of other affected communities in Burma, including those affected by the fighting between the Burmese military and the Arakan Army.

The United States remains the leading contributor to the humanitarian response to this crisis in Burma and Bangladesh. With this new funding, our total humanitarian assistance for this crisis is nearly $820 million since the outbreak of violence in August 2017. Of this funding, nearly $693 million is for programs inside Bangladesh. Given the tremendous funding needs for this crisis, we welcome the contributions that some Member States have made to this humanitarian response in recent months, and we urge them to do more and call on other countries and stakeholders to contribute.

Total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the crisis provides support in all sectors of the response: communicating with communities; coordination; education; emergency telecommunications; food security; health; logistics; nutrition; protection (including addressing gender-based violence and child protection); shelter and non-food items; site management and site development; and water, sanitation, and hygiene. The United States is contributing to a pilot program by UN agencies and their partners that will provide education to 10,000 Rohingya children using the Burmese curriculum. This funding also includes programs to improve disaster preparedness and bolster access to education for Rohingya in Bangladesh. This will be key to preparing Rohingya for voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation when conditions in Burma are conducive to such returns.

The United States commends the Government of Bangladesh's generosity in responding to this humanitarian crisis and appreciates its continued efforts to ensure assistance reaches the affected populations. The U.S. Government is fully committed to ensuring that humanitarian and development assistance also supports the Cox's Bazar communities who are generously hosting Rohingya refugees. We are pleased that the 2020 JRP includes a more explicit policy focus on their challenges, including a specific strategic objective to foster the well-being of communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas. Under this objective, humanitarian partners will support the development of sustainable management frameworks for water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure; invest substantially in primary and secondary health care facilities; continue to invest substantially in primary and secondary health care facilities; support sustainable livelihoods for Bangladeshi people; rehabilitate school infrastructure, provide education supplies, and support the professional development of para-teachers; and continue to prioritize environment and eco-system rehabilitation.

We continue to call on Burma to create the conditions that would allow for voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable returns, based on the informed consent of those who have been forcibly displaced. We also call on the Government of Burma to ensure unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to all people requiring assistance.

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A New York couple were found dead in their home on Wednesday night in an apparent murder-suicide, according to local authorities.

Southampton Police identified the couple as Jonathan Fava, 25, and 24-year-old Kelly Lynn Bray. The couple lived in Hampton Bays on Long Island.

Police are investigating the shooting death but it is currently unclear who the shooter actually was.

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Southampton Police identified the couple as Jonathan Fava, 25, and 24-year-old Kelly Lynn Bray. The couple lived in Hampton Bays on Long Island.

Authorities arrived at the couple's home at 49 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays just before midnight after receiving a call from a woman in the house

Where the couple lived at the time of the murder-suicide

Authorities arrived at the couple's home at 49 Ponquogue Avenue just before midnight after receiving a call from a woman in the house, CBS New York reports.

The woman was inside the home, unharmed, with the baby. She was found in another room of the house.

Police are investigating the shooting death but it is currently unclear who the shooter actually was

'I think it's premature to speculate on exactly what happened,' Southampton Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said. 'There were three people in the home, very possibly three people in close proximity when the gunshots were fired.'

There was evidence of alcohol at the scene, according to police, but there was no history of domestic violence involving the couple.

'There is nothing to indicate that it was a significantly tumultuous relationship,' Skrynecki said. 'There might have been some bickering. Nothing outstanding, to our knowledge, in terms of their relationship.'

Fava has been arrested before. He was detained in 2015 for shooting at houses and animals while also pulling over drivers with his gun.

'I think it's premature to speculate on exactly what happened,' Southampton Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said. 'There were three people in the home, very possibly three people in close proximity when the gunshots were fired'

Police retrieved a long gun, a hand gun and a bow and arrow at the couple's home on Wednesday.

Neighbors are shocked by the news.

'It's very upsetting, very sad,' Jeff Kirby said.

Police shared that the baby is in the care of other family members.
FILE PHOTO: The Apple logo is shown atop an Apple store at a shopping mall in La Jolla, California

(Reuters) - Apple Inc on Friday asked employees at its Silicon Valley headquarters to work from home if possible as a "precaution," a spokesman confirmed to Reuters.

Officials in Santa Clara County, where Apple's 12,000-person Apple Park campus is located, had earlier asked large companies to consider asking employees to telecommute and find other ways of limiting close contact. There were 20 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the county as of March 5, health officials said.

Apple is also asking employees in the Seattle area to work from home. In California, its Santa Clara County retail stores remain open, a spokesman said.

Apple last month said the spread of the virus in China would cause it to miss revenue targets for the quarter ending in March and cause iPhone shortages.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The Vatican said today that a patient in its health services had tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reports.

Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the discovery was made on Thursday and that outpatient services in Vatican clinics had been suspended to sanitize the areas.

He said its emergency services will continue, adding that the Vatican had informed Italian health authorities.
Section 131 (chapter VI) of the constitution states that a person may be qualified for election into the office of the president if among others things, they have been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.
Amid coronavirus scare in the country, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that around 6.5 lakh passengers have been screened at 30 Indian airports as part of preventive measure against the spread of the virus.

Addressing a press conference here, the Union Minister said: "Screening of passengers coming from all parts of the world is currently being carried out at 30 Indian airports and 6,49,452 passengers have been screened."

Puri stated that universal screening of all incoming passengers coming from all parts of the world has begun at Indian airports, as per an official release.

He said that around 70,000 passengers coming to India on a daily basis through airports from different parts of the world are being screened.

The Minister said that 654 people have been brought back by Air India from Wuhan. Air India also brought back 124 people including 5 foreign nationals, who were on board the COVID-19 infected Cruise Ship Diamond Princess from Yokohoma, Japan.

Indian Air Force also evacuated 112 people from Wuhan which included 35 nationals of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, China South Africa, USA and Madagascar.

The minister added that the evacuation of Indians from Iran is being planned in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Government of Iran.

Hardeep Singh Puri further informed that WINGS India 2020, a major event of Civil aviation sector scheduled from 12th to 15th March 2020, will be held on a truncated basis and large public gatherings would be avoided.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first coronavirus death is officially confirmed, as an elderly woman about 70 years old died on Thursday. Downing Street cautioned that the coronavirus might spread, warning the public to take necessary pre-cautions to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Said woman had no travel history abroad and no contact with any other victims. According to reports, patient was sent to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday, with a history of bad health conditions which has caused her repeated visits to the hospital, administrators said.

The victim was tested last Wednesday for the dreaded coronavirus, yet unfortunately, she passed away before her test results were even finished the next day.

This cause major concern as the cases of the coronavirus in Britain has now increased from 51 to 116. With this, officials ask all travelers coming from Italy and the north to self-isolate if they are not feeling good or if they are exhibiting signs of nCov.

All those who are confirmed positive with infections were ordered to stay at home instead of going to any hospital. This is a major change mandated by the officials to limit any chances of a spread in the community.

Prof Chris Whitty, the government's chief medical adviser for the UK, said that people who have minimal symptoms and can self-isolate. He added that it is better for them to self-isolate in their homes with support. However, hospitalization will still be given if needed.

This is only the first death from the eight already confirmed cases. To date, medical experts are troubled how they got infected since most of them are in Britain with no relation to the other cases. Chris Witty noticed the sudden increase which may indicate the need of a better method to deal with it which helped them arrive at the "delay phase" as part of the response.

Also read: WHO Warns Impending Medical Equipment Shortage as Coronavirus Outbreak Continues

The steps to be enacted under this to stave off other possible infections in the community will include shut down of schools to protect the student from getting infected. More people will be working from home, thus, reducing contact with possible victims who are not aware they are carriers. People are also advised to stay at home and lessen exposure outside the house.

According to Witty, school shutdowns will not be very effective and with limited effect. He also said that takes time to better understand coronavirus and further research is needed to create vaccines.

According to the spokesperson of Boris Johnson, delaying the virus may pose a huge possibility that it will spread out significantly.

The prime minister already updated on the virus scenario by the chief medical officer and other advisers during the official Cobra meeting.

The official line of the government as reported to the press is that they are working on preparations for the "delay phase" while focusing on steps to take to delay the spread of the virus.

Related article: Coronavirus Types: Scientists in China Discover Two New Strains of COVID-19

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) - The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division upheld its decision to dismiss the P267.37-million forfeiture case against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, former First Lady Imelda Marcos and cronies.

In its October 2019 decision, the anti-graft court junked the ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcos couple, Fe and Ignacio Gimenez, and other cronies.

In an eight-page resolution dated Jan. 23, the anti-graft court said that the government, through the Presidential Commission on Good Government, provided insufficient evidence.

"The Court is not persuaded. As held by the Court in its presently assailed Resolution, pieces of evidence that were collected by the PCGG in the course of its investigation of the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth remain as private documents and do not become part of public records," said Sandiganbayan.

It added, "Because what becomes public are not the private documents themselves but rather only the recording thereof in the PCGG."

The government's only evidence was Fe Gimenez's Statement of Assets and Liabilities, to prove the couple's financial incapacity to purchase the properties listed under their name.

The court noted that the evidence presented does not mention the name of Ignacio Gimenez and dates back to 1969.

"The Court would like to stress that the PCGG's power to sequester alleged ill-gotten properties is likened to the provisional remedies of preliminary attachment or receivership," the decision read. "The lifting of the sequestration order does not mean that the property is not ill-gotten wealth, the fact that a property has been sequestered cannot be taken as proof that the same is already ill-gotten wealth."

In rejecting the appeal, Sandiganbayan pointed out the defects in the government's motion.

"The Court finds that the Republic has failed in its burden of proving its case against the Spouses Gimenez by preponderance of evidence and consequently, the present civil forfeiture case should be dismissed."
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Mar 6, 2020 - A group of consultants at Azabu Insights Inc., a strategic consulting company in Azabu Juban Tokyo, have been analyzing data to understand the correlation between air temperature and spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). We wondered if the coronavirus was spreading more widely in colder climates and if this suggests some respite in the warmer months for the northern hemisphere.Our team members came up with the hypotheses when looking at lists of countries and regions with the most affected patients. We compared this to our "expectations" of most affected areas based on our understanding of where we saw large numbers of travelers from China. This was later backed up by travel data.Within Japan we noticed large outbreaks in Hokkaido (Japan's most northern and very cold island) and very few outbreaks in Okinawa (Japan's subtropical southern island). Okinawa is a place that one might have expected to see a large outbreak as we knew that the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked there and many passengers got off the ship on February 1st. However, only three cases have been found in Okinawa, where the average temperature in February is 17 degrees Celsius. On the other hand in Hokkaido, where the average temperature in the outbreak epicenter of Kitami was -7 degrees Celsius in February, there have been seventy-seven cases (as of March 3, 2020).Hokkaido and Okinawa are comparable in other ways. Both Hokkaido and Okinawa have large numbers of Chinese travelers. Both are comparatively more reliant on car travel than much of the rest of Japan. And while Hokkaido has a larger population of 5.3m compared with Okinawa's 1.5m, Hokkaido's much larger area leads to Okinawa having a much higher population density at 640/km2 versus Hokkaido's 63 persons/km2.From a business perspective they are also similar in having multiple listed companies related to banking, power, and cellular. Hokkaido has many more listed companies, however, with broader offerings that include retail, food, service, and others. Hokkaido is also home to the Sapporo Securities Exchange (SSE) and Ambitious (AMB).Okinawa's listed companies include: The Bank of Okinawa Ltd. (TSE1: 8397); Bank of the Ryukyus, Limited (TSE1: 8399); Okinawa Electric Power Company (TSE1: 9511), Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company (JASDAQ: 9436), SAN-A Co., Ltd. (TSE1: 2659). Hokkaido listed companies include: Hokkaido Electric Power (TSE1: 9509), Kanamoto Co., Ltd. (TSE1: 9678), Sapporo Clinical Laboratory (JASDAQ: 9776), CE Holdings (TSE1: 4320), as well many others.Looking at a country level we saw a similar relationship between cold weather and high infections. We first examined the three countries where Beijing travelers are said to travel most frequently: Japan, Thailand, and Korea. Although 19% of Beijing tourists travelled to Thailand (data from first quarter 2019), there were just 43 cases of Covid-19 confirmed. In contrast, Japan has 980 confirmed cases (including the Diamond Princess). Korea had more than 10 times more cases (4,812) despite having less than half the Chinese tourists that Thailand sees.For reference refer to table 1 of Beijing tourists, and table 2 of temperatures in selected countries.Looking at other regions where outbreaks have occurred also seemed to indicate a similar correlation of cold temperatures to high numbers of infections. The six cold regions that we analyzed had comparatively high outbreak numbers while the four warm regions had lower numbers compared to our expectations based on movement patterns of Chinese travelers.In table 2 one can see that the cold areas of Wuhan, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Tokyo, Hokkaido all have fairly high numbers compared to expectations. The warm regions, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Okinawa all had fairly small numbers compared to expectations. Washington State would also be considered cold and news articles suggest that the outbreak may be growing faster than the current confirmed count would suggest.Our researchers acknowledged that such a small sample size of regions does not provide statistical significance. Yet, we believe that starting to see patterns may be helpful in understanding the virus spread.Are we suggesting that the virus cannot not spread in warmer clients? Certainly not. There have been at least 500 confirmed cases (as of March 3, 2020) in warm climates. However, there have been many more in colder climates with 10,178 (excluding Wuhan). This number would reach 90,329 if Wuhan cases were counted.Data on the longevity of the virus on surfaces in different temperatures provides support to our hypotheses. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology referring to a different coronavirus (coronavirus 229) stated, "viral infectivity was completely lost after a 14-day incubation period at 22, 33, or 37 degrees C but remained relatively constant at 4 degrees C for the same length of time." This again indicates that colder temperatures support the virus better.Additionally, studies conducted by Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Greifswald indicated that some coronaviruses could survive on surfaces for 28 days or longer at 4 degrees Celsius; in warmer temperatures coronaviruses ceased to be persistent after only a few hours or days.This does not indicate that infections spread more from surface contact, which we have not studied. But it does suggest that the virus has less ability to survive in warmer climates.Does all of this suggest that the Coronavirus will absolutely go away in spring? We think not. Based on the data showing spread, albeit at a slower pace, in warm climates, we believe people will continue to be infected. However, it might suggest that if communities continue to make the right decisions about virus control, they might get a positive boost from warmer weather come spring and summer.About Azabu InsightsAzabu Insights is a boutique strategic consulting company based in Azabu Juban, Tokyo, Japan. Our teams work collaboratively with clients to build strategies that lead to positive change. Our multilingual team members have top tier academic backgrounds and deep industry experience that we leverage to provide first class, fully engaged, strategic consulting. Core specializations include life sciences, finance, electronics, automotive, aerospace and other industries. For more information contact: info@ azabuinsights.com
Sunil isnt just successful in growing the business  he has an unmatched willingness to do whatever it takes for his people, whether thats the Propeller team or the client.

Great Place to Work recently announced its 3rd annual Great Place to Work For All Leadership Awards at a gala dinner at the Four Seasons San Francisco. San Francisco Managing Director, Sunil Kasturi was recognized as a top For All Leader among companies on Fortunes annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, the 100 Best Workplaces for Women, the 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity, and the 150 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work For. Nominated by Propeller CEO Amy Weeden for being a For All Leader at Propeller, Kasturi has consistently played a critical role in helping Propellers San Francisco office drive revenue by practicing humility and empathy, for dedication and commitment to the development of their team, for connecting diverse people to a common purpose, for adapting to uncertainty, and for fostering trusting relationships within and beyond their teams.

Kasturi is one of 60 leaders recognized by Great Place to Work for their contributions to their companys business helping it fully live its values in service to customers, employees, and stakeholders.

Kasturi was one of the first Propeller hires at the companys founding. He quickly established trust and capability with his clients, enabling Propeller to grow quickly. When the company opened a new office in San Francisco he was named Managing Director.

Throughout his career, Sunil has demonstrated an exceptional ability to drive growth, said Propeller CEO Amy Weeden. In his current role on the leadership team at Propeller, Sunil oversees our business in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since Sunil took the helm in San Francisco, the company has experienced 100% growth, year over year, for two years.

Sunil isnt just successful in growing the business  he has an unmatched willingness to do whatever it takes for his people, whether thats the Propeller team or the client. No task is too big or too small - if its standing between his people and the results they need, Sunil will find a way to get the job done (which often means taking on a superhuman amount of work). He does this with an unrivaled joy and enthusiasm.

Kasturis motivation is rooted in a deeply held belief in the importance of community service. As the Executive Chair to Propellers Community Internal Initiative called UpLift, Kasturi was instrumental in furthering the firms commitment to the community, which has gone on to support organizations such as Dress for Success and Project Open Hands.

Kasturi has also created a strategic partnership with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, leading the pro bono team. In 2018 he Graduated from Standford University School of Business from the LGBTQ Executive Leadership Program.

Kasturi has dedicated his heart and mind to crafting Propellers company culture which has been recognized as a Great Place to Work.

Sunil is inclusive, engaging, and always available to help me navigate any situation, added a fellow Propeller colleague. I appreciate his openness and transparency about the business and my role on the team. Sunil is a great listener and I trust his leadership and guidance.

###

About Propeller:

Propeller is a nationally recognized consulting firm that helps clients bring simpler, more efficient solutions to their business challenges. Propeller consultants work alongside client teams to deliver project management, business consulting and change management results that help them nimbly negotiate rapidly evolving business demands. Propeller has offices in Portland, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; San Francisco, California; and Silicon Valley. For more information, visit http://www.propellerconsulting.com.

About the Great Place to Work For All Summit

The Great Place to Work For All Summit assembles executive leaders from Best Workplaces, including Fortunes 100 Best Companies to Work For, Great Place to Work-Certified organizations, and companies embarking on their workplace journey. Its mission is to share best practices for creating and championing high-trust cultures that are better for business, better for people, and better for the world.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees around the world and used its deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Great Place to Work helps organizations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. Emprising, its culture management platform, empowers leaders with the surveys, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Great Place to Works unparalleled benchmark data is used to recognize Great Place to Work-Certified companies and the Best Workplaces in the U.S. and more than 60 countries, including the 100 Best Companies to Work For and Worlds Best list published annually by Fortune. Everything it does is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a Great Place to Work For All.

To learn more, visit greaplacetowork.com, listen to the podcast Better by Great Place to Work, and read A Great Place to Work for All.
After lugging them out on his hands and knees through the grime, he took the boxes downstairs to his team  including his wife, Sohui Kim, a co-owner who is also the restaurants chef  and excitedly held up a maroon-and-gold 85th anniversary flag that presumably dated to 1964. As the restaurateurs dove into the boxes, they quickly came to realize that Mr. Schneider had turned up an eclectic, eye-opening trove of archival materials from Gage & Tollner, which opened under another name at 302 Fulton Street in 1879 before decamping to its current location, at 372-374 Fulton, in 1892.

It was pretty exciting, said St. John Frizell, another co-owner. It was like finding a message in a bottle from previous ownership to us.

The newly unearthed historic materials cover a considerable span of time and subject matter: cryptic handwritten notes about turn-of-the-20th-century cash transactions; menus; price quotes from a butcher; notes on celebrity customers and the prodigious speed of an oyster shucker; correspondence about a restaurant display at the 1939-40 Worlds Fair; fliers from a 1948 strike; a 1965 WQXR radio advertisement recording; and a bill from a dinner for retired Brooklyn Dodgers players. These artifacts supplement the information previously provided by seven linear feet of Gage & Tollner records donated to the Brooklyn Historical Society by a longtime owners daughter in 2016.
JACKSON, MI  A sanitation employee was injured Thursday morning when a dumpster fell on him, police said.

A Modern Waste truck was emptying the dumpster in the 1600 block of N. Cooper Street just before 9 a.m., March 5, when it came loose and fell on the man, Jackson Police and Fire Services Director Elmer Hitt said.

The man was taken by ambulance to Henry Ford Allegiance Health with possible fractures, but injuries that were not life-threatening, Hitt said.

READ MORE JACKSON NEWS:

Man fatally shot outside Jackson bar, police say

Gas station set ablaze, coronavirus prep begins: Top Jackson headlines from March 1-5
 Close Rishi Sunak wrangles with Kay Burley as he admits he has not had a coronavirus test

Junior health minister Edward Argar and Tory backbencher Sir Charles Walker are among several MPs self-isolating over concerns about contact with Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for the coronavirus this week.

It comes as Boris Johnson is set to move the UK into the delay phase. Criticising the governments staggered response, former regional director of Public Health England John Ashton accused the superficial prime minister of having no grasp of public health.

Rishi Sunak has defended his Budget amid warnings of a recession, and questioned the usefulness Donald Trumps move to shut down travel from Europe. The chancellor said the UK would not impose a similar ban, saying there was no evidence such measures work.
The close friend who attempted to help Sheikha Latifa flee from imprisonment at the hands of her father, the ruler of Dubai, has described the terrifying moment their escape for freedom was intercepted by Indian special forces in 2018.

Latifa and her sister Sheikha Shamsa were abducted and detained against their will almost two decades apart by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a High Court judgment published on Thursday.

The confirmation of longstanding rumours surrounding Sheikh Mohammeds two daughters emerged from his legal battle with his sixth wife Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, over their two children.

Shamsa, now 38, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge on 19 August 2000 at the age of 19 and has never been seen in public since.

Latifa fled Sheikh Mohammeds family home in Dubai in June 2002 and February 2018 but was forcibly returned on both occasions.

Her high-profile attempt to escape in 2018 became public after a video account of her abduction and imprisonment was published on YouTube in March of that year.

In the video, Latifa said: Im making this video because it could be the last video I make.

Pretty soon Im going to be leaving somehow and I am not so sure of the outcome, but Im 99 per cent positive it will work.

And if doesnt then this video can help me because all my father cares about is his reputation. He will kill people to protect his own reputation. He only cares about himself and his ego.

The attempt to leave Dubai in 2018 was made with the help of Tiina Jauhiainen, who befriended Latifa after she began teaching her capoeira.

After several months of planning, Latifa and Jauhiainen  with the help of a former French spy, who is said to have charged 302,800 for his assistance  attempted to travel by boat into international waters.

But, on 4 March 2018, Indian special forces intercepted their boat and, according to Jauhiainen, tied Latifas hands behind her back, dragged her away and took her back to Dubai.

That night when it all happened was terrifying, Jauhiainen said on the Victoria Derbyshire programme. Its probably one of the scariest experiences Ive ever had. The boat was stormed by Indian commandos who had machine guns. They were threatening to shoot us. It was extremely scary.

Afterwards Latifa was dragged away, kicking and screaming, her pleas for asylum were ignored and after that, myself and the rest of the crew were kidnapped as well.

She was actually repeating that she was seeking political asylum and they were ignoring her. Her last words were dont take me back, rather shoot me here.

That failed bid for freedom was not the first time Latifa sought to leave the emirate, having attempted to run away in 2002 before being stopped at the border with Oman and returned to the family home.

Latifa said in her 2018 video that she was held against her will after that failed escape until October 2005, during which time she was subjected to constant torture, according to the High Court judgment.

The High Court ruled that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had ordered and orchestrated the abduction and forced return of his two daughters (Getty)

The findings come after Princess Haya fled from the UAE to London last year with her daughter Al Jalila, 12, and son Zayed, 8, prompting Sheikh Mohammed to apply for his children to be returned.

However, the princess responded by calling for the children to be made wards of the court, while also applying for a forced marriage protection order for her daughter.

Alongside the rulings, Princess Haya called for a series of statements of fact to be made regarding Sheikh Mohammeds treatment of Latifa and Shamsa.

After the judgments were published, Sheikh Mohammed said: As a head of government, I was not able to participate in the courts fact-finding process. This has resulted in the release of a fact-finding judgment which inevitably only tells one side of the story.

Additional reporting by PA
The flu death toll for the flu season has reached 53 in Romania, according to a press statement released on Friday by the National Centre for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases attached to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

The last person who died of flu was a woman of 84 from the Cluj County, who tested positive for influenza virus type A, no subtype.

The woman suffered from other health problems too, and she hadn't been vaccinated against the flu. AGERPRES
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 36F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 36F. Winds light and variable.
Williams was not the perfect intern, Hopkins said. She was sometimes late. Other times, she gave him attitude. But he knew she had promise. He told colleagues he would forgo a raise to keep her full time. But he was still waiting for approval in the final week of the internship, often clashing with his boss, who said there was not enough funding.
The total number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection cases in Taiwan has increased by two to 44, according to the island's epidemic monitoring agency Thursday.

One of the new patients, a woman in her 50s living in northern Taiwan, sat across from another woman who had been confirmed of the virus, at a flower arrangement class on Feb. 24 and 25, and was listed as one of close contacts, the agency said in a press release.

She was hospitalized for having a fever and sore throat Tuesday and was tested positive Thursday after taking the infection test Wednesday, the statement said.

The other new patient, a man in his 30s living in northern Taiwan, was suspected of contracting the virus during his trip to the Philippines from Feb. 28 to March 3. He first had stomach discomfort and diarrhea on March 2 in the Philippines and then developed throat irritation when he was back in Taiwan before being hospitalized Wednesday.

As of now, a total of 301 suspected cases have been under quarantine in Taiwan. Among the confirmed cases, 12 have recovered with one death, while the rest are in stable condition.
At least 70 workers of a chemical plant here were hospitalised on Friday after inhaling leaked chlorine gas, according to media reports.

The leak was reported in Engro Polymer and Chemicals Plant in Karachi's Port Qasim.

"Timely precautionary measures were taken to protect the employees working in the plant. The affected were taken to a nearby hospital and the plant has been temporarily closed," a spokesperson of Engro was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying.

All the 70 affected workers were discharged from hospital, excepting one who is in critical condition, the Dawn reported.

The chlorine gas leaked from the air vents in the plant, the report added.

Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali told the Dawn that one of the workers was in critical condition while the rest were discharged from the hospital.

This is the second gas leak incident in Karachi in the last one month. A mysterious toxic gas had killed at least 14 people and sickened several others on February 16. The source of the toxic gas leak remains unclear.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Customers wait in line to buy water and other supplies, on fears that the coronavirus, COVID-19, will spread and force people to stay indoors, at a Costco in Burbank, California on March 6, 2020. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Administration Considering Financial Assistance to People, Industries Impacted by Coronavirus

The Trump administration is considering giving some assistance to people and industries impacted by the new coronavirus, a top adviser said on Friday.

Officials are looking at a timely and targeted micro approach, Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said during an appearance on Fox Business.

We are not looking to give everybody $1,000, which would not have any long-term growth effect on the economy. Weve done this before under both parties and it does not work, Kudlow said. Were not looking at big, expensive, macro cash rebates, helicopter money from the sky, that never works.

Some of the things the administration is considering: help to people who are stranded at home and losing pay; small businesses in certain areas; and certain sectors that need help with cash flow.

We dont want to act prematurely because todays numbers show that the U.S. economy is in very good shape, Kudlow said, later citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says Americans are at low risk from the virus and that data around the world indicates four out of five patients have only mild symptoms.

President Donald Trump speaks Mike Herrick, with Putnam County Rescue Squad, as he tours damage from a recent tornado in Cookeville, Tenn., on March 6, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Real word data from industries like transportation is informing officials, as well as the markets, Kudlow said. He declined to give timing on any announcements about possible assistance.

President Donald Trump told reporters in Tennessee when asked if his administration was looking at helping airlines or other industries: Were looking at different options.

Trump earlier Friday signed a bill authorizing $8.3 billion to the administrations coronavirus response efforts.

Trump also touted the job numbers released on Friday and said he expects the stock markets to stabilize.

While fewer people are traveling abroad due to spikes in cases in countries like South Korea, Italy, and Iran, theres been a lot of travel inside the USA, Trump said, a possible reason behind the strong jobs report.

People are staying here and spending their money here, as opposed to going to Europe and other places, he said.

MTA cleaning staff disinfect the 86th St. Q train station in New York City on March 4, 2020. (Yana Paskova/Getty Images)

Executives from the airline and pharmaceutical industries met with top White House officials in Washington this week and cruise ship executives were slated to meet with Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday.

The International Air Transport Association said the hit to the sector from the new virus could range between $63 billion and $113 billion. The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, though, said that the government does not need to bail out U.S.-based airlines.

We dont need any bailouts here, U.S. Chamber Chief Executive Tom Donohue said at a news conference with travel leaders aimed at reassuring Americans to keep traveling, according to Reuters. Bottom line is were going to run just like business as usualwith a little higher heartbeat and get it done.

Asked by a reporter at the meeting with executives on Wednesday whether theyd asked for financial help, Trump said the issue wasnt discussed.

Dont ask that question, please. Because they havent asked it, he said, prompting some laughter.
STOCKHOLM, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeture AB today said it is offering its employee safety software to any company looking to track the potential exposure of their workers to the coronavirus now impacting countries around the world. Identifying which employees have been in high-risk areas is critical to effectively containing the spread of the sickness.

Starting now, any company, organization, or authority can get free access to the Safeture software platform to have their employees' travel matched with those hot spot locations most impacted by the virus. Safeture can import trip data from travel agencies plus get real-time location data from mobile phones to be analyzed against with real-time updates of the virus's location. This is especially important for large international companies, which carry an extra high exposure risk. All employees will get access to Safeture's app to get real-time alerts and notifications.

"Right now we are at a critical stage for the coronavirus, and it is crucial companies identify employees who have been in high-risk areas so they can contain the infection and prevent it from spreading into the organization," said Magnus Hultman, CEO of Safeture.

"The situation is changing rapidly. From today Iran and areas in Italy, suddenly completely different places in other countries can be affected.

Safeture Corona Exposure tracker is already used by several customers and partners.

"Falck Global Assistance works with customers from all over the world, assisting travelers with medical and security advice. The "Corona exposure tracker" is a valuable tool for our assistance services. The tool provides us with a clear overview of all current travel activities. It helps us to fulfill our Duty of Care obligations towards our own employees as well as our traveling customers" says Thorir Aronson sales manager at Falck Global Assistance."

The software will be available for free for 40 days, which is the most critical time to act to limit the spread of the virus. Potential external costs related to importing travel bookings and accessing company travel data, are not included.

For additional information, visit www.safeture.com or contact:

Safeture CEO Magnus Hultman: +46-706-00-81-66. Magnus.hultman@safeture.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/safeture-ab/r/safeture-offers-coronavirus-exposure-tracking-tool-to-companies-for-free,c3054011

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Super Tuesday may have come and gone, but Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders still have everything to play for. Next up are two slightly-less-super Tuesdays in a row, each featuring delegate-rich states (along with some smaller ones) that could help either man open up a winning lead.

First up is 10 March, where a total of 365 delegates are allocated based on primaries in six states  and one very different contest altogether.

Idaho: 20 pledged delegates

Small and safely Republican, Idaho historically held caucuses before switching to a typical primary process for this year. It may offer candidates relatively few delegates, but as with other small states, that doesnt mean it doesnt matter.

Because of the Democrats proportional allocation rules, a blowout win by one candidate in a state like Idaho can split those delegates heavily in their favour  very important if the race ends up extremely close.

Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters

Michigan: 125 pledged delegates

Without a doubt the days most important primary. Michigan doesnt just carry the most delegates of all six states; it also carries enormous symbolic weight.

This was one of the three rust belt swing states Hillary Clinton narrowly lost to Donald Trump in 2016  in this case by less than 11,000 votes, or 0.23 per cent.

Clinton also lost it to Sanders in the midst of their long primary battle. It was one of his most surprising victories against her, polls having shown him more than 20 points behind.

Mississippi: 36 pledged delegates

Mississippi, by contrast, was not a success for Sanders last time around. He lost it to Clinton by nearly 66 points, netting just 5 delegates to her 31.

If Joe Biden can capture it and most of its delegates this time around, it will cement his argument that he has a better chance than Sanders of rallying support among black voters  who in this state can make up as much as 70 per cent of the Democratic electorate.

Missouri: 68 pledged delegates

Missouri was for decades a bellwether state in presidential elections, almost always picking the winner. That changed in 2008, when it broke for John McCain over Barack Obama, and since then its voted Republican.

Sanders lost the state to Clinton last time around by around 0.25 per cent. However, she again defeated him among black voters, this time 67-32.

North Dakota: 14 pledged delegates

North Dakota is a safe Republican state, one thats trended heavily away from the Democrats over the last three elections. Its primary is this year takes the shape of a so-called firehouse caucus, essentially meaning the process is run by the party, not by the state, in turn meaning that there are fewer polling locations.

Postal voting has been underway since 20 January  before Biden first collapsed then rebounded.

Washington: 89 pledged delegates

Recommended How Bernie Sanders can turn around his Super Tuesday disaster

Washington state, meanwhile, is a safe Democratic hold. It votes by mail; to be counted, all ballots must be postmarked 10 March at the latest.

This is the first time Washington will use the results of its primary to allocate delegates to the Democratic convention. It previously used a caucus system alongside a non-binding primary, but has now moved away from that system.

Democrats Abroad: 13 pledged delegates

Yes, the big-delegate states will always get the headlines. But remember: every delegate counts.

The Democrats give their overseas members a voice in the primary under the umbrella of Democrats Abroad, provided they dont vote in any other states primary. They can vote in person at ballot centres in locations around the world, and they have a week to do it; March 10 is their last day.
In its maiden budget, the MVA government in Maharashtra today announced tax some tax concession proposals. This included 1 per cent stamp duty concession for the next two years and other related charges applicable on registration of documents in the areas falling under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and municipal corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the concession in stamp duty will help promote the real estate sector in the wake of slowdown.

He also announced sops for farmers, proposed to increase VAT on petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre and reduced electricity duty for industries.

Ajit Pawar presented a revenue deficit budget of 9,511 crore and proposed the size of annual plan 2020-21 at 1,15,000 crore in the assembly.

The budget estimates put the fiscal deficit at 54618.38 crore.

He proposed to reduce electricity duty on industrial use from 9. 3 per cent to 7.5 per cent of consumption charges.

The reduction in electricity duty will help promote industries in the state, the finance minister said.

Due to the tax concessions, it is expected that there will be yearly revenue loss of around 2,500 crore.

Similarly, Pawar proposed to increase VAT (value-added tax) on petrol and dieselby Re 1 per litre.

This will enrich the state exchequer by an additional 1,800 crore, the finance minister told the assembly.

He announced a one-time settlement scheme for farmers whose crop loan is more than 2 lakh, including principle and interest, from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.

The government will transfer 2 lakh in bank accounts of eligible farmers after the outstanding amount above 2 lakh, as on September 30, 2019, is repaid by them, Pawar said.

Similarly, farmers who will regularly repay their dues up to June 30, 2020 and for crop loan taken by them during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, a maximum of 50,000 will be given to them as incentive for the amount of crop loan taken during 2018-19, the finance minister said.

He said the government has set a target of feeding one lakh people through its 'Shiv Bhojan' meal scheme.

The finance minister made a provision of 150 crore for the subsidised food scheme for the poor.

Pawar said the budget proposals focus on tackling challenges of economic slowdownand creation of employment.

He said the government will create a dedicated fund, called "Green fund", which will be utilised for conservation of the environment.

Money from this special fund will be specifically used for projects related to sewage disposal and waste management, the finance minister said.

Pawar said the tax revenue as per revised estimates for the year 2019-20is expected to be 2,16,824 crore.

He said in 2019-20, budget revenue receipt of 3,14,640 crore was expected.

However, due to a decrease in receipt of state share in central taxes by 8,543 crore, the revenue receipts have been revised to 3,09,000 crore, he said.

In budget 2020-21, the revenue receipt is estimated at 3,47,457 crore and revenue expenditure at 3,56,968 crore.

"As a result, a revenue deficit of 9,511 crore is indicated," he said.

Pawar said the total amount of outstanding debt and liabilities at the end of January 2020 stood at 4,33,00,901 crore.

During the last five years, the state raised loans of 2,82,448 crore, he said.

The cost of infrastructure projects undertaken by the government is 2,78,271 crore and the state has to bear direct and indirect liability of these projects, Pawar said.

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According to a viral Facebook post, an eyebrow-raising policy at a Utah school requires students to say yes when asked to dance at a school function. The Rich Middle School rule raises crucial questions on teaching kids about consent and peer acceptance simultaneously, which could go far to bolstering kids' self-confidence and self worth.

In the Facebook post, a Rich Middle School mom named Alicia Hobson shared that, while attending a recent Valentine's Day event, her daughter Azlyn was asked to dance by a fellow student who makes her uncomfortable.

"She tried to say no thank you, and the principal overheard and intervened and told her she's not allowed to say no and that she has to dance with him," the Utah mom wrote. "She has the right to say no to anyone for any reason or no reason. Her body is her body and if she doesn't want to dance with someone, that's her prerogative."

She acknowledged that the "spirit of the rule" is to give middle schoolers the confidence to ask one another to dance without feeling as though they'll be rejected, but the Utah mom pointed out that "in life, you get rejected all the time."

Hobson explained that she and other families have been in touch with administrators in an effort to change the "unacceptable" rule. And psychology experts agree with the mom's concerns.

Why Dances Matter for Teaching Consent

Niro Feliciano, LCSW, a psychotherapist and anxiety specialist, tells Parents.com, "In creating policies for kids, we have to look at the messages we are sending how it may influence the 'bigger picture' of their lives. This policy encourages a mindset that is dangerous because essentially it's saying 'regardless of how you feel, make your decisions based on what someone else wants.'"

Story continues

Feliciano worries that policies like these also take away a young person's sense of agency. The long-term effect: "It impacts their own self-confidence and self-worth," she says. "Even worse, where do we draw the line then when it comes to doing drugs or having sex? Should they do it so someones feelings dont get hurt? We have to encourage them to trust their own judgment in making a good choice for themselves, and the message needs to be consistent."

Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and family therapist, agrees, pointing out that the downstream effects of not having your own mind and making your own choice include feeling scared, victimized, bullied, and powerlessall emotional challenges this middle school seems to want their students to avoid.

Dealing With Disappointment Is Key

As for curbing rejection, Feliciano agrees with Hobson that we need to let kids experience disappointments in the classroom, extracurriculars, and at social functionsor suffer potential downstream negative effects.

"I work with far too many college students who return home or transfer after one semester because they havent learned how to manage their emotions in the face of disappointment or learned how to navigate a challenge by themselves," she notes. "Too many paths have been cleared for them, so that life goes their way, and as a result, they don't know what to do when it doesn't. The result: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and sometimes in the worst cases, suicide."

Putting It Into Practice

Instead of policies that prioritize and pit one student's feelings over another's, home and classroom discussions can address what rejection means in different situations, exploring the various reasons a student might refuse to dance. "Schools should talk about using one's mind, both to understand the experience of rejection and to make choices that reflect your agency and authenticity," explains Dr. Raymond.

Ultimately, finding a way to balance the concerns of consent with those related to bullying and inclusion is a challenging endeavor. But it's undoubtedly worthwhile. "Being sensitive to one party feeling rejected doesn't mean the other party has to give up her mind in order to do so," says Dr. Raymond. As Feliciano points out, "Wouldn't it be better to teach these kids how to say no respectfully and compassionately? Wouldn't it be better to teach them how to honor their own feelings and beliefs and at the same time show grace and empathy to their classmate?"

These are the types of lessons that not only resolve the issue that Rich Middle School is trying to address, but it also gives kids the confidence, permission, and right to make choices based on who they are and what they feel is in their best interest, says Feliciano.

As for the Utah school's policy, there are no more school dances scheduled for this year, but Hobson told Scary Mommy that the administration says they will reconsider the rule next year.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults -- regulating it like alcohol -- has a home grow provision: Six plants per household, including up to three that can be flowering.

But there are caveats -- the growing area must be enclosed and locked. Growing cannot be conducted openly or publicly and nothing can be available for sale.

The coalition backing the proposed amendment -- which includes marijuana businesses currently licensed under the states medical cannabis program, as well as patients and other Ohioans -- believed including home grow provisions was important. Many of the backers are behind recreational because they believe the state botched the implementation of the medical program when it passed the law and developed rules, beginning in 2016.

We think its an important component in meaningful access, said Tom Haren, a Cleveland attorney representing the backers. Thats really the driving force: Making sure people have the access they should have had four years ago.

The license holders behind the proposal dont see home grow as a threat.

We dont view them as necessarily being in competition with one another, the same reason that brewing beer in your home doesnt keep you from going to the grocery store to buy beer or getting a beer after work, Haren said.

Other licensed marijuana businesses that are not part of the recreational proposal may disagree with the home grow, said Thomas Rosenberger, associate director of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Cultivators Association.

I dont know if it will amount to that much opposition, he said. There will be licensees who would prefer to not see home grow, but I dont know if they will spend millions to oppose it.

The constitutional amendment proposal faces numerous hurdles before the campaign can attempt to collect signatures for the November ballot.

In Michigan, where recreational marijuana was legalized in December, 12 plants total are allowed to be grown per household.

Illinois, which also recently began a recreational program, only allows home grow for its medical patients, who can grow five plants.

I dont imagine there will be sweeps from regulators or law enforcement, said Haren, the attorney behind the Ohio recreational proposal. But we do think its important to have some guardrails. In line with what weve done with a lot of our amendment language, we tried to be moderate, put forward a path for Ohio.

Chris Lindsey, government relations director for the Marijuana Policy Project said that many states with medical or recreational programs allow people to grow their own cannabis.

Colorado at one point allowed people to grow up to 99 marijuana plants.

It created a serious challenge because it was not difficult to get cover for an illicit operation, he said. That dynamic was put to an end, they dont do that anymore.

Other marijuana stories:

Ohio recreational marijuana plan would give tax revenue to criminal justice, local governments

Roughly 600 doctors can recommend Ohio medical marijuana. Search by name and ZIP

For many Ohio marijuana users, the grass is greener in Michigan
WASHINGTON  On Friday night, leaders behind the recent American Israel Public Affairs Conference announced that two New Yorkers who attended the conference along with numerous members of Congress tested positive for coronavirus.

About two-thirds of Congress attended, AIPAC said, including 23 Democrats and 13 Republicans who spoke at the conference. The speakers included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Schumer, and other top members of the House and Senate, according to AIPACs website.

As of Friday afternoon, there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus nor pending tests for anyone on Capitol Hill, Roll Call reported.

Many members of Congress already changed their habits to reduce spread of the virus this week and the U.S. Capitol started some precautionary measures.

Hand shakes are out and frequent hand-washing is being publicly extolled.

Members of Congress have cancelled some international trips. Their offices are formulating plans to work remotely, if needed. Janitorial staff have increased cleaning in the sprawling, seven building U.S. Capitol complex.

"I'm less worried than a typical New Yorker," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. "I have a lot of antibodies. I shake about 500 hands a day. So I am very confident that if I do get coronavirus I will recover and I will be fine."

This week, congressional leaders held an operational briefing on Wednesday to discuss coronavirus response at the Capitol, as the epidemic spreads around the country.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., participated in the meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. There are no plans to close the U.S. Capitol, but lawmakers and their staff have been advised to hand wash as much as possible and prepare for how they will work from home if needed.

Similar to a lot of places in the country, there are people from all around the country coming here every single day," McCarthy said after the meeting. "This is a contagious disease. This is something that can multiply and go rapidly."

It's possible members of Congress had already been exposed.

Gillibrand attended a global security conference in Munich, Germany in February, with many other members of Congress, where she met with world leaders and staff from numerous countries, including Iran and China, where serious outbreaks of the virus have occurred and some political leaders have been sickened.

Gillibrand said she was supposed to take another trip with members of Congress to China, South Korea and Japan to assess national security priorities in February, but the trip was cancelled.

"I think many co-dels [delegations] will be cancelled over the next two months because again nobody wants to bring back unnecessary risk to their families and to their work and their colleagues, even though most members of Congress are not worried about not being able to heal from the virus," she said.

Apparently as a joke, one House member wore a gas mask on the House floor to vote on a coronavirus emergency funding bill this week.

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

Containing coronavirus at the Capitol is important because the House and Senate need a quorum, or majority of members present, to conduct business. Widespread absences could grind Congress to a halt.

Also, House and Senate members are overwhelmingly older. Seniors or people with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk for a serious illness from the coronavirus.

The average age of House members was 57.6 years as of January 2019, according to the Congressional Research Service. For the Senate, the average age was 62.9. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is 78. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is 79. Schumer is 69.

More and more coronavirus cases have been confirmed throughout the country, including at least three individuals in the county adjacent to Washington, D.C.

There are numerous avenues for exposure for members of Congress and their staff. They regularly fly around the country. In their districts, they meet with hordes of people at events that are often open to the public.

Theres a lot of talk behind closed doors, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn. Were 435 people [House members] who come in and out of every corner of America and reconvene and so at some point we could be a vector.

Meanwhile, Washington lawmakers are attending conferences, fundraising dinners, meetings and congregating daily to vote. Its now fly-in season, a Senate aide said, meaning groups from all over come to the Capitol to lobby for their cause. And many visitors tour the Capitol building daily.

"I've asked my staff: number one be vigilant. Wash your hands often," Gillibrand said. "Use hand sanitizer. If you're stick stay home. ... If it gets worse and worse and worse, we'll make other arrangements."

Some Capitol staff with comprised immune systems have already started to work from home, a Senate aide said.
Lithuanian English

Vilnius, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The General Meeting of Shareholders of Medicinos Bankas UAB (office address: Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius, reg. No. 112027077, VAT number LT120270716) for 2020 initiated by a decision of the Board of Medicinos Bankas UAB will take place in the main headquarters of the bank at Pamenkalnio 40 (1st floor), Vilnius.

The date and time of the General Meeting of Shareholders will be announced immediately after the shareholders of the bank become able to exercise their voting rights, i.e. after the supervisory authority passes a decision not to object to the acquisition of the qualifying holding or the date of the appropriate permission to control the qualifying holding of the voting rights in the bank.

The agenda of the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is as follows:

Regarding the annual report of Medicinos Bankas UAB for the year 2019. Regarding the auditors report of Medicinos Bankas UAB. Regarding the approval of the Set of Financial Statements of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2019. Regarding the distribution of profit of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2019. Regarding the selection of the audit firm for the audit of financial statements of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2020 and the setting of terms and conditions for the payment for audit services. Regarding the election of members of the Supervisory Board of Medicinos Bankas UAB.

Draft decisions on each matter covered by the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders as well as other documents that must be presented to the General Meeting of Shareholders and information related to the exercise of the rights of shareholders are available in the offices of the bank at Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius. At least 10 days before the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders of the bank will be granted access to the documents held by the bank concerning the agenda of the meeting., including the draft decisions. The documents will be made available in the offices of the bank at Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius. Documents and other information related to the agenda of the meeting will be presented to the shareholders only if the relevant shareholder presents his/her identity document. If the shareholder is represented by another person, the latter is required to present his/her identity document and a document confirming the right to represent the shareholder of Medicinos Bankas UAB as set out in the applicable legislation of the Republic of Lithuania.
Elon Musks comments about taking Tesla Inc. private were aspirational, not fraudulent, the company argues in asking a judge to throw out a shareholder lawsuit over his infamous tweet from 1 1/2 years ago.

Investors claim the Twitter post on Aug. 7, 2018  Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured  was an intentional deception that jolted the electric car makers stock price, causing billions of dollars in losses.

But Tesla contends the disgruntled shareholders are conveniently ignoring that the chief executive officer told his board just days earlier he wanted to take the company private. Musk repeated that desire in an email to employees after the tweet.

Statements describing the possible structure Mr. Musk envisioned, hoped for, intended and would like were plainly aspirational, Tesla argues in a court filing. There is no dispute that this was Mr. Musks true aim.

A hearing on whether the suit should proceed is set for Friday in San Francisco federal court.

Tesla shares surged as much as 13 per cent after the tweet, and trading was temporarily halted. But as questions swirled about Musks statements in the following hours and days, the stock bounced the other way. The plaintiffs are a mix of long and short sellers. The latter group have been a frequent target of Musks ire.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was quick to open an investigation, questioning Musk, Teslas board and other executives. Musk and Tesla agreed to pay $40 million to resolve the probe without admitting or denying wrongdoing. The regulator also imposed an unusual condition that forbids the billionaire CEO from tweeting about Teslas financial condition without advance approval from a company lawyer.

One point of contention in the shareholder case is Musks email to employees that the company posted on its blog less than three hours after the tweet.

Tesla says that message demonstrates Musks long-standing interest in taking the company private.

But the suing investors claim  just like the SEC  that Teslas chief financial officer and other officers came up with the idea of expounding on Musks initial tweet in the blog.Tesla and Musk worked hand-in-hand in publishing and republishing the false and misleading information, the investors allege.

Read more about:
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The All-China Journalists Association Friday issued a statement voicing strong condemnation and firm opposition to a demand made by the U.S. State Department to cap the number of U.S.-based Chinese journalists.

Describing the U.S. move as de-facto expulsion of Chinese journalists, the association said that the actions have seriously violated the normal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in carrying out news reporting overseas, damaged the reputation of Chinese media and journalists and interfered with their normal work abroad.

While priding itself on freedom of the press, the United States now grossly infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists and obstructs the Chinese media from their normal reporting tasks. "Such two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of the press, nothing short of double standards and hegemonic bullying," the association said in the statement.

Chinese journalists stationed in the United States have been strictly abiding by U.S. laws and regulations and carrying out news reporting under the principle of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy, playing a positive role in enhancing communication and understanding between the Chinese and U.S. people, promoting strategic mutual trust between China and the United States, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, the statement said.

China has respected and guaranteed the media of various countries to carry out normal reporting activities in the country in accordance with the law, and has never imposed any restriction on the number of U.S. media organizations or personnel in China, it added.

The association called on the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and political oppression based on ideological prejudice.

The U.S. side is urged to immediately stop gross interference with the normal operation of Chinese media, stop infringement of the lawful rights and interests of Chinese journalists, and take immediate measures to correct its wrongdoings such as labeling Chinese media outlets in a discriminatory manner, capping the number of Chinese journalists, and setting visa barriers for Chinese journalists stationed in the United States, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in the United States, according to the statement.




Grace Brennan delivered the Australia Day address this year after her successful Buy From The Bush campaign. Credit:Brook Mitchell Grace Brennan, founder Buy From The Bush Grace Brennan founded the Buy From The Bush campaign promoting businesses in regional Australia during the drought. Influence: My mother and other women in rural communities. They inspire and influence me. Especially in the last few years, with cash flow drying up from traditional sources like agriculture, they are creating alternative income streams. Influencing others: Buy From The Bush has inspired similar campaigns in response to the bushfires, with #SpendWithThem and #EmptyEsky harnessing social media to promote those small businesses affected. Buy From The Bush injected energy back into businesses. At times it was difficult [for businesses] to open the doors when you were reliant on cash flow from farmers who were not spending.

Building a gender equal world: To celebrate our differences and to recognise that our lived experience often shapes our strengths and our limitations. Its about finding value in the unique offerings of the individual. Airwallex president and co-founder Lucy Liu. Credit:Wayne Taylor Lucy Liu, co-founder of Airwallex Financial platform Airwallex became one of a handful of Australian tech 'unicorns' last year with a valuation of over $US1 billion ($1.5 billion). Influence: My dad because he is also an entrepreneur ... that had quite a big impact on me. Family in general has been very supportive. I have an 18-month-old daughter and its hard running a startup at the same time, so having the right support has allowed me to go out and explore whatever I want.

Influencing others: When we first had women join Airwallex they were concerned about personal life, as startups tend to have a reputation of being imbalanced in work and life and they were concerned about maternity leave and what was possible. In Airwallex we dont have this concern anymore, as we have women in senior management who demonstrate that you can do both. Building a gender equal world: What the tech community has been doing well is promoting diversity but not forcing it. Talking to other women in senior tech management, if you force that diversity into hiring, you end up valuing the number more than you want to. Catherine Bronger is a community pharmacy owner. Catherine Bronger, community pharmacy owner and national councillor for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Catherine Bronger is the co-owner of two pharmacies which have around 60 staff with an estimated turnover of over $10 million.

Influence: My mother as a community pharmacist and setting up the pharmacy business school at University of Sydney and University of Newcastle along with bringing up four children. I saw her bring up a family as well as run a successful business  I thought that was a great inspiration. Influencing others: I do a lot of mentoring and I have a lot of young pharmacists that work with me. I really like to see young women, particularly pharmacists, get to ownership before having babies as it is such a good profession to have a family. Building a gender equal world: I believe that I think you have to advocate for women who are good and strong and capable. I think that you can find them and encourage those women. I know it is very simple but it is very powerful. Loop+ founders (left to right) Kath Hamilton and Claire Conroy. Credit:Louie Douvis Kath Hamilton and Clare Conroy, founders of Loop+

Sisters Kath Hamilton and Clare Conroy founded startup Loop+ which has developed technology the pair describe as a Fitbit for the bum. This is a sensor pad which attaches to a wheelchair and tracks data about a users weight distribution and posture to prevent long-term health issues like scoliosis. Influences: Seeing other families going through lived experience of things like disability and them being able to say, Well I see a problem, how do I solve that?  Influencing others: Grit, and being able to show that resilience. You have to have that grit and determination just to get this far. Building a gender equal world: Just by advocating and demonstrating what is possible so that women of the future and women [in business] know this is absolutely an option for them: to be able to solve the worlds biggest problems. Sandy Chong is the Head of the Australian Hairdressers Association.

Sandy Chong, head of the Australian Hairdressing Council and owner of Suki salon Sandy Chong has spent more than three decades in the hairdressing industry, as both the owner of $1.8 million Newcastle salon Suki and as head of the Australian Hairdressing Council. Influence: I have a huge network in the industry, theres no one single person. Ive been very fortunate to do pretty much everything I want to do in the industry, whether it was anything editorial or working at New York fashion week  all of those different sectors are my motivators. Influencing others: For influencing my staff, its understanding them more than ever, and having continual meetings with them, so that we know what they need. If we can give them what they need, we will do well as well. Building a gender equal world: I think we need to be a lot more accepting and much less judgmental. When it comes to gender equality, I think with hairdressing though, we would probably be one of the industries that most 100 per cent embraces that.

Haus of Dizzy founder Kristy Dickinson. Kristy Dickinson, founder of Haus of Dizzy Kristy Dickinson's cult jewellery brand turns over just under $1 million and has been built with a focus on inclusion, with designs celebrating Indigenous pride. Influence: My mother. She was a single mum, a proud Indigenous woman, she was always pushing who we are and her beliefs onto us kids and pushed us in the right direction, to be kind and accept others for who they are. Influencing others: Growing up in Sydney, I was the only little brown girl in my class and it was quite hard on me. Going to school and saying I was Aboriginal, I got teased a lot. I want to show the younger generation to be proud of who you are.

Building a gender equal world: Its all about collaboration, talking and listening. Bringing each other up and just recognising that everybody is different but everybody has passions. With my business, I never want to leave anybody behind, I want to bring people up with me. Being inclusive is the future. Tammy Green is the founder of Prene Bags. Credit:Simon Schluter Tammy Green, founder of Prene bags Green started her vegan-friendly fashion label Prene Bags four years ago when she was 20. It now turns over around $5 million a year. Influence: My wholesale agent has always been my biggest influence and supporter since day one. She has been in the industry for many years and she is the most positive and enthusiastic and hard-working person I know.

Influencing others: As a young woman who went to uni for a year and failed it, I am living proof that you dont have to follow the standard path. So many entrepreneurs and business owners have dropped out of uni or never went to uni. There are so many other ways to follow your dreams. Building a gender equal world: Always calling out gender discrimination when you see it or hear it, its crazy to think that it still exists. When I first started out and would speak to people on the phone they would never take me seriously and think I was a little girl and ask me to get my boss. Jane Morrell is the founder of Carer Solutions Australia. Credit:Simon Schluter Jane Morrell, founder of Carer Solutions Australia Jane Morrell started her business after becoming frustrated at the traditional disability care solutions. It now turns over around $20 million a year.
Bank of Ireland said it will advance emergency business loans for companies hit by the coronavirus fallout, while rival AIB said there was an increased risk of the outbreak damaging the Irish economy.

The focus of the two main banks comes as the threat of economic disruption has piled on the pressure for the shares prices of Irelands two main banks -- with the shares underperforming a 25-member group of their peers in the eurozone since the start of the year.

Bank of Ireland said its initiative would provide emergency working capital for vulnerable firms, as the effect on its Irish business customers looms larger, including "weaker trading as a result of a reduction in business and tourist travel, supply chain interruption due to the knock-on impacts of a slowdown of production in China, and reduced orders from international customers as the global economy starts to deal with the impact of the virus".

And speaking to reporters after the bank reported its 2019 earnings, AIB chief executive Colin Hunt said it was "increasingly possible" that the fallout from the virus will hit the Irish economy dependent on international trade flows, and hit a number of business areas, "most markedly in the hospitality space". "As of yet, it is unclear how significant the impact from the coronavirus is going to be," Mr Hunt added.

The shares of AIB and Bank of Ireland fell again sharply in the latest session and have now slid 41% and 38%, respectively, since the start of the year.

That performance compares with the 21% drop for the 25-constituent members of their peers in the Eurostoxx banking index over the same period. Mr Hunt said the longer-for-lower interest-rate outlook amid the international coronavirus crisis was dampening the prospects for banking shares.

Meanwhile, Dermot OLeary said the latest CSO figures showing the economy surged again last year, by 5.5%, could be considered "rear-view mirror material given the ongoing economic effects of the coronavirus on global and domestic activity".

The momentum behind the underlying domestic economy, which grew 3.2% in 2019 when the accounting distortions of the multinationals are stripped out, "may be stalled by virus fears", Mr OLeary said.

Austin Hughes, chief economist at KBC Bank Ireland, said that growth "will be materially slower this year than last", although "a marked expansion" in Irish-based multinationals producing pharmaceuticals, IT and medical devices could act as a cushion.

At AIB, Mr Hunt said that the bank will be looking to make savings by reducing its headcount from the current number of 9,500 employees in the next three years. The reductions will include staff who have been involved with the banks so-called legacy issues -- such as loan arrears and its tracker mortgage investigation.

AIB doubled a provision to 70m to cover the looming fine from the Central Bank for the banks part in the industry-wide mortgage scandal. That means its total tracker costs have risen so far to 600m, including the additional 300m cost announced last month to cover 5,900 more wronged customers.

It posted a 2019 profit before exceptionals and tax of almost 1.1bn and recommitted to reducing its share of non-performing loans to below 3% in the coming years from around 5% at present.
The Pakistan Bar Council has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Lahore High Court's order to quash the death penalty of self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf in a treason case, a media report said on Friday.

A special court in Islamabad on December 17 last year handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general Musharraf, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him.

However, on January 13 Musharraf's trial in the high treason case was declared as unconstitutional by the LHC, leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the former president.

The Pakistan Bar Council on Thursday filed a petition against the LHC order.

The petition filed on behalf of PBC vice chairman Abid Saqi and supported by Supreme Court Bar Association president Syed Qalb-e-Hassan among others has sought the apex court to set aside the LHC judgement, and questioned whether high court enjoys territorial jurisdiction to entertain ex-president's plea, the Dawn reported.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

The LHC in its January 13 order declared that the formation of the special court was unconstitutional and that the treason case against Musharraf was not prepared in accordance with the law.

The petition questioned whether the LHC enjoyed territorial jurisdiction to entertain a constitutional petition filed by Musharraf against an order passed by the special court - a court beyond the LHC's territorial jurisdiction, the report said.

The LHC should have stayed proceedings on the petition as the Islamabad High Court was already seized with a similar one, the PBC argued.

The petition sought to know whether the special court, established under the Criminal Laws Amendment (Special Court) Act 1976, was a person performing functions in connection with the affairs of the federation, a province or a local authority, the report said.

The PBC petition also asked whether a high court has jurisdiction to entertain a constitutional petition, especially before conclusion of a trial, and whether the court can assume jurisdiction against an order which was appealable before the Supreme Court only.

Emphasising that the petition described the January 13 LHC order as contrary to the principles of res-judicata ( respect and finality to the Judicial decisions), the petitioners asked whether the LHC erred in law by entertaining the constitutional petition filed by Musharraf, especially when it was an established principle of law that the jurisdiction of the high court under Article 199 was a discretionary relief and can only be granted to a person who approaches the court with clean hands.

But in the present case, the petitioner before the high court (Musharraf) was an absconder who had been evading the law for a number of years, the PBC petition observed.

Former president's attorney Salman Safdar had filed an appeal earlier, stating that the requirement of surrendering Musharraf is not applicable owing to his health condition.

It also mentioned that the former military dictator tried to return to Pakistan but was unable to because of his deteriorating health.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was the first military dictator convicted for subverting the Constitution.

The former military ruler, who has been living in Dubai since March 2016, left Pakistan for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons.

According to Pakistani media reports, Musharraf suffers from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by the build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues in the body
Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips recalled the day the first U.S. patient infected with COVID-19, a 35-year-old man from Snohomish County in Washington state, had taken a "turn for the worse." "He was day nine in his course and he actually started going downhill, started getting worse," said Compton-Phillips, chief clinical officer of Providence St. Joseph Health, where the patient was treated. At first, the patient only had common cold-like symptoms, Compton-Phillips said. But very quickly he began to have shortness of breath and a cough, she said. His X-ray also showed viral pneumonia. He needed supplemental oxygen and had to be put on an experimental antiviral treatment. The patient has recovered and has been released from the hospital. Since the patient landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 15 from the outbreak's epicenter in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread to at least 75 other people in Washington state, killing 14 in the U.S. so far  13 in Washington and one in California, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Satish Pillai, deputy director for the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during a press conference about the first confirmed U.S. case of a virus known as the 2019 novel coronavirus at the state Public Health Laboratories on January 21, 2020 in Shoreline, Washington. The patient diagnosed with the virus, also known as the Wuhan coronavirus, is recovering in isolation at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Everett, Washington. David Ryder | Getty Images

Life Care Center

At least five of those deaths have been traced to a skilled nursing facility, Life Care Center, in Kirkland, according to Washington state and local health officials. On Saturday, county health officials said about 50 residents and employees of the nursing care facility in the Seattle suburb were ill with "respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of unknown cause" and were being tested for COVID-19. Public health officials have identified at least 233 cases in the U.S. so, a fraction of the more than 100,600 infections across the world. But epidemiologists and state officials say the actual number of COVID-19 patients in the U.S. is likely in the thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, since testing here has been limited by a lack of kits and stringent criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Compton-Phillips said the doctors, nurses and other front-line workers watching the outbreak in real time are all saying "this is coming." "It's not if, it's when. And we better get ready now," she said.

Global spread

World health officials are turning their attention abroad and away from China, where businesses have started reopening operations and the growth in COVID-19 cases have slowed over the last two weeks. Last week, WHO increased its risk assessment of the coronavirus to "very high" at a global level  its highest warning. Outside China, 14,768 cases across at least 74 countries had been confirmed as of Thursday morning  up from 282 cases in four countries on Jan. 21, according to the World Health Organization. "We are on the highest level of alert or highest level of risk assessment in terms of spread and in terms of impact," Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's health emergencies program, said during a press briefing on Feb. 28. "This is a reality check for every government on the planet: Wake up. Get ready. This virus may be on its way and you need to be ready. You have a duty to your citizens, you have a duty to the world to be ready." Compton-Phillips said some front-line workers had been saying "if" when talking about the virus becoming widespread in the U.S.  until two weeks ago, when cases suddenly cropped up in Iran and Italy with no known connection to China. Then, "we started saying, 'when,'" she said. The health system will need to think where it can source essential products such as gowns, masks and gloves, Compton-Phillips said. She said they've started putting masks for patients "behind the counter," to help conserve them. "The boxes of masks were walking away," she said. WHO officials said panic buying and hoarding medical supplies is putting lives at risk and causing a "severe and mounting disruption" to the world's stockpile of protective gear. "Shortages are leaving doctors, nurses and other front-line workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, due to limited access to supplies such as gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons," WHO said in a statement Tuesday.

'Toehold' in the US

When that first patient in Washington state presented himself for testing, Compton-Phillips said the hospital took an "overkill" approach. "We will presume it's COVID-19 until proven otherwise, so we'll put a mask on them and put them in an isolation room," she said. She added that when transporting that first patient to an appropriate isolation room, "we had him in this special gurney with plastic around it, so he wouldn't contaminate anything." But that was over a month ago. Since then, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. has risen to 233 across at least 17 states as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins' data. For weeks, most of the U.S. cases could be traced to travel in Wuhan, the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined off the coast of Japan, or close contact with those people. That's all changed since last weekend. There are now well over two dozen cases in the U.S. of person-to-spread, many of which are proving to have been transmitted openly in the community, and it appears to be getting worse, according to state health officials. State and local health have confirmed community transmission cases in California, Washington state, New York and North Carolina  where a woman contracted the virus on a trip to Washington state in what appears to be the nation's first domestic travel-related infection.

Circulating unchecked

Part of the problem, Compton-Phillips said, was the CDC's delay in getting testing kits to local health agencies and its reluctance to test patients who hadn't traveled to Wuhan, China. "We had real challenges initially. ... I think it's one of the reasons we're seeing these hot spots pop up around the country is because we simply didn't know this had already hit our shores," she told CNBC, adding that cases will rise as testing is expanded and labs discover new cases that were previously hidden. "I do think that this virus has been circulating now for several weeks in the U.S. ... Until now, it's been circulating unchecked." Some hospitals still haven't instituted strict isolation protocols for everyone being tested, and some state officials are even starting to relax hospital quarantine rules for patients who test positive. One woman in New York is under self-quarantine at her home in Manhattan. State health officials said a California patient was not under quarantine as doctors appealed to the CDC to test her. Since she hadn't been to Wuhan, or been in contact with anyone who was, she was out and about in her community. One patient in New Hampshire under self-quarantine broke protocol by attending a private event Friday night, state officials said Tuesday. In Texas, the CDC mistakenly released a Prince Cruise passenger who was under mandatory quarantine who later tested positive for the virus.

Testing delays
By The Associated Press Mar. 05, 2020 | 08:23 PM | FRANKFORT





The spending plan they unveiled Thursday would spread the pay raise to other school employees. They also boosted school-security funding.





Their state spending plan for the next two years cleared a committee. It could be voted on in the House as soon as Friday.







Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear proposed a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, fulfilling a campaign pledge from last year. The House version would provide a 1% pay increase in each year of the biennium for teachers and all other school employees.

House Republicans have modified a proposed pay raise for Kentucky teachers.
Photo: Barbara Kinney/Hillary for America/Hulu

Hillary, the new four-part docuseries about the life and career of Hillary Clinton, including her crushing defeat in the 2016 presidential campaign, is fascinating, insightfully structured, and, yes, often painful to watch. At times, watching Hillary is like volunteering to get punched in the face in the exact same spot you got punched four years ago, then looking in the mirror to examine a very familiar bruise.

It definitely hurts to revisit the pre-November 2016 feeling of excitement that, for many, surrounded the seemingly very real prospect that the United States would elect its first woman president. It hurts even more when, inevitably, Hillary reaches the part where Clinton staffers and supporters, many of them young women, collapse in tears while watching her make her concession speech. That grief stings all the more now that we know how much turmoil and chaos this country might have avoided, if just a few more electoral delegates had gone Clintons way.

That said, Hillary is much more than just a sad, frustrating trip down bad memories lane. Rather than laying out Clintons experiences in straightforward chronological order, director Nanette Burstein (American Teen, The Kid Stays in the Picture) toggles between her personal history and behind-the-scenes footage from her 2016 campaign in ways designed to make viewers rethink some of what we already know about the figure dubbed in the docuseries as one of the most admired and one of the most vilified women in history. To return to my previous metaphor, yeah, the bruise you see in the mirror may look familiar. But there is value in inspecting it again, and reconsidering the context behind the punch that put it there. Hillary is about Hillary Clinton, yes. But its also a recap of how America has viewed feminism and women seeking power during the late-20th and early-21st centuries. That makes it essential viewing.

Given that this project clearly has Hillary Clintons blessing  she appears in extensive interviews, along with her husband, many of her former staffers, and longtime friends  its arc naturally bends toward her perspective. But that doesnt make Hillary the equivalent of a vanity puff piece. Other journalists, people who have worked alongside her, and even Clinton herself do express criticisms and/or doubts about the choices shes made. During the 2016 campaign, for example, when Clinton is asked during an early debate to release transcripts of her Wall Street speeches, we watch as a member of her team makes a sound argument as to why she should, and why some reasonable journalists might question her reasons for not doing so. Later in the docuseries, Jennifer Palmieri, director of communications for Clintons campaign, notes that when Wikileaks released the hacked emails of John Podesta, messages about portions of the speeches that Clintons staff found potentially controversial were among the things that leaked. That highlights a stubbornness in Hillary Clinton  She is super-confident in her own righteousness, as Peter Baker of the New York Times phrases it  and a reticence to be fully transparent with the press that many in the docuseries agree has caused repeated problems for her.

But what Hillary does is what really good television of any kind does: It makes you understand the motivations of the protagonist and empathize with her, even if you dont always agree with her. Via footage of her early days as a political wife, helping Bill Clinton run for attorney general of Arkansas, then governor, then president, there are times when she clearly tried to be herself and was punished for it. When reporters question presidential candidate Bill Clinton about whether his wifes work at the Rose Law Firm in Arkansas took advantage of his gubernatorial connections for financial benefit, Hillary clarifies to reporters that she recused herself from any cases that would have suggested conflict of interest. I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession, she famously said.

In 2020, that kind of comment would have been yaas queened all over the internet. In 1992  which, the series points out, was a year before a ladies room was installed off the Senate floor  she was chastised for weeks for demonstrating a lack of respect for stay-at-home mothers. (By the way and for the record, the House of Representatives didnt have a restroom for women near its floor until 2011. You heard me.) The docuseries makes clear that this kind of twisting or decontextualizing of Clintons words has happened to her repeatedly, as an explanation for why she often puts her guard up. By telling the story of Clintons 2016 campaign on a parallel plane with her personal story, which inevitably speaks to how American cultural attitudes toward women have evolved (and not evolved) over the past six decades or so, Burstein illustrates the degree to which Clinton was shaped not only by who she was, but also who the world demanded that she be.

Burstein doesnt succeed at getting Clinton to open up about everything. When the series revisits Gennifer Flowers announcing her affair with Bill Clinton, Clinton tells Bustein, We had challenges like any married couple would have and Im not going to go any further than that. But both she and Bill Clinton are more forthcoming than theyve typically been on-camera about the Monica Lewinsky affair. Both recall the moment when President Clinton finally told his wife the truth about his relationship with the young intern, following months of I did not have sex with that woman denials in private and in public. Advisers to Hillary Clinton note that even in 2016, many voters judged her based on her decision to stay in the marriage, either because they think she was weak to do so, or because they presume she did it for calculated, ambitious reasons. God knows the burden she paid for that, Bill Clinton says, regretfully and wistfully, at the end of part three. Actually, we dont need to guess what that burden was. Its pretty clear. Its also pretty clear that some of Hillary Clintons friends werent surprised that Bill Clinton engaged in such activity in the Oval Office.

The revisitation of the Clinton impeachment scandal is one of several moments during Hillary that makes anyone who voted for her in 2016 wish that she and her people had shaped her story the way this docuseries does while she was actually running for office. Even doing an interview akin to the ones Hillary and Bill do here could have gone a long way toward diffusing misperceptions about Hillarys motives and their marriage.

Unfortunately, you cant go back in time  except to the extent that you can while watching the extensive and intimate fly-on-the-wall footage from Clintons campaign, some of which has the effect of placing a pair of 20/20 hindsight goggles over our eyes. Cameras capture a private conversation between Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine, in which Kaine reveals that Obama called him the night before and said, Remember, this is not a time to be a purist. Weve got to keep a fascist out of The White House.

I dont say this lightly, Clinton responds, referring to her opponent Donald Trump, but his agenda is other peoples agendas. She starts listing individuals involved in Trumps campaign who have since been charged with federal crimes (Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn) and notes how Putin has increasingly been taking over the political apparatus. Its like listening to someone describe the future before its actually taken place.

Then there is the awkward, pre-debate backstage encounter between Clinton and Bernie Sanders, where the two struggle to make even the most basic small talk. Clintons comments about the democratic socialists made headlines weeks ago, following the docuseries Sundance premiere and well before its debut on Hulu.

Honestly, Bernie just drove me crazy, she says. He was in Congress for years. Years. He had not one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done.

Plenty of people would not agree with that assessment of Sanders. But whether you do or dont, again, Hillary at least makes you understand why Clinton  who, for the record, was trying to get universal health care passed back in the 1990s  might have resented Sanders. After being forced to the margins either by men or the mistakes of men, dating all the way back to high school when a boy who beat her in a high-school presidential election then asked her to do all the work for him (which she did), you can see why she may have had limited patience for a man shouting about revolution, while Clinton has been demonized her whole life for being either a radical feminist or a mainstream corporate sellout. Hillary Clinton has felt like she just cant win, literally and metaphorically, and that, above all else, comes through loudly and clearly over these four hours.

You might not agree with her. But after watching Hillary, you may be able to do something that America has had a really hard time doing over the years: You may understand her.
China National Petroleum Corp. has issued a force majeure on prompt natural gas imports, according to people with knowledge of the situation, the second Chinese buyer to refuse shipments in a sign that global commodity flows may face a sustained impact from the coronavirus fight.

CNPC, the nations biggest gas supplier, is taking the extreme step after initially working with sellers to reschedule shipments, and plans to cancel contracted deliveries both as liquefied natural gas and via pipelines in the short-term, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information isnt public. At least one LNG seller had been notified, the people said.

CNPC, the parent company of PetroChina Co., declined to comment.

RELATED: Reports blame coronavirus for slashing China's demand of LNG and jet fuel

The nations buyers have struggled with the impact of the virus, which has cut demand for the fuel and maxed out storage space. Firms declare force majeure when theyre unable to meet contractual obligations for reasons beyond their control.

Chinas biggest suppliers of LNG include Australia, Qatar and Malaysia, while Russia and Central Asian nations -- Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan -- as well as Myanmar supply via pipeline. Russias Gazprom PJSC, which started pipeline supplies to China in December, said Thursday that shipments continue and that it hasnt received a force majeure notice.

Last month, China National Offshore Oil Corp. -- the nations top LNG importer -- made a similar force majeure declaration, a move that was rejected by some sellers. PetroChina had earlier delayed and rescheduled some LNG shipments. Chinese copper smelter Guangxi Nanguo also declared the same get-out clause in February, refusing to take delivery of raw materials.

Bloated Stockpiles

China is the worlds biggest consumer of most raw materials, from energy products to industrial metals, and disruptions in its purchases create havoc across global supply chains. While the nation is making slow but steady progress in its effort to get back to work, CNPCs force majeure illustrates the lingering impact of the coronavirus outbreak on consumption.

FUEL FIX: Fresh energy news delivered to your inbox each weekday

Separately on Thursday, CNPC said that it stopped pulling supplies of gas from storage tanks, and in at least one location has even started injecting it back earlier in the winter than normal, as customers have throttled back consumption amid a broader economic slowdown.

Natural gas demand has dropped sharply, the company said on its website, adding that withdrawals have halted at all 10 of its underground storage sites as of Feb. 29. The volume of gas supplied from Chinas storage facilities has fallen rapidly since late January.

A slowdown in Chinese demand has exacerbated a global glut of LNG, sending spot prices crashing over the last few months. The Japan/Korea Marker, the spot Asian LNG benchmark published by S&P Global Platts, has dropped by about 50% in the past year and last month sank to a record low. Futures on Nymex closed Thursday at $3.085 million British thermal units, heading for the first weekly advance since January.

Cheniere Energy Inc., the largest U.S. exporter, has a supply agreement with CNPC but hasnt shipped a cargo to China in more than a year because of trade war. Instead, CNPC was swapping the U.S. cargoes with Japan and Korea. Cheniere declined to comment.

--With assistance from Feifei Shen, Alfred Cang, Naureen S. Malik and Olga Tanas.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Pucker up for a raspberry pie kettle sour later this month.

The ladies of the New Mexico Pink Boots Society will be brewing the pink-tinted sour beer for its fifth annual brew day on Friday, March 6, at Canteen Brewhouse. The recipe created by Canteen head brewer Zach Guilmette has a pink hue and the flavor profile of raspberry pie.

You will get some of that tart juiciness from the raspberry, but then were also adding graham cracker crumbs and some wheat to get that pie crust as well, so were really trying to go for an actual raspberry pie profile, said Jess Griego, head of the New Mexico Pink Boots Society.  We are trying to make the beer a homage to the Pink Boots Society, so we thought a pink beer would be fun, so thats where we started and went from there. Were looking forward to the graham cracker crumbs. I think its really going to round it out. Its not your everyday sour but kind of a dessert beer.

The brew day falls on National Womens Day. The society usually tries to brew on or around that date. Brewing day gives members an opportunity to get acquainted while learning about breweries.

That will start at 8 a.m., so we well be brewing all day, Griego said of the brew day. So the women will be there to help with the brewing process and meet one another for those who havent met. We have women coming up from Las Cruces that are in our society that we dont get to see that often, and mostly its a day of brewing beer but also collaborating and planning future educational opportunities.

Proceeds from the beer help benefit educational programs offered through the Pink Boot Society. The beer is expected to be available at the end of March at the breweries represented during the brew day. New Mexico Pink Boots Society members include female owners and operators of breweries, brewery staffers and students in the brewing programs at Central New Mexico Community College and New Mexico State University. Breweries represented in the society include Bosque Brewing Co., Canteen Brewhouse, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Marble Brewery, Red Door Brewing Co., Rio Bravo Brewing Co., Second Street Brewery, Sidetrack Brewing Co., Steel Bender Brewyard, Thirsty Eye Brewing Co., Toltec Brewing Co. and Tractor Brewing Co., as well as the business New Mexico Ferments. More information can be found at facebook.com/PinkBootsSocietyNewMexico.

Currently, we have 40 members, Griego said of the society. We had about 20 last year. So weve grown since 2019, which has been great. Were looking at continuing to grow the chapter. Whats really nice is the national chapter provides different scholarship opportunities that usually have anywhere from a $2,000 to a $5,000 value.

Part of being a New Mexico Pink Boot Society member is having access to those scholarships.

We try to get as many of our New Mexico members to apply for those and broaden their knowledge beyond what is offered in New Mexico but throughout the nation, Griego said. They have a lot of business programs specific to brewing that offer scholarships, so the more members we have the more opportunities women in New Mexico will have to broaden that knowledge and take advantage of those scholarships that the national society offers.

Educational opportunities have included a forklift certification class for women, as well as opportunities to shadow women in the brewing industry.

The women in our society, especially a lot of students who are looking to gain as much experience as possible, Ive been scheduling them with other women in the industry to follow them around for a day, which has been really fun, Griego said. Our (quality assurance-quality control) tech, Mercedes, has done quite a few shadow days where different women have come into her lab and kind of followed her day-to-day quality-control processes. We have quite a few women interested in brewing, obviously, so our brew day will be a great opportunity for everyone who may want to see the process from beginning to end who may not have that experience and really get to shadow at Canteen and ask questions and get to do a lot of the work that goes into brewing beer every day.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 6, 2020 / Empress Resources Corp. ("Empress") (TSXV:EMPX) and Alto Ventures Ltd. ("Alto") (ATV) are pleased to announce they have executed a definitive agreement for a business combination which is to be effected pursuant to an arrangement under the Business Corporation Act (British Columbia) (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the Transaction:

Empress will be acquired by Alto, and former Empress shareholders will hold 52% of the issued and outstanding shares of the combined entity (" New Alto ").

"). Shares of Empress Royalty Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Empress, (" Empress Royalty ") will be distributed to shareholders of Alto and Empress. Former Empress shareholders will hold 52% of the outstanding common shares of Empress Royalty, and shareholders of Alto will hold 48% of such shares on completion of the Transaction.

") will be distributed to shareholders of Alto and Empress. Former Empress shareholders will hold 52% of the outstanding common shares of Empress Royalty, and shareholders of Alto will hold 48% of such shares on completion of the Transaction. As a result of the Transaction, New Alto will acquire $1.25 million of the approximate $1.5 million in cash currently held by Empress. Empress Royalty will receive $250,000 in cash from Empress and will receive from Alto 13 royalties and a portfolio of marketable securities with an approximate value of $250,000.

Following completion of the Transaction, Empress Royalty will carry on business as a royalty company, and New Alto will continue as an exploration company exploring the properties presently held by Alto.

It is intended that New Alto and Empress Royalty will each undertake a concurrent financing to provide them with funds to finance their respective operations and, in the case of New Empress, to fund potential future royalty acquisitions.

The New Alto financing will be a unit offering at a price of $0.10 per unit (after giving effect to a 5:1 share consolidation which New Alto intends to undertake in conjunction with the Transaction), with each unit consisting of one common share and one full warrant exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.20 for a term of two years. Use of proceeds will be for exploration of New Alto's mineral exploration properties. The terms of the Empress Royalty financing have not yet been determined.

Pursuant to the Transaction, Empress may acquire royalties or interests in royalties prior to the completion of the Transaction and may fund such acquisitions from the cash which it presently holds. Should this happen, Empress must undertake a financing to replace the cash which it expends on such acquisitions prior to the completion of the Transaction. Any royalties acquired by Empress prior to closing of the Transaction will be transferred to Empress Royalty in exchange for the issuance to Empress of that number of Empress Royalty shares equal to the cost of acquiring such royalties divided by $0.05, and these Empress Royalty shares will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the former Empress shareholders. In the event such financing occurs, the exchange ratio of Empress shares for Alto shares will be adjusted so former Empress shareholders will still hold 52% of New Alto on completion of the Transaction.

On completion of the Transaction: New Alto's Board of Directors will consist of Rick Mazur, Mike Bandrowski and three nominees of Empress. New Alto's CEO will be Mike Bandrowski and Mike Koziol will remain on the Advisory Board. Empress Royalty's Board of Directors will consist of six members, four of whom will be nominees of Empress, plus Rick Mazur and an additional nominee of Alto. Empress Royalty's CEO will be Alexandra Woodyer Sherron.

A finder's fee is payable by Alto to Mike Bandrowski of $37,500 cash and $37,500 in New Alto shares at a deemed price of 10 cents, subject to acceptance of the TSXV Exchange.

The Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and requires approval by the securityholders of Empress.

About New Alto

New Alto will retain and continue to explore its existing properties.

The Destiny project in Quebec hosts the DAC Gold Deposit, one of several mineralized zones along a six kilometre segment of the Despinassy shear which splays from the regionally extensive Chicobi Fault in the Abitibi subprovince. The DAC Deposit has Indicated Mineral Resources of 10.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.05 g/t gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of approximately 8.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.92 g/t gold using a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade. The estimated contained ounces in the Indicated category are 364,000 plus 247,000 ounces in the Inferred classification*. The gold mineralization is open to depth and along strike.

Alto has completed compilation of all drill, geophysical and geochemical data available for the project to determine if there are targets on the Destiny property that when drilled could significantly increase the gold resources on the project. In addition to the Gap and Darla zones along strike of the DAC deposit, the compilation work has identified three target areas for follow up drilling to the east and west along the Despinassy shear and to the south along an interpreted fold repetition of the favourable mineralized zone. In addition to gold, the Destiny property has high potential for VMS type deposits. Grades up to 5.79% copper, 3.42% zinc, 1.21 g/t gold and 117.0 g/t silver were intersected over 0.7 m core length at the DAC Deposit.

The Oxford Lake property is being explored for iron formation hosted gold mineralization. The Rusty Gold Deposit is hosted by iron formation and has a Historical Resource of 800,000 tonnes averaging 6 g/t gold and containing approximately 154,000 ounces of gold**. In 2012 the Company drilled hole RUS12-03 in the Blue Jay area, another iron-formation gold target approximately two kilometres on trend and to the east of the Rusty Deposit. RUS12-03 intersected two zones of high-grade gold mineralization: Zone One - 2.7 m averaging 6.7 g/t gold including 22.5 g/t gold over 0.5 m and Zone Two - 6.8 m averaging 5.7 g/t gold including 11.7 g/t gold over 1.6 m and 16.5 g/t gold over 1.0 m. Gold mineralization at both the Rusty Gold Deposit and the Blue Jay Zone is open along strike and to depth.

*The Resource Estimates were calculated consistent with guidelines set out in National Instrument 43-101 and filed on Sedar on March 7, 2011. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and by definition do not demonstrate economic viability.

**The Historical Resource was estimated in 1990 and a Qualified Person (QP), as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resources. Alto is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources, as defined by NI 43-101, and thus the historical estimate should not be relied upon.

About Empress Royalty

On closing of the Transaction, Empress Royalty will be an investment company focused on the royalties and streaming business. The initial royalties acquired from Alto pursuant to the Transaction will be the first step for Empress Royalty in building this business, providing Empress Royalty with a portfolio of 13 precious metal royalties on properties in Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Empress Royalty will seek to acquire additional royalties and streams on projects that are either cash producing or will be cash producing within a year.

Alto's President, Mike Koziol, P. Geo. is a qualified person under the provisions of NI 43-101 and approves the technical data and conclusions in this news release.

On behalf of Empress Resources Corp.

Per: Alexandra Woodyer Sherron,

President and CEO

On behalf of Alto Ventures Ltd.

Per: Richard Mazur,

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

Alexandra Woodyer Sherron,

President and CEO

Empress Resources Corp.

info@empressresources.com

Telephone: 604-331-2080

Rick Mazur, P. Geo.,

Chief Executive Officer

Alto Ventures Ltd.

mazur@altoventures.com

Telephone: 778-772-3100

This news release contains statements about Empress' and Altos' expectations regarding the Transaction which are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although Empress and Alto believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the Transaction not being approved by the shareholders of Empress or by the TSX Venture Exchange. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and Empress undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

SOURCE: Empress Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/579402/Empress-Resources-and-Alto-Ventures-Announce-Definitive-Agreement
Florida church says member diagnosed with coronavirus, asks for prayers

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A Florida church confirmed this week that a member is one of two people in the Tampa Bay area confirmed by the CDC to have tested positive for the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus. The church assured members of the public that the person's contact with other members of the congregation was minimal.

Based on all information we have been able to obtain, the person in question has not been on the church campus in the last two weeks. It has been over three weeks since this individual was on church property. Second, that most recent visit to our campus was not during a worship service, and very few people would have had any direct contact with this individual on the day in question, Parrish United Methodist Church in Florida announced in a statement on Facebook Wednesday.

Floridas surgeon general, Dr. Scott Rivkees, said at a news conference cited by Fox 13 that a woman in her 20s who tested positive in Hillsborough County recently traveled to northern Italy, where there is an outbreak of COVID-19. She is currently in stable condition and is in isolation at home.

A second patient, a man in his 60s from Manatee County, also contracted the disease but he did not recently travel to one of the areas identified by the CDC as at risk for infection, so they are still investigating how he got the virus. Rivkees said the man was hospitalized for pneumonia when he tested presumptive positive for coronavirus on Saturday evening.

"At the present time, it is not known how this individual was exposed to COVID-19," Rivkees said. "This is a rapidly evolving situation.

While it was not revealed which of the infected individuals attended Parrish UMC, pastor Chris Schmidt said he sent an email to both staff and members in the spirit of transparency. He also urged them to keep the identity of the individual confidential.

We do, however, ask you to join us in prayer for all those affected by this illness," Schmidt said in the email. "We will continue to take the steps necessary to provide a safe environment for our church family."

In all, Florida has monitored 795 people for coronavirus, with 184 people still being monitored now, Fox 13 said. Some 23 people have been tested for the virus.

So far, 11 deaths have been linked to the virus  one in California and the rest in the Seattle area  with 162 confirmed cases across the country, The New York Times reported. With new infections reported in New Jersey and Tennessee, the number of states with infected patients rose to 18.

Globally, more than 90,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus with more than 3,100 of them dying from the virus which currently has no vaccine and is described as deadlier than the flu.

With infections in Europe now passing 4,000 and rising fast, major conferences, trade shows, cultural events and sporting competitions have been canceled, The Times said, and officials only see things getting worse.
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Sumanth Raman

A few weeks ago there was a development in the CAA-NPR-NRC imbroglio that went relatively unnoticed. The Bihar Assembly passed a unanimous resolution saying that it would not implement the National Registration of Citizens (NRC) and wanted the National Population Register (NPR) to use the 2010 form, without the extra details proposed to be sought this year.

The significance of a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government passing such a resolution was not lost on the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which heads the NDA. While the jury is still out on whether Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar was playing an electoral stunt, with the assembly elections a few months away, he appears to have taken the BJP top leadership into confidence before moving the resolution as the BJP legislators supported it in the assembly. Kumars actions pushed some more states run by parties that supported the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament to follow suit.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Jaganmohan Reddy moved a Cabinet decision on similar lines. Both Reddy, and Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao have vowed to pass assembly resolutions to this effect. Even the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, which over the last couple of years has been considered one of the most loyal allies of the BJP, hinted that it was considering a resolution on similar lines.

With the Opposition and non-NDA-ruled states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, etc.) having already indicated their unwillingness to implement the NRC (with many passing assembly or Cabinet resolutions to this effect) and their willingness to use the 2010 NPR form, the BJP government at the Centre finds itself facing a stalemate.

Technically, and even legally, the Centre can go ahead with the NPR and later even the NRC by appointing its own officials in the states to oversee the process. Indeed they even amended the law to make this possible. However, practically both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah know that such a move is likely to be a non-starter. In the face of active non-cooperation from almost half the states, and with people in many regions (perhaps egged on by their local governments) unwilling to share information, it would seem that completing even the NPR in a comprehensive manner is unfeasible.

It is clear that some form of a compromise must be found. One option is that the states could support or at least drop their opposition to the CAA if the Centre drops the NRC and get the NPR done with the 2010 form. However, the Centre has stood its ground on all three saying there is no question of going back on the CAA, there has been no discussion as yet on the proposed NRC, and that the final draft of the NPR is yet to be decided.

The BJP believes that the present stand-off benefits it politically. It is seen to be standing firm on its core ideology, while at the same time it panders to its Hindutva base and deepens the polarisation that it believes will benefit it electorally. That the Opposition continues to be in disarray has further emboldened the BJP to stick to its guns. With no cogent action plan the Opposition will flounder and the war of attrition can be won. Or so the BJP believes.

That is why, it is speculated, the government has not chosen to reassure people by releasing the set of documents that would be needed for the NRC. If that was done and people, especially Muslims, saw that they werent at risk the protests could die down. After all, three months is sufficient time to decide at least the broad framework of the documents needed to establish citizenship.

The Government, should it choose to end the crisis, can agree to the 2010 NPR form and put out a list of acceptable documents for the NRC. That in itself will go a long way towards ending the protests. It will still be seen to be firm on the CAA and can claim that as a victory.

The damage that the CAA-NPR-NRC issue has done to Indias social fabric is significant. Whatever may have been the earlier demonising of some elements and a few organisations in the Muslim community as anti-national and even terrorists, there had not been at any time earlier a law that sought to exclude an entire community merely on the basis of its religion. The sense of injustice that has been made even worse after the Delhi riots is quite likely to leave an entire community sullen, angry and afraid. It will take enormous efforts to heal the wounds and erase the scars. That can begin only after a solution to the impasse is found  and there is no end in sight as yet.
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Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, March 6, 2020 15:27 675 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c9a88 1 Business Trade-Minister-Agus-Suparmanto,mask,coronavirus,COVID-19,price Free

The government has bared its fangs at manufacturers, threatening to revoke the licenses of any that attempt to restrict distribution with an intent to cause artificial scarcity and hike the price of face masks. It is taking the measure in a bid to control prices as the supply of face masks in the country plummets amid unusually high demand during the global coronavirus outbreak.

Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said on Thursday that the government would follow a three-step process in taking action against any manufacturers that attempt any unfair trade practices: a warning, followed by a sanction, and finally license revocation.

"We will have to revoke their business licenses [...] if they violate the trade and health laws," Agus said, adding that while a portion of masks would be confiscated from the errant manufacturer's stock as evidence, the rest would be distributed to fulfill domestic demand.

The minister's threat targets mask manufacturers that withhold the goods from distribution or produce low-quality masks for selling at marked-up prices to profiteer from the global emergency.

Countries around the world are seeing an inordinately high demand for face masks that has led to skyrocketing prices following fears of a global pandemic of COVID-19.

Read also: Kimia Farma puts in place mask and hand sanitizer rationing to ensure availability

Panic buying over the past two days has caused a surge in the price of face masks, both online and offline. A box of masks is now selling for Rp 300,000 (US$21) on average  a whopping 15-fold increase (1,500 percent) from the usual Rp 20,000 per box.

"We urge [mask producers] to increase production and fulfill domestic needs first, Agus said. We are calling on producers not to export [masks].

Meanwhile, National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) chief Insp. Gen. Listryo Sigit Prabowo said on Thursday that the department had made 30 arrests in 17 separate cases for allegedly hoarding masks and hand sanitizers.

Bareskrim had also confiscated 822 boxes containing 61,550 masks and 138 boxes of hand sanitizers.

The chief said that the Bareskrim team uncovered three of the alleged hoarding cases through Polda Metro Jaya (Jakarta metropolitan police), as well as two cases each in West Java and South Sulawesi and one case each in Central Java and the Riau Islands to total nine cases. They had also uncovered four other cases of alleged disinformation or hoaxes.

"We will continue to monitor [the situation] alongside the Trade Ministry to ensure the availability of masks and basic needs," Listyo said, adding that similar unethical business practices could violate the 2014 law on trade.

Article 107 of the law prohibits any practice that intentionally withholds a certain volume of critical or basic goods over a certain period of time during times of scarcity.

Read also: Police seize 350 boxes of face masks during raid on suspected hoarder in West Jakarta

At a press conference on Monday, National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) chairman Ardiansyah Parman pointed out that violators of the law could face up to five years in prison or be fined a maximum Rp 50 billion (US$ 3.53 million).

"Don't try to [exploit] opportunities when the public is experiencing difficulty," he said. "Empathize with them instead."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Meet Perseverance -- the newly named Mars 2020 rover.

NASA announced the new moniker Thursday, named by 13-year-old Alexander Mather -- who submitted the winning entry to the agencys Name the Rover essay contest.

The agency received 28,000 entries from kindergarten- to 12th-grade students from every U.S. state and territory.

Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASAs Science Mission Directorate, celebrated the name at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Va., where Alexander is a seventh-grader.

Alexs entry captured the spirit of exploration, said Zurbuchen. Like every exploration mission before, our rover is going to face challenges, and its going to make amazing discoveries. Its already surmounted many obstacles to get us to the point where we are today -- processing for launch. Alex and his classmates are the Artemis Generation, and theyre going to be taking the next steps into space that lead to Mars. That inspiring work will always require perseverance. We cant wait to see that nameplate on Mars.

Perseverance is the latest in a long line of Red Planet rovers to be named by school-aged children, from Sojourner in 1997 to the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which landed on Mars in 2004. The Curiosity rover has been exploring Mars since 2012. In each case, the name was selected following a nationwide contest.

The contest that resulted in the name Perseverance began on Aug. 28, 2019. Nearly 4,700 volunteer judges -- which included educators, professionals and space enthusiasts from across the country -- helped narrow the pool down to 155 semifinalists.

A second round of judging selected the nine finalist essays that were open to an online public poll before Zurbuchen made the final selection.

Alexander first gained an interest in space in 2018 when he visited Space Camp in Alabama. From his first glimpse of a Saturn V -- the rocket that launched the Apollo astronauts to the moon more than 50 years ago -- the student became a space enthusiast. He checked NASAs website daily, consumed astronaut autobiographies and even created flyable model rockets with a 3-D printer .

When the call went out to students to propose a name for the new Mars 2020 rover, Alexander said he knew he wanted to be involved.

This was a chance to help the agency that put humans on the moon and will soon do it again, he said. This Mars rover will help pave the way for human presence there, and I wanted to try and help in any way I could. Refusal of the challenge was not an option.

Along with forever being associated with the mission, Alexander will receive an invitation to travel with his family to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to witness the rover begin its journey when it launches this summer.

NASA also acknowledged the valuable contributions of semifinalists, whose entries were among the top ones considered.

They came so far, and their expressive submissions helped make this naming contest the biggest and best in NASA history, said Lori Glaze, director of NASAs Planetary Science Division. So, we decided to send them a little farther -- 314 million miles farther. All 155 semifinalists proposed rover names and essays have been stenciled onto a silicon chip with lines of text smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair and will be flown to Mars aboard the rover.

The Mars 2020 rover is currently located at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and is being prepared to launch this summer. It is a 2,300-pound robotics scientist that will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize Mars climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth and pave the way for human exploration of the planet. Its scheduled to land in the Jezero Crater on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021.

The Mars 2020 Rover could possibly launch as soon as July 17 -- but the launch window runs through Aug. 5.

The rover is part of a larger exploration program that includes missions to the moon to prepare for human missions to Mars. Charged with returning astronauts to the moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon by 2028 through NASAs Artemis program.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Mar. 05, 2020 | MASSAC COUNTY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 05, 2020 | 05:07 PM | MASSAC COUNTY

The Massac County Sheriff's Office is investigating two separate burglaries that took place last week.



On Saturday, deputies received a report of a burglary at a farm on Mt. Pleasant Road. Several items were reported missing, including generators, pressure washers, a welder, numerous hand tools, and a Cub Cadet mower. A Chevrolet truck was also reported missing.



The individual who had initially reported the burglary returned to check the property the next day and reportedly found three people on the property in the stolen truck. The suspects, described as three white males, tried to escape in the truck, but it got stuck on the property. The three men fled the area on foot.



Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects. However, the sheriff's office says that deputies recovered evidence that is being examined in an attempt to identify the three indiviuals.



In a separate incident, deputies were called to a residence on Deer Run Road near US Hwy 45 when a door was discovered open at the residence while the property owners were not at home. Two flat screen televisions, a computer monitor, a TV wall mount, and assorted state park coins were reported missing from the residence.



Anyone with information about these burglaries is asked to contact the Massac County Sheriff's Office at 618-524-2912.
Salwa, the toddler who laughed at sound of bombs in viral video, is in Turkey with her parents.

Antakya, Turkey  The floor is strewn with dolls and a miniature dinner set, with plastic grapes, cakes and eggs scattered around.

In the middle of it all, Salwa Mohammad sits on her heels, holding two plastic plates on top of each other before flipping them over.

Here is your maqloobeh, the three-year-old announces, referring to an upside-down dish of rice, vegetables and meat. In the corner of the room, her father, Abdullah Mohammad, laughs out loud.

Salwa hates being famous, said Abdullah. She finds it too constricting. Before, she was free to play whenever she wanted to. But now, with journalists wanting to meet her, she has to dress up and be in the same room as them.

Last month, a video of the father and daughter duo, from the city of Saraqeb in Syrias northwestern Idlib province, went viral after Abdullah taught Salwa a game to laugh at the sound of explosions dropping near their home as a way to combat trauma.

Is that a plane or a bomb? Abdullah asked in the video.





A shell. And when it falls, we will laugh, Salwa responded.

The family is now in Antakya, in Turkeys southern province of Hatay, after they crossed the Bab al-Hawa-Cilvegozu border crossing on February 25.

After the video went viral, a Turkish government media representative, who spoke Arabic, got in touch with me on WhatsApp, Abdullah explained. He asked for me and my familys identification papers and documents, and scheduled a day for us to cross the border.

The family is now staying with a relative.

Salwa doesnt really comprehend the changes, Abdullah said. Moving is like a game for her. Sometimes I cannot believe it myself. I didnt expect there to be such huge media interest in the video.

Abdullah posted the video on his WhatsApp status and a friend shared it on Twitter where it went viral. It made Abdullah realise that the videos appeal meant it did not need to be translated.

Its a universal language, where a little girl laughs at the sound of explosions to mask her fear, he said.

You can tell in the video where theres a second that Salwa looks frightened, and looks at me from the corner of her eye before she continues to laugh.

L ive a life as normal as possible

Death, misery, suffering, pulling a child out from under the rubble  Abdullah said none of these are considered important any more.

If Salwa cried in the video instead of laughing, it would not have been shared widely, because that is the expected reaction.

Sometimes Salwa asks her mother when can she go to her grandfathers house and play with her cousins, he said. The rest of their extended family remained in Idlib.

She also asks when she can sleep in her bed again in our house in Saraqeb. This bothers my wife and I a lot, as she gets upset when we tell her we cant go back.

Salwa and her family were forced to flee Saraqeb in northwest Syria [Linah Alsaafin/Al Jazeera]

Immediately, Salwa drops her toys and says: I want to see Roaa.

Roaa is her cousin, Abdullah said. He turns to Salwa and said: Roaa is in Syria, baba.

Salwa starts crying. I want Roaa!

Abdullah gathers Salwa in his lap.

Roaa is in Baraas house. In a few days, we will go visit them. How about we talk to them on the phone? Once they get their internet back well talk to Roaa, I promise.

Abdullahs family was forced to move from Saraqeb  which is now under the control of Syrian government forces  to Sarmada and Al Dana near the Turkish border.

Both the regime and the rebel groups, by shooting at each other and engaging in battles, have destroyed Saraqeb, Abdullah said. If someone had a house there, its most likely gone by now. Living there is not possible now.

If the fighting stopped now, he added, it would take at least a year for things to get close to being normal and for people to rebuild their lives.

We have started our lives over here in Antakya, he said. The first thing I need to do is to find a job, but my priority is to put Salwa in a nursery so that she can have friends and start learning, and live a life as normal as possible.

Nearly one million people have been internally displaced within Idlib, the last rebel stronghold, since the Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, intensified their military operation to retake the province last December.

The United Nations has described it as the worst humanitarian crisis in Syrias nine-year war, and said more than 300 civilians have also been killed, including at least 100 children.

As fighting escalated between the Syrian government forces and Turkish backed opposition groups, with Turkey downing at least three Syrian planes last week, a ceasefire was finally agreed upon on Thursday between presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladmir Putin.

No one expected the war to go on for this long, Abdullah sighed. And its still not over yet.

Its no longer about removing Bashar al-Assad from power. Hes not that important. Its obvious that he is nothing but a puppet of geopolitical interests in the country. Even if he does go, someone will replace him.

For decades, our issue has been about the tight fist of security, he said. Id go back to Syria in a heartbeat but only if everything is over. Finished, he stressed, saying the word in English.

But for now, he is grateful for Turkeys role in offering his daughter a safer life, one full of possibilities and hope that otherwise could not be found in Idlib.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-07 06:23:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BOGOTA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian Ministry of Health confirmed on Friday the country's first case of COVID-19.

The 19-year-old patient recently arrived in Bogota from Milan, Italy.

The Ministry of Health said in a release that the patient went to a local health center after presenting symptoms related to COVID-19.

The National Institute of Health announced that at this time, the preparation phase for confronting the new coronavirus ended and the protocol for containing the virus in the country has been activated.
A federal judge in the District of Columbia sharply criticized Attorney General William Barr Thursday for a lack of candor," questioning Barr's truthfulness in his handling of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller III. Read more

WASHINGTON  A federal judge in the District of Columbia sharply criticized Attorney General William Barr on Thursday for a lack of candor, questioning the truthfulness of the nations top law enforcement official in his handling of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller III.

U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton, overseeing a lawsuit brought by EPIC, a watchdog group, and BuzzFeed News, said he saw serious discrepancies between Barr's public statements last year about Mueller's findings and the public, partially redacted version of that report.

Because of those discrepancies, Walton ruled, the judge would review by himself an unredacted version of the Mueller report to see if the Justice Department's redactions were appropriate.

"In the Court's view, Attorney General Barr's representation that the Mueller Report would be 'subject only to those redactions required by law or by compelling law enforcement, national security, or personal privacy interests' cannot be credited without the Court's independent verification in light of Attorney General Barr's conduct and misleading public statements about the findings in the Mueller Report," Walton wrote.

Mueller's lengthy, two-part report detailed the findings of his investigation into whether anyone on the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election, and whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct that investigation.

A spokeswoman for Barr declined to comment on the judge's ruling.

Walton's decision is another indication of the growing concern among federal judges in Washington about politicization at the Justice Department.

Last month, another federal judge in the same courthouse, Amy Berman Jackson, sentenced President Trumps longtime friend Roger Stone to more than three years in prison, following an internal fight between Barr, his deputies, and career prosecutors over what sentence to recommend in that case.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Three convention groups have cancelled their conferences in Orlando, Florida, the most visited U.S. destination, but individual leisure travel appears to be unaffected by fears about the new coronavirus, local officials said Thursday.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said at a news conference that the cancellations of the three conventions represented a local economic impact of $154 million.

No case of the new coronavirus has been detected in the county. The nearest case in Florida was at least 65 miles (100 kilometres) away in the Tampa area.

The biggest hit was from the cancellation of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Societys meeting next week since it was expected to draw 43,000 attendees, Demings said.

Earlier in the week, several large exhibitors had said they wouldnt attend the conference. President Donald Trump and several administration health officials had been expected to speak at the convention.

Based on evaluation of evolving circumstances and co-ordination with an external advisory panel of medical professionals to support evidence-based decision making, it is clear that it would be an unacceptable risk to bring so many thousands of people together in Orlando next week, said Half Wolf, the societys president and CEO.

Earlier this week, Ellucian Live said on its website that it would no longer hold its April meeting at the Orange County Convention Center because of growing concerns over the coronavirus. It was supposed to attract 8,500 visitors. Officials said the technology conference for higher education officials instead would be conducted virtually.

Demings said a Minecraft conference involving 15,000 video game enthusiasts also was cancelled.

Leisure travel doesnt appear to be impacted, Demings said. Orange County is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. It attracts some 75 million visitors a year, making it the most visited destination in the U.S.

Our leisure travellers continue to come to Orange County to enjoy our theme parks, and all that we have to offer, Demings said. We want to emphasize that we in Orange County are open for business.
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw man has received jail time and a ban from several big box stores after prosecutors alleged he had been sexually assaulting strangers.

Saginaw County Chief Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson on Thursday, March 5, sentenced 41-year-old Anthony D. Sangster to six months in the county jail with credit for two days served, to be followed by six months on a Michigan Department of Corrections electronic tether. He also prohibited Sangster from visiting area Target, Meijer, Michaels, and T.J. Maxx stores.

Jackson granted Sangster work release while hes in jail and ordered he be at home from the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. He also ordered Sangster move from his current residence within 90 days.

Before sentence was imposed, defense attorney Alan A. Crawford said his client is embarrassed and ashamed of his actions. He added hes refrained from criminal activity for 10 years and that all of his prior crimes were related to drugs, describing his most recent offenses as an aberration.

My client wants to get help, he wants to move on from this, and he never wants to engage in this behavior again, Crawford said.

I know itd be hard for me to get my life back on track if I were incarcerated or anything like that, Sangster told the judge. Id like to prove myself as a citizen, move forward, and be a better man for me and my family.

Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Brooke N. Kozlowski said that while no victims were present to give a statement, one had written one that had been provided to the court.

Sangster in January pleaded no contest to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The charge is limited to touching and is a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years incarceration.

In exchange for his plea, the prosecution dismissed two more counts of the same charge as well as a count of disorderly person-obscene.

Sangster entered his plea the day before his trial was to begin.

By pleading no contest as opposed to guilty, Sangster did not admit to having committed crimes. Jackson relied on documents to enter a conviction on the record.

The first of three reported incidents occurred on March 30 at Michaels, an arts and crafts supply store at 3437 Tittabawassee Road. Prosecutors previously said a clothed man thrust himself against two women who were shopping at the store.

The women reported the incident to police, but their assailant had fled before officers arrived.

On May 28, a man was following some women around the T.J. Maxx at 3421 Tittabawassee Road. He thrust himself against a woman, prosecutors alleged.

The third incident occurred July 16, again at T.J. Maxx. This time, a man followed women and a 12-year-old girl around the store, at one point putting his hand into his pants, prosecutors alleged. He did not touch anyone.

Police arrived during the third incident while the man, identified as Sangster, was still present and stopped him, prosecutors have said. Investigators then built their case against Sangster involving the prior incidents.

Coincidentally, the woman in the second incident was in the business at the time of the third occurrence and recognized Sangster as her previous assailant, prosecutors alleged.

The charge to which Sangster pleaded relates to the third incident.

Judge Jackson gave Sangster until 9 a.m. on Friday, March 6, to report to the jail. He warned him that if he fails to appear, he should expect to serve 34 months in prison.

Related:

Man accused of assaulting women at Saginaw Township businesses takes plea
Oil prices tumbled on Friday as OPEC and its Russia-led non-OPEC allies failed to agree on deeper cuts, Bloomberg and Reuters report.

OPEC failed to agree on a deal, two OPEC sources told Reuters, while Bloombergs Jessica Summers tweeted that OPEC talks with allies end without a deal.

The OPEC Secretariat moments later Tweeted that the formal OPEC meeting had just begun, confusing markets as to what had actually transpired.

At 9:20 a.m. EST on Friday, both WTI Crude and Brent Crude prices were tumbling by more than 7 percent, after the coronavirus outbreak unraveled the OPEC+ coalition that had tried to support and stabilize oil prices since the beginning of 2017.

On Friday, Russia continued to refuse to back any deeper cuts from the OPEC+ coalition, as proposed by OPEC on Thursday.

Yesterday, OPEC ministers met and recommended that the OPEC+ partners extend the current cuts through the end of 2020 and deepen those cuts by 1.5 million bpd in Q2 in response to the slump in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Later on Thursday, OPEC ministers met again and decided that the 1.5 million bpd additional cut should not be only for Q2 but for the rest of 2020 as well.

Russia has taken this arm twisting not too well, and as its Energy Minister Alexander Novak returned to Vienna on Friday, he began bilateral consultations with several non-OPEC partners and with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

The bilateral talks extended in the afternoon, and the OPEC+ meeting which was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Vienna time was delayed with hours.

Now it looks like the two most powerful producers at the table, Saudi Arabia for OPEC and Russia for non-OPEC, didnt want to budge from their respective positions. Russia refused to cut deeper, while OPEC was signaling that it wont cut without Russia on board.

The no-deal outcome of the meeting was the least likely scenario the market and analysts had expected, and oil prices tumbled to their lowest levels since mid-2017 as reports emerged that there will not be a deal this time around.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
CHEYENNE  State lawmakers killed a budget amendment Wednesday afternoon that would have allowed eligible legislators to expense the cost of childcare, defeating another proposal this year intended to increase diversity in the Wyomings citizen legislature.

Introduced by Rep. Cathy Connolly, D-Laramie, the amendment sought to provide an option for young lawmakers who often find themselves needing to choose between raising their families and public service. Currently, just a handful of state lawmakers in the House and Senate are under the age of 40 with children and, as Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, noted in debate on the bill, many lawmakers over the years have resigned from their posts after having a child, counting four who had done so in his tenure alone.

The amount of money [in this amendment] is tiny, Connolly said to colleagues Wednesday. But it sends a message that the concept is good, and that we can make it a reality. So lets make it work, at least for two years.
The Pancreatic Cancer Collective, the strategic partnership of Lustgarten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), has awarded additional funding of up to $16 million to four teams of top researchers as part of its "New Therapies Challenge Grants," the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Scientific Partner of SU2C, announced today.

The additional support builds on a first round of funding announced in November 2018. These four teams originally received up to $1 million each to pursue preclinical work over 13 months, including several projects seeking to repurpose drugs approved for other uses for their potential to treat pancreatic cancer. These teams demonstrated the most promising preliminary results to allow them to take potential therapies into clinical trials. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of about 9 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute.

"These 'Challenge Grants' seeking new treatments for pancreatic cancer are working exactly as intended," said Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, the Nobel laureate and MIT scientist who serves as chair of the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee. "These are important new investigations that have the potential to save lives with new approaches to therapy."

Each team will receive up to $4 million over a three-year term for the studies focused on clinical trials.

We are impressed by the results of the first round. Under this phased 'Challenge Grant' approach, teams are accelerating pre-clinical work and we are very eager to take the next step to bring new applications for pancreatic cancer treatment to clinical studies." David A. Tuveson, MD, PhD, chief scientist of the Lustgarten Foundation and director of the cancer center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York

"It is gratifying to see the initial success of the New Therapies Challenge project, which we created to accelerate the research process and bring improved treatment options to patients," said Kerri Kaplan, president and CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation. "Through the Pancreatic Cancer Collective, these two leading cancer organizations have demonstrated the strength of collaboration. We are excited for the potential for breakthroughs in effective pancreatic cancer treatments and, eventually, a cure for this deadly disease."

The AACR will support the administration of these projects receiving funding for the second round, including:

Targeting SHP2 in Pancreatic Cancer: Team leader: Rene Bernards, PhD, Netherlands Cancer Institute; co-leaders: Hana Algul, MD, PhD, Technical University of Munich, and Emile E. Voest, MD, PhD, Netherlands Cancer Institute. The team focuses on pancreatic tumors that have a mutation in the KRAS gene and has conducted preclinical testing of drug combinations that inhibit certain proteins in the malignant cells. In the second stage, the team will move into a phase I/Ib clinical trial to test the combination of SHP2 inhibitors (RMC4630) and ERK inhibitors (LY3214996). The results are expected to lay the basis for a phase II clinical trial.

Exploiting DNA Repair Gene Mutations in Pancreatic Cancer: Team leader: Alan D'Andrea, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; co-leader: James Cleary, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The team has been seeking to evaluate DNA repair inhibitors and improve the use of PARP inhibitors, which interfere with the ability of cancerous cells to increase in number. The team's preclinical data suggests that combining gemcitabine with inhibitors that target regulatory proteins involved in DNA repair could be an effective therapy in platinum-resistant pancreatic cancer. Based on these laboratory findings, the team is developing three pancreatic cancer clinical trials testing gemcitabine-based combinations: gemcitabine/ATR inhibitor BAY1895344; gemcitabine/CHK1 inhibitor LY2880070; and gemcitabine/WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775. The most promising combinations will be identified for potential validation in larger trials.

Immunotherapy Targeting Mutant KRAS (mKRAS): Leader: Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania; co-leaders: Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, and Beatriz Carreno, PhD, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The team is developing an immunological approach to target mutations in the molecule KRAS, an underlying cause of most cases of pancreatic cancer. In the first round of funding, the team used innovative strategies in bioinformatics, biochemistry, and cell biology to identify specific mKRAS protein sequences that can be recognized by T cells. They then isolated a series of molecular receptors that enable T cells to home in on cancer cells expressing mKRAS. Based on these findings, the team is conducting two different clinical trials with novel vaccines aimed at triggering mKRAS immune responses in patients with resected pancreatic cancer. In round two of funding, the team plans to use the most promising T-cell receptor identified and conduct a clinical trial of engineered T-cell therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Molecularly Targeted Radionuclide Therapy via the Integrin v?6; Team Leader: Julie Sutcliffe, PhD, University of California Davis; co-leader: Richard Bold, MD, University of California Davis. The team has been working to develop a peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) that involves homing in on a protein called integrin v6, a cell surface receptor that can be found in pancreatic cancers. The team has synthesized in the laboratory a pair of related peptide constructs that are tagged with two different radiolabels. One radiolabel facilitates the imaging of pancreatic cancer lesions in patients that can more likely benefit from the PRRT. The other radiolabel can facilitate the killing of the pancreatic cancer cells. The team has obtained promising results in the laboratory testing of the peptide constructs. In the second round of funding, the team will conduct a phase 1, first-in-human study to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the two peptide constructs. The study will determine if one construct can detect lesions in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer; establish the safety and tolerability of the pair; evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of the second construct; and, using pre-clinical models, establish an optimal dosing regimen.

The Lustgarten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer have collaborated closely since 2012, jointly funding more than 400 investigators from nearly 70 leading research centers in the United States and the United Kingdom. These efforts include 18 multi-institutional teams, including Convergence Teams bringing together computational experts with clinical oncologists, and cancer interception -- research supporting the earliest diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, even before the cancer may have fully formed. All told, these collaborative teams have planned, started, or completed nearly 30 clinical trials. The Pancreatic Cancer Collective is building on this momentum to push the boundaries of what can be accomplished even further.
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A doctor spearheading the search for a coronavirus vaccine today said it is the most frightening thing he has ever encountered and far more deadly than flu - as he revealed fighting it will be like a war.

Dr Richard Hatchett, who heads up the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said governments need to adopt an 'aggressive' response to tackle the virus as he revealed it could take between 12-18 months to develop a vaccine and cost 1.5bn ($2bn).

It comes as Boris Johnson urged Britons to brace for 'substantial disruption' that could last months as he pumped 46million into a coronavirus vaccine and testing kits as a second Briton is confirmed dead.

In total, 164 people have tested positive for Covid-19, up from 115 cases reported at the same time on Thursday as Norther Ireland confirmed its fourth case this evening.

Two people have died from the virus on British soil so far with the most recent, a grandfather in his early 80s, revealed to have died at Milton Keynes Hospital after he was admitted on March 3 with suspected pneumonia. He had recently returned from a cruise where he had visited several countries.

On Thursday evening another patient, reported to be a woman in her 70s, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with Covid-19 while at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Dr Hatchett said that what we are seeing is a virus that is 'many many times more lethal than flu' and a population that is 'completely vulnerable to it' as he fears it might explode further across the globe and the UK.

He cited a quote from a World Health Organisation official who returned from China and described the situation as 'like a war'.

Dr Hatchett said: 'I dont think it is a crazy analogy to compare this to World War II. The World Health Organisation is using those kinds of terms. They have seen what this virus is capable of doing.'

Speaking to Channel 4 News, he said: 'I've been working on epidemic preparedness for about 20 years and completely dispassionately without elevating the temperature or speaking hyperbolically.

'This is the most frightening disease I've ever encountered in my career, and that includes Ebola, it includes MERS and it includes SARS.

'I think the most concerning thing about this virus is the combination of infectiousness and the ability to cause severe disease or death.'

Dr Richard Hatchett (pictured), the boss of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said we need to be prepared to go to war on the virus

European visitors cautiously travel on the Victoria Line on Friday as coronavirus spreads across the United Kingdom

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson washes his hands during a visit to the Mologic Laboratory in the Bedford technology Park, north of London today

Today, March 6, saw the biggest one-day jump in the number of people confirmed to have the coronavirus  there were 47 new cases, bringing the UK's new total from 116 to 164

Dr Hatchett leads the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations  a partnership of governments, industry and charities, created three years ago to fight emerging diseases that threaten global health  is already sponsoring four Covid-19 vaccine projects .

He praised the Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and says he and his colleagues are doing a good job in the circumstances. But what concerns him the most is the infectiousness of COVID 19 combined with its mortality rate.

He added: 'We have seen very lethal viruses, we have seen certainly Ebola or Nipah or any of the other diseases that CEPI, the organisation that I run, works on.

'These viruses have high mortality rates, I mean, Ebola's mortality rate in some places is greater than 80%. But they don't have the infectiousness that this virus has. They don't have the potential to explode and spread globally.'

He said we had not seen a virus like it since the 1918 Spanish flu which is estimated to have killed between 50 million and 100 million people.

Dr Hatchett said coronavirus has the 'potential to cause a global pandemic if we're not already there'.

He added: I do think the virus has demonstrated that it has a lethality that is likely many fold higher than normal flu.'

Looking at how it has spread across the world, he said: 'Singapore and Hong Kong did not shut themselves down but they have mounted very aggressive responses. Contact tracing is very important. The voluntary quarantine of contacts is very important. The isolation of cases is important. I think there may be a time to close schools.'

His comments come as a funding boost - which is coming from the UK's international development aid budget - brings the British Government's commitment up to a total of 91million.

However, Mr Johnson warned that even with the extra resources a vaccine will not be ready for another year.

Number 10's top scientist today admitted the killer virus is spreading in the UK  the World Health Organization says it has been for several days.

A woman wears a surgical mask while walking through Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London today

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pictured at a laboratory in Bedford as he announces a major Government investment in efforts to produce a vaccine

A further 47 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the UK today  36 in England and 11 in Scotland  bringing the total to 164 from just 51 on Wednesday

As coronavirus fears grip Briton, the latest developments include:

Retailers in the UK started to disinfect customers entering their stores as fears around the coronavirus continue to escalate;

Health Secretary Matt Hancock faced demands to say how the government plans to stop coronavirus panic buying  as members of the public told him it is a real problem;

Around half of British coronavirus patients are recovering at home after the Government said there was no need for people with mild symptoms to be kept in hospital. 18 people have recovered already;

A Costco in south London was 'disinfecting' customers at the front door and Public Health England has urged the public to prepare to work from home;

Britons who feel ill after returning home from any part of Italy now told to self-isolate for two weeks to stop the spread of coronavirus, in a dramatic ramping up of Government advice;

More than 100 Britons are stranded on board a cruise ship off the coast of California where medics are testing passengers for coronavirus;

An unnamed Coronation Street actor will return to work after two weeks in isolation which they took as a precaution following a holiday abroad;

More than 1,200 people working in London's Canary Wharf business district were evacuated from the US company S&P Global Platts yesterday after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus;

A 43-year-old British man has been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Bangkok, Thailand, after travelling there from Hong Kong, local authorities have confirmed;

World Health Organization and Chinese scientists published statistics showing men are 65 per cent more likely than women to die from coronavirus;

The Vatican reported its first case of the coronavirus, days after Pope Francis tested negative for the deadly infec tion;

Coronavirus has now infected more than 100,000 people worldwide as the head of the World Health Organization warned the outbreak is 'not a drill';

The global death toll from coronavirus could reach 15million and $2.3trillion (1.77tn) could be wiped off the global economy in the case of a pandemic, said the Australian National University;

Hollywood is taking a hit as the release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, has been pushed back, film festivals have been cancelled and filming of a live-action remake of Mulan has been put-on hold;

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be held in empty stadiums amid fears large groups of people would trigger an outbreak, according to reports of a meeting between the World Health Organization and sports federation medical officers.

Meanwhile, the government has been stepping up its response amid fears it is now only a matter of how long before a mass outbreak in this country.

Families are being urged to consider how they will cope if they need to go into quarantine at home, or keep vulnerable friends and relatives away from the danger of infection.

Drug made out of the BLOOD of recovered patients is developed in hunt for a vaccine Scientists are getting closer to being able to treat the coronavirus using blood from patients who have recovered. A drug-maker in Japan is already developing a drug using parts of the immune system taken from people who have caught the virus and recovered from it. The treatment works, in theory, by putting disease-fighting proteins from recovered patients into people still battling the illness. The sick patients' bodies can then use these proteins  called antibodies  as if they were there own, instead of having to make them from scratch. It has been used to tackle Ebola in the past but it could take more than one recovered patient to treat a single sick person, so will not be used for everyone. Chinese hospitals have said they are using the therapy already but only on their own patients  there is no mass-produced drug or supply of it. The Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda is working on developing the immune system therapy, Stat News reported. It is called 'plasma-derived therapy' because it will be based on the blood plasma of people who have recovered from the coronavirus. Plasma is the liquid which carries blood cells, nutrients and hormones through the blood vessels, and makes up around half of all blood. It also carries antibodies, which are proteins the body makes to destroy bacteria or viruses when they cause an infection. If somebody has never been exposed to a virus or bacteria before  as is the case for everyone who catches the coronavirus  they do not have any antibodies and they become ill during the time it takes their body to make them. Injecting them with antibodies from someone who has already made them saves time and helps the patient to fight off the illness faster. The World Health Organization said plasma-derived therapy was a 'very important area' and Dr Greg Poland, from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, said it was 'definitely worth trying'. Advertisement

Speaking on a visit to a research lab in Bedfordshire, Mr Johnson said: 'It looks to me as though there will be a substantial period of disruption when we have to deal with this outbreak.

'How big that will be, how long that will be, I think, is still an open question.

'But, clearly, it is something we are going to have to deal with for quite a while in the UK.'

Scientists at Imperial College London, and at pharmaceutical companies in the US, have revealed they're planning to start human trials as early as next month.

But the Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said one won't be ready before the current global outbreak is over.

The money will also go towards developing on-the-spot tests for the coronavirus, which will allow people to be tested at home, saving time and NHS resources.

Global human trials of eight possible vaccines could start later this year, but firms would then face the task of mass-producing and distributing them.

Public Health England has developed methods of testing for coronavirus, but more rapid tests are needed as these currently rely on samples being sent to a lab.

At present it takes more than a day for someone's test result to be confirmed and they have to be analysed in high-profile laboratories. Tests have to be done multiple times to avoid false positives.

The package announced by the PM comes under the 'research' phase of the Government's four-stage 'battle plan' to contain, delay, mitigate and research coronavirus.

Downing Street said the UK's investment into COVID-19 vaccine research is now worth 65 million, with 91 million in total for international work to stop the spread of the virus.

Chief scientific adviser to the Government, Sir Patrick Vallance, admitted there isn't time to make and distribute a vaccine during this outbreak, but that developing one would be useful for the future.

Some scientists expect the virus to become a regular fixture in human health  potentially a seasonal illness like flu  now that it has spread so widely.

Sir Patrick said: 'Rapid testing is going to be key to managing this outbreak, but ultimately vaccines are going to provide the long-term protection we need.

'The UK has some of the world's leading scientists and this money will help in our fight to tackle this new disease.'

But, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he added: 'I don't think we will get the vaccine for this outbreak.

'I don't think we'll get something in time or at scale for this outbreak.'

Discussing the new cases in an interview with Sky News he added: 'This is a global epidemic and we would expect to see more cases in the UK. This is the start of an outbreak clearly.

'We are in the position now where we have got person-to-person transmission of this in the UK and therefore we can expect more cases.

'This is now outbreaks in the community where we have got some individuals that we dont know where it has come from.

'That tells you that something is circulating, we are definitely in that phase.'

Passengers wear surgical masks as they board a British Airways flight from Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport today

Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's chief scientific adviser, said a vaccine would not be ready to use during the course of this outbreak (Pictured, Sir Patrick, right, with Boris Johnson and Professor Chris Whitty at a Government briefing this week)

Shelves which normally stock hand gels and soaps are seen stripped bare at Asda in Chandler's Ford, Southampton  companies producing the sanitisers say they are ramping up production because of 'exceptional demand'

Mr Johnson visited a laboratory in Bedfordshire today to announce the funding boost

CORONAVIRUS VACCINES 'COULD START HUMAN TRIALS NEXT MONTH' The first human trials of a coronavirus vaccine are expected to begin next month at a university in London and pharmaceutical company in the US. Scientists at Imperial College in the English capital have been trialling their attempt at a vaccine on animals since mid-February. And they could move onto human trials  the last phase of development before a drug can be used  as soon as April. Meanwhile, US pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Inovio have also said they plan to start their own human trials next month. The coronavirus, which causes a disease called COVID-19 and has infected more than 94,000 people around the world, cannot currently be cured or prevented. People who catch it have to be isolated and wait for their body to fight off the illness, with medical help if they need it for symptoms or more serious infection. A working vaccine could stop the bug in its tracks  some experts think it could become a permanent fixture in human society in the same way colds and flu are. Imperial College has been working on its vaccine since the middle of January when Chinese scientists released the genetic information about the virus. If low-level human trials are successful, the researchers will then move on to testing the vaccine in the real world where people are at risk of infection. Passing all those tests could mean the vaccine is available to the public as early as next year. US pharmaceutical company, Inovio, said it could have a million doses available by the end of the year and Moderna said it will also start human trials in April with aims of fast development. Speaking on a podcast, Imperial College scientist Professor Robin Shattock said his team and others are creating vaccines 'at a speed that's never been realised before'. He said: 'Most vaccines would take five years in the discovery phase and at least one to two years to manufacture and get into clinical trials. Advertisement

Mr Johnson spoke to scientists at the Mologic lab, which is ramping up efforts to provide more testing in people's homes.

This will mean patients can receive treatment more quickly at home, reducing the risk of them passing the virus to others by going outdoors.

Any rapid diagnostic test could also be sent to other countries with no lab capability or whose medical facilities are not as advanced.

A new test will therefore be jointly manufactured in the UK and Senegal.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said: 'Keeping the British people safe is my number one priority, and that's why I've set out our four-part plan to contain, delay, mitigate and research coronavirus.

'We are ensuring the country is prepared for the current outbreak, guided by the science at every stage. But we also need to invest now in researching the vaccines that could help prevent future outbreaks.

'I'm very proud that UK experts  backed by government funding  are on the front line of global efforts to do just that.'

Speaking to reporters, Mr Johnson added: 'What we are announcing today is a 46 million package of investment in UK science which will in time deliver a vaccine  some say in about a year  but also help us to have rapid test kits that anyone can use quickly and effectively to tell whether they have coronavirus.'

The UK has committed to spending 0.7 per cent of national income - around 14billion a year - on foreign aid.

But many Tory MPs believe the funding should be targeted at home, and complain that fixing the level of spending encourages waste.

There are international rules that dictate what can be classed as aid spending, but the government believes developing a vaccine falls within them.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night faced demands to say how the government plans to stop coronavirus panic buying - as members of the public told him it is a real problem.

The Health Secretary tried to reassure the public on BBC Question Time after an audience member complained that supplied of toilet roll, pasta and paracetamol were running short in supermarkets.

But Mr Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour' and insisted the government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases continues to grow.

Experts have warned the virus is now being transmitted between Britons, with the government's focus shifting to delaying the spread rather than preventing it altogether.

Two BA baggage handlers have been infected with coronavirus, it was confirmed today. Pictured is a file photo

Travellers have today been left fearing they may have unknowingly caught the coronavirus after two baggage handlers at London Heathrow tested positive for the killer infection

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together.We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

Travellers have today been left fearing they may have unknowingly caught the coronavirus after two baggage handlers at London Heathrow tested positive for the killer infection.

After health officials confirmed two British Airways baggage handlers were infected, one anxious traveller asked: 'How many passengers have been infected?'

Fears have been raised the virus could have passed onto passengers' luggage, where it could survive for up to three days. Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world and tens of thousands of travellers pass through the airport every day.

Public Health England said neither patient worked while showing any symptoms but it is not clear if they had handled luggage before becoming ill. Scientists fear patients who don't have a cough or fever  tell-tale signs of the infection  can still be contagious but it has not yet been definitively proven.

Anxious Britons have resorted to wearing gas masks and blankets on public transport in desperate attempts to protect themselves as the coronavirus continues its rampant spread across the UK, while supermarkets up and down the country have again been left bare amid rushes to stockpile household goods such as hand soap, nappies and dried foods like pasta and rice.

Facebook has closed its London offices for the weekend because an employee from Singapore was diagnosed with the coronavirus after visiting the English headquarters between February 24 and 26.

Furious doctors have warned the lack of spare beds in the NHS 'will end in death' and an ex-government worker claimed a coronavirus crisis in the UK 'would be quite useful' in killing off NHS bed blockers.

The Government's investment will contribute to its 'research' phase of the coronavirus action plan Mr Johnson launched at Downing Street earlier this week

Hospital patient in his 80s is feared to be Britain's second coronavirus death A hospital patient in his 80s with underlying health conditions is feared to have become Britain's second coronavirus death. The unnamed man is thought to have succumbed to the illness at Milton Keynes University Hospital last night. He had tested positive for the killer virus once already but the NHS must carry out further tests to confirm the case and rule out a false positive, MailOnline understands. Fellow patients and hospital staff on his ward have been isolated this morning and a deep clean has been carried out. Health officials are now tracking down anyone who had been in contact with the patient and will test them for the highly contagious illness. The man has tested positive once for coronavirus, but a patient must have three positive results for it to be considered accurate. Today services at MK Hospital are running as normal. The hospital has been contacted for comment. Advertisement

In an interview with ITV news, Mr Hancock said: 'I'm very sorry to hear the news of a second death here in the UK of somebody with coronavirus. Again, it was was somebody who was older and had underlying health conditions.

'My condolences go out to the family and to his loved ones. We are working round the clock to keep people safe and to make sure we get the best possible response in this country.'

The unidentified man, a grandfather in his 80s, who had underlying health conditions passed away at Milton Keynes University Hospital after testing positive for the killer coronavirus.

He tested positive for the virus this morning. Further tests confirmed he had the infection.

Fellow patients and hospital staff on his ward were isolated and a deep clean has been carried out. Health officials are now tracking down anyone who had been in contact with the patient.

The first death on British soil, a woman in her 70s who also had long-term health troubles, was recorded last night at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

The first Briton to die was an elderly patient who caught the virus on the doomed Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined off the coast of Japan after hundreds of holidaymakers tested positive.

The elderly and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are believed to be the most vulnerable from the virus because they have weakened immune systems, meaning the virus is more likely to cause complications and attack their organs.

It comes after British Airways confirmed two baggage handlers tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the deadly infection. Both are in isolation at home.

Both men worked at London Heathrow airport, which said 'the welfare of our passengers and colleagues is our top priority'. Bloomberg reports some of the handlers' colleagues are also being tested.

Coronavirus fears have already prompted BA to cancel all of its flights to China until April, slashed the number of its services to Europe and New York, and scrapped fees for customers to change bookings at the start of March.

After BA confirmed two cases in baggage handlers  who it is feared could have unwittingly spread the virus onto luggage  the Department of Health in England announced 47 more patients had been struck down, including five in Scotland.

Boris Johnson visiting a lab in Bedford today and washing his hands as part of a campaign to encourage members of the public to do the same

BA did not reveal where the baggage handler worked, but Heathrow said in a statement: 'The welfare of our passengers and colleagues is our top priority. Pictured are passengers at Terminal 5 wearing masks today

Fears may now be raised that the BA baggage handlers could pass on the virus, which England's chief medical officer said can stay contagious on plastic for three days

'It's going to end in deaths': Doctors rip into the NHS ability to cope with a coronavirus crisis A lack of beds and equipment in the NHS during the coronavirus 'will end in death', furious doctors have warned. In a New York Times article that was scathing of the NHS, British clinicians sounded the alarm about there not being enough ventilators or intensive care beds to cope with the crisis. Elderly and frail patients will be denied lifesaving care because people with better chances of surviving will be prioritised, they warned. Dr George Priestley, an intensive care doctor in Yorkshire, said: 'If we havent got ventilatory support to offer them, its going to end in death. I dont want to be alarmist. I just want someone to pay attention.' Experts have said that up to 80 per cent of the entire British population could fall ill with coronavirus in a worst-case scenario. Dr Priestley added: 'If we get those kinds of numbers, nobody knows how wed possibly cope. 'Wed have to do a very robust triage where only those with a high chance of getting better would get near a ventilator.' The clinician estimates that hundreds of people in Yorkshire could need to be hooked up to ventilators and warned his hospital only has around 35 intensive care beds. Other doctors have warned that years of austerity and cuts to the Health Service mean it could crumble in the event of a full-blown outbreak. Pointing to the fact Britain now has the second-fewest hospital beds per capita in Europe, London cardiologist Dr Dominic Pimenta told the NY Times: 'The NHS has never been in a worse state going into something like this. 'The dominoes have been stacked for 10 years. It wouldnt have taken much to tip them over.' It comes after A&E doctors in south London treated a coughing patient - who had travelled to a high-risk country in Asia - without wearing face masks last week. Many of the medics had not been fitted with masks, suggesting the country was not prepared for an outbreak, a doctor at the hospital suggested to the US publication. The last time Britain faced a crisis on the scale of coronavirus was during the 2009 swine flu epidemic. Back then, Dr Nick Scriven, a specialist in urgent conditions in Halifax, West Yorkshire, said every doctor where he worked had their own heavy-duty face mask. But he now claims supplies have become so low that staff need to share masks and scrub them in between treating patients. Advertisement

No further details about where they caught the virus were given. However, England's chief medical officer yesterday admitted the infection was definitely spreading on British soil.

Of the 164 cases already confirmed in the UK, 147 are in England, 11 in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and two in Wales. Leading scientists have repeatedly warned there are likely to be more cases.

It comes after Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England and Wales, said people can catch the illness by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their face.

And the coronavirus may stay contagious on hard metal or plastic surfaces like door handles or rails on buses or trains for as long as three days, he added. Some scientists have even suggested the virus may be more likely to spread on the hands than it is through the air.

Speaking at a meeting with ministers in Parliament yesterday, Professor Whitty said the virus would 'largely gone by 48 hours and almost completely gone by 72 hours on a hard surface'.

It comes just days after the NHS started testing thousands of intensive care patients for COVID-19 amid fears it is already spreading through NHS wards.

In a dramatic ramping up of efforts to detect the virus, hospitals were ordered to test any seriously ill patient with a cough or breathing difficulties. Medics were told to screen patients even if they had not been abroad or had any contact with anyone from high-risk countries.

In a New York Times article that was scathing of the NHS, British clinicians sounded the alarm about there not being enough ventilators or intensive care beds to cope with the crisis.

Dr George Priestley, an intensive care doctor in Yorkshire, said: 'If we havent got ventilatory support to offer them, its going to end in death. I dont want to be alarmist. I just want someone to pay attention.'

Experts have said that up to 80 per cent of the entire British population could fall ill with coronavirus in a worst-case scenario. Dr Priestley added: 'If we get those kinds of numbers, nobody knows how wed possibly cope.'

Professor Whitty clarified that the virus spreads when somebody who already has it coughs or sneezes onto their hand, then touches something or someone.

Anyone who touches something the patient has contaminated is at risk of catching the virus if they then touch their face, he said.

The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, but not through the skin, Professor Whitty explained.

His counterpart, scientific adviser Sir Patrick, said an outbreak has now begun in the UK.

He told Sky News: 'This is the start of an outbreak clearly. We are in the position now where we have got person-to-person transmission of this in the UK and therefore we can expect more cases.'

It came as an unnamed man is thought to have succumbed to coronavirus at Milton Keynes University Hospital last night.

The Prime Minister shaking hands with Tory peer Byron Davies as he arrives at the Welsh Conservative Party conference in North Wales today

A man in his 80s with underlying health conditions is feared to have become Britain's second coronavirus death. The unnamed patient is thought to have succumbed to the illness at Milton Keynes University Hospital in Buckinghamshire today

Mr Johnson said: 'We are ensuring the country is prepared for the current outbreak, guided by the science at every stage'

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO DIE OF THE CORONAVIRUS? Men are 65 per cent more likely than women to die from coronavirus, according to statistics. Figures from the World Health Organization and Chinese scientists have revealed that 1.7 per cent of women who catch the virus will die compared to 2.8 per cent of men, even though neither sex is more likely to catch it. More than 100,000 people around the world have now been diagnosed with the virus and at least 3,383 have died. Some experts have put the higher risk among men down to higher smoking and drinking rates  both habits weaken the immune system. Figures from the World Health Organization and Chinese scientists has revealed that 1.7 per cent of woman who catch the virus will die compared to 2.8 per cent of men (pictured, a graphic showing those most likely at risk from the virus) The elderly and infirm have also been found to more at risk of coronavirus, with 10.5 per cent of heart disease patients expected to die if they catch the deadly virus. Death rates among people with diabetes are expected to be around 7.3 per cent, while six per cent of patients who have high blood pressure might die if infected. Some 5.6 per cent of cancer sufferers infected with the coronavirus would be expected to die along with 6.3 per cent of people with long-term lung diseases. Those aged 80 years or older are most at risk, with 14.8 per cent of people catching the disease in that age bracket expected to die. Between 60 and 69 years old the death rate is around 3.6 per cent, while it is more like 1.3 per cent for those aged 50 to 59. For people in their 40s this drops to 0.4 per cent, and it's just 0.2 per cent for those in their 30s. Children do not seem to catch the virus very often, according to data from China, and there are no high-profile reports of children dying. Advertisement

Fellow patients and hospital staff on his ward have been isolated this morning and a deep clean has been carried out.

It comes after a child at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital tested positive for the virus yesterday.

The first death, a woman in her 70s who also had long-term health troubles, was recorded on Thursday at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Latest figures show there have been 163 cases in the UK out of nearly 21,000 people tested.

The elderly and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are believed to be the most vulnerable from the virus.

The latest death comes just days after the NHS started testing thousands of intensive care patients for COVID-19 amid fears it is already spreading through NHS wards.

In a dramatic ramping up of efforts to detect the virus, hospitals were ordered to test any seriously ill patient with a cough or breathing difficulties.

Medics were told to screen patients even if they had not been abroad or had any contact with anyone from high-risk countries.

It comes after it was revealed half of Britain's coronavirus patients are being treated at home amid mounting fears the NHS does not have enough beds to cope with the outbreak.

The government  whose chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance today admitted the world is unlikely to get a vaccine in time for the outbreak  is also 'looking at' possibly isolating entire households as part of its four-stage 'battle plan' if the crisis continues to escalate and cases become more widespread.

Speaking on BBC Question Time last night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told coronavirus patients caring for themselves at home to shut themselves away in their room and avoid their loved ones.

He said: 'People should try to self-isolate from their families, not only go home, try not to go out shopping, definitely don't use public transport, but within your own home you should also try to self-isolate.'

Mr Hancock added that, as the father of three children, he understood that 'can be difficult and some people have caring responsibilities', but people should try to keep to themselves as much as possible.

Meanwhile, supermarkets up and down the country have again been left bare amid rushes to stockpile household goods such as hand soap, nappies and dried foods like pasta and rice.

Despite the panic surrounding the virus the Government has urged people not to bulk buy products, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock vowing that supermarkets would not run out of food and Prime Minister Boris Johnson claiming that it was 'business as usual' after the first confirmed death of a UK patient with the virus.

Soup shelves had been cleared in a Sainsbury's branch in Crayford, London, today

This Sainsbury's store in Crayford, south-east London, had been all but stripped of toilet roll supplies as Britons admit to panic-buying essentials for fear of a demand and supply crisis if there's an outbreak

Handwashes are in short supply  manufacturers say they're working double time to try and catch up with 'exceptional demand'

Over-the-counter medicines including paracetamol and ibuprofen have been swept off the shelves at Sainsbury's

PANIC BUYERS IGNORE BORIS JOHNSON'S CALL FOR CALM Shoppers in the UK have ignored the Government's call for them to carry on with life as usual in the face of coronavirus and supermarket shelves around the country have been pictured stripped bare of essentials such as toilet roll, hand soaps, pasta and tinned foods. Supermarkets said they were facing much higher demand than usual and manufacturers said they were ramping up production to keep up with shoppers. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) on behalf of supermarkets, said it was 'working constructively with Government officials to ensure that supermarkets remain stocked and supply chains continue to function as normal for the foreseeable future'. She added: 'While coronavirus has increased the demand of certain products in the short-term, we are confident that any disruption will remain limited and consumers will continue to be able to choose from a wide selection of foods and other products in stores across the country.' Mr Hancock sought to reassure the public during an appearance on BBC Question Time on Thursday when he said the Government had 'supplies of the key things that are needed' and urged people not to panic-buy. Advertisement

But customers don't seem to be taking much notice of the reassurances and bosses at online supermarket Ocado told customers they would have to place orders early due to a 'higher than usual demand'.

Mr Hancock claimed the Government was 'working with the supermarkets' to make sure that people who are told to self-isolate  who must stay at home for at least two weeks  will be able to get regular food deliveries.

The Competition & Markets Authority yesterday warned that firms taking advantage of the panic by hiking prices of products could be prosecuted or fined.

It has emerged that fraudsters are cashing in on the coronavirus crisis and have fleeced panicked people in the UK out of 800,000 already.

One person has reportedly lost 15,000 buying face masks over the internet after the products never arrived.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has already identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus was mentioned since February.

Police warn the number of scams is expected to rise as the deadly virus continues to spread and people look to make a quick buck.

People have been caught charging for hygiene products they never deliver, price-gouging the products, setting up websites with fake information to try and get people's personal details, or sending phishing emails about coronavirus which are designed to trick people into opening malicious attachments.

A common tactic used by scammers is to send messages purporting to be from research groups linked with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), officials said.

They claim to be able to provide a list of people infected with COVID-19, which links to a malicious website or ask the victim to make a payment in Bitcoin.

The City of London Police advised: 'Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.'

Coronavirus fears have gripped Britons. A man on the central line of the London Underground this morning wore a gas mask

A commuter on the London Underground wears a gas mask on Friday morning as the capital was gripped by coronavirus fears after the UK's first death

An LBC radio producer photographed a passenger on the London Underground 'protecting' themselves from coronavirus by hiding underneath a quilt

Many people have taken to wearing face masks on public transport. One many was pictured wearing his headphones over the mask (left) while another was pictured on the tube this morning wearing the full face covering (right)

Costco customers are sprayed with 'DISINFECTANT': Worker douses people entering store as coronavirus panic grips Britain

Customers at a Costco in south London are now being 'disinfected' at the front door as coronavirus fears continue to grip Britain.

Shoppers 'lined up obediently' at the Croydon store's entrance yesterday before being stopped by a staff member to be sprayed with a 'disinfectant-like liquid', the person who filmed the incident told MailOnline.

Costco today denied the claims, saying only trolley handles were sprayed  not customers.

As coronavirus fears take hold in the UK now that 163 people her have been diagnosed and the virus is known to be spreading inside the UK, anxious Britons have resorted to wearing gas masks and blankets on public transport in desperate attempts to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, supermarkets up and down the country have again been left bare amid rushes to stockpile household goods such as hand soap, nappies and dried foods like pasta and rice.

Despite the panic surrounding the virus the government has urged people not to bulk buy products, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock vowing that supermarkets would not run out of food and Prime Minister Boris Johnson claiming that it was 'business as usual' after the first confirmed death of a UK patient with the virus.

It seemed there was a back log of customers outside the Costco in Croydon as they were given hand sanitiser on entrance

Customers queue outside Boots in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this morning, amid reports that supermarkets and shops across the UK are running out of hand sanitiser

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pictured at a laboratory in Bedford today. He has announced a 46million funding boost to develop coronavirus testing kits

CORONAVIRUS PANIC-BUYERS RIPPED OFF TO THE TUNE OF 800,000 Fraudsters are cashing in on the coronavirus crisis, with victims' losses totalling more than 800,000 in a month. One person told police they had lost more than 15,000 after buying protective face masks which were never delivered. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has already identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus was mentioned since February. Police are warning numbers of scams are set to rise as the deadly virus spreads across the world. The figure includes ten scams where victims tried to buy protective masks from fraudsters. Other reports involved coronavirus-themed phishing emails designed to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive information. A common tactic used by scammers is to send messages purporting to be from research groups linked with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). They claim to be able to provide a list of people infected with Covid-19, which links to a malicious website or ask the victim to make a payment in Bitcoin. The City of London Police advised: 'Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.' Source: Press Association Advertisement

But customers don't seem to be taking much notice of the reassurances and bosses at online supermarket Ocado told customers they would have to place orders early due to a 'higher than usual demand'.

Mr Hancock claimed the Government was 'working with the supermarkets' to make sure that people who are told to self-isolate  who must stay at home for at least two weeks  will be able to get regular food deliveries. The Competition & Markets Authority yesterday warned that firms taking advantage of the panic by hiking prices of could be prosecuted or fined.

The incident at Costco in Croydon comes amid rising reports of bizarre events around the country as concerns about the coronavirus hit fever pitch now officials admit people are catching the virus within the UK.

Speaking to the MailOnline, the person who filmed the incident at Costco said it was a 'peculiar situation' and that there had been no clear signs explaining what was happening or why the queue were longer than usual.

There were no available trolleys and by time I reached the top of the line I noticed the security guard/sales assistant had a translucent canister and he was spraying everyone as they walked in,' he said.

You would show your card and then receive a squirt of whatever was in there and then you would get a tissue.

He added that there had been a waste paper bin to drop the tissues into and claimed he questioned Costco staff on if these measures had been put in place because of the coronavirus to which they said yes.

The company said it was 'simply sanitising trolley handles as a precautionary measure'.

But the witness said it was definitely sprayed onto his hands, adding: 'Nobody seemed to question what was happening and everyone was just lining up obediently.

'The liquid was more fluid than hand sanitiser and it felt more water-based, it had a smell of disinfectant.'

He also claimed that customers were rationed to two tissue-based products each and that hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial products were also being rationed.

Customers were lined up outside the Croydon Costco (pictured above) and were given hand sanitiser

Professor Whitty said the risk of touching a contaminated surface declines as time passes, but there could still be a danger for days after an infected patient left their mark. Pictured, a Government ad campaign to promote hand hygiene

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk through Piccadilly Circus on Thursday- normally a bustling tourist hotspot - in central London

Government risks causing even more panic buying as it tells people to stock up and 'plan ahead' in case they have to self-isolate for weeks despite pleading with people to stop hoarding

Britons are being told to 'plan ahead' in case they are told to self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Public Health England (PHE) is urging members of the public to stock up on enough supplies and food to last them during a potential two-week quarantine.

Health bosses say people should be prepared to be asked to self-isolate as the Government moves into the 'delay' phase of its four-stage battle plan.

But critics say the advice sends 'mixed messages' and risks fuelling more panic-buying - which the Government has been discouraging all week.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases soared past triple digits to 163. At least one person has died from the virus on British soil.

The new advice came just hours after Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour'

Soup shelves had been cleared in a Sainsbury's branch in Crayford, London, today

This Sainsbury's store in Crayford, south-east London, had been all but stripped of toilet roll supplies as Britons admit to panic-buying essentials for fear of a demand and supply crisis if there's an outbreak

Coronavirus patients are told to recover at HOME: People who have just mild symptoms will not be hospitalised Coronavirus patients are no longer all being admitted to hospital, British health officials have confirmed. Anyone confirmed to have the virus who is not seriously unwell or at risk of becoming more dangerously infected can recover at home. At least 45 people out of the 116 confirmed in the UK have already been instructed to stay in their own houses and wait for their illness to blow over. Until the new rule was drafted  it is not clear when it began  all confirmed patients had to be taken to a specialist hospital unit in one of five locations around the country, some hundreds of miles from their hometowns. An extra 30 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in the UK today, bringing the total to 116  105 in England, six in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and two in Wales. Officials said it was 'perfectly reasonable' for people to recover at home because COVID-19 is a 'mild illness'. Chief medical officer for the government, Professor Chris Whitty, said that most people with minor cases of the virus will no longer be hospitalised. Instead they will be asked to stay at home, where they pose less of a risk to other people. Advertisement

On its website, PHE said people should 'consider how you or your family would manage if you had to self-isolate for a couple of weeks'.

It set out a series of questions people should ask themselves, including: 'Do you have friends or neighbours who could bring food to your house or run errands, or could you do online shopping?

'Could you talk to your employer about opportunities to work from home if this became necessary?'

People who are elderly or 'vulnerable to severe symptoms', were also told to think how they would manage and whether they could work from home.

The website asks people to think about friends, family or neighbours who might need extra help.

It said: 'Everyone has a part to play, and we're asking people to think about what they do in a typical week, how they could limit contact with others if asked to, and how they could help people in their community, who might need support if certain social-distancing measures were put in place.

'This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them, or arranging for online delivery if they needed it.'

Leading infectious diseases expert Paul Hunter, a professor at the University of East Anglia, said on the face of it the advice seemed to 'send mixed messages'.

But he said that it may well be a 'sensible precaution' particularly for vulnerable and elderly people who have not been given strong guidance about what to do in the event of an outbreak.

He told MailOnline: 'If this is a real change in policy it follows on from quite a few statements from governments and others (probably including myself) about the importance of not panic buying.

'However, the phrasing used in the document is, "This might include helping older relatives and neighbours to get some food in, so that they would have supplies for a week or so if required, ensuring someone would be available to go shopping for them or arranging for online delivery if they needed it.

'So this does not seem to be a real change in advice to the general public but a sensible precaution for particularly vulnerable elderly people who would certainly struggle to cope in a tight self-isolation situation.

A commuter on the London Underground wears a gas mask on Friday morning as the capital was gripped by coronavirus fears after the UK's first death

Many people have taken to wearing face masks on public transport. One many was pictured wearing his headphones over the mask (left) while another was pictured on the tube this morning wearing the full face covering (right)

'One of the important things about the epidemic that is, in my view, not being adequately addressed or at least communication is what do we do about the most vulnerable people in society?

'How are we going to adequately care for elderly neighbours and relatives, what should these people do during the peak of the epidemic?'

The updated advice came just hours after Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed for people not to engage in 'herd behaviour'.

Speaking on Question Time on Thursday night, Mr Hancock insisted the Government is 'absolutely confident' there will be no shortages of food or essential items.

There are mounting fears of a major outbreak in the UK as the number of cases continues to grow.

On the flagship programme last night, a woman voiced her concerns about the situation in the shops, asking 'how do we stop shortages?'

Mr Hancock said: 'There is absolutely no need for individuals to go around buying more than they need.

Customers queue outside Boots in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this morning, amid reports that supermarkets and shops across the UK are running out of hand sanitiser

A back log of customers outside Costco in Croydon as shoppers were given hand sanitiser on entrance

BRITONS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED TO ANY PART OF ITALY WHO FEEL ILL WILL BE TOLD TO SELF-ISOLATE Public Health England has announced that Britons returning from the whole of Italy are to self-isolate if they develop symptoms of the deadly coronavirus. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty told a press conference today that the current advice for those returning from northern Italy is to be extended to the whole of the country. While confirming that the government was still in the phase of containing the virus, entering the delay process is the 'direction of travel' for the future, Professor Whitty said. Since the coronavirus reached British shores, the government and health bodies have been in the 'contain' phase, trying to stop the infection's ability to spread. In recent days, with evidence of community transmission, it is thought that PHE could attempt to push a major epidemic back to the summer in the hopes of slowing the rate of infections. COVID-19, which has infected 115 in the UK, is thought to spread faster in the cold. Advertisement

'And in fact, part of the response of this has to be about us coming together. We are, after all, a herd. It's the biology that is causing the problem.

'Obviously, the very, very strong advice from the scientists, the medics, is that people should not go about buying more than they need.'

However, the woman interrupted to say that panic buying was really happening, saying she had been to the supermarket and found no dry pasta or toilet rolls.

'People are panic buying,' she said. 'There is no paracetamol that you can get in the supermarkets.'

However, Mr Hancock replied: 'I understand that but what I will say is the Government has supplies of the key things that are needed and within the food supply we are absolutely confident that there won't be a problem there.

'And crucially we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that if people are self-isolating then they will be able to get the food and supplies that the people need.'

But supermarkets today casted doubts on Mr Hancock's assurances and said they had not discussed getting food to homes.

An executive told the BBC: 'Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets. We haven't heard anything from government directly.'

He added that sales of cupboard basics such as pasta and tinned goods have 'gone through the roof'.

PHE also warned today that even those who are not asked to quarantine may in future need to use 'social distancing' measures such as not going to cinemas, pubs or sporting events.

PHE said social distancing and more self-isolation will only be implemented 'if scientists and experts, including the UK's chief medical officers, decide they are necessary and proportionate'.

But it said people could be asked to stay home for up to 14 days. 'If the virus is spreading quickly, we may ask whole households to self-quarantine, if anyone in the home has symptoms,' it added.

PHE said most cases of Covid-19 will be treatable at home, adding that 'being asked to self-isolate could be inconvenient, frustrating or boring, particularly if you have mild symptoms'.

However, it may be necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus, 'protect people who are vulnerable and help the NHS manage capacity'.

The public is also urged to think about how it uses NHS services, and to only call 999 in a genuine emergency.
While Justin Chambers had his final appearance on Grey's Anatomy as Alex Karev in November, fans finally learned his fate in Thursday night's shocking episode.

The new episode, entitled Leave the Light On, revealing that Karev will not be returning to Seattle.

Chambers did not appear in the episode, but he made a voice cameo to wrap up his character, in quite the surprising fashion, revealing he re-connected with his ex-wife Izzie, played by Katherine Heigl.

Final episode: While Justin Chambers had his final appearance on Grey's Anatomy as Alex Karev in November, fans finally learned his fate in Thursday night's shocking episode

Alex and Izzie: Chambers did not appear in the episode, but he made a voice cameo to wrap up his character, in quite the surprising fashion, revealing he re-connected with his ex-wife Izzie, played by Katherine Heigl

Chambers made the surprising reveal he was leaving the show in January, after starring on the show for all 16 seasons, so he could work on his mental health.

His character Alex Karev was last seen in the November 14 episode My Shot, where it was revealed he was returning home to Iowa to take care of his mother, leaving his wife Jo (Camilla Luddington) behind.

While Karev didn't return to Seattle, he did send letters to his wife Jo, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Richard (James Pickens Jr.) and Miranda (Chandra Wilson), which Chambers voices.

Surprise: Chambers made the surprising reveal he was leaving the show in January, after starring on the show for all 16 seasons, so he could work on his mental health

He reveals he didn't want to call Meredith since she might convince him to return, adding, 'the one perfect thing isn't in Seattle, not anymore.'

Karev then dropped the bombshell that took fans by surprise - 'I swear it's not about work or you or Jo. It's about me. I left and I'm with Izzie.'

Alex and Izzie were married before Izzie left Seattle in Season 6, but Alex reveals that when he was calling all of Meredith's former co-workers for her trial, he reached out to Izzie.

Back together: Karev then dropped the bombshell that took fans by surprise - 'I swear it's not about work or you or Jo. It's about me. I left and I'm with Izzie'

When Izzie had cancer, she asked Alex to give her his sperm so they could freeze her embryos to have children one day, which she ended up using and had twins - Eli and Alex.

The twins are five years old and Izzie lives on a farm in Kansas, now with Alex as well as the kids, as she works as an surgical oncologist.

Alex explains that he's still in love with Jo, adding, 'if it was just about two women I love, I'd choose my wife.'

Embyros: When Izzie had cancer, she asked Alex to give her his sperm so they could freeze her embryos to have children one day, which she ended up using and had twins - Eli and Alex

In his letter to Jo, he explains, 'When I told you I loved you I meant it, but Izzie has our kids, Jo.'

In his letter to Meredith, he calls her, 'my best friend,' adding, 'I will miss the hell out of you, but I'm finally exactly where I should be. I never had that before.'

He tells Jo that he has already signed the divorce papers and he is leaving her everything, including his shares in the Seattle Grace hospital.

Best friend: In his letter to Meredith, he calls her, 'my best friend,' adding, 'I will miss the hell out of you, but I'm finally exactly where I should be. I never had that before'

Grey's Anatomy showrunner also tweeted out a statement about saying goodbye to Alex Karev, which she began was, 'nearly impossible' to do.

'We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers' nuanced portrayal of him. For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev,' she said.

'We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends,' she added.

'We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world,' Vernoff concluded.

Watch every episode of Grey's Anatomy on Hulu, or on Stan in Australia.

Statement: Grey's Anatomy showrunner also tweeted out a statement about saying goodbye to Alex Karev, which she began was, 'nearly impossible' to do
New Delhi, March 6 : While the SBI has shown interest in investing in troubled private sector lender Yes Bank, the acquirer could hold upto 49 per cent stake in the bank, as per a scheme of reconstruction proposed by the RBI on Friday.

The draft plan has come a day after the banking regulator superseded Yes Bank board and appointed an administrator.

The Reserve Bank of India's draft plan has said that Yes Bank's new share capital will be Rs 5,000 crore with 2,450 crore equity shares of Rs 2 each.

As per the plan placed in the public domain for comments, the investor bank would be required to invest in the equity of reconstructed Yes Bank to the extent that post infusion it holds 49 per cent shareholding in the bank at a price not less than Rs 10 (face value of Rs 2) and premium of Rs 8.

This means that the SBI will need to pay about Rs 11,760 crore for taking 49 per cent stake in the restructured Yes Bank.

The RBI has said that the investor bank shall not reduce its holding below 26 per cent before completion of three years from the date of infusion of the capital.

Industry insiders said that SBI will hold 49 per cent of the equity to avoid the private bank becoming a PSU bank.

The draft scheme provides for appointment of two nominee directors by the investor on the Board of the Reconstructed Bank.

"Reserve Bank of India may appoint Additional Directors in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 36AB of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949," the RBI plan said.

Further, Yes Bank employees will continue to work under the same remuneration and on the same terms and conditions of services as before for at least a period of one year.

The Board of Directors of the reconstructed bank will, however, have the freedom to discontinue the services of the key managerial personnel (KMPs) at any point of time after following the due procedure.
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Ms. Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and Mr. Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and member of the Committee of the Regions, participated in a Citizens Dialogue on Horizon Europe  challenges and perspectives.

The Citizens' Dialogue was held at the Centre for Urban Culture Casino in Cluj-Napoca. It focused on the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe", which will boost the scientific, economic and societal impact of EU funding. Horizon Europe invests in shaping Europe's future through research and innovation. It can help turning challenges into opportunities thus improving citizens' life. The citizens' dialogue offered an excellent fora to discuss the impact of the programme and especially its main novelties, such as the European Innovation Council and Missions.

In her introduction, European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel emphasized that "The programme aims at giving Europe a new push to a global positioning. Horizon Europe is to be the biggest and most ambitious EU Research Innovation programme ever. It builds on the success of Horizon 2020 and improves it further by fostering a stronger support to breakthrough innovation through the European Innovation Council, by creating greater impact through R&I missions and by streamlining partnerships landscape."

In response, Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc who was rapporteur of the CoR opinion "Brain Drain in the EU: addressing the challenge at all levels" argued Investing in local and regional innovation eco-system would also allow to effectively address the challenge of Brain Drain by turning it into Brain Gain. Cohesion Policy already addresses this challenge, but the Horizon Programme can also hugely help by going more local and collaborating more effectively with cities and regions.

The lively debate addressed issues pertaining to innovation, research, youth and startups that highlighted the concrete opportunities provided to the local audience.

The discussions were focused on how to turn brain drain into brain circulation, the ways in which to guarantee social justice, the importance of citizens active participation in identifying the priorities for the Horizon Missions, the focus on investing in start-ups and SMEs that deal in sustainable solutions and green technologies, the build-up of a network of European cities that promote innovation, as well as the need to use resources better and more efficiently. More specifically, in the field of education, the focus should be on enhancing the synergy with the Erasmus+ programme in the context of achieving the priorities of the Green Deal, the increased involvement of European universities in the elaboration of strategies at European level, the support for the development of alliances of European universities, the increased connection between education, research and innovation on the labour market and the development of a European research area. Last, but not least, was highlighted the importance of providing and promoting information on available opportunities, funding or otherwise, as well as on results obtained through research and innovation actions.

In conclusion, Commissioner Gabriel outlined the next steps related to the strategic planning process that will identify priorities for calls for proposals for the first four years of Horizon Europe. The Commissioner confirmed the commitment of the European Commission to listen to citizens, including young people, and to take into account their needs in the process of shaping Horizon Europe.

Mayor Boc, in his turn, stated: What I personally take with me from our debate is that we need to promote access for all to the Horizon Europe programme. Together with Commissioner Gabriel, we have learned from our young students and researchers that we can do more to close the gaps between regions in order to address the challenges ahead of us, such as demographic change or brain drain. From my own experience in Cluj-Napoca, a city that we proudly name "smart city", I say that the strong focus put on smart cities should be complemented by a solid regional dimension in the Missions of the programme. Regional innovation eco-systems make a very good delivery tool for these Missions.

The Citizens' Dialogues involve the whole European Commission and take place in all EU Member States.

Contact:

PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu


MARYVILLE  It has been more than 90 years since streetcars ran through Maryville, but Mike Picchioldi is doing his best to keep those memories alive.

Picchioldi is chairperson of the Maryville Heritage Museum which recently obtained a streetcar drivers seat from one of the East St. Louis and Suburban streetcars that ran through Maryville, from Edwardsville to East St. Louis, from 1901 to 1928.

I went to eBay and somebody from Marine, Illinois, was selling this seat, Picchioldi said, as he has searches saved for Maryville. They said they got it from an individual who stated that it came out of the Maryville streetcar shed, which was located just south of the original Buffalo Park, where the Lake House (bar and restaurant) is now (off Route 159).

The Parker Law office is also located there now and thats where the front of the streetcar shed would have been. Apparently, they had a turntable (for the streetcars) and maintenance facilities in the shed.

Picchioldi said the seller couldnt absolutely verify where this seat came from, but there is a good possibility that it would have come out of Maryville.

For nearly three decades, the streetcar line was a major part of everyday life in Maryville.

The streetcar tracks in Maryville ran right down the middle of what is now Route 159 and they continued to Edwardsville to the north and Collinsville to the south, before heading to East St. Louis, Picchioldi said. One of the main stops in Maryville was right at the corner of Main Street and Center (Route 159).

The streetcar drivers seat is now on display at the Maryville Heritage Museum, which is located at 128 E. Zupan St., in a building that formerly housed the village hall, including the firehouse and the police department.

More Information MORE Maryville Heritage Museum is looking for any additional streetcar items, including photos, maps, schedules and more for a larger display. If anyone has any related items they would like to donate, email Maryvilleheritagemuseum@gmail.com See More Collapse

The seat is in rough shape, but it also has a lot of history to it, Picchioldi said. Just from the way that it has worn, you can tell that the driver exited from the right all the time. Its the same way with the seat handles, where the driver would lift them up and down all the time, and you can tell the right handle has been used more often.

The seat is the latest addition to a small number of streetcar items on display at the museum.

We have a few older photos of a typical streetcar that ran through Maryville, Picchioldi said. We have a lantern from the East St. Louis Suburban Railway Company. We also have a streetcar token, which is about the size of a dime, but thats all we have.

The museum is looking for any additional streetcar items, including photos, maps, schedules, etc., for a larger future display.

With the last streetcar being run in 1928, I dont think there is anybody alive that can give us firsthand knowledge about the streetcars here in Maryville, Picchioldi said. But by reading through a lot of history, we recently found some streetcar line maps that were also on eBay and we purchased those for a very low price. Were going to have them mounted just like we did with the streetcar photo (above the seat in the museum).

Wed like to find some true local streetcar items that can be displayed at the museum, but were also looking for anybody that might have had their grandmother or grandfather talk to them about riding the streetcar here. We know some of the specifics, like where the streetcars ran, but were hoping that people may have some photos of them. Some of the photos we have are pretty old and not in great shape.

Picchioldi is also hoping to find people who may have had grandparents, great-grandparents or other family members that worked for the East St. Louis Suburban Railway Company, who might be able to provide some additional information about the history of streetcars in the Maryville area.

Maybe they have something lying around the garage from the streetcar line, Picchioldi said. Even if they dont want to give it to us long-term, they can loan it to us. If its a photo, we can scan it.

The museum, which is staffed by volunteers, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. It is also accepting any other items related to the history of Maryville.
[March 05, 2020] CIBT Education Group Provides Business Update Relating to the Coronavirus Outbreak

Vancouver, B.C., March 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA, OTCQX International: MBAIF) ("CIBT" or the "Company") provides the following update relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its current impact on the Company's various business units.

Education Business: Sprott Shaw College enrols over 4,000 domestic students in British Columbia throughout the year. There is no impact on domestic student enrolment.

Sprott Shaw College's international department and our recruitment division, Global Education Alliance, enrols over 1,200 international students per year. Overseas inquiries from parents and students have significantly increased because parents are eager to send their children to Canada, which is less susceptive to the epidemic at present. However, foreign measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic, such as delayed visa processing and limited services of transportation, may slow down this development.

Sprott Shaw International College and VIC Vancouver International College enrol over 6,000 international students per year. Due to the virus outbreak, many students are extending their stay in Canada, generating extra revenue for the schools. The volume of new enrollment inquiries has remained steady, and the mode of inquiry has been switched from face-to-face to online interviews. New enrollment arriving in Canada may be delayed by several weeks as abovementioned. Student Housing Business: GEC Granville hotel is experiencing no vacancy due to the unexpected US-bound visitors re-routed to Vancouver for quarantine purposes or a temporary visit.

All other GEC properties were pre-occupied by students before the coronavirus outbreak. Many occupants are extending their stay at GEC properties rendering all of our properties near full capacity.

As many students have been instructed by their parents to stay in Canada and not to return home this summer, we are expecting a higher occupancy rate this year. "While the sudden global outbreak of coronavirus has left many businesses in crisis, we at CIBT are sympathetic to the infected populations around the world," said Toby Chu, Chairman, President, and CEO of CIBT Education Group Inc. "As noted above in our summary, CIBTs operations have not been adversely affected by the epidemic. Our ability to grow our revenue base across all business units, combined with near-zero vacancies in our student housing residences, provides further evidence that our unique business model can thrive under the most difficult macroeconomic environments. Our value proposition of having a high-value rental income stream to support our significant education income while owning a diversified pipeline of students from 40+ countries around the world allows us to de-risk from political and epidemic concerns. We currently see no material risk to our business as a result of the global coronavirus outbreak. We will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic and assess its impact to our operations, taking all reasonable steps to maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment for our students to study and live and our staff to work."



About CIBT Education Group: CIBT Education Group Inc. is one of the largest education, and student housing investment companies in Canada focused on the global education market since 1994. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and U.S OTCQX International, CIBT owns business and language colleges, student housing properties, recruitment centres and corporate offices at 45 locations in Canada and abroad. The total annual enrollment for the group exceeds 12,000 students. Its education providers include Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College, Vancouver International College and CIBT School of Business. Through these schools, CIBT offers business and management programs in healthcare, hotel management, language training, and over 150 career, language and vocational programs. CIBT owns Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("Global Education"), an investment holding and development Company focused on developing education related real estate such as student hotels, serviced apartments and education centres. The total portfolio and development budget of projects under Global Education's GEC brand is over C$1 billion. The various GEC properties provide accommodations to over 1,500 students and other tenants. CIBT also owns Global Education Alliance ("GEA") and Irix Design Group ("Irix Design"). GEA recruits international students on behalf of many elite kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America. Irix Design is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.cibt.net .

Toby Chu

Chairman, President & CEO

CIBT Education Group Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 318 or | Email: [email protected] FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about CIBT Education Group Inc. and its plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include (without limitation) statements as to there being no currently expected material risk to CIBTs business as a result of the global coronavirus outbreak. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause CIBT's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements, including but not limited to usual construction risks, obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals, and the ability of the relevant limited partnerships to raise further funds as they are needed. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of CIBT's management at the time they are made, and CIBT does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law.

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The statues on Easter Island have stood for centuries, facing inland to watch over a community that reveres them as memorials of their ancestors. Made of volcanic rock, they have braved many challenges over the years: climate change, lichen growth, damage from livestock and the encroaching development of tourism.

Add a runaway pickup truck to that list.

The unoccupied truck, which had been parked, rolled on Sunday onto an ahu, a ceremonial mortuary structure that supports about half of the nearly 1,000 statues, or their toppled remains, local officials and archaeologists said.

Mau Henua, the islands cultural heritage organization, posted photographs of the crash on its Facebook page, showing the vehicle perched on top of an intact statue that had been on its side near the ahu where it had once stood.

We reiterate the importance of taking care of the heritage we have in our park, the organization said, calling the crash seriously damaging.
Europe must act together to stop the spread of misinformation about Covid-19, Health Minister Simon Harris has urged.

Mr Harris was speaking at an emergency meeting of the European Health Ministers in Brussels.

Public communication was an important part of their response and Europe must also act together to stop the spread of misinformation about the virus, he said.

Those who spread such lies are increasing the stigma attached to this virus, said Mr Harris.

They are endangering lives and they are stopping us from doing our jobs. Our public health doctors should lead our response to this matter.

The ministers discussed the ongoing disease outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus and the effects on health services.

They heard from the World Health Organisation, the European Centre for Disease Control and the European Medicines Agency about ongoing efforts to contain the virus and the appropriate responses.

Mr Harris said Ireland remained in the containment phase but while other countries were in different situations it was vital that they worked together.

We are better protected if we work together on this. We need rational, coherent decision-making based on science and public health, he said.

Mr Harris said it was clear that the virus was going to have an impact for a prolonged period of time.

It is essential we plan ahead, protect our healthcare workers and do our best to provide accurate, evidence-based and timely information to our people.

He said it was important to state the obvious  that they were dealing fast-evolving dynamic situation.

Mr Harris said people across the EU were worried and he hoped that they would be reassured that everything was being done to contain the spread of the virus and looking at ways of beating it.

I very much want to acknowledge the extent of cooperation ongoing between member states in response to Covid-19 and to express my hope that our shared efforts continue and deepen as this crisis develops.

They also needed to be conscious that any action or inaction taken by one member state had a direct impact on other member states.

This is a global crisis; it is a European crisis and, therefore, we have to deepen that solidarity.

Mr Harris welcomed the European Commission's decision to significantly increase research funding into Covid-19.

He said the 47m in funding would be spent on finding a vaccine and developing better diagnostics for the virus.
The attorney for the Downtown Development Authority, in a court filing, reminds the attorney for six citizens suing the city over new economic development districts that he has an obligation by law to investigate the facts and law before filing a lawsuit.

Attorney Lester Gauthier on behalf of the DDA also on Thursday joined the city in seeking a summary judgment and dismissal of the citizens' lawsuit.

"This is a unilateral notice to the petitioners of the duties and obligations imposed by the code of civil procedure," Gauthier said Thursday. "If you're going to file a pleading, you have to do some investigation as to the facts and law."

+3 Lawsuit filed challenging Lafayette economic development district ordinances A lawsuit filed Friday challenges the legitimacy of ordinances creating five economic development districts in the city of Lafayette.

In December, attorney Lane Roy on behalf of six citizens filed a legal challenge to ordinances the City-Parish Council adopted to create five new economic development districts in the city of Lafayette. The challenge alleges the council did not follow proper procedure for introducing and adopting the ordinances. Roy cites a state statute that requires at least 30 days' notice before adopting an ordinance creating a new district and similar requirements.

Attorneys for the city argue the Lafayette Parish Home Rule Charter requires 15 days' notice for proposed ordinances, which the council met, and alleges the state statute applies to the creation of larger economic development district.

The Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure requires "reasonable inquiry" and certification by the attorney to ensure the pleading is not being filed for an improper purpose such as to harass or cause unnecessary delay or needless cost, as well as to certify each claim is not based on a frivolous argument.

LCG attorney refutes claims by six suing over economic development districts An attorney for Lafayette Consolidated Government, in court filings, refutes claims by six citizens suing over the creation of five economic d

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"I'm not asking the court to sanction their attorney," Gauthier said. "I'm not doing anything other than saying, 'By the way, this is in the book. If you're going to file something, please be advised that you have those obligations."

Gauthier said he also filed a motion for summary judgment Thursday, in conformity with the summary judgment the city's attorneys previously filed asking Judge Edward Rubin of the 15th Judicial District to dismiss the citizens' legal challenge.

+2 Five Lafayette economic development districts approved in final council meeting Five economic development districts with the ability to impose taxes were approved Tuesday in the city of Lafayette.

The City-Parish Council, at its final meeting in December before being replaced by separate city and parish councils, created the five economic development districts. The EDD boards, comprised of City Council members, has since signed partnership agreements with third-party entities such as the DDA and voted to collect additional sales and hotel occupancy taxes in those districts. The money collected in each district is to be used for economic development in that specific district with investments to be determined by the EDD board.

Mayor-President Josh Guillory asked the City Council to consider abolishing the districts, citing among other things claims that the taxes were increased without a vote of the public. The district boundaries are drawn to exclude any voter, a move that allows the collection of taxes without a vote of the people.

City Council Chairman Pat Lewis declined to place Guillory's requests before the council.
Gold prices extended gains for the fifth consecutive day to touch a new lifetime high of Rs 44,415 per 10 gram in the Mumbai bullion market on safe-haven appeal as the spread of coronavirus weighed on the forecast for global economic recovery.

The rate of 10 gram 22-carat gold in Mumbai was Rs 40,684 plus 3 percent GST, while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 44,415 plus GST. The 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 33,311 plus GST in the retail market.

Gold prices rallied, posting their biggest weekly gain since October 2011, as mounting worries over the economic fallout from the fast-spreading coronavirus drove investors towards the safe-haven metal. Cases outside China are continuously on the rise, death toll and affected people cases are increasing with at the fastest pace in US, India, South Korea, Iran and few others, said Navneet Damani, Vice President, Motilal Oswal.

The broader trend on Comex could be $1,660-1,685 and on the domestic front, prices could hover in the range of Rs 44,100-44,800, Damani said.

The gold/silver ratio which refers to the amount of silver required to buy an ounce of gold was at 94.24 to 1.

Silver prices jumped Rs 955 to Rs 47,125 per kg from its closing on March 5.

In the futures market, gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 44,924 and an intraday low of Rs 44,235 on MCX. For the April series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 37,530 and a high of Rs 44,924.

Gold futures for delivery in April gained Rs 229, or 0.52 percent on the MCX trading at Rs 44,687 per 10 gram in evening trade in a business turnover of 14,017 lots. Gold contracts for June delivery rose Rs 337, or 0.75 percent, at Rs 45,070 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 11,371 lots.

The value of the April contract traded so far is Rs 7,149.01 crore and June contract saw the value of Rs 936.78 crore.

Similarly, Gold Mini contract for April gained Rs 246, or 0.55 percent at Rs 44,660 in a business turnover of 14,330 lots.

Axis Securities advised clients to buy April Gold at Rs 44,700 level with stop loss at Rs 44,500 and a target of Rs 45,000.

MCX Gold is expected to have support at Rs 44,535-44,350 whereas resistance is at Rs 45,070-45,195 levels, according to Motilal Oswal. The broking firm advised its clients to buy on a dip near the support zone.

The brokerage firm said spot gold will trade in a higher range having support at $1,655-1,640 whereas resistance is at $1,705-1,735.

At 12:40 pm (GMT), spot gold was up $12.81 at $1,685.19 an ounce in London trading.
I would say that things like salad bars, you know, we will have to be very diligent about what are touching and all of these utensils that many people might be touching, said Dr. Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard University. That would be where I would see the risk of the transmission occurring, more so than the food that we are actually eating.
New Delhi, March 6 : Azad Foundation, a non-profit organization, working since 2008 to provide livelihoods with dignity for resource-poor women in urban areas across India; having trained 2000+ women of whom 1,000+ are working as commercial chauffeurs on roads of Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata appealed on the occasion of 'Womens Day to the Honourable Prime Minister & Minister of Women and Child Development, to create gender sensitive infrastructure to enable increased work participation of women.

The declining women's labour force participation (From 37% in 2006- 18% in 2019), gender pay gap (23%), high rates of informal work (93%) with lack of social security are seen as impediments to the goal of gender equality and empowerment of women in India.

World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (2020) ranks India at a low of 149 out of 153 countries on economic participation and opportunity but it also estimates that raising women's participation in the labour force can increase India's GDP by 27%.

Azad Foundation believes that infrastructure and norms play a crucial role in impeding women's entry and sustenance in the workforce today. According to Ms. Meenu Vadera, Founder and Executive Director, Azad Foundation "We appeal to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Minister of Women and Child Development for their attention and positive action towards creating gender sensitive infrastructure. We have learnt through our experience on the ground, the critical role of gender sensitive infrastructure in reducing the burden of unpaid care work, enabling access to public spaces all of which increase participation of women in the workforce. To facilitate the same, we appeal for the following interventions" Infrastructure and Quality Public Services that reduce the burden of care work

1. Full time creches for children - Allocation of Full Time quality creches for children upto 12 years near homes and workplaces. This will ensure that all working mothers can leave their children in a safe environment.

2. More affordable and safe working women hostels - Needed especially for women from under privileged communities. Increasingly young talented women are looking for employment opportunities that require travelling long distances. Women migrants need safe and affordable working women hostels that can also encourage many more families to let the young women take on careers and be independent.

3. Safe and accessible women's shelter homes -Every third woman, since the age of 15, has faced domestic violence of various forms in the country (National Family Health Survey 4).For women to be able to work, quick, efficient and reliable support is required to address violence they face in their homes. An important support in this is to have safe and accessible women's shelter homes 4. Ensure basic public provisions like piped water at household level- to reduce the time taken by women to fill water for the household.

Increasing access in public paces 1. Safe, hygienic and functional washrooms that are accessible from the road- at petrol pumps ,local shopping areas and bus stops 2. Safe Public Transport- A comprehensive public transport policy that ensures safety for all by promoting more women in public transport as drivers, conductors etc The letter of appeal has been submitted to, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and urban Development.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Sandia National Laboratories would receive a $300 million increase in federal funding under President Donald Trumps proposed fiscal 2021 budget.

Most of the increase involves the labs nuclear weapons program, Sandia officials told the Journal.

Its got to go through a lot of the legislative process, Laboratories Director James Peery said. There will be lots of committee hearings. Well just have to see how it plays out.

Congress will have to approve the appropriations before the budget advances to the presidents desk. The labs received $3.76 billion in the fiscal 2020 budget.

Increasing the labs nuclear weapons funding falls in line with recent trends. Deputy Labs Director Dori Ellis said Sandias nuclear weapons program is the largest its been in three decades.

And the labs hiring plans for the year reflect that. Ellis said most of the 200 positions Sandia plans to add this year will involve the weapons program.

Those would be electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, computer science jobs, she said.

While Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California work on the nuclear explosion systems, Sandia works on the non-nuclear components of the weapons systems, including electrical, firing and fuzing components, as well as the safety and security systems. Sandia would receive a 23% increase in National Nuclear Security Administration funding for total weapons activities.

All would not be good news under the proposed budget. Cuts for the Department of Energy have been proposed, especially in areas involving nuclear contamination cleanup.

Cuts for Sandia would be in the applied energy area, involving fossil and solar energy development. The cuts represent only a small portion of Sandias overall budget, Ellis said.

We dont have a particularly big cleanup budget, she said. Sandia was not one of the sites that really had the most serious problems.

That is not the case with Los Alamos. The northern New Mexico laboratorys funding for the cleanup of radioactive waste it produced during the Manhattan Project and Cold War would decrease by $100 million.

Were watching with some concern about where it (the budget) is going, Ellis said. Right now, were pretty well funded for another year, even with the proposed cuts.

She said cuts were proposed for programs the past three years but did not actually occur in congressional approved budgets.

Even with the labs being well funded for the next year, employment growth will be modest compared with previous years. Sandia added 1,100 jobs last year, to bring employment up to more than 14,000  12,300 in New Mexico.

A reason for the limited growth this year, Peery and Ellis said, is that Sandias facilities are at 96% capacity.

If we were asked to do some other thing really large, we would have to have the governments help, Peery said. We would have to find some lease space somewhere.

But there are plans to expand, they said.

We are building two buildings right now, each of which will hold  150 to 200 people, Ellis said. We have a building plan over the next five years or so. That would allow us to bring a number of our leased facilities back to the laboratory. Much really depends upon the budget.

Ideally, wed like to be at 90% so wed have room to move people where they need to go, she said.
NASA says it doesn't know if another passenger-less test launch is on the horizon for Boeing's Starliner capsule after a glitch with the craft's software sent the capsule hurtling into the wrong orbit late last year.

The agency made its uncertainty known during a press conference announcing that it had finished an investigation into the failed mission in December.

Its investigation prompted NASA to come up with 61 corrective actions that Boeing needs to carry out before Starliner is cleared for flight.

Boeing's Starliner (rendered) will need to address 61 corrective actions from NASA as a result of an investigation into a botched missions late last year

NASA has refused to say whether the craft will be forced to undergo another test flight before being granted permission to bring human astronauts into space.

'Quite frankly, right now, we dont know,' Doug Loverro, NASAs associate administrator for human spaceflight, said during a recent press conference on the investigation.

'The findings and the corrective actions that Boeing has laid out  they have to now come back to NASA with a plan, how theyre going to go ahead and address all of those.'

NASA hasn't gone into depth on what exactly the issues were but according to CNBC, the agency said they center on three main technical and design issues.

Boeing has reportedly already set aside money for another test flight in the event NASA deems that it's necessary.

NASA also said that despite winding the current investigation down, it will also launch a separate investigation into two instances in which the craft was nearly lost.

Specifically, NASA will probe into a near crash with Starliner's service module that occurred while attempting to bring it back down to Earth and also a software glitch that could have caused the wrong thrusters to fire upon re-entry and could have lead to a complete loss upon re-entry.

The agency says it will formalize a team to investigate the close call which is protocol for mishaps like those involving Starliner. NASA says the investigations are meant to prevent future accidents.

News of the corrections follow prior reports that suggest Boeing didn't perform a full 'end-to-end' integration test of the software designed to automate maneuvers after the craft is launched into space.

From left to right: NASA astronaut Nicole Mann, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance Tory Bruno, and senior vice president of Boeing's Space and Launch Division Jim Chilton spoke to the media after a software glitch caused Boeing's Starliner to launch into the wrong orbit

The Orlando Sentinel, who first highlighted NASA's findings, reports that the exhaustive test may have prevented an aborted mission.

In December, a glitch in the mission timing software caused Starliner to run to a different time than expected - it was 11 hours ahead - which triggered burns and control movements too early into its flight toward the International Space Station (ISS).

As a result, the craft burned up fuel that it needed to get to the station and was forced to abort its mission and return to Earth.

NASA has ordered a re-evaluation of all the software aboard Starliner which involves reassessing millions of lines of code according to The Sentinel.

Likely increasing scrutiny on the company are software issues related to its line of airplanes which caused multiple fatal crashes and the deaths of 346 people.
A Hays County woman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole for the grisly murder of her 5-year-old daughter in 2017.

Krystle Villanueva, 27, was found guilty Wednesday after a two-week trial of capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to previous reports, police were called to Villanueva's Kyle residence near the 200 block of Willow Terrace on Jan. 5, 2017 after she attacked her father-in-law Eustorgio Arellano, who called the police saying Villanueva attacked him without warning, stabbing him in the back and head before he was able to run from the home.

SWAT was called after authorities learned that Villanueva's 5-year-old daughter, Giovanna Larae Hernandez, was still in the house with her. From inside the house, Villanueva called 911 and said she had killed Hernandez because she "asked for cereal," the Hays County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

READ ALSO: Sheriff: Central Texas woman mutilated 5-year-old daughter during altercation with relative

When SWAT officers broke into the home, they found Villanueva standing in the front room completely naked, freshly showered, the release said. She was later found to have alcohol and marijuana in her system.

In a bedroom, authorities found Hernandez stabbed to death with her head decapitated.

At the trial, Villanueva's defense team tried to convince the jury of an insanity plea, arguing that at the time of the attacks, Villanueva had believed that her daughter and father-in-law had been replaced by clones and had to be killed to bring back her real family.

While Villanueva had been previously treated for mental health problems, the prosecution argued that her treatment had coincided with prior drug abusewhich medical experts testified can exacerbate existing mental conditions and she hadn't exhibited that behavior before the incident or since.

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A case like this leaves an unforgettable mark on everyone involved, especially the childs family, said Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau. Every law enforcement member who worked on this case will forever be traumatized by what Ms. Villanueva did to her innocent daughter. I commend all the investigators and officers who endured this horror with calm professionalism so that justice could be done.

The jury rejected the insanity plea and Judicial District Judge Bill Henry sentenced Villanueva to life in prison plus 20 years for the attack on Arellano.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Seven unruly Cong MPs suspended for disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today suspended seven MPs belonging to the Congress party for unruly behaviour and for disrupting the proceedings of the House for the rest of the Budget Session.

Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the third day on Wednesday as opposition parties created an uproar demanding immediate discussion on the Delhi riots. Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said it can be taken up on 11 March in the Lower House and on 12 March in the Rajya Sabha.

The opposition, however, seemed not convinced and continued the protest storming the well on several occasions. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was not present during the day and the proceedings were chaired by presiding officers.

The speaker was forced to act against these MPs - Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Benny Behanan, Rajmohan Unnithan and Dean Kuriakose - after they ran helter skelter and snatched papers from the Speaker.

Snatching papers from Speakers table utmost disrespect to Chair, we condemn this. We have requested Speaker to set up panel to look into continuous indiscipline by Congress members, said parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi.

The motion was passed by a voice vote. The house was adjourned at 15:03 hours for the day to meet again tomorrow (6 March) at 11:00 hours.

Amid din, the House, however, passed the Direct Tax Vivaad Se Vishwas Bill.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary condemned the suspension of the MPs and said, Is this a dictatorship? It seems the government doesnt want Delhi violence issue to be discussed in Parliament that is why this suspension. We strongly condemn this.

The House was first adjourned soon after it met at 11 am, then at noon and finally for the day a little past 2 pm.

Opposition parties continued to demand resignation of home minister Amit Shah and continued to chant slogans - Modi Sarkar Shame Shame, Pradhan Mantri Jawab Do.

Earlier, Congress members trooped into the Well shouting slogans and some of them displayed placards, demanding resignation of home minister Amit Shah.

Nearly 30 members from the Congress were in the Well. Some of them were heard asking where was the Speaker and also shouted we want justice.

Despite the din, two questions were taken up during the Question Hour. Supplementaries to a query related to coal production was answered by Joshi, who is also the Coal Minister.

Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair, told agitating members that Question Hour should continue.

As the ruckus continued, he adjourned proceedings till noon.

Both Houses have been witnessing disruptions over Delhi violence since the second leg of the budget session began on 2 March.
A federal district judge in Washington on Thursday ordered the Department of Justice to give him an un-redacted copy of the Mueller Report over grave concerns about the objectivity of attorney general William Barrs handling of the reports release.

The actions of Attorney General Barr and his representations about the Mueller Report preclude the Courts acceptance of the validity of the Departments redactions without its independent verification, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton wrote in a 23-page opinion. He also slammed Barr, implying that Barrs statements in the buildup to the reports release misled the public.

The Court cannot reconcile certain public representations made by Attorney General Barr with the findings in the Mueller Report, he wrote. These circumstances generally, and Attorney General Barrs lack of candor specifically, call into question Attorney General Barrs credibility.

Barr sent a four-page summary of the nearly 400-page report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees in March, in which he stated that Mueller had found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia  but had left open the question of whether the president obstructed justice during the probe.

Mueller then complained in a letter to Barr that his summary did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of the report and caused public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation.

The Justice Department downplayed the letter, pointing out that Mueller did not say Barr had been inaccurate or misleading, but that he was frustrated over the lack of context and the resulting media coverage, but Democrats called on Barr to resign for misleading the public.

While Walton did not dispute the lack of evidence regarding Russian collusion, he still questioned whether the DOJ had redacted portions of the report with the proper motivation.

In the Courts view, Attorney General Barrs representation that the Mueller Report would be subject only to those redactions required by law or by compelling law enforcement, national security, or personal privacy interests cannot be credited without the Courts independent verification in light of Attorney General Barrs conduct and misleading public statements about the findings in the Mueller Report, Walton stated.

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Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday that India must confront extremist Hindus and their parties, joining several foreign leaders and governments who have spoken on the recent communal violence in Delhi.

Though India did not specifically respond to Khameneis comment, earlier in the day it rejected such criticism of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the communal violence in New Delhi, saying international bodies and foreign leaders should not make irresponsible comments on these matters.

The remarks by Khamenei, posted as separate tweets in English, Urdu, Persian and Arabic, come days after India summoned Irans ambassador Ali Chegeni in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the comments by Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif.

The hearts of Muslims all over the world are grieving over the massacre of Muslims in India. The govt of India should confront extremist Hindus & their parties & stop the massacre of Muslims in order to prevent Indias isolation from the world of Islam, Khamenei tweeted.

Over the past few weeks, the Indian government has faced criticism from bodies such as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on the citizenship law and the violence in Delhi that claimed over 47 lives.

Leaders of countries such as Turkey, Iran and Malaysia too have reiterated their criticism of these issues even though India had described their past remarks on these matters as interference in the countrys internal matters.

We have seen certain comments made on the recent incidents of violence in Delhi. At this stage, we would like to highlight that the situation is fast returning to normal, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told a news briefing in Delhi.

At this sensitive time, we would urge people not to make any irresponsible comments and not to be influenced by selective and unsubstantiated narrative on the matter, he added.

Khameneis remarks came after the briefing took place.

Kumar also said that law enforcement agencies were on the ground to restore confidence and ensure that law and order is maintained, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed for peace and brotherhood. Senior officials have visited the place of violence, peace committees have been formed and other steps have been taken in this direction, he said.

Responding to a question on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent remarks describing the violence in the Indian capital as a massacre, Kumar said the comments are factually inaccurate and are driven by his political agenda. He added, We do not expect such irresponsible statements from a head of state.

India handed over a strong demarche or formal diplomatic representation on this issue to the Turkish envoy on Tuesday, he said.

Ties between India and Iran have been hit since New Delhi stopped all imports of Iranian crude last June due to the impact of US secondary sanctions. Until then, Iran had been among Indias top three energy suppliers.

The two sides have continued to cooperate on the development of the strategic Chabahar port, which is key to Indias plans to access Afghanistan and Central Asian states while bypassing Pakistan.

However, the Iranian side has continued to call for work to develop Chabahar and an associated railway link to the Afghan border to be expedited.
Somebody who listens to educators, Biden said, not just speaks to us. She asked the crowd what they wanted in their next secretary of education, then dashed off the stage to bring the microphone around and amplify some of the answers. One person said they wanted the next education secretary to be an ethnic minority. Randall Miller, president of the City Colleges Contingent Labor Organizing Committee, said hed like to see someone who will reverse the trend of more and more part-time professors.
A YOUNG Irish teacher who was flown home from Dubai after suffering an acquired brain injury just over two years ago has died.

Aisling Brady (29), from Trim, Co Meath, won the hearts of the nation when she tried to sing rugby anthem 'Ireland's Call' from the National Rehabilitation Centre during her initial recovery in Dublin.

Tragically she passed away on Thursday.

Her condition was caused by a pulmonary embolism, resulting from a deep vein thrombosis which had formed in her leg over a period of time, rushing up to her heart and eventually ending up in her lungs.

The Maths and Science post-primary teacher collapsed when she arrived at school in Dubai in November 2017 and hit her head on the floor. While travelling to hospital, she suffered multiple seizures and the first of a number of cardiac arrests on reaching the hospital before having a stroke which caused serious brain damage.

She couldn't speak, eat or see and could only slightly move her arms and legs when she entered the National Rehabilitation Centre.

Her attempts to sing the Rugby anthem was her first big breakthrough in recovery and this led to a visit in hospital by rugby legends Devin Toner and Rhys Ruddock.

People all over the country also came to her help in finding her a specialised wetsuit so she could go swimming on her return to Trim, where she needed 24 hour care at Care Choice last year.

St Joseph's Convent of Mercy in Navan, the school where she taught, confirmed the sad news of her death this evening.

They said in a statement on her Facebook page: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing away of our Science, Maths and Physics teacher, Ms Aisling Brady.

"Her struggle over two years ended peacefully on Thursday 5th March 2020. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-ainm dilis."

She is survived by her parents Terry and Antoinette, siblings Mark Daire, sister-in-law Snow and boyfriend Kristian, grandmother Margaret, teaching staff, relatives and friends to whom sympathy is extended.

Her funeral will take place at St Patrick's Church, Trim at 3pm on Sunday, followed by burial in St Loman's Cemetery.
- Alexandra Hospital in Singapore has devised a means to reduce exposure of healthcare practitioners to coronavirus

- The hospital will now be tasking a robot with the responsibility of delivering meals and medication to patients

- Another robot will be responsible for cleaning and chatting with the patients

Alexandra Hospital in Singapore is set to make use of a robot to distribute meals and medication to some patients suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus.

The hospital will also task another robot with the responsibility of cleaning and chatting with patients in four languages including Singlish.

The disclosure was made by the spokesperson of the hospital, who said the robot that will distribute meals and medication will begin its duty by the end of month - the robot is called BeamPro, CNN reports.

Legit.ng gathers that there is one confirmed case of coronavirus at Alexandra Hospital, but the patient remains in stable condition after being admitted on February 15.

Coronavirus patient. Photo credit: Today

Source: UGC

While briefing media on Wednesday, March 4, the hospital spokesperson said the hospital has 14 suspected cases in isolation.

According to the hospital, it housed BeamPro at the hospital's Centre for Innovation in Healthcare for over three months before the outbreak of coronavirus.

BeamPro's trial use began two weeks ago and it made it possible for patients to be inspected remotely being isolated.

The robot will now be used to distribute meals and medication to patients.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read the best news on Nigerias #1 news app

The clinical director of health technology at Alexandra Hospital, Dr Alexander Yip, said: The main aim of this telepresence robot is to reduce the unnecessary risk of exposure to healthcare workers by allowing us to move the robot into the room instead."

In other news, the Lagos state commissioner for health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has disclosed that there are now three suspected cases of coronavirus in the state.

Abayomi who made the disclosure in a tweet on Thursday, March 5, said the three persons suspected to be infected with the virus disease have been identified and are being tested at isolation containment facility in Yaba, Lagos.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better

Source: Legit.ng
Adopts the UN Womens Empowerment Principles

The IPG Womens Leadership Network Launches She Has a Point to Increase the Role of Women in Thought Leadership





New York, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that it is adopting the UN Global Compacts Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPs), in advance of International Womens Day on March 8th. The UN Global Compacts WEPs program empowers women in the workplace, marketplace and community through seven actionable principles.

In conjunction with IPGs adoption of the WEPs, the IPG Womens Leadership Network (WLN) will introduce the She Has a Point campaign to help bring the Empowerment Principles to life. She Has a Point is a global integrated program to further empower IPGs female talent, which makes up 55% of its workforce, to increase their professional visibility in earned and owned media. The program includes a social media campaign, video content and a website that highlights the business perspectives of senior women leaders across IPG. The website showcases global female leaders and provides downloadable campaign activation materials for local markets.

IPG is proud to officially adopt the Womens Empowerment Principles, noted Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of IPG. Weve long understood that businesses with women in leadership roles perform better and serve their clients more effectively. For well over a decade, weve been committed to advancing the role of women within our company, and the Womens Empowerment Principles help formalize that commitment. Our leadership role on the UN Women Unstereotype Alliance , our participation in the United Nations Global Compact, and our long-standing support of our Womens Leadership Network all set the stage for this historic moment, he continued.

As a founding member and Vice-Chair of the UN Women Unstereotype Alliance, IPG is committed to integrating the seven Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and the gender gap analysis tool into its global framework to track measurement and scale long-term sustainable solutions consistent with IPGs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values .

The UN Global Compact WEPs and the gap analysis tool are road maps to equity for all people, noted Heide Gardner, IPGs Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. The principles were created with the input of nearly 200 companies and subject matter experts  and over 2,000 companies have pledged to participate. Practicing the WEPs with intention will lead to systemic change, creating policies and activities that bring equity into the workplace. We are asking all of IPGs companies to review the WEPs, benchmark against them, and commit to them. This way, our pledge can become a measurable movement and lead to social sustainability in the community and marketplace, she continued.

# # #

About Interpublic

Interpublic is values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven. Major global brands include Acxiom, Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, Kinesso, MAGNA, McCann, Mediahub, Momentum, MRM, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com .

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New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) Distressed and angry customers of the crisis-hit Yes Bank thronged scores of branches and ATMs across the country on Friday to withdraw their deposits even as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured them that their funds are safe and the government will not let any financial institution collapse and the Reserve Bank of India unveiled its restructuring plan public.

A day after the RBI capped deposit withdrawals from Yes Bank at Rs 50,000 per account for a month, customers of the bank trooped to their branches on Friday to withdraw deposits. But many were disappointed as they found it difficult to take out the money as the branches failed to disburse and the ATMs in most cases were empty or not functioning.

At a news conference late in the afternoon, the Finance Minister tried to assure depositors saying that the withdrawal cap is temporary and the problem would be resolved "very speedily and a restructuring of the bank will happen.

The Minister assured that she "will not allow for any institution to fall off a cliff".

The revival scheme will be completed within 30 days, she said.

Ms Sitharaman said that once the RBIs restructuring of Yes Bank is completed, a new board of directors will be put in place.

Deposits and liabilities will continue unaffected and employment and salaries will be assured for at least one year, she said.

The RBI said the State Bank of India has expressed willingness to invest in Yes Bank. SBI would acquire a 49 per cent stake in the bank at a price not less than Rs 12,000 crore (approximately).

And according to the draft RBI restructuring scheme, Yes Banks authorised capital shall stand altered to Rs 5,000 crore from the current Rs 600 crore. The number of equity shares will be increased to 2,400 crore from the current 255 crore (face value Rs 2/- each) aggregating to Rs 4,800 crore.

The SBI shall agree to invest in the equity of the reconstructed bank such that post infusion it holds 49 per cent. The capital infusion will be at not less than Rs 10 per share (Face value Rs 2, Premium Rs 8). SBI shall not reduce its holding below 26 percent for three years from date of capital infusion.

The scheme maintains all current contracts, deeds, bonds, agreements, powers of attorney, grants of legal representation and other instruments of whatever nature.

The scheme proposes continuation of services of current employees at the same terms, for at least one year.

In another development during the day, the National Stock Exchange put restrictions on the lender's shares in various categories.

The categories placed under restriction include debt, securities lending and borrowing scheme, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives, futures and options, NSE said.

"Due to the recent development in Yes Bank it has been decided that no fresh or renewal of bank guarantees and fixed deposit receipt issued by the bank limited will be accepted," it said.

The existing benefit provided to members towards Bank Guarantees and Fixed Deposit Receipt issued by Yes Bank in favour of NSE Clearing Ltd, shall also be reduced, the bourse said.

In a separate circular, NSE said "the financial position of Yes Bank has undergone a steady decline largely due to inability of the bank to raise capital to address potential loan and losses and resultant downgrades, triggering invocation of bond covenants by investors and withdrawal of deposits".

The bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in the recent years which have led to steady decline of the bank, it said.

UNI SRJ PS1930
Japanese brand UNIQLO officially launched its second flagship store in the nation on March 6, with the new site covering an approximate area of 2,500m2 at Vincom Pham Ngoc Thach street in Dong Da district, Hanoi.

Japanese brand UNIQLO officially launches its second flagship store in Vietnam

The opening of the premises represents the company's second store nationwide and the 25th country that the Japanese brand has a presence in.

The new location in the capital is set to be the fourth largest UNIQLO store in Southeast Asia, following the other flagship stores situated in Manila in the Philippines, Orchard Central in Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City.

The first UNIQLO store in Hanoi will be selling all of the products from the Lifewear line which is specifically for men, women, and children of all ages.

With regard to orientations and plans to further expand in Hanoi in the future, a representative from the fashion brand stated that the group plans to open at least three new stores in the capital, in addition to a further 15 to 20 stores nationwide throughout the course of the year.

Each year, the firm recruits a number of new employees whilst co-operating alongside universities for the purpose of recruiting high-quality human resources and launching additional training courses aimed at meeting the working requirements of the companys global network.

The group previously based all manufacturing activities in China while it has gradually taken steps to increase production in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India in recent times. VOV

Crowds out in force for launch of first Uniqlo store in downtown HCM City Uniqlo, a global apparel retailer from Japan, opened its first store in Vietnam on Dong Khoi, a high-end shopping street in HCMCs District 1 on December 6, with hundreds of fashion lovers turning out to mark the launch of the store.
A 72-year-old man who was recently on a cruise ship with two passengers suspected of having coronavirus has died.

Police received a call about a man thought to be suffering from cardiac on Thursday in Sunnyvale, California.

An officer performed CPR on the unnamed man, who was unconscious and not breathing, but was unable to save his life.

Officials later learned that the victim had recently been on a cruise with two passenger suspected of having coronavirus.

Sunnyvale DPS Chief Phan Ngo said five officers who responded to the incident were quarantined for several hours as a precaution but were later released to return home.

Ngo emphasized that there were no immediate indications that the man had coronavirus and he was not showing any symptoms.

The police chief declined to disclose which cruise ship the man had been on, citing the active investigation.

A 72-year-old man who was recently on a cruise ship with two passengers suspected of having coronavirus died on Thursday in Sunnyvale (file photo)

Ngo said the responding officers had not been tested for coronavirus because there was no reason to believe the victim was infected.

He said the officers will not be returning to work immediately as county health officials conduct an investigation.

The Sunnyvale incident came as a Grand Princess cruise ship with 3,500 people on board is being held off the coast of California after a traveler from its previous voyage died from coronavirus and at least three others were infected by the strain.

Officials on Thursday ordered that the 951-foot boat remain anchored near San Francisco until passengers and crew members are tested.

Princess Cruise Lines said fewer than 100 people aboard had been identified for testing and that no cases of the virus had been confirmed among those still on the ship.

But dozens of passengers have had flu-like symptoms over the past two weeks or so, said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco's Department of Emergency Management.

'Once we have results from the tests,' she said, authorities 'will determine the best location for the ship to berth.'

A military helicopter lowered test kits onto the ship and authorities said the results would be available on Friday.

Passengers look on as a National Guard helicopter delivering coronavirus test kits hovers above the Grand Princess cruise ship on Thursday

Three helmeted paratroopers descended from the helicopter into an empty area with a swimming pool with what appeared to be a freezer chest and other items

The precaution was prompted by the death of a Sacramento-area man who succumbed to the coronavirus after he had been on an earlier sailing of the ship, in February.

Two other passengers from that voyage have been hospitalized with the virus in Northern California, and a Canadian man in his 60s who sailed aboard the ship last month tested positive after returning home to an area outside Toronto, officials said.

The ship currently stalled off the coast was returning to San Francisco after visiting Hawaii.

Some of the passengers remained on board after sailing on its previous voyage, to the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

A passenger from the Mexico voyage, Judy Cadiz of Lodi, California, said she and her husband became ill afterward but did not given it much thought until learning a fellow traveler had died of the virus.

Now they cannot get a straight answer about how to get tested, she said.

With Mark Cadiz, 65, running a fever, the couple worries not only about themselves, but about the possibility that - if they contracted the infection - they could have passed it on to others.

'They're telling us to stay home, but nobody told me until yesterday to stay home. We were in Sacramento, we were in Martinez, we were in Oakland. We took a train home from the cruise,' Judy Cadiz said Thursday.

'I really hope that we're negative so nobody got infected.'

Meanwhile, the US death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 12 on Thursday, with all but one of the victims in Washington state.

The number of infections surpassed 200, scattered across 18 states.
WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases

Coronavirus scare: Govt exempts employees from marking biometric attendance till March 31

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 06: All central government employees were on Friday exempted from marking attendance through Aadhaar-based biometric system as a preventive measure to check the spread of the coronavirus, according to a Personnel Ministry order.

Instead, they will be marking their attendance manually in the attendance register. "It is learnt that the most common method of transmission of the virus seems to be through infected surfaces. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid touching surfaces, which might be infected due to human touch," the order said.

Coronavirus: How one can fight against COVID-19

It said all the ministries have been asked to exempt their employees to mark attendance through the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system till March 31.

"However, all employees are required to mark their attendance in the attendance register (as done prior to launch of the biometric system), during this period," the order issued to all central government departments said.

Though only a small number of novel coronavirus cases have been reported in the country, it is a must to take all possible preventive measures to stop its spread, the personnel ministry said. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country is 31, according to health ministry officials

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Story first published: Friday, March 6, 2020, 17:38 [IST]
Joseph McCann had a history of violence and threats towards his partners

Probation, police and prison authorities in the UK were warned of the risk a serial rapist posed eight years before he carried out a sex attack spree, an official review found.

Joseph McCann was handed 33 life sentences and jailed for a minimum term of 30 years in December for the string of attacks on 11 women and children last year.

But officials were warned as early as 2011 he had the hallmarks of a sex offender. Probation officers later missed eight chances to keep him behind bars.

Described by his sentencing judge as a "classic psychopath", the 34-year-old convicted burglar had been freed after a probation service error two months before he embarked on the cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage.

The review said at a meeting of police, probation and prison officials in 2011, "police shared information which dated back to 2003 suggesting McCann might pose a risk of sexual harm and exploitation to teenage girls".

Alan Collins, one of the lawyers representing McCann's victims, said: "It's horrific to think that all of this was completely avoidable. They placed McCann's interests ahead of those of the general public."

While he had no convictions for sexual offences, McCann had a history of violence and threats towards his partners.

Crimes included escaping custody by grabbing and threatening a female security guard with a plastic knife, possessing a blade, robbery and two burglaries.

Over 15 days in April 2019, McCann abducted, raped and assaulted victims aged between 11 and 71 in Watford, London and the north west.

He was found guilty of 37 charges relating to 11 victims, including eight rapes, false imprisonment and kidnap.
(Alliance News) - Katoro Gold PLC on Tuesday said progress is going well in its recently set-up tailings processing joint venture in South Africa.

In January, Katoro entered a 50-50 joint venture with Blyvoor Gold Operations Pty Ltd. The two want to process gold mine tailings from six tailings dams owned by Blyvoor.

The two are targeting an initial processing rate of 250,000 tonnes per month, ramping up to 500,000 tonnes within two years. At 500,000 tonnes, this would mean around 35,000 ounces of gold production a year for the joint venture.

On Tuesday, Katoro said commercial and technical development is going well. Progress on feasibility, plant design, and related test work has been "good", Katoro added.

Katoro will be providing a GBP790,000 loan to the joint venture, with GBP263,000 already advanced. The rest will be sent "in the near term".

The loan to the joint venture is being funded by a previously announced convertible loan note issued to clients of Katoro's broker SI Capital worth GBP397,000, with a further GBP400,000 through Sanderson Capital Partners Ltd.

Katoro's Executive Chair Louis Coetzee said: "The Katoro team have been very pleased with the progress being made at the project, co-ordinated by the joint venture management committee and led by the recently appointed joint venture manager, Graham Briggs.

"Pleasingly, the project is proceeding more rapidly than anticipated and the drawn down of the Sanderson convertible loan note will enable us to fund the ongoing work programme."

"The board of Katoro notes the strengthening gold price which further bolsters what we consider to be very robust project economics, as previously announced," Coetzee continued.

Gold was quoted at USD1,652.09 per ounce on Tuesday afternoon, with the precious metal rising as investors flee to safe-haven assets amid the spread of coronavirus.

Katoro shares were 14% higher on Tuesday afternoon in London at 2.92 pence each. Kibo Energy PLC, which holds nearly 55% of Katoro, was 2.4% lower in London at 0.49p and untraded in Johannesburg, last seen at ZAR9.00.

By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
While the immediate economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have been disruptive to markets and some supply chains, the longer-term impacts are still coming into focus.

The view from 30,000 feet is dire. The OECD is expecting global growth to brake hard this year, and finance ministers across the globe are now pledging monetary assistance to their respective economies.

The view from your front porch, though, probably doesnt look too different yet. Some stores are beginning to have trouble keeping hand sanitizer on the shelves. There are runs on facemasks. Price-gouging for these items is taking place on Amazon.

But if you want to find an industry that is already concerned, look no further than the steel sector, which seems hardly logical until we examine why. While short supplies are a concern for most American industries like pharmaceuticals, for steel, its just the opposite.

In steel you can see the trouble brewing from afar, and right now were watching what happens when a massive downturn runs into the brick wall that is state-led capitalism. The pace of the global steel market is set by the state-dominated Chinese steel industry, which accounts for 53 percent of the worlds output. And during the first months of a viral outbreak that caused an economic standstill in mainland China, the state-led steel sector only tapped its brakes.

While steel output slowed in China, but its steelmakers took no furnaces offline. The result: record stockpiles of products like rebar.

So between the looming virus-related slowdown and the glut of Chinese steel poised to enter the global market, whats in store for American steelmakers?

We cant afford to allow the mistakes of the past to repeat themselves. During the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s, the answer from regional economies was to ramp up industrial production, devalue their currencies, and dump their steel in America, which is the worlds top steel importer. These economies essentially exported their unemployment problems to the United States, and our steel industry collapsed. The result was dozens of bankruptcies and tens of thousands of layoffs across the country.

Something similar happened just over a decade ago, in the aftermath of the Great Recession. American steelmakers slowed their production in step with demand while the Chinese competition, which was fast becoming the worlds dominant industry, was not nearly as nimble. Overcapacity in the steel sector drove prices down domestic steel was again pushed toward a breaking point.

Now on the cusp of another slowdown, the steel industrys only saving grace are the substantial steel tariffs already in place on Chinese and some other imported steel. The Section 232 tariffs President Trump raised in 2018 now cover about 20 to 30 percent of all steel imports, and they come on top of anti-dumping and countervailing duties the Obama administration placed specifically on many types of Chinese steel, citing the raft of subsidies showered on the industry there.

The U.S. produced 88 million tons of steel last year, with capacity levels floating close to market demand. But all of those American tariffs, however, still havent had much effect on reducing the overcapacity in the Chinese steel industry, whose production ticked up 8.3 percent last year on the way to churning out nearly one billion tons  again, more than half of the worlds total output.

To stave off another steel crisis, we should carry forward the lessons from slowdowns past. There are two big ones that spring to mind.

First, we shouldnt take the steel tariffs off and invite an import surge. Surges have proven disastrous for American steelworkers before. They must not be asked to drown in another one.

Second, we should boost demand on our own terms. Weve starved our bridges, railroads, ports and highways of maintenance long enough; Washington should pass an infrastructure package. That means repairing what we have, like municipal water and electric infrastructure that can be made smart and more efficient; and building out the foundation for what we dont, like a national 5G telecommunications network that will be necessary for the next decade of economic competitiveness.

Public investment like this makes sense now. Its cheap to borrow, and private sector demand is likely to be soft as we look ahead. One trillion dollars or more of new infrastructure investment would help our economy through what could be a turbulent few years and keep America working.

In some crises theres a kernel of opportunity. Thats the case with this one. The formula for the steel industry is simple: Keep the import surges out; dont weaken the tariffs. And create demand by boosting infrastructure spending now. The economic shock caused by the coronavirus will require a bold and strategic response from policymakers.

For Americas steelworkers, this means the government has their backs on imports and infrastructure.
Washington: US Senator Mitt Romney, the lone Republican to vote to convict President Donald Trump of abuse of power following his impeachment, said on Thursday that a Senate Republican probe of Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden appeared politically motivated.

Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah. Credit:Bloomberg

The Utah Republican told reporters that a probe of businessman Hunter Biden, Joe Biden's son, by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson would be better pursued by the FBI or another federal agency "if theres something of significance that needs to be evaluated."

Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican and Trump ally, is poised to issue the first subpoena in an investigation of Hunter Bidens seat on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma at a time when his father was the US vice president. Hunter Biden's role has been attacked as corrupt without evidence by Trump and other Republicans in Congress.

"Theres no question but that the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political. And I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations," Romney, a member of Johnsons homeland security committee, told reporters.
New Delhi: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets Vodafone Group CEO Nick Reed, in New Delhi on March 6, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets Vodafone Group CEO Nick Reed, in New Delhi on March 6, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 6 : Vodafone Group CEO Nick Reed, accompanied by Vodafone India MD and CEO Ravinder Takkar, on Friday met Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, seeking relief to be able to meet the AGR demands and remain in business.

The global CEO had a 40-minute meeting with Prasad and Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash in which he discussed the company's current financial situation.

Earlier, he had met Finance Minister nirmala Sitharaman at North Block.

Reed's India visit, ahead of final hearing of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue by the Supreme Court, slated for March 17, is seen as pressing the government for relief. Sources said he apprised the minister of Vodafone Idea's poor financial conditions. The telco has the maximum AGR dues of Rs 53,000 crore, of which it paid Rs 3,500 crore last month.

Vodafone Idea on Friday submitted its self assessment of statutory dues to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and said that its AGR dues stand at Rs 21,533 crore as per its calculations. DoT is yet to get back on this.

Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), a joint venture between the UK's Vodafone group and India's Aditya Birla group's Idea Cellular, has repeatedlyA sought government intervent ion to overcome its financial crisisA Last November, Reed had said that he was confident about India's growth potential and the country was an important market for the multinational company.

The telco recently paid Rs 3,042.80 crore for airwaves bought in the auctions of 2014, in addition to Rs 2,500 crore it cleared in February against the AGR dues.

Last month, Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla met Sitharaman and the DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash to press the demand for relaxation and relief.

Birla had earlier said that without any government relief, the telecom joint venture might be forced to wind up.
Thirteen new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Singapore, taking the total number of people infected by the deadly virus in the city-state to 130.

The 13 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Friday and is the highest daily jump since the outbreak of the deadly disease started emerging in the country this January.

The latest Health Ministry report brings the total number of new coronavirus cases to 130 since the first case was confirmed on January 23, reported Channel Asia.

One of the latest cases is a Singapore Airlines' cabin crew and another is an employee of Sintel, the city-state's biggest multi-national telecom group.

In a briefing on Friday, the ministry's communicable diseases director Vernon Lee said, We are still doing investigations of the people who attended a dinner at SAFRA Jurong, a junior military officer mess club popular for functions among mid-classes.

Not all of the cases were at the dinner. Some were family members or had links, but they were not necessarily at the dinner, Lee said of the February 15 dinner at the SAFRA Jurong club.

"For those who were at the dinner, we are still investigating their exact positions," said Associate Professor Lee.

The Ministry's director of medical services Kenneth Mak added, "Our understanding is that people were seated at more than one table and there may have been movements that took place throughout the dinner."



Among the confirmed cases is a Singapore permanent resident who had been in Germany recently.

Nine coronavirus patients are in critical condition in the intensive care units of hospitals and 48 are still hospitalized. Eighty-two patients have been discharged from hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Singtel employee had not gone to work since reporting onset of symptoms on February 27. He is in an isolation room at Alexandra Hospital.

Earlier on Friday, Singtel confirmed to Channel Asia that one of its employees was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday night.

"Our immediate priority has been to manage and minimize the risk of infection at Singtel Comcentre 1 where our colleague worked on level 20," the company said, adding that the entire floor has been closed off and disinfected.

"Those working on the same floor have been instructed to work from home for 14 days, closely monitor symptoms and practise strict social distancing while contact tracing is conducted in tandem with the Health Ministry."



"We are moving as fast as we can to ensure all parties who have been in close contact with our affected colleague can be identified swiftly," the telco was quoted as saying.

It is inevitable that Singapore will see a fatality from the coronavirus, warned Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday.

Gan told a briefing that patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), seven as of Thursday, are in quite critical condition.

"So far our healthcare workers are working very hard and trying their best to support them and hopefully they can recover. But it's inevitable that at some point in time, we will see fatalities from COVID-19, as we've seen all around the world," The Straits Times quoted the minister as saying.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Popular opposition to the ongoing imprisonment and state persecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange is increasing following last weeks extradition hearing in Britain. The four-day show trial, which blatantly violated Assanges basic legal rights and subjected him to even more psychological torture, has deeply shocked many people and intensified the determination of those fighting for Assanges release.

Addressing a public meeting last week in the New South Wales (NSW) parliament, Bob Carr, a former federal foreign minister and state Labor premier from 19952005, denounced the bogus espionage charges against Assange and warned that if extradited to the US, he would die.

Carr and other speakers, including Assanges Australian lawyer Greg Barns and former SBS television journalist Mary Kostakidis, insisted, however, that those defending Assange should concentrate on lobbying state and federal MPs.

Carr addressing NSW parliament meeting (Photo credit: Shaoquett Moselmane MLC Facebook)

This orientation, they suggested, would pressure the Liberal-National Coalition government and Foreign Minister Marisa Payne to ask Washington to release the WikiLeaks publisher.

Carr called for Payne to have a friendly chat with Mike Pompeo, the former CIA chief and current US Secretary of State, and offered some talking points.

Listen old buddy, we get along on so many fronts, Carr suggested Payne say. We have people in Syria and Iraqthe trainers, the advisors and the air forceand have a ship up there in the Gulf

Mike, just let Assange go. Just let the thing drop and think about the criticism you cop in Australia and the disillusionment you produce in the Australian population towards the US.

Carr said nothing about Pompeos threatening denunciations of WikiLeaks as a non-state hostile intelligence service, his visit to Sydney last August when he demanded greater Australian involvement in Washingtons aggressive confrontations with Beijing and Iran, or his role as former CIA chief.

As for Payne, she rejected any defence of Assange, declaring in the Senate a day earlier that the WikiLeaks publisher would receive a fair trial and disparaging UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzers reports on the decade-long persecution of Assange.

Carrs opposition to the US-led vendetta against Assange, which he first voiced in May, appears to constitute a remarkable political turn around. Eight years ago, as foreign minister in the Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillardfrom early 2012 to September 2013Carr, like other federal Labor MPs and the party as a whole, was virulently hostile to Assange.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in April 2012

The WikiLeaks publisher was amoral and had released secrets without inherent justification, Carr declared. He insisted that theres not the remotest evidence Washington wanted to extradite the Australian citizen. The WikiLeaks founder, he claimed, was no [Daniel] Ellsberg.

Carrs change of heart towards Assange, however, is driven by the same political imperatives that underpinned his previous attacks. His primary concern in both instances is to ensure that nothing disrupts the US-Australian military alliance or public confidence in the official parliamentary set-up.

As he explained to last weeks NSW parliament meeting: Im not arguing for a dumping of the [ANZUS] alliance but for Australias international personality to be expressed without apology under the architecture of the alliance.

Carrs claim that the attacks against Assange can be defeated under the architecture of the alliance and by lobbying members of the parliamentary parties that collaborated in the US-led persecution of the WikiLeaks founder is false and a political trap.

The decade-long US-led operation targeting Assange is precisely because WikiLeaks exposed the architecture of the alliance and the war crimes and illegal activities perpetrated in its name. US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks also revealed some protected sources of the US embassy operating inside the Labor Party, including Carr himself, who had been a US informant during the mid-1970s.

The demonisation of Assange by Australias political establishment and the corporate media, which is part and parcel of its commitment to the US alliance, has not convinced tens of thousands of ordinary Australians. Important layers of workers, young people, students and middle-class people have taken up Assanges defence as part of a growing international movement.

Carr fears this movement because it has developed independently of and in opposition to all sections of the political establishment.

The former foreign minister and veteran Labor bureaucrats real concern is that the movement to free Assange will become a focal point for a mass political mobilisation against war, social inequality, attacks on democratic rights and the existing parliamentary setup.

As he warned in an address last October to a meeting in the European Parliament, if Assange were to die in prison or the US win extradition there would be a serious political backlash in this country. Unless you want to be subject to a serious political backlash in Australia you should quietly withdraw from this.

Carrs insistence that those demanding the release of Assange confine themselves to lobbying MPs is designed to entrap this movement and politically suffocate it in dead-end appeals to the non-existent moral values of the Australian parliament.

The struggle to free Assange and US whistleblower Chelsea Manning and to defend fundamental democratic rights can only be waged through the independent mobilisation of the international working class. This is the political content of the meetings, rallies, speak outs and other events being conducted by the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality.

This vital work is not to offer friendly appeals to the Australian government but to demand that it condemn the legal travesties against Assange in the UK courts, and use its undeniable legal and diplomatic powers to block extradition and secure Assanges release.

The turn that must be made is not to parliament but to the independent organisation and political mobilisation of working classthrough the formation of community action committees, workplace organisations and student formations to explain the political implications for democratic rights if Assange is extradited.

The author also recommends:

The international witch-hunt of JulianAssange

[14 January 2020]

US Secretary of State demands greater Australian involvement in war drive against China

[6 August 2019]

For a world wide campaign to prevent Julian Assanges rendition to the US!

[20 June 2019]
The Citizenship Amendment Act



(CCA) would not affect any Indian citizen and the campaign against it was part of a 'conspiracy' to defame the country, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said on Friday.

Some countries wanted to defame India and also the Hindus and the campaign was nothing but a part of the conspiracy, he told reporters at the airport here.

Referring to the country's economy, he said it was in a bad state and should be brought back on the right track.

"I don't think so," he said to a question on the charge by opposition parties that the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu was being controlled by the BJP.

The political scenario in the state would witness "a big change" once AMMK leader V K Sasikala, serving a jail-term in connection with a wealth case, was released, he claimed.

Swamy said he would extend support to superstar Rajinikanth if he speaks up for the Hindus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Earlier this week, the cryptocurrency industry of India heaved a sigh of relief as the Supreme Court of India quashed the Reserve Bank of Indias injunction on trading cryptocurrencies in the country. Even as the apex courts ruling has led to many expecting direct investments to expand in the cryptocurrency space in India, experts believe that the impact that this sector can have goes beyond that.

Speaking to News18, Dr. Garrick Hileman, head of research for Blockchain.com, stated on the matter, Opening the doors wider for cryptocurrencies wont only expand their daily use in India, but also bring in new talent and innovation that would otherwise choose a more crypto-friendly country. In the long-term thats a clear benefit for the Indian economy and its competitiveness globally.

Hileman believes that this opportunity of creating jobs and inventing new technologies based on existing cryptography and blockchain technologies is largely thanks to the major growth opportunity that cryptocurrencies presently offer. The ecosystem of users has grown from thousands of pioneers to over 30 million people today  growth that significantly outpaces the early internets growth rate (approximately 2x faster). That growth includes the use of cryptocurrencies as a lower cost and more efficient alternative for certain financial transactions, the digital gold thesis for bitcoin as the ultimate hard asset, and the emergence of the decentralised finance movement (DeFi) that aims to expand financial inclusion and restore user-control over personal finances, he adds.

With the ban lifted, we now open ourselves to the possibility of Indian developers building and promoting a similar public blockchain (as bitcoin and ethereum) that will be open for trading.

Nischal Shetty, whose startup WazirX was acquired by global crypto leader Binance in late 2019, expects the industry in India to show similar positive traits beyond renewing the influx of investments in the country. Speaking to News18, he said, The best part about the SC ruling is that we will finally get to see the emergence of Indian public blockchains which require cryptocurrencies for functioning. With the ban lifted, we now open ourselves to the possibility of Indian developers building and promoting a similar public blockchain (as bitcoin and ethereum) that will be open for trading.

The advent of such technologies and companies bringing them in can be key to ushering in a new industry that can have tremendous impact on the overall economy, in the long run. Not only does it create jobs, but also puts India on the global map of yet another burgeoning industry that emphasises upon decentralising the epicentre of control for finance.

Hileman further states that India stands at a strong position of growth in developer and executive positions in the cryptocurrency industry, and while the recent SC verdict will support that, much will also depend on what follows next. We are seeing India develop a strong position in developing next-generation blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Enhanced regulatory clarity will only help Indian firms develop regional and global leadership positions, he says.

If regulators actions are clearly against or outlaw cryptocurrencies, it clearly slows adoption as businesses arent able to serve that market

It is this latter bit that Hileman believes can be crucial to shaping the future of this industry, and shape the direction that it takes. If regulators overseeing cryptocurrencies are pro-innovation  like the UKs investment in understanding the ecosystem  adoption can be accelerated. If regulators actions are clearly against or outlaw cryptocurrencies, it clearly slows adoption as businesses arent able to serve that market, adds Hileman.

It is this that can eventually be make or break for the nascent crypto industry of India. As G.V. Anand Bhushan, partner and Chennai head of general corporate affairs and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. told News18, There are substantial differences in legislations across the world regarding regulation of cryptocurrencies. It is likely that India may follow the path that Japan did in 2017 with a regulatory framework that governed registration of exchanges, establishment of security procedures, independent audits, mandatory disclosures to customers, maintenance of records and submission of accounts annually to their financial services agency.

Whichever way things go, the next few months will offer telling guidance towards how India approaches cryptocurrency, and what impact it has on the nations economy.
A five judge Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, will deliver the judgment on Friday in a case concerning the grant of compensation under Section 24 of the land acquisition law of 2013.

Last year, Justice Arun Mishra, heading the Bench, had refused to recuse himself from hearing the case related to the interpretation of Section 24 of the Right to Fair Compensation, Transparency in Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.

The bench began hearing five matters related to the land acquisition case from October 15 last year. As the constitution bench began hearing the matters, a farmers' association had sought the recusal of Justice Mishra, alleging conflict of interest.

The association sought Justice Mishra's recusal on the ground of judicial propriety saying that the bench is examining the correctness of a judgment, which was also authored by him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It really was her bedside manner, said Antoine Lewis, who produced Malloys TV segments in the 1990s. Whether it was the way she went about her day-to-day work or on TV, she was relatable, and she could explain complex terms. And many of us (at the station) came to her with personal health problems as well.
The researchers argue those findings suggest that YouTube has decided which types of misinformation it wants to root out and which types it is willing to allow. Loading "It is a technological problem, but it is really at the end of the day also a policy problem," said Hany Farid, a computer science professor and co-author of the study. "If you have the ability to essentially drive some of the particularly problematic content close to zero, well then you can do more on lots of things," he added. "They use the word 'can't' when they mean 'won't'." Farshad Shadloo, a YouTube spokesman, said the company's recommendations aimed to steer people toward authoritative videos that leave them satisfied. He said the company was continually improving the algorithm that generates the recommendations. "Over the past year alone, we've launched over 30 different changes to reduce recommendations of borderline content and harmful misinformation, including climate change misinformation and other types of conspiracy videos," he said. "Thanks to this change, watchtime this type of content gets from recommendations has dropped by over 70 per cent in the US."

'They use the word "can't" when they mean "won't".' Hany Farid, University of California, Berkeley YouTube's powerful recommendation algorithm, which pushes its 2 billion monthly users to videos it thinks they will watch, has fuelled the platform's ascent to become the new TV for many across the world. The company has said its recommendations drive more than 70 per cent of the more than 1 billion hours people spend watching YouTube videos each day, making the software that picks the recommendations among the world's most influential algorithms. Yet that success has come with a dark side. Research has shown that the recommendations have systematically amplified divisive, sensationalist and clearly false videos. Other algorithms meant to capture people's attention in order to show more ads, like Facebook's newsfeed, have had the same problem. The stakes are high. YouTube faces an onslaught of misinformation and unsavory content uploaded daily. The FBI recently identified the spread of fringe conspiracy theories as a US domestic terror threat. Last month, a German man uploaded a screed to YouTube saying that "invisible secret societies" use mind control to abuse children in underground bunkers. He later shot and killed nine people in a suburb of Frankfurt.

To study YouTube, Farid and another Berkeley researcher, Marc Faddoul, teamed up with Guillaume Chaslot, a former Google engineer who helped develop the recommendation engine and now studies it. Since October 2018, the researchers have collected recommendations that appeared alongside videos from more than 1000 of YouTube's most popular and recommended news-related channels, making their study among the longest and most in-depth examinations of the topic. They then trained an algorithm to rate, on a scale from 0 to 1, the likelihood that a given video peddled a conspiracy theory, including by analysing its comments, transcript and description. Like most attempts to study YouTube, the approach has flaws. Determining which videos push conspiracy theories is subjective, and leaving it to an algorithm can lead to mistakes. To account for errors, the researchers included in their study only videos that scored higher than 0.5 on the likelihood scale. They also discounted many videos based on their rating: Videos with a 0.75 rating, for example, were worth three-quarters of a conspiracy-theory recommendation in the study. The recommendations were also collected without logging into a YouTube account, which isn't how most people use the site. When logged in, recommendations are personalised based on people's viewing history. But researchers have been unable to re-create recommendations at scale, and as a result have struggled to study them.

That challenge has deterred other studies. Arvind Narayanan, a computer science professor at Princeton University, said that he and his students abandoned research on whether YouTube could radicalise users because they couldn't examine recommendations. Late last year, Narayanan criticised a similar study  which concluded that YouTube hardly radicalise users  because it studied only logged-out recommendations, among other issues. Narayanan reviewed the Berkeley study at request of The New York Times and said it was valid to study the rate of conspiracy-theory recommendations over time, even when logged out. But without examining personalised recommendations, he said, the study couldn't offer conclusions about the impact on users. "To me, a more interesting question is, 'What effect does the promotion of conspiracy videos via YouTube have on people and society?'" Narayanan said in an email. "We don't have good ways to study that question without YouTube's cooperation." Shadloo of YouTube questioned the study's findings because the research focused on logged-out recommendations, which he reiterated doesn't represent most people's experience. He also said the list of channels the study used to collect recommendations was subjective and didn't represent what's popular on the site. The researchers said they chose the most popular and recommended news-related channels. The study highlights a potpourri of paranoia and delusion. Some videos claim that angels are hidden beneath the ice in Antarctica (1.3 million views); that the government is hiding technologies like levitation (5.5 million views); that photos from the Mars rover prove there was once civilisation on the planet (850,000 views); and that footage of dignitaries reacting to something at George Bush's funeral confirms a major revelation is coming (1.3 million views).

Often the videos run with advertising, which helps finance the creators' next production. YouTube also takes a cut. Some types of conspiracy theories were recommended less and less through 2019, including videos with end-of-the-world prophecies. One video viewed 600,000 times and titled "Could Emmanuel Macron be the Antichrist?" claimed there were signs that the French president was the devil. (Some of its proof: He earned 66.06 per cent of the vote.) In December 2018 and January 2019, the study found that YouTube recommended the video 764 times in the "Up next" playlist of recommendations that appeared alongside videos analysed in the study. Then the recommendations abruptly stopped. Videos promoting QAnon, the pro-Trump conspiracy theory that claims "deep state" paedophiles control the country, had thousands of recommendations in early 2019, according to the study. Over the past year, YouTube has sharply cut recommendations of QAnon videos, in part by seemingly avoiding some channels that push the theory.

While YouTube recommends such videos less, it still hosts many of them on its site. For some topics like the moon landing and climate change, it now aims to undercut debunked claims by including Wikipedia blurbs below videos. Many of the conspiracy theories YouTube continues to recommend come from fringe channels. Consider Perry Stone, a televangelist who preaches that patterns in the Bible can predict the future, that climate change is not a threat and that world leaders worship the devil. YouTube's recommendations of his videos have steadily increased, steering people his way nearly 8,000 times in the study. Many of his videos now collect hundreds of thousands of views each. "I am amused that some of the researchers in non-religious academia would consider portions of my teaching that link biblical prophecies and their fulfillment to this day and age, as a mix of off-the-wall conspiracy theories," Stone said in an email. Climate change, he said, had simply been rebranded: "Men have survived Noah's flood, Sodom's destruction, Pompeii's volcano." As for the claim that world leaders are "Luciferian," the information "was given directly to me from a European billionaire," he said. "I will not disclose his information nor his identity."
The U.S. election will be a contest between two septuagenarian men. Women who once held such promise fell one by one to the wayside. The last woman standing, Elizabeth Warren, once leading the race, has now faced the inevitable.

Individual strengths and weaknesses matter, but in general many people still dont see women as leaders. When I ran for NDP leader in 2012 I was shocked at the sexist comments people shared, such as we tried a woman leader and it didnt work out. By that measure, the world would never elect another man.

Women are still seen as invading male spaces when they aspire to leadership and they continue to be judged differently. Jill Filipovic in the New York Times asked How old is 37? Depends on your gender. She wrote that women may be promoted if they do well but young men are promoted if they have the potential to do well. No one asks them who will look after their kids. Women are often seen as too young or too old. Men are OK at any age.

Each year in the lead up to International Womens Day, I tend to take stock of the goal of womens equality, assessing losses and more importantly gains. A key measure of the ability to make gains for womens equality is the election of women.

Even though most Canadian women got the right to vote in 1917 (Indigenous women on reserves had to wait till 1960), women remain grossly under-represented electorally. We now only have one woman out of 13 provincial and territorial leaders. Canada upped its number of women MPs to 29 per cent in 2019 but still ranks 58th in the world.

Surely we can do better.

The gain that caught international attention recently was in Finland where for the third time a woman was elected prime minister. Social Democrat Sanna Marin was not only the worlds youngest PM and the youngest ever Finnish leader, but she leads a coalition of five parties, all headed by women, most under 40. Twelve out of 19 ministers in her coalition government are women.

Granted Finland is a small country of just 5.5 million citizens, but still, how did they do this? For some clues we should look at the Nordic countries overall.

Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden, rank at the top of the World Economic Forum Gender Equity ranking. They have a long history of closing the wage gap between men and women, providing extensive supports for working families, such as child care and family leave, and lots of women role models in positions of power, so women in authority is not a novelty.

Women have been represented in Nordic politics for decades. Icelands Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected president of Iceland in 1980 and served till 1996. Children have grown up seeing a woman head of state.

Canada has taken some positive steps with a gender equal cabinet and new pay equity law. But we have still fallen three points on the WEF gender ranking to 19th, with womens electoral and private sector underrepresentation as key factors.

While not all the Nordic countries have quotas to elect women they do have one electoral factor in common: they all function with some form of proportional representation electoral systems, as do 40 out of 42 European countries. The U.K. was alone in using the first-past-the-post system that we use in Canada.

New Zealand, also a country with PR, elected its third woman prime minister in 2017. Jacinda Ardern was widely praised for her response to the horrific mosque shootings in Christchurch in March, 2019. Her social democratic government has focused on housing, child poverty and inequality.

Without yet having PR systems to elect more women Canada must do more than express gender equality than as a hand-wringing aspirational goal. A gender equal civil service, equal numbers of women on corporate and NGO boards, strong family supports, such as universal child care and family leave, and of course fully equal pay will accustom the next generation to seeing women in leadership.

I know from the Ryerson University Women in the House program we run each year that young women leaders are ambitious and impatient. Lets finally give them an equal chance to improve our governments. Its long overdue.
Plans to build tiny houses for long-term homeless residents in Baton Rouge took a step forward Wednesday, when city-parish officials presented a $250,000 grant to the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless.

The nonprofit's plan draws on similar initiatives in Austin, Texas and Olympia, Washington. It aims to initially provide at least 20 units of affordable, stable housing for Baton Rouge's chronically homeless population.

The typical tiny home ranges between 100 and 400 square feet. In most cases, they consist of a small space with a bed and storage, with bathroom or kitchen facilities located elsewhere.

A study commissioned by CAAH found that, though the city-parish has experienced an overall decrease in the number of people in homeless shelters, the number of people living on the streets  in cars, abandoned buildings or parks  has remained steady.

"This shows that the current approaches to support the homeless population work, but are failing to target a key demographic of chronically unsheltered people," the report says.

That's who the tiny houses project aims to help.

The development is likely to expand over time, a prospect officials hope will help alleviate Baton Rouge's dearth of affordable housing. For every 100 renters that make less than $25,000 annually, there are only 44 units of affordable housing, or properties with monthly rents below $750, the CAAH study found.

But one question looms: where is the project going to be located?

Rowdy Gaudet, an assistant chief administrative officer in the Mayor's Office, said the city-parish will be "very careful about where we put this type of development, recognizing that not everybody wants this near their neighborhood."

Officials with CAAH said they hope to have a site selected for the development within the next six months and are looking at tracts ranging from 8 to 15 acres. They hope to break ground within a year.

Well aim for maximum transparency, assured Randy Nichols, the assistant to the director for the CAAH. We intend to do this project with input from the homeless people who will be housed there and any neighbors that might be close by.

31,000 Louisianans could lose their food stamp benefits under new Trump administration rule As many as 31,000 of Louisiana's food stamp recipients could lose their benefits under a new Trump administration rule starting April 1 that e

It's unclear whether the location for the proposed development will come up for a public hearing. That depends on the number of structures on the selected property as well as its zoning designation.

The Parish's Planning Director Frank Duke said it would be easiest for CAAH to locate the community in a commercial zoning district, which permits both multi-family housing like tiny homes as well as commercial services like grocery stores or barber shops.

Duke noted, "Wherever they choose to locate, its going to be critical that theyre talking to the property owners in the area immediately around them."

Nichols argued that rehousing chronically homeless individuals will help reduce crime, noting that "the homeless are much more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators because they're so vulnerable."

In December, three homeless people were shot to death while they were sleeping. A 29-year-old Baton Rouge man is facing prosecution as a serial killer in the case.

+5 Accused of killing 3 homeless people, Baton Rouge man will be prosecuted as serial killer A first-degree murder indictment was returned Thursday against a Baton Rouge man suspected in the December killing of three homeless people  

The ideal location will give the tiny home residents easy access to public transportation, medical care, groceries and other social services, Nichols said.

CAAH officials made several trips to Austin to better understand the Community First! Village, a 51-acre development that will eventually include more than 500 tiny homes each measuring around 200-square-feet.

Along with offering housing, the development provides services to the residents. About 16% of the developments annual budget is covered from rents paid by residents. Some of the people living in the development even have service jobs there, such as working as a hairdresser.

CAAH hopes to get churches, businesses, civic organizations and builders to sponsor houses. In addition to support from Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, the development has also garnered praise from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, Nichols said.

If the utilities can be delivered to the site, Nichols said he thinks the homes can be built for $20,000 to $25,000 in materials, with volunteers performing the labor.

"Everyone throughout the community of Baton Rouge that has heard about this project has said this is a great idea," Nichols said. "That's what makes me think we can start to make this happen within the next year."
A 15-year-old girl was brutally beaten and robbed by a group of almost 20 teenagers after they chased her around Brooklyn, New York.

The NYPD released footage of the horrific attack which was captured by security cameras.

Authorities said the incident began around 4.10pm Thursday when the victim was approached by a group of unidentified individuals in front of 216 Utica Avenue.

It's unclear what started the altercation, but surveillance footage shows the group of young teenagers chased after the girl until she fell on the sidewalk.

Surveillance footage shows the 15-year-old girl falling on a sidewalk near Utica Avenue while being chased by a group of teenagers

Then, nearly 20 individuals jumped onto, kicked and punched her several times as the group swarmed around her.

As the suspects fled the scene, one of them stole the girl's sneakers off her feet while she's on the ground. Her phone and debit card were also stolen.

The girl was transported to NYC Health & Hospitals/Kings County to be treated for head trauma and bruises.

Authorities believe Thursday's assault could be in retaliation for a previous slight, but the details of that are unclear.

Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey of NYPD Brooklyn North said the ordeal was outrageous.

Nearly 20 individuals were captured jumping, punching and kicking the 15-year-old girl Thursday afternoon

The suspects steal the girl's sneakers, debit card and phone during the violent altercation

'...This is sickening video of a 15 year old girl viciously attacked by a group of school children,' he wrote on Twitter.

'One young man takes the sneakers right off the unconscious victims feet. The teenager is in the hospital recovering. We CAN NOT allow this behavior in our community,' he added.

According to the NYPD CompStat 2.0, there are 2,499 robbery reports this year so far, making a 34 percent increase from 2019.

Anyone with information in regard to the identity of these individuals is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Markets regulator Sebi has lined up properties of Royal Twinkle Star Club and Citrus Check Inns for an auction on March 27 at a reserve price of over Rs 68 crore.

The move is part of Sebi's effort to recover funds worth thousands of crores of rupees raised by the companies in the garb of sham 'timeshare' holiday plans.

The decision comes after the Supreme Court December 2019 directed the sale-cum-monitoring committee headed by retired Justice J P Devdhar to proceed with the sale of 114 properties of the companies within six months.

In a notice, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said it will auction properties of the companies on March 27 at a reserve price of over Rs 68 crore.

The properties to go under the hammer include land parcel, hotel and office premise in Mumbai, Lonavala and Alappuzha in Kerala.

Earlier in February, the regulator auctioned 59 properties of the companies on February 10 at a reserve price of a little over Rs 213 crore. During the November-January period, eight properties of Royal Twinkle and Citrus Check Inns were auctioned at a reserve price of Rs 244 crore.

In December 2018, Sebi had imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh on Citrus Check Inns and its directors for non-compliance with its order, wherein it had barred them from raising funds from the public.

Sebi had received several investor complaints against Citrus alleging that directors of Royal Twinkle were now running their collective investment scheme (CIS) through Citrus.

In August 2015, the regulator had imposed a four-year ban on Royal Twinkle and its four directors for illegally raising over Rs 2,656 crore in the garb of sham 'timeshare' holiday plans.

Besides, it had directed the company and its officials to refund the money along with promised returns to the investors in three months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Women in Technology graduates include: Iola Christian, Odalys Carballosa, Tekela Ford, Christal Gragg, Bereatha Howard, and Yenisley Montelier, who are pictured with Instructor David Winters. Women in Technology was a program initiated from a vision working with YWCA and CareerSouce South Florida to help increase the number of women working in the IT field in South Florida.

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of South Florida, the leading IT educator for individuals and corporations, is honored to host a very special Women in Technology Graduation Celebration and Job Placement event with CareerSource South Florida and YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade.

The Women in Technology celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 6 at YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, 351 NW 5th St., Miami, FL 33128.

Women in Technology was a program initiated from a vision working with YWCA and CareerSouce South Florida to help increase the number of women working in the IT field. We invested the funds and launched the TechHire program as a way to advance more women in IT, said Rick Beasley, Executive Director, CareerSource South Florida.

There was an opportunity to bring another TechHire to YWCA. It was a way for us to respond to a huge mission priority, and it was an opportunity for CareerSource South Florida and New Horizons Computer Learning Centers South Florida to bring in all the tools and educational programming that could help us meet the needs of the women in our community, said Kerry-Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade.

Last year, 57% of professional jobs in the U.S. were held by women, but only 26% were in technology positions. The nationwide numbers are even more staggering with just 3% of African American women and 2% of Latino women in technology positions.

New Horizons South Florida is doing its part to close this divide. As changes in technology have accelerated the need for gender diversity in the workplace has expanded, New Horizons has designed our curriculum to position students like Tekela Ford to succeed, said Arnie Girnun, CEO of New Horizons South Florida. The achievements of women like Tekela Ford is what fuels our passion and our mission as we work together to prepare these women to enter the IT workforce and help close the women in technology gap in South Florida. We are honored and humbled to educate and connect these women to our strong network of employers to find a fulfilling career in IT.

The scholarships, in partnership with CareerSource South Florida, were awarded to six eligible women in Miami-Dade County to learn 21st Century technology skills in the fast-growing field of IT. The custom 12-week program focused on achieving certifications in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Azure, and Cisco CCNA, along with job placement assistance upon graduation into a career in IT. The classes were held at the CareerSource South Florida TechHire Center for Women at the YWCA downtown.

The opportunity to help someone with desire and need while also building gender diversity in technology is something we are passionate about at New Horizons. A chronic challenge in South Florida is the gap between the skills many companies in the technology sector need and the skills of the employees available, said Krista Wade, President of New Horizons South Florida. With the support of employers and partners like CareerSource and YWCA, were continuing to bring more women into technology and building a diverse tech ecosystem in South Florida.

About New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of South Florida

Established in 1997, New Horizons Learning Centers of South Florida (NHSF) is the countrys leading IT training provider, with specialized attention paid to individuals, veterans and corporations. NHSF offers cutting-edge courses and teaching strategies that provide a path to success for those seeking to elevate their skills for their 21st Century career in Information Technology and Professional Development. In addition to being an Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces, Florida Trends Best Companies to Work For and South Florida Business Journal Best Places to Work, New Horizons is part of a family of more than 300 computer-training centers in 35 countries. For more information on the campuses in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, visit the website at http://www.nhflorida.com.

About CareerSource South Florida

CareerSource South Florida is a public-private partnership that establishes state and federally funded workforce development and training policies for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. CareerSource South Floridas services and resources are available to everyone at no cost through a network of centers located throughout the region. For more information, visit http://www.careersourcesfl.com.

About YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc.

Established in 1919, YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc. is committed to eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc. is the leading voice for women and girls in South Florida because we confront social justice issues to make lasting, meaningful change. For more information, visit http://www.ywca-miami.org.
Australia is in the grips of a toilet paper crisis, with people trying to sell packs on the street for thousands of dollars and families spending their weekend queueing up for supplies.

One man was caught trying to flog packets of toilet paper for $2,000 after listing them on Gumtree and demanding desperate customers pay cash only.

However, when confronted by Nine in Perth's CBD, he claimed he was selling the loo roll to pay for an operation and not to make a quick buck.

A man has been caught selling packets of toilet paper for $2,000 as supermarket shelves are left bare amid coronavirus fears

After he was confronted, the ad was swiftly removed from the internet.

He's not the only one to attempt to make money from the toilet paper shortage. Others have listed single sheets, rolls and entire packets online for outrageous prices.

The man's toilet paper scheme comes after supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths were forced to bring in a four-pack limit to stop people hoarding rolls.

Photos showed shelves absolutely cleared out and shoppers having to go from store to store in order to find toilet paper.

A pensioner was photographed staring at empty shelves in a Coles supermarket in Perth on Thursday after attempting to buy toilet paper.

Posting the heartbreaking image on Facebook local woman Justine Bowers poured scorn on panic buyers.

People began lining up outside a Coles in Wollongong, NSW, at 6am in a bid to get toilet paper

Shoppers were terrified they would run out of staples such as medication, toilet paper and pasta should they need to self isolate due to coronavirus

Photos showed shelves absolutely cleared out and shoppers having to go from store to store in order to buy their toilet paper

Stores have had to introduce a four-pack ban so more customers have access to toilet paper

'This absolutely broke my heart seeing this old man grabbing tissues because there was no toilet paper left,' she wrote.

Ms Bowers said she offered the man the 'very few toilet rolls' she had as she couldn't bring herself to see him go without.

'Pull your f***ing head in people and stop panic buying toilet paper,' she wrote.

'Shame on all the people who have been buying in bulk because it's affecting so many people who aren't fortunate enough to do so.

'A picture says a thousand words.'

Shoppers were terrified they would run out of staples such as medication, toilet paper and pasta should they need to self isolate due to coronavirus.

A total of 67 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Australia, including two deaths.

One business put up signs joking they would be out of toilet paper until the year 25020

Restaurants, bars and other business have had to advertise they have no toilet paper on the premises so customers don't steal their toilet paper

A Costco in Melbourne had people queuing up outside the door and down the street for sought after products like toilet paper and pasta

People are so desperate to get their hands on toilet paper they have begun queuing up outside of supermarkets hours before they open.

Images showed people lining up outside of a Coles in Wollongong, on the NSW south coast, at 6am.

A Costco in Melbourne had people queued in a line down the street hoping to get their hands on the much-sought after product.

Stores have had to introduce a four-pack ban so more customers have access to toilet paper.

A travel business joked a roll of toilet paper came free with flights to Vanauatu

Supermarket shelves have been left bare as fear of running out of essentials due to coronavirus has sparked mass panic buying

Restaurants, bars and other business have had to advertise they have no toilet paper on the premises so customers don't steal their toilet paper.

Some people have even gotten into brawls trying to get their hands on toilet paper.

Three women were filmed fighting over toilet paper at a Woolworths supermarket in Chullora, 15km west of Sydney's CBD.

Hysterical screaming broke out as the trio brawled in the aisles, with the incident seemingly stemming from a mother and daughter stockpiling toilet paper.

After the fist fight was broken up by a member of staff, the camera panned to show the women's trolley full to the brim with toilet paper.

'Are you f*****g joking?', the other woman asked.

The woman were filmed brawling in a Woolworths supermarket in Sydney as they tried to buy toilet paper (pictured)

'I didn't smack her, she hit me,' she continued, pointing at the woman's daughter.

'I didn't touch you, I took the packet, and you came and hit me.

'I just want one pack,' she said, pointing at the trolley - which was full of toilet paper.

The mother then said 'get away from my daughter', as other shoppers implored them to stop fighting.

It comes as a medical professor claims the coronavirus outbreak will get worse before it gets better.

John Dwyer, emeritus professor of medicine at the University of NSW, said the coronavirus situation is 'going to get a lot worse before it gets better'.

He also warned that hundreds of Australians are already infected, but aren't aware yet, and that every infected person goes on to infect at least two others.

'We are definitely going to have a pandemic in Australia,' Professor Dwyer told the Australian.

After the serious bushfire season experience over 2020 firefighters reminded people of the dangers of too much toilet paper

The pensioner was pictured among the empty shelves at a Coles supermarket in Perth on Thursday, where he attempted to buy toilet paper

'The experience with other epidemics is that once this happens, there must be hundreds of people who are infected in Australia at this stage.

'And for every one infected person, the average is they will infect two and a half others.'

To date, the virus has infected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 3,300 worldwide.

It comes as tens of thousands of Australians were forced into isolation, with offices, schools and even a maternity ward going into lockdown over coronavirus fears.
New Delhi, March 6 : Even as Vodafone group CEO Nick Read descended on India to meet top government functionaries on the same day, the joint venture company, Vodafone Idea, pegged its AGR liabilities at Rs 21,533 crore.

Read on Friday met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a time when Vodafone Idea is under severe financial stress and also faces the uphill task of making payments of AGR dues as per the Supreme Court judgement.

This is an engagement by the top Vodafone group management as the joint venture company in India has been at the centre of a storm, sandwiched between financial problems and heightened competition in the telecom sector. Vodafone Idea has been seeking a government package and relief from AGR dues as it has said that it will be very difficult for it to sustain operations without any relief.

Vodafone has estimated adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities of Rs 21,533 crore in a self-assessment exercise. Of this, it has paid Rs 3,500 crore and almost Rs 18,000 crore remains to be paid.

In a filing with stock exchanges, it said that following the approval of the board of directors at a meeting held on Wednesday, the company has on Friday filed its self-assessment of AGR liabilities with the Department of Telecommunications.

Vodafone Idea said in the filing that the self-assessment disclosed the company's AGR liabilities at Rs 21,533 crore, including a principal amount of Rs 6,854 crore for the period from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19 and interest up to February 2020.

The company has already paid a sum of Rs 2,500 crore in February 2020 and a further sum of Rs 1,000 crore towards this liability on February 20.
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Facial Recognition Market has seen a steady growth since the inception of technology and is expected to maintain the momentum of growth in the upcoming years. Recent rise in demand for the security enhancements, identification, tracking and law & order purposes, among others at public and private places is set to keep the growth potential up for the market.

Nitty-Gritties Of The Market

Facial Recognition technology has rocketed the efficiency of several systems and has proved its worth in multiple arenas. This resulted in increase in demand in Facial Recognition Market, for which it has many potent factors to thank.

Security Need Is An Important Factor

Rising security threats along with the need for identification in public and private places are one of the most important factors to have influenced the market on a large scale. With 1 in 5 violent crimes in USA taking place in public and open places, government has pushed the need for security enhancements and identification at public places. These enhancements are mostly dependent on the facial recognition technology. Also, face biometric systems are deployed at several airports for reducing the security threats, along with hassles for passengers and boost reduction in time as well. For example, in 2017, Thales was responsible for supplying the new automated control gates for the PARAFE system (Automated Fast Track Crossing at External Borders) at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

Access Research Report of Facial Recognition Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/facial-recognition-market

Policing and maintaining law and order in the cities have become easy with facial recognition technology. Face biometrics can be used in police checks, although some countries are against it. In 2016, the "man in the hat" responsible for the Brussels terror attacks was identified thanks to FBI facial recognition software. The South Wales Police implemented it at the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017.

Technological Enhancements Set To Boost The Growth

Several projects from technology behemoths like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft are vying for the top spot in the facial recognition arena. This has led to plethora of advancements such as, 3D recognition, Cloud-based services, Facial analytics among others. For example, Rekognition by amazon is being considered as a viable option for law enforcement agencies. It is able to recognize as many as 100 people in a single image and can perform face match against databases containing tens of millions of faces.

Dampeners - High Initial Cost Of Implementation & Privacy Threats

High initial cost of implementation of facial recognition technology becomes a dampener for the growth of market. Although recent technological advancements have resulted in the reduction of costs, there is still long way to traverse in reducing the cost. Along with it, threats related to privacy of the users being voiced around all over the world, has resulted in regulatory measures which provides hindrances to the market. Hong Kong being the prominent example for strict regulatory measures for the Automatic Facial Recognition.

Regional Crucial Developments

North America is estimated to be the key regional market over the forecast period owing to the wide use of this technology in the U.S. departments such as homeland security, justice, defense, etc.

Government initiatives such as UIDAI project in India and e-KTP project in Indonesia to generate electronic id generation of individuals are also expected to provide new opportunities for the facial recognition in Asia Pacific.

Market Players

Competition is intense in this market with several major players investing heavily to deploy advanced developments and boost growth. Market comprises companies including 3M Cogent, Animetrics Inc., Aurora Computer Services Ltd., Aware Inc., Ayonix Inc., NEC Corporation, Precise Biometrics, FaceFirst, and Nuance Communications, etc.
Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again fallen short of a parliamentary majority with his hardline allies, final election results confirmed on Thursday, extending the countrys year-old political deadlock and weakening the longtime leader as he prepares to go on trial on corruption charges.

The embattled Netanyahu had been looking for a decisive victory in Mondays vote, and initial exit polls indicated his Likud party and smaller religious and nationalist allies captured 60 seats, just one short of a majority required to form a new government.

Netanyahu triumphantly declared a huge victory.

But a final count announced by the election commission determined that Netanyahus jubilation was premature.

Likud emerged as the largest individual party, with 36 seats, ahead of 33 seats for the rival Blue and White party. But with his smaller allies, Netanyahus right-wing bloc captured just 58 seats, well short of the 61-seat majority.

In a video statement, Netanyahu continued to claim victory on Thursday.

The Likud and the right won the election in a knockout, he said. He accused his opponents of trying to steal the decision from the masses of Israeli citizens who gave the Likud under my leadership a crushing victory.

While Netanyahus opponents control a majority of seats, they are deeply divided, with a hardline nationalist party and the predominantly Arab Joint List among them. The Joint List captured 15 seats, making it the third-largest party in parliament  its best performance ever.

Those divisions could make it difficult for Blue and Whites leader, former military chief Benny Gantz, to establish an alternative coalition. If neither he nor Netanyahu can form a government, the country will head to an unprecedented fourth-straight election.

Mondays vote was the countrys third in less than a year. Previous elections in April and September also ended in deadlock.





Although Netanyahus Likud had a much better performance than in September, the final results are nonetheless a disappointment for Netanyahu.

The long-serving Israeli leader is scheduled to go on trial March 17 on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. He is accused of accepting expensive gifts from wealthy friends and offering favours to powerful media moguls in exchange for positive press coverage.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

He is desperate to remain in office. Israeli law does not require the prime minister to resign if charged with a crime, and Netanyahu can use the powerful post to rally public support and lash out at what he says is an unfair legal system and hostile media.

The Supreme Court is expected to soon examine the question of whether an indicted politician is permitted to form a new government. If it rules Netanyahu ineligible, that could spark a constitutional crisis.

Opposition lawmakers have also begun discussing possible legislation that would prohibit an indicted lawmaker from forming a coalition, or that would establish term limits for the prime minister. Netanyahu is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

The most straightforward path out of the deadlock would be for Likud and Blue and White to agree to a power-sharing unity government.

But Gantz has refused to sit in a government led by Netanyahu while he is on trial, while Netanyahu insists on remaining in office as leader of a unity government.

Avigdor Lieberman, a maverick politician who refused to endorse either candidate after Septembers vote, is reportedly expected to come out in favor of Gantz. But Lieberman has hostile relations with the Joint List, leaving it doubtful that Gantz can form a government with Netanyahus opponents.

The election commission said its results were completed, but not official. It said several polling stations were being investigated for possible irregularities and results will not be official until they are delivered to the countrys president on March 10.

After that, President Reuven Rivlin will begin a round of consultations with the eight parties elected to parliament before choosing a candidate to try to form a coalition.

The prime minister-designate is usually the leader of the largest party, in this case Netanyahu. But Rivlins decision has been greatly complicated by the parliamentary deadlock and legal questions facing Netanyahu.
Seven family members of a man who tested positive for coronavirus after his visit to Thailand have been quarantined at their residence in west Delhi, a health official said on Friday.

The 25-year-old man, who also travelled to Malaysia, has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the national capital to three.

"The family of the patient comprising his wife, parents, brother, sister-in-law and their two kids has been home quarantined. Their samples have been taken for testing," the Delhi government health official said.

The office of the patient, who has been shifted to the Safdarjung Hopsital for treatment, is in Gurgaon but he operated from his residence.

"The patient, his wife, brother and sister-in-law worked from home," the official said, adding that they are trying to trace the other people the patient came in contact with.

A Paytm employee who tested positive for coronavirus is also a resident of west Delhi.

So far, 31 people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, according to the Union Health Ministry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Fri, March 6, 2020 13:00 676 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2068c0eeb 1 National COVID-19,Batam,Riau-Islands,infectious-diseases,outbreak,coronavirus,National-Police,Idham-Azis Free

National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis is scheduled to meet with people living on Galang Island in Riau Islands to discuss turning a former refugee camp on the island into an infectious disease hospital.

Locals have objected to the governments plan to build a hospital specifically to treat infectious diseases on the island following the country's first confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They claimed authorities had yet to tell them about the plan.

Galang district secretary Hardianus said the police general was scheduled to meet with locals on Sunday to explain the governments plan.

"There are pros and cons with regard to building a hospital in the former Vietnamese refugee camp, Hardianus told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Officials from Riau Island and Batam, as well as local councillors previously met with representatives of locals on Thursday, on the occasion of which the people voiced their objections to the plan.

Read also: COVID-19: Batam authorities succeed in quarantining two 'evaders'

The National Police chief will come here to persuade residents to agree with the plan, Hardianus went on to say.

Riau Islands Police health division head Sr. Comr. M. Haris confirmed to the Post that the police chief would visit the island on Sunday.

Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono visited the site on Wednesday. They were unable to say when the construction would begin but asserted construction would be completed within a month.

The Post observed on Thursday that a technical team from the ministry had started working on the site. Heavy equipment, such as cranes, were also seen at the site.

The hospital is expected to be able to accommodate 1,000 patients with 500 rooms, 2 percent of which would be designated as isolation rooms to comply with the recommended protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Galang Island is located about 50 kilometers southeast of Batam, with a bridge connecting the two islands. The 80 hectare camp was used between 1975 and 1996 to house 250,000 Vietnamese refugees fleeing their homeland during the Vietnam War.

More than 12 million South Vietnamese fled after the war ended and sought political asylum in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia; but many were cast ashore on the islands of Indonesia.

Read also: Health Ministry has doctors, nurses observed after death of Singaporean in Batam

Initially managed by the United Nations during the refugee crisis, Galang Refugee Camp is now under the management of the Batam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) and is maintained as a tourist attraction that draws both former refugees and tourists to Batam Island. Several facilities at the camp and horticultural crops have been preserved in the area.

Authorities have been working to persuade locals about the plan by disseminating information that was expected to calm them down.

"The Sulianti Saroso [Infectious Disease] Hospital [in Jakarta] is located among cramped residential areas. However, people are not affected by it, Haris said. We only need spare land of 2 meters from the infected patients as a precautionary measure.

A local figure in Galang district , Anwar Sadat Pulungan, who has been living near the former refugee camp for more than 10 years, said he was worried about the plan.

"All residents in the area were surprised with the sudden announcement of the hospital being built here. Why not choose vacant island that has no residents? Don't build it here," Anwar said. (ars)
Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Al Maktoum's hired 'prizefighter' QC Lord Pannick for 1million and one of Britain's most successful divorce lawyers for his costly legal fight with estranged wife Princess Haya.

Lord Pannick worked alongside Lady Helen Ward as they faced a courtroom battle with the princess' formidable legal team led by Baroness Fiona Shakleton of Belgravia, who represented the Prince of Wales in his divorce from Diana.

The astonishing legal costs for all sides in the case - which has involved some 17 QCs in total - is estimated to be 5.2million.

Lord Pannick, believed to have agreed his 1million fee when he was recruited by the ruler to revive his case, was one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire Sheikh Maktoum, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms.

Described in a profile in The Times as a 'prizefighting legal titan' Lord Pannick successfully represented businesswoman Gina Miller in her Supreme Court challenge last year about the government's prolonged prorogation of parliament.

Lady Ward, who works for Stewart's Law of London, acted for British film director Guy Ritchie in his divorce from pop star Madonna. She is known for her sharp intelligence and work ethic, and previously claiming she worked 17 or 18 hour days 'if I have to.'

David Pannick QC arrives at the Supreme Court in central London, on the second day of the hearing into the decision by the government to prorogue parliament on September 18, 2019. He is one of eight QCs hired by the billionaire sheikh, along with five junior barristers and large teams of solicitors from two firms

Sheikh Mohammed's legal team is headed by Lord Pannick QC, (left) who acted for Gina Miller in the landmark Supreme Court case over the prorogation of Parliament. He was also represented in preliminary hearings by Lady Helen Ward, (right) a solicitor who represented director Guy Ritchie in his divorce from Madonna

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the wife of Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and her lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton arrive at the High Court in London, Britain at the end of February

Lady Ward was also represented Bernie Ecclestone in his 2bn divorce battle with ex-wife Slavica, at the High Court in 2009.

On the other side of the courtroom, Jordan-born royal Princess Haya, 45, employed Baroness Shakleton - known as 'Steel Magnolia' because of her charm and determination and her killer outfits.

The Princess, who bought an 85million mansion in central London in February 2018 without her billionaire husband, is believed to have paid up to 600-an-hour for the leading divorce lawyer to take on her case.

In addition to Charles and Diana's divorce, Baroness Shackleton represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills in 2008, where legal bills exceeded 100,000.

Fashion-sonscious Princess Haya and her snappily-dressed lawyer Baroness Shackleton at the High Court in November last year

Sir Paul McCartney and his lawyer Fiona Shackleton leave the High Court in 2008 in London. Heather Mills was awarded 24.3m in her divorce settlement - chucking a jug of water on Fiona

Baroness Shackleton was all smiles when she emerged from the High Court with Princess Haya in November 2019

One of Shackleton's former clients revealed the Baroness had charged 95,000 for advice on a child support case. The case was later dropped and the client paid his own costs.

She was instructing Charles Geekie QC, a leading family law silk, with a focus on matters involving children.

According to the Legal 500, a directory of barristers in the UK, Mr Geekie is 'renowned for his handling of extremely complex and sensitive children matters.'

'[He] routinely engages in cases relating to sexual, emotional and physical abuse,' the review adds.

When asked to comment on claims that he was receiving a 1million fee, Lord Pannick said to the Mail: 'I never comment on my fees  whether what you have said is accurate or inaccurate.'

Despite her commitments in court, Fiona and her PR man husband Ian Shackleton, a descendant of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, attended the UK Premiere of 'Very Ralph'

Princess Haya accompanies Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum at Ascot in 2008

In addition to the royal divorce, Baroness Shackleton represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills in 2008, where legal bills exceeded 100,000.

Fiona Shackleton: Top divorce lawyer dubbed the 'Steel Magnolia' Fiona Shackleton, 62, is one of Britain's most famous divorce lawyers. She was dubbed the 'Steel Magnolia' for her charm and determination after securing Prince Charles a divorce settlement in 1996 which saw Princess Diana lose her HRH title. The same year, she handled Prince Andrew's 2 million divorce from the Duchess of York. She memorably had a glass of water thrown over her by a furious Heather Mills during her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney in 2008. She represented the Beatle and ensured that former model Miss Mills got only 24 million of the 125 million she had sought. The daughter of Bank of England adviser and Sheriff of the City of London, she was educated at Benenden School in Kent. She secured only a third-class degree in law at Exeter University. Her ex-Army husband is a descendant of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. She became a life peer sitting on the Tory bench in 2010 and remains the personal solicitor of Princes William and Harry. Advertisement

One of Shackleton's former clients revealed the Baroness had charged 95,000 for advice on a child support case. The case was later dropped and the client paid his own costs.

Princess Haya, 45, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is wealthy in her own right, was in court to apply for her children to be made wards of court.

She also asked the High Court in London to make a series of findings of fact about Sheikh Mohammed, in particular in relation to the kidnap and forcible detention of two of his adult daughters from another marriage almost two decades apart.

She was also applying for a forced marriage protection order in relation to Princess Jalila and a non-molestation order for her own protection.

The princess studied philosophy and economics at Oxford University and is a keen equestrian, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics.

The mother-of-three attended almost every hearing, flanked by Baroness Shackleton and a security detail, but Sheikh Mohammed did not attend one.

Sheikh Mohammed's legal team insisted prior to the fact-finding hearing that the ruler 'could not and would not' attend to give evidence.

Lord Pannick told the court that, if the fact-finding went ahead, Sheikh Mohammed's lawyers would 'play no active part in these proceedings'.

The Princess recently moved into an 85million townhouse, pictured, which she bought from Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal in 2017
Yes Bank, Indias fifth-largest private sector lender, was placed under a moratorium with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) taking over from its board for 30 days and imposing limits on withdrawals to protect depositors.

The rare and drastic move, the central bank said, was necessary because of a serious deterioration in Yes Banks financial position and that it would swiftly work on a revival plan.

Also read: Yes Bank put under moratorium: Full statement of RBI

The measure came after financial markets had closed and amid discussion at the board of India top lender, State Bank of India (SBI), which agreed on Thursday to conduct a viability assessment into buying a stake in Yes Bank.

But RBI said late on Thursday that it had been left with no option but to ask the government to impose a moratorium, assuring depositors that there was no need to panic.

Here is what it will mean for Yes Banks customers and what they need to do:

* The government has said all actions and proceedings against the bank would be stayed and capped most withdrawals at 50,000 rupees until April 3. It also ordered the bank not to pay more than 50,000 to most creditors.

Also watch: Yes Bank crisis: RBI caps withdrawal at 50,000, people queue up outside ATMs

* The 50,000 cap is an aggregate amount across all bank accounts at the beleaguered Yes Banksavings, deposits or current accounts.

* Exceptions will be decided by a competent authority and will be made in a few cases. The amounts in these cases cannot be more than 5 lakh or the amount of money that is in the accounts (whichever is less).

* Yes Bank wont be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

* The bank has also clarified it will also be able to pay salaries to its over 20,000 employees as well as rents.

* You might need to figure out some other funds if you have a salary account with Yes Bank.

* You will need to speak to your receiving bank or housing company immediately and ask for a one-month window to sort things if you are paying an EMI from your Yes Bank account.
Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Overview:

The pharmaceutical excipient industry is all set to make significant profits in the coming days to make sure and record an impressive CAGR during the forecast period of 2016 to 2027. Market Research Futures (MRFRs) detailed discussion on the sector holds various insights regarding factors that can boost the global pharmaceutical excipient market.

Get Latest Free Sample Copy @https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/868

These factors often include growing demand for drugs to treat various diseases, huge patient populations, and others. But the market may find itself in chains as investments in research and development projects are plummeting as several deadlocks regarding the compliance issues are delaying the market release of drugs. But government initiatives are influencing various decisions, which can improve the market scene in the coming years.

Segmentation:

The global market for Pharmaceutical Excipient Market has been studied on the basis of product, functions, and application. These segments have inputs that would back the global strategy-making process.

By product, the report can be segmented into organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals. The organic chemicals segment is enjoying substantial backing from various pharmaceutical companies. Organic chemicals are getting traction from the development of several carbohydrates and protein-like components. Inorganic chemicals. Sigma-Aldrich made substantial progress in testing and packaging of excipients like both organic and inorganic salts, acids, and bases.

By functions, the report contains pharmaceutical fillers, binders, coatings, preservatives, disintegrants, and lubricants & glidants.

By applications, the report contains segments like oral, topical, parenteral, and advanced delivery systems. Ease of intake could boost the market prospect of the oral segment. The topical segment would gain substantial traction from various external needs. The parenteral format is a bit complex due to which its growth may not be as easy as others. Various technological transformations are ensuring the uptake of the advanced delivery system.

Regional Analysis:

North America is expected to record a hike in its revenue generation procedure. This would be backed by advanced infrastructure and better investment policies. Various companies are getting involved in projects that would cater to the growing demand for top-graded medicines. This is also possible due to the high investment capacity of the region. Europe would show a similar progress curve in the coming days. Various pharmaceutical companies are operating from these two regions, which would definitely boost the regional prospects.

In the Asia Pacific region, hike in investment in various structural development and industrial setups would inspire growth for the market. The region has caught the eyes of the global market players as they could increase their profit margin by exploring the easy resources and cost-effective labor supply. In countries like Japan, China, India, and others, this growth would be substantial. In the Middle East & Africa, growth would be insufficient due to a lack of funding in the sector. However, some countries like Dubai, Qatar, and others may turn around the situation to some extent.

Competitive Landscape:

The pharmaceutical excipient market will experience significant boosting from various companies like FMC Corporation, Evonik Industries Ag, Ashland, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Ferro Corporation, P&G Chemicals, BASF Se, Croda International PLC, Akzo Nobel NV, and others. This thrust would get backing from strategic moves like acquisitions, mergers, collaborations, hike in research investment, and other sectors.

Industry News:

In February 2020, Biopharma companies Regeneron, Janssen, and AstraZeneca, as well as the US Pharmacopeia (USP) and the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council of the Americas (IPEC-Americas) announced that they would support the FDAs plan to review novel excipients.

In February 2020, Reform Biologics and MilliporeSigma announced a license agreement, which would focus on excipients.

Read More @https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmaceutical-excipients-market-868

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

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At least 3,398 people have died due to the virus, which emerged a little over two months ago.

The total number of cases now stands at 100,055 as of 8 a.m. ET on Friday, according to data compiled by John Hopkins. The majority of the cases are in mainland China, followed by South Korea, Iran and Italy. In the United States, there are at least 233 cases and 14 deaths, according to John Hopkins.

COVID-19 cases surpassed 100,000 worldwide on Friday as the new flu-like coronavirus continues to spread outside of China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Fire fighters and municipality workers with protective suits disinfect the streets, buses and taxies as a precaution to the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Tehran, Iran on March 06, 2020.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization called on all nations to "pull out all the stops" to fight the COVID-19 outbreak as it continues to spread across dozens of countries.

"This epidemic can be pushed back but only with a coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Geneva. "We're calling on every country to act with speed, scale and clear-minded determination."

Tedros said world health officials are "deeply concerned" about the increasing number of countries reporting cases, especially those with weaker health-care systems. He's also worried that some countries aren't taking this seriously enough or have decided that there's nothing they can do to curb local outbreaks.

World health officials said Tuesday the mortality rate for COVID-19 is 3.4% globally, higher than previous estimates of about 2%.

Health officials have said the respiratory disease is capable of spreading through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing and germs left on inanimate objects.

The COVID-19 epidemic has not yet met world health officials' designation of a global pandemic that spreads far and wide throughout the world.

Tedros has said WHO hasn't declared a pandemic in part because most cases of COVID-19 were still traced to known contacts or clusters of cases, and there wasn't any "evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities."

WATCH: Coronavirus test kits delivered to cruise ship quarantined off California coast
The annual Kingfisher calendar stands tall as one of the most coveted launches of the fashion world. And why not  a string of leading ladies, right from Deepika Padukone and Nargis Fakri to Lisa Haydon, all have graced the calendar at the onset of their careers. In fact, its not just the oomph that makes us pine for the annual launch, but the exotic locales, breathtaking sets, and the sheer wonder of the man behind the lens Atul Kasbekar.

But hey, thats not even the best part. For its 18th edition, these cutting edge calendars wont be limited to our desks and slabs, as Kingfisher has nosedived into the smartphone space too. Long story short, we can now download the Kingfisher Calendar app on our android and iOS phones, and scroll our way through glamorous pictures, sync our Gmail calendars, and much more. Staying up to date never sounded as good before, did it?

The Kingfisher Calendar app launched today morning, and here are its top five features:

Boring Calendars, Times Up!

Pexels

Every time I look at a calendar, Im reminded of pending deadlines, bill payments, and leaves that Im yet to apply for. Phew! Luckily for us, the Kingfisher Calendar app adds a fun and glamorous spin to calendars. Thanks to the comprehensive interface, you can now mark your party plans, dinner dates, pending grocery runs  along with all other office stuff of course.



This is indeed where work meets play!

Exclusive Access To BTS Videos From The Shoot!

Kingfisher

While every page from the annual Kingfisher calendar is a surreal experience in its own, one can only imagine how exotic the BTS videos are. Were talking about breathtaking locales, dramatic sets and ace photographer Atul Kasbekar behind the lens. The best part is, this year's shoot location was Cape Town, which is all about the lush greens, table mountains, and sunny beaches. To take the temperature a notch higher, the shoot features models Aditi Arya, Aishwarya Sushmita, Zoya Afroz and Pooja Chopra.



News is, with the Kingfisher Calendar app, users can get exclusive access to raw, real and unabridged BTS videos from the shoot. Pinch me somebody, this is too good to be true!

Wallpapers Never Looked This Good Before

Kingfisher

Heres a piece of good news for android users  you can now use pictures from the Kingfisher Calendar shoot as your smartphone wallpaper. Yes, there are a total of 12 stunning pictures to pick from.



Sync Your Gmail Calendars

Pexels

Now if you think this dolled up calendar is all about party reminders and good looks, youre wrong. You can sync your Gmail calendars with the app, bringing everything from your weekend date, dry clean pick up, and work deadlines in one place. Additionally, the Kingfisher calendar app comes with a built-in planner.



Organised, fancy and efficient  this calendar app ticks all the right boxes!

Let The Models Notify You!

Kingfisher

The cherry on the cake is the beautiful illusion that this app offers - calendar notifications appear as though theyre coming from models. For the events youve saved in the application planner, every notification will be a pleasant surprise from a Kingfisher model (well, at least it will seem like that).



Send Out Invites!

Kingfisher

The users of this application will be able to send out invites to each other in the most interactive ways possible - from one calendar straight to the other. Saving the date never sounded this exciting!

Making all these fabulous features an everyday affair is no rocket science. All you need to do is download the Kingfisher Calendar app and let the good times roll!
From Left to Right: Jeff Kramarczyk, Nick Makil and William Tucker Saddleback is excited to add these product, engineering and provisioning specialists to our growing team. They will enable us to develop additional product and service offerings and to continue to provide exceptional support for our valued customers.

Saddleback Communications, a provider of world-class, fiber-based voice and data communications to business and residential customers in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), has grown its team with the addition of three communications professionals who will support the companys Voice, Internet, Ethernet Transport and Cloud Communications services for businesses.

Saddlebacks new team members include:

Jeff Kramarczyk, Product Manager: Kramarczyk, a 20-year veteran of the telecom industry, is responsible for product management across Saddlebacks service portfolio. He joins Saddleback after more than 15 years of experience in product management for several companies, including Fairpoint Communications, Windstream and McLeod USA.

William Tucker, VoIP Engineer I: Tucker brings extensive industry experience and troubleshooting skills to his new role where he supports Saddleback customers with provisioning, implementation and technical support as part of the NOC team. Previously, he spent 15 years with CenturyLink (and predecessors Global Crossing and Level 3). Most recently he was an IP Tech 3 working in Managed Services Activations for the company.

Nicholas Makil, LNP Specialist: Makil, a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) where Saddleback is based, joined the company from Casino Arizona, a sister SRPMIC Community Enterprise. As a Local Number Portability (LNP) Specialist, Makil directly supports Saddlebacks number porting department.

Saddleback is excited to add these product, engineering and provisioning specialists to our growing team, said Ray Napoletano, Vice President of Sales at Saddleback. They will enable us to develop additional product and service offerings and to continue to provide exceptional support for our valued customers.

About Saddleback Communications

Saddleback Communications delivers advanced voice and data communications services over a carrier-class, redundant network to business and residential customers on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). Saddleback Communications provides custom business communications solutions, including Unified Communications as a Service, Contact Center as a Service, Collaboration, SIP Trunking, point-to-point Ethernet and dedicated Internet Access. The company also leverages its state-of-the-art Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network to deliver high-quality voice and high-speed Internet to residential customers. Learn more at http://www.saddlebackcomm.com.
FILE PHOTO: Specialists work on a crane in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt

By Jesus Aguado

MADRID (Reuters) - The European Central Bank has asked euro zone banks to review their business continuity plans and the actions they can take to prepare for and minimize the potential adverse effects of the coronavirus, a letter seen by Reuters shows.

In the letter dated Tuesday, the ECB asked banks to establish adequate measures for infection control in the workplace and ensure that they are ready for large-scale remote working of staff if needed.

The COVID-19 virus has killed more than 3,000 people and infected tens of thousands more, mostly in China. It has now spread to more than 60 other countries.

The ECB, which declined to comment, held a telephone conference on Tuesday to discuss its emergency response to the outbreak, but policy action was not on the agenda, five sources told Reuters.

The letter also told banks to proactively assess and test capacity of existing IT infrastructure in light of a potential increase in cyber-attacks and higher reliance on remote banking services.

On Wednesday the ECB's executive board announced a range of operational measures to protect its own staff from risks associated with the spread of the coronavirus.

Spain's BBVA decided on Thursday to transfer up to 100 staff from its Madrid trading floor to a location just outside the city as part of its contingency plan to protect operations from potential coronavirus-related disruption.

Other Spanish banks, such as state-owned Bankia, are also considering taking similar measures as required by the ECB, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

(Reporting By Jesus Aguado; Additional reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Jan Harvey)
Mukesh Singh, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, moved a plea in the on Friday seeking restoration of all his legal remedies, alleging that his lawyers had misled him.

The plea, filed through advocate M L Sharma, sought a CBI probe into alleged "criminal conspiracy" and "fraud" hatched by the Centre, Delhi government and advocate Vrinda Grover, who is the amicus curiae in the case.

A trial court here on Thursday issued fresh warrants with March 20, 5.30 am, as the date for the execution of the convicts -- Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31).

"Petitioner (Mukesh) is victim of criminal conspiracy and fraud played and hatched jointly by the R-1 (Ministry of Home Affairs), R-2 (Delhi government) and R-3 (Vrinda Grover) and other advocate who appeared in the session court, high court and the in the petitioner's death warrant case.

"They compelled him to sign various papers under threat of session court order (which was never issued by the session court) stating that court has directed her to secured various signed documents from him to file various petitions, including curative petition, on his behalf in the high court and the in his death sentence case," the plea said.

The petition contended that the respondents "knowingly and deliberately" for vested and political interests hatched a joint criminal conspiracy against Mukesh Singh and visited Tihar Jail and met the petitioner asking him to sign various documents.

The plea said that they asked him to sign vakalatnama stating that the session court have issued order to get various documents signed by him to file curative petition for him in all courts.

"Being pressurised/feared due to so-called session court order, the petitioner signed various sets of vakalatnama for her and signed other papers for her. Recently the petitioner came to know that there was no such session court order," the plea said.

The petition claimed the limitation period to file a curative petition was three years from the date of dismissal of the review plea and sought to "restore" the rights available to him and allow him to file curative and mercy petitions till July 2021.

A 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, 2012. She had died after a fortnight.

Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused. Ram Singh, the sixth accused, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail days after the trial began in the case. The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.




Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 22:37:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ABUJA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Five Chinese nationals working in Nigeria's southeastern state of Anambra have been tested negative for the COVID-19 disease, local health authorities said on Friday.

Vincent Okpala, the state's health commissioner, told reporters that the Chinese nationals were tested after their recent arrival from China.

"I want to inform you that we have checked out all the Chinese in the state and they are free from the disease for now. We are on the ground to respond to any eventuality," Okpala said while speaking on the state's level of preparedness to contain the spread of the virus.

He added the Nigerian state had continued to put machinery in place to check people coming in from the affected countries as a preventive measure.
BISHKEK -- A date has been set for the trial of the former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev and his 13 co-defendants over deadly clashes with security forces at Atambaev's compound last year in a Bishkek suburb.

Atambaev's lawyer, Zamir Jooshev, told RFE/RL on March 6 that the Birinchi Mai district court in Bishkek ruled after several days of preliminary hearings that the trial will start on March 23.

Jooshev also said that Judge Marat Sydykov had rejected a defense motion to have the trial open to the public, ruling instead that it will be held behind closed doors.

In August 2019, security officials were sent to Atambaev's compound in the settlement of Koi-Tash near Bishkek after he refused to obey three subpoenas calling him to the Interior Ministry for questioning in an investigation over his alleged involvement in the illegal release of a jailed organized-crime boss in 2013.

Atambaev was arrested on August 8 after he surrendered to police following two days of violent resistance.

The resistance by the former president and his supporters resulted in the death of a 47-year-old security officer, Usenbek Niyazbekov, and injuries to more than 170 others, including 79 law enforcement officers.

Atambaev and his 13 co-defendants were charged with murder, attempted murder, threatening or assaulting representatives of authorities, hostage taking, and forced power seizure.

All 14 defendants pleaded not guilty and called the case against them politically motivated.

Five more defendants in the case made plea deals with investigators and will be tried separately.

The clashes underscored a power struggle between Atambaev and his handpicked successor, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, which raised fears of instability in the Central Asian state.
Life in Hawaii sounds like the ultimate dream for many people who yearn for year-round warm weather, access to nature and a laid-back lifestyle. But while there are plenty of opportunities that can lead you to call one of the Hawaiian Islands home, it's not all surfing and relaxation.

Uprooting your life on the mainland and moving to an island in the Pacific requires more planning than a standard move within the contiguous United States. Even with the proper planning, you may find that the cost of living, job opportunities or slower pace of life isn't what you expected. Here's what you should know about moving to the Aloha State.

[See: 25 Great Small Towns to Live in the U.S.]

Should You Move to Hawaii?

Retirement in Hawaii is a goal for many. But you don't have to wait until you're ready to retire to enjoy the island life.

Not surprisingly, it's fairly easy to find a job in tourism, Hawaii's largest industry. National defense, health care and local government are other key industries on the chain of islands.

With an unemployment rate of just 2.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Honolulu metro area has the lowest unemployment rate out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S. The median annual salary in Honolulu is $54,030, about $4,000 above the national median.

But the state capital of Honolulu on the island of Oahu may not be the place that you decide to call home. There are eight major islands in the Hawaiian chain: Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau and Kahoolawe, though the latter is uninhabited. Combined, the state of Hawaii has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, which is slightly higher than Honolulu but still low compared with the rest of the U.S.

Whether you come to Hawaii to retire, transfer for work or to find a job, you may want to explore your island options to see which one suits you best. You may find Hawaii to be an excellent place to call home for a few years, or it may become your forever home -- either way, life in Hawaii will be a far different experience from just about anywhere else in the U.S.

Story continues

How to Move to Hawaii

Like any long-distance move, it's ideal to visit your new destination at least once prior to your move. Blake Howell, relocation director for Clark Realty in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii, explains that some people plan for years for a move to Hawaii, visiting different islands and towns, touring homes and gearing up for a job change or retirement.

However, Howell recalls a client who needed to relocate her family and pets to a rural part of the Big Island within a few months because she was pregnant. "With the right guidance and resources, complex moves can be done in a shorter time frame, but generally we do recommend plenty of advance planning, especially when there are pets and animals involved," Howell wrote in an email.

If you have a flexible timeline, you might consider renting for a year before purchasing a home to get to know an area and determine exactly where you want to live.

Hawaii's remote location makes relocating there a bit trickier than moving to a new town or state in the contiguous U.S. Because of the cost of shipping, it's recommended that you leave behind unsentimental household items, from furniture to dishes, and buy new things once you're in Hawaii.

"I tend to tell people it's best to really only bring what they have to have because it's expensive to ship (an entire household)," says Sarah Bakewell, a real estate agent and corporate relocation specialist for Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers in Hanalei on Oahu.

Here's what else you should know about moving to Hawaii:

-- Hawaii is an expensive place to live.

-- The housing market is competitive.

-- Every island is different.

-- Caring for the natural environment is important.

-- Hawaii moves slower.

Hawaii Is an Expensive Place to Live

The cost of living in this tropical environment is high: Residents in the Honolulu metro area spend almost 29% of the median household income on monthly bills, including mortgage payments or rent, property taxes and utilities.

In addition to housing costs, many groceries and household goods are more expensive in Hawaii than on the mainland because of the added cost of transport.

However, you may forgo many packaged food items for fresh, local options. Farmers markets on the islands are popular and plentiful sources for local products, from Hawaii-grown coffee to fresh fruits, vegetables and fish.

[Read: Which Home Is the Best Layout for You?]

The Housing Market Is Competitive

Both Bakewell and Howell report that there is low inventory of homes for sale or rent in Hawaii, so if you're moving to the area, be prepared to compete with others who are looking for a home.

"Buyers who will be using a mortgage to purchase should have their finances in order and be ready to move on something quickly when they find the right property," Howell says.

Every Island Is Different

Each island's makeup of residents, natural landscape and history all contribute to a different feel. The Big Island of Hawaii has an active volcano, and depending where you live on the island, you may have to get volcano-related homeowners insurance.

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, and its scenic valleys and Napali Coast are recognizable from films like "Jurassic Park" and "South Pacific," but the residential areas maintain a low-key, small-town atmosphere.

"If you like the city life, Oahu is your best choice. Traffic can be terrible, but if you need to work, Oahu and Honolulu will also have the most job opportunities," Howell says.

If you're unsure where in Hawaii you'd like to call home, it's important to visit a few different spots to see which fits your personality and lifestyle. "Each island has its own magic -- let's put it that way," Bakewell says. "There's a magic that appeals to different people in different ways."

Caring for the Natural Environment Is Important

You love Hawaii for its beautiful beaches, hiking trails, gorgeous views and climate. But locals know that it takes work to maintain the natural beauty of Hawaii.

When traveling into Hawaii, you must declare any plants or animals. If something you're transporting is potentially harmful to the local environment, you may not be allowed to bring it with you. Pets must have proof of current rabies vaccinations and will be inspected at animal quarantine stations upon arrival.

And when you fly from Hawaii back to the mainland, your bags go through an additional security check known as the agriculture inspection, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The inspection is aimed at ensuring fruits, plants, snails and other native items can't potentially spread insects or plant diseases to different parts of the country.

Additionally, Hawaii is focused on keeping away invasive species that can harm the environment. As a resident, you'll want to be mindful of the things you bring to and take away from the Islands, as well as be respectful of the natural environment. A new state law effective in 2021 bans the use of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are chemicals known to harm coral reefs.

[See: The Best Places to Live in the U.S. if You're Concerned About Climate Change]

Hawaii Moves Slower

Things move slower in Hawaii, and while that makes for the perfect vacation setting when you're looking to get away, know that it stays slow when you're a local.

Bakewell says to expect contractors, colleagues and friends to take a few more days to respond to an email or phone call than you may be used to. Sometimes, the extremely casual way of life can wear on new residents who aren't used to it. "You just have to slow down to survive here," she says.





More From US News & World Report


An off-duty Laredo police sergeant has been arrested on the suspicion of driving drunk, authorities said.

READ MORE: Court records shed light on Texas Rangers' raid of Laredo attorney's office

Carlos Adan, 49, was charged with driving while intoxicated over the weekend. If convicted, he could face up to 180 days in jail or a maximum fine of $2,000 or both.

Adan is a 28-year veteran LPD patrol sergeant. Adan has been placed on administrative reassignment, pending the outcome of the judicial process as per procedure.

An internal investigation is underway by the LPD Office of Public Integrity.

The Laredo Police Department regrets the arrest of one of our officers. All of our officers are held to a higher standard of conduct, both on and off duty. The Office of Public Integrity will carry out a thorough investigation into this case, said LPD Chief Claudio Trevino Jr. said in a statement.

Authorities said the case unfolded at about 3 a.m. Saturday. A Texas Department of Public Safety officer stopped a vehicle by the Shiloh and Kirby drives in northeast Laredo. DPS identified the driver as Adan and eventually arrested him on the DWI charge.

READ MORE: Vehicular pursuit ends at Laredo AutoZone with arrest of pair of men

Webb County Jail records show Adan is out on bond.
Coronavirus scare, like climate change teaches us that action should still be done, however desperate, inadequate, or hopeless.Regardless of the figures and the hopelessness it brings, it should not make us succumb to defeat and inaction. On the contrary, it should drive us towards even more action and vigilance. (Photo : Pixabay/cubicroot)

The Esperanza Peninsula in Antarctica just reached a record 65F, the warmest and hottest temperature ever recorded. Seymour Island hit 69F after just a few days, and the day after that, Pine Island Glacier has lost 130mi2 of ice.

Climate change is upon us; it is not in some dim or unforeseeable future, but in the present, here and now. Its terrifying presence has forced policy makers, investors, futurists, advocates, and scientists to stop talking about mitigation - that is, reducing temperatures through de-carbonization - and shift to a more alarming discourse on adaptation, which is a signal that warming is now inevitable and unstoppable. Adaptation is focused on a view of an inescapable climate degradation and on how humanity can survive its blows.

A recent plan by the Corps of Engineers of the US Army is to have a sea wall constructed to enclosing the entire New York harbor, a six-mile length wall costing $100 billion at the least. The Corps in South Florida is also considering the construction of flood walls not off its coast but within the mainland itself, which will leave the entire Miami Beach and Florida's barrier islands vulnerable. There are similar talks in Europe regarding the damming of the whole North Sea, which will cost hundreds of billions and stretch for 400 miles.

Will all this work? These extreme measures may not only not serve their purpose, but result in a completely opposite effect. When it comes to climate change, such desperate and stop-gap proposals for adaptation often become acceptable and mainstream at a rapid pace.

For example, negative emissions technology as late as 10 years ago was deemed irresponsible to consider, but now it is the basis of strategies for coping with the coming environmental changes. Unfortunately, at the current rate of emissions, focusing on lessening emissions or building sea walls and dams will not, by this time, be enough.

Nonetheless, the Coronavirus scare teaches us that action should still be done, however desperate, inadequate, or hopeless. COVID-19 has scientists projecting a scary worldwide morbidity of 70% and mortality of 2%. Regardless of the figures and the hopelessness it brings, it should not make us succumb to defeat and inaction. On the contrary, it should drive us towards even more action and vigilance.

Even if quarantines may not completely work, it is still a measure that will go towards containing the outbreak instead of simply letting it expand and spread. We are not lucky to have the current health infrastructure; it is the result of effort, persistence and vision. It is part of the reason that we have a projected 2% death rate instead of a higher one.

Yes, it is a choice of looking at the glass as half-full or half-empty. Or it is simply tenacity, which could pay off in the end. The continuous construction of new hospitals, more military deployment, and research on vaccines and a cure will definitely lower projections. Hopelessness is not a justification to stop action.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen Archie Gamboa was discharged from the hospital a day after surviving a helicopter crash, a police official said Friday.

"PNP Chief, Police General Archie F. Francisco Gamboa was discharged at 5:30 pm today (Friday) together with his aide-de-camp Captain Kevin Gayramara from St. Lukes Medical Center-Global City. General Gamboa will continue to recuperate at home, but will report to work on Monday," said acting PNP spokesperson PMGen. Benigno Durana in a statement.

Meanwhile, two other police officers are in critical condition.

Dr. Elvis Bedia of Unihealth-Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center in Binan City, Laguna said PMGen Joevic Ramos, PNP comptrollership chief, is in serious critical condition after losing more than 20% of his blood and suffering traumatic brain injuries, as well as fracture in the spine, skull, and leg.

He has been in coma at the intensive care unit since Thursday.

PMGen Mariel Magaway, PNP intelligence director, is also in a bad condition but responsive, said Durana.

Further, PNP spokesperson PLtCol Bernard Banac is due for release from the hospital tomorrow. But no word yet as to the discharge of pilots PLtCol Ruel Zalatar and PLtCol Rico Macawili.

READ: Cascolan is PNP officer-in-charge as Gamboa recovers from chopper crash

Investigation

The PNP asked for technical assistance from the Philippine Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in investigating the chopper crash.

PLGen Guillermo Eleazar, Special Investigation Task Group chief, said this is the first PNP aircraft crash investigation.

Eleazar said Zalatar is a seasoned airman with 23 years of flight experience. But they will still check if he committed lapses.

Authorities said the chopper has no black box that stores information during the flight, but it has a flight data recording that shows aircraft performance and may be used in the investigation.

Yung aircraft, is not required to have a black box because of the gross weight, said Teddy Hermano, CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit officer-in-charge

PMGen Elmer Sarona, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management chief, said they will interview witnesses and the survivors.

What happened here, it was an accident but look we have survivors. It's better to answer on the basis of speculation but allow us to answer that once we have interviewed our witnesses like our pilots who are alive and kicking, he said.

Eleazar also asked residents near the crash site to help in the probe.

CNN Philippines correspondents Paolo Barcelon and Gerg Cahiles, and Multi-Platform News Writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report.
Shannon Martinez, 38, from Melbourne, is a chef who owns plant-based restaurant Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli. Shes been dyeing her hair since she was 15. Shannon Martinez. Credit:Benn Woods "My mother never wanted children, but when she accidentally got pregnant and had me, she became super maternal. I think she liked being able to play with a little girls long black hair like it was a dolls. My hairdos were extravagant, like the Princess Leia braided buns she styled. As a teenager, I was heavily into the goth look. I didnt want the same hair as anyone at school and had no desire to blend in. For my year 11 formal at Methodist Ladies College (MLC), Mum paid for me to get a full head of fluorescent yellow and black extensions: I looked like a goth Baby Spice. I was threatened with suspension if I didnt remove them. Mum was pretty uppity with the school. She said she didnt pay all that money to take them out, so she refused.

In 2017, years after Id left, MLC invited me back to do a career talk as Im the most successful hospitality student theyve ever had. It was ironic, as I always got in trouble for my hair. But I was able to dispel the stigma that someone like me, with green hair and tattoos, cannot be professional. Loading In the mid-2000s I played bass in a goth metal band. We toured the US, where I wore hairpieces and had huge double ponytails. I loved being super feminine but over the top  my silhouette with huge pigtails looked amazing. That was when I realised hair had power. I wanted to come across as this confident, loud, dont-give-a-f--- sort of person. Hair does that without you having to say anything. Ive been bleaching my hair for more than 20 years. That entails hairdresser visits every seven weeks and two home dyes in between; my house is covered in green stripes. Its condition has been good up until now, but managing a restaurant and a deli, being responsible for 50 staff and writing cookbooks, the stress has manifested through my hair and its started to fall out. This has upset me; I didnt realise I was so attached to it. Im taking supplements to fix it. Fingers crossed it comes back, as its super thin. My hair is like my security blanket.

As long as I can get away with it, I will always have coloured hair. Theres no age when youre too old, you just have to change the way you do it. People know me for my Enchanted Forest shade green and black hair. Its my visual signature as a person. 'Not dyeing my hair is liberating' Louise King, 55, from Melbourne, is a social worker. Her grey hair embodies her authentic approach to life. Louise King. As a child, my hair was unruly. At six, Mum would cut knots from the underside of my hair on my neck. In the early 1970s, my dad was the press secretary at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. While we lived there, my aunt came to visit. She had beautiful long blonde hair and crazy hairpieces. As she did her hair I was mesmerised  I had never seen so much glamour.

At high school, everyone said I had amazing hair  long, mid-to-dark brown and wavy. At night, I tied my hair in rags to shape tight curls. Loading When I left school to study politics, I got asymmetrical cuts with lots of colour. I had three-quarters of my hair shaved, with one big lump hanging down. I thought it looked stunning, but when I see photos now, it was disgusting. I liked to push boundaries and I did that with my hair. In my mid-teens I contracted hepatitis C. After my son and daughter were born, I had to have a treatment called Interferon. It made my hair fall out. I ended up with very fine hair and its never been the same since. I began to think about going grey in my 40s. I met this woman who was grey and had this great haircut. She told me the name of her hairdresser and I started to get these cuts that I loved. But I was poor while studying for my masters degree in social work and the cuts were expensive and the regrowth awful. I questioned why I was doing it, so I grew my hair out.

I get called The Lady With Grey Hair. People look at me and think I have so much experience, which is weird as Ive only been a social worker since 2011. Not colouring my hair is more complex than a feminist issue. Its a cultural and ageist issue. Its been very liberating, as at this stage of my life my hair is just my hair. I am really happy with how it looks. I know who I am: I am a woman, a partner and a mother. I also love my work. I dont need to dye my hair to look younger and feel better. By not dyeing your hair, youre stripping back to your essence. So having grey hair is not incongruous with the rest of my life. Its is an extension of me. I am part of my tribe: the women who dont give a f . 'I can survive without it' Meredith Holmes, 43, from Melbourne, is a zumba instructor. In 2017, she lost her hair during chemotherapy.

Meredith Holmes. When I was 18, I wanted to be like Jennifer Aniston, so I had my long, thick, mousey hair feathered, cut into bangs and highlighted. Hairdressers often told me I had beautiful hair. My hair has been a huge part of my femininity, so when I lost it during cancer treatment, I didnt feel feminine at all. When I looked in the mirror, the woman I saw reflected was just not me. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2017. It was a huge shock. Id just separated from my husband. Wed been together for 19 years and had three young sons. It was very scary. Following the removal of a tumour, I needed four rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and 30 radiation sessions. I tried a cold cap, but it didnt work, and within a week my head was bald and patchy. Id wake to clumps of hair on my pillow. I decided the boys and I would shave it off together, make an occasion of it. I knew it would be confronting, as theyd only ever seen me with long, blonde hair. The oldest, the nine-year-old, was really unhappy about it. He was quite emotional. Do I have to, Mum? he said. It was hard for them.
Open source

The Health Ministry of Brazil confirms the presence of coronavirus in the organism of a 13-year-old girl who recently returned from Italy and Portugal as Globo reported.

It is reported that a child has no symptoms of the disease. The decision to hold the test for coronavirus was tied with her travel to one of the countries with a high risk of infection.

Initially, due to the absence of the symptoms, the Health Ministry of Brazil even refused to include the patient in the list of countrymen who are confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus.

This decision caused a wide public resonance  press and social networks accused the ministry of irresponsible attitude to the spread of the virus. In a few hours, Brazil Health Ministry held a consultation with the specialists and stated that from now on it considers the case of a 13-year-old patient as officially confirmed. The ministry noted that the absence of symptoms might be tied with the taking medicines prescribed for a teen due to trauma. Considering new data, the number of people infected with coronavirus in Brazil increased up to four people.

As we reported, the local authorities of Chernivtsi region (western Ukraine) shut down all schools, colleges and universities because of the reported cases of coronavirus in the area.

As of Wednesday, March 4, one case of Covid-19 coronavirus was recorded in Ukraine. The case was spotted in the Chernivtsi region. A man returned to Ukraine from Italy and entered Ukraine through the border with Romania.
RALEIGH, N.C., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fielding Homes , a DRB Group company, will be hosting an exclusive real estate agent grand opening in conjunction with Triangle Real Producers Magazine on March 19 for its third Raleigh-area community, Linden at Apex .

Linden joins neighborhoods Trinity Creek in Holly Springs and Forest Ridge in Hillsborough as the the third Fielding community in the Raleigh Metro Area. Mackintosh on the Lake in Burlington now has Fielding Homes offerings also.

"Apex is such a great place to call home, maintaining its small-town charm and excellent services," said Jay Lewis, DRB Group Raleigh Division President. "It is obvious why it is known as 'The Peak of Good Living' and has been ranked by Money Magazine as the best place to live in the United States."

Beginning at 5 p.m., the grand opening festivities will feature food, wine tastings and live music. The Fielding Fortuna model will be available for tours by attending agents. There will also be a variety of giveaways, including a Louis Vuitton purse ( official rules and details ).

Linden at Apex is located at 1632 Pricewood Lane, Apex, N.C. with 14 floorplans starting in the mid-$400,000s.

If you are a real estate agent planning on attending Grand Opening, please RSVP to Peyton Davidson at [email protected] by March 12.

About Dan Ryan Builders | www.danryanbuilders.com

Founded in 1990, Dan Ryan Builders offers new homes in six states (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina) and 12 metro markets. Dan Ryan Builders has built nearly 16,000 homes for families across the Mid-Atlantic predominantly for first-time and first-move up buyers.

About Fielding Homes | www.fieldinghomes.com

Since 2015, Fielding Homes has set the standard for luxury homes in North and South Carolina. Fielding Homes creates homes and neighborhoods that seamlessly integrate into the surrounding area, protecting the natural environment while reflecting the culture and history of the local community. We invest in infrastructure and programming that nurtures the social fabric of a community, allowing it to not simply grow, but to thrive.

Media Contact:

Andy Cagle

910.995.2122

[email protected]

Marketing Contact:

Peyton Davidson

Phone 919.747.4970 ext. 4039

[email protected]

Corporate Contact:

Char Kurihara

Phone 301.696.0200 ext. 1200

[email protected]



SOURCE DRB Group

Related Links

https://www.fieldinghomes.com/


LANSING, Mich. - A Michigan lawmaker issued a statement Friday denying that he sexually harassed three women, a day after the Senate leader removed him from a committee he led and ordered him to undergo training.

Sen. Peter Lucido, a Republican from Macomb Countys Shelby Township, noted that the Senate Business Office and its outside lawyers determined the allegations could not be unequivocally substantiated.

The review, though, found all of the accusers credible and concluded it was more likely than not that each incident occurred as reported.

Given that I have not sexually harassed anyone nor were there any citations of a violation of Senate rules determined by the investigation, I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the people I represent, Lucido said. It is my honour and a privilege to serve the people of the 8th Senate District. I have always done my best for them, and I will continue to do so with the same level of hard work and service that they deserve from their public officials.

Lucidos comments were criticized by Allison Donahue, a Michigan Advance reporter who was the first woman to complain about his behaviour, specifically that he made inappropriate comments to her in front of a group of high school boys at the Capitol.

Im disappointed that Sen. Lucido is choosing to gaslight and lie despite the results from the investigation, she said in a statement. The Senate Business Office clearly said that after dozens of interviews and multiple articles of evidence, the results showed that the allegations made my Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Melissa Osborn and myself were credible.

Donahue said she appreciates both the investigation and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkeys decision.

Its time for everyone else to put in the work to change the culture, she said. This is the time where we should be choosing to believe women, to right our wrongdoings and make sure that everyone has a comfortable and safe work environment.

___

Follow Eggert on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
International Women's Day: Life as a senior woman in the spirits industry

As the world marks International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March, Miranda Dickson, global brand director for Absolut Elyx and a long-time vodka enthusiast, shares her story of climbing the spirits industry ladder and how gender balance is changing in the sector.

How did you get involved in the spirits industry?

I've always had a keen interest in drinks and hospitality, which came primarily from my father's love of throwing big parties at home. I started out running events and DJing at a club night in Manchester in the mid-1990s and from there I became events manager at Cyberia, the first internet cafe bar in the UK. Cocktails had always been something I was into and vodka was my spirit of choice. In the mid-90s everything cool was Absolut, and during this time I was introduced to Paul Newman, the Absolut guy. He bought us the coolest martini glasses (or so I thought at the time) to use in the bar and we started serving lots of crazy, fruity, lurid martinis, as was the craze.

In 1997 I moved to manage a vodka bar in Manchester and from there my interest and love of everything about vodka grew. We had more than 100 different vodkas behind the bar and I took it upon myself to find out the back story of all of these brands - a journey that took me to Poland, Finland, Russia, Iceland, the US and of course Sweden. Before I knew it, I'd been crowned 'Vodka Princess' by my boss and my role expanded. I curated all the cocktail programming, menu designs and vodka purchasing and educated staff for 38 busy cocktail bars in the UK. I also penned three books on vodka and our cocktails.

How has being a woman affected your professional journey?

My first entry into the industry was through bars - I came as an events manager and then general manager. It wasn't until I worked for a larger company with more seniority that I realised the ease with which men could simply pigeonhole a strong woman, with an opinion that differed from theirs, as a b****, while an opinionated man was automatically seen as tough. So working in a male-dominated organisation was eye-opening for me. If I was friendly to a male colleague or the owner of the business, it could be perceived as flirting to get my way, especially when you add alcohol to the mix. That combined with watching married male colleagues frequently end their nights in strip clubs and behaving really inappropriately with other women paints a pretty solid picture of my experience 20 years ago.

I guess at some stage I figured out that if I wanted to continue a career in hospitality, I needed to make a conscious choice to take no s*** from my male colleagues, to work out the best way to navigate the road ahead and how to take opportunities as they come. Another retrospective observation would be to watch out for the "mean girls" - it always surprises me how easily other women can turn against you in favour of aligning with "the guys" and how quick women can be to stab you in the back.

Moving from the hospitality world into a large corporate organisation was again a different experience and the landscape is way more female-forward. Maybe things were a little different when I joined 15 years ago, but today I'd say by and large that the playing field is pretty equal. I think in spirits marketing there are many women - by no means is that territory male-dominated.

How has gender balance changed across the spirits industry?

I think we are starting to see a real emergence of female empowerment in our industry now. The industry itself is increasingly more observant and open-minded too, and more supportive around female challenges in the workplace generally. What women in general could improve upon is being more supportive of each other and helping each other navigate through the challenges.

The first time I travelled to Poland - where I went to live for five years - what struck me was that nearly all of the master distillers were women! In all the distilleries I visited I was so happy to meet some of the most incredible women in charge of making the most incredible vodkas. Elzbieta Goldynka, the master distiller at Zielona Gora at that time, was not only an accomplished vodka master but also a visionary in producing small-batch flavours, celebrating the old-fashioned flavoured vodkas of Poland and the traditions that are so intrinsic to Polish vodka.

Today, the head of operations at Absolut Vodka is another extremely talented lady, Anna Schriel, and our CEO is also a woman, Anna Malmhake. So in the world of vodka production, woman have always had a role. In the drinks business as a whole women are way more featured in the marketing teams, while I see more male domination in the commercial arm of the business, but this is just a general observation. In the hospitality side, the question is more about seniority and how many senior positions are held by women. Housekeeping, for example, is very female domianted, while hotel management seems to be very male dominated. Hotel F&B (food and beverage), especially in the large organisations, appears very male dominated, while smaller independent hotels definitely demonstrate improved gender opportunities. It's got to be a positive thing when we see industry recognition for bartender Monica Berg as well as the sustained popularity and growth of Speed Rack - both are great inspiration for women behind the bar today.

What advice would you give to woman starting a career in spirits now?

Keep the passion. I think especially if you are a woman in this industry, it is tough, but isn't it tough in many professions? For me, it's the passion that gets me up in the morning and gives me energy. It's a cliche, but if you don't enjoy what you do then what's the point? Stay true to what you think, rise above the noise and, most of all, have fun and enjoy it.

6 March 2020 - Bethany Whymark
GRAFTON A Bethalto woman died and two others suffered life-threatening injuries in a single-car crash Wednesday on Illinois Route 100.

Allison A. Watson, 22, of Bethalto was in a car going west about 11:09 p.m. when it left the road two miles east of Grafton, struck a river bluff and overturned multiple times, according to a preliminary report by Illinois State Police. She died at the scene.

Two others in the car, Tristan Z. Terpening, 20, of Godfrey and Alexander D. Radcliff, 18, of Bethalto, suffered life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

It was uncertain who was driving because all three people were ejected from the car, police said.

A traffic crash reconstruction unit and state police are continuing the investigation.

 David C.L. Bauer
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of top news as of 06.03.2020:

 The subdivisions of the Azerbaijani border guard troops sabotaged again in the sector of Armenian Tavush Province, said MOD spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan.

According to him, the Azerbaijani border guard subdivisions have been firing in the same direction with machine guns of large diameters for a couple of days now.

Azerbaijan will be held fully responsible for these sabotages and all of their consequences, he added.

 According to the Armenian MOD, the Azerbaijani military launched an attempt of sabotage infiltration on Friday in the direction of one of Armenias combat positions located in a northeasterly direction.

But the Armenian side prevented it and the adversary was driven back to its starting position, suffering casualties, and leaving ammunition and a landmine detector behind.

The Armenian side has no casualties, but one soldier sustained minor injuries.

 The mother and her daughter, 13, have been beaten in Armenian Gyumri. The woman died, while a girl was taken to the hospital in Gyumri and was operated on the spot.

Later, a teen has been delivered to Yerevan, Surb Astvatsamayr MC spokesperson Gev Derdzyan wrote on his Facebook.

She has a traumatic brain injury, chest bruises, abdominal cavity and a fracture of the right forearm. The condition of the girl continues to be extremely difficult, she is connected to an artificial respiration apparatus.

 Tehran has recorded the first case of death from coronavirus infection, as Arevelqs source in Tehran reported.

According to the source, the deceased patient is 85-year-old Armenian woman Elsik Masih, who was hospitalized a week ago.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus death toll globally has reached 3,390. And the death toll in Iran has reached 108, with 3,513 people infected.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syrias Idlib province at the talks in Moscow on Thursday.

According to the agreements, the hostilities in Idlib should be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6. Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrolling along the M-4 road in Syria on March 15, where a security corridor will be set up.

Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syrias sovereignty and agreed to continue the fight against terrorism.
Giaquinto always considered himself good at separating work and family, coming home calm no matter the issue. But he said it has been hard to compartmentalize lately. The factory is in a region one ring from the epicenter of the outbreak that has itself seen 155 cases and four deaths. He keeps thinking about his elderly father, who lives in Umbria and uses a respirator. When they parted after a recent visit, Giaquinto told him that they might not see one another again for months.
A private Jewish high school in Bergen County will be closed for several days after dozens of its students were potentially exposed to the coronavirus at a bat mitzvah in New York last month.

The Frisch School on West Century Road in Paramus will be closed until at least Wednesday out of an abundance of caution, Principal Eli Ciner told NJ Advance Media on Friday.

The students traveled in late February to a bat mitzvah at Young Israel of New Rochelle, where some students began a self-quarantine period earlier this week.

At least one student in New Rochelle has developed symptoms and is being tested for the virus, Ciner wrote in a letter to parents on Thursday, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Officials advised state residents who were present at the Westchester County to self-quarantine out of concern they might have been exposed to the coronavirus late last month, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Wednesday.

As more cases of #COVID19 are identified in specific US locations, affected communities may take actions to minimize the impact of novel coronavirus. Local communities may employ tools that encourage social distancing. Learn actions you can take: https://t.co/qbIZmiuPwQ. pic.twitter.com/EfQKxg3qO8  CDC (@CDCgov) March 4, 2020

The state advised anyone who visited Temple Young Israel in New Rochelle, New York, for services, a funeral or a bat mitzvah from Feb. 22-23 to remain at home until at least Sunday.

While the risk to any given individual is likely to be low, we felt it was important to share this guidance for any New Jersey residents who may have attended these services and events, Persichilli said.

The (Frisch) school is closed and will remain closed next week, Ciner said Friday. He declined to say whether any of the Frisch students had displayed symptoms of COVID-19.

In Bergen County, two people have tested positive for coronavirus in initial tests by the state  a 32-year-old man from Fort Lee and a woman in her 30s from Englewood, state officials have said. Those tests are pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control.

The Fort Lee man was hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center while the woman was sent home from Englewood Hospital and Medical Center to self-isolate, officials said.

Persichilli said any positive case of novel coronavirus is "concerning, but added most New Jersey residents are at very low risk of contracting the virus.

At least nine people tested negative for the coronavirus in New Jersey in recent weeks. But officials warned that the virus was likely to spread.

There are more than 93,000 cases worldwide and more than 3,100 deaths from COVID-19, mostly in China. The virus has infected more than 99 people in the U.S. and killed 10, according to the CDC.

In a memo to school superintendents, the state advised all public schools to plan for building closures in what could be a potential coronavirus outbreak. State officials said home instruction would count toward the required 180-day school year if districts are ordered to close.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, enter your email address below.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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DES MOINES  The Iowa House on Thursday approved a bill to fight anti-Semitic crimes and discrimination, despite Democrats objecting the bill sends a message that discrimination against Jews is more serious than attacks on other minorities.

But House File 2504, which had 48 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors, is needed to give state officials an objective definition of contemporary anti-Semitism to ensure proper assessment of criminal and discriminatory incident motivated by anti-Semitism, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said in opening a rare Thursday evening debate.

It would not be a new classification of crime and would not expand legal protections, he said.

It fills a gap in our code with respect to this unique type of discriminatory behavior, Lohse said.

The bill was approved on a party-line vote, 51-45.

The bill would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of anti-Semitism, the international standard used by the U.S. Departments of Justice, State and Education, he said.

According to the definition, anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Lohse listed statistics from law enforcement and groups tracking discrimination showing that Jews are among the most likely minority groups to be victimized and that the rate of hate incidents are increasing.

In addition to the obvious white supremacist activity, there is now an uptick of propaganda on college campuses and in communities, along with hateful robocalls aimed at voters, Lohse said.

That wasnt news to Rep. Ras Smith, D-Waterloo, who related his experience of opening his Capitol mailbox to find a flyer featuring a hooded member of the Ku Klux Klan and a message that lynching is for amateurs.

The sad truth is that evil does exist, said Smith, who is black. Hatred is allowed to operate in many forms. Sometimes it finds its way into this beautiful building.

For nearly two hours, Democrats objected to the bill, arguing that rather than address discrimination, it would say discrimination against Jews is more important than discrimination against others.

There are more attacks on African Americans than on Jews, said Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines.

But by adopting the anti-Semitism law, the Legislature would be saying crimes against Jews are more serious than crimes against blacks, gays, Muslims and other minorities.

Thats the message youre sending, he said. And in todays world, thats a dangerous message.

The Legislature should not pit people against each other, make people choose who should be protected, Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, said.

We all want hate to stop, Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, said, but to just include just one religious group, that sets up a process that I dont think we want to set up.

However, Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, who offered a similar bill, said the meaning of the bill seemed to get lost in the debate.

I dont think that pointing out a problem that we need to address minimizes other problems that need to be addressed, Upmeyer said.

So after three hours and remarks by 30 lawmakers, Lohse summed up this bill saying, We all want to stamp out hate. ... I truly do believe HF 2504 does move us to that goal.

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HUNTER VALLEY, Australia  The hills are lush and green, the grapes plump and ripe. But one bite of this famed valleys most prized product reveals a winemakers worst nightmare.

Its like licking an ashtray, said Iain Riggs, a vintner here. Its really rank and bitter.

The bush fires that raged for eight months in southeastern Australia inflicted widespread damage on the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, not directly from flames, but through the invisible taint of smoke.

Winemakers like Mr. Riggs have abandoned hopes for some 2020 vintages. Grapes that were closest to the fires are being left on the vine. Those farther away are being tested for smoke contamination, though it is an inexact science, and in some cases producers wont know whether a wine can be sold until it has fermented in tanks.
Dr. Charles Chuck A. Berry, a NASA flight surgeon who helped select the countrys first astronauts and devised tests to see if they could survive the demands of space, died in his sleep over the weekend in his Houston home. He was 96.

Berry is considered a pioneer in aerospace medicine, with a 68-year career in which he served as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force, director of life sciences for NASA, an aviation medical examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration and an aerospace medicine consultant.

I dont think aerospace medicine, as a specialty in medicine and as a field, would be where it is today without the influence of all the various things he did at the various points in his career, both within the Air Force and with NASA, said his son Dr. Michael A. Berry, who also has a specialty in aerospace medicine.

Related: Hidden Figures mathematician Katherine Johnson dies at 101

Berry received his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco in 1947. After an internship at the San Francisco General Hospital (now called the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center), he went into private practice in Indio, Calif.

He joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and moved to San Antonio for a year of training at the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine (now the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine). Hed go on to help countries in Central and South America set up their own aviation medicine programs, earn his masters degree in public health from Harvard University and become chief of the Department of Flight Medicine at the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine, where he sent pilots in balloons and aircraft to various altitudes to see how their bodies would react physiologically.

This was where his career took a turn that would eventually prompt Berry to leave the Air Force for NASA.

In 1957, Berry was one of the physicians who helped select test pilots  later referred to as astronauts  who would ride in a military rocket into outer space. He then helped select NASAs first seven astronauts for Project Mercury, the countrys first man-in-space program. Berry and his fellow physicians devised ways to physically test who could withstand the demands of space, as it was understood at that time.

We put them in there [an onychoid chamber] in the dark and suspended them so that they werent touching anything, Berry said in a NASA Johnson Space Center oral history project. They were suspended with wires, and left them in there for six hours in the dark. Now, thats dumb when you think about it, because the thing I didnt like about it, I said, If we ever have an astronaut in this position, that means that weve really had a failure somewhere and hes out of a spacecraft, and it isnt going to make a lot of difference anyway then. So this doesnt seem like a very realistic kind of thing to do. But we exposed them to heat and cold and ran them on treadmills which were not being used anywhere else at that time. Exposed them in partial pressure suits.

And they figured out ways to monitor astronauts health before they launched  even telling former President Richard Nixon that he could not break the astronauts quarantine by eating dinner with them before Apollo 11  and while in space.

Still, people questioned if humans could survive the journey, citing a lack of data.

There are a lot of people who didnt think it was OK and that we were really being pretty cavalier about the decisions that were being made, Berry had said.

Michael Berry said his father acknowledged the lack of data but knew some risks would be required.

I remember him saying, and I have quoted that on numerous occasions, If we wait for all the data to come were never going to leave the ground, Michael Berry said.

He said his father took incremental steps, slowly increasing the amount of time astronauts spent in space, until landing men on the moon with Apollo 11 in 1969. Berry helped send those astronauts to the moon and monitored the crew during their mission. He helped send 42 people into space over 30 missions while working for NASA until 1974.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

After leaving NASA, Berry became the first president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He did on-air health segments at KPRC and was president of the Aerospace Medical Association. Berry was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979 and 1980.

But it was the relationship he had with astronauts that inspired his son to go into aerospace medicine. Michael Berry was a flight surgeon with the Air Force and then a flight surgeon with NASA, where he helped select astronauts for Space Shuttle missions and monitored them while in space. He spent 25 years working alongside his father in a private practice called Preventive and Aerospace Medicine Consultants and is currently the federal air surgeon for the FAA.

He was my best friend, Michael Berry said.

Berry died from complications of coronary artery disease and heart failure.

He is survived by three children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. There will be a viewing Sunday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, followed by a reception from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. For his friends around the world, the funeral will be livestreamed at Memorial Drive United Methodist Churchs YouTube channel.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-06 23:14:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HONG KONG, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Friday thanked postal staff for working day and night during the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, prioritizing the delivery of a large number of parcels containing anti-epidemic goods to the public.

From the end of the Chinese New Year up to now, Hongkong Post has completed the delivery of 160,000 parcels containing face masks to the public.

Lam visited the Kowloon Speedpost Operations Centre in Yau Tong to view its operation on Friday, and was briefed on how Hongkong Post had dealt with the surge volume of inward mail items during the epidemic, with many containing such protective gear as face masks, through manpower deployment and adjustment to working hours.

In response to the tight supply of face masks in the market, postal staff proactively identified parcels with face masks and prioritized their delivery to address the needs of the public. Lam praised postal staff for their commitment to people-oriented services.

Although workload has increased amid the epidemic, postal staff have worked tirelessly and taken the necessary precautionary measures to resume full public services. Lam thanked the postal staff for their hard work and encouraged them to continue to provide quality services to the public.
INTERNATIONAL

An article on Thursday about a record number of parliamentary seats won by Arab-led parties in Israels election referred incorrectly to the number of Israelis who are of Arab ethnicity. It is about one in five, not two in five. The article also misstated Arab turnout in Israeli elections. It fell below 50 percent in the April election, but it is not the case that turnout has been below that level historically.

NATIONAL

An article on Thursday about the future of Senator Elizabeth Warrens presidential bid after her campaigns losses on Super Tuesday misstated Maurice Mitchells title with the Working Families Party. He is the national director, not the national political director.

BUSINESS

An article on Thursday about a report by the House Financial Services Committee that asserted that an appointee in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau promised special favors to Wells Fargo referred incorrectly to correspondence between two executives at the bank. Michael Loughlin, the chief risk officer, wrote an email to Timothy J. Sloan that proposed a resolution for customers harmed by fake accounts. Mr. Sloan did not write to Mr. Loughlin.

ARTS

A television entry in the Listings pages on Monday described incorrectly the character that Martin Freeman plays on Breeders. His name is Paul, not Eric.
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.  As the tornado touched down, the young couple sprinted for the basement.

Windows exploded. Framed pictures jumped off the walls and shattered. A terrifying sucking sound enveloped their Mount Juliet house as part of the roof blew off.

Tyler Manivong, 26, and his wife, Sabrina, 24, made it downstairs with their German shepherd, Stitch. But they freaked out when they realized their lab mix, Lilo, remained upstairs.

Then, it was all over in just a few minutes.

The couple found Lilo, unharmed, right away. They also found a lot of damage to the roof and extensive water damage in the home.

But their comfy new couch remained untouched. They were uninjured. And they realized immediately those nearby had been hit far worse than they had.

"We looked outside, looked at each other and said, 'We gotta go!' " Tyler said.

Manivong, an off-duty Nashville police officer, turned on his police radio, grabbed his flashlight and set off to check on his neighbors.

Within minutes, he and his wife found themselves sprinting again. They heard on the radio that an elderly couple down the street was trapped in their basement with piles of rubble on top of them.

Off-duty Metro Police Officer Tyler Manivong, right, helps Bill Wallace out from the basement of his Barrett Drive home that collapsed on him and his wife, Shirley, trapping them under rubble. Officer Paul Foutch, left reaches for Wallace in Mt. Juliet on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Manivong and another nearby off-duty Metro police officer joined with a Wilson County reserve deputy and two first responders to spend the next 50 minutes digging the couple out with their bare hands.

The elderly couple, Bill and Shirley Wallace  who had made peace with the idea that they probably were going to die  emerged from a 3-foot hole in their basement with just cuts and bruises.

The Wallaces and several first responders are saying Manivong and his fellow off-duty officer, Nate Larson, are heroes.

"That feels good," Manivong said. "But it doesn't deserve acknowledgment. It should be second nature."

'It was ... calming laying there together'

The Wallaces got a phone call from their son Billy on Monday night just after bedtime: Tornado's coming, get down to the basement.

Story continues

OK, no big deal, Bill Wallace thought. We'll head down there in our sleep clothes, watch the basement TV for a while, and head back upstairs after the storm blows over.

A minute later, winds howled and the basement went black when the power cut out. A loud roar enveloped them: "I can vouch  it sounds like a train," he said.

Glass broke, boards cracked and a cabinet fell on top of them, knocking them onto the floor within a few inches of each other.

"It was kind of calming laying there together," Bill Wallace said.

The roaring ended in 60 seconds.

Bill and Shirley Wallace sit to recover after being freed from their Barrett Drive home that collapsed on them, trapping them under rubble. Shirley was taken for medical attention after a tornado ripped through neighborhoods in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Shirley Wallace stayed on the floor in a ball while her husband crawled around, found a flashlight and saw that they were trapped, with only about 3 feet left over their head and no way out.

A water pipe burst, soaking Shirley Wallace. A broken gas pipe hissed, filling the room with an acrid smell.

"Well," Bill Wallace said softly to his wife, "we're gonna have to wait till someone gets us."

A giant game of Jenga

Jacob Austin, 42, recently elected Wilson County constable  a reserve officer of sorts  headed to the West Wilson Middle School after the tornado hit.

Inside, a woman told him there was a couple  her neighbors  trapped a half-mile away in their basement.

When he got to the home with a Mount Juliet police officer in tow, Austin saw a house that had mostly collapsed into the basement.

There was no structural integrity, a major gas leak and broken water lines.

"Is there anybody in there?" he shouted, never expecting an answer.

Metro off-duty police officers Tyler Manivong, center, in black, and Nate Larson, center, in camo, dig to free Bill and Shirley Wallace from their Barrett Drive home that collapsed on them, trapping them under rubble after a tornado. Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

"I didnt think someone would be alive with the condition of that house," he said.

Austin heard a faint, calm voice: "We're in here."

Austin's heart started to beat faster.

By then, the two off-duty Metro police officers and another neighbor had arrived.

Manivong and Larson took turns battering cinder blocks and bricks however they could, digging away debris while Larson kept chatting, soothing, calming and joking with the Wallaces.

Bill Wallace holds a baby bear that was found in the rubble of his home as his granddaughter Samantha Leonard hugs his wife Shirley while daughter Sonya Leonard looks on. The couple returned to the house where they were trapped when it fell on them during the tornado in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

When Manivong made eye contact with the couple, he said, "I'm Tyler. I'm one of your neighbors, and I didn't want to meet like this."

Several first responders arrived during the dig.

Still, during those long 50 minutes, wood creaked and glass broke, and everyone was afraid the settling debris would crash through the basement ceiling.

"It was like a huge game of Jenga," Manivong said.

Minute by minute: How a deadly tornado cut a devastating path across Tennessee

Bill Wallace said he wondered if he and his wife would survive, but remained calm. "There was a higher being than us with us the whole time," he said.

When the hole was big enough, Larson crawled in and bear hugged Shirley Wallace and gently pulled her out while her husband followed.

After sitting on some stone steps, Shirley Wallace began to sob. Larson put a hand on her back and told her everything was all right.

"And she latched onto my neck and wouldnt let go," Larson said.

Bill Wallace teared up the next day while thinking about off-duty police officers digging him out of danger. "They're our heroes," he said.

His son, Billy Wallace, also got emotional when thinking about his parents' rescuers, when realizing one of them left his tornado-damaged house to help his neighbors.

"It's a little overwhelming," he said.

"To be thinking of others at that time is kind of unfathomable."

Follow Brad Schmitt on Twitter: @bradschmitt.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornado: Off-duty Nashville officers save trapped couple
An Irishman, suspected of being infected with coronavirus, fled from a Cuttack hospital on Thursday but was traced to a hotel in Bhubaneswar where he and another person he had come in contact with have been kept in isolation, officials said.

Though the two were allowed to remain in isolation at the Bhubaneswar hotel, the administration later decided to put them in the special isolation ward meant for suspected coronavirus infected persons.

In accordance with the protocol to manage coronavirus cases, they will be kept in mandatory isolation for 14 days.

"The blood and swab sample of both of them will be collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune," said Ashok Patnaik, the director of Capital Hospital.

Patnaik said they will be kept in hospital till their test reports are received.

Meanwhile, a bulletin issued by the health department said all the 12 samples collected from the state have tested negative. The 12 reports included that of an Uttar Pradesh couple who had returned to Paradip through a cargo ship from China on March 1.

So far 129 persons who returned from coronavirus-affected countries after January 15 have been kept in home quarantine as per the protocol, the bulletin said.

The 37-year-old Irishman along with his Indian associate had fled from SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday night following which a complaint was lodged with Mangalabag police station.

He was on a business trip to India since February 26 and had checked into a hotel in Bhubaneswar.

The foreigner had gone to the Capital Hospital with an associate on Thursday for a check-up as he had mild fever and runny nose for two days.

"When the consulting doctor advised him to remain in isolation for 14 days, the accompanying associate suggested that he be referred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack where better facilities are available," the Director of the Capital Hospital, said.

The two then reached SCB Medical College and Hospital without any escort, officials said.

"After reaching here, when the associate learnt that he was also supposed to be admitted in the isolation ward along with the Irish national, both escaped," Emergency Officer at the facility B N Maharana said.

When the matter was brought to the notice of police, an alert was sounded. The authorities of Capital Hospital finally located the duo at a hotel in the city.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said the Centre has agreed to set up a coronavirus test laboratory at the RMRC here. "I have also written a letter to the Union Health Minister requesting him to open another such testing facility at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack," Das said.

The Minister said now, the samples collected from Odisha are being sent to NIV, Pune which confirms the cases in at least three to four days. Therefore, the state needs its own testing facility, Das said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
H alf of London councils did not issue fines last year to rogue landlords found to be renting unsafe homes.

Campaign group Generation Rent has analysed City Halls rogue landlord and agent checker and found that 292 fines were issued by 17 councils last year.

The fines totalled 1.04 million  a reduction on the 1.6 million raised from 433 fines the previous year.

It means almost half of town halls did not issue penalties against landlords renting out unsuitable properties.

Around 130,000 properties in the capital do not have licences for multiple occupancy, while others may fail basic fire safety checks.

Generation Rent director Dan Wilson Craw said: Laws to keep our homes safe only mean anything if they are enforced, and if landlords understand the consequences of cutting corners. Despite squalid conditions facing many renters, councils have a very mixed record on bringing the landlords responsible to justice.

Nine councils did not prosecute or issue a civil penalty to a single landlord in the last two years: Bexley, Bromley, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston, Lewisham, Merton and Sutton.

Camden has been the most successful council in taking action, overseeing more than 750,000 in fines over the past two years. Westminster, Hounslow and Haringey have more than doubled the number of fines they have issued.

Mr Wilson Craw has called for renters to be able to check online with City Hall whether their property has a licence.

Rent Repayment Orders can be used against criminal landlords, and the analysis suggested that in 130 of the 292 cases last year tenants may have been able to reclaim rent.
New Delhi: State-owned telecom firm BSNL's loss swelled by over 2.5 times to Rs 39,089 crore during the April-December 2019 period, Minister of State for Telecommunications Sanjay Dhotre has informed Parliament.

The public sector telecom firm had recorded a loss of Rs 14,904 crore in the previous financial year 2018-19.

"BSNL has informed that its total accumulated loss during the current financial year i.e. 2019-20 (up to December 31, 2019) is Rs 39,089 crore," Dhotre said in a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The government on October 23 last year approved a Rs 68,751-crore revival package for loss-making BSNL and MTNL, including 4G spectrum allocation and voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).

The Union Cabinet also approved the merger of the state-owned telecom firms and till the completion of the process, MTNL will operate as a subsidiary of BSNL, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said here while sharing details of the revival package.

The package includes raising of Rs 15,000 crore sovereign bonds to meet the immediate capital requirement of both the companies, 4G spectrum allocation worth Rs 20,140 crore; Rs 29,937 crore for VRS covering 50 percent of their employees; and Rs 3,674 crore for goods and services tax that will be levied on the allocation of radio waves.

Over 78,300 BSNL employees and 14,378 at MTNL have opted for VRS which is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden from both the companies.
Taapsee Pannu and Pavail Gulatis Thappad has become a movie which has initiated a much-needed conversation around the respect that partners need to have for one another.

Of course, everyone has their own opinion on whether they liked the movie or found it way too far-fetched in terms of the approach.

When I walked out of the theatre after the screening I was happy that finally, a film is talking about things that have gone unnoticed despite it being quite evident. Well, there were a few men who were discussing the movie afterwards and I happened to overhear their conversation. Turns out, they had an issue with men 'always being shown in a negative light' and asked why was Indian cinema not addressing 'male-abuse'.

Following the review that I posted on MensXP, a lot of men questioned in the comment section that had the wife slapped the husband, would he have gone to the extent of filing a divorce?

So, I got a chance to talk to Pavail Gulati himself, who plays Taapsees husband in the movie and asked his opinion on this very scenario that people questioned about.

On this, he told me, I would say that marna toh kisi ko bhi nahi chahiye. It's not about a man or a woman for that matter. You raise your hands when you are frustrated and you have nothing to say at all. We have no IQ level to explain that argument. By hitting someone, you end up showing that you are physically strong. But I feel this is an act of weakness.

I then flipped the situation around and asked Pavail, if a man would give his wife the same amount of time and room to reflect on such a drastic mistake, just like Taapsee did.

Agar yeh flip side pe hota, I think the male ego that men possess, wo ulta kheech kar maarte which is not a great thing to do. At least here, she gave Vikram time to realize his mistake. The film's essence was not the thappad but the mutual respect you should have for one another. The way Taapsee's character handles her respect is beautiful. She doesn't leave immediately and she gives him a chance but he doesn't. The idea is that we take the other person for granted and we think that wo kabhi nahi jaega, added Pavail.

 T-Series

Further along into the conversation, I let Pavail know how there was a buzz around the notion that Thappad appeared to propagate 'male-bashing', something I disagree completely with, given how the movie has a strong message for both genders.



Agreeing with my stance, he said, I also disagree with the claims of it being a male-bashing movie because it's showing that patriarchy dono genders mein hai. If there was Vikram, there was a Vikram inside his mother too (played by Tanvi Azim) and also inside Ratna Pathak Shah who's not ready to accept the fact her daughter is seeking a divorce.

Also, Vikram is not a bad guy as he is a victim of conditioning because he doesn't know the other way, as he is taught a certain way. In the end, when he says sorry, it's not that we wanted a happy ending; we just didn't want to part ways saying that men can't change and men will be men. The idea is that we can change and we should change.

 T-Series

Yes, men can change and men should change, but when I asked him what about those men who still walk around with the mentality of aurat toh pair ki jooti hai, Pavail had a rather strong response.



If there are men like that who think ki aurat toh pair ki jooti hai, I wouldn't burn my head in giving them advice because they wouldn't want to listen to it. The people who struggle with their male egos and want to change, I would suggest they keep struggling and win the battle because mutual respect is important, he said.





Given how Taapsee is setting an example for Indian women to put themselves and their happiness first and simply not tolerate domestic violence, I asked Pavail on the kind of message that women can take away from Thappad.

This film is not telling you how to deal with it but the idea is to deal with it. Everyone has a different way of dealing with such scenarios like Geetika's character (she played the maid) dealt in her own way. She didn't file for a divorce. Ratna ma'am's character deals it with her own way and so does Tanvi ma'am's character. There's no right or the wrong way but the idea is to understand your self-respect. The idea is to be self-aware of what we are losing in a relationship because zindagi bohot chotti hai.

What does a man or a woman need? Everyone wants to be respected and be happy apart from those materialistic things. If you have a lot of money but you aren't getting the respect and happiness you deserve, you wouldn't be satisfied, he said.

I also wanted to know how Pavail connected to his character in the movie, given his role as the obnoxiously-clueless and callous Vikram was not exactly an easily-digestible one, particularly with women.



When I started shooting, I couldn't relate to the character because I am one of those rare men who have been raised with matriarchal standards in a way that women were the leaders of the house. My mom takes care of the finances. Both my mom and dad are working so it's a shared thing. It's my dad who cooks as my mother hates it. I have been raised this way.

I told Anubhav sir, 'men don't do this'. He told me that you think you are liberal, progressive and feminist but there would have been instances where you must have said something because there is this shrew atom of patriarchy left inside us. I said I have not even prepped for this character and he told me that every man has prepped for this all his life, said Pavail.

To lighten the load from our intense discussion about men, patriarchy, and Thappad, I asked him about his experience of working with Taapsee, especially as she is someone who is also an outsider like him and has worked hard to make a name for herself in the industry.

I think that's what connected me with her. The first day when I met her and I introduced myself to her. She was like, 'of course, I know you and I have heard about you. I took my hand to shake hands with her but she hugged me and from that very moment, we became friends. She welcomed me with open arms. She looks tough on the outside but she is a softy from the inside, Pavail said.

Well, now he has ended up creating such a bond with her that he can call her up anytime and ask for any suggestion that he needs.

Now, she has become a close friend and every time I need a suggestion, I call her up, even though she gets irritated as she feels that I should be taking my own decisions but still, she helps. Working with her was the easiest as she is a wonderful person. It's rare that you find a co-actor who's so giving.

 Instagram/Taapsee_Pavail Gulati

I got lucky with both Anubhav sir and Taapsee. For that matter, even the production team made me comfortable on the sets. Anubhav sir made it clear that no one is a star and no one is a junior. It was beautiful to see how everyone was respecting each other, added Pavail.

Then, I went on to ask if he had any sort of anxiety before starting shooting because it was a big breakthrough for the actor. To my surprise, he said he didnt even get the time to feel the jitters until he attended the premiere of the movie. He, in fact, also told me how he landed the role.

I was thrown into it, actually. So, I had to go to London for Ghost Stories as the dates were colliding. I had auditioned for Thappad too but I knew it that it wasn't going to happen because I had given my dates to Anurag Kashyap. I took a flight to London and when I landed there, Anurag sir told me that Anubhav sir has really liked my test but I said that I have given you my dates. Then, Anurag sir told me that he has read the script and I have to take up this role and he would figure at his own end.

While I was shooting for Ghost Stories, I read the script and I loved it and that's when I had a word with Anubhav sir on messages. I straight landed to Lucknow and I didn't get the time to even think about anything. I was just tired and I started shooting on the same day I landed. I am glad that I didn't have to think about these things, as it would have gotten stuck in my head. All this anxiety came on the day of the premiere as I was thinking women will hate me for this, said the actor.

Turns out, Pavail was expecting an avalanche of hate, mostly from women, for his role in the movie, however, he ended up getting heaps of praises and appreciation for his acting.

 T-Series

Everyone wants to be loved and I was thinking this character will get me a lot of hate but thankfully, it didn't happen. I was happily surprised that even women loved my character. I am getting a lot of messages. It's quite overwhelming, said Pavail.



Well, we hope that Pavail continues to shine the way he did in his Bollywood debut and we wish him all the luck for his future endeavours.
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Calling Attorney General William Barrs account of the Mueller report distorted and misleading, George W. Bush appointee Judge Reggie Walton ordered the Trump Justice Department to give him an unredacted copy of the Mueller report.

Walton also said what the rest of thinking America has long known, which is that Barrs credibility was in doubt due to misrepresenting Special Counsel Robert Muellers findings in the report.

Walton accused Barr of spinning so much of the report, which investigated President Trump and his campaign for possibly conspiring with Russia to cheat the 2016 election and illegally obstructed the inquiry, that the court questioned if Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary.

Just Now: Seasoned judge, appointed by Republican president, says AG Barr's credibility is in doubt. Walton argues the way Barr spun Mueller investigation appeared "calculated" to help @realdonaldtrump and hurts DOJ credibility too. pic.twitter.com/BRqKoH2pY7  Carol Leonnig (@CarolLeonnig) March 5, 2020

BREAKING in my/@BuzzFeedNews/@EPICprivacy #FOIA lawsuit to unredact the Mueller report Judge Walton just ordered DOJ to turn over an unredacted copy of Mueller report by March 30 so he can review it to determine what can be further released publicly This is what we hoped for! pic.twitter.com/c0B6ZD0vqc  Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) March 5, 2020

The inconsistencies between Attorney General Barrs statements, made at a time when the public did not have access to the redacted version of the Mueller Report to assess the veracity of his statements, and portions of the redacted version of the Mueller Report that conflict with those statements cause the Court to seriously question whether Attorney General Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary, Walton wrote.

These circumstances generally, and Attorney General Barrs lack of candor specifically, call into question Attorney General Barrs credibility.

The court will get an unredacted Mueller report by March 30th. The will be looking to see if the Attorney General President Trump installed around regular order and has used as shield and political weapon against his enemies hid facts from the public when he misrepresented the findings of the report.

In March of 2019, Barr issued what he called a summary of the report, which deviated in its conclusion that Trump had been cleared of wrongdoing.

In late March, Mueller pushed newly handpicked Attorney General William Barr twice to release the summaries his investigative team prepared for the public, both before and after Barr misled the public about the teams conclusions. Mueller had prepared already vetted and redacted versions of the report for the public, that Trumps Justice Department hid from the American public while Barr gave his summary of a document we were not allowed to see for ourselves. Mueller warned Barr that the summaries that were already prepared to be released shouldnt have been delayed and the release of them as requested would be in accordance with the standard for public release of notifications to Congress.

Meanwhile, Barr told the public that Mueller had left it to him to decide what to tell the public because Mueller had refused to make a prosecutorial judgment.

A month later when the DOJ released the redacted version after much pressure, Barr claimed his summary wasnt so much a summary.

The redacted version of the Mueller report is bad enough. Mueller says in it that the Trump campaign was accepting help from the Russians, but Mueller wasnt sure they knew it was illegal.

Cut to 2020, and Trump is once again using a foreign country to cheat in a U.S. election. Surely he knows by now that this is illegal.

Seeming crime boss Donald Trump has been given every privilege and allowed to break the law without consequence so often that the rule of law in this county has been seriously jeopardized. His campaign of international criminals didnt fare so well, and at least six of them are in jail now.




Increase of net royalties by 105%

Cash position of 28.1 million as of December 31, 2019



March 6, 2020 - release at 7:30 am CET

Sophia Antipolis, France



Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the financial and operating results for Nicox and its subsidiaries (the "Nicox Group") for the year ended December 31, 2019, as approved by the Board of Directors on March 5, 2020, and provided upcoming 2020 key milestones.



2019 Financial Summary



Net revenueP1P for the full year 2019 was 6.9 million (2.1 million in net royalties, 4.8 million in upfront and milestone payments), compared to 4.0 million (1 million in net royalties and 3 million in an upfront payment) for the full year 2018.



Operating expenses for the period 2019 decreased to 25.5 million from 26.5 million for the 12 months to December 31, 2018. Research and development expenses increased by 1.4 million reflecting the investments in the successful clinical trials for NCX 470 and NCX 4251 while administrative and other expenses decreased by 2.4 million.



Net loss of the Nicox Group for the full year 2019 was 18.9 million against 18.4 million in the full year 2018.



As of December 31, 2019, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 28.1 million as compared with 22.1 million at December 31, 2018. The December 31, 2019 cash position does not include the last tranche of loan under the bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital which was drawn down in December 2019 but received on January 2, 2020, adding approximately 7.7 million to the year-end cash position of the Group.



As of December 31, 2019, the Nicox Group had a financial debt of 11.1 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019 adjusted to approximately 18.8 million by including the last tranche of loan drawn down in December 2019.



Events after the Reporting Period



Nicox successfully completed an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (see Press Release of March 5, 2020) (https://www.nicox.com/assets/files/EN_NCX470_FDAEOP2_PR_20200305_-F1.pdf). The Mont Blanc trial, the first Phase 3 clinical trial of NCX 470, is expected to start by the end of Q2 2020, with top-line results expected in Q3 2021. The Mont Blanc trial will be initiated with 0.065% and 0.1% doses of NCX 470, with one dose being selected during the trial through an adaptive design.

(https://www.nicox.com/assets/files/EN_NCX470_FDAEOP2_PR_20200305_-F1.pdf). The Mont Blanc trial, the first Phase 3 clinical trial of NCX 470, is expected to start by the end of Q2 2020, with top-line results expected in Q3 2021. The Mont Blanc trial will be initiated with 0.065% and 0.1% doses of NCX 470, with one dose being selected during the trial through an adaptive design. Nicox received approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of a formulation patent for NCX 470, extending the U.S. patent coverage to 2039 (see Press Release of February 3, 2020 (https://www.nicox.com/assets/files/EN_NCX470_USFORMULATIONPATENTPR_20200203_F.pdf)). Nicox has also received approval of this patent in Japan.

(https://www.nicox.com/assets/files/EN_NCX470_USFORMULATIONPATENTPR_20200203_F.pdf)). Nicox has also received approval of this patent in Japan. Nicox presented NCX 470 Dolomites Phase 2 results at the Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum (February 7, 2020) and at the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Annual Meeting (February 27 - March 1, 2020) . NCX 4251 Danube Phase 2 results were also presented at AGS.

NCX 4251 Danube Phase 2 results were also presented at AGS. Nicox's research activities are being concentrated on nitric oxide (NO)-donating phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors program for glaucoma for which we expect to be able to announce an Investigational New Drug (IND)-track candidate in 2020 and therefore we are terminating our research collaboration with Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.

We strengthened our Clinical Development function by appointing Kristie Veasey to the position of Director Clinical Operations, effective March 2, 2020. Reporting to Dr. Jose Boyer, Vice President of Clinical Development, Ms. Veasey will be responsible for leading clinical operations for some of our upcoming clinical trials. She brings over 19 years of experience in clinical research and development in both the Pharmaceutical Industry and Clinical Research Organizations, with the majority of her professional experience in the therapeutic area of ophthalmology including at Lexitas Pharma Services, Clearside Biomedical and Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Key Expected Upcoming Milestones



NCX 470 Phase 3 clinical trial preparation: Phase 3 clinical trial ('Mont Blanc') is expected to be initiated by the end of Q2 2020.

Phase 3 clinical trial ('Mont Blanc') is expected to be initiated by the end of Q2 2020. NCX 4251: Meeting with the U.S. FDA is scheduled in Q1 2020 to discuss the next steps of the clinical development plan.

Meeting with the U.S. FDA is scheduled in Q1 2020 to discuss the next steps of the clinical development plan. ZERVIATE P TM P U.S. launch: Commercial launch of ZERVIATEP TM P (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24% in the U.S. is planned by Nicox's partner Eyevance Pharmaceuticals in H1 2020.

P P Commercial launch of ZERVIATEP P (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24% in the U.S. is planned by Nicox's partner Eyevance Pharmaceuticals in H1 2020. Presentations on Nicox's ophthalmology research and development programs at key U.S. scientific conferences including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting. Note





1. Net revenue consists of revenue from collaborations less royalty payments which corresponds to Net profit in the consolidated statements of profit or loss
Katie met Kate.

And Kates husband, William, who happens to be heir to the British throne.

Katie Knapik of Westfield, daughter of former state Sen. Mike Knapik and his wife, Kathleen, shared a brief interaction with the royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton, formally known as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Thursday during the royal visit to Galway. Knapik is in Ireland studying nursing through a program with Fairfield University.

It was an event shared on social media not only by Mike Knapik, who now works for Baystate Health, but by the official Kensington Royal accounts.

Katie Knapik and her friends are shown with the prince about halfway through a video posted to Instagram.

She went down yesterday from the place where they are staying about four hours ahead of time and staked out a spot, Mike Knapik said. Then they went back later waited. She was so excited

And what did the prince say?

He asked where where they were from and what they were studying, and told them hes sure they are having a good time.

Galway, where Katie Knapik has been studying since January, is a European Capital of Culture for 2020.

And, ever the politician, its not lost on Knapik how significant it is for a member of the British royal family, let alone a future king and queen, to get such a warm reception in the Republic of Ireland given the two countries long history.

Its certainly a new day, he said. With this new generation, with Brexit and with the peace accords wee know Congressman (Richard) Neal was involved in, this new generation has a different attitude.

Knapik, left, and Prince William. (Submitted photo)
Vincentian Prime Minister and Chairman of LIAT Government Shareholders group Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is determined more than ever to keep LIAT in the shies amidst all its challenges.

Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in a recent press conference, told media audiences that regional air carrier LIAT is still in dire straits.





"LIAT continues to be stretched for money, PM Gonsalves said adding, "We just sent some money to the kitty but it needs a lot more money.





Dr. Gonsalves, Chairman of the Government Shareholders of LiAT, when asked about an alternative, responded, "Well I dont see an alternative. Some people may see an alternative. The reason why I soldier with LIAT for the years, you know . I would like to see something ideal in relation to regional air transport, but I dont see where this ideal is coming from, so I have to soldier with something so that we can do something practical.





On the sidelines of the 31st CARICOM Heads of Government Inter-sessional Conference held in Barbados, February 18-19, Dr. Gonsalves reiterated his confidence in "the new board of management led by former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur.





PM Gonsalves was reported by Barbados Today to have referred to "a strategic plan with many elements, one that should result in "a turn around in the airlines fortunes.





He took advantage of the interview to announce a rebates/concession proposal, which could benefit "regular regional travellers in an effort to help ease the burden.





The announced proposal was aimed at CARICOM Member States, the article noted, and was made "moments after the new Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley issued a call for the niggling issue of regional transportation to be resolved.





Meanwhile, Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne is reported as having announced a further delay in the 25% fare reduction as recommended by the Caribbean Development Bank since 2018. That CDB reported had clearly stated that "lower taxes and charges will lead to cheaper airfares and stimulate passenger demand.





Unmoved in the face of that recommendation, shareholder governments held fast to a position that there could not be any reduction in fares for "at least two more years, sources say.





PM Browne, though, was prepared to be more specific and proposed a phased airline tax reduction approach starting at "a possible 15% decrease within the next 24 to 36 months a further 15%... could be considered after the effects of the initial reduction are observed and measured.





Back in Kingstown, Dr. Gonsalves again underscored the importance of keeping the airline in the regional skies, a responsibility he said which he cannot merely shrug off "like any sort of old rum shop talk.




The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday presented a Rs 49,131-crore Budget for FY 2020-21, which saw more focus on road and air connectivity, housing for poor and scheduled castes and quality education.

No new tax has been proposed in the budget which saw an increase of Rs 4,743 crore from Rs 44,388 crore in 2019-20. It was 41,440 crore in 2018-19.

The revenue receipts of 2020-21 are estimated at Rs 38,429 crore, whereas expenditure is likely to be Rs 39,123 crore -- leading to a revenue deficit of Rs 694 crore.

The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 7,272 crore for 2020-21, which is 4 per cent of GSDP. The net borrowing will be 3 per cent of GSDP.

Presenting his third budget, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced 25 new schemes for various sections. Most of new schemes named as Swaran Jayanti as Himachal Pradesh is celebrating golden jubilee of its statehood this year.

In his nearly three-hour address in the Assembly while tabling the 150-page proposed budget, Thakur said Rs 26.66 would be spent on salaries out of every hundred rupees to be spent by the state government in 2020-21. Similarly Rs 14.79 will be spent on pension, Rs 10.4 on interest payment, Rs 7.29 on loan repayment and Rs 41.22 will be on development works and other activities, he added.

A target has been set to provide 10,000 quality houses to the poor and scheduled caste families in the next fiscal, more than double the number last year.

The chief minister announced that Rs 8,016 crore would be spent in the education sector for strengthening infrastructure and providing quality education at school level and setting up gyms in government medical colleges in a phased manner. Gyms will also be set up in nine other colleges, he added.

Mathematics laboratories will be set up in the next fiscal in 50 schools to make study more interesting, he added.

Part-time multi-task workers will also be appointed in the next fiscal in those primary schools where no water career is there, he added.

Thakur said Rs 1,013 crore earmarked for expanding air connectivity, the amount is the highest ever in any budget of the state. Process for land acquisition for expanding Shimla and Gaggal airports and starting work of Mandi airport will be expedited.

Besides, five heliports will be constructed.

Land acquisition work for 25 national highways (NHs) will start. Remaining 80 of total 3,226 panchayats of the state will be connected through road, he added.

The chief minister said 50,000 farmers had adopted natural farming in the state so far. Efforts will be made to encourage more farmers to adopt natural farming for which an amount of Rs 25 crore will be spent in 2020-21, he added.

Thakur said Himachal would contribute to India's goal of reaching USD 5 trillion economy.

Talking about the health sector, Thakur said that mammography machines would be installed in each district hospital of the state for detecting breast cancer.

The pension of 1.25 lakh widows and disabled has been increased to Rs 1,000 from Rs 850 per month. Besides, social security pension will be provided to 50,000 more eligible persons.

The chief minister said that uninterrupted 24-hour water supply will be launched in Shimla soon. A total of Rs 2,213 crore has been earmarked for water management in the next fiscal, he added.

Himachal Pradesh Investment Agency (HPIA) will be set up for which a bill will soon be tabled in the Assembly. It will help investors in getting clearance from various departments for setting up their units in the state.

Thakur said that three more antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres would be opened apart from already functional 6 ART centres for providing medicines to HIV patients.

He said that the state government planned to plant saplings on 12,000 hectares land more for which an amount of Rs 15 crore was earmarked in 2020-21. Forests are currently located on 27.2 per cent geographical land of the state and the state wants to increase it to at least 30 per cent by 2030, he added.

Talking about the drug menace, he said that five integrated rehabilitation centres of addicts (IRCA) would be set with the assistance of the centre.

Besides 515 MW additional generation capacity will be added which include Bajoli-Holi, Wangar Homte, Sorang, Sawra Kuddu and Uhl projects.

Speaking about solid waste management, he said that 500 gram panchayats will be made garbage free in the next fiscal.

The per capita income in Himachal Pradesh is Rs 60,205 higher than that of the country, he added.

The estimated per capita income of Himachal Pradesh is Rs 1,95,255 during 2019-20 whereas per-capita net national income during the same fiscal is estimated to be Rs 1,35,050.

The chief minister said, "I propose to celebrate 2020-21 as Golden Jubilee of 'Himachal Pradesh attaining full statehood'."



Various programmes and shows will be held across the state and achievements will be shared with the public, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Drew Angerer | Getty Images

As fear over the new coronavirus in New York spreads faster than the outbreak, people have started to steal masks and other medical equipment from local hospitals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters Friday. "Not just people taking a couple or three, I mean just actual thefts of those products," Cuomo said at a press conference from the state capital in Albany. "I've asked the state police to do an investigation, look at places that are selling masks, medical equipment, protective wear, feeding the anxiety."

Cuomo announced 11 new cases in the state overnight, bringing the total to 33  tripling over the previous 48 hours. "The number will continue to go up because it's mathematics," Cuomo said, trying to tamp down anxieties over the growing outbreak in the state. "The more you test, the more you will find." There are roughly 2,700 people in New York City under "precautionary quarantine" with more than 1,000 others also in voluntary isolation across the state, Cuomo said. Almost four dozen people in the state are under mandatory quarantine, nine of whom are in New York City, he said. On Thursday, Cuomo said there were just two under mandatory quarantine in the city. He didn't say how much hospital equipment or supplies were missing. The governor's office wasn't immediately available for comment. Health officials in cities such as Boston have also reported thefts of respirator masks and other essential protective equipment in lobbies and other high traffic areas, Modern Healthcare reported. "Over the past seven weeks, the health system has spent more than $5 million purchasing lab supplies, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection and other material in preparation for the coronavirus," Northwell Health, a local healthcare provider in New York, said in a statement. "While we currently have adequate stock, the N-95 masks that protect our front-line staff have been in high demand, so we are doing our best to identify other purchasing options."
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference on coronavirus at his official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 29, 2020. (Issei Kato/Reuters)

Japan to Quarantine Chinese, South Korean Visitors, Suspend Visa

Japan will suspend existing visas for visitors from China and South Korea and quarantine them for two weeks in response to the widening coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday, March 5.

The measures will go into effect on March 9.

South Korea strongly protested the move, calling it unreasonable, excessive and extremely regrettable.

Japans government defended the new, tighter travel restrictions, saying they were not too late to help slow the spread of the outbreak.

The decision was the result of a comprehensive review of the information available about the situation in other countries and the effects of other measures, chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference on Friday. I think the timing is appropriate.

Starting Monday, people arriving from China and South Korea will be quarantined for two weeks at designated sites. Japanese nationals will also be subject to the measures, Suga said.

Seouls foreign ministry will summon the Japanese ambassador on Friday to lodge a complaint, after calling in a senior diplomat late on Thursday to request explanations, it said in a statement.

The number of coronavirus cases in Japan climbed to 1,057 as of Friday morning, an increase of 21 people over the previous day, according to national broadcaster NHK.

People wearing face masks walk by the coast in Yokohama, Japan on Feb. 18, 2020. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Biggest Threat Is Panic, Not the Virus Itself

The coronavirus has spread from China, to more than 75 countries and regions.

And as the outbreak casts a shadow over the economy and Tokyos preparations to host the Summer Olympics, Abe has stressed that the next couple of weeks will be crucial in the battle to contain its spread.

Japan has already started to take a number of precautions to overcome and prevent the spread of the virus.

Many large-scale public gatherings and sporting events have been scaled down or canceled. Japanese companies have also adopted the practice of encouraging their employees to work from home to prevent exposing them to the virus on congested public transport and in offices.

But critics have accused Abe of prioritizing the Olympics and bilateral ties over national security, particularly as Japan did not shut down its borders during the early stages of the outbreak.

The Japanese government has taken relative soft stance when it comes to blocking the flow of people from China to Japan compared to some other countries, said Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University.

Nakano said this angered both Abes supporters and opponents.

People wearing face masks ask directions from police officers who are also wearing face masks, at a police box by Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 27, 2020. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Last week, a decision by most schools to shut down also sparked criticism, with many parents unsure of how they would cope in a country where nannies and domestic helpers are uncommon.

As anxiety grew, many rushed out to stock up on goods such as toilet and tissue paper after an online rumor alleged that most of Japans supplies came from China, where factories were shutting down.

And with masks and hand sanitizer already in short supply, Shibuya said that panic poses a bigger threat than the virus itself.

In the end, COVID-19 is a mild cold for the majority of people, the biggest fear is not the virus itself but the panic, which is happening unfortunately, said Shibuya.

Reuters and The CNN Wire contributed to this article.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration ordered a Chinese company on Friday to separate itself from an American maker of cloud-based hotel management software over national security concerns, the latest example of the more stringent approach American officials have taken to policing Chinese investment in the United States.

In a statement Friday, the Trump administration said there was credible evidence that Beijing Shiji Information Technology and its Hong Kong subsidiary might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States. It ordered the Chinese company to divest itself of StayNTouch, an American company that makes cloud-based hotel management software, and its assets, including customer data, within 120 days.

The decision is the latest example of a broad shift in how Washington treats Chinese acquisitions of American assets. Trump administration officials and lawmakers of both parties have grown increasingly concerned that Chinas investments in the United States are targeted at acquiring technologies and data that could put American national security at risk.

Legislation passed by Congress in 2018 expanded the governments powers to block transactions on national security grounds. It also required the Trump administration to revamp its process for reviewing Chinese deals through an interagency panel called the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Those new rules took effect on Feb. 13.
Jeanette Fitzsimons is described as being a "true grassroots and visionary leader.

Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Sandra Goudie is paying tribute to former Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons who passed away last night.

Jeanette was a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2010.

Jeanette and I were in Parliament together  and we were also up against each other for the Coromandel electorate at one time, says Mayor Sandra.

And while we represented different parties, we respected each others convictions and also embraced shared commonalities as well..

"Jeanettes passion for the Thames-Coromandel district, the Coromandel electorate and her contribution and achievements to national politics is something to be admired, remembered and respected.

"Our condolences and thoughts are with Jeanettes family, husband Harry Parke and their two children."

Coromandel MP Scott Simpson says Jeanette's passing is a great loss for the Coromandel community.

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Jeanette Fitzsimons. She was a staunch advocate for Coromandel people and the Coromandel electorate during her time as the local MP.

She was a very active, vocal and visible member of our community. Never short of a practical, thoughtful contribution to any conversation, Jeanette was much respected and admired locally, nationally and internationally.

Always a passionate, energetic and articulate advocate for the environment, she lived by her principles and held them dear. Ill miss seeing her around Thames and the Coromandel community.

My condolences go to her husband Harry, her children and her extended family. She will be very dearly missed."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged the death of former Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Jeanette was a steward of the New Zealand environmental political movement.

Starting out in the Values Party in the 1970s, through to entering Parliament as part of the Alliance in 1996 and becoming the only Green to ever win an electorate seat in 1999, Jeanette was a ground breaker in Green politics.

During her 14 years in parliament she was an early voice for action on issues now considered mainstream like climate change, the deteriorating state of our water and clean energy.

She served as the Government spokesperson for Energy Efficiency and was the architect of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

Jeanette once polled as the most trustworthy party leader in New Zealand, a fitting endorsement of her kind, caring and passionate brand of politics.

My thoughts are with Jeanettes husband Harry, her children, grandchildren and her friends in politics and the wider green movement.

New Zealand has lost someone completely and utterly driven by values, who embodied the notion of leaving this place better than they found it. Jeanette did that."
Ace Nigerian rapper and songwriter, MI Abaga, has left popular record label, Chocolate City, after 13 years and has announced the creation of his own label, Incredible Music.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the artiste disclosed this in a video post on his Instagram page on Friday.

Good bye is the hardest thing to do, its been an incredible journey and change one thing is constant, he said.

The rapper further said that he had released his 10th studio project, Judah The EP as his first project under Incredible Music.

MI Abaga joined Chocolate City in 2007 and in 2015, he assumed the role of its Chief Executive Officer, till he stepped down in 2019.

Under the Chocolate City label, he released nine projects, which include five albums, three mix tapes and one playlist.

His acclaimed debut studio album Talk About It was released in December 2008 and the LP was followed by MI2: The Movie in 2010.

He, thereafter, released The Chairmanas his third studio album, and then the playlist Rendezvous and his fourth studio album A Study On Self Worth:Yxng Dxnzl in 2018.

READ ALSO:

While in Chocolate City, MI Abaga won numerous awards and became the most sought-after African rapper at different points and became acclaimed as Nigerias greatest rapper ever.

He won Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards and was nominated in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010.(NAN)
On March 5, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine ten times.

The enemy used 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms to fire on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

In the zone of action of tactical force East, the Russian-led forces used 82mm mortars, mounted antitank grenade launcher, antitank missile system, heavy machine guns and small arms to shell Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk).

In the zone of action of tactical force North, the enemy fired 82mm mortars, heavy machine guns and small arms on Ukrainian positions near Zaitseve (62km north-east of Donetsk); 120mm mortars  outside Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk); 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars  in the area of Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk); antitank missile system  near Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk); mounted antitank grenade launcher, automatic mounted grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms  outside Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk).

In addition, the enemy launched a provocative attack on the disengagement area No.3, using small arms. Ukrainian defenders did not return fire.

Yesterday, on March 5, one member of the Joint Forces was wounded and another two soldiers were injured.

Today, the Russian-occupation troops have not opened fire yet.

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SPRINGFIELD  A suspect in the 2018 slaying and burning of Daniel Cruz pleaded guilty to unrelated drug charges in Hampden Superior Court on Thursday.

Nerkin Morales, 23, of Northampton, was sentenced to three years in prison. He has been held since his arrest on the murder charge.

According to Hampshire County prosecutors, Morales shot Cruz after a dispute over drugs at Meadowbrook Apartments on March 10, 2018. Passersby found Cruzs corpse  with three bullet holes and on fire  in a patch of farmland in Hatfield.

Eight defendants were charged in connection with Cruzs killing and an alleged cover-up to try to hide the body. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Morales in May. Charges are pending against six other defendants, while charges against a seventh were dropped.

On Thursday, Morales pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and trafficking in cocaine.

According to a police report, a state trooper pulled a speeding car over on Interstate 91 in Holyoke on March 26, 2018. Morales was a passenger. Troopers found bags of heroin and cocaine in a plastic bag on the floor of the car and four weapons  including an AK-47 with 30 rounds of ammunition  in another bag in the trunk.

Morales and co-defendant Pedro Soto-Rodriguez, the driver of the car, were charged with a litany of drug and illegal firearms charges. The firearms charges against Morales were later dropped.

Soto-Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty in that case as well as in connection with Cruzs killing. Last week he admitted to charges including accessory to murder after the fact, burning personal property, improper disposal of a body and intimidation of a witness, and two counts each of conspiracy and withholding evidence from police. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Morales pleaded guilty to drug charges in an unrelated case in Hampshire County last year and was sentenced to two years in jail. In that case, Morales was arrested and charged along with Josh Ealy, 19. The pair were arrested after police stopped a woman coming out of an apartment at Meadowbrook who said she was a heroin addict and had been buying drugs from Morales and Ealy for months.

Morales was out on $10,000 bail on the Hampden County case when he was arrested and later indicted in connection with Cruzs killing.

Ealy was charged with perjury in connection with the Cruz case, but prosecutors dropped the charge in January, court records indicate.

Northampton police have said Morales was a member of a gang called MOH, which was short for either Money Over Haters or Money Over Hoes and its base was the apartment complex where Cruz was shot.
Imphal, March 6 : The mandatory practice of bio-metric attendance in all Manipur government offices has been suspended for a month as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has so far infected 31 people, officials said here on Friday.

"The coronavirus may spread through hand contamination and as a preventive measure, the bio-metric attendance of government offices in Manipur has been suspended for one month," a state Health and Family Welfare Department official said.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday held a meeting with state government officials and reviewed the steps taken as precautionary measures.

The Chief Minister said that since mid-January, the state government has been taking various precautionary steps and following the advisories of the Central government to check the spread of the COVID-19.

"So far not a single positive case of COVID-19 was detected in Manipur. Screening for visitors has been going on at entry points at the international borders with Myanmar and at the airport. Tourists and other newcomers are allowed to enter Manipur after studying the travelling history and other details of the person concerned," Singh added.

According to the Chief Minister, screening of a total number of 1,21,629 air passengers and other visitors have been so far and 12 suspected cases were found.

"Out of the 12 suspected cases, the test reports of 10 samples were found negative while laboratory test reports of the other two samples were awaited. The Manipur government has kept two isolation wards ready in the main hospital in Imphal for any eventuality," he added.

Manipur Health and Family Welfare Department has deployed medical officers along the border towns of Moreh and Behiang to screen all people -- both foreigners and Indians -- entering the state after travelling from China or any other neighbouring countries.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Bihar legislative council on Friday had the unlikeliest of visitors to witness its proceedings a caged rodent.

Members of the bicameral legislature, officials and media persons looked on with bemusement as RJD MLC Subodh Rai alighted from his vehicle carrying a "choohadani" with a fidgety rat trapped inside.

It, however, soon became clear that the move was a premeditated one, aimed at making a point as Rai stood with other legislators of the party including former Chief Minister Rabri Devi carrying placards announcing that "the guilty rat" has been caught.

Among the many wrongdoings that the poor creature was accused of, was the disappearance of gallons of liquor seized in the dry state, an obvious dig at the incidents that happened a few years ago when the police in many districts came up with the claim that the confiscated alcohol was lost to tipsy rats.

The claim had been a cause of much embarrassment to the Nitish Kumar government in the state as the opposition alleged that it was a ploy by the police personnel to hide their own complicity in bootlegging.

At the legislative council, Rabri Devi declared with a broad grin "here is the rat which the government suspects of downing gallons of liquor and which it may blame for vanishing of files that may expose irregularities like dams existing only on paper".

Rai chose to be more blunt and said "in the last 15 years, the state has witnessed 55 scams. By catching this rat we want to tell this government, the RJD is determined to take this regime to task for its corruption".

Rabri Devi, who seemed to be enjoying the mirth, clad in a salwar kameez and donning sunglasses, told reporters "yes, of course, we are going to take the rat inside the House. We would present it to the government and ask it to put it on trial".

It was not known whether the tiny creature showed interest in bearing witness to the tedious goings-on of the Upper House or chose to be set free, but the humor is most likely to have left visitors to the sprawling Vidhan Sabha premises less ratty than usual, setting the tone for the Holi festivities known for an all pervasive mood of fun and frolic.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tehran: An adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, "a veteran and revolutionary diplomat" died late Thursday, IRNA said.

Iran has been scrambling to contain the rapid spread of coronavirus which so far has infected 3,513 people and killed at least 107 people in the Islamic republic.

Six of those who died from coronavirus are politicians or government officials.

Before his death, Sheikholeslam was advisor to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

A former ambassador to Syria, he also served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997.

Sheikholeslam was also one of the students involved in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

That year, and less than nine months after the toppling of the American-backed shah, Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage.

This prompted Washington to sever diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980.

The hostages were freed in January 1981, after 444 days in captivity.

The novel coronavirus has also claimed the lives of other high-profile Iranian officials, including Mohammad Mirmohammadi of the Expediency Council which advises supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other deaths linked to the virus include Mohammad Ali Ramezani, an MP from Gilan, one of the worst-hit provinces in the country.

Tehran MP Fatemeh Rahbar is currently in a coma after being infected, according to ISNA news agency.

Iran has closed schools and universities, suspended major cultural and sporting events and reduced working hours across the country to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus, which has spread to all of its 31 provinces.
Four New Orleans area men accused of attempting to break into an ATM at a Capital One Bank drive thru in New Orleans East in February were indicted Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Theodore Keys, 40, of New Orleans, Tyrik Scott, 20, of Chalmette, Justin Pierce, 22, of Slidell and Brishun Gary, 18, of New Orleans, were all indicted for conspiracy to commit bank larceny. They each face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a year of probation if convicted.

The four men allegedly used a pickup truck, chains, a pry bar and a sledgehammer to break into the bank's ATM located at the corner of Lake Forest Boulevard and Bullard Avenue around 2:50 a.m. on Feb. 5.

The men destroyed the outside of the ATM, but were unable to access the money inside the machine, New Orleans police said at the time of their arrest.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump used a town hall in the boyhood home of Democratic rival Joe Biden on Thursday to predict the former vice president would ultimately emerge as his Democratic opponent in the November election.

"I was all set for Bernie," Trump said of Sen. Bernie Sanders during a town hall hosted by Fox News in Scranton, Pa., the city where Biden spent his early years before he and his family moved to Delaware. "I think it's going to be very hard for him to come back."

Trump joked that he had his talking points all lined up for Sanders  a "communist," Trump claimed, inaccurately  but was surprised to see Biden roar back into front runner status on Super Tuesday. Trump said Biden's frequent gaffes and the controversy over his son's appointment to the boards of foreign entities would make him an easy target.

"It looks like he's going to be a candidate," Trump said. "How did that happen?"

The town hall was the president's first of the campaign season, and it offered clues into how he he might respond in a debate setting, should he choose to debate the eventual Democratic nominee. Based on applause, the crowd was heavily supportive, allowing Trump to take off on riffs that sounded similar to those at his campaign rallies.

During a commercial break, the audience chanted "four more years." They then gave him a standing ovation when he returned to the stage minutes later.

At the same time, Trump faced more pointed questions that he often does in interviews with Fox News personalities. The event lasted for an hour, giving Trump a chance to discuss health care, immigration, his appointment of judges and the military.

A Trump-Biden match-up would revive memories of the impeachment saga.

The Democratic-run House accused Trump of abuse of power when he asked the president of Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in the country. The Republican-led Senate acquitted Trump.

Story continues

The president described the impeachment on Thursday as "fake."

In the first moments of the town hall, Trump found himself defending the administration's response to the coronavirus including an audience question about instances in which he has disputed public health officials in his own administration. Trump claimed he has received "high marks" for his response to the virus.

"Everybody has to be calm. It's all going to work out," the president said. "We hope it doesn't last too long."

One of the audience members asked Trump about "insult politics"  including his own frequent taunts of Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., as "low IQ."

In response, Trump said he has been aggressive with his comments only because he won't turn the other cheek. "We have to fight back," Trump said. "If we dont fight back, you wont be a fan of mine very long."

He was repeatedly asked how he could bring the country together. Democrats have described Trump as the nations most divisive political figure.

"Ultimately whats uniting the country is success," Trump responded.

Pennsylvania is a key state for Trump's re-election campaign.

Four years ago, Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate since 1988 to win the Keystone State, a key piece in the coalition of states that gave him an Electoral College victory.

President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News town hall on March 05, 2020.

Fox News has conducted similar town halls with some of Democratic presidential candidates  and Trump has criticized those events, saying the network has been too accommodating to his opposing party.

Trump was asked in a lightning round of questioning to name his best friend in Washington. At first, he skirted the question, saying he had many friends.

He then named Vice President Mike Pence.

"I get along great with our vice president," said Trump, who denied reports that have lingered for months that he has considered dropping Pence from his ticket this year. "He's a great guy. Hes a loyal guy."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Fox town hall: Joe Biden will be the Democratic nominee
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Ari Melber tore into Republicans on Thursday for reviving their operation to derail Joe Bidens presidential campaign via a bogus Senate probe.

The MSNBC host said Republicans are committing the very same abuse of power that Donald Trump was impeached over, and he urged Americans not to normalize it.

A Republican chairman is now trying to do, with U.S. government power, the same type of probe that was literally thwarted in Ukraine and that Republicans recently said Trump was wrong to pursue, Melber said. I repeat: This is not normal. It is against the rule of law.

Video:

Ari Melber calls out Republicans for abusing their power by reviving bogus investigation into Joe Biden. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/fiYPN33jTh  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 6, 2020

Melber said:

During President Trumps impeachment, the question was whether any Republicans would deny his very publicly obvious plot against Biden and would they do anything to hold him accountable for it. Remember, Republican senators, many of them ultimately said there was a plot, that it was wrong, but it just wasnt bad enough to impeach over. That was a few months ago. Notice this downward slide here as a Republican chairman is now trying to do, with U.S. government power, the same type of probe that was literally thwarted in Ukraine and that Republicans recently said Trump was wrong to pursue. I repeat: This is not normal. It is against the rule of law. And as with so many tests in our current era, the people behind it may be hoping it all just gets normalized, that it becomes sort of routine or that you get exhausted and stop caring. But this is out in public. Theres already some opposition. The next move is up to the public. We will keep shining a light on the facts of this story.

This would be a massive scandal in a normal political climate

In a normal political climate, the fact that one major party is using the federal government to derail an opposing presidential candidate would be a massive scandal. Its a clear abuse of power that shouldnt be normalized.

But in the hurricane of Trump corruption that has consumed Washington since this president took office, this kind of behavior gets lost in the noise. Its another day in Trumps America.

Luckily, there is an election coming up. The American people will have the opportunity to do something Donald Trump has refused to do: drain the swamp.

Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter
HAMDEN Sacred Heart Academy recently announced the honor roll for the first semester of the 2019-20 academic year. Jacklyn Faggio and Julianna Milidantri of Durham, as well as Natalie Davis of Middlefield, were named to the high honor roll.

Academic honors are awarded at the end of each semester to students attaining a 3.5 or better. Those students achieving a grade-point average of 3.8 or greater are awarded high honors.

Delaware State University

DOVER, Del.  Delaware State University senior Briajh Harrell of Middletown was named to the deans list for the fall 2019 semester.

Eastern CT State University

WILLIMANTIC  The womens lacrosse team at Eastern Connecticut State University is amid its 2020 season of play with six freshmen and 14 returning players. Freshman Allyson Kehlenbach of Old Saybrook plays attack and majors in art. The Warriors compete in the Little East Conference.

Also, The mens lacrosse team, comprising 31 student athletes, includes locals Anthony Choronzy of Clinton, a senior who plays midfield and majors in business administration; and Jack Lombardo of Middletown, a sophomore who plays long-stick midfield and majors in criminology.

Western New England University

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  Western New England University congratulates students named to the fall 2019 deans list. Locals and their majors are:

Josh N Ross of Chester, bachelor of science in business administration, finance; Madison Grace Higgins of Cromwell, bachelors degree in health sciences; Taylor J. Winkler of Cromwell, bachelor of science in business administration in accounting; Natalie R. Moon of East Hampton, bachelor of science in criminal justice; Brett W. Stanton of East Hampton, pre-pharmacy degree; Benjamin D. Murphy of Middlefield, bachelor of science in business administration in accounting; Katherine M. Bials of Portland, bachelor of arts in psychology; Caitlyn L. Sibiskie of Rockfall, bachelor of arts in psychology; and Emily Elise Vallee of Westbrook, bachelor of arts in creative writing.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WORCESTER, Mass.  Daniel Maynard of East Hampton, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, was part of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research project in Washington D.C.

The project was Practices and Characteristics that Inspire Innovation. In the summary, the students wrote: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sought to create an innovation lab for rapid testing of implementation and impact of new ideas. The goal of this project was to recommend proven innovation practices for a USPTO Test Art Unit.

Norwich University

NORTHFIELD, Vt.  The following students were recognized on the deans list at Norwich University for the fall 2019 semester: Michael Christopher Lavallee of Chester, Aiden Burke Maher of Haddam, Thomas Aidan Walsh of the Ivoryton section of Essex and Kevin Edward Dougherty of Killingworth.

Full-time undergraduate students who earned a semester grade-point average of at least 3.40 and had no failures in the previous fall or spring semester are awarded honors. They cannot have pending incomplete grades.

Emmanuel College

OSTON, Mass.  In honor of outstanding academic achievement, Emmanuel College named more than 800 students to the deans list for the fall 2019 semester. To earn a spot, undergraduates must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for a 16-credit semester.

Middlesex County residents include: Natalie Dash of East Hampton, Madeline Bradley of Old Saybrook and Mallory Michaud of Cromwell.

Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa  Elizabeth Rambhia of Middletown was recently named to the deans list at Drake University. To be eligible, students must have earned a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the fall 2019.

Lasell University

NEWTON, Mass.  Senior Madison Kasperski, a Lasell University honors program student from East Hampton, shared a self-designed research component, Medias Effect on Body Ideals in Western and Eastern Cultures with the campus community at a recent honors showcase.

Kasperski, a psychology major, explored the topic as part of the custom component requirement. The component I worked on last semester focused on if social media had an effect on body image perspectives in women from Eastern cultures and Western cultures, Kasperski said. I found that even though Eastern cultures, such as China and Japan, have smaller BMIs because of their genetic makeup, the majority were found to have tried to lose weight due to the impact of social media through Western cultures.

University of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala  Area students enrolled during the 2019 fall semester at The University of Alabama were named to the deans list, with an academic record of 3.5 or above; or the presidents list, with grade-point average of 4.0.

They are: Alexandra Irene Church of Clinton, deans list; Lindsay M. Peach of Durham, presidents list; Grace E. Burleson of Essex, presidents list.

Framingham State University

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.  The following local Framingham State University students were named to the presidents list for the fall 2019 semester: Jennae Herbert of Cromwell and Douglas Greco of Middletown.

To be selected, an undergraduate carrying a minimum of three course credits must earn a grade-point average of 3.30 or higher for the semester. For the presidents list, a student must have been named to the deans list for three consecutive semesters.

Tufts University

MEDFORD, Mass.  Tufts University recently announced the deans list for the fall 2019 semester. Middlesex County students are: Catherine Celano of Killingworth and Madison Fletcher of Middletown. Deans list honors require a semester grade-point average of 3.4 or greater.
by di Ngoc Lan

Six people from Son Loi came back from a business trip to Wuhan with the virus. They and their municipality were quarantined from 13 February to 4 March. Now the lockdown has been lifted.

Hanoi (AsiaNews)  Some members of Huu Bang parish are happy to have overcome the coronavirus. We are very happy that we are no longer in quarantine, they said last Wednesday. The Wuhan pneumonia prevention model has performed well.

On 15 November 2019, eight Vietnamese employees of the Nihon Company went to Wuhan for a two-month training course. One of the workers was from Thanh Hoa province and seven from the Son Loi municipality in Vinh Phuc province. They returned to Vietnam on 17 January on a Southern China Airlines flight via Hanoi's Noi Bai airport.

After returning home, Vietnams Health Ministry reported that six of them had been infected with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

The people involved live in Son Loi, a municipality in Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province, which provincial authorities locked down from 13 February to 4 March (pictured).

The town has a population of about 10,000, including 1,300 Catholics who live in two small locations, Ba Cau and Ngoc Bao, both part of Huu Bang parish.

On the first day, 13 February, everyone in the municipality were stuck, said a Son Loi resident. No one inside could go out, no one from the outside could get it (Noi bat xuat, ngoai bat nhap). Six cases of coronavirus infection were reported in Son Loi.

On Wednesday, everyone felt relieved and happy that the lockdown was lifted. People from inside the quarantined area and those outside were happy to meet again.

For many those who spent 20 days in confinement due to coronavirus went through different emotions that perhaps only others who experienced the same can understand.

On Wednesday morning, Fr Francis Nguyen uc ai, parish priest in Huu Bang, and Fr Joseph Hoang Trong Huu from the Diocese of Nin, led the Eucharistic service in Ba Cau church. Catholics and non-Catholics present thanked God and Our Lady Mother Mary.

The people of Son Loi also thanked bishops, priests, religious, local authorities, officials, benefactors and all those who helped and accompanied the residents "in the plague zone".

According to Ms Thuong, the diocese's media officer, everyone in Son Loi thanked the pastors of the diocese. They worked together at a most difficult time.

Catholics and non-Catholics, and local government officials have done very well. They often went to church to pray and thank God, the merciful God. God still loves us in all adversities.

At 8:00 am on Wednesday, the quarantine was lifted. Checkpoints around Son Loi were removed and residents went back to their normal life.

The people of Son Loi believe that "Through prayers and Mass by Catholics and non-Catholics, God loved and preserved them.

This victory is the result of the cooperation of the people of the municipality. Everyone actively participated.

Doctors, nurses and public officials worked day and night to monitor the situation and put in place the right measures to treat the virus and prevent it from spreading.
Namakkal: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Thursday accused opposition parties of spreading falsehood that the proposed 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu would benefit only students of other states, saying only 15 per cent of seats have been allotted under the 'all-India quota'. After laying the foundation of a new medical college in the district, he said the remaining 85 per cent would be allotted to students from Tamil Nadu.

"Some in the opposition party are spreading false information that the new medical colleges in the state will benefit students of other states. No, it is not. Only 15 per cent of seats in medical colleges are allotted to them. The remaining 85 per cent are kept for students hailing from Tamil Nadu," he said. It was also possible to accommodate students from Tamil Nadu even under the 15 per cent all-India quota, he claimed.

Tamil Nadu will have a large share in the number of medical colleges in the country, Palaniswami said, adding there were only 1,945 medical seats till 2011 . The late chief minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa created an additional 885 medical seats, he said.

"After her demise (in 2016), this government following the path laid by her and managed to get an additional 350 medical seats last year. From the new 11 medical colleges, there will be creation of another 1,650 seats," he said. "In total this government has added 2,000 new medical seats. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister (Harsh Vardhan) on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu for granting to set up 11 new medical colleges in the state," he added.

Palaniswami said a detailed project report on constructing check-dams across river Cauvery was under preparation to address the water crisis during summer season in Namakkal district.

On initiatives taken for the development of the district, he said land acquisition was going on for the Namakkal bypass.

He said the government has made a request to the Centre to convert the existing road connecting Namakkal with Tiruchirappalli into a four-lane road. "The project is under consideration with the Centre," he said.

Palaniswami said linking of Godavari-Cauvery river was a dream project of the AIADMK and assured once it gets implemented the State will get its adequate share of water from river Godavari. "This government will take all possible steps to ensure that there is no water shortage in the state," he said.
Using his executive powers, Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse dissolved parliament on Monday night, six months before its term ended, and announced the next general election for April 25.

The declared aim of Rajapakse and his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is to win a two-thirds parliamentary majority, in order to change the constitution and strengthen presidential executive powers.

Addressing selected media heads yesterday, Rajapakse claimed that the current presidential powers were adverse to the countrys stability and criticised the 19th Amendment to the constitution, which limits the presidents executive authority. He claimed that he could not fulfil the peoples expectations without expanded powers.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The previous unity government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe introduced the 19th Amendment in order to curtail certain presidential powers.

These included a two-term limit; bans on the president dissolving parliament until it has served at least four-and-half years of its five-year term; the appointment of cabinet members only in consultation with the prime minister; appointment of top judges and high officials through independent commissions; and banning the president from holding a cabinet portfolio. Sirisena, however, dropped his election promise to abolish the executive presidency.

Rajapakse wants removal of these restrictions and the full restoration of the presidents executive powers, and more.

Addressing an Independence Day ceremony on February 4, he said: I do not envisage public officials, lawmakers or the judiciary, impeding my implementation of this commitment [to the people]i.e., parliament and the judiciary must act as pliant instruments of a presidential of dictatorship.

Rajapakse won last Novembers presidential election not because of popular support but by exploiting mass opposition to the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe governments ruthless implementation of the International Monetary Funds austerity program.

During the elections, pseudo-left groups and the Tamil parties, including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), promoted Sajith Premadasa, presidential candidate of the ruling right-wing United National Party (UNP), as a lesser evil. This ensured that Rajapakse gained mass protest votes against the previous government.

Rajapakse and his SLPP election campaign centred on anti-Muslim rhetoric, anti-Tamil propaganda and appeals to the military and extremist Sinhala and Buddhist groups. Rajapakse accused the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government of weakening the military and intelligence apparatus and called for the strengthening of national security.

Straight after the election, Rajapakse demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, who readily acquiesced, and then appointed his older brother and SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapakse as prime minister of a minority regime.

The new Rajapakse regime has quickly moved to militarise the administration. It has appointed military officers to key government positions, including retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne as defence secretary. The establishment parliamentary parties have not opposed these appointments.

In the run-up to the April 25 general election, Rajapakse and the SLPP will step up their communalist propaganda and shore up its support from the military.

In line with these efforts, the Rajapakse government has announced that it has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council resolution that was passed in October 2015. It claims that the resolution undermines national security as it threatens the Sri Lankan military with investigations into the war crimes that were committed during the final stages of the war to suppress the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In the months since President Rajapakse came to power, his administration has been confronted with a wave of strikes and protests by the tea plantations workers, Kahatagaha mine workers and a one-day national strike by over 200,000 teachers. About 15,000 workers sacked by the new government from various departments and state-owned corporations are also maintaining protests in Colombo to demand reinstatement.

These actions are a continuation of the mass opposition that developed under the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration.

Sirisena became president after a US-orchestrated regime-change operation to oust Mahinda Rajapakse when he was president. Washington wanted Mahinda Rajapakse removed because of his governments close relations with Beijing and to bring Sri Lanka back into line with Americas geo-strategic military buildup against China.

While the incoming Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration reoriented Sri Lankans foreign policy towards the US and its ally, India, the new governments IMF-dictated austerity measures produced widespread social opposition.

The mass anger was expressed in a distorted form in the electoral victory of the SLPP in the February 2018 local elections and was followed the largest wave of strikes and protests by Sri Lankan workers since a public sector general strike in 1980. This eruption produced sharp divisions within the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration.

Sirisena responded with a political coup, removing Wickremesinghe as prime minister and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapakse. The coup failed, however, because Washington was hostile to any return of Rajapakse and the Supreme Court ruled Sirisenas dissolution of parliament unconstitutional.

The reactionary anti-working class character of all factions of Sri Lankas ruling elite was revealed by the response to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist bombings. While evidence points to the fact that the intelligence apparatus and political leaders, including President Sirisena, Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapakse, were warned in advance of the attacks, they allowed them to occur, exploiting them to strengthen the repressive state apparatus and whip up anti-Muslim chauvinism.

Yesterday, at the same meeting, Rajapakse declared that Sri Lankas main problem is economic development and his administration would focus on this issue. This is code for unleashing sharp social attacks to impose the burden of Sri Lankas economic decline and mounting debt crisis on workers and the poor.

Sirisenas remaining fraction of the SLFP and its allies have established a political alliance with the SLPP to contest the election. A majority of SLFP parliamentarians and local organisers have joined the SLPP.

The opposition UNP has been split down the middle. Its leader Wickremesinghe and the party old guard oppose handing over the leadership to deputy leader Sajith Premadasa. A majority of former UNP MPs and local leaders, however, have sided with Premadasa. With the UNP widely discredited, these MPs calculate that Premadasa, who is close to a section of the Buddhist establishment, can effectively mount a Sinhala communalist election campaign.

Premadasa recently declared that if his party won a parliamentary majority he would work with Rajapakse, an indication that he agrees with the presidents shift toward dictatorial forms of rule.

The TNA, the main alliance of several Tamil party groups, is also discredited amongst the Tamil masses over its reactionary and unprincipled manoeuvres.

In 2015, the TNA supported the US regime-change to remove Rajapakse and functioned as a de facto partner of Colombo and the ongoing military occupation, suppression of any war crime investigations and austerity. The TELO and EPRLF, former constituent members of the TNA, have aligned themselves with former Northern Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswarans Tamil Peoples Alliance, which is yet another nationalist trap to derail Tamil workers and poor.

Every faction of the ruling class and its fake-left allies are terrified by the developing social opposition in Sri Lanka as part of struggles of the international working class.

The pseudo-left Nava Sama Samaja Party has sided with the Wickremesinghe faction of the UNP whilst the political activities of the United Socialist Party and the Frontline Socialist Party are focused on demanding Rajapakse to fulfil his election promises. These formations are hostile to any independent movement of the working class on a socialist program.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, will run candidates in three districtsColombo, Nuwara Eliya and Jaffnain the April 25 election. The partys intervention will be based on an international socialist program against imperialist war, social inequality and dictatorship. The SEP will issue a detailed announcement and election manifesto in the coming days.
Job

Title: Executive Administrator



Organization: Geri Mogem Petroleum Ltd

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Training

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About

US:

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of training and technical services for various sectors in Uganda. Geri Mogem

was initially started as a consultancy company operating as Wigem Petroleum Ltd

in 2012 and registered as a private limited company.

Job Summary: The Executive Administrator will be expected to

represent the company following advice from senior management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:



Support

the marketing Manager to develop and follow up on all prospective clients



Develop

draft research and proposals for submission, write presentations etc.



Coordinate

the development and submission of proposals and/or training conduct needs



assessment

to clients



Schedule

and participate in any company meetings with prospective industry players



Support

the strategic development and programmatic quality of Gerimogem portfolio in



consulting

and support areas;



Raise

and advance Gerimogems profile, and position, with current and potential

clients, donors, external partners, networks and stakeholders to secure strong

strategic partnerships for income;



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improve Gerimogems regional programming in emerging sectors by ensuring strong

evidence-based market intelligence and data analysis to inform investment

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Pursuit

leads and local contracts to ensure alignment of income growth with business

strategy; to ensure technical resourcing of business pursuit processes,

including positioning and bid development; among others.



Capacity

Development programme  Complete periodic capacity development programmes as may

be arranged from time to time.



Any

other roles as the business will dictate from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:



The

applicant must hold an Upper Second-class Degree in Secretarial Studies or

Bachelor of Arts  Flat.



Strong

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for proposal and creative writing



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not have graduated earlier than 2017

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send One Page of CV and application letter to employment@gerimogem.com

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Like the earliest generations of Americans, filmmaker Kelly Reichardt has spent most of her adult life migrating westward. Her latest and greatest film, First Cow, foregrounds its setting along the Columbia River in what was then the Oregon Territory, around the 19th-century moment after the white man had arrived but before he organized the first towns. By virtue of its place and time, it is under the most literal definition a Western, and it does concern itself with the genres key theme of how frontiersmen wrestle the climate into their definition of order. Reichardts approach takes that idea at a slant, however. She imagines an alternate history, in which cooperation and mercy can take the place of conflict and violence. In the story of a gentle cook, his unlikely friend, and their outfit selling delicious oily-cakes to weary fur trappers, she addresses the moral deficiencies of the cowboys-and-Indians paradigm while offering a kinder route forward.

The power structure of this film was complicated, she tells InsideHook by phone from Los Angeles. Westerns are often told from the point of view of a heroic or antiheroic white man. I dont even know who would swallow the myth of the all-knowing man on a horse right now. I mean, please. That feels passe. In this respect, the tale of Cookie and King Lu arrives as a culmination to Reichardts uniformly superlative body of work. After spending much of her career charting the terrain of Oregon, shes now re-mapping it in her own vision.

Born and raised in the Miami area, she set her first film, River of Grass, in the lush stripe of Floridian greenery separating the Everglades National Park from the coastline. She relocated to New York while her films continued to drift through the most fertile regions of the south. Despite her prize-winning showing at the Sundance Film Festival in 1994, she had trouble securing funding for a follow-up feature  a mix of the adversity that comes with being an artist of particular taste mixed with old-fashioned industry sexism, you know the drill  and produced a few shorts. Her camera left Florida behind and made its way to Mississippi for the 48-minute Ode in 1999, a loose adaptation of the novel that loosely adapted Bobbie Gentrys hit country song Ode to Billie Joe.

One of her closest collaborators during these early years was Todd Haynes, who met her while she was working as prop master, key dresser and whatever else needed doing on the set of Poison in 1989. He connected her to Oregon, and in doing so, indirectly determined the course of the rest of her career. It was so unlike Florida, a different landscape, she recalls. Im used to it now, but it was nothing like what Id known in Florida or New York. It was like another country. Maybe another world.

Through Haynes, she met the writer John Raymond, who would adapt his own short story into the screenplay for her next feature Old Joy in 2006. In classically Reichardtian fashion, it is a simple and quiet film, following a pair of male companions with a strained yet intimate relationship on a camping trip through the Cascade Mountain region just outside Portland. The region set the scene for her next three pictures: first came Wendy and Lucy, a neorealist drama about a homeless woman searching for her lost dog, then Meeks Cutoff, which followed a pioneer party along the Trail in 1845, and finally Night Moves, a conflicted peek at ecoterrorist activity in the state. 2016s Certain Women took to Montana, albeit for a triptych of the same brand of rural malaise and striving. While Reichardt herself remained in New York as a professor at Bard, her creative output settled in the Pacific Northwest.

Of course the stunning vistas were a major part of what drew her attention, but for First Cow, Reichardt had to train herself to keep her affection for them at an arms length. Beauty can overtake something, she says. These are films about struggle, people trying to make their way, and you cant be relieving the tension with wide shots of wonder looking out over the landscape. Thats part of why I shot in 4:3, the Academy ratio. I wanted the exact opposite of the wide expanses we associate with Westerns. The economy of these films is small. I dont want to the landscape to overwhelm or let the viewer off the hook. If theres any beauty, it has to be earned. It cant be for the sake of showing a beautiful sunset just because its comforting.

Reining in the panoramas of John Ford was just one facet of a grander revisionist spirit that she extended to the films overall ethic. As the phrase goes, the West is somewhere that had to be won; she refuses to define the space in such blunt oppositional terms. The low-tech chef Cookie (John Magaro) first appears foraging for mushrooms along the forest floor, more gatherer than hunter and more lover than fighter. He wants to do clean and decent work, whipping up warming balls of fried dough and selling them for a fair price. To really get that reminds-you-of-home flavor, Cookie needs milk, which he and Chinese immigrant King Lu (Orion Lee) siphon nightly from the udders of the British noble Chief Factors cow. The first in Oregon, he considers her an essential public amenity, and Cookies tender treatment shows a respect absent from her imperialist owner. Cookie is a craftsperson, Reichardt says. Hes earthbound. He has an instinct to care. The thing is, he wields no power.

Cookie qualifies as what screenwriting books warn against as a passive character, allowing things to happen to him rather than taking decisive action himself. But that passivity is really pacifism, the source of his backbone. I wanted an emphasis on the strength of vulnerability, of being human, of relating to people unlike yourself, Reichardt declares. The complexity of the lives of, say, Lily Gladstone as the Chinook wife to the Chief Factor. Hes like a CEO who goes to another continent and immediately starts using up the natural resources. He thinks of her as part of the land that he can claim. For her, the complications of how to survive in that world while straddling the divide separating it from her own world, thats part of the Western.

About that scene, the most relevant in any discussion of the complicated power structures that Reichardt previously mentioned: Cookie and King Lu have been summoned to the Chief Factors house to prepare an elaborate French dessert called a clafoutis, and he invites them into his sitting room to present the confection. The Chief Factor asks Cookies proper name, he identifies himself as Figowitz, and the reveal draws a frosty response. So, Reichardt poses, how do we get the power dynamics across without laying it all out in the dialogue? The silence contains volumes of tension and resentment, as a Chinese emigre, a nomadic Jew, a British colonist, his native wife, their brown-skinned servant brought in from the islands, and the local Chinook chieftain all consider how they fit into the emerging new order. For Reichardt, this is the true work of a modern Western, shifting focus from how the alpha males elbowed their way in to how everyone else found a home of their own.

Its funny, Reichardt reflects, when I made Meeks Cutoff, I really felt the weight of the Western on me. I was working with bonnets, oxen, wagons, the whole thing. I felt like every time I set up my camera, I had to constantly ask myself the question, Am I in the footprint of the Western, or am I skewing that? You have to keep mindful of what youre doing. The visual language of the genre is so strong. I didnt really feel hampered by that on First Cow, though. I thought of it like a heist movie, a bit like a caper. You still have the elements of the First Nations people, the scenery, early seeds of capitalism versus nature. But these ideas never boxed me in. It was all much freer than that.

Oregon has that effect on people, of feeling freed. For the travelers that moved there during the 1800s, the West was a chance at reinvention, of starting over and reshaping ones life through pure self-determination. Reichardt saw a similar potential, except that she had no interest in reforming herself. She came untethered not from her past but from Americas, unencumbered by national myths unless shes upending our assumptions about them. Shes affectionate yet disillusioned, a far cry from the woman-of-the-woods image that her films might convey. She spends a lot of time in the Hudson Valley in her capacity as Bard faculty, and draws influence from flora and fauna photographers Robert Adams and Stephen Shore. But Im not as outdoorsy as one might think! she laughs.

As a New Yorker, she spent the better part of 30 years ensorcelled by the opposite coasts symbolic significance, its untold promise and hardship and independence and tangled inequalities. With First Cow, she hits the apotheosis of this lifelong artistic cartography. In planting her own flag on the Western genre, Oregons cultural heritage, and its legacy as a cinematic location, her metaphorical journey across the country has been completed.

The literal one has, too. Kelly Reichardt now lives in Portland, Oregon.

The post Kelly Reichardt, "First Cow" and the New Western Cinema appeared first on InsideHook.
A suspected drunk driver allegedly shot at officers and a Sheriff's Department helicopter during an hour-long police chase before bailing out of his car and running across four lanes on a California freeway.

Dramatic news helicopter footage shows the suspect running between cars on the freeway, even appearing to be clipped by one, before officers are able to arrest him.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said the wild incident happened around 9.30pm when deputies began pursuing an unidentified driver and passenger Thursday night.

The driver reportedly opened fire at authorities during the intense chase and one person was treated for a gunshot wound.

Deputies initially believed the car was stolen, but they later received updated information that it was not.

A suspected drunk driver and passenger tried to out-drive Los Angeles, California, authorities in hour-long police chase

The wanted black Sedan was missing tires and emitting a thick trail of smoke when news helicopters like Sky5 flew over the chase around 10pm on 14 Freeway near Agua Dulce.

In just a few minutes, the black Sedan had traveled into Santa Clarita and merged onto the 5 freeway, KTLA 5.

The Sedan rams into a fence, causing the hood to flip over the front window after hitting a fence and the driver barreled partially blind down the freeway.

After the Sedan loses its tires to spike strips, the driver attempts to flee from police on foot by traversing the freeway

The suspect (pictured) tumbled down the side of a hill before sprinting across four lanes on 5 Freeway

The Sedan lost its tires after officers deployed spike strips on the freeway in hopes of slowing the driver down.

As the car moved to merge onto the eastbound 210 Freeway around 10.17pm, a bare rim began sparking against the ground.

Meanwhile, about a dozen police cars were tailing the Sedan on the freeway and other officials were blocking on- and off-ramps to keep the driver out of neighborhoods.

With options dwindling and officers approaching, the fleeing driver decided to make an escape on foot.

He is seen stumbling down a hill before he sprints across four lanes of traffic and jumps over the divider of I-5.

A spotlight from an overhead helicopter illuminated the driver as he dangerously weaved between oncoming cars and flailed his hands to get a driver's attention.

The man (pictured) tries to flag down a vehicle, and even tries to carjack someone, when they get clipped by a car

A helicopter spotlight shines onto the man as he tries to limp away from police while traffic has slowed

At one point it appears that the man gets clipped by the side of a vehicle.

'He got hit! He got clipped. This guys gonna possibly get killed here,' a KABC anchor said Thursday.

The suspect continues to limp across the freeway and even tries to carjack another vehicle as police close in.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Office deputies wrestle the suspect to ground before taking him and the passenger into custody

Eventually, some deputies are able to wrestle the man onto the ground as others are desperately flagging down cars to slow down traffic.

It appears that a deputy used a taser on the man before becoming physical.

The driver was arrested and transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. A passenger in the fleeing car was also taken into custody.

The two men are likely to face felony charges including evading police and discharging a firearm on a police officer.
A Fort Bend County man is currently in jail facing a third-degree felony charge of possession of child pornography.

According to the Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office, detectives with the departments Internet Crimes Against Children division executed a search warrant at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at a residence in the Canyou Gate section of the Westheimer Lakes subdivision.

The Sheriffs Department reports that there were four adults and one juvenile living at the home.

Samer Chadi Wehbi, 20, was found to have multiple images of child pornography on multiple electronic devices that belonged to him, according to a news release. During an interview, Wehbi admitted to having hundreds of images of child pornography saved on his devices.

Wehbi was booked into the Fort Bend County Jail for possession of child pornography. His bond has not yet been set. He has no previous convictions in Fort Bend County. A previous possession of a controlled substance charge was dismissed after he completed a felony fresh start program in 2019.

We are dedicated to protecting the children and families of Fort Bend County, Sheriff Troy Nehls said. We will stop at nothing to apprehend these dangerous predators.

The Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office Internet Crimes Against Children is part of the Houston Metro ICAC Task Force.

rkent@hcnonline.com
Rural Fire Service firefighter Lisa Camus, who fought a fire that could have had a Queensland Island up in flames, has earnt a key to the city for her and her team's bravery.

She is among two others  SES volunteer Paul Cantarella and QFES Inspector Mark Burchard  recognised for their efforts with the honour.

Brisbane City Council's key to the city recipients (left to right) SES volunteer Paul Cantarella, Rural Fire Service firefighter Lisa Camus and Inspector Mark Burchard with lord mayor Adrian Schrinner. Credit:Jocelyn Garcia

They also proudly marched in Brisbane CBD's ticker-tape parade at 10am on Saturday.

Ms Camus said she dealt with more than 15 major fires, including the Moreton Island fire in November that was threatening to cross the southern side of the island.
Former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry will visit Michigan to help Joe Bidens 2020 campaign.

Kerrys visit comes as the Biden campaign dispatches an army of surrogates across the state to sway voters with only a few days left before the March 10 Michigan Democratic primary. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, will attend several events during the weekend and Biden will hold a Detroit rally on Monday, the eve of the election.

Kerry is scheduled to attend brunch with Jewish Community Leaders in Farmington Hills at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, then attend a fundraiser with the Asian American and Pacific Islander Victory Fund at 1:30 p.m. Members of the public who wish to attend the fundraiser, also in Farmington Hills, can RSVP online here.

The former Massachusetts senator and secretary of state will also attend an Arab American community meet and greet" in Dearborn Saturday. Doors open at The Henry Hotel at 5:15 p.m., with the event starting at 5:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, Bidens campaign is also dispatching U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., to host a Saturday phone bank in Detroit.

U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C., will also hold an event with the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus Saturday. Butterfield will visit Fellowship Chapel in Detroit, with the program beginning at 1 p.m.

Butterfield is scheduled to hold a voting while black town hall in Detroit Saturday afternoon. The event will start at 2:15 p.m. at Ronald Brown Academy in Detroit.

Butterfield and Carper will also hold a voter engagement event on Sunday, March 8. The event is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. from IBEW Local 58 in Detroit. People who want to attend can RSVP online here.

Biden picked up the endorsement of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist this week.

Sanders and Biden are tightening their focus on Michigan as the primary enters a new stage. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., dropped out, while U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, remains in the race.

Read more on MLive:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Bernie Sanders plans rallies in Detroit, Grand Rapids before Michigan Democratic primary

What happens if I voted for someone who dropped out of Michigans presidential primary?

What Michigan voters need to know about absentee ballots for March 10 primary
An Irish national suspected to be infected with coronavirus and sent to the isolation ward of a government hospital in Odishas Cuttack city fled on Thursday night, officials said on Friday.

The Irish national, who had flu-like symptoms, was on Thursday screened at the Biju Patnaik International airport in Bhubaneswar and taken to the citys Capital Hospital.

The man was then referred to the isolation ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack along with another person who was accompanying him, said B Maharana emergency officer of the hospital.

However, its not yet clear how both of them escaped. Once someone is suspected to be infected with coronavirus, he/she has to be kept in isolation. Its compulsory, said a health department official.

We are trying to find out the exact timeline of how it happened. We have lodged a case with Mangalabag police station, he said.

Meanwhile, the couple from Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, who had arrived at the Paradip port on March 3 on a Singapore ship, has tested negative for coronavirus.

The man, a crew member of the cargo ship Chemstar Stellar carrying about 20,000 litres of sulphuric acid from China, had a high temperature and sore throat.

After which the middle-aged man and his engineer wife were kept in an isolation ward of the SCB Medical College and Hospital.

Ajit Mohanty, the director of the states health department, said though the couple has tested negative for coronavirus, they will remain in isolation ward for the next one week.

The test reports of a man from Sonepur district, who returned from Dubai on February 27 and showed symptoms of coronavirus infection, is yet to be received.

He was admitted to a special ward at VIMSAR Medical College and Hospital in Sambalpur district and kept in isolation.

Odishas health minister Naba Kishore Das urged Union health minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, to set up a coronavirus testing laboratory at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

The ministry of health and family welfare has already notified the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar as a laboratory for coronavirus (COVID-19). In the absence of a testing lab, the blood samples of suspected patients are being sent to the virology institute in Pune.

The number of people infected with coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has gone up to 30 in India as the government widened its watch for the illness to close to 30,000 and scaled its containment efforts.

Also read | Nine including four foreigners quarantined in Rajasthan

All but three  two in Jaipur and one in Hyderabad  out of the 27 are in hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR). These include the Delhi resident who was confirmed a patient on Monday, his relatives from Agra; a group of Italian tourists, and an Indian who worked as a driver for them.

The number of people sickened by the rapidly spreading virus was close to 97,000 on Thursday evening across the globe, with more than 3300 of these believed to have succumbed to the consequent illness.

The virus leads to cough, fever and, in serious cases, respiratory distress that can turn fatal.

Coronavirus started spreading in China last year in December and has spread alarmingly outside of the country with Iran, South Korea and Italy among the nations where the outbreak is now most serious.
COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - Lufthansa is cancelling about 7,100 European flights until the end of March, due to lower demand and the spread of the coronavirus. Thus, it will reduce capacity by up to 25 percent. The group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines, will cancel all flights to Israel, starting on Sunday, until March 28. In addition, Lufthansa had already decided last week to suspend flights from Germany to China until 24 April. The connection to Tehran will remain cancelled until 30 April. Lufthansa is also reducing frequencies in its route network to and from Hong Kong and Seoul. Flights between Munich and Hong Kong will be suspended between March 6 and April 24. Passengers will be rebooked via Frankfurt and Zurich if possible during this period. Between 5 March and 24 April, the airline will also cancel some frequencies on routes from Frankfurt and Munich to Seoul. In addition, the Lufthansa Group has announced further cost-cutting measures in the areas of personnel, materials and project budgets. At present, it is not able to predict the impact on its earnings arising from current developments. It will publish financial results on 19 March 2020, Lufthansa said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended people to avoid using currency notes to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus or the novel coronavirus that has caused a global panic infecting over ninety-thousand individuals and killing over 3,000 up until now.

Recommendations

The WHO says that it is a possibility that the COVID-19 virus could be spreading from an infected person to another via banknotes, and thus people should try and switch to cashless transactions as much as possible.

The WHO has recommended that where such cashless or contactless payments are not possible, people need to wash their hands immediately after handling money.

Contactless payment. Image credit: Shutterstock

Where did this come from?

The COVID-19 virus was first detected in December 2019, with the first cases identified in the Wuhan city of the Hubei province of China. With the rapid international spread of the virus and over three thousand deaths, there has been a worldwide attempt to curb the spread of this infection. China and Korea first started isolating, and disinfecting used banknotes to prevent the spread of the virus from an infected person to another. Bank of England and other nations have not yet followed suit. There have been 115 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the United Kingdom, and one death say reports.

Advice

Money changes hands, say experts, and are likely to pick up bacteria as well as viruses from one person to another. Experts around the world suggest that when possible, handling soiled notes should be avoided, and hands should be washed thoroughly after handling such notes. After using the notes, the face and eyes should not be touched with unwashed hands, say experts. They also add that all surfaces, mobile phones, and other items of daily use are likely to be contaminated, and after using them, hands need to be washed thoroughly. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be used after handling potentially contaminated articles, the recommendations state. While coughing and sneezing, the mouth and nose should be covered, and the tissues discarded appropriately.

Experts

A spokesperson from the WHO said to The Telegraph, We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses. We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes and avoid touching their faces. When possible, it would also be advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at a press conference, said, It is highly likely we will see a growing number of UK cases. Our country remains extremely well prepared, as it has been since the outbreak began in Wuhan several months ago.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Witty said that the rate of infections has lowered, saying that in the UK, probably around one percent of people who get this virus might end up dying.

Some myths busted by the WHO

Some of the frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 virus infection have been answered at the WHO website. Some of these include the efficacy of hand dryers or ultraviolet disinfection lamps used for sanitizing the hands. The WHO states that hand dryers are ineffective in killing the virus on the hands and that UV lamps could harm the skin more than killing the bacteria. Similarly, spraying alcohol over self or using chlorine can also not prevent the infection that has already entered the body, says the WHO. These sprays may cause damage to the skin and mucus membranes and eyes, they wrote. Also, regularly rinsing the nose with saline water or eating garlic or applying sesame oil is not protective against the COVID-19 infection, says the WHO.

One of the questions was if thermal scanners could help detect COVID-19 infection detection to which the WHO says that raised temperature could be an indicator of those with the infection and fever. Those without fever could go undetected, add the experts. Pets are as of now not confirmed to be carrying or spreading the disease, says the WHO. They, however, recommend that hands should be thoroughly washed after handling pets such as dogs and cats, not only to prevent viral transmission but also to bacterial transmissions such as E. coli and Salmonella.

The WHO says it is safe to receive a letter or parcel from China because the virus is unable to survive on objects for long. They added that at present, there are no vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection, and those who are older with other health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are at a higher risk of getting infected. These populations are recommended to take the pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccines that protect against pneumonia, say the experts. The WHO states that antibiotics are ineffective against the new coronavirus, and at present, there are no specific medications to prevent and treat the coronavirus infections.
PRESIDENCY:

- President Klaus Iohannis and Interim Prime Minister Ludovic Orban attend launching of National Forestation Campaign "O padure cat o tara"

DIPLOMACY:

- Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu participates in the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Zagreb, Croatia

DEFENCE:

- Interim National Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca participates in the repatriation ceremony from the theatre of war in Afghanistan of servicemen belonging to the 495th Battalion 'Black Eagles' Protection Force. AGERPRES
The Dunadry in Co Antrim is owned by the McKeever Hotel Group

A major family hotel group has called for short-term relief for hotel businesses in Northern Ireland which have suffered a loss of bookings as a result of coronavirus.

McKeever Hotel Group operates five establishments - Corrs Corner Hotel, Dunsilly Hotel, the Adair Arms and the Dunadry, as well as Dillons Hotel in Letterkenny.

It's become the latest hotel company in Northern Ireland to confirm it's lost out on bookings as the spread of coronavirus hits travel from locations like China and Italy.

Tourism businesses are also expected to take a hit from the collapse of Flybe, which connected Northern Ireland with 14 destinations in Great Britain.

McKeever director Bridgene Keeley said: "We have already seen cancellations from international Groups, mainly from China and Italy.

"Obviously we are concerned of further cancellations going forward and are continuously reviewing the situation."

With the increase in costs for the industry along with the potential loss of business due to coronavirus it may be necessary to look at some sort of short-term relief for business both from government and financial institutions Bridgene Keeley, McKeever Hotel Group

She said industry bodies such as the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation and Hospitality Ulster had been "excellent" in their support and advice. But she said the industry was already facing increased costs such as a rise in the minimum wage, which comes into force in April.

She added: "With the increase in costs for the industry along with the potential loss of business due to coronavirus it may be necessary to look at some sort of short-term relief for business both from government and financial institutions."

Earlier this week, Colum McLornan, the co-owner of Ballycastle's Marine Hotel, said it had suffered the cancellation of 100 bed nights and the loss of 5,000 in lunch bookings.

He felt more should be done to attract 'staycationers'.

"Increasing overseas marketing spend at the moment is a waste of spend as no one is booking," he said.

"A temporary reduction in VAT could help local tourism business in attracting the UK and Ireland market.

"As more UK/Irish people decide to stay at home we hope we see an increase in business from these markets to make up for some of the losses from our international clientele."

Mr McLornan is also managing director of Friendship Travel, which he said is "experiencing cancellations for travel in the coming weeks and new bookings have dried up completely".

And Hastings Hotels said it had increased marketing efforts within the local, UK and Irish markets to "do our best to counteract" the decrease in bookings from further afield.

The Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance this week called an urgent coronavirus summit for members next Tuesday. The private-sector industry body is calling for Economy Minister Diane Dodds to support tourism in Northern Ireland coming up to the summer season.

The National Trust has also confirmed a number of cancellations.
About 1,000 people in New York are under quarantine after a man, his wife, two of their children and a neighbor were diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Getty

A 50-year-old lawyer who works at Lewis & Garbuz in midtown Manhattan, has tested positive for the coronavirus, along with his wife, two of his children, and a neighbor.

Anyone who attended services, a bar- and bat-mitzvah, or a funeral at the man's synagogue earlier this month is required to self-quarantine through March 8th.

The man's daughter who tested positive for the coronavirus attends SAR Academy High School in the Bronx. School was canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday, but students and faculty weren't told to self-quarantine until late in the day on Wednesday.

An infectious disease specialist told Business Insider that it seems "odd" that there are varying recommendations for self-quarantine.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When Jessica Zmood's two older children found out on Tuesday morning that school was closed due to a suspected case of coronavirus, they did what any teenagers would do. They jumped on the bed and squealed with excitement.

The news couldn't have come on a better day. Ella, who's in ninth grade at SAR Academy High School, a private Jewish school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and Judah, who's in seventh grade, at SAR's elementary school, both had exams scheduled. The weather on their unexpected day off was also unusually balmy after a long winter slog.

But as details of the case started to unfold, their moods got more somber.

The man who was diagnosed with the coronavirus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, is a 50-year-old father of four, including one child who attends SAR. He's in serious condition and is intricately tied to the Jewish communities in Riverdale and in New Rochelle, a city in Westchester County where he lives with his family. He also commuted daily to his law firm, Lewis & Garbuz, in midtown Manhattan.

The man's wife, 22-year-old son, and 14-year-old daughter also tested positive for the coronavirus, according to reports released on Thursday.

Story continues

To help curb further spread, health officials in New York have implemented mandatory self-quarantines for people who had close contact with those infected, which is about 1,000 people. But families who are under quarantine have questioned how effective these measures are, since in some households  one member might be obligated to stay home, while the others are free to move out and about.

"I appreciate the precautions but the playing field simply isn't level," said Tamar Weinberg, a mother of four under quarantine in New Rochelle. "Nor does it really make sense."

In some homes, one family member could be quarantined while the rest of the household isn't

hand sanitizer

Getty

In the Zmood family, Ella is friends with (and in the same grade as) the 14-year-old who tested positive. But until late in the day on Wednesday, only Judah was under quarantine.

Earlier this month, Judah went to a bar- and bat-mitzvah celebration that the man also attended at the Young Israel of New Rochelle. Anyone who attended that event, services, or a funeral on February 22 or 23 is required to undergo a self-quarantine through March 8th, the synagogue announced on Tuesday.

"Now, it seems really crazy," Zmood, a psychologist who practices in Manhattan, told Insider on Wednesday morning. "Because Ella is not quarantined and she probably should be. But Judah is, and he probably should not be." Even though Judah had been at the bar and bat-mitzvah with the infected man, they had not been in close contact, Zmood said.

SAR's protocol only changed late in the afternoon on Wednesday. In an email to parents and faculty, the school announced that high school students and staff were required to self-quarantine through Friday.

Limiting the spread among households is critical since 75% to 80% of cluster cases of coronavirus occur among families. Only 5 to 15% of an infected person's close friends and contacts develop the disease, Dr. Bruce Aylward, the leader of the WHO team that visited China after the coronavirus outbreak, told The New York Times.

Dr. Bruce Aylward, who lead the WHO team that visited China after the coronavirus outbreak.

Getty

Health officials are now trying to retrace the man's steps to get a sense of who is realistically at risk. He marked the second case of coronavirus in New York, but is the first apparent case of community spread.

Quarantined families have questions about how effective partial self-isolation is

A sign tells customers that all N95 protective masks are sold out at Marin Ace Hardware in San Rafael, California, on March 2, 2020.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

As families closely follow recommendations from health officials, they also wonder whether it makes sense for only one household member to be isolated, which has occurred in multiple instances among the New York families.

Even infectious disease experts question the delay in quarantining students and staff at SAR and the rationale behind only quarantining those who attended services at the synagogue in New Rochelle, but not entire households.

"That strikes me as odd," said Dr. Richard Martinello, associate professor of internal medicine, pediatrics, and infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine. "We do know that being a household member, just from the little experience we've had so far in the US, does seem to be a significant risk factor."

The New York State Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Many families say they're looking for answers that officials won't offer

Under the guidance of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Department of Health, SAR announced on Wednesday that high school students and faculty were required to self-quarantine.

Kevin Hagen/AP

Parents say the lack of clarity amid a forced self-quarantine has been difficult.

"I am more frustrated than stressed," Weinberg told Insider.

Weinberg is strictly following protocol and finding ways to occupy her children, who range in age from 3 to 10, while she and her husband work from the house. The entrepreneur said she wants more clarity on the precautions being taken, however. She is concerned about the inconsistencies in the quarantines and school precautions in the area.

Doubts around the efficacy of this prolonged quarantine will become more pressing as families face bigger decisions. Many families have trips that were booked months in advance. Monday night marks the start of Purim, the Jewish holiday when children dress up and gather at synagogues. Some families can swing working from home for a brief period of time, but many can't.

A boy in the SAR community is celebrating his bar-mitzvah on Saturday night and some of the children under quarantine, who will be free from restrictions about 12 hours later, would like to go.

"That's hard," Zmood said the choice kids will have to make. "That's not a good situation."

A mother in NYC whose husband is under quarantine wasn't told why she shouldn't isolate

A mother of two in New York City, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her family's privacy, says she's also frustrated about how the quarantine is being handled, and the lack of information being offered.

Her husband  who attended services at the Young Israel of New Rochelle on February 22  is under quarantine.

The couple was eager to find out if anyone else in the home needed to be isolated. The woman called the COVID-19 New York hotline and was transferred to the Department of Health. Nobody picked up the phone.

When her husband tried the Department of Health again to find out if he should implement any other restrictions, he was "surprised" to learn that the rest of his family was free to move about.

The representative didn't explain why his wife didn't need to isolate herself. Instead, the woman on the phone read from a script on the importance of handwashing, the mother said.

The Manhattan mother has implemented some of her own precautionary measures, even though she wasn't instructed to. She's working from home and keeping her 2-year-old home from school, for now.

"It's weird that I couldn't get an answer to a basic question that many other people probably have," she told Insider. "If there are no answers, people make their own decisions, which is dangerous."

Read the original article on Business Insider
CHEERS ... to the Indians, at bat again! The Cactus League is well underway with the Indians home opener a mere three weeks away. Go Tribe!

JEERS ... to the GOP for fundraising mailers labeled Official Document outside and Congressional District Census inside that are actually political fundraising mailings. Critics contend voters could be misled into thinking theyre actual Census forms -- and sending in money.

CHEERS ... to Progressive Corp. for planning to hire 1,500 in Greater Cleveland this year and 6,500 more around the country. The 2020 hiring forecast is slightly less robust than the insurance companys 2019 record new-hire projection of 10,000 nationwide but represents a welcome employment boost.

CHEERS ... to the 1,000 Ties project, a grass-roots Cleveland effort to teach boys and young men how to tie neckties and other skills. It won this years Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch contest.

CHEERS ... to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for the first successful birth of cheetah cubs using in vitro fertilization, a milestone with important implications for cheetah survival. The two cubs, one male and one female, were born Feb. 19.

TEARS ... at the recent death at 93 of longtime African-American civil-rights activist and federal appellate Judge Nathaniel Jones, in Cincinnati, a jurist lauded for his mentorship of young law clerks.

About our editorials: Editorials, including Cheers & Jeers, express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email suggestions for future Cheers & Jeers, general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
(Natural News) GM seeds and GM food carry great risks for all nations, so much so that for many reasons it is probably imperative these foods be banned outright. This subject is too large to be discussed here, but one aspect requires brief notice. If we were to ask about the origin of GM seeds, how the idea was conceived and developed, who did the research and who provided the funding, how would we reply? We might reasonably suggest that perhaps the concept originated in the Biology or Agricultural Department of some university, or that a government lab doing research on food supplies might have conceived and pursued the idea. Or, we might suggest a private company in the agricultural field was looking for more productive varieties of grains and stumbled on this process.

(Article by Larry Romanoff republished from GlobalResearch.ca)

We might suggest all those answers, but in each case we would be wrong. GM seed was conceived, promoted, researched and funded by the US Department of Defense  the American War Department. GM seed was never meant as a way to feed the hungry, but was instead conceived and developed as a weapon or, more precisely, as a weapons-delivery system. Genetically-Modified seed was never intended to support human life, but to eliminate it.

GM seed is neither more productive nor healthier than traditional heritage crops, and is far more expensive and destructive, but it presents almost irresistible military advantages against any nation that becomes dependent on this source of food grains. One is that the US can use it as a political weapon, refusing to supply seed to a disfavored nation, perhaps causing widespread famine and dislocation. The other is more sinister, in that many groups have experimented with gene-splicing technology, inserting unrelated DNA into various seeds.

In one case in Canada, a government department discovered an anti-freeze gene contained in the blood of fish living in Arctic waters, permitting them to survive in waters of sub-zero temperature. (20) The scientists spliced this gene into Canadian wheat crops, permitting the wheat to withstand freezing temperatures without damage. Monsanto also forced these genes into tomatoes, resulting in the first GMO tomato. (21) An American research lab spliced the genes from fireflies into tobacco plants, producing a tobacco field that glowed in the dark. (22)

These examples may be harmless, but others are much less so. The US Defense Department has invested huge sums in research directed to splicing lethal genes into these GM crop seeds, including smallpox, bird and swine flu viruses, coronaviruses, the plague, AIDS, and more. As a military weapon, such science is priceless. Why begin a shooting war when Monsanto or Cargill can sell rice, corn and soybeans that contain smallpox, H5N1, or a coronavirus? When the seed is harvested and passes into the nations food supply it could, within weeks, exterminate 50% or more of the population without firing a single shot.

And this was precisely the reason GM seed was conceived and developed by the Americans. It is a weapon of war, designed and meant to deliver to a nations entire population a lethal virus or other disease, to literally exterminate an enemy with no risk to the aggressor. Many scientists and US military documents have demonstrated that seeds are far cheaper and much more effective than bombs in the search for military domination. One such military document Ive discussed elsewhere stated the cost per death of an enemy population by nuclear, conventional and biological weapons, the latter being orders of magnitude less than the former.

In 2001 scientists at the Epicyte bio-lab in San Diego created a GM contraceptive corn, having discovered a rare class of human antibodies that attack sperm. Their researchers isolated the genes that regulate the manufacture of these antibodies and inserted them into corn plants, creating horticultural factories that make contraceptives. (23) (24) Shortly after the 2001 Epicyte press release, all discussion of the breakthrough vanished. The company was taken over by Biolex and nothing more was heard in any media about the development of spermicidal corn. Epicyte, DuPont and Syngenta (sponsors of the Svalbard Seed Vault) had a joint venture to share and use this technology. Silvia Ribeiro, of the NGO ETC Group, warned in a column in the Mexican daily La Jornada, that The potential of spermicidal corn as a biological weapon is very high, and reminisced about the use of forced sterilizations against indigenous peoples.

The Doomsday Seed Vault at Svalbard

A new and serious cause for concern is the recently-announced seed vault built on a piece of barren rock named Svalbard, which is owned by Norway, is very remote near the North Pole, and virtually inaccessible. According to press releases, this seed vault has dual blast-proof doors with motion sensors, two airlocks, and walls of steel-reinforced concrete one meter thick. There are no full-time staff, but the vaults relative inaccessibility will facilitate monitoring any human activity. The stated purpose is to store the entire worlds heritage seeds so that crop diversity can be saved for the future, but that crop diversity is already saved, stored in vaults all around the world. What do these people foresee, that such a remote and secure facility should be developed?

The promoters and financiers of this venture are the same people who control the worlds GM seeds and who have been among the most outspoken proponents of drastically reducing the worlds population: the Rockefeller and Gates Foundations, Syngenta, DuPont, Monsanto and CGIAR. These are the same people who are actively destroying crop diversity all over the planet. Why would they suddenly get religion and decide to save in Norway the same seeds they are destroying everywhere else?

Some time ago, William Engdahl wrote an excellently researched article on this subject of the seed vault and arrived at the same conclusion, that the vault was created as a storehouse for lethal biological pathogens, the DNA of which can be combined with GM seed and unleashed anywhere with the help of these same seed companies. No other use would explain the list of participants or the need for the remote location and virtually nuclear-proof security. Engdahl asked, Is it a coincidence that these same organizations, from Norway to the Rockefeller Foundation to the World Bank are also involved in the Svalbard seed bank project? (25)

Read more at: GlobalResearch.ca
March 06 : Team Chhalaang - Actor Rajkummar Rao and Nushrat Bharucha has shared a quirky video on social media, urging students who are appearing for their exams across the country, not to stress.

All the Best to every student appearing for their exams!

Take this Chhalaang with your best efforts & Don't Take Stress!@NushratBharucha @ChhalaangFilm pic.twitter.com/R99agqZN71  Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) March 6, 2020

Actor Rajkummar Rao dropped the video on his social media profile. He captioned it, CHHALAANG! All The Best To Every Student Appearing For Their Exams! Take This Chhalaang With Your Best Efforts & Don't Take Stress! @nushratbharucha @chhalaangfilm

In the fun video, the Rajkummar and Nushrat, duo addresses the stress that each student undergoes and also, shares certain tips for them to cope up with the stress, easy-learning and motivate each of them to go Chahalaang it, as we say it!

Chhalaang is directed by Hansal Mehta, the film is set against the backdrop of Haryana, actor Rajkummar plays a physical teacher, in a government school, with Nushrat Bharucha as Neelu, his love interest.

The film will be Rajkummar Raos fifth collaboration with the National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta and second collaboration with Nushrat Bharucha after Love Sex Aur Dhoka.

The film is produced by Ajay Devgn, Luv Ranjan, and Ankur Garg. The film releases on 12 June 2020.
Taiwan confirms two new COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 44

ROC Central News Agency

03/05/2020 11:20 PM

Taipei, March 5 (CNA) Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Thursday confirmed two new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, involving a woman who was likely infected by the 39th case and a man who returned from the Philippines on Tuesday.

At a press conference, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung () said the 43rd case is a northern Taiwan woman in her 50s who attended floral arrangement classes with the 39th case of the virus, who was diagnosed Feb. 29 after returning from a trip to Dubai and Egypt on Feb. 21.

According to Chen, the woman sat directly across from the 39th case in classes on Feb. 24 and 25, and later developed a fever and sore throat, for which she sought medical attention on Tuesday.

The woman's test results, which were confirmed on Thursday, appeared to come as a surprise to the CECC, which thought that the 39th case had been successfully "contained" and that no one she had contact with had been infected.

The CECC said it is monitoring the family members of the 43rd case, none of whom are currently experiencing symptoms.

The 44th case, meanwhile, involves a northern Taiwan man in his 30s, who traveled to the Philippines between Feb. 28 and March 3.

According to the timeline provided by the CECC, the man began suffering from abdominal pain and diarrhea in the Philippines on Monday, and developed a sore throat and fatigue after returning to Taiwan on Tuesday.

After being tested for the virus on Wednesday, he was diagnosed and quarantined in a negative-pressure isolation room on Thursday, the CECC said.

Based on the man's travel history, the command center said it believes he was infected in the Philippines, and is currently conducting screening on the people he has been in contact with.

The Philippines, which has reported only three cases of the virus as of Thursday, last month briefly included Taiwan in a travel ban it has applied to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

While Taiwan's inclusion in the ban, which lasted from Feb. 10-14, was ultimately lifted, Philippine officials said at the time that travel restrictions would be routinely re-evaluated based on the success of virus response efforts in each respective location.

As of Thursday, Taiwan has reported 44 cases of the virus, including one person who has died and 12 who have been discharged from the hospital following mandatory quarantine periods.

(By Chang Ming-hsuan and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/cs

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SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar on Friday said that there is no need to panic for depositors of Yes Bank as RBI Governor has assured them in this regard in a press statement.

"RBI Governor has very clearly said in a press statement that there is no need to panic. All depositors' funds are protected. We gave the information of in-principle approval of SBI's investment to the stock exchange yesterday," Kumar told reporters here.

Earlier, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian said that there is no need for depositors to panic and assured all depositors' funds will remain safe.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that there will be a swift action from the central bank to put in place a scheme to revive Yes Bank.

"The 30 days which we have given is the outer limit. You will see very swift action from the RBI to put in place a scheme to revive. A market-based resolution of the problem, a bank-laid, investor-laid resolution of the problem is always preferable," he said.

"You have to give time to the bank and management to take the steps. The RBI intervened when we found it was not working out," Das said.

Yes Bank stocks plunged by 57.3 per cent intra-day to Rs 15.70 apiece today.

Public sector State Bank of India too dipped by 6.48 per cent to close the day at Rs 269.80 after it said the board of directors has given in-principle approval to explore an investment in Yes Bank. But no negotiations have taken place yet.

The move by RBI comes nearly six months after it did the same with Mumbai-based Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank.

On Thursday, the RBI said a moratorium has been imposed on Yes Bank, stressing that the bank's financial capability has undergone a steady decline largely due to the inability of the bank to raise capital.

During the period of moratorium, the Yes Bank Ltd will not, without the permission in writing of the Reserve Bank of India, make in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding Rs 50,000 lying to his credit in any savings, current or any other deposit account.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
GODFREY  The flag at Godfrey Fire Station 2 was flown at half staff Thursday in honor of Godfrey Fire Capt. Jake Ringering on the one-year anniversary of his March 5, 2019, death while fighting a fire on Culp Lane near Bethalto.

Ringering, who was 37, died when a wall collapsed, killing him and injuring three other firefighters. Godfrey firefighter Luke Warner, who suffered two broken legs in the incident, has recovered and returned to duty last month.

Ringerings family and Godfrey firefighters on Wednesday held a private remembrance late Thursday afternoon at Station 2 where the captain was stationed.

He embodied this department, Godfrey Fire Chief Erik Kambarian, who has since left the department, said last March. People joined this department because of Jake and people wanted to be like Jake.

Ringerings funeral procession in Alton was miles long and included hundreds of fire and rescue vehicles from dozens of departments from Illinois and Missouri.

It opens all of our eyes, Alton Fire Department Capt. Bill Simon said at the time. Were there to do a task, but you have to be safe. The most important thing is to go home to our families.

In September, a $227,000, 48-foot mobile firefighter training simulator was dedicated in Alton, in Ringerings memory. Its called The Jake.

The mobile unit is used in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College as part of its Fire Science program, serving parts of seven counties covering more than 2,000 square miles to bring safety training, certifications and new skills to area communities.

Capt. Ringering believed in the importance of training his fellow brothers and, as a natural born leader, gave freely of his time, talent and knowledge of his profession, said Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold, who has since left that post for another city role. May all of those who train here forever feel his guidance and remember the lasting impact he had on his community and the fire service. He is missed by many and forgotten by none.
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Kwame Agyemang Badu, has denied claims the recent power outages in the country was due to financial difficulties facing the energy sector.

According to him, the gas pipeline from Tema to Takoradi is currently undergoing maintenance, causing erratic power supply.

Ghanaians in the past weeks have complained about the frequent power outages and have demanded a load shedding timetable from the ECG.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Agyemang Badu assured that the situation will be stabilized by the end of the week.

The power shedding that has been going on is due to some maintenance that we are doing on our pipeline from Tema to Takoradi so it is not a monetary issue.We have the number of generation companies that are willing to provide us with power but the problem is we are doing some maintenance so the power that is supposed to come from Nigeria is not coming. You cannot let power flow while doing maintenance. It has nothing to do with money. We promise the good citizens of Ghanaians that by the end of this week everything will be done and things will go back to normal, Mr. Badu explained. Power supply to normalize soon

A Deputy Energy Minister, William Owuraku-Aidoo recently also stated that the erratic power supply being experienced in some parts of the country should stabilize soon.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Owuraku-Aidoo, said the state is looking at just a matter of days to bring this whole problem to an end.

The Deputy Minister had explained that challenges with an ongoing pigging exercise is what is creating the problems that we are encountering right now.

Pipeline pigging is a concept in pipeline maintenance that involves the use of devices known as pigs, which clean pipelines and are capable of checking pipeline condition. This process is done without necessarily interfering with the flow of product in the pipe.

Describing the encountered problems as unexpected, he noted the exercise has taken out over a 1,000 megawatts from the Tema area.

---citinewsroom
SXSW has officially announced it will cancel its tech and music conference slated for March 13th to 22nd in Austin, Texas due to concerns around coronavirus, though it's exploring rescheduling. "Based on the recommendation of our public health officer and our director of public health . . . I've gone ahead and declared a local disaster in the city and associated with that, have issued an order that effectively cancels SXSW," said Austin Mayor Steve Adler at a press conference today.

SXSW writes that it will follow the mayor's order and cancel its conference. "We are exploring options to reschedule the event and are working to provide a virtual SXSW online experience as soon as possible for 2020 participants, starting with SXSW EDU. For our registrants, clients, and participants we will be in touch as soon as possible and will publish an FAQ." It's unclear if attendees or sponsors will receive refunds.

Interim health authority for Austin Dr. Mark Escott said that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Travis County, but called the cancellation a "proactive step in preparing this community for this storm." He said that because people would be spending long periods of time near each other at panels and concerts, and because some registered attendees hail from international and domestic areas with COVID-19 exposure, cancelling SXSW was the right move. Not all future events will need to be cancelled, though, Escott explained.

US President Barack Obama speaks during a South by Southwest Interactive with Texas Tribune editor Evan Smith (L) at the Long Center for Performing Arts in Austin, Texas on March 11, 2016. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN

The news comes just three days after Adler held a press conference to announce that, "At this point, theres no evidence that cancelling SXSW makes us safer. As of Tuesday, Austin's Travis County said Thursday that it had zero confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Story continues

SXSW is known as a central gathering point for the tech, music and media industries that gather to learn from each other while enjoying the Texas weather, beer and barbecue. A decade ago it was the hot place to launch new social apps. Though over the years as the event grew less nerdy and more mainstream, SXSW became more of an exhibition space for well-funded companies to prove that they're cool.

A petition to cancel the 2020 conference had reached 54,000 signatures. Entrepreneurship influencer Tim Ferris had called on Adler to cancel the event. SXSW had been refusing to offer refunds to trade show booth-buyers and attendees. A full-access platinum badge for the conference currently costs $1,550.

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 11: Josh Constine, Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom speak onstage at Interactive Keynote: Instagram founders Kevin Systrom & Mike Krieger with Josh Constine during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Saucedo/Getty Images for SXSW)

The conference was put in a tough position by the pull-out of many of its highest-profile sponsors, speakers and party organizers. Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Vevo, TikTok, Warner/HBO and CNN had all cancelled events, product announcements, film premieres and speaking appearances by their employees.

Many other major tech conferences had already cancelled or moved online, including Google I/O, Facebook F8, GDC, Collision Toronto and Mobile World Congress. Music festivals like Ultra in Miami and Tomorrowland Winter in France had cancelled too. Lime president Joe Kraus was slated to hold a fireside chat with me at SXSW but had already cancelled this morning.

But the impact on Austin could be especially pronounced. SXSW isn't a traditional festival held at one massive site. It's spread across hundreds of venues across the city that all run panels, parties and concerts simultaneously. For musicians in particular, expensive travel rearrangements and tight touring schedules could make cancellation of SXSW a serious burden on their businesses and something that's tough to reschedule. The city's bars, restaurants, venues and hotels that benefit from the hundreds of thousands of attendees could take a significant revenue hit, as well.

Update March 7, 2020: This article was updated to change the cancellation of Tomorrowland in Belgium to the cancellation of Tomorrowland Winter in France.
Dublin, March 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Epilepsy - Competitive Landscape, Market and Pipeline Analysis, 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The future competitive landscape of Epilepsy is estimated to be very strong. Key emerging drugs including Aquestive Therapeutical's AQST-203 and others are going to be Blockbuster in the upcoming years.



Epilepsy - Competitive Landscape, Market and Pipeline Analysis, 2020 provides comprehensive insights on the therapeutic development for this mechanism of action. The objective of the report is to establish an understanding of the therapeutic competitive landscape for Epilepsy, including the marketed and pipeline products in this space.



The report provides detailed information on marketed products with historical and forecasted sales till 2030. It further offers comparative pipeline analysis with their drug profiles at various stages of development covering Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, Preclinical and Discovery. Information on company collaborations, agreements, acquisitions, licensing, deals, and other development activities is also involved in this report.



Therapeutics assessment of active pipeline drugs by stage, therapy type, route of administration, and molecule type is also covered in this report. It features the inactive pipeline products and highlights currently undergoing institutional research in this area. The report provides the understanding of the unmet needs, market drivers and barriers of the Epilepsy market.



This report on Epilepsy helps companies in understanding market dynamics based on this mechanism of action and therefore giving opportunities for a strategic alliance that will result in market penetration and enhancement of portfolios with optimal investment and maximal return. In addition s will assuage companies to detect conditions, determine genetic predisposition and biological response to Epilepsy.



The report provides insights into:

Detailed market drug profiles available in the market indicated for this mechanism of action with historical and forecasted sales till 2030.

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Detailed profiles of therapeutic candidates in nonclinical stage, early-stage, mid-stage and late-stage of development for Epilepsy.

Analyses key players involved in Epilepsy targeted therapeutics development with respective active and inactive (dormant or discontinued) projects.

Active pipeline therapies assessment under development based on the stage of development, route of administration, target receptor, monotherapy or combination therapy, a different mechanism of action, and molecular type.

Detail analysis of collaboration (company-company collaborations and company-academia collaborations), licensing agreement and financing details for future developments of Epilepsy.

Scope of the Report

The Epilepsy report provides an overview of this mechanism of action, role, significance, pathway, types, and clinical application of IDH inhibitors.

Therapeutic Assessment: Therapeutic pipeline activity and assessment of the products by development stage, product type, route of administration, molecule type, and MOA the complete product development cycle, including all clinical and nonclinical stages.

It comprises of detailed profiles of therapeutic products for Epilepsy with key coverage of developmental activities, including collaborations, agreements, licensing, mergers and acquisition, funding, designations, technology and other product-related details.

In-depth Epilepsy research and development progress and trial details results wherever available, are also included in the pipeline study.

Coverage of dormant and discontinued pipeline projects along with the reasons if available across Epilepsy.

The report has also covered the worldwide market of Epilepsy, information of marketed therapies, their historical and forecasted sales till 2030.

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Key topics covered include strategic competitor assessment, market characterization, opportunities, unmet needs, market growth factors, barriers and challenges along with SWOT analysis of the Epilepsy market.

Analysis of the current and future market competition in the global Epilepsy market. Current scenario of the market with upcoming blockbuster molecules and their impact on the overall market.

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In the coming years, the Epilepsy market is set to change due to the extensive research in this filed, and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market.

The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence Epilepsy R&D. The Epilepsy therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition.

There are many companies involved in developing therapies for Epilepsy. Launch of emerging therapies of Epilepsy will significantly impact the market.

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In-depth analysis of the pipeline assets (in early-stage, mid-stage and late-stage of development for the treatment of Epilepsy includes therapeutic assessment and comparative analysis. This will support the clients in the decision-making process regarding their therapeutic portfolio by identifying the overall scenario of the research and development activities.

The report provides the detailed analysis of 100+ products along with 40+ companies involved

Companies Mentioned

Supernus Pharmaceuticals

Lundbeck

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Eisai

UCB

Pfizer

Aquestive Therapeutics

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What are Epilepsy, their role and significance in the treatment of disease conditions?

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How many therapies are developed by each company for Epilepsy to treat disease conditions?

What are the key collaborations (Industry-Industry, Industry-Academia), mergers and acquisitions, licensing activities related to the Epilepsy therapies?

Which are the dormant and discontinued products and the reasons for dormancy and discontinuation?

What is the unmet need for current therapies developed on the basis of this mechanism of action?

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What are the clinical studies going on for Epilepsy and their status?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dcbg12

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
Multiple past studies have reported that, compared to whites, Native Americans have relatively high cigarette use, and this has contributed to speculation that Native Americans might be inherently prone to such use.

A new study at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, however, found that after adjusting for differences in the income and education levels of the two groups, whites were more likely than Native Americans to use cigarettes daily, to consume larger numbers of cigarettes per month and to be nicotine dependent.

In these adjusted comparisons, the estimated percentage of daily cigarette users among whites was 15.3%, compared to 13.0% for Native Americans; the percentage of individuals consuming more than 300 cigarettes in the past month was 13.6% for whites, compared to 9.9% for Native Americans; and nicotine dependence was 10.3% for whites, compared to 7.1% for Native Americans.

The study, conducted by the Native American Research and Training Center (NARTC) in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, was published today in Drug and Alcohol Dependence (DAD). NARTC researchers analyzed data from a survey of more than 4,000 Native Americans and 160,000 whites from 2013 through 2017. Called the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the survey was administered by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The research team included lead author James K. Cunningham, PhD, associate professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and NARTC member; Teshia Arambula Solomon, PhD, associate professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and NARTC member; and Jamie Ritchey, PhD, MPH, director, Tribal Epidemiology Center, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.

Previous research, both in the United States and throughout the world, has shown that lower income and educational attainment are among the factors most strongly associated with cigarette use. Native Americans have the highest poverty rate of any major U.S. ethnic group, but their cigarette use levels typically have been reported without adjusting for income and education. This can leave the mistaken impression that being Native American itself means higher use.

Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease and deaths are intertwined with the poverty facing many Native Americans. A critical need exists to increase and improve Native American tobacco prevention and treatment programs, while also addressing poverty." Teshia Arambula Solomon, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona

"Despite lower cigarette use when income and education are considered, Native Americans are dying from cigarettes at a much higher rate than whites," Dr. Ritchey said.

The study noted that the smoking-attributable death rate for Native Americans has been estimated at 414 per 100,000, substantially higher than that for whites - 264 per 100,000.

"Beliefs such as Native Americans being distinctly prone to cigarette use are widespread but rarely tested," Dr. Cunningham said. In 2016, the study's research group debunked the "Native American elevated alcohol use" belief when they found that alcohol use among Native Americans was comparable to or less than that of whites.

"The consequences of substance misuse are too serious to allow for myths and misinformation," Dr. Cunningham said.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Friday amid protests and sloganeering by members of the Congress and other Opposition parties over the Delhi violence.

The House will reassemble on March 11 after Holi.

As soon as the House met for the day, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu lauded the role of women in all spheres of the society, and added he chose to make the remarks today as International Women's Day on March 8 was a holiday.

Naidu also made an observation that the media should have highlighted the statement on coronavirus by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the House on Thursday as it was an issue of public concern, but "unfortunately a section of media did not focus on it".

After the papers were laid in the House, Opposition members stood up and started sloganeering over the recent violence in northeast Delhi, which claimed at least 44 lives and left over 200 injured.

Naidu asked them to allow the proceedings to go on but as some of the members trooped into the well, he adjourned the House for the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a notification to parents late Friday morning, Principal Joseph Powers said: "A potential threat to our school was found written in one of our student bathrooms. The Chicago Police Department is engaged and will be investigating the situation. ... We are continuing with classes as scheduled, but are closing off-campus lunch as a precaution.
Hundreds of Yes Bank customers



were seen lining up outside the bank's branches and ATMs in major cities of Gujarat on Friday, a day after the Reserve Bank of India placed a moratorium on the private lender.

The RBI on Thursday evening capped depositor withdrawals from Yes Bank at Rs 50,000 for a month.

It led to panic and lines formed outside the bank's ATMs on Thursday night itself. The rush continued on Friday.

Large queues were seen in cities including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Bhavnagar.

Police were deployed outside Yes Bank ATMs in Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

"I took a day-off today to withdraw cash. This is the only bank account I have. What would I do without money? The Government must not allow such things to happen," said a customer standing outside a Yes Bank branch in Ahmedabad.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lok Sabha was on Friday adjourned till March 11 after two bills that will replace ordinances were passed amid protests by the opposition members in the House.

The Lok Sabha passed The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 amid protests over demand of Congress and some other parties for an immediate discussion on Delhi violence. The government has said that it is prepared for discussion on the issue on March 11 after Holi.

The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was taken up for passage on Thursday but could not be passed due to pandemonium in the House which later led to suspension of seven Congress members for the remaining period of Budget Session. The two bills were a priority for the government.

The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill seeks to remove end-use restrictions in coal mining and provides that the companies need not possess any coal mining experience in India to be eligible to participate in the auction of coal and lignite blocks.

It also seeks to provide composite license for prospecting and mining.

The bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP Act). It will replace the ordinance promulgated in January this year.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, which was moved for passage by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to ease the insolvency resolution process and promote the ease of doing business.

Officials said that the amendments seek to protect last-mile funding and boost investment in financially-distressed sectors and are aimed at streamlining of the insolvency resolution process.

The amendments provide that the liability of a corporate debtor for an offence committed before the corporate insolvency resolution process will cease.

The debtor will not be prosecuted for an offence from the date the resolution plan has been approved by the adjudicating authority if a resolution plan results in change in the management or control of the corporate debtor to a person who was not a promoter or in the management or control of the corporate debtor.

Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur presented a statement showing the supplementary demands for frants (second batch) for 2019-20.

After the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill was passed, BJP member Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, announced that the House will meet again on March 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sex trade survivors, local direct service providers, and women's rights and anti-trafficking organizations in New York City, including NOW-New York, the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and New Yorkers for the Equality Model, are calling on the MTA to immediately remove the extensive display of ads promoting a "sex work pop-up" exhibit currently plastered across the city's public transit system. The ads are prominently displayed inside subway cars and at bus stops. Carried out by the MTA and Outfront Media in February, the advertising rollout was funded by the Open Society Foundations. The ads were designed by The Soze Agency, co-founded by Michael Skolnik, the former political director to Russell Simmons  the American media mogul accused of sexual assault by a number of women. Outraged commuters have sent in photographs to advocates daily. The group delivered a letter to Outfront Media and the MTA with their concerns this week. They have not received a response.

According to the advocates, the ads violate the MTA's own policies to "establish uniform, reasonable, and viewpoint-neutral standards for the display of advertising" on their property. The MTA also prohibits ads that "promote unlawful or illegal goods, services, or activities  or sexually oriented business." At least one ad violates New York state law.

The term "sex work," used in the ads is politically contested. As explained in the letter to Outfront Media and the MTA, the term was coined by the sex trade and its supporters to normalize commercial sexual exploitation and hide the harms and violence perpetuated by pimps, brothel owners and sex buyers against the most vulnerable populations.

"Make no mistake  these 'Pretty in Pink' ads based on the pop-up store concept attempt to legitimize prostitution as a job like any other," said Sonia Ossorio, president of NOW-New York. "In no other 'job,' do customers take out their frustrations with violence or rape on a regular basis because they feel they bought you and have the right to do whatever they want to you. Prostitution is dangerous. It's illegal and shouldn't be advertised to the masses. We recognize the harms of advertising cigarettes and guns, which are ads the MTA would not accept. Advertising prostitution to children in the New York City public transit system is equally vile and irresponsible."

Open Society Foundations, the funder of the exhibit and the ad campaign, has a known and longstanding history of financing efforts that promote the full decriminalization or legalization of prostitution globally, including sex buying, brothel owning, pimping and sex tourism. Their website and other public information clearly indicate their position.

When a state decriminalizes all aspects of prostitution, it effectively renders the ownership and management of commercial sex establishments (brothels, illicit massage parlors, escort services), sex-buying, advancing prostitution (pimping) and other third-party exploiters legal by removing criminal penalties for those activities.

"Under the pretense that these 'pop-ups' are community gatherings for people surviving in the sex trade, the MTA and the City of New York should know that they will likely also offer opportunities for indoctrination and recruitment by exploiters," said Taina Bien-Aime, executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. "Curious teens riding the MTA and seeing these ads may check them out, as will sex buyers and those who profit from sexual exploitation."

The organizations that signed the letter to Outfront Media and the MTA all advocate for laws to end the criminalization, arrests and incarceration of people in prostitution, and for funding of and access to comprehensive services for them. However, as they outlined in their letter, they "firmly believe it is critical for New York to hold accountable those who harm, namely sex buyers, pimps, brothel owners and other exploiters in the sex trade."

"I feel targeted by these ads, and not only me, they target my community  immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ populations," said Cristian Eduardo, a sex trafficking and sex trade survivor who sits on the survivor committee of New Yorkers for the Equality Model. "These ads were designed to romanticize prostitution and were created with the assumption that people bought and sold in the sex trade are there by free choice, without any of the psychological, physical and emotional harms inflicted. I can testify that prostitution thrives on an ecosystem fueled by sexual exploitation. Given the horrors I experienced when my body was used as a commodity, every time I see these ads I feel hurt, disrespected and silenced."

The National Organization for Women New York (NOW-New York) advocates for women and girls across our state by working to defend reproductive rights, fight economic inequality, and end discrimination and violence against women.

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) is one of the oldest non-governmental organizations working to end human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and girls worldwide. Rooted in women's rights and human rights principles, we advocate for strong laws and policies, raise public awareness, and support survivor leadership. Our offices in Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific engage in advocacy, education and prevention programs, and services for victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation regionally.

New Yorkers for the Equality Model is a is a New York-based survivor-led alliance of advocates, prostitution and sex trafficking survivors, and cross-sector organizational partners seeking to implement the Equality Model, decriminalizing only individuals in prostitution, in New York State.

SOURCE Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- A 29-year-old Phoenix man has been arrested and accused of leading police on a car chase in late February, Oswego police said Friday.

Brandon E. Lane was arrested on Feb. 29 after he was identified as the driver who led them on a dangerous chase, police said.

He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operator, reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, police said.

The chase happened at 9:35 p.m. on Feb. 26, police said.

Officers tried to stop a 2019 Hyundai Sonata in the City of Oswego for a traffic infraction, according to police. The driver didnt stop the car and tried to evade officers, police said.

Eventually, Oswego police ended the chase because it had become dangerous, police said.

Officers were dispatched near Oswego High School for a reported car crash, according to police.

They found that several cars parked on Buccaneer Boulevard had been hit and damaged while another car reported being run off the road by a car driving the wrong way down a one-way street, police said.

Lane has been released on an appearance ticket and multiple traffic tickets, according to police .

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.

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Rajesh Abraham By

Express News Service

KOCHI: As the scare over coronavirus spreads, airline companies are announcing flight cancellations to not just the hot spots of the epidemic but even relatively unaffected regions.

While Singapore Airlines has cut down the daily frequency of flights from Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) from two to one after the outbreak of coronavirus was detected last month, Saudi Airlines has cancelled its flight to Jeddah on March 8, 9, 10 and 13. Malaysian airlines Malindo Air earlier cancelled its flights from CIAL to Kaula Lumpur on its scheduled days (March 9, 10, 14). Its flights on March 2 and 4 were also cancelled.

Officials at leading travel agencies reckoned that both Malindo Air and Saudi Airlines are likely to extend the dates to the end of this month. If the COVID-19 spread continues, there are chances that more flights will announce cancellations, they said.

The airline companies are refunding the full amount to the passengers after the cancellations, said an official at Akbar Travels, a leading travel agency. She said airline companies are cancelling flights to corona-affected destinations such as Rome and even Singapore, which is relatively unaffected.

Singapore has made it clear that people should not travel unless its unavoidable. Singapore Airlines has cut down its two flights per day from Cochin airport to one, said an official at Riya Travels, another leading travel agency.

According to travel agents, Kuwait Airlines, Qatar Airlines and Emirates are seeing a lot of cancellations from the travellers. Interestingly, the air fares have seen about 5-7 per cent increase for the nearest travel dates, despite the fall in the number of flyers.

It seems airlines are making up for the loss of business due to the drop in the number of flyers, said the official.Babu Paul, general manager of Speedwing Travels, a travel agent, expects other regions such as the UAE to announce travel restrictions soon, after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

From Sunday, passengers have to compulsorily undergo a complete medical examination and obtain a PCR medical certificate from the health centres approved by the Kuwait Embassy in India certifying that the travellers are free from coronavirus before entering the Gulf country. Similar restrictions may be announced by the UAE too soon. If that happens, we may have more flight cancellations, he said.

Madhav Pai, CMD of Wow Holidays, however, expects the situation to revert to normal by April, when the travel season starts. International travel season will start only from April and the travellers are assessing the impact of coronavirus now. They are not keen on cancellations at this juncture. However, there are uncertainties in the air and people are keeping their fingers crossed, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

The route created in Azerbaijan upon the Jewish heritage, the work conducted in this regard, as well as the promotion of this tourism product, are appreciated by the Israeli government, Israeli Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan George Deek said.

Deek made the remark at the meeting with Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev in Baku, Trend reports on March 6 referring to the agency.

The potential spheres of cooperation in the tourism sector, as well as the related international events to be held this year in both countries were discussed at the meeting.

The parties also exchanged the views on other issues of mutual concern.

Earlier, Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan George Deek stated that the number of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Israel will increase.

Presently, we want to develop both business relations and relations between people within bilateral cooperation between the countries, the ambassador said.

The cooperation is growing in the tourism sector. The number of tourists coming from Israel to Azerbaijan reached 10,000 people in 2016, Deek said. This figure reached 60,000 tourists in 2019. The countries have an agreement on direct flights which are operated five times a week. We plan to bring the number of flights up to seven."
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday condemned the Telangana government for arresting party MP A Revanth Reddy for 'raising his voice against corruption.'

"I condemn Telangana government for arresting MP Revanth Reddy for raising his voice against corruption and illegal construction undertaken by leaders of the ruling party in the state. He should be immediately released," read a statement by Azad.

"Generally, the stand taken by the MP should have been appreciated and the action should have been initiated against the corrupt leaders, instead of that the MP has been jailed. This shows the close nexus between the government and those who are undertaking illegal construction," he further said.

"The govt should initiate action against the culprits involved in illegal construction," Azad demanded.

Congress MP Reddy was arrested on Thursday for flying a drone over a farmhouse, which reportedly belongs to Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Financial firms in New York City were testing remote-work capabilities, implementing new travel restrictions and canceling or modifying upcoming events as the coronavirus outbreak  already on the finance capitals doorstep  showed little sign of abating.

MetLife Inc, whose headquarters sits atop Grand Central Station, imposed a ban on international travel that is not essential, a person familiar with the matter said.

The insurer is requiring staff to get approval from the executive team before taking such trips, and encouraging employees to hold virtual meetings via conference call or video chat rather than travel domestically.

A small number of employees  fewer than 10  are self-quarantining because they have traveled to regions that are affected by the virus, the person said. MetLife directed employees who are worried about using public transit to speak to their managers about possibly working from home, although it has not imposed a broad work-from-home mandate.

Hedge-fund firm Third Point LLC sent a note to those attending its March 9 investor day in Manhattan, outlining new procedures including a no handshake policy, according to the message, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

Attendees must ensure they have spent at least two weeks outside of high-risk territories prior to the event, the message said.

Morgan Stanleys prime brokerage unit went a step further, postponing an event scheduled for March 19 until November. It is one of several industry events that have been canceled or pushed back.

Government officials have detailed ten confirmed coronavirus cases in New York state, leading to self-quarantine orders for 1,000 people in the suburb of Westchester.

JPMorgan Chase & Co began rolling out emergency coronavirus plans across the United States this week, asking thousands of employees to work from home or from secondary locations, including two outside of Manhattan.

Big U.S. lenders have been dusting off contingency plans, implementing travel restrictions, postponing events and staying in touch with regulators.

But some New York-based employees told Reuters it was business as usual.

One employee who took his normal commute to Manhattan from the suburbs on Wednesday morning said his train had as many Wall Street types as it usually does. Another joked about buying a mask and expressed enthusiasm about the idea of working from home.

I just delete those emails, a third employee said, referring to a company-wide coronavirus memo. Unless it says you can go home, it isnt useful to me.

(Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn, Lawrence Delevingne Additional reporting by Imani Moise, David Henry, Anna Irrera and Elizabeth Dilts-Marshall Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra Editing by Rosalba OBrien)

Topics Carriers COVID-19 New York
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford has said that 50-50 police recruitment will never return in Northern Ireland.

Mr Stalford was speaking after Justice Minister Naomi Long said she did not believe the reintroduction of the policy was necessary and political consensus around the issue did not exist.

"Obviously, if there were consensus among the political parties and key policing stakeholders that we should be contemplating this, we would have to give it due consideration, but it is clear that such a consensus does not exist at present," the Alliance leader said in response to Mr Stalford's written question on the issue.

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Mr Stalford said political consensus on the issue will never exist and as a result "50-50 discrimination is never coming back".

The DUP MLA said Mrs Long's answer sent a "powerful message" on the issue.

He told the Belfast Telegraph that during 50-50 recruitment Northern Ireland was the only place in Europe where it was legal to discriminate against groups based on their religion.

"It flew in the face of fairness and equality, it's important that we get the right people for the right roles based on merit regardless of their religion" the South Belfast MLA said.

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Mr Stalford said he wanted to see a representative police force, but that it could be achieved in other ways.

He said that police outreach in under-represented areas could make an impact and called on political leaders in the nationalist community to play a greater role in encouraging people to join the police.

The DUP have had to swallow the word never on more than one occasion in the past. Dolores Kelly

SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly said that while it was correct there would never be political consensus for its return, unionists had to be open to the possibility it's reintroduction may be necessary in future to ensure a "legitimate and representative" police force.

The SDLP MLA said "the DUP have had to swallow the word never on more than one occasion in the past".

Mrs Kelly said based on current trends Catholics could make up just 19% of the PSNI in five years time.

She said she hoped it wouldn't be necessary for the policy to be reintroduced and a number of other options were being explored to boost the number of Catholics in the force.

"If the trend continues then the number of Catholic PSNI Officers will force Mrs Long to think again," the Upper Bann MLA said.

"It's hard for young Catholics looking to join the police, there are not a lot of role models out there to turn to for advice the dissident threat puts other off and causes them to drop out. They need to be supported."

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Mrs Kelly said it was encouraging that around a third of applicants in the most recent PSNI recruitment process were from a Catholic background.

She said that Mrs Long's response had not ruled out revisiting the issue in future.

Sinn Fein policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly said his party believed 50-50 recruitment should not have ended.

The North Belfast MLA said it was "was necessary to address decades of imbalance in the make-up of the police and was only one part of wholesale reforms in an effort to bring about an accountable policing service committed to policing with the community".

In our recent meetings with the PSNI they recognised the need to tackle the barriers to recruitment clearly designated in recent surveys and representations by Sinn Fein, he said.

Mr Kelly and Sinn Fein vice-President Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a PSNI recruitment event in January was seen as a groundbreaking step in encouraging Catholics to join the police. Threats were issued against the pair following the event.

Expand Close Dolores Kelly; Mervyn Storey; First Minister Arlene Foster; PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne; Policing Board chair Anne Connolly; Gerry Kelly; Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill, and Deputy Chief Constable-elect Mark Hamilton at the PSNI recruitment drive / Facebook

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Whatsapp Dolores Kelly; Mervyn Storey; First Minister Arlene Foster; PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne; Policing Board chair Anne Connolly; Gerry Kelly; Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill, and Deputy Chief Constable-elect Mark Hamilton at the PSNI recruitment drive

The 50-50 mechanism was established in 2001 following the independent Patten report into policing in Northern Ireland as part of an effort to re-balance a force largely comprised of members of the Protestant community.

At the time the policy was introduced Catholics made up around 8% of the police force. The policy was then dropped in 2011.

Around 32% of PSNI officers are currently from the Catholic community.
In line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abeas request last week that schools nationwide close their doors following the COVID-19 virus outbreak, 98.8 percent of all municipally run elementary schools have started extraordinary breaks, education ministry data has shown.

Of the 19,161 such elementary schools nationwide, 18,923 are now closed, the data showed Wednesday. It showed that 316 elementary and junior high schools in 20 municipalities have decided not to shut.

Among prefectural-run institutions, 3,314 high schools were closed in 46 of the 47 prefectures, excluding Shimane Prefecture, according to the data as of Wednesday. So were 869 special-needs schools in 45 prefectures, excluding Saitama and Shimane.

On Feb. 27, the prime minister called for all elementary, junior high and senior high schools, and special-needs schools, to be closed from Monday in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Based on Abeas request, the ministry last Friday instructed local education boards to shut schools from Monday through the end of spring break, which typically ends in early April, while allowing each local government to make decisions on whether to actually close schools and for how long.
Mumbai, March 6 : Presenting a Rs 9,511 crore deficit budget for 2020-2021, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday hiked VAT on petrol/diesel by Re 1 per litre to mop up an additional revenue of Rs 1,800 crore for the cash-starved state coffers.

Presenting the maiden budget of the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress Maha Vikas Aghadi government as it completed 100 days in office, Pawar, who holds the Finance portfolio, said that the additional amount would go towards creation of a special 'Green Fund' which would be used for environment conservation and projects of sewage disposal, and waste management.

Simultaneously, he announced concessions for two years in stamp duty for registration of documents which is expected to breathe new life into the ailing realty sector in Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur.

The duty will be down by 1 percent from existing 6 percent to 5 percent in these areas and would give a fillip to the construction sector.

Pawar's budget estimates a total of Rs 4.34 lakh crore would flow into the state kitty from various capital accounts of which 5.184 per cent will be from the state's own taxes and 4.72 percent from non-tax sources.

The state's share in Central raxes was 11.08 percent while its internal debt stood at 18.57 percent and spending on salaries, pensions and other aspects was at 55.11 percent.

The state's shortfall from CGST was Rs 2,221 crore and SGST was Rs 16,290 crore, besides Rs 1,565 crore of taxes other than Corporate Tax and Rs 375 crore from Customs Duty.

While Pawar presented the State Budget 2020-2021 in the Assembly, Minister of State for Finance Shambhuraje Desai tabled it in the Council.

Pawar said that there has been a decline in the Central funds allocated to the state by Rs 8,453 crore, but despite the funds crunch and economic slowdown, the government has provided funds for key sectors like employment generation, health, irrigation development, tourism, urban and rural infrastructure projects, and made provisions for the agriculture and education sectors.

On the health front, he proposed an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore, of which 50 percent will be set aside for medical education like construction of new hospitals, revamping existing hospitals, and medical colleges, buying new ambulances, etc.

An amount of Rs 1,000 crore will be spent on revamping all roads leading to major urban markets in all cities in the state, and Rs 1,300 crore for higher and technical education.

The state has made an additional provision for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkar Sanman Yojana-2017 and the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjamukti Yojana-2019, besides additional provision of Rs 1,388 crore for farmers' assistance under various other schemes.

The budget has earmarked Rs 22,000 crore for the MJPSKY being currently implemented, along with an incentive of Rs 50,000 to those farmers who have been judiciously repaying their loans.

Besides promising to hike the loan waiver limits from the current threshold of Rs 200,000 and making it applicable to all farmers till March 2019, Pawar said a whopping 500,000 solar power pumps would be distributed to farmers in the next five years.

Among the other highlights, he announced an outlay of Rs 150 crore for the 'Shiv Bhojan Thali' scheme which will now cater to 100,000 people daily.

He proposed an international tourism hub, including a world-class aquarium, on a 14-acre plot at Worli, the constituency of Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray.

He announced an outlay of Rs 100 crore per annum for tourism development in Mumbai for five years, developing the Haji Ali mausoleum, and other tourism related projects at hill stations, beaches and tourist destinations around the state with an outlay of Rs 1,400 crore.

Pawar allocated Rs 1,657 crore for various ongoing Metro Rail projects in the state for next year and also announced two new Metro lines for Pune - Shivajinagar-Shevalevadi and Man-Pirangut.

He also announced extending the Vanaj-Ramwadi line to Chandni Chowk and Wagholi in both directions, extending the Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate line to Katraj and Nigdi in both directions.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, NCP ministers Jayant Patil, Nawab Malik, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Congress ministers Balasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan, and others hailed the budget, while the Leader Of Opposition in Assembly Devendra Fadnavis and Leader of Opposition in Council Pravin Darekar strongly criticized the budget on various counts.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
Fridays multi-year budget will aim to protect key services without relying on a higher-than-expected tax increase to do so, according to Mayor Brian Bowman.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/3/2020 (676 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fridays multi-year budget will aim to protect key services without relying on a higher-than-expected tax increase to do so, according to Mayor Brian Bowman.

In the wake of cost-saving proposals that noted dozens of city amenities could shut down to balance the citys first four-year budget, the mayor said Winnipeggers can expect some investment.

"The multi-year balanced budget will prioritize investments in (Winnipeg) Transit, community safety, community services, roads, fire protection and our tree canopy," Bowman told reporters Thursday.

The mayor was tight-lipped as to which proposed cuts could be avoided and how the city will do so as municipal departments cap their annual spending hikes at between zero and two per cent for the next four years.

Some groups urged council to raise property taxes beyond the 2.33 per cent annual hikes Bowman proposed in his re-election campaign but the mayor said that wont be done.

"Im unwavering in that commitment, primarily because its a commitment that I made to Winnipeggers," he said.

The mayors comments follow a long and sometimes divisive budget process. Some critics have accused the city of deliberately scaring Winnipeggers with the prospect of steep cuts council wouldnt actually approve to make the actual draft budget appear more acceptable.

Cost-saving options from the community services department, for example, include the potential closure of 38 wading pools, five pools, five arenas and three libraries. Council committees also heard that city staff positions, a multi-family garbage contract and some Transit services could be on the chopping block.

The mayor declined to rule out any specific cut Thursday.

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On the same day, both the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and a citizens group entitled Budget for All Winnipeg were outside City Hall to oppose the potential cuts.

Jeff Friesen, a member of Budget for All, said hes concerned the closure of the Sherbrook Pool would be particularly damaging.

"That is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in our city That they have a space that they can go and enjoy a public facility, I think, is vital to the life of that community," said Friesen.

Friesen said he would personally prefer to pay a steeper property tax to avoid those cuts.

"To me, taxes are a way in which we can share our resources and sharing resources is a vital way to build up communities," he said.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
T he Duchess of Cornwall today made an impassioned plea to tackle domestic abuse and help those who suffer in silence.

With two women a week in Britain dying at the hands of their partners, Camilla, president of Women Of The World, called for urgent action to end the power of coercive control and violence in the home.

At the opening of the WOW Festival at the Southbank Centre this morning, the duchess said: I find it almost impossible to think that any friend of mine might be living under that horrific threat, without my knowing it, but that is the power of coercive control and violence in the home.

It is characterised by silence  silence from those that suffer, silence from those around them, and silence from those who perpetrate abuse. This silence is corrosive; it leaves women, children and men carrying the burden of shame.

It prevents them from speaking out about the abuse and it prevents them from getting help. And at its worst it can be fatal.

The festival runs for three days to explore the state of gender equality across the globe and features speakers, activists and performers.

The duchess spoke at its opening session, Domestic Violence  Everyones Problem. Afterwards she used her first ever hashtag, #EveryonesProblem, to support a campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence and coercive control. The initiative is led by a number of charities, including Refuge and SafeLives.

Camilla, a long-time champion in the fight to end domestic abuse, went on: Charity begins at home. But so does domestic violence. Three-quarters of violence against women happens in a place where a woman should feel safest  her own home.

And just imagine: one in four women in this country will suffer domestic violence in their lifetime.

She added: We all welcome the new laws on coercive control, but laws alone cannot change behaviour.

The dial is moving forward, but last year, two women a week were killed by current or former partners in England and Wales alone. We are in 2020, and still these abused people all over the country cannot feel secure and safe at home.

What can be done? We must bring this taboo subject out in the open and talk about it. We all need to understand what coercive control is, how insidious it is, and how it so often leads to repeated violence.

The duchess added: Of course, it is not always men who abuse. It is not always women who are abused. Lets not forget that this is a complicated issue.

The campaign to end domestic violence needs the voices of men as well as women challenging the cultural, economic and political context in which we all experience the world.

We will all benefit from building a society which will simply not tolerate this heinous crime any longer.

Launched by theatre director and producer Jude Kelly in 2010, WOW festivals aim to celebrate women and girls by raising awareness of the issues that prevent them achieving their potential and discussing solutions together.

To date WOW has reached over two million people in 17 countries on six continents with more than 80 festivals and events held.
When first responders answered roughly 10 calls from a long-term care center in Kirkland, Washington, over the course of a week, they did not expect to become patients themselves.

Entering the Life Care Center of Kirkland last month exposed them to the novel coronavirus that sickens people with an illness known as COVID-19. Because the emergency calls came before authorities realized the virus was circulating in the community, some of the responders did not wear protective gear.

As of Thursday, 27 firefighters and three police officers were under quarantine. Twelve are showing flu-like symptoms. Two other responders were released from isolation. The virus has infected 70 people and killed 10 in Washington state. One person has also died in California.

That cluster of COVID-19 cases highlights a new threat faced by the nation's first responders  including emergency medical technicians, ambulance crews and some firefighters. Emergency preparedness managers and organizations representing first responders around the country acknowledged that a severe outbreak like the one in Kirkland could put their normal contingency plans to the test.

Localities that run out of protective gear  already in short supply - may have to turn to the federal government for help, the International Association of Fire Fighters said. Communities that typically rely on one another for help may not be able to do so if the virus overwhelms their region.

If the virus drives up demand for services, communities may also see a change in how calls are prioritized and, if workforce ranks are diminished, how fast responders arrive, say experts on emergency preparedness. That means dispatchers may be more selective about when to send an ambulance, said Dr. John Hick, medical director for emergency preparedness at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

In a worst-case scenario, he said, they may ask less seriously ill patients to find their own transportation to the hospital.

Its sort of like saying, Are you ready for a house fire, right? The house is going to get damaged," Hick said about preparing for the worst. "Were gonna do the best we can to keep the damage to a minimum.

To be sure, no one knows how widespread COVID-19 will be in the United States. As of publication, researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who are tracking the outbreak report at least 230 confirmed cases in nearly 20 states.

Despite the uncertainty, plans are underway. To help guide emergency personnel, dispatchers are ramping up their screening of callers to identify potential cases of the coronavirus. Hospital emergency management directors are reviewing how to conserve and repurpose in-demand supplies. And EMT and fire departments are taking inventory to make sure they have enough protective equipment for responders in the field.

"We dont want to cookie-cutter anything," said Doug Stern, media relations director for the International Association of Fire Fighters. He said first responders are using their past experiences plus information from the current outbreak to form their working framework.

One way first responders protect themselves in situations with a serious infection risk is by wearing personal protective equipment. Gowns, goggles and gloves create a barrier that reduces the chance a worker will be exposed to the germ.

Typically, first responders choose what gear to wear based on information from the dispatcher while en route to the scene, Stern said. Not every situation requires protective gear. In some cases, items like gowns can hinder responders from being able to react quickly.

In an ICU, youre working in a controlled condition," said Stern. "Our firefighters are not working in controlled conditions. Theyre working in whatever environment they get thrown into.

In Kirkland, firefighters are now wearing personal protective equipment when responding to any calls from the Life Care Center, said the city's spokesperson.

But emergency services around the world are clamoring for supplies like masks and gloves in the face of COVID-19.

Andrew Yurek, director of safety and emergency management at Northfield Hospital & Clinics in Minnesota, said his system has what they need for now, but he is already having trouble ordering more items. He is reviewing every back order and solidifying plans for alternatives the system can use to conserve the stockpile.

"Everyone in the world is looking for the same stuff," Yurek said, "and we are in the same boat.

Even if departments have enough supplies, Stern said, work by the dispatchers is key to determining whether the situation warrants extra protective equipment.

The linchpin in all of this is making sure that the dispatchers are asking the questions that help the firefighters prepare on their way," he said.

Yurek said his department is coordinating with dispatchers to ask callers questions about signs of respiratory illness and travel history.

The International Association of Fire Fighters is recommending to local fire unions that their dispatchers also be encouraged to ask for additional information, Stern said.

First responders face grueling work conditions even without the threat of a novel virus. Paramedics and emergency personnel have among the highest rates of illness and injury of any job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

In the event of an outbreak, first responders sickened by COVID-19 could create gaps in the workforce at a time when their services may be in high demand. And they may be gone for a substantial amount of time  the CDC recommends that those exposed to the virus be quarantined for 14 days.

The fewer emergency medical technicians there are," Hick said, "the more pressure theyre under to  do whatever they have to do to answer those calls.

Typically, departments that are overwhelmed by a disaster rely on mutual aid or an agreement that enables communities to share first responders. But this assumes that COVID-19 won't engulf neighboring areas, Stern said, which might not be the case.

Theres only a finite number of people that can come," said Dr. Ray Fowler, chief of the division of emergency medical services in the emergency medicine department at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "So we have to work to protect those folks.
While Holi gatherings are being cancelled across the city for fear of spreading the coronavirus, the Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay, which has around 5 lakh members, issued new guidelines for religious services on Thursday.

A circular issued by Archbishop Oswald Gracias to parish priests of the 122 churches that fall within the diocese, asks community members to greet each other with folded hands instead of a handshake. He has also said holy communion should be received in hand instead of being placed in the mouth. Congregations have also been instructed to not kiss the crucifix. The circular also asks priests and ministers to use sanitiser on their hands and to keep the holy water stoop dry. Community members have been asked to follow these guidelines until Easter, following which they will be reviewed. Easter will be observed on April 12.

The guidelines were issued to sensitise people so that they follow similar practices at their homes as well. These guidelines have only been issued for Mumbai region as of now. We are in the process of issuing it for the entire country under the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said Gracias, adding that schools under the diocese will follow similar rules. We want people to exercise caution and avoid physical contact so that a virus such as this could be controlled, he said.

Community members commended the archdioceses decision. Our Central government and the World Health Organisation are issuing guidelines to help people stay safe. Similarly, if the archdiocese has issued guidelines, then it is commendable and a welcome step. I am sure community members would follow it, said Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, a doctor and a lay Catholic theologian.

Father Frazer Mascarenhas, parish priest of St Peters Church at Bandra and former principal of St Xaviers College, said all parish priests have accepted the circular and welcomed it. We have people from across the world visiting our churches and we never know who may be infected. Though Mumbai has not been hit by virus yet, it is better to be safe, said Mascarenhas.
06.03.2020: Borregaard ASA (Borregaard, OSE ticker: BRG)

Reference is made to the stock exchange notice of 28 February 2020 where Borregaard announced the intent to repurchase up to 300,000 of its outstanding common stock.

Borregaard has today purchased 22,076 own shares through broker at an average price of NOK 102.03 per share.

After this transaction Borregaard holds a total of 211,173 own shares, representing 0.21% of total shares outstanding.

Contact:

Lotte Kvinlaug, Investor Relations Officer, +47 922 86 909

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
Experts say the world can no longer turn a blind eye to one of the worst atrocities committed in modern times. The UK-based peoples tribunal released its final report on two decades of forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience in China.

Our France correspondent David Vives met with a surgeon who testified at the tribunal. He says he was forced to kill a prisoner in China.
A Jersey City man was arrested Thursday after authorities say he threatened a Hasidic Jewish man exiting the building that housed the kosher deli where three people were murdered in a hate-inspired attack.

Taylor Stackhouse, 38, was charged with terroristic threats and bias crimes for threatening the property manager of the Martin Luther King Drive building on Tuesday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

The building is the location of the shooting that claimed the lives of three innocent people on Dec. 10. Earlier that day, the two shooters who carried out the attack on the deli murdered Jersey City Detective Joseph Seals in Bayview Cemetery.

Both shooters were killed at the scene when authorities pinned them down in the deli, leading to an hours-long gun battle. The U.S. Attorneys Office has since determined the incident was a hate crime.

Suarez said there is no indication of any connection between Stackhouse and the Dec. 10 attack.

Stackhouse was arrested Thursday afternoon without incident on Dwight Street and Bergen Avenue. He was charged with two counts of second-degree bias intimidation and one count of fourth-degree bias intimidation, as well as two counts of terroristic threats. He was also charged with a petty disorderly persons harassment offense, Suarez said.
Technavio has been monitoring the contact lenses market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.55 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200306005220/en/

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

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Contact Lenses Market is segmented as below:

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Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Hybrid Lenses

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South America

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Contact Lenses Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

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

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Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

Market segmentation by product

Comparison by product

Soft lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Rigid gas permeable lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Hybrid lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by product

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Increasing adoption of advanced technologies in contact lenses

Launch of new products

Prevalence of acquisitions and partnerships

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Bausch Health Companies, Inc.

BenQ Materials Corp.

Contamac Ltd.

HOYA Corp.

Johnson Johnson Services Inc.

Menicon Co. Ltd.

Novartis AG

SEED Co. Ltd.

The Cooper Companies Inc.

ZEISS Group

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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/20200306005220/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

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Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
(Natural News) Israel has imposed tightened travel restrictions on five European countries on Wednesday due to coronavirus fears, effectively barring entry to nearly all non-residents arriving from the affected countries. Further, the Jewish state also ordered all residents and citizens returning from Austria, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland to go into a 14-day home quarantine as soon as they enter Israeli territory.

Prior to this, similar measures have already been imposed for those traveling from China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau, according to a report by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

We are at the peak of a global epidemic, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his announcement of the latest travel bans. We are in a better situation than other countries because, since the beginning, I have given instructions to the maximum possible, not the minimum level of precaution. And we have taken strict, very strict measures, to slow the spread of the virus.

According to the guidelines provided by the countrys health ministry, foreigners coming in from the aforementioned European countries will be barred from entering Israeli territory unless they provide proof that they have a place to stay in for quarantine. The interior ministry also released a statement saying that tourists flocking into Israel from the affected countries will not be able to enter the Jewish state from Friday at 8:00 am (0600 GMT). In addition, international conventions and gatherings of more than 5,000 people have been prohibited.

At the time of writing, Israel only has 15 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus with zero casualties so far. However, about 7,000 citizens have opted to self-quarantine themselves in their own homes. Even during the height of the countrys election period on Monday, many people under quarantine proceeded to vote at special polling stations staffed by officials in protective gear. (Related: It may already be too late for travel restrictions in America, as the coronavirus has already spread to so many cities, its unable to be contained.)

Safety precautions

In a separate statement, Reuters reported that the Israeli military said it was scrapping the remainder of its Juniper Cobra joint exercise with more than 600 troops of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM), with most of the troops arriving from Germany and the United States. The cancellation was done in accordance with the directives given by the Health Ministry and was done in coordination with the commander of EUCOM.

U.S. European Command, in close coordination with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), has canceled the remaining portion of Exercise Juniper Cobra 20, said EUCOM in a statement. The decision is in alignment with recent Israeli Ministry of Health guidelines on COVID-19, and a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

The two-week drill, which began on on Tuesday, was set to end on March 13. The exercise involved around 2,500 EUCOM soldiers collaborating with 1,000 Israeli soldiers, according to the Israel Defense Forces on Twitter.

2,500 @US_EUCOM troops

1,000 IDF soldiers

2 weeks

1 goal: Exercise our aerial defense systems to make suretogetherwe are ready to combat any threat, anytime.       JUNIPER COBRA 2020

Lets do this  pic.twitter.com/goXgHeCef7  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 3, 2020

Similarly, The U.S. and South Korean militaries canceled an upcoming annual exercise on Thursday as the Asian country is caught in the largest outbreak of coronavirus reported outside of China. The Defense Post reports that there are around 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect the country against a potential attack from the nuclear-armed North. Many of these troops are based directly south of the capital Seoul at Camp Humphreys, one of Americas biggest overseas military facilities.

Combined Forces Command claims that the decision was made as soon as Seoul declared a severe alert level over the virus and added that the operation was postponed until further notice. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that there are more than 500 new infections, one of the largest surges of infection in the worlds 12th largest economy.

As of writing, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 95,000 people worldwide are afflicted with the novel coronavirus and emphasized the importance of implementing a comprehensive approach to mitigating the spread of the virus.

Learn more about this ongoing outbreak at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

OSAC.gov

NBCNews.com

UK.Reuters.com

EUCOM.mil

TheDefensePost.com

WHO.int [PDF]
Could crime-fighting aerial surveillance help solve KC's high murder rate? KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- What do you value more: Your privacy or your safety? A crime-fighting surveillance company told KCTV5 they have a new tool that could save lives in Kansas City. The company would take pictures of your every move from the sky.

Across the world and, more surveillance hasn't helped reduce violence . . . Sadly, that isn't keeping KCMO from continuing this crackdown that largely works to strip privacy away from law abiding citizens. Read more: